Apachecat vs the unread bookpile 2013

Charlas75 Books Challenge for 2013

Únete a LibraryThing para publicar.

Apachecat vs the unread bookpile 2013

Este tema está marcado actualmente como "inactivo"—el último mensaje es de hace más de 90 días. Puedes reactivarlo escribiendo una respuesta.

1apachecat
Editado: Dic 24, 2012, 9:25 pm

Back again for another year, this will be my fourth year in the 75 book challenge and I have enjoyed every minute of it.
My name is Jess, I live in Australia, I am a cartographer by trade (Yep I make pretty maps), I am owned by two oriental cats and I am returning to university next year so I am not sure if I will make it to 75 books or maybe they will be all text books.
When not reading text books the genres I read includes Fantasy, Paranormal, Murder Mystery's and the ocassional Autobiography.
Cant wait to get started roll on the 1st of Jan

2fuzzi
Dic 24, 2012, 9:25 pm

This place is addictive...isn't it? :)

3apachecat
Editado: Dic 24, 2012, 9:32 pm

I love it here, the people are great the variety of books read is amazing and my wishlist just keeps on growing :)

4drneutron
Dic 24, 2012, 11:27 pm

Welcome back!

5maggie1944
Dic 25, 2012, 6:43 am

I've put a little star on your thread and I'll be interested in your reading choices and thoughts. Happy New Year!

6apachecat
Dic 26, 2012, 2:48 am

Thanks for the welcome back and starring me...fingers crossed for the year ahead :)

7apachecat
Editado: Dic 26, 2012, 3:33 pm

I thought I would add some goals for this year (2013).

1. Reduce the tbr pile that currently resides beside my bed and consists of about 30 books.

2. Consolidate all of my wish lists into one big wish list...I have about 5 of them floating around on various sites.

3. Figure out what series I like and want to continue reading...so I know which books to buy.

4. Continue to support real book stores, I love my kindle and would be lost without it but I do love the smell of books and the feel of them in my hand.

8tloeffler
Dic 26, 2012, 3:04 pm

Ha! Love the thread title!

9apachecat
Dic 30, 2012, 11:15 pm

Getting ready for the new challenge....just have to survive New Years Eve and I will be off and reading.....Hope you all have a good one...roll on 2013.

10cammykitty
Dic 31, 2012, 3:11 am

Love the thread title, and your goals. I've got a new e-reader too, but I don't like the thought of places like bookmooch or brick-&-mortar stores going away. In the US, we've already lost almost all of our independent bookstores to a war between Barnes&Noble and Borders. And now Borders is gone too.

11alcottacre
Dic 31, 2012, 7:18 am

Glad to see you back with us again, Jess! Good luck with reading through your TBR stack in 2013.

Happy New Year!

12apachecat
Ene 1, 2013, 1:50 am

#10 Its such a horrible thought being left with only two bookstores and some corporation telling us what to read...not nice at all....Borders was great for a while here but it ended up closing as well.

#11 Hi Stasia, good tosee you...ahhh yes the TBR pile is scary and growing.

Stolen from Roni's thread...was actually quite entertaining to do...but I may have come off darker than I meant too...I blame the heat.

Using book titles read in 2012, answer the following questions.

Describe yourself: The Queen of the Damned

Describe how you feel: A Brewing Storm

Describe where you currently live: : The Mists of Avalon

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?: Salmon Fishing in the Yemen

Your favorite form of transportation: Dragon Actually

Your best friend is: The Dream Thief

You and your friends are: Bad to the Bone

What's the weather like?: Scorched

Your favorite meal is: A Feast for Crows

Your favorite entertainment is: How to Walk a Puma

What gift would you like to receive?: The Last Werewolf

You fear: being Heartless

What is the best advice you have to give?: If you are in trouble Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency

Thought for the day: if only we had The Map of Time we could read so many more books.

How I would like to die: Glory in Death

My soul's present condition: Deadlocked

13apachecat
Ene 1, 2013, 1:53 am

And here is what my reading was like in 2012....drum roll please.......

Best Reads of 2012
1. Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
2. A Song of Ice and Fire Game of Thrones series by George R. R. Martin
3. The Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins
4. Salmon Fishing in the Yemen by Paul Torday
5. The Map of Time by Felix J. Palma

and the the Worst Reads of 2012
1. Loki by Mike Vasich
2. The Stonehenge Legacy by Sam Christer
3. Tainted by Julie Kenner
4. Original Sin by Allison Brennan

14TinaV95
Ene 1, 2013, 1:50 pm

I'm starring your thread so I can follow along. I really like your 2013 goals!

15beserene
Ene 1, 2013, 7:22 pm

Happy New Year and all that. I liked your thread title, so I thought I'd pop in. Good luck with your challenge!

16apachecat
Editado: Ene 2, 2013, 12:35 am

Hi Tina and beserene welcome on board....so far I have been avoiding my TBr pile but I thinks its time to get started.

Another drum roll please.....first book of the year...

1. The Mongoliad by well everyone and Neal Stephenson sigh oh I so wanted this book to work for me..But 50 pages in and I new it wasnt going to happen, I ploughed through to the end and for me it never got any better. The plot wasnt that interesting, the characters I didnt care about any of them..Long boring fight scenes which I usually appreciate but these were poorly done...the only time I actually liked the book was when we were dealing with the Mongol's.
A very sad and the first book to be consigned to the dont not follow series list.
On to bigger and better books : )

17apachecat
Ene 2, 2013, 7:05 pm

2. The Assassin and the Pirate Lord by Sarah J. Maas Oh dear this is not a good start to the year. First of this book is a novella so be warned its very short. And again I am having a problem relating to the characters, I just dont care about is happening to them....me thinks I am in a book funk. This book had so much potential it could have been great instead it was just bleh.


Only three more books to read on my kindle and then I can start to tackle the TBR pile

18ronincats
Ene 3, 2013, 12:20 am

So sorry your first two reads have been duds, Jess. Of course, the good news is that it can only go up from here!

19apachecat
Ene 4, 2013, 1:00 am

Well the book funk is over (at least for the moment) and I have even achieved something...I know outrageous this early on in the new year.

3. Mrs Jones by B. A. Morton Well what a surprise. This book knocked the Christmas stuffing out of me and made me stay up all night just so I could find out what happened. Let me set the scene: disillusioned American cop meets scared British girl involved in a murder, cop is bitter about life/death of wife, British girl is lying about what she saw....let the romance begin....well yes it does but not in a hit you over the head kind of way its more in the background and sweet and no gratuitous sex scenes. There are more twists in the plot than in a pigs tail and they just keep coming. Face paced well written, likeable characters...this book has it all. I wish it was longer because I wanted to stay with the characters and enjoy more time with them.


4. and this is the achievement one...My first ever audio book if you dont count the one I had as a kid...Is it Just Me? by Miranda Hart ok time to come clean, I am a bit of a fan if you haven’t discovered the comical genius of Miranda Hart yet then I recommended going and watching her series Miranda...especially if you like the whole Vicar of Dibly, AbFab comedy genre. It was amazing Miranda actually narrated the book which was brill (=brilliant) and I was in stitches most of the time...I definitely could not listen to this in public as it involves lots of laughing, interactive activities, carol singing and galloping...Yep galloping. Anyway its basically Miranda writing a book to her 18 year old self letting her know yep things don’t go to plan but actually it’s all ok and everything is fine. I rediscovered some new words that I love: Discombobulate, Foible and Kerfuffle. I learnt that other people over the age of 30 also have fears about the prospect of forward rolls and what injuries it could lead to.
My favourite sentence is "I ran to the loo and ate my shoulder pads!!" Love love love it!! Go out and grab a copy and then we can all commence adult galloping!!!

20lunacat
Ene 4, 2013, 4:00 am

Glad that your reads have improved, although I am someone who cannot stand Miranda so I certainly won't be picking that one up! Don't find her funny at all, simply excruciatingly annoying. However, I know I am in the minority, given that she has widespread popularity!!

21apachecat
Ene 4, 2013, 5:49 am

#20 lols on the annoying I thought so too but the prospect of adult galloping swayed me...but yes I agree probably not a book for you...though I was excited for my first audio book but I think I made the rooky mistake of trying to listen to all of it one sitting...that was a bit much and I wont do that again I can definitley read faster than I can listen. Next audio book will be Dawn French's new one.

