Making time to read and lots of quickie reviews....

I'm not sure what's going on, but I'm certain that there is less than 24 hrs in a day now. Where is the time going? We are creeping on October, and the days are going by in a blur. I don't think I'm the only one that has noticed time is flying.... Regardless, I have time to read. Even if it's for only 10 or 15 minutes, I read every single day. It's an important time of day for me. As you have probably guessed, I'm an avid YA reader. I really always have been. There are a few adult fiction books that I enjoyed (anything by Alice Hoffman), but I usually stick to the YA highway. With time passing, my kids growing up, and a husband on the road, I find that reading is my saving grace. Other side of the coin - I have to choose my reads wisely. I've been suckered in by a book with an amazing cover, but the story was a complete failure. So, here is what I've read lately paired with a down and dirty review. Here we go....

HALO by Alexandra Adornetto
2010, Supernatural Romance

Review: Angel put on Earth to save mankind decides to fall in love with a boy instead. Read to page 50 then skip to page 300. 1 out of 5 stars.

FIRELIGHT by Sophie Jordan
2010, Paranormal Romance

Review: Jacinda is a draki who is trying to live like a normal teenager, but a boy awakens her inner dragon. Sounds corny, but it isn't. Surprisingly awesome! 5 out of 5 stars.

MAZE RUNNER by James Dashner
2009, Sci-Fi Fantasy
Review: Thomas wakes up in a game where the stakes are high. With no memories, he feels a connection to the deadly place, and knows it's up to him to save himself and solve the maze. Up my alley, but tad dull in teh middle. 4 out of 4 stars

CITY OF ASHES by Cassandra Clare
2009, Paranormal Romance
Review: Clary, Simon, Jace, Alec, and Isabelle continue to battle creatures of the Underworld. Sequel to City of Bones. Twists, turns, and someone gets "turned." 4 out of 5 stars

Matched Review

So many times a highly publized book doesn't live up to the hype. NOT in this case! I absolutely loved this story! I read an ARC (black cover with no art) and couldn't put it down. So cliche, but so true! 

Cassia lives in the future where life is seemingly perfect. There is no disease, no worrying over what to wear, what to eat or where to work. Everything is decided for you - controlled. Food portions, exercise routines, clothing, and even her mate are chosen for her. We meet Cassia the night of her Match Banquet; the ceremony where she will learn who her mate for life will be. She is nervous about seeing her partner for the first time on the giant screen, but knows that whoever the boy will be, he will be perfect for her. Officials have gathered her genetic information and personality traits to calculate the best possible mate. Cassia was no reason to be nervous; the Officials never make mistakes.

From here, things get very interesting. The Match Banquet goes surprisingly well, but within a few days, things start to fall apart. People are not who they seem to be, and a "glitch in the system" leaves Cassia thinking that maybe this seemingly perfect life isn't so....perfect. 

Personally, I rank this book up there with other wildly popular dystopian YA novels - The Giver, The Hunger Games, The Uglies, etc... It really is that good and one of my favorite books of the year. 

Matched will be released November 30th, but you can pre-order now. 

Visit Ally Condie at her website,  http://www.allysoncondie.com