What I’ve Been Reading: The Night Circus, The Girl of Fire and Thorns, and Delirum

I’ve read a few great books lately. They were so enjoyable that I wanted to share. All of these are pretty easy reads so they are perfect for those of you who might not have a ton of time to read but still enjoy a good book. 

First The Night Circus. I recommend this to everyone. Fantastic characters, great ideas to make you think and a really run story. I really enjoyed it. I’d say it was perfect.

The circus arrives without warning. No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not. Within the black-and-white striped canvas tents is an utterly unique experience full of breathtaking amazements. It is called Le Cirque des Rêves, and it is only open at night.

But behind the scenes, a fierce competition is underway—a duel between two young magicians, Celia and Marco, who have been trained since childhood expressly for this purpose by their mercurial instructors. Unbeknownst to them, this is a game in which only one can be left standing, and the circus is but the stage for a remarkable battle of imagination and will. Despite themselves, however, Celia and Marco tumble headfirst into love—a deep, magical love that makes the lights flicker and the room grow warm whenever they so much as brush hands.

True love or not, the game must play out, and the fates of everyone involved, from the cast of extraordinary circus per­formers to the patrons, hang in the balance, suspended as precariously as the daring acrobats overhead.

Written in rich, seductive prose, this spell-casting novel is a feast for the senses and the heart.

I read The Girl of Fire and Thorns after Divergent (which I adored). I was blown away by this book. It is fantasy which is hit or miss for me but I loved this. I feel like I’m a better person for having read it and it was wonderfully entertaining. I found the faith of the main character was really encouraging. Another perfect book if you can believe that

Once a century, one person is chosen for greatness.

Elisa is the chosen one.

But she is also the younger of two princesses, the one who has never done anything remarkable. She can’t see how she ever will.

Now, on her sixteenth birthday, she has become the secret wife of a handsome and worldly king—a king whose country is in turmoil. A king who needs the chosen one, not a failure of a princess.

And he’s not the only one who seeks her. Savage enemies seething with dark magic are hunting her. A daring, determined revolutionary thinks she could be his people’s savior. And he looks at her in a way that no man has ever looked at her before. Soon it is not just her life, but her very heart that is at stake.

Elisa could be everything to those who need her most. If the prophecy is fulfilled. If she finds the power deep within herself. If she doesn’t die young.

Most of the chosen do.

I enjoyed Delirium and while I only gave it 3 stars on goodreads I think that there were some fascinating things to think about and I did really really like the characters. It was super interesting thinking about love as a disease. While I didn’t click as well with the writing style I will be reading the Pandemonium the sequel.

Before scientists found the cure, people thought love was a good thing. They didn’t understand that once love — the deliria — blooms in your blood, there is no escaping its hold. Things are different now. Scientists are able to eradicate love, and the government demands that all citizens receive the cure upon turning eighteen. Lena Holoway has always looked forward to the day when she’ll be cured. A life without love is a life without pain: safe, measured, predictable, and happy.

But with ninety-five days left until her treatment, Lena does the unthinkable: She falls in love

All blurps are from goodreads.

What have you read lately? Any good ones to recommend? Also if you’re on goodreads I’d love to be friends we can become friends through my goodreads widget to the right. It’s always fun to see what everyone else is reading.

And for all you Hunger Games fans, I’m putting together a Hunger Games blog party for March and I’m looking for guest bloggers. I’m looking for craft tutorials, recipes, etsy rounds, etc. Basically anything Hungers Game related and awesome. Let me know if you’d be interested in contributing. If you’re not quite up to guest blogging but want to participate I will be having a Hunger Games link party so hopefully you’ll document any geek out behavior you have between now and when the movie comes out to share :)