22lunacat
Ene 4, 2013, 7:18 am

Made me chuckle though at the image of adult galloping as my cousin's daughter (just turned three) received a hobby horse for Christmas, and couldn't quite get the hang of it so I was enlisted to show her.

Picture me, then my cousin, charging up and down hallways with this horse head on a stick between our legs, shouting 'gallop gallop gallop' and 'whoa horse' at the top of our voices while she looked on. Thankfully she finally got it, and we could have a rest, but we were roped into it again periodically for the next few days.

23apachecat
Editado: Ene 12, 2013, 11:23 pm

ohh Hobby horses I miss thee....at least I wouldn’t fracture 6 ribs when I fell of them.

5. Shadow's Edge by J. T. Geissinger Steeping into the world of shape shifters...in particular humans to vapour (mist) to Panther. I actually quite enjoyed this book. Yes it does follow a set pattern for these type of books - girl doesn’t know she has ability...finds out in dramatic way...whisked away to a hidden place where only that race lives...women are second class citizens...someone is persecuting the Panther people (Ikati)...secrets revealed...betrayal occurs...girl triumphs...accepts power... saves person in distress...gets the smoking hot guy!!! Never the less I really enjoyed this book...I think it was the writing style and the very likeable characters. This book is part of a series and I think I will give a few more of them a go.
and 3/4 stars

6. Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George A book that has been on the wish list for a few years now and it has finally been read. I like this twist on a few different classic fairy tales. Synopsis - Women makes a pact with a magical being so she can have children...she is cursed...she dies...daughters are now cursed and required to dance ever night for said magical being...man returns from war...daughters accused of witchcraft...man the only one who can save them....etc Again a somewhat predictable book, but again I enjoyed for its twists and turns and trying to figure out how they were going to get out of this situation. Characters good, scene and world building good, looking forward to tacking down the rest of the series.
and 3/4 stars

24apachecat
Editado: Ene 12, 2013, 11:23 pm

7. The President's Vampire by Christopher Farnsworth. Book two in the series and I love it, highly addictive. I would term it a light book, nothing heavy to get you bogged down just something to read and find enjoyable. In this book its the attack of the snakemen (insert scary music here), we learn more about Cade his history his strengths and what makes him tick and what happens whne good men go bad.
and 3/4 stars

25apachecat
Editado: Ene 12, 2013, 11:23 pm

8. Immortal in Death by J. D. Rob Oh how much do I love this eries...I am hooked..I stayed up most of the night reading it. Eve and Roarke are about to get married but the death of one of Eve's weasels sparks a series of deaths and her best friend Mavis is the lead suspect. The investigation goes through the highs and lows the fashion world, chemistry and horticultures and what flowers do you choose for your bridal bouquet??? I think I like this series so much because it reminds me heavily of Castle and Nikki Heat and I love that series as well. Yes they are very similar but again I see these books as light reading nothing serious, something to enjoy.

26cammykitty
Ene 10, 2013, 2:18 am

Princess of the Midnight Ball has been on my WL too for awhile. It looks really well written. Good to see your comments.

27apachecat
Ene 12, 2013, 11:23 pm

Galloping through books at the moment...I am trying to get as much reading done before Uni starts cause after that it will be all textbooks and journal articles.....sigh

9. Black Tide by Peter Temple This is the second book in the Jack Irish series. I was first introduced to this series by the mini series on TV with the amazing Guy Pierce as Jack and I have been hooked ever since. Again we delve into the world of property development and the dodgy-ness of the Victorian State Government and the Vic Police, Jack is still down on his luck in terms of women but is creating a truly lovely set of book shelves and of course there is the slightly dodgy world of horse racing thrown in just to keep thing interesting. Why do i love this series well its set in Melbourne, uses the right amount of Aussie slang and deals with issues we know have happened (are probably still are) in Victoria. Rich characters and a plot that will keep you guessing...a series I am truly enjoying and makes my mind work.
and 3/4 stars (How do you do 3/4 stars??/)

28alcottacre
Ene 13, 2013, 9:42 am

Hey, Jess. I am glad to see that at least you got a couple good reads in there! I can relate to trying to sneak the reading in before school starts. I go back on Wednesday.

29apachecat
Ene 18, 2013, 4:43 pm

10. The Map of the Sky by Felix J. Palma What can I say about this book other than its amazing!!! Even better than the first book The Map of Time. Things I like...all the old characters are back for this new adventure...we get to "meet" Edgar Allan Poe...the narrator has a bigger presence in the book...there are leaps and twists in the plot like nothing else..You have to pay attention at every step because the little details become hugely important. I love the steampunk genre and I am pretty sure this fits in cause of it time travel...but not 100% sure....I love the way we get to see Wells evolve and alter his book War of the Worlds as the story progresses......Ane I really like that POV chnages between the main characters as we go along. Just a brilliant piece of writting and I cant wait for the third book.

30ronincats
Ene 18, 2013, 9:01 pm

Okay, you sucked me in. The Palma books are going on the wishlist.

31apachecat
Editado: Mar 18, 2013, 4:03 am

11. The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss This is fast turning into one of my all-time favourite series. This is book two in the series and of course now that I am hooked the next book in the series hasn’t been published yet...*scream of frustration*. What do I love about this series? The characters are rich and well thought out, they have flaws in their characters which make them more realistic. The plot is still twisting along and you know that something big is going to happen but its building up slowly and it’s going to make the big thing so much sweeter when it does happen. The book jumps nicely between the past and the present and I like these little interruptions. We are getting to know more about Bast and the Chronicler which is a good thing as well. I want to know more bust will have to cool my heels for a while....

32TinaV95
Ene 23, 2013, 6:22 pm

Darn it. Book bullet -- like Roni, I had to add the first Palma book!

33apachecat
Editado: Mar 18, 2013, 4:03 am

11. Molly Brown by B. A. Morton the newest book from this new author and the second book in the Connell and Lizzie series. Back to a new favourite author for me and this book is almost makes it to the 4 star level. Connell is back trying to figure out a series of murders, track down corrupt cops, negotiate a real estate deal, find a missing little girl who is trying to see the Wizard of Oz and to top it all of several different people and organisations appear to be trying to kill Connell. The head wounds alone in the first couple of chapters would have had me down for weeks...but not Connell he is on the trail of something and it needs to be solved. There are more twists and turns in this book and whilst I made a few guesses at the ending I couldn’t pin it down as another twist would happen and my theories would be shattered. Why didn’t this book get 4 stars well there was less Lizzie in this book and I really enjoyed her character from last time. Roll on the next book.
3/4 stars

34apachecat
Ene 30, 2013, 6:17 pm

I cant believe this has happened...after all of thses years owning my kindle I am currently have no unread books on it!!!! *makes a quick move to amazon to download some more books* my kindle feels naked!!!

35apachecat
Editado: Ene 31, 2013, 12:47 am

12. Wildewood Revenge by B. A. Morton - *going horse riding first then I shal write my thoughts down*

36apachecat
Editado: Mar 18, 2013, 4:02 am

Well it has been a busy few weeks since attempting to write the post above. Survived and was successful at all my latest horse riding adventures and i have now moved onto to the joys of showjumping...big yays.
I have also been up in Queensland on deployment as part of the emergency mapping team I am a member of due to Ex Tropical Cyclone Oswald that put most of Queensland underwater, threatened the lives of many and damaged huge areas of land and property. So I spent a week up in Brisbane helping the amazing Red Cross people who I am just in awe off.

So now back to some book reviews and what I have been reading recently.

12. Wildewood Revenge by B. A. Morton Another book from my new favourite author, and the first book she published. This is the first book in the series and fingers crossed I can download the new book soon. It starts out as a quite walk in an army shooting range, a lost jack russell, throw in some time travel and an arrow through your leg and you have the start to a fantastic series. How will Grace cope when she is “captured” by a medieval knight that has a few problems of his own. Will church burn her as a witch? Will Miles ever trust her and can she stay there forever or must she return to the twenty first century.
I was addicted from the start, the plots and twists, the characters are amazing even if I do know the real life Thomas of Blackmore. The imagery that gets conjured up made me feel like I was there. This is a series I will come to treasure.


13 Tarnsman of Gor by John Norman A friend recommended the first book in the Gor series as something I might like and as a masterwork of Fantasy. Well it didn’t live up to my standard and I won’t be continuing the series. I have heard rumours about the series before reading it, mostly about the gratuitous sexual content, which was non-existent. Yes all of the women are slaves, but they play such a minor role that’s it’s not offensive. I found the book fairly tedious and slow-going and it followed a predictable story line with it all ending with everyone happy and free and married. None of the characters appealed to me and I just couldn’t lose myself in this world.

37alcottacre
Feb 10, 2013, 8:33 pm

#34: It is a sure bet that my Nook will never feel naked!

I need to get around to reading The Map of Time. Catey loaned it to me about a year ago and I have yet to read it. Thanks for the reminder, Jess.

38fairywings
Feb 10, 2013, 10:32 pm

Wildewood Revenge sounds interesting, onto the ever growing wishlist it goes.

Everyone who has come up to Queensland to help out has done a fabulous job, giving up their time to help out. Thank you for being one of those amazing people.

39cammykitty
Feb 10, 2013, 11:39 pm

Thanks for taking the hit on Tarnsman of Gor. Sounds like a real snooze.

40apachecat
Feb 11, 2013, 9:35 pm

Thanks fairywings - I think everyone up in Queensland is amazing the people who volunteeres the buissnesses helping out, the people who have been effected all of them so nice, friendly and understanding.

Yep Map of Time is a must read, just utterly amazing and I cant wait to read more of the series.

41apachecat
Editado: Mar 18, 2013, 4:02 am

well after the horror of Gor I decided to move onto something I knew would be great.....

14. Grave Peril by Jim Butcher Well this book did not disappoint and its is now one of my favourite series. All the supernatural beings in the world appear to be out to get Harry. Whether its to settle old debts, call in promises or just to scare him to death, harry is in a whole world of trouble. It begins with ghosts going nuts and inflicting some real harm on the real world....a new super ghost arrives on the scene harassing a young girl and punishing Harry's friends and then the vampires get involved....Can it get any worse yep throw in an invitation to a vampire ball and harry is going to need all the help he can get to survive this adventure. The action is fast paced and the twists and bad guys sneak up on you *eeek*. I truly love this series and I cant wait to sink my teeth *snort* into the next book.

42apachecat
Editado: Mar 18, 2013, 4:01 am

15. Midnight Rising by Lara Adrian this is the fourth book in the Midnight Breeds series. It continues the story of Rio and his road to redemption after Eva's betrayal. Dylan finds Rio hidden in a cave contemplating suicide and how to connect bomb leads so that they go of properly. Dylan being the good journalist that she is discovers too much, Rio captures her takes her back to the compound....well if you have read the previous books you know what happens next...lust, denial, steamy sex scene, confusion, lust, pushing away, lust, steamy sex scene and then happily ever after. Yes its predictable every single book ends the same way, but for some strange reason I don't really mind, its a light book nothing to serious and its a fast read. Will I be able to read all eleven books in the series probably not but I will keep going for a while yet.

43apachecat
Feb 19, 2013, 12:06 am

Well doesn't time just fly by.....Uni starts next week and I can already see my reading time is going to drastically change....but on the plus side I now have every friday off to study and I still get paid sweet. Roll on that frist assignment!!

44apachecat
Editado: Mar 18, 2013, 4:01 am

Oh my how time does fly....and my reading has been reduced to that of a blind snail....anyway I have finally finished a book.

16. Warlord by Jennifer Fallon It has taken me about a month to read this book....why because I knew it was the end and I didnt want it too finish, so I would a couple of pages a night just to drag it out. The series is now up there with some of my all time favourites....why did it have to end!!!! This book was good, it tied up all the story lines and still chucked in a few twists just to keep us enetertained...You got to see different sides of characters that left you wondering maybe they are not all good and have a touch of the bad....as they say history is written by the winners and you only get to see their side. I thought the ending came around pretty fast, the baddies met their gory deaths and the hereos got rewarded. A nice end to a trilogy.

45apachecat
Editado: Mar 18, 2013, 3:59 am

Finally got a break from work so have now completed the below reviews........
17. Summer Knight by Jim Butcher This is my favourite book of the series, book 4 and it is by far and away the best book in the series in my opinion. I found it to be a real page turner, with twists and turns in every chapter and I couldn’t read it fast enough. There was some real character development in this book and I thought it flowed and was really well thought out. I would read this again any day. Harry is dealing with after effects of his night at the red court; he is in a major depression slump and is totally obsessed with finding a cure for Susan. And then all hell breaks loose. The White council is threatening his life and rights as a wizard, his contract with his god mother get sold to the Winter Queen, someone is killing Wizards, people are being kidnapped and there is a war brewing brewing between the fairy Queens which could result in a new ice age....phew that made me tired just typing it...so with the help of a few werewolves, a wizard and some pizza obsessed pixies Harry is off to save the world again but at what cost his soul, his life or the love of his life??


18. Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold Is it possible to like this book more than The Curse of Chalion? Well I do. I found the characters more likeable, the plot was more exciting and we found out more information about demons and how they operate. The villains were just as good and it had quite a few twists that would make a slinky slightly jealous. Ista is recovering from the events of the last book and dealing with the fact she is no longer god touched and wants nothing more to do with them. But she is starting to feel smothered, people are with her at all times and she is no longer allowed any freedom though this is being done through kindness. After a chance meeting Ista packs of and head out on a pilgrimage...surely this is just what she needs. But one of her soldiers is possessed by a demon, more and more demon possessions are occurring and then she is almost kidnapped but is rescued by a brave, hunky slightly odd night. And now Ista is thrown into a murderous plot involving demons and dead people and she is now stuck in siege. The man she might love could die and she is once again god touched and communicating with the gods..soo much for a quiet pilgrimage around the country side. I love this book love this book.


19. Blood Trail by Tanya Huff Second book in the series and it was ok. Yep just ok. Yes there was werewolves and a bit of vamp action but really it was nothing new for me...maybe I have read to many books in this genre it’s all starting feel the same. The murder mystery part of the book was ok but you (the reader) figured out who the killer was pretty early on and were just waiting for Vicki and Henry to play catch up. I don’t think Vicki and Henry's relationship moved on that much and I was looking for a bit more development there. I will give the next book a go, but I can see this series being put on the back burner for a while.

46ronincats
Mar 15, 2013, 1:04 am

Ooh, was it your first time for Paladin of Souls? I'm waiting for your response!

47apachecat
Editado: Mar 18, 2013, 4:44 pm

Hi Roni...Yep first time reading Paladin of Souls and as you might be able to tell from the review above I loved it....

48apachecat
Editado: Mar 20, 2013, 11:46 pm

20. What a Dragon Should Know by G.A. Aiken This is book 3 in the series. I enjoyed this book and this series, I mean dragons who turn into humans what's not to love?? Yes the males are pig-headed and chauvinistic but they also have a softer side which the female characters exploit to the fullest degree. A lot of the book is made up of tongue-in-cheek comments, it is a light enjoyable read with the occasional bit of smut thrown in...who knew you could do that with a dragons tail?? Anyway this book deals with Gwenael the Defiler (snort) and Dagmar. He has always played the whore and is never taken seriously by his family and she is way to smart, politically astute and ruthless in getting what she wants. They clash loudly together fighting, laughing, fighting, watching and laughing. There is also a lot going on with the rest of the family in this books and its actually surprising how much gets squeezed in. In short this is a good book and I cant wait for the next book.
3 and 3/4 stars

49drachenbraut23
Mar 21, 2013, 12:15 pm

Hello *delurking* finally - have been lurking for some time. You have been reading quite a lot of interesting books lately. Some of them already on my TBR or my wishlist. I also noticed that we share quite a few books.

Wish you a lovely weekend :)

50ronincats
Mar 23, 2013, 12:46 am

Ha, I posted before you wrote your comments about Paladin of Souls--one of my favorite books! Yay, you loved it too.

