HI-LAR-IOUS! I went into this already knowing I was a big fan of Libba Bray but this was still far better than I expected. Growing up I was one of tho...moreHI-LAR-IOUS! I went into this already knowing I was a big fan of Libba Bray but this was still far better than I expected. Growing up I was one of those girls that was equally fascinated by beauty pageants and repulsed by their blatant idolization of makeup and perfect figures. They're like a train wreck, I swear. But apparently pageants can make an awesome basis for teen novels as well. Bray has a talent for knowing how much sarcasm is enough to bring a lightening effect to the story without it being too much. Her style, added to the built in absurdities of the beauty pageant world, made for one humorous read. Granted, it does get slap sticky at parts. But I wasn't looking for a deep, insightful work of literature. I wanted a fun, yet still well written, parody of beauty pageants and that's exactly what I got. Note: Listening to it on audio is a MUST. Also, not a great choice if you're prudish or have a strong love of capitalism and reality TV. (less)
I'm going to put a disclaimer out up front that I was not familiar with Lysistrata when I started this, let alone have read it. So if there is any sim...moreI'm going to put a disclaimer out up front that I was not familiar with Lysistrata when I started this, let alone have read it. So if there is any similarity between the works it would have been lost on me. I didn't particularly care for the book but my lack of caring in itself is kind of odd. I usually feel strongly about what I read one way or another. This was just incredibly blah. I never completely lost interest nor got wrapped up in the story. I never really cared for or disliked the characters. That's just odd. The one thing I did not notice is the subtle change in the sexuality of the novel, and once noticed I have to admit it's done quite well. The book starts off with the characters living full sexual lives but the lack of sensuality is strong. As the relationships begin to crack and move apart there enters a period of almost asexuality. But by the final performance when declarations are made and couples are mended a burning passion is brought into the fold and yet there is little focus on sex itself. Were I to rank the story on the strength of that aspect it would have come out further ahead but the book as a whole just didn't do much for me.(less)
As a standalone book it was ok. As a finale to the series it was ok. So I guess overall it was ok. This was disappointing given how captivating the fi...moreAs a standalone book it was ok. As a finale to the series it was ok. So I guess overall it was ok. This was disappointing given how captivating the first book was. But that’s a common problem with trilogies it seems. Each one gets subsequently less intriguing to where the last book is always a pale comparison to the first. And yet they are generally well liked because by that point the reader has formed a relationship with the characters and crave the closure it offers. We have to know how the love triangle works out and whether Katniss succeeds in overthrowing the capitol...questions neatly wrapped up by the end. There was a certain level of excitement in this book that was missing in the second but it’s kind of deflated by the lack luster resolution of Katniss’s love life. I was expecting a bit of a bang in that department and it was more like a slow fizzle. In the end, if you’ve read the first two books you can’t not read the finale and the series overall is DEFINITLY worth reading.(less)
The story lines in this book are very intricate and it speaks volumes for the quality of writing that I stayed absorbed enough to not get lost. Some s...moreThe story lines in this book are very intricate and it speaks volumes for the quality of writing that I stayed absorbed enough to not get lost. Some stories I love for their plot and some stories I love for their writing, but seldom do I get to enjoy books that can pull off both. This one does. I love the setting, the characters, the historical backdrop, the prose...and all this from a book that I initially thought was going to be dud since it just didn’t sound like something I would be interested in. Everything comes to life so easily that you can’t help get sucked into it all. (I will say I’m glad I listened to it on audio, as I would have been tripping over pronunciations like crazy had I not)(less)
