Coyotemusic

• Rated 5 stars

“There's no denying there's something very Seinfeld-y about this book. It takes place in New York, it's searingly funny and it's essentially about nothing. There's definitely not a lot of story, and at times that slowed me down getting through it. But I'm so glad I read it.

How could you not love a book with characters named Perkus Tooth and Oona Laslo?

All the characters were so well-done. Flawed, funny, interesting, human ... Perkus reminded me of Walter from Fringe, only instead of being a scientist he is a pop-culturist. Constantly espousing some new theory tied to a current New York theme. The book is filled with brilliant satire, unique friendships, and scathing social commentary, not to mention a cuddly pit bull.

For Manhattan dwellers this book is a must! I think there are some aspects of this book that you can only fully appreciate being from New York. I was sorry to have missed them.

I loved it.

”

Coyotemusic wrote this review 10 days ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 2 stars

“This isn't my normal type of book but I do enjoy them on occasion. However, I think my expectations were too high after all the hype. I just thought it was stupid, with really mediocre writing and unnatural attempts at humor.

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Coyotemusic wrote this review 2 weeks ago. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 3 stars

“Pirate Latitudes - Michael Crichton
3/5

It's impossible to know whether Crichton intended this book to be published, or if he wrote it for fun. Considering it was written in 2006, and discovered on his hard drive after his death, it feels like maybe he wasn't rushing it off to his agent for publication.

It's not Crichton in peak form, that's for sure.

While the book is entertaining enough, it's missing what I love most about Crichton ... the research, the education, the intense build of excitement. It's a pirate story, and not a particularly original one ... It's got your storms, your cannibals, your sea monsters, and general pirate treachary. The first half of the book I felt it was unforgivable that they decided to publish this. But the second half was fun enough that I can see it, and of course Spielberg is already working on the movie.

I didn't love it, didn't hate it. I think, had Crichton been ready for publication it would have been better. Less flawed. But it was enjoyable enough, very fast paced and Amazon has the hardcover for $9.00, so even if it's only "meh", you won't be out a lot of cash. (I, of course, couldn't wait and bought it in London for $18.00.)




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Coyotemusic wrote this review Saturday, November 21 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“
At the core of New World Monkeys is a relationship in trouble. Confusion about anger or indifference, love or hate. Violence or passion. Lost or found. The characters are real, flawed, fascinating and well-developed.

Surrounding them are sharp edges and dark mysteries. A marred family history, a small town verging on madness, a revered boar.

It's a fabulous read.

The story is original and well-crafted. Details from the chapter headings, to an edgy and enthralling advertising campain, take it beyond the norm.

This is an outstanding debut.”

Coyotemusic wrote this review Friday, October 9 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 1 stars

“
Oh ... thank God that's over.

I am a big fan of Joanne Harris, and I loved the movie Chocolat, and of course the book it was based on was good too (though I think the movie was better.) This is the "continuation" of the story.

Wow. It was so bad.

For reasons that are never fully comprehended, Vianne is fixated upon by a woman who wants to steal her identity. Because that's what she does. Steals identies, and sees colors and does cantrips. This woman, Zozie, is supposed to be so fun and hip and cool and interesting, but she wasn't. She was just awful. And also, all she did was see colors and do cantrips. And then she taught Anouk to see colors and do cantrips, so then Anouk was seeing colors and doing cantrips. And did I mention there was the seeing of colors and the performing of cantrips?

It was so boring, and I really didn't want to finish it, but I was 300 pages in before I was totally fed up and I felt like I was so far in it would have been a shame not to get to the entirely uninteresting, and predictable ending.

All the charm of Chocolat was missing, and the magic was jammed down your throat at every opportunity.

The book could have been 200 pages shorter, and you know, had about 700 less cantrips.

I still love Harris, and will continue to read her books, but this one was painful. I will now perform a cantrip to try to get it out of my head.”

Coyotemusic wrote this review Wednesday, September 23 2009. ( reply | view 1 replies | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“
Ohmygosh this is a good book. Cassandra is a brilliant character, the writing is top notch, observations are keen, and there was so much unexpected humor.

