Michael Noe's Blog, page 10

Don't You Cry - Mary Kubica 5/5 &nbsp...

    Don't You Cry - Mary Kubica 5/5
                                                           
         


     After reading The Good Girl I became a fan of Kubica. She knows how to tell a tale and packs enough detail suspense to keep your eyeballs glued to the page. Take Don't You Cry which is her second novel I believe, and  just from the description alone you get a sense of what to expect. It seems simple enough right? One woman disappears in Chicago, and another appears, but there's something else going on, something that seems easy enough to figure out, but looks can be deceiving. Not everything is as it appears. What makes the book so unique is that the story is told from two viewpoints. You have Quinn who wakes up to find her roommate suddenly missing and then you have Alex a guy who sees a woman at a dinner and develops a crush on her. From these vantage points you see the story from both sides. It's a style that James Patterson has perfected and Kubica has developed her own twist to the formula. Instead of keeping the action moving, it broadens the story so that you can draw your own conclusions about the story and where everything is going to lead.

      Quinn and Alex are interesting characters in that they have their own issues that draw them to both Pearl and Esther. The mysterious Pearl just shows up one day and it seems as if the mystery is solved, Pearl is in fact Esther and Quinn is somehow this horrible roommate or something. There are even clues that begin to appear that show that Quinn is right. I loved how Kubica slowly unravels the tension, and then just when you think you have everything figured out, she changes everything. This is a writer that you can't trust because you never know where she's heading. I like that she doesn't play it safe, and truly takes her readers on a ride. When you see her name on a book cover you know that the book is going to be good, and you're going to lose some sleep as you try and finish it just so you can see how it ends.

      I like books that demand your attention and keep you guessing. This is one that takes popular fiction and makes it fun, and unpredictable. The story here is not that simple, and allows you to think you have everything figured out, and then she reveals everything and you stare at the pages open mouthed wondering how you missed it. This is one book that I have to add as a favorite. I loved the plot twists, and the way that she sets up these characters so that they're interesting and more than just a way to move the plot forward. Quinn and Alex are connected in a way that makes the story so engrossing. Are Esther and Pearl the same woman, and what's the deal with that abandoned house? A solid five star read that truly restores my faith in popular fiction. I found a writer that doesn't go for an easy read, or treats her readers like they need a simple straight forward plot to keep their readers entertained. Don't You Cry is an amazing piece of fiction that everyone needs to check out.

Wishful Drinking - Carrie Fisher 5/5 &n...

 Wishful Drinking - Carrie Fisher  5/5
                                                   


     Celebrity biographies almost always follow the same pattern, and then you read Wishful Drinking and the rules are thrown out the window. Carrie covers a lot of ground in such a short book, but through it all is a sense of humor,, and honesty over how her life has gone. The book is downright funny and Carrie is able to poke fun at herself which you hardly ever see in a book like this. It's a book you read and can't help but laugh. When you think about a celebrity you have all of these images in your head, but Carrie isn't what you expect when you think about what it's really like. It's not easy being bi-polar, and a drug addict, and Carrie is funny and yes, even a bit manic.

      There are a lot of surreal moments here, and they're all true. The drug addiction, the dead gay guy in her bed, and yes, even an ex-husband that she turned gay. If you're going to idolize a celebrity this is one you would want to idolize, or at least use as a cautionary tale. The fact that she tells her story in such a way is what makes Wishful Drinking so damn good. You almost feel as if the book was therapy in a way because it's so insane. It couldn't really happen could it? This isn't your typical bio, and I wish that more people approached these in such an honest, funny, and engaging way. You're taken for a ride that will no doubt make you laugh out loud, and that rarely happens in the world of celebrity bios. Most are bleak and depressing, but this one is a light that we didn't even know we needed or wanted to see.

   

Postcards From The Edge - Carrie Fisher 2/5 &...