51apachecat
Abr 5, 2013, 1:31 am

21. The Hallowed Hunt by Lois McMaster Bujold This is kind of the third book in The Curse of Chalion series....its more of a stand alone book. I don't think you need to read the other two books before reading this one. Its set in the same world, so the the theory, religion and demon possession, spirit animals all carry over. But no characters carry over. I didn't enjoy this book as much as the previous two. I just didn't click with the two main characters something was lacking and I'm not sure what it was. The concept of Spirit animals and the gods was good and I liked it, there were a few very likeable characters eg. Fafa. But I found the constant who is using who and what are the ulterior motives tiring and again it just didn't grip me. I think there could have been more about dealing with the spirit animals once they were unbound. Still a good book.
3 1/2 stars

52ronincats
Abr 5, 2013, 11:40 am

You have captured what was very much my first impression upon reading The Hallowed Hunt. However, I have grown to like it more over re-reads.

53apachecat
Abr 9, 2013, 11:13 pm

#49 - Thanks for delurking and coming to say hello :) We do share quite a few book and I often add books to my wishlist pile from what you have been reading. I have about 20 books lined up in my tbr pile at the moment a bit daunting but hopefully some good ones. I am looking forward to reading the next book in the Dresden series and the next game of thrones book.

#52 - Hi Roni - I did enjoy and I think it definitely deserves another re-read at some point but for now I will move onto other authors and try to reduce my tbr pile its threatening to take over my house.

22. Blood Lines by Tanya Huff I know I said in an earlier post I would give this series a rest but I needed to read something and I already had this book and dint need to pay for it yays. And I enjoyed it more than the last book. Why/ well I think it may have to do with the fact it deals with mummy's and ancient Egypt - always a favourite of mine. Plot an ancient "mummy" is found, released and is now plotting to take over the world!!! After taking control of the police and answering the import question of just exactly where do you build a temple to an ancient god in the modern day world. Vicky has a hard time of it in this book mentally and physically. The two men she loves are pulling at her and choices need to be made...but then they don't get made. Again the plot was enough to keep me reading and yes the characters grew a bit and showed new sides it wasn't enough I still want more from them. Again this series goes on the back burner unless I run out of books and I need to read something.
3 1/2 stars...just

54apachecat
Editado: Abr 15, 2013, 8:01 am

So this weekend was awesome!!!. I went up to Sydney to see the amazing Black Caviar win her 25th race from 25 starts...greatest race horse in the world!!! Most amazing mare!!! It was like at at a rock concert people yelling and screaming and she just strutted around taking it all in. What a super star!! And then went and saw the stage production of War Horse...amazing totally amazing...I cried so much!!!
Her is a picture of Black Caviar (stable name Nelly)


and Nelly heading out to win her race...

55SugarCreekRanch
Abr 15, 2013, 2:41 pm

Sounds like a wonderful weekend! That would be so cool to see Nelly strut her stuff. I loved War Horse on stage. The horses' body language was amazing.

56ronincats
Editado: Abr 16, 2013, 6:27 pm

Way to go, Nelly! Sounds like fun.

Do you all have the colloquialism "Whoa, Nellie!" down there? Just thought it apropos.

57apachecat
Editado: Abr 18, 2013, 8:29 pm

Hey gang slowly coming down from the amazing weekend....still reeling from seeing War Horse and my fav racing pony....news just in it has been announced today Black Caviar is retiring so off to stud for her to produce the next generation of little super stars!!!

Hi Roni yep we do use "Whoa, Nellie" down here but on Saturday it was more "Go, Nelly" :)

I could rave about War Horse for ever....The stage was amazing, simple and not cluttered, the use of the "cloud" to project images on brilliant, the goose was hilarious and after 2 minutes you forget the horses are puppets and don’t even see the puppeteers anymore...the movement and actions of the horses was spot on and truly amazing.

So now onto books..

23. The Tale of the Body Thief by Anne Rice I realised the other day I haven’t read any Rice books since I got back from Mozambique so I thought I had better keep going through the series. And boy I am glad I did, this would be my second favourite book in the series. Again the story is focussed on Lestat and from the title of the book you can probably guess what is going to happen....he encounters a body thief and an offer is made too good to refuse. Swap bodies for a few days and experience life as a mortal again!!!! More of Lestat's history is delved into and more of David...I really enjoyed the interaction between these two characters. I went into this book thinking I knew what would happen...the swap would occur, it would go wrong, Lestat would get his body back and he would turn David.....But Rice constantly had me second guessing myself...would he get his body back OMG maybe he is stuck forever as a mortal. I loved it great book...yes there are a few chapters of the usual Lestat waffling on but that’s ok I can forgive that for a good plot and a story that keeps me entertained.
4 stars

58drneutron
Abr 17, 2013, 9:17 am

I think Tale of the Body Thief was my favorite of the series.

59alsvidur
Abr 18, 2013, 6:30 pm

Oh wow! How cool to see Black Caviar in person!

60apachecat
Abr 18, 2013, 8:30 pm

24. Death Masks by Jim Butcher...review to follow....

61apachecat
Abr 29, 2013, 11:41 pm

ohhh dear I am woefully behind in updating what I have been reading. So let’s start.....with reviewing book 24 and actually writing something about it.

24. Death Masks by Jim Butcher Book 5 in the Dresden series. Poor Harry never cuts a break....a vampire champion has challenged him to duel to the death so the war between wizards and vampires can end. Then to top it off the Shroud of Turin gets stolen, who stole where is and why did they steal it?? Someone wants to steal his soul, his ex-girlfriend, Susan, is back and a bit thirsty and it’s all just a little bit crazy!! I can’t fault this series I am hooked, I love it, it’s great. The stories lines don’t get old, new aspects of characters personalities are revealed and it’s just fast paced and fun. can’t wait to read more.
4 stars

25. Wolfishly Yours by Lydia Dare ho hum that’s how I feel about this book. It was ok, its wasn’t ground breaking, the plot wasn’t new, but it wasn’t bad either. I accidentally didn’t realise this was the 6th book in the series...did it matter no not really. The story deals with Liviana Mayeux who gets shipped to England from Louisiana so she can become a Lady. Well she is not really suited to being a Lady she keeps making mistakes and landing her in various social faux pas and of course there is the tall dark and handsome Grayson, a werewolf, who is proving to be very distracting on her hunt for a suitable husband. They both want each other, but are not ready to admit it till the last minute...blah blah blah. I won’t be reading any of the other books in the series.
3 star

26. Shadows - Eternal Curse by J. Dorothy (touchstones not working). Yes I know the author, no I am not the author just a fan who likes reading her books. So as some you know I am reading a friends series of books that have just been published. The first book came out last year Reflections - Eternal Curse. That book was the first in the series but is now being sold as a prequel and this current book Shadows is now the first book. Anyway when I was reading this book before it got published this was always my favourite, the plot twist is a kicker it actually left me having a small temper tantrum because I wanted to know more, what happened and how it ended...ohh so frustrating!!! And it still is though I have read the third book so I only kicked my desk a few times. The plot is well thought out, the characters are relatable and the twist argghhhh. So what is it about I hear you ask - well here goes - Jo is about to marry James, but her sorceress aunt Rowellyn appears and sends her back through time to make Jo change the past so she never marries James and her sister can become the powerful sorceress she should be. ... I love it...love it.
3 and 3/4 stars

27. Warm Bodies by Isaac Marion I was really excited to be reading this book as everyone seems to love it and the moving is being released here soon. The plot - R is a Zombie he eats people, but R is different he wants to remember things like his name, how to read, he listens to music and feels like there should be more....R is changing. The he goes on a hunt and meets a girl, Julie, actually he eats her boyfriend...anyway he takes her back home and doesn’t eat her, just hangs out with her, he might love her?/ R is changing. And Julie well she is facing the amazing possibility of falling in love with a zombie and taking him home to meet dad!!!
Well i give the author snaps for coming up with a cool twist in the usual zombie genre and actually putting us in the rotting shoes of a zombie. But I found it a bit like Romeo and Juliet...star crossed lovers will they ever be together. I found R's thoughts about where he came from and why he was that way and how he is different very interesting but once they returned to the stadium it all became a bit predictable. It’s a shame. I think this is mainly aimed at the Twilight generation. I read it, it was ok but I think I can walk past any sequels.
3 stars

62apachecat
mayo 7, 2013, 11:29 pm

28. Rapture in Death by J. D. Robb Fourth book in the series. So Eve and Roarke are married and its starts with their honeymoon on a off world resort owned by work. A employee of Roarkes commits suicide and Eve investigates but it all seems legit. Until two more people commit suicide and they all seem to be dying wearing a smile. Could they be linked?? Why are they being targeted and how?? Who is messing with their brains and planting subliminal thoughts. This book has a dark side, darker than any of the previous book. It also get a bit sciencey which is cool and brings up some interesting arguments about mind control and gaming. There are a few twists that keep you entertained, but I did guess who the killer was early on but it was fun waiting to see how they got caught. One gripe with this series it seems Roarke is always involved...either he owns the building, or employes the person etc and its getting a bit old. I still want him to be involved but lets have a book were he just helps out. As per usual this is not the great American novel, but its entertaining and a fast read and I like this series.
3 1/2 stars

63apachecat
mayo 14, 2013, 10:06 pm

ploughing my way through the fifth book in the Game of Thrones saga...I feel like I am stuck under a mountain of snow....though i am enjoying this book more as it deals with lots of my favourite characters.

