I can't believe it's the end of April already. This month flew by. I've decided to incorporate ratings into my book reviews based on a 7 star system. A 7 star book is the best, but anything 4 or above is a good pick. I had a hard time picking a book of the month for April, so I have a special giveaway in its place. Read to the bottom for more information!
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller - The Dog Stars is the story of one man's life in a post apocalyptic world. We quickly learn this world is a vicious fight for survival, not only against disease, but against other people. But, in the middle of this tough environment, we watch Hig, the protoganist, search for meaning and eventually find it through relationships. The writing style takes some getting used to because Heller doesn't use dialogue in a traditional manner. I enjoyed the book greatly as a portrait into our humanity. 5 out of 7 stars.
Z 2134 by Sean Platt & David Wright - Z 2134 is one of Sean Platt and David Wright's many serials. Platt and Wright arrange the content into episodes (roughly novella length) which are released weekly. I read the first four episodes which compose season one and ended up a little disappointed. The description clearly states it's a combination of the Hunger Games, Walking Dead and 1984, and I wish they didn't stick so true to that statement. On the upside, Z 2134 is well written and the plot is engaging. I finished episode 4 wanting more and for many questions to be answered so I think despite it all, I'm hooked. I'm looking forward to trying out more serials from Platt and Wright. 4 out of 7 stars.
Jesus Is by Judah Smith - I enjoyed reading Judah Smith's book. There wasn't anything revolutionary in the book, but it was a good reminder of how following Jesus guides my faith as a Christian. I'd recommend this book to a new christian. However, if you are looking for a book with deep theology, this isn't the book to read. 4 out of 7 stars.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel - I bought Life of Pi over a year ago for my kindle when it was a daily deal. I have many books on my kindle through those deals and it takes me way too long to get to them. However, I am glad I finally read Life of Pi. The novel starts a bit slow, but once Pi is on the lifeboat I was sucked into the story. Themes of faith, imagination, story and reality are intertwined throughout the book. The writing is clear and concise with beautiful and sometimes disturbing imagery. This is a book I can read many times and I look forward to watching the film now. 6 out of 7 stars.
Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing by Mignon Fogarty - I wasn't sure if this book belongs in the book review post, yet it does deserve a mention. The book is targeted for nonfiction writing, cover letters, and business writing; however, this book is a great resource for all writers. She covers basic grammar, word usage, and punctuation rules. Her website and free podcast are also helpful.
Book Giveaway
I couldn't decide on a book of the month for April, so the giveaway is a little different. One lucky winner will win a copy of any book in my monthly books reviews of 2013. Simply leave a comment of what book you would like to win and a short reason why. The links to my past monthly book reviews are below. Happy Commenting! I will pick a winner in a week.
January 2013 Book Reviews
February 2013 Book Reviews
March 2013 Book Reviews