Borrowed Post

Borrowed post from my friend here: Awesome-Brarian


It's entitled Books I Really Wished I liked. Who doesn't have those books? Gosh knows that I have a few and in fact I owe a few reviews for those that follow me on Goodreads.

But anyhoo, read this:

Book I Really Wish I Liked: Heist Society

Next in the list of KAH-books, "Heist Society." A story of art-thievery, teenager rebellion, and Nazis (I love it when there's Nazis!)

And sadly, of all of the books I've read so far, this is the one I was most psyched for. So therefore it was the one that had to not be that good.



Kat is a 16 year old girl who, for the majority of her life, was a high-class thief. Like, suspended from the ceiling, Neal Caffrey, I-have-code-names-for-everything thief. Only then she left to go get book smart and leave this life behind.

And then her father is wrongfully accused of stealing five paintings from a guy who will make him an offer he can't refuse. And then, just when she thought she was out they pull her back in.

Yeah. Godfather references ftw.

Another Sprained Ankle

So the most recent book that I've reviewed. I've been reading a lot of Graphic Novels (yay for Preacher and the Runaways) and am currently reading a Nora Roberts book which I shall both praise and probably critique. Until then, I'm going to drink my Presidente Light, read some NR and try to right while my ankle rests elevated on some pillows.

Enjoy

** spoiler alert ** This installment is just as heartwrenching as any of the others. There are too many things to actually go on about so I'll just pick a few.

The theme of this book seemed to be about Home and Trust. How the two are connected and what it means to be without both and then find your way back.

The story of the Devourer and the Elemental Garden, toward the end of the book, seems to mirror the relationship of Severn and Kaylin. It's clear that Severn is in love with her (at least ...more  

If he's your ex - let him move to Texas!

 Divorced mother of one, Charlie Madigan, lives in a world where the beings of heaven and hell exist among us, and they aren't the things of Sunday school lessons and Hallmark figurines. In the years since the Revelation, they've become our co-workers, neighbors, and fellow citizens.

Charlie works for ITF (Integration Task Force). It's her job to see that the continued integration of our new "friends" goes smoothly and everyone obeys the law, but when a new off-world drug is released in Underground Atlanta, her daughter is targeted, and her ex-husband makes a fateful bargain to win her back, there's nothing in heaven or earth (or hell for that matter) that Charlie won't do to set things right.


I can't really give a proper review because I sort of had to stop reading it.

The book didn't grab me and try as I might, because I did want to like this book, nothing jumped out at me even when I put it down and picked it back up. Maybe I'll try it some other time because it does have elements that are interesting but the characters sort of fell flat for me.

I was also tired of everyone being beautiful and Charlie's libido being all revved. And you know, another pain point was the ex-husband. I'd like to actually see a divorced couple be divorced without wanting to sleep with each other again or at least have one of them have the resolve to say no (I can name a few examples where this works) or at least have them get back together  - or never break up in the first place. IF he's your ex, then let's move on.

That was actually less a critique about the author and just a pet peeve...sorry about that.


I'm not sure where the romance is in this book. Again, I didn't finish reading it so I have no idea what happens between her and Will or if anything does in fact happen.

I was kind of hoping for a Hank/Charlie thing which may or may not happen, I don't know but in my skimming it seems that they just remain friends.

If you've finished the book please let me know about that.

I do really like Hank though.

Having trouble with that book?

So right now I'm in the middle of reading Rachel Caine's latest installment in the Morganville series "Kiss of Death." Normally, I devour this series - sort of like a lite snack as it is a YA novel. However, I'm finding myself taking several days to read this and now I'm stuck with about thirty pages left and short of something drastic, who knows how long it will take me to finish!?

I could go into why this book is troubling me but then that would spoil the review, I will say that a beloved character is acting like a very spoiled child and I'm very tempted to figure out a way to Thursday Next myself into this story so I can smack her.

