Conveniently in time for the new HBO miniseries, I picked up “Mildred Pierce” knowing in advance it was going to be a firework show. The Joan CrawfordConveniently in time for the new HBO miniseries, I picked up “Mildred Pierce” knowing in advance it was going to be a firework show. The Joan Crawford “Mildred” is already on my list of must-see films with a mother/daughter slap fight, and I’m WAY into both camp and noir. The book, however, is a lot more subtle and broiling than the crisp black-and-white soap, and I was surprised by James M. Cain’s intimate knowledge the hurricane force of a woman who wants something. This book, without exaggeration, dwells on Mount Olympus above all other books.
It’s impossible to rag on this story; the slow-boil tale of a single business woman (Mildred) raising her family amidst some very interesting…issues. Her devotion to her snooty patootie daughter Veda begins to take a more sinister turn as the years progress, and Veda becomes the giant tentacle monster that she was raised to be. I liked the slap-heavy dynamic between Veda and Mildred, with Mildred’s unwillingness to believe that her daughter is EVIL in all capital letters. Although Veda is indeed a she-who-must-not-be-named, Mildred is equally guilty in her own destruction by being psychotically obsessed/devoted to Veda. I’m not sure what the lesson is here? Don’t be an enabler? Success and money make monsters?
James M. Cain’s style is fast and factual; it’s the perfect narrative for moments where you have to spit your coffee all over your desk from shock. That era’s “noir” feel exists, but only as the theme, and not as the focus. There are no lone dangling light bulbs or revolver action here, simply the heat of the characters perpetuating that WTH style. It reminded me a little of the book “Leave Her to Heaven,” also a story about a destructive Cruella DeVil-scary woman with an obsession. I guess this was a good time to be afraid of, yet revere, ambitious women in minks and straight stockings.
I don’t know why, but I’ve been reading a lot of the whole saga drama thing. They utilize real history throughout the decades and important IRL characI don’t know why, but I’ve been reading a lot of the whole saga drama thing. They utilize real history throughout the decades and important IRL characters to incorporate in their own plot lines. Sometimes this works well, and sometimes it just feels like name dropping to add ambiance. “Middlesex” feels like the one-upper guy at the party. He can be funny for a bit, but after a while things just get tedious, and his stories are becoming a thick web of phoniness, and you have to excuse yourself to the bathroom.
I didn’t dislike “Middlesex” overall, but I am taking away points for not being the most successful or moving saga I’ve picked up recently. The style jumps around from lush revelry to hard facts, and it was weird to relate to the present-day narrator looking back when his story kept interfering awkwardly with the narration of his past (the present day story was this random, 15 page romance thing in Europe). Also, this story already had a seafaring-size hook with the original concept; a close portrait/coming of age story about a hermaphrodite. The focus on Cal’s grandparents and parents seemed exclusively to color the otherwise fact-heavy story about how a person ends up (genetically) with a 5-alpha-reductase deficiency. We are never as close to the parents/grandparents story as we are to Cal later, so it just felt like…hm. Also, was it just me or was there a random sprinkling of magical realism in here?
This book is completely readable and it is interesting, so there you go, I recommend it. But if you want the perfect study in how a million-person epic can be done immaculately, I suggest “War and Peace” by Leo Tolstoy, or the saga parody (that still rules) “A Bloodsmoor Romance” by Joyce Carol Oates. Heck, even “Gone with the Wind” will do you.
Just thinking about this book throws me into a fits of swoons and giggles and torment. It’s the best book ever. It’s completely out-of-control crazy aJust thinking about this book throws me into a fits of swoons and giggles and torment. It’s the best book ever. It’s completely out-of-control crazy and wild and psycho and lovable. If a friend of mine was going to write a book with the same plot, I would slap her and throw a glass of water in her face. And yet somehow, Charlotte Bronte did a magical, supernatural job with “Jane Eyre”. Where do I even begin? My heart increases 10 sizes every time I think about it.
