Life of Pi... philosophy of man

I think what I like most about this book is that it is as open-minded as I am. It chronicles a young Indian boy's journey that led up to a great disaster in his life.

I think there are so many good points hidden in the writing that I want to read it again and make a Saying-of-the-Day Calendar out of it.

The story is also awesome. Who doesn't like reading about animals and people?

This book makes you question humanity and what it means. So it is not for the narrow or close minded. If questioning things is not something you enjoy doing then avoid this book. I still have questions about the book and what happened... I'm actually glad it didn't give me the answers because I want to decide for myself how I feel about it.

Best Tiger Name Ever: Richard Parker

Jim Butcher Rocks!

Even though I love cheesy Syfy shows and movies, I was not particularly thrilled with the Dresden Files. So it took some doing for a friend to convince me to read the series. I was not expecting much. 

It's great to be pleasantly surprised! I'm well into the series (book 7) and I have no plans not to keep going. I really enjoy the world Butcher created and his sense of humor. I was happy that I had recently seen Young Frankenstein so I caught even more jokes than usual. I love protagonists that use sarcasm. 

Butcher also keeps me interested by dropping little tidbits of information in every book that make me wonder about characters' pasts and what Dr. Phil would say about them.

All in all a very entertaining series. I wouldn't say a must read but I don't feel like I'm wasting my reading time on this series.

Favorite Character: Bob the Skull.... yes... he is a talking skull...

Darynda Jones... Reaper Series

Just finished Fourth Grave Beneath My Feet... yes her series is numbered... and I loved it.

The series is about a Grim Reaper named Charley (Charlotte) Davidson. Human... ish.... Her day job is a P.I. and helping the cops by talking to dead people.

It is entertaining and perfect for people who want to shut off their brain and have someone else make them laugh. The mysteries are pretty good as well since I don't always pick out the bad guy in the first two chapters.

The sarcasm... oh how i love the sarcasm and wit in these books. I would be friends with her characters in real life for sure. In fact I think the main character wore a shirt that said SARC-ASM is my second favorite ASM word. :)

If you like Discount Armageddon or the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich, you will like this series.

Adrian Tchaikovsky... Shadows of the Apt series

New sci-fi series for me... It's based on the theory that all humans are related to insects. They have their innate abilities and when they study 'the Ancient Art' they can tap into those abilities and fly etc... or whatever that insect does.

I like it. It's different and interesting. Only the people related to insects that are good at building can build anything. So a dragonfly sucks at working crossbows. The series is about the insect nations binding together to fight the Wasp army from taking over the world.

If you like Raymond Feist books then chances are you will like this series. It reminds me a lot of the Michelle Sagara Cast in shadow series as well.

Always Looking Up

Always Looking Up by Michael J. Fox was an awesome peek into his daily life and some of the events I remember from the news of years past.

It's the second book he has written since being diagnosed with Parkinson's. It is of course, as inspiring as one would expect. I keep forgetting that he has good comedic timing and every so often a line will surprise me.
I was a little bored with a lot of the political discussion but he prefaced it by talking about how it had interested him before he became an activist for PD. I also like how he is solely focused on stem cell research and not party lines. He has a good respect for people who don't share his opinions so it shouldn't put off the readers of opposing views. (Well, at least intelligent readers)

This book really opened my eyes to how little we know of the movie stars we love and made me feel pride in  having appreciated his acting. I like knowing that an actor I admire for their skill on screen is a decent person off screen as well.

Fox really knows how to maintain a great perspective through the most trying of situations. A skill and a gift I wish I could bottle and share.

I don't really read a lot of these biographical type books, but of the few I have read this was a nice, easy read. If you read Lucky Man I think you will like this one too.

Triangle Fire... worth burning

Triangle: the Fire that Changed America... is the most poorly written prose book I think I have ever read.

The author has apparently never heard of organizing facts and stories to put them in a sequential or topical order. One minute you're in the sequence of the fire from the point of view of a fireman, the next you're in Russia learning about anti-Semitic riots. Seriously don't ask me how the author put those together. Then it's another chapter before you actually get to the fire again. I think the author was using 6 degrees of separation to connect the victims to the entire world. Maybe. Who Knows. There was no direction in this book.

