by Rachel Caine (337 pgs.)
Joanne Baldwin is a weather warden and part of a semi-secret society of elemental wardens who protect us humans from the forces of mother nature trying to kill us off. Joanne has a serious problem though. She's running from a murder charge and racing the clock trying to find someone who can help her.
Dark but funny and quite enthralling, the Weather Warden series is another I plan to start following.
Sunday, July 31, 2005
72. Guilty Pleasures
by Laurell K. Hamilton (266 pgs)
Anita Blake is an animator (raises zombies) and a vampire slayer. The problem is the pulse challenged are a legally protected minority under the law, which doesn't mean they are good guys, it just means someone bit the president at some point. In any case, Blake ends up way over her head in vampire intrigue and the one place she never wanted to be; under the control of a vampire.
Sort of a grown up Buffy, this series has much promise and know I'll be reading the next in the series.
Anita Blake is an animator (raises zombies) and a vampire slayer. The problem is the pulse challenged are a legally protected minority under the law, which doesn't mean they are good guys, it just means someone bit the president at some point. In any case, Blake ends up way over her head in vampire intrigue and the one place she never wanted to be; under the control of a vampire.
Sort of a grown up Buffy, this series has much promise and know I'll be reading the next in the series.
71. The Lady of the Sea
by Rosalind Miles (356 pg)
Isolde finally gives up on her marriage to King Mark and decides to return to Ireland. Things are more complicated for Tristan, however, he made an oath to King Mark and feels he must abide by it. Andred, however, is stirring up King Marks murderous rage. Everything must fall apart before it comes together again.
The third of the Isolde series. The first was Isolde Queen of the Western Isle and the second was Maid of the White hands. This third book rather confirms my feelings about trilogies. The first and the third books tend to be good and the one in the middle is usually a transition book. This book was decent. The characters remain strong and all the loose ends are tied up. Miles does a good job of reminding the reader of the salient points of the first two books without engaging in plot summary.
Isolde finally gives up on her marriage to King Mark and decides to return to Ireland. Things are more complicated for Tristan, however, he made an oath to King Mark and feels he must abide by it. Andred, however, is stirring up King Marks murderous rage. Everything must fall apart before it comes together again.
The third of the Isolde series. The first was Isolde Queen of the Western Isle and the second was Maid of the White hands. This third book rather confirms my feelings about trilogies. The first and the third books tend to be good and the one in the middle is usually a transition book. This book was decent. The characters remain strong and all the loose ends are tied up. Miles does a good job of reminding the reader of the salient points of the first two books without engaging in plot summary.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
70. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
by J.K. Rowling (652 pgs)
Ok, so trying not to spoil it. This book made laboring through the fifth book (twice) worth it. I was nearly in tears by the end. Harry is brilliant and Ginny really comes into her own as a character. Delightfully enough the whole plot turns on a book, what could be better than that!
Ok, so trying not to spoil it. This book made laboring through the fifth book (twice) worth it. I was nearly in tears by the end. Harry is brilliant and Ginny really comes into her own as a character. Delightfully enough the whole plot turns on a book, what could be better than that!
69. Isolde : Queen of the Western Isle
by Rosalind Miles (349 pgs)
I read the second book sometime earlier and found it decent so I decided to track down the first book and give them a proper chance. Honestly I enjoyed this one a great deal more than the first. I found myself caring a great deal for both Tristan and Isolde. Miles did a good job explaining why a woman in love with one man would marry a different man without resorting to spite. Of course, this is a retelling of a piece of the Arthur legend so it's bound to be a bit overblown but I found it pleasant for a spot of light reading.
I read the second book sometime earlier and found it decent so I decided to track down the first book and give them a proper chance. Honestly I enjoyed this one a great deal more than the first. I found myself caring a great deal for both Tristan and Isolde. Miles did a good job explaining why a woman in love with one man would marry a different man without resorting to spite. Of course, this is a retelling of a piece of the Arthur legend so it's bound to be a bit overblown but I found it pleasant for a spot of light reading.
68. Complete Guide to Starting a Used Bookstore
by Dale L. Gilbert (197 pgs)
Aside from being a little outdated and the writer being a complete book snob, this was a good quick read. It gave me much to think about and shook up some of my preconceived notions. I think Gilbert may be overly optimistic on many counts but I'm glad I read it.
Aside from being a little outdated and the writer being a complete book snob, this was a good quick read. It gave me much to think about and shook up some of my preconceived notions. I think Gilbert may be overly optimistic on many counts but I'm glad I read it.
67. The Haunted Abbot
by Peter Tremayne (298 pgs)
A Celtic nun and a Saxon monk are trapped in an abbey gone horribly horribly wrong. People are dying, blood feuds hang and the balance, and the whole of two islands could be plunged in a bloody war. All hangs on the memory of an unstable abbot.
