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Powell's Staff:
Five Book Friday: In Memoriam
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Every year, the booksellers at Powell’s submit their Top Fives: their five favorite books that were released in 2023. It’s a list that, when put together, shows just how varied and interesting the book tastes of Powell’s booksellers are. I highly recommend digging into the recommendations — we would never lead you astray — but today...
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Brontez Purnell:
Powell’s Q&A: Brontez Purnell, author of ‘Ten Bridges I’ve Burnt’
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Rachael P.:
Starter Pack: Where to Begin with Ursula K. Le Guin
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Customer Comments
rabid reader has commented on (10) products
Child Of Fire Twenty Palaces 1
by
Harry Connolly
rabid reader
, December 31, 2009
I bought Child of Fire because I read a few very good reviews of Child of Fire. BTW, Good reviews of a book usually plays a small part in my decision to read a book because sometimes professional reviewers will rave about a book that I think is so very, very boring - or I end up having completely different tastes than the reviewers. This book interested me from the first page. I liked the main character, who seems to be "living on borrowed time" (from the book blurb). Any minute he could die and his boss wouldn't mind, in fact would kill him herself if she wasn't under orders not to. Ray Lilly is working under Annalise, driving her around and doing whatever she says with no respect from her, or explanations. In fact she doesn't even care if he's hungry. Ray is an ex-con who used to steal cars. Throughout the story thoughts flit through his head about how easy it would be steal this car, or take that money. He's trying to stay away from crime, but things keep getting in his way, and sh- keeps happening. People end up dead around him. A lot of them deserve it, but still...he's always worrying about going back to prison. In Child of Fire the two of them are investigating a town where people are dying as sacrifices for magic use. Things go horribly wrong for them, and Ray keeps getting attacked and accosted by the sheriff, deputies and thugs that work for the local madam. The whole town is strange. One of the things that I look for in a book is intelligent dialogue, or at least non-lame dialogue. The dialogue in this book was pretty good, there was some sarcasm (something I can appreciate) and some joking around (always a plus) along with dialogue that actually adds to the plot (rather than just to fill up space, or over-explain). The sequel, Game of Cages will be released soon -possibly August 2010.
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Dirty Little Angels
by
Chris Tusa
rabid reader
, December 17, 2009
I received this book from The Library Thing as an early reviewer book. The edition I was given is an e-Book. Because it's an e-book, it did take me quite a while to read this book. I don't do well reading books at my desktop, and I don't have an e-reader ( or what ever they're called) I'm a pretty Low-Tech gal. Anyway, I decided tonight to buckle down and finish reading this book that the author was kind enough to send me. Dirty Little Angels is about a family that is falling apart. The father has lost his job, the mother has been on leave from her job as an R.N. for quite awhile and suffers from a back injury, depression and a long ago miscarraige. Hailey (the narrator) and her brother Cyrus are suffering from a lack of attention from their parents, who are emotionally unavailable to their children and themselves. There isn't a lot to like about very many of the characters in this book. Thankfully, Hailey has moments of kindness that shine through some of her twisted actions. She has been praying to God to help her family, but things are just getting worse instead of better. The one constant that she seems to have is Verma, an older friend of the family. Hailey's brother Cyrus and Hailey become involved with an odd, twisted "holy" roller type of minister who is filthy-grimy and has a twisted sense of justice. Hailey is also becoming involved with her friend, Meridian's boyfriend. Meridian doesn't seem like a very nice friend throughout the novel, neither is Chase - Meridian's boyfriend and Hailey's lust interest. Hailey doesn't seem to have much support from anyone but Verma and her brother Cyrus, who is having a hard time himself making decisions and mistakes. Hailey and Cyrus become involved in something that changes their lives, as well as affecting other lives. Anymore information on this would be a spoiler. Bad things happen to both of them, as well as to Verma - the incidents aren't connected. Other than they are just more horrible things happening to those in Hailey's family and around her in a long line of horrible happenings. Just like in real life, no one in this novel (set in the slums of New Orleans) seems to get a break. Even though I didn't really care for any of the characters, I did enjoy reading the novel. I didn't care for the characters, because they weren't people that I would have wanted in my life, although they are like some of the people that I've come across. While I couldn't really agree with Hailey's choices I could empathize with why she made some of the choices that she did. She lacks attention, her mother seems to care only for her own self, her father is distant though he does care for his kids. Hailey ends of seeking attention, the worst kind of attention from the wrong people. She ends up paying a price for this. Both Hailey and her brother end up doing some rather horrible things to others. Hailey does a horrible thing to herself. It was nice, though to see some kindness coming from Hailey to an unexpected person. She befriends an older man dying of cancer in the hospital, the husband of a friend of her father's. There's more to that story, but it's spoilers also. She visits and cares for Verma, who goes in and out of the hospital with complications from diabetes. This book had some grittyness and at first it seems a little depressing. There isn't much value in life shown by the characters, but in the end there is a ray of hope shining through, even though there is quite a shocking ending.
