C.C. Thomas's Blog, page 7
March 13, 2015
Not As Great As I Wanted or Expected
The Color Purple by Alice WalkerFiction/Historical Fiction
This is one of my books that I was supposed to love. It's a National Book Award winner and a Pulitzer Prize winner and practically everyone I know loved it and practically everyone who read it gave it 5 stars? I just thought it was an okay read. Is there something wrong with me?
I understand why it is an important read. I understand that it gives voice to a population who had no voice for generations. I truly understand that Alice Walker is brilliant and walks on ethereal lyrics. But, I just couldn't get into the book. I've never seen the movie and don't plan to--I don't even understand how it could be a movie without a triple R rating. I think part of my problem might be that I read "Push" by Sapphire first. I felt that book was so much better for many of the same reasons that people liked this one. I felt that "Push" more exemplifies the heartache and heartbreak of minority women in poverty. "Push" absolutely broke my heart and gave me nightmares. Not this book, though.
While there was certainly nothing wrong with the plot, I tend to dislike books that have tidy endings. This book ending felt too tidy, too happy, to neatly wrapped up to properly respect the struggles of the characters. Overall, it was a book that never let forget it was a book. I never got the sense of forgetting myself and falling into the lives of the characters. And, while this would never be the kind of book that someone could "enjoy" because it isn't a fun read, it never rose above just an average read for me
.
There might be something off with my book meter lately. Perhaps I've read too many amazing books in a row and this one just didn't stack up.
This is one of my books that I was supposed to love. It's a National Book Award winner and a Pulitzer Prize winner and practically everyone I know loved it and practically everyone who read it gave it 5 stars? I just thought it was an okay read. Is there something wrong with me?I understand why it is an important read. I understand that it gives voice to a population who had no voice for generations. I truly understand that Alice Walker is brilliant and walks on ethereal lyrics. But, I just couldn't get into the book. I've never seen the movie and don't plan to--I don't even understand how it could be a movie without a triple R rating. I think part of my problem might be that I read "Push" by Sapphire first. I felt that book was so much better for many of the same reasons that people liked this one. I felt that "Push" more exemplifies the heartache and heartbreak of minority women in poverty. "Push" absolutely broke my heart and gave me nightmares. Not this book, though.
While there was certainly nothing wrong with the plot, I tend to dislike books that have tidy endings. This book ending felt too tidy, too happy, to neatly wrapped up to properly respect the struggles of the characters. Overall, it was a book that never let forget it was a book. I never got the sense of forgetting myself and falling into the lives of the characters. And, while this would never be the kind of book that someone could "enjoy" because it isn't a fun read, it never rose above just an average read for me
.
There might be something off with my book meter lately. Perhaps I've read too many amazing books in a row and this one just didn't stack up.
March 12, 2015
Dislikabe Characters, Likable Book
The Secret History by Donna TarttAdult Fiction
This was a strange read for me--meaning it wasn't like anything I've read before. Usually, I stick pretty close to the genres I love like mystery, paranormal, history, etc. But, when a friend recommended I check out Donna Tartt, I decided to start with this book. While she doesn't write a huge amount of books, the books she writes are voluminous. This one was almost 600 pages and it's one of those books where you don't look and see how much you have left.
The book focuses on two murders and six thrown-together friends at a wanna-be Ivy League college in Vermont. The main character, Richard, has just joined a group majoring in Greek classics. The group is bizarre by any standards and even Richard can't seem to quite figure out why he is mixed in with this lot. What follows is a tale of college shenanigans, alcohol abuse, and finally two murders. The murders are never a mystery, nor is this really a who-dun-it. Rather, it's a what-are-we-gonna-do-now-we-dun-it?
