The E-Reader Delima

So I am going to stray from the review genre for this post. I just wanted to put my experience out there on the subject of e-readers. If anyone else is going through what I did, and looking for a good e-reader solution, then read on...

I consider myself a technical person, although not a total computer geek. I have run through the gauntlet of e-readers in the past several years, spending way more money than I wanted to - and having to manage multiple software products, locations, file transfers, etc.  I burned through Sony, Nook, Kindle, iBooks. I used Calibre software, Adobe, Stanza, Smashwords, e-Books.com and more. It was a pain in the a$$ to say the least.

So my ultimate solution after all that time and moolah?  Kindle for iPad + iPad

At first, I was resistant to the idea of an e-reader all together. I love reading outside, in the bathtub, in the hot tub, and all kinds of other places I don't really want to take an expensive electronic.  Plus, there is something to be said about the tactile sensation of holding weight and paper in your hands to read a book.  However the benefit of a back-light, cloud library, and seamless updates won out.

Why Kindle for iPad?

Selection: Amazon has the best selection of ebooks I've found. All my mainstream favorites, and new, self-published authors. Plus, they are cheap.

Synergy:  Gotta love the cloud. I have a laptop, a desktop, an iPhone, an iPad, and a Kindle(older). But with the Kindle app on my computers and iDevices, I can read the same book in multiple locations - each updating as soon as it connects to a network. I'm on the couch reading a great book, but then I have to get in the car for a trip to the market (no I'm not driving). On the way, I whip out my iPhone, and pick up exactly on the page I left off. Then when I get back home, I can go into my office, begin paying bills - and pull up the kindle app on my second monitor.  Again - I'm on the exact page I left off on on the iPhone. It's smooth,, easy, and not that expensive.

 So why the + iPad?

For those books you can get cheaper, free, or only through other applications - Stanza, iBooks, Smashwords - they all have apps for the iPad.

Not trying to sound like a sales pitch, but when I think about my e-reader experience - I am now giggly happy, as opposed to confused and frustrated... and I just thought I'd share :)

-Rita

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Rick Riordan: The Red Pyramid

The Red Pyramid (Kane Chronicles - Book 1)
Rick Riordan
Published May 4th, 2010 by Hyperion Books
ISBN: 1423113381
516 Pages

Synopsis
Sadie and Carter Kane are siblings who look nothing alike. They have been separated since their mom died, Carter traveling the world with his Egyptian Archaeologist dad, and Sadie trapped in London with her grandparents. On the one day a year the kids get to spend together with their dad, they disobey his request and watch him perform some world altering magic in the British Museum's Egyptian wing. Now there are Egyptian gods on the lose, both good and evil, and it is up to these to siblings to set things right.



Musings
Okay, so this was recommended to be by a friend. I read Riordan's Percy Jackson series, and it was pretty good - so I figured I'd give this series a shot. First impression - it's not really my cup of tea. I had to force myself to pick it back up (several times), just so I could finish.  And now, since I promised my friend I would read the whole series, I am starting Book 2. She ensures me it gets way better, the 3rd book being the best. We shall see...

I think my feet dragging on this book has more to do with personal preference & interest than the quality of the book. Riordan writes well, his story flows, and there are lots of plot devices and constant action. He manages to surprise you a few times, and the story is funny and fresh. Egyptian lore is limitless, and you can interpret and twist the gods and mythology as needed to complete the story. Maybe my problem is that I am a little too saturated with Egyptian fiction?  Stargate being my favorite show of all time. And then, every popular show has it's own take on the mummy, or some other popular Egyptian tale or artifact.

Riordan's interpretations are standard, and can be a little boring. He didn't experiment enough.  The two main characters Sadie and Carter are well rounded, but again - lack that punch that makes them someone you root for (or love to hate). And the method of story telling (transcribing a recording told by two characters)... annoying at times, confusing at others.

I would recommend this to the kids it was written for or anyone with a hankering for the author. It's good. Just not great. 3 stars!

