Divergent by Veronica Roth

Divergent by Veronica Roth
My rating: Save It
Genres: Fantasy, YA
Length: 487 pages
How I got my copy: Borrowed

In Beatrice Prior's dystopian Chicago world, society is divided into five factions, each dedicated to the cultivation of a particular virtue--Candor (the honest), Abnegation (the selfless), Dauntless (the brave), Amity (the peaceful), and Erudite (the intelligent). On an appointed day of every year, all sixteen-year-olds must select the faction to which they will devote the rest of their lives. For Beatrice, the decision is between staying with her family and being who she really is--she can't have both. So she makes a choice that surprises everyone, including herself.

During the highly competitive initiation that follows, Beatrice renames herself Tris and struggles alongside her fellow initiates to live out the choice they have made. Together they must undergo extreme physical tests of endurance and intense psychological simulations, some with devastating consequences. As initiation transforms them all, Tris must determine who her friends really are--and where, exactly, a romance with a sometimes fascinating, sometimes exasperating boy fits into the life she's chosen. But Tris also has a secret, one she's kept hidden from everyone because she's been warned it can mean death. And as she discovers unrest and growing conflict that threaten to unravel her seemingly perfect society, Tris also learns that her secret might help her save the ones she loves . . . or it might destroy her.

Strengths:

•  I like the thought of the of how Chicago is divided up in factions. It gets me thinking of which one I would choose on Choosing Day.
• The craziness of how the plot takes in a rollercoaster rides. I did not expect the p taken in path that we took.
• I also liked the arguments of is it right that ONE faction has control of the government and its choices.

Weaknesses:

• Some parts this book might be be suitable for all viewers.
• I was not a fan of romance in this book. I threw-up(sorry for the image) in my mouth a couple of times...gag. It was still a good book though.

Summary:

Divergent has a fascinating premise and strong characters.It was an interesting ride with Tris. Her journey in the book is quite interesting, but not shocking. Now that all of that has gone down, I’m excited to see what Insurgent has in store!

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.

Cinder by Marissa Meyer

Cinder by Marissa Meyer
My rating: Back It Up

Cinder is a cyborg. It says everything, right?! Can a female protagonist be even better? No, not even Katniss from the Hunger Games
She is a strong-willed, reliable, stubborn and independent character. But there is even more about her that made me like her. She knows how to fix androids and other technical things. She is a very gifted mechanic. A girl? Mechanic? Yes it does make her even better :)

I love Cinder!
Finally something new and interesting! How can you go wrong with a cyborg as the main character as Cinderella.
An Asain, futuristic version of it? Wow. I hope that my daughter will like this book in the future. She wants to be Cinderella when she grows up.

Captivating!
Prince Kai? He is an interesting character to me.
He is in the middle of so many conflicts and all alone. The death of this father, the plague, the Lunar queen(b*tch) and Cinder. Still, he knows what to do and he has faith and I hope he will do everything right in the future.


The plot is fantastic! The development, the secrets that are revealed step by step.
I would love to write even more about this book, but there would be lots and lots of spoilers then, so I just stop here.

I closed the book and was left behind with sooo many questions... And not a single answer. Just think I ALMOST quit on this book. I am glad I didn't.

The second installment is on its way through the library for me to read. SWEETNESS.

I have an Announcement

I has been crazy busy over here. In August , my wife and I found out that we will be bringing another geekling into the world. He/she should be done processing at around May-ish.

With all the fertility treatments ,the negative test  results, and the countless prayers that we went through.We were also in the process of the last step of going through IFV after 2 failed IUIs. I know some of you have no clue what some of this is and some may know. If you are struggling, I pray that it works out for you as well.

 We are just so happy to see that it finally happened after 2+of trying. We wait to tell everyone until we were 4 month along.

Just a FYI for everyone :)

 

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia by C.S. Lewis


This is the fourth book in The Chronicles of Narnia series by C.S. Lewis. Like the others, I really enjoyed this book. Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy are all transported back to Narnia, where Prince Caspian is on the run as his tyrant uncle has claimed Caspian's throne and wants to kill him to ensure he isn't rightfully restored. The children discover that the magic has left Narnia hundreds of years before, when they originally left, and that the place is not safe for Old Narnian's. They must fight, alongside Aslan, to restore Narnia to it's former glory and to see Caspian put on the throne.

C.S. Lewis has created such a magical world, and I love going there in his books. I am so happy that my wife introduced me to this great series. He is engaging and fun, and I wish I lived in Narnia, who wouldn't. I like all four children, they are noble and brave, out to fight the evil that ensnares the world. Their dwarf companion ,Trumpkin. He was a great character, I enjoyed watching him develop. He makes me laugh throughout the book.