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Magic In The Shadows Allie Beckstrom 03
by
Devon Monk
rabid reader
, November 28, 2009
Ever since I read Devon Monk's debut book (Magic to the Bone) I've loved her books- In fact I felt let down when I was finished reading Magic to the Bone, because I was finished reading it. When I finished reading the second book, (Magic in the Blood) I wanted to read it again. With this book I felt the same. In this installment Allie Beckstrom deals with having her brain inhabited by her father. She also acquires a sidekick (one of my favorite characters in the book). She is tested by the Authorities, has other-worldly beasties after her, and is trying to keep the Hounds safe, together and organized- something she had promised Pike she would do. Not all of the members of the Authority are happy to have Allie around. Some of them want to have her "closed", her magic use taken away, along with memories of magic. New human (as opposed to her new sidekick) characters are introduced. All of the characters in Devon Monks books are interesting-like real flawed people (except they use magic). The conversations between Zayvion Jones and Allie are fun to read. I enjoyed Allie's adventures, even when she does something incredibly stubborn and stupid. There's a moment during a dangerous situation that Allie does something she's been warned - very strongly- not to do. The moment she does it, she's thinking she should have listened. There are moments with the Daddy presence in her head when they are both being incredibly stubborn - foolishly so- fighting over control of her body. I enjoyed very much revisiting the world that Devon Monk has created with this series and I am already looking forward to the next book, Magic on the Storm. In the back of my head, I'm also already planning when I might re-read all three books (maybe this coming summer).
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Dead & Gone Southern Vampire 09
by
Harris, Charlaine
rabid reader
, August 09, 2009
Charlaine Harris always writes a good story. Her writing style for the Sookie Stackhouse novels reads like you would imagine a southerner talk. Slow and relaxed with some colorful metaphors. In this novel, the weres have decided to come out to the world. As some of Sookies friends are dealing with fall-out from this, one of weres is found murdered. At the same time, Sookie's life is in danger from fairies who believe that humans of mixed blood shouldn't be allowed to live. These same fairies are fighting against her greatgrandfaterh, a fairy prince. Sookie and Eric, one of the vampires take their relationship a little further, and Sookie finds out a little more about her family. There are some horrible things that happen to people in Sookie's circle of acquaintances and friends, and not everyone survives. One of my favorite characters dies, I won't mention who. In fact horrible things happen to Sookie. This book was a little darker than any of the previous Sookie Stackhouse/Southern Vampire books. All of them have a little murder and mayhem, though they are usually light reads for me, but this one was a little darker though just as enjoyable to me as the others. I'm wondering what is going to happen next for Sookie, since she and her brother have both lost people that are important to them, and some of the characters that I looked forward to reading about are gone now. What does Charlaine Harris have up her sleeve for Sookie now?
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Mona Lisa Awakening
by
Sunny
rabid reader
, July 30, 2009
I'm not too sure about this book. I like the plot. I like the possibility of the characters, and the whole good vs evil thing. The whole sex thing...it's okay, but I could have done with less flowery language. And apparently the sex helps Mona Lisa and her men. What's hard for me; the flowery, verbiosity during the sex and at other times. Sometimes the book is reading like a kick-butt urban fantasy, the characters are tough, there are horrific scenes of danger and then suddenly.....it's like a whole other book is being read. I get that they are building their relationships-that's okay, I just didn't enjoy the whole package together. I decided to try the next book, see if it goes forward.
