Grendel By: John Gardener

As someone who once SKIMMED through Beowulf, and found it intriguing and wonderful, but I was not very committed to the whole LANGUAGE of it at the time, this book was both amazing and extraordinarily hard to read.
I heard about this book from 1001 Books For Every Mood, and then happened to find it on my Christmas binge shopping. Now, I really did mean to read Beowulf first, but I did not :(
Grendel is probably the sweetest most misunderstood monster in the bunch. Seriously. His whole story is about him searching for kindness and acceptance. He searches at first for companionship and when Man turns against him, he searches for it in other forms and takes out his anger and pain on Hrothgar's kingdom. (justifiably I would say).
Grendel has this disgusting, pitiful mother who clings to him and is vile. He acknowledges this and breaks out frequently on his own while searching for his place in the meaninglessness of the world.
Its very touching as Grendel can't grasp why he doesn't belong, and why he is so despicable to others. I strongly recommend it, though heads up! Its hard to follow at times. I had to reread chapters several times to understand the plot flow.

The Maze Runner By: James Dashner

This book is the perfect example of why I NEED to actually purchase a book before I read it.
I borrowed this book from my coworker, even though I was in the middle of, not just one, but TWO books. Naturally, you stop what you are doing to read said borrowed book before it becomes lost, broken, or they ask for it back.
I have a weakness for young adult series such as this. I powered through this book and instantly regretted it.
This book was AMAZING. It was fast paced without being confusing, and in some weird twisted way, actually sort of believable! (and by that I mean the plot). Similar in many aspects to The Hunger Games, I felt that the Maze Runner really brought a different aspect to the whole "post apocalyptic kids in chaos" trend that seems to be happening.
Thomas is a really intriguing character. It is hinted from the get-go that he may know insider knowledge behind what is going on with the maze and what it all could mean, though you really see him develop from a newbie to a leader of the group. He is one of those guys who gets shit done, but you would probably hate if you met in real life.
I don't want to give away the plot but it literally left me hanging at the edge of my seat and I was mildly disturbed by the freaky-ass grievers. (which is an awesome name for them).
Now, as always, the quest to track down the second book. Well, I guess even the first one as I really need to reread it before I embark on The Scorch Trials.