C.C. Thomas's Blog, page 2
June 10, 2015
Cute, Sweet Read
Friends: Snake and Lizard by Joy CrowleyElementary Fiction
Wen I first ordered this book, I went off the information provided that it was for "primary" readers. This is most certainly not the case. The book would be a great read-aloud for primary-aged children, in bits and chapters. But an independent reader couldn't tackle the book until elementary school. It's a fairly lengthy chapter book.
The stories inside deal with the friendship of Snake and Lizard, who live in a desert and have not-so-remarkable adventures, which is not to say the book is boring. However, what is remarkable to a couple of cold-blooded desert dwellers is old hat to humans who have seen more of the world. Their naiveté is charming and the stories are cute, filled with fun. Many of them have valuable, but not preachy, lessons about friendship, how to treat others, lying, exaggeration, etc.
I believe this is the second in a series, but you won't suffer from confusion if you start with this one first. Overall, a sweet and funny read.
Wen I first ordered this book, I went off the information provided that it was for "primary" readers. This is most certainly not the case. The book would be a great read-aloud for primary-aged children, in bits and chapters. But an independent reader couldn't tackle the book until elementary school. It's a fairly lengthy chapter book.
The stories inside deal with the friendship of Snake and Lizard, who live in a desert and have not-so-remarkable adventures, which is not to say the book is boring. However, what is remarkable to a couple of cold-blooded desert dwellers is old hat to humans who have seen more of the world. Their naiveté is charming and the stories are cute, filled with fun. Many of them have valuable, but not preachy, lessons about friendship, how to treat others, lying, exaggeration, etc.
I believe this is the second in a series, but you won't suffer from confusion if you start with this one first. Overall, a sweet and funny read.
June 9, 2015
Excellent Gift Book
The Galapagos: A Natural History by Henry NichollsNonfiction/History
This book is one of those that are so delightful to own and to read. It is a tactile pleasure for the true bibliophile, one of those rare breed who love the feel of a book as much as the words within. The cover illustrations immediately draw the reader to the pages and are reminiscent of John James Audubon's best work. The deckled edges, heavy paper, and cream tone make it feel like a gift book. If you're thinking of purchasing, definitely buy the print version because the physical components are as important as the ideas.
The ideas, though, are quite fascinating, if you're into Darwin. I had been reading a lot of Darwin and happened upon this book. I wanted to read more of his theories without having to delve into his original works, parts of which I've read and found a bit boring. This book did provide a bit more excitement, but it won't make you grit your teeth with thrills. It is, instead, a fascinating and gentle historical read about natural selection as seen upon the Galapagos Islands. I do not claim to be a naturalist and could only name about 15 birds by sight if I were hard-pressed. However, the text and explanations were fascinating to me and I think even a casual reader of natural history would find something in this book to love.
This book is one of those that are so delightful to own and to read. It is a tactile pleasure for the true bibliophile, one of those rare breed who love the feel of a book as much as the words within. The cover illustrations immediately draw the reader to the pages and are reminiscent of John James Audubon's best work. The deckled edges, heavy paper, and cream tone make it feel like a gift book. If you're thinking of purchasing, definitely buy the print version because the physical components are as important as the ideas.The ideas, though, are quite fascinating, if you're into Darwin. I had been reading a lot of Darwin and happened upon this book. I wanted to read more of his theories without having to delve into his original works, parts of which I've read and found a bit boring. This book did provide a bit more excitement, but it won't make you grit your teeth with thrills. It is, instead, a fascinating and gentle historical read about natural selection as seen upon the Galapagos Islands. I do not claim to be a naturalist and could only name about 15 birds by sight if I were hard-pressed. However, the text and explanations were fascinating to me and I think even a casual reader of natural history would find something in this book to love.
June 8, 2015
Deep Waters
Jesse Stone #3: Death in Paradise by Robert ParkerMystery/Thriller
I so enjoy reading Jesse Stone books. What I most like about them isn't necessarily the mystery (which is always superbly plotted), or the adventure (which is often knuckle-biting), it's the character of Jesse.
