Thursday, April 5, 2007

March Books and Movies

#9
Born on a Blue Day
Daniel Tammet
2006
226
Non-Fiction
5+
Library

WOW. Daniel introduces us to his world as a savant. This is truly an amazing journey through the world of autism. Daniel sees the world in numbers, colors and shapes. And this is his adventure into finding his place in the world. I wouldn't recommend this as an audio book because there are shapes and diagrams that show how Daniel sees things in his mind. Favorite Quotes: "Most important of all, give your children the self-belief to hold on to their dreams, because they are the things that shape each person's future. "You don't have to be disabled to be different, everybody's different". "For the first time I had to realize that thought and logic had limits and could only take a person so far"

DNF
Mistress in the Art of Death
Ariana Franklin
2007
Historical Fiction
Library
I read somewhere that this is the first book in a new series. Try as I might, I just could not finish this book. The author wobbles all over the place. Is she telling a murder mystery or writing a history book. Long, boring, drawn out with no clear direction. Medieval Cambridge, four children are found dead and it's up to a woman doctor from Italy to find the killer. Great premise, but something was lost.

#10
Murder on the Iditarod Trail
Sue Henry
1993
Cozy Mystery
3.5
Library

Audio. First in the series. It sure is hard keeping all the mushers straight. Good thing she put a woman musher in there, but then again, who would the main male character fall in love with after meeting one time. I don't want to be too cynical, it is a good audio version, but if it was a book, I think I would have put it down by now. Pretty much the title tells the story. Mushers are being killed off during the race. Who is the main target and will it be discovered before the race is over.

#11
Carpe Demon: Adventures of a Demon-Hunting Soccer Mom
Julie Kenner
2005
360
Fiction
4.5
PBS

What if Buffy the Vampire Slayer grew up and had to fit demon slaying into her busy schedule of being a wife and mom. Funny premise and a great beginning to a new series. And of course there is an older grandfather figure that just makes you laugh. Gives Stephanie Plums grandmother a run for her money.


DNF
Population 485: Meeting your neighbors one siren at a time
Michael Perry
2002
Library
Didn't grab me from the beginning and I didn't see the need to finish. Small town )Population: 485) volunteer fireman/paramedic and the people that he comes in contact when he is called out on emergencies. Sounded like it should be good, just wasn't.

#12
Chasing the Dead
Joe Schreiber
2007
196
Fiction - Thriller
4
Library

A phone call suddenly grabs Sue's attention when the caller informs her that he has her daughter and if she doesn't follow his specific instructions she will never see her daughter again. This isn't your typical "kidnapped book", it takes a bizarre twist midway through that has you turning the pages very quickly. Quite a few "ohh" and "yuck" moments, but still a good read.

#13
Died to Match
Debora Donnelly
2002
309
Cozy Mystery
4
PBS

Actually, I think that I enjoyed this one better than the first. Carnegie is organizing the wedding of a good friend when people start dying. She thinks she has it figured out only to discover that she is unknowingly giving clues to the real killer. As for the end - That was so totally unfair, ending abruptly with an "oh my gosh moment making me scramble for the next in the series.

#14
Fifth Horseman
James Patterson
0
Mystery
4
Library

Audio. I really enjoy this series on audio. Carolyn McCormick delivers a great narration. Women's Murder Club series. Beautiful women are found murdered and left in beautiful clothes, patients are found murdered in the hospital with coins on their eyes, including the mother of one of the Women's Murder Club - are the deaths related? Or is it just another horrible week in the life of Lindsey Boxer? The end got a little twisty and I had a hard time figuring it out, but it was still a good audio.

#15
Track of the Cat
Nevada Barr
1993
218
Mystery
4.5
TBR

First in the Anna Pigeon Series. Years ago I was told that this was a great series, but I just didn't believe the person who told me. Guess I should have. Anna is a National Park Ranger and when two of her fellow rangers have mysterious deaths Anna investigates, almost gets herself killed. Anna will question many things in her life, but she makes for a great character.

#4
Movie: 300
3
Theater
Gruesome, Gorey and Gross. Didn't really like it and didn't really understand it. Mostly visual effects. Spartans battles the Persians. Guess I should have paid more attention in my history class.

#5
Movie: Finding Neverland
4.5
Netflix

The story behind the writing of Peter Pan. Don't know why I kept putting this off - just loved it. Once again Depp and Winslet are wonderful.

#6
Movie: Big Love Season 1: Disk 4
4
Netflix

I don’t know why I love this series, but I just do. Polygamist with 3 wives and a whole lot of trouble.
Total Pages Read - MARCH 1309

No comments: