Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander

Proof of Heaven by Eben Alexander III M.D.

Publisher: Simon & Schuster (October 2012)

208 pages, Audiobook (purchased myself for $17.95)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

More of a recount of an experience then a scientific analysis, Proof of Heaven is an engaging read that gave me a greater understanding of our existence.  

The book is an account of Dr. Eben Alexander’s near death experience.  He contracts a severe form of E. Coli meningitis and quickly falls into a coma.  During the coma he experiences a journey to a place of peace. It starts as cloudy place, which he calls the worm’s eye view.  He then journeys to a sunny pasture land where he meets a lovely women who becomes his guide.  Finally he finds himself in a place that he describes as being in the middle of God himself.  After seven days in coma, Dr. Eben miraculously wakes up from his coma and fully recovers.

Even though this book is not empirical scientific proof of the existence of heaven, his neurological explanations of the impossibility of his experience gives me hope that there really is more to this existence that our short time here on earth.  I would recommend this to anybody with an openness to the possibility of an existence of life after death.  If you completely don’t believe in an afterlife, this book will most likely not help.

The Hunger Trace by Edward Hogan

The Hunger Trace by Edward Hogan

Publisher: Simon & Schuster UK (March 2011)

368 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $9.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Sexual Situations and Swearing

In the wake of David Bryant's untimely death, Maggie (David's widow), Christopher (David's son from a previous marriage), Louisa (David's former park falconer turned neighbor) and Adam (male prostitute) are all thrown together forming a complicated web of relationships, as the two women and Christopher deal with David's passing and struggle to get on with life.  All of the characters in this story are complex and fascinating, in their own deranged way. The story is told in alternating viewpoints, showing that each character has their own set of issues, while trying to deal with those of the other characters. I was absolutely riveted right to the end and only wish the ending hadn't been quite so open ended. I'll just infer that everyone involved received their happy ending, especially Adam. Excellent Read!

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

Breaking Dawn by Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Book 4

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 2008)

769 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Implied Sexual Situations

Having made her decision, this fourth and final book in the series follows Bella through her wedding, honeymoon and the events that lead to the inevitable standoff in the end with the Volturi. This book, in a departure of style from the others, is divided into three parts, the second of which is written from Jacob’s point of view instead of Bella’s. Happily Jacob’s situation and unhappiness are resolved in the first half of the book, leaving the second half to deal almost entirely with the preparations for and the confrontation with the Volturi. Though a bit disturbed and annoyed by Bella’s preoccupation with sex in this one, for the most part I enjoyed the characters a lot more because they were for once largely happy. It was neat to meet all the varied vampires who came to witness for the Cullens and the best part was definitely Bella saving the day in the end, despite her being portrayed as the weakest, most helpless character throughout the series.  Wonderful ending, and perhaps one day we might get further companion novellas, like Renesmee and Jacob’s story, or the unfinished Midnight Sun could be resurrected! Engaging series!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 1 (2011)

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn-Part 2 (2012)

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner by Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Eclipse Companion Novella

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (June 2010)

213 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Bree is the one newborn vampire that surrendered to the Cullens during the battle in the meadow, and her story offers a glimpse into the darker side of the vampire world. Despite its brevity, I found the characters in this story very engaging. Diego and Bree were so close to breaking free, when everything starting spiraling out of their control. Fred was such an interesting character, even though you don't really get to know much of him until near the end. What happens to him? I would be interested to read Fred's story some day. And it was interesting to see the Cullens from another point of view. Excellent read!

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

Eclipse by Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Book 3

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 2007)

641 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

In this third book, Bella struggles with her feelings for Edward and Jacob, and questions her impending choice to become a vampire, ultimately being forced to make a decision between the two men and the futures they would each provide, all against the backdrop of spiraling serial killings in nearby Seattle. Happy-go-lucky Jacob joins the ranks of the unhappy for the most part in this one, and though it was understandable, I thought it was a bit sad to watch. Bella was still a bit whiny, morose and at times immature, but she is in a hard place having to make a choice between two men she cares deeply about. Edward on the other hand was a lot less sulky than the previous two books, at times almost light-hearted, and other times sagely accepting. My favorite part of this book is the werewolf/vampire alliance that develops due to the problems in Seattle and their connection to Bella. The most enjoyable book of the series thus far!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

