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Review: The Count of Monte Cristo

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



If you want to read a classic, give this one a try. I enjoyed this one very much. The main theme of the book is vengeance and revenge. The hero of the story is wrongly imprisoned and eventually escapes. He lives his whole life for revenge on the people who wronged him. It was very well-written.



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Review: Seabiscuit: An American Legend

Seabiscuit: An American Legend by Laura Hillenbrand

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I LOVED this book. I also loved the movie. The details of the horse racing world, the unlikely little horse that became a hero and the jockey that overcame career-ending injuries made for such a wonderful story, and it was all based on actual events. This is the best book she has ever written.



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Review: One For The Money

One For The Money by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I liked it. It was hard to get into at first, but once I did I read through it pretty quickly. The bad guy was a little unexpected. There was one very creepy character. I've read reviews by others who were frustrated with how stupid they thought the main character was, but I didn't feel that way. There were a few funny bits.



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Review: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



2nd time I read this one. I raced through it the first time so I wanted to take my time and re-read it before the movie hit the theatres. I really enjoyed it the 2nd time through and found things that I'd missed racing through it the first time. I think I prefer the book over the movie. There is so much material to cover that even dividing the book into two movies, they still left out some cool stuff. I also didn't like that the movie added some scenes that weren't in the book (c'mon, Harry never grabbed Voldemort and jumped off the roof with him - that was silly). I also didn't like that the movie switched some things around (it was Harry's idea to jump onto the blind dragon in Gringott's - not Hermione's). I think they change things for movies because someone thinks it will play better. I think that's why you should always read the book if a good movie is based on a book.



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Review: City of Ashes

City of Ashes by Cassandra Clare

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



These aren't my favorite books. I'm not wild about the main characters. I find Jace immature and obnoxious. I like Simon, but he's not the love interest. I also found bits of this book too graphic and gruesome. Maybe it's just not my cup of tea. I have tried to read the third book in the series multiple times now and haven't been able to get beyond the first few chapters. I guess I will give up on her books.



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Review: Six's Legacy

Six's Legacy by Pittacus Lore

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



This was a nice complement to I am Number Four. I wish it had been longer. It does give some nice background information on who Number Six is and how she became who she is. I got this electronically on my Android Kindle and read it aloud to my 16 and 20 year old sons after we watched I am Number Four on DVD. We all enjoyed it.



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Review: Divergent

Divergent by Veronica Roth

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I really enjoyed this book. It was fast-paced and exciting. The heroine, Tris, was tough and a real leader. I liked her strength. After reading about what an initiate in Dauntless goes through, I have to wonder why anyone would choose that faction. I understand being brave, but I don't like what that faction became - vicious and cruel at times. I don't understand why anyone would choose a place where daredevil stunts and fights until one participant can't continue are part of the training process. I would prefer a calmer way of life myself. I enjoyed the developing relationship between Tris and Tobias. I will definitely read the next book.



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Review: Light of the Moon

Light of the Moon by Luanne Rice

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Typical Luanne Rice. Good character development, story moves along. I got kind-of irritated with the daughter after awhile. At times, I felt like she needed a good slap. I enjoyed the book, though.



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Review: The Unquiet Bones

The Unquiet Bones by Melvin R. Starr

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Really enjoyed this unique murder mystery set in the 1300's. I found it on Amazon and read it on my Kindle. It was quirky and different but a good read.



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Review: To Kill a Mockingbird

To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I had never read this classic and decided to give it a try. I enjoyed it. It was well-written and did a good job describing the racial tensions of the 1930's. I am glad I decided to give it a try. Harper Lee's characterizations of the children, the reclusive neighbor and the heroic father/lawyer are very well-done.



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Review: Mariana

Mariana by Susanna Kearsley

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I REALLY enjoyed this book! It's romantic, it's fun and a little mysterious. It also has a nice, little twist at the end that I never saw coming. I now have to go back and re-read some parts to see if I missed any clues! I will definitely read more by this author.



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Review: The Warrior Heir

The Warrior Heir by Cinda Williams Chima

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I enjoyed this book. Good fantasy series. I particularly liked the relationship/friendship between the three boys. Now on to book #2.



