http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/1168876 en-US Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:57:06 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 26057160 Fri, 15 Aug 2008 15:57:06 -0700
author: Lian Hearn
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.05
book published: 2002
rating: 5
read at: 08/08
date added: 08/15/08
shelves:
review:
Faaaaaantastic. I just finished reading it on my lunch break and ran out and bought the next two after work so I won't have to wait to keep on reading about Takeo and friends. I highly recommend this book to everybody.
]]> 29679073 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 04:33:37 -0700
author: William Gibson
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.89
book published: 1984
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 08/09/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 29679068 Sat, 09 Aug 2008 04:33:23 -0700
author: Philip K. Dick
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.91
book published: 1962
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 08/09/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22439449 Wed, 06 Aug 2008 04:38:31 -0700 The Burrowers Beneath, is a great H.P. Lovecraft meets Arthur Conan Doyle meets Tremors horror adventure story. Fantastic, gripping, fun to read. The second novel, The Transition of Titus Crow, was mostly crap. I read through it, hoping it would get back to the level of the first, but it just didn't do it for me. The first dealt with a great and unknown evil below our feet, the second was a goofy and aimless jaunt through space and time (using a transdimensional grandfather clock). Maybe I would've liked it if I was 12? Lumley should stick with the ancient alien horrors on earth and stay out of other dimensions, it's much more interesting when the threat is local. I plan to check out the next in the series, as I do like the characters and see potential in the writing, I'm just a bit nervous that it'll be more Transition and less Burrowers.]]>
author: Brian Lumley
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.40
book published: 1999
rating: 3
read at: 08/08
date added: 08/06/08
shelves:
review:
This volume contains two separate novels. The first, The Burrowers Beneath, is a great H.P. Lovecraft meets Arthur Conan Doyle meets Tremors horror adventure story. Fantastic, gripping, fun to read. The second novel, The Transition of Titus Crow, was mostly crap. I read through it, hoping it would get back to the level of the first, but it just didn't do it for me. The first dealt with a great and unknown evil below our feet, the second was a goofy and aimless jaunt through space and time (using a transdimensional grandfather clock). Maybe I would've liked it if I was 12? Lumley should stick with the ancient alien horrors on earth and stay out of other dimensions, it's much more interesting when the threat is local. I plan to check out the next in the series, as I do like the characters and see potential in the writing, I'm just a bit nervous that it'll be more Transition and less Burrowers.
]]> 28014487 Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:33:17 -0700
don't know if i'd ever read it again or even keep it (probably will post it on paperbackswap) but it was worth the $3.25 i paid for it at the used bookstore on a whim...]]>
author: John Shirley
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/29/08
shelves:
review:
good stuff. i was a little nervous picking this up, as the idea of novels based on comic book characters usually makes me shudder, but i had a feeling hellblazer might be one that could translate alright...and it did a pretty good job

don't know if i'd ever read it again or even keep it (probably will post it on paperbackswap) but it was worth the $3.25 i paid for it at the used bookstore on a whim...
]]> 27602560 Tue, 22 Jul 2008 19:47:47 -0700
author: Roger Lancelyn Green
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1970
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/22/08
shelves:
review:
Norse mythology is great fun, and this book did a fantastic job weaving the tales into a continuous narrative. A couple of the stories really revealed how much Tolkien "borrowed" for his Lord of the Rings series...
]]> 22439011 Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:03:00 -0700
This is the second book of Lumley's I've tried, the first being Necroscope (which I made about halfway through before realizing I was kinda bored with the story and not very invested and gave it up). I'm willing to try one more book of his (the first in the Titus Crow series, also within the Lovecraft Dreamlands, I believe) before I write him off entirely.]]>
author: Brian Lumley
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.50
book published: 1993
rating: 2
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/17/08
shelves:
review:
i originally picked this up because i had read that it took place within H.P. Lovecraft's mythos, but there was very little of the Lovecraft flavor to this book. It was more pulp fantasy adventure than unnamable horrors (though references to Cthulhu, the Plateau of Leng, etc. were sprinkled throughout). That said, it was a fun, quick read - but I don't plan on continuing the series.

