11-13: More Frankenstein

Since we began Spring Break last Friday afternoon, I have read three novels...in an attempt to finish Dean Koontz's Frankenstein series...so that I can move on to more reads.  (I know I could pause and return, but there's something to be experienced by immersing one's self into a series!)

Of the four remaining in the series (I thought I had purchased every book in this series but found I did not have book four...so I skipped that one.  I discovered that did not hamper my understanding of the plot as details are repeated from book to book.)....

1. City of Night
2. Dead and Alive
3. The Dead Town

With each novel, Koontz's characters became more gross and deadly...just a bit much for my taste...but those who enjoy this type of read, I am sure they would appreciate the horror.

I suppose I am more of a Romantic that I had even previously considered myself to be, for I did enjoy witnessing the budding romances between several of the characters, especially in book five The Dead Town.

As noted previously, I began this series for a book challenged the Classic Double hosted by One Librarian's Book Review.  It's not too late to join!  I am very excited to report that I was the chosen monthly drawing and was like a kid at Christmas when I received my prize...not one, but two books and several bookmarkers!  Thank you!

I chose to attempt the "large" = three doubles.  I just purchased a novel entitled Juliet...I have not read nor taught Romeo and Juliet in several years, so I shall begin there for my next double classic reads.

 

Enjoy!

#9-10: Birthmarked and Prized

While shopping at the high school book fair last fall, I kept returning to Birthmarked by Caragh M. O'Brien...and purchased it.  Then, the novel sat and patiently waiting on me to finish reading other books.  After promo-ing it to my husband, he began reading it...then my daughter.  Why, oh, why did I wait so long to begin this trilogy?!  So good!

The first two Birthmarked and Prized...the third novel will be released later this year...tell the story of Gaia (a very strong heroine, a midwife), Leon, and others who live in a futurist world where Gaia takes continual stands for and against family, friends, and political situations of the time.

A message about bullying, the novel takes the reader into Gaia's struggles, as she learns that her facial disfigurement not only highlights her obvious difference physically  but also defines her mentally and emotionally.  In a world where the great are greater and the poor are poorer, Gaia's destiny seems to one of redeemer, leader as she leaves her world of advancing babies from Western Sector Three for the sake of the Enclave and travels through the Wasteland and Sylum (land of the dead).

Romance?  Yes.  In book two this intensifies, encouraging the reader to help her choose the man/boy right for her.  I chose the right one!  No spoilers here...you will have to read and take this journey with Gaia in Promised scheduled to be released October 2.

I enjoy series...especially ones in which I have waited and can read more than one novel at a time.  Love the immersion to these created worlds.

Enjoy!

#7-8: Frankenstein X 2

For the Classic Double Book Challenge...and because my students were reading Mary Shelley's Frankenstein, I also read Dean Koontz's first book in his Frankenstein series The Prodigal Son.

I read Frankenstein several years ago and enjoyed it very much.  Thus, last year, when I wrote and received a grant to purchase each of my students four novels throughout the year, I choose Frankenstein as one of the literary selections. 

Shelley's writing style appealed to me:  much plot in a relatively short span of pages.  As one of my male students told me a few days ago, "I really like how she used words."  Wow!  I compliment indeed!

As in the Twilight series and other such novels, I found myself liking one character more than the other.  That's right...I became a monster sort-of fan, as Frankenstein's motives, while as selfish as the monster, were just not as justified.  As I discussed the novel, I found myself singing Toby Keith's song, "I want to talk about me and me and me and me and me...!"

Then, I read The Prodigal Son.  Interesting, the connections to Shelley's Frankenstein.  Very.  Frankenstein and the monster are both characters within this series, as well. Yes, the monster, now  named Deucalion (after Prometheus' son) is still my favorite!  No spoilers here...please read this series if you enjoyed Frankenstein, though! (Excerpt here.)

I look forward to reading more of the doubles, as I enjoy making the connections to the classic and further understanding the original characters through the modern-day author's perspective.  Thanks, One Librarian's Book Reviews, for hosting this book challenge!

Now, to read book two in the above Frankenstein series City of Night...have to learn what happens to Frankenstein and the monster  and Detective Carson O'Connor and her partner Michael Maddison (yes, a bit of romance is sparking between these two!).

#6: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Again, another journey to Hogwarts with my friends Harry, Ron, and Hermoine.  Those kids are beginning to grow up!  This time I journeyed with Harry as he goes into the Chamber of Secrets and meets Tom Riddle.  OF course, the romance between Harry and Ginny begins to spark a bit also!

J.K. Rowling certainly created a wondrous world, one that I am enjoying even more on my second read of this series as part of the Harry Potter Re-Read Challenge here.

I continue to marvel at the power of the imagination and wonder if I would enjoy such an imagination, for I would think that that such a world as Rowling created must have dominated much of her think time, her sleep time, and obviously her writing time.

As I write this, we are watching the movie, and I keep saying that did or did not happen in the novel.  So good!  Please enjoy this series with me!

#5: The Outlander

This read of The Outlander in my second read of this novel.  I began The Outlander Series a few years ago and am re-reading for the Outlander Book Challenge.

In this first novel in the series, the reader meets Claire and Jamie (and various other characters), when Claire travels two hundred years back in time and meets (and marries) Jamie.  Historically set during 1743 in Scotland, the novel takes the reader on an informative journey (yes, I learned a lot about this time period).

These novels are long (or in  Gabaldon's word..."fat").  The Outlander is 626 pages; thus, due to my own real life and other constraints, this one took me a while to read.  Plus, the action is intense.  Claire and Jamie hardly escape one conflict, until, literally, on the next page another extreme adventure begins.  Intense!

Another reason to read (or re-read) this series is the scheduled release of book eight for next year.  Please consider reading author Diana Gabaldon's thoughts on the release of Written in My Own Heart's Blood.  I agree with her...her books are worth the money!

All my "big" girl friends (this is not a young adult series!) love, love, love this series (with the exception of one).  If you like romance, historical fiction, time travel...did I mention romance...then you will enjoy this series.

Fortunately, for me, I have the next six novels in this series waiting on me...:)

#4: 10th Anniversary

Love James Patterson's Women's Murder Club...purchased the tenth novel entitled 10th Anniversary in this series Friday afternoon and had completed this read by mid-Saturday morning.

I enjoyed spending time with the four ladies who are the heroines of these adventures, as they once again came to the rescue and ensured that the guilty were brought to justice.  Patterson's books are good for when you need a quick read, an escape for a few hours.

If you, too, enjoy this series, 11th Hour goes on sale in May!

#3: The Fallen 1

This novel I bought some time ago to give away at a book club.  When little interest developed, I became the permanent owner of this young adult novel.  Or is it a young adult novel?

Thomas E. Sniegoski introduces the reader to a world of fallen angels...some good, some bad...all seeking a world that each cannot quite obtain.

The so-close biblical references bothered me some.  As a matter of fact, this novel took me a very long time to read.  I could only read a few pages at a time, and then I was ready to put it down.   I have never had quite such an experience with a a novel.  Not sure if that was a good thing or not.  Not sure if my religious side was concerned or bothered...or simply intrigued.  Need to ponder on this some more.

The novel introduces us to Aaron who is learning that he was born to be an angel...literally.  Aaron struggles with this much-unwanted angelic being he seems destined to become, a role through which he will save the world.

This novel is the first of four in the series.  Will I continue to read the series?  Maybe.

Interested in the movie version of this novel?  Check here.