Summary:
The "writer" opens with a forward saying that he's going to stay out of sight as much as possible in the writing of the book. He goes on to say that he did a fact finding for the US government on what exactly happened during the zombie war and the clean-up afterward. In his original report, he told all the stories of the survivors, but the government rejected it, saying that they only wanted the cold, hard facts. So he went ahead and published this book with all of those stories that the government didn't care about.
The book goes on to tell the stories of the "survivors" of a zombie invasion, and outlines all of the political, social, and economical ramifications of what a full-scale zombie invasion would look like.
Thoughts:
Honestly, it was really interesting. I was completely engaged in this book the whole way through. It actually reads like a hundred testimonials from war heros and survivors. This is exactly what I would expect from someone like Tom Brokaw, about WWII or the Vietnam War or something. It was mind blowing to think about what could happen if our planet was overrun with a fictional brain-eating menace. It's a study in hypotheticals, for sure, but truly a fascinating read.
Book 15 of 30 (Halfway there!)
Pages: 342
Genre: Fantasy/Horror
Grade: A-/B+
Would I Recommend?: Definitely. If you're into the zombie thing, you'll love this, and even if you're not, it was interesting at the very least.
Thursday, May 19, 2011
Vampyres of Hollywood (Adrienne Barbeau & Michael Scott)
Summary:
Ovsanna Moore is a Hollywood scream queen who runs a very successful horror movie studio. She's also a 500-year-old vampyre. Peter King is LAPD officer investigating multiple murders that keep leading him back to Ovsanna. What he doesn't know is that Ovsanna's vampyre clan is getting attacked, and she's determined to find out why.
Thoughts:
This is another book that is written alternatively between the two main characters, though not as evenly alternating as Will Grayson, Will Grayson. This vampire book, like most others written in the last five years or so, tries to turn all the old vampire stories on their heads. The murder mystery part was good, but the "vampires really do THIS" stuff is getting old to me. I guess I should probably stop reading vampire novels. There's another of the Sookie Stackhouse novels in the wings, but that series doesn't turn everything completely around. Other than, we'll see.
Book 14 of 30
Pages: 325
Genre: Fantasy/Mystery
Grade: B
Would I Recommend?: Kinda interesting for the writing style, but Will Grayson, Will Grayson was the same style done better. If you're into vampires and don't mind changing up their background, go for it.
Ovsanna Moore is a Hollywood scream queen who runs a very successful horror movie studio. She's also a 500-year-old vampyre. Peter King is LAPD officer investigating multiple murders that keep leading him back to Ovsanna. What he doesn't know is that Ovsanna's vampyre clan is getting attacked, and she's determined to find out why.
Thoughts:
This is another book that is written alternatively between the two main characters, though not as evenly alternating as Will Grayson, Will Grayson. This vampire book, like most others written in the last five years or so, tries to turn all the old vampire stories on their heads. The murder mystery part was good, but the "vampires really do THIS" stuff is getting old to me. I guess I should probably stop reading vampire novels. There's another of the Sookie Stackhouse novels in the wings, but that series doesn't turn everything completely around. Other than, we'll see.
Book 14 of 30
Pages: 325
Genre: Fantasy/Mystery
Grade: B
Would I Recommend?: Kinda interesting for the writing style, but Will Grayson, Will Grayson was the same style done better. If you're into vampires and don't mind changing up their background, go for it.
Will Grayson, Will Grayson (John Green & David Levithan)
Summary:
Will Grayson is a regular kid from a Chicago suburb that just tries to stay out of the way and keep his mouth shut. But his gigantic best friend, Tiny, is the most fabulous (*snap!*) linebacker in school. Will makes the mistake of writing a letter to the school newspaper in defense of Tiny, and actually signed it. From there, Will's world gets rocked a little more every day, as Tiny brings him deeper into Tiny's circle of friends, who are all in the Gay-Straight Alliance (including a cute girl, Jane, who may or may not be straight). Tiny decides to put on a play of his life, co-starring Will. This is wholly against Will's policy of shutting up and staying out of the public eye.
Will Grayson is a regular kid from a different Chicago suburb that is in love with an online friend, Isaac, who he messages any chance he gets. He's gay, but he tells no one, not even his only friend at school, Maura. He and Maura have a love-hate relationship that only exists because neither of them are close to anyone else.
