A Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice and Fire

Book two went down as smoothly as the first. While over-written and chock full of uber detail, still enjoyable fantasy. Love the mix of recognizable human emotions with magic and fantasy. Not sure if he can capture the moment of birthing dragons in the fire but the shadow killers and the shapeshifters are pretty entertaining. While the books contain far too many characters (not sure how Martin kept them in his head) it's not too difficult to follow. Looking forward to book three...

The Tiger's Wife

Tea Obreht's debut novel was lauded as one of the great debut's and an instant classic. On most top 10 lists, etc. As a book club selection I made an effort to read it but ultimately failed. I picked up the book at least a dozen times and could get no more than 10 pages at a sitting. I found the foundation so tired and the stories uninteresting. Personally there were no characters I could connect with or care about. There are sooooo many books that start out with a young protagonist who can only explain their story by telling you how their grandparents met, fell in love, and spent their lives together building a family in war-torn [insert city]. Add this one to that list.

Headhunters by Jo Nesbo

I was impressed with the creative storytelling in this one. Even after reading the blurb on the jacket I was still surprised by the unfolding of events. I liked the prologue, letting the reader know something bad was coming, how the story leads to that event, and what occurs after. Pretty much read the whole book in one sitting and for pure entertaining plot-driven narrative this one hit the mark.

The Song of Ice and Fire: Book One

I'm enjoying series of books more and more lately and started the George RR Martin books at the suggestion of a few friends. I quite enjoyed book one. I loved the small personal storylines and how he took time to develop every character. Each person has a history and traumas and successes and loves and desires and scars. I also love the supernatural foreboding of the Others in the north woods. The trees with faces, the wolves, the magic. I get a bit distracted when the big storylines appear such as the battle scenes where each banner is described and all the players. And finally, the ending was spectacular making me wanting more immediately. I think there are enough faults to give me caution but certainly enough enjoyment to get me into Book Two.

Einstein's Dreams

was the book club selection for April. I normally love books with a strong structure but this book just didn't reach me. I love the idea of it and I think it is really clever and well-written but ultimately it felt lifeless. I compared it (as did someone else at the meeting) to Buddha in the Attic for the somewhat anonymous litany of events but the latter seemed so touching and meaningful. Dreams not so much.

Chaos Walking

Loved Patrick Ness's book one of the trilogy. Wow what a page turner. Smart and scary and surprising. So good. Can't wait for book two.

Atherton: the House of Power

Really didn't enjoy Patrick Carman's book about science gone wrong. The riff on Frankenstein was insulting from a book that wasnt all that engaging nor particularly smart ( in its talking down to e reader I guess assuming YA readers aren't smart?). Didn't care enough to continue to book two.