tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-193035782024-03-07T13:20:18.021-05:00BibliolatryTO READ IS DIVINEBibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.comBlogger577125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-54842182060913895822011-04-10T10:30:00.002-05:002013-07-11T13:31:34.095-05:00Help!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIkCgbxp5-CTBPg5wT7pMz9LNuYT5vy8R7MChywDzOtkAAgCwDy64qDMwatlHD8KwNKJHj78qfau3i-e95R1D7d_Skx3IXTW8QiC44jIrRgi0F4k0nAyvU_2uG6zzzEoL1oY9/s1600/question.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 236px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSIkCgbxp5-CTBPg5wT7pMz9LNuYT5vy8R7MChywDzOtkAAgCwDy64qDMwatlHD8KwNKJHj78qfau3i-e95R1D7d_Skx3IXTW8QiC44jIrRgi0F4k0nAyvU_2uG6zzzEoL1oY9/s320/question.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5593977936537067906" /></a><div align="justify">Question for all my reader pals out there:<br /><br />Have you ever read anything by John Saul, and if so what did you think? <br /><br />I'm thinking of trying something by him but can't decide what to read. There's just so much to choose from!<br /><br />Thanks!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-88918414429127747192011-03-05T11:32:00.003-05:002011-03-05T11:35:32.436-05:00Stalled story<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOThW_6hy63tCQDjhUsM-KfAk-9HKJqm3H0u7o-zBo9ULylRgdC_wrdHcG-mdIXvXgI1IEgLzg0NK6ucUzsSiySQLWvspEngDP5Fr_wx3P6lIJlSHzQjXr_G_MeK2sWeqkut3/s1600/kavalier-and-clay.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzOThW_6hy63tCQDjhUsM-KfAk-9HKJqm3H0u7o-zBo9ULylRgdC_wrdHcG-mdIXvXgI1IEgLzg0NK6ucUzsSiySQLWvspEngDP5Fr_wx3P6lIJlSHzQjXr_G_MeK2sWeqkut3/s320/kavalier-and-clay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5580634975618933890" /></a>For the second time, I'm finding myself stalled in my reading of <em>The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay</em>. <br /><br />Like before, I am just shy of the 100-page mark, and yet I'm not yet hooked.<br /><br />Can anyone advise me? Shall I suck it up and soldier on, or toss?Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com17tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-92051947878469974782011-02-05T10:47:00.005-05:002011-02-05T10:54:31.333-05:00apathy and angst<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVPTf_JR2-wKU-W3dqaP3Zl9OxMZhCnQwc6QUt2VeQ8BO6d6b0d1q2itC0sHYzkU6QnxOsvKTEXv2ytc2kEUT03AKlRPpC9nlH35RbR0euDDFvDEqNxKxK6sMNcUYBiwOupKO/s1600/images.jpeg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 259px; height: 194px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGVPTf_JR2-wKU-W3dqaP3Zl9OxMZhCnQwc6QUt2VeQ8BO6d6b0d1q2itC0sHYzkU6QnxOsvKTEXv2ytc2kEUT03AKlRPpC9nlH35RbR0euDDFvDEqNxKxK6sMNcUYBiwOupKO/s320/images.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5570233889278215122" /></a><div align="justify">HELLLLOOOO<br /><br />The winter blues have me in their icy, apathetic grip. It's all I can do to go to work as of late. My ass has been on the treadmill only a handful of times this year, and I have one in my basement. It's not like I have to drive to a gym. But still. <br /><br />I'm proud to say my reading pace has not slowed. I've been reading quite a bit; you wouldn't know it from the sight of things around here. For one, blogging has seemed like too much of a chore lately, and I've always shied away from anything that has felt like an obligation. Also, the apathy (see above). Also, I've been blogging here for a loooooong time (5+ years now) and I'm just not feeling it lately.<br /><br />Any advice, y'all? Pack it in? Keep on chugging along? Anyone even there anymore? <br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-53494334862524188252010-12-06T20:00:00.003-05:002010-12-06T20:40:26.106-05:00Back from the dead.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FMvYok2OjjLm0C8s3Du2ndEbAfe9gVOyehkpkC-rSWL8UIvuHiEVjZGfDEZYQNYc73ccMwuFl0qRcZBLL_2DAw4ipC4hPTG1xvcylVQgBr4EK3TQ3tfm0spO9Qi912psFzAX/s1600/back.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 290px; height: 230px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3FMvYok2OjjLm0C8s3Du2ndEbAfe9gVOyehkpkC-rSWL8UIvuHiEVjZGfDEZYQNYc73ccMwuFl0qRcZBLL_2DAw4ipC4hPTG1xvcylVQgBr4EK3TQ3tfm0spO9Qi912psFzAX/s320/back.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5547741485415002834" /></a><div align="justify">SO, life, in all its wonders has intervened since my last post many eons ago. <br /><br />Life + stress + work = no time for blogging -- which figures, because I totally killed the RIP challenge. Of course I would be too busy to <s>gloat</s> recap the first time I've ever successfully completed a challenge. <br /><br /><br />SIGH.<br /><br /><br />So, anyway, here's a bunch of stuff I've read lately in order of awesomeness:<br /><br /><br /><em>Outlander</em>, by Diana Gabaldon<br /><ul><li>SASSENACH! GAH JAMIE I LURVEEEE YOU. Why are you so hot and yet so fictional? WHY OH WHY are there no magical rocks that can buzz me backwards in time?? (Also, why do they not smell? Because the entire time, I just kept thinking that everyone must stink to high heaven.) Anyway, they gave this shit away for free on Amazon. HELLO, THIS BOOK IS WORTH ITS WEIGHT IN GOLD. How dare Amazon give this gem away for free? Anyway, completely insane and completely awesome. I immediately finished it and downloaded the second book in the series. Jamie Fraser 4eva!!1</li></ul><br /><br /><em>The Gates</em>, by John Connolly<br /><ul><li>Short, lovely little tale about the gates of Hell opening up in someone's basement. And, there's Nurd, who's actually a lovely little demon. Charming and fun. </li></ul><br /><br /><em>Dark Harvest</em>, by Norman Partridge<br /><ul><li>This one was nice, fast, and spooky. Oh, and it qualified for RIP, for what that's worth. Some pumpkin kid comes to life and the town's teens have to destroy him before Bad Things happen. Note: It was much better than I'm making it sound.</li></ul><br /><br /><em>Neverland</em>, by Douglas Clegg<br /><ul><li>This one was atmospheric, Southern Gothicky, and a little disturbing. Isolated children get up to no good and they may or may not be making sacrifices to the devil. And then Bad Things happen. Also, RIP. This one was pretty good, although it didn't ruffle my muffin or anything.</li></ul><br /><br /><em>Dead City</em>, by Joe McKinney<br /><ul><li>Apparently this one's about zombies, although I needed google to remind me about that. Still, it was a good story and got me through more than a few goes on the treadmill. Also, not a total bummer of an ending. And, RIP.</li></ul><br /><br /><em>33 A.D.</em>, by David McAfee<br /><ul><li>This one involves vampires and Jesus. Apparently vampires were the ones responsible for the crucifixion of Christ. Who knew? Actually not as bad as this sounds, although there's a reason it's at the bottom of this list. But still, vampires + Jesus, so take from that what you will. And, RIP.</li></ul><br /><br /><br /><br />Finally, I'm also reading like a dozen other things that I've stopped about halfway though because Gabaldon and her web of fantasy have rendered me impossible to read like a normal adult. And, that life thing again.<br /><br />Hopefully normal posting will resume soon.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-53476622477478733082010-10-06T04:00:00.000-05:002010-10-06T05:15:15.578-05:00RR10: September<div align="justify">September was a good reading month for me, especially when you remember that I returned to school and have been quite busy with the little devils. <br /><br />Also, I've been KILLING my first entry into <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/rip-ping-good-time.html">RIP</a>, so I'm proud to say that I'm fulfilling a challenge, and fulfilling it well. <br /><br />Unfortunately, I have, as before, continued my excellent streak of reading NOT A SINGLE THING on <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/01/reading-resolution-2010.html">my reading resolution</a>. EXCELLENT.<br /><br />Anyway, let's get to it.<br /><br /><br />BOOKS READ, SEPTEMBER 2010<br /><br />Castillo, Linda. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/not-for-faint-of-heart.html"><em>Sworn to Silence</em></a><br />Cottam, F.G. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/10/zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.html"><em>Dark Echo</em></a><br />Harwood, John. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/10/ethel-i-think-you-underestimated-your.html"><em>The Seance</em></a><br />Maberry, Jonathan. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/more-bore-than-gore.html"><em>Patient Zero</em></a><br />McGrath, Patrick. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/10/want-to-cure-obsession-get-another-one.html"><em>Dr. Haggard's Disease</em></a><br />Sigler, Scott. <a hef="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-only-care-about-mookie-not-gonna-lie.html"><em>Ancestor</em></a><br />Wharton, Edith. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/pickles-pickles.html"><em>Ethan Frome</em></a><br /><br /><br />RESOLUTION TITLES = 0 (9/80)<br /><br />NON-RESOLUTION TITLES = 7<br /><br />TOTAL READ IN SEPTEMBER 2010 = 7<br /><br />TOTAL READ IN 2010 = 53<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-56647798216065206532010-10-04T17:00:00.003-05:002010-10-04T17:11:33.424-05:00zzzzzzzzzzzzzz<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVRXZAKP-72bVB2h4ZvJEZwvEIZy-Ias6xkNAvfRVkHHF8cFkkL6Adk6q4Oc0inZ7mgjLIc9dYgk2v6WfKqZdD4Mx9KL_jhLDh7PEMmBoHdyov5PHu91Ene8BtgXPmno6XBw6/s1600/dark+echo.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 182px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaVRXZAKP-72bVB2h4ZvJEZwvEIZy-Ias6xkNAvfRVkHHF8cFkkL6Adk6q4Oc0inZ7mgjLIc9dYgk2v6WfKqZdD4Mx9KL_jhLDh7PEMmBoHdyov5PHu91Ene8BtgXPmno6XBw6/s320/dark+echo.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5524313850335808226" /></a><em>Dark Echo</em><br />F.G. Cottam<br /><br /><div align="justify">Ok, so, awhile ago I read <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2009/11/people-stop-going-to-houses-of-evil.html"><em>The House of Lost Souls</em></a>, and I was pleased with its atmospheric creepiness. Fast forward a bit, blah blah blah, RIPV, and here we are. <em>Dark Echo</em> time.<br /><br />So, the Dark Echo is a boat, and apparently she's cursed. Back in the day she was owned by Harry Spalding, a flamboyant playboy from the 1920s. And then all of a sudden zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz<br /><br />Sorry, fell asleep. <br /><br />Anyway, so Harry Spalding is a devil-worshipper who sold his soul. There are some genuinely spooky bits involving the horrible acts committed by Spalding, but the beginning of the book is all about THE FRIGGIN BOAT. And, give or take one or two spooky bits, the boat is pretty damn boring. (Oh, and the protag's father buys the haunted yacht and plans to sail across the Atlantic on it -- nevermind the fact he knows its haunted. And the protag goes along with him, because, well, it's his father. Meanwhile, everyone's all, OH NOES THE BOAT IS HAUNTED. And therein lies the plot.)<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s1600/ripvlarge.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img alt="" border="0" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521525073809508610" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s200/ripvlarge.jpg" style="cursor: hand; cursor: pointer; float: right; height: 180px; margin: 0 0 10px 10px; width: 180px;" /></a>This book is about 350 pages long, but it felt like 3 billion. <em>Dark Echo</em> didn't get really good until AT LEAST page 250, and that's being kind. Unfortunately, <em>Dark Echo</em> did nothing to disabuse me of the notion that boats = BORING.<br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br />In a nutshell: The final third was soooo good. Wish the beginning bits were more interesting.<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 2 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: Library'd this one. Sha-zam!<br /><br />RIPV: Selling your soul to the devil after completing the requisite degenerate acts qualifies <em>Dark Echo</em> for this year's <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/rip-ping-good-time.html">RIP</a> challenge. woot woot<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-35690744835724312712010-10-04T05:00:00.003-05:002010-10-04T16:56:16.427-05:00Ethel, I think you underestimated your transmitter!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH64iiASj20vw58M6wnRrMu6lyMHynLzUJNntb1DqKd92XOjh9fPvnk0tUWfXY3Y2bh1fzQJbThbcLMHUNgywjVd157JAF-rOJx6ztomxkMPBGb65KvKQez3BP4cr8DlAMoKZ/s1600/seance.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 217px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH64iiASj20vw58M6wnRrMu6lyMHynLzUJNntb1DqKd92XOjh9fPvnk0tUWfXY3Y2bh1fzQJbThbcLMHUNgywjVd157JAF-rOJx6ztomxkMPBGb65KvKQez3BP4cr8DlAMoKZ/s320/seance.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5523966642486535970" /></a><em>The Seance</em><br />
John Harwood<br />
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<div align="justify">Can I just say how much I LOVE this time of year? True, the fall also coincides with a return to work which is, of course, full of UGH, but even a return to grading and poorly constructed sentences and forgotten homework can't make me entirely dislike autumn. AND, it's time for SPOOKY READS! Which are, of course, full of win.<br />
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So, you might remember John Harwood from <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2007/06/this-goth-chick-is-pretty-good-time.html"><em>The Ghost Writer</em></a>, which was, as I recall, "a pretty good time." Now he's back with <em>The Seance</em>, an equally atmospheric Gothic mystery set in Victorian England.<br />
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Constance Langton has problems. Her father doesn't care about her, and her mother is too busy mourning her dead sister to care much about her, either. Constance begins to delve into the nascent spiritualist community in hopes of helping her mother move on from her grief.<br />
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<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s1600/ripvlarge.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s200/ripvlarge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521525073809508610" /></a>Whoops. So much for THAT. The best of intentions, and all that. Before you know it, Constance learns she has inherited Wraxford Hall, a mouldering old mansion in the countryside, from a distant reputation. The lawyer who tells her of this inheritance warns her to sell the building without setting foot in it -- it has been the site of numerous apparitions, disappearances, and deaths. The Hall remains shrouded in mystery.<br />
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But this wouldn't be an entertaining novel if Constance were to listen. Soon she finds herself searching for the truth behind Wraxford Hall.<br />
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<em>The Seance</em> is a nice little novel that is both spooky and endearing. My only complaint is that I had a hard time envisioning some of the action (especially as the mystery was explained); however, this confusion is probably due to my unfamiliarity with the layout of such great homes. (Also, I was reading on my Kindle while walking on my treadmill. So I'm sure that didn't increase my comprehension. Oh well.) <br />
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In a nutshell: Charming, spooky, mysterious -- great fun.<br />
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Bibliolatry Scale: 5 out of 6 stars<br />
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FTCBS: Personal Kindle copy here<br />
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RIPV: Ghosts, seances, and a mystery? You're darn right <em>The Seance</em> counts toward this year's <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/rip-ping-good-time.html">RIP</a> challenge. BAM!<br />
