YA Dystopian Challenge

I've joined a new challenge!  I figured that since I actually completed all my other challenges, I might as well pick up a new one.  Plus, I've been looking for an excuse to read some YA novels... and I like dystopian novels.  The YA Dystopian 2 Challenge is hosted by Darren at Bart's Bookshelf.  This is the second year of the challenge, which runs from October 1st through December 19th.  There are three levels of participation... I picked the middle ground- level 2.  This level means I must read at least 2 but up to 4 (more would put me at level 3... which may end up happening!).  I didn't want to over-commit to level 3 (at least 5 novels) so I went in the middle.

I'm really excited about the challenge. I hope to find some new and interesting novels to read.  I've been browsing participants lists and Darren's 50+ Fantastic YA Dystopian Novels post, so now I need to narrow down a list of my own.  Currently I am in the middle of the novel (that is slow moving and I can't really find a reason to love) so I may be running out to the bookstore tonight to grab a book for this challenge!

I'll keep ya posted! :)

write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow

Million Little Mistakes

Another cover story.  Isn't it pretty?!  Million Little Mistakes is by Heather Mcelhatton and is a "choose your own adventure" novel- for adults!  I remember those as a kid- I loved them.  I'm actually reading a horror choose your own adventure from the early 80s ("soooo old" according to them) as a read aloud for my students.  Anyways, I digress.

 "Congratulations- you just won $22 million in the lottery! So what happens next?" 

I'm not sure how I can even describe this novel because it is a choose your own adventure.  The first page describes your experience as a lottery winner... suddenly people see you differently.  Your first choice is whether you will quit your job, or continue on.  As you keep making choices, your fate changes.  You can always go back to change your mind... but what is the fun in that?  I've read through this 4 times today, and have yet to experience the same fate.  So far I have been murdered, turned undead, was reincarnated as a mushroom and once had a successful ending.  It is really cool!

The only complaint is that it gets kind of far-fetched.  I mean, really... turning undead?  I don't think my winning the lottery would ever produce that outcome.  Plus, some of the choices I had to make had no relevance to me or my personality.  However, it was still fun and is a good break from reality.  This would be a really good busy day purse book... you can stumble through a quick adventure while waiting in line.

Heather Mcelhatton is also the author of Pretty Little Mistakes, another "do-over novel" (or, as I call it out of habit.. a choose your own adventure novel).  I'm thinking about picking this up as well, because I'm having a lot of fun with Million Little Mistakes. 

write to be understood, speak to be heard, read to grow