A delightful book filled with the author's experiences in creating her own homemade life and details on how YOU can create your own, Made from Scratch is probably one of the better books I've read in a long time. (not including the rereads I've been doing because I haven't been able to find something NEW that interests me!)
Ms. Woginrich takes us along on her journey in discovering the joys of raising chickens, keeping bees, dog sledding, creating music and vegetable gardening among other things. The chapters are short and end with information on how you can get started as well.
The book is well put together, funny and at times a bit sad as well. The author can be a bit..."granola" at times but this wasn't as off putting as it could have been. A fact for which I am MOST grateful and I am hoping that Ms. Woginrich will be putting out another book with more of her reminisces about her homesteading efforts. Her words are truly inspiring.
You can visit her farm at www.coldantlerfarm.blogspot.com
Giving this 4 out of 5 berries.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Tuesday, December 23, 2008
DragonHarper, by Anne & Todd McCaffrey
The Pern books are generally fun little bits of fluff, so I decided to give one of the mother-and-son collaboration books about Pern a try. I was..."disappointed", I guess is the best word.
I know that Anne McCaffrey doesn't so much as have a nodding acquaintance with "Continuity" or "Consistency" in her books (the "Crystal Singer" and brainship books are especially horrible at this - she's got entire plot points being contradicted at times. Other times it's just "timeline" issues or other minor items, but still...) I have, however, come to expect that a story will, if not be internally consistent, at least be an entertaining read with a good storyline and story flow.
This book, however - the first half or so was entertaining. It's set 12 years before a Thread Pass, sometime between Moreta's Ride and "modern-day" Pern. It tells the story of "Kindan", a Harper apprentice, who originally worked in a mine, as a bondmate to a watch-wher. He then moved to the Harper hall, then was taken in a Search for a potential dragonrider, and when he didn't Impress a dragon, he went back to the Harper hall. He has a duel, makes friends, Impresses a fire-lizard, falls in love, and generally lives his life.
About the time of the fire-lizard Impression and the falling in love, however, the story starts to fall apart. Things happen that just don't make sense - or aren't explained well. However, the story still flowed fairly decently, and I was willing to overlook the inconsistencies for the sake of the story.
But the last 1/3 of the book or so is "suddenly, a PLAGUE appears!" This pandemic is very similar to the Influenza Epidemic of 1919 - the healthiest, strongest people (and the very weakest) are the ones who die, while the old, infirm, and very young are the ones who survive. And, naturally, it's deadly, spreads like wildfire, takes out entire holds, doesn't affect dragonriders...sound familiar? It should - it's Moreta's Story all over again with a different plague. It's as though they couldn't allow Kindan to just live his life and tell the story - no, instead they felt compelled to suddenly reprise Moreta's Story (complete with "timing it", although Kindan obviously isn't the one timing it, and the "timers" survive it, rather than getting lost between).
I get it: Plagues and epidemics aren't predictable, they don't happen just once and then no other disease hits like that, but honestly. It read like they suddenly realized "hey, we've got no real conflict now...I know, let's throw in a half-disguised Moreta Story! Yeah, that's it..."
It didn't work. I don't think I'll be reading any more Todd-and-Anne books; this one just wasn't as cohesive as some of her other collaborations, and I don't have the patience for books like that.
2 bones.
I know that Anne McCaffrey doesn't so much as have a nodding acquaintance with "Continuity" or "Consistency" in her books (the "Crystal Singer" and brainship books are especially horrible at this - she's got entire plot points being contradicted at times. Other times it's just "timeline" issues or other minor items, but still...) I have, however, come to expect that a story will, if not be internally consistent, at least be an entertaining read with a good storyline and story flow.
This book, however - the first half or so was entertaining. It's set 12 years before a Thread Pass, sometime between Moreta's Ride and "modern-day" Pern. It tells the story of "Kindan", a Harper apprentice, who originally worked in a mine, as a bondmate to a watch-wher. He then moved to the Harper hall, then was taken in a Search for a potential dragonrider, and when he didn't Impress a dragon, he went back to the Harper hall. He has a duel, makes friends, Impresses a fire-lizard, falls in love, and generally lives his life.
About the time of the fire-lizard Impression and the falling in love, however, the story starts to fall apart. Things happen that just don't make sense - or aren't explained well. However, the story still flowed fairly decently, and I was willing to overlook the inconsistencies for the sake of the story.
But the last 1/3 of the book or so is "suddenly, a PLAGUE appears!" This pandemic is very similar to the Influenza Epidemic of 1919 - the healthiest, strongest people (and the very weakest) are the ones who die, while the old, infirm, and very young are the ones who survive. And, naturally, it's deadly, spreads like wildfire, takes out entire holds, doesn't affect dragonriders...sound familiar? It should - it's Moreta's Story all over again with a different plague. It's as though they couldn't allow Kindan to just live his life and tell the story - no, instead they felt compelled to suddenly reprise Moreta's Story (complete with "timing it", although Kindan obviously isn't the one timing it, and the "timers" survive it, rather than getting lost between).
I get it: Plagues and epidemics aren't predictable, they don't happen just once and then no other disease hits like that, but honestly. It read like they suddenly realized "hey, we've got no real conflict now...I know, let's throw in a half-disguised Moreta Story! Yeah, that's it..."
It didn't work. I don't think I'll be reading any more Todd-and-Anne books; this one just wasn't as cohesive as some of her other collaborations, and I don't have the patience for books like that.
2 bones.
Monday, November 10, 2008
Looking for a book to read?
Try some of my favorites for this Holiday season. Remember, books make GREAT gifts too!
If you want to try something good and noir-ish with a bunch of good urban fantasy, go to The Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher. First one is Storm Front and second is Fool Moon. SERIOUSLY excellent books. So far there are 10 in the series and Butcher has said that he's planning on at least 20. Book 11 is due out in April.
Another couple of good series...
House of Night series by PC and Kristin Cast. First one is Marked and second is Betrayed. About a different kind of Vampyre where you are "marked" and your dna changes. Paganism does figure in these books and there's mild sex and language. There are currently 4 out and a 5th is due next year in hardback.
Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs. Mercy is a VW Mechanic in these Urban Fantasy novels. She's also a Walker, a coyote to be exact. There are werewolves and vampires and even fae in these books. First is Moon Called, second is Blood Bound and third is Iron Kissed. Fourth is coming out early next year and it's called Bone Crossed.
There is another series set in the same "world" that deals with the Marrok (you'll learn about him) and his younger son Charles. First story is in the Anthology On the Prowl and the first book is called Cry Wolf. The series is called the Alpha and Omega series.
The Kitty Norville books by Carrie Vaughn. Kitty Norville is a disc jockey who is also a werewolf. First book is Kitty and the Midnight Hour, second is Kitty Goes to Washington. There are 4 currently out and 2 due out in Jan and Feb of next year.
I know I've talked about these before but the Rachel Morgan books by Kim Harrison are so so so excellent. First is Dead Witch Walking and second is The Good, the Bad and the Undead. There are 6 books out currently and book 7 is due early next year. I adore Rachel and hey...it's set in Cincinnati. How much better can that get? *G*
Sisters of the Moon series is by Yasmine Galenorn. They involve 3 sisters who are half human, half fey and are "secret agents" of the Fey crown. Witchling is first, Changeling is second, and Darkling is third. Dragon Wytch is the forth and the fifth book is due out either later this year or early next.
The Werecats books by Rachel Vincent are okay. I've only read the first, Stray, but have the second, Rogue, on my TBR pile. The third is due out early next year.
Many people like the Weather Warden books by Rachael Caine. Sort of an elementals meets the djinn and weather is involved type of book. I've only read the first couple and they were pretty good. I just got tired of waiting for the next and went on to something else and forgot about these. Ill Wind is the first and Heat Stroke is the second. There are 7 books in the series so far and all are out. No word on book 8 that I know of but I haven't really looked. *G*
Rachel Caine also has a Vampire series called the Morganville Vampires. I haven't read these but am told they're more of a YA book than an "adult" novel. Which is okay with me. So's Twilight. *G* First is Glass Houses.
The Vampire Acadamy books by Richelle Mead are great. So far there are 2 books in print and the third is due out this month. Vampire Acadamy is first, Frostbite is second and Shadow Kiss is the third. Totally engrossing. Has vampires and magic and dhampires.
The Noble Dead novels are more along the lines of Epic Fantasy and involve vampires, fey and dhampir. First book is called Dhampir, second is Thief of Lies and third is Sister of the Dead. There are 6 books currently in print in this series and the 7th is due out in Jan of 09.
