Well, so many things to read and so little time to write! Now, where should I start?
I checked out six of “Gossip Girl” series by Cecily Von Ziegesar to see what the hoopla was about: “Gossip Girl”, “You know you love me”, “I like it like that”, “Because I’m worth it”, “You are the one I want” and “The Carlyles”. I liked Blair and Serena and even Vanessa but not Nate! The guy is totally spineless! Oh forget it…
“Because your vampire said so” (Broken Heart, Oklahoma, Book 3) by Michele Bardsley. I’d read the first book and it was OK, this one is OK too. What kind of review is that? I couldn’t notice why all the singles in that little town were out in the night of attack! Very convenient I say! And all single parents? Come on! Do they really have to have each a couple of teenagers? Aside from that, this mixing of races and Blood wolf thing had me a little bored. In conclusion, although Ms. Bardsley has some great ideas for her series, she is not a very good storyteller or writer and mixing the folklore into the story has not improved the plot much.
“Secrets in the Shadows” by V.C. Andrews was another book about teen anguish and unhappiness. I didn’t like it; you are entitled to your own opinion!
“Seduced by magic” by Cheyenne McCray the second book of “Magic series” was fun. Too heavy in Celtic folklore with some changes from author but the story was sound and the characters interesting. I had read the first book upon publication and the second one did not disappoint. Should I go look for third and fourth?
Ooh yes, I finally got to read “The chocolate lovers' club” by Carole Matthews. I had started the book nearly a year ago and thought it is about problems of a group of chocoholics. Not that much! I was surprised, the book ended up being very funny with happy ending and a nice plot involving a great robbery! Loved it! Wish we had a "Chocolate Heaven" around the corner!
“Fool Moon” by Jim Butcher from Dresden Files was great. Harry is solving a mystery involving werewolves.
“She went all the way” by Meg Cabot was another of her cheesy romances, very simple and cute and without much complication.
“Le divorce” by Diane Johnson was worse than the movie. I was disappointed. It felt much unconnected and report like. Although one reason for my dislike might be that I don’t like lose unfinished stories that try to sound noire.
And finally reread for ten thousandth times “Pride and Prejudice” by all time genius Jane Austen. I can’t have enough of stuffy England aristocrat and their mossy manors in my current frame of mind. But don’t you all get frustrated with likes of Mr. Collins and embarrassed by Mrs. Bennet ramblings? Don’t you wish for a Mr. Darcy?
Austen is such a master (sorry! Mistress) of describing stuffy frustrating characters, you never get tired of reading her novels.
OK, this was my essay on how I’m spending my summer. What about you?
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Monday, July 21, 2008
Reading Junk!
When you are depressed, the whole world is going against you. You can’t even find good books. I have no problem with junk foods (love them actually!) but junk book? No way Jose! A famous guy once said “every written word is worth reading at least once!” and I had the quote printed and hanged on my bookcase but after reading these books I changed my mind:
“She's no angel” by Leslie Kelly, a story happening in a town named Trouble. A New York cop going to his grandfather’s house meets a girl without shoes, car or a cell phone by the road. Well he has Hero syndrome and has to save her and the rest is history.
“Someone like him” by Karen Kendall is a modern day Cinderella story happening in Manhattan. Yeah, you guessed it: BORING!
“The Penwyth curse” by Catherine Coulter was a historical-paranormal romance. The characters were savage and rude, the story had a loose foundation and was all over the place. Very cheesy indeed!
Oh god, I hate romances! Why did I waste my time reading this junk? I feel sick!
Then “Unlucky in law” by Perri O'Shaughnessy, a bad murder-legal mystery. It was bad, story was cliché, take this one as a sample: the murderer killed because he had stolen something and he stole that thing because he just liked to look at it! What the heck!
“The black tattoo” by Sam Enthoven is a YA adventure book. The characters are fourteen and the book is written for teen and preteen boys. It is just like a computer game, all actions and swords and kicks and bangs: demons want to destroy the world, a teen gets super powers over night, angry teen hates his family…. Blah blah blah….
It is such a sad state, but actually this book was the best I’ve read this week! Yuck!
