First read of 2017 complete! It was a good one - 4.5 stars.
Who knew that a book about what happens to our bodies after we die could be so interesting.First read of 2017 complete! It was a good one - 4.5 stars.
Who knew that a book about what happens to our bodies after we die could be so interesting. This book covers everything to the horrific to the incredibly fascinating. This book may not be for the squeamish, but I think Roach did a great job combining information and humor in a respectful manner to make it more easily accessible to a wider audience.
I recently helped to prepare a funeral plan for my Mother. She is still alive, but it was suggested that we prepare ahead of time to make sure that all wishes are met and there is no scrambling when the event happens to figure out what is wanted and where the money comes from - less stressful for all! After reading this book, I am not saying I will go back and change any of our decisions, but it definitely gave me a lot of thinking points I would not have considered and may have had an affect on how my decision making went if I had read this before the planning took place.
After death - the inanimate body lives on and something has to be done with it - read this if you want to know more!
I am not sure if this book or series is for everyone. It is a bit dark and scary, but it is well thought out . . . a "what if" scenario and all the poI am not sure if this book or series is for everyone. It is a bit dark and scary, but it is well thought out . . . a "what if" scenario and all the possibilities that are WAY too possible.
I enjoy Forstchen's writing and research. This book and the one before do not feel as much like novels as they do non-fiction analysis of everything that could happen with the destruction of our infrastructure and political system as we know it. How would we respond? Would we remain humane or dissolve into anarchy? Would ethics prevail, or would selfishness and lies override all.
If you enjoy apocalyptic/dystopian literature and don't mind being terrified by all too real possibilities, I don't think you can go wrong with this series.
NOTE: The first book is more about survival in the aftermath of infrastructure dissolving, the second is more about the restructuring of our humanity and government and how that would affect all types of people....more
Really 3.5, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and rounded up to 4.
This book is a series of anecdotes with moments of deep and surreal introspectiReally 3.5, but I gave it the benefit of the doubt and rounded up to 4.
This book is a series of anecdotes with moments of deep and surreal introspection. There are several time jumps that throw off the linearity - sometimes causing confusion, but not too badly. All of these are part of one all encompassing story.
Basically a story of sexuality and the cold war in Czechoslovokia. The beginning two sections were a little hard for me to get into, but after that I either got used to the writing or the story changed. I had kind of settled into thinking that I wouldn't end up liking it, but that definitely changed as I kept reading.
I don't think I can say that overall this book blew me away, but it is a very interesting story about life and relationships affected by the political climate in Eastern Europe post WWII, and I am glad that I read it....more
Probably not a book for everyone, but definitely some good pointers on approaching a strong willed child. I know some people go for a more hands off aProbably not a book for everyone, but definitely some good pointers on approaching a strong willed child. I know some people go for a more hands off approach to child raising and this book promotes a much more involved and stricter approach if your child is strong willed. If you don't like the idea of a suggestion that you might need to lay down the law, then this book will frustrate you.
But if you need some help, are at your wits end, and don't know where to turn, this is a good place to start. It helps you realize that you are not alone, not every child is the same, and no one is perfect....more
A collection of short stories that combine into one larger story that serves as a decent introduction to the Sith.
I recently read another Star Wars bA collection of short stories that combine into one larger story that serves as a decent introduction to the Sith.
I recently read another Star Wars book that predates movie story line by several thousand years and it felt far withdrawn from the universe we know and love (forget canon vs legends, you still expect a somewhat similar feel). This one did have a better feel for the Star Wars universe. (The other book was Dawn of the Jedi: Into the Void)
I will say that it took me a few of the short stories in this book to get into the writing, the characters, and the overall story line. It was enough that I wondered if it would be difficult to get into it at all. However, I eventually started to get comfortable and, in the end, was quite enthralled....more
Not the best written book - felt kind of disjointed. I think the author's interest in writing is secondary to the interest in sharing this story.
The mNot the best written book - felt kind of disjointed. I think the author's interest in writing is secondary to the interest in sharing this story.
The main reason you would want to read this one is the shock factor. It is over two hundred pages of "WHAT THE!?" and "NO WAY!?". It is hard to believe people could do this sort of stuff to their own family.
