Disappointed in books lately

It is April and I have only been impressed by maybe 4 books, it is slowly making me think what is the point.  I can't get excited to blog when I have no inspiration, I do try to still network at times but I realise that I have cut back a lot lately, for that I am sorry.

I don't think it is blogging burnout because I have always said blog when I want, I don't have a schedule and won't participate in meme's unless I have time to comment on others.

So am I choosing badly, how can that be. 

Life has been busy, sad at times, some life changing decisions etc so maybe all of my life is affecting my reading.

Well, I have had enough of picking up a book and getting to approx 20% on the Kindle and just not wanting to commit any more time to it.  Some a true DNF and others just the wrong mood.

PLEASE........., any advice or recommendations that you think I will enjoy?

I picked up Hate List by Jennifer Brown and I am enjoying it, a good YA read.  Not my go to genre so i'm pleasantly pleased.

Review - The Apprentice by Tess Gerritsen

Book Summary

Boston detective Jane Rizzoli hasn't completely recovered from the near-death experience at the hands of a serial killer (The Surgeon) that left her scarred and scared, but that doesn't keep her from going after a copycat murderer whose modus operandi is disturbingly familiar. Warren Hoyt may still be behind bars, but Jane thinks there's a connection between him and the man the police call the Dominator, based on the way this new fiend subdues and violates his victims before he kills them. Political interference from an FBI agent who seems to know more about the Dominator than anyone else only intensifies Jane's determination to solve the case. When Hoyt escapes from prison and teams up with his blood brother to take revenge on the policewoman who put him there, the pace of this truly frightening thriller picks up and drives the narrative to its violent conclusion.

My Review - 2 1/2 Not my cup of tea

What a total let down, I cannot believe this was written by the same author, The Surgeon was almost perfection in my mind, so to get a total boring, what was the point follow up was beyond disappointing.

This read like a debut, repetition continuously.  I understand the details needed for those that didn't read The Surgeon but even if you didn't it became insanely unnecessary.

There was no mystery to me in this book, so The Surgeon escapes from prison and the serial killer who they name The Denominator end up working together.  The disappointing part is when we get to see them together it is the last scene of book and in my opinion, one of the worst endings ever, seriously I read the book for that, sigh. 

I will read the next in series just because there is no way Tess Gerritsen gave me a fluke.  The Surgeon was scary, had horrifying and gruesome scenes, lots of on the edge anxiety while reading, this one just fell flat, I seriously forced myself to finish.

For those that watch the show, do we deal with the 'I'm a female in a male dominant career pity party concept'?  That is so irritating to me that I seriously started to hate Rizzoli.  And the continued comparison of Rizzoli and The Surgeon as hunters, I didn't buy it.

The Surgeon is such a great book, for those interested I highly recommend reading that one and skipping this in the series.  Let us hope it gets better.  I wonder if The Surgeon and The Apprentice was written as one and then edited down, possibility........

My Review of The Surgeon (Book 1)

I chose The Apprentice, thanks for voting

My Review of The Surgeon (Book 1)

 

The Apprentice (Book 2 ) - Tess Gerritsen

 

Boston detective Jane Rizzoli hasn't completely recovered from the near-death experience at the hands of a serial killer (The Surgeon) that left her scarred and scared, but that doesn't keep her from going after a copycat murderer whose modus operandi is disturbingly familiar. Warren Hoyt may still be behind bars, but Jane thinks there's a connection between him and the man the police call the Dominator, based on the way this new fiend subdues and violates his victims before he kills them. Political interference from an FBI agent who seems to know more about the Dominator than anyone else only intensifies Jane's determination to solve the case. When Hoyt escapes from prison and teams up with his blood brother to take revenge on the policewoman who put him there, the pace of this truly frightening thriller picks up and drives the narrative to its violent conclusion.

 

 

 

I think I will choose Miss Peregrine's next, I need a real book.  I LOVE my Kindle but to many in a row I always feel that pull to a real book.   This one came up 2nd in the poll also.

 

Have a great week.

