nursenblack
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Posts posted by nursenblack
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Happy Halloween, Everyone!
Horns by Joe Hill finally became available on e loan through the library, and I'll read some today. I'm pretty excited about it. Probably not as much reading as I'd like since we're going to a Halloween themed birthday party today. In my town we already had Trick-or-Treating on Thursday though.
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I've been reading all horror and spooky stuff for the month of October in honor of Halloween. So far, I've read NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (horror), In the Shadow of Blackbirds by Cat Winters (YA historical paranormal), and am currently reading The Last Werewolf by Glen Duncan.
I have Horns by Joe Hill on e-hold through my local library for my Kindle. I hope it becomes available in the next few days.
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Such fun!
1. CAKE: The cake has sunk in the middle. Pick a book that didn't rise to your expectations.
I've had several over the years, but one that is from this year is The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters. I had really high hopes for this novel because of all the good reviews, but I thought the plot has been done a million times and was very predictable.
2. BISCUITS: Once you've eaten one, you’re hungry for more and each time you eat another, they get more and more delicious. Pick a book series or trilogy that got progressively better.
The trilogy that has impressed me the most is The Hunger Games. I have enjoyed quite a few trilogies and series and usually there is one book that is a bit of a disappointment, but not this trilogy. I thought each book was wonderful.
3. BREAD: Kneading dough requires hard work and determination. Pick a book that you put off reading for ages and needed a lot of determination to pick up.There are two books that I had on my shelf for a while before I got the determination to read them, and they are Jane Austen's Persuasion and Mansfield Park. I have to include the two because they are pretty equal in my eyes. I dreaded starting them, but they ended up being very enjoyable. I actually prefer them over Pride & Prejudice.
4. DESSERTS: Foreign deserts such as crème brûlée and Spanische Windtorte are on the menu. Pick a book set in a foreign country.
The first sort of exotic book that comes to my mind is The Peacock Spring by Rumor Godden. I read this probably 18 years ago and have never forgotten it. Gees. Typing that sentence made me feel really old.
5. ALTERNATIVE INGREDIENTS: Not usually used, but surprisingly good. Pick a book from a genre you wouldn't normally read but ended up loving.
I rarely read the horror genre, so NOS4A2 by Joe Hill surprised me immensely. I absolutely couldn't put it down.
6. PASTRY: Shortcrust pastry can crumble easily. Pick a character who you initially liked, but as you read more and more, your relationship with them crumbled apart.
This one is a tricky. I guess it would have to be Anastasia Steele from Fifty Shades of Grey. Even though the books weren't great, I did read all three. I really just wanted to smack her midway through book 2.
7. VICTORIAN/OLD-FASHIONED BAKES: Recipes from the past that still taste delicious today. Pick your favourite classic novel.
My favorite classic is Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte. My love for it has stood the test of time.
8. PATISSERIE: You’re eating a chocolate éclair but there’s barely any filling inside. Pick a book that lacked substance and fell flat.
I felt like this when I read The Memermaid Chair by Sue Monk Kidd. It was so underwhelming and shallow. It wasn't bird cage liner status, but was very disappointing from such a great writer.
9. CHOCOLATE: Chocolate is a comfort food for many people. Pick a book you could read again and again and still find comforting.
It has to be Dandelion Wine by Ray Bradbury. For me it is the epitome of comfort and the warmth. Every time I think about this novel I can't think of plot, all I think of is the feeling it gives me.
10. THE GRAND FINAL: Everyone is out to impress with extravagant show-stoppers! Pick your favourite book of the year so far that really impressed you.
I have to pick NOS4A2 by Joe Hill for this question as well. My other favorite is Wreckage by Emily Bleeker. It really took me by surprise.
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10. THE GRAND FINAL: Everyone is out to impress with extravagant show-stoppers! Pick your favourite book of the year so far that really impressed you.
The Sleeper and the Spindle by Neil Gaiman (illustrated by Chris Riddell) - This graphic novel based on the Sleeping Beauty fairytale is visually stunning and has a few little twists that keep even those most familiar with the tale going to the very end.
I have this on my Kindle to read next. I didn't realize it was a graphic novel, but I knew it had illustrations. I wish I had it in real book form. That would be a great Christmas gift idea that I could whisper in the hubby's ear.
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I'm glad to see you enjoyed The Pillars of the Earth. I've been thinking about reading it, but have been a bit hesitate. From what I know about it people either really love it or really hate it. Maybe I will be brave this winter and give it a try.
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Finished Oct 9th
#35
NOS4A2 by Joe Hill (via Kindle per library loan)
Synopsis from amazon.com
Victoria McQueen has a secret gift for finding things: a misplaced bracelet, a missing photograph, answers to unanswerable questions. On her Raleigh Tuff Burner bike, she makes her way to a rickety covered bridge that, within moments, takes her wherever she needs to go, whether it’s across Massachusetts or across the country.
Charles Talent Manx has a way with children. He likes to take them for rides in his 1938 Rolls-Royce Wraith with the NOS4A2 vanity plate. With his old car, he can slip right out of the everyday world, and onto the hidden roads that transport them to an astonishing – and terrifying – playground of amusements he calls “Christmasland.”
