I like to read Christian books, whether fiction or nonfiction. I am always looking into the deeper things, not always to find answers but to see what else is out there. I know that ultimately I can turn to the Bible for insight and answers. A lot of the non-fiction Christian books will quote scripture and relate something to that scripture reading so that you can better understand it. At some time or another, we all question things about life, about God and I think it is good to turn to "good" Christian readings to help you find answers to those lingering questions.
This book Furious Pursuit is a book that was compiled by two gentlemen. Tim King is a former pastor, marketing executive, and magazine editor. Frank Martin is director of the Furious Faith Ministries and the author and co-author of more than 14 books. The question that is the reasoning behind this book is why must we always pursue God, why can't he pursue us? Through many stories, these two authors discuss, how God does pursue us but do we really pursue him. To quote from the book, "you're not defined by what you've done. you're defined by who pursues you." They mention in this book how we humans only believe in what we can see, what is tangible. We let what others think and say determine what we believe. We must stop reading what others have said about Christians yet look into the heart of the Giver of Life.
King and Martin state that "God not only chases you, but that he has never left your side." What the authors convey in the message of this book is that God has never left your side. He sees everything in your heart but despite what he sees in that heart, He still pursues you because He understands you. What King and Martin want readers to get from this book is to stop relying on yourself for everything and rely on God and grow in a relationship with Him.
I enjoyed reading this book, the only thing I did not like about it was that in the beginning as they were relating stories to the topic, it felt as if they were saying the same thing over and over but with a different ending. However, despite that, I felt that what they wanted to convey and get across was done well. I liked how they quoted scripture and threw in some stories from the Bible. I believe the point of this book is to tell people that they are missing out on something big and greater than they could ever imagine. And that when things don't seem to be going exactly how they feel it should go, they should know that God is always there for them.
Recommended Fiction:
The Shack by William P. Young--I read this book a few months ago. I have never read a more moving Christian fiction book than this one. Mackenzie Allen Phillip's daughter was abducted during a family camping trip in Oregon. Evidence has appeared that she was murdered in this abandoned shack. Four years goes by and Mack receives a suspicious note, saying see you at the shack...Papa. Mack decides to go and see what this is all about and what he discovers there will change him forever. It is a must read!
The Struggle by Nancy Rue
Recommended Non-fiction:
Furious Longing of God by Brennan Manning
Too Busy Not to Pray: Slowing down to be with God by Bill Hybels, Lavonne Neff, Ashley Wiersma
Thursday, August 5, 2010
The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch w/Jeffery Zaslow (Memoir)
I have had this book on my shelf for a year now. I went out and bought it when I found out that Jeffery Zaslow, the man who would help Randy Pausch put his thoughts onto paper, was coming to homecoming at the chiropractic college I work for. I had heard the story of Randy Pausch and the "last lecture" he gave at Carnegie Mellon before he died from pancreatic cancer. When Zaslow spoke of Randy, he shared what he had learned from Randy and gave us more of an insight to the person Randy Pausch had been. He discussed how he helped Randy put his lecture, his thoughts into words on paper. I was able to meet Zaslow and have him sign the copy of the book I had. It says, "Karlene, I hope Randy's story reminds you of your own childhood dreams." I don't know that his story reminded me of my childhood dreams because I wasn't a huge dreamer, I just knew I didn't want to be a struggling single mom like my own mother. I guess I can say that even though I started out on that road, I have ended up on the road of my childhood dream. I do however, tell my kids to dream big, that whatever they dream, go out and make it yours.
Randy Pausch was an amazing human being even before he was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. He talked about how great his parents were to him and his sister. They were not spoiled kids who got whatever they desired, no they were taught to be appreciative of the things you have right in front of you. He dreamed big. He wanted to work for Disney, he wanted to float in space, he wanted his name in the World Book Encyclopedia. In some form or another, Randy was able to fulfill those big dreams. He talks about taking a sabattical from University of Virginia and working for Disney for 6 months in the Imagineering Department. He didn't get to go to outer space to float but was able to float in the NASA gravity plane. And he was even asked to write something on virtual reality for the World Book Encyclopedia. Randy perservered no matter what he did, if a brick wall went up in front of him, he would find a way to get over it. That is one thing he said that everyone should do.
In this book, Randy told many stories from his childhood to when he gave his lecture. Much of the book he re-told the things he talked about in his one hour lecture. He spoke of how he met his wife Jai and each of his three children, Dylan, Logan, and Chloe and what they all meant to him. How he wanted to leave each of them something that would help them remember him. He did talk of his hurt, the hurt of how he was going to be leaving his family behind but that he was going to make the best of the time he had with them. He made everyone he touched think, think about who they are and what they could accomplish if they dreamed big.
