Wordy
Update on the interview later.
Instead, a continuation from my last reading post (here). In other news, I may or may not read too much.
Sea Glass, by Maria Snyder
A fantasy novel of low-end-of-average interest/quality. A girl and her friends at magic school (hmm, where have I heard that before?) rebel, use magic, defeat evil. Nothing really new or innovative, no engaging characters, mildly boring magic (yeah, that's possible).
The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters Volume One, by Gordon Dahlquist
A scorned woman follows her fiance (fiancee? I can never remember which is which) and uncovers a cabal (I love that word) with some glass, some minions, and a plot. A bit steampunk, excellent characters, mildly slow plot, left too much unanswered and on the brink of happening.
Before You Know Kindness, by Chris Bohjalian
A gun accident digs into the depths of a family. Not a favorite book, but still well-written with good insights and characterization. The incorporation of veganism and a PETA-like organization were interesting, as they were criticized without being condemned. Makes for an interesting think about morals versus family and relationships.
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah
Incredibly interesting and heartbreaking autobiography about a boy forced into a war. A look at the effect and extent of African wars and tragedies that we barely hear anything about.Although I found the end a bit, "And then I came to America and everything was fine." The long-term effects of such a childhood were rather glossed over.
Angels of Destruction, by Keith Donohue
A young girl appears on the doorstep of a lonely old woman. I love books where the characters aren't even sure if what's happening is real or not. Lovely story, lovely "maybe" feeling, although nowhere near as good as Donohue's Stolen Child, which, if you haven't read, read, especially if you have any interest in changeling stories (a long time favorite of mine).
Jack Faust, by Michael Swanwick
I could have done with out this one. Nothing special, blah characters, eh plot. I remember reading Swanwick's The Iron Dragon's Daughter and really liking it, which is why I grabbed this. Disappointment.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery
The concierge at a wealthy apartment building and the comings and going of the tenants. France, philosophy, and the problems of class. Well-named, as this was an elegant novel. Enjoyable, human, sad in a rich way (if that makes sense).
The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters Volume Two, by Gordon Dahlquist
I didn't think I'd get the sequel, after reading the first and enjoying it but not loving it, but found this at the used book store and, in a hurry to grab something, went ahead and bought it. And I'm glad I did! Faster-paced, same great characters, the action that was building in the first actually leads to something--excellent, worth reading the first book just so you can read this one.
Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer
I believe I, uh, mentioned this book while I was reading it. A MUST READ for anyone who eats food. Period.
World War Z, by Max Brooks
YES. If you like zombies or if you like books, this is AMAZING. A series of interviews after the zombie-pocalypse that makes such a thing seem real, human, and possible. Fun, fast, a bit scary, all around excellent without falling into an "oh, zombies again" sort of pitfall.
There's a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell, by Laurie Notaro
Ugh, chick lit. Mediocre chick lit. Not really sure why I read this. Oh, yeah, the title...
Last Night at the Lobster, by Stewart O'Nan
Freezes a moment in working-class life. As much as I hate to describe things as poignant (ugh, what a pretentious word), this was, well, poignant. Well-written novella, definitely worth the read, especially if you've ever worked fast food/restaurant.
Night, by Elie Wiesel
Yeah, the holocaust--you kinda know what you're getting yourself into when you start reading a book about that. Famous holocaust survivor autobiography, for good reason.
A Field of Darkness, by Cornelia Read
Well, I can barely even remember what this book was about/what happened. That doesn't say much for it. A thriller that wasn't terrible to read, I know that much. But who, what, when, where? Gone.
Mona Lisa Awakening, by Sunny
Okay, almost edited this one out of the list, but then it wouldn't be a fair and accurate listing of my reading adventures, would it? So, it's erotica. Which, in my defense (or my naivety), I did not realize was erotica until I started reading. And then I almost stopped reading one sex scene in when a penis was described as "elegant," because, dear Sunny (what a pen name), I would like to argue that there is not much less "elegant" than a penis. That said, I kept reading, and it was...kinda hot.
Mona Lisa Blossoming, by Sunny
Okay, okay, here's where it gets really embarrassing: I bought (and read) the sequel. But unf, makes for fun nights reading in bed. Plus they're quick reads. Since, you know, there's not really plot.
Rose Daughter, by Robin McKinley
I love Robin McKinley, she writes beautiful fantasy. That said, this book fell short for me. I don't think it was enough of a twist or enough different or even a good enough off-play of the beauty and the beast story. Also, I am a huge fan of fairytale retellings as they usually get back to the often very dark origins of these tales. This one stayed light, surface, borderline fluffy.
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
A refugee finds her way to England and the family she once met. The refugee aspect was interesting--however, the whole thing ends up being a light and easy read--not really what you might expect (or want).
The Walking Dead Compendium Volume 1, by Robert Kirkman
I'm usually not a huge fan of graphic novels. I dunno, I read too fast, don't pay attention to the pictures, and overall feel unsatisfied afterward. However, this was excellent. Somehow zombies take the back seat, and it is all about humans, interaction, and survival at what may be the end of civilization. I definitely recommend this series, and the compendium's the way to go, financially speaking. Excited to get my hands on the next volumes in the series.
Beat the Reaper, by Josh Bazell
A doctor's mobster past catches up with him. Decent-ish, although it doesn't really seem to have a point. One of those unnecessarily-graphic-and-gross-for-graphic's-sake books.
The Seville Communion, by Arturo Perez-Reverte
A Catholic priest investigates the goings-on at a run-down church. Not a fan of whodunits, but the writing is good and the setting is excellent. The look at priesthood/religion is very fair and interesting. The romance is a bit goofy and the characters one-sided, however.
Instead, a continuation from my last reading post (here). In other news, I may or may not read too much.