 

 

Review - Department Thirteen by James Houston Turner

Book Summary from Amazon

Department Thirteen - the assassination and sabotage unit of the KGB - never officially existed, but retired KGB colonel Aleksandr Talanov knows that it did. It’s but one of the many secrets he’s worked hard to forget. Now living in Australia, Talanov and dozens of dinner guests are suddenly the target of assassins. Talanov and his wife are mistakenly spared, but soon find themselves running for their lives, hunted by the killers, blamed by the police, increasingly pivotal to an invisible network of death about which they know nothing. But someone thinks they know. For in 1983, a second Department Thirteen was created, and Talanov discovers they have but one purpose: to kill him, whatever the cost.


My Review - 4 1/2 Great to the last Drop

So amazing, what a thrilling rush, non stop action, thought provoking and brilliant characters.  Talanov, the ex secret agent is my favourite character this year so far, love him.  He is like a cat, has 9 lives, this was my only complaint, one to many close calls during his run for life adventure or is it that he is just that good.

I have never read an espionage book that I can think of and thriller is my favourite genre, crazy right.  Well, this book had a great opening and did not let up until the last paragraph.  Talanov has became the target for assassins but he was a successful spy so he was trained by the best of the best and wasn't going to let him or his wife die without knowing why.  He was trained to protect and read people to know what was coming next.

There were many characters but they were all defined and added to the storyline, easy to keep track of.  Some were hardcore which included strong females which is always refreshing. I initially thought it would be to many but J Turner executed his characters perfectly.  Some were only known as code names, Three and Four, which added to the story as everything and everyone was a cover up.

I love how this story was so intricate, an onion, peeling away each clue, development, the past, who else will die and when, intense brilliance.

This is an unputdownable read for sure.  I found myself daydreaming and cheering for Talanov, when I wasn't reading and in my sleep.  I highly recommend this to all crime, mystery, thriller fans.  One of the best I have read in a long time.  If you enjoy movies like Mission Impossible, you will love this one.  Need a recommendation for the men in your life, this is it.

And the characters will make you want more and guess what..... James Turner will be giving us more this year September, the next is called Greco's Game.

I usually like to share favourite quotes but honestly this book just had so many memorable scenes it was hard to choose quotes.  I suggest you go read it.

My only concern is that there are unbelievable scenes and Talanov should have died but he knows his stuff and when assassins think they have the upper hand and then try to get information also, it all goes wrong, for them........

First Paragraph - Espionage Thriller

FFT is hosted by Diane of Bibliophile By the Sea where we share the opening paragraph of our current read to see if others would read the book based on that first paragraph.  Please feel free to join in, First Chapter~First Paragraph~Tuesday Intros.

and

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Moscow: 1983

Colonel Aleksandr Talanov of the KGB was trained to keep other people safe.  It was his job.  He was good at it.  Unfortunately, the people he was protecting tonight were not the targets.  He was.  And not in a way he could ever have imagined.


This book is so entertaining and action packed, look out for my review..... hoping Thursday/Friday.

It's Monday - What are you reading

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while continuing to add to your 2012 Wishlist.

I'm currently reading an amazing Crime Thriller (Espionage), 40% in on Kindle

I completed - My Review and a review over Aimee's blog Coffee Table Reviews

I have a poll on my sidebar for what is next, currently from the post The Apprentice is winning.  Go here to see the summaries of the others and comment/vote if interested.

On another note - With the blogger changes I was looking at new looks and almost lost my blog as I know it, omg, so scary, I hate technical changes.  Need to get used to the new blogger dashboard that I haven't did yet, eeek.....

What should I read next? Poll

 

Friends,

I have had a hard time choosing what to read lately and haven't been really happy with my choices.  Please assist me, what should I read next, please leave a comment and vote on poll, which is on sidebar.  If you haven't read any i'm happy for you to leave a recommendation.

Thanks and happy weekend.

Here are summaries from Goodreads.

Temptation of Angels - Michelle Zink

Even angels make mistakes in this page-turning epic romance...