The first time I picked up “Jane Eyre” was in high school. Everything was going along okey-dokey until about the middle of the book, when I realized that Jane and Mr. Rochester were about to have their happy ending. In the middle. Of the book. Everything spirals into madness from that point on (no spoilers) and I read the remainder of the book with my jaw dropped, hyperventilating like a kid at Christmas. I loved the unconventional scariness of the whole thing. It combined a few things I love best in literature: haunted houses, love, and psycho killers. And yea, verily I say unto thee that Charlotte Bronte was given a massive high five from God upon completing “Jane Eyre”.
Mr. Rochester and Jane Eyre make my ideal romantic partners, because they are just so tortuously flawed. Jane Eyre makes a point to say that she is no blue ribbon poodle, and is candid with her insecurities and religious doubts. Mr. Rochester is a passive aggressive weirdo who cross-dresses on the side. Neither of them, by their own description, are smoldering hotties. And near the end of the book, all they really have is their love for each other; which is caring and crazy and somewhat inappropriate.
Whenever someone hesitates to pick up a classic because they fear it will be all square-dancing and piano fortes, I recommend “Jane Eyre”. Not a lot of other classics can deliver the massive WHAT THE HECK moment like “Jane Eyre” can, and there is something quaint yet uncomfortable about the whole thing. It is the gothic standard for perfection. There is fire, redemption, small annoying French girls, stuffy yet hunky men named St. John, mansions, a wicked orphanage, and the constant threat of ghosts. PERFECTION.
This collection of shorts stories blew my imagination up like a grand finale 4th of July firework show. Karen Russell has created a fabulously romantiThis collection of shorts stories blew my imagination up like a grand finale 4th of July firework show. Karen Russell has created a fabulously romantic vision of America; where there are special camps to help children with sleeping problems and choirs of boys that sing down avalanches and little girls possessed by ghost boyfriends. Every story got a rowdy standing ovation from me. Vague fables with even vaguer lessons create these eccentric fairy tales; and the whole thing is more enjoyable than having your favorite dessert with no one around to pick at it.
It’s hard to pick favorites from the stories, but I though Russell had her imagination running on 11 in “Z.Z’s Sleep-Away Camp for Disordered Dreamers”; a story about (of course) a camp for insomniacs, sleep-talkers, bed-wetters, incubus visitees, and dream prophets. This story was such a good idea, millions of writers everywhere gave up writing forever and blew up their Macs. I also loved “From Children’s Reminisces of the Westward Migration,” in which a pioneer family on the wagon trial west also carries the burden of having their minotaur dad pull their own wagon. And my third favorite story of the ten was the title story, “St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves.” I loved the distorted way Russell dealt with the message “be yourself;” which is hard of course when you are spraying and biting and have no language in a human world.
Everyone on Earth should read this book. But I taper my review with a wee complaint; this collection does remind me a little too much of author Kelly Link. Who has been doing this brand of short story for-ev-er, and hasn’t probably made as many exciting and popular lists at Karen Russell. My hesitation also becomes more hesitant when I read that Karen Russell is a big fan of Kelly Link’s. Maybe too big of a fan, if you know what I mean? I also think everyone on Earth should pick up Link’s fabulous book “Magic for Beginners”. It’s just as nice and it’s 100% her own style. BURN!
This collection of shorts stories blew my imagination up like a grand finale 4th of July firework show. Karen Russell has created a fabulously romantiThis collection of shorts stories blew my imagination up like a grand finale 4th of July firework show. Karen Russell has created a fabulously romantic vision of America; where there are special camps to help children with sleeping problems and choirs of boys that sing down avalanches and little girls possessed by ghost boyfriends. Every story got a rowdy standing ovation from me. Vague fables with even vaguer lessons create these eccentric fairy tales; and the whole thing is more enjoyable than having your favorite dessert with no one around to pick at it.
It’s hard to pick favorites from the stories, but I though Russell had her imagination running on 11 in “Z.Z’s Sleep-Away Camp for Disordered Dreamers”; a story about (of course) a camp for insomniacs, sleep-talkers, bed-wetters, incubus visitees, and dream prophets. This story was such a good idea, millions of writers everywhere gave up writing forever and blew up their Macs. I also loved “From Children’s Reminisces of the Westward Migration,” in which a pioneer family on the wagon trial west also carries the burden of having their minotaur dad pull their own wagon. And my third favorite story of the ten was the title story, “St. Lucy’s Home for Girls Raised by Wolves.” I loved the distorted way Russell dealt with the message “be yourself;” which is hard of course when you are spraying and biting and have no language in a human world.
