Waiting on... Friday?

Okay, I know it is supposed to be Waiting on Wednesday, but we posted Lazy Book Club on Wednesday this week, and I am very (VERY) excited about two books being released next week. So, I'm breaking the rules. I know, wild and crazy.

The first book that I am ridiculously excited about is a no-brainer, City of Fallen Angels by Cassandra Clare!


The idea of more Jace is almost as exciting as the video that was leaked this week! *Ahem* And, of course more of Cassandra Clare's amazing stories. She is truly a great storyteller and I can't wait to see what she has in store for Jace, Clary, Simon, and the rest of her characters. I'm sure I'll be staying up late on Monday night to download this one as soon as it is available on April 5th.

The second book I'm waiting for is Where She Went by Gayle Forman. If you all haven't read If I Stay, please go do so! It is definitely one of my favorite books. You can read my recommendation here.


Honestly, I had no idea that there would be a second book to If I Stay. It doesn't really need one, but I'm not complaining. I'm very curious to see how Gayle Forman will turn this into something worthy of following the first book. I have no doubts that it can be done, because her writing is beautiful and moving. I'm really looking forward to sinking into this book!

So there you have it. Now you all know what I'll be doing next week! April 5th is the release date for both of these books. What about you all? Are you anxiously awaiting either of these, or is another book causing you to count down the days until release?

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Breaking the Spine

Lazy Book Club: Delirium by Lauren Oliver

Okay, so have you all read Delirium? I know a few of you have and I've loved your comments so far! I have to tell you - Leigh has not finished the book! She claims that it is too hard to read, which I can understand. Sometimes you have to be in the right mood for an intense dystopian book, and I think Delirium is definitely one of those.


I think the first thing I said when I started reading Delirium was "It's beautiful and very uncomfortable - a true sign of a great dystopian novel." It really is both of those things. I admit it, I'm not done with it. Not because I got bored but because it was so intense that I just couldn't immerse myself in that world right now. I have a lot of mom-stress right now and the lack of any real parental love in that society really struck me. I admit it, I'm weak. I will finish it someday, but until then, this LBC is all you brave souls. *smiles* Have fun!

***SPOILERS WILL FOLLOW!! IF YOU HAVE NOT YET READ DELIRIUM, PLEASE GO AND READ IT BEFORE READING THIS POST!***

Since some of you have left comments (thank you!), I'm going to start with your thoughts. Nikki mentioned the storyline of living without love, and how effectively it was written. It worked so well that it made her question, "how on earth I would live my life with no real emotion anymore." I think one of the interesting things about the book is that Lena is on the generational cusp of this new way of life. In the beginning she looks forward to the "cure," and, as Picksee pointed out, feels a certain comfort in it: "She didn’t like her situation necessarily, but she felt safe in it and looked forward to finally being really safe in the cure." That 'safety' is definitely something that jumped out at me as well. It was almost reassuring to me, in the beginning, that she would have the "cure."

A problem that I have with the cure, and I do believe it's an intentional problem on the author's part, is that it cannot be administered until age 18. If I think back to the point in my life when the "symptoms" of love affected me most, it was definitely in high school. Although I truly love my husband, it is a more mature love. When I was 16, I could fall in and out of "love" in a week, and the world could end if a relationship didn't work out. (Or so I thought...) I don't know if it was the same for you all, but I'm guessing it was or is.

Picksee also mentioned how the book made her think of freedom, "The whole idea of non-freedom sold as protection is so scary." I agree completely. And the idea that something within ourselves, a basic emotion that does indeed rule our lives, could be erased is truly frightening. The fact that The Powers that Be in Delirium can go beyond taking away rights and freedoms of what people do and extend that to what people feel is what makes this book so interesting. It really got to me when I thought of my love for my children. Trying to imagine raising them without the extreme, intense love I have for them is basically impossible.

Sophie mentioned the excerpts from the government propaganda that preceded each chapter. I also loved the way Lauren Oliver used this to give us as glimpse of how the "cure" was being sold as protection and freedom. It also made me think of the role of the Big, Bad, Evil Government in many dystopian novels. It's interesting how those in charge are most often the Villains in this genre, and Delirium is no exception to this rule. It was also mixed in with religion, as Picksee brought up. The same is true in The Handmaid's Tale, although in that book it was external freedoms that were taken away in the name of religion. Delirium, as I mentioned, takes it a step further by erasing a basic human emotion, and I think that makes it all the more powerful.

