false 19 301 281 true 5904075 read 8 true 1721879 currently-reading 12 true 1721878 to-read 9 false 1723477 to-buy 9 false 1723198 may-check-out http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77706291 to: Dead Until Dark (Sookie Stackhouse, #1) by Charlaine Harris
I decided to give these a chance, even though I'm generally opposed to the whole "wank-pire" genre. While the concepts are good (and far better realized in the series "True Blood"). They are SOOOOOOOOO poorly written and in desperate need of a decent editor. Most of the characters (particularly the romantic lead vampire) are SO one dimensional and alot of the writing reminds me of Penthouse Forum (but without all that nice pornography). Again, I can't stand wank-pires (don't even get me started on that Twilight trash), so I'm less disposed the genre anyways, but if I can at least appreciate decent writing. I did not find a lot of that contained within. If you are looking for a great supernatural-mystery series, I recommend the more hard-boiled offerings of Mike Carey and his Felix Castor series. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77705959 to: More Information Than You Require (Paperback) by John Hodgman
Another collection of the surreal and hilarious by Hodgman. Once again, it pays to also pick up the audiobook version, as there is a great deal of different material; he is joined once again by his formally feral troubadour Jonathan Coulton, as well as the likes of Paul Rudd, Rachel Maddow, Paul F. Tompkins, Ricky Gervais, etc... ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77705560 to: The Areas of My Expertise (Paperback) by John Hodgman
One of my all time favorite humor titles...and it pays to get both the print version AND the audiobook, as much of the audiobook is material not found in the book, including what seems to be a good deal of improv between John Hodgman and his feral troubadour, Jonathan Coulton, along with special guests like Paul Rudd. The bonus is he reads the 500 hobo names in one endless take. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77705243 Dragonfly in Amber (Outlander, #2) by Diana Gabaldon
bookshelves: currently-reading
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77704028 to: Outlander (Outlander, #1) by Diana Gabaldon
Let me start by saying I love historical fiction but am NOT fan of romance novels, so the more bodice-ripping, romantic hero parts of this book just don't appeal to me. That said, it's a decent yarn and there was obviously a great deal of research involved in the historical detail and I really enjoyed learning about the history of the Scottish Highland clans as well as the smaller details about daily life in 18th century Scotland (the food, hygiene, social aspects, etc..). The fantasy element is novel (an early 20th century nurse being involuntarily thrust back in time to the 18th Century) and I absolutely loved how she combines her "modern" knowledge of medicine with the herbal and folk remedies of the time to become a healer. Unfortunately, the romance novel elements of the book really drag it down; don't get me wrong, I love a good sex scene, but the ENDLESS descriptions of her lover's physicality and the lack of any realistic dimensions to his character are downright cringeworthy at times. I got into the it enough to want to give the next book in the series a chance, but I think what this series really needs is a very talented EDITOR. ]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77703946 to: The Golden Compass (His Dark Materials, #1) by Philip Pullman
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77703943 to: The Subtle Knife (His Dark Materials, #2) by Philip Pullman
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/77703936 to: The Amber Spyglass (His Dark Materials, #3) by Philip Pullman
]]> http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/61874748 to: Negocios: Cuentos / Drown (Library Binding) by Junot Díaz
bookshelves: currently-reading
There is nothing like Junot Diaz. This book pre-dates "The Brief and Wonderous...", but treads some of the same territory in terms of character and environment in brief and powerful vignettes. ]]> http://apps.facebook.com/good_reads/ check it out » ]]>