More Epic Fantasy with Jim Butcher's other series, The Codex Alera. The Furies of Calderon is the first book, and in it we follow Tavi, a furyless boy of 15, as he begins on a journey to help save the world he knows. EXCELLENT books, in fact, I'm reading them right now to get ready for the 5th book's release later this month. Second book is Acadam's Fury and Third is Cursor's Fury. I love these books and wish I'd have bought them in hardback since they're now OOP in hardback and are very very hard to find. Don't let the "epic fantasy" scare you. These are not tedious books. They're fast and rousing and oh so addictive.
And last but very very much NOT least...
The Katie Chandler books by Shanna Swendson are very highly imaginative books where magic is all too real but most people have no clue that the person sitting next to them could be a fairy or a sprite or even that the gargoyle peering down at them is REAL and not just a stone figure. Katie Chandler sees all of this and more when she starts working in New York City...because Katie is a rarity in the world. A person so devoid of magic that she's a true mundane. But her life is FAR from mundane when she takes a job with Magic, Spells and Illusion, Inc. (MSI) as a "verifier", someone who can see through the magic to what really lies beneath. Enchanted Inc is the first book in this wonderful series. There's 4 books out so far and from reading her FAQ section, her current publisher isn't sure there will BE a book 5 unless sales of books 3 and 4 get stronger. The series is excellent and I highly recommend it. And I KNOW you'll want it on your keeper shelf! (there's also the possibility of a movie!)
If you want to try something good and noir-ish with a bunch of good urban fantasy, go to The Dresden Files books by Jim Butcher. First one is Storm Front and second is Fool Moon. SERIOUSLY excellent books. So far there are 10 in the series and Butcher has said that he's planning on at least 20. Book 11 is due out in April.
Another couple of good series...
House of Night series by PC and Kristin Cast. First one is Marked and second is Betrayed. About a different kind of Vampyre where you are "marked" and your dna changes. Paganism does figure in these books and there's mild sex and language. There are currently 4 out and a 5th is due next year in hardback.
Mercy Thompson books by Patricia Briggs. Mercy is a VW Mechanic in these Urban Fantasy novels. She's also a Walker, a coyote to be exact. There are werewolves and vampires and even fae in these books. First is Moon Called, second is Blood Bound and third is Iron Kissed. Fourth is coming out early next year and it's called Bone Crossed.
There is another series set in the same "world" that deals with the Marrok (you'll learn about him) and his younger son Charles. First story is in the Anthology On the Prowl and the first book is called Cry Wolf. The series is called the Alpha and Omega series.
The Kitty Norville books by Carrie Vaughn. Kitty Norville is a disc jockey who is also a werewolf. First book is Kitty and the Midnight Hour, second is Kitty Goes to Washington. There are 4 currently out and 2 due out in Jan and Feb of next year.
I know I've talked about these before but the Rachel Morgan books by Kim Harrison are so so so excellent. First is Dead Witch Walking and second is The Good, the Bad and the Undead. There are 6 books out currently and book 7 is due early next year. I adore Rachel and hey...it's set in Cincinnati. How much better can that get? *G*
Sisters of the Moon series is by Yasmine Galenorn. They involve 3 sisters who are half human, half fey and are "secret agents" of the Fey crown. Witchling is first, Changeling is second, and Darkling is third. Dragon Wytch is the forth and the fifth book is due out either later this year or early next.
The Werecats books by Rachel Vincent are okay. I've only read the first, Stray, but have the second, Rogue, on my TBR pile. The third is due out early next year.
Many people like the Weather Warden books by Rachael Caine. Sort of an elementals meets the djinn and weather is involved type of book. I've only read the first couple and they were pretty good. I just got tired of waiting for the next and went on to something else and forgot about these. Ill Wind is the first and Heat Stroke is the second. There are 7 books in the series so far and all are out. No word on book 8 that I know of but I haven't really looked. *G*
Rachel Caine also has a Vampire series called the Morganville Vampires. I haven't read these but am told they're more of a YA book than an "adult" novel. Which is okay with me. So's Twilight. *G* First is Glass Houses.
The Vampire Acadamy books by Richelle Mead are great. So far there are 2 books in print and the third is due out this month. Vampire Acadamy is first, Frostbite is second and Shadow Kiss is the third. Totally engrossing. Has vampires and magic and dhampires.
