There wasn’t a story it was vignettes of characters. I wasn’t offended by the characters’ depictions, but some might be in the year 2020. I do love hiThere wasn’t a story it was vignettes of characters. I wasn’t offended by the characters’ depictions, but some might be in the year 2020. I do love his prose though....more
“Little Creatures” by Stephen Quayle is not exactly Christmas reading but there is a very interesting section on Santa Claus. I wish SQ would have gon“Little Creatures” by Stephen Quayle is not exactly Christmas reading but there is a very interesting section on Santa Claus. I wish SQ would have gone deeper on some of the topics. It’s best not to write off the paranormal and esoteric as evil, but to keep questioning....more
“The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci” is a surprising mix of art history, time travel, and past lives. I loved the reincarnation thread. The romantic relations“The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci” is a surprising mix of art history, time travel, and past lives. I loved the reincarnation thread. The romantic relationship was tastefully written. Some language....more
“Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes,” by Edith Hamilton is readable unlike other mythology books I have found. At nearly 500 pages I still w“Mythology: Timeless Tales of Gods and Heroes,” by Edith Hamilton is readable unlike other mythology books I have found. At nearly 500 pages I still wished for more. The Norse Gods got cut short in the end. The book is a good start if you need something handy on Greek and Roman gods. Also there are a number of mermaids and mermen in here!...more
Mermaids: The Myths, Legends, and Lore goes beyond stories, but also talks about undeniable sightings. The book is a great starting point if you want Mermaids: The Myths, Legends, and Lore goes beyond stories, but also talks about undeniable sightings. The book is a great starting point if you want to know more about mermaids....more
Imaginative! And captivating writing! I really felt Ennara’s fear as her mom tried to comfort her about leaving home for a little while. But then we bImaginative! And captivating writing! I really felt Ennara’s fear as her mom tried to comfort her about leaving home for a little while. But then we become braver with her on her adventurous journey....more
“Earthforce! An Earth Warrior's Guide To Strategy" by Captain Paul Watson, 2nd Edition is like a love letter to his children or in this case, his volu“Earthforce! An Earth Warrior's Guide To Strategy" by Captain Paul Watson, 2nd Edition is like a love letter to his children or in this case, his volunteers and staff. There is a lot of good advice influenced by “The Art of War” by Sun Tzu. Watson has a highly intelligent ecologist’s point of view. If you are going to volunteer for Sea Shepherd then read this book. If you’re a writer and you need to write fighting scenes, read this book. If you live on Spaceship Earth you will learn a lot in this short book....more
I'm uplifted reading “Grayson” by Lynne Cox about her detailed experience in the ocean and reconnecting a baby whale with his mother. It’s the closestI'm uplifted reading “Grayson” by Lynne Cox about her detailed experience in the ocean and reconnecting a baby whale with his mother. It’s the closest to feeling like a mermaid. This one is going on my bookshelf so I can read it again....more
“The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Alex Haley is an honest account of Malcolm X’s life. The book is so detailed on where and when Malcolm X was, one “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” by Alex Haley is an honest account of Malcolm X’s life. The book is so detailed on where and when Malcolm X was, one could time travel to an exact moment to meet him.
Once he returned from his pilgrimage and said “I no longer subscribe to racism” is when he probably became more of a threat. His description of Mecca is like none other. I loved his youthful, dancing Harlem days too.
This “devil white man” he refers to is really the deep state and elites these days who have enslaved us all. (Or maybe it was “them” back then.) Fantastic read. Everyone must read “The Autobiography of Malcolm X” so we can collectively learn and move forward. The evil people are still up to the same shenanigans and have no new game plan. Malcolm X saw right through people.
