Category Archives: What I’m Reading

Fevre Dream

  By Rachel | February 10, 2012 - 12:09 am | What I'm Reading
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A friend recommended this book since I am a fan of the vampire genre.  I am interested to see how it compares to some of the others- especially since this is the first book that I have read by George R.R. Martin.  Apparently he has a pretty solid fan base, at least the prices of his books and their popularity seem to support this theory.

I have read the first few chapters and I am enjoying his descriptions of scenes and people.  A more thorough review to come later.

Review:

I was a little disappointed at the conclusion of this book- I was expecting something unlike anything I have ever read-groundbreaking- and I guess this book was unique in some ways, but the story wasn’t outstanding.

I like George R.R. Martin’s writing though- I like how he describes people and scenes- and his main character in this book- Abner Marsh- was quite unique- I have to confess I liked him a lot.  As main characters go- he was not what you would expect.

If you enjoy reading the vampire genre- I think it is important to add this to your collection.  I am not sure what the original publish date was- 1984 is listed on the book I got from the library.  So he was writing vampire fiction when it was not “all the rage” like it is today.  And without a doubt he inspired many of the vampire stories that we enjoy today.

So, I gave it three stars- I liked it- good solid story- but not one I would necessarily buy or read again.

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One For the Money

  By Rachel | February 5, 2012 - 5:03 am | What I'm Reading
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Cover of "One for the Money (Stephanie Pl...

Cover via Amazon

 

A friend has been very persistent in her praise of One for the Money, the opening book in a series written by Janet Evanovich, with a leading lady named Stephanie Plum.  I have acquiesced and am beginning the book this week.  I have a strict policy about books that are made into movies.  I will not go see the movie until I have read the book.  I believe more selfish motives may be behind her relentless nudgings- she wants us to go see the movie together. ;)

I am a huge fan of the Myron Bolitar series by Harlan Coben- and I have a theory that these books will be similar. We shall see.

Full review will be forthcoming.  Stay tuned.
Review:

A good light read.  Fun, interesting drama- though I was disappointed in how obvious the plot was- didn’t really keep me guessing- but I like Stephanie Plum’s character a lot- and that made up for some of the disappointments.
Not necessarily something I would want to read again- but an entertaining book.

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Voyager

  By Rachel | February 5, 2012 - 4:46 am | What I'm Reading
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Cover of

Cover of Voyager

Just starting Voyager today.  Finished Dragonfly in Amber last night and wanted to jump into the next book in the series right away. This series by author Diana Gabaldon and was published in the early 1990′s.    A review will be coming probably in about a week- these books are long (Voyager is over 1,000 pages)!

If you have read the series and want to leave comments, I would love to hear them- and I am always looking for book recommendations.

 

My review:

This book is epic- and yet has so many layers, so much going on all at once- it is hard for you to wrap your mind around it.  There are heroes that you love and root for, villains that chill you to the bone and raise your anxiety- and so many complex characters that are a little of both.
The book is 1000 pages+ so you’d think at some point you would suffer from boredom.  For me, that just didn’t happen.  I love the complexity of this series- the tension created by love and space and time- now that I have finished the third book I feel totally immersed in this world- and find myself longing to linger there with these characters who have in some ways become like friends.
Very enjoyable series- as I have said- would recommend to those who like historical fiction, romance, adventure, and a little mystery thrown in there too.

 

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Waiting on God

  By Rachel | February 4, 2012 - 2:17 pm | What I'm Reading
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I have been slowing chewing my way through Andrew Murray’s book called Waiting on God for about 6 months now.  I believe it is a 30 day devotional- I am on day 19 presently.  I chose the word chewing rather than reading since I find myself reading a sentence or two, and then reading it again- and many times I will read his entry for one day two or three times and share portions with my husband.

Reading Murray’s thoughts and reflections have been a lifeline to me, during a time of upheaval and struggle- I have found his voice to be encouraging and convicting-just what I needed at this time.  The entry for today was particularly appropriate, so I will share a bit here.

“If we are honest in our longing for holiness-in our prayers to be wholly the Lord’s- His holy presence will stir up and discover hidden sin. It will bring us very low in the bitter conviction of the evil of our nature, its opposition to God’s law, and its inability to fill that law. The words will come true: “Who may abide the day of his coming?…For he is like a refiner’s fire” (Mal. 3:2)”

And one other quote for today.

“Many try to flee from these judgments.  The soul that longs for God, and for deliverance from sin, bows under them in humility and in hope.”

Looking forward to sharing more from future entries.

Dragonfly in Amber

  By Rachel | February 3, 2012 - 11:50 pm | What I'm Reading
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Excitement filled me as I dug into the first few pages of this sequel to Outlander.  I finally got so impatient waiting for the book to come through interlibrary loan that I just bought it for my Kindle.  A review for this book and Outlander will be coming soon.

Update: While I was reading yesterday, I asked myself, what makes this such a great book?  The characters?  Definitely.  The plot? Heck Ya.  But what I love most- the author engages all five senses when she paints a scene.  I feel present there with the characters.  I can see what they see, feel what they feel, hear what they hear…and for me that’s the highest quality of writing.

If you haven’t read the series and you are a fan of fantasy, I would urge to you to check it out.  I am only on book 2 but feel pretty confident that my love of this series will only deepen as I continue to read.

Final Review: About 960 pages later, here I am- at the finish.  And this author knows how to finish- MAJOR cliffhanger- this book really combines in a refreshingly balanced ways all the genres of books that I love.  Romance, historical fiction, and fantasy and even a little mystery thrown in.

 

Charlotte Collins: a Continuation of Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice

  By Rachel | February 3, 2012 - 1:43 pm | What I'm Reading
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I wasn’t sure what to expect when I started this book.  My habit has been to read as little as possible about a book before I contemplate reading it.  I take things on recommendation from friends or if they are in a genre that interests me then I will usually give them a try.

I have only read a few chapters but already I am hooked- and thoroughly enjoying the conversational banter and the author’s portrayal of Mrs. Collins.  A more thorough review will be forthcoming.

Review:  If you are like me and you enjoy reading the variety of sequels and spin-offs from Jane Austen’s original characters, then you will likely enjoy this book and even find yourself rooting for Charlotte Collins.  I found that it was more plausible to me, after reading this book, how Lizzie would enjoy a friendship with Charlotte Collins.  The author did a great job capturing her character in a way that honors Jane Austen’s original portrayal of her.

This book, however, is not outstanding either in writing or creativity of plot- so I would probably have passed it by if not for my continued interest in reading works related to Pride and Prejudice.

Mr. Darcy, Vampyre

  By Rachel | February 3, 2012 - 1:23 pm | What I'm Reading
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I have always loved Jane Austen- from the time I was a teenager.  I appreciate how erotic just holding someone’s hand can be when societal and family pressures were vastly different.  Of course, there were always those who lacked any type of self-control- but I find myself drawn to a time when flagrant sexuality was not the norm, and if you were participating in that type of behavior at least you didn’t broadcast it without shame.

There are many sequels and rabbit trails that expound further on Austen’s characters or take on the what-if of how Jane Austen might have continued the story of Elizabeth Bennett and Fitzwilliam Darcy.  I have decided to read some variations this year and Amanda Grange’s book made the cut since reading about vampires, werewolves and other fantasy-type novels particularly appeals to me.