This parody answers the important question: What if famous authors had written episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation?
The result: some minorly entThis parody answers the important question: What if famous authors had written episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation?
The result: some minorly entertaining chapters that describe ST:TNG episodes. I suppose it would help to already know beforehand some characteristics of the authors' style - that's where my limited breadth and depth of "literature" or "common (US-)school reading assignments" tends to show. But still, overall pretty readable - I believe I did chuckle or LoL in a few places....more
A huge part of my enjoyment of this book was finding out about hemalurgy, and realising that Mr SandersonAn excellent finish to a magnificent trilogy!
A huge part of my enjoyment of this book was finding out about hemalurgy, and realising that Mr Sanderson had left clues about it throughout Books 1 & 2, but one wouldn't really 'see' it until its unveiling in Book 3.
The "excerpts" that start every chapter were as good as ever -- you always wonder whose voice it is,,, and chances are, you got it wrong.
Bottom line: if you've already read Books 1 & 2, don't hesitate to pick this up. If you're only considering picking up this series I'm urging you to give it a shot with Book 1....more
This was a random pick-up from the library, and my oh my did I regret it! I plodded through it only to find out whodunnit, but once I got there I realThis was a random pick-up from the library, and my oh my did I regret it! I plodded through it only to find out whodunnit, but once I got there I realised it really hadn't been worth it.
Perhaps it was the entire premise of the tale: that elderly Cora Felton (think Miss Marple meets, um, Broom Hilda?) is living a lie as the tiny community of Bakerhaven's "crossword lady" -- it's her daughter who's the crossword puzzle expert and creator, Cora just pretends she creates and solvres them... so a big part of this book was all about trying to avoid the discovery of this lie. My internal moral compass totally disagrees with this set-up.
Then there's Cora herself -- I'm not sure if I've ever met another literary character as annoying as she is. While some might say her dialogue is realistic and snappy, all I found it to be was cringeworthy.
Highly recommended by a spiritually-inclined blog pal, I finally got over my inertia of exploring anything by Deepak Chopra... and realise that a lot Highly recommended by a spiritually-inclined blog pal, I finally got over my inertia of exploring anything by Deepak Chopra... and realise that a lot of his success has probably come from just translating / repackaging principles that are part and parcel of Indian/Hindu/Yogic life into something that Americans/Westerners would find palatable.
I did find it a useful read, though: its overview and explanation of the various types of yoga certainly helped fill in some blanks I had.
I'm guessing someone without much exposure to Asian/Eastern culture and religions would find this book very useful. ...more
Highly recommended by a spiritually-inclined blog pal, I finally got over my inertia of exploring anything by Deepak Chopra,,, and my reluctance was vHighly recommended by a spiritually-inclined blog pal, I finally got over my inertia of exploring anything by Deepak Chopra,,, and my reluctance was validated. Don't get me wrong, the message of this book is great! But I needed to have read this perhaps 10 years ago. Where I am on my own spiritual journey, I felt a little impatient with what was being said, and how - again, it doesn't help that my Organisational Behaviour / Psychology career tapped into these principles anyway.
All that said... it's one thing to know (of), and another to actually practice. And that's where my own roadblock is right now. But I don't need this book to guide me.
Perhaps it'll be an epiphany-inducer for other folks?...more
For the longest time I've wanted to refresh my memory of Sherlock Holmes tales that I know I read back when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Finally For the longest time I've wanted to refresh my memory of Sherlock Holmes tales that I know I read back when I was knee-high to a grasshopper. Finally unearthed this book from my husband's boxes of books. It was a bit of a disappointment, reading it as an adult. My main beef is that it's almost impossible to figure out what was going on because a lot of the clues that Holmes saw, we would only find out about it as he chides Watson for not having noticed them. It was a bit annoying. Then again, this genre has probably grown and matured tremendously since Sir Arthur Conan Doyle first introduced Sherlock Holmes to the world.
The second of the Shadowbridge "duology"; here we finally find out - sorta - what happened in the past that caused the assumed death of Lea/Jax's pareThe second of the Shadowbridge "duology"; here we finally find out - sorta - what happened in the past that caused the assumed death of Lea/Jax's parents. I found myself being rather impatient with this book ("just get to the punchline already!"). Again 2 stars. ...more
I enjoyed the whole storyteller angle of this book/series.
The world Mr Frost has built is also interesting: it seems to be mainly water, with some laI enjoyed the whole storyteller angle of this book/series.
The world Mr Frost has built is also interesting: it seems to be mainly water, with some land here and there, but with an infinite number of bridges (and spans, and spirals) upon which various people live. Each span has its own peoples and culture and language, and therefore each span has its own stories... and thus the storyteller goes around collecting stories and performing them for his/her audience.
The reason it's only 2 stars, though, is because while I liked the angle, I didn't find the story itself, or how it was presented, particularly outstanding. ...more
Perhaps it was because there were so many instances of just "saying" instead of "showing" what was going on. This story could have been so much more.
