by Jim Butcher
** [2/5]
If you are looking for brainless book entertainment this is a good series. A friend of mine loaned them to me and they make a quick read for an afternoon. I am reviewing them all together rather each book because they are all very similar anyway.
The books follow the adventures of a practicing wizard as he assists the police with paranormal events. Most of the stories have a theme (like werewolves) that challenge Dresden as a wizard and test his personal relationships. Fun books but dont expect any deep thoughts.
Sunday, December 28, 2008
Saturday, December 27, 2008
The Afghan Campaign
by Steven Pressfield
*** [3/5]
This book tells the story of a young man who enlists in the army of Alexander the great and follows him across Afghanistan. It is an interesting story for the individual but also enlightening about what conditions were probably like in Alexander's infantry. The book was fairly graphic in depictions of the battle conditions but if you can stomach the bloody bits it is a good story.
*** [3/5]
This book tells the story of a young man who enlists in the army of Alexander the great and follows him across Afghanistan. It is an interesting story for the individual but also enlightening about what conditions were probably like in Alexander's infantry. The book was fairly graphic in depictions of the battle conditions but if you can stomach the bloody bits it is a good story.
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Men of Iron
by Howard Pyle
**** [4/5]
This is a great coming of age story set in the era of the great knights and damsels. We follow the hero as he grows from a squire to a knight and his adventures trying to regain the prestige of his family name. Very satisfying plot and insights into the time period.
**** [4/5]
This is a great coming of age story set in the era of the great knights and damsels. We follow the hero as he grows from a squire to a knight and his adventures trying to regain the prestige of his family name. Very satisfying plot and insights into the time period.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Ronicky Doone
by Max Brand
*** [3/5]
A classic western tale of adventure and chivalry. Ronicky decides to help a friend rescue a female letter correspondent from a fate of enforced criminality. He ends up embroiled in a mob which requires all his cunning and wit to extract himself from. Good light reading for a Saturday.
*** [3/5]
A classic western tale of adventure and chivalry. Ronicky decides to help a friend rescue a female letter correspondent from a fate of enforced criminality. He ends up embroiled in a mob which requires all his cunning and wit to extract himself from. Good light reading for a Saturday.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Fortune's Formula: The Untold Story of the Scientific Betting System That Beat the Casinos and Wall Street
by William Poundstone
***** [5/5]
This book is a fascinating history of some of the first mathematicians to use the slight odds on blackjack to consistently win against the casinos. Beyond this the underlying theme of the book is a method for decision making when confronting risk. Well worth the read, the history lesson alone is almost magical.
***** [5/5]
This book is a fascinating history of some of the first mathematicians to use the slight odds on blackjack to consistently win against the casinos. Beyond this the underlying theme of the book is a method for decision making when confronting risk. Well worth the read, the history lesson alone is almost magical.
Sunday, November 16, 2008
As Far as you can go without a Passport: A view from the end of the road
Tom Bodett
** [2/5]
This book is a compilation of short essays by Tom Bodett about life in Alaska. The book is a quick read, but not the best I picked up in the last year. Some nice insights and moments but neither deep or hilarious.
** [2/5]
This book is a compilation of short essays by Tom Bodett about life in Alaska. The book is a quick read, but not the best I picked up in the last year. Some nice insights and moments but neither deep or hilarious.
Monday, August 11, 2008
Hawk of Egypt
by Joan Conquest
*** [3/5]
This book is set is in Egypt and follows the perils of young British women in polite society. The hero is torn between his english and native roots in pursuit of the lady. The intrigue is nicely done and the plot is not sappy, more like a romance/thriller combo. The book is out of copyright and available on project Gutenberg so why not read it for free?
Sunday, June 22, 2008
The Last Empress
by Aimee
**** [3/5]
This was a fairly good book. It tells the story of the last empress of China, but more interestingly it tells the story of China during the Boxer rebellion. The narrative is informative but told from the perspective of the Empress which holds the reader's interest. I am not an expert on the history, but the story seemed to break from some of the traditional perceptions of the Empress. Very interesting book.
Monday, June 16, 2008
The Kite Runner
by Khaled Hosseini
[2/5]
Monday, June 02, 2008
Riders of the Purple Sage
by Zane Grey
*** [3/5]
This a fast paced western story that I picked only because I had never read anything by Zane Grey before. In this particular story I think the Mormons are a bit mis-treated by the author, but the story is compelling and the characters are well formed. No surprising twists but a fun read.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Those Who Save Us
by Jenna Blum
** [2/5]
I usually enjoy period pieces about WWII. In this case the violence and the story are a bit over the top to really make the book pleasant to read. If you want to read something dark, this book should work. It dwells in the cruelty of the Nazi's and the hard decisions faced by one single German mother during the war years. The story is told through the eyes of the daughter exploring her own issues in the present, but this makes the whole read disconnected.
