All Consuming : riceandsoup

A review of "Sparkles" (rated 4 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Thu, 14 Dec 2006 03:25:42 GMT

Sparkles

by Louise Bagshawe

A delightfully trashy novel with an interesting plot. Bagshawe is fast becoming one of my favourite chick-lit authors.

A review of "Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Sun, 03 Dec 2006 11:23:22 GMT

Stiff: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers

by Mary Roach

I bought this book for my doctor sister for Christmas last year and always wanted to read it myself, so when I saw it at a book sale, I picked it up. Best 5 bucks spent on a book, ever! While Roach’s subject matter is fascinating, it’s not exactly stuff you would consider funny by most counts. But her excellent writing and wicked sense of humour had me giggling and guffawing by turns. I love this book and I can’t wait to see what she’ll write next.

A review of "Hoodwinked (Full Screen Version)" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 15:09:34 GMT

Hoodwinked (Full Screen Version)

The animation is really blocky and amateurish (the reason for which is explained fully by the extra features in the DVD version), and it takes a while to get into the plot, but otherwise it’s alright. Nowhere as good as Shrek though.

A review of "This Thing of Darkness"

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Sun, 20 Aug 2006 15:06:01 GMT

This Thing of Darkness

by Harry Thompson

Really well-written and certainly deserving of its position on the Man Booker longlist, but could have benefited from tighter editing. Still, a very good read.

A review of "Out" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 12:15:47 GMT

Out

by Natsuo Kirino

Absolutely fantastic. I enjoyed Out from start to finish, although I’m feeling slightly sick from reading it. Can’t wait for Kirino’s other novels to be translated into English!

A review of "On Beauty"

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Mon, 07 Aug 2006 02:36:21 GMT

On Beauty

by Zadie Smith

I wonder how many times you can repeat a successful formula when it comes to writing novels. Of all Smith’s books, I think White Teeth is the best so far.

A review of "The Girl in Times Square"

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Sat, 22 Jul 2006 14:41:18 GMT

The Girl in Times Square

by Paullina Simons

I’m happy to see Ms Simons writing in the contemporary for a change. It’s a nice departure from all the historical novels she has been churning out.

A review of "Mao: The Unknown Story"

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 15:17:37 GMT

Mao: The Unknown Story

by Jung Chang

This is a highly detailed biography, and may be heavy going at times. Nevertheless, it is worth reading, if only to get a glimpse into the mind of a monster who did what he did because he wanted power and riches, not because he truly believed in his own ideology.

Just OK for me. (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Fri, 12 May 2006 14:55:21 GMT

Mercy

by Jodi Picoult

Somehow this book’s storyline didn’t grip me as much as some of Picoult’s previous works such as My Sister’s Keeper, or Plain Truth.

A review of "Salem Falls" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Mon, 08 May 2006 03:42:46 GMT

Salem Falls

by Jodi Picoult

Not one of Picoult’s best works, but still worth reading if you’re a fan.

A review of "The Secret History of the Pink Carnation" (rated 3 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Fri, 21 Apr 2006 01:22:59 GMT

The Secret History of the Pink Carnation

by Lauren Willig

I should have borrowed this from the library instead of buying it.

A review of "Belle De Jour" (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Tue, 18 Apr 2006 03:10:02 GMT

Belle De Jour

by Anonymous

It was all right, not particularly well written or anything. Great for a bathroom read, but that’s about it.

A review of "The Sword and the Scimitar" (rated 5 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Mon, 17 Apr 2006 01:55:52 GMT

The Sword and the Scimitar

by David Ball

What a rollicking read! If you like huge epics with plenty of action, this is the book to read. Two thumbs up!

A quick and absorbing read.

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Mon, 10 Apr 2006 07:50:56 GMT

Plain Truth

by Jodi Picoult

I am rapidly becoming a fan of Jodi Picoult. This one was a riveting read, all the more interesting because of its Amish backdrop. Highly recommended.

A review of "The Historian"

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Mon, 27 Mar 2006 11:57:20 GMT

The Historian

by Elizabeth Kostova

I did enjoy her prose and the pacing was good on the whole, if a tad draggy towards the end. I may pick it up to read again some time in the future.

A story about "Reefer Madness: Sex, Drugs, and Cheap Labor in the American Black Market"

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Tue, 14 Feb 2006 03:38:17 GMT

Reefer Madness: Sex, Drugs, and Cheap Labor in the American Black Market

by Eric Schlosser

Great read. Very enlightening and disturbing.

A review of "Charlotte Gray"

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Sat, 07 Jan 2006 15:56:01 GMT

Charlotte Gray

by Sebastian Faulks

I watched the movie before I read the book, so my view of the latter is coloured somewhat by the film interpretation. I do think that the movie ending is more plausible than the book, though. This is my introduction to Faulks and I will be reading more of him in future.

A review of "The Rule of Four" (rated 2 stars)

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Wed, 28 Dec 2005 08:22:48 GMT

The Rule of Four

by Ian Caldwell

I didn’t see what all the fuss is about. The plot rambles and the prose is clunky.

Why I recommend "A Million Little Pieces"

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Mon, 19 Dec 2005 06:27:44 GMT

A Million Little Pieces

by James Frey

Wonderful, hard-hitting and ultimately, inspiring. Better than Augusten Burroughs’ “Dry”. Highly recommended!

A review of "I Am Charlotte Simmons: A Novel"

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Tue, 13 Dec 2005 14:53:48 GMT

I Am Charlotte Simmons: A Novel

by Tom Wolfe

Mostly tolerable, except from some greatly exaggerated and overblown bits that had me flipping the pages rapidly to find a less-painful tenor. This is my first Tom Wolfe, believe it or not, and I’m not sure I should read his earlier works if this is any indication of what to expect.

A story about "The Shadow of the Wind"

nobody@allconsuming.net (riceandsoup) — Thu, 24 Nov 2005 14:52:42 GMT

The Shadow of the Wind

by Carlos Ruiz Zafon

I bought this because I’d read good things about it. It started out promisingly, but things fell apart halfway through. I agree that this is a very predictable read, and a little too long-winded at times. Best for people who have plenty of patience when it comes to reading.