 Postcards From The Edge - Carrie Fisher 2/5
                                                       
 

      You ever see reviews for a book and then decide to read it just to see what all the fuss is about? That was my experience with Postcards From The Edge. I vaguely remember hearing about it, but I was fourteen and wasn't really into books about drug addicts and recovery, or the experiences after said person tries to live a normal life. I've never even seen the movie. I finally tracked the book down after Carrie passed and was ready to be blown away by her literary debut, but was left feeling guilty that I didn't enjoy the book, or even find it as good as all the critics said it was. Then as I prepared to write this review I shoved aside the guilt because not everyone is going to feel the same way about everything. It's just a sad part of life.

     I'm glad I borrowed this one from the library and not bought it like I planned. I found Post Cards rather boring, and oddly disjointed. There's parts of the book that seem to make zero sense and you're left trying to figure out why this is even part of the story. The main problem was that Suzanne really isn't  all that likeable. When I read a book I want to connect with a character, or at the very least have a reason for reading, but here, there's nothing. At times it's quite amusing and then my mind began to wander and I forgot half of what I read. The best parts for me were in the drug clinic. There was a linear pattern to the story and it made sense. After that it just fell apart and I couldn't even finish it. I understand what Fisher was trying to say, or at least convey, but I just lost interest and threw in the towel.

     While most of the reviews reflect the passing of Fisher, this one is about my experience with the book, and how I had hoped that it would live up to the hype. It didn't and I don't feel bad about not liking it. I wanted too, but after almost nearing the end I had to quit. I couldn't take anymore. While most books like this try and keep a serious tone throughout, Fisher takes a different route and we see just how difficult life can be when your life spirals out of control and you're trying to find some sort of balance. For Carrie's debut there's not much balance here, just a story that some people adore, but me? I just didn't like it all that much.

The Dude has issues

   The Day I Stop Dreaming About Some Porn Star from the 90s named Sunny Jeff O'Brien 5/5 Stars


     I can't really talk a lot of shit about this book, I mean I could, but it would be pretty mean because this is a free ezine. For fans it's like a stop gap between releases so you kind of get something to tide you over, or if you keep asking him for a new book this should keep you quiet so he can play with his dogs, and smoke cigars. In all seriousness I have nothing to complain about here. As a fan, I got some really cool stories that once again prove why Jeff has such a strong under ground following. Each of these stories are hilarious and remind us why we like him so much. The fact that they were inspired by porn makes them that much cooler because no one admits that they like porn. The only thing that I didn't care for was the Morrissey essay because no one actually gives a shit about the guy, or The Smiths. I'm lying about not liking it, I did, but I had to give Jeff some shit about his love for such a shitty band.

     If you have never heard of O'Brien and want to see what all the fuss is about this is a nice intro into his fiction. You get to read a book for free and if you like it, you can buy more. If you buy more books, he gains new fans which is really all of us writers want to do. We would like to make money, but it's not a realistic dream or goal. The bad news is that for those who don't like Jeff, nothing's changed. He's still writing the same stuff that could be classified as bizarro, or as I like to call it B-rate fiction. It's the kind of stuff that makes you chuckle for reasons you can only describe. Everyone reacts and laughs in different spots. Just ask the man for a copy and you too will find out just how funny the guy is. If you don't like him, well I guess it sucks to be you.

#findtommy

 Disappearance At Devil's Rock - Paul Tremblay  3/5 stars
                                             
                                                       



     So, A Head Full Of Ghosts was one of my favorite novels of 2015, and then I heard about the new book, but I kept forgetting the damn title. Finally remembered it and then I got a copy for my Kindle app which I don't recommend by the way. There's a problem with Tommy's notes not showing up well and the only way to see them is by zooming in on them which becomes a pain in the ass after awhile. Fork out the cash for the dead tree version. Anyway, Devil's Rock is the story of a boy's strange disappearance, but this is a Paul Tremblay novel so nothing here is ordinary or run of the mill. I have twins that are Tommy's age so I felt a connection with this book. It's a parent's worst fear and Paul doesn't waste any time in getting us close to Elizabeth so that we feel her anguish. Each character is molded well, and realistic. They act exactly as they should, and you don't feel as if they're just there to move some pages around.

