~*~
Death in Holy Orders, by P. D. James. So, the new Elizabeth George novel isn’t out yet (but soon), so I decided to try another mystery/suspense writer. So far, so good. Still reading. Was Ronald murdered? I’m assuming so, because that’s what she writes. Still reading this.
Magic or Madness, by Justine Larbalestier. Okay, so I’m not a young adult anymore, but I still loved this story and plan to read the next 2 books. Reason and her mom have been hiding out in the Australian outback from her “wicked witch” grandmother. Then mom goes mad and Reason is living with her grandmother. Who really is a witch and has a door that opens to NYC. And magic is real, and not so nice. I loved Tom best, because how many 15 year old boys worry about the cut of someone’s clothes? I would let my daughter (11) read this. In fact I may buy them all and let her read them. After I’m done.
Area 7, by Matt Reilly. This reads as a men’s shoot-em-up action movie, with helicopters, and speedboats, and planes, and even space shuttles. My husband loved it and is reading more of Matt’s stuff. I read it because I was in between books. Reilly knows how to keep the action going, that for sure. He’s weak on characterization. The introduction of every new character gets a quick rundown of their appearance. Which I promptly forgot because in most cases it was irrelevant. I remembered Mother had a prostetic leg and Scofield had scars across his eyes (which seemed really weird) and those things were important to the story. Scofield is accompanying the Pres. to the top secret Area 7 (think Area 51 but no aliens) for an inspection. Then, as the cliche goes, all hell breaks loose.
With No One as Witness, by Elizabeth George. Her best suspense that I’ve read so far. This follows a serial murderer and I like finding out that we’ve met the murderer very early one. That always makes me want to go back and see if hints/clues were left so I could figure out the murder myself. However, the end is horrific because of who dies and the senselessness of it. Well, it isn’t senseless but when you come to love characters like the one who dies, it’s personally heartbreaking. I’m skipping the next book for now, What Came Before He Shot Her, because I’ve read that it’s rather different and doesn’t involve Lynley or Havers. Not that I don’t like different! But that’s where my interests lay at the moment.
The River, by Gary Paulsen. Brian goes back to the woods and I wanted to see what would happen next. Not as satisfying, nor as long as Hatchet, but a great read nonetheless.
Hatchet, by Gary Paulsen. I listened to this in the Yukon (SUV, not Canada) with my kids. Absolutely brilliant. I may need to buy it in hardcover. Brian Robeson is the sole survivor of a plane crash in the North woods of Canada with only the clothes covering him and a hatchet to aid him. The study of how some changes in extreme circumstances is fascinating. The writing is clear and simple and beautiful and sharp.
Gregor and the Code of the Claw, by Suzanne Collins. This is the fifth book of the Underland Chronicles, which my family started listening to on CD in the car while going from activity to activity. I had to read the last two books on my own since they haven’t been released to audio CD so far and I NEEDED TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENS! Just as addictive as the Harry Potter books. Here Gregor needs to save the Underland again, as well as his family, by sorting another prophecy and the Code of the Claw. I was so sorry the book ended because there are so many issues I want to know the answer to. I may have to write fanfiction about that.
Extraordinary Uses for Ordinary Things, Readers Digest Editors. I’m a sucker for these types of books. Who knew how many things you could use vinegar for, or duct tape or mayonnaise.
All New Square Foot Gardening, Mel Bartholomew. Great approach to gardening. We’re looking forward to garden fresh herbs, tomatoes and corn this summer.
Eldest, Christopher Paolini. My kids and I listened to this on CD while travelling to different activities. We enjoyed it, although Paolini really obviously recycles many famous fantasy themes. A bit of surprise at the end, but I should’ve known it was coming. We’ll be waiting to read/hear Brisingr when it comes out.
In Pursuit of the Proper Sinner, Elizabeth George. I love the way George weaves themes through her plots and subplots. Control was the issue here – who has it, who doesn’t and what anyone does to keep it. How much control can you have over any one person? Sin and guilt is also a strong theme and the “proper” sinner - who’s really in the wrong. Lynley deals with the outfall of Havers previous investigation as well as searches out the murderer of a former colleague’s daughter. Some of the subplots are left open – I don’t know if they’re just glimpses of people’s lives to mislead our eye from the culprit, to confuse things or if George is going to pick them up in later books. Some of them I really want to find out what’s going to happen! Like in this one – what’s going to happen with Julian Britton, his dad and his cousin!?