I would give this book a higher star based on the sheer masterful writing, but I so disliked some of the characters I just can't give it a 5-star rating. The narrator, Richard, seemed to be confused by everything that happened to him and was willing to bob along aimlessly. The other characters are train wrecks of abuse and privilege and I wasn't really sorry to see them get the justice they brought on themselves. I totally just didn't get the whole classical Greek thing--and I'm an English major and lover of languages. It all just seemed a bit arrogant and pretentious. It was, though, a great introduction to Tartt and I can't wait to read another book by this American "Dickensian".
This was a strange read for me--meaning it wasn't like anything I've read before. Usually, I stick pretty close to the genres I love like mystery, paranormal, history, etc. But, when a friend recommended I check out Donna Tartt, I decided to start with this book. While she doesn't write a huge amount of books, the books she writes are voluminous. This one was almost 600 pages and it's one of those books where you don't look and see how much you have left.The book focuses on two murders and six thrown-together friends at a wanna-be Ivy League college in Vermont. The main character, Richard, has just joined a group majoring in Greek classics. The group is bizarre by any standards and even Richard can't seem to quite figure out why he is mixed in with this lot. What follows is a tale of college shenanigans, alcohol abuse, and finally two murders. The murders are never a mystery, nor is this really a who-dun-it. Rather, it's a what-are-we-gonna-do-now-we-dun-it?
I would give this book a higher star based on the sheer masterful writing, but I so disliked some of the characters I just can't give it a 5-star rating. The narrator, Richard, seemed to be confused by everything that happened to him and was willing to bob along aimlessly. The other characters are train wrecks of abuse and privilege and I wasn't really sorry to see them get the justice they brought on themselves. I totally just didn't get the whole classical Greek thing--and I'm an English major and lover of languages. It all just seemed a bit arrogant and pretentious. It was, though, a great introduction to Tartt and I can't wait to read another book by this American "Dickensian".
March 11, 2015
Not the Biblical or Mythological Thriller I Wanted It To Be: Angelology by Danielle Trussoni
Angelology #1: Angelology by Danielle TrussoniFantasy/Alternate History
When I first heard about this book, I was hooked. Stories of the paranormal have always fascinated me and I gravitate towards any books that hint at Biblical history and/or mystery. When that subject is combined with the paranormal, in this case angels, I'm hooked.
In the book, Evangeline is a young nun who discovers her convent is hiding a dangerous and mind-shattering secret about a sect of angels who not only live on Earth, but control most of its riches. Her mother and grandmother also figure in the story and the book turns out to be an inter-generational read, skipping along bloodlines while a team of angelologists, angel investigators, rush to find a hidden talisman that has the power to destroy or save mankind and angelkind.
Unfortunately, my fantasy of a great book didn't live up to the reality of my read. First, I have to say that the writing in the book is masterful. Trussoni can indeed weave a spell with words and I found myself reading pages and pages of lush, beautiful descriptions of faraway places and dusty historical lore. What was missing, though, was emotion. I found the narrators in the book, there are at least two as well as a variety of people who give their points of view, to be extremely unemotional about all of the miraculous events. When common, ordinary people experienced the unreality of an angel revealing himself, they merely shrugged and kept on going with the conversation. Seriously, not even an exclamation point? I found this to be extremely off-putting and it made it impossible to connect with anyone from the story. What should have been a story of love and lust and fire and brimstone and redemption left me rather cold. Trussoni's style is so masterful, though, that I did rather enjoy most of the read. I'm interested to see how the story might end...there is a sequel. Overall, unless you're just really into voluminous tomes on angels, you might be better
When I first heard about this book, I was hooked. Stories of the paranormal have always fascinated me and I gravitate towards any books that hint at Biblical history and/or mystery. When that subject is combined with the paranormal, in this case angels, I'm hooked.
In the book, Evangeline is a young nun who discovers her convent is hiding a dangerous and mind-shattering secret about a sect of angels who not only live on Earth, but control most of its riches. Her mother and grandmother also figure in the story and the book turns out to be an inter-generational read, skipping along bloodlines while a team of angelologists, angel investigators, rush to find a hidden talisman that has the power to destroy or save mankind and angelkind.
