I can't believe that I forgot about this book. I had planned on reading it once it came out -- unfortunately, I got distracted in a completely "Ohhh shiny!" moment. I'm sort of glad I did. I wouldn't have had the time to read this novel during classes.
Like most of P. Gregory's books, it was extremely well written. The content is the stuff of legends; no, seriously. It is. History buffs everywhere will smile at the idea of a dramatic retelling of the Plantagenet era. Since I'm not a history buff, I could read it with complete abandon.
For those who are learned in that particular era, I invite you to read it.. and let me know of any inconsistencies. It'd be an interesting read. Then I can read it again, all while saying "NO! NO! NO! She wore a RED rose!"
But I digress.
I did enjoy this. Like I mentioned, it was gripping. There was a point, however, where I started to loose interest... and then it ends. Well played, Gregory, well played.
Anna Quindlen ruined me for other authors. The prose wasn't ecstatic. It was simple, and flowed from on scene to another. It kept me company while I plowed through four hours worth of laundry.
I don't know if I'm ready for another superbly emotional work. I think next I'll go with Pahlinuk..
Thursday, May 13, 2010
Tuesday, May 11, 2010
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
This book has gotten pretty good reviews. It has spawned it's own series. I should like it, right?
By page fifty, my eyes were glazed over. The topics thus far had been... financial politics. Yeah, fabulous to some people -- but to me? Nope.
I forced myself to give it another fifty pages. A very painful fifty pages. I had to archive it just over the hundred page mark. Just not my type of book. Yeah, the facts are interesting. But it's way too dry for my taste. The characters were somewhat interesting, but I just couldn't pull myself in. Maybe the movie will be better!
Overall review - eh.
By page fifty, my eyes were glazed over. The topics thus far had been... financial politics. Yeah, fabulous to some people -- but to me? Nope.
I forced myself to give it another fifty pages. A very painful fifty pages. I had to archive it just over the hundred page mark. Just not my type of book. Yeah, the facts are interesting. But it's way too dry for my taste. The characters were somewhat interesting, but I just couldn't pull myself in. Maybe the movie will be better!
Overall review - eh.
Saturday, May 8, 2010
Every Last One
Every Last One - Anna Quindlen
There are two books that cause me to sob like a baby. There is one that won't let me put it down - I have to read through my tears, and cuddle up with a box of Kleenex. Don't forget the Kleenex when you read this. You'll need it - and try to remember to get the kind with lotion ingrained in the tissue. That's how much you'll need it.
The book started off with a general look into a family. Yeah, they're a nice family. A normal family - dysfunctional and lovable. The story is told by the mother, a fractured woman doing all she can for her family. Anyone who has loved someone can relate to her - she pulls you in, demanding your attention to her children. And you love every minute of it. The children are incredibly real - Ruby, Alex, and Max are people that we've all known. It's fascinating to look into their lives from their mother's point of view.
Quindlen's mesmerizing prose kept me reading until three am. The night before a nine am final. I'm a dedicated student, but I had to force myself to close off the life of the Lathams. "One last chapter.." but then three more pass, and you wonder where the time went to. But you've gained so much insight into the family, and then --
Wham. It happens. The book takes on a different tone, and you manage to glimpse the very soul of the character of Mary Beth. Yes, she has a soul. The prose makes her so very real; you feel every emotion that she does, even begin to understand. This novel led me to a greater understanding of human life.
Everyone. Should. Read. It.
There are two books that cause me to sob like a baby. There is one that won't let me put it down - I have to read through my tears, and cuddle up with a box of Kleenex. Don't forget the Kleenex when you read this. You'll need it - and try to remember to get the kind with lotion ingrained in the tissue. That's how much you'll need it.
The book started off with a general look into a family. Yeah, they're a nice family. A normal family - dysfunctional and lovable. The story is told by the mother, a fractured woman doing all she can for her family. Anyone who has loved someone can relate to her - she pulls you in, demanding your attention to her children. And you love every minute of it. The children are incredibly real - Ruby, Alex, and Max are people that we've all known. It's fascinating to look into their lives from their mother's point of view.
Quindlen's mesmerizing prose kept me reading until three am. The night before a nine am final. I'm a dedicated student, but I had to force myself to close off the life of the Lathams. "One last chapter.." but then three more pass, and you wonder where the time went to. But you've gained so much insight into the family, and then --
Wham. It happens. The book takes on a different tone, and you manage to glimpse the very soul of the character of Mary Beth. Yes, she has a soul. The prose makes her so very real; you feel every emotion that she does, even begin to understand. This novel led me to a greater understanding of human life.
