So it's kind of sad that we have no posts for August, so I figured I would stop procrastinating this update and do the first one of September. Last month though, I went through major 90s nostalgia in a week, and read the The Perks of Being a Wallflower (am I the only one who hadn't read this? wonderfully quirky and a very short, easy, and predictably touching book), The Client (the first Grisham book I was unhappy with reading... not exciting at all) and then watched The Patriot Games. Yes I know, not a book, but I'd never seen it and young Harrison is quite wonderful.
Anyways, on to the great book I just finished: Middlesex. It won the 2002ish Pulitzer, and I have been meaning to read it since I finished his first novel The Virgin Suicides (sophomore year, which is coincidentally another great, albeit dark, read.)
Middlesex is about a Greek-American hermaphrodite, and the story follows the generations before her who caused her genetic abnormality (through incest). The entire story, including the parts that follow her great-grandparents, grandparents, and parents, is written from Callie's mostly omniscient point of view, and there's nothing boring in the entire book. Eugenides has great descriptions of family relations and human emotions, and hey, I even learned a new word (periphescence). Callie's actual story doesn't become the focal point until the latter half of the book, but hers is by far the most intriguing, despite the suffering and characters present in her ancestor's stories. She begins life as a normal beautiful girl, and slowly gets horribly tall, manly, and disconnected from her place in society. She crushes on girls, fakes her period, and probably my favorite section of the book is about her "Obscure Object of Desire."
I am hardly doing this book justice with this review, but I am pretty sure it will be the best book I read this year and it is truly a touching, easy, and involving read. 10/10, and if anyone does/has read it I'd love to hear any thoughts!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Sunday, July 26, 2009
The Dangerous Day of Daniel X by James Patterson
Okay, in traveling from Phoenix to Savannah, I decided to buy a mindless book that I could finish on the flights. So, I went to a book store and picked up what looked like would be a decent book that I could pass the time with. Little did I know that this book would almost be responsible for destroying the essence of my creative being.
Was that an introduction to a scary story? No it was the actual hell that I lived through for the few hours that The Dangerous Day of Danielle X was in my possession. Not only was this text the worst book ever written, it directly lead to my demise as a happy and productive person. You think that I am exaggerating? Read the book, I dear you. Or rather never read anything ever by James Patterson and his shitty co-author.
So the book is about this boy Danielle from another planet. His parents are alien hunters, and he takes over the position after they are murdered by an oversized praying mantis with an anger management problem. This kid has the power to create things by rearranging atoms. Why he doesn’t just make money and cool stuff and have an awesome life, I don’t know. Instead he runs around as a loner looking for aliens to kill. Not only that, he ‘creates’ his own friends, one of which is his girl friend. What a sad life. No real friends.
Basically, the kid ends up saving the planet, but that only if you get through the worst series of dialogue since the Roc in the Scorpion King. Example, Alien to Danielle: “You such a loser. I can’t believe that I tricked you so badly. You’re a loser [chorus laughing].” Later in the dialog “You slipped up. I read you dream, ‘Dumb-dumb.’ Dumb-dumb’ [Danielle gets shot in the stomach].
So basically I would recommend this book to someone how is either 8 years old, or an adult who is confidently happy, has a steady job with a future, and has never contemplated suicide.
Happy Reading,
James
Was that an introduction to a scary story? No it was the actual hell that I lived through for the few hours that The Dangerous Day of Danielle X was in my possession. Not only was this text the worst book ever written, it directly lead to my demise as a happy and productive person. You think that I am exaggerating? Read the book, I dear you. Or rather never read anything ever by James Patterson and his shitty co-author.
So the book is about this boy Danielle from another planet. His parents are alien hunters, and he takes over the position after they are murdered by an oversized praying mantis with an anger management problem. This kid has the power to create things by rearranging atoms. Why he doesn’t just make money and cool stuff and have an awesome life, I don’t know. Instead he runs around as a loner looking for aliens to kill. Not only that, he ‘creates’ his own friends, one of which is his girl friend. What a sad life. No real friends.