A new favorite on my list of children’s books. It reminded me a bit of Coraline, but it’s more developed of a story plot and I found Olive to be a muc...moreA new favorite on my list of children’s books. It reminded me a bit of Coraline, but it’s more developed of a story plot and I found Olive to be a much more likeable (and believable) main character. Olive’s adventures into the paintings of her old, Victorian home take the reader on a fantastical journey filled with talking cats, little boys trapped in oil paints, and magical spectacles. Despite the story being set against a backdrop of fantasy, it still feels relatable. The idea behind the story is one that could have easily come across as cheesy or juvenile, but West surprisingly pulls it off. Another reviewer compared her style to that of Neil Gaiman and Roald Dahl, and I couldn’t agree more. Dahl was a favorite of mine as a kid, and The Books of Elsewhere sucked me in much the same way his books did. (less)
Picked this up at random because it was cheap and I was desperate for an audio book. At first I was pleasantly surprised; then I thought it was going...morePicked this up at random because it was cheap and I was desperate for an audio book. At first I was pleasantly surprised; then I thought it was going to be one of those books that start off strong and then fizzle fast; but then it somehow managed to (somewhat) redeem itself in the end. The writing is a bit cheesy at times...okay, really cheesy...but there are so many freaking surprises that I still got right back into the story. The ending completely caught me off guard, so kudos for that, but given that it results in a significant part of the story disappearing from the plot it makes it hard to get excited about the sequel. This definitely isn't a book that I would recommend for a wide range of audiences but if you're a zombie story loving conspiracy theorist dork like my husband then you'll get a good laugh out of it. Just don't expect it to stand out all that much from all the other zombie stories out there. (less)
The story behind this book is strong, but the voice is all wrong. While the issues covered are ones that a number of teens deal with, the presentation...moreThe story behind this book is strong, but the voice is all wrong. While the issues covered are ones that a number of teens deal with, the presentation felt too stiff for me. It was like the story was being written by someone who never dealt with these issues themselves and therefore had to rely heavily on research. Rather than coming across as genuine, Rosie’s story felt like an anti-drug presentation where the presenter was attempting to use “real life” stories to get their message heard. The narrator on the audio book didn’t help as she added a very whiny component to the story that I don’t think would have been as strong without her reading. Probably my biggest issue with the book though is Rosie and her mother. Rosie is supposed to be dealing with a drug addiction but the (former) alcoholic mother can’t tell that her daughter is cracked out on meth and cocaine? She’s always paranoid that she smells cigarette smoke or dope (the jargon in this book needs some serious revamping) or alcohol and yet Rosie never seems to distribute any signs of being high off her ass as far as her mother can tell? There’s just something off about the way that teen addiction is presented that made the novel fail in the believability department. The author seems to have a good writing style so maybe if she were writing about something she had a better ability to bring to life I would enjoy it more. (less)
How to describe this without giving away the essence of the story?...because while there is sufficient foreshadowing for the reader to guess where the...moreHow to describe this without giving away the essence of the story?...because while there is sufficient foreshadowing for the reader to guess where the gist of the book is heading, the talent of Martel is his ability to allow the story to unfold, slowly unraveling its secrets. I thought I had an idea of what to expect from Martel since I read Life of Pi, but this takes his “unique” style to a whole new level. The story is gruesome and there is no happy ending, and yet I still found myself liking it in the end (if for no other reason than the discussions it brought up between me and my husband). (less)
The only thing worse than a lousy book is one that starts off strong and then fizzles into suckiness. This story starts out seeming like it's going to...moreThe only thing worse than a lousy book is one that starts off strong and then fizzles into suckiness. This story starts out seeming like it's going to deliver a creative web of a mystery but alas, instead you get this fumbling of a story that more so clunks out bits of the back story than unravel in intrigue. It feels almost like there's two separate authors trying to piece together different parts of the book. When it works, it really works, but when it sucks, it really sucks. May make a decent Lifetime movie though....(less)