*sneaks back in to discuss before you touch on the ending I haven't read* I think there is a point in Delirium where Lauren Oliver does an excellent job of showing, physically, the emotional loss and emptiness that the current society experiences. It really struck me when Alex is taking Lena to his camp and they come upon the ruined neighborhood, complete with city streets and a rusted truck and a completely unharmed house. The house was physically untouched, "safe", but without a connection to other houses or to a society it had no purpose or value. It was a turning point for Lena to realize what her society was capable of in the name of "safety" but I felt like the house was representative of all the "cured" members. Because, without being connected by love and emotion, what purpose do they really serve? What meaning does their life have?

I knew you couldn't stay away, Leigh! And you jump in with such an amazing observation!

Now, of course, we must discuss the ending. *cue tragic soundtrack* Personally, I loved it. I honestly feel this book could stand alone and not be a series. I would have been okay with Alex dying to save Lena. Of course, now I want him to be alive and for her to find a way to save him and they live happily ever after with a Big Red Bow on top. But, I've read two of Lauren Oliver's books (this one and Before I Fall), and she does not seem one for the Big-Red-Bow type of ending. I will say, I'm really looking forward to seeing what comes next for Lena and Alex, and hopefully Lena's mom.


Okay, so what about you all? What do you expect for Lena in the future? Even if you've commented already, I'd love to hear more!

And, just to give you something to look forward to - our next LBC book will be something fun! I promise! I'm going to pick a John Green book to make you all read (because I looooove him!), so if there is one in particular you've been wanting to read, send me an email or tweet. Basically, help me pick which one because I love them all!

Reading Rainbow: Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

I feel a little silly recommending Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins. I am pretty sure you all knew that I would love this book. I mean, Leigh and I discussed Hex Hall (and our love for it) enough for you to know this. But, I got to thinking that perhaps you didn't know it had been released? Or perhaps you were thinking, "Oh, Demonglass is out. I will put that on my TBR." And to that I say, "No, no, no. Do not put it on your TBR. Get the book and read it right now." Sorry, sometimes I have to be bossy.


From Goodreads:

Sophie Mercer thought she was a witch.

That was the whole reason she was sent to Hex Hall, a reform school for delinquent Prodigium (aka witches, shapeshifters, and fairies). But that was before she discovered the family secret, and that her hot crush, Archer Cross, is an agent for The Eye, a group bent on wiping Prodigium off the face of the earth.

Turns out, Sophie’s a demon, one of only two in the world—the other being her father. What’s worse, she has powers that threaten the lives of everyone she loves. Which is precisely why Sophie decides she must go to London for the Removal, a dangerous procedure that will destroy her powers.

But once Sophie arrives she makes a shocking discovery. Her new friends? They’re demons too. Meaning someone is raising them in secret with creepy plans to use their powers, and probably not for good. Meanwhile, The Eye is set on hunting Sophie down, and they’re using Archer to do it. But it’s not like she has feelings for him anymore. Does she?

Honestly, this book could have been about nothing and I would have loved it. I thoroughly enjoy reading books by Rachel Hawkins - her writing style is just so much fun. I honestly laughed throughout Demonglass, even though it wasn't really a happy-go-lucky book. Sophie faces some serious situations, both personally, and involving her friends and family, but she does so with snark and sass. I kind of love her.

The great thing about Demonglass is that things do happen. Lots of things. Dangerous things. Exciting things. Kissy things. Dangerous and exciting kissy things. What? I don't want to give away the farm here, but I promise you some Archer and even some Cal - remember him? The quiet groundskeeper at Hex Hall? Yeah, Cal. *swoons a bit* And aside from the hot boys (with veritable swords this time!), there is Jenna , and I love her even more than I did after reading Hex Hall (and that was a whole bunch).

So, GO! You know you want a fun read with lots of action and kissing, right? Yes, you do. And please come back and tell me what you thought. Are you once again pining for the next installment of Hex Hall? Did the ending drive you insane? Do tell!