A Hat Full of Sky

A Hat Full of Sky by Terry Pratchett


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The second of terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching books takes us a little farther into the education on a young witch. A bit more familiar Discworld territory, here - Granny Weatherwax, a staple from earlier Discworld adventures, figures prominently.

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Gator A-go-go

Gator A-Go-Go: A Novel by Tim Dorsey


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Tim Dorsey does it again, with a Serge Storms novel of Florida. This one centers around a Witness Protection fiasco fifteen years in the past - and a Serge special Spring Break history tour in the present. Characters from Serge's past liven things up with cameos, and the madcap Florida adventure rolls on...

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Wee Free Men

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The first of the Tiffany Aching series, this book introduces us to a corner of the Discworld we haven't yet seen. Tiffany A is a precocious farm girl who discovers a talent for "seeing what's really there", has some adventures and learns that she'll likely make a good witch. Terry Pratchett

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A Star Is Found

A Star Is Found: Our Adventures Casting Some of Hollywood's Biggest Movies by Janet Hirshenson


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
A very candid and down-to-earth look at the way casting works in Hollywood, by two women who have been active the business for almost 30 years. They take us through the casting process, illustrated with anecdotes from their experiences from movies from The Outsiders to Harry Potter.

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How We Decide

How We Decide by Jonah Lehrer


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A very interesting insight into how our brains help us (or force us) to make decisions. Despite all the jargon (amygdala, dopamine receptors, etc.) it didn't feel too technical, and was well illustrated with real world anecdotes. Unfortunately, 90% of the stories seemed very familiar, like they'd all been used before by Malcolm Gladwell or the Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything guys.

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Drink, Play, F@#K

Drink, Play, F@#k: One Man's Search for Anything Across Ireland, Las Vegas, and Thailand by Andrew Gottlieb


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Despite being a work of comedic fiction, this parody of Elizabeth Gilbert's "Eat, Pray, Love" actually has some good things to say. The story of a recently divorced man who decides to spend a year reevaluating his life, it's basic message seems to be "Life throws you curveballs sometimes; hang on and enjoy the ride." Pretty funny stuff, too.

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Nice orange sunrise

Only a little snow from the beginning to this big storm system we're supposed to be seeing. Reno's getting a nice sunrise out of it, though -

The California Roll

The California Roll: A Novel by John Vorhaus


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Excellent, snappy novel about a L.A. based con artist who gets too wrapped up in his own "snuke." The language is wonderful - lingo and inside puns that sometimes don't catch up with you until the next line. Some passages feel like they should be accompanied by a brushed high hat. Bewilderingly twisted plot, as befits the subject, but not too hard to follow. I'll be looking for more from Vorhaus.

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Every Day In Tuscany

Every Day in Tuscany: Seasons of an Italian Life by Frances Mayes


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Frances Mayes third book about her life in Tuscany, Every Day feels a little patched-together but still gives great insight into how the life of an ex-pat can progress. She experiences a bit of xenophobia, travels around on the trail of her favorite painters, shares the area with her grandson, and always learns more about the Italian kitchen. Recipes included.

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Time Travelers Wife

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I really can't find the words to review this book. I certainly didn't want to put it down. Thanks to all the people who recommended it to me.

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What the Dog Saw

What the Dog Saw: And Other Adventures by Malcolm Gladwell


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I love Malcolm Gladwell's writing, and this collection of essays culled mostly from the New Yorker contains some great examples of his work. The same slightly mind-twisting connections make you look at familiar topics in different ways; just in shorter, more easily digestible bits.

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Peter & Max

Peter & Max: A Fables Novel by Bill Willingham


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
A retelling of some elements of the Pied Piper tale, that fits into the Fables graphic novel world created be Bill Willingham. Fun and well-done - not sure if it's enough to get me to start on the graphic novels, though.

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Sofia's cake

Watched an episode of America's Test Kitchen the other day - Sofia was pretty excited about the cake they made. So, we threw it together this weekend. Yummy...



Recipe is here, but you have to register for the site...

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents

The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents by Terry Pratchett


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Running low on books lately, I decided to reread some of Terry Pratchett's "other" Discworld books - this and the Tiffany Aching YA novels. Glad I did - I forgot what a simple joy these were. This follows the adventures of a tribe of suddenly self-aware rats, their talking cat manager, and the "piper" - a boy they picked up to complete their scam. Very fun.

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B is for Bad Poetry

B Is for Bad Poetry by Pamela August Russell


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
Bad is in the eye of the beholder. I thought these were genius - melancholic, sarcastic genius, but genius nonetheless.

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Watchmen

Watchmen by Alan Moore


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Another graphic novel that I'd been meaning to get to, finally did, and was really impressed once I did. I can see why this was "One of Time Magazine's 100 best novels" - deep, nuanced plot, well illuminated by the illustrations. A bit dated now, with the Vietnam and Nixon references, but still valid. Graphic novels continue to surprise me.

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Worst. Ad copy. Ever.

 
Seen on recent trip to Vancouver, WA.