Owner: Pick of the Literate URL:http://bookrevues.blogspot.com/ Join Date: Wed, 30 Apr 2008 14:55:51 -0500 Rating:0 Site Description: As an avid reader I often ignore reviews since they too frequently give away too much of the book. I will only write about what I have read and will recommend rather then review. I read a wide variety of books, primarily fiction. My favorites Science Site statistics:Click here
Book Swapping or FREE BOOKS-WhooHoo! 2008-04-30 11:47:00 Years ago I had a dentist who was also a scifi/fantasy fan. Every time I went to the dentist I took a bag of books and if I had remembered to remind him, he would bring a bag of books and we would swap. Sheer Ecstasy (I know, get a life) would ensue and I felt like I had scored. Well finding kindred souls is always tough, my dentist moved and my current dentist isn’t a scifi fan. The web allows easier access to kindred souls so I thought perhaps I would start a book swap. After having a survey on my blog that no one responded to, I thought I’d do it myself. So at the top of the column on the right I offer to swap books for stuff. I have lots of computer related stuff that I will happily swap. So far no one has wanted to swap. Then to my delight I found Paperback Swap.
The Chantry Guild by Gordon Dickson 2008-04-29 10:52:00 First Gordon
Dickson is one of my all time favorite authors. The Childe Cycle is a series of books by Dickson on the future of man. Man has gone into the void in splintered cultures. These splintered cultures develop their respective strengths and weakness in their ideologically uniform environments. While the premise doesn’t sound terribly inviting, the series overall is excellent. This particular book features characters that have been involved throughout the series and is the culmination of events to that point. The series was never finished due to the untimely death of Dickson. If you are at all intrigued you should start with “Dorsai” the first book in the series. The Dorsai characters remained my favorite throughout the series.Titles in the series in order of publication are:Do Read more:Guild
Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs 2008-04-28 11:20:00 Very interesting book, it has something in it to offend practically everyone. A good mystery, a very thought provoking plot. The protagonist is a forensic anthropologist with a cop as a boyfriend. The mystery is focused on the religious impact of an anthropological find and the ensuing murders. The book shakes the foundations of several major religions. An entertaining read in spite of the thought provoking plot.Body of Work of Kathy
Reichs Authors site: : -books/cross-bones-kathy-reichs/1021693/
Read more:Cross
, Bones
Firemask by Chris Bunch 2008-04-27 16:13:00 “Firemask” is number two in the four book series The Last Legion. I found “Firemask” more enjoyable than the first book. I thought the detailing was better done and the story line was more inspiring. The characters are fleshed out better which was one of my complaints about the first book, “The Last Legion”. Interestingly the review below felt that the first book was better. Goes to show how subjective this stuff is. I enjoyed the book and recommend both books I have read.Body of work of ChrisBunch
Review of Firemask:
Freakonomics by Steven D. Levitt & Stephen J. Dubner 2008-04-26 20:26:00 Everyone has heard about this book. It isn’t as entertaining as you are led to believe but it may be more thought provoking than you can imagine. Two guys explore a lot of conventional wisdom and debunk some and support others. Their commitment to their work can be illustrated by the fact that one of them embedded himself in a crack gang to gain insight as to what makes that aspect of the economy function. Simplisticly they believe the root of all economics is incentives. What incentive drives you to work? What incentive drives a company to manufacture something? Considerbly more complex than these two examples, you should do yourself a favor and read the book. Certainly not a novel and not a quick and dirty read but well worthwhile.Body of work of Steven
D. LevittBody of work of Stephen Read more:Freakonomics
The Last Legion by Chris Bunch 2008-04-23 12:22:00 No doubt inspired by the Roman withdrawal from England, the book details the plight of a small force left to their own devices on a frontier of a failing interstellar empire. The main characters are likeable but somewhat shallow. The story line is good. I like the book but I have hopes that as the story proceeds in the next three volumes that there is more character development and more action.Body of work of ChrisBunch
Review of the book:
Read more:Legion
