13 posts tagged “a”
Assassination is a very strange word.
Will the placeholders ever end? No...
Will the placeholders ever end? No...
Title: Stardust
Author: Neil Gaiman
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Quality Paperback
Publishing Info: Harper Perennial (August 29, 2006)
List Price: $13.95
ISBN: 0061142026
BINC:
Page Count: 288
Summary: Tristran Thorn falls in love with the prettiest girl in town and makes her a foolish promise: he says that he'll go find the falling star they both watched streak across the night sky. She says she'll marry him if he finds it, so he sets off, leaving his home of Wall, and heads out into the perilous land of faerie, where not everything is what it appears. (amazon)
Best Bit: Yvaine is very snarky, for a fallen star.
Quick Review: I love this book a lot. So much in fact that I first bought this version, then tracked down the illustrated version, then actually spent some money on a signed ARC copy. So that's really a lot of love.
Final Grade: A
Author: Neil Gaiman
Genre: Fantasy
Format: Quality Paperback
Publishing Info: Harper Perennial (August 29, 2006)
List Price: $13.95
ISBN: 0061142026
BINC:
Page Count: 288
Summary: Tristran Thorn falls in love with the prettiest girl in town and makes her a foolish promise: he says that he'll go find the falling star they both watched streak across the night sky. She says she'll marry him if he finds it, so he sets off, leaving his home of Wall, and heads out into the perilous land of faerie, where not everything is what it appears. (amazon)
Best Bit: Yvaine is very snarky, for a fallen star.
Quick Review: I love this book a lot. So much in fact that I first bought this version, then tracked down the illustrated version, then actually spent some money on a signed ARC copy. So that's really a lot of love.
Final Grade: A
IN PROGRESS.
Full entry when book is complete.
Pages read as of April 29: 92.
Full entry when book is complete.
Pages read as of April 29: 92.
Title: Little Miss Sunshine: The Shooting Script
Author: Michael Arndt
Genre: Film Reference
Format: Quality Paperback
Publishing Info: Newmarket (February 6, 2007)
List Price: $19.95
ISBN: 1557047707
BINC:
Page Count: 120
Summary: Brazenly satirical yet deeply human, Little Miss Sunshine introduces the Hoovers, whose trip from Albuquerque to Redondo Beach, California, to a pre-pubescent beauty pageant results not only in comic mayhem but in death, transformation, and a moving look at the surprising rewards of being losers in a winning-crazed culture. A runaway hit at the Sundance Film Festival, where it played to standing ovations, the film strikes a nerve with everyone who's ever been awestruck by how their muddled families seem to make it after all. (amazon)
Best Bit: Oh, Frank. Ohhhh, Frank.
Quick Review: Well, it's hard to separate it from the movie, so I'll just say... if you liked the movie, the script is a pleasure to read, and the few extras included beyond the script are also interesting.
Author: Michael Arndt
Genre: Film Reference
Format: Quality Paperback
Publishing Info: Newmarket (February 6, 2007)
List Price: $19.95
ISBN: 1557047707
BINC:
Page Count: 120
Summary: Brazenly satirical yet deeply human, Little Miss Sunshine introduces the Hoovers, whose trip from Albuquerque to Redondo Beach, California, to a pre-pubescent beauty pageant results not only in comic mayhem but in death, transformation, and a moving look at the surprising rewards of being losers in a winning-crazed culture. A runaway hit at the Sundance Film Festival, where it played to standing ovations, the film strikes a nerve with everyone who's ever been awestruck by how their muddled families seem to make it after all. (amazon)
Best Bit: Oh, Frank. Ohhhh, Frank.
Quick Review: Well, it's hard to separate it from the movie, so I'll just say... if you liked the movie, the script is a pleasure to read, and the few extras included beyond the script are also interesting.