This is the second book of Lumley's I've tried, the first being Necroscope (which I made about halfway through before realizing I was kinda bored with the story and not very invested and gave it up). I'm willing to try one more book of his (the first in the Titus Crow series, also within the Lovecraft Dreamlands, I believe) before I write him off entirely.
]]> 22438865 Fri, 11 Jul 2008 17:55:58 -0700
author: Glen Cook
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.36
book published: 1985
rating: 1
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/11/08
shelves:
review:
ok, this is another i didn't actually make it through...only one chapter this time, but could already tell it wasn't going to keep my interest. i love glen cook's Black Company books, but this one is not of that level... it's one of those fantasy books in which the author feels the need to create an entire new world and name things funny names when really everything is remarkably familiar...just seemed dumb to me...maybe i would've enjoyed it 15-20 years ago
]]> 22423533 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 19:15:09 -0700
author: David Eddings
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.94
book published: 1987
rating: 1
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/10/08
shelves:
review:
i read about 40 pages of this today and decided i just didn't care at all about these characters anymore...it felt a bit self-indulgent on the author's part, actually, like he was a bit too enthralled with his own creations...blech...so while it's now on my "read" shelf, i didn't actually make it through the first chapter...
]]> 22438926 Sun, 06 Jul 2008 16:17:09 -0700
author: John le Carré
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/06/08
shelves:
review:
took me a while to get into it, but i really quite enjoyed it...very satisfying read
]]> 22439235 Fri, 04 Jul 2008 08:46:40 -0700
author: Neil Gaiman
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/04/08
shelves:
review:
I can't say anything bad about Neil Gaiman. This was a solid book of capable short stories. Nothing really blew me away, but nothing disappointed, either.
]]> 26229703 Thu, 03 Jul 2008 12:46:54 -0700
author: Haruki Murakami
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.82
book published: 2006
rating: 0
read at:
date added: 07/03/08
shelves: to-procure
review:

]]> 22439139 Sat, 21 Jun 2008 07:28:15 -0700
author: Tom Wolfe
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.33
book published: 1982
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/21/08
shelves:
review:
A short and entertaining history of the modern architecture movement, though accuracy may not be 100% in his telling. However, it's fun to read someone lambasting a movement that completely took over architecture (especially in America). I wonder what Wolfe would have to say about the current state of architecture: Gehry, Hadid, Liebeskind...the absurd grand scale sculpture-buildings sans-context that are passing as the epitome of architectural prowess...sure makes me miss Louis Sullivan and FLW...
]]> 24914022 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:26:18 -0700
author: Chuck Palahniuk
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.41
book published: 2003
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 06/19/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24914020 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:26:16 -0700
author: Chuck Palahniuk
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.83
book published: 1999
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/19/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24914017 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:26:14 -0700
author: Chuck Palahniuk
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.65
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/19/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 24914013 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:26:12 -0700
author: Chuck Palahniuk
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1996
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/19/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22439432 Thu, 19 Jun 2008 12:25:58 -0700
author: Chuck Palahniuk
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.30
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/19/08
shelves:
review:
The first story, "Guts," almost made me pass out on the train. I've never had a visceral response to a story quite like this before. As I read at the very end of the book, I am not alone. Apparently people have fainted at almost every reading Palahniuk gave - quite a phenomenon. None of the other stories made me feel physically ill, though there is quite a bit of nastiness within these covers. Reading the book almost became another form of self-torture, in a way joining the characters in the book. Not really one of my favorites, and I don't think I'd really recommend it to anyone, but I'm glad I read it. A couple of the stories were actually pretty fantastic, and the overall idea was an interesting one...just a bit...brutal.
]]> 24550810 Sun, 15 Jun 2008 11:13:00 -0700
author: Jane Jacobs
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.34
book published: 2002
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/15/08
shelves:
review:
i didn't make it all the way through this one, but i found it quite enlightening...read about half of it before i started architecture school, really informed my thoughts about architecture before i started the program
]]> 23571929 Thu, 12 Jun 2008 10:00:41 -0700
author: Roger Zelazny
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.04
book published: 1966
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/12/08
shelves:
review:
I enjoyed this, but it didn't blow me away. I probably liked the Amber series more. Zelaszny apparently has written a number of books that borrow or reference quite heavily from cultural mythologies - this one has quite a bit of ancient Greek influence, which is kinda fun. Anyway, it's a quick read, but ultimately will probably not leave that much of an impression.
