How They Met, and Other Stories

Book #191 (Unique books)
Book #50! in 2012

 How They Met, and Other Stories

by David Levithan

 "Here are 18 stories, all about love, and about all kinds of love. From the aching for the one you pine for, to standing up and speaking up for the one you love, to pure joy and happiness, these love stories run the gamut of that emotion that at some point has turned every one of us inside out and upside down. What is love? With this original story collection David Levithan proves that love is a many splendored thing, a varied, complicated, addictive, wonderful thing."

December 29th to 31st - 3 days - 244 pages

Notes:

I really enjoyed this book. I liked that it was stories about love and not love stories, and that it showed lots of different types of love. It was sweet.

Favorite stories:

The Escalator, a love story

The Number of People Who Meet On Airplanes (favorite of all)

Flirting With Waiters

Princes

Breaking and Entering

Skipping the Prom

What a Song Can Do

How They Met

Intersection

An Abundance of Katherines (re-read)

Book #49 in 2012

An Abundance of Katherines

by John Green

 "19 Katherines and counting...

When it comes to relationships, Colin Singleton's type happens to be girls named Katherine. And when it comes to girls named Katherine, Colin is always getting dumped. Nineteen times, to be exact. He's also a washed-up child prodigy with ten thousand dollars in his pocket, a passion for anagrams, and an overweight, Judge Judy-obsessed best friend. Colin's on a mission to prove The Theorem of Underlying Katherine Predictability, which will predict the future of all relationships, transform him from a fading prodigy into a true genius, and finally win him the girl.

 December 24th to 26th - 3 days - 229 pages

Notes:

I love this book. I think I liked it better the second time.

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (re-read)

Book #48 in 2012

The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

by Douglas Adams

"Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox--the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian (formally Tricia McMillan), Zaphod's girlfriend, whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; and Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years.

Where are these pens? Why are we born? Why do we die? For all these answers, stick your thumb to the stars."

December 20th to 22nd - 3 days - 216 pages

Notes:

Still favorite.

The Last Little Blue Envelope

Book #190 (Unique books)
Book #47 in 2012

 The Last Little Blue Envelope

by Maureen Johnson

"Ginny Blackstone thought that the biggest adventure of her life was behind her. She spent last summer traveling around Europe, following the tasks her aunt Peg laid out in a series of letters before she died. When someone stole Ginny's backpack--and the last little blue envelope inside--she resigned herself to never knowing how it was supposed to end.

Months later, a mysterious boy contacts Ginny from London, saying he's found her bag. Finally, Ginny can finish what she started. But instead of ending her journey, the last letter starts a new adventure--one filled with old friends, new loves, and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. Ginny finds she must hold on to her wits . . . and her heart. This time, there are no instructions."

December 14th to 18th -  5 days - 282 pages

The Wish List

Book #189 (Unique books)
Book #46 in 2012

 The Wish List

by Eoin Colfer

 "Meg Finn is in trouble-unearthly trouble. Cast out of her home by her stepfather after her mother's death, Meg is a wanderer, a troublemaker. But after her latest stunt, finding a place to sleep is the least of her worries. Belch, her partner in crime, has gotten her involved in the attempted robbery of an elderly man, Lowrie McCall. And things go horribly wrong. After an accidental explosion, Meg's spirit is flung into limbo, and a race begins between the demonic and the divine to win her soul. Irreverent, hilarious, and touchingly hopeful, The Wish List takes readers on a journey of second chances, where joy is found in the most unexpected places."

December 11th to 13th - 3 days - 252 pages 

Notes:

I finally finished this! We got this on tape like 5 years ago and I listened to the beginning but then took dramamine and fell asleep and never finished it.

This was a sweet book.

A Study in Scarlet

Book #188 (Unique books)
Book #45 in 2012

 A Study in Scarlet

by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle

 "'A Study in Scarlet' is the first published story of one of the most famous literary detectives of all time, Sherlock Holmes. Here Dr. Watson, who has just returned from a war in Afghanistan, meets Sherlock Holmes for the first time when they become flat-mates at the famous 221 B Baker Street. In 'A Study in Scarlet' Sherlock Holmes investigates a murder at Lauriston Gardens as Dr. Watson tags along with Holmes while narratively detailing his amazing deductive abilities."

