My Life as a White Trash Zombie By: Diana Rowland
Fiction: Fantasy, mystery 310 pages
Book Count: 85
I read this book after a friend recommended it, so here is a link to her review of it.
This is a fun book. It is a zombie story as told by the zombie, but not a zombie like you think about zombies as, it's more like with modern vampire tales. She needs brains to live, but otherwise she is mostly a normal person.
Angel was a 21 year old high school drop out who lived with her alcoholic father in a trashy trailer. Then one day she wakes up in the hospital after she ODed on pills, but she remembers being in a car crash. When she leaves she is given a bag with a change of clothes, some odd looking bottles of goo, and a note explaining to drink a bottle ever other day and that she has a job driving the van for the Coroner's Office. And as you can guess she was now a zombie, but didn't know it. Making a job at a morgue both a great way to get brains and a horrible temptation to eat all the brains. Also as no one told her she was a zombie she has to learn for herself what to do and try to solve the mystery of who turned her.
Thursday, October 13, 2011
Wednesday, October 12, 2011
An Audio Book in Review: Squirrel seeks Chipmunk
Squirrel seeks Chipmunk By: David Sedaris
Non-fiction: humor
This is a selection of short stories about if animals were like people, but for adults. The stories range from a frank talk about Jazz to flies discussing foods. They are a mix between stories that are based in the real world, just from animals point of view and if animals lived like people ones.
3 CDs 3 hours
Non-fiction: humor
This is a selection of short stories about if animals were like people, but for adults. The stories range from a frank talk about Jazz to flies discussing foods. They are a mix between stories that are based in the real world, just from animals point of view and if animals lived like people ones.
3 CDs 3 hours
Monday, October 10, 2011
A Holiday Book in Review: The Action Heroine's Handbook
The Action Heroine's Handbook By: Jennifer Worick and Joe Borgenicht
Non-fiction 185 pages
Book Count: 84
This book explains how to do many of the things you see heroines do in TV and movies. It is divided into 5 chapters: tough chick skills, beauty skills, brain skills, brawn skills and escape skills. Each chapter has a mixture of skills that might be useful in your life and ones you would never need to know. Some of the skills taught are drinking someone under the table, giving birth outside a hospital/birthing center or other place one normally does it, eavesdrop, go undercover, be a mob wife, win a catfight, choke someone with your thighs, fight the undead, outrun a tornado and have a rooftop chase. It also has appendixes on what to have in your handbag and how to style your hair like famous action heroines.
Non-fiction 185 pages
Book Count: 84
This book explains how to do many of the things you see heroines do in TV and movies. It is divided into 5 chapters: tough chick skills, beauty skills, brain skills, brawn skills and escape skills. Each chapter has a mixture of skills that might be useful in your life and ones you would never need to know. Some of the skills taught are drinking someone under the table, giving birth outside a hospital/birthing center or other place one normally does it, eavesdrop, go undercover, be a mob wife, win a catfight, choke someone with your thighs, fight the undead, outrun a tornado and have a rooftop chase. It also has appendixes on what to have in your handbag and how to style your hair like famous action heroines.
Friday, October 07, 2011
A Holiday Book in Review: The Ninja Handbook
Ask A Ninja Presents: The Ninja Handbook - This Book Looks Forward to Killing You Soon By: The International Order of Ninjas (Douglas Sarine and Kent Nichols)
Non-fiction: humor 325 pages
Book Count: 83
This book is for non-ninjas who want to become ninjas. It includes many pictures, charts and quotes on all things ninja. A number of the quotes are actualy real quotes from songs, movies etc that are used in a differnt way then origionaly. If you like the ask a ninja, ninja on-line then you will most likly like this book.
Non-fiction: humor 325 pages
Book Count: 83
This book is for non-ninjas who want to become ninjas. It includes many pictures, charts and quotes on all things ninja. A number of the quotes are actualy real quotes from songs, movies etc that are used in a differnt way then origionaly. If you like the ask a ninja, ninja on-line then you will most likly like this book.
Thursday, October 06, 2011
A Note on E-book Reviews:
Yes, just one year ago I said that I hated e-books, and I still hate the whole paying as much as a paper book for the ability to read a book on a set device thing. But for the holidays I will be reviewing a few e-books of short stories or that are otherwise not in a tangible book format that I have picked up for free (legally). And as they are mainly done as a way for the authors to get new readers and to advertise the book it is logical that they are e-books and free. (As I have to agree that this is a perfect medium for expanding your readership. And I don't feel bad downloading a book for free that is realy a cleaver ad for their main books.) So if a review notes it is for an e-book I will not put it in my book count and it will be for some short stories or a novella that you can pick up on-line most likely for free. (Some times the price gets bumped up to .99 after a while.)
A Holiday E-Book in Review: Wicked Science
Wicked Science by: Joshua Scribner
fiction: horror, Sci-fi, short stories
This set of 5 short stories are all about the brain doing things that we think it isn't able to do. Most of the stories have to do with physic abilities. Two of them were very similar in that they were about government tests on soldiers to find people with abilities. They were between 3 and 6 pages long each. The whole book can be read in 15-30 minutes.
fiction: horror, Sci-fi, short stories
This set of 5 short stories are all about the brain doing things that we think it isn't able to do. Most of the stories have to do with physic abilities. Two of them were very similar in that they were about government tests on soldiers to find people with abilities. They were between 3 and 6 pages long each. The whole book can be read in 15-30 minutes.
Wednesday, October 05, 2011
A Book in Review: Ten Big Ones
Ten Big Ones By: Janet Evanovich
Fiction: mystery 421 pages
Book Count: 82
Review of book nine can be found here.
In this book Stephanie accidental witnesses a store robbery, sees the face of the thief and because of that has a gang hit man after her. Also her sister is getting married and Sally the cross dressing rocker (and now bus driver) is the wedding planner. She's on the outs with Morelli again and so she goes looking for the Batcave and ends up in Ranger's bed. Car count: 6? Merry Men down: 1 (it was he's fault)
Fiction: mystery 421 pages
Book Count: 82
Review of book nine can be found here.
In this book Stephanie accidental witnesses a store robbery, sees the face of the thief and because of that has a gang hit man after her. Also her sister is getting married and Sally the cross dressing rocker (and now bus driver) is the wedding planner. She's on the outs with Morelli again and so she goes looking for the Batcave and ends up in Ranger's bed. Car count: 6? Merry Men down: 1 (it was he's fault)
Tuesday, October 04, 2011
Monday, October 03, 2011
A Holiday Book in Review: Ghost Radio
Ghost Radio by: Leopoldo Gout
Fiction: Horror, mystery, paranormal 353 pages
Book Count: 81
This is an unusual book, it starts out as the story of a man named Joaquin who hosts a late night call in radio program where people tell about their encounters with the paranormal. Then as we learn about his tragic past and about his best friend Gabriel the lines between the living and the dead, dreams and reality, past and present begin to fade and change. (I don't want to say any more about the story as it will give things away.) It is a perfect book to read late at night in a spooky place.
Fiction: Horror, mystery, paranormal 353 pages
Book Count: 81
This is an unusual book, it starts out as the story of a man named Joaquin who hosts a late night call in radio program where people tell about their encounters with the paranormal. Then as we learn about his tragic past and about his best friend Gabriel the lines between the living and the dead, dreams and reality, past and present begin to fade and change. (I don't want to say any more about the story as it will give things away.) It is a perfect book to read late at night in a spooky place.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Holidays in October:
1. International Day of Older Persons, Feast of St. Thérèse de Lisieux, Feast of Protection/Patronage of the Theotokos
2. International Day of Non-Violence, Gandhi’s Birthday
4. World Animal Day, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
5. World Teachers' Day
6. German-American Day
7. Start of Yom Kippur (Sunset)
9. Leif Erikson Day
10. World Mental Health Day, World Day Against Death Penalty, Columbus Day
12. Freethought Day
13. Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
14. World Standards Day
15. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, White Cane Safety Day, Global Handwashing Day, Sweetest Day, Feast of St. Teresa of Avila
16. World Food Day
17. International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
19. Mother Teresa Day
20. Birth of the Báb
21. International Day of the Nacho
22. International Stuttering Awareness Day
23. Mole Day
24. United Nations Day
27. Navy Day
30. Devil's Night/Mischief Night
31. Halloween, Samhain (northern hemisphere), Beltane (southern hemisphere)
2. International Day of Non-Violence, Gandhi’s Birthday
4. World Animal Day, Feast of St. Francis of Assisi
5. World Teachers' Day
6. German-American Day
7. Start of Yom Kippur (Sunset)
9. Leif Erikson Day
10. World Mental Health Day, World Day Against Death Penalty, Columbus Day
12. Freethought Day
13. Feast of Our Lady of Fatima
14. World Standards Day
15. Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day, White Cane Safety Day, Global Handwashing Day, Sweetest Day, Feast of St. Teresa of Avila
16. World Food Day
17. International Day for the Eradication of Poverty
19. Mother Teresa Day
20. Birth of the Báb
21. International Day of the Nacho
22. International Stuttering Awareness Day
23. Mole Day
24. United Nations Day
27. Navy Day
30. Devil's Night/Mischief Night
31. Halloween, Samhain (northern hemisphere), Beltane (southern hemisphere)
Thursday, September 29, 2011
A Book in Review: Stupid History
Stupid History By: Leland Gregory
Non-fiction: History 267 page
Book Count:80
This is a book of one page or shorter entries about things that you think you know about history but don't, as well as odd facts, and weird events. It is over all interesting. Many of the entries were things I already knew. A couple were not quite right for example; although it is true that Lizzie Borden was acquitted by a jury of the murder of her parents it doesn't mean that she was innocent(as the author states), experts are still arguing over if she did it or was involved in some way. Also, St. Patrick's day is the 17th of March not because people weren't sure if he was born on the 8th or 9th so they added them together, but because they thought that he died on the 17th. As like with most saints days its the day he died that they base the feast day on (With is logical when you think about it as it would be the day they became a saint in the sense of the word they are using.) And the last issue I had with an entry was that it stated that the Bible never says that angels have wings like we see them in art, as although the way people draw angels isn't from a Bible passage describing angels there were a couple times when angels in the Bible were said to have wings (some times multiple sets.) But, besides these three times when the "fact" wasn't quite right or at least might not be, the facts were fun and told in a interesting way.
Non-fiction: History 267 page
Book Count:80
This is a book of one page or shorter entries about things that you think you know about history but don't, as well as odd facts, and weird events. It is over all interesting. Many of the entries were things I already knew. A couple were not quite right for example; although it is true that Lizzie Borden was acquitted by a jury of the murder of her parents it doesn't mean that she was innocent(as the author states), experts are still arguing over if she did it or was involved in some way. Also, St. Patrick's day is the 17th of March not because people weren't sure if he was born on the 8th or 9th so they added them together, but because they thought that he died on the 17th. As like with most saints days its the day he died that they base the feast day on (With is logical when you think about it as it would be the day they became a saint in the sense of the word they are using.) And the last issue I had with an entry was that it stated that the Bible never says that angels have wings like we see them in art, as although the way people draw angels isn't from a Bible passage describing angels there were a couple times when angels in the Bible were said to have wings (some times multiple sets.) But, besides these three times when the "fact" wasn't quite right or at least might not be, the facts were fun and told in a interesting way.
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
A Book in Review: To The Nines
To The Nines By: Janet Evanovich
Fiction: mystery 406 pages
Book Count: 79
The review of book eight is here.
In this book Vinnie posted a highly publicized visa bond on an immigrant, who of course goes missing shortly befor he is the leave the country. This leads Stephanie right into the middle of a deadly game, and causes her to break Ranger's Merry Men faster then she blows up cars. Also, her sister is 9 months pregnant from Kloughn and still living with her parents. And to top it all off, Vegas!
Fiction: mystery 406 pages
Book Count: 79
The review of book eight is here.
In this book Vinnie posted a highly publicized visa bond on an immigrant, who of course goes missing shortly befor he is the leave the country. This leads Stephanie right into the middle of a deadly game, and causes her to break Ranger's Merry Men faster then she blows up cars. Also, her sister is 9 months pregnant from Kloughn and still living with her parents. And to top it all off, Vegas!
Saturday, September 24, 2011
A Book in Review: Hard Eight
Hard Eight by: Janet Evanovich
Fiction: mystery 326 pages
Book Count:78
The review of book seven can be seen here.
In this book Stephanie is helping an old neighbor find her granddaughter and her seven year old girl. As usual this isn't just the custody case she thought she was getting into. It turns into much more including ending up in a war game with a psychopath . Also, while apart from Morelli thing heat up with Ranger. And after failing at turning gay, Valerie is after any man who is single and has at least 2 bathrooms, even a lawyer who's a real Kloughn.
Fiction: mystery 326 pages
Book Count:78
The review of book seven can be seen here.
In this book Stephanie is helping an old neighbor find her granddaughter and her seven year old girl. As usual this isn't just the custody case she thought she was getting into. It turns into much more including ending up in a war game with a psychopath . Also, while apart from Morelli thing heat up with Ranger. And after failing at turning gay, Valerie is after any man who is single and has at least 2 bathrooms, even a lawyer who's a real Kloughn.
Friday, September 23, 2011
A Book in Review: Never Hit a Jellyfish with a Spade
Never Hit a Jellyfish with a Spade: How to Survive Life's Smaller Challenges BY: Guy Browning
Non-Fiction: Essays, humour, 278 pages
Book Count: 77
This author also writes a how to column in a magazine and this book is written in the same format, so each entry is about 2 pages long making it a quick read. It deals with normal everyday topics with a touch of humor in it.
Non-Fiction: Essays, humour, 278 pages
Book Count: 77
This author also writes a how to column in a magazine and this book is written in the same format, so each entry is about 2 pages long making it a quick read. It deals with normal everyday topics with a touch of humor in it.
Thursday, September 22, 2011
A Book in Review: Cats are Weird and More Observations
Cats are Weird and More Observations by: Jeffrey Brown
Non-fiction: comics
Book Count: 76
This is a short book of comics about cats acting like cats.
Non-fiction: comics
Book Count: 76
This is a short book of comics about cats acting like cats.
A Book in Review: My Korean Deli
My Korean Deli By: Ben Ryder Howe
Non-Fiction: memoir 301 pages
Book Count: 75
This is a fish out of water story with an unusual cast of characters. It is the story of a guy whose family is the definition of WASP who ends up opening a deli/convenience store with his wife and immigrant Korean mother-in-law. Also, he lives with his in-laws and their revolving door of family members new to the country who don't knock while his wife wants to start their family. He works days as an editor of a literary magazine with a one of a kind boss. And there are all the problems with starting a new business, especially when the owners all aren't on the same page an what they want to do.
Non-Fiction: memoir 301 pages
Book Count: 75
This is a fish out of water story with an unusual cast of characters. It is the story of a guy whose family is the definition of WASP who ends up opening a deli/convenience store with his wife and immigrant Korean mother-in-law. Also, he lives with his in-laws and their revolving door of family members new to the country who don't knock while his wife wants to start their family. He works days as an editor of a literary magazine with a one of a kind boss. And there are all the problems with starting a new business, especially when the owners all aren't on the same page an what they want to do.
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
A Book in Review: The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook
The Ex-Boyfriend's Handbook By:Matt Dunn
Fiction: Chick Lit, 354 pages
Book Count: 74
This book is a Chick Lit book as told by the guy. Edward comes home one day to find his girlfriend Jane gone, along with everything she owned (Which was most everything.) She left a note saying she was going to Tibet for 3 months to sort things out, and that in fact it was him and not her, because he let himself go. Ed spends the next 3 months with the help of his best friend (and womanizing local celebrity) Dan, Wendy (the barmaid of their local), and Sam his new and female personal trainer working on all the areas of his life that he could improve to impress Jane (well most, he draws the line at hiring a prostitute to test his lovemaking skills. [Which was Dan's idea.])
Note: this book was clearly writing in the UK with related spellings, words etc.
Fiction: Chick Lit, 354 pages
Book Count: 74
This book is a Chick Lit book as told by the guy. Edward comes home one day to find his girlfriend Jane gone, along with everything she owned (Which was most everything.) She left a note saying she was going to Tibet for 3 months to sort things out, and that in fact it was him and not her, because he let himself go. Ed spends the next 3 months with the help of his best friend (and womanizing local celebrity) Dan, Wendy (the barmaid of their local), and Sam his new and female personal trainer working on all the areas of his life that he could improve to impress Jane (well most, he draws the line at hiring a prostitute to test his lovemaking skills. [Which was Dan's idea.])
Note: this book was clearly writing in the UK with related spellings, words etc.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
A Book in Review: Seven Up
Seven Up By: Janet Evanovich
Fiction: Mystery 337 pages
Book Count: 73
The review of book six in the series can be found here.
In this book Stephanie is trying to bring in an elderly man, who her grandmother dated, for smuggling in cigarettes. As always this is 1000 times harder then it sounds. He may be old, half blind, hard of hearing, need to pee a lot and have other problems that she learns from her grandmother's over sharing, but he has a gun and a Caddie and isn't afraid to use either of them. Also her sister moves back home after her marriage falls apart and decides to become a lesbian. The mob keeps breaking into her home (and do her dishes). And her stoner friends go missing. Not to mention her wedding to Morelli, that she didn't exactly agree to, but that isn't stopping her family from dress shopping and renting halls.
Fiction: Mystery 337 pages
Book Count: 73
The review of book six in the series can be found here.
In this book Stephanie is trying to bring in an elderly man, who her grandmother dated, for smuggling in cigarettes. As always this is 1000 times harder then it sounds. He may be old, half blind, hard of hearing, need to pee a lot and have other problems that she learns from her grandmother's over sharing, but he has a gun and a Caddie and isn't afraid to use either of them. Also her sister moves back home after her marriage falls apart and decides to become a lesbian. The mob keeps breaking into her home (and do her dishes). And her stoner friends go missing. Not to mention her wedding to Morelli, that she didn't exactly agree to, but that isn't stopping her family from dress shopping and renting halls.
Monday, September 12, 2011
A Book in Review: Pirattitude! So You Wanna Be a Pirate? Here's How!
Pirattitude! So You Wanna Be a Pirate? Here's How! By: John "Ol' Chumbucket" Baur and Mark " Cap'n Slappy" Summers
Non-fiction: humor, history, talking pirate, 221 pages
Book Count: 72
This is about about being pirate like by the people who started International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which is September 19th. It included the story of how they made the holiday, why it is the day it is, definitions to piratey words, info on famous pirates, info on how the be a little bit of a pirate (without all the sea travel and illegal activities), and more. It is done in a very conversational voice and included a foreword by Blackbeard and an intro by Dave Barry. It has all you need to know to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day as well as a bit of things you might like to actually know about real pirates.
Non-fiction: humor, history, talking pirate, 221 pages
Book Count: 72
This is about about being pirate like by the people who started International Talk Like a Pirate Day, which is September 19th. It included the story of how they made the holiday, why it is the day it is, definitions to piratey words, info on famous pirates, info on how the be a little bit of a pirate (without all the sea travel and illegal activities), and more. It is done in a very conversational voice and included a foreword by Blackbeard and an intro by Dave Barry. It has all you need to know to celebrate International Talk Like a Pirate Day as well as a bit of things you might like to actually know about real pirates.
Sunday, September 11, 2011
A Book in Review: Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 5)
Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 5) By; Matsuri Akino
Non-fiction: Manga, horror 224 pages
Book Count: 71
In this volume Count D has to deal with a pastry shortage, magic eggs, a health check up, ghost stories, a bird/angel cult (or maybe not), the Bon Holiday (where the dead visit family), and many mysteries.
Non-fiction: Manga, horror 224 pages
Book Count: 71
In this volume Count D has to deal with a pastry shortage, magic eggs, a health check up, ghost stories, a bird/angel cult (or maybe not), the Bon Holiday (where the dead visit family), and many mysteries.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
A Book in Review: Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 4)
Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 4) By: Matsuri Akino
Non-fiction: manga, horror 224 pages
Book Count: 70
This volume has a Romeo and Juliet story with the Yakuza, ghosts, side shows, and an actor that is too good with their job. We learn more about what Count D does at day instead of working in his shop.
Non-fiction: manga, horror 224 pages
Book Count: 70
This volume has a Romeo and Juliet story with the Yakuza, ghosts, side shows, and an actor that is too good with their job. We learn more about what Count D does at day instead of working in his shop.
Friday, September 09, 2011
A Book in Review: Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 3)
Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 3) By: Matsuri Akino
Non-fiction: manga, horror 208 Pages
Book Count: 69
This volume deals with the bird flu, a black widow and one that isn't, water and the sphynx cat in Egypt. It also has a number of weird dreams with questions on what was really a dream and what was real.
Non-fiction: manga, horror 208 Pages
Book Count: 69
This volume deals with the bird flu, a black widow and one that isn't, water and the sphynx cat in Egypt. It also has a number of weird dreams with questions on what was really a dream and what was real.
Thursday, September 08, 2011
A Book in Review: Barrel Fever
Barrel Fever By: David Sedaris
Non-fiction: essays, short stories humor 196 pages
Book Count: 68
This book is mostly short, fiction stories with only a few of the humorous essays that David Sedaris is most known for. Each story stands alone and is written from many different points of view; men and women, young and old, gay and straight. The one thing that they by in large have in common is that they would be depressing if told by another writer. The essays are on line with what you would expect from the author. The main one is the story of the year that he worked as a Christmas elf at Macy's.
Non-fiction: essays, short stories humor 196 pages
Book Count: 68
This book is mostly short, fiction stories with only a few of the humorous essays that David Sedaris is most known for. Each story stands alone and is written from many different points of view; men and women, young and old, gay and straight. The one thing that they by in large have in common is that they would be depressing if told by another writer. The essays are on line with what you would expect from the author. The main one is the story of the year that he worked as a Christmas elf at Macy's.
Wednesday, September 07, 2011
A Book in Review: Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 2)
Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 2) By: Matsuri Akino
non-fiction: manga, horror, 216 pages
Book Count: 67
In this book Count D and his landlord Woo-Fei still are playing their game of cat and mouse. Also, having read this far in the series unless things change soon, I have to say that horror isn't really the correct genre for this book, no matter what the book says, it is more like "The Twilight Show" with a twist ending at times.
non-fiction: manga, horror, 216 pages
Book Count: 67
In this book Count D and his landlord Woo-Fei still are playing their game of cat and mouse. Also, having read this far in the series unless things change soon, I have to say that horror isn't really the correct genre for this book, no matter what the book says, it is more like "The Twilight Show" with a twist ending at times.
A Book in Review: Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 1)
Pet Shop of Horrors: Tokyo (vol 1) By: Matsuri Akino
non-fiction: manga, horror, 192 pages
Book Count: 66
This series is about a pet shop owner in a Chinatown in Tokyo. The pets are mostly magical and mythical beings that are often disguised as normal pets and grant their owners their greatest wish. The owner (Count D) is also not a normal person. Also because the "pets" can change into humans the owner of the property is after the Count thinking that he is selling slaves or prostitutes. This volume includes a twist ending story, a love story, one about gangs and one from the past involving Eva Braun.
non-fiction: manga, horror, 192 pages
Book Count: 66
This series is about a pet shop owner in a Chinatown in Tokyo. The pets are mostly magical and mythical beings that are often disguised as normal pets and grant their owners their greatest wish. The owner (Count D) is also not a normal person. Also because the "pets" can change into humans the owner of the property is after the Count thinking that he is selling slaves or prostitutes. This volume includes a twist ending story, a love story, one about gangs and one from the past involving Eva Braun.
Tuesday, September 06, 2011
A Book in Review:there's a (slight) chance i might be going to hell
there's a (slight) chance i might be going to hell a novel of sewer pipes, pageant queens, and big trouble By: Laurie Notaro
fiction: humor, mystery, chick lit 302 pages
Book Count: 65
This is a fish out of water story of a big city gal who moves to a small town where everyone is crazy, most not legally crazy just I'm glad I don't have these people for neighbors level crazy. I don't want to say too much about what happens and ruin the story for anyone. It has some great twists and turn and very memorable characters. It also deals with a mystery in the town that was unsolved for 1/2 a century.
fiction: humor, mystery, chick lit 302 pages
Book Count: 65
This is a fish out of water story of a big city gal who moves to a small town where everyone is crazy, most not legally crazy just I'm glad I don't have these people for neighbors level crazy. I don't want to say too much about what happens and ruin the story for anyone. It has some great twists and turn and very memorable characters. It also deals with a mystery in the town that was unsolved for 1/2 a century.
Monday, September 05, 2011
A Book in Review: 101 Things You Didn't Know About Irish History
101 Things You Didn't Know About Irish History By Ryan Hackney and Amy Hackney Blackwell with Technical Review by Garland Kimmer, Ph.D.
Non-Fiction: History 236 Pages
Book Count: 64
This is a book all about Ireland. It is divided into areas and then goes in a mostly chronological order for each area. It covers a wide range of information most of it quite well. I would say that I was expecting more detailed knowledge in the area of religion and brewing in this book (given the subject), for example it says that stout is not a lager or an ale; however, it is a type of ale.
