Vegan Bodybuilding

Vegan Bodybuilding and Fitness by Robert Cheeke

Truly Inspiring!

This book is more then just a health fitness book that gives you some workout routines and tells you what to eat.  It not only reaffirms my beliefs about why I went vegetarian but also motivated me to become more proactive about wanting to be a good role model, not just for vegans but for animals.  Roberts story really makes you feel like you are part of a larger community of compassionate people.  Especially when you get involved with his website and follow him on twitter.  Robert is quick to re-tweet and respond to you and his group genuinely makes you feel welcome.

The food and workout portion are a must for those who are vegan and want to lift weights.  He clearly demostrates that it is possible to be strong and vegan.

It's a book I'll refer to over and over.

Thanks,

Dave

Merlin's Tomb (Arthur the Alchemist, #1) or Harry Potter part redux

It was very much in the vein of Harry Potter.  I'm sure HP is in the vein some someone else too, but this struck me as almost identical.  Two worlds, ordinaries/muggles and wizards/alchemist. Ordinary kid finds out he's not too ordinary and goes to a special school.  Picture frames that have people moving in them, books and items that can move you from one place to another. school tests and love interests.  One female friend and one male friend. JK Rowling/RE Washington. The list goes on and on.
That being said it's written well enough and if you're child happens to get into it, any reading is good reading.  It's definitely not one for the adults.
Thanks.

A Song of Fire and Ice- Feast for the Crows

I'm a little behind in my reviews so I'll keep this short and sweet.

Like the last installment in a Song of Fire and Ice, it's a must read.  Although, it did drag on and on a bit.  This books didn't have much from the power players so I wouldn't often get bored reading them.

However, I did practice my speed reading skills.

Thanks,
Dave

In Progress

I decided to go right into the next novel in a Song of Fire and Ice.  The review will be here in about 800 pages.

A Song of Ice and Fire - A Storm of Swords

So I finally decided to dive into book three of George RR Martins "A Song of Ice and Fire."  Mainly, because season three of Game of Thrones will begin soon.  I realize this is a hard review.  It's not like anything is going to begin with this book and if you have read the first two, I don't understand why you'd stop now.

I was hooked ever since I first read a Game of Thrones a couple of years ago.  Unfortunately, I'm a pretty slow reader and I have trouble diving into a books with over a thousand pages.  So I didn't have the motivation to read each one right after the other.

The amazing thing is a soon as I started reading the first pages I was immediately transported back to Westeros, like I only finished a Clash of Kings yesterday.   The characters are fresh and exciting.  You actually continue to learn more and more about the individuals.  I have absolutely no idea where this story is going and I can't begin to guess.  It leaves me on my toes the whole way through to the end.  Parts are shocking, sad, happy, and all at the same time.

A true masterpiece, arguably the best of the first three books.

Thanks
Dave
newlifeinbooks@gmail.com

The Dogs Who Found Me

Just finished reading and amazing book.  The Dogs Who Found Me by Ken Foster.  I am a dog guy so I may be a little bias.  I found this gem at my favorite used book store, The Book Rack in Arcadia.

http://www.kenfoster.blogspot.com/

It's a "memoir" but it is so unique.   If you spend any amount of time around dogs you realize that they have such special and unique personalities.  Reading this book, you really get the sense of the individual personalities of the pups and you can really relate to them from your own experiences.  I laughed many times throughout.  It's a really easy read that I will read again in the future.  I'm keeping this one on the shelf.

Thanks,
Dave
newlifeinbooks@gmail.com

Templar Knights and a one eyed Indiana and details

Book three of the year was Sword of the Templars by Paul Christopher.  I haven't really read more then a couple Templar related books but I've always been fascinated by Medieval era things.

The first you'll notice is the author uses tons of details for everything.  He comes across as an obvious history buff and weapons buff in general.  I myself, can't say I'm thoroughly knowledge on those subjects so I have to take them at face value.  I found that the details were pretty easy to brush over to avoid getting bogged down in it and stuck.  I also didn't feel like I lost anything out of the story.