Sounds about right. The list is long who are using “Animal Farm” as their playbook. They have no imagination and don’t realize they are being mocked, Sounds about right. The list is long who are using “Animal Farm” as their playbook. They have no imagination and don’t realize they are being mocked, though they don’t care. Great read and even more fun if you are an animal lover....more
"Outlining Your Novel" will get you excited about outlining. Whether you’re a plotter or pantser there are lots of great ideas on how to structure you"Outlining Your Novel" will get you excited about outlining. Whether you’re a plotter or pantser there are lots of great ideas on how to structure your story. Weiland interviews an author at the end of each chapter regarding their outlining style, which I found helpful having more than one opinion. "Outlining Your Novel" is a must read along with the workbook for every fiction writer. The books will save you time and money....more
Young’s writing is beautiful. Even though the premise of the story is about a murdered daughter, the themes of love, relationship, and forgiveness makYoung’s writing is beautiful. Even though the premise of the story is about a murdered daughter, the themes of love, relationship, and forgiveness makes one feel good. It’s a comforting book to read before bedtime.
I think what trips people up about “The Shack” is the foreword and the afterword. Young makes it sound like the story is true. The foreword is usually for another author to make comments about the author of the book. Young used the foreword as part of the story. As long as you realize “The Shack” was his first book, and he wrote it for his children then you will be able to read without stumbling. It’s a novel and a good read....more
Romance oozes from the pages of this Highlander story. I love a sweet paranormal or urban fantasy. Romance writer, Jane, time travels through her dreaRomance oozes from the pages of this Highlander story. I love a sweet paranormal or urban fantasy. Romance writer, Jane, time travels through her dream to her sexy Highlander. Aeden’s real! The Unseelie King and the Seelie Queen playing with the humans reminds me of Shakespeare’s Midsummer Night’s Dream, which sprinkles a little bit of darkness and mystery. I’m new to the series, but the novella read like a stand-alone. I truly felt swept away by the author’s dreamy voice and story. I’ll be back for more. Yay for urban fantasy!...more
Rhys, an immortal knight thinks he is guarding the Holy Grail for good, but Avery, the grounded angel knows better. She is only here to get the Grail Rhys, an immortal knight thinks he is guarding the Holy Grail for good, but Avery, the grounded angel knows better. She is only here to get the Grail back, but the truth is she has loved the Blood Knight from afar for years.
I love the backstory of how Avery lost her wings and Rhys became an immortal. There are lots of other great paranormal characters like a Were, a wolf, a fae, a few vampires and some Shades. There are cool rules in Angel Unleashed, an urban fantasy quest story set in London. There is a whole world to be discovered in the pages. ...more
“Empire Beneath the Ice” is so much more interesting than any history book I read in high school. Perhaps, we were all bored in class because it was a“Empire Beneath the Ice” is so much more interesting than any history book I read in high school. Perhaps, we were all bored in class because it was a lie. The truth is invigorating. SQ smacks people upside the head to wake up because hell is roused. But there is a happy ending if you chose it....more
Suspenseful and gives a look into the life of an activist. There is a kernel of wisdom in every chapter. Laurens de Groot is truly a decent guy. I reaSuspenseful and gives a look into the life of an activist. There is a kernel of wisdom in every chapter. Laurens de Groot is truly a decent guy. I really enjoyed his point of view....more
Ian, The Preacher, is one cool dude. He not only saves Maggie, but all the women at the saloon. Maggie being taken prisoner a few times adds to the twIan, The Preacher, is one cool dude. He not only saves Maggie, but all the women at the saloon. Maggie being taken prisoner a few times adds to the twists. The history enhances the richness of the story too....more
I want to get on a Sea Shepherd ship with butchers and hunters and vegan hippies dueling in a haiku contest. Peter goes native to make the democratic I want to get on a Sea Shepherd ship with butchers and hunters and vegan hippies dueling in a haiku contest. Peter goes native to make the democratic microcosm tangible. Though Paul Watson is the unfazed leader and hero, like an arrow zig-zagging to its target, the Nisshin Maru.
