Tuesday, October 27, 2009

OK I'll Admit It

I am spectacularly behind right now. I've read a bunch of books but haven't blogged about them (see the side book list, like I said way behind) I'm also really behind on my reading.

Being behind on my reading doesn't bother me too much (ok, maybe a little) because I know that eventually I'll catch up and I'll meet my goal of 300 books in a year.

I've got plenty of excuses why I'm behind, but the big one is that I've been sick with this blasted cold. I spent a whole week in bed and didn't even turn on the computer (so there ya go, a good enough reason not to blog)

I could have spent that time in bed reading, but I figured the fastest way to get better would be to sleep, so my reading time was cut way way down...but as a bonus I got to wear my PJ's all day and I don't feel one damn bit guilty about it either!

So anyway, there's my reasoning take it as you will......

I'm starting to feel better now aside from a cough that just will not go away, arrrggggg (which in turn leaves me a bit breathless, but I figure its a good reason to take it easy and get some reading done)

I feel as though I've read more books that I have...it's weird.... It's probably because I fell asleep so many times reading that I reread several pages over and over, and now it feels like I've read an extra book....dunno.

well that's enough of my excuses now it's really time to buckle down and get this reading and blogging done.

Book Number 60

From Juvenile/ Young Adult to Chick Lit. It was a nice change.

The Novel: The Way It Is
The Author: Patrick Sanchez
Link: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/s/patrick-sanchez/way-it-is.htm

I think this is the first chick lit novel I've read that was written by a man. I was pleasantly surprised. I should have not assumed that a man can't write about females as well as a girl can, because I was wrong (you know what they say when you assume)
I really enjoyed The Way it Is. The characters were interesting and believable. I felt a connection with one of the main characters being as I'm not stick thin. Mr. Sanchez did a good job of getting into the mind of a "fat" chick and laying it all out there for us readers to see.
I was only a bit disappointed that the ending for one of the characters wasn't quite resolved to my liking...which gave me a glimmer of hope for a sequel (but I'm pretty sure it isn't going to happen).
I really liked this novel and I am looking forward to reading more by this author.

I give "The Way It Is" a rating of 4 out of 5.

Good on ya Mr. Sanchez. A dude who understands, or at least writes like he does.....

Book Number 59

It's been awhile so I'll get straight to it then.....

The Novel: Tunnels
The Authors: Roderick Gordon and Brian Williams
Link: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/w/roderick-gordon-and-brian-williams/highfield-mole.htm

Tunnels is the first in a series of 3 novels written for juveniles/ young adults. This novel came highly recommended by my friend Sian. (And yes I am finally blogging about it Sian so you can relax now lol)
I found this book to be well written, but so long. It took me several days to get through this novel. The writers spent a lot of time developing the characters and their motivation that by the time it got to some action I was getting a little tired of reading it.
The idea behind tunnels is fascinating. When the action got started I was really getting into the plot and was kept interested....which is of course, why I had to read the second novel in the series fairly soon after.
Tunnels was a little dark which I like, but surprised since the target reader is in the pre-teen/ teen age...but when I think back to when I was that age and I actually preferred stories with a little bit of grimness...so it just goes to show that I'm getting old I guess.
I wish the beginning of the novel was a little more compact so that the interesting stuff happened quicker. But the wait was worth it if you have time.

I give "Tunnels" a rating of 2.75 out of 5.

moving along then......

** Note: As I've come to review the second novel in this series I've felt that I have to amend my original rating down from 3.25 to 2.75.
Changing my rating would normally be against my own rules, however this series is the exception.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Book Number 58

Time to catch up with my blogging. Hopefully I remember what I though about these next 5 books, because it's been awhile since I've read them....

The Novel: Pretty Little Liars
The Author: Sara Shepard
Link: http://www.prettylittleliars.com/series.vm

Pretty Little Liars is the first in a series of Young Adult novels. It's full of young "angsty" teen girls who all have secrets. It's pretty interesting once you get past the teen angst and focus on the plot. I enjoyed this novel and it brought me back to my high school days....although, I can't remember being that superficial, and I really didn't get into the whole party scene....
This novel went by fast. It was entertaining and fast paced. It was nice having the story told from several point of views.
This novel was very "high-schoolish" so as an adult it was hard to completely relate, but it was fun to think back to my past. ((and as a parent it has me freaked about about when my daughter will reach the teen years...it's not going to be fun))

I give "Pretty Little Liars" a rating of 3 out of 5.

I'm going to continue on with the series as I have to know who the antagonist is. I can get past all the teen angst and enjoy the story. And this novel helped me think of several discussions I need to have with Little Miss before she gets to that age when "kids know everything and parents know nothing"

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

No Time / Lazy

Well I really have to face the fact that I will not reach book #75 by tomorrow. I just can't do it. I've read 62 books thus far, but there is just no way I can read 13 books by the end of tomorrow. Even if I had all of tonight and all day free tomorrow I still couldn't do it. I'm not a machine dammit!

I've decided sometimes life is about the small goals, but other times it's about the bigger picture. So yeah I didn't meet my mini goal this month, but I know I'll complete the 300 books by July 8th 2010.

The Bigger Picture....yep, that's the ticket.

I have excuses...lots....but it all comes down to me being too busy/lazy to read this month. I'll catch up though, it just might take awhile. So hows about we (when I say "we", I really mean "I") focus on trying to read up to book #100 by November 8th.
Ok??
Good then!
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* ok, so I still have to blog about 5 books that I've read. I'll get to it, just not right now........