Here is my review #1... technically of book #2.
We read Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach.
I thought this book was intersting and good overall. It was really funny and I'm glad the author didnt take life-literally too seriously. She kept the dialogue going as if she was having a conversation with the reader directly and she told an excellent story of her findings. Some of the chapters were a bit unusual and I was caught off guard when I found myself suddenly reading about animal transplant and connecting different organs- for a split second I thought somehow the Island of Dr Moreau had found itself in my book.. and I didnt want to read any further. I did though and Im glad I finished it. It is not for those with weak stomachs because there is a lot of specific detail as to what happens to our bodies but I am glad I know and I will forever have a little special place in my heart for all those cadavers that do the dirty work nobody else can do.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Series.
Books in series are kind of hard to read. Well not hard as in they require a high IQ just hard because they always leave things ending on a cliffhanger and then you have sit and wait for more things to happen. I am very impatient so I dont like to wait... but the good thing about series is that they generally have a lot more detail and can have more in depth stories (emphasis on generally) Among the huge list of books I need to read and with in that list a separate list of series, I think I am going to have to add these two:
Savage Membrane: A Cal McDonald Myster by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith
Synopsis
Cal McDonald has a special talent for spotting and seeking out the strange beings walk among us. They live as postal workers and taxi drivers, lurking in the sewers and roaming the streets ever awake and always on the hunt. Cal has made a career helping and hunting the dark creatures. Among the docile ghouls of the city he is a friend. But to most, those who prey on innocent human lives, Cal is a sworn enemy. Now Cal finds himself in the middle of the strangest adventure of his life. People are dropping dead all over Washington DC and the cause is a mystery. The bodies are unmarked, yet their brains are simply gone. Cal will have to use all of his resources and dig deep into his past to unravel the truth, which is more terrible and absurd than he could have ever expected.
Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead
(she also wrote the Vampire Academy novels- my friend Liz highly recommended both)
Synopsis
Being a succubus sounds pretty glamorous. Shape-shifting, killer wardrobe, what's not to like? But Georgina Kincaid's life is far from exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies, and she can't have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life, which means her crush on sexy writer Seth Mortensen is going nowhere fast. But all of that pales in significance when an unknown entity "helpfully" begins killing her immortal adversaries. For once, all her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won't help, because there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny...
Savage Membrane: A Cal McDonald Myster by Steve Niles and Ben Templesmith
Synopsis
Cal McDonald has a special talent for spotting and seeking out the strange beings walk among us. They live as postal workers and taxi drivers, lurking in the sewers and roaming the streets ever awake and always on the hunt. Cal has made a career helping and hunting the dark creatures. Among the docile ghouls of the city he is a friend. But to most, those who prey on innocent human lives, Cal is a sworn enemy. Now Cal finds himself in the middle of the strangest adventure of his life. People are dropping dead all over Washington DC and the cause is a mystery. The bodies are unmarked, yet their brains are simply gone. Cal will have to use all of his resources and dig deep into his past to unravel the truth, which is more terrible and absurd than he could have ever expected.
Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead
(she also wrote the Vampire Academy novels- my friend Liz highly recommended both)
Synopsis
Being a succubus sounds pretty glamorous. Shape-shifting, killer wardrobe, what's not to like? But Georgina Kincaid's life is far from exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies, and she can't have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy's life, which means her crush on sexy writer Seth Mortensen is going nowhere fast. But all of that pales in significance when an unknown entity "helpfully" begins killing her immortal adversaries. For once, all her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won't help, because there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny...
Little Bee
Little Bee By Chris Cleave
From the Publisher
WE DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU TOO MUCH ABOUT THIS BOOK.
It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it.
Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this:
It is extremely funny, but the African beach scene is horrific.
The story starts there, but the book doesn't.
And it's what happens afterward that is most important.
Once you have read it, you'll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.
From the Publisher
WE DON'T WANT TO TELL YOU TOO MUCH ABOUT THIS BOOK.
It is a truly special story and we don't want to spoil it.
Nevertheless, you need to know something, so we will just say this:
It is extremely funny, but the African beach scene is horrific.
The story starts there, but the book doesn't.
And it's what happens afterward that is most important.
Once you have read it, you'll want to tell everyone about it. When you do, please don't tell them what happens either. The magic is in how it unfolds.