When her parents are murdered before her eyes, sixteen-year-old Helen Cartwright finds herself launched into an underground London where a mysterious organization called the Dictata controls the balance of good and evil. Helen learns that she is one of three remaining angelic descendants charged with protecting the world's past, present, and future. Unbeknownst to her, she has been trained her whole life to accept this responsibility. Now, as she finds herself torn between the angelic brothers protecting her and the devastatingly handsome childhood friend who wants to destroy her, she must prepare to be brave, to be hunted, and above all to be strong, because temptation will be hard to resist, even for an angel.
Michelle Zink masterfully weaves historical fantasy with paranormal romance to create a gripping tale of love and betrayal.

The Memory Palace - Mira Bartok

"The Memory Palace" is a gorgeous memoir about the 17-year estrangement of the author and her homeless schizophrenic mother, and their reunion.


 

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

 

A mysterious island.

An abandoned orphanage.
A strange collection of very curious photographs.
It all waits to be discovered in Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, an unforgettable novel that mixes fiction and photography in a thrilling reading experience. As our story opens, a horrific family tragedy sets sixteen-year-old Jacob journeying to a remote island off the coast of Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As Jacob explores its abandoned bedrooms and hallways, it becomes clear that the children were more than just peculiar. They may have been dangerous. They may have been quarantined on a deserted island for good reason. And somehow—impossible though it seems—they may still be alive.

The Apprentice (book 2 ) - Tess Gerritsen

Boston detective Jane Rizzoli hasn't completely recovered from the near-death experience at the hands of a serial killer (The Surgeon) that left her scarred and scared, but that doesn't keep her from going after a copycat murderer whose modus operandi is disturbingly familiar. Warren Hoyt may still be behind bars, but Jane thinks there's a connection between him and the man the police call the Dominator, based on the way this new fiend subdues and violates his victims before he kills them. Political interference from an FBI agent who seems to know more about the Dominator than anyone else only intensifies Jane's determination to solve the case. When Hoyt escapes from prison and teams up with his blood brother to take revenge on the policewoman who put him there, the pace of this truly frightening thriller picks up and drives the narrative to its violent conclusion.

Review - Tuesday's Child by Dale Mayer

Book Summary from Amazon

What she doesn’t want...is exactly what he needs.

Shunned and ridiculed all her life for something she can’t control, Samantha Blair hides her psychic abilities and lives on the fringes of society. Against her will, however, she’s tapped into a killer—or rather, his victims. Each woman’s murder, blow-by-blow, ravages her mind until their death releases her back to her body. Sam knows she must go to the authorities, but will the rugged, no-nonsense detective in charge of tracking down the killer believe her?

Detective Brandt Sutherland only trusts hard evidence, yet Sam’s visions offer clues he needs to catch a killer. The more he learns about her incredible abilities, however, the clearer it becomes that Sam’s visions have put her in the killer’s line of fire. Now Brandt must save her from something he cannot see or understand…and risk losing his heart in the process.

As danger and desire collide, passion raises the stakes in a game Sam and Brandt don’t dare lose. 

My Review - 3 More Sugar Please

I read this after seeing a review over Aimee's blog Coffee Table Reviews, she gave it a 5 star. 

Tuesday's child is a debut by Dale Mayer and the first in the series, Physic Visions.  I may read the next one to see if the writing execution has improved.

I thought it was a good idea, very intriguing, a naive but sweet Physic working with a cop unofficially to help find a serial killer.  Sam, the Physic, has lived a dark life with this almost fatal talent, she becomes the victim and experiences what they do while they are dying, very scary and painful episodes, unfortunately for her the trigger was violence.  Unable to give enough details to really assist the police makes most of them weary on trusting her. 

There were numerous side stories and other characters but not enough detail or a journey to really push the story on, many were left open like a forgotten constructed circle.

I did enjoy the main characters of Sam and the Detective Brandt but the overall execution just was not consistent.  It never hit a full high for me and there were non interesting put down-able moments while reading.  

As much as I love serial killer stories this one didn't give enough information around him to care about what he did and why, still no answers.

