The Hypnotist-by M.J. Rose

The Hypnotist-by M.J. Rose

To sum up this book, I could use the old saying, “Too many cooks spoil the broth.” I really, really wanted to enjoy this book. I think the subject matter was very interesting: hypnosis, re-incarnation, and art. It had a lot of promise, using mystery/crime and tying it in with real world places. Where it failed, was in the multitude of characters. There were so many random unnecessary characters with minor subplots that I felt it tended to distract me from the main story itself. It kind of reminded me of a screen-play writer writing bit parts in a movie so their friends could each have a line or two and qualify for a SAG card. It took about ten chapters before I could remotely get interested in the story, but was then able to stay interested after that. All in all, the main story itself was good, and the idea and thought put into the story was interesting and thought provoking, but it would have been much better with less characters.

The Canal -By Daniel Morris

The Canal -By Daniel Morris

This has been one of the most descriptive books I have read in a long time. The Canal, is one of those books that is like a guilty pleasure; There are so many “wrong” things going on in the story, but you can not help yourself from putting the book down. It is definatly not a book for the person with a weak stomach (some of the writing was some of the most disgusting stuff I have read in quite sometime. Since I am not one of those, I found the story enjoyable. I was quite impressed with the amount of detail written about the characters so I felt as if I could picture them and form an opinion about them. Normally, I don't get that invested in the characters but this time I really did...for the most part I couldn't stand them, yet at the same time I couldn't get enough of them. At some times the story could get a little confusing, but it was when they were dealing with confused people and it took a few paragraphs to “catch on.” Other than that, the story was enjoyable and I would recommend it to those who like horror, gore, and dysfunctional people.

Permanent Obscurity-by Richard Perez

I enjoyed Permanent Obscurity, a story about two girls in their early twenties (I'm guessing), who are struggling with issues of sexual identity and drug abuse. It is written in a style that is gritty, yet can be funny an entertaining at the same time, with the predicaments that Sabrina and Deloris get themselves in to trying to make money. Unfortunately, their attempts to make money to pay for drugs end up in disaster every time. The book also contains graphic sexual content-as warned on their website (which the author and publishing company did an excellent job giving proper warning for those who might be offended). For the most part, the book kept me engaged, and was fast paced reading. There was a point at towards the end of Part I and the beginning of Part II, that had me questioning the condition of one of the characters who had been diagnosed with a condition which she would have had obvious symptoms at that point, with or without treatment, and the book just went on about partying. Eventually after about maybe fifty pages, her condition was mentioned again, answering my question. The story in some ways, reminded me of the movie “Kids” (1995); mainly, it was because of the reckless and irresponsible behavior of the characters. I think this would make an interesting independent film

Gemma-by Meg Tilly

Gemma-by Meg Tilly

This book was one of the more graphic, revolting, yet well written books that tells an all to familiar story about the reality of what is really goes in society. As someone who has worked as a child/adolescent therapist, and worked in the Juvenile Court system, Tilly did an excellent job capturing the mindset of both how some pedophiles operate and how the mindset of a twelve year old girl might operate. Being able to make the characters believable was key to making the story work. Though this was a work of fiction, it brings to light the reality that there are lots of “Gemma's” and “Hazen's” out there.   

A World Invisible -by Joanna O'Neill

A World Invisible -by Joanna O'Neill

This was a very interesting story based on a secret being kept in a family for over one hundred years. It involves solving a puzzle of sorts all hidden in the Victoria and Albert Museum, and how three cousins have to use their unique talents to find the pieces of the puzzle to solve the family secret. The story itself is a fantasy story, but the premise is a very interesting theory none the less. I also enjoyed reading about all of the art history that was involved in the cousins' search for clues to solving the puzzle. The book was very enjoyable to read, and it would be great if there were a second book...I'd love to know what happened next!

A Butterfly in Flame-by Nicholas Kilmer

A Butterfly in Flame-by Nicholas Kilmer

Being a native Bostonian, I am always eager to read books that take place in Massachusetts. I always like to look for accuracy and proper portrayal of the area (fictional or non-fictional). I was eager to read A Butterfly in Flame, which took place in the fictional town of “Stillton, MA.” Right away, I was impressed with the author's portrayal of the small coastal town, which was basically consisted of Art Academy, it's students, and faculty, which is very similar to real towns in Massachusetts. I was impressed with the two story lines that were going on throughout the story and the fact that the author did an excellent job not making the story too complex or confusing. I also found the art component very interesting. Furthermore, I enjoyed the Boston humor thrown in there, although I have never heard of the State Police referred to as “State Cops”...the only non-curse related term I have ever heard for them I have heard was the term “Stateys” (spelling on that is unclear). This book was fun to read, an interesting page turner, and one that actually kept me up wanting to read more and more until I fell asleep well after 2 am. That being said from me, is pretty impressive, since I have a 1 year old who's idea of fun is waking up at 5am.  

Buried Tales of Pinebox Texas- edited by Matt M. McElroy

Buried Tales of Pinebox Texas- edited by Matt M. McElroy

This was an extremely well written book of short stories by twelve talented authors, comprised of stories that could be compared to the Twilight Zone,meets Alfred Hitchcock,and of course, meets Edgar Allen Poein the 21^st century. There are stories to appeal to everyone's horror taste. Even if you are not a fan of certain types of horror genre, the dark humor and the fact that all of the stories are so unique made all of the stories enjoyable to read. There was gore, ghosts, monsters, and the unexplained, making the variety of stories well rounded. The book is well laid out, starting out with a transcript from a journalist interviewing members from the community of Pinebox as a way to acclimate the reader to the town, before diving in to the twelve stories. And the book also ends, with newspaper clippings that coincide with some of the stories told, which I also thought was a great way to finish off the book. 

Let The Right One In-by John Ajvide Lindqvist 10/9/2009

Let the Right One In -by John Ajvide Lindqvist 

This story differs from the usual girl next door bookin many ways. First, the book is a horror book, but interestingly enough, it is also about struggling as a preeteen, a love story, and about the bonds of friendship. The author has created several sub-plots within the story and characters who are all struggling with their own issues. The author does an excellent job switching between plots at a fast pace which keeps things interesting, yet does not confuse the reader. He (the author) does a wonderful job of meshing the different stories togeather in the end, again without confusion. The horro raspect of the book focuses on murder and vampires.  I was a bit skeptical at first before reading this book, because I am not a fan of vampire stories. The author did a great job of keeping the book not too vampire-ish,and it had enough mystrery and gore, and interesting storyline to keep me interested (it took me only a few days to read). My only complaint, which is not with the book, is with the title. Let the Right One In just does not grab my attention, and if I saw it somewhere, it might not get my interest. Maybe the cover would, but not the title. The book is translated into English from Sweedish and I think that something is lost in the title. I understand why it might be titled that, but I think someone in America could have come up with a catchier title. I hope people read this book and enjoy it as much as I did (and overlook the title).