Tuesday, March 10, 2015

List #23 - I'll show you my books; you show me yours... vol.2

Steph and Jana host a monthly link-up - a place for bloggers & readers to share what books they've read the previous month.  I blog.  I read.  I've talked about the multiple book challenges I'm tackling.  So, this link-up is a great way to share my thoughts on books I've read, keep track of my book challenges, and find (even more!) books to read that are shared by others.
http://www.lifeaccordingtosteph.com/2015/03/show-us-your-books-what-i-read-in.html
Link-up here

Books I've read since the last link-up:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32145.Stiff
 Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach - There was a time that I dreamed of getting an American muscle car...a '60s Corvette Stingray or Mustang or Camaro. Now, that I've read the chapter about car crash experiments with human cadavers, I don't think I could ever drive it without worrying about the steering wheel impaling me straight through the heart. Prior to reading this, I was completely supportive and open to donating my organs and/or body to science. I still am. In fact, as much as I watch crime dramas and documentaries, I kind of think it would be cool if my body was used to determine various degrees of decomposition...and if what they learned could catch a killer. That would be awesome. Some of the science-y stuff got a little technical. I skimmed those parts. Overall, I enjoyed this book and Mary Roach's voice.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20820995-deadline
 Deadline by John Sandford - I have read John Sandford books since the early '90s with his first in a series featuring Lucas Davenport. In recent years, he's written a spin-off series as well featuring a cop who works primarily in rural areas in Minnesota named Virgil Flowers. I can not say enough how this author never disappoints me. The characters are fantastic, the stories twist and turn, and as it rolls into the end at a fast-pace, I can't put the books down. This was my favorite in the Flowers books. This laid back cop finds himself in the midst of dog-nappers, meth-cookers, embezzlers, and murderers. The stories intertwine perfectly. If you read thrillers/mystery/cops vs bad guys books, give John Sandford a try.  Even though he writes series, they are written well enough that you could pick up this book and not need to have read any of the others.


https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8826.Dead_Famous 
 Dead Famous by Ben EltonGreat concept. In a house being filmed around the clock for a reality show (think Big Brother), one of the contestants/housemates is murdered. The story bounces around from days in the house before and after the murder from housemates' points of view to the detectives studying film to the film crew and producer. All this bouncing around got a little tiresome. Plus, the lead detective wasn't a particularly endearing fellow.  Great concept, but just an okay book.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20800147-hope-to-die
 Hope to Die by James Patterson - Dang, I never tire of these Alex Cross books (there's been 22 of them). They do have a formula, and I know the good guy always wins, but I enjoy the ride of getting there.  Unlike the Sandford book above, I think you'd have to read at least this one's predecessor to truly get into it.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2063563.My_Booky_Wook
My Booky Wook by Russell Brand - I was somewhat disappointed by this book. He doesn't gloss over the fact that he was kicked out or fired from jobs and schools (deservedly so) for being an all-around ass; I respect him for the honesty. I just felt like he could be more insightful rather than just re-telling a story. The chapter about his show RE:Brand was great.  This was published in 2007, so a lot has happened in his career and personal life since publication. (No, Katy Perry is not in this book).  He leaves it open for more books to come, and he has had more published.  I'd read another, but I wouldn't rush to do so.

Have you read any of these?  Are there any MUST read books that you recommend?

19 comments:

  1. I haven't read any of these, but I was considering reading Brand's latest book on revolution. The problem is that every good thing he has to say is wrapped in a layer of nonsense :)

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  2. I've read Stiff and really enjoyed it. I love the dark and macabre stuff. I have her Bonk book to read and she has one out about ghosts too.

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  3. What a diverse collection you read last month! I've been hearing Patterson's name around the webs, but haven't read any of his stuff. So, the Alex Cross series is where I should start then!

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  4. I need to check out John Sandford. His books sound like the kind I would like.

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  5. I've read a few John Sandfords. I'm going to try the Virgil Flowers series.

    I absolutely loathe Russell Brand.

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  6. I haven't read any of these- definitely going to add Stiff to my list!

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  7. I am not the biggest fan of Russell Brand but I thought about getting his book just to see what it was about.

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  8. I have not read any of these, but Stiff has been on my to-read list for a while. I like murder mystery kind of books but I have never been able to get into any of the popular detective series.

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  9. I haven't read any of these books! I have heard about stiff, though i'm not sure it's my jam. i am really not a fun of russell brand, though i can't pinpoint why!

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  10. Stiff is on my list for a while, I definitely want to read it as soon as possible. I have not read this Russel Brand book but his latest is on my list as well. I heard it must be pretty good? Also, I just added the John Sandford books, they sound really good! Thanks for the recommendation!

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  11. Wow, you were able to read a few books in the last month. :)

    I love Alex Cross too & I'm a bit behind on those books so I gotta get my bum caught up & real quicklike!

    Mandie ~ http://badbrewpack.blogspot.com/

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  12. I love John Sandford books since they're always set in Minnesota and all real places. It's kind of creepy, but kind of neat.

    P.S. I think I FINALLY fixed my problem (I didn't have a blogger account) but let me know? Thanks for the heads up that it was still coming up that way when I thought I had fixed it.

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  13. I loved Stiff when I read it, who knew there were so many uses for cadavers?

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  14. I will have to read Stiff!! It sounds super interesting!!

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  15. I haven't read any of these but James Patterson is an author I enjoy. I have heard of Stiff and it's on my list to read.

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  17. Stiff sounds super interesting! I think it would be fun to see a documentary of something like that. Something different!

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  18. I've been thinking I should read John Sandford's books, since they take place in MN. I love reading books that take place in my state. :)

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  19. I've heard about the Alex Cross series, but never thought to read it (since I'm mostly a make me laugh or make me feel good reader). YAY for ALL THE BOOKS!

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