Suze Simon spent her teen years wrangling ghosts (otherwise known as NCDPs, or Non Compliant Dead Persons)--including her boyfriend-turned-fiancé, whoSuze Simon spent her teen years wrangling ghosts (otherwise known as NCDPs, or Non Compliant Dead Persons)--including her boyfriend-turned-fiancé, who is now a doctor, and no longer a ghost. But the happy engagement spirals towards chaos when an angry little-girl ghost gets involved, and Suze's old nemesis and fellow mediator Paul Slater threatens her fiancé's (second) life. I read the original Mediator series while I was in high school. I loved it. It's basically Buffy the Vampire Slayer, except this heroine handles ghosts, not vampires, and falls in love with a ghost, not a vampire. It's funny and fast-paced, like all of Cabot's teen dramas. I have mixed feelings about this trend for teenage-heroines-grown-up novels. it's kind of...weird, to read the adult version of a character who was in high school when you were in high school, and who is now an adult, on the page, dealing with adult problems. But Meg Cabot is still Meg Cabot, so if you're looking for light, romantic humor and a girl (excuse me--a young woman) who is fiercely independent, even if it means beating up her own ghosts, you'll like Remembrance. ...more
The Church, in the sixteenth Century, was obsessed with the business of relics. Dismas serves as a sort of Indiana Jones of dead saints, traveling theThe Church, in the sixteenth Century, was obsessed with the business of relics. Dismas serves as a sort of Indiana Jones of dead saints, traveling the world to procure rare and costly relics for his two patrons, the Elector of Saxony and the Cardinal of Mainz. When financial difficulties and disillusionment with the corruption around him get the better of him, Dismas and his friend Albrecht Dürer set out to create and sell the ultimate relic forgery: the shroud that Jesus was buried in. Christopher Buckley has satirized pretty much everything, from American politics (not a difficult task) to women's rights in the Middle East. His newest book takes on the Catholic church in his first historical fiction satire. I love historical fiction, particularly fiction set in/around the Renaissance era. I also like Buckley's writing, in general. But while I enjoyed The Relic Master, alternately either laughing or wincing while reading (the response any good satire should evoke), it somehow seemed more shallow than most of his works I've read before. This could be because a) I grew up learning, far more in depth, the church history Buckley is at pains to explain throughout the novel; b) at points I was horrified by the cavalier way he handled brutal violence; and/or c) Dismas just never felt entirely real to me as a character. His actual historical counterparts were a lot more characterized, with distinct personalities. Now that I started with all that negativity, I feel like I should emphasize that this IS a funny book. It mocks a period in Western religion that was so outrageous that it pretty much mocks itself. Most of the characters are actual historic personages, and they are hilariously, vividly brought to life--especially Albrecht Dürer, Dismas's moody best friend. The plot, while highly unlikely historically speaking, is engaging in a ridiculous, Da-Vinci-Code-turned-comedy way. I'm not really sure who I would recommend this book to, which maybe ultimately is my problem with it. Historical fiction readers? They might resent the occasional anachronisms. Regular Buckley fans may find this one a bit far out compared to his normal fare. Then again, plenty of readers will probably enjoy the witty dialogue and irreverent humor that undoubtedly characterizes this book from beginning to end. ...more
Fed up with the hands-off approach of the State Department, Florence decides to tackle the Middle East from a new angle: TV shows aimed at liberating Fed up with the hands-off approach of the State Department, Florence decides to tackle the Middle East from a new angle: TV shows aimed at liberating women. I read this one years ago while I was in college, and laughed a lot; when I needed an audiobook to listen to with my sisters on a beach trip this summer, I picked this one. It was definitely a hit. If you like (mostly) light political satire, you can't get better than Christopher Buckley. What I like: Buckley dives into incredibly heavy, timely issues (such as, obviously, Florence's goal of "female emancipation in the Middle East" and makes them ridiculous enough to be funny. Is he mocking religious and political institutions? Absolutely. But he's also handling a lot of difficult issues that would make make any right-minded reader absolutely furious if she wasn't laughing so hard at the hilarious twist Buckley puts on any given situation. I don't know that there are any deep political insights into the way our government works in this book, which--beneath the satire--is basically a political thriller involving several car chases, bombs exploding, and many, many executions, but Buckley definitely has a strong grasp on the political world to go along with his witty writing style (I especially like his secondary characters, some of whom are more engaging and funny than the protagonist). What I don't like: Buckley's female characters can be kind of 70s Bond romantic-interest-ish (is that a thing? I don't know). Despite the fact that our heroine Florence is an educated, strong-willed woman, she is primarily described by her "sexy" attributes. Plus she ends up needing a guy to rescue her, which after the whole girl-power theme of the book is kind of annoying. Overall, though, I enjoyed re-reading/listening to this one again. If you don't like satire and/or you don't believe in gender equality (in which case you have bigger issues than missing out on a good book), don't read this. For the rest of the world, though, this is a rollicking, sharply cynical look at very real world issues....more
