Sometimes, you just need to read

Well about two days ago, I felt the need to read. I was kind of searching through the books that I have looking for something because I didn't/couldn't buy any more books (I had just bought Going Bovine by Libba Bray so my book budget was gone). I started another Bray book because I thought maybe that would be it. I thought maybe some Maureen Johnson cuz she always makes me happy, but I really don't want to get sick of her books and I feel like I just re-read them.

Then I remembered that Forest Born had just come out and I had yet to borrow it from my roomate.

This is the latest book in a series by Shannon Hale, The Books of Bayern. The series is a YA series, though I think that even younger children would be fine reading it. Hale is such a fabulous author. I love that she can write for both adults, with books like Austenland and The Actor and the Housewife and still write these amazing YA books. Like I was seriously laughing out loud reading this book. It has just enough action and romance and plot-twists to keep you interested, but not overwhelm you and make the book challenging to read. That being said, I never feel like she is talking down to me. I never feel like I'm reading one of those books from the children's section at Borders. She keeps up her vocab but I don't need a dictionary.

Mostly, I love the way her books make me feel. Whenever I finish a Hale masterpiece, I feel like I have just spent a very satisfying few hours coloring or fingerpainting or wandering through the heather. I feel so peaceful and just generally happy, like a little kid, but without the being a little kid part. I feel edified in a way. I feel as though I have just learned something new about myself.

I would highly suggest some Hale for those of you looking for books to read. Princess Academy and Book of 1000 Days were not my favorites, but I still enjoyed them. Oh, I just feel so happy I could burst! I love the Books of Bayern!!!! I love reading!!!!