Title: Cell
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Horror
Format: Mass-market Paperback
Publishing Info: Pocket Star; Reprint edition (November 21, 2006)
List Price: $9.99
ISBN: 1416524517
BINC:
Page Count: 449
Summary: In Cell King taps into readers fears of technological warfare and terrorism. Mobile phones deliver the apocalypse to millions of unsuspecting humans by wiping their brains of any humanity, leaving only aggressive and destructive impulses behind. Those without cell phones, like illustrator Clayton Riddell and his small band of "normies," must fight for survival, and their journey to find Clayton's estranged wife and young son rockets the book toward resolution. (From amazon.com)
Best Bit: Everything about Tom McCourt of Malden, MA. I think Tom could actually be my second favorite King-character, after Nick from The Stand.
Quick Review: Um, it's actually basically The Road by Cormac McCarthy, but better. YES. I SAID IT. Stephen King should have obviously won the Pulitzer Prize.
Final Grade: A
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Horror
Format: Mass-market Paperback
Publishing Info: Pocket Star; Reprint edition (November 21, 2006)
List Price: $9.99
ISBN: 1416524517
BINC:
Page Count: 449
Summary: In Cell King taps into readers fears of technological warfare and terrorism. Mobile phones deliver the apocalypse to millions of unsuspecting humans by wiping their brains of any humanity, leaving only aggressive and destructive impulses behind. Those without cell phones, like illustrator Clayton Riddell and his small band of "normies," must fight for survival, and their journey to find Clayton's estranged wife and young son rockets the book toward resolution. (From amazon.com)
Best Bit: Everything about Tom McCourt of Malden, MA. I think Tom could actually be my second favorite King-character, after Nick from The Stand.
Quick Review: Um, it's actually basically The Road by Cormac McCarthy, but better. YES. I SAID IT. Stephen King should have obviously won the Pulitzer Prize.
Final Grade: A
Title: The Lost Painting: The Quest for a Caravaggio Masterpiece
Author: Jonathon Harry
Genre: Art History
Format: Quality Paperback
Publishing Info: Random House Trade Paperbacks; Reprint edition (November 7, 2006)
List Price: $13.95
ISBN: 0375759867
BINC:
Page Count: 320
Summary: Prizewinning author Jonathan Harr embarks on an spellbinding journey to discover the long-lost painting known as The Taking of Christ–its mysterious fate and the circumstances of its disappearance have captivated Caravaggio devotees for years. After Francesca Cappelletti stumbles across a clue in that dusty archive, she tracks the painting across a continent and hundreds of years of history. But it is not until she meets Sergio Benedetti, an art restorer working in Ireland, that she finally manages to assemble all the pieces of the puzzle. (From amazon.com)
Best Bit: Harr doesn't really shy away from going into the personal politics in the art community. People are petty, back-scratchers, and obviously invested in getting credit for one of the most important Caravaggio discoveries in recent history.
Quick Review: When Harr switches gears from his overly descriptive prose and finally really digs into the events surrounding the discovery of The Taking of Christ, the book really starts picking up. Also, I love Caravaggio.
Final Grade: A
Author: Jonathon Harry
Genre: Art History
Format: Quality Paperback
Publishing Info: Random House Trade Paperbacks; Reprint edition (November 7, 2006)
List Price: $13.95
ISBN: 0375759867
BINC:
Page Count: 320
Summary: Prizewinning author Jonathan Harr embarks on an spellbinding journey to discover the long-lost painting known as The Taking of Christ–its mysterious fate and the circumstances of its disappearance have captivated Caravaggio devotees for years. After Francesca Cappelletti stumbles across a clue in that dusty archive, she tracks the painting across a continent and hundreds of years of history. But it is not until she meets Sergio Benedetti, an art restorer working in Ireland, that she finally manages to assemble all the pieces of the puzzle. (From amazon.com)
Best Bit: Harr doesn't really shy away from going into the personal politics in the art community. People are petty, back-scratchers, and obviously invested in getting credit for one of the most important Caravaggio discoveries in recent history.
Quick Review: When Harr switches gears from his overly descriptive prose and finally really digs into the events surrounding the discovery of The Taking of Christ, the book really starts picking up. Also, I love Caravaggio.
Final Grade: A
Title: My Secret: A PostSecret Book
Author: Frank Warren
Genre: Art Monographies
Format: Hardcover
Publishing Info: Regan Books (October 24, 2006)
List Price: $19.95
ISBN: 0061196681
BINC: 1125333
Page Count: 144
Summary:
A PostSecret book consisting entirely of secrets from teens and college students. (How he knows the age of the secret writer is sort of a mystery... but whatever.)
