Are you what you are by the books you read? (Melissa Robbins)

What am I reading right now?  Perhaps it has something to do with the middle grade book I’m working on, but you can’t see my nightstand with the books on it. 

Fiction:

Mark of Athena by Rick Riordan – No surprise, I love this series like everyone else on the planet.  I was a HUGE mythology fan in the sixth grade and would have loved Riordan’s Greek series.  His Egyptian one rocks too.  They both have history, humor, and adventure.  I have seen firsthand how it inspires kids to use their imaginations.  Recently, I was at the park with my son and some of his friends and one boy, who would make a great Percy, acted out scenes from the book. 

Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare – I want to be Clare when I grow up.  This is the final book in her Infernal Devices trilogy.  The characters are demon hunters in Victorian England.  The way she writes settings are unbelievable.  Even if you are not a fan of vampires, demons, or werewolves, you would still enjoy this book.  I would love to know how she plots or if she is a pantser.  It has great humor and romance and the main hero is devilishly handsome, naughty, but also has a soft side that few see. 

Nonfiction:

Writing Irresistible Kidlit by Mary Kole – Kole gives tips and advice for writing young adult and middle grade stories.  Very helpful.  Just after reading the first few chapters, I realized I already have to redo my chapter one. 

Do magazines count?  Just today, I picked up the latest issue of Britain at War.  It’s filled with articles on RAF pilots including one of my favorites, Willie Rhodes-Moorhouse, who I know from flying alongside Billy Fiske, an American who flew for the RAF. 

On my To Be Read pile:

City of Lost Souls by Cassandra Clare – Clare is a pretty hot YA author right now.  This is the fifth book of Clare’s other demon hunter series that takes places in NYC.  The first book of the series will soon be released as a movie later this summer.  I hope the movie does the book justice.    

Inferno by Dan Brown – I love codes, so it shouldn’t be a surprise that I like Robert Langdon books.  I hope this one is as clever as the rest.

The Twelve Clues of Christmas by Rhys Bowen – the latest book in the Lady Georgie mysteries about a penniless royal in 1930’s England who solves crimes. 


Are you what you are by the books you read?

6 comments:

Becky A said...

If we are, I'm in trouble. When I was a kid, I read mostly stories about animals :)

The Riordan series sounds interesting. I'll have to check them out.

Rox Delaney said...

I'll have to check out Rick Riordan's Athena series. Oldest grandson likes the Percy Jackson series, although he isn't quite up to that reading level yet. I loved the movie. Mythology has always been a favorite in any genre.

Let me know how Dan Brown's Inferno is. I love his Robert Langdon books, so some day... They're fast-paced and full of interesting information.

I wish I had more time to read. :(

Melissa Robbins said...

I HIGHLY recommend the Riordan's series. You'll probably want to read Percy Jackson and the Olympians first. The Heroes of Olympus is what happens after that one. His Cane series is Egyptian mythology. Equally great.

Rox, as usual, the movie wasn't anything like the book. :0P

He wrote mystery novels before switching to middle grade boy books.

Pat Davids said...

If I am what I am by the books I read, then I'm a dyed in the wool romantic with a touch of a sci-fi soul, a cowboy's heart and a researcher's big brain.

I loved mythology, too, when I was in school. Especially Norse mythology. And yes, I think the new Thor is HOT.

Reese Mobley said...

Books have sure come a long way from the Nancy Drew mysteries I loved as a child. I can't imagine them surviving in today's world. Thanks for the suggestions.

Penny Rader said...

Clockwork Princess sounds like fun. Is it steampunk?