Time for another book update. I read 3 books in the last month. I have now reached my goal of 30 books for 2013. I am not going to change the goal for more. I will just see where I end up at and use that for myself for 2014.
A note on how I choose my books. I don’t buy books very often. I just can’t afford to buy as many as I read! I don’t get to the actual library as much now, but I can browse the library online and check out Kindle books. I just see what books are available and if one sounds interesting, I check out the reviews on Goodreads. That’s done me pretty well as far as avoiding most stinkers. For my free Kindle book a month (with Prime), I read the Amazon reviews, but they are not quite as unbiased because they sell the books and some of the reviews can be suspect. I will also check out any book on the Amazon list in Goodreads.
On to this month’s books!
The Dark Monk by Oliver Potzsch.
I had high hopes for this book. I really enjoyed the first book of the Hangman’s Daughter series. I love historical fiction, but this book was lacking some things. Like the first book, it involves the hangman, his daughter Magdalena and her boyfriend Simon, the son of the town physician, trying to solve a murder. The problem is that you find out who the murderer is very close to the beginning and the rest of the book is just kind of figuring out the motive and learning about the Knights of Templar. So, it was a little disappointing in that regard. The characters also became a bit repetitive with the same dialogue and situations (i.e., the hangman is shunned in the community, yet everyone seeks him out privately). I had read this was a problem with the 2nd book and the series picks up again better in the 3rd book, so we shall see. Borrowed the Kindle Lending Library.
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Orange is the New Black by Piper Kerman
This book follows Piper Kerman’s 13 month prison sentence spent in 3 different facilities. She spent the majority of time in Danbury and it was interesting to read about how prison relationships, routines and rituals form. It also makes you wonder what purpose prison serves for nonviolent offenders, which is what most women are in for.
Ms. Kerman was very lucky in that she had an extensive support network on the outside and a good life ready to accept her back, which is not what most of her fellow inmates would experience. She also pointed out how guards and other prison official would make note of how different she was from other inmates and that she shouldn’t be there. She seemed to keep pointing this out and it started to come across as her being better than everyone else.
This book is good to read in order to understand exactly how nonviolent offenders are punished and how there really is no idea of rehabilitation, but just marking time to get out. I think this book certainly opens a dialogue about prison reform and who really should be going there. Borrowed from my library via Kindle.
There is now a cable show based on her book, which I found out after climbing out from under that rock.
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In Cold Blood – Truman Capote.
John had just finished this and told me I should read it, so I did. One of the few time I actually did something he told me to. 
I don’t really know what to say about this book. It’s disturbing, depressing and just really good. Of course, you do go into the book knowing that it is about the murder of the Cutter family and the 2 persons responsible, but it is amazing how Capote is still able to build a lot of suspense and anticipation. This book really was the first of the true crime genre and very well written. I didn’t really feel much sympathy for the 2 men, although I did feel kind of sorry for them in that I don’t feel they received a fair trial and you really realize how mentally ill they both were. Highly recommended. Borrowed from my library via Kindle.
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Seems like a dark month of reading now that I look back at it LOL!
And can’t leave without the pink picture of the day! This is the new cover for my phone!
Wow, talk about uninformed. I used to watch Truman Capote on The Tonight Show. But I never knew that his book was a true crime novel! Now I want to read it. You read a LOT more than me. I wanted to start listening to books (because I’m always doing handwork) but so far the ones I’ve borrowed from the library have been snoozers.
I wish I could read more. I am a pretty fast reader and I don’t watch a ton of TV (except in football season). I do play video games, though, LOL!
I love book updates!
So I read the Hangman’s Daughter too and enjoyed it but didn’t feel the need to continue with the series…
I read Orange a few years ago. Now that I work in that field I kind of want to read it again. The show is pretty good but I don’t know how accurate it is. Some things are accurate but some are just ridiculous. That’s TV for ya!