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
The Lovely Bones
The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold.
I think this would be an excellent selection to add to the list of books we have for the club. Our list is going to take us awhile to get through, which is quite fine with me.
Synopsis
Once in a generation a novel comes along that taps a vein of universal human experience, resonating with readers of all ages. THE LOVELY BONES is such a book -- a #1 bestseller celebrated at once for its artistry, for its luminous clarity of emotion, and for its astonishing power to lay claim to the hearts of millions of readers around the world. Now in an audiobook edition read by the author, with movie tie-in art.
"My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973."
So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without her -- her friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her killer trying to cover his tracks, her grief-stricken family unraveling. Out of unspeakable tragedy and loss, THE LOVELY BONES succeeds, miraculously, in building a tale filled with hope, humor, suspense, even joy.
The major motion picture version of THE LOVELY BONES, directed by Peter Jackson and starring Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, and Saoirse Ronan is scheduled for release on December 11, 2009.
Oh and P.S. Its gonna be a movie soon...
I think this would be an excellent selection to add to the list of books we have for the club. Our list is going to take us awhile to get through, which is quite fine with me.
Synopsis
Once in a generation a novel comes along that taps a vein of universal human experience, resonating with readers of all ages. THE LOVELY BONES is such a book -- a #1 bestseller celebrated at once for its artistry, for its luminous clarity of emotion, and for its astonishing power to lay claim to the hearts of millions of readers around the world. Now in an audiobook edition read by the author, with movie tie-in art.
"My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name, Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973."
So begins the story of Susie Salmon, who is adjusting to her new home in heaven, a place that is not at all what she expected, even as she is watching life on earth continue without her -- her friends trading rumors about her disappearance, her killer trying to cover his tracks, her grief-stricken family unraveling. Out of unspeakable tragedy and loss, THE LOVELY BONES succeeds, miraculously, in building a tale filled with hope, humor, suspense, even joy.
The major motion picture version of THE LOVELY BONES, directed by Peter Jackson and starring Rachel Weisz, Susan Sarandon, Mark Wahlberg, Stanley Tucci, and Saoirse Ronan is scheduled for release on December 11, 2009.
Oh and P.S. Its gonna be a movie soon...
Monday, November 16, 2009
Dark Places
So Al had told us about a book she read called Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn, which she said was way good. (I'm gonna have to go pick it up and add it to the list of must-reads) This book is by the same author- I think you might have told us about this too Al. It looks really really good though and I think it would be nice to read a story that is not a series... well I dont think this is a series anyway.
Synopsis
I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ.
Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” As her family lay dying, little Libby fled their tiny farmhouse into the freezing January snow. She lost some fingers and toes, but she survived–and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, Ben sits in prison, and troubled Libby lives off the dregs of a trust created by well-wishers who’ve long forgotten her.
The Kill Club is a macabre secret society obsessed with notorious crimes. When they locate Libby and pump her for details–proof they hope may free Ben–Libby hatches a plan to profit off her tragic history. For a fee, she’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club . . . and maybe she’ll admit her testimony wasn’t so solid after all.
As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the narrative flashes back to January 2, 1985. The events of that day are relayed through the eyes of Libby’s doomed family members–including Ben, a loner whose rage over his shiftless father and their failing farm have driven him into a disturbing friendship with the new girl in town. Piece by piece, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started–on the run from a killer.
Synopsis
I have a meanness inside me, real as an organ.
Libby Day was seven when her mother and two sisters were murdered in “The Satan Sacrifice of Kinnakee, Kansas.” As her family lay dying, little Libby fled their tiny farmhouse into the freezing January snow. She lost some fingers and toes, but she survived–and famously testified that her fifteen-year-old brother, Ben, was the killer. Twenty-five years later, Ben sits in prison, and troubled Libby lives off the dregs of a trust created by well-wishers who’ve long forgotten her.
The Kill Club is a macabre secret society obsessed with notorious crimes. When they locate Libby and pump her for details–proof they hope may free Ben–Libby hatches a plan to profit off her tragic history. For a fee, she’ll reconnect with the players from that night and report her findings to the club . . . and maybe she’ll admit her testimony wasn’t so solid after all.