This was a very good memoir and I'd recommend to anyone who has not read it, to take some time and read it. It is a quick read, it will make you laugh and it WILL make you cry. But it will also make you think of who you are. Randy described himself as a Tigger and not an Eeyore. He lived life bouncing and trouncing and having fun, even despite what was lying ahead for him and his family.
Recommended Fiction:
The Tales of Adam by Daniel Quinn--a book of life, nature and humankind.
The Daughters of Joy by Deepak Chopra--a book on passing sacred lessons of love from generation to generation.
Recommended Non-fiction:
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Morrie: In his own words...by Morris Schwartz
Randy Pausch was an amazing human being even before he was diagnosed with a terminal cancer. He talked about how great his parents were to him and his sister. They were not spoiled kids who got whatever they desired, no they were taught to be appreciative of the things you have right in front of you. He dreamed big. He wanted to work for Disney, he wanted to float in space, he wanted his name in the World Book Encyclopedia. In some form or another, Randy was able to fulfill those big dreams. He talks about taking a sabattical from University of Virginia and working for Disney for 6 months in the Imagineering Department. He didn't get to go to outer space to float but was able to float in the NASA gravity plane. And he was even asked to write something on virtual reality for the World Book Encyclopedia. Randy perservered no matter what he did, if a brick wall went up in front of him, he would find a way to get over it. That is one thing he said that everyone should do.
In this book, Randy told many stories from his childhood to when he gave his lecture. Much of the book he re-told the things he talked about in his one hour lecture. He spoke of how he met his wife Jai and each of his three children, Dylan, Logan, and Chloe and what they all meant to him. How he wanted to leave each of them something that would help them remember him. He did talk of his hurt, the hurt of how he was going to be leaving his family behind but that he was going to make the best of the time he had with them. He made everyone he touched think, think about who they are and what they could accomplish if they dreamed big.
This was a very good memoir and I'd recommend to anyone who has not read it, to take some time and read it. It is a quick read, it will make you laugh and it WILL make you cry. But it will also make you think of who you are. Randy described himself as a Tigger and not an Eeyore. He lived life bouncing and trouncing and having fun, even despite what was lying ahead for him and his family.
Recommended Fiction:
The Tales of Adam by Daniel Quinn--a book of life, nature and humankind.
The Daughters of Joy by Deepak Chopra--a book on passing sacred lessons of love from generation to generation.
Recommended Non-fiction:
Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom
Morrie: In his own words...by Morris Schwartz
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Jerusalem's Lot by Stephen King (short story horror)
This story was one of the short horror stories in a book titled Night Shift. I have read some horror stories from time to time, mainly back in my youth when I could handle reading them. Call me chicken but I can't handle reading them too much these days. This story, however was not that bad and what I liked most was that it was short.
This story is a series of letters that this Charles writes to his friend Bones about his life at this house in inherited from his cousin. The story is set back in the 1850s. Charles discusses his health, which apparently was not well, this is not greatly discussed in the letters. At random times he would talk about his fever returning and his lungs healing, I kind of got the impression he had lung cancer or something. Charles notices that people in the town fear him for some reason but he can't figure out why. He has hired some ladies to clean the house for him and one of them Mrs. Cloris knows why people fear him. He finds out that some family members of his seemed to have "cursed" the home, yet he and his helper Calvin discover that it lies deeper than just a curse inside the home. They hear noises in the walls and in rooms, curiosity getting the best of them they discover what the noises are and why. They also find out that some of Charles' family members were into satanic rituals.
I liked this story because it wasn't gross scary, you know the kind of scary that keeps you awake at night or causes you to see things while you sleep. I found it interesting how Stephen King wrote this as a letter, I felt it made it easier to read and made me feel less tense while reading it. There are 20 other stories within this book, not sure I'll read them. Even though I didn't find this story scary, I just don't think I'll continue in reading horror stories.
Recommended Fiction:
I do recommend reading more Stephen King books. He's a great writer who has been around for a long time. However, I'll recommend 2 other books that I think would be great reads.
Song of Kali by Dan Simmons
I am Legend by Richard Matheson
Recommended Non-Fiction:
Readings on Stephen King by Karin S. Coddon
On Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association
This story is a series of letters that this Charles writes to his friend Bones about his life at this house in inherited from his cousin. The story is set back in the 1850s. Charles discusses his health, which apparently was not well, this is not greatly discussed in the letters. At random times he would talk about his fever returning and his lungs healing, I kind of got the impression he had lung cancer or something. Charles notices that people in the town fear him for some reason but he can't figure out why. He has hired some ladies to clean the house for him and one of them Mrs. Cloris knows why people fear him. He finds out that some family members of his seemed to have "cursed" the home, yet he and his helper Calvin discover that it lies deeper than just a curse inside the home. They hear noises in the walls and in rooms, curiosity getting the best of them they discover what the noises are and why. They also find out that some of Charles' family members were into satanic rituals.
