I first read a book by Kate Morton last year. The Forgotten Garden was my favorite book that I read in 2011. I picked up The Distant Hours many months ago, and have been waiting for the right time to read a book this large and with heavy subject matter.
This story was just as captivating as the other Morton book I read. However, it did take me awhile to get into. I was probably 200 pages in before the story really gripped me and I felt compelled to read faster. The concept of the story is very fascinating, I just think the beginning could have been condensed.
This is the story of 3 sisters, the Blythe sisters, that have grown up in Milderhurst Castle. Their family has lived there for many years, and during the course of this time, many sinister and secretive things have happened. The sisters are trapped in the castle, with their pasts shrouded in mystery and a terrible tragedy that made the youngest sister, Juniper, lose her mind. Their father, Raymond Blythe, is a literary figure due to a mysterious story he had published many years before. He is at the center of the mystery.
Many years later, a letter that has been undelivered for decades, shows up to Edie Burchill's mother. This letter starts Edie's journey to the castle and the Blythe sisters. Edie uncovers the dark past, and finds the answers to the questions plaguing the literary world in the years since Raymond Blythe's book was published.
This is not a light story. And there isn't a happy ending. However, Morton writes beautifully and paints a very descriptive picture. I would definitely recommend this book, but only when you're ready for a heavy read.
560 pages.
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Matt's 2012 Reads - #1-10
Given my complete and total inability to update this site in anything resembling a timely fashion, my first post of 2012 books is going to cover 10 books. If I can keep up this pace, I'll read 60 books this year and have 10 posts!
1. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
The dragon tattoo books were amazing. Its really a tragedy that such an accomplished author had to meet an untimely end and not get to see the fruits of his labor grow. The characters that Steig Larsson created were deeply crafted and a joy to read about. Selfishly, I hate that there will be no more series about them.
I read the first two books in the series at the end of 2011. I kept hearing how good they were, but never got around to reading them. One evening when my nook needed to be recharged I picked up the paperback of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo that we had purchased many months before. It did not take me long to get into it. All three books were written exquisitely. The pacing and character development was superb and the story was dark and gripping, yet sublimely intellectual. This trilogy makes my list of best reads.
2, 3, & 4. The Maze Runner trilogy by James Dashner - The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, & The Death Cure
I picked up this book after my wife got me back on a Hunger Games kick. I wanted to ready more in the "dystopian society" genre and had heard pretty good things about this series. While James Dashner is no where near as accomplished of an author as Suzanne Collins, I actually enjoyed this story idea more than the Hunger Games. This book has more mystery elements surrounding the storyline in that you don't know much of the "why" the situation is what it is until into the second book, and all your questions aren't answered until the end. The All in all the trilogy is an enjoyable and quick read.
5, 6, & 7 - The Heir Series by Cinda Williams Chima - The Warrior Heir, The Wizard Heir, & The Dragon Heir
I wanted to pick up a new fantasy series, and had heard good things about this author. Unfortunately, the things I heard were not to be true. The series is just good enough to keep you reading, but no good enough to feel good about spending the time on it. Its a shame because the story was a really interesting idea, and different than a lot of the books in the fantasy genre. This is one of those series thats in the "teen" section, and defintely feels like its written for teens. I couldn't really get into many of the characters or the writing style. If this were a blog about recommending books, i would not be recommending these.
8. Variant by Robison Wells
This book was FANTASTIC. Continuing my kick about sci-fi, dystopian society books, I downloaded this at the suggestion of another book blogger. Incredible story line, and thoroughly enjoying. The concept of the book is about an orphaned teenager that bounces from foster familly to foster family finding his way into a boarding school. He thinks his life is finally turning around only to find out that the school is not what it seems. The kids at the school are pretty much prisoners there and left to live on their own and govern themselves. Of course they are monitored and there are "rules" that they have to follow by the unknown people that are watching them.