One weird thing (view spoiler)[Throughout the book they make passing references to a murder-suicide attempt on the boat the family lived on, but they never told that story (unless I somehow forgot or they skimmed over it so fast it didn't stick in the first place) (hide spoiler)]
So, if you are a true crime junky or love reading the disturbingly unbelievable, check this out. If you are looking for finely written non-fiction, this may not be for you. But, all in all, not bad....more
I enjoyed this volume in the series quite a bit. There are have been some interesting twists making me wonder who is with who. I has been awhile in thI enjoyed this volume in the series quite a bit. There are have been some interesting twists making me wonder who is with who. I has been awhile in this series since I was so unsure of what the next steps will be. Another interesting cliffhanger, too....more
1. Lately, I really wish that Goodreads had a half star system. This book is definitely a 3.5 for me and there is no way I could go to 4. STwo things:
1. Lately, I really wish that Goodreads had a half star system. This book is definitely a 3.5 for me and there is no way I could go to 4. So, I settled on 3.
2. Seems like I find myself in the midst of a lot of books with sexual torture/rape scenes. This is a pattern I hope to break!
This book was okay. The premise was fairly far fetched, the actions of the characters not all that believable, and the outcomes generally coincidental. I enjoyed parts of it, but all in all it was a bit too scattered. Demille seems to be trying to combine his commentary on the end of the Cold War with a bizarre revenge story.
Entertaining but just "meh and huh?" overall. With how long it is (21+ hours audio) it seemed to drag on with quite a bit of repetition....more
This book is crass but hits close to that cynical home in most boys hearts. I listened to it - which I recommend you do at 1.5x as it made the voicesThis book is crass but hits close to that cynical home in most boys hearts. I listened to it - which I recommend you do at 1.5x as it made the voices the narrator did much better.
I laughed out loud - nearby motorists probably thought I was crazy. I didn't want to get out of the car when I got home or to work. Because of that, 5 stars all the way!...more
Kind of embarrassing . . . I needed an audiobook to read and found this on Hoopla. Since I have read other Christopher Moore, I figured I would give iKind of embarrassing . . . I needed an audiobook to read and found this on Hoopla. Since I have read other Christopher Moore, I figured I would give it a go. Part way through and loving it, I went to add it to "currently reading" on Goodreads and discovered it is book three of a series. I was wondering why the first 20 minutes of it or so seemed like a recap . . .
So, I might go back someday and read the first two, but this one seemed to do pretty good on its own. I enjoyed the characters and the humor. I was fully entertained for the entirety of the book.
I feel I can safely say, even without without having read the first two, that if you like vampire stories and you like humor, you will probably enjoy this....more
Volume 5 was a very entertaining entry in the Saga saga (I have been wanting to use that one for awhile!) Lots of twists, turns, reunions, separationsVolume 5 was a very entertaining entry in the Saga saga (I have been wanting to use that one for awhile!) Lots of twists, turns, reunions, separations, cliffhangers, deaths, cool weapons, strange creatures, fascinating planets, and general debauchery.
The first few volumes of this did not sell me, but now I am very into this series and I look forward to continuing!...more
More character study than story, this was a very interesting book. The shell is a mystery and each chapter focuses on a character or two until everythMore character study than story, this was a very interesting book. The shell is a mystery and each chapter focuses on a character or two until everything comes together. While it does get overly poetic at times, I think it serves the story and I was satisfied with both the journey and the outcome.
One of my favorite things was its honest portrayal of pop culture and the media and how, together, they skew our view on things with no evidence - just a negative spin on the facts. I found myself wondering how often I am led to believe that someone or something is nefarious simply because it makes for a good news story.
The network spoofed in the story has got to be Fox News....more
This book was crazy, therefore I must express my feelings with GIFs. If you don't like GIFy reviews - too bad!
So this book started and it was pretty gThis book was crazy, therefore I must express my feelings with GIFs. If you don't like GIFy reviews - too bad!
So this book started and it was pretty good. The main characters live a difficult life and everything is quite sketchy:
Then some of the relationships get a little bit questionable:
Then, the you know what hits the you know what:
From there on out, I just wasn't sure what to think anymore:
I enjoyed the writing and was enthralled with the story, but man oh man - the subject matter was tough! I cannot say that I would recommend this to someone because I kind of worry what they would think I thought of them if THIS is the book I thought they would like.
