I seem to keep picking up slow books lately...
Title: Blindness
Author: José Saramago
Did I like it: I didn't dislike it but I didn't really like it either.
Should you read it: If you are a literary type, sure. Otherwise probably not.
Synopsis: Blindness is spreading in the city like a disease...
This is supposed to be a good book. And its not that I didn't like it, its just that I found it very very slow. It took me a very long time to finish, and I really wasn't in the mood for a slow book. So I would suggest you read it, but don't expect a quick paced book.
Title: The Diamond of Darkhold
Author: Jeanne DuPruau
Did I like it: At least it wasn't as bad as The Prophet of Yonwood!
Should you read it: Skip the Yonwood book and come straight to this one.
Synopsis: Lina and Doon decide to venture back to Ember one last time...
I was really worried for this after the complete and utter failure of the Yonwood book. Thankfully it wasn't quite that bad! It was nice to hear from Lina and Doon one last time, and interesting to re-visit Ember. Of course the writing isn't spectacular, and everything works out a little too well, but if you liked the other Ember books I'd suggest checking this one out too.
Title: The Ritual Bath
Author: Faye Kellerman
Did I like it: It held my attention
Should you read it: Its not the best thriller novel in the world, so probably not unless you are interested by the Jewish twist.
Synopsis: A woman is raped just as she is leaving the mikvah (ritual bath)...
My aunt lent me this book while I was visiting her and had nothing else to read. Oddly I kind of liked it, even though I don't usually like cop/thriller/mystery type books. I was interested by the Jewish stuff, but also kind of annoyed by it because I thought some of it was wrong (but then again I could be wrong) Some people might be annoyed by the occasional Hebrew without translation, but its very very simple Hebrew that even I could understand. So if you are looking for something new/different, maybe try this book.
Title: Changing Planes
Author: Ursula LeGuin
Did I like it: Yeah, it was a cute little book!
Should you read it: Be aware that its sci-fi, if thats OK with you, I'd definitely recommend it.
Synopsis: While waiting for your plane in the airport you can travel to another plane...
I read a series but Ursula LeGuin last summer and was enamored by what I would call her very classical writing. (Classical scifi/fantasy that is...) So I was willing to give this book a try. It seems to be a sort of funny and entertaining book to read while waiting in the airport.
I really liked this book, there was a good mix of serious and funny. I don't know how to describe her writing style other than to say it feels luxurious. If you are bored and want an entertaining read, this book will definitely help you! And if you aren't bored, look at it anyway, you might like it!
And as a disclaimer, my current book is another slow one...
Title: The People of Sparks
Author: Jeanne DuPrau
Did I like it: It was so-so
Should you read it: If you liked The City of Ember, why not?
Synopsis: The people of the city of Ember finally escape their underground city...
I was interested to see what happened to the people of Ember once they got above ground... I suppose the book was OK, but it very childish... appropriate I suppose given that it was a kids book? If you want to know what happens after the first book, check this one out, its not an awful read.
Title: The Prophet of Yoonwood
Author: Jeanne DuPrua
Did I like it: No, I really didn't.
Should you read it: Only for real Emberites... The book itself was awful and didn't add anything to the series.
Synopsis: Pre-Ember, in the not-so-distant future, we see a bit of what lead to the destruction that was in the past in The People of Sparks
Ugg this *was* an awful read. The premise is completely absurd, the characters were shallow, the book is totally unrelated to the rest of the series... really, why would you read it?
I've been caught in a book slump for a while now... Ever since those Card books maybe? I just picked up some promising books from the library but I have to finish slogging through my current book first.
