This is not a book review

I've written before about my penchant for reading Young Adult Fiction.  I think some of the most exciting story-telling is being produced in this genre, and although searching for books has given me some interesting age-related experiences, that hasn't stopped me.

One of my most exciting reads in any book category was the Phillip Pullman series His Dark Materials, which, in its first book, The Golden Compass, has one of the most appealing first paragraphs ever.  Who wouldn't want to read about a girl and her daemon?

Right now I'm almost at the end of the second book in the Legend  series by Marie Lu.  I can't say enough about my admiration for authors who not only have a compelling story, but build a complete world in which to set it.  And yes, I know I haven't been talking about the actual writing, the tone-setting, the appropriate dialogue, the balance of characters and the literary value of these works, but that's a) secondary, for me, to the story and b) something I don't feel qualified to judge.

I do like my literature, my historical fiction, my mysteries but sometimes it's just about a good story, and that explains why you might see my gray head bent over the YA table at your local bookstore or watch me not grimacing when the cashier tells me my grandchildren are going to love those books.