Then, one day, Vic goes looking for trouble—and finds Manx. That was a lifetime ago. Now Vic, the only kid to ever escape Manx’s unmitigated evil, is all grown up and desperate to forget. But Charlie Manx never stopped thinking about Victoria McQueen. He’s on the road again and he’s picked up a new passenger: Vic’s own son.My review
I have to go ahead and reveal that I absolutely loved this horror novel. It is definitely my favorite read of the year so far, which really does surprise me because horror is not my usual type of book. However, it's time for Halloween and I was in search of something scary but well written. I found both of those attributes in NOS4A2. I had no idea what the novel was about or how long it was (a whopping 995 pages), but once I began I could hardly put it down. I thought it was very well paced and never ever dragged. The heroin, Vic McQueen saved room for me on her bike and shared with me her adventures and nightmares. This is an epic, must read for horror lovers or for those that want an exciting, scary read for Halloween. (5/5)
I would also like to mention that I think NOS4A2 is a bit of a wink from Joe Hill to dear old dad (Stephen King). There are a few subtle references to King's work, which I won't mention here. You'll have to read it to find them.
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I usually donate books that I know I'm never going to read to the public library. I do purchase books at charity stores as well.
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I'm behind again. And for some reason, my unintentional theme for September seemed to be underage girls consumed by sexual desire.
#30
The Yonahlosse Riding Camp by Anton Disclafani - I really enjoyed this coming of age novel about a teenage girl who is sent away to a riding camp after a secret family tragedy during The Great Depression. I loved the story, the tone, and the passion. Don't let "coming of age" fool you, this one is risque and very grown up. (5/5)
#31
How to Build a Girl by Caitlin Moran - I fell in love with this quirky tale and fourteen year old narrator, Johanna Morrigan, right away. She tries to save her family from financial ruin by becoming a writer and trying to reinvent her self. This novel is genuinely funny, and I found myself laughing out loud. Another fabulous book written about teens, but probably not written for teens. (4/5)
#32
Fortune's Rocks by Anita Shreve- I'm at a bit of a lose as how to describe this novel. I read the novel after hearing it was inspired by Wuthering Heights, but other than the use of setting and scenery, I didn't see much comparison. However, I did enjoy the book and felt that it's only flaw was the start of romance. The beginning of the relationship between Olympia and Haskell seemed too rushed and unlikely. The giant age gap didn't help matters. I think I could have liked it more if I didn't have preconceived notions. (3/5)
#33
Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin - This novel took an interesting view of Lewis Carroll and the Liddell Family, and expertly speculates on what actually caused the rift between them. I can't say I'm normally a huge historical fiction fan, but literary historical fiction is another story all together. I really liked how Benjamin weaved well facts with fiction. A must for Lewis Carroll fans. (4/5)
#34
Dark Witch by Nora Roberts - I thought the premise of this novel sounded like good a spooky read for October. I haven't read much by Roberts, but thought this would be a nice introduction to Halloween. I really enjoyed the first quarter of the novel, but the story pretty much dragged after that. The same drama and tension that grabbed me at the beginning didn't last. I really don't see myself picking up the rest of the series. (2/5)
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I like your diverse TBR pile. You have everything thing from Little Women to Fifty Shades. Plenty to pick from for every reading mood.
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I don't know if you would be interested in horror, but I highly recommend NOS4A2 by Joe Hill, which was my first scary book of the Halloween season. It may be a bit more intense than what your looking for though. It think it is perfect for fall/winter and does involve Christmas. Of course, the Christmas theme is the stuff of nightmares.
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I did a search and found a list of "feral children" in literature on Wikipedia. Here's what I found:
Another Butterfly's Tale: The Quest for the World Breaker- a 2013 novel by David Graham Edwards
Magic Hour by Kristin Hannah
Wild Angel by Pat Murphy
Through Wolf's Eyes by Jane Lindskold
This was all I could come up with that featured a female. I hope it helps.
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I would love to go to The Shop Around the Corner too! And technically I have been to Flourish & Blotts, well the outside of it anyways, at Universal Studios just this summer. I wish I had gotten a better picture.
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But oh my dear, I am tired of being Alice in Wonderland.
Alice I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin
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Did you enjoy the whole trilogy? I just finished Pandemonium. I don't know if I want to go through the 3rd.
To be honest, I didn't like Requiem nearly as much as I did the first two. I just wanted things to end differently. But I had a friend who thought it ended perfectly. I guess it's just a matter of taste and preference. Maybe you should read it though, so you will have closure with the characters. I'm curious to see what your take is on it.
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Glad you liked Delirium. I absolutely loved it and the second book in the trilogy.
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I'm glad you liked Station Eleven. I've had it on my wishlist since it came out but haven't gotten my hands on a copy yet. I'm really looking forward to it now.
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Hmmm, The Devils Back sounds like a book I would enjoy. I am putting it on my "soon" TBR list.
btw, how close do you live to Mammoth Cave? (For those that don't know, Mammoth Cave is the largest cave, by far, in the world. It consists of over 400 miles of caves).
