That Just Happened!

So I just finished “Drop Dead, Gorgeous” by Mary Janice Davidson.  I must say I really love Davidson’s Vampire Betsy series, but this one didn’t measure up to those books.  There was also a pretty graphic sex scene, which I could of done without, to be honest.  It’s getting a little late and I don’t really want to read about someone getting down and dirty.  Perhaps if I read it a little earlier in the Read-A-Thon I would have been in a better humour.  Overall, I thought it was okay.  The story wasn’t spectacular either, and although you can read this book on it’s own, it is a little obvious it is part of a series.  Some of the parts seem really drawn out and there is nuggets of info about the characters that seem to need some more explaining.

My back is starting to get a little stiff from doing most of my reading lounging on the couch and I am getting a little peckish, but overall I am feeling pretty good and getting ready to start on my next book.

For those of you who are still reading/cheerleading, here is a little pick-me-up

Aren’t they just so cute?  How can you not smile at those faces?

That Just Happened!

Oh what fun!  I love having an excuse to spend all day reading while MPW does all the heavy lifting at home.

I just finished “Plum Lucky” by Janet Evanovich and I could not stop laughing out loud.  Very few books were I actually laugh out loud, usually I just smile, or even a little giggle, but this was hilarious!  I would classify it as situational comedy (but I think it is actually a crime novel) and if you are looking for a quick, funny read then this is it.

It’s also a great read for this point in the Read-A-Thon.  It was nice to break up some longer novels with this one.

How is everyone else doing with the Read-A-Thon?  Read any good books lately?

That Just Happened!

Well, after recieving fortification in the way of a quick visit and Starbucks drop, I have continued on with my quest to read for 24 hours (or so).  I have finished another book, which was great because it is a Governor General Winner and I can now cross it off my list.  So, as it is about half way in the Read-A-Thon and there is still a ways to go, I am going to post a mini-review for this book.

Bowering, George.  “Burning Water” 2007 (Won in 1980) New Star Books Ltd.

…Burning Water tells a straightforward, linear narrative, but it does so
from within the trappings of postmodernist fiction. The novel often breaks into
authorial asides, abandoning a scene in progress in favour of a sort of
third-person author’s journal. Many of Bowering’s characters are deliberately
unrealistic and function as historical puppets. They speak a dialect that is
half-antiquated and half-modern. Only Vancouver and Menzies gain any real
individuality, and their belligerent personalities chafe against the confines of
their duties to history as the Great Explorer and the Great Naturalist, leading,
eventually, to a murder. It’s not a murder that matches the historical record,
however, and readers who are uncomfortable with this type of storytelling would
do well to avoid Burning Water. However, those who are comfortable with
the self-doubting tactics of postmodern historical writing will find much to
enjoy here. –Jack Illingworth

Amazon.ca

As far as books about discovering Canada go, I have definitely read better ones.  I found this one a little hard to follow at first because there are a few paragraphs peppered through the novel that are actually about the person writing a novel about the main character.  In fact, ”Burning Water” is the novel the mysterious author is writing and we read it…oh heck, it sounds confusing just trying to explain it.  Plus we are more than a few hours in to the Read-A-Thon and I think it’s time for a fluffy book.

Either way, it seemed like there was a lot that wasn’t said, merely implied, and it was up to the Reader to figure out what it was and how it fits into the story.  There were also a few pages at the beginning of some of the chapters which had the Native’s perspective, but they sounded very British in their speech and I couldn’t really piece in the relevance to the story about British explorer George Vancouver.  All in all this wasn’t bad, but compared to others I have read it was a little lacking.  I am giving this book

Well, it is off to start the next book and perhaps do a little mini challenge.  I would also like this time to say thankyouthankyouthankyou  to the wonderful cheerleaders who are helping everyone to stay motivated.

That Just Happened!