64apachecat
mayo 25, 2013, 9:57 pm

Have finally finished the fifth book in the Game of Thrones saga...now to put my thoughts together about this book...will come back latter in the day and attempt to put them down.

65apachecat
Editado: mayo 28, 2013, 12:09 am

29. A Dance with Dragons by George R. R. Martin First of all I feel so sorry for those of you who started reading this series many years ago, got to the end of book four and then has to wait five years for book five. Five years!??!!! For this?? I would be very cranky, in fact I am cranky and I only just started reading the series. WARNING – Spoiler Alert. First of all let me say that I really like this series, I like the TV Show, some of the imagery GRRM conjures up is truly amazing, the plot is hugely intricate, the dialogue can be witty and sharp, and I do have to admire an author who isn’t afraid to kill of major and important characters – a lot them. Also I have invested so much time in the series I will keep reading it but this book was almost the one that stopped me from reading anymore in the series.
What’s wrong with it?? It bored my to tears!!! Nothing happens, nothing at all…the last three chapters are where all the action occurs the rest of the time nothing moves forward, no character development, no plot development just sitting round twiddling our thumbs and riding pigs. 1040 pages of nothing could have been reduced to 500 odd pages. And as for the killing of characters that’s fine, bringing them back ok I can deal with the “oh look he didn’t really die’ a few times, it's clever but now its just getting ridiculous and I am starting to believe that no one has actually been killed and Ned Stark is going to come back and sort the whole damn mess out. When you kill a major character commit to it don’t just tease us and bring them back cause you need to fill 200 pages.

WARNING – Spoiler Alert.
So what happened to some of our favourite characters without revealing too much (really easy cause NOTHING happened).
Daenerys – proves that just because you have three dragons doesn’t mean you know how to run a city or lead your people home. Locks her dragons away for being naughty and then is surprised by the aftermath…really!!
Jon Snow – Spends most of his time umming and ahhing not committing to anything ignoring peoples advice, letting anybody over the wall and then getting knifed in the back.
Tyrion – is trying to reach Daenerys, but that seems to be an unattainable goal. Ends up as a side show attraction with a female dwarf and spends most of the book getting in touch with his inner dwarf and ridding pigs.
Stannis – Stuck in a snow storm and cranky…possibly dead but who knows!!!
Theon Greyjoy – Give up you’re a Greyjoy you are doomed to fail at everything. Is missing several appendages and is suffering from multiple personality disorder.
Cersei – well she has slept with pretty much everyone in King’s Landing and got caught, no one will save her and she has to do the walk of shame. Seems to have been tamed but watch out I am sure the old evil Cersei is there somewhere…maybe she will have to die and be bought back so she can find her spine again.
Jamie – off chasing someone with Brienne, ignoring his sister.
And that it…my advice…skip the first 900 pages and just read the last bit you won’t miss a thing.

3 stars…mostly for the pig jousting.

66apachecat
mayo 29, 2013, 9:27 pm

30. Dead Point by Peter Temple This is the third book in the Jack Irish series, and in 2001 won the Ned Kelly Award for Best Australian Crime Novel. I discovered this series by chancing upon the TV mini-series of the first two books starring Guy Pearce and I have been hooked ever since. I can safely say that Peter Temple is fast becoming one of my all-time favourite authors and I will be hunting out some of his other books.
Dead Point Follows Jack on another crazy adventure through Melbourne and the surrounding Victorian area. This book deals with two plots at once which keeps the story moving along at a great pace. First of all someone is bashing and stealing all of the winnings from the betting ring that Jack is involved in….. very personal and close to home….and then Jack is approached by a Judge to investigate the disappearance and suspected murder of a barman Robbie Colburne. Horse race fixing, dodgy Melbourne property deals, corrupt officials and police all feature heavily in this book. At the same time Jack is still trying to sort out his personal life, Harry (head betting ring organiser) is thinking about giving up the game, Charlie (Jack is working at an apprenticeship for this Master Craftsman cabinet/library maker) had gone on holiday to Western Australia he may never come back and take up swimming!!!And his love life sucks.
I have said it in my two previous reviews of this series…I love the fact its set in Melbourne, I can picture most of the places, get the jokes about the government and the imagery Temple creates is just perfect. The book often has me laughing out loud…much to the bemusement of fellow office workers. In fact here is one of my favourite passages.

“In Delbridge Street, an insane Jack Russell terrier threw himself against his front gate with a hideous bark-shriek, catching me by heart-stopping surprise for the fiftieth time. The dog would have to die. There was no other way.
Back home, I lay in the huge cast-iron bath for an hour, drinking tea, tapping off cold water, running in hot, reading the Age, ruminating on creeping flab and aching knees and other matter of the corpus.”

I just love the images it brings to mind and the language used…just wonderful.
A very solid 4 star from me and I can’t wait for the next book.

67apachecat
Jun 24, 2013, 5:51 am

31 Blood Rites by Jim Butcher This is the sixth book in Harry Dresdesn series. A series that is now cemented itself as one of my all time favourites. I know some readers haven't been enjoying the last few books in the series, but I have enjoyed them and this book I really enjoyed. As per usual Harry lands himself in some incredible situations. Some one has put a curse on a company that is producing porn films...all the young eligible ladies on set keep dying in bizarre mishaps. Of course vampires are involved and as per usual Harry stirs up their nests and is now in grave danger. We learn more about Harry's past and a few family truths are found out, friends are not always what they seem, a certain puppy makes his debut. Harry continues to develop as a character and so do the other man characters, eg Thomas and Murphy. Love it good book, and I think I will dive straight into book 7 of this series.
4 stars

68apachecat
Editado: Jul 29, 2013, 8:19 pm

Well I think I have just set a new personal record...a month to read one book!!

I must admit not much reading has been happening lately instead the world of horse riding has taken up most of my time. I have competed at two dressage competitions recently picking up a 1st and and two seconds...a show jumping comp where I managed to fall off and not injure anything after loosing my stirrups and jumping three jumps without them gravity finally took over and pulled me earthward. And now I am two weeks away from competing in my first ever one day event which means doing a dressage test, a show jumping course and a cross country course all in one day.....phew I am tired just writing it all down.

32. So the book that took a month to read (through no fault of its own) was Dead Beat by Jim Butcher. I am going to put it out there and say best book in the series!! Yep I cant see much beating this book and it was only hair away from making it 5 stars. This book has more twists than a pigs tail, the action is fast paced and at times you just cant figure out who its all going to turn good...Vampires are still gunning for Harry, Zombies are turning up everywhere, ghouls are trying to kill him, wizards are trying to steal his book, someone trashed the Blue Beetle, and wizards are trying to turn themselves in to gods!! Toss in a polka suit, the fact that Murphy is away with another man, people thinking Harry has finally lost the plot and a T-rex (Yep you heard me a T-Rex called Sue) and this book is just amazing.

Favourite line " I didn't know this before, but as it turns out, Tyrannosaurs can really haul ass."

4 and 1/2 stars and a giant thumbs up for best use of a dinosaur in 2013 (Yep I know it was published ages ago but I only read it this year) Insert T-Rex roar here!!!!!

P.S. Now I need to visit Chicago so I can see Sue

69alsvidur
Jul 28, 2013, 10:00 am

Congrats on the shows, and good luck at the combined!