If you are a dog lover, you will enjoy the storyline of Sam's dogs but I feel like we could have been given more of the history to full understand how it all came together. 

The ending wasn't the best climax but again I can see Dan Mayer improved overall execution with the next in the series, Hide'n Go Seek.

I also love titles, but this one meant nothing to me nor came across in the book for why.....

Here are a few favourite quotes:

The other woman slipped into unconsciousness.  Sam wasn't offered the same gift.  Now, the pain was Sam's alone.  The stab wounds and broken bones became Sam's to experience even though they weren't hers.

He stared down at her porcelain skin, the huge eyes that said so much, yet nothing at all, and those lips.  He hadn't noticed them the first couple of times he'd seen her, now they were all he could think about - so red and full, so very inviting, so very ready to be loved. 

He couldn't help himself.  He bent and claimed them for his own. 

Review - Attachments by Rainbow Rowell

Book Summary from Amazon

In sweet, silly, and incredibly long digital missives, best newsroom pals Beth and Jennifer trade gossip over their romances—Beth with her marriage-phobic boyfriend, Chris, and Jennifer with her baby-mania-stricken husband, Mitch. What they don't know is that the newly hired computer guy, Lincoln, an Internet security officer charged with weeding out all things unnecessary or pornographic, is reading their messages. But lonely Lincoln lets the gals slide on their inappropriate office mail and gets hooked on their soapy dalliances, falling head over heels for the unlucky-in-love Beth.


My Review - 4 Great to the last drop

Sweeeeet, that is my word for this book.  There were 3 star moments, 5 star highlights and many 4s tars so in the end I decided on a 4, great to the last drop.  I don't do chick lit or romance often, possibly once or twice a year but I needed a light fun book and this was the perfect match.  I smiled my way through this one.

I found the characters to be delightful.  For some that may not think Lincolns job exist but it sure does to a degree, I have had to read emails for work, not a comfortable task.  He had his very own soap opera via email.  He fell in love, just how we sometimes fall in love with a character, not so far fetched right.  The journey of reading the emails and following the life of Lincoln was entertaining for sure.  This genre is always predictable, which is what I look forward to when I choose it, you just have to love the complete silliness and joy you get out of it.

We have the overbearing mom that of course the son loves, a momma's boy so to speak.  Lincoln was just sweet, not many women's type but all women will enjoy being around kind of guy.

Think about arguing with a soap opera fan and telling them that they don't 'know' the person and how ridiculous it would be if they met that person for real.  This was Lincoln, he realised how wrong it was when he didn't give them warnings, looked forward to reading the emails and realised he was falling for her.  The sweet parts were when you realised how ridiculous both of them were without knowing about the other, funny.

I loved the modern touch of using emails for a novel, very now. I thought the writing was executed well, overall I think romance genre fans will love this one I think.

Review - Falling Under by Danielle Younge-Ullman

Book Summary

"After surviving a turbulent childhood, Mara Foster has finally gained independence and success as a painter. Now in her late twenties, she lives alone, still burdened by a troubled past involving a teen aged affair with an older man and the tragic loss of her college boyfriend. But when Mara meets Hugo, the walls she has built around herself begin to crumble. Despite herself, she starts to fall in love and realizes she must either confront her dark secrets or be consumed by them. And either way, she risks losing Hugo and her second chance at happiness.Written in spare, crisp prose and marked by wry humor,Falling Under is a gripping contemporary urban tale of human weakness, friendship, and hard-earned redemption."

 

My Review - 4 1/2  Great to the last Drop

 

A remarkable dark story told in a beautiful lyrical way, I loved the combination.  While reading I wondered how many people we encounter day to day with agoraphobia - extreme or irrational fear of crowded spaces or enclosed public places.  Such a worry addiction, overactive mind that makes her paranoid, unbelievable concept. I really enjoyed this story, I found the writing lyrical, a prose style delicious to my ears, it flowed through my soul, very artistic.

