By Megan Whalen Turner (319 pp)
This is the 4th book in a series and possibly the last. It felt like it was finished but I could see the author squeezing more stories out of this world. One of the things I love in this series is the different POV characters. I loved this one but like some of the earlier books it does have some moments where it goes a little dry. It has to do with kingdoms and power. Overall I recommend the entire series.
Sunday, February 19, 2012
Friday, February 10, 2012
5. The King of Attolia
By Megan Whalen Turner (385 pp)
This is the third in a series. (Book #1 and Book #2). I loved the first one but was lukewarm on the second one. I loved this one. I can't say why without being too spoilery. Our beloved hero Eugenides gets what he wants but has to take what he doesn't want along with it. There's another book in the series which I am going to get at the bookstore tomorrow.
This is the third in a series. (Book #1 and Book #2). I loved the first one but was lukewarm on the second one. I loved this one. I can't say why without being too spoilery. Our beloved hero Eugenides gets what he wants but has to take what he doesn't want along with it. There's another book in the series which I am going to get at the bookstore tomorrow.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
4. The Name of the Wind
By Patrick Rothfuss (662pp)
I have been sitting on this book forever. Partly because I knew I would like it and I wanted to wait until I had time to really get into it. Partly because I knew it was going to be a series and didn't want to be left hanging at the end. And partly because it was hardcover and I didn't want to carry it on the bus. None of those reasons makes any sense now because I never had time to really get into it and have been sneaking in a few pages here and there for the last 6 weeks. Book 2 is out but the series isn't finished so I'm still going to be left hanging. I never did take it on the bus but I'll probably end up lugging #2 to work with me. I'm warming up to the idea of an ereader mostly for tome reading on the bus. I have other reasons pro and con but not going into it here.
This book is awesome. It's a about a guy and bad stuff happens and he's the hero and he wins a little, loses a little, but it's a story within a story and nothing is what it appears. If you like big fat fantasy books, highly recommended.
I have been sitting on this book forever. Partly because I knew I would like it and I wanted to wait until I had time to really get into it. Partly because I knew it was going to be a series and didn't want to be left hanging at the end. And partly because it was hardcover and I didn't want to carry it on the bus. None of those reasons makes any sense now because I never had time to really get into it and have been sneaking in a few pages here and there for the last 6 weeks. Book 2 is out but the series isn't finished so I'm still going to be left hanging. I never did take it on the bus but I'll probably end up lugging #2 to work with me. I'm warming up to the idea of an ereader mostly for tome reading on the bus. I have other reasons pro and con but not going into it here.
This book is awesome. It's a about a guy and bad stuff happens and he's the hero and he wins a little, loses a little, but it's a story within a story and nothing is what it appears. If you like big fat fantasy books, highly recommended.
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
3. The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie
By Alan Bradley (370 pp).
I really hate the title of this book, but that's the only part I don't like. My cousin Jennifer recommended the book and I loved it. The protagonist is 11-year-old Flavia de Luce and she's a total smart ass and hilarious. She finds a man dying in the garden and gets involved in solving the mystery. I wish I was in Mr. Bradley's crit group because I would have had suggestions about the ending because it didn't completely work for me. But fun book. Recommend.
I really hate the title of this book, but that's the only part I don't like. My cousin Jennifer recommended the book and I loved it. The protagonist is 11-year-old Flavia de Luce and she's a total smart ass and hilarious. She finds a man dying in the garden and gets involved in solving the mystery. I wish I was in Mr. Bradley's crit group because I would have had suggestions about the ending because it didn't completely work for me. But fun book. Recommend.
Friday, January 20, 2012
2. The Last of the Live Nude Girls
By Sheila McClear (243 pp)
During the holiday break I started at least 5 different books and every time I sat down to read I'd pile them all around me and take turns reading from each one. In regular life I rarely read more than one thing at a time because my concentration is crap plus I don't have huge amounts of time to read so can't remember what's going on if I have too many books going. Now holiday break is long over and I have these books half read. The other night when I couldn't sleep I went into the living room to read and this was the book I grabbed. It's grim reading at 2am. It's a memoir about a woman who moves to NYC and ends up working peep shows to earn money. She comes unraveled before she gets it together. Interesting look peep show business.