Unfortunately, my fantasy of a great book didn't live up to the reality of my read. First, I have to say that the writing in the book is masterful. Trussoni can indeed weave a spell with words and I found myself reading pages and pages of lush, beautiful descriptions of faraway places and dusty historical lore. What was missing, though, was emotion. I found the narrators in the book, there are at least two as well as a variety of people who give their points of view, to be extremely unemotional about all of the miraculous events. When common, ordinary people experienced the unreality of an angel revealing himself, they merely shrugged and kept on going with the conversation. Seriously, not even an exclamation point? I found this to be extremely off-putting and it made it impossible to connect with anyone from the story. What should have been a story of love and lust and fire and brimstone and redemption left me rather cold. Trussoni's style is so masterful, though, that I did rather enjoy most of the read. I'm interested to see how the story might end...there is a sequel. Overall, unless you're just really into voluminous tomes on angels, you might be better
March 10, 2015
Sadly, the Movie Was Better: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice Burroughs
Barsoom #1: A Princess of Mars by Edgar Rice BurroughsClassic Adventure
I really wanted to like this book. After all, I loved the "Tarzan" series by Burroughs and was hopeful this would live up to that reputation. Instead, I have to say that the movie, called "John Carter" for some reason, was much better than the book.
The story revolves around John and the tale he gives a family member of his travels to the distant planet of Mars. It's a bit strange how John gets to Mars but apparently there exists a portal in the desert of the west where one can make the trip. When John arrives on Mars, he lands smack in the middle of a war and has to use his new superhuman powers and considerable male macho-ness to bring peace. Along the way he acquires a pet and get the princess of Mars to fall in love with him.
The whole story was just rather silly. There was never any of the adventure and thrill that exists in the Tarzan tale. I was hopeful John might be killed early on and perhaps a more exciting character would take up the tale, but, alas, John plodded on dully until the last page. The ending is (supposedly) a characteristically Burroughs cliff-hanger, but I have no intention of reading Barsoom #2. I'll just stick with my jungle man, who has more to offer in the way of thrills and chills
I really wanted to like this book. After all, I loved the "Tarzan" series by Burroughs and was hopeful this would live up to that reputation. Instead, I have to say that the movie, called "John Carter" for some reason, was much better than the book.
The story revolves around John and the tale he gives a family member of his travels to the distant planet of Mars. It's a bit strange how John gets to Mars but apparently there exists a portal in the desert of the west where one can make the trip. When John arrives on Mars, he lands smack in the middle of a war and has to use his new superhuman powers and considerable male macho-ness to bring peace. Along the way he acquires a pet and get the princess of Mars to fall in love with him.
The whole story was just rather silly. There was never any of the adventure and thrill that exists in the Tarzan tale. I was hopeful John might be killed early on and perhaps a more exciting character would take up the tale, but, alas, John plodded on dully until the last page. The ending is (supposedly) a characteristically Burroughs cliff-hanger, but I have no intention of reading Barsoom #2. I'll just stick with my jungle man, who has more to offer in the way of thrills and chills
March 8, 2015
My First Lehane, But Not My Last: A Drink Before the War by Dennis Lehane
Patrick Kenzie and Angie Gennaro #1: A Drink Before the War by Dennis LehaneMystery/Crime Thriller
This was my first Dennis Lehane novel, but it certainly won't be my last.
It's one of my very favorite kinds of mysteries with a smart aleck detective with disarming charm who alternately woos and infuriates the romantic interest. While I do love those lighter-hearted capers, this one has a bit more meat, a bit more heat, and a bit more gravity.
