Monday Meme Spotlight: Short Story Collections

     Sometimes you just don't have the time or the mental awareness to wade through a whole novel. Or maybe you just find that long books get too detailed- you want the action, and you want it now! In that case, short stories are for you! There are innumerable short stories floating around out there, and sometimes, publishers will kindly tie them up in a collection of similarly-themed stories by well-known authors.  Here are a few examples. 

1. Geektastic: Stories from the Nerd Herd- Full of nerd culture references and fun illustrations, these short stories (by such authors as Cassandra Clare, John Green, and Scott Westerfeld) take a fun, lighthearted approach to a movement that is ever growing in the new generation. From comic-con to MMORPGs, this collection is a fun, easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed. Here's a link to hold a library copy.

2. Corsets and Clockwork- Featuring 13 steampunk stories by such authors as Ann Aguirre and Maria Snyder, this collection is perfect for the history buff who likes a little bit of a twist in their stories. No matter who you are, these action-filled tales of airships and super-technology will satisfy your desire for a quick read. Here's the link to the library copy.

3. Zombies v. Unicorns- For the fantasy lover inside of you, here's a collection of fantastic, outlandish stories that portray the pros and cons of being Team Zombie or Team Unicorn. Featuring stories by Maureen Johnson, Carrie Ryan, and Meg Cabot, this anthology edited by Holly Black is a daring exposé that reveals the truth about how some of our favorite authors feel! 

So whether you're looking for a fun, light read or you're trying to decide what mythical creature to support, expand your world with some short stories and see what happens!

Book Review: The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan

The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan


My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Gabry lives in the protected town of Vista with her mother, Mary. She has always known safety in her small quiet town until one night when she and some of her friends decide to cross the barrier that protects Vista from the Mudo, the walking dead, on the outside. Although Gabry doesn’t want to cross the barrier she goes anyway to win the love of her best friend’s brother, Catcher. Only things don’t turn out as the teens expect, and when tragedy strikes, Gabry would give anything to go back to that moment before she crossed the barrier.

This sequel to The Forest of Hands and Teeth was exciting and action packed. There were times when my heart was racing because I didn’t know what would happen next. This book was so unpredictable, the narrator so indecisive that I had no clue where the book would take me next. I liked Gabry, but felt that she needed to reevaluate some of the choices she has made. She finds herself facing danger around every turn as her once quiet and safe life unravels around her. But it is her decision making (whether good or bad) that makes this novel such an unpredictable delight.

Cautions for sensitive readers: There is quite a bit of violence in this book. There is no language or sex.

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Book Review: Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book is a hard one for me to review. There are parts of the book that I found intriguing, but there were times that I felt that that main character was exceedingly annoying and whiny. I guess to answer the question of whether or not I liked this book I should ask myself another question, am I willing to read the sequel Dead Tossed Waves. Surprisingly my answer is yes, I definitely want to read the sequel. I want to know what is going on. There were too many secrets in this book that were never unraveled, I hope the author will give us some of those answers in Dead Tossed Waves.

Mary lives in a village surrounded by high fences that are the only protection they have against the Unconsecrated, beings who have risen from death and hunger for human flesh—yes zombies. When her mother becomes one of the Unconsecrated, Mary’s life begins to fall apart. Her brother, angry that she let her mother become one of the walking dead, sends Mary to the Sisterhood where she is to become one of the sisters instead of getting married. Inside the walls of the Cathedral where the Sisters dwell Mary learns that both the Sisters and the Guardians have been keeping secrets from the people. They know more about what causes the Unconsecrated to return than what they have let on, and they know the secret that somewhere beyond the Forest of Hands and Teeth there may be others living. Mary’s one dream has been to see the ocean her mother spoke about, but trapped behind fences and by the confines of her society, she fears she will never see what is beyond the Forest of Hands and Teeth.

This book was intriguing. Sometimes you could really feel how trapped Mary felt she was by both the Sisterhood and her brother. Sometimes she gets a little too obsessive and unpredictable, but that can make her an interesting narrator. I did get frustrated with her obsession over Travis, despite his being taken by someone else.

Recommended.

Cautions for Sensitive Readers: This book can be violent and gory at times, but is definitely worth reading.

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