Friday, July 29, 2011

New Releases August 1

There are not that many new releases that interest me this week. The only one that caught my eye is Safe Haven by Nicholas Sparks. Now if you don't know who Nicholas Sparks is, you really have to catch up on you book knowledge. I don't want to offend you, but really, where have you been?  Have you not seen, A Walk to Remember, Nights in Rodanthe, Dear John, or the most famous, The Notebook? Ok you caught me, those are all movies, I've never actually read one of his books, but if you like romances you have to at least read one. Why not this one?

This story is about a mysterious women named Katie. She is a new comer to a small town and is reserved and reluctant to make any friends. A series of events leads her to form relationships with two people. As she gets closer to them, she must choose whether to share her dark secret and live a life of risk and love, or be safe but keep to herself.

I have to admit, I kind of roll my eyes when I think of his sappy, sad, romances; but at the same time, I will never forget the stories, they really touch you. Well, maybe not Nights in Rodanthe so much, but definitely the others. Now that I think of it, I think I read a reader' Digest condensed version of one of his books, and it was so good I read it all in one sitting. There was a lighthouse on the cover...

Thursday, July 28, 2011

Love the One you're With by Emily Giffin

The one thing I like about Emily Giffin, is that her books are realistic. This one appealed to me because when I saw it I thought wow if I was to write a book, this is exactly what I would write about. I always wondered what it would be like to run into my ex. After all the books I've read lately, its nice to have one I can relate to. Like my past reads, I don't have a presumed dead ex who is a military trained assassin and possibly crazy; I don't think its very likely that I will be kidnapped and held in a shed for years; and I'm definably not a witch in love with a vampire.

So when I see a book like this, I pick it up, perhaps because I'm hoping for advice from its pages. From the moment I started to read I understood Ellen. I haven't yet come across the luck in life that she had; the perfect husband, the passion for her work, or the success in her career, but I felt the internal struggle she had when it came to her feelings for her husband and her ex. She had a lot of hard choices, but despite them all, I think she managed to do what made her happy.

There are a lot of questions this book brings up about relationships. It talks about the obsession two people can have about each other. The relationships between sisters and best friends. What happens when feelings are pushed away and not resolved. The difference between love as passion. And what qualifies as cheating.

Ellen has many unique characters to help her in her journey, all with different backgrounds and experiences in life. Each offer her different advice based on their relationships. Each time Ellen came across a choice I thought what would I do in her position. I didn't have to think hard, I know I have a weakness when it come to two particular men in my past. And if I ran into either one of them, I'm afraid I would make the wrong choices. I would drop everything I have now to create what I always wished had happened with them. I picked up this book because I wanted it to tell me that I wasn't alone having these thoughts and regrets, and they don't make me a bad person. The book didn't answer my questions, but it did make me think about whether I want to risk what I have now with my boyfriend, for something that might never work out.

It may have taught me not to sell what I have short, but it wont stop my heart from jumping whenever I see an armored truck or smell that particular brand of cologne. (Just to make that clear my ex used to drive an armored truck, we didn't try to rob one together or anything like that)

I think this book would be great for anyone who has those little unresolved feelings, or the "what ifs" in the back of their mind. I give it a 4/5
Buy it at Amazon
By it at Chapters 24% off now!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

Jane Austen Manuscript

I was reading today that a manuscript by Jane Austen was sold to Oxford University for 1.6 million dollars. It's a hand written draft of a unfinished book named The Watsons, written in 1806. It was about the daughters of a clergyman, who are left poor after their father dies.

In an article from NPR, professor Kathryn Sutherland from Oxford University talks about how Jane Austen's manuscripts are covered in cross- out, bad spelling, and grammatical errors. While some fans of Austen are outraged to hear that their hero's prose didn't flow perfectly from her pen, I find it comforting. I am an awful speller and suck at grammar. To know that such a famous author, who has written some of the most influential books, had such faults, makes her more real. After all, the books aren't about the spelling or grammar, they're about the story and the way she tells it. 

In one article they described her spelling as "eccentric" instead of bad. That's like saying, she wasn't a bad speller, she just did it her own way. Next time someone comments on my bad spelling, I think Ill use that line - my spelling isn't bad, it's just eccentric.





