Kiwiria's August Adventures
Sep. 3rd, 2017 11:53 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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christianreaderA lot of rereads in August. I decided to return to my beloved witches which always makes for a great month, readingwise :)
Mr. Mercedes - Stephen King, 4/5, 449 pages
I love how Stephen King doesn't stick to just one or two genres, but seems to write a little bit of just about everything. This is his first foray into crime fiction (that I've read), and I thought he did it really, really well! Especially the last few chapters had me sitting on the edge of my seat and biting my nails (figuratively, anyway). A definite page-turner! And fortunately one with a proper ending, despite it being the first in a trilogy... although I'm still going to go straight ahead with the next book anyway.
I really liked Bill, Janey, Holly and Jerome and am pleased that we'll get to see at least most of them in the next books as well.
Lighter than my Shadow - Katie Green, 4.5/5, 528 pages
Wow... this book really packs a punch.
An extremely poignant story about a teen battling an eating disorder and sexual abuse and the long-term effect on her life from both. It did an excellent job of explaining how having an eating disorder isn't just a phase that a person can grow out of - it takes years of work, setbacks, therapy and relapses and is probably something the person has to battle in some form or the other, for the rest of their life.
I liked the drawing-style and found it fascinating to see how Katie Green used the media to depict the specter of an eating disorder without having to use any words at all.
I did miss getting full closure on her battle with sexual abuse, but appreciate that in real life we just don't always get that kind of closure, and that reporting it would probably have taken more strength that she had at the time.
A really brilliant graphic memoir that I highly recommend.
Good or God - John Bevere, 4/5, 288 pages
Extremely thought-provoking book, that I'm glad to have read. John Bevere dives into why good without God just isn't sufficient, and how to gain discernment to know the difference.
I didn't agree with all his points, but enough that I learned a lot, and he put forth some ideas I'd never thought of before, which really made me sit back and think.
But a word of warning to other readers - he does talk a LOT about not being saved by faith alone, but that deeds are also necessary. I'm pretty sure he isn't saying that we have to do good deeds to be saved, but rather echoing James that a faith without deeds is dead, but his wording does toe the line occasionally. It didn't bother me, as I feel secure enough in my faith to disagree with him, but it does stop me from being able to recommend this book without reservations.
Daughter's Need - Audrey Faye, 3.5/5, 191 pages
Very powerful and emotional addition to the KarmaCorp story. I didn't quite get all the ins and outs of neither the problem surrounding Tatiana nor exactly how the solution was supposed to work, but that's very often the case when it comes to time-travel, so it didn't really bother me :)
Audrey Faye nicely tied up all ends in this 6th KarmaCorp novel, and while I'll still read the epilogues just because I want to read more about the four and the people surrounding them, the short stories. aren't really necessary to wrap up any story lines.
Star Stories - Epilogues - Audrey Faye, 4/5, 88 pages
As with all short story collections some were awesome, and some didn't touch me much. I really wish Audrey Faye wrote Christian novels - she'd be brilliant at it! The way she describes fellowship and religion would make her even better than Neta Jackson.
But I digress. My favourite story by far was "To See or Not To See". I loved seeing Yesenia back at the flea market of Tezuli, and it bookended the similar story in the first Star Stories collection very nicely :-) I also enjoyed reading about Raven back on her native planet, and Kish finally figuring out how to be herself and a queen at the same time.
Excellent conclusion to the Fixers of KarmaCorp. I'm looking forward to seeing where Audrey Faye takes her writing next.
The Vintage Teacup Club - Vanessa Greene, 4/5, 400 pages
Cosy and entertaining book that just stayed on the right side of being fluff. I grew to care for all the ladies of the Vintage Teacup Club as well as their families. They all seemed very real to me with all their flaws and charms. There isn't much of substance to the book, but delightful reads about friendships have always been right up my aisle, and I was very charmed by it.
A Modern Witch Series - Debora Geary*, 4.5/5, 1937 pages
All 7 books :-D I still adore this series and may just continue on with some of the spin-offs next :-) They make for the perfect comfort reading.
What Does Consent Really Mean - Pete Wallis, 2/5, 64 pages
Graphic novel. I liked the drawings, and the message is obviously very important, but unfortunately the execution was seriously lagging. Not only did the characters not sound like teenagers, they didn't even sound like adults having a natural conversation, but rather like adults reading aloud lines they had been given by an over-eager PSA scriptwriter. It was stilted and unnatural and very, very eye-roll inducing.
Which is a shame, because the topic is SO important. I would love to see this plot worked over by a thorough editor to see what could come of it then.
Generations - Flavia Biondi, 3/5, 145 pages
Graphic novel. A very well-drawn coming-of-age story. It had the potential to be very poignant, but for some reason it fell flat with me. However, I cannot pin-point why, so am blaming it more on a lack of chemistry than anything else. I have no doubt that others will really enjoy it.
The Tea Dragon Society - Katie O'Neill, 4/5, 72 pages
Graphic novel. Totally adorable story with equally adoring pictures. Obviously aimed mostly at children, but charming enough and with enough depth that I really enjoyed it too. The characters are diverse, kind, interesting and magical... what's not to like?
I want to know more about the Tea Dragon Society, and hope that Katie O'Neill will eventually write sequels and possibly even a prequel. The art work is stunning and I want my own Tea Dragon now!
Book of the Month: Tough choice - SO many good books! Probably Lighter Than My Shadow though.
Biggest disappointment: What Does Consent Really Mean. Extremely cringe-worthy.
Mr. Mercedes - Stephen King, 4/5, 449 pages
I love how Stephen King doesn't stick to just one or two genres, but seems to write a little bit of just about everything. This is his first foray into crime fiction (that I've read), and I thought he did it really, really well! Especially the last few chapters had me sitting on the edge of my seat and biting my nails (figuratively, anyway). A definite page-turner! And fortunately one with a proper ending, despite it being the first in a trilogy... although I'm still going to go straight ahead with the next book anyway.
I really liked Bill, Janey, Holly and Jerome and am pleased that we'll get to see at least most of them in the next books as well.
Lighter than my Shadow - Katie Green, 4.5/5, 528 pages
Wow... this book really packs a punch.
An extremely poignant story about a teen battling an eating disorder and sexual abuse and the long-term effect on her life from both. It did an excellent job of explaining how having an eating disorder isn't just a phase that a person can grow out of - it takes years of work, setbacks, therapy and relapses and is probably something the person has to battle in some form or the other, for the rest of their life.
I liked the drawing-style and found it fascinating to see how Katie Green used the media to depict the specter of an eating disorder without having to use any words at all.
I did miss getting full closure on her battle with sexual abuse, but appreciate that in real life we just don't always get that kind of closure, and that reporting it would probably have taken more strength that she had at the time.
A really brilliant graphic memoir that I highly recommend.
Good or God - John Bevere, 4/5, 288 pages
Extremely thought-provoking book, that I'm glad to have read. John Bevere dives into why good without God just isn't sufficient, and how to gain discernment to know the difference.
I didn't agree with all his points, but enough that I learned a lot, and he put forth some ideas I'd never thought of before, which really made me sit back and think.
But a word of warning to other readers - he does talk a LOT about not being saved by faith alone, but that deeds are also necessary. I'm pretty sure he isn't saying that we have to do good deeds to be saved, but rather echoing James that a faith without deeds is dead, but his wording does toe the line occasionally. It didn't bother me, as I feel secure enough in my faith to disagree with him, but it does stop me from being able to recommend this book without reservations.
Daughter's Need - Audrey Faye, 3.5/5, 191 pages
Very powerful and emotional addition to the KarmaCorp story. I didn't quite get all the ins and outs of neither the problem surrounding Tatiana nor exactly how the solution was supposed to work, but that's very often the case when it comes to time-travel, so it didn't really bother me :)
Audrey Faye nicely tied up all ends in this 6th KarmaCorp novel, and while I'll still read the epilogues just because I want to read more about the four and the people surrounding them, the short stories. aren't really necessary to wrap up any story lines.
Star Stories - Epilogues - Audrey Faye, 4/5, 88 pages
As with all short story collections some were awesome, and some didn't touch me much. I really wish Audrey Faye wrote Christian novels - she'd be brilliant at it! The way she describes fellowship and religion would make her even better than Neta Jackson.
But I digress. My favourite story by far was "To See or Not To See". I loved seeing Yesenia back at the flea market of Tezuli, and it bookended the similar story in the first Star Stories collection very nicely :-) I also enjoyed reading about Raven back on her native planet, and Kish finally figuring out how to be herself and a queen at the same time.
Excellent conclusion to the Fixers of KarmaCorp. I'm looking forward to seeing where Audrey Faye takes her writing next.
The Vintage Teacup Club - Vanessa Greene, 4/5, 400 pages
Cosy and entertaining book that just stayed on the right side of being fluff. I grew to care for all the ladies of the Vintage Teacup Club as well as their families. They all seemed very real to me with all their flaws and charms. There isn't much of substance to the book, but delightful reads about friendships have always been right up my aisle, and I was very charmed by it.
A Modern Witch Series - Debora Geary*, 4.5/5, 1937 pages
All 7 books :-D I still adore this series and may just continue on with some of the spin-offs next :-) They make for the perfect comfort reading.
What Does Consent Really Mean - Pete Wallis, 2/5, 64 pages
Graphic novel. I liked the drawings, and the message is obviously very important, but unfortunately the execution was seriously lagging. Not only did the characters not sound like teenagers, they didn't even sound like adults having a natural conversation, but rather like adults reading aloud lines they had been given by an over-eager PSA scriptwriter. It was stilted and unnatural and very, very eye-roll inducing.
Which is a shame, because the topic is SO important. I would love to see this plot worked over by a thorough editor to see what could come of it then.
Generations - Flavia Biondi, 3/5, 145 pages
Graphic novel. A very well-drawn coming-of-age story. It had the potential to be very poignant, but for some reason it fell flat with me. However, I cannot pin-point why, so am blaming it more on a lack of chemistry than anything else. I have no doubt that others will really enjoy it.
The Tea Dragon Society - Katie O'Neill, 4/5, 72 pages
Graphic novel. Totally adorable story with equally adoring pictures. Obviously aimed mostly at children, but charming enough and with enough depth that I really enjoyed it too. The characters are diverse, kind, interesting and magical... what's not to like?
I want to know more about the Tea Dragon Society, and hope that Katie O'Neill will eventually write sequels and possibly even a prequel. The art work is stunning and I want my own Tea Dragon now!
Book of the Month: Tough choice - SO many good books! Probably Lighter Than My Shadow though.
Biggest disappointment: What Does Consent Really Mean. Extremely cringe-worthy.
