This book was super quick to read. I like that! I previously read "Prom nights from Hell" which was a compilation of short stories by popular young adult authors. This book and it's hero, Madison, was a continuation of one of those short stories.
Madison was killed, exactly as she turned 17, on the night of her prom. The R.E.A.P.E.R. that was supposed to save her was fooled by the one that was trying to kill her. She was able to inadvertently take into her possession an amulet from the one that killed her and therefore got to keep a semblance of her life.
It's a tricky description but it was actually quite good. Solid characters and a good storyline are sometimes difficult to come across. (Especially when I've been reading so many romances and young adult novels!)
I have the 2nd book of this series on hold at the library. I can't wait until it's available to me. This is a unique and interesting series. That makes me happy.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Sunday, April 24, 2011
#24 Bittersweet Ecstasy by Janelle Taylor
I finished the book the night before last. I REALLY didn't want to add the title to my blog list, though. Can you blame me? This was one of the 2 romance novels that I read when I was in my early teens and had LOOOOOOOOOOVED so much! Now? Meh.
It's a complex mix of relationships that span over a few generations, and a few separate tribes of the Native Americans, in the early settling days of the United States. It was confusing in storyline and loaded with history that was irrelevant. I have no idea why I loved it so much when I was a kid. Maybe it was the whole native thing. The main tribe it followed is Oglala Sioux which is a close family to some of my own heritage. Maybe I had some kind of elevated Sioux pride at that time of my life. I dunno. It's definitely the last time I will read this book, though.
It's a complex mix of relationships that span over a few generations, and a few separate tribes of the Native Americans, in the early settling days of the United States. It was confusing in storyline and loaded with history that was irrelevant. I have no idea why I loved it so much when I was a kid. Maybe it was the whole native thing. The main tribe it followed is Oglala Sioux which is a close family to some of my own heritage. Maybe I had some kind of elevated Sioux pride at that time of my life. I dunno. It's definitely the last time I will read this book, though.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
#23 The Help by Kathryn Stockett
I had been referred to this book by MANY clients. I was always given the same kind of comment, too. "It is the type of book, that when it is done, you want to find out what is going on with the characters. They are your friends."
Well let me tell you...IT IS TRUE!! Ms Stockett is a truly gifted writer. You KNOW who the women are that are sharing their lives and stories with you. You know all of the amazing things that are going to happen to them in the future, too. The best part is you REALLY want to read about those things.
The Help is based in Jackson Mississippi in the early 1960's. It is where the segregation sit-ins were happening, where Medger Eavers was shot down in his own carport and where the KKK was feared almost as much as the polite women of society. This story is told by through 3 separate women's perspectives. Aibilene, colored "help" who is mourning the recent death of her own son and the only real support and love of the white girl she is raising.
Minny, colored "help" who has been fired a record 19 times for not being able to hold her tongue. She is the best cook in the county and an attitude to match the title.
Miss Skeeter is the privileged white woman who sees injustice in the relationships of the coloreds and her own friends. She grew up with a colored woman as her own help and loved her more than she could ever explain. When Constantine, her own help, disappears it brings up many many questions and emotions and starts a project that is both insightful and maybe even deathly dangerous.
This is an amazing story with memorable moments and truly beloved characters. It was easy to picture it in my mind as I was reading it and I am eager for the movie. I'm glad I purchased this book. I'll read it again.
Well let me tell you...IT IS TRUE!! Ms Stockett is a truly gifted writer. You KNOW who the women are that are sharing their lives and stories with you. You know all of the amazing things that are going to happen to them in the future, too. The best part is you REALLY want to read about those things.
The Help is based in Jackson Mississippi in the early 1960's. It is where the segregation sit-ins were happening, where Medger Eavers was shot down in his own carport and where the KKK was feared almost as much as the polite women of society. This story is told by through 3 separate women's perspectives. Aibilene, colored "help" who is mourning the recent death of her own son and the only real support and love of the white girl she is raising.
Minny, colored "help" who has been fired a record 19 times for not being able to hold her tongue. She is the best cook in the county and an attitude to match the title.
Miss Skeeter is the privileged white woman who sees injustice in the relationships of the coloreds and her own friends. She grew up with a colored woman as her own help and loved her more than she could ever explain. When Constantine, her own help, disappears it brings up many many questions and emotions and starts a project that is both insightful and maybe even deathly dangerous.
