The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan

The Shadow Rising by Robert Jordan


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The good: The story is building and getting deeper. It is easy to get drawn into the story and I am looking forward to more.

The bad: It is starting to get pretty spread out. Rather than one story line, this book carries three different story line, and in any other world would be 3 separate books. It is just plain hard to keep it all straight, and I know it will get worse.

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The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan

The Dragon Reborn by Robert Jordan


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I made it through the 3rd book, which is an accomplishment. For anyone who decides to read this series, let me just give you a hint on keeping up with the story/characters: it is all about speed. This plot gets deep really quick and then keeps going. You have to dedicate the time to it so that you can read it quickly, which at times seems to be real-time (it takes as long to read the scene as would to act it out.)

Aside from that, this is another excellent installment in this classic epic fantasy. As Rand meets the Aiel, it is almost like there was a planned plot that got rail-roaded by a completely separate series. Two completely different cultures collide, and it will be fun to see them continue to interact in later books.

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The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan

The Great Hunt by Robert Jordan


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
So now that the series is under way, I am really enjoying re-reading these books. It is interesting though, that about half of the events I remember from my first reading (over 10 years ago) have already happened. That either speaks to how great these first two books are, or how bad the next 6 are... I'm going to stick with the first two being awesome.I like gradual building that is happening through out the series. You can see that events are tied together, and it makes the anticipation of the resolution that much greater. I also like that the "final battle" of the book doesn't go on and on. A couple of pages does the trick if you ask me.

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The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This series was one of my favorites, but I set it aside for the last 10 years, hoping for it to come to a conclusion. Well we are still a few years away from the final book, but I thought I would start it again anyway. It really is an epic story, with all of the depth that goes with a world-building fantasy plot. I know that the series has trouble in the middle, and I am already dreading some of those parts, but for today, this book is just what I remembered it being. Immersive and addictive.

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A quick note...

I just wanted to highlight something amazing. 7 of the 14 books I have read this year were read on my Tmobile G1 cell phone. I never thought that reading on a cell phone would work. Screen size, formatting, availability, etc. But in the end this has become an awesome way to go! I have been limited in what books are available, and that has obviously affected my reading choices, but I have been traveling a lot this year for work and my phone has been a lifesaver.

I just wanted to share that tidbit. Carry on...

The Magic of Oz by L. Frank Baum

The Magic of Oz by L. Frank Baum


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
Ok, so I wouldn't have read this book except it was on my phone. It wasn't bad for what it was, but I'm the first to admit that my main reason for reading Oz books is nostalgia. The stories are mediocre for this century. Still, not bad for what it was.

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Breaking Dawn by Stephanie Meyer

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer



So this was the best book in the series. I had to give it four stars, just like a famous actor with a huge career, but no awards, has to get that life-time award to validate all those years of effort. The sum is greater than the parts. And so it is here. This series definitely pulled me in and took me on the ride. It made me angry when the characters were stupid, it made me laugh when the characters were happy, and I was intrigued by the setting and plot combinations that kept coming up. In the end, Bella's skills tied back to scenes in the first book, and I like that. It just pulls the whole thing together.

Weaknesses? Yes. For the first few chapters I was worried that Bella was going to get crazy with Jacob again. Then I didn't really want to read 15 chapters (or whatever) about a strange pregnancy. And Reneesme is the dumbest name I have ever heard, and I have read a lot of fantasy books, which means that the list of dumb names I have heard is pretty long. I will say that I like how Meyers tied up the issue with Jacob. It is just a complete ending to the Jacob/Edward thing--I can't believe that some people think that a Jacob storyline would have worked after reading this one.

Back to weaknesses, probably my least favorite thing about the book is the ending. It is way too abrupt, and there are still lots of questions in my mind. I say throw in an Epilogue that jumps ahead 10 or 15 years, and show us Reneesme grown up and really accepted by the Volturi. Show us that the Volturi aren't planning to descend on the Cullens in the future for revenge for losing face. Lets see Charlie in a decade and prove that he isn't going to end up in a mental hospital, or bitten by a relative. I'm not asking much. I just want to know how the story ends.

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Eclipse by Stephanie Meyers

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
So this one just made me angry. Why? Let me expound:

1. Bella is an idiot. She knows that she has to end up with Edward, but can't stand up to Jacob and deliver the bad news. Come on.
2. The book was actually going great. Better than New Moon at least. New details about the vampire world, old enemies coming back as new threats, even the romance stuff seemed a little better done. We were solidly in the 3 star range, maybe even something better if the fight at the end was going to be good. And then she jumped on Jacob. How stupid was that? Lost two stars from that in my book. We only barely made it back to two stars because of an awesome missile in the form of a vampire's arm in the final battle. (Trying not to create a spoiler) That was a great touch.

