Ruined By Books Review

Title: Ruined By Reading

Author: Lynne Sharon Schwartz

Genre: Bio and Autobiography

Publisher: Beacon Press

Pages: 119

This is the first time I have read a book about the books an author loved through her childhood to adult years, but it is more than that. She discusses how her passion was discovered at a very young age and how it affected her and helped her see the world in new ways. She talks about the books she still has a passion for and those she doesn't. Also, she talks about how she had to be brought out of her single-mindedness about other forms of art and expression. I thought this was very strange until I read why she thought books were the ultimate in expression.

I especially love how she discusses that she also tends to forget the plots to stories she has read  (just like me) and the books she continues to go back to.

Even though it is a short read, it felt a bit long, but she is a writer and I guess that comes with the territory. I have never read anything by this author but I would be interested to read more of her works.

I give this a 3 out of 5.

The Gunslinger The Dark Tower #1 Review

My second book by this author and this is definetly the start of an epic series! The Gunslinger is after The Man in Black. The world this book is set in has bits and pieces of the world we know but added are creatures that range from good to bad and no one is to be trusted.

To catch The Man in Black, The Gunslinger must travel across the desert and always keep a look out for danger. There is definitely a reason why he is called the Gunslinger and I hope in the future to continue this series!

I give this a 4 out of 5. 

Die Nigger Die Review

Well I can't say too much about this book other than I am not a fan.

This "story" called Die Nigger Die by H. Rap Brown, as I will call it, because I have no clue of what is exactly the truth or what...is about the life of a man called H. Rap Brown. He was a radical during the sixties and was raised during the height of the Equal Rights Movement.

Some of his stories are fantastic as in, I really don't believed that happend, so prove it. What got me throughout the book was the hate. Hate on page 1. Hate on page 24. Hate on page 70. See a pattern? It was more like he was just ranting about the White man and he knew all the White man's schemes and what not. This got old because, one, I can't support so much anger. It gets you no where but obviously that doesn't stop people, and two, he wasn't accomplishing much except to boost his own ego.

The only thing interesting about reading a book like this is getting a veiw into someone's world you could never agree with and see another side of life.

Unfortunately, some young and impressionable youth will get their hands on this just to bolster their minds to feed into the hate but hey, freedom of speech is great right?

I give this a 0 out of 5.

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas Review

My first impression, INSANE! Wow, this is my first time reading anything by Hunter S. Thompson and this didn't disappoint. 

This book is about the author's trip to Las Vegas to cover a story about a bike race and it's filled with drugs, crazy situations, and a guy I'm wondering how he ever got to be an attoney...

This book has been out for decades now but I haven't had the chance to be introduced to Gonzo Journalism. This is great. Filled with paranoid drug induced reactions and just living life they way they did was just, well insane. As surprising as it was to know they didn't die, it was kind of nice to see a life being lived that way. Not that I would ever want that drug state to be my life but to see such insanity would be cool for a day or so. 

Now, is that kind of drug life still around? Are there journalists that go that far or are they already like this? I don't know but it is a unique lifestyle. Brutal, seems like a better description for me. This story took me into a world I have not had any experience in and don't want any, but I enjoyed the ride. I look forward to reading more from this author.

Genre: Gonzo Journalism, Comedy

Pages: 204

Publisher: Vintage Books/Random House

I give this a 4 out of 5.

Pretty Disgusting

So as I was flipping through my library book, The Gun Slinger, I noticed something I just somehow missed when I picked the book up....

Please dont put hair in your books. Why would someone be this gross? I know people don't wash their hands and whatever else they do, but this is disgusting.

Blockade Billy by Stephen King Review

I have never read anything byStephen King (well completed anything). I picked this short story up at my library.

This is the story of Blockade Billy's short time playing baseball. Set around te 1950's time frame (or earlier...?) Billy's story is told to Mr. King as a retelling of what actually happened to Billy.

Now, I am not a baseball fan and did get lost in some of the jargon, but I kept up with the book. I was interested in it one, because I have started The Gunslinger and wanted to check out something shorter I could get through to get more of a feel for his style. Two, I needed something short to get through to help get through my goodreads challenge. (I am 8 books behind schedule!)

I read this book in one sitting and I enjoyed it. It has a good twist and brought on a slight creepy factor around Billy's character.

Since this is the first King book I've read, I can't say this is typical of him but it's a great introduction for me and perfect length. The book didn't feel rushed or long at all. It flowed along great.

I look forward to finishing The Gunslinger and reading more by the obviously very popular author in the future.

Genre:     Fiction, Thriller
Pages:       112
Publisher: Cemetary Dance

I give this a 4 out of 5.

Half Wild by Sally Green Review

It has been a very long time since I updated this blog. I wish it hadn’t been that way, but oh well. I am back. Kind of refreshed. Needing this. Some way to express how I feel about one of the few things I still enjoy doing.

So here it is my Half Wild review by Sally Green. 

This is of course the sequal to Half Bad. It picks up where it left off, but honestly, I forgot some parts of the story. This book took a good while to come out! Of course there are some refreshers! So Nathan is still continuing to try and save Annalise, his love interest, but things in the witch world are getting worse.

The Council leadership is changing for the worse and both the White and Black Witches must decide how to save themselves.

I will admit that this book dragged a bit. But then again, I think I am impatient with some books at times. But it was well worth it. The end had enough twists to get me excited for the next book in the trilogy!

Genre:Young Adult

Pages: 412

Publisher: Viking

I give this book a 4 out of 5 !