Patrick and Angie run a detective firm in Boston. They are in love with one another, but too stubborn to admit it. Plus, there's the annoying fact of Angie's jealous and abusive husband. The two are hired by a politician, eager to claim some paperwork that was stolen by a maid. As the two delve deeper into the case, they soon discover a crime that infects the whole city in a horrible race war. It's tragic to see how long ago this book was written and to see how it absolutely still mirrors the problems society has with this issue today.
This is a crime novel that will stand out from the rest because of the seriousness of the topic, but one that will capture you with its sweet charm and hope for a better future. I've already bought the next one in the series and can't wait to read it.
This was my first Dennis Lehane novel, but it certainly won't be my last.It's one of my very favorite kinds of mysteries with a smart aleck detective with disarming charm who alternately woos and infuriates the romantic interest. While I do love those lighter-hearted capers, this one has a bit more meat, a bit more heat, and a bit more gravity.
Patrick and Angie run a detective firm in Boston. They are in love with one another, but too stubborn to admit it. Plus, there's the annoying fact of Angie's jealous and abusive husband. The two are hired by a politician, eager to claim some paperwork that was stolen by a maid. As the two delve deeper into the case, they soon discover a crime that infects the whole city in a horrible race war. It's tragic to see how long ago this book was written and to see how it absolutely still mirrors the problems society has with this issue today.
This is a crime novel that will stand out from the rest because of the seriousness of the topic, but one that will capture you with its sweet charm and hope for a better future. I've already bought the next one in the series and can't wait to read it.
March 7, 2015
Painful, But Beautiful: Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor and Park by Rainbow RowellYoung Adult Romance/Realistic Fiction
It's been awhile since I've loved a book this much, but this is definitely the best book I've read this year. I didn't expect to love it quite as much as I did, but it's one of those books I carried around with me, stealing moments until I could finish the whole thing, literally reading in line at the grocery store and at red lights. (Yes, I might be that person you have to honk at because I didn't notice the light turning green.)
The story is told alternately from the viewpoints of Eleanor...and Park. Eleanor and Park have nothing is common. Eleanor is a new student, having just recently been reunited with her dysfunctional, neglectful, and abusive family. Park is a long-time resident, solid in his social standing at school. He has no plans to talk with Eleanor or get to know her, until the day his kindness causes him to rudely offer her half of his bus seat. What develops is a romance that is painful and beautiful and watching it unfold is like watching a tender rose bloom. Park and Eleanor are two broken people who find something beautiful in each other and themselves.
This book was so tragically honest. It brought back to me those awkwardfully painful high school days, the rush and crush of a first love, and the heartache of a broken family. I can't recommend this book enough. Even though it has young adult narrators, it's a story that any age would find connections with. I'm so delighted to find a new author and I plan on buying and reading every one of her books. If any of them are even half as good, it will be an amazing read.
It's been awhile since I've loved a book this much, but this is definitely the best book I've read this year. I didn't expect to love it quite as much as I did, but it's one of those books I carried around with me, stealing moments until I could finish the whole thing, literally reading in line at the grocery store and at red lights. (Yes, I might be that person you have to honk at because I didn't notice the light turning green.)
The story is told alternately from the viewpoints of Eleanor...and Park. Eleanor and Park have nothing is common. Eleanor is a new student, having just recently been reunited with her dysfunctional, neglectful, and abusive family. Park is a long-time resident, solid in his social standing at school. He has no plans to talk with Eleanor or get to know her, until the day his kindness causes him to rudely offer her half of his bus seat. What develops is a romance that is painful and beautiful and watching it unfold is like watching a tender rose bloom. Park and Eleanor are two broken people who find something beautiful in each other and themselves.
This book was so tragically honest. It brought back to me those awkwardfully painful high school days, the rush and crush of a first love, and the heartache of a broken family. I can't recommend this book enough. Even though it has young adult narrators, it's a story that any age would find connections with. I'm so delighted to find a new author and I plan on buying and reading every one of her books. If any of them are even half as good, it will be an amazing read.
