**review coming soon**
The Eight
Katherine Neville
CURRNTLY READING
Rating out of 5: TBD
Monday, May 18, 2015
Love Minus Eighty
Love Minus Eighty
Will McIntosh
Completed Date: 5/15/15
Rating out of 5: 3
Check me out on www.goodreads.com!
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
This book is part love story, part futuristic / sci-fi, part video game. It's charming!
Love. It's what makes the world go 'round. And sometimes we find it in places we wouldn't think to look. In this case, Rob finds it a "cryogenic dating farm" when he goes to visit Winter, the girl he accidently ran over and killed. He went looking for forgiveness and finds much more. I find it honorable that he works his fingers, literally, to the bone to save every penny he can to visit her once ever 3 - 4 months for only 5 minutes at a time. That's dedication. I like Veronika and Nate and I like even better that (Spoiler) Veronika does not end up with Nate. I found myself caring about every character in this story and wanted to know more about what happens to them.
This book also brought up some important moral questions. Sorry to be the stick in the mud. But, is it really responsible to preserve people? Not only is it a matter of resources vs population, but how would that impact somebody mentally to possibly wake up hundreds of years later to a different world where everyone you know is (actually) dead?
Even though the book was futuristic, I feel it was also realistic. Being able to pop in on friends and chat with them via floating "Screen" isn't too big of a stretch considering the technology we have at our finger tips already. The realism makes the book more fun and friendly.
Sounds great, right? Why the 3 star rating, you ask? While I found the book charming, interesting and fun, I don't find myself wanting to add it to my shelf to read over and over again. I don't know that I would read a sequel either. I am perfectly content with where the story ended. I enjoyed it and would recommend for anybody who's a fan of love stories, psychology or someone who is looking for something utterly unique.
This book is part love story, part futuristic / sci-fi, part video game. It's charming!
Love. It's what makes the world go 'round. And sometimes we find it in places we wouldn't think to look. In this case, Rob finds it a "cryogenic dating farm" when he goes to visit Winter, the girl he accidently ran over and killed. He went looking for forgiveness and finds much more. I find it honorable that he works his fingers, literally, to the bone to save every penny he can to visit her once ever 3 - 4 months for only 5 minutes at a time. That's dedication. I like Veronika and Nate and I like even better that (Spoiler) Veronika does not end up with Nate. I found myself caring about every character in this story and wanted to know more about what happens to them.
This book also brought up some important moral questions. Sorry to be the stick in the mud. But, is it really responsible to preserve people? Not only is it a matter of resources vs population, but how would that impact somebody mentally to possibly wake up hundreds of years later to a different world where everyone you know is (actually) dead?
Even though the book was futuristic, I feel it was also realistic. Being able to pop in on friends and chat with them via floating "Screen" isn't too big of a stretch considering the technology we have at our finger tips already. The realism makes the book more fun and friendly.
Sounds great, right? Why the 3 star rating, you ask? While I found the book charming, interesting and fun, I don't find myself wanting to add it to my shelf to read over and over again. I don't know that I would read a sequel either. I am perfectly content with where the story ended. I enjoyed it and would recommend for anybody who's a fan of love stories, psychology or someone who is looking for something utterly unique.
Monday, May 11, 2015
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
The Particular Sadness of Lemon Cake
Aimee Bender
Completed Date: 5/10/15
Rating out of 5: 2
Check me out on www.goodreads.com!
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
I didn't have to eat the cake, so to speak, to quickly realize this book is not at all what I thought it was going to be. Had the synopsis included that this was a "coming of age" novel of sorts, I wouldn't have picked it up at all to be honest. There's not much in this would I abhor more than a coming of age novel. Quite frankly, the only reason I finished it is because it's this month's choice for my book club. We chose it because it sounded whimsical.
It's not.