So, read it, but if it weirds you out, don't blame me!
Interesting story - poetic feel to the writing. Enjoyed it, but it was not enthralling. Best way to put it - I wanted to finish it to see what happeneInteresting story - poetic feel to the writing. Enjoyed it, but it was not enthralling. Best way to put it - I wanted to finish it to see what happened, but I was not excited to come back to it.
One key characteristic was that it was odd enough that I would have a hard time figuring out exactly what was happening. When I finally did, a new chapter would start, and it would get odd again....more
Misery, duplicity, revenge, unhealthy family relationships - Wuthering Heights has it all!
Whenever I hear the name Brontë, I start thinking about clasMisery, duplicity, revenge, unhealthy family relationships - Wuthering Heights has it all!
Whenever I hear the name Brontë, I start thinking about classic books, with ladies and gentlemen courting each other . . . but, I guess I need to stop confusing Brontë with Austin.
This book is brutal. Every page is an argument, a dark plot, a deathly ill character, or an actual death. There is no joy in Wuthering Heights!
Writing wise, it was pretty good. Not my usual style, but I like to knock out a classic every now and then....more
Entertaining little story. I know I am not the intended audience at this point in my life, but it takes me back to when I was a kid and read Charlie aEntertaining little story. I know I am not the intended audience at this point in my life, but it takes me back to when I was a kid and read Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Great Glass Elevator, and Danny Champion of the World. I used to really enjoy Dahl's books and it has been a long time since I have read one.
This one was less story and more silly wordplay and fantasy. Towards the end it gets into a storyline, but at least the first half is mainly just a conversation between the BFG and Sophie. It is fun, but gets a bit repetitive.
Also, I noticed that there was quite a lot of violence and racial stereotyping that would probably be controversial in a children's book by today's standards. This is just an observation, not me being the book police!
All that aside - it was silly, it was fun, it was a romp through the imagination. I definitely enjoyed this little fantastical getaway, even if it isn't my favorite Dahl book....more
It's just blah. No suspense, lots of monotonous, pointless, and repetitive dialogue. Some places where you thinBarely 2 stars . . . I almost gave it 1
It's just blah. No suspense, lots of monotonous, pointless, and repetitive dialogue. Some places where you think something exciting and interesting will happen . . . and it doesn't. No climax, no payoff, not really any resolution.
They talked about a lot of modern pop culture stuff. Sort of sounded like the author went to the mall, listened to what kids talked about, and then shoved it into the story so that it would seem modern. Instead, it just got in the way ("Oh, hey, they are talking about Minecraft again . . . and . . . it doesn't matter and no one cares)
It would probably be more interesting reading about me sitting on the couch and watching TV in the evenings.
Sorry to be so harsh, but I spent a couple weeks of my life with this book and I was hoping for more. Kind of felt cheated....more
A very thorough and very interesting telling of the events surrounding the investigation of the Green River Killer. I did not know much about the GreeA very thorough and very interesting telling of the events surrounding the investigation of the Green River Killer. I did not know much about the Green River Killer - other than he committed a series of murders in Washington back in the 80s. Since I knew so little, this was a suspenseful whodunit? for me.
The book is not easy to read if the horrific details of crimes make you queasy. It was shocking to read about what one human can do to another human because they think they are "doing the right thing to clean up the streets". Also shocking (but maybe not surprising) that a lot of people didn't really care about whole lot at first because the victims were mainly prostitutes. Seeing how community, police, and media attitudes shaped the course of this investigation was very interesting. I was surprised at how , despite the fact that the book is decently long at 434 pages, it never dragged. Each section was like another episode of a crime show and I couldn't wait to get to the next episode the next day.
If you like true crime, mysteries, and/or just seeing how truly messed up the human mind can be, check this book out....more
I realize that my feelings on Gaiman and his books are contrary to popular opinion, but they are just not my cup of tea. They are slow. They seem intentionally odd and artsy. By the end, I just don't care anymore. I think trying 3 of his books shows I have given him a good chance, but now it may be time to part ways.
