What Was I Reading?

Yowza, Crazy European Chick

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Fri, 13 Jan 2012 02:19:00 +0000

I've been reading lots of books lately. Good books, some are even really good books, but nothing that I'd throw into the "Great" category. Until today.

Au Revoir, Crazy European Chick by Joe Schrieber is everything you're looking for in a book. Humor... hijinks... hopeless romanticism? (Yeah, the third seems out of place in that alliterated list, but it fits in the book.)

Joe Schreiber, who's past is mostly genre writing, has stretched himself into the thriller (YA) category and come up with a story that's entirely implausible and non-stop fun. He's developed characters that are totally believable and represent the kind of people that you would want to be best friends with. (As an aside, I didn't know there were so many ways to describe minuscule shifts in the gastrointestinal tract that illustrated nervousness until having read this book.)

I'd recommend this book for fans of slick spy movies that involve lots of hand-to-hand combat (think Mr. & Mrs. Smith) because his writing is so well told that it reads like watching a movie.

I'd also recommend that everyone read this book and then expectantly wait for next fall when the sequel comes out.

Happy reading!

BBAW 2011: Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Tue, 13 Sep 2011 01:23:00 +0000

Welcome to the start of something wonderful: Book Blogger Appreciation Week 2011. I do very much appreciate all of those in the book blogging community who have helped me to get wider exposure to the beautiful body of literature.

Today's meme theme is, "Highlight a couple of bloggers that have made book blogging a unique experience for you..." I'm going to grab a couple of the sample prompts that the BBAW group provided and feature three bloggers who have helped me in one way or another.

1. First Comment

I am ashamed to say that the first book that I reviewed, nay fawned over, was Twilight in 2008. What can I say? At the time, I was smitten with a summer crush who later left me quite unsatisfied. But, that doesn't deny the fact that Liam (of Liam's Alternate Reality) was the first person to comment on a post. He proved the fact that someone was reading the drivel that I was putting out into the 'sphere. Liam doesn't appear to be blogging now (no post since 2009), but he still claims a little piece of my history. Even if he is now history.

2. Most Recommendations

In doing a quick scan of the books that I've read and reviewed (157+), the blogger(s) who recommended the most were the fellas over at The Enthusiasticast... [which is really a podcast] with 5: The Financial Lives of the Poets, The City & The City, Daemon (with Freedom), and His Majesty's Dragon. I also read and loved (but was too lazy to review Masked, which I really should review because it's A-W-E-S-O-M-E). This is in addition to the other books I have bought, but not yet read, because of their recommendations (Matterhorn, The Brief Wondrous Live of Oscar Wao, All-Star Superman v.1, Machine of Death, and The Stars My Destination). I also bought Shop Class as Soul Craft as a gift, based on their recommendation. Those guys are money in the bank.

3. First "Freebie"

I've received a few freebies, although not many, which makes them all the more memorable. Thanks to J. Kaye Oldner for the book Chasing Windmills. You were my first.

Thank you so much to the bloggers, podcasters, readers, writers, editors, agents, publishing house staff, book store sales people, librarians and library staff, and pick-packers ('cause we buy 'em from the 'net now too) for all you do to help make reading so awesome.

Vibing on This Book

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Sun, 11 Sep 2011 04:26:00 +0000

Yikes-o-rama, have I just finished reading the best book ever, or what? Literally. Just finished reading a true gem of YA genius and (I remind you, this is literal) jumped up off my bed to post this blog because the book is so stinking awesome. The book? Audrey, Wait! by Robin Benway.

Trust me, I realize that I'm so painfully behind the times that this book is out in paperback and Benway has another book out that I haven't read yet, and everyone else in the entire world has already blogged on this book, but I still have to. Have to.

Because it's that good.

Think: (King Dork + Vinyl Princess) * 9,000,000 pounds of awesomeness. That is roughly the equivalent of Audrey, Wait! Trust me, you need to read this book. Now.

I've read two other YA books since my last blog post, but I'll refrain from mentioning them because, even though they were "cute", they didn't touch Notes From the Blender and they don't touch Audrey, Wait! Seriously.

By the way, and as a bit of an homage to the book, I feel compelled to tell you that, as I'm typing this up in a flurry of this-book-is-so-good-that-I-must-blog-before-I-lose-any-glimmer-of-the-joy-that-is-bursting-from-my-heart blogging, I'm listening to Weights & Measures by Hyland. Goodness all around on the album, especially records 4 and 5.

