Monday, March 16, 2009

#17. World War Z by Max Brooks

Hmm, how to start talking about book that revolves around the zombie apocalypse.
To start, I thought it was brilliant. For some reason, when I borrowed this book from a friend, I thought it was going to be funny, mostly because the author is Mel Brook's son. Then I started to read it, and found out the truth.
There are accounts of the attacks, and outbreaks, from all over the world. That means that you can see how a lot of varying cultures weathered the outbreaks (or didn't), and you can really see how each of them reacted differently according to their leadership. Israel isolated themselves by literally building a wall to keep out infected people, even using dogs to sniff out infection. South Africa led the way in a certain policy that included using part of their own population to distract the zombies from following a "chosen group" of their population to a safe location. That was considered a cruel option, but it seemed be used in multiple countries, which was interesting.
It was amazing how realistic the descriptions were from the varying countries. It was also astounding to me how some of the countries refused to let go of hostilities in the crisis facing the world. These hostilities actually led to a nuclear exchange between two countries that normally are not enemies.
This is a definite must read for everyone. Even if you don't like zombie books or movies, you'll like this!!!!

Monday, March 9, 2009

#16 Seduced by Moonlight by Laurell K Hamilton

The third book in the series. Only three after this one to finish the series so far.

#15 A Caress of Twilight by Laurell K Hamilton

Yet another in the Meredith Gentry series. This is book two in the series.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

#14 Watchmen by Alan Moore and Dave Gibbons

I loved this novel so much, I don't know if I can put it into the correct words. All of the characters are given detailed backgrounds, so you actually understand them all and you know what there motives are, so nothing they do really surprises you.
And it amazes me, as always, how many things parallel things in real life, even though this was written more than 20 years ago. But I guess I can attribute that to the ever worsening conditions of our world. There was so much amazing dialogue, "The world will look up and say 'Help Us,' and I will look down on them and say 'No.'" I also like that he uses quotes at the end up chapters to seal them up nicely.
And now, let me talk about the comic book within the comic book. I love the way Moore used "Black Freighter" to emphasize the story, add subtext and commentary. It was like commentary within the commentary of the story of the Watchmen, and it was amazing. I don't want to give anything away if you want to read this, so I'm just gonna tell you to read it. It will make you think.