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Lucybird

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    Lucybird's Books 2013

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted · Edited by Lucybird

    This one I read last year but haven't put up on my blog until today because it's out later this month. It was a free advance copy from the publishers.

     

    Garden of Stones- Sophie Littleford

     

    Synopsis (from Amazon)

     

    In the dark days of war, a mother makes the ultimate sacrifice Lucy Takeda is just fourteen years old, living in Los Angeles, when the bombs rain down on Pearl Harbor. Within weeks, she and her mother, Miyako, are ripped from their home, rounded up—along with thousands of other innocent Japanese-Americans—and taken to the Manzanar prison camp. Buffeted by blistering heat and choking dust, Lucy and Miyako must endure the harsh living conditions of the camp. Corruption and abuse creep into every corner of Manzanar, eventually ensnaring beautiful, vulnerable Miyako. Ruined and unwilling to surrender her daughter to the same fate, Miyako soon breaks.
     
    Review.
     
    It's taken me quite a while to get around to reviewing this book.
     
    It's the first I've read about Japanese living in allied countries during World War Two, I read a lot of WW2 fiction but most of it is based in the UK or Germany. Part of what I liked about it was how it seemed to show that it wasn't just the Nazis who discriminated. Not that the prison camps were anything compared to German concentration camps, but that people were treated as enemies just because they were of Japanese heritage.
     
    Some of the story was interesting. The atmosphere of the camps was well written, and you could imagine what horrible places they were to live in. The actual events that happened in the camp seemed a bit much though. I am not debating whether or not those types of things may or may not have happened but it seems a lot for one person to be involved in. I almost got the sense that Littleford couldn't make enough of one story so decided to knit a few together.
     
    If that was indeed what she did the stories were linked fairly well, but made the 'secret' somewhat predictable. My only doubts when it came to what I thought the secret was came from having been told early on that something else was the answer to what had happened.
     
    At the time I rather enjoyed this book, but having waited to write my review, and starting Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet since have slowly worn down my opinion. I am glad I read it because I wouldn't have known to read Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet without it, and it opened my eyes to less told stories.
     
    However I didn't really get that strong a sense of how it felt to be Japanese at that time. This novel started off being historical, but became a mystery somewhere along the line and I would rather have just had a historical novel.
     
    Oh and the whole way through I did not like the cover, the girl on the front is just too young looking. It's not something that would have stopped me picking it up however.
     
    3.5/5

    Lucybird's Books 2013

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    I read this book back in January but seeing as I had tour obligations for my blog which meant I couldn't put up a review until today I've left posting the review until now.

     

    Against My Will- Benjamin Berkley

     

     

    Synopsis (from Amazon)

     

    Danielle Landau knows she should feel lucky, but she can't feel anything but dread. Not only did she pass the New York Bar, but she married the man her father says is just right for her and lives in a fashionable new loft in Queens. But the man who seems like the perfect catch is a perfect nightmare at home. Jacob tries to control her career, her daily routine, and even what she eats. He ignores her desires and belittles her every chance he gets. Soon, Danielle doesn't recognize her husband or herself, and she struggles to find a way out. As we follow Danielle on her journey of terror and recovery, we see her story intersect with the diary entries of a young girl from more than fifty years ago, and the full weight of the family's secrets becomes clear. This is a story of survival, self-discovery, justice, and ultimately about love.
     
    Review.
     
    I had bit of a funny relationship with this book. A lot happened, and I was interested in the things that were happening but everything seemed a bit brief. I think with all the topics there could have quite possibly have been three, or maybe even four different novels written, and I think that would have been better because it would have meant the stories would have to be told in more detail.
     
    I did feel that I got to know Danielle quite well, but it was more from knowing her that I could tell how she felt rather than how her actual feelings were described. It meant that early on I felt a bit detached from her, but towards the end I could look back and imagine her feelings a bit better. I can't quite decide if that's a good thing or not. It's a bit more like getting to know a friend than you would get from a deeper description, and in a way in the end that makes you care more. I wanted things to work out for Danielle buy the time I felt I knew her. On the other hand the most emotional areas were at the start of the book, and this is where I felt the most detached from her.
     
    The second story however I didn't really get. There was very little to really link the two stories, and the detail was far too sparse. It felt like Berkley added this bit to try and add something deep and meaningful into the story, but he would have been better off adding something more to Danielle's story. If he wanted to write a story of the concentration camps then I feel it should have been done as a separate story.
     