-Rita

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Liz Braswell: Nine Lives of Chloe King

Nine Lives of Chloe King (Books 1-3, The Fallen, The Stolen, The Chosen)
Liz Braswell (as Celia Thomson)
Published June 7th, 2011 by Simon Pulse
ISBN: 1442435704
771 Pages

Synopsis
This was an interesting take on the wereanimals that have become so popular lately. It moves away from supernatural creatures controlled by magic and moon phases, and instead makes the transformation more nature based, less primal, and better rooted in ancestry and tribe than a virus, curse, or mysterious bite. Chloe King is remnant of Buffy, Elena, or any other good old high-school girl who suddenly has her world turned upside down. On her 16th birthday, Chloe not only has to deal with raging hormones and friend drama - she has to work around claws, increased agility, wacky dreams, and a psycho that keeps trying to kill her. Oh - and a deathly fall from Coit Tower. We discover that Chloe has nine lives, but even among the cat people (Mai), that is something pretty special.


Musings
This was an okay book. I could see a lot of similarity to other fantasy novels, even Star Wars - which it so aptly points out itself. I wouldn't have finished the series if it hadn't been presented together in a single book, but since it was all there, I was tempted to mow through and finish. The end is good, although anti-climatic.

I would recommend only to those familiar with the genre, and looking for an easy teen read. The ABC Series is way better...

-Rita

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Marissa Meyer: Cinder

Cinder (Lunar Chronicles #1)
Marissa Meyer
Published January 3rd, 2012 by Feiwel & Friends         
ISBN: 0312641893
387 Pages


Synopsis
This is a Cinderella story with a twist. It is set in the far future of Earth, where humans have long colonized the moon, and moon people have evolved into an entirely different species. Earth humans have become so technologically advanced that robots, androids, and cyborgs abound. However, Cyborgs are thought of as less than human, basically second class citizens, with very few rights and even less respect.

Cinder is a girl stuck in a household with two step-sisters and a cruel and unforgiving stepmother.  Her adoptive father died long ago, and her stepmother blames and resents Cinder. Cinder, a cyborg, makes a living for the family working as a mechanic. The plague hits her shopping market and people are getting sick all around her.  Cinder finds out much about herself and her past, falling for the handsome Emperor along the way. This is a complicated story of with humor and plot twists. The book goes beyond a simple Cinderella story and dives much deeper becoming an emotional and intriguing ride.


Musings
I thought this was a great twist on the stagnate and often overdone Cinderella story. I think the author favors the movie Ever After, because I saw a lot of similarities, however the added content, unique setting, and awesome storytelling kept it fresh and moving fast. I finished in one sitting, which I rarely have the opportunity to do anymore - but it was so good, I made time.

I would recommend it to most, especially those looking for a fresh twist on an old classic. 4 stars!

-Rita

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E.L. James: Fifty Shades (Books 1-3)

Fifty Shades of Grey (Book 1)
E.L. James
Published May 26th, 2011 by The Writers Coffee Shop
ISBN: 1612130291
360 Pages

                         Fifty Shades Darker (Book 2)

                         E.L. James

                         Published September 13th, 2011 by The Writers Coffee Shop

                         ISBN: 1612130585

                         532 Pages

Fifty Shades Freed (Book 3)
E.L. James
Published January 19th, 2012 by The Writers Coffee Shop
ISBN: 1612130291
466 Pages




Synopsis
Book 1: Anastasia Steel is a journalism student on the verge of graduation. Her best friend and roommate is the editor of the school paper, and asks her to conduct an interview of the rich and successful Christian Grey. It is a fateful meeting that has Ana tripping over her feet, and Christian aching to break her of her fidgeting habits - in a rather startling and pleasureful way. The story spins these two characters together, Ana into a dark and sexual world she has never experienced, and Christian into wanting more than he ever has.  Christan finds himself unable to resist this innocent girl, and breaks several of his own rules to have her.

Book 2: Ana has broken off her affair with Christian for both their sakes, but they soon find themselves back together under a new proposal. Ana has started her career, and endearing and racy emails set the stage for a majority of this book. Enter the mystery of the saboteur, more about Christian's past, and a few other twists - and this is probably the best of the three books.

Book 3: (It gets much more difficult to not give anything away!!) Christian continues to be a control freak, but they both now acknowledge their relationship is 'more' that they ever believed it would be. Ana is finally gathering together all the clues and history about Christian and his needs and desires; she finds herself willing to flex, and grows more confident in their relationship - and their future.