I hope everybody reads The Whale Warriors. The true story is a reminder that the ocean is dying in our lifetime. Fisheries will collapse by 2048. We must stop eating fish. And if we are to call ourselves human we must stop killing in this vicious way and hopefully stop eating animals. ...more
At first introduction I didn’t like Max. I thought, “Another alpha-male.” But Max is not the scary guy he pretends to be in front of Abigail. He’s reaAt first introduction I didn’t like Max. I thought, “Another alpha-male.” But Max is not the scary guy he pretends to be in front of Abigail. He’s really protecting her, but she goes off into the night in a scary part of London to get her sentimental trinket back from the gravediggers. I love the plot and the romance between Max and Abi. “A Matter of Grave Concern” is definitely more for the ladies. Abi is likeable and fearless as she joins the London Supply Company and Max. It’s a nice touch the author did to bring the hero and heroine together. Max needs to find his half-sister and Abigail needs cadavers for her dad’s medical school....more
This is the craft book you are looking for. If you want to plot and not waste time this is the book for you. If you want to sell fiction this is the bThis is the craft book you are looking for. If you want to plot and not waste time this is the book for you. If you want to sell fiction this is the book for you. Having a goal, motivation and conflict for your characters before you write will not kill your muse. You will sit at your computer without anxiety knowing you have a goal to write scene after scene surrounding a particular set of events. Let your characters reach their goals as you reach yours by reading "GMC: Goal, Motivation & Conflict: The Building Blocks of Good Fiction."...more
“Skinny Dip” is solid as a supposedly-deceased wife, Joey, gets even with her dip-wad husband, Chaz. I really wanted Chaz, the creature and planet hat“Skinny Dip” is solid as a supposedly-deceased wife, Joey, gets even with her dip-wad husband, Chaz. I really wanted Chaz, the creature and planet hating marine biologist, to get eaten by an alligator.
Being an earth lover I loved the Florida Everglades as its own character being crapped on by Chaz and his “farmer” boss Red Hammernut, who leaks fertilizer into the water.
I rooted for Joey and Mick to get together. Mick’s the sane person in the story. He lives on an island with his dog.
Rolvaag, the cop is sane too, since he wants to get out of Florida, but then he has snakes.
Every character has a very memorable habit. Mostly the book is about a bunch of white trash people. Lots of foul language. Hiaasen is funny and he loves colorful adverbs. Interesting juxtaposition of words from the tacky to the intelligent.
This book was passed down to me from many other people. The ship and water setting is what made someone think of me. I did enjoy the setting of the Everglades. It was a nice trip to Florida.
From a writer’s perspective, Hiaasen breaks the rules and I like it. He head hops, uses dialogue tags in front of dialogue, introduces characters at the end of the book and he tells a lot of the details.
“Skinny Dip” is the perfect read if you need something silly and to laugh getting your mind off of reality. ...more
I have never read a Stephan King novel. Every author mentions him so I thought I’d give him a chance. I picked something more recent to read, Joyland.I have never read a Stephan King novel. Every author mentions him so I thought I’d give him a chance. I picked something more recent to read, Joyland. It’s a mystery which intrigued me at the cover. But it starts out slow. It really doesn’t get into the story until about page 100. It feels a bit episodic, which I don’t mind. Devin is obsessed with his ex-girlfriend. He learns about an old murder that happened where he will work for the summer, Joyland, an amusement park. At some point I think Dev is so obsessed with this girl who didn’t have the balls to make a clean break from him, will copy-cat murder her. But no. Then I thought it was another person who murdered Linda Gray, but no again. The suspense did build. I really liked the love story between Devin and Annie and the side story about her son. That was the better part of the story, which really isn’t the story. The funny thing is that I recently heard an author say King’s endings suck. I have to say this ending didn’t suck. It did hit a bump with a small unneeded scene, but the ending was good. It had that Alfred Hitchcock moment where the good guy and the bad guy struggle until one of them dies. ...more
I loved the Steampunk, futuristic, deserted island setting. Great emotional depth of the two lonely-heart characters. Beautiful descriptions too. I wiI loved the Steampunk, futuristic, deserted island setting. Great emotional depth of the two lonely-heart characters. Beautiful descriptions too. I will definitely read another Zoe Archer book. I’m a fan....more
Frank Herbert is an amazing writer. I love Dune then I read Dune Messiah, which I love. As a writer I noticed a slight change in his writing in Dune MFrank Herbert is an amazing writer. I love Dune then I read Dune Messiah, which I love. As a writer I noticed a slight change in his writing in Dune Messiah. In Dune, Herbert didn’t use words like noticed, felt, sensed to explain feelings or to mark internal dialogue. In Dune Messiah he does. I wonder if other authors told him he needed to get into the character’s feelings.
