I read a lot of hype about Obedience by Will Lavender on a lot of blogs and had to place this book on hold from the library. It finally came in and I got around to it, and boy, it was nothing like I have ever read before. I don't know what to think about it, as it really threw me through a loop. I guess I will give it a B+.
From Amazon:
When the students in Winchester University’s Logic and Reasoning 204 arrive for their first day of class, they are greeted not with a syllabus or texts, but with a startling assignment from Professor Williams: Find a hypothetical missing girl named Polly. If after being given a series of clues and details the class has not found her before the end of the term in six weeks, she will be murdered.At first the students are as intrigued by the premise of their puzzle as they are wary of the strange and slightly creepy Professor Williams. But as they delve deeper into the mystery, they begin to wonder: Is the Polly story simply a logic exercise, designed to teach them rational thinking skills, or could it be something more sinister and dangerous?The mystery soon takes over the lives of three students as they find disturbing connections between Polly and themselves. Characters that were supposedly fictitious begin to emerge in reality. Soon, the boundary between the classroom assignment and the real world becomes blurred—and the students wonder if it is their own lives they are being asked to save.
This book was so incredibly different from anything that I have ever read before. There were so many twists and turns and I didn't know what to think. I am still somewhat confused at certain aspects of it but it was really well-written. I did find some parts of the book unbelieveable, but just seemed to go with the book. I don't think I can really write a very good review of it right now because so many things are going through my mind about it right now.
Up next is Easy Innocence by Libby Fischer Hellmann, another book I have heard a lot about on the blogosphere. It is also my second to last book I have from the library, so soon I will have to start tackling my Mt. TBR. I haven't bought any books lately, so that is good. School is also keeping me very busy, but I will always find time to read!
I did a good amount of reading this month, especially considering I was working two jobs. I finished 13 books this month, bringing this year's total so far to 69 books. The lowest rating I gave a book this month was a B-, so I also read a lot of good books. All together, a great month of reading. Happy Reading!
Showing posts with label reading goals. Show all posts
Showing posts with label reading goals. Show all posts
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Giving Up
I tried getting into What Goes Around by Susan Diamond and just couldn't stick with it. I was really in the mood to read, and when I picked up this book, it was just ho hum. In the first 60 pages, I was introduced to probably more than 20 or 25 characters and wasn't given enough details to keep them straight. It was really boring and I couldn't get interested into the book or the characters. I didn't care about what happened to them, and even though it was only 60 pages, it was probably the longest 60 pages I have read in a long time. Following my 60 pages rule, I am giving up. I just have too many books to read and so many more I want to check out that it makes me feel guilty. Does anyone else have this same reaction to giving up books? And why do I feel so guilty? Story of my life I guess.
Up next is the first book by Andrew Gross. I got it from the library and I like to return those as soon as possible. I know it drives me crazy when I want something and have to wait forever to get it, so I will read that one first. I hope everyone else is having better luck with their reading since I doubt I will be able to finish it before tomorrow. I do have to work tomorrow and then when I get home from work I want to get a jump start on cleaning and laundry since I work on Saturday. All that work makes Kristie an anxious reader! Plus, sometime this weekend I want to get all of my books catalogued again. When Lent is up, I have a couple books to get that I am interested in and book gift cards burning a hole in my purse! I want to make sure my list is accurete when I go shopping. Everyone have a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Up next is the first book by Andrew Gross. I got it from the library and I like to return those as soon as possible. I know it drives me crazy when I want something and have to wait forever to get it, so I will read that one first. I hope everyone else is having better luck with their reading since I doubt I will be able to finish it before tomorrow. I do have to work tomorrow and then when I get home from work I want to get a jump start on cleaning and laundry since I work on Saturday. All that work makes Kristie an anxious reader! Plus, sometime this weekend I want to get all of my books catalogued again. When Lent is up, I have a couple books to get that I am interested in and book gift cards burning a hole in my purse! I want to make sure my list is accurete when I go shopping. Everyone have a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Lifeguard by James Patterson
I picked up Lifeguard by James Patterson at the library to hopefully get me back in the fast track of reading. I read this book very quickly, and hope to get one more in before the end of the month. This book was a good read, though definitely not as good as some of his other books I have read. I would rate this a B.
From Amazon:
Working as a lifeguard in a posh Florida resort, Ned Kelley finds the woman of his dreams. The only thing he needs is money. So when his friends offer to cut him into a deal that promises $1,000,000 each, how can he turn it down? The plan is simplea fast break-and-enter to grab paintings from a rich collector. But on the night of the heist, theyre double-crossed. Worse, Neds friends are brutally executed. Now hes the prime target of both the FBI and the killers. With no one to trust, Ned must dodge the authorities and the vicious killers in a desperate effort to avenge his friends and clear his name.