The Twilight Saga: Eclipse (2010)

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Book 2

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (August 2007)

577 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

This second book is the story of Edward and Bella's breakup and Bella's subsequent mental breakdown. On the upside, Edward finally finds the strength to breakup with Bella for her own good, giving us an extended break from his endless brooding on the topic, but I think it is obvious to all that he will return again at some point despite his oath that he will not. I decided that due to Edward's vampiric predatory snares, Bella became addicted to him and this is the source of her unnaturally strong attachment to him and therefore the depth of her breakdown once he is gone, though I must admit people are capable of entering a similarly lengthy depression after a breakup without any such fantastical excuse. But, perhaps, because this deals with the bond between a vampire and its destined mate, maybe that particular bond is why the pull is so strong, even stronger than a normal soul mate? Jacob was the bright spot in this story, though I felt bad for him, because Bella seemed to be using him for her own therapeutic needs, not to say that either one of them were unaware of this ulterior motive. Having accepted Bella and Edward's unusually strong attachment to each other, I was less annoyed by Bella's endless droning about the loss of Edward and more irritated that it was taking so long for Edward to come back and end the unhappiness. Happily this was interspersed with Jacob's story and his world, which I found very engaging and it was this that pulled me through while awaiting Edward's return. All in all, a bit painful to read, but necessary, I feel, to the overall series.

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

The Twilight Saga: New Moon (2009)

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

The Twilight Saga, Book 1

Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers (July 2007)

513 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.99)

Book Rating: 3 Stars

I decided to reread these books, with the last movie coming out soon. I originally read them, simply because I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and I found them entertaining enough, though perhaps not quite as enthralling as I may have been led to believe. In short, an accident-prone teenage girl recently relocated to live with her father meets a vampire, posing as a teenager, and they fall in love, leading to a series of problems and dilemmas. This book is intended for young adults, which I am not and was not even when I first read it, which is perhaps part of my problem. I found Bella to be immature, whiny and a bit too much absorbed in appearances and what others thought of her, but then again she is supposed to be a teenager. I can't say that I entirely disliked her. Her accepting, self-less nature is hard to dismiss. Edward though a bit whiny and brooding himself, I liked, almost from the beginning, but there is no denying that their relationship can in no way be considered healthy, even forgetting the vampires. But, if you ignore the desperate tenor to their relationship and just accept it, the story is faced-paced and engaging. It definitely keeps you wanting to know what will happen next, and I found it to be an easy read. The author's depiction of small town life I found a bit unrealistic, given the kids welcoming attitude toward Bella when she first arrived, but the cliched existence didn't bother me that much. This definitely isn't scholarly literature. It would make a nice beach read!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Twilight (2008)

Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner, Billy Burke

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

The Godhead Machine by Thomas K. Carpenter

The Godhead Machine by Thomas K. Carpenter

The Digital Sea Trilogy, Book 2

Publisher: Black Moon Books (November 2011)

365 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $7.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Swearing and References to Rape

Zel Aurora is back and this time she is pulled into the global expansion of the cult-like Wiki-religion, the conspiracy surrounding it, and struggling to get free of its hold. Though a few familiar characters return from the first book in this series, this book also introduces a host of new characters and it took me a while to get into it and get everyone sorted out, but once that happened it was great. I loved Zel’s two new allies: the little orphan girl, Sigh, and the celebrity, Nari. And I thought the mystery surrounding the reappearance of Sasha, from the first book, was fascinating. I look forward to reading the last book in this trilogy, Neochrome Aurora (expected out early 2013).

