Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk (Book Review)

Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars




Review of Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary by David Sedaris


An old metaphorical phase goes “Don’t judge a book by its cover.”


This is definitely one of those times when that phrase is correct. For you reader with kids, you might be familiar with the artwork right away (OLIVIA).


The artwork is from “Children’s” Book Illustrator Ian Falconer. However, do not let that fool you, THIS IS NOT A KIDS BOOK… It is barely a book for rational adults, but who is really sane nowadays.


Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk: A Modest Bestiary is not a set of stories, set up like a children’s book. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk is full of colorful characters and disturbing scenes.


David Sedaris uses animals to depict human/animal lives and behavior by using animals to tell the tales. The stories deal with subjects like prejudice, stereotyping others, what love is, trust, religion, and even death. Dark but lightened up with humor. Some parts of the book will make you want stop reading and throw it in the trash, but other stories will pull you right in and kept you going.


The book will make you laugh a little and gross you out a lot. Expect it, just glance at the artwork, and read the cover, that should say it all. This is a first read of David Sedaris. Either you will love his art of storytelling or you will not. Either way, take some time, expand your reading genre, and try it out. What do you have to lose "except an eye" (Insider, read the book).


Character Development:


The funny creatures in this book are decently developed. The short stories do not allow much room to develop the characters well. However, after each story, you will know who the character really is.


Book Flow:


A very quick read. Read the book in a day. Great for a weekend read, or when on a trip home from the forest.


Stars/Shots:

3 out of 5 Shots

Liked it. Nevertheless, you will not be seeing this book on the living room table.




Jason "Book_Sniper" Martinez




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Modesty (Book Review)

Modesty (Romantic Suspense) by Phillip Thomas Duck
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars






Review of Modesty (Romantic Suspense) by Phillip Thomas Duck


Every so often, a reviewer will run into a book that is hard to review, Modesty (Romantic Suspense) is one of them.


I give this book a 3.5 – Liked it, but wanted a little more clarity in certain areas of the book.


Modesty (Romantic Suspense) is a strong and emotional story of a rape survivor, “fidelity anthropologist,” and a sexy decoy. Terri Welker, a person who struggles to overcome many obstacles in her life, including her painful past and her current emotional present.


Goodreads Description:


Eight calls...


From an unfamiliar number...


For rape survivor and "infidelity photographer", Terri Welker, the question is far greater than should she answer. The question is: What should she do now that she has been found? Run again? Or stay and fight for the new life she has created photographing cheating spouses for James Boston Investigations?


Review:


Modesty is an emotional rollercoaster of a woman who has been hurt and who continues to hurt in so many ways. Modesty does a great job to pull you right into the story and connect with the main character. However, the end of the book closed with many questions left unanswered.


Character Development:


Modesty (Romantic Suspense) is full of main characters that are full of personality and characteristics. Each one is unique in his /her way. However, some of the minor characters are not. Questions like, “Why would he/she do that in this part of the story?” was often asked.   That usually happens when the reader does not know that character well enough, making it hard to predict his or her course of action during a conflict.


Prediction is not always a good thing in books; However, in some cases “reader predictions” help the reader  get  a feel that he or she understand the character well.


Modesty (Romantic Suspense) is also not overloaded with so many characters that it makes it hard to read. This helped the book flow tremendously. The reader will be able to grow and move along with the main character, a big plus.


Plot:


Modesty (Romantic Suspense) has a very well thought out plot. The book will pull you in right from the start. It will leave you wanting to know more after each chapter. However, the more I read the more questions I had. Sharing my questions here would cause me to add spoilers to this review, so I will not do that. By the last chapter, I noticed that my questions would never be answered. That is not always a bad thing. It is all part of the art of writing.


The protagonist faced some conflict but mostly the conflicts were out of her control. I would have like to see more conflicts and solutions brought on by the main character.