     The book itself is well written, which is exactly what drew me to not only this book, but Ghosts as well. This is a writer that has a knack for creating a story that moves at a steady clip and keeps the tension tightly wound. There's a darker, more sinister element lurking here and as the story develops you get pulled in without even thinking about it. I loved that he has given us a story that we can relate to and then throws in a few curve balls just to keep you on your toes. Paul Tremblay is a writer that knows how to hook the reader. Just when you think you have everything figured out, he switches things up. The mark of a good story teller is when he makes his readers feel comfortable, and then he changes the way we see a story, and the idea of how we think things are going to end. Just by reading this novel we already have an idea of what's happened, but it's the why that truly makes this book so good.

     While I loved the book, I didn't much care for the ending. It seemed to run out of steam at the end. These are all great characters, and the elusive Arnold is someone I wish we got to see more of but Paul seems to keep him in the shadows. As the book ends there's a surprise, but it feels almost like an after thought. After all of the buildup what we get is a bit of a letdown. I was expecting more, and as I sat there blinking at my tablet I was blown away by how good the novel had been. The race to find Tommy, and the reveal of who Arnold is, is the moment where you begin to hold your breath. There has to be something serious coming right? Right? No, it ends limply, but the entire novel was so damn good I can forgive him for that. I loved it even thought I felt the ending lacked some real power, and Tremblay is without a doubt one of my favorite authors. Is Disappearance At Devil's Rock one of my favorite books of year? Yes, and no. Yes, because Devil's Rock is a damn good book and one I will probably read again just in case I missed something the first time, and no because of the way it ended. I expected so much more and I kind of feel cheated.

The Good Girl

    The Good Girl - Mary Kubica 5/5
                                                     
 

      When I borrowed this one from the library the librarian told me this was a little bit like Gone Girl, and I couldn't disagree more. Gone Girl burrows into your head kinda like a tapeworm, and refuses to leave, but the Good Girl is a different animal entirely. For a debut, this is quite strong and has the usual likable, and not so likable characters. James for instance, is a cold feeling father that makes the perfect villain. He's a horrible father, and a terrible husband so anytime he enters a scene you can almost hear a few boos and hisses. While the similarities to Gone Girl are no doubt popping up everywhere this one has sort of the same ideals, but Gone Girl is a much better novel and the surprises there are mouth dropping. I don't want to take anything away from The Good Girl because it does have its share of jaw dropping moments, but they just don't have the same impact.

     Mary Kubica is a decent writer and manages tell the story through three characters without the story becoming cluttered. This way, you get the entire story from a variety of different viewpoints instead of just one. This gives The Good Girl far more impact and you get to see a mother try and redeem herself while going through her own period of mourning. Owen of course, is the point of view that reveals the relationship between himself and Mia and how it begins to evolve from a simple kidnapping to something deeper. It's a plot twist you can see coming from a mile away, but it doesn't hurt the novel any. You already can suspect what's going to happen, but it also has one hell of a plot twist that you don't see coming. The detective portions are okay and are expected. We all know what his job is and his insight to the story doesn't add much depth, but it's a little break in the action.

     As far as thrillers go, this one was decent and continues the trend of smart, intelligent novels that keeps you interested without overwhelming you with plot twists that seem to go nowhere. Kubica's debut is suspenseful, and she keeps the story moving at a steady clip. It's those last few pages that really grab you, and ties everything up nicely. It's a well written, nicely paced piece of fiction that you'll find just about everyone gushing over, and for good reason. In the summer you want a novel that you can read at the beach, and in the winter you want something that makes you forget just how cold it is (if you happen to live in places where it gets cold). I'm a writer that loves a well paced novel and Kubica's debut is a solid read that grabs your attention and holds it. Is it better than Gone Girl? No, but it's still a damn good book and one I highly recommend.

Haunt

    Haunt - Laura Lee Bahr  5/5
                                                 



      Haunt could easily be described as an anti novel. It takes pride in not existing in just one genre. The strength of Haunt is in the writing itself. Bahr has a gift for creating a story that takes the reader on a journey that doesn't follow routine story telling. If you love books that break new ground this is a book that you will no doubt devour, and come back to just see if there's something you may have missed. For those that like books that follow routine story telling are going to find this frustrating, but that's okay. At its core is a narrative that flows well and you feel as if you're a part of the story even at its most confusing, but in the end everything comes together.
 
