World War Z

World War Z by Max Brooks

9000/42


It's that good.
No really, go read it right now.
And the Zombie Survival Guide by the same author.
It's freaky and realistic and awesome in one amazingly awesomely awesome bundle like they have at the movie theaters.
No really, it's the best book I've read in a really really really really really long time. And it's about Zombies! How can you beat that? I don't think it's possible. So that means you should go, and read it, right now. This second.
Because they're coming, and I dunno about you but I'll be prepared for the zombies.

How to Survive a Horror Movie

How to Survive a Horror Movie
38/42
(I'm implementing a new ratings system)


I realized looking back at my earlier posts that I was trying to use as many big words as possible and stuff to sound really smart, but that's not really how I talk in real life (unless I am actually trying to sound smart, which I only do sometimes) so I'm going to attempt to update regularly and type in a way that's not to weird.

Well, on to the actual review. It was awesome. Perfect length for something of it's type, and the spine of the book is pretty eye-catching (how I noticed it into the bookstore anyways...) and the paper isn't all plastic-ey or newspaper-ey, which is kind of nice. And it has pictures.

It's a sort of parody on the whole horror movie thing (which is pretty obvious, given it's title) but it's written pretty seriously which is always a plus in the funny side. It tackles all the different types of horror movies, which awesome illustrations that are all usually tinted one color (I forget the special name for that...) I figure if you're a fan of horror movies, or movies in general, or funny things, or any mix of those then you'll like this book. I actually bought it which is rare for me.

Official Website: http://www.dodgethekills.com/

Review for Einstein: His Life and Universe

Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson

4/5
Amazon | Wikipedia

I was given this book, under the condition that I post a lengthy report on it. I am fulfilling that request, and it was truly a very neat book.
The beginning was slightly sluggish - I find that the beginning of most books are slightly sluggish, but that might just be me. After a slow start though, it was truly quite fascinating. The chapters were interwoven carefully, with one focusing on family-life and the other on his career, it did have me checking back for dates and notes on all of the people mentioned throughout it's many pages.
It was written well, and although I declined reading the massive index of footnotes (I am a kid, you must understand) I still think I gained lots of information. It was rather enlightening, to learn that the man that has been celebrated so many times isn't, as I was led to believe, perfect. Everyone has flaws, and it was interesting to note how Einstein's many impacted his work and basic attitude towards life.
A well-thought-out, and certainly well-researched book that anyone thirsting for more knowledge of this great mind would surely enjoy.
It took me quite a long time to get through it (a month, I believe) but it left me thinking a great deal and I certainly don't regret the many hours I spent pouring over this book, even if at times it seemed to drag on forever.

An Update (finally)

All right, so I may have forgotten about here for a while. But I've completed all of the works on my 'reading list', as well as many others I am thinking of writing reviews for.
Finished thus far:

Einstein: His Life and Universe
Lord of the Flies
Un Lun Dun
Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture
Where's My Jet-pack?
Johnny and the Dead
How to Survive a Horror Movie
The Gospel of the Flying Spaghetti Monster
A Long Way Down

Plus more, that I have most likely forgotten about. I shall get to posting reviews for all of these ASAP - and I may actually do semi-lengthy ones for a couple.

Summer Game-Plan

Okay, so since It's summer and all I will definitely be writing more reviews. . . I happen to have a lot of free time. My plan is to read around 30 books or so, and write a review for all of them. I hope I accomplish this.
Books that I'm planning to read include: (This may be updated)

Un Lun Dun by China Mie'ville
Johnny and the Dead by Terry Pratchett
Einstein: His Life and Universe by Walter Isaacson
Everybody Hurts: An Essential Guide to Emo Culture

I probably won't do one for HP7, because really now. . . If I encounter any other good books I'll add them to this list, crossing stuff out as I go.
Also, everybody NEVER do those summer-reading programs at bookstores because they give out stupid books. I learned this the hard way when I had to take home The Tail Of Emily WindSnap. . . .

'Stiff' by Mary Roach

I found this book to be delightfully funny and at the same time very interesting. One thing I advise about this book, however, is to not eat anything meaty while reading it. This also includes mushrooms, spaghetti, tofu, and any kind of burger. Myself being a vegetarian, this wasn't too much of a problem, but really, don't eat while reading this book.
It's not that it incredibly gory (Which it is, actually.) It's just that sometimes it tells you a little bit too much. . . I'm a hardcore CSI fan, so I'm familiar with this kind of thing, but don't give it to your seven year old cousin.
Mary Roach's writing style fun, and the switches in point of view (While slightly confusing) make for a good read. All in all, I recommend this book to anyone who is fascinated by the slightly macabre side of life.
If you want some more, or want to know about Roach's other book, 'Spook', I suggest looking it up on Amazon, as the Wikipedia article is lacking.

Lost Reviews

The Cat Who Knew ShakeSpeare by Lillian Jackson Braun

This is not the first book in the series, but it's another that (in my opinion) you don't have to read in order, and this was one of my favorites.
Former reporter and now a millionaire Jum Qwilleran's (yes, Cue double you!) life is once again troubled by crime. When local family run newspaper's executive is killed in an accident, Qwilleran has a hunch it's more than just that.
Aided by his pals - and crime fighting sidekicks - KoKo and Yumyum, Qwilleran attempts to solve the mystery.
And the greatest myster of all: what's with KoKo's sudden taste in ShakeSpeare?
An excellent read: Good for anyone who enjoys a good mystery.

Montmorency by Eleanor Updale

A good read of crime and high society in london, when the sewage system was new.
Fresh out of prison, MontMorency goes back to a life of crime - But this time, he'll make it big.
From seeing the sewage system's creator explain to his prison doctors colleagues Montmorency hatches a plan to use London's new underground sewage system to his advantage. Simply go down, pop up out of a manhole, steal and go back down. But how? Create two identities, of course.
Thrilling read, but not too over packed with action. It's a mix of high society and crime, and you root for Montmorency as he nearly exposes himself countless times.
I thoroughly enjoyed it, a good read.

Monstrous Regiment by Terry Pratchett

One word: HILLARIOUS! I am a major fan of Terry Pratchett's books, but i think that anyone who is into something funny will love his work.
Bar maid Polly disguises herself as a male in order to join the army and find her brother, Paul. After all, If Paul doesn't come back Polly can't inherit the Inn - A woman owning a business is an abomination in the eyes of Nuggan.
Follow Polly as she joins the army, and discovers she's not the only one with a secret.
Witty writing, laughs, and the best: no chapters! (like in most DiscWorld books.)
A fun and enjoyable read, overall.

Warriors by Erin Hunter

Four groups of wild cats live in a forest. The books follow the progress of one house-cat turned wild, Rusty AKA FirePaw. It's a very interesting book, and the author (actually two authors writing under the same name) are extremely inventive, and they have made a whole hieriarchy for the 'clans' that is very sophisisticated.
This is a series for any cat lovers, or any animal lovers period. I've noticed alot of the readers of this book are around twelve years old, but i think they are fit for Any age. The characters are lovable, and it makes you very sad if (or when) they die. Sadly, the book is a wee bit violent because all cats fight, and eat small mammals. And the clans battle each other, and there are wild dogs. So some of the cats die. I reccomend it for maybe people ages 8 and up. Overall, a great series. One of my personal favorites.