Perhaps it was because there were so many instances of just "saying" instead of "showing" what was going on. Perhaps it was because despite it being the first real book, there's a lot of backstory that can be found online - if you have the patience to watch the poor graphics and irritating voices.
The premise is a relatively common one: brother and sister find themselves entrusted with the Protectorship of Albion (or England,,, or was it the United Kingdom?) way back in Victorian times. They struggle to master their power even as forces of darkness threaten them and their land.
Overall, however, I was bored by most if not all of the characters. None were appealing. Most were rather two dimensional. None resonated with me.
I'm not going to bother with the next book in this series.
After all, I picked this up wanting to see what Amber Benson was up to, and capable of. I'm better off check out her solo writing work - Death's Daughter: hopefully I'll be more impressed....more
It took me a while to sink into this book... but once I did, ah, what a satisfying read. I really enjoy the depth of the tale, and the twists and turnIt took me a while to sink into this book... but once I did, ah, what a satisfying read. I really enjoy the depth of the tale, and the twists and turns that really do surprise you!
I still give it 3 stars, as opposed to 4 or 5, because my mind goes blank with every Allomantic battle with all that Pushing and Pulling and Smoking and Tin burning... I suppose it's what makes this tale unique, and as a chemist I enjoy this perspective... but a fight / battle is a fight/battle, and I grow bored easily with them.
I am very curious as to how this tale resolves itself. I definitely will be picking up Book 3 soon....more
Started with Book 2, but realised that Book 1 had just a bit of info I needed... so went ahead and bought this. It's an easy read, informative, entertStarted with Book 2, but realised that Book 1 had just a bit of info I needed... so went ahead and bought this. It's an easy read, informative, entertaining while illustrating the (basic) BaZi concepts.
Highly recommended for anyone interested in this field. ...more
More words: slightly wanting, but a fun, refreshing take on a genre that's been getting a bit too much (undeserved) attention nowadays. One word: Hot.
More words: slightly wanting, but a fun, refreshing take on a genre that's been getting a bit too much (undeserved) attention nowadays.
Bledsoe's vampires can go out in daylight. Thankfully they don't sparkle.
A vampiric fish-out-of-water and displaced-in-time tale; Blood Groove is about Baron Rudolfo Zginski, who was staked in Wales then through a series of events awakens to find himself in Memphis 60 years later. As he tries to understand the new world he is now in, he also reaches out to fellow vampires -- newbies who have pretty much no idea of the powers they posses -- and they all become embroiled in what looks like an insidious plot to wipe vampires out.
I like some little details of the vampire mythos: all wounds and injuries heal during the vampire's rest, restoring the vampire to the same condition he/she had been in when he/she had been 'made'. There's a little twist to this that comes at the end. Clever. Dissatisfying, but clever.
Another dissatisfying part was the all-too-convenient bit of story that 'explains' the origin of the 'powder' ...
Oh, and as I mentioned before, I must be in prude mode nowadays, because ugh, I didn't really see the necessity for all that R-or-worse rated sex stuff in there.
Bottomline: a recommended read. Just be aware that it's gritty, sexual, and a slight letdown at the end. But I'll still pick up a Book 2, if Mr Bledsoe intends to continue with the characters here....more
Jim Butcher admits in the introduction that in his head, Harry Dresden plays out in comic book / graphic novel form, and so he's really excited about Jim Butcher admits in the introduction that in his head, Harry Dresden plays out in comic book / graphic novel form, and so he's really excited about the opportunity to "translate" his books into this medium. "Welcome to the Jungle" is a made-for-graphic-novel prequel to Storm Front, in celebration -- and anticipation of -- the books ebing converted into graphic novel form.
I don't appreciate this medium as much as I do a regular, good old book, I admit. However, it doesn't detract from an all-too-short Harry Dresden adventure, with the wry humour I've come to expect from Mr Butcher.
It of course was a fast read.
The good thing about this, however, is that it really is like the books. So Harry is sporting a wooden sigil-inscribed staff, and NOT a hockey stick, for example. I didn't mind the tv adaptation, but it's nice to not have to rationalise away things like that, y'know? :)
That said, I wouldn't bother buying "Welcome to the Jungle". Just check it out from your local library. That's what I did :)...more
This book gives a great peek into the world of the surgeon, and the medical field in general.
The author takes pains to point out that he went throughThis book gives a great peek into the world of the surgeon, and the medical field in general.
The author takes pains to point out that he went through over 8 years of surgery residency training... thing is, a general surgery residency usually takes five years... so those extra years are..? Fellowship? Repeat years? Research? As someone who knows a little bit about the medical field, the unanswered questions arising from the author's statement was distracting. It's as if he was trying to wave those years in your face, stating that quantity means quality. Not in my book!
While the individual chapters and topics are quite interesting, when you step back and look at the overall book, it seems to lack a proper cohesion or theme.
It's still a good read, and is recommended. ...more
What can I say... yet another great installment in the Harry Dresden series! As usual, I laughed out loud at a particular turn of phrase that betrays What can I say... yet another great installment in the Harry Dresden series! As usual, I laughed out loud at a particular turn of phrase that betrays the wry sense of humor I so enjoy.