Here are my gripes with this book tough: 1) the story is soo good that it could have been a lot more to the book. It could have been longer with more character development. I would have thought it was a more complete read. 2) to say it ends with a cliffhanger is an understatement. Its obviously setting up for the next book in the series, but this book literally just ends. VERY frustrating.
9. The Eleventh Plague
Another book in the dystopian society genre about the survivors of a plague that all but wiped out human existence in the United States. Interesting story, nothing too original. All in all, it was an OK read.
10. The Sacred Band by David Anthony Durham
This was the conclusion to the Acacia series by David Anthony Durham. I started the series a few years ago. Its very much an epic fantasy series, which I love. The first two books in the series were great, but it was one of those stories where the author introduces you to so many overlapping plot lines, that I was really concerned about how it would all tie up in the third book. Fortunately Durham manages to do it, and in a way that I thought was very befitting the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a lot to enjoy from a fantasy lovers perspective, but it was also a great story about allure of using power for what was considered to be "good" only to realize the evilness that we are all capable of, and the subsequent redemption that we can all find. Its also a great story of the human condition, and how at the end of the day we all just want to live.
1. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest by Steig Larsson
The dragon tattoo books were amazing. Its really a tragedy that such an accomplished author had to meet an untimely end and not get to see the fruits of his labor grow. The characters that Steig Larsson created were deeply crafted and a joy to read about. Selfishly, I hate that there will be no more series about them.
I read the first two books in the series at the end of 2011. I kept hearing how good they were, but never got around to reading them. One evening when my nook needed to be recharged I picked up the paperback of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo that we had purchased many months before. It did not take me long to get into it. All three books were written exquisitely. The pacing and character development was superb and the story was dark and gripping, yet sublimely intellectual. This trilogy makes my list of best reads.
2, 3, & 4. The Maze Runner trilogy by James Dashner - The Maze Runner, The Scorch Trials, & The Death Cure
I picked up this book after my wife got me back on a Hunger Games kick. I wanted to ready more in the "dystopian society" genre and had heard pretty good things about this series. While James Dashner is no where near as accomplished of an author as Suzanne Collins, I actually enjoyed this story idea more than the Hunger Games. This book has more mystery elements surrounding the storyline in that you don't know much of the "why" the situation is what it is until into the second book, and all your questions aren't answered until the end. The All in all the trilogy is an enjoyable and quick read.
5, 6, & 7 - The Heir Series by Cinda Williams Chima - The Warrior Heir, The Wizard Heir, & The Dragon Heir
I wanted to pick up a new fantasy series, and had heard good things about this author. Unfortunately, the things I heard were not to be true. The series is just good enough to keep you reading, but no good enough to feel good about spending the time on it. Its a shame because the story was a really interesting idea, and different than a lot of the books in the fantasy genre. This is one of those series thats in the "teen" section, and defintely feels like its written for teens. I couldn't really get into many of the characters or the writing style. If this were a blog about recommending books, i would not be recommending these.
8. Variant by Robison Wells
This book was FANTASTIC. Continuing my kick about sci-fi, dystopian society books, I downloaded this at the suggestion of another book blogger. Incredible story line, and thoroughly enjoying. The concept of the book is about an orphaned teenager that bounces from foster familly to foster family finding his way into a boarding school. He thinks his life is finally turning around only to find out that the school is not what it seems. The kids at the school are pretty much prisoners there and left to live on their own and govern themselves. Of course they are monitored and there are "rules" that they have to follow by the unknown people that are watching them.
Here are my gripes with this book tough: 1) the story is soo good that it could have been a lot more to the book. It could have been longer with more character development. I would have thought it was a more complete read. 2) to say it ends with a cliffhanger is an understatement. Its obviously setting up for the next book in the series, but this book literally just ends. VERY frustrating.
9. The Eleventh Plague
Another book in the dystopian society genre about the survivors of a plague that all but wiped out human existence in the United States. Interesting story, nothing too original. All in all, it was an OK read.