Beth and Jennifer chatter with each over over their newly installed work email even though they know the company they work for is monitoring their intBeth and Jennifer chatter with each over over their newly installed work email even though they know the company they work for is monitoring their internet use. Or rather, the one man hired by the company to snoop into its employees' email is reading the story of their lives...and falling in love with a girl he's never met. The subject matter and structure kind of turned me off this book for a while; the whole email format and rom/com plot seemed too shallow compared to Rowell's later books, which I love. But then I gave in and read Attachments anyway. Yes, it doesn't come near the intensity and writing style of Eleanor and Park or Fangirl, but it's still an enjoyable read, and Rowell's trademark vivid, endearing characterization shines through even in this more fluffy story. ...more
The 8th book in the Outlander series continues Jamie and Claire Fraser's (increasingly incredible) adventures, now taking place during the American ReThe 8th book in the Outlander series continues Jamie and Claire Fraser's (increasingly incredible) adventures, now taking place during the American Revolutionary War. I won't summarize the plot, except to say that Claire somehow manages--yet again--to find herself with two husbands at the same time. As a reader I was somewhat unwillingly propelled through the latest installment of the series. Gabaldon's rich characterization and her unerring ability to craft tiny, touching moments within the broader span of the story make it impossible to turn my back on the series, but I admit I read with ever-growing disbelief. While the characters are still real and wonderful, the plot grows more convoluted and harder to swallow with each book in the series. (I think I started rolling my eyes around the time when Claire and Jamie meet and befriend General George Washington). If you are a die-hard fan of the series, you will enjoy Written In My Own Heart's Blood. If you are a newcomer, go back to the beginning of the series (the earlier books are much more readable), but be warned that you will probably be sucked in and forced to read through all eight massively long books because you just have to find out what happens next, even if you do groan aloud while reading at a few points....more
Claire Randall and her husband journey to Scotland for a much-needed vacation after the end of WWII. Their second honeymoon idyll is destroyed when ClClaire Randall and her husband journey to Scotland for a much-needed vacation after the end of WWII. Their second honeymoon idyll is destroyed when Claire walks through a circle of standing stones and time travels to the 1700s, where she finds herself embroiled in the violent political and military turmoil of the highlands. Claire's English heritage puts her in immediate danger; only the interference of Jamie Fraser, a young Scottish lord, saves her life. Claire is determined to find her way back to the present and her husband. But the young lord who saved her life has other ideas, and Claire is faced with an impossible decision--and the possibility of an epic romance. I admit I started this incredibly long series because of all the TV show hype. I have not, however, actually seen any of the show, so I have no idea how it compares to the books. Did I like the books? I have a thing about time-travel stories--there always seems to be a fundamental lack of logic in the basic concept. Gabaldon works it fairly smoothly, though, and the historical world Claire falls into is so real and vivid that I forgave any possible time-travel inconsistencies almost instantly. The wealth of historical background woven into the fabric of this story is stunning. I loved the setting, the descriptive language, the telling details worked into every scene. I found Claire and Jamie to be rich and believable characters. The plot is highly colorful, but the dramatic nature of the historic backdrop, and the flamboyant characters themselves, excuse any larger-than-life moments throughout the story. ...more
Georgie McCool is torn between her career as a TV writer and her devotion to her family. Christmas is looming, and Georgie is terrified that her husbaGeorgie McCool is torn between her career as a TV writer and her devotion to her family. Christmas is looming, and Georgie is terrified that her husband, Neal, is ready to leave her. When Neal takes the kids to visit his parents and Georgie chooses her writing deadline over her family, things hit bottom--until Georgie discovers a way to contact Neal in the past through an old landline phone.
This is not the kind of book I read. Ever. But I couldn't pass up trying Rowell's latest book, even if it is adult realistic fiction about a middle-aged woman in an unhappy marriage. This goes to show how much I respect Rowell's writing, and in many ways I enjoyed Landline a lot more than I thought I would. Georgie and her TV show co-writers are incredibly, lovably real characters. Rowell's dialogue practically breathes with life. Though I didn't really relate to Georgie, I do think that Rowell ultimately painted a real, aching, changing romance between two believable characters. Without the frequent connection to the past, the main plot would have been pretty boring, but between the dialogue and the interesting contrast between past and present, the pacing moved forward at a steady rate.
I wouldn't recommend this to teen readers, even if they loved Fangirl or Eleanor and Park, just because the focus of this novel is so much on adult problems--marriage, work conflicts, being a good parent. That said, it is a wonderful book in many ways, and a good title to keep in mind for adult readers looking for a unique story set around the holidays....more
Virtual reality. Ancient (and modern) religion redefined. A samurai-sword-wielding pizza delivery guy. Yes, this book really is that weird. But also--Virtual reality. Ancient (and modern) religion redefined. A samurai-sword-wielding pizza delivery guy. Yes, this book really is that weird. But also--to my surprise--that cool. I read this because I was reliably informed (by my computer-programmer brother) that this book was the origin of cyber-punk. Stephenson is intense--it took me a couple days to get through this one--but I would definitely recommend Snow Crash to older teens who enjoy Cory Doctorow or even Paolo Bacigalupi....more
Sorry, that person's shelf is private.
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