By Will McIntosh (281 ebook)
I don't know what to tell you about this book. It's not a bad book but the story is so grim. It's about the world slowly falling into collapse but from the point of view of regular people just trying to carve out something resembling a decent life. This collapsing world is similar to the Margaret Atwood books that started with Oryx and Crake. There is still basic infrastructure for the fortunate few. But lots of people are homeless and struggle to get food. There are terrible viruses and various forces struggling for control. The protagonist is an every day guy trying to stay safe and fed and find a little love for his life.
Friday, April 8, 2016
Sunday, April 3, 2016
9. Caliban's War
By James S.A. Corey (595 pp)
This is book #2 in the Expanse series and it is really good. Tough to summarize quickly - all kinds of crazy stuff happens in space. Amos is one of my favorite fictional characters in recent memory followed closely by Avasarala. I've been joking about switching over to writing fan fiction. Anyone interested in reading a story about Prax and Amos opening a B&B in space? It took me forever to read it because it's such a lump and I'm still nervous about my backpack being too heavy after the back debacle of last summer. I was going to buy the rest of the books as ebooks but I want to be able to pass them on so I bought paperbacks. I'm going to pick them up tomorrow.
This is book #2 in the Expanse series and it is really good. Tough to summarize quickly - all kinds of crazy stuff happens in space. Amos is one of my favorite fictional characters in recent memory followed closely by Avasarala. I've been joking about switching over to writing fan fiction. Anyone interested in reading a story about Prax and Amos opening a B&B in space? It took me forever to read it because it's such a lump and I'm still nervous about my backpack being too heavy after the back debacle of last summer. I was going to buy the rest of the books as ebooks but I want to be able to pass them on so I bought paperbacks. I'm going to pick them up tomorrow.
Sunday, February 28, 2016
8. Leviathan Wakes
By James S.A. Corey (561 pp)
This is the first book in the Expanse series - which was a show on Syfy channel. I watched 1 episode of the show and had to run out and buy the book. (Technically, I asked for it for Christmas.) I really wanted to read the book before I finished the show but ended up reading and watching at the same time. And it was little bit jarring because of the differences. But I LOVED the book and I'm happy there are 4 more published! It's set in the future when people live in space with a conflict between earth, Mars with a strong military, and outer planets. It's hard to sum up in a couple of sentences. There is political unrest and the story is divided between a detective looking for a missing woman and a ship captain who runs into related trouble. It's really good: creepy, actiony, surprising. I recommend.
This is the first book in the Expanse series - which was a show on Syfy channel. I watched 1 episode of the show and had to run out and buy the book. (Technically, I asked for it for Christmas.) I really wanted to read the book before I finished the show but ended up reading and watching at the same time. And it was little bit jarring because of the differences. But I LOVED the book and I'm happy there are 4 more published! It's set in the future when people live in space with a conflict between earth, Mars with a strong military, and outer planets. It's hard to sum up in a couple of sentences. There is political unrest and the story is divided between a detective looking for a missing woman and a ship captain who runs into related trouble. It's really good: creepy, actiony, surprising. I recommend.
Friday, February 26, 2016
7. Secrets of a Summer Night
By Lisa Kleypas (309 pp)
This is a historical romance. Normally I prefer contemporaries but I wanted to try this author. It starts out as a generic story of woman with bad luck and no money needs a good marriage in London society (1843). A handsome rake with no title comes in to mix things up. But as the story goes on the story won me over. The characterization is wonderful. It gets a wee bit melodramatic at the end but a fun read for romance fans.
This is a historical romance. Normally I prefer contemporaries but I wanted to try this author. It starts out as a generic story of woman with bad luck and no money needs a good marriage in London society (1843). A handsome rake with no title comes in to mix things up. But as the story goes on the story won me over. The characterization is wonderful. It gets a wee bit melodramatic at the end but a fun read for romance fans.
Saturday, February 6, 2016
6. The Best Man
By Kristan Higgins (331 pp, ebook)
This is a sweet and fun small town romance. When the story opens, Faith Holland's story book romance comes to an end at the altar when her fiancé comes out. She moves away and when returns home, there are sparks with the Chief of Police. But both have tragic back stories to overcome. Lots of cute dialogue and funny situations although at times it went overboard into too silly. I still thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend for romance fans.
This is a sweet and fun small town romance. When the story opens, Faith Holland's story book romance comes to an end at the altar when her fiancé comes out. She moves away and when returns home, there are sparks with the Chief of Police. But both have tragic back stories to overcome. Lots of cute dialogue and funny situations although at times it went overboard into too silly. I still thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend for romance fans.
Sunday, January 31, 2016
5. Come As You Are
By Emily Nagoski PhD (345 pp)
You don't know how much it pains me to not give this book a glowing review. I love Nagoski's website The Dirty Normal. There were so many times I read something there and thought: Well that would have been handy information 30 years ago. I love all the science and also reassurance that normal is a spectrum and barring health issues, you're normal. Again, would have been great to hear 30 years ago. I'm sure it was the publishers but this is a self-help book with exercises and fictionalized anecdotes about people who come in weeping about their problems and then do a few exercises and find miraculous change. In addition, the book is long and feels like a slog, sometimes repetitious, too often referencing other chapters. And finally, the casual tone grated at times. I think the information is worthwhile and would never discourage anyone from picking it up, but not a love.
