It's Friday! Which means it's time for Crazy for Books' weekly Book Blogger Hop. Head on over there and check out some of the other book review blogs listed. Who knows? Maybe you'll find an interesting blog or two (or three) to follow!
I did. ^_^
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Book Blogger Hop!
It's Friday! Which means it's time for Crazy for Books' weekly Book Blogger Hop. Head on over there and check out some of the other book review blogs listed. Who knows? Maybe you'll find an interesting blog or two (or three) to follow!
I did. ^_^
Thursday, March 11, 2010
Brain Asplosion
Obviously my brain didn't actually explode when I read God Soul Mind Brain by Michael Graziano. XP
Though I do believe it's a bad sign when a book aimed at "the most general, non scientific audience"(p 11) has me searching for a dictionary multiple times throughout the course of the book. The author adores ten-dollar words. I have a fairly large vocabulary myself, or I thought I did before reading this book.
For example, the author really likes the word ubiquitous. I thought I knew what it meant, but I wasn't sure. According to Merriam-Webster Online, the word means "existing or being everywhere at the same time: constantly encountered: widespread [a ubiquitous fashion]". Why not just say widespread? The meaning isn't identical, but it would get the point across. Without making people look for a dictionary.
There were other words I had to look up but ubiquitous was the most, well, ubiquitous of the lot. ^_^
My only other issue with the book is the length of some of the paragraphs. A single page of uninterrupted text is hard on the eyes. Why do that to your readers? Give the eyes a break!
The book has a lot of science in it, which is to be expected. It is, after all, about neuroscience and the search for the soul. I have a pretty good background in science, having taken the equivalent to two semesters each of biology, chemistry, and physics - all at a college level. (Biology and Chemistry were AP courses taken in high school. I actually did take two semesters of physics in college.) Surprisingly, none of that helped my understanding of the various neuroscience principles outlined in this work as much as my single semester of general psychology. Turns out there is a lot of overlap between the two.
I don't recommend reading this book unless you have a good background in the sciences and a good vocabulary. Or at least a good dictionary.
Also, a good memory. By the time I got to the end of this book, I had forgotten what point the author was trying to make. Obviously, it didn't come across very well.
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Source: I read this book as an e-ARC from NetGalley. God Soul Mind Brain releases September 1, 2010.
Where to Pre-Order: Barnes & Noble
Though I do believe it's a bad sign when a book aimed at "the most general, non scientific audience"(p 11) has me searching for a dictionary multiple times throughout the course of the book. The author adores ten-dollar words. I have a fairly large vocabulary myself, or I thought I did before reading this book.
For example, the author really likes the word ubiquitous. I thought I knew what it meant, but I wasn't sure. According to Merriam-Webster Online, the word means "existing or being everywhere at the same time: constantly encountered: widespread [a ubiquitous fashion]". Why not just say widespread? The meaning isn't identical, but it would get the point across. Without making people look for a dictionary.
There were other words I had to look up but ubiquitous was the most, well, ubiquitous of the lot. ^_^
My only other issue with the book is the length of some of the paragraphs. A single page of uninterrupted text is hard on the eyes. Why do that to your readers? Give the eyes a break!
The book has a lot of science in it, which is to be expected. It is, after all, about neuroscience and the search for the soul. I have a pretty good background in science, having taken the equivalent to two semesters each of biology, chemistry, and physics - all at a college level. (Biology and Chemistry were AP courses taken in high school. I actually did take two semesters of physics in college.) Surprisingly, none of that helped my understanding of the various neuroscience principles outlined in this work as much as my single semester of general psychology. Turns out there is a lot of overlap between the two.
I don't recommend reading this book unless you have a good background in the sciences and a good vocabulary. Or at least a good dictionary.
Also, a good memory. By the time I got to the end of this book, I had forgotten what point the author was trying to make. Obviously, it didn't come across very well.
----------------------
Source: I read this book as an e-ARC from NetGalley. God Soul Mind Brain releases September 1, 2010.
Where to Pre-Order: Barnes & Noble
Friday, March 5, 2010
Cupcakes Are Evil
I was first drown to Devilish, by author Maureen Johnson, by the back cover copy. Which has two girls talking about a demon at their school. I giggled when I discovered said school was a Catholic high school for girls. ('Cause, ya know, I'm five.)
