Plaque - Michael Grant

 

The fourth book in the Gone series. 

I enjoyed this book. I don't want to say to much, I don't want to give any thing away. I will say that we find the characters more or less in the same place. Grant has a way of taking a bad situation and making it worse. Making it seem like its okay then oh no not so much. I am really wondering how this series is going to end. I am looking forward to the last two books! 

The City of Fallen Angels - Cassandra Clare

I am writing this review assuming that you have read the first three book's in the series. If you haven't close this, do not read anymore. If you have...continue on. 

Okay so where were we when we left off? Simon's a vampire, Clary and Jace aren't bother and sister (whew), Valentine's dead, (yay), and evil has been beaten again! So what's to write about?


Now they are all back in New York. Simon's dating two girls, Clary is training to be a shadow hunter. Jace is battling with some inner demons (heh heh...oh I crack myself up), and Valentine may be dead but that, doesn't mean that there aren't people or things ready to step in his place and take over his work.

We meet some new characters, which add new life to this story. New plot twists and old characters doing new things that add more detail.

All in all, I like this book and am looking forward to the next two. I think even though you wouldn't think that there should be more, this does tide things up a bit.

The Stand - Stephen King

Oh yeah I went there. I know I put this on my read this before you die list, but since I have re-read it, I thought I should honor you, with a blog post.

This is book is by far one of my favorites. Every time I re-read it I find something new to love. I think, for me, this is my favorite work by one of my favorite authors, so reading it is like sitting down with him and getting advice on writing a great novel. He interweaves a story unlike any other writer I have read, and it does it in a way that doesn't bore you to tears. (Yes it took them three years to dig Gage's grave, and Flagg's boot heals clicking on the pavement in the hot summer night can get a little...tiring) BUT necessary to the whole feel, plot flow of the book.

The Plot: A super flu virus made by the government is lose and spreads like wild fire through out the world. This bug has a mortality rate of 99.4% or something. Which means, yes all but .06% of the world...will die. After the month of plague the survivors are left to pick up the pieces. Little do they all know, that something much bigger is in store for them.

The Characters - I am not going to give ALL of them, for time BUT these are the biggies.

Mother Abigail Freemantle - She's 108 year old black woman who still makes her own bread. She is the leader of the side of 'good' or "God" if you will.

Randal Flagg - The walking Dude, The Dark Man. He is something close to a demon. In fact he is referred to as legion at one point in the book. Mr. Glen Batman refers to him as the last magician of rational thought. Mayhap he is and mayhap he ain't. He is one mean son of a gun.

Stuart  Redman - A quiet man from East Texas. He was the part of the first group to get quarantined and tested for super flu. He went to Atlanta then Vermont plaque centers. The government tried to kill him, why, cause it seemed like a good idea at the time. He escaped and made his way to mother Abigale - later he becomes on of the Boulder Zone's committee members and sheriff. And even later still, he is one of the four chosen to make a stand against Flagg.

Fran Goldsmith - She is important - but honestly (book and movie) she drives me crazy. So I am just going to say this. She is carrying the first child to born after the plaque. The first pre-plague conceived. So she is important. Also she is the love interest of Harold Lauder who is important and I am getting there.

Larry Underwood - a new rock star, small time druggie gets into a jam in California so he puts on his boogie shoes and heads home to his mom in New York. Just in time for Captain Tripps. After the plaque he loses his mind a little, well a lot. He finally comes out the other end. A kind of shedding of the skin. In Boulder he is another committee member and respected man. Later he is one of the four sent to kill Flagg, at this point he makes one final transformation a meeting of the two Larry's. He believes, the best of himself. (I agree).

Nick Adros - A deaf/mute with one hell of a brain. He is one of my favorite characters. When the story begins he is drifter, when the plague hits he is deputy of a small town in Arkansas, after he becomes on the committee members of the Free Zone.

Tom Cullen - M-O-O-N That spells tom Cullen! Everyone knows that. Tom is my favorite character. He shows more strength, more inner innocents and beauty, more reason to live then any other character. He is simple but smart.

Nadine Cross - Randall Flagg's bride to be. She starts out...nice and slowly starts to succumb to the darkness that is in her soul. You can almost hate her for all the she does, until you realize that its not all her. Not at all, and she gets hers. Laws yes.

Harold Lauder - One the one hand you feel for this kid, on the other you can't stand him. Through out the book they both come into play. He plays a huge roll in this book both after the plague and during the "settlement" time.

