Becky

I read these, as well at the teen fiction books, and really enjoyed them. Very fast and action packed. I read each book in about 2 days, I was completely absorbed.

I have tried actually reading the words and found it to annoy me. I don't remember ever having read slowly (although I obviously must have once, since I did learn how to read...) so for me it's really agonizing to slow down that much. I've tried explaining the way I read to people before, but I can never quite explain it. The closest I've gotten is that I don't so much read as watch it like a movie. When I'm really into a book I can't/don't think about the words at all, it just flows past and builds a picture in my mind. I have tried subvocalizing because I've heard it can increase your retention of information, which would be really nice for studying, but I was just really bothered by slowling my pace that much.

There isn't too much graphic content, but they still manage to be very sensual. I really enjoyed the balance she wrote between the two. I have thoroughly enjoyed all the books set in this world. The first three are the best, without a doubt, but the other serve to flesh out other characters or places. Making this world overall one of my favorites in fantasy books. Her other series, the Tir Alainn trilogy and the Ephemera books are also amazing. I would read many many more books about either of these worlds and not get tired of the rich detail she puts into creating her settings. I think the quality of the Black Jewels books has gone down slightly, but not very much. I still find them extremely enjoyable and have read the three latest in one sitting each after I bought them. But the deep plots and twists that were in the first three haven't been matched in that series yet. That being said the plot lines in the Tir Alain books, and in the Ephemera duology were just as deep and intricate as the Daugter of the Blood set. Without being as disturbing in their content.

Robin Hobb has definitely been one of my favorite authors. I started with the Assasin books, and I really enjoyed them I wish we could have learnt more about the group who live with their wild partners, I was extremely curious about that and I wish there was a series just following them! The farseer trilogy, and the tawny man trilogy were just amazing. Come to think of it I'm well due for a re-read! Yay! The Fool/Lord Golden is my favorite character by a lot. I just love him, right through the whole set of books. I also loved the liveship traders books. Hopefully she'll do more on them... I did not enjoy the Soldier Son books at all. I bought and read all three, but I didn't think they were up to the smae level as the others I've read by her. I've also bought and read the avaliable books in the dragon keeper series, and I am enjoying them. However I don't feel the story and characters are a rich as those in the assassin/farseer/tawny man books. Slightly disappointing. Overall she's one of my favorite authors.

Well, this is the first time I've ever even tried to keep track of everything I read, but I'm gonna give it a go! If I have read the book I'll for sure rate it, whether it gets a review or not will probably depend on how I feel when I finish it. Rating system: 0 - waste of time/didn't finish it 1 - not worth borrowing 2 - it was ok 3 - had good points and bad points 4 - good 5 - amazing My TBR List The fortunes of Grace Hammer by Sara Stockbridge Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson Chains by Laurie Halse Anderson Incarceration by Catherine Fisher Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith The boy who dared by Susan Bartoletti What world is left by Monique Polack The first part last by Angela Johnson A step from heaven by An Na Fairest by Gail Carson Levine Magyk by Angie Sage Tamar: a novel of espionage, passion, and betrayal by Mal Peet Rewind by William Sleator Sweet Blood by Pete Hautman A dog’s purpose by W. Bruce Cameron Growing wings by Laurel Wilson Firebirds soaring (anthology) Maggie’s door by Patricia Reilly Giff Nory Ryan’s Song by Patricia Reilly Giff Angela’s Ashes by Frank McCourt Away by Jane Urquhart Mennonite in a little black dress by Rhoda Janzen My sister’s keeper by Jodi Picoult Cost by Roxana Robinson The help by Kathryn Stockett The unit by Ninni Holmqvist The year of the flood by Margaret Atwood The crimson petal and the white by Michel Faber The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fford Lost in a good book by Jasper Fford The well of lost plots by Jasper Fford Something Rotten by Jasper Fford First among sequels by Jasper Fford One of our Thursdays is missing by Jasper Fford Bitten by Kelley Armstrong 4 Stolen by Kelley Armstrong 4 Dime store magic by Kelley Armstrong 4 Industrial magic by Kelley Armstrong More coming later...

Island of the Blue dolphins sounds right, I think I read it about 3 times in school. There's a sequel too, can't remember the title but it wasn't as good.