All

AllBooksReviews

Mini Book Review Bonanza!!

Posted on by J.W. Martin

Since 2019 began, I’ve had lots of things popping up to create a week where little to no blogging happens. Work trips, my son’s break dancing competitions, performing in a play, and of course, Netflix and laziness.

I think the only thing that I didn’t slack on was reading. Which means I’ve read all kinds of books that I haven’t reviewed in the least. So I hope you enjoy the first of a handful of MINI-REVIEW BONANZA posts!

Good Omens
by Terry Pratchett & Neil Gaiman

Good Omens was always on my list of books to read, but then when I saw it was about to be a TV show, I pushed it way up on the priority list.

This book overflows with wit and satire. Either one of these co-authors is capable of laugh-out-loud prose, but this book is what happens when you put them together. I can just imagine the back and forth between Gaiman and Pratchett, everything getting funnier with each edit.

The whole time, I couldn’t help but be reminded of The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Maybe that’s just because they’re both British satire, but I really felt like it wouldn’t be a stretch to write a crossover book so we can have angels and robots and demons and aliens all in one book that keeps you laughing from the first page to the last.

A Thousand Pieces of You
by Claudia Gray

This came highly recommended by a few people. The premise and blurb made it sound like it was right up my alley, and while it wasn’t a complete miss on me, I didn’t connect with it the way I hoped I would.

We’re talking about hopping between alternate universes and hunting down a killer and fantastical science and among all that, there was just a little too much love story. Don’t get me wrong, I have no problem with a love story, but sometimes it’s seems too centre stage, especially in a situation where a relationship doesn’t seem like it could happen. 

To be fair, I’ve never found myself running for my life against unknown assailants and time itself. Maybe I would feel like falling in love. I somehow doubt I’ll ever know for sure.

Altered Carbon
by Richard K. Morgan

This one REALLY seemed up my alley, especially since I was finishing up the editing on a novel that had a lot of similarities. I’m not sure if that coloured my impression of the book, or not, but I liked it. Just not as much as I hoped.

The premise and world-building pulled me in, but underneath all of that, this was basically a detective novel, which I’m rarely a fan of. There’s always too much interviewing potential witnesses, victims, suspects, etc, etc. Who’s lying? Who’s telling the truth? Who cares?

The best parts dealt with the science of being able to inhabit another body (and the gun fights, of course!) Had there been a lot more of this and less talking I think I would have enjoyed this one a lot more.

The Magicians
by Lev Grossman

A friend told me this series was Harry Potter for adults. Rest assured, that friend has been beaten to a pulp with a copy of Order of the Phoenix. 

While it had some redeeming points, I found this to be overall disappointing. Every time something great started to take shape, it would be cut off or go another direction completely and I was left wanting.

The characters could have used a little more development as well. Most of them felt two-dimensional and their decisions were to move the plot along instead of what they would actually decide to do.

I still may read on in this series, but it won’t be anytime soon. 

Salt Sugar Fat
by Michael Moss

This was great!

I love junk food, so I was concerned this was going to be 500 pages of harping about how terrible everything I put in my body is for me. (There was a little of that, but it felt more factual/informational and less ‘harpy’.)

Instead, it felt like an education in commercial business. Supply and demand, evolving with the times, market research, and advertising strategies.

It’s fascinating to read about how many times one company or another tried to make the responsible choice and develop a better, healthier option to some of the foods that was causing an obese nation only to have that product fail because WE WOULDN’T BUY IT!

This one is a must-read for any fans of non-fiction.

The Cruel Prince
by Holly Black

I remember the hype machine working on overdrive when this book came out. Unfortunately, I can’t say it lived up to the hype.

It was fine. I was entertained throughout. But it didn’t knock me off my feet. I didn’t even go down to a knee.

This is another one that I feel suffered from flat characters. Their decisions didn’t seem like their own as much as a means to the end of the book. Some interesting twists and turns in the plot itself, which may be enough to continue reading the series, but again, not a high priority.

