Some of the books that I've read:
The Martian - 01/16/2016 - A+
This book hit almost every mental itch that I could have with a book. Space? Check. Action? Check. Suspense? Intelligent and capable protagonist? Check. Theme that concerns the determination of the human spirit? Check. Humorous sections that bring tears to my eyes from laughter? Check. I haven't read a book that has pushed me from page to page like this one since finishing the Harry Potter series. I absolutely plan on reading this one again.
A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon - 01/10/2016 - B-
I recently finished the seventh book the Outlander series, but it certainly took me longer to get through it than most books that I read. In fact, I've read fifteen young adult books between starting this book and finishing it. It's not that it was a bad book, it just dragged on more than I would like. It also reverted a bit to the first book's fault of focusing too much on torture, pain, and hopeless situations. Many of the side characters who I grew to love over the past couple of books also turned into various degrees of idiots or less-than-savory people by the end of the novel. At least one despicable and disturbing story arc finally came to an end, but in an anti-climatic fashion.
I would still recommend the series, but only if you are willing to dedicate a significant amount of time to these characters and their story.
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon - 05/13/2015 - B
This is the fifth book in Gabaldon's Outlander series (which I can't believe that I haven't written about here before). To me, it illustrates perfectly the saying "be careful what you wish for." The book itself says nothing about wishes, rather I'm referring to my own wish in regards to this series. Most of the other books have run at a break-neck pace with the characters being forced from one situation to another due to sometimes impossible-to-believe circumstances. They never seemed get a chance to settle and just enjoy each other. ... Until now.
Long portions of this book are spent with almost nothing happening. Instead, this feeling like a long set-up to show the relative peace that these characters had before the Revolutionary War. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book, but it certainly wasn't as much of a page-turner as her others have been. It also did not have any (that I can remember) moments of "ah-ha" that the last three books (I didn't have them in the first book either) had. Still, the book, as the others have, appealed to the historian in me and impressed me with how intricate Gabaldon's overall vision of the series has been since the beginning.
In the end, I would prefer a better balance with "breathing moments" and larger plot action. The main plots in this book tended to get shorter sections than the two weddings that took place (let alone long sections that just dealt with what life in the frontier was like). Still, it was an entertaining book and I would recommend the series (despite some of its more "romantic" passages).
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein - 1/02/2015 - B+
My carpool copilot handed this book to me on my birthday, insisting that I read it. It has long been one of his favorite books, and after having read it, I not only understand why, but I think that I have a better understanding of him as well. I also now understand why there hasn't been a decent movie made of it yet; it's not suited for movie making. Much of the book is philosophical in nature and the action that takes place is usually separated from the protagonist.
The main character is a sort of everyman who joins the military on what he first thinks of as a whim and slowly comes to realize that his military service is where he has always belonged. Of particular interest to me was the book's philosophies on the need for violence, the use of corporal punishment, the importance of radiation and mutation, the perfect form of government (a military democracy), and the need for the human race to expand.
I was particularly surprised at how well the book holds up considering that it was written before the Vietnam War (in fact, it nearly predicts both the war and its outcome) and before the first manned mission in space. The technology, the aliens faced, and the society created have become a part of most science fiction literature, movies, and games. Even Starcraft seems to owe a great deal of its aesthetic and inspiration to this book. All in all, I'm glad I read the book. I may even do so again in the future.
The Many Deaths of Black Company: Water Sleeps by Glen Cook - 2/20/2012 - B
Told from Sleepy's perspective, this book took a long time to get anywhere. The only reason I liked it was due to the development of Sleepy's character. It is amazing how different each book in this series has been from the others in terms of story, voice, and concept.
Belgariad and Mallorean series by David Eddings - 5/19/2012 - A-
I reread this series yet again to give myself something enjoyable to read during the busier time of my school year. While it's a little more of a fairy tale than more modern fantasy writings, everything about it is enjoyable. The characters tend to follow stereotypes, but are memorable and feel almost like personal friends by the end of the series. I do not doubt that I will read it again.