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</div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-21906983685004859862010-10-03T05:00:00.004-05:002010-10-03T18:33:36.858-05:00Want to cure an obsession? Get another one.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19TtXbHzBqR8bKUGJSfOgwosLH4UtIwSwdg6xH-OmTJK66zuLYzzAnzGdZZ2pQ6WZN1-sEeZkuWQFjJXiq495zvF3Boxfa3li1MS8xGOKAV4cJoAxcPlGmUU_G1DbsNqRGweL/s1600/dr.+haggard.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 207px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19TtXbHzBqR8bKUGJSfOgwosLH4UtIwSwdg6xH-OmTJK66zuLYzzAnzGdZZ2pQ6WZN1-sEeZkuWQFjJXiq495zvF3Boxfa3li1MS8xGOKAV4cJoAxcPlGmUU_G1DbsNqRGweL/s320/dr.+haggard.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521370964142633650" /></a><em>Dr. Haggard's Disease</em><br />Patrick McGrath<br /><br /><div align="justify">Oh, Mr. McGrath. You are so wonderful. So literary, yet so Gothic. You tax my brain at the same time you chill my spine. How I love you.<br /><br />Anyway, not so long ago (or almost two years!? insert obligatory lament re: time flying, and all that), I read a wee little tale called <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2008/12/i-cant-believe-theres-actually-word-for.html"><em>Asylum</em></a>, and my love for Patrick McGrath was born. Alas, I had not the time nor the insight to seek out more of his work -- until now. Now that I've read my second McGrath, it's nearly all I can do to stop myself from buying every single thing the man's ever written. SO. GOOD.<br /><br />Ok, so - <em>Dr. Haggard's Disease</em>. Dr. Haggard, injured and alone, has retired to a gothic manor to obsess over his lost love. As a young doctor, he had a brief but torrid affair with Fanny, the wife of a senior staff member. Unfortunately THINGS HAPPEN, and now Dr. Haggard is, well, a bit haggard. Now Fanny-less, he pines for his lost life -- until he receives a visit from Fanny's young son. And then he gets REALLY WEIRD.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s1600/ripvlarge.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 180px; height: 180px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s200/ripvlarge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521525073809508610" /></a>In a nutshell: Love. Obsession. Addiction. Haunting, rhythmic prose. A crumbling seaside mansion. What's not to love?<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 5 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: This one's all mine. And so shall every other McGrath out there. You've been warned.<br /><br />RIPV: Thanks to its Gothic nature, <em>Dr. Haggard's Disease</em> most definitely counts toward this year's <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/rip-ping-good-time.html">RIP</a> challenge. I'm killing this challenge! KILLING IT!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-24629256493306529542010-10-01T04:00:00.004-05:002010-10-03T18:29:12.089-05:00I only care about Mookie, not gonna lie<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdraiAAEsYbP_B8Lj_pcD8BuSp8qySsszWYyByiabqHHa1WWhh1wlbUrSbJQp9kHDh7SPwR9NVNOa7mC1dKsahKS26p9P5P1OriQPaZY2D3eSIHkk449JLWj_EX84edWeGF8G/s1600/ancestor.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 206px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdraiAAEsYbP_B8Lj_pcD8BuSp8qySsszWYyByiabqHHa1WWhh1wlbUrSbJQp9kHDh7SPwR9NVNOa7mC1dKsahKS26p9P5P1OriQPaZY2D3eSIHkk449JLWj_EX84edWeGF8G/s320/ancestor.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521371377387747650" /></a><em>Ancestor</em><br />Scott Sigler<br /><br /><div align="justify">After reading <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2009/10/strength-does-not-come-from-physical.html"><em>Infected</em></a> and its sequel <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2009/12/real-horror-is-next-door-to-us.html"><em>Contagious</em></a>, I couldn't wait to read Sigler's next novel. Would <em>Ancestor</em> live up to my earlier experiences?<br /><br /><em>Ancestor</em> moves away from the alien invasion that played a part in his first two novels, and instead focuses on a monster much closer to home. A biotech company is seeking to engineer a suitable animal host that can support organs for human transplantation. As cow embryo after embryo fails to do the job, they decide to go back a bit further, introducing genes from an ancestor. It seems to work, and the crew watches as their livestock brings these no-longer extinct animals back to live.<br /><br />Of course, what seems like a good idea really isn't. These scientists have unwittingly given life to a super-predator, and it isn't long before the dozens of creatures they have bred get hungry. Very hungry. Oh, and they are quite smart. Ruh-roh, guys. Ruh-roh.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s1600/ripvlarge.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s200/ripvlarge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521525073809508610" /></a><em>Ancestor</em> is grounded in science and sounds eerily plausible, even if such an "ancestor" never existed. My only beef is the first 40% of the novel (thanks, kindle!) was a little <em>too</em> heavy on the science. Had that been condensed a bit, my enjoyment would have been complete.<br /><br />Overall, I can't complain. Yet again, Sigler has written a fast-paced, thought-provoking novel that delivers. And, he came through with Mookie -- that meant a lot, man.<br /><br />In a nutshell: Smart and unsettling, <em>Ancestor</em> prompts us to fear the monsters of tomorrow (and, ironically enough, of yesterday).<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: downloaded this one for my Kindle<br /><br />RIPV: Those freaky ancestors and the spine-tingling suspense that marks the final third of the novel are more than enough to qualify <em>Ancestor</em> for this year's <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/rip-ping-good-time.html">RIP</a> challenge. That would be numero 3. Bam!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-41271929019313722422010-09-28T15:00:00.005-05:002010-10-01T05:20:36.174-05:00Not for the faint of heart<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVzCt4i8eQxEHb366qYCN-wAsHlDG9j-OE0eVnfZNSGB4UzzUCvkaamJKr719CV8i6_EDw39BNFKaDmJr_AGoVe6TffeZE7alApX1LLhnRkiQ_E-x5t9Xx9i9WLiJc9Pnvdga/s1600/sworn+to+silence.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghVzCt4i8eQxEHb366qYCN-wAsHlDG9j-OE0eVnfZNSGB4UzzUCvkaamJKr719CV8i6_EDw39BNFKaDmJr_AGoVe6TffeZE7alApX1LLhnRkiQ_E-x5t9Xx9i9WLiJc9Pnvdga/s320/sworn+to+silence.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521370630731011090" /></a><em>Sworn to Silence</em><br />Linda Castillo<br /><br /><div align="justify">First, a warning: this book is pretty messed up in places. There's a serial killer, and he's not the nice kind that kills you all quick-like. No, he drags things out and makes life extra-painful. In other words, he's just like high school.<br /> <br />Ok, so, background: Kate Burkholder grew up Amish but left the community and is now chief of police. Her skills are put to the test when young women turn up dead. Roman numerals carved into their stomachs indicate the killer's rampage has been a long one -- even though he was presumed dead over a decade ago.<br /><br />In many ways, the story is cliched: Kate battles the predominately-male police force and fights to prove her worth. She's also hiding a dark secret that could destroy her. An alcoholic detective who is battling his own demons is sent to help with the investigation. What if he uncovers Kate's secret? And what about the hotshot investigator who slowly infringes upon Kate's case? <br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s1600/ripvlarge.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s200/ripvlarge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521525073809508610" /></a>These cliches, however, do not detract from the novel. <em>Sworn to Silence</em> is a solid mystery that follows genre conventions and delivers chills along the way. I could have done without the predictable and unnecessary romance that pops up midway through the novel -- hello, serial killer on the loose, put it back in your pants until you catch him, mmmkay? <br /><br />Overall, the story was an intriguing one. The violence and brutality featured in the novel are not for the faint of heart. However, for those looking for a disturbing, atmospheric mystery to complement this time of year, <em>Sworn to Silence</em> is a a perfect fit. That said, I don't think I'll read the sequel that continues the story of Kate Burkholder; one was enough for me.