Basically, the kid ends up saving the planet, but that only if you get through the worst series of dialogue since the Roc in the Scorpion King. Example, Alien to Danielle: “You such a loser. I can’t believe that I tricked you so badly. You’re a loser [chorus laughing].” Later in the dialog “You slipped up. I read you dream, ‘Dumb-dumb.’ Dumb-dumb’ [Danielle gets shot in the stomach].
So basically I would recommend this book to someone how is either 8 years old, or an adult who is confidently happy, has a steady job with a future, and has never contemplated suicide.
Happy Reading,
James
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Living Dead in Dallas, Charlaine Harris
I feel like our page has picked up pretty well haha! (If anyone else wants to post about books, email Will so he can make you an admin).
Finished The Broker a few weeks ago, but I forgot to post about it... sorry! It was a typical Grisham book- about a guy who gets pardoned by the president because the CIA wants to find out what's going on in some kind of technology/intelligence scandal... The guy ends up living in Italy for a while, made me want to go to Europe so bad. Easy read, trademark twists, recommended if you want something not too deep. (8/10)
I also just finished Living Dead in Dallas, the second book in the Sookie Stackhouse novels. (These are the books that the wonderful & horribly addicitive HBO show True Blood is based on). I liked the first one, Dead until Dark better, since it was less complicated... but this one is actually pretty good too. Like Twilight if it was written better and on steroids.
For you people who haven't watched the show, the books center around a bar waitress named Sookie who happens to be able to read minds. The first book she meets Bill, obviously her vampire lover. In this one, she gets sucked into helping some random vampires find their missing member and drama between her and Bill.
Also, LaFayette dies in this book :( :( :( :( He's central to the show but this is the first time you hear about him or Tara in the books. Best character of the show- the flamboyant gay black cook.
Somehow I always root against the vampire lovers (Sam, the shapeshifter of the series, is my favorite... werewolf things are always way cooler anyways) but this series is actually really good. The least cheesy out of all the supernatural fiction I've read lately... yeah 9/10 for guilty reads. I guess this is kind of a girl book though....
Now if I could only finish Walden maybe I could post something a little more insightful to life.
Finished The Broker a few weeks ago, but I forgot to post about it... sorry! It was a typical Grisham book- about a guy who gets pardoned by the president because the CIA wants to find out what's going on in some kind of technology/intelligence scandal... The guy ends up living in Italy for a while, made me want to go to Europe so bad. Easy read, trademark twists, recommended if you want something not too deep. (8/10)
I also just finished Living Dead in Dallas, the second book in the Sookie Stackhouse novels. (These are the books that the wonderful & horribly addicitive HBO show True Blood is based on). I liked the first one, Dead until Dark better, since it was less complicated... but this one is actually pretty good too. Like Twilight if it was written better and on steroids.
For you people who haven't watched the show, the books center around a bar waitress named Sookie who happens to be able to read minds. The first book she meets Bill, obviously her vampire lover. In this one, she gets sucked into helping some random vampires find their missing member and drama between her and Bill.
Also, LaFayette dies in this book :( :( :( :( He's central to the show but this is the first time you hear about him or Tara in the books. Best character of the show- the flamboyant gay black cook.
Somehow I always root against the vampire lovers (Sam, the shapeshifter of the series, is my favorite... werewolf things are always way cooler anyways) but this series is actually really good. The least cheesy out of all the supernatural fiction I've read lately... yeah 9/10 for guilty reads. I guess this is kind of a girl book though....
Now if I could only finish Walden maybe I could post something a little more insightful to life.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Cujo by Stephen King
Cujo by Stephen King.
Okay, I just remembered that I did read a book before the craziness of TFA Institute. Being that I am probably a worse writer than Will and Danielle, I give no promises for a coherent review.
I must preface with review with the fact that this is the fact that this was the first Stephen King book that I finished. I started the Stand but never finished.
