“Emojis don’t always mean what you think they mean. To be safe, steer clear of all fruits and vegetables.”
A silly but humorous book. Quick read with l“Emojis don’t always mean what you think they mean. To be safe, steer clear of all fruits and vegetables.”
A silly but humorous book. Quick read with lots of relatable stuff for a dad of my age. This may have just been an elaborate marketing ploy for Progressive to capitalize on the popularity of their Dr. Rick commercials, but I am okay with that!
“While watching sports, there are people whose job it is to announce what’s happening. You’re not one of those people.”
I had a lot of fun, I laughed out loud, it made my wait at the airport go by quickly. All signs of a quality and worthwhile read!
“Unless you’re planning on skydiving or wearing all your clothes at a water park, there’s no reason to attach all your accessories to your body. Just because you can strap something to your body, doesn’t mean you should.” ...more
Brideshead Revisited is an early 1900’s soap opera. The themes of relationships, alcoholism, religion, etc. – and the conflicts caused by each – serveBrideshead Revisited is an early 1900’s soap opera. The themes of relationships, alcoholism, religion, etc. – and the conflicts caused by each – serve to spice up this story. At times I was reminded of Downton Abbey, Poldark, and other stories of that ilk. While I do enjoy drama set in that era, I did find this one to be a bit drier than I care for. But overall I enjoyed it and would say it is about 3.5 out of 5 stars....more
My experience with Gabriel García Márquez so far ( Love in the Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude) have not been my favorite reading eMy experience with Gabriel García Márquez so far ( Love in the Time of Cholera and One Hundred Years of Solitude) have not been my favorite reading experiences. I feel that I did enjoy One Hundred Years of Solitude more, but in general I do not think his writing is for me. However, this does not discredit in anyway the writing and story – and I can very easily see why some people like his writing and why it is considered a classic.
I am sure people want an explanation of why I cannot give Márquez and his books a glowing review. Mainly, I just think the subject matter and style are not for me. While I usually enjoy magical realism, the way that he tells his various stories only gets me truly invested 1/5 of the time. The rest of the time I tend to be either bored and/or confused. Often, I find myself revisiting sections to make sure I understood what I had just experienced. With that being said, I did find myself more invested and interested in this book over Cholera – is that because it is a better book or because I knew better what I was getting into? I am not sure.
This book is worth a try if you want an interesting atmospheric, genre-specific historical fiction story (I hope that description makes sense . . . it made sense to me in my mind!). Also, it is worth trying if you are “collecting the classics”. But, if you are looking for an exciting or riveting read, I think chances are low that you will find it here....more
They have to be two of the silliest and cheesiest action/horror books I have ever read. But you know what – thatI read Meg and then I read The Trench.
They have to be two of the silliest and cheesiest action/horror books I have ever read. But you know what – that is just fine! I knew that is what I was getting into and I needed a little bit of escapism with some mindless entertainment. And, I also started this one while on a beach vacation, so it added a little extra spice to the trip.
My 4 stars is because I was entertained and it improved my overall vacation experience, not because of the writing and presentation. The Trench will not blow you away with its fine prose. It is the equivalent of watching a movie with really bad actors and very far-fetched plot lines. But it is not hard to stay interested in and enjoy just like some of the bad, cheesy horror flicks that have come out over the years. If this is the sort of thing you are looking for, then you cannot go wrong with the Meg series.
A very cute and very fun book for the holiday season!
If you are used to the usual run-of-the-mill nativity presentation at your local religious institA very cute and very fun book for the holiday season!
If you are used to the usual run-of-the-mill nativity presentation at your local religious institution and want a fresh take that is a bit out of the ordinary, it is worth giving The Best Christmas Pageant Ever a try! When a church goes to put on the same old nativity, some local ragamuffins are interested in participating (mainly due to the promise of snacks). Over the course of the story, these seemingly uncouth kids help those who have been taking the Christmas Story for granted open their eyes to the true meaning of Christmas.
