Summary:
Sookie's got more troubles as usual. Her friends and colleagues in the Were community (werewolves, werepanthers, etcetera) are officially coming out of the supernatural closet. The FBI wants to question her about how she was able to help find people in the bombing of the vampire summit a few months back, and they're hoping to exploit her gift. There's fairies that are after her, and want her dead. A former bestie of Sookie's is not cool with the news that their boss is a shapeshifter, and wants to take them all down. There's a crucifixion. And to top it all off, Eric does something really sneaky that ties Sookie even tighter to him. Poor girl.
Thoughts:
Once again, a good one. I am starting to get a bit annoyed, though, at how Harris ends these books. Sure, they leave you wanting more, that's not a big issue. But when the wanting is for a more wrapped up plot, and for an actual ending to a book, not a "to be continued," that's not a good thing. Harris does pack a punch with this one once again, which I appreciate, and there's always something going on. I really enjoy Sookie's growing attachment to Eric, because I always liked his character, and how they interacted. I'll keep going with the series, because there's not much left, but the open endings are starting to bug me, especially considering Harris only puts out one book a year, it seems, and I'm coming very close to the current end of the series. I will say, though, I'd be interested in going back and watching how this would play out on the TV show. I wonder if it'll even be around long enough to get to these plot points, though it might, as it's already in season five, and each season seemed to equate to one of the books in the series.
Book 20 of 50
Pages: 312
Genre: Mystery, romance, and vampires
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Please start from the beginning of this series, if you're going to read it at all. It's too confusing otherwise.
Sunday, May 27, 2012
Sunday, May 20, 2012
One for the Money (Janet Evanovich)
Summary:
Stephanie Plum is a woman living in Trenton, NJ, and she's just lost her job. She can barely pay her rent, let alone car payments or anything else. She's dying for any job she can get her hands on. When she goes to her cousin's office to interview for a filing job, and finds the position filled, she is willing to do anything. That's when her cousin's secretary tells her there's an open spot for a bounty hunter. Stephanie jumps at the chance when she hears how much she'll get for the job. The added bonus is that she'll be bringing in the one guy that's humiliated her all her life. Little does she know that she's way over her head in the bounty hunting business, and there's more to her case than meets the eye.
Thoughts:
Oh my God, I loved this. I read it two sittings, because I couldn't put it down. (The only time I did was because it was well past midnight, and my eyes were more closed than open.) It's not only a fast read, but it's funny as hell. I will say that it is very dated, considering it was originally written in 1994, when the eighties were only slightly uncool, and car phones were the new rage (Forget cell phones. Those weren't even thought of yet!) The fashion described for poor Stephanie sounds like a girl getting ready for an 80's party. But if you take all that in stride, and remember a time when cell phones weren't available to call for help from a dark alley, you'll be fine. I will admit that when Stephanie first gets into trouble when she's out and about in the city, and she needs help, my first reaction is "use your cell phone and call someone," but then I checked myself, checked the publishing date, and laughed. But it really is a fun read, and I look forward to getting into the series. As a girl from Jersey, I appreciate and understand a lot of the "New Jersey attitude" that Stephanie and the rest of the characters exude. And even 18 year old jokes about Jersey's lack of gardens make me smile. I highly suggest this book, and probably the series. Besides, although I plan to see it no matter how bad it supposedly is, I hear the book is way better than the movie. I just hope it's set in 90's Jersey, not 2010's Jersey. It would be so much more interesting! Be warned, once I start really getting my hands on these books, you'll be hearing about them endlessly until I'm through, just like the rest of the series I've powered through.
Book 19 of 50
Pages: 352
Genre: Mystery
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: Definitely. And it doesn't hurt that it's the first in the series either!
Stephanie Plum is a woman living in Trenton, NJ, and she's just lost her job. She can barely pay her rent, let alone car payments or anything else. She's dying for any job she can get her hands on. When she goes to her cousin's office to interview for a filing job, and finds the position filled, she is willing to do anything. That's when her cousin's secretary tells her there's an open spot for a bounty hunter. Stephanie jumps at the chance when she hears how much she'll get for the job. The added bonus is that she'll be bringing in the one guy that's humiliated her all her life. Little does she know that she's way over her head in the bounty hunting business, and there's more to her case than meets the eye.
Thoughts:
Oh my God, I loved this. I read it two sittings, because I couldn't put it down. (The only time I did was because it was well past midnight, and my eyes were more closed than open.) It's not only a fast read, but it's funny as hell. I will say that it is very dated, considering it was originally written in 1994, when the eighties were only slightly uncool, and car phones were the new rage (Forget cell phones. Those weren't even thought of yet!) The fashion described for poor Stephanie sounds like a girl getting ready for an 80's party. But if you take all that in stride, and remember a time when cell phones weren't available to call for help from a dark alley, you'll be fine. I will admit that when Stephanie first gets into trouble when she's out and about in the city, and she needs help, my first reaction is "use your cell phone and call someone," but then I checked myself, checked the publishing date, and laughed. But it really is a fun read, and I look forward to getting into the series. As a girl from Jersey, I appreciate and understand a lot of the "New Jersey attitude" that Stephanie and the rest of the characters exude. And even 18 year old jokes about Jersey's lack of gardens make me smile. I highly suggest this book, and probably the series. Besides, although I plan to see it no matter how bad it supposedly is, I hear the book is way better than the movie. I just hope it's set in 90's Jersey, not 2010's Jersey. It would be so much more interesting! Be warned, once I start really getting my hands on these books, you'll be hearing about them endlessly until I'm through, just like the rest of the series I've powered through.
Book 19 of 50
Pages: 352
Genre: Mystery
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: Definitely. And it doesn't hurt that it's the first in the series either!
Sunday, May 13, 2012
From Dead to Worse (Charlaine Harris)
Summary:
The next installment in the life of Sookie Stackhouse finds her dealing with the aftermath of the explosion at the vampire summit. Many of the vamps she'd known got killed in the blast, or burned by the sun. Quinn, her hunky weretiger (think werewolf, but with stripes.) boyfriend got seriously hurt, and after seeing him in the hospital, Sookie hasn't heard from him again. The vampires of Louisiana are really hurting, particularly the Queen, who lost both her legs in the fire. Their already weakened state was made even worse by the explosion, and now they've got an impending war to deal with. Sookie's werewolf friends aren't fairing much better, and although they had nothing to do with the summit, they've got their own serious war issues to worry about. People are turning up dead or missing, and the two factions of the pack are butting heads worse than ever. Sookie's brother and his new wife are being idiots, which is no surprise to Sookie, though she worries about what might happen if either of them steps too far out of line. And of course, there's the little matter of Sookie's extended family, which didn't much exist until now, but she's just learned that there are people out there that are her blood, and now she's trying to learn more about them.
Thoughts:
So good. (Shut up, I know I said I'd take a rest with the Sookie, and I will. I've got a few more books in line that are not related at all!) This one was easily as good as the last, if not better. I always love when people that have very little or no family find a little more for themselves. (Prisoner of Azkaban was always my favorite Harry Potter book primarily because he finds his godfather.) There's a lot more going between Eric and Sookie, which I'm totally down for. (Hunky vamp that he is!) I appreciate the stuff with the Were community, though it feels like a much bigger invasion into Sookie's life than it had previously. I wouldn't mind if that plot line were mostly finished after this book. I wouldn't be too upset if we didn't see Alcide much more, as sad as that is. This particular book made me lose a little of my endearment toward him. The most interesting thing about this book, as well as the last book, though to a smaller extent, is that Sookie has become harder and harder. In the beginning of the series, when she knew little of the vampire world, and nothing of the Weres, let alone anything else. She was much more lighthearted and sunny than she is now. I would equate it to how Buffy changed in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. Buffy started out a perky teenager who managed to utter the line "If the apocalypse comes, beep me!" in all seriousness before scampering off to a school dance. By the end of the series, she takes the death of some of her close friends as casualties in battle. Sookie is turning out very much the same. When thinking about the casualties from the battles that arise within this book, Sookie doesn't get weepy and upset, she's shaken, but she moves on. It's a very interesting shift in Sookie's mindset, and I'll be looking forward to reading more from Harris. (Though not so soon, I promise!)