Despite my case of the giggles every time someone asked me what I was reading, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Why did I giggle every time? Because, every time, I did the same thing: showed the cover of the book, then said it was set in a Catholic girl's school. (Seriously, I'm five.)
Devilish starts out as an average young adult novel, albeit a well-written one. But then, about halfway through, a few paranormal elements get added. Then it turns more and more paranormal.
I love the paranormal. I LOVE it love it.
Which would be why the back cover copy drew me to this book in the first place.
Despite my case of the giggles every time someone asked me what I was reading, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Why did I giggle every time? Because, every time, I did the same thing: showed the cover of the book, then said it was set in a Catholic girl's school. (Seriously, I'm five.)
Devilish starts out as an average young adult novel, albeit a well-written one. But then, about halfway through, a few paranormal elements get added. Then it turns more and more paranormal.
I love the paranormal. I LOVE it love it.
Which would be why the back cover copy drew me to this book in the first place.
So, if you like the paranormal, or just like young adult books, you'll like this book. Especially if you like paranormalness. ^_^
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Source: I own this book.
Where to Buy: Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
To Be or Not To Be... a Vampire?!
You mean there's a choice?
Only for some.
Bianca, the daughter of two vampires is stuck in between two worlds: that of humans and that of true vampires. Though she was born to vampire parents, she is not a vampire herself. No, she is alive. True vampires are not.
Though she does require blood for nourishment. A requirement which only increases after she bites Lucas, a human and fellow student at Evernight Academy. A school which was founded to help vampires adjust to the ever-changing world of humans.
Bianca's first year also happens to be the first year human students are allowed admittance to Evernight. Coincidence? Doubtful.
Only for some.
Bianca, the daughter of two vampires is stuck in between two worlds: that of humans and that of true vampires. Though she was born to vampire parents, she is not a vampire herself. No, she is alive. True vampires are not.
Though she does require blood for nourishment. A requirement which only increases after she bites Lucas, a human and fellow student at Evernight Academy. A school which was founded to help vampires adjust to the ever-changing world of humans.
Bianca's first year also happens to be the first year human students are allowed admittance to Evernight. Coincidence? Doubtful.
I would love to go on and on about Evernight and Stargazer, both by Claudia Gray, but I don't want to spoil them for anyone who hasn't read them yet. If you like vampire tales and/or teen romances, you will LOVE these books.
Seriously. Read them.
Oh, and the third book in the series - Hourglass - releases stateside March 9th! Only a short wait remains!
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Source: Both book were checked out from local library.
Where to Buy: Evernight: Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million
Stargazer: Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million
Babylon Rising
What if people were used as biological warfare. Not IN biological warfare. Used as weapons basically. People as weapons. Scary thought.
Now imagine it's not just people being made into weapons. It's animals, too. Big cats, foxes, monkeys, even birds. Any kind of sentient animal. Only with increased intelligence. Increased to the point of sapience. Scarier thought. Something as vicious as an animal with near-human intelligence? Shudder.
That was exactly what veterinarian Lorna Polk had to face in James Rollins's newest book Altar of Eden.
Luckily for her, she wasn't alone.
However, she did have to rely on Jack Menard, with whom she shares a secret - linked to their past. His family despises her, and hers despises his. All from one terrible happenstance.
This fast-paced thriller kept me up all night. I just had to finish reading it.
From the Louisiana bayou to two remote Caribbean islands, I followed along breathlessly. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
Now imagine it's not just people being made into weapons. It's animals, too. Big cats, foxes, monkeys, even birds. Any kind of sentient animal. Only with increased intelligence. Increased to the point of sapience. Scarier thought. Something as vicious as an animal with near-human intelligence? Shudder.
That was exactly what veterinarian Lorna Polk had to face in James Rollins's newest book Altar of Eden.
Luckily for her, she wasn't alone.
However, she did have to rely on Jack Menard, with whom she shares a secret - linked to their past. His family despises her, and hers despises his. All from one terrible happenstance.
This fast-paced thriller kept me up all night. I just had to finish reading it.
From the Louisiana bayou to two remote Caribbean islands, I followed along breathlessly. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough.
The best - and worst - part about this book? The science. It's almost all things that can be done with today's technology. Scary stuff.
Still a great read.
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Source: Checked out from local library.
Where to Buy: Borders, Barnes & Noble, Books-A-Million
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