As Libby’s search takes her from shabby Missouri strip clubs to abandoned Oklahoma tourist towns, the narrative flashes back to January 2, 1985. The events of that day are relayed through the eyes of Libby’s doomed family members–including Ben, a loner whose rage over his shiftless father and their failing farm have driven him into a disturbing friendship with the new girl in town. Piece by piece, the unimaginable truth emerges, and Libby finds herself right back where she started–on the run from a killer.
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
Push.
I heard that this movie is based on a real-life story. Im not sure how real-life it is or if it is based on real circumstances. But I do know that it is based on a book. I think if I read this book I will cry like a baby and I know if I see the movie I will for sure cry as well, haha. It looks way good though and super interesting.
Synopsis
An electrifying first novel that shocks by its language, its circumstances, and its brutal honesty, Push recounts a young black street-girl's horrendous and redemptive journey through a Harlem inferno. For Precious Jones, 16 and pregnant with her father's child, miraculous hope appears and the world begins to open up for her when a courageous, determined teacher bullies, cajoles, and inspires her to learn to read, to define her own feelings and set them down in a diary.
Synopsis
An electrifying first novel that shocks by its language, its circumstances, and its brutal honesty, Push recounts a young black street-girl's horrendous and redemptive journey through a Harlem inferno. For Precious Jones, 16 and pregnant with her father's child, miraculous hope appears and the world begins to open up for her when a courageous, determined teacher bullies, cajoles, and inspires her to learn to read, to define her own feelings and set them down in a diary.
Friday, November 6, 2009
The Hunger Games
I read about this book awhile ago and kind of forgot about it. It keeps popping up in things though and so I think thats a sign that its a must read.
There is a sample chapter on Barnes and Nobles website and it looks really good from what I can tell.
It also is a series of books, this is the first one and the second one is called Catching Fire.
Synopsis
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.
There is a sample chapter on Barnes and Nobles website and it looks really good from what I can tell.
It also is a series of books, this is the first one and the second one is called Catching Fire.
Synopsis
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by twelve outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of twelve and eighteen to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV. Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she is forced to represent her district in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before-and survival.
Monday, November 2, 2009
Vampire love.
Here at B & B we have a little love of vampires and all things dark and creepy. I found this book today and I think it would be an excellent read.
I read the first one, but it has probably been like 10 or so years ago... so I might need to refresh, haha.
At last--the sequel to Bram Stoker's classic novel Dracula, written by his direct descendant and a Dracula historian
Bram Stoker's Dracula is the prototypical horror novel, an inspiration for the world's seemingly limitless fascination with vampires. Though many have tried to replicate Stoker's horror classic- in books, television shows, and movies-only the 1931 Bela Lugosi film bore the Stoker family's support. Until now.
Dracula The Un-Dead is a bone-chilling sequel based on Bram Stoker's own handwritten notes for characters and plot threads excised from the original edition. Dracula The Un-Dead begins in 1912, twenty-five years after Dracula "crumbled into dust." Van Helsing's protégé, Dr. Jack Seward, is now a disgraced morphine addict obsessed with stamping out evil across Europe. Meanwhile, an unknowing Quincey Harker, the grown son of Jonathan and Mina, leaves law school for the London stage, only to stumble upon the troubled production of "Dracula," directed and produced by Bram Stoker himself.
The play plunges Quincey into the world of his parents' terrible secrets, but before he can confront them he experiences evil in a way he had never imagined. One by one, the band of heroes that defeated Dracula a quarter-century ago is being hunted down. Could it be that Dracula somehow survived their attack and is seeking revenge? Or is their another force at work whose relentless purpose is to destroy anything and anyone associated with Dracula?
Dracula The Un-Dead is deeply researched, rich in character, thrills and scares, and lovingly crafted as both an extension and celebration of one of the mostclassic popular novels in literature.
I read the first one, but it has probably been like 10 or so years ago... so I might need to refresh, haha.
At last--the sequel to Bram Stoker's classic novel Dracula, written by his direct descendant and a Dracula historian
Bram Stoker's Dracula is the prototypical horror novel, an inspiration for the world's seemingly limitless fascination with vampires. Though many have tried to replicate Stoker's horror classic- in books, television shows, and movies-only the 1931 Bela Lugosi film bore the Stoker family's support. Until now.
