Prey

By: Michael Crichton 4.5/5

I am not very familiar with Michael Crichton, and have been told many great things. The first book I read by this author was Next and thoroughly enjoyed the book. I had no idea what Prey was about, so I was surprised by the subject. I did this book as an audio book, and somehow found myself driving aimlessly to keep going and hear more. The book was captivating and the story line was great. What if science and technology and biology mix, would this be our world? Is this a fear that we should honestly be afraid of? Where will science lead us? Is it our ultimate doom? Nanotechnology is an emerging science with real goals of making things smaller and smaller, what will it be used for. It is proven that in today time, nanotechnology is in the world around you, such as cell phones, TVs, DVDs, MP3s, and even your tanning lotion! So Crichton begs the question, “What if?”


The characters were very believable and I love Jack as the hero, and unlikely nerd that saves the day. I despised Julia from the first few moments of the book, and I felt like I could read her. Plot was fantastic with twists, turns, and never expecting the next chapter! Crichton’s style of writing is easy, un cumbered by lengthy descriptions that some authors have the tendency to do in order to show their impressive big words. I loved the research that Crichton has to ultimately do in order to portray this book as realistic and most importantly the prologue at the being of the book explaining his reasoning behind his choice to write the book. Michael Crichton, I am hooked!

Currently Reading

I am currently reading, or trying to get into, "Snow Falling on Cedars" and I only on Chapter 4. Though I think I have come to a part where the books is starting to catch me. This is one of my Challenge list books of 2010, so we will see where this takes me! Working on it though!

Below is a picture of where the book is taking place!

The Husband

By: Dean Koontz 3/5

This is an audio book, my first audio book. I think the book was interesting, it is certainly a great way to get through traffic. The books keeps you suspended, and it was pretty far fetched ideas, but for someone who always sees the next thing happening, I did not see the end! I really didn't! As this was my first audio book, I wouldn't know what to say about the production, but it was OK.

The Heretics Daughter

By: Kathleen Kent 3/5

The book, a National Bestseller makes me realize where the majority of the US population stands in respects to knowing a true literary piece. “The Heretics Daughter”, while not a literary piece, and not that in-depth, was a great story. Long at times, with parts that seems unnecessary the story had a flow.  It seemed that once the family was in prison, the story got interesting and you cared a lot more for the characters. The story leads you to believe in what would happen if….  The story is historical fiction, and the Salem Witch trials 100% existed, and this story has the personal touch of Ms. Kent’s grandmother once removed was Martha Carrier!

Did Martha possess powers such as telling the weather? Maybe. Though I believe the idea is that this family had more knowledge and know how than others, which made many fear them as witches.  Was the family indeed witches, No.

Over all it was a good book!

Going Rogue

By: Sarah Palin 5/5

There has been much controversy about one woman in America, there hasn’t been so much written about a family since the royal family. So what is all the craze about?

A mother of 5, from a middle class family in small town America, made the good old boys in DC shake in their boots by living the American dream and showing what America is about. Sarah Palin born in Alaska, lived a moderate conservative lifestyle with no extravagances, she lived the dream that if you want something and you work hard for it, you can make anything possible. As a concerned citizen of Wasilla, she found herself in local politics where she served proudly while still being the fantastic and caring mother she is. Politics, as it turns out, worked for her, and she was elected governor of the biggest state in the Union with the largest profitable industry in natural resources. With very little support and even less money, her political tactics of sticking to the point and talking in common sense terms worked for Alaska’s people and they chose her. She vowed to change the “normal” politics of corruption in Juneau and she did.

The book takes the reader on a tour of the past decade in the life of the Palins. Challenges faced her everyday; as a woman; as a mother; as a fiscal conservative; as an ethical politician. These characteristics and a fantastic smile, wit and charm, and her political background of getting things done, led her to the Republican National Convention nominee for VP on the McCain ballot. No one would could have foreseen the role of the Democratic party and the media played in trying to destroy someone’s morals. It seemed from the very beginning, despite the jump in poles with the new VP nominee, that the RNC wasn’t there to help and were afraid of going against the regular way of doing things; getting to the point. The national media tried to destroy all of the Palin’s and the Heath’s character. No other candidate, Republican or Democrat, had their family placed in the national spotlight the way they were. How can a family with strong ethics and morals and good American values combat a louder in your face group of people: the MEDIA? In the end, the RNC blames Sarah Palin as having gone Roque, and the reason for loosing the election. Facts were never part of the deal, and in the 21st century TV plays a large role in people’s lives.

In the end, the Ms. Palin couldn’t fight the battle of the media and choose her family over them. As strong candidate that loves her state and a mother, she chose to do what is right; step down from the governor’s seat and let those good old boys try it again. Does this mean the media won? NO. She fought back, to clear her name, her families’ name, those that worked hard in the administration and that fought for what is right, in a tell all book, “Going Rogue”. I don’t believe this is the last that we will see from Ms. Palin, and we shall see her fighting for the 3 issues she is most affiliated with: natural resources, special needs, and women’s issues.

Go Girl!

Diary

"Diary"
By: Chuck Palahniuk 3/5

The writer of “The Fight Club” and “Lullaby” has done it again! Chuck Palahniuk makes me shiver when I think of the graphic words he uses to describe his bizarre thoughts, and feelings that go into writing a book.

Diary is the story of Misty Wilmot the young artist that finds herself in a Catch-22 situation where she must paint for her life. In her college years she envisions and paints the houses that are so realistic. Later she meets a strange boy, that knows and has seen these houses, on his island. The life story, of girl meets boy, marry and move to the fairy tale island changes are her husband, now in a coma, is taking from beyond. He was always bizarre man whose job was to remodel people’s homes. Misty now faces angry customers of the remodeled homes, as her lunatic husband has hid rooms in these peoples houses. He leaves encrypted messages written on the walls of these hidden rooms, that Misty is bound to see. Misty is in the midst of an array of interesting characters, like her mother in law Grace Wilmot, her daughter, Tabbi, and a self proclaimed writing expert Angel Delaporte.

The story is strange and takes you on lots of twists and turns. As one who can always guess what happens next, Mr. Palahniuk has had me beat, I could not have seen that ending happening. The story has an interesting plot, twists, turns and in true Palahniuk style, a truly strange feeling. The book leaves you feeling grossed out, with in depth descriptions, and leaves you with hibbie jibbies running down your spine as the story of Peter Wilmont unfolds and we, the readers, find out more about the strange island Waytansea Island and the Waytansea Hotel. If you’re a reader who likes a little suspense and little bit of gore, this is the book for you.

A Lion Among Men
Gregory Maguire 4/5

Imagine my surprise when I learned that my favorite all time book, Wicked, has another two books in the series! I loved Wicked so very much, and was sadly disappointed by Son of a Witch, which is the 2nd book in the series!

A Lion Among Men follows Wicked in the same satire that Gregory Maguire is so well known for. It was interesting to follow on to the story after all the years that passed since the 2nd book was written, and to know what happened years after in the book itself as well. The book was written from the perspective of the Cowardly Lion, which is famous for his role in the “Wizard of Oz” movies. The Lion is on a search for the Grimmerie, the magical book of the Wicked Witch of the West (Elphaba) and the bloodlines that followed after her death.

It was interesting story, captivating, and intertwined. It would have been easier to follow had I read this book one right after the other in a series. It wasn’t as fascinating or entertaining as Wicked. This might have to do with knowing and expecting this kind of a story. I do like the book, and overall the series is a great read. I wonder if Maguire will follow the story from the Scarecrow or even the Tin Man!