Wonderstruck by Brian Selznick

This is the new book by the author of "The Invention of Hugo Cabret" and I loved this book just as much as I loved Hugo (which is now out in theatres (as of today) -- I can't wait to go see it!

This story follows two children 50 years apart -- Rose's story told in pictures and Ben's story told in words.

Summary (from GoodReads):
Ben and Rose secretly wish their lives were different. Ben longs for the father he has never known. Rose dreams of a mysterious actress whose life she chronicles in a scrapbook. When Ben discovers a puzzling clue in his mother's room and Rose reads an enticing headline in the newspaper, both children set out alone on desperate quests to find what they are missing.

Set fifty years apart, these two independent stories--Ben's told in words, Rose's in pictures--weave back and forth with mesmerizing symmetry. How they unfold and ultimately intertwine will surprise you, challenge you, and leave you breathless with wonder. Rich, complex, affecting, and beautiful--with over 460 pages of original artwork--Wonderstruck is a stunning achievement from a uniquely gifted artist and visionary.
~~~
To learn more about Wonderstruck, click here.

~thespectacularbookworm

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

I read this book a while ago, but I remember loving it!!  When you first look at it, your first thought is - 'Wow, that's a big book' because it is.  526 pages, but half of the story is told in pictures.  I read this in just two days!  It sucked me in from the beginning.
I highly recommend this to anyone who wants a good, quick read... and plus, the movie's coming out in theatres on November 23rd, which is  Wednesday! 

Summary:
Hugo Cabret is a 12-year-old orphan, thief, and clock keeper, for he lives within the walls of a train station in Paris.  But when he meets a girl named Isabelle who has a key to his dead father's automaton, his world turns upside down as he and Isabelle try to decipher the secret.

For more information on the book, click here.
For more information on the movie, click here.

~thespectacularbookworm

The 13th Reality: The Hunt For Dark Infinity by James Dashner

*CAUTION: This is Book 2 in a series.  If you'd like to look at Book 1, click here.

I really liked this book.  I thought it was even better than the first one! 
I actually MET THE AUTHOR a few days ago -- which was extremely cool -- I've never actually went to a book signing before.  But I'm getting off-topic, okay, back to the book...
I recommend this to anybody who liked the first book!  And to anybody who enjoys fantasy!  (Or if you liked "The Maze Runner" series, this series is by the same author.)

Summary:
Tick, Paul, and Sofia haven't heard from Master George in a while.  When they do, and when Master George is supposed to wink them to the hideout in the Grand Canyon, they get winked to a mysterious place, where they must solve the riddle until it's too late.  And elsewhere, people in all different realities are going insane because of Mr. Chu and his new invention: Dark Infinity.

SERIES:
Book 1: The Journal of Curious Letters
Book 2: The Hunt For Dark Infinity
Book 3: The Blade of Shattered Hope
Book 4: Coming in Spring 2012

~thespectacularbookworm

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher

This book was recommended to me, and so I was looking forward to a great book, and I did like it, but it did disappoint me a bit. The mystery of what Clay did to cause him to appear on the tapes kept me turning the pages. I was just DYING to find out what he did.  But I must warn you: it's a sad book.  It's rumored that it will be made into a movie soon, so make sure to read it before you see it!

Summary (from GoodReads):
Clay Jensen returns home from school to find a mysterious box with his name on it lying on his porch. Inside he discovers thirteen cassette tapes recorded by Hannah Baker, his classmate and crush who committed suicide two weeks earlier.
On tape, Hannah explains that there are thirteen reasons why she decided to end her life. Clay is one of them. If he listens, he'll find out how he made the list.
Through Hannah and Clay's dual narratives, debut author Jay Asher weaves an intricate and heartrending story of confusion and desperation that will deeply affect teen readers.

~~~

Find out more at ThirteenReasonsWhy.com

~thespectacularbookworm

Cirque Du Freak by Darren Shan

First of all, I have two warnings.

1. These books are dark and sort of gruesome.

2. There are 12 books (200-250 pages long each)

So if you don't like dark stories or committing to a series that's long, this isn't the book for you.

Secondly, I didn't really like these books.  The first 1-5 were good, 6-9 weren't.  10-11 were okay, and 12 was pretty good, I liked how the author finished it.

Summary:

Darren Shan is just a regular kid who happens to like spiders until he attends a freak show, called "Cirque Du Freak", with his friend, Steve.  During the show, one of the acts is a man named Mr. Crepsley and a spider he calls Madam Octa.  After the show, Steve goes backstage to confront Mr. Crepsley about being a vampire.  Steve demands to be one too.  Mr. Crepsley tastes a bit of his blood and says no.  Darren watches from inside a closet, overhearing everything.  A few days later, Darren steals Madam Octa (because he likes spiders so much), and Madam Octa bites Steve.  The only way he can save Steve is to make a deal with Mr. Crepsley.  In order to save Steve, he has to become Mr. Crepsley's assistant.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN?

BOOK 1: A LIVING NIGHTMARE - BOOK 2: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT - BOOK 3: TUNNELS OF BLOOD - BOOK 4: VAMPIRE MOUNTAIN - BOOK 5: TRIALS OF DEATH - BOOK 6: THE VAMPIRE PRINCE - BOOK 7: HUNTERS OF THE DUSK - BOOK 8: ALLIES OF THE NIGHT - BOOK 9: KILLERS OF THE DAWN - BOOK 10: THE LAKE OF SOULS - BOOK 11: LORD OF THE SHADOWS - BOOK 12: SONS OF DESTINY 

~thespectacularbookworm

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

WARNING!  This is Book 3 in the Hunger Games trilogy.  If you haven't read The Hunger Games or Catching Fire here's a spoiler alert!

This was my least favorite book in the series. The ending just seemed abrupt, not all of the ends tied and the novel just seemed to stop mid-scene.  But I'd still advise reading it if you read the first two books, just to see what happens to Katniss, Peeta, Gale, and the rest of the group. 

Summary:

After being saved by the rebels, Katniss Everdeen is taken to the legendary District 13.  They want her to be their "Mockingjay", basically a spokesperson who people will believe in.  The rebellion is catching fire, and the fight between good and evil begins.

BOOK 1: THE HUNGER GAMES 
BOOK 2: CATCHING FIRE 
BOOK 3: MOCKINGJAY

~thespectacularbookworm

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

WARNING!  This is Book 2 in the Hunger Games series.  If you are looking for Book 1, click here.  Spoiler alert for those who haven't read Book 1!

This is my favorite book in the Hunger Games trilogy.  I would strongly advise reading it, especially if you loved The Hunger Games. And if you haven't read the first one, it's in the making of a movie so you should read it before the movie comes out in early 2012!

Summary (from GoodReads):

Sparks are igniting, flames are spreading and the Capitol wants revenge. 

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn.

BOOK 1: THE HUNGER GAMES 
BOOK 2: CATCHING FIRE 
BOOK 3: MOCKINGJAY

~thespectacularbookworm