Book 18 of 50
Pages: 303
Genre: Mystery, vampires, romance
Grade: A
Would I Recommend?: Here comes the broken record. This series really needs to be read from the beginning, and if you don't, you'll really feel as though you're missing something big. Promise. But hell yeah, read it!
The next installment in the life of Sookie Stackhouse finds her dealing with the aftermath of the explosion at the vampire summit. Many of the vamps she'd known got killed in the blast, or burned by the sun. Quinn, her hunky weretiger (think werewolf, but with stripes.) boyfriend got seriously hurt, and after seeing him in the hospital, Sookie hasn't heard from him again. The vampires of Louisiana are really hurting, particularly the Queen, who lost both her legs in the fire. Their already weakened state was made even worse by the explosion, and now they've got an impending war to deal with. Sookie's werewolf friends aren't fairing much better, and although they had nothing to do with the summit, they've got their own serious war issues to worry about. People are turning up dead or missing, and the two factions of the pack are butting heads worse than ever. Sookie's brother and his new wife are being idiots, which is no surprise to Sookie, though she worries about what might happen if either of them steps too far out of line. And of course, there's the little matter of Sookie's extended family, which didn't much exist until now, but she's just learned that there are people out there that are her blood, and now she's trying to learn more about them.
Thoughts:
So good. (Shut up, I know I said I'd take a rest with the Sookie, and I will. I've got a few more books in line that are not related at all!) This one was easily as good as the last, if not better. I always love when people that have very little or no family find a little more for themselves. (Prisoner of Azkaban was always my favorite Harry Potter book primarily because he finds his godfather.) There's a lot more going between Eric and Sookie, which I'm totally down for. (Hunky vamp that he is!) I appreciate the stuff with the Were community, though it feels like a much bigger invasion into Sookie's life than it had previously. I wouldn't mind if that plot line were mostly finished after this book. I wouldn't be too upset if we didn't see Alcide much more, as sad as that is. This particular book made me lose a little of my endearment toward him. The most interesting thing about this book, as well as the last book, though to a smaller extent, is that Sookie has become harder and harder. In the beginning of the series, when she knew little of the vampire world, and nothing of the Weres, let alone anything else. She was much more lighthearted and sunny than she is now. I would equate it to how Buffy changed in the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series. Buffy started out a perky teenager who managed to utter the line "If the apocalypse comes, beep me!" in all seriousness before scampering off to a school dance. By the end of the series, she takes the death of some of her close friends as casualties in battle. Sookie is turning out very much the same. When thinking about the casualties from the battles that arise within this book, Sookie doesn't get weepy and upset, she's shaken, but she moves on. It's a very interesting shift in Sookie's mindset, and I'll be looking forward to reading more from Harris. (Though not so soon, I promise!)
Book 18 of 50
Pages: 303
Genre: Mystery, vampires, romance
Grade: A
Would I Recommend?: Here comes the broken record. This series really needs to be read from the beginning, and if you don't, you'll really feel as though you're missing something big. Promise. But hell yeah, read it!
Sunday, May 6, 2012
All Together Dead (Charlaine Harris)
Summary:
Sookie's being dragged to the vampire summit in Rhodes, (I believe in Michigan, but it could be Illinois. One of the northern central states, anyway...) to be Queen Sophia-Anne's personal telepath. Her job is to keep a mental ear out, and try to learn what the other kings and queens (and their minions) are up to at this summit. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana is hurting, along with many other states in the Gulf area. Louisiana's vampire population is hard hit, too, and the Queen of Louisiana is no exception. Sophia-Anne's position is not only crippled due to the storm's abuse, she's being accused of unjustly killing her recently acquired husband for the sole purpose of getting her hands on his Arkansas territory. Sookie gets unhappily jammed up right in the middle of all this, with no consideration for the fact that she's got other pressing things at home, not least of which is her brother's wedding to a girl she doesn't care for at all, and her witch friend from New Orleans coming to stay at her house for a while as she works to rebuild more than just her home. Disaster is around every corner for Sookie, just another average day for poor Sook.
Thoughts:
Yes, I know. Another Sookie book. I'll branch out soon, I promise. I'm almost done with the series anyway! It's a good one, though. I really enjoyed it (shocker). Harris puts so many balls up in the air that I hardly know when another one's going to come down, let alone what's going to happen. This one had the return of the telepath Barry, who we hadn't seen since "Living Dead in Dallas," and it was interesting to see Sookie deal with another telepath. The reader is treated to more vampire lore, and a few extra bits for the other supernatural areas in Sookie's life too, which definitely helps Harris broaden her fantasy world. It was interesting, too, to see how Harris dealt with the Katrina issue. She didn't go into much detail, but the book did begin with a lot of talk about what had happened to Louisiana vamps thanks to the flooding. To be honest, this is near the top on my list of good books within the series. I will highly recommend this series to anyone who asks. It's a fun series (with no damn sparkly vampires.) with a lot going on, but never too much to handle. Good stuff.
Book 17 of 50
Pages:323
Genre:Mystery plus romance plus vampires equals Sookie!
Grade:A
Would I Recommend?:Once again, this is a read the whole series kind of book. There's too many things wrapped into this series to pick up in the middle.
Sookie's being dragged to the vampire summit in Rhodes, (I believe in Michigan, but it could be Illinois. One of the northern central states, anyway...) to be Queen Sophia-Anne's personal telepath. Her job is to keep a mental ear out, and try to learn what the other kings and queens (and their minions) are up to at this summit. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, Louisiana is hurting, along with many other states in the Gulf area. Louisiana's vampire population is hard hit, too, and the Queen of Louisiana is no exception. Sophia-Anne's position is not only crippled due to the storm's abuse, she's being accused of unjustly killing her recently acquired husband for the sole purpose of getting her hands on his Arkansas territory. Sookie gets unhappily jammed up right in the middle of all this, with no consideration for the fact that she's got other pressing things at home, not least of which is her brother's wedding to a girl she doesn't care for at all, and her witch friend from New Orleans coming to stay at her house for a while as she works to rebuild more than just her home. Disaster is around every corner for Sookie, just another average day for poor Sook.
Thoughts:
Yes, I know. Another Sookie book. I'll branch out soon, I promise. I'm almost done with the series anyway! It's a good one, though. I really enjoyed it (shocker). Harris puts so many balls up in the air that I hardly know when another one's going to come down, let alone what's going to happen. This one had the return of the telepath Barry, who we hadn't seen since "Living Dead in Dallas," and it was interesting to see Sookie deal with another telepath. The reader is treated to more vampire lore, and a few extra bits for the other supernatural areas in Sookie's life too, which definitely helps Harris broaden her fantasy world. It was interesting, too, to see how Harris dealt with the Katrina issue. She didn't go into much detail, but the book did begin with a lot of talk about what had happened to Louisiana vamps thanks to the flooding. To be honest, this is near the top on my list of good books within the series. I will highly recommend this series to anyone who asks. It's a fun series (with no damn sparkly vampires.) with a lot going on, but never too much to handle. Good stuff.