I liked this story because it wasn't gross scary, you know the kind of scary that keeps you awake at night or causes you to see things while you sleep. I found it interesting how Stephen King wrote this as a letter, I felt it made it easier to read and made me feel less tense while reading it. There are 20 other stories within this book, not sure I'll read them. Even though I didn't find this story scary, I just don't think I'll continue in reading horror stories.
Recommended Fiction:
I do recommend reading more Stephen King books. He's a great writer who has been around for a long time. However, I'll recommend 2 other books that I think would be great reads.
Song of Kali by Dan Simmons
I am Legend by Richard Matheson
Recommended Non-Fiction:
Readings on Stephen King by Karin S. Coddon
On Writing Horror: A Handbook by the Horror Writers Association
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (SciFi)
I'm not generally big into reading science fiction books, so I had to ask someone that I know that writes some science fiction what I should read, he recommended Ender's Game. I had been hearing great things about this book, especially since taking this class. I have to say I found this book rather fascinating and thought provoking, but at some points a little weird. But isn't science fiction like that sometimes?
Ender, also known as Andrew, is a little boy who is called a Third. He is the third child born to his parents and is considered special because of that. However, not everyone finds a Third special. Ender has a monitor attached to the back of his neck, a device that is used by I.F. (International Fleet) to monitor children who they might be able to use in the war against the buggers (aliens I'm guessing). Ender gets told that his monitor is going to come off, which to him means he was not chosen by I.F. to be a part of their mission. This scares Ender because having this monitor on protected him from his brother Peter, who was mean to him quite frequently. Now with the monitor off, he did not have the I.F. there to protect him. It left the door open for Peter to hurt Ender and make him feel like he didn't exist. Colonel Graff comes to see Ender, Graff sees something in Ender that no one else does. He believes that Ender is the one that is going to save the world from the buggers. Ender is only 6 years old, he has to decide whether to stay with his family, the only one in his family that he wants to stay for is his sister Valentine who he is close to. Or should he go up into space to learn to become part of saving the world from the buggers. He would not see his family for a very long time. Ender chooses to go, hoping that things will be different up there, however it does not start out that way. Everyone knew when Ender appeared that he was the one that was going to save the world. At such a young age he goes through many trials and tests. I had wondered if he would make it after reading everything he goes through with the other kids there and all the training he endures.
This was a most interesting book and can see why Orson Scott Card won awards for this book, it is truly deserved. He makes you feel as if you are really there experiencing everything that Ender is and feeling bad that such a little child has to go through so much. I'd like to read the other books that Orson Scott Card has written in the Ender Wiggin series.
Recommended Fiction:
I would recommend to read more books in the Ender Wiggin series, such as Ender's Shadow. I'm also recommending a couple other titles to read if you enjoyed Ender's Game...
Dune by Frank Herbert and The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
Recommended non-fiction:
How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
Understanding the Book of Mormon by Grant Hardy (I recommend this book because I learned that Orson Scott Card is a devout Mormon, so this might be interesting to learn about his beliefs.
Ender, also known as Andrew, is a little boy who is called a Third. He is the third child born to his parents and is considered special because of that. However, not everyone finds a Third special. Ender has a monitor attached to the back of his neck, a device that is used by I.F. (International Fleet) to monitor children who they might be able to use in the war against the buggers (aliens I'm guessing). Ender gets told that his monitor is going to come off, which to him means he was not chosen by I.F. to be a part of their mission. This scares Ender because having this monitor on protected him from his brother Peter, who was mean to him quite frequently. Now with the monitor off, he did not have the I.F. there to protect him. It left the door open for Peter to hurt Ender and make him feel like he didn't exist. Colonel Graff comes to see Ender, Graff sees something in Ender that no one else does. He believes that Ender is the one that is going to save the world from the buggers. Ender is only 6 years old, he has to decide whether to stay with his family, the only one in his family that he wants to stay for is his sister Valentine who he is close to. Or should he go up into space to learn to become part of saving the world from the buggers. He would not see his family for a very long time. Ender chooses to go, hoping that things will be different up there, however it does not start out that way. Everyone knew when Ender appeared that he was the one that was going to save the world. At such a young age he goes through many trials and tests. I had wondered if he would make it after reading everything he goes through with the other kids there and all the training he endures.
This was a most interesting book and can see why Orson Scott Card won awards for this book, it is truly deserved. He makes you feel as if you are really there experiencing everything that Ender is and feeling bad that such a little child has to go through so much. I'd like to read the other books that Orson Scott Card has written in the Ender Wiggin series.
Recommended Fiction:
I would recommend to read more books in the Ender Wiggin series, such as Ender's Shadow. I'm also recommending a couple other titles to read if you enjoyed Ender's Game...
Dune by Frank Herbert and The Forever War by Joe Haldeman
Recommended non-fiction:
How to Write Science Fiction and Fantasy by Orson Scott Card
Understanding the Book of Mormon by Grant Hardy (I recommend this book because I learned that Orson Scott Card is a devout Mormon, so this might be interesting to learn about his beliefs.
Monday, July 19, 2010
Batman Chronicles volume 1 (Graphic Novel)
The Batman Chronicles is a volume of Batman comics originally published in the late 1930s-early 1940s. There are several comics with in this chronicle, I did not read all of them due to time, but I read about 5-6 of them. It is hard to summarize what happened in these comments so I will try my best.
In the first comic, Bruce Wayne is sitting with Commissioner Gordon at his home. Gordon receives a phone call that Lambert, a chemical king, has been murdered. Gordon asks Bruce if he wants to go with him and Bruce says sure why not. When they get to Lambert's home they find him dead and his son sitting there as a suspect. The son tells the story of how he found his father and tells them something his father said before he died. Gordon gets a phone call by a man who is in hysterics about someone threatening his life. Bruce tells Gordon that he sees nothing going on at Lambert's house, so he's going to go home. Suddenly Batman ends up at Steven Crane's house, the man who was being threatened, he is dead, however Batman shows up in time to catch the killer coming out of the house. Batman retrieves a piece of paper from the killer and goes to the destination he believes where the real killer is located. Batman appears and ends up saving the day by catching the mastermind behind the killings.
Each one I read it was basically the same story with just a different character. These early comics I found a bit funny because of the way they were written. It was as if he was thinking, oh I'll put this here and have him say this. This comic book was very colorful and easy to read. I have to say that Batman comics have come a long way since the 1930s and 40s.
At first I thought graphic novel meant that its pictures and writings were graphic, meant for mature audiences only. However, it was explained to me that graphic meant the graphics within the book. I realize that there are graphic novels out there that are extremely graphic, so it makes me wonder if those should be called something else or should normal comic books be shelved elsewhere in a library and a bookstore. I found the book I read in the graphic novel section at a bookstore. And despite there being murders and Batman beating guys up, I don't consider this "graphic," I consider it just a comic book. Didn't there used to be a section in the bookstore for comic books? Or have they all been in the graphic novel section?
Fiction recommendations:
Batman: the Dark Knight returns by Frank Miller
JLA: Justice for All by Grant Morrison
In sticking with the Batman theme, I recommend the titles above for further Batman reading.
Non-Fiction recommendations:
Understand Comics by Scott McCloud
Making Comics by Scott McCloud
These books are good for those people who don't quite understand comics and maybe by reading books on making them, it will give them a better insight on how they are made and why they are designed the way they are.
In the first comic, Bruce Wayne is sitting with Commissioner Gordon at his home. Gordon receives a phone call that Lambert, a chemical king, has been murdered. Gordon asks Bruce if he wants to go with him and Bruce says sure why not. When they get to Lambert's home they find him dead and his son sitting there as a suspect. The son tells the story of how he found his father and tells them something his father said before he died. Gordon gets a phone call by a man who is in hysterics about someone threatening his life. Bruce tells Gordon that he sees nothing going on at Lambert's house, so he's going to go home. Suddenly Batman ends up at Steven Crane's house, the man who was being threatened, he is dead, however Batman shows up in time to catch the killer coming out of the house. Batman retrieves a piece of paper from the killer and goes to the destination he believes where the real killer is located. Batman appears and ends up saving the day by catching the mastermind behind the killings.
Each one I read it was basically the same story with just a different character. These early comics I found a bit funny because of the way they were written. It was as if he was thinking, oh I'll put this here and have him say this. This comic book was very colorful and easy to read. I have to say that Batman comics have come a long way since the 1930s and 40s.
At first I thought graphic novel meant that its pictures and writings were graphic, meant for mature audiences only. However, it was explained to me that graphic meant the graphics within the book. I realize that there are graphic novels out there that are extremely graphic, so it makes me wonder if those should be called something else or should normal comic books be shelved elsewhere in a library and a bookstore. I found the book I read in the graphic novel section at a bookstore. And despite there being murders and Batman beating guys up, I don't consider this "graphic," I consider it just a comic book. Didn't there used to be a section in the bookstore for comic books? Or have they all been in the graphic novel section?
Fiction recommendations:
Batman: the Dark Knight returns by Frank Miller
JLA: Justice for All by Grant Morrison
In sticking with the Batman theme, I recommend the titles above for further Batman reading.
Non-Fiction recommendations:
Understand Comics by Scott McCloud
Making Comics by Scott McCloud
These books are good for those people who don't quite understand comics and maybe by reading books on making them, it will give them a better insight on how they are made and why they are designed the way they are.