Enjoy the book(s) and music, fat cats.

(P.S. Did you notice that I didn't really tell you what the book was about? At all? Yeah, just trust me: you need to read it.)

Bad, Bad Person

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 01 Sep 2011 02:38:00 +0000

Yep, I'm lazy. I have been reading, but I've been lazy about it. Or, more accurately, I've been lazy about updating this blog (i.e., nearly six months with nothing to show for it). In that time I have read quite a bit; some good, some bad, some right smack dab in the middle between good and bad.

I don't have time to detail all of what was good and bad, but here is one that I will take the time to extol: Notes From the Blender by Trish Cook and Brendan Halpin.

The tagline: "She's hot. He's not. Now they're family."

My take: This book is told in alternating POV between the hot (Neilly) and not (Declan). I don't know which author wrote which POV (or if it wasn't even that cut-and-dry of a collaboration), but I went crazy for Declan. Like, super crazy.
Actually, so crazy that I should have written that as "supa crazy."

I loved that Declan was into such dark stuff and not, in all honesty, the least bit dark. Maybe it's because I've had a mom who died and watched my dad get remarried (although I was older than Declan by a half-score of years) and know that the feelings that you'll forget that person, that it's a form of betrayal, etc., were spot-on. I actually posted a Facebook update in response to this book (which I consumed in a single evening because I couldn't bear to stop reading): "So many tears. Some call it catharsis. I call it literature."

Not many books warrant a FB update. Well played, Cook/Halpin.

Book Review: Capt. Hook

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 23:41:00 +0000

Title: Capt. Hook: The Adventures of a Notorious Youth
Author: J.V. Hart (with Brett Helquist, Illustrator)
Genre: Action/Adventure (Middle Grade)
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: The fresh story of how the well-known Captain Hook came to acquire his notoriety during his days at Eton.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "It was his eyes. The color of blue forget-me-nots, piercing, like two novas in a sky of dying stars. Profoundly melancholy, yes. Except when..." (p. 1).

140-Character Review: A great story of how a wonderful villain become villainous. Hook's oppressors were sufficiently evil and he, sufficiently good. (Surprised?)

Book Review: The Red Pyramid

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:36:00 +0000

Title: The Red Pyramid (The Kane Chronicles, Book One)
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: MG Commercial Fiction (Action/Adventure, Fantasy)
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: The Kane kids go on a wild ride through Egyptian mythology to save their dad from a god of chaos and uncover the truth of their mom's death.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "We only have a few hours, so listen carefully. If you're hearing this story, you're already in danger. Sadie and I might be your only chance..." (p. 1).

140-Character Review: Told in Riordan's formulaic manner (children of gods, unknown/untapped powers, cryptic adults), readers learn about a new world of mythology.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: As with all Riordan series, you know what you're getting: an expanded knowledge of mythology told in an action-packed style for MG readers.

Book Review: Lucia, Lucia

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:25:00 +0000

Title: Lucia, Lucia
Author: Adriana Trigiani
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: In 1950's NYC a large Italian-American family grapples with what it means to support each other through all of life's ups and downs.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "From her window Kit Zanetti can see absolutely everything that happens on Commerce Street. The name doesn't really suit the street; it should..." (p. 3).

140-Character Review: Told in flashback, this tale of family and friendship rings with an authenticity and pain that will make you cry. And yearn for the 1950's.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: Fans of "Women's Fiction," like Belong to Me and Digging to America will enjoy this (not-always-happy) tale of strong bonds.

Book Review: Freedom

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 21:14:00 +0000

Title: Freedom (Daemon #2)
Author: Daniel Suarez
Genre: Commercial Fiction (Urban Science Fiction/Technological Thriller)
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: The Daemon is a more powerful force than ever but the battle of good versus evil is happening both inside and outside of the darknet.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "An elderly man emerged from the crowd and aimed a revolver straight at Anthony Hollis's face. As the old worker's thick index finger squeezed..." (p. 3).

140-Character Review: It was Daemon on speed. Same great characters from Daemon (but worse or better than before) and some new characters. Over the top climax.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: If you liked the first book in the series (and how could you not?) you owe it to yourself to read this.

Book Review: The Lost Hero

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:57:00 +0000

Title: The Lost Hero (The Heroes of Olympus Series, Book One)
Author: Rick Riordan
Genre: MG Commercial Fiction (Action, Fantasy)
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: A whole new class of demigods is on the scene to finish what Percy and friends started. And they're more messed-up than the last lot.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "Even before he got electrocuted, Jason was having a rotten day. He woke in the backseat of a school bus, not sure where he was, holding..." (p.7/392, NOOK).