I read this one out loud with my kids and we had a great time with it. The dialogue was fun and I loved hearing my wife and kids snicker after reading off a humorous line. So, not only was the book great, but it was a fantastic family read along experience. A great way to celebrate the holidays!
I did not expect Dante’s Inferno to be easy, but it was not as hard as I expected it to be.
In order to make sure that I gave it my all, over the coursI did not expect Dante’s Inferno to be easy, but it was not as hard as I expected it to be.
In order to make sure that I gave it my all, over the course of about 40 days I listened to it twice, had a physical copy that I skimmed and referenced, looked at online study guides, and discussed with some of my Goodreads friends. While I still feel there is more here to be learned and grasped due to all the symbolism and word craft used by Dante, I feel like I at least got a good feel for it in my Divine Comedy rookie status.
During my time with it, I probably looked at three or four different translations. Some of them seemed to be a bit more termed for the layman, but with others you could better see the poetry of Dante. I suppose to really get a feel for how Dante intended it I would need learn Italian (Tuscan Italian to be specific – according to Wikipedia). If you decide to give it a go, I think it may be best to not just settle on one translation but be flexible and try out a few to see which one gives you the best experience.
As I mentioned in my introductory sentence, it was not as hard as I expected it to be. I thought going in that I would be totally confused, and it would be hard to stay focused. But the narrative was enjoyable and not to hard to follow. It was the poetry and the symbolism that makes this one a bit more complex. So many different elements of mythology, literary history, religion, and world history are referenced that it kept my brain on its toes. I mentioned that this felt like an introductory experience because I could probably go back and spend hours on each Canto researching all the things referenced.
While it was a bit of a labor, I am pleased with my overall experience with Inferno and I will likely give the rest of the Divine Comedy a look sometime in the future. ...more
Gossip and letters and parties and matchmaking and misunderstandings and rivalries - a literary soap opera!
I enjoyed Emma - I had been planning to reaGossip and letters and parties and matchmaking and misunderstandings and rivalries - a literary soap opera!
I enjoyed Emma - I had been planning to read this for years and had been hoping to enjoy it more than I did. I think it was just a bit too repetitive for me at points. But, looking past the repetition I did enjoy the story of the endearingly silly Emma and her matchmaking exploits.
It is easy to tell why this story lends itself to modern day teen drama. It reads just like an episode (or season) of many of the modern day gossip/relationship based TV shows (don't ask me how I know this #guiltypleasure). And, going into this book knowing that the movie Clueless is based on this, I started noticing the similarities right away.
If you like the classics of Brontë (any of the sisters) and Austin, or you like the gossipy dramas on TV, you can't go wrong with Emma....more
Cheesy 70s aquatic suspense stories, thy name is Benchley!
I could not help but picture every 70s action movie in my head as I listened to this book.
WCheesy 70s aquatic suspense stories, thy name is Benchley!
I could not help but picture every 70s action movie in my head as I listened to this book.
While I was dipping my mental nachos in all this cheese, I was having a pretty good time. Not really award-winning stuff, but neither were the 70s action movies. Just a little something to escape with on your weekend visit to the cinema with your friends over a bucket of popcorn and some snacks you snuck in. So, now that I have you craving nachos, popcorn, and contraband candy . . .
The story was interesting, and along the way Benchley tries to educate the reader a bit with details about treasure hunting on shipwrecks. The basic structure of the book was: action sequence, some underwater treasure recovery, a lesson on Spanish shipwrecks in Bermuda, rinse/repeat. At times, the repetition started to get old, but not enough to ruin my book experience.
One complaint I have (and complaint might be too strong of a word) is that he included a few details that seemed to have such an important focus that I figured they were foreshadowing for use later in the story, but they were not. (view spoiler)[example: In the beginning there is a story about people getting trapped in a rickety elevator from the beach and going crazy. I figured that the elevator would be key in a climatic scene, but it is barely mentioned again (hide spoiler)] But, then I have to ask myself, if he has me questioning if everything is important, even when they don’t end up being so, maybe he has succeeded by keeping me engaged for the whole book waiting for it matter?
So, if you enjoyed Benchley’s more famous work (something to do with teeth and sharks I think it was ...more
A very quick, very good book about the dark side of early Hollywood. I am not sure what I was expecting, but what I got was so much better than5 stars
A very quick, very good book about the dark side of early Hollywood. I am not sure what I was expecting, but what I got was so much better than I could have imagined!
I saw some comparisons between this book and the works of F Scott Fitzgerald. I can 100% confirm that is true. This felt like the brother (or at least cousin) of The Great Gatsby. If you are a fan of Gatsby, I don't think you can go wrong giving this one a try.
What was so captivating about this book was the farther you get into it, the more messed up it gets - like watching an accident in progress . . .
"Oh, wait, those two cars are gonna hit . . ."
"Oh no, the one driver is not wearing a seatbelt . . ."
"Dang! I cannot believe that pedestrian was caught in the middle . . .'
"Is that gas leaking out the back? Maybe you should put your cigarette out . . ."
Yes, it's a beautiful disaster that you cannot look away from. Early Hollywood may have been glitz and glamor. 1920s and 30s California may have seemed like the place to be. But, there were plenty of locusts to plague the "good" people flocking to the West Coast.
Worth a read for both the classic status and the engrossing story!
Fun fact: Matt Groening confirmed that this book is where he got the name for Homer Simpson....more
Once again – speculative sci-fi has been mastered by Blake Crouch!
5 stars and the best of the Forward series.
This is a perfectly crafted techno-thrilOnce again – speculative sci-fi has been mastered by Blake Crouch!
5 stars and the best of the Forward series.
This is a perfectly crafted techno-thriller from page one. The concept was unique and the results surprising on almost every page. At times my heart was wrenched. Other times my mind was blown. It is surprising that my body is still in one piece after this experience!
I will say this, if you are a video gamer, you may never look at the non-player characters again after reading this one!
For those who have seen Black Mirror – this story would fit in perfectly with all the wonderfully weird, technology driven tales you find there. In fact, the whole Forward series could easily be the next season of the show.
Crouch was the mastermind behind putting the Forward series together and I hope he does it again. The results were awesome! ...more
Book five of the six title Forward series for me. This one by the author of A Gentleman In Moscow - which I read earlier this year and enjoyed 3 Stars
Book five of the six title Forward series for me. This one by the author of A Gentleman In Moscow - which I read earlier this year and enjoyed - so I had high hopes going in.
But, overall it was just okay.
I thought the first part - half to three-fourths or so - we're very good and built up my expectations for the ending. The idea basically being could you predict the life of your future child in the same way your credit score predicts how good you are with money. The scenarios presented were interesting and thought provoking.
But, then the story went off in a different direction and the intrigue of the concept was lost for me. I can tell what the author was trying to do and say, it was just that the content of the end felt so disjointed that it didn't enthral me like the beginning did.
Hopefully if you try you will have a different experience. But, so far, probably my least favorite of the series....more
If yöu like hörrör, like humör, and dön’t mind them cömbined and are lööking för a quick getaway, thenThis was söme gööd, silly, hörrör, escapist fun!
If yöu like hörrör, like humör, and dön’t mind them cömbined and are lööking för a quick getaway, then yöu really must try Horrorstör. Part satire making fun öf the big böx, tab-a-intö-slöt-b, retail giants, part creepy supernatural darkness, this is the perfect störy tö escape intö ön a lazy weekend afternöön. Ör, maybe at night by flashlight under the sheets – but that might be töö scary!
I spent the first 15 years öf my wörking life wörking retail, sö all the retail clichés fröm the first part öf the böök hit höme. If yöu have previöusly ör currently wörk in retail, I think yöu will get a huge kick öut öf the setting and the characters öf this böök. Each pölicy, each persön, all öf it is sömething I ran intö during my career in retail. I göt sö freakin’ nöstalgic, I wanted tö cry!