70apachecat
Jul 29, 2013, 8:26 pm

Thanks alsvidur :) my horse is currently a bit lame at the moment so hopefully he gets better before this weekend...fingers corssed.

33. Sapphique by Catherine Fisher The second and final book in the Incarceron books. I didnt enjoy this one as much as the first book. I think its partly due to the amount of time that has passed since reading the first book, almost a year, and the fact I just wanted it to hurry up and finish. I think there was a few chapters of people doing nothing or just running round asking themselves if they are really who they think they are. When the ending happened I thought it was a bit of a cop out it was kind of like the author just couldnt be bothered any more and went yep lets look for the easy way out and here is the ending.
3 and 1/2 stars

71SugarCreekRanch
Jul 30, 2013, 8:51 pm

I don't think Dead Beat is my kind of book, but I loved reading your enthusiastic review. :)

I hope your horse is all healed up and ready to rock and roll! Good luck!

72apachecat
Ago 8, 2013, 8:33 pm

34. Blood Pact by Tanya Huff This is book 4 of the series. This book deals with some pretty heavy emotional stuff, when Vicki receives the call that no child wants to hear... your parent has passed away.....a pretty horrible thing to deal with but throw in the fact that her mum's body has since been stolen and a few others have gone missing, the police's lack of concern, a death at the hands of a Frankenstein type creature and a looming decision about what to do with Henry and Celluci..Vicki does not have the best time in this book. Quite a few things get sorted in this book and the massive twist at the end well we kinds saw it coming but its was still written well. I still compare this book to other favourites of mine such as the Castle series or Bones or J. D. Robb's In Death series. It probably not as good as those but still enjoyable.

3 and 1/2 stars

73apachecat
Ago 11, 2013, 7:25 pm

So last weekend I attempted my first ever one day event so thats dressage show jumping and cross country. My horse was lame the week before but with lots of rest and carrots he came good by the weekend. I had a pretty shocking dressage test, the lowest score we have ever recieved not his fault all mine I forgot how to ride before the test lols and had a minor freak out. Show jumping was amazing and we only had one refusal which was my fault and then onto cross country which again was amazing we had two refusals at the second water jump. All in all we ended up finishing 12th in my class and I was the only member of my team of 6 riders who actually finished and didnt get eliminated. All thanks to my super pony Ashton 29 years old and showing all those youngsters how to go round the course in style.
Here is a pic of us in the show jumping...as you can see we are only in the chicken class jumps of 45 cm but we aiming for higher next time.

74alsvidur
Ago 12, 2013, 5:59 pm

Ashton looks wonderful for his age! He's just stepping over the fence, not even having to try. What a good boy. You look fabulous as well. What's up next for the two of you?

75apachecat
Ago 12, 2013, 7:53 pm

Hi Alsvidur...yeah Ashton is pretty special....the jumps were so tiny for him considering we have been training over 74 cm jumps. We are looking at doing another one day event closer to the end of the year and a couple of dressage comps till then. Really it just depends on how he goes, he is priority if he is going well we will keep on going...he does seem to love it and now I know we can go a bit faster round the cross country course. I think he will get me up to newcomers level which is 60 cm after that its novice and 80cm annd that might be a bit much for him especially the cross country part but see how he goes.

76alsvidur
Ago 15, 2013, 6:46 pm

It's so great that he still enjoys running around a cross country course. Keep us updated on his dressage days!

77apachecat
Ago 19, 2013, 11:19 pm

35. House of Cards by C. E. Murphy second book in the series. I am a bit undecided about this book and the series...I cant decide if I like it or if I think I have read better versions of the same type of story. Margrit still owes Janx the dragon a favour, someone is killing his goons and now it appears his head goon, Malic a Djinn, is the prime target. Margrits work and personal life is in absolute chaos with murders and job offers flying around. Speaking of flying Alban, a gargoyle, is acting like a prat and is annoying for most of the book until he comes to his senses and realises he loves Margrit. Quite a few good twists occur in the plot and a bit of character development happens. If I didn't already have the next book on my kindle I don't think I would continue with the series but I do have it so on I will go.

3 and 1/2 stars.....leaning towards three.

78apachecat
Ago 29, 2013, 7:27 pm

I'm struggling this year...not sure if I will make the 75...I do have a heap of good books lined up to read but I am currently bogged down in reading Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice this is my least favourite book in the series so far and I just want it to be over. Did anyone else experience this??

79apachecat
Sep 3, 2013, 9:46 pm

36. Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice ohh dear....what happened I was enjoying this series so much and now...I dont want to read anymore of it. It was a massiv struggle to finish the book and most nights I sat looking at my kindle depressed because I had to keep reading it. Friends kept telling me it would get better...for me it didnt. The first part of the book with Lestat stalking a new victim and his daughter is at least interesting but then comes the Devil....and tedium set in. The remainder is a rather boring interview with the Devil with Lestat asking questions and freaking out. We have to go through all of creation and the fall of the Devil etc. I think this about the time in Anne Rice's career when she starts finding and investigating religion, and boy does it ever influence her work. If I had wanted to read a book about faith, religion, God and the Devil I would have picked up the Bible . Its just horrible, dry, characters are boring and flat even the Devil.

2 stars

80apachecat
Sep 3, 2013, 9:51 pm

37. The Man Within by Lora Leigh oh dear I have hit a bad book slump. I am trying to finish all the unread books on kindle by the end of the year...another 50 to go...and this is one of the series. Bascially its smut/soft porn with a very loose plot wrapped around it...very loose. I think I must have been going through a stage of not minding the fact that there is not much of a plot....but at the moment I care about plot and character developement and this book did nothing for me. I have the next two books in the series on my kindle....maybe its time to just give up the series and stick with the ones I like. For example anything by Patricia Briggs.

2 stars

81apachecat
Editado: Sep 9, 2013, 6:29 pm

38. Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione Yay I book I enjoyed. Yes it is very similar to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, but thats ok because I enjoy that series and therefore I like this one too. Yep the plot is predictable guy finds girls says no guys says, girl says yes boy says and then finally they re together. But this story actually has plot its not all about sex, though there are some good scenes, there is an overall mission through out the books. The characters are well thought out and develop nicely. Whilst this book mainly deals with Runa and Shade, the side stories of Wraith and Gem and Kynan are also introduced and fleshed out more. A good read and I will be continuing with this series.

3 stars

82SugarCreekRanch
Sep 11, 2013, 12:55 am

Three cheers for Ashton! He looks SUPER for 29. He looks great at any age, but 29? Amazing.

83apachecat
Editado: Sep 12, 2013, 5:48 pm

Yeps huge Yay for Ashton....we recently did a mini show jumping day and went clear in the 45cm straight bar class and we attempted 60 cm.....he was keen I was a bit spooked so we retired at the second last jump......Ashton is currently having a month break out in the paddock he is having a few dominance and social issues so he needs a bit of a time out...but he shall return soon probably as fat as a whale from all the spring grass lols.

84TinaV95
Editado: Sep 12, 2013, 4:46 pm

What a handsome horse!!! Wow! And 29 years old? Really?

I'm pretty sure Memnoch is when I gave up on that series!

You've made me want to go get my next Dresden off the shelf (think I'm only at #3).

And I really love Patricia Briggs too!!

85apachecat
Sep 17, 2013, 8:45 pm

39. Veil of Midnight by Lara Adrian This is book 5 in the Midnight Breed series. And yep this is definitely one of my favourite paranormal romance books...because its not all about boy meets girl, boy gets girl. there is actually a plot, character development, and some absolutely awesome action sequences. There is quite a lot going on in this book that is crucial for the larger plot that runs through the series, some of the big bad's get a bit more fleshed out and evil plots are hatched. I like this book because the lead female character has a spine, her own abilities and is not afraid no use them. The book is based on Niko and his eventual breedmate Renata. I wont go into what happens in this book as I think a large portion of it is crucial for the rest of the series. I accidentally went and read book 7 before books 4,5 and 6 so I can see where it is all heading and its too good to ruin it now. Roll on book 6 so I can finally be back to reading the book in the correct order.