140-Character Review: I think Jason and his pals have better powers than the original series' heroes, and the Roman demigod angle freshens up and expands the story.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: Fans of Rick Riordan, hop on board for another great series.

Book Review: Five Flavors of Dumb

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:37:00 +0000

Title: Five Flavors of Dumb
Author: Antony John
Genre: YA Literary Fiction
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: Piper Vaughn is the least likely person to manage DUMB, an up-and-coming rock back from her high school because she's deaf. But she is.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "For the record, I wasn't around the day they decided to become Dumb. If I'd been their manager back then I'd have pointed out that the name..." (p.8/255, NOOK).

140-Character Review: Piper's deafness is a backdrop to all of the bigger issues in this book--that are bigger issues in all coming of age--and it made me cry.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: If you enjoy books with musical misfits as a theme or deaf characters in lead, then read this. (But it was better than Read My Lips).

Book Review: Mostly Good Girls

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 20:22:00 +0000

Title: Mostly Good Girls
Author: Leila Sales
Genre: YA Literary/Commercial Fiction
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: Straight-laced Violet is growing apart from her straight-laced friend, Katie, as they embark on a hilarious year of hits and misses.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "Poor Mr. Thompson. Mr. Thompson is my precalc teacher, and he is also the only male at the Westfield School. Unless you count Mr. Roebeck..." (p.3).

140-Character Review: Did I mention hilarious? A tale of navigating an elite high school without any elite tendencies and a lot of self doubt. And misconceptions.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: People who enjoy other laugh-worthy books like Lost It and Carter Finally Gets It will enjoy Violet's tale. If you don't laugh, you're dead.

Book Review: The DUFF

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 03 Feb 2011 19:59:00 +0000

Title: The DUFF
Author: Kody Keplinger
Genre: YA Literary/Commercial Fiction
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: A messed-up high school girl meets an equally-messed-up guy who tells her she's the DUFF, which she sort of accepts. And sort of changes.

First 140 Characters of the Book: "This was getting old. Once again, Casey and Jessica were making complete fools of themselves, shaking their a**es like dancers in a rap..." (p.1, edited).

140-Character Review: Great book where all of the characters had a deeper motivation that was worth uncovering. I expect good things from youngster Keplinger.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: Fans of realistic YA fiction with no "physical" punches pulled. A sexed-up version of Lauren Myracle's or Susane Colasanti's relationships.

Sit Tight, Little Chickies

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 05:12:00 +0000

I haven't forgotten about y'all. Here are the books that I've read (and loved) and will be reviewing in the near future:

His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik; Genre Fiction, Fantasy; Tear-inducing and novel
The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger; YA Fiction; Tear-inducing and captivating characters
Mostly Good Girls by Leila Sales; YA Fiction; HILARIOUS
Five Flavors of Dumb by Antony John; YA Fiction; Tear-inducing and captivating characters
The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan; YA Genre Fiction, Fantasy; Action-packed continuation of the Percy Jackson series with some great new characters
Freedom by Daniel Suarez; Genre Fiction, Thriller; Action-packed continuation of Daemon with a return to (and amping up of) the characters we loved

Does anyone notice any themes on why I'm loving these books? (Yeah, I was on a bit of a crying jag, so I had to mix it up with familiar favorites that were super-well-paced thrillers with good characters and interesting themes.)

Book Review: Daemon

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 02:47:00 +0000

Title: Daemon
Author: Daniel Suarez
Genre: Urban Science Fiction/Technological Thriller
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: A technological genius dies and begins murdering and controlling the world from the grave (via the internet). And he uses wicked cars to kill.

First 140-Characters of the Book: "What the hell just happened? That was all Joseph Pavlos kept thinking as he clenched a gloved hand against his throat. It didn't stop..."

140(ish)-Character Review: An amazing techno thriller that may make you wary of defense contractors and sprinkler systems. Some pacing problems because I didn't want the book to slow down. EVER.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: Tech geeks, conspiracy theorists, online gamers, and fans of all-around amazing thrillers will love this book.

Book Review: The City & The City

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 02:34:00 +0000

Title: The City & The City
Author: China Mieville
Genre: Mystery/Urban Science Fiction
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: A murder occurs in one city-state and the body is disposed of in another. The twist? The two city-states inhabit the same geographical space.

