( 99 )

This was a totally random selection for me. I was waiting for help finding something else at the library and I saw the cover and was intrigued:

I decided to check it out — could be funny, could be cool, and I kinda admire anyone who sets out to read the entire Encylopaedia Britannica.

I enjoyed this, both the self-deprecating humor (with a bit of an edge–glad I’m not one of his ILs!) and the intellectualism of it.  Sadly, though, I lost some of the pleasure when I searched Amazon to find the above pic and discovered Jacobs is also the author of the Year of Living Biblically.  It took this book, for me, from an exploratory memoir, a personal quest, to just another in a series of schticks to sell books.  Admirable as a way to make a living, disappointing as part of a larger search for greater truth in our world.

Still, I enjoyed the book. But I don’t plan to read any of his other work now that I know the formula.

PS – go with the audio if you decide to try this, the reader, Geoffrey Cantor,  was frellin’ fantastic!

( 98 ) Mac Lane, book 2

Liked, though these seem to keep feeling unfinished. There’s an action arc in the first two books of the series, but not really a plot arc, more like the beginning of a plot arc. Rumor (and skimming web reviews) tells me things amp up in the 3rd one.

I hope so. I like that the sex (apparently required in paranormal fiction–bleah) is very matter of fact. Something happens, it’s over, the action moves on. No pages and pages of vivid detail. Thanks Ms. Moning!

( 97 ) a Spenser novel

Yes, somehow TWO Spenser books came out that I missed. I remedied that this week I liked this one better than “Rough Weather.”

I can’t help but notice the effect of age on Spenser. The longer this series runs the fewer the absolutes. There is no absolute good or evil in Spenser’s world anymore, just a myriad of grays. More like real life.

( 96) a Spenser novel

This wasn’t great, I admit it. But, well, it’s Spenser and I’ve had a soft spot for the Boston PI since the late 80s. I was almost disappointed to see the Grey Man lose some of his hard edges, though. Spenser needs a nemesis and they all keep shuffling off the playing field after a few books. More realistic, sure, but not as fun.

Bonus: Lotsa Hawk this book!

( 95 )

Bleah. I read the adult book this series is loosely derived from (When the Wind Blows) and enjoyed it. This was a harder read. A lot of things happened, but the plot didn’t advance much for all the action. It felt very unfinished.

Confession: I am pretty much ~over~ Patterson. I used to enjoy his work, but ever since he started farming it out to co-authors his work reads like he handed a plot outline to someone else and told them to go to town. The books just flat out are not as good. I’ve read ‘em from the library, or Kindle freebies like this one, but I won’t buy them anymore. Not til the co-authors disappear and he writes his own books again. Since Patterson signed a huge book deal earlier this year, that’s unlikely, which is a shame. His stuff used to be something to look forward to

( 94 )

I enjoyed this, though I’m not entirely sure what the hype about it was.

It was more novella than novel and just as the characters started becoming interesting, it ended. Which may be lifelike, but makes it a less than satisfying read.

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read, open to a random page, share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) then share the title & author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Tease?

I had never known how Cornelia managed to get to the attic to steal the madder that stained my apron red. It was in her nature to be sly, to slip away when no one was looking.

p. 125 , The Girl with the Pearl Earring by Tracy Chevalier — I’m reading this one for my book club and we meet Sunday, so there should be a regular review/commentary early next week.  Or not. It is NaNovember…

I have a confession. I didn’t read last week’s book. I carried it around for day, intending to start it, but I never did. Then it was overdue at the library and I took it back, abandoning hope. If I’m honest, the skimming I did looking for an at least vaguely interesting tease kind of turned me off the book.

( 93 ) a V.I. Warshawski novel

Overcommitted this month with volunteer projects, NaNoWrimo, and the upcoming holiday season. I read it, I liked it, and I finally got to finish it today. How? By turning off my computer at 5pm tonight at work, closing my office door, and hiding in there for an hour so I could read in peace with no committees, no rough drafts, and, yes, I am gonna say it, no family commitments to interfere.

Besides, J has been fussing at me for picking her up from daycare, “too early.” I’ve gotten old. In my twenties when I was late to pick up it meant I’d gone with the office pack for a happy hour margarita. Now it’s quality alone time with a book. I think I like this age better

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading.

Anyone can play along! Just do the following:

Grab your current read, open to a random page, share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page and BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!) then share the title & author so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

My Tease?

When Will answered, his voice sounded thin and lost echoing out over the stony vastness.

“How will I know what to bring back?” he asked, as he had many times already that day.

 

“Face your foes, Will, and the rest will follow…”.

p. 112, Magic by the Book by Nina Bernstein

( 92 )

Graphic, and once it got going the writing got better—the all-plot & no action setup at the beginning of the story was a little rough–choppy dialogue, excess adverbs, etc.

Ms. Small excels at the erotic portion for the most part, but is weak on the writing of the non-sex elements.

I’m actually starting to think there is not truly good erotica out there. Either it’s a romance with sex thrown in for spice, it’s just graphic sex with no plot, it’s paranormal and not intended as erotica, or it’s just out and out bad. Would it kill publishers to edit this stuff a little more, “Hey, your main love interest sounds like the male lead in an adult film–” “Horny and nonverbal with really bad dialogue? You mean I have to fix it?”

Ugh.

Overall a silly premise and a goofy/weird ending, but well, it is pr0n for women, not classic literature.