4 stars

86apachecat
Sep 24, 2013, 12:11 am

40. NOS4R2 by Joe Hill This is the third book I have read by Joe Hill. I don't think its quite at the level of his debut novel Heart-Shaped Box it is a step up from Horns which I found slightly disappointing. Without knowing who Joe Hill is you would definitely compare this book to the Stephen King classics and when you do find out who Hill is, it all makes sense. There are no moments of horrible blood and gore but there is definitely moments of terror and that horrible feeling of slowly building tension is carried through out the book. Some of the characters are absolutely creepy and menacing...so much so your skin occasionally wants to crawl away...which would probably delight them. So the basics of the story are as follows: Manx is an evil evil "man" who takes children away to Christmasland where they can be "happy" for ever and ever, the Wraith is Manx's car which makes Christine seem like a tame kitten, Manx's sidekick is the Gasmask man who I can now add safely to my list of things I fear alongside clowns and drains.

The there is Vic the heroine of our story, she's not perfect she has a lot of problems and I like her. As a child Vic discovers she can find lost thing by riding her bike across a bridge that no longer exists physically in this world. I dont want to say too much more cause the plot has a few twists and turns and I am afraid I would give away too much if I went into how Manx and Vic interact. There are a few other notable persons of interest in the book a psychic librarian who plays scrabble and Lou, dear Lou definitely not your typical hero but he is.

Hill drops quite a references to popular culture including Firefly....but really Mr Hill I object when you turn a browncoat into a villain, a true browncoat would never dob on someone even if they needed money for a Buffy tattoo!!

A word to the wise...read all they way to the end...including all of the acknowledgements its worth it...you will discover why...

4 stars

87apachecat
Editado: Sep 24, 2013, 10:47 pm

Este mensaje fue borrado por su autor.

88apachecat
Sep 30, 2013, 4:56 am

Falling behind a bit...have completed two books this weekend...will post my thoughts on them tomorrow.

I got slightly distracted by the Lifeline Bookfair....three days of book fair goodness oh it was amazing and all funds going to charity..books and a good deed at the same time....so I walked out of the book fair with 13 book for only $44 amazing, 7 of them were Kathy Reichs books.
And then cause I was in a book buying mood I decided to visit my two favourite second hand book shops Canty's and Gaslight and another 11 books found thier way into my arms...oh dear.

On the plus side I am two books away from having the complete Temperance Brennan series woot!!

89apachecat
Editado: Oct 2, 2013, 12:01 am

41. Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche This book was recommended to me by my boss who is an absolute sailing nut and spent a lot of time laughing and shaking his head whilst reading this book. The story is based on the real life adventure of the author Torre an Australian graphic designer who moved to the US for one year promising her parents and family she will be back in one year and she will not fall in love and never come home. And how that plan went completely out the window when she met the mad and possibly a little bit crazy Argentinian, Ivan. Falls in love with him and agrees to sail across the Pacific ocean on his boat Amazing Grace.....that sounds fine doesn't it?? Ok but I neglected to mention that Torre gets horribly seasick and I mean horribly...just going out on the Bay in San Francisco is enough to put Torre out of action. Ivan is somewhat of a klutz and has very laid back attitude to boat maintenance and worrying about anything in general. Torre likes lists, all crucial provisions to be aboard and an actual plan.

What follows is mad cap adventure across the Pacific that includes seasickness, becalming, leaking boats, whales, runaway dinghy's, mould, amazing islands and people, nudity, and shooting people. The entire time I was reading this book I was thinking this crazy I would never do this, they wont survive....but somewhere in the back of my brain a little voice kept saying it doesn't sound that bad..you could actually do that...I think its the same voice that lead me to go to Africa to become a game ranger....except I think the voice has forgotten I get horribly seasick, i have almost vomited on a whale and I dont know any Argentinian's with a yacht.

A firm contender for book of the year.

Favourite lines:

"It seems he was named by a cat walking across a keyboard. When I try to pronounce "Nepomnaschy" out loud, my mouth sounds like it's full of peanut butter."

"I've never met a real-life adventurer before; I've only ever seen them on the breaking news report, generally being dragged from catastrophes."

"You're so sute when you sleep" I go pink in the cheeks. I dont know what he saw, exactly, but I bet it involved a spreading of knees, an open mouth, gurgling noises and lots of misplaced saliva. Who looks like Monica Bellucci now, huh?"

4 1/2 stars

90apachecat
Oct 1, 2013, 11:55 pm

42. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman I think I almost the last person on library thing and in the 75 book challenge to read this book. I have had this book on my wishlist since 2012 and I finally managed to download it onto my kindle. This is also my first ever Gaiman book. Wow I wish I read this earlier I have been missing out. The world building is absolutely amazing something that you could just sink straight into. yes I know it helps that London is actually a real place (lols who knew) but London below is an amazing place and I so what to go there for a visit. The characters are rich and full of life and even the small side characters, such as the rat speakers, are well thought out and all I can say is they are rich in detail. As most of you know the book is about what happens to Richard Mayhew when he helps an injured girl, Door. From that point onwards nothing goes as planned. People stop being able to see Richard properly forgetting who is and who they are talking to he effectively becomes invisible. Richard is then pulled into the world of London below, where a whole heap of interesting and alternative people live. Richard then accompanies Door on a quest to find out who killed her family and why and to find the Angel Islington. There are some truly evil and scary menacing villain's in this book...ones who would keep me up at night if I was younger.
A truly enjoyable read and I will have to try a few more of Gaiman's books.

Favourite line "Then he smiled, like a cat who had just been entrusted with the keys to a home for wayward but plump canaries."

5 stars

91apachecat
Oct 2, 2013, 12:02 am

I am currently diving into my very first foray into the world of The Wheel of Time.....should be interesting

92apachecat
Oct 14, 2013, 10:15 pm

Soo some exciting news that will and has lead to another decline in my ability to read and finish books......I now have my very own horse!!!!!

Insert happy crazy I am now a horse owner dance!!

I have had him for a bit over a week now and we are doing well...getting to know one another, him to learn I am not just a crazy lady who kidnapped him out of a paddock and doing some basic ground work before I hop on him.

Details: I am free leasing him of my riding instructor which means he is mine to look after ride etc. he is a gelding, 12 years old, and 17.1 hands high (which is huge) he is a Warmblood x Clydesdale so he is chunky as well...but his sire was a top show jumper and his dam was a cart horse lols. He is dressage trained....hopefully he will do well at eventing...fingers crossed. His only issue is he doesn't get on horse floats or trucks...his original owners, not my riding instructor the people before her) had him in a float with another horse that fell on top of him and the nasty people kept on driving for 30 mins. So understandably he doesn't like it....but we are going to work on it and see what we can do...work on slowly of course I don't want to stress him out too much.

Oohh and his name is Pan...he is not registered yet but will be we are just trying to think up show names....favourites so far is Pantomime Prince or Pantomime Hero

And here is a picture of my boy....not the best shot but I am sure more will follow : )

93ronincats
Oct 14, 2013, 10:19 pm

Oh, I am delighted for you. You are the third 75er I know who has acquired a horse and shows them. He is a handsome fellow.

94apachecat
Oct 16, 2013, 12:17 am

Thanks Roni, Pan is an awesome pony...its the best feeling in the world seeing your horse in the morning before work...he just puts a smile on my face.

95alsvidur
Oct 18, 2013, 1:05 am

Congrats!

96SugarCreekRanch
Oct 20, 2013, 10:08 pm

Congratulations! Pan is a beautiful boy. I'm sure you two will make a great team!

97apachecat
Oct 20, 2013, 10:11 pm

Thanks guys...Pan is a wonderful boy...so wonderful he decided to run through a fence on sunday and scrape some skin of his leg and some smaller cuts...sigh...he is fine but ohhh dear one worried horse mother here.

98SugarCreekRanch
Oct 20, 2013, 10:14 pm

Welcome to horse ownership, including the worry and vet bills. :)

99apachecat
Oct 30, 2013, 12:49 am

Oh dear the arrival of the pony has marked a shap decline in readin plus I am also undertaking a short course in horse management so lots of studying. On the plus side I have currently finished all of the books on my kindle and I have now banished my kindle and I am only reading real books for the rest of the year. In the vain hope of clearing the 50 plus unread real books living beside my bed.

Good things about reading real books again...the smell of books..I had forgotten how lovely they smell and feel.