Non-Fiction: History 236 Pages
Book Count: 64
This is a book all about Ireland. It is divided into areas and then goes in a mostly chronological order for each area. It covers a wide range of information most of it quite well. I would say that I was expecting more detailed knowledge in the area of religion and brewing in this book (given the subject), for example it says that stout is not a lager or an ale; however, it is a type of ale.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
A Book in Review: Cirque Du Freak (vol 8)
Cirque Du Freak (vol 8) Allies of the Night By: Darren Shan Art by: Takahiro Arai
Non-Fiction: Manga 188 pages
Book Count: 63
In this volume they travel back to the old hometown of Mr. Crepsley. Some one enrolled Darren into high school and so he goes, where his English teacher turned out to be Debbie his old love. He also runs into his old friend, Steve Leonard, the whole reason he became a vampire. This leads to their 2nd run in with the Vampaneze Lord.
Non-Fiction: Manga 188 pages
Book Count: 63
In this volume they travel back to the old hometown of Mr. Crepsley. Some one enrolled Darren into high school and so he goes, where his English teacher turned out to be Debbie his old love. He also runs into his old friend, Steve Leonard, the whole reason he became a vampire. This leads to their 2nd run in with the Vampaneze Lord.
Tuesday, August 30, 2011
A Book in Review: The New Vampire's Handbook
The New Vampire's Handbook A Guide for the Recently Turned Creature of the Night Edited by: The Vampire Mile Proctor (by: Joe Garden, Janet Ginsburg, Chris Pauls, Anita Serwacki, & Scott Sherman)
Non-Fiction: Humor, paranormal 211 pages
Book Count: 62
As you could tell by the title, this is a how to book for new vampires as written by a vampire. It uses mostly traditional ideas about vampires i.e. sun light kills, no reflection, OCD counting, changing into bats, controlling animals etc. But it does put some twists on it as well as writing in a modern humorous style. It includes some interesting pseudoscience reasons for some of the things, like lack of reflections and vampire sexuality. It also deals with issues of being a vampire that at not normally addressed like: how to plan finances, why you should avoid people that are into vampires, how to act the age you look, and the pros and cons of different forms of travel. Over all this book would work well as a handbook for vampires, making it a good read for people who like humor and vampire stories.
Non-Fiction: Humor, paranormal 211 pages
Book Count: 62
As you could tell by the title, this is a how to book for new vampires as written by a vampire. It uses mostly traditional ideas about vampires i.e. sun light kills, no reflection, OCD counting, changing into bats, controlling animals etc. But it does put some twists on it as well as writing in a modern humorous style. It includes some interesting pseudoscience reasons for some of the things, like lack of reflections and vampire sexuality. It also deals with issues of being a vampire that at not normally addressed like: how to plan finances, why you should avoid people that are into vampires, how to act the age you look, and the pros and cons of different forms of travel. Over all this book would work well as a handbook for vampires, making it a good read for people who like humor and vampire stories.
Wednesday, August 24, 2011
A Book in Review: World of Geekcraft
World of Geekcraft by: Susan Beal
Non-fiction: crafts 145 pages
Book Count: 61
This book has instructions for 25 geek craft projects that are at various skill levels and for many different areas of Geekdom. There are templates at the end of the books and withing the sections there are also some ideas for how to change some of the crafts to fit with different areas of geekiness. Some projects are simple enough for a child to do and some require a lot more. The list of materials for each project is most to all easy to find things at a craft store, or around the house.
Non-fiction: crafts 145 pages
Book Count: 61
This book has instructions for 25 geek craft projects that are at various skill levels and for many different areas of Geekdom. There are templates at the end of the books and withing the sections there are also some ideas for how to change some of the crafts to fit with different areas of geekiness. Some projects are simple enough for a child to do and some require a lot more. The list of materials for each project is most to all easy to find things at a craft store, or around the house.
Tuesday, August 23, 2011
A Book in Review: Retail Hell
Retail Hell By: Freeman Hall
Non-fiction, memoir 258 pages
Book Count: 60
This is the true story of what its like to work at a big department store, anyone that has ever worked retail understands the title, but remember when it happens to someone else its comedy. It deals with pointless store regulations, useless employee moral boosters, co-workers, crazy customers, and all the other hells of stores. Also because, the author got stuck working the handbag (NOT purse) department because he is a "free-spirit" (gay) there is the fun of knowing nothing about what you are selling and having no training before you start as well as the general distrust of the people your commission is from. (Or as its known business as usual.)
Non-fiction, memoir 258 pages
Book Count: 60
This is the true story of what its like to work at a big department store, anyone that has ever worked retail understands the title, but remember when it happens to someone else its comedy. It deals with pointless store regulations, useless employee moral boosters, co-workers, crazy customers, and all the other hells of stores. Also because, the author got stuck working the handbag (NOT purse) department because he is a "free-spirit" (gay) there is the fun of knowing nothing about what you are selling and having no training before you start as well as the general distrust of the people your commission is from. (Or as its known business as usual.)
Tuesday, August 16, 2011
A Book in Review: Daniel X (Vol 1)
Daniel X (Vol 1) By: James Patterson & Michael Ledwidge Art by: Seunghui Kye
Fiction: Graphic novel, sci-fi, 244 pages
Book Count: 59
Daniel is a teenage alien hunter. He's family, who also hunted alien outlaws on Earth, were killed when he was young. Luckily he has the ability to create things and people out of thin air, including his family and a group of friends. He uses these abilities to help him hunt aliens. In this volume he hunts number 6 on his father's list of outlaws (numbered from the most dangerous down) he also learns more about his family and home.
Fiction: Graphic novel, sci-fi, 244 pages
Book Count: 59
Daniel is a teenage alien hunter. He's family, who also hunted alien outlaws on Earth, were killed when he was young. Luckily he has the ability to create things and people out of thin air, including his family and a group of friends. He uses these abilities to help him hunt aliens. In this volume he hunts number 6 on his father's list of outlaws (numbered from the most dangerous down) he also learns more about his family and home.
Monday, August 15, 2011
A Book in Review: regretsy
regretsy Where DIY Meets WTF by: April Winchell
non-fiction: crafts, 143 pages
Book Count: 58
This book of WTF arts and crafts found on the web-site Etsy has it all: ugly jewelry, chicken ponchos, sock monkeys in labor, tampon cozies, serial killer pillowcases, embroidered TP, and much more. Each page includes the information on the actual Etsy page, as well as the regretsy additional thoughts. It also has more info from and about the "artists" featured.
non-fiction: crafts, 143 pages
Book Count: 58
This book of WTF arts and crafts found on the web-site Etsy has it all: ugly jewelry, chicken ponchos, sock monkeys in labor, tampon cozies, serial killer pillowcases, embroidered TP, and much more. Each page includes the information on the actual Etsy page, as well as the regretsy additional thoughts. It also has more info from and about the "artists" featured.
Friday, August 12, 2011
A Book in Review: Cirque Du Freak (vol 7)
Cirque Du Freak (vol 7) Hunters of The Dusk By: Darren Shan art by: Takahiro Aria
Fiction: Manga, paranormal 191 pages
Book Count: 57
In this book we learn that there are 3 vampire who might be able to stop the Vampaneze Lord and they will have 4 chances to do so. Of course Darren is one of the 3. So he and his friends set out from vampire mountain to hunt the Vampaneze Lord as well as to find Lady Evanna (who you should never call a witch.) She is able to see the furture somewhat as she was made by Mr. Tiny using vampire DNA and as such has some of his abilities as well as maybe being the only one who can have a vampire baby. They also run into the 3rd vampire who can kill the Vampaneze Lord and head back to the Cirque Du Freak. They learn about the changes in their friend's lives and have their first chance to kill the Vampaneze Lord.
Fiction: Manga, paranormal 191 pages
Book Count: 57
In this book we learn that there are 3 vampire who might be able to stop the Vampaneze Lord and they will have 4 chances to do so. Of course Darren is one of the 3. So he and his friends set out from vampire mountain to hunt the Vampaneze Lord as well as to find Lady Evanna (who you should never call a witch.) She is able to see the furture somewhat as she was made by Mr. Tiny using vampire DNA and as such has some of his abilities as well as maybe being the only one who can have a vampire baby. They also run into the 3rd vampire who can kill the Vampaneze Lord and head back to the Cirque Du Freak. They learn about the changes in their friend's lives and have their first chance to kill the Vampaneze Lord.
A Book in Review: Cirque Du Freak (vol 6)
Cirque Du Freak (vol 6)The Vampire Prince By: Darren Shan art by: Takahiro Arai
fiction: manga, paranormal 188 pages
Book Count: 56
Darren washes down the mountain in the river. Almost dead he is saved by the wolves that he befriended earlier. After being nursed back to health he figures out the plot of Kurda and the vampaneze. With more help from the wolves he gets back into the mountain in time to try and stop them if he isn't killed for failing the trials before he can get the princes to hear his story.
fiction: manga, paranormal 188 pages
Book Count: 56
Darren washes down the mountain in the river. Almost dead he is saved by the wolves that he befriended earlier. After being nursed back to health he figures out the plot of Kurda and the vampaneze. With more help from the wolves he gets back into the mountain in time to try and stop them if he isn't killed for failing the trials before he can get the princes to hear his story.
Thursday, August 11, 2011
A Book in Review: Cirque Du Freak (vol 5)
Cirque Du Freak (vol 5) Trials of Death by: Darren Shan art by: Takhiro Arai
fiction: Manga, paranormal 195 pages
Book Count: 55
Darren is continuing his trails, but after his friend Harkat helps him out in one he is sentenced to death. His friend the soon to be prince Kurda works on helping him escape the Vampire Mountain, but as they are leaving the find a group of vampaneze and Darren learns the truth about Kurda when he kills Gavner and goes after Darren with the vampaneze. He has to escape using the river that they use to float dead vampires down.
fiction: Manga, paranormal 195 pages
Book Count: 55
Darren is continuing his trails, but after his friend Harkat helps him out in one he is sentenced to death. His friend the soon to be prince Kurda works on helping him escape the Vampire Mountain, but as they are leaving the find a group of vampaneze and Darren learns the truth about Kurda when he kills Gavner and goes after Darren with the vampaneze. He has to escape using the river that they use to float dead vampires down.
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
A Book in Review: Cirque Du Freak (Vol 4)
Cirque Du Freak (Vol 4) Vampire Mountain By: Darren Shan art by: Takahiro Arai
fiction: Manga, paranormal 187 pages
Book Count: 54
In this book the vampires journey to Vampire Mountain for the meeting of vampires. While there Darren meets vampire generals and princes as well as learns more about being a vampire. He is also made to go thought a series of tests to prove that he is worthy to be a vampire.
fiction: Manga, paranormal 187 pages
Book Count: 54
In this book the vampires journey to Vampire Mountain for the meeting of vampires. While there Darren meets vampire generals and princes as well as learns more about being a vampire. He is also made to go thought a series of tests to prove that he is worthy to be a vampire.
A Book in Review: Cirque Du Freak (vol 3)
Cirque Du Freak (vol 3) Tunnels of Blood By Darren Shan art by: Takahiro Arai
Fiction: manga, paranormal 191 pages
Book Count: 53
In this book we learn about the vampaneze a rival group of vampires that kill their human victims. Also Darren has his first girlfriend, Debbie a normal girl who just moved to the city that Mr. Crepsley, Darren and Evra are staying in.
Fiction: manga, paranormal 191 pages
Book Count: 53
In this book we learn about the vampaneze a rival group of vampires that kill their human victims. Also Darren has his first girlfriend, Debbie a normal girl who just moved to the city that Mr. Crepsley, Darren and Evra are staying in.
A Book in Review: Cirque Du Freak (vol 2)
Cirque Du Freak (vol 2)The Vampire's Assistant By: Darren Shan art by: takahiro arai
Fiction: Manga, Paranormal 191 pages
Book Count: 52
Darren the half-vampire and Mr. Crepsley move back into the Cirque. Darren makes friends with Evra, the snake boy and a normal boy named Sam. They work together around the cirque and Darren learns to help out in the act. He is still working on dealing with what it means to be a half-vampire and refuses to drink human blood, even though he knows that it will kill him. Then the wolfman is let loose and attacks Sam. Once again Darren must make a hard choice, drink Sam's blood so that a part of him can live in him, or keep his promise to himself not to drink humans.
Fiction: Manga, Paranormal 191 pages
Book Count: 52
Darren the half-vampire and Mr. Crepsley move back into the Cirque. Darren makes friends with Evra, the snake boy and a normal boy named Sam. They work together around the cirque and Darren learns to help out in the act. He is still working on dealing with what it means to be a half-vampire and refuses to drink human blood, even though he knows that it will kill him. Then the wolfman is let loose and attacks Sam. Once again Darren must make a hard choice, drink Sam's blood so that a part of him can live in him, or keep his promise to himself not to drink humans.