The Shy Stegosaurus of Cricket Creek by Evelyn Sibley Lampman 2008-04-22 19:40:00 Here is another great childhood book. It is back in print. I read this book as a kid and later read it orally to my 5th grade class when I was teaching. Yes, it has a talking dinosaur but that isn’t the only reason I like it. Two kids find the dino living in a canyon on their ranch. The interplay between the kids and the dinosaur is great. The story is entertaining. It kept my 5th grade class memorized. If you have a child that wants to believe, this is a great story for them.Body of work of Evelyn Sibley Lampman
Read more:Cricket
The Dark Sleep by P.N. Elrod 2008-04-20 09:59:00 I like old time detective stories. I am a Mickey Spillane and John P. McDonald fan. “Empty Copper Sea” by McDonald and “The Big Kill” by Spillane are good examples of their work. So when I ran across a detective series set shortly after prohibition with a hard nose by soft hearted P.I. as the main character I tried it out. Now there are some differences between Elrod’s work and the aforementioned Spillane & McDonald, primarily that Jack Fleming the main character is dead and he is a vampire. This in no way detracts from the entertainment value of the series. I have enjoyed every one I have read andBody of work of P.N. ElrodSite of P.N. Elrod:
Read more:Sleep
The Book of Jhereg by Steven Brust 2008-04-20 09:49:00 I’ve mentioned before I enjoy books with telepathic animals, the lead character in this fantasy, Vlad Taltos, is a witch/sorcerer and assassin. His familiar is a Jhereg which is a parrot size poisonous, telepathic, scavenger, predator mini dragon. Jhereg is also one of the 17 houses of the Empire. Trust me, it isn’t that complicated once you start to read. “The Book of Jhereg”, contains three complete novels, “Jhereg, Yendi and Teckla”. Since I am always looking for good prices on my books, this threesome is substantially cheaper than buying the three stand alone novels. These are the first three of Vlad’s adventures. First three is a bit of a misnomer as future books actually fit in better between some of these rather than a strict linear progression. It doesn’t hurt the s Read more:Steven
The Intruders by Stephen Coonts 2008-04-19 13:05:00 You may note that I generally like the book I am writing about. That is because I only write about the ones I have read and frankly why read something you don’t like. I liked “Flight of the Intruder” which is the prequel for this book better. Not that this is an entertaining book, it just wasn’t as entertaining. Coonts books are all high octane, peddle to the metal type of reading, full of manly men and womany women. (womany??) I have noted that friends of mine who happen to be either pilots or marines or god forbid both have a tendency to be a tad overblown macho wise. You’ll see a lot of that in this book. An entertaining read, hardly taxing, probably won’t make you ponder the inevitability of fate or anything but still worth reading.Body of work of Stephen
CoontsCoonts’ si
Prey by Michael Crichton 2008-04-19 12:53:00 The thing about Crichton’s books is that they always make me think. One of my son’s is going to a seminar in Boston this week on micromachining and nanotechnology. He tells me that talking to some of his old profs, where he got his Masters in Engineering, tell him that unless there is some reference to nanotechnology in the grant requests they don’t get the money. If you haven’t figured out where this is going, Prey is about nanotech running amok. It is a good mystery and an exciting read. I have yet to read a book by Crichton I haven’t liked.Body of work of Michael
CrichtonReview on Prey
The Reluctant King by L. Sprague De Camp 2008-04-18 15:06:00 This book contains three complete novels, “The Goblin Tower”, “The Clocks of Iraz” and “The Unbeheaded King”. De Camp is in the old school of science fiction. He writes classic fantasy and if you have never read any of his stories you really must. Please do not miss the “Complete Enchanter” even if you don’t try and dig this particular book up, it is one of my all time favorites. De Camp is somewhat responsible for the entire genre of Heroic Fantasy.“The term heroic fantasy . . . refers to a sub-genre of fantastic literature which chronicles the tales of heroes and their conquests in imaginary lands. Heroic fantasy emphasizes the conflict between good and evil, and often casts a reluctant protagonist (human or hobbit) in the role of champion. Though he may not always be
The Apprentice Adept Trilogy by Piers Anthony 2008-04-17 18:27:00 The books in this trilogy are #1 “Split Infinity”, #2 The Blue Adept and the final “Juxtaposition. Piers Anthony
is a mystery to me. I have greatly enjoyed some of his books such as “The Source of Magic” and “If I Pay Thee Not in Gold” with Mercedes Lackey. I just didn’t find any thing to identify with in this trilogy. I didn’t care for the story line or characterizations. I wouldn’t discount him out as an author though. He has written some very entertaining stuff. The Xanth fantasy series had some truly funny books.Body of work of Piers AnthonyPiers Anthony’s site:
Read more:Apprentice
, Trilogy