The suspense was not as good as I would have liked it, though it was still suspensful. I figured out some of the main parts in the story but was surprised by some. I am not sure if it is because of reading so many of Mr. Patterson's books that I have come to expect the unexpected, but some of it I did figure out. I really liked the characters and was really rooting for Ned Kelly. There were a lot of characters to keep track off, so that kind of distracted me a bit. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book.
Andrew Gross is the co-author of this book and I always seem to enjoy when he writes with Mr. Patterson. I did read in Romantic Times magazine that Mr. Gross has written two of his own novels with the second one being released shortly. I am looking forward to checking out his first book on his own and see if I enjoy that as well.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. It will be something from my TBR shelves as I don't have anymore library books out. I did just finish listening to Plum Lucky on CD and enjoyed that as well. It was the first time I listened to a Stephanie Plum book and it was pretty funny. I really liked to reader which I feel is so important for a book on CD to be enjoyable.
I am coming down with some cold or strep throat, so I am going to turn in now. I am not subbing tomorrow as I have a dentist appointment though I do have to work at my mom's at night. I plan on relaxing tomorrow, though there is a ton of stuff around the house I want to get done. I also want to record all of my books again since I lost that. However, if I don't feel well, I will probably spend a lot of time on the couch. This weather is terrible and I am just sick and tired of the cold and snow. I so want to move to Florida. Oh well, I hope everyone is having a good week and Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
Working as a lifeguard in a posh Florida resort, Ned Kelley finds the woman of his dreams. The only thing he needs is money. So when his friends offer to cut him into a deal that promises $1,000,000 each, how can he turn it down? The plan is simplea fast break-and-enter to grab paintings from a rich collector. But on the night of the heist, theyre double-crossed. Worse, Neds friends are brutally executed. Now hes the prime target of both the FBI and the killers. With no one to trust, Ned must dodge the authorities and the vicious killers in a desperate effort to avenge his friends and clear his name.
The suspense was not as good as I would have liked it, though it was still suspensful. I figured out some of the main parts in the story but was surprised by some. I am not sure if it is because of reading so many of Mr. Patterson's books that I have come to expect the unexpected, but some of it I did figure out. I really liked the characters and was really rooting for Ned Kelly. There were a lot of characters to keep track off, so that kind of distracted me a bit. Overall though, I really enjoyed this book.
Andrew Gross is the co-author of this book and I always seem to enjoy when he writes with Mr. Patterson. I did read in Romantic Times magazine that Mr. Gross has written two of his own novels with the second one being released shortly. I am looking forward to checking out his first book on his own and see if I enjoy that as well.
I am not sure what I am going to read next. It will be something from my TBR shelves as I don't have anymore library books out. I did just finish listening to Plum Lucky on CD and enjoyed that as well. It was the first time I listened to a Stephanie Plum book and it was pretty funny. I really liked to reader which I feel is so important for a book on CD to be enjoyable.
I am coming down with some cold or strep throat, so I am going to turn in now. I am not subbing tomorrow as I have a dentist appointment though I do have to work at my mom's at night. I plan on relaxing tomorrow, though there is a ton of stuff around the house I want to get done. I also want to record all of my books again since I lost that. However, if I don't feel well, I will probably spend a lot of time on the couch. This weather is terrible and I am just sick and tired of the cold and snow. I so want to move to Florida. Oh well, I hope everyone is having a good week and Happy Reading!
Sunday, February 3, 2008
The Delivery Man by Joe McGinniss
For the life of me, I cannot remember where I heard about this book. I really need to start keeping a log to help me remember, because if it is from a blog, I love to compare reviews. Anyways, I heard about the book and placed a hold on it from the library. It was a quick read and definitely something different from my usual style of books. I would give this a B-.
From Amazon:
The Delivery Man is an exhilarating debut—a fast, frightening, and eye-opening portrait of today’s lost generation. It is a love story set against the surreal excess of Las Vegas—and the artificial suburbs, gated communities, and freeways that surround it—where broken lives come to seek new beginnings and casinos feed the lust of tourists and residents alike. Ultrasophisticated local kids grow up fast and burn out early. After attending college in New York, Chase returns to Vegas and is drawn into the lucrative but dangerous world of a teenage call-girl service with his childhood friend Michele, a beautiful Salvadoran immigrant with whom he shares a tragic past. Over the course of one extraordinary summer they will confront the violence and emptiness at the heart of the city and their generation. At once stark and electrically atmospheric, horrifying and hopeful, The Delivery Man is a powerful indictment of a society in which personal responsibility has been abandoned, lust is increasingly mistaken for love, and innocence is an anachronism.