The Digital Sea by Thomas K. Carpenter

The Digital Sea by Thomas K. Carpenter

The Digital Sea Trilogy, Book 1

Publisher: Black Moon Books (December 2010)

368 pages, Paperback (provided by the Author)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Sexual Situations and Swearing

With only a few cursory explanations, this story plunges you into a futuristic world in which mere thoughts can not only access the vast amounts of information available on the internet and through other sources, but can also alter your perception of the world around you as well as others' perception of you. Zel Aurora, a highly-skilled hacker with Asperger's, must sift through others actions and motivations as she attempts to fulfill her deal with the Djed, and in doing so, she hopes to save her daughter's life. This story contains multiple stories that are followed throughout the book and though some of them only converge briefly with the main storyline, I found them all interesting and the characters therein were very engaging. It took a bit of effort in the beginning to keep all the storylines straight, but you quickly come up to speed and it was definitely worth it in the end. I thought the story and characters explored many interesting questions, all in shades of gray without over-simplification. This book is the first in a trilogy, followed by The Godhead Machine and Neochrome Aurora (expected out early 2013). Excellent read!

In the Midst of Life by Jennifer Worth

In the Midst of Life by Jennifer Worth

Publisher: Phoenix (August 2011)

432 pages, Paperback (purchased myself for $7.96)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

A mixture of nursing stories, and stories of family and friends, with accompanying statistics and other background information on death and dying, this insightful work questions the manner in which we die in modern society and the prudence of modern medical intervention at the time of death. I found the information and stories within, to be at times sad, others beautiful, but always thought-provoking. This work raises important questions that every person living in a modern society should not only think about, but discuss with their family. Highly recommended!

A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss

A Universe from Nothing by Lawrence M. Krauss

Publisher: Blackstone Audio, Inc (January 2012)

226 pages, Audiobook (purchased myself for $11.95)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

In a book filled with scientific theory and detailed observations, Lawrence Krauss weaves together an intricate picture of how there can be something from nothing.  Using the latest research and theory in cosmology and quantum mechanics, Krauss dives into much detail from the Big Bang to virtual particles in order to outline how the underlying physics of our universe requires that some will always come from nothing.

Another purpose of this book is to continue a debate between scientists and philosophers/theologians on the concept of first cause (that there must be a creator/god). This is an attempt to try to prove that by the current understanding of physics, that science can now prove that there is no longer a first cause. It's not quite there yet; there are many holes to be filled, but it provides a great deal to think about. 

The book is a thick read, I personally had to read it twice. One chapter I had to read 5 times.  It isn't an easy read, but well worth it in the end.

Farewell to the East End by Jennifer Worth

Farewell to the East End by Jennifer Worth

The Midwife Trilogy, Book 3

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (January 2010)

240 pages, Paperback (purchased myself in an omnibus edition for $11.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

This memoir, much like the first in this trilogy, includes midwife and nurse’s stories from London’s East End. Many of the stories in this volume are arranged to highlight certain health issues of the day (twins/triplets, infanticide, tuberculosis, abortion), and include accompanying statistics and historical information. It is also worth noting that some of the stories included are of a bit more seedy nature than those included in the first two volumes, but I felt they were tastefully presented and the people therein were depicted with dignity. Happily, the last few chapters let you know what happened to all the nurses and nuns that you have come to know throughout the three volumes in this series. Wonderful series!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Call the Midwife (TV Series 2012-)
Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Raine, Bryony Hannah

My Rating: 3 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

Shadows of the Workhouse by Jennifer Worth

The Midwife Trilogy, Book 2

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (January 2010)

223 pages, Paperback (purchased myself in an omnibus edition for $11.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

In her first book, Jennifer Worth introduced us to the life of a midwife in London’s East End in the 1950’s, and in this second book, we take up the stories of some secondary characters from the first book (Jane, Frank & Peggy, and Sister Monica Joan) as well as the story of an old soldier by the name of Joseph Collett. This book contains much less of Worth’s own experiences and more of the stories of others that she encountered while working as a midwife. Some of the stories within have more to do with the institutional workhouse than others, but most have some connection thereto. I enjoyed the layout of the stories, logically arranged into three parts and appreciated the author’s reflective, non-judgmental voice throughout the telling never condemning a person for actions or choices that were clearly a product of the times and the situations people found themselves in. Wonderful read and an excellent continuation of the first book in this series!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Call the Midwife (TV Series 2012-)
Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Raine, Bryony Hannah

My Rating: 3 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

Call the Midwife by Jennifer Worth

The Midwife Trilogy, Book 1

Publisher: Weidenfeld & Nicolson (January 2010)