December 7th to 9th - 3  days - 127 pages

Notes:

I enjoyed reading the origin story and seeing what the original characters are like, especially after watching BBC Sherlock, but part 2 of this story got really tedious, at least until it got back to Watson's narrative. I liked seeing where the show played off of the actual story, though.

13 Little Blue Envelopes

Book #187 (Unique books)
Book #44 in 2012

 13 Little Blue Envelopes

by Maureen Johnson

 "Inside little blue envelope 1 are $1,000 and instructions to buy a plane ticket.

In envelope 2 are directions to a specific London flat.

The note in envelope 3 tells Ginny: Find a starving artist.

Because of envelope 4, Ginny and a playwright/thief/ bloke-about-town called Keith go to Scotland together, with somewhat disastrous-though utterly romantic-results. But will she ever see him again?

Everything about Ginny will change this summer, and it's all because of the 13 little blue envelopes."

December 3rd to December 5th - 3 days - 321 pages

Half-Moon Investigations

Book #186 (Unique books)
Book #43 in 2012

 Half-Moon Investigations

by Eoin Colfer

 "Fletcher Moon has never been like other kids. For one thing, he has had to suffer the humiliating nickname "Half Moon" because of his short stature. But the real reason Fletcher is different is that ever since he was a baby, he's had a nose for sniffing out mysteries. And after graduating at the top of his Internet class, he is officially certified as the youngest detective in the world. He even has a silver-plated detective's badge to prove it. Everything is going along fine until two things happen: a classmate hires him to solve a crime, and his prized badge is stolen. All signs point to the town's most notorious crime family, the Sharkeys.
As Fletcher follows the clues, evidence of a conspiracy begins to emerge. But before he can crack the case, Fletcher finds himself framed for a serious crime. To clear his name, he will have to pair up with the unlikeliest of allies and go on the run from the authorities. Fletcher has twelve hours to find the guilty party--or he "is" the guilty party."

November 26th to December 2nd -  7 days - 290 pages

Notes:

THIS BOOK IS SO GREAT

Nine Stories

Book #185 (Unique books)
Book #42 in 2012

 Nine Stories

by J. D. Salinger

 "The Stories:

'A Perfect Day for Bananafish' (1948)
'Uncle Wiggily in Connecticut' (1948)
'Just Before the War with the Eskimos' (1948)
'The Laughing Man' (1949)
'Down at the Dinghy' (1949)
'For Esmé – with Love and Squalor' (1950)
'Pretty Mouth and Green My Eyes' (1951)
'De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period' (1952)
'Teddy' (1953)"

November 20th to 28th -  9 days - 302 pages

Notes:

Favorite stories:

A Perfect Day For Bananafish

Just Before the War with the Eskimos

De Daumier-Smith's Blue Period

Teddy (I like this one most of all.)

Coraline (re-read) (audiobook)

***Just decided that audiobooks should be recorded and actually should count toward my goals because why shouldn't they be? It's still a book I don't know why I thought I shouldn't count them before, and also this way I am less behind on my 50 book goal.***

***Posting this 12/8/12 but moving it to the spot it should actually be in my list of books.***

Book #41 in 2012

Coraline

by Neil Gaiman

"Coraline's often wondered what's behind the locked door in the drawing room. It reveals only a brick wall when she finally opens it, but when she tries again later, a passageway mysteriously appears. Coraline is surprised to find a flat decorated exactly like her own, but strangely different. And when she finds her "other" parents in this alternate world, they are much more interesting despite their creepy black button eyes. When they make it clear, however, that they want to make her theirs forever, Coraline begins a nightmarish game to rescue her real parents and three children imprisoned in a mirror. With only a bored-through stone and an aloof cat to help, Coraline confronts this harrowing task of escaping these monstrous creatures."

 October 27ish? to November 27ish? - about a month. I didn't keep track.

Notes:

Started by listening to the chapters from here, as I was going to sleep:

http://www.mousecircus.com/coraline-videos.aspx

but then got impatient when it was the end of the book and the last two chapters weren't up so I got the audiobook from the library.

Love this book a lot. Especially when it is being read to me by Neil Gaiman.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

Book #184 (Unique books)
Book #40 in 2012

 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time

by Mark Haddon

 "Christopher John Francis Boone knows all the countries of the world and their capitals and every prime number up to 7,057. He relates well to animals but has no understanding of human emotions. He cannot stand to be touched. Although gifted with a superbly logical brain, Christopher is autistic. Everyday interactions and admonishments have little meaning for him. Routine, order and predictability shelter him from the messy, wider world. Then, at fifteen, Christopher’s carefully constructed world falls apart when he finds his neighbor’s dog, Wellington, impaled on a garden fork, and he is initially blamed for the killing.