This book was written in a different way but really interesting. The story is told in present day and reflects back to when Chase and all of his friends are in high school. We learn why everyone is the way they are today and where the ideas of the call-girl service comes from. I believe it shows a true portrayl of the risky lifestyles that happens in all towns around the country, not just with call-girls, but with teenagers who are growing up too fast and too soon. However, I do think the story could have been expanded on expecially since it was a short book. I also feel like I was a little ripped off on the ending, so therefore I gave it the lower rating.
Up next is Mary, Mary by James Patterson. I hope this book is much better than You've Been Warned. I have read some other reviews for You've Been Warned and some people agreed with me and others thought it was fantastic. I have enjoyed all of the other Patterson books so hopefully I will like this one as well. I haven't rated a book in the A's for quite awhile so I hoping it will boost my ratings as well. I also am accomplishing one of my goals of cleaning up the TBR shelves so I am happy about that. I also decided for Lent I am giving up book buying so that should help accomplish that goal as well. I don't have a ton of books on hold at the library so that is good too. Hope everyone is having a great weekend and Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
The Delivery Man is an exhilarating debut—a fast, frightening, and eye-opening portrait of today’s lost generation. It is a love story set against the surreal excess of Las Vegas—and the artificial suburbs, gated communities, and freeways that surround it—where broken lives come to seek new beginnings and casinos feed the lust of tourists and residents alike. Ultrasophisticated local kids grow up fast and burn out early. After attending college in New York, Chase returns to Vegas and is drawn into the lucrative but dangerous world of a teenage call-girl service with his childhood friend Michele, a beautiful Salvadoran immigrant with whom he shares a tragic past. Over the course of one extraordinary summer they will confront the violence and emptiness at the heart of the city and their generation. At once stark and electrically atmospheric, horrifying and hopeful, The Delivery Man is a powerful indictment of a society in which personal responsibility has been abandoned, lust is increasingly mistaken for love, and innocence is an anachronism.
This book was written in a different way but really interesting. The story is told in present day and reflects back to when Chase and all of his friends are in high school. We learn why everyone is the way they are today and where the ideas of the call-girl service comes from. I believe it shows a true portrayl of the risky lifestyles that happens in all towns around the country, not just with call-girls, but with teenagers who are growing up too fast and too soon. However, I do think the story could have been expanded on expecially since it was a short book. I also feel like I was a little ripped off on the ending, so therefore I gave it the lower rating.
Up next is Mary, Mary by James Patterson. I hope this book is much better than You've Been Warned. I have read some other reviews for You've Been Warned and some people agreed with me and others thought it was fantastic. I have enjoyed all of the other Patterson books so hopefully I will like this one as well. I haven't rated a book in the A's for quite awhile so I hoping it will boost my ratings as well. I also am accomplishing one of my goals of cleaning up the TBR shelves so I am happy about that. I also decided for Lent I am giving up book buying so that should help accomplish that goal as well. I don't have a ton of books on hold at the library so that is good too. Hope everyone is having a great weekend and Happy Reading!
Thursday, January 3, 2008
By Blood Written by Steven Womack
I got By Blood Written when I was at the bookstore just looking around. The cover grabbed me, so I picked it up. The premise sounded really, really good and something totally different then anything else I have read. I give it an A-.
From Amazon:
At first, it was only research . . .
Author Michael Schiftmann has received resounding critical acclaim for his novels that few people buy or read. The sad truth is that readers aren't interested in great literature—they only want glitz and violence. So that's what Michael intends to give them—shocking stories of a blood-chillingly efficient serial killer that are filled with gore and horror. And to ensure that his books are impeccably realistic in every aspect, he plans to try his own hand . . . at murder.
Soon his fictional killer is a sensation, and Michael is a rich, sought-after celebrity—and his beautiful, rising-star literary agent, Taylor Robinson, is falling in love with him. But there is one serious problem: Michael Schiftmann has discovered that bloodletting feels good . . . and he can't seem to stop.
This is a chilling suspense novel that has such an interesting premise. I was able to learn about the publishing business while reading a wonderful written suspense novel. I have never heard of Mr. Womack before, but I can tell you positively that I will be checking out his backlist. In this story, we always know who the bad guy is, but there is a lot of suspense that goes on in the story. I really enjoyed Taylor and I was even doubting myself that Michael could be a killer. Mr. Womack did an absolutely wonderful job in creating his characters into very realistic people. As I mentioned, I will be getting more of his books.