His voice is unique either way, but I did like how he stayed away from telling us how someone noticed something or felt something or sensed something in the first book. His characters are strong or unique and I didn’t feel cheated by the lack of talking about feelings in Dune.
Back to Dune Messiah, Paul now lives in a bubble, wait, I guess he has always lived in one. We see the problems with trying to create a perfect ruler and making an emperor into a god. I do wish Herbert had gotten into more description of the beautiful, lush land Paul is surrounded by.
This is not an action packed book like the first one, but it is a page turner. I kept wondering who is going to die? I still love Chani and Paul’s relationship and how he stays true to her, but it’s a sad ending. I wanted Paul to be by Chani’s side when she gave birth or to spend more time with her in the end. The book was written back when men didn’t stay in the birthing room with woman.
I love Alia, who is this moody teenager dressed in black. So happy she and Duncan Idaho had a moment. I loved the scene in the ‘thopter. And I love how Duncan worries about her overdosing. Of course, Duncan trying to fight his inner conflict of being told to kill Paul adds to the conflict.
I hear Duncan sticks around, yay! And Paul returns, yay! Now I wonder if Alia is the next ruler.
Hey and Jessica never leaves Caladon. She only sends a letter to Alia. It would have been nice to have seen her. Is she going to visit her grandchildren in the next book?
There is a new character, Bijaz, who helps Paul. He reminds me of R2D2 and C3P0 mixed together, a bit annoying. There is a man-fish character, Edric, who floats in orange mélange. He’s none too bright, as he is used to hide his co-conspirators’ plan from Paul’s prescient sight. As always, Herbert has great characters, good and evil. ...more
Can you imagine being on a date with this guy? And when I say this guy, I refer to Melville. When Ishmael narrates, I hear Melville.
While on a date wiCan you imagine being on a date with this guy? And when I say this guy, I refer to Melville. When Ishmael narrates, I hear Melville.
While on a date with Melville, I mean Ishmael:
Melissa stood by Ishmael’s side in the entrance of New England restaurant. Roast, clam chowder and bread filled the air.
“Indeed, this is a dusky entry. I do like the fireplaces all around.”
“I agree, Ishmael.”
“Call me, Ish.” He smiled.
The waiter led them to their table.
Sitting in a dark, heavily wooded booth, Ish scans every nook and cranny. “What ponderous beams above and old wrinkled planks beneath.”
“Yes, Ish,” I hope this gets more interesting.
“I hope my roommate Queequeg didn’t frighten you?”
Shaking her head Melissa said, “Oh no. Not at all. He seems very down to earth.”
“He’s a bit like George W. cannibalistically developed,” Ish said straight-faced.
Melissa cracked a smile. Funny guy.
— When they say this book is a voyage, it’s really episodic. I do like episodic stories, but this one feels like we are hearing Melville’s experience at sea.
I do love the writing style and nautical word choice, the characters Ishmael and Queequeg and the visual I get from the setting. I like the humor—I laughed a few times—but it doesn’t follow all the way through the story if you can call it a story. Maybe I didn’t catch all the humor too because I did have to reread sentences.
It seems to me that the whale is compared to God, maybe our faith. Or you could say it’s about the lack of humanity. Revenge? I do enjoy Melville’s comparisons.
“God speed,” as they say when going on a voyage. Maybe that’s what the whale signifies, you need God on your side to understand it all. Or we don’t fully understand God, therefore, we don’t fully understand Moby Dick. ...more
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