Did someone say "Discworld Book Club"?

Title: Rudy
Author: Terry Poole
Publisher: MLR Press
Series: Shifting Through the Snow Book 2
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"Rudy" by Terry Poole
My Thoughts....

This was sweet m/m relationship that started almost from the first time Rudy meet Clay. However there will be a lots that will go on from Rudy and his crazy side of the family. There seems to be a lots of hatred due to Rudy's father, sons [especially Donny, Rudy's older half brother and his mother It was quite a delightful read as we see Clay enter the picture and was truly their for Rudy definitely being his protector.

I liked how this author brings in the shifting with the reindeer effect of the read and all from the cast of characters become part of the Rudolph the red nosed reindeer story:From Rudy..Rudolph the red nosed reindeer, Clay..Rudolph's love interest, Herman ...Hermy elf dentist, Donny.. Donner, Louis... Dasher, Daniel...Dancer, Juno... Cupid, Halley,...Comet, Rai...Blitzen, Tripper...Prancer, Dixon...Vixen and and list goes on. "Rudy" story will definitely have a 'new take on Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer.'


This is one of those reads that you will have you will have to pick up "Rudy" to get the gust to the read and all because I don't want to spoil it by telling you too much. Once you start the read it will hold your attention as we see rather 'Clay will be able to save Rudy's life and the end up in a HEA, the toy factory being saved' and will of Rudy's horrible family members get what they deserved with all of the harm that they had caused him?

Interesting. 

Harry Potter's series is a turn-off for men but turn-on for women? 

Bible is a turn-off? Sure.

There is a list of books that I would say a total turn-off. Twilight, 50 Shades, The Secret, Deepak Chopra, are all on the turn-off list for all gender. 

It is harder than I thought to name four favourite books. If I read have to, I would imagine myself stuck in an airport with a delay flight, and which 4 books would help me survive. 

Epic

I don’t know about you, but I consider 700-page books pretty epic. This is probably the largest book I’ve read this year. It follows the journey of one Shea Ohmsford across this strange world with evil creatures lurking around every corner. It reminded me of when I read The Lord of The Rings and the Hobbit. I guess I’ll start with a recommendation that you should only read this book if you can read books like The Lord of The Rings.

Weird Language

Maybe it’s Brooks’s style, but I found when he mentioned a second person and called them “The other” etc. strange. It made sense, but it didn’t feel quite so natural and almost jolted me out of the story every time. I guess it’s because he wrote this in the 80’s. I haven’t read the next books so I can’t say whether he continues with the style.

Theme

From now on, I’m going to try work out the theme of each book. This is more an exercise for me to think slightly deeper about the book and reflect on what the book means to me. I believe the theme Brooks was trying to communicate in The Sword of Shannara is courage. Shea is a small-town boy who travels across a mysterious world, further than he has ever ventured before. That took courage for him to do. There are also other themes I see, such as trust, as the Druid doesn’t tell him everything and he must trust this man.

There are also (because this book is so long) other themes, such as never judge a book by its cover (quite a few characters have this trait), truth (could be argued that it’s the central theme of the book), and so much more.

Characters

I’m now starting to like books that have better characters. That means that the mannerisms are there and the little things that make a character unique. It’s a bit harder to show this in omniscient viewpoint because you’re always switching characters. I did notice some subtle differences in the characters, but mostly I got annoyed knowing everything that is happening everywhere.

Recommendation

Well, I thought it was a pretty good read for 700 pages. At times, it was a little slow and the paragraphs a little too long (it’s like looking at a wall of text). But overall, I believe I did enjoy the book and the story (it’s probably a bit overplayed now so the book doesn’t feel unique). I would recommend you buy this second hand because the new editions are expensive (sorry Brooks). I’ll get around the reading the next two in the original series later this year as it took me quite a few weeks to read this.

Title: I Almost Forgot About You
Author: Terry McMillan
Publisher: Crown
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:

"I Almost Forgot About You" by Terry McMillan

My Thoughts.....

This was one of those reads that you will not want to put down this engaging and entertaining read until the end. The author offers the her readers so much in her read from relationships between best friends. ex-spouses, ex-lovers, parents, children, grandchildren, friendship, humorous, with some very interesting characters, love of family, second chance with a past lover, gay, lesbian, self discovery, to commitment and even more you may find when you pick up the read.

I loved reading about Dr. Georgia Young[African-American] who was a Optometrist in her mid 50's, twice divorced, two daughter and now she thought it would be a wonderful idea to contact her old lovers and let them know just how much they had meant to her in her life. Just why would she want to do this? To find out you will have to pick up this well written read to see how and why this author brings it out so well to her readers. What will Ms. Georgia who was a 'home owner, attractive and independent' find out about her life as she looks back on what has gone on the first half of her life?

Be ready for a little bit of it all as the readers are lead on a journey.....from "love, regrets, romance, love inspiration" with a wonderful protagonist that will keep it so real to the readers from page one to the end.

What I especially liked about "I Almost Forgot About You" showed that just because you are in your mid 50's [or whatever] doesn't mean you are at the end of your life...for many it may be time to start a brand new chapter.

Thank you 'Blogging For Books' for gifting this read to me for my honest opinion of the read.