Book 17 of 50
Pages:323
Genre:Mystery plus romance plus vampires equals Sookie!
Grade:A
Would I Recommend?:Once again, this is a read the whole series kind of book. There's too many things wrapped into this series to pick up in the middle.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012
Catching Fire (Suzanne Collins)
Another special post, since this series is so popular right now!
Summary:
The second in the ridiculously popular Hunger Games series, this episode finds Katniss dealing with the aftermath of her victory at the Games. She has to deal with how she feels about Peeta, her fellow victor, and Gale, the boy she left home while she played up a love story for the Hunger Games cameras. But much more importantly, the country of Panem is reeling after Katniss defied the Capitol with her ending of the Games. There are uprisings threatening in several districts, and President Snow, president of Panem, forces Katniss to play up the romance between herself and Peeta once again during the Victor's Tour. But what happens just before the next Hunger Games sends Katniss into a tailspin, and she's got a whole new set of worries to deal with.
Thoughts:
First things first, I'm trying to not spoil anything from the original book or this one. It's tough, but enough people haven't gotten there that want to read the books. So I'll do my best. Now, I hate how this book ends. It is abrupt and very clearly a ploy to get readers to pick up the next book tomorrow. I despise authors who find the need to do this. If your book is interesting enough, or thrilling or endearing or enjoyable or imaginative enough, people will go get the sequel. Take Evanovich and Rowling for example. There are clearly defined endings with their work. Harry finishes year one. Stephanie brings her big score in and solves the case. In this book, Katniss barely clings to life, and the book ends. There are at least half a dozen major, disgustingly wide open plot holes that have yet to be looked at, let alone sewn up. At least with the original, The Hunger Games, there was a clear finality to the end of the book. This book ends with a shocking declaration. Are you kidding? I digress. I really enjoyed the book. It's thrilling and inventive, and I couldn't put the damn thing down, just like its predecessor. I couldn't wait to see how things played out. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book, and I liked it like that. The writing is good (save the ridiculously abrupt ending) and the characters are well built. But damn, girl. End a book with an ending, not a middle.
Book 26 of 50
Pages: 391, read as an e-book
Genre: Post-apocalyptic teen-lit
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: Yes. Read the first one, because everything in this hinges on what happened in the first book. But yes. It's a great book. Read it.
The second in the ridiculously popular Hunger Games series, this episode finds Katniss dealing with the aftermath of her victory at the Games. She has to deal with how she feels about Peeta, her fellow victor, and Gale, the boy she left home while she played up a love story for the Hunger Games cameras. But much more importantly, the country of Panem is reeling after Katniss defied the Capitol with her ending of the Games. There are uprisings threatening in several districts, and President Snow, president of Panem, forces Katniss to play up the romance between herself and Peeta once again during the Victor's Tour. But what happens just before the next Hunger Games sends Katniss into a tailspin, and she's got a whole new set of worries to deal with.
Thoughts:
First things first, I'm trying to not spoil anything from the original book or this one. It's tough, but enough people haven't gotten there that want to read the books. So I'll do my best. Now, I hate how this book ends. It is abrupt and very clearly a ploy to get readers to pick up the next book tomorrow. I despise authors who find the need to do this. If your book is interesting enough, or thrilling or endearing or enjoyable or imaginative enough, people will go get the sequel. Take Evanovich and Rowling for example. There are clearly defined endings with their work. Harry finishes year one. Stephanie brings her big score in and solves the case. In this book, Katniss barely clings to life, and the book ends. There are at least half a dozen major, disgustingly wide open plot holes that have yet to be looked at, let alone sewn up. At least with the original, The Hunger Games, there was a clear finality to the end of the book. This book ends with a shocking declaration. Are you kidding? I digress. I really enjoyed the book. It's thrilling and inventive, and I couldn't put the damn thing down, just like its predecessor. I couldn't wait to see how things played out. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book, and I liked it like that. The writing is good (save the ridiculously abrupt ending) and the characters are well built. But damn, girl. End a book with an ending, not a middle.
Book 26 of 50
Pages: 391, read as an e-book
Genre: Post-apocalyptic teen-lit
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: Yes. Read the first one, because everything in this hinges on what happened in the first book. But yes. It's a great book. Read it.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Definitely Dead (Charlaine Harris)
Summary:
Sookie Stackhouse is once again shoved unrepentantly into vampire business. Her cousin, Hadley, who was turned into a vampire a few years previously, was permanently killed, and Sookie was named as her benefactor. Sookie has to now go to New Orleans to get Hadley's affairs in order, and collect any belongings Hadley's left behind. For once, though, Sookie's got something good going for her. She's got a hunky guy drooling over her, and he's not even a vamp! Quinn is a weretiger (think werewolf, only he turns into a tiger instead) that spotted her in the prior book, and they developed an... interesting connection. Add in a witch landlady, a vampire queen demanding help, and Eric and Bill (Sookie's exes) still trying to vie for Sookie's attentions, and there you have the next chapter in Sookie's crazy life.
Thoughts:
I really enjoy this series. Often when I start a book, within the first twenty pages or so, I see how many more pages I have, so I know when things are really going to ramp up, and then finish off. For Harris's page-turners, it easily takes me eighty or more to think about the page check, and then it's usually more to see how far I got and less to see how far I have yet to go. Harris has a way of building characters that you become completely enamored of, and who you wish you'd see more. (Personally, I'm crazy about Eric's character, because he's predictable in his unpredictability. Gotta love that guy!) Sookie's making more of a stand this time around, and trying not to jump straight into another shaky relationship that's based mostly around lust, so she's trying to take it slow with Quinn, a trait I appreciate and admire in not only a fictional character, but in an actual person. Something to note about this particular edition to the Sookie books: It seems there is a short story that comes between the previous book, Dead as a Doornail, and this one. The story of how and why Hadley died is touched on briefly, but I'm fairly positive there is something more than just flashbacks to rely on for the full story. I'll be hunting for it, but I'm not sure if/when I'll find it. Just something to think about. Overall, barring the lack of info about Hadley's early exit, this was another great turn for Sookie, and for Harris.
Book 16 of 50
Pages:324
Genre:Mystery with a side of supernaturality
Grade:B+
Would I Recommend?:Yes, but please read the previous installments before you get here. It'll just be confusing otherwise.
Sookie Stackhouse is once again shoved unrepentantly into vampire business. Her cousin, Hadley, who was turned into a vampire a few years previously, was permanently killed, and Sookie was named as her benefactor. Sookie has to now go to New Orleans to get Hadley's affairs in order, and collect any belongings Hadley's left behind. For once, though, Sookie's got something good going for her. She's got a hunky guy drooling over her, and he's not even a vamp! Quinn is a weretiger (think werewolf, only he turns into a tiger instead) that spotted her in the prior book, and they developed an... interesting connection. Add in a witch landlady, a vampire queen demanding help, and Eric and Bill (Sookie's exes) still trying to vie for Sookie's attentions, and there you have the next chapter in Sookie's crazy life.