This book (280pgs) was written in 1981, and focuses on the Vic, Donna, and their four year old son Tad. Similar to the beginning of the Stand, Stephen King dedicates a good bit of the book to developing the characters and complexities in the story line. While I personally find this facet of his writing a little boring considering the genre of the book, I have to admit that it is well done. As the story progresses to its much anticipated drama, you develop strong pathos for the characters and their struggles.
Without ruining too much, the story follows two families, the one before mentioned (Trentons), and the Chambers’s family. The Trentons are all facing their own monsters. Vic is fighting for his job after a bloody cereal disaster; Donna is dealing with loneliness associated with being a stay at home mom (and her not-so-lonely solution); and Tab is literally fighting the demons, however fictional, in his closet.
The city dwelling Trentons and remote country-dwelling Chambers lives cross paths because of a piece of crap car that needs some repairs. Mr. Chambers happens to be a good repairman. The conflict starts when Cujo, the Chamber’s 200lb St. Bernard contracts rabies. That’s when the fun begins.
So, I sort of enjoyed reading this book. The story left me desiring a bit more action, but it was definitely well-written. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy getting involved in the live of the characters and enjoy a quality scary story. If you are looking for a book full of blood and guts, just skip the first 150pgs or look elsewhere on your bookshelf.
Happy readings,
James
Okay, I just remembered that I did read a book before the craziness of TFA Institute. Being that I am probably a worse writer than Will and Danielle, I give no promises for a coherent review.
I must preface with review with the fact that this is the fact that this was the first Stephen King book that I finished. I started the Stand but never finished.
This book (280pgs) was written in 1981, and focuses on the Vic, Donna, and their four year old son Tad. Similar to the beginning of the Stand, Stephen King dedicates a good bit of the book to developing the characters and complexities in the story line. While I personally find this facet of his writing a little boring considering the genre of the book, I have to admit that it is well done. As the story progresses to its much anticipated drama, you develop strong pathos for the characters and their struggles.
Without ruining too much, the story follows two families, the one before mentioned (Trentons), and the Chambers’s family. The Trentons are all facing their own monsters. Vic is fighting for his job after a bloody cereal disaster; Donna is dealing with loneliness associated with being a stay at home mom (and her not-so-lonely solution); and Tab is literally fighting the demons, however fictional, in his closet.
The city dwelling Trentons and remote country-dwelling Chambers lives cross paths because of a piece of crap car that needs some repairs. Mr. Chambers happens to be a good repairman. The conflict starts when Cujo, the Chamber’s 200lb St. Bernard contracts rabies. That’s when the fun begins.
So, I sort of enjoyed reading this book. The story left me desiring a bit more action, but it was definitely well-written. I would recommend this book to those who enjoy getting involved in the live of the characters and enjoy a quality scary story. If you are looking for a book full of blood and guts, just skip the first 150pgs or look elsewhere on your bookshelf.
Happy readings,
James
Not a review
Hey, I just wanted to Shout Out Will and Danielle. I have really enjoyed reading your reviews. Though I haven't had much time for pleasure reading over the last four weeks of institute, I have enjoyed reading your blogs. I hope that you guys keep it up. I promise that I will contribute soon.
Thanks guys
Thanks guys
Blood's Mist, by David Donald
Okay, I’m not really sure where to begin my review of this book, nor am I really sure about my feelings on it. I was bored by most of it, hated parts, and finally enjoyed the very end. I’m not sure if loved the end more because it was good, or if it was because I finally finished the book. Ahem.
Blood’s Mist is a period-piece fiction, centered during the time that South Africa was being colonized by the British and Dutch. It tells the story of a young, white English settler, Richard, and the events of his and his family’s life as they start a farm in South Africa, as well as the story of /Kaunu, an African bushman, and his life story with his family. It tells their stories concurrently, with chapters alternating viewpoints. In the last few chapters, their worlds become intertwined, but they never come face to face.