Tuesday, August 09, 2011
A Book in Review: Cirque Du Freak (vol 1)
Cirque Du Freak (vol 1) By: Darren Shan Art by:Takahiro Arai
Fiction: Manga, paranormal 207 pages
Book Count: 51
First, as you can tell from the info above this is the manga version of the story (verses the novel, movie etc.). This is the story of two boys who are best friends. One loves spiders and one is obsessed with monsters. The both go to a mysterious late night Cirque Du Freak. Steve, the one who likes monsters, guesses that one of the freaks, Mr. Crepsley, is really a vampire. After the show he tries to get him to turn him, but he is told that he has bad blood and would be an evil vampire. Darren, the spider loving friend, later steals the spider that Mr. Crepsley uses in his act. It bits Steve and Darren goes to Mr. Crepsley for the antidote. He is told that he can have it, but only if he will become the vampire's assistance and a half-vampire himself.
Fiction: Manga, paranormal 207 pages
Book Count: 51
First, as you can tell from the info above this is the manga version of the story (verses the novel, movie etc.). This is the story of two boys who are best friends. One loves spiders and one is obsessed with monsters. The both go to a mysterious late night Cirque Du Freak. Steve, the one who likes monsters, guesses that one of the freaks, Mr. Crepsley, is really a vampire. After the show he tries to get him to turn him, but he is told that he has bad blood and would be an evil vampire. Darren, the spider loving friend, later steals the spider that Mr. Crepsley uses in his act. It bits Steve and Darren goes to Mr. Crepsley for the antidote. He is told that he can have it, but only if he will become the vampire's assistance and a half-vampire himself.
A Book in Review: F in Exams
F in Exams The Very Best Totally Wrong Rest Answers by: Richard Benson
Non-Fiction: humor, pop culture 127 pages
Book Count: 50
This is a collection of funny wrong answeres to tests. It is like the one's that you see at verious internet sites. It is divided up by supject matter.
Non-Fiction: humor, pop culture 127 pages
Book Count: 50
This is a collection of funny wrong answeres to tests. It is like the one's that you see at verious internet sites. It is divided up by supject matter.
Monday, August 08, 2011
An Audiobook in Review: If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't)
If You Ask Me (And of Course You Won't) by: Betty White
Non-fiction, Memoir, Pop Culture
Book Count: 49
This book is about the last few of years in the author's life. It inclues what it's like getting old, how she ended up on Saturday Night Live, and how her lack of will power landed her some of the best jobs. It is short, at times funny and at times touching.
2 C.D.s 2 hours 17 minutes
Non-fiction, Memoir, Pop Culture
Book Count: 49
This book is about the last few of years in the author's life. It inclues what it's like getting old, how she ended up on Saturday Night Live, and how her lack of will power landed her some of the best jobs. It is short, at times funny and at times touching.
2 C.D.s 2 hours 17 minutes
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Edible Secrets
Edible Secrets A Food Tour of Classified US History by: Michael Hoerger & Ma Partlow
Non-fiction, history food 123 pages
Book Count: 48
This is a book about the role of food in un-classified US documents. It includes the role of Jell-o in the trial of Ethel and Juilus Rosenberg, how a movie theator owner trying to increase popcorn sales ended up with the CIA using LSD on people without their knowedge, and how Coke's All American image got them government help in dealing with the fighting in the Middle East. It includes copies of the actual documents and then the authors discusing it's importants and role in history.
Non-fiction, history food 123 pages
Book Count: 48
This is a book about the role of food in un-classified US documents. It includes the role of Jell-o in the trial of Ethel and Juilus Rosenberg, how a movie theator owner trying to increase popcorn sales ended up with the CIA using LSD on people without their knowedge, and how Coke's All American image got them government help in dealing with the fighting in the Middle East. It includes copies of the actual documents and then the authors discusing it's importants and role in history.
Friday, July 29, 2011
A Book in Review: Dixie
Dixie A Personal Odyssey Through Events That Shaped the Modern South By:Curtis Wilkie
Non-Fiction: history, Memoir 336 pages
Book Count: 48
This is the life story of a journalist who grew up in the south and was around during many of the key points in the Civil Rights Movement. He grew up in a family that was against the racism of the South, but still didn't actively oppose the unwritten rules of behavior regarding races in the South until after the movement started. As he was a journalist who covered southern news, political campaigns and the Middle East, it includes lots of stories and thoughts that you will not get in a history book.
Non-Fiction: history, Memoir 336 pages
Book Count: 48
This is the life story of a journalist who grew up in the south and was around during many of the key points in the Civil Rights Movement. He grew up in a family that was against the racism of the South, but still didn't actively oppose the unwritten rules of behavior regarding races in the South until after the movement started. As he was a journalist who covered southern news, political campaigns and the Middle East, it includes lots of stories and thoughts that you will not get in a history book.
Monday, July 11, 2011
A Book in Review: Horns
Horns By: Joe Hill
Fiction: fantasy, horror, mystery 368 pages
Book Count: 47
Ig's life for the last year has been a living hell. His girlfriend was brutally murdered a year ago and everyone thinks he did it. He gets blackout drunk and wakes up with horns and powers to go with them. Now everyone tells him all their dark secrets and he can make them do all the evil things that they want to do, but wouldn't normally. Will he become a devil on earth or use his powers to stop the demon that killed his love?
Fiction: fantasy, horror, mystery 368 pages
Book Count: 47
Ig's life for the last year has been a living hell. His girlfriend was brutally murdered a year ago and everyone thinks he did it. He gets blackout drunk and wakes up with horns and powers to go with them. Now everyone tells him all their dark secrets and he can make them do all the evil things that they want to do, but wouldn't normally. Will he become a devil on earth or use his powers to stop the demon that killed his love?
Thursday, July 07, 2011
A Book in Review: Frogs & French Kisses
Frogs & French Kisses By: Sarah Mlynowski
fiction: YA, fantasy 277 pages
Book Count: 46
Rachel is a high school freshman; her dad just got re-married, she lost her boyfriend, the cool kids hate her, her mom & sister are vegetarians (she isn't) and she is the only non-witch in her household. So, normal end of the world teen problems. She tries getting her little sister to use her magic to help with her problems at school, but junior high kids that are just starting to learn magic aren't the best at complex magic. This book is a funny, lighthearted teenager story that deals with normal issues with the added problems of magic abilities (or lack of them).
fiction: YA, fantasy 277 pages
Book Count: 46
Rachel is a high school freshman; her dad just got re-married, she lost her boyfriend, the cool kids hate her, her mom & sister are vegetarians (she isn't) and she is the only non-witch in her household. So, normal end of the world teen problems. She tries getting her little sister to use her magic to help with her problems at school, but junior high kids that are just starting to learn magic aren't the best at complex magic. This book is a funny, lighthearted teenager story that deals with normal issues with the added problems of magic abilities (or lack of them).
Wednesday, July 06, 2011
A Book in Review: Save Karyn
Save Karyn One Shopaholic's Journey to Debt and Back By: Karyn Bosnak
Non-Fiction: economics 444 pages
Book Count: 45
This is a non-fiction, autobiography by a woman that racked up tons of debt within a few months and then used the Internet to get out of it. She was one of the first people that made a website asking people to send her money. She tells the story of how she got into the debt and then what she did to fix the problem.
Non-Fiction: economics 444 pages
Book Count: 45
This is a non-fiction, autobiography by a woman that racked up tons of debt within a few months and then used the Internet to get out of it. She was one of the first people that made a website asking people to send her money. She tells the story of how she got into the debt and then what she did to fix the problem.
Monday, June 27, 2011
A Book in Review: If I Ever Get Back to Georgia, I'm Gonna Nail My Feet to the Ground
If I Ever Get Back to Georgia, I'm Gonna Nail My Feet to the Ground By: Lewis Grizzard
Non-fiction: biography 305 pages
Book Count: 44
I read this book expecting it to be a humorist's essays like all of his other books that I have read. This book has too many deaths, alcholism, ruined relationships and other depressing things to be counted as a humor book. It is however, a indepht look at the way a newspaper was made from the 60's to the 80's as well as a bio of the author. And it has sport.
Non-fiction: biography 305 pages
Book Count: 44
I read this book expecting it to be a humorist's essays like all of his other books that I have read. This book has too many deaths, alcholism, ruined relationships and other depressing things to be counted as a humor book. It is however, a indepht look at the way a newspaper was made from the 60's to the 80's as well as a bio of the author. And it has sport.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
A Book in Review: Vamps
Vamps: Blood-chilling Tales of Lady Vampires Compiled By: Martin H. Greenberg and Charles G. Waugh
Fiction: classics, paranormal 252 pages
Book Count: 43
This book is a collection of popular stories with female vampires in them. They all seam to be previously published, many of them in a book I reviewed earlier here. As you know that there is a female vamp in each story if you didn't read a story before it would give away part of the story in many of these ones. It does have a nice mix of types of vampires as well as tone of the story.
Fiction: classics, paranormal 252 pages
Book Count: 43
This book is a collection of popular stories with female vampires in them. They all seam to be previously published, many of them in a book I reviewed earlier here. As you know that there is a female vamp in each story if you didn't read a story before it would give away part of the story in many of these ones. It does have a nice mix of types of vampires as well as tone of the story.
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
A Book in Review: From the Notebooks of Dr. Brain
From the Notebooks of Dr. Brain By Minister Faust
Fiction: sci-fi 385 pages
Book Count: 42
This was an odd book. It is the story of a group of superheroes who are part of a superhero organization that made them get therapy. It is a complex storyline with many twists and turns. However, it is written from the point of view of their therapist who talks in constant physco-babble and things like this: "For me, Mr. Piltdown remained a fascination figure, an omelet of a man, rife with green onions of bitterness yet held together by the tangy Velveeta of integrity." The characters in the book are a good mix of superheroes including ones that looked somewhat like superman, batman, and spiderman. This storyline deals both with their interpersonal and personal issues as well as an larger "outside" threats to the group.
Fiction: sci-fi 385 pages
Book Count: 42
This was an odd book. It is the story of a group of superheroes who are part of a superhero organization that made them get therapy. It is a complex storyline with many twists and turns. However, it is written from the point of view of their therapist who talks in constant physco-babble and things like this: "For me, Mr. Piltdown remained a fascination figure, an omelet of a man, rife with green onions of bitterness yet held together by the tangy Velveeta of integrity." The characters in the book are a good mix of superheroes including ones that looked somewhat like superman, batman, and spiderman. This storyline deals both with their interpersonal and personal issues as well as an larger "outside" threats to the group.
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
A Book in Review: How to Read A Word
How to Read A Word By: Elizabeth Knowles
Non-fiction: writing 155 pages
Book Count: 41
This is a book on how the words of the English language has changed meaning, use, and popularity, and how to find the history of words you find interesting. It deals a lot with dictionaries and the Internet as tools in this search. It also includes a few case studies of words that the author had looked into.
Non-fiction: writing 155 pages
Book Count: 41
This is a book on how the words of the English language has changed meaning, use, and popularity, and how to find the history of words you find interesting. It deals a lot with dictionaries and the Internet as tools in this search. It also includes a few case studies of words that the author had looked into.
Monday, June 13, 2011
A Book in Review: The Allegra Biscotti Collection
The Allegra Biscotti Collection by: Olivia Bennett
Fiction: children's 256 Pages
Book Count: 40
Emma is just a normal 14 year old girl with normal high school problems; a new cute boy in class, her best friend making friends with a group she doesn't like, school work, and her designs being mistaken as being from the hot new New York fashion designer. OK, the last one isn't normal, but if she was too normal you wouldn't want to read the book.
Fiction: children's 256 Pages
Book Count: 40
Emma is just a normal 14 year old girl with normal high school problems; a new cute boy in class, her best friend making friends with a group she doesn't like, school work, and her designs being mistaken as being from the hot new New York fashion designer. OK, the last one isn't normal, but if she was too normal you wouldn't want to read the book.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
A Book in Review: 50 Ways to Hex Your Lover
50 Ways to Hex Your Lover By: Linda Wisdom
Fiction: Paranormal, romance 360 pages
Book Count: 39
1st the title of the book is the title of a book within the book itself,. . . Bookception! Next most of the book was a fun read. Its the story of a 700 year old witch that has an on-again/off-again relationship with a vampire. They tend to get into trouble together, and then not see each other for a few decades. This time they meet up in modern times and have to find out what/who is making vampires disappear and then stop it. Jazz (as the witch calls herself) also works at removing curses, with a 99% removal rate. That 1% failure would be Irma, the ghost cursed to be in the passenger seat of her classic car. Irma is an unusual sidekick that adds fun to the story line.
Fiction: Paranormal, romance 360 pages
Book Count: 39
1st the title of the book is the title of a book within the book itself,. . . Bookception! Next most of the book was a fun read. Its the story of a 700 year old witch that has an on-again/off-again relationship with a vampire. They tend to get into trouble together, and then not see each other for a few decades. This time they meet up in modern times and have to find out what/who is making vampires disappear and then stop it. Jazz (as the witch calls herself) also works at removing curses, with a 99% removal rate. That 1% failure would be Irma, the ghost cursed to be in the passenger seat of her classic car. Irma is an unusual sidekick that adds fun to the story line.