    3/5

    Your Book Activity ~ February 2013

    in General Book Discussions

    Posted

    What sort of Kindle did you get? :)

     

    Just a normal kindle, it's the one I wanted. My boyfriend got me a 3 year warrenty too after what happened with the last one!

     

    The book by Reginald Hill? Tell me what you think of it! :)

     

    Nope Kate Delaney. It'skind of about The Woodcutter from Little Red Riding Hood, but only in that she is in it too really. I bought it on amazon as part of my quest to look outside my comfort zone and it was listed as a graphic novel but there haven't been any pictures yet :/

    Your Book Activity ~ February 2013

    in General Book Discussions

    Posted

    Am still reading The Specimen and got a new kindle for my brthday so started The Woodcutter on that yesterday.

     

    It was my borthday on Saturday and both my sisters go me books. The Lifeboat and Hallucinations (which is a psychology book by Oliver Saks). I started Hallucinations in the bath at the hotel but I don't think I'll continue until I've finished The Specimen.

    What's up in February?

    in General Chat

    Posted

    Thanks for your good wishes everyone. My driving test got canceled because of the snow, they've given me a new date but with work I might not be able to do it.

     

    Spent the weekend in London for my sister's birthday. Felt like I spent most of the time travelling though because we drove up on Saturday and I came back on the train yesterday

    What's up in February?

    in General Chat

    Posted

    Good luck with the test Lucy.

     

    I am cream crackered after another five days at work. Coran and I are going out tomorrow for a pre Valentines meal, as I have to work next weekend, and to go shopping in Guildford. Other than, not much planned.

     

    Thanks :)

    What's up in February?

    in General Chat

    Posted

    Had my last driving lesson before my test day today, am starting to get nervous! Fair bit to keep me occupied over the weekend though. It's my sister's 30th today so we're going down to London on Saturday and I'm coming back Sunday. Tomorrow have got to sort out my bag, wrap presents, go to the post office and do some handwashing. Just wish I hadn't finished series 3 of The Gilmore Girls today, would be something else to distract myself.

     

    UCP Marjon is my firm choice with Plymouth Uni as my insurance.

     

    Good luck. I think I looked at Plymouth when I was thinking about uni. That was before I knew what subject I wanted to do though!

    Lucybird's Books 2013

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    The Woman Who Died A Lot- Jasper Fforde

     

    The Woman Who Died a Lot was read as part of the Wishlist Challenge.
    This is the seventh book in the Thursday Next series. You can read my reviews of the previous 5 Thursday Next books on my blog.
     
    Synopsis (from Amazon)
     

    The BookWorld's leading enforcement officer Thursday Next is four months into an enforced semi-retirement following an assassination attempt. She returns home to Swindon for what you'd expect to be a time of recuperation. If only life were that simple.
     
    Thursday is faced with an array of family problems - son Friday's lack of focus since his career in the Chronoguard was relegated to a might-have-been, daughter Tuesday's difficulty perfecting the Anti-Smote shield needed to thwart an angry Deity's promise to wipe Swindon off the face of the earth, and Jenny, who doesn't exist.

    And that's not all. With Goliath attempting to replace Thursday at every opportunity with synthetic Thursdays, the prediction that Friday's Destiny-Aware colleagues will die in mysterious circumstances, and a looming meteorite that could destroy all human life on earth, Thursday's retirement is going to be anything but easy.
     
    Review

     
    As with the previous book The Woman Who Died a Lot read much more like a series book than the previous books did. That is that it is harder to understand if you didn't read the previous books.
     
    I found that this book was a little more predictable than the others. I quite often guessed what was going to happen before it did, which hasn't generally been true of the Thursday Next books. However enough was confusing and there were enough twists that I didn't guess everything, so it was still exciting and intriguing enough for me to want to keep reading it.
     
    I did kind of miss the bookworld element which wasn't in this book, and the literary references were a bit less frequent.
     
    Eagerly awaiting the next one now.
     
    4/5

    What are you watching now? - 2013

    in Music / TV / Films

    Posted

    Crass, yes, but very good! Although I have started to get a little tired of it. Are you watching the first season?

     

     

     

    Which season are you watching? I recommend buying them all and having them all ready to go because it's very hard to stop at the end of each season! :)

     

    I'm watching a new show called The Mindy Project. Off to a good start.

     

    I was on 2, now I bought and am watching 3. They're on sale at HMV.

    Lucybird's Books 2013

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Lucy

    Was the one you disliked so much one of the Kindle Freebies ? I've run across some of them myself. For the most part,they are pretty good,but once in awhile you run across a really bad one. either the writing is lousy or they don't know how to spell,shich drives me bonkers .

