The Rabid Reader - Recently Updated Pages

Post Apocalyptic Fiction

Anonymous — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 17:59:39 CST

The Postman by David Brin

The Last Ship by William Brinkley

Parable of the Sower by Octavia Butler

Folk of the Fringe by Orson Scott Card

What Niall Saw by Brian Cullen

Bangs and Whimpers by James Frenkel

Plainsong by Deborah Grabien

Into the Forest by Jean Hegland

Cell by Stephen King

Swan Song by Robert McCammon

The Shore of Women by Pamela Sargent

Dies the Fire by S.M. Stirling

Warday and the Journey Onward by Whitley Strieber

A Gift Upon the Shore by M.K. Wren

Dr. Bloodmoney by Phillip K Dick

Grace Hammer

Anonymous — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:27:06 CST

Looking for Some Good Historical Fiction?

Look no farther than Grace Hammer: A Novel of the Victorian Underworld by Sara Stockbridge. I swept away by the story of Grace, a skillful thief, who is supporting her four young children quite nicely by thieving in the Whitechapel area of London. This novel has frequently been compared to Charles Dickens' books. There are similarities; a large cast of quirky characters with unusual names, and the squalor of London is vivid. "She is a sly piece of work, Mrs. Mirabel Trotter, like a great flabby toad lurking under a dank rock, staring out from the gloom at her dinner."

Grace's easy life is threatened by the hulking, violent Mr. Blunt, from whom she had stolen a large ruby necklace at the beginning of her career. Will she be betrayed or saved by her vast circle of friends and acquaintances amongst the prostitutes, thieves, fences, and drunkards that inhabit the squalor of London in 1888. The many twists and turns through atmospheric 19th century England make it a very interesting journey to find the answer.

The Story Sisters

CBT — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:06:11 CDT

The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman.
I was immediately drawn into the lives of the Story sisters. I know the reviews have been mixed, but what I love about Alice Hoffman are her descriptions and her ability to make me feel like I am there. I could smell the damp earth in the garden, taste the tomatoes still warm from the sun, and feel the sisters' sadness.

Art in America

CBT — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:03:45 CDT

Art in America by Ron McLarty

This is a great listen- read by the author. A middle-aged unpublished writer from NYC heads for a tiny Colorado town to write a play to celebrate the town's history. The cast of characters he meets includes a bald headed woman artist, a 90 year-old pistol-packing rancher embroiled in a land dispute with a pompous rafting entrepreneur, yuppie idealists, local cowboys, a retired Boston detective acting as sheriff (with his dead partner along), and various other townsfolk.

As the play progresses and history gets written and rewritten (depending on who's telling it), the court fight over property rights heats up and a potentially violent woman plots the town's destruction at the time of the play.

This is laugh out loud funny at times, but also thoughtful and warm. The language might offend some, but it's honest and true.

The Book of Will: how Shakespeare's 1st folio conquered the world

CBT — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 11:00:24 CDT

The Book of Will: How Shakespeare's first folio conquered the world, by Paul Collins. Ever since reading the literary thriller Interred with Their Bones by Jennifer Lee Carrell, I have been fascinated by all things folio related. The first folio was the first book that contained all (well, almost all) of Shakespeare's plays. It was assembled by two of his closest friends and fellow actors from the Globe Theatre. Later folios were to follow but the first folio is considered to be the closest thing we'll ever have to what Shakespeare really wrote. The intervening centuries have not been kind to that first run of folios and those that still exist are each worth a fortune. To tell the story of the folio, Collins takes the reader on a tour of seemingly unimpressive locations throughout modern day London and then proceeds to deconstruct the now bus stop or chip shop back to the 1600's where there once stood a famous printer or bookstore. So, if I had the time, not only would I read The Book of Will, I would read it in London and follow the path of the famous folio that Collins has so meticulously mapped out. And when I needed a break from reading I would prowl around some old shops looking for an ancient, tattered old "promt book" for a play entitled Love's Labour's Wonne, for even though a folio sold recently at Sotheby's for 5 million dollars it's still not perfect. It's still missing that pesky little play...hmm. I wonder how much that would bring in at auction?