Thoughts:
I really enjoy this series. Often when I start a book, within the first twenty pages or so, I see how many more pages I have, so I know when things are really going to ramp up, and then finish off. For Harris's page-turners, it easily takes me eighty or more to think about the page check, and then it's usually more to see how far I got and less to see how far I have yet to go. Harris has a way of building characters that you become completely enamored of, and who you wish you'd see more. (Personally, I'm crazy about Eric's character, because he's predictable in his unpredictability. Gotta love that guy!) Sookie's making more of a stand this time around, and trying not to jump straight into another shaky relationship that's based mostly around lust, so she's trying to take it slow with Quinn, a trait I appreciate and admire in not only a fictional character, but in an actual person. Something to note about this particular edition to the Sookie books: It seems there is a short story that comes between the previous book, Dead as a Doornail, and this one. The story of how and why Hadley died is touched on briefly, but I'm fairly positive there is something more than just flashbacks to rely on for the full story. I'll be hunting for it, but I'm not sure if/when I'll find it. Just something to think about. Overall, barring the lack of info about Hadley's early exit, this was another great turn for Sookie, and for Harris.
Book 16 of 50
Pages:324
Genre:Mystery with a side of supernaturality
Grade:B+
Would I Recommend?:Yes, but please read the previous installments before you get here. It'll just be confusing otherwise.
Sunday, April 22, 2012
Six Geese A-Slaying (Donna Andrews)
Summary:
Yet another Donna Andrews mystery featuring Meg Langslow. This one is set at the most magical time of the year, the Christmas season. It's two days from Christmas, and Meg is in charge of Caerphilly's Holiday Parade. The trouble is, Santa gets offed within thirty minutes of his arrival. Whoops. Of course, Meg's got to hunt down the killer and save Christmas.
Thoughts:
The goose motif throughout was quite amusing. Andrews always throws the fowl named in the title into the storyline of the particular book, and this time was no different. And of course, along with the geese, there comes ridiculousness and hilarity that accompany Meg's family anywhere and everywhere. I enjoyed this one as always. The reasons behind the murder were not as obvious as they've been previously, and I was glad to see that drama stemming from Meg being unmarried is now gone, as she and Michael have happily gotten that out of the way. Unfortunately for Meg, now she's got to contend with the "when are the kids coming?" questions that old married always seem to need to ask the nearest newlyweds. Poor girl, I know how you feel, far more than I'd like. As usual for Ms. Andrews, this is yet another splendid turn for Meg and company.
Book 15 of 50
Pages: 288
Genre: Mystery
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Sure. There aren't nearly as many callbacks to previous books as there are in other series, so this one would be an okay choice to pick up in the middle. Great for Christmas reading (or maybe even a little Christmas in July?)
Yet another Donna Andrews mystery featuring Meg Langslow. This one is set at the most magical time of the year, the Christmas season. It's two days from Christmas, and Meg is in charge of Caerphilly's Holiday Parade. The trouble is, Santa gets offed within thirty minutes of his arrival. Whoops. Of course, Meg's got to hunt down the killer and save Christmas.
Thoughts:
The goose motif throughout was quite amusing. Andrews always throws the fowl named in the title into the storyline of the particular book, and this time was no different. And of course, along with the geese, there comes ridiculousness and hilarity that accompany Meg's family anywhere and everywhere. I enjoyed this one as always. The reasons behind the murder were not as obvious as they've been previously, and I was glad to see that drama stemming from Meg being unmarried is now gone, as she and Michael have happily gotten that out of the way. Unfortunately for Meg, now she's got to contend with the "when are the kids coming?" questions that old married always seem to need to ask the nearest newlyweds. Poor girl, I know how you feel, far more than I'd like. As usual for Ms. Andrews, this is yet another splendid turn for Meg and company.
Book 15 of 50
Pages: 288
Genre: Mystery
Grade: B+
Would I Recommend?: Sure. There aren't nearly as many callbacks to previous books as there are in other series, so this one would be an okay choice to pick up in the middle. Great for Christmas reading (or maybe even a little Christmas in July?)
Sunday, April 15, 2012
A Touch of Greek (Tina Folsom)
Summary:
Triton is a philandering minor God, sprung from Olympus with spectacular good looks, a smokin' hot bod, and the arrogance to go with it. He can and will sleep with anything with breath and boobs. He even beds Zeus's current mistress, which leads to all kinds of trouble. His punishment, he is banished to the mortal world and must find a woman who will fall in love with him, not for his good looks, but his selflessness and kindness. Triton's in deep crap. Sophia's aunt, who raised her and her cousin Michael, has just passed away, and she is the sole benefactor of her aunt's will, thanks to Michael's conniving, cheating, stealing ways. She's trying to refurbish the house and turn it into a bed and breakfast, so that she won't be swept away by the taxes on her inheritance, and Michael's doing everything to stop it, and take what he believes he's owed. An unfortunate accident leaves Sophia nearly blind, and facing hardship upon hardship when Triton comes to her, ready to help and gain her love. Little do they both know, there's all kinds of peril waiting for them at every turn.
Thoughts:
Really good. It's absolutely classic romance novel formula, of course. But the writing is good, and the details are interesting. I was rooting for them both the whole way through, even if I did know what was going to happen in the end. The writing was good enough that you can ignore the "holy crap, so predictable" and move on to the "aww, what are they going to do next" of it all. I can't say it's the best I've ever read, but it's definitely not the worst. Added bonus is the Greek mythology angle, which will usually hook me right off. It does get fairly racy, and Triton often (especially at the beginning) can't stop thinking about his (ahem) trident. (Har har.) But it's not so much to be off-putting. There's more books in the series, though it apparently focuses on Dionysus not Triton, but I'll probably check it out anyway. I read this one on the Kindle, but it is also available in hard copy.
Book 14 of 50
Pages:221 according to Kindle (the last 5-10 pages were a "sneak peak"), 228 according to Amazon's page
Genre:romance, with a touch of Greek mythology
Grade:B+
Would I Recommend?:Sure, it's a fun romp in the hay.
Triton is a philandering minor God, sprung from Olympus with spectacular good looks, a smokin' hot bod, and the arrogance to go with it. He can and will sleep with anything with breath and boobs. He even beds Zeus's current mistress, which leads to all kinds of trouble. His punishment, he is banished to the mortal world and must find a woman who will fall in love with him, not for his good looks, but his selflessness and kindness. Triton's in deep crap. Sophia's aunt, who raised her and her cousin Michael, has just passed away, and she is the sole benefactor of her aunt's will, thanks to Michael's conniving, cheating, stealing ways. She's trying to refurbish the house and turn it into a bed and breakfast, so that she won't be swept away by the taxes on her inheritance, and Michael's doing everything to stop it, and take what he believes he's owed. An unfortunate accident leaves Sophia nearly blind, and facing hardship upon hardship when Triton comes to her, ready to help and gain her love. Little do they both know, there's all kinds of peril waiting for them at every turn.
Thoughts:
Really good. It's absolutely classic romance novel formula, of course. But the writing is good, and the details are interesting. I was rooting for them both the whole way through, even if I did know what was going to happen in the end. The writing was good enough that you can ignore the "holy crap, so predictable" and move on to the "aww, what are they going to do next" of it all. I can't say it's the best I've ever read, but it's definitely not the worst. Added bonus is the Greek mythology angle, which will usually hook me right off. It does get fairly racy, and Triton often (especially at the beginning) can't stop thinking about his (ahem) trident. (Har har.) But it's not so much to be off-putting. There's more books in the series, though it apparently focuses on Dionysus not Triton, but I'll probably check it out anyway. I read this one on the Kindle, but it is also available in hard copy.
