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Byron V. (vermillion) - Reviews

1 to 18 of 18
The Buried Giant
The Buried Giant
Author: Kazuo Ishiguro
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 15
Review Date: 5/6/2017


I liked this book a lot, because it made you think. The story itself was really interesting, because the author did a great job of portraying life in ancient Britain. The deeper meaning of the story to me, about past lies and forgiveness, also rang true.


The Color of Magic (Discworld, Bk 1)
The Color of Magic (Discworld, Bk 1)
Author: Terry Pratchett
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.8/5 Stars.
 432
Review Date: 9/28/2010


If you like Terry Prachett, you'll love this one -- typical weirdness, great characters, and bizarre plot twists. The ending is very lame, however; unless there is a sequel, I don't get it. Nevermind! If you are not familiar wioth the DiscWorld, but you lke fantasy and humor, this book is for you. If you are a fan of Douglas Adams' "The Restaurant at the End of the Universe", you'll love the DiscWorld series. I think, however, that Prachett has much better books in the series than this one. Like I said above, ge didn't seem to know how to wnd this one. I still recommend it highly.


Curse of the Spellmans (Izzy Spellman, Bk 2)
Curse of the Spellmans (Izzy Spellman, Bk 2)
Author: Lisa Lutz
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 38
Review Date: 9/28/2012


Izzy Spelman is weird and funny; a Private Dectective with an overactive imagination. She and her family operate a PI agency and are all as strange and funny as they can be. Think Stephanie Plum with more skills and more weirdness. A lot of fun and recommended highly.


Dare to Be Great, Ms. Caucus
Dare to Be Great, Ms. Caucus
Author: Gary Trudeau, G. R. Trudeau
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.8/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 2/20/2013


Great vintage Trudeau. It's interesting how his drawing has changed over the years, but the wit is still as sharp as ever. A nice trip down memory lane.


David and the Phoenix
David and the Phoenix
Author: Edward Ormondroyd
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 11/8/2015
Helpful Score: 1


It was one of my favorite books from childhood, and re-reading it, I remember why. It's got it all - humor, excitement, sadness. I just love this book! I wish there was a sequel. I guess that's the mark of a great book, you hate it when you are finished and wish there was more!


Forever Odd (Odd Thomas, Bk 2)
Forever Odd (Odd Thomas, Bk 2)
Author: Dean Koontz
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 737
Review Date: 11/18/2012


Odd Thomas sees dead people. He also helps them by bringing their killers to justice. The first person narration is nice, and there are good splashes of humor in the middle of the heavy tale. The story is predictable, with a nice twist at the end. It's the kind of book you can read quickly at the beach or on a plane. No deep thinking required.


Fourth and Long Gone
Fourth and Long Gone
Author: Pepper Rodgers
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 2/17/2009


This is a really funny book about college football and especially recruiting. It's written by a guy who has really done it -- Pepper Rodgers, who coached at, among other places, Georgia tech. It's a work of fiction, but the stories have to have a lot of truth behind them -- you know there was a lot of wierdness out in the recruiting world. A good read for sports fans, but it's also a good story.


The Girl on the Train: A Novel
The Girl on the Train: A Novel
Author: Paula Hawkins
Book Type: Hardcover
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 466
Review Date: 3/11/2017


Good story, you can probably figure out who-Dunn it, however. I liked the narration style, told in diary-like manner. Worth a read.


King of the Murgos (Malloreon, Bk 2)
King of the Murgos (Malloreon, Bk 2)
Author: David Eddings
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.1/5 Stars.
 241
Review Date: 8/13/2011


This is the second in a series and Eddings keeps the action moving. Evil minions have captured the King's infant son in order to perorm some unspeakable sacrifice, and to rescue him, the heroes travel south to the land of the Murgos, a race that they have perpetually clashed with. However, the Murgo King turns out to be a surprise, which adds a nice twist to the plot. The characters are a bit cartoonish, but in a fantasy like this, who cares? The story is fun, entertaining, and full of twists and turns. Highly recommend the whole series.


The Magic Christian
The Magic Christian
Author: Terry Southern
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.2/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 8/23/2016


Now getting it ready! If is a satire on the establishment of the 50's and 60's. Shocking back then, but still funny now. Not for everyone, but it has some really great moments. It's a quick read, and aft you read the book, try to find the movie.


Native Son
Native Son
Author: Richard Wright
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.6/5 Stars.
 39
Review Date: 11/7/2011


This story was written in the 1940's and is about a young Black man in Chicago in the 1930's. It is well-written and very troubling. If anyone talks about the "good old days", they certainly weren't good for Black people. The language and telling of the story are excellent, although the 1940's language and expressions are a little dfficult to read. The outcome of the the story was obvious from the first; that was the point. I recommend it to anyone that likes to think about what they read.


Never Tell Your Mother This Dream
Never Tell Your Mother This Dream
Author: Nicole Hollander
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 2/26/2010


If you love Nicole Hollander's quirky humor, this book will please you. If you are not familiar with her style, she is clever, sarcastic and intellectual. Her drawings are electic and clever as well.


Orcs
Orcs
Author: Stan Nicholls
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 3.3/5 Stars.
 33
Review Date: 11/27/2011


Fast moving, lots of fighting and action; not a lot of character development outside of stereotypes. A fun quick read for Fantasy lovers who want to hear about one battle after another. Still, kind of fun to have orcs as the good guys and us humans as the bad guys. these orcs, however, more resemble US Marines than any Tolkein creation.


The Redbreast (Harry Hole, Bk 3)
The Redbreast (Harry Hole, Bk 3)
Author: Jo Nesbo, Don Bartlett (Translator)
Book Type: Mass Market Paperback
  • Currently 3.7/5 Stars.
 43
Review Date: 6/11/2014


A dark but very interesting and entertaining story. The title character is a great tortured soul and the setting of Oslo and Norway is fascinating. The plot line was also great. Who knew so many Norweigans fought for the Third Reich? Looking forward to others in the series.


Some Buried Caesar (Nero Wolfe, Bk 6)
Some Buried Caesar (Nero Wolfe, Bk 6)
Author: Rex Stout
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.4/5 Stars.
 38
Review Date: 8/26/2016


Typical Nero Wolfe


Tales from Planet Sylvia
Tales from Planet Sylvia
Author: Nicole Hollander
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4.3/5 Stars.
 2
Review Date: 4/3/2012


Planet Sylvia is off the wall, clever, and very funny. I liked the personal notes she included; gives you an insight into what the author was thinking. A must for Sylvia fans.


Talk about Good!
Talk about Good!
Author: Floyd Sonnier
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 5/5 Stars.
 1
Review Date: 3/5/2009


This is not only the best Cajun cookbook ever written, it may just be one of the best of any kind of cooking. I learned how to cook using it, and it has authentic Louisiana recipies.


You're Never Too Old for Nuts and Berries
You're Never Too Old for Nuts and Berries
Author: Gary Trudeau
Book Type: Paperback
  • Currently 4/5 Stars.
 3
Review Date: 2/22/2013


Funny and a trip down memory lane. It's interesting to recall the early 70's, but Trudeau is still funny. Recommended.


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