I read through this one quickly. Partly because I kept waiting to be let in on the secret. There's a point, right? There's an AHA momenta bout to happen that makes this all clear? Nope. No AHA. No point. When I finally gave up hope, my speed reading skills kicked in just to finish the awful thing.
Prior to reading this book I read through some of the reviews on Goodreads.com. One described this book as Chinese food. Tastes good, but leaves you hungry again in half an hour. I feel like this book never found it's niche. There's bits of "magic" at the every day dinner table, but the book never decided what it wants to be when it grows up, fantastical or contemporary, which makes it just plain boring by default. And yes, I understand that's the point. Growing up and discovering who we are, and who those around us are, does have some magical qualities, I get it, I promise, but that's an easy enough tale to tell without ... cake?
Two out of 5 starts strictly for originality and writing style. Zero points for story. Zero points for characters. Zero points for ever reading this again or recommending it to anybody. Zero points for even ever trying the author again. I cant wait to discuss this one in book club to see how the other's felt about it.
It's not.
I read through this one quickly. Partly because I kept waiting to be let in on the secret. There's a point, right? There's an AHA momenta bout to happen that makes this all clear? Nope. No AHA. No point. When I finally gave up hope, my speed reading skills kicked in just to finish the awful thing.
Prior to reading this book I read through some of the reviews on Goodreads.com. One described this book as Chinese food. Tastes good, but leaves you hungry again in half an hour. I feel like this book never found it's niche. There's bits of "magic" at the every day dinner table, but the book never decided what it wants to be when it grows up, fantastical or contemporary, which makes it just plain boring by default. And yes, I understand that's the point. Growing up and discovering who we are, and who those around us are, does have some magical qualities, I get it, I promise, but that's an easy enough tale to tell without ... cake?
Two out of 5 starts strictly for originality and writing style. Zero points for story. Zero points for characters. Zero points for ever reading this again or recommending it to anybody. Zero points for even ever trying the author again. I cant wait to discuss this one in book club to see how the other's felt about it.
Dad Is Fat
Dad Is Fat
Jim Gaffigan
Completed Date: 5/4/15
Rating out of 5: 2
Check me out on www.goodreads.com!
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
I had this audio book on hold at my library for weeks before it became available. The anticipation built as I waited and waited. And then, the day came! I got settled down to listen to the story. The reason I got the audio copy is because I'm a fan of Jim Gaffigan. His standup performances are hilarious and I thought this book would follow suit, especially since he had done the reading himself.
There are lots of things in life that I don't relate to. Being an oil field worker. Being an only child. Growing up rich. Finishing college. Wanting to be an astronaut. Those are all things that I don't understand and yet there's still humor in them. I assume the same can be said for parenting, but there was just no humor in this book that I could hear.
Maybe it's because I'm not a parent, nor do I want to be. This book is all about becoming a parent and the trials and tribulations they go through, the sacrifices, loss of identity and then he tries to make it humorous? No, no. It's terrifying and, sorry parents everywhere!, it's sad. (Just my opinion, don't hate me.) The audio file came in 3 parts. I didn't realize that until I had already celebrated the completion of Part 1, only do discover there was more? So disappointed that I hadn't laughed even once that I didn't finish it.
I originally rated this a 1. Horrible. However, I boosted the rating to a two when I realized that maybe I had the wrong expectations of the book going in. I'm sure it's witty. I'm just the wrong audience.
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
I had this audio book on hold at my library for weeks before it became available. The anticipation built as I waited and waited. And then, the day came! I got settled down to listen to the story. The reason I got the audio copy is because I'm a fan of Jim Gaffigan. His standup performances are hilarious and I thought this book would follow suit, especially since he had done the reading himself.
There are lots of things in life that I don't relate to. Being an oil field worker. Being an only child. Growing up rich. Finishing college. Wanting to be an astronaut. Those are all things that I don't understand and yet there's still humor in them. I assume the same can be said for parenting, but there was just no humor in this book that I could hear.