Lloyd Hendreid - Flagg's right hand man. Course any one of us might be too, if Flagg saved us from a prison cell weeks after the plaque. He sold his soul for a hamburger. He was a dumb outlaw who never would have gotten into anything more then small time shit, until Flagg came along.

Trashcan Man - This man is...a weapons expert, he is a human bloodhound when it comes to finding all the toys the military left behind...he is okay a little bit of a pyromaniac and slightly mentally challenged to say the least. But he will give his life over to the darkman. My life for you.

These and many, many more make up the amazing rich story of The Stand.

I have already gone on and on and on with this. Let me conclude that in the world of writers, Stephen King is in a world of his own.

Read. This. Book. :)

The Host - Stephine Meyer

First of all - yes I have read this book. Three times in fact. So, although I have already read it, I still feel the need to blog about it, because I have re-read it this year, and this blog is all about keeping up with all the books I read. Whether that book is a old book or a new book to me. :) Moving on. 


This book is one of my favorites for many reasons. I like the idea, the characters, the author, description, outcome and love the ending. It is a rare book that does all this for me in 700 pages or less.

See what to say with out giving anything away? The story is about Wanda and Melanie Stryder. They both live in the same body. Melanie's to be perfectly honest. She is a rebel survivor. One of the few remaining humans left on Earth. The peaceful beings who call themselves, the Souls, have overtaken the planet. The Souls believe that the humans didn't deserve this beautiful planet. The humans, of course, felt like they were being invaded by the body snatchers. The Souls feared the humans, and the humans hated the souls.

Melanie and Wanda strike a very uncommon friendship based on their...situation and mutual love for two people. It is because of this love that Wanda chooses to turn her back on the souls and go in search for the humans she dreams of.

This is amazing, beautiful book. I could and do recommend it to ANY one. Everyone. I don't think there is a person out there that wouldn't enjoy this book. No matter your taste. Meyer, of course, does the Twilight books, which I, of course, love. That being said, this is NOTHING like the Twilight books. Nothing. This is a book all its own. I despise when people try to compare them.

There is, naturally, a movie being talked about. Now I had to go an just compile my dream list. Its hard because of course, no matter what it will never be as good as the movie. And some of these actors I am choosing purely on looks. I know I shallow.

Kay so Jeb either Jeff Bridges or Jim Varney. I know two completely different actors and faces. Honestly I think Bridges would be best, but Varney has some characteristics that I think Jeb has too. If you read the book I would hope you could see this as well! 

For Kyle or Jared. (I know, I know two different people but honestly I didn't like either of them till the end) I go with David Boreanaz (Angel). Just on looks alone (told you I was shallow) 

For Jamie...no laughing...Booboo Stewart. I know, I know but come on isn't he adorable?!

Now for Wanda/Melanie I got this from husband cause I drew a complete blank. But he thinks Jordana Brewster would work. (Fast and Furious) which is ironic cause it brings me to my next character played by an actor from the same movie.

Ian - Paul Walker...don't knock it yet...think about it...re-read the book if you must. I love Ian Somerhalder for Ian but...I don't know...He would be good cause obviously he is suppose to look like Kyle...but I am not sure...It'd be nice if he is in though, just for a little eye candy!!

So that is that...there are tons more people, I like Sigourney Weaver for the mean Aunt. :) Just cause I think she would be amazing. Course you would never be able to get all these people together for a movie, although it would be great, because the book is amazing. You can half ass it with people who can't act. I pray, if there is a movie, Stephine Meyer use a little more...common sense....O.o

The Forest of Hands and Teeth - Carrie Ryan

 

This books goes to show you two things. Don't judge a book by its cover. And don't judge a book by its title. I avoided this book because of both, but after seeing it on many lists, I had to give it a try. I am glad I did. 

This is a story about Mary who lives in a fenced in village surrounded by the undead. She has grown up knowing that the Sisterhood and the Guardians will take care of the village. To put her trust in them. When her mother veers to close to the fence, she forced into a choice. Marry or become one of the sisters. But her heart is with her mother's stories of the ocean. Of great cities with buildings that touch the sky. 

When the fence is breached and all she thought she knew is lost, she has to choose stay and live the life that is expected or venture into the forest. 

I enjoyed this book. It is hard to describe. I could put it down, I didn't have to read it right away. I did find myself thinking of it though. Often. And I plan on reading the rest in the series. The writing style is very descriptive, which for this book works well. Its easy to lose yourself in the world Ryan creates. I think in order to enjoy this book fully though, you would have to enjoy zombie fiction. Although its not gory, they are everywhere, and mentioned in almost every chapter. If you don't like zombies you probably won't like this book. 

