This was a quick read, a guilty pleasure. The story is about governmental secret research that had interesting consequences and was about to be exposeThis was a quick read, a guilty pleasure. The story is about governmental secret research that had interesting consequences and was about to be exposed, plus of course romance/juicy sex with a supernatural twist. Very interesting, the idea of a man and woman being able to feel what the other is feeling during sex. Wouldn't that be fun (or at least with the right guy)? A couple of mind-reading twin religious cult leaders were a bit too bizarre for me, but I enjoyed Lindsay and Jordan....more
This is a beautifully written and researched book, containing detailed descriptions of what goes on in the mind of a musical prodigy as he learns, thiThis is a beautifully written and researched book, containing detailed descriptions of what goes on in the mind of a musical prodigy as he learns, thinks about, responds to, or plays music. It is also a coming-of-age story, telling about the life of Claude Rawlings from the time he is a very small boy until he is an established adult talent. I found the book very engrossing and gorgeous in detail and desciption. I can't wait to give it to my daughter, who is a pianist also. Highly recommended....more
The summary of this story is Goodreads starts out with "Miriam is trying. Really, she is." But I never get the feeling that she's trying at all. It's The summary of this story is Goodreads starts out with "Miriam is trying. Really, she is." But I never get the feeling that she's trying at all. It's more the opposite -- she gets herself into deep shit almost on purpose. Not even almost. This is also what makes her a pretty interesting character. Her psychic ability is pretty creepy, So many people she meets are doing to die in some really sad or really violent way. What are the odds? Miriam really is like a tornado bottled up in a tiny bottle. I enjoyed this book better than the first one. It was less about Miriam's hostility and skill at profanity and more about who she really is, or could be. I'm interested to see what the next book has in store....more
**spoiler alert** I was enjoying the Kate Shugak series so much. This book was no exception (well, I'm not a huge fan of arrogant Germans) until I got**spoiler alert** I was enjoying the Kate Shugak series so much. This book was no exception (well, I'm not a huge fan of arrogant Germans) until I got to the ending. I'm so disappointed. (view spoiler)[Killing Jack Morgan was so unnecessary. I liked him as a character. He was one of the few men in these stories who was worthy of Kate's attention. (hide spoiler)] I will probably read the next book in the series because I think I already bought it, but I may not read it at all. Kate is an ornery character on a good day, but she is intriguing and tough and can have a good time when she feels like it. I can't imagine that she will be anything but sad, miserable, and hostile after this book. Why do authors need to fuck with their characters this way? Patricia Cornwell did the same thing, and that was the last book of hers I read....more
Wonderful story. There are always so many characters and side stories in Kate Atkinson's books, it's a bit of a challenge to keep track of it all, butWonderful story. There are always so many characters and side stories in Kate Atkinson's books, it's a bit of a challenge to keep track of it all, but she weaves everything and everybody together so masterfully. It's impressive. This story takes Jackson Brodie to Edinburgh where he seems to get into more than his fair share of trouble. I'm looking forward to the next tale....more
I am just loving this series by Dana Stabenow. This story is another totally entertaining romp in Alaska with Kate Shugak and her friends (and enemiesI am just loving this series by Dana Stabenow. This story is another totally entertaining romp in Alaska with Kate Shugak and her friends (and enemies). I love all of the detail of life in Alaska -- in this case the salmon fishing industry. Kate sure has some great adventures and knows how to do so many cool things. I'm already partway into the next book in the series....more
This was fun and quick to read. I'd always heard about the Sookie Stackhouse series, and since I accidentally got my hands on Book #1, I decided to giThis was fun and quick to read. I'd always heard about the Sookie Stackhouse series, and since I accidentally got my hands on Book #1, I decided to give it a go. It was better than I expected. Sookie is a fun character. I enjoyed her struggle with her ability to read minds. Bill the vampire is a bit stiff, but drawn better than many vampires in other books. I like the premise of vampires coming "out of the closet (coffin?)" and living among regular humans. I'm not sure we would be quite so complacent, but it made for an interesting story. I don't know yet if I'll continue the series....more
I this book and the entire series in 2018. I was enthralled all the way through. I can't recommend it highly enough to any lovers of great hard sci-fiI this book and the entire series in 2018. I was enthralled all the way through. I can't recommend it highly enough to any lovers of great hard sci-fi.
From the NPR review: "Cixin Liu clearly loves golden-age SF authors like Isaac Asimov and Arthur C. Clarke; accordingly, The Three-Body Problem turns a boilerplate, first-contact concept into something absolutely mind-unfolding. While in the virtual world of Three Body, Miao confronts philosophical conundrums that border on the psychedelic, all while remaining scientifically rigorous. The way the book's alien race seeks to assert its presence on Earth is nothing short of awe-inspiring."