Christopher decides that he will track down the real killer and turns to his favorite fictional character, the impeccably logical Sherlock Holmes, for inspiration. But the investigation leads him down some unexpected paths and ultimately brings him face to face with the dissolution of his parents’ marriage. As he tries to deal with the crisis within his own family, we are drawn into the workings of Christopher’s mind.

And herein lies the key to the brilliance of Mark Haddon’s choice of narrator: The most wrenching of emotional moments are chronicled by a boy who cannot fathom emotion. The effect is dazzling, making for a novel that is deeply funny, poignant, and fascinating in its portrayal of a person whose curse and blessing is a mind that perceives the world literally."

November 18th to 20th - 2 1/2 days - 226 pages

This Book is Full of Spiders (Seriously, Dude, Don't Touch It)

Book #183 (Unique books)
Book #39 in 2012

 This Book is Full of Spiders (Seriously, Dude, Don't Touch It)

by David Wong

"WARNING: You may have a huge, invisible spider living in your skull. THIS IS NOT A METAPHOR.

You will dismiss this as ridiculous fearmongering. Dismissing things as ridiculous fearmongering is, in fact, the first symptom of parasitic spider infection-the creature secretes a chemical into the brain to stimulate skepticism, in order to prevent you from seeking a cure. That's just as well, since the "cure" involves learning what a chain saw tastes like.

You can't feel the spider, because it controls your nerve endings. You can't see it, because it decides what you see. You won't even feel it when it breeds. And it will breed. So what happens when your family, friends, and neighbors get mind-controlling skull spiders? We're all about to find out.

Just stay calm, and remember that telling you about the spider situation is not the same as having caused it. I'm just the messenger. Even if I did sort of cause it.

Either way, I won't hold it against you if you're upset. I know that's just the spider talking."

October 30th to November 16th - 18 days - 406 pages

Notes:

Liked John Dies at the End better. Didn't love it. :( (Sorry David Wong.)

Light Boxes

Book #182 (Unique books)
Book #38 in 2012

 Light Boxes

by Shane Jones

 "In Light Boxes, the inhabitants of one closely-knit town are experiencing perpetual February. It turns out that a god-like spirit who lives in the sky, named February, is punishing the town for flying, and bans flight of all kind, including hot air balloons and even children's kites. It's February who makes the sun nothing but a faint memory, who blankets the ground with snow, who freezes the rivers and the lakes. As endless February continues, children go missing and more and more adults become nearly catatonic with depression. But others find the strength to fight back, waging war on February."

October 27th to 29th - 3 days - 149 pages

Watchmen

Book #181 (Unique books)
Book #37 in 2012

 Watchmen

by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons

"This Hugo Award-winning graphic novel chronicles the fall from grace of a group of super-heroes plagued by all-too-human failings. Along the way, the concept of the super-hero is dissected as the heroes are stalked by an unknown assassin.
One of the most influential graphic novels of all time and a perennial bestseller, WATCHMEN has been studied on college campuses across the nation and is considered a gateway title, leading readers to other graphic novels such as V FOR VENDETTA, BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT RETURNS and THE SANDMAN series."

October 19th to 26th -  1 week - 408 pages

Notes:

I do not like this book and I do not understand why it is such a big deal and so popular and apparently influential. This is not my type of book. I don't even know why I finished it, but there you go. At least now I am only 3 books behind.

The Catcher in the Rye

Book #180 (Unique books)
Book #36 in 2012

 The Catcher in the Rye

by J. D. Salinger

 "The hero-narrator of THE CATCHER IN THE RYE is an ancient child of sixteen, a native New Yorker named Holden Caulfield. Through circumstances that tend to preclude adult, secondhand description, he leaves his prep school in Pennsylvania and goes underground in New York City for three days. The boy himself is at once too simple and too complex for us to make any final comment about him or his story. Perhaps the safest thing we can say about Holden is that he was born in the world not just strongly attracted to beauty but, almost, hopelessly impaled on it. There are many voices in this novel: children's voices, adult voices, underground voices-but Holden's voice is the most eloquent of all. Transcending his own vernacular, yet remaining marvelously faithful to it, he issues a perfectly articulated cry of mixed pain and pleasure. However, like most lovers and clowns and poets of the higher orders, he keeps most of the pain to, and for, himself. The pleasure he gives away, or sets aside, with all his heart. It is there for the reader who can handle it to keep."

