Check out the July Challenge!
Do you have a book you read in school that you swore was the worst book ever? Have you ever thought that maybe your teachers weren't out to torture you, and there may have been a method to their madness after all? Then the July Challenge is for you!
Details on the challenge can be found here...check it out, and join us!
Details on the challenge can be found here...check it out, and join us!
41/50 Rumors: A Luxe Novel by Anna Godbersen
I have rather mixed feelings about this book. I really wanted to read the book and get on to the next chapter, but it developed into a dichotomy of reasons. Sometimes it was truly compelling and I just really wanted to know what would happen next. And sometimes it was more because the plot was slow, and nothing REAL happened until the last hundred pages.
( Spoilers, some ranting, and the rest of the review under the cut )
Next: No idea. Probably Specials.
Rest of My Reading List
I have rather mixed feelings about this book. I really wanted to read the book and get on to the next chapter, but it developed into a dichotomy of reasons. Sometimes it was truly compelling and I just really wanted to know what would happen next. And sometimes it was more because the plot was slow, and nothing REAL happened until the last hundred pages.
( Spoilers, some ranting, and the rest of the review under the cut )
Next: No idea. Probably Specials.
Rest of My Reading List
Book #100 -- Rachel Cohn & David Levithan, Nick & Norah's Infinite Playlist, 183 pages.
Ok, this is just the sweetest little love story that I can totally identify with. After reading the first 30 or so pages over the weekend, I went to read a little more last night and ended up finishing it. I've read several of David Levithan's other books and really liked them, but I'd never read Rachel Cohn before. I'll have to check her out. And I hope the movie lives up to the book.
Progress toward goals: 275/366 = 75.1%
Books: 100/150 = 66.7%
Pages: 26475/50000 = 53.0%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/community.gif)
15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and ![[info]](http://p-stat.livejournal.com/img/userinfo.gif)
gwynraven
Ok, this is just the sweetest little love story that I can totally identify with. After reading the first 30 or so pages over the weekend, I went to read a little more last night and ended up finishing it. I've read several of David Levithan's other books and really liked them, but I'd never read Rachel Cohn before. I'll have to check her out. And I hope the movie lives up to the book.
Progress toward goals: 275/366 = 75.1%
Books: 100/150 = 66.7%
Pages: 26475/50000 = 53.0%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to
15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynraven40. Buffy the Vampire Slayer: The Long Way Home, by Joss Wheldon: The first graphic novel of the Season 8 Buffy comics. Good comic, well put together. I enjoyed it fairly well, but thought some of the plot points (those concerning Dawn) were a little forced. I still liked it a lot. Better than Season 7!
Midnight Snacks, by Michael J. Rosen and Sharon Reiss: A small cookbook all about late night munchies. The gingersnap recipe would be worth the price of the book if I bought it (it's at my local library). It's also very witty.
42. Runaways 1, Pride and Joy, by Brian K. Vaughn and Adrian Alphora: The first in a series I'd started reading somewhere near the middle. Very good beginning story, well told. I love Gertie, she's my favorite.
43. How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, by Mark Bittman: Another cookbook, and there are more. A excellent basic veggie cookbook. It's vegetarian in the sense that there is no fish, but vegan recipes are a bit spare for such a large volume (I don't think he tried out any vegan baking, for instance). I loved the recipe for fried thin tofu slices-it's like bacon!
44. Am I Blue? Coming Out From the Silence, edited by Marion Dane Bauer: A YA collection of stories about gay and lesbian issues, released in the 90's and still the only one of it's kind that I've seen. The stories vary in quality, and most of them are "positive image", which is great but led to some sameness in stories in the middle of the book. It picks up again by the end, with several excellent short tales. Recommended for teens and adults, good work.
45. The Psychology of Harry Potter, edited by Neil Mulholland, PhD. Very fun look at various psychtratic themes in the Harry Potter series. Everything from better wizarding career counseling to cognitive therapy in the wizarding world to a look at self-mutilation in the books is discussed. I have to say, most of the essays are good, and only the one on traditional psychotherapy drags. (That may be because that branch is rather unfashionable.)
46. Vegetarian Christmas, by Rose Elliot: Fairly straightforward, small cookbook. It's an English cookbook, so a lot of recipes for fruit (Christmas) cake and bread sauce. I liked the veggie sides the best. Reasonably useful, although none of the proposed main dish alternatives appealed to me.
47. Fables Vol.5, The Mean Seasons, by Bill Willingham:
48. Fables Vol. 6, The Homelands
49. Fables Vol. 8, Wolves:I'm still loving Fables a lot. It just gets better and better. I can't even pick a favorite character. It's great!
50. Eat Healthy for $50 a Week, by Rhonda Barfield: A fairly typical thrift/recipe book. Most of the recipes aren't suited to my veggie diet, and since it was written over ten years ago, I don't think $50 for a family of six would cut it anymore. Not a whole lot I didn't already know.
51: The Marriage of Sticks, by Jonathon Carroll: One of my favorite sci-fi/fantasy authors. I admired his restraint here: 96 pages went by before anything weird happened. Then it's non-stop oddities until the last sentence. I always liked how he sort of takes you by the arm forcibly into a magical world inside the real one.
I'm over 50 books, but there's so many comics on the list I'm not slowing down. More to come.
Midnight Snacks, by Michael J. Rosen and Sharon Reiss: A small cookbook all about late night munchies. The gingersnap recipe would be worth the price of the book if I bought it (it's at my local library). It's also very witty.
42. Runaways 1, Pride and Joy, by Brian K. Vaughn and Adrian Alphora: The first in a series I'd started reading somewhere near the middle. Very good beginning story, well told. I love Gertie, she's my favorite.
43. How to Cook Everything Vegetarian, by Mark Bittman: Another cookbook, and there are more. A excellent basic veggie cookbook. It's vegetarian in the sense that there is no fish, but vegan recipes are a bit spare for such a large volume (I don't think he tried out any vegan baking, for instance). I loved the recipe for fried thin tofu slices-it's like bacon!
44. Am I Blue? Coming Out From the Silence, edited by Marion Dane Bauer: A YA collection of stories about gay and lesbian issues, released in the 90's and still the only one of it's kind that I've seen. The stories vary in quality, and most of them are "positive image", which is great but led to some sameness in stories in the middle of the book. It picks up again by the end, with several excellent short tales. Recommended for teens and adults, good work.
