Review: Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt

Christ the Lord: Out of Egypt by Anne Rice
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

First, I should say, this is the first book I have ever read by Anne Rice.

I've always been interested in theology based books and movies. I stumbled upon this book by accident at a book store. The book itself was so-so. I understand this was a quest for Jesus as a child to discover who he is/was, but I felt as though the plot was going nowhere. It's like reading a historical fiction about the Titanic. You already know what happens in the end, so why is it taking so long to get there? It would be one thing if it was an unputdownable page turner, but this book really wasn't that interesting or exciting overall. The last 4 or 5 chapters were the most important as it sets up the second book for Jesus's adulthood. Other than that, this book reads like a "day in the life of" kind of book.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book set in a country that fascinates you.


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Review: Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil

Midnight In The Garden Of Good And Evil by John Berendt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The first half of the book introduces the cast of characters with anecdotes. The second half of the books revolves around the deadly shooting of Danny Hansford and the trials (yes plural, there were 4) of Jim Williams.

The author sets up a beautiful picture of Savannah. I would love to have seen it the way it was in the 80's (I wasn't born at the time of the shooting). Other than that, this was not quite the page turner I was expecting/hoping for.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book set in the decade you were born (1980s).

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Review: Pebble in the Dark - The Trauma

Pebble in the Dark - The Trauma by Antony Botting
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a Kindle copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Just WOW. I enjoyed the first book, but the second just blew me away. I'm fairly new to the sci-fi genre, but this was a fantastic read. It was very difficult to put down. It's a bit difficult to describe the book without giving away spoilers and important plot points, but I will try.

In the first book, multiple story lines/characters converge by the end. In the second, the characters split off and go on their own journeys in trying to survive a global catastrophe known as the Trauma brought on by the Pebble.

Sadly, it’s going to be a bit of a wait before the next book comes out. I am really excited to find out where the new story lines go.


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Review: The Magic Mountain

The Magic Mountain by Thomas Mann
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I can FINALLY put this book in my read pile. It took over a year to get through this massive, boring book. I think I read close to 100 books in the time it took to get through this one. I had high hopes for this book until I hit the 150 page mark. After that, it's like a never ending story that you just want to end but refuses to end. I think a weight just lifted off my shoulders.

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Review: The Slave Players

The Slave Players by Megan Allen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a Hardcover of this book through a Goodreads Giveaway.

This was an extremely thought provoking book. It tackles issues that have been plaguing this country (especially recently): racism and hate. I loved the premise. I can't wait for the author's next book.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book about a problem facing society today.


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Review: Girl, Interrupted

Girl, Interrupted by Susanna Kaysen
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is one of those rare instances where the movie is better than the book (to me, anyway). While the movie left out some rather important plot points (a painting and the significance of the title of the book, for instance), the movie gave the characters personality and depth. I went into reading this wanting to know more about specific people (Lisa was one in particular). The book did answer a couple of questions I had about them, but their stories and backgrounds are lacking.

At one point in the movie, in a voice narrative, there is a line about how Susanna wrote every random thought and put it in her notebook. That's how this book reads. There is no chronology. Chapters just seem to be inserted here and there as if they were written as she was thinking of them. It was a fast read and I did enjoy it, but the book and the movie need to have a love child. Neither one seem complete on their own.

This is the first time I've wished there was a half star rating. I would probably give it a 3.5.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book about mental health.

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Review: The Last Good Heist: The Inside Story of The Biggest Single Payday in the Criminal History of the Northeast

The Last Good Heist: The Inside Story of The Biggest Single Payday in the Criminal History of the Northeast by Tim White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Born and raised in RI, nothing remotely interesting ever really happens here, so I usually have to get my history/information from books written by people who lived it. Old newspapers on microfiche don't always provide the excitement or complete details. When the Bonded Vault heist happened, I was not even a glimmer in my parents' eyes. When this book came out, the Bonded Vault heist was news to me.

When you think Mafia/Mob, most people are going to rattle off names of the New York crime families and occasionally Whitey Bulger. I knew RI had mafia presence, but until I read this book, I did not really grasp the extent of the presence it had (still has?) here. Hudson Furs, still exists for those who are interested.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was a fast read. I actually had to force myself to put it down each night so I could get enough sleep to function at work the next day.

I read this book as part of the PopSugar Reading Challenge 2018 - A book involving a heist.


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