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!
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
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.
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Sidebar - People are Watching...
So I have discovered that people are reading what I have written here. How do I know? (You might wonder...) Well, as is often the case, make a statement that someone disagrees with (or one that is inaccurate/wrong/etc. etc. )and you will be informed of your "wrong-ness". By perfect strangers.
This is actually very cool to me. I am thankful to the person who commented on my last read and it's (now supposed) status as a viable prequel to Barrie's Peter Pan. Even though I was only stating my opinion of the book, I am happy to have someone who differs say so and point me to their preferred prequel/source, etc. So, to my most recent commentor - Thank you.
Now, my next read will be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I'm already into it a bit and loving it...
This is actually very cool to me. I am thankful to the person who commented on my last read and it's (now supposed) status as a viable prequel to Barrie's Peter Pan. Even though I was only stating my opinion of the book, I am happy to have someone who differs say so and point me to their preferred prequel/source, etc. So, to my most recent commentor - Thank you.
Now, my next read will be The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. I'm already into it a bit and loving it...
Friday, November 6, 2009
Book #4 - A Singular Blog
Peter and the Starcatchers by Dave Barry and Ridley Peterson is a treasure! In a time when young adult fiction features angsty teenagers falling in love with "vegetarian" vampires and other selections go for the shock value of dropping f-bombs and other "realistic" teen situations, This novel (part one of a series) is a refreshing escape.
Granted, the novel is written for a target audience younger than the audience intended for the vampires and potty mouths...but it can be an enjoyable read for any age. (And I know for a fact that many kids entirely too young for some of the previous mentioned novels are reading them. I had an eleven year old ask me to explain to them why Edward bit the pillow in book 4...my response? "Go ask your mother.")
As of October 2009, the Starcatchers series has four titles, of which this is the first chronicling the events that lead us to the familiar and charming story of Peter Pan and his Lost Boys' Adventures in Neverland. Peter and the Starcatchers is an excellent beginning and does honor to the original works inspiring it.
This book has it all - swashbuckling adventure, fantastical magic, good guys, bad guys, wild animals, pirates, mermaids and even a little romance...and it's all kid-friendly. Parents, this is one worth reading with or to your children without fear of inappropriate content. (The most scandalous thing is probably that Black Stache (the pirate who will eventually become Captain Hook - I have no doubt) has a set of sails made by a women's undergarment manufacturer - and they look like a giant corset/brassiere. (Illustrations included.)
Overall - A great fun read for kids of all ages...for the Peter Pan in us all.
Granted, the novel is written for a target audience younger than the audience intended for the vampires and potty mouths...but it can be an enjoyable read for any age. (And I know for a fact that many kids entirely too young for some of the previous mentioned novels are reading them. I had an eleven year old ask me to explain to them why Edward bit the pillow in book 4...my response? "Go ask your mother.")
As of October 2009, the Starcatchers series has four titles, of which this is the first chronicling the events that lead us to the familiar and charming story of Peter Pan and his Lost Boys' Adventures in Neverland. Peter and the Starcatchers is an excellent beginning and does honor to the original works inspiring it.
This book has it all - swashbuckling adventure, fantastical magic, good guys, bad guys, wild animals, pirates, mermaids and even a little romance...and it's all kid-friendly. Parents, this is one worth reading with or to your children without fear of inappropriate content. (The most scandalous thing is probably that Black Stache (the pirate who will eventually become Captain Hook - I have no doubt) has a set of sails made by a women's undergarment manufacturer - and they look like a giant corset/brassiere. (Illustrations included.)
Overall - A great fun read for kids of all ages...for the Peter Pan in us all.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Book #4 - Barry & Pearson's Peter and the Starcatchers
Well, after soliciting suggestions from my friends on Facebook (and getting lots of great ones that will go on the master list) I have gone with an "out of nowhere" choice entitled Peter and the Starcatchers. I was visiting family over the weekend and they recommended this book and all but forced me to take it home with me...so I read a little on the way home and I think it is just what the doctor ordered to follow A Clockwork Orange.
Written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Peter and the Starcatchers is a Young Adult novel (part of a series, actually) about Peter Pan. It is a prequel, of sorts, telling the reader how Peter and the Lost Boys came to be. I'm not very far into it, so that's all I know...but I am enjoying this light, quick read after the heavy, literary landmine that is A Clockwork Orange.
Also, a light fun kids book like this makes it easy to keep reading will also participating in NaNoWriMo. I am 2K words into my 50k...today is day two...
But enough about that...time to read/write/work more!
Written by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson, Peter and the Starcatchers is a Young Adult novel (part of a series, actually) about Peter Pan. It is a prequel, of sorts, telling the reader how Peter and the Lost Boys came to be. I'm not very far into it, so that's all I know...but I am enjoying this light, quick read after the heavy, literary landmine that is A Clockwork Orange.
Also, a light fun kids book like this makes it easy to keep reading will also participating in NaNoWriMo. I am 2K words into my 50k...today is day two...
But enough about that...time to read/write/work more!
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