2016 Reading Challenge: A Book You've Been Meaning to Read

A Book You've Been Meaning to Read

There are probably over 200 books I've been meaning to read, just in the last few years.  For this specific challenge I chose I one I've been meaning to read only for a short time:

The Martian by Andy Weir

Summary:

Six days ago, astronaut Mark Watney became one of the first people to walk on Mars. Now, he's sure he'll be the first person to die there. After a dust storm nearly kills him and forces his crew to evacuate while thinking him dead, Mark finds himself stranded and completely alone with no way to even signal Earth that he’s alive — and even if he could get word out, his supplies would be gone long before a rescue could arrive. Chances are, though, he won't have time to starve to death. The damaged machinery, unforgiving environment or plain-old "human error" are much more likely to kill him first. But Mark isn't ready to give up yet. Drawing on his ingenuity, his engineering skills — and a relentless, dogged refusal to quit — he steadfastly confronts one seemingly insurmountable obstacle after the next. Will his resourcefulness be enough to overcome the impossible odds against him?

Mini-Review:

I loved this book since the moment I picked it up and finished it record time (or what passes as record time for me these days).  You can see my full review of this book here.

Review: The Unwanteds

Title:  The Unwanteds
Author:  Lisa McMann
Series:  The Unwanteds (#1)
Rating: 4.5/5

Summary:

When Alex finds out he is Unwanted, he expects to die. That is the way of the people of Quill. Each year, all the thirteen-year-olds are labeled as Wanted, Necessary, or Unwanted. Wanteds get more schooling and train to join the Quillitary. Necessaries keep the farms running. Unwanteds are set for elimination. 

It’s hard for Alex to leave behind his twin, Aaron, a Wanted, but he makes peace with his fate—until he discovers that instead of a “death farm,” what awaits him is a magical place called Artimé. There, Alex and his fellow Unwanteds are encouraged to cultivate their creative abilities and use them magically. Everything Alex has ever known changes before his eyes, and it’s a wondrous transformation. 

But it’s a rare, unique occurrence for twins to be divided between Wanted and Unwanted, and as Alex and Aaron's bond stretches across their separation, a threat arises for the survival of Artim that will pit brother against brother in an ultimate magical battle.

Review:

I love dystopian books.  Ever since The Hunger Games hit shelves I've devoured any other series with that theme.  This is the first book of a series that is six books long so far (I am guessing there will be seven total, because of reasons you will learn in the book!)

I think one thing that really drew me to this series, especially since it's middle school level, not young adult, is its take on art.  Personally, I have tried almost every art medium out there and to think that art can truly come to life like it does in Artime is an amazing concept.  The characters are lovable and once you meet Simber you'll want a giant flying cheetah made of stone for yourself.

I've read up through the fourth book so far, but I admit I got very bored in that book, but that's likely because I was kind of binge reading these and needed a break before going on to the next book.

Other Books in the Series:

Island of Silence (Book 2)
Island of Fire (Book 3)
Island of Legends (Book 4)
Island of Shipwrecks (Book 5)
Island of Graves (Book 6)
Island of Dragons (Book 7 - Not yet published)