Not only have I not been reading much, I have been blogging even less. (You know, in case you haven't noticed...) I highly doubt that I will read another 6 books between now and the end of the month, which makes me sad because I won't have met my 100 book goal on Goodreads. As it is, I'd already cut that goal from 125 to 100 earlier in the Fall, thinking I'd at least get to 100! No such luck. Because I'd like to make sure I chronicle the books I have read, I'm doing another quickie mini-review post. Enjoy!Dark Placesby Gillian Flynn

Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” As her family lay dying, little Libby fled their tiny farmhouse into the freezing January snow. She lost some fingers and toes, but she survived–and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, Ben sits in prison, and troubled Libby lives off the dregs of a trust created by well-wishers who’ve long forgotten her.The Kill Club is a macabre secret society obsessed with notorious crimes. When they locate Libby and pump her for details–proof they hope may free Ben–Libby hatches a plan to profit off her tragic history. For a fee, she’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club . . . and maybe she’ll admit her testimony wasn’t so solid after all.As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the narrative flashes back to January 2, 1985. The events of that day are relayed through the eyes of Libby’s doomed family members–including Ben, a loner whose rage over his shiftless father and their failing farm have driven him into a disturbing friendship with the new girl in town. Piece by piece, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started–on the run from a killer. (goodreads.com)

Read: October 2012After being blown away by Gone Girl, I had made it my personal goal to read all of Gillian Flynn's novels. I did this in October when the nights were cold and blustery and the atmosphere was just right for scary stories. I will admit that I was highly disturbed by this novel and although it didn't match the awesome that I felt reading Gone Girl, it certainly messed with my head and kept me turning the pages. I thought Dark Places started off rather slow, though, but just when I was telling myself I might be bored with the book, I realized I could NOT stop turning those pages and I NEEDED to know what the heck was going on. Libby's family and her history are messed up, boy. Messed. The heck. Up. I did enjoy how the chapters alternated between Libby in the present and her family members in the past. I was glued to those flashback chapters like watching a train wreck. The mystery was unfolding very mysteriously (shush, I can't think of a better description) and it was gnawing at my brain. Of course, hands down, Gone Girl is my favourite of Ms. Flynn's novels.This Dark Endeavour (The Apprenticeship of Victor Frankenstein, #1)by Kenneth Oppel

Victor and Konrad are the twin brothers Frankenstein. They are nearly inseparable. Growing up, their lives are filled with imaginary adventures...until the day their adventures turn all too real. They stumble upon The Dark Library, and secret books of alchemy and ancient remedies are discovered. Father forbids that they ever enter the room again, but this only peaks Victor's curiosity more. When Konrad falls gravely ill, Victor is not be satisfied with the various doctors his parents have called in to help. He is drawn back to The Dark Library where he uncovers an ancient formula for the Elixir of Life. Elizabeth, Henry, and Victor immediately set out to find assistance in a man who was once known for his alchemical works to help create the formula.Determination and the unthinkable outcome of losing his brother spur Victor on in the quest for the three ingredients that will save Konrads life. After scaling the highest trees in the Strumwald, diving into the deepest lake caves, and sacrificing one’s own body part, the three fearless friends risk their lives to save another. (goodreads.com)

Read: December 2012I am going to admit here, on the internet, for all to see, that I read an eBook. In fact, This Dark Endeavour is the first ebook I have ever read cover to cover. Er, well, metaphorically I suppose. What with there not being covers on an ebook and all. This book had a few firsts wrapped up in it, this is also the first book by Kenneth Oppel I have ever read - even though his book, Silverwing was always on school reading lists when I worked in a bookstore, AND that I loved to read kids books, I just never picked it up. One day in the summer (fall?) Harper Collins posted about a book deal on Kobo for this book and I bought it. I don't know why, I think because I had just seen the sequel in the stores and the title caught my fancy. So even though this was a book I'd never normally buy AND it was a ebook, I bought it and read it months later. I started out thinking that I wouldn't like it at all and, like the book I wrote about above, it soon became apparent that I was fully invested in the story. This was a strange read for me, outside of my comfort zone - a male protagonist, a male author and a historical paranormal tale about Frankenstein. I knew once I'd finished this book that I was going to have to read the sequel. I will be buying that sequel - on my ereader! - with a gift card I got at Christmas. I look forward to spending more time with young Frankenstein and watching him slip into darkness. I recommend this book immensely!Every Dayby David Levithan

Every day a different body. Every day a different life. Every day in love with the same girl.There’s never any warning about where it will be or who it will be. A has made peace with that, even established guidelines by which to live: Never get too attached. Avoid being noticed. Do not interfere.It’s all fine until the morning that A wakes up in the body of Justin and meets Justin’s girlfriend, Rhiannon. From that moment, the rules by which A has been living no longer apply. Because finally A has found someone he wants to be with—day in, day out, day after day. (goodreads.com)

Read: December 2012I have no lack of books that I need to read in my house. Books are piled everywhere, collecting dust in some cases and tripping us as we walk from room to room. So why would I go and buy an ebook last week from an author I have never read and about a subject I probably wouldn't have read about? Well, I saw Melissa (YABookshelf - um, her blog still seems to be under the weather) and Lenore (Presenting Lenore) discussing this book on twitter one day and I was very curious about this book they were both raving about. I trust Melissa's opinion on books wholeheartedly and Lenore  has never lead me astray either, so... I bought it. I then started reading this book to and from work - miracle of miracles, the girl who can't even read a text message on her phone while on the bus is able to read her KOBO on the bus without barfing. (You win this round, ereader! But I'll get you back one day!) This book made me think. It made me ponder. It made me talk about the plot with my husband numerous times and always ended in a discussion of what it would be like to be a different person every day. The potential, the loss, the excitement, the tragedy... all of it. So much thinking. The concept for this story was so unique and intriguing to me that it almost helped me forget that A pins for Rhiannon every. single. day. Pine, pine, pine. I couldn't shake my regular reaction to books where there's so much pining going on. I do not like that one bit. I do not like that, Sam I Am! However, in the case of Every Day I could totally see HOW and WHY and it made sense. You know your soulmate when you find them and A was just that - a soul. A soul in a different body every single day.  I loved how Rhiannon could spot A as days passed and she'd know it was him regardless of the body. I hated how their relationship was doomed no matter what. I hated that I was enjoying a freaking relationship story! But, oh, this book is so much more than that. So very much more. There are so many layers to this story and they all work perfectly together, even with the annoying PINING going on. I get it. I got it. I loved that this wasn't just a boy meets girl story, because A isn't boy or girl. At least, not really, he saw people as souls not genders. It was all the same to him and I loved how this was described and at the same time not. It just wasn't a big deal. It just was. So, I am happy that I read out of my comfort zone for this book, I am super happy that I latched on to that twitter conversation and discovered something new. I don't adore this book as much as others seem to, but I did enjoy it immensely and feel sort of like a better, more rounded person, having read it.