50 Shades of Grey by E.L. James

Official Summary

When literature student Anastasia Steele goes to interview young entrepreneur Christian Grey, she encounters a man who is beautiful, brilliant, and intimidating. The unworldly, innocent Ana is startled to realize she wants this man and, despite his enigmatic reserve, finds she is desperate to get close to him. Unable to resist Ana’s quiet beauty, wit, and independent spirit, Grey admits he wants her, too—but on his own terms.

Shocked yet thrilled by Grey’s singular erotic tastes, Ana hesitates. For all the trappings of success—his multinational businesses, his vast wealth, his loving family—Grey is a man tormented by demons and consumed by the need to control. When the couple embarks on a daring, passionately physical affair, Ana discovers Christian Grey’s secrets and explores her own dark desires.

My Two Cents

I was so excited to read this book. I was so intrigued by the fact that so many people were reading it, that Barnes and Noble couldn't keep it on the shelves, that all the reviews were just about 5 stars.

And honestly? I couldn't wait for this book to just be done.

Now, I like a "steamy and erotic" read just as much as the next girl, but I don't know, call me old fashioned or something but I would like some kind of interesting story mixed in. This book started out bad, then got interesting, then just shriveled up and died on the vine. If I had to read how gorgeous this man was one more time, or see the words Oh my again...(yes, over and over and over in italics every. single. time. I used the "search" function on my iPad, the author uses the phrase 69 times throughout the course of the book. C'mon now.)

This book was full of that angst-filled drama that just rubs my nerves raw. It was horribly repetitive (even beyond the "oh my" usage). The story was barely a story. I didn't find either of the main characters believable OR likable. Yes, the sex scenes were...ahem...interesting...but really even they got to the point where it was just ridiculous.

To sum it up...this was my most disappointing read in a long, long time. I would rather read the entire "Twilight" series over again than finish off this trilogy. And anyone who knows me knows that is saying A LOT.

The Power of Six (and I Am Number Four) by Pittacus Lore

Official Summary

Nine of us came here. We look like you. We talk like you. We live among you. But we are not you. We can do things you dream of doing. We have powers you dream of having. We are stronger and faster than anything you have ever seen. We are the superheroes you worship in movies and comic books—but we are real.

Our plan was to grow, and train, and become strong, and become one, and fight them. But they found us and started hunting us first. Now all of us are running. Spending our lives in shadows, in places where no one would look, blending in. we have lived among you without you knowing.

But they know.

They caught Number One in Malaysia.
Number Two in England.
And Number Three in Kenya.
They killed them all.

I am Number Four.

My Two Cents

The Official Summary I picked up is from the first book, I Am Number Four - and it pretty much also applies to the second of this series, The Power of Six. Basically, 9 survivors of an alien race and their protectors are hiding on Earth - but Other, Evil aliens that want them dead have found them and are hunting them down - but the Good Guys cannot be killed unless they are killed in the order that was assigned to them (must've stunk being Number 1!).

These books, while a little on the hokey side, are actually pretty good. I love the whole "Supernatural" sub genre within the Young Adult book category, but it is getting a little played out. So this series has a pretty original premise, anyway - and while parts of it get a little mired with some tedious teenage romancey kind of stuff, it is for the most part, interesting and definitely action packed. Beats Vampire Romance by a country mile, and I'm sure I will be seeing this series through to its end.

Skulduggery Pleasant (Scepter of the Ancients) by Derek Landy

Official Summary

When 12-year-old Stephanie's eccentric Uncle Gordon dies, a mysterious man bundled in an overcoat, scarf, sunglasses, and a hat shows up at both the funeral and the reading of the will. This man, as it turns out, is Skulduggery Pleasant, a walking, talking skeleton who rescues Stephanie when she is attacked while alone in the house that she has just inherited. It seems that a particularly evil person named Serpine is trying to obtain a scepter that will allow him to rule the world. Stephanie is swept into a world of magic, secrets, power, and intrigue as she and Skulduggery try to keep one step ahead of Serpine and various other nefarious folk.

My Two Cents

Now, I have not officially read this book to Charlie, BUT Max read it independently when he was on the older side of grade school and he liked it so much he got me to sit down and read it. It was really a very good book - lots of action, danger, magic...and the main character is a very witty and rather entertaining skeleton...what's not to like?? This one is a great "read to" that falls within the Harry Potter/Artemis Fowl kind of genre - so if you liked those books by all means pick it up and share it, but depending on your son or daughter's level they could tackle it on his/her own...its not that difficult of a read and it has a relatively straightforward storyline.

Interestingly enough, when I decided to add this book to this blog and started looking into its images and info, I found out that Mr. Landy has been very busy and has since written up to book 8 with these characters. I do believe we might be checking these out!

Stephanie Plum novels by Janet Evanovich

Official Summary
Welcome to Trenton, New Jersey, home to wiseguys, average Joes, and Stephanie Plum, who sports a big attitude and even bigger money problems (since losing her job as a lingerie buyer for a department store). Stephanie needs cash—fast—but times are tough, and soon she’s forced to turn to the last resort of the truly desperate: family...Stephanie lands a gig at her sleazy cousin Vinnie’s bail bonding company. She’s got no experience. But that doesn’t matter. Abject poverty is a great motivator for learning new skills. All she has to do is become an expert bounty hunter overnight—and keep herself from getting killed before she gets her man...

My Two Cents
I didn't spend a lot of time hunting down any "official summaries" for these two books (which I will review together since they are very similar) because I think I might be the only literate female left in the world who never read any of these books.

As a general rule, I stay away from books with catchy number or letter phrases as titles (just like these books and, say, "M is for Murder" - things to that effect) but I reluctantly picked up One for the Money after it was highly recommended to me by several people whose "book opinions" I trust. And boy was I missing out by avoiding these gems! The characters are awesome, the stories are pretty interesting, and they are FUNNY. I was sitting in my car waiting to pick up my boy from school yesterday reading "Two for the Dough" and I was laughing hysterically to the point of wiping tears from my eyes. The front office must have thought I was nuts.

Now I know Ms. Evanovich is up to number 18 with these novels, and I can see how it all might possibly get a bit tiresome after that many. But, if you are among the select few that have not tried these books out, please run out and get at least the first couple of them. You won't be sorry!