Fun fact about this post: What the heck is a Bonanza??

AllMemesTop 5 Tuesday

Top 5 Tuesday – Books Starting with K-L-M-N-O

Posted on by J.W. Martin

This week’s edition of Shanah’s Top 5 Tuesday is being brought to you by the number 5 and the letters K, L, M, N, and O. And I know what you’re thinking. Didn’t I use that joke last week? I sure did!

HEY LOOK OVER HERE! BOOKS!!

 

K – Kingdom Come by Mark Waid
(Illustrations by the legendary Alex Ross)

What? WHAT?! Are you telling me a graphic novel doesn’t count? How dare you. How DARE you! In a world where none of our superheroes has aged in 70 years, this is one of the few stories out there that explores, what would an aging Superman do? What happens when the Justice League qualifies for the senior discount. Great stuff. 

L – The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

This one is a pretty fresh read, but I found it kicking me in the face with its unpredictability, brutality, and sentimentality with every chapter. It’s a MUST read. 

M – A Man Called Ove

Talk about fresh! This is only a few weeks old in my memory and I’m still smiling. 

 N – Neanderthal Opens the Door to the Universe

Nevernight

AND Nevernight by Jay Kristoff

This was a tough one. And for those of you screaming that comic books don’t count, picking 2 for N will bring the list back up to 5 books. 

 

O – On Writing by Stephen King

This probably doesn’t seem like a book for everyone at first, but it just might be. For people who are Stephen King fans, or those that just enjoy a good biography, the first half of the book is basically an auto-biography while the rest continues to sprinkle little bits of it here and there. 

Fun fact about this post: my brain is mostly dead. Give me a letter of the alphabet and I’ll tell you I haven’t read any books starting with that letter. Then I go on Goodreads and find I’ve read 25 books starting with that letter. Honestly. SMH
AllFirst Impression FridayMemes

First Impression Friday – Black Klansman by Ron Stallworth

Posted on by J.W. Martin

Welcome to another First Impression Friday. In case this is your first time, here’s the rundown:

• Based on this sampling of your current read, give a few impressions
and predict what you’ll think by the end.
• Did you think you’d love and ended up hating it? Or did you think
you’d hate it and wound up loving it? Or were you exactly right?
• Link back to Storeys of Stories so I can enjoy reading all the
First Impression Fridays out there!

 

The extraordinary true story of the black detective who goes undercover to investigate the KKK, the basis for the forthcoming major motion picture written and directed by Spike Lee and produced by Jordan Peele.

When detective Ron Stallworth, the first black detective in the history of the Colorado Springs Police Department, comes across a classified ad in the local paper asking for all those interested in joining the Ku Klux Klan to contact a PO box, Detective Stallworth does his job and responds with interest, using his real name while posing as a white man. He figures he’ll receive a few brochures in the mail, maybe even a magazine, and learn more about a growing terrorist threat in his community.
A few weeks later the office phone rings, and the caller asks Ron a question he thought he’d never have to answer: “Would you like to join our cause?” This is 1978, and the KKK is on the rise in the United States. Its Grand Wizard, David Duke, has made a name for himself, appearing on talk shows and in major magazine interviews preaching a “kinder” Klan that wants nothing more than to preserve a heritage and to restore a nation to its former glory.

Ron answers the caller’s question that night with a yes, launching what is surely one of the most audacious and incredible undercover investigations in history. Ron recruits his partner, Chuck, to play the “white” Ron Stallworth while Stallworth himself conducts all subsequent phone conversations. During the months-long investigation, Stallworth sabotages cross burnings, exposes white supremacists in the military, and even befriends David Duke himself.

Black Klansman is an amazing true story that unfolds like a crime thriller and a searing portrait of a divided America and the extraordinary heroes who dare to fight back.

Let’s talk about Black Klansman by Ron Stallworth.

These kinds of stories are fascinating to me. I think because I have trouble understanding that level of racism. Hate does not come easily to me, even when we’re talking about things that don’t matter: Reactions to movies, food, music, etc. So when we start talking about something extremely important, like racial equality, I just can’t believe there are people would devote their energy and passion toward being hateful.

Also, knowing that there really are those kinds of people out there, I like reading about times when they get what’s coming to them.

So far, in the very beginning of the book, I’ve learned about the very opening of this particular case, and a bit about Ron’s career, coming up through the ranks, and having to deal with racism even internally. It’s all been pretty interesting, though I’m looking forward to when he starts getting into the real meat and potatoes of it all.

My Prediction: 3.5 to 4 stars

Fun fact about this post: It’s been almost 3 months since I did FIF post. Insane!
AllContest of Covers

The Contest of Covers CHAMPION!!

Posted on by J.W. Martin

We have a winner! And it’s Sea of Rust by C. Robert Cargill.

At times it was awfully close, but in the end the win was decisive and without controversy.  And although this book will forever belong to C. Robert Cargill, this contest has been all about the cover. That being said, let’s put the spotlight on the artist behind this masterpiece.

Dominic Harman is an illustrator that has been putting in work for over 20 years, and he’s worked with just about everyone. From just about every sci-fi and fantasy based literary magazine you’ve ever heard of, to some of biggest publishing companies like Simon & Shuster, Macmillan, and Random House (just to name a few) to CD covers for bands including the Insane Clown Posse, this guy has done it all. And though I have no way to confirm or deny, I like to think Dominic owns a panel van with a kick ass mural of a warrior woman riding a half-dragon, half-unicorn into a rainbow made of rock and roll.

Check out some of the additional SEA OF RUST artwork I found on Dominic’s website. It’s awesome!

Fantastic stuff, right? Now check out some of the other stuff he’s done. I can’t place it all it from books and magazines, but I’m in love with all of it.

ALL ARTWORK IN THIS POST BELONGS TO DOMINIC HARMAN AND WAS FOUND AT: www.dominic-harman.com

I want to give an extra special thank you to those that kept coming to this blog each round to cast their votes. Without you, the contest would not have been possible.

Fun fact about this post: Prints are available of many of Dominic’s pieces. Just saying, in case anyone was looking to get me a gift or something…
AllMemesTop 5 Tuesday

Top 5 Tuesday – Books Starting with F-G-H-I-J

Posted on by J.W. Martin

This week’s edition of Shanah’s Top 5 Tuesday is being brought to you by the number 5 and the letters F, G, H, I, and J. And since I missed doing A through E last week, this post is actually going to cover A all the way through J! Enjoy!

A – The Art of Racing in the Rain

By the way, if you haven’t seen the trailer for the upcoming movie based on this novel, take the time and do it right. now.

 

B – Bag of Bones

Whenever I read something from a King (even if that King is a Hill) I don’t feel like I”m going to be that into it, but I end up falling head over heels into the story. This one was no exception.

C – Choke

This is the book that brought me out of a reading slump that lasted years and inspired me to write a book that had been marinating in my head for 5 years.

D – The Dream Thieves

Yup.

E – Ex-Heroes

This book is one of the best examples of pure fun I’ve ever read. If you like either zombies or superheroes, this has both.

F – Foundryside

I think the story was good, but it’s heavily overshadowed by the incredible characters, magic system, and world-building of Foundryside.

G – Godsgrave

Toughest letter so far. Gemina, The Graveyard Book, Game of Thrones, Golden Son… I could have picked one out of a hat and been okay with it.

H – Hex

This book haunted me the whole time I was reading it, and for weeks afterwards.

I – I Am Legend

If you’ve seen the movie, you HAVE to read the book. It’s not just better than the movie (what book isn’t?) It’s required. The book’s ending is so amazing and satisfying and the movie went a completely different and poopy direction.

 

J – Jennifer Government

Well, apparently this is the only book I’ve read that starts with J. It is a fun book, though. Super interesting—and terrifyingly possible—world building.