October 14th to 19th -  6 days - 277 pages

Notes:

I loved this book.

John Green talks about The Catcher in the Rye:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqfThmVIIAc&feature=fvwp&NR=1

Part 2:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=fvwp&NR=1&v=QUnQ-wOPGUE

M is for Magic

Book #179 (Unique books)
Book #35 in 2012

 M is for Magic

by Neil Gaiman

"Stories to delight, enchant, and surprise you.

Bestselling author and master storyteller Neil Gaiman here presents a breathtaking collection of tales that may chill or amuse readers—but always embrace the unexpected."

October 10th to 14th - 4 1/2 days - 260 pages

Notes:

Favorite stories:

The Case of Four and Twenty Blackbirds

Troll Bridge

Chivalry

Instructions

The Mysterious Benedict Society

Book #178 (Unique books)
Book #34 in 2012

 The Mysterious Benedict Society

by Trenton Lee Stewart

 "'Are you a gifted child looking for special opportunities?'

When this peculiar ad appears in the newspaper, dozens of children enroll to take a series of mysterious, mind-bending tests. (And you, dear reader, can test your wits right alongside them.) But in the end just four very special children will succeed. Their challenge: to go on a secret mission that only the most intelligent and resourceful children could complete. To accomplish it they will have to go undercover at the Learning Institute for the Very Enlightened, where the only rule is that there are no rules.

As our heroes face physical and mental trials beyond their wildest imaginations, they have no choice but to turn to each other for support. But with their newfound friendship at stake, will they be able to pass the most important test of all?

Welcome to the Mysterious Benedict Society."

September 29th to October 9th -  11 days - 485 pages

Messenger

Book #177 (Unique books)
Book #33 in 2012

 Messenger

by Lois Lowry

 "For the past six years, Matty has lived in Village and flourished under the guidance of Seer, a blind man, known for his special sight. Village was a place that welcomed newcomers, but something sinister has seeped into Village and the people have voted to close it to outsiders. Matty has been invaluable as a messenger. Now he must make one last journey through the treacherous forest with his only weapon, a power he unexpectedly discovers within himself."

September 26th to September 29th -  4 days - 169 pages

Tree of Codes

Book #176 (Unique books)
Book #32 in 2012

 Tree of Codes

by Jonathan Safran Foer

 "Tree of Codes is a haunting new story by best-selling American writer, Jonathan Safran Foer. With a different die-cut on every page, Tree of Codes explores previously unchartered literary territory. Initially deemed impossible to make, the book is a first — as much a sculptural object as it is a work of masterful storytelling. Tree of Codes is the story of an enormous last day of life — as one character's life is chased to extinction, Foer multi-layers the story with immense, anxious, at times disorientating imagery, crossing both a sense of time and place, making the story of one person’s last day everyone’s story. Inspired to exhume a new story from an existing text, Jonathan Safran Foer has taken his "favorite" book, The Street of Crocodiles by Polish-Jewish writer Bruno Schulz, and used it as a canvas, cutting into and out of the pages, to arrive at an original new story told in Jonathan Safran Foer's own acclaimed voice."

September 24th - a few hours - 139 pages

Notes:

I am now obsessed with this book and everything published by this company.

SO FUCKING COOL. 

I love this.

The Night Circus

Book #175 (Unique books)
Book #31 in 2012

 The Night Circus

by Erin Morgenstern

 "The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway: a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them both, this is a game in which only one can be left standing. Despite the high stakes, Celia and Marco soon tumble headfirst into love, setting off a domino effect of dangerous consequences, and leaving the lives of everyone, from the performers to the patrons, hanging in the balance."

July 27th to September 20th - 1 month, 3 weeks - 516 pages

Notes:

sagklfasdfhas I love this book so much.

I only spent about a week with the actual reading of this because I went to camp right in the middle.

The Name of the Star

Book #174 (Unique books)
Book #30 in 2012

The Name of the Star

by Maureen Johnson

 "The day Louisiana teenager Rory Deveaux arrives in London marks a memorable occasion. For Rory, it's the start of a new life at a London boarding school. But for many, this will be remembered as the day a series of brutal murders broke out across the city, gruesome crimes mimicking the horrific Jack the Ripper events of more than a century ago.

