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Posts Tagged ‘RO’

Book 8 in the 2014 Booklist: Goliath by Scott Westerfeld

Thursday, October 20th, 2016

Goliath by Scott Westerfeld
Finished: March 16

This is book 3 in the trilogy I told you about in
this post.
You can find book 2 here

“Mr. Sharp!” This is the phrase I was saying for weeks after finishing this book. I want one of those furry little creatures, they sound very cute! I liked this series, while it is a young adult series, it was still very captivating to an older person.

On our new scale, I give this book a 4 and the overall series a 5. I love the alternative historical aspect of this story, perhaps that was what drew me in.

Thanks to RO she’s full of good book suggestions.

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book 5 from the 2014 Booklist: Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

Sunday, March 8th, 2015

Finished: February 6

Behemoth by Scott Westerfeld

This is book 2 in the series/trilogy I spoke about in this post .

The behemoth is the fiercest creature in the British navy. It can swallow enemy battleships with one bite. The Darwinists will need it, now that they are at war with the Clanker powers.

Deryn is a girl posing as a boy in the British Air Service, and Alek is the heir to an empire posing as a commoner. Finally together aboard the airship Leviathan, they hope to bring the war to a halt. But when disaster strikes the Leviathan’s peacekeeping mission, they find themselves alone and hunted in enemy territory.

Alek and Deryn will need great skill, new allies, and brave hearts to face what’s ahead.

More Alek and Darren Sharp of course. šŸ™‚

I really do love the Perspicacious loris… which I think doesn’t really show up until this book a lot.

When looking for some of my favorite quotes, I couldn’t find them.. other than “barking spiders” and using the word “daft” lol.

Oh, and I love Doctor Barlow, she’s always good for a laugh, intentionally or otherwise. šŸ™‚

Thanks again to RO!

She’s always good at giving book suggestions! šŸ™‚

TaTa for now,
Amanda Ellen

Book 3 from the 2014 Booklist: Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

Saturday, March 7th, 2015

Finished: January 22, 2014
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

This was a book suggestion from our favorite book junkie, RO!!
It’s the first in a trilogy that I admit was better than I expected!

I was always intrigued with the phrases that RO would throw out randomly on her Twitter and Facebook.

“Barking Spiders” or “Stupid clankers.” Just to name a couple. šŸ™‚

When she even went as far as to change her name on Facebook once to Darren Sharp, that is when I had to ask what series or book had her so enthralled that she could be so influenced.

That would be this series, the Leviathan trilogy by Scott Westerfeld.
I had known for some time that Scott Westerfeld is like her most favorite author ever, but I never thought I would read any of his stuff since he’s a young adult writer, and I am always all about the dark, gloomy, and murder kinds of books. haha

But I gave it a shot because the first one showed up in another Audible sale.

Then Taylor and I were hooked, just like RO. Having to follow Darren Sharp, the Perspicacious loris, Alec and the rest of the crew.

The eggs always fascinated me, what could the Darwinists be hatching? What kind of machinery would the clankers come up with next?

And what about Constantinople, would that be the key to everything?

It’s a young adult story, but it’s a fun one… even for those of us who are old souls and a little bit of a curmudgeon.

Thanks RO!!

TaTa for Now,
Amanda Ellen

My 2013 end of year post, or year in review.

Wednesday, January 8th, 2014

So, hereā€™s my end of the year post for 2013. Yes, itā€™s almost 2 weeks into January, but I just now have the time to sit and write.
2013, perhaps one of my best years medically speaking, in a while. Only 1 surgery, and it was really relatively minor. Of course I probably have seen more doctors this year, but I believe the headaches may have been sorted out. I quit smoking, that was good..
I graduated from college with my bachelors degree, that was pretty cool. I started my masters program, sort of cool, sort of self inflicted pain? Lol
Letā€™s see, Iā€™m still alive, I like that. ļŠ
2013 had its ups and downs, but all together, it wasnā€™t too bad. I read lots of good books this year, mainly the Dresden Files series and some book suggestions from RO .
I finished the 2013 booklist with a nice even number of 36, this averages out to 3 books a month. Not too bad given my current workload with my classes, but I’ll try to increase that number in 2014. šŸ™‚
So, on to my goals for 2014ā€¦
1. I want to lose weight, inches, or whatever to put myself at a healthier placeā€¦ I wonā€™t disclose my weight, but itā€™s not acceptable anymore.
2. I want to reteach myself to eat 3 meals a day, not just 1. I have somewhere along the way, forgotten that a body needs 3 meals a day at the leastā€¦ I want to get back to that.
3. I am reteaching myself braille. I learned it very briefly years ago, but forgot it since I never used it. I believe Iā€™m older, wiser, and able to give it more time this go around and am giving it a shot. Taylor will also be a huge help with that.
4. I want to find a job. I have 2 degrees, a certificate of management skills, and working on my 3rd degreeā€¦ I believe itā€™s time to be a productive citizen, and work for my money and pay taxes. Really I just want a routine, a reason to leave my house other than to get groceries or go to the doctor.
5. I want to be healthier, this probably ties in with the whole weight thing, but I donā€™t like visiting a whole slew of doctors every monthā€¦ I want to be healthy and cut those doctor visits down.

