So, finals are totally kicking my butt, as far as getting free time goes. That's the explanation for why updates are so infrequent, and I'm stickin' to it. But here's one book, anyway. I actually finished it Saturday, but I was too tired to post this then.
Title: Rascal
Author: Sterling North
What it's about: Rascal chronicles a year with Sterling and his pet raccoon, Rascal. It starts when Sterling takes home a raccoon kit and includes various events like trips into the wilderness, the trouble Rascal gets into, and the day Sterling brings Rascal to school.
What I thought: This really evokes a nostalgic feel of the good ol' days, which is something I look for in certain books. The descriptions are vivid and loving, and the adventures of Sterling and Rascal are written with the right touch of humor to keep them engaging. Though a book accessible to younger readers, everyone should be able to appreciate the simple pleasure of Rascal.
Overall: Let's call it short but sweet.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Friday, April 25, 2008
Never Trust a Dead Man
Title: Never Trust a Dead Man
Author: Vivian Vande Velde
What it's about: Selwyn, a teenage farm boy, is accused of murdering another lad, Farold, who was his rival for the affections of a girl, Anora. Selwyn's innocent, but no one believes this, so he's entombed in a burial cave along with Farold's dead body as punishment. Selwyn is rescued by a witch, Elswyth, who also brings Farold back in the body of a bat so that Selwyn and Farold can try to find Farold's murderer and prove Selwyn's innocence.
What I thought: This is another solid book by a good author. Thinking about it, that's really all that comes to mind. Solid, entertaining, but it's not going to really stand out in my mind. I mean, everything about it was above average, but nothing really shone as something to make this book especially memorable. It's nothing special, but it's good.
Overall: If you're looking for a good read, go ahead and check this one out.
Author: Vivian Vande Velde
What it's about: Selwyn, a teenage farm boy, is accused of murdering another lad, Farold, who was his rival for the affections of a girl, Anora. Selwyn's innocent, but no one believes this, so he's entombed in a burial cave along with Farold's dead body as punishment. Selwyn is rescued by a witch, Elswyth, who also brings Farold back in the body of a bat so that Selwyn and Farold can try to find Farold's murderer and prove Selwyn's innocence.
What I thought: This is another solid book by a good author. Thinking about it, that's really all that comes to mind. Solid, entertaining, but it's not going to really stand out in my mind. I mean, everything about it was above average, but nothing really shone as something to make this book especially memorable. It's nothing special, but it's good.
Overall: If you're looking for a good read, go ahead and check this one out.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
WebMage
Title: WebMage
Author: Kelly McCullough
What it's about: Apparently Ravirn is some sort of magic hacker genius who's descended from the three fates. There's, like, Greek mythology and technology mixed together, along with some sort of evil conspiracy. Or something.
What I thought: ... I quit reading by chapter five. The action became too chaotic too soon, without any sort of real setup, and Ravirn, despite getting into trouble, seemed way overpowered. Confusing story + characters I can't connect with = me tossing the book aside.
Overall: Nuh-uh. You can give this a chance, but I'm not recommending it.
Well, it looks like I'm back to the drawing board for a new book to get hooked on. Oh well, with over a hundred around, I'll find something soon enough. =P
Author: Kelly McCullough
What it's about: Apparently Ravirn is some sort of magic hacker genius who's descended from the three fates. There's, like, Greek mythology and technology mixed together, along with some sort of evil conspiracy. Or something.
What I thought: ... I quit reading by chapter five. The action became too chaotic too soon, without any sort of real setup, and Ravirn, despite getting into trouble, seemed way overpowered. Confusing story + characters I can't connect with = me tossing the book aside.
Overall: Nuh-uh. You can give this a chance, but I'm not recommending it.
Well, it looks like I'm back to the drawing board for a new book to get hooked on. Oh well, with over a hundred around, I'll find something soon enough. =P
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
The Man Who Broke The Bank At Monte Carlo
Title: The Man Who Broke The Bank At Monte Carlo
Author: Michael Butterworth
What it's about: Ernest Rowbotham is an unassuming Englishman who's just inherited six million dollars from his uncle. The one catch? He has to take his uncle's preserved corpse around Monte Carlo for a week in order to inherit. Well, this wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that if he messes up the terms of the will, the Universal Dog Home of Chicago gets the money instead, and to that end, they've sent a representative to Monte Carlo to keep an eye on Ernest. Oh, and did I mention that Ernest's Uncle Luigi was also a successful mafia boss back in Chicago? And that two separate groups of gangsters are after the inheritance? With all this going on, Ernest's in for the most unforgettable week of his life.
What I thought: Okay, well, first I have to admit a bias towards this book because my favorite musical ever, Lucky Stiff, is based on this book. It's a great story. The premise is so absurd, and events quickly take a turn for the weird(er). I don't want to spoil much, but there's a hysterical bit with a hooker and trains that's just great. The prose in general just has such a sense of atmosphere, too it. It's grand, very rich. And the characters really make this whole thing work. Ernest is a sympathetic fellow. The gangsters are quite distinctive in their mannerisms. And, well, this is just a greatly amusing book with a satisfying story. I loves it.
Overall: Read it. Now.
