All Consuming : byoung

A review of "Seeking Enlightenment... Hat by Hat: A Skeptic's Guide to Religion"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Mon, 12 Dec 2005 23:16:07 GMT

Seeking Enlightenment... Hat by Hat: A Skeptic's Guide to Religion

by Nevada Barr

This collection of essays was thought-provoking. I don’t know that I’d go so far as to echo the cover blurb verbiage of “beguiling,” but it was interesting to read one former skeptic’s perspective on topics such as “repentance” and “prayer.”

A story about "The Traveler"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Sun, 13 Nov 2005 01:34:54 GMT

The Traveler

by John Twelve Hawks

Ordinarily I wouldn’t read the first book in a series until more had been published, but I couldn’t resist the hype. This book was grim yet compelling, sort of a 1984 set in maybe 2015. I’ll read the future books too. (Hope they come out soon.)

A story about "Son of a Witch: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Sun, 13 Nov 2005 01:33:06 GMT

Son of a Witch: A Novel

by Gregory Maguire

I enjoyed it, but I think it would have been even better had I read Wicked. I’ll read that soon and then maybe reread this one.

A story about "Anansi Boys: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Wed, 09 Nov 2005 00:06:00 GMT

Anansi Boys: A Novel

by Neil Gaiman

I loved this book—my favorite Neil Gaiman yet.

A story about "This Dame for Hire : A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Sun, 02 Oct 2005 23:07:46 GMT

This Dame for Hire : A Novel

by Sandra Scoppettone

A fun read for the WWII slang and milieu, even though the story itself dragged in places. This character is worth following in future books.

A story about "Locked Rooms (Mary Russell Novels (Hardcover))"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Sun, 02 Oct 2005 23:06:38 GMT

Locked Rooms (Mary Russell Novels (Hardcover))

by LAURIE R. KING

Series characters frequently turn out to have some mystery in their past. Mary Russell’s past is particularly interesting. It was good to read this book closely on the heels of the previous one, since some of the events intertwine.

A story about "Coup de Grace: A Sarah Deane Mystery"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Sat, 10 Sep 2005 03:24:29 GMT

Coup de Grace: A Sarah Deane Mystery

by J. S. Borthwick

I enjoy a good academic cozy as much as anyone, and I’ve read several Sarah Deane books, but I had a tough time getting into this one. Finally ended up skipping a huge chunk of the book (between the finding of the first body and the revelation of the evildoer). Maybe the problem was that I just couldn’t relate to the boarding school setting.

A story about "Necklace of Kisses"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Sat, 10 Sep 2005 03:21:52 GMT

Necklace of Kisses

by Francesca Lia Block

I haven’t read any other Weetzie Bat books, but I sure liked this one. For one thing, I can’t help but love a book with such a cool 40yo heroine. For another, the magic realism and the L.A. environs made me nostalgic for the time when I first fell in love. This was a light read and a thoroughly enjoyable one.

A story about "Nightcrawlers : A Nameless Detective Novel (Nameless Detective Mystery)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 01:54:22 GMT

Nightcrawlers : A Nameless Detective Novel (Nameless Detective Mystery)

by Bill Pronzini

Alas, I couldn’t finish this book. Nothing against the author—I just can’t bring myself to read books in which young children (particularly young girls the same age as my daughters) are harmed. Too bad, too, because I love with Pronzini is doing with this series. Nameless’ new partners are fascinating characters. I’ll be looking for the next book in the series.

A story about "The Hidden Family (The Merchant Princes, Book 2)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 01:44:03 GMT

The Hidden Family (The Merchant Princes, Book 2)

by Charles Stross

I wish I knew how many books were planned for this series. Five? Seven? Three? So far, the Merchant Princes have been highly engrossing urbane fantasy, with interesting B-school factoids tossed in. I’m now seeking out other books by this author.

A story about "Superstud: Or How I Became a 24-Year-Old Virgin"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 01:42:06 GMT

Superstud: Or How I Became a 24-Year-Old Virgin

by Paul Feig

Oh, wow, I loved this book. I laughed out loud, as much from the great writing style (his chapter about losing his virginity is written in the style of the Bible) as from the funny stories. Any former Christian Scientist will get an extra layer of humor here, but the book is hilarious no matter what your religious persuasion. Mr. Feig, I really wish you had been in my Sunday School.

A story about "Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Wed, 20 Jul 2005 19:21:08 GMT

Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything

by Steven D. Levitt

Great to read a book that lives up to its hype. It was a page-turner, one of those “couldn’t go to bed until I finished it” books. The authors use the tools of economics to answer interesting social questions. My favorite parts dealt with cheating teachers and baby names . . . the abortion argument was well worth reading, too.

A story about "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Sat, 16 Jul 2005 02:16:39 GMT

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Mary Roach

Extremely well-written, humorous yet informative. (Example—after a section about experiments in which parts of dogs were grafted on to other dogs, Roach writes, “Now things start to get strange.” As though the dog experiments weren’t strange enough.)

I had no idea there was so much to know about dead bodies. The book was more fascinating than repellent; the author asks lots of questions you’d be afraid to ask (and some you wish she hadn’t asked). I found only the section on plane crashes to be distressing, and I wish I hadn’t read it . . . but the rest of the book, I’m glad I read. Now I just wish my husband would read it.

A story about "The Family Trade (Merchant Princes)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Sat, 16 Jul 2005 02:13:07 GMT

The Family Trade (Merchant Princes)

by Charles Stross

This book reminds me of Willey’s lamented well-favored man series. Looking forward to reading #2.

A story about "Ill Wind (Weather Warden, Book 1)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Sat, 16 Jul 2005 02:10:24 GMT

Ill Wind (Weather Warden, Book 1)

by Rachel Caine

A fun book with an ending I didn’t expect. I’ll read further in the series and see if the characters get more developed.

A story about "Child of a Rainless Year"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Sat, 16 Jul 2005 02:09:33 GMT

Child of a Rainless Year

by Jane Lindskold

Gorgeous book that ended too soon. I started reading too late in the day and was unable to stop until I finished . . . at 3a on a work night . . . and I still was disappointed that there wasn’t more.

A story about "Mystery Writers of America Presents Show Business is Murder"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 19:07:22 GMT

Mystery Writers of America Presents Show Business is Murder

Fun stories. Parnell Hall’s story was the most enjoyable, for me; most of the others were a bit dark.

A story about "Shadows in the Darkness (Changeling)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 19:05:48 GMT

Shadows in the Darkness (Changeling)

by Elaine Cunningham

Great book. I hope it’s the first in a series. A good blend of noir/PI and urbane fantasy. I’ll definitely be looking for more by this author.

A story about "Vamped : A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 19:04:26 GMT

Vamped : A Novel

by David Sosnowski

I’m sure this book is fabulous, but I couldn’t get past the first chapter. I can’t enjoy “small child in jeopardy” novels, particularly not small children the age of my own brutally deprived of their mothers.

A story about "The Serpent on the Crown (Amelia Peabody Mysteries)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 19:02:56 GMT

The Serpent on the Crown (Amelia Peabody Mysteries)

by Elizabeth Peters

The characters are terrific, as always. The plot is typical for the series.

A story about "Master of the Night (Mageverse, Book 2) (Berkley Sensation)"

nobody@allconsuming.net (byoung) — Mon, 04 Jul 2005 19:01:39 GMT

Master of the Night (Mageverse, Book 2) (Berkley Sensation)

by Angela Knight

Lots of sex with a plot wrapped around it. Useful for moving the series forward, but not entirely satisfying as a stand-alone novel.