March 6, 2015
Never Better Than Barely Okay: Elvis and the Grateful Dead by Peggy Webb
The Southern Cousins Mysteries #2: Elvis and the Grateful Dead by Peggy WebbCozy Mystery
This is not my usual type of book so I feel my review might be skewed. Usually, I like mysteries that a bit more hard-hitting, ones that focus on actual crimes solved by detectives or police. I also very much dislike books that try too hard to be "southern". For those reasons, I am scoring this book pretty low.
Callie is a hairdresser living in Tupelo, Mississippi, during an Elvis festival. As part of that festival, she is the hairdresser for the impersonators. Her sidekick is a basset-hound named Elvis who has his own chapters where he explains he is actually the reincarnated "King". During the festival, someone is killing off the impersonators and Callie takes it upon herself to solve the crime along with her "hot under the sequined collar" cousin. Mixed in is a very mixed-up relationship with her ex-husband who is apparently some sort of mobster. And, then there's her mother, the town kook.
There's a lot going on in this book, a bit too much for everything to get neatly solved by the end. Everyone is such a unique character that everyone comes off as a bit fake. There's never a sense this is more than a silly fiction story. Really, though, I was lost when the dog started talking. That's never a good thing. Never. And, don't even get me started with the fakey southern charm. It's just okay and a series I most certainly won't be reading more of.
This is not my usual type of book so I feel my review might be skewed. Usually, I like mysteries that a bit more hard-hitting, ones that focus on actual crimes solved by detectives or police. I also very much dislike books that try too hard to be "southern". For those reasons, I am scoring this book pretty low.
Callie is a hairdresser living in Tupelo, Mississippi, during an Elvis festival. As part of that festival, she is the hairdresser for the impersonators. Her sidekick is a basset-hound named Elvis who has his own chapters where he explains he is actually the reincarnated "King". During the festival, someone is killing off the impersonators and Callie takes it upon herself to solve the crime along with her "hot under the sequined collar" cousin. Mixed in is a very mixed-up relationship with her ex-husband who is apparently some sort of mobster. And, then there's her mother, the town kook.
There's a lot going on in this book, a bit too much for everything to get neatly solved by the end. Everyone is such a unique character that everyone comes off as a bit fake. There's never a sense this is more than a silly fiction story. Really, though, I was lost when the dog started talking. That's never a good thing. Never. And, don't even get me started with the fakey southern charm. It's just okay and a series I most certainly won't be reading more of.
March 5, 2015
Best One Yet: From Potter's Field by Patricia Cornwell
Scarpetta #6: From Potter's Field by Patricia CornwellMystery/Thriller
Cornwell has to be my favorite writer and Scarpetta my favorite mystery series. I can always count on these books to give me the chills with thrills, boggle my brain with a mystery, and touch a tender spot in my heart for all the characters that are too well-written to be fiction.
In this installment, Scarpetta and her less-than-merry sidekick Marino narrowly escape death on a Christmas charity drive before they're called in to solve the murder that happens right in front of their eyes. All is not apparent as first and soon the duo, along with Wesley the lover and Lucy the niece, are hot on the trail of a serial killer that has eluded them for a few books.
This one is the best yet in the series and I have to resist the urge to gobble them all up. These are mysteries I have to pace out, like a fine wine, so I can enjoy them slowly and, hopefully, never run out of! Never fear, I have them all waiting in a stack to read. An incredible read from an amazing writer.
Cornwell has to be my favorite writer and Scarpetta my favorite mystery series. I can always count on these books to give me the chills with thrills, boggle my brain with a mystery, and touch a tender spot in my heart for all the characters that are too well-written to be fiction.
In this installment, Scarpetta and her less-than-merry sidekick Marino narrowly escape death on a Christmas charity drive before they're called in to solve the murder that happens right in front of their eyes. All is not apparent as first and soon the duo, along with Wesley the lover and Lucy the niece, are hot on the trail of a serial killer that has eluded them for a few books.
