From Facebook to Here

I had been using an app on Facebook called "I'm Reading" to keep track of the books I'm reading, set aside or finished. Now with Facebook, it's main goal is to allow you the opportunity to show off. And this app was good for that... mostly. I don't know if it's the apps lack of proper development or maybe Facebook being a jerk (I'd tend to lean toward Facebook being the culprit considering not too long ago we added a "Share This" feature at work that would not work the way WE wanted it to because of Facebook nonsense, anyways...) but it wouldn't let me brag about the books I've read the way I wanted to. Also, the app only allows a limited character count for reviews and sometimes my rants require more than 1000 characters. So, to preserve what has already been published elsewhere and to combine everything in one place, I'm including all my mini reviews in this one post. I may, from time to time, revisit these books and expand upon them in the future but for now, here you go:

The Sun Over Breda (Captain Alatriste) by Arturo Perez-Reverte
2 Stars
Review:

It felt like the writer had a word quota to fill! There were too many references to past and future events that bored me at times, and made me forget what was going on (a war in Flanders and I should not be forgetting there’s a war going on!). These books are told from the point of view of fifteen year old, Inigo Balboa, who is Captain Alatriste’s “sidekick”. All I have to say my favorite parts of the book were when Inigo was not directly involved in two scenes with Captain Alatriste. This will not stop me from reading the other books in the series. I enjoyed the first two (full of action, intrigue and sword fights!) and have the fourth awaiting it’s turn. I do love the cover of this book. You can bend and fold the book and it still retains its shape with no creases! I am however disappointed that cover art was changed. My first three books have a similar style, where the fourth is different and does not match the other three! Pooey!


A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens
5 Stars
Review:

This book is worth reading for three characters: Sydney Carton, Madame Defarge and the city of Paris.

Sydney Carton, the tragic hero who I like to refer to as the “Original Snape”. Though this may have been pointed out on the internet before but I’m not going to bother looking for it.

Madame Defarge, with the knitting and watching, the simmering hatred and thirst for revenge that bursts and reveals its cruelty near the end.

Paris, on the eve and the start of the revolution, the sense of chaos and the passion for change from people long oppressed is felt.

It’s all very nail biting and palpable.

And of course this book has one of my favorite literary lines: “It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done; it is a far, far better rest that I go to than I have ever known.”

Free ebook version available here...

Great Expectations by Charles Dickens
0 Stars
Review:

Put aside. Just wasn't feeling it after the drama and far superior A Tale of Two Cities.

Free ebook version available here...


Captain Blood by Rafael Sabatini
5 Stars
Review:

I found a new favorite book and character! A fun, exciting story, full of intrigue, action, romance, pirates and a Caribbean setting with an intelligent character like Peter Blood...you won't be able to put this story down! If you enjoy historical fiction along the lines of Richard Sharpe, Horatio Hornblower, Captain Alastriste, and Captain Jack Aubrey, then you'll enjoy the tale of Captain Blood as much as I did.

(Looking at this review I wrote I realize how it doesn't do this book justice. Please read! It's so so good!)

Free ebook version available here...

The Girl with the Dragon Tatoo by Stieg Larsson
0 Stars
Review:

Put aside. Got bored in the beginning but I'll return to give it another shot.


American Gods: A Novel by Neil Gaiman
3 Stars
Review:

Unfortunately I took a break from this book about half way through, so some events were forgotten from the beginning as I finished. There's references to many foreign gods and folklore. Being unfamiliar with many, I wasn't sure if some events were made up or if there were actual references to folklore. Some of the interactions between the characters made me wonder if they were driving the story forward, or if it was an important plot point or just a Tarantino Royal with Cheese conversation. Nothing wrong with that but I was confused whether the interactions were to bring these characters to life and show them in their everyday life, or did it have something to do with the overall theme of the story, that the clothes they wore, food they ate, things they said were all part of their god-like powers/folklore/myths that have been forgotten by the ancestors of the people who brought their gods with them as they settled in America. But Neil Gaiman has a way of writing that I enjoyed.

Unfortunately I took a break from this book about half way through, so some events were forgotten from the beginning as I finished. There's references to many foreign gods and folklore. Being unfamiliar with many, I wasn't sure if some events were made up or if there were actual references to folklore. Some of the interactions between the characters made me wonder if they were driving the story forward, or if it was an important plot point or just a Tarentino Royal with Cheese conversation. Nothing wrong with that but I was confused whether the interactions were to bring these characters to life and show them in their everyday life, or did it have something to do with the overall theme of the story, that the clothes they wore, food they ate, things they said were all part of their god-like powers/folklore/myths that have been forgotten by the ancestors of the people who brought their gods with them as they settled in America. But Neil Gaiman has a way of writing that I enjoyed.