So painful to read. If you actually want useful information about this fire that happened in New York over 100 years ago, watch the PBS special on Netflix. You get all the PERTINENT information about this fire. Something this author has no idea how to do.

I'm not sure how I would ever recommend this book to anyone. Reading the dictionary would be more enlightening and interesting.

"The Book Thief" stole my heart!

It's been awhile since I have read something I would classify as "literature."
Literature being something my English teacher in high school would have approved or assigned to me.

The Book Thief qualifies.

I wish I had gotten it assigned in high school... it was a lot easier to read than War and Peace. It was definitely more interesting in that the life story of a young, self-named, book thief was being told from the point of view of Death. Death being the narrator and the scene being Nazi Germany was quite interesting.

It wasn't what I expected and I loved that. Marcus Zusak has a way with words. He didn't spell everything out as if the reader was a moron... I love that too. I equate it to watching TV shows with no laugh track - Don't tell me when to laugh!!! If it's funny I'll laugh! You don't need to prompt me!... ok, little rant there.

I like that I actually had to pay attention. I knew that if I paid even more attention (in a way that would make my English teachers proud), I would have seen themes, motifs and hidden symbols throughout the book, regardless if they were intentional by the author.

Thank you Book Thief, for reminding me that I'm not what the newspapers say the average reading level is (3rd grade) and catering to a better reader.

Mistborn Trilogy... Brandon Sanderson

Somehow I got this book as a recommendation from Amazon and for once they got it right.

This is not a fluff sci-fi series. It is one where the author actually thought up a different world with different rules. There are many characters in the series to identify with but I think my preference for strong females wins out again as the main character throughout the trilogy is a woman. She is not the obvious lead though and I like that. I also like all the uses for metals in this series although at times it can be cumbersome.

I think of the Ender's Game Series when I am trying to compare this to another author's work. However, not as long... I lost interest in the Ender Series a few books in. Therefore a trilogy is nice and I like my story lines tied up in a nice bow.

This book makes me want to be mistborn... who wouldn't want to eat metal and get superpowers from it?!

Abraham Lincoln Vampire Murderer!!

Ok so maybe Abe Lincoln was not a Vampire hunter... but Seth Grahame-Smith does a pretty good job of making me believe he was!

The main thing I like about this book is the set up for the story. It reminds me of the tone for Bram Stoker's Dracula. A book which, if read at night can freak you out in some scenes. The darkness of it was brilliant.

So I give this book a thumbs up while Abe gives vampires a thumbs down.

Next I hope to give my opinion on "The Book Thief" which may be a novel about me but I'm not sure... haven't read it yet!

Carrie Vaughn... confused about animals

So Carrie Vaughn is obviously confused about what to name a werewolf... the key word there is wolf. She names her Kitty.

Her Kitty series is actually quite interesting if you can get past the name. Even the characters bring it up as a joke. This series started out a little slow for me but has picked up steam.

It's urban fantasy in that it is set in current times with the announcement that werewolves, vampires and the like are real. A little True Blood-esque but without all the random sex.

I think that's part of what I like. Vaughn works hard to make the story interesting all by itself. 

Still, I'm never going to look at my cat the same way... what if i was wrong and she's working for a werewolf society? Better feed her... Here Kitty.. 

Otherworld series by Kelly Armstrong

If you like strong women characters and werewolves, witches and the like... You will like this series.
It is my favorite werewolf line and Armstrong is a talented writer. That being said, the more books of hers you read the more formulaic they seem.
This is both good and bad. If I want to kill a couple hours reading a book, I know what to expect... But I also won't be shocked.
I recommend this series to women who like sci-fi beach reading.

Michelle Sagara - awesome because she is a Michelle?

Michelle's 'Cast in Shadow' series is one of my favorites lately.

It helps that it's sci-fi fantasy (think dragons and magicians) with a female protagonist that has a knack for getting into trouble.

Couple that with a few world ending scenarios and you have a good series. It's only downside is that it is a very linguistics oriented series and spends a lot of time discussing the meaning of words.

