Eh. The title and cover caught my eye, but it seems so focused on hammering in a point that it forgets to tell an actual story. This is just a series Eh. The title and cover caught my eye, but it seems so focused on hammering in a point that it forgets to tell an actual story. This is just a series of events. Seriously, I already forgot the main character's name (Robin, evidently, who is left unable to walk following an illness) since he's not a character, just an unlucky pawn to serve the hammering of the point.
That said, it doesn't make a bad point: the idea that we need to learn to find enjoyment and satisfaction even if/when our bodies fail us. That's practical advice, and I'm sure I will never forget this metaphor of a door in the wall (an opportunity). However, I also happen to know that there are much better written children's books....more
This was a risky read, since I just came out of some of Douglas Preston's solo works, which, along with Pratchett's first Discworld book, helped tip mThis was a risky read, since I just came out of some of Douglas Preston's solo works, which, along with Pratchett's first Discworld book, helped tip me into basically a year-long reading drought. I managed to finishTyrannosaur Canyon when I got back into it.
Now, the reason I jumped right into Mount Dragon after that experience was because I felt like I was missing some kind of (very inconsequential) reference to this at the end of Tyrannosaur Canyon. Since I had been wanting to go through the earlier Douglas & Preston novels after reading Relic.
For whatever reason, this was more enjoyable to me, despite some initial criticisms (character behavior) that I was proven wrong about. And also despite some outdated stuff that now seems cringe in retrospect, like the early internet nerd persona delivered through the "Mime" character. It reminded me of when I spent time in the same area at White Sands and El Mapais lava flows in New Mexico. The main female character in this book also has a lot of sass, which I think was missing in the two Preston-only novels.
I appreciate the different take on a virus story. It has a completely different focus from, say, The Stand (even ignoring the latter's supernatural elements). This book would basically be the precursor to something like that, since the story follows the scientists who are attempting to create immunity through modification of a flu virus. With that in mind, the subtitle ("A Pandemic of Apocalyptic Proportions") is a misleading marketing joke, since that's just not what this story is about, lacking a pandemic and all....more
I previously read this but didn't review it. This time, I only listened to the audiobook, mainly for my boyfriend's benefit, as background noise whileI previously read this but didn't review it. This time, I only listened to the audiobook, mainly for my boyfriend's benefit, as background noise while I was working. The audiobook itself was months ago, but I wanted to at least write something.
This classic horror novel that's more than a horror novel is still one of the best. Two-bit writers everywhere are still ripping off this title. Shirley Jackson always knew how to make things feel just slightly off to maximum creepy or eerie effect. Whether writing horror or some awkward suburban scenario, it's always evident how smart and insightful she was....more
I am pretty sure I read this as a kid, and now I'm damn sure I read it as an adult. At some point around 50 to 75 percent through, I got bored with itI am pretty sure I read this as a kid, and now I'm damn sure I read it as an adult. At some point around 50 to 75 percent through, I got bored with it and only came back a year later to finally finish. I think it may have been a combination of the climatic events happening a bit early and the fact that I'm not the intended audience anymore. Yet on the other hand, I have no problem still enjoying the Dear America series. *shrug*
...for weeks I lived in fear of what Mama would do, for our small Massachusetts town fitted her like a shoe two sizes too small.
The book follows Lucy, who is forced by her mother to move from Massachusetts to California during the gold rush. Lucy hates it--there's not even a library. I think I would have hated it too, which perhaps made it hard for me to get into the town of Lucky Diggins.
I took the opportunity to see what book I had saved [...]. It was The Little Christian’s Book of Pious Thoughts. Then I cried.
I like that Lucy isn't a goody two-shoes. She's a good character. Her mother and family situation are pretty interesting. I found the other characters pretty weird, though. There's a lot of talk about the men in town, but the book never made me care about them....more
I love the combo of historical fiction and ghosts/horror, so Susan Hill is a natural choice. After reading her better-known The Woman in Black a couplI love the combo of historical fiction and ghosts/horror, so Susan Hill is a natural choice. After reading her better-known The Woman in Black a couple of Halloweens or Christmas Eves ago, I decided to try The Mist in the Mirror this year. For the record, this is better suited as a Christmas Eve ghost story, as had been the tradition in Victorian England.
It follows an English man who was orphaned and raised in Africa and Asia. He became fascinated with the travel writing of one Conrad Vayne and repeated all of his adventures. Upon reaching middle age and having no one, he returns to England with plans to settle down and grow roots. Yet something in England seems to remember him more than he remembers it.
“Leave be, Mr. James Monmouth. That is my advice to you. Leave be.”
I was interested throughout but didn't care for the dénouement. It's rushed, with a single short paragraph throwing all kinds of nonsense out. It took me to a point where I could no longer suspend my disbelief, and it brought more questions than answers in a bad way. Then, as now, all I can think is, "There are property laws." The book is better if you pretend that paragraph isn't there--better to leave some things a mystery than to get half-assed answers.
As in Hill's other novels I've read, the ghost story is framed within a mini-story in which a lesser character reads a written account of a true ghost story. This seems to be an imitation of the framing used in Henry James's The Turn of the Screw and likely other ghost stories of the period. I've seen some reviews that call this framing unnecessary, but I appreciate how it lets us see a "future" view of the main character from an objective outsider's perspective....more
It's ridiculous how easily this historical fiction series completely dodges history. This was probably worse than the Felicity books, because there weIt's ridiculous how easily this historical fiction series completely dodges history. This was probably worse than the Felicity books, because there were a lot of storytelling failures on top of the weak historical connection (combined with the most complete timidity in that regard). Characters are just introduced and dropped when they're no longer useful, such as Josefina's friend who is only in one book. This wrapped up fine, but it still feels like a wasted opportunity....more