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Death Note (4) by Tsugumi Ohba (Manga)
This was my first time ever reading a manga book. I honestly did not know what one was until about a year ago when a co-worker was reading one at lunch. Back then I had decided I'd probably never read one of those books. I am eating my words right now. I had this perception that this book was going to give me a headache and it was going to be difficult to understand. I received no headache and despite coming into the middle of the series, I managed to understand the book.
I went to the library to find this particular title, which had been recommended to me by my co-worker. Unfortunately, the library did not have the first volume, so I settled for volume 4. It was a bit difficult coming into a series not really understanding the storyline, but I caught on. In volume 4, L who works with the police is trying to figure out who has been murdering police officers and other people. He has chosen to do these things horrible things in order to rid the world of the violent criminals and create an ideal society, having the notebook allows him to do all these things. He believes it to be Kira and/or the second Kira. Kira is someone who is carrying this notebook that is basically the death note. All the Kira has to know is the name of the person and what they look like, once that is known they can write that person's death note in the notebook and they will die. This process is helped by what is called a Shinigami, which I interrupted as a demon who is attached to the Kira. L believes that the main Kira is one of the investigator's son, his name is Light. L includes him in on the investigation in order to get close to him and confirm his suspicions that Light is the Kira. Light discovers who the second Kira is, Misa Amane, basically a copycat Kira, he befriends her in order to throw L's suspicion off. Misa Amane, 2nd Kira, chooses to utilize the notebook after her parents were killed and there was an attempted attack on her life. L figures out that the two Kira's have joined forces in order to throw him off. Light's plan is to kill Misa and L, but Misa (2nd Kira) ends up helping Light Misa gives up her notebook, which gives up her Shinigami and her memory of the Shinigami but not her memory of Light. Light turns himself in saying he "thinks" he's the Kira. L has him arrested and discovers that no murders occur while Light is in jail. Light has buried the death note and with that the memories of his Shinigami, Ryuk, and Kira.
The series then continues in volume 5, which I have contemplated reading just to see what more begins to happen. It was a bit different reading this book from right to left, top right to left. This is a manga series that I highly recommend reading and that is coming from someone that until now has never read from this genre.
Recommended Fiction:
I'd recommend reading the beginning series of Death Note but I'm also recommending these two books.
Bleach by Tite Kubo
Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto
Recommended Non-fiction:
My Manga World by Jeannie Lee. This book shows you how to draw manga, this book might help someone who is unfamiliar with manga.
Manga for the beginner: everything you need to know to get started right away! by Christopher Hart
I went to the library to find this particular title, which had been recommended to me by my co-worker. Unfortunately, the library did not have the first volume, so I settled for volume 4. It was a bit difficult coming into a series not really understanding the storyline, but I caught on. In volume 4, L who works with the police is trying to figure out who has been murdering police officers and other people. He has chosen to do these things horrible things in order to rid the world of the violent criminals and create an ideal society, having the notebook allows him to do all these things. He believes it to be Kira and/or the second Kira. Kira is someone who is carrying this notebook that is basically the death note. All the Kira has to know is the name of the person and what they look like, once that is known they can write that person's death note in the notebook and they will die. This process is helped by what is called a Shinigami, which I interrupted as a demon who is attached to the Kira. L believes that the main Kira is one of the investigator's son, his name is Light. L includes him in on the investigation in order to get close to him and confirm his suspicions that Light is the Kira. Light discovers who the second Kira is, Misa Amane, basically a copycat Kira, he befriends her in order to throw L's suspicion off. Misa Amane, 2nd Kira, chooses to utilize the notebook after her parents were killed and there was an attempted attack on her life. L figures out that the two Kira's have joined forces in order to throw him off. Light's plan is to kill Misa and L, but Misa (2nd Kira) ends up helping Light Misa gives up her notebook, which gives up her Shinigami and her memory of the Shinigami but not her memory of Light. Light turns himself in saying he "thinks" he's the Kira. L has him arrested and discovers that no murders occur while Light is in jail. Light has buried the death note and with that the memories of his Shinigami, Ryuk, and Kira.
The series then continues in volume 5, which I have contemplated reading just to see what more begins to happen. It was a bit different reading this book from right to left, top right to left. This is a manga series that I highly recommend reading and that is coming from someone that until now has never read from this genre.
Recommended Fiction:
I'd recommend reading the beginning series of Death Note but I'm also recommending these two books.
Bleach by Tite Kubo
Naruto by Masashi Kishimoto
Recommended Non-fiction:
My Manga World by Jeannie Lee. This book shows you how to draw manga, this book might help someone who is unfamiliar with manga.
