n’t believe that it’s December 30th and I’m writing my concluding book summary for my final 20 books. On July 16th, when I posted my 81st book review I thought I would be done by August or September, at the latest. Not December 29th. But things happen. Things like the Three Day Novel Contest. I was also very tired of books for awhile. And I was spending much more time writing, than reading, which is a good thing according to my bottom line. But a bad thing for this project.
My 81st book was Love is Mixed Tape, which is a biography of a young man who became a widower very early in life. My 100th book is the story of a demon hunting soccer mom who comes out of retirement. In this journey I read a ton of books by people I’ve never heard of in categories that I never thought I would enjoy. I’ve discovered amazing people, like Jasper Fforde who just needed a second chance. And now I’ve read every book he’s ever written. I also have learned to appreciate James Harriet, who I thought was sadly non-relatable for a person of my generation. His books, I thought, were more for older people.
There are other books I could have done without knowing they existed. The most obvious of these is Florida Is Closed Today, which is supposed to be a spy novel, but made no sense whatsoever. A close second is One Thousand White Woman, which is something I’m not sure is historical fiction or historical fact. If it’s fact, it’s crazy. If it’s not, I’m glad. I’m really sorry that I spent days of my life reading these books. I think the Universe owes me some time back.
But all in all, I feel like I’ve grown as a writer in my quest to read 100 books. I’m proud of my accomplishments. I feel like every book has taught me something. Even the stinkers have taught me what not to write like. In 2011, because I’m somewhat of a masochist- and I freely own this as part of personality that I can’t change- I’m going to read 150 books. I originally thought I would read 200 but sanity prevailed. I’ll keep you updated on my quest.
Friday, December 31, 2010
California Demon: Confession of a Demon Hunting Soccer Mom (book 100/100)
On January 1st, 2010 I sent out on a quest to read 100 books in the year. On December 29, 2010 I finished. I didn’t think it would take me that long. For awhile I was reading two or three books a week, especially since I don’t have cable anymore due a dispute with my cable company. In order to keep myself entertained and writing regularly, because I simply cannot write in silence, I switched to audio books.
The final book I read was called California Demon: Confession of a Demon Hunting Soccer Mom. I’m not usually into chick lit, as a person, but something about Kate O’Conner and her average everyday stay at home mom life appealed to me because she seemed so normal. But of course, being a demon hunter is not a normal occupation. Being a retired demon hunter with more secrets than I have socks is even more abnormal.
In this book I learned a few things:
1. Not all chick lit is stupid. Some of it is actually pretty entertaining.
2. You can make a lot of money writing it.
3. At least it’s better than romance novels where people are having sex with people they have only known for three pages.
With this in mind, I would like to introduce you to Kate Allie, she’s the fourteen year old. Timmy, the two year old. And Stuart, the husband an inspiring politician. None of the other three people have any idea about Kate’s past. The work she did with her now deceased husband Eric and how many times she saved the world.
I’m all for honesty in a marriage, but if I was in Kate’s situation I would be tempted to follow her same path. The thing that annoyed me the most about this book, which I didn’t realize until I started reading it, was that it was second in a series a books. This always irritates me. I feel like every other reader knows something I don’t know. But the free online audio book library that my home library belongs to didn’t have the first one. I had to order it. To Julie Kenner’s credit, her series is very accessible to jump into midstream, even though I still don’t prefer it.
I would say that if you are looking for an easy read, that’s fun and funny and relatable, this series is worth checking out. Although I recommend you start with Demons Are Forever, the first book in the series, which I am reading now. I’d give this book an 8 out of 10.
The final book I read was called California Demon: Confession of a Demon Hunting Soccer Mom. I’m not usually into chick lit, as a person, but something about Kate O’Conner and her average everyday stay at home mom life appealed to me because she seemed so normal. But of course, being a demon hunter is not a normal occupation. Being a retired demon hunter with more secrets than I have socks is even more abnormal.
In this book I learned a few things:
1. Not all chick lit is stupid. Some of it is actually pretty entertaining.
2. You can make a lot of money writing it.
3. At least it’s better than romance novels where people are having sex with people they have only known for three pages.
With this in mind, I would like to introduce you to Kate Allie, she’s the fourteen year old. Timmy, the two year old. And Stuart, the husband an inspiring politician. None of the other three people have any idea about Kate’s past. The work she did with her now deceased husband Eric and how many times she saved the world.
I’m all for honesty in a marriage, but if I was in Kate’s situation I would be tempted to follow her same path. The thing that annoyed me the most about this book, which I didn’t realize until I started reading it, was that it was second in a series a books. This always irritates me. I feel like every other reader knows something I don’t know. But the free online audio book library that my home library belongs to didn’t have the first one. I had to order it. To Julie Kenner’s credit, her series is very accessible to jump into midstream, even though I still don’t prefer it.