45. The Psychology of Harry Potter, edited by Neil Mulholland, PhD. Very fun look at various psychtratic themes in the Harry Potter series. Everything from better wizarding career counseling to cognitive therapy in the wizarding world to a look at self-mutilation in the books is discussed. I have to say, most of the essays are good, and only the one on traditional psychotherapy drags. (That may be because that branch is rather unfashionable.)
46. Vegetarian Christmas, by Rose Elliot: Fairly straightforward, small cookbook. It's an English cookbook, so a lot of recipes for fruit (Christmas) cake and bread sauce. I liked the veggie sides the best. Reasonably useful, although none of the proposed main dish alternatives appealed to me.
47. Fables Vol.5, The Mean Seasons, by Bill Willingham:
48. Fables Vol. 6, The Homelands
49. Fables Vol. 8, Wolves:I'm still loving Fables a lot. It just gets better and better. I can't even pick a favorite character. It's great!
50. Eat Healthy for $50 a Week, by Rhonda Barfield: A fairly typical thrift/recipe book. Most of the recipes aren't suited to my veggie diet, and since it was written over ten years ago, I don't think $50 for a family of six would cut it anymore. Not a whole lot I didn't already know.
51: The Marriage of Sticks, by Jonathon Carroll: One of my favorite sci-fi/fantasy authors. I admired his restraint here: 96 pages went by before anything weird happened. Then it's non-stop oddities until the last sentence. I always liked how he sort of takes you by the arm forcibly into a magical world inside the real one.
I'm over 50 books, but there's so many comics on the list I'm not slowing down. More to come.
Still catching up with some of the books I read and never posted. The list for April/May (yikes!):
23. It's Not the End of the World -- Judy Blume
24. A Place of Execution -- Val McDermid
25. The L-Shaped Room -- Lynn Reid Banks
26. Addie Pray -- Joe David Brown
27. Homefront -- Winston Estes
28. Lake Wobegon Days -- Garrison Keillor
29. Into the Darkness -- Barbara Michaels
( 23 – 29 )
23. It's Not the End of the World -- Judy Blume
24. A Place of Execution -- Val McDermid
25. The L-Shaped Room -- Lynn Reid Banks
26. Addie Pray -- Joe David Brown
27. Homefront -- Winston Estes
28. Lake Wobegon Days -- Garrison Keillor
29. Into the Darkness -- Barbara Michaels
( 23 – 29 )
36/50 The Frog Princess by E.D. Baker
Basically the story of the frog prince with a slight twist. Maybe I've been spoiled by other children's books that can appeal to all ages, but The Frog Princess felt shallow. The author has a pair of pet frogs named Emma and Eadric (which double as the names of the protagonists) so I can see how she might have thought, one day, that it would be cute to write this story for her children or something. I don't think I'm interested enough to read the sequels.
37/50 The Looking Glass Wars: Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor
Second book of The Looking Glass Wars, based roughly on Alice in Wonderland and The Looking Glass except more fantasy epic, I guess. After defeating her Aunt Redd in the last book, Queen Alyss has to deal with her misogynistic neighbor King Arch and the return of her aunt. The entire trilogy isn't very substantive, but I think it's pretty. It's like a meaningless action movie, where the characters fall in love and die, but the audience doesn't care. I'm wondering why this is a book in the first place (a movie is supposedly in the works).
Next: Kabul Beauty School, Peter and the Starcatchers
Rest of My Reading List
Basically the story of the frog prince with a slight twist. Maybe I've been spoiled by other children's books that can appeal to all ages, but The Frog Princess felt shallow. The author has a pair of pet frogs named Emma and Eadric (which double as the names of the protagonists) so I can see how she might have thought, one day, that it would be cute to write this story for her children or something. I don't think I'm interested enough to read the sequels.
37/50 The Looking Glass Wars: Seeing Redd by Frank Beddor
Second book of The Looking Glass Wars, based roughly on Alice in Wonderland and The Looking Glass except more fantasy epic, I guess. After defeating her Aunt Redd in the last book, Queen Alyss has to deal with her misogynistic neighbor King Arch and the return of her aunt. The entire trilogy isn't very substantive, but I think it's pretty. It's like a meaningless action movie, where the characters fall in love and die, but the audience doesn't care. I'm wondering why this is a book in the first place (a movie is supposedly in the works).
Next: Kabul Beauty School, Peter and the Starcatchers
Rest of My Reading List
So, I completely forgot to post these reviews of books I finished months ago. Go me!
17. The Shipping News -- Annie Proulx (fiction)
A widower attempts to make a new life for himself and his two young daughters by going to work or a tiny Newfoundland newspaper.
( An easy to read, enjoyable novel which reminded me a bit of John Irving’s work. )
18. Doctor Who: Sick Building – Paul Magrs (TV tie-in, audiobook)
The Doctor and Martha become entangled with a mad scientist who refuses to evacuate his family when their privately-owned planet and sentient “dream home” are threatened by an alien menace.
( Definitely not one of the better entries in the series, and I certainly won’t be hunting up the hardback version to buy. )
19. Shopgirl -- Steve Martin (fiction)
A novella detailing the affair between a twenty-something Beverly Hills salesgirl with chronic depression, and a millionaire twice her age.
A basically enjoyable story about realistically shallow, unlikeable characters. I didn’t dislike any of them, with the possible exception of Jeremy (particularly the “grown-up” Jeremy), but they were all so shallow it was impossible to actually care about them. Very realistic portrayal of the superficiality, though, especially the deliberately superficial Lisa. And I really enjoyed Steve Martin’s obvious narrative voice much more than any of the characters, especially when he got onto the subject of unrealistic breast enhancement. :D
Not sure if I’d ever read it again, but I’m glad I checked it out.
20. Daddy-Long-Legs -- Jean Webster (young adult)
A teenage girl from an orphan asylum is sent to college by an anonymous benefactor on the condition that she write him monthly letters detailing her progress.
( My all-time favourite epistolary novel, which was also the basis for a classic film musical. )
21. Dear Enemy -- Jean Webster (young adult)
Sequel to Daddy-Long-Legs, in which Judy’s college roommate Sallie takes on the task of revamping the orphanage where her friend grew up.
