Tuesday, December 13, 2011

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest

I'm glad that I made up my mind to finish this book. Good book but a bit slow.
part of it was I felt sorry for Lisbeth. For when she came into hospital the part of her was damaged was her brain that numbers would be effected. Which is her favorite thing to do. I found that the setting of hospital to court and what was between Blomkvist and Salander was a bit stagnant. There was not much happening. You could surmise was going on/going to happen when you read that Zalchenko was in hospital. The court scene was pretty much what I thought. Good to see a lawyer stand up for women's rights.
What made this book was the characters themselves.Salander's friend Blomkvist although not sure how he makes it with his friends and lovers. He was funny but a stand up friend.Interesting to look into more of what Berger was about. She came off as being tough but really she had feelings as everyone else.The Russian characters are like the CIA.

The little history behind certain things as like the Amazon women that get their breasts taken off was interesting. I like how Larsson intertwined the stories.
All the loose ends were tied up at the end of the book. The final battle between Salander and her brother was won. Now finally Lisbeth's scars inside of her are now starting to heal.



I never read the first book but did enjoy the Swedish movie. I liked this edition The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. But out of the trilogy I liked the second book the best. The Girl Who Started the Fire.



I give The Girl Who Kicked The Hornets Nest 3
 because story was slow


Barnes and Noble says Customers Who Bought This Also Bought Innocent  Scott Turow,  Deliver Us From Evil  David Baldacci,  The Lion  Nelson DeMille, Little Bee Chris Cleave, Afraid Jack Kilborn, Help Kathryn Stockett





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Wednesday, October 26, 2011

Bright Young Things

My thoughts on this story. Not necessarily, thoughts that are in order.
I have to admit I did like this book. First reason why I picked this to read is because it was written from the 1920's. The start of the show Boardwalk Empire.
Two girls breaking out to a big city. Very  bold of them. Cordelia, the sassy one found out what bright young things meant. When girls use their brightness of their eyes, softness of their skin, they have a advantage in getting what they want.
Letty, Cordelia's girlfriend had differences with Cordelia and tried to find her own life. She stumbled on someone abusing a greyhound. Why? she asked to the man who was doing the abusing. "Because they're old,and they don't run fast anymore, and they're no use to me anymore". Enough to give  Letty  a reason to rescue a beautiful greyhound. A  likeliness of how Letty's personality is.
How can Letty be so naive to believe someone that is as sleazy as the guy she hooked up with would want her just to sing innocently, to live her dream? When all she went out on stage is to have people yell out to take it off..

What I liked to see is that Cordelia found her father. Which she set out to do. But what I find funny is how easily that her father accepted her. You don't read so much on that in stories. As she got along with her new life,she got involved with a son of a competitor. A no no.. Only to find that he used her. He used her to get to her father.A unnecessary death

The funny part about it Cordelia went to find Thom Hale. I was made to believe that she wanted to talk to him. But she came to kill him. Didn't go through with it. And found out when she got home her brother and "family" were going to help get back at the big bad Hale family. Of course Letty found Cordelia and all was forgiven.

Also never pictured Cordelia the way picture is on cover. Pictured her a little more homely. With dark hair.


A good set up for the next book.


Barnes and Noble says 
People who bought this also bought Revolution Jennifer Donnelly Perfect Ellen Hopkins,   The Name of the Star: Shades of… Maureen Johnson,  Elixir Hilary Duff,  Before I Fall Lauren Oliver

 I give Bright Young Things 4 



Although I like a little bit of meat from my books, this story it is what it is. A sweet story about girls finding their way in a big city and trying to go after what they want. And being encouraged by family. The 1920's theme helped too.
And that is why I gave it a 4.


I am looking forward to the next book in line.




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Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Life's a Beach


I picked this book to read well, it was toward the end of summer and I haven't read any summer/beach books.
Nice little story. Nothing to be learnt. Just a fun read. I like all the characters. Of course my favs were the sisters, Ginger and Geri. Sounding so familiar of incidents that one feels it's all about the other.
A little bit of comedy intertwined in story, nice touch. Especially like the part where Ginger and nieces and nephew where waiting in line for an audition. And a man was walking up and down asking if anyone had SAG. Course Ginger took it that her chest was sagging. "Not yet"

All in all in this story no matter how they felt toward each other you could tell they loved each other. Now the parents in the story were getting a bit on my nerves. The father I get it wanted to pretend he didn't want to be around the chos that the sister's mother was going through. But truthfully. Enough is enough with the memory loss.