Fun fact about this post: Yes, for H I really wanted to choose a ‘Harry Potter and the [magical noun]’ but I couldn’t choose just one…
AllContest of CoversDiscussion

Contest of Covers – The Final Showdown

Posted on by J.W. Martin

THE FINAL ROUND

Okay. I’ve been putting this post off for a little while, but I had good reason.

Ink had a very decisive win over Salt to the Sea, but Pride and Sea of Rust were stuck at a stalemate. I held off on moving to the final round in hopes that another vote would come alone and break the tie. That did not happen.

I could have cast my own vote, but that seemed like the wrong way to handle things. Instead, here’s what we’re going to do for the final round:

TRIPLE THREAT! 3-WAY! 1 on 1 on 1! Whatever you want to call it, we have 3 covers and only one will be the Contest of Covers Champion!

 

 

Which will you choose? Leave your vote in a comment below. Share this post with bookish family and friends!

Note: Between education and career, I have over 15 years of experience in the field of graphic design. While I don’t pretend to know everything about design, and it will always be extremely subjective, I feel like I can speak about it with a modicum of authority (or at the very least, I don’t sound completely clueless.)

 

AllContest of CoversDiscussion

Pride vs. Sea of Rust – Contest of Covers

Posted on by J.W. Martin

Semi-final Round – Match 2

We’ve already discussed these covers from round 1, so in this round I’m just going to shut up, let you look at the cover, and vote.

 

Which will you choose? Leave your vote in a comment below. Share this post with bookish family and friends!

Note: Between education and career, I have over 15 years of experience in the field of graphic design. While I don’t pretend to know everything about design, and it will always be extremely subjective, I feel like I can speak about it with a modicum of authority (or at the very least, I don’t sound completely clueless.)

AllContest of CoversDiscussion

Ink vs. Salt to the Sea – Contest of Covers

Posted on by J.W. Martin

Semi-final Round – Match 1

We’ve already discussed these covers from round 1, so in this round I’m just going to shut up, let you look at the cover, and vote.

 

Which will you choose? Leave your vote in a comment below. Share this post with bookish family and friends!

Note: Between education and career, I have over 15 years of experience in the field of graphic design. While I don’t pretend to know everything about design, and it will always be extremely subjective, I feel like I can speak about it with a modicum of authority (or at the very least, I don’t sound completely clueless.)

AllContest of CoversDiscussion

Contest of Covers – Wrapping up Round 2

Posted on by J.W. Martin

What a round!

The choices were a little harder, but most of the winning covers won by a fair number of votes. Honestly, most of the match ups went exactly as I expected, except for the final. I thought Nevernight was going to end up in the final round. BUT, I may have thought that because of the weight that the title NEVERNIGHT carries. And as we know, this contest is not about the story within the book, but the cover without.

The two match ups in ROUND 3 are going to be some of the toughest choices yet. I have my thoughts on what the championship round will look like, but I can’t wait to see if it ends up coming true, or if there’s still another surprise or two in store!

Thanks to everyone who has been voting all along. This series of posts would not be possible without you.

Note: Between education and career, I have over 15 years of experience in the field of graphic design. While I don’t pretend to know everything about design, and it will always be extremely subjective, I feel like I can speak about it with a modicum of authority (or at the very least, I don’t sound completely clueless.)

 

AllContest of CoversDiscussion

Nevernight vs. Sea of Rust – Contest of Covers

Posted on by J.W. Martin

Round 2 – Match 4

We’ve already discussed these covers from round 1, so in this round I’m just going to shut up, let you look at the cover, and vote.

 

Which will you choose? Leave your vote in a comment below. Share this post with family and friends!

Note: Between education and career, I have over 15 years of experience in the field of graphic design. While I don’t pretend to know everything about design, and it will always be extremely subjective, I feel like I can speak about it with a modicum of authority (or at the very least, I don’t sound completely clueless.)