During the holiday break I started at least 5 different books and every time I sat down to read I'd pile them all around me and take turns reading from each one. In regular life I rarely read more than one thing at a time because my concentration is crap plus I don't have huge amounts of time to read so can't remember what's going on if I have too many books going. Now holiday break is long over and I have these books half read. The other night when I couldn't sleep I went into the living room to read and this was the book I grabbed. It's grim reading at 2am. It's a memoir about a woman who moves to NYC and ends up working peep shows to earn money. She comes unraveled before she gets it together. Interesting look peep show business.
Friday, January 6, 2012
1. It's So Easy and Other Lies
By Duff McKagan (361 pp.)
I LOVED this book. I loved it as much as you can love a book where the hero's pancreas explodes because he drinks so much. Ten bottles of wine a day — that was when he was trying to stay away from the hard stuff. Try to wrap your head around that. Ten bottles a day. Yikes. It's amazing what the human body can survive. Duff started out in bands when he was a teenager and was in Guns 'N Roses. He came back from total disaster. Recommend.
I LOVED this book. I loved it as much as you can love a book where the hero's pancreas explodes because he drinks so much. Ten bottles of wine a day — that was when he was trying to stay away from the hard stuff. Try to wrap your head around that. Ten bottles a day. Yikes. It's amazing what the human body can survive. Duff started out in bands when he was a teenager and was in Guns 'N Roses. He came back from total disaster. Recommend.
Sunday, January 1, 2012
Book List for 2012 Starts Here
Only 30 books this year. Not great. I'd like to do better.
But I read 149 short stories/novellas/novelettes. And that's not everything. I don't always keep track of the shorter stuff.
I had some busy times where not much reading happened.
I'm not making any reading goals for 2012 except to read more than 30 books. Especially since I bought or was given at least 40 books in the last 6 weeks. Must keep ahead.
My favorites were The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro by Joe McGinniss, A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan and Bob Mould, See a Little Light.
But I read 149 short stories/novellas/novelettes. And that's not everything. I don't always keep track of the shorter stuff.
I had some busy times where not much reading happened.
I'm not making any reading goals for 2012 except to read more than 30 books. Especially since I bought or was given at least 40 books in the last 6 weeks. Must keep ahead.
My favorites were The Miracle of Castel Di Sangro by Joe McGinniss, A Visit from the Goon Squad by Jennifer Egan and Bob Mould, See a Little Light.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
30. The Necessary Beggar
By Susan Palwick (316 pp.)
Another book I was looking forward to reading that I wish I liked more. The set-up is great. A family from another world is exiled and they end up in Reno, NV. The main protagonist is a young girl who grows into a teenager during the course of the story. The characters are likable and the contrast between cultures is detailed and interesting. The first problem I had was it was too long. Every scene seemed to go on longer than it needed to. We watched the exiled family try to understand crime, Christianity, Halloween, Christmas, casinos, homeless people. It went on and on. The second half of the book turned into an implausible teen romance and family melodrama. I didn't hate it but have trouble recommending.
Another book I was looking forward to reading that I wish I liked more. The set-up is great. A family from another world is exiled and they end up in Reno, NV. The main protagonist is a young girl who grows into a teenager during the course of the story. The characters are likable and the contrast between cultures is detailed and interesting. The first problem I had was it was too long. Every scene seemed to go on longer than it needed to. We watched the exiled family try to understand crime, Christianity, Halloween, Christmas, casinos, homeless people. It went on and on. The second half of the book turned into an implausible teen romance and family melodrama. I didn't hate it but have trouble recommending.
Saturday, December 10, 2011
29. The Queen of Attolia
By Megan Whalen Turner (404 pp)
Well, I disagree with the person who reviewed this book online and wrote, "Best Book Ever." I liked it a great deal but didn't love it mostly because of an unexpected plot event I found implausible and not particularly desirable. The story is about the Thief from the previous book, who gets into serious trouble and a terrible thing happens. Then he needs to get his groove back. The backdrop is political maneuverings of three countries plus an empire from over yonder that would also like to get its grubby hands in the mix. I thought the book got a little too bogged down in that stuff and the end was about 50 pages too long. I'm still going to read the third one but not for a bit. First, I'm back to working on the nightstand odds and ends.
