by Koushun Takami
translated by Yuji Oniki
This is probably the only novel I have ever read that was translated from Japanese. It was an interesting undertaking to say the least. This book has been compared to Hunger Games, and I must admit that in many ways it is very very similar. The government forces unwilling children to fight to the death, there is a relationship between two of the competitors that makes them unwilling to kill each other. But for me, that is where the similarities end. I don't know if it was the translation, or the author's style, but something left me a little cold. I didn't really care in about 85% of the deaths that the person died. Weird, because typically dead children seems like something I would care about.
But despite the length of the book (pretty long) I didn't really get any emotional attachment to the characters. And I didn't really get that the characters had any emotional attachment to each other. There was no Peta/Katniss action to be specific.
So, an interesting read, but I didn't really love it.
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Monday, September 17, 2012
No. 103: Explosive Eighteen
By Janet Evanovich
Since I just read number 17 and I am pretty sure I heard that number 19 is coming out this fall I didn't see what else I could do. Also I didn't really remember ANY of the plot. So it was almost like reading a new book! Unfortunately, it wasn't my favorite Stephanie Plum. Not quite as funny despite the live potions and rat rain. I don't think a single car exploded! Although to be fair, a building exploded and a bus burned up. So close but no cigar.
I will obviously keep reading the series until the end. Even a so so Stephanie Plum book is better than a lot of the other books I have read.
Since I just read number 17 and I am pretty sure I heard that number 19 is coming out this fall I didn't see what else I could do. Also I didn't really remember ANY of the plot. So it was almost like reading a new book! Unfortunately, it wasn't my favorite Stephanie Plum. Not quite as funny despite the live potions and rat rain. I don't think a single car exploded! Although to be fair, a building exploded and a bus burned up. So close but no cigar.
I will obviously keep reading the series until the end. Even a so so Stephanie Plum book is better than a lot of the other books I have read.
No. 102: Breaking Point
By Suzanne Brockmann
I had to keep going with the Suzanne Brockmann books. They are really too good. This is max and Gina and the reunion of Grady/Dave/Leslie and Molly which is one of my favorites.
Poor Jules though, he had a tough time of it. I may need to read his books now - like the one with Cosmo? And Miami? The serial killer one (the other serial killer one)? I can't remember but I am sure I have them all somewhere!
I had to keep going with the Suzanne Brockmann books. They are really too good. This is max and Gina and the reunion of Grady/Dave/Leslie and Molly which is one of my favorites.
Poor Jules though, he had a tough time of it. I may need to read his books now - like the one with Cosmo? And Miami? The serial killer one (the other serial killer one)? I can't remember but I am sure I have them all somewhere!
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
No. 101: Austenland
By Shannon Hale
I actually read this book several weeks ago but never posted it! Despite the fact that it has been sitting on my coffee table so I won't forget to lend it to my mother in law. See how good that works!
Anyway, I read the sequel to this, Midnight in Austenland first, and liked it better. The FMC was more likable and the dialogue was wittier and more Austenlike.
But this was good too! Such a good idea and room for any number of sequels! I hope there are more!
I actually read this book several weeks ago but never posted it! Despite the fact that it has been sitting on my coffee table so I won't forget to lend it to my mother in law. See how good that works!
Anyway, I read the sequel to this, Midnight in Austenland first, and liked it better. The FMC was more likable and the dialogue was wittier and more Austenlike.
But this was good too! Such a good idea and room for any number of sequels! I hope there are more!
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
No. 100: Gone Too Far
by Suzanne Brockmann
For my 100th book of the year I wanted to read something great, an old favorite if you will. So I searched my bookshelf for my all time favorite SEAL book, maybe my all time favorite book period - Out of Control. But it was not there!!! It was horrible. I may have cried. Or said a bad word. Also, it was late at night and I was desperate to read. So rather than acting rationally and looking somewhere else, or just ordering the book again on my kindle so I could carry it with me everywhere I go (which is a brilliant idea and something I will do immediately) I knocked my extensive collection of Suzanne Brockmann books on the floor in a fury of searching and in my despair settled on the book at the top of the pile.
Turns out, it was Gone Too Far featuring my SECOND favorite couple Sam and Alyssa!!! Not Alyssa so much I guess (she grows on a person but is kind of a B for a few books) but SAM! Oh how I love Sam. His swearing is so frequent and so awesome, his tough yet sensative yet jack ass-ey personality is so endearing/irritating. He is almost as good as Ken Karmody in Out of Control. Almost.
So even though it was not my intention to read this as book #100, it was a happy coincidence because it reminded me of how much I love Sam/Roger/Ringo. And that is a lot.