Ok, so thatā€™s my goals for 2014. Wonder if Iā€™ll be able to get any of them, some of them, or all of them accomplished?
Please feel free to share your goals for 2014ā€¦ I wonā€™t call them resolutions, because resolutions fail more often than they succeedā€¦ by calling them ā€œgoalsā€ I hope to give them a better chance. Now, I only need to get over this cold thing I have and I will and can start on goal number 1, the weight loss thingā€¦ excersise is first on my agenda to achieve that. Thanks to Taylor, I can track things because he bought me a scale that does weight and body fat percentage. This tool will make it easier to know if Iā€™m losing the fat.
Anyways, thatā€™s my end of the year post for 2013.
Hereā€™s to a productive 2014!
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book 36 in the 2013 Booklist: The Shining by Stephen King

Monday, December 23rd, 2013

Finished: December 22
The Shining by Stephen King

This is a good book, not my favorite, but good.
Naturally, this is a reread for me, since I wanted Taylor to read it so we could read Doctor Sleep together.
We just started Doctor Sleep this afternoon, and so far it seems alright. It looks to be a longer one, so hopefully it will occupy us during our holiday travels. This book is just flat out creepy… that’s all I can say about that. Gave me chills both times I read it.
Jack Torrance’s new job at the Overlook Hotel is the perfect chance for a fresh start. As the off-season caretaker at the atmospheric old hotel, he’ll have plenty of time to spend reconnecting with his family and working on his writing. But as the harsh winter weather sets in, the idyllic location feels ever more remote…and more sinister. And the only one to notice the strange and terrible forces gathering around the Overlook is Danny Torrance, a uniquely gifted five-year-old.
The book in this case is much, much, much better than the movie. Mr. King, you have the most horrible luck when transcribing your books to TV shows and movies. The most glaring examples being The Shining and “Under the Dome”.
My friend RO wrote about her experience with reading The Shining. In fact, this could almost be a reversal on the book suggestion, as I read The Shining before she did! šŸ™‚
Anyways, the book at hand, is good. Like I said above, it’s not what one would call “marriage material” but it’s a Stephen King book, it had good chances of being decent. I liked the narrator for this, and wish he were around to narrate Doctor Sleep. I believe my favorite character in this was/is the chef… Dick Hallaran.
I suggest anyone who watched the movie “The Shining” to read the book for a better experieince with the characters.
Guess that’s it for this one… creeping ever closer to 40!
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book 35 in the 2013 Booklist: Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn

Thursday, December 19th, 2013

Finished: December 18
Sharp Objects by Gillian Flynn
Yes, this book was another suggestion from, RO
She knew I had read Gone Girl earlier this year and loved it!
In fact, that was book 6 of the year, back in February!
Wow, it seems like forever ago.
Anyways, I digress.
RO knew I enjoyed that book, and had read this book which was written by the same author, just prior to Gone Girl.
I vowed to give it a shot, added it to my book wishlist, and waited to have time to read a book on my own.
Well, school is over for the year, and I had a bit of free time, so I bought the book and decided to give it a spin. I started out listening to this while I wrapped Christmas presents, and made up a fleece blanket for my 2 year old niece….
and then I couldn’t stop listening!
Holy wow Batman, this was a good book!
In fact, I finished this book in 3 days!
I am in awe of this woman, she is perhaps, the most twisted, ill minded, seriously fucked up person to write a book aside from Stephen King.
I had my suspicions of “who did it” about half way through the book, but she kept me guessing myself through out!
Yes, I highly suggest both of the books I have read by this author, she’s absolutely, freakin amazing!

WICKED above her hipbone, GIRL across her heart
Words are like a road map to reporter Camille Preaker’s troubled past. Fresh from a brief stay at a psychiatric hospital, Camille’s first assignment from the second-rate daily paper where she works brings her reluctantly back to her hometown to cover the murders of two preteen girls.
NASTY on her kneecap, BABYDOLL on her leg
Since she left town eight years ago, Camille has hardly spoken to her neurotic, hypochondriac mother or to the half-sister she barely knows: a beautiful 13-year-old with an eerie grip on the town. Now, installed again in her family’s Victorian mansion, Camille is haunted by the childhood tragedy she has spent her whole life trying to cut from her memory.

HARMFUL on her wrist, WHORE on her ankle
As Camille works to uncover the truth about these violent crimes, she finds herself identifying with the young victims a bit too strongly. Clues keep leading to dead ends, forcing Camille to unravel the psychological puzzle of her own past to get at the story. Dogged by her own demons, she will have to confront what happened to her years before if she wants to survive this homecoming.

With its taut, well-crafted writing, Sharp Objects is addictive, haunting, and unforgettable.