10. The Sacred Band by David Anthony Durham
This was the conclusion to the Acacia series by David Anthony Durham. I started the series a few years ago. Its very much an epic fantasy series, which I love. The first two books in the series were great, but it was one of those stories where the author introduces you to so many overlapping plot lines, that I was really concerned about how it would all tie up in the third book. Fortunately Durham manages to do it, and in a way that I thought was very befitting the series. I thoroughly enjoyed it. There was a lot to enjoy from a fantasy lovers perspective, but it was also a great story about allure of using power for what was considered to be "good" only to realize the evilness that we are all capable of, and the subsequent redemption that we can all find. Its also a great story of the human condition, and how at the end of the day we all just want to live.
2011 - Fail, 2012 - TBD
For my first post of 2012 I'm going to recap my failure in 2011. Not only did I fail to reach my goal of 52 books (final count was 38, i think), but I learned that I'm not cut out to be a professional blogger!
That said, it was still an awesome literary year for me. I read more books and discovered more great authors than I had in the last decade. I've always been an avid reader and lover of literature, but having a goal around reading was an awesome experience. Not to mention that I got to enjoy it with my lovely bride.
I'm off to a wicked good start in 2012, so here's to another year of great reads!
That said, it was still an awesome literary year for me. I read more books and discovered more great authors than I had in the last decade. I've always been an avid reader and lover of literature, but having a goal around reading was an awesome experience. Not to mention that I got to enjoy it with my lovely bride.
I'm off to a wicked good start in 2012, so here's to another year of great reads!
Sunday, February 19, 2012
L #8- I've Got Your Number
Last year, I read the hilarious Can You Keep a Secret by Sophie Kinsella. So when I heard she had a book coming out on Valentine's day, I made sure to finish up the book I was reading in anticipation of this one. Kinsella, once again, did not disappoint.
This book is about Poppy Wyatt. She has lost her engagement ring, which is a family heirloom of her fiance's family. She is in a panic, and while searching for it, has her phone stolen. When she finds a mobile in the trash, it seems cosmic and she claims the phone as her own. When the phone rings, from a Sam Roxton, Poppy starts texting and speaking with him regularly. While she's searching for her ring, their lives become interwoven. This one was just as hilarious as all of Kinsella's other reads. I loved it!
291 pages.
This book is about Poppy Wyatt. She has lost her engagement ring, which is a family heirloom of her fiance's family. She is in a panic, and while searching for it, has her phone stolen. When she finds a mobile in the trash, it seems cosmic and she claims the phone as her own. When the phone rings, from a Sam Roxton, Poppy starts texting and speaking with him regularly. While she's searching for her ring, their lives become interwoven. This one was just as hilarious as all of Kinsella's other reads. I loved it!
291 pages.
Monday, February 13, 2012
L #7- Always Time to Die
I've had this Elizabeth Lowell book sitting on my "to-read" shelf for quite some time. The pile is getting daunting. And somehow I still add to it, or upload books to my nook and never quite make a dent. So I decided to try to get through some of the pile.
This book is about the Quintrell and Castillo families. They have lived closely for many generations. At the start of the book, Senator Quintrell has just passed away. His son, governor Quintrell, has presidential aspirations. But there are secrets in the family closet. Secrets that are very disturbing. Aunt Winifred, sister in law to the Senator, hires Carly May to write the Castillo (maternal side) family history. Carly starts to uncover the secrets and her life is threatened. She meets Dan Duran, who has grown up and lived closely with the Quintrell and Castillo families. Dan helps Carly start to piece together the mystery of why someone wants her dead, and why Aunt Winifred is so intent on the Castillo history.
I found this book enjoyable, if a lot predictable. I saw the ending coming a mile away. But that's not always a bad thing.
390 pages.
This book is about the Quintrell and Castillo families. They have lived closely for many generations. At the start of the book, Senator Quintrell has just passed away. His son, governor Quintrell, has presidential aspirations. But there are secrets in the family closet. Secrets that are very disturbing. Aunt Winifred, sister in law to the Senator, hires Carly May to write the Castillo (maternal side) family history. Carly starts to uncover the secrets and her life is threatened. She meets Dan Duran, who has grown up and lived closely with the Quintrell and Castillo families. Dan helps Carly start to piece together the mystery of why someone wants her dead, and why Aunt Winifred is so intent on the Castillo history.