Maybe it's because I'm not a parent, nor do I want to be. This book is all about becoming a parent and the trials and tribulations they go through, the sacrifices, loss of identity and then he tries to make it humorous? No, no. It's terrifying and, sorry parents everywhere!, it's sad. (Just my opinion, don't hate me.) The audio file came in 3 parts. I didn't realize that until I had already celebrated the completion of Part 1, only do discover there was more? So disappointed that I hadn't laughed even once that I didn't finish it.
I originally rated this a 1. Horrible. However, I boosted the rating to a two when I realized that maybe I had the wrong expectations of the book going in. I'm sure it's witty. I'm just the wrong audience.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Mark Haddon
Completed Date: 5/3/15
Rating out of 5: 3
Check me out on www.goodreads.com!
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
This book as my on my list of "must read this to find out what all of the fuss is about" book for quite some time. I read this book in one sitting. Partly because it's so short, and partly because I was enjoying it and I couldn't really put it down. But then, Misty, why did you only rate it a three?
Asperger's and Autism isn't something to scoff at. It's not "cute" and I don't think any of us understand it if we aren't living it. It's not clarified which, if either, syndrome Christopher has, but did mention both Asperger's and Autism. I think this book was begging for attention by talking about a "controversial" subject. I don't like anything, be it books or people, that begs for attention.
One of my favorite quotes, not from this book, is "We are all unique. Just not in the ways we think we are." Those little "quirks" we have that we find unique about ourselves or our loved ones are not unique at all, we share that same quirk with millions of people. Sorry, it's true. What I love about this story is that our 15-year-old, self proclaimed Sherlock, Christopher, doesn't care. He doesn't care if he's like you or like me. He just knows that he hates yellow and doesn't understand how the weather can determine a person's mood any more than counting the number of red cars there are on the route to school can. He is just Christopher. And Christopher is determined to discover the details about the death of the neighborhood dog.
I wouldn't really want to read it again, but I'm glad I read it thorough at least once.
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
This book as my on my list of "must read this to find out what all of the fuss is about" book for quite some time. I read this book in one sitting. Partly because it's so short, and partly because I was enjoying it and I couldn't really put it down. But then, Misty, why did you only rate it a three?
Asperger's and Autism isn't something to scoff at. It's not "cute" and I don't think any of us understand it if we aren't living it. It's not clarified which, if either, syndrome Christopher has, but did mention both Asperger's and Autism. I think this book was begging for attention by talking about a "controversial" subject. I don't like anything, be it books or people, that begs for attention.
One of my favorite quotes, not from this book, is "We are all unique. Just not in the ways we think we are." Those little "quirks" we have that we find unique about ourselves or our loved ones are not unique at all, we share that same quirk with millions of people. Sorry, it's true. What I love about this story is that our 15-year-old, self proclaimed Sherlock, Christopher, doesn't care. He doesn't care if he's like you or like me. He just knows that he hates yellow and doesn't understand how the weather can determine a person's mood any more than counting the number of red cars there are on the route to school can. He is just Christopher. And Christopher is determined to discover the details about the death of the neighborhood dog.
I wouldn't really want to read it again, but I'm glad I read it thorough at least once.
Time's Edge (The Chronos Files, #2)
Time's Edge
(The Chronos Files #2)
Rysa Walker
Completed Date: 5/3/15
Rating out of 5: 3
Check me out on www.goodreads.com!
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
I liked the first one so much of this series that I got the second one. Like the first, this had the ability to read and/or listen to the book which I loved. I got this one from Kindle Unlimited and already have my reservation for the third on that releases in October of this year.
So in this one, we get a little move involved in our love triangle. Typical girl met boy, fell in love with boy, meets another boy, falls in love with this boy too. Which boy does she love vs which part of herself does she chose to embrace? Typical stuff.
What's not typical about this story is, as I stated in my review of the first book, that even though this is an easy read, it's still engaging and interesting. I like that the historical parts of the book are easy to follow and don't require a history major to follow along.