I would say that if you are looking for an easy read, that’s fun and funny and relatable, this series is worth checking out. Although I recommend you start with Demons Are Forever, the first book in the series, which I am reading now. I’d give this book an 8 out of 10.
Book review: Florida Is closed Today (book 99/100)
Florida is Closed Today by Jack D hunter was a free book that i got from my online library's digital collection. If i paid for this book i would be furious right now. I can't even tell you what the plot was about as far as i gather, some anti-population explosion extremest were trying to get everyone in the world to blow each other up. The main characters are Roger,an ex-CIA agent,his wife Eva, and various political hangers on.
This book was the worst book i have ever read in my life and i like books as you all know. The only bright spot in the entire book was Eva. But at the end they had to turn her into a damsel in distress which she wasn't in the entire book. I'm not surprised these people are sexist, Especially given the fact that one of them is a tea party nut, which I didn't know before I downloaded the book.
I rate this book 2/10 that's a really horrible rating for a book i think its the lowest i have ever given. You really should not read it. Unless you want to punish someone for doing something awful. On second thought don't make them listen to this book, make then go out and do something positive for the community.
This book was the worst book i have ever read in my life and i like books as you all know. The only bright spot in the entire book was Eva. But at the end they had to turn her into a damsel in distress which she wasn't in the entire book. I'm not surprised these people are sexist, Especially given the fact that one of them is a tea party nut, which I didn't know before I downloaded the book.
I rate this book 2/10 that's a really horrible rating for a book i think its the lowest i have ever given. You really should not read it. Unless you want to punish someone for doing something awful. On second thought don't make them listen to this book, make then go out and do something positive for the community.
Book Review: Crashed (Book 98 out of 100)
I was so pleased when I found this audio book arrived yesterday or at least I found it yesterday when I had someone check the mail. I fell in love with the Skinned trilogy when I dove head first and sleepless into the first volume a few months ago, listening to the entire book in one night in which i think i got 45 minutes of sleep. As you may remember it's about a girl who had an accident and was forced to upgrade to a mechanical body. In the second installment, she's still getting used to her new surroundings but seems better adjusted. She's moved in to this lavish estate owned by another mech, which is what they call themselves, and is basically pretty okay.
This is not the case for a lot of other mech upgrades especially the ones who were the first "volunteers". These people were basically disabled but because the future is very screwed up unable to survive in their present state, so they opted to upgrade instead of die by starvation. A lot of them are still living with bad memories from that.
Also a lot of the other later uploaders were disabled very severely and had to upload if they wanted to have a life at all. I don't mean they were like me. A lot of them were bedridden which I've been for about three weeks and couldn't bear on a 365 day basis.
A subplot I'm liking because I'm a hopeless romantic and love a standard, adolescent girl on girl romance (if there is such a thing), is going on between Ani and Quinn. Quinn before the download was basically "a bedridden, amputated lump", after a car accident at the age of 3. Quinn after the download was basically interested in screwing everything in sight (m/f it doesn't matter), smelling the roses, and spending her dead parents money. Ani, unfortunately, who seems sweet and innocent, adores her. Bad combination. The slut and the nice young lady. But, just as Quinn decides to stop acting slut like (and least it seems that way to me) and pay attention to the girl who lavishes affection on her. I think she freaks out slightly and decides to sleep with Jude, the mech leader and one of Ani's closest friends. This doesn't go over well and Ani gets sucked into a bad situation. I'm not going to go into that here, because it will ruin the book. Let it suffice to say that when she's better, I hope they get it together. I think they could be each other's balance. Kind of like my girl and me, when we let ourselves give into us, when we don't let it scare us. Maybe that's why I'm rooting for these people so hard. But I hope Robin Wasserman doesn't forget to resolve them in the trilogy's conclusion Wired, which I hope to barrow from the library, as soon as it's out of processing.
I rate this book an 8.5/10. Read Skinned first. Crashed is a good book on it's own, but it helps if you know the back story. Part of the tale are horrifying so don't read right before sleep, unless that sort of thing doesn't bother you. Also don't start the book when you have lots of other stuff that will drag you away from the story. It's that good a book.
This is not the case for a lot of other mech upgrades especially the ones who were the first "volunteers". These people were basically disabled but because the future is very screwed up unable to survive in their present state, so they opted to upgrade instead of die by starvation. A lot of them are still living with bad memories from that.
Also a lot of the other later uploaders were disabled very severely and had to upload if they wanted to have a life at all. I don't mean they were like me. A lot of them were bedridden which I've been for about three weeks and couldn't bear on a 365 day basis.