If you want to check out some of her manuscripts, there are digital editions online:

Saturday, July 23, 2011

Cottage weekend

This is my designated spot for reading this weekend. I was sitting there this afternoon with my bathing suit and cover up on. Its a white dress that I just bought at via la rose on Thursday. Its pretty cool you can wear it as a skirt, a halter dress, or a strapless.


Well, the sun was so hot, I could feel it burning my legs and feet. I was spraying on that sunscreen til my skin was so shinny, I swear I was about to see my reflection in it. I kept reading though, I'm in a good part of the book now and rather burn and squirm in the chair then put it down. I didn't stop til I was invited swimming, but now its after dinner so I might pick it up again and continue where I left off.


Thursday, July 21, 2011

New Releases July 25

Here are next weeks new releases that caught my eye. Nothing that makes me exited, but still worth a look.

I noticed there to be some hype around the new book in the Dresden Files Series. I've never read or heard of Jim Butcher, the author who writes supernatural crime novels. This series is about a wizard detective?? Interesting combination, I guess it could be useful when investigating to know magic. In the last book he died and is now a ghost wizard detective. Even better. Although it sounds weird I have read a lot weirder books and have really enjoyed them. This reminds me of a Christopher Moore book I read about a guy who becomes the Grimm Reaper, it was really funny. I believe I read that lots of people love the dark humour these books.



J.D Robb has a new book titled Treachery in Death. J.D Robb is another pen name for Nora Roberts. I've never read any of her Robb books. I have read lots of Nora Roberts books, (a guilty pleasure when I'm in the mood for some romance.) I think the two names is to keep her romance and murder novels separate. I can safely say she is a good writer, so this is probably a good book.


Jeffery Deaver has a book coming out called Edge. Ive read a few of his books before, I enjoyed some and others I found boring. This one is about a secret government agency that specializes in citizen protection, one of their agents named Corte, (who loves board games, and uses they strategy solve his cases) is sent to protect a D.C detective. Detective Ryan Kessler is being targeted by an enemy of Corte, and Corte must decide whether to seek revenge on the killer or to protect the Kessler family.

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Beach Trip

I went to the beach yesterday. I just started a good chick lit so I thought the beach would be a perfect atmosphere to relax and read. I packed my Kobo into my blue beach bag, more like threw it in on top of the other junk, and headed to my cousins place.

We arrived around eleven, it wasn't too crowed and it was the perfect temperature to sit around, but I didn't get one sentence read. Instead I started the morning making sand castles. Then as it got hotter out, mid thirties plus humidity (ahhh), I sat in the water up to my waist with my cousin, as her son walked back and forth from the beach and dumped shovels full of muddy sand in my hand.

We did get lots of people watching done. The beach is the obvious place to check out the new styles of bathing suits, and criticise what others are wearing while safely under the water. I know it's bad to judge, but you sometimes cant help it. Which is why the minute I get out of the water I quickly make my way to my towel to cover up. If I do it everyone else must be too.

I have a long drive to the cottage this weekend, so I will get more productive reading done then.

Monday, July 18, 2011

Quinn by Iris Johanson

As you know I started Quinn very excited. The book continues exactly where it left off in Eve. Following the pattern in Eve, Quinn begins by establishing the relationship between Eve and Quinn. This book starts by introduces us to when Quinn and Eve first meet, and we follow them as they get to know each other and become a couple. I'm feeling a lot better about Quinn's character now that I've got to know him better in this book. He still has the character traits that I was uncomfortable with in the last book, but this time I understand him better, and because the majority of the book is in his voice I can see why he makes the decisions he does and what he is thinking during them. He still has the Superman complex, where he must swoop in and save the day, and is always intent on protecting Eve from any harm. I found this annoying and although I still don't like this part of him, he is still a good character.

I read the first half of the book quickly because I just wanted to get through it and into the good present day stuff. Although it was nice to see how Quinn and Eve met, it wasn't very exciting since we already know that they get married. It all took place right after Eve lost  Bonnie, so the backdrop to their relationship was Eve's search for Bonnie's killer. Separately this could be a good story line but didn't hold my interest since I also know that Eve is not going to find the killer.

After the well written, yet un-climactic beginning I finally got to the present day. From here the book picks up and I couldn't put it down. Catherine plays a bigger role in this book then she does the last. This book focuses on two searches, the search for John, and the search for another possible killer.

