tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-25894797498962206492024-03-05T22:50:32.020-05:00JaSexxy's Sexxy Book BlogThis is my first blog ever and of course it had to be about books! I also will be talking about movies and TV shows. I hope you find my blog witty, funny, informative and fun. I encourage everyone to share their favourite books, quotes, reviews and whatever else strikes your fancy. Stay Booked! Happy Reading!JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-75943366747728861612021-07-26T22:39:00.003-04:002021-07-26T22:41:23.486-04:00Rage: A Story of One Fan’s Quest to Buy, well, Rage Told in two parts…<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0VrssygycogsB8vOLts4HSPUjQte-0OhGETMxvPBLJybLQukpV-mARnaSlxc2AjhrjGZ2uCjA8_ioAqBCvI8nM7Y9BtPkMP8x5c73-ktUmMxisXcs-H8CZs3RKZk4IfiUIS-Ar9WQU55/s2048/96C9515B-502F-4A17-AA81-AB1D69A90E74.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1409" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjw0VrssygycogsB8vOLts4HSPUjQte-0OhGETMxvPBLJybLQukpV-mARnaSlxc2AjhrjGZ2uCjA8_ioAqBCvI8nM7Y9BtPkMP8x5c73-ktUmMxisXcs-H8CZs3RKZk4IfiUIS-Ar9WQU55/s320/96C9515B-502F-4A17-AA81-AB1D69A90E74.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Part I: Background Story, and the Search</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I went on a small Bachman kick earlier this year. I audio-read The Long Walk, and The Running Man, respectively. Leaving Rage, and, Roadwork as the only two (early) Bachman Books I have not read. I wanted to read them, but I was unable to find Rage at my library or on Audible. I eventually gave up and subsequently forgot about it until someone—from the U.K., I believe—in a Stephen King fan group I’m in posted about Rage not being in print anymore and almost impossible to get. Prior to my reading the individuals’ post on Rage, I honestly had no idea that King decided to pull Rage from print. I wasn’t sure if this was the case just in the U.K. or here in the states too. I went on a search for it on Amazon, y nada. eBay, had some but in poor quality and high-priced—$50-$200. The better quality ones were even more ridiculously high-priced—$300-$1000. Then I remembered my wife had sent me a link once to a website called, Abe Books.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">As stated on their website:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">“AbeBooks is an online marketplace for books. Millions of brand new books, used books, rare books, and out-of-print books are offered for sale through the AbeBooks websites from thousands of booksellers around the world. Readers can find bestsellers, collectors can find rare books, students can find new and used textbooks, and treasure hunters can find long-lost books.” (I will post link in comments) So, I gave them a go. And lo’ and behold, I found multiple options for The Bachman Books. I had to wade through the options to ensure I got the best condition at the best price. Quite a few were “library editions”, which I don’t like. Others had “markings” “highlights” inside the book. Again, no me gusta. I found one with the description, “great condition. May be a library edition”. I was like, you don’t know? So I messaged the seller. Response came within 24hrs. It was a library edition. Dang it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Then I found one that said some wear on spine and front cover, no markings inside book, no mention of being a former library book. AND the price was reasonable (with free shipping. WOOT!)—$36 w/tax. I ordered it 7.19 and got it today. As you can see the exterior is not perfect, but for a used OOP book, it could be worse. The spine is in good condition. Some wear but not horrible. The inside is perfect. Not a single mar or page bent or torn. Overall I’m quite happy with it.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Part II: The Why</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">So, having received my wonderful new breasure, (book-treasure), I realized I never found out the full story as to why King decided to pull Rage from circulation. I knew it was b/c of school shootings, but I didn’t know the full story. And even more shocking, I realized I didn’t even know what Rage was about. I know, WTAF, right?!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Rage synopsis: A disturbed high-school student with authority problems kills one of his teachers and takes the rest of his class hostage.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Since it’s publication (1977), it was a controversial story. But the controversy took a dramatic, and tragic, turn in the 80’s. In ‘88 a student in CA took his humanities class hostage, citing he got the idea from Rage. There would be 3 more school events—shootings and hostages—where in all cases the culprit owned a copy of Rage. It was the last event in 1997 that made King decide to pull the book from circulation.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">In ‘97 a “Kentucky 14-year-old fired on a prayer group at his school, killing three, while a copy of "Rage" was in his locker.”</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">King did not believe his novel alone caused the school shootings, but he regarded Rage as a “possible accelerant” affecting troubled people w/psychological problems.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Quote from King: “I pulled it because in my judgment it might be hurting people, and that made it the responsible thing to do,” King wrote.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I will post a link to the story in the comments.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I wanted this book b/c I am a huge SK fan. I didn’t seek it b/c I wanted something controversial, or for some morbid satisfaction. It was more b/c as an avid fan the thought of not owning, or reading, something by King was, in all honesty, depressing.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I love that this book has made its way home to my collection. It was Ka.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">I look forward to reading ‘Rage’, and ‘Roadwork’.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">AbeBooks:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.abebooks.com/">https://www.abebooks.com/</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">SK on Rage:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.businessinsider.com/school-shootings-drove-stephen-king-to-take-rage-off-shelves-2014-3%3famp">https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.businessinsider.com/school-shootings-drove-stephen-king-to-take-rage-off-shelves-2014-3%3famp</a></div></div>JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-64220232090621875562021-05-12T22:27:00.000-04:002021-05-12T22:27:54.871-04:00Audiobook: The Running Man by Richard Bachman (SK)<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfFVrHU4fnk2ksXCd34fqzNMDZQguxL4uOQXiGQpiPyom0_x94HlXrmWTd2iy8viKEtKJjCtCb6l90m_qsIp7SqipFMLUpBHZYLTmsopnCI_-OwKXBiDWUr_VCZ4u-CW2jVUly_52ZlkB/s1125/3828D43F-20BF-49E2-A1C7-F773B3A94E7D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1122" data-original-width="1125" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAfFVrHU4fnk2ksXCd34fqzNMDZQguxL4uOQXiGQpiPyom0_x94HlXrmWTd2iy8viKEtKJjCtCb6l90m_qsIp7SqipFMLUpBHZYLTmsopnCI_-OwKXBiDWUr_VCZ4u-CW2jVUly_52ZlkB/s320/3828D43F-20BF-49E2-A1C7-F773B3A94E7D.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p>I’m on a Bachman kick of late. Read The Long Walk a few weeks ago, and now The Running Man. The only Bachman book I had ever read previously, and this was years ago, was Thinner. Absolutely loved it. For years I’ve been saying I need to read the rest of the so-called “Bachman books” but for some reason I just never did.</p><p>Sexxy Review: This book was a surprise for me. Having seen and enjoyed the movie—years ago—I was expecting something similar. The book and movie are worlds apart. That’s not to say I didn’t enjoy the book. I did. Just in a different way than I enjoyed the movie. Though the novel had inflections of King, it was not a typical King novel. I honestly kept thinking I was listening to a Philip K. Dick novel. It was like a Richard K(ing) Dick novel. So, very cool.</p><p>Three of the biggest disparities (there’s a 4th but it’s a spoiler), are: </p><p>1. The contestants aren’t necessarily criminals. They’re everyday shlubs who interviewed to be on the show.</p><p>2. They aren’t confined to a closed set/course. The “Runners” are out in the real world, no boundaries. They can go anywhere. Even fly to different states.</p><p>3. The “Hunters” are mentioned but not featured or fleshed out, save one, the lead Hunter, Evan McCone. And he isn’t featured or fleshed out much. Shows up towards the end. The police are the main antagonist. And the network.</p><p>Character disparities: </p><p>1. Killian, played wonderfully by the late Richard Dawson in the movie, was a black man in the novel. And he wasn’t the emcee of the show. He was more of a producer. Personality-wise, both movie and novel character are in synch.</p><p>2. Ben Richards, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the movie, did not resemble, in either physique or personality to novel Richards. Novel Richards (NR) pyshique is lean, disheveled and worn to movie Richards (MR) clean-cut, bulky buff muscley frame. </p><p>NR is a nobody, unemployed, disheveled, and desperate, but smart.</p><p>MR is a cop, respected until he goes against the killing of innocent citizens. </p><p>NR is married (his wife is a prostitute) and has a daughter—who is sick w/influenza or some lung disease. Which is why he goes on the show. He wants to win the money to pay for doctors & treatment for her.</p><p>MR is single and childless and goes on the show b/c he was a prisoner and that’s how they treat criminals.</p><p>Novel Richards persona differs greatly from movie Richards. NR is a self-centered asshole with anger issues. He has moments of empathy, very light empathy. He puts others at risk, is rude and dickish. Not a very likable person.</p><p>MR has morals, and believes in doing the right thing and sacrificing himself for others.</p><p>3. Amber Mendez, played by Maria Conchita Alonso in the movie resembled novel Mendez personality, somewhat. In the movie her character is in almost the whole thing. Novel Amber is only in the last 20-30% of the book. She’s more of a convenience character.</p><p>Sub-characters are way off so I’m not even gonna get into it. The novel had some interesting and likable supporting characters. But only 1 or 2 were really given any depth. The rest were mentions or had shallow bios. In fact there is a serious lack of character development that is very un-King.</p><p>Audio review: The narrator, Kevin Kenerly, was awesome! I thought his reading, inflections, energy, and style were all perfect. Really brought the story and characters to life. I’m gonna look up more audiobooks by him.</p><p>Overall: Once I was able to purge the movie from my mind, I really enjoyed the novel. As I said already, it’s not a typical King novel. Which I keep saying even though I know it’s a Bachman-style novel. I think reading The Long Walk before Running Man helped me adjust to that. I liked the dystopian sci-fi aspect, and murderous game shows. Would’ve loved more in-depth character development and def more on the Hunters.</p><p>Final word: Out of the 4 original Bachman books, I still have Rage, and Roadwork left to read. Looking forward to them.</p><p>My rating for The Running Man: *📚📚📚📚</p><p>*trying a new rating system</p>JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-90721245289399038572021-05-10T23:50:00.000-04:002021-05-10T23:50:13.098-04:00Final Girls by Riley Sager<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHu1-gZjR_o7_j8Nhccfu16UlrGPWWrnDzmb6GEB3rbNKtAyCL4cRu-63v2VkrEYWPvEQJrSDXsqM04XccJSaMW3uaNDghf8ZyrZvi9C4B21nqexWZBL2wOJC97Ruks4B0RKt1eHPBHEV/s999/560FC5E0-7E1E-4ED8-A2D5-0A7355040C6D.