I did like the first book more than the second book. I am interested to see where the story goes, but based on some of the events in this book I feel like it could be too far fetched (even for a book about time travel).
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
I liked the first one so much of this series that I got the second one. Like the first, this had the ability to read and/or listen to the book which I loved. I got this one from Kindle Unlimited and already have my reservation for the third on that releases in October of this year.
So in this one, we get a little move involved in our love triangle. Typical girl met boy, fell in love with boy, meets another boy, falls in love with this boy too. Which boy does she love vs which part of herself does she chose to embrace? Typical stuff.
What's not typical about this story is, as I stated in my review of the first book, that even though this is an easy read, it's still engaging and interesting. I like that the historical parts of the book are easy to follow and don't require a history major to follow along.
I did like the first book more than the second book. I am interested to see where the story goes, but based on some of the events in this book I feel like it could be too far fetched (even for a book about time travel).
Timebound (The Chronos Files, #1)
Timebound
(The Chronos Files #1)
Rysa Walker
Completed Date: 4/25/15
Rating out of 5: 4
Check me out on www.goodreads.com!
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
I really enjoyed this book. I got this one from Kindle Unlimited and it just happened to have the audio version with it. When I didn't have time to sit down and read (while cleaning the house or something) I listened to the audio. AND LOVED IT. I love the option to both read and listen to the book and, if I can help it, I will always have one of these kinds of books at the ready!
I love that the time traveling bits of this weren't hokey. Based on some of the other reviews I had read, I was afraid that it would be. I didn't get the vibe from the synopsis that this was a YA novel and even now having read it, I wouldn't necessarily classify it as such. Yes, there's a girl and two boys (the makings of a typical love triangle) but in this case I didn't feel like the author was trying to convince me to fall in love with anybody. At least not yet - we don't really get to that until the second book.
I like that parts of the book were historical, but not TOO historical. I understood all of the references and it was casual and fun. I've read books that I didn't understand because I didn't understand the history of a particular place or person and those are no fun.
Anyway, I liked this one and read the second one.
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
I really enjoyed this book. I got this one from Kindle Unlimited and it just happened to have the audio version with it. When I didn't have time to sit down and read (while cleaning the house or something) I listened to the audio. AND LOVED IT. I love the option to both read and listen to the book and, if I can help it, I will always have one of these kinds of books at the ready!
I love that the time traveling bits of this weren't hokey. Based on some of the other reviews I had read, I was afraid that it would be. I didn't get the vibe from the synopsis that this was a YA novel and even now having read it, I wouldn't necessarily classify it as such. Yes, there's a girl and two boys (the makings of a typical love triangle) but in this case I didn't feel like the author was trying to convince me to fall in love with anybody. At least not yet - we don't really get to that until the second book.
I like that parts of the book were historical, but not TOO historical. I understood all of the references and it was casual and fun. I've read books that I didn't understand because I didn't understand the history of a particular place or person and those are no fun.
Anyway, I liked this one and read the second one.
Clockwork Princess (The Infernal Devices, #3)
**review coming soon**
Clockwork Princess
(The Infernal Devices, #3)
Cassandra Clare
Completed Date: 4/23/15
Rating out of 5: 4
The One and Only Ivan
The One and Only Ivan
Katherine Applegate
Completed Date: 4/17/15
Rating out of 5: 5
Check me out on www.goodreads.com!
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
Cute, cute, cute.
I borrowed this one in e-book from my local library after waiting on hold for it for weeks. I stayed up far too late trying to finish it, didn't make it, dreamed of elephants and woke up to finish it the next day. I'm afraid I kept my boyfriend awake with my childish giggles.
I loved this book from the first page. It's a little too old yet for my 3 year old and 1 year old nephew, but I want to share this one with them in a few years. I am SOOO happy that things worked out for these animals!
I wish more humans have the same dedication that Ivan does.
