Gyre's Reading Adventures 2009!

[Weave]

Hi Gyre!

 

I enjoy reading your book thread Did you end up finishing The Glass Bead Game by Hermann Hesse?

 

I got half way through Kylie and I enjoyed what I read but as it went on, I was concentrating on it less and less, so I am taking a wee break x

[Kylie]

Thanks Gyre

[Weave]

 

 

1. Eclipse (Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer ~ Started: 29.05.09 ~ Finished: 01.06.09

Edited June 3, 2009 by Weave

[Weave]

Eclipse (Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer ~ Started: 29.05.09 ~ Finished: 01.06.09

 

Synopsis ~

 

'Bella?' Edward's soft voice came from behind me. I turned to see him spring lightly up the porch steps, his hair windblown from running. He pulled me into his arms at once, and kissed me again. His kiss frightened me. There was too much tension, too strong an edge to the way his lips crushed mine - like he was afraid we had only so much time left to us. As Seattle is ravaged by a string of mysterious killings and a malicious vampire continues her quest for revenge, Bella once again finds herself surrounded by danger. In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between her love for Edward and her friendship with Jacob - knowing that her decision has the potential to ignite the ageless struggle between vampire and werewolf. With her graduation approaching, Bella has one more decision to make: life or death. But which is which? Following the international bestsellers Twilight and New Moon, Eclipse is the much-anticipated third book in Stephenie Meyer's captivating saga of vampire romance.

 

This is my second time reading ‘Eclipse’ and I like ‘New Moon’, I enjoyed it a lot more the second time around. Bella again was in the middle of a situation that she could not control but I felt that she took the higher ground and try to make things better all round.

 

A great read

 

Rating: 10/10

[Weave]

Breaking Dawn (Twilight Saga) by Stephenie Meyer ~ Started: 01.06.09 ~ Finished: 03.06.09

 

Synopsis ~

 

To be irrevocably in love with a vampire is both fantasy and nightmare woven into a dangerously heightened reality for Bella Swan. Pulled in one direction by her intense passion for Edward Cullen, and in another by her profound connection to werewolf Jacob Black, she has endured a tumultuous year of temptation, loss and strife to reach the ultimate turning point. Her imminent choice to either join the dark but seductive world of immortals or pursue a fully human life has become the thread from which the fate of two tribes hangs. Now that Bella has made her decision, a startling chain of unprecedented events is about to unfold with potentially devastating and unfathomable consequences. Just when the frayed strands of Bella's life - first discovered in TWILIGHT, then scattered and torn in NEW MOON and ECLIPSE - seem ready to heal and knit together, could they be destroyed...forever?

 

I was sorry to leave Bella and Edward again at the end of 'Breaking Dawn' but I am happy they got the ending they deserved.

 

It amazes me how much Bella changes in 'Breaking Dawn', its good to see and depsite those changes she is still in her own way the Bella we all know and love. Edward, again, proved how much he loved Bella and what he was willing to give up for Bella and others.

 

I know I will re~read the Twilight saga again and again.

 

Rating: 10/10

[Weave]

No Humans Involved by Kelley Armstrong ~ Started: 26.05.09 ~ Finished: 06.06.09

 

Synopsis ~

 

No Humans Involved stars necromancer Jaime Vegas. She's on a television shoot in Brentwood, Los Angeles when weird things start to happen. Invisible hands brush her arms, she sees movements out of the corner of her eye, unintelligible fragments of words are whispered in her ear. Jaime's used to seeing the dead and hearing them clearly. But now, for the first time in her life, she knows what humans mean when they say they're being haunted. Jaime is determined to get to the bottom of this, but she doesn't realize how low her investigation will take her, or what human-based horror she will uncover. As Jamie delves through the dark underside of Los Angeles she'll need as much Otherworld help as she can get to survive unscathed. But Jeremy, the alpha-werewolf is there by her side to offer his protection. And maybe more than that ...

 

‘No Humans Involved’ is the seventh book of ‘The Women of the Otherworld’ Series by Kelley Armstrong.

 

I am finding it more and more difficult to choose a favourite book of the series because they are all so good and also I am really indecisive.

 

I am happy to say that ‘No Humans Involved’ is one of my favourites, this time around the main character is Jaime Vegas, necromancer, a character who has appeared in the previous books and one of my favourite characters.

