It’s been a while since I found and devoured such a delicious young adult series :-) The best way I can think to describe The Selection Series by Kiera Cass is Hunger Games meets the Bachelor. The series is primarily a romance story, but with a hearty dose of politics, cat fighting and other lovers thrown in the mix. Oh, and as usual, I was captivated with the American dystopia part of the story.
Goodreads says:
For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon. But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks. Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.
In addition to the three books in the series, two novellas complete the full story. These are easy, intriguing reads and are perfect for winding down at the end of a long day.
As usual, let me know what’s on your bedside!! That’s where I get my very best reads :-)
xoxo
I'm SO glad you enjoyed these! I read an interview with the author and she said she loosely based the stories on Esther. Sort of a "What would Esther have done or said during the 12 months of finding a new queen." I LOVED them. Definitely fluffy but not trashy. :) I'm {still} reading Gone with the Wind, I'm working on Gone Girl for one book club and will soon start Life in a Jar for another book club.
The only thing I miss about school carpool lines is my reading time!! LOL I used to get in several books a week. Now by the time I pick one up in the evening I am so pooped I fall asleep after a few pages. So need to change that. I love a good series that is easy to read. Right now trying to make my way the A Fault in the Stars. Should have been done already. Do love it though.
I brought the last three books in The Giver series to the beach with me. I finished them yesterday. While not as good as the Giver, Lois Lowry does a good job as she relates the ending of The Giver and what happened to Jonah and Gabe. I had to know what happened to those two boys!!:)
Amanda, have you read the Legend series yet? Also easy to get through, YA, dystopian America… many of my 8th graders enjoyed it more than the Hunger Games (it's less graphic for the most part). My principal suggested it to me last year and I think I read the entire trilogy in about a month reading only at bedtime. I'm adding the Selection series to my list right now! Currently on my bedside is the third in Deborah Harkness' series, The Book of Life. I'm 100 pages in… so far it gets a "meh" rating.
I just started The Red Queen. Pretty good so far!
Gone Girl is so good!!
I've read a few this summer, and you may have already read them too. :)
The Goldfinch- long, but good
The Divergence series- if you like The Hunger Games
River Road- good, fictional, mindless mystery :)
The Book Thief (possibly the best one I've read so far)
The Husband's Secret- I'm about 75 pages into it, and so far it is really, really good!
Wanna mail these to me when you finish? I am reading The Matchmaker by Elin Hilderbrand, she is my favorite in the summer.
The Time Between by Karen White was a good, quick, summer read. Takes place on Edisto Island, so you'd probably enjoy it!
If you like YA books read the Breathing Series by Rebecca Donovan. I read all 3 on my summer vacation. So good!
I just finished The Fault in Our Stars. The author actually lives near me, so I loved the setting as well as the story!
I just began reading The Daring Ladies of Lowell. It's historical fiction about the girls who worked in the cotton mills in Massachusetts.
Speaking of something younger… The nerd in me who so thoroughly enjoyed Harry Potter also couldn't get enough of the Shannon Messenger Keeper of the Lost Cities series. I even pre-ordered Everblaze – something I never do!
Love hearing your "bedside" recommendations! This summer I started the Julia series by Ann Ross. Loving it! It's a light-hearted, southern novel series that just delights. My family will often hear me laugh out loud at some of the antics in the book. Can't wait to devour the next 2 books during our annual beach trip to Emerald Isle next week.
Sounds interesting-thanks for sharing! I just finished Natchez Burning and am in the mood for something new.
I hadn't heard of these but I always enjoy your recs so I grabbed them from amazon…I read all 3 in 2 days! Loved them!
Just finished the new Karin Slaughter book " Cop Town " and it was a real page turner! Loved it.