We see castles, evil men, dwarfs, giants, humans, lions, mice, badgers, the White Witch and river gods, just to name a few. This is a great children's fantasy book that adults can enjoy. It is fun, gripping and well worth reading. The end was a bit sad, with the adventure ending for some characters, but the very last line made me laugh.

Sci-Fi Dress Up

Hosted by Rinn Reads

If any of you didn't know it is Sci-Fi Month. I will be posting Sci-Fi related posts this month. I am excited as well.

 I am sure that I am not alone in this post...well I hope not at least. Growing up, my brothers and I did not play cowboys and Indians(Native Americans) all that much. We did play plenty of Star Wars and Star Trek. 

If so were you a lead or a supporting character? I was usually Luke or Obi-Wan in the Star War plays. In Star Trek, I was Spock..who wouldn't choose him. Spock is badass and plus I am the only one that could do his hand sign.

I am happy to have grown up in a pro sci-fi family-that understood the wonderful world and sci-fi. Everything that it offered young and old minds.

It just got me wondering if any of you did the same thing with your siblings/cousins/friends?

Thank you for reading, and thanks to Rinn Reads for hosting this wonderful, month-long celebration of Science Fiction!  Visit her website to learn more about the event and visit other participants' posts! 

Happy Sci-Fi Month

I was looking through my blog feed and saw something interesting in Little Redhead blog. November is Sci-fi month! I'm a huge fan of science fiction, and it makes me sad :(  that a lot of people don't even give the genre a try because they're put off by the stereotypes. I promise you it's not all  aliens and UFOs, and that there are some really interesting and amazing worlds and ideas worth exploring.

This month, I'll be posting more than usual sci-fi related things. Thanks to Rinn at Rinn Reads for setting this all up!

1. Tell us a little bit about yourself.
 I’m in my 30s,I live in rural Cheeseland. I have a wife that tolerates me totally geekyiness(I am thankful for that) and I have a 3 year old daughter in which I corrupt daily. I work as a cheeseminer and love reading escaping reality. I like watching sci-fi/fantasy and playing video games.

2. How long have you been a fan of sci-fi?
Ahh...I have been a fan since watching the Star Wars original series on VHS..over and over and over again. I can still recite the original trilogy by heart. For about 25 years or so.

3. Why do you like sci-fi, and what is your favourite thing about it?
What is there not to like about this massive and rich genre. Reading the wonderful world that sci-fi has to offer as well. You can never get enough of it. There is something for everyone, but sometimes you might have to look a little harder for some individuals.

4. Favourite books/games/films/TV shows in the genre?
Some of my favorite authors are Philp K. Dick, HG Wells, Suzanne Collins, Ernest Cline, JK Rowlin,Terry Prachett, CS Lewis....this list could go on and on.  I’m a HUGE fan of Dr. Who, ORGINAL Star Wars trilogy, Star Trek, Short Circuit, ET and LOTR trilogy.

5. What are your plans for Sci-Fi Month?

For the most part I will be reviewing a number of scifi books. I will be taking part in some of the discussions that will be taking place this month.

Halloween plus sugar equals cranky child

It is Halloween and it is my favorite holiday of the year. I think that maybe it is that people are (suppose)scared or the fact that you never know what is lurking around the corner. I am hoping that I can get my wife to watch World of the Worlds tonight. I am thinking GOOD LUCK!!!

My little Aqua Girl had a party at 3k today and she was a princess like she wanted, because she was going to be a butterfly. So wanted to be a princess, because we compromised so she was a princess for the party and tonight (as long as we are still going) going to be a butterfly.

After school it was obvious she must have had to much candy today. She usually does not get much from the sugar department. Aqua Girl was a cranky little girl and did not get lunch today. She was screaming because my wife wanted to hold her on her lap. UGGGH

If this attitude keeps up in looks like no trick-or-treating for my little beast. I guess we will see if she is better after a much needed nap this afternoon.

I hope that everyone has a HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!!

Discussion: Hi-Tech Issues

 My wife and I were talking this morning about authors signing books. Then the subject, lead to the way that the book market has been a more hi-tech way in reading books, ie Kindle or Nook to name a few.

Then that go use wondering IF one day that all print form of book were to go way that CDs....I HOPE NOT!! What does an author going to do sign your e-book reader.Are they going to have to autograph your cover or with there be a page on the kindle screen that they(author) will be able to sign their Herbie Hancock. Hmm...it puzzles me as well.I do have an e-reader...I really do like my Kindle a lot. I still love the feeling of having the physical feeling in the hands.

