Category: Books

July Reads - Book Review

7/22/2022

Reading in the backyard...

Hello!
Hope your summer is going well and you are not melting! It's been really hot here. One of those summers where New Mexico is on fire (seriously) and it's even hotter in south Texas. I stayed at a hotel last week and was chatting with other hotel guests about the heat and one actually said, "Welcome to HELL!"
Err, okay. Thanks for that.
I drove to the Gulf Coast for a week and it was actually COOLER there than LONDON. WTF? How is that even possible?
But enough going on about the weather, I am pleased to share a new book review with you. This week I read The Sentinel a Jack Reacher, novel by Lee Child and Andrew Child.
Read on for my quick review.

I admit was introduced to this franchise via the Tom Whats His Name Movie.

I also watched the Amazon series, which in my opinion is MUCH better than the movie mentioned above. So when I spotted this paperback at a used book store, I grabbed a copy.

This is book number 25 in the Jack Reacher series. At the time of this writing there are currently 27 novels published and a feature movie (2012) as well as an Amazon series (2022 -?)

The Sentinel: A Jack Reacher Novel by Lee Child and Andrew Child

Was it a pageturner? Yes
Do I like this genre? Yes - Action/Thriller
How's the storytelling? Easy to follow, but a bit different than the other Jack Reacher novels
Was it well written? It's fine
Would you recommend this book? Yes. BUT if you are a fan of this series it is a bit different so read a preview before purchasing.
Page Count: 386 pages

My Last Minute Thoughts:

There are 57,000+ reviews for this book on Amazon. Reading the reviews by diehard fans will shed light on how this Reacher is different and where the novel went a bit off the rocks.
This was a collaboration and it shows, but I still enjoyed the book.
If you are looking for a quick summer read, grab it.

More reviews out soon~

Hey June!

6/1/2022

And just like that it's June again!
Hope you have a great adventure planned and plenty of good books to read!

Today...

4/8/2022

Oh Goodness!

3/22/2022

I was reading a Count Germain book by C. Quinn Yarbaro...now I'm a rich alchemist.
Who is also an immortal.
Damn the bad luck! lol

What about you?

Who Else Feels Like This?

2/20/2022

But Really...

2/16/2022

#TrueStory 😬😝📚

Whoever Finds Love

2/7/2022

“Whoever finds love
beneath hurt and grief
disappears into emptiness
with a thousand new disguises”
― Rumi

Texas Wine Cup Wildflower

Do you agree?
I believe it to be true. You are never the same after something dreadful happens. Period. It's the end of a chapter of your life. But you can recover.
Well, let me clarify, you don't so much recover yourself instead, one becomes a new, improved version of yourself. You are not ever the person you were. But yet at your essence, you are still you, but more so. Suddenly you are stronger than you ever imagined and more. Deeper, kinder, gentler, and perhaps wiser.

Rumi will brighten your life.
Google for more quotes or buy a book of translated poems.

Now, I'm off to lunch with an old friend & then shopping for a housewarming gift. I have so much to do and not enough time! Which seems to be a theme lately.

Later-

First Book Review For 2022

1/13/2022

First book review for 2022!

Quick Book Review - Thursday Edition:
The Cold Vanish by Jon Billman

Was it a page-turner? so-so
Do I like this genre? Meh-True Crime
Setting: American Wildlands
How's the storytelling? fair
Was it well written? 50-50
Would you recommend this book? Probably not
Page Count: 284 pages
Published Date: July 2020

OVERVIEW:
The book is about people who have gone missing in the wilderness in America/Canada. The central story revolves around the disappearance of Jacob Gray, and his father's quest to find him.

The narration was good/okay overall, but it got boring at times, so much so that I was left wondering why I was even reading this book? Luckily, it wasn't long, and I finished in a single afternoon.

I read different topics/genres, and the subject matter intrigued me, but it was more push to finish versus "I can't put it down."

My Last Minute Thoughts:

I feel more attention/coverage should be put on missing people cases. Telling their stories could be fascinating and motivate searches to continue.
I found the tone dry at times and very judgemental. The author tried to be philosophical at times and missed.
If you like true crime, you might like this.

More reviews out soon~

Reading Challenge Results

1/5/2022

How are you feeling about 2022? I know it's too soon to tell, but here's to hoping it's a better year.
I just hopped over to Goodreads and saw my yearly book stats. I will share some of them below. I often don't review books on the Goodread site, but write a quick non-spoiler review here or vice versa. If you are wondering about any book on my list, just leave me a comment and I will give you the skinny on it.

I seem to like books in the 300-500 page range, over that and I feel kinda trapped by the book...unless it's really, really good. I did read a small 33 page one this year that ended way too soon.

This year I read about:

energy healing,
astrology,
astral projection,
vegan cooking,
murder mysteries,
spicy romance,
vampires, werewolves, shape shifters, Fae, witches, etc.
self-help,
ancient aliens,
archaeology,
Iron Druids,
ancient myths,
art,
science fiction,
urban fantasy,
and even had room for a few classics.

I read for knowledge, entertainment, escapism, and to understand other people's outlook on the world. What are your favorite types of books? What makes them the best?

I will be posting more in the coming months as I am working a bit less.
Hopefully, we can meet up here and discuss books, food, and other fun topics!

Speak soon~

Quick Book Review - Thursday Edition:

12/16/2021

The Magic Mountain - Der Zauberberg by Thomas Mann

Was it a page-turner? Slow Going/Ease into it
Do I like this genre? Yes - Fictional Satire
Setting: TB Sanatorium in Switzerland
How's the storytelling? It's on the top '100 MUST READ LIST' for a reason
Was it well written? Yes
Would you recommend this book? Yes
Page Count: 900 pages
Published Date: 1924

OVERVIEW:
The Magic Mountain is a novel by Thomas Mann, first published in November 1924. It is widely considered to be one of the most influential works of the 20th-century in German literature.
The story opens in the decade before World War I. It introduces Hans Castorp, the only child of a Hamburg merchant family. He is in his early 20's, about to take up a shipbuilding career in Hamburg. He visits his cousin Joachim Ziemssen, who is in a luxury sanatorium in the Swiss Alps, and we are introduced to a memorable cast of characters as the story unfolds.

My Last Minute Thoughts:

This book has been on my list to read for years. I'm glad I finally waded in.
Written in German, I read a translated work.
It offers ironic insight into European one-percenters of the time.
I'm sure it will be a book I reread every few years.
Overall, a philosophical novel that makes you think.
For some readers, it could be too slow to hold their attention.

More reviews out soon~

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