"Bad" things about reading real books...i need light to be able to read and they take up a lot of room in my handbag. lols such a first world complaint it could be worse I could have no books!!

The last book on the kindle:

43. The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan Ok so for just about forever I have heard about this series and people have tried to get me to read it...why have I been reluctant? I'm not really sure, I read series just as long or longer see Katherine Kerr and Raymond E. Feist, the series just never grabbed me. Finally I have succumbed and entered the wheel of time. Initial thoughts....yes its Epic Fantasy..wow its similar to Tolkien....ahh now I see what inspired Eragon. Was I blown away with it no...did I enjoy it yes. The world building is amazing, the characters a likeable and I want to know more about them. Did it drag in some places yes, I just wanted something to happen, the big bad to reveal himself...something anything a small battle maybe?? I didn't find it too long but that's probably because it was on the kindle and I don't notice the length of books on it.
Will I keep reading it?? yes especially now that I know the series has finished.

3 1/2 stars

100apachecat
Oct 30, 2013, 12:57 am

The first real book read in ages:

44. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton I have a vague recollection of having read this book before or at least of borrowing this book from a friend...but then I read it and nothing came back...apart from the movie related stuff...so I think i will count this as a new read. Of course I have seen the movie and loved it the velocoraptors are my favourite things. the book is amazing it goes into soo much more of the cool sciencey stuff and why the Park was destined to fail...the origins of the second and third movies are also in this book. Oooh I enjoyed it soo much...Crichton is an amazing writer and I will now have to track down more books.

4 stars and a woot cause this is the second book of the year to feature a cranky and rampaging T-rex...totally awesome!!!

101apachecat
Oct 30, 2013, 12:58 am

I am really not going to make it to 75 books this year sigh...so new aim is 50 : )

102drneutron
Oct 30, 2013, 10:03 am

A perfectly good goal...

103apachecat
Oct 31, 2013, 11:35 pm

45. The Hob's Bargain by Patricia Briggs An early Briggs book and one that I hadnt heard of before. A very good typical fantasy book with magic powers and a few mythical/magical creatures thrown in. Fallbrook is a quite town until the mountain pass is blocked and the lands magic is unleashed...after that strange creatures appear and attack people...raiders start attacking the village and its people and Aren meets a Hob!!! To save the village, its people and herself Aren agrees to a Hob's bargain.

3 1/2 star

104apachecat
Nov 6, 2013, 9:12 pm

46. Polar City Blues by Katharine Kerr Some years ago I read Polar City Nightmare without realsing it was the second book in the series and from a vague memory I rather enjoyed it. However this book left me feeling a bit meh....The characters didnt grab me, therefore I didnt really care about what was happening to them. My two favourite characters were Nunks and Mrs Bug. I did "enjoy"/like the concept that a diesease that kills "humans" is actually a symbotic organisim for another species...that was quite cool. The last 1/4 of the book was the best part.

3 1/2 stars and a meh added as well.

105apachecat
Nov 7, 2013, 5:42 pm

47. Ladyhawke by Joan D. Vinge A book bought on a whim because I have vague memories of the movie and have always wanted a horse like Goliath and a boyfirend that could turn into a wolf...lols. From what I have read of other reviews...its basically the movie turned into a book..so there are no extra suprises or anything like that. A nice short read.

3 1/2 stars but more positive than the book before this one : )

106apachecat
Nov 11, 2013, 9:03 pm

48. Brilliance of the Moon by Lian Hearn This is a re-read for me, mostly because I amanaged to find this book at our local bookfair so I am to complete the series. A great read but I did find the ending happened rather fast and just seemed to kind of be dumped on us...the rest of the book was so intricate and deatiled about what was happening and why and then ending just seemed rushed more like an after thought...juts something to get the book published. The series still remains as one of the great all time series I have read .

4 stars

107apachecat
Nov 19, 2013, 5:49 pm

49. Death du Jour by Kathy Reichs This is a re-read for me. I strated the series sometime ago long before there was a tv show associated with it, and because of my recent book splurge at the book fair I now have most of the series. So time to get back into it and I think this book is Reichs at her best. Multiple story lines that twist and turn and eventually weave together so the big bad is revealed.

4 stars

108apachecat
Editado: Dic 3, 2013, 10:23 pm

50. Dead Witch Walking by Kim Harrison - well a bit behind in writing this review. This is the first book in the series and therefore spends quite a bit of time introducing characters, world building and character relations. Rachel the main charcater is pretty good she does seem to occasionally take a back seat in terms of character building as other characters get more fleshed out and occasionally I do find her "Bad Luck" or bumbling of the simplest runner jobs a bit annoying. However she is a strong character and I like the book, the plot is entertaining and I cant wait to read morein the series...plus its the first book I have read where a mink is heavily involved in the story line and not just as a coat.

4 stars

109apachecat
Dic 3, 2013, 10:57 pm

51. The Windup Girl by Paolo Bacigalupi Had this book on my wishlist for a while and recently acquired it at a second hand book store. A solid Steampunk/Dystopian/Sci-Fi book. This book is set in Bangkok in a post-oil world where calorie companies and their gene rippers rule. Food is scarce and lots of manual energy is used to create it, crop bought from the calorie men are sterile therefore every year you have to go back for a new lot. However messing with genes has its price, new breeds of plants and animals have been created and and so have new disease and blights. Bangkok is struggling for survival, the ocean is threatening to engulf it and the Environment and Trade ministries are on the verge of war. The Windup girl essentially follows the lives four people as the world comes tumbling down as disease and warfare break out. One of the best book I have read this year..probably not my standard cup of tea but I really enjoyed it.

4 stars

110apachecat
Editado: Dic 3, 2013, 11:01 pm

Also here is a link to a webiste that lists the 10 Most Badass Women in Fantasy literature...I have just added a whole heap of book to my wish list...sigh

10 Badass Women in Fantasy Literature

111apachecat
Ene 5, 2014, 9:31 pm

52. Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik This is the seventh book in one of my all time favourite series. However this book has left me a bit flat. It did start with a bang that made read and read and I thought Yes here we go the old Temeraire is back....but then its just faded away. So a few things annoyed me....the reasons behind letting Laurence back into the army seemed flimsy and not very well thought out, Temeraire spends most of the novel being moody and sullen about most things, the plot isn't that interesting and then the ending just drove me bonkers...its like Miss Novik suddenly woke up and remembered what her original books were like and what the fans loved....so lets send Temeraire back to China and closer to the on going war in Europe..its was clumsily done and seems like a last minute addition to the book. However I will continue reading the book because i do like it when they are in China and Europe and hopefully Miss Novik gets back some of her old spark.

3 stars

112apachecat
Ene 5, 2014, 9:46 pm

53. Deadly Decisions by Kathy Reichs this is book three in the series and is another re-read for me as I am trying work my thought to the new books in the series that I acquired in my book buying spree a few months ago. In this book Tempe deals with the results of a biker war going on in Quebec. Quite a lot of the book is dedicated to providing information on how the gangs are set up, what they do, who is in charge of what and why they are killing each other. I found all of this "background" information fascinating, I have seen a few reviews where it drove people nuts. Tempe and Ryans relationship hits the skids a bit when he is charged with various drug and money laundering and then disappears of the face of the earth. In general good book with a great plot, well thought out and just the right pace.

4 stars

113apachecat
Ene 5, 2014, 10:39 pm

Wrapping it up for 2013...Yes I know its 2014 but the wonderful world of playing ponies over Christmas has distracted me a bit lately.
So here it is my top 5 (sih) reads for the year and the four worst reads of the year.

Best reads of 2013
1. Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
2. Love with a Chance of Drowning by Torre DeRoche
3. Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold
4. The Map of the Sky by Felix J Palma
5. The Wise Man's Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

Notable mentions this year also go to...
Anything by J. D. Robb in particular Immortal in Death I love this series
Anything by Jim Butcher. Dead Beat is my favourite book so far and also wins the award for best use of a T-Rex in a novel, a big one considering I also read Jurassic Park this year.

Worst reads of 2013..and boy were there some whoppers this year
The Mongoliad by Neal Stephenson
Tarnsman of Gor by John Norman
Memnoch the Devil by Anne Rice
The Man Within by Lora Leigh