I didn't meet my goals from last year except to keep my reads documented in here. I was one book short of 100 while it was a disappointment, I am impressed with the amount of reading I was able to get in. Between my rough time this summer, graduating in December, and working full time while going to school full time in the winter my reading was pretty good. This year I am going to try and read 115 books and keep up with this blog. I probably won't be participating in many challenges because I hate to feel stuck to something and I hate not completing something I start. I will try and get the books in my TBR shelves read more than I did last year. I have quite a bit of gift cards for the bookstore but I will try and save those and spread them out over time. I love utilizing my local library, but do want to read from my shelves. For every book I buy or get from the library, I am going to read one from my bookshelves. That being said, the next book I am going to read is Beach Road by James Patterson. I started listening to it on my IPod but there is a problem with finding where I left off, so I stopped listening. Hopefully I will fly through this one pretty quickly since listening to part of it earlier. I hope everyone else had a wonderful New Years and Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
At first, it was only research . . .
Author Michael Schiftmann has received resounding critical acclaim for his novels that few people buy or read. The sad truth is that readers aren't interested in great literature—they only want glitz and violence. So that's what Michael intends to give them—shocking stories of a blood-chillingly efficient serial killer that are filled with gore and horror. And to ensure that his books are impeccably realistic in every aspect, he plans to try his own hand . . . at murder.
Soon his fictional killer is a sensation, and Michael is a rich, sought-after celebrity—and his beautiful, rising-star literary agent, Taylor Robinson, is falling in love with him. But there is one serious problem: Michael Schiftmann has discovered that bloodletting feels good . . . and he can't seem to stop.
This is a chilling suspense novel that has such an interesting premise. I was able to learn about the publishing business while reading a wonderful written suspense novel. I have never heard of Mr. Womack before, but I can tell you positively that I will be checking out his backlist. In this story, we always know who the bad guy is, but there is a lot of suspense that goes on in the story. I really enjoyed Taylor and I was even doubting myself that Michael could be a killer. Mr. Womack did an absolutely wonderful job in creating his characters into very realistic people. As I mentioned, I will be getting more of his books.
I didn't meet my goals from last year except to keep my reads documented in here. I was one book short of 100 while it was a disappointment, I am impressed with the amount of reading I was able to get in. Between my rough time this summer, graduating in December, and working full time while going to school full time in the winter my reading was pretty good. This year I am going to try and read 115 books and keep up with this blog. I probably won't be participating in many challenges because I hate to feel stuck to something and I hate not completing something I start. I will try and get the books in my TBR shelves read more than I did last year. I have quite a bit of gift cards for the bookstore but I will try and save those and spread them out over time. I love utilizing my local library, but do want to read from my shelves. For every book I buy or get from the library, I am going to read one from my bookshelves. That being said, the next book I am going to read is Beach Road by James Patterson. I started listening to it on my IPod but there is a problem with finding where I left off, so I stopped listening. Hopefully I will fly through this one pretty quickly since listening to part of it earlier. I hope everyone else had a wonderful New Years and Happy Reading!
Monday, December 24, 2007
Projection by Keith Ablow
After looking over some of my previous reads this year, I decided to select another of Mr. Ablow's book to read next. Much to my surprise it was a continuation of the first book I read in the summer and it took me awhile to remember what had happened. Once I did, I picked up the book more and read more than half of it this morning. I would rate it a B+.
From Amazon:
Distinguished plastic surgeon Trevor Lucas may not be guilty of the four murders he stands accused of, as Ablow's gruesome psychological thriller opens, but he has clearly lost his mind, claiming that his right arm is controlled by Satan. Frank Clevenger, hero of Ablow's first novel, Denial, and consulting forensic psychiatrist to the Massachusetts police, is well aware of Lucas's innocence, since he framed him to save their mutual lover, the pathologically jealous but pitiable Kathy Matheson. Kathy's four victims were Lucas and Clevenger's other sexual partners, including the woman who was Frank's real love, but he sees Kathy only as a victim, since she was raped by her father as a child. When Lucas takes control of the hospital ward where he is being held, cuts off his arm and begins mobilizing the criminally insane inmates to assist him in vivisecting their fellow patients and members of the hospital staff, Clevenger makes a foray into the grisly ward and convinces the state police to hold off their assault on the hospital for 24 hours so he can delve into Lucas's past to discover the roots of his trauma. Astonishingly, the cops agree, and Clevenger is off to Baltimore, Lucas's hometown. Along the way, ponytailed Clevenger scores heroin, falls in love with a prostitute and continues to affirm that criminals with difficult childhoods are not responsible for their actions.
I liked this book because their were surprises and twists I never even expected. Like I said, it started off slowly for me but then really picked up the pace. Dr. Clevenger is hardly anything close to a normal psychitrist and is far from perfect. He definitely has his own problems, which I sort of like. Quite often the hero in suspense books are close to being perfect and Dr. Clevenger is not. It is hard to like him, but I felt this book did show his good points. I was surprised by a lot of the events that happened and I feel like this book was not completely resolved. I hope there is more of this book in the future Clevenger books. I know I have a couple more, so hopefully I will be able to get some answers.