I was pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s essentially a simple little love story set in the quant English countryside, but it works because it avo...moreI was pleasantly surprised by this book. It’s essentially a simple little love story set in the quant English countryside, but it works because it avoids so many of the typical “English” pit falls. Major Pettigrew is your traditional stuffy English estate owner, but he is anything but stereotypical. The character is wonderfully developed, making it easy to get lost in the story of his falling for the local shopkeeper. His humor is one that is subtle and well delivered, eliciting chuckles throughout. The story is actually a dual love story, which would normally result in a bit much sappiness for me. Not here, however. The evolutions of both relationships feel very natural, not at all like you’re reading a story about fictional characters. There is a depth to the story here that is not at first obvious. It sneaks up on you the more you open yourself up to the story and its characters. (less)
I give up. This is crap. She's got an opinion on everything and apparantly feels a muder mystery is an ideal place to blast those opinions. The story...moreI give up. This is crap. She's got an opinion on everything and apparantly feels a muder mystery is an ideal place to blast those opinions. The story feels like your listening to some old lady rambling from her soap box. I'm not even sure what was going on in the actual story...assuming, that is, that there is an actual story buried in there somewhere.(less)
While I liked this book, I didn’t like it as much as I did What the Dead Know. Lippman is arguably a strong story teller, but something just didn’t cl...moreWhile I liked this book, I didn’t like it as much as I did What the Dead Know. Lippman is arguably a strong story teller, but something just didn’t click for me in this book. The characters felt a bit off, and because of that I had a hard time getting into their stories. I couldn’t wrap my head around Eliza being so nonchalant about the prospect of reconnecting with the man that kidnapped her and held her hostage years earlier...it just seemed like something from a novel that wasn’t in line with the reality it was trying to portray. Holly’s mom seemed especially out of place, like she was written into the story to fill some sort of hole Lippman felt was missing (goes to show how unmemorable of a character she is...I don’t even remember her name). There were a number of similarities between this and What the Dead Knows, so I have a feeling that Lippman has a tendency toward common themes. Not necessarily a bad thing, but could get a bit repetitious over time if her other books aren’t more varied in content. (less)
The first two stories failed miserably and the rest never improved enough to make up for that. Most were ok but still felt too much like the output fr...moreThe first two stories failed miserably and the rest never improved enough to make up for that. Most were ok but still felt too much like the output from a creative writing class where angst young adults attempt to write about the dark side of human nature. When Oates hits the right cord she really nails it but that only happened for me on two of the stories. Not very many authors can pull off the macabre well and this is a prime example of an attempt can bad. (less)
This book really rubbed me the wrong way. Really. I liked Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. I liked Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. In neither...moreThis book really rubbed me the wrong way. Really. I liked Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters. I liked Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. In neither case did it bother me that the author took liberties with the original literary work. But there is something off putting about taking the biography of a person and turning him into a mercenary. Yeah, I get that he kills vampires and it's meant to humorous because it's ridiculous, but Lincoln is none the less portrayed as a rather ruthless, vengeful individual. Combined with the fact that the original biography is not intertwined well with the additional content just makes the book seem more of vengeful and hateful Abraham meets stale, textbook Abraham in a horrible literary collision. My library download expired with a couple chapters left to be read and I didn't even care enough to re-download it. Me not finishing a book speaks volumes about how little I cared for it.(less)
Sadly, I had forgotten about the Hamish Macbeth series. My mom is more of a mystery buff than I am, so I usually only listen to them when she passes a...moreSadly, I had forgotten about the Hamish Macbeth series. My mom is more of a mystery buff than I am, so I usually only listen to them when she passes along a book on CD to me. There’s a very Poroit feel to this series, but a bit less stuffy thankfully. These aren’t great books overflowing with stellar writing and solid story plots, but they are good fluff reads if you’re looking for a fun whodunit that will garner a chuckle here and there. I listened to it in the background while I was scrapbooking, so I wasn’t looking for anything thought provoking. It fit the bill perfectly for keeping me entertained without requiring an abundance of my attention. I suppose the love obsessed deputy determined to win over Hamish, any means necessary, is a bit contrived, but for some reason it worked for me. (less)