One fateful day, Will Grayson goes with Tiny and Jane to a concert in Chicago, but it's at a 21+ only club, and Will's fake ID makes him only 20. Tiny and Jane go to the show, and an annoyed Will has time to burn before they go home again. He's determined to make use of his fake ID, so he decides to visit a porn shop across the street. On the very same day, Will Grayson and Isaac agree to meet in the city. Isaac sends Will to meet him at a porn shop in the city. And this is how Will Grayson meets Will Grayson. The story follows the Wills as they both become important parts in Tiny's life.
Thoughts:
The book is really quite incredible. It's written in alternating chapters, one following Will the First, one following Will the Second. They are two very different boys, who happened to have the same name, and who happen to both care about Tiny Cooper very much. The writing is good, and the story is so engaging, that I couldn't put it down. It's a really enjoyable read, although the ending feels a little abrupt for how the story had been playing out. But truly, it was a joy to read this book. I highly suggest it.
Book 13 of 30
Pages: 310
Genre: General fiction, teen lit
Grade: A+
Would I Recommend?: Absolutely. This book is awesome. Everyone should read it.
Will Grayson is a regular kid from a Chicago suburb that just tries to stay out of the way and keep his mouth shut. But his gigantic best friend, Tiny, is the most fabulous (*snap!*) linebacker in school. Will makes the mistake of writing a letter to the school newspaper in defense of Tiny, and actually signed it. From there, Will's world gets rocked a little more every day, as Tiny brings him deeper into Tiny's circle of friends, who are all in the Gay-Straight Alliance (including a cute girl, Jane, who may or may not be straight). Tiny decides to put on a play of his life, co-starring Will. This is wholly against Will's policy of shutting up and staying out of the public eye.
Will Grayson is a regular kid from a different Chicago suburb that is in love with an online friend, Isaac, who he messages any chance he gets. He's gay, but he tells no one, not even his only friend at school, Maura. He and Maura have a love-hate relationship that only exists because neither of them are close to anyone else.
One fateful day, Will Grayson goes with Tiny and Jane to a concert in Chicago, but it's at a 21+ only club, and Will's fake ID makes him only 20. Tiny and Jane go to the show, and an annoyed Will has time to burn before they go home again. He's determined to make use of his fake ID, so he decides to visit a porn shop across the street. On the very same day, Will Grayson and Isaac agree to meet in the city. Isaac sends Will to meet him at a porn shop in the city. And this is how Will Grayson meets Will Grayson. The story follows the Wills as they both become important parts in Tiny's life.
Thoughts:
The book is really quite incredible. It's written in alternating chapters, one following Will the First, one following Will the Second. They are two very different boys, who happened to have the same name, and who happen to both care about Tiny Cooper very much. The writing is good, and the story is so engaging, that I couldn't put it down. It's a really enjoyable read, although the ending feels a little abrupt for how the story had been playing out. But truly, it was a joy to read this book. I highly suggest it.
Book 13 of 30
Pages: 310
Genre: General fiction, teen lit
Grade: A+
Would I Recommend?: Absolutely. This book is awesome. Everyone should read it.
Friday, May 13, 2011
Witch & Wizard (James Patterson)
Summary:
Whit and Wisty are swept away from their home in the middle of the night by government soldiers. Before they're taken away, their parents give them a drumstick and a blank book, which baffles the kids. They get thrown into prison, accused of being a wizard and a witch, and they are told that they will be put to death as soon as they hit eighteen. The book follows them as they fight to escape the prison, and learn all the ins and outs of the new political regime, which hates children.
Thoughts:
I liked it. Patterson weaves a good yarn here, while the kids learn what they really are, and learn how to deal with their magic. I obviously go for fantasy stuff more often than not, and this was a new and different twist on the witch/wizard plot line. And unlike Twilight, it doesn't turn everything on its head. Instead, it just expands on the worlds that have already been created. Plus, I liked the characters in this one.
Book 12 of 30
Pages: 312
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: Yup. Interesting story, and a good start to the series. I'll definitely be going further in this series.
