Tag: book club

Book club: Brave New world & The Girl on the Train

Posted on by Shawshank

Good afternoon my book lovers, There’s a bonus today. I’ll be talking about two books! I know, he has no time to read, but he’s reading two books now? While it’s true that I’m still trying to find balance between work and reading, I really wanted to read both of them.

Brave New World by Aldous Huxley

It’s very retro-futuristic. So I’m enjoying it so far. I’m not too far into it, but it’s very good. Very strange, and I don’t really know what’s going on in it so far. It seems to me there’s one really popular chick that everyone wants to date. They kinda sleep around and baby’s are made in a test tube. I can’t wait to dive into this and finish it up.

The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins

I remember watching a movie about this book. I liked the movie, but I got really sucked into the book. Although, it could be “Delusional Drunk Girl on a train”! The book is told from the perspectives of three different women.

I know not too much to go on with these books, but I’ve really only read the first couple of chapters each. But, let it be known, I’m really liking both books so far!

Book Club: Full Dark, No Stars

Posted on by Shawshank

Finally I got some time to do some reading. And since I was behind a week, I decided to read the last two stories in Full Dark, No Stars, our book club book. Now, we’re back on track.

Fair Extension

This was a disturbing one, at least for me. It shows that even your best of friends could hate you. The short story was short. Like really short. It’s the story of a guy dying of lung cancer. So one night he’s driving home, and sees a guy with a little sore front set up by the side of the road. He goes over to talk to him, and finds out that this guy can give him a fair extension. This extension comes at a price. Money of course, and someone that he hates. Truly hates to transfer all his bad luck too.

It left me feeling unsettled. But I’m sure that’s what King was going for.

A Good Marriage

This one started out so normal and happy, which from what I can guess means this King novella is going to go down hill very quickly. Which it does.

Can I spoil a book that came out 10 years ago? I mean, I’d be upset that it got spoiled for me. I’m just getting to know Stephan King. But on the other hand, it has been 10 years.

Ok, I really enjoyed all the short stories in the book. I liked how he explored different takes on retribution, and revenge. I personally can’t wait to read another King book.

See you again next week, where I talk about my initial thoughts and questions on Brave New World. Y’all though I forgot about it, huh? Nope!

Book Review: Midnight Sun

Posted on by Shawshank

The book I didn’t think I needed to read! It’s not secret that I loved the Twilight Saga (although, I haven’t finished any other Twilight book since I got here), I didn’t think I needed to read a, and let’s be honest, a retelling of Twilight.

I was wrong.

This book is pretty much all Edward, all the time. He’s so far in his head, that I don’t think he’s ever be able to claw his way out of it.

There is one funny scene that I remember. It’s shortly after he’s met Bella, and he’s imagining/day dreaming of killing everyone in the class, especially Mike Newton, whom he just hates on a visceral level, just so he could drink all of Bella’s blood undisturbed.

While Edward’s side of things was very interesting, I loved learning more about his family. Alice is amazing in this book.

Just wait until you get to the “Phoenix Incident”. It’s glorious, and makes the whole book a show stopper.

Now, I want a book from Alice’s POV.

Book Club: Full Dark, No Stars

Posted on by Shawshank

So here is where our chat about the third short story in the book Full Dark, No Stars – Fair Extension would be, had I read it.

And I feel very terrible and guilty about not reading it. This past week has been totally busy and insane. It was my first full week at work, I’d get home from working and just be so mentally tired, I couldn’t read. I planned on reading part, if not most of it yesterday; but it was my first day solo on the shop, I couldn’t even concentrate on a cooking show.

I know, excuses, excuses. I don’t know how y’all other bloggers can manage to balance everything.

So hopefully you guys forgive me. I’ll do better in the coming week to get it read.

Please, stick around. I’m not usually this useless!

Book Club: Full Dark, No Stars

Posted on by Shawshank

Before getting into the meat and potatoes of the Book Club, is like to draw attention to the new graphic. A couple nights ago, I asked Crystal for a couple new graphics for the site to inspire me and to make it look a little more professional. She’s awesome at them, so thank you so much baby!

Ok, week 2 of the Lockup Library Book Club. This months book is Full Dark, No Stars by Stephen King. This week we’re talking about story number 2;

Big Driver.

This is a Lifetime movie waiting to happen. Oh wait, it’s already been turned into one. Not my favourite so far. At some points it was a little rambly.

Big Driver is a story about Tess, a lite mystery writer in a small town in Massachusetts giving a talk in the library. Tess only takes speaking engagements where she can drive, and at the most spend one overnight. At the end of her talk the organizer, Ramona, tells her of a shortcut that’ll shave some time off her drive home.

Tess takes the shortcut, and here’s where bad things happen. She gets a flat tire, and has to wait and hope that someone will drive past, as there’s no cell coverage.

Someone does drive by and stops to help. He doesn’t help though, he grabs her and rapes her multiple times and leaves her for dead.

It’s a story of retribution. Tess escapes and plans her revenge.

It was an ok story. I just don’t think it really was for me. I wasn’t really into it, when she started to talk to her gps like it was a person. I think along the way she pretty much had a mental snap as well.

I hope the next story catches my attention better than Big Driver did. But like I’ve heard before, you either really like King’s stories or you don’t.

So far, out of the two stories read, it’s 50/50.

On to the next story! See you next Sunday, friends!