Speak

by Laurie Halse Anderson

As you may have read, I haven't been doing much reading for personal pleasure lately as I've instead been focusing on going back to school and work. However I have been doing a ton of reading thanks to classes and due to my Young Adult Lit class, I've been reading a ton of literature that as you've probably guessed is for young adults. Or as they are more commonly called: teenagers. Now if you're of the age that you can actually remember what you read in high school and late middle school, such as myself, you'll probably remember reading Romeo and Juliet, Macbeth, Much Ado about Nothing, The Scarlet Letter, The Odyssey, and etc and etc. Now with the exception of perhaps The Scarlet Letter, which deals with a young girl being labeled as an “adulterer”, most of these works have little appeal or emotional value to this new generation of teenager that is constantly exposed sex and its respective positive and negative aspects, drugs, and rock n' roll. Well not so much rock n' roll anymore, more like pop and rap which is actually worse then old time rock n' roll, but that's another digression for another day. Back to my point, teenagers nowadays are exposed to so much more then even someone from my generation was, and I was only in high school less then a decade ago. As a result they need a new type of literature that actually speaks to them and allows them to connect with it, unlike the literature that I mentioned above which has failed to do so. Which brings me to my first book review in nearly two months, Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson.

Speak tells the story of Melinda, a high school freshman who finds it hard to speak both at home and in school, as her parents communicate with her via Post-it notes and with the exception of a new girl, her classmates don't talk to her at all. Only things weren't always like this. Sure her family life wasn't always the best with both of her parents working long hours, but she did have friends. Friends with whom she talked to. Friends with whom she shared secrets with. Friends with whom she could count on. But after she called the cops at a party during the summer, all of those great friends abandoned her in a instant. Why? Will she regain her voice? Will her friends come back to her? Well that's for you to find out and for me to know.

I have to say that although Speak is a very traumatic and real book about the ____ of a young girl, it is an absolutely amazing book. Laurie tells Melinda's story over the course of one school year, using each marking period as a divider with smaller chapters making up each division. Even though Melinda has no real voice throughout the novel, Laurie uses Melinda's inner voice and thoughts to tell her story. Laurie's use of powerful imagery and metaphor throughout the novel only further helps convey the mixed emotions and trauma that Melinda experiences.

Overall while you can chew threw this book in probably one sitting, it is a young adult novel after all, this is still a overall great book and one that should be read by both the young and old. With that said 5 out of 5 DAWG Bones. Woof!

Next up The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie

My Hiatus

Hey everyone I just wanted to get the word out that I will be back with a vengeance, just like John McClane, this next month. I just finished three classes at Buff State and will be reviewing a number of the young adult lit that was assigned to me over this past semester including Looking For Alaska, Speak, Ship Breaker and The Hunger Game Trilogy that I promised months ago. So get ready for a dervish of activity from me before next semester starts the 23rd of January. With that said I'll see you in a day or so with my next post.

Deputy, Out!

No Rest for the Dead

By 20+ Authors

I haven't been doing much reading lately, which is a shame. I recently picked up No Rest for the Dead and finished it quickly. It's a murder-mystery and the idea of a book written by 20+ separate authors (including R.L. Stine, Sandra Brown, Jeffery Deaver, etc.) intrigued me. I wasn't sure how so many different authors with different writing styles could come together and create a coherent story that flowed. In that respect, this book was a success.

Each chapter of the book was written by a different author yet they all seemed to flow together nicely. Although each has his or her own voice, the styles were similar enough that it went by unnoticed.

This book was a very quick read and I enjoyed it. However, it wasn't a great book by any stretch. I enjoy mysteries and I like to try and figure out what great plot twist is about to happen. Rarely have I read a mystery that hasn't surprised me at the end. With this book, however, I had it figured out about halfway through. Usually, I get an inkling about the twist as I read but I'm rarely right about it. This time, I was which disappointed me a little. It was just a bit too predictable for me to really get the most enjoyment out of the story.

The characters are interesting but not super well-developed. They're deep enough to keep the story moving and keep you engaged but we know very little about them. They're 2-dimensional rather than full-rendered 3-D characters but this doesn't hurt the story.

Overall, I would give this book 3 Wheeks! out of 5. It's a good read but nothing spectacular.

Midnight

By Dean Koontz

Dean Dean Dean. What can I say, you didn’t disappoint me. Oh, let me clarify. When I say Dean didn’t disappoint me, I mean I expected to be disappointed… and I was. Midnight was a book that started off interesting. A book about a strange, isolated incident in a similarly isolated town. Changes happening to the residents, monsters running amok, protagonists fleeing for their lives, and tension building as they hide. The end was ultimately disappointing, disjointed and anticlimactic.
There are 3 main protagonists in the book, with a fourth developing into a more major role later in the novel. Tessa is investigating the death of her sister, which she believes has occurred under suspicious circumstances. Similarly, Sam is an FBI agent who has also been sent on an official mission to investigate some odd occurrences in Moonlight Cove. In summary, a rash of deaths has occurred in Moonlight Cove, often suspicious in nature and involving rapid disposal (or absence of) the bodies. In addition, we have conversions going on rendering the residents into emotionless beings or primal creatures. Chrissie, our final protagonist, is a young girl who has seen firsthand what is happening to the residents of Moonlight Cove. Her parents have changed and were in the process of converting her when she managed to escape. Chrissie is probably the least interesting and most annoying character. She fancies herself a future writer, and punctuates her activities with “cute” little paraphrases of her activities or perceived disasters. She was also left out of the action for a while, and I began to forget about her (and I wondered if Dean had done the same). Tessa played the tough girl, who was still pretty defenseless, relying on her intellect and gritty personality to survive. Sam was gutsy and knew how to get the job done. Overall though, I wasn’t struck by any tension that should have existed, and I had no real attachment to the characters. The final protagonist was Harry, a disable Vietnam veteran. He was really not necessary to the story, the only importance I can see was his dog (and this is minor).
The antagonist, Shaddack, was the most frustrating character to me. His ego was obvious, if not overdeveloped. He is the one responsible for the events taking over Twilight Cove. As I read this book, I couldn’t silence the unaddressed questions which plagued me. How did Shaddack orchestrate this whole thing on his own? Yes, there was a corporation involved, but how did it all develop from there. And how did nobody object? I decided that what bothered me most is that Dean didn’t provide enough detail about the cause to make it believable. I can’t be sure whether I should hold myself at fault for wanting to know more, but I was not satisfied with the simple blanket explanation offered.
This story started off as promising, even interesting. But due to lack of direction, and (as it seemed to me) indecision about what the story was about, this book was disappointing. This book needs counseling, because it obviously has an identity crisis.
A note about Dean: At this point I have read three Dean Koontz books. Being an avid Stephen King fan, when you ask people who else you should read, they always recommend Dean Koontz. I have given him more than a sporting chance, and I can say with confidence that these authors are not equivalent. Parallel at most. I can see how some might want to suggest that their subject matter or even writing style might be similar. But overall, Stephen King is leagues ahead of Dean in all the important categories (character development, believable story, necessary dialogue, and a sufficient conclusion).
In summary: the characters were underdeveloped, the story was disjointed and unfocused, the resolution was sudden and unsatisfying, and I was not attached enough to the characters to experience any emotion or connection to the story. It will take a lot to get me to read another Dean Koontz book, and I can only hope that Stephen King will continue to write for another 30 years (or maybe I can find a sufficient alternative, suggestions are welcome!).
Rating: 1.5/5 Bunsen Burners
Up Next: I’m Dreaming of a Black Christmas by Lewis Black.