“She's no angel” by Leslie Kelly, a story happening in a town named Trouble. A New York cop going to his grandfather’s house meets a girl without shoes, car or a cell phone by the road. Well he has Hero syndrome and has to save her and the rest is history.
“Someone like him” by Karen Kendall is a modern day Cinderella story happening in Manhattan. Yeah, you guessed it: BORING!
“The Penwyth curse” by Catherine Coulter was a historical-paranormal romance. The characters were savage and rude, the story had a loose foundation and was all over the place. Very cheesy indeed!
Oh god, I hate romances! Why did I waste my time reading this junk? I feel sick!
Then “Unlucky in law” by Perri O'Shaughnessy, a bad murder-legal mystery. It was bad, story was cliché, take this one as a sample: the murderer killed because he had stolen something and he stole that thing because he just liked to look at it! What the heck!
“The black tattoo” by Sam Enthoven is a YA adventure book. The characters are fourteen and the book is written for teen and preteen boys. It is just like a computer game, all actions and swords and kicks and bangs: demons want to destroy the world, a teen gets super powers over night, angry teen hates his family…. Blah blah blah….
It is such a sad state, but actually this book was the best I’ve read this week! Yuck!
Tuesday, July 15, 2008
Five out of seven is not bad!
Did I ask for some good new books? Well, I found them at least for a week!
“On account of conspicuous women” by Dawn Shamp happens in 1920 and is the story of four women: Bertie a feminist, Ina a school teacher who was widowed in her honeymoon, Doodle a farmer girl and Bertie’s cousin, a girl who think modernism is in wearing the latest fashion. At the end, each has learned a lesson and has taken a big step toward independence.
“Miss Pettigrew lives for a day” by Winifred Watson and no! I didn’t see the movie! Anyway the book was great fun. I hope the movie is half as good because I put it in my list!
“Murder melts in your mouth: a Blackbird sisters’ mystery” by Nancy Martin. I love the Blackbird mysteries. In this one Nora’s best friend is entangle in a murder, Nora’s parents are back, Mike is there and not there. Libby is regrouping in a push hotel on someone else money and Emmy is pregnant. Talk about action packed.
Also it looks the series is finally going to end in a book or two.
“The anatomy of deception” by Lawrence Goldstone, a mystery which take place in 1880s. A team of medical students and their professor are trying to find a missing girl and find the killer of one of their colleague.
“Matala” by Craig Holden was boring, a tale of bored spoiled children looking for mischief all over Europe and con men and women doing everything for a little money.
“Enlightenment for idiots” by Anne Cushman was a cliché. Such a waste of time! A yoga instructor with a messed up life goes to India to find enlightenment. She is commissioned to write a travel book and keeps going from one ashram to another and practicing strange disciplines all over India. Her trip is caught short because she is pregnant by her on n’ off irresponsible boyfriend. She comes back, gives birth, turns in her book later than deadline and still has not found enlightenment. The moral lesson: stay right where you are.
My conclusion: take responsibility and get your act together before going on spiritual journeys!
“Dragons wild” by Robert Asprin. Oh gosh, this book was good, better than good, it was great. It was fun and entertaining; the story was well written and new. Loved the characters and the setting too! Imagine, it was happening in French Quarters in New Orleans and you get to take nightly strolls on the Moonwalk. How fun! Anyway, college graduate Griffen and his sister Valerie found out that they are the last of pure breed dragons and are in danger because other powerful dragons want to kill them or force them to join their organizations. Griffter (Griffen’s nickname) and Val escape to New Orleans, learn about their new powers and find a support group and yes, do illegal gambling! It is a great read. I recommend it to everyone, guys and gals both will enjoy it!
“On account of conspicuous women” by Dawn Shamp happens in 1920 and is the story of four women: Bertie a feminist, Ina a school teacher who was widowed in her honeymoon, Doodle a farmer girl and Bertie’s cousin, a girl who think modernism is in wearing the latest fashion. At the end, each has learned a lesson and has taken a big step toward independence.
“Miss Pettigrew lives for a day” by Winifred Watson and no! I didn’t see the movie! Anyway the book was great fun. I hope the movie is half as good because I put it in my list!
