Sigh. Chapters 1-4 are not particularly lengthy, but I am simply slogging though this book. Hawkeye (our protagonist) has been introduced, as have the other players in this tale - the young women, the pale-faced soldiers, the sneaky Magua...
I'm just not loving it! I'm so impatient! Let's get on with this, shall we?!? Perhaps I should have read the first book first (although, this is the most famous in the series). I also do not love the writer being the narrator, making statements like, "let us leave them for a while and go to another part of the woods", etc. etc.
I will press on...but most likely pick up an Outlander or Sookie Stackhouse book to read along with it. I can generally motivate myself to read something I'm not in love with by pacing myself through another, more enjoyable book. For example, "I have to read two more chapters of The Last of the Mohicans before I can read another chapter in Outlander."
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Monday, December 21, 2009
James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans - Book 8
Perhaps it is because I've become so accustomed to reading the "easy stuff". Perhaps it is due to the fact that I was attempting to start this novel while my husband watched television in the same room. It could be slow-starting. It could also be the insanity that is the Christmas season. But the fact remains that I am having a hard time getting into this one.
I know the story of Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans because I'm a big fan of Daniel Day Lewis. And if something is a novel before it is a film, I'm much rather get the "real" thing by reading the novel.
Do not worry, faithful non-existent readers of my blog! I will not give up!! I will press on to finish this book!!
Meanwhile, I've read book 2 in the Outlander series (Dragonfly in Amber) as well as the first four books in the Sookie Stackhouse novels. (What? I said they were easy reads!) But I am committed to reading various styles and genres and such. Go, classics!
I know the story of Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans because I'm a big fan of Daniel Day Lewis. And if something is a novel before it is a film, I'm much rather get the "real" thing by reading the novel.
Do not worry, faithful non-existent readers of my blog! I will not give up!! I will press on to finish this book!!
Meanwhile, I've read book 2 in the Outlander series (Dragonfly in Amber) as well as the first four books in the Sookie Stackhouse novels. (What? I said they were easy reads!) But I am committed to reading various styles and genres and such. Go, classics!
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Charlaine Harris' Dead Until Dark - Book 7
As I've said once already, this book is the read I was looking for: light, simple, unattached. Sure, there were vampires and shape shifters and murders galore; but really, overall, the book was a quick and easy read. And yet, still enjoyable.
Clearly, it was written with the intent to serialize it. The final page could almost contain "to be continued..."And I think I will. Not because I absolutely must know what happens in the series. Not because I'm in love with the characters. Just because I was lightly entertained for a few hours. Every girl needs a good easy read from time to time.
My next read-and-blog selection is a classic: James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. I am hoping that my limited knowledge of this book (of course, from the film) was correct in assuming that this novel included NONE of the following: vampires, wizards, time-travelers, vivid love scenes or other elements to disdain. My goal with this blog is to read lots of variety...so I have to keep searching for options. Also, I want to be sure and read all those great classic novels I managed to escape school without reading. Let's face it, if you were required to read it in school, you held some (even if it was only a slight bit) ill-feelings for the book, no matter how great.
So, my next book in the Outlander series is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, I've got the second installment of the Sookie Stackhouse series staring me in the face right at this very moment and I've also got a copy of The Last of the Mohicans waiting in my car.
Read on!
Clearly, it was written with the intent to serialize it. The final page could almost contain "to be continued..."And I think I will. Not because I absolutely must know what happens in the series. Not because I'm in love with the characters. Just because I was lightly entertained for a few hours. Every girl needs a good easy read from time to time.
My next read-and-blog selection is a classic: James Fenimore Cooper's The Last of the Mohicans. I am hoping that my limited knowledge of this book (of course, from the film) was correct in assuming that this novel included NONE of the following: vampires, wizards, time-travelers, vivid love scenes or other elements to disdain. My goal with this blog is to read lots of variety...so I have to keep searching for options. Also, I want to be sure and read all those great classic novels I managed to escape school without reading. Let's face it, if you were required to read it in school, you held some (even if it was only a slight bit) ill-feelings for the book, no matter how great.