If You Like Carl Hiaasen, try

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 20:33:48 CDT

Ben Rehder

Dave Barry

Edna Buchanan

Jimmy Buffet

S.V. Date

Tim Dorsey

Janet Evanovich

James W. Hall

Elmore Leonard

Laurence Shames

Les Standiford

Randy Wayne White

The Night Villa

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:18:02 CDT

The Night Villa by Carol Goodman

Classics professor Sophie Chase is drawn against her better judgment to the isle of Capri to participate in the excavation of the Night Villa, which was destroyed by Mount Vesuvius. She hopes to find a journal written by the young slave girl she wrote her thesis on who was embroiled in a fight for her freedom in the Roman Courts.

The sultry atmosphere of Capri was so beautiful described I felt I had escaped from New Hampshire’s harsh spring weather. I couldn’t wait to get back to the book to find out what new twist had developed amongst the devious crew of characters; the software millionaire, the brilliant, beautiful yet insecure student, the worldly professor who is Sophie’s former lover, and the ex-husband who had disappeared into the mysterious Pythagoras Cult. All this and secret pagan rites too. You will find this literary thriller difficult to put down.

Revenge of the Spellmans

Anonymous — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 13:17:06 CDT

Lisa Lutz has written another smile-inducing novel about the lunatic family of detectives, the Spellmans. In Revenge of the Spellmans, Izzy is hiding from her family in her brother's secret apartment, in danger of losing her bartending job, has a car that constantly goes missing, her sister Rae is accused of cheating on the PSATs, her brother David looks unkempt and is missing a lot of work, and Izzy's parents are pressuring her to commit to the family business.

Honolulu

Anonymous — Wed, 01 Apr 2009 13:14:20 CDT

Alan Brennert has returned with another superb historical novel about Hawaii, this one titled Honolulu. The novel begins in Korea where daughters are not appreciated, and are given names like Anger, Pity, Sorrow, and Regret. Regret becomes a picture bride who leaves a bleak future in Korea in the hopes of a better life in the paradise of Hawaii. She arrives in Hawaii in 1914 and is married to the man who paid for her. The struggle to build a life together on the pineapple plantation ends when he begins to beat her. Regret flees to Honolulu, changes her name to Jin, is taken in by a wise cracking prostitute, and learns how to make her way in the bustling island city. History provides an panoramic backdrop of racial intolerance, Spanish Flu, the Depression, and World War II.

I had a hard time putting this book down. The characters were all so beautifully developed that it felt like saying farewell to friends when the novel finished. Make sure to read this intriguing history of Honolulu, and the Hawaiians, Koreans, Japanese, and Americans who built it. You won't regret it.

Walking in Circles Before Lying Down

Anonymous — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 08:10:30 CST

Walking In Circles Before Lying Down by Merrill Markoe
Dawn’s dysfunctional family is in a constant state of drama, yet her sister insists on being her Life Coach, her boyfriend has just left her, and her workplace is shutting down due to insurance issues. It’s no wonder Dawn thinks she is going mental when she realizes all the conversations she is overhearing at doggy daycare are being held by the dogs. Thus begins a hilarious examination of one confused human’s life by her loving dog, Chuck. Chuck tries to find her a good man, but a dog’s priorities are little different from a woman’s, a “humpy” butcher is his top pick. Chuck explains many mysteries to Dawn, dog’s marking is all about real estate, why dogs circle before they lie down, and why they tear the eyes out of stuffed animals. It is laugh out loud funny if you have a dog, imagine what they are really saying when they hear the doorbell ring, or they are riding in the car. “Dude,” said a voice from the backseat, “dead possum on the right. Check it out. Big one.”
This is a perfect book for the grey, busy days of winter, light and amusing.

The Host

PrestonF451 — Thu, 26 Feb 2009 07:16:11 CST

The author describes this book as Science Fiction for people who do not like Science Fiction, she is WRONG on that matter. She got everything else RIGHT.

Written in the first person, the first person is a member of an alien parasite race that has conquered humanity. They are inside all but a few human beings. When this insertion occurs, it goes some what a rye. The human being does not sit back and go away. She and her host fight it out tooth and nail becoming friends as they do.

A wonderful read, and it is wonderfully long! I am hoping for more adult books from Stephanie Meyer.

if you like Iris johansen try

Anonymous — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 12:56:47 CST

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

Marley: a Dog Like No Other

Anonymous — Tue, 10 Feb 2009 18:05:58 CST

Marley; a dog like no other by John Grogan
The book was based on the John Grogan's dog, or is it. The events that happended were all true, i think. The only sad part is when Marley had to be put to sleep(killed). But at one point in Marley's life, John was going to sled downhill when Marley jumped on the sled as soon as John takes off. LOL!!That was one of many funny parts in the book.

twilight

Anonymous — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 01:15:27 CST

There is no abstract available for this page revision.

