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R3: SS Stuck to Books (11)
I'm starting early this time. :) Reading K author- Stephen King. Should be interesting...
Had to make a slight alteration of my book choice.I'm switching to Floodgates by Mary Anna Evans, #5 in the Faye Longchamp series.
Week 6Spot 35
by Stephen KingFinished 10/5/14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
Reading this book made me realize just how talented and creepy Mr. King is. I loved this book. Mort Rainey is a famous author who has is recently divorced. He found his wife in a motel room with a real estate agent and his world came crushing down. He moved out of their mansion to the summer home and started to piece together what was left of himself and start life again. Unfortunately, this is interrupted by a man that comes to his door and furiously claims that Mort "stole his story". While Mort knows this isn't true, he entertains conversation and even offers proof which he is able to provide. During these three days of waiting for the proof however, his visitor is not who he may seem to be. And he keeps himself very busy while he's waiting. :) It's a great story and is crafted very well by King who has you sitting on the edge of your seat. I just couldn't put this one down.
Week 6Spot 35
by Sharon KleveFinished 10/9/14
Rating: ★
Review:
This book includes 4 separate stories. The first story:
is really not good. It comes off as really silly, to the point of ridiculous. There is a boss who doesn't know how to check his own email and stamps his foot when told what to do... A boyfriend who immediately breaks up with Corny because he doesn't like her career dreams... a girl who is "graduating" from detective school at the end of the book, but we never once saw her go to class or complete any coursework, etc. The dialogue is just not natural, and reading the conversations between Corny and her ferret is annoying. Maybe it is just me, but I don't think animals would talk like that! Also, the characters keep describing objects so strangely... over and over. For example, a head is a "noggin" and her car was "toast". Throughout this short book we never really learn anything about the characters at all. The story is very abrupt and jerky. One paragraph we are following a conversation between Corny and someone, and the next thing we know several hours have passed and she is doing something else... with no indication of what happened in between... etc. etc. You get the idea. Yes... this story is easy to read because it is written very simplistically, like a children's book, but this type of story telling doesn't match the actual events in the story line (multiple physical altercations, sexual situations, etc).The second story is
. I actually listened to the audio of this bit of the book. The book is about 40 minutes long. The narration is not good. The acting is forced and annoying to listen to, and the sound quality is really poor. The story line itself is very silly (in a bad way). There are sexual scenes that don't blend well with the ridiculous story and characters. This book could be read as a standalone since the basics of book one are covered. The third story is called
. Overall, again, just not a good story, for the same reasons I already mentioned. One thing that bothers me is that the book cover shows a bull dog, when the main dog character is a lab. The majority of this book focuses on what Corny should give Steve for Valentines Day, and also the dog, Brutus. Brutus is a new character to the series. He apparently had an incident in between books 2 and 3 that we hear about, and he basically spends the book trying to make up for it. There are some "pet detective" scenes, but nothing too wild and crazy occurs. This could also be read as a stand alone, since the basics are covered.The final book is
. This book covers Corny going through the jury selection process, and the crazy behavior or Steve's ex girlfriend. This book is more like the first story, in that there is some unexpected violence (multiple scenes, multiple assailants, etc). In this story, a villain from the first story reappears, but I still think this could be read as a standalone without the reader feeling lost. Overall... the entire book is a one star, as are each of the stories. There are several reasons why I would not recommend this book... The storyline is just not fully developed. There were multiple times that I sensed I was missing something, but I started the series at book one, and read them all... so I don't think that is possible. Aspects of the story were basically just dropped. For example, in story one, there is a brief mention of a widow possibly murdering her husband... but we never hear about that again. One of Corny's friends has a boyfriend with a mysterious occupation, but the reader never finds out what that is, or the details of a conversation that place between this boyfriend and undercover cops. While this story was easy to read, the storytelling itself was choppy and awkward. The book was full of mistakes... misplaced commas, apostrophes, and quotation marks... mistakes involving homonyms, misspellings of names... It was distracting.
Spot 35Floodgates by Mary Calmes(Faye Longchamp #5)
Finished: 10/9/14
Rating: Four stars
Review:
Faye Longchamp is working at a dig near a battlefield in the New Orleans area when the body of a young woman is found during a Hurricane Katrina clean-up campaign in the Lower 9th Ward. The skeletal remains are identified as Shelly Broussard, a young woman who served as a rescuer after the hurricane broke the levees and flooded a large share of the area where her parents lived. No one knows how or why she ended up under the flood rubble.
Faye and her dig crew find themselves in the thick of the investigation, especially when the detective on the case, Jodi Bienvieu, hires her and her fiance, Joe Wolf Mantooth, as consultants on the case. Between attempts to track piece together Shelly's last days, they come up against uncommunicative witnesses, shameless exploitation of the disaster for profit, survive a near drowning in the Mississippi River and narrowly miss being shot.
This was a pleasant read, not stellar but certainly enjoyable. It's the only one of this series I've tried out. I'll probably wait a while before I pick up 1-4.