Usually if my original reaction to a book changes it’s because it grows on me. This one is oddly the opposite. I initially really liked it, but someho...moreUsually if my original reaction to a book changes it’s because it grows on me. This one is oddly the opposite. I initially really liked it, but somehow, as more time passed, the details of it seemed to fade and it didn’t have the same appeal as it initially did. None the less, the author did a great job of weaving factual details about the real life Alice, allowing the scandal of her relationship with Carroll to unfold naturally. Perhaps my loss of interest in the book is due to my dislike of the ending, which felt a bit forced to me. (less)
I think I actually lost some IQ points listening to this. Initially I chalked up its lameness to the fact that it is written for teens. I don’t really...moreI think I actually lost some IQ points listening to this. Initially I chalked up its lameness to the fact that it is written for teens. I don’t really believe that the fact that a book is written for teens should excuse it from being held to the same standards as an adult novel, but I was trying to give it a chance. It doesn’t take long to realize just how undeveloped the characters are or how predictable the story plot is. And even if I could have looked past all that, there’s no way I could forgive the atrocious writing. A second grader could have written this! Anyone who thinks this is worth even five minutes of their time needs a serious lesson in what good literature is like.(less)
One of the funniest books I’ve read. Some of the one liners had me laughing out loud in my car like a freaking lunatic. What makes this story work is...moreOne of the funniest books I’ve read. Some of the one liners had me laughing out loud in my car like a freaking lunatic. What makes this story work is that as outlandish as it is, the characters are solid. Cameron reminded me of a number of guys I knew in high school. Yeah, he’s a bit whinny and he could clean up his language, but he’s a teenage dude...that’s what they’re like. Granted, some of the other characters are a bit out there (such as the garden gnome/Norse god perhaps) but given that this is a fantasy we’re dealing with, it works. The only thing keeping me from giving this book a better rating is the ending. It’s hard not to see what’s coming given that Cameron has essentially an incurable disease, but the story hits a point where it kind of just dwindles down instead of reaching a solid closure. I got the same disjointed feeling from the ending of That Sweet Far Thing...maybe endings aren’t her strong point. Regardless, Bray has earned a place on my bookshelf. On a side note...I would love to sit down and talk to Bray and find out how you go from writing the Gemma Doyle series to writing Going Bovine. Her style is evident in both, but they are so drastically different in content. Kind of reminds me of MT Andersons jump from the Octavian Nothing series to Feed. I wish I could have a fraction of their talent. (less)
Don’t ask me why Pride and Prejudice and Zombies worked for me and this didn’t, but it didn’t. I haven’t actually read Sense and Sensibility so I’m no...moreDon’t ask me why Pride and Prejudice and Zombies worked for me and this didn’t, but it didn’t. I haven’t actually read Sense and Sensibility so I’m not sure if I even like the original book, but Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters was awkward and cumbersome. It just didn’t flow the way an Austen novel does...sentences were too embellished and lengthy, making them difficult to read through. Add to that the fact that the whole sea monster motif felt much more forced than the zombies did and it just zapped the book of the humor I was looking for. I wanted something simple that would give me a good chuckle, but instead I got a headache from trying to decipher the mish mash writing.(less)
I’m kicking myself in the ass for reading this before the third book was out as well. I never should have picked any of these up until they were all o...moreI’m kicking myself in the ass for reading this before the third book was out as well. I never should have picked any of these up until they were all out and in my possession so I could have a nice, reclusive weekend where I could read them all at once. But that is not what I did, so I about threw the book across the room in frustration when I reached the end and realized it was even more of a cliff hanger than the first book. Seriously, WTF.