Deception on His Mind, Elizabeth George. Yep, deception was on many minds. Lynley is off on his honeymoon and Havers has to solve the case. Well, no, actually she doesn’t, but she’s going to stick herself in this one whether anyone wants her or not.
In the Presence of the Enemy, Elizabeth George. First time I realized what a clue the title was. The murderer was right there and I didn’t pick up on it. This was very clever indeed.
Iron Kissed, Patricia Briggs. Third in the Mercy Thompson series and I own them all. Mercy is tugged between the rivalry of two alpha werewolves and learns too much about the fae. Splendidly written and engaging, I only wish for a bit more foreshadowing of whodunit. 4.5 stars
Playing for the Ashes, Elizabeth George. Her plots are so well-woven and she weaves a theme brilliantly thru her plots and subplots. Kenny is dead. His wife, Jeannie, has been struggling to hold onto his love. His patron, Miriam, wants his loves as does his lover, Gabriella. Livie, Miriam’s estranged daughter, wants Chris’s love as he wants Amanda’s. Jimmy wants his father, Kenny, to again complete the family that he so sullenly loves. Havers is finally seeing that trashy romance novels are no substitute. And Helen demands to know why Lynley loves her and how can he put that in words?
“Love, Olivia. That’s always the beginning of things, isn’t it? What I didn’t understand is that it’s also the end.”
Looking forward to the next George novel. 4.5 stars
The Healthiest 150 Foods on Earth, Jonny Bowden. If I give up bread and processed food, then all my problems will be solved. Eggs, seafood, some meats, nuts, some oils, fruit and all the veggies I want and then I’ll be healthy. But, dammit, what’s a sandwich without bread? It ain’t a sandwich. Not ready to give up bread. (Yes, carbs are addictive. Or at least bread is.) This is an informative book. I’m just not at a place in my life to go without some processing. 4.5 stars
Lover Eternal, J. R. Ward. These books are sinful candy. The names of the vampires are silly, but fun. The sex is silly, but fun, too. All these warrior men that seem to built like early Schwarzenegger’s with manhoods to rival totem poles contrasting with the petite delicate flower like ladies with wills of iron. Here Rhage meets Mary, who’s human, but he wants her anyway. What will he have to do to get her? And there’s a reason for his name. 4 stars.
Missing Joseph, Elizabeth George. I’ve never noticed how Joseph is missing from so much art having to do with Jesus. Mary is well represented. Social commentary? The vicar’s dead. I figured out who he was, but the twist was a great surprise. I love how George ties the plots together and the underlying theme here is family and what makes a family. 4.5 stars.
For the Sake of Elena, Elizabeth George. Dear me, how’s it going to turn out between Lynley and Lady Helen? I still don’t know, but it’s looking up! Oh yeah, and there’s a dead guy. Havers is a nice foil to Lynley and her continuing sub-plot only adds to the stories. I like the contrast of all the different relationships and how people deal with them (or not). 4.5 stars.
Payment in Blood, Elizabeth George. Lynley and Havers solve the murder of a playwright. Watching Lynley figure out the depth of his feeling for Lady Helen interested me more than the murder (murders, actually). I had trouble keeping track of the cast in this one. 3 stars.
A Suitable Vengeance, Elizabeth George. Lynley solves a murder at home while bringing his fiancee to meet his mum. The sub-plots are just as interesting as the main plot. I have to read the next to find out what happens to Lynley next. 4.5 stars.
Well -Schooled in Murder, Elizabeth George. After reading Write Away I choose to delve into some of George’s fiction. This is the first one I came across. Lynley and Havers, from Scotland Yard, investigating the murder of a school boy. I raced through this book, needing to know what happens. George writes wonderfully clear prose, with just enough setting to know what’s around without being tedious. Of course, having children near the age of the victim brought me even closer. Kept me guessing until the end. Very satisfying. 4.5 stars.
Write Away, Elizabeth George. Another interesting foray into a writer’s process. 4.5 stars.
Lover Awakened, J. R. Ward. I’m really starting to enjoy these vampire romances. Despite the goofy names. Zsadist’s past is a nightmare of abuse, but can he overcome it for Bella? I enjoy reading about these characters. 4 stars.
