So far, so much reading

January's reads so far:

The Declaration by Gemma Malley - a teenage read, set in a future where old age has been 'cured' and couples who will not grow old are not allowed to have children. It's a dystopian story, where 'surplus' children are taken from their parents and trained to serve society. It reminded me somewhat of Margaret Atwood's Handmaid's Tale which is a favourite of mine.

The People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks - as discussed below. Loved it!

The Kissing Club by Julia Clarke - another one for the teenage girls. It's a story of teenage pregnancy, but not too preachy, with some very likeable well rounded characters.

Everything I Know About You by Belinda Hollyer - aimed at slightly younger girls, and dealing with a family mystery. How can Lizzie's little brother have seen their mum, when they both know she died several years earlier.

Wicked Lovely by Melissa Marr - one I'd really wanted to read but was ultimately disappointed with. It's great premise for a novel. Girl can see faeries who by all rights, should be invisible to mortals. The reason she can see them? They want her for their queen, to end the reign of the Winter Queen for ever. Will Aislinn give up her new relationship with best friend Seth and ally herself with Keenan, the faery Summer King? A more detailed review and lots of interesting comments are on the Dear Author website, many of which reflect my views. That it was an enjoyable read, but that some of the structure (a bit fragmented somehow and uneven in terms of page-time given to different characters) meant that it wasn't a great read. Which is a shame because I'd heard good things about it.