Whit and Wisty are swept away from their home in the middle of the night by government soldiers. Before they're taken away, their parents give them a drumstick and a blank book, which baffles the kids. They get thrown into prison, accused of being a wizard and a witch, and they are told that they will be put to death as soon as they hit eighteen. The book follows them as they fight to escape the prison, and learn all the ins and outs of the new political regime, which hates children.
Thoughts:
I liked it. Patterson weaves a good yarn here, while the kids learn what they really are, and learn how to deal with their magic. I obviously go for fantasy stuff more often than not, and this was a new and different twist on the witch/wizard plot line. And unlike Twilight, it doesn't turn everything on its head. Instead, it just expands on the worlds that have already been created. Plus, I liked the characters in this one.
Book 12 of 30
Pages: 312
Genre: Fantasy
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: Yup. Interesting story, and a good start to the series. I'll definitely be going further in this series.
Naked Heat (Richard Castle)
Summary:
In "Castle's" second Nikki Heat novel, Nikki and Jamie Rook get wrapped up in the murder of a friend of Rook's, a gossip columnist who got into a story that was far bigger than she realized it was. Rook and Nikki embark on the case solving adventure, learning far more about the columnist than anyone else knew, all while trying to ignore the sexual tension between themselves.
Thoughts:
Another fun romp with Rook and Heat. It once again feels exactly like the show in written form. I think this one, if it were put on the show, would be more of a two-parter. There were many more details that they would never be able to stuff into a one-hour show. The mysteries written by "Castle" aren't too crazy on the plot front, but this one gave me enough to think about, for sure. It was a fun, quick read.
Book 11 of 30
Pages: 290
Genre: Mystery/romance
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: If you watch Castle, yes. Otherwise, it's just a cheesy mystery novel.
In "Castle's" second Nikki Heat novel, Nikki and Jamie Rook get wrapped up in the murder of a friend of Rook's, a gossip columnist who got into a story that was far bigger than she realized it was. Rook and Nikki embark on the case solving adventure, learning far more about the columnist than anyone else knew, all while trying to ignore the sexual tension between themselves.
Thoughts:
Another fun romp with Rook and Heat. It once again feels exactly like the show in written form. I think this one, if it were put on the show, would be more of a two-parter. There were many more details that they would never be able to stuff into a one-hour show. The mysteries written by "Castle" aren't too crazy on the plot front, but this one gave me enough to think about, for sure. It was a fun, quick read.
Book 11 of 30
Pages: 290
Genre: Mystery/romance
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: If you watch Castle, yes. Otherwise, it's just a cheesy mystery novel.
The First Love Cookie Club (Lori Wilde)
Summary:
As a child, Sarah Collier had negligent parents, and her only joy came when she spent Christmas and holidays with her grandmother in Twilight, Texas. She fell for the boy next door, Travis, who was far older than her. She even dreams of him every hear when she follows the mythos of the kismet cookie, which says that if you sleep with a cookie under your pillow on Christmas Eve, you will dream of the person you'll marry. Sarah's heart was broken when, on Christmas Day, Travis went and married someone else. (She was even his own age and everything!)
Fast forward a decade to Sarah as a huge rock star writer, who's trying to work on her second book, and whose broken heart as a kid has led her to never have a true love affair of any kind. Her editor sends her to a week-long publicity push in, where else, Twilight. Her presence was sought by the First Love Cookie Club, who are trying to make a little girl happy by bringing her favorite writer to town. Guess whose daughter that sweet little girl is. Travis. Sparks fly, hearts melt, and romance ensues.
Thoughts:
Not a bad romance novel, though it's pretty standard faire for the genre. The characters are nicely written, but this isn't exactly a James Patterson mystery. (The Patterson book will come soon!) More than anything, I expected a little talk about the actual recipe of the kismet cookies. They're supposedly amazing cookies, according to the book. With a title like "The First Love Cookie Club," I expected a little something. Oh well. Over all, it's just the standard romance story. At least there's no cop to fawn over.
Book 10 of 30 for the year
Pages: 370
Genre: Romance
Grade: B-
Would I Recommend?: It's a standard romance novel. Go with it.
As a child, Sarah Collier had negligent parents, and her only joy came when she spent Christmas and holidays with her grandmother in Twilight, Texas. She fell for the boy next door, Travis, who was far older than her. She even dreams of him every hear when she follows the mythos of the kismet cookie, which says that if you sleep with a cookie under your pillow on Christmas Eve, you will dream of the person you'll marry. Sarah's heart was broken when, on Christmas Day, Travis went and married someone else. (She was even his own age and everything!)