The book ends in a spooky setting, with gripping action, and high tension. Then it stops, right in the middle of it all. I was even more disappointed then last time. At least in Eve they wrapped up the search for Paul Black, then left us with a new mystery and a new enemy. This time nothing is concluded. And the name of the next installment... Bonnie. Judging by the formats of the previous books, I'm going to assume that this one will start with Bonnie's perspective right before she is taken. I'm going to cross my fingers and hope this is the last one and it wont be followed by another book titled Catherine or Gallo.

Ok, its getting a 5/5 too, because of how much I am anticipating the next one.

Ease of Reading: 4/5
Lasting Effect: 4/5
Amusement: 5/5
Creativity: 4/5
Length: 4/5
Characters: 5/5

Buy it on Amazon
Buy it on Chapters/Indigo : 35% off right now!

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Another July 19 Release

I have one more book that you may enjoy reading this summer...


"Portrait of a Spy" by Daniel Silva is getting good reviews online. I read the overview of the book and it looks to be full of action. As the title assumes, the book is about an assassin/spy who gets involved in protecting the world from a dangerous terrorist. There also appears to be a rich beautiful woman involved; who would have guessed?

I've read a little about Silva and learned that this is the eleventh book about the character, Gabriel Allon. The last book in the series was "The Rembrandt Affair" which as far as I can tell spent 6 weeks on the New York Times bestsellers list in 2010.

Saturday, July 16, 2011

There's nothing like ice cream and a good book

I'm half way through Quinn now and I can't stop reading it. I worked all day and ten minutes after getting home I was out on the balcony with some ice cream reading. At this rate there will be a new review by next week. If you haven't picked up this series yet, what are you waiting for?

Friday, July 15, 2011

New Releases July 19

What new books are coming out next week? I'll fill you in on a few bestselling author's new releases coming out next week.

First on my list is Catherine Coulter's Split Second. Its number 15 in her FBI series. I read a few books from this series a couple years ago and I loved them. I'm sure she hasn't stopped creating exciting and suspenseful books.

There's a new Jason Bourne book coming. I personally have never read the books. I cheated and just watched the movies instead. This one is called "The Bourne Dominion."

John Grisham also has a new title "The Confession". I never liked his writing that much, but for those who do, its sounds good. Its about a murderer who's crimes were pinned on someone else and now, nine years later on his deathbed, he decides to confess.



That all I have for now. Check back to see if I find anything else interesting or leave a comment if you know of a good book that's coming out next week.

Thursday, July 14, 2011

L.A Noire: The Collected Stories

If you don't pay attention to video games I'd like to point out that this book is related to the recent game L.A Noire. In the game you play a cop in 1950's L.A, solving your way through the gangs, murders, drugs, and arson's in the city. When I picked up this book I expected it to go deeper into the cases that you deal with in the game. Perhaps reveal the story's behind the murders, and what really happened. Instead this book is a collection of short stories that take place during the same time as the games plot. There are a few related points, such as the Polar Bear ice company. The book explores deeper into the company showcased in the game, but covers a non related incident.

Many of the stories end abruptly, without explaining what happened. When I read a story I prefer to finish knowing what has happened and why, so I don't enjoy short stories that leave unanswered questions.

Don't get me mistaken this is not a bad book. There were a few of the stories that I enjoyed such as 'School for Murder.' This story focused on one character and developed him well, it had a clear ending, and even featured some surprises and unexpected developments. Besides that the book wasn't for me. Luckly it was pretty short, and I got it free online.  2/5

Lasting Effect: 1/5
Plot: 2/5
Creativity: 3/5
Length: 3/5
Characters: 2/5

Buy it for Kindle
Buy it for Kobo

Wednesday, July 13, 2011

Quinn

I was on the Kobo website today looking for something to buy with the 20% promo code they are offering right now. I like to stock up on books when they are having a sale. So far I don't think I've bought any at full price. I started off looking in new releases and what do I see? Quinn is out now! You probably have no idea what I'm talking about, but a month ago I finished reading the book Eve. I reviewed it on this blog later. I was so disappointed when I got to the end of the book and saw that the story was to be continued in the next installment called Quinn. I was afraid at the time that I would have to wait a year or more until it came out, and by that time have to read it again to remember what happened. Which is why I am so excited now. If you read my review of Eve you would know that I didn't enjoy Quinn's character that much. I hope that I like him better this time around, now that he's the voice of the book.