Super creepy, gave me chills!
In fact, I found myself almost relating to the main character, remembering when I thought those things about myself. Only I didn’t do something as cool as cut words, I just made straight lines…

TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book34 in the 2013 Booklist: Mockingjay, The Final Book of The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Thursday, December 19th, 2013

Finished: December 13
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
This book was sadly the final book in this trilogy! I loved this trilogy so much I would marry it!
RO and Ricardo, you guys out did yourself on the book suggestion this time!

Against all odds, Katniss Everdeen has survived the Hunger Games twice. But now that she’s made it out of the bloody arena live, she’s still not safe. The Capitol is angry. The Capitol wants revenge….
Don’t read this post until you have read the first 2 books! šŸ™‚
Poor Peeta, he made me extremely sad in this book, I actually cried!
I think this book covered any emotion I could express in the span of reading a book. Bravo Ms. Collins, Bravo!
I only wish that were more books, I want to escape and be the fly on the wall watching Catniss, Peeta, Gale…
Oh man, the characters!
I fell in love with this trilogy, it ranks with 50 Shades and the Dresden Files when it comes to my favorite series of books!
*swoon*
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book 33 in the 2013 Booklist: Catching Fire: Hunger Games, Book 2 by Suzanne Collins

Thursday, December 19th, 2013

Finished: December 1
Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

This was the second book in the Hunger Games trilogy. I honestly was not sure what to expect in this book, especially after the ending of the first book. I was not disappointed, this was a good book too. I’m still in love with Peeta though! šŸ™‚

Katniss Everdeen continues to struggle to protect herself and her family from the Capitol in this second novel from the best-selling Hunger Games trilogy.

That summary just doesn’t do the book justice, but I understand why it is so short, anymore and something might be revealed about the book. I will say that this book took many turns that I was not expecting, and it was good!
I have to suggest it, because I suggest the entire trilogy to anyone!

Go grab these books, they are soo good!
I especially like the narrator for these boooks, I am sure that’s she read a series I read before.
I believe she narrated a good portion of the Women’s Murder Club that is written by James Patterson.

That’s all for now,
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen

Book 32 in the 2013 Booklist: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Thursday, December 19th, 2013

Finished: November 26
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
So, Taylor and I started this trilogy partly because he decided we should read them and partly because RO and Ricardo both suggested we read them. Normally, Iā€™m not a ā€œyoung adultā€ genre kind of person, but this was a really good trilogy!
Could you survive on your own, in the wild, with everyone out to make sure you don’t live to see the morning?
In the ruins of a place once known as North America lies the nation of Panem, a shining Capitol surrounded by 12 outlying districts. The Capitol is harsh and cruel and keeps the districts in line by forcing them all to send one boy and one girl between the ages of 12 and 18 to participate in the annual Hunger Games, a fight to the death on live TV.
Sixteen-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives alone with her mother and younger sister, regards it as a death sentence when she steps forward to take her sister’s place in the Games. But Katniss has been close to dead before – and survival, for her, is second nature. Without really meaning to, she becomes a contender. But if she is to win, she will have to start making choices that weigh survival against humanity and life against love.

Ok, so, yeah, I loved this book! The characters are amazing, and I felt as if this was actually happening! I will say, I believe that my favorite character throughout the entire trilogy is Peeta. I couldnā€™t help myself. Of course, the love stuff in this book was good, but I found myself with a wandering mind to desiring some X rated scenes! ļŠ
I suggest that everyone read this trilogy! In fact, I bought my friend/reader the first 2 books as her Christmas present, and sheā€™s loving them!

TaTa for now,
Amanda Ellen

Book 21 in the 2013 Booklist: The Poet by Michael Connelly

Thursday, August 22nd, 2013

The Poet by Michael Connelly
Finished: June 22
This is another one of those in between actual Bosch books, but still part of the over all Bosch series. I really enjoy this character Jack McEvoy, but heck I haven’t not enjoyed a Connelly character yet!
This is a sort of book suggestion from RO, so have her post about it This book really had me thinking, and I sometimes like that about a book! The Edgar Allan Poe quotes really grabbed my attention since I believe deep down, I have a lit major that just wants out.
The main character really sounded similar to a character mentioned in an earlier Bosch book, but I can’t quite put my finger on it. I kind of hope/hoped that we get this character again in another in between Bosch book, because I found him quite enjoyable! This plot captured my mind, but I also was getting into this book reading funk about then. The funk is still here, and probably why these posts are so far behind, and not a whole lot of new books are being added to my list.
So, with the beginnings of the funk, it took me a little longer than usual to finish it, but once we got to the end I was very happy with the book.
This books title is mentioned in an earlier stand alone book with Terry McCaleb having worked the case, and is probably why I was so anxious to read this book!
I can only suggest this 1 if you like crime books, because you don’t have to read it in order with the other Bosch books since it is a stand alone book.

That’s it for this one.
TaTa,
Amanda Ellen