Sea Glass, by Maria Snyder
A fantasy novel of low-end-of-average interest/quality. A girl and her friends at magic school (hmm, where have I heard that before?) rebel, use magic, defeat evil. Nothing really new or innovative, no engaging characters, mildly boring magic (yeah, that's possible).
The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters Volume One, by Gordon Dahlquist
A scorned woman follows her fiance (fiancee? I can never remember which is which) and uncovers a cabal (I love that word) with some glass, some minions, and a plot. A bit steampunk, excellent characters, mildly slow plot, left too much unanswered and on the brink of happening.
Before You Know Kindness, by Chris Bohjalian
A gun accident digs into the depths of a family. Not a favorite book, but still well-written with good insights and characterization. The incorporation of veganism and a PETA-like organization were interesting, as they were criticized without being condemned. Makes for an interesting think about morals versus family and relationships.
A Long Way Gone: Memoirs of a Boy Soldier, Ishmael Beah
Incredibly interesting and heartbreaking autobiography about a boy forced into a war. A look at the effect and extent of African wars and tragedies that we barely hear anything about.Although I found the end a bit, "And then I came to America and everything was fine." The long-term effects of such a childhood were rather glossed over.
Angels of Destruction, by Keith Donohue
A young girl appears on the doorstep of a lonely old woman. I love books where the characters aren't even sure if what's happening is real or not. Lovely story, lovely "maybe" feeling, although nowhere near as good as Donohue's Stolen Child, which, if you haven't read, read, especially if you have any interest in changeling stories (a long time favorite of mine).
Jack Faust, by Michael Swanwick
I could have done with out this one. Nothing special, blah characters, eh plot. I remember reading Swanwick's The Iron Dragon's Daughter and really liking it, which is why I grabbed this. Disappointment.
The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery
The concierge at a wealthy apartment building and the comings and going of the tenants. France, philosophy, and the problems of class. Well-named, as this was an elegant novel. Enjoyable, human, sad in a rich way (if that makes sense).
The Glass Books of the Dream Eaters Volume Two, by Gordon Dahlquist
I didn't think I'd get the sequel, after reading the first and enjoying it but not loving it, but found this at the used book store and, in a hurry to grab something, went ahead and bought it. And I'm glad I did! Faster-paced, same great characters, the action that was building in the first actually leads to something--excellent, worth reading the first book just so you can read this one.
Eating Animals, by Jonathan Safran Foer
I believe I, uh, mentioned this book while I was reading it. A MUST READ for anyone who eats food. Period.
World War Z, by Max Brooks
YES. If you like zombies or if you like books, this is AMAZING. A series of interviews after the zombie-pocalypse that makes such a thing seem real, human, and possible. Fun, fast, a bit scary, all around excellent without falling into an "oh, zombies again" sort of pitfall.
There's a (Slight) Chance I Might Be Going to Hell, by Laurie Notaro
Ugh, chick lit. Mediocre chick lit. Not really sure why I read this. Oh, yeah, the title...
Last Night at the Lobster, by Stewart O'Nan
Freezes a moment in working-class life. As much as I hate to describe things as poignant (ugh, what a pretentious word), this was, well, poignant. Well-written novella, definitely worth the read, especially if you've ever worked fast food/restaurant.
Night, by Elie Wiesel
Yeah, the holocaust--you kinda know what you're getting yourself into when you start reading a book about that. Famous holocaust survivor autobiography, for good reason.
A Field of Darkness, by Cornelia Read
Well, I can barely even remember what this book was about/what happened. That doesn't say much for it. A thriller that wasn't terrible to read, I know that much. But who, what, when, where? Gone.
Mona Lisa Awakening, by Sunny
Okay, almost edited this one out of the list, but then it wouldn't be a fair and accurate listing of my reading adventures, would it? So, it's erotica. Which, in my defense (or my naivety), I did not realize was erotica until I started reading. And then I almost stopped reading one sex scene in when a penis was described as "elegant," because, dear Sunny (what a pen name), I would like to argue that there is not much less "elegant" than a penis. That said, I kept reading, and it was...kinda hot.
Mona Lisa Blossoming, by Sunny
Okay, okay, here's where it gets really embarrassing: I bought (and read) the sequel. But unf, makes for fun nights reading in bed. Plus they're quick reads. Since, you know, there's not really plot.
Rose Daughter, by Robin McKinley
I love Robin McKinley, she writes beautiful fantasy. That said, this book fell short for me. I don't think it was enough of a twist or enough different or even a good enough off-play of the beauty and the beast story. Also, I am a huge fan of fairytale retellings as they usually get back to the often very dark origins of these tales. This one stayed light, surface, borderline fluffy.
Little Bee by Chris Cleave
A refugee finds her way to England and the family she once met. The refugee aspect was interesting--however, the whole thing ends up being a light and easy read--not really what you might expect (or want).
The Walking Dead Compendium Volume 1, by Robert Kirkman
I'm usually not a huge fan of graphic novels. I dunno, I read too fast, don't pay attention to the pictures, and overall feel unsatisfied afterward. However, this was excellent. Somehow zombies take the back seat, and it is all about humans, interaction, and survival at what may be the end of civilization. I definitely recommend this series, and the compendium's the way to go, financially speaking. Excited to get my hands on the next volumes in the series.
Beat the Reaper, by Josh Bazell
A doctor's mobster past catches up with him. Decent-ish, although it doesn't really seem to have a point. One of those unnecessarily-graphic-and-gross-for-graphic's-sake books.
The Seville Communion, by Arturo Perez-Reverte
A Catholic priest investigates the goings-on at a run-down church. Not a fan of whodunits, but the writing is good and the setting is excellent. The look at priesthood/religion is very fair and interesting. The romance is a bit goofy and the characters one-sided, however.