Kazuo Ishiguro
Author K
Finished: 10.9.14
3 stars
Remains of the Day is one of those books that makes you feel full in about 20 pages. Not to say it was bad at all, it was actually pretty awesome, but it's not a good book to read for a challenge. It's about an old butler after the heyday of large houses has passed (post world war II) looking back on his life while taking a very, very rare motoring vacation. The characterizations in the book were incredibly well done, my only issue was with the pace, and occasionally the length of the tangential story lines. Basically, this is a book where very little happens. Instead, you get an old man reminiscing about times where things happened, but not necessarily (or often) to him. I'd like to revisit this book, when I can devote more attention to it.
I'm running a little late guys. We have until midnight to roll I think. That's like 15 more hours right? I'll get my review in by then and roll after that. :)
If you can't get to it, don't stress. We can always use the free pass.
I still have a little more of the book to read and I don't think I'll be done in time......So I'm doing as Rose suggested and using our free pass. So sorry guys, I'll start earlier from this week.
PS: Rose did I tell you that you're an amazing captain? Thanks for understanding :)
Using our free pass:Rolled a 7 (5+2). Now on spot 42 (35+7).
->Read a series #4
->Read a series #2
->Read a series #42
->Read a book by Author E
No problem. That's what it's there for. I had some issues getting though mine, too. Sometimes page counts are deceiving.
Well, this is perfect. I was supposed to start the second book of the Dresden files last week and never did. Guess I will start tomorrow. :)
Sha- How are you liking Harry and the gang? Although, he doesn't have much of a gang in the first one, now that I think of it.
Didn't really get the "gang" in the first one so I will have to let you know. Lol. So far though, I love Harry. He's a trip. I'm going to enjoy this series!
Ancillary Sword is AMAZING. I can already tell I'm adding another author to the favorites list.
Finshed:10/16/14
5 Stars
I absolutly loved this book. It's not as intricately complicated as the first book, which I also love, but is just as well written and intriguing. I can't say too much about the actual plot, since any descriptions could be spoilers for the first in the series, but I am salivating over the thought of the third in the series. Nerd issues....
Spot 42The Book of Spirits by James Reese, #2 in the Herculine series
Finished: 10/16/14
Rating: Five stars
Review:
This is a whirlwind of a novel, the plot changes direction so swiftly it's a bit dizzying. Herculine, born a hermaphrodite in France and tutored as a witch (in the pagan sense), has traveled to the United States to seek her destiny. Setting down in Virginia in 1826, she soon becomes embroiled in a plot to save Celia, a beautiful young slave brutalized by her master. Mammy Venus, a disfigured but powerful slave woman, enlists Herculine's help, as well as that of Edgar Allan Poe (yes, the poet), his mentally challenged sister Rosalie and the foul ghost of their dead mother, Rosalie.
Think it can't get weirder, more complicated or more interesting? Wrong on all accounts. Herculine takes Celia to Florida, falls hopelessly in love with her, makes Celia, via love potions and spells, return this mad passion. Shame and horror soon ruin their love for Herculine, as Celia's passions begin to take a dark and destructive turn. Herculine flees to New York at the direction of Sebastiana, Herculine's mentor from France. She winds up in a high class whorehouse run by witches, where she at last learns to accept her physical peculiarities. Returning to Florida, she lands in the middle of hostilities between the Seminoles and white settlers.
Wow. I thought the first installment was a maze. This was even better.
Week 7Spot 42
by Jim ButcherFinished 10/16/14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
This is the second book in the Dresden files and I am enjoying it quite a bit. In the first book, I got an idea of Harry's personality but in the second book, I get a little more depth into his character. I am a little curious about his relationship with Murphy. Even though she is pretty mean and brutal with him, I think that part of the story will continue to develop as the books continue. This second book is about werewolves and murders that Harry has to connect. Harry is put through a lot in this book and has to pull out some good wizardry to save his butt and others. I'm hoping that the rest of the series continues at this pace where I like the current better than the last. Fun stuff.
I'm almost done. Just 4 chapters to go :)
Week 7Spot 42
by Kiera CassFinished 10/17/14
Rating: ★★★
Review: It was okay. There were definitely somethings I wasn't expecting at all that happened and I got to know all the characters a little more. But the MC, America was very very confused in this book. I found that a little frustrating. I loved getting back to the story though. :)
I am so sorry to keep everyone waiting! But here is my review, finally!Week 7
Spot 42
(E author)Finished 10/17/14
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
I loved this! This was a perfect chick lit read, though "darker" than most chick lit due to some serious topics, drug use and lots and LOTS of drinking. I laughed out loud SO many times, this book was just so funny :) I also really loved the setting (Key West). The romance was a bit unconventional. I admit, I was shocked by the first chapter alone! But this story definitely sucked me in and I am left wondering what happens next! A sequel would be great.
All reviews in. I'm rolling :)
I went ahead an rolled for us :)Rolled a 8 (3+5). Now on spot 50 (42+8).
