Video: Reading Update

Finished:


Immortal by Gene Doucette






Still Reading:



Steven George & The Dragon by Nathan Everett






New this week:

The Mystery of Edwin Drood (Completed by David Madden) by Charles Darwin

To mark the bicentenary of the birth of Charles Dickens in 2012, Unthank Books are publishing Sir David Madden's masterful new completion of THE MYSTERY OF EDWIN DROOD, Dickens' last, and unfinished novel. In a work of incredible literary ventriloquism David Madden renders the greatest homage he can to the great author by creating an ending as faithful to Dickens' written intentions as possible. Closely following the clues clearly laid down by Dickens in his sadly incomplete version, David Madden seamlessly continues the story with a stunningly similar repertoire of comedy, psychological acuity, inimitable description and turn of phrase. Published in one volume with Madden succeeding the 'master,' this is at last a completion of the mystery which proves it to be as much a 'whydunnit' as a 'whodunnit' and affords real pleasure, finally and fully from start to finish. It is literally as if Dickens has risen from his grave to finish the job. From Amazon.com

Question:

Since my video posts garner more views than most of my written post, I'm contemplating doing videos of my reviews. Therefore, I have a question for you my readers: Do you watch the video or are you just looking at my reading list? Please leave a comment; I'd really appreciate it as I consider the change in format.

It's Monday! What are you reading? is a weekly meme hosted my Book Journey.

He took a gamble: Immortal

Immortal by Gene Doucette
paperback, 329 pages
Publish October 2010 by Hamel Integrity Publishing
ISBN 9780984568512
Read September 2011
Find it: Goodreads, Amazon


I met Gene Doucette at the Indie Book Event at the end of July. During a break in the talks, I got to talking to him about his book. I was skeptical whether the book would be for me. At the time, I felt overwhelmed by the number of books I had to read and was trying to limit the books I was taking on to ones I knew I would like reading. But I also like discovering new books that are different than what I typically read. Anyways, Gene took a chance and gave me a copy of Immortal. I promised that even if it turned out not to be my kind of story but that the writing was good, I would still give a good review. I assure you that the writing was superb. I know a lot of people are hesitant to pick up indie published books because of quality concerns. I would say that it even has some literary merit. Immortal is one of the best written books I've read.

But what about the story line? Did I like it? If you follow me on Twitter or Goodreads.com you may have seen my updates. My comments about the vampires, dragon, pixies, etc partly were just to pick at Gene. I was worried because it seems we were being introduced to a new creature with each chapter and I wasn't sure I could handle that every chapter for the rest of the book. They were actually a small part of the storyline. The book is much more a sci-fi type novel than supernatural. All the "supernatural" beings seem to have some natural origin - they've just evolved to this. 


It was the sci-fi aspects that really sparked my interest in the book. The teasers at the beginning of most chapters were maddening. I so wanted to know what was going on with Adam. I wanted to know what was going on in the laboratory. The flash backs into history were interesting, though may have been too detailed on occasion (this might just be my perception, because I was impatient to see what was happening in the present).


When I read the last pages last night, I was sad to see the end. I didn't want to say good-bye to the characters. They had endeared themselves to me. Particularly the pixie Iza. To be carefree, worry-free. Gene could have went the ditzy blonde route with the pixie, but instead he was able to capture the purely innocent nature. While there is some conclusion to the story, there are plenty of questions left unanswered and possibly some answers left unquestioned. I look forward to more great work from Gene Doucette. If he isn't already on your radar, he should be.


Note: New edition available from The Writer's Coffee Shop as of March 2012.

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It's Monday! I'm still reading!

It's Monday! What are you reading? is brought to you by Book Journey. It a time for bloggers to share what they've finished reading and what is next on their reading list.

 

I didn't make my video yesterday because I had a horrible headache. I also did get to finish any of my books last week. Both are very good and I wish I could find more time to read. I might put up a video later in the day, but I wanted to go ahead and post my reading list for the week.

Still working on....

I'm still looking for audio book recommendations. If you have listened to a great one recently, please leave me a comment.

As part of my 100th Post Celebration, I'm giving away a signed copy of Three Scoops is a Blast by Alex Carrick. Just leave a comment with a way to contact you to enter.
Summary from Goodreads.com

Following the themes established in "Two Scoops" Is Just Right, this sequel contains stories about the family and the modern work environment. It also branches off into somewhat longer fictional pieces. These tales wander through time and space or consist of made-up conversations that take amusing, ironic or unexpected turns.These entertaining, original short stories first appeared on the website: www.alexcarrick.com. Mr. Carrick has been a leading economist in the North American construction industry for over 30 years.