First 140-Characters of the Book: "I could not see the street or much of the estate. We were enclosed by dirt-coloured blocks, from windows out of which leaned vested men and..."

140-Character Review: An innovative twist on murder mystery/police procedural. Interesting "question" in the book: who lives in our city that we choose to not "see"?

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: Fans of out-of-the-box mysteries. Also, fans of conspiracy theories and illuminati-infused mysteries.

Book Review: The Financial Lives of the Poets

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Thu, 23 Dec 2010 02:12:00 +0000

Title: The Financial Lives of the Poets
Author: Jess Walter
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: Middle-aged man loses his job as a journalist after an ill-fated turn as a financial advisor/poet. Tries to provide for his family with pot.

First 140-Characters of the Book: "Here they are again-the bent boys, baked / and buzzed boys, wasted, red-eyed, dry-mouth / high boys, coursing narrow bright aisles / hunting..."

140-Character Review: Humorous tale of middle-aged male ennui. Redeeming narrator caught in a tough spot with a conscience. Don't be worried, it's not all poetry.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: Fans of Nick Hornby who have grown up and want their characters to have grown up too. Fans of Tropper who want their books sans R-rating.

Book Review: The Vinyl Princess

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Mon, 18 Oct 2010 00:32:00 +0000

Title: The Vinyl Princess
Author: Yvonne Prinz
Genre: YA Literary Fiction
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: Girl has a job at a music store. Her opinions of her mom, her friends, guys, and the world all evolve in time with the literary soundtrack.

First 140 Characters: "I sense him in my midst. The air seems to thin when he's near me. I get light-headed. I don't even have to look up but I can't help myself."

140-Character Review: Prinz's passion for music was clear and, although that's not my passion, it stirred my own passions. Good characters, dialogue and conflict.

140-Character Recommendation/Market Placement/Entry Point: Fans of YA books that 1) Use music as a motif to tell a story (King Dork) and/or 2) Expose you to a new passion (In the Break).

Read the write-up that inspired me to read this book.

Paradigm Shift

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Sun, 17 Oct 2010 23:57:00 +0000

Although I have been absent from the blog for a long time, I am not dead. I have just been busy secondary to my own personal choices. But I've still been feeling guilty for ignoring you all and not posting reviews for a while. (Because I have been reading.)

And then tonight, while walking my dog, I was struck by a bolt of mental lightning, thanks to my obsession with listening to The Enthusiasticast podcast. Listen to the first 15:00 of this podcast (you can listen to the whole thing, but promise me you'll come back).

During the discussion on that podcast, although I don't think this was their intention, they talk about the fact that it's impossible for them to give a bad "review"/talk-up of a book on The Enthusiasticast because they only recommend books that blow their doors off. And that's when I decided that I was going to perform a paradigm shift on this blog.

I'm going to keep reading whatever I want (because that's my [and Bobby Brown's] perogative). And, as much as some people will tell you to stop reading a book if you don't love it, I still won't (most of the time) because it's a personal pride issue (that doesn't really make any sense), but I will not review it. I'm only going to spend time reviewing books that I love (with a capital "L") and think that (some of) you may love.

And part of the reason is because, as I said earlier, I'm busy. But the other part of it is the fact that you're busy too. You don't want to waste your time reading reviews of books that you'd probably never read.

So now you can know in your heart of hearts that everything that you read on this blog comes with Heather's overwhelming endorsement.

Enjoy!

(The picture for this post is found here and was founding searching "paradigm" in the tags of pictures in the Creative Commons on Flickr. For what that's worth.)

Book Review: The Monstrumologist

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 04:17:00 +0000

Title: The Monstrumologist (The Monstrumologist, #1)
Author: Rick Yancey
Genre: YA Science Fiction/Fantasy
Category: Horror
Rating: A+

140-Character Summary: Orphan Will Henry is an apprentice to Dr. Warthrop, monstrumologist, and they're on the hunt for flesh-eating monsters: Anthropophagi.

First 140 Characters: "The director of facilities was a small man with ruddy cheeks and dark, deep-set eyes, his prominent forehead framed by an explosion of..."

140-Character Review: More gore than horror, but I can "see" the monsters in my mind's eye. Growing relationship between Will/Warthrop is great. Huge vocabulary!

