Marjorie
The first classic I picked up for the 2015 Classic Challenge was picked with another classic in mind. I read The Time Machine in sixth grade and was thinking how I enjoyed it but how little I remembered of the classic. I decided it would be better to read something I hadn't read before so instead of a repeat in the classic category I would stay with the author. The War of the World by H.G. Wells is a classic that has created a rememberable radio show and epic movies but as any creative work they are nothing like the book.
I was surprise when I learned this novel is a sharp satire about British Imperialism. There is a comparison Wells makes about not judging the Martians to harshly and remember how ruthless our own species have been. He mentions, “The Tasmanians, in spite of their human likeness, were entirely swept out of existence in a war of extermination waged by European immigrants.” It is a theme that never goes away. It will always remain a classic. It is surprising that a novel label Science fiction a hundred years ago now reads stockily realistic. Much of the Martian's science, Heat Rays and Gas, that destroys Victoria England seem very real reading today.
If you decide to pick up this classic don't expect an action sequence every few pages. Action is few and far between the narrator questioning the human race and the self.
Gin is kick-ass. A female assassin, AKA The spider, trying to track down who doubled crossed her, killed her handler, and beat up Finn, her handler's son. She crosses paths with Detective Caine. The world of elemental magic seems intriguing but it wasn't flushed out enough. Vampires, dwarves, giants, and humans seem to live amuck in this world. The novel is fast-paced which makes it a page turner but I didn't believe the romance/relationship between the Detective and Gin. It seemed forced and I think the book would have done better without the sexual tension. Also, the receptiveness of “Gold on gray” and “Mmm” was placed in the story often enough to make me roll my eyes.
Compared to the first three this was slow. This like all the books are written well but I thought some if the distributions were a little long winded at times. In true Martin fashion the reader is left with many cliff hangers for some favorite characters and even not so favorite characters which has left me anxious for the next book. I was thinking how I should have took notes on each character so I remember everything clearly when the next book finally is released.
I think it can really open the mind, erase misconceptions, and let people in on some of what people with autism go through. Naoki is honest with his experiences. He even states when he doesn't struggle with a certain autistic traits but tries to explain them anyway. The only thing, at times I couldn't believe a 13 year old boy with autism wrote this. It was too perfect. I couldn't help wonder how much the translators may have shaped the book. Still worth the read, especially for someone who works in the field or knows someone autistic.
I came across Ken Robinson after seeing his TED talk. You can't help but agree with Robinson that our education system is outdated, ineffective, and killing creativity. The element is doing what you are good at and what you love.This book is stories of well known, successful people that have found their passion even when the education system failed them. Robinson breaks down the key concepts others used and would be needed to find the element. This is not a self help book to help someone find their passion. Robinson gives the points needed to find ones passion but is vague on details. And at times the stories of individuals started to become too long and too many. I really like Robinson's writing and humor and will probably pick up his most resent novel [b:Finding Your Element How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life 16158494 Finding Your Element How to Discover Your Talents and Passions and Transform Your Life Ken Robinson https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1356089374s/16158494.jpg 21998910] which sounds more like a guide that helps people find their own Element.
Each story from this series can stand on it's own but start with, Wool, the first in the series.This sounds like the start of something big and has a cliff hanger ending that makes the reader want to read on or linger on what are some of the consequence from the actions taking in the book. I lost sleep thinking about the possibility trying not to start the next book.
It was well-written novella/short story and the world building is detailed and in-depth. The story was a slower pace than the first book in the series but I felt it fit the situation, theme, and characters. There is not laser fight kind of action but the a political drama playing out.
The author's writing is strong. I liked the story line concept of using the Greek God/Goddess myths and Pandora's Box. The story dragged. You can relate to main character, Lucien, insecurities. The main character, Anya, while powerful irritated me with her sorority talk. I don't think I could have continued reading but Anya does seem to pull away from that type of speech by the end.
I get what kind of book I'm reading but there was too much sex. The character's were obsessed with it. It seemed that's all they thought about. It started to make the book drag and boring. I just wanted them to find the treasure already.