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Review: The Giver

The Giver by Lois Lowry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Not sure I cared much for the ending. Good except for that. I enjoyed the book and the writing.



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Review: East of Eden

East of Eden by John Steinbeck

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



Awful book. Nothing "good" ever happens in it. I couldn't finish it - it's too depressing, and I can't waste my time on it. I only cared for one character in the entire story, and he gets beat up/taken advantage of/abused in some sort of way every few pages. It was too much for me. I don't think I'll read any more Steinbeck! I will try anything once.



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Review: The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



It held my attention and was interesting. I had a hard time connecting to Katniss and didn't like her very much. I thought Peeta deserved better. I have read several Dystopian stories but really disliked the premise of teenagers killing each other as part of a game. I continued on with the series of books because friends were raving about them. They are all well-written - just a bit disturbing in topic.



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Review: Catching Fire

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



About the same as the first book. Maybe a little more violent. The twist at the end was a little far-fetched.



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Review: Mockingjay

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Eh. Overall I found the series violent, disturbing, depressing. I read all three books because I wanted to see how it would all end. I have read a lot of YA Dystopian themed books. These books are all well-written as far as the genre goes.



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Review: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



When it started getting gruesome (the vampires arrived), I couldn't continue with it. Not my cup of tea - too graphic.



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Review: High Five

High Five by Janet Evanovich

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



Typical Stephanie Plum series book - humorous and enjoyable fast read. I was glad that the baddie from a previous book finally got his.



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Review: Folly Beach

Folly Beach by Dorothea Benton Frank

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I really liked it. The closeness of the two sisters was wonderful. Dot Frank always writes stories that take you inside the characters and make you want to read more. Very well done.



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Review: The Mists of Avalon

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I thought it was boring. It dragged on and nothing was happening so I set it aside and never picked it up again. I have so many books on my to-be-read stack that I didn't want to waste any more time on this one. A book either has to grab my attention or I have to feel some connection to the characters - this one didn't do either one.



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Review: Les Misérables

Les Misérables by Victor Hugo

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I tried. I really did. I tried to read it twice now. This book is very long and tedious. Nothing good seems to happen, and I just couldn't get through it. I have had friends suggest I go see the movie or the musical. Although they are dark and sad, they are supposedly well done. I will have to give the movie a try because the book was too much for me.



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Review: Out of Time

Out of Time by Deborah Truscott

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Got for free on my Kindle and really enjoyed it. There were some typos (that's why it was free), but it was surprisingly good. Nice time travel romance.



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Review: The Silver Linings Playbook

The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Weird book. I think the main character's father had more mental issues than he did. I wanted some back story on the family and why they were the way they were, and that never happened. I was hoping for a reason for the father's behavior (other than he was just a big jerk). I didn't connect with this one at all. Maybe the movie is better.



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Review: American Wife

American Wife by Curtis Sittenfeld

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



I tried. I really did. I happen to like the Bushes so it supposedly being based on Laura and George W. didn't bother me as much as it did other reviewers. I found what the author had happen between the main character and the brother of the deceased after the car accident to be particularly disgusting. I got as far as her spending summers at the camp his family had. Blah. It just dragged, and it seemed like I was pretty far into the book and nothing much had happened. If Charlie was going to become President, it must have happened very quickly and that seemed far-fetched. When I put the book down, he wasn't even seriously running for any political office. I have had zero desire to pick the book back up again. It was just dull to me. I didn't see any of the great romance that was promised. It was on a table in Barnes and Noble around Valentine's day that was labeled "romance". I've read much better in that department. I won't waste any more time on this one.



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Review: The Girl of Fire and Thorns

The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I really enjoyed this book. It was well-written, and Elisa was a likable main character. I am now reading the second book in the series. I liked that her character grew and matured. She started as a young girl that no one paid much attention to and ended as a leader of her people. She faced adversity and stayed strong. I particularly liked that she didn't follow the cliche of most heroines and wait for the hero to save her. It hasn't really been determined yet in the series who the "hero" is. That makes this series an interesting one that keeps me reading. I am not sure I get the whole "Godstone" thing, but that's another reason to keep reading. I am waiting for more of an explanation.