Author: Michael Butterworth
What it's about: Ernest Rowbotham is an unassuming Englishman who's just inherited six million dollars from his uncle. The one catch? He has to take his uncle's preserved corpse around Monte Carlo for a week in order to inherit. Well, this wouldn't be so bad except for the fact that if he messes up the terms of the will, the Universal Dog Home of Chicago gets the money instead, and to that end, they've sent a representative to Monte Carlo to keep an eye on Ernest. Oh, and did I mention that Ernest's Uncle Luigi was also a successful mafia boss back in Chicago? And that two separate groups of gangsters are after the inheritance? With all this going on, Ernest's in for the most unforgettable week of his life.
What I thought: Okay, well, first I have to admit a bias towards this book because my favorite musical ever, Lucky Stiff, is based on this book. It's a great story. The premise is so absurd, and events quickly take a turn for the weird(er). I don't want to spoil much, but there's a hysterical bit with a hooker and trains that's just great. The prose in general just has such a sense of atmosphere, too it. It's grand, very rich. And the characters really make this whole thing work. Ernest is a sympathetic fellow. The gangsters are quite distinctive in their mannerisms. And, well, this is just a greatly amusing book with a satisfying story. I loves it.
Overall: Read it. Now.
Monday, April 21, 2008
The grand total
So I decided to count how many books I happen to currently have at my dorm. I searched around everywhere and pulled out the various novels, non-fiction books, plays, text books, strategy guides, and songbooks, and the grand total was... 135!
Isn't it grand? I can't wait until move-out day next Wednesday! That's gonna be fun. XD
Isn't it grand? I can't wait until move-out day next Wednesday! That's gonna be fun. XD
Drawing A Blank
Title: Drawing A Blank
Author: Daniel Ehrenhaft
What it's about: So, Carlton is this comic book geek who pretty much sucks at having a social life, right? But he does have a comic strip in a newspaper, which is something. Anyway, we learn that his dad is borderline wacko, to the point in believing that he's involved in an ancient Scottish feud. However, oops, maybe he's not a total nutjob, 'cause he gets dragged off to Scotland, leaving Carlton to fulfill the kidnapper's demands and rescue his dad.
What I thought: The way the book's written, I immediately took to Carlton as a narrator. Stuff that might stretch my belief in other cases was easy to accept 'cause of how it was set out. Really, all the characters were understandable, from Carlton's dad to Aileen and even Bryce. It's a fun story, and the comics scattered throughout add to the depth of it all. Well, relative depth, given that this is still just a teen fiction novel. But, yeah, I really was charmed by the easy storytelling.
Overall: This is a fun book with a lot of heart. Give it a read if you like adventure stories.
Author: Daniel Ehrenhaft
What it's about: So, Carlton is this comic book geek who pretty much sucks at having a social life, right? But he does have a comic strip in a newspaper, which is something. Anyway, we learn that his dad is borderline wacko, to the point in believing that he's involved in an ancient Scottish feud. However, oops, maybe he's not a total nutjob, 'cause he gets dragged off to Scotland, leaving Carlton to fulfill the kidnapper's demands and rescue his dad.
What I thought: The way the book's written, I immediately took to Carlton as a narrator. Stuff that might stretch my belief in other cases was easy to accept 'cause of how it was set out. Really, all the characters were understandable, from Carlton's dad to Aileen and even Bryce. It's a fun story, and the comics scattered throughout add to the depth of it all. Well, relative depth, given that this is still just a teen fiction novel. But, yeah, I really was charmed by the easy storytelling.
Overall: This is a fun book with a lot of heart. Give it a read if you like adventure stories.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Quidditch Through The Ages
Oy, missed a day there. Comes of it bein' the end of the school year, as well as me choosin' to read some non-fiction. I'm still working on a book about musicals, 'cause those types of books take longer to read through than novels.
Title: Quidditch Through The Ages
Author: J.K. Rowling
What it's about: It's a book all about the fictional sport of Quidditch from the Harry Potter series. Details the history of the sport, the teams, the brooms, the rules, and other things.
What I thought: This is a short read, and it's fun if you like Harry Potter. The idea of Quidditch was one of my favorite parts of the Harry Potter series (along with Luna Lovegood). This book is fun and really shows the creativity that Rowling is capable of in her world-building.
Overall: Probably just worth checking out from the library since I read it in about an hour, and while chatting and stuff, too.
And I totally meant to review a different book today, but the words for the synopsis just weren't coming, so I just kinda picked up this book and blazed through it. With any luck, I'll be able to form a good review for Drawing a Blank tomorrow. Please note the irony in that particular title, too. >_>
Title: Quidditch Through The Ages
Author: J.K. Rowling
What it's about: It's a book all about the fictional sport of Quidditch from the Harry Potter series. Details the history of the sport, the teams, the brooms, the rules, and other things.
What I thought: This is a short read, and it's fun if you like Harry Potter. The idea of Quidditch was one of my favorite parts of the Harry Potter series (along with Luna Lovegood). This book is fun and really shows the creativity that Rowling is capable of in her world-building.
Overall: Probably just worth checking out from the library since I read it in about an hour, and while chatting and stuff, too.
And I totally meant to review a different book today, but the words for the synopsis just weren't coming, so I just kinda picked up this book and blazed through it. With any luck, I'll be able to form a good review for Drawing a Blank tomorrow. Please note the irony in that particular title, too. >_>
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