The Women of Primrose Creek by Linda Lael Miller
This is really four books combined into one book, but I am only going to count it as one since individually the books are really short and they all go together.
I like this author's books set in this time period - just after the Civil War - and the setting - the West. I found all of the books to be really good and interesting (maybe a little short) and when you read them all together they seem more like one book than four.
I am going to have to see about getting more books by this author, I have read quite a few, but I am sure there are some I am missing out on.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
No. 98: Dangerous
Dangerous by Amanda Quick
If there was one word to describe Amanda Quick's writing style it would be verbose. Seriously seriously verbose - the dialogue, the descriptions, everything. I cannot tell you how many times she used the phrase "spectral phenomena" in this book. But, for some reason it does not annoy me, it cracks me up. I have even had to resort to the dictionary a few times and that almost never happens.
All her books are the same - smart, independent, bluestocking type meets strong, mysterious slightly dangerous man with a bad reputation - there is a dangerous mystery to be solved (usually about something weird) - he wants to protect her, she thinks she can take care of herself then BAM they fall in love, solve the mystery and live happily ever after. Despite the sameness of all her books, I always like them and they are fun reads.
If there was one word to describe Amanda Quick's writing style it would be verbose. Seriously seriously verbose - the dialogue, the descriptions, everything. I cannot tell you how many times she used the phrase "spectral phenomena" in this book. But, for some reason it does not annoy me, it cracks me up. I have even had to resort to the dictionary a few times and that almost never happens.
All her books are the same - smart, independent, bluestocking type meets strong, mysterious slightly dangerous man with a bad reputation - there is a dangerous mystery to be solved (usually about something weird) - he wants to protect her, she thinks she can take care of herself then BAM they fall in love, solve the mystery and live happily ever after. Despite the sameness of all her books, I always like them and they are fun reads.
Thursday, August 21, 2008
No. 97: The Book of Scandal
The Book of Scandal by Julia London
This was pretty okay - not awesome, but not bad. It was set in the early 1800s - like 1806 or so. The plot centered around the scandal involving the Prince and Princess of Wales and their respective possible adultery and whatnot. I liked that part of the book more than I liked the main characters story line. The FMC was kind of irritating, but I also felt sorry for her. The MMC was better, but he was a little weak and a little overbearing. I thought the mystery part of the book was lacking and I didn't feel worried or nervous about what was going to happen. In general I am not a huge fan of stories about a married couple who separate and get back together so that might be the reason I didn't love it.
This was pretty okay - not awesome, but not bad. It was set in the early 1800s - like 1806 or so. The plot centered around the scandal involving the Prince and Princess of Wales and their respective possible adultery and whatnot. I liked that part of the book more than I liked the main characters story line. The FMC was kind of irritating, but I also felt sorry for her. The MMC was better, but he was a little weak and a little overbearing. I thought the mystery part of the book was lacking and I didn't feel worried or nervous about what was going to happen. In general I am not a huge fan of stories about a married couple who separate and get back together so that might be the reason I didn't love it.
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
No. 96: Strangers in Death
Strangers in Death by J.D. Robb
I have read all of the "In Death" series, unless there is a newish hardcover out. I like them all - they are always a little crazy, a little creepy, usually a little gross, but good. It is facinating to me that Nora Roberts can write both regular romance novels and these mysteries. She is a great writer even though I am still disappointed by Tribute, I know I will always read whatever books she puts out - as Nora Roberts or as J.D. Robb.
I have read all of the "In Death" series, unless there is a newish hardcover out. I like them all - they are always a little crazy, a little creepy, usually a little gross, but good. It is facinating to me that Nora Roberts can write both regular romance novels and these mysteries. She is a great writer even though I am still disappointed by Tribute, I know I will always read whatever books she puts out - as Nora Roberts or as J.D. Robb.
Monday, August 18, 2008
No. 95: Breaking Dawn (2)
I read this one again. It took me a few days because we have been so busy. But, on after a second read I decided that I like this book more than I thought. Without being TOTALLY shocked like I was the first time, I was able to get more I think. I have a new appreciation for the Jacob section of the book (even though I hated him in Eclipse! HATE! and was slightly annoyed with him in New Moon because he was stupid) I noticed even more the absence of Alice which was a bummer because she is so so so funny - though she does have some good lines. I still don't like Rosalie but I like Emmett even more (funny!) but I don't understand why they are together - she could have expanded on their relationship a lot more. I liked the third section much more the second time around as well. Basically, I liked the whole book more. It was less shocking and emotional than the first time - it was seriously crazy the first read :)
Twilight is by far my favorite of the series, but I like them all together - it is nice to get some closure. I am sure I will read Twilight many more times (especially before the movie comes out in November) but I don't know if I will read the whole series again for a little while.
In other reading news. My goal was to get to 100 books this month. I don't know if I am going to make it because the month is more than half over and I only have one book lined up to read. I might have to make an emergency trip to the bookstore or library :)
Twilight is by far my favorite of the series, but I like them all together - it is nice to get some closure. I am sure I will read Twilight many more times (especially before the movie comes out in November) but I don't know if I will read the whole series again for a little while.
In other reading news. My goal was to get to 100 books this month. I don't know if I am going to make it because the month is more than half over and I only have one book lined up to read. I might have to make an emergency trip to the bookstore or library :)
Sunday, August 3, 2008
No. 94: Breaking Dawn
Oh Stephanie Meyer, I don't even know what to say. This book was CRAZY! I couldn't believe what was happening - stuff I never even contemplated. I don't even know if I can find words to express how I feel about it. It was insane.
