War

I had to read this book for my American Ways of War class. It was a phenomenal book, that really allowed the reader to understand the view points of the men in the 2nd Platoon of the U.S. Army. Mr. Junger lived with them in the Korengal Valley - Afghanistan's deadliest location. The book does not deal with the 'politics' of war - simply the human nature of it; the fear, the love, and the psychology of war.

The thing that shocked me most, the lack of thought as to why they were fighting this war. They only cared for their brothers. If you spend all your days with a select few men, it is certainly understandable why you would only care for their safety. But wouldn't you be a bit curious as to why they are dying in the war?

I became really attached to the men in the platoon, and felt as if they were my friends too. I became emotional when Restrepo, the medic, was killed in action, and felt that I had just lost him as well.

The book really helped me understand how the men work - and I was allowed to see a glimpse into the much hidden world of a location acting outside the scrutinizing eye of the Top Brass. It gave me hope when the certain elder tribesmen of Afghanistan and certain men of the American military were working together to solve the many issues facing both factions.

My favorite part in the book was when both the American military and the Taliban fighters acknowledge each-other's fighting ability.

Eventually the base was destroyed and the American military pulled out of the location allowing it to fall back into Afghanistan's control.

I strongly recommend that everyone reads this book. It is a fascinating glimpse into a world that is kept from public eye. There are no politics in this book - it is simply a book about WAR and the effects it has on the people with in it.

War by Sebastian Junger (c) 2010

A Dirty Job

I had wanted to read Christopher Moore for a very long time, I just never had the time (I am finally done with this semester!!) I also, bought the Nook and wanted to add books to is - so why not do this one? I liked the cover and thought it would be amusing to read. Well, I was not that big of a fan when it came to his writing style (I am currently reading The Stupidest Angel and finding it hilarious!) OMFG! I just looked online and they're making a movie out of it? Hollywood - WHY CAN'T YOU BE ORIGINAL AND LEAVE THE BOOKS ALONE! (Ok, sorry about that!)

Charlie Asher is your average Beta male, not too hot and not too cold. He has the love of his life Rachel who is a beautiful, smart woman. A woman, many would say, was out of Charlie's league. They are about to expect their first child, and both could not be more happy. Well, Charlie is starting to get a bit unhinged. He is starting to see glowing red objects where ever he goes. He doesn't know what to make of them, nor if he is the only one who can see them. When he tried to warn someone that their umbrella was glowing red, the man was instantly killed by a bus! And when Charlie tried to explain to people what had just happened - it was like he was invisible!

When their child is born, both parents are excited (as every parent is). Suddenly, Charlie notices a dark figure in the room with him while Rachel sleeps. What is this man doing in his room? Charlie races to get the nurse but when he returns the man is gone, and Rachel will not awaken. She is dead. Charlie becomes heart-stricken and it is only with his sister's help that he begins to live again.

His life however, takes a turn for the weird. People start to die around Charlie, and that is after their names appear in a note pad by his bedside. Furthermore, he hears voices. These voices do not reside in his head, but in the sewers below the road. They call to him, and they call him "Fresh Meat". What's even stranger is a big, black, raven follows him. What does this mean? Why are they following Charlie? Is he the new Death?

Although I found his writing style to be a bit off (for me) I did enjoy this book. At one point I was in my bedroom with my dog sleeping beside me, when he got to to edge of the bed and started to do a deep growl - the kind that warns intruders to leave. It scared me because I was at the point in the book, where the Sewer voices could only be seen by dogs! Silly I know, but I could not help by be a bit scared. I enjoyed the relationship between Minty Fresh and Charlie. It was a wonderfully funny book and I cannot wait to read many more of his books.

A Dirty Job by Christopher Moore. (c) 2006

Mocking Jay

Katniss has survived the arena once again, but what about Peeta? Is he alive? What is President Snow doing to him? All these thoughts keep floating around her head. She is alive though, and must repeat that. She is in the elusive District 13, alive. Is it a fate worse than death?

Katniss must adjust to thin new life style. District 13 is completely underground and they support themselves. For a long time, District 13 was a legend, and now it is true and Katniss has been chosen to represent them as the Mocking Jay. Can she?

She ignores the rules and lives as she chooses. Until one day, she understands her role, and if she is personally going to kill the President than she has to allow the leader of District 13 see that she is healthy enough to go into war. But that will be a challenge in itself, for once again Katniss is playing the role of a puppet - a role she swore she would never agree to.

I will not lie, I was very disappointed with the ending of this book; it seemed rushed. After all she had been through, that was the ending? Disappointing. With that being said, I found the events to be surprising and then expected. I wish she would have done a fourth book. This book felt too much like the 7th Harry Potter book in the way it ended for me.

Once Upon A Time Challenge...

I love challenges, and I never complete them which is always a disappointment. So, I'd like to complete this one.