Up next is T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton. My idea of placing the books that are large typed on hold panned out again as people seem to forget about those. I got it in really quick and on the normal book list, I was number 136 for it. However, I will read it quickly because I feel guilty holding on to a popular book for a long time. Hopefully I can get it read fast over today and tomorrow, though of course we will be busy with Christmas. I also missed my blog anniversary yesterday. I can't believe it has been a year. I read some of my older entries and I really love being able to reflect on the books I have read over the year that I otherwise may have forgotten about. I also noticed I didn't meet some of my goals, but hopefully will meet my main goal of reading 100 books. I think it will be pretty big with graduating this semester and my problems I went through this summer. Three more to go, so hopefully I will be able to get it done.
I hope everyone has an enjoyable Christmas. I am looking forward to it all being done. Sometimes it just seems like such a chore since we have so many places to go. My parents just got divorced three years ago and it is a pain trying to see everyone, including the in-laws. Plus my anxiety and depression is getting bad again and I really don't feel like leaving my house. Oh well, gotta do it. To everyone else, have a wonderful Christmas and be safe! Happy reading!
From Amazon:
Distinguished plastic surgeon Trevor Lucas may not be guilty of the four murders he stands accused of, as Ablow's gruesome psychological thriller opens, but he has clearly lost his mind, claiming that his right arm is controlled by Satan. Frank Clevenger, hero of Ablow's first novel, Denial, and consulting forensic psychiatrist to the Massachusetts police, is well aware of Lucas's innocence, since he framed him to save their mutual lover, the pathologically jealous but pitiable Kathy Matheson. Kathy's four victims were Lucas and Clevenger's other sexual partners, including the woman who was Frank's real love, but he sees Kathy only as a victim, since she was raped by her father as a child. When Lucas takes control of the hospital ward where he is being held, cuts off his arm and begins mobilizing the criminally insane inmates to assist him in vivisecting their fellow patients and members of the hospital staff, Clevenger makes a foray into the grisly ward and convinces the state police to hold off their assault on the hospital for 24 hours so he can delve into Lucas's past to discover the roots of his trauma. Astonishingly, the cops agree, and Clevenger is off to Baltimore, Lucas's hometown. Along the way, ponytailed Clevenger scores heroin, falls in love with a prostitute and continues to affirm that criminals with difficult childhoods are not responsible for their actions.
I liked this book because their were surprises and twists I never even expected. Like I said, it started off slowly for me but then really picked up the pace. Dr. Clevenger is hardly anything close to a normal psychitrist and is far from perfect. He definitely has his own problems, which I sort of like. Quite often the hero in suspense books are close to being perfect and Dr. Clevenger is not. It is hard to like him, but I felt this book did show his good points. I was surprised by a lot of the events that happened and I feel like this book was not completely resolved. I hope there is more of this book in the future Clevenger books. I know I have a couple more, so hopefully I will be able to get some answers.
Up next is T is for Trespass by Sue Grafton. My idea of placing the books that are large typed on hold panned out again as people seem to forget about those. I got it in really quick and on the normal book list, I was number 136 for it. However, I will read it quickly because I feel guilty holding on to a popular book for a long time. Hopefully I can get it read fast over today and tomorrow, though of course we will be busy with Christmas. I also missed my blog anniversary yesterday. I can't believe it has been a year. I read some of my older entries and I really love being able to reflect on the books I have read over the year that I otherwise may have forgotten about. I also noticed I didn't meet some of my goals, but hopefully will meet my main goal of reading 100 books. I think it will be pretty big with graduating this semester and my problems I went through this summer. Three more to go, so hopefully I will be able to get it done.
I hope everyone has an enjoyable Christmas. I am looking forward to it all being done. Sometimes it just seems like such a chore since we have so many places to go. My parents just got divorced three years ago and it is a pain trying to see everyone, including the in-laws. Plus my anxiety and depression is getting bad again and I really don't feel like leaving my house. Oh well, gotta do it. To everyone else, have a wonderful Christmas and be safe! Happy reading!
Saturday, December 15, 2007
The Venus Fix by MJ Rose
I have been a fan of Ms. Rose's books for some time and have read her Butterfield Institute books prior to this one as well as some of her stand alone books. I have had this one forever and started reading it a long time ago but never picked it up again. I found it the day and decided to pick it up. It was a good book and I rate it a B.
From Amazon:
As one of New York's top sex therapists, Dr. Morgan Snow sees everything from the abused to the depraved. From high-profile clients with twisted obsessions to courageous survivors, the Butterfield Institute is the sanctuary to heal battered souls.
Morgan Snow's newest patient is a powerful, influential man -- secretly addicted to watching Internet Web cam pornography. He's not alone in his desires. She's also working with a group of high school teenagers equally and dangerously obsessed with these real-time fantasies.
Fantasies that are all too accessible.
Then the women start dying online, right in front of their eyes.
Now it's all about murder.
This book definitely had an interesting premise and I enjoyed it pretty much. It wasn't terribly suspensful, and I don't think there was enough foreshadowing for the reader to actively decide who the killer was until the book was almost over. Dr. Snow also gets on my nerves a bit as she has some hangups from her childhood that bothered me. I don't think I am nitpicking as when I was looking over previous notes I wrote about her books said the same thing.
That being said Ms. Rose expertly weaves together erotica and suspense together. While I am normally a little prudish when it comes to the more erotic type books, I did not blush while reading it. I really enjoy reading a book written where a psychitrist is the main character. Part of me thinks if I didn't go into teaching, I would love to have gotten a degree in counseling. Part of teaching is psychology driven, so I think that plays a part in it too. Ms. Rose seems to have done a lot of research on psychology and it shows in the book. I am not sure what her background is, but she writes a good story. I hope she continues the series because it is somewhat left with a cliffhanger.
Well I am finally done with school. It is such a relief though I keep feeling like I forgot to do something. It is weird to have nothing to do with homework and all of that after so long. I took yesterday off and just hung out around the house. Today I got some shopping done and tomorrow I think I am just going to be snuggled in at home. We are supposed to get up twelve inches of snow which I am so not looking forward to. I so need to move somewhere warm year round. I have a lot of wrapping left to do so I hope to get some of that done. Still not done getting all of my Christmas shopping done, but I am not going to go out of the house tomorrow if it is bad. Up next I am going to read Pyres by Derek Nikitas. I got it from the library after reading a review for it, so I hope it is an enjoyable. I am still trying to reach my goal of 100 books by the end of the year. I am at 94, not including the DNF books I read, so I should be able to make it. Hope everyone stays safe and warm where ever you are and Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
As one of New York's top sex therapists, Dr. Morgan Snow sees everything from the abused to the depraved. From high-profile clients with twisted obsessions to courageous survivors, the Butterfield Institute is the sanctuary to heal battered souls.
Morgan Snow's newest patient is a powerful, influential man -- secretly addicted to watching Internet Web cam pornography. He's not alone in his desires. She's also working with a group of high school teenagers equally and dangerously obsessed with these real-time fantasies.
Fantasies that are all too accessible.
Then the women start dying online, right in front of their eyes.
Now it's all about murder.
This book definitely had an interesting premise and I enjoyed it pretty much. It wasn't terribly suspensful, and I don't think there was enough foreshadowing for the reader to actively decide who the killer was until the book was almost over. Dr. Snow also gets on my nerves a bit as she has some hangups from her childhood that bothered me. I don't think I am nitpicking as when I was looking over previous notes I wrote about her books said the same thing.
That being said Ms. Rose expertly weaves together erotica and suspense together. While I am normally a little prudish when it comes to the more erotic type books, I did not blush while reading it. I really enjoy reading a book written where a psychitrist is the main character. Part of me thinks if I didn't go into teaching, I would love to have gotten a degree in counseling. Part of teaching is psychology driven, so I think that plays a part in it too. Ms. Rose seems to have done a lot of research on psychology and it shows in the book. I am not sure what her background is, but she writes a good story. I hope she continues the series because it is somewhat left with a cliffhanger.
Well I am finally done with school. It is such a relief though I keep feeling like I forgot to do something. It is weird to have nothing to do with homework and all of that after so long. I took yesterday off and just hung out around the house. Today I got some shopping done and tomorrow I think I am just going to be snuggled in at home. We are supposed to get up twelve inches of snow which I am so not looking forward to. I so need to move somewhere warm year round. I have a lot of wrapping left to do so I hope to get some of that done. Still not done getting all of my Christmas shopping done, but I am not going to go out of the house tomorrow if it is bad. Up next I am going to read Pyres by Derek Nikitas. I got it from the library after reading a review for it, so I hope it is an enjoyable. I am still trying to reach my goal of 100 books by the end of the year. I am at 94, not including the DNF books I read, so I should be able to make it. Hope everyone stays safe and warm where ever you are and Happy Reading!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
The Wrong Man by John Katzenbach
Can I just say I loved this book? This story is what a thriller and psychological suspense is all about and what it should have. This was my first book that I read by Mr. Katzenbach, and I can guarantee that I will be reading many more by him. I rate this book an A.