Now that you have an idea on the book, I feel the need to tell you about the author, David Donald. The following is taken from the backflap of the book: “David Donald is an explorer, father, grandfather, and perhaps not unsurprisingly, a storyteller. Emeritus Professor of Educational Philosophy at the University of Cape Town, his recent venture into fiction builds upon neglected aspects of South African history and cultural experience.” Given Mr. Donald’s background, and the obvious academic in him coming through in the painstaking research he did for his work, I feel that the book suffers from his expertise. Instead of reading a work of fiction, I felt that I was reading a history book, with every other line needing to be referenced in the notes section. I appreciate the authenticity this adds to his story, but put altogether, I feel that it seriously detracts from the overall enjoyment.
Instead of enjoying this tale of two young men, you find yourself flipping to the end of the book to see what Khwa’s water snake means here, versus what Kkwa’s water snake meant on page 120. As I said, I appreciate the level of authenticity, but I detested, and even began to ignore, all of these footnotes. He lost me as a reader by making one-third of the book (60 pages) a notes section.
There was so much potential for this story. In the last chapter, it finally got good. As a reader, you shouldn’t have to wait until the last chapter to enjoy a book. I also didn’t really take to his writing style. All of the characters were one-dimensional, and there was nothing fall in love with. The only thing I came away with was a sense that colonization really messed up a lot of things, which I already knew. I tried really hard to enjoy this book, but in the end, I just couldn’t. If anyone wants to read it, I will gladly mail him or her the book, and hope that they enjoy it more than I did.
2.5/5
Blood’s Mist is a period-piece fiction, centered during the time that South Africa was being colonized by the British and Dutch. It tells the story of a young, white English settler, Richard, and the events of his and his family’s life as they start a farm in South Africa, as well as the story of /Kaunu, an African bushman, and his life story with his family. It tells their stories concurrently, with chapters alternating viewpoints. In the last few chapters, their worlds become intertwined, but they never come face to face.
Now that you have an idea on the book, I feel the need to tell you about the author, David Donald. The following is taken from the backflap of the book: “David Donald is an explorer, father, grandfather, and perhaps not unsurprisingly, a storyteller. Emeritus Professor of Educational Philosophy at the University of Cape Town, his recent venture into fiction builds upon neglected aspects of South African history and cultural experience.” Given Mr. Donald’s background, and the obvious academic in him coming through in the painstaking research he did for his work, I feel that the book suffers from his expertise. Instead of reading a work of fiction, I felt that I was reading a history book, with every other line needing to be referenced in the notes section. I appreciate the authenticity this adds to his story, but put altogether, I feel that it seriously detracts from the overall enjoyment.
Instead of enjoying this tale of two young men, you find yourself flipping to the end of the book to see what Khwa’s water snake means here, versus what Kkwa’s water snake meant on page 120. As I said, I appreciate the level of authenticity, but I detested, and even began to ignore, all of these footnotes. He lost me as a reader by making one-third of the book (60 pages) a notes section.
There was so much potential for this story. In the last chapter, it finally got good. As a reader, you shouldn’t have to wait until the last chapter to enjoy a book. I also didn’t really take to his writing style. All of the characters were one-dimensional, and there was nothing fall in love with. The only thing I came away with was a sense that colonization really messed up a lot of things, which I already knew. I tried really hard to enjoy this book, but in the end, I just couldn’t. If anyone wants to read it, I will gladly mail him or her the book, and hope that they enjoy it more than I did.
2.5/5
Friday, July 3, 2009
Tailgating, Sacks, and Salary Caps, by Mark Yost
Tailgating Sacks and Salary Caps, by Mark Yost, is a book detailing the history of the NFL. I’ll say this now, if you aren’t an NFL nut, you probably won’t be picking this book up; if you are, however, it is a very good read. As I am an NFL nutcase, I thoroughly enjoyed it.