<br /><br />In a nutshell: Disturbing, taut, and compelling, <em>Sworn to Silence</em> probably shouldn't be read late at night, especially if you live alone.<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: downloaded a version o'this for me Kindle<br /><br />RIPV: <em>Sworn to Silence</em> is the second book that counts toward this year's <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/rip-ping-good-time.html">RIP</a> challenge.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-48289506875134087792010-09-27T17:00:00.004-05:002010-10-03T18:24:03.869-05:00More bore than gore<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVLTL_C_L-wa3BPLZcj9a64EqXKKSQXXMBNC26z6XHnpe3th5Nlk9Y4O7o-tXpW2zGFswD5rqrc640LyalXSvV3NxYHbo8YwXz3jw5o0QXdNECcOmNtVuudqy82TCXPuTdssl/s1600/patient+zero.png"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 216px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVLTL_C_L-wa3BPLZcj9a64EqXKKSQXXMBNC26z6XHnpe3th5Nlk9Y4O7o-tXpW2zGFswD5rqrc640LyalXSvV3NxYHbo8YwXz3jw5o0QXdNECcOmNtVuudqy82TCXPuTdssl/s320/patient+zero.png" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521370218454529906" /></a><em>Patient Zero</em><br />Jonathan Maberry<br /><br /><div align="justify">So, the terrorists are coming, and they've got biological weapons!! What, you've heard this one before? <br /><br />Ok, then how about: the terrorists are coming, and they've got biological weapons <em>that turn people into flesh-eating zombies</em>. dum dum DUM!!!<br /> <br />So goes the plot of Jonathan Maberry's <em>Patient Zero</em>. Baltimore detective Joe Ledger has just found himself smack in the middle of a terror plot of epic proportions. A group of religious zealots has created Seif al Din, the sword of the faithful, a disease that will wreak havoc on the heathen West. Fast foward a bit, and yadda yadda yadda battle to save humanity blah blah blah zombies.<br /> <br />Yeah, this is a book about zombies, so one should expect a certain level of grit and violence. So far, so good. The action was gritty, the violence was high, and the zombies were hungry. Still, some things annoyed me. The religious zealots, for example. I mean, really? A zombie plague? You sure that won't come back to bite you in the ass? Ok, fine, logical reasoning might not be a fundamentalist's strong point.<br /> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s1600/ripvlarge.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRxA-TI9x_9jmZRLKaN4CxjB__T3PR4LcygpL8o9LrTvCbfeYOyfHe7hplG-ZdxZF5-Jp3sSszAAaAIeC2-CngZfxG_0Uzt3VWk4lzhOQ7HSldwSY1kgTkXoXJk8Bi2gPlZhq6/s200/ripvlarge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5521525073809508610" /></a>But fundamentalist logic aside, those pesky flaws remain. Some parts needed editing and dragged on a bit when they were supposed to be suspenseful. Some aspects were a bit <em>too</em> unbelievable (in a zombie book, I know -- ironic), and some cliches could have been dispensed with. Finally, a few characters were so flat and two-dimensional I couldn't tell them apart. Sigh.<br /> <br />In a nutshell: More cop than zombie. More bore than gore. Oh well.<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 2.5 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: Checked out this bad boy from the library. Have I cured my shopping addiction, you wonder? Ah, no.<br /><br />RIPV: Even though <em>Patient Zero</em> didn't make me poop in my pants, it still counts toward this year's <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/rip-ping-good-time.html">RIP</a> challenge.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-55872578033342035802010-09-24T04:00:00.003-05:002010-10-06T04:35:20.808-05:00A RIP-ping good time!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHAaZ-g2wK95WKLQEnEjicrP4FMh2xZgmEj2m4Fk49QZ5LS9X6GgY8zG6P30NNRc5qhNXYy2HC2hEEBYC932TKt8DhiKPLXmyGhSqSqFW-ex55sgom4tTzbkNFkrfmJ08KRSX/s1600/ripvlarge.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWHAaZ-g2wK95WKLQEnEjicrP4FMh2xZgmEj2m4Fk49QZ5LS9X6GgY8zG6P30NNRc5qhNXYy2HC2hEEBYC932TKt8DhiKPLXmyGhSqSqFW-ex55sgom4tTzbkNFkrfmJ08KRSX/s320/ripvlarge.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5520410297501456674" /></a><div align="justify">I've done it!!! I know I generally shy away from challenges, but this is one I pretty much do on my own every year, anyway. So why not sign up?<br /><br />It's time for the <a href="http://www.stainlesssteeldroppings.com/r-eaders-i-mbibing-p-eril-challenge-v/comment-page-6#comment-150570">fifth annual R.eaders I.mbibing P.eril Challenge</a>. Every year I read ~spooky books~ to complement the time of year. Despite my annual spookiness, I've never signed up for RIP. That changes this year!<br /><br />I'll be completing Peril the First, which only requires participants to read four spooky books of any length, which I've already done. I plan to read more than that, since spooky books are generally all I read in September and October.<br /><br />Even though, I've already read several books that qualify for the challenge, I'm going to refrain from listing my books all at once. I plan to get some from the library and I'm unsure which will arrive in time, etc. So let's just say I'll be planning this one by ear. <br /><br />Stay tuned!<br /><br /><b><em>Got any spooky recommendations for me?? Please, please, share them in the comments! I can never get enough Halloweeney reads!</em></b><br /><br /><br />BOOKS READ FOR RIPV<br />1. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/more-bore-than-gore.html"><em>Patient Zero</em></a>, Jonathan Maberry<br />2. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/not-for-faint-of-heart.html"><em>Sworn to Silence</em></a>, Linda Castillo<br />3. <a hef="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/10/i-only-care-about-mookie-not-gonna-lie.html"><em>Ancestor</em></a>, by Scott Sigler<br />4. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/10/want-to-cure-obsession-get-another-one.html"><em>Dr. Haggard's Disease</em></a>, by Patrick McGrath<br />5. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/10/ethel-i-think-you-underestimated-your.html"><em>The Seance</em></a>, by John Harwood<br />6. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/10/zzzzzzzzzzzzzz.html"><em>Dark Echo</em></a>, by F.G. Cottam<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-18232081091660936302010-09-21T04:00:00.001-05:002010-09-21T04:29:37.779-05:00The pickles! The pickles!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_anL_n-HV8Kok-CWS-BADfuz3J3z2jlsAZvmM8CPNftc5PSwM0AHDQSvl21RThADNcHyKeULSPDLDGRDuKQnJijacq66NglIFtKRkFo-NloDzwhD9j2bnq9XlAAxSXpwz0Wwj/s1600/Ethanfrome.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_anL_n-HV8Kok-CWS-BADfuz3J3z2jlsAZvmM8CPNftc5PSwM0AHDQSvl21RThADNcHyKeULSPDLDGRDuKQnJijacq66NglIFtKRkFo-NloDzwhD9j2bnq9XlAAxSXpwz0Wwj/s320/Ethanfrome.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5519293385637171682" /></a><em>Ethan Frome</em><br />Edith Wharton<br /><br /><div align="justify">I have a love-hate relationship with <a href="http://dailylit.com/">DailyLit</a>. On the one hand, it lets me have free reading material at the ready, even when I'm, say, at work. On the other hand, it doesn't give me hard copy, which -- in this case, anyway -- is a BIG problem.<br /> <br />Quite simply, I didn't expect to love <em>Ethan Frome</em> as much as I did. My mind has somehow come to equate Edith Wharton with TEH BORE, and so I figured reading this short little novel via DailyLit was the best way to slog through what was sure to be an excruciatingly slow read. I didn't expect to read it all in nearly one sitting (okay, it was more like two), requesting installment after installment until I had finished.<br /> <br />Ok, so Ethan lives alone with his dour, invalid harpy of a wife, and he's the stolid and "I'll just suck it up" type. BUT THEN his wife's cousin, Mattie, comes to take care of things -- and she's cute! And has a red ribbon in her hair! (symbolism!) And she gives Ethan pickles for dinner! (symbolism!) Meanwhile his wife remains all sick and dour and confined to her room, so one nearly hopes that Mattie and Ethan can continue to share secret glances and long, meaningful sighs in peace.