Jesse is a human with a lot of human mistakes. He is an alcoholic, not recovering, and has real issues with his on-again, off-again ex-wife. I love that Parker doesn't make any excuses for Jesse's behavior and that Jesse doesn't make any for himself. Usually, in a book, the character is recovering from some addiction. In this book, and the others in the series so far, Jesse isn't recovering. He fights his demons in front of the reader and it's so refreshing to read about a "real" person with problems who isn't always successful in dealing with them.
In this series installment, Jesse is hot on the trail of a murder. A local teenager is found floating in the lake and Jesse and his not-so-crackpot team of police dive in to the mystery only to discover the waters are a lot deeper than they look. Soon, the tiny police force is mixed up in the gang, prostitution, and child molestation. As always, the plot is so tightly written. It's a pleasure to see Jesse's mind at work and I love that he is changing man, book by book. Can't wait to read the next one!
I so enjoy reading Jesse Stone books. What I most like about them isn't necessarily the mystery (which is always superbly plotted), or the adventure (which is often knuckle-biting), it's the character of Jesse.
Jesse is a human with a lot of human mistakes. He is an alcoholic, not recovering, and has real issues with his on-again, off-again ex-wife. I love that Parker doesn't make any excuses for Jesse's behavior and that Jesse doesn't make any for himself. Usually, in a book, the character is recovering from some addiction. In this book, and the others in the series so far, Jesse isn't recovering. He fights his demons in front of the reader and it's so refreshing to read about a "real" person with problems who isn't always successful in dealing with them.
In this series installment, Jesse is hot on the trail of a murder. A local teenager is found floating in the lake and Jesse and his not-so-crackpot team of police dive in to the mystery only to discover the waters are a lot deeper than they look. Soon, the tiny police force is mixed up in the gang, prostitution, and child molestation. As always, the plot is so tightly written. It's a pleasure to see Jesse's mind at work and I love that he is changing man, book by book. Can't wait to read the next one!
June 6, 2015
Bizarre
Survivor by Chuck PalahnuikAdult Fiction
I am becoming less and less a fan of Palahnuik. I have read several of his books and think I must have peaked early on because they get worse and worse as I go.
This book is about a religious cult survivor who has become a maid or cleaning person who also, apparently, runs a suicide hotline advising people to commit suicide and has the hots for a girl who can tell the future. Bizarre doesn't begin to cover it.
There are so many things to loathe about the book. Every character in it is dislikable and confusing. The plot is confusing, especially since it doesn't really get going with a plot until about 75% in. The formatting is so awful. It is NOT worthy to abandon traditional forms of punctuation. Punctuation has a purpose--it makes things readable. When you don't use it, things become unreadable. This is unreadable. Although, even if it had formatting, everything else about it was so awful, I still wouldn't like it.
I am becoming less and less a fan of Palahnuik. I have read several of his books and think I must have peaked early on because they get worse and worse as I go.
This book is about a religious cult survivor who has become a maid or cleaning person who also, apparently, runs a suicide hotline advising people to commit suicide and has the hots for a girl who can tell the future. Bizarre doesn't begin to cover it.
There are so many things to loathe about the book. Every character in it is dislikable and confusing. The plot is confusing, especially since it doesn't really get going with a plot until about 75% in. The formatting is so awful. It is NOT worthy to abandon traditional forms of punctuation. Punctuation has a purpose--it makes things readable. When you don't use it, things become unreadable. This is unreadable. Although, even if it had formatting, everything else about it was so awful, I still wouldn't like it.
June 5, 2015
Fun, Mystery, Adventure
Death of a Kingfisher: Hamish Macbeth #28 by M.C. BeatonEnglish Mystery
This is my second Hamish Macbeth mystery and the 28th in the series. I'm starting to count myself a true fan, even though I'm not really reading them in order. I like them so much, I'll probably go back to #1 and start properly. It isn't complicated to follow, but there are some romantic allusions I'd like to have the backstory too because Hamish just seems so irritated by his exes.