Tailgating, Sacks, and Salary Caps was written right after the 2006 Collective Bargaining Agreement discussions between the NFL, the team owners, and the NFL Players Association. For some back-story, the 2006 CBA meetings were some of the most important meetings in the history of the league. Had the meetings gone poorly, there could have been an uncapped football season, or even worse, a work stoppage because of a players’ strike. I don’t know about anyone else, but a year without the NFL isn’t a year I want to think about.
Anyway, as I said, the book was written after those meetings (which obviously went well as there was no work stoppage), and therefore detailed a good deal of the meetings, but also a great deal of the NFL’s history. In the book, Yost explains history of many of the teams, the merger between the NFL and the American Football League (which are now know as the National Football Conference and the American Football Conference), as well as the NFL’s history with and importance to television.
Perhaps to me, the most interesting aspect of the book is the chapters that detail the league’s financial make-up. Even as a diehard NFL junkie, I still find myself lost in issues with the league’s salary cap. While the book doesn’t make everything perfectly clear (I doubt the lawyers who work within the cap are “experts” on it), it does go a long way towards demystifying it. It also details the business side of NFL stadiums, an area of business that now fascinates me that I never really thought about before.
I have to say, I really enjoyed this book. Does that mean it is for everyone? No, it doesn’t, and no, it isn’t for everyone. If you love football, you will like this book. If you don’t, well, you’ll probably get bored with it. As I’ve stated, I love the NFL, ergo I love this book. For all of you NFL junkies, pick up Tailgating, Sacks, and Salary Caps now; just don’t expect your girlfriend to want to read it as well.
5/5 (NFL Fans)
Tuesday, June 23, 2009
Future for me
Since my experience reading sports related stuff is limited to 1. espn.com and 2. seabiscuit, I have decided to forego following Will's book list for the moment...
I just finished reading Stardust.. (a Neal Gaiman book, he writes lots of neo-Fantasy books and wrote Coraline... anyways there's a Stardust movie too that's I actually really enjoyed even though I normally trash any book's accompanying film media). I don't really feel like writing a review about Stardust, but it's fairly good and a very easy read, and if you've already seen the movie this is fun because there's a lot of differences, but in a good way. The plot is much less cheesy. (7/10).
I'm halfway through The Broker right now, because I had this weird craving for reading a Grisham book... and after that I'm probably going to read The Handmaiden's Tale because people keep telling me I would like it. So those are my next ones... maybe after that I'll find a classic to write a boring review about!!!
I just finished reading Stardust.. (a Neal Gaiman book, he writes lots of neo-Fantasy books and wrote Coraline... anyways there's a Stardust movie too that's I actually really enjoyed even though I normally trash any book's accompanying film media). I don't really feel like writing a review about Stardust, but it's fairly good and a very easy read, and if you've already seen the movie this is fun because there's a lot of differences, but in a good way. The plot is much less cheesy. (7/10).
I'm halfway through The Broker right now, because I had this weird craving for reading a Grisham book... and after that I'm probably going to read The Handmaiden's Tale because people keep telling me I would like it. So those are my next ones... maybe after that I'll find a classic to write a boring review about!!!
Monday, June 22, 2009
The Shack, by Wm. Paul Young
Ok, first I want to say sorry for not posting this sooner... in sc we had some storms so both nights after I wrote my last post the power was out (7-9 hours each time) because down in the great south no one cares about us so it takes forever for them to fix anything. Basically I spent some quality time reconnecting with my gameboy (yes I am lame) because what else is there to do when it's dark?
Anyways... The Shack. I don' t know how to write an amazingly structured review like Will did, so you'll just have to bear with my rambling opinion of the book. Ok. I feel like the plot is kind of irrelevant to the purpose of this story, but here's a basic summary:
It takes place in Oregon, and the main character Mack loses his daughter to a serial killer during a camping trip, and he feels to blame for how it happened. Prior to this, his relationship with God has been shaky because of prior childhood events, etc. etc. Vague, I know but I can't give everything away.