    No suprisingly. I have come across some like that though. This one came from the library- I was trying to pick something I wouldn't usually read.

    The Hotel one sounds very good. I may have to give it a go sometime . I'm not much into romance,but it sounds as if it at least has a good story line to it ,not just the romance part . :)

    Great reviews ~

     

    It is. I think the historical aspect is enough to not be overwhelmed by the romance.

     

    We've already said our hellos on this forum again this year, but I just have to say hello again, and welcome back! You are one of the people I've missed the most, it's been odd not having your reading log about on here :) I don't know what's kept you away in the recent past, but I hope it's not to do with the forum and that you've come on here with vengeance :D

    Hi again. And thanks. Nothing really has kept me away, mainly just being busy with other things. I've missed it though.

    I remember you being one of the few (if the only!) on here who's read Andrey Kurkov! Is this a stand alone novel, or is it a new title in the penguin series? I bought Death and the Penguin for poppyshake as a Christmas present, and she liked it 4/5 worth :)

    It's a stand alone novel. Looking forward to that one.

    Lucybird's Books 2013

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted · Edited by Lucybird

    Diary of a Jetsetting Call Girl- Tracy Quan

     

    Synopsis (from amazon)

     

    Married call girl Nancy Chan has been asked to do something outrageous – even by her standards.

     

    Most favoured customer Milt has invited Nancy to his luxurious new villa in idyllic Provence. That's a lot of euros, but …

    Can a (married) Manhattan call girl really holiday with a client? Seeing him morning, noon and night, coming up with new entertainments, and maintaining both a light tan and a ‘professional' distance? Not to mention Milt's Viagra habit. In a difficult economic climate a girl can't always meet her quota, and Nancy's worried about losing her edge.

     

    Nancy jumps at the chance to have a break from Manhattan (and from husband Matt) for a few weeks. Desperate for an alibi, she invents a vacation with her mom in southern France. In reality, Nancy is hard at work with some new playmates – Tini (Malaysian, with something extra), Isabel (a St-Tropez madam), and Serge (Isabel's hunky chauffeur) – while Matt grows more inquisitive. As Nancy discovers, the French countryside is ‘ten times trickier than Manhattan’ and nothing in her temporary world is quite what it seems.

     

    When Milt's enigmatic cook Duncan turns up unexpectedly in Nancy's erotic fantasies, she begins questioning everything she knows. Can Nancy keep getting away with this?

     

    Review

     

    Having read the first Nancy Chan novel as a teenager, and the second in 2009 I've had Diary of a Jetsetting Call Girl on my wishlist for quite some time. When I saw it in The Works I considered the Wishlist Challenge and thought, why not?

    In comparison with the other Nancy Chan novels it was a bit racier than I had remembered. Obviously if it's a book about a Call Girl you expect at least some sex but I'm sure there was less in the other books.

     

    The plot was rather different from the other two as well. A bit less realistic, a few too many coincidences.

     

    I did rather enjoy it however. It was an easy read, and had a bit more kick than your standard chick-lit.

     

    3.5/5

    Lucybird's Books 2013

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Great review Lucy, I'll avoid that one then! Out if curiosity though, how much worse could a book be to warrant a 1/5 from you?! :D

     

    lol. Well at the end I sort of wanted to know what had happened, although when I found out the answer I didn't want to know anymore! I hate giving low scores!

    Lucybird's Books 2013

    in Past Book Logs

    Posted

    Deep Powder- Dirk Robertson

     

    Synopsis (from amazon)

     

    Black snowboarder Finlay turns amateur sleuth when his gardening expertise leads him to believe that the death of fellow snowboarder Animal, is no typical slope accident. Things heat up when he learns that the flashy new snowboard he promised to test is designed to not only cut through snow, but to transport another kind of powder. With a little help from his friends, Finlay gets closer to the truth, and as the tables begin to turn, the line between friend and foe begins to blur.

     

    Review.

     

    Oh my God this book was sooo bad, just simply terrible. Words cannot describe. I probably never would have even finished it is it wasn’t fr the fact that my kindle, and slightly because I didn’t want to give up on a book I was reading for my own challenge.

    First off there were just factual errors. Whoever heard of a high-pitched Birmingham accent for one thing? Then there were continuity errors. At one point someone watches someone else die after he has already made sure that he has expired!

    There seemed to be random events thrown in which had absolutely nothing to do with the rather absurd (and at times very predictable) plot. The worst being a very clinical, very pointless, very unlikely, and very badly written sex scene.

    It was just…urgh.

     

    2/5

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