This book hit almost every mental itch that I could have with a book. Space? Check. Action? Check. Suspense? Intelligent and capable protagonist? Check. Theme that concerns the determination of the human spirit? Check. Humorous sections that bring tears to my eyes from laughter? Check. I haven't read a book that has pushed me from page to page like this one since finishing the Harry Potter series. I absolutely plan on reading this one again.
A Breath of Snow and Ashes by Diana Gabaldon - 01/10/2016 - B-
I recently finished the seventh book the Outlander series, but it certainly took me longer to get through it than most books that I read. In fact, I've read fifteen young adult books between starting this book and finishing it. It's not that it was a bad book, it just dragged on more than I would like. It also reverted a bit to the first book's fault of focusing too much on torture, pain, and hopeless situations. Many of the side characters who I grew to love over the past couple of books also turned into various degrees of idiots or less-than-savory people by the end of the novel. At least one despicable and disturbing story arc finally came to an end, but in an anti-climatic fashion.
I would still recommend the series, but only if you are willing to dedicate a significant amount of time to these characters and their story.
The Fiery Cross by Diana Gabaldon - 05/13/2015 - B
This is the fifth book in Gabaldon's Outlander series (which I can't believe that I haven't written about here before). To me, it illustrates perfectly the saying "be careful what you wish for." The book itself says nothing about wishes, rather I'm referring to my own wish in regards to this series. Most of the other books have run at a break-neck pace with the characters being forced from one situation to another due to sometimes impossible-to-believe circumstances. They never seemed get a chance to settle and just enjoy each other. ... Until now.
Long portions of this book are spent with almost nothing happening. Instead, this feeling like a long set-up to show the relative peace that these characters had before the Revolutionary War. Don't get me wrong, I still enjoyed the book, but it certainly wasn't as much of a page-turner as her others have been. It also did not have any (that I can remember) moments of "ah-ha" that the last three books (I didn't have them in the first book either) had. Still, the book, as the others have, appealed to the historian in me and impressed me with how intricate Gabaldon's overall vision of the series has been since the beginning.
In the end, I would prefer a better balance with "breathing moments" and larger plot action. The main plots in this book tended to get shorter sections than the two weddings that took place (let alone long sections that just dealt with what life in the frontier was like). Still, it was an entertaining book and I would recommend the series (despite some of its more "romantic" passages).
Starship Troopers by Robert A. Heinlein - 1/02/2015 - B+
My carpool copilot handed this book to me on my birthday, insisting that I read it. It has long been one of his favorite books, and after having read it, I not only understand why, but I think that I have a better understanding of him as well. I also now understand why there hasn't been a decent movie made of it yet; it's not suited for movie making. Much of the book is philosophical in nature and the action that takes place is usually separated from the protagonist.
The main character is a sort of everyman who joins the military on what he first thinks of as a whim and slowly comes to realize that his military service is where he has always belonged. Of particular interest to me was the book's philosophies on the need for violence, the use of corporal punishment, the importance of radiation and mutation, the perfect form of government (a military democracy), and the need for the human race to expand.
I was particularly surprised at how well the book holds up considering that it was written before the Vietnam War (in fact, it nearly predicts both the war and its outcome) and before the first manned mission in space. The technology, the aliens faced, and the society created have become a part of most science fiction literature, movies, and games. Even Starcraft seems to owe a great deal of its aesthetic and inspiration to this book. All in all, I'm glad I read the book. I may even do so again in the future.
The Many Deaths of Black Company: Water Sleeps by Glen Cook - 2/20/2012 - B
Told from Sleepy's perspective, this book took a long time to get anywhere. The only reason I liked it was due to the development of Sleepy's character. It is amazing how different each book in this series has been from the others in terms of story, voice, and concept.
Belgariad and Mallorean series by David Eddings - 5/19/2012 - A-
I reread this series yet again to give myself something enjoyable to read during the busier time of my school year. While it's a little more of a fairy tale than more modern fantasy writings, everything about it is enjoyable. The characters tend to follow stereotypes, but are memorable and feel almost like personal friends by the end of the series. I do not doubt that I will read it again.