Just my thoughts for the day. What are your thoughts of this discussion?

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix

Among the Hidden by Margaret Peterson Haddix
My rating: Back It Up

I read this book on a whim. It was late before bed and looking for a book to read. I sure did not expect what I received from this 153 page turner.
In the future society of the United States. Is that what we are to expect after what we currently experiencing in our country?
In this story:

Families are only allowed two kids. It's illegal to have anymore than than 3. Luke(the protagonist) is the third child to a strapped farming couple living on the edge of civilization. The family is struggling to make ends meet. For most of his life, Luke's had the run of the back forty, but when a new housing development bring wealthy homes to their neck of the woods, Luke is forced to stay in the attic. He may never go outside again.

Luke watches the new neighborhood from his secret attic lookout. One day he notices a blind flutter on one of the extravagant homes. Without his parents' knowledge, Luke sneaks over to the new neighborhood and meets another shadow child--a girl! She's linked into an underground network of Shadow Children. It is an interesting book.

The authors has the reader wanting more. The reader will be sad, irritated and just pissed off at times throughout this book. I ordered the next 2 books in the series, in which has 7 books in all.

Reading Event

After the death of writer Tom Clancy. I was thinking about hosting a writing event in his honor. I have been wanting to read a book he has written. I am not that sure what has taken so long for me to do so. I have seen some of the movies that were based off his books and did like every one of the movies.

I was thinking about reading, The Hunt for the Red October. It was the first book published by Tom Clancy. Here is a summary of the book from GoodReads:

the greatest espionage coup in history. Its story: the chase for a top secret Russian missile sub. Lauded by the Washington Post as "breathlessly exciting." The Hunt for Red October remains a masterpiece of military fiction by one of the world's most popular authors, a man whose shockingly realistic scenarios continue to hold us in thrall.Somewhere under the Atlantic, a Soviet sub commander has just made a fateful decision. The Red October is heading west. The Americans want her. The Russians want her back. And the most incredible chase in history.

I am planning on reading this book in November. I hope that some of you  can join me reading this one. I am not sure how I am going to format the reading event just yet.

The more the merrier. 

Kids Will Miss Out

I have been putting in quite a bit of hours this week. So it gives me plenty of time to think during the day. So a thought popped into my head(no not the Cream Puff Marshmallow Man). I was thinking of the different types of media that our generation grew up with.

I remember when I was little riffling through the downstairs and finding some old school vinyl and played it on the record player. As well as listening to books on record as well. Just saying it makes feel old.

Then there are cassettes and CDs the more music can be stored on the CDs than the record. Now we have the the digital age of music. This is something that kids in this generation have and can have millions on songs on one device. I am not saying that I do not do this. :)

It was fun riffling through music and seeing what can be found. Do you any of remember this? Or am I showing my age, in which I admit I am.

Country Cable

You may asked what is country cable. It was a turned that was used quite often when I was in high school. It was just your regular channels that one would receive off an antenna. Over and over my wife and I were just getting sick of the Directv customer service and the equipment that would constantly fail. Really what is the point in having a DVR....if you have to watch the show ASAP or risk losing it.

It has been about a month now that we have been without the satellite, we do not miss it really. Plus we are not shelling out $100 a month either. We know how much the bill if going to be from month to month.

 I am having more time to read as well. I watch maybe 7-9 hours(if that) a week. It really that high due to football season.This was a great choice for our family

I will say this if I came be rid of the TV anyone can do it. All it cost us was the antenna($100, one time payment) and a subscription to Netflix.

Do you have satellite?

The Never List by Koethi Zan

The Never List by Koethi Zan

 It is told from Sarah's view point who was held captive in a basement of a psycho college professor along with her best friend, Jennifer, and two other girls, Tracy and Christine. The professor was arrested when Sarah escaped but ten years later is up for parole.

I picked up this book for Halloween season. I heard that it was suppose to be a good book. This book has so much potential build and could have put the reader on the seat. To me it failed to do that in my eyes.

My main problem is that the very dark subject matter is grafted onto a chatty first person narrative style better suited to chick lit, and it just doesn't work. It seemed like that annoying middle school/high school gossip girl over and over and over.

I do not understand why this book is classified as a thriller? This book just failed to deliver.I will be give the author a break with it bring her first book published. Just not my can or bottle of beer I guess.