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="999" data-original-width="772" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwHu1-gZjR_o7_j8Nhccfu16UlrGPWWrnDzmb6GEB3rbNKtAyCL4cRu-63v2VkrEYWPvEQJrSDXsqM04XccJSaMW3uaNDghf8ZyrZvi9C4B21nqexWZBL2wOJC97Ruks4B0RKt1eHPBHEV/s320/560FC5E0-7E1E-4ED8-A2D5-0A7355040C6D.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px;"><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px;"><br /></span></p>3 1/2 stars. Another enjoyable, if not predictable and at times bordering absurd, fhriller (fluff-thriller) by Riley Sager. This is my 2nd novel by Sager—Lock Every Door being the first. I feel the same way about Final as I do about Lock, they’re both entertaining. In the same way most action movies are fun, exciting, & thrilling, but lack depth and substance—so too are Sager’s novels.</span><p></p><p><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px;">“Final” was a cool nod to 80’s slasher flicks with a mystery whodunnit twist. It’s a page-turner, just not a scary yarn. More of a “I need to know what happens next” story. </span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px;">The ending was a bit weird and unnecessary.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">I want to love Sager’s</span> novels, but I can’t. I think one of the reasons is b/c of the intentional attempt of misdirection, and painfully forced (and at times, pointless) plot twists. If he’d focus on a more cohesive plot/story, and deeper character development I feel his novels would be so much richer. </p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">This is not to say they aren’t good novels, or aren’t worth reading. They most definitely are both good, and worth reading. His writing style still sucks me into the story. The layers are there and I want to keep peeling away to see what lay beneath. He builds suspense, mystery, and the desire to keep reading. He just falls short of great. IMHBO (In My Humble Bookie Opinion)</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">I definitely recommend Final Girls for a fhrilling good read!</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Stay Booked! </span><span class="s3">📖</span><span class="s2"> Happy Reading!</span></p>JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-62497310237371721432021-05-07T23:00:00.000-04:002021-05-07T23:00:01.858-04:00Lock Every Door by Riley Sager<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVB_rCmrGRRetfUNJK6otOWhK7Js3krREnGjjx_BsjFbPCVGZku0zK2n58DDzT-160MllxdoLxRF9Wft1OutnbOeYl3YvxcfGm-vTcEdk4A7o2VZISoWqAm9KsWwdOuiPX5_FJNKunBfl6/s991/A30BEC9B-4822-48E3-875B-3B7E60B1F572.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="991" data-original-width="775" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVB_rCmrGRRetfUNJK6otOWhK7Js3krREnGjjx_BsjFbPCVGZku0zK2n58DDzT-160MllxdoLxRF9Wft1OutnbOeYl3YvxcfGm-vTcEdk4A7o2VZISoWqAm9KsWwdOuiPX5_FJNKunBfl6/s320/A30BEC9B-4822-48E3-875B-3B7E60B1F572.jpeg" /></a></div><br /> I read this book b/c it was a Stephen King recommendation. <p></p><p>SK (via Twitter): Looking for a suspense novel that will keep you up until way past midnight? Look no further than LOCK EVERY DOOR, by Riley Sager.</p><p>How could I NOT check it out?! I do have to say this upfront—I mistook his comment that it is a scary as hell, keep you up at night kind of book. It’s not. It’s a page-turning just one more page, just one more chapter, keep you up all night kind of book.</p><p>It’s an average suspense/mystery/thriller. I like the creepy goth bogie mysterious NY apartment building backdrop. The main character, Jules—which is her actual name, not a nickname—was fleshed out well. But I feel like the other characters in the book weren’t. There was a huge missed opportunity to ratchet up the creep factor. One character in particular, Lesley Evelyn, had the potential to be a modern Mrs. Danvers, but sadly fell way short. </p><p>The predictability level was pretty high. I guessed one of the “villains” upon their introduction. And one of the other ones early on. There were scenes that didn’t make much sense, some scenes that were predictable, or led to predictable outcomes. Sager tries to confound the reader as to whether this is a story about ghosts/haunting, satanists, serial killer(s), cursed building and/or people, or malevolent rich white folks. There are aspects of it that I thought were unique and cool. And some aspects that were WTF and silly. I’m not sure why it was titled Lock Every Door. Doesn’t fit in with the story at all.</p><p>I don’t want this to come across as a negative review. I didn’t love it, but I did like it. Overall it was an enjoyable read. A definite page-turner. A Friller (fluff-thriller), if you will. A solid XX rating (=3 1/2 stars).</p><p>This was my first Sager novel, and it won’t be my last. In fact I’ve already started another one, Final Girls.</p><p>Read Lock Every Door for a frilling good time!</p>JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-58623295281582231842021-04-18T21:22:00.000-04:002021-04-18T21:22:16.493-04:00Mexican Gothic<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BfDsGeYxM_885NaepFg09g86aM0ddFZRZpCDZo5UgfKqYl-a0QdW_uNTYqPvC3EwXhcCRD3wyzSH1tBG7gkfyzNjLn7Yeo5eQIUDYn9DnlsjMqyyacnv9m95XsOqF3TOlVfWUd4EPvl2/s1742/B8C6E3E5-F7B4-46D5-A07E-0F835446128C.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1742" data-original-width="1125" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5BfDsGeYxM_885NaepFg09g86aM0ddFZRZpCDZo5UgfKqYl-a0QdW_uNTYqPvC3EwXhcCRD3wyzSH1tBG7gkfyzNjLn7Yeo5eQIUDYn9DnlsjMqyyacnv9m95XsOqF3TOlVfWUd4EPvl2/s320/B8C6E3E5-F7B4-46D5-A07E-0F835446128C.jpeg" /></a></div><br /> My first SBBRA of the year (Sexxy Book-Buddy Read-Along)—I’m still workshopping that—was an amazing book! Thank you, Janine Smith for joining me on this bookventure (book-adventure). I enjoyed the book, and our discussions immensely.<p></p><p>Sexxy Book Review:</p><p>Loved this book! Deliciously creepy, dark and foreboding. It starts off like a mix between the book, Rebecca, and the movie Gaslight—female character slow descent into madness. Driven mad by a man (naturally). The book exudes the same dark and ominous atmosphere of supernatural mystery thriller as the aforementioned book & movie, except the main protagonist, Noemí, is of stronger character. Morena-Garcia does an amazing job of crafting a suspenseful plot, and strong character driven story. It was a tense, riveting, engrossing and addictive story that had me saying—despite my eyes being heavy with sleep—“just one more page. One more chapter...”</p><p>I definitely recommend this book, and will most definitely be reading more by señora Morena-Garcia.</p><p>XXX rating.</p><p>Happy Reading! 📖 Stay Booked!</p>JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-83733006934865954722021-04-18T20:29:00.000-04:002021-04-18T20:29:27.659-04:001st 10 Books Read in 2021<p class="p1" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 28px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px 0px 3px;"><span class="s1" style="font-weight: bold;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: verdana; font-size: large;"><b>Reviewing the First 10 Books Read of 2021</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: normal; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The X’s are my Sexxy rating system. XXX is the highest rating.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9jIdh9GRVuAEbkB2VEEW6bs_lzkglJaJKENMcBpNpYr1uPoZSk3SCx_7NPVAEQ6SW-w7jaatWBA4jVbi_tcRaI_Oir3FaGBOWmDErc5G6onjcXUMySb0NGE4FAtmhNaYsNAOYPDkdR_E/s1800/33AC7677-50E7-4D50-8B28-B097D068D404.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1800" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9jIdh9GRVuAEbkB2VEEW6bs_lzkglJaJKENMcBpNpYr1uPoZSk3SCx_7NPVAEQ6SW-w7jaatWBA4jVbi_tcRaI_Oir3FaGBOWmDErc5G6onjcXUMySb0NGE4FAtmhNaYsNAOYPDkdR_E/s320/33AC7677-50E7-4D50-8B28-B097D068D404.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;">Book 1: The Stand by Stephen King</p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Reread | Audio</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Finished: 1.11.21</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book Synopsis: M-O-O-N spells deadly virus pandemic wipes out humanity; epic good vs evil end of days battle. AKA, 2020</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">My Synopsisexxy: Epic storytelling. Though some aspects of the book don’t resonate well now, this is still one of my favorite novels—all-time, and SK</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Rating: XXX</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book 2: Airframe by Michael Crichton</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Audio</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Finished: 1.24.21</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book Synopsisexxy: Mysterious plane crash from Hong Kong to Denver—94 injured, 3 dead. Female protagonist who works for the airplane manufacturer must solve the mystery of the crash all while avoiding shadow threats, industrial espionage and shady coworkers.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">My Synopsisexxy: It was ok. Not one of my faves. But I’m not sure if that’s b/c it was audio and I listened while I was working and my mind wandered a lot, or b/c it just wasn’t that great. I will have to read the physical book. Or listen again but when I can focus more on it.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Rating: X 1/2</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book 3: Star Wars: Dark Force Rising (Thrawn Trilogy.2) by Timothy Zahn</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Reread | Audio</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Finished: 1.28.21</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book Synopsis: Epic SW trilogy that follows Return of the Jedi. All the original characters are there; Luke, Leia, Han, Lando, Chewbacca, C-3PO, R2-D2. And some fantastic news characters; Admiral Thrawn, Mara Jade, Talon Karrde, and more!</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">My Synopsisexxy: If you love SW you will LOVE this series. I LOVE SW.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Rating: XXX</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book 4: Armada by Ernest Cline</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Audio</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Finished: 1.29.21</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book Synopsis: If the movie “The Last Starfighter” mated with the movie “Pixels”, Armada would be the love child.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">My Synopsisexxy: The premise should have made this an enjoyable and fun read. Though it was fun, it lacked sorely in substance. IDK if it was b/c it was audio and I was working while listening, and therefore didn’t absorb the material well, but it felt disjointed. Because I enjoyed and loved Ready Player One so much, I was expecting more from this book.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Rating: X 1/2</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book 5: The Case of the Missing Marquess (Enola Holmes.1)</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Paperback</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Finished: 1.30.21</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book Synopsis: Younger sister of Sherlock & Mycroft Holmes engages in sleuthing shenanigans and hijinks.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">My Synopsisexxy: Another cool concept that was a bit of a let down. I watched the Netflix movie adaption and thought it brilliant. So I was super excited to read this book. I wanted to love it, but sadly only liked it. I think maybe b/c it was the first book in the series and therefore a building block. I will definitely read the subsequent novels in the series. If books 2 & 3 are meh, I will probably forego the remaining books in the series.