( Not bad, but definitely not as good as the previous story. )
22. Where’s Daddy? -- William Roos (comedy)
One of the advertising game’s best and brightest abruptly quits his job to write the Great American Novel, disrupting his family and the entire community. It’s an amusing romp that takes his family from suburban cocktail parties amongst the commuter set to sunny Spain, where the parties are ongoing in an attempt to allow all the would-be novelists to put off actually writing the great masterpieces they’re constantly talking about. It’s very, very much a product of the early 1960s; the feeling is kind of a mix of Jean Kerr’s books and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Rather a shame it was never made into a movie, as it would have made a great vehicle for Doris Day.
17. The Shipping News -- Annie Proulx (fiction)
A widower attempts to make a new life for himself and his two young daughters by going to work or a tiny Newfoundland newspaper.
( An easy to read, enjoyable novel which reminded me a bit of John Irving’s work. )
18. Doctor Who: Sick Building – Paul Magrs (TV tie-in, audiobook)
The Doctor and Martha become entangled with a mad scientist who refuses to evacuate his family when their privately-owned planet and sentient “dream home” are threatened by an alien menace.
( Definitely not one of the better entries in the series, and I certainly won’t be hunting up the hardback version to buy. )
19. Shopgirl -- Steve Martin (fiction)
A novella detailing the affair between a twenty-something Beverly Hills salesgirl with chronic depression, and a millionaire twice her age.
A basically enjoyable story about realistically shallow, unlikeable characters. I didn’t dislike any of them, with the possible exception of Jeremy (particularly the “grown-up” Jeremy), but they were all so shallow it was impossible to actually care about them. Very realistic portrayal of the superficiality, though, especially the deliberately superficial Lisa. And I really enjoyed Steve Martin’s obvious narrative voice much more than any of the characters, especially when he got onto the subject of unrealistic breast enhancement. :D
Not sure if I’d ever read it again, but I’m glad I checked it out.
20. Daddy-Long-Legs -- Jean Webster (young adult)
A teenage girl from an orphan asylum is sent to college by an anonymous benefactor on the condition that she write him monthly letters detailing her progress.
( My all-time favourite epistolary novel, which was also the basis for a classic film musical. )
21. Dear Enemy -- Jean Webster (young adult)
Sequel to Daddy-Long-Legs, in which Judy’s college roommate Sallie takes on the task of revamping the orphanage where her friend grew up.
( Not bad, but definitely not as good as the previous story. )
22. Where’s Daddy? -- William Roos (comedy)
One of the advertising game’s best and brightest abruptly quits his job to write the Great American Novel, disrupting his family and the entire community. It’s an amusing romp that takes his family from suburban cocktail parties amongst the commuter set to sunny Spain, where the parties are ongoing in an attempt to allow all the would-be novelists to put off actually writing the great masterpieces they’re constantly talking about. It’s very, very much a product of the early 1960s; the feeling is kind of a mix of Jean Kerr’s books and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Rather a shame it was never made into a movie, as it would have made a great vehicle for Doris Day.
#23 Sunshine by Robin McKinly
This is not one of the best vampire novels I have read of late. It was entertaining when it wanted to be but hard to get through the insane amount of inner dialogue. It got repetitive and confusing at times. And it seemed like she fell short on her interpretation of a vampire. Alot of talk and little action with this book. I can't really hate it though I mean it had vampires and she worked in bakery(like me!).
#24 The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
A fantasctic book. An unconventional love story. Heartbreaking and fasinating through and through. Time traveling, to me, is infinitely interesting and I realize I must read more books about it. This author takes time traveling and saturates it perfectly into every aspect of this book. Loved it!
#25 Dinner At The Homesick Restaurant by Anne Tyler
Given to me by my aunt as one of her 'favorite books'. This book is character driven and just ordinary, regular, vividly described people. The ending was hokey. I wanted to like this i really really did but it was just barely over interesting.
#26 The Luxe by Anna Godbersen
This book was a fluffy easy read. It was predictable but not too boring. Lots of fashion, gossip, scandal, back-stabbing, high society fun.
#27 Dead Until Dark (Southern Vampire Mysteries, Book 1) by Charlaine Harris
I really enjoyed this book. I was very much into the author's take on vampires. I liked that it was a healthy mixture of fun, funny, light, dark, serious, and action. Lovin' the HBO series so far too.
#28 Old Magic by Marianne Curley
This book was alright. I didn't love it or hate it. Overall kinda dull...Kate was the least magical 'magic' person I've ever read about. And this take on time traveling wasn't very interesting or exciting. Eh.
#29 The Beet Queen by Louise Erdrich
Of the series of dry, psychological books my aunt has lended me over the summer-The Beet Queen had to be my favorite so far of mine. I wish I could sum up these types of books better, where there are just people described through they're life-slightly off, outthere but more or less normal chacters. None really jump off the page or do anything out of this world. They're all dysfunctional. One thing I am sure...these kind of books are not my cup of tea.
34/50 Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
35/50 Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
Recently, I've been in the habit of hating the beginning of books, settling down in the middle, then thoroughly enjoying myself for the rest of it. Uglies was no exception, probably because I didn't like the main character until she matured a bit. Uglies, Pretties and Specials (which I haven't gotten a hold of yet, argh) is a trilogy about Tally Youngblood who lives in a world where everyone undergoes an operation, at the age of 16, to turn pretty. Before 16, people are "ugly" although we would probably describe them as normal. A few months before her 16th birthday (and the operation), Tally meets Shay who isn't sure she wants to become pretty. Shay runs away, and Tally is forced to run after her or else Tally will remain ugly forever. (A real threat out of the book... and not one of its stronger points.)
I think I was disappointed at the beginning because I expected Westerfeld to make an indictment about our society's standards of beauty or something. But that isn't exactly what I got. I did get a nice story of a girl growing up, learning the truth about the world she lives in, then going about solving her problems with creative thinking. Which was a satisfactory substitute. I can't wait to get my hands on the third book (Specials).
