Some Karen Some Don’t — Valentine Book Edition
Some Karen Some Don’t — Valentine Book Edition
Valentine book edition. Love is in the air… At least that’s what I’m told. In reality, from where I’m standing, snow is in the air and when the cold winds are blowing, cuddling up with a book featuring a hint or more of romance can really hit the spot. I don’t read much in the way of traditional romance novels. Sure I read Sweet Valley High in Middle School and Danielle Steel & LaVyrle Spencer in High School. I even read a couple of Nicholas Sparks books over a weekend (I really did not like them and refuse to read or watch anything Sparks). However, I really like when a book I’m reading has a bit of romance in it whether it’s a fantasy book, a dystopian series, or a contemporary teen novel. So here’s the Valentine Book Edition of Some Karen Some Don’t. It’s a list of books I loved with a bit of love…
This is the first book in a fantasy trilogy full of adventures, magic, heartbreak and power. I think one of the things I liked best about this book is it’s flawed heroine. Elsa begins as a bit of a spoiled princess engaged to marry a king in a neighboring country. She is overweight, shy and was born with a jewel in her belly button signaling that she has a destiny to fulfill. I really enjoyed watching Elsa come into herself. She goes from having her life determined for her to gaining strength to follow her own path. I really enjoyed taking the journey with her and it’s a series I recommend frequently at the library.
Speaking of recommending books at the library, this book and those that follow it have been well received by those I’ve suggested it too. It’s another fantasy novel with a lot of intrigue and magic. Yelena is being held for murder when the commander of her country’s food taster is poisoned. The tradition is the next prisoner on the execution list will be trained as the new food taster and Yelena is up. Her training to be a food tester is really interesting and that’s what sold me but the rest of the book is full of intrigue, twists and yes, a hint of romance.
Sarah Dessen is one of my very favorite young adult authors and I recommend all of her books. She is an excellent writer and Just Listen is a fabulous example of why I love her. She writes contemporary fiction and it usually has a loveline. What I truly like about Dessen is that the romance is secondary to the journey of the main character. In Just Listen, Annabel at first appears to be a teen who has it all but as we get to know her the perfect façade is peeled away. We discover a girl suffering from a terrible secret which causes her friends to abandon her and for Annabel to withdraw into herself. She can’t seek help from her parents because they are trying to save her anorexic sister but she needs someone to talk to. Enter Owen. He is intense, music obsessed and determined to always speak the truth. They could be more different but Owen is going to be the key to Annabel’s happiness.
If you happen to pick one of these up please comment and let me know what you think. I’d also like to hear what romance/love books you have enjoyed!
Happy Reading!
what do you think?