Tithe, Ironside, Valient - by Holly Black

These three books, all subtitled "a modern tale of Fairie" by Holly Black are dark and sinister. The world of Fairie in these is a dangerous place for humans and fey alike -don't expect to find Tinkerbell. The author says they can be read in any order and are not a series, but if you are particular about that kind of thing (me too), watch the publication dates and read them in that order. The urban New York setting makes these a little darker than the Melling series that is set in modern Ireland, tho the world of Fairie in both series has a lot in common.

Nick and Norah's infinite playlist, by Rachel Cohn & David Levithan

I've been hearing that the movie is great, and VERY funny. But it's funny - I read this book a year of so ago and never once thought of it as a comedy. It's a smart love story between two people who are on the rebound from disasterous relationships. Conventional wisdom says their relationship will never work, but Nick and Norah are anything BUT conventional. Romantic, wrenching, and you can almost hear the music.

Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr, by Christopher Paolini

I hardly need to tell anyone what fun this series is to read - but if the purpose of this blog is to talk about the books I've been reading, then these 3 are the reason I haven't entered any new postings in quite a while. I think each of these books is better than the one before it, and that isn't always the case with books in series. The action is fast paced and the host of human and magical characters that we meet in the saga are never dull. Eragon, with his dragon Saphira at his side, grows up to claim a destiny that the young man never dreamed of. Friendships, loyalties, and love that he finds along the way steady him as he fights old evils and new foes, with treachery where he least expects it. A teriffic fantasy series.