Hogwarts Challenge Notes: Care of Magical Creatures

Book Review: The Book of Luke

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 03:41:00 +0000

Title: The Book of Luke
Author: Jenny O'Connell
Genre: YA Commercial Fiction
Rating: C-

140-Character Summary: Nice girl Emily Abbott is going to try, with the help of her friends, to not be so nice any more. And not-nice-guy, Luke, is her guinea pig.

First 140 Characters: "My parents waited in the cab with TJ while Sean and I stood together on our front walk. It was the same front walk where we'd shared..."

14(1)-Character Review: Nothing ground-breaking with the plot or character development--pretty standard YA stuff--but not a bad read per se. Just an okay, NICE book.

[Sorry, I couldn't get it down to 140 exactly.]

Hogwarts Challenge Notes: Charms... Emily goes from nice to mean (and Luke does some changing), but then she realizes her understanding of nice and mean were what needed changing.

Book Review: The Heights

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Sun, 20 Jun 2010 03:15:00 +0000

Title: The Heights
Author: Brian James
Genre: YA Literary Fiction
Rating: C

140-Character Summary: Wuthering Heights told as if Heathcliff and Cathy lived in San Francisco in an era where marrying your adopted sibling would be creepy.

First 140 Characters: "Always near the bay, I've felt like a fish. Pushed along through every day of my life the way fish are by the currents. Not caring much..."

140-Character Review: Making Bronte easier to understand is great (Henry was the best translation), but the shortening of the book left "a lot to be desired".

Hogwarts Challenge Notes: Muggle Studies

Book Review: The Cupcake Queen

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 19:23:00 +0000

Title: The Cupcake Queen
Author: Heather Hepler
Genre: YA Commercial Fiction
Rating: C

140-Character Summary: Penny moves from NYC (after parent's separation) to a small town. Mom opens a bakery and Penny goes to school. (And meets people and bakes.)

First 140 Characters: "The fact that I wasn't surprised when my mother handed me the sheet pan filled with pink frosted cupcakes is possibly more disturbing..."

140-Character Review: This book was pretty typical YA stuff (boys, mean girls, etc.), but the characters were diverse enough for me to want this to be a series.

Hogwarts Challenge Notes: Transfiguration
Lots of things change in this--perspectives, etc.

Book Review: An Off Year

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 19:14:00 +0000

Title: An Off Year
Author: Claire Zulkey
Genre: YA Literary Fiction
Rating: D

140-Character Summary: Cecily gets to college and promptly turns around. Spends a year at home, relating to friends and family, and trying to "figure things out".

First 140 Characters: "I raised the key and hesitated. Something wasn't right. I turned around. 'You know, actually, I think I'm just going to go back home..."

140-Character Review: Good writing (it's what kept me reading, I'm a sucker for wit). An anti-climactic climax and resolution. Nothing of note about protagonist.

Hogwarts Challenge Notes: Muggle Studies
This is a story of your sterotypical privileged high school graduate living a privileged "off year".

Book Review: Beginner's Greek

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:59:00 +0000

Title: Beginner's Greek
Author: James Collins
Genre: Literary Fiction
Rating: B-

140-Character Summary: Boy meets girl on a plane, gets her number. Boy loses number. Boy's best friend marries girl. Best friend dies... and other coupling/drama.

First 140 Characters: "When Peter Russell boarded an airplane, he always wondered whether he would sit next to a beautiful young woman during the flight, and..."

140-Character Review: This book kept me hooked (pretty much). The writing was good (pretty much). Skimmed some descriptions (of scenery), but climax/end was good.

Hogwarts Challenge Notes: Muggle Studies
This is a classic study of human nature.

Book Review: Lady Macbeth's Daughter

noreply@blogger.com (Literature Crazy) — Sun, 06 Jun 2010 18:48:00 +0000

Title: Lady Macbeth's Daughter
Author: Lisa Klein
Genre: YA Literary Fiction
Rating: A-

140-Character Summary: Retelling of Macbeth from a POV that is not in the play--Macbeth has a daughter who is abandoned and left for dead. Slight twist to ending.

First 140 Characters: "The nameless baby lay on the cold ground, wrapped in a woolen cloth. An owl hovered overhead and seem to hold a shred of cloud in its..."

140-Character Review: Good book. Better pacing than Ophelia. The plot twists enhanced the story, but I'd like to see what she could do when sticking to the play.

Hogwarts Challenge Notes: Defense Against the Dark Arts
Lots of murder (with a "mystery"), Wars, and Self-Defense