Snakes and Ladders Update #6

Next roll:

 

 

 

 

 

1. Author is a woman - Grump by Liesl Shurtliff

9. Author's last name begins with the letters H, I, J, or K - What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz

16. Genre: fantasy - The Last Gargoyle by Paul Durham

21. Set in Europe - The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne

28. Written between 1900 and 1999 - The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver

35. Had been adapted as a movie - Mystic River by Dennis Lehane

 

Landed on:

 

43. Characters involved in the law

 

For this one, I am reading The Cutting Edge by Jeffrey Deaver. It's another Lincoln Rhyme story. I read the first of the series (The Bone Collector) for space #28. I guess I can see how he changed over the years.

 

I'm slowly plodding along...

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1865367/snakes-and-ladders-update-6

Mystic River by Dennis Lehane

Review:

Audience: Adult

Format: Owned/Kindle

 

 

When Sean Devine and Jimmy Marcus were kids, their fathers worked together at the Coleman Candy plant and carried the stench of warm chocolate back home with them.

-first sentence

 

I've had this book on my tbr since 2016 and I finally got around to reading it thanks to Snakes & Ladders. :) I landed on space #35. Has been adapted as a movie.

 

The book starts with the boys during childhood and sets up the story of Dave's abduction. Then we fast forward 20-something years and see the boys as adults with wives, children, and careers. The suspense builds gradually and the sequence of events that leads to the unfortunate conclusion of the story involves a great deal of coincidence and bad luck.

 

I watched the movie a couple of days after I finished the book and I loved it. They did a great job with the adaptation and only changed insignificant things. I highly recommend this book (and the movie) to fans of suspense dramas.

 

As I said, I read this for Snakes and Ladders and also for the Goodreads HA Mount TBR challenge. 

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1865041/mystic-river-by-dennis-lehane

Fathomless - audiobook

Review:

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook/Owned

 

 

CARCHARODON MEGALODON
The largest and most fearsome predator to have ever existed on our planet. Rumors of its existence in our modern oceans have persisted for centuries. Now, in a new adventure, the rumors explode into brutal and terrifying reality.

 

I enjoyed this one. Cate and her fellow scientists, along with a Russian billionaire, and two crew explore an undiscovered cave, hoping to find a new species. They are underground in a small submarine and are attacked by a giant shark - Carcharodon megalodon. Believe it or not, after that, things get worse. Will they manage to escape the underground nightmare, and is the Carcharodon megalodon truly contained in that cave?

 

It took nearly 50% of the book for the action to get started, but once it did, I couldn't stop listening. The claustrophobic feeling of the sub is magnified by the atmosphere of the underground cave and the fact that we know there is a traitor on board. And what's not to love about a giant killer shark. :)

 

A couple of things bothered me about this book. First, the author used the word "leant" and people seemed to be leaning a lot. Second, we saw through the shark's pov, but only for a short time in the middle of the book, and then never again. Lastly, I was bothered that this giant shark that could easily eat half a whale with one bite would ever bother eating humans. It seems as if a person would be like a crumb compared with the whale. Why would a shark that size chase and eat a bunch of people, when it could easily kill something larger and be satisfied for a week or more?

 

Anyway, a fun giant killer shark story. Now I have to get around to reading Meg.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1865029/fathomless-audiobook

Snakes and Ladders Update #5

 

Next roll:

 

 

 

 

1. Author is a woman - Grump by Liesl Shurtliff

9. Author's last name begins with the letters H, I, J, or K - What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz

16. Genre: fantasy - The Last Gargoyle by Paul Durham

21. Set in Europe - The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne

28. Written between 1900 and 1999 - The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver

 

Landed on:

 

35. Has been adapted as a movie. I haven't decided yet between Mystic River and The Darkest Minds

 

I think I would enjoy Darkest Minds more but I don't know if I want to start another series right now...

Funny thing is two books I read recently were both made into movies.

 

BTW, I am so lucky to just miss that snake on #34....

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1858078/snakes-and-ladders-update-5

The Bone Collector

Review:

Audience: Adult

Format: Kindle/Owned

 

 

She wanted only to sleep.

