Read 100+ Books in 2012 discussion

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January challenge

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message 51: by Kristy (new)

Kristy | 89 comments OK, now that I'm not trying to type on my tiny little screen on my phone, I can talk about the books!

No Shelter by L. Constance Frost

I actually enjoyed this book a lot more than I thought I would. The plot is a little predictable; but it doesn't make it less enjoyable. The story of a nanny/covert assasin who is starting to make the job (assasin, not nanny) a little more personal. When the children she watches are put into danger, she learns there isn't anything she won't do to save them. This one is the first of a series, but the premise is really a little weak and while it worked pretty good for one book, I'm not sure it would hold up. 3/5 stars


Forbidden Mind by Kimberly Kincade

A YA novel set at a school for kids with paranormal abilities, who are rented out to people who abuse the powers. They are told that when they turn 18 they "graduate" to they real world. But they are really being used to breed more paranormal children. I'll admit that there will always be a place in my heart for cheesy young adult novels, but I think this one was a little cheesier than I like them. This is also the first in the series.
2/5 stars

The Halo Effect by MJ Rose

Another first in a series! I think I went on a series hunt a while ago.

This one follows a sex therapist who is treating the leading "madame" of NY. The madame goes missing and the doctor goes undercover to find the person who took her. All the while dealing with being newly divorced and having a teenage kid who wants to be an actress It's really well written, and it kept me guessing until almost the end. I think I will continue with this series. 4/5

Chasing Rainbows by Kathleen Long

This book cracked me up, I was glad no one else was home when I read it or they would have all thought I was nuts! This is your basic "chick lit" book. It is what it is.

3/5

I am now well on track for my goal of 100 books this year 11/100.


message 52: by Chuck (new)

Chuck | 149 comments Finished THE RED PONY by John Steinbeck and have just started L.A. CONFIDENTIAL by James Ellroy.


message 53: by Kristy (new)

Kristy | 89 comments Changing my read for #8 as I was given the incorrect title by my friend. It's Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore. Which is the first of the "A love Story" series. Looking forward to it. A Dirty Job was one of my favorite books that I read last year, and I hope that this book continues my love of Christpher Moore's books.


message 54: by Sheila (last edited Jan 26, 2012 07:28PM) (new)

Sheila | 215 comments Mod
Christopher Moore is one of my favorite authors. Nothing is sacred but he is so funny. I read The Littlest Angel--what a Christmas tale--and The Island of the Sequined Nun. Funny. I picked it up because of the title.


message 55: by Kristy (new)

Kristy | 89 comments Finished "Maids of Misfortune" tonight. IT was ok, but it took me longer to read it than I ususally do because it wasn't holding my attention.


message 56: by Tatum (new)

Tatum | 47 comments Well, it's nearly the end of the month and I've read 4/9 books (plus 1 that did not fit any category). Logically I think I can probably get one more read but that's it. However I really enjoyed trying and am looking forward to seeing February's challenge!

4. The Silver Pigs by Lindsey Davis

Rating: 4/5

Review: This is the first book in the Marcus Didius Falco series. Now normally I have no problem with reading mystery series out of order as they are complete stories in themselves, but if you plan to read this series, I must recommend starting with this one as it has background info I don't think you'll get in subsequent titles.

If you are looking for something steeped in historical fact and detail, this is probably not the book for you. If you are looking for a fun mystery in a rather unique setting that naturally incorporates elements and facts from the Roman Empire, then you'll like this. I think setting a hard boiled private detective type in ancient Rome was quite brilliant and I loved the character of Falco. The supporting characters are also interesting and well drawn.