Book 14 of 50
Pages:221 according to Kindle (the last 5-10 pages were a "sneak peak"), 228 according to Amazon's page
Genre:romance, with a touch of Greek mythology
Grade:B+
Would I Recommend?:Sure, it's a fun romp in the hay.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins)
This is a special post, brought on because the Hunger Games is huge right now. From time to time, if I find something that's great and that I want to share right away, I'll make a special Wednesday post to keep you up to date. The book number (22 of 50) is out of order from the rest of the books posted on Sundays because I'm really far ahead on my reading this year.
Summary:
The Hunger Games is about a post-apocalyptic country called Panem, which sits where the United States once did. The thirteen districts revolted against the Capitol, and now the twelve remaining districts have to suffer through the Hunger Games as punishment. Every year, one boy and one girl from each district fight to the death in an arena near the Capitol, and video of the whole ordeal is broadcast throughout the country for everyone to watch. The Tributes' names are drawn by lots, though anyone can volunteer if they so choose. Katniss Everdeen hates the Capitol for this violent practice, but she volunteers for the Games to save her little sister's life. Now she must fight her way through the Games, fending off the craziest of competitors, in the hopes that she might actually return to District Twelve.
Thoughts:
What a disturbing plot line for a piece of teen literature. But it works. You feel offended by the gall of the Panem government, and you hurt for Katniss as she fights to stay alive, and does everything she can to do so. The characters are so well built, they take hold of your mind and don't let go. It's not often that I find something that has as much a hold on me as this book does. I couldn't put the book down, even during the more tedious parts (of which there are very, very few), and finished the book in about three days' time. It's an incredible book, and well worth the read. Sure, this book is trendy and cool right now, and you might want to roll your eyes at all the hipsters that are carrying around well-worn copies of it, and the rest of the series, like badges of honor or something. But they're not wrong about the impressiveness of the book. It's well plotted, very well written, and completely intriguing. Highly suggested, and honestly, probably one of the best books I've read all year, so far. Hop on the Hunger Games train if you haven't already. You won't be sorry. As an aside, I went to the movie last week, and the movie is fairly spot-on. There were a few discrepancies (Prim isn't the one that gave Katniss the mocking jay pin, it was another girl Katniss went to school with, and Peeta's actor doesn't feel like Peeta to anyone I've spoken with about it) but for the most part, it's a very well-done movie adaptation. I think an added bonus was how much Ms. Collins was involved with the making of the movie. I saw her name on two different lines when the credits rolled, more than just "Based on a novel by..." I highly suggest the movie, but only after having read the book, because there are things that will just shock the heck out of you if you don't know they're coming, and you might wind up bawling like a baby as you watch the movie unknowingly. Watch this space for a review of the following books in the series. It'll come as soon as I get my hands on the books.
Book 22 of 50
Pages: 384
Genre: teen lit, post-apocalyptic
Grade: A+
Would I Recommend?: Yes, with great aplomb. Read it. Trust.
The Hunger Games is about a post-apocalyptic country called Panem, which sits where the United States once did. The thirteen districts revolted against the Capitol, and now the twelve remaining districts have to suffer through the Hunger Games as punishment. Every year, one boy and one girl from each district fight to the death in an arena near the Capitol, and video of the whole ordeal is broadcast throughout the country for everyone to watch. The Tributes' names are drawn by lots, though anyone can volunteer if they so choose. Katniss Everdeen hates the Capitol for this violent practice, but she volunteers for the Games to save her little sister's life. Now she must fight her way through the Games, fending off the craziest of competitors, in the hopes that she might actually return to District Twelve.
Thoughts:
What a disturbing plot line for a piece of teen literature. But it works. You feel offended by the gall of the Panem government, and you hurt for Katniss as she fights to stay alive, and does everything she can to do so. The characters are so well built, they take hold of your mind and don't let go. It's not often that I find something that has as much a hold on me as this book does. I couldn't put the book down, even during the more tedious parts (of which there are very, very few), and finished the book in about three days' time. It's an incredible book, and well worth the read. Sure, this book is trendy and cool right now, and you might want to roll your eyes at all the hipsters that are carrying around well-worn copies of it, and the rest of the series, like badges of honor or something. But they're not wrong about the impressiveness of the book. It's well plotted, very well written, and completely intriguing. Highly suggested, and honestly, probably one of the best books I've read all year, so far. Hop on the Hunger Games train if you haven't already. You won't be sorry. As an aside, I went to the movie last week, and the movie is fairly spot-on. There were a few discrepancies (Prim isn't the one that gave Katniss the mocking jay pin, it was another girl Katniss went to school with, and Peeta's actor doesn't feel like Peeta to anyone I've spoken with about it) but for the most part, it's a very well-done movie adaptation. I think an added bonus was how much Ms. Collins was involved with the making of the movie. I saw her name on two different lines when the credits rolled, more than just "Based on a novel by..." I highly suggest the movie, but only after having read the book, because there are things that will just shock the heck out of you if you don't know they're coming, and you might wind up bawling like a baby as you watch the movie unknowingly. Watch this space for a review of the following books in the series. It'll come as soon as I get my hands on the books.
Book 22 of 50
Pages: 384
Genre: teen lit, post-apocalyptic
Grade: A+
Would I Recommend?: Yes, with great aplomb. Read it. Trust.
Sunday, April 8, 2012
A Fault in Our Stars (John Green)
Summary:
In John Green's newest book, Hazel is a sixteen year old who, since her diagnosis with lung cancer, has become a self-described homebody. She goes to Support Group, and not much else, and grudgingly at that. One fateful meeting of the Support Group, she meets Augustus Waters, and her whole existence changes. Augustus is hot, and he stares at her the whole meeting. The agree to read each other's favorite books, and from there the bond does nothing but grow.
Thoughts:
What a brutal, glorious, agonizingly beautiful book. I'd read one of Green's books before (Will Grayson, Will Grayson, and it was fantastic.) and appreciated his humor and the great writing. When, through Green's video blog, which my husband keeps up with, we learned that A Fault in Our Stars was getting released, we had to grab it. This latest novel is no less spectacular than his previous. (No, they have nothing to do with each other, except that they are both about teenagers. No series here, people!) Green creates characters that are endearing and wonderful, and you can't help but fall for them while they fall for each other. When I first cracked the cover, and discovered it was a book about cancer patients, I didn't want to read on, because I didn't want to be depressed over their illness. But this is not, as Green put it, "a cancer book." There's no epic fighting ending in a spectacular honorarium that Hazel fights to build so she can be remembered. Yes, the beginning is a tad uncomfortable for those of us blessed enough to not see the hardships with our own eyes. But Green leads the reader past the fact that Hazel is a cancer patient and leads you to exactly where Hazel would want you to be, forgetting at times that she's sick, ignoring the fact that she's going to die, and living with her while she creates her infinity with Augustus. It's cliche, and I know it is, but... I laughed. I cried. I loved this. Well done, Mr. Green. You've done it again.
Book 13 of 50
Pages:336
Genre:teen lit
Grade:A+
Would I Recommend?:Hell yes. Please do. You won't regret it at all. Promise.
In John Green's newest book, Hazel is a sixteen year old who, since her diagnosis with lung cancer, has become a self-described homebody. She goes to Support Group, and not much else, and grudgingly at that. One fateful meeting of the Support Group, she meets Augustus Waters, and her whole existence changes. Augustus is hot, and he stares at her the whole meeting. The agree to read each other's favorite books, and from there the bond does nothing but grow.