Edit : I found on Amazon that a sample of the first 400 "kindle" pages of The Devil's Back can be downloaded free. I have done so and will start reading it soon.
It's about 4 to 4 1/2 hrs away from me. The hubby and I went there several years ago.
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I'm a bit behind again. These are what I've read since July:
#27
Harvesting the Heart by Jodi Picoult -The beginning was promising, but what began as whimsical and intriguing became whiny and pathetic. Definitely not what I had in mind for my first Jodi Picoult novel but I'm not dissuaded yet. (2/5)
#28
The Coal Tattoo by Silas House- The story of two sisters, different as daylight from dark, coming of age in rural Appalachian and starting their adult lives. A thoroughly enjoyable novel about the bond and struggle of sisters. (4/5)
#29
The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie (YA)- I thought this was a really interesting take on a haunted house story. The first quarter of this novel was surprisingly scary, especially for a YA. The rest was a paranormal mystery that kept me reading at a fast pace until the very last word. (4/5)
I started on Gray Mountain by John Grisham back in July, but could only make it half way before giving up.
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I've been trying to think of suggestions for you but honestly it has only served to illustrate how dark and depressing everything I read is!
I was thinking the same thing about myself or at least I'm thinking I don't read things that are particularly comforting.
I don't know if it's exactly what your asking for, but when I think of comforting novels I immediately think of the Anne of Green Gables series. Not sure if you've ever read it, but it is set in the country side of Prince Edward Island, written in 1880's, has wonderful characters, and touching and funny homemaking scenes.
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From what I understand, Go Set A Watchman was written first and set in a later period with flashbacks to Scout's childhood, and the editor at the time suggested that the flashbacks were so vivid that Lee should write a novel based on them instead.
Yes, and Harper Lee calls it the "parent novel" to To Kill a Mockingbird because it gave birth to the characters.
I think that is why I'm okay with the new novel being different and am not too worried about the "spoiler" I heard about on the news. I'm really not even worried about whether it's good or not because of the above reason. Personally, I think the hype is not about the quality, it's about the fact that an author who said she would never publish another book has published another book. Remember, Go Set a Watchman was never meant to be published after Mockingbird came out in the first place. It was found by accident and Lee, uncharacteristically, gave her consent to have it published.
To Kill a Mockingbird is one of my favorite novels, but I don't think my love could ever be diminished by a prequel that doesn't live up to expectations. Hopefully it will be enhanced. I didn't pre-order it, but I'll will definitely be getting a copy.
Also, this is a historical literary event, and readers will be part of the history by reading it. Maybe I'll tell my grandchildren about it one day. Well, that sounded super geeky, but you guys get it.
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#26
The Devil's Back by Marie Parsons
synopsis from amazon.com
Set in Eastern Kentucky a few years after the infamous Hatfield-McCoy feud, The Devil's Back appeals to a variety of readers. Romantics will find its May-December love story irresistible. Thrill-seekers will delight in its depiction of a daring steamboat race, a home invasion, and a hanging. And linguists will find its use of the Appalachian dialect authentic, charming, and rich in imaginative figures of speech like "cold as a cow's tit in an ice storm." This novel has a number of lovable characters, among them, the protagonists, Adam and Laurey, as well as characters the reader will love to hate, such as Josh Liggins and Claude Thurston. But there are no stereotypical characters in the cast - - all are very human, partaking of good and bad qualities to varying degrees. In the tradition of Lee Smith and Robert Morgan, Parsons has added another gem to Appalachian literature.
my review
I really enjoyed this Appalachian novel, set in the early 1900's in eastern Kentucky, about marriage and family relationships. Parsons truly captures the distinctive dialogue of the area, and I could hear each character as if they were in the same room with me. The story is told from four different characters perspectives and I really liked getting a look into their perspective and motives. Great debut! (5/5)
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I'm looking forward to The Last Star (3rd book in The 5th Wave series). It's not due out until May 2016
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I hope you like Heart of the Matter better than I did, Athena. It just wasn't my cup of tea. But Something Borrowed was really good.
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#25
Heart of the Matter by Emily Giffin
This novel was a far cry away from the impressiveness of Something Borrowed. I felt that the characters were not relatable and not likable. Even the cameos of some favorite character's from Something Borrowed couldn't save this one. (1/5)
Top 5 (or 10) Wednesday
in General Book Discussions
Posted
I had to do some thinking about this, but I'm always intrigued by a retelling and have read some good ones. Some are more of a new-telling than a retelling, but these are the ones I enjoyed the most. They all happen to be YA as well.
1. Splintered by A. G. Howard (a new twist on Alice's Adventures in Wonderland)
2. Jane by April Linder (the story of Jane Eyre set in modern times)
3. Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale (Brothers Grimm fairy tale)
4. Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay (a modern, paranormal Romeo & Juliet)
5. Cinder by Marissa Meyer (futuristic take on Cinderella)
I've also read Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George (based on Grimms' The Twelve Dancing Princesses), but I didn't enjoy it as much.