<br /><br />BUT NO! Of course, this is not to be. The story is told in flashback, and since we know Ethan is miserable at the beginning of the book, we know he'll be miserable at the end, too. But the end! It's so good! The sadness! The irony! The pickles!<br /><br />In a nutshell: A gem of a novel; it's impossible not to love Ethan. And <em>Ethan</em>. And probably Edith, too, although I'm less convinced about her.<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 6 out of 6 stars (yeah, I said it)<br /><br />FTCBS: DailyLit :( booooo I need Ethan all for myself!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-13916468336417049282010-09-20T20:00:00.002-05:002010-09-20T20:13:24.779-05:00When God gives you AIDS ... make lemonAIDS<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Kz5xBMGynVTj-YB0MP1txkZn3Mu_0kEMyDoM1gT4j-3eDI-DQr-QdDeq6ATnEWn3ae_fH6MwfgGZx40B-S2BkPmqThdnK9e-Wi1pksECgnH3d_d-Bh72imUWMolsbPBQ4k4F/s1600/bedwetter.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 210px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Kz5xBMGynVTj-YB0MP1txkZn3Mu_0kEMyDoM1gT4j-3eDI-DQr-QdDeq6ATnEWn3ae_fH6MwfgGZx40B-S2BkPmqThdnK9e-Wi1pksECgnH3d_d-Bh72imUWMolsbPBQ4k4F/s320/bedwetter.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5518925265373593794" /></a><em>The Bedwetter</em><br />Sarah Silverman<br /><br /><div align="justify">Here's another August read that I've simply delayed discussing sooner. I'm not sure what led me to read <em>The Bedwetter</em> -- I'm not the hugest fan of Silverman, but that's really due to the fact I'm in bed absurdly early and she mostly appears on late-night tv. <br /><br />I guess what really made me interested in reading more about her was her video <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bObItmxAGc">Sell the Vatican, Feed the World</a>. Funny, yes, but not entirely a bad idea, either.<br /><br />Anyway, long story short - picked this little gem up from the library. <em>The Bedwetter</em> was at times laugh-out-loud hysterical (the story about her brother alone makes it worthwhile) and at others insightful and thoughtful. Reading about her experiences as a bedwetter and later as an SNL writer made for a quick, fun read. <br /><br />In a nutshell: If you are ultra-PC, you might want to skip this one. Otherwise, it's nearly impossible not to laugh at <em>The Bedwetter</em>, even if you're not familiar with her work.<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: Libraryed this one. That's like the third library book this year! Awww yeah, kicking it old school.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-32419440674665724922010-09-15T18:00:00.002-05:002010-09-15T18:01:09.057-05:00Bad things hide in the dark*<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdzV1UOerLK4JydnB8tADxrC6CavM3kDB6StFNNdLsTdeQabKUcy7Ku-mmckSklp6JJf7-3iZozy53VA2g0ZcGC6O0f3RfGC3OFc4Sq_0ldK1Yc-3i9qcE26MoNO5K4_-s2gx/s1600/crescent.jpeg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 194px; height: 300px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvdzV1UOerLK4JydnB8tADxrC6CavM3kDB6StFNNdLsTdeQabKUcy7Ku-mmckSklp6JJf7-3iZozy53VA2g0ZcGC6O0f3RfGC3OFc4Sq_0ldK1Yc-3i9qcE26MoNO5K4_-s2gx/s320/crescent.jpeg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5513863772437524850" /></a><em>Crescent</em><br />Phil Rossi<br /><br /><div align="justify">UGHHHHH. I'm SO behind on reviews. Damn you, real job. Ergo, I'm gonna let Amazon do the work today:<br /><br /><em><blockquote>Darkness has inspired fear since mankind first watched the sun go down. Bad things hide in the dark, feral beasts with mouths full of razors waiting for a taste of flesh. But now, the darkness is stirring with a life of its own. Crescent Station is the last bastion of civilization, floating in the cold, outer systems where colonized space gives way to the sparser settlements of the Frontier. Like the boom towns of distant Earth's Old American West, Crescent Station is a gateway to power, wealth, and opportunity for anyone who isn't afraid to get his or her hands dirty. But deep within the station's bowels, in Crescent's darkest and most secret places, an ancient evil is awakening and hungry, and it threatens the very fabric of space and time. Will the residents of Crescent Station find a way to stop it before the terror drives them insane? Or is it already too late?</em></blockquote><br /><br />Erm. Well.<br /><br />Long story short: I downloaded this one for my Kindle. It was either free or only a dollar or two, so it was worth it. Not the best book I ever read, but it kept me entertained while I was on my treadmill. The Big Bad in <em>Crescent</em> was a bit confusing, though, since I was never entirely sure what the ef it was, but it didn't really matter. <br /><br />In a nutshell: Entertaining enough. And space! The final frontier, and all that. <br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 3 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: personal Kindle copy<br /><br /><br /><br />*Ugh, I suck so bad, I couldn't even come up with a better title. My brain = barf. <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-57024247119484977072010-09-08T18:00:00.000-05:002010-09-08T18:58:40.348-05:00Want to make an enemy? Try changing something.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdT2p_gJeVcRgRRGB4SGr0ATT-QTwwQNiNs3jhya_qdO0jjg7qszrOxBYtVctiHDyz3eV0qbQCbdkgul5eemToj2rimU3bBf1lR4LuRq1EW1PhIhHTWJ0MBiTdzNhtBNmjXbj/s1600-h/daddy-long-legs-and-dear-enemy.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 170px; height: 240px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXdT2p_gJeVcRgRRGB4SGr0ATT-QTwwQNiNs3jhya_qdO0jjg7qszrOxBYtVctiHDyz3eV0qbQCbdkgul5eemToj2rimU3bBf1lR4LuRq1EW1PhIhHTWJ0MBiTdzNhtBNmjXbj/s200/daddy-long-legs-and-dear-enemy.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5441751674275840338" /></a><em>Dear Enemy</em><br />Jean Webster<br /><br /><div align="justify">So, at some point in August, I hit a mini-slump, and I thought: Self! You fool! You've been saving <em>Dear Enemy</em> for just such an occasion! Don't you remember the quickness that was <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/02/who-wants-to-be-my-daddy-long-legs.html"><em>Daddy-Long-Legs</em></a>?!?<br /><br />Alas, my love for <em>Dear Enemy</em> was not quite as great as my love for its predecessor. That's not to say this wasn't a good novel: it was nice, it was quaint, and it even made me long to work in an orphanage, if you can believe that, so long as one could enjoy the beautiful English countryside and a nice spot of tea. But something was still missing.<br /><br /><em>Dear Enemy</em> is the "sequel" (of sorts) to the aforementioned <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/02/who-wants-to-be-my-daddy-long-legs.html"><em>Daddy-Long-Legs</em></a>. Also an epistolary novel, <em>Dear Enemy</em>'s letters are written not by Judy Abbott, but by her friend, Sallie McBride. It seems Judy has tricked ol'Sallie into being a temporary superintendent of the orphanage where Judy grew up. That slippery Judy, though, never seems to find a permanent replacement, and Sallie is left to deal with all sorts of troubles -- including the "Enemy," the orphanage's doctor.<br /><br />Ultimately, <em>Dear Enemy</em> was a neat, somewhat predictable little novel that was charming and entertaining -- just not as charming and entertaining as its predecessor. <br /><br />In a nutshell: Fans of <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/02/who-wants-to-be-my-daddy-long-legs.html"><em>Daddy-Long-Legs</em></a> will enjoy <em>Dear Enemy</em>, but n00bs should start with the DLL.<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: same ol' copy as before, since these two be one<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-23106753478015012432010-09-07T05:00:00.004-05:002010-10-06T04:27:31.328-05:00RR10: August<div align="justify">The beginning of August brought a boon of books to my table, and I read steadily for quite some time. Then, unfortunately, I had to face facts: I needed to prepare for the upcoming school year. <br /><br />BOOOOOOOO.<br /><br />As such, August was ultimately a mediocre month of reading. I haven't even had time to post about everything I've read. I have, however, continued my excellent streak of reading NOT A SINGLE THING on <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/01/reading-resolution-2010.html">the reading resolution</a> I started, oh, I dunno, FOREVER ago.