Thoughts:
What a brutal, glorious, agonizingly beautiful book. I'd read one of Green's books before (Will Grayson, Will Grayson, and it was fantastic.) and appreciated his humor and the great writing. When, through Green's video blog, which my husband keeps up with, we learned that A Fault in Our Stars was getting released, we had to grab it. This latest novel is no less spectacular than his previous. (No, they have nothing to do with each other, except that they are both about teenagers. No series here, people!) Green creates characters that are endearing and wonderful, and you can't help but fall for them while they fall for each other. When I first cracked the cover, and discovered it was a book about cancer patients, I didn't want to read on, because I didn't want to be depressed over their illness. But this is not, as Green put it, "a cancer book." There's no epic fighting ending in a spectacular honorarium that Hazel fights to build so she can be remembered. Yes, the beginning is a tad uncomfortable for those of us blessed enough to not see the hardships with our own eyes. But Green leads the reader past the fact that Hazel is a cancer patient and leads you to exactly where Hazel would want you to be, forgetting at times that she's sick, ignoring the fact that she's going to die, and living with her while she creates her infinity with Augustus. It's cliche, and I know it is, but... I laughed. I cried. I loved this. Well done, Mr. Green. You've done it again.
Book 13 of 50
Pages:336
Genre:teen lit
Grade:A+
Would I Recommend?:Hell yes. Please do. You won't regret it at all. Promise.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
A Red Hot Valentine's Day (various)
Summary:
This collection of four short stories has two set in the nineteenth century, one set in modern-ish times with demons, and one set in actual modern times. Warning, these stories are flat-out erotica, and not recommended for the faint of heart. Story one sees a whole lotta action for an unmarried gentleman seeking a wife, and his current mistress, a widow with a wandering eye. Story two finds a long-distance couple trying to finally celebrate a Valentine's Day in the same time zone. Story three throws together an incubus and a succubus who are past lovers, and whose job on earth is to bring damned souls to hell through any sexual means possible. Story four finds a widow and her first (and unrequited) love stuck together during a snow storm.
Thoughts:
I almost didn't post about this book, because I just didn't know how I felt about it. But I'm sticking to my guns, and posting about every book I read, no matter the content. That being said, holy crap. I was given this as a gift, and the giver had no idea of the true content, other than it sounded like a romance, and something I might enjoy. I can't tell you my surprise when I cracked the cover. Whoo boy. Story one is literally sex-laden. I can remember at least six instances of sexual activity off the top of my head, and that was in a grand total of seventy pages. There's very little actual STORY here, it's more "how do I get this guy into that chick's bed fastest?" I wasn't impressed. There's erotica written purely for the sex, and erotica written with an actual storyline involved, and this is very clearly in the first category. Clearly. Story two's got a little more going for it, and the erotica involved is actually more of a story within a story that's being sent back and forth between the couple as they try to pass time between meetings. Not altogether bad, and probably my second favorite out of the four options. Still, the author was very obviously trying to fulfill a couple challenges, either put forth from friends, or challenges to herself. Story three was just weird. It has two sections based in modern times, and one set in Hell itself. I mean, I'm all for fantastical stories and everything, but this one was just flat-out bizarre. And add in a few seriously detailed sexual encounters, and there you go. Definitely the least favorite of the bunch. I hate stopping reading things in the middle of a story, but on this bad boy, I was sorely tempted. Holy geez. Story four was sweet. Sure, it was hot stuff, too, but it actually had a storyline to it, and not just something to get the partners from sexual point A to point B. It had a bit of a Pride and Prejudice feel to it, though Jane Austen would never have dared to put erotica into any of her novels, and is probably rolling in her grave at my mere suggestion of such a thing. However, it was definitely the best of the pack, and you know the old saying. "Save the best for last." Once again, that's absolutely true, and I'm proud of this author for actually putting together a thoughtful piece that happens to include some racy sex scenes, instead of sex with a side of story.
Book 12 of 50
Pages:292
Genre:Erotica.
Grade:C+
Would I Recommend?:Eh. I've read better, and I've read worse. I certainly won't be reading it again...
This collection of four short stories has two set in the nineteenth century, one set in modern-ish times with demons, and one set in actual modern times. Warning, these stories are flat-out erotica, and not recommended for the faint of heart. Story one sees a whole lotta action for an unmarried gentleman seeking a wife, and his current mistress, a widow with a wandering eye. Story two finds a long-distance couple trying to finally celebrate a Valentine's Day in the same time zone. Story three throws together an incubus and a succubus who are past lovers, and whose job on earth is to bring damned souls to hell through any sexual means possible. Story four finds a widow and her first (and unrequited) love stuck together during a snow storm.
Thoughts:
I almost didn't post about this book, because I just didn't know how I felt about it. But I'm sticking to my guns, and posting about every book I read, no matter the content. That being said, holy crap. I was given this as a gift, and the giver had no idea of the true content, other than it sounded like a romance, and something I might enjoy. I can't tell you my surprise when I cracked the cover. Whoo boy. Story one is literally sex-laden. I can remember at least six instances of sexual activity off the top of my head, and that was in a grand total of seventy pages. There's very little actual STORY here, it's more "how do I get this guy into that chick's bed fastest?" I wasn't impressed. There's erotica written purely for the sex, and erotica written with an actual storyline involved, and this is very clearly in the first category. Clearly. Story two's got a little more going for it, and the erotica involved is actually more of a story within a story that's being sent back and forth between the couple as they try to pass time between meetings. Not altogether bad, and probably my second favorite out of the four options. Still, the author was very obviously trying to fulfill a couple challenges, either put forth from friends, or challenges to herself. Story three was just weird. It has two sections based in modern times, and one set in Hell itself. I mean, I'm all for fantastical stories and everything, but this one was just flat-out bizarre. And add in a few seriously detailed sexual encounters, and there you go. Definitely the least favorite of the bunch. I hate stopping reading things in the middle of a story, but on this bad boy, I was sorely tempted. Holy geez. Story four was sweet. Sure, it was hot stuff, too, but it actually had a storyline to it, and not just something to get the partners from sexual point A to point B. It had a bit of a Pride and Prejudice feel to it, though Jane Austen would never have dared to put erotica into any of her novels, and is probably rolling in her grave at my mere suggestion of such a thing. However, it was definitely the best of the pack, and you know the old saying. "Save the best for last." Once again, that's absolutely true, and I'm proud of this author for actually putting together a thoughtful piece that happens to include some racy sex scenes, instead of sex with a side of story.
Book 12 of 50
Pages:292
Genre:Erotica.
Grade:C+
Would I Recommend?:Eh. I've read better, and I've read worse. I certainly won't be reading it again...
Sunday, March 25, 2012
Dead as a Doornail (Charlaine Harris)
Summary:
Sookie Stackhouse, resident telepath and friend to vampires, werewolves, and all sorts of other creatures, finds herself once again wrapped up in a supernatural mystery. There's someone out to get shifters. Several shootings in Bon Temps sets Sookie on a search to find the shooter, who has killed one person, and wounded several others. Adding to that, Sookie gets roped into werewolf pack politics as her friend Alcide's pack tries to choose a new leader. Worse yet, Eric, who has no memory of the time he spent in Sookie's care after a witch's spell was cast on him, is trying to get Sookie to tell him what happened, which Sookie doesn't want to do, thanks to the little mishap Sookie had near the end of Eric's stay. Tara, a friend of Sook's from childhood, is also having some vampire issues of her own that Sookie obviously needs to help out with, because who is Sookie if she's not a good friend. And to top it all off, it looks like someone has it in for Sookie too! Just another average day in good ol' Bon Temps, Louisiana.
