The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin

Youth Fiction - 3 stars

For our Halloween book club meeting, Megan and I read The Westing Game, a sort of murder mystery using clues and character development to tell the story. Megan loved this book and read it in two nights. It took me much longer to get through it, partly due to a lack of spare time, and partly because of the way the book is written. It skips around a bit, and you have to piece things together, including chapters. Overall, it was a good read, and it teaches some good lessons. The best part of reading the book was the meeting with all of the great Chinese food. Awesome, Susan!

The Help, by Katherine Stockett

Historical Fiction - 4.5 stars

What a wonderful book. It is an easy read, and it manages to take a very serious, painful subject for many and make it a humorous and touching account of life. Writing from the perspective of three very different main characters, it is a snapshot of the 1960's as it was in many southern cities. The murder of Medgar Evers plays a prominent role in showing the tension and fear behind the humor in the book. I waited to see the movie until after I'd read the book, and I'm so glad I did.  

Every Soul a Star by Wendy Mass

Youth Fiction - 4 stars

This book was Megan's summer reading choice. I decided to read it, and I loved it. The story of an unlikely group of friends brought together at the Moon Shadow camp ground to ultimately view a total solar eclipse (the descriptions of this are amazing). The main characters, Ally, Bree and Jack, all have something to overcome in the story, and their journeys all come together at the end. The real beauty of the story is the character development. At the end, you truly know the characters and care about them.

A Clash of Kings, by George R.R. Martin

Historical Fantasy - 5 stars

The Second in the Song of Fire and Ice series, A Clash of Kings picks up where Game of Thrones left off. Martin continues to develop his characters and keep the reader guessing as to the fate of all in these books. This is a very long, complex story, and I can't say anything else because if you aren't reading the books, you might be watching the show on HBO. I don't want to ruin the next season. It's sufficient to say that I can't wait to read the next one. However, sticking to my promise to myself, I'm going with a classic next.