Tuesdays with Morrie

by Mitch Albom

This book is a MUST READ!! The story is a short but touching true account of a man (Mitch Albom) who after years of separation  reconnects with his old professor, Morrie Schwartz. Morrie is dying of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) or otherwise known as Lou Gehrig's disease - a disease that unmercifully attacks a person's neurological system. Mitch finds his professor after several years and comes to his house every Tuesday for weeks in order to take one last class on life. Luckily for us, Albom has written and compiled it in this book for us to take the class with him. Their conversations are recorded in this book between this wise old professor and his (once again) eager to learn student.

Morrie is full of unbelievable wisdom, touching insight, humor, and a sense of humanity that will move anyone. His thoughts on the topics of life are so true they make you reflect and think. Morrie's philosophies are uplifting and perceptive. His articulate and composed way of getting across his final feelings and teachings is incredible. Most people have had a inspiring and knowledgeable teacher/professor that has helped transform you into a better person for having known them. Morrie was that role model for Mitch - they shared a very special student to teacher bond. Obviously Morrie touched lives: this needs no explanation.

I really loved Mitch's writing of this book. While many criticized its simplicity in writing style, I enjoyed its clear and concise sections. I feel it made his conversations with Morrie and some of the back stories shine. You were not fluffed with impressive details or constant commentary. Morrie's philosophies and conversations with Mitch are the sole focus. They didn't need to be oversold by overwriting on the author's part. I am SO glad they weren't. Mitch handled this book just the right way. If you need a simple, yet enlightening read, this short story will do the trick. Go pick this up!

Rating: 5 out of 5

Up Next: Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes

House Rules

by Jodi Picoult

House Rules is a novel about an eighteen year old boy named Jacob with Asperger's syndrome (on the autism spectrum). While Jacob may not grasp facial expressions or understand social skills, he is very intelligent when it comes to topics that interest him. His most current concentration is forensic analysis. Jacob is constantly learning new forensic methods and watching his favorite show CrimeBusters to see if he can solve the crime before the detectives on TV can. His mother, Emma, is his biggest advocate. She is a single mom in charge of Jacob and his younger brother Theo's care. Emma is desperate to teach and help Jacob to function in the world. She loves him despite the constant challenges. Theo is a quiet and secretly rebellious teenager tired of being put second to his brother's symptoms and embarrassing issues. This family is struggling to stay out of the public eye and have some normalcy, but when Jacob becomes the focus of a police investigation, their world becomes shattered and slowly starts to fall apart.  


Nineteen Minutes and Perfect Match were my first introductions to Picoult's novels. I enjoyed her writing, the twists and turns of her characters/plots, and I thought her ideas flowed easily from page to page. I often think of Picoult's books as beach reads - easy to get through. The author tends to have a formula she uses for her books (Introduction to characters + problem + twist = The End). Picoult's formula seems to be consistent through her books and House Rules is no exception. So if you are familiar with this plot formula, you will not be disappointed. I was looking for something different from her other novels and was hoping this book might be it. If you have any suggestions of other Picoult novels that might be better, please comment on this post to share them!

I am interested in special education, especially understanding autism, which is what pulled me towards this novel. While Picoult seems to have done some research on autism, I do not feel she really portrays a teenager with autism correctly. She takes every severe behavior a child with autism has ever had and bottles them all into Jacobs character. It makes it almost unbelievable. Picoult spends a lot of the book reiterating these behaviors multiple times-to an annoying extent. Due to my background in working with children with autism, I found these paragraphs repetitive. It might be different for someone just learning about autism or Asperger's. My last criticism is that the ending was predictable in the very beginning of the book. I still enjoyed reading it, but it made for a disappointing ending. In an effort to not give anything away, I will not go into more detail.

Overall I still liked the book. It was not one of my favorites, but it had an interesting plot and as always, Picoult really makes you sympathize with her characters. I will try another book by Picoult to see if her formula might be different, but if it continues on the same path as the others, I might be forced to find another author for my "beach reads".

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Up Next: Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom

The Help

by Kathryn Stockett

This book is a wonderful piece of literature that should not be missed. Kathryn Stockett brings readers into Jackson, Mississippi during the 1960s civil rights movement and the relationship between white women and the African American women that served as "the help". This book had a way of enveloped me in the time period and topics written. I can say with complete certainty it has become one of my favorite books.

