Checked Out: Week 23

Just so you know, I did in fact finish Allegiant and the best thing I can say about it is that the writing was as good as the first two books in the series. That’s the best thing about it, which really isn’t much when there are tons of writers out there fashioning good prose. What I really want to say about the book is that it took me a month to read, a book that should have had me flying through it like I did with Fallen, and with City of Ashes, and with Uglies. But it just wasn’t there, and I think a lot of it had to do with focus and tying up ends. Too many were left frayed and torn, and I was left utterly disappointed. This is the second straight series ender that left me feeling ripped off as a reader.

At the moment the book is sitting here next to me and I’m tempted to turn it over. There. Just did. It makes me a bit apprehensive, though, about the last book in the Mortal Instruments series that I am starting next, and I sincerely hope that Ms. Clare learned a thing or two about ending series from the final book she wrote in the Infernal Devices series, which was magical. I need some satisfaction after spending a month with this other book (I’m not even naming it anymore — it’s like Voldemort to me). On to more exciting things…

Here’s what I have Checked Out:

1. Persuader, by Lee Child. Thank god I’ve been reading this book at the same time as the one I mentioned above because it has kept me sane. Sure, the writing isn’t as good, but I don’t care, because it’s action-packed and interesting to think about — you know, plotwise.
2. The Gordian Knot, by Bernhard Schlink. So, okay, I still haven’t started this one yet, but do you blame me when I’ve struggled through that other book and been captivated by Persuader? I’ll get to it in this coming week, and I hope it’s been worth the wait. I remembered what the cover makes me think of now, and that’s the new mystery series by Robert Galbraith (aka JK Rowling).
3. City of Heavenly Fire, by Cassandra Clare. In the immortal words of Alvin the chipmunk: It is on like Donkey Kong. I have never been let down by any book in this series or by her other series, so I’m not doubting her now. I will stay far away from the reviews because spoilers are everywhere, I’m sure, until I am done reading the book and make up my own mind about it. And there is a lot to ravel up for Clare, too, a world’s worth. I hope she gets it done the right way.
4. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me?, by Mindy Kaling. This has become my bedtime book, and it’s doing a great job at it. I just keep laughing out loud every couple of pages, because while Kaling is no Conan O’Brien, she is still decidedly funny, and the book makes me even want to give The Mindy Project a second chance. Okay, maybe not.

To top it off, the new Stephanie Plum book is out today, and I’m on the library’s waiting list for it, but I hope it doesn’t come in for a week or two because I want to finish City of Heavenly Fire first. Why are there always so many new books coming out that I want to read while I’m already reading a host of other books? It’s insanely frustrating sometimes being a big reader, but incredibly exhilarating too, all at the same time. I can’t describe it any other way.

Happy reading to you!

Sam

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