Review: Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls


Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls
Let's Explore Diabetes with Owls by David Sedaris

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



This is a departure from my usual reading. I've heard a number of David Sedaris's essays on This American Life, and I've enjoyed them, so I thought I would try one of his audio books. This is a broad collection without any particular theme that I took away. There are a few gems here that gave me a chuckle, such David's experience waiting in line at an airline and the idle chit-chat with other folks there. Some of the essays were taped in front of a live audience, and I found that I preferred those. Overall I'm not sure that I would go out of my way to recommend this book, but it did help to pass the time during my commute.



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Review: Neverwhere


Neverwhere
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I really enjoyed this tale. Each of the characters has a distinct voice that I can hear as I'm reading them. I can see twitchy Mr. Croup fancying himself eloquent as Mr. Vandermar ambles along with him, at once bemused and bored. The environment of London below is visceral. It may be the heat of August right now, but I can feel the cold and damp as Richard and Door weave their way throughout London Below.

I've recommended Stardust to many folks, and I would recommend Neverwhere just as highly.



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Review: A Killing Frost


A Killing Frost
A Killing Frost by John Marsden

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



The first book in the series was excellent because it introduced us to the characters as well as the invasion that changed these kids' lives forever. The second book was ok, but I this third installment was so much better. The group from Hell has taken on a much bigger target as they investigate Cobbler's bay, but the risks are also much higher as well.

If I had one criticism of this series it is that all of the character emotions are a bit shallow. That's not to say the characters are shallow. These teenagers are in an awful situation, and I would expect there to be some extremes to their highs and lows. Instead, everything seems to move along with only modest ups and downs. I was especially aware of this in the last few pages which involves a very dramatic turn but it seems to elicit little if any response from the characters.

I'm enjoying this series, and eager to see what the next installment will have the troop from Wirrawee doing.



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Jade Mason