This is an amazing story with memorable moments and truly beloved characters. It was easy to picture it in my mind as I was reading it and I am eager for the movie. I'm glad I purchased this book. I'll read it again.
Monday, April 11, 2011
#22 Insatiable by Meg Cabot
This book was a total Double Whammy for me. Not only did I research the most recent author I'd been reading but it's a book about Vampires. Check aaaaand check!
Insatiable is a modern day sequel to Bram Stoker's Dracula. A continuation. I enjoyed it. It was right up my alley. I'm pretty sure I have more Meg Cabot on the upcoming reading list.
Insatiable is a modern day sequel to Bram Stoker's Dracula. A continuation. I enjoyed it. It was right up my alley. I'm pretty sure I have more Meg Cabot on the upcoming reading list.
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
#21 Prom Nights from Hell by multi authors
I looked up books by Meg Cabot after reading a couple of her books last week and found this title...and it had short stories by her and 4 other authors, including Twilight's Stephenie Meyer. It seemed obvious that I would read it next.
Although, the title makes it sound like it's going to be stories much like the letters from all the preteen magazines. You know the ones. "I should never have worn white to my prom when my period was due." and "I was showing off at the crowded pool and did an amazing dive while everyone was watching and my ENTIRE swimsuit disintegrated in midair." THOSE letters.
It wasn't like that. :)
Each of the 5 authors told a short story that took place at or around a high school prom. Each of the main characters had some kind of a random connection to a preternatural being. #1. A vampire. #2. A modernized rewrite of "The Monkey's Paw". #3. Reconnaissance Error Acquisitions Personnel. Evaluation and Recovery aka R.E.A.P.E.R. #4. A Prophet and a Super Hero. And finally the #5. by Stephenie Meyer was about a Demon and an Angel.
These stories were fun. I love short stories when I've been having trouble reading. They inspire me. :) I'm ready for the next one. :)
Although, the title makes it sound like it's going to be stories much like the letters from all the preteen magazines. You know the ones. "I should never have worn white to my prom when my period was due." and "I was showing off at the crowded pool and did an amazing dive while everyone was watching and my ENTIRE swimsuit disintegrated in midair." THOSE letters.
It wasn't like that. :)
Each of the 5 authors told a short story that took place at or around a high school prom. Each of the main characters had some kind of a random connection to a preternatural being. #1. A vampire. #2. A modernized rewrite of "The Monkey's Paw". #3. Reconnaissance Error Acquisitions Personnel. Evaluation and Recovery aka R.E.A.P.E.R. #4. A Prophet and a Super Hero. And finally the #5. by Stephenie Meyer was about a Demon and an Angel.
These stories were fun. I love short stories when I've been having trouble reading. They inspire me. :) I'm ready for the next one. :)
Monday, April 4, 2011
#20 The Red Pyramid by Rick Riordan
Book One in the Kane Chronicles is very similar in theme to Riordan's Percy Jackson series. Anyone who knows me knows I LOVE the Percy Jackson series. :)
I read this book simply because of Percy. I liked it for being what it was BUT whereas Percy is about Greek mythology modernized this is Egyptian mythology and simply not as interesting to me. I really liked the back and forth narration of the books between Carter and his sister Sadie. It was a bit different but really fun and easy to read. Riordan, also, did a really good job of fluidly educating the reader about mythology without sounding like a teacher and the story itself was good. I'm positive I will read each of the books in this series as they are release (#2 is due this year) but it just isn't as amazing to me as the other series. I am DEFINITELY prejudiced. This was a good, fun, trick-you-into-learning book. I'm not sure I would read it again but I liked it a lot. :)
I read this book simply because of Percy. I liked it for being what it was BUT whereas Percy is about Greek mythology modernized this is Egyptian mythology and simply not as interesting to me. I really liked the back and forth narration of the books between Carter and his sister Sadie. It was a bit different but really fun and easy to read. Riordan, also, did a really good job of fluidly educating the reader about mythology without sounding like a teacher and the story itself was good. I'm positive I will read each of the books in this series as they are release (#2 is due this year) but it just isn't as amazing to me as the other series. I am DEFINITELY prejudiced. This was a good, fun, trick-you-into-learning book. I'm not sure I would read it again but I liked it a lot. :)
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