Day One

 

Day One

Nate Kenyon

ISBN: 978-1-250-01321-7

October 2013

4 Stars

*I received this ARC via goodreads first reads*

Journalist John Hawke is pursuing the story that will save his troubled career. When James Weller, founder of a startup technology company, agrees to let Hawke write a story about his accomplishments Hawke sees it as an opportunity to uncover a scandal.  What should be a normal day on the path to his redemption turns into a nightmare. Everything connected to the internet or with a computer chip goes haywire. He soon discovers things are not only going wrong at the office when his wife calls screaming that someone is trying to break into their apartment.  While just managing to get out of the office with his life he finds himself with a small group of survivors who try to navigate through the broken city only to realize that they are in mortal danger making getting home to his pregnant wife and son a perilous priority.

As someone who is not very tech savvy I feared I would be in over my head while reading this, but was pleasantly surprised. I did not once find myself lost and scratching my head. This novel is very fast paced with quite a bit of action making it a thrill to read. The plot is an idea that’s been around for awhile but the author’s managed to make feel different.  Even though this is what I would consider a science fiction thriller there is this great story about family under the skin that bleeds through from the beginning. The characters are why I did not give this one 5 stars. Characters are a big deal to me as a reader. I need to love or hate them and I was indifferent to this cast.  This does seem to be my complaint with a lot of thrillers that are fast paced. Overall I really liked this novel and will definitely recommend it, especially to science fiction and thriller fans.

Enon

Enon

Paul Harding

ISBN: 978-1-4000-6943-9

Sept 2013

*I received this uncorrected galley from NetGalley*

5 Stars

Charlie Crosby, grandson of George Crosby from Tinkers, is our narrator through a very difficult time in his life.  The loss of someone he loves dearly brings Charlie’s life to a crossroads where the worst grief imaginable is threatening to overcome his life and turn it into something unrecognizable.

There were many times during reading that I asked myself why I was still reading. There is nothing happy or easy about this novel. The story shows a very ugly side of grief; a side that is very realistic and devastating. To say this is a depressing story is an understatement but I kept on reading. Honestly I couldn’t have put this one down even when I wanted to. Mr. Harding’s writing is what kept me reading. It’s not about the wonderful flow of his words (which is undeniable), but the honesty of his words. He knows how to paint a breathtaking picture with words, even from the most heartbreaking of words.

I clearly recommend this one.

 

 

The Rosie Project

 

The Rosie Project

ISBN: 978-1-4767-2908-4

Oct 2013

*I received an ARC copy via goodreads first reads*

5 Stars!

I am not writing a synopsis for this one. I am assuming that if you have made it this far that you have already read a description (maybe two) and mine would just be a waste of words.

I Loved This Book! I would like to find a tall building and yell it at the top of my lungs but seeing as how I live on a military installation that could turn out to be chaotic. First of all let me say that I did relate to the main character, Don Tillman, so much that it was a little concerning but also very funny.  These characters are brilliant! Even with their glaringly obvious differences they all fit together perfectly and just make sense. I saw a lot of my relationships in theirs as well which was enlightening actually.  I could go on for pages about the character relationships. Laughter was like an automatic organ function and even with the book closed I can recall something and chuckle.  I gave up sleep for this book and sleep is something I don’t give up too easily.  There are not a lot of books I keep for the sake of reading again and again but this one has been added to that collection. Seeing as how this review makes no sense I will end it.

It’s very obvious that I have had a personal experience with this novel but I think it will be just enjoyable for others and I encourage all of you to read it.

Hollow Bones

 

 

Hollow Bones

CJ Lyons

ISBN: 978-1-250-01537-2

August 2013

4 Stars

*I received a copy of this through Library Thing early reviewers*

When an archaeology student goes missing FBI agent Caitlyn Tierney follows her gut into the jungles of Guatemala.  Finding resistance from the missing girl’s family and the locals’ only makes her more determined. She only has one ally, FBI agent Jake Carver, at her side as she faces the unexpected twists and turns leading her into the heart of darkness.

This is the first book I have read by this author and will not be the last. With that said I will jump into my big complaint right at the start. These books are rated as standalone novels but I did feel like I was missing a little something when it came to character relationships.  That aspect could have been a lot worse (I have experienced it a couple of times so far), but it was still present.  I also expected a little more action dispersed throughout the story.  This genre benefits from action but again this was a minimal problem.

I really liked the plot of this one.  Even though there is a lot of interest in Mayan culture the author keeps that part of it fresh and unique.  There’s a lot of vivid imagery and it’s easy to lose yourself in the descriptions. The characters are great with interesting histories. This genre can easily seem bogged down and cluttered but I didn’t feel that way while reading. It has the intensity it needs but almost has an easy going feeling that makes it seem like a light read.  I have no problem recommending Hollow Bones.

 

The 9 Lives of Alexander Baddenfield

 

The 9 Lives of Alexander Baddenfield

John Bemelmans Marciano, (Illustrator) Sophie Blackall

ISBN: 978-0-670-01406-4

October 2013

*I received this ARC copy from Goodreads first reads*

5 Stars

Alexander Baddenfield is not a good little boy. In fact he is a very mean little boy who has inherited his bad attitude from the long line of Baddenfields’ before him. Being so bad has earned them all very short lives and Alexander is the very last Baddenfield left. So he comes up with a plan to have lives to spare and end the Baddenfield curse.

This is a very quick and fun read. I will say up front that obviously this book talks about death and parents should be aware of that.  Although the topic of death is a tough and touchy subject the author does so in a way that isn’t traumatic. Alexander ends up going on a few adventures and has some learning experiences.  There are a lot of moral lessons intertwined as well and they aren’t only for children.  I am sure a lot of us could learn a thing or two from Alexander Baddenfield lives.

I do recommend this book to everyone and think parents will have fun sharing it with their children.

 

Trying something a bit different

I really would like to get other readers' feedback and to discuss what you are reading too. This shouldn't be a one way street. So, I am trying to make this a more active blog instead of just my opinions on what I have read. So feel free to chime in but please be mindful of spoilers.

Ostrich

 

Ostrich

Matt Greene

ISBN: 978-0-345-54519-0

August 2013

*I won this ARC copy via goodreads.*

4.5 Stars

While recovering from brain surgery twelve year old Alex starts to take notice that the people around him are acting more strangely than usual. Written in stream of consciousness this novel follows Alex through his investigations not only of people but also of life in general.  Between his father’s Thursday night disappearances and his mother’s mysterious darkroom Alex finds that sometimes it’s not always easy to accept the truth.

First of all I will say that even after waiting a bit I am still on the fence between four and five stars.  I won’t even mention what I didn’t like because I may after more time decide it wasn’t worth pondering at all.  This is another one of those books that got me researching the facts tossed here and there throughout so I learned a few things and that’s always exciting for me. I even bothered my husband endlessly and he will be so relieved that I finished it. The humor is abundant enough to balance the rough spots which only made this book better. I recommend this novel wholeheartedly as it has something for everyone.

P.S. I do think it’s important to mention that even though this is a coming of age type of plot there are some very mature topics in which I have seen other reviewers mention.  Yes, I was shocked by some things but I have heard and seen worse on animated television shows.