So, my next book in the Outlander series is scheduled to arrive tomorrow, I've got the second installment of the Sookie Stackhouse series staring me in the face right at this very moment and I've also got a copy of The Last of the Mohicans waiting in my car.
Read on!
Book #7, Blog #1
This book is exactly what I was looking for in my next read. The pages turn quickly. The language is light and witty. The story is engaging enough, but doesn't suck the reader in. I would call it a "light page-turner". I am enjoying reading it and have read more than half of the book in the first day; however, I can put it down and live my life without Sookie Stackhouse.
So the story is that Sookie can read minds and vampires are legally "out of the coffin" and many are living on synthetic blood. Sookie meets Bill (a vamp, of course) and loves that she can't hear his thoughts. She saves his life, he saves hers. This is the stuff love stories are made of, no?
But someone is killing "fang-bangers" in and around their town and Sookie's grandmother ends up killed also. Murder, sex, vampires and Cajuns.
I mentioned this when I chose the book (having not read a page) that there were some similarities between Harris' Dead Until Dark and Meyer's Twilight...now I must admit how eerily similar they are in some ways. First, you've got vamp/human love (obvious - kind of like how many stories are boy-meets-girl...this is an acceptable coincidence). Next, you've got one party able to read minds, but not the mind of the love interest. However, I like that Sookie has the power, whereas in Twilight, Bella is clumsy and fairly normal (but an excellent shield). And of course, it is an attractive thing that they can't read their love interests' minds. There is even a group of "bad" vampires in Dead Until Dark consisting of two males and a female...hum....and they are causing trouble for Bill who wants to live "like the humans"....hum....
Anyway, just some interesting parallels. I'm not sure what I'll choose to read and blog on next (I will most likely finish this quick read today), but I'm thinking I will seek out something non-fantastical...no vampires, no time travel, no wizards, etc. etc. Maybe a classic that I have never forced myself to read. Thoughts/suggestions are appreciated.
So the story is that Sookie can read minds and vampires are legally "out of the coffin" and many are living on synthetic blood. Sookie meets Bill (a vamp, of course) and loves that she can't hear his thoughts. She saves his life, he saves hers. This is the stuff love stories are made of, no?
But someone is killing "fang-bangers" in and around their town and Sookie's grandmother ends up killed also. Murder, sex, vampires and Cajuns.
I mentioned this when I chose the book (having not read a page) that there were some similarities between Harris' Dead Until Dark and Meyer's Twilight...now I must admit how eerily similar they are in some ways. First, you've got vamp/human love (obvious - kind of like how many stories are boy-meets-girl...this is an acceptable coincidence). Next, you've got one party able to read minds, but not the mind of the love interest. However, I like that Sookie has the power, whereas in Twilight, Bella is clumsy and fairly normal (but an excellent shield). And of course, it is an attractive thing that they can't read their love interests' minds. There is even a group of "bad" vampires in Dead Until Dark consisting of two males and a female...hum....and they are causing trouble for Bill who wants to live "like the humans"....hum....
Anyway, just some interesting parallels. I'm not sure what I'll choose to read and blog on next (I will most likely finish this quick read today), but I'm thinking I will seek out something non-fantastical...no vampires, no time travel, no wizards, etc. etc. Maybe a classic that I have never forced myself to read. Thoughts/suggestions are appreciated.
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Next Book Chosen
I'm trying to read all different types of books with this read-and-blog thing. I want to step out of my comfort zone some. I want to read some classics and some books that are just plain trashy - although I have not brought myself to the level of choosing a Harlequin or other serial romance novel with a picture of some Fabio-esque man embracing a half-naked woman on the cover. But I fear I will if I keep this up, just to please the masses. (Again - this is a running joke!)
