I will eventually (maybe) get around to writing actual reviews of these books, but I haven't had time (been too busy reading!) ...
these are some of the titles I've read this last month (in no particular order) ...
if you're curious for more info jot me a note ...
The Pink Carnation - Lauren Willig
The Black Tulip - Lauren Willig (I liked both of these and plan to continue reading the series ... does get a bit risque')
Confessions of an Economic Hitman - John Perkins (excellent info, but really scary proof -assuming he's legit- about what our government is up to around the world)
Gods Behaving Badly - Marie Phillips (humorous idea gone bad ...)
Bloodsucking Fiends - Christopher Moore
You Suck - Christopher Moore (author came highly recommended to me ... vampire trash novels, essentially ... Moore is witty, but I could've used that few hours doing something else)
Mr. Monk Goes To The Firehouse - Lee Goldberg
Mr. Monk Goes To Hawaii - Lee Goldberg
Mr. Monk And The Blue Flu - Lee Goldberg (based on character in the TV show "Monk" ... easy, light read, have enjoyed them all)
Lord of the Flies - William Golding (rather horrific tale of how mankind behaves ... wasn't easy for me to stomach some of the scenes ... )
How Not To Look Old - Charla Krupp (I LOVE THIS BOOK ... especially when she breaks down things like a good haircut cost per day over a year ... I still shun some of her advice even tho she's probably right)
Beethoven's Letters - Ludwig Von Beethoven (I adore most anything Beethoven)
Your Best Life Now - Joel Olsteen (really like this guy)
Johnny Depp: A Modern Rebel - Brian J. Robb (I love Johnny Depp, what can I say? I appreciate realness -true stories, quotes, etc- but if you don't, skip this one)
Jane Boleyn: The True Story Of The Infamous Lady Rochford - Julia Fox (terribly difficult to keep people straight, but fascinating and informative)
Monday, March 17, 2008
Monday, February 11, 2008
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency
Another Douglas Adams book where once again a million different pieces of story all fold together and leave the reader with a smile of "aha!" as they lay the book down and roll over to fall asleep at 3:30am.
Only they can't fall asleep because they are now reliving a section of Richard's life as he tumbles into an odd series of events that seem to have nothing in common. When he finds himself in the company of a fellow from his university days who was dismissed under questionable circumstances involving fore-knowledge of answers to an exam, things can only get more strange.
Is Dirk psychic, an eccentric who is misunderstood, or a complete fraud? And what of the professor who seems completely coherent one moment and a bumbling old man the next?
There are so many more questions that must be answered, and for the above and all the others, I simply recommend you find out for yourself.
Only they can't fall asleep because they are now reliving a section of Richard's life as he tumbles into an odd series of events that seem to have nothing in common. When he finds himself in the company of a fellow from his university days who was dismissed under questionable circumstances involving fore-knowledge of answers to an exam, things can only get more strange.
Is Dirk psychic, an eccentric who is misunderstood, or a complete fraud? And what of the professor who seems completely coherent one moment and a bumbling old man the next?
There are so many more questions that must be answered, and for the above and all the others, I simply recommend you find out for yourself.
Fairie Wars
An exciting tale of a young lad who finds himself in the company of a fairy after saving it from his employer's cat.
Of course, we all know fairies don't exist ... our main character, Henry, would agree ... save for the fact that he was holding one safely in a mason jar.
As he learns of parallel universes and other mysteries, he is forbidden by his parents to spend any additional time with his employer, Mr. Fogerty, who is an elderly man "with a past." Defying his parents' orders, he sneaks back to uncover a code he must unravel to join Mr. Fogerty in the Fairy World to help save them from all manner of evil.
After being a bit thrown early-on in the book by the strange affair Henry learns his mother is having with his father's secretary, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue reading the story. I'm glad I endured because the tale of the "Fairy World" that is spun is rather well done and quite a good read. Not sure why the author felt the need to begin the book the way he did, since it in no way lent to the story or advanced the plot other than for Henry to find himself miserable (which could have occurred for any number of reasons).
So, I warn of the above mentioned affair and also acknowledge that the evil portrayed in the book contains some nasty stuff (murderous plots and a few demons). This book is shelved in the "young adult" section of our store.
Of course, we all know fairies don't exist ... our main character, Henry, would agree ... save for the fact that he was holding one safely in a mason jar.
As he learns of parallel universes and other mysteries, he is forbidden by his parents to spend any additional time with his employer, Mr. Fogerty, who is an elderly man "with a past." Defying his parents' orders, he sneaks back to uncover a code he must unravel to join Mr. Fogerty in the Fairy World to help save them from all manner of evil.