There were some pretty cheesy eliminates to the story.  The main character "Doc" Holiday a retired vet teaching at West Point.  Really Doc Holiday?  After he's uncle dies (a scholar type, a la Henry Jones), Holiday and his second cousin once removed (a strange relation ship, who's name escapes me at the moment),  goes take care of his estate.  They come across this medial sword with Templar ties and then get caught up in a world of arson, murder and conspiracy.  And Nazis, why does it have to be Nazis.  Well at lease he didn't hate snakes, yet.   All of this while traveling around the world on a mysterious source of unlimited funds.  You do have to suspend some belief, but then again, you usually do with these genre.

Oh, did I mention Doc has one eye.  I'm sorry but at one point he was chasing someone through a forest and "had to keep one eye on the ground" to avoid falling.  So if he kept one eye on the ground, how did he see where he was going?  It cracked me up.

Over all it was an ok read.  I wouldn't recommend it unless your a die hard Templar fan and want to read something in that genre.  I won't be reading more from this author, especially the next book about Doc.  There has to be better ones out there.  Drop me a note if you know one, I would like to read something better.

Thanks,
dave

newlifeinbooks@gmail.com

Storm Front- Dresden Files Book 1 Genius Wizard?

Book two of 2013 was Storm Front The Dresden Files (Book 1) by Jim Butcher.

I picked this up at my a cool little used book store in Arcadia, Ca call The Book Rack.  I love that place.  Be sure to go in with books to sell back or you'll end up with a giant library of books.

Storm front was my first foray into the world of fantasy, paranormal, detective genre.   It  takes place in a modern city setting and centers around Dresden, a local wizard P.I. sort of guy.  He's called in to help the police figure out how a couple died by having their hearts explode from their chests.  So of course it had to be magic related.  There's sex, vampires, wizards, demons, and the mafia. So, a little something for everyone!

Dresden is a funny guy.  I could never tell if he was a complete idiot or an actual accomplished wizard.  He seemed to get his ass handed to him a bit, but he kept reminded us how many years of experience he had and how great he is. He's no Gandalf, to say the least. Overall he still remains a very likable character.

Since it seems to be a series of books, it does leave plenty of room for growth and exploration.  So if you find yourself loving it you will be entertained for a long time.

I found the read to be great fun, kind of a fluff read.  You can get through it pretty quickly, its short enough to where you just chug along at a good pace and try not to think too hard about it the story comes together.

Unless your really adverse to all things "Fantasy" I'd pick it up for a read.  Especially for a vacation, flight etc, where you just want some cheap thrills.  It's good enough to read another one in the series, but I probably wouldn't go out of my way to find it.  Overall, read.

Thanks,

dave

newlifeinbook@gmail.com 

The Boss is Born to Run (from his bands)

Yay this is officially my first book review.  I've never done anything like this before.  Bear with me, I'm prone to typos and improper language.   I was an accounting major, which may explain things.  I don't even know if there's a proper way to review books.

My first read of the year was "Bruce" by Peter A Carlin.  I checked it out of the Sierra Madre public library.  There's nothing better then reading for free and supporting your library.

First off, I grew up a huge Bruce Springsteen fan.  I was a child of the 80s so my first experience was with "Born In the USA."  So, I was really interested in getting a behind the scenes look.

The bio portrays, at least in my opinion, Bruce as kind of a jerk.  Starts bands, then with the wind changes direction, breaks up bands, fires people etc.  So that came as a surprise to me.  So be warned if have a squeaky clean image of the boss you want to maintain.

Over all, the story is pretty heavy on the early days.  One bit I've found odd is that the writing seemed a bit inconsistent.   It reads like someone telling a string of stories, one after another, but they don't flow as smooth as it can.  Some stories can be in great detail that makes you feel like you were there, others briefly mention a situation and then move on.

If you're a foot note junky you'll love it.

Overall, I'd recommend reading it if your a fan of Bruce Springsteen.  I'm a bit of a slow reader so I got bogged down in the details and it took me some time to get through it, so if you're not a fan you should probably pass.

Thanks
dave

newlifeinbooks@gmail.com

A New year. 2013

Yes. It's already February so I'm a tad late. So bear with me. I plan to read as much as possible this year and to read outside of my comfort zone. I figure blogging reviews of all the books will keep me motivated and hopefully make me a better person. I don't know what that means yet but we'll find out. I've read a couple books already and those reviews will be posted soon. Happy reading...