- first sentence

 

So, this is the original Lincoln Rhyme novel - the first in a long series. I have read others, but I don't remember reading this one. I chose this book because I needed a book written between 1900-1999 for Snakes & Ladders. Finding one on my tbr was a bit harder than I thought but I managed.

 

Lincoln Rhyme is not particularly likable, even when you take into consideration that he is a paraplegic (and is entitled to be a bit angry). Meeting Amelia Sachs was interesting and I liked seeing how her relationship with Lincoln developed. The story is good, though not particularly original - serial killer taunts the police as he kidnaps and sets up elaborate murders scenes; sometimes the would-be victims are rescued, sometimes not. The killer's identity is a bit of a surprise so that part is good.

 

Overall, good story and I'm glad I read it. I will have to watch the movie again now.

 

I read this for Snakes & Ladders space #28. Written between 1900 and 1999 (it was published in 1998).

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1858075/the-bone-collector

Reading progress update: I've listened 660 out of 901 minutes.

 

I'm really enjoying this book, but there is one thing that is driving me crazy:

 

Every time I hear the narrator say the word "leant" instead of "leaned." I get that this is the word the author used, but I just don't understand why. I'm not sure if the word is used more often than usual in this book or if I'm just attuned to it. But every time I hear it, I just cringe (and think "leaned" in my head). It was driving me so nuts that I looked online to see if there is a reason to use "leant" instead of "leaned." There isn't. "Leant" is an older form of the word "leaned" and isn't used much in modern language. Modern grammar rules say either word works, but "leaned" is the more appropriate choice unless the book is a period piece and the author is trying to match the language with the time period.

 

So, I ask you Mr. Beck, "WHY???" 

 

The book takes place in modern times - there is no reason to use the word "leant." At least if I was reading instead of listening, I could change the word in my head.

 

Oh, and just now, he used the word leaned - why the change?? I was hoping it would continue for the rest of the book, but it seems like it was a one-time thing. :(

 

Btw, even spell check hates that word, it keeps asking me to correct it to leaned. *rolls eyes*

 

Anyway, thanks for listening to my rant. 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1858071/reading-progress-update-i-ve-listened-660-out-of-901-minutes

The Boy at the Top of the Mountain

Review:

Audience: Grades 6 & up

Format: Hardcover/Library Copy

 

 

 

Although Pierrot Fischer's father didn't die in the Great War, his mother, Emilie, always maintained it was the war that killed him.

- first sentence

 

So, I picked up this book because the cover reminded me of The Boy in the Striped Pajamas which was very emotional and tragic and which I loved. I was so excited when I realized it was the same author.

 

Again, this book takes place (mostly) during World War II, and again it follows a young boy. The boy is actually half German and half French. It starts off with him living in Paris with his parents and next door to his best friend (who just happens to be Jewish). When his parents die, he is shipped to an orphanage and later sent to live with his aunt who just happens to be a housekeeper in the home of a powerful German.

 

It is important to remember that he is a young, impressionable seven-year-old boy who is desperate for a father figure. He goes through some serious changes over the 9 years the book covers and some of them are quite disturbing.

 

Overall, I liked the book. I think it's important that readers be aware of the truth behind the story and to know that the boy does some awful things. He is indoctrinated at a young age into the Nazi movement, lavished with the attention he craved and led to believe that he was in the right. But, part of him knew what he was doing was wrong and that is important too. Younger readers might have a harder time understanding the meaning of the story. That's why I recommend it to grades 6 and up (and maybe a parent should read it and discuss it with them).

 

To me, this wasn't nearly as powerful as The Boy in the Striped Pajamas, but it was still good - not great, but good.

 

I read it for Snakes & Ladders space #21, set in Europe.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1856110/the-boy-at-the-top-of-the-mountain

The Running Man - audiobook

Review:

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook/Owned

 

 

She was squinting at the thermometer in the white light coming through the window.

- first sentence

 

I am a huge Stephen King fan since I was a teenager but it has been a while since I read some of his books. Lately, I started listening to the audio versions of his older books and it is quite fun to revisit them in a different format.

