Tatum’s
Comments
(group member since Jan 01, 2012)
Tatum’s
comments
from the Read 100+ Books in 2012 group.
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Oh Manda, that's disappointing to hear. So maybe one of those books that if you see at the library get it but do not pay retail? That's the idea I am getting from your post.
Manda... it's rare that I trash anything like that, let alone a book, but I had to, I really did!Pure sounds really interesting. I'll be looking forward to seeing what you have to say when you're done.
A book parcel! That sounds great :) I think the biggest book parcel I've ever gotten was three at once delivered by Amazon which was still exciting. And that's a wonderful price you get too, I have a feeling that if I lived in the UK I would be getting lots of book parcels, probably too many!
I don't know why I often have troubles writing a lot about books I really enjoy and yet can rant on forever about ones I don't, but there you have it.
I will see both One for the Money and The Hunger Games once they are out on DVD most likely. I suppose we might go to The Hunger Games in theater, but hubby has no idea of the books and doesn't read, so I don't know how enthusiastic he'd be. My son is going with his friends.
7. When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah WinmanRating: 1 star
Review: I don't even know where to begin. I was going to try to write the review without spoilers but I'm not sure if I can. Let's start off by saying this was a Book Club read. Had it not been I would gladly have abandoned it several times but since it was, I slogged on always hoping it would get better. It didn't. It got worse.
This book is told through memories, sometimes fragmented, sometimes perhaps flawed, certainly using too many pronouns that leave you guessing who the narrator is referring to and all just disjointed views into the past life of Elly, the protagonist. Imagine if scenes from a book were playing out in front of you with a strobe light flashing on and off, one moment illuminating the next plunging everything into darkness. Now imagine that these are scenes playing out on several stages but you only get to see one at a time and that you are watching a speed frame of 30+ years. There you go, that's the narration style.
Then there are the actual events. Everything that could be bad or different or cliche or you name it happens to the protagonist or her family/limited circle of acquaintance. Everything. Like a really bad soap opera. Only in soap operas they hit you over the head with things and explain the entire plot ad infinitum. Not in this book. No, here we are given all these pieces and allusions and the occasional blatant reference and then cast away in more ramblings. There are so many things crammed into this book (which isn't that long, but seems to go on forever) that the author can't possibly deal with them all, not that she appears to try. There are more things left hanging, not explained, half explored, not resolved...
People have said it's an honest portrayal of life growing up... if the above paragraph isn't enough to dissuade you that it probably isn't, I happen to have grown up in this era. I am approximately the same age as the protagonist and I actually grew up in a pretty liberal thinking family. And no, it isn't. The way she deals with certain issues are far more 90s than 70s. People just did not talk that way, react that way, deal with things in that fashion. Didn't happen. So maybe she was supposed to come from the most unique family ever, I don't know. But don't portray it like everyday life please.
I can't think of the last time a book has annoyed me more. And because I must rant somewhere about some part of the book at least, here is my spoiler: (view spoiler)
Kristy wrote: Did you see the movie? I've been reading these novels for years, and I think I was one of the few who wasn't disappointed in the movie. I didn't though I will most likely see it on DVD. We don't usually go to movies unless the whole family can go.
6. One for the Money by Janet EvanovichRating: 4 stars
Review: I am glad that I finally got to read where it all began and I wasn't disappointed. The book is a fast paced quick read that sometimes has you chuckling to yourself. It's witty, well written and the plot is engaging. Stephanie Plum is such a fun, no nonsense type of character, always getting into jams and managing to get out of them. Definitely worth checking out.
I need another series like a hole in the head, but the one I just read was too good not to continue.@Manda: What did you think of Spring Snow? It sounded interesting.
5. The Crossing Places by Elly GriffithsRating: 4 stars
Review: This was a well crafted mystery story. The plot engaged me from the start, the characters are far more three dimensional than you sometimes get in books like this and I liked that the main character (Dr. Ruth Galloway) is an archeologist, something that I don't believe had been done in this genre before.
The author's style draws you in and keeps you reading and the descriptions of the setting (the saltmarsh around Norfolk) were very well done. I could picture the scenes in my mind clearly. The right amount of intrigue, suspense and mystery combine for an entertaining, quick read.
I will be continuing along with the series.
@Manda: It would have if the ghost had been a random ghost (especially as I used to buy a fair amount of stuff off ebay a couple of years ago!) but specifically targeted vengeful ghosts I can deal with lol :) Besides, having started it it would have been much worse for me not to know what happened, my imagination would have made things far worse.
4. Heart-Shaped Box by Joe HillRating: 3 stars
Review: This is not a genre that I usually read so my rating might be lower than someone who reads more horror books. But I did enjoy this; it was a good blend of creepy/scary without being so over the top that I wanted to put it down and never pick it up again. I genuinely wanted to see the outcome and it was a quick read. The style might not be for everyone but I thought it stuck a good balance between suspense and horror.
N.B. There is some swearing in this book.
3. The Golden Compass by Philip PullmanRating: 4 stars
Review: Somehow I did not realize there was such a controversy surrounding these books. Obviously there are a lot of religious themes being discussed, some allegorically, some openly. I did not come on Goodreads to discuss religion however. What I will say is this: If children have been raised to be open, critical thinkers then no one should be afraid to place any book in their hands.
That said, this is a great fantasy tale. There's enough of the familiar mixed with enough of the unfamiliar to make the world seem to be here and alien all at once. There's danger and intrigue and narrow escapes, long journeys made to distant lands where great tasks must be accomplished and obstacles overcome.