Setting:


The setting of the book revolves around the life of the protagonist Terri. The author did a great job setting up the scenes to revolve around a painful upbringing and painful circumstances that haunt Terri each day. The settings are full of emotion, not an easy task for any author; however, the author does a great job in Modest.


Book Flow:


Great Book Flow! Fast paced. Well balanced.


Definitely great for a light weekend read.


Shots:

point FIVE




3.5 out of 5 Shots

Liked It!!


YOU CAN PURCHASE THIS BOOK AT MODESTY (Smashwords.com) OR AT AMAZON (Modesty)  OR ON http://www.excusememissptd.blogspot.com/

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Vessel (Book Review)

Vessel by Tominda Adkins
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Review of Vessel by Tominda Adkins.


Review:


Okay, I understand that many readers are getting tired of the whole zombies/monsters genre. I also understand that it is a little played out and nothing seems original anymore. Trust me, I really do understand. I feel the same way.




Then out of nowhere… “Jesse” shows up, and a book so unique that demands readers around the world to take notice. That book is Vessel. A unique story of five "gods” who are out to save the world from "death" and destruction, or at least try to.


Don’t stop here, keep reading trust me…


You might say to yourself, been there, read that, but do those books have a crazy singer and his one arm assistant....I think not :)


I could keep going on and on about why I personally like this book but I will just stop here and give you the facts on why I gave this book four stars.


Character Development:


Tominda Adkins does a great job developing the characters. Tominda Adkins spends enough time early on to give the reader a sense of who the character is. Each character has his/her own personality that is very distinctive. This is not an easy task for an author, especially when there are so many major characters. Tominda Adkins was able to accomplish this without losing the reader. Great job.


Plot:


This is where the fun begins. The plot is full of many turns and full of action. A plot that is unpredictable and guaranteed to keep the reader on edge. The unique story also helps with the plot, I will not give out any spoilers, but the origin of the "un-dead" in Vessel is a completely new story, a must read.


Setting:


The story does jump around quite a bit. However, the jumping is a part of the overall story. Therefore, do what I did … enjoy the ride.


Book Flow:


A very quick and easy read. The flow is good; However, the jumping of scenes might take some getting used to.


Rating: 

4 out of 5 shots!!!!

Really liked it!

TO ORDER THIS BOOK CHECK OUT 

http://www.readvessel.com/  OR VESSEL ON AMAZON

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Mockingjay (Book Review)

Review of Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins 

"Fire is catching! And if we burn, you burn with us!"
— Suzanne Collins (Mockingjay) 

Finally finished Mockingjay, The Last book of The Hunger Games Trilogy. To all of you who are thinking about picking up this book, its highly recommended that you first read Hunger Games and Catching Fire before starting your journey into Mockingjay. 

Review: 

Catching Fire left us on another cliffhanger! Many readers could not wait to jump right into Mockingjay, and who can blame them? The Trilogy is amazing! 

Expectations were high, especially after reading the first book of the trilogy The Hunger Games. 

“Did Mockingjay deliver?” My response to this question is .... YES! 

Mockingjay is full of excitement and action. Putting the book down after starting is hard. That is no surprise considering that the other books had the same affect. 

The only down side is that the book seems pretty rushed, this in turn leaves the reader wondering and trying to figure out the loose ends that were not addressed in the book. However, this is not always a bad thing. That is what is great about the art of writing. Most of the story is not in the words that you read, but also in your imagination and mind. 

Mockingjay has a very honest portrayal of war and its affects. Not only of the people fighting in the front lines but also with the people around conflict. 

The word “War” in the Hunger Games trilogy is everywhere. War, not just on the battlefield of the Capitol and arenas, but also in the mind of the main characters. War with self, with others, with feelings and emotions, war is everywhere, and many readers could relate to that in their own personal lives. In a way… this book speaks to the reader in many different formats. 

Character development: 

The book does a great job on the development of the Characters. The more you read the more you see the Characters grow and mature. However, you must keep in mind that most of the development of the characters occurred during the first two books of the trilogy. The development of the characters are based on the foundation of the others. 

Plot: 

The plot is full of excitement and unpredictable twists and turns. VERY high paced especially towards the end. This is what caused the removal of ½ a star. The book seemed a little too rushed. 

Book Flow: 

The book has a great flow to it. Fast paced and hard to put down. 

4.5 out of 5 Shots

 

1984 (Book Review)

Review of 1984 by George Orwell

"If the Party could thrust its hand into the past and say this or that even, it never happened—that, surely, was more terrifying than mere torture and death."
- George Orwell, 1984, Book 1, Chapter 3 

Review:

After such a bad experience reading “The Giver,” a decision was made to go back and finally read “1984.” The Giver left this reader hungry for a good dystopian book and I must say that 1984 filled that void. "1984" is a masterpiece and very well constructed. This is a mind-mending book that will keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what will happen next. Not trying to connect the dots of the characters world and your own is impossible after being pulled into this written world. 

The big plus about this book was that the characters keep their human nature intact. Although they face so many challenges that tend to bend truth and reality. Many other dystopian books tend to recreate humanity to fit into the story line; however, in “1984” the author does a great job to keep the human side safe in the main character. 
How much can a person take when everywhere you turn seems to lead to a dead end? A great journey in a world of chaos with Winston Smith who faces many challenges and might go insane as he tried to get through them. 

Sit back, read, and enjoy this book as much as I did. 

Character development:

“George Orwell” Does a great job in developing his characters. The best books written are the ones that pull you into the story and make you feel the same emotions that the characters feel. “1984” does just that. 

Plot:

The plot is full of many turns that challenge the characters as well as your mind. Guessing what happens next is a challenge, a big plus. 

Setting:

The setting is incredibly shocking. A world so disfuntional yet organized, that is meant for the better of society. However, a deeper agenda involved is hurting the overall population. 

Book Flow:
The book flow varies from chapter to chapter. Some chapters will flow faster then others. The last third of the book will slow down a bit as the author puts all the pieces of the puzzle together. 

4 out of 5 Stars

Recommended to all Readers 

Ender's Game (Book Review)

Review of Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card 
Review: 

A book that has hated by some, but loved by many. 

What can I say about a book with so many reviews? I guess Ill just try my best and be as fair and honest as I can. 

The author has an interesting way of pulling you into the story from the beginning. I wont say too much about it because I want others to read this book without any spoilers on my part, however, I must say that first couple of chapters are very well developed and will draw readers from all ages.That being said… I must give a warning... 

After reading a couple of chapters I noticed that the author has many references of nude(naked) children… (I’m sure you read this in other reviews, so I wont get too deep into this, if not try googling it for more info). This really concerned me so I stopped reading the book for a couple of days and decided to read more reviews and do some research on Orson Scott Card. I am not here to trash any author, so I will not say what I read about him, I will leave that up to you, but I will say that there are many who hate him and many more who love his writing. 

After this experience, it took a couple of days to pick this book up again. To do so I had to put all my concerns aside and decided to continue and finish the book. The more I read the more I understood why people really love this book. 

Again, I do not want to give away too much information about this book. I am also going to keep my review short since the internet is full of reviews concerning this book (Some good and some bad). 
My best advice is to at least finish the book with an open mind and do not be too stuck on certain issues. I cannot say I understand why the author wrote the book the way that he did, but I must honestly say that I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to all adults, but for younger readers, get the PG version, I hear it is available. 

Character Development: 

The author did a good job developing the characters. The first couple of chapters lay out the foundation for the main characters involved in the book. However, the histories of the characters are a little unclear. This wont effect the overall story but I did bug me a little. 

Plot: 

The plot is very interesting. It is full of action and many David vs. Goliath moments. The author definitely used the word “naked” a little too much in this book. However, this does not make the book any worse. On the other hand, I do not think it made the book any better either. 

Setting: 

The setting was a little boring and dull. Most of the story occurs in the “Battle School” and even this place seemed color less. 

Book Flow: 

I am glad with the book flow of Ender’s Game. The book is an average size of about 300 pages and an easy read. 

4 out of 5 shots

The Giver (Book Review)

Review of The Giver by Lois Lowry

"The worst part of holding the memories is not the pain. It's the loneliness of it. Memories need to be shared."
— Lois Lowry (The Giver) 

Review:

I am surprised that I did not like this book, especially after all the 4 and 5 star reviews. This being the first dystopian type of book read I tried to keep an open mind and see the bigger picture. However, the more I read the more I wanted to put the book down. Do not get me wrong, I understand the point of the book; however, I believe it was poorly written and the plot was just boring. I am sure others feel different. 

The interesting part of The Giver was the way that the people lived. I wont get too deep into that, I'll let you discover that yourself if you decide to read the book. While reading, many questions passed my mind. I expected that at least some of them would be answered by the end of the book. Unfortunately, not many questions were answered and it left me with a feeling that I wasted my time. That is the worst feeling when reading a book. 

Some of biggest problems with this book are that human nature seems to be taken away. We as humans have certain characteristics that make us who we are. Included in these characteristics are thinking, acting, and feeling emotions. These characteristics seem to be taken away from the characters in The Giver. How? That is never made clear. 

Character development:

The characters in this book are somewhat well developed. Each character has a unique style and personality, even in their situation. Some characters seem too robotic and mechanical. However, the author might have purposely created his characters that way to add to the overall story. 

Plot:

The plot tells a good story about a society in a completely controlled state for the so-called better of the overall civilization. However, the book is full with so many holes and questions that the book feels incomplete. 

Setting:

The setting of the book is tolerable, especially for a book like this. Things do not seem to be what they really are, which keeps the reader entertained enough to continue reading to see what is real and what is not. 

Book Flow:

The book is short enough to read in one weekend. It flows pretty well, however the ending seemed to drag, pulling the reader along. 

2 out of 5 Shots

Sorry Giver Lovers But I have to keep it real :)

The Book Thief (Book Review)

Review of The Book Thief--by Markus Zusak

I could not put this book down. The book was so good that I wish it did not have an ending. A truly amazing work of art full of emotion and powerful words.

"I have hated words and I have loved them, and I hope I have made them right."
— Markus Zusak (The Book Thief)




Quick Synopsis from GoodReads:

Set during World War II in Germany, Markus Zusak’s groundbreaking new novel is the story of Liesel Meminger, a foster girl living outside of Munich. Liesel scratches out a meager existence for herself by stealing when she encounters something she cannot resist–books. With the help of her accordion-playing foster father, she learns to read and shares her stolen books with her neighbors during bombing raids as well as with the Jewish man hidden in her basement before he is marched to Dachau.

Review:

What an amazing book. A book that will stay with you, even after the last page. The story, although sad in some areas, is just incredible. The love and passion that Liesel has for words could be found in all people who really enjoy reading a good book.

Markus Zusak a great job with his use of colors. He has a very special gift of pulling the reader right into the story. His descriptions of the settings are marvelous to say the least. Truly Amazing!

Character development:


The Characters are great in this novel. Each character has his/her own personality and quality. It is guaranteed that you will fall in love with one or more of the characters in this book.

Plot:

The design of this novel is one of a kind. The narrator is death in a setting that is surrounded by it. The emotions run high for the reader, the narrator, and the characters in the book. You will follow the life of a young child who grows up loving words and the people around her. Throughout her journey, she learns how worlds can also destroy.

Setting:

WWII Germany. The authors’ artistic talent is shown in the way he describes each seen to the readers. He writes in such a way that you can almost see yourself being there; a talent unique to only few writers. However, the author does an incredible job doing it in The Book Thief.

Book Flow:

The book is a little long, however, flows very smoothly. Each chapter brings new twists and turns to keep the reader entertained for hours reading this book.

5 out of 5 Shots!!!