Fall Is Here

Where did not summer go? I cannot believe that fall is here and growing season now over..WOAH. This means that canning season is coning to a close. now I hope that I can have a little more time to read..SWEET.

Fall is one of my favorite season, due to the fact that Halloween is my holiday. I look for it every year. I have always has a spook factor about me though. I can sneak up on pretty much anyone and make their heart go though the roof.

What am I reading now it is called the Never List. Thus far, it is quite an interesting book. It sure does make one think and yet it doesn't matter how what precautions a person takes to stay out of dangerous situations.

Arctic Homestead: The True Story of One Family's Survival and Courage in the Alaskan Wilds by Norma Cobb

Arctic Homestead: The True Story of One Family's Survival and Courage in the Alaskan Wilds by Norma Cobb


The Cobbs remind me so much of my wife and I. Throughout the book it seemed like that they could not catch a break a day late and a dollar short.I just seems like we can never catch a break either. I call it German luck.

In the book, Norma Cobb was the last pioneer woman to take advantage of the homestead act in Alaska. The Cobb family is like any hard-working American family of the 70's, struggling to find their place, achieve their dreams and are willing to sacrifice and work hard to get to where they aspire to be.

I love it she does not sugarcoat anything just tells you the way that it is and how she feels. This book is quite the roller coaster of an adventure. I know that it is not for everyone.

The Cobbs are an instriation to me and my wife in that follw your dreams and SOMEDAY it can be true.

I am back

It is official that I am going to open up shop over here again. I would like to say that I was sorry to everyone that I left the blogging business for a bit. I am expanding my focus on the blog everything from geeky, food related and everyday life.

I missed this blog over here so here we go again. So how has everyone's summer been going considering that it is almost over.

One Man's Wilderness: An Alaskan Odyssey by Sam Keith

Why I Read It: My wife and I are loving the Alaska shows that have been on the Discovery channels. It a dram of our to move up there or in NW Wisconsin and be more self-sufficent(no we are not those crazy preppers).

This an inspiring book. It is from the journals of Richard Proenneke. He was in his 50s when decided to leave the life of the Lower 48.

In the 1970s, he chronicled his life in Alaska for 16 months building his homestead his with own two hands. His perspective of the nature around him.
Now his cabin is entrusted to the Park Service.
This book makes you think,"What do you really NEED?"
This book is an inspiration to me. Someday…Someday.

What I Liked: I enjoyed the way that we brought in Richard' everyday life while being the ONLY person in the area bwsides the occosioal hunters. Oh yeah and his brush pilot Babe.

What I Disliked: The only problem with the book that it was DRY at some points of the book..:) 

hmmm...

Great now I am second guessing my closing the Geeky Daddy shop. We will see what happens, I guess.

Closing Up Shop

I am going to be closing up shop over here :(It started to seem like work and force posts and I just did not have the time. It was a great run, but what I wanted to do over.I am starting a new blog, it has a homesteading/ hunting theme behind it. If you want to join in my outside life hop over to Homesteading Hunter

If you want my reviews my good reads profile is here. I have met so many great people over the past couple of years. I made many great friendships. I will still be around at your spaces as well.

Take care everyone

Not Sure what is Up...

I am not that sure if it is because I am getting older or what. 5 years ago...I BARELY touched a non-fiction book. Now it seems that I have been gravitating more and more to read non-fiction books. Well at least historical fiction.  This is what is keeping my interest as of late. I read sci-fi/fantasy, but it is usually in the audio format.

So I am unsure if I am coming of Age or what is going on? I was wondering if any of you have gone through the same type of a different book taste(s)?

Food Inc.by Participant Mediaon

Title:Food Inc.: A Participant Guide: How Industrial Food is Making Us Sicker, Fatter, and Poorer-And What You Can Do About It
Author: Participant Media
Rating:  4/5

Review Summary:
I will be honest I saw the documentary a couple years back and I loved it. I am not that sure what took so long for me to FINALLY pick up this book.

This book is an anthology of articles and essays on the topic of food production in the U.S. It is a companion book to the recent documentary of the same name.

I really liked this book, if you want to learn about the food that US food industry is feeds us this is great starting point. I goes into the backgrounds of so many industries. It shows how large of a roll the politics does place in the food industry.

in the end the morale of the book is it is out choice. Choose wisely, and educate yourself about where our 'food' comes from. It is horrifying. The good news is, you can opt out of this system today. The bad news is, you probably won't. I know that it's been difficult for me to change many years of bad eating habits. I've made some real progress, but I still have a long way to go.

What Book Has My Attention Monday?

