New York Times Bestsellers 6.30.07 June 30, 2007
Posted by sadiejean in Randomness.add a comment
HARDCOVER FICTION
Top 5
1. LEAN MEAN THIRTEEN, by Janet Evanovich
2. A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS, by Khaled Hosseini
3. BLAZE, by Richard Bachman
4. DOUBLE TAKE, by Catherine Coulter
5. THE NAVIGATOR, by Clive Cussler with Paul Kemprecos
HARDCOVER NONFICTION
Top 5
1. THE DIANA CHRONICLES, by Tina Brown
2. THE REAGAN DIARIES, by Ronald Reagan
3. THE ASSAULT ON REASON, by Al Gore
4. GOD IS NOT GREAT, by Christopher Hitchens
5. OUTRAGE, by Dick Morris and Eileen McGann
Rasputin’s Daughter June 20, 2007
Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, General Fiction.Tags: Rasputin's Daughter, Robert Alexander
add a comment
—4—
In Robert Alexander’s Rasputin’s Daughter, Maria, the daughter of the Russian mystic Rasputin, guides us through the last days of her father’s life and the monarchy. As the threat of revolution grows, Maria tries to save her father, although she cannot decide if he is a saint or a devil.
A good work of historical fiction, filled with plenty of facts about pre-revolution Russia. Suspenseful and satisfyingly frustrating.
4/5
Try Rasputin’s Daughter if you enjoy historical fiction, such as The Illuminator by Brenda Rickman Ventrease or The Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban June 19, 2007
Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, General Fiction, Young-Adult Fiction.Tags: Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, J.K. Rowling
add a comment
How I Live Now June 19, 2007
Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, General Fiction, Young-Adult Fiction.Tags: How I Live Now, Meg Rosoff
1 comment so far
—4—
Meg Rosoff’s How I Live Now is marketed as a young adult novel, much like Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime. Both, however, are cross-over works that teens and adults can enjoy. In an un-named war against an un-named enemy at an un-named future time, 15 year old New Yorker Daisy goes to spend the summer with her aunt and cousins in England to escape her father and pregnant stepmom. When her aunt becomes stranded away from home, Daisy and her cousins get to play house and live in their own little world, until the war comes to all the way to their doorstep. With this, Daisy quickly grows from a self-centered teen, intent on starving herself, into a brave leader determined to survive when it seems impossible.
How I Live Now is a fast, satisfying novel, although the relationship between Daisy and her cousin Edward is a bit uncomfortable, or just strange, to read about. However, the youngest cousin, Piper, is a wonderful character, and seeing Daisy and her survive together is a highlight of the book.
4/5
Try How I Live Now if you liked the writing style of The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime by Mark Haddon
The Crimes of Jordan Wise June 16, 2007
Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, General Fiction.Tags: Bill Pronzini, The Crimes of Jordan Wise
add a comment
—3.5—
Jordan Wise is a dull 30 something man in the 1970’s, who is nothing remarkable, until he meets and falls for Annalise Bonner. She wants excitement and change, and so Jordan decides he will give it to her. Jordan then commits his first of three ”perfect” crimes, leading them to a Caribbean island. Twenty-five years later Jordan tells his story to a writer, and we hear how his perfect crimes weren’t so perfect after-all.
The beginning is fast and interesting, as Jordan commits the first of his crimes. The middle seems unecessary, nothing much happens for a long time, and it often sounds like a travel book on the island and boats. The end, as Jordan commits his last two crimes, picks the story back up. The story could probably have been an entertaining short-story or novella.
By Bill Pronzini
3.5/5
Neanderthal June 16, 2007
Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, General Fiction.Tags: John Darton, Neanderthal
1 comment so far
—3—
When a new Neanderthal skull, that is, one that only dates back 25 years, is found in Asia, Matt Morrison and Susan Arnot are sent to find these prehistoric relics, as well as their former mentor who has disappeared with them. There, they discover two bands actually exist, one kind, vegetarian, and nonviolent and the other ruthless brain-eaters. The also find a hidden advantage Neanderthals have over humans, a type of ESP. Matt and Susan have to fight to save themselves, the secret power of the tribes, and one group of Neanderthals from the other.
John Darnton’s Neanderthal is often a bit too “out-there”, especially when dealing with the ESP of the creatures. However, a lot of the information given about Neanderthals is accurate, and the book is pretty exciting in parts. Unfortunately, chapters about them military are dull compared to the rest, and I often found myself hurrying through them to get to the next chapter.
3/5
Try Neanderthal if you enjoyed the subject of Clan of the Cave Bear by Jean Auel or the suspense of Labyrinth by Kate Mosse.
New York Times Bestsellers 6.14.07 June 14, 2007
Posted by sadiejean in Randomness.add a comment
HARDCOVER FICTION
Top 5
1. A THOUSAND SPLENDID SUNS, by Khaled Hosseini
2. THE OVERLOOK, by Michael Connelly
3. THE GOOD GUY, by Dean Koontz
4. FOR ONE MORE DAY, by Mitch Albom
5. THE 6TH TARGET, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro
HARDCOVER NONFICTION
Top 5
1. THE ASSAULT ON REASON, by Al Gore
2. THE REAGAN DIARIES, by Ronald Reagan
3. GOD IS NOT GREAT, by Christopher Hitchens
4. EINSTEIN, by Walter Isaacson
5. A LONG WAY GONE, by Ishmael Beah
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets June 13, 2007
Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, General Fiction, Young-Adult Fiction.Tags: Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, J.K. Rowling
add a comment
The House on Mango Street June 6, 2007
Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, Classic Literature.Tags: Sandra Cisneros, The House on Mango Street
2 comments
—3.5—
Sandra Cisneros’ The House on Mango Street is a series of short vignettes about Esperanza, a child growing up in a Spanish-speaking portion of Chicago. Characters such as her family, friends, boys, and neighbors each play a role in the short chapters, as Esperanza dreams of when she can leave Mango Street and live in the house of her dreams. The House on Mango Street is a short read, and the vignette style is appropriate for the thoughts of Esperanza; it gives them an almost musical quality.
3.5/5
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone June 6, 2007
Posted by sadiejean in Book Reviews, General Fiction, Young-Adult Fiction.Tags: Harry Potter, Harry Potter and the Socerer's Stone, J.K. Rowling
1 comment so far
