Here's some of the books I've read for the challenge since the last time I posted and a few thoughts on some of them.
101.
By Blood Written by Steven Womack
102.
Howling Mad by Peter David
Bless the public library of Nashville. I've been curious about this early novel of David's for years but have never found it at a price I'm willing to pay. Well, imagine my delight when I was skimming through the library and found it. David is one of my favorite authors and to read this early work of his was intriguing. It's the story of what if a person become a werewolf, what if a wolf becomes a wereperson as it were. It's full of the usual trademark David touches and it's a fun, quick read. It's been optioned several times to become a movie, but so far it's not hit the silver screen. It might be a fun movie if it was done right.
103.
The Door Into Summer by Robert A. Heinlein
104.
Star Wars: Dark Nest, Book One: The Joiner King by Troy Denning
105.
Come Thirsty by Max Lucado
Another great book by Max Lucado. I always find his books to be interesting, thought provoking and powerful.
106.
Lady of Mazes by Karl Schroeder.
107.
Thud! A Novel of Discworld by Terry Pratchett
The latest Discworld novel starts of on a high note, satirizing the hoopla around The DaVinci Code. It' also deals with the rising tension between two sides over a historical battle that took place years before and what happens when it appears one side killed a member of the other. But for some reason, it lost momentum halfway through and never really recovered. A shame really as the first half was a marvellous, fun read.
108.
Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
A sequel of sorts to Gaiman's Hugo-award winning book,
American Gods. It's a more focused novel and it may be a better one. This one felt more Neil Gaiman like than
American Gods did. A great novel and definitely worth reading. You don't necessarily have to have read
AG to enjoy this one.
109.
24 Declassifed: Operation Hell Gate by Mark Cerasini
Media tie in novels are a tricky beast. You can make them just like the TV show or movie on which their based, thus ensuring huge mass-market appeal or you can maybe explore some of the nuances within the show or fill in gaps, this making them a bit more appealing to the hard-core fan base. When I heard about a series of books based on 24, I thought there was tremendous potential for some intersting stories--such as what led Palmer to run for office or maybe exploring the relationship of Jack and Terry before we meet them in season one. Instead, we get a prequel day to season one in which Jack and CTU must save the U.S. There are familiar characters there but it gets frustrating since we know where certain stories are going--such as including Nina. I kept waiting for maybe some hints of her season one betrayal and got none of it. And the hook of each chapter being one hour doesn't translate as well from the TV show where each episode is one hour of the day. There could have been so much more to this book than it was.
110.
Searching for God Know What by Donald Miller
There are certain books that reading them, I find myself wondering what it'd be like to hear the author read the book or story in his or her own words. Garrison Keillor is one of these authors as is Philip Gulley and Robert Whitlow for me. Reading
Searching for God Knows What, I found msyelf wishing I could hear Donald Miller read the chapters that make up his book instead of just reading them. This book is a conversational style book about Miller's Christian walk and what it means to be a Christian overall. If you're looking for a book that is hugely cross-refernces in scriptures, you should look elsewhere. If you're looking for a book about a man on his journey and sharing reflections on it, look no further. The style of writing is very conversational. I felt as if I were sitting somewhere with Miller, having a drink and talking about various aspects of being a Christian. Miller gets into what it really fundamentally means to be a Christian and does it in a frank way. It's one of those that as you read it, you find yourself thinking--why didn't I think of it that way before? A great book and it's encouraged me to seek out and find his other books.
111.
Storm Front by Jim Butcher
112.
Unlikely Angel by Ashley Smith
113.
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
posted by Michael Hickerson at 11/21/2005 10:27:00 AM |
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