I picked out the 'bad guy' as soon as the person appeared in the book, though... was Mr Butcher being obvious, or was on the same wavelength much earlier than usual?
High recommended. But only if you've been following the series, otherwise you'll be quite lost. If you're new, start at book 1. ...more
This is not something you just read once. At least, not if you're intending to do a bit more with the knowledge of Chinese Destiny Analysis, Paht CheeThis is not something you just read once. At least, not if you're intending to do a bit more with the knowledge of Chinese Destiny Analysis, Paht Chee, Ba Zi, whatever you want to call it.
I found this book to be more detailed, more systematic, more readable, and ultimately more easily understood than Lillian Too's similar work.
There's still a whole lot of info that is bandied around as if the readers knows all about it: turns out the Direct Officer and 7 Killings starts, for example, are part of this 10 Gods thingy that will appear in Book 3. (This is Book 2). The whole looking at the ba Zi and determining it's "a very cold chart, it needs fire" is kinda lost on me - perhaps Book 1 tackled that in more detail??
The "cheat sheet" chart at the back of the book is an immensely valuable reference. I plan to photocopy it so that I don't have to keep thumbing to that page of the book. Especially since the last 10 pages or so seem to not be well bound to the book. I *could* return it to amazon.com, I suppose... :p
Anyways, so overall this was worth the price, I think. I just don't feel like shelling out another $30 for Book 1 just to see if it fills in the blanks for me. Hmmmm, I wonder if the library has this in its system?? :D ...more
A unique idea that explains phenomena like vampires, possessions and bloodbaths, wrapped up in a relatively well-written tale about a teenager who endA unique idea that explains phenomena like vampires, possessions and bloodbaths, wrapped up in a relatively well-written tale about a teenager who ends up as one of them -- the Mogran.
Call me a prude, but the whole sex aspect of the tale kinda put me off of this book. It's an integral part of the tale, however. As I said, I appreciate the unique idea that Mr Peck puts forth, I just wish it didn't have to be so focused on sex. Yes, I am probably a prude.
All that sex notwithstanding, this book also struggled with instances of page after page of exposition when the author is trying to give background history on a certain era, or person, or concept.
And yet. I can still say I recommend this book. Enjoy the possibilities presented. Just be prepared - the Mogran have voracious, deviant sexual appetites. ...more
The dust jacket features a glowing review of the author by Stephen King, so that was the clincher - without SK's input, I probably would have teeteredThe dust jacket features a glowing review of the author by Stephen King, so that was the clincher - without SK's input, I probably would have teetered the othe rway and laid the book back on the library shelf.
So I guess I could say it's SK's fault that I had to limp through this book?! :p
Seriously, though. The idea is good. Something is happening: people who are supposed to die are NOT dying, thus throwing the folk in charge of the afterlife into disarray. Thing is, the "normal" system that the author has envisioned is already kinda weird, with a ghost that comes in to finish up your unfinished business once you die and go to wherever it is you go in that version of the afterlife.
We follow one such should-have-died person (Ben), get to know his not-anymore girlfriend, and his/their dog, then get introduced to another should-have-died woman; mix in conversations with Ben's ghost with the Angel of Death, and mysterious furless earless protector dogs, pink fogs of cancer, and what-have-yous, and whaddaya know, it all made for a book that could have been so much more, but falls short.
The only thing I liked in the whole book? A scene where should-have-died woman is transported back to a pivotal moment in her life, where at age 12 she committed her first act of shoplifting... except that upon witnessing the scene, she realised that while the 12-year-old version of her did the actual stealing, she had been urged on by the 6-year-old-version of her, within her. That she realised she had all these other "selves" within her, each with her own set of hopes and fears (the 6-year-old's constinued to wonder if she would burn in Hell for having stolen, for example). I thought this concept was good. Pity it got kinda buried in all sorts of other stuff, and therefore lost its impact.
Overall? I'd say don't bother with this book. ...more
This was a long read. Amusing, educational, and entertaining too.
The premise is simple: a King at wit's end about how to awaken the intelligence of hiThis was a long read. Amusing, educational, and entertaining too.
The premise is simple: a King at wit's end about how to awaken the intelligence of his sons engages the services of Visnu Sarma, who proceed to educate the princes via tales, not unlike Aesop's fables.
What I enjoyed was how the stories were structured. Each of the five (panca) have a large frame within which many many MANY smaller tales appear. You'll have two characters in a situation, one wants to do something, the other either supports or disagrees by quoting a proverb or such, the one goes "Oh? How did that happen?" and so the other launches into the supporting tale, where, more often than not, you'll also have two or more characters who have a similar conversation, thus providing a tale within a tale within a tale within... well you get the idea. I actually laughed out loud at how some tales came one after another.
The first story - Estrangement of Friends - is by far the longest and most detailed. Once you make your way through this one, the remaining four frames can be zipped through quite quickly.
If you pick it up, prepare yourself for a heavy but fun read....more
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