Novels Now

You are browsing the archives of 2009 September.

The Rapture by Liz Jensen
Pages: 296
First Published: Aug. 11, 2009
Genre: apocalyptic, science fiction, eco thriller
Rating: 3/5
First sentence:
That summer, the summer all the rules began to change, June seemed to last for a thousand years.
Reason for Reading: Apocalyptic fiction is one of my favourite sub-genres.
Summary: It is the not too distant future and the world has [...]

She used to think that without her brother she would simply cease to exist. But now, as she heard her lungs gasping for air and felt the ache of her knees against the hardwood floor, she knew her body was stubborn; it would insist on remaining alive, even if her life no longer made sense [...]

The Kid Who Saved Superman by Paul Kupperberg
Illustrated by Min Sung Ku and Lee Loughridge
Pages: 51
Ages: 8-12; RL: 4.3
First Published: Aug. 2009
Genre: children, action-adventure
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
Hakeem Bennett carefully climbed up the highest peak of the Adirondack Mountains.
Reason for Reading: My son is a superhero freak, and don’t tell anyone, but I am too. I read [...]

Dark Places by Gillian Flynn
Pages: 349
First Published: May 5, 2009, paperback May 4, 2010
Genre: thriller, mystery
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ.
Reason for Reading: The plot sounded like this would be the perfect read for me, but I haven’t read her first book which has been widely praised.

Comments: The book [...]

“It’s your turn,” Alexander said. When our mother didn’t respond, he repeated, “Mother, it’s your turn.”
But she wasn’t listening. Her face was turned in the direction of the sea, where the lighthouse of our ancestors had been built on the island of Pharos to the east. We were the greatest family in the world, [...]

206 Bones by Kathy Reichs
Temperance Brennan, Book 12
Pages: 308
First Published: Aug. 25, 2009
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
Cold.
Reason for Reading: I read every new Kathy Reichs book.
Comments: Tempe wakes up to realize that she is tied up and trapped within a small brick structure within complete darkness. Chapters alternate between her present situation and some relative [...]

Miss Skeeter move her eyes back to the window, on Miss Hilly’s Buick. She shake her head, just a little. “Aibileen, that talk in there…Hilly’s talk. I mean…”
I pick up a coffee cup, start drying it real good with my cloth.
“Do you ever wish you could…change things?” she asks.
And I can’t help myself. I look [...]

My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
Soul Screamer, Book 1
Pages: 282
Ages: 14+
First Published: Aug. 8, 2009
Genre: Teen, Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4.5/5
First sentence:
“Come on!” Emma whispered from my right, her words floating from her mouth in a thin white cloud.
Reason for Reading: Even though I do not like romance books, I am getting into Paranormal Romances and [...]

The Hanging Hill by Chris Grabenstein
Zack and Judy Jennings, Book 2
Pages: 322
Ages: 10-14
First Published: Aug. 11, 2009
Genre: children, horror, ghost story
Rating: 5/5
First sentence:
There’s this thing about ghosts: Once you’ve seen one, you can basically see them all.
Reason for Reading: The sequel to The Crossroads.
Comments: Zack and his step-mom, a famous children’s book author, are spending [...]

Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes by Kate DiCamillo
Illustrated by Chris Van Dusen
Mercy Watson, Book #6
Pages: 86
Ages: 6+
First Published: Jul. 14, 2009
Genre: children, humour
Rating: 3.5/5
First sentence:
Mr. Watson and Mrs. Watson have a pig named Mercy.
Reason for Reading: Next and newest (2009) in the series.
Comments: The Watsons are off to the Drive-in to watch a [...]

Fear the Worst by Linwood Barclay
Pages: 399
First Published: Aug. 11, 2009
Genre: mystery, suspense
Rating: 4/5
First sentence:
The morning of the day I lost her, my daughter asked me to scramble her some eggs.
Reason for Reading: Last year I read and enjoyed Barclay’s Too Close to Home so much I just had to read his newest book.
Comments: One [...]