March, 2008
March 1st, 2008, 7:45 p.m. - No, seriously, it is that bad
6. Hats and Eyeglasses (Martha Frankel)
I found this memoir about gambling addiction very informative, and I liked a lot of it, but I just kept thinking, Dang, Frankel has GOT to get a better editor, because the constant tense changes are ridiculous. That distracted me from a lot of the subject, which is really not good at all.
Up next: gods in Alabama (Joshilyn Jackson)
March 3rd, 2008, 8:37 p.m. - I just had to use the photo of Chris wearing the crown
March 4th, 2008, 10:33 p.m. - Thank God I have two more Joshilyn Jackson books to read
7. gods in Alabama (Joshilyn Jackson)
The other day I bought Jackson's just-released The Girl Who Stopped Swimming, and, knowing she'd written two other novels before it (gods in Alabama and Between, Georgia), I thought I'd try them out first, just to see what they were like. BEST DECISION EVER. Jackson is suddenly one of my favorite authors, and I'm so glad I have two more of her books to look forward to. She's amazing at juxtaposing drama and comedy, tragedy and silliness, so it seems natural. I just hope her other two books are as good as gods in Alabama was.
Up next: Change of Heart (Jodi Picoult)
March 5th, 2008, 10:22 p.m. - They should probably never do '80s week again
March 6th, 2008, 10:45 p.m. - Kristy??? What are you people smoking?
March 9th, 2008, 12:57 p.m. - Really? That's the title you're going with? Okay, then
8. Change of Heart (Jodi Picoult)
Ow! Stop hitting me over the head with the point, Jodi Picoult!
That said, Michael is the most interesting character I've read in a long time. And thanks for not over-writing everything like you usually do. But I think you owe Stephen King some money for basically rewriting The Green Mile.
Up next: Change of Heart (Jodi Picoult)
March 11th, 2008, 10:26 p.m. - Too bad she dropped the states theme for her third book title
9. Between, Georgia (Joshilyn Jackson)
Not as good as gods in Alabama (this one didn't have as much of a plot), but still pretty enjoyable. And I still have one of hers to go!
Up next: Curse of the Spellmans (Lisa Lutz)
March 12th, 2008, 11:07 p.m. - Farewell, possibly gay ex-stripper fake boyfriend
March 15th, 2008, 5:32 p.m. - Guess we'll be seeing more of Henry...
10. Curse of the Spellmans (Lisa Lutz)
See above re: Between, Georgia and apply it here (substituting The Spellman Files for gods in Alamama).
Up next: Obedience (Will Lavender)
March 17th, 2008, 5:54 p.m. - This post should really be green
11. Obedience (Will Lavender)
If you completely remove the ending (and yeah, that's a pretty big if, but trust me, it was pretty dumb), this is actually a very good thriller. It hooked me right from the beginning, and it moved quickly enough that I was never bored. Some very good plotting here. But yeah, that ending...
Up next: Duma Key (Stephen King)
March 19th, 2008, 11:12 p.m. - Frickin' America
March 25th, 2008, 8:20 p.m. - I subbed and got to make meaningless predictions
March 26th, 2008, 10:57 p.m. - We are at Threat Level: Midnight, people
"Proud to Be an American (Idol)"
March 30th, 2008, 10:26 p.m. - This book is not recommended for people with pediophobia*
12. Duma Key (Stephen King)
Okay, bear with me, because this is kind of complicated.
So there's this guy named Edgar Freemantle who is injured in an accident with a crane. He ends up losing his arm, and because of a head injury, he develops some rage and memory issues which result in his wife leaving him. His doctor recommends that he try a change of scenery, so he rents a house in Duma Key, Florida, and decides to start painting. Except the paintings give him either insights into people's lives or allow him to change things. Edgar also meets a guy named Wireman, who works for an old woman named Elizabeth, and Edgar learns that Elizabeth's past is directly connected to his life. And then there are these dolls, and...seriously, if you have pediophobia, don't read this book.
Anyway, I really liked it, and I've always liked how distinct King's voice is. I also love how colorful his characters are without being quirky or over the top. Edgar is a great protagonist, and Wireman is a great sidekick. Both are likeable even with their flaws, which is tough to accomplish. I'm sometimes short on patience when it comes to King - I think he can use too many cutesy, folksy sayings or go off on too many tangents - but this is one of his best books.
*Fear of dolls. And I'm totally serious
Up next: The Girl Who Stopped Swimming (Joshilyn Jackson)