 

I enjoyed Mara as the main character, she was three dimensional, had different moods, friends, lovers, past-present-future moments for all of them.  For some I think this may be an execution problem as you never knew were the next chapter was going to go but it flowed wonderfully in my opinion, you didn't need to figure out what was going on.  Mara used sex to get through the hard times, to take away the pain, how this all comes together at the end.... brilliant.

 

The best part was there is a major mystery twist thrown in, completely caught me off guard and put this novel in a class of its own, I don't know what genre to put it in.  This would be a banned YA for sure, there is betrayal, sex, homosexuality, broken marriage, language, it has it all.

 

And the cover is so eye catching, a favourite of mine.  I enjoyed the art story lines.  Following the journey of a young art student to becoming a brilliant artist through the scary, losing her mind times also.

 

I recommend you try this one, really great read and a debut for the author.  And the ending, the last sentence, wow.   I love the idea that depending on the reader the person at the end is him or him and then you wonder what life would be like for them, brilliant.

 

 

 

 

 

Teaser Tuesday - Falling Under by Danielle Young-Ullman

Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along!

Just do the following and go here to participate: Teaser Tuesday

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) 'teaser' sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS!
Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!


Teaser from Kindle 3%

I come here because I know Erik will drag me to the edge.  He will drag me there, push me over, and then leap after me, to a place beyond pain, beyond loss, beyond the things that haunt us in the empty spaces of the night.

When all else fails, I have this.


Book Summary

"After surviving a turbulent childhood, Mara Foster has finally gained independence and success as a painter. Now in her late twenties, she lives alone, still burdened by a troubled past involving a teen aged affair with an older man and the tragic loss of her college boyfriend. But when Mara meets Hugo, the walls she has built around herself begin to crumble. Despite herself, she starts to fall in love and realizes she must either confront her dark secrets or be consumed by them. And either way, she risks losing Hugo and her second chance at happiness.Written in spare, crisp prose and marked by wry humor,Falling Under is a gripping contemporary urban tale of human weakness, friendship, and hard-earned redemption."

Books Inspired by Books - Discussion

Have you read a book because it was discussed or a focal point in another story you was reading?  Was the inspiration obvious while reading?  Did you prefer one over the other?

I have noticed that many authors talk about books or the characters love of reading etc during story lines. Those quotes always touch me as someone that loves books and reading also.

Only since blogging within the last 3 years have I also noticed many authors get an inspiration from another book and I think, sweet, what a nice way to acknowledge the book and author. 

Here are the few I have picked up because of the recommendation.  My reviews are linked.



                    



I read After You by Julie Buxbaum which used The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett throughout.  I loved both of these stories.  The Secret Garden is not my genre of choice but it is a beautiful classic that I can't wait to share with my daughter now.  After You is adult women's fiction, one of my favourites.

 

And To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee has to be the #1 mentioned book in other works.  There is no saying you have never heard of TKAM.  I had the joy of reading this for the first time.  It is not one of my favourites but I definitely understand the love others have and the importance of the book.

                    


And recently I read the last in JT Ellison's series Where all the Dead Lie and she was inspired by the classic Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.  This wasn't available on Kindle so I went to the bookstore and brought it, this is another many around the blogosphere love, so I look forward to reading.

 What experiences have you had, share your recommendations please.  If you decide to do a post, let me know, I will include a linky so we can share.

It's Monday - What are you reading?

Sheila over at Book Journey has an incentive for networking so go over and have fun while continuing to add to your 2012 Wishlist.

Friends, work is crazy busy and even though I feel 'secure' during these economic times I have to give 125%, my normal 80 - 100% won't cut it :-)  That takes away an hour of blogging time for sure.  I won't give up my evening reading time because that is my only true reading time.


I'm currently reading my 2nd by Harry Dolan - see my interview with him on the sidebar.

I completed another JT Ellison (I recommend reading series book 6 and 7 together, don't start with 1)

My Review




My 1st Graphic and True Crime combined - greatness.

My Review




I'm not sure what is next, I am kind of feeling memoir or adult fiction.

Winner of Luck of the Draw

Congratulations Stacy from Stacy's Books, thanks for entering and being a follower.

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