Westerfeld's writing was okay (not awful, but not a deterrent for my eyes glazing over) and peppered with "futuristic" slang that were a hit or miss. I liked the "dizzy-making" "pretty-making" pretty talk, but cringed at the word "littlies." It's too painful to say. :P
Next: Kabul Beauty School, The Frog Princess, or Poison Study
Rest of My Reading List
35/50 Pretties by Scott Westerfeld
Recently, I've been in the habit of hating the beginning of books, settling down in the middle, then thoroughly enjoying myself for the rest of it. Uglies was no exception, probably because I didn't like the main character until she matured a bit. Uglies, Pretties and Specials (which I haven't gotten a hold of yet, argh) is a trilogy about Tally Youngblood who lives in a world where everyone undergoes an operation, at the age of 16, to turn pretty. Before 16, people are "ugly" although we would probably describe them as normal. A few months before her 16th birthday (and the operation), Tally meets Shay who isn't sure she wants to become pretty. Shay runs away, and Tally is forced to run after her or else Tally will remain ugly forever. (A real threat out of the book... and not one of its stronger points.)
I think I was disappointed at the beginning because I expected Westerfeld to make an indictment about our society's standards of beauty or something. But that isn't exactly what I got. I did get a nice story of a girl growing up, learning the truth about the world she lives in, then going about solving her problems with creative thinking. Which was a satisfactory substitute. I can't wait to get my hands on the third book (Specials).
Westerfeld's writing was okay (not awful, but not a deterrent for my eyes glazing over) and peppered with "futuristic" slang that were a hit or miss. I liked the "dizzy-making" "pretty-making" pretty talk, but cringed at the word "littlies." It's too painful to say. :P
Next: Kabul Beauty School, The Frog Princess, or Poison Study
Rest of My Reading List
53, 54, 57, 58, 62-65: Death Note by Tsugumi Ohba, art by Takeshi Obata
Manga
I like these. The storyline was enjoyable. And although I didn't like the outcome of the story, I thought it ended well. I wanted to read these so that I could watch the anime, but when I started the tv show it ended up being pretty much the same as the books, so I quit. Recommend.
66. Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya
Manga
I love this series. I've said it before, but it was one of my first mangas, and I am totally in love with it. I'm going to read the whole series (well, the parts that are out) sometime next year, I think, because I know there are some things that I've missed. I love the characters, and the fact that they're growing physically, but also spiritually and mentally as well. It's nice to see characters mature. Recommend.
67. The MacGregor Grooms by Nora Roberts
Romance
I bought this because I'd already read The MacGregor Wives and liked it...I was in for a little shock, though, because I forgot that it was romance. It got to the smut and I was like Oh...haha. The characters are believable, lovable even. Recommend.
68. A Wedding in December by Anita Shreeve
Chick Lit
Everyone is having an affair. No one is happy. It took me about half the book to realize that it takes place in December of 2001, because everyone is talking about 9/11 but I didn't get why. Predictable. Nonsense. Not recommended.
69. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Christian Lit
LOVE THIS BOOK. It is one of my favorites; I've loved it since the first time I read it. I took this on my Mission Trip to Mexico to read on the plane and during my (little) downtime; I have to have books I'm familiar with to travel, in case I can't get into it. This is believable, wonderful. You care about the characters - Angel is a prostitute and Michael is a Christian man. When God tells Michael that his one true love, the woman he should marry, is Angel, he does his best to do God's will, even when Angel (and everyone else around them) makes it very hard.
It's a retelling of the book of Hosea. Recommend.
70. Civil War: A Marvel Comics Event by Millar, McNiven, Vines, and Hollowell
Comic
What would happen if the US Government passes legislation mandating that all people with powers - whether they be natural (X-Men etc), accidental (Spider-man, etc), or man-made (Ironman etc) - register themselves? Who would be for it? Who would be against it? A wonderful story. There's a lot more too it, and I look forward to getting to it. Recommend.
71. Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund
Historical Fiction
About Marie Antionette. I enjoyed it. I'm just getting into historical fiction, and I'll take any recommendations for something good! Recommend.
72. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Sci-fi
Harry Dresden is a wizard in modern-day Chicago. You can find him in the phone book. He'll do spells for hire. I liked this; I read it on the recommendation of a friend. Very enjoyable. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Recommend.
73. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Teen Lit, Vampires
Don't even get me started. I'm not going to recommend it. You know if you like it or if you don't.
74. Oh The Glory Of It All by Sean Wilsey
Non-Fiction, autobiography
Sean's parents are crazy. His dad is some sort of playboy - having an affair with whoever will take it, driving Sean to the arcade in a helicopter. His mother is practically insane, jumping into and out of projects like new outfits - like taking Sean and a bunch of other kids on a global tour as "Kids as Teachers of Peace" or something like that. They get divorced, and all hell breaks loose. His stepmom is a complete bitch, but that doesn't stop Sean from fantasizing about her. Funny. Very enjoyable. Recommend.
Manga
I like these. The storyline was enjoyable. And although I didn't like the outcome of the story, I thought it ended well. I wanted to read these so that I could watch the anime, but when I started the tv show it ended up being pretty much the same as the books, so I quit. Recommend.
66. Fruits Basket by Natsuki Takaya
Manga
I love this series. I've said it before, but it was one of my first mangas, and I am totally in love with it. I'm going to read the whole series (well, the parts that are out) sometime next year, I think, because I know there are some things that I've missed. I love the characters, and the fact that they're growing physically, but also spiritually and mentally as well. It's nice to see characters mature. Recommend.
67. The MacGregor Grooms by Nora Roberts
Romance
I bought this because I'd already read The MacGregor Wives and liked it...I was in for a little shock, though, because I forgot that it was romance. It got to the smut and I was like Oh...haha. The characters are believable, lovable even. Recommend.
68. A Wedding in December by Anita Shreeve
Chick Lit
Everyone is having an affair. No one is happy. It took me about half the book to realize that it takes place in December of 2001, because everyone is talking about 9/11 but I didn't get why. Predictable. Nonsense. Not recommended.
69. Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers
Christian Lit
LOVE THIS BOOK. It is one of my favorites; I've loved it since the first time I read it. I took this on my Mission Trip to Mexico to read on the plane and during my (little) downtime; I have to have books I'm familiar with to travel, in case I can't get into it. This is believable, wonderful. You care about the characters - Angel is a prostitute and Michael is a Christian man. When God tells Michael that his one true love, the woman he should marry, is Angel, he does his best to do God's will, even when Angel (and everyone else around them) makes it very hard.
It's a retelling of the book of Hosea. Recommend.