Mack, because of a note he recives in his mailbox, ends going up going to "The Shack," where his daughter was killed, to try and make peace with himself and God. And... well I guess you'll have to read it to figure out what happens. Obviously, something happens in the Shack and since this is Christian fiction there's a high chance he is going to have a reconciliation of some sort.
When I first started reading this book, I didn't really understand what the big deal was, and why it was even on the best seller list. But honestly, the first 80 pages (during which I was not a fan of this book at all) are just setting up the story, and imo the real philosophical meat is when he finally gets to the Shack. After this... it takes forever to read, but not because it's boring... it's because it starts getting really dense, and I had to keep re-reading parts to make sure I caught everything.
This book seemed so simple at first, and it wasn't till Chapter 11 and 12 (coincedentally my favorite chapters) that I really began enjoying it. The way this author views God and religion is very interesting, and in chapter 11 he addresses a question a lot of people ask themselves... "Why is God punishing me/why did he allow this to happen?" This book provides a lot of answers, and honestly, it's up to the reader how you interpret them and even whether you agree. Personally, I think this book really delivers a great perspective on God and relationships between people. (And free will, but the only reason I think I appreciate this aspect is because of the required theology professor I had last semester was obsessed with the concept).
Bottom line: Look past the plot, and maybe it is a little hokey but you'll realize halfway through that it is necessary for the author to get to the underlying messages. Some really great quotes, and I think this is one of the deeper pieces of Christian fiction I have read, and one of the more enjoyable ones. Definitely recommend reading, and I'm leaving it on my shelf to re-read at some point.
And, since I'm such a crappy writer I'll end with someone else's words, one of my favorite quotes from the book (p. 237):
"Mack, if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach our and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindess and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."
Anyways... The Shack. I don' t know how to write an amazingly structured review like Will did, so you'll just have to bear with my rambling opinion of the book. Ok. I feel like the plot is kind of irrelevant to the purpose of this story, but here's a basic summary:
It takes place in Oregon, and the main character Mack loses his daughter to a serial killer during a camping trip, and he feels to blame for how it happened. Prior to this, his relationship with God has been shaky because of prior childhood events, etc. etc. Vague, I know but I can't give everything away.
Mack, because of a note he recives in his mailbox, ends going up going to "The Shack," where his daughter was killed, to try and make peace with himself and God. And... well I guess you'll have to read it to figure out what happens. Obviously, something happens in the Shack and since this is Christian fiction there's a high chance he is going to have a reconciliation of some sort.
When I first started reading this book, I didn't really understand what the big deal was, and why it was even on the best seller list. But honestly, the first 80 pages (during which I was not a fan of this book at all) are just setting up the story, and imo the real philosophical meat is when he finally gets to the Shack. After this... it takes forever to read, but not because it's boring... it's because it starts getting really dense, and I had to keep re-reading parts to make sure I caught everything.
This book seemed so simple at first, and it wasn't till Chapter 11 and 12 (coincedentally my favorite chapters) that I really began enjoying it. The way this author views God and religion is very interesting, and in chapter 11 he addresses a question a lot of people ask themselves... "Why is God punishing me/why did he allow this to happen?" This book provides a lot of answers, and honestly, it's up to the reader how you interpret them and even whether you agree. Personally, I think this book really delivers a great perspective on God and relationships between people. (And free will, but the only reason I think I appreciate this aspect is because of the required theology professor I had last semester was obsessed with the concept).
Bottom line: Look past the plot, and maybe it is a little hokey but you'll realize halfway through that it is necessary for the author to get to the underlying messages. Some really great quotes, and I think this is one of the deeper pieces of Christian fiction I have read, and one of the more enjoyable ones. Definitely recommend reading, and I'm leaving it on my shelf to re-read at some point.
And, since I'm such a crappy writer I'll end with someone else's words, one of my favorite quotes from the book (p. 237):
"Mack, if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach our and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindess and service, seen or unseen, my purposes are accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."
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