Fast forward a decade to Sarah as a huge rock star writer, who's trying to work on her second book, and whose broken heart as a kid has led her to never have a true love affair of any kind. Her editor sends her to a week-long publicity push in, where else, Twilight. Her presence was sought by the First Love Cookie Club, who are trying to make a little girl happy by bringing her favorite writer to town. Guess whose daughter that sweet little girl is. Travis. Sparks fly, hearts melt, and romance ensues.
Thoughts:
Not a bad romance novel, though it's pretty standard faire for the genre. The characters are nicely written, but this isn't exactly a James Patterson mystery. (The Patterson book will come soon!) More than anything, I expected a little talk about the actual recipe of the kismet cookies. They're supposedly amazing cookies, according to the book. With a title like "The First Love Cookie Club," I expected a little something. Oh well. Over all, it's just the standard romance story. At least there's no cop to fawn over.
Book 10 of 30 for the year
Pages: 370
Genre: Romance
Grade: B-
Would I Recommend?: It's a standard romance novel. Go with it.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
I Heart New York (Lindsey Kelk)
Summary:
As we first meet the very British Angela, she has the distinct pleasure of finding out that her boyfriend who she thought was about to propose was, in fact, schtooping some chick he plays tennis with. Oh, and she finds this out at her best friend's wedding. Double oh, she finds out that her best friend and the new hubby knew the whole time. Because they all played tennis together. Except Angela. Yeah. So Angela decides to run. To New York City. She winds up not only meeting two hot guys, AND dating both of them, to the point where she gets to choose which man she wants to date, but she lands a blogging gig that gets her serious exposure. And she gets her happily ever.
Thoughts:
The whole thing is very Mary-Sue-ish to me. I didn't like the the dude she wound up with, and the fact that she basically falls into the blog thing annoyed me too. No one has it that easy. The book was a fast read, for sure. But the character was so dysfunctional and wishy-washy, I just didn't like her. It didn't help that the true resolution with her best friend who knew everything about the affair and told her nothing happened some time between the end of the "last chapter" and the beginning of the "epilogue." She speaks to the best friend over the phone for four pages' worth of time, says "Goodbye, I love you, and I'm glad you're okay" and then it goes from there to months down the line where the best friend sends her a congratulatory text. Seriously? Sometimes I wonder about why people end books like that. Let's just leave relationships in a weird limbo, yeah, that's a great plan! I like it.
Book 9 of 30 books for the year
Pages: 307
Genre: General Fiction/Romance
Grade: B-/C+
Would I Recommend?: Eh. Read it, don't read it. It's all up to you.
As we first meet the very British Angela, she has the distinct pleasure of finding out that her boyfriend who she thought was about to propose was, in fact, schtooping some chick he plays tennis with. Oh, and she finds this out at her best friend's wedding. Double oh, she finds out that her best friend and the new hubby knew the whole time. Because they all played tennis together. Except Angela. Yeah. So Angela decides to run. To New York City. She winds up not only meeting two hot guys, AND dating both of them, to the point where she gets to choose which man she wants to date, but she lands a blogging gig that gets her serious exposure. And she gets her happily ever.
Thoughts:
The whole thing is very Mary-Sue-ish to me. I didn't like the the dude she wound up with, and the fact that she basically falls into the blog thing annoyed me too. No one has it that easy. The book was a fast read, for sure. But the character was so dysfunctional and wishy-washy, I just didn't like her. It didn't help that the true resolution with her best friend who knew everything about the affair and told her nothing happened some time between the end of the "last chapter" and the beginning of the "epilogue." She speaks to the best friend over the phone for four pages' worth of time, says "Goodbye, I love you, and I'm glad you're okay" and then it goes from there to months down the line where the best friend sends her a congratulatory text. Seriously? Sometimes I wonder about why people end books like that. Let's just leave relationships in a weird limbo, yeah, that's a great plan! I like it.
Book 9 of 30 books for the year
Pages: 307
Genre: General Fiction/Romance
Grade: B-/C+
Would I Recommend?: Eh. Read it, don't read it. It's all up to you.
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