Croak - Gina Damico
Fun read in the Halloween spirit.
Quick read at over 250 pages but not crowded with words on those 250 pages.
I just finished reading this book, which was first reviewed by Emma. It is definitely a book aimed at the teen scene. Very clever idea about the grim reaper(s). Not at all like the one in The Book Thief. He would be too old and unhip for this crowd. This is the author's first book and she will likely get better at describing things some of which were just too regular such as, "She felt like she had been hit in the stomach" does anyone write that anymore. Do editors let writers write like that any more? A number or references to dinosaurs which I found to be odd. She is not as polished a writer as the Twilight or Hunger Games teen writers, but a good effort. The characters were lovable in a Bella and Edward type way. Meaning, there were times you just wanted to smack the heroine.
This is the first in a series and I'll admit I wonder what is going to happen next. I'll keep reading safe in the knowledge that one is already written and the last is on the way.
Now a soap box moment. Why does everything have to be a series. This book ends one mystery and in the last few pages introduces a whole new one. There is no sense of completion. "Wow that book was great. I hope the author will write another one. I really liked these characters." I can read a thick book so wait until your story is complete and then submit the manuscript. The answer is of course money likely on the part of the publisher as well as the writer. If the book hadn't sold I don't think we'd be looking forward to book two.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Monday, October 22, 2012
Ally Condie's series
Full disclosure: This is going to be a 3 book series and only the first 2 are out right now. The third one comes out in November.
Matched
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
Crossed
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky — taken by the Society to his certain death — only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.
Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander — who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart — change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.
I listened to the first book "Matched" on my recent trip down to see Emma's cute new baby. The book lasted me down and back so around 12 hours or so. I enjoyed the story. I probably wouldn't say the writing is amazing or stellar or anything like that, but it is a good story and very entertaining. It actually made the drive pleasant. The author, Ally Condie, is a Utah girl, so if you read the series, you get the added benefit of feeling like you are supporting local authors/artists :)
I think if you liked the Hunger Games series than you'd probably like this series, too. I especially think Emma might like this one.
Matched
Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate... until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.
The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.
Crossed
In search of a future that may not exist and faced with the decision of who to share it with, Cassia journeys to the Outer Provinces in pursuit of Ky — taken by the Society to his certain death — only to find that he has escaped, leaving a series of clues in his wake.
Cassia’s quest leads her to question much of what she holds dear, even as she finds glimmers of a different life across the border. But as Cassia nears resolve and certainty about her future with Ky, an invitation for rebellion, an unexpected betrayal, and a surprise visit from Xander — who may hold the key to the uprising and, still, to Cassia’s heart — change the game once again. Nothing is as expected on the edge of Society, where crosses and double crosses make the path more twisted than ever.
I listened to the first book "Matched" on my recent trip down to see Emma's cute new baby. The book lasted me down and back so around 12 hours or so. I enjoyed the story. I probably wouldn't say the writing is amazing or stellar or anything like that, but it is a good story and very entertaining. It actually made the drive pleasant. The author, Ally Condie, is a Utah girl, so if you read the series, you get the added benefit of feeling like you are supporting local authors/artists :)
I think if you liked the Hunger Games series than you'd probably like this series, too. I especially think Emma might like this one.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman
I listened to this book at home. I had downloaded it but the first disc was everywhere. It is only 2 hours and 45 minutes long. I think the original book is a young adult book. It was a Newbery Medal Winner.
The cover says:
Lyrical yet unsentimental, the Midwife's Apprentice won the coveted 1996 Newbery Medal. Filled with striking characters, it paints unforgettable pictures of village life in the Middle Ages, the midwife's craft, and a very remarkable girl's growing independence and pride.
Brat has no name, no home, and no shelter against the 14th-century winter except the foul warmth of a dung heap. So when Jane the Midwife wakes her with a kick and takes the half-starved creature to her cottage, a curious relationship begins.
Jane teaches Brat to gather herbs and make the poultices used to ease the pain of childbirth for the village women. The skinny young girl quickly learns to obey the sharp-tounged midwife, and secretly watches Jane practice her art whenever she can. But Jane is also teaching Brat unspoken lessons that will take longer-maybe a lifetime-to master.
I really enjoyed this book. It has some wonderful lines, the characters are well written, and the story is fascinating. After having your babies you might be interested in how it was done all those years ago. I imagine this could be a very quick read. It would be well worth your time.
This author has written another book set in these times. The title is something like Catherine Called Birdie. It is about a young girl coming up to the age of marriage. I read it many years ago and like to too.
I listened to this book at home. I had downloaded it but the first disc was everywhere. It is only 2 hours and 45 minutes long. I think the original book is a young adult book. It was a Newbery Medal Winner.
The cover says:
Lyrical yet unsentimental, the Midwife's Apprentice won the coveted 1996 Newbery Medal. Filled with striking characters, it paints unforgettable pictures of village life in the Middle Ages, the midwife's craft, and a very remarkable girl's growing independence and pride.
Brat has no name, no home, and no shelter against the 14th-century winter except the foul warmth of a dung heap. So when Jane the Midwife wakes her with a kick and takes the half-starved creature to her cottage, a curious relationship begins.