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Bridegroom
by
Linda Lael Miller
rabid reader
, July 27, 2009
The Bridegroom is a sweet romance novel with happily-ever-after ending. The Bridegroom is about a younger brother of some former outlaws-turned-respectable men and his childhood friend. Lydia is about to marry an older man that she doesn't really like just to save her elderly aunts and their home from foreclosure. She capriciously sends Gideon a letter to come save her, not really expecting him to get it. Gideon does receive the letter, gets her out of the wedding, along with her aunts and takes the whole kit and caboodle to Stone Creek where he is to work undercover at a copper mine. The blurb on the bookcover is a little misleading. It gives the impression that Lydia will be able to keep everything, mansion, furnishings, etc. as long as she gets married. This isn't the case. If she marries Jacob Fitch, the banker who holds the mortages she will keep the mansion and all contents. If she marries anyone else, she loses everything except herself and her aunts. Gideon and Lydia end up marrying, to prevent Gideon from being arrested for kidnapping, and Lydia goes into the marriage with the clothes on her back, believing that she is marrying a mineworker and not expecting riches. This is the story of how their marriage turns from a necessity to a real marriage (it's a romance) and Gideon's dangerous undercover work. Of course, at first Gideon tries to keep distant from Lydia, so he can leave when his job is done. He doesn't realize that this kind of thing never works out as planned. The writing style in this third person narrative put me in mind of how someone would have told a story about 100 years ago. This type of prose worked well with a story set in 1915. I felt like I knew more about Gideon than Lydia; to me it felt like this was really his story. The book, though not one of the urban fantasies, or horror books I usually read, had me turning page after page to find out what was going to happen next. I would say that this book, though there were dangerous situations for the characters, was a sweet story about love,family, friends and loyalty. If you're looking for major conflicts with gritty realism, this book is not for you. If you feel like reading something with people rising to their best, and showing care and compassion towards others, this will be good for you. Linda Lael Miller has been writing for many years and doesn't waste time with a lot of silly dialogue; if you're not into the romance genre a few scenes in this book might be a bit mushy for you, though not too much. Gideon's story is the latest in a small series about Stone Creek, mainly focusing on Yarbro men, who have all found redemption from the outlaw life; except Gideon was very young while his brothers were running outside the law. Ms Miller's style of writing is easy to read, not stilted or stiff and I enjoyed the book. If you feel like reading a book that will leave you with a serene enjoyment of a happy ending, then pick up one of Linda Lael Miller's romances I would call this a gentle romance. (oh geez, that totally sounded like a commercial) If you aren't into happily ever afters; if you like more gritty realism or more suspense, then this probably isn't the book for you.
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Demons Librarian
by
Lilith Saintcrow
rabid reader
, July 09, 2009
Well, I won't say anything about the actual story; I think the publisher's review/comments have enough spoilers in it already. I will say that I totally enjoyed Ms Saintcrow's writing. This book is in the 3rd person, and you are able to get both of the main characters' points of view. Ms Saintcrow also inserts some pretty snarky thoughts of theirs in italics throughout the story. I enjoyed that. I loved the libarian (Chess's) smarta--ed thoughts and sailor language and Ryan's (the human/demon) thought processes as he's trying to keep control of his inner demon while protecting Chess. The ending is very satisfying and the climax of the story is very strong - the two characters in essence end up saving each other. Loved it. Definitely a keeper.
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Green Angel
by
Alice Hoffman
rabid reader
, July 09, 2009
Even though this book came out a year ago (or more) I only just read it, because I picked it up from a giveaway box. I loved this book. The writing is very much like the writing of a fairytale, very lyrical and descriptive. The writing makes you feel for the girl, feel her loss and despair. When she begins to come out of her state, you feel lighter, right along with her. I especially liked how this young girl's grieving matched the passing of the seasons. Nice touch. The way this young woman deals with her grief reminds me of some teenaged girls that I've known. I would recommend this to others.
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Spiral Hunt Evie Scelan 01
by
Margaret Ronald
rabid reader
, July 09, 2009
Margaret Ronald takes Irish Legends and contemporary life and combines it for a wonderful book that is a compelling read. From the first page to the last, there was not one boring or ho-hum minute. The dialog (which can be a book-killer in some instances) was believable with no un-necessary by-play. There were quite a variety of characters, suspicious, brave, sweet, crazed, paranoid; a lot of personalities were in this book. There is suspense, some heart-pounding moments, a touch of romance (just a touch - which is just enough for this story). I enjoyed very much, reading this book, and I am glad to see that Ms Ronald will have another book (Wild Hunt) published. Too bad I have to wait until 2010, though.
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Blood Noir Anita Blake 16
by
Hamilton, Laurell K.
rabid reader
, June 29, 2009
This book suffere from way too many pages of dialogue. My gosh, they talked everything to death. They negotiate sex, then talk endlessly about it. There are once again, seemingly pointless confrontations (verbal of course) where Anita ends up giving everyone cop-eyes. {shouldn't she leave the cop eyes with the cops? They probably need them} I had to make my self finish the book. Although I do have to say that there was a span of abou 23 (or so) pages where there was some old Anita style action. (not that kind of action - suspense action!) Those 23 pages almost made it worth my spending money on this book. Proves she can still write, if she wanted to.
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