Dracula The Un-Dead is a bone-chilling sequel based on Bram Stoker's own handwritten notes for characters and plot threads excised from the original edition. Dracula The Un-Dead begins in 1912, twenty-five years after Dracula "crumbled into dust." Van Helsing's protégé, Dr. Jack Seward, is now a disgraced morphine addict obsessed with stamping out evil across Europe. Meanwhile, an unknowing Quincey Harker, the grown son of Jonathan and Mina, leaves law school for the London stage, only to stumble upon the troubled production of "Dracula," directed and produced by Bram Stoker himself.
The play plunges Quincey into the world of his parents' terrible secrets, but before he can confront them he experiences evil in a way he had never imagined. One by one, the band of heroes that defeated Dracula a quarter-century ago is being hunted down. Could it be that Dracula somehow survived their attack and is seeking revenge? Or is their another force at work whose relentless purpose is to destroy anything and anyone associated with Dracula?
Dracula The Un-Dead is deeply researched, rich in character, thrills and scares, and lovingly crafted as both an extension and celebration of one of the mostclassic popular novels in literature.
Second book...
Is Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach.
I hope this book is a lot better than the last one. Its not that the last one was really bad, its just that it was hard to get into.
Maybe if its an easy read we can even have two books a month...
Here's what its about:
Stiff is an oddly compelling, often hilarious exploration of the strange lives of our bodies postmortem. For two thousand years, cadavers-some willingly, some unwittingly-have been involved in science's boldest strides and weirdest undertakings. They've tested France's first guillotines, ridden the NASA Space Shuttle, been crucified in a Parisian laboratory to test the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, and helped solve the mystery of TWA Flight 800. For every new surgical procedure, from heart transplants to gender reassignment surgery, cadavers have been there alongside surgeons, making history in their quiet way.
In this fascinating, ennobling account, Mary Roach visits the good deeds of cadavers over the centuries-from the anatomy labs and human-sourced pharmacies of medieval and nineteenth-century Europe to a human decay research facility in Tennessee, to a plastic surgery practice lab, to a Scandinavian funeral directors' conference on human composting. In her droll, inimitable voice, Roach tells the engrossing story of our bodies when we are no longer with them
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Tempted...
B got me into this series and Im so glad she did. It is a Young Adult book, but Im starting to learn these are the best kind of books, haha.
This is the the 6th book in the House of Night Series and it doesnt even seem like there has already been 6 because they are full of suspense and scandal!!
You can read the first chapter over on B's blog, or the book just came out this week!
Aaaand yes it is about vampires, but its actually a lot better than some of the stuff out there. Like some of those books are just a little too ridiculous- I tried reading the Vampire Diaries and I couldnt finish it... but these are totes worth checking out.
This is the the 6th book in the House of Night Series and it doesnt even seem like there has already been 6 because they are full of suspense and scandal!!
You can read the first chapter over on B's blog, or the book just came out this week!
Aaaand yes it is about vampires, but its actually a lot better than some of the stuff out there. Like some of those books are just a little too ridiculous- I tried reading the Vampire Diaries and I couldnt finish it... but these are totes worth checking out.
Next meeting...
So I was thinking we can have the next meeting on Friday Nov 6th? We can still do it at RRVH or if we want something a little healthier... haha... we can maybe do something like Cafe Rio?
I know this is kind of getting off to a slow start because the first book we chose wasnt really easy to get into but I think we have an excellent selection to choose from now so Im really optimistic about the next book.
Let me know if this works or not, we can always change as we need to.
I know this is kind of getting off to a slow start because the first book we chose wasnt really easy to get into but I think we have an excellent selection to choose from now so Im really optimistic about the next book.
Let me know if this works or not, we can always change as we need to.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Go Read!
The first book we picked to read is going to be Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters, by Jane Austen and Ben H Winters.
Synopsis:
Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters expands the original text of the beloved Jane Austen novel with all-new scenes of giant lobsters, rampaging octopi, two-headed sea serpents, and other biological monstrosities.
As our story opens, the Dashwood sisters are evicted from their childhood home and sent to live on a mysterious island full of savage creatures and dark secrets. While sensible Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, her romantic sister Marianne is courted by both the handsome Willoughby and the hideous man-monster Colonel Brandon.