In this story, a Kingfisher bird is found hanged and its nest and young are destroyed and poisoned. While detecting that crime, other crimes start popping up all over town and soon Hamish is on the trail of a thief, birdkiller, and murderer. The plot is complicated by a love interest for Hamish, one he should ignore because she's probably a criminal. Hamish is unable to control his urges, though, and flits through the book bouncing from one unpleasant feminine encounter after another.
These are light-hearted, fun mysteries to read (well, except for the murders, of course). I'm quite a fan of Hamish. He reminds me a bit of Don Knotts's character Barney Fife in "The Andy Griffith Show". Hamish is a bit of a goof, although he does seem to have a bit more common sense and detective prowess. Watching him bumble along and get irritate and then irritate those around him is so funny. M.C. Beaton has never disappointed and I'm delighted to follow her on another mysterious, humorous adventure series
This is my second Hamish Macbeth mystery and the 28th in the series. I'm starting to count myself a true fan, even though I'm not really reading them in order. I like them so much, I'll probably go back to #1 and start properly. It isn't complicated to follow, but there are some romantic allusions I'd like to have the backstory too because Hamish just seems so irritated by his exes.In this story, a Kingfisher bird is found hanged and its nest and young are destroyed and poisoned. While detecting that crime, other crimes start popping up all over town and soon Hamish is on the trail of a thief, birdkiller, and murderer. The plot is complicated by a love interest for Hamish, one he should ignore because she's probably a criminal. Hamish is unable to control his urges, though, and flits through the book bouncing from one unpleasant feminine encounter after another.
These are light-hearted, fun mysteries to read (well, except for the murders, of course). I'm quite a fan of Hamish. He reminds me a bit of Don Knotts's character Barney Fife in "The Andy Griffith Show". Hamish is a bit of a goof, although he does seem to have a bit more common sense and detective prowess. Watching him bumble along and get irritate and then irritate those around him is so funny. M.C. Beaton has never disappointed and I'm delighted to follow her on another mysterious, humorous adventure series
May 27, 2015
Decadent
A Stroke of Midnight: Merry Gentry #4 by Laurel HamiltonParanormal Romance/Mystery
I wish there were half stars....4 is a bit too high and 3 not nearly high enough. This series always places me in somewhat of a quandary...because, well, it's just weird.
The main character, Merry Gentry, is competing to become queen of a paranormal court of some really killer faeries and other creatures. The competition is between her and her cousin, Cai, who is insane and it is a race to see which of them is the first to become pregnant. With that being said, there is more sex going on in this book than any dirty channel in any hotel. My word. I'm no prude, by any means, but a girl can hardly take a break before catching her breath again. It's just all so...hedonistic and decadent. This is certainly not a book for the faint of heart, or easy blushers.
Hamilton most certainly has written one of the most unique series I've ever read. The characters fairly leap off the page and readers will whole-heartedly wish this was a land they could visit, if only for a night or two (because what human could keep up the pace?) The first few books focused more on Merry's detective skills and solving of a mystery, but that was only lightly touched on in this one. Shame, I really liked those parts in the other books. One aspect of the book that is very difficult for me is all the court rules and shenanigans that go on. I feel as if maybe the book should come with a faerie etiquette guide. If I were Merry, I could have been murdered long ago if only for my lapse in court rules.
I shall most certainly keep reading. With all the shenanigans going on, Merry is bound to be impregnated soon and the drama of that will be quite a read.
I wish there were half stars....4 is a bit too high and 3 not nearly high enough. This series always places me in somewhat of a quandary...because, well, it's just weird.The main character, Merry Gentry, is competing to become queen of a paranormal court of some really killer faeries and other creatures. The competition is between her and her cousin, Cai, who is insane and it is a race to see which of them is the first to become pregnant. With that being said, there is more sex going on in this book than any dirty channel in any hotel. My word. I'm no prude, by any means, but a girl can hardly take a break before catching her breath again. It's just all so...hedonistic and decadent. This is certainly not a book for the faint of heart, or easy blushers.