Can't they just fight vampires? Do they have to cheat on true soul-mates every other chapter too? I mean come on. Get real.

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New Moon by Stephanie Meyer

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
New Moon barely scrapes by in the 3 stars category, and most of that because of the last few chapters where things get dicey with the Volturi. Why am I being so hard on this one? Simply put: I don't believe it.

I don't believe that Bella or Edward would have acted the way they did in this book. The characterization I praised in the last book was insulted by almost every action taken by those two in this book.

I know I have to back that up, so here are my examples:
1. Bella from book 1 would never have gone dare-devil. She was fainting at the thought of blood in the first book, and now she is out being crazy. And I don't buy the idea that the emotional distress made her change that fast. That is the kind of change we want to see in a character as they grow, but if you look at who Bella really was I think that this is a 180 degree change.

2. Edward is unbelievable. Maybe his character is a little more consistent, but I can't fathom his logic in leaving. I know it works on paper, but when the actors get off of the page to make it happen, it just seems totally wrong. Love someone so much you let them go? That is a story for young kids and wildlife (Old Yeller, Charlottes Web, Gentle Ben, Black Beauty, Fox in the Hound, etc.) Here we have two people so besotted with each other that they are in pain just being apart for a few hours. They spend days and nights together. I don't see either of them overcoming that emotional tie and walking away. Yeah, I know that apparently Edward is that guy, but I don't buy it. So the whole premise of the book is crazy.

So maybe my logic isn't rock solid, but I have at least much ground to stand on as New Moon did. Oh, and I might as well give my opinion on Jacob. Not that it matters. I feel for the guy. He is hosed. However, given the situation, nothing he does will help the rest of the saga. Besides saving Bella over and over, of course. Nothing good comes from infidelity, and I hate to say it, but that is what Bella did. Either she should have shelved Edward for good before getting involved, or she should have kept her distance. This being involved with two people at once is cheating. Literally.

So much for being brief. Also, so much for being objective. This book had its pros and cons, but as you can see, I'm knee-deep in the plot, so until we get this story straightened out, the other issues go on the back burner.

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Twilight by Stephanie Myer

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer



I originally put Twilight on my list to appease my wife, who is an avid Stephanie Myer fan. She drove 10 hrs just to see her after Twilight came out. Anyway, after several years of suggestions, prodding and occasional threats she finally found a way to get me into it. She knows that if I get into a book I am lost until it is over, so she just had to set the hook. What did she do? She read them aloud to me. Did it work? Yes it did.

So my thoughts:

My reasons for NOT reading these were well-founded. About 2/3 of this book could be cut out and summed up in one sentence. They love each other. Easy. Now I know that those many pages of saying the same thing in multiple ways appeals to much of her audience, but I was bored by it. What can I do?

Enough of the cons, now for the pros.
This is a bestseller for good reason. Myer's characterization is awesome, which I am guessing is typical of the romance genre, something I have no experience in. And the creative approach to mythic creatures really pulled me in, as I found completely new ways to think about old ideas.

While this book just can't compete with my fantasy favorites, I can say that I enjoyed it, and am thoroughly sucked into the plot, however sentimental it may be. I will be reading the whole series in short order, so check back in a day or two for my next review.

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Shards of a Broken Crown by Raymond E. Feist

Shards of a Broken Crown by Raymond E. Feist


For some reason it took me forever to get to this book. I will be honest: this wasn't the best book in the series. It served its necessary function of wrapping up the series, and had a lot of good aspects as it successfully developed many different characters, some old, some new. My main criticism is the ending. I don't want to write a spoiler here, but lets just say that the ending was a huge let down. Did the good guys win? Of course. It is just how it came about that is disappointing. After Feists past successes, this was just mediocre in my eyes.


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Nineteen Eighty-four by George Orwell

Nineteen Eighty-four by George Orwell

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
Somehow I missed whatever high school English class required this book, and since it was available on my phone, I began reading it. Wow. It was more intense than I suspected. I think what makes this book a classic, and what will keep it in classrooms for years to come, is that it inevitably prompts a discussion as to what your thoughts, beliefs and political views are.



So why only give it 3 stars? Yes, it starts a discussion, but as with so many things in life, that valuable discussion is left free to wander aimlessly without purpose. Our country could use some original politcal thought right now, not more random, aimless rhetoric by those hungry for more power. This book ultimately fails because it leads to discussion, yes, but resolution, no.



In the end the characters are defeated, their humanity stripped from them; they are, in a word, helpless. And yet this book leaves us in that same state. Angry, maybe. Talking, most likely. Empowered, or at least prone to some sort of action? No.


