reading4fun

I like to read this type of fantasy book once in a while, just for a nice break. The one thing that keeps me from reading more is the way things can change in a fantasy in a flash. The Hero's can be in a impossible place to get out of and then all of a sudden you find out they have some special trait that you didn't know about and poof they are free. Because in a fantasy anything is possible.
The important thing then becomes the people in the story, you have to really enjoy their personalities. That is why I enjoyed this second book in the series so much. The characters are the kind that you start to care about and want to see what they say and do. There is no shortage of that in this series. It provides for a fun fast read that is enjoyable.

I would recommend this novel to anyone that wants to be entertained and enlightened at the same time. I would like to thank GoodReads for giving me the opportunity to enjoy Shanghai Girls by Lisa See, which in no way skewed my assessment of the book. I was completely taken aback at the amount of knowledge I acquired reading this rendering of the life for two Chinese girls, May and her older sister, or "jie jie", Pearl. The breathtaking scenes, in Shanghai, as the two carefree sisters walk by dead babies that have been discarded in the streets like rubbish, without a second look, on their way to see their would be boyfriend who is painting pictures, of the two, that will be used for advertisements in magazines, were amazing. They are considered the upper class but find themselves short on funds due to their fathers gambling habit which instigates his decision to sell the girls as wives to two suitors from America. On the journey, they embark on, they make decisions that are based on their limited experience with the real world and then are left with the extremely difficult job of coping with the consequences. Through it all the two stand side by side and let no one, no secret and no war come between. A fantastic novel that I would recommend to everyone.

I am pilgrim

I owe a debt of gratitude to my book club for nominating "I AM PILGRIM" last month. It is seven hundred pages of dynamite pretending to be a novel. Once I started the book I was completely captivated and enthralled, I could not and would not stop reading and/or contemplating the novel. The only thing I can compare it to is "THE DA VINCI CODE." Saracen is the code name of a terrorist who as planned an attack on America for decades and has left no trace of his life. It is up to a man that is desperately trying to leave the CIA to track Saracen down and stop his plan, he has chosen Pilgrim as his alias and is completely on his own. The two men take us on parallel journeys that are are both captivating in their own way and when their journeys collide the the men have play the cards they've been dealt. This is one book that will not disappoint.

BEYOND BELIEF

"BEYOND BELIEF: My Secret Life Inside Scientology and My Harrowing Escape" was a completely captivating and informative and told the story with compassion. The author Jenna MisCavige Hill is the niece of Scientology's Chairman of the Board or C.O.B. David MisCavige. The book revealed the life inside one of most notorious churches and how it goes about keeping the members in line. Jenna's uncle David starts off as a doting father figure and winds up in the end a maniacal power hungry dictator that she must flee. The "Sea Org" is the management of Scientology and has had children as young as six years old sign a Billion year contract of servitude to the Sea Org. The things Jenna and her friends were subjected to were immoral and criminal, such as working children as young as six for up to twelve hours a day and providing no schooling for them. Punishment included cleaning toilets with a toothbrush, heavy manual labor and running everywhere they went. When the rules were changed and Sea Org personnel could not have children, women were harassed into getting abortions or being expelled from the church and never allowed to see their loved ones still in. This is a cautionary tale that everyone should take note of. I am in awe of Jenna and what she endured and overcame to be an inspiration to many, many others.

AT THE WATER'S EDGE

"AT THE WATER'S EDGE" is thrilling new novel from the author of "WATER FOR ELEPHANTS" Sara Gruen. This is a fascinating period fiction of World War Two. It is a story of a privileged couple and their companion, Madeline and her husband Ellis and his childhood pal Hank, are disgraced at a New Year's Eve party and fall out of Ellis's parents favor who are threatening to disown them. To remedy the situation Ellis drags the three to Europe where he hopes to get back in his parent good grace by filming the famous Loch Ness Monster which his father was earlier accused of faking. During the ordeal Madeline discovers many thing about her husband that have reassessing her life. I completely enjoyed the novel and can't get enough of Sara's novels. I would give this book 5 stars without hesitation.

This really was a fast read it flowed along smoothly and well written. The kind of book that is always easy to pick up where left off. Nathan McCann goes out hunting with his dog Sadie and comes home with Sadie's prize find a newborn baby. Nathan decides to keep him if no one else want him. But there is someone, the baby's grandmother. But Nathan never gives up on the boy and watches him grow and becomes his guardian when he is a teenager. The story is about the power of unconditional support no matter what happens. I would recommend strongly.

This is a story of someone who believes she is a hand grenade and meets a guy who likes to dive on them as a favorite pass time. I loved every thing about it. The book kept me turning the pages and would not let me put it down for much time. Feelings and thoughts were always popping up. Even though its is very realistic I understand that it is not a pipe.