Everyone on Earth should read this book. But I taper my review with a wee complaint; this collection does remind me a little too much of author Kelly Link. Who has been doing this brand of short story for-ev-er, and hasn’t probably made as many exciting and popular lists at Karen Russell. My hesitation also becomes more hesitant when I read that Karen Russell is a big fan of Kelly Link’s. Maybe too big of a fan, if you know what I mean? I also think everyone on Earth should pick up Link’s fabulous book “Magic for Beginners”. It’s just as nice and it’s 100% her own style. BURN!
There are 16 short stories in “While Mortals Sleep,” and I really loved all of them. I’m not afraid to climb on top of one of those old trick planes aThere are 16 short stories in “While Mortals Sleep,” and I really loved all of them. I’m not afraid to climb on top of one of those old trick planes and wave a banner from the sky: “I NO LONGER THINK KURT VONNEGUT IS JUST OKAY….HE IS WONDERFUL!”
In all wickedness, I had only read “Slaughterhouse-Five” as my Kurt Vonnegut read beforehand. He seems to be touted by most everyone, but is especially praised by post-students who thought their assigned school reading (and nothing else) was “far out”. So you can see, I’m not bitter. I actually was surprised to see how cohesive and magical these short stories were, far from overdoing a single point about this or that. And funny without being so aware of itself; just charming.
Each short story is unique in its content, not necessarily so in its tone, and I definitely had my favorites. I loved the story of a widow who picks up a well-versed pen pal in “Out, Brief Candle”, and the rival painters with different styles in “The Humbugs”. I loved and hated the human drama of a pregnant and widowed wife meeting her mother-in-law for the first time in “Ruth”, and sort of didn’t understand the nonsense of “The Man Without No Kiddleys”. Some with twists and some without, it did remind me a lot of some of Roald Dahl’s short story collections for adult readers. Which is a high compliment indeed, coming from a reader who is going to forcefully name all of her children “Roald.”
There is really no way you can dislike this story collection. Even if you were laid out on some operating table having something precious cut off, any one of these stories read aloud would bring a smile to your face.
“The Imperfectionists” sort of had the literary hype of a Britney Spears comeback concert, with The New York Times wigging out about it and Amazon put“The Imperfectionists” sort of had the literary hype of a Britney Spears comeback concert, with The New York Times wigging out about it and Amazon putting it on all of their lists. I’ll be honest, it sounded like yet another “Americans abroad” charmer fluff that would probably dull me into my grave. I was reluctant to start it, and die, to say the least. But at a measly 200-something pages, how could I not? New author, interconnected short stories, lots of praise, it had to happen.
The plot randomly tackles employees of the newspaper and their own story, while also throwing in the “italicized” narrative bits about the 50-year history of the paper. It’s a human-interest literary fiction that never gets too heavy, even with all of the affairs and deaths and occasional animal cruelty. It never sort of escapes a light tone with its cast of misfit characters, even bad suicide attempts are described vaguely funny and deserve a golf-clap. And overall, it’s not bad. Rachman’s style is enjoyable and descriptive in all the right places. But it’s still in “not bad” limbo for me. And limbo is lame.
I think the biggest problem in “The Imperfectionists” is that despite every character’s goofy little habits like nail-biting, they are inherently the same character. A little bit awkward and insecure, afraid of the same kinds of things, American, and etc. The bad things they do never reach a “woah” pitch, and all of their scandalous affairs are greeted with a “well, it’s alright”. The dialogue feels like it comes from the same person. I felt like Rachman was afraid to alienate his readers and make us feel unsympathetic for each character, so he didn’t push his characters out of this big mushy portrait of yawn.
This book was alright.I didn’t hate it, but it didn’t go anywhere groovy for me. I wasn’t like, I HAVE TO KEEP READING. Also, the acknowledgments are really long for some reason. I am cuing the exit music in my mind.