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Rating: X 1/2</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book 6: Ready Player One by Ernest Cline</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Reread | Audio</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Finished: 2.3.21</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book Synopsis: YA dystopian nerd, and gamers wet dream with a lot of 80’s & 90’s references.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">My Synopsisexxy: This is just a fun as fu(k and enormously enjoyable read. As a nerd it checks off all the boxes on a nerdy checklist; anti-social, 80’s & 90’s references to cartoons, toys, video games, comic books, books, movies and music. Classic underdog David vs Corporate asshat Goliath in an über virtual reality world, story.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Rating: XX 1/2</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book 7: In the Woods by Tana French</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Audio</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Finished: 2.15.21</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book Synopsis: Ireland Murder detectives with lovely Irish baroque’s investigate a grisly murder of a young girl.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">My Synopsisexxy: I love a good murder mystery/crime drama, and this was a good one. My one complaint is that it felt like too much was going on. To the point I felt lost at times. But that may have been b/c it was audio and while I was working.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">It was like a Guinness—stout and filling. (Shameless Irish simile. It was shyte. I regret nothing)</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">I did like it enough to add the second book in the series to my TRL.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Rating: XX</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book 8: Mexican Gothic by Silvia Moreno-Garcia</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Sexxy Read-along | Ebook</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Finished: 2.15.21</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book Synopsis: If the book, “Rebecca” mated with the movie “Gaslight”, Mexican Gothic would be the love child. Female protagonist’s slow descent into madness from being driven mad by a man (naturally).</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">My Synopsisexxy: Loved this book! Deliciously creepy, dark and foreboding. The book exudes the same dark and ominous atmosphere of supernatural mystery thriller as the aforementioned book & movie. I love the main protagonist, Noemí. Morena-Garcia does an amazing job of crafting a suspenseful plot and strong character driven story. It was a tense, riveting, engrossing and addictive story that had me saying—despite my eyes being heavy with sleep—“just one more page. One more chapter...”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Rating: XX 1/2</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book 9: Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi & Yusef Salaam</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Hardcover</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Finished: 2.21.21</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book Synopsis: “A powerful YA novel in verse about a boy who is wrongfully incarcerated.”</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">My Synopsisexxy: A timely and poignant story written in beautiful lyrical prose. Zoboi and Salaam (of the Central Park Five now Exonerated Five) offer readers a glimpse of the stark contrast of our justice system and how it treats whites and non-whites. Written from the perspective of the protagonist in prose. It’s so beautifully written. Heartbreaking, real, and hopeful.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Rating: XXX</span></p><p class="p2" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; min-height: 20.3px;"><span class="s2"></span><br /></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book 10: Eternity’s Wheel (InterWorld.3) by Neil Gaiman, Michael Reaves, Mallory Reaves</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Audio</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Finished: 2.22.21</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Book Synopsis: YA sci-fi novel about saving the InterWorld, multiverse and “everything in between”.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">My Synopsisexxy: 1 kid, Joey Harker, from our earth, has doppelgängers all over the multiverse. They all have the same name but with various spellings, and physical iterations. They all are part of the InterWorld task force that protects InterWorld and the multiverse. There’s time travel, space travel, magic, science, aliens, binary entities, and a lot of confusion. The first two books were quite enjoyable. I don’t know if it’s b/c it’s been years since I read book 2 and subsequently lost interest, or b/c it was audio, or both, but this finale was not as enjoyable.</span></p><p class="p3" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: 17px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px;"><span class="s2">Rating: X</span></p>JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-72672033774946966382020-03-08T23:03:00.005-04:002020-03-08T23:03:50.099-04:00The Outsider by Stephen King<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Outsider series finale! I finished the book last night. My initial rating was 3 1/2 stars on Goodreads (equivalent to X on the Sexxy rating system). But I’ve since updated that rating to 4 stars (XX seizing rating). It was a really good read. Addictive page turner. Dialogue and plot weren’t great at times, but overall a damn good story. The reason I updated to a higher rating was b/c my wife asked how I liked the book and when I told her my thoughts on it it made me realize how much I liked it and why. In most SK books the villain, monster, naughty paranormal entity, etc you are given a description, tons of scenes & dialogue, and a sense of who/what they are. But in “The Outsider” the heavy is kept in shadows. Barley any scene time except for some ethereal emanations and/or referenced by the novels’ other characters. No knowledge of the killer is given to the reader. The readers are kept in the dark as the characters are. It’s fricken eerie. </div>
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If it’s a serial killer, or a monster, or supernatural entity, it’s there. You know it’s there b/c it’s been fleshed out and brought to life. Scary for sure. But with The Outsider, you don’t know anything about it. Speculation, myth, hints, whispers, nothing more. It’s suspenseful and creepy. </div>
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There is a being out there that can become anyone. Not in a Talented Mr. Ripely way, but actually become the individual; appearance, thoughts, DNA, fingerprints. It becomes a person when it scratches that individual. But it can also “mark” an individual and control them to do its bidding. Kind of like a Renfro (I think that’s the characters name) from Dracula. So this thing can virtually be anyone. And when it does complete its transformation, it does the most heinous and horrific acts to its victims, mainly kids. It leaves the innocent person’s fingerprints and DNA. Witnesses, reliable witnesses, people that know the accused personally testify they saw the accused. So the innocent person is jailed, tried and found guilty. Even if there’s contradicting evidence (witnesses placing the accused somewhere else during the crime). Often times, the innocent individual commits suicide or is killed in some seemingly random way. It mind-fucks the innocent individuals’ family into suicide or some other act that will get them killed. And The Outsider feeds off all that anger, suffering, sadness and violence</div>
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I def rec the book and the HBO adaption. HBO did a great job of staying true the novel and gave it a very eerie and creepy quality. Actors are all great in it. </div>
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XX rating</div>
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Stay Booked! 📖 Happy Reading!</div>
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-69446601103964518952020-01-24T23:52:00.000-05:002020-02-08T17:49:58.802-05:00Book 1 2020: The Sisters Brothers<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Sisters Brothers</div>
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By</div>
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Patrick DeWitt</div>
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****There will be some light spoilers***</div>
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This was a fun book to read. Had all the right elements of humor, drama, action, and wit. I realized, while reading the book, that I’ve never read a ‘western’ before. Unless “The Dark Tower” series counts? Which I think is not really a true western but more a western fantasy? At any rate, this being my first western novel I must I say I quite enjoyed it. DeWitt wrote the antiheroes, The Sisters Brothers, in a natural way. Not trying to sell us on a sappy sad-ladened past in order for us to sympathize and root for them even though they were doing bad things. They suffered some as children and to be sure there is an element of tragedy, but we’re not burdened with the cliche roughneck men but deep down big softies angle. They are hardened men. They go about their business with neither joy nor remorse. Though Charlie does enjoy his work, it is more this how things are and I’m very good at what I do, rather than sadistic killer. Eli is the more sensitive of the two, but he is by no means a sad sack. Eli does begin to question what they do and grows tired of the hitmen lifestyle. Charlie loves the way things are. Killing is 2nd nature to him. He loves booze and women. He’s not so keen on giving up his “career” as Eli is. The story is told from Eli’s POV and plays out in a series of events as they track down their intended target They are hired to kill a man, Hermann Warm, that has “wronged” their employer, The Commodore. Along their path they have some adventures and misadventures and some awkward romance between Eli and two different women. Eli makes the decision to be done with it all, but Charlie has no desire to quit. When they reach the hotel room of their contact, Morris, they discover that Morris isn’t there. But he did leave a journal behind. In it they discover the truth about the man, Warm, they are supposed to kill. He did not wrong The Commodore at all. He was a victim to The Commodore’s greed and cruelty. Warm had invented a way to find gold by not the typical painstaking prospecting process, but through chemistry. He approached The Commodore to be a partner in the venture. The Commodore promises to back his expedition/experiment only to renege on the deal and threatens to kill Warm if he doesn’t give him the formula. Warm escapes and heads to California via the Oregon Trail. </div>
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Morris, they learn from the journal, decided to leave the employment of The Commodore and partner up with Warm. </div>
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By the time they reach their target they have come to the decision to change their livelihood. But doing so meant more killing. In the end there is redemption, but at a price. I like that DeWitt did not muddle the conclusion up with a BS cheesy cliche happy ending. </div>
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The familial dynamic of the brothers was well done. I enjoyed the writing and dialogue. It was a fun read that seemed to go by quickly b/c the story was so enjoyable. </div>
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This my first book by DeWitt and it won’t be my last. I highly rec it. </div>