Friday, June 03, 2011
A Book in Review: Wicked Girls
Wicked Girls A Novel of the Salem Witch Trials By: Stephanie Hemphill
Fiction: YA, historic, poetry 406 pages
Book Count: 38
This book is unusual, as it is written as a series of poems from all of the main characters, who were all real people (although a couple of names were changed.) It tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials from the point of view of the girls who accused others of witchcraft. It is based off of the most popular ideas of why it happened and also deals with underlining social issues of that time. At the end it includes historic information on the people involved and a list of books and websites for more information.
Fiction: YA, historic, poetry 406 pages
Book Count: 38
This book is unusual, as it is written as a series of poems from all of the main characters, who were all real people (although a couple of names were changed.) It tells the story of the Salem Witch Trials from the point of view of the girls who accused others of witchcraft. It is based off of the most popular ideas of why it happened and also deals with underlining social issues of that time. At the end it includes historic information on the people involved and a list of books and websites for more information.
Thursday, June 02, 2011
A Book in Review: Death's Excellent Vacation
Death's Excellent Vacation Edited by: Charlaine Harris and Toni L.P. Kelner
Fiction: paranormal, short stories 339 pages
Book Count: 37
Each story in this anthology is about some type of paranormal being going on a vacation. It has vampires, werewolves, ghosts, demons, faeries, and others. Some are characters found in the author's other works (but still are written as stand alone stories.) All of the stories are good, some are even excellent.
Fiction: paranormal, short stories 339 pages
Book Count: 37
Each story in this anthology is about some type of paranormal being going on a vacation. It has vampires, werewolves, ghosts, demons, faeries, and others. Some are characters found in the author's other works (but still are written as stand alone stories.) All of the stories are good, some are even excellent.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
A Book in Review: The End is Now
The End is Now By: Rob Stennett
Fiction: religion, humor 329 pages
Book Count: 36
The small town of Goodland Kansas has been chosen to be the test market for the rapture and a small boy is the end times prophet. This is the premise of this unusual book. Its part comedy and part drama, written for Christian readers but not preachy, so over all and odd combination of a story. Up to the end the story keeps you guessing what will happen, also keep reading after the 1st "The End", there will be more.
Fiction: religion, humor 329 pages
Book Count: 36
The small town of Goodland Kansas has been chosen to be the test market for the rapture and a small boy is the end times prophet. This is the premise of this unusual book. Its part comedy and part drama, written for Christian readers but not preachy, so over all and odd combination of a story. Up to the end the story keeps you guessing what will happen, also keep reading after the 1st "The End", there will be more.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
A Book in Review: The Meowmorphosis
The Meowmorphosis By: Franz Kafka & Coleridge Cook
Non-fiction, classics, humour 206 page
Book Count: 35
First, I would like to say that I was for more cats in classic lit, a decade ago. This book is another quirk classics book that combines classic lit. with fun changes. In this one instead of becoming a cockroach, Gregor Samsa wakes up to find that he has become a cat. He has the body of a very large cat, enjoys only foods that cats like, meows and likes cat type things, but part of him is still a man. This gets him in trouble with the other large number of men turned into cats in Prague. Besides the catness this is much like the original book and as such is a bit more depressing then other books remade. Like other books in the series there are Discussion Questions at the end. This ones varies between deep, humorous and just stupid.
Non-fiction, classics, humour 206 page
Book Count: 35
First, I would like to say that I was for more cats in classic lit, a decade ago. This book is another quirk classics book that combines classic lit. with fun changes. In this one instead of becoming a cockroach, Gregor Samsa wakes up to find that he has become a cat. He has the body of a very large cat, enjoys only foods that cats like, meows and likes cat type things, but part of him is still a man. This gets him in trouble with the other large number of men turned into cats in Prague. Besides the catness this is much like the original book and as such is a bit more depressing then other books remade. Like other books in the series there are Discussion Questions at the end. This ones varies between deep, humorous and just stupid.
Saturday, May 21, 2011
An Audiobook in Review: Lamb
Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, Christ's Childhood Pal By: Christopher Moore
Fiction: historic, humor
Book Count: 34
What better book to talk about on this year's date of the end of the world? This is, as the title suggests, the story of Jesus's life (called Joshua in the book) as told by his best friend, Levi called Biff. As anyone who have read other books by this author can guess, this is not meant to be realistic and would be a bit offensive if you read it as such. (Biff is constantly hitting on Mary [Jesus's mother as well as Magdala], one disciple is crazy, one flamingly gay, one smells of dogs, and there is nothing like preforming miracles on a caffeine high [Biff invents the cappuccino.]) The main part of the story goes over the time in Jesus's life that the gospels skip over (childhood, early adult). During this time they deal with accidental miracles, learning to be stone workers, because as Biff points its a desert; no trees, lots of rocks, and then search for the 3 wise men, learning all they can from them.
12 CD's 15 Hrs.
Fiction: historic, humor
Book Count: 34
What better book to talk about on this year's date of the end of the world? This is, as the title suggests, the story of Jesus's life (called Joshua in the book) as told by his best friend, Levi called Biff. As anyone who have read other books by this author can guess, this is not meant to be realistic and would be a bit offensive if you read it as such. (Biff is constantly hitting on Mary [Jesus's mother as well as Magdala], one disciple is crazy, one flamingly gay, one smells of dogs, and there is nothing like preforming miracles on a caffeine high [Biff invents the cappuccino.]) The main part of the story goes over the time in Jesus's life that the gospels skip over (childhood, early adult). During this time they deal with accidental miracles, learning to be stone workers, because as Biff points its a desert; no trees, lots of rocks, and then search for the 3 wise men, learning all they can from them.
12 CD's 15 Hrs.
Friday, May 20, 2011
A Book in Review: Curves Rule and Flat is Fabulous
Curves Rule and Flat is Fabulous By: Mauceri & Rubin
Non-fiction: fashion 129 pages
Book Count: 33
This book goes over what to look for in different clothing items based off of differnt body types that you may have. It is good about listing many different shapes the can be combined together, such as having large (or small) breasts, legs, butt, hips, and belly.
Non-fiction: fashion 129 pages
Book Count: 33
This book goes over what to look for in different clothing items based off of differnt body types that you may have. It is good about listing many different shapes the can be combined together, such as having large (or small) breasts, legs, butt, hips, and belly.
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
A Book in Review: Forever Cool
Forever Cool By: Sherrie Mathieson
Non-Fiction, fashion 235
Book Count: 32
This is a book that shows a fashion for a type of thing (i.e. formal dress, work out clothes, suits etc) that is "Never Cool" and then a "Forever Cool" version of it with info on why one is a bad outfit and one is good. It is mainly a useful book for learning what works and doesn't, but it suffers from only having one author. It is quite clear that she looks good in bright/true reds, oranges, bright green and browns. She insists that if you are past a certain age/weight you can't wear, pink, purple, teal, burgundy or any pastels (except hot pink in preppy styles and if you are a guy) excluding the burgundy these are all colors that most people who can wear oranges and bright reds don't look good in. She does do some talking about coloring, but it doesn't fix with any theory of it that I have ever read. If you look good in the same colors as the author then the only problem is that I have never heard any other modern fashion person say "pleated slacks are always a good bet" even if you have a small waist & athletic thighs, as they make you look fat.
Non-Fiction, fashion 235
Book Count: 32
This is a book that shows a fashion for a type of thing (i.e. formal dress, work out clothes, suits etc) that is "Never Cool" and then a "Forever Cool" version of it with info on why one is a bad outfit and one is good. It is mainly a useful book for learning what works and doesn't, but it suffers from only having one author. It is quite clear that she looks good in bright/true reds, oranges, bright green and browns. She insists that if you are past a certain age/weight you can't wear, pink, purple, teal, burgundy or any pastels (except hot pink in preppy styles and if you are a guy) excluding the burgundy these are all colors that most people who can wear oranges and bright reds don't look good in. She does do some talking about coloring, but it doesn't fix with any theory of it that I have ever read. If you look good in the same colors as the author then the only problem is that I have never heard any other modern fashion person say "pleated slacks are always a good bet" even if you have a small waist & athletic thighs, as they make you look fat.
A Book in Review: What you wear can change your life
What you wear can change your life By: Trinny Woodall & Susannah Constantine
Non-fiction: fashion, 263 pages
Book Count: 31
This book was written by the host of the British version of "What Not to Wear". As such it has a lot of advice much like the TV show, but it is in an easy to find format and also includes things that they don't get into on the show like what all the differnt types of makeup do, how to pose for pictures to camoflage flaws, and how to store your things to make it easier to put together outfits. There were some issues with the fact that this was written in England, but most of the products named were brands that are also here and there was enought info given about many of them that you could find an equlivent product.
Non-fiction: fashion, 263 pages
Book Count: 31
This book was written by the host of the British version of "What Not to Wear". As such it has a lot of advice much like the TV show, but it is in an easy to find format and also includes things that they don't get into on the show like what all the differnt types of makeup do, how to pose for pictures to camoflage flaws, and how to store your things to make it easier to put together outfits. There were some issues with the fact that this was written in England, but most of the products named were brands that are also here and there was enought info given about many of them that you could find an equlivent product.
Friday, May 06, 2011
A Book in Review:Mistress of the Art of Death
Mistress of the Art of Death By: Ariana Franklin
Fiction: Mystery, History 384 pages
Book Count: 30
This book is what the TV show "Bones" would be like if it took place in 1177 England. The main character, Adelia, is a female doctor who is good with reading a body to see what killed them. She with a close Jewish male friend and her Muslin eunic are sent to England to find out who is killing the kids of a town. The townsfolk believe that it is the local Jewish population that killed the children as the story was that the first kid killed was crucified on Good Friday and found right in front of the land of one of the most prominent Jews in town. However, others were killed after the town's Jewish population were all locked in the local castle for their safety. The investigators religions (or lack of in the case of Adelia) cause the investigation to be even harder, as the town is full of mistrust for people "different" then them. And once they think one thing is solved a new problem happens. All and all a very interesting read with many unexpected twist and turns.
Fiction: Mystery, History 384 pages
Book Count: 30
This book is what the TV show "Bones" would be like if it took place in 1177 England. The main character, Adelia, is a female doctor who is good with reading a body to see what killed them. She with a close Jewish male friend and her Muslin eunic are sent to England to find out who is killing the kids of a town. The townsfolk believe that it is the local Jewish population that killed the children as the story was that the first kid killed was crucified on Good Friday and found right in front of the land of one of the most prominent Jews in town. However, others were killed after the town's Jewish population were all locked in the local castle for their safety. The investigators religions (or lack of in the case of Adelia) cause the investigation to be even harder, as the town is full of mistrust for people "different" then them. And once they think one thing is solved a new problem happens. All and all a very interesting read with many unexpected twist and turns.
Tuesday, May 03, 2011
Note to Self: Fashions of a Decade The 1920's
Fashions of a Decade The 1920's By: Jacqueline Herald
Non-fiction: history, fashion 59 pages
Book Count: 29
A good mix of pictures and descriptions.
Non-fiction: history, fashion 59 pages
Book Count: 29
A good mix of pictures and descriptions.
Monday, May 02, 2011
Note to Self: Atomic Bodyslams to Whiskey Zippers
Atomic Bodyslams to Whiskey Zippers: Cocktails for the 21st Century By: Adam Rocke
Non-fiction, food/cooking, 190 pages
Book Count: 28
This is a rather poorly researched book. It lists ales as a type of lager, arranges drinks by how powerful he thinks it is (although not by alcohol amounts), doesn't know why some drinks are shaken and some stirred, has a recipe for soda being "Very similar to COLA, without the color or sugar," has other ones that have the wrong alcohol in it (and in well known ones that everyone agrees on the ingredients to) and has useless hangover cures listed as "Sure-Fire Hangover Remedies". There are a number of easy, good looking recipes in here, but without knowing their names it is hard to find and there are also a number of ones that even he says are gross in the book itself. I am glad that the 50 cents that I spent on the book also went to help my local library, after reading this.
Non-fiction, food/cooking, 190 pages
Book Count: 28
This is a rather poorly researched book. It lists ales as a type of lager, arranges drinks by how powerful he thinks it is (although not by alcohol amounts), doesn't know why some drinks are shaken and some stirred, has a recipe for soda being "Very similar to COLA, without the color or sugar," has other ones that have the wrong alcohol in it (and in well known ones that everyone agrees on the ingredients to) and has useless hangover cures listed as "Sure-Fire Hangover Remedies". There are a number of easy, good looking recipes in here, but without knowing their names it is hard to find and there are also a number of ones that even he says are gross in the book itself. I am glad that the 50 cents that I spent on the book also went to help my local library, after reading this.
