I've been reading the Sookie books long before the HBO series. I fell in love with Sookie not because I too am a waitress in a small southern town. Nor did I love her because we've both had similar family backgrounds or "problems". I loved her because of her courage and awe in the face of the strange and unexpected things she was faced with. That said, I'm not really in love with the Sookie we find in Dead Reckoning.
Sadly this book is week in plot as well as in Sookie's backbone. Sookie seems too compliant, complacent to her circumstances. The plot doesn't have the energy or momentum of previous books. I found myself reading the book because I was already invested in the series not because of enjoyment of this particular book in itself. I'd hoped that I was alone in this. Sadly my girlfriends who've read the series as well felt the same way.
All in all, not a terrible read but a disappointment from previous books is the series. Chapter One is available on Charlaine Harris's web site. Read for yourself.
Monday, May 30, 2011
New Addiction
I read all four books in a week. I just couldn't get enough. I tried to defer the fourth book, knowing the fifth wouldn't be available until the fall. But I couldn't do it. I kept wondering about what was going to happen in #4. My thoughts would come back to the characters while watching Harry Potter and the Deathly Hollows! If that can't distract a girl, I know not what will. I naturally broke down and read the fourth book (took me less than a day to read it).
What's this series? Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill. As you expect, the story takes place in Chicago. As I live in Illinois and love visiting Chicago, I was naturally willing to give the first book, Some Girls Bite, a read. What I found was a female character that I liked, identified with to a large extent. Merit is a PHD literature student, living with her best friend, Mallory, who's quirky, funny, and a delight to read. As the books is about vampires, Merit naturally get's turned and must then accept her new self. She also must learn her new limitations while solving a mystery.
While some of this sounds similar to other books. I assure you, the world Chloe Neill creates is different enough to keep you reading and the characters are wonderful. They're funny, endearing, and flawed. I highly recommend trying this series. I've already pre-ordered the fifth book! Drink Deep is scheduled to release on November 1, 2011. Books are available in print and electronic formats (another plus!).
What's this series? Chicagoland Vampires by Chloe Neill. As you expect, the story takes place in Chicago. As I live in Illinois and love visiting Chicago, I was naturally willing to give the first book, Some Girls Bite, a read. What I found was a female character that I liked, identified with to a large extent. Merit is a PHD literature student, living with her best friend, Mallory, who's quirky, funny, and a delight to read. As the books is about vampires, Merit naturally get's turned and must then accept her new self. She also must learn her new limitations while solving a mystery.
While some of this sounds similar to other books. I assure you, the world Chloe Neill creates is different enough to keep you reading and the characters are wonderful. They're funny, endearing, and flawed. I highly recommend trying this series. I've already pre-ordered the fifth book! Drink Deep is scheduled to release on November 1, 2011. Books are available in print and electronic formats (another plus!).
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Dresden Files
If you've not heard of "Harry Dresden" or Jim Butcher, before you read another word know that you MUST read these books. The author, Butcher, has a blog that he keeps updated like few others. Check it, www.jim-butcher.com
Harry Dresden lives in Chicago and works as a wizard for hire. He consults with a paranormal investigation unit with the Chicago Police Department. He lives in the basement of a rented out house with Bob, his en-spirited skull assistant, and Mister, his cat. Others live with him as the series develops (look for Mouse, in Blood Rites - he's awesome) and I don't want to spoil the surprise.
The books are urban fantasy meets pulp detective. Characters are strong, believable, and evolving. These books are addicting. I've recommended these books to nearly every reader I know. I don't believe a single person who read one, on my recommendation, hasn't love them and become die hard fans of the series. These books are so popular at my house, we first bought them in paperback but replaced them with hard cover when they became available. It's like that.
The newest release in the series is due July 26, 2011. That's also my birthday. I'll be spending it reading Ghost Story. Though this year we might be buying an ebook copy too so the husband and I can read simultaneously ;-)
[side note, the pre-ordering on nook is amazing! They just show up in your ebook library. Brilliant]
Jim Butcher also writes a high fantasy series, Codex Alera, and has written for Spiderman. I'm not a fan of the Alera series and the hubby is on the same page. Though, Scott (hubby), tells me that Butcher's writing for Spiderman is some of the best he's read for Spiderman.
Harry Dresden lives in Chicago and works as a wizard for hire. He consults with a paranormal investigation unit with the Chicago Police Department. He lives in the basement of a rented out house with Bob, his en-spirited skull assistant, and Mister, his cat. Others live with him as the series develops (look for Mouse, in Blood Rites - he's awesome) and I don't want to spoil the surprise.
The books are urban fantasy meets pulp detective. Characters are strong, believable, and evolving. These books are addicting. I've recommended these books to nearly every reader I know. I don't believe a single person who read one, on my recommendation, hasn't love them and become die hard fans of the series. These books are so popular at my house, we first bought them in paperback but replaced them with hard cover when they became available. It's like that.
The newest release in the series is due July 26, 2011. That's also my birthday. I'll be spending it reading Ghost Story. Though this year we might be buying an ebook copy too so the husband and I can read simultaneously ;-)
[side note, the pre-ordering on nook is amazing! They just show up in your ebook library. Brilliant]
Jim Butcher also writes a high fantasy series, Codex Alera, and has written for Spiderman. I'm not a fan of the Alera series and the hubby is on the same page. Though, Scott (hubby), tells me that Butcher's writing for Spiderman is some of the best he's read for Spiderman.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Under the Tuscan Sun
www.francesmayesbooks.com/books/
I imagine I was first introduced to this title like most people, by the movie staring Daine Lane. It remains a movie that leaves me enraptured with the idea of moving to Europe. Sometimes I daydream of Tuscany, but other days it's a lock in Scotland, or a cottage in the French countryside. It's a movie that leaves me jealous of Frances and her "creepy Italian trees". The book surprised me.
