I have a little problem when it comes to my reading. I’m sure I’m not alone in it. I turn the last page on a book I thoroughly enjoyed and eagerly start my search for the next one. Except…I have a hard time finding just the right book for my mood at the time. I pick one up, set it down, pick up another. I scan the stacks at various places around the house, knowing that multiple books are calling my name, but unsure how to decide just which one is calling my name the loudest. Before I know it, I’ve spent an hour just wandering the house and haven’t read a thing.
I’m in one of those places right now. Below are a few of the books that I’m considering as my next read, but haven’t really dove into any of them yet. The first paragraphs are descriptions from Worldcat, and my own commentary follows in the second paragraphs.
Enders by Lissa Price
With the Prime Destinations body bank destroyed, Callie no longer has to
rent herself out to creepy Enders–but he can still get inside her mind
and make her do things she doesn’t want to do. Having the chip removed
could save Callie’s life — but it could also silence the voice in her
head that might belong to her father.
I dug Starters, and I hope that this sequel will prove to be just as fun as the first. I have to admit, I feel this one’s call a bit stronger than the others. (I loathe this cover, though. About the same amount I loathed the cover for the first. Sigh.)
Plus One by Elizabeth Fama
In an alternate United States where Day and Night populations are forced
to lead separate–but not equal–lives, a desperate Night girl falls
for a seemingly privileged Day boy and places them both in danger as she
gets caught up in the beginnings of a resistance movement.
I really liked Fama’s previous novel, Monstrous Beauty, a nicely written historical fantasy, and this (unrelated) book sounds intriguing. The concept sounds a little far-fetched (there’s no explanation given initially for the division between night and day), but I have faith the story will make me believe in it. (And as we’ve already discovered, it’s not hard for me to suspend my disbelief.)
Control by Lydia Kang
seventeen-year-old Zelia must rescue her kidnapped sister with the help
of a band of outcasts with mutated genes.
The Enchanter Heir by Cinda Williams Chima
Racing against time, Jonah and Emma, who possess unique magical gifts,
work to uncover the truth about Thorn Hill, a peaceful commune that the
Wizard Guild claims is a hotbed of underguild terrorists.
I’ve been meaning to read Chima’s fantasy novels for ages, but I’ve never managed to find the first in any of her series in at the library when I’ve remembered to look. This is the first in a duology related to the Heir Chronicles, but it’s supposed to function separately, so I figure it’s a good place to start.
Cress by Marissa Meyer
No Worldcat summary yet, but I can tell you this is the third book in Meyer’s series of futuristic fairy tale re-tellings. It’s based on Rapunzel and features a girl trapped on a satellite who’s become very good at hacking – and gets caught up in Cinder and Scarlet’s adventures, naturally.
Some slightly tepid reviews from a few acquaintances have me holding off on this one for a while. I know I’ll get around to it sooner rather than later, though.
All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill
Em must travel back in time to prevent a catastrophic time machine from
ever being invented, while Marina battles to prevent the murder of the
boy she loves.
I love time travel, but it can be difficult to do well. When plotted right, time travel can be some of the smartest storytelling around. Reviews from people I trust indicate that Terrill does it very well here.
Lenore Appelhans says
I'm super-exicted for CRESS and ENDERS. This is the first I've heard about PLUS ONE and I am intrigued!
Natalie Aguirre says
Such a hard choice. I'm planning on reading The Enchanter Heir next. Control and All Our Yesterdays were both fantastic. Can't wait to read CRESS and ENDERS.
admin says
I think I loathe the new cover for Enders more than I loathed the cover for Starters. It's….over the top.
Bookmark Dragon says
Yeah, I think the Enders cover is pretty bad too. I'm excited for Cress and The Enchanter Heir. I just picked up Sharon Shinn's Royal Airs (sequal to Troubled Waters) and am thoroughly enjoying it, you know, in case you wanted to add yet another book to your to-read pile.
Lisa Mandina says
I loved All Our Yesterdays!!! I'd suggest you pick that one next. You can read my review HERE.
Amanda says
I hear you – the problems of having too many books! I actually started creating a list for myself of what I need to read next. I'm a bit flexible about the order, but I try not to deviate too much and that helps me quite a bit.
You have a lot of really good options here. Control is my next read and I haven't heard much about it, but like you I'm curious to see how Kang applies science to her story. All Our Yesterdays is very, very good. I'm not much into time travel, but this is so well done.
I hope you're able to figure out what to read next soon!
Cayce says
I have only read Starters (was an okay read, but I still ended up DNF-ing the series) so I can't help you much but heard many great things about All Our Yesterdays so if these were my choices I'd definitely go with that one.