      The question is how do you review a novel like this? You can only talk about its brilliance and how it's a ghost story with enough twists and turns to give you whiplash. Each character is well thought out and interesting so that when the narrative shifts you don't get bored. All of these characters have some connection to each other and the narrative itself is what makes the story so unique. Haunt may be described as a bizarro novel but it's more than that. It's a well written anti-novel that takes the reader for one hell of a ride. You won't find a novel like this because it's original and groundbreaking. If you like your novels deep and beautifully written, then Haunt is a novel you should read.  When people tell you that genre fiction is dead, they're lying and Haunt is proof that it's alive and well.

Cripple Wolf

Cripple Wolf - Jeff Burk 5/5
                                                             
   
      How do you describe Cripple Wolf? It's bizarro with hints of horror, and it's a book that would make a great introduction to classic bizarro. The kind of bizarro you just don't read anymore. As I read it I was reminded of how great this genre was and still can be. This short story collection starts off on a high note and just doesn't let up. There's not a bad story here and Burk is a great story teller that isn't so out there that you can't grasp the concept of the stories. Each story here is amusing, and well written. The lead off story Cripple Wolf feels like a classic B-rate horror film. It's got gore, and best of all a werewolf that happens to be in a wheelchair. For those with an aversion to the holidays there's even a twisted take on Frosty the Snowman that is quite disturbing.

     Of all the bizarro short story collections I've read, Wolf is one of my favorites. It's a classic collection that never fails to entertain and it has everything you would want in a book of weird fiction. Is it for those with an aversion to violence, or drugs, or elderly punk rockers? Nope, but you should read it anyway because it's a fun yet quick read that will no doubt become your gateway drug to the wonderful and brilliant genre that was bizarro fiction. Burk has created a classic short story collection that hits all the right notes and you won't be able to stop reading it once you've started.

All Dressed Up, Got Nowhere To Go

   Too Much, Too Soon: The Make-up & Break Up Of The New York Dolls - Nina Antonia 5/5

                                                             


     Let me just say thank Bob for Youtube so I can finally see old footage of the Dolls live because I wasn't lucky enough to have seen them during their initial run. I was born the same years the Dolls exploded on the scene looking like crazed transvestites. They were original at a time when rock music needed it and they gave rock fans something no one had ever seen before. You can see their influence all over popular music. Let's be honest and say that if it weren't for the Dolls those hairbands from the 80's would've never existed, and it's a known fact that KISS was hugely influenced by the band as well. With that being said, the book tells the Dolls story as it slowly unravels. The Dolls it seemed were poised to be the new face of rock 'n' roll, but instead they became a casualty.

      The books doesn't hold anything back and as far as bios go this one is really good because it doesn't try and lay blame on why The Dolls fell apart. You can see the cracks begin to form but no one was able, or even smart enough to stop it. If anything Too Much, Too Soon is a cautionary tale of what happens when the gimmick stops working. The Dolls were victims of a lot of things and at times the worst enemy of the band were themselves. It's informative, but at times I felt that there should have been more. More insight on the band, and maybe a few more pictures. Just having the story is good but what made the band so unique was their look. It's talked about in great length but the pictures that the author provide don't really do a casual fan any good.
                                                         

      While the Dolls were inventive and groundbreaking it's what also did them in. There were a lot of mistakes made, and you can feel a bit of sadness as you realize that The Dolls are falling apart. There would be no third record and the chemistry that the band had was all but destroyed and drugs and ego took hold. For anyone looking to read a book about the Dolls this is a decent read that gives you the history of the band and their slow tumble and eventual demise. I didn't know a lot about the band before reading the book and I'm glad that I read it. As a fan it gives me a better understanding of what made the band so good and what eventually caused their breakup. The band would reunite but it's just not the same. Most of the band is no longer with us, but we do have the records and the small amount of video footage to remind us just how great they were.