The Noble Dead novels are more along the lines of Epic Fantasy and involve vampires, fey and dhampir. First book is called Dhampir, second is Thief of Lies and third is Sister of the Dead. There are 6 books currently in print in this series and the 7th is due out in Jan of 09.
More Epic Fantasy with Jim Butcher's other series, The Codex Alera. The Furies of Calderon is the first book, and in it we follow Tavi, a furyless boy of 15, as he begins on a journey to help save the world he knows. EXCELLENT books, in fact, I'm reading them right now to get ready for the 5th book's release later this month. Second book is Acadam's Fury and Third is Cursor's Fury. I love these books and wish I'd have bought them in hardback since they're now OOP in hardback and are very very hard to find. Don't let the "epic fantasy" scare you. These are not tedious books. They're fast and rousing and oh so addictive.
And last but very very much NOT least...
The Katie Chandler books by Shanna Swendson are very highly imaginative books where magic is all too real but most people have no clue that the person sitting next to them could be a fairy or a sprite or even that the gargoyle peering down at them is REAL and not just a stone figure. Katie Chandler sees all of this and more when she starts working in New York City...because Katie is a rarity in the world. A person so devoid of magic that she's a true mundane. But her life is FAR from mundane when she takes a job with Magic, Spells and Illusion, Inc. (MSI) as a "verifier", someone who can see through the magic to what really lies beneath. Enchanted Inc is the first book in this wonderful series. There's 4 books out so far and from reading her FAQ section, her current publisher isn't sure there will BE a book 5 unless sales of books 3 and 4 get stronger. The series is excellent and I highly recommend it. And I KNOW you'll want it on your keeper shelf! (there's also the possibility of a movie!)
Saturday, October 4, 2008
Stray by Rachel Vincent
Yep, another "paranormal" book review.
Stray, by newcomer Rachel Vincent, is the story of Faythe Sanders, a college student and werecat.
I bought this because of the cat theme (I love cats) and because a favorite writer, Kim Harrison, recommended it. I'm not sorry, it was a good story overall but...as Publisher's Weekly put it:
"Vincent's debut, an urban werecat fantasy, is a good story that suffers from about 200 pages of bloat"
and
"Unfortunately, they [Marc and Faythe the lead characters] both have frustrating character tics that are only exacerbated by the novel's length: Faythe is more often too-stubborn-to-live than kick-ass, and all the tears Marc wells up over Faythe don't forgive his insufferable jealousy."
I would recommend catching a copy of this at the library so you can decide for yourself if you want to go further with the series (next up is Rogue and then Pride coming in '09) although Ms. Vincent DOES create a unique and very very interesting world.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Rogue has to offer, but I'm hoping that Marc gets over his "bad" self and Faythe remembers that she does, indeed, have a brain.
3 out of 5 berries because the ending was pretty fast paced and kept me reading far into the night.
Stray, by newcomer Rachel Vincent, is the story of Faythe Sanders, a college student and werecat.
I bought this because of the cat theme (I love cats) and because a favorite writer, Kim Harrison, recommended it. I'm not sorry, it was a good story overall but...as Publisher's Weekly put it:
"Vincent's debut, an urban werecat fantasy, is a good story that suffers from about 200 pages of bloat"
and
"Unfortunately, they [Marc and Faythe the lead characters] both have frustrating character tics that are only exacerbated by the novel's length: Faythe is more often too-stubborn-to-live than kick-ass, and all the tears Marc wells up over Faythe don't forgive his insufferable jealousy."
I would recommend catching a copy of this at the library so you can decide for yourself if you want to go further with the series (next up is Rogue and then Pride coming in '09) although Ms. Vincent DOES create a unique and very very interesting world.
I'm looking forward to seeing what Rogue has to offer, but I'm hoping that Marc gets over his "bad" self and Faythe remembers that she does, indeed, have a brain.
3 out of 5 berries because the ending was pretty fast paced and kept me reading far into the night.
Evernight by Claudia Gray
While browsing Amazon.com, looking for something to wash the *blech* out of my brain from reading half of Breaking Dawn (Twilight series), I came across a listing for Evernight.
Billed as a "must read for fans of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight" this is indeed a book about vampire romance. But as you begin the story, you have to wonder...just who is the vampire here?
