Tuesday, May 7, 2013
Sunday, May 5, 2013
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
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.
View all my reviews
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)