While I loved my last read (Diana Gabaldon's Outlander) and am awaiting books two and three from Barnes and Noble, I think it's only fair that I not spend my next six books of this blog on one series from one author.
My next official book is Charlaine Harris' Dead Until Dark. This is the first book in the Sookie Stackhouse series that spawned the HBO series, True Blood. My best friend loves this series and, though I've never watched it, I take his opinion seriously. So, I'll give it a shot and see. (And a side note - just reading the back cover I thought there were some similarities between this and the Twilight books...which were written later, but I'm not accusing or anything...there's nothing new under the sun.)
Read on!
While I loved my last read (Diana Gabaldon's Outlander) and am awaiting books two and three from Barnes and Noble, I think it's only fair that I not spend my next six books of this blog on one series from one author.
My next official book is Charlaine Harris' Dead Until Dark. This is the first book in the Sookie Stackhouse series that spawned the HBO series, True Blood. My best friend loves this series and, though I've never watched it, I take his opinion seriously. So, I'll give it a shot and see. (And a side note - just reading the back cover I thought there were some similarities between this and the Twilight books...which were written later, but I'm not accusing or anything...there's nothing new under the sun.)
Read on!
Diana Gabaldon's Outlander
Oh for the love...so this book is over 600 pages and I read it (while still sleeping, eating meals, going to work, etc.) in about 3 days or less. Needless to say, I liked it. Quick overview - this is the story of an English woman in her late 20s who is on a second honeymoon of sorts at the end of WWII. She touches this rock (a mini-Stonehenge type thing) and is immediately transported to the same place, 200 years prior. (That place would be Scotland.) Much adventure ensues, as she is caught between the English and the Scottish clansmen and she hangs with the latter. Oh, and the worst of the English is her 1945 husband's ancestor. Oh, did I mention, it is also a love story?!?
As far as compelling love stories go, Outlander could almost be seen as a grown-up Twilight. Now, before I've offended all of my Twilight or Outlander crazed readers (I say this in the off chance that someone will read and comment on this post...which is doubtful.) I must clarify. Having read the entire Twilight saga, my opinion is that people (mostly women) love this story because of the intensity of Bella and Edward's love and how much they overcome to stick together. Outlander has all of that and more, because of the adult aspect of the primary characters...and the concept that neither of them is a vampire or other immortal creature, etc. etc.
As a matter of fact, I recommend Outlander and its subsequent books (there are 7 in the series so far...but I haven't read others yet...they're on their way from Barnes and Noble as I type) as a more grown-up substitution to the Twilight Moms. (Seriously - I loved the books too, but let's get a life, shall we?!? The characters are young enough to be your kids...and I will vomit if I hear another woman over 30 squeal with delight upon seeing a seventeen year old boy topless...no matter how wonderfully buff he is.)
Back to Outlander.
Beautifully written and vibrantly descriptive, the story made me want to dash off to Scotland immediately. No, I do not wish to travel to the late 1700s and deal with half of the things Claire comes across, but the story is compelling.
And not for kids.
Let's just say that Gabaldon has a way with words that makes a girl blush...and keep turning the pages. If I were a smoker, I would have needed to light up after reading a few of her chapters. If women panted over the nonexistent/implied love scenes in the Twilight series, they will get everything they're looking for and more in Outlander.
Ok - my next blog-and-read is yet to be decided but as soon as the next book from the Outlander series arrives, I will be reading it, as well.
As far as compelling love stories go, Outlander could almost be seen as a grown-up Twilight. Now, before I've offended all of my Twilight or Outlander crazed readers (I say this in the off chance that someone will read and comment on this post...which is doubtful.) I must clarify. Having read the entire Twilight saga, my opinion is that people (mostly women) love this story because of the intensity of Bella and Edward's love and how much they overcome to stick together. Outlander has all of that and more, because of the adult aspect of the primary characters...and the concept that neither of them is a vampire or other immortal creature, etc. etc.
