Sunday, December 14, 2014

From the Archives: Suspenseful Thrills

I began keeping a reading journal several years before I began blogging. I find it interesting to sift through my thoughts of books that I read back then. My reviews were often brief and contained little substance, but I thought it'd be fun to document them here on my blog as well as share them with you. Here are two from December of 2005: 


Life Expectancy by Dean Koontz 
Bantam, 2004
Suspense/Thriller; 335 pgs 

As his grandfather takes his last breath, Jimmy Tock takes his first. This is the story of a man with a destiny. Jimmy’s grandfather predicts that Jimmy will face five terrible days, each dispersed throughout his lifetime. Jimmy walks us through each of those five days, along the way uncovering dark secrets and possibly bringing him closer to his own fate. Life Expectancy is a suspenseful thrill ride mixed with humor and fun loving characters that will win over a reader’s heart. I had fun reading this book, laughed many times throughout and held my breath a couple of times.



Sleep No More by Greg Iles 
Putnam Adult, 2002
Suspense/Thriller; 480 pgs

 A simple word and a smile awaken old memories for geologist John Waters and suddenly his life is spinning out of control. Sleep No More is a fast moving novel about love, obsession, jealousy and rage. Although I enjoyed this book overall, the story left something to be desired. I cannot seem to find the words to explain it, however. The novel seemed to get off to a slow start and while I was very much caught up in the story after awhile, some of the dialogue and actions seemed forced. Still, The plot and themes throughout the novel came as a bit of a surprise to me as I didn't know quite what to expect.  I found it very interesting, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough in the final chapters, wanting to know what would happen next.


© 2014, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved. If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

10 comments:

  1. Not only a great way to record our bookish thoughts but a wonderful way to see just how our tastes may (or may not) have changed and of course it gives an insight into just how our reviewing skills have grown over the years.

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    1. Tracy - I agree. I only wish I'd started journaling my reading earlier.

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  2. This is a great idea! I wish I'd kept a reading journal throughout my life.

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  3. I don't read much Dean Koontz any more but man, I think I read everything of his when I was in high school. It all started with stealing "Whispers" off my mom's bookshelf. To this day that one haunts me, with the dead twin and the giant Madagascar cockroaches. He really is a good storyteller.

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    1. Sandy - It's been a long while since I last read a Koontz book. I do think he's a gifted storyteller. I actually like his writing better than King--I know that's bordering on sacrilege. LOL

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  4. Life Expectancy sounds interesting and Koontz is one of those authors that I really feel like I need to read. I'm not sure about the Iles book. I don't think that one is for me. Thanks for sharing!

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    1. Katherine - I've enjoyed the Koontz books I have read. I liked the Iles book and kept meaning to read something else by him, but I never seem to get around to it. Sleep No More was a bit different than his usual fare, I understand.

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  5. I love that you kept these reviews for so long. I think I may have read this one, but not positive -- it would have been a long while ago as well.

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    1. Diane - Honestly, I barely remember reading these and probably wouldn't remember at all if it weren't for my journal records. Isn't that sad?

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