It's Monday, What Are You Reading (74)

It's Monday What Are You Reading? is a fun weekly meme hosted by Sheila at Book Journey. I always enjoy seeing what other people have read and reviewed over the past week. It is also a great way to find new books to add to that ever-growing TBR list!

Books read:

Heartless by Gail Carriger

I enjoyed this latest book in the Parasol Protectorate series though I didn't think it was as good as the previous books. Still, it was entertaining and I liked learning more about the history of various characters.

What Happened to Goodbye by Sarah Dessen

I was worried that I would not like this book though I am a fan of Dessen. Her books tend to be similar. Thankfully there were enough differences in the story that similarities in character personalities didn't bother me. I definitely liked this one more than Along For the Ride.

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

The Girl of Fire and Thorns (Fire and Thorns in the UK) is one of my favorites that I've read so far this year. It is a book that I might not have picked up if I hadn't seen it in NetGalley and read YA author Zoe Marriott's excellent review. I love that the main character is POC. I think this is the first YA fantasy that I've read with a Latina protagonist. I will definitely buy a finished copy this September!

Jazz in Love by Neesha Meminger

Jazz in Love reminded me a little of the movie Bend It Like Beckham. This was a fun book but definitely not as good as Shine, Coconut Moon. I had some issues with the romance and Jazz got on my nerves at times with her bad decisions though she meant well most of the time. 

How to Ruin a Summer Vacation by Simone Elkeles

This book is quite different from Perfect Chemistry. While Amy could be selfish and annoying, I liked reading about her adventures in Israel. She did grow on me and the book is quite funny. 

Books reviewed:

The Girl in the Garden by Kamala Nair

Always a Witch by Carolyn MacCullough

Currently reading:

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan

I've already read this series but that was a couple of years ago so I thought it would be fun to reread them. Actually I ran out of reading material while visiting my parents and this is one of the few selections at Wal-Mart that I wanted to own. The Lightning Thief is just as much fun the second time around and I wish I hadn't waited so long to reread it. It is definitely better than the movie!

What I plan to read next:

Trial by Fire by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

I really liked Raised By Wolves when I read it earlier this year. It is currently my favorite werewolf book so I am looking forward to this sequel and hoping it will be just as good.

Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter

When I read Heist Society last year, I thought that the book was similar to Ocean's Eleven. This one sounds kind of like Ocean's Twelve (the con artists get conned). I have a feeling this will be a fun book though not as good as the Gallagher Girls series. Wish we didn't have to wait so long for Out of Sight, Out of Time.

Ruby Red by Kersten Gier

I am eager to dive into this time travel story. Plus I love the cover. Hope the story will be just as lovely :)

Blue Skies Tomorrow by Sarah Sundin

I am reading this for a blog tour. I really enjoy this author's historical fiction books set during WWII and this is the final book in the Wings of Glory series.