The book follows three characters, Aibileen and Minny (both black maids) and Skeeter (a young white college graduate). Each of these three women take turns narrating a section at a time. For Aibileen and Minny's sections the author uses a thick dialect which represents the time period. Aibileen is a soft spoken, wise and loving soul who has had some hardships in her life. Minny has a hard time keeping her jobs because she is sassy and speaks her mind. Skeeter is a single, independent and unique young woman who loves and lives for writing. One last big character which seems important to mention is the rude and spoiled Hilly, the queen bee of Jackson, Mississippi. After witnessing some of the racial differences and how "the help" is treated, Skeeter hatches a plan to write a book from the view of these black women. And so the adventure begins...

Having taken college history courses strictly on the 1960s, I was ecstatic of the rich history Stockett provides and small details she uses to make it true to the decade. She mention the famous book Peyton Place, Martin Luther King on several occasions, and women's fashion to name a few. She does explain in a small excerpt at the end of the book that some of the things mentioned, such as Shake-N-Bake chicken weren't introduced until later years and that she included them all the same. The items she took liberties with were so small and inconsequential that it did not disturb the writing or the history of the time period. I only mention this because it has become a large criticism for some readers. While it bothers some, I did not even notice these small discrepancies until I read the note from Stockett.

 This book is intellectually stimulating, consuming, and will leave you wanting more. I cannot stop thinking about it. I loved how history and a good story combined to make this unforgettable work of fiction.

Rating: 5 out of 5

Up Next: House Rules by Jodi Picoult

Tales of the Otherworld

by Kelley Armstrong


    I have read many of Armstrong's books over the past year and I have loved them all. While her themes seem similar to the popular "Twilight" Series (yes I have read them), her books seem much clearer, easier to transition into the fantasy genre, and more grownup in her writing and content. For this reason I prefer her books over the others.
     In this particular book Armstrong is giving her readers some more background into her characters and some untold stories from the series "Women of the Otherworld". This book is compiled of seven supplemental short stories starting with "Rebirth" which reveals how Aaron became a vampire. Next is "Bewitched" which follows the beginning of Kristof Nast and Eve's relationship, "Birthright" how Logan discovers his werewolf past, "Beginnings" the story of Clay and Elena meeting, "Expectations" an investigation completed by Lucas early in his career involving Eve Levine, "Ghosts" a story during the time "Bitten" was written of Jeremy at Stonehaven after he sent Clay and Elena to Toronto, "Wedding Bell Hell" which reveals insights into Lucas and Paige's wedding, and ends with "The Case of El Chupacabra" an exciting case that Lucas and Paige work on together to help Sean Nast.
      It is important that readers read her series "Women of the Otherworld" first before picking up this book. Many details and stories have been explained already-this book just adds more background to the characters lives and past. 
      I honestly can say I liked some stories more than others. While this is usually a case with many short story books by different authors, this has not been the case with Armstrong yet. I am usually so engrossed by her stories a marching band could go through my house and I'd still have my nose in her book. This book however, while I still enjoyed it, I liked it the least out of all of them. I think it was because each story was SO vastly different from the previous one, it was hard to go from one story line/character to another so quickly. In her other book "Men of the Otherworld" it was all based on the werewolf men. This book did not have a central character theme so it was hard to follow and remember all the characters you've basically ever read about in her series. While this was a little disappointing, it is my only complaint. 
     Her writing is fantastic and so easy to follow. I definitely am not into the whole vampire, werewolf fantasy theme generally, but I was surprised at how easily Armstrong is able to convince her readers to become engrossed in her stories. She makes the impossible seem plausible and exciting. I absolutely love this about her. If you are a fan of the "Twilight" series, I can tell you- it gets better. Pick up Kelley Armstrong's book "Bitten" and you will never look back.


Rating: 4 out of 5


Up Next: The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Blaze

By Stephen King

Blaze is a novel centered around a mentally retarded criminal, on his own since the demise of his partner. The book is concentrated on the formation and carrying out of a kidnapping scheme in an effort to score big.

Once again, King does a great job at character development and making the story interesting because of this development. We feel for Blaze as a troubled youth who is slow because of abuse by his father. We learn of his tough life, and how he met George and began his life of crime. There are obvious parallels to the Steinbeck novel, Of Mice and Men. Blaze is a large, dim-witted soul, and similar to Lenny is lost without George. George, even in death, plays a big role in this book by guiding Blaze. Blaze follows Georges plan for wealth by kidnapping the young baby of a wealthy family.

While the main story carries on, we are given a great deal of information on Blaze’s history. This is typical King-style, and connects us further to the character. The story itself is interesting, and the history provided further endears us to Blaze. We are held in suspense as Blaze attempts the kidnapping, and his trouble with the law. With the help of George, he stays one step ahead of the law.

Overall I would recommend this book, especially for the King fans such as myself. It is not a novel that will blow you away, or leaving you at the edge of your seat wondering what is going to happen. Despite this, it is an interesting and well written read.

Rating: 3.5/5 Bunsen Burners.

Up Next: Midnight by Dean Koontz (This is your last chance Dean).

Mr. X

By Peter Straub

First off, I apologize if this review is not as detailed as I would typically write. Having just finished a move, it has been a while since I have read the book. Having immensely enjoyed the collaborative books by Stephen King and Peter Straub, I thought that this book would be a comparable read to what I am used to. Boy was I wrong.

The book revolves around the main character Ned Dunstan and his family. We learn that he was born to a free spirited mother who wasn’t around much, and an unknown father. Because of this he often stayed with foster parents or his aunts. I don’t really remember much detail about this part of the book, and one reason for this is because it was so unimportant. It was not essential to the story and did not help to develop the character or provide insight to the story. The family and friends of the family are so hard to keep track of, I often didn’t know who was talking or being talked about. We also learn that he has supernatural seizures occurring on his birthday about the mysterious Mr. X. The book is further convoluted due to the constant switching between the main story from Ned’s perspective, and Mr. X.

Also, thrown into the story are a few supernatural aspects. The main character has a secret twin brother, who has certain powers (not being easily seen, time travel). The Dunstans have special powers, that are mentioned frequently but not described. (In fact, when these powers are finally explained it leaves you wondering how this even belongs in this book). The book continues slowly revealing the big “mysteries” that the author has created, which are also of little consequence. We follow the trite storyline involving several love interests. One which develops further, but is also incredibly unimportant and uninteresting. Yes, there is a connection…but really who cares. It’s awful.