Jane teaches Brat to gather herbs and make the poultices used to ease the pain of childbirth for the village women. The skinny young girl quickly learns to obey the sharp-tounged midwife, and secretly watches Jane practice her art whenever she can. But Jane is also teaching Brat unspoken lessons that will take longer-maybe a lifetime-to master.
I really enjoyed this book. It has some wonderful lines, the characters are well written, and the story is fascinating. After having your babies you might be interested in how it was done all those years ago. I imagine this could be a very quick read. It would be well worth your time.
This author has written another book set in these times. The title is something like Catherine Called Birdie. It is about a young girl coming up to the age of marriage. I read it many years ago and like to too.
Monday, October 15, 2012
Churchill by Paul Johnson
Critically acclaimed historian Paul Johnson explores the complex and fascinating character of Winston Churchill - the soldier, orator, and statesman who shined brightest during Britain's darkest hours. From his foray into the far-flung corners of the empire as cavalry officer and correspondent to his warnings of impending crisis as historian and Parliamentarian, Churchill faced the winds and tides of change with remarkable versatility and tenacity. One of his strategies strengthened moderate Muslims and successfully marginalized extremist Wahhabis of the House of Saud until Standard Oil's life-giving infusion revived jihadism. His Operation Archangel could have toppled the Russian Bolsheviks, preempted Mussolini and Hitler, and saved the lives of millions. And but for Churchill's vision and determination, there would have been no beefed-up British air power or the modern state of Israel. Illuminated with telling anecdotes and quotations, this compelling account of Churchill's tragedies and triumph the courage, resilience, and humor of this giant of the 20th century statesmanship.
Ok, first of all, those listed things were each about a paragraph in length. It also makes the book sound dry but it wasn't. I really enjoyed it. His life was amazing. He had a terrible childhood with rich parents who really had nothing to do with him as was the style of the day. His father never praised him. He loved (not romantically) the woman who raised him and his parents fired her when he went off to school. He found her and sent money when he could to help her. He was an amazing war correspondent. He was elected to government and would change parties when he needed to so he could get elected. He did well, he failed horribly, he was hit by a car in America and wanted to give up. He was faithful to his wife and she to him even though both of their mothers had numerous affairs. He had a family and loved them very much. He stayed in bed until noon making phone calls and dictating letters. He drank gin and "ate cigars and smoked matches" meaning he really didn't smoke all that much but liked the production that went into lighting a cigar. He stated he never owned a pair of pajamas in his life. He came back to power at the beginning of WWII although he had been on the outs for 10 years. Then when the war was over, Britons elected someone else. He wrote over two million words and painted over 500 oil paintings, and won a Nobel Prize for literature.
The part I enjoyed most was seeing the ups and downs of his life (lived over eighty years) and how he kept going even when life was bleak. He really "never gave up" to paraphrase. He was also very forgiving which was amazing to me in a politician. I also liked his philosophy of conserving energy. Never stand when you can sit, never sit when you can lie down. Worked for him so I'm adopting it as my own.
The book seemed to be fairly even handed although there are people who hated him and his politics. He was amazing so it is hard to not have it be a positive biography of the man. Well work reading if you have any interest in his life or history.
Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith
On my drive to Idaho, the first trip, I listened to Corduroy Mansions by Alexander McCall Smith. He is the author of The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency. I haven't read the books but watch a series of them on Netflix and loved them. This recording was 11.75 hours so it is a good size book. It was enjoyable to listen to but I think the reading might be a slow go. It really was like being a voyeur in these peoples lives.The CD cover says -
In a crumbling mansion described by architectural guides as "a building of no interest whatsoever," delightfully eccentric dwellers go about their lives. Marcia the caterer has eyes for wine merchant William, who keeps trying to evict his 24-year-old son. then there's loathsome Parliament member Oedipus Snark, the mother begrudgingly writing his biography, and the girlfriend who longs to be his wife. And that's to say nothing of Freddie de la Lay, a seatbelt wearing terrier who happens to be a devoted vegetarian.
This takes place over about five days. Very unsatisfying ending. Sure to be a sequel book. I loved Freddie de la Lay, written from Freddie's perspective. William's lack of backbone with his son got a bit old as did the resolution of their relationship at the end. Once again, boo to the ending.
Tuesday, October 9, 2012
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close by Jonathan Safran Foer
Here's the basic plot according to Goodreads:
Nine-year-old Oskar Schell has embarked on an urgent, secret mission that will take him through the five boroughs of New York. His goal is to find the lock that matches a mysterious key that belonged to his father, who died in the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11. This seemingly impossible task will bring Oskar into contact with survivors of all sorts on an exhilarating, affecting, often hilarious, and ultimately healing journey.
I already thought the author was amazing after I read his last book "Everything is Illuminated." I saw the movie that was based off of this new book first and just knew that there was probably so much more to the story and the characters and I was absolutely right. It's a beautiful book about grief and loss and what individuals do to survive (or not survive, really) such loss. The author intersperses pictures and other artistic gestures throughout the book which I thought was really creative. There is a lot of truth in this book and it seems to also be mixed with some magical realism (I thought this about his other book as well). I'm thinking specifically of the grandpa and grandma storyline here.
A powerful read that I would highly recommend.
I give it 5 stars.
If you like this book, you'd probably also like his other one Everything is Illuminated and his wife's The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.
Nine-year-old Oskar Schell has embarked on an urgent, secret mission that will take him through the five boroughs of New York. His goal is to find the lock that matches a mysterious key that belonged to his father, who died in the World Trade Center on the morning of September 11. This seemingly impossible task will bring Oskar into contact with survivors of all sorts on an exhilarating, affecting, often hilarious, and ultimately healing journey.
I already thought the author was amazing after I read his last book "Everything is Illuminated." I saw the movie that was based off of this new book first and just knew that there was probably so much more to the story and the characters and I was absolutely right. It's a beautiful book about grief and loss and what individuals do to survive (or not survive, really) such loss. The author intersperses pictures and other artistic gestures throughout the book which I thought was really creative. There is a lot of truth in this book and it seems to also be mixed with some magical realism (I thought this about his other book as well). I'm thinking specifically of the grandpa and grandma storyline here.
A powerful read that I would highly recommend.
I give it 5 stars.
If you like this book, you'd probably also like his other one Everything is Illuminated and his wife's The History of Love by Nicole Krauss.
Monday, October 8, 2012
Croak and Scorch by Gina Damico
This is book 1 and 2 in what is to be a 3 book series. I discovered the first book at my library. The shiny silver cover caught my eye and it had a picture of a teenage girl holding a scythe (?) so i picked it up read the back and was like eh why not. Best choice ever. The book is about a girl named Lex who's parents ship her off to go live with her uncle because she is a trouble maker. He lives in a town called Croak (that is also the name of the first book) where she is trained to become a grim reaper. Only Grim reapers live in croak. Sounds dark right? Well it kind of is but the way that the author wrote the characters gives the book a sense of humor that i really enjoyed. I honestly had moments when i would laugh out loud. They have reapers and they have cullers who collect the souls after the reaper has touched the person that has died. They have the afterlife which i love how the author portrayed it. Very similar to how i imagine the afterlife will be. Anywho Lex catches on quite fast at being a reaper and she has internal struggles to not take matters into her own hands and kill murders and people she feels deserves it. She blends in well with the people of croak and makes some fantastic friends and her partner driggs is a total spaz...but you learn to really enjoy him.
Then people start dying..people who aren't supposed to die, people that lex has her internal battles about are dying...and they can't seem to track how or who is doing this or why.
The ending is a jaw dropper. When i first read it i didn't know it was part of a series until the end..major cliff hanger which leads us to the next book.
Scorch
Book 2
Loved it. I read this book in about a day and a half. (i have no self control when i am reading a book i REALLY like) It picked up right where the first one left off which i can't really tell you about but the second book is equally well written, but much more dark things are happening in this one and yet the author still puts her humor into it so eve though it's subject matter is dark you don't get all sad and crazy in your head. Spoiler alert...i love an author who isn't afraid to off some characters...big or small ;)
The third book is due out in fall of 2013 and i cannot wait...though i must!
I give Croak 3 1/2 stars out of 5 and Scorch 4 stars out of 5.
Sunday, October 7, 2012
Mistborn: The Final Empire by Brandon Sanderson
I loved this book. Ask my husband and he'll tell you. I seriously disappeared for a few days and hijacked his nook to read it (his own fault since he was the one that had me read it). I didn't want to read it for a really long time but I finally caved. It's a fantasy book which isn't my usual genre of book. It's book 1 in a 3 book series. It's about a girl named Vin who gets recruited by a man named Kelsier and his gang to try to overtake the lord Ruler. There are people called mistings who have the ability to burn different allomantic metals that give them different types of powers. A person who can burn all of these metals are called mistborn. Mistborn are like Ninjas on steroids. They use metals to push and pull themselves through the air like they can fly plus have super human strength speed agility etc etc. Anyways, there is this thing called the steel ministry which the Lord Ruler created and there are steel inquisitors, kind of like police, who have big metal spikes through their eyeballs...basically you don't want to mess with them or you will most likely die a really terrible death. This world isn't a very sympathetic one. You have the nobility (early lord ruler supporters descendants) and you have the skaa (descendants of people who did not support the lord ruler that are peasants).
I know it all sounds crazy and it is crazy but honestly I really couldn't put this book down. I don't want to go into more than what I already have because I don't want to give away anything or make anything more confusing (it took me a while to fully understand everything). I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something that is totally out of this world. There isn't anything like Mistborn and there are aspects of this book that i wish could be reality. It would be AWESOME!
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
I know it all sounds crazy and it is crazy but honestly I really couldn't put this book down. I don't want to go into more than what I already have because I don't want to give away anything or make anything more confusing (it took me a while to fully understand everything). I definitely recommend this book to anyone who is looking for something that is totally out of this world. There isn't anything like Mistborn and there are aspects of this book that i wish could be reality. It would be AWESOME!
I give it 4 out of 5 stars.
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