Wednesday, October 03, 2012

The September Round-Up

Well, dear readers, I am currently writing to you on my brand-shining-new MacBook. No more PCs for me! Learning to use a Mac for the first time since 1997 is pretty slick, especially since the modem doesn't make those beeping, screeching noises anymore! Progress!

Hopefully having a computer that isn't a rattling jalopy of a piece of crap like my previous Acer will inspire me with new stories and ideas - and all in time for NaNoWriMo next month, too!

With another month around the corner, it's time to go over what I read in September:

*September Winner!* The Song of Achilles, by Madeline Miller. Historical, LGBT, Fantasy. A+
Pros: Gorgeous language, relatable hero, swoon-romance. Cons: Hero a little indecisive. Novel loses confidence in the middle.

A Season to be Sinful, by Jo Goodman. Romance, Historical. A+
Pros: Fantastic mystery, developed characters, delicious slow-burning romance. Cons: Some slow pacing, a few confusing scenes.

Origin, by Jessica Khoury. YA, Science Fiction. C+
Pros: Interesting themes, colourful setting. Cons: Unbelievable insta-love romance, ridiculous ending.

What's Left of Me, by Kat Zhang. YA, Science Fiction/Alternate Universe. C+
Pros: Interesting concept. Cons: Piss-poor worldbuilding and repetitive pacing.

The World According to Garp, by John Irving. Classic, Contemporary. C
Pros: Fascinating exploration of themes of gender, sexuality and art. Cons: Very long and boring, "tell over show" writing style.

*September Dud* 
Lord of Ice, by Gaelen Foley. Romance, Historical. DNF
Pros: Saucy heroine (only at the beginning). Cons: Uninteresting and unoriginal plot, violent hero, "Innocent" Heroine used as Tylenol for Man Pain.

2 comments:

  1. Anonymous11:07 PM

    Yay! Another reader who enjoyed Song of Achilles.

    I'm about to break down and buy a Jo Goodman to read. I need it, even at Berkeley's prices.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes yes yes! Read Jo Goodman! She's sooo good! ... most of the time. LOL.

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