70. Civil War: A Marvel Comics Event by Millar, McNiven, Vines, and Hollowell
Comic
What would happen if the US Government passes legislation mandating that all people with powers - whether they be natural (X-Men etc), accidental (Spider-man, etc), or man-made (Ironman etc) - register themselves? Who would be for it? Who would be against it? A wonderful story. There's a lot more too it, and I look forward to getting to it. Recommend.
71. Abundance by Sena Jeter Naslund
Historical Fiction
About Marie Antionette. I enjoyed it. I'm just getting into historical fiction, and I'll take any recommendations for something good! Recommend.
72. Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Sci-fi
Harry Dresden is a wizard in modern-day Chicago. You can find him in the phone book. He'll do spells for hire. I liked this; I read it on the recommendation of a friend. Very enjoyable. Looking forward to the rest of the series. Recommend.
73. Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer
Teen Lit, Vampires
Don't even get me started. I'm not going to recommend it. You know if you like it or if you don't.
74. Oh The Glory Of It All by Sean Wilsey
Non-Fiction, autobiography
Sean's parents are crazy. His dad is some sort of playboy - having an affair with whoever will take it, driving Sean to the arcade in a helicopter. His mother is practically insane, jumping into and out of projects like new outfits - like taking Sean and a bunch of other kids on a global tour as "Kids as Teachers of Peace" or something like that. They get divorced, and all hell breaks loose. His stepmom is a complete bitch, but that doesn't stop Sean from fantasizing about her. Funny. Very enjoyable. Recommend.
- Location:illinois
- Music:Twista - Overnight Celebrity
This was a great read. I don't think I can sum it up with any justice, so I'm going to quote from the back cover blurb, which I rarely do:
( ....... )
- Mood:
pleased
31. Breaking Dawn Stephanie Meyer [8/10]
I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on this book. Personally, I enjoyed it very much, though perhaps not as much as the previous three parts of the saga. It didn't have the same flow and feeling that the others had, but I don't mean to say it wasn't well written. It was just different.
I also think I should mention that I was very impressed with the way Meyer handled the more adult scenes. For those you who have not read it, I won't go into details, but I think those of you who have read it will pick up on what I mean when you consider the age range of the twilight readers.
32. Bizenghast v5 M. Alice LeGrow [3/5]
I really enjoy LeGrow's work, but this was not her best. The art was off, which technically you can't really fault an artist for trying to grow and improve their style, but it was in the middle of the series :| And I didn't like that nothing was really accomplished in the book, it was all about Dinah struggling and coming to terms with what had happened in book 4. She didn't actually solve anything or complete any mausoleum tasks, which is what the whole series is about...
33. Ink Exchange Melissa Marr [9/10]
I really enjoyed this! I thought it was a fantastic addition to what will hopefully become a fae series by Marr. It was very dark, but will played out. The dual romance was kind of a repeat from the previous book, Wicked Lovely, but it was excellent just the same :]
So, now I'm almost done Dune. I have about 90 pages left... And then I have to work on The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Which is like. Huge. I bought my mother a copy of Emma as part of her birthday gifts, so I might have to read that too...
Well, that's all for now.
I've heard a lot of mixed reviews on this book. Personally, I enjoyed it very much, though perhaps not as much as the previous three parts of the saga. It didn't have the same flow and feeling that the others had, but I don't mean to say it wasn't well written. It was just different.
I also think I should mention that I was very impressed with the way Meyer handled the more adult scenes. For those you who have not read it, I won't go into details, but I think those of you who have read it will pick up on what I mean when you consider the age range of the twilight readers.
32. Bizenghast v5 M. Alice LeGrow [3/5]
I really enjoy LeGrow's work, but this was not her best. The art was off, which technically you can't really fault an artist for trying to grow and improve their style, but it was in the middle of the series :| And I didn't like that nothing was really accomplished in the book, it was all about Dinah struggling and coming to terms with what had happened in book 4. She didn't actually solve anything or complete any mausoleum tasks, which is what the whole series is about...
33. Ink Exchange Melissa Marr [9/10]
I really enjoyed this! I thought it was a fantastic addition to what will hopefully become a fae series by Marr. It was very dark, but will played out. The dual romance was kind of a repeat from the previous book, Wicked Lovely, but it was excellent just the same :]
| |
33 / 50 (66.0%) |
So, now I'm almost done Dune. I have about 90 pages left... And then I have to work on The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. Which is like. Huge. I bought my mother a copy of Emma as part of her birthday gifts, so I might have to read that too...
Well, that's all for now.
- Location:work
- Mood: calm
- Music:the ringing of the broken Coca Cola fridge
#11. Breaking Dawn - Stephenie Meyer
From the publisher:
Twilight tempted the imagination. New Moon made readers thirsty for more. Eclipse turned the saga into a worldwide phenomenon. And now, the book that everyone has been waiting for...
Breaking Dawn, the final book in the #1 bestselling Twilight Saga, will take your breath away.
My thoughts:
( CAUTION: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS )
Currently reading: The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory
11 / 50 books. 22% done!
x-posted:hula_lullaby
From the publisher:
Twilight tempted the imagination. New Moon made readers thirsty for more. Eclipse turned the saga into a worldwide phenomenon. And now, the book that everyone has been waiting for...
Breaking Dawn, the final book in the #1 bestselling Twilight Saga, will take your breath away.
My thoughts:
( CAUTION: MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS )
Currently reading: The Other Boleyn Girl - Philippa Gregory
x-posted:
hula_lullaby1001 Books:
18. Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy. 492 pages.
This was a depressing book. Really depressing. That being said, once you got past the flowery late-nineteenth century language, it was really well-written and rather enjoyable. Hardy did a wonderful job of creating characters that seemed real, and Tess was incredibly sympathetic. However, the way Tess was treated was horrendous, and the only thing that made her treatment somewhat palatable was that it was clear that Hardy didn't feel that way. This book wasn't an easy read, but it's definitely worth reading.
19. North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell. 496 pages.
I was surprised at how much I like this book. Gaskell writes like the love child of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, and it works.
20. The Razor's Edge, W. Somerset Maugham. 314 pages.
I liked this book, but I didn't think it was as good as I had heard it was. It's a story about a young man who travels around the world trying to find himself, and it's related by the author, who is a character in the novel.
