Switched

Switched by Amanda Hocking

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


I would have probably given this one 3.5 stars just because I did like this one and it was an interesting premis. I haven't read too many books that work aroung the changling myth so I thought that was an interesting basis for a story. Keeping in mind that this was written for a young/teen audience I thought this was an entertaining read altho as many pointed out this wasn't a deep read. Sometimes I find that I want something that isn't necessarily deep, something fun is all I'm after.



The story is that Wendy was left in the place of a human by her Trylle mother and raised among humans to get a better education as well as a trust fund. About the time she is to turn 18 she is whisked back to where she belongs. It seems her real family and her adopted family are entirely too similar and nothing is really explained as to what has happened to the father on either side of the picture. Maybe that is gonna be covered in future novels. I also found that the characters through out the book were a bit superficial. I understand that Wendy was uprooted from all that she knew to find that she is princess but she was a spoilt brat before and that never really changed. And really, it seemed that all the characters were a bit spoiled and shallow except for her human family. One thing I did like about the book was the underlying theme that family is not necessarily what you are born into. Adopted family and unconventional families are just as important and just as valid as conventional or birth families. Home is where you make it but at the same time all involved have to participate.



Overall, I liked the book. It fits well for a teen/younger audience. Its just a fun read that doesn't fit the requirement to be a deep meaningful novel.



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The Mission Song

The Mission Song by John le Carré

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


This is a difficult one for me to wrap my brain around for a review. Its generally not my genra of choice, never really been into spy novels. But actually it was more than that, it was a love story not only of a couple but of their country. I would really give this one 3.5 stars because it really was very well written.

Bruno Salvo is a very talented interpreter of obscure African languages that happens to be trapped in a loveless marriage. He is drawn in to the life of a spy and uncovers a conspiracy against is beloved Congo. In the meantime he falls in love with a wonderful woman that is also from Africa. Salvo is very naive being very new to the life of a spy and his conscious won't let him sit back and do nothing. In difficult situations its often not easy to do what is right and even then sometimes its impossible to make any difference against such odds as wealthy high ranking conspirators.

The problem that I had with this novel was that it would have helped if I had more of a knowledge of African politics (ok, I'll be honest I have no knowledge of African politcs, I don't really care for any politics regardless of geography). I felt kinda lost in the middle of all that was going on at the conference. What I did enjoy was the way it was told from the point of view of the interpreter. Not only was his knowledge of different languages interesting but also the way he picked up sounds in general. Every tone or inflection of speach was picked up and had meaning. Background noises also had meaning in the way he interpreted what was going on.

Overall, I enjoyed alot about this book and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good spy novel.



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Recent Purchase

Ran across this one and being a big Dean Koontz fan added it to my ever growing to-read list.



Synopsis

I am the One, the all and the only. I live in the Pendleton as surely as I live everywhere. I am the Pendleton’s history and its destiny. The building is my place of conception, my monument, my killing ground. . . .

Picked Up Today

While waiting for my turn to finally get my haircut I picked up the following in WM and since I couldn't quit reading it while I waited it followed me home.



Synopsis

When Wendy Everly was six-years-old, her mother was convinced she was a monster and tried to kill her. It isn't until eleven years later that Wendy discovers her mother might have been right. With the help of Finn Holmes, Wendy finds herself in a world she never knew existed - a world both beautiful and frightening, and Wendy's not sure she wants to be a part of it.


Paperback, 293 pages

Published January 3rd 2012 by St. Martin's Griffin (first published July 12th 2010)

ISBN 1250006317 (ISBN13: 9781250006318

Robopocalypse

Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I loved this book! This was such a great read. It was written in the style of World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War with stories told from different points of view from many characters. As the book progresses these stories are woven together and we see how these people and machines have fought in their own ways to survive and destroy Archos. There is also such a depth with more messages woven into these stories such as the need to take care of our environment, and our kids being given so much and never really learning to grow up and be an adult. There is also so much about mankind joining together and learning to live together. In the book it is expressed that we need a common enemy to keep from warring against ourselves. That is certainly an issues that seems to have pervaded mankind throughout the centuries. There are many other issues that are addressed subtly in this book all of which are important and have real meaning in the story. This is a great book that is full of interesting characters and action. Loved it! This should appeal to anyone that loves a great sci-fi novel.