This one is the best yet in the series and I have to resist the urge to gobble them all up. These are mysteries I have to pace out, like a fine wine, so I can enjoy them slowly and, hopefully, never run out of! Never fear, I have them all waiting in a stack to read. An incredible read from an amazing writer.
March 4, 2015
Bio-Horror: The Calm Before the Swarm by Michael McBride
The Calm Before the Swarm by Michael McBride
Sci-Fi/Thriller
This is my very favorite type of book--weird, sci-fi...the kind where an evil scientist has run amok and is set to destroy the world. Evil scientists still make the best kinds of villains!
In this short novella, an investigator for the CDC has been called in to determine why an entire audience at a local circus has dropped dead. She finds a dropped video recorder that shows her a biological horror she doesn't know how to stop. She works quickly to stop the impending disaster but realizes she's always one step behind the evil mastermind who has orchestrated the end of the world.
I loved this book! This is Michael McBride at his absolute best. Even though it's a short, fast read, there's plenty of punch, enough to keep you turning pages until the get to the spine-chilling end. It's a short novella at the end of Coyote by Michael McBride, but it's worth buying that book just to get to this one.
Sci-Fi/ThrillerThis is my very favorite type of book--weird, sci-fi...the kind where an evil scientist has run amok and is set to destroy the world. Evil scientists still make the best kinds of villains!
In this short novella, an investigator for the CDC has been called in to determine why an entire audience at a local circus has dropped dead. She finds a dropped video recorder that shows her a biological horror she doesn't know how to stop. She works quickly to stop the impending disaster but realizes she's always one step behind the evil mastermind who has orchestrated the end of the world.
I loved this book! This is Michael McBride at his absolute best. Even though it's a short, fast read, there's plenty of punch, enough to keep you turning pages until the get to the spine-chilling end. It's a short novella at the end of Coyote by Michael McBride, but it's worth buying that book just to get to this one.
March 3, 2015
Not Like Other McBrides: The Coyote by Michael McBride
The Coyote by Michael McBridePsychological Thriller/Mystery
This psychological thriller wasn't what I expected. I've read other books by this author and was counting on a paranormal/sci-fi type of read. Those are my favorite kind of reads, so I was a bit disappointed this wasn't in that genre.
However, for all that, it was still a pretty good read. In it, FBI agent Lukas Walker has been sent to his ancestral Native American reservation to investigate what may be a serial killer. The more he investigates, the closer he gets to the killer...and the skeletons in his own family closet. The plot is a good one and will keep readers skipping right along. It is a bit bloody, but I've never read anything about a serial killer that wasn't. I did like the character of Lukas and I thought the family dynamics at play were really fascinating.
All in all, a solid read from a writer who can't be pigeon-holed. A huge bonus for me: there was a novella in the back, free, by the same author that I absolutely loved! That story, The Calm Before the Swarm, is more indicative of the kind of writing I had expected. McBride remains an author I'll pick and read and know I'm getting a good story from.
This psychological thriller wasn't what I expected. I've read other books by this author and was counting on a paranormal/sci-fi type of read. Those are my favorite kind of reads, so I was a bit disappointed this wasn't in that genre.However, for all that, it was still a pretty good read. In it, FBI agent Lukas Walker has been sent to his ancestral Native American reservation to investigate what may be a serial killer. The more he investigates, the closer he gets to the killer...and the skeletons in his own family closet. The plot is a good one and will keep readers skipping right along. It is a bit bloody, but I've never read anything about a serial killer that wasn't. I did like the character of Lukas and I thought the family dynamics at play were really fascinating.
All in all, a solid read from a writer who can't be pigeon-holed. A huge bonus for me: there was a novella in the back, free, by the same author that I absolutely loved! That story, The Calm Before the Swarm, is more indicative of the kind of writing I had expected. McBride remains an author I'll pick and read and know I'm getting a good story from.
