Reading is Good

A collection of the recent books that I've read and their reviews.



5 out of 5 cats

A few books down, I read a book and it had referenced this book "A Fear of Flying". Years ago, after my nana had passed away while at her house a found an old vintage copy of the book. I was over come with sadness and love at the same time. This book was written in 1973 and helped bring in the  second wave of feminism. It's an empowering book about women and sexuality. It was even more shocking to think that my Nana had it. It made me love and understand her more. 
 Plus, older books just give a different vibe that modern books can't imitate. 




Winter's Bone

4 out of 5 cats
I really enjoyed this book. It's writing style seemed a little simple, but I think it had more to do with the context of the story. This is fiction about family life in the Ozark mountains. A young girl has to take care of her family despite having no money or support to do so. This book has also been made into a movie. The movie was up for an Oscar for best screenplay. Of course, the book was better.



Girl With the Dragon Tattoo 

3 out of 5 cats
The main character in this book is Micheal B. Getting all the names right in this book was a little difficult at first. Especially since they're mostly Swedish. The first 100 or so pages of this book is shit. Well, not that bad, but pretty awful. It's dry and full of important facts. It picks up towards the end and it doesn't stop till the end. It's worth a read. I also rather enjoyed the film based on the book. 




Priceless 

   
2.5 out of 5 cats
 Mrs. Richie tries her hand as an author. I read this book in about 3 days. It was a quick, easy read. It included some fashion and tries to break through the surface of life. A young girl that has it all, loses everything and has to move to New Orleans. It's good, but don't expect the writing level to be high.

One Day
4.5 out of 5 Cats
     This an awesomely twisted and beauitful love story. It's set in England and starts with college age kids. It follows them through their life paths and struggles as they try to make sense of it all. They always seem to have a connection to each other. This book is currently being made into a film, with Anne H. playing the leading lady. Should be interesting.

Freedom

4 out of 5 cats
This was an Oprah's book club favorite. I loved this book, it  suspense, love, drama, and politics. It's a family drama set in D.C.  The main characters of this story all have their own take on the events that happened in their lives. This story made me think about marriage and it's implications. 


Twentynine Palms

3 out of 5 Cats
Murder-Mystery set in sunny California. The story weaves the lives of two hot men as they  try to fix the fuck-up that is their lives.


Skipping a Beat
3.5 out of 5 Cats 
A man's passion and determination takes this small town couple to the elite side of life. Then he has an accident that makes him change. In a huge way. 

Imperfect Birds
3.5 out of 5 Cats 
 Apparently this book is the last of 3 in a series. It's a mother-daughter story gone awry. Set in sunny California. Modern. Also, lots and lots of drugs.

Jane and the Damned
1 out of 5 Cats
I've actually never read any of Jane Austin's books. I know, such a pity.  This book caught my eye because of the vampire aspect. I ended up finishing in about a week. The book was great with good characters and a lovely setting. The reason for only 1 cat: the ending. I threw the book across the room when I was finished. So, even though this sounds slightly interesting, just avoid it.


An Object of Beauty

4 out of 5 Cats.
I really enjoyed this book. It's also one of the few books that I recommend to people quite often. Steve Martin shows us a world where a beautiful twenty-something lives and sometimes thrives in the art world. The beautiful thing about this book is the prints. Between the story are 25 color copies of pieces of art. 
4 out of 5 Cats
This book took me somewhere that I haven't been before in literature. It starts with a family up north living in the nature. The woman has a child that is a hermaphrodite and makes a decision on the child's sex. It's a decision that comes full circle. It's beautifully written and very honest. I cried at the end. I'd recommend this for someone wanting a different perspective.


The God of Small Things
4 out of 5 Cats
I loved this story. The author's Indian heritage helps this story in subtle ways. It gives the pages life and helps transport the reader to a hot, sticky, summer evening. Roy's writing style is poetic in a sense as he tells the sad story of twins. I highly recommend this book for someone wanting something more from average novel.



Beneath the Wheel
3 out 5 Cats
This novel was sort of depressing. I remember finishing the story and feeling a sadness. Hesse is known for writing existential stories. This one falls in line with the style. It's the story of a boy who knew what his path was in life, up until he just didn't know anymore. After that point he struggles and loses himself for a bit. It's classic adolescent struggles expect it's old. Really old.


Go Tell It On The Mountain
3 out of 5 Cats
A little slow, but it's a good history lesson about the first freed African Americans slaves in the U.S. Baldwin uses very strong language in this book, except to read "Nigger" a lot. It puts the book in a different prospective. Religion is the back bone of this book as well, I almost didn't finish it because of all the religion.

The Stranger
3.5 out of 5 Cats
 This book really left me feeling strange and empty. It's the story of a man, traveling home after burying his mother. He's emotionless as he goes through the actions of burying someone so close to him. After some unfortunate mistakes he ends up in jail for murder, yet remains emotionless. It's a strange story, hence the title.


Chedda Boyz
3.5 out of 5 Cats
 I read this book in like 2 days. The language throws you off just a bit, it's hard to review this without sounding racist, but it is written by a black guy. The story centers around a gang and their mis-adventures. Many of the sub-plots are sex related, including once particular scene that had me feeling sick. Read with caution.


Perfume

4 out of 5 Cats
 I really enjoyed this book, the detail is amazing. The novel begins with the birth of a seemingly ordinary child. Hes born with a sense of smell, unmatched by anyone ever. It follows him as he grows older and gets into perfumery. Then he tries to make  the scent of pure virgins last forever, only he kills them to do so. 

Bitter Bitch
3 out of 5 Cats. Set in Switzerland. A hip young feminist, finds herself, married with children and  then questions everything. In the book, she references a older book, "Fear of Flying" quite often. This book is a reflection of said book.


The Hunger Games
4 out of 5 Cats.
 I loved this book, if you liked the Harry Potter books, you'll enjoy this as well. It's the story of a young girl who volunteers to fight in the Hunger Games. Which is a survival-type game in which there can only be one winner.


Catching Fire

3 out of 5 Cats
This book was a little redundant, but still had a good story.












4 out 5 Cats
A nice ending to the story, but the series could have been told in 2 books instead of 3.
Sorry for the short reviews but books 2 and 3 are interesting, but could have been put together.

On the Road


3.5 out of 5 Cats
The story is set in the 1930's when highways were just being built and hotels were springing up all across the land. A couple handsome men start off in a epic road trip across country. You are not the first one to get drunk some where new and meet new people. These guys were. And they wrote a lot about it. Towards the end, I felt like I was re-reading the story over and over. But this one is worth adding to your list.




4 out of 5 Cats
 Yes, this is a erotic Anne Rice novel. That's all that needs to be said.


Game of Thrones

4 out of 5 Cats
I accidently watched the entire series one day, and after that, I knew that I had to read the books. The books are much more detailed, as that usually happens. If you are a fan of the series, then read the books!!!