dtrpath27 Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 (edited) January 2015 Legendarium by Michael Bunker and Kevin G. Summers 147 Pages Genre: Fantasy/Satire??? In a world where there is a world for each book or story ever written, the Legendarium is the great library in the sky where all those worlds intersect. The Legendarium, however, is under attack, and with the destruction of each literary world comes an irreversible ripple of changes in the real world. In come published author Bombo Dawson and creative writing instructor Alistair Foley, recruited by Kurt Vonnegut and Leo Tolstoy, to save the world of literature from epic collapse. I'm quite torn on this one. I am generally a sucker for books about books, and the synopsis really appealed to me, however I couldn't have been more disappointed. I loved the concept, but I found it to be quite clumsy and poorly written. Furthermore, the constant references to Amazon, the Kindle store and self-publishing, although intended to be humorously ironic, were simply annoying and made me feel duped. There were many wonderful, five-star reviews of this novella, so perhaps there is something I'm missing. Personally, I would give it three stars: the average of five for concept and one for execution. I definitely didn't find it to be worth the money I paid would return it if I could. Edited January 18, 2015 by dtrpath27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 Legendarium by Michael Bunker and Kevin G. Summers I'm quite torn on this one. I am generally a sucker for books about books, and the synopsis really appealed to me, however I couldn't have been more disappointed. I loved the concept, but I found it to be quite clumsy and poorly written. Furthermore, the constant references to Amazon, the Kindle store and self-publishing, although intended to be humorously ironic, were simply annoying and made me feel duped. There were many wonderful, five-star reviews of this novella, so perhaps there is something I'm missing. Personally, I would give it three stars: the average of five for concept and one for execution. I definitely didn't find it to be worth the money I paid would return it if I could. Aww shucks, that's such a shame! Like you, I'm into books about books and I can imagine how excited you must've been to get into this and you must've had great expectations for it Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrpath27 Posted January 17, 2015 Author Share Posted January 17, 2015 I know! Part of my intense dislike might be that I'm reading another book about books, Shadow of the Wind, and the contrast between the two pieces is just so...well, glaring. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted January 17, 2015 Share Posted January 17, 2015 It's a shame you didn't enjoy this one . Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrpath27 Posted January 18, 2015 Author Share Posted January 18, 2015 January 2015 The Giver by Lois Lowry 179 pages Genre: Young Adult dystopian Jonas has lived his life in a carefully ordered utopian community where pain and suffering have been all but eradicated. With the onset his twelfth birthday, Jonas is assigned his vocation, a vocation unlike any other in the community. Now set upon a journey of discovery and truth, of secrets and lies, Jonas must face a reality far removed from the life he once knew. This book was not at all what I had expected. Truthfully, I didn't really even know what it was about until I downloaded it and started reading. I am so glad I did. It was poignant and thought-provoking, reaching far deeper than one would expect from a book that finds itself on many middle school required reading lists. The depth of the story is remarkable, and definitely deserves all the attention it has received. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 I'm so intrigued by the recent comments about The Giver. I must bump it up the TBR pile I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted January 18, 2015 Share Posted January 18, 2015 Sounds interesting. Will have to put it on the wishlist! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chaliepud Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 And I've added The Giver to my wish list, sounds fascinating and I'm rather partial to some decent dystopian fiction. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted January 19, 2015 Share Posted January 19, 2015 I have the book on my wishlist, I'm glad you enjoyed it ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrpath27 Posted January 19, 2015 Author Share Posted January 19, 2015 Thanks everyone! It was one of those rare instances where I went into it with zero expectations. A friend's daughter was reading it for seventh grade Reading class and needed help reviewing for the test. I was ashamed to admit that I had never read it before, so when I saw it for $1.99 on Kindle, I had to jump at it. I'm so glad I did! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nollaig Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 I kept meaning to put it on my wishlist and kept forgetting - well it's on there now! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted January 20, 2015 Share Posted January 20, 2015 I know! Part of my intense dislike might be that I'm reading another book about books, Shadow of the Wind, and the contrast between the two pieces is just so...well, glaring. Ah yes, it was bound to seem all the more poorer because TSotW is so fantastic I'm not happy you didn't enjoy the novel, but I'm happy that it makes TSotW seem even better January 2015 The Giver by Lois Lowry 179 pages Genre: Young Adult dystopian Jonas has lived his life in a carefully ordered utopian community where pain and suffering have been all but eradicated. With the onset his twelfth birthday, Jonas is assigned his vocation, a vocation unlike any other in the community. Now set upon a journey of discovery and truth, of secrets and lies, Jonas must face a reality far removed from the life he once knew. This book was not at all what I had expected. Truthfully, I didn't really even know what it was about until I downloaded it and started reading. I am so glad I did. It was poignant and thought-provoking, reaching far deeper than one would expect from a book that finds itself on many middle school required reading lists. The depth of the story is remarkable, and definitely deserves all the attention it has received. I agree, it goes so much deeper than one would expect! But it's not preachy or anything. It seems like an effortless novel, and yet it manages to go so deep! I'm happy your review has made some members on here add the book to their wishlist and bump it up on their TBR pile Job well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pontalba Posted January 22, 2015 Share Posted January 22, 2015 Dropped you a p.m. re book sales. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrpath27 Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 Thanks so much!!! I'm definitely checking out the one. There are a few books I'm on the hunt for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrpath27 Posted January 23, 2015 Author Share Posted January 23, 2015 Ah yes, it was bound to seem all the more poorer because TSotW is so fantastic I'm not happy you didn't enjoy the novel, but I'm happy that it makes TSotW seem even better See, you so understand! I'm getting deeper and deeper into TSofTW and am loving it more with every page. There's no way the other could even come close. I agree, it goes so much deeper than one would expect! But it's not preachy or anything. It seems like an effortless novel, and yet it manages to go so deep! I'm happy your review has made some members on here add the book to their wishlist and bump it up on their TBR pile Job well done! Thanks! I hope everyone who reads it enjoys it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrpath27 Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) January 2015 The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce Fiction 319 pages Retiree Harold Fry lives an ordinary life in an ordinary house with his wife Maureen. One day, a letter arrives from a person in Harold's past, setting him upon a journey that is anything but ordinary. Well, hmm...this was a mixed bag for me. I really enjoyed reading this book, but then I didn't. It was well-written with interesting, relatable characters. Very human. However, chunks of the plot seemed to be snagged from various movies; this thought stayed with me throughout. It was very bittersweet, as well, so much so that it bordered on depressing for me. I don't think I would re-read it, but it was enjoyable enough for $1.99. I would recommend getting it from the library, but not buying a hardback. Others might feel differently, but I just don't like the feeling I was left with. Unsettled, but not in a good way. Perhaps morose is the word I'm looking for? Edited January 26, 2015 by dtrpath27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athena Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I'm not sure what 'morose' means but it's a shame it wasn't brilliant for you. I'm glad you liked it somewhat though. I liked the story but didn't love it. There were certain faults with it and I didn't like a few of the plot twists. I did enjoy though the description of the English countryside and some of the characters among other things. I hope your next read will be more enjoyable for you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrpath27 Posted January 26, 2015 Author Share Posted January 26, 2015 Those are the same things I enjoyed about it. The descriptions of the countryside were quite interesting. I wouldn't say that I didn't enjoy the book, but like not love is very true for me as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bobblybear Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 I know what you mean, I had the same very mixed feelings about it. It seemed to have all the ingredients for a great book, but I felt it was very flat in places. I wanted to like it a lot more as I was reading it, but ultimately I was left disappointed (and unsure why). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janet Posted January 26, 2015 Share Posted January 26, 2015 (edited) I loved it, but I think it helped that I listened to it whilst walking - so I felt almost a part of Harold's pilgrimage. Edit: I totally understand what you mean about it feeling morose though. Edited January 26, 2015 by Janet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrpath27 Posted January 27, 2015 Author Share Posted January 27, 2015 (edited) I know what you mean, I had the same very mixed feelings about it. It seemed to have all the ingredients for a great book, but I felt it was very flat in places. I wanted to like it a lot more as I was reading it, but ultimately I was left disappointed (and unsure why).Very well said. I loved it, but I think it helped that I listened to it whilst walking - so I felt almost a part of Harold's pilgrimage. Edit: I totally understand what you mean about it feeling morose though. It would be perfect for walking, wouldn't it? Edited January 27, 2015 by dtrpath27 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted January 28, 2015 Share Posted January 28, 2015 (edited) See, you so understand! I'm getting deeper and deeper into TSofTW and am loving it more with every page. There's no way the other could even come close. I understand every gushing thing re: TSotW I should really re-read it!! Thanks! I hope everyone who reads it enjoys it. I've seen the thread you've set up for the quartet (and I used to think it was a trilogy! ) and I'm interested but I don't have copies of the two other books, unfortunately. Okay I've just checked the library and they have copies of all the books! Oh dear.. Okay, I'm up for it! I'll post in the thread to bump it up ... Edit: and see, I wrote I don't have copies of the two other books That old school frankie!! I now know, thanks to you, that there are three more books to the series... Edited January 28, 2015 by frankie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dtrpath27 Posted January 29, 2015 Author Share Posted January 29, 2015 It really seems as though it should be a trilogy, doesn't it? Although I must say that the fact that it's a quartet makes it a bit more appealing to me. I'm glad you're interested. See you in the other thread! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
frankie Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 I have no idea why I thought it was a trilogy But if the other books are as good as the first one, I'm only glad there are more of the books than I thought I'm still in the middle of the Malory Towers read-a-long so I wouldn't be ready for this one yet. We can discuss when to start the books in the other thread, and hope that more people will get curious about the books Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
poppyshake Posted January 29, 2015 Share Posted January 29, 2015 Great review For the most part I loved TUPOHarold Fry but then it did depress me and there were bits of it towards the end that I could hardly read/listen to as they made me too upset .. I could never read the sequel written from Queenie's perspective. I liked the way it started though very much. I listened to it too and Jim Broadbent read it ... he made a perfect Harold. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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