American Gods has its interesting storylines (that is why I have rounded up to 3 stars) but overall, I didn't see the point. I expected some really interesting stuff to happen between all the Gods and mortals, but instead I got sometimes boring, sometimes unintelligible speeches, or really odd occurrences that come out of nowhere and make no sense. In general, I am not really sure why any of it happened other than Gaiman spewed forth some really weird stream of consciousness (This was the same way I felt about The Ocean at the End of the Lane).
So - if you love Gaiman, keep on reading! But, don't fault me for not caring for is style after several tries, it is just how I feel and I don't think it is going to get any better....more
I wasn't sure if I was going to read this book. I heard some people rave about it and some people curse it (pun fully intended). When my wife happenedI wasn't sure if I was going to read this book. I heard some people rave about it and some people curse it (pun fully intended). When my wife happened to get a copy without much of a wait at the library, I figured I might as well give it a shot.
I actually enjoyed it quite a lot!
It is a script, so it is and easy and quick read. I thought the story was interesting and as original as it could be in a world as developed as Harry Potter's.
At times, it did feel a bit like fan fiction. Also, there was a reference to almost every person, potion, spell, and event in the original series. Because of this, at time it felt a little forced and cheesy, but not enough to make me not like it.
I could easily see this being another movie, but there seems to be almost too much in it and the settings/actions too complicated for a stage play.
If you liked Harry Potter (and I think most people did), you should give this a shot....more
About as mediocre as it gets. Not bad, not good . . . just soooooo plain vanilla. There may have been one exciting moment toward the middle of the booAbout as mediocre as it gets. Not bad, not good . . . just soooooo plain vanilla. There may have been one exciting moment toward the middle of the book. The rest of the time it was just some lawyers and some judges and some bad guys doing some corrupt stuff, investigations, eating (so many descriptions of the food the characters eat - more so than story in some cases), etc. When the resolution of the story happened I barely noticed because the tone stayed flat.
I think Grisham used all of his excitement up in his earlier novels. Now he is just dictating boring court cases to us. But, I will still keep reading his books and looking for diamonds in the rough! ...more
I may repeat some from previous reviews of Longmire mysteries. I read these books because Longmire is from Wyoming and I was born in Wyoming. However,I may repeat some from previous reviews of Longmire mysteries. I read these books because Longmire is from Wyoming and I was born in Wyoming. However, if either of those things were not the case I would have stopped reading by now.
My favorite thing about the books are the characters and their relationships. That is about all I like.
In Kindness Goes Unpunished, as in previous installments, the story feels contrived and plot points are forced in many places. Because of this, most of it was extremely unbelievable. Also, it is so twisted and confusing, I am not quite sure what the resolution was or why the explanation of what happened made sense.
I will keep reading because of the Wyoming connection, but it is rough!
I am sure I said this before, but if you want good, coherent Wyoming mysteries, try C. J. Box instead!...more
As a retelling of Taming of the Shrew - 1 star As a stand alone story regardless of the source material - 2.5 stars
Saying that this is a retelling of TAs a retelling of Taming of the Shrew - 1 star As a stand alone story regardless of the source material - 2.5 stars
Saying that this is a retelling of Taming of the Shrew is like saying The Shining is a retelling of Jack and the Beanstalk because the main characters are both named Jack. I have read Taming of the Shrew and seen it performed several times and this was so far from anything I have seen that I didn't even recognize the story. They had a few key lines and some similar names, but it would have been more accurate to say that this story was influenced by it instead of a retelling.
Story wise it was just meh. The plot points were all over the place and fairly unbelievable. The characters were pretty blah and seemed to have little or no motivation. Every scene was kinda like:
"Hey" "Hey, yourself" "Guess we should argue about something" "Yeah, probably"
In general it did not look like this book has received high marks. That is understandable after reading. But, taking on The Bard is not an easy task: too many expectations and big shoes to fill. It's like auditioning with a Whitney song in a singing competition; unless you knock it out of the park, it's probably going to seem pretty bad....more
Graphic novel was the perfect medium for this story. I am not saying I would not have enjoyed it if it had been prose, but Satrapi's words and imagesGraphic novel was the perfect medium for this story. I am not saying I would not have enjoyed it if it had been prose, but Satrapi's words and images together drew me in right away and I flew through the story.
