The Host by Stephenie Meyer 619 pages. Little, Brown and Company, c2008. $25.99

My plan was to read this one after Breaking Dawn.  There should be a literary rule that forces publishers and authors to finish a series before moving on to new projects.  The Twilight series should be complete before we’re asked to buy something new.  I was going to wait to buy The Host until after August 2 in protest, but alas, I had to read it sooner for a book club. This book was just okay for me.  Meyer rambled on and on describing her made up world.  And how unique is having an alien take over your body by attaching onto your spine?  Yick.  Anyway, if you just can’t stand to wait for Breaking Dawn, The Host will help a little, but not much.  It just doesn’t pack the punch that the Twilight series does.  She just doesn’t convince me to love her characters the way that she does in her other books.  Try not to buy the book until after August 2, if you can manage…  

Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer Audiobook on 5 CDs, read by Nathaniel Parker Listening Library, c2004 $18.48

Artemis Fowl, Jr., is a wealthy evil genius who is bent on getting his hands on fairy gold.  He is the only one alive with the ability to get it - oh and he’s 12 years old.Eoin Colfer describes his book as “Die Hard with fairies.”  I heartily agree.  My husband and my son loved all the action and cool gadgets in this story.  My daughter and I loved the strength and fire in Holly, the central fairy.  I recommend this book and would encourage you to listen to it on audiobook if possible.  Nathaniel Parker does an amazing job with voices and dialects.  He was really fun to listen to.