Anna Begins Posted January 14, 2015 Author Share Posted January 14, 2015 What!!!! Not rate your books, not even a good or bad. What will I do when I see a book that you have read? I'll shorten my reviews BTW- How far along/ are you liking TGWStKoS? (I can't bare to type out that title constantly. It was as bad as when I read A Thousand Splendid Suns. I hated having to spell out Splendid all the time lol) I don't think I could possibly not rate a book, I'm too opinionated. I knoe what Karsa means about feeling the need to revise some ratings...but still. I don't think I could stop! It's a lot easier than you think! I even had a few reviews I wrote last year that now that I look back... might have been a bit too harsh or the books have stayed with me while others that were regarded highly, haven't. I don't know, maybe I am weird lol I've found it quite easy to ditch the scores - it's been quite liberating so far So liberating! I don't feel the need to tie down the experience I have with a book to a simple number. I just find a rating doesn't capture what I really thought of the book... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted January 14, 2015 Share Posted January 14, 2015 I've found it quite easy to ditch the scores - it's been quite liberating so far anarchic... minimalistic.... and now liberated!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
~Andrea~ Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 I too stopped rating books a few years ago and it's very liberating. And often I don't even write a review Have a great reading year Anna. There's lots of books on your TBR that I don't know, but one I do is The Martian- Andy Weir. I listened to it last year and really enjoyed it. I think quite a few people here have read and liked it too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 There's lots of books on your TBR that I don't know, but one I do is The Martian- Andy Weir. I listened to it last year and really enjoyed it. I think quite a few people here have read and liked it too. I just finished that a couple of days ago - great book. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 I too stopped rating books a few years ago and it's very liberating. And often I don't even write a review *gasp* Not write a review! I just finished that a couple of days ago - great book. I can't wait to get to it! But my reading is so slow right now, motivation is low. So, in the meantime.... see below Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted February 2, 2015 Author Share Posted February 2, 2015 (edited) "One- off's" by Andy Weir: The Egg The Chef Access Annie’s Day The Real Deal Bored World The Midtown Butcher Antihypoxiant Meeting Sarah Link: http://www.galactanet.com/writing.html Length: Short, short From The Afterlife to mental illness to yes, even zombies, Andy Weir plays on the edge of edgy themes, bringing his short independent stories to an end with a crescendo. Each are highly memorable on their own, sometimes difficult to do when you have a collection of short stories from the same author. By the time the endings hit you, you get it and it’s an “oh yeaaaahhh” moment. Nice, nice, all around. I can’t wait for The Martian. Also on the coolness factor: The Egg, Weir’s first listed short story, is available in 32 different languages. There is also a “fanfic” for Ready Player One. Highly recommended Edited February 2, 2015 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 "One- off's" by Andy Weir: Highly recommended Good stuff there! I have The Martians in TBR, so that will be good too Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted February 2, 2015 Share Posted February 2, 2015 Awesome, I read The Egg alright and quite enjoyed it, I'll have to check out his other stuff. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 (edited) Short Stories, Hugh Howey (Free via http://www.hughhowey.com/books/ ) Mouth Breathers WHILE (u > i) i- -; The Automated Ones Nothing Goes to Waste Dragging Anchor- A True Story Length: Short, short The recent ah-ha moment of finding free short stories on an author’s websites had me instantly thinking of Hugh Howey, one of my favorite “new” authors, in my opinion, a master of the short story and a previous independently published author. Alas! I found 4 little Howey gems to take me away today on http://www.hughhowey.com/books/ Mouth Breathers is about a boy from Earth going to Middle School on Mars. I like how Howey often uses a “generic Mars" as a vehicle for an obscure or alternative world. I don’t mind gruesome descriptions, but I still had to grimace in the beginning of While You are greater than Myself, reduce Myself or WHILE (u > i) i- -; However, the story plays with your head so well, I can’t even spoil it with a synopsis. Brilliant and touching. An abnormal couple fight against society norms in The Automated Ones. Nothing Goes to Waste is the story of a Theryls racer. Not for the faint of heart, which is rare for Howey. Awww. That’s it? Dragging Anchor- A True Story I only add this one at the end, as it is included in the free section but is different of Howey’s work as it is nonfiction and about an event in his life, as the Captain of a yacht, during a storm. It moves quickly and has his voice, but was just a short story I was not in the mood for today. It wasn’t disappointing at all, it totally fits with his work and is just as good, it was just simply me, today. Edit: Molly Fyde stories listed on free page are part of a Howey series and are not stand alones. Edited February 6, 2015 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 Hey, some new Howey stuff! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted February 3, 2015 Share Posted February 3, 2015 You read a lot of short stories! I'm glad you enjoyed a lot of them . I'll definitely check out the Hugh Howey stories, too, as well as the Andy Weir ones. Great reviews . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted February 3, 2015 Author Share Posted February 3, 2015 Thanks! I hope you like them! Seems like I am reading a lot of different things this week! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted February 4, 2015 Share Posted February 4, 2015 Thanks! I'll let you know what I think once I've read them, I plan to do so soon . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted February 6, 2015 Author Share Posted February 6, 2015 Title: Yesterday’s Gone, Season One (Episodes 1-6) Author: Sean Platt and David Wright Pages: 503 Genre: post-apocalyptic, HORROR, Science Fiction Age: ADULT I wasn’t sure how I’d feel after beginning a book that had a warning attached to it and a book that was all mixed up in something called “serialized Fiction” (“get off my lawn” *crabby old man’s voice*) or if I even wanted to read a book that was inspired by shows such as Lost (I don’t watch much TV and I particularly didn’t watch Lost, I like my horror or spookiness or whatever, in my books, thanks). The only reason I got started on Yesterday’s Gone, is because it was on my long short list. No, a 500 page book is not a short read, but the 85-90 page “episodes” it was made up of qualified, so I thought I’d try out one of those. Season One, containing 6 episodes, was free. After 5 quick Chapters of Episode 1, I was into it. By the end of Episode 1, I was ready for Episode 2 and it sort of went all the way through 6. The “serial” is about 99% of the world disappearing on October 15th at 2:15 am. The whole first “Episode” comprises of where a number of people were at the time they awakened- the ones that survived- and how they are figuring out what is going on, where loved ones have gone, is there help, where is help, what to do. The more I dug into what exactly “serialized fiction” was, I saw that I had unknowingly been already reading it, via Hugh Howey’s work. The collection of writers (who are also big time readers) release their stories in installments and are usually independently published authors. Don’t worry, there isn’t any shoddy work going on with these guys, they are no Keith Luethke (don’t ask). There are 4 Seasons of Yesterday’s Gone, all 6 episodes long and they are all released. Authors Platt and Wright speak highly of their beloved format, history of reading and love of other authors. Platt cites Dexter, The Walking Dead and The Soprano’s as the seeds for Yesterday’s Gone. Both Platt and Wright are inspired by King, as well, and they have an interesting story about The Green Mile in the beginning. Oh- and I would be really be doing you a disservice if I didn’t mention this book TERRIFIEFD me. And I don’t think I’ve ever read a book to do that. From Amazon: On October 15 at 2:15 a.m. everyone on Earth vanished.Well, almost everyone.A scattered few woke alone in a world where there are no rules other than survival... at any cost.A journalist wanders the wretched reality of an empty New York, in search for his wife and son.A serial killer must hunt in a land where prey is now an endangered species.A mother shields her young daughter from danger, as every breath fills her with terror.A bullied teen is thrilled to find everyone gone. Until the knock on his door.A fugitive survives a fiery plane crash. Will he be redeemed, or return to what he’s best at: the kill?An eight year old boy sets out on a journey to find his missing family. What he finds will change him forever.And there’s a few people who aren’t surprised that this happened at all. In fact, they’ve been dreaming about this day for years.These survivors aren’t alone...Someone or something is watching them.And waiting...Will humanity survive what it never saw coming? The only certainty is that Yesterday’s Gone. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 I'm so glad you enjoyed this and that you've been enjoying your reading more ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted February 7, 2015 Share Posted February 7, 2015 (edited) Wow, that was a great review Anna! + + = very intrigued. I've never heard of Yesterday's Gone, but it sounds a terrifying dystopia. Watching The Road recently really freaked me out , but in a sort of good freaked out. P.S. I read the first episode, and what a ending!! Now I will have to get the remaining episodes of the first series soon. Edited February 8, 2015 by Marie H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Wow, that was a great review Anna! + + = very intrigued. I've never heard of Yesterday's Gone, but it sounds a terrifying dystopia. Watching The Road recently really freaked me out , but in a sort of good freaked out. P.S. I read the first episode, and what a ending!! Now I will have to get the remaining episodes of the first series soon. I just finished Season Two, and it was just as good as One... They fly by so fast! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted February 9, 2015 Author Share Posted February 9, 2015 Title: Yesterday’s Gone: Season Two (Episodes 7-12) Authors: Sean Platt and David Wright Pages: 523 Genre: Post- Apocalyptic, Horror, science fiction Season Two starts off with a brief who’s who, but it is NOT a stand- alone, do not read these out of order! The plot thickens- where are the people who “Vanished” on October 15th? It is now March. I wonder if Margaret Atwood is one of Platt and Wright’s admired authors, as certain parts seem to pay homage to The Year of the Flood’s The Gardner’s and a brief- near mention of life in A Handmaids Tale, just a glimmer of fan tribute. The downside to this series, is the amazing amount of characters, but that is also an upside, as Platt and Wright handle it so well. It is easy to lose track of who is who in the first beginning sentences of a chapter, but headings and locations, times, etc. help and you can figure it out quickly enough. It pays off, juggling so many characters can be rewarding to a reader (and, for a TV viewer). And it gets easier as you read along. Also a bonus- the backstory of a main character’s past includes owning a bookstore. In any case, I am completely caught up in this world and now crave reading these chapters when I am not. I binged these two "Seasons" all weekend and enjoyed them greatly. A Few bits about serialized fiction and what inspired Yesterday’s Gone: From Sean Platt and David Wright- “Serialized fiction isn’t really new, it’s actually a really old way of doing things. It’s how Dickens released the majority of his work.” “We LOVE the whole concept of ‘To be continued…’ Given that traditional publishers don’t even embrace that format with proven authors, there was no was in hell they’d touch a couple of unknown writers. But that’s the thing about this revolution, the power has shifted and now writers like us can write the things we want to write.” “I love TV. But the TV I think about when I’m not watching, are the shows that leave me asking questions and wanting answers.” From Amazon, Synopsis: SEASON TWO picks up where SEASON ONE left off.One man finds himself on a mysterious island that holds secrets, and perhaps even answers, to what happened on October 15.A group finds itself taking refuge at The Sanctuary, a religious compound with an enigmatic leader called The Prophet.A serial killer finds himself leading an unlikely group of survivors.A young man searches to prove himself to his group, and avoid being bullied ever again.A young child is called to perform another miracle at great personal cost. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
muggle not Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Hey Anna - take a break and read The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence. The book may not be for everyone but I am sure you will love it, as a matter of fact I would be surprised if you didn/t rate it 9/10. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I'm glad you enjoyed reading season two ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Karsa Orlong Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 Great reviews, Anna - Yesterday's Gone, and the whole idea of serialised fiction, sounds very intriguing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted February 9, 2015 Share Posted February 9, 2015 I just finished Season Two, and it was just as good as One... They fly by so fast! Well I will get the first free 6 episodes, and see if I can cope with the plots - ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 Hey Anna - take a break and read The Universe Versus Alex Woods by Gavin Extence. The book may not be for everyone but I am sure you will love it, as a matter of fact I would be surprised if you didn/t rate it 9/10. Thanks for the heads up- I will check it out Great reviews, Anna - Yesterday's Gone, and the whole idea of serialised fiction, sounds very intriguing Thanks- It really is a lot of fun! Well I will get the first free 6 episodes, and see if I can cope with the plots - ! Ya, I mean, it's free! And you just might get hooked Do you like horror? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marie H Posted February 11, 2015 Share Posted February 11, 2015 (edited) Ya, I mean, it's free! And you just might get hooked Do you like horror? I like my horror weak, in fact horror is far too scary for me, sometimes psychological thrillers can give me too much of the creeps. I'm a real scaredy cat. Edited February 11, 2015 by Marie H Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Anna Begins Posted February 11, 2015 Author Share Posted February 11, 2015 (edited) I like my horror weak, in fact horror is far too scary for me, sometimes psychological thrillers can give me too much of the creeps. I'm a real scaredy cat. You might not like Yesterday's Gone then I wouldn't call it a psychological thriller, but I'd classify it as violent and horror. Maybe gory might be a better description. I'm 40% through with Season Three, so review to follow soon. They go pretty fast! Edited February 11, 2015 by Anna Begins Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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