Manga for the beginner: everything you need to know to get started right away! by Christopher Hart
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie (Romance)
I'd like to say that this was my first true romance book I have read. On the other hand, if I take into consideration all the Janet Evanovich books I've read, then this would not be my first. But for the sake of argument, this book by Jennifer Crusie was my first "real" romance book. I'm generally not a big fan of it and I think that goes with the stereotype that all romance books are like the Harrlequin books. I did not find this to be true with this particular book. After reading the book Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie, I found that I really enjoyed reading contemporary romance books. This book was recommended by a librarian at Bettendorf (IA) Public Library. She's really into romance books and was very helpful in my selection.
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie is about a girl in her early 30s that does not believe in happily ever after. Minerva Dobbs, otherwise known as Min, is an actuary, she bases everything on statistics, including love. Cal Morrisey is a gorgeous man who has trouble making commitments to women who want to become serious. Min and Cal meet when David, Min's ex-boyfriend, bets Cal that he can't get Min to bed in a month. Min over hears most of the conversation and from there begins to play a game to. The only thing is that Min and Cal find themselves falling for each other. Two people who are complete opposites, fall for each other and yet do all they can to stop it. After each run in with each other, they try to cut their losses and agree to never meet again. However, their paths keep crossing, whether at a movie theatre or a restaurant, fate continues to bring them together. Min does not feel she is worthy of Cal's attention since he is a gorgeous, hot guy that could have any woman he wanted. Min is somewhat overweight in this story, so she feels that Cal is not in her league. Cal finds Min difficult to get along with at times. She has a very hard exterior but he can see that she is so much more on the inside if she would let it out. When she starts to feel that love for him, she remembers the bet and then tries to prevent herself from feeling for him anymore.
This definitely was one of those books that was difficult to put down. I found myself reading it for hours and staying up way past my bedtime. Jennifer Crusie definitely writes romance books that are worth reading. I enjoyed the characters and the flow of the entire book. I will definitely read more of Jennifer Crusie's books and any books that are similarly written.
My two recommended fiction reads:
This Heart is Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz
According to Novelist Plus, these books are great to read if you have read books by Jennifer Crusie.
My two recommended non-fiction reads:
In the book Bet Me, Min was an avid fan of Elvis and spoke of waiting for Elvis to come back to be her lover, so, I found a book that is about Elvis.
Fortunate Son: the Life of Elvis Presley by Charles L Ponce de Leon
The next non-fiction recommendation I picked because Min was single and looking for love but not willing to give up sex to get it unless she knew there was going to be a total commitment. The author of this book tells of the trials and tribulations of dating, she talks of horrors such as the singles table at weddings and speed dating. In Bet Me, Min's sister Diana is getting married and with Min and David broke up, Min now needs a date for the wedding. That becomes a focus after Min and David broke up.
The Curse of the Singles Table: A True Story of 1,001 Nights without Sex by Suzanne Schlossberg
Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie is about a girl in her early 30s that does not believe in happily ever after. Minerva Dobbs, otherwise known as Min, is an actuary, she bases everything on statistics, including love. Cal Morrisey is a gorgeous man who has trouble making commitments to women who want to become serious. Min and Cal meet when David, Min's ex-boyfriend, bets Cal that he can't get Min to bed in a month. Min over hears most of the conversation and from there begins to play a game to. The only thing is that Min and Cal find themselves falling for each other. Two people who are complete opposites, fall for each other and yet do all they can to stop it. After each run in with each other, they try to cut their losses and agree to never meet again. However, their paths keep crossing, whether at a movie theatre or a restaurant, fate continues to bring them together. Min does not feel she is worthy of Cal's attention since he is a gorgeous, hot guy that could have any woman he wanted. Min is somewhat overweight in this story, so she feels that Cal is not in her league. Cal finds Min difficult to get along with at times. She has a very hard exterior but he can see that she is so much more on the inside if she would let it out. When she starts to feel that love for him, she remembers the bet and then tries to prevent herself from feeling for him anymore.
This definitely was one of those books that was difficult to put down. I found myself reading it for hours and staying up way past my bedtime. Jennifer Crusie definitely writes romance books that are worth reading. I enjoyed the characters and the flow of the entire book. I will definitely read more of Jennifer Crusie's books and any books that are similarly written.
My two recommended fiction reads:
This Heart is Mine by Susan Elizabeth Phillips
Trust Me by Jayne Ann Krentz
According to Novelist Plus, these books are great to read if you have read books by Jennifer Crusie.
My two recommended non-fiction reads:
In the book Bet Me, Min was an avid fan of Elvis and spoke of waiting for Elvis to come back to be her lover, so, I found a book that is about Elvis.