It is a rule of mine that library books take priority over owned books. I think that is due to the fact I try to get the books returned in a "reasonable" amount of time. With that being said, I am going to start each week with what I am reading.

I am reading, Food Inc. I am loving the book so much. I do recommend this book to anyone that eats food from the USA. While reading this book you will be astoundnded what the food and the animal go through to get the food to you plate. I am only 1'3 of the way through it. I have learned so much already.

The Sickyies

Uggh...the whatever bug it is has hit my realm over here. So glad for that wonderful new. I am getting over it(that you for a good immune system) other the hand my wife and sicker than a dog, in which a quite common everytime. She frequently asks me to take a gun and take her out of her misery. My respoinse is then who will take care of Aquagirl :) I am terrible... I to find humor in ever situation. Even if it might get me killed.

At the moment, I am slugging along with The Name of the Wind. I hope that I can get through it this time. I tried last year and life was getting so damn busy. Working 50+ hours a week does not help either.

AudioFiles: Legend by Marie Lu

Title:Legend
Author: Marie Lu
Series: Legend
 Published by: November 29th 2011 by Putnam Juvenile
 Genres: Young Adult, Sci-fi 
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I am glad that I listened to this one. I heard that in print the text alter every other chapter. This is an interesting book to say the least. The main thing I really like about Legend was the way the traditional gender roles were reversed. I usually find young adult dystopian fiction centers around a strong female character who is generally poor or disadvantaged by the current society. If there's a love interest, he's usually more well off and more integrated into the system. In this novel, and however, it is a male character (Day) a notorious criminal who is the most wanted ciminal by the Republic. and its the female character (June) is an exceptionally gifted prodigy who is being groomed to become a military star.

I wish that in the book they would tell a background story of how and when the Republic and the Colonies breakup. What were the circumstances that caused the conflict. This book was like The Game of Thrones with the reader in the point of the view of June and Day after every chapter.

In this book there is plenty of action and some unique twists throughout this adventure. It was a great beginning of the Legend Series.

Feed (Newsflesh Trilogy, #1)Feed by Mira Grant

Title: Feed
Author: Mira Grant
Length: 571 pages
Genre-ish: Sci-Fi, Zombie
Rating: 2/5
I wanted to like this book. I am not sure what it is but, I found it it was not for me. I picked up this book and expected a zombie book. It was disappointing.

The book begins post-zombie apocalypse with two young bloggers looking to move up to the top tier of the news world, which is now dominated by bloggers. We're never told, though, whether print and broadcast journalism are dead or just irrelevant. In fact, we're not told much of anything not directly related to these two main characters. Their ticket to fame and fortune comes in the form of exclusive rights to cover a presidential nominee's campaign, but we never find out how the government is structured post-apocalypse, or even whether Washington exists as a "safe" zone in this new world. In fact, we're really told nothing about the entire eastern seaboard. That creates a lot of gaps when the story essentially morphs into a political thriller.

I am a fan of political thrillers, but this is my type of a book.

Strengths: It gives you a good look at what the world could look like with the infectede and non-infected living among each other. It is interesting to see what precautions that gavornemt has in place....like the constant blood testing.

Weakness: Dull. I have mixed feelings about zombie novels; zombies themselves don't interest or scare me so there has to be something more to the story - this wasn't a problem. In fact, the book wasn't largely dedicated to flesh-eating and zombie moans, it was dedicated to something which I am very interested in and should have been what sold the book to me: politics.

Giving It A Try

I will be honest, I have not read a zombie type of a book......since hmmm high school . Well I believe that it has been that long at least. It was not that long ago a friend of mine at the cheese mine said that he likes the series The Walking Dead. So I gave that a try.

To be honest, I loved it I watched the Season 1 in I was a little addicted. I think that I am going to try to get Season 2 from the library. I will say this I like the zombie genre MUCH more than the wave of vampires that has been all over the place.  Twilight...ugghh.

The book that I chose in the zombie genre is Feed. I have heard good things about this one from GoodReads. Well besides World War Z, do you guys have any recommendation?

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
My rating: Back It Up
Publish Date: 2011



This book appealed to right away. I have and always will be a geek and it was one before it was cool. Cline is now one of my favorite authors..yes after ONE book under his belt.

In a not too distant future, the economy has crumbled, energy is hard to come by and earth's population is living on top of each other in the cities. Literally. Wade lives in a trailer park where the homes are stacked on top of each other and you run the constant risk of being mugged. It's no surprise that for many the escape of the virtual world inside OASIS virtual facebook is such a draw. When the creator of the system, Halliday, dies he leaves in his will a clause; his fortune and control of OASIS goes to whoever finds the "easter egg" he has hidden in the code.

