The Gargoyle

The Gargoyle by Andrew Davidson was an impulse buy after seeing So many reviews and write ups of it. Costco had it for a really good price and I was planning to spend the weekend up at the cabin relaxing and reading, so, it all seemed to come together perfectly.

First I want to say that the first 50 pages of this book are VERY hard to read. If anyone you have ever loved has ever been burned or in a bad accident I am not sure this is the book for you.

I was burned when I was young. I really struggled with the first part of the book. But at the same time it was a little bit healing and a lot bit educational for me. A lot of things I went through made more sense after I read this book. I can't even compare what happened to me with what the character in this book experienced. Not even close. But still.........

Anywhoodle. It's a beautiful story. Very well written. And when those last sentences passed by my eyes I was sad, lonely, and I suffered literary withdrawal.

That's the best kind of book.

It is also unique, creative, and imaginative.

The Devil You Know

The Devil You Know by Mike Carey was an impulse buy when I was shopping Barnes and Nobles 1.99 and up clearance sale.

It had an interesting plot. Ghosts on the loose and the main character helps send them on to the next place.

A fun and fast read. I found myself invested in the ghost he was hired to make go away. I wanted to know her story. And then there was the succubus. She also became a character I looked forward to seeing again. And those are all words I never thought I would write in a single paragraph. So there you have it. A good story with a few characters you really get to care about. Oh, and the landlord. LOVED HER! And I can't tell you why. I just did.

Leonardo's Swans

Leonardo's Swans by Karen Essex is a marvelous historical novel. I love books written about the Renaissance. And when the main characters include the artists of that time I love the book even more.

The characters in the story all lived. And from what I could see this story was researched to the finest details.

If you love art, the renaissance, and stories of court intrigue, you will love this book.

I am the Messenger

I am the Messenger by Markus Zusak -

Just read it!

That's all I have to say.

Ok, one more thing: I'm very happy that Mr. Zusak is a young guy. I can only hope that means many many more years of wonderful novels from him. He's simply amazing. He also wrote the heartwrenchingly beautiful novel "The Book Thief" which is on the short list of my favorite books of all time.

The Shadows of God

The Shadows of God by J Gregory Keyes is the 4th and final book in his Age of Unreason Series. Fast paced and easy to read this was a satisfying end to a terrific series.

But, you do have to be a Sci Fi geek to enjoy this series. It's a bit out there. And delves into trying to discover the true nature of god and the angels.

Overall I loved these books. I thought reading them back to back was going to be a good idea but in all honesty I got to the point where I was ready to be done. Not because it was bad. But I like variety in my reading so four in a row just made me itch to move on to another type of story. And honestly, it wasn't the books, it truly was me. I get the itch to move on sometimes while reading the best books I have ever read. I'm restless like that.

Empire of Unreason

Empire of Unreason by J. Gregory Keyes is book 3 in the Age of Unreason series. Where book two lagged a bit, book three was far more of a page turner. Due mostly to the author ending every chapter with a climactic moment. And because he switches between characters you had to keep reading to find out what happens. It was a vicious cycle since I do have to function as a responsible adult and can't spend ALL my time reading.

But book three was satisfying and fun.

A Calculus of Angels

A Calculus of Angels by J. Gregory Keyes is book 2 in his Age of Unreason series.

Still love it.

The continuing adventures of Ben Franklin, Isaac Newton, and many other characters.

The author does get maddeningly worse at ending every chapter with a cliff hanger. So be prepared to not want to put these books down. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Newton's Cannon

Newton's Cannon by J. Gregory Keyes is book 1 in the Age of Unreason series.

I had heard about this series I don't know where but I have had a hard time finding the books. Then Amazon started selling the whole series. And I jumped at the chance to at least try it.

Needless to say about twenty pages into the book I was ordering the rest of the series. It really is fantastic.

The main characters in the first book are Newton and a youthful Ben Franklin. The world is full of magic and wonder and something else they can't quite identify.

This is a fun series and I love the adventure. So much so that I am actually reading this series straight through. I normally will skip around and read several other books in between any given series. This time around I'm going right on through.

That's not because this is better than any series ever, it's simply that this series doesn't neatly end at each book. It begs to be read as a group. And I would hate to put so much time in between each book that I feel like I should go back and read them again.

The Nature of Monsters

The Nature of Monsters by Clare Clark was a book I grabbed at Barnes and Noble because it was on clearance and sounded appealing.

I won't say this was a great book. I hesitate to say it was even a good book. But I did enjoy reading it. I found it intriguing. And I wanted to finish it.

But I also felt like it was a great book that didn't reach it's potential. That it could have bumped itself up a notch but missed. And I don't know why.

Like I said, I enjoyed reading it. And I wanted to finish it. But maybe I just didn't relate to any of the characters. I just never found myself caring about them or their lives. And because of that distance I didn't fall in love with anything about it.

And this review is just as non-committal as the book. Not bad, but not a must read.

To Reign in Hell

To Reign in Hell by Steven Brust - well, let's just say I shelved it about half way through. It's not a bad story. But I was getting so pissed off at one of the characters that I wasn't enjoying myself.

This is the story of the great war in heaven between god and satan. All the archangels are there as well as a host of other greater and lesser beings.

I might pick it up again but who knows. It had some very interesting moments. And a few characterizations that I really liked and wanted to know more about. However, like I said, I was so annoyed at the character instigating all the trouble that I had to stop. Probably stupid, but when you find yourself gritting your teeth while you read, well, it's time to stop.

Hell to Pay by Simon R Green is #7 in his Nightside series.