Fortunate Son: the Life of Elvis Presley by Charles L Ponce de Leon
The next non-fiction recommendation I picked because Min was single and looking for love but not willing to give up sex to get it unless she knew there was going to be a total commitment. The author of this book tells of the trials and tribulations of dating, she talks of horrors such as the singles table at weddings and speed dating. In Bet Me, Min's sister Diana is getting married and with Min and David broke up, Min now needs a date for the wedding. That becomes a focus after Min and David broke up.
The Curse of the Singles Table: A True Story of 1,001 Nights without Sex by Suzanne Schlossberg
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Sizzling Sixteen by Janet Evanovich (Mystery)
Sizzling Sixteen is the latest installment of many from the Stephanie Plum series by Janet Evanovich. I would consider these books a mystery with some romance and lots of humor. I have always thought that this series of books was absolutely great. Evanovich loves to keep the readers coming and she does every time she puts out a new Stephanie Plum book. As always this newest book in the series novel was funny, riveting, and quite interesting.
Each series of these books you think you already know what you are going to read about, however Evanovich continues to impress by changing up the story by bringing in new characters and revisiting old characters. Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter for her cousin Vinny at his Bond Enforcement Agency. It isn't the job she went to school for but a job nonetheless. She isn't the greatest bounty hunter around but she gets the job done in a comical messed up way. I liked the fact that each time I read these books, Stephanie Plum is dealing with something different as a bounty hunter. Her love life continues on this ride of which man shall she choose or can she even attempt to choose. Joe Morelli, a childhood friend that was quite the wild boy back in their high school days has always tried something with Stephanie, primarily sexually related. They have an on again off again relationship. And once you think they are going to make it and get married, Evanovich stops and keeps you thinking and wishing for more. Then there is Ranger, a bounty hunter as well, who sometimes brings in the skippers for Vinny. He owns his own security company and he's very private. He has helped Stephanie on many occasions in apprehending a fugitive and is very interested in her personally. It is what I believe to be one of the struggles Stephanie has between Morelli and Ranger. Who does she pick? Should she pick? They are both nice looking, well built men, and each does something different to Stephanie (how she feels).
I liked this latest title because it involved Stephanie's cousin Vinny. He's mentioned in the other series but usually the focus is not solely on him. This time, he's a major part of the story when he gets into gambling trouble with some Russia mafia guy and gets kidnapped for ransom money. Stephanie and Lula (large African American woman with a lot of spunk and attitude and former hooker) met up in one of the earlier series and have been friends ever since. Lula works at Vinny's agency filing but rarely does any filing, she likes to help Stephanie out on her captures, which makes for quite a hysterical time. Connie, Vinny's secretary, gives Stephanie the captures she has to bring in and attempts to keep Vinny in line. What I liked in Sizzling Sixteen, is that Connie, Lula, and Stephanie all work together to get Vinny back. They might not do it the best or right way, but they get the job done leaving behind their trail in the utmost funniest way.
Evanovich's series of Stephanie Plum books always make me laugh and keep me wishing for more. I can hardly ever wait for the next one to come out. When a series has gone on as long as this one has, you often wonder if the next one is going to be as good as the last. Will it be everything you hope it to be? I have never been disappointed by Janet Evanovich's books, including the Stephanie Plum series.
If a reader liked this book then I recommended them to read the following books:
Fiction:
Any of the Stephanie Plum series, starting with book number one: One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. These books do not have to really be read in order, but if you want to completely understand how Stephanie Plum becomes a bounty hunter and where all the characters fit, then starting from the beginning is the best. If you found yourself unable to put this book down, then reading the other books in this series is a must.
If Evanovich isn't your style but Sizzling Sixteen still sparked your interest, then I would suggest books by Sandra Brown. Play Dirty or Rainwater are a couple of title suggestions. Sandra Brown writes mysteries about the same way Evanovich does, while not all of them contain the amount of humor Evanovich's does, they do contain the mystery and the romance. Brown's books can be just as addicting as Evanovich's books.
Nonfiction books that may interest someone who likes to read mysteries:
Nonfiction:
A Cold Case by Philip Gourevitch. ISBN 0312420021. 183 pages.
This book is about an investigators 30 year pursuit of petty criminal and murderer Frank Koehler, who shot two men in a continuation of a bar agreement in 1970. The investigator Andy Rosenzweig used research and interviews to take the reader back to his earlier days as a New York City police officer. Rosenzweig describes the background of the Koehler family's crime and how he tracked down the infamous criminal living in California.
This book is described as an impossible to stop reading narrative which is beautifully written. If a reader likes a good mystery book in fiction then this book in nonfiction will surely perk their interest.
American Roulette: How I Turned the Odds Upside Down--My Wild Twenty-Five Year Ride Ripping Off the World's Casinos by Richard Marcus. ISBN 0312291396. 370 pages.