I just finished reading “The Book Thief” moments ago, so excuse me while I mop up my tears and wring out my shirt here. My tender little heart has jusI just finished reading “The Book Thief” moments ago, so excuse me while I mop up my tears and wring out my shirt here. My tender little heart has just burst into a showery storm of love confetti. That’s how good this book was. If you heard this book was about a German foster child living outside of Munich in WWII, and it was narrated by Death, you’d think it was a bummer. But oh my friends, this was no bummer, this was joie de vivre on every page.
“The Book Thief,” narrated humorously and beautifully by Death who (thankfully) does not characterize himself too much, is the first book I can seriously say the following about: this book will become required reading in school. It’s too elegant, too informative, and too historically complex to ignore. When I start a book I know will involve war, especially WWII, I can’t help but feel like it’s a great way to make people cry without a lot of effort. The idea of war is so horrible, you could probably make yourself cry just thinking on it on your lunch break. “The Book Thief” uses none such trickery; it’s a wonderful coming-of-age story with heartbreak taken in stride. Nothing is really sad enough to bawl over until the end, when everything comes together in a cry-attack crescendo. It is perfect.
How could anyone improve this book? IT’S NOT POSSIBLE. The characters are done so beautifully. The book thief Liesel, Rudy, Max, Hans, Rosa, and the narrator. It could have been a book about sewing buttons on with this cast, and I would have devoured the whole thing. I loved the way the author used German to teach us (the readers) and paint his work.
For all kinds of readers and yes, even my mom, I recommend this book. It is so fun to read, and yet leaves with that wonderful hrm feeling. It also probably leaves you crying at the office during break. Guilty!
We would all be here for years if I went through a seven-book series in detail. You would be crying, I would be crying, my fingers would be crying…it We would all be here for years if I went through a seven-book series in detail. You would be crying, I would be crying, my fingers would be crying…it would be a lot of work. So let’s be honest like a judge: are the “Chronicles of Narnia” worth picking up at this late date? Even if you’ve been putting them off for 65 years, or maybe you’ve only seen the movie? The short answer is yes, the long answer is yes-yes.
Both Tolkein and C.S. Lewis have set a high bar for fantasy worlds in literature; so it’s a very un-surprise to find out these Brits were writing in the same literary circle, at the same time. You can just imagine them chuckling over mini glasses of sherry as they discussed fashionable warrior leg wear. In a similar but not as crazy-detailed way, C.S. Lewis creates a thorough vision of Narnia in his series; but the kind that kids won’t be scarred from. It’s truly a beautiful landscape of ocean, forests, deserts, and kingdoms; each book has its own unique setting, and occasionally, a new cast of characters. It’s not a hard series to follow for a younger audience, but it is enjoyable and appropriate for an older one, even a wrinkly old prune like myself.
Pulling from everywhere from Celtic literature to Greek mythology and most controversially the Bible, the series is also a handful for people who like to debate the p’s and q’s of Narnia. The series is like a Black Eyed Peas album; it pulls from everywhere and doesn’t slow down to include footnotes. If you really took the time to read the series and Google the mythologies, I’m sure your experience would be a time consuming but worthy one. But for the casual readers, the story is compelling, the characters are complex, and the landscape is “purdy”.
As far as the films, I still enjoy the old BBC “The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardobe” with its corny animated monster attacks, and all its fabulous nonsense. I am looking forward to the “new” film version of “A Horse and His Boy”, which was my favorite book in the series by far, and will probably make an adorable movie.
When I was a kid, I was like a trash disposal of reading. I went through books so fast they ignited. In spite of the fire hazard, most of my relativesWhen I was a kid, I was like a trash disposal of reading. I went through books so fast they ignited. In spite of the fire hazard, most of my relatives would just buy me nice editions of classics for Christmas. When I was eleven, I received the complete works of Charles Dickens from an uncle. I don’t know if he expected me to read it or use it as a footstool; Dickens isn’t a joke for a pre-pubescent. But of all the novels I tried to read in that book, I fully devoured and loved “A Christmas Carol”. It was short, thrilling, and best of all, had ghosts.
There is something special about “A Christmas Carol”, even through its many movie reincarnations. (“A Muppet Christmas Carol” still reigns supreme!) It’s a redemption story with time travelling and spirits a fabulously happy ending. I think the inclusion of some scary bits, namely ghosts, gives us all a little something to think about when we turn on our nightlights. I heard that part of Dickens inspiration (other than to make “Scrooge” an adjective) was to draw attention to the plight of the cities’ poor, especially in Victorian London. And never was there a more wretched crutch than that of Tiny Tim when Scrooge is visited by the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.