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In the Mail Today

This is a FirstReads win from GoodReads that I have just received today.

Synopsis

Just how well can you ever know the person you love? This is the question that Nick Dunne must ask himself on the morning of his fifth wedding anniversary, when his wife Amy suddenly disappears. The police immediately suspect Nick. Amy's friends reveal that she was afraid of him, that she kept secrets from him. He swears it isn't true. A police examination of his computer shows strange searches. He says they aren't his. And then there are the persistent calls on his mobile phone. So what did really did happen to Nick's beautiful wife? And what was left in that half-wrapped box left so casually on their marital bed? In this novel, marriage truly is the art of war...

Promises

Promises by Marie Sexton

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This was such a good book! This was a m/m romance with a touch of erotica, it was more about the story than just about the sex and thats one thing that sets it apart from so many that are out there. The story is told from Jared's point of view and it feels as tho he is setting in your living room telling it. It just flows so easily that its hard to put down. The story begins with Jared telling you how he comes to meet Matt and continues through all the obstacles that they had to overcome. Matt denies that he has any Gay tendencies at all and he has to come to terms with his feeling. Altho Jared is out of the closet he realizes that he still has fears with how othes see him. Its a learning experience for both of them as they learn about themselves as well as each other. There is some hot sex, but its not all about the sex it only adds to the story and not becomes it. I would recommend this for anyone over 18 that loves a good romance.



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Blood Bond

Blood Bond by Jennifer Cloud

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.


There is definitely alot that goes on in this story. Abigail is a young college girl who lives with her older sister Senna after the suicide of their mother when they were young. One night Senna comes home covered in blood and gives no explanation. Abigail seems very naive in the begining of all this. She doesn't push her sister for answers as most of us probably would, possibly she is afraid of the answers she would get. Throughout about the first half of the story I felt bad for Abigail because it seems like everyone, including Cody who is a complete stranger, seems to know what is going on. I felt as lost as she was and was just wishing somebody would tell her something. As things progress, Abigail's character seems to really grow up and face what is happening. Government conspiracies and medical coverups are woven in along with a touch of the supernatural to make this a very dark story at times but it definitely keeps your attention while you are trying to find where all of it is headed. I would recommend this to anyone who loves a psychological thriller with a touch of the paranormal.



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A Timeless Classic: Fahrenheit 451

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I didn't particularly love the style this was written in but I loved the premis of the book and the message that it held. Its pertinent to any generation and all societies and I think this is one book that everyone should read. Guy Montag lives in a futuristic society that has many of the qualities of our own society. In his world its illegal to read books and firemen start fires instead of put them out. The society of his time is interested in the pursuit of pleasures and not of knowledge. They choose to turn a blind eye to what goes on in the world and people are very self centered. Books are burned not because of the stories they contain but because they encourage people to think for themselves. Anyone that thinks for themselves, has ideas about life, or wants to socialize anyway besides in front of their t.v's that take up whole walls, are considered strange and must be dealt with. There is so much more to this book besides speaking out against censorship. This is a great classic that everyone should read.



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Too Many Curses

Too Many Curses by A. Lee Martinez

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was probably one of the most enjoyable, fun reads that I have read in quite some time. Nessy is a kobold (similar to a dog but with human intelligence) who's job is to tend the castle of the evil wizard Margle. Margle's castle is full of beings under strange curses that require full time attention. One day Margle meets an unusual fate and Nessy is left to take charge of things. This was a quick fun read that was full of silliness and humor and characters that touch the heart. Nessy is small but she shows that its not always size that makes the hero and that even the smallest of us can make a difference. I would recommend this to anyone that needs a good laugh, enjoys a fun read, or is generally a kid at heart. Loved it and shall keep this to read again sometime.



