And so, as with most resolutions, I have started strongly. I've just finished Uglies the first in a 'trilogy-plus-one' by Scott Westerfeld and I loved it. Loved it enough to buy the next two, Pretties and Specials without blinking. There is a fourth book, Extras which, of course, I will have to get as well. It is set a few years after the action of the Uglies series and in Tokyo - a world away but not so disimiliar - and reflects on all that has gone before in the three prior books. Or something. I just can't wait.

Uglies features a 15 year old girl called Tally Youngblood who is about to turn 16 years old. On her birthday she will have an operation to make her pretty. Westefeld writes the voice of a 15 year old girl brilliantly and the low-sci-fi world is just far enough into the future for it to ring almost possible. The story is a straightforward one but he furnishes it with all the things teenagers go through - especially aspects of identity and self-worth. And his female characters, Tally included, are resourceful, funny, smart and brave. And the boys like them.

Perfect summer reading. And then there is his brand new series Leviathan, which is book one - steam punk as you have never read before with a fascinating 'book trailer' on our website if you want a taste.