Hamilton most certainly has written one of the most unique series I've ever read. The characters fairly leap off the page and readers will whole-heartedly wish this was a land they could visit, if only for a night or two (because what human could keep up the pace?) The first few books focused more on Merry's detective skills and solving of a mystery, but that was only lightly touched on in this one. Shame, I really liked those parts in the other books. One aspect of the book that is very difficult for me is all the court rules and shenanigans that go on. I feel as if maybe the book should come with a faerie etiquette guide. If I were Merry, I could have been murdered long ago if only for my lapse in court rules.
I shall most certainly keep reading. With all the shenanigans going on, Merry is bound to be impregnated soon and the drama of that will be quite a read.
May 25, 2015
Parts Of It Made Me Uncomfortable
Models Don't Eat Chocolate Cookies by Erin DionneAdolescent Realistic Fiction
Celeste is an overweight teen-ager whose life just got much more difficult. Her best friend dumps her for more popular friends and her aunt enters her in a chubby girl modeling contest. Through these dramas, though, Celeste finds out what's really important in a friend and in herself.
When I first started reading this book, I had some really uncomfortable feelings about the accuracy and realism of certain elements in the book. First, of all, the main character is, by her own accounts, overweight, yet she grabs unhealthy foods by the handful and doesn't seem to see the connection. As a former teacher, this type of thinking isn't realistic as students are now taught from a very early age which foods are bad for them. The fact she only seems to realize it later in the book seemed off to me. Also, I find it impossible to believe that a company specializing in overweight models would call their company and contest "HuskyPeach". That name just rubbed me wrong the whole time. It's so politically incorrect and such a company would be lambasted for their bad judgment. Lastly, the instances of bullying in the book are hard to read but seem so unrealistic when some of that verbal bullying took place right in front of teachers who said nothing. Again, as a former teacher, maybe I was being too critical, but there's no way such abuse would be tolerated.
Overall, it was an okay book. Once I got over my initial misgivings (and ignored the others), I found the book to be cute with some good messages. It was a bit over the top of drama for me, but I know many of my ex-students who would gobble it right up for just that reason.
Celeste is an overweight teen-ager whose life just got much more difficult. Her best friend dumps her for more popular friends and her aunt enters her in a chubby girl modeling contest. Through these dramas, though, Celeste finds out what's really important in a friend and in herself.When I first started reading this book, I had some really uncomfortable feelings about the accuracy and realism of certain elements in the book. First, of all, the main character is, by her own accounts, overweight, yet she grabs unhealthy foods by the handful and doesn't seem to see the connection. As a former teacher, this type of thinking isn't realistic as students are now taught from a very early age which foods are bad for them. The fact she only seems to realize it later in the book seemed off to me. Also, I find it impossible to believe that a company specializing in overweight models would call their company and contest "HuskyPeach". That name just rubbed me wrong the whole time. It's so politically incorrect and such a company would be lambasted for their bad judgment. Lastly, the instances of bullying in the book are hard to read but seem so unrealistic when some of that verbal bullying took place right in front of teachers who said nothing. Again, as a former teacher, maybe I was being too critical, but there's no way such abuse would be tolerated.
Overall, it was an okay book. Once I got over my initial misgivings (and ignored the others), I found the book to be cute with some good messages. It was a bit over the top of drama for me, but I know many of my ex-students who would gobble it right up for just that reason.
May 24, 2015
Such an Unlikable Main Character
The Lonely Polygamist by Brady UdallAdult Fiction
Golden, the main character in this novel, is so easy to dislike. For starters, he's married to four different women, none of whom he seems to love, and he has so many kids that he has to memorize their names in some sort of chant. To top it all off, he's also contemplating having an affair. Very sleazy guy.