 

Jaime is extending her media attention by pursing the television route, it is make or break time for Jaime, whilst she is a true necromancer, she feels that she is not reaching her full potential doing live stage shows, etc, she wants something more and television is the way to go and she needs to prove to herself and others that she can do it.

 

Jaime finds help in the form of Jeremy Danvers, the alpha male of the wolf pack, Jaime and Jeremy share a lot of similarities which I found interesting to read, I learnt more about Jeremy that I had in the previous books where he had appeared, like Jaime, there is so much more to him.

 

Jaime develops well as a character as the story progresses, I felt that in a lot of respects she was finding her way in life, in how she used her power.

 

‘No Humans Involved’ was a interesting and exciting story, great characters as always, plus a introduction of a new character ~ Hope Adams, who is the main character in the next book of the series, ‘Personal Demon’, which I am looking forward to reading.

 

Highly recommended, a great series.

 

Rating: 10/10

 

Edited June 14, 2009 by Weave

[Charm]

I need to unsubscribe from this thread, it's costing me a clean fortune! I'll probably finish Stolen tonight and am really loving it, thank goodness I have Dime Store Magic to keep me going!

[Weave]

I need to unsubscribe from this thread, it's costing me a clean fortune! I'll probably finish Stolen tonight and am really loving it, thank goodness I have Dime Store Magic to keep me going!

 

Sorry hen x

[Charm]

Oh don't worry, I have a problem I know . Oh well .. I'll just have to add more to my wishlist ...

[Weave]

Oh don't worry, I have a problem I know . Oh well .. I'll just have to add more to my wishlist ...

 

[Weave]

Inkheart by Cornelia Funke ~ Started: 31.05.09 ~ Finished: 08.06.09

 

Synopsis ~

 

Meggie loves books. So does her father, Mo, a bookbinder, although he has never read aloud to her since her mother mysteriously disappeared. They live quietly until the night a stranger knocks at their door. He has come with a warning that forces Mo to reveal an extraordinary secret - a storytelling secret that will change their lives for ever.

 

What can I say about 'Inkheart'? I LOVED it, but before I continue you should also know that at first I hated it, I was on the verge of throwing out of the window, I loved the idea of it, the book truly is for book lovers everywhere but I could not concentrate on it, so I put it back on my shelf, deciding to keep it for another day, however, the next day I took the book down and started again, this time, I could not put it down.

 

‘Inkheart’ is amazing story of adventure, books, everything you are looking for, the characters were fantastic, just a fantastic read and I cannot wait to read ‘Inkspell’.

 

Highly recommended.

 

Rating: 10/10

 

[Stephanie2008]

That's on my list to gain in the future Looks really good and a 10/10 is a great review from you Has there just been a film released of that book or was that something else?

[Weave]

That's on my list to gain in the future Looks really good and a 10/10 is a great review from you Has there just been a film released of that book or was that something else?

 

Yes, you are correct Stephanie, its a movie

 

Click here

[Charm]

We watched the movie on Sunday, it was quite good!

[Stephanie2008]

I thought I heard about the movie a while back. I'm going to try and read the book first though.

[Weave]

I thought I heard about the movie a while back. I'm going to try and read the book first though.

 

I hope you enjoy it Stephanie

[Weave]

Tuesdays with Morrie: An Old Man, a Young Man and Life's Greatest Lesson by Mitch Albom ~ Started: 07.06.09 ~ Finished: 09.06.09

 

Synopsis ~

 

Maybe it was a grandparent, or a teacher or a colleague. Someone older, patient and wise, who understood you when you were young and searching, and gave you sound advice to help you make your way through it. For Mitch Albom, that person was Morrie Schwartz, his college professor from nearly 20 years ago. Maybe, like Mitch, you lost track of this mentor as you made your way, and the insights faded. Wouldn't you like to see that person again, ask the bigger questions that still haunt you? Mitch Albom had that second chance. He rediscovered Morrie in the last months of the older man's life. Knowing he was dying of ALS - or motor neurone disease - Morrie visited Mitch in his study every Tuesday, just as they used to back in college. Their rekindled relationship turned into one final "class": lessons in how to live. This is a chronicle of their time together, through which Mitch shares Morrie's lasting gift with the world.

 

I decided to read ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ by Mitch Albom, not only because I had read his other books and enjoyed them but because Diane (Inver) emailed me this passage from ‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ when my Ma passed away, I used it as many of you know in my Ma’s eulogy.