The movie is based on a memoir of a professor and her partner who vacation, repeatedly, in Italy and decide to look for a farm to buy. They find a run-down farm and fall in love with the property, their neighbors, the community and the lifestyle. The memoir does include friends and family visiting as well as a wedding. While the memoir lacks the dating drama, there is romance. You'll find the wall collapse scare as well as the Polish workers and snakes. What readers will find in the memoir that isn't as apparent in the movie is the recipes and discussion of food. Frances Mayes describes aspects of farming, processing, cooking and eating. She even talks about regional flavors.
If you loved the movie, you'll love the book. If you dream of extreme acts such as moving to another country, then you'll want to read this book every year or two. That's my plain.
I imagine I was first introduced to this title like most people, by the movie staring Daine Lane. It remains a movie that leaves me enraptured with the idea of moving to Europe. Sometimes I daydream of Tuscany, but other days it's a lock in Scotland, or a cottage in the French countryside. It's a movie that leaves me jealous of Frances and her "creepy Italian trees". The book surprised me.
The movie is based on a memoir of a professor and her partner who vacation, repeatedly, in Italy and decide to look for a farm to buy. They find a run-down farm and fall in love with the property, their neighbors, the community and the lifestyle. The memoir does include friends and family visiting as well as a wedding. While the memoir lacks the dating drama, there is romance. You'll find the wall collapse scare as well as the Polish workers and snakes. What readers will find in the memoir that isn't as apparent in the movie is the recipes and discussion of food. Frances Mayes describes aspects of farming, processing, cooking and eating. She even talks about regional flavors.
If you loved the movie, you'll love the book. If you dream of extreme acts such as moving to another country, then you'll want to read this book every year or two. That's my plain.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
War for the Oaks
www.goodreads.com/book/show/70582.War_for_the_Oaks
War for the Oaks is one of my very favorite books. It's an engrossing read jam packed with eccentric and colorful characters. Musicians and fairies. Who'd have though eccentric and colorful? Shocking, I know.
It takes place in Minneapolis, MN and centers around a female singer, Eddi, her band and a phouka who dresses like Prince. I think that says it all. But if you need to know more... there's google.
War for the Oaks is one of my very favorite books. It's an engrossing read jam packed with eccentric and colorful characters. Musicians and fairies. Who'd have though eccentric and colorful? Shocking, I know.
It takes place in Minneapolis, MN and centers around a female singer, Eddi, her band and a phouka who dresses like Prince. I think that says it all. But if you need to know more... there's google.
Pale Demon
www.kimharrison.net/BookPages/PD/PD.html
I've been following the evolution of Rachel Morgan since Dead Witch Walking was released in 2004. If you've enjoyed the previous books, you'll likely enjoy this one as well. Rachel is very much Rachel. She grows and learns yet is still somehow amazed by the actions of those around her. Jenks and Ivy are back, naturally, and I find them to be more aware of the need for change and the danger Rachel finds herself one again the center of. So, little unexpected there. Or is there?
Halfway through the book, I began getting pissed with the sexual tension between Rachel and Trent. Talk about a situation that is well past it's self life. It's time that those character's either hook up or get over it. I know I'm to the point. About three quarters through, Rachel gets a bomb shell. One I'm not going to disclose here. It's an explosion I wish the author, Kim Harrison, would have introduced into the story sooner.
Overall, I found this book a pleasurable read but I am disappointed. I think this book had too many distractions from the heart of the plot. The heart of the plot being a discussion of identity, trust, and self-awareness. Tent hides his identity and trust. Ivy, though self-aware, hides herself from Rachel. Jenks, is trying to find his new identify, tries to build trust, because he is aware of his needs and fears. Rachel on the other hand, is forced into trusting, denies her identity until she's forced to acknowledge it. While I commend those ideas, I wish Ivy's bomb had happened sooner. That Trent had confided in Rachel sooner. I wish Rachel had actually answered the phone when Bys called. Poor frightened gargoyle.
I've been following the evolution of Rachel Morgan since Dead Witch Walking was released in 2004. If you've enjoyed the previous books, you'll likely enjoy this one as well. Rachel is very much Rachel. She grows and learns yet is still somehow amazed by the actions of those around her. Jenks and Ivy are back, naturally, and I find them to be more aware of the need for change and the danger Rachel finds herself one again the center of. So, little unexpected there. Or is there?
Halfway through the book, I began getting pissed with the sexual tension between Rachel and Trent. Talk about a situation that is well past it's self life. It's time that those character's either hook up or get over it. I know I'm to the point. About three quarters through, Rachel gets a bomb shell. One I'm not going to disclose here. It's an explosion I wish the author, Kim Harrison, would have introduced into the story sooner.
Overall, I found this book a pleasurable read but I am disappointed. I think this book had too many distractions from the heart of the plot. The heart of the plot being a discussion of identity, trust, and self-awareness. Tent hides his identity and trust. Ivy, though self-aware, hides herself from Rachel. Jenks, is trying to find his new identify, tries to build trust, because he is aware of his needs and fears. Rachel on the other hand, is forced into trusting, denies her identity until she's forced to acknowledge it. While I commend those ideas, I wish Ivy's bomb had happened sooner. That Trent had confided in Rachel sooner. I wish Rachel had actually answered the phone when Bys called. Poor frightened gargoyle.
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