He leaves a riddle as the starting point in a video montage of 80s films. Wade spends years delving into all of the interests and nerdisms of Halliday hoping that the knowledge he gains from this overload of trivia will lend him an insight into Halliday’s mind and possibly to the easter egg. This book does show you how smart the nerd/geek class really is.

I fell in love with book and it took me back to my childhood playing countless hours of Atari.This is a book based in the future, but it did show history in it. It did show some of the loopholes programmers had in the earlier games. Kids now days do not understand. 

This was on of the best books that I have read in quite some time. I recommend this book to anyone that played video games on an Atari system of has watched sci-fi movies from that time period as well. 

Game of Thrones Season 2

I finally did it...I watch Season 2 of Game of Thrones. I am not able to view it on TV due to a non-HBO household. I use to go ole library services for my viewing pleasure.

In the season whome have not seen it yet:

The Seven Kingdoms are at war, with the King in the North, Robb Stark, fighting to win independence for his people and those of the Riverlands. Robb decides that he must win the allegiance of the fiercely independent ironborn to his cause, and sends his best friend Theon Greyjoy to treat with his father, who is hatching plans of his own. Meanwhile, Joffrey Baratheon holds the Iron Throne with the backing of the powerful House Lannister, but his uncle Renly has also claimed the throne with the support of House Tyrell, whose armies are much larger. As they struggle for the throne, Tyrion Lannister arrives in King's Landing to take matters in hand, only to face opposition from his scheming sister, Cersei, now the Queen Regent.

However, there is another faction entering the picture. Stannis Baratheon, Robert's younger brother and Renly's older, has also claimed the Iron Throne. A proven battle commander and veteran of several wars, Stannis is known to be utterly without mercy to his enemies and will do what is right even if it destroys him. Advising him is Melisandre, an enigmatic priestess from the east, who believes Stannis is meant for a greater destiny, and Ser Davos Seaworth, an honest and honorable man uneasy with the shifts in power at Stannis' court.

Far to the east, Daenerys Targaryen has hatched the only three dragons in the world. Eventually they will grow into terrifying monsters capable of destroying cities at her command, but for now they are still hatchlings and vulnerable. With her khalasar gone, Daenerys and her small band of followers must find a way across a forbidding wasteland and find new allies to support her claim to the Iron Throne.

In the distant north, the Night's Watch has mounted an expedition beyond the Wall, searching for missing rangers and investigating rumours of wildlings gathering in the mountains. For Jon Snow this will be a rite of passage as he is asked to make difficult choices, for the realm and for himself. 

I just cannot believe the incredible job that the producers of the show have done so far. They are doing a great job followinf the MASSIVE book.  The war on continues throughout this series for the rite of the throne is surreal. After the series faille there sure quite a bit of questions that is going to happen with each character. The one that drives me crazy in Sansa she is such an airhead....she just makes me shack my head.

AudioFiles: Stone Cold by David Baldacci

Title: Stone Cold
Author:David Baldacci
Genre: Political Thriller
My rating: Save It




Oliver Stone, the leader of the mysterious group that calls itself the Camel Club, is both feared and respected by those who've crossed his path. Keeping a vigilant watch over our leaders in Washington D.C., the Camel Club has won over some allies,
but it has also earned formidable enemies-including those in power who will do
anything to prevent Stone and his friends from uncovering the hidden, secret
work of the government.


One by one, men from Stone's shadowy past are turning up dead. Behind this slaughter stands one man: Harry Finn. To almost all who know him, Finn is a doting father and loving husband who uses his skills behind the scenes to keep our nation safe. But the other face of Harry Finn is that of an unstoppable killer who inevitably sets his lethal bull's-eye on Oliver Stone. And with Finn, Stone may well have met his match.
Summary

The more I read or listen to Baldacci to more I cannot stop. Just think the only read that I picked up the first book in the series was because of the presidential election. I was in a mood for a political thriller. After that book was roped in. So anyways about the book.

In one plot we find Oliver Stone, who went by the name of, John Carr, as a former CIA assassin, comes to grips with a terrible mistake that he made years ago.It was due to the good 'ole US government that he was taking order from. He had terminated an innocent man who was falsely identified as a traitor. While Stone uncovers the mystery behind this mistake, he finds himself entangled in the lives of the dead man's family. Once he finds out that this family is to be terminated by the same man who ordered the execution of the father years ago, he must act quickly to prevent another injustice from being performed.

