Saturday Mini-Reviews: A Catch-up Post

Evernight by Claudia Gray (Evernight Series, Book 1)

When I read this book I admit I got a little excited by it. For a moment I thought it was different and that maybe it was better than the teen vampire books that everyone loves and I mostly hate. It was at least better written than a certain series about sparkly vampires... Anyway, I did enjoy this book. It was a fresh approach to the vampire stories AND it takes place at a boarding school. I am just not very interested in the romance aspect of the novel and it is quite apparent that it is important. It is also a coming of age book, but maybe a bit different than what is normally labelled as that. I am really not sure what to think about this book. On the one hand I did like it, but on the other I could do without it. Sort of recommended.

Skellig by David Almond

I was going to review this book on its own, but so much time has passed that I don't know if I could think of enough to talk about to give it its own review. It's unfortunate because I really liked this book! It was the first Almond I had ever read, but I have read two more since. It was a different sort of read. I can safely say that it will not be for everyone, but it is still worth taking a chance on. I really don't want to say a lot because I enjoyed the bit of mystery to the story, but I am sure that spoilers abound and people are well aware of the basics to the story. I am just not going to add to them and it is hard to say what is a spoiler with this book. I think, anyways. The best thing to say is just read the book! Strongly recommended!

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman

I need to read more books of essays. Especially books of essays that are about books! I have heard of this book over and over again, so I am glad that I can finally say that I have read it. I really enjoyed it. It is nice to know that there are people that are obsessed with books as you are. Some of the essays were not as good as others, but overall it was a good read. I wish my library had her other book... Recommended!

Wishful Drinking by Carrie Fisher

I was standing in the line at the library one day when my eyes fell on this book. Carrie Fisher is actually a pretty good author. I have read a couple of her novels. Add to this that she was in Star Wars and When Harry Met Sally and I knew I was going to have to see what she had to say. It was actually an interesting read. Fisher has lived a very varied life and she writes about it with humour. Normally I am not a big fan of celebrity memoirs, but I am glad I made an exception with this one. She actually turned it in a one woman play, which I wouldn't mind seeing if the chance presented itself. Obviously, this book is not for everyone, but I enjoyed it.

How to Talk About Books You Haven't Read by Pierre Bayard

This book could be about itself! Wow, was it ever boring. I could not get into it at all. Interesting title and idea, but the execution could use some work. Obviously some people have read and enjoyed this book, but I don't know how it is even possible. I think I prefer muddling through on my own in pretending that I have read books and wish I had never wasted time trying to read this! This was a total fail! I should also mention, though, that this is a translation. Maybe the original is really good and the translation is just really bad... It's a possibility, anyway.