Thoroughly enjoyable and a quick, easy read, I would have given 4.5 stars if I could. It lost the star for occasional somewhat sloppy writing, not quite enough to detract from the story or enjoyment, but enough to notice it. That said, this was the author's first novel and she's gone on to write 19 more in the series, so I suspect her writing firms up in later volumes. I am definitely on the look out for the rest of the series!


message 57: by Sheila (new)

Sheila | 215 comments Mod
The Silver Pigs sounds good. I've been wanting to read the Falco series. I love Ancient Rome. I'm reading Stacy Schiff's Cleopatra and am halfway through. I'm really enjoying it but I am amazed how most of my one book club did not like it. Most thought it was too long and dry. I haven't found it dry or boring at all. Schiff's writing brings Cleopatra's Alexandria alive. I can see the opulence of her palace and how ahead of Rome Alexandria was. I'm so interested.


message 58: by Tatum (new)

Tatum | 47 comments Oh Sheila, your Cleopatra book sounds good too! I admit, I've always kind of been a sucker for ancient history, so that may be partly why and Cleopatra is one of the more interesting women historical figures in my opinion.


message 59: by Sheila (new)

Sheila | 215 comments Mod
I hope to finish Cleopatra this weekend. I'll let you know if the last half of the book continues as good as the first half.


message 60: by Sheila (new)

Sheila | 215 comments Mod
Fantastic!


message 61: by Kristy (new)

Kristy | 89 comments Completed Bloodsucking Fiends by Christopher Moore last night. I will say this, if you've never read a Christopher Moore book, this probably isn't the one to start with.

That being said though, I really enjoyed this book. It's the story of a woman who gets turned into a vampire one night. Already straddled with relationship issues, she has to find someone who can help her do all the things she needs to do in the daytime since she "dies" at sunrise and "wakes" at sunset. Enter C. Thomas Flood, an aspiring writer looking for someone to break his heart and inspire him.

Let's not forget about the serial killer terrorizing San Francisco, whom the Emperor is pretty sure is a vampire. I cannot fully explain the character of the emperor, he's a homeless man who has two hell hounds with him at all times... He acts as the "wise man" who knows all.

Laugh out loud funny, and sparked some thoughtful (if not completely bizarre) conversation about sex with vampires. 5/5 stars for me.

Looks like I'm finishing up the month at a total of 12 books *unless I read another one tonight/tomorrow.


message 62: by Chuck (new)

Chuck | 149 comments Stil reading "L.A. Confidential" by James Ellroy - So far it's been a good read.

Also started reading "An Irish Country Doctor" by Patrick Taylor, this months book selection for the club I belong to. Have read the first 60 pages and so far it's fun reading. Takes place in Northern Ireland near Belfast. "Barry Laverty, M.B., can barely find the village of Ballybucklebo on a map when he first sets out to seek gainful employment there, but already he knows that there is nowhere he would rather live than in the emerald hills and dales of Northern Ireland. The proud owner of a spanking-new medical degree and little else in the way of worldly possessions, Barry jumps at the chance to secure a position as an assistant in a small rural practice. At least until he meets Dr. Fingal Flahertie O’Reilly. The older physician, whose motto is to never let the patients get the upper hand, has his own way of doing things. At first, Barry can’t decide if the pugnacious O’Reilly is the biggest charlatan he has ever met, or the best teacher he could ever hope for."


message 63: by Sheila (new)

Sheila | 215 comments Mod
I've wanted to read An Irish Country Doctor. Thanks for the recommend.


message 64: by Sheila (new)

Sheila | 215 comments Mod
I finished Cleopatra by Stacy Schiff. I loved it. She brought the world of Cleopatra and Ancient Egypt to life. I felt that I was there seeing it. I highly recommend it.


message 65: by Tatum (new)

Tatum | 47 comments Read the first two books in the Percy Jackson series: The Lightning Thief and The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan. Both were very enjoyable reads. I rated them each 4 stars. They are middle school/YA books, but if you don't mind that, well worth reading. If I was a teenager, I could see them being 5 star reads, as it was, they were a little predictable in places. But I do genuinely want to read the rest of the series now. Highly recommended for reluctant readers, especially if they are boys.