Can the Dashwood sisters triumph over meddlesome matriarchs and unscrupulous rogues to find true love? Or will they fall prey to the tentacles that are forever snapping at their heels? It's survival of the fittest and only the swiftest swimmers will find true love!
Enjoy!
OH and yes we had Delish RRVH for dinner with our first meeting. It was great.
aaand this is what Brandi's fortune said:
"Now is a good time for serenity: a book and a good friend"
Synopsis:
Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters expands the original text of the beloved Jane Austen novel with all-new scenes of giant lobsters, rampaging octopi, two-headed sea serpents, and other biological monstrosities.
As our story opens, the Dashwood sisters are evicted from their childhood home and sent to live on a mysterious island full of savage creatures and dark secrets. While sensible Elinor falls in love with Edward Ferrars, her romantic sister Marianne is courted by both the handsome Willoughby and the hideous man-monster Colonel Brandon.
Can the Dashwood sisters triumph over meddlesome matriarchs and unscrupulous rogues to find true love? Or will they fall prey to the tentacles that are forever snapping at their heels? It's survival of the fittest and only the swiftest swimmers will find true love!
Enjoy!
OH and yes we had Delish RRVH for dinner with our first meeting. It was great.
aaand this is what Brandi's fortune said:
"Now is a good time for serenity: a book and a good friend"
Monday, September 28, 2009
Friday
I was thinking of the first meeting to be this friday... I think that should work for everyone. I will send out some texts too and we can figure out everyone schedules for a time that will work.
Maybe we can meet at the Coffee Connection, I think thats the one across for SLCC on State and about 21st. That seems like a pretty cute shop so I think it will work.
Just bring your ideas for a book you wanna read and then we can put them all in a hat and draw for our first book!
If this works for everyone maybe we can even meet the first weekend of every month?
Well anyways Im excited to get this started!!
Maybe we can meet at the Coffee Connection, I think thats the one across for SLCC on State and about 21st. That seems like a pretty cute shop so I think it will work.
Just bring your ideas for a book you wanna read and then we can put them all in a hat and draw for our first book!
If this works for everyone maybe we can even meet the first weekend of every month?
Well anyways Im excited to get this started!!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
First meeting
I was thinking our first meeting could be on Friday or Saturday- Oct 2nd or 3rd. What works for everyone? I know that some of us work during the week... but some of the ladies work on the weekends so its hard to decide which days work best but we can figure it out.
Also I was thinking our first meeting we can decide on the first book so we won't have anything to read until then. AND we can decide how we want to do everything and everyone can just bring their ideas and stuff.
Yes or No, just tell me what you think!
Also I was thinking our first meeting we can decide on the first book so we won't have anything to read until then. AND we can decide how we want to do everything and everyone can just bring their ideas and stuff.
Yes or No, just tell me what you think!
Tuesday, September 1, 2009
Favorites...
What are your guys' favorite books?
I want to add it to the list of our favorites. I dont know if we will be reading them in the book club because they are most likely ones that we have read over, and over, and over again. Haha.
So yeah, I was just wondering so we can add it to the list or I might just have to add it to my personal list when I go to the bookstore.
I want to add it to the list of our favorites. I dont know if we will be reading them in the book club because they are most likely ones that we have read over, and over, and over again. Haha.
So yeah, I was just wondering so we can add it to the list or I might just have to add it to my personal list when I go to the bookstore.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Book Ideas...
HHmmm... Im not sure what we should read for our first book...
Maybe if you guys want to leave a comment on any book ideas you have then we can start from there? The comments should be open to anybody with or without a login!
Ill keep a list of all the ones people have submitted so that way they will be in rotation for next month.
OOoohhh this is gonna be so fun!
Maybe if you guys want to leave a comment on any book ideas you have then we can start from there? The comments should be open to anybody with or without a login!
Ill keep a list of all the ones people have submitted so that way they will be in rotation for next month.
OOoohhh this is gonna be so fun!
Hi!!
So I started this blog to talk about books!!! I love books and I know you guys do too. Plus not everyone has access to fb, ms, other blogs, twitter, etc for us to share our thoughts and ideas. I was thinking we can have book reviews on here, we can have any book news like new ones coming out or our faves being turned into movies... so on and so on. If you have any ideas or you want to post a little somethin somethin just let me know.
Let the party begin!
Let the party begin!
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