I think if you like Raymond Feist or Orson Scott Card you will probably like this series. Not the same caliber but in the same neighborhood.

Alis... For adults and young adults only

I recently read Alis by Naomi Rich. It was a very good book. Like 'Pillars of the Earth' lite. Much shorter but in the same time period and same religious problems.
The thing that bothers me is that I found it in the children's section. It is a bit adult for children. I could definitely see it in the young adult section but children? Makes me wonder who classifies these things for amazon.

Probably the same people who rate movies.

Winter Garden not too cold

Winter Garden was recommended to me by a friend. Now having read the book I look forward to more recommendations from this friend.

It is a chick flick type book in that it deals with mother/daughter relationships... But not in a cheesy over the top way. There was also a surprising amount of historical fiction in this book. Makes me nostalgic for 'Johnny Tremaine'

I'll read more from Hannah but after I make sure to call my mother. :)

Hit List... Not a hit but getting better

Laurell K Hamilton has been disappointing in her two series lately. This latest book gives me hope that she will return to what made me read her books in the first place.... Girls kicking butt and taking names.

This book has less sex scenes and more detective work. Believe me it's a good thing. I was beginning to think she had a bet with someone on how many men she could write into bed with one woman simultaneously.

I like the cop work. The philosophical monologues were fewer as well and even her character pointed out how frustrating those discussions were.

Hopefully this is the beginning of an upswing in her work and creativity. I have high hopes.

Percy Jackson beats the Hunger Games!

Ok basically this is Rick Riordan showing Suzanne Collins how to write a series. I have read The Underland Chronicles and the Hunger Games series and they stink in comparison to the Percy Jackson series.

I'm so tired of these depressing series that start out well and end like Saving Private Ryan. Especially ones for younger readers!!

Thank goodness for Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson series. There is enough action and myth but reading it doesn't make you need a Zoloft afterwards.

Looking forward to more books and fewer antidepressants.

Are You There Vodka? It's Me Chelsea

Hilarious! I laughed out loud at least twice reading this book.

The sarcasm and humor spoke to me. Although I knew it would since I thought the title was hilarious.

I read Are You There God? It's Me Margaret in fifth grade like every other girl waiting for her period. This is the perfect adult edition.

Only downside is that I wanted a cranberry vodka pretty bad by the second chapter... So I recommend reading this book in the afternoon.

Die happy... After reading this book

Die Happy: 499 things for a guy to do while he still can.... The name says it all.

This book made me laugh. Mostly because it is written by guys for guys. But it also had really good suggestions of things for your bucket list.

The best part, they give more cost effective options for the same experiences.

The worst part, there are so many things to do... And I'm a girl.

October Daye series... Time well spent

Seanan McGuire writes this series and while I am generally favorable to sci-fi writers... This series is one of my favorites.

Partly bc it's not just housewife porn in a sci-fi genre like so many books these days. The other part is that it is extremely creative without losing the reader.

Glad I stumbled onto this series... Guess I will use something else for my smut fix... Maybe True Blood is on...

Count of Monte Cristo

Don't you wish you could get revenge on the people who ruined your life? Well now you can with this easy how to guide!!

Just fake your death, break out of prison, find a lost treasure and the world is yours!

Seriously though, this is one of my favorite books. One of the easier classics to read.

This book makes me want to see rich people buy jewels big enough to hollow out and use as pill containers.
Keep up with that Kardashians!

Caramelo.....not just candy

Caramelo by Sandra Cisneros is one of the few books that actually spoke to me.

Possibly because I'm Mexican and the book is about a Mexican family.

That could be it... Or it could be because it is about a crazy family dynamic... And my family is crazy.

Or it's because she is actually a decent writer!

Honestly though I'm not sure if someone who doesn't come from a Hispanic background would enjoy the book as much as I did.

Can't tell if I'm just biased because I can relate so much. If anyone else has read it I would be happy to hear your take.

If you haven't read it, it is most likely because you are not Mexican which proves my point! Ipso facto, I win again!

Rogue Angel Series

The Rogue Angel series by Alex Archer is a combination of Witchblade and Indiana Jones.

If you don't know what Witchblade is... then imagine this book as Lara Croft with Joan of Arc's sword.