Bianca is a new gal at Evernight Academy. Her parents took jobs as teachers so that Bianca could "learn more about life than [her] small town friends could show her." All the kids at Evernight seem to be either the "snobby rich" or the "look down upon ya" losers. With Bianca in the middle of both cliques. Having parents at the school...and cool teachers that they are...makes the rich kids grudgingly accept her while the "losers" look at her with unease. Is she just like the "richies" or is she like them?
And then there's Lucas. Also new at Evernight, Lucas is the first person in his family to attend since the family was "blackballed" in the 1700s. Universally disliked by the rich kids and semi feared by the "losers", Lucas becomes enamored by Bianca, who (of course) returns the interest.
What follows is a Romeo and Juliet type "love affair" with waring ancient supernatural societies stepping in for the Capulets and Montegues. The "twist" in the story comes about half way and, if you don't spot it loooong before that, you're just not paying attention.
It was a fast and, for the most part, a fun read. I was a little bored by the first half of the book but pushed on and was rewarded by some good chuckles and a great belly laugh. The ending was pretty typical but, for a first time writer, Ms. Gray has done a good job. I'm looking forward to reading more about Bianca and Lucas.
All in all, I'll give this a 3.5 out of 5 berries. Good enough to read again, but not enough to buy it new for the shelf.
Billed as a "must read for fans of Stephanie Meyer's Twilight" this is indeed a book about vampire romance. But as you begin the story, you have to wonder...just who is the vampire here?
Bianca is a new gal at Evernight Academy. Her parents took jobs as teachers so that Bianca could "learn more about life than [her] small town friends could show her." All the kids at Evernight seem to be either the "snobby rich" or the "look down upon ya" losers. With Bianca in the middle of both cliques. Having parents at the school...and cool teachers that they are...makes the rich kids grudgingly accept her while the "losers" look at her with unease. Is she just like the "richies" or is she like them?
And then there's Lucas. Also new at Evernight, Lucas is the first person in his family to attend since the family was "blackballed" in the 1700s. Universally disliked by the rich kids and semi feared by the "losers", Lucas becomes enamored by Bianca, who (of course) returns the interest.
What follows is a Romeo and Juliet type "love affair" with waring ancient supernatural societies stepping in for the Capulets and Montegues. The "twist" in the story comes about half way and, if you don't spot it loooong before that, you're just not paying attention.
It was a fast and, for the most part, a fun read. I was a little bored by the first half of the book but pushed on and was rewarded by some good chuckles and a great belly laugh. The ending was pretty typical but, for a first time writer, Ms. Gray has done a good job. I'm looking forward to reading more about Bianca and Lucas.
All in all, I'll give this a 3.5 out of 5 berries. Good enough to read again, but not enough to buy it new for the shelf.
Saturday, September 13, 2008
Barrack Obama is Your New Bicycle.
I read the book Barack OBama is your new bi.cycle by Mathew Honan. It is subtitled 366 ways he really cares. It was started by the author's desire to make his wife laugh. While she was campaigning for Senator Obama, he set up the website, barckobamaisyournewbicycle.com. From there, came the book. I t is a humorous look at how Barrack Obama cares for you and why he is a good candidate. I will give you a few examples from the book but hopefully not too many so I don't go beyond fair use.
Barack Obama gave you a puppy.
Barack Obama mapped out a new dungeon and rolled up a totally bad ass paladin for your first game of D&D.
Barack Obama called your mom on mother's day just to say hi.
It was trite and yet very funny. It was an incredibly fast read and worth the time to read it.
3 out 0f 5 Pith Helmets.
Barack Obama gave you a puppy.
Barack Obama mapped out a new dungeon and rolled up a totally bad ass paladin for your first game of D&D.
Barack Obama called your mom on mother's day just to say hi.
It was trite and yet very funny. It was an incredibly fast read and worth the time to read it.
3 out 0f 5 Pith Helmets.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Young Man Luther by Erik Erikson
Young Man Luther by Erik Erikson is a book with an interesting premise but littl else. The premise was do to a psychoanalysis of Martin Luther. The big and central problem is that his analysis was with a person who was absent. Luther was so absent that he had been dead for centuries and no one around to even a first hand account of things. Besides this, there was a cultural biased that was not deal with in the book. Erikson was writting this while living in the 1950's America while looking at Martin Luther who was living in the 1500's Germany. This, at least for me, left the book's theories foundationless. I give this one 1 out of 5 Pith helmits and this solely for how much Erikson's biased amused me.
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