“A Christmas Carol” is more than just heartwarming, it’s heart-incinerating. But it is also historically important, as it reinforces Christmas traditions being made and remembered in Victorian times. It creates a myth of charity, goodwill, and family that we enjoy today. And also, we can rest assured that anyone who hates holidays and gift giving will be visited by three horrific ghosts. Hooray!
We at EZRead.com believe in just the facts, ma’am. As such, there are few things about The Last Song that may surprise you. As Sparks’ longest book evWe at EZRead.com believe in just the facts, ma’am. As such, there are few things about The Last Song that may surprise you. As Sparks’ longest book ever, it was written after the screenplay for recent film. Miley Cyrus was a big influence throughout both processes: we can thank her for the gender-bending “Ronnie” name for the heroine. But does this star-powered combo platter of movie/book deliver a good read? This renegade intern finds out.
There’s the old expression that a gun in the first act must go off by the third act. This book was like the biggest gun store I’ve ever seen. Any mention of anything, a hidden emotion, a need for a nap, a love of juggling, all turn out to be something massive by the end of the book. The Last Song is littered with clues to what is going to happen, like a backyard full of obvious Easter eggs. It can make wading through the nearly 400 page novel a little wearisome, when all the answers are poking us in the face and the characters are so unaware.
For the notorious Sparks, this book also was a little toned down on the “boom chicka bow bow”. It’s more of a coming of age story, and completely “SFW”. The religious content, family drama, and “growing up” takes precedence over the hot and heavy stuff, which is fine—it just depends on what you like. And like a horror movie trying to make you pee yourself, Sparks’ lifelong quest is to make women cry while reading his books. Now, I’m about as heartless as they come and did not cry, but I could see by the end of the book why Sparks does a good job of ruining eye makeup everywhere.
If you enjoy Sparks’ books in the past, I’m sure this will not disappoint you. If you’re not in the mood for it, it might be the equivalent of putting cat litter in your eyeballs. It’s a Sparks book at heart.
My side PS to anyone who has read the book is about fireballs. What the heck was all that about? The introduction of any villain did not have to be preceded by this weird, X-Men fireball dance. We could feel the tension without “show” fireballs being thrown into our face. Also, Sparks doesn’t seem to realize that all mascara is dark mascara. It comes in black or brown, baby!
For U.S readers who don’t know, Haruki Murakami is huge in Japan. He’s the Elvis of the literary world, with colossal classics such as Norwegian Wood For U.S readers who don’t know, Haruki Murakami is huge in Japan. He’s the Elvis of the literary world, with colossal classics such as Norwegian Wood and The Wind-Up Bird Chronicle. Compared to Murakami, commercial authors in America are a bunch of punk kids trying to make a name for themselves. But can his work cross language and cultural barriers to work with an American audience? We at ezread.com like to think so.
Murakami’s trademark style does not stray in Kafka on the Shore. It’s a surreal coming of age story that is part fairy tale, but not in a cute way. His style takes real human emotions and drama, but tweaks the rules of reality. Once you’ve read one Murakami, you stop being bothered by details. If a cat wants to talk, it wants to talk. If there’s another dimension, it’s all good. Colonel Sanders and Johnny Walker there in the flesh? Yep.
At the heart of it, Kafka on the Shore is a coming of age story about Tamura Kafka, a young man running from a truly creepy curse. While he’s stuck between some hefty dreaming and reality, he is also growing up in a very real way. It’s like Alice in Wonderland, except not funny, and with murder. It would be a joke to say the book is “thought provoking”, it does require readers to constantly wear their thinking caps. The book is emotional and moving, but this ain’t no chick flick.
If you’re looking for tidy endings and a sensible plot line, I recommend some high-quality Sherlock Holmes. This book is dreamy, misleading, and richly imaginative to a fault. It’s also a little messed up. But above all, it’s moving, fascinating and totally addictive.