]]> 24045807 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:42:17 -0700
author: Nicholson Baker
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.06
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/09/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 23890659 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 04:42:01 -0700
author: Nicholson Baker
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.74
book published: 1998
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/09/08
shelves:
review:
pretty standard Nicholson Baker, though not really one of my favorites from him...still, it's fun to get pulled along through someone else's thought/memory chain for a hundred pages or so
]]> 23921073 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:43:30 -0700
author: Mark Haddon
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.70
book published: 2003
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 06/07/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22439616 Sat, 07 Jun 2008 07:41:25 -0700
author: Toby Barlow
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2008
rating: 0
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/07/08
shelves:
review:
This is an unusual book, as it is essentially written in long-form free verse, but once you get into the rhythm of it, it's a great noir-ish modern-day tale of werewolf packs in Los Angeles. I'm had a really hard time putting it down. It's one of those books that mad me sad when I got to the end, since I couldn't keep reading about the characters.
]]> 22423439 Thu, 22 May 2008 05:06:24 -0700
author: David Eddings
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1984
rating: 4
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/22/08
shelves:
review:
really solid fantasy series, i'm going to be sad when it's finally over...then again, i've got the next couple books of the sequel series (the Malloreon) already lined up!
]]> 22439167 Sun, 18 May 2008 18:20:10 -0700
author: Steven Johnson
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.90
book published: 2002
rating: 0
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/18/08
shelves: started-reading-but-now-on-hold
review:
I started this a while ago, made it about halfway through, then got distracted with other things and haven't picked it up in some time...but some day i'll get back to it, really interesting stuff!
]]> 22491713 Sun, 18 May 2008 18:19:03 -0700
author: David Michelinie
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.90
book published: 1990
rating: 3
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/18/08
shelves:
review:
old marvel comics are slightly irritating, with their need to recap for the first 5 pages of each issue...so unnecessary, and bothersome when you're reading a collection of them all at once...and most of the dialog exposition is just silly...but it's a fun story, once you get over all that
]]> 22439248 Sat, 17 May 2008 12:14:08 -0700
author: Kurt Vonnegut
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.23
book published: 1963
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22438653 Sat, 17 May 2008 12:05:17 -0700
author: Glen Cook
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.72
book published: 1989
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22438646 Sat, 17 May 2008 12:05:13 -0700
author: Glen Cook
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.08
book published: 1990
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22438645 Sat, 17 May 2008 12:05:11 -0700
author: Glen Cook
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.10
book published: 1990
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22428258 Sat, 17 May 2008 08:46:55 -0700
author: Chuck Palahniuk
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.86
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22428251 Sat, 17 May 2008 08:46:48 -0700
author: Kurt Vonnegut
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.09
book published: 1973
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22425450 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:56:29 -0700
author: Warren Ellis
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.76
book published: 2007
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22425282 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:53:11 -0700
author: Warren Ellis
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22424095 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:29:48 -0700
author: George R.R. Martin
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.11
book published: 2006
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22423962 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:26:39 -0700
author: Mark Haddon
name: Daniel
average rating: 3.74
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22423875 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:24:40 -0700
author: Michael Chabon
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.23
book published: 2000
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22423865 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:24:20 -0700
author: Glen Cook
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.13
book published: 1992
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22423760 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:21:41 -0700
author: George R.R. Martin
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.50
book published: 2000
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22423697 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:20:23 -0700
author: George R.R. Martin
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.45
book published: 1998
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22423686 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:20:11 -0700
author: George R.R. Martin
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.47
book published: 1996
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22423593 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:17:57 -0700
author: David Eddings
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.03
book published: 1983
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22423503 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:15:53 -0700
author: David Eddings
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.06
book published: 1984
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22423497 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:15:41 -0700
author: David Eddings
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.04
book published: 1982
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]> 22423485 Sat, 17 May 2008 07:15:33 -0700
author: David Eddings
name: Daniel
average rating: 4.06
book published: 1982
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/17/08
shelves:
review:

]]>