As a matter of fact, I recommend Outlander and its subsequent books (there are 7 in the series so far...but I haven't read others yet...they're on their way from Barnes and Noble as I type) as a more grown-up substitution to the Twilight Moms. (Seriously - I loved the books too, but let's get a life, shall we?!? The characters are young enough to be your kids...and I will vomit if I hear another woman over 30 squeal with delight upon seeing a seventeen year old boy topless...no matter how wonderfully buff he is.)
Back to Outlander.
Beautifully written and vibrantly descriptive, the story made me want to dash off to Scotland immediately. No, I do not wish to travel to the late 1700s and deal with half of the things Claire comes across, but the story is compelling.
And not for kids.
Let's just say that Gabaldon has a way with words that makes a girl blush...and keep turning the pages. If I were a smoker, I would have needed to light up after reading a few of her chapters. If women panted over the nonexistent/implied love scenes in the Twilight series, they will get everything they're looking for and more in Outlander.
Ok - my next blog-and-read is yet to be decided but as soon as the next book from the Outlander series arrives, I will be reading it, as well.
Friday, December 4, 2009
Markus Zusak's The Book Thief
Read this book. Seriously. If you have not read it, do it. If you have read it already, do it again. This is a great story. A story about Nazi Germany and a German girl. Her experience is a wonderful story with strong images and unforgettable characters. Rudy is probably my favorite. Just read the book already!
Oh, and another thing - the narrator is Death. Seriously. Death. And Death actually makes for a moving storyteller, especially in this context.
The book is not like any WWII Germany story I've ever read and that is refreshing in and of itself. It's about people, not so much ideology or groups of people. It's about humankind. The fictional characters are "real" in the sense that they are people - not labels or archetypes really.
I loved it. Oh, and it happens to be only the second book (Peter and the Starcatchers was first) in a REALLY long time that included illustrations; call me crazy, but I love that. Oh, and the illustrations were actually part of the book rather than images to show the readers what they should visualize. Good stuff.
Read the book. Just do it.
Oh, and another thing - the narrator is Death. Seriously. Death. And Death actually makes for a moving storyteller, especially in this context.
The book is not like any WWII Germany story I've ever read and that is refreshing in and of itself. It's about people, not so much ideology or groups of people. It's about humankind. The fictional characters are "real" in the sense that they are people - not labels or archetypes really.
I loved it. Oh, and it happens to be only the second book (Peter and the Starcatchers was first) in a REALLY long time that included illustrations; call me crazy, but I love that. Oh, and the illustrations were actually part of the book rather than images to show the readers what they should visualize. Good stuff.
Read the book. Just do it.
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
Welcome to December
So, I survived (and WON!) NaNoWriMo 2009. My novel is currently 50,055 words in length. Now, it is in serious need of some editing...oh, and did I mention that I'm about halfway through with my story at this point? I'm thinking of plowing ahead towards a conclusion and then returning to edit. Just not at the break-neck speed of one month for 50k.
Also, I'm working on editing a book for a friend (yay - freelance gig!) and I'm still plowing away at my read and blog challenge. The Book Thief is really good...I'm enjoying it more and more. Despite the crazy month that is November, I think I want to slow down reading this because I don't really want it to end...or really, because I know how books about Nazi Germany end...and I'm afraid for some of these characters and what might and probably will happen to them.
I think my next book with be Outlander - a time-traveling love story type deal...and yes, it's part of a series.
I love reading. And writing.
Also, I'm working on editing a book for a friend (yay - freelance gig!) and I'm still plowing away at my read and blog challenge. The Book Thief is really good...I'm enjoying it more and more. Despite the crazy month that is November, I think I want to slow down reading this because I don't really want it to end...or really, because I know how books about Nazi Germany end...and I'm afraid for some of these characters and what might and probably will happen to them.
I think my next book with be Outlander - a time-traveling love story type deal...and yes, it's part of a series.
I love reading. And writing.
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