Yet, I was enthralled with his story from the beginning. His young life was so very sad and, initially, I was hopeful he would be able to escape such a destiny. But, Golden is a weak man and this book is the story of him letting other people direct him in whichever way they want. He just does whatever he's told without any sort of backbone at all. If it were only his story, it might be stretching the pleasure a bit, but the point of view changes to include other people in the books, wife #4 and a son. Their stories are full of so much heart-ache and heartbreak that you find yourself hoping, somehow, things will work out for this huge dysfunctional family.
It's a hefty read, but one that seems to just fly along. If you've ever been intrigued by the inner workings of polygamy, this seems as close as one could get without it being straight from a believer's lips. Overall, the book hooked me and I just couldn't turn away until I saw what happened to every last one of the many characters.
Golden, the main character in this novel, is so easy to dislike. For starters, he's married to four different women, none of whom he seems to love, and he has so many kids that he has to memorize their names in some sort of chant. To top it all off, he's also contemplating having an affair. Very sleazy guy.
Yet, I was enthralled with his story from the beginning. His young life was so very sad and, initially, I was hopeful he would be able to escape such a destiny. But, Golden is a weak man and this book is the story of him letting other people direct him in whichever way they want. He just does whatever he's told without any sort of backbone at all. If it were only his story, it might be stretching the pleasure a bit, but the point of view changes to include other people in the books, wife #4 and a son. Their stories are full of so much heart-ache and heartbreak that you find yourself hoping, somehow, things will work out for this huge dysfunctional family.
It's a hefty read, but one that seems to just fly along. If you've ever been intrigued by the inner workings of polygamy, this seems as close as one could get without it being straight from a believer's lips. Overall, the book hooked me and I just couldn't turn away until I saw what happened to every last one of the many characters.
May 20, 2015
Will Cause You To Question Your Beliefs About Love
Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Historical Fiction
I am so glad I waited to read this book. If I had read it when it first came out and was getting all the awards and acclaims, I would certainly have missed the most poignant and heartfelt truths. Many of the reviews I have read and book blurbs focus on the romantic nature of the book and the love affair between two of the characters. I did not read the same book they did and my theory is because this is a book that speaks to people wherever they are in their road to romantic (love) maturity.
The book revolves around two main characters: Fermina and Florentina. They fall in love when each are young virgins and their entire relationship is only consummated on the pages of the letters they write to one another. When Fermina is sent away by her father for the relationship, she years to return home and marry Florentina and begin her happily ever after. Upon coming home, though, she sees that what she thought was love was only infatuation. She breaks it off with Florentina and instead marries another man, one more prominent and wealthy. The majority of the book actually focuses on Fermina's marriage to Dr. Juvenal Urbino and the love they eventually create. Florentina never marries and spends decades waiting for a second chance with Fermina, convinced she is his soul mate.
Because I am on my way to middle age (maybe I'm already there, but I'm not admitting it in writing) and have been married for decades, I absolutely don't see the romance between Fermina and Florentina as anything other than youthful romantic infatuation. I believe the love in the love in the title instead refers to the different kinds of love found in the book and the lesson that love, especially during times of turmoil and over long periods of time, can be found in many different ways. There is romantic love, sexual love, and a beautiful kind of marriage love that can only be found when two people have spent their entire lives together. I thought that Fermina and Juvenal's marriage and love were the really romantic parts of the book because it shows the strength of love to grow, endure, and sustain hearts. I also don't think many of the reviews focus enough on the historical aspects of the book. Cholera is a disease we don't know much about today, but is one that decimated populations during last century across the globe. The book is a careful look at how a disease like cholera impacts every facet of life, influencing decisions one would never have made otherwise.
Overall, I found the book to be masterful both in language and content. Best of all, it is one of those books that really causes you to think and consider deeply help convictions and beliefs and see the world in a different way.
Historical FictionI am so glad I waited to read this book. If I had read it when it first came out and was getting all the awards and acclaims, I would certainly have missed the most poignant and heartfelt truths. Many of the reviews I have read and book blurbs focus on the romantic nature of the book and the love affair between two of the characters. I did not read the same book they did and my theory is because this is a book that speaks to people wherever they are in their road to romantic (love) maturity.