Then cömes tö the supernatural creepiness that makes this a hörrör störy - which I will nöt get intö töö much tö avöid spöilers. Let’s just say that Hendrix döes nöt pull any punches. What starts as a gööfy möckery öf retail, turns intö an equally gruesöme tale öf göre and törture. If yöu read this and then ever find yöurself löst in a big böx störe, yöu might end up ön the flöör in the fetal pösitiön until sömeöne cömes tö guide yöu öut.
I think this böök hölds its öwn with söme öther hörrör störies I have read, and, in the future, I will easily be able tö recömmend it tö my hörrör fan friends....more
Emergency Skin was my next (and fourth) journey into the Forward series. I have been enjoying these little bites of speculative science 3.5 to 4 stars
Emergency Skin was my next (and fourth) journey into the Forward series. I have been enjoying these little bites of speculative science fiction. So far, I would highly recommend this group of short stories to any science fiction fan.
This entry from N.K. Jemisin focuses on the question of who would really be at fault if we are forced to abandon a ruined Earth someday? In addition to this, do the people with the most money and power know what’s best for our planet as a whole? The one-sided delivery of the narrative with a lot of the responses implied is unique and not too hard to get used to. There is a lot of food for thought contained in a small package here.
Not much more to say! :) Short story, short review - but, a story worth an hour of you time!...more
I have to be honest and say that approached this short story with trepidation. My open-mindedness to review this was tainted. I have rea3 to 3.5 stars
I have to be honest and say that approached this short story with trepidation. My open-mindedness to review this was tainted. I have read two Paul Tremblay novels and didn't like either of them - REALLY didn't like either of them (1 and 2 star reviews). Of all the Forward stories, this is the only one I really didn't want to listen to.
So, today I decided to just rip off the band-aid and jump in feet first. At least it was only an hour and forty five minutes on audio so I knew if I didn't like it, I didn't have to commit too much of my time.
But, in the end, it was pretty good - definitely the best Tremblay I have read so far. It was a unique story of a post-apocalyptic world - one in which you really are not quite sure what is happening (but you can tell something is happening) for most of the story. I won't say too much more to avoid spoilers, but I will give you a hint by saying that even the last sentence of the story adds to the evolution of the plot.
The Last Conversation is a worthy entry in the Forward series and may have re-established some of my faith in Tremblay's writing . . . just a little! ...more
Not too much to say about a 40 minute audiobook. An enjoyable short story speculating on how improvements in science and techShort and sweet - 4 stars
Not too much to say about a 40 minute audiobook. An enjoyable short story speculating on how improvements in science and technology could allow for the defeat of the random number generator and what that could mean for the gambling industry. An Ocean's 2 or 3, if you will.
Weir does pretty good in giving enough background, build-up, and climax within a very short period of time. I could easily find myself enjoying many short stories like this . . . luckily they have 5 others in the series so I can!...more
My daughter picked this book out for me to read it to her and her brother. She picked it up last year at a school book fair - I look for3.5 to 4 stars
My daughter picked this book out for me to read it to her and her brother. She picked it up last year at a school book fair - I look forward to having those again someday! (For those reading this review in the future and wondering why I say that - I am writing this review in 2020; school book fairs unlikely for the foreseeable future!)
Narwhal on a Sunny Night is right in the middle of the Magic Tree House series. While the main characters mention a few things that may not make sense if you have not read the rest of the series - and there are a few "Remember that time when . . ." moments when they recap a previous storyline - it is not bad enough to distract from the plot overall. This is especially important if you have a kid excited to read - just hop on in wherever!
The writing was okay - it obviously had to be kept at an elementary level. However, I have read a few elementary books with my kids where the narrative and dialogue flowed a bit better.
My kids really got into this book and said they want to find more in the series. Also, they were excited to learn all about Greenland. The problem is now they want to see a Narwhal and one of the things we learned is that narwhals can't be kept in captivity. Guess it is time for me to start planning that trip to Greenland!...more
I really wish I like this one more than I did. I have heard about it for years and have seen it on many must read lists. I kept waiting for it to clicI really wish I like this one more than I did. I have heard about it for years and have seen it on many must read lists. I kept waiting for it to click with me, but it never did.