The First King of Shannara, Terry Brooks. I remember reading The Sword of Shannara ages ago and being enthralled with it. I think my tastes have matured, or changed at least. I picked this up off my husband’s nightstand because I was out of new stuff to read. Jay’s put down The Sword of Shannara because he’s said there’s too much traveling and not so much story. This book doesn’t enthrall me and I’m not sure why. There’s good conflict. There’s action. There’s not too much traveling. Maybe it’s too broad for the size of the book. Maybe not enough depth. Maybe I’m in a funk and not responding to the story the way I normally would. And the title bothers me because Shannara is a person but the title indicates a country. That’s a nitpick but it stays on my mind. 3 stars.
The South Beach Diet, Arthur Agaston, M.D. A diet I’m considering, save for the fact that I don’t think I can give up bread. Otherwise it looks easy and possibly filling, unlike other diets that have left me dizzy with hunger. 4 stars.
Living the Low Carb Life, Jonny Bowden. I’m looking at low carb diets. This was a good book for comparing many of them at a glance, taking into account the obvious bias of the author. 3.5 stars.
Zen in the Art of Writing, Ray Bradbbury. I’ve been looking for some writing inspiration. This was very artsy-fartsy with a few gems mixed in. Not my cup of tea. I know I’ve got to master craft first. 3 stars.
Eragon, Christopher Paolini. Audio book. My kids are listening to this as we travel to and fro karate. My daughter received a copy for Christmas. I’ve read it some time ago and it was okay. So many cliches packed in together. It’s still just okay. 2.5 stars.
Code of Conduct, Kristine Smith. Rec’d by John Scalzi, or at least he gave attention to the author. I know there’s more going on here than glorified paper processors but I don’t know if I really want to go the next books to find out what. 3 stars.
The Five Ancestors #1: Tiger, Jeff Stone. Interesting characters. Held my kids’ attention and they asked to hear more of the stories. Listened on audio CD.
The Bridge to Terebithia, Katherine Paterson. Listened on audio CD while driving around with my kids. Need to buy this. In hardcover. Absolutely beautiful and heartwrenching. 5 + stars.
The Amber Spyglass, Philip Pullman. Probably the most creative, original series I’ve ever read. Fabulous.
The Subtle Knife, Philip Pullman.
The Marshall Plan for Novel Writing, Evan Marshall. Interesting. I don’t know if a good novel must follow the outline that Marshall gives. I’m also leary of writing books with charts, but this book did give me quite a bit to think of in regard to structuring a novel. I like the idea of plotting out a novel in advance. The novel I’ve been half-heartedly working on has a scene that I like but I don’t know how it fits into the story, because I don’t know the story.
The Golden Compass, Philip Pullman. I want my own daemon! Man, adults suck so bad. Only the outcasts are cool. Let’s not get started on how I can so see the church doing these horrid things. 4 stars.
Dark Lover, J. R. Ward. One of the better vampire romances I’ve read. Characters were a little one dimensional and the vampire names were silly, but an enjoyable read. I may look for more of these. 3 stars
Glasshouse, Charles Stross. Real Sci-Fi. Like nothing I’ve ever read before but the characters are real enough that I can empathize. Us humans always mucking up a good thing. Need dictionary at all times.
Phantom, Terry Goodkind. Kahlan who? continued. Goodkind’s preachy soliloquy’s are getting annoying. If he could just focus on the action, that would be wonderful. And interesting.
Chainfire, Terry Goodkind. Kahlan who? Only Richard remembers Kahlan. Why? Not as much moralizing in this book. 3 1/2 stars
10/4/07 ~ To Green Angel Tower, Book Two, Tad Williams. Can’t read fast enough. 5 stars.
9/29/07 ~ To Green Angel Tower, Book One, Tad Williams. Even better. 4 1/2 stars.
9/26/07 ~ The Stone of Farewell, Tad Williams. Sigh. Love it. 4 stars.
Current ~ Positive Discipline, Jane Nelsen. I’ve got to stop yelling at and nagging my kids. This may give me the tools to do that. 4 stars.
9/23/07 ~ The Dragonbone Chair, Tad Williams. An old favorite I’m re-reading. 4 stars.
On hold ~ Eight Minute Meditations, Victor Davich. I’m going to try the program but the opening chapters read like a infomercial which has me very wary. I’m withholding judgement for now.
09/03/07 ~ The Shelters of Stone, Jean M. Auel. This is for Ayla lovers only. You need love to wade through this much description. 3 stars