This is not the only book by an author I enjoy that has disappointed me with their latest books. C.E. Murphy is one of them - "Demon Hunts", her latest Walker Papers installment left me with a severe case of "WTF!",
"HUH?!" and "No really, what?!"

It is tough being a writer so I understand sometimes putting out a piece of work that your audience will either like or not like. What I'm not understanding is why it keeps happening to my favorite writers (yes, I'm going to take the completely selfish road here and believe that all writers know that they are writing for my enjoyment)?

You know what it is? It's the fact that you wait for about a year for an author to come out with something and you want to read it so badly that you can taste it, and maybe due to the hype, you expect something amazing. You're not even sure that amazing will be, just that you're expecting it and therefore it has to happen. Then, when you start reading the book and it's dragging and building up to a plot which you're sure will be anti-climatic, not to mention the characters are acting weird and the character sub-plot you've been hoping for has been derailed for the time being, you're stomach drops about three feet because you realize that some of what's been written makes little sense and "wait, why is my (insert favorite character name here) being strange?".

Then about ten pages away from the end, the plot ends and it's done right, in the sense that there is very little left hanging and formula wise A+B = C but the je ne sais quoi that made you fall in love with the book has somehow been left to dry on the clothesline of 'wait until the next book'.

To sum it up , it's just disappointing. Victoria Thompson's Sarah Brandt series has done that to me too. The latest book to come out in paperback "Murder on Waverly Place" has petered out in my opinion. Why? Because the author was very clearly setting up something between the mid-wife, Sarah (who's family is loaded and associates with Astor's and Roosevelt's at the turn of the century) has a penchant for getting herself into trouble and helping to solve mysteries with tough Irish - American Sgt. Frank Malloy. The feelings between the two of them are insanely thick and yet by the 8th book the author literally brings the brakes to a halt, introduces other characters that frankly, I could care less about, and tries to tease the readers into thinking something is going to happen between the two of them. You know what? Don't. It's stupid and frustrating and I now have the latest pb on my shelf and I don't think I'm going to be reading it any time soon.

I love Stephanie Plum but Janet Evanovich does the same thing to me. It's what I like to refer to as the Stephanie Plum affect. We all know who Steph should end up (based on Stephanie's own 'inner-thoughts', Janet's hints and the male in question's 'declarations') but 16 books later and no one is growing up or moving on or doing anything that would make sense.

The problem is when a relationship or a plot is written into the book so as to be important and enticing but then halts for no other reason but perhaps longevity or personal issues. I am willing to forgive a bad book if the author is having a bad time (which in this day and age, you can find out by going on the author's website or blog) but if they are screwing with a plot or a relationship just for the sake of sales, well that's annoying and slightly cruel.

What books in the past few years have annoyed you enough that you've decided to put them down? Which books are having the "Plum Affect"?

Just Friends Review

I sprained my ankle this weekend and what with the World Cup, please see a review.