Saturday, April 30, 2011
A Book in Review: Roverandom
Roverandom By: J.R.R. Tolkien
fiction: children, fantasy 106 pages
Book Count: 27
This is a children's book that Tolkien started as a story to tell his middle child after his toy dog is lost. It is about a little dog that gets turned into a toy by a wizzard and has all sorts of adventures after it. He goes to the moon and under the sea. It also has a list of notes at the end that tell you the story behind differnt things, clearify terms and the history of the story.
fiction: children, fantasy 106 pages
Book Count: 27
This is a children's book that Tolkien started as a story to tell his middle child after his toy dog is lost. It is about a little dog that gets turned into a toy by a wizzard and has all sorts of adventures after it. He goes to the moon and under the sea. It also has a list of notes at the end that tell you the story behind differnt things, clearify terms and the history of the story.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
A Book in Review:The Gates
The Gates By: John Connolly
Fiction: science, paranormal, humor (YA?) 293 pages
Book Count: 26
First a couple notes. This book was in the adult fiction area of the library; however, the main character is an elementary school kid and there isn't anything in this book that most people would have a issue with a kid reading. (mild unrealistic violence, no sex, I don't remember any swearing, etc) Which gets to note #2, the full cover reads " The Gates of Hell are About to Open Want to Peek?" as the story is about the gates of hell being opened with the help of the Large Hadron Collider, which would be the one thing that might make it too old for young readers. This book has a lot of complete scientific ideas mixed in with deep philosophical issues. (Not so many religious ones as its Hell is just where all the evil that was created in the Big Bang ended up, so the demons weren't fallen angels, but things of various level of evil from the lovable Nurd to the Great Malevolence.)
Now about the story itself. It is a quick and fun read about an unusual boy that has to stop the end of the world after seeing his new neighbors open a portal to Hell when he was Trick-or-Treating a couple days before Halloween. It has fun titles for each chapter which tell what will happen in it without giving anything away. And the characters are also fun even if most of them are a bit typical (the jock, the nerd, the bad guy that's not that bad, the evil animated gargoyle, etc). Also there are a lot of other great things about this book that I forgot because I read it days ago and then got busy with holiday things.
Fiction: science, paranormal, humor (YA?) 293 pages
Book Count: 26
First a couple notes. This book was in the adult fiction area of the library; however, the main character is an elementary school kid and there isn't anything in this book that most people would have a issue with a kid reading. (mild unrealistic violence, no sex, I don't remember any swearing, etc) Which gets to note #2, the full cover reads " The Gates of Hell are About to Open Want to Peek?" as the story is about the gates of hell being opened with the help of the Large Hadron Collider, which would be the one thing that might make it too old for young readers. This book has a lot of complete scientific ideas mixed in with deep philosophical issues. (Not so many religious ones as its Hell is just where all the evil that was created in the Big Bang ended up, so the demons weren't fallen angels, but things of various level of evil from the lovable Nurd to the Great Malevolence.)
Now about the story itself. It is a quick and fun read about an unusual boy that has to stop the end of the world after seeing his new neighbors open a portal to Hell when he was Trick-or-Treating a couple days before Halloween. It has fun titles for each chapter which tell what will happen in it without giving anything away. And the characters are also fun even if most of them are a bit typical (the jock, the nerd, the bad guy that's not that bad, the evil animated gargoyle, etc). Also there are a lot of other great things about this book that I forgot because I read it days ago and then got busy with holiday things.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
A Book in Review: Ghostopolis
Ghostopolis By: Doug TenNapel
Fiction: Paranormal, graphic novel 266 pages
Book count: 25
This is a story about a boy who ends up getting trapped in the world of ghosts. The guy who accidentally sent him there also goes to Ghostopolis to bring him back with the help of his ghost ex-girlfriend. The boy also gets to meet the grandfather that he never knew, ride an actual nightmare and fights the evil king of the ghost world.
Fiction: Paranormal, graphic novel 266 pages
Book count: 25
This is a story about a boy who ends up getting trapped in the world of ghosts. The guy who accidentally sent him there also goes to Ghostopolis to bring him back with the help of his ghost ex-girlfriend. The boy also gets to meet the grandfather that he never knew, ride an actual nightmare and fights the evil king of the ghost world.
Friday, April 15, 2011
A Book in Review: The Drunkard's Walk How Randomness Rules Our Lives
The Drunkard's Walk How Randomness Rules Our Lives by: Leonard Mlodinow
Non-fiction: Math, science 219 pages
Book Count: 24
This is a book on the randomness of things that we don't see as such. It deals with probability, bell curves, common errors of logic, the inexactness of many measurements and how they effect lives. It is written so that someone with only a basic understanding of the subjects could enjoy this book, using a lot of real life examples to show the idea that they are talking about.
Non-fiction: Math, science 219 pages
Book Count: 24
This is a book on the randomness of things that we don't see as such. It deals with probability, bell curves, common errors of logic, the inexactness of many measurements and how they effect lives. It is written so that someone with only a basic understanding of the subjects could enjoy this book, using a lot of real life examples to show the idea that they are talking about.
Thursday, April 14, 2011
A Book in Review: Fool
Fool by: Christopher Moore
Fiction: humor, classics, 311 pages
Book Count: 23
This book is a retelling of the Shakespearean play "King Lear" as told by his jester; however, it only loosely follows the play and refers to many of his plays in it. It also combines the time of the most likely real King Lear, the medieval time of the play, modern times and any other that work in the story. But, like other works of his that mix odd things together, it works. It also has some of the most unusual insults I have ever seen in a book. (None of which I will put here as then it will be the one post my mom reads, and as the warning at the front states it is a bawdy tale [like most of Shakespeare's works were.]) Along with all the main characters of King Lear doing the main things that they did (go crazy, die, invade England, etc) it also has the three witches (from you know what), funny named towns, and a ghost.
Fiction: humor, classics, 311 pages
Book Count: 23
This book is a retelling of the Shakespearean play "King Lear" as told by his jester; however, it only loosely follows the play and refers to many of his plays in it. It also combines the time of the most likely real King Lear, the medieval time of the play, modern times and any other that work in the story. But, like other works of his that mix odd things together, it works. It also has some of the most unusual insults I have ever seen in a book. (None of which I will put here as then it will be the one post my mom reads, and as the warning at the front states it is a bawdy tale [like most of Shakespeare's works were.]) Along with all the main characters of King Lear doing the main things that they did (go crazy, die, invade England, etc) it also has the three witches (from you know what), funny named towns, and a ghost.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
A Book in Review: Executricks
Executricks or How to Retire While You're Still Working By: Stanley Bing
Non-fiction: humor, business, memior 175 pages
Book Count: 22
This is about about how to enjoy you're working life by using executive tricks that make work more like retirerment. It covers things like getting others to do your work, working outside of the office, travel, working lunching and other non-working work.
Non-fiction: humor, business, memior 175 pages
Book Count: 22
This is about about how to enjoy you're working life by using executive tricks that make work more like retirerment. It covers things like getting others to do your work, working outside of the office, travel, working lunching and other non-working work.
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
A Book in Review: So Now You're a Zombie A Handbook for the Newly Undead
So Now You're a Zombie A Handbook for the Newly Undead By" John Austin
Non-fiction: humor
Book Count: 21
As the title states this is a handbook for the recently zombiefied. It covers such important subjects as how you became a zombie, the food pyramid for zombies (Hint BRRAAINNSS top it), how to fight zombie style, and the zombie code. It is working from a unstoppable virus as cause of zombies and fits in with most modern zombie stories worlds.
Non-fiction: humor
Book Count: 21
As the title states this is a handbook for the recently zombiefied. It covers such important subjects as how you became a zombie, the food pyramid for zombies (Hint BRRAAINNSS top it), how to fight zombie style, and the zombie code. It is working from a unstoppable virus as cause of zombies and fits in with most modern zombie stories worlds.
Monday, March 28, 2011
A Note to Self: The Late Renaissance and Mannerism
The Late Renaissance and Mannerism By: Linda Murray
Non-fiction: art, history 199 pages
Book Count: 20
This book is on art of the late Renaissance and the Mannerism art style that followed it. It deals with Italian art as well as the art of Flanders, France, Germany, England and Spain. It starts after most of the Ninja Turtles had died, beginning with the end of Michelangelo's life and his work in Rome and continuing on to the how the reformation affected art in the north and the works of El Greco.
Non-fiction: art, history 199 pages
Book Count: 20
This book is on art of the late Renaissance and the Mannerism art style that followed it. It deals with Italian art as well as the art of Flanders, France, Germany, England and Spain. It starts after most of the Ninja Turtles had died, beginning with the end of Michelangelo's life and his work in Rome and continuing on to the how the reformation affected art in the north and the works of El Greco.
Sunday, March 27, 2011
A Book in Review: Drinking with George
Drinking with George By: George Wendt with Jonathan Grotenstein
Non-fiction: Autobiography, food, humor 225 pages
Book Count: 19
This book is by the guy who played Norm on Cheers. And it is about beer. It turns out that he did not have to do much acting for the show, as he loves beer. As in he thinks there are 2 type of beer, "good" and "even better". It is also about his life and how drinking played a role in it, from how going to school got in the way of his drinking to how looking for a pub in Ireland ended up with him hanging out with Bono. It also has useful lists of world drinking toasts, ways of saying you are drunk, beer factoids and the 1st beer recipe/poem/hymn.
Non-fiction: Autobiography, food, humor 225 pages
Book Count: 19
This book is by the guy who played Norm on Cheers. And it is about beer. It turns out that he did not have to do much acting for the show, as he loves beer. As in he thinks there are 2 type of beer, "good" and "even better". It is also about his life and how drinking played a role in it, from how going to school got in the way of his drinking to how looking for a pub in Ireland ended up with him hanging out with Bono. It also has useful lists of world drinking toasts, ways of saying you are drunk, beer factoids and the 1st beer recipe/poem/hymn.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
A Book in Review: Cooking for Geeks
Cooking for Geeks: Real Science, Great Hacks, and Good Food By: Jeff Potter
Non-fiction: cooking science 398 pages
Book Count: 18
This is a book about all things geeky for good cooking. (And ordering pizza when a experiment doesn't turn out the way you want.) It includes information on the science of cooking, people testing old wives tales about food, new tools and ideas for cooking, interviews by chefs, food scientist, Adam Savage and other people that are known for cooking and/or science, a comic from xkcd.com about units of measurement (and how they relate to Summer Glau), and much much more. This book is useful for people who are just learning how to cook, as well as people who have been cooking for years. It is also full of information, so full that it could be read again and again.
Non-fiction: cooking science 398 pages
Book Count: 18
This is a book about all things geeky for good cooking. (And ordering pizza when a experiment doesn't turn out the way you want.) It includes information on the science of cooking, people testing old wives tales about food, new tools and ideas for cooking, interviews by chefs, food scientist, Adam Savage and other people that are known for cooking and/or science, a comic from xkcd.com about units of measurement (and how they relate to Summer Glau), and much much more. This book is useful for people who are just learning how to cook, as well as people who have been cooking for years. It is also full of information, so full that it could be read again and again.
Monday, March 14, 2011
A Book in Review: The Total Money Makeover
The Total Money Makeover By: Dave Ramsey
Non-Fiction: money, 249 pages
Book Count: 17
This is a book on money that has two main sections. The first part deals with money myths that people may believe and the reasons why they do not add up. The second part is a plan on how the get out of debt, save for the future and otherwise deal with money. Although, the writer feels that this change in how you deal with money should include all of you (soul too) and notes many times that they are writing as a Christian, this book is actually a lot less preachy then other religious money books. Also, unlike other books on money systems that seam like they may not work in the real world (this one because it sounds too easy for the results it talks about) it includes stories of people it worked for in the book, and I have heard of people that use the system from things outside of the book. In fact, I only picked up the book from all the time the author was mentioned in a couple of blogs I read and the fact that its what the people from "(X number) of Kids and Counting" used to build a house without a loan. (Which would be impressive even without 2 dozen people to feed.)
Non-Fiction: money, 249 pages
Book Count: 17
This is a book on money that has two main sections. The first part deals with money myths that people may believe and the reasons why they do not add up. The second part is a plan on how the get out of debt, save for the future and otherwise deal with money. Although, the writer feels that this change in how you deal with money should include all of you (soul too) and notes many times that they are writing as a Christian, this book is actually a lot less preachy then other religious money books. Also, unlike other books on money systems that seam like they may not work in the real world (this one because it sounds too easy for the results it talks about) it includes stories of people it worked for in the book, and I have heard of people that use the system from things outside of the book. In fact, I only picked up the book from all the time the author was mentioned in a couple of blogs I read and the fact that its what the people from "(X number) of Kids and Counting" used to build a house without a loan. (Which would be impressive even without 2 dozen people to feed.)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
An Audio Book in Review: Coyote Blue
Coyote Blue By: Christopher Moore
Fiction: Humor, Fantasy, Religion
In this story Sam Hunter (Samson Hunts Alone) a Crow Indian who is living life as a white, insurance salesman has his life turned upside down when Coyote (as in the trickster god) shows up. Because of this he meets a woman he falls in love with, losses his home and job, gets his home and job back, goes to Vegas and has Coyote loss thousands of his money gambling. After that point things get weird. This book also has a couple of characters from other books of Moore's in it, Minty Fresh and Detective Sergeant Alphonso Rivera. Although, this was written before Minty became a death merchant it gives you extra information on how he ended up with that job.