<br /><br />sigh.<br /><br /><br />BOOKS READ, AUGUST 2010<br /><br />Collins, Suzanne. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/08/spoiler-free-mockingjay.html"><em>Mockingjay</em></a><br />Harris, Charlaine. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/08/summer-of-sookie-continues.html"><em>Dead to the World</em></a><br />Hjortsberg, William. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/08/angels-are-bright-still-though.html"><em>Falling Angel</em></a><br />Rossi, Phil. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/bad-things-hide-in-dark.html"><em>Crescent</em></a><br />Russell, Mary Doria. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/08/return-to-rakhat-children-of-god-read.html"><em>Children of God</em></a><br />Silverman, Sarah. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/when-god-gives-you-aids-make-lemonaids.html"><em>The Bedwetter</em></a> <br />Webster, Jean. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/09/want-to-make-enemy-try-changing.html"><em>Dear Enemy</em></a> <br /><br /><br />RESOLUTION TITLES = 0 (9/80)<br /><br />NON-RESOLUTION TITLES = 7<br /><br />TOTAL READ IN AUGUST 2010 = 7<br /><br />TOTAL READ IN 2010 = 46<br /><br /><br /><br />You can't see me, but right now I'm shaking my fists at the heavens. Curse you, brain. It's all your fault.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-17069359785943563542010-08-31T05:00:00.001-05:002010-08-31T05:00:01.349-05:00Return to Rakhat: the Children of God read-along<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ9vX_TerTTa2ryfxvNjyLRwNgCwdE5wZRS0ZxmyHNuDvdEALk7TMEQVZukHfeiEuzXmzDJqgqn4DWcmHfFAQ-oKE2-s0GeAx75gLk2pb_edIg9-NE1BIfEXj_qYBfKTmMIfL/s1600/n5391.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 199px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXQ9vX_TerTTa2ryfxvNjyLRwNgCwdE5wZRS0ZxmyHNuDvdEALk7TMEQVZukHfeiEuzXmzDJqgqn4DWcmHfFAQ-oKE2-s0GeAx75gLk2pb_edIg9-NE1BIfEXj_qYBfKTmMIfL/s320/n5391.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5508932321408808082" /></a><em>Children of God</em><br />Mary Doria Russell<br /><br /><div align="justify">A few months ago, I read a little novel called <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/04/required-reading-sparrow.html"><em>The Sparrow</em></a>. I was floored. Amazed. Awestruck. Then, I learned that <a href="http://age30books.blogspot.com/2010/08/children-of-god.html">Heather</a> and <a href="http://www.3rsblog.com/2010/08/book-talk-wrapping-up-children-of-god.html">Florinda</a> were hosting a readalong of <em>Children of God</em> in August. I waited with breathless anticipation. Tenterhooks were involved. Finally, August arrived.<br /><br />I cracked open the book, eager to see how Sandoz was faring. How was he making out with his wonky, yet badass, hands? Was he still a damaged, broken puppy? And what would Life after Rakhat be like for him? And even more importantly, would <em>Children of God</em> live up to its predecessor? <br /><br />I needed answers, and I needed them fast.<br /><br />Sandoz, for his part, manages as best he can, given the circumstances. Unfortunately, I wanted more of him than <em>Children of God</em> had to offer. Then again, the worst has already happened to him, so there isn't, as other reviewers have noted, a great sense of urgency in the novel. I was also disappointed that <em>Children of God</em> is more political and focuses substantially on life on Rakhat. As such, I wasn't <em>as</em> entranced by the story. While I tore through <em>The Sparrow</em>, I found myself taking longer to read <em>Children of God</em>.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEmse_J8duu1nyPhPu62Ikg0-zGvQpq4UuLBtWvfEJHJbFDiwBUKEGJUc7_y34cTG3Wrb2eMad2kC_5W9-pgzar87WtD8gIPGn9OUC1L7EQHnrg5koRrpFj8ciM7URTQRj5OP/s1600/Rakhat.jpg"><img style="float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 163px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGEmse_J8duu1nyPhPu62Ikg0-zGvQpq4UuLBtWvfEJHJbFDiwBUKEGJUc7_y34cTG3Wrb2eMad2kC_5W9-pgzar87WtD8gIPGn9OUC1L7EQHnrg5koRrpFj8ciM7URTQRj5OP/s200/Rakhat.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5511341467389126578" /></a><em>The Sparrow</em> was suspenseful in ways this novel wasn't. Also, the moods of the novels were very different. Ironically, one of the <a href="http://age30books.blogspot.com/2010/08/children-of-god-read-long-discussion.html">discussion questions</a> (I didn't want to post too many for fear of spoilers) reads:<br /> <br /><em>Which book is "darker"? (According to the author, most people like the second book better even though they say it has a darker feeling to it.)</em><br /><br />I find myself thinking about this question long after I should have answered it. To be fair, I find them equally dark, although the darkness in each is different. I found the darkness of <em>The Sparrow</em> compelling, but found the darkness of <em>Children of God</em> oppressive.<br /><br />All of this is not to say it isn't a good novel -- it is. Without the spectre of its predecessor looming over it, <em>Children of God</em> is a solid work. <em>The Sparrow</em> blew my mind, though, and it's hard work overcoming that.<br /><br />In a nutshell: While I may have enjoyed <em>The Sparrow</em> more, <em>Children of God</em> is an admirable follow-up that gives everyone, both Sandoz and readers, closure. And thanks again to <a href="http://age30books.blogspot.com/2010/08/children-of-god.html">Heather</a> and <a href="http://www.3rsblog.com/2010/08/book-talk-wrapping-up-children-of-god.html">Florinda</a>!<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: Personal copy<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-64202050394825614992010-08-26T05:00:00.004-05:002010-08-26T06:12:05.737-05:00The Summer of Sookie continues<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1Ezmsq8FT2Wt2WsMDhaHQs0oOOZbA9VhHL4MaanOxucOn_Q1ZMa8qCHFM4LeNWxkAHGb5-9KFTlwvDBnvmzH2GqWIziyxapOpnh0AkislWbciCXP3h-Ox4kDZKzWeXomrzAu/s1600/Cover-DeadToTheWorld.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhj1Ezmsq8FT2Wt2WsMDhaHQs0oOOZbA9VhHL4MaanOxucOn_Q1ZMa8qCHFM4LeNWxkAHGb5-9KFTlwvDBnvmzH2GqWIziyxapOpnh0AkislWbciCXP3h-Ox4kDZKzWeXomrzAu/s320/Cover-DeadToTheWorld.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509498074711828258" /></a><em>Dead to the World</em><br />Charlaine Harris<br /><br /><div align="justify">Okay, y'all, you said Book 4 would be good, and it was. But it was sooo bad, too. Charlaine Harris, I'm shaking my fist at you.<br /><br />Let's see. Sookie's just finished <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/07/halfway-to-zombification.html">wrasslin with the werewolves in Book 3</a>, so now it's on to another superbad baddy. This time, it's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#FFFFFF;">witches</span>! (Highlight for small spoiler, I mean it's not gonna ruin the book or anything.)<br /><br />So, anyway, Sookie's driving home and bam! Naked Eric everywhere. Clearly, this is headed in a good direction. And he's all memory-less (and therefore nice and sweet-like). OKAY!<br /><br />Basically, Sookie's gotta make things right by going up against the aforementioned, not-really-spoilery baddy(ies). Which she does. While Eric hides in her house. So far, so good.<br /><br />And it would have been absolutely perfect had it not been for the sheer laughability of it. Sookie is good at prompting second-hand embarrassment (even she admits she isn't the savviest of wits) and her awkwardness delayed me from finishing one particular scene. (We're talking a couple paragraphs. That took me two days. She's just so damn awkward, that Sookie. I mean, at one point Suckie [typo, but it stays] says -- in all seriousness -- "I could tell that flicked his Bic." Really? You <i>really</i> thought that? NO YOU DIDN'T.)<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://i42.tinypic.com/29vji40.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 300px; height: 169px;" src="http://i42.tinypic.com/29vji40.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Damn you Charlaine Harris, laughing all the way to the mothereffing bank!