Soon 'Rippermania' takes hold of modern-day London, and the police are left with few leads and no witnesses. Except one. Rory spotted the man police believe to be the prime suspect. But she is the only one who saw him. Even her roommate, who was walking with her at the time, didn't notice the mysterious man. So why can only Rory see him? And more urgently, why has Rory become his next target? In this edge-of-your-seat thriller, full of suspense, humor, and romance, Rory will learn the truth about the secret ghost police of London and discover her own shocking abilities."

September 13th to September 17th - 5 days - 372 pages

Here Be Monsters!

Book #173 (Unique books)
Book #29 in 2012

Here Be Monsters!

by Alan Snow

 "Skulduggery is afoot!

Welcome to Ratbridge. But beware -- for there is skulduggery afoot. Young Arthur has fallen foul of the appalling outlaw, Snatcher, and is trapped alone in the town with every way home sealed. Meanwhile Snatcher and his men are working tirelessly in secret on a fiendish and dastardly plan to take over -- and destroy -- the entire town. With the help of Willbury Nibble, QC; some friendly boxtrolls and cabbageheads; Marjorie the frustrated inventor; and the rats and pirates from the Ratbridge Nautical Laundry, can Arthur thwart Snatcher's evil plans -- and find his way home?"

June 23rd to July 17th -  25 days - 529 pages

A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Carnivorous Carnival

Book #172 (Unique books*)
Book #28 in 2012

 A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Carnivorous Carnival

by Lemony Snicket

 "Dear Reader,

The word "carnivorous" which appears in the title of this book, means "meat-eating," and once you have read such a bloodthirsty word, there is no reason to read any further. This carnivorous volume contains such a distressing story that consuming any of its contents would be far more stomach-turning than ever the most imbalanced meal.

To avoid causing discomfort, it would be best if I didn't mention any of the unnerving ingredients of this story, particularly a confusing map, an ambidextrous person, an unruly map, a wooden plank, and Chabo the Wolf Baby.

Sadly for me, my time is filled with researching and recording the displeasing and disenchanting lives of the Baudelaire orphans. But your time might be better filled with something more palatable, such as eating your vegetables, or feeding them to someone else.

With all due respect,
"

July 9th to July 12th - 4 days - 286 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater

Book #171 (Unique books)
Book #27 in 2012

God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater

by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

"Eliot Rosewater—drunk, volunteer fireman, and President of the fabulously rich Rosewater Foundation—is about to attempt a noble experiment with human nature . . . with a little help from writer Kilgore Trout. God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater is Kurt Vonnegut’s funniest satire, an etched-in-acid portrayal of the greed, hypocrisy, and follies of the flesh we are all heir to."

June 12th to June 26th -  15 days (2 weeks) - 190 pages

Better Than College

Book #170 (Unique books)
Book #26 in 2012

 Better Than College: How to build a successful life without a four-year degree

by Blake Boles

 "Do you need college in order to be taken seriously and earn a real living? Conventional wisdom says yes. But true success relies upon self-knowledge and entrepreneurship: two qualities that you can obtain effectively and inexpensively without traditional college.

Better Than College provides the step-by-step guidance and inspiration necessary to design your own higher education. This book teaches you how to find community, stay on track, and get hired or start your own venture, all without a four-year degree. Curious college students will learn to think clearly about their motivations, plan a gap year, or navigate life after school. And Better Than College will show parents how self-directed learning can lead to a lifetime of achievement—no expensive institution required."

June 7th to June 9th - 3 days - 144 pages

Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

Book #169 (Unique books)
Book #25 in 2012

 Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children

 by Ransom Riggs

 "A mysterious island. An abandoned orphanage. A strange collection of very curious photographs.

It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

A spine-tingling fantasy illustrated with haunting vintage photography, Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children will delight adults, teens, and anyone who relishes an adventure in the shadows."

May 20th to  June 5th - 17 days - 352 pages

Notes:

Love love love this book. The only reason I didn't finish it sooner was because of the conference.

