The Long Road

Book Title:  After The Fire, a Small Still Voice   Author:  Evie Wyld  Genre:  Novel  Rating: 3.2 of 5

I picked up this novel with not a lot of expectations. And I finished the novel with the same attitude.

The story revolves around two men in two diffrent time periods. It's set in Austraila. First we have Frank, a middle aged man with a girlfriend and a life in the city. There life seems ideal until one day it just implodes. Frank ends up leaving and taking up residence in a small metal shack near the ocean. He lives day to day rebuilding himself and reawkening to life.
The other half of the story revolves around Leon. We see how his life is affected when his father leaves his life of making candy and treats to fight in the Korean war. His father comes back a broken man. Leon himself ends up being drafted for the vietnam war. And the novel follows his trials as well.

The book won the 2009 John Llewellyn Rhys award. It's a literary prize awarded each year to an author 35 or under who writes a novel in English and it's published in England. It's been awarded since 1942. But how does it stand up? Decently well in my opinion.

The book is written very well with a lot of attention to detail. It does get a little gushy at parts and heads into too much romanticism. An example is Frank being in the ocean...'He floated on his back, feeling like a fat otter, letting the salt water into his mouth, to clean right inside him, where city dust lay on the tops of his lungs.' Yeah I live near the ocean and I personally don't think salt water doean't taste too yummy! And I'm not sure about the cleaning either.
Also another thing that might trip up us readers from the USA would be all the English slang terms used in the book. In one page she uses: windscreen, bonnet, buggered...etc. You can figure out what she's saying, but still it can make for a tough read in some parts.

Still with a couple hick-ups the book manages itself very well. Frank's story is interesting, but it's Leon's tale that will keep you reading. Rage, anger, and a past that won't go away make for a decent page turner. Good novel.

Slow. Too Slow.

Book Title:  The Lace Reader   Author:  Brunonia Barry  Rating: 2.1 out of 5.


This book is given a lot of praise and hype. You can get that much just by reading the jacket. But does it live up to it? As good as "The Sixth Sense?" In my opinion, no it does not.
I do like the set up. Set in Salem, MA, it follows a young woman with special powers learning to cope with the death of a loved one and also trying to figure out the truth of what happened to her.
It has all the makings to be great but I found myself loosing interest in it very quickly. One problem I found was the only two likable characters were the main one and her brother. Oh well, I still recommend it as an interesting read, but get it from the library. You'll be glad you did.

A Review From Nov 2009!

Hi,  I thought this would be fun for you guys to check out.  This is a review I wrote for The Hunger Games book back on Nov 23, 2009.  Enjoy my good taste.  ;)

Book: The Hunger Games    Author:  Suzanne Collins  Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Set in a bleak future where the United States has fallen into a dismal ruin. As a punishment for an earlier rebellion each district has to send a boy and girl to the Hunger Games. A fight to the death blood sport event that everyone is forced to watch. The book follows Katniss Everdeen who volunteers in place of her sister to fight in the games. And that's the plot.
The writing is very good. Suzanne Collins does a nice job of spinning the narrative into a tense and bloody story. While the basis of the book is simple and straightforward it does a good job of fleshing the characters out. Even adds a little romance to the mix.
The only downside I found to the whole thing is it is book 1 of a trilogy! Which I didn't know when I began reading it. So you can imagine how annoyed I was at learning it was to be continued. Oh well, sign me up for book # 2!
I have also read online that there is a movie in the works based off this novel. So do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Historical But Not Boring

Book Title:  Chasing Lincoln's Killer   Author:  James Swanson  Rating:  3.4 out of 5 stars

James Swanson does an admirable attempt to put together all the events leading up to, and right after Lincoln's murder. He does a pretty good job. Told from many different perspectives he gives you good insight into what each person in the story was most likely feeling back in 1865.
He avoids a couple traps along the way too, because he sticks with the facts to present the sad happenings without offending anyone. Swanson also does a nice job without being preachy or monotone.
At the same time though what really gives the book it's power is the striking black and white photographs. From the gun used to kill Lincoln to the 8 hoods the convicted conspirators wore in prison it paints a sad and horrifying picture of one of histories senseless murders.
A good book.

Hilarious! Just Ask Abraham Lincoln.

Book Title: My Custom Van: And 50 Other Mind-Blowing Essays that Will Blow Your Mind All Over Your Face
Author: Michael Ian Black
Genre: Adult Humor

I remember the first time I saw Michael Ian Black he was one of the commentators on the VH1 show "I Love The 80's." I remember thinking he was pretty funny. So when I saw he had a book I had to check it out. Frankly, it is pure gold.
In the book he writes about 50 essays ranging from the topic of how vampires would be good for the economy to how he could convince himself to eat dog crap for the rest of his life. Not that every essay is pure genius. 'One Day I am Going to Open a Scented Candle Shop' falls a little flat. But in general 99% of the book is right on. I'm laughing now as I recall the story, 'An Open Letter to the Hairstylist Who Somehow Convinced me to Get a Perm When I was in Sixth Grade.'

Yes, you do need to get this book. It's that funny....

Rating 3.9 out of 5

The Toadies Are Back...With a Vengeance!

Artist:  Toadies    Album:  No deliverance    Genre:  Rock/ Southern Rock

The Toadies rock. There is no better way to start a review of their new cd then by saying that. When their first album came out in 1994, they rocked. But now they are even better if thats possible.
The Toadies first cd was a tour de force of rock licks, catchy lyrics, and pure Texas attitude. With a dirty guitar and a almost ZZ Top feel. Then when Hell Below/Stars Above came out they almost completely abandoned their style. The album was more muted. Gone was a lot of the fire they made the debut such a gem. It seemed like the Toadies were done. But not so...
Not only are they back with No Deliverance, they are back with a vengeance! This is arguably the best album they have ever done. The licks are stronger, the rythum tighter, the vocals perfect, this is their defining cd.

Such songs prove this as the opener "Such Long Lovey Eyes" and the straight up southern rocker "I Am a Man of Stone". And the songs "Flower" and " Song I Hate" prove that not only are the Toadies back, but they are better than they were 14 years ago. Rock on!

Rating:  4.5 out of 5

And The Singer is Good

Artist:  Brendan James        Album: The Day is Brave          Genre: Piano pop.

Carly Simon has been quoted as giving Brendan James 2 thumbs up. (My words not her's.) And when you put the cd on you immediately agree with her. He has a voice that seems like it would be right at home on a country album but also equally comfortable with a jazz band too. But he thankfully has chosen neither. Instead we have a cd with 11 soulful tracks.
Now this is honestly not my style of music. I am more of a Rock and Roll guy. But at the same time I recognize a good artist when I see one, and Brendan James is going places. If you are going to do piano pop music this is what it should sound like......

Rating 4.3 out of 5