Most frustrating about this book, aside from the cheesy clichés and the convoluted story, was the ending. We get a conclusion to the “story” and the book basically peters out. It was incredibly unsatisfying and I was pissed by the end of this book.

I am not ready to dismiss Peter Straub, but I can’t help but be unimpressed with him thus far. It made me wonder how much of Black House and The Talisman was actually written by Peter Straub. I hated this book, and would not recommend that you read it. Hopefully I will find a different book by this author and he will be redeemed.

Rating: 1 out of 5 Bunsen Burners

Up Next: Blaze by Stephen King

Barefoot

by Elin Hilderbrand

I had never read a book by this author before- in fact I had never heard of her or her writings. Honestly I picked this book this summer because it went with the season and was $7. I am so glad I did.

This touching book takes place in beautiful Nantucket. The author describes wonderful scenery and beaches that make you yearn for a vacation. The story follows three women: Vicki, a wife and mother, has just recently been diagnosed with lung cancer. Remembering her idyllic summers in Nantucket as a child, she returns there with her two friends to receive her chemotherapy and relax in between treatments. Brenda, Vicki's sister, has just been fired from her teaching position for having a romantic relationship with a student. She is struggling to pick up the pieces from the romance that left her wanting to write a screenplay and dealing with legal issues. Last but not least there is Melanie. Melanie recently found out, after spending years and tons of money spent on trying to get pregnant, that she is. She also finds out that her husband is cheating on her.

These women are all trying to pick up pieces of their once stable lives. Each has their own problems, while trying to help each other, and enjoy a summer vacation in one house. To help Vicki with her kids, especially when she becomes to weak to watch them, the women hire a young 21 year old man named Josh. Josh becomes the last piece in the puzzle to try and help these women regain control of their families and their lives.

When I first started reading this book, I was confused with the characterization and introductions. It seemed very abrupt and almost too much at once. I was certain I wouldn't like this book from the first 20 pages. Hilderbrand keeps the readers interested and develops her characters throughout the book so you end up caring for each of them individually. Anyone who reads this book or is thinking about reading this book should keep in mind that it has very emotional topics. If you are a sensitive person, please be forewarned. I would recommend this book for someone looking for a superb and heartwarming "beach read". Enjoy!

Rating: 4 out of 5

Up Next: Tales of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong

Gerald's Game

by Stephen King

Gerald’s Game is the story of a sexual fantasy gone wrong. After an unexpected incident with her husband, Jessie remains handcuffed to the bedpost. In typical fashion, Stephen King makes something happen in a story where nothing happens. We enter into the mind of Jessie as she deals with her fate, at the same time trying to escape it. We experience thirst, fear, and reflection with Jessie through the author’s spectacular writing.

This book is a very interesting read, and I found myself running the gamut of emotions along with Jessie. I was thirsty, terrified, and in cringe-worthy agony. What I didn’t expect was what we learn from Jessie’s periods of introspection. These parts of the book were also very well written, and were practically a story in itself. What I mean by this is that many elements of this book could have stood alone as separate stories. It is almost as if a short story could be written about A, B, and C. This is not meant to imply that the story did not fit well together, rather that each facet of the story was sufficiently developed that it could have been a story unto itself.

At the same time, my one critique would have to be with the ending. I’m always afraid that with these reviews I’m going to reveal too much about the book. In addition, I don’t want to discourage anyone from reading it by saying I am unhappy with the ending. Regardless, the ending was very weak. In fact, it was the only part of the book that seemed disjointed and disconnected from the actual story. It was unnecessary, and didn’t really tie things up. There are some issues that are not resolved, but I can’t say that I really noticed initially.

Overall this book was very well written, and the action keeps going throughout. (I have to laugh when I say action since the book is about a woman chained to a bed). Aside from some disturbing material, I would definitely recommend this book.

Rating: 4 out of 5 Bunsen Burners

Up Next: Mr. X by Peter Straub

Men of the Otherworld

by Kelley Armstrong

While Armstrong's series "Women of the Otherworld" is quite popular, this book is not part of this series, but rather a supplement to help readers know more about the characters. While the "Women of the Otherworld" series is dominated by female protagonists (as the review before this points out), this book helps readers understand and learn about the men in her series. Primarily focused on the men in the "Pack" (i.e. the werewolves). Finally a book that not only answers age old questions like, "How did Clay become a werewolf and become in Jeremy's care? Why does Jeremy have such a different demeanor?", but a book that is also from the men's point of views!

This story is compiled of four short stories. Armstrong apparently had these written as an e-series and eventually made into a book with more detail. The four stories are: Infusion, Savage, Ascension, and Kitsunegari. Infusion is the first story and answers some questions about Jeremy's family and past. Told from the point of view of his father Malcolm, this sets the mood and helps to understand Jeremy's character even more. Savage and Ascension are all from the point of view of Clay Danvers. We follow Clay from when he was bitten as a child to his life in his later years. It covers his first meeting with Jeremy, introduction into the Pack, his adventures, and friendships/enemies. This book is rich with detail that only help you love him even more as a character. Kitsunegari is told from the perspective of Jeremy and reveals what his mother was before she met her sad end.

Kelley Armstrong is a very strong writer and I so enjoy reading her books. Although I wouldn't have chosen this series or these topics on my own, I am so glad I was introduced to them. Her descriptions are fantastic and don't keep you wondering. Armstrong has a way that make such complex topics very easy to follow. I finish her books way too quickly!! I find myself upset when I have to put her books down and think about them until I can pick it back up wondering what will happen next. Armstrong's strength and interest is clearly writing about the werewolves. These books are so much stronger then the others.

My one complaint about this book is the final story Kitsunegari. Once I was introduced to Clay as the narrator and protagonist I didn't want it to stop. Kitsunegari seemed to break the flow of the book by changing it to Jeremy's point of view. It also was a less interesting topic even though it covered some needed information about Jeremy's character. While it answered these questions I would have much rather had it presented in a different way or brought up in one of the other books. It seemed a very awkward way to finish the book.

