The Kari AnnAlysis

Archive for November, 2009

So I know that it is actually Saturday now (2:25 a.m.), but as I finished one book and started another, I HAD to do a Friday Firsts. I normally finish books on Sunday, so starting on a Friday, I always hope to have a great first liner!

This meme from Well Read Reviews asks you to pick up you book and share what comes first. The first paragraph of Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa has me not so sure what to expect, but I am drawn in for sure.

“The baby was a white fist of flesh. Mama had placed the ultrasound photo atop her dresser in a sterling silver frame. That night, when the pain bent her over in the kitchen, I imagined that same white fist punching her insides black-and-blue. When Daddy called from the hospital to tell us she’d lost the baby, my brother Cyrus said I shouldn’t worry. He said the baby didn’t feel any pain, that at nine weeks it wasn’t anything but a ball of meat squirming in Mama’s stomach. He said it hadn’t even sprouted arms or legs yet, that it still had a fish brain and gills growing in its neck.”

Did you start a new book today??

Release Date: December 18, 2009

I must say I am a bit partial to this book because it was the first one I received for review. But, I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading it.

All I knew about this book before I dove in was the it was kind of like Goosebumps on steroids and it dealt with a little bit of demons.

Here’s  a summary in my words: Strange things start happening in Brockton Falls. And it’s all very unexplainable. It’s things that make you cringe a little while you’re reading. Examples: bugs, snakes, demons … Oh my! Then it all becomes very clear (if you understand science and demons). Eric and Kevin, the two main characters, aren’t your average teenage boys. There’s a darnkness about them that could mean the difference between life and death. Once they finally figure out why such strange things are  happening, they take a trip to save themselves and their family, and they don’t have long to do it.

There are many things I like about this book. I really liked the layout. There is a countdown of 8 days. You’ll find out eventually what that countdown means, when it started and what happens when the time runs out, but not from me

I thought this book was a great read. It kept me flipping the pages, and itching while thinking about all of the grossness! There are many twists and turns and quite a bit of action.

I like that this book makes you think. Personally, I like for books to come easy for me. By the time I pick up my book, my brain is close to fried and I like to relax with something fun. I had to re-read some parts of this book and think about it. For the age group it’s aimed at (12 and older), I am glad it’s not simple. I am glad there is more to it than crushes and clothes and school. No, it’s not going to happen to you tomorrow, but you will get a little entertainment out of it, as well as a science lesson.

Now to the science! While I am glad it was educational, the science part of the book really wasn’t my cup of tea. I was never great at science and when Dark Matter was being explained, I was lost. Luckily, that just comes and goes, but when it was there, I had a hard time not zoning out.

But really, that’s my only complaint. I thought it was well written, had enough drama and suspense to keep me turning the pages and I would definitely suggest it if you like science fiction with a bit of horror mixed in.  I give The Dark Matter Directive 4 bookmarks.

I think D. Charles Wilson did a great job with this book and I will definitely be waiting for future reads from him. And thanks to the Kelley and Hall Company for sending an advanced copy of this to me!

So the leaves have all fallen from the trees, and my profile picture was out of date. So now, it’s ready for Thanksgiving. I got a gift card from my mom for Hobby Lobby and yesterday, I went crazy. I found all kinds of fall decorations and they were over 60% off. As much as I love Christmas, and yes, I brought Christmas decorations as well, we can’t forget Thanksgiving. I love our new cornucopia!

Do you have special decorations for Thanksgiving ?

Today’s Teaser Tuesday tease comes from The Dark Matter Directive. I always start thinking about my teases a few days in advance. And with this book, there are SOOO many teasers and I’m only on page 70. Here’s the one I chose for today:

pg30: “Tomorrow, he thought, would be a better day. As he passed our half-open door, a tall figure standing in the shadow between our beds stared back at him with bright eyes. Oh my god…“

What is your tease for this week????

 Today’s Musing Monday post asks: Does your house have a communal bookshelf? If not, is your bookshelf centrally located so everyone has access to it?

We have a bookshelf on our entertainment center that Michael and I have put our school books. Michael has some personal reading on these too, but we don’t have the same reading taste, so even though it is a community shelf, I won’t be reading them. I also have a separate little bookshelf I had in college with other school books on it. For some reason, I thought I needed to keep them

In my bedroom, I have my personal bookshelves. I have a three story shelf on top of one of my dressers and I also have a stand alone shelf. Michael doesn’t like the same books that I do, so for now, it’s ok that they aren’t up for community access. I like having the shelf in my room so that if I finish a book before bed, I can easily get another one without being too loud!