      The book is well researched so you get a fair and balanced read and there are interviews with each band member sprinkled throughout. This is their story after all and Nina clearly wanted to write a book that would appeal to fans as well as non fans. This is the story of the Dolls and their brief run in rock excess and into the history books. Now all we need is to get the band into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Shame where they belong.

                           

Hardwired.....

     Metallica - Hardwired...To Self Destruct 3/5                                                                               




       I woke up with some wicked ass heartburn and couldn't sleep so I headed over to Metallica.com and downloaded my digital copy of the new Metallica record. There was a lot of temptation to listen to this before release day but I avoided the videos that were released every two hours and the leaked version that came out on Sunday. Let's check it out. Right off you get punched in the dick by the title track which could easily fit on one of the band's first three albums. James is in fine vocal form and Lars who seems to have lost his skills as a drummer seems to be able to flail away with reckless abandon. This was exactly why I pre-ordered the record. That in your face thrash makes you want to wreck your neck and form a mosh pit with your cats. Atlas, Rise starts off with a riff that sounds a little familiar. Yeah, some of this song is lifted from the Four Horseman and you know what? It fuckin' smokes. I have to admit that James' voice has really struggled over the last two records but he's finally returned to form and unlike Death Magnetic this has a way better mix. You can hear everything clearly and Atlas, Rise is a reminder of just how great Metallica once was. This is another song that takes elements of the classic Metallica and uses them to give the song the punch that's been lacking since ….And Justice For All.
     We've waited eight years for Hardwired and the thing that drew me to this record was the thrash elements that ran rampant through the first three singles, but alas it's quickly snatched from us in the oddly placed Now That We're Dead which is kind of a letdown after such amazing songs like the title track and Atlas. It's kind of a bastard child of the Black Album, and Load/Reload. If you're a fan of those records you'll dig this, but for me it just kind of falls flat after such a strong opening. Those albums were always a sore spot for me and hearing a return to that era isn't a happy memory for me. The problem is that it's kind of catchy so you can't really hate it, but I want more of the thrash featured on the opening tracks. It's not a bad song, but not what I was hoping for when I envisioned the new album. Moth Into The Flame is a scorcher that again serves as a reminder of how great Metallica was. It's technical and again makes you want to mosh with your cats. Hammet's guitar work here is amazing and Lars is once again flailing away as best as he can. You can almost see him making those weird faces and yelling; "Fuck!" After the final take. Moth is everything you  want in a Metallica song and yeah, it made me smile a little.
     Moth may have knocked your face off but Metallica glues it back on with a burner called Dream No More which is a damn fine song. Imagine for a second that The Thing That Should Not Be had a baby. That would be this song. It's not as good mind you but it feels like a Puppets outtake. James snarls through this one and you can't help but bob your head in time to the lumbering rhythm. After the semi clunker Dream No More this is a far better track and while not as heavy as I had hoped it's just heavy enough to remind you that once upon a time Metallica was one of the best thrash metal bands in existence. Last song of the first disc or if you're like me the end of side two we have Halo On Fire which is an odd sounding song that's a kind of ballad that takes elements from every single era of the band and makes a little Metallisandwhich. After such a strong track list Halo is one of those songs that we're going to hear a lot of. It's got that catchy heavy vibe and you can't hate it even if you wanted to. It's the slow/heavy style that Metallica perfected on songs like Welcome Home, and even Fade To Black. This song could easily fit on Ride The Lightning. Maybe not, but still it's a balance between those eras with the polish of The Black Album.
