So, I have a new author I’m binge-reading: Alexandra Bracken!

I saw the preview for “The Darkest Minds” movie about a month ago, and I finally got my hands on the book.  Even though I had a difficult time getting into the story, once I did I absolutely loved it!

I had a similar problem with the second book.  The story didn’t grab me until about 150 pages in.  After that it was awesome!  I’m on book 3 now, and I have The Dreadful Tale of Prosper Redding to read next.  I can’t say I love Alexandra Bracken like I love Leigh Bardugo but I’m definitely enjoying this series.

I heard Let’s Talk About Love on Tumblr and really wanted to read it, because I’ve never read a book with an asexual character.  I really identified with Alice in some ways, though she was different from me in a lot of other ways.  Overall, this was a super cute story with some romance, perfect as a summer read.  Oh, and Alice works at a library!  This book was published by Swoonreads, where I have one of my books posted… (*nudge nudge* go read it!)

You might have noticed that I read a lot of advanced readers copies this month, and that was all thanks to my library director, who attended Book Expo America.  The first that I was super excited about but couldn’t add to my Goodreads list was KING OF SCARS BY LEIGH BARDUGO!  This was just an excerpt – the first 3 chapters – but man, I am thirsty for this book!

Also in this picture: Impostors by Scott Westerfeld.  This is set in the Uglies universe but takes place years later, much like Extras.  This is the start of a new trilogy and as usual the world was easy to get wrapped up in.  Frey is such a take-no-prisoners character and I loved how her loyalty to her sister made her a bit unpredictable.

On the audiobook front, I’ve been listening to books downloaded through the Audiobook SYNC program.  They offer up two free audiobook downloads throughout the summer, which is great, because I only listen to audiobooks while driving, and in the summer I have my windows rolled down and therefore can’t usually listen to a full audiobook in the 2 weeks I would get from the library.  I’ll post a blog about it later, but I read two books by Robyn Schneider this way, and I’m sensing a formula…

Another advanced reader copy, The Life and Death Parade was one of my fastest reads this month.  The story was a little confusing with the flashbacks, but the psychic and carnival atmosphere was really well done, and I enjoyed reading about a quirky British family who lived in a castle.

• Best Beginning: The Beginning of Everything
• Cutest Love Story: Let’s Talk About Love
• Coolest Atmosphere: The Life and Death Parade
• Fastest Read: Bloody Mary v. 4 (1/2 hour)
• Slowest Read: Girl Through Glass (12 days)

The full list (links take you to my Goodreads reviews):

1. 1. The Darkest Minds by Alexandra Bracken
   2. Bloody Mary v. 4 by Akaza Samamiya (graphic novel)
   3. The Beginning of Everything by Robyn Schneider (audiobook)
   4. Let’s Talk About Love by Claire Kann
   5. Scream and Scream Again! edited by R.L. Stine (ARC)
   6. Sadie by Courtney Summers (ARC)
   7. Love and First Sight by Josh Sundquist (audiobook)
   8. Girl Through Glass by Sari Wilson (ebook)
   9. Robespierre: Master of the Guillotine by John DiConsiglio
   10. Grigory Rasputin: Holy Man or Mad Monk? by Enid A. Goldberg
   11. Never Fade (Darkest Minds #2) by Alexandra Bracken
   12. The Life and Death Parade by Eliza Wass (ARC)
   13. Impostors (Uglies #5) by Scott Westerfeld (ARC)
   14. Extraordinary Means by Robyn Schneider (audiobook)