279 pages, Paperback (purchased myself in an omnibus edition for $11.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

This is Jennifer Worth’s memoir of life as a midwife in London’s East End in the 1950’s. This story was not only interesting, but also very entertaining, and provides a look at 1950’s midwifery, the culture of the East End and a way of life that is now gone. The collection of anecdotes about patients, nuns, fellow midwives, and East End culture are threaded together in a seamless presentation that is at times poignant and others hilarious. It is worth noting that this book is the first book in a trilogy, followed by Shadows of the Workhouse and Farewell to the East End. Also, if you are watching the TV series currently airing on PBS, that TV series contains stories from all three books in the trilogy and is not confined to the content from the first book. Highly recommended read!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

Call the Midwife (TV Series 2012-)
Vanessa Redgrave, Jessica Raine, Bryony Hannah

My Rating: 3 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink

A Whole New Mind by Daniel H. Pink

Publisher: Riverhead (March 2006)

294 pages, Audiobook (purchased myself for $4.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

For the past few decades, the modern workforce centralized around people who excelled at left brained activities. But due to abundance, automation, and cheap labor overseas, the modern workforce will have to excel at both left and right brain activities. This is the central argument in Daniel Pink's book A Whole New Mind. 

In the first section, Daniel Pink outlines the current migration from the knowledge age to the conceptual age by contrasting left and right hemisphere thinking, arguing that cheap foreign labor and software is devaluing left hemisphere and increasing the importance of whole minded (right and left brain) thinking. 

The second half is focused on what Mr. Pink calls the six senses, aptitudes that are essential to compete in the conceptual age:  design, story, symphony, empathy, play, and meaning. A chapter is devoted for each aptitude.  At the end of each chapter a portfolio is provided with exercises and resources. 

A Whole New Mind is an intelligent, but simplified look at the changes coming in our future economy. It's raising an important flag in a world that still over values science and engineering, and looks down on the liberal arts.

The Frontiersmen by Allan W. Eckert

The Frontiersmen by Allan W. Eckert

Winning of America Series, Book 1

Publisher: Jesse Stuart Foundation (August 2011)

652 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $9.99)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Content Note: Includes Mild Sexual Content and Violent, Gruesome Battle Scenes

Beginning in 1755, with the birth of this story’s central character, Simon Kenton, and ending with his death in 1836, this is a non-fictional history told in the style of a novel, following three main characters (Simon Kenton, Blue Jacket and Tecumseh) and their exploits in the Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky wilderness from 1768 through the resolution of the Battle of 1812. The story is told from both the viewpoint of the Frontiersmen and the Shawnee Indians. Other notable characters such as Daniel Boone also play a large part. The story is presented in such a compelling way, that I will never again think of history as a dry subject and I had no problem at all making my way through this large book. I appreciated that all major and minor characters featured in the book either met their resolution in the course of the story or in the following epilogue, so I wasn’t left wondering what happened to anyone. This is an excellent book and I look forward to reading other books in this Winning of America series!

White People, Indians and Highlanders by Colin G. Calloway

White People, Indians and Highlanders by Colin G. Calloway

Publisher: Oxford University Press, USA (July 2008)

391 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $13.72)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

This book is about the similarities in culture and history of the Scottish Highlanders and the Native Americans, particularly the commonalities of their interactions with the English, the removal from their homelands and the decline of their cultures as they knew it. An interesting look at events and perspectives usually left out of most history books. While there are obvious differences between the two cultures and their historical experience, the similarities are astounding and very thought provoking. There is also a bit of commentary at the end regarding the significance of modern day people identifying with ones ancestry or heritage; idealized, romanticized or real. Interesting read!

Silent Fields by Roger Lovegrove

Silent Fields by Roger Lovegrove

Publisher: OUP Oxford (September 2008)

415 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $16.47)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

This is the story of the decline in both abundance and diversity of the wildlife of Britain, in the name of safety, in the name of food source and game preservation, in the name of fashion and in the name of entertainment through sportsmen with a passion for hunting, trapping and collecting, but also due to environmental and land use changes through history. This isn't exactly typical pleasure reading material; this is a scholarly work, with lots of statistics, charts and exploration of minutiae, but if you have an interest in the subject matter, this is an invaluable resource. The historical and political events that led to the Scottish Highlands being something of a last frontier with regard to wildlife and wilderness and the events that led to its eventual exploitation, I found very interesting. If you have an interest, this is an excellent read!