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
Cute, cute, cute.
I borrowed this one in e-book from my local library after waiting on hold for it for weeks. I stayed up far too late trying to finish it, didn't make it, dreamed of elephants and woke up to finish it the next day. I'm afraid I kept my boyfriend awake with my childish giggles.
I loved this book from the first page. It's a little too old yet for my 3 year old and 1 year old nephew, but I want to share this one with them in a few years. I am SOOO happy that things worked out for these animals!
I wish more humans have the same dedication that Ivan does.
The Glass Magician (The Paper Magician Trilogy, #2)
**review coming soon**
The Glass Magician
(The Paper Magician Trilogy, #2)
Charlie N. Holmberg
Completed Date: 4/8/15
Rating out of 5: 4
Clockwork Prince (The Infernal Devices #2)
**review coming soon**
Clockwork Prince
(The Infernal Devices #2)
Casandra Clare
Completed Date: 4/5/15
Rating out of 5: 4
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Virtual Teams
**review coming soon**
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective Virtual Teams
Paul van der Hagen
Completed Date: 4/5/15
Rating out of 5: 2
Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices #1)
**review coming soon**
Clockwork Angel
Cassandra Clare
Completed Date: 4/2/15
Rating out of 5: 3
One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories
One More Thing: Stories and Other Stories
B.J. Novak
Completed Date: 3/23/15
Rating out of 5: 2
Check me out on www.goodreads.com!
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
I did not listen to the audio file as the picture I used for my blog would suggest.
I found this book while on an adventure through a local Barnes and Nobel. I picked the book up and almost bought it on the spot, knowing nothing about the book or the author. The little tidbits that I had read were quite charming and funny and I wanted to have this in my collection.
I'm glad that I did not spend any money on this book and borrowed the ebook from my library instead. Though I read the book in one sitting, and did quite enjoy several of the passages, I think the majority of the book was hogwash. It seems as though, I'm not sure if by stroke of good luck or or bad luck, I had read every part that was worth reading while standing in the book store.
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
I did not listen to the audio file as the picture I used for my blog would suggest.
I found this book while on an adventure through a local Barnes and Nobel. I picked the book up and almost bought it on the spot, knowing nothing about the book or the author. The little tidbits that I had read were quite charming and funny and I wanted to have this in my collection.
I'm glad that I did not spend any money on this book and borrowed the ebook from my library instead. Though I read the book in one sitting, and did quite enjoy several of the passages, I think the majority of the book was hogwash. It seems as though, I'm not sure if by stroke of good luck or or bad luck, I had read every part that was worth reading while standing in the book store.
The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)
**review coming soon**
The Final Empire
Brandon Sanderson
Completed Date: 3/22/15
Rating out of 5: 4
Watership Down
**review coming soon**
Watership Down
Richard Adams
Completed Date: 3/28/15
Rating out of 5: 3
Ensnared
Ensnared
(Splintered #3)
A.G.Howard
Completed Date: 2/28/2015
Rating out of 5: 4
Rating out of 5: 4
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis.
What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
I waited and waited and waited for this one to be released! And it was well worth the wait.
To see my reviews of Splintered click here and for Unhinged click here.
I adore these books! If you like YA or Fantasy or/and especially Wonderland, you have to read these.
Alyssa finally embraces who she is - after much teenage angst and turmoil - and finds a way to save both of the realms (and the boys) that she loves. I wish I could cuddle up with Rabid White and read these! I've said it before in my other reviews, but this story is so colorful! When you're reading it, you're in the landscape dodging graffiti guards and joining the party!
If you've read them, who did you choose? Jeb or Morpheus? I know I'm too old be gushing over either, but isn't that part of the fun of a YA novel! I'm team Morpheus, but the friend who I read these books with chose Jeb.
