Day 6 Clearer day, not so great read.

  SNOW OUTBREAK by BORIS LICINA

I was provided with an e-copy of this book in exchange for my hones review.

While vacationers are relaxing on the first space hotel they receive word that a flu outbreak has hit earth. As time moves on the word from home gets worse and worse until it becomes apparent they may not be able to return. As there is little in the way of food on the hotel, a group of volunteers heads back to earth for supplies and a return flight, but what will they find when they get there?

This book’s concept drew my interest and could have been excellent in the hands of a more experienced author. Unfortunately, the beginning is obviously a freshman novel and only rises to the level of sophomore by the end. I will say that the story kept me going and since there was growth, in both the writing and editing, by the end I may give the sequel a shot. With an editor and maybe one more draft this could have gotten four stars. If you can get past the first quarter of the story, it becomes interesting and even a bit exciting in the end. It just depends on your willingness to give leeway to a new author.

This is one of the things I don’t enjoy about reviewing new books by new authors, sometimes you have to be less than positive. I try to be as constructive as possible, but it still can be difficult. I don’t understand why an author does not have someone, or at least a program, edit their writing. Some readers might have stopped after the first few chapters and a new author does not need that to happen.

As I stated in my review, both the writing and editing got better as the story ended, but I don’t know if many will come back after having to slog through the beginning. Oh well, rant over and now I think I am going to read something very light to get me back into a happy reading mode.

I got very far behind in my reviews on Goodreads and think I will spend part of tomorrow entering the twelve or so reviews (yikes) which will get me caught up. I am still quite a few books behind in my 2018 challenge thankfully, there is another storm headed our way which might bring snow so I may get quite a bit of reading done this weekend also, wish me luck.

Until tomorrow, Good Night and Good Reading!

 

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Day 5: A Rainy Reading Day

Today arrived cold and rainy so I set up my heater, made some coffee, and snuggled under a blanket to finish my book. My review is below and while I enjoyed the story very much I have to say the author was guilty of one of my reading peeves, no chapters! The entire 369 page book was all one chapter! There are some breaks in the story where the reader can stop and start again, but I really like being able to stop with a chapter.

I don’t know if anyone is reading these musings as of yet, but if you are, do you have any reading peeves?

 THE RUINS by SCOTT SMITH

It was supposed to be a fun Mexican vacation, but then two American couples befriend a German and three Greeks and find their lives changed forever. When the German says his brother had gone to an Archeological site and had not returned, he asks the four Americans to join him on a sort of rescue mission. When they arrive at the secluded spot they find more than they bargained for with an unknown horror which might be out to kill them.

I decided to purchase this novel as I had heard many vloggers saying it was on their must read lists and, happily, I was not disappointed. The story grabs you from the beginning and takes you on a journey like no other. What I really liked about the book was the fact that you really weren’t sure about the “killer” for much of the novel. If you like suspense with a bit of horror mixed in then The Ruins would be a good choice.

Well, I’m off to read a book on my Kindle from a group called Hidden Gems. This is a site where you can request to read books from specific genres for free in exchange for an Amazon review. I like their process as they give you a week to read and review the book and if you don’t like it you have the option of giving them a reason without a review. If you are interested they can be found at https://www.hiddengemsbooks.com/

Until tomorrow, Good Night and Good Reading!

Day 4: I’m back and migraine free!

 RED CLOCKS by Leni Zumas

In an alternate near future women cannot get abortions, birth control is illegal, and very soon single people cannot adopt. This story follows five women who face this future with different problems. A daughter who wants to abort, a wife who wants no more children, an herbalist who still wants women to have a choice, a teacher/writer who desperately wants a child, and an 18^th Century explorer, whom the writer is researching, that lives an independent life as a “man”.

This could be called A Handmaid’s Tale for a new generation. The problem is, it is not that farfetched given the current political opinions in our country. The author blends each story with ease and talent. Each character is complex and realistic, something I have often found lacking in books with many stories going at once.

I very much enjoyed this book and would highly recommend it to those interested in women’s stories and alternative futures.

 ENDURANCE by Scott Kelly

What is it like to live for a year in space? That is what Kelly explains, along with the story of how he became an astronaut.

I read this with my husband who is much more interested in space travel than I am (although I really like science fiction). I was a little disappointed as I thought the book would include what it was like to return to earth and how his body and health was changed by his year in space and it did not. I did learn a few fun facts: space has a smell, getting into a spacesuit takes much longer than they show in the movies, and your eyesight is altered after even a little time in space.

The book was pretty interesting, but at times seemed to drag. I would say those with an interest in the space program would enjoy this, but those wanting to know the effects of extended journeys into space might be disappointed.

I am actually pretty proud of myself getting two books read through a migraine, yay me! I am almost done with one other, but will probably add it to tomorrow’s post.

In addition to being a voracious I am an avid movie fan with a huge home video library. I will, from time to time, list some of the films I watch if they could be construed as literary related.

I finally saw Black Panther and Blade Runner 2049 this week. I really wanted to like both of these films and have to say I was a bit disappointed. While Black Panther was a beautiful film I thought the storyline was weak and there were just too many long fight sequences, I even fell asleep for a short period in the theater. Blade Runner 2049 was visually interesting, but there were so many scenes which begged the question, “Was that really necessary?” I think both of these films needed a little more editing as they may have been better at the 2 hour mark rather than 2.15 and 2.45 respectively. I have read both the comic book and the book for these films and would recommend them, but would have to say see both of the movies at home so you can pause and break up the monotony.

That’s all for today, I am off to finish my next read and might just go see another movie tonight.

Until tomorrow, Good night and Good reading!

 

Day 3, I hate migraines!

When weather changes I can be hit by the migraine monster and yesterday was one of those days. While I have been reading as much as possible, looking at the computer screen is very painful. That being said, I will return either later tonight or tomorrow once I am feeling myself again, for a full rundown of the last couple of days.

Until then, good night and good reading!

Day 2

Today I began reading two books today as I am co-reading a Non-Fiction title with my husband and he’s a little ahead with the audio book of Endurance by Scott Kelly about his year long stint in space. I am half way through both and I will fill in all the facts tomorrow, but the fun fact I learned today from Endurance is that space apparently has a smell, go figure.

Until tomorrow, good night and good reading.

Day 1

I am busily working on a book detailing a year in the life of a reader and I was hoping this blog will help me to keep up.

I will try to post on a daily basis what I have read and detail the trials and tribulations of writing.

Until tomorrow when the real posting begins. Goodnight and good reading.

The Journey Begins

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton