Category Archives: Fiction

Book Review: Odd Thomas by Dean Koontz

Posted in Fiction, Paranormal by

Hey, look! I read another book!

In line with the 12 Months of Reading Goodness challenge, October is the month to read a book with a supernatural or paranormal theme. Odd Thomas caught my eye because it looked more quirky than creepy, plus I’ve never read anything by Dean Koontz and I wanted to see why he’s so popular. While Odd Thomas did have some creepy parts, it wasn’t the relentless, under-your-skin creepiness that I avoid at all costs, and it was tempered with very likable characters. I ended up really liking this novel, although the ending made me cry, dang it! Continue reading →

Book Review: Angle of Repose by Wallace Stegner

Posted in Fiction, Historical Fiction by

I have had good luck recently with reading older books – not quite “classics” but noteworthy in their own time, still thoroughly enjoyable and without the long library hold times of recent releases (bonus!). One example is The Secret of Santa Vittoria, which I read and reviewed earlier this year. Angle of Repose is another example. This novel with a James Bondian title won the 1972 Pulitzer, and it’s no wonder – Wallace Stegner is a true word magician. The prose in this novel is gorgeous. Continue reading →