The writing was clear, strong, and the reading is light. I did want to know who do it and who is the lucky man but I felt the read was a struggled for me. Some may find a fun story with funny characters ,for me the main character, Joy, irritated me. She is too wishy washy. I feel she wasn't a reliable narrator. There was times I thought the her true vampire love was going to tell her he was lying the whole time. Most of the dialog was cliche and not funny. The “Love” or lust seemed too easy and desperate. If you're into sexy time than this is the book for you even if I thought most scenes made my eyes roll with disbelief and I felt that the sex made the story drag.
I love this tiny little book series. This book is filled with collaborations of super short stories accompanied by creative illustrations. Some are funny, others sad, and others may only make sense to some but there is something for everyone. I'm not disappointed buying this book and supporting the HitRecord project.
This is not the typical college experience romance book. To me, this is probably the realistic college experience most of us when through. Cath is a painfully shy, awkward, and has serious social anxiety. Freshman year she must leave her father and the safe zone of her home and room with a stranger, the tough Reagan. Her twin sister, Wren, didn't want to room with her. Cath must overcome new environments, and getting screwed over. Cath must learn to sticking up for herself, trust people, and fall in love.
Rowell did a great job of making you feel the anxiety Cath feels with her description. I couldn't help thinking, “exactly” at multiple parts. Cath's anxiety is so strong it get frustrating. You just want to help push Cath in the right direction but that's what makes it Cath coming of age story. The author does a great job at giving you a clear picture of the characters. Reagan is the perfect combination of tough, bad ass, and caring in her own straight to the point kind of way. I did feel the relationship (won't say. Don't want to spoil it.) was too perfect. Also, some of the people and situations in the book felt not finished, forgotten or brushed off.
Someone who isn't a Doctor Who fan may not enjoy this read as much. This is a prequel to the Doctor Takes Manhattan episode. The Doctor doesn't appear in this story. I thought the noir voice could have been stronger. Riversong's voice was clear but her obsession with her body and cleavage took me out of the story a bit. This was a page turning, easy, quick read. Still enjoyable.
Image death not being the end. If you're rich enough and/or fortunate enough to have good insurance you can pay to be frozen and have yourself revived after death. While dead is still inevitable, you can prolong life for a very long time. If you don't have the money and is a woman who meets a certain level of attractiveness you can be a part of an expensive dating service. Only your face and mind awoken when someone payed the right amount to talk to you “Date” you in the hope you may wake up fully one day but with a new spouse.
This world is based on our internet, social-media culture today. The author doesn't burden the reader with over-explanations of the new technology but weaves it seamlessly into the story. People are shallow, lost, lonely, and self obsessed but don't worry the reader will find likable characters and as the story goes on ideas of characters constantly change through the novel as situations present themselves.
I thought writing was strong, and polished. The story ended abruptly and I wished for a little more at the end.
Adventurous, intelligent, surprising, witty, cleaver and thought provoking. John Green has a way of making the completely believable characters. I like the novel's idea of taking a girl, Margo, who strives to be rebellious but has to plan all the details out. Q is also a great character following the clues and learning the effects she has on him but still needing to search her out. One of my favorite character's happen to be a side character, Radar. He was funny, well adjusted, and the voice of reason. Some of the best parts of the book was the journeys and Q's circle of friends.
Chicago reporter, Camille, has to head back down to her small town in Missouri to cover the murder of one little girl 9 months ago and another recently missing. Is this a child serial killer? Camille doesn't want to go home and the reader learns she left this small town with mental and physical scars she scratched all over her own body. Words. Hidden beneath her clothing. As she investigates she learns how much more dysfunctional her family is.
Creepy, chilling, and suspenseful novel. In this psychological thriller is a page turner filled with flawed characters trapped in a dark story. Solid writing. Guess the only problem I have with these type of stories is after you finish them. The story seems far fetched and the characters extreme but I feel it bring a lot to light a dark side to people's actions and personalities.