Jeb is naturally charming and thoughtful, he's a normal human boy with normal human boy emotions and makes normal human boy mistakes. That, and his talent for art, and that he loves Alyssa's mundane side is what makes him endearing. Morpheus is a victim of circumstance, for lack of a better term. He does what he can with what he has and loves every inch of where he's from and isn't about to apologize for it. I find Morpheus' struggle interesting in that he has to both embrace his madness and the madness or wonderland and yet overcome it to win the heart of the girl.
Unhinged
Unhinged
(Splintered #2)
A.G.Howard
Completed Date: 2/19/2015
Rating out of 5: 4
Rating out of 5: 4
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis.
What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
To read my review of Splintered (Splintered #1) click here.
I am such a fan girl for these YA books based in Wonderland! The way A.G. Howard takes Wonderland and completely makes it into her own world is both like visiting and old friend, and meeting a new one.
I waited quite a while after reading Splintered to read Unhinged. I was actually just waiting for Ensnared to come out so that I could read them close together. What drew me in to this series, honestly, was the vividness of the cover of Splintered. What kept me there is that this world is, quite literally, a Wonderland.
Jeb and Morpheous are our two heroes/love interests. At this point I still haven't decided which one I would chose. (Though I have totally chosen a team by the end of book 3)! Our heroine, Alyssa, while typically "young adult" is faced with some interesting challenges and the decision to try to live a normal life and go to school or to embrace her new identity and step back through the rabbit hole.
I read this book with a friend for book club. Though it may not be a typical book club book we very much enjoyed discussing the intricacies of this gothic style Wonderland, gushing over boys (of course!) and trying to figure out what happens next!
I recommend this one to anybody who likes YA or fantasy!
The Authoritative Calvin & Hobbes
The Authoritative Calvin & Hobbes
Bill Waterson
Completed Date: 1/26/2015
Rating out of 5: 5
Rating out of 5: 5
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis.
What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
I LOVE Calvin & Hobbes. Love, love, LOVE them! I know they'll always be there for me if I need a good laugh!
And that, folks, is all the review you need.
Jim Henson's The Storyteller: The Novelization
Jim Henson's The Storyteller: The Novelization
Anthony Minghella, Jim Henson, Darcy May
Completed Date: 1/21/15
Rating out of 5: 4
Rating out of 5: 4
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis.
What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
The Storyteller is a collection fairy tales and short stories. For Christmas 2014 I received this book along with novelizations of The Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal. Though this was my least favorite of the three, maybe because I didn't grow up watching a move of it, I still rated it 4 out of 5.
I don't generally like reading short stories or fairy tales, but these were unique in that the story was either the retelling of something familiar or it was completely new or original. I liked the combination very much. It was actually refreshing for once to read a short story and not be committed or tied down to a novel or even a trilogy.
I liked reading this one before bed - it was less of a struggle to put it down because I didn't feel as though I had five hundred more pages to adventure through and I knew the next story would be there in the morning, instead of traipsing around without me like so many of my other fantasy stories seem to do.
The Last Unicorn
The Last Unicorn
Peter S. Beagle
Completed Date: 1/17/15
Rating out of 5: 5
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I want to do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen, but aren't likely**
“We are not always what we seem, and hardly ever what we dream.”
The Last Unicorn is my favorite movie. I'm so glad I finally read the book! It's strange that I waited so long to read it. I almost always think any book is better than the movie version. Why did I think this would be any different? I don't know, but I hesitated to read this thinking that it would somehow diminish the love I have for my favorite movie. It didn't, and I love the book, too! The only thing this book was missing was the epic soundtrack! I loved reading this book and was able to visualize the characters and the landscapes from a much more adult point of view.
The basis for the story isn't necessarily unique. A story about a young girl, Amalthea, the unicorn, she feeling alone in the world, journeying to find others like herself and along the way learns that she is unique and finds herself too. She leaves the shelter of what she knows to face the unknown and discovers both beauty and evil in the world. This is a story that has been told a million different times in a million different ways. But not with unicorns and magicians and crazy butterflies or talking cats!