A must read for all who love to read books.

Catching Fire (book review)

Review of Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins

"I wish I could freeze this moment, right here, right now and live in it forever."
— Suzanne Collins (Catching Fire)

This quote is great, however Suzanne Collins is a master at cliffhangers, and she does it again in Catching Fire!

After reading The Hunger Games, waiting to read Catching fire was impossible! Full of fun twists and socking moments, it was hard to put this book down. The red eyes and tired body the next morning after a long night of reading was truly worth it.

Quick Synopsis from GoodReads:

Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark won the annual competition described in Hunger Games, but the aftermath leaves these victors with no sense of triumph. Instead, they have become the poster boys for a rebellion that they never planned to lead. That new, unwanted status puts them in the bull's-eye for merciless revenge by The Capitol. Catching Fire maintains the adrenaline rush of Suzanne Collins's series launch.

Review:

Part 2 of The Hunger Games Trilogy is far from a let down. The first book leaves us in a cliffhanger that leaves our brain thirsty for more and Catching Fire flows right along from where the first book left off. This book is definitely a page-turner. It will be hard to put the book down once you start. It is the sci-fi version of David vs. Goliath where a young girl from District 12 has to go up against the mighty Capital who is the true enemy of the people.

Character development:

Many of the main characters of are once again in this book. Those characters develop in the first book (The Hunger Games) so it is important to read it before reading this book. This will help the reader understand why many of the characters act the way that they do. However, Suzanne Collins does a great job at maturing those that have grown; especially, after all their experiences in the first book (I.e. Katness and Prim). This is great because it changes the way we look at these characters. You grow along with them.

Catching Fire also introduces us to many new characters that are well developed. Each new character contributes well to the overall story. It was excited to read how each character plays a major part of the ending of this book.

Plot:

The plot of this book is amazing. Catching Fire had some big shoes (or book covers) to fill since the first book The Hunger Games. However, Suzanne Collins will not let you down.

The plot if full of never ending turns. The best part about them is that they are unpredictable. The best you can do is making a good guess at what might happen next. There are many surprises in this book not just for the reader but also for the characters.

The book also ends in a major cliffhanger, so make sure you go out and get Mockingjay now, your going to need it after reading this one.

Book Flow:

The book starts of slow for the first couple of chapters. The beginning chapters will lay the foundation to the rest of the book; it will soon pick up speed very quickly so sit back, read, and enjoy the ride.

5 out of 5 SHOTS! Amazing Book!

Jason (Book Sniper)

Theories of Relativity: A novel (Book Review)

Theories of Relativity: A novel Barbra Haworth-Attard.

A young man (Dylan) struggles to make it while living in the streets when his mother kicks him out. He meets a group of other young people who either help him get by or fall deeper into the black hole of the street life.

This book was a book chosen in a local book club. I was eager to read this book because I work with at risk youth in a major city and it kills me when I see youth living in the streets.

This book in focused towards young adult readers, however, anyone reading this book can learn something very important. We see kids in the streets everyday, and we see homeless people trying to make it. However, we rarely think about their past. What got them into that situation?

Barbra does a great job to at least open up the doors for us to look into this life. She does a great job in character development. Each character has his/her unique style. She also does a great job keeping readers guessing if the character is good or bad. After reading a couple of chapters you find it hard not to care for each character.

The plot has a very realistic feel to it. The author does a great job to pull you right in from the start. It is extremely hard to guess what is going to happen next. Every turn seems to get worse for Dylan. The readers will not help but wonder when it will it ever end and finally get better for this kid. Nevertheless, that is what makes this book so good. It does not always get better in the streets. Therefore, Barbra does a great job to have a realistic look on things and life in the streets.

I had a hard time getting past the end of the first half of the book. It seems like it started to loose some steam, but was very satisfied the second half of the book. Not only does it pick up steam but also I found myself not able to put the book down.

This is a great read for everyone. Not just youth.

4 out of 5 Shots