I’m almost done with “Afterwards” By Rosamund Lupton and it’s SO good. The story is just so intriguing.
I think I am going to try one more of the hangman series and see how it goes. I love that time period.
Love the new phone cover!!!
I sort of want to read Orange is the New Black after hearing so much about the show!!!
I need to check out the Lend-me factor on my Nook – I’ve never used it but should!!!
I was too young when I first read In Cold Blood, and I missed a lot of the subtext and nuances, especially the motivations and psychological makeup of Hickock and Perry. It’s a rich and compelling book, but not for everyone, that’s for sure. 🙂
I’m looking forward to being done with school for good and having more time to get back into reading. I LOVE to read!
I was a customer service supervisor for Amazon for several years. Though Amazon doesn’t fake any reviews, there are many independent “career” reviewers out there. The problem is a human has to check each and every review for inappropriate language and possible spoilers. So as you can imagine, when you have several thousand to skim through on your shift you stop paying close attention to who submitted them. Amazon is very good at monitoring accounts for strange behavior but a few “too good too be true” reviews do sneak through.
I should have stated that better. I don’t mean that Amazon puts up the fake reviews, but that there are ‘cheerleading’ reviews from peer and such.
Just finished Treasure Island!!! I’m sure i must have read it as a kid but
i don’t remember reading it. I really enjoyed it. The Treasure Island movie
i think i have in my head is the one Disney released in the 1950’s…
Next i’m reading Kidnapped by the same author…… I’ve been doing pretty good the
last couple of years getting a couple classics in each year…..
Hugs! deb
The second book sounds interesting. I have finished one of my books last week and as usual I wait about a week before I start a new one which is by Jo Nesbo.
Dang, now I have to go and get that Capote’s book. I borrowed a Harlequin historical romance earlier this week though I don’t know if I’m able to finish it. I blame YOU for borrowing it because I was reminded that you read a bodice ripper earlier this year… 🙂
I don’t really have money for buying books either, but somehow I always end up buying some books and not just borrowing.
How is Pixie and how are the kitties doing?
I have not seen the kittens since I mentioned I was going to help them. Go figure. Pixie is her usual self! I have a photo collage I will try to post tonight of her enjoying a football game on John’s lap. 😀
I’ve been wanting to read Orange is the New Black! I loved the show. 🙂 I had a goal to read 30 as well, but I’m at maybe half that. :/ I am not a fast reader, but I do spend time reading every day. I tend to have like 3 books at a time I’m reading, plus I read several magazines, and blogs daily. I love reading! 🙂 I am on goodreads too! You should add me as a friend. I’ve been bad at updating stuff on there lately. It’s hard to keep track of all the sites (twitter, instagram, facebook, the blog). https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/726739-elizabeth
I’m very interested in the book Orange is the New Black. I heard the NPR interview a month or so ago but have no clue when or where it is on TV. Might just have to p/u the book.
Love the phone cover. 🙂
I watched that Orange is the New Black series and I wonder how closely it stays to the book and the real story! It was bit outrageous at times but I was fascinated by it.
You made me laugh with your comment about discovering the OITNB Netflix series. Good show, although I’m sure it doesn’t hold completely true to the book (but what really does?).
I went through a period, years ago, when I read tons of true crime books…to the point that Jeff got a little worried about my intentions, lol!
I had a period where all I read were disease books and biological warfare stuff. All nonfiction. I was worried the library was going to put a tag on me and send me to the feds LOL
I see everyone write about the Orange cable show but have never seen it – I know it is a fave out there but just never get there.. maybe the book is better for me.. 😉
I read In Cold Blood years ago – it is a tough read but yes, good…
I hadn’t read In Cold Blood since high school (eons ago) and one of my students was required to read it last year. I’m not sure as a high schooler that I could wrap my head around it, but it really was a great read – interesting to delve into the minds of 2 completely different people who end up being capable of the same gruesome act.
Now, go find yourself a book with a happy ending 😉