9 C.D.'s 10.5 hours
Fiction: Humor, Fantasy, Religion
In this story Sam Hunter (Samson Hunts Alone) a Crow Indian who is living life as a white, insurance salesman has his life turned upside down when Coyote (as in the trickster god) shows up. Because of this he meets a woman he falls in love with, losses his home and job, gets his home and job back, goes to Vegas and has Coyote loss thousands of his money gambling. After that point things get weird. This book also has a couple of characters from other books of Moore's in it, Minty Fresh and Detective Sergeant Alphonso Rivera. Although, this was written before Minty became a death merchant it gives you extra information on how he ended up with that job.
9 C.D.'s 10.5 hours
Saturday, March 12, 2011
A Book in Review: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire (Love at Stake, Book 1)
How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire (Love at Stake, Book 1) By: Kerrelyn Sparks
Fiction: paranormal, romance 384 Pages
Book Count: 16
First, this book was completely misnamed. The main female character didn't even know that there were vampires when the story started. Also when she meets the millionaire vampire she doesn't know who he is or even that he is rich. In fact if it wasn't for other people pointing out that the book is horribly misnamed and that the blurb on it is also misleading I wouldn't bother to read it. However, the book itself it much more interesting then what it says it was. This is a book of a dentist who is afraid of blood after seeing her best friend get killed by the mob. She's in witness protection, but they still find her. Luckily a vampire testing a sex toy turned into a vampire feeding toy lost a fang and needed a 24 hour dentist. He finds her working the night shift before the mob does and rescues her. It turns out that the person sent to kill her is also a vampire and the enemy of her rescuer, so he is determined to protect her. And then they fall in love, etc,etc.
Fiction: paranormal, romance 384 Pages
Book Count: 16
First, this book was completely misnamed. The main female character didn't even know that there were vampires when the story started. Also when she meets the millionaire vampire she doesn't know who he is or even that he is rich. In fact if it wasn't for other people pointing out that the book is horribly misnamed and that the blurb on it is also misleading I wouldn't bother to read it. However, the book itself it much more interesting then what it says it was. This is a book of a dentist who is afraid of blood after seeing her best friend get killed by the mob. She's in witness protection, but they still find her. Luckily a vampire testing a sex toy turned into a vampire feeding toy lost a fang and needed a 24 hour dentist. He finds her working the night shift before the mob does and rescues her. It turns out that the person sent to kill her is also a vampire and the enemy of her rescuer, so he is determined to protect her. And then they fall in love, etc,etc.
Friday, March 04, 2011
A Book in Review: TCIGT: Personal Finance in Your 20s & 30s
TCIGT: Personal Finance in Your 20s & 30s By: Sarah Young Fisher & Susan Shelly
Non-fiction: economics 362 pages
Book Count: 15
As this book is both for people who are just out of school and older a lot of it is geared for people just starting out with information for things you might need later, that for people in their 30's might already need/already done. That being said it is a good collection of basic information with information on where to get more information. This book was the second edition with was made in 2002, so if there was a newer one out it would be better as it would have more websites and up to date phone numbers and addresses (not that most of them would have changed, but some might be different by now.)
Non-fiction: economics 362 pages
Book Count: 15
As this book is both for people who are just out of school and older a lot of it is geared for people just starting out with information for things you might need later, that for people in their 30's might already need/already done. That being said it is a good collection of basic information with information on where to get more information. This book was the second edition with was made in 2002, so if there was a newer one out it would be better as it would have more websites and up to date phone numbers and addresses (not that most of them would have changed, but some might be different by now.)
Thursday, February 24, 2011
A Book in Review: Higurashi When They Cry
Higurashi When They Cry Vol:1 Beyond Midnight Arc By: Ryukishi Art By: Mimori Translated By: Nibley & Nibley
Non-fiction: Manga, Mystery, Paranormal 188 pages
Book Count: 14
Twenty years before this story takes place an entire village is killed overnight. Officially it was due to a volcanic gas leak, but many people think it was something more sinister. A couple of groups set out to see the village. They each get separated from there friends, cars, bikes and phones. Also, there is a girl with a katana who says she is from the village, but the name she gives is of a dead girl.
Non-fiction: Manga, Mystery, Paranormal 188 pages
Book Count: 14
Twenty years before this story takes place an entire village is killed overnight. Officially it was due to a volcanic gas leak, but many people think it was something more sinister. A couple of groups set out to see the village. They each get separated from there friends, cars, bikes and phones. Also, there is a girl with a katana who says she is from the village, but the name she gives is of a dead girl.
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
A Book in Review: Jerry Baker's Old-Time Gardening Wisdom
Jerry Baker's Old-Time Gardening Wisdom By: Jerry Baker
Non-fiction: gardening 340 pages
Book Count: 13
This book is a collection of tips by a man known as "America's Master Gardener." This book is mostly about all of the things about gardening and growing plants from his grandmother when he was a child. As such some of the advice is quite old and you would want to also check with newer sources as well. This is especially true in the case of medical uses of plants/ treating common physical problems that gardeners have. For example, although his grandmother liked putting aloe on sunburns; which, is still used today and often is quite helpful, she also used butter on them, which is now known to make the burn worse. But, the actual gardening tips are useful, and include a number of easy to make home remedies, info on what different plants need, and uses of different plants.
Non-fiction: gardening 340 pages
Book Count: 13
This book is a collection of tips by a man known as "America's Master Gardener." This book is mostly about all of the things about gardening and growing plants from his grandmother when he was a child. As such some of the advice is quite old and you would want to also check with newer sources as well. This is especially true in the case of medical uses of plants/ treating common physical problems that gardeners have. For example, although his grandmother liked putting aloe on sunburns; which, is still used today and often is quite helpful, she also used butter on them, which is now known to make the burn worse. But, the actual gardening tips are useful, and include a number of easy to make home remedies, info on what different plants need, and uses of different plants.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
A Book in Review: Imaginary Jesus
Imaginary Jesus By: Matt Mikalatos
Fiction: Religion 240 pages
Book Count: 12
This book starts with St. Peter punching Jesus in the face in a Communist, vegan restaurant in Portland. But that's OK because it was only an imaginary Jesus (hence the title). After that the main character/author (they are the same, although it is fiction) go on a hunt to find the real Jesus. Along with St. Peter helping him along the way, there is a talking donkey, former prostitute and the leader of an Atheist Bible study. Also St. John the Evangelist does arts and crafts. As you may guess, not only is this book about all of the imaginary Jesus's that people create, but is incredible funny. For example, chapter 9 is titled "Jesus will never leave you (if you tie the knots tight enough)". In fact, if it weren't for a few passages where things get real (pun intended) people who aren't Christian, might enjoy this book.
Fiction: Religion 240 pages
Book Count: 12
This book starts with St. Peter punching Jesus in the face in a Communist, vegan restaurant in Portland. But that's OK because it was only an imaginary Jesus (hence the title). After that the main character/author (they are the same, although it is fiction) go on a hunt to find the real Jesus. Along with St. Peter helping him along the way, there is a talking donkey, former prostitute and the leader of an Atheist Bible study. Also St. John the Evangelist does arts and crafts. As you may guess, not only is this book about all of the imaginary Jesus's that people create, but is incredible funny. For example, chapter 9 is titled "Jesus will never leave you (if you tie the knots tight enough)". In fact, if it weren't for a few passages where things get real (pun intended) people who aren't Christian, might enjoy this book.
Monday, February 21, 2011
An Audio Book in Review: Bloodsucking Fiends
Bloodsucking Fiends By: Christopher Moore
Fiction: humor, paranormal
This is the book that goes before the book I read earlier called You Suck. The review of that book is here. This is the story of how Jodie bacame a vampire and deals with it. You also find out how she meets Tommy, “the Animals”, and how she ends up with a bronzed vampire. Having heard this book, I want to re-read the second book.
8 C.D.'s 9.5 Hours
Fiction: humor, paranormal
This is the book that goes before the book I read earlier called You Suck. The review of that book is here. This is the story of how Jodie bacame a vampire and deals with it. You also find out how she meets Tommy, “the Animals”, and how she ends up with a bronzed vampire. Having heard this book, I want to re-read the second book.
8 C.D.'s 9.5 Hours
Friday, February 18, 2011
A Book in Review: Handling the Undead
Handling the Undead By: John Ajvide Lindqvist
Fiction: paranormal 363 pages
Book Count: 11
First, the author of this book lives in Sweden, so like all international books there are the little quirks of different spellings, ways of writing dates and times, etc. And as this book uses a lot of time lines it is rather noticeable.
Besides that this book is quite unique. It is a story of zombies, or the reliving as they are called in the book. However, unlike most zombie stories this isn't really a horror story. It is more a book about different people and families and how they deal with death. It also deals with different ideas about the soul and the afterlife. It is one of those books on death that it is really about the living.
Fiction: paranormal 363 pages
Book Count: 11
First, the author of this book lives in Sweden, so like all international books there are the little quirks of different spellings, ways of writing dates and times, etc. And as this book uses a lot of time lines it is rather noticeable.
Besides that this book is quite unique. It is a story of zombies, or the reliving as they are called in the book. However, unlike most zombie stories this isn't really a horror story. It is more a book about different people and families and how they deal with death. It also deals with different ideas about the soul and the afterlife. It is one of those books on death that it is really about the living.
Thursday, February 17, 2011
A Book in Review: Trouble Maker
Trouble Maker Book 1 By: Janet & Alex Evanovich Art By: Joelle Jones
Non-fiction: Graphic Novel, mystery, adventure 106 pages
Book Count: 10
As you can tell with the info at the top of the page this is a 106 paged graphic novel. As such it doesn't even try to be a complete story, but it does pick a good break in the action to stop until book 2. This is also a book using characters from earlier books. (Barnaby and not the more famous Plum) But, it does a good job of letting you know all you need to know about all of the characters. In this story Alex Barnaby is down in Miami when her friend Rosa goes missing. Trying to find her gets her and her co-worker/boyfriend, Sam Hooker sucked into a world of crime and dark Voodoo. (As well as dealing with Hooker's mother.)
Non-fiction: Graphic Novel, mystery, adventure 106 pages
Book Count: 10
As you can tell with the info at the top of the page this is a 106 paged graphic novel. As such it doesn't even try to be a complete story, but it does pick a good break in the action to stop until book 2. This is also a book using characters from earlier books. (Barnaby and not the more famous Plum) But, it does a good job of letting you know all you need to know about all of the characters. In this story Alex Barnaby is down in Miami when her friend Rosa goes missing. Trying to find her gets her and her co-worker/boyfriend, Sam Hooker sucked into a world of crime and dark Voodoo. (As well as dealing with Hooker's mother.)
Monday, February 14, 2011
A Book in Review: The Sweet Potato Queens' 1st Big-Ass Novel
The Sweet Potato Queens' 1st Big-Ass Novel (Stuff we didn't actually do, but could have, and may yet.) By: Jill Conner Browne with Karin Gillespie
Fiction: Chick Lit, Humor, Pop Culture 318 pages
Book Count: 9
This book is a novel, but it is full of real Sweet Potato Queens things. It is a story about if the queens had gone to school together and formed their group in a response to the rich, popular girls who wouldn't hang out with them. The story is a long reaching one going from a prologue about Jill as a baby queen and into the start of elementary school and goes until they are around middle-aged. Like all books by them they have recipes. This one has ones from the restaurant they would have if they started one, which would only serve dishes like what southern people bring over to a family that had a death in it.
Fiction: Chick Lit, Humor, Pop Culture 318 pages
Book Count: 9
This book is a novel, but it is full of real Sweet Potato Queens things. It is a story about if the queens had gone to school together and formed their group in a response to the rich, popular girls who wouldn't hang out with them. The story is a long reaching one going from a prologue about Jill as a baby queen and into the start of elementary school and goes until they are around middle-aged. Like all books by them they have recipes. This one has ones from the restaurant they would have if they started one, which would only serve dishes like what southern people bring over to a family that had a death in it.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
A Book in Review: The 20 Minute Vegetable Gardener
The 20 Minute Vegetable Gardener By: Tom Christopher and Marty Asher
Non-fiction: gardening 275 pages
Book Count: 8
This is a book written for easy gardening. It does have a few tips for how to do this, but most of the book is information on growing different veggies. (Planing times, sun, temp, water requirements etc.) So it would be better as a book for learning about different veggies then making a easy to use garden. So it would make a good book for a beginner to read. Also, it was a great way to start working on this year's garden.