This is another important story from a region with lots of important stories to tell. The theme is that we are all people even though we are often defined by our government, media, religion, etc. We cannot truly know who someone is without meeting them in person. It is also interesting to see that people who we think are completely different may have more in common with us than we think.
While this may not be your typical super hero, monster fighting, graphic novel - I think a wide variety of people will enjoy the story. And, you will definitely learn something new!...more
I am a little torn on this one - there was some good stuff and some not so good stuff. I was not blown away by the book, but I am not sad I read it.
MyI am a little torn on this one - there was some good stuff and some not so good stuff. I was not blown away by the book, but I am not sad I read it.
My favorite part was the characters. Something about them was interesting in a can't-take-my-eyes-away-from-this-train-wreck sort of way. As the book progressed I kept waiting for them to make more and more unfortunate decisions and it was entertaining.
My biggest criticism was the forced feeling to the exposition. It felt like the author was given the assignment to write the back story of one of the Manson girls and she only did an okay job. Kind of like she was saying "okay, now I will describe what she likes to eat. Next I will describe what she likes to read. Etc."
Also, the sexuality throughout kinda felt over the top and unnecessary. I know this was the era of free love, but I didn't really need to know that every character was randomly masturbating every few minutes. I have no issues when it makes sense, but this felt like "let me shock you!"
Not sure who I would recommend this to so I am not sure I would recommend it, but it was okay....more
Really probably 2.5 - this book for me was rather mediocre and here are a few reasons why:
- This was the first Star Wars book I have read that does noReally probably 2.5 - this book for me was rather mediocre and here are a few reasons why:
- This was the first Star Wars book I have read that does not include characters and storyline related to the original. You might say "Matthew, you went into this knowing it is long before the original trilogy". To that I say that the author then should have worked harder to make it entertaining on its own so I didn't care so much about the lack of connection. - The book goes back and forth between time periods and I often forgot which I was in as the transition was not smooth. - The overall story was blah. It had no teeth. It had no pizzazz. As I read, more often than not, I was like "okay, guess this is what is going on, I am not sure why I care"
I will keep reading Star Wars, but I hope these duds are few and far between....more
I think that my opinion of this book does not match the general opinion.
I was pretty bored throughout and my mind kept wandering. I kept waiting for aI think that my opinion of this book does not match the general opinion.
I was pretty bored throughout and my mind kept wandering. I kept waiting for a big payoff, plot twist, that would bring my attention crashing back. I thought there might be some grand resolution beyond the symbolism and poetry of the writing, and there really didn't seem to be. Maybe I missed it while my mind was wandering.
Two other things - I have been encountering these a lot lately:
- WWII is now definitely entrenched as a YA genre. Over the past year I have accidentally stumbled onto books that are being read by a wide audience, I know nothing about them, and when I start reading them they start with a teenage girl dealing with the perils of WWII. I have also read several knowing this was the case going in. This is not a bad thing, just an observation that there are a lot out there now! - Why are there so many books lately with confusing story line time jumps!? I never really felt like they added a whole lot to this particular book. Maybe a couple of "Oh, that's how we got here" moments, but that was it.
I have seen a lot of 5 star review for this book, so maybe I am in the minority. I would not be the one to recommend this one, but you probably shouldn't listen to me as you might miss out on a 5 star book for you!
Side note: I listened to this book and I thought the narrator was great, but, as mentioned above, it did not keep my attention and that has not happened to me in a very long time with audio. (and I just listened to The Goldfinch!)...more
I thought the first third of the book was just so-so (I thought the writing felt immature), but then it grabbed me and drug me in. I was thinking maybI thought the first third of the book was just so-so (I thought the writing felt immature), but then it grabbed me and drug me in. I was thinking maybe it had an immature feel to highlight the immature actions of the kids being discussed. In the end, it was perfect in the way it was written because I went back and forth between thinking I knew exactly what happened to questioning everything.
One of the saddest parts was seeing how these teenagers acted. I have two little kids and it scares me to death that one day they might have classmates like these kids. And, even though many of them realized when they hit their 20s how stupid they were as teenagers, that doesn't help people who they bullied and, in this case, killed.
This book is very interesting and eye opening, but not for the faint of heart. The events will stick with me for a long time....more
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