<br /><br />Bizarrely, however, I liked this book all the better in spite of -- or perhaps thanks to -- its absurdity. I just can't quit you, Sookie! See you in Book 5!<br /><br />In a nutshell: ERIIIIIIIIIIIIICC<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 5 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: personal kindle download!<br /><br />In case you're interested: <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/06/harris-chick-done-got-me-good.html">Book 1</a>, <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/07/spellbound-by-sookie.html">Book 2</a>, <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/07/halfway-to-zombification.html">Book 3</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-55769396705235096882010-08-25T05:00:00.005-05:002010-08-25T13:42:56.181-05:00Spoiler free: Mockingjay!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrr-pZJ8a9KmqFB3E4Z5GZdeDsaUjpkfj0B-swMsaXBxhxDY89hWiEeJ_b9osES5Na54Clk8sARnkWe33bOMS1njTL9TXQl9_BMnFVZTjalySXXN3jqz15qmb2gd5KIPPhAnCd/s1600/mockingjay.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 201px; height: 310px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrr-pZJ8a9KmqFB3E4Z5GZdeDsaUjpkfj0B-swMsaXBxhxDY89hWiEeJ_b9osES5Na54Clk8sARnkWe33bOMS1njTL9TXQl9_BMnFVZTjalySXXN3jqz15qmb2gd5KIPPhAnCd/s320/mockingjay.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5509299666873432530" /></a><em>Mockingjay</em><br />Suzanne Collins<br /><br /><div align="justify">So, the odds were ever in my favor when I learned that the kindle edition of <em>Mockingjay</em> was released at the same time as the "real" version. Woohoo! I could join in with the rest of the fangirls (and boys) and find out how this sitch would play out.<br /><br />Don't worry, I won't spoil nothin.<br /><br />So, spoiler free, eh? Okay, I can do this. Collins has achieved the nearly impossible: she has ended her trilogy satisfactorily, without weaseling out of anything painful, and yet somehow still giving her characters the ending they deserve. <br /><br />At times, I was a little eye-rolley at the continued melodrama of Katniss' love triangle, but Collins anticipates such feelings, as one character snarkily remarks on Katniss' constant boy problems. Also, there are a few places where things get reaallll convenient, but that's part of the fun, too. <br /><br />Still, the ending was perfect, and the final line? Absolute perfection. Erase any fears you may have that <em>Mockingjay</em> will disappoint. It won't. <br /><br />What else needs to be said? If you're a fan of <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2009/09/warning-ignoring-this-book-will-have.html"><em>The Hunger Games</em></a> and <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/06/kristen-stewart-and-katniss-bff-forever.html"><em>Catching Fire</em></a>, you simply must read <em>Mockingjay</em>. And if you're not a fan, well...what's wrong with you?<br /><br />In a nutshell: Ultimately, the trilogy ends well -- but not too well -- for those we have come to love since reading <em>The Hunger Games</em>. <br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 5 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: personal Kindle edition...awwwww, yeah<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-19236439856332364662010-08-05T10:00:00.001-05:002010-08-05T10:22:36.180-05:00Angels are bright still, though the brightest fell<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMYPJIwgXdZLb2PPJlBMdv2FiuFEzPrjheTuXK3PSXBitwkURx8qmMV5HzzBnSYwtpQTavFgjP3ZYgAvN3XRmcqxOMqBdCbAsuWI-yOMBk4rX0BsnyHP_VThxLMlqPa7EO7in/s1600/falling+angel.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 213px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiMYPJIwgXdZLb2PPJlBMdv2FiuFEzPrjheTuXK3PSXBitwkURx8qmMV5HzzBnSYwtpQTavFgjP3ZYgAvN3XRmcqxOMqBdCbAsuWI-yOMBk4rX0BsnyHP_VThxLMlqPa7EO7in/s320/falling+angel.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5501946497203489906" /></a><em>Falling Angel</em><br />William Hjortsberg<br /><br /><div align="justify">Where do you search for a guy who was never there to begin with?<br /><br />Private detective Harry Angel ponders this very question as he searches for his quarry, who has disappeared under peculiar circumstances. Hired by the mysterious Louis Cyphre to find a missing crooner, Johnny Favorite, Angel's search soon takes him to the seedy underbelly of the city and introduces him to the dark world of voodoo devil worship. It isn't long before Angel finds himself irrevocably entangled in these dark events.<br /><br />I first heard of this novel when Carlos Ruiz Zafon listed his <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/books/booksblog/2010/jun/02/carlos-ruiz-zafon-gothic-novels">top 10 20th-century gothic novels</a>. He said <em>Falling Angel</em> is "the best mystery thriller ever written. It has the classic elements of a Chandler novel combined with the solid tradition of the 1970s supernatural thrillers .... The writing, plotting and characterisation are superb." He ended his blurb by adding, "This is a hard title to find, but do yourself a favour and go looking." He wasn't kidding.<br /><br />The harder I looked for this book, the more I wanted to read it. Struck out on Amazon (unless I wanted to pay over 40 bucks for a copy). No luck at the library. I finally ordered a used copy from the UK (thanks, guys). Then, the waiting began.<br /><br />My book arrived in the late afternoon; a few hours later, I had fully devoured it. Zafon was spot on when he said the plotting is superb; the story hooks you immediately and doesn't relent until you've finished the final page.<br /><br />In a nutshell: A gripping mystery with a nice dash of horror, <em>Falling Angel</em> is a must for those looking for a gritty, atmospheric read.<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: Mine, but only because not a single library in my state carried the book. WTF, library system??? W.T.F?!?<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-61392647347287444632010-08-03T11:29:00.002-05:002010-08-03T11:33:24.057-05:00RR10: July<div align="justify">Another un-spectacular month. Let's recap.<br /><br /><br />Flynn, Gillian. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/07/victory-is-mine.html"><em>Dark Places</em></a><br />Harris, Charlaine. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/07/halfway-to-zombification.html"><em>Club Dead</em></a><br />Mieville, China. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/07/insert-release-kraken-joke-here.html"><em>Kraken</em></a><br />Pushkin, Alexander. <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/07/classics-circuit-alexander-pushkin.html"><em>Eugene Onegin</em></a><br /><br />Sigh.<br /><br /><br />RESOLUTION TITLES = 0 (9/80)<br /><br />NON-RESOLUTION TITLES = 4<br /><br />TOTAL READ IN JULY 2010 = 4<br /><br />TOTAL READ IN 2010 = 39<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-25013401710618300612010-07-28T17:00:00.002-05:002010-07-28T17:50:44.593-05:00Victory is mine<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurw0hftsKTV21uYFwmdcVg27PRiZpnv1erChhJsF0LwRhwufEA9b4W6FEvRCtY6k1jUcsXmacKPlVjfeq5Ctsy6-EIsYP62EBS4pddbKqnA9ioP4fmGltbaBfw65CwUI6xKfD/s1600/dark-places.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 212px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiurw0hftsKTV21uYFwmdcVg27PRiZpnv1erChhJsF0LwRhwufEA9b4W6FEvRCtY6k1jUcsXmacKPlVjfeq5Ctsy6-EIsYP62EBS4pddbKqnA9ioP4fmGltbaBfw65CwUI6xKfD/s320/dark-places.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5498719023765296930" /></a><em>Dark Places</em><br />Gillian Flynn<br /><br /><div align="justify">My absence, dear friends, hath nary an excuse to support it. I'd like to say that I've been using my time wisely, filling it with charitable deeds and random works of kindness, but instead I've just been watching every episode of <em>True Blood</em> (Eric!) and biding my time until the return of <em>Jersey Shore</em>. <br /><br />(Please don't judge me.)<br /><br />I have, however, done one good thing since my last post: I have -- now, brace yourselves -- VISITED THE LIBRARY. <br /><br />Now, now, now: I know what you're thinking: have I fallen ill? Fear not, friends, I'm neither ill nor lying: I actually went to the library instead of buying books. <br /><br />Anyway, that's where I stumbled across <em>Dark Places</em>, and since I'd enjoyed her previous work, <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2007/08/sharp-objects-and-phallic-toys.html"><em>Sharp Objects</em></a>, and because <em>Dark Places</em> has been on my TBR list for awhile now, I thought, why not?