This book series has been haunting the bestseller list like a stubborn ghost forever. I’d heard legend of it being an incredible Swedish thriller, andThis book series has been haunting the bestseller list like a stubborn ghost forever. I’d heard legend of it being an incredible Swedish thriller, and thought to myself: hey, I like Ikea. I like ligonberries. Why not? But did this girl with her dragon tattoo win me over to complete the rest of the three-book series? Let’s just say someone made an eBook purchase this very morning…
Blomkvist and Salander, our two mains, are here to solve mysteries. All of the mysteries. There are mysteries on top of mysteries, like layers of a confusing flavored cake. But somehow, all of these layers end up working together. Between family secrets and business intrigue, it all fits without being overwhelming. The business drama with CEOs, stock markets, and mysterious factories was well crafted and detailed enough to make me feel….smart, even. It wasn’t just James Bond villain’s trying to control all the diamonds in the world, this book had a well-crafted, intelligent feel.
Salander is the real star of the book, despite the fact she pops in and out of the storyline. She is a sociopathic genius in a Swedish world of greedy business men and perverts. She loves revenge, has a mysterious past, and is probably the most “fictional” feeling thing in the story (and of course the most interesting). And if I’m correct, she seems to dress like a European raver. What’s not to love? She saves the men she loves and does unmentionable things to the men she doesn’t…It’s for her, and not for somewhat geeky Blomkvist, I’m rooting for in the second book.
The plot is paced nicely, not too fast so as to be confusing. However, I felt like the very end wasn’t wrapped up quickly enough; mystery solved, everyone happy, move on people! The tone of the mystery and the issues this book deals with definitely won’t make a good Scooby Doo episode; the subject of women abuse is particularly disturbing in some parts. I certainly won’t be lending it to my mom as the “feel good” book of the year. Overall, this book was intense, intelligent, and totally addictive.
“The Oort Perimeter” is an action-oriented science fiction more along the lines of “Top Gun” than “Dune”. Set almost entirely in fighting space crafts“The Oort Perimeter” is an action-oriented science fiction more along the lines of “Top Gun” than “Dune”. Set almost entirely in fighting space crafts, this book sets in motion a series of galactic politics, espionage, and warfare with Earth and Earthfleet at the center of it all. Can this intern whose sci-fi reading repertoire does not extend past “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” enjoy an action saga set in deep space? Can my love for books with furry animals and kissy love stories finally be quelled?
This book, being the first in the series, really is like the opening act of a play. The main characters are all introduced, the scene is set, and readers are readying their heater blankets for the rest of the series. I think it was ballsy of Lake to introduce so many main characters in his debut. This gives the reader their first clue that the series is going to be “War and Peace” epic. While the majority of mains are humans, we still have some interesting side alien/A.I. characters. A personal favorite was the A.I. Sarah, and naturally I liked her for all the wrong gushy reasons. Aside from the fact she’s the only lead female, she is also the only key we have into a developing love story. I can’t help myself!
But back to the action. I’m no expert in space warfare and I’ve never been in the military, but I liked the way Lake did not water down his action scenes by explaining every little technical detail. The fighting scenes were crisp and follow-able, and since there were a good plenty of them, I enjoyed them. The action was added expertly between all the set-up exposition that had to take place to get the reader on-par with this world. And oh, what a world. With nine races, a majority of them unattractive aliens, the book seems to set up a big space war between everyone. I think I’m on the attractive humans/aliens’ side. Sorry, creepy reptilian aliens!
This will be a book much enjoyed by people who like the sci-fi genre. Since there is a promise of six more, readers really will be getting “more cluck for their buck” as my dad would say. I’m just crossing my fingers for some tender A.I. lovin’ later on.
As pulpy and fictiony as pulp fiction can be, “Dead Men Kill” has everything. Femme fatale? Check. Hard-boiled, lucky, and crazy hunky lead detective?As pulpy and fictiony as pulp fiction can be, “Dead Men Kill” has everything. Femme fatale? Check. Hard-boiled, lucky, and crazy hunky lead detective? Check. Billions of flying bullets? Also check. It’s a throw-back to a time when all conversations came in one-liners, and night clubs were full of disguised henchmen. Was it just me or did the leader of the nightclub band shoot at the detective? The thing that really sets “Dead Men Kill” apart from other mystery/noir adventures is zombies. Yes, there isn’t anything the EZ Read team won’t do for a good zombie read.