Unsatisfying.
** [2/5]
I usually enjoy period pieces about WWII. In this case the violence and the story are a bit over the top to really make the book pleasant to read. If you want to read something dark, this book should work. It dwells in the cruelty of the Nazi's and the hard decisions faced by one single German mother during the war years. The story is told through the eyes of the daughter exploring her own issues in the present, but this makes the whole read disconnected.
Unsatisfying.
Persuasion
by Jane Austen
***** [5/5]
Excellent story of the challenges of a biddable personality. The heroine struggles with past decisions and advice while the present gives her challenges. An old favorite that I recently re-read and know I remember why.
***** [5/5]
Excellent story of the challenges of a biddable personality. The heroine struggles with past decisions and advice while the present gives her challenges. An old favorite that I recently re-read and know I remember why.
Monday, March 24, 2008
White Linen Nurse
by Eleanor Hallowell Abbott
**** [4/5]
The character devlopment in this story is a bit odd, but in the end it works. The story follows a nurse with an identity crisis as she finds her true calling in life. The story takes many twists and incorporates humor in a subtle way.
**** [4/5]
The character devlopment in this story is a bit odd, but in the end it works. The story follows a nurse with an identity crisis as she finds her true calling in life. The story takes many twists and incorporates humor in a subtle way.
Thursday, March 13, 2008
The Red House Mystery
by A.A. Milne
** [2/5]
I found this book almost completely unreadable. The mystery plot is well developed but so obvious that it could be guessed by only the fourth chapter. After that the dance of the protagonist is simply window dressing and building suspense.
Skip it and go read Lady Audley's Secret if you want a mystery.
** [2/5]
I found this book almost completely unreadable. The mystery plot is well developed but so obvious that it could be guessed by only the fourth chapter. After that the dance of the protagonist is simply window dressing and building suspense.
Skip it and go read Lady Audley's Secret if you want a mystery.
Dark North
by Gillian Bradshaw
**** [4/5]
This is another historical fiction piece from Bradshaw. Era is Roman Empire invasion of Britian and the story chronicles the adventures of a black man serving in the military. He serves as a scout and rescues several well placed slaves from the imperial household. Through this connection Bradshaw shadows the story of the death of the emperor and the rise of Caracalla.
This is a fun read, I love the historical context of works like this. The story can stand independently as well with a likable hero and several clever plot twists.
**** [4/5]
This is another historical fiction piece from Bradshaw. Era is Roman Empire invasion of Britian and the story chronicles the adventures of a black man serving in the military. He serves as a scout and rescues several well placed slaves from the imperial household. Through this connection Bradshaw shadows the story of the death of the emperor and the rise of Caracalla.
This is a fun read, I love the historical context of works like this. The story can stand independently as well with a likable hero and several clever plot twists.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
Northanger Abbey
by Jane Austen
*** [3/5]
Well I don't care much for the heroine Katherine. I had read this book about 10 years ago but recently picked it up again.
Because it is Austen is actually a good read, but be prepared for some idiotic behavior from Katherine and subplots that annoy you.
*** [3/5]
Well I don't care much for the heroine Katherine. I had read this book about 10 years ago but recently picked it up again.
Because it is Austen is actually a good read, but be prepared for some idiotic behavior from Katherine and subplots that annoy you.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Lady Audley's Secret
by M.E. Braddon
***** [5/5]
This is the story of Lady Audley and the slow unraveling of her secret by her nephew. Most of the book is told from the vantage of the nephew as he pieces together the clues of what has taken place prior to his uncle's marriage.
This is not an obvious plot in many respects, several aspects of the secret were completely unguessable to the end. If you enjoy mysteries this is a first class choice.
***** [5/5]
This is the story of Lady Audley and the slow unraveling of her secret by her nephew. Most of the book is told from the vantage of the nephew as he pieces together the clues of what has taken place prior to his uncle's marriage.
This is not an obvious plot in many respects, several aspects of the secret were completely unguessable to the end. If you enjoy mysteries this is a first class choice.
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
Summer
by Edith Warton
** [2/5]
I really love Warton books typically so this was a disappointing read. It gives an account of one summer of a young lady who meets a fancy architect from the city. She also contends with the fun characters in the small town of North Dormer. In general the book has few surprises and a disappointing outcome.