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XXX rating</div>
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Stay Booked! Happy Reading!</div>
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-90342377494406694792019-08-06T20:11:00.001-04:002019-08-06T20:11:26.470-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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R.I.P. 😢📖💔</div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.cnn.com/cnn/2019/08/06/entertainment/toni-morrison-dead/index.html" target="_blank">Toni Morrison passes away</a></div>
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-7218314171320127232017-11-24T15:26:00.002-05:002020-02-08T18:58:50.321-05:00Book Catacombs 2016-2021<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Books I've read from 2016-2021</div>
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2019:<br />
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<li>The Big Four (Hercule Poirot.5)</li>
<li>Railhead (Railhead.1)</li>
<li>The Professor & the Madman: A Tale of Murder, Insanity & the Making of the Oxford English Dictionary</li>
<li>The ABC Murders (Hercule Poirot.13)</li>
<li>Lord Edgware Dies (Hercule Poirot.9)</li>
<li>Young Goodman Brown</li>
<li>The Murder on the Links (Hercule Poirot.2)</li>
<li>I'll Be Gone in the Dark: One Woman's Obsessive Search for the Golden State Killer</li>
<li>Evil on the Nile (Hercule Poirot.24)</li>
<li>Batman: Hush (TPB)</li>
<li>Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly</li>
<li>1922</li>
<li>Books of Blood: Vol.1 (Books of Blood.1)</li>
<li>Dark Carousel</li>
<li>Books of Blood: Vol.2 (Books of Blood.2)</li>
<li>Miracle Creek</li>
<li>Their Eyes Were Watching God</li>
<li>Watership Down</li>
<li>The Miserable Mill (A Series of Unfortunate Events.4)</li>
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2018:<br />
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<ol>
<li>Ready Player One (Ready Player One.1)</li>
<li>InterWorld (InterWorld.1)</li>
<li>La Belle Sauvage (The Book of Dust.1)</li>
<li>Three Act Tragedy (Hercule Poirot.11)</li>
<li>Fahrenheit 451</li>
<li>And Then There Were None</li>
<li>Death on the Nile (Hercule Poirot.17)</li>
<li>The Mysterious Affair at Styles (Hercule Poirot.1)</li>
<li>The Silver Dream (InterWorld.2)</li>
<li>Darkness Visible</li>
<li>The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyl and Mr. Hyde and Other Stories</li>
<li>The Raven: Pop-up Book</li>
<li>It</li>
<li>Mortal Engines (The Hungry City Chronicles.1)</li>
<li>Predator’s Gold (The Hungry City Chronicles.2)</li>
<li>Infernal Devices (The Hungry City Chronicles.3)</li>
<li>A Darkling Plain (The Hungry City Chronicles.4)</li>
<li>Hercule Poirot’s Christmas (Hercule Poirot.20)</li>
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2017:<br />
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<li>Batman, Volumn 1: The Court of Owls</li>
<li>1984</li>
<li>Blood, Bones, and Butter: The Inadvertent Education of a Reluctant Chef</li>
<li>Gwendy’s Button Box</li>
<li>The Magicians (The Magicians.1)</li>
<li>Twenty Thousand Leavues Under the Sea</li>
<li>The Time Machine</li>
<li>The War of the Worlds</li>
<li>The Invisible Man</li>
<li>Irena’s Children: The Extraordinary Story of the Woman Who Saved 2,500 Children from the Warsaw Ghetto</li>
<li>Coraline</li>
<li>Wishful Drinking</li>
<li>Cell</li>
<li>Around the World in Eighty Days</li>
<li>Odd and the Frost Giants</li>
<li>Murder on the Orient Express (Hercule Poirot.10)</li>
<li>The Snowman (Harry Hole.7)</li>
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2016:</div>
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<li style="text-align: center;">Library of Souls (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children.3)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Dead Wake</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Colorado Kid</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Penguins Big Adventure</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Everything's Eventual</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Penguins Say Please</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Meg: Hell's Aquarium (Meg.4)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Dada</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Secret</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Jungle Book (Disney Board Book)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Guess How Much I Love You</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Walking Dead: March To War (#19)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Bad Beginning (A Series of Unfortunate Events.1)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Reptile Room (A Series of Unfortunate Events.2)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Wide Window (A Series of Unfortunate Events.3)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">A Monster Calls</li>
</ol>
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-1745156806337365232017-11-24T14:17:00.000-05:002020-02-08T17:50:05.489-05:00Frosty the snowman, was a stabby murdery soul...<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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The Snowman</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; text-align: left;">Jo Nesbø</span> </div>
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I honestly have no idea how I feel about this novel. I
both enjoyed and disliked it equally. I don’t know if it’s b/c of mediocre
translation from Norwegian to English that is causing the duality disconnect,
or what. It’s cliche, cheesy, predictable, purposely (and quite obviously)
misleading, weak to mediocre dialogue, and weak, and at times,
confusing, character development. I knew, or rather, suspected, who the killer
was after their first introduction. I said to myself, "Self, it’s this character. It better not be, because seriously, how cliche and cheesy and predictable would
that be? But I bet it is".<o:p></o:p></div>
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Having said that, it was, I don’t want to say compelling,
ensnaring maybe? enough to keep me reading. Indeed I spent late nights telling
myself, "just one more page". "One more chapter". </div>
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I don’t know if it was b/c the
story had me hooked, or that I just wanted it to be over, or b/c it was the last
book on my 2017 boal. Perhaps all of the above. </div>
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I picked this book up b/c of the movie coming out. (I’ll wait for
DVD) This is the 7th book in the “Harry Hole” series. I ain’t gonna lie, I
giggled every single time I read the name, Harry Hole. I’m giggling right now.
Detective, or is it Inspector? Now I can’t remember. Let’s go with Inspector
Harry Hole, **giggle**, is after a serial killer. He’s the only cop in Oslo
that’s dealt with a serial killer. They don't get many in Oslo. Probably b/c it’s
too friggen cold. Ain’t nobody got time for. The killer leaves a snowman
at each victims house. That’s not me being funny. That’s the plot. I was honestly hoping it was evil demon possessed snowmen doing the dirty deed, but sadly it was not.</div>
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OK, I am simplifying it. The killer seems to be targeting women with children. Women who have been unfaithful in their marriages. The aforementioned poor attempt to mislead the reader into believing it is this character, no this character, NO, this character! Was a bit painful. But somehow it still made me doubt myself and wonder if it really COULD be that character. What annoyed me wasn't just the intentional misleading, but that the inspector was convinced each time it was the character we are being led to believe is the evil-doer. Then after some revelation or incident, Inspector Hole suddenly says he had some reservations/doubts about whether the person he was just gunning for, was really the killer. </div>
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I know it seems I've nothing but negative things to say about the book, but honestly it wasn't horrible. It was just, meh. Entertaining enough to keep me interested and reading. And there were some key scenes that could've been really 80's thriller movie cliche, but did a good job of avoiding.</div>
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I can neither recommend nor not recommend this novel. If you happen
upon it, read it. If you don’t, it’s snow big deal. Oh yeah, that just
happened. I regret nothing.</div>
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Happy Reading! Stay Booked!<o:p></o:p></div>
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-16251563331309457442016-11-20T16:47:00.000-05:002016-11-20T16:47:01.776-05:00MacGyver Remake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Ok sexxy viewers, I have a new review to give you. I know, sexxciting! </div>
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TV Show Review: MacGyver (remake). </div>
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About a month ago I gave a joyous review of the new MacGyver show. The woman and I watched the first ep and though we didn't think it was great, we thought it would be good enough to have as a regular Friday night show. However, when Friday next rolled around we were less than enthusiastic about watching it. I DVR'd it nonetheless. The wifey said she wasn't really into it, so I decided to watch ep 2 while she was doing other things. I honestly couldn't get into it. The acting is a bit over the top and cheesy (yes, I'm aware of the 80's cheese factor from the original show). The thing is, with the original show, the actors made it believable and exciting and fun. What shenanigans was "Mac" going to get into?? And how will he get out of said shenanigans?? Agghh! We believed he could use a paperclip, lamp, and foil, to make a helicopter. 😁 Seriously, though, we believed that Mac could make something out of nothing. He didn't use weapons, he used ingenuity and intellect. It was cool. I think that premise is totally workable even in these modern times. Especially in these modern times. I just think the writing needs to improve and the actors need to loosen up a bit and have more fun with it, but at the same time make us believe that THEY believe the scenes/situations they are crafting, are possible. Open our imagination and give us thrilling science & action! Is the show salvageable? I believe so. It may just be suffering the freshman jitters. Mayhap (yes, mayhap. I'm bringing it back) they'll work out the kinks in their sophomore outing (if they survive the first season & get renewed). Unfortunately, for now, I have to revise my rating. I don't recall what I gave it originally, but I am giving it 1 X out of XXX rating.<br />
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💙¡Stay Entertained! 🎬 ¡Happy Viewing!💙</div>
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-27545540763843561342016-07-30T19:18:00.001-04:002016-07-30T19:18:13.530-04:00Gangsta Book Club!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Can't. Stop. Laughing. </div>
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-87648507752145211682016-07-02T17:47:00.003-04:002016-07-02T17:47:49.887-04:00Author Elie Wiesel Passes Away 7.2.16<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Very sad. His novel, "Night", was amazing. One of my all-time fave reads. A story that shreds all emotions. Def read it if you haven't. RIP, Mr. Wiesel. <br />
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/IFeakingLoveScience/posts/1422330984454575:0" target="_blank">https://www.facebook.com/IFeakingLoveScience/posts/1422330984454575:0</a><br />
