KatSings’ #CBR5 Review #18: Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

Sarah’s Key by Tatiana de Rosnay

“You get attached to places, you know. Like people, I suppose.”  

Y’all…there is some profanity and spoilers in this review.  And I so don’t care, because please don’t read this book.  This is a very unorthodox review for me – I would have realtime reviewed it if such a thing made any sort of sense, because I spent so much time yelling at this book while driving.  It starts promising, but it ends a hot mess.

KatSings’ #CBR5 Review #17: Scriber by Ben S Dobson

Scriber by Ben S Dobson

If you had told me in the early chapters that by the end I would be weeping in public, I would have thought you crazy.  Nevertheless, this is what occurred.  It’s a solid piece of fantasy writing, and one I would encourage you to tough out.  It’s worth the effort.

KatSings’ #CBR5 Review #16: The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

The Wise Man’s Fear by Patrick Rothfuss

“Knowing your own ignorance is the first step to enlightenment.” 

The quote I’ve chosen for this, the second volume of The Kingkiller Chronicles, Day 2 of Kote’s retelling of his life as Kvothe, is really the overarching theme to this book.  Normally I pick a quote I just really like; sometimes it’s because of how the line applies to the main character.  But here, I feel that this quote really outlines Kvothe’s journey through WMF.  This is a book where Kvothe’s sometimes willing ignorance gets him in to all kind of trouble, but also motivates his journey towards the path to greater enlightenment.  Wow, that sounded pretentious, and it’s totally not, but it’s still true.  Kvothe does some stupid things to start out, but once those kickstart his journey, he ends up learning so many important things he had lacked before.  It’s all setting up a beautiful path to wherever the brilliant Patrick Rothfuss is taking us in the final book.

I love this series and can’t wait for the next book. Pick it up ASAP.

KatSings’ #CBR5 Review #15: People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

“A book is more than the sum of its materials. It is an artifact of the human mind and hand.”

This audiobook was like a study in accents.  I’d definitely recommend listening instead of reading it, since it’s fun to hear all the different cultures represented.

If you are a fan of historical fiction, you’ll probably dig this.

KatSings’ #CBR5 Review #14: The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

“It’s like everyone tells a story about themselves inside their own head. Always. All the time. That story makes you what you are. We build ourselves out of that story.” 

This book, and the series thus far (the final day, aka the book The Doors of Stone, is as yet unpublished) ranks among my favorite books of all time.  If you are a fan of fantasy, or even just a fan of good literature, I implore you to run out and buy this book immediately.  Go to Amazon.com and order it for your Kindle.  Go to B&N and pick up a hard copy.  I don’t care what form of media you use, but get it now – you’re only cheating yourself by skipping it.

KatSings’ #CBR5 Review #13: I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb

I am a Genius of Unspeakable Evil and I Want to Be Your Class President by Josh Lieb

“Crime is for poor people. You don’t need to rob the bank if you own it.”

It took me a long time to think of what I wanted to say about this book, and I still don’t really have an answer.  It left me completely apathetic.  It’s not good, it’s not bad – it just is. This book is beige.

KatSings’ #CBR5 Review #12: I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

I Feel Bad About My Neck by Nora Ephron

Sometimes I think that not having to worry about your hair anymore is the secret upside of death.

Not a bad book, but a much better choice for a different demographic than my own.

KatSings’ #CBR5 Review #11: In the Land of the Long White Cloud by Sarah Lark

In the Land of the Long White Cloud by Sarah Lark

Overall, a book I enjoyed, but definitely wished was separated into more than one volume.  Good historical fiction, but still shy of great.

KatSings’ #CBR5 Review #10: Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn

“Friends see most of each other’s flaws. Spouses see every awful last bit.”

I waited on a list for Gone Girl for quite some time, and I was thrilled when my library finally sent me that happy little email that a copy was waiting for me to download.  My friends had been talking about it for months, and now casting rumors are going around for the movie.  I needed to read something this talked about and know what was so shocking and fascinating about it.  I was not disappointed.  Well…at least in general.

There are spoilers in this one, but they are blocked out. You have to highlight the noted text to be able to read them, so you can go read the review safely – just don’t highlight the text unless you want to read things that will absolutely ruin the book for you if you haven’t read it.

It’s the best thriller/mystery that I’ve come across in a long time.

KatSings’ #CBR5 Review #9: Bossypants by Tina Fey

Bossypants by Tina Fey

“I was a little excited but mostly blorft. “Blorft” is an adjective I just made up that means ‘Completely overwhelmed but proceeding as if everything is fine and reacting to the stress with the torpor of a possum.’ I have been blorft every day for the past seven years.” 

I listened to this memoir of the fabulous Ms. Fey on audiobook, read by the author herself.  And I loved it.