I Was a Teenage Fairy

Book #168 (Unique books)
Book #24 in 2012 

I Was a Teenage Fairy

by Francesca Lia Block

"In this mesmerizing post-modern fairy tale, critically acclaimed author Block distills elements of fantasy and realism into an intoxicating blend of striking imagery and raw emotion. It is the story of Barbie Marks, who dreams of being the one behind the camera, and Mab, a pinkie-sized, magenta-haired fairy who may or may not be real."

May 16th to May 18th -  3 days - 186 days

Paper Towns (Re-read)

Book #23 in 2012

 Paper Towns

by John Green

"One month before graduating from his Central Florida high school, Quentin "Q" Jacobsen basks in the predictable boringness of his life until the beautiful and exciting Margo Roth Spiegelman, Q's neighbor and classmate, takes him on a midnight adventure and then mysteriously disappears."

May 13th to May 15th - 3 days - 305 pages

Of Mice and Men

Book #167 (Unique books)
Book #22 in 2012

 Of Mice and Men

by John Steinbeck

"They are an unlikely pair: George is 'small and quick and dark of face'; Lennie, a man of tremendous size, has the mind of a young child. Yet they have formed a 'family,' clinging together in the face of lonelinss and alienation.

Laborers in California's dusty vegetable fields, they hustle work when they can, living a hand-to-mouth existence. For George and Lennie have a plan: to own an acre of land and a shack they can call their own. When they land jobs on a ranch in the Salinas Valley, the fulfillment of their dream seems to be within their grasp. But even George cannot guard Lennie from the provocations of a flirtatious woman, nor predict the consequences of Lennie's unswerving obedience to the things George taught him.

'A thriller, a gripping tale . . . that you will not set down until it is finished. Steinbeck has touched the quick.' —The New York Times"

May 9th to May 11th - 3 days - 107 pages

Notes:

STUPID NICKY TOLD ME THE ENDING OF THE BOOK BEFORE I FINISHED IT THAT IS THE WORST THING HE IS ON MY BLACK LIST FOREVER GOD WHO DOES THAT

and also let's talk about that new york times quote. this book is not at all 'a thriller' or a 'gripping tale'. It's good, but not thrilling.

Cat's Cradle

Book #166 (Unique books)
Book #21 in 2012

Cat's Cradle

by Kurt Vonnegut, Jr.

"Dr Felix Hoenikker, one of the founding 'fathers' of the atomic bomb, has left a deadly legacy to the world. For he is the inventor of 'ice-nine', a lethal chemical capable of freezing the entire planet. The search for its whereabouts leads to Hoenikker's three ecentric children, to a crazed dictator in the Caribbean, to madness. Felix Hoenikker's Death Wish comes true when his last, fatal gift to mankind brings about the end, that for all of us, is nigh."

May 6th to May 9th - 4 days - 191 pages

A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears (Re-read)

Book #20 in 2012

A Barrel of Laughs, A Vale of Tears
by Jules Feiffer

"Prince Roger is sent on a quest, the purpose of which is to turn the carefree young prince into a sober man and worthy monarch. Roger gets everything wrong--except for the meaning of life, and that he gets right."

May 3rd (late. 10:30ish) to May 5th - 2 days - 180 pages

Notes:
♥

Animal Farm

Book #165 (Unique books)
Book #19 in 2012

Animal Farm

by George Orwell

"As ferociously fresh as it was more than a half century ago, this remarkable allegory of a downtrodden society of overworked, mistreated animals and their quest to create a paradise of progress, justice, and equality is one of the most scathing satires ever published. As readers witness the rise and bloody fall of the revolutionary animals, they begin to recognize the seeds of totalitarianism in the most idealistic organization—and in the most charismatic leaders, the souls of the cruelest oppressors."

March 12th to May 5th - 55 days - 118 pages

Notes:

I kept getting distracted by other books...

Mockingjay

Book #164 (Unique books)
Book #18 in 2012

Mockingjay

by Suzanne Collins

"Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she's made it out of the bloody arena alive, she's still not safe. A revolution is unfolding, and it is up to Katniss to accept responsibility for countless lives and to change the course of the future of Panem."

April 30th to May 1st - 1 1/2 days - 390 pages

Notes:

I don't know what to feel. I don't know if I liked it. IT JUST UPSET ME A LOT i started sobbing like 20 minutes after i finished it for no apparent reason and I was angry and I JUST DON'T KNOW shdfiuyosdhgbuioweofdc

Wicked

Book #163 (Unique books)
Book #17 in 2012

Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West

by Gregory Maguire

"When Dorothy triumphed over the Wicked Witch of the West in L. Frank Baum's classic tale, we heard only her side of the story. But what about her arch-nemesis, the mysterious witch? Where did she come from? How did she become so wicked? And what is the true nature of evil?