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman

The World Without Us by Alan Weisman

Publisher: Picador (August 2008)

432 pages, Paperback (purchased myself for $10.20)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

A fascinating look at what would likely become of the world if humans as a whole were to suddenly disappear. The conclusions are based on what has happened to small areas of the world that have been abandoned for one reason or another, as well as scientific research and observations of the natural world. Without our interference, it appears the world would largely return to its natural state relatively quickly, with a few exceptions. What is expected to remain from our civilization long term, isn’t  in most cases, what we would wish to be remembered for. The thoughts on the downfall of the Mayan civilization being caused by their society getting too removed from basic necessities, definitely gave me something to ponder. Thought-provoking read!

Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer

Imagine: How Creativity Works by Jonah Lehrer

Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt (March 2012)

256 pages, Audiobook (purchased myself for $19.95)

Book Rating: 5 Stars

Creativity has been thought of as a gift to a privileged few. Jonah Lehrer, in his new book "Imagine" tries to dispel that myth.  Using the latest studies in science and psychology, Jonah uses an array of studies and experiences to help describe the creative processes and where it comes from. 

Jonah starts out the first part of his book on looking at the different parts of the creative process and how they all fit together. He first looks at insight, and with the help of the latest research in neuroscience shows how insight is found through the making of new neurological connections which is the primary job of the right hemisphere. 

Insight, however, is not the end of the creativity process. Jonah then goes over how time is an extremely important component to the creative process, and how drugs like Benzedrine could help artists and poets refine their art by allowing them to greatly focus on their art over long periods of time. 

The last part of his book, Jonah writes on how our environment and culture affect our creativity. He cites research on how urban density, if done correctly, helps produce creative ideas. He also looks at how some highly creative companies have changed their work environments to help foster the creative processes discussed earlier in the book. 

Some more empirically driven people might not like Jonah's approach. There are many scientific studies cited in the book, but there is quite a bit of references to experiences and insight from many who do not wear a scientific lab coat. Good ideas can come from anywhere, and Jonah did an excellent job researching this book

Imagine is an insightful and readable book that will help anybody with an open mind better understand creativity and where it comes from.

Note: This book has recently become unavailable through the publisher due to allegations that the author falsified some quotations that were included in the book (specifically quotations attributed to Bob Dylan).

Gap Creek by Robert Morgan

Gap Creek by Robert Morgan

Publisher: Algonquin Books (January 1999)

335 pages, eBook (purchased myself for $8.25)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Sexual Situations and Child Death Scenes

Julie and Hank married young after a very short courtship and left the mountain filled with the hope of a newlywed couple in love, only to be thrown almost immediately into the harsh, stark realities of life. Julie had unbelievable strength, courage and tolerance through all of the trials she faces in her new life. I didn’t like Hank through much of the story, but I think it was only because he had a fair amount of growing up to do before he truly became a man and not just a boy trying desperately to act like one. I have known many men like Hank, and I felt it was sad, but an eerily real depiction of such a person. By the end of this story I admired, Julie and Hank, and could see strength and light in them both.

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 3

Publisher: Scholastic Press (August 2010)

404 pages, eBook (purchased myself in a Trilogy Bundle for $18.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

The Capitol is growing desperate as Katniss is incorporated into the rebellion, for the most part against her will. This last book is a wonderful example of how anything taken to an extreme is sure to be a bad thing. No matter what side you are on, once the line is crossed, it pretty much looks the same from either side. I felt this book was almost entirely a slow, depressing slide to the end, and there isn’t much left at the finish, but what does remain is beautiful and powerful. Wonderful series!

