Flower Children by Maxine Swann

Told through the eyes of Maeve, the second oldest of four children, Flower Children is a story of childhood, innocence, maturity, and exploration. The story itself is heavily influenced, if not completely derived from the author's own childhood. Maeve and her three siblings grew up in household where nothing is secret. Everything is open for honest discussion and nothing is discrete. The parents both come from wealthy families, both with ivy league degrees. Though they are sometimes brought into this world, the children mostly enjoy the comforts of their care-free and unconventional lifestyle. I rather enjoyed reading Flower Children with one exception; Swann begins to lead the reader into adolescence, then abruptly stops at childhood and ends the story. I think a continuation through high school would have given more character depth and development, especially given the way Swann ends the book.

Next up is The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman.

2008 Booklist

Here is my 2008 book list. A bit smaller than I would like due to school and studying for boards. My goal for next year is to go a minimum of ten above. *indicates I books I rather liked. My favorite was Water for Elephants. Least favorite was The Historian.

*Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
**Survivor by Chuck Palahniuk
***The Eyes of The Dragon by Stephen King
**Lullaby by Chuck Palahniuk
***Oryx and Crake by Margaret Atwood
*The Stepford Wives by Ira Levin
Big Fish by Daniel Wallace
God Bless You Dr. Kevorkian by Kurt Vonnegut
Stranger Than Ficton by Chuck Palahniuk
**The Probable Future by Alice Hoffman
**The Ice Queen by Alice Hoffman
**1984 by George Orwell
The Historian by by Elizabeth Kostova
*Twilight by Stephanie Meyer
*New Moon by Stephanie Meyer
**Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
**Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
***Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen
Uglies be Scott Westerfeld
Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
*Shadows in the Asylum: The Case Files of Dr. Charles Marsh by D. A. Stern
***Abarat: Book One by Clive Barker
**Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War by Clive Barker
**The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood
**The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

Total Books: 27

Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card

A sci-fi classic. Andrew "Ender" Wiggen is most certainly not your average child. At the ripe age of six, he is recruited by the military for training in preparation for the ultimate battle of alien vs. human dominion. Rooted from a family of distant parents, a sadistic brother, and a loving sister, Ender is thrown into battle simulations, isolated from anyone he might potentially become close with, and manipulated to become the ultimate weapon. Ender's Game includes aliens, war, politics, family, and diplomacy. What more does one need?

This book has received several awards, exceptional reviews, and came highly recommended to me. However, I did not enjoy it as much as I had anticipated. I recognize that I am in the minority and can appreciate others fondness of the story. Though an interesting read, it does not hold the significance and discernment for me as it does many other readers.

The Tales of Beedle the Bard by J. K. Rowling

A whimsical, but brief, look into the world of Harry Potter. A must read for all fans. :)

Abarat: Days of Magic, Nights of War by Clive Barker

"I dreamed I spoke in another's language,
I dreamed I lived in another's skin,
I dreamed I was my own beloved,
I dreamed I was a tiger's kin.

I dreamed that Eden lived inside me,
And when I breathed a garden came,
I dreamed I knew all of Creation,
I dreamed I knew the Creator's name.

I dreamed--and this dream was the finest--
That all I dreamed was real and true,
And we would live in joy forever,
You in me, and me in you."
— Clive Barker (Abarat, Book 2: Days of Magic, Nights of War)

So begins the journey of Candy Quackenbush in Abarat, Book 2: Days of Magic, Nights of War. The beginning is has a slow build-up. I almost am inclined to think that Barker wasn't sure if this was going to be the last book in the Abarat series or not when he began writing this story. Once things get rolling, it's a hard book to set down. The reader delves deeper into Candy's history and lineage, uncovering secrets and connections hidden in the first book. Also, the reader becomes better acquainted with Abarat and the twenty-five islands of The Hours. A must read for any fan of the series or anyone looking to get lost in a magical world where anything is possible.