Gregory Maguire creates a fantasy world so rich and vivid that we will never look at Oz the same way again. Wicked is about a land where animals talk and strive to be treated like first-class citizens, Munchkinlanders seek the comfort of middle-class stability and the Tin Man becomes a victim of domestic violence. And then there is the little green-skinned girl named Elphaba, who will grow up to be the infamous Wicked Witch of the West, a smart, prickly and misunderstood creature who challenges all our preconceived notions about the nature of good and evil."

March 16th to April 30th -  46 days - 406 pages

Notes:

uggghhhh this took me so long. I gave up on it for a while. BUT I DID IT I FINISHED IT.

Lola and the Boy Next Door

Book #162 (Unique books)
Book #16 in 2012

Lola and the Boy Next Door

by Stephanie Perkins

"Budding designer Lola Nolan doesn't believe in fashion . . . she believes in costume. The more expressive the outfit—more sparkly, more fun, more wild—the better. But even though Lola's style is outrageous, she's a devoted daughter and friend with some big plans for the future. And everything is pretty perfect (right down to her hot rocker boyfriend) until the dreaded Bell twins, Calliope and Cricket, return to the neighborhood.

When Cricket—a gifted inventor—steps out from his twin sister's shadow and back into Lola's life, she must finally reconcile a lifetime of feelings for the boy next door."

 April 28th to April 29th - 2 days - 338 pages

Notes:

I didn't like it as much as Anna and the French Kiss, but it was still cute.

(Except who names their kid Cricket?)

The Elegance of the Hedgehog

Book #161 (Unique books)
Book #15 in 2012

 The Elegance of the Hedgehog

by Muriel Barbery

"Renee is the concierge of a grand Parisian apartment building, home to members of the great and the good. Over the years she has maintained her carefully constructed persona as someone reliable but totally uncultivated, in keeping, she feels, with society's expectations of what a concierge should be. But beneath this facade lies the real Renee: passionate about culture and the arts, and more knowledgeable in many ways than her employers with their outwardly successful but emotionally void lives. Down in her lodge, apart from weekly visits by her one friend Manuela, Renee lives resigned to her lonely lot with only her cat for company. Meanwhile, several floors up, twelve-year-old Paloma Josse is determined to avoid the pampered and vacuous future laid out for her, and decides to end her life on her thirteenth birthday. But unknown to them both, the sudden death of one of their privileged neighbours will dramatically alter their lives forever."

April 19th to April 24th -  6 days - 325 pages

Notes:

no. fuck this book.

Hoot

Book #160 (Unique books*)
Book #14 in 2012

Hoot
by Carl Hiaasen

"Unfortunately, Roy’s first acquaintance in Florida is Dana Matherson, a well-known bully. Then again, if Dana hadn’t been sinking his thumbs into Roy’s temples and mashing his face against the school-bus window, Roy might never have spotted the running boy. And the running boy is intriguing: he was running away from the school bus, carried no books, and–here’s the odd part–wore no shoes. Sensing a mystery, Roy sets himself on the boy’s trail. The chase introduces him to potty-trained alligators, a fake-fart champion, some burrowing owls, a renegade eco-avenger, and several extremely poisonous snakes with unnaturally sparkling tails."

April 13th to April 19th - 7 days - 292 pages

Notes:
Roy was the first fictional character I ever had a crush on. I was like 8. Sigh.

*I have read this lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

Catching Fire

Book #159 (Unique books)
Book #13 in 2012

Catching Fire
by Suzanne Collins

"By winning the annual Hunger Games, District 12 tributes Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark have secured a life of safety and plenty for themselves and their families, but because they won by defying the rules, they unwittingly become the faces of an impending rebellion."