Thoughts:
Very good. I'm becoming more and more enamored with this series as it rolls on. I liked the early books, but the last two have been great. I'm looking forward to the next six books, to see exactly where things go with Sookie. This book sees Sookie getting into all kinds of mischief with all kinds of men. She's got Bill and Eric, the vamps that are vying for her attentions, but she's also got Alcide, the Were who's finally free of his crazy ex-girlfriend, Calvin, the werepanther that's looking to expand his breed and add in some new blood to the mix, Sam, her boss and a shape-shifter, who there's always been some tension between, but nothing ever really came from it, and then there's the new guy. I'll leave him for you to find, but all those men make for an interesting set of curiosities on Sookie's part. The book has a lot of different things going on, but not so many that it's hard to keep up. I've read some stories that have tons of different plot points that aren't all connected, and that the author does a crap-ass job of pulling together. In this particular installment, there are a bunch of different plots going on, seven or eight, if I'm counting right, but Harris brings things together very well. You as the reader won't feel tossed from story to story wantonly, instead you're led with great care, so nothing gets dropped, and all the points get resolved (or resolved for now, at least. A writer can't resolve everything and keep a series going, now can she?) Sookie's universe is ever-expanding, and the series is only getting better as it goes. Well done, Ms. Harris, keep up the good work.
Book 11 of 50
Pages:295
Genre:mystery, vampires
Grade:A
Would I Recommend?:Yes, but start at the beginning of the series. There are, of course, brief callbacks to prior books, but you wouldn't really get the references unless you read the books they come from.
Sookie Stackhouse, resident telepath and friend to vampires, werewolves, and all sorts of other creatures, finds herself once again wrapped up in a supernatural mystery. There's someone out to get shifters. Several shootings in Bon Temps sets Sookie on a search to find the shooter, who has killed one person, and wounded several others. Adding to that, Sookie gets roped into werewolf pack politics as her friend Alcide's pack tries to choose a new leader. Worse yet, Eric, who has no memory of the time he spent in Sookie's care after a witch's spell was cast on him, is trying to get Sookie to tell him what happened, which Sookie doesn't want to do, thanks to the little mishap Sookie had near the end of Eric's stay. Tara, a friend of Sook's from childhood, is also having some vampire issues of her own that Sookie obviously needs to help out with, because who is Sookie if she's not a good friend. And to top it all off, it looks like someone has it in for Sookie too! Just another average day in good ol' Bon Temps, Louisiana.
Thoughts:
Very good. I'm becoming more and more enamored with this series as it rolls on. I liked the early books, but the last two have been great. I'm looking forward to the next six books, to see exactly where things go with Sookie. This book sees Sookie getting into all kinds of mischief with all kinds of men. She's got Bill and Eric, the vamps that are vying for her attentions, but she's also got Alcide, the Were who's finally free of his crazy ex-girlfriend, Calvin, the werepanther that's looking to expand his breed and add in some new blood to the mix, Sam, her boss and a shape-shifter, who there's always been some tension between, but nothing ever really came from it, and then there's the new guy. I'll leave him for you to find, but all those men make for an interesting set of curiosities on Sookie's part. The book has a lot of different things going on, but not so many that it's hard to keep up. I've read some stories that have tons of different plot points that aren't all connected, and that the author does a crap-ass job of pulling together. In this particular installment, there are a bunch of different plots going on, seven or eight, if I'm counting right, but Harris brings things together very well. You as the reader won't feel tossed from story to story wantonly, instead you're led with great care, so nothing gets dropped, and all the points get resolved (or resolved for now, at least. A writer can't resolve everything and keep a series going, now can she?) Sookie's universe is ever-expanding, and the series is only getting better as it goes. Well done, Ms. Harris, keep up the good work.
Book 11 of 50
Pages:295
Genre:mystery, vampires
Grade:A
Would I Recommend?:Yes, but start at the beginning of the series. There are, of course, brief callbacks to prior books, but you wouldn't really get the references unless you read the books they come from.
Sunday, March 18, 2012
Crime Brulee (Nancy Fairbanks)
Summary:
Carolyn Blue is a stay at home mom turned food critic. She travels with her husband to the American Chemical Society convention in New Orleans, where he is giving a paper, and where they plan to meet up with some old friends from college. At their first dinner get-together at the beginning of the trip, one of the old friends, Julienne, gets into a fight with her husband, in front of the rest of the diners, and storms off, never to be seen again. Literally. Carolyn spends the rest of her trip in New Orleans trying to hunt Julienne down while she samples all the local cuisine.
Thoughts:
Not bad, but not great either. I liked the looks of the recipes, which are included for some of the meals Carolyn dives into throughout the book, and I'll probably copy out a couple of them for future use. But the story itself was fairly predictable. I knew who dun it as soon as the character was introduced, and could see most of the twists coming, even while Carolyn wouldn't or couldn't admit it to herself. Carolyn is very much the busybody type, maternal to a fault, and imagines some sadly ridiculous scenarios. She also put far too much stock in the dream she had about Julienne, because what detective puts any kind of weight to a dream. I figured out far too much of the plot too far ahead for it to be really enjoyable, and the last hundred pages or so, I couldn't wait to be finished, and it's not even a long book anyway. I'm not planning on reading the rest of the series, but as I said, it's good for the recipes.
Book 10 of 50
Pages: 274
Genre: mystery, with a culinary twist
Grade: C+
Would I Recommend?: Maybe just for the recipes?
Carolyn Blue is a stay at home mom turned food critic. She travels with her husband to the American Chemical Society convention in New Orleans, where he is giving a paper, and where they plan to meet up with some old friends from college. At their first dinner get-together at the beginning of the trip, one of the old friends, Julienne, gets into a fight with her husband, in front of the rest of the diners, and storms off, never to be seen again. Literally. Carolyn spends the rest of her trip in New Orleans trying to hunt Julienne down while she samples all the local cuisine.
Thoughts:
Not bad, but not great either. I liked the looks of the recipes, which are included for some of the meals Carolyn dives into throughout the book, and I'll probably copy out a couple of them for future use. But the story itself was fairly predictable. I knew who dun it as soon as the character was introduced, and could see most of the twists coming, even while Carolyn wouldn't or couldn't admit it to herself. Carolyn is very much the busybody type, maternal to a fault, and imagines some sadly ridiculous scenarios. She also put far too much stock in the dream she had about Julienne, because what detective puts any kind of weight to a dream. I figured out far too much of the plot too far ahead for it to be really enjoyable, and the last hundred pages or so, I couldn't wait to be finished, and it's not even a long book anyway. I'm not planning on reading the rest of the series, but as I said, it's good for the recipes.
Book 10 of 50
Pages: 274
Genre: mystery, with a culinary twist
Grade: C+
Would I Recommend?: Maybe just for the recipes?
Sunday, March 11, 2012
Dead to the World (Charlaine Harris)
Summary:
Sookie Stackhouse the reluctant mind reader is at it again. This book finds her starting a new year by taking care of the most powerful vampire in Area 5, Eric Northman, who has lost his memory thanks to a new witch in the area. The new Eric is thoughtful and insecure, and wants to be wherever Sookie is, so long as it's night time. His second in command, Pam, negotiates with Sookie and Sookie's brother, Jason, for Sookie to take care of Eric and hide him at her house until his underlings can deal with the witch and her coven. The same night that Jason and Pam strike a deal for Eric's hiding safely at Sookie's, Jason goes missing from his house. The book follows as Sookie deals with Jason's disappearance by day, and Eric's safe keeping by night.