Well, I disagree with the person who reviewed this book online and wrote, "Best Book Ever." I liked it a great deal but didn't love it mostly because of an unexpected plot event I found implausible and not particularly desirable. The story is about the Thief from the previous book, who gets into serious trouble and a terrible thing happens. Then he needs to get his groove back. The backdrop is political maneuverings of three countries plus an empire from over yonder that would also like to get its grubby hands in the mix. I thought the book got a little too bogged down in that stuff and the end was about 50 pages too long. I'm still going to read the third one but not for a bit. First, I'm back to working on the nightstand odds and ends.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
28. The Thief
By Megan Whalen Turner (219 pp)
I still haven't cleared out the odds and ends on my nightstand but I made a big dent in them. I read this book when it came out but I never continued in the series so I wanted to read this again before I moved on. I barely remembered the story so it was just as big a surprise this time around. It's about a thief who is taken out of prison so he can steal something for the king. Really good. I recommend.
I still haven't cleared out the odds and ends on my nightstand but I made a big dent in them. I read this book when it came out but I never continued in the series so I wanted to read this again before I moved on. I barely remembered the story so it was just as big a surprise this time around. It's about a thief who is taken out of prison so he can steal something for the king. Really good. I recommend.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
27. The Blind Assassin
By Margaret Atwood (521 pp.)
I can't believe how long it's been since I finished a book. Not for lack of trying. I have been juggling too many things lately. It took me a month to read the first 150pp. This is actually my second time reading this book. I haven't re-read a book, other than a Laura Ingalls or a Narnia book, in ages. My to-read shelf is always piled so high I never take the time to re-read anything. But I've wanted to re-read The Blind Assassin since I finished it the first time which was probably 10 years ago. I remember reading it very quickly and feeling like there was stuff I missed that I wanted to understand better. I enjoyed the re-read as much as I enjoyed the book the first time but now that I'm finished, I'm not sure what I thought I missed. Highly recommended.
I'm going to see if I can clear up all the odds and ends on my nightstand and read the books Carol gave me and then tackle the Rothfuss books during the holidays. No doubt this will end up being over ambitious.
I can't believe how long it's been since I finished a book. Not for lack of trying. I have been juggling too many things lately. It took me a month to read the first 150pp. This is actually my second time reading this book. I haven't re-read a book, other than a Laura Ingalls or a Narnia book, in ages. My to-read shelf is always piled so high I never take the time to re-read anything. But I've wanted to re-read The Blind Assassin since I finished it the first time which was probably 10 years ago. I remember reading it very quickly and feeling like there was stuff I missed that I wanted to understand better. I enjoyed the re-read as much as I enjoyed the book the first time but now that I'm finished, I'm not sure what I thought I missed. Highly recommended.
I'm going to see if I can clear up all the odds and ends on my nightstand and read the books Carol gave me and then tackle the Rothfuss books during the holidays. No doubt this will end up being over ambitious.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
26. Dreamsnake
By Vonda McIntyre (312 pp.)
Wow, I haven't finished a book in over a month. I have read a ton of short stories. And also September was super busy.
I've had this book forever. I decided to read it now because I was going to Canada for the day with only a little backpack and this book would fit in there perfectly. It's set in a future post apocalyptic earth in some ways more advanced and in some ways more primitive and with different social customs. The protagonist is a healer who needs to find a dreamsnake. It got a little crazy at the end but I enjoyed it a great deal. I like stories set in future ruins.
I'd like to read another novel and it seems like my bookshelf is mostly stories. I hate to buy more books when there are so many sitting here. I'm sure I'll find something.
Wow, I haven't finished a book in over a month. I have read a ton of short stories. And also September was super busy.
I've had this book forever. I decided to read it now because I was going to Canada for the day with only a little backpack and this book would fit in there perfectly. It's set in a future post apocalyptic earth in some ways more advanced and in some ways more primitive and with different social customs. The protagonist is a healer who needs to find a dreamsnake. It got a little crazy at the end but I enjoyed it a great deal. I like stories set in future ruins.
I'd like to read another novel and it seems like my bookshelf is mostly stories. I hate to buy more books when there are so many sitting here. I'm sure I'll find something.
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