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-81010152196796813132016-06-24T21:28:00.001-04:002016-06-24T21:42:35.742-04:00Books-to-Movies Changes: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I really hate when filmmakers make nonsensical changes when adapting books to film. I understand that the movies will never compare to the book and some changes are required and even make sense. It's the unnecessary changes that really irk me. In case of this book-to-movie, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children, they changed two characters' peculiarities. Emma, a fiery (delicious pun intended), has a pyro peculiarity. She's easily one of the best and strongest characters in the books. Her role, and peculiarity, is crucial to the plot. Olive, a supporting character whose peculiar is levitation (she has to wear lead shoes or she'll float away), is more of a timid and delicate, but brave character. Her role is important, but not pivotal. So why would Burton do a role reversal of the two? It's infuriating. And what really gets me is the author approving this kind of change. It doesn't make any sense. I was really excited to see this adaptation. I loved the series and I love Burton, but this kind of shenanigans has dampened that excitement. #brokenbookieheart #booklivesmatter<br />
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<a href="http://www.moviefone.com/2016/03/07/miss-peregrine-author-defends-tim-burtons-character-changes-movie/" target="_blank">http://www.moviefone.com/2016/03/07/miss-peregrine-author-defends-tim-burtons-character-changes-movie/</a></div>
JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-34937085555423617092016-04-21T22:47:00.003-04:002016-04-21T22:47:45.945-04:00R.I.P. Prince<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I just couldn't be sadder by the news of Prince's passing. I am a product of the 80's and Prince's music was a big part of youth. RIP, purple one. Doves are crying for sure.<br />
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-8246181692839806842016-03-27T20:01:00.000-04:002016-03-27T20:01:11.724-04:00<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
Crayyyyy. I've only made it through the first 3 in the series. Lots of deaths. Lots more to come from the looks of it.<br />
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-32506903606453317192016-02-21T04:04:00.000-05:002016-02-21T04:07:03.223-05:00The Fireman by Joe Hill<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="text-align: left;">Joe Hill has a new novel due out May 2016. I can't wait to read it! I have his novel, NOS4A2, on my 2016 Boal and am excited to read, too. I loved, Horns, and really enjoyed Heart-Shaped Box. Hope he has the same success as his father, Stephen King. Who happens to be my favorite author.</span></div>
<a href="http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fireman-joe-hill/1122221454" target="_blank">http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-fireman-joe-hill/1122221454</a></div>
JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-81916870008263938622016-02-13T15:27:00.002-05:002016-02-16T17:37:16.603-05:00Orphan Black, watch it!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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I started watching Orphan Black, last week. It's bloody brilliant! I had to stop watching b/c I knew the woman would enjoy it. She hates when I watch shows without her. So I stopped at episode 10 of season 1. Lol. The show is so good I couldn't stop myself from saying, just one more episode. I HAD to know what happened next. The woman started watching it last night and FINALLY, caught up to me today. Episode 10 was the last ep of season 1. And, DAMN!! We may have to binge watch season 2 this weekend. And by "may", I mean WILL. Seasons 1 & 2 are available for free on Amazon (for Prime members), and season 3 is available at a price of $1.99 per ep. But I think you can watch season 3 on the BBC site (link listed below), or on demand if you have the channel on your cable/satellite provider. It's got a great mix of humour, wit, mystery, suspense, sci-fi, and action, coupled with great acting (especially by the lead, Tatiana Maslany), excellent script and plot. I can't rec this show enough. Highest rating: XXX Watch it, people. Watch it! Stay Entertained! Happy Viewing! <a href="http://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/orphan-black" target="_blank">http://www.bbcamerica.com/shows/orphan-black</a></div>
JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-23529117692850449432016-01-19T23:39:00.000-05:002016-02-13T15:28:44.554-05:00Buzzfeed's List of Underrated Books Every Book Lover Should Read<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
I've only read 2 books on this list, Heart-Shaped Box, and, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children. And I would def rec both them!<br />
How many have any of you read? Post a comment of how many you read, which ones and how you liked/disliked them. Book lines are open! :)<br />
<a href="http://www.buzzfeed.com/jonmichaelpoff/seriously-underrated-books-every-book-lover-should-read#.bhdbN6wxv" target="_blank">http://www.buzzfeed.com/jonmichaelpoff/seriously-underrated-books-every-book-lover-should-read#.bhdbN6wxv</a></div>
JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-53445221335596377312016-01-01T00:41:00.000-05:002020-02-08T19:23:40.463-05:00Book Catacombs 2010-2015<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Books I've read from 2010-2015 <br />
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2015:</div>
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<ol>
<li style="text-align: center;">Uncle Vanya</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Glass Castle</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Horns</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Dexter in the Dark (Dexter.3)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Inferno</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Captain America: Castaway in Dimension Z (Vol.1-Book.1)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Ocean at the End of the Lane</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice & Fire.3)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Sharp Objects</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Sleep Donation</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Eye For An Eye: The Doll (The Blackstone Chronicles,1)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Death Sentence (Escape From Furnace.3)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Fortunately, the Milk</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Night Before Christmas: The Classic Edition</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Hollow City (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children.2)</li>
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2014:</div>
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<ol>
<li style="text-align: center;">Night</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Fault In Our Stars</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">I Am Malala</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Lolita</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Giver</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Chicago Way</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Walking Dead: Something to Fear (#17)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Shutter Island</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Walking Dead: What Comes After (#18)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Miss Peregrine's Home For Peculiar Children (Miss Peregrine's Peculiar Children.1)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">Heart-Shaped Box</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Last Olympian (Percy Jackson & the Olympians.5)</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Picture of Dorian Gray</li>
<li style="text-align: center;">The Snow Queen</li>
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2013:<br />
<ol>
<li>Winter of the World (The Century Trilogy.II)</li>
<li>Happenstance</li>
<li>Batman: Under the Red Hood</li>
<li>Inferno</li>
<li>Creepy Carrots!</li>
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2012:<br />
<ol>
<li>The Angel's Game</li>
<li>The Revenge of the Baby-Sat</li>
<li>Dinosaurs Love Underpants</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: Too Far Gone (#13)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: No Way Out (#14)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: We Find Ourselves (#15)</li>
<li>The Stranger</li>
<li>The Wonderful Wizard of Oz </li>
<li>Boneshaker</li>
<li>Bag of Bones</li>
<li>Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief (#1)</li>
<li>Percy Jackson: The Sea of Monsters (#2) </li>
<li>The Pillars of the Earth</li>
<li>Percy Jackson: The Titan's Curse (#3) </li>
<li>A Game of Thrones: A Song of Fire & Ice (#1) </li>
<li>The Graveyard Book </li>
<li>Lady Chatterley's Lover</li>
<li>Lockdown: Escape From Furnace (#1)</li>
<li>Solitary: Escape From Furnace (#2)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: A Larger World (#16)</li>
<li>Fall of Giants</li>
<li>The Prisoner of Heaven</li>
<li>Batman: Earth One</li>
<li>Close to Shore: The Terrifying Shark Attacks of 1916</li>
<li>Gone Girl</li>
<li>A Christmas Carol, The Chimes, and The Cricket on the Hearth</li>
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2011:</div>
<ol style="text-align: center;">
<li>The Water Room: A Peculiar Crimes Unit Mystery</li>
<li>Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh</li>
<li>FaeFever</li>
<li>Smoke and Mirrors: Short Fictions & Illusions</li>
<li>The Continual Condition: Poems</li>
<li>Water for Elephants</li>
<li>Rebecca </li>
<li>DreamFever</li>
<li>Full Dark, No Stars</li>
<li>High Fidelity </li>
<li>The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy </li>
<li>The Restaurant at the End of the Universe </li>
<li>Life, the Universe and Everything </li>
<li>So Long and Thanks for All the Fish</li>
<li>Anthem</li>
<li>Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter</li>
<li>The Hunger Games </li>
<li>Catching Fire</li>
<li>Catcher in the Rye</li>
<li>Mockingjay </li>
<li>We the Living</li>
<li>To Kill a Mockingbird</li>
<li>World War Z</li>
<li>Bossypants</li>
<li>The Man Who Loved Books Too Much</li>
<li>Delta of Venus</li>
<li>Into the Wild</li>
<li>The Thief of Always</li>
<li>Dexter: Darkly Dreaming (#1)</li>
<li>Dexter: Dearly Devoted (#2)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: Days Gone By (#1)</li>
<li> The Three Musketeers</li>
<li>The Zombie Survival Guide</li>
<li>Zombie in Love</li>
<li>The Hellbound Heart</li>
<li> Mister B. Gone</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: Miles Behind Us (#2)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: Safety Behind Bars (#3)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: The Heart's Desire (#4)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: The Best Defense (#5)</li>
<li>Loving Frank</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: This Sorrowful Life (#6)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: The Calm Before (#7)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: Made To Suffer (#8)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: Here We Remain (#9)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: What We Become (#10)</li>
<li>Fight Club </li>
<li>The Walking Dead: Fear The Hunters (#11)</li>
<li>The Walking Dead: Life Among Them (#12)</li>
<li>The Rum Diary </li>
</ol>
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2010:</div>
<ol style="text-align: center;">
<li>The Alchemist</li>
<li>The Shadow of the Wind</li>
<li>The Count of Monte Cristo</li>
<li>The Girl With the Dragon Tatoo</li>
<li>The Girl Who Played with Fire</li>
<li>The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest</li>
<li>Song For Night</li>
<li>Dead Until Dark</li>
<li>Living Dead in Dallas</li>
<li>Club Dead</li>
<li>Dead to the World</li>
<li>Dead as a Doornail</li>
<li>Definitely Dead</li>
<li>All Together Dead</li>
