Sunday Update!

I must admit that I have been feeling quite productive on the reading and blogging side of things. Have you been enjoying the regular blogging? How about the new template? I am not totally wild about the headers, but I like that book on the top of the page. We will have to see, if I continue to feel cozy with the template.

I had been doing good with reading down my galleys and ARCs, but I was a bit silly recently and requested a few new books. Don't get me wrong, I don't request galleys that I don't think I have the time to read or the interest to read; however, galley reading can sometimes keep me from the long list of books I have been meaning to read. Newsflesh trilogy (I loved Feed, and I need to finish the series), Abbadon's Gate, and the Kingkiller Chronicles, I am looking at you! Of course, one of the galleys that I am hoping to get my hands on is a Mira Grant book, so the world of reading and reviewing is somewhat balanced.

Updates

Since I have moved, I don't listen to audiobooks constantly. I am trying to incorporate them into my new life with cable television. ;) I started the third Sookie Stackhouse book (Club Dead) while getting ready for bed, and I got hooked. I found myself choosing listening to the audiobook over watching television the next day. I finished the book in about a day. I think the novelty of cable television is wearing off, and I am finding myself pulled back into the world of books. I must admit that Sookie Stackhouse is a bit more entertaining that HGTV.

Since returning from vacation, my reading of The Republic of Thieves has slowed down. The book is a bit on the long side at over 800 pages, and my eagerness is starting to fade. I am really enjoying the "present day" story, but the flashback (as usual) is not holding my interest. The flashback is interesting, but because I know vaguely everything is going to work out (there would be no present story otherwise), my interest wanes when I read those sections.

I also just picked up My Planet by the fabulous Mary Roach. I have read two of Roach's books (Stiff! and Bonk!), and when I saw this book I just had to pick it up. Roach has a great writer's voice and makes me laugh out about the must mundane things.

Fun! Randomness! Entertainment!

Review: Club Dead

Club Dead by Charlaine Harris

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The vampires are causing headaches for Sookie again in book 3 of the Sookie Stackhouse series. Bill has gone missing, so Sookie is recruited by Eric to find him.

I must admit that I am surprised that I am enjoying this series as much as I am. I blame the audiobooks. I don't notice how silly the writing is, because the reader is fantastic. I also really enjoy Sookie's character. She reads like a real person. She has her strengths (she is brave, polite, and is a telepath), but she also has her weaknesses (she gets jealous and lets her anger fester at times). Granted, Sookie gets beat up a lot and loses tons of blood, but she can hold her own. I think Buffy would be cool with her.

One random note, there was at least one sentence that was exactly the same as in a previous Sookie book. Maybe this is normal in this series, but I hadn't noticed it before this one sentence popped up. It was three-quarters of the way through the book, so it took me by surprise.

Note: For those who are sensitive to rape, there is a very brief rape scene.



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Review: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Meet Harry Potter, an average kid, whose parents died when he was a baby. He now lives with his aunt, uncle, and cousin who treat him more like a servant than family. One day an owl delivers a letter to Harry Potter. Instead of being surprised, Harry' family freaks out and tries to get Harry away from the owls and letters (as more and more start to come). This little adventure leads Harry to discover that he is a wizard, his parents were wizards, and there is a whole new world for him to discover.

I didn't discover the Harry Potter books until I was in college. I am sad that it took me so long to discover them; however, it was a happy situation, because I was able to read the first four books in one weekend. The world of Harry Potter is so much fun and the adventure is so great that you can't stop reading the books. The world building is a bit inconsistent; however, you don't really notice it when you are reading. If you haven't started this series, do not stop, do not pass go, go straight to your local bookstore or library.



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Review: The Field Guide to Fleece: 100 Sheep Breeds & How to Use Their Fibers

The Field Guide to Fleece: 100 Sheep Breeds & How to Use Their Fibers by Carol Ekarius

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This book was generously donated by Storey Publishing for review.

Are you a spinner? Do you find yourself buying fleece and only realize after you return home that it isn't right for your project or it doesn't dye how you want? Well, The Field Guide to Fleece is for you! This book is written by the same people who brought you The Fleece and Fiber Sourcebook. This book focuses on 100 of the sheep/fleece that you are going to run into when you are about and about fleece shopping. The book is 6.9 x 5 x 0.5 inches, so you could bring the book with you on your fleece travels.

For each sheep, the authors give some basic information, explain the effects of dye, and explain the best uses of its fleece. Additionally, the fleece weight, staple length, fiber diameter, and natural colors for each wool is listed. Finally, there is a cute picture of the associated sheep!

This is a fantastic book for hitting sheep and fiber festivals and other places when you are not sure what sort of fleece you are going to come across.



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Wednesday Update!

I just got back from a lovely vacation in Cape Cod. It was super relaxing, and I got to eat tons of fresh seafood. A bonus to the trip was that I got to finish The Curse of Chalion, which I loved. I also started The Republic of Thieves (more below). I also was very excited to find out that I won two books through the GoodReads First Reads program. I now have a stack of galleys that need to get done ASAP, not that I am complaining mind you. :)

Updates

I am currently reading The Republic of Thieves, and I am loving it. I don't want to say too much just yet, but in this book, we find our trusty thieves Locke and Jean are squaring off against Sabetha! I am enjoying this story much more than Red Seas under Red Skies.

Fun! Entertainment! Randomness!

Have you checked out your public library? If you haven't been there in a while, I want to encourage you to check it out. Your library may have DVDs, Blu Ray DVDs, video games, and audiobooks. Also, many libraries now offer ebooks and mp3 and wma audiobooks that you can download onto your favorite electronic toy. If your library uses overdrive for its ebooks and audiobooks, you can download the app onto your phone or tablet and download books any time you want! I love being able to listen to audiobooks from my phone.

Review: The Curse of Chalion

The Curse of Chalion by Lois McMaster Bujold

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



The Curse of Chalion is about a soldier named Cazaril who has fallen on hard times due to political machinations. A previous employer within the royal family gives him a job as her granddaughter's secretary/tutor. Everything is going fine until his charge and his charge's brother are asked to return to court. Court is filled with villains who want to use the young royals to gain power and line their pockets with gold. These political intrigues would be potentially manageable for Cazaril, if this world did not also contain magic and fickle gods.

I really enjoyed this book. I did not know what to expect when I picked up this book, and I was pleasantly surprised. Although this book is in a fantastical realm, the crux of the book is political intrigue. I honestly did not know how everything was going to work out at times. I am looking forward to reading the other two books in the series.



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Sunday Update!

Because I am still on vacation, I don't have an update (no Internet = no blog). To feed the posting need, here is part 1 and 2 of the fabulous Bee and PuppyCat series on Cartoon Hangover. You are welcome. :)