-Read a standalone
-Read a book set in Texas
-Read the 5th in a series
-Read the 50th in a series (wow)
Ohoh. Looks like we rolled at the same time XDI'll just delete my post :P
That is hilarious! Great minds think alike
I'll be reading a standalone-
by John Grisham
Spot 50Looking for Mr. Goodbar by Judith Rossner - standalone option
Finished: 10/19/14
Rating: Five stars
Review:
This was one of those couldn't-put-it-down novels. The feminist issues it addresses are perhaps not as fresh or as wildly political as they once were, but they are still relevant. Through Theresa, a young, outwardly nonchalant but inwardly vulnerable woman, Rossner addresses the 'battle between the sexes,' the pressure to be 'perfect' and the devastating effects of both on women like Terry in the 1960s.
Terry suffered from polio at a very young age, something that could have been lessened if her parents hadn't been so wrapped up in their grief for her older brother. Later, this illness causes a curvature of the spine which requires several surgeries to correct. Terry, who feels ugly and unloved compared to her beautiful older sister and athletic younger sister, begins to isolate herself emotionally. Her first love affair, with a manipulative, egotistical college professor, ends so painfully that she begins to starve herself.
Later, she becomes a school teacher, a job she loves, while spending her nights in bars, picking up strangers. In this way, she seeks to reassure herself that she is desirable, while at the same time avoiding emotional rejection. Paradoxically this makes her feel powerful but also bolsters her lack of self-worth. This dual role of exploiting and being exploited is by now a classic symptom of past unaddressed pain.
This is a "period piece" - some of the language and social attitudes will seem pretty old fashioned to young women today. Terry's promiscuity and lack of attention of safe sex appears not only idiotic but almost criminally negligent in the age of potentially fatal, incurable STDs and rampant sexual predators. By that token, the ending certainly comes as no surprise but it doesn't make Terry any more of a tragic figure.
Sha Spot 50
by John GrishamFinished 10/22/14
Rating: ★★★★
Review:
I've read several of John Grisham's books and this one is a bit different from his norm but equally enjoyable. Rick Dockery played for the Cleveland Browns in the NFL. During the divisional championships, the coach put him in to finish off the game that was basically already won and Cleveland was making plans to go to the Super Bowl. Unfortunately, Rick pretty much made history as the worst botched up game plays that threw the win and their chances for the big game. The fans, players and community were livid and wanted him dead. Waking up in a hospital room after a bad concussion, Rick knew his NFL career was over. For a moment it seemed he would never play football again since the news of his horrible loss went viral and no one wanted him...until a little town in Italy made an offer.
Rick traveled to Italy to play football in a very small scale league known to recruit 2-3 Americans each year. Rick knew this would be a good opportunity for him to get away and out of the spot light. What he didn't expect was how this town encompassing great food, wine, tradition and people would quickly begin to open his heart to something new and exciting.
Loved this book! I would have given it 5 stars except that it didn't seem to be finished. There could have easily been an additional 50 pages of "what happened next?" That was my only disappointment. Otherwise, thoroughly enjoyed it.
By Donna Tartt
Finished: 10.18.14 (I do know how to procrastinate)
Four stars
Review:
This was an interesting book. It took place in a liberal arts college in the 1990s. Before you even know that, however, you find out that the main charecter has just participated in a classmates murder. The book then jumps back to the past where you learn how, and why, the murder took place.
You find out the main character is from a poor background and has transferred into a small group of classically taught (by one quirky professor) students. He winds up trying to hide his lack of money, and fit it to the tight nit group. This gets more complicated when dynamics around him begin to shift, and the true nature of his classmates (and himself) are relieved.
The last half of the book takes place after the murder, and was the least interesting to me. It lacked the freshness, and anticipatory atmosphere of the beginning. The first half of the book was really enjoyable since you are waiting to find out if the character who was murdered was an innocent victim, or if something else is going on. I would recommend this book if you like mysteries, and especially if you went to a liberal arts college and studied dead languages in your free time (I have always had strange hobbies-don't judge).
Arshiya- I just noticed you haven't posted what you're reading. Everything all right?
Week 8Spot 50
Finished 10/23/14
Rating: ★★★
Review:
I struggled when trying to decide if I should give this book 2 or 3 stars. On the one hand, this is supposed to be a children's book, but I just found some aspects of the storyline too complicated, and some of the humor and narration too advanced for children to appreciate. (Not that the words themselves were too advanced, but the sarcastic/ironic humor would most likely not be understood.) On the other hand, it was jam packed with adventure and imaginative situations. This story incorporates aspects of many popular fairy tales. My favorite character was Rant, the talking fox, and his magic napkin. I personally did not overly enjoy reading this, but it could be a fun read for older children or teens.
Everything's fine. I just couldn't decide on my book and then I forgot to post XDMy reading a #5 in series. I'll be done in a few hours :)
Spot #50
Rating: 5 stars
Review: I've been waiting for this book for sooooooo long. I felt very good to be able to read to FINALLY!
And it was amazing! Just one awesome adventure after another. Right from the start of the book there was something new happening. I liked that Rick Riordan wrote some chapters from Reyna and Nico pov, it was good to finally know them. And the ending... :)
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The Challenge Factory
Books mentioned in this topic
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->Read a series #3
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->Read a book with a K Author