WOW: Hugo Award for Best Novel (2015), Nebula Award Nominee for Best Novel (2014), Locus Award Nominee for Best Science Fiction Novel (2015), John W. Campbell Memorial Award Nominee for Best Novel (2015), Prometheus Award Nominee for Best Novel (2015)...more
This is the story of Mae Holland, who is lucky enough some time after college to be hired by the Circle. The Circle is a powerful internet company thaThis is the story of Mae Holland, who is lucky enough some time after college to be hired by the Circle. The Circle is a powerful internet company that has its hands in many high-tech projects. She is thrilled to be working for this prestigious company. This is a parody of the high tech companies in California, the Microsofts, Googles, Facebooks, Qualcomms in that lavish services are provided on campus to employees who work nearly around the clock -- musical concerts, food, all sorts of services and social opportunities. Employees are expected to interact with all of the social activities and messaging to the max (participation is measured) while also accomplishing their work. The Circle has 3 brilliant and charismatic leaders who are headed down a dangerous path, toward control of all information everywhere, tracking of everything and everybody, and full transparency of personal and professional lives, information, and financial and political endeavors. The results seem to be very noble - transparency and freedom of information can lead to elimination of most criminal activity and no more anonymity on the web (leading to civil discourse instead of the ridiculous and nasty discourse we have now. Mae is chosen to be one of the first whose life is completely transparent and viewed daily by millions all over the world via a camera she wears around her neck. The story at first reminded me of my years not so long ago at an influential high tech firm, and then it became more and more extreme and outrageously bizarre. The story raises many questions about whether we have a right to privacy and where it ends. It discusses the concerns of the privatization of government functions, the use of tracking chips on humans, many good topics for consideration. A fun and quick read. It amused me greatly....more
Lolita is one of the most unusual stories I've ever read. Humbert, the main character, is hardly the sympathetic protagonist, but by the end of the stLolita is one of the most unusual stories I've ever read. Humbert, the main character, is hardly the sympathetic protagonist, but by the end of the story, I actually felt more positive about him. He was a con man, a pedophile, and a terrible snob. How could anyone feel sympathetic toward a pedophile whose dream girl is 12 years old? The prose is gorgeous -- witty, playful, lyrical, really excpetional. The audio version is read by the incredible Jeremy Irons, with great finesse and feeling. If you missed this classic along the way, I highly recommend it, especially the audio version. ...more
This is an exceptional story, full of rich detail and many twists and turns. It's the story of a reporter who is obsessed with investigating cult horrThis is an exceptional story, full of rich detail and many twists and turns. It's the story of a reporter who is obsessed with investigating cult horror film director Stanislas Cordova, a very mysterious and reclusive man who makes the world's scariest movies. Marisha Pessl is an author from whom you should expect intricate, creative, and complex stories, and this one doesn't disappoint. There are lots of photos, notes, and website screen shots interspersed throughout the book that add color to the story. The reporter has two tag along compatriots in this investigation - the three of them make a pretty amusing (ragtag) but somehow effective team. You don't really learn the full story until the very end, but it is all tied up neatly and in a satisfying way. I love her writing, can't wait to see where she goes next. "Special Topics in Calamity Physics", her first book, was my favorite read the year it was published (2008??). Highly recommended....more
This is a pretty decent story that takes place mostly in Hong Kong from about 1940, when the Japanese were invading Hong Kong, to the mid-1960's. It'sThis is a pretty decent story that takes place mostly in Hong Kong from about 1940, when the Japanese were invading Hong Kong, to the mid-1960's. It's the story of a family with two daughters, Joan and Emma. The girls are not adults at the start of the book; Joan is probably a teen and Emma is the little sister. Neither daughter follows the path that is desired for them by their mother. She just wants them to get good husbands and settle down. Instead, Joan becomes an actress and earn acclaim in the world of Chinese films. Emma goes to college in San Francisco and marries a man she meets there -- half Chinese and half Portuguese. It's interesting as a period piece, and view into Chinese culture in Hong Kong, and the coming of age of a new generation of Chinese women. I liked the characters of the two daughters and the aunt especially. I was disappointed in the dramatic events of the ending par of the book. I guess I felt that the death that occurred did not need to happen in order to give the story a proper ending. It just left me sad and feeling out of joint....more
I finished this book this evening. I enjoyed the story line. The Prince was a younger and somewhat less interesting man than in some of the earlier stI finished this book this evening. I enjoyed the story line. The Prince was a younger and somewhat less interesting man than in some of the earlier stories, but I could see how he would totally benefit from spending time with someone like Nina Sharpe. The side story about her and Matt was more interesting to me. They deserve each other, it's a great love story. "The Prince is the fifth book in the sexy, sensual, often humorous adventures of call girl, Nina Sharpe. If you're a fan of erotica for women with a touch of romance and humor, fire up your kindle and settle in." I agree!...more
This book is a classic for women on their own bodies and sexuality. It was originally published in the 1970's at a times when women really needed the This book is a classic for women on their own bodies and sexuality. It was originally published in the 1970's at a times when women really needed the straight scoop. It has been revised, and I think women still need it. I wish Lonnie Barbach would write a version of this for teenage girls. There is so much misinformation out there. I'm sendng this copy off to a bookcrosser in Sweden....more
Obviously this is not high-brow literature, but I decided to make 2015 the year I read more erotica. It's been fun so far. This series has an interestObviously this is not high-brow literature, but I decided to make 2015 the year I read more erotica. It's been fun so far. This series has an interesting main character, Nina Sharpe, and her experiences are anything but boring :) Read it on my Kindle....more
The sex scenes were a bit tame but well-described and pretty steamy. The characters, not terribly interesting, but what can you say about the babysittThe sex scenes were a bit tame but well-described and pretty steamy. The characters, not terribly interesting, but what can you say about the babysitter/husband scenario and then the slightly less expected babysitter/husband-and-wife scenario? Not bad for erotica, I don't expect the stories to be spectacular, although I have read some that was close to actual literature. I believe this book is only available as an e-book. The editing (so many typos, omg) is terrible.
I decided to read a bunch of erotica this year rather than maybe zero or one book like in other years....more
This is my 2nd book by Kate Atkinson. I really enjoyed it. I listened to the audio version, beautifully read by Susan Jameson. I might have been betteThis is my 2nd book by Kate Atkinson. I really enjoyed it. I listened to the audio version, beautifully read by Susan Jameson. I might have been better off reading this one in a paper version, only because there were so many story lines, and sometimes I lost track of which character was which. But the stories were so compelling - all of them heartbreakingly sad. Characters were well-developed and very interesting people. I can tell I'm going to enjoy reading more about Jackson Brodie. He's a perfectly flawed and lovable hero....more
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