read 52 books in 52 weeks

This is a Mercedes Lackey book that I’m reading simply becauase it’s around. It’s sorta crystalizing for me that I don’t really enjoy her writing anymore. I knew this, but I figured it was just her new stuff that was bothing me. Nope, I just outgrew her, I guess….

It’s not really a diet book, but kinda is. It’s a lot about lifestyle differences and choices. I enjoyed it, but I’m kinda bothered that I paid so much money for it.

I really enjoyed this book. The author went a lot further west in China than I did, at a time when things were a lot worse than when I went, but it was fascinating seeing the things that haven’t changed….

This book…. this book spoke to me.

Basically, it’s about a thirty something woman who realizes she’s disatisfied with her life, and the changes that come to her because of it.

I want to say more, but I’m still digesting it.

Sequal to the last book. Most of the same comments apply, but Crispin really is a Mary Sue. Why does everyone love him, except the bad people? sigh

I do love Guy Gaverial Kay, but god only knows why. The man’s understanding of women has grown, granted, but he still doesn’t really get them, and their motives are so strange in his books, when they’re given any.

Anyway, that being said, I love this book. It’s a fantasy recreation of Justinian and Theodora’s Constantinople. Some truth, some not truth, and very well written.

Just… gah. Why is every woman incredibly beautiful? It’s not like being royal, especially at that time, made one into an instant beauty.

A re-read, but one I really enjoy. And I didn’t have anything else to read.

I commented to a friend of mine that, with the screenplay being done by the author, the movie feels very much like the latest, shorter draft of the book, which was a great choice.

Hated it.

Finished it anyway.

Hate.

By Amy Tan

I’m still not really able to describe what this book is about. Like the other book I’ve read by her, it’s a two-prong story where the POV character initially is the daughter of a Chinese immigrant to America. (Although in this case the mother figure is her older half-sister, the essential nature of the relationship is the same.) She is having trouble in her marriage, and growing to understand the relationship with her mother figure, and understand her mother figure’s past, leads her to save her marriage.

I liked the characters in this book, and found them very realistic. I also loved the descriptions of China. I found them to invoke my own memories of the country, which is both beautiful and ugly at the same time. Amy Tan has a definate love for her subjects which makes her characters bold and interesting.

I’m not sure that I’d want to read this one again, though.