There are other plots, other characters that if covered it would only spoil the book for you. There were some disappointments in book as well as parts think that certain characters had it coming to them. Good old karma.

Dutch and German..OH MY

A couple of month after my little girl turned 2...she had been headed down THAT road. Many parents out there know what I am talking about the TERRIBLE 2's. It seems that somedays, she is in timeout or has toys taken away more than anything. UGGGH. Fun times. We are trying  NOT to raise a spoiled brats.

Aquagirl's stubbornness sure does test our patience at times. My wife and I think that it has to do that she has so much German and Dutch flowing in her bloodline. Or maybe it is the female gene as well..lol. There are days when she wakes up with a mode good luck trying to get her in a decent one for that day.

We wonder on those days where did our sweet little girl went off to? I love that girl, but  sometimes...SOMETIMES..:) 

So to the parents out there. Do you any stories?

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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The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
Series: Hannibal Lecter #2
My rating: Back IT UP


A serial murderer known only by a grotesquely apt nickname-Buffalo Bill-is stalking women. He has a purpose, but no one can fathom it, for the bodies are discovered in different states. Clarice Starling, a young trainee at the FBI Academy, is surprised to be summoned by Jack Crawford, chief of the Bureau's Behavioral Science section. Her assignment: to interview Dr. Hannibal Lecter-Hannibal the Cannibal-who is kept under close watch in the Baltimore State Hospital for the Criminally Insane.

Dr. Lecter is a former psychiatrist with a grisly history, unusual tastes, and an intense curiosity about the darker corners of the mind. His intimate understanding of the killer and of Clarice herself form the core of The Silence of the Lambs-and ingenious, masterfully written book and an unforgettable classic of suspense fiction.

My Thoughts:
As it goes the book is still better than the movie. In this one it was a CLOSE call. It was the first one that could go either way. I loved this book I was hooked on this read.

Harris is such a Master with the way that he can make you skin crawl at times in this book. It is not to say that I liked this masterpiece very much.

I find it kind of funny that the FBI as so desperate to catch a serial killer that is skinner women that they need the help from Hannibal Lecter.He is evil, obviously, Prince-of-Darkness level evil, and he is as good at being evil as Starling is at being good. As they seduce each other, each in their own way, we see each taking what they need from the other and each giving something of themselves in the process.

They send in FBI trainee, Clarice Starling to "interview" Lecter about his thoughts of the case throughout the book. Lecter just says enough to keep the audience on the edge of your seat.   

The book does go into so much more detail about Buffalo Bill compared to the movie. You really find out why he is the way he is in the end.

King of the Nerds

So have you been watching King of the Nerds? I have not missed an episode. I have been enjoying the show here is the jist of it:

Hosted by Robert Carradine(Louis) and Curtis Armstrong(Booger), King of the Nerds is the ultimate nerd-off. The series will follow eleven fierce competitors from across the nerd spectrum as they set out to win $100,000.

Each week, they must face challenges that will test their intellect, ingenuity, skills and pop culture prowess. In each episode, the nerds will first compete as teams and then as individuals, facing challenges that range from live gaming to a dance-off to life-sized chess. One competitor will be eliminated each week until one nerd stands alone as the ultimate champion off all things nerdy.

How can you not like this show like this.I know you were one of those people that picked on me in high school that is how. I have never been one that was into the whole reality television scene.Like every reality show there has to be drama with all the competitors in the same house.  I do look forward to this show every Thursday.  

Do any of you watch the show, if so what do you think?

The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein

The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein
Series: None
Genre: Light Sci-Fi
Published: 1951
My rating: Save It



I read this book for the 2nd annual Vintage SciFi Month. This event Andrea has been hosting since 2012. I sure do enjoy reading some good old fashion SciFi. It is also nice to see what the author(s) think what the future to them would be like and how off or right on their thoughts were as well.

This is the second Heinlein book that I have read now. My first was The Moon is a Harsh Mistress, I liked that one. I thought that this one was a little better in my opinion. Getting this out of the way I thought that this book was quite a bit like Wells' War of the Worlds. I just cannot believe that this book was wrote 50 years ago. Heinlein was able to dream up cellphones,satellite relay, and other types of technology. I would like one of the cars though. Where can I buy one :)

This book starts off in 2007, and a flying saucer landed in Iowa...yes Iowa of all places.A Hoax. Two agents(Sam and Mary), however, of the U.S. Intellegence agency disappeared while on the scene. Four more agents are sent in, and they disappear. The head of the agency and two of his top agents are sent in and escape with their discovery. The earth is under attack and is being invaded by slug-like aliens who can latch on to a human and totally control his/her mind.