I found this book enjoyable, if a lot predictable. I saw the ending coming a mile away. But that's not always a bad thing.
390 pages.
L #6- Bloodfever
This is the second installment in the Fever series by Karen Marie Moning. I didn't anticipate reading it so quickly following the first. But you know what they say about curiosity!
This book picks up where the first left off. Mac has recently been injured in a close encounter with a vampire and the Lord Master (the one who is leading the dark Fae in the human world). She begins to realize Jericho Barrens is the only one who can keep her safe. She meets a whole group of other sidhe-seers, such as herself, but does not learn much about them. I suspect that's for later books. There are more questions than answers in this book, as Mac's life takes on darker and darker twists. She is no longer the naive girl who first came to Ireland and she is faced with very tough choices as she and Barrons try to locate the dark book.
I decided to take a small break from these books, and read some things that are more realistic. But I know I'll be back to finish off the series.
This one had 229 pages on my nook.
This book picks up where the first left off. Mac has recently been injured in a close encounter with a vampire and the Lord Master (the one who is leading the dark Fae in the human world). She begins to realize Jericho Barrens is the only one who can keep her safe. She meets a whole group of other sidhe-seers, such as herself, but does not learn much about them. I suspect that's for later books. There are more questions than answers in this book, as Mac's life takes on darker and darker twists. She is no longer the naive girl who first came to Ireland and she is faced with very tough choices as she and Barrons try to locate the dark book.
I decided to take a small break from these books, and read some things that are more realistic. But I know I'll be back to finish off the series.
This one had 229 pages on my nook.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
L #5- Darkfever
Well, I joined/started a bookclub. So far there are only 4 girls in the bookclub. Three of us had just finished the Hunger Games series and were starving for another, really awesome, series of books. We debated between Divergent (my pick, and hopefully coming soon!!) and Darkfever. In the end, the Karen Marie Moning book was chosen because all 5 books are currently out. Whereas, the Divergent series hasn't been fully released yet. I typically jump on board with a popular series well after they have become a "thing" (e.g., Harry Potter, Hunger Games, Twilight) and so I am not used to waiting (e.g., the Matched series that I started last year).
Darkfever is WELL outside my comfort zone. But, as Matt reminded me, that is the point of a bookclub. So with a bit of trepidation, I started the Fever series. It starts off simply enough, like a murder mystery. A young girl, Mackayla Lane (Mac, for short) finds out that her sister Alina has been murdered overseas in Ireland. The police are unable to provide any information or leads about the case. Scared, heartbroken, and angry, Mac heads to Ireland to see if she can find her sister's killer on her own. Though her parents greatly discourage the trip, Mac has to know what happened to Alina. When she arrives, her world is turned upside down. Mac discovers the world of Fae, dark fairies that are preying on the human race. And Mac discovers that she is not just an ordinary girl either. She can sense the presence of Fae, while other humans are oblivious to their existence. She encounters a man, Jericho Barrons, who begins to partner up with her in the fight against Fae. Not sure if she can trust him, Mac joins forces with him because she simply has no other options. The book is a fast, easy, read (I feel like I say that about almost every book!). But again, well outside my comfort zone. There is a particular Fae who uses humans for sex and they become addicted to it, until the point of death. I found that really disturbing and gross. It was particularly graphic during some parts as well. And honestly, I felt as though the story would have been just as powerful without that particular aspect. There were plenty of other scary creatures on nearly every page, without including the sexual perverseness of a fairy. I'm not sure whether I will finish the series. I am willing to bet my curiosity will win over, as well as the fact that I think the rest of the bookclub will want to read them all.
This one had 342 pages.