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 2

Publisher: Scholastic Press (June 2010)

391 pages, eBook (purchased myself in a Trilogy Bundle for $18.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Katniss continues to be extremely confused about the two men in her life, Peeta and Gale, while uprisings begin in many districts, the dangers of the Quarter Quell nears, and it becomes clear that the Capitol holds Katniss responsible for the unrest, making blatant threats to all she holds dear. Though she’s still not my favorite character, Katniss’s obvious bewilderment over the Peeta and Gale situation, makes me feel a bit better about her, if nothing else just to know that she isn’t just being cold out of spite. You can’t help but like Peeta, the man has few if any flaws, and he continues as such. The Capitol in all their ugliness is finally revealed in this story, and I’ll be interested to see how it all turns out in the last book in this series, Mockingjay.

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)

Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

Movie Rating: PG-13

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

Hunger Games Trilogy, Book 1

Publisher: Scholastic Press (September 2009)

387 pages, eBook (purchased myself in a Trilogy Bundle for $18.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Katniss Everdeen was honorable, strong-minded and courageous, but she also had a coldness and excessive pessimism about her, particularly toward Peeta, that I could not like. Even though I didn't much care for her as a character, I did enjoy this story. A very different world, presented in first person, and a story that holds you captive to the end. I look forward to reading the second book in this series, Catching Fire, and I hold out hope that I will warm to Katniss as the series continues.

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

The Hunger Games (2012)

Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth

Movie Rating: PG-13

My Rating: 4 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson

Millennium Trilogy, Book 3

Publisher: Vintage (November 2011)

577 pages, eBook (purchased myself in a Trilogy Bundle for $29.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Sexual Situations, Infidelity, Violence and Swearing

After the ending in the second book, I wondered how there would be much left to explore in this book, but I was not disappointed. Complications and devious plotting abound from the get-go, leading you through another satisfying story of action and suspense. The two main characters in this series, Lisbeth Salander and Mikael Blomkvist, are by no means perfect, in fact both characters have many flaws. But, over the course of this series, I felt I knew them both so well that even their most glaring faults could be overlooked, despite my disapproval, as one might do for a long-time friend. There are so many layers of complexity both in the story and in the characters of this series, that you can't help but be intrigued. I thought everything was tied up in a satisfying conclusion, where all is revealed, without any loose ends left untended. This was a great series and highly recommended!

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (2009)-English Dubbed

Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist

Movie Rating: r

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

The Girl Who Played with Fire by Stieg Larsson

Millennium Trilogy, Book 2

Publisher: Vintage (November 2011)

738 pages, eBook (purchased myself in a Trilogy Bundle for $29.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Sexual Situations involving Minors, Violence and Swearing

I typically don’t like the second book in trilogies, because they largely setup everything for the final book without much happening. This book was definitely not lacking in action and provided answers to a lot of questions I had from the first book along the way. Lisbeth Salander’s character growth throughout this story was interesting to watch and though she was largely on her own through most of this book by her own choice, Mikael Blomkvist’s loyalty was unfailing and I loved his character here even more than in the first book. I look forward to reading the third and final book in this series, The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest.

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

The Girl Who Played with Fire (2009)-English Dubbed

Noomi Rapace, Michael Nyqvist

Movie Rating: R

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson

Millennium Trilogy, Book 1

Publisher: Vintage (November 2011)

658 pages, eBook (purchased myself in a Trilogy Bundle for $29.99)

Book Rating: 4 Stars

Content Note: Includes Sexual Situations, Sexual Assault, Rape, Violence and Swearing

I thought the beginning and ending, largely dealing with the financial scandal were overly dry, but the middle dealing with the murder mystery was excellent and definitely kept my attention. The two main characters Mikael Blomkvist and Lisbeth Salander were very intriguing and I liked both of them almost immediately. There exact relationship to each other being an enigma, it was clear that regardless of the lack of definition they did work well together and developed at least a friendship of significant importance to them both. I look forward to moving on to the second book in this series, The Girl Who Played with Fire.

Movie Adaptations/Modern Retellings/Related Works:

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2009)-English Dubbed

Michael Nyqvist, Noomi Rapace

Movie Rating: R

My Rating: 5 Stars

Adaption: Verbatim-Tweaked-Veiled

Eye Candy: Plain-Pretty-Sultry

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)

Daniel Craig, Rooney Mara, Christopher Plummer

Movie Rating: R