The Horse Clan Series by Robert Adams 2008-04-16 13:46:00 This is a long series in a post-holocaust world. I enjoyed it. Adams
get a bit preachy at times. He may not have an agenda but you are definitely subjected to proselytization. Regardless they are enjoyable books and entertaining to read. I am always a sucker for telepathic animals. I always wondered what the heck my dog was thinking when he did that. It also amused me when she stuck her nose in inappropriate places and seemed to enjoy the discomfort it engendered. Since I wasn’t lucky enough to have a telepathic dog, I always enjoy stories with telepathic/intelligent animals.Kind of search through the drift to find the Horse
Clan Robert
AdamsA good site for the horse clans. are the horse clan books I have read and I recommend them.A Man called Milo MoraiA Woman of the Horse ClansBili Th
Fresh Disasters by Stuart Woods 2008-04-15 17:17:00 Sometimes I find StuartWoods
thought provoking. Others times I find his books merely entertaining. I guess realistically sometimes it is good to find a book that provides you with entertainment and doesn't really make you think. I spend a lot of time thinking so auto pilot isn't all bad. Delano, Georgia gets mentioned once again by a character. That small, quaint Georgia town would have to be several hundred thousand to encompass every character who originated there. Stone Barrington is always amusing, amazingly attractive to every member of the opposite sex and always lands on his feet. He is never faint of heart when it comes to challenges. I like Stuart Woods' books and recommend this one as well. Amazon link to body of work of Stuart Woods Link to Stuart Woods Home page
Read more:Disasters
The Cold Moon by Jeffery Deaver 2008-04-14 20:26:00 This is the first Deaver book I have read. The main character is a quadriplegic ex-detective with a devious mind and an astounding ability to make intuitive leaps. I find that many mysteries I read aren’t terribly mysterious. Jeffrey Deaver’s plot is stupendous, superb, simply awe inspiring. He gave many, many clues. This was a good story, an outstanding read and a fiendishly clever plot. Well done Deaver!Amzon link to body of work of Jeffery DeaverThe author’s site: Reporter review:
The Live Ship Traders Trilogy by Robin Hobb (a.k.a. Megan Lindholm) 2008-04-13 18:17:00 This trilogy was the first of Robin
Hobb’s work that I have read. It knocked my socks off. I couldn’t believe I had never read any of her work before. She tells a story that grabs you by the shorts and gives you an atomic wedgie. I jumped on the web and tracked down her Farseer Trilogy
and loved it just as much. The Tawny Man Trilogy is the third work of hers that I admire. “Alien Earth” was published under Megan
Lindholm. I didn’t enjoy it as much as the trilogies. I did find a page on the internet claiming to be her sentiment regarding blogging which she seems to feel is only for those who are not motivated or too lazy to write. I don’t know if it actually is her sentiments, if so I would beg to disagree. Perhaps a day to day diary may be indicative of a lack of interest in w
Cross by James Patterson 2008-04-13 12:49:00 Alex Cross
is a likeable main character with a wealth of crap in his life. I enjoy the Alex Cross books. I definitely wouldn’t want a steady diet of them but sneaking one in between other reads works out just fine. As in most current novels there is too much gratuitous violence without balancing nobility. Patterson
is prolific the following are the only books of his I have read.2nd Chance3rd Degree5th HorsemanBeach RoadBlack Market (Also known as Black Friday)Cat & MouseCradle and AllCross Four Blind MiceHide and Seek HoneymoonJack & JillKiss the GirlsLifeguard Mary, MaryMaximum RideMidnight ClubPop Goes the WeaselRose are RedSee How They RunThe Beach HouseThe Lake HouseViolets are BlueWhen The Wind Blows A link to Powell's Books that list all of James
Patterson's work.
The Mushroom Planet Series by Eleanor Cameron 2008-04-13 10:27:00 My first love in books is Science Fiction/Fantasy. I love to read and will read a phone book if nothing else is available. However good planning generally makes that unnecessary. A book in each room you frequent, one in the car and your PDA loaded with Baen Free Book downloads means you seldom need to read phone books. The first book I can recollect reading,that was definitively Science Fiction was “The Wonderful Flight to the Mushroom
Planet”. Tyco M. Bass was a scientist who had wonderful adventures. For some reason I remember “Mr. Bass’s Planetoid” as my favorite of the Mushroom Planet series. I was impressed enough with the series that when I was a 5th grade teacher 14 years later I read it to my students. They too, seemed to derive a great deal of pleasure out of the series Read more:Eleanor
, Cameron
Coming Attractions 2008-04-12 16:36:00 Off for a night out, come back soon to see what is new.
