Remember that time that I was super obnoxious and kept nagging you guys about coming to events? Well, I’m sticking to my guns on this. Later this week we will be having an event for the release of Melissa Meyer’s book Scarlet (the second in The Lunar Chronicles, a futuristic series that takes on some old school Grimm’s fairy tales). We are so excited about this, and just to show you how much we as Lemurians actually love the books we sell to you, I’ll turn this over to Lizzie so she can tell you about the first fantastic book in Meyer’s series, Cinder. Lizzie is one of our favorite Oz-lings who works so hard side by side with us to bring you guys books that we think you’ll love. (And arguably has the best hair this side of the Mississippi)
As a reader, I know how skeptical a new and unknown book can make you feel. Will it be good? Is it worth my time? And let’s face it, this especially holds true with young-adult novels. I’ll admit it. There are a lot of young-adult novels published that shouldn’t have seen the light of day. I myself am an incredibly picky reader. I also speak my mind, so you can trust me to give you an honest opinion, with that in mind let’s talk about Cinder by Marissa Meyer.
Hmmm…. Where to begin? I guess I’ll just dive right in and tell you what I think. Cinder. Is. A. Super. Fun. Read. I mean it! It really is. The story definitely sounds a little strange at first. Cinder is a robotic, futuristic Cinderella growing up in New Bejing where a nasty incurable plague is sweeping through the Earth. This first installment in The Lunar Chronicles has everything you expect to see in the Cinderella story: an evil stepmother, a down on her luck orphan, a handsome and charming prince, and of course, a ball. But where Meyer really makes this story have staying power is the addition of the Lunar people. In this new world, people have colonized the moon, except now they consider it the planet Luna. And living up there has changed them in basic ways that really spice up this story and make sure you are never quite sure which way it could go. I’m not saying it’s some great American classic or anything, but it is something that will make you want to curl up on the couch with some blankets and keep reading until you finish. At least, that’s what I did. All because there are no long, boring lulls. Cinder is quick paced, exciting, and easy to read.
Let me guess, right now you’re probably thinking: “Can I trust this random girl I don’t know and listen to her advice? It is her job, 
after all, as a bookseller to try and make this book sound like something I would want to buy. How can I know that she’s telling me the truth?” Well, guess what, you can. Because if I were just trying to blindly sell you this book I would say something like, “it’s amazing and has great reviews… best book ever”, and blah blah blah. But I’m not. I’m not going to tell you it’s the best book ever. Cinder won’t bring you to tears or make you question life and its many uncertainties or anything like that. Want to know why? Because that’s NOT WHAT IT’S FOR. It’s not meant to affect you in any deep, personal way, but it will make you laugh and smile. Maybe, even, a little, girlish giggle will escape your lips.
There are a lot of different methods used to pick out a new book. One of my favorite quotes from an unknown author says, “Choosing a book is a lot like finding a date. Sometimes your eyes connect from across the room and there’s an instant spark. Sometimes a friend tells you all about them and sets you up, and sometimes it’s an entirely aesthetic choice that may or may not be a total disaster. Sometimes it’s hard to describe exactly how you ended up hand in hand but there you are.” Cinder is definitely worth a first date. For sure.
And maybe some of you out there have already found this book on your own, or had a friend tell you about it, but for those of you who haven’t read this book yet, please let me be the friend who tells you it’s a really fun book that you should read. Come on. Give it a chance.
And then come meet Marissa Meyer this Thursday, February 7th at 5:00 here at the bookstore. You won’t regret it.
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