Now I am going to find Out of Control ASAP! Because I love Ken even more :)
For my 100th book of the year I wanted to read something great, an old favorite if you will. So I searched my bookshelf for my all time favorite SEAL book, maybe my all time favorite book period - Out of Control. But it was not there!!! It was horrible. I may have cried. Or said a bad word. Also, it was late at night and I was desperate to read. So rather than acting rationally and looking somewhere else, or just ordering the book again on my kindle so I could carry it with me everywhere I go (which is a brilliant idea and something I will do immediately) I knocked my extensive collection of Suzanne Brockmann books on the floor in a fury of searching and in my despair settled on the book at the top of the pile.
Turns out, it was Gone Too Far featuring my SECOND favorite couple Sam and Alyssa!!! Not Alyssa so much I guess (she grows on a person but is kind of a B for a few books) but SAM! Oh how I love Sam. His swearing is so frequent and so awesome, his tough yet sensative yet jack ass-ey personality is so endearing/irritating. He is almost as good as Ken Karmody in Out of Control. Almost.
So even though it was not my intention to read this as book #100, it was a happy coincidence because it reminded me of how much I love Sam/Roger/Ringo. And that is a lot.
Now I am going to find Out of Control ASAP! Because I love Ken even more :)
No. 99: Hot Pursuit
by Suzanne Brockmann
This is the start of Dan Gillman and Jenni LeMay's story. Even though Dan is a jerk in this book, I still kind of like him. Does that say something bad about me, I don't know. But he is an appealing manipulative jerk and he has a good line, so I will cut him some slack. This is also the story of Alyssa and The Dentist. Not the dentist, but The Dentist serial killer who pulls out his victims teeth and makes them into a necklace or keeps them in his pocket. Gross.
I have to say that I like the serial killer ones even though they creep the bejesus out of me and it is starting to strain the bounds of credulity that this discrete group of people has so many encounters with straight up psychopaths. But, in the end, who cares as long as it is entertaining! Certainly not me.
This is the start of Dan Gillman and Jenni LeMay's story. Even though Dan is a jerk in this book, I still kind of like him. Does that say something bad about me, I don't know. But he is an appealing manipulative jerk and he has a good line, so I will cut him some slack. This is also the story of Alyssa and The Dentist. Not the dentist, but The Dentist serial killer who pulls out his victims teeth and makes them into a necklace or keeps them in his pocket. Gross.
I have to say that I like the serial killer ones even though they creep the bejesus out of me and it is starting to strain the bounds of credulity that this discrete group of people has so many encounters with straight up psychopaths. But, in the end, who cares as long as it is entertaining! Certainly not me.
No. 98: Dark of Night
by Suzanne Brockmann
Why stop at one Navy SEAL book when I have SHELVES FULL of them! Prepare yourself for an onslaught of SEAL awesomeness, I know I am!
This story is Decker and Tracy - frankly, the first time I read it I was not that impressed. But I have to admit that it improves with time. And any weird sexual issues (percieved or actual) didn't really bother me. Maybe after so much "erotic fiction" and 50 Shades of Ewww I have a new tolerance for that sort of thing. I guess that is the silver lining that makes up for some of my blushing uncomfortable/grossed out reading of late.
Why stop at one Navy SEAL book when I have SHELVES FULL of them! Prepare yourself for an onslaught of SEAL awesomeness, I know I am!
This story is Decker and Tracy - frankly, the first time I read it I was not that impressed. But I have to admit that it improves with time. And any weird sexual issues (percieved or actual) didn't really bother me. Maybe after so much "erotic fiction" and 50 Shades of Ewww I have a new tolerance for that sort of thing. I guess that is the silver lining that makes up for some of my blushing uncomfortable/grossed out reading of late.
No. 97: Breaking the Rules
by Suzanne Brockmann
Okay, I have had enough vampires, were-animals and other paranormal nonsense! I needed something guaranteed awesome. So, of course, I had to go to Suzanne Brockmann and the SEALs. I mean, you cannot go wrong.
This is the end of Izza and Eden's story with a little Gillman and Jenni LeMay thrown in for good measure. And it was good despite the semi weird unfinished child sex slave bit and the complete lack of resolution re: gay kid at the camp. Did he get back to his boyfriend or not? I really do care!
Okay, I have had enough vampires, were-animals and other paranormal nonsense! I needed something guaranteed awesome. So, of course, I had to go to Suzanne Brockmann and the SEALs. I mean, you cannot go wrong.
This is the end of Izza and Eden's story with a little Gillman and Jenni LeMay thrown in for good measure. And it was good despite the semi weird unfinished child sex slave bit and the complete lack of resolution re: gay kid at the camp. Did he get back to his boyfriend or not? I really do care!
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