I just finished reading "L.A Noire" on the bus ride home from the zoo. (The weather co-operated and it was lovely and hot, if you asked.) So I'm ready for a new book and there's a new review coming soon. I was going to read "Love the One You're With" by Emily Giffin, but she may have to wait until after this one now.
Sorry Emily, but I need to finish this story! I promise I will get to you.

Tuesday, July 12, 2011

Buisness War

I'm browsing Kobo's top 50 books again, always looking for my next read, and I noticed that 'Art of War' is still near the top of the list. First I was worried that so many people were brushing up on their war strategies. Do they know something I don't? Then I looked it up and realized it focuses a lot on outsmarting your opponents so a physical fight is not necessary.

After a sigh of relief I wondered 'how many people are buying this for the listed price of $9.29?' The reason I ask this is because I know that this was one of the 100 free books that came with the original Kobo. Curious I searched the website.

The Art of WarWell, it turns out that there are many published versions of the book. (Not surprising) They range from two to thirteen dollars, and a free version. I knew it existed. The only major difference I see is the cover illustration. Now the free version does have a very ugly cover, plain red and white, not nearly as cool as the terracotta warriors on some of the others. The only reason I can see for buying it over getting it free, is that when your e-reader goes to sleep you have a cool picture of a stone statue on your screen.

Maybe you could leave your reader lying where your co-workers can see. (For reading on lunch breaks, not while you should be working) and when they comment on it  you can proudly say you are reading an ancient Chinese book on war strategy, and that it has often been applied to the competitive business world. Maybe then they will think twice before they try and pawn off their work to you, or steal your lunch from the company fridge.

Wednesday, July 6, 2011

Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz

Dean Koontz is my favourite author, I have read many books by him and thoroughly enjoyed most of them. I think he has a great sense of humor. This book is one of his lighter funnier stories. It starts with Rudy who receives a prediction from his dying father that his son would have five terrible days in his life. The book continues exploring the son and each of his five terrible days.

This book deals with fate, and whether knowing the future, like what days will be terrible, can make any difference in the outcome. Can you change fate if you have a head start or will it happen no matter what you do?

The son, Jimmy, is a big clumsy man. The best this about his character is how calm he is with the world around him. No matter what happens Jimmy takes things as they are and his observations about the world are great. When faced with a difficult situation, or even just walking down the street, he comes up with crazy possibilities where it all might lead. Most of them are grim and highly unlikely, cartoon-ish even, but it is his ability to assume the worst yet make rational decisions which makes him so funny. As the reader inside of his thoughts, you are aware of all the crazy things he is thinking, but at the same time you see the calm and rational exterior that everyone else does.

This book is exciting and full of action and humor. The characters in it are larger then life. The grandmother is colourful, inappropriate, and full of laughs. If you like Koontz's humor, similar to Christopher Moore at times, you will love this book.

Lasting effect 2
This isn't the type of book that makes you think or has a message. Its good entertainment.

Amusement: 5
I love Koontz's sense of humor and think this one of his best books. The characters have a unique banter between them, and feed off each others jokes.

Plot: 5
Great plot with many twists and unexpected turns.

Creativity: 4
Koontz always has original ideas. This book is not exception.

Characters: 5
All the characters are lovable, even the evil ones in their own way grow on you.
8B8BXXFRHTQ6

Buy it on Amazon
Buy it on Chapters/Indigo

Sunday, July 3, 2011

Emma by Jane Austen

I like reading classics once in a while as well as best sellers, and only having read one Jane Austen novel previously thought I should try her once again. I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I was quick to assume that the book was going to be long and boring, but this was not the case. The language was not that hard to understand, as long as I didn't have anything to distract me like a TV or loud talking in the background, I could read it just as I would any modern novel.

Speaking of Emma's character at first I did not like her. I thought she was snobby and very concerned with a persons status. I understand that this was written in old England where prestige and birth right was important. But sometimes I was a little put back by her quick judge of character and her strong emphasis on manners.

This book's focus is on marriage and Emma's opinion of it.

I was torn at times as to the message Austen was trying to give in this novel. Emma was often concerned with a persons status in the community and who they should marry based on that. As the book progressed I felt that Emma was learning that perhaps marriage should be based on who you are compatible with, and who makes you happy. Yet all of the characters ended up marring within their rank and when they tried to search above their status were often left disappointed. So then perhaps Austen was trying to say that a person will find happiness only when they search in their own social circles.