The book revolves around two main characters: Fermina and Florentina. They fall in love when each are young virgins and their entire relationship is only consummated on the pages of the letters they write to one another. When Fermina is sent away by her father for the relationship, she years to return home and marry Florentina and begin her happily ever after. Upon coming home, though, she sees that what she thought was love was only infatuation. She breaks it off with Florentina and instead marries another man, one more prominent and wealthy. The majority of the book actually focuses on Fermina's marriage to Dr. Juvenal Urbino and the love they eventually create. Florentina never marries and spends decades waiting for a second chance with Fermina, convinced she is his soul mate.
Because I am on my way to middle age (maybe I'm already there, but I'm not admitting it in writing) and have been married for decades, I absolutely don't see the romance between Fermina and Florentina as anything other than youthful romantic infatuation. I believe the love in the love in the title instead refers to the different kinds of love found in the book and the lesson that love, especially during times of turmoil and over long periods of time, can be found in many different ways. There is romantic love, sexual love, and a beautiful kind of marriage love that can only be found when two people have spent their entire lives together. I thought that Fermina and Juvenal's marriage and love were the really romantic parts of the book because it shows the strength of love to grow, endure, and sustain hearts. I also don't think many of the reviews focus enough on the historical aspects of the book. Cholera is a disease we don't know much about today, but is one that decimated populations during last century across the globe. The book is a careful look at how a disease like cholera impacts every facet of life, influencing decisions one would never have made otherwise.
Overall, I found the book to be masterful both in language and content. Best of all, it is one of those books that really causes you to think and consider deeply help convictions and beliefs and see the world in a different way.
May 19, 2015
Not a Riveting Love Story
Love Will Find a Way by Barbara FreethyRomance
Romance is not my usual preferred reading genre, but when my mother recommended it to me...well, she's my mother so it was more like a directive.
Since I'm not a typical romance reader, that might influence my lower rating and review. This was very much a typical romance. The plot had some nice twists and the characters were very believable. As a reader, you wanted the happy ending.
In the story, Rachel is reeling after her husband's unexpected death and turns to his lifelong best friend Dylan. She wants Dylan to help her determine if Gary, her husband, committed suicide or was just the victim of an untimely accident. Dylan and Rachel have an unresolved drama between them with years of angst and yearning. Can Rachel overcome her widow's remorse to love again? Will Dylan be able to place his heart up for grabs again? Will Gary's secret tear them apart?
If that last part sounded a bit cheezy, that was my problem with most of the book. It is clearly a serial romance, written to a set of specifications with a few surprises and twists thrown in. The surprises aren't shocking, though. Also, the characters were generally unlikeable. Both seemed extremely selfish and their emotions varied so wildly, I wasn't for sure from one moment to the next what each wanted.
So, sorry, Mom. You stick to your reading pile, and I'll stick to mine.
Romance is not my usual preferred reading genre, but when my mother recommended it to me...well, she's my mother so it was more like a directive.
Since I'm not a typical romance reader, that might influence my lower rating and review. This was very much a typical romance. The plot had some nice twists and the characters were very believable. As a reader, you wanted the happy ending.
In the story, Rachel is reeling after her husband's unexpected death and turns to his lifelong best friend Dylan. She wants Dylan to help her determine if Gary, her husband, committed suicide or was just the victim of an untimely accident. Dylan and Rachel have an unresolved drama between them with years of angst and yearning. Can Rachel overcome her widow's remorse to love again? Will Dylan be able to place his heart up for grabs again? Will Gary's secret tear them apart?
If that last part sounded a bit cheezy, that was my problem with most of the book. It is clearly a serial romance, written to a set of specifications with a few surprises and twists thrown in. The surprises aren't shocking, though. Also, the characters were generally unlikeable. Both seemed extremely selfish and their emotions varied so wildly, I wasn't for sure from one moment to the next what each wanted.
So, sorry, Mom. You stick to your reading pile, and I'll stick to mine.
