(no subject)
Summer reading 2006
Goal: 50 books (o.0)
Count to date: 4/50
Total page count: 489
Last updated: 7/20/06
Started on: 6/3/06
Finished on:
Disclaimer: All thoughts expressed are purely my own. They do not in any way represent the opinions of Livejournal inc. ;)
No really, don't click the "review" cuts if you don't want to be spoiled for a book. I will discuss some plot points. You only have yourself to blame.
Book 1: The DaVinci Code - Dan Brown
Started 6/3/06, finished 6/4/06
Rating: 4/5 stars
Pages: 489
Review: I found the book engaging, and balanced. A lot of information was conveyed in a well organized manner. It was easy to keep track of speakers, despite the huge amounts of narrative and flashback used to tell the tail. I was convinced for a good third of the book that the detective was The Teacher, and was relieved to see that he had actually wanted them to come in once in London, and that they were not charged. However, I did not see Leigh's involvement coming. Remy bothered me from the start, in a way, though I didn't really get it as I plowed through. It definitely succeeded in keeping me turning the pages. One interruption, by a friend no less, actually had be exclaiming aloud "damnit!" So that has to be worth something. I found the discussion of symbols and art fascinating, but found the plot itself had trouble moving only forward. The flashbacks were an effective tool in demonstrating character knowledge, but halted the forward flow. I was shocked that the first third of the book never really left the Louvre, except in flashing to another character. Also, the backwards script?? Not that hard. The orb that was missing? Not that hard, if you really thought... I'll admit I didn't have that one before they did, but it was way to obvious in the end. :p Not as bothersome as the script issue though. And I'm still not convinced you could shave the wood down enough to have it shine through the lid. Wouldn't you see it before you pealed back the rose inlay that way? I've used a wood burner before, I just don't think I buy that one.
Despite the flaws, the story moved. I was disappointed that he fell into the guy gets the girl trap, and would have probably been happier without that story point, but liked the final ending scene, and Langdon's epiphany. Since it kept me engaged, 4 of 5 stars.
Book 2: Stranger In a Strange Land -
Started 6/5/06, finished
Rating: /5 stars
Pages:
Review: This was not quite what I'd expected, somehow, but it was still a very good read. I was impressed by how hard I had to concentraite on some of it to make sense of the discussions. There is a lot of dialoge, with people debating different points of modern (re: at least a few hundred years from our modern development?) politics and religion. An interesting look at one possible future, and well concieved theories of development, but reasoned through instead of vaguely explained. I can see how it became a cult classic, though I don't believe I'll have the same sense of devotion to it.
Book 3: The Bone Doll's Twin - Lynn Flewelling
Started 7/ /06, finished 7/ /06
Rating: 5/5 stars
Pages:
Review: I of course love everything that Flewelling writes, but this trilogy is just... wonderfull. I think her son called it "Creepy, but in a good way" and that so fits. I've read it before, but I wanted to re-read it before the third in the trilogy came out. I'd forgotten where story details picked up and ended, and needed to re-familiarize myself with everyone. Time well spent... there are some brilliant development pieces in these, and there are blindingly witty lines to be found throughout.
Book 4: Hidden Warrior - Lynn Flewelling
Started 7/ /06, finished 7/18/06
Rating: 5/5 stars
Pages:
Review: Basically the same comments as for Bone Doll's Twin, though I should add that I read about 100 pages of this one at work with Niki sitting there, and made her promise to read them so I could stop explaining what was so funny everytime I laughed out loud at something. XD
Book 5: The Oracle's Queen - Lynn Flewelling
Started 7/18/06, finished 7/ /06
Rating: /5 stars
Pages:
Review: