Airplane Reading – I Am Princess X

Posted on November 23, 2015 by

One of the books I read on my Florida work trip was an ARC of…

i am princess xI Am Princess X by Cherie Priest

This is a YA read with a comic strip integrated with the story.  I have another one of those on my TBR called In The Shadows which is gorgeous. You get the benefit of graphic novel with story around it.  Sort of like Allie Brosh’s essays (which I also absolutely loved and highly recommend, they made me laugh so hard my husband kicked me out of the room).

This story has a superhero feel, fairly improbable but lots of action, a bit of a mystery and it was just plain enjoyable to read.  Though, it deals with some rough subjects.  Murder of a parent (superhero!), death and destruction, and lots of cyber hacking.  It really made me want to run around Seattle though.  It integrates the city, using existing topography as clues, almost making it a character as well.  If you ever noticed the Obey Giant stickers and artwork, which you should be able to find in most urban settings, this book started out with me thinking about good old Andre as stickers of Princess X start showing up around town.

The ARC was missing some of the comic strip pictures, they were simply described so I think I would like to get my hands on the published book at some point.

Lots of danger, intrigue, clue finding, strong female characters and crazy feelings.  It is a load of fun and if you like superheroes and comic books, check this story out.  4 stars.

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Delia’s Shadow (Delia Martin, Bk 1) by Jaime Lee Moyer

Posted on November 18, 2015 by

Delia’s Shadow (Delia Martin, Bk 1) by Jaime Lee Moyerdelia

A lovely blend of historical fiction and paranormal all taking place in San Francisco, yes!!  Right there, this book has me.  Delia sees ghosts and escaped San Francisco to find peace from all the ghosts created after the fires and earthquake of 1806. But one determined ghost has found her where she fled, and gets her to return to help find a serial killer.

A bit of romance, some mysteries about some of the characters are revealed and a fabulous spiritualist is enlisted to help with the whole mess.  Lots of fun.  The characters are a bit snarky while maintaining their social standing.  So, everything is PC, but they sneak little love glances every once in a while. And the serial killer is pretty mean, so he doesn’t care about society’s morays.  It is interesting and fun.  If you like historical fiction and paranormal, you can’t go wrong here.  It looks like there is another book in the series coming out soon, we will see where it goes, I am interested!

3.5 stars.

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Frivolous Friday 11-13-15

Posted on November 13, 2015 by

golfI just returned from a fabulous work trip. I spent a whole day handing out extra balls and drinks on a golf course.  It was pretty.

beachI spent time on the beach.  It was warm.

I ran a selfie contest, many were silly.  I did a ton of work, but that is not as much fun to list.  And I finished FOUR books!  Woo hoo.  I am currently writing reviews, but that will take me a bit, so I thought I would let you all know, I haven’t flaked out yet!

In case you were wondering, I read:

  1. The Bone Key by Sarah Monette
  2. Dragons Wild by Robert Asprin
  3. Half-Resurrection Blues by Daniel Jose Older
  4. After the Red Rain by Barry Lyga
Posted in Fiction | 2 Comments

Frivolous Fridays Nov 6, 2015

Posted on November 6, 2015 by

bookpoemI found this poem recently and thought I might share with all the other readers/adventurers out there.

Enjoy your weekend!

Posted in Fiction | 4 Comments

A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman

Posted on November 5, 2015 by

a man called oveOh Ove, you grumpy old coot.  How I enjoyed reading about you.

A Man Called Ove is a lovely, quiet story about a man who is not very happy.  All of his reasons life was enjoyable are gone.  But the story is not maudlin, even though some very sad things happen and it deals with some very sad issues.  It is kind of a celebration of life, of following through and reaching out before it is too late, and follows a man who on the outside looks and sounds mean but is wonderful inside.