Overall this book was very interesting and I loved it! Kelley Armstrong hasn't let me down yet!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Up Next: Barefoot by Elin Hilderbrand

Spell Bound

by Kelley Armstrong

Continuing where we left off at the end of Waking the Witch, Spell Bound is the 12th book in Kelley Armstrong's 'Women of the Otherworld' series which follows several female protagonists (Elena, Paige, Eve, Jaime, Savannah, and Hope) as they face the perils of being supernaturals (a werewolf, a witch, a half-demon/witch now deceased, a necromancer, a witch/sorcerer, and a half-demon respectively).

Savannah has just completed her first assignment on her own and has been left powerless. Literally. Then she discovers there are several people on her tail and she has no way to defend herself. As the book progresses, we find out there is more to what's going on than meets the eye. A war is on the way and everyone Savannah knows is in danger.

Kelley Armstrong's writing style is extremely appealing and easy to follow. Her world is so descriptive that the reader has no trouble visualizing what's going on. The language she uses feels completely natural to each character and to the reader as well. Many of the exchanges between the characters caused me to laugh out loud (particularly the dialogues between Savannah and Cassandra, the aging vampire).

Armstrong's female characters are strong and powerful even without their supernatural prowess. Despite their strengths, each of them is fallible and 'human.' They are easy to relate to and act like any other person you might meet. The characters and the world they reside in are believable despite the fantasy setting.

If I had to voice a complaint about this book, it would be that it ended too quickly. ;) Firstly, I had difficulty putting it down and finished it in less than a week (I was pacing myself too!). Secondly, the entire course of events does not end at the completion of the book. Several questions are not answered and some things are left unresolved. This book is the first in the series that really doesn't end when you reach the final pages. There is more to come and I cannot wait to read it. And that is probably the only other disappointing portion of this book; that the next one won't be out for some time!

I give this book 4.5 out of 5 Wheeks!

Up next. . .I have no idea. I'm sort of out of reading material right now.

The Gunslinger

By Stephen King

The first book of Stephen King’s magnum opus focuses on Roland Deschain, as he tracks down the infamous “Man in Black.” This books serves as our first introduction to Roland and his World. We learn how Roland became a gunslinger, what he is pursuing (the Dark Tower), and the author starts introducing the important themes of the series.

The book begins with Roland pursuing the “Man in Black” across a vast desert. It is yet another example of one of the author’s favorite themes: walking. As he tracks the villain, he meets a few people in the desert. Through flashback, we also get to hear a little about Roland’s past and some of the supernatural encounters in the previous town of Tull. There is also a great deal of foreshadowing in this book, preparing the reader for what is going to happen in the remaining six books as he continues to pursue the “Dark Tower”.

Overall, I liked this book a great deal. It is full of action, and does a great job of building the story and making you want more. As always, Stephen King does a great job at developing his characters while leaving out enough information to keep you wondering.

This book is a terrific read, not only because the series is great, but also because it opens the door for further understanding of his other novels. (The Dark Tower, and the Crimson King are overarching themes of many of his books). I would definitely recommend this book for someone looking for a science fiction novel with a great deal of action.

Rating: 4.5/5 Bunsen Burners

Up Next: Gerald’s Game by Stephen King

A Bend in the Road

by Nicholas Sparks

Nicholas Sparks is an author my mom introduced me to in high school. Being an impressionable romantic I absolutely loved his books. I was captivated by The Notebook, closely followed by A Walk to Remember. I absolutely adored them both and they were such page turners. As I opened up this book I was hoping it would turn out the same.

A Bend in the Road has the typical Nicholas Sparks formula: love and tragedy. It follows the story of Miles Ryan, a deputy sheriff, who lost his wife Missy to a car accident. Miles falls in love with his son’s teacher, Sarah Andrews, his first possible love interest since the accident. Sarah is recovering from a terrible divorce. Miles constant obsession with finding the driver that killed his wife, threatens to dissolve this romance, as does a looming secret.

This book, similar to a winding road, has many twists and turns. The constants are the characters-you will enjoy them and root for Sarah and Mile’s love. Sparks tends to always make the subject of family a part of his writing. Whether it is a close family or a family that does not get along, he makes it an interesting part of his books. This book is no different.   I found Jonah, the son, endearing and really relished the moments when Miles and Jonah were the subject of certain chapters. Nicholas Sparks does a commendable job in making readers care for his characters.

While this book had many decent attributes, it had a few things I did not like as well. This book is very much a “beach read”. I consider a “beach read” to be anything that doesn’t involve a ton of thinking and is a book that will pass the time easily and with a smile on my face.  Keeping this in mind, pick this book to be exactly that. Don’t anticipate a book that keeps you guessing or keeps you trying to remember facts from college. This book is a bit predictable and I often found myself rushing through passages because I knew what would happen. There were a few unpredictable moments but not many.

I would recommend this book as a fast read. Something not to spend too much money on and something to help you distract yourself from a 3 hour plane ride or road trip.

Rating: 3.5 out of 5

Coming Soon: Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong

The Only Dog Tricks Book You'll Ever Need: Impress Friends, Family--and Other Dogs!

by Gerilyn J. Bielakiewicz

This book is a great introduction to the joys of clicker training your dog. The author spends a good portion of the pages defining the ins and outs of clicker training. She even goes over how to train basic tricks like sit, down, and stay using the clicker. The book gives you a strong foundation in clicker training to build on by the time you get to more complex tricks and behaviors.

That being said, for me, the book spent too much time on the basics and not enough time on training more complex behaviors. I'm already quite experienced using the clicker and many of the tricks in the book I have already trained my dog how to do. I did, however, get a lot out of it and would definitely recommend this book to others. Especially novice trainers who do not have a lot of background in the finer points of clicker training.

The book is well-written and easy to follow. The author outlines the way she trains the behaviors in a nice, step-by-step process. She even goes on to describe many of the activities you can get involved in with your dog if you find training to be a lot of fun for you both. Some of this information is out of date (AKC does allow mixed breeds to compete now and she only lists 2 of the 3 canine freestyle organizations) but all one needs to do is look online for more information on the various activities.

