Hibernating with a few good books…

Hello, dear World!

I’m afraid that I’ve been quite ill of late and formed some rather reclusive habits. The combination of sickness and the frigid temperatures of my home state have both driven me to cozy, dark corners and the crisp bindings of fresh smelling books.

What, you wonder, HAVE I been reading?

Well…

Fever 1793

The Hunger Games

Catching Fire

Mockingjay

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice

(To name a few…)

I enjoyed all of the above mentioned titles, but my favorite was the last, The Beekeeper’s Apprentice. I can’t believe I waited this long to read these! I have always been a fan of Sherlock Holmes, but I am not usually terribly fond of spin-offs on classic tales. (Usually much is lost in a modern take on things.)

The Beekeeper’s Apprentice is the story of Mary Russell, an independent and especially intelligent young woman, who literally stumbles across the retired  Holmes. The book slowly unfolds the intricate relationship that follows. There is plenty of mystery, action, and analytical deduction, while not so much as to kill the flow of the narrative. I am hooked! Having devoured the first book in a day and a half, I am chomping at the bit waiting for Tuesday, when I return to work at the library and have access to the rest of the series. Oh well…. maybe I will just have to break down and find them before then. (Hmm, I wonder if the library near where I am staying this weekend has a membership fee…)

Don’t get me wrong, the Hunger Games series WAS fascinating. I didn’t stop reading them until I had finished all three. The plot, most notably in the first book, has some very original twists and turns. The books are somewhat juvenile in parts and violent on almost every page, but the characters are interesting and fairly well-drawn. I despise perfect heroes and heroines as a general rule. Katniss’ most endearing quality is probably her imperfection. What is even more amazing is the fact that Peeta manages to stay a believable and even favorite character. He is unselfish and kindhearted, almost without exception, yet he isn’t annoying. Some important points are made on various social and political evils, but for the most part this series is thrilling sci-fi FLUFF.

And you ask, what is “FLUFF”? Glad you asked…

FLUFF = Fun Light Unique Fictional Fare

So, go find yourself some good FLUFF this week or feel free to borrow from my list.

I’m going to sign off, I have a new stack waiting! Yay!

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A Mini Book Rant on Fang: Book 6 of the Maximum Ride Series

(WARNING: contains spoilers!)

Please forgive the fact that this review/rant is in no apparent order and know ahead of time, that if you haven’t read the book- what I am about to say will make NO sense! 

Okay, first of all- I totally called it on this one. When I heard that Fang dies in this book, my immediate reaction was “Yeah, right. Sure Patterson will kill him, but he’ll resurrect him shortly after. Just like he did with Ari the first time.” Sure enough Max plunges a shot of adrenaline into him and he wakes up and says ” ‘ssup?” (Which seems to be Patterson’s favorite new slang…)

Then, there is Dylan. Annoying and shallow, yet appealingly helpless. And annoyingly hunkish. Why, Mr. Patterson, did you introduce Dylan? The flock was perfect just as they were! Or is that the point?

And I guess I am realizing that my inner teenager is almost dead. Max and Fang seem so old most of the time, that I was totally like, Gee guys! Get hitched and put yourselves out of misery! But then there is the little detail that they are 15…

But Fang taking off for 20 years?!? Hello?? Totally NOT cool.

And WHAT THE HECK is up with Angel? She is my most UNfavorite character! I like the crazy evil scientist dude better than her!

Plus, was it really necessary to bring dumb ‘ol Erasers back into the picture? Couldn’t we at least have a creature with a more formidable NAME? (I never did get WHY they call genetically engineered werewolf monsters ERASERS. It is like some stupid 3rd grade knock-knock joke.)

Max seriously needs to give poor Jeb a chance… granted, he is a somewhat lousy dad… but he really does try!