*** 3 stars
Interesting and quick litttle quirky read. I love the idea of inventing a new fairy tales. Fairy tales are so darn bizarre anyway and why not offer a modern twist to them? I liked this book!
Friday, May 31, 2013
A Cold and Lonely Place by Sara J. Henry
** 2 stars
This was okay. I read this author's first book, also with this main character and felt much the same way. Ann Kingman of Books on the Nightstand called it "Nancy Drew for grown-ups"; she meant it, I think, as a compliment and I see what she means (everyone in this book is forever eating sandwiches and drinking cocoa and tea, just like in Nancy Drew! lol) . But I don't think it's necessarily a good thing. Nothing especially compelling nor objectionable. Just a pretty basic mystery. There were a couple interesting twists but the essential feeling I have is "meh". Won't go out of my way to read another one.
This was okay. I read this author's first book, also with this main character and felt much the same way. Ann Kingman of Books on the Nightstand called it "Nancy Drew for grown-ups"; she meant it, I think, as a compliment and I see what she means (everyone in this book is forever eating sandwiches and drinking cocoa and tea, just like in Nancy Drew! lol) . But I don't think it's necessarily a good thing. Nothing especially compelling nor objectionable. Just a pretty basic mystery. There were a couple interesting twists but the essential feeling I have is "meh". Won't go out of my way to read another one.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
The Disaster Diaries-How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Apocalypse by Sam Sheridan
**** 4 stars
Okay, I loved this crazy book. It's bizarre and funny and scary. Somehow the author strikes exactly the right note in his approach. He is serious in his sense of purpose but he has a light hearted way with expression.
Some of the chapters were of more interest to me than others. I got a little lost in some technical detail regarding the physics of shooting, hunting, etc. But as food for thought, this book offers a lot!
Okay, I loved this crazy book. It's bizarre and funny and scary. Somehow the author strikes exactly the right note in his approach. He is serious in his sense of purpose but he has a light hearted way with expression.
Some of the chapters were of more interest to me than others. I got a little lost in some technical detail regarding the physics of shooting, hunting, etc. But as food for thought, this book offers a lot!
Monday, May 27, 2013
The Thorn Birds by Colleen McCullough
** 2 stars
Mmmmm. I know I read this years ago when I was in high school. It was quite the scandalous read back then and the mini-series made it even more popular. I remembered very little about it; only the basic love conflict and (of all things), the "ashes of roses" color. Weird.
However, my general impression would have been that I liked it and it was a good read. So, to have to labor to finish it now was a bit of a surprise. I was initially engaged in the story but I found the whole book sort of lacking. The central relationship is not only creepy, it is unconvincing. I'm not sure I understood the draw for either character.
I know this is a great favorite of many people and I hate to ridicule it too much but it was entirely too long and I found myself skimming lengthy passages just to wrap it up. The character of Justine was just about insufferable and I was, more than anything, just plain relieved to be done with the whole thing.
Mmmmm. I know I read this years ago when I was in high school. It was quite the scandalous read back then and the mini-series made it even more popular. I remembered very little about it; only the basic love conflict and (of all things), the "ashes of roses" color. Weird.
However, my general impression would have been that I liked it and it was a good read. So, to have to labor to finish it now was a bit of a surprise. I was initially engaged in the story but I found the whole book sort of lacking. The central relationship is not only creepy, it is unconvincing. I'm not sure I understood the draw for either character.
I know this is a great favorite of many people and I hate to ridicule it too much but it was entirely too long and I found myself skimming lengthy passages just to wrap it up. The character of Justine was just about insufferable and I was, more than anything, just plain relieved to be done with the whole thing.
Thursday, May 23, 2013
The Guilty One by Lisa Ballantyne
*** 3 stars
I've been reading this book for a long time! Not the fault of the book; I am not devoting much time to reading lately. I hope to correct that with a mad book binge over a holiday weekend.
I liked, not loved, this book by a first time author. The cover praise is quite extensive and may have slightly oversold the book. It's a good read and an interesting character study but I didn't feel it contained many surprises. (I hate to say too much to disclose what the nature of a surprise or surprises might be......)
I liked the back and forth in time construction; although I'm not sure all the parallels between the child Daniel and the child Sebastian were particularly well-formed. It was interesting and kept me reading (off and on!)
I've been reading this book for a long time! Not the fault of the book; I am not devoting much time to reading lately. I hope to correct that with a mad book binge over a holiday weekend.
I liked, not loved, this book by a first time author. The cover praise is quite extensive and may have slightly oversold the book. It's a good read and an interesting character study but I didn't feel it contained many surprises. (I hate to say too much to disclose what the nature of a surprise or surprises might be......)
I liked the back and forth in time construction; although I'm not sure all the parallels between the child Daniel and the child Sebastian were particularly well-formed. It was interesting and kept me reading (off and on!)
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Little Wolves by Thomas Maltman
no stars
Another abanadoned book; too many other things going on and this one just didn't capture my attention. Moving on to something else. No rating from me.
Another abanadoned book; too many other things going on and this one just didn't capture my attention. Moving on to something else. No rating from me.
Friday, May 3, 2013
The Lovesick Cure by Pamela Morsi
**** 4 stars
I thought this was a terribly charming and fun read. Nothing too taxing; just a nice romance; a bit steamy in a gentle setting. This is a good vacation read; I'll remember this author when I look around for things to take on a trip. Very enjoyable.
One thing, though....at least two important plot points hinge upon people entering rooms with closed but apparently, unlocked doors. Do people really do that? A knock at least! Sheesh!
I thought this was a terribly charming and fun read. Nothing too taxing; just a nice romance; a bit steamy in a gentle setting. This is a good vacation read; I'll remember this author when I look around for things to take on a trip. Very enjoyable.
One thing, though....at least two important plot points hinge upon people entering rooms with closed but apparently, unlocked doors. Do people really do that? A knock at least! Sheesh!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)