I would recommend this book to anyone who is interested in training their dog how to perform crowd-pleasing tricks or needs a quick introduction to clicker training.

I give it 4 out of 5 Wheeks.

Up next, Spellbound by Kelley Armstrong

Hearts in Atlantis

By Stephen King 


Being a huge Stephen King fan, there are only a few novels of his that I haven’t perused as of yet. This is one of them, and another example of one of his books that has been made into a movie. 


 This book consisted of multiple stories, which are tied together by similar characters. The stories take place along a timeline encompassing the youth, adolescence, adulthood, and old age of the characters involved. The crux of the novel ends up being the Vietnam War and the events surrounding it. 


 I guess the best place to start with my review is to talk about what I liked about this book. As always, Stephen King does a great job about making you feel for the characters and developing the emotional state of each of them. I loved the first and second part of the book, and the rest was definitely readable (saved perhaps only by Mr. King’s writing style).


What I didn’t like about this book, as I have eluded to was the rest of the stories. First off, I was so interested in the first main character (Bobby) that I didn’t feel satiated once his story was over. Mr. King eluded to a number of things that were to happen in Bobby’s life, that I almost wish that he would have just written the rest of the book about these events. Instead, we are taken to the next story, somewhat rudely I might add. The final 3 stories were interesting of course, but nowhere near as gripping as the first two. It almost even feels like they were included, and changed appropriately to fit in with the rest of the story. I was also very disappointed with the conclusion of the book, and didn’t really feel like all the loose ends were tied up. 


An additional complaint I will submit, is that this book will make more sense to a seasoned King-reader due to his references to his ubiquitous villain, The Crimson King. There are several elements which are commonplace in many of his books, which will be missed by the casual reader. 


Overall this book was a good read, and it did get me interested in Vietnam (the war, the times, etc.). However, I feel that the author could have done more with some of the stories, and way less with others (even not including them). 


Rating: 3/5 Bunsen Burners


Next:  The Gunslinger by Stephen King

Hearts in Atlantis

by Stephen King

Although I am not a huge fan of Stephen King, every once in a while I will pick up one of his novels and give it a go. His descriptions, vivid detail, and ways of bringing his characters to life make him worth trying. Even if you just try one of his books.

This book is broken into five different stories. Although they each have their own main character, all of these stories are intertwined with the three main characters that are introduced in the first story. King manages to tangle magic, love, and tragedy throughout the stories as well. Hearts in Atlantis starts in the year 1960 with three childhood friends, Bobby Garfield, Carol Gerber, and John Sullivan. This story follows these friends through a life changing summer: Bobby’s mom rents an apartment to an elderly man (Ted) who Bobby becomes friends with. It is through this companionship that this first part really takes off. Bobby and Ted’s relationship is endearing and wonderful. You immediately become attached to their bond and their friendship. This first story is full of wonderful moments that are so like all of our lives it will make you remember childhood stories and similar memories.  

The other four stories continue through different years: 1966, 1983, the next two in 1999. These follow different characters through various stages of their lives. While the story develops the characters, King also includes history of the times. The first follows a college student on campus during the Vietnam War. It follows the protesting and political views of the times. It is obvious through this section that King stays true to the history of the time period throughout his writing of this book. The 1983 story follows the story of a Vietnam vet and his days/struggles after the war. The first 1999 section follows former child John Sullivan, as he attends a funeral of one of his fellow soldiers in Vietnam and the second 1999 section returns the focus on Bobby later in his life.

Unfortunately, while in the literary sense the book delivered, the actual content of these last stories were disappointing. While I appreciated them for their authentic history content, I truly felt much more emotionally attached to the first section and its characters. I felt that so many subjects and questions I had were unanswered at the end of this book. Despite this I would still urge others to read this book as it is a wonderful source of content for Vietnam, protesting, realistic childhood memories, and tragedy-it is the first section that keeps me thinking about this novel and would be the reason I would pass it along to someone else. Even if you read each section as individual short stories.

Rating: 3 out of 5


Next: A Bend in the Road -Nicholas Sparks

The Things They Carried

by Tim O'Brien

Ever since reading Hearts in Atlantis (review soon to be published) I have taken a great interest in the Vietnam War. While this conflict did not affect me directly, it was present during the lives of my parents. Couple this with the old adage "those who do not learn from history are bound to repeat it," and that is all the explanation needed.

This book is an informative look at the day to day activities of soldiers out humping, and also an unflinching look at some of the more unsavory aspects of war. The author, a Vietnam Veteran, describes what it was like "in the green" very well. He identifies himself as an author, and does not deny that some stories have been altered for readability. Overall he tells stories that are sometimes hard to hear, but really deserve the opportunity to be heard.

This book was very different from what I am used to reading, a combination of firsthand account and slight embellishment by the author. Being a fairly short book and very interesting, I breezed through it in a few days. My only complaint is not really a complaint at all. When I got the book, I was craving much more of a history lesson. This book did not address a number of things about the war that still exist as a gap in my knowledge. I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for an account of the Vietnam War from a Veteran. It truly is crazy what these men went through, and his account makes understanding these soldiers much easier.

Rating: 4/5 Bunsen Burners

Coming Up: The Gunslinger by Stephen King

Forbidden Research

by Howard Simon, M.D.

In the vein of Michael Crichton, Forbidden Research combines science and medicine in a story that both educates and entertains. The story involves a team of surgeons and their residents who are concerned about their lives and livelihood when an extreme animal rights group starts attacking various labs and researchers. The animal rights group opposes all animal-based research and is systematically trying to eliminate it by employing various modes of terrorism. The FBI gets involved to fish out which organization is behind the attacks before all the research labs decide to close and doctors lose one of their important methods of research.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. The characters were well fleshed out and developed to the point that you cared about what happened to them. My only criticism about the characters, however, is that there were so many of them. I had some difficulty keeping track of certain ones and, after having put the book down for a day, often asked myself "Who is that again?" when I came upon one of the supporting characters. While it was enlightening to learn about the other doctors and staff at the hospital, many of them were not essential to the plot and could have been eliminated without the story suffering.