It is not a bad book and my rating only reflects my experience with it. It is well written and the different stories in it are all interesting, but my mind kept wandering. I feel like there was not enough to keep me focused. As I can tell from other reviews, this is not an issue for many other people. But, when I got to the end and it hadn't clicked, I knew it was not going only must read list.
I think one of the biggest issues for me was keeping the characters and timelines straight in the midst of frequent story jumps. I think there were some stories/characters that started their telling early in the book and then didn't come back until late in the book. Because of this I had trouble putting two and two together.
I say it is worth trying because you will likely not have the same experience I did. But, if you do, don't say I didn't warn you!...more
Cycle of the Werewolf is touted as a novel in many places. But this really isn’t even long enough to be considered a novella. It’4 stars – 5 in places
Cycle of the Werewolf is touted as a novel in many places. But this really isn’t even long enough to be considered a novella. It’s a short story; I paced myself but could probably have read this whole thing in under an hour. This observation is not a complaint, I just want to make sure anyone reading this based on my review know exactly what they will be seeing.
Also, every chapter includes artwork by Bernie Wrightson. These pictures are very cool and add a lot to the story, however, they are sometimes a spoiler and depict a scene coming up in the next few pages. Since they are large and colorful it is hard for your eye not to be drawn to them. So, proceed with caution if you want to learn the story from the words and not the pictures!
Here is one that is not too spoilerish!
[image]
I have been working my way through King’s works chronologically and I have to get a shout out to Dichotomy Girl for getting my mind right in the comments on her review of The Gunslinger so that I did not forget this one! I put The Talisman on hold about a month ago and just got in my mind that is what I would read next after Pet Sematary. If it wasn’t for her, I would have started The Talisman before Cycle of the Werewolf and it would have ruined the whole thing! I would have had to start over! (Well, maybe not, but it makes the save sound so much more dramatic!)
Thank you, Dichotomy Girl!
If you want a very good but quick scare, pick this one up to read under the covers one night. It is a good sampling of Stephen King if you really don’t have a lot of time to try him out. Or, maybe you just need a quick fix and don’t have time for It or The Stand!
Side note: This is the book the 80s movie Silver Bullet was based on. ...more
My official last book of 2020 – I still had a few pages left in 2021, but most of it was read in 2020. As the main theme of the book is don’t give up My official last book of 2020 – I still had a few pages left in 2021, but most of it was read in 2020. As the main theme of the book is don’t give up hope in a beat-up world, it seems an appropriate way to end 2020 and begin 2021.
5+ Stars
The word “epic” does not even begin to describe Swan Song. While it took me many months to finish it, it is not because it was not good or hard to stay interested in. It was just that there was so much in the book that I had to savor the journey. Now that it is over, I am a little sad and a little hungover . . . but so glad I read this fantastic book!
Many compare Swan Song to King’s The Stand. It is very easy to see where the comparisons come from – the ultimate battle between good and evil in post-apocalyptic America. In The Stand, it is a plague. In Swan Song, it is nuclear war. I think that because of the nuclear holocaust in Swan Song, it is the dirtier and rawer of the two. But I think it is worth getting past the comparisons and appreciating them both as great tales on their own.
Plot and character development are both very rich in Swan Song. Everything and everyone change so much between page 1 and page 919. I will say that there is a stretch in the middle where the plot and character development does seem to slow down quite a bit to focus on some specific plot points, but this is not a complaint, just an observation. Overall, McCammon does an amazing job on every page.
I mention that this book took me several months (about half a year) to read. This does not mean that it will be a slow read for you. I can easily see someone getting really into this book and gobbling it up in less than a week. I am interested in hearing how others who read this approached the book: Devoured quickly or slowly absorbed?
If you have an interesting in post-apocalyptic stories, this might be one of the gold-standards so you should definitely check it out. Don’t be too daunted by the size – it is all there for a reason (no filler) and it is an incredible journey every step of the way. Highly recommend! ...more
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