Even though there were no lessons to be learnt. I realize that No.1 do not live with your parents. Especially if you don't pay rent. Gives them a cause just to walk in and invade your privacy. Hence my own life wish my children,especially daughter would pay rent. It would help out a lot.
No.2 FROG means finished room over the garage. that's where Ginger was staying.

I give Life's a Beach 4 


Barnes and  Noble says People who bought this also bought Summer Blowout Claire Cook, The Wildwater Walking Club Claire Cook, Dedication Emma McLaughlin, Buenos Aires Broken Hearts Club Jessica Morrison, School's Out Christophe Dufosse




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Tuesday, August 23, 2011

The Girl Who Played with Fire


I liked this book. It took me forever to read it but I finished. It seems like a political book but the way the author wrote the characters to intertwine with each other was excellent thinking. I felt for the characters especially  Lisabeth
The way it ended was a bit foreseen. You knew that Blomvist was going to be involved in her finding.


These are some things I found  interesting along the way of reading this story .
1.The biggest point that was made, that changes wanted to be made so it is a real difference a person is making.
2.Funny how character described the bad people as a forest troll, leprechaun.
3.7 Eleven is sought out more than a grocery store in Sweden
4.Sweden has same concerns as we. One of the characters is looked down because he isn't married. But has a SO that is married.
5.A selective description of  Lisbeth. "She was so dark that in the light her eyes might be raven black."
6.I see that in real life Sweden, there is things that happened that are just as bad as any other country. A politician being murdered. And she was a popular woman.
7.A look at one of the under appreciated professions, school teacher, devotes time to make things right in investigations.
8.I'll never look at evil just as a word. The "Evil" that Lisabeth tells is something that I am grateful not to go through
9.A clue for the next book. Lisabeth boxed and she boxed like scrapping with a hornet. "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest"
10.The title of book comes with something with fire  to protect herself from her father. And here is where the "Evil" is.

Somewhere toward the end of book. It felt like it jumped characters. First talking about a journalist next talking about a fox.
A description of a character was compared to a horror movie. "The creature on the floor was no girl, but a being from the other side of the grave who couldn't be conquered with human strength or weapons known to man"..


Looking forward to the next book, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest. I'm sure author will wrap up loose ends. I hope to see Lisabeth happy again. And the rest of characters find their way to their own destiny. But first I need to catch up on my summer books.

Barnes and Noble says eople who bought this also bought  The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,  South of Broad
by Pat Conroy, Little Bee by Chris Cleave, That Old Cape Magic by Richard Russo.

I give The Girl Who Started the Fire  4 


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Monday, June 06, 2011

Dead To the World


Another Sookie Stackhouse book read.It was one of the most interesting books of the series so far.
I never was so glad not to see Bill in the book as this one. About time Sookie thinks for herself without him.
Relationship between her and Jason is a bit different. Nice to see the brother and sister team so calm.

Important for me to see how Eric is with Sookie and family in the rest of stories.


Barnes and Noble says People who bought this also bought Dead as a Doornail by Charlaine Harris, Club Dead by Charlaine Harris, Dime Store Magic (Women of the Otherworld Series #3) by Kelley Armstrong, Smoke and Shadows by Tanya Huff, Cravings by Laurell K. Hamilton , Rebecca York , MaryJanice Davidson , Eileen Wilks, Bite by Laurell K. Hamilton , Charlaine Harris , MaryJanice Davidson , Angela Knight , Vickie Taylor, Undead and Unwed (Betsy Taylor Series #1)by MaryJanice Davidson, Undead and Unemployed (Betsy Taylor Series #2) by MaryJanice Davidson, Grave Sight (Harper Connelly Series #1) by Charlaine Harris, Dead in the Family (Sookie Stackhouse / Southern Vampire Series #10) by Charlaine Harris



I give Dead To the World 4 




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Thursday, May 05, 2011

Water For Elephants




Very interesting book indeed. The way the author went back and forth of when Jankowski young and old. Sometimes it was hard to follow, is it when he was young that I'm still reading? Oh no, he's in his 90's. I like how she put it when he was older."Ghosts of my past rattle around my vacuous present". I think the memories that we have of the past are more precious of the memories of the present.

Old America when funny things are said that you would never think about doing now like "You should take it up. It's good for your health". Yeah not now would someone say that about smoking.

As the circus went to town to town Uncle Al would pick up animals from other companies when they couldn't make it financially. Nice to see Jacob suddenly feel soft toward all the animals.