 

First, I have to say that if you are listening to the audio, and haven't read the book before, skip the author's note. It's not part of the story, and you can listen to it at the end. Otherwise, you will hear a spoiler that reveals the end of the story. :(

 

I enjoyed listening to this and am going to watch the movie this weekend just for fun and to see the differences. I do know that Ben Richards (in the book) is not built like Schwarzenegger. Most times, it's listening to his gut, his brains, or just plain luck that keeps him alive.

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1856102/the-running-man-audiobook

Snakes and Ladders Update #4

 

My next roll is:

 

 

 

 

 

1. Author is a woman - Grump by Liesl Shurtliff

9. Author's last name begins with the letters H, I, J, or K - What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz

16. Genre: fantasy - The Last Gargoyle by Paul Durham

21. Set in Europe - The Boy at the Top of the Mountain by John Boyne (I finished and will write the review tomorrow.)

 

Landed on:

 

28. Written between 1900 and 1999 - Not sure what I'm reading yet but there are plenty of options.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1855671/snakes-and-ladders-update-4

The Last Gargoyle

Review:

Audience: Middle Grade

Format: Hardcover/Library Copy

 

 

My earliest memory is of a crib, a darkened room, and three shadows slipping through the doorway with bad intentions.

- first sentence

 

This is such a charming book with fun characters and an exciting story. The story includes Grotesques, Bone Masons, Netherkin, Shadow Men, and the Boneless King. It has danger, mystery, good & evil, and suspense. I really liked it.

 

Penhallow is a gargoyle but he wants you to call him a grotesque. He protects his building and his wards from evil. When he loses his two best friends and faces a new enemy, he feels completely alone, until Viola turns up on his roof.

 

I loved Penhallow and Viola's relationship. They are cute together and she is stronger than she seems. I also enjoyed Penhallow's way of looking at the world and talking. He calls college students, "practice adults". Here is the definition from Penhallow's glossary:

 

Practice Adults:

Nocturnal creatures who seem to serve no useful purpose other than to keep taverns and pizza delivery people in business.

 

I highly recommend this book to middle-grade readers who enjoy dark fantasy with a touch of humor.

 

I read this for Snakes and Ladders space #16. Genre: fantasy.

I'm also using it for the Goodreads HA a to z challenge. :)

 

 

 

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1855140/the-last-gargoyle

Snakes and Ladders - space #21

 

 

I'm reading this for 21. Set in Europe.

 

It's set in France & Germany

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1855135/snakes-and-ladders-space-21

Snakes and Ladders Update #3

 

My next roll is:

 

 

 

1. Author is a woman - Grump by Liesl Shurtliff

9. Author's last name begins with the letters H, I, J, or K - What the Night Knows by Dean Koontz

16. Genre: fantasy - The Last Gargoyle by Paul Durham (I finished this but haven't written the review yet.)

 

 

Landed on:

 

21. Set in Europe - I'm not sure what I'm reading for this yet

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1854550/snakes-and-ladders-update-3

Reading...

Reblogged from: Hol

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1853606/reading

Killer by Nature - Audible Original

Review:

Audience: Adult

Format: Audiobook/Owned

 

 

This was just okay. I didn't really like any of the characters and I didn't even hate the villain enough. The main character is a psychologist who doesn't seem to notice that her daughter has symptoms of psychopathy. I'm not giving anything away. If you've read any books or seen any movies about psychopaths, then you know how it goes: no emotions, no sympathy or empathy, hurting animals, etc. How does her mother not notice?? She's supposed to be so busy, but even when the principal calls her in to talk about her daughter's behavior, she still doesn't see it. I found this part hard to believe. 

 

Then there's the killer (who is already in jail btw). When the doctor goes to see him, she gives him a test to see if he's a psychopath. Remember, this is the woman who can't even see it in her own daughter. The killer occasionally breaks into song - children's songs to be exact. It's a little creepy but more annoying than anything.

 

I listened to the Alien Audible Originals and they are also performances. I liked the format in that case. But for this one, it didn't really seem to fit. Also, it was broken into episodes which was kind of jarring and involved a lot of music. The first time this happened, I thought the whole thing had started over because it also restates the title and author.

 

At least it was fairly short.

 

If I had to sum it up in one sentence:

A watered down version of a Hannibal Lecter story.

Original post: readingismyescape.booklikes.com/post/1853605/killer-by-nature-audible-original