You don't know how much it pains me to not give this book a glowing review. I love Nagoski's website The Dirty Normal. There were so many times I read something there and thought: Well that would have been handy information 30 years ago. I love all the science and also reassurance that normal is a spectrum and barring health issues, you're normal. Again, would have been great to hear 30 years ago. I'm sure it was the publishers but this is a self-help book with exercises and fictionalized anecdotes about people who come in weeping about their problems and then do a few exercises and find miraculous change. In addition, the book is long and feels like a slog, sometimes repetitious, too often referencing other chapters. And finally, the casual tone grated at times. I think the information is worthwhile and would never discourage anyone from picking it up, but not a love.
Saturday, January 16, 2016
4. M Train
By Patti Smith (253 pp)
I'm sorry I didn't decide to make notes of pages I wanted to go back to until page 139 where I made a note that Patti returned from an overseas tour and upon taking stock, realizes she only lost one pair of glasses. I had low expectations for this book. After Just Kids I suspected this was an easy money grab. You could probably make that argument. It's still terrific. It's a quiet, aimless memoir with the kind of writing that makes you want to slow down and savor every word. I always have so many books to read, I'm in a hurry to finish. With this book I took my time and was sorry it was finished. Luckily, Bob gave me a tiny volume of Patti that's a memoir finished on her 45th birthday.
I'm sorry I didn't decide to make notes of pages I wanted to go back to until page 139 where I made a note that Patti returned from an overseas tour and upon taking stock, realizes she only lost one pair of glasses. I had low expectations for this book. After Just Kids I suspected this was an easy money grab. You could probably make that argument. It's still terrific. It's a quiet, aimless memoir with the kind of writing that makes you want to slow down and savor every word. I always have so many books to read, I'm in a hurry to finish. With this book I took my time and was sorry it was finished. Luckily, Bob gave me a tiny volume of Patti that's a memoir finished on her 45th birthday.
Sunday, January 10, 2016
3. Vintage
By Susan Gloss (263 pp ebook)
This is a light and sweet chick lit book that follows several women connected to a vintage clothing shop in Madison, Wisconsin. I met the author when I was in Madison. It's not my usual type of book but I grabbed it during the great ebook buying binge of 2015. I loved all the characters and the way each chapter started with the description of a vintage item. It made me wish I knew more about clothes
This is a light and sweet chick lit book that follows several women connected to a vintage clothing shop in Madison, Wisconsin. I met the author when I was in Madison. It's not my usual type of book but I grabbed it during the great ebook buying binge of 2015. I loved all the characters and the way each chapter started with the description of a vintage item. It made me wish I knew more about clothes
Monday, January 4, 2016
2. All Clear
By Connie Willis (641 pp)
It snowed yesterday morning so I stayed in bed and almost finished this book. I had to wait and read the last bit today. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time but sheesh, the middle is a major slog. So much repetition. I get that a lot of it is relevant to the story developments but I think this could have been one shorter volume that read a bit tighter. Still recommend.
It snowed yesterday morning so I stayed in bed and almost finished this book. I had to wait and read the last bit today. I enjoyed it just as much as the first time but sheesh, the middle is a major slog. So much repetition. I get that a lot of it is relevant to the story developments but I think this could have been one shorter volume that read a bit tighter. Still recommend.
Friday, January 1, 2016
1. Blackout
By Connie Willis (491 pp)
I read this in 2010 - I didn't realize it had been that long. This and the sequel All Clear came out 10 months apart. It's deceptive to call it a sequel because it's really one giant book chopped in two. Book 1 doesn't even pretend to be a self-contained volume. Since I finished them the first time I've wanted to read them back-to-back and even though I have 3 other books partially read, I decided to pick these up now. It's about time travelers in WWII and it's hard to put down. Recommend.
I read this in 2010 - I didn't realize it had been that long. This and the sequel All Clear came out 10 months apart. It's deceptive to call it a sequel because it's really one giant book chopped in two. Book 1 doesn't even pretend to be a self-contained volume. Since I finished them the first time I've wanted to read them back-to-back and even though I have 3 other books partially read, I decided to pick these up now. It's about time travelers in WWII and it's hard to put down. Recommend.
Monday, December 21, 2015
29. Fangirl
By Rainbow Rowell (319 pp. ebook)
I LOVED this book. It took me a little while to get into it. It's about a twin who goes to her first year of college. She is a successful fan fic writer in a world that's like Harry Potter. Her sister wants to be independent from her twin and her Dad has some mental health issues. Mom left the family when the twins were young. Cath is flawed but relatable character trying to plow through a tough transition in life. The romantic element is adorable. RECOMMEND.
I LOVED this book. It took me a little while to get into it. It's about a twin who goes to her first year of college. She is a successful fan fic writer in a world that's like Harry Potter. Her sister wants to be independent from her twin and her Dad has some mental health issues. Mom left the family when the twins were young. Cath is flawed but relatable character trying to plow through a tough transition in life. The romantic element is adorable. RECOMMEND.
Wednesday, December 16, 2015
28. A Thousand Pieces of You
By Claudia Gray (249 pp. ebook)
This book has the most amazing cover. I wanted to like it and it had some good moments, but it didn't work for me. The protagonist's parents are scientists working on inter-dimensional travel. Her father is murdered by one of his grad students. She and another grad student start jumping through parallel worlds to find him. There were moments when it was page turning but often the plot developments felt simplistic and the characterization fell flat. There is a strong romantic element which also doesn't quite work.
This book has the most amazing cover. I wanted to like it and it had some good moments, but it didn't work for me. The protagonist's parents are scientists working on inter-dimensional travel. Her father is murdered by one of his grad students. She and another grad student start jumping through parallel worlds to find him. There were moments when it was page turning but often the plot developments felt simplistic and the characterization fell flat. There is a strong romantic element which also doesn't quite work.
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