<li>From Dead to Worse </li>
<li>Dead and Gone</li>
<li>Sh*t My Father Says</li>
<li>DarkFever</li>
<li>BloodFever</li>
<li>The Dark Tower: The Dark Tower</li>
<li>The Complete Sherlock Holmes Vol. 1</li>
<li>Maus Book 1 </li>
<li>Maus Book 2</li>
<li>Fool</li>
<li>Bite Me</li>
</ol>
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-80021324414723860652013-07-13T09:05:00.001-04:002013-07-13T09:05:10.147-04:00Dan Brown's "Inferno"<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">****THERE WILL BE SPOILERS****</span></div>
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> I wasn't sure how I felt about the book overall, but I've had time to let it sink in and, I liked it. Didn't love it, but I liked it. The ending was a bit eh, kind of like, OK, I'll wrap this up in a pretty bow for everyone. I'm terrible though, I looked up transhumanism so I could understand it, and after I read what it was, I pretty much guessed how things were gonna go down. I didn't get it 100% right but I was close. So it wasn't that big of a twist/shock point when the truth was revealed. I was happy Sienna turned out to be a "good guy", but at the same time it felt cheap. The real "bad guys" in this novel are, us, the human race and our penchant for destroying the planet on which we live. And The Consortium, they were also the villain. But it's kind of a grey area with that. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> All the trickery and disinformation that Brown threw at us was a bit annoying, to me anyway. It was an over-the-top illusion on such a grand scale, but then again, that is the point, to show how powerful and deceptive The Consortium is. I think really what I like/enjoy most about Brown's works (and I've only read two), is his historical and locale descriptions. His detailing of art, architecture, historical facts and icons, are breathtaking and always make my artistic-wanderlust-soul, yearn to visit every place, see every building & piece of art he describes. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> I did dig the plot, the overpopulation, how we're over consuming natural resources, water shortage, reducing fish from over fishing, letting species of animals and flora & fauna die out, the destruction of precious, and vital, ecological wetlands, forests and jungles, and so on. That's all a very real concern worldwide. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"> My only criticism really is, his storytelling is mediocre. I felt that way with Da Vinci Code as well. He writes short, fast-paced information filled chapters that end with cliffhangers, which make the readers "HAVE" to read the next chap just to see what happens. This also makes for a very quick read. Overall, I enjoyed & liked it. I would give it a rating of: X1/2-XX (out of a XXX rating system) Leaning more towards the X1/2. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Stay Booked! Happy Reading!</span></div>
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-77213282498638141032013-05-16T21:57:00.000-04:002013-05-16T21:57:02.481-04:00Winter of the World: The Century Trilogy.II by Ken Follett<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
This is the third book (and the 2nd in <i>The Century Trilogy</i>) by Follett I have read, <i>Pillars of the Earth, </i>and <i>The Century Trilogy: Fall of Giants</i>, being the other two. I FU(KING LOVED THIS BOOK! It was the most emotional hijacking book I've ever read in my entire bife, (book-life). Follett is a pure genius. And that word doesn't even do him credit.<br />
<i> Pillars</i>, was extraordinary, absolutely extraordinary. Follett created some of the most memorable characters I've ever "met". I never despised, physically, with every fiber of my being despised, a character(s) as much as I did the Hamleigh's, especially William. And I don't think I've ever fallen quite in love with a character before, as much as I did Aliena. Brilliantly crafted and hit on every emotion a human can experience. <br />
Segway that review into my 2nd Follett book, <i>Fall of Giants (FoG).</i> <i>FoG</i> is a beautiful, fact-laden, historical fiction work of bart (book-art). It is hands down <i>the</i> best historical fiction book I've ever read. Follett researched, with painstaking details of historical facts and wove a compelling, emotional hijacking, tale of history; war; love; human atrocities; human spirit and tenacity; familia bonds, and world politics. I can not rec this book enough. Having said that, this book was tame in comparison to <i>Winter of the World (WoW). </i><br />
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<i> WoW</i> was all of what <i>FoG</i> was, but<i> </i>on heroin laced crack. By that I mean, every description of <i>FoG</i> would be intensified by 1000. It was <i>the</i> most emotional hijacking book I've <i>ever</i> read, <i>EVER</i>. I've never had a book that I absolutely loved, with every part of my booky-being, that also made me physically ill. I seriously had to have a drink of booze after some scenes. I'm not fu(king about when I say this. It was such a gut-wrenching punch in the face, kick to the nerps, emotional roller coaster of a novel. <br />
This book marks the 5th longest book I've read, with the following as the top 4 longest: <i>The Count of Monte Cristo (1276pgs); The Stand (1153pgs); FoG (1000pgs); Pillars (976pgs), </i>respectively. These 5 books just happen to rank highest in my coveted "Books to Read Before You Die Sexxily" list. I think they rank so high, besides the fact they're all bloody brilliant, because the authors took their time to write not just a story, but an adventure. Compelling reads that not only captivate the mind of the reader, but their body and soul. They created characters that become so familiar that you hurt when they hurt, cry when they are sad or some tragic misfortune befalls them, you laugh raucously when something inane or whimsical is said or happens, you hate, with fierce intensity, the bad guys and get extremely irate at villainous acts of evil, you become so capsulized in these "people's" lives that you feel <i>everything.</i> I honestly could go on forever with how much I loved <i>WoW</i>, and it's characters, but my limited feeble words, could never do it the justice it deserves. While I read this bart, I had posted mini-reviews, (in my Facebook Book Club). So with every end of a reading session, I posted a mini-review on it. The following excerpts are from those mini-reviews. I will end this particular section by saying this, if you don't read Folletts' <i>Pillars, FoG, WoW, </i>before you submit to the Grim Reaper, you will leave this plane of existence, unfulfilled. As a bookie, these books are <i>MUST</i> reads. <br />
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*** I took care not to give away too much when I posted my mini-reviews, but...WARNING THERE WILL BE SPOILERS***<br />
Mini-reviews of <i>WoW</i>, from JaSexxy's Book Club for Sexxy Bookies (the date at the end of each mini-review is the date of when I posted it). The names, Sonia, Melissa, and Chris, are all friends of mine that did a read-along for <i>WoW. </i>I also did a read-along with Sonia & Melissa for <i>Pillars, </i>& <i>FoG</i>:<br />
<br />•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Started WoW, and WOW! I love that Follett lists the cast characters in the beginning, lots of our faves (and not so faves) from FoG, and lots of new characters, including children from our fave couples. Starts up in 1933 with Maud & Walter, that's all I'm saying, they have 2 kids now, Walter works at the Reichstag (the German parliament that oppose the up and coming Nazi party), and Maud works at a newspaper, that also opposes the Nazi party, but that's all I'm saying! (Jan.31)<br />
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Just finished chap.1 of WoW... FUUUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKKKKing HELL!! (Jan.31)<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Determined to finish chap.3 before the Super Bowl starts (Feb.3)<br />
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WoW update: Just finished chap.2. Poor Daisy! Fuggin Lev man, still a jerkwad ahole. Sonia Cruz y Melissa Harris, where you at?? (Feb.3)<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WoW update: Finished chap.3 last night. Bloody hell there was a tense scene in London's East End. But this chap ended on a somewhat high note. It's amazing to me how Follett can keep track of all his characters without confusing the reader. And how much depth he gives each character to affect the reader. George R.R. Martin did not do a good job with that in his Game of Thrones series. I'm bout a quarter way through WoW and have not been disappointed yet. I'm 716pgs from the end, and I am already dreading it being over. (Feb.4)<br />
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WoW update: Just finished chap.4. FUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKING HELL! So intense and insane. And infuriating! Grrrrrr <--see! Four chapters in and we really don't get much on Billy and his fam, and his son is a rock star, but is only in it sparingly and then, well, FUUUUUUUUCCCCCCKKKKKING HELL! This book is gonna be the death of me. Or make me an alchy, well, more of one anyway. Melissa & Sonia, where the fugg are you two in the book so far? (Feb.4)<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WoW update: Just finished chap.5.I. Holy figgy flop! This shizz is insane! I'm all stressed out. This book is so amazingly good. How one can read it and not be affected by it, is beyond me. Rich in historical fact and dynamic fiction, this book has you going through every emotion known to the human being. It draws you in and sets you down in these characters lives and you as if you are in that setting and that you are intimately close to every person. I can't wait to start Part Two: A Season of Blood tomorrow. Hope you all are reading something as enjoyable as I am. Stay Booked! Happy Reading! (Feb.5)<br />
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Bloody hell my grammar was atrocious on this. Meant to say: How one can read it and not be affected by it, is beyond me. Rich in both historical fact and dynamic fiction, this book has you going through every emotion known to the human being. It draws you in and sets you down in these characters lives and makes you feel as if you are in the setting and that you are intimately close to every person.<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"He was the pillow she put her cheek on. He was the towel with which she patted her breasts when she got out of the bathtub. He was the knuckle she put in her mouth and sucked thoughtfully. How could she have ignored him for four years? The love of her life appeared before her, at the Trinity Ball, and she had noticed only that he appeared to be wearing someone elses dress clothes! Why had she not taken him in her arms and kissed him and insisted they get married immediately?" (Feb.6)<br />
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WoW update: Ehrmahgawd! Just finished Part II: A Season of Blood - 1940 pt.I & II. All kinds of craziness happening! German's invading France, Lloyd in the thick of it, Erik Von Ulrich makes you sick, then gives you hope, then makes you mad; Teresa pops back in for a minute; Daisy becomes super awesome, and more shocking revelations with the fictional characters and more engrossing historical facts unfold. I'm almost 50% through this and I'm having anxiety about not wanting to stop reading, but not wanting it to end either. Such is the dilemma with great reads. Can't wait to delve back in tomorrow! Night night bookmites! (Feb.6)<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>It's Friday! You know what that means... It's FReading Friday! Making up words is fun.<br />
I think I know what's gonna happen with certain characters. I have a feeling Carla von Ulrich is gonna end up with Werner and Erik von Ulrich is going to turn Werner in for being anti-Nazi. I could be completely wrong about this but that's what my book gut is telling me. (Feb.10)<br />
