42. Shakespeare, Bill Bryson

Shakespeare: The World as Stage, Bill Bryson

I read Bill Bryson for his travel writing. I love Bill Bryson for his travel writing. I haven't read all of it and nearly every day I ask myself, why haven't I?

So I decided to read his biography on Shakespeare. Because I love Shakespeare. And I love Bill Bryson. What better way to enjoy this affection than by combining the two? Naturally, this only urged my love on in many ways, including one that says hey, Sarah, you haven't been to Stratford-upon-Avon yet so why don't you go? Now. Or, if not know, what about ASAP?

Basically, Bryson begins his book by saying that any biography on Shakespeare is mostly made of of assumptions and suppositions and heresay and that he wants to present just the facts that actually exist and that's why his book is so small. Great. And most of the book deals with facts surrounding London and theater and life during Shakespeare's time. Because it's true: we really know for sure a minuscule amount about Shakespeare.

But Bryson (and me for that record) does believe that Shakespeare existed, that he was one man who was a genius playwright, and that William Shakespeare was his actual, true name. That's really the only thing I was looking to get out of the book. That and some laughs. Which happened. And an intense desire to pack up and see a show at the Globe. Which also happened.

Thank you, William Shakespeare and Bill Bryson.

41. The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, Trenton Lee Stewart

The Mysterious Benedict Society and the Perilous Journey, Trenton Lee Stewart

I read somewhere, I'm thinking on Rick Riordan's blog on barnesandnoble.com, that this series of two books (so far, let me hope there will be more) is comparable to anything that Roald Dahl wrote. Now, I'm going to be honest and say that the only way I know much about Dahl is from watching both versions of Charlie/Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. I have not, actually, read anything by Roald Dahl. So I can't intelligently compare.

What I can say is that I LOVE The Mysterious Benedict Society. Stewart writes enchantingly, and he shows me these young characters in such a charming manner. I believe that they are young, but I believe that they are smart also. For a kid's book, I do not feel too smart for it. In fact, sometimes, I feel as though I'm not smart enough. I may have lost the childhood innocence that the characters share, and that his readers might share as well.

Basically, this is every bit as good as the first. It has wit, intelligence, humor, adventure, danger, friendship -- everything. So I'd like to recommend it to everyone, and not just your above-average intelligent middle school reader. But they'll enjoy it just as much, I'm sure.

40. Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire, Suzanne Collins

Oh. My. God. How lucky am I that I managed to nab an ARC of The Hunger Games sequel? Honestly, I had a mild heart attack when I saw it.

I really tried not to read through this took quickly because the first consumed an entire night for me once; I sacrificed sleep in order to get to the end. This one, I wanted to savor. Let me tell you that plan didn't work. I absolutely could not put the book down.

I don't want to give too much away because it's so incredible and suspenseful and intense, but I will say this: I can't think of any way at all a fan of The Hunger Games will be disappointed in book two. (Yes, I said book two. Why? Because it, like the first, ends with: End of Book Two.)

I don't know how I'll be able to hold out for book 3. I want to know now. I'm so invested and attached and the moment I finished Catching Fire I wanted to pick up Hunger Games again for a reread. In fact, I might just do that. I'm addicted and engrossed and in love with this series in a way I haven't felt since Harry Potter.

39. Sins of a Wicked Duke, Sophie Jordan

Sins of a Wicked Duke Sophie Jordan

So my guilty pleasure is Regency-era romances (only those published by Avon and, often, only those written by the wonderful and talented Julia Quinn), and as it is summer, I don't feel so bad reading them.

As ridiculous as it sounds, I don't like my romance novels littered with sex. I like the time period (Jane Austen, anyone?), and the idea of it all but I don't like the overuse of sex and blunt, crass words or -- anything. I don't know. It's just not my cup of tea.

This one wasn't so awful as most, and I enjoyed the very Shakespearean plot of girls dressed as boys and mistaken identities. The love story itself, though, felt forced and rushed, and I don't feel like our hero really did the necessary changing to capture our heroine's heart. For me, really, it felt as generic and plotted and formulaic as other romance novels that I find just barely mediocre.

(But I am excited for Julia Quinn's next novel! It comes out this month. She never disappoints!)

38. Enemies and Allies, Kevin J. Anderson

Enemies and Allies, Kevin J. Anderson

I remember reading a preview of this book when the mass market of Last Days of Krypton came out. I was excited then but pretty quickly forgot all about it because other books took over in my brain. That said, when I saw the cover -- it has both the Superman and Batman symbols on it -- I squealed.

I love "origin" stories for my favorite superheroes, and this one covers the origin of Batman and Superman's friendship / partnership / whatever it is you want to call it. Not only that, but all my favorite characters are included: Perry, Lois, Jimmy, Selina, Alfred, Jim Gordon... I guess the only one I was missing was Barbara but I can't have everything I want, can I?

So the story takes place in the Cold War-era. 1950s in Gotham and Metropolis and the KGB in Russia. With Lex Luthor deciding he needs to save the free world from the threat of communism and alien invaders.

Brilliant, I say, brilliant.

37. Flawless, Sara Shepard

Flawless, Sara Shepard

Book number 2 in the Pretty Little Liars series. Not much different than the first. As she will be visiting the bookstore I work at in about 2 weeks, I'll try to get to the third one too. I think there is only one after that. At least, I hope so.

36. Catalyst, Laurie Halse Anderson

Catalyst, Lauria Halse Anderson

This book has been on my "to read" list for a while, a fact that I actually forgot about when I did pick it up at the library during my YA fiction kick. As you can see, I get on these kicks quite often. I figure it's because sometimes YA fiction is more entertaining and easier to read than other things.

So this really was nothing like what I expected. That said, I guess I didn't really know what to expect. Certainly not this, though the title should have given something away.

I liked that the main character, our heroine, is a science geek so she narrates with this in mind. Chapter titles, breaks, headings -- all of it follows the chemistry theme. That said, the content even somewhat follows the theme, as each piece (character, event, etc.) come together in different ways only to set off an "explosion" of a climax near the end.