rating:
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status:	Read from May 24 to 26, 2010
review:	3.5 Not a bad book but a little dry and dusty. I don't know how else to explain it (that's a lie, of course I can explain it I'm just not going to). Both characters are self-absorbed, isolated selfish people who can be both cruel and gentle. They are flawed to the point where at first you don't know if you like them or just hanging out with them. Sort of like the people you only hang out with at a bar but the minute you are summoned to their house for dinner you hesitate. ...more 3.5 Not a bad book but a little dry and dusty. I don't know how else to explain it (that's a lie, of course I can explain it I'm just not going to). Both characters are self-absorbed, isolated selfish people who can be both cruel and gentle. They are flawed to the point where at first you don't know if you like them or just hanging out with them. Sort of like the people you only hang out with at a bar but the minute you are summoned to their house for dinner you hesitate. Yeah. Jack is a writer and I connected with his character - the selfish playboy 'dillente' that he is - and less so with tough as nails, art house manager Freya, who is an emotional ice sculpture with storms swirling inside her so hard they threaten to subsume anyone who comes close. Jack and Freya are friends and have been for about a decade and their relationship, like their memories are bittersweet. When Freya gets dumped by her boyfriend she moves in with Jack until she gets back on her feet. Ok. That makes sense but not a day in are they bickering and fighting and the reader is left wondering how in the hell were they ever friends? Are they friends because of history or because they truly like each other? The rest of the book is pretty much like that until the scenery changes from NYC to England and then with the change of scenery comes new perspective. Jack has been completely cut off from his allowance, Freya is forced to attend her step-sister's wedding (whom she can't stand and frankly I can't either) so both are a little raw and sore but somehow they manage to get along in this situation of pretending to be lovers than they ever had in being friends. The reader then wonders if the fighting is due to the familiarity and comfort of friendship is chafing due to the fact that they both have feelings that have grown outside of that box. Until Jack commits an unforgivable act. Then the rest of the story is about how these two people were so close but because of their defenses and self-imposed issues have blown the one thing that could have kept their silly little lives afloat in this crazy mixed up world. On top of that there is another betrayal, less shocking because the author didn't have the good sense to leave two chapters out of the book, several revelations and some maturity. I don't think this book is particularly romantic but instead focuses on the bittersweet aspect of a relationship that really only two options left for it. To part of take the next step. It's a good Autumn in NY read. The descriptions weren't bad but I got the feeling that Sisman might not have spent enough time in NY because instead of feeling vibrant, gritty, slightly gross and amazing it seemed like a sketch or a watercolor. Pretty foundations but no solid form on which to stand. However, decent read. If you see this is in a bargain bin or on the bookswap take a second Jack is a writer and I connected with his character - the selfish playboy 'dillente' that he is - and less so with tough as nails, art house manager Freya, who is an emotional ice sculpture with storms swirling inside her so hard they threaten to subsume anyone who comes close. Jack and Freya are friends and have been for about a decade and their relationship, like their memories are bittersweet. When Freya gets dumped by her boyfriend she moves in with Jack until she gets back on her feet. Ok. That makes sense but not a day in are they bickering and fighting and the reader is left wondering how in the hell were they ever friends? Are they friends because of history or because they truly like each other? The rest of the book is pretty much like that until the scenery changes from NYC to England and then with the change of scenery comes new perspective. Jack has been completely cut off from his allowance, Freya is forced to attend her step-sister's wedding (whom she can't stand and frankly I can't either) so both are a little raw and sore but somehow they manage to get along in this situation of pretending to be lovers than they ever had in being friends. The reader then wonders if the fighting is due to the familiarity and comfort of friendship is chafing due to the fact that they both have feelings that have grown outside of that box. Until Jack commits an unforgivable act. Then the rest of the story is about how these two people were so close but because of their defenses and self-imposed issues have blown the one thing that could have kept their silly little lives afloat in this crazy mixed up world. On top of that there is another betrayal, less shocking because the author didn't have the good sense to leave two chapters out of the book, several revelations and some maturity. I don't think this book is particularly romantic but instead focuses on the bittersweet aspect of a relationship that really only two options left for it. To part of take the next step. It's a good Autumn in NY read. The descriptions weren't bad but I got the feeling that Sisman might not have spent enough time in NY because instead of feeling vibrant, gritty, slightly gross and amazing it seemed like a sketch or a watercolor. Pretty foundations but no solid form on which to stand. However, decent read. If you see this is in a bargain bin or on the bookswap take a second

(From my Goodreads) I promise that within the next few weeks I will have something new and sparkly for you but until then:

Touched by an Alien - Gini Koch

Ok, so first off based on the cover and the back description I wasn't expecting much.

I was wrong.

This book was not only surprisingly funny and fast-paced, it was semi-plausible and steamy.

