It’s Monday What Are You Reading? is a group blog hosted by J. Kaye’s Book Blog. You can link your blog by clicking here.
Despite all those last minute holiday preparations, I actually did manage to read three books last week. Of course, they were all relatively short, and one was mostly pictures, but who’s keeping score?
Timoleon Vieta, Please Come Home by Dan Rhodes
I’ve had Timoleon Vieta, Please Come Home on my books to read list, for awhile, and I don’t remember what originally made me put it on there. I think I was expecting something a bit more light-hearted. I didn’t enjoy this book. The self-absorbed characters annoyed me. Only the dog, Timoleon Vieta, was remotely likable, and at the risk of spoiling the plot, I will say that his fate is pretty lousy.
Flush by Carl Hiaasen
Flush, like Hoot is a novel by Carl Hiaasen written for a much younger audience that his adult mysteries. This middle-grade novel or younger young adult novel is the story of a brother and sister who take it upon themselves to stop an unscrupulous casino boat operator from polluting the ocean with the human waste from the boat’s restrooms. There’s some mystery and action in this enjoyable tale that’s tame enough to be enjoyed by elementary school readers. It reminds me of the Echo Falls Mystery Series by Peter Abrahams.
Same Difference and Other Stories by Derek Kirk Kim
Same Difference and Other Stories is a graphic novel collection, or I guess in this case graphic short story collection. The title story is the longest in the collection and revolves around a 20-something Korean American reflecting on mistakes made in his youth, and coming to terms with the man he is now. I enjoyed this story. Some of the others, which were all much shorter, were hit or miss. Overall, though a well-drawn graphic novel with some depth to it.
What’s next
I’m reading a short story collection Dr. King’s Refrigerator by Charles Johnson, which was chosen based on the fact that it was a) a collection of short stories and b) a short collection of short stories. I don’t anticipate getting a lot of reading in over the next several days.
What about you? Have you read anything good lately?
My Books
I didn’t do much reading this weekend. I’m trying to get into an adult book called Saint Mudd. It’s about gangsters who used to live in Saint Paul, MN during the 20s and 30s. The book itself isn’t very well written IMHO, but it’s mostly for research purposes because I’m working on a YA book with the same sort of theme. I’ve also started The House of the Scorpion, which I’ve heard good reviews for. Within the past month I read The Hunger Games (loved it) and The Book Thief (also loved it).
The Hunger Games and The Book Thief are both good ones. Your YA gangster project sounds like it could be really good. Good luck with your research. I know that research books aren’t always fun to read!
Three books? You go!
I am going to try to read more this coming week. I’ve been meaning to read a book by Carl Hiaasen, but haven’t had time.
A study guide
Oh, that doesn’t sound like fun. Hope you are able to get some fun reading in soon.
J. Kaye: Carl Hiaasen definitely was a nice “sunny” sort of book, that was a nice change of pace from the downer that started off my reading week.
I read alot of books this month too. Right now I’m reading Fade–the follow up to Wake. Love it!
.-= write-brained´s last blog ..Remember Our Pets This Holiday Season =-.
write-brained: I haven’t read Wake or Fade yet, but they sound good!
I’m reading Ghost Hunters…written by the guys who do the TV show. I’m learning interesting things…like the worldwide standard time for paranormal experiences is 3:30 a.m. I didn’t know ghosts had a schedule!
I’m excited about YOUR book. Can’t wait to read it!
Hi Stephanie:
Who knew ghosts could be so punctual. Do they follow Daylight Savings Time, I wonder.