** [2/5]
I really love Warton books typically so this was a disappointing read. It gives an account of one summer of a young lady who meets a fancy architect from the city. She also contends with the fun characters in the small town of North Dormer. In general the book has few surprises and a disappointing outcome.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Wives and Daughters
by Elizabeth Gaskill
*** [3/5]
This book follows the story of a young lady named Molly Gibson over the course of her father's re-marriage. The story details the struggles of the step-mother and the new sister. The woes of engagements, broken promises, and stife in a small hamlet.
On the whole a good read but a bit long ... a Gaskill trait.
*** [3/5]
This book follows the story of a young lady named Molly Gibson over the course of her father's re-marriage. The story details the struggles of the step-mother and the new sister. The woes of engagements, broken promises, and stife in a small hamlet.
On the whole a good read but a bit long ... a Gaskill trait.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Bloodwood
by Gillian Bradshaw
*** [3/5]
This book has a sad tone and an environmental bent. I really like Bradshaw's historic work but this book had less to offer. The story is told about a woman diagnosed with a terminal illness and her decision to spend her remaining time exposing questionable forestry practices. While the premise is interesting the story never delivers and the end wraps up mostly the way anyone might predict by chapter 2. Check it out at the local library, not worth buying.
*** [3/5]
This book has a sad tone and an environmental bent. I really like Bradshaw's historic work but this book had less to offer. The story is told about a woman diagnosed with a terminal illness and her decision to spend her remaining time exposing questionable forestry practices. While the premise is interesting the story never delivers and the end wraps up mostly the way anyone might predict by chapter 2. Check it out at the local library, not worth buying.
A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail
by Bill Bryson
** [2/5]
I expected to enjoy this book more. It was highly recommended by other hikers, but I found it rather tedious. Bryson tells the story of his own attempt to hike the Appalachian trial. While he has many adventures, and he does kindle a desire to hike the trail, his story is far from entertaining. The whole book reminded me of flipping through someone else's photo album. Sure there are a few funny stories, but not really the best use of a few hours.
** [2/5]
I expected to enjoy this book more. It was highly recommended by other hikers, but I found it rather tedious. Bryson tells the story of his own attempt to hike the Appalachian trial. While he has many adventures, and he does kindle a desire to hike the trail, his story is far from entertaining. The whole book reminded me of flipping through someone else's photo album. Sure there are a few funny stories, but not really the best use of a few hours.
Sunday, January 06, 2008
King Solomon's Mines
by H.Rider Haggard
**** [4/5]
I am not sure why I just recently found this book, but it was worth reading. It is the story of a group of British men in the 1880's who cross the desert in search of King Solomon's Mines. They story of the journey is exciting, fast paced, and well written. The adventure is the type that explores the inner thoughts of the men on the journey and has plenty of plot twists to keep you interested. Well worth the time!
**** [4/5]
I am not sure why I just recently found this book, but it was worth reading. It is the story of a group of British men in the 1880's who cross the desert in search of King Solomon's Mines. They story of the journey is exciting, fast paced, and well written. The adventure is the type that explores the inner thoughts of the men on the journey and has plenty of plot twists to keep you interested. Well worth the time!
The Whistling Season
by Ivan Doig
***** [5/5]
This is a great book. The story is centered around a one room school house in Montana in the homestead period. The perspective of a young boy and his brothers is crafted with wonderful anecdotes of childhood. Remarkably fresh and funny with great pioneer characters. Great stuff.
***** [5/5]
This is a great book. The story is centered around a one room school house in Montana in the homestead period. The perspective of a young boy and his brothers is crafted with wonderful anecdotes of childhood. Remarkably fresh and funny with great pioneer characters. Great stuff.
Walking in Circles Before Lying Down
by Merrill Markoe
** [2/5]
This is a short novel about the life changes of a silly woman. I picked it up because I was interested in the talking dog part (who won't be really) but it was disappointing. After the initial chapters of the book and the silly decisions I expected the dog to add a suave outlook with some decent ideas, but instead the dog contributes fairly realistic dog dialog. He focuses on food, females, and fun. Not a horrible read but not much to recommend it.
** [2/5]
This is a short novel about the life changes of a silly woman. I picked it up because I was interested in the talking dog part (who won't be really) but it was disappointing. After the initial chapters of the book and the silly decisions I expected the dog to add a suave outlook with some decent ideas, but instead the dog contributes fairly realistic dog dialog. He focuses on food, females, and fun. Not a horrible read but not much to recommend it.
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