Detective-sergeant Terry Lane is part James Bond, part superhero, and all man. While the rest of the police department appears to be having deep tissue massages and tea parties back at the station, Lane is out searching for zombie killers. Indeed, rich men are being killed by what appears to be the walking dead: former employees that appear conveniently after an extortion attempt. And no, this isn’t Scooby Doo, there are fingerprints and everything. Without giving away any of the plot, let’s just say I haven’t caskets get this much action since…ever.
Fast-paced and fun, “Dead Men Kill” will satisfy readers who love the noir genre and want a quick read with tons of quotable lines. Pretty much every time Terry Lane punches the cold clammy flesh of a zombie, it’s worth sharing. And at 80-something pages, it keeps a consistently action-packed pace that reminded me of old “Batman” cartoons, or old timey radio mysteries. True to the genre and first published in 1934, it is exactly how a noir should be: quick, exciting, and unsentimental.
Even readers who never have worn a cloak and spoken in a fake British accent while wearing elf-ears can appreciate a good fantasy. Robin McKinley turnEven readers who never have worn a cloak and spoken in a fake British accent while wearing elf-ears can appreciate a good fantasy. Robin McKinley turns fairy tales into plain old good literature, versus a spin-off of a spin-off of spin-off. She creates something I like to call “cozy” fantasy, which has a double-shot of beautiful forest and a triple spritz of great female leads. Completely aside from my love of her previous “The Rose Daughter” and my perspective on fantasy, can this EZ Read intern find a great read in “Deerskin”, a fantasy classic?
Lissar, our princess lead, is anything but a doe-eyed ninny. Her life is overshadowed by the king and queen’s own dramas; it unfortunately happens that her mother is The Most Beautiful Woman in the Whole World. This makes Lissar The Most Ignored Daughter In All of History. Her only true companion is her dog Ash, presented to her after her mother’s passing. It’s after the queen’s death that the drama unfolds, drama which will not be spoiler-alerted here. The king goes crazy, to say the least, giving Lissar no other option but to flee into the forest with Ash.
I think what makes “Deerskin” feel a little different is darker issues it deals with in the story. It’s more of an original Grimm and less of a cute Disney remake. Another thing that makes this different is the close bond Ash and Lissar have, this really feels like a book with two main characters. The focus is less on the tale, and more on their relationship growing and changing. The book has a lot more to do with dogs than you might realize; the dogs are like…the Sam to Lissar’s Frodo. Hope I didn’t lose anyone there with my crazy fantasy reference.
Conclusion? “Deerskin” is a great addition to McKinley’s already fabulous collection of fantasy. Lissar is a lovable lead, the imagery is beautiful and fairy tale rooted, and the story’s more romantic elements are perfectly played. However, it hasn’t toppled “The Rose Daughter” off its throne yet. That book is still the greatest!
Published in 1936 in “All Western” magazine, there is nothing more classically “western” in “The Baron of Coyote River”. Rooted in the great traditionPublished in 1936 in “All Western” magazine, there is nothing more classically “western” in “The Baron of Coyote River”. Rooted in the great tradition of stinky desperados in bandanas, horses on the verge of collapsing, and saloons filled with angry customers, “The Baron of Coyote River” is a fast-paced read that can appeal to the jerky eaters in all of us. It’s set in that great all-American setting: a desert filled with mysterious strangers who probably want to kill you. I can practically hear the Star Spangled Banner playing in the background.
Lance Gordon, our hero, is somewhere between a good guy and a bad guy, and all vigilante. He did technically kill a man, but it was a fair duel with the man who killed his father. There should be a course in Wild West Morality. When gunslinger and cattle man Tyler aids Lance in his escape, the cockeyed plan to take down the Baron emerges. Tyler is perhaps one of the best unintentionally funny cowboys of all time. After having his herd stolen and re-branded by the Baron, he laments endlessly throughout the book for his “pore cows”. Joking or not, this man needs his cows back before his heart explodes.