Everyone. Should. Read. It.
Changes
Changes - Jim Butcher
The twelfth installment in Butcher's Dresden Files starts off with a startling statement : "They've taken our daughter."
Okay. This is where they fly to Hawaii to save her, and the Fonz jumps a shark in some slapstick waterskiing competition, right?
So wrong. I was expecting the worst - I'll admit it! But I was generally pleased.
At times, it read like it would be the very last adventure for Dresden. A lot of characters came back to pay off old debts, situations changed in monumental ways, and.. well, I screamed at the end. No, really. Screamed. Ask my fiancee, since it woke him up.
Now, what was in that scream? Anger? Sadness? Rage? Annoyance? Read it. It's completely worth it.
The twelfth installment in Butcher's Dresden Files starts off with a startling statement : "They've taken our daughter."
Okay. This is where they fly to Hawaii to save her, and the Fonz jumps a shark in some slapstick waterskiing competition, right?
So wrong. I was expecting the worst - I'll admit it! But I was generally pleased.
At times, it read like it would be the very last adventure for Dresden. A lot of characters came back to pay off old debts, situations changed in monumental ways, and.. well, I screamed at the end. No, really. Screamed. Ask my fiancee, since it woke him up.
Now, what was in that scream? Anger? Sadness? Rage? Annoyance? Read it. It's completely worth it.
Nook Books to Date
February 18
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – Jane Austen & Seth Graham-Smith
Feb 21
Diamond Age – Neal Stephenson
Romantic Interlude…. Nothing but trashy romances, and a lot of them. I’m not proud of this!
March 26
Alinora – Kara Lockly
Horns – Joe Hill
April 3rd
Dead(ish) – Naomi Kramer
Undercover Princess – Suzanne Brockmann
April 5th
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls
April 8th
Bite Me – Christopher Moore
April 9th
Serial – Jack Kilborn
Kiss Me Deadly – Michele Hauf
April 13th
Carnal Innocence – Nora Roberts
April 14th
Eclipse – Stephanie Meyer
Mortal Ghost – Lee
April 16th
Twilight – Stephanie Meyer
April 18th
The Handmaids Tale – Margaret Atwood
April 19th
Fragile Things – Neil Gaiman
April 23rd
Jane Slayre – Sherri Browning Erwin
April 26th
Breaking Dawn – Stephanie Meyer
April 28th
The Apothecary’s Daughter – Julie Klassen
Savor the Moment – Nora Roberts
April 29th
A Little Magic – Nora Roberts
May 1st
Hero at Large – Janet Evanovich
May 2nd
Changes – Jim Butcher
May 6th
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson
May 7th
Every Last One – Anna Quindlen
May 8th
Tell-All – Chuck Palahniuk
TBR:
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter – Seth Grahame-Smith
The White Queen – Phillipa Gregory
Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies – Jane Austen & Seth Graham-Smith
Feb 21
Diamond Age – Neal Stephenson
Romantic Interlude…. Nothing but trashy romances, and a lot of them. I’m not proud of this!
March 26
Alinora – Kara Lockly
Horns – Joe Hill
April 3rd
Dead(ish) – Naomi Kramer
Undercover Princess – Suzanne Brockmann
April 5th
Pride & Prejudice & Zombies: Dawn of the Dreadfuls
April 8th
Bite Me – Christopher Moore
April 9th
Serial – Jack Kilborn
Kiss Me Deadly – Michele Hauf
April 13th
Carnal Innocence – Nora Roberts
April 14th
Eclipse – Stephanie Meyer
Mortal Ghost – Lee
April 16th
Twilight – Stephanie Meyer
April 18th
The Handmaids Tale – Margaret Atwood
April 19th
Fragile Things – Neil Gaiman
April 23rd
Jane Slayre – Sherri Browning Erwin
April 26th
Breaking Dawn – Stephanie Meyer
April 28th
The Apothecary’s Daughter – Julie Klassen
Savor the Moment – Nora Roberts
April 29th
A Little Magic – Nora Roberts
May 1st
Hero at Large – Janet Evanovich
May 2nd
Changes – Jim Butcher
May 6th
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo – Stieg Larsson
May 7th
Every Last One – Anna Quindlen
May 8th
Tell-All – Chuck Palahniuk
TBR:
Abraham Lincoln Vampire Hunter – Seth Grahame-Smith
The White Queen – Phillipa Gregory
Anna Karenina – Leo Tolstoy
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