This book is a first person account of Marcus' many years spent making a living by cheating the casinos. This is a quick paced adventurous book, however there is language and jargon that is on the rawside of honest. Marcus describes his many partners and numerous scams. He takes great pride in the way he made his living doing illegal activities.
While this book does sound a bit on the blundt side of writing, I recommend it because in the book Sizzling Sixteen, a great deal of gambling and scamming is mentioned. If readers liked reading about that in Evanovich's book, they may find it fascinating to read about a real life account from someone who made a living at it.
Each series of these books you think you already know what you are going to read about, however Evanovich continues to impress by changing up the story by bringing in new characters and revisiting old characters. Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter for her cousin Vinny at his Bond Enforcement Agency. It isn't the job she went to school for but a job nonetheless. She isn't the greatest bounty hunter around but she gets the job done in a comical messed up way. I liked the fact that each time I read these books, Stephanie Plum is dealing with something different as a bounty hunter. Her love life continues on this ride of which man shall she choose or can she even attempt to choose. Joe Morelli, a childhood friend that was quite the wild boy back in their high school days has always tried something with Stephanie, primarily sexually related. They have an on again off again relationship. And once you think they are going to make it and get married, Evanovich stops and keeps you thinking and wishing for more. Then there is Ranger, a bounty hunter as well, who sometimes brings in the skippers for Vinny. He owns his own security company and he's very private. He has helped Stephanie on many occasions in apprehending a fugitive and is very interested in her personally. It is what I believe to be one of the struggles Stephanie has between Morelli and Ranger. Who does she pick? Should she pick? They are both nice looking, well built men, and each does something different to Stephanie (how she feels).
I liked this latest title because it involved Stephanie's cousin Vinny. He's mentioned in the other series but usually the focus is not solely on him. This time, he's a major part of the story when he gets into gambling trouble with some Russia mafia guy and gets kidnapped for ransom money. Stephanie and Lula (large African American woman with a lot of spunk and attitude and former hooker) met up in one of the earlier series and have been friends ever since. Lula works at Vinny's agency filing but rarely does any filing, she likes to help Stephanie out on her captures, which makes for quite a hysterical time. Connie, Vinny's secretary, gives Stephanie the captures she has to bring in and attempts to keep Vinny in line. What I liked in Sizzling Sixteen, is that Connie, Lula, and Stephanie all work together to get Vinny back. They might not do it the best or right way, but they get the job done leaving behind their trail in the utmost funniest way.
Evanovich's series of Stephanie Plum books always make me laugh and keep me wishing for more. I can hardly ever wait for the next one to come out. When a series has gone on as long as this one has, you often wonder if the next one is going to be as good as the last. Will it be everything you hope it to be? I have never been disappointed by Janet Evanovich's books, including the Stephanie Plum series.
If a reader liked this book then I recommended them to read the following books:
Fiction:
Any of the Stephanie Plum series, starting with book number one: One for the Money by Janet Evanovich. These books do not have to really be read in order, but if you want to completely understand how Stephanie Plum becomes a bounty hunter and where all the characters fit, then starting from the beginning is the best. If you found yourself unable to put this book down, then reading the other books in this series is a must.
If Evanovich isn't your style but Sizzling Sixteen still sparked your interest, then I would suggest books by Sandra Brown. Play Dirty or Rainwater are a couple of title suggestions. Sandra Brown writes mysteries about the same way Evanovich does, while not all of them contain the amount of humor Evanovich's does, they do contain the mystery and the romance. Brown's books can be just as addicting as Evanovich's books.
Nonfiction books that may interest someone who likes to read mysteries:
Nonfiction:
A Cold Case by Philip Gourevitch. ISBN 0312420021. 183 pages.
This book is about an investigators 30 year pursuit of petty criminal and murderer Frank Koehler, who shot two men in a continuation of a bar agreement in 1970. The investigator Andy Rosenzweig used research and interviews to take the reader back to his earlier days as a New York City police officer. Rosenzweig describes the background of the Koehler family's crime and how he tracked down the infamous criminal living in California.
This book is described as an impossible to stop reading narrative which is beautifully written. If a reader likes a good mystery book in fiction then this book in nonfiction will surely perk their interest.
American Roulette: How I Turned the Odds Upside Down--My Wild Twenty-Five Year Ride Ripping Off the World's Casinos by Richard Marcus. ISBN 0312291396. 370 pages.
This book is a first person account of Marcus' many years spent making a living by cheating the casinos. This is a quick paced adventurous book, however there is language and jargon that is on the rawside of honest. Marcus describes his many partners and numerous scams. He takes great pride in the way he made his living doing illegal activities.
While this book does sound a bit on the blundt side of writing, I recommend it because in the book Sizzling Sixteen, a great deal of gambling and scamming is mentioned. If readers liked reading about that in Evanovich's book, they may find it fascinating to read about a real life account from someone who made a living at it.
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