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WoW update: Finished Part II, chap.VIII, 1941.I. That was a brutal section to get through. I've read of the Nazi atrocities, and accounts from Jews that escaped. It appalled and disgusted me when I read it then, as it does reading it now. Pure fu(king concentrated evil they were. It sickens me to know this went on and how blindly and ignorantly people followed it. I've become emotionally invested in these characters lives and because of it, I feel the raw emotions they feel. Yes, it is only a book, and these are fictitious characters, but the events were very real. We lose a major character in this chap, one of my fave characters in FoG and in WoW. Very very sad moment. I've gotten as far as chap.VIIII, 1941.II.III. I will resume tomorrow. Need to decompress from the last chapter first. (Feb.10)<br />
**Comments to this post**<br />
**Chris: I had to put it down at this point too. He was one of my Favs and it was very emotional. It only gets worse however if you can believe that<br />
**Jason (me): Yeah I can imagine how much worse it's going to get. That fuggin "hospital" in Akelberg, fugg man. I read about those years ago, but having this emotional connection to these characters, though they are fictitious, makes it that more emotional.<br />
I have a feeling Chuck is gonna be off'd. He's in the navy, in Hawaii, pretty much sums that up. And I just know Erik von Ulrich is gonna turn on his fam or friends, or both. I actually just finished 1941.II. It was tame. I think Follett knew he had to put something lighter after 1941.I. I'll start 1941.III tomorrow.<br />
**Sonia: Arg you are making me emotional at work. I am going to dread getting to that chapter. I get a horrible feeling in the pit of my stomach.<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WoW update: Fu(k. Just finished 1941.IV. Fu(k. I have very rarely, maybe once or twice, cried during a movie, and I've probably cried three times reading a book, well now four times. I didn't cry cry, but I teared up and felt the gut wrenching pain of overwhelming sadness, agony, grief, anger, and heartache. The attack on Pearl Harbor was devastating to read and the loss of a character I liked, all combined to make my heart break and my eyes well up with tears. This book drags your emotions over hot coals and broken glass then douses you with lemon juice. Despite that, it is so well written that despite the horrors of this world and these true events, you are compelled to keep reading. Keep going cause there has to be hope, there has to be redemption, there has to be healing. And as history dictates there will be, and that drives the reader to keep going, to endure it all alongside these characters that the reader has bonded with. It's become a personal journey that one cannot escape, but must be strong enough to continue until they've reached the end. Bloody brilliant novel. (Feb.16)<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WoW update: Man oh man this book is rough. Finished 1942.I & 1942.II.<br />
The former was the retelling of the battle of Midway (with a brief stopover in Britain to Daisy. A small time character gets offed). Follett writes in a way that has the reader utterly stressed beyond control. The fight scenes are highly intense and even though you know the outcome (it's history), you have no idea if the characters you have come to know and love, will live or die.<br />
The latter, 1942.II, takes us back to Germany and the Von Ulrich family where another scene of suspense and tension is laid out for us (with a brief stopover in Russia to Volodya & Zoya, which ties into the German scene with the Von Ulrich's). I can't say much without spoiling it, but fuggggg, my whole body was tense. I'm gonna need a massage, therapy and lots of booze when I'm done with this book. I love it! (Feb.17)<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>"She had believed that love was something she could bestow upon whomever she liked, and that her main responsibility was to choose cleverly. Now she knew that was all wrong. Cleverness had nothing to do with it, and she had no choice. Love was an earthquake." ~Follett-Winter of the World~ (Feb.19)<br />
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"He had little experience of kissing girls-and none of kissing mature women of eighteen-but he liked the feel of her soft mouth so much that he moved his lips against hers in little nibbling motions that gave him exquisite pleasure, and he was rewarded by hearing her moan quietly." ~Follett-Winter of the World~ (Feb.19)<br />
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WoW update: Just finished 1942.III. This was a tamer chap, but only by a smidgen. It was all focused on Greg Peshkov, who I've come to like. He has a great moment of defying, and turning the tables on his ahole father, Lev, then some interaction with Jacky Jakes, shocker moment. A very tense moment during the early stages of the Manhattan Project. This chap ends with a bit of a surprise, and not a bad one. I'm 73% done and I am dreading every page that takes me closer to the end. I want to stay in these people's lives longer; enjoy there joys, hurt when they hurt, cry when they are sad, get angry at the injustice & horrors they endure. It's like they are an intricate part of my life and I don't want to let go. Such a bloody brilliant book. (Feb.19)<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WoW update: Frickity Frick! Just finished 1943.I & 1943.II.<br />
1943.I was spent in Britain focusing on Daisy and Boy, who just becomes a bigger wanker nob. Some really good moments that I won't share and ruin, and some really frustrating moments that make ya angry.<br />
1943.II is spent in Germany with Carla, Werner, and that icehole Macke. Lots of tense moments in this chap. Ends wonderfully though! Started 1943.III but I'm fading and need to try and capitalize on some sleep. I'm only 204pgs from the end. I'm anxious to see how things unfold for everyone, but I dread coming to the end. Oh books, you wonderful wonderful torturer! Stay Booked. Happy Reading! (Feb.20)<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>OMSJ! I am sitting at Jiffy Lube waiting on my car, and just finished WoW: 1943.III. I'm sitting here with my eyes welled up with tears. This is such a heart wrenching book. Jayzus, I need a drink. (Mar.1)<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>Melissa y Sonia, the end of 1945.I, have booze handy, lots of it. Fucking hell. I knew it was coming, but still, fucking hell. (Mar.21)<br />
**Side note: you'll notice I've gone from spelling curse words with symbols, to just fucking cursing. That's how powerful this book is**<br />
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WoW update: It's been awhile since I've updated, mainly b/c I had taken a break from reading it. I just wrapped up 1945.I & 1945.II.<br />
1945.I was intense and emotional. I felt nauseated and disgusted with the human race at the end of it. 1945.II was not much better and I broke out in goose bumps at the part the U.S. bombs Hiroshima & Nagaski. That chapter at least ended on a more pleasant note, but you get the feeling of a devastating future plot line with the Peshkov clan. Fucking hell is all I can say. And now I need to try and sleep after this?! Fucking hell...(Mar.21)<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WoW update: Just wrapped up 1945.III & 1946 & started 1947. Nothing emotionally jolting, thank Zeus, but still some fu(kity fu(k moments. I'm only 39pgs from finishing, and I'm torn, as I am with all great books, with that mixture of exaltation of coming to the end and a wrapping up (of sorts since technically this is a trilogy so there will be no "wrapping up" per se) the story, and the undeniable dread and anxiety of not wanting it to end. I am happy I will have finished reading this before I move. Idt I could wait too much longer to know what happens. I only wish book 3, provisionally titled 'Edge of Eternity' was coming out this year instead of next. Though, it may be best, since it will give me time to recover from this book. (Mar.24)<br />
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•<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span>WoW update: Finished. Bloody hell. XXX rating. I need a drink and a therapist.<br />
It was an amazing book. Emotionally draining, but fuggin amazing. (Mar.26)<br />
**Comments to this post**<br />
**Sonia: I just got through the battle of midway.. Oh the stress! I woke up with a mild headache.<br />
**Jason: So stressful!<br />
**Melissa: I'm trying to catch up! About 55% through...<br />
**Jason: Oh it gets so much worse from there Mel<br />
**Melissa: So stock up my liquor cabinet and line up my therapy appts right now?<br />
**Melissa: "you mean that there are Chinese pansies?" "well, what the hell...at least you're not a republican"<br />
LMAO!!<br />
**Jason: I love that quote!! I have it written down. Lol.<br />
**Sonia: I am hoping to finish it up i am on page 499.<br />
**Jason: 499? Mine was like 940pgs<br />
**Sonia: No I am on page 499. Total page on the nook version is 738.<br />
**Melissa: I have the day off so I've been sitting out in the back yard with the dogs, reading. It's a gorgeous day, so relaxing....and then I read the Pearl Harbor part.<br />
**Sonia: Ugh ... The stress of reading that part.<br />
**Melissa: The visualization of the sailors trying to hold on as the ships sank. And poor Woody. Heart-wrenching.<br />
**Sonia: Oh it killed me to read that!<br />
**Jason: Poor Woody :(<br />
I teared up when his bf talked to Woody's mom, what's her name? My memory sucks. Rita?<br />
**Sonia: I thought it was Rose my memory sucks too<br />
**Jason: Something with an R for sure. Lol<br />
**Sonia: LOL,,,, that is all I remember that its with an R, will i check and report back!<br />
**Sonia: Rosa<br />
**Jason: That's it!! We were both close<br />
**Melissa: Wtf?? Did Chuck die??!!<br />
**Melisaa: Psychiatric patients being taken away by the SS. The mad leading the mad.<br />
**Sonia: It really is disgusting! And Maude surprised me.<br />
**Melissa: Oh my gosh, me too! Carla rocks though.<br />
**Jason: Yeah how heartbreaking was the scene when Eddie goes to Rosa. And the scene before it.<br />
**Jason: Mel... Wait, it gets worse. Poor Carla.<br />
**Jason: Sonia... Are you done yet?<br />
**Sonia: Sometimes I slow the pace of reading scared of what the SS is going to do. Carla is awesome and brave with what she has seen she could of stood back and done nothing out of fear but instead she pushes forward. It's reminds me of a documentary I saw two weeks ago of 1/2 Jewish girl and a German guy that fall in love but he goes into the military and eventuall he is part of the plot: Valkerie to kill Hilter.<br />
**Melissa: Ohhh, I love Carla. Dammit.<br />
I can't believe how 'regular' people lived during this time. Not just the soldiers, but the courage required for everyday life. And I think about the things that scare me in my life. What a wiener.<br />
**Chris: Hopefully there's better times ahead in the next book. I kept waiting for something good to happen in WOW and it just got worse and worse.<br />
**Melissa: Ugh, I was hoping it would get better too. Guess I'll give that up. Sonia, where are you? I'm at 85% - pg 794 of 941 or something like that. I quit my job on Tuesday and don't start my new one for two weeks so lots of good reading time for me. I can't believe Lloyd saved Boy and he was STILL an ass. I hope he lives to marry Daisy!!<br />
**Chris: Sorry I thought you guys had finished already, the worst is yet to come, get ready<br />
**Melissa: I don't really "like" your comment, just wanted you to know it was no problem. :)<br />
**Sonia: @melissa My nook app has 513 of 738<br />
**Melissa: O mg Carla. I want to throw up.<br />
**Jason: I can't imagine there's better times ahead with the civil rights movement, cuban missile crisis, and Vietnam conflict coming up. I am curious to see how he wraps it up.<br />
And Mel, that scene had me so nauseous. Fu(king horribly disgusting.<br />