It is interesting to see how the government tries to institutes different "Acts" so the Agency can see whom is affected easier. I cannot imagine going around in the buff for LONG periods of time in public.

What I Liked:  This book was nonstop action and you were not sure what was going to happen on the next page. I was not sure if the solution that Sam's theory was going to work in the end. I thought that it was funny that the marriage license you could choose different durations for it.

What I Disliked:  The thing I did not like about the book was the RH portrays women, but that is where it shows its age.

I will be reading more of RH in the future.

AudioFiles: The Camel Club by David Baldacci

The Camel Club by David Baldacci
My rating: Back It Up


Summary:
Existing at the fringes of Washington, D.C., the Club consists of four eccentric members. Led by a mysterious man known as "Oliver Stone," they study conspiracy theories, current events, and the machinations of government to discover the 'truth' behind the country's actions. Their efforts bear little fruit--until the group witnesses a shocking murder...and become embroiled in an astounding, far-reaching conspiracy. Not the Club must join forces with a Secret Service agent to confront one of the most chilling spectacles ever to take place on American soil--and event that may trigger the ultimate war between two different worlds. And all that stands in the way of this apocalypse is five unexpected heroes.
 
My Thoughts:
This was the first book I have read by Baldacci and I was impressed to say the least. In this book, it is about a group of misfits that have a club where they try to uncover conspiracies and force the government to acknowledge truth called the Camel Club. Hence the title. I sounds like a group that I would like to be part of :)

The group meets once a month to talk about what they think that the government is hiding from the American people. During one of these meeting, they witness an event that puts them in the middle of a situation that threatens the safety of the country and the world.

I did enjoy this book with the turns and twists that is throws at the reader. There are many different stories happening throughout the book. At times it is a challenge to keep up with the character in the book.

I like it so much that I am starting the second book in the series already.

Console Switch

My wife and I were in town last night and are considering switching game consoles. I have been a Play Station guy for YEARS. We have a Wii, but we are not able to play with it all that much. We discussed possibly buying a Xbox Kinect.

With my wife watching kids the Kinect would be great for 2 years to play and for Wii they would not get confused or frustrated at the game play. The Xbox has many of the game that I play. I do not play that many games that are platform sensitive, such as the Mario Bros series.With the Wii we sometimes have isses with the sense bar not getting our movement.

If we had some spare money I would go with the Star Wars bundle. The system is shaped like R2D2 and I guess it beeps when it is powered up. Now how sweet is that:)

So do any of you have a Kinect? What are you thoughts?

The Pelican Brief by John Grisham

Title:The Pelican Brief
 Author:John Grisham
My rating: Save It

Summary:
In suburban Georgetown a killer's Reeboks whisper on the front floor of a posh home... In a seedy D.C. porno house a patron is swiftly garroted to death... The next day America learns  that two of its Supreme Court justices have been assassinated. And in New Orleans, a young law student prepares a legal brief... To Darby Shaw it was  no more than a legal shot in the dark, a brilliant  guess. To the Washington establishment it was  political dynamite. Suddenly Darby is witness to a murder -- a murder intended for her. Going  underground, she finds there is only one person she can  trust -- an ambitious reporter after a newsbreak  hotter than Watergate -- to help her piece together the deadly puzzle. Somewhere between the bayous of  Louisiana and the White House's inner sanctums, a violent cover-up is being engineered. For somone has read Darby's brief. Someone who will stop at nothing to destroy the evidence of an unthinkable crime
I have been a fan of John Grisham for quite sometime now. It was not a BIG surprise that I liked this book. I just could not put this book down. Although, like I said, the book as a whole was really suspenseful, I thought the end was a bit anticlimatic.
 
My Thoughts:
I have been a fan of John Grisham for quite sometime now. It was not a BIG surprise that I liked this book. I just could not put this book down. I do like the way the finally tied it together.Although, like I said, the book as a whole was really suspenseful, I thought the end was a bit anticlimatic. I kind of had mixed feeling in the end.

I think that most of us would not know what to do of we had some guys out trying to kill us over a brief. Darby does have enough smarts to realize that everyone that comes into contact with the brief she wrote ends up dead.

She finds herself on the run when her brief makes it all the way to the FBI, CIA and the President. There is a lot of killing in this book and Darby realizes she is in danger. This is a real thriller because Darby doesn’t know who to trust. This is one of my top Grisham book, but not my top 5.