I have read some reviews and it seems like lots of people really really hate the book. They think that the FMC is a bad example for teenage girls (I won't say why because I don't want to spoil it for anyone). Personally, I think a lot of those people are taking things to seriously. I mean, it is a book. About vampires. I hardly think the people who read it are taking it as an example of how to live their life. Anyway, I didn't think that anything she did was super unusual or bad. In fact, some of the things she did were a good example. I agree that there were some plot points that were pretty insane. But it is a fantasy book, things are allowed to be insane - that is the point! The author invented the "world" she can make anything happen that she wants. I think people need to relax.
There were some things I did not like about the book. I really didn't like that a third of the book was from Jacob's POV. I find him very irritating and his relationship with Bella irritating. I also thought Edward seemed different in this book in parts, and that there was not as much of a focus on him. Which is really too bad.
I liked a lot of the book though too. It has a lot of super funny lines. I can't tell you how many times I cracked up or blushed or talked out loud ( for example - "aaaaacccckkkkkkk") One line that particularly sticks out is from Emmett: "Do you know how many houses Rosie and I smashed" or something like that. Hysterical! I liked the final conflict, although it wasn't quite as dramatic as it could have been. I liked the way the love scenes were handled, I thought it was appropriate for a young adult novel. But, there was a much much bigger focus on sex, which is interesting. I think if my daughters ever wanted to read the series it would trigger some probably embarassing discussions, but luckily I don't have to worry about that for quite a few years :) But compared to some of the other books I read, it was very tame. I was glad that Bella seemed to come into her own more - she wasn't nearly as irritating!
I am going to have to re-read the book though. I don't know if I read a single page in the first 3/4 of the book without one or two girls crawling on me, or crying or wanting to eat or play or not take a nap when they should or walk around the living room for an hour bouncing up and down. So my concentration was not what it could be :) Although to be honest, once Aaron got home I read the last 100 pages or so ALONE in bed where it was QUIET. Which was great.
So, I guess I liked it. It was a very good read, I read it as fast as I could (with all the distractions) and even though there were parts I didn't particularly like or found irritating. I thought it was a good book and an interesting way to end the series.
I have read some reviews and it seems like lots of people really really hate the book. They think that the FMC is a bad example for teenage girls (I won't say why because I don't want to spoil it for anyone). Personally, I think a lot of those people are taking things to seriously. I mean, it is a book. About vampires. I hardly think the people who read it are taking it as an example of how to live their life. Anyway, I didn't think that anything she did was super unusual or bad. In fact, some of the things she did were a good example. I agree that there were some plot points that were pretty insane. But it is a fantasy book, things are allowed to be insane - that is the point! The author invented the "world" she can make anything happen that she wants. I think people need to relax.
There were some things I did not like about the book. I really didn't like that a third of the book was from Jacob's POV. I find him very irritating and his relationship with Bella irritating. I also thought Edward seemed different in this book in parts, and that there was not as much of a focus on him. Which is really too bad.
I liked a lot of the book though too. It has a lot of super funny lines. I can't tell you how many times I cracked up or blushed or talked out loud ( for example - "aaaaacccckkkkkkk") One line that particularly sticks out is from Emmett: "Do you know how many houses Rosie and I smashed" or something like that. Hysterical! I liked the final conflict, although it wasn't quite as dramatic as it could have been. I liked the way the love scenes were handled, I thought it was appropriate for a young adult novel. But, there was a much much bigger focus on sex, which is interesting. I think if my daughters ever wanted to read the series it would trigger some probably embarassing discussions, but luckily I don't have to worry about that for quite a few years :) But compared to some of the other books I read, it was very tame. I was glad that Bella seemed to come into her own more - she wasn't nearly as irritating!
I am going to have to re-read the book though. I don't know if I read a single page in the first 3/4 of the book without one or two girls crawling on me, or crying or wanting to eat or play or not take a nap when they should or walk around the living room for an hour bouncing up and down. So my concentration was not what it could be :) Although to be honest, once Aaron got home I read the last 100 pages or so ALONE in bed where it was QUIET. Which was great.
So, I guess I liked it. It was a very good read, I read it as fast as I could (with all the distractions) and even though there were parts I didn't particularly like or found irritating. I thought it was a good book and an interesting way to end the series.
Saturday, August 2, 2008
No. 93: Eclipse (2)
Eclipse by Stephanie Meyer
I had to read this a second time so I was ready for Breaking Dawn, which comes out TODAY!!! Yeah!!! I stupidly stayed up really late reading so now I am exhausted and I have a busy day planned. I am not even sure when I will be able to get to the bookstore to get the new book and read it.
After reading this a second time I decided that Eclipse is my least favorite of the three books in the series I have read. That doesn't mean I don't like it - in fact, some of my favorite scenes and lines are in this book. But, since I am frequently irritated by Bella and Jacob and this book has a lot of Bella and Jacob doing the things that irritate me, it is not the best. But, it has a lot of Edward doing the things that I love - so that is a nice balance.
I can't wait to read Breaking Down to see how it all ends!!!
I had to read this a second time so I was ready for Breaking Dawn, which comes out TODAY!!! Yeah!!! I stupidly stayed up really late reading so now I am exhausted and I have a busy day planned. I am not even sure when I will be able to get to the bookstore to get the new book and read it.
After reading this a second time I decided that Eclipse is my least favorite of the three books in the series I have read. That doesn't mean I don't like it - in fact, some of my favorite scenes and lines are in this book. But, since I am frequently irritated by Bella and Jacob and this book has a lot of Bella and Jacob doing the things that irritate me, it is not the best. But, it has a lot of Edward doing the things that I love - so that is a nice balance.
I can't wait to read Breaking Down to see how it all ends!!!
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