**Chris: It was the hardest most emotional book I've ever read.<br />
Jason it should end ok since the last 20 years of the Century were very good. The fall of the Soviet Union, the Fall of the Berlin Wall. Hopefully he ends on the positive.<br />
**Jason: I wonder if he's going all the way through the 80's. I guess he would be, makes sense. And I totally agree Chris, most emotional book I've ever read. Just hijacks every emotion without anything you can do to stop it.<br />
**Melissa: Yes it is, and yes it does, and you can't stop even if you want to. I got so apprehensive knowing what was coming and I wanted to stop reading, but I just couldn't.<br />
**Sonia: I dread every time the book heads into Germany. The SS were so evil just to look their way and not look their way brought their attention to a person. I would never want to leave the house had I been a German during those time and my goodness I can't even begin to imagine the fear the Jewish people and people that Hitler didn't feel fit his views or appearance of what his Germany would look like.<br />
**Jason: The Russians are no better when they get into Germany. Very interesting to see the form of East/West Germany after the allies occupy<br />
**Chris: Damn Russians!! Lol<br />
**Sonia: My biggest complaint like movies, I have become extremely picky because of Follett. I have Dan Brown to read when the books gets released in May and I am going to try to read The Hobbit and hope I enjoy the books.<br />
**Melissa: I know what you mean, Sonia. I'm nearing the end and I have several books to choose from next and I'm afraid none of them will measure up..how could they?<br />
**Jason: Agreed. Follett is impossible to follow. I need light reads after this, but I know I'll be caving something of substance right after the light reads. Just need to find something of substance that at least comes close to Follett.<br />
**Sonia: Those are the words I was looking for Melissa!! Jason I feel the same way!!!<br />
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That dear readers is my humble review of one of <i>the</i> best books I've ever had the pleasure and honor to read. Read it, you will regret it if you don't. Stay Booked! Happy Reading!<br />
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-20200932010168513002013-03-12T21:49:00.001-04:002013-03-12T21:49:02.804-04:00"It was a dark and stormy night..."<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
So begins <i>a</i> by Madeleine L'Engle. She uses the classic, and every writing teacher's "do not use", Bulwer-Lytton opening line. I never read this book as a young-adult, I'm sad to say, because it was a pure joy to read. <br />
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I read the Introduction and Afterward, the former written by a friend of L'Engle, the latter written by her granddaughter. It's amazing to me that this book has been banned so much. It was denounced by "some Christian groups" because it "glorified witchcraft and new-age spirituality", and also criticized by the non-religious for being "too overtly Christian". It was deemed "heretical" by the fundamentalists. So one can see the problems it faced upon its 1960's release. Like all "controversial" books it gained notoriety from plain simple misunderstanding. Those that couldn't, or wouldn't, understand its true meaning, condemned and banned it. It's funny, and quite sad, how small minded us humans can be. Madeleine was initially turned down by virtually every publisher at the time. Mainly because none of them could figure out how to categorize and market the story. It was a children's book, but with adult themes, and words "too difficult" for children to understand. It was science fiction, but with religious themes. It was a marketing nightmare. </div>
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Excerpt from the Afterword: Her agent at the time, Theron Raines, loved the book and worked with her through two or three drafts. My grandfather also served as firm and good editor. Gran read chapters excerpts to her children, and their enthusiasm for "what happens next" also encouraged her. But she did not sit down to write a "children's book" or a "fantasy novel"-she wrote to please herself. A few publishers rejected the book with comments like these:</div>
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"If it were a short fantasy, that would be different...I would advise the author to do a cutting job on it-by half."</div>
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"For me there isn't quite enough story value." (load of shyte on that comment, IMO)</div>
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"It's something between an adult and juvenile novel."</div>
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She was advised to make the book more accessible so children could understand it, to change the plot, change the characters, change the book entirely. She was very tempted. The urge to do the publishers' bidding was made more acute when both her agent and her husband suggested that perhaps she ought to give the publishers what they were asking for. Perhaps, they suggested, she was being stubborn. She certainly was stubborn, but if she wrote to please herself and no other outside audience, she also, as she said, was "a servant to the work" and as such had no authority to change the book. After a year of rejections by multiple publishers, she asked her agent to return the manuscript, insisting that so much rejection was too painful, and no one was going to understand what the book was trying to do. Then, at a party she gave for her mother during the Christmas holiday, a friend insisted she send the manuscript to John Ferrar. He had read and admired her first novel, so Gran was sufficiently encouraged to meet with him. He liked the manuscript, but just to be sure, he sent it to an outside reader for assessment. It came back quickly with this note: "I think this is the worst book I have ever read, it reminds me of <i>The Wizard of Oz</i>." To John Farrar's credit, that comment convinced him to publish. The publishing company's faith in I <i>Wrinkle</i> was more than vindicated when it became an immediate critical and popular success, winning the Newbery Medal in 1963."</div>
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I know, I've not said one word in regards to plot, or characters, or anything pertaining to the story, but I think a book's history is important. It gives an already special book, even more meaning and makes it that more dear to our booky hearts. Now that have given you some background on it, here's the skinny, I loved it. </div>
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Book Synopsis: It was a dark and stormy night; Meg Murry, her small brother Charles Wallace, and her mother had come down to the kitchen for a midnight snack when they were upset by the arrival of a most disturbing stranger.</div>
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"Wild nights are my glory," the unearthly stranger told them. "I just got caught in a downdraft and blown off course. Let me be on my way. Speaking of way, by the way, there is such a thing as a tesseract".</div>
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Meg's father had been experimenting with this fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappeared. now the time has come for Meg, her friend Calvin, and Charles Wallace to rescue him. But can they outwit the forces of evil they will encounter on their heart-stopping journey through space?<br /><br />This is the synopsis and it only touches upon the vast depth of what this story is about. The novel itself is only 200 something pages, but it holds so much depth of character and life. I love that it mixes both science and religion. I'm not religious, and the religious themes did not bother me, they were great. I love the mix of both for this reason, in life there is both. Religion does not trump science, and science does not trump religion. They <i>can</i> live together, and L'Engle proves that. We live in a world that the people of it need faith to get through their lives, but we also live in a world that requires science to survive. These two things shouldn't be enemies, but partners. L'Engle shows us that it is possible and if we expand our minds, we can see that. This book can't be classified and I love that it can't. Because to me it represents life as it is, duplicitous. It is a YA novel, but with strong adult themes. Things aren't always black and white, one definite way or another. I respect and admire L'Engle for not caving in to the narrow-minded publishers, and staying true to herself and the life she breathed into this beautiful novel. And I am fan of this work of art for all those things, and for one more reason... At the very heart of this book, besides all the political, religious, fantasy, YA, adult, good vs evil themes, what this book is really about is one thing, Love.</div>
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I may not have been a child when I read it, but I certainly had child-like awe while I read it. I highly rec it and give it my highest rating XXX. Stay Booked! Happy Reading!</div>
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2589479749896220649.post-35827771471809282392013-02-16T20:29:00.000-05:002016-01-16T10:54:04.212-05:00The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Mua8vp2_61za5D06LPbg4iR1iOnix0j6-fUFAamRLKXvZgZ6IIvPW7gLiz3IYHvheM9-xGAau3dMmY34zA7IeWmtNr9sKvEJZ3THgyqUxfylg3tLGPuMqdgX2dzaQkg3SXMuMXXtBiph/s1600/The+Best+Exoctic+Marigold+Hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Mua8vp2_61za5D06LPbg4iR1iOnix0j6-fUFAamRLKXvZgZ6IIvPW7gLiz3IYHvheM9-xGAau3dMmY34zA7IeWmtNr9sKvEJZ3THgyqUxfylg3tLGPuMqdgX2dzaQkg3SXMuMXXtBiph/s320/The+Best+Exoctic+Marigold+Hotel.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
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"The only real failure, is the failure to try. And the measure of success is how we cope with disappointment, as we always must. We came here and we tried, all of us in our different ways. Can we be blamed for feeling we are too old to change? Too scared of disappointment to start it all again. We get up in the morning, we do our best. Nothing else matters. But it's also true that the person that risks nothing, does nothing, has nothing. All we know about the future is that it will be different. But perhaps what we fear, is that it will be the same. So we must celebrate the changes, because as someone once said, Everything will be all right in the end... if it's not all right then it's not yet the end." ~The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel~</div>
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I LOVED it! Bloody brilliant! It isn't going to be for everyone, one has to enjoy British films, I think, to enjoy it. But whether you enjoy British films or not, it was wonderful. Great cast, acting, and locale. Beautifully shot, and superbly acted with a well written script and plot. Dev Patel was perfect in his role, funny, charming, personable, just delightful! And he held his own with the veteran actors. Maggie Smith was a cantankerous delight. Tom Wilkinson was a subtle strength. Dame Judi Dench, bittersweet. Bill Nighy, played a more subdued role, but did so wonderfully. All the actors were fantastic. And Tena Desae, oh my, she is a yum yum, yummy delishy curry dish. Wo sigh...</div>
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Def a must see. I give it XXX out of 3XXX's. Stay Entertained! Happy Viewing!</div>
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JaSexxyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03705745874920702294noreply@blogger.com0