I also found some of the additional subplots unnecessary. They really didn't add much to the main plot or the characters aside from a bit more introduction to certain character flaws. The book would have still been successful without them.

The language in this book was easy to read however, if you haven't taken a biology class or caught reruns of ER recently, you might get a bit lost in some of the medical terminology. While the author does explain some of the more complex terms (like the medical term for gall bladder removal: cholecystectomy), other terms are simply left undefined.

As the book drew to a close, it became quite a page turner. I was surprised at one of the developments but a bit disappointed with another. It seemed like it would be a foregone conclusion, however, given the nature of the surgeons' research.

I would rate this book 3 out of 5 Wheeks. It was an entertaining read but not a book I would read repeatedly.

Up next: The Only Dog Tricks Book You'll Ever Need: Impress Friends, Family--and Other Dogs! by Gerilyn J. Bielakiewicz

Dead or Alive

by Tom Clancy


Like most Tom Clancy books (Hunt for Red October, Clear and Present Danger, The Sum of all Fears, Debt of Honor, Executive Orders, Rainbow Six, etc) this one does a marvelous job of keeping you on the edge of your seat. It is a typical Clancy with the usual characters: Jack Ryan, his son Jack Jr., CIA agents John Clark and Ding Chavez, Dominic and Brian Caruso, and the normal supporting cast of intelligence and operative players. Like most Clancy books it will take 200 pages to set the stage for the story, 500 for it to marinate and 200 more to crescendo and conclude.
Published in 2010, Dead or Alive is the story of the US Government hunting down the international terrorist called the Emir (a thinly disguised Bin Ladin). It was written and published before Bin Laden's killing but the plot line is eerily similar to what actually occurred. In Clancy's case, the Emir is hiding in plain sight but even closer to "home" planning his next major attack on the US.
If you haven't read any Clancys I would start with Clear and Present (assuming you've seen the movie Hunt for Red October) and read the five mentioned in the opening of this posting. That is but 5 of 15 in the series but they will give you all the background you need to thoroughly enjoy Dead or Alive.


I give it a 4 of 5 rating.

Falling

by Christopher Pike

I read my first Christopher Pike book in middle school for a book report. The book was The Cold One, and it was honestly a bit above my age. Thankfully, having waited 10 plus years has given Mr. Pike (or rather Kevin McFadden) a chance to write some more books. Unfortunately, it seems that he is better known for his young adult literature, so he only has about 4 more books.

Falling is a novel centered around 2 main characters, Kelly the FBI agent and Matt the jilted lover. This book has been compared to Silence of the Lambs in some reviews, so to get us moving along the right path we'll stick with that.

The story focuses on several crimes, most importantly the serial killer the "Acid Man" and a plot to fake one's death. Mr. Pike does a great job at getting you into his characters' heads and understanding their motivation. The intense scenes were so powerful, I couldn't put the book down until I found out what was going to happen.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and greedily sped through the 400 pages. The action was fast paced, and for the most part believable. The greatest compliment I can give to the author is that he does not overextend himself. Like a monster movie that shows too much of the hokey creature, it can be easy for an author to delve too deeply into a topic which they are unfamiliar. This is a killer for me, and will often lead me to become detached an incredulous about the story.

I look forward to have the opportunity to read another book by this author and would highly recommend this to someone looking for a thriller/crime type of book.

Rating: 4/5 bunsen burners

Coming up: The Things They Carried by Tim O'Brien

Wesley the Owl: The Remarkable Love Story of an Owl and His Girl

by Stacey O'Brien


While I normally choose fiction books when picking a literature genre, a close friend gave me this book to read saying, "Just try it". I read it in 2 days. While it is a shorter book than I would have liked, it is rich with emotion and fascinating owl facts. You will often find yourself thinking, "I didn't know that!" or "Really?".


This book is a lovely memoir of O'Brien and her 19 year journey taking care of an owlet that came into her care at just 4 days old. Being a biologist and researcher, O'Brien was concise and informational with this book-she has a wealth of knowledge for you to soak up and enjoy. Her emotional connection with Wesley and their devotion to one another was one of a kind. She documents his intelligence, emotions, actions, and their close bond with vivid description. O'Brien also includes pictures of Wesley at different points throughout his life to help enhance the book. You will absolutely fall in love and be envious of their story.


My few negative criticisms of the book are minor. O'Brien is a writer who loves to detail everything, almost to a fault. She gives you not only the endearing and adorable memories, but also the gross and disgusting. Some might say it was unnecessary. While it was shocking at first just how in depth she went, she tells you everything. It is raw and very real. Take it or leave it.


If you are an animal lover of any kind, you will enjoy this book. If you do not know about or think much of birds, this will definitely change your mind. I would highly recommend it.


Rating: 4 out of 5


Up Next: Hearts in Atlantis by Stephen King

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War

by Max Brooks

Let me begin by making a statement or two and saying this: I love the walking dead and almost any medium that they are present in. However, I am also very picky about my undead, in that they must have certain attributes that in the last couple of decades, most have lost. To me there is nothing scarier, more terrifying then a traditional Romero zombie. The slow and methodical shamble, the glassy lifeless look in their eyes and the unmistakable guttural moan that escapes their cracked, blood stained lips when they come across food, ie. the living, at the same time gives me goosebumps and also makes me wish that my crowbar was closer at hand.

So after reading The Zombie Survival Guide, also by Max Brooks, and finding that there was another living soul who shared my enthusiasm for this specific walking blight, needless to say I was elated. That feeling doubled after reading the preview for World War Z at the end of the Survival Guide, so much so that I pre-ordered the book on Amazon and counted the days and paced in my room till it shipped, much like a WoW player does waiting for the next expansion. (If you haven't figured it out by now, yes this is written several years after the hard copy was printed, and yes this moment is a bit of a flashback, and finally yes I do realize that the first WoW expansion didn't ship till after the book came out but I have seen WoW players pace and rant about expansions so take it easy!)

