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
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Saturday, February 9, 2013
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
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
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
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
Wednesday, February 6, 2013
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...
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