The artwork is just amazing and breathtaking and kinda looks like where I live: DARK, COLD, and SNOWY. I picked this one because the poop of red made me feel a bit warmer.

This contest is being hosted by Stainless Steel Droppings. This is his site, and this is the site for the challenge.

I'm going to do "Challenge the Second" which entails:

"Read at least one book from each of the four categories. In this quest you will be reading 4 books total: one fantasy, one folklore, one fairy tale, and one mythology. This proves to be one of the more difficult quests each year merely because of the need to classify each read and determine which books fit into which category. I am not a stickler, fear not, but I am endlessly fascinated watching how folks work to find books for each category."

For mythology I'm going to read Metamorphoses by Ovid - which I should have read last semester. :P I haven't decided what my others will be.

Demonglass

Sometimes when I get a book, I like to think about the title and how it fits with the story. A few times, while reading a book, I'll have the "AH so that's how the title works with the book" moment.

There are other time were I like to understand how the cover of the book works with the story of the book. This was one of those cases. Before I started reading the book, I studied the cover. Liker her first book Hex Hall, the cover features image standing in front of a body of water with another image pointing back. The second image happened to be her wearing a wedding dress. "What", I wondered, "could possible happen in this story!?"

Now if you haven' read the first book, please do so, and secondly - don't read the remainder of this post. I might let something slip and I'd hate to ruin the book for you.

Last year at Hex Hall was a hectic one with Sophie trying to solve a mystery and also save her friend for ruin. Now summer is upon them, and for the first time in YEARS Sophie's dad wants to spend time with her. She agrees to go to London if Jenna tags along. If you recall, Sophie wants to go through the removal because she saw how terrible demons can be and doesn't want to take the risk of one day going mental (I heard Ron Weasly's voice when I wrote that!)

Her dad though, wants her to first get to know her demon side before she completely removes it. And besides, what could possibly go wrong on a trip where you spend the WHOLE time in London! I'm jealous that they could!!!

All that glitters is not gold, and with in days of landing things begin to take a turn for the worst. First the two demons that they meet have been getting them into trouble, and they don't even know who created them. That is not good, because that means that someone is rising demons - which will make The Eye want to destroy them forever.

That's not all. Before they left for London, Sophie found out that she is betrothed to Cal! How can she possibly marry Cal if she still as feelings for Archer - well does she still love Archer? Or like him? Maybe tolerate Archer? She doesn't know what she's going to do. But one things for sure, she has to help her father solve the mystery and save all of Prodigum.

This book was awesome. There were parts were I just could not stand to wait till I got to the bottom of the page to find out what happened. I did not want to put the book down to walk the dog or do my homework. Who wants to do homework when you have an amazing book just waiting in your backpack?

I also enjoyed the character development of Sophie. She was more mature and patient, you could tell she had grown. ALSO she had amazing references that made her more personal.

Books in this series:

1) Hex Hall

2) Demonglass

Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins (c) 2011.

*This book was sent to me by Authors on the Web so that I could review it.

Undead and Unemployed

This is my very first book which I read on the nook and I really enjoyed it! I found reading on the Nook to be very enjoyable and easy when I was trying to put my son down for bed. I only needed one hand to hold the Nook and flip the pages.

We first met Betsy in Undead and Unwed where her life had just completely changed. Or is that "unlife"? Now it's 3 months later and she starting to get everything back on track.....sort of. She still has to deal with Sincalir and that whole 'Queen of the Dead' thing, not to mention she now has to find a job.

She doesn't want to live off of her best friend, Jessica's money. So what job will allow her to work nights? She finally finds her dream job working in the Macy's shoe department. That does sound like an amazing job, although I'd probably get fired quickly for all the shoes I'd try on.

Life seems to be going pretty well for her until she finds out her little house had a termite infestation. And there there's the problem that people are now trying to kill vampires and are now after her. So between dodging bullets she has to fix the termite problem, solve who's trying to kill her and why, solve the mystery of the little girl (where is her mother), and avoid Sinclair. Easy right?

I loved how sassy Betsy was and how she always had a comment to make about someone. Plus she reads J.D. Robb too! I wouldn't mind if she were my friend. But I wonder how she'll feel, when 780 years from now, Mark and Jessica are dead. Will she bring them over? I guess I must continue to read!!

Books in this series:

1) Undead and Unwed

2) Undead and Unemployed

3) Undead and Unappreciated

4) Undead and Unreturnable

5) Undead and Unpopular

6) Undead and Uneasy

7) Undead and Unworthy

8) Undead and Unwelcome

9) Undead and Unfinished

Undead and Unwed by Mary Janice Davidson. Penguin Group, 2004.

Format: eBook from Barnes and Noble.

I have many fun reviews coming up! AND I just bought an NookCOLOR! :)

Stay tuned.... reviews are soon!