     Now we're into the 2nd disc and a bit of a weird beginning with Confusion which once again sounds like an outtake from the Load/Reload sessions. It's a little heavier but it's just an okay song. A simple chorus that won't really win anyone over due to how bland it is.  It's probably going to be a song that will be all over the radio soon due to it's simplicity. Kind of reminds me of Sad But True. I hated that song, and I hated that entire album. I wish this song was shorter. It just keeps limping along, and will not stop.  Why am I feeling all weepy all of a sudden? That intro to ManUnkind sounds like a nod to Cliff and I wonder what he would have said about this album? This is a bit of a Sabbath inspired number that again seems lifted from those pesky Load/Reload sessions. What the hell happened? I thought this was a step into a heavier direction? This is just another mediocre track that reminds you just how shitty Metallica has become. It does have a thrashy kind of middle section, but compared to the first disc this is just falling apart real quick. This isn't the return I had hoped for. I feel tricked by a band that I once admired. ManUnkind again suffers from its length. If it was shorter it would be a little better. So far we have two clunkers on a double disc set.
      Hey, this sounds familiar! Revenge gets the band back on track and once again takes elements of every single era of Metallica and makes a tasty little Metallicasandwich. It's a song that just smokes in it's simplicity and lumbering rhythm section. If you're looking for an album that it would fit on it would have to be the Black Album. This could even serve as a lead off track in place of Enter Sandman. I should hate this song but so far this would be one of my favorites for some reason. I like the lyrics.  What the hell happened to this album? Am I Savage is another weak track that gives me flash backs of The Black album. Another one that just won't end and seems to wear out its welcome real quick. This second disc is filled with some serious filler. Maybe a single disc would have worked better. This is spiraling out of control and everything that worked on the first disc isn't working here anymore. You can skip Am I Savage. Pure filler.
      Skip Murder One too. It's a tribute to Lemmy but again seems bloated and just won't end. Not a bad song but after such a strong showing on the first disc we have a serious case of why are all these songs so long? They really should be shorter. Dyers Eve is the final track, wait, fuck me, I'm sorry this would be Spit Out The Bone and yeah, this is the perfect end to a bloated record. This is how the entire album should have sounded. Wow, where's my cats? I need to mosh it up. This is Rob's favorite song on the record and I can see why. Jesus, this is awesome!! After such an uneven track listing the record is over. Jesus, that second disc really seems a bit unnecessary.
     Overall, Hardwired isn't a bad album. It's just too long. It suffers from bloat and there's quite a bit of filler mainly on the second disc. This is where the cracks begin to show and you realize that maybe if  they had kept their ego in check this could have been a classic Metallica album. Far better than Death Magnetic and while I hated the Black, Load/Reload albums that style actually balanced out the pummeling in your face thrash that got me to buy this album in the first place. If you're looking for a return to the classic era of Metallica you're going to be sad and a little pissed off. Death was heavier, but Hardwired is ambitious as hell and takes elements from each era of the band to try and create an album that appeals to all Metallica fans. That's part of the problem. If you stopped listening to Metallica after Justice this is going to be a huge bummer, but if you stuck around through all of the records you're going to piss your pants in excitement. It's a safe record that tries a bit too hard to be relevant and if you're Metallica that shouldn't be necessary. Hardwired wants to please all of the fans and that's just not possible. The fans that left after The Black Album won't find some of these songs all that great, and those that hated Load/Reload are going to hate even more of these. So what you have are maybe four or five songs that old school fans will love and will no doubt chuck the rest.

While I wanted to hated it, I just couldn't because this is the best that Metallica can do. It's an album that just works in spite of its flaws and lofty goals. The Metallica we have now will never be as good as Metallica circa 1988. I don't think the band is capable of creating a classic album like Puppets, or even Lightning so we just take what we're given and that's Hardwired. It's the best and worst of Metallica's history. James and the band have tried to create an album that reminds us exactly why they're considered the best band in the world and it almost works but if you grew up in the classic era of the band you already knew that. You could ignore the band's output after Justice and be okay with your decision. Hardwired brings those feelings of disappointment back and you almost want to stop listening to the record but in the end you stick around just to be polite. As I process the digital download I can honestly say that for Metallica circa 2016 it's a solid record that reminds us from time to time why we love Metallica so damned much. There's those classic elements that make you want to break shit and then you have that pesky 2nd disc full of fillers so it's by no means a perfect record but it's a little better lyrically and vocally than Death, but not nearly as good as the first four albums. In the scheme of things this is the best that Metallica can do and I guess it's better than nothing.