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Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

Rich Dad, Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki

My review

rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a MUST READ. It is simply written from one man's experience, but just like you can constantly learn new things about an old friend year after year, revisiting this book will continue to teach you from his experiences time after time. If you haven't read this, GET IT NOW. IF you have read it, move on to the next book, Cashflow Quadrant. If you ever want to play Cashflow, email me, and I am there.






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To Green Angel Tower, Part 2 by Tad Williams

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Vol 3: To Green Angel Tower, Part 1 by Tad Williams

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
So I wrapped up this series. Finally. Not that it took an inordinate amount of time, but I just had to rush to the end. Unlike some other series I've read lately, I think that the last book is by far the best. Everything that has built up over the last three books winds tighter and tighter until it comes together in a great finale. I am glad I went back to this series, and have planned a few more re-reads because of it.




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To Green Angel Tower, Part 1 by Tad Williams

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Vol 3: To Green Angel Tower, Part 1 by Tad Williams

My review

rating: 4 of 5 stars
Since this is only part 1 of the last book, I am diving right into the last installment. I'll let you know when I come up for air.


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Stone of Farewell by Tad Williams

Memory, Sorrow and Thorn, Vol 2: Stone of Farewell by Tad Williams

My review

rating: 3 of 5 stars
This is part of a great series that I am happily revisting after many years. It was one of those books that years after I read it, I could remember bits and pieces of the story, but didn't remember which book they came from. Reading it again I am running into those bits and pieces that are fondly familiary. It is like running into a friend that you haven't seen in years, and you instantly rediscover all of your common interests, so you walk away wondering why you didn't keep in touch.



Unfortunately, I did notice that this book seems to get bogged down at times. To put it simply, Williams sometimes takes 10 words/paragraphs/pages to accomplish what could have been done in 2 words/paragraphs/pages. Still, it is just below the four-star level, and I am looking forward to the book 3... ok, book 3, volume 1. (Williams went yard with the third book.)


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2008 Booklist

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And here is my list for 2008. I actually made time to jot down some notes on each of them. I made a goal to read 52 books (150 pg+/ea) and I made it. By one book. Not bad considering everything else I had to do that year.

#	Book	Author	Date Completed
53	Sabriel	Garth Nix	30 December
52	Leadership and Self Deception: Getting Out of the Box	Arbinger Institute	18 December
51	Leading with the Heart: Coach K's Successful Strategies for Basketball, Business, and Life	Mike Krzyzewski and Donald T. Phillips	18 November
50	The Tale of Despereaux	Kate DiCamillo	17 November
49	Ralph S. Mouse	Beverly Cleary	15 November
48	Storyteller	Edward Myers	31 October
47	Beezus and Ramona	Beverly Cleary	29 October
46	The Candy Shop War	Brandon Mull	26 October
45	Home on the Prairie: Stories from Lake Wobegon	Garrison Keillor	23 October
44	Superior Saturday	Garth Nix	18 October
43	Birnbaum's Walt Disney World For Kids By Kids	Wendy Lefkon	15 October
42	I Am America (And So Can You!)	Stephen Colbert	13 October
41	Rage of a Demon King	Raymond E. Feist	6 October
40	Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle	Betty MacDonald	27 September
39	Rise of a Merchant Prince	Raymond E. Feist	25 September
38	Lady Friday	Garth Nix	12 September
37	Shadow of a Dark Queen	Raymond E. Feist	5 September
36	Should I Do What I Love?: Or Do What I Do - So I Can Do What I Love on the Side?	Katy McColl	26 August
35	Sir Thursday	Garth Nix	23 August
34	Drowned Wednesday	Garth Nix	21 August
33	Grim Tuesday	Garth Nix	17 August
32	Half Magic	Edward Eager	5 August
31	Mister Monday	Garth Nix	2 August
30	Prince of the Blood	Raymond E. Feist	27 July
29	The King's Buccaneer	Raymond E. Feist	11 July
28	The Book of Lies	James Moloney	2 July
27	Fablehaven: The Grip of the Shadow Plague	Brandon Mull	27 June
26	A Darkness at Sethanon	Raymond E. Feist	21 June
25	The Starstone	Grace Chetwin	5 June
24	Gregor and the Code of Claw	Suzanne Collins	31 May
23	Jason's Seven Magical Night Rides	Grace Chetwin	28 May
22	Silverthorn	Raymond E. Feist	26 May
21	The Crystal Stair	Grace Chetwin	7 May
20	The Riddle and the Rune	Grace Chetwin	5 May
19	Magician: Master	Raymond E. Feist	30 April
18	Magician: Apprentice	Raymond E. Feist	26 April
17	Charlie Bone and The Beast	Jenny Nimmo	20 April
16	The Great Brain	John D. Fitzgerald	9 April
15	Gom on Windy Mountain	Grace Chetwin	2 April
14	Charlie Bone and the Hidden King	Jenny Nimmo	28 March
13	Charlie Bone and the Castle of Mirrors	Jenny Nimmo	26 March
12	How to Make Big Money In Your Own Small Business	Jeffrey J. Fox	24 March
11	Charlie Bone and the Invisible Boy	Jenny Nimmo	21 March
10	Charlie Bone and the Time Twister	Jenny Nimmo	20 March
9	The Hobbit	J.R.R. Tolkien	17 March
8	Midnight for Charlie Bone	Jenny Nimmo	9 March
7	The Bartimaeus Trilogy Bk 3: Ptolemy's Gate	Jonathan Stroud	1 March
6	The Goal: A Process of Ongoing Improvement	Eliyahu M. Goldratt	19 February
5	The Bartimaeus Trilogy Bk 2: The Golem's Eye	Jonathan Stroud	6 February
4	The Bartimaeus Trilogy Bk 1: The Amulet of Samarkand	Jonathan Stroud	25 January
3	Gregor and the Marks of Secret	Suzanne Collins	20 January
2	Gregor and the Curse of the Warmbloods	Suzanne Collins	18 January
1	Gregor and the Prophecy of Bane	Suzanne Collins	13 January