Although I didn't like how August treated Rosie. It broke my heart to read of the horrors he put on her. I did learn something about this elephant, had a language barrier. She only knew Polish.
We all know that elephants just don't respond to just Polish, German. But it is a part of the circus history that there were at least one that did. Elephants do remember and Rosie did do what anyone else (human) would do ponked August over the head. Animals don't harm, people do.

Sweet that Jacob found his true love in Marlena. Nice to see that he would love a child even if it wasn't his. Quite a life they led. They did Rosie right and the horses. Which made what happened not forgiven or forgotten but easier to know that they are in good hands.

Jacob Jankowski thinking the show he went to see was not to the magnitude of either Benzini Brothers or Ringling. For that you need a train. Water For Elephants is a story that will give you a bit of history. Not factual but with a story.

I thought the ending a bit weak. But believe it was appropriate of how it ended with Jacob at a circus, "for this old man, this is home".


I give Water For Elephants 4 


Barnes and Noble says, Customers that bought this book, bought The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein, The Memory Keeper's Daughter by Kim Edwards, Sarah's Key by Tatiana de Rosnay, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (Millennium Trilogy Series #1) by Stieg Larsson, and A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini




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Thursday, April 07, 2011

Listen



I liked this book. I thought the characters were interesting too. I think my favorite character was Frank. He was a cop that just wanted to do good. And love where he lived. There were a lot of reviews saying that it was too much referencing on the religious side. While reading I kept my eye out on it and didn't see too much. I'm saying things weren't jammed down our throats. Point, what are we without faith? Any kind of faith for that matter?

What if our conversations were recorded, the ones that we think are private? I know I wouldn't like it, to know that others will see what was said. It is a lesson to check yourself on what you say, how you say it.
In Listen it is said to be a dark and dirty secret. Time to listen than talk.

A lot of the bullying we see today is caused by harsh words. Maybe this web site that they had was a good idea, listen to yourself. Sometimes it doesn't sound nice. In this case life and death are in the power of the tongue. Are we defined who we are by our private conversations? Or are we who we are despite our private conversations? This is food for thought.

My thoughts on Listen. It says trust begins with words. If we don't watch what we say and how, I think we will never be able to live in peace. There will always be something that is said and done that hurts. If we continue to be not so judgmental I think we will eventually become that good person you don't mind calling friend, good neighbor, buddy.


I give Listen 4 



Barnes and Noble says Customers who bought this also bought Deliver Us From Evil by Robin Caroll, A Case for Love (Brides of Bonneterre Series #3) by Kaye Dacus, Snitch by Rene Gutteridge, Hunter's Moon by Don Hoesel, Scoop by Rene Gutteridge

Monday, February 21, 2011

Brida




My only book that I read so far of Coelho's. Not a bad story but a little slow in the beginning. I see there were little lessons in there. It focused on love,soul mate, sex. Would I want to look for my soul mate through mistakes, or just know by the light that a person carries?
I'm not sure magic, like Tradition of the Sun would be what I would want to find my soul mate. For what magic could tell me, I can find otherwise with someone that connects just as well.

I found it surprising that Brida at such a young age would go through witchcraft because she has that Gift. Also witchcraft as Tradition of the Moon was teaching her of God& being there for her. You never associate witchcraft with God in a good way.

Dark Night being another lesson of having faith in yourself and God. The one thing that I saw that Coelho used sex as a tool of example of being as one. And commend Lorens for sticking with Brida.

I could see that Brida acted mature for her age which I think that the story was brought together. You could believe her as knowing of witchcraft and seeking out the teacher, Magus. sticking with the lessons with Wicca for being a witch.
At the end, I felt that I wished Brida good luck on sharpening her Gift. And she and Lorens find that peace together.


I give Brida 4
  because it was a cute story but slow in beginning and Brida being so young.




Barnes and Noble says

Customers who bought this also bought Paulo Coelho's, The Winner Stands Alone, Veronika Decides to Die, The Alchemist,& Eleven Minutes, The Little Prince by Antoine Saint-Exupery





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Tuesday, February 08, 2011

Wuthering Heights



Wuthering Heights- blowing strongly: describes a wind that blows strongly and makes a loud roaring sound, 2. having blustery winds: subject to persistent blustery or noisy winds

The definition to this title, to this story, pretty much fits. a not so typical romance novel. It has everything rough and cold attitudes, lies, a love that you might say is ghostly.

Who are we to say how people should live? As you read on how these characters acted you would swear they were doomed. To say a warped sense of love.
I read some reviews of this novel and I agree with some parts that were made. One could say that the housekeeper Ellen Dean was the one who was a victim and was abused. It shows when she tells the story to Mr. Lockwood of all who were at Wuthering Heights and ThrushCross Grange. But when I read farther I thought maybe she isn't the controller but she was the cause of the chaos. She also was supervisor of the children.