Other Books:
26. Fluke, Christopher Moore. 321 pages.
Ah, Christopher Moore. I love Christopher Moore. This wasn't one of his best novels, but that doesn't mean much. It's still bizarrely hilarious.
27. Sorcery and Cecelia, Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. 320 pages.
A very cute YA novel. There are definite Austen influences, and the magic is reminiscent of the Harry Potter books, but this was written before Rowling started to write them. A really quick read.
28. Breaking Dawn, Stephanie Meyer. 756 pages.
I won't say anything spoilerish, but I wasn't expecting much after really disliking the first three books. I liked this one a lot better. Almost all of the issues I had previously were resolved.
1001 Books:
20/25 - 80%
Total Books:
48/75 - 64%
Total Pages:
21,419/22,500 - 95.2%
Days Passed:
226/366 - 61.7%
18. Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Thomas Hardy. 492 pages.
This was a depressing book. Really depressing. That being said, once you got past the flowery late-nineteenth century language, it was really well-written and rather enjoyable. Hardy did a wonderful job of creating characters that seemed real, and Tess was incredibly sympathetic. However, the way Tess was treated was horrendous, and the only thing that made her treatment somewhat palatable was that it was clear that Hardy didn't feel that way. This book wasn't an easy read, but it's definitely worth reading.
19. North and South, Elizabeth Gaskell. 496 pages.
I was surprised at how much I like this book. Gaskell writes like the love child of Jane Austen and Charles Dickens, and it works.
20. The Razor's Edge, W. Somerset Maugham. 314 pages.
I liked this book, but I didn't think it was as good as I had heard it was. It's a story about a young man who travels around the world trying to find himself, and it's related by the author, who is a character in the novel.
Other Books:
26. Fluke, Christopher Moore. 321 pages.
Ah, Christopher Moore. I love Christopher Moore. This wasn't one of his best novels, but that doesn't mean much. It's still bizarrely hilarious.
27. Sorcery and Cecelia, Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. 320 pages.
A very cute YA novel. There are definite Austen influences, and the magic is reminiscent of the Harry Potter books, but this was written before Rowling started to write them. A really quick read.
28. Breaking Dawn, Stephanie Meyer. 756 pages.
I won't say anything spoilerish, but I wasn't expecting much after really disliking the first three books. I liked this one a lot better. Almost all of the issues I had previously were resolved.
1001 Books:
20/25 - 80%
Total Books:
48/75 - 64%
Total Pages:
21,419/22,500 - 95.2%
Days Passed:
226/366 - 61.7%
- Location:Wisconsin
- Mood:accomplished
- Music:What Not to Wear
Book #86 -- Stephanie Meyer, Breaking Dawn, 754 pages.
A satisfying conclusion to the epic. I do so love happy endings and this one managed to end happily for just about everyone.
I've noticed a lot of people comparing this book to bad fanfiction. IMHO, the entire *series* reads somewhat like fanfiction and I don't mind. The series was never really *good* fiction, just enjoyable and addictive. Bella and Edward were always a little too perfect. So yeah, I'll agree that it reads like fanfiction. But good, fun, cheesy, overly dramatically romantic fanfiction -- just the kind I like :)
Progress toward goals: 223/366 = 60.9%
Books: 86/150 = 57.3%
Pages: 23727/50000 = 47.5%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynraven
A satisfying conclusion to the epic. I do so love happy endings and this one managed to end happily for just about everyone.
I've noticed a lot of people comparing this book to bad fanfiction. IMHO, the entire *series* reads somewhat like fanfiction and I don't mind. The series was never really *good* fiction, just enjoyable and addictive. Bella and Edward were always a little too perfect. So yeah, I'll agree that it reads like fanfiction. But good, fun, cheesy, overly dramatically romantic fanfiction -- just the kind I like :)
Progress toward goals: 223/366 = 60.9%
Books: 86/150 = 57.3%
Pages: 23727/50000 = 47.5%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to
15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynravenI haven't had a chance to post in quite a while. Here's what I've read since I last posted in April.
19 - ( Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas )
20 - Buffy the Vampire Slayer #13: Wolves at the Gate pt 2
21 - Buffy the Vampire Slayer #14: Wolves at the Gate pt 3 (I'll post about these after #4)
22 - ( Angel #5: After the Fall pt 5 )
23 - ( I Heard that Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark )
24 - ( Grief by Andrew Holleran )
25 - ( Buffy the Vampire Slayer #15: Wolves at the Gate pt 4 )
26 - ( A Density of Souls by Christopher Rice )
27 - ( Dream Boy by Jim Grimsley )
28 - ( Us Ones in Between by Blair Mastbaum )
29 - ( The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger )
30 - ( The Year of Ice by Brian Malloy )
31 - ( Buffy the Vampire Slayer #16 - Time of Your Life pt 1 )
32 - ( A Secret Edge by Robin Reardon )
33 - ( Spike #1 - After the Fall pt 1 )
34 - ( The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold )
19 - ( Tallgrass by Sandra Dallas )
20 - Buffy the Vampire Slayer #13: Wolves at the Gate pt 2
21 - Buffy the Vampire Slayer #14: Wolves at the Gate pt 3 (I'll post about these after #4)
22 - ( Angel #5: After the Fall pt 5 )
23 - ( I Heard that Song Before by Mary Higgins Clark )
24 - ( Grief by Andrew Holleran )
25 - ( Buffy the Vampire Slayer #15: Wolves at the Gate pt 4 )
26 - ( A Density of Souls by Christopher Rice )
27 - ( Dream Boy by Jim Grimsley )
28 - ( Us Ones in Between by Blair Mastbaum )
29 - ( The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger )
30 - ( The Year of Ice by Brian Malloy )
31 - ( Buffy the Vampire Slayer #16 - Time of Your Life pt 1 )
32 - ( A Secret Edge by Robin Reardon )
33 - ( Spike #1 - After the Fall pt 1 )
34 - ( The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold )
- Mood: relaxed
- Music:Goldfrapp ~ Caravan Girl
Book #75 -- Frewin Jones, The Sorcerer King, 324 pages.
Finally, the third book in the Faerie Path series. I have been absolutely enchanted by this trilogy, and was happy to see that although the major plot line was tied up, the author left enough small loose ends to allow for more books in the same universe. I sincerely hope there will be some.