Thoughts:
To be quite honest, I enjoyed this one far better than previous installments in the series. I'm not as big a fan of Bill anymore (who is Sookie's ex, and Eric's subordinate), and I was okay with him being in Peru for the majority of the story. I do like Eric better, but there wasn't much of the old, usual Eric to be seen in this. It was more the memory-less Eric that Sookie spent time with, and while he was a fun character to watch, I wished we could have seen more of the old Eric as well. I want to get to know him better. There was also a couple of appearances of Sookie's friend Alcide, a werewolf from the area that helped her in her adventure to Jackson, Mississippi in the previous book. It seems I tend to like the heroes that the heroine ISN'T dating at the start of a series better than the one she is dating. Ah, but I digress. Back to Sookie and friends. I like her strong personality, and that she's beginning to hold her own a little better around the two-natured (vamps, werewolves, shape-shifters, etc.) and can stand up for herself in a fight. Good for her.
Book 9 of 50
Pages: 291
Genre: mystery and romance, with the vampire twist
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: Yup. It's far better than previous ones. I'm glad I started up with this series again.
Sookie Stackhouse the reluctant mind reader is at it again. This book finds her starting a new year by taking care of the most powerful vampire in Area 5, Eric Northman, who has lost his memory thanks to a new witch in the area. The new Eric is thoughtful and insecure, and wants to be wherever Sookie is, so long as it's night time. His second in command, Pam, negotiates with Sookie and Sookie's brother, Jason, for Sookie to take care of Eric and hide him at her house until his underlings can deal with the witch and her coven. The same night that Jason and Pam strike a deal for Eric's hiding safely at Sookie's, Jason goes missing from his house. The book follows as Sookie deals with Jason's disappearance by day, and Eric's safe keeping by night.
Thoughts:
To be quite honest, I enjoyed this one far better than previous installments in the series. I'm not as big a fan of Bill anymore (who is Sookie's ex, and Eric's subordinate), and I was okay with him being in Peru for the majority of the story. I do like Eric better, but there wasn't much of the old, usual Eric to be seen in this. It was more the memory-less Eric that Sookie spent time with, and while he was a fun character to watch, I wished we could have seen more of the old Eric as well. I want to get to know him better. There was also a couple of appearances of Sookie's friend Alcide, a werewolf from the area that helped her in her adventure to Jackson, Mississippi in the previous book. It seems I tend to like the heroes that the heroine ISN'T dating at the start of a series better than the one she is dating. Ah, but I digress. Back to Sookie and friends. I like her strong personality, and that she's beginning to hold her own a little better around the two-natured (vamps, werewolves, shape-shifters, etc.) and can stand up for herself in a fight. Good for her.
Book 9 of 50
Pages: 291
Genre: mystery and romance, with the vampire twist
Grade: A-
Would I Recommend?: Yup. It's far better than previous ones. I'm glad I started up with this series again.
Sunday, March 4, 2012
A Nose for Justice (Rita Mae Brown)
Summary:
In the first book in a new series, we meet Mags, a Wall Street hot shot who just lost everything when her boss is found to be corrupt. She moves to Nevada with her Aunt Jeep, a former WWII flying ace, to give herself time to get back on her feet. They find an old skeleton buried in Jeep's barn that they discover while Jeep and her adopted son are upgrading the drainage system in the stalls. They call in Pete, one of the local cops, to check it out. At the same time, someone is blowing up water distribution pumps across town. Jeep spots something wrong at the pump and alerts Pete, who goes to investigate there. The story follows Pete in his investigation of the blown pump, as well as a couple of murders that wind up being connected to the case, and Mags as she does her own search for who the mystery man in the barn could have been. Oh, and the dogs in the family talk to each other and think that people are not nearly as smart as they are.
Thoughts:
Holy God, reading this book took me a month and a half. Literally. And I'm no slow reader. I just could NOT get into this one. The characters I named in the summary above are only a fifth or a sixth of the actual cast of characters. Brown actually lists all the characters by name at the beginning of the book, before the opening chapter, along with their reasons for being involved in the book. I guess that was a quick reference guide for us readers who might get lost in the swamp of people. What's more, the book sounds like it should be a nice, light mystery, one that you should be able to bang out in a couple days and be no worse for reading it. But Brown gets so down and dirty into the politics of water rights in Nevada and California, I couldn't keep myself engrossed like I usually am. I haven't read any of Brown's other series, with Sneaky Pie (I think that's the cat's name.) who helps his owner solve mysteries, but I have heard that they are much lighter and more fun. Fighting through to finish this book felt like pure drudgery. I stopped partway through because I knew I was going to get behind in posting reviews if I didn't, and read the Thief, just so I would keep on my schedule for you lovely readers. I wanted so badly for this book to be fun, so I would have a new series to dive into, and near the beginning of the series, too. (There's a second book out, but that's all so far.) But I don't think I'll be reading the second book. If the political side of murder is where Brown is going to go with Mags and Jeep, I don't want any part of it. But if you're into a book debating who should control water rights and why, jump right into this one. As for me, I'll stick with the cheesier murder mysteries, thanks.
Book 8 of 50
Pages: 288
Genre: Mystery
Grade: D-
Would I Recommend?: Holy crap no, unless you're very into political debating with a side murder mystery.
In the first book in a new series, we meet Mags, a Wall Street hot shot who just lost everything when her boss is found to be corrupt. She moves to Nevada with her Aunt Jeep, a former WWII flying ace, to give herself time to get back on her feet. They find an old skeleton buried in Jeep's barn that they discover while Jeep and her adopted son are upgrading the drainage system in the stalls. They call in Pete, one of the local cops, to check it out. At the same time, someone is blowing up water distribution pumps across town. Jeep spots something wrong at the pump and alerts Pete, who goes to investigate there. The story follows Pete in his investigation of the blown pump, as well as a couple of murders that wind up being connected to the case, and Mags as she does her own search for who the mystery man in the barn could have been. Oh, and the dogs in the family talk to each other and think that people are not nearly as smart as they are.
Thoughts:
Holy God, reading this book took me a month and a half. Literally. And I'm no slow reader. I just could NOT get into this one. The characters I named in the summary above are only a fifth or a sixth of the actual cast of characters. Brown actually lists all the characters by name at the beginning of the book, before the opening chapter, along with their reasons for being involved in the book. I guess that was a quick reference guide for us readers who might get lost in the swamp of people. What's more, the book sounds like it should be a nice, light mystery, one that you should be able to bang out in a couple days and be no worse for reading it. But Brown gets so down and dirty into the politics of water rights in Nevada and California, I couldn't keep myself engrossed like I usually am. I haven't read any of Brown's other series, with Sneaky Pie (I think that's the cat's name.) who helps his owner solve mysteries, but I have heard that they are much lighter and more fun. Fighting through to finish this book felt like pure drudgery. I stopped partway through because I knew I was going to get behind in posting reviews if I didn't, and read the Thief, just so I would keep on my schedule for you lovely readers. I wanted so badly for this book to be fun, so I would have a new series to dive into, and near the beginning of the series, too. (There's a second book out, but that's all so far.) But I don't think I'll be reading the second book. If the political side of murder is where Brown is going to go with Mags and Jeep, I don't want any part of it. But if you're into a book debating who should control water rights and why, jump right into this one. As for me, I'll stick with the cheesier murder mysteries, thanks.
Book 8 of 50
Pages: 288
Genre: Mystery
Grade: D-
Would I Recommend?: Holy crap no, unless you're very into political debating with a side murder mystery.
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