A subplot I'm liking because I'm a hopeless romantic and love a standard, adolescent girl on girl romance (if there is such a thing), is going on between Ani and Quinn. Quinn before the download was basically "a bedridden, amputated lump", after a car accident at the age of 3. Quinn after the download was basically interested in screwing everything in sight (m/f it doesn't matter), smelling the roses, and spending her dead parents money. Ani, unfortunately, who seems sweet and innocent, adores her. Bad combination. The slut and the nice young lady. But, just as Quinn decides to stop acting slut like (and least it seems that way to me) and pay attention to the girl who lavishes affection on her. I think she freaks out slightly and decides to sleep with Jude, the mech leader and one of Ani's closest friends. This doesn't go over well and Ani gets sucked into a bad situation. I'm not going to go into that here, because it will ruin the book. Let it suffice to say that when she's better, I hope they get it together. I think they could be each other's balance. Kind of like my girl and me, when we let ourselves give into us, when we don't let it scare us. Maybe that's why I'm rooting for these people so hard. But I hope Robin Wasserman doesn't forget to resolve them in the trilogy's conclusion Wired, which I hope to barrow from the library, as soon as it's out of processing.
I rate this book an 8.5/10. Read Skinned first. Crashed is a good book on it's own, but it helps if you know the back story. Part of the tale are horrifying so don't read right before sleep, unless that sort of thing doesn't bother you. Also don't start the book when you have lots of other stuff that will drag you away from the story. It's that good a book.
Book Review: Crocodile Tears (Book 97 out of 100)
I have come to the conclusion that I can't write a book review while listening to another book, especially one as exciting as Pendragon. In the latest (and for now the last) Alex Rider adventure. In this adventure, Alex is confronted by one of the biggest potential problems of our times- GM foods. He also must survive being kidnapped, nearly shot, and nearly fed to crocodiles. All while trying to be a regular school boy and avoid pissing of his guardian.
I aspect that certain expects of all spy novels are very, very fictional. But the last disk of this book was over the top in the unreal arena. I don't like this book. Mostly because of the ending. I expected better, Mr. Horowitz. I hope the next book returns the original Alex writing I've come to enjoy.
I aspect that certain expects of all spy novels are very, very fictional. But the last disk of this book was over the top in the unreal arena. I don't like this book. Mostly because of the ending. I expected better, Mr. Horowitz. I hope the next book returns the original Alex writing I've come to enjoy.
Book Review: Mr. Monk and the Blue Flu (Book 96 out of 100)
Police officers can't strike. It's illegal. Instead they undertake a blue flu. That means calling in sick when your not. This particular blue flu gets obsessive, compulsive detective Adrian Monk his badge back for a minute. Suddenly Captain Monk is dealing with every homicide, not just his unique specialization in hard to solve cases. He has a ragtag team of disgraced and troubled detectives and they must catch a serial murder with a foot fetish (ew!), solve an astrologer's murder, and three other murders. Lastly, the must solve the murder of a young police officer.
Can Mr. Monk cope with the pressure? Will he crumble under the weight of command? Will he ever repair his relationship with the rest of the men in blue, who are angry at his union busting practices? Most importantly, what will happen when the blue flu ends and Monk must return his badge?
I rate this book an 8.5. It's sweet and endearing. Once again, I think that Natalie's voice speaks for many personal care assistants (PCA's) out there who endure low pay and long hours to work at jobs they enjoy for people they like and respect.
Can Mr. Monk cope with the pressure? Will he crumble under the weight of command? Will he ever repair his relationship with the rest of the men in blue, who are angry at his union busting practices? Most importantly, what will happen when the blue flu ends and Monk must return his badge?
I rate this book an 8.5. It's sweet and endearing. Once again, I think that Natalie's voice speaks for many personal care assistants (PCA's) out there who endure low pay and long hours to work at jobs they enjoy for people they like and respect.
Book Review: Snakehead (Book 95 out of 100)
This was the longest and scariest Alex Rider book. Organ sellers, double agents, and, of course, the resident mad man. But I won't go into details, because as I always say you need to read the book. I will tell there's lots of ups and downs, including one high point and one low point in particular at least in my opinion.
The book also represents the return of Scopia, always I bad sign for Alex or any justice minded person. Both bad men in this case are disabled, which doesn't appeal to me. I think it's a stereotype and one I don't appreciate, but least one of them was mad to begin with. His disability status doesn't contribute to his craziness. The second one was driven insane when he was mistreated by his boss after his disability occurrence. I felt kind of bad for him, but still descrimination doesn't equate to murder. If you are reading this review as you are reading the book, I might have given you too much of a clue. But maybe you won't pick it up. Let me know.
I rate this book a 9. It's my third favorite Alex book. You'll be surprised on last disc; I was.
The book also represents the return of Scopia, always I bad sign for Alex or any justice minded person. Both bad men in this case are disabled, which doesn't appeal to me. I think it's a stereotype and one I don't appreciate, but least one of them was mad to begin with. His disability status doesn't contribute to his craziness. The second one was driven insane when he was mistreated by his boss after his disability occurrence. I felt kind of bad for him, but still descrimination doesn't equate to murder. If you are reading this review as you are reading the book, I might have given you too much of a clue. But maybe you won't pick it up. Let me know.
I rate this book a 9. It's my third favorite Alex book. You'll be surprised on last disc; I was.
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