Hunger Games set high standards for this series, and Catching Fire managed to hold its own. It almost aggravated me with the whole love triangle, but just when I was getting ready to start bitching about it, they were back in the arena and the action started to break loose. From what I understand, this is meant to be a trilogy. The second books in trilogies are notoriously the worst because they are building the story and offering background info. If this is the low point, I can’t wait to see what the finale is like. It took me a bit longer to get into Catching Fire, but once I was hooked, I was up till the wee hours unable to put it down until I finished it. (less)
I feel like lately I've read an awful lot of books about old men coming to terms with their late life crises. Kind of hard to relate to when you are a...moreI feel like lately I've read an awful lot of books about old men coming to terms with their late life crises. Kind of hard to relate to when you are a 20 something female with lots of life left ahead of you. None the less, I've really enjoyed most of them. Noah's Compass...not so much. There's just nothing to set it apart and make it stand out. It's rocking medicority (a lot like Liam) which just doesn't do it for me.(less)
In my opinion, this is a definite improvement over Bridge of Sighs. I can’t relate to the characters in this novel any more than in Bridge of Sighs, s...moreIn my opinion, this is a definite improvement over Bridge of Sighs. I can’t relate to the characters in this novel any more than in Bridge of Sighs, so it must have something to do with the actual story. While I don’t have anything in common with Jack or Joy, I felt much more engaged in the story of their lives. I cared what happened to them and therefore cared about what was happening in the story. Typical Russo, the story drags. Or at least it seems to. He focuses on the daily details of life that at first seem so mundane. As the story progressed, I felt like I was living through the longest year ever. But then the end came, and I thought, wow, that year really flew by. How representative of actual life. Viewed from the perspective of day to day occurrences, life can often seem inconsequential. When viewed as a whole (such as the year presented in this novel) those little events that pass us by so quickly take on a much larger significance. This story is an important reminder of the significance of cherishing not just the milestones of life, but the little things as well. Otherwise you loose track of what is meaningful in the attempt to make it through another day.(less)
What an imaginative, quirky murder mystery. I received this trough first reads, and once I started reading it I got totally sucked in. It’s one of tho...moreWhat an imaginative, quirky murder mystery. I received this trough first reads, and once I started reading it I got totally sucked in. It’s one of those mysteries that moves so quickly that I found myself thinking “Just one more scene, just one more scene” and next thing I knew, it was 1 am and I had to get up for work in a few hours. The main character wasn’t someone I could relate to exactly, but I liked him despite all his faults and was really rooting for him to make it through. There were so many twists and turns in the plot that I was guessing until the very end, and yet I never felt confused or lost.
While many of the ideas used in this book are ones found in numerous other books, there is a certain “something” that sets this story apart as unique. While I can’t put my finger on why, this seemingly straight forward murder mystery is somehow not simply run of the mill. You’ll have to take my word on it and read it because I am at a loss as to how to articulate what I mean (this would be why I am not an author, but rather a reader).
On an odd side note, I kept thinking this reminded me of the book People Die in terms of writing style and feel. I thought it was amusing, therefore, when one of the characters made the comment “Plans go wrong, bad things happen, people die.” Perhaps I should disregard my sorting by author, and place this on my bookshelf next to the People Die book instead. Now I just need someone to write Plans Go Wrong. (less)
I picked this up because I just had to know how well zombies would meld with the prim and proper world of Jane Austin. It actually works quite well. I...moreI picked this up because I just had to know how well zombies would meld with the prim and proper world of Jane Austin. It actually works quite well. I’m a fan of Pride and Prejudice and was worried that the addition of zombies would detract from the quality of the original novel. With the exception of a few minor parts, the story still flows well and still maintains its original eloquence. I know, eloquence and zombies don’t seem like two words that go well together, but I guess I just have a twisted mind. Darcy and Elizabeth’s witty humor still shine through, and the addition of zombies adds a level of excitement that helps the slower parts of the book move more swiftly. I especially liked the demise of Charlotte and Mr. Collins, as these were two of my least favorite characters. I’m amazed at how well the zombie outbreak fits right in. If you had never read Pride and Prejudice, you would think the story was meant to be written as it is here. It may be a bit more quirky (and perhaps morbid) of a love story than the original, but it worked for me.(less)