Historical fiction mystery set in seventh century Great Briton. There is much interesting discussion of the Celtic church and it's disagreements with Rome. The historical points don't overload the story, however, and I found myself becoming quite engaged with the two protagonists: Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf. Apparently, this is a well established series, although this is the first I've heard of it, but I must say I enjoyed it and will not hesitate to pick up another in the series.
A Celtic nun and a Saxon monk are trapped in an abbey gone horribly horribly wrong. People are dying, blood feuds hang and the balance, and the whole of two islands could be plunged in a bloody war. All hangs on the memory of an unstable abbot.
Historical fiction mystery set in seventh century Great Briton. There is much interesting discussion of the Celtic church and it's disagreements with Rome. The historical points don't overload the story, however, and I found myself becoming quite engaged with the two protagonists: Sister Fidelma and Brother Eadulf. Apparently, this is a well established series, although this is the first I've heard of it, but I must say I enjoyed it and will not hesitate to pick up another in the series.
Friday, July 08, 2005
66. A Series of Unfortunate Events : The Slippery Slope
by Lemony Snicket (337 pgs)
The 10th book in the seemingly never series, the two elder Baudelaire must climb mountains to find their kidnapped sister. A person feared dead is found alive and Sunny shows greater maturity. A lot happens in this edition and Count Olaf is seen cowering to an even more villainous villain.
The 10th book in the seemingly never series, the two elder Baudelaire must climb mountains to find their kidnapped sister. A person feared dead is found alive and Sunny shows greater maturity. A lot happens in this edition and Count Olaf is seen cowering to an even more villainous villain.
Thursday, July 07, 2005
65. The Picture of Dorian Gray and Other Stories
by Oscar Wilde (331 pgs)
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray is a young well to do man who has an uncommon beauty. He never seems to age and the marks of a sinful predilection towards pleasure never show on his face. His dark and mysterious secret to seemingly eternal youth lies in a portrait which ages in his stead. What is Mr. Gray willing to do to protect his secret?
I enjoyed the novel but I found the ending abrupt. Once I realized it was intended to be a gothic novel the ending made more sense to me and many of the things which bothered me began to make sense. It's a good novel but I feel I read it out of context.
Lord Arthur Savile's Crime
This short story is about a young man who is prophesied to kill someone. Because of his romantic ideals, he feels he must ensure that this happens before he marries his fiancee. Hilarity ensues. Well after a fashion it does. The whole story is improbable but I found myself reading it with a weird sort of fascination.
The Canterville Ghost
A short story which well deserves its fame. The Canterville Ghost is obviously of the gothic genre and rather unapologetically pokes fun at both Americans and English. I found myself giggling quite a bit while reading this and moralistically speaking, there's a good message. There's a bit of innuendo at the end but I think it would glide right over the head of most kids.
The Sphinx Without a Secret
Cute, sad, and weird. I think Wilde is making a statement about the attitudes of his times but, not being well read on the contemporary history, I can't quite decipher what it is. In any case, worth the read, quite short and makes a point about the nature of love in relation to trust.
The Model Millionaire
A five page story that should be obligatory in every British Literature survey. Wilde couldn't resist a pun at the end but I can forgive that because it's like the punchline to a well told joke.
On the whole, one begins to notice a trend in Wildes work for double identities and strange misunderstandings. I liked the short stories somewhat more than the novel but I liked the novel well enough too. I feel that if I knew more about the period Wilde is writing in, I would have a deeper appreciation for the book.
The Picture of Dorian Gray
Dorian Gray is a young well to do man who has an uncommon beauty. He never seems to age and the marks of a sinful predilection towards pleasure never show on his face. His dark and mysterious secret to seemingly eternal youth lies in a portrait which ages in his stead. What is Mr. Gray willing to do to protect his secret?
I enjoyed the novel but I found the ending abrupt. Once I realized it was intended to be a gothic novel the ending made more sense to me and many of the things which bothered me began to make sense. It's a good novel but I feel I read it out of context.
Lord Arthur Savile's Crime
This short story is about a young man who is prophesied to kill someone. Because of his romantic ideals, he feels he must ensure that this happens before he marries his fiancee. Hilarity ensues. Well after a fashion it does. The whole story is improbable but I found myself reading it with a weird sort of fascination.
The Canterville Ghost
A short story which well deserves its fame. The Canterville Ghost is obviously of the gothic genre and rather unapologetically pokes fun at both Americans and English. I found myself giggling quite a bit while reading this and moralistically speaking, there's a good message. There's a bit of innuendo at the end but I think it would glide right over the head of most kids.