Wuthering Heights was a bit hard to follow especially the cast. You had The Earnshaws and The Lintons. With them were their children. The one person who had connection with all was a man who grew up with the Earnshaws, was Heathcliff. After the elders passed away and as Heathcliff got older, the love of Catherine and he were strong. But Catherine of her devilish ways messed with him and as time went by he caused pain, with Nelly the housekeeper, his wife Isabella, plus his true love Catherine. He treated his own son Linton like a Cinderella. Linton lives in complete dependence and lives in his house as a servant deprived.Cathrine's daughter Cathy was like her mother too. Hareton, He is one of the few that Heathcliff likes or respects born a Earnshaw though. He was the only one that took Heathcliff's death to heart.

At the end Heathcliff got what he wanted Catherine. Their souls still walk the grounds, according to the Country folks. The two of them got what they wanted. As Heathcliff said to Catherine "I killed you?, haunt me than. The murdered do haunt their murders ghost".

A few things that I noticed and questioned.There were some innuendos made that Heathcliff was dark, that he might of been black. I believe Isabella said something of that he was black. But he is portrayed as white in movies.

Mr. Lockwood who was a tenant at Thrushcross Grange was telling story in Nelly's words but shorter. Was this his way of saying that he is writing a book about ThrushCross and The Heights?



So much is going on in this book that does have you looking for what is going to happen next. What Emily Bronte (Ellis Bell) did in one novel that she ever wrote her sisters were trying to do in the many novels that they wrote.

I give Withering Heights 4
  I liked this book. I'm glad I got a chance to read another classic. Not too many books that give you love,hate,torture,death, and ghosts all in one. This story I was reading on my nook (nookbook) I wish that others get to enjoy this classic as much as I did. I gave 4 stars just because for me it was a bit hard to follow.


Barnes and Noble says Customers also Bought Jane Eyre, Pride and Prejudice,Great Expectations, and Little Women




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Monday, January 10, 2011

Decked With Folly






Another great Christmas book. Never read any of Kate Kingsbury's books. So this was a treat to read of this mystery of Pennyfoot Hotel


The main character Cecily who is the owner of this hotel seems to have a problem every year, a Christmas curse. She is hoping that this Christmas there will be no problems. But to her dismay there is a problem. And this is where the mystery begins. Whodunit? Who killed Ian? Was it the housemaids, Gertie,Mabel, or the footman, or a guest/s? Who knows.
Somehow Cecily gets the constable to leave the suspects in her care till after the holiday. Just so, before constable gets back the case is solved. Hooray for Cecily! for everyone knew she was an amateur sleuth.


I would read another book by this author. I considered this like a cozy mystery.
I may release this through bookcrossing. May even bring this to convention. I hope others will enjoy as I did.

Amazon says  customers who bought Decked With Folly also bought other Christmas mysteries by Kate Kingsbury


I give Decked With Folly 3 



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Thursday, January 06, 2011

A Redbird Christmas





This is the first book that I downloaded on my new nook, (nookbook).
First book I read from Fannie Flagg. As soon as I started reading I thought of Hallmark. I enjoyed A Redbird Christmas it gave you a warm,fuzzy feeling.
When I started reading about the main character, Oswald T Campbell I pegged  him to be not a people person. But understandable because of his health. But some time spent at The Lost River, Alabama made him a different person. He saw things differently. Birds that he thought were just gray are really different colors.In time Campbell wasn't an accidental visitor. He was a permanent resident. The Lost River a place that was set back in time. The reason for the title with a bird that wasn't going to make it, was this tiny ugly mud hen became this beautiful red and black masked bird. Named Cracker Jack because he got into the Cracker Jacks. He brought a lot of joy to everyone with his funny things he did .
Even Mr Campbell couldn't resist him. A little girl, Patsy an orphan that was brought into everybody's heart. Patsy had a relationship with Jack too. As time went on the characters evolved from friends caring, a redbird that brought smiles eventually found their nitch in The Lost River and settled in.
Mr Campbell no longer needed a doctor to see if he was going to live and Patsy grew up to become a vet in honor of Jack.
Everything turned out just like a Hallmark movie :)




I wouldn't mind reading another book by this author too. She tells a down to earth no fancy words story. I give A Redbird Christmas 5 


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Amazon says
Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought the rest of Fannie Flagg books