Best Bit:
PostSecret is a lovely and interesting phenomenon. Warren places some random quotes amongst all the images, and I feel like this one sums up the social aspect of it best: "I don't feel entirely alone when I go through the postcards on your website, or rather, I still feel alone, but I feel like there are a lot more people alone with me."
Quick Review:
I enjoyed it, and while it's not a typical book like of the rest on this list, I still felt it merited inclusion. I'm especially excited about my copy, as Frank Warren came into our store and signed our copies, but I was able to quickly meet him as well. The idea is just so so so awesome.
Final Grade: A
Author: Frank Warren
Genre: Art Monographies
Format: Hardcover
Publishing Info: Regan Books (October 24, 2006)
List Price: $19.95
ISBN: 0061196681
BINC: 1125333
Page Count: 144
Summary:
A PostSecret book consisting entirely of secrets from teens and college students. (How he knows the age of the secret writer is sort of a mystery... but whatever.)
Best Bit:
PostSecret is a lovely and interesting phenomenon. Warren places some random quotes amongst all the images, and I feel like this one sums up the social aspect of it best: "I don't feel entirely alone when I go through the postcards on your website, or rather, I still feel alone, but I feel like there are a lot more people alone with me."
Quick Review:
I enjoyed it, and while it's not a typical book like of the rest on this list, I still felt it merited inclusion. I'm especially excited about my copy, as Frank Warren came into our store and signed our copies, but I was able to quickly meet him as well. The idea is just so so so awesome.
Final Grade: A
Title: The Dead Zone
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Horror
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Publishing Info: Signet; Reissue edition (January 6, 2004)
List Price: $7.99
ISBN: 0451155750
BINC: 123319
Page Count: 402
Summary:
Johnny Smith has a gift, and one that he never really wanted. If you were granted the ability to see flashes of the future, what would you use that power for? Smith must face these questions on a daily basis after he is almost killed in a car crash, but his ultimate test will change the course of history.
Best Bit:
This was probably one of King's best plots that I have read so far. His strongest stories come from character work, especially when the monsters are human, like Greg Stillson.
Quick Review:
I pretty much devoured this book in 2 days in the start of November. While King's books are almost always fast reads, sometimes I will wander away from one in the middle, and pick it up a few days later. Not the case with this one. I wanted to read it especially after reading his comments on it in On Writing, and I was not let down. Johnny Smith is a great every-man hero, much like Stu Redman or Larry Underwood of The Stand.
Final Grade: A
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Horror
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Publishing Info: Signet; Reissue edition (January 6, 2004)
List Price: $7.99
ISBN: 0451155750
BINC: 123319
Page Count: 402
Summary:
Johnny Smith has a gift, and one that he never really wanted. If you were granted the ability to see flashes of the future, what would you use that power for? Smith must face these questions on a daily basis after he is almost killed in a car crash, but his ultimate test will change the course of history.
Best Bit:
This was probably one of King's best plots that I have read so far. His strongest stories come from character work, especially when the monsters are human, like Greg Stillson.
Quick Review:
I pretty much devoured this book in 2 days in the start of November. While King's books are almost always fast reads, sometimes I will wander away from one in the middle, and pick it up a few days later. Not the case with this one. I wanted to read it especially after reading his comments on it in On Writing, and I was not let down. Johnny Smith is a great every-man hero, much like Stu Redman or Larry Underwood of The Stand.
Final Grade: A
Title: To Kill a Mockingbird
Author: Harper Lee
Genre: Fiction/Literature
Format: Quality Paperback
Publishing Info: Harper Perennial Modern Classics (May 23, 2006)
List Price: $15.95
ISBN: 0061120081
BINC: 8258291
Page Count: 336
Summary:
According to Amazon: A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father -- a crusading local lawyer -- risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.
Best Bit:
Calpurnia. I love her. Also, Atticus, in general, because he is so clueless sometimes about raising Jem and Scout, but he really does everything right.