In a world littered with slick pretty-boy vampires, it’s high time we bring back the stinky, unshaven cowboys. The kind of men who will lovingly heat up some beans for you, shoot any rival on sight, and sling you over their horse. “The Baron of Coyote River” is the kind of read that takes you to stampedes and sleeping under the stars. And at about 60 pages long, it’s a quick commitment with lots of surprises. Edward, take notes.
I don’t want to give a shred of information away about “The Girl Who Played With Fire,” or all of your “OH SWEET LORD” moments will be ruined. And theI don’t want to give a shred of information away about “The Girl Who Played With Fire,” or all of your “OH SWEET LORD” moments will be ruined. And there are plenty of those moments to be had. “The Girl Who Played With Fire” comes highly recommended, even more so than “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” and I’m about to prove, scientifically of course, how that’s possible.
All of my minor, nitpicky complaints about “Dragon Tattoo” somehow vanish in “Fire”, as if Larsson was able to cross over from the other side, go back in time, and take all of my advice. Firstly, Salander was inherently the most interesting character in “Tattoo”, but I felt like we didn’t get enough of her. “Fire” solves this by making her the central character. Also, the end of “Tattoo” felt incredibly long and dragged out considering all the problems were totally resolved 100 pages before the end. “Fire” ends perfectly, right after the action when you already KNOW everything will be worked out. Now, I’m not saying both books don’t have their fair share of long sandwich making scenes, or lengthy random bits, but my god, “The Girl who Played with Fire” is INTENSE.
Perfectly timed, tons of twists, and lots of satisfaction. Salander is the kind of character I wish there were more of: a sociopathic genius with a flair for revenge. Having an intelligent female lead who is actually able to defend herself is so rare, but Larsson doesn’t pat himself on the back for his service to the female image. Salander just is. After reading the book, I suddenly have the desire to punch creepy men on subways and start bench pressing. Is it wrong?
If you’ve already gotten through “Tattoo”, don’t hesitate to start “The Girl Who Played With Fire” because it’s a massively dense book. IT IS AWESOME.
I’m not going to ruin any surprises for you when I say that “Snodgrass” is code for “Disneyworld” in this spot-on parody of the aforementioned theme pI’m not going to ruin any surprises for you when I say that “Snodgrass” is code for “Disneyworld” in this spot-on parody of the aforementioned theme park. Aside from the names, I have a feeling most readers will recognize the rides, personalities, and other attractions that fill “Snodgrass.” Conifer isn’t trying to create a far-reaching metaphor here. This book is part observational parody, and part bumbling adventure. David Jevik and Vinnie Zandanels are likeable, but no James Bond, as they try to expose a man trying to get away with a fraudulent injury lawsuit. Can adventure, parody, and “Snodgrass” all come together in “Snodgrass Vacation”? The EZ Read Intern finds out.
Our main character David narrates the story where the Zandanels are truly the star in “Snodgrass Vacation”. Vinnie and his wife Nancy are perfect parodies of a theme park family; Nancy is a park-planning drill sergeant who knows exactly when to heartlessly ambush a line, and Vinnie is an all-American dad with a fondness for cold beers and thinly veiled sexist remarks. In some ways, David plays the sidekick as he narrates the story, like Watson to Sherlock Holmes. Vinnie and Nancy are well-developed and hilarious, while David and his wife Marcie are being taken for the ride. The families’ trip around the parks acts like a tour of everything wrong and (sometimes) right with the whole Snodgrass experience, and these parts of the stories expose all the personalities and parts of it.
The second layer of the story is Vinnie and David’s hunt for Van Morrison, but not the rock star. This swindler is attempting to sue a friend of Vinnie’s by faking a physical injury outside of a restaurant and suing. With the help of disgruntled Snodgrass employees, Vinnie and David attempt to catch the faker in the act of doing something physical. Of course, it doesn’t help that Vinnie and David have no idea what they’re doing. I will give nothing else away!
I personally have never been to Disneyworld (but have been to Disneyland), so there were times when I had to decipher what ride or park was being described. Some of the names are hilarious and obvious (like ‘Brutal Yet Fun and Lovable Buccaneers’), but some needed some solving. I think this book will have universal appeal to the theme park crowds, and the great characters and situations will get you thinking about the ridiculousness of theme parks, but it never strays into preachiness or meanness; just light hearted and funny all around.
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