Monthly Archives: February 2013

Book Log Review – 2012

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Huh.  I never did a 2012 roundup.  What’s WRONG with me?

Books read in 2004: 21
Books read in 2005: 28
Books read in 2006: 40
Books read in 2007: 30
Books read in 2008: 41
Books read in 2009: 22
Books read in 2010: 44
Books read in 2011: 28
Books read in 2012: 31

1. Installing Linux on a Dead Badger by Lucy A. Snyder

2. The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby by Charles Dickens

3. The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest by Stieg Larsson

4. Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? (and other concerns) by Mindy Kaling

5. The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens

6. A Hat Full of Sky: A Tiffany Aching Adventure by Terry Pratchett

7. Snuff by Terry Pratchett

8. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

9. Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games Trilogy) by Suzanne Collins

10. Mockingjay (The Final Book of the Hunger Games Trilogy) by Suzanne Collins

11. Restaurant Success by the Numbers: A Money-Guy’s Guide to Opening the Next Hot Spot by Roger Fields

12. A Game of Thrones: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book One by R.R. Martin

13. God, No! by Pen Jillette

14. Rhubarb by M.H. Van Keuren

15. You Are Not So Smart by David McRaney

16. Mercury Falls by Robert Kroese

17. Mercury Swings by Robert Kroese

18. Mercury Rises by Robert Kroese

19. A Clash of Kings: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Two by George R.R. Martin

20. A Storm of Swords: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Three by George R.R. Martin

21. A Feast for Crows: A Song of Ice and Fire: Book Four by George R.R. Martin

22. A Dance with Dragons (A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 5) by George R.R. Martin

23. Molly Fyde and the Parsona Rescue (The Bern Saga Book 1) by Hugh C. Howey

24. Some Remarks: Essays and Other Writing by Neal Stephenson

25. Sick Puppy by Carl Hiassen

26. Anne of Green Gables by L. M. Montgomery

27(x). The Force is Middlling in this One (and Other Ruminations from the Outskirts of the Empire) by Robert A. Kroese – ABANDONED

27. Forbidden Gospels and Epistles by Archbishop Wake

28. I Shall Wear Midnight by Terry Pratchett

29. Unseen Academicals by Terry Pratchett

30. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline

31. Casino Royale by Ian Fleming

 

 

Book Log – The Beggar King

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The Beggar King: A Hangman’s Daughter Tale by Oliver Potzsch

It’s depressing to me that it is February 1st, and all I’ve read this year is a Young Adult fantasy by Terry Pratchett and… this.

The author lives in Munich, and comes from a line of executioners, so obviously he’s done some family research to come up with this tale.

Let’s be clear: I’ve never written a book. I don’t know that I could write a book of any worth.

But I would not have been happy with this book had I written it.

I guess there’s a lot of historical research of the time period, and I’m sure it’s accurate. The novel was originally translated in German, so perhaps it just didn’t translate very well.

But I was annoyed with the bizarre reactions of the characters. The heroine and her beau were always getting in fights at these really critical times. I mean, they are in real, physical danger, surrounded by enemies, and one of them stomps off in a huff. Repeatedly. They are under suspicion by the entire town for arson, and the heroine is not bothered by the fact that her boyfriend has wandered out of the inn unannounced and not returned, so she goes off to a fancy dress ball.

Other than that, not a very interesting story, dull characters, little humor.

I only read it because it was available through Amazon’s lending library. I need to be more particular.