Browse Recent Reviews

Howl's Moving Castle - Paperback -

I must mention that I saw the animated film version of this prior to reading the book, though it had been at least a few years. Still, I knew, generally, …

- Dec. 6, 2010
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World - Paperback -

I don't have much to say that isn't covered in the first, except that it's still hard to tell some of the characters apart, but it's fun and entertaining so …

- Nov. 12, 2010
Brave Story - Hardcover -

I took my time reading Brave Story in part because I finished it in November, while I was writing for NaNoWriMo. However, it was also just a long, slow reading, …

- Nov. 11, 2010
Mockingjay - Hardcover -

Just as I did with the first 2 books in the series, I enjoyed Mockingjay and finished it in just a few days. It was a fast, easy read that …

- Sept. 30, 2010
The Dark Tower and Other Stories - Paperback -

It's probably a good thing that "The Dark Tower" never made it to publication in its current form. As it is, it doesn't quite fit in with the other books …

- Sept. 18, 2010
A Tolkien Miscellany - Paperback -

On the whole this was an enjoyable collection, with the first half being particularly good. The three short stories ("Smith of Wooton Major", "Farmer Giles of Ham", and "Leaf by …

- Sept. 10, 2010
Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life - Paperback -

There's not a lot of depth to Scott Pilgrim, but it is a fun little graphic novel that I enjoyed reading. There were definitely some funny moments, and the …

- Aug. 28, 2010
A Preface to Paradise Lost - Hardcover -

Let me first say that as someone who knows nothing about Paradise Lost, or even epic poetry, this was an interesting, engaging, and approachable book. I never once felt …

- Aug. 27, 2010
Across the Nightingale Floor - Paperback -

It's great to have read this book just after finishing Of Other Worlds, and in particular the essay "On Stories", by C.S. Lewis. In that, he discusses the worth …

- Aug. 21, 2010
Of Other Worlds: Essays and Stories - Paperback -

I absolutely loved this little book. How could I not? One of my favorite authors, and one of the greatest minds of the 20th century takes the time to show …

- Aug. 15, 2010
The Handmaid's Tale - Paperback -

Let's first discuss the style and writing of The Handmaid's Tale. The writing, though not beautiful, is very impressive. Atwood does an excellent job of capturing the sense of …

- Aug. 8, 2010
The Tale of Genji - Paperback -

There is so much to say about The Tale of Genji, that it's ridiculous to even pretend like I can get everything in during this small critique. I'll do …

- July 25, 2010
Finnikin of the Rock - Hardcover -

There were times when I really enjoyed the story that was being told in Finnikin of the Rock. Unfortunately, the lack of consistency among the world and characters that …

- June 26, 2010
The Well at the World's End Volume II - Paperback -

First of all, it's worth getting out of the way that I absolutely loved reading the rest of Ralph's adventures in this, volume II. It's unfortunate that this edition had …

- June 19, 2010
Perelandra - Paperback -

This is the second time I've read Perelandra, but it has been about 10 years since that first reading experience. Surprisingly (or perhaps not considering how much I enjoyed …

- June 7, 2010
The Ringworld Engineers - Paperback -

I read the prequel to this book (Ringworld) several years ago, and only vaguely remember what happened in it. Obviously, this was before the book database. I did …

- May 31, 2010
The Light - Hardcover -

I have two major complaints about this book. First of all, I have read (or rather, listened to) the first 3 books in the Pendragon series, also written by D.J. …

- May 25, 2010
Unwind - Hardcover -

I would like to evaluate this book in terms of themes and ideas on one hand, and actual literary skill and composition on the other. First, this is a fascinating …

- May 18, 2010
Don Quixote - Paperback -

There is a lot to say about Don Quixote! This discussion will not be very linear or logical, so bear with me. What struck me immediately was how funny …

- May 13, 2010
The Well at the World's End Volume I - Paperback -

I was surprised when I started reading Well how archaic the language was. I knew it was written in the 1890s, so I was expecting more Lord of the Rings …

- April 21, 2010
A Personal Matter - Paperback -

I don't remember ever being as disgusted with the main character in a book as I was with Bird. How could he, upon seeing his new son, not want to …

- April 4, 2010
Secrets of the Dragon Sanctuary - Paperback -

I am still really enjoying this series. The things I've said in the past (fun, imaginative, exciting) all still ring true in this, the fourth volume. It took some time …

- March 25, 2010
Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close - Paperback -

This is an amazing book. Oskar Schell is one of the most endearing, lovable, and creative characters I can remember encountering in a book. His constant inventing was fascinating, and …

- March 15, 2010
Dubliners - Paperback -

I read Dubliners after finishing How to Read Literature Like a Professor because I thought it would present the perfect opportunity to test out the tools that How to presents. …

- March 7, 2010
How to Read Literature Like a Professor - Paperback -

How to Read Literature Like a Professor was simultaneously fascinating, frustrating, entertaining, motivating, and discouraging. I would like to consider each of these individually. The fascinating part came in all …

- Feb. 22, 2010