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Review: The Wedding Shroud

The Wedding Shroud by Elisabeth Storrs

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



Meh. I couldn't finish it. I put it down to read something else and never picked it up again. When I looked at it again, I couldn't remember what it was about! Maybe it was because I was reading the Girl of Fire and Thorns at the same time which has a similar story line but in a different timeframe/setting. Perhaps it was the whole Roman/decadent lifestyle theme that made me say "meh" about this book. I may try it again at a later date - then again maybe not.



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Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

This was an interesting book. It was good, but it could have been better. There was a lot going on - mysterious characters, secret societies, a romance, good friendships and a mystery to solve. I read another review where the reviewer said it seemed like the author had no plan and just threw things in as he thought of them. It did seem like that at times. There were things I would have liked explored more in-depth. There were also things that could have been left out and wouldn't have been missed. It seemed like a lot of time and effort to solve the mystery, and then the big mystery ended up being a hidden message from one friend to another. It seemed a little silly and somewhat of a letdown. I wanted something more.

Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor

I really enjoyed this book and had trouble putting it down. It was creepy, mysterious, funny, sad, a love story and a great fantasy. I look forward to the second book. The author did a great job creating different worlds.

Casual Vacancy by J.K. Rowling

I made it to page 33, and I think I am done. I cannot stand this book. It isn't for me. I think she set out to write as different a book from the Harry Potter books as she could. Congratulations, J.K., you've succeeded. It is one disgusting situation or comment after another. I've read about big breasts resting on forearms, erections, masturbation, coupling, beds banging against the wall, a 5 year old girl pulling her pants down at school and pretending to "do it", boys squeezing a girl's breasts in the back of the classroom and speculation about how a very fat man manages to use his penis - all in 33 pages. It's not Harry Potter. I don't even think it's that well-written. I understand she was trying to write about "dark and gritty" life in a small town. Not everything about small town life is this gross, though. I understand there's rape and pedophilia to come. No, thanks. If there was one redeeming character in this story, I'd persevere. I haven't found one yet so I think I'll quit.

Fall of Giants by Ken Follett

It was just okay - LONG. It dragged in spots. I liked the history of it. I wish he had focused on fewer characters and gotten more in-depth with some of them.

He spent too much time jumping from story to story. He'd spend a short amount of time with a few characters, and just when you were interested in where the story line was going, he'd jump to another set of characters and start in on their story. Back and forth and back and forth he went. It could have been written in a different way so that it still covered all the main characters, and it would have been a lot more interesting. There are some characters he could have written less about, and that would have been okay, too.

I struggled to finish this - it dragged on, and I'd lost interest several times. I kept checking to see how many pages I had left to read and hoping somehow that it would hurry up and end.

I have the second book - Winter of the World - waiting to read, but I haven't started it yet. I am hoping it is written better and doesn't drag like the first one. I enjoyed the historical aspect of the book, and I learned some things that I did not know. I just wish it hadn't been such a struggle to get through.

Killing Floor by Lee Child

Wow. While this is not my usual type of book, I very much enjoyed reading it. It was definitely a book that I found difficult to put down. I bought it because a co-worker was reading Lee Child's "The Affair" and was plowing through it and enjoying it. I did some research on the series and decided to give it a try so I bought the first book.

Yes, it is a little gruesome at times, but the gory parts are not drawn out and can easily be skimmed if you are squeamish. I liked that Reacher didn't take crap from anyone. He went after the bad guys and took them out. I hate those books where the hero has to suffer some at the villain's hands before he finally wins in the end. Reacher only suffers mentally in this book; other than that, he kicks ass.

At one point, he's asked how he feels about killing the criminals, and he says, "How do you feel when you put roach powder down?" Prior to that when he's sneaking up to take out one of the sadistic bad guys, he thinks to himself, "The books I used to read, the movies people see, I should have fought him nobly." "We should have duked it out, face to face. He should have been made aware of who his opponent was. He should have been made aware of why he had to die. All that noble, man-to-man stuff. But real life wasn't like that."

Reacher is my hero. I will definitely continue with the series.