I also read Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson which is the first in the Undead series. I rated it 2 stars, just an okay read. Very fast and a sort of mindless read. Not enough depth for me I don't think, though I will give the second book a shot to see if it improves. Note: This book contains some swearing and also several graphic sex scenes. Definitely an 18+ read and not for people who mind that kind of thing.


message 66: by Tatum (new)

Tatum | 47 comments Full reviews for my last three books:

1. The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
Rating: 4/5 (4.5)
Review: I have been meaning to get around to reading this series for a while now and I'm sorry I didn't do it sooner. Young people devour these books and for good reason. Admittedly, I'm something of a mythology buff and fantasy is one of my favourite genres, so I was a natural reader for this book. But I do think it would appeal to a wide range of people, young and older, avid readers and not, those who like fantasy and those who just like a good adventure story or interesting protagonists.

From the first page the book is fast-paced. The action, dialogue and plot flow effortlessly throughout, making you read just one more page, just one more chapter to see what will come next. The style is sophisticated enough to appeal to older readers while still remaining accessible to the younger ones. The characters are well drawn and engaging and the plot (while perhaps slightly predictable) is entertaining.

Had I been a middle school/teenager I could easily see this being a 5 star read. Had I been able to give 4.5 stars I would have done so and the only reason it didn't get 5 stars is because in places future events were forecast a little too clearly and some of the plot was too predictable. I can't recommend this enough for reluctant readers of both genders, but especially boys, which in a market that is heavily geared to young females is a rare thing and should be applauded.

2. The Sea of Monsters by Rick Riordan
Rating: 4/5 (4.5)
Review: The second book in the Percy Jackson series did not disappoint. Featuring the same easy to read style and fast paced plot of the first book it was an excellent second installment with the comfort of seeing familiar characters return and a couple of surprising (and interesting) new characters thrown into the mix. Once again the storyline drew the reader in from the first pages and didn't stop until the very last line of the novel. A sure way to get readers (including me) to pick up Book Three.

3. Undead and Unwed by MaryJanice Davidson
Rating: 2/5
Review: **Let me start by saying that this book has both swearing and graphic sex scenes in it and is not intended for readers under 18 or those who don't like that kind of thing. (Something I failed to realize when I purchased the whole series I might add).**

The Good: It's fast paced, it's entertaining and it's witty. There are parts of the book that elicited a smile or a snicker. If you are looking for a fluffy, sort of mindless book to while away an afternoon, this is a good book to choose.

The Bad: The foul language... now you will rarely see me complain about swearing in a book. I'm a grown woman, I can take it. But I have two issues with the bad language here. One of them would be placement. There are passages where a swear word or two would have seemed logical to use and yet there are none and then you have instances where a four-letter word is thrown in there as though the author just couldn't be bothered to think of a replacement. The second issue would be the use (3 times) of the one word I hate, the c-word. If you don't know what this word is, don't concern yourself, it's not worth knowing. Moving on...

The sex: There are no less than four sex scenes of varying detail in this novel (which is just under 300 pages). I will grant you that two of them make perfect sense and with a certain amount of suspension of belief, so does a third. However, the longest, most drawn out, most graphic of these sex scenes makes little sense to me given the circumstances of what else is going on in the plot at the time. It's just been forcibly interjected for the sake of being there and completely breaks the flow of the story... and it's not even particularly inventively written to make up for it.

So, all things considered, a disappointment and not what I was expecting. A pity considering I really did like the story and the style and the sharp edged humour. I am going to give the second book in the series a shot before I totally make up my mind, but this series might be a write off for me.


message 67: by Sheila (new)

Sheila | 215 comments Mod
I have the Rick Riordan series and, hopefully, I'll get to them this year but my house could rival a book store or library with all the unread books in it. We all need a vice. At least mine is legal, non-fattening, and moral. I met Mary Janice Davidson and I have to admit I was not impressed with her which was sad because most authors are cool people. I have her series but haven't read them yet.


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