I thought Kitty was going to be TSTL and that the romance was going to be by-the-numbers and blah blah blah blah I'd fall asleep in the middle. Nope. Kitty is smart, realistic, brave and flawed. A marketing manager who happens to be in the wrong place at the right time (depending on how you look at it), Katherine 'Kitty' Katt witnesses a man kill his wife but here's the kicker, he's not a man. He's a thing with wings. Using her fancy pen, she stabs it in the right place (which is not as crazy hand of the author as you'd think) and the next thing she knows all these great looking men in custom tailored suits show up out of thin air and whisk her away to a secret area.

Being that she's quick, she grasps all the information that they are part of the government and that there are things called super-beings and she's just killed one and 'hey, would you like to be recruited'? On top of that, Jeff Martini, the one who does the whisking, is already telling her he wants to marry her. Is he kidding? Kitty decides that yes, he's gorgeous but there are more important things to worry about right now. Namely, how did she get in this mess and wait, what do you mean super-beings and aliens?

As a comic-book geek (something I do happen to have in common with Kitty besides also working in marketing), Kitty can't help but make a few analogies which will help those that are fans and possibly confuse those that aren't but the point will get across because this book will dumb it down for you as the information gets disseminated by different characters.

Speaking of, we find out that the secondary characters (while not as fully-fleshed out) are very interesting in their own rights. There are some surprising secrets about Kitty's parents, Jeff & Christopher's (Jeff's surly cousin and partner who has a few surprises of his own) origins and as the plot and the mystery unrolls we get to see what these characters are made of.

While the villain is exactly that, a villain, you get the sense that though he's sort of like a typical comic book villain, it's not about him. It's about the damage he's caused and how it effects the characters and less about trying to humanize him.

Fast-paced and funny, this book borrows from several genres but in the end manages to still end up unique. It never takes itself too seriously, which is maybe why it doesn't fail. It's refreshing and a good read.

The Darkly Luminous Fight for Miss Persephone Parker - Review

First of let me just say that Leanna Renee Hieber is a magical writer. While the prose in this book could've been tighter, it still contained an ethereal quality that both moved the reader and the plot.

Percy is back in this installment as Mrs. Alexi Rychmann, the wife of her beloved from the last book. Alexi is also her destiny. Unfortunately one cannot succumb to the joys of marital bliss when a dead God wants to take you back to the Underworld as payback for a Goddess' actions. You see, Percy is kind of sort a Goddess or at least a mortal carnation of one. Except she's also not. She has no memory of anything that Persephone did, has no wish to be pulled and poked by a story that should have ended long ago and frankly she's a little scared and tired of the visions that she keeps having.

But with the War between the Whisper-world and reality inching ever so closer, Percy, her husband and their friends have little choice in whether or not they want to comply. They were born to stand at the ready and unfortunately happiness has to take a backseat.

But it is something to fight for.

This book seems like the conclusion of the Percy books - making it two in total, and it was a nice ending. The battles and the war were big and the depth of emotion at things lost, betrayed or gained was almost tangible. Percy also grew a spine in this book, which is perfect because her husband could be quite overpowering and bossy, not to mention that in order for her to win the war, Percy needed to grow a pair.

This book is a 4.59 because again the prose could have been tighter and some of the story lines (early on) could've been less vague. Over all, it's a good ending to Percy and The Guard's fight.

When the limitations of publishing beat you to the punch

I have always hated looking at the stacks at Strand or going to B&N and seeing a book that looks interesting but never bought it due to price or unsure interest level.

As I was looking through sci-fi books to recommend to my husband I came across an Anne McCaffrey book that I saw in the store a few years back that I thought would be interesting:

From B&N

Her name was Killashandra Ree. And after ten grueling years of musical training, she was still without prospects. Until she heard of the mysterious Heptite Guild who could provide careers, security, and wealth beyond imagining. The problem was, few people who landed on Ballybran ever left. But to Killashandra the risks were acceptable....