I can't imagine anybody not liking this book. Definitely will hit my top 10 for 2009. ”

Coyotemusic wrote this review Monday, September 7 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 4 stars

“Diabolically, delicious, Dexter. Yummy.

I think fans of the first two Dexter books, but not so much the third, will be happy with this book. Not ecstatic, but happy.

Dexter has just gotten married, and by the time he gets home from his honeymoon, his dark passenger is rearing to go. He seems to be playing a little more fast and loose with the code of Harry and we see a bit of cat and mouse in this book, and I was somewhat reminded of book one.

I'm generally happy with whatever form of Dexter I can get (I even liked book three) so I was entertained. A few things grated on me a bit, however. The book lacked the humor of the first three, perhaps the novelty has worn off, but mostly I think Lindsay beat the horse dead on both Miami traffic, and Dexter's supposed lack of emotion. If Dexter had no emotion, he'd be a dull character nobody liked. So to be reminded like 100 times during the book that he doesn't have emotions, was overkill (ha!). Dexter might not be "human" but he definitely has strong feelings about things. (Food, justice, Doakes, himself, etc.)

I don't know if I have "book Rita" confused with "TV Rita", so I may have this wrong, but the minute they got married, she seemed to turn into this unlikeable simpering character. And finally, there were several times where I declared "That would never happen." So all in all, I enjoyed it, I was entertained, I love Dexter, but it was a tinge flawed.

Dexter the television show is among my favorites on TV. They've done a phenomenal job with the character, and all the characters on the show really. I give Lindsay all the credit in the world for having created this magnificently loveable serial killer, but for me, the television shows have surpassed the books. In spite of that, I definitely plan to keep reading the books.
”

Coyotemusic wrote this review Monday, September 7 2009. ( reply | permalink )

1 of 1 members found this review helpful.

• Rated 4 stars

“3.5/5

It's been a really long time since I've read [[ASIN:B000FXT2LA Lord of the Flies]], so I don't remember it to clearly, but this book put me in mind of it. A large group of teen boys are "stranded", and forced to make their society work while trying to solve a giant Maze. (And we all know mazes are never free of some kind of ill creature...)

The first 2/3rds of this book really kept me turning the pages. While I found the writing a bit overworked at times, choppy at others, it didn't take away from the suspense and originality of the story.

The last 3rd really dragged for me. I found some of it predictible, much too long, and it was toward the end that I realized very few personalities had actually emerged throughout the course of the book. I found one boy very difficult to distinguish from the next, and didn't care that much about any of them.

I liked it. I was entertained, and it was mostly a fast paced easy read ... but I wouldn't read any more in the series.

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Coyotemusic wrote this review Friday, September 4 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“In the second book of the Hunger Games triology, Collins has solidified her world and her vision. We get to know more about the characters, and a bit more about the history of Panem. Foundationally, the story sort of all came together.

I'm still blown away by the harshness in these books. Perhaps being the mother of a teen makes me a tinge sensitive to the subject matter, but somehow it doesn't detract from the story.

This book was exciting from the start, and darned near impossible to put down. I worried that there would be "more of the same" in terms of what went on in the book, but Collins's creative juices were in high gear, and there was plenty to keep the story fresh.

I found this better than book one, but that may just be because I was getting used the concept in book one. I can't wait for book three ...

Highly entertaining. Not to be missed! ”

Coyotemusic wrote this review Sunday, August 30 2009. ( reply | permalink )

• Rated 5 stars

“
Atwood has done it again! I cannot imagine any Oryx and Crake fan will be disappointed with this book, but if you've not read Oryx and Crake definitely read it first. (And if you can re-read O and C before reading this book, all the better!)

Filled with Atwoods brilliant satire (taking on religion, human excess and the "green" movement), I don't think it's a spoiler to say, The Year of the Flood takes us back to the world of O and C with sort of a parallel tale. Focus on a group of fanatics called Gardener's reminded me a bit of Handmaid's Tale. Atwood is brilliant in creating her own religions.

There's more I'd like to say, but too much opportunity for a spoiler. I had no idea this book was even in the works, so it was a totally unexpected surprise. One I'm thrilled with!



”

Coyotemusic wrote this review Saturday, August 29 2009. ( reply | permalink )