*The tidbits at the end of book 3 make the story worth while, and got my blood pumping to re-read the first novel. (Think: Midnight Sun)

Musings
Wow, what a book to pull me back into the review and discuss mindset!  Okay, so first the -gossip- I heard that made me want to read the book:

These books started as Twilight fan fiction. Christian is Edward, Anastasia(Ana) is Isabella(Bella). Christian is dark, rich, and leads a secluded and secretive life. Ana sees herself as plain, and is a typical college student, about to get her journalism degree (think about the plot - she couldn't be a minor and in high school!) Ana is dorky and clumsy, Christian becomes obsessed with her and her safety. Then there is Jose(Jacob), The psychiatrist father figure(Carlisle), the spunky sister(Alice), and even the self-centered best friend(Jessica). It is a total parody - down to Audi's instead of VW's.  But instead of Edward/Christian being a vampire... he is a sado-masochist, and into BDSM. He wants to bring Ana into his world, but can't stand the thought of actually hurting her.

I enjoyed E.L. James' rise to fame and proof of concept that a self-published, normal person, can write a best seller - and bring sex back to mainstream. However, I do want to say for all you scardy-cats out there: this is not a story about S&M. There is no bondage, beatings, or described acts that even come close to true BDSM. I will say it does have a lot of spanking, some fun toy use, and a little bit of 'tie me up, tie me down' - but it's mostly vanilla. That said... it is a LOT of vanilla, but well done. However, there is that room full of implements, and the constant threat that it could turn dark at every turn. By the third book, it begins to gloss over some of the sex scenes because the story of these characters is just as important (if not more so) than their vigorous exercise regime. Christian goes through a powerful character development and peaks over the course of the novels. You are given tidbits about his dark past, and begin to see what makes him tick.

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My favorite, and easily the most powerful scene in the books:  Book 2, page 319-325: Christian the Submissive. That he feels so strongly the threat of her leaving snaps him. Just a wow moment.

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4.5 Stars - I would recommend this to anyone looking for a fun and sexy read. It's quick and easy, and just racy enough to keep you on your toes, without losing the plot and character depth required for a good read.

-Rita

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Reading Burn Out

Hi Guys....

I wanted to explain my absence....
I am going through a short period of reading burnout.

             I could give you excuses:
                           - Christmas & Family
                           - The 2 week cold/flu
                           - Starting back at college, and having to read scholarly books... constantly.

But I won't :)

I will just say three things....

1) I did read Wild Children by Richard Roberts, and it was AWESOME!!   I plan to post about it very soon, but since it has been a month since I read it, I want to re-read it to refresh my memory on all the good parts.

2) I am abandoning the partial reads from last year (Game of Thrones, Voyager, and Eldest). I still plan to pick them back up eventually, but I am getting them off my chest as 'work' that I have to read.

3) I am going to run through a sequence of cheesy, awesome, smutty, and hilarious romance novels to get myself back into read mode. Whenever I get burned out, this is my burn in. If you are interested in any of them as listed in the Reading List, let me know. I can probably pull out a few words to describe them. :)

In the meantime, keep hanging out. I promise, it won't be long.

-Rita

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Francesca Gould: Why Fish Fart

Why Fish Fart
Francesca Gould
Published September 3, 2009 by Tarcher
ISBN: 1585427578
272 Pages


Synopsis
This is a book containing all the completely useless and totally gross trivia you have been looking for. It focuses on bugs, diseases, and deformities, and asks questions like: "How exactly do "crabs" cause such intense itching around one's private parts?"






Musings
There is not really too much I can say about this one. It was a quick read, but I enjoyed getting the short snaps of useless information. Stories are presented in 2-3 page descriptions investigating the origins and answers of each totally random question.  You have to have a icky side to truly be interested in some of the perverse and disgusting topics.  So, why do fish fart?  Read it and find out!


I would recommend it to anyone who wants it for a bathroom reader. Short and (not quite so) sweet.

-Rita

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Karsten Knight: Wildfire

Wildfire
Karsten Knight
Published July 26, 2011 by Simon & Schuster
ISBN: 1442421177
400 Pages

Synopsis
Adopted girl gets in a brutal fight with a chick at school and then has a negative confrontation with her murdering sister, which results in her sister disappearing, and her (Ashline) transferring to a boarding school in the middle of nowhere. Enter random friends and strangers. Then weird things start to happen. It seems the core group of kids has been summoned to the school by a blind psychic who talks to people who aren't there, and - oh yeah - they are all reincarnated gods and goddesses. Adventures ensue, including learning about their powers AND each other. Relationships form, drama erupts. Balance cute guys, evil plots, a manipulative sister, and an end confrontation that leaves you guessing.