The Midwife's Apprentice

Anonymous — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 16:55:29 CST

The Midwife's Apprentice by Karen Cushman
Alyce was called names like beetle, and people were being mean to her. She worked hard but people still disrespected her, but at the end of the book, she was treated a lot better.

Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception

Foaly — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 13:20:45 CST

The fourth in the series and Colfer has not had a “difficult” sequel in any of them. This book follows two main narratives, one of Artemis Fowl and the other Opal Koboi, These two main characters are genii, and they make sure you know about it. Parallel to the genius theme are epic moments of comic relief provided by witty banter between characters, often using the differences between their species and readable thoughts printed in italic to full effect.

There is a treasure trove of technology presented by the character Foaly the Centaur, he is to the Artemis Fowl series what Q is to bond. But he meets his match in Opal Koboi's ingenuity. This leads to many entirely entertaining chapters of Artemis being outdone by the equipment of others and overcoming them with the help of his fairy friends, and of course his ever present bodyguard aptly named Butler.

You must not let the mention of Fairies, Centaurs and dwarves put you off this book, Colfer has written no fairytale. Fairies have been re-invented, they are as technologically advanced as most of us expect aliens to be, and still with a hint of magic. Colfer even makes light of the legends and myths surrounding the Fairies we were told when we were children, such as the leprechaun. It is said in the book that this is a misinterpretation of LEPrecon (Lower Elements Police recon) the elite group of Fairy police officers that track down other rogue Fairies.

Overall this is a truly fabulously written book with ingenious inventions presented with full explanations, and characters that should have their own stand-up slots on comedy central, a perfect mixture of wit, humour and world saving antics with a supernatural twist.

The Rabid Reader

CBT — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:19:30 CDT

This wiki is for all of us who love to read. This is your chance to find books you might enjoy by looking at our reviews, and to share great books you have read with other readers. We welcome polite discussion and debate. If you didn't like a book, add a comment. If you loved it, add a comment.

Adding a new page to the wiki is as easy as sending e-mail.

To add a new topic or review:
On the main page, click on “add a new page”
Enter a page name.

Click on “add page’ and you are ready to click on the Easy Edit button and start writing your review!

So, what have you read recently?

Confessions of a Teen Nanny

Anonymous — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 18:23:12 CDT

Confessions of a Teen Nanny by Victoria Ashton
The two girls, Adrienne Lewis and Liz Braun are irresistably indulging to the minds of readers. I sometimes like to imitate it and use my friends and family and put them into the book. I totally relate to Liz, she's funny and very bright, and Adrienne is quite endeering. I've read all three books about 4 times each and Victoria needs to make a fourth! BRILLIANT!

Dial L for Loser

Anonymous — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 14:49:15 CDT

Dial L for Loser by Lisi Harrison
The book is all about girls who are my age that go through lots of things such as being late for class and getting detentions. These girls are rich and they go to a private school (which has a pool). The girls are living my dream, that's why I love reading this series.

Dial L for loser -
The Pretty Committee scores tickets to The Daily Grind, where Abby Boyd and Hadley Durk are revealed to do an interview together, something that hasn't happened since Abby stole Hadley's boyfriend, Palmer Dryden. Backstage, Dylan Marvil tells TPC a confidential secret in the bathroom, Abby has been kissing Hadley's boyfriend for the past few weeks. But unfortunately, Merri-Lee Marvil's co-host had her microphone on in the bathroom. This results in the entire audience hearing the secret, including Abby and Hadley.
When Abby and Hadley hear this they can’t even speak. Hadley is so mad with Abby that she quits the Dial L for Loser and Abby is the only one on the set. The night that Massie has a sleepover with the Pretty Committee, Merri-Lee Marvil's co-host calls because Merri- Lee’s co-host took Massie’s phone, he asks her and her friends to come LA for an audition in the studio. All of them said yes. All he said was for Dylan not to come because she thought the she made Hadley quit the picture.

Sealed with a Diss

Anonymous — Thu, 25 Sep 2008 17:29:18 CDT

Sealed with a Diss by Lisi Harrison
This was one of my FAVORITE books ever! i cant b