Book Bloggin' 25th September 2013

Finished: The Big One by Kevin E Ready : So close.. so close. 95% of the way through this and I was going to say this was a stellar effort.. until the author used my pet hate word "drug" - minutes do NOT drug on, they drag or in this case "the mintes dragged by". ARGH I hate the misuse of this word!!!!

Apart from that one monumental error, this book was very well written and researched. The information at the beginning of each chapter was extremely informative and also tied in nicely with the chapter. The realism of the events made you feel like you were there and it made me think of all those classic Big One movies that I loved as a kid.

Overall I would give this book a 4.5 out of 5 stars and recommend it to any disaster buff. It's a very accurate portrayal of what could happen when the big one hits Los Angeles.

Started: The Last Election by Kevin Carrigan

Book Bloggin' 23rd September 2013

Finished: The Yellowstone Conundrum by John Randall

Describing the ripping open of the caldera as a being like a hymen splitting on a virgin? Really? You couldn't come up with a better analogy?!! Yep, that's right, the author of this book described the eruption of the Yellowstone supervolcano as a hymen being ripped. I mean, seriously, if you were writing a book, why would that analogy even come into your head? I am dumbfounded. Add to that, the numerous pictures (what are we 5 years old? Does our interest need to be kept by pretty pictures? No! Stop patronising your readers). And don't even get me started on the reduced font sizes for when people are speaking quietly, or the bold italics(or just plain italics) for a flashback, incase we couldn't tell that's what we were reading. Then ofcourse there are the characters whose names randomly change - is it Frohling or Frohming on this page/ in this paragraph? Be surprised!!

It's hard to be positive when there is literally so much wrong with this book. It is actually a miracle that the author managed to keep me interested. But amazingly, the concept of this book is actually pretty solid and apart from the quite frankly shit editing(it's called spell check - try it some time!) and analogies, he has handled it fairly well. This is only the first book of a planned series, so don't expect resolution in this novel. Hopefully the next one comes out sooner then his last few books (there are very sizable gaps in the books he has published - try decades) as I would like to see what happens/how the author handles it sooner rather than later.

In the postscript by the author he mentions that all his books would make great movies - I am sure they would, but to be quite frank the potential is lost as the writing is so shit. Invest in an editor as it will end up being worth the cost! And additionally - stop writing as if you were writing a movie script - it would go a long way to explaining the odd style of writing and also the pictures.. but not far enough.

Oh & where was the conundrum? I would have though there wasn't one.. flee or die.. no real conundrum there..

Started: The Big One by Kevin E. Ready

Book Bloggin' 24th October 2012

Finished: The Rift  by Walter J Williams

I love this book. I have read it quite a few times now. And it's no small little paperback either. It's a hefty hardback that breaks your wrists.. but oh is the pain worth it. This book has been so well written & researched, it's just fantastic. The author includes excerpts from letters written by people who survived the New Madrid earthquakes of 1811-1812 which helps to bring to life this story. The basic premise is that a series of massive earthquakes once again rocks the New Madrid region. And from that you get a religious fanatic who decides it the beginning of the Tribulation, a KKK Kleagle who decides now is a good time to get some racial cleansing happening & a teenage (white) boy & the black man he rescued stumbling(well floating really) along just trying to survive.This book really is an eye opening account which demonstrates just how much the US Army Corps of Engineers have bent the Mississippi River (& it's major tributaries) to their will.

Great stuff, read it!!

No new book started have exams next week :( BUT new Michael Connelly will be out by time they are over, so watch this space!! 

Book Bloggin' 15th October 2012

Finished: Earth, The new Frontier by Adam Celaya

I love EOW books. I have a massive collection, both books & Kindle verions. Nothing smacks of entertainment better then a bunch of people being stuck in a situation they are thoroughly unprepared for. Well except for the token survivalist/ex-military man whose goon save their sorry asses that is. This book has one of each. And as an added bonus a bunch of weekend warriors/prison guards who think the best prisoner is a dead prisoner. My kind of people. I am pretty sure a bullet is cheaper then keeping someone housed, fed & entertained for however long they are gonna be banged up. Harsh? Yeah, but then I don't pay taxes to support criminals! And I am pretty sure that those self same criminals din't give a rats ass when they wereraping/murdering/stealing from their victim now did they? If they choose to not have a moral compass &/or respect for their fellow man, why should I give that to them?? Gotta give respect to earn it in my book.
 Anyhoo.. enough of my personal ramblings.. this book is awesome, if you are a fan of EOW (courtesy of a massive metoer hitting and obliterating the moon) READ THIS. Great editing & great story line. Self published, but done in the correct way, not the cheap ass way!

Started: The Rift by Walter J Williams

Massive earthquake hits the New Madrid Fault!! Can you tell I am on a disaster bent at the moment?

Book Bloggin' 16th May 2012

Finished: The Nuclear Catastrophe by

  So.. for 99cents this was an ok read. HOWEVER, the author should have employed a better proof reader & editor. There are some glaringly obvious issues (like the man who survives a nuclear power plant blowing up in his face & then walks over 110kms (70miles) home in less then 5 hours. And the fact the same character lives over looking a canyon... or is that the ocean? Even the author can't remember.

You know that thing I say about indie authors? Well this book just re-inforces that view!

Started: The Unquiet by John Connolly

Ahh well written fiction that uses good editing!

Book Bloggin' 15th May 2012

Finished: The Black Angel by John Connolly

I started out not enjoying this book. It had an air pf predictability about it. I won't reveal the spoiler just in case you want to read the book. However, I will say, there was a good twist which revealed itself, piece by piece, in the fashion of a snake unfurling itself &  revealing that it is in fact huge. How will it change things? Having already read "The Lovers" I have some inkling, but I still look forward to the unread volumes of this series & the twists & turns that they will also bring.

Started: The Nuclear Catastrophe by Barbara C Griffin Billig & Bett Pohnka

A 99cent buy off amazon Kindle.. grassroots authors who self publish.. You know I love them! I was going to review a book for another grass roots author (who has raised my hackles over the crappiness of editing multiple times in the past) but she has had the book edited for the 3rd or 4th time ( I have lost track of exactly how many times) and I am now waiting for the new new version to hit my inbox. And as I am not at home to pick up the next John Connolly.. well.. new book it is!