Friday 21 July 2017

Waiter to the Rich and Shameless: Confessions of a Five-Star Beverly Hills Server



Book 28 of 2017 is Waiter to the Rich and Shameless: Confessions of a Five-Star Beverly Hills Server by Paul Hartford.

I enjoyed the dirt on celebrities but couldn't find a way to like the main character.

It felt like he knew his wife would be reading it so he didn't tell the whole truth about everything - especially the sex, drugs and whatever else he'd roll.

This was not the book I was hoping for and although I did recommend it to a friend of mine who may enjoy the elitist food and drink attitudes, it isn't one I'd say anyone should read.

One thing I did enjoy was his attitude towards service and the pride he initially took in his job. It is an ethos I share so it was enjoyable to work through as he articulated his learning.

2 Grey Goose and sodas out of 5.

Should I read this? Maybe if you'd worked in the industry in that part of the world but otherwise, no.
What did I learn? I'm too grown up to be impressed with how much someone spends on a bottle of wine.

Glass Sword



Book 27 of 2017 is Glass Sword. It is the second book in the Red Queen series by Victoria Aveyard.

It took me so long to read the second book in this series because the first book didn't do much for me. Everyone was raving about it but it felt too much like a young teen girl-in-love bore. The second book improves greatly though. This has ensured that I will read the next one.

One thing I would like authors to stop doing is writing middle books like the 0.5 or 1.5 books in a series. It's just money making and waters down the quality of the series to me.

4 dead silver bloods out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes. Read it directly after the first to improve the first book and continue the series.
What did I learn? I enjoy female protagonists who aren't concerned with their many love interests and instead fight for their cause. Need more books like that.

Saturday 8 July 2017

Reckless Magic



Book 26 of 2017 is Reckless Magic from the Star Crossed series by Rachel Higginson.

This is another young adult fantasy series but it stands alone. Someone horrible said it was a cross between Twilight and Harry Potter. I want to slap that idiot. This is quite original in many ways. Being written by a woman means the female characters are not weak pathetic girly girls in love but more like Katniss in her strength and kindness.

There are irritating teenage girl moments but that soon is done with as the characters grow.

This is a series that I will continue when my brain is tired and I want a little read. Absolutely one I will enjoy.

3 magical talents out of 5.

Should I read this? Only for young adult book fans.
What did I learn? I love easy to read series and that's why I like Young Adult literature.

The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet



Book 25 of 2017 is The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet from the Wayfarers series by Becky Chambers.

Everyone I know is reading this and loving it so I could not avoid it much longer. Only reason for avoidance is to stop starting new series when I have so many on the go.

This is a brilliant series about race, ethics and space. There is nothing I did not enjoy about this book so yeah, I recommend it to any sci-fi fan.

There are a lot of characters introduced in this first book. This can be done badly with too much to take in while adjusting to a new Universe and mythology. Chambers does it brilliantly.

The affection is not just boy and girl falling in love but many different kinds of friendship and interaction. All of it executed brilliantly. I put this down to a female author. My quest to read more female authors has paid off well.

This is Blade Runner crossed with Fifth Element and Star Trek with very few creases.

4 races out of 5.

Should I read this? Yes to absolutely everyone. This is sci-fi for the masses since it is written so well.

What did I learn? In the spirit of Pride, love is love.