After being a bit thrown early-on in the book by the strange affair Henry learns his mother is having with his father's secretary, I wasn't sure I wanted to continue reading the story. I'm glad I endured because the tale of the "Fairy World" that is spun is rather well done and quite a good read. Not sure why the author felt the need to begin the book the way he did, since it in no way lent to the story or advanced the plot other than for Henry to find himself miserable (which could have occurred for any number of reasons).
So, I warn of the above mentioned affair and also acknowledge that the evil portrayed in the book contains some nasty stuff (murderous plots and a few demons). This book is shelved in the "young adult" section of our store.
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
I purchased a lovely copy of the complete Hitchhiker's Series.
I just love these books. One of the few sets of books that I have read several times and always enjoy. Douglas Adams was just so odd and yet amazingly brilliant. The journeys with the absent minded Arthur Dent and his "alien" friend Ford Prefect are so rich with images that are almost beyond the reach of imagination, but not quite.
Perhaps the most spectacular to envision is the Restaurant at the end of the Universe. I oft wonder if he saw a swirl of paints floating in oil or if I, somehow, am the only one who pictures something like that while wondering what the restaurant goers are seeing as they gaze toward the "last glimpse of the heavens."
I'm always sad for many reasons when I finish the trilogy, and continue to long for someone to find alternate endings or additional books that Mr. Adams had hidden somewhere other than his mind.
Keep your towel handy!
I just love these books. One of the few sets of books that I have read several times and always enjoy. Douglas Adams was just so odd and yet amazingly brilliant. The journeys with the absent minded Arthur Dent and his "alien" friend Ford Prefect are so rich with images that are almost beyond the reach of imagination, but not quite.
Perhaps the most spectacular to envision is the Restaurant at the end of the Universe. I oft wonder if he saw a swirl of paints floating in oil or if I, somehow, am the only one who pictures something like that while wondering what the restaurant goers are seeing as they gaze toward the "last glimpse of the heavens."
I'm always sad for many reasons when I finish the trilogy, and continue to long for someone to find alternate endings or additional books that Mr. Adams had hidden somewhere other than his mind.
Keep your towel handy!
Sunday, January 20, 2008
The Princess Bride
Alas, I must confess ... William Goldman "got" me ...
I totally fell for the whole idea that he published an "abridged" story based on a "novel by S. Morgenstern."
If you haven't read the book ... do so ... just be forewarned ... ALL of the book ... ALL OF IT ... is fiction.
The guy is a genius!!!
(and I am not!)
:)
Circle of Magic Quartet
http://www.tamora-pierce.com/
I'm on the last book - Briar's Book - in the Circle of Magic Quartet
Starting off with Sandry's Book you quickly dive into the magical world of four misfit children who are thrown together through a series of seemingly unrelated coincidences that all work together in the story to place them at the same school.
As they battle through common personality issues of anger and distrust, the reader can experience the transformation that slowly takes place until it is "the four magical musketeers."
I love the idea of magic as a force to expand on natural "art" such as gardening, weaving, smithing, etc.
If you aren't opposed to books of a magical nature, this series comes highly recommended.
I'm on the last book - Briar's Book - in the Circle of Magic Quartet
Starting off with Sandry's Book you quickly dive into the magical world of four misfit children who are thrown together through a series of seemingly unrelated coincidences that all work together in the story to place them at the same school.
As they battle through common personality issues of anger and distrust, the reader can experience the transformation that slowly takes place until it is "the four magical musketeers."
I love the idea of magic as a force to expand on natural "art" such as gardening, weaving, smithing, etc.
If you aren't opposed to books of a magical nature, this series comes highly recommended.
Love In The Time Of Cholera
Love In The Time Of Cholera - by Gabriel García Márquez
I absolutely do not understand the hype of this book. So many reviews I've read exclaim the "wonders" of "waiting for love."
I jumped into this book thinking it would be this beloved romance ... a man obsessed with one woman who turned him down ... he lives his life "waiting" for her ...
What I ended up reading was a celebration of the deranged ... a woman who is raped and spends her life looking for the rapist because "it was the best sex she ever had" ... the main character who turns into a dirty old man seducing a young teenager he is guardian of and then "puts it out of his mind" when she commits suicide after he abandons her for the now available widow he's been "waiting" for.
I'm flabbergasted that this is one of Oprah's picks!
My rating = -10
I absolutely do not understand the hype of this book. So many reviews I've read exclaim the "wonders" of "waiting for love."
I jumped into this book thinking it would be this beloved romance ... a man obsessed with one woman who turned him down ... he lives his life "waiting" for her ...
What I ended up reading was a celebration of the deranged ... a woman who is raped and spends her life looking for the rapist because "it was the best sex she ever had" ... the main character who turns into a dirty old man seducing a young teenager he is guardian of and then "puts it out of his mind" when she commits suicide after he abandons her for the now available widow he's been "waiting" for.
I'm flabbergasted that this is one of Oprah's picks!
My rating = -10
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