“Murder melts in your mouth: a Blackbird sisters’ mystery” by Nancy Martin. I love the Blackbird mysteries. In this one Nora’s best friend is entangle in a murder, Nora’s parents are back, Mike is there and not there. Libby is regrouping in a push hotel on someone else money and Emmy is pregnant. Talk about action packed.
Also it looks the series is finally going to end in a book or two.
“The anatomy of deception” by Lawrence Goldstone, a mystery which take place in 1880s. A team of medical students and their professor are trying to find a missing girl and find the killer of one of their colleague.
“Matala” by Craig Holden was boring, a tale of bored spoiled children looking for mischief all over Europe and con men and women doing everything for a little money.
“Enlightenment for idiots” by Anne Cushman was a cliché. Such a waste of time! A yoga instructor with a messed up life goes to India to find enlightenment. She is commissioned to write a travel book and keeps going from one ashram to another and practicing strange disciplines all over India. Her trip is caught short because she is pregnant by her on n’ off irresponsible boyfriend. She comes back, gives birth, turns in her book later than deadline and still has not found enlightenment. The moral lesson: stay right where you are.
My conclusion: take responsibility and get your act together before going on spiritual journeys!
“Dragons wild” by Robert Asprin. Oh gosh, this book was good, better than good, it was great. It was fun and entertaining; the story was well written and new. Loved the characters and the setting too! Imagine, it was happening in French Quarters in New Orleans and you get to take nightly strolls on the Moonwalk. How fun! Anyway, college graduate Griffen and his sister Valerie found out that they are the last of pure breed dragons and are in danger because other powerful dragons want to kill them or force them to join their organizations. Griffter (Griffen’s nickname) and Val escape to New Orleans, learn about their new powers and find a support group and yes, do illegal gambling! It is a great read. I recommend it to everyone, guys and gals both will enjoy it!
Monday, July 7, 2008
Long time, No post!
I’m getting a little depressed, all this hot weather’s fault! Had a long list of reading to do, but still am enjoying “Fearless Fourteen” (Stephanie Plum, No. 14) by Janet Evanovich.
Read “L’ Affaire” by Diane Johnson. Had seen the movie of “Le Divorce” and liked it, so it was with high expectations that I started “L’affaire” and glad to report, it didn’t disappoint me! Loved the characters, Amy specially; but why should we admire that womanizer Emile?
“Wolves in chic clothing” by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman was much better than their “The Right Address”. Julia, Douglas, Lell, Polly, Hope and … were delightful.
Then “Momzillas” by Jill Kargman. Ms. Kargman showed she is a master in this book. But do people really go this crazy after they have kids?
“L.A. Woman” by Cathy Yardley was OK. The story of three women in LA, each with her own issues had a nice happy ending.
Two waste of time books by Victoria Laurie: “A Vision of Murder “(Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 3) and “Demons Are a Ghoul's Best Friend” (Ghost Hunter Mysteries, Book 2). Very simplistic and cliché. Am not going to read anything from this author ever again!
Needing good books! Any recommendations?
Read “L’ Affaire” by Diane Johnson. Had seen the movie of “Le Divorce” and liked it, so it was with high expectations that I started “L’affaire” and glad to report, it didn’t disappoint me! Loved the characters, Amy specially; but why should we admire that womanizer Emile?
“Wolves in chic clothing” by Carrie Karasyov and Jill Kargman was much better than their “The Right Address”. Julia, Douglas, Lell, Polly, Hope and … were delightful.
Then “Momzillas” by Jill Kargman. Ms. Kargman showed she is a master in this book. But do people really go this crazy after they have kids?
“L.A. Woman” by Cathy Yardley was OK. The story of three women in LA, each with her own issues had a nice happy ending.
Two waste of time books by Victoria Laurie: “A Vision of Murder “(Psychic Eye Mysteries, Book 3) and “Demons Are a Ghoul's Best Friend” (Ghost Hunter Mysteries, Book 2). Very simplistic and cliché. Am not going to read anything from this author ever again!
Needing good books! Any recommendations?
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