Nina Garcia's Look Book: What to Wear for Every Occasion [Hardcover] by Nina Garcia (Author) and Ruben Toledo (Illustrator)
4 Stars
Review:

It may seem that Nina's suggestions on what to wear for every occasion may seem obvious. However, it's not just what you should wear but there are notes of encouragement she gives throughout the book that make it worth reading. It's a nice confidence booster and stylist wrapped up in a nice, colorfully illustrated package.


Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris
5 Stars
Review:

Who knew animals could be so manipulative, so insecure, so faithful, so self-centered... so like humans! I found myself slightly disturbed by the Aesop like stories. But I couldn't help but think that these vignettes were strangely familiar, like something I read in the news, or a friend of a friend who had a similar experience. After reading this, it'll make you stop and think before you say something that would make you sound or act some of the creatures in this book.

I enjoyed Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk and highly recommend it (for those with a sense of humor and not likely to be offended by much). This is definitely a book I will come back to for a reread. I'm also looking forward to reading more from David Sedaris.

I also have to point out that I loved the way this book was printed. I'm not a big fan of hardcover books, but this wasn't overwhelming large, with thick pages that were easy to turn. The illustrations were lovely too.


The Gunslinger (The Dark Tower, Book 1) by Stephen King
0 Stars
Review:

Set aside.


The Road Home by Jim Harrison
0 Stars
Review:

I put this aside to read Anne of Green Gables. I will return though I'm at a part in the book that I'm finding difficult to get through. The narrative has switched to another character and I'm starting not to like him very much. However, that could change once I come back to finish reading.


Anne of Green Gables by L. M. (Lucy Maud) Montgomery
5 Stars
Review:

Anne always makes me smile!

Free ebook version available here...


A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R. R. Martin
5 Stars
Review:

Un. pre. dictable! That's what this book is and I LOVED it! I like George R. R. Martin's writing style. He just tells the story with just enough details to bring this world to life without getting too wordy.

The first part of the book was a lot of character introduction and moving those characters around. I was surprised that I found myself very engaged with these characters though not a whole lot was happening at first. But when the story started moving along I was sneaking in as much reading time as I could.

I had planned on reading a non-Martin book when I finished A Game of Thrones. But this guy left so many story lines unfinished that I had to run and get the second book to find out what happens next! Darn you George R. R. Martin! So many books to read... so little time!


A Clash of Kings (A Song of Ice and Fire #2) by George R.R. Martin
5 Stars
Review:

No time to leave a review. Just trust me when I say READ IT! So so much happened and it just doesn't stop. Now off to read Book 3, A Storm of Swords! Thank goodness for ebooks and ereaders!


A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire #3) by George R.R. Martin
5 Stars
Review:

So much happened in this book it's crazy! Several fun twists, the body count continues to grow, people betraying one another... what's NOT to love!

(When I finished Book 3 I was so obsessed with the A Song of Ice and Fire series I had to take a break. I read A Storm of Swords in a week, reading almost a hundred pages a day, even during the work week! I was that obsessed and needed a break despite the 5th book having just been released and I still needed to read Book 4. But seriously, THIS book! Oh my goodness, thinking about it still gives me chills and I can't believe what happened! I'm horrified and angry but IT WAS SO AWESOME! Do not go to some wikipedia to find out what happens! READ IT!)


To Hell on a Fast Horse: The Untold Story of Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett by Mark Lee Gardner
4 Stars
Review:

This was a very interesting read. It's a true telling of Billy the Kid and Pat Garrett, two very real men who have done some extraordinary things, and who will always be remembered together. After reading this I feel like reading, or even writing a dime store novel. But I don't think Pat Garrett would approve.

(BEST BOOK TITLE EVER!)


The Outsiders by S. E. Hinton
5 Stars
Review:

I think the last time I read this book I was in high school. I forgot what made me want to pick up a copy two weeks ago but I'm glad I did. It's one of those comfortable books, like a pair of favorite jeans or a favorite stuffed toy. It's definitely a book that should be in everyone's collection. I read it over the weekend and it's as good as I remembered it. It's a classic YA novel. And of course, I CRIED! You would too! And if you didn't cry after reading this book, well, then you have ice water running through your veins! I won't forget you Johnnycake and Dally! Stay gold, Ponyboy!