I have had this sitting on my bookshelf for over a year because I was saving it for a very special occasion. Mainly the release of the next Nightside book. I don't know what I would do if he stopped writing these.

Fun, creative, and a wild ride. I LOVE this author. I love his humor, his style, and his amazingly creative mind.

Putting it simply, his books to me are perfect escapism.

The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier was a fast and fascinating read.

Basically there are three states of existence, living, dead but remembered, and then, well, something after that but we don't know what.

The story goes back and forth between the living and a city of the dead. Because for as long as someone remembers you, as long as you are in their thoughts then you exist in the city of the dead.

This thought provoking story really does talk about how people might die but they live on in our memories.

Strange but beautiful, I enjoyed this story very much.

People of the Book

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks was a story my parents picked up and really enjoyed. So when we got together a few weeks back they gave it to me to read. And I'm glad they did.

The story is really cool. It takes place in modern times and in the distant past.

A Hebrew prayer book has been found and is lovingly preserved by Hannah. With each sample she takes from the book of stains, hair, and even a butterfly wing she tried to put together where the book has been in it's long life. And with each piece of evidence we are taken back in time to find out how those bits of evidence got to be a part of the book. As well as how the book in and of itself came to be.

It's a wonderful story. Fun to read, and beautifully written.

The Witch of Portobello

The Witch of Portobello by Paulo Coelho was one of those grabs at the airport book store. I loved The Alchemist and this sounded irresistible. I was intrigued from the first page.

Ultimately, I'm not sure I loved this book. It was beautifully written and had some fantastic moments. And beautiful passages. But I feel a little empty. I didn't grow to care about the main character as much as I probably should have. She remained a little distant to me.

But, I'm not sad I read it. And I don't feel like it was a waste of time. It was a good story, just not a life changing great story.

The Amber Spyglass

The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman is the third book in his trilogy. And equally as marvelou as the first two. Normally I would have been very sad to see this series end. It was a fun ride. But, there is an additional book called Lyra's Oxford. So I can still get my fix.

Overall, I'm glad I read this series. I really enjoyed it. And I will save Lyra's Oxford for one of those literary treats I savor and save for special reading occasions.

The Subtle Knife

The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman is book two in the "His Dark Materials" trilogy.

Much like the Golden Compass this series is turning out to be a very enjoyable read.

I had this series on my list of books to read but it was bumped up in priority due to the controversy about the meaning behind the books.

I'm glad the movie and books caused such an uproar because the stories are really enjoyable. I'm only a few pages into book three but I like it just as much.

Easy to read but not childish. The characters are fascinating. And I can't wait to find out who turns out to be what - there is a very ambiguous line between right and wrong, good and evil. And who can you trust.

The Golden Compass

The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman has been on my reading list for ages. I thought about reading it when the movie was coming out but of course there were other books that I just HAD to read. But then a friend said to me that she wasn't going to let her kids see the movie because it is about a couple of kids that set out to kill god. Well, hell, of course I had to read the book now. I need to find out for myself just what this series is about.

And though I still don't know what Mr. Pullman's message (if any) is, I do know that this is a fantastic series. I am about 100 pages into book two (The Subtle Knife) and at least thus far there is no mention, nor any quest to kill god. God really doesn't come into it yet. There is some hints and references to great beings, but nothing obvious or harped on.

All I know is, when I pick up the book and start to read the entire world around me disappears. And if I have to stop reading i have to pull myself out of the beautiful and fascinating worlds Mr. Pullman has created.

I can't wait to finish this series. It is marvelous. I'm thankful for the controversy or I might never have put this at the top of my oh so long reading list.

The Rape of Oc

The Rape of Oc by Michael Baldwin I found on the shelf at work. We have several bookcases around the buildings filled with books and this one caught my eye. What really intrigued me was the "This book not for sale in the US" stamped on the back.

Why? Don't know. But it was an interesting tale. Basically the story of a virgin and her fight against the crusaders that pillage town after town.

An interesting collection of characters make this a somewhat entertaining story. But it is long. One of those stories that could probably have been told in a few less pages. But still, I read it all the way through and I enjoyed it. It was different. It was imaginative, and it was a story I wanted to know the end of.

Sophie's World

Sophie's World by Jostein Gaarder - I read this book a few years back. I picked it up because I had always enjoyed the idea of Philosophy and the great philosophers but found the reading material about them very dry. And the classes I took in college seemed to always put me in a coma.

This book should be required reading in Philosophy 101. It is fantastic. The story of a young girl, Sophie, who is taught philosophy by Albert. I enjoyed this book as a fictional novel in and of itself. But it was the philosophy lessons interwoven amongst the story that really made this an enjoyable book. I felt like I got more bang for the proverbial buck. A great story and an education.

Curious about understanding philosophy - this is a great place to start.

A Million Little Pieces

A Million Little Pieces by James Frey was a very good read. Raw, harsh, and beautiful. Full of lyrical prose that made me stop, think, and read them for a second time. I don't care what the truth is behind this story. Nor do I care about how much or how little of the story was embellished. It was simply a wonderful read. And I loved it. So very human, full of the best and the worst in mankind.

I also think the book can be and has been an inspiration for addicts. From what I was able to find on the internet about the controversy there were many people whose lives were changed for the better because of this book. If that is the case it doesn't matter how true it was. I have not found anything that said that Frey wasn't an addict. And if he has stayed clean and changed his life than that is all that matters. If one person is saved by this book than that is all that matters. And regardless of all of that the bottom line is, this is a wonderfully written book and I loved it.