An Adventure: Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure

Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure by B. K. Bostick
ARC ebook from Netgalley.com
Publish October 2011 by Cedar Fort/Bonneville Books
ISBN 9781599559117
Read September 2011

If I was a tween-age boy, I would love this book. Even as an adult, I really enjoyed the story and have to wonder if their will be more stories with these kids.

I received Huber Hill and the Dead Man's Treasure after seeing a tweet about it from Cedar Fort. I requested it because my last name was in the title, but I also like young adult adventure stories. From the book cover, I was expecting it to be a little Harry Potter like (without the magic), but once I started reading it Huber Hill felt more like the Wimpy Kid series (I haven't actually read the books, but I did see both movies).

Huber is the target of the school's bully. As the lesser talented twin, he feels that his parents might not love him as much. He is your typical awkward age boy. Though the kids are suppose to be 15 in the book, I often felt they acted more like 11 - 13 years old. I know that kids mature at different rates so I'm sure some 15 years old kids do act like Scott and Huber. This is probably my only complaint about the story.


The adventure they embark on, while to my adult sensibilities was foolish, was just the kind of adventure every kid dreams of: the prospect of undiscovered treasure, a map, and some friends. However, kids are not the only ones interested in finding this legendary gold. The sinister decedent of a Spanish explorer is hot on their trail.  Huber, Hannah, and Scott's adventure is fraught with missteps and danger. Though I sometimes found their successful escapes and, in particular, the continued reappearances of Salazar (his motto must be "never say die") a bit unbelievable and over-the-top (in the case of Salazar), it is exactly the type of story that a young reader will eat up. 


I wanted to say thank you to Cedar Fort and B. K. Bostick for this great book and for helping me cross a name off my Christmas shopping list (my nephew will be finding this under the tree). Also, I wanted to let you know about a fundraiser B. K. Bostick is doing for his 12 year old neighbor. She has a Meningioma brain tumor. He is donating 100% of his royalties from pre-orders and the sales during the first two weeks of October. You can find out more at www.treasureforalyssa.com 


 

Video: It's Monday again

It's Monday! What are you reading is a weekly meme hosted by Book Journey. See what I'm reading and then check out the other blogs to see what they are reading this week.

Finished reading...



Currently reading....



Steven George & The Dragon by Nathan Everett

When Steven is sent by his village to slay the fearsome beast that threatens them, he suddenly realizes that he doesn't know what a dragon looks like, where it lives, or how to slay it. But Steven's village has fostered the talent of telling tales. Steven trades once-upon-a-times with the people he meets along the way and each remarkable story leads him a step closer to understanding the true meaning of his quest. All roads lead to the dragon. From Goodreads.com

Just Released: Boyfriend from Hell

Boyfriend From Hell by E. Van Lowe
paperback, 280 pages
Published August 30, 2011 by White Whisker Books
ISBN 9780983632900
Source: Author
Read September 2011
Goodreads, IndieBound, Amazon
 

I'm trying to get through the books I picked up at ArmchairBEA and Boyfriend from Hell was one I was really looking forward to reading. Unfortunately, I kept getting side tracked by library books and just not enough time in the day to read. Luckily, this was an easy read and even when I had to set it aside for days on end I could easily jump back into the story.


With such a title and that it is a young adult book, I was hoping for a bit more humor. Even with the lack of laughs, it was a good book. In the beginning, I related more to the mom Suze and her dating woes as I have not been in Megan's shoes of having a single parent wanting to date. But the more I got to know Megan the more I could relate as I recalled my days in high school and by the end I could empathize with her and kind of wanted to tell her "friends" off for abandoning her.


Probably the best thing about Boyfriend from Hell is it sets up the series well. Hopefully, the sequel Earth Angel will be able to build on the momentum started by Boyfriend from Hell. I am also hoping we get a little more insight in to Matt. Something about his confession seemed contrite and forced and I wonder if we don't have the full story yet, or if it was a plot misstep. 


As paranormal stories are not typically my thing, one that grabs my attention and I enjoy is rare. Boyfriend from Hell definitely got my attention to the point I stayed up too late so I could finish it. And I enjoyed it to the point I'm eagerly awaiting the release of Earth Angel (and I have no idea when it's coming out, so I'm feeling a bit impatient with the wait as well).  E. van Lowe is active on Twitter and responds, so if you like to interact with the authors you read follow him at @Evanlowe

Girl Who Reads is an advertising affiliate with Amazon and IndieBound; a small fee is earned when purchases are made using the above links. A free book was obtained from the source mentioned above in order to provide an honest and free review.