The fight scenes in this book series are great, but I've always been partial to chicks kicking butt. (Yay Xena!)

I actually do enjoy the Archaeology aspect in the book. The historical pieces fit nicely with a magical sword.

It is a fast read, which is probably why it is such a long series, but each book wraps up nicely and doesn't leave you hanging.

XENA!! AI-aiaiaiiaiaia--eeeee!!!!

Chronicles of Narnia, Metaphorically Speaking

C.S. Lewis is a smart dude and a very good storyteller. 

I think he should rewrite the Bible. Oh wait! He did! Except there are no Jewish people in this version. Weird. 

The extra books that are in the series (which are all bound together in one giant copy on my shelf) tell you how the world was REALLY made and what will happen when we die. 

I for one am pumped because I have always loved animal planet. 

Thanks Lewis! I feel better about life! (and death) :)

If you are a geeky, sci-fi chick... you will love Allison Pang!

Needless to say I love Allison Pang's work. I actually wrote her an email and told her so.
She even wrote me back and not just to institute a restraining order! Color me surprised.

Her main character actually plays warcraft, knows about Dr. Who, and even more remote references such as Death Note.

All that AND the unicorn in her book is teeny and likes to play in lingerie drawers and hump people's legs like a crazed dog.

This was definitely not your average sci-fi fantasy work where you know the end before the second page is done.

Refreshing.

I Am America... And So Can You... and so can I!!

I Am America and So can You! by Stephen Colbert

First, it's Stephen Colbert... if you don't like him you won't like the book.
Second, it's Stephen Colbert... if you do like him you will LOVE the book.

It was like watching the funniest parts of his show condensed into words.
Ex: "I don't like sports fans, I think that sort of blind loyalty is better served in the military"

His immigration section had me rolling... I have tried to explain it to people but sadly I am not a comedian.

The only thing I didn't like was the title of the book. It confused me. I felt like it was MadLibs gone wrong...

I am _____ and so can you!  Cheese? Dancing? I think of new titles for him all the time with this formula.

Jumper... Firestarter Lite

I read the Jumper series by Steven Gould because I liked the premise of the movie.

It's based on the Firestarter (by Stephen King) concept. In fact there was a reference to Firestarter in every book. 

Maybe it's because the author's name is Steve too!

I liked the series for it's sci-fi components. Was it as well done as Stephen King's? Is anything really? Ah, no.

But it was good for light action reading- by that I mean when you aren't in a mood to read something that will make you wonder what the heck is going on. 

Smokin' Seventeen... makes me hungry

Yes I know that J. Evanovich has the 18th one out already but I'm waiting for the Kindle price to go down.

Besides the review would be the same. Which isn't a bad thing.

All her Numbered novels are the same. I find them hilarious and the plot is interesting. Why Ranger keeps giving Stephanie cars is a mystery that will never be solved.

Reading this series always makes me hungry for fried chicken afterwards.

Best. Grandma. Ever.

Candide... a book for the enlightened cannibal optimist

The majority of what I got out of the book Candide by Voltaire:

If cannibals want to eat people but not actually kill them until later, they eat half your butt and save the other half for next week. 

Bad stuff happens but you can keep striving... then bad stuff happens again and you can keep striving to succeed... and the cycle goes on...

Riding a horse with only one butt cheek is extremely difficult!

Mickey, the Mad Scientist Book Reviewer

I'm a voracious reader... as in I read a book a day. My mother took me to the library a lot as a child because it was free. She got her money's worth since I spent most of my time ducking chores to hide out with a book. I loved high school English and took Journalism. Too bad I decided to be a scientist. Now I can actually live out my sci-fi dreams. I haven't blown anything up recently though.

I decided to start this blog to express my opinions on some of the books I read. I worked at Blockbuster during college, and when people would ask me to recommend a movie it was easy since I had seen almost every movie in the store. I would tell them a list of similar movies that maybe they had seen, and they were able to make a decision. That is my goal here. Mostly.

So feel free to ask about a book, chances are I have read it and can compare it to something else or I'll just post a review for you. Otherwise, I'm going to be silly with my random thoughts about things I've read. Fair warning!
:)