Darkfever is WELL outside my comfort zone. But, as Matt reminded me, that is the point of a bookclub. So with a bit of trepidation, I started the Fever series. It starts off simply enough, like a murder mystery. A young girl, Mackayla Lane (Mac, for short) finds out that her sister Alina has been murdered overseas in Ireland. The police are unable to provide any information or leads about the case. Scared, heartbroken, and angry, Mac heads to Ireland to see if she can find her sister's killer on her own. Though her parents greatly discourage the trip, Mac has to know what happened to Alina. When she arrives, her world is turned upside down. Mac discovers the world of Fae, dark fairies that are preying on the human race. And Mac discovers that she is not just an ordinary girl either. She can sense the presence of Fae, while other humans are oblivious to their existence. She encounters a man, Jericho Barrons, who begins to partner up with her in the fight against Fae. Not sure if she can trust him, Mac joins forces with him because she simply has no other options. The book is a fast, easy, read (I feel like I say that about almost every book!). But again, well outside my comfort zone. There is a particular Fae who uses humans for sex and they become addicted to it, until the point of death. I found that really disturbing and gross. It was particularly graphic during some parts as well. And honestly, I felt as though the story would have been just as powerful without that particular aspect. There were plenty of other scary creatures on nearly every page, without including the sexual perverseness of a fairy. I'm not sure whether I will finish the series. I am willing to bet my curiosity will win over, as well as the fact that I think the rest of the bookclub will want to read them all.
This one had 342 pages.
L #4- Lethal
Lethal, by Sandra Brown is about a woman, Honor Gilette, who finds a man accused of murdering seven people sprawled in her front lawn. As he makes his way into her home, holding her at gunpoint, she'll realize things aren't always what they appear to be. He is looking for something left behind by Honor's late husband that will expose a crime ring in Louisiana. This is complicated by Honor's 4 year old daughter, who is also dragged on the run with them. This was a real page turner and easy to read. I did find it a bit predictable, but in the fiction world, that's sometimes ok.
325 pages.
325 pages.
Friday, January 6, 2012
L #3- Mockingjay
I finished the trilogy last night. I honestly don't even know what to say about this book. I'm conflicted about my feelings. I feel like the progression of the books was pretty intense. And then at the very end, it just.....wraps up. Weirdly. I don't think she slapped it together hastily, but I just wish it hadn't been so anticlimactic. I guess maybe that would have added another 100 pages, though.
I'm disappointed in Katniss' character. I kept waiting for a moment when I'd start to like her, and it never really happened. She is blind to the love other characters feel for her and I never cared for the way she treated Peeta. I'm glad she ended up with him, though, I was always rooting for that. I also was upset with the way she voted to have one last hunger games with the Capitol children. I don't personally understand how on earth she could think that was a good idea after everything she had been through.
As for the main plot and the way it ended. I think Katniss made the right choice with not allowing the district 13 president to reside over Panem. But I was really disgusted with the scene where the children are murdered. That is hard for me to stomach and I felt very angry at the thought of it. I still think the whole plot of this series is disturbing. But it is also gripping and easy to read. I had to get through them all, quickly, because I needed to know what happened. It was an interesting take on what happens to people and their motives during times of strife. I'll admit, I had a lot of discussions with Matt during the course of reading these books about how this represented the world we live in. And that shows the mark of a great writer....one that gets you thinking.
This one had 283 pages.
I'm thinking maybe I need to devote my time to more series type books this year. I am much more inclined to keep reading, and rather quickly at that, when I am attached to a story line and want to get through it all. I'll have to look into it.
I'm disappointed in Katniss' character. I kept waiting for a moment when I'd start to like her, and it never really happened. She is blind to the love other characters feel for her and I never cared for the way she treated Peeta. I'm glad she ended up with him, though, I was always rooting for that. I also was upset with the way she voted to have one last hunger games with the Capitol children. I don't personally understand how on earth she could think that was a good idea after everything she had been through.