What makes this book a 5 star rating for me is absolutely the characters! Schmendrick is one of my all time fictional favorites. I can totally relate to him and how he thinks he knows what he wants. And have you even read of another character who gets engaged to a douglas fir tree? Molly is our anchor and advisor. Prince Lir is charming in that he plays the part of a hero, but didn't know why until he met her. The unicorn, though she may seem to be the main character, I think is really just a means to move the story along to meet everybody else. She plays a small, but vital role, in that she inspires to do and be more just be being around.
Must read for adults and kids, too.
The Dark Crystal
The Dark Crystal
A.C.H. Smith, Jim Henson, Brian Froud
Read 1/7/15
Rating out of 5: 5
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen - you've been warned.**
I grew up watching The Dark Crystal and The Labyrinth by Jim Henson. These movies and characters were my friends and I knew every line by heart. I hadn't read the novelizations until I received them as gifts for Christmas 2014. I devoured them!
The Dark Crystal, the novelization, shed so much light for me on the origin of the Mystics and the Skeksis and really filled in the gaps. As with most movies, there's important background information that gets skimmed over or left out entirely for sake of time, but once I read the novel and went back to the movie I loved it even more! It's almost like being part of a secret club. I have "insider" information that the average fan may not have and I am very satisfied in this knowledge.
The book is different enough from the movie to keep it interesting and fresh, but also similar enough that it's still a good friend. Just one you haven't seen in a while.
I am glad that I have the paper copies of these. My favorite part about this book is the notes from Jim Henson and the original drawings by Brian Froud. There's something about them that needs to tangible to love and explore them the way that they deserve, and that just isn't going to happen on an e-reader.
If you're a fan of the movies or if you're looking for something quirky and absolutely unique, pick up The Dark Crystal!
Fifty Shades Darker
Fifty Shades Darker
EL James
Read January 2015
Rating out of 5: 3
Rating out of 5: 3
Before you read too far, you should know that I don't do Synopsis type reviews - if you want a synopsis then you can go read the synopsis. What I do here is give my opinion of the book. **Spoilers may happen - you've been warned.**
Whether you admit it or not, we all want to be considered special by a special someone else. Ana is meant to personify everything that the general female populous consider ourselves to be. Average. Mundane. Plain. In her we see ourselves and how glorious it is to be loved for our plain, mundane selves. And, in this case, we are loved by a sexy billionaire with a helicopter and excellent taste in books and music. Winning!
I am not going to write a long review about all the controversy surrounding this story, but this is definitely NOT a Disney approved love story. I don't think it's violent nor do I think it's a true representation of the BDSM lifestyle. My opinion of the book is that's it's entertaining.
The first time I read through the trilogy was 2012 during an 18 hour summer road trip. I had picked it up strictly to "see what all the fuss is about" and fell in love with it. At that point in my life, I had grandiose dreams that "big things" were headed my way and spent too much time wondering when those "things" would arrive. I wanted to be Ana in her grand new wardrobe, apartment bigger than the local mall, and, who doesn't want to go for a ride in Charlie Tango?
The second time I read this book January 2015 I find Ana to be whiny and self centered. Our masochistic lead man, Christian, dotes on Ana for reasons unknown and she spends unjustified amounts of time wondering if she's worthy. My own ideals of love and happiness have changed for the better since 2012 and at this current point in my life I no longer want to be Ana. I want to befriend her, put a kind hand on her shoulder and say, "Roll with the punches, girl. Nobody deserves anything, you've got to work for it."
Based on my own experience, I believe your enjoyment of the story depends on you and what you expect to get out of it. If you go in to the story expecting anything realistic, you'll be disappointed. If you expect a BDSM fairy tale then this one's for you. Fifty Shades of Grey is an in-your-face turn-me-on kind of attention getter. In Fifty Shades Darker we learn that there's more to the story and that, even in fairy tales, our past defines us.
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