<br /><br />Ok, so, Libby Day's family was murdered by her older brother over twenty years ago. Since the murders, she's been in a fog of sorts, but one day she realizes she has no more money and then she encounters some people who don't believe her brother is guilty and before you know it she just up and decides to find out what REALLY happened the night her family was butchered. <br /><br />Improbable? Yeah, a bit, but it works. Glad I got this from the library, though. (Take from that what you will.)<br /><br />In a nutshell: Like <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2007/08/sharp-objects-and-phallic-toys.html"><em>Sharp Objects</em></a>, <em>Dark Places</em> is a bit sensational and a bit unbelievable, but it's ultimately a fast, compelling thriller. Great summer reading.<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: The library FTW!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0GgY73CIYN7Ml63ZeRDu6uRrCIbFCG8oiP5Y5UcOvdIbOFtxgmGLdCu8wtKqwak3YHFkBICcmZLj_amRNEckffEYMXgUSl4FUfRn3nxHGyWw1RLCQcJ03v9BmLuhbwA8zfOO/s1600/ftw1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 200px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw0GgY73CIYN7Ml63ZeRDu6uRrCIbFCG8oiP5Y5UcOvdIbOFtxgmGLdCu8wtKqwak3YHFkBICcmZLj_amRNEckffEYMXgUSl4FUfRn3nxHGyWw1RLCQcJ03v9BmLuhbwA8zfOO/s200/ftw1.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499092433527971586" /></a><div align="center"><em>victory is mine</em></div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-30416605463047771452010-07-14T09:00:00.004-05:002010-08-26T06:13:44.448-05:00Halfway to zombification<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIaKr4K0SYhScx2Mhg4ZOYcShBz1JSnCB80cfWNrQ4zGZmSA-yaf-eG4de5SUPQmvLsjy52aTLa5pwo0kkNpSGDnrGhn1hZgDSp6YZclF_lS2WiGPBGlo5snzvR-BPEMqVDVN/s1600/club-dead.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 198px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKIaKr4K0SYhScx2Mhg4ZOYcShBz1JSnCB80cfWNrQ4zGZmSA-yaf-eG4de5SUPQmvLsjy52aTLa5pwo0kkNpSGDnrGhn1hZgDSp6YZclF_lS2WiGPBGlo5snzvR-BPEMqVDVN/s320/club-dead.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493384715114017170" /></a><em>Club Dead</em><br />Charlaine Harris<br /><br /><div align="justify">My patience with Sookie is officially wearing thin. <br /><br />In fact, I've decided that every time you read some Sookie, God zaps a bit of your cerebral cortex. I'm halfway to zombification by now.<br /><br />So, let's see, what happens in Book 3? Sookie gets her dumb ass involved with another mystery involving supernatural creatures (this time, werewolves and other shapeshifters). Vampire Bill treats her like shit, but it's cool because Sookie's as dumb as a bag of rocks. <br /><br />(Okay, okay, she's mad at him [for other reasons than the rape-y bits] by the end of the book. But ten bucks says I know how Book 4 begins: makeup sex.)<br /><br />Also, I'm kinda unkay (typo, but I like it) with how rape is acceptable so long as you're raped by your significant other. Cause Bill has a tendency to do that, even though I know he's a vampire AND THEY HAVE NEEDS, woman. <br /><br />Also, it's RIME of the Ancient Mariner, not "rhyme." Who edited this <s>nonsense</s> novel?<br /><br />In a nutshell: You know I'll be reading Book 4, so who's the real fool here?<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 2 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: personal Kindle copy<br /><br />n case you're interested: <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/06/harris-chick-done-got-me-good.html">Book 1</a>, <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/07/spellbound-by-sookie.html">Book 2</a>, <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/08/summer-of-sookie-continues.html">Book 4</a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-19303578.post-3180324491905868072010-07-12T05:00:00.007-05:002010-07-12T05:55:04.543-05:00The Classics Circuit: Alexander Pushkin<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg3zpOfBu_UbMVUll4CheAiFRr-G20DgZPyMrTrOVqRbiCQEJV4VZ4i9YT0oiQEiD6wj4FF13kXlyubLg22JqAjgIaTZXv37gj-SRWNtfk4vNVJTXmo1IIFgRPJHtI363EzC3/s1600/onegin.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 303px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSg3zpOfBu_UbMVUll4CheAiFRr-G20DgZPyMrTrOVqRbiCQEJV4VZ4i9YT0oiQEiD6wj4FF13kXlyubLg22JqAjgIaTZXv37gj-SRWNtfk4vNVJTXmo1IIFgRPJHtI363EzC3/s320/onegin.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492321749784460738" /></a><em>Eugene Onegin</em><br />Alexander Pushkin<br /><br /><div align="justify">Poor Pushkin has long suffered the fate of an impulsive buy. <br /><br />A few years ago, I purchased <em>Eugene Onegin</em> knowing only it was Russian lit, which I needed to read more of beyond Dostoevsky. I arrived home and cracked open my purchase only to find a novel in verse!<br /><br />[<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRp_mVi969I"><em>Insert party-stopping record scratch here</em></a>] <br /><br />Say what?<br /><br />And so, poor Pushkin has sat unread on my shelf for many a year now. Thankfully, this latest installment of the <a href="http://classics.rebeccareid.com/2010/05/imperial-russia-on-tour/">Classics Circuit</a> has given me the kick in the butt I needed to conquer this thing. <br /><br />I'll say this: <em>Eugene Onegin</em> is not what you'd call a summer read. I wouldn't go so far as to say it's a difficult read, but it's definitely not an easy one. The translation (by Charles Johnston) makes for smooth enough reading, but our narrator digresses, rambles, philosophizes...oh boy. But I pressed on, ever the loyal CC participant.<br /><br />The story is simple enough: Onegin is rich and bored with life. He flits from party to party -- oh, the emptiness of his life. Then, his uncle dies and Onegin inherits his house in the county. Alas! The country is just as boring as the city! So, he spends his days TORTUROUSLY: reading, walking by the river, and hanging out with his new friend, Lensky. In other words, his life totally sucks. (At least he doesn't he doesn't <a href="http://bookworship.blogspot.com/2010/06/long-mostly-interesting-but-very-long.html">assault a remote</a>, though.)</div><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsSR02VHEp0Lo5jolOkF19_lJ0qJBpfB2L-VRRpJ5JGtpNK_SVrzWKaGf84BSyxNCBl_whDKT6t3O13ztyUqVcXx2xHZ3zrtX0_ys_mwBfQRkHf-Mw_YH0coB-gEoVO8ppEp-/s1600/suburbEmoKid.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 256px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjsSR02VHEp0Lo5jolOkF19_lJ0qJBpfB2L-VRRpJ5JGtpNK_SVrzWKaGf84BSyxNCBl_whDKT6t3O13ztyUqVcXx2xHZ3zrtX0_ys_mwBfQRkHf-Mw_YH0coB-gEoVO8ppEp-/s320/suburbEmoKid.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5492718157904877570" /></a><div align="center">Eugene Onegin: first on the emo scene</div><br /><br /><div align="justify">Anyway, Lensky is head over heels in love with Olga. Fast forward a bit, and Olga's older sister, Tatyana, soon falls in love with the undeserving Onegin. <br /><br />Tanya's in love with Onegin, Onegin's in love with Onegin -- this won't end well. And why should it? Onegin is utterly unsympathetic. It's a bit problematic to have a condescending, pompous prick as the work's hero -- I couldn't muster up a bit of feeling for him. <br /><br />Ultimately, this work left me cold due to the unlikability of the "hero" and the narrator's numerous digressions. (Tatyana's pretty badass, though.) The action was drawn out, so I found myself skimming much more than I should probably admit. That said, Pushkin's achievement is undeniable: at nearly 400 stanzas and featuring an innovative rhyme scheme (a.k.a. the Onegin stanza), <em>Eugene Onegin</em> is no paltry accomplishment. <br /><br />In a nutshell: Onegin may be a turd, but Pushkin is okay in my book.<br /><br />Bibliolatry Scale: 4 out of 6 stars<br /><br />FTCBS: Personal copy<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div>Bibliolatristhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17952275703674340536noreply@blogger.com8