Musings
Hmm.... I kept waiting for this book to start. It had a good idea, but the follow through lacked punch. After the first 100 pages, I kept looking at the amount of pages left and thinking, "he's not really leaving himself much time for rising action." or "I bet there is some major twist or ah-ha at the end that makes it all worth it!" Alas, no.... I enjoyed it while I was reading it, but was highly disappointed when it was over.

I chose this novel purely because it was girls youth fiction written by a man (and not a girly man either). I was interested to see how he would tell the story, especially from a female heroine's point of view. I suppose he did as well as some female authors, but overall I wasn't as impressed as I hoped to be.

There are several odd things about this story. Eve didn't have any clear motivation to act the way she did, other than being a confused, spoiled brat. And, why did the author spend so much time introducing characters if he wasn't going to do anything with them? Especially the ones he killed off. What propose did they serve to the story? Maybe it is because the story isn't finished yet, but I felt kinda taken in by the whole thing.


SPOILER
The story acts like you know nothing about all the random gods and goddess it haphazardly pulls from different cultures, then expects you to know at the end that Kokopelli is the trickster. At least, I think it expects you to know, cause if you don't, the end is major confusing and kind of a letdown.
END SPOILER

**As long as you don't skip ahead that is not much of a spoiler, and may give you some additional insight to the last page...

Knight had all the gods ever made up in history at his disposal.  Why did he choose the ones he did? Humph. Great possibilities, poor execution. So what? You're a goddess, now what? What's the point? What major thing are you expected to do with your life? Is the fate of the world on your shoulders? What makes you special, other an having cool powers? Oh, you're waiting to die so you can be reincarnated... That's... Cool... Bah!

The idea of the Cloak is a very cool concept. It left me wanting to know much more, and almost being willing to read the sequel to this book, when it comes out. And yes, unless the publisher fires the author, there will be a sequel. This book did not resolve in anyway, and set itself up for continuation. Guess I'll wait and see.

Finally - i just have to say - teenage sexuality kinda freaks me out in current youth fiction. I guess I am getting old, but when not written well, I can't help but wonder, what is wrong with these kids parents? And if the guy already graduated, and the girl is not a senior... Is that statutory rape? I don't really remember the genera of youth fiction from when I was growing up. We had kid books about horses or cartoony RL Stein monsters. If you wanted to read something with a little more oomph, you went for adult fiction by authors who weren't as wordy as others. I read Catherine Coulter and John Saul as a teenager. Some youth authors do it well by implying the sex scene or skipping over it entirely, but I don't really want to read about two kids having sex. It makes me feel icky.

I wouldn't recommend this to anyone without a specific reason. ....

-Rita

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Erin Morgenstern: The Night Circus

The Night Circus
Erin Morgenstern
Published September 13th 2011 by Doubleday
ISBN: 0385534639
387 Pages

Synopsis
This was a complicated tale of two people locked in a competition they didn't understand, and pitted against each other by two opposite schools of thoughts. The Circus would become their game board, and all the people and characters within small pieces to be manipulated. There can only be one winner, but how does one win? Through exhibition of unique magical skill. The players build off of each other, and their creations, until the circus grows to uncontrollable proportions.




Musings
I chose to read this book for three reasons - the unique cover art, the idea of a quirky paranormal story told in the setting of a circus, and the amount of hype surrounding author Erin Morgenstern's first novel.

Reading this novel was just as dizzying and ethereal as the story itself. I felt addicted to it, and constantly wanted to read it, but after reading for an hour, had to set it down - only to crave it again. When I finished the book, I was sad. I wanted there to be more to the story, more for me to dig into.

The tale itself, in the recounting, is pretty light and not all that powerful. The characters have little depth, and not much in the way of back story.  It is difficult to empathize, and the 'how' of the magic is never elaborated on, but the way she tells the story - breaking up the timeline, and feeding you bits and pieces at a time, and the elegance and sensory descriptions she uses to paint not only the visual picture, but the aroma, temperature, and emotional feel of each important place in the story - makes it all worthwhile. I began to crave going to the circus in the story, and experiencing the possibility of endless imagination.

Become a rêveur, a dreamer... Follow the circus.
I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a unique read.

-Rita

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NaNoWriMo

It has begun....

Follow my progress at NaNoWriMo:

-Rita

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