2007 Booklist

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Several years ago I started making a list of all of the books I read, and it turned out to be something I have really enjoyed. I wanted to re-post my older lists because they were scattered, and for me at least, are fun to look back at. These are the books I read in 2007.

#	Book	Author	Date Completed
1	Magyk	Angie Sage	January
2	Flyte	Angie Sage	January
3	Wizards First Rule	Terry Goodkind	January
4	Sometimes the Magic Works	Terry Brooks	February
5	The Miserable Mill	Lemony Snicket	February
6	The Austere Academy	Lemony Snicket	February
7	The Stone of Tears	Terry Goodkind	March
8	The Indian in the Cupboard	Lynne Reid Banks	March
9	The Ersatz Elevator	Lemony Snicket	March
10	The Blood of the Fold	Terry Goodkind	April
11	The Temple of the Winds	Terry Goodkind	April
12	The Vile Village	Lemony Snicket	April
13	The Hostile Hospital	Lemony Snicket	May
14	The Carnivorous Carnival	Lemony Snicket	May
15	Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone	JK Rowling	May
16	Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets	JK Rowling	June
17	Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban	JK Rowling	June
18	The Slippery Slope	Lemony Snicket	June
19	The Grim Grotto	Lemony Snicket	June
20	Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire	JK Rowling	July
21	Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix	JK Rowling	July
22	Harry Potter and the Half-Blooded Prince	JK Rowling	July
23	Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows	JK Rowling	22 July
24	Fablehaven	Brandon Mull	July
25	Fablehaven: Rise of the Evening Star	Brandon Mull	July
26	The Penultimate Peril	Lemony Snicket	July
27	The End	Lemony Snicket	20 July
28	The Book of Story Beginnings	Kristin Kladstrup	2 August
29	Artemis Fowl	Eoin Colfer	28 August
30	Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident	Eoin Colfer	31 August
31	The Edge Chronicles: Beyond the Deepwoods	Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell	15 September
32	Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code	Eoin Colfer	30 September
33	The One Minute Manager	Kenneth Blanchard and Spencer Johnson	30 November
34	Gregor the Overlander	Suzanne Collins	15 December
35	How to Be a Great Boss	Jeffrey J. Fox	17 December

Sabriel by Garth Nix

Completed: 12/30/08
Rating: 4.2

So I have had a lot going on and finally decided to throw responsibility out the window during the Christmas vacation and read a book for fun. And of all the books I could have read, I was lucky to pick up Sabriel. And how did I pick this one? Well, for one I have enjoyed the Keys to the Kingdom series also written by Nix, so I was looking for some of his other work. Second, I wanted something different, but solidly in the fantasy genre.

This book had me from chapter one. Even though it has magic in it, the context is narrowed from the classic good vs. evil to living vs. non-living. The action is intense, and not once did I feel like the story had slowed. The characters seemed apropriate for the story although there are one or two passages that classify this one for the 16-and-up crowd. I give this a high rating and look forward to the next installment of the trilogy. It only lost points for not being a little longer. And I am probably punishing it a bit for things I have read about the next book--it supposedly jumps the series forward in time and gives us new characters. I'm NOT done with the current characters yet. If this isn't the case I will come back and edit this post and raise the rating:)