reading list
Decided that I need to get back into the habit of reading again, and making lists helps me feel accomplished. So here goes!
May 2011
1. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Loved the movie, loved the book. It was pretty fun, despite its anti-feminist undertones (lol). I should count the number of times Ellie's legs were mentioned. That bit where Tim stares at her legs was super creepy, what is he like nine years old?
2. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
I like how Bilbo was kind of gooney and slightly incompetent. So endearing! Wish more people would write their heroes that way.
3. Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
Found this really interesting because it reminded me, to a lesser degree, of my relationship with my own mother. Had kind of a tragi-happy tone, which I liked. Wasn't as outrageous as the media portrayed though, when everything was taken in context.
4. The Stud by Jackie Collins
I wanted to try reading a 'girly' book because I usually never do. Big mistake, this was a terrible book with no redeeming qualities. Couldn't even enjoy the sex scenes because they were so toned down and non-naughty. What is the point of this entire novel UGH.
5. A Nameless Witch by A. Lee Martinez
Was ok, even though the two main characters were kind of annoying and whiny. The secondary characters were all amazing though, so much more charming and interesting. And who doesn't love a malicious, maiming demon duck.
June 2011
1. Mandibles by Jeff Strand
Aaaaah Jeff Strand is officially one of my favourite horror writers. Loved this book, it had that whole 90's slightly cheesy/campy monster movie feel to it, and lots of guts and gore and action. It was also really funny! I also like how the writer doesn't shy away from the really horrific stuff, ie. writing about children getting hurt/killed, which is something you never see in horror books and films today. I only have one quibble with this novel, but it was a minor plot detail so no biggie. Amazing book!
2. Dweller by Jeff Strand
FFF this book really messed with me. It's a story about a little boy meeting a vaguely humanoid monster in the woods near his house and befriending it. I was expecting something light and fluffy, maybe with a couple of ~bad guys~ or whatever getting hurt, but oh god no, this novel just flipped me off and turned out to be a huge bloodbath. The friendship between the monster and the kid was really tragic and heartwarming and fucked up at the same time. Not gonna lie, I got all weepy at the end. :( Still though, it was a really good book and I enjoyed it so much.
3. Wolfhunt by Jeff Strand
JEFF STRAND AGAIN. I really like this novel, though not quite as much at the last two. Stayed up til 6am finishing this, goshh. It was really exciting, lots of action and blood. I like how he brought the ~horror~ back into werewolf stories. Like, in a lot of werewolf fiction these days, they're either idk, tragic and misunderstood or like, just really romanticized or horny or whatever. So, I liked how he made his werewolf really twisted and sadistic, and not just in an uncontrollable, animalistic way. Like, the character knew what he was doing at all times and thoroughly enjoyed it, and there was no softer side to him. He was basically a serial killer, moonlighting (if you'll excuse the pun) as a werewolf. So, yeah, I really enjoyed this one.
4. Books of Blood 1 by Clive Barker
That story about the giant made of townspeople fucking messed with me, fuck.
5. The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch
This was pretty bad. Interesting premise (voodoo!), but the writer pretty much ruined her (initially, very interesting and original) main character. Disappointing.
July 2011
1. Posessions Series (books 1-3) by Nancy Holder
This series is something like a mixture of Gossip Girl, The Exorcist and Session 9. In other words, amazing! Particularly impressed with the way she managed to incorporate so many gothic lit. conventions into a bunch of YA novels. Main character was really strong and likeable. Really hope she writes a fourth book.
2. Roverandom by JRR Tolkien
Cutest story ever.
3. The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant
A book about the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's dog-fighting ring. I rarely read non-fiction, but this was really informative and so sad.
4. The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross
Pretty interesting. Liked the steampunk vibe.
May 2011
1. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Loved the movie, loved the book. It was pretty fun, despite its anti-feminist undertones (lol). I should count the number of times Ellie's legs were mentioned. That bit where Tim stares at her legs was super creepy, what is he like nine years old?
2. The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien
I like how Bilbo was kind of gooney and slightly incompetent. So endearing! Wish more people would write their heroes that way.
3. Battle Hymn of The Tiger Mother by Amy Chua
Found this really interesting because it reminded me, to a lesser degree, of my relationship with my own mother. Had kind of a tragi-happy tone, which I liked. Wasn't as outrageous as the media portrayed though, when everything was taken in context.
4. The Stud by Jackie Collins
I wanted to try reading a 'girly' book because I usually never do. Big mistake, this was a terrible book with no redeeming qualities. Couldn't even enjoy the sex scenes because they were so toned down and non-naughty. What is the point of this entire novel UGH.
5. A Nameless Witch by A. Lee Martinez
Was ok, even though the two main characters were kind of annoying and whiny. The secondary characters were all amazing though, so much more charming and interesting. And who doesn't love a malicious, maiming demon duck.
June 2011
1. Mandibles by Jeff Strand
Aaaaah Jeff Strand is officially one of my favourite horror writers. Loved this book, it had that whole 90's slightly cheesy/campy monster movie feel to it, and lots of guts and gore and action. It was also really funny! I also like how the writer doesn't shy away from the really horrific stuff, ie. writing about children getting hurt/killed, which is something you never see in horror books and films today. I only have one quibble with this novel, but it was a minor plot detail so no biggie. Amazing book!
2. Dweller by Jeff Strand
FFF this book really messed with me. It's a story about a little boy meeting a vaguely humanoid monster in the woods near his house and befriending it. I was expecting something light and fluffy, maybe with a couple of ~bad guys~ or whatever getting hurt, but oh god no, this novel just flipped me off and turned out to be a huge bloodbath. The friendship between the monster and the kid was really tragic and heartwarming and fucked up at the same time. Not gonna lie, I got all weepy at the end. :( Still though, it was a really good book and I enjoyed it so much.
3. Wolfhunt by Jeff Strand
JEFF STRAND AGAIN. I really like this novel, though not quite as much at the last two. Stayed up til 6am finishing this, goshh. It was really exciting, lots of action and blood. I like how he brought the ~horror~ back into werewolf stories. Like, in a lot of werewolf fiction these days, they're either idk, tragic and misunderstood or like, just really romanticized or horny or whatever. So, I liked how he made his werewolf really twisted and sadistic, and not just in an uncontrollable, animalistic way. Like, the character knew what he was doing at all times and thoroughly enjoyed it, and there was no softer side to him. He was basically a serial killer, moonlighting (if you'll excuse the pun) as a werewolf. So, yeah, I really enjoyed this one.
4. Books of Blood 1 by Clive Barker
That story about the giant made of townspeople fucking messed with me, fuck.
5. The Magnolia League by Katie Crouch
This was pretty bad. Interesting premise (voodoo!), but the writer pretty much ruined her (initially, very interesting and original) main character. Disappointing.
July 2011
1. Posessions Series (books 1-3) by Nancy Holder
This series is something like a mixture of Gossip Girl, The Exorcist and Session 9. In other words, amazing! Particularly impressed with the way she managed to incorporate so many gothic lit. conventions into a bunch of YA novels. Main character was really strong and likeable. Really hope she writes a fourth book.
2. Roverandom by JRR Tolkien
Cutest story ever.
3. The Lost Dogs by Jim Gorant
A book about the dogs rescued from Michael Vick's dog-fighting ring. I rarely read non-fiction, but this was really informative and so sad.
4. The Strange Case of Finley Jayne by Kady Cross
Pretty interesting. Liked the steampunk vibe.