Very good book that had action, romance, laugh-out-loud moments and a pirate monkey. What more could you ask for? The story kept my attention until the last page and got it on the first. The lead character reminded me of a Joe Pesci type character. Made me want to move to the Florida Keys.

I noticed reading other reviews that the one that gave SATURDAY a one or two star review said for one reason or another that they "could" not or did not finish the book. I can see why they did not see the greatness of the book in that circumstance.

I have never read a book like this before now. It was eighty percent developing the characters and twenty percent plot. That is exactly why it works so well. The time spent on development of the people in the story really makes the plot payoff.

I was lucky to receive a advance copy from the Author, but will not let it influence my Review. I think the question that begs to be answered in this entertaining, funny and relevant page turner is who is the "Scary Man?" Maybe it's the guy that reads spooky books to the neighborhood kids or the guy who hands out candy to the little children on the playground, it might be the man that left his young toddler alone at a public event. The story does reveal the way we treat one and other and the hurtful things people say about others and how we treat each other on a daily basis. Like me it might compel you to take a look at the way you relate to others. Do we talk about people behind their backs, accuse without any facts or hate because you disagree with their lifestyle? If we take a look at ourselves you or I could very well turn out to be the "SCARY MAN"

This is why I love Goodreads, it gives me a chance to discover beautiful gems like "DEFECTIVE.' From the beginning I learned a wealth of information about people who suffer from a Bipolar condition. I love the way it put bipolar on the same plane as diabetes, high blood pressure or any other condition that requires daily medication for life. That's the way I look at other conditions also like alcoholism or drug addiction. These things should not be hidden or looked down on just as a heart murmur should not.
But the book is much more, it is a love, a mystery and detective story also. The last half of the book I could not stop reading until it was done. The novel also touches on the way mental health patients were treated not too long ago in this country and how far we have come, but also how far we have to go.
In conclusion I would recommend this book to everyone it is done very well and in no way DEFECTIVE.
I've received a advance copy of "DEFECTIVE" for my review and I have not let it effect my review of the novel.

There is King and Koontz and now Joe Hill and I'm so glad he has joined the party. NOS4A2 sounds like a code to redeem for a free movie from Red Box, but its the best seller from Mr. Hill and what a book it is. He has no problem keeping up with the best like King and Koontz. This is one that will keep you reading and enjoying every twist and scary turn after another. But please don't take my word for it give it a try and see if you don't agree completely. Wow what a ride, a ride to Chirstmasland that is.

I really enjoyed reading the book which became a movie. I just think there is no replacement for a really good read. This was an added delight for it was a real book and not digital. Not that I don't like my NOOK, but there is no replacement for the feel and smell of a new book. Thanks to goodreads, again, for giving me a chance to read a truly great novel, DAVID MITCHELL for writing it, sometimes I feel just for me.

The circus arrives without warning. I've been so lucky lately to have read some very good, top shelf books. "THE NIGHT CIRCUS" is no exception. It was truly magical, after the first page the page's turned by them self. This one had everything a little fantasy, ok a lot of fantasy, murder, magic and love. I would recommend this to all ages. If your looking for a book to get lost in this is the book. See you at the circus, I'll be the one dressed in black and white with a touch of maroon.

Thank you Goodreads for the opportunity to read a lovely book "THAT YEAR IN BOSTON." The novel gave a glimpse of a city that is just a tad bit slower pace than the rest of the country. G D. Spilsbury gave me an idea of the beauty and history of Boston. I started to really feel like I knew the people who populate the book and I almost felt as if I could pick up the phone and call them.
I was also treated to an inside view of a small publishing company and what went into publishing a book. Then there was the love story which threaded its way through the company, town and family's of the two main characters. This is the type of book you run to read and get away.

The Secret Wisdom of the Earth

I've got a problem writing this like any other review, because this is not like any other novel. This may be the best book I've read in the twenty-first century. Don't believe me pick it up and read the first five chapters, that's all it will take, and you will not regret it. THE SECRET WISDOM of the EARTH written by "Christopher Scotton" is a novel right up there with the best of "Mark Twain", "Charles Dickens" and "John Irving". It's hard to believe that this is his debut novel. The author has been writing it for fifteen years and it shows. It's a emotional journey of a young boy Kevin who has been relocated from his town, school and friends to his grandfathers in Medgar Kentucky, after a horrible accident occurred. Kevin's dad blamed his son for the incident and has trouble copping with the aftermath. First Kevin does not like Medgar and has problems getting along until he meets a local boy, Buzzy, and slowly comes out of his shell. The story opened up a brand new world for me that has been right here in America for century's.
The book is a joy to read every page, every paragraph and every sentence. I don't think you will like this Novel, I know you will love it. I am so grateful for receiving a copy to review and it in no way influenced my opinion.

Douglas A. Thornley