Lyra is a likeable little heroine. Innocent in some respects, worldly in others, always willing to take on the next adventure to reach her goals. The supporting characters are well drawn and fleshed out, becoming an integral part of the story.
The writing style is rich and complex and commands the reader's attention. Pullman can paint portraits with words and the scenery is described in vivid detail. Add to this a tight, page turning plot and it's a very solid read.
Yes, I will certainly read the others. I am not reading them right away as with challenges I kind of have my books for the month picked out. Also I sort of want to savor the first one a little longer before seeing what comes next.
I have my first two for the month! Well, neither was especially long :)1. Undead and Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson
Rating: 3 stars
Review: I enjoyed this one. An easy, quick and humorous read. The characters and story lines are beginning to develop more and get more depth, the funny bits are still goofy and the writing style is maturing.
N.B. This book still has mature content, intended for 18+.
2. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
Rating: 5 stars
Review: What a well written, powerful book. And to an extent I think, a warning about how easy it can be to fall into certain mindsets.
This is a book that sucks you in, holds you there and then takes you on an emotional roller coaster ride that has you feeling things you really shouldn't. More than once I found myself happy that someone had died and then caught myself at it and thought "Jeez, I shouldn't be happy about this." It didn't change the fact that I was though.
It's also interesting that honestly, the protagonist isn't really a likeable character. She just doesn't have a lot of those "nice" qualities that author's usually give characters they want you to get behind. And yet somehow, I remained on Katniss' side, wanting her to overcome somehow.
Collins makes you believe and feel every paragraph, every word. Whether or not you agree, whether or not you are horrified, whether or not you want to continue, you still have to read to the end to see what happens.
Well, far be it for me to disagree with the two of you, that will be my green book then!@Manda: So... if I have a heart attack I will tell them Dr. Manda of Goodreads recommended it. Then they will be trying to bring me into a whole other wing of the hospital lol!
One for the Money
Silly question, but is this green enough for the green category? My copy actually looks a little greener to me than this picture, which is more a blue-y green...
Heart-Shaped Box worries me a little because I am a total chicken when it comes to books like that (and movies and TV shows) but so are a couple of the people I'm reading it with, so we can all be freaked out together.
8. Undead and Unemployed by MaryJanice DavidsonRating: 3/5
Review: I enjoyed the second installment of this series quite a bit more than the first. It had the things I liked in the first one and less of the things I didn't. There's still a lot of silly humour in this book and it's fast-paced, easy reading. There's less swearing (though it's still there) and the erotic part of this novel makes sense in the context.
I still wouldn't pay retail for the series mind you, but I will be reading the third book. Also I tentatively think that you could start reading with this one and still make sense of the plot so not have to read through the first novel of the series. There's something of a recap of the important points.
In short, if you like silly humour and don't mind some swearing a bit of sex, this is quite possibly worth checking out.
***********************
(I hope this qualifies for fire, it has dragons and dragon fire in it).
9. You Slay Me by Katie MacAlister
Rating: 4/5
Review: I very much enjoyed this book. It is well written and witty and I like the author's style of humour. The added intrigue of a little mystery and some spicy romance held the book together and kept me reading. Set in what is ostensibly our world, but with the addition of magic users, demons and dragons, MacAlister has created a setting that is enjoyable to escape to and holds my attention. I will be checking out the rest of this series as well as her other novels.
10.SMART SCHOOL TIME RECIPES by Alisa Marie Fleming
Rating: N/A
Review: I made the Pear/Apple Crisp from this cookbook this weekend. I only got to have one serving before the family demolished the rest, so it was a success!
Sadly I had to abandon Fledgling by Octavia E. Butler and there is no time to pick another. I got nearly half way through and just could not bring myself to finish. If I was to rate it now it would be 1 star. I read somewhere that it's the last book she wrote before her death and I sort of wonder if it's unfinished and not edited how she would have. In any case, not for me.
So I finish this month with 8/9 challenge books read + 2 bonus books for a total of 10. I am very pleased with that actually :)
Manda wrote: "I have changed my profile everyone from Janie to Manda everyone so please don't get confused lol. photo different too - its of my puppy Ash."Love the puppy, so cute :)
My (somewhat tentative) list:Total: 6/9 Bonus: 1 Total: 7
1. Read a book that is third in a series or has a 3 in the title. (I wound up liking the second one, so we'll see if I like this one as well.)
Undead and Unappreciated by MaryJanice Davidson Done! 03/01/12
2. Read a book with the following letters in the title or author's name: M-A-R-C-H. (Not my usual sort of book, it's a Buddy Read in another group.)
Heart-Shaped Box by Joe Hill Done! 03/07/12
3. Read a Western or about cowboys or the West. (Highly recommended by two friends.)
The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
4. In honor of St. Patrick's Day read a book about Ireland or the Irish. (I've yet to read anything by her I didn't like.)
Minding Frankie by Maeve Binchy
5. Read a book with a food in its title or on the cover. (Another new series, recommended by a friend.)
The Quiche of Death by M.C. Beaton
6. In honor of the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere, read a book about spring or with a green cover.
One for the Money by Janet Evanovich
Done! 03/09/127. Read a book about an animal or with an animal on the cover. (A group read, my kids love these though.)
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman Done! 03/05/12
8. Read a book by an author with a last name starting with a letter between A and F. (Need to read before movie comes out!)
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Done! 03/03/12
9. Your choice.
The Crossing Places by Elly Griffiths Done! 03/08/12
Bonus:
1. When God Was a Rabbit by Sarah Winman Done! 03/10/12