After waiting for what seemed like forever and re-reading the Survival Guide several times, a few of those while in the john, my hard cover arrived. Admittedly I was very fearful that a subject such as this, the zombie apocalypse, could ever meet my lofty expectations. However, my fears of disappointment were soon put to rest, as Max delivered on all levels and hit on issues that I hadn’t even thought to consider. Most notably of which is how the virus spreads so quickly around the world. I had always thought that the spreading of the virus would be rather simple: zombie bites human, human turns, rinse and repeat. However Max takes the whole idea of infection to a whole new level and leaves you with the realization that how the virus spreads worldwide is so much more complex. And this is just in the opening chapters of the book. Which brings me to an issue that is bound to annoy some people: chapters. Seeing as Max chose to write this as an “oral history of the zombie war”, there are no real chapters so to speak of. Instead the book is separated into sections each representing the different phases of the war, from infection to panic to resistance. Each section is then divided into interviews of various lengths with various people, which range from ordinary civilians to war criminals to soldiers and even to astronauts aboard the ISS. Now to some people that I've spoken to about the book, they find that the lack of a true main character and storyline is a problem and is the books main weakness. I on the other hand find this format to be the best, and perhaps the only, way to truly tell this story. Sure you won’t remember the name of every person that's interviewed, but that doesn't mean that they weren’t memorable, because its not so much as their name that's important as it is their story. Where were they? What did they do? How did they survive? Those are the important questions in the end and ones that Max answers repeatedly, and with truly horrifying visuals, that are really important.

Its those questions that left me wanting more. More adventures of survival; of the average joe rising to the occasion to defend his family. More views of our current society; and how it crumbles under the weight of the rotting undead foot. And most of all; I wanted more stories of how we rose up from the defiled Earth and retook what was ours, how we reclaimed our position as the dominate life form on this planet. And that's probably the greatest aspect of this book, that nagging feeling of wanting to know more. Which to me is what separates the great books from the mediocre. So overall even if your not a huge fan of the creeping death, I would still recommend this book to anyone as its just an amazing concept brought vividly to life, err death? I’m not really sure, but you get the idea. READ THIS BOOK!

And always make sure your crowbar is close at hand.

Rating: 4 out of 5 DAWG Bones

Up next: The Hunger Games Trilogy by Suzanne Collins

Reading now: Atlas Shrugged by Ayn Rand

Next

by Michael Crichton

I have read a number of books by Michael Crichton and I think it is safe to say that my expectations for this novel were high. Probably too high.Next is a science fiction type novel, with some grounding in reality. I expected a book in the same vein as Jurassic Park and Terminal Man, a fictional story with strong scientific support for credibility/feasibility. However, this novel seemed to strike me as more paranoia than probability. I feel at this time there are two possibilities to consider with respect to this book. Either the author is attempting to give extreme examples to this topic to generate dialogue about where we could end up or he is writing this book about how he perceives the world and where we are heading. Regardless of what target Mr. Crichton was shooting for, I think he missed.
My second major complaint, is that the story was very confusing and hard to follow in the way that it was written. There are something like 10 main characters that are introduced and we are supposed to remember. While the chapters are short, he often will talk about the story arc of one character and wait several chapters to get back to them. Couple this with all the ancillary characters in the book, and I could never remember who he was talking about and what their problem was.
Now, despite the heavy criticism I have unloaded on this novel, I must say that I did enjoy reading it. I have always appreciated an intelligent novel and I think that everyone would agree that genetic engineering is a controversial topic. Overall it was intriguing to think about where we are going as a society and near the end of the book Mr. Crichton began to bring up some controversial (judicial) practices. These practices were then addressed by the author during the "author's note." If you are a fan of Michael Crichton, I would recommend this book, especially since we won't be getting any new novels from him any time soon.
Rating: 3/5 bunsen burners.
Coming up: Falling by Christopher Pike

Fear of the Animal Planet: The Hidden History of Animal Resistance

by Jason Hribal

I picked this book up from a local bookstore because it was under the section of “Employees Recommendations”. Due to its controversial animal topics I decided on a whim to take it home and read it. This book had the interesting premise of looking at animal liberation and the mistreatment of animal in circuses, zoos, animal theme parks, etc. 

The introduction, written by Jeffrey St. Clair, is a fascinating look at the way animals were treated after attacking humans (starting in the mid 1400s). He discusses that back then, animals were even placed on trial and hung due to their crimes and that these trials were taken seriously by courts and the people. He goes on to describe some of these trial specifics and stories in history for majority of the introduction. This section is captivating and very well written. 

As far as Hribal's book, some of the stories were fascinating and believable. Most of the stories, however, are troublesome and brutal which make it hard for anyone who loves and adores animals to read. The main point that the author is trying to get across is that animals are as emotionally and intellectually as capable to feel neglect, mistreatment, abuse, and as vengeful as any human. A premise that most, I believe, would find compelling.

While this book did have many interesting stories, there were many things that made it become discredited and "unreadable" in my eyes. The grammar and spelling were atrocious. Errors were made consistently, which in some chapters, made his points on the edge of being unintelligible. I thought this book would pick a few main stories and dive deep into reliable sources surrounding the cases, produce both sides of thinking, and come up with the conclusion supporting the main plot point. Instead this book was a list of one story after another of animal mistreatment/abuse. The author would begin a chapter with a main story about a particular animal, type a bit about it, switch to multiple smaller stories, then come back to the main story at the end of the chapter. It was the same organization in every chapter. Meanwhile, the only thing the reader has to remember the animal he was talking about originally, is it's name. This book is full of different animals and their names, did he honestly expect us to remember them ALL? 

I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quick and selective read: meaning you are willing to select certain portions of the book and disregard the rest of it (grammatical and spelling errors too!). The subject matter is thought-provoking and enthralling, but Hribal just does not deliver. I thought most of the stories were gripping and heartbreaking, but that with such a large controversial subject, there should have been much more substance and factual arguments to aid in his writing. 

Rating:  3     (out of 5)

STAY TUNED!!  

I am currently reading Stephen King's Hearts in Atlantis   Review will be up soon!