I like zombie books for the sheer fun factor. They’re a nice break from more substantial writing since they require little to no actual brain input. B...moreI like zombie books for the sheer fun factor. They’re a nice break from more substantial writing since they require little to no actual brain input. Breathers ruined this aspect of enjoyment. I don’t know if it was intentional or not, but this story came across as more serious and less lighthearted. Add to that the writers reliance on the same fall back lines used over and over and over and it made for a tedious read. Cute idea, but crappy writing.(less)
This was a very touching and profound view of coming of age and the complications that are associated with this very pivotal time in life. The use of...moreThis was a very touching and profound view of coming of age and the complications that are associated with this very pivotal time in life. The use of a main character with autism allowed for the author to present a very frank, straight forward look at topics ranging from sexuality to the unwritten rules of society. This should be a necessary book for all young teens to read. I was blown away by the authors presentation of the characters attempt to make sense of the hurt and injustice of the “real world”. The situations he presents offer valuable life lessons that I think many youth could use an introduction to before they are faced with them in real life. I especially liked the author’s handling of sex and religion. He presents both in a very open way, neither promoting nor degrading either, but rather showing the both the good and bad that can come out of each. (less)
Who doesn’t love “heinous fuckery most foul”. This book is lewd, crude, and above all, absofuckinglutely hilarious. I am not all that familiar with th...moreWho doesn’t love “heinous fuckery most foul”. This book is lewd, crude, and above all, absofuckinglutely hilarious. I am not all that familiar with the story of King Lear (or Shakespeare in general for that matter) but I know enough of his works to realize the complexities of all the tidbits of information that are tied together in this book. I know some people have criticized Moore for taking liberties with Shakespeare’s works, but they need to get over their pretentiousness and appreciate the book for what it is; an interpretation of a classic story that is not meant to replace the original, but rather offer a humorous re-adaptation.
I love Moore for his ability to offer bawdy, dark wittiness without turning a story into the predictable slap stick comedy that we accept as humor in today’s society. His books are overflowing with intelligent hilarity, but they also have actual story plots, supported by well developed characters, that result in a well rounded novel rather than a discombobulated collection of rudimentary one liners. Lamb is till my favorite book by Moore (probably because it pokes fun at one of my favorite targets, religion) but Fool is definitely up there in my rankings. Extra kudos for Moore being able to not only pull this off in the first place, but being able to do it in iambic pentameter as well. (less)
This is a touching book about the experiences, both good and bad, of being a black maid in Mississippi during the Civil rights movement. I was initial...moreThis is a touching book about the experiences, both good and bad, of being a black maid in Mississippi during the Civil rights movement. I was initially upset with the abrupt ending, but when I thought about it, it was fitting. This was a time of great uncertainty, and there wouldn’t have been a nice, neat ending to each of the women’s stories. Each ones narrative is written with such truth and simplicity, which makes the emotional response that much stronger. There is heartache and hatred, but there is also joy and love throughout the book. I got so engrossed, I found myself staying up late and sneaking in pages during class. I wanted so badly to see the women succeed, and the suspense kept the pages turning quickly. (less)
Not really sure what the point of this was other than to make some extra money off readers. The three short stories are lack luster and overly dramati...moreNot really sure what the point of this was other than to make some extra money off readers. The three short stories are lack luster and overly dramatic and the interviews are rather pointless if you read the series. It’s like the author had a few scenes that he hadn’t managed to fit into any of the other books, so he threw together the interviews to fill the collection out a bit and released another book. Kind of sad considering how good the series is. (less)
I have a special spot for Hiaasen’s book s since I’m a Florida girl. He has a way of highlighting the states quirkiness without making us seem crazy....moreI have a special spot for Hiaasen’s book s since I’m a Florida girl. He has a way of highlighting the states quirkiness without making us seem crazy. This is the first of his YA books I read and I’m glad to report it held its own as much as his adult novels. There’s so much going on in the book and yet you feel like you’re just following along in the daily grind of the characters. The different story lines are interwoven well enough that I wouldn’t always notice when one left off and another picked up. I was at the end, unraveling all the little secrets, before I realized it. Definitely a book I would recommend for kids (and fun loving adults). (less)
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