How this book didn’t delve into a sappy, depressing Oprah pick, I don’t know (no dissing on Oprah, but you have to admit she likes them quite emotional and often depressing).  Most likely because like Ove, the writing is a little bit spartan. He doesn’t dwell, he moves.  He doesn’t bash you over the head, he sets it out there and has slightly humorous things happen at just the right time.  Lots of misunderstandings without it being slap-stick.  I will admit, I did cry, but I laughed a lot too and smiled hard while reading.  You know, that stupid smile you get and everyone wants to know why, but you can’t explain it without sounding like a maniac?  That smile.

Ove is a man who wonders why joggers have to be so pretentious and dress like they are gymnasts just to shuffle down the street.  He looks beyond the facade and expects those around him to do the same.  Or doesn’t care much what you think, actually.  He is a force of nature, yet can be predictable as clockwork.

It was a lovely story, my bookclub is reading it right now and I hope they enjoy it too.  I can’t wait to get my hands on My Grandmother Wants to Say She’s Sorry.  That also sounds amazing.  5 stars.  :)

Posted in Bookclub, Contemporary, Fiction | 2 Comments

Still Here, Routine Disruption

Posted on November 5, 2015 by

Dude, when I decide to laze about, not blogging, I am serious about it I guess!  Jeezo.  It is like I have been sucked into a time warp, or the land of missing left socks.  Time moves differently here.

Time warp - Picture courtesy thelivingmoon.com

So, I have been reading.  I have been reading a lot actually.  But I haven’t been writing.  I wanted to, but that doesn’t count for much, now does it?  Even my goodreads reviews are pretty lame.  So, I am going to try to turn that around, again.  It’s ok, you don’t have to believe me.  But maybe, just maybe I will follow through.

I am in a funk, hence the reason I think I should blog again.  It is a bit like a journal, this blog.  Makes me feel better. Though it has been so long I don’t know how to use the site anymore!  I am fumbling about, lucky I started this post months and months ago…(time warp, remember?)

Book news for me – I tried The Accidental Alchemist and it is kind of a cozy mystery.  Not what I was looking for and not what the blurb or cover indicated.  Very upsetting.  So I started Delia’s Shadow by Jamie Lee Moyer, this one is a historical fiction mystery with ghosts – yay!  I am really enjoying it.

Anyway, just wanted to pop in and say Hi!  Hope you are all doing well.

Posted in Fiction | 7 Comments

New Series worth checking out

Posted on December 9, 2014 by

Since I am in an individual book reviewing slump, I will recommend a few paranormal series I have been enjoying.

1. fatedThe Alex Verus books by Benedict Jacka.  If you like Harry Dresden by Jim Butcher, Alex Verus might be up your alley.  Male wizard, setting is London, owns a magic shop, has integrity in a world where other mages are power hungry.  Crazy stuff happens, magic creatures exist and he nearly gets killed in each book.  Very exciting, bad guys abound though the lines between good and bad are pretty blurred.  Makes you wonder every book who the “bad” guy really is.

generation v2. Generation V books – I love the side character, a kitsune who is hilarious and snarky and Fortitude the vampire lead is awesome.  The first book he was way too whiny, but he is growing up and learning how to take on responsibility and care for people, unlike his more bottom-line and power hungry family.  A modern day vampire with generation gap issues.  A little bit of romance, but mostly urban fantasy.

omens3.  Visions and Omens by Kelley Armstrong.  These books suck me in, chew me up and spit me out.  Serial killers, fae, gargoyles, who is good and who is bad and what the heck is going on?  We learn more in book two, but the pacing is awesome and metes out just enough details to make you slavering for more.  If you like paranormal mysteries, these are great with more to come.  Can’t wait for book 3.

œF$¿Æ‘$8Òò¤»däå¸R8BI4. I have only read the first book and it is only a trilogy, but Fortune’s Pawn by Rachel Bach.  Our lead heroine isn’t perfect, she makes mistakes but she tries really hard and is pretty happy with who she is.  She is basically a mercenary/security person for hire on a spaceship.  What is going on?  Is everyone who they appear to be?  Urban fantasy in space.  Weird creatures, mysteries, action and near death experiences.

That is good for now, maybe I will talk YA next post.  What books have you been chewing on lately?

Posted in Fiction | 1 Comment