Quick Review:
Uh, it's pretty much a classic. I reread because I haven't read it in ages, and had pretty much forgotten most of the major plot points. But how can you "review" a book like To Kill a Mockingbird?
Final Grade: A
Author: Harper Lee
Genre: Fiction/Literature
Format: Quality Paperback
Publishing Info: Harper Perennial Modern Classics (May 23, 2006)
List Price: $15.95
ISBN: 0061120081
BINC: 8258291
Page Count: 336
Summary:
According to Amazon: A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father -- a crusading local lawyer -- risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.
Best Bit:
Calpurnia. I love her. Also, Atticus, in general, because he is so clueless sometimes about raising Jem and Scout, but he really does everything right.
Quick Review:
Uh, it's pretty much a classic. I reread because I haven't read it in ages, and had pretty much forgotten most of the major plot points. But how can you "review" a book like To Kill a Mockingbird?
Final Grade: A
Title: On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Writing for Publication
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Publishing Info: Pocket (July 1, 2002)
List Price: $7.99
ISBN: 0743455967
BINC: 6871921
Page Count: 291
*Note: When looking for this book in a bookstore, you will most likely find it in horror or fiction with King's other books, not in the writing section where it belongs.
Summary:
About half autobiography, half writing guide, the whole thing adds up into a neat look into one of my favorite writers (and I won't say guilty pleasure either, because I grew up on Stephen King books, just like he grew up on monster movies).
Best Bit:
While I enjoyed the look into his childhood and family life, his blunt but humorous advice on writing ("The adverb is not your friend," he says with great meaning) is spectacular. Surpassing even that is his frequent plea to stick to your guns, especially when it comes to something that, if published, could cause a stir: "If you substitute 'Oh sugar!' for 'Oh shit!' because you're thinking about the Legion of Decency, you are breaking the unspoken contract that exists between writer and reader -- your promise to express the truth of how people act and talk through the medium of a made up story."
Quick Review:
It's really a quick read (I picked it up while I was waiting for my new eyeglasses to come out from the back of my local Lenscrafters), but King's sense of humor shines through the whole book. He's made it quick because, in his words, the amount of time you spend reading this book about writing takes away from the time you could be writing. For someone who is accused of being a "popular fiction" writer (said with all the disdain of a literary critic), he knows what works, what sells, but above all, what people want to read. It's also fascinating to read his thoughts on individual novels (The Stand being of particular interest to me... and I have to admit what he says about that book surprised me quite a bit).
Final Grade: A
Author: Stephen King
Genre: Writing for Publication
Format: Mass Market Paperback
Publishing Info: Pocket (July 1, 2002)
List Price: $7.99
ISBN: 0743455967
BINC: 6871921
Page Count: 291
*Note: When looking for this book in a bookstore, you will most likely find it in horror or fiction with King's other books, not in the writing section where it belongs.
Summary:
About half autobiography, half writing guide, the whole thing adds up into a neat look into one of my favorite writers (and I won't say guilty pleasure either, because I grew up on Stephen King books, just like he grew up on monster movies).
Best Bit:
While I enjoyed the look into his childhood and family life, his blunt but humorous advice on writing ("The adverb is not your friend," he says with great meaning) is spectacular. Surpassing even that is his frequent plea to stick to your guns, especially when it comes to something that, if published, could cause a stir: "If you substitute 'Oh sugar!' for 'Oh shit!' because you're thinking about the Legion of Decency, you are breaking the unspoken contract that exists between writer and reader -- your promise to express the truth of how people act and talk through the medium of a made up story."
Quick Review:
It's really a quick read (I picked it up while I was waiting for my new eyeglasses to come out from the back of my local Lenscrafters), but King's sense of humor shines through the whole book. He's made it quick because, in his words, the amount of time you spend reading this book about writing takes away from the time you could be writing. For someone who is accused of being a "popular fiction" writer (said with all the disdain of a literary critic), he knows what works, what sells, but above all, what people want to read. It's also fascinating to read his thoughts on individual novels (The Stand being of particular interest to me... and I have to admit what he says about that book surprised me quite a bit).
Final Grade: A