As for the main plot and the way it ended. I think Katniss made the right choice with not allowing the district 13 president to reside over Panem. But I was really disgusted with the scene where the children are murdered. That is hard for me to stomach and I felt very angry at the thought of it. I still think the whole plot of this series is disturbing. But it is also gripping and easy to read. I had to get through them all, quickly, because I needed to know what happened. It was an interesting take on what happens to people and their motives during times of strife. I'll admit, I had a lot of discussions with Matt during the course of reading these books about how this represented the world we live in. And that shows the mark of a great writer....one that gets you thinking.
This one had 283 pages.
I'm thinking maybe I need to devote my time to more series type books this year. I am much more inclined to keep reading, and rather quickly at that, when I am attached to a story line and want to get through it all. I'll have to look into it.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
L #2- Catching Fire
Well, I guess it was obvious this was my next stop. I started Catching Fire yesterday morning, after finishing The Hunger Games at 2 am. I only had 80 pages left yesterday when I decided to do the sensible thing and actually get a decent nights' worth of sleep. So I finished it today.
This story picks up where the last left off. Katniss and Peeta have returned from the Hunger Games. Their lives are never to be the same. Katniss is on thin ice in the Capital, where it appears as though she has defied them in order to bring Peeta home alive with her. However, the citizens adore her. They see her and Peeta as star crossed lovers. Halfway through the book, a twist is revealed, and Katniss and Peeta are faced with their lives in danger yet again.
I really enjoyed this book as well. Despite the fact that the story has the same type of premise, I found it to be less violent and easier to read in that sense. My love for Peeta only grew stronger and I can't wait to find out what the future holds for all of the districts of Panem.
271 pages
This story picks up where the last left off. Katniss and Peeta have returned from the Hunger Games. Their lives are never to be the same. Katniss is on thin ice in the Capital, where it appears as though she has defied them in order to bring Peeta home alive with her. However, the citizens adore her. They see her and Peeta as star crossed lovers. Halfway through the book, a twist is revealed, and Katniss and Peeta are faced with their lives in danger yet again.
I really enjoyed this book as well. Despite the fact that the story has the same type of premise, I found it to be less violent and easier to read in that sense. My love for Peeta only grew stronger and I can't wait to find out what the future holds for all of the districts of Panem.
271 pages
L #1- The Hunger Games
To ring in the new year, I started reading Suzanne Collins' trilogy. Both my sister and Matt have tried to convince me to read these books. But I've held out, thinking the premise was too sickening and gruesome. Turns out I wasn't wrong. But neither were they.
This is the story of Katniss Everdeen, who lives in District 12 of Panem. Each year, as a reminder of why no district should ever try to rebel, the Capitol hosts the Hunger Games. This is when a boy and girl from each district are placed in an arena to fight to the death. Only one can walk away. Katniss volunteers for the Hunger Games when her younger sister is chosen. A boy named Peeta is chosen from her district as well.
Collins writes wonderfully. It is a very easy read, so quick to get through. I grew attached to Peeta and thought his devotion to Katniss was incredibly selfless and heartwarming. I must admit, the games themselves were hard to read about. I felt so heartbroken that children would be put in such a terrible life and death position. And I felt disgusted with the gamemakers and the president of Panem. While it's an "easy" read, it is not light subject matter. Even still, I found myself engrossed and stayed up till 2 am to finish the book.
262 pages
This is the story of Katniss Everdeen, who lives in District 12 of Panem. Each year, as a reminder of why no district should ever try to rebel, the Capitol hosts the Hunger Games. This is when a boy and girl from each district are placed in an arena to fight to the death. Only one can walk away. Katniss volunteers for the Hunger Games when her younger sister is chosen. A boy named Peeta is chosen from her district as well.
Collins writes wonderfully. It is a very easy read, so quick to get through. I grew attached to Peeta and thought his devotion to Katniss was incredibly selfless and heartwarming. I must admit, the games themselves were hard to read about. I felt so heartbroken that children would be put in such a terrible life and death position. And I felt disgusted with the gamemakers and the president of Panem. While it's an "easy" read, it is not light subject matter. Even still, I found myself engrossed and stayed up till 2 am to finish the book.
262 pages
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