Review: The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry

The Seven Daughters of Eve: The Science That Reveals Our Genetic Ancestry by Bryan Sykes

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



This is one of the most interesting non-fiction books I've ever read. I never knew how fascinating genetics were! The author explained the science of genetics, mitochondrial DNA, and how mutations can be traced back through family lineages in a way almost anyone could understand. I recommend it to anyone interested in genealogy and ancestral genetics.



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Review: A Feast for Crows

A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



Despite how different this book was compared to the first three in the series, it was still amazing. Martin's attention to detail and gift of imagery is astounding.

This book did contain a lot more vulgarity and talk of women "needing a good raping." However, in the author's defense, this part of the story - this part of the journey contained a lot more characters with low morals and little regard for women, and not so many of the "high borns". In my humble opinion, it makes the story more real because some of the characters act the way real people act.

Some of the original characters were not included in this book, but the ones that were included really showed their true colors. Some got what they deserved, and some tried their best and failed miserably. That is what I love so much about this story - there really is no happy ending. Things don't get tied up neatly with a pretty little bow at the end. Things are screwed up all over and that makes it feel real.

I'm so glad I read this book again. I can't believe how much I had forgotten since I read it a few years ago.



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CATS - in Haiku

I.
"MEW!" goes the sad cat!
Sing the song of your people!
Or, - just take a nap.

II.
World domination
Began with the videos.
Because cats are smart.

III.
Cats can't have your back
Because they prefer your lap.
Also, they don't care.

IV.
The cat left a gift.
It is on your bathroom floor.
He hates your boyfriend.

V.
You say it's half full;
The cat says it's half empty.
Just fill the food bowl.

~ Jessica 11/22/2013

Review: Locke and Key, Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom

Locke and Key, Vol. 4: Keys to the Kingdom by Joe Hill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



In Keys to the Kingdom our fearless kids are involved in various battles throughout the month of February, the days of the month clearly indicated. The Locke kids fight in The Battle of the Thorns, The Battle of the Angry Squirrels (with swords!), and Tyler is found in the midst of The Battle of the ... Teddy Bears(?).

Bode finds a key that will change him into his inner animal: a tiny sparrow. Not what he was hoping for! But he's not without friends.

Tyler starts to see the pattern at the end of this volume. Why does the Dark Lady only attack on weekends? Who is out of town, or just entirely unavailable, on these weekends?

This volume had the right mixture of clever, humor, heartbreak, and fight (and some flight!).

I only just found out that this series is limited to six volumes, so I only have 12 issues (two more volumes) left. That is some heartbreak right there. My only hope is that some TV network will pick up the series (filmed in 2011 - and FOX refused it), so I will be able to enjoy this awesome story through another medium.




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Review: Locke and Key, Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows

Locke and Key, Vol. 3: Crown of Shadows by Joe Hill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



I don't even know how to start this review. The Locke children are caught between a rock and hard place - battling evil shadows under the command of he/she who is wearing the Crown of Shadows, trying to be regular teenagers (and a 7 year old kid), and dealing with a raging drunk of a mother.

Everything in this series is detailed and vivid - the character development, the artwork, the colors, the feels, the evil. This is such a phenomenal series, and I can't believe I didn't start reading it earlier.



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Who are you?

From a random 30-day blogging challenge

I don't know how to answer that question anymore, to be honest.

I used to be a professional college student, creator of apprenticeship and diesel mechanic education programs, a hard worker, etc.

Now I'm disabled. Or unabled. I can't do the things I used to do. I can't work. I can't drive. I have my college degrees, and I don't even want to put my diplomas on my wall because they would be a constant reminder of all that work I had accomplished before getting sick. It's too depressing just to think about.

Now, I suppose, I am The Patient.

Beyond that, I'm the reader, the tweeter, the sometime blogger, the one who forgets everything, the one who has to Google words to make sure I'm using them right because the medication makes me feel stupid, the silly mom whose son doesn't think she's all that funny, and the one gimp who wants to play more video games.

Who are YOU?

I got this question from http://colorfulistic.net/content/30-day-challenge-blogging-ideas/. If you see a question you want me to answer or a topic you would like me to try discussing, put it in the comment section. I didn't quite know where to start with all these topics, so I picked the one I wouldn't know how to answer. It was far from easiest. Anyway, pick the next one for me.

xoxo

Jessi

Review: Locke and Key, Vol. 2: Head Games

Locke and Key, Vol. 2: Head Games by Joe Hill

My rating: 5 of 5 stars



The Locke children, pretty much left to their own devices, are finding out more and more about the mysterious keys they had heard about. They are also doing some pretty questionable things. But, hey, they're kids. They'll bounce back. Right?

I completely loved this volume, which I felt ended way too soon (probably because I read it all in one sitting). It was impossible for me to put down.

I'm going to make this review short because I'm really anxious to start reading the next volume. Yeah, the series is that good.



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