 

Here it is ~

 

'As long as we can love each other, and remember the feeling of love we had, we can die without ever really going away. All the love you created is still here. All the memories are still there. You live on – in the hearts of everyone you have touched and nurtured while you were here'

 

'Death ends a life, not a relationship'

 

'Love is how you stay alive, even after you are gone'

 

‘Tuesdays with Morrie’ is a book I feel will always stay with you, Morrie’s courage in the face of illness is remarkable, and he faces it as he faced his life, with courage.

 

I don’t imagine that Morris Schwartz was perfect, who is? But he is a symbol of all things that are good within human nature when faced with the unknown, you find strength deep enough and you face your final journey.

 

I cried for most of the book because parts were sad but at the same time it gave me some release as well, if that makes sense.

 

Highly recommend

 

Rating: 10/10

 

Edited June 14, 2009 by Weave

[lopeanha]

I liked Inkheart, the idea is great and everything! But the story should have stopped with the first book imo. The 2nd book got quite boring and the 3rd is really really boring. I couldn't finish it. And I always finish my books!

[Weave]

I finished 'Piercing' by Ryu Murakami, click Here

[Weave]

Personal Demon by Kelley Armstrong ~ Started: 14.06.09 ~ Finished: 18.06.09

 

Synopsis ~

 

Hope Adams, tabloid journalist and half-demon, inherited her Bollywood-princess looks from her mother. From her demon father, she inherited a hunger for chaos, and a talent for finding it. Like full demons, she gets an almost sexual rush from danger - in fact, she thrives on it. But she is determined to use her gifts for good. When the head of the powerful Cortez Cabal asks her to infiltrate a gang of bored, rich, troublemaking supernaturals in Miami, Hope can't resist the excitement. But trouble for Hope is intoxicating, and soon she's in way too deep. With a killer stalking the supernatural hot spots of Miami, Hope finds herself dangerously entangled, and has no choice but to turn to her crooked werewolf ex-boyfriend for help. What started as a simple investigation has spiralled into chaos. And Hope finds chaos irresistible ...

 

'Personal Demon' is the 8th book in 'The Women of the Otherworld' series.

 

‘Personal Demon’ is narrated by Hope Adams, a relatively new character who we first met in ‘No Humans Involved’. Hope is an Expiso half-demon, which means she thrives on chaos, it’s something she has not chosen and struggles with. The story is also narrated by Lucas Cortez, a sorcerer and an established character who has so far appeared in ‘Dime Store Magic’, ‘Industrial Magic’ and ‘Haunted’.

 

‘Personal Demon’ was slightly different to the previous books because it was narrated by two characters which made for interesting reading, I found out more about Lucas and his feelings regarding his father, Benicico Cortez, Sorcerer and CEO of Cortez cabal, Lucas has spent most of his life fighting against his father’s cabal, it was interesting to find out how Lucas felt as circumstances changed in ‘Personal Demon’.

 

Hope was an interesting character, you found out a lot about her past and what she had been through, which resulted in her being a stronger person but at the same time still trying to find out who she was, I found her likeable and realistic, and I also see Hope becoming more established within the series.

 

The story did not lose its edge or excitement despite the two character narrating.

 

What I like most about the series is how Kelley Armstrong writes her characters, they are all supernatural but still have human problems to deal with.

 

‘Personal Demon’ has a great story, an excellent twist and leaves you wanting more, so thankfully, I have the next book, ‘Living with the Dead’ (which I have started).

 

Rating: 10/10

 

[Charm]

Great review Gyre! Now I have yet another title to add to my wishlist!

[Weave]

Great review Gyre! Now I have yet another title to add to my wishlist!

 

Thanks

[Kimmy619]

I have just finished Industrial Magic and I am about to move on to Haunted. Which is your favourite book so far?

[Weave]

I have just finished Industrial Magic and I am about to move on to Haunted. Which is your favourite book so far?

 

I really enjoyed 'Broken' Kimmy, it was a really interesting story and after that 'No Humans Involved', I have liked them all but the two I mentioned are so far my favourites

[Kimmy619]

So far, Bitten and Stolen are my favourites (although I have only read 4). I liked Dime Store Magic and Industrial Magic, but I like Elena more as a lead character.