There are rumors of a movie. Of course. And there are rumors that a certain actress that I despise will play the part of Mary. If that happens I plan on boycotting the movie. Even if it doesn't, I am not sure I would want to see the movie. Although, that being said, I think it would make a great movie IF you hadn't read the books. Make sense? So if you like zombie movies? But not books, wait for the movie. If there is one...

Sing you home - Jodi Picoult

I LOVE Jodi Picoult. And I LOVED this book. 

There are many authors that I like, even if their books have the same underlining theme. Nora Roberts, her books always have a strong female character, who sets off on her own, makes her own way and ends up falling in love with a man who thinks he needs to (fix/help/protect/tame) her. Stephen King, well all the books I have read, make me wonder how the guy sleeps at night. He takes the unknown or those questions you ask yourself late at night, or a dark road, and turns them real. Makes them known.
 Jodi Picoult always has morals or ethics involved in her stories. She brings to light different sides to an issue so that you find yourself agreeing with both sides, or arguing a side. This was actually the first book where during the ethical/moral battle I was firmly on one side. Usually she is able to make me see both sides. I guess its because this is an issue I wouldn't or couldn't be swayed on.

In this amazing story. Zoe is a musical therapist who is married to Max who is a recovering alcoholic. They want children so bad but it never happens. They end up going through years of fertility treatments and years of failed attempts. They get so far into debt they don't see a way out. Finally Max has enough and divorces Zoe.

In the months following the divorce, Max goes through a lot of whiskey. After a car accident that nearly kills him, Max finds Jesus. Zoe goes through more medical hardships in the incurring months after the divorce. She finally finds love in a place she never imagined. In her best friend Vanessa. She wants to start try having children again, but Max, who has found religion, has decided that he doesn't want their eggs to go to her. He wants them to go to his good, God-fearing, Christian brother and his wife.

It turns into a huge legal battle. Religion over sexuality. Church vs State. Where do we draw the lines. Why do some people have to make it so hard, for others to be in love.

This is story about all the different kinds of families. How not one is right, not one is perfect. The whole time I was reading this, I kept thinking, who says a Mother/Father family is so right? I am sure there are hundreds of social workers who take kids out of homes that have a mom AND a dad. Being gay doesn't make anyone better or worse. Just like being a Pieces doesn't make anyone better or worse. Someday, soon I hope, we will be a society that doesn't think in terms of gay and straight. Instead of sneering when we see same sex couples holding hands, we will smile because they are in love.

I think its wonderful that Jodi goes through so much research in her books. She really takes her time, gets her information right. It marks a good author. Its one thing to say oh I have this great idea and write it. Its another to say oh I have this great idea, let me make sure I have my facts straight!

I would recommend this book to anyone with a heart. If you believe music is the soul, read it. If you believe in gay rights, read it. If you have had fertility issues, or gone through the heartbreak of a stillborn and miscarriages, read it. If you just like a good great book, read it.

Nevermore - Kelly Creagh

Another warning: If there isn't a sequel this book ends HORRIDLY! If there is, well then you must wait for one.

I enjoyed this book. I read it because my good sister wrote such a wonderful review for it on her blog, writeforabsolution.wordpress.com. Otherwise I don't believe I would have picked it up. I have never read a Edgar Allen Poe book. I know blasphemy. That being said I know OF his works. I appreciate him as a writer, even if I have never read it him.

This book references, Poe's work, it...I don't want to say takes place, but...it has great similarity to one of his works, The Masque Of The Red Death.

Okay, so this book starts out with a cheerleader, Isobel who gets paired with a 'goth' Varen to do an English Project on Edger Allen Poe. As they work on their project, things start happening. The worlds between reality and dreams grows thin, and by then end, everything Isobel knew for truth, is turned around.

I enjoy this book, the build up was great, the characters were wonderful. The book did...have stalled parts. Where I was seriously skimming because I was, not bored, but not as interested I guess.
I am hopefully looking forward to a sequel, although with this book being over 500 hundred pages, I don't see how much more there is to write. We shall see.

I suggest it though, even if there isn't a sequel. I suggest it to high school kids. Let me rant for a moment. I think books like this, and yes Twilight, The Mortal Instruments, Harry Potter to name a few. Are wonderful books, to 'introduce' kids into real reading. This book, not only is interesting in its own right, but it could broaden someones mind into Poe. You read this and say, hey I wonder what other things he has read (the book gives you some great titles), and boom, a kid who didn't read is now not only reading, but reading Poe! That is great!