Progress toward goals: 194/366 = 53.0%
Books: 75/150 = 50.0%
Pages: 20744/50000 = 41.5%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynraven
Finally, the third book in the Faerie Path series. I have been absolutely enchanted by this trilogy, and was happy to see that although the major plot line was tied up, the author left enough small loose ends to allow for more books in the same universe. I sincerely hope there will be some.
Progress toward goals: 194/366 = 53.0%
Books: 75/150 = 50.0%
Pages: 20744/50000 = 41.5%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to
15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynravenWow, I haven't posted in a long time. Here's my (rather long) list.
1001 Books:
15. Cryptonomicon, Neal Stephenson. 1168 pages.
This book blew my mind, in a good way. Of all the books I've actually enjoyed reading, I think this was the most difficult to get through. It also seemed to take forever, and not just because of the length. There's so much going on that it's hard to wrap your mind around it. Plus, I was a math major in college, and even though all the cryptography stuff was way over my head, I still tried to figure out what they were doing, which made the going even slower.
16. The Shining, Stephen King. 683 pages.
This was the first book by King that I've ever read. Honestly, I only read it because it was on the 1001 Books list; I'm not a huge fan of the horror genre. I liked it more than I thought I would, but I still don't think I'll read any more books by him. I can see his talent; but, really, the genre's just not for me.
17. The Thin Man, Dashiell Hammett. 223 pages.
Ah, the legendary Nick and Nora Charles. Honestly, they weren't as great as I've heard them built up to be. I am curious to see the movie, though, to see if they come off better on screen. Still an enjoyable, quick read, though.
Other Books
20. Drums of Autumn, Diana Gabaldon. 1088 pages.
Not as good as the first three, but still a good read. I hear that the fifth book is the worst in the series, but it picks up again with the sixth. Now that I'm back in the United States with access to a library with a large selection of English-language books, I'm hoping that I can finish the series this summer. Well, the books that have been published already, that is.
21. Twilight, Stephanie Meyer. 544 pages.
22. New Moon, Stephanie Meyer. 608 pages.
23. Eclipse, Stephanie Meyer. 640 pages.
I finally broke down and read this series, partially because my cousin was begging me, and partially to see what all the hype was about. I'll give her credit, Meyer has a knack for coming up with engaging plots. Unfortunately, her writing and characterization skills don't live up to her plotting skill. The book, especially the dialogue, was poorly written. And the characters were not very fleshed out, and when they were, they were disturbing - and not in a good way. Bella seems to exist just to get into trouble and have the men in her life tell her what to do. Her main ambition in life is to die. Edward is possessive, controlling, and borderline abusive, if not crossing the line into being actually abusive. (Girls: if your boyfriend kidnaps you to ensure that you don't see one of your friends, get out of the relationship ASAP. That is NOT a good thing.) I liked Jacob more, but he really wasn't much better. In my opinion, Bella should drop both of them, go to college, find a normal boyfriend, and try to live a normal life. It truly pains me that there are so many young girls out there who want to be like Bella and who want a boyfriend like Edward. Bella's no role model, and she and Edward do not have a healthy relationship.
24. Coraline, Neil Gaiman. 194 pages.
Wow, Gaiman's kids' books really are a lot creepier than his adult books. A really quick, but thoroughly enjoyable read.
25. The 158-Pound Marriage, John Irving. 255 pages.
This book is about wrestling and swingers. There's not really a whole lot else to say about it. I didn't particularly like or dislike it.
1001 Books:
17/25 - 68%
Total Books:
42/75 - 56%
Total Pages:
18,720/22,500 - 83.2%
Days Passed:
191/366 - 52.2%
1001 Books:
15. Cryptonomicon, Neal Stephenson. 1168 pages.
This book blew my mind, in a good way. Of all the books I've actually enjoyed reading, I think this was the most difficult to get through. It also seemed to take forever, and not just because of the length. There's so much going on that it's hard to wrap your mind around it. Plus, I was a math major in college, and even though all the cryptography stuff was way over my head, I still tried to figure out what they were doing, which made the going even slower.
16. The Shining, Stephen King. 683 pages.
This was the first book by King that I've ever read. Honestly, I only read it because it was on the 1001 Books list; I'm not a huge fan of the horror genre. I liked it more than I thought I would, but I still don't think I'll read any more books by him. I can see his talent; but, really, the genre's just not for me.
17. The Thin Man, Dashiell Hammett. 223 pages.
Ah, the legendary Nick and Nora Charles. Honestly, they weren't as great as I've heard them built up to be. I am curious to see the movie, though, to see if they come off better on screen. Still an enjoyable, quick read, though.
Other Books
20. Drums of Autumn, Diana Gabaldon. 1088 pages.
Not as good as the first three, but still a good read. I hear that the fifth book is the worst in the series, but it picks up again with the sixth. Now that I'm back in the United States with access to a library with a large selection of English-language books, I'm hoping that I can finish the series this summer. Well, the books that have been published already, that is.
21. Twilight, Stephanie Meyer. 544 pages.
22. New Moon, Stephanie Meyer. 608 pages.
23. Eclipse, Stephanie Meyer. 640 pages.
I finally broke down and read this series, partially because my cousin was begging me, and partially to see what all the hype was about. I'll give her credit, Meyer has a knack for coming up with engaging plots. Unfortunately, her writing and characterization skills don't live up to her plotting skill. The book, especially the dialogue, was poorly written. And the characters were not very fleshed out, and when they were, they were disturbing - and not in a good way. Bella seems to exist just to get into trouble and have the men in her life tell her what to do. Her main ambition in life is to die. Edward is possessive, controlling, and borderline abusive, if not crossing the line into being actually abusive. (Girls: if your boyfriend kidnaps you to ensure that you don't see one of your friends, get out of the relationship ASAP. That is NOT a good thing.) I liked Jacob more, but he really wasn't much better. In my opinion, Bella should drop both of them, go to college, find a normal boyfriend, and try to live a normal life. It truly pains me that there are so many young girls out there who want to be like Bella and who want a boyfriend like Edward. Bella's no role model, and she and Edward do not have a healthy relationship.
24. Coraline, Neil Gaiman. 194 pages.
Wow, Gaiman's kids' books really are a lot creepier than his adult books. A really quick, but thoroughly enjoyable read.