The Sphinx Without a Secret
Cute, sad, and weird. I think Wilde is making a statement about the attitudes of his times but, not being well read on the contemporary history, I can't quite decipher what it is. In any case, worth the read, quite short and makes a point about the nature of love in relation to trust.
The Model Millionaire
A five page story that should be obligatory in every British Literature survey. Wilde couldn't resist a pun at the end but I can forgive that because it's like the punchline to a well told joke.
On the whole, one begins to notice a trend in Wildes work for double identities and strange misunderstandings. I liked the short stories somewhat more than the novel but I liked the novel well enough too. I feel that if I knew more about the period Wilde is writing in, I would have a deeper appreciation for the book.
Tuesday, July 05, 2005
64. The Time Traveler's Wife
by Audrey Niffenegger (518 pgs)
What would time travel really be like? What would happen if you shifted around in time and couldn't control it? What if you met your future wife when she was six, but you didn't meet her until you were 28? Henry is a time traveler. Clare isn't. Yet they have a romance that would put Romeo and Juliet to shame.
I've become totally obsessed with this book. It's fantastic. The characters are wonderful, deep, and believable. The story is well plotted and touching. I was in tears by the end of the book. I recommend this to absolutely everyone.
What would time travel really be like? What would happen if you shifted around in time and couldn't control it? What if you met your future wife when she was six, but you didn't meet her until you were 28? Henry is a time traveler. Clare isn't. Yet they have a romance that would put Romeo and Juliet to shame.
I've become totally obsessed with this book. It's fantastic. The characters are wonderful, deep, and believable. The story is well plotted and touching. I was in tears by the end of the book. I recommend this to absolutely everyone.
63. French Women Don't Get Fat (NF7)
by Mireille Guiliano (256 pgs)
It's not a diet book. It's about reworking a person's attitudes towards food and towards life. I think Guiliano might have a somewhat idealized view of French culture but the book is full of good advice. I liked what it had to say and what it promoted as a healthy life style. I would tend to recommend this to kids who are on the beginning path to binge-diet-binge-diet cycle. It might just head them off.
Anyway. I'm planning to buy this and keep it in my library.
It's not a diet book. It's about reworking a person's attitudes towards food and towards life. I think Guiliano might have a somewhat idealized view of French culture but the book is full of good advice. I liked what it had to say and what it promoted as a healthy life style. I would tend to recommend this to kids who are on the beginning path to binge-diet-binge-diet cycle. It might just head them off.
Anyway. I'm planning to buy this and keep it in my library.
62. Artemis Fowl : The Eternity Code
By Eoin Colfer (309 pgs)
Artemis Fowl gets himself in trouble yet again. For a genius he sure isn't very bright sometimes. However, this time his boo boo could expose the fairy people and they are a tad un-pleased.
Again, it's a cute book. I rather feel bruised by having the morality beaten over my head but at least it wasn't crammed down my throat.
Artemis Fowl gets himself in trouble yet again. For a genius he sure isn't very bright sometimes. However, this time his boo boo could expose the fairy people and they are a tad un-pleased.
Again, it's a cute book. I rather feel bruised by having the morality beaten over my head but at least it wasn't crammed down my throat.
61. I, Claudius
by Robert Graves (468 pgs)
I picked this up because at some point in my youth I watched the BBS mini-series with Sir Derek Jacoby. I expected the book to be good but the best word I can think of is, enthralling.
Claudius is the unfortunate child of Roman aristocracy. Born with a number of small defects he retreats into the pursuits of the mind and manages to survive a very bloody family to eventually become emperor of Rome.
I picked this up because at some point in my youth I watched the BBS mini-series with Sir Derek Jacoby. I expected the book to be good but the best word I can think of is, enthralling.
Claudius is the unfortunate child of Roman aristocracy. Born with a number of small defects he retreats into the pursuits of the mind and manages to survive a very bloody family to eventually become emperor of Rome.
60. The Private Life of the Cat Who...
by Lilian Jackson Braun (123 pgs)
This is a total toilet seat book. It's a collection of 1 and 2 page vinettes. It's cute and it made me laugh a number of times.
This is a total toilet seat book. It's a collection of 1 and 2 page vinettes. It's cute and it made me laugh a number of times.
Monday, July 04, 2005
June and July
Well folks, June was kind of a crazy month for me. Obviously I wasn't very good at keeping up on my blogging and I didn't read as much as I would have liked either. That being said, I'm going to post every thing I read in June and forgot to blog in July and not worry about the dates.
As for July, well things are really busy for me right now and I don't know how much reading I will really be able to do. As always I will do my best to read 20 books or so this month but it's not likely I will be able to do that. Anyway...We'll see how it goes.
As for July, well things are really busy for me right now and I don't know how much reading I will really be able to do. As always I will do my best to read 20 books or so this month but it's not likely I will be able to do that. Anyway...We'll see how it goes.
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