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Happy Birthday Charles Dickens

I want to wish a Happy Birthday to the great Charles Dickens. Without whom the world would be without the treasures of A Christmas Carol, A Tale of Two Cities, Oliver Twist and Great Expectations among others.

About the author:

A prolific 19th Century author of short stories, plays, novellas, novels, fiction and non; during his lifetime Dickens became known the world over for his remarkable characters, his mastery of prose in the telling of their lives, and his depictions of the social classes, mores and values of his times. Some considered him the spokesman for the poor, for he definitely brought much awareness to their plight, the downtrodden and the have-nots. He had his share of critics, like Virginia Woolf and Henry James, but also many admirers, even into the 21st Century. (info courtesy of Goodreads)

Received Today

This is a Goodreads FirstReads win that I just received in the mail. This is #4 in the With or Without series. I haven't read the others in this series, I'm not sure if it would add to the story if I had. If anyone has read the others in this series I would love to have your thoughts on it.

Synopsis

Love was never part of his plan…until it pounced. As heir to an old and proud heritage, Aubrey Reynolds works and lives for his family, his employees and his pack. Agreeing to watch after a visiting werewolf is no big deal—until he discovers the newcomer is his mate. His very male mate…which is a very big deal, indeed. Revealing his sexuality was never part of Aubrey’s well-ordered life plan. Much as he loved caring for his eight younger brothers, Matt Mahihkan knows it’s time to grab the opportunity to attend college in Atlanta. Realizing Aubrey is his mate should have been a delightful experience…except Aubrey treats him more like a dirty little secret than a lover. Yet Matt is a patient man. Aubrey can’t stay in the closet forever. Can he? In time, they settle into a comfortable, if complicated, routine. Until a rogue werewolf with an axe to grind forces Aubrey to add to the wedge of secrets driving him and Matt apart, leaving Matt exposed to danger…and Aubrey forced to choose between love and duty. Warning: Contains color abuse with a really bad sense of fashion, a southern accent from hell, sex on antique furniture, a pouncing playful werewolf, obnoxious siblings, liberal use of a color identifier and impatient sex. No lightning bugs were harmed in the making of this book.

1Q84

1Q84 by Haruki Murakami

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This was definitely one long strange trip! There is so much to this story its kinda hard to wrap your brain around it when you finish. There was alot I liked about this story and some things that I didn't. The size alone is a bit overwhelming. I would never suggest starting this unless you plan to have a lot of time on your hand such as being laid off from work or maybe under house arrest.

In the begining you find yourself in three different stories. Aomome is stuck in traffic on her way to an important appointment and climbs down an emergency exit to get to the subway. When she does this she eventually realizes she has crossed into another reality. The second story you encounter is Tengo Kawana is being asked to ghostwrite a story writen for a writing contest. The third story is the life of the girl that actually wrote Air Chrysalis. These three threads that start independently are gradually woven together a thread at a time like the actual weaving of an air chrysalis. We are drawn into this strange world of 1Q84 thats as vivid and detailed as any reality that could be imagined. The characters are deep and brought to life of such a scale that we really see life from their eyes. However, this book is so detailed that at some points it detracts from the story. There seems to be so much excess. Is it really necessary to know how food is prepared, or read actual passages from Chekov that had no relevance to the story at hand? I think that nearly every bite of food that was eaten was described not only in detail but how it was prepared. Things of this nature made an already long book longer than necessary.

Overall, I liked the book. It was very well written, the flow of the story was nice and I loved the way the stories were woven together. But the length was daunting and by the end I was asking myself why I ever started this to begin with. This is certainly not a book for everyone, and thats not just because of the size, the overall story is a bit on the bizzare side as well. But I certainly feel as if I have accomplished something now that its over.



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The Goat and the Heathen

The Goat and the Heathen by Jessa Callaver

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I received a free copy of this in exchange for my honest review.



This was a super sexy short erotica that was very well written. Two roommates invite a hot guy over for an evening of menage. The sex was hot but there was a very sweet romantic twist in the story. The storyline was simple but well developed with characters that you could really get into. A very hot story for those that are over 18 to enjoy.



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