25. The 158-Pound Marriage, John Irving. 255 pages.
This book is about wrestling and swingers. There's not really a whole lot else to say about it. I didn't particularly like or dislike it.
1001 Books:
17/25 - 68%
Total Books:
42/75 - 56%
Total Pages:
18,720/22,500 - 83.2%
Days Passed:
191/366 - 52.2%
- Location:Wisconsin
- Mood:awake
- Music:none
Book #72 -- Mitali Perkins, The Not-So-Star-Spangled Life of Sunita Sen, 176 pages.
When Sunita Sen's grandparents come over from India for a visit, her comfortable American life is turned upside down. Sunita's mother suddenly starts acting like the "perfect Indian daughter" and a new 'no boys invited over' rule destroys Sunita's budding romance. Sunita's new mission in life is to make sure none of her friends ever find out just how backward her family is, but in her effort to be all things American, Sunita is plagued with a disturbing sense of loss . . .
Progress toward goals: 191/366 = 52.2%
Books: 72/150 = 48.0%
Pages: 19908/50000 = 39.8%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynraven
When Sunita Sen's grandparents come over from India for a visit, her comfortable American life is turned upside down. Sunita's mother suddenly starts acting like the "perfect Indian daughter" and a new 'no boys invited over' rule destroys Sunita's budding romance. Sunita's new mission in life is to make sure none of her friends ever find out just how backward her family is, but in her effort to be all things American, Sunita is plagued with a disturbing sense of loss . . .
Progress toward goals: 191/366 = 52.2%
Books: 72/150 = 48.0%
Pages: 19908/50000 = 39.8%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to
15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynravenBook #66 -- Julie Anne Peters, grl2grl, 151 pages.
A collection of short vignettes of teenage lesbian angst. Not bad at all.
Progress toward goals: 186/366 = 50.8%
Books: 66/150 = 44.0%
Pages: 18144/50000 = 36.3%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynraven
A collection of short vignettes of teenage lesbian angst. Not bad at all.
Progress toward goals: 186/366 = 50.8%
Books: 66/150 = 44.0%
Pages: 18144/50000 = 36.3%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to
15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynravenBook #65 -- E. M. Crane, Skin Deep, 270 pages.
Andrea Anderson is a nobody. She's worked very hard to blend in to the point that she's barely noticed in the school hallways, and that's pretty much the way she likes it, until one day she accepts a job assisting her recluse artist neighbour who is battling cancer. Mrs. Menapace, with her Saint Bernard and her herb garden and her pottery, is very different from the people Andrea has known. But it will take an eccentric dying woman to teach Andrea how to live.
Progress toward goals: 185/366 = 50.5%
Books: 65/150 = 43.3%
Pages: 17993/50000 = 36.0%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynraven
Andrea Anderson is a nobody. She's worked very hard to blend in to the point that she's barely noticed in the school hallways, and that's pretty much the way she likes it, until one day she accepts a job assisting her recluse artist neighbour who is battling cancer. Mrs. Menapace, with her Saint Bernard and her herb garden and her pottery, is very different from the people Andrea has known. But it will take an eccentric dying woman to teach Andrea how to live.
Progress toward goals: 185/366 = 50.5%
Books: 65/150 = 43.3%
Pages: 17993/50000 = 36.0%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to
15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynravenBook #64 -- Susan Beth Pfeffer, Life As We Knew It, 347 pages.
An incredibly book about trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Beginning a few days before the Event, this is the diary of a teenage girl living with her family in rural Pennsylvania, and how they cope when life as they knew it is abruptly destroyed by a rogue asteroid. I cannot stress how brilliant this book is. While most post-apocalyptic stories focus on the dramatic -- the tidal waves and volcanoes and earthquakes and such, this one is different. All those things happen, but they happen to other people, and with communication cut off, it's difficult for the main character to truly process news like "New York City is under water". What *does* begin to effect her life, however, is the ash cover from numerous volcanoes blocking the sunlight. Temperatures reach impossible lows, and frost kills all harvestable plant life. With transportation across country increasingly unreliable, Miranda and her family must face the very real possibility that they may freeze to death this winter, if they don't starve to death first. The power of this book is not in sweeping dramatic events, but in the slow, terrifying decline of hope as conditions get worse and worse and Miranda's family is forced to rely only on themselves and each other.
Progress toward goals: 181/366 = 49.4%
Books: 64/150 = 42.7%
Pages: 17723/50000 = 35.4%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynraven
An incredibly book about trying to survive in a post-apocalyptic world. Beginning a few days before the Event, this is the diary of a teenage girl living with her family in rural Pennsylvania, and how they cope when life as they knew it is abruptly destroyed by a rogue asteroid. I cannot stress how brilliant this book is. While most post-apocalyptic stories focus on the dramatic -- the tidal waves and volcanoes and earthquakes and such, this one is different. All those things happen, but they happen to other people, and with communication cut off, it's difficult for the main character to truly process news like "New York City is under water". What *does* begin to effect her life, however, is the ash cover from numerous volcanoes blocking the sunlight. Temperatures reach impossible lows, and frost kills all harvestable plant life. With transportation across country increasingly unreliable, Miranda and her family must face the very real possibility that they may freeze to death this winter, if they don't starve to death first. The power of this book is not in sweeping dramatic events, but in the slow, terrifying decline of hope as conditions get worse and worse and Miranda's family is forced to rely only on themselves and each other.
Progress toward goals: 181/366 = 49.4%
Books: 64/150 = 42.7%
Pages: 17723/50000 = 35.4%
2008 Book List
cross-posted to
15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynravenI have mixed feelings about this one. On one hand, it was pretty good. On the other, it was pretty cliché. Fanboy annoyed me, and I think that they could have cut some of the crap, moved the Issues with Kyra (Goth Girl) that came up at the end into the middle and then actually worked on resolving them, because I felt like that was much more important than the supposed climax. I was also disappointed by the general lack of astonishing adventures promised by the title.
It wasn't a bad read, but I felt like it got bogged down in high school politics and a couple of really, really unrealistic scenes and unexplained issues that were never really resolved.
It wasn't a bad read, but I felt like it got bogged down in high school politics and a couple of really, really unrealistic scenes and unexplained issues that were never really resolved.
- Mood:
okay