From Amazon:
Ashley Freeman is a promising art-history student passionate about every aspect of her life. One night, the twentysomething Bostonian meets Michael O'Connell, a handsome, dark-haired stranger whom she readily forgets after a single steamy session between the sheets. But Mike, a street-smart psychopath who stalks women for sport, has no intention of letting Ashley go. He watches her every move from the shadows and sends her countless e-mails professing his love. Ashley's family and friends shrug it off as a crush, until O'Connell, an ingenious computer hacker, reveals the damage he can do: he sabotages the reputation of Ashley's professor father with a stinging accusation of plagiarism and nearly gets her mother, a lawyer, disbarred. Bribes and threats do nothing to deter him, and when a private investigator assigned to the case turns up dead, the Freeman family takes extreme measures to quash O'Connell's relentless pursuit.
This was a long book and it killed me that I didn't have more time to read it. Every spare minute I did have, however, I picked it up and was reading. I was almost late going back to school on my lunch break because the book was so good. The story is told through many different perspectives and I feel does a great job getting into the emotions of everyone. While I went into the story expecting the focus to be on Ashley, this is not the case. The ending made me a little mad, though I do understand it. The suspense was just so well written and my heart was pounding as I read it. It has been a long time since I have read a psychological suspense like this and I am sure that it will take quite awhile for me to forget this one. Mr. Katzenbach is definitely on my list of author's to be on the lookout for.
Up next is another memoir, this one titled Hypocrite in a Poufy White Dress. I got it from the library and I think it needs to go back soon, so I figured I would read this one next. I am sure it should be a quick read, and as December continues to pass quickly, I am really trying to get to that 100 books read mark. I am done with the teaching aspect of my student teaching and will just be doing observations on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tomorrow I have a conference to go to, and then my presentation is on Thursday of next week. Besides preparing for that and doing a final run through of my portfolio, my outside work is done so hopefully I will be able to get a lot of reading done. I still have to finish my Christmas shopping, Chris' 30th birthday is on the 20th and I need to get ready for that, and I need to get my cards out. I am hoping to do that tomorrow night or maybe even bringing it with me to the seminar tomorrow. Even if I can right out the envelopes, I will be happy. Well, enough talking out loud to myself, I am going to squeeze in a quick chapter before I go to sleep. I do get to sleep in a bit tomorrow, but we are supposed to get some snow tonight that they are predicting will make the roads messy. Fun fun! Happy reading!
From Amazon:
Ashley Freeman is a promising art-history student passionate about every aspect of her life. One night, the twentysomething Bostonian meets Michael O'Connell, a handsome, dark-haired stranger whom she readily forgets after a single steamy session between the sheets. But Mike, a street-smart psychopath who stalks women for sport, has no intention of letting Ashley go. He watches her every move from the shadows and sends her countless e-mails professing his love. Ashley's family and friends shrug it off as a crush, until O'Connell, an ingenious computer hacker, reveals the damage he can do: he sabotages the reputation of Ashley's professor father with a stinging accusation of plagiarism and nearly gets her mother, a lawyer, disbarred. Bribes and threats do nothing to deter him, and when a private investigator assigned to the case turns up dead, the Freeman family takes extreme measures to quash O'Connell's relentless pursuit.
This was a long book and it killed me that I didn't have more time to read it. Every spare minute I did have, however, I picked it up and was reading. I was almost late going back to school on my lunch break because the book was so good. The story is told through many different perspectives and I feel does a great job getting into the emotions of everyone. While I went into the story expecting the focus to be on Ashley, this is not the case. The ending made me a little mad, though I do understand it. The suspense was just so well written and my heart was pounding as I read it. It has been a long time since I have read a psychological suspense like this and I am sure that it will take quite awhile for me to forget this one. Mr. Katzenbach is definitely on my list of author's to be on the lookout for.
Up next is another memoir, this one titled Hypocrite in a Poufy White Dress. I got it from the library and I think it needs to go back soon, so I figured I would read this one next. I am sure it should be a quick read, and as December continues to pass quickly, I am really trying to get to that 100 books read mark. I am done with the teaching aspect of my student teaching and will just be doing observations on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. Tomorrow I have a conference to go to, and then my presentation is on Thursday of next week. Besides preparing for that and doing a final run through of my portfolio, my outside work is done so hopefully I will be able to get a lot of reading done. I still have to finish my Christmas shopping, Chris' 30th birthday is on the 20th and I need to get ready for that, and I need to get my cards out. I am hoping to do that tomorrow night or maybe even bringing it with me to the seminar tomorrow. Even if I can right out the envelopes, I will be happy. Well, enough talking out loud to myself, I am going to squeeze in a quick chapter before I go to sleep. I do get to sleep in a bit tomorrow, but we are supposed to get some snow tonight that they are predicting will make the roads messy. Fun fun! Happy reading!
