Calico Joe by John Grisham

Calico Joe by John Grisham
My rating: Save It

As a die hard Brewers fan, I have drown up hating the Cubs immensely.I had no problem cheering for the Cubs in this book..well mostly because the Crew did not exist yet.

This book is more than a mere sports book. It shows that with one pitch how a life and/or lives can be altered.

But here he has delivered a baseball allegory to rival the best ever – "The Natural" or "Field of Dreams." This is so much more than a book about baseball. It's about family, heartache, broken promises, disappointments, growing up...mostly forgiveness and resilience.

Cub’s fans will truly enjoy.

No, the Cubs don’t miraculously make it to the World Series. (Even Grisham has to stay tethered to some degree of reality). But they are central to this story of a soaring career brought to an end way too early; to the redemption, not of the perpetrator but of the victim; and to all 10 year old boys’ need for heroes.

Please read and enjoy. Even if you are  not a sports fan, I would recommend you give this book a shot.

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver

Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
My rating: Save It

Summary:
What if you only had one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?

Samantha Kingston has it all: looks, popularity, the perfect boyfriend. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life. Instead, it turns out to be her last.

The catch: Samantha still wakes up the next morning. Living the last day of her life seven times during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death--and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing

My Thoughts:
 Well... I didn't love this book, I am glad that I picked it up. This book is similar to groundhog's day (the movie)and the movie Mean Girls. We follow Sam as she lives over each day after dying in a car crash caused by a drunk driver. Each day she does something different and does become a better person, which I do think gives young adults ideas on how to be a better person. So I think the lessons in the book are great, but reading about the same day over and over was starting to get on my nervous in the end.

I could not connect with Sam in this book book she was one of those girls that I could not tolerate in high school and she seemed nice, but her actions while she was alive was a different story.I was interested to see how she was doing to change each time that she live the same day. 

You can learn enough from this debut novel from Lauren Oliver.  I treat everyday like it maybe the last day I see my wife and daughter...I try ....boy I try to make sure the last words I say to tell is I love You.

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AudioFiles: The Color of Magic

Title:The Color of Magic
Author: Terry Pratchett
My rating: Save It

Summary: This title, which launched the legendary Discworld series, introduces the tourist Twoflower and his wizard guide, Rincewind. Part of a reissue of the first three Discworld books, this novel includes an overview of the fantasy land, with a map, visitor's guide, and Pratchett crossword puzzle.

My Thoughts: 
I was ready for a fun read and Terry Pratchett did the trick for me. I have read a couple of his later books, such as The Wee Free Men (Discworld, #30) and that was flipping hilarious. I decided to get back into the series and start from the beginning. Pratchett it seems that is publishing book left and right. You just never know what is going to be around the corner next for our guide.

The only complaint that I have about the book that it is a little slow paced, but yet again what fantasy book isn't slow paced. The author has to bring you into his mad world after all.

In the book,Rincewind as he is unwantingly roped into guiding the clueless tourist Twoflower along with the ever faithful Luggage around the flat, disc-shaped world.The discworld a world balanced on the backs of four elephants which, in turn, stand on the back of a giant turtle, Great A'Tuin. It is interesting to say the least. This is a world where the gods gamble to decide the fates of the world and the ever-present Death, efficiently "collecting" unfortunate souls is one of my favourite characters ever.

I will be checking out the next book of the series.

Redshirts by John Scalzi

Redshirts by John Scalzi
My rating: Save It
How I Acquired It: Library

Summary:
Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship "Intrepid," flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It's a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship's Xenobiology laboratory. Life couldn't be better...until Andrew begins to pick up on the fact that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces, (2) the ship's captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations, and (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.

Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expended on avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues' understanding of what the starship "Intrepid "really is...and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own live.

My Thoughts:

I grew up watching Star Trek:TOS and watching TNG every night. Back then it was like what Law and Order or CSI is today. I did not know anything about this book until I read some of the reviews of some of the blogging buddies.

After I go into this one there was no putting it down. It did read like a Trek episode.THis book brought me back to where some mind-boggling creaures were lurking around the counter when crew member went on Away Missions. In REDSHIRTS follows Andy Dahl, recently assigned to the starship Intrepid. Dahl quickly begins to realize that there is something peculiar about the ship’s away missions – the captain, the science officer, and other select crew members always live even despite apparently insurmountable odds while the poor ensign (or more) dies. But the truth about this strange "coincidence" is stranger than the "coincidence" itself.

This book is a laugh-out book. It seemed that this book had great humor throughout this adventure as well as some interesting twists.

If you have read this book what were your thoughts?

The Big Easy By Jasper Fforde

Title: The Big Over Easy
Author: Jasper Fforde
Series: Nursery Crimes #1
Rating: Save It

Synopsis: When Humpty Dumpty, local businessman and infamous lothario, is found dead beneath a wall outside his Grimm’s Road apartment, Detective Jack Spratt of the Reading (pronounced Redding) Nursery Crime Division (NCD) is called in to investigate.

My Thoughts:

This book was quite an interesting read to say the least. I think that I will be continuing on in the Nursery Crimes series. Jasper Fforde is just knows how to put the right blend of humors are serious content throughout this story.. His books are sorta like beach reads for book nerds. This book is great, but it took me a little bit to get into this book.

Inspector Jack Spratt is investigating the death of Humpty Dumpty found shattered to death near the wall he was sitting on in a bad part of town. Jack has lot of obstacles to face in this investigation including holding little respect as the lead detective for the Nursery Crime Division.

If you read the Nursery Rhymes, growing up you will LOVE the references throughout this book. If you want a light-heated murder mystery than this one is for you.

AudioFiles: Smokin' Seventeen by Janet Evanovich

Title: Smokin' Seventeen

Author: Janet Evanovich

Narrator: Lorelei King

Series:Stephaine Plum Series #17

Format: Audiobook

Genre: Mystery

Year:2011

Acquired:Library

Ranking: Save It

Summary:  Dead bodies are showing up in shallow graves on the empty construction lot of Vincent Plum Bail Bonds. No one is sure who the killer is, or why the victims have been offed, but what is clear is that Stephanie’s name is on the killer’s list.

Short on time to find evidence proving the killer’s identity, Stephanie faces further complications when her family and friends decide that it’s time for her to choose between her longtime off-again-on-again boyfriend, Trenton cop Joe Morelli, and the bad boy in her life, security expert Ranger. Stephanie’s mom is encouraging Stephanie to dump them both and choose a former high school football star who’s just returned to town. Stephanie’s sidekick, Lula, is encouraging Stephanie to have a red-hot boudoir “bake-off.” And Grandma Bella, Morelli’s old-world grandmother, is encouraging Stephanie to move to a new state when she puts “the eye” on Stephanie.

My Thoughts: My wife and I listened to this book going to visit her family. We did enjoy listening to this one. I have listened to all of the series. The only problem with this book is you know exactly who has been doing the murder about half-way through the book. We did continue to listen to see how they caught him. Plus, you never know what is going to happen to Stephanie next.

I like these books, because you see that you are not the only one that messes up and does something embarrassing. In this book, the people who work for Ranger have a pool going to see how long the car she is driving is blown up.


It is always nice to kick back listening to a book that cracks you up that is not serious throughout the whole thing.


If you read this book, what were your thoughts?

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins(Hunger Games #3)

Title: Mocking Jay

Author: Suzanne Collins

Series: The Hunger Games

Format: Paperback

Genre: Science Fiction/dystopia

Year:2010

Acquired:Library

Ranking: Save it

Summary: Young Katniss Everdeen has survived the dreaded Hunger Games not once, but twice, but even now she can find no relief. In fact, the dangers seem to be escalating: President Snow has declared an all-out war on Katniss, her family, her friends, and all the oppressed people of District 12. The thrill-packed final installment of Suzanne Collins' Hunger Games trilogy will keep young hearts pounding

Thoughts: I have been debating over the past couple of day on how the approach this review. Here we go anyways. In this final book in the Hunger Games, just seemed it did not flow as smoothly with all the first two books of the series. I feel that this book could have been so MUCH more. I liked on how some of the people in the book was "taken care of."


Mockingjay tells of the uprising in the districts and the war against the capitol.I did like the idea of the book. It just seemed that Katniss was feeling sorry for herself throughout this book. Like telling herself look at what I did to ruin lives so of the people that I truly care about.

In the end, I thought that the solution between Katniss, Petta and Gale would have ended better than the way that Collins decided to go with this series. I guess that is what life does to you sometimes.

As a series, I give it a 4 stars and recommend it to any reader.I gave this book a save it ranting based on the 2 books before the Mockingjay in the series.

What were your thoughts of Mockingjay?  Where you satisfied how Collins ended this series?

AudioFiles: Gideon's Sword by Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Title: Gideon's Sword

Author:  Douglas Preston, Lincoln Child

Narrator: John Glover  

Series: Gideon Crew

Format:Audiobook

Genre: Mystery/Thriller

Year:2011

Acquired:Library Loan

Ranking: Save It

Summary: Introducing Gideon Crew: trickster, prodigy, master thief

At twelve, Gideon Crew witnessed his father, a world-class mathematician, accused of treason and gunned down.

At twenty-four, summoned to his dying mother's bedside, Gideon learned the truth: His father was framed and deliberately slaughtered. With her last breath, she begged her son to avenge him.

Now, with a new purpose in his life, Gideon crafts a one-time mission of vengeance, aimed at the perpetrator of his father's destruction. His plan is meticulous, spectacular, and successful.

But from the shadows, someone is watching. A very powerful someone, who is impressed by Gideon's special skills. Someone who has need of just such a renegade.

For Gideon, this operation may be only the beginning . . 

My Thoughts: I think that I was a bit spoiled with the way that this book start out. I will say that I was dialed in after the chapter or so. With all the fast past action that was going on and surrounding Gideon. I did like his mentality with the way that he social engineered most of what got him through life. He seems like the type of person that I might get along with with..:))
I did think that the story was going to go deeper with his father, but that was not the case in the story. The book did focus more on Gideon and how he was going through life.

This book had PLENTY of action, you just ever knew how he was going to accomplish the goal that organization preset for him to accomplish.I liked the way that the narrator's interpretation of the story and he made you feel that you were right there with Gideon. 


This story would be for any geek that enjoys some crime solving