April 15th to April 16th - 1 1/2 days - 391 pages

Notes:
FINALLY GOT MY HANDS ON IT I BORROWED IT FROM SOPHIE
I started reading it at 7:30 last night and then I fell asleep mid-sentence at like 1 and then I woke up and started reading BUT I HAD DANCE TODAY I DIDN'T FINISH READING IN TIME SO I HAD TO PUT IT DOWN WITH LIKE 40 PAGES LEFT AND IT THE LONGEST HOUR OF MY LIFE UGH

and when I got to dance I had like 3 minutes so I was still reading and the MOST IMPORTANT RELATIONSHIP STUFF was happening and I was like hyperventilating and trying not to cry over fictional characters and it was bad

The Hunger Games

Book #158 (Unique books)
Book #12 in 2012

The Hunger Games
by Suzanne Collins

"In a future North America, where the rulers of Panem maintain control through an annual televised survival competition pitting young people from each of the twelve districts against one another, sixteen-year-old Katniss's skills are put to the test when she voluntarily takes her younger sister's place."

March 22nd to March 23rd - 2 days - 374 pages

Notes:
Yesterday morning I was like "I don't actually especially want to read this" and now I have read the entire thing and been to the midnight showing of the movie and I desperately need Catching Fire and there are 137 HOLD REQUESTS ON IT AT THE LIBRARY

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Hostile Hospital

Book #157 (Unique books*)
Book #11 in 2012

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Hostile Hospital
by Lemony Snicket

"Dear Reader,
Before you throw this awful book to the ground and run as far away from it as possible, you should probably know why. This book is the only book that describes every last detail of the Baudelaire children's miserable stay at Heimlich Hospital, which makes it one of the most dreadful books in the world.

There are many pleasant things to read about, but this book contains none of them. Within its pages, are such burdensome details such as a suspicious shopkeeper, unnecessary surgery, an intercom system, anesthesia, heart-shaped balloons, and some very startling news about a fire. Clearly you do not want to read about such things.

I have sworn to research this story, and to write it down as best as I can, so I should know that this book is something best left on the ground, where you undoubtedly found it.

With all due respect,

"

March 6th to March 12th(I think) - 7 days - 255 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Vile Village

Book #156 (Unique books*)
Book #10 in 2012

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Vile Village
by Lemony Snicket

"Dear Reader,
You have undoubtedly picked up this book by mistake, so please put it down. Nobody in their right mind would read this particular book about the lives of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire on purpose, because each dismal moment of their stay in the village of V.F.D. has been faithfully and dreadfully recorded in these pages.

I can think of no single reason why anyone would want to open a book containing such unpleasant matters as migrating crows, an angry mob, a newspaper headline, the arrest of innocent people, the Deluxe Cell, and some very strange hats.

It is my solemn and sacred occupation to research each detail of the Baudelaire children's lives and write them all down, but you may prefer to do some other solemn and sacred thing, such as reading another book instead.

With all due respect,

"

March 4th to March 6th(I think) - 2 1/2 days - 259 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Ersatz Elevator

Book #155 (Unique books*)
Book #9 in 2012

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Ersatz Elevator
by Lemony Snicket

"Dear Reader,
If you have just picked up this particular book, then it is not too late to put it back down. Like the previous books in A Series of Unfortunate Events, there is nothing to be found in these pages but misery, despair, and discomfort, and you still have time to choose something else to read.

Within the chapters of this story, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire, encounter a brightly colored staircase, a red herring, some friends in a dire situation, three mysterious initials, a liar with an evil scheme, a secret passageway, and parsley soda.

I have sworn to write down these tales of the Baudelaire orphans so the general public will know each terrible thing that has happened to them, but if you decide to read something else instead, you will save yourself from a heapful of horror and woe.

With all due respect,

"

March 1st to March 3rd - 3 days - 259 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy

Book #154 (Unique books*)
Book #8 in 2012

A Series Of Unfortunate Events: The Austere Academy
by Lemony Snicket

"Dear Reader,
If you where looking for a story about cheerful youngsters spending a jolly time at boarding school, look elsewhere. Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire are intelligent and resourceful children, and you might expect that they would do very well at school. Don't. For 'the Baudelaires, school turns out to be another miserable episode in their unlucky lives.

Truth be told, within the chapters that make up this dreadful story, the children will face snapping crabs, strict punishments, dripping fungus, comprehensive exams, violin recitals, S.O.R.E., and the metric system.

It is my solemn duty to stay up all night researching and writing the history of these three hapless youngsters, but you may be more comfortable getting a good night's sleep, in this case you should probably choose some other book.

With all due respect,

"

February 28th to March 1st - 2 1/2 days - 221 pages

Notes:
*I have read these lots of times but I'm counting it in my total because it's never been published here.