And because I was stupid I didn't buy it when I saw it. So of course three years later when I'm looking for a book to read and I'm searching my bookstores I find part two. I don't know about the rest of you but I have to read a series in order.


Anyhoo, it happened to me with Dawn Cook, Anne McCaffrey and it's happening to me now with everyone from Merline Lovelace, Kathryne Kennedy and Victoria Thompson.

Thank goodness for Amazon.


However, the pain of realizing about three months down the road that you were actually interested in that random book that you saw but didn't think it would make sense to buy is actually gone and the sequel is coming out- ugh ick eep. Pain.

Any pain points of ya'll out there?

The first list - yes, the first- Fairy Tales part One

Yes, this picture has very little to do with actual books but I couldn't resist. Any receipt (the old-time term for recipes) that tells me to bake candy on a sunshiny day is a keeper in my book.

Anyway, I came across a list of fairy-tale imaginings on Sur La Lune and thought to myself, FABLES should be prominent on this page. So, I took up on myself to come up with a list of a few good Fairy-Tale re-tellings that are worth your time and effort.

Please allow me to direct your attention to the below list of Fairy-Tale Re-Tellings. Part One.

Fables

Bill Willingham and his crew of amazing pencillers, artists, letterers and the lot bring new life to the world of Fairy-Tales. In this re-imagning, the Fables are on the run from the "Adversary" after their Homeland has been razed, destroyed and subjugated to his blind, arrogant hateful whim. Fables such as Snow White, Rose Red, Bigby (the Big Bad Wolf), Boy Blue, Prince Charming, Sleeping Beauty, Beauty and the Beast, the witch from all those scary Hansel and Gretel type stories (Frau Totenkinder if you please) and Jack of all Fables, are now nestled into NYC, living on a peaceful stretch of Manhattan and hoping for a day that they can reclaim their homelands.

There are several rules in which one must abide by in order to be accepted into Fabletown but one glorious caveat to joining  - all your past sins are erased and you can start anew; Tabula Rosa.  Of course, there are those that just don't understand what it means to not commit crimes and intrigue and the first installment deals with the 'death' of Rose Red.

For those that aren't human enough to dwell within Manhattan, there is the Farm in upstate NY. Further adventures happen up there and animals such as the Three Blind Mice, the Goose that lays the Golden Eggs and the Cow that jumped over the moon are all hanging out up there. Sure, there are times of unrest but what unites them all is the constant threat of the Adversary on their new home and the thirteen installments (thus far) deal with the war, the characters and the intrigue that lies behind every Fable door.

Prologue - What this site is actually about

Ever been in a bookstore or library and really wanted to read a book but you have no idea what kind or book or what genre? Ever picked a book up and wrinkled your literate nose in confusion or hesitation?

I have. 

I'm a big reader, a bookworm, a nerd. I love the smell of ink and paper and bookstores are my happy place. I am a book whore who will open her wallet at the mere promise of a good story.

But.

I also have hundreds of books on my to-be-read list and sometimes I honestly can't remember the name of the book. There are also times when I am standing in the store hankering to read a particular genre but not knowing which book to read that will satisfy my desires.

Which is why that makes me sympathetic to the plights of friends and strangers who have no idea what to read and come to me for help or advice. Not only that but after I've read something that is amazing I do my damnedest to spread that book-love wide open like a five dollar hooker.

Whether it's fantasy, mystery, comics, graphic novels, classics, sci-fi, romance or some amalgamation of all of the above, I am here to help guide that needle of literacy in your supplicant brains until you can feel the sweet warm release of fun.* I will be posting reviews, lists, suggestions, quotes and the occasional sound of music.

What can I say, I'm a book pusher. A peddler. A peddling pied piper of prose.

* Buyer beware. You may experience a new found love of a different genre and that may increase your debt or burn a hole in your library card. If you have any suggestions on a book or have a particular review that you would like posted, please feel free to drop a line.