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Autobiography of a Fat Bride by Laurie Notaro
This is my second book by Laurie Notaro and I enjoyed it. I liked it slightly better than the first one I read, especially since this one had some order in the way the story is told. I would give this book a B+.
From Amazon:
Notaro's first book, The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club (2002), achieved cult status and became a surprise best-seller. Returning with another uproarious collection of personal essays from the dating front, Notaro proves that her first-time success wasn't a fluke. Detailing her trip down the bumpy road to matrimony, Notaro outrageously entertains with a sweetly skewed outlook on everything from breaded meats to baby wipes. Having endured boyfriends from hell and survived kamikaze-style dating, Notaro does the unthinkable by getting someone to fall in love with her! This, in Notaro's world, is not the equivalent of the Holy Grail. First, there are in-laws to impress and weddings to plan, both without inflicting bodily harm or doing jail time. Next come the challenges of permanent cohabitation, with its surprise revelations of untoward bodily functions and appearances. Finally, there are the joys of first-time home ownership and joint income-tax filing. Notaro tackles them all with the inimitable, acerbic wit and ruthless, self-deprecating candor that have deservedly earned her legions of loyal fans.
Ms. Notaro really does have a good voice and tells a pretty funny story. Now I don't know if this makes me weird or what, but I really good relate a lot to her and some of her stories. I won't go into too much detail about what I can relate to because that just might be too much information. Her mom and Nana are absolutely hilarious and I loved the chapters that they were involved in. Her and her husband's relationship also reminded me a bit of my and my hubby's relationship, so that brought a few smiles to my face. Again this was a short book and what I really liked about it was it was perfect for me to pick up and read for three minutes while in line at the post office or bank and not be confused when I picked it up again.
While I am loving these memoirs and I have two more from the library by two different authors, I think I am going to read a thriller. I need to switch it up a bit. I looked at my bookshelves and I think I am going to read next The Wrong Man by John Katzenbach. I read about this on one of the blogs I was reading and have it on my shelf, so I think I am going to grab that. I also have been bad lately and bought quite a few books so I really need to pick more books off those shelves instead of constantly reading library books. That is going to be one of my reading goals next year is for every new book I buy or get from the library, I need to read one from my shelves. We'll see how long that will last but is something I really want to focus one.
I don't think I will be leaving the house much today as the weather is crappy. Last night we got snow, then ice, and now it is supposed to rain all day. Perfect day to stay in! Hope everyone else is reading and having an excellent weekend! Happy Reading!
From Amazon:
Notaro's first book, The Idiot Girls' Action-Adventure Club (2002), achieved cult status and became a surprise best-seller. Returning with another uproarious collection of personal essays from the dating front, Notaro proves that her first-time success wasn't a fluke. Detailing her trip down the bumpy road to matrimony, Notaro outrageously entertains with a sweetly skewed outlook on everything from breaded meats to baby wipes. Having endured boyfriends from hell and survived kamikaze-style dating, Notaro does the unthinkable by getting someone to fall in love with her! This, in Notaro's world, is not the equivalent of the Holy Grail. First, there are in-laws to impress and weddings to plan, both without inflicting bodily harm or doing jail time. Next come the challenges of permanent cohabitation, with its surprise revelations of untoward bodily functions and appearances. Finally, there are the joys of first-time home ownership and joint income-tax filing. Notaro tackles them all with the inimitable, acerbic wit and ruthless, self-deprecating candor that have deservedly earned her legions of loyal fans.
Ms. Notaro really does have a good voice and tells a pretty funny story. Now I don't know if this makes me weird or what, but I really good relate a lot to her and some of her stories. I won't go into too much detail about what I can relate to because that just might be too much information. Her mom and Nana are absolutely hilarious and I loved the chapters that they were involved in. Her and her husband's relationship also reminded me a bit of my and my hubby's relationship, so that brought a few smiles to my face. Again this was a short book and what I really liked about it was it was perfect for me to pick up and read for three minutes while in line at the post office or bank and not be confused when I picked it up again.
While I am loving these memoirs and I have two more from the library by two different authors, I think I am going to read a thriller. I need to switch it up a bit. I looked at my bookshelves and I think I am going to read next The Wrong Man by John Katzenbach. I read about this on one of the blogs I was reading and have it on my shelf, so I think I am going to grab that. I also have been bad lately and bought quite a few books so I really need to pick more books off those shelves instead of constantly reading library books. That is going to be one of my reading goals next year is for every new book I buy or get from the library, I need to read one from my shelves. We'll see how long that will last but is something I really want to focus one.
I don't think I will be leaving the house much today as the weather is crappy. Last night we got snow, then ice, and now it is supposed to rain all day. Perfect day to stay in! Hope everyone else is reading and having an excellent weekend! Happy Reading!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
