Dead Until Dark by Charlaine Harris (Sookie Stackhouse: Book 1)

This is the first book in the Sookie Stackhouse series, the series that the HBO show True Blood is based on. I read it for the first time ages ago, well before the show came out, and then again earlier this summer. Wanting a comfort book, I picked it up again this week. No, it's not that great of a book, but gosh it's entertaining enough for me.

Sookie, the main character, is a waitress in Bon Temps, Louisiana, a small town. Vampires 'came out' recently after the invention of synthetic blood, and are now working to integrate into society. Sookie has her own quirks - she's a telepath who has trouble blocking out others' thoughts. One day the first vampire she's met, Bill, comes into the bar she works at. She saves him from some 'drainers' (people who sell vampire blood, the new drug of choice), and is thrilled to discover that she can't hear his thoughts. Sookie and Bill begin dating, and small-town vampire and other supernatural drama ensues.

Of course the mystery is solved by the end, and you're interested enough in the characters to read the next book to see what they'll manage to turn up next. If you like not-too-challenging mysteries, like a good beach read, and don't mind vampires, this is a very entertaining book (and series).

8/10

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn

I guess the first thing you'd want to know about this book is that is chronicles a conversation between a guy (a writer) and a gorilla. The guy meets the gorilla after answering a newspaper ad: "TEACHER seeks pupil. Must have an earnest desire to save the world. Apply in person."

The book offers an alternative history (or creation story) for humanity, and how we got to where we are today. It explains why we are ruining the world, and what needs to change in order to prevent us from completely destroying it.

Really, this was one of the strangest books I've read, but I think I really enjoyed it. I'm not sure I completely understand the 'next steps' that I was supposed to glean from the book, but the ideas have definitely been percolating in the back of my mind. Reading the book definitely gives you an interesting alternative to human history (and certain Bible stories).

I recommend it, if you can get past the silent human-baboon conversation idea.

7/10

Naked Heat by "Richard Castle"

This is the second book in the Nikki Heat series, which is an offshoot of the TV show "Castle". Basically, if you like the TV show, you'll like reading these books. This particular book could have used a little bit more editing (at least in the Kindle edition), but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Some of the twists were predictable (for me, which is saying something), but, again, if you like the show, you'll like the books just as much.

I'm excited for the third book to come out later this year - it lets me imagine the TV series shows without actually watching TV. And it's always fun to imagine Nathan Fillion!

7/10

A Feast for Crows: A Song of Ice and Fire, Book 4 by George R. R. Martin

Oy. It was no joke that this book is just bonkers hard to get through. There's a note from the author at the end of the book, explaining that he had written a book twice as long, and "To tell the story that I wanted to tell, I was going to have to cut the book in two. ... The more I thought about that, however, the more I felt that the readers would be better served by a gook that told all the story for half the characters, rather than half the story for all the characters."

The story was interesting, but much too long, and followed all of the minor characters. Seven hundred pages of reading about the minor characters was a major slog to get through. I hope reading this to get to the fifth book was worth it!

3/10

Heat Wave by Richard Castle (sorta)

So, after the TV show Castle became such a hit (Nathan Fillion as Richard Castle, a mystery writer), a book was released by Richard Castle, Heat Wave. It is the book that Castle is supposed to be writing during the first season of the show, based on his time spent 'researching' detective work in the NYPD.

If you like the show, the book is a hoot. It reads almost as another episode of the show, but with more detail and more racy (since it's Castle's writing, and not his 'real life'). It's a great summer murder mystery read.

I (briefly) tried to figure out who really wrote this book, but the Amazon page is true to the game and lists Richard Castle as the author, complete with a bio that fits with the show. Interesting to see TV spawning books!

Two more books have come out since this one - I'll be reading the second one soon!

(7/10)

A Storm of Swords: A song of Ice and Fire: Book 3 by George R. R. Martin

I just finished the third book in the Game of Thrones series, reading inspired by the new HBO show. After watching the pilot episode, I decided to read the first book before watching the rest of season 1 (each season follows one of the books) to help me understand what was happening and keep track of the characters. After finishing the first book (7/10) and watching the first season, I continued on to the second (6/10) and now the third books. What Tao told me about this series before I began to read it is that the author tends to kill of characters just as you start to like them, and I'd say it's a fair assessment. There are lots of different plots to follow - each chapter is told from the point of view of a different character (thankfully you know which character it is, it doesn't make you figure it out as you read). I almost wish I were reading hard copies of the books rather than on the Kindle so that I could look at the maps more easily from time to time, but it's not a big deal.

Basic premise: Seven Kingdoms are united under one ruler, and this is about the fight to be in control. There are various families contending for the throne, lots of interesting subplots, and some really interesting and cool characters. I'm really enjoying the series so far (though I've been warned that the fourth book focuses on minor characters), and am happy to be reading a series where the end is in sight (the author needs to finish the series so that the TV series can also be completed). The fifth book was just released this month.

I strongly recommend watching the series after (or as) you read the first book, especially if you have difficulty keeping characters straight. I found that after watching the series I was much more successful at knowing who was who while reading the second book because I had mental images of most of the main characters and that made it easier for me to keep track. Also the series is just plain fun (if racy - it IS HBO). One other thing I love about this series - I have *no idea* who's going to win in the end, totally opposite of most fantasy books/series. There's always an unexpected twist.

To sum up - enjoyable series so far, I definitely recommend it if it's your kind of story (fantasy). Book 3: 7/10

Reluctant Disciplinarian by Gary Rubinstein

This is really a book aimed at beginning or early teachers, about how to be more successful at classroom management. The author was a Teach for America fellow, and apparently has an awful first year, complete with kids punching him and trash cans set on fire. Once he got his act together, he wrote this book in hopes of helping other new teachers avoid some of his mistakes.

I can't say I agree with all of his advice - the whole 'no smiling until Christmas' thing always felt wrong to me - but it was an interesting (and quick) read that helped me to think about how I manage my own classes, and how I might tweak some of my methods. I also like that the author acknowledges (some of) the (many) failings of teacher education, especially when it comes to teaching new teachers how to control a classroom.

I'd recommend reading this book to relatively new teachers, or any teacher having trouble controlling classes.

6/10