Non-fiction: gardening 275 pages
Book Count: 8
This is a book written for easy gardening. It does have a few tips for how to do this, but most of the book is information on growing different veggies. (Planing times, sun, temp, water requirements etc.) So it would be better as a book for learning about different veggies then making a easy to use garden. So it would make a good book for a beginner to read. Also, it was a great way to start working on this year's garden.
Monday, February 07, 2011
A Note on Non-fiction Books
As there has been a number of fiction type books that I have listed as non-fiction in the last few months I thought I would write a small note on it. If only so I remember to use the same method in the future. If a book is listed as non-fiction in a library, even if it is full of fiction, such as the case of classic lit. then I will list it as non-fiction in the body of the post. I also will label it as both to make it easier to find.
Sunday, February 06, 2011
A Book in Review: Blood Thirst
Blood Thirst: 100 Years of Vampire Fiction Edited By: Leonard Wolf
Non-fiction: Classics, paranormal 379 pages
Book Count: 7
This book was published on the 100th anniversary of Dracula by Bram Stoker. It deals with the way vampires were used in fiction since this time by using short stories or excerpts from longer works and divides the book into the different types of vampire stories that have been used. These groups were: classic adventure tales, psychological vampires, science fiction, non-human vamps, comic and heroic vampires. Overall I liked the book. Along with each story there was a brief bio of each author including when they lived and the dates of major works by them, helping you to see when they wrote compared to the other works in this book. The one major area in this book that was less then stellar was the comic section. This was due to 2 issues, one of which was beyond the editor's control. The first issue was that the 100th anniversary of Dracula was 1997 before the current writers of humorous vampire stories were writing/well known. The second issue was the editor believes that Woody Allen is one of the funniest filmmakers in America. Not that it changed the small list of funny vampire stories from well known published author's, but it was a second thing that made me question the editor. (He also worked on the movie Bram Stoker's Dracula which was nothing like Dracula as written by Bram Stoker.) Besides my issues with the small humor section and the editor's taste in movies this book was a great way to see the many types of vampires used in fiction and the way that changes in society and culture change how we see the vampire.
Non-fiction: Classics, paranormal 379 pages
Book Count: 7
This book was published on the 100th anniversary of Dracula by Bram Stoker. It deals with the way vampires were used in fiction since this time by using short stories or excerpts from longer works and divides the book into the different types of vampire stories that have been used. These groups were: classic adventure tales, psychological vampires, science fiction, non-human vamps, comic and heroic vampires. Overall I liked the book. Along with each story there was a brief bio of each author including when they lived and the dates of major works by them, helping you to see when they wrote compared to the other works in this book. The one major area in this book that was less then stellar was the comic section. This was due to 2 issues, one of which was beyond the editor's control. The first issue was that the 100th anniversary of Dracula was 1997 before the current writers of humorous vampire stories were writing/well known. The second issue was the editor believes that Woody Allen is one of the funniest filmmakers in America. Not that it changed the small list of funny vampire stories from well known published author's, but it was a second thing that made me question the editor. (He also worked on the movie Bram Stoker's Dracula which was nothing like Dracula as written by Bram Stoker.) Besides my issues with the small humor section and the editor's taste in movies this book was a great way to see the many types of vampires used in fiction and the way that changes in society and culture change how we see the vampire.
Saturday, February 05, 2011
An Audio Book in Review: Letter and Spirit
Letter and Spirit By: Scott Hahn
Non-Fiction: Religion
This book was written to be both for the main readers of Hahn's other books and also for the theologians who he commonly writes papers and other things for. Because of this I would suggest that the book and not audio book would be the best way to enjoy this, as that way when he uses a complex, Latin theological word you can flip back to the first time he used it for the meaning of the word. Besides that it was a complete, well researched book on how the Bible and liturgy are interconnected. It also includes information on how the New Testament came into being as well as information on how the Bible was used in Old Testament times.
5 CD's 5.25 hours
Non-Fiction: Religion
This book was written to be both for the main readers of Hahn's other books and also for the theologians who he commonly writes papers and other things for. Because of this I would suggest that the book and not audio book would be the best way to enjoy this, as that way when he uses a complex, Latin theological word you can flip back to the first time he used it for the meaning of the word. Besides that it was a complete, well researched book on how the Bible and liturgy are interconnected. It also includes information on how the New Testament came into being as well as information on how the Bible was used in Old Testament times.
5 CD's 5.25 hours
Wednesday, February 02, 2011
A Book in Review: Homemade Root Beer Soda & Pop
Homemade Root Beer Soda & Pop By: Stephen Cresswell
Non-fiction: cooking 107 pages
Book Count: 6
This book is on making homemade pop. Unlike most other methods used for making pop this book uses glass bottles although they do point out that you can use plastic. It also has other recipes for non-alcholic and mostly non- alcholic drinks (as most homemade pop uses yeast for carbonation it has trace amounts of alchol) as well as historic drinks. Although, it does contain hard to find ingredients like sassafras root bark most of these things can be found online. A number of recipes only need a trip to the grocery store or homebrew store. And unlike most books on making homemade things it points out that you don't need a lot of specialized equipment to start, most necessary things you already have or can get cheap or free.
Non-fiction: cooking 107 pages
Book Count: 6
This book is on making homemade pop. Unlike most other methods used for making pop this book uses glass bottles although they do point out that you can use plastic. It also has other recipes for non-alcholic and mostly non- alcholic drinks (as most homemade pop uses yeast for carbonation it has trace amounts of alchol) as well as historic drinks. Although, it does contain hard to find ingredients like sassafras root bark most of these things can be found online. A number of recipes only need a trip to the grocery store or homebrew store. And unlike most books on making homemade things it points out that you don't need a lot of specialized equipment to start, most necessary things you already have or can get cheap or free.
Saturday, January 22, 2011
A Book in Review: Zombie Notes
Zombie Notes: A Study Guide to the Best in Undead Literary Classics by: Laurie Rozakis, Ph.D
Non-fiction: classics, humor, paranormal 190 pages
Book Count: 5
This book is like a "Cliff Notes" version of books like " Pride and Prejudice and Zombies". It isn't actually for any of the already made books, but takes other classic literature and adds zombies, vampires and/or werewolves. It includes: background, cultural context, list of characters, main ideas and symbols, plot and meaning (with book excerpts),discussion and essay guide and quiz for all of the books. All are written in a way that could be used for making a zombie version of the whole book, there would just be some slight issues with historic accuracy as this book has a number of pop culture references (Most in describing the book or the quizzes) but more importantly they add guns into the storyline that were not invented yet. Some of the stories used are Hamlet, Moby Dick, Wuthering Heights, Frankenstein and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This book has lots of great funny lines in it, including pointing out in a couple of the stories that the author didn't just write the most realistic outcome of an event, because then there wouldn't be a book.
Non-fiction: classics, humor, paranormal 190 pages
Book Count: 5
This book is like a "Cliff Notes" version of books like " Pride and Prejudice and Zombies". It isn't actually for any of the already made books, but takes other classic literature and adds zombies, vampires and/or werewolves. It includes: background, cultural context, list of characters, main ideas and symbols, plot and meaning (with book excerpts),discussion and essay guide and quiz for all of the books. All are written in a way that could be used for making a zombie version of the whole book, there would just be some slight issues with historic accuracy as this book has a number of pop culture references (Most in describing the book or the quizzes) but more importantly they add guns into the storyline that were not invented yet. Some of the stories used are Hamlet, Moby Dick, Wuthering Heights, Frankenstein and The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn. This book has lots of great funny lines in it, including pointing out in a couple of the stories that the author didn't just write the most realistic outcome of an event, because then there wouldn't be a book.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
A Book in Review: Gothic
Gothic: Ten Original Dark Tales Edited by: Deborah Noyes
Fiction: YA, paranormal 234 pages
Book Count: 4
First, it is interesting that I am reviewing this book today, as it is Edgar Allen Poe's birthday today. And this book is Gothic as in the writing style. Many of the stories are modern updates to the style. There are no maidens in nightgowns running away from a scary castle at night, but many of the stories have aspects of that stereotypical Gothic tale. Also, reading the information on the writers in this book, you will see a number of names, books and/or awards that you know. This is an A list anthology. In fact, the one thing that I found wanting in most of the stories is that I wish there was more of it to read. Also, although it is labeled as a YA book, as Gothic novels usually have one of the main characters be a teen/early twenties female, it doesn't come across as necessary a YA book.
Fiction: YA, paranormal 234 pages
Book Count: 4
First, it is interesting that I am reviewing this book today, as it is Edgar Allen Poe's birthday today. And this book is Gothic as in the writing style. Many of the stories are modern updates to the style. There are no maidens in nightgowns running away from a scary castle at night, but many of the stories have aspects of that stereotypical Gothic tale. Also, reading the information on the writers in this book, you will see a number of names, books and/or awards that you know. This is an A list anthology. In fact, the one thing that I found wanting in most of the stories is that I wish there was more of it to read. Also, although it is labeled as a YA book, as Gothic novels usually have one of the main characters be a teen/early twenties female, it doesn't come across as necessary a YA book.
Saturday, January 15, 2011
A Book in Review: Dragon Girl Vol.1
Dragon Girl Vol.1 By: Toru Fujieda
Non-Fiction: Manga 498 pages
Book Count: 3
This is the story of a girl who is going to a high school that up until that year was an all boys school. Also, she wants to follow in her father's footsteps and be the captain of the school's cheering squad. The only problem is that the boys don't want her on the squad, and the student council doesn't even want the squad to exist.
Non-Fiction: Manga 498 pages
Book Count: 3
This is the story of a girl who is going to a high school that up until that year was an all boys school. Also, she wants to follow in her father's footsteps and be the captain of the school's cheering squad. The only problem is that the boys don't want her on the squad, and the student council doesn't even want the squad to exist.
Friday, January 14, 2011
A Book in Review: 200 Easy Homemade Cheese Recipes
200 Easy Homemade Cheese Recipes By: Debra Amreib-Boyes
non-fiction; cooking 369 pages
Book Count: 2
Over all I liked this book more then Home Cheese Making (link here). It told you how much of each ingredient to use, had tips throughout it, divided recipes by the methods used, wasn't preachy, and made things sound easy. That being said if you are new to cheese making and plan on making pressed cheeses you would want to read other books too, as it goes into pressing somewhat, but in the recipes instead of listing pounds of pressure you need it just says light, medium or heavy for pressing. Also, as each book has slightly different recipes, some even for the same cheeses, I almost want both of them (the 1st book I read was a library book). As I had the specialty ingredients that I needed this time, I used it to make a cheese as well as ricotta. The directions were as easy to follow as I thought they would be.
non-fiction; cooking 369 pages
Book Count: 2
Over all I liked this book more then Home Cheese Making (link here). It told you how much of each ingredient to use, had tips throughout it, divided recipes by the methods used, wasn't preachy, and made things sound easy. That being said if you are new to cheese making and plan on making pressed cheeses you would want to read other books too, as it goes into pressing somewhat, but in the recipes instead of listing pounds of pressure you need it just says light, medium or heavy for pressing. Also, as each book has slightly different recipes, some even for the same cheeses, I almost want both of them (the 1st book I read was a library book). As I had the specialty ingredients that I needed this time, I used it to make a cheese as well as ricotta. The directions were as easy to follow as I thought they would be.
Monday, January 10, 2011
A Book in Review: The Art of Zombie Warfare
The Art of Zombie Warfare - How to Kick Ass Like the Walking Dead By: Scott Kenemore
Non-fiction: Humor, Strategy 266 pages
Book count: 1
In this book you learn why zombies are the ultimate fighting force and how to
harness their fighting power. You learn important lessons like: marching forward, fighting with anything at hand, finding food as you go and fighting like the dead.
Non-fiction: Humor, Strategy 266 pages
Book count: 1
In this book you learn why zombies are the ultimate fighting force and how to
harness their fighting power. You learn important lessons like: marching forward, fighting with anything at hand, finding food as you go and fighting like the dead.
Friday, January 07, 2011
End of Year Book Count: 2010
Number of books read: 86
Pages read: 24381
Average number of days to read a book: 4
Average number of pages read in a day: 67
Average number of books read in a month: 7
Average number of pages read in a month: 2032
Pages read: 24381
Average number of days to read a book: 4
Average number of pages read in a day: 67
Average number of books read in a month: 7
Average number of pages read in a month: 2032
Thursday, January 06, 2011
November- December Book Count:
Number of books read: 13
Pages read: 3292
Average number of days to read a book: 5
Average number of pages read in a day: 54
Average number of books read in a month: 7
Average number of pages read in a month: 1646
Pages read: 3292
Average number of days to read a book: 5
Average number of pages read in a day: 54
Average number of books read in a month: 7
Average number of pages read in a month: 1646
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