Read more:Attractions
Literacy Forgotten About by Readers 2008-05-02 15:23:00 If you are reading this, then you are literate, most likely computer literate as well. Most readers don’t really think about illiteracy. Once you learn to read, it’s not like you are going to forget how to do it again. Problem is that illiteracy abounds. In affluent Bucks County, PA over 60,000 residents are functionally illiterate. This is a county that claims to have 88.6% of it’s population with a high school diploma and 31.2% with a college degree. An inability to read is truly insidious. How can you possibly cope in today’s environment with out being able to read?Reading needs to be nurtured, fostered, encouraged and promoted. Reading is the keystone that holds the archway of education. How do you learn something new if you can’t read about it? If a love o Read more:Forgotten
Storm Force by Chris Bunch 2008-05-04 10:15:00 “StormForce
” is number three in the four book series The Last Legion. Action, action and more action in this book. The continuing use of the same characters gives the series great continuity. I liked this book even better than the first two. Some bad guys get their just desserts and some good guys get wasted. Very exciting, hard to put down, obviously I recommend it.Body of work of ChrisBunch
Review of Storm Force:
Riptide by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child 2008-05-07 20:08:00 These two guys can make you sit on the edge of your chair while you read. They develop a story well, the characterizations are good and their plots are awesome. This book deals with a buried pirate treasure. Well, it may sound hokie, but trust me, it will grab you by the throat and drag you into a sleepless night trying to finish the book. Gotta love a good book.Body of work of DouglasPreston
Body of work of Lincoln
ChildTheir web site: of Riptide:
Dragon’s Treasure by Elizabeth A. Lynn 2008-05-11 10:22:00 A good book, wish I would have waited to read “Dragon
’s Winter” the prequel to this book, until I had both books in hand. Too much of the story was predicated on having read “Dragon’s Winter”. My recollection was sufficient that I wasn’t lost but I felt like I should reread the first book so I could greater appreciate the 2nd. Anthropomorphism is alive and well in the changelings in Read more:Treasure
, Elizabeth
The dust of other days by Bob Lock 2008-05-12 13:23:00 I stumbled on this blog while looking through blogcatalog, he had visited someone else's blog and Bob's sounded interesting. Well, that was a worthwhile stumble. I haven't read all his work yet nor have I looked at all of his blogs. If this story is a taste of his work, I am looking for a full course meal. The story reads well with a nice twist at the end. I liked it and I am not a big fan of shor
The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordon (or the never, ever ending story) 2008-05-21 14:00:00 I started out loving this series. Perhaps infatuation is more accurate since I have long fallen out of love with it. Jordon tells a good story
but he makes a tornado seem short of wind. I think I was 12 when I started reading it, seriously it probably just seems that way. I suspect if he ever wraps up the series it might be entertaining to read them sequentially without years in between. I have ne Read more:Robert
The Dragon in Lyonesse by Gordon Dickson 2008-05-24 11:58:00 I’ve mentioned Gordon
Dickson is one of my all time favorite authors in an early post. The versatility of the man is simply awesome. From hard scifi to fantasy is a leap many authors are unable to make successfully. This book is the eighth in a nine book series. They are all entertaining, sometimes simplistic, often humorous but always entertaining. The protagonist is a changeling, man to dragon Read more:Dragon
The Book of Taltos by Steven Brust 2008-05-28 19:14:00 Vlad Taltos, witch/sorcerer, assassin, gangster and statesmen is back. “The Book of Taltos”, contains two complete novels, “Taltos and Phoenix”. Vlad has some god fearing experiences and love life setbacks in these stories. The irreverent approach to life epitomizes this loveable villain. Once again, I highly recommend this book in the continuing saga of Vlad Taltos. Look for my blog on Read more:Steven
The Shadow of the Lion by Mercedes Lackey, Eric Flint and Dave Freer 2008-06-02 11:01:00 Mercedes Lackey ranks as one of my favorite authors as does Eric Flint
. I never heard of Dave Freer until this book. Pseudo or alternative history is always fascinating. This story takes place in Venice, the city state, during the Holy Roman Empire time period of the 1530s in another or parallel universe. The intrigue and Machiavellian machinations are true to that time period. The use of Read more:Shadow
, Mercedes
Very Short Novels and Free! 2008-06-06 13:57:00 I found the other day. It is a site where no novel is longer than 299 words. Think about it, convey what you mean succinctly. That immediately leaves me out as verbosity is my trademark. Regardless, I joined the neighborhood. I read some posts and suggest that you too read them. In an age of escalating verbiage, this site is refreshing to read and enjoy. Now if we could just get co Read more:Short
, Novels
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