Moving on to the book itself, there is one complaint that I have. Especially when starting out I found it very hard to keep track of all the characters and their names in the book. To make it easier for anyone wanting to read it I will explain a few of the main characters.

Firstly there is Mr. Woodhouse and his two daughters Emma and Isabella. Isabella is married to John Knightly. Miss Taylor/Mrs. Weston was their governess before she got married to Mr. Weston and moved out. Mr. Weston's son is Frank Churchill who went to live with his aunt (Mrs. Churchill) after his mother died.
John Knightley's brother Mr.Knightly lives close to the Woodhouse's house and is friends with Emma along with Mr. Elton.
Mrs. Bates and her daughter Miss Bates are friends with Mr. Woodhouse. Their niece/granddaughter (Jane Fairfax)  lives with her deceased fathers good friend from the military Mr. Campbell. She is staying with her aunt for the summer.
Emma's befriends Harriet Smith whose lineage in unknown.

Those are the most important characters that I found confusing at the beginning. Here's what I thought..

Ease of Reading: 3
I had to use a dictionary a few times to understand what was going on, and a few times I lost track who was speaking, but no one can complain that the book is not very well written.

Lasting Effect: 2
I did like the book, but I don't think it will stay with me long after I've finished it. I read one Jane Austen previously and don't remember one thing that happened in it. Yet if this book proves different I promise I will come back and change my opinion.

Amusement: 3
There are several awkward situations between the characters that were amusing. The fact that the characters are so refined though makes it hard to develop any humour that compares with modern stories.

Plot: 4
Austen developed a very integrated story between all the characters, with several twists and unexpected outcomes.

Length: 4
At the beginning I was worried that I would find the book unbearably long, but as I got acquainted and comfortable with the characters the book proved to be the perfect length.

Characters: 4
I base this mostly on Emma's character since the book is all from her point of view. She was a very believable person who grew and learned through the book. Hearing her every thought and opinion you get to know her very well and respect her by the end.

Good book. Like always :) 4/5

Saturday, July 2, 2011

A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness

If you don't like Harry Potter or Twilight it is possible you will not like this book. It is a fantasy story, but written for adults. When I started this novel I was very much into it. I found the "science" behind it very intriguing and creative. To start with I should mention that the book is based on three different types of supernatural beings living among us: witches, vampires, and daemons. (Of course they are separated in society and taught not to interact. Naturally to add tension and danger between the characters.) The book goes in depth about the DNA differences between them, and I found it got very technical and confusing at times. The author does do a great job making the existence of these creatures very believable and explaining the evolution of them over history.

Harkness created a amazing world that is hard not to get drawn into. She created 3 very different species. They are mostly cliches; The dangerous, silent vampire, with the dark past, and the quirky, yet powerful witch. But being so strict in the traits of each species she created a world where it is impossible not to stand out if you are different.
The relationships between the characters grow slowly. At times it reminded me of 1800 England, no touching aloud, and of course the relationship grows stronger as they respect each others minds. But their interaction are also modern, because Diana, a witch and the books main character, is a strong independent woman. Along with the main character Harkness goes in depth with their families as well. Each family has very different identities. As you get to know them you learn to better understand the characters, where they have come from, and how it shaped who they are. Diana's aunts and her childhood house bring light-hearted humour to the book, which is needed to break up the tension and action.

I have to say it, but Diana's family reminds me of the aunts from "Sabrina the Teenage Witch", The TV show with Melissa Joan Hart.Yes, I watched that, and I loved it.

The book focuses on self discovery, accepting who you are and being proud of it, and falling in love and the struggles it involves.

 I must admit that the book is very long. I know you can see that by looking at it, but it was also noticeable long. I have read large books before and am so entangled in them I don't notice the length, but I did notice it in this book. She is a good writer and despite the length there is always something going on. It was just that sometimes I felt all the events were not necessary to the story. A few times it dragged. I eventually got to the point where every time I put it down I caught myself checking how much more was left.

Despite the length and the cliches it was still a great story, and deserves a good mark. 4/5

Lasting Effect: 3
Amusement: 4
Plot: 5
Creativity: 4
Length: 3
Characters: 4

Buy it at Amazon
Buy it at Chapters/Indigo: 34% off now!