If you’ve been reading this blog for many years, you may recall this post from 2008 where I talked about a book and podcast called The Pocket and the Pendant. I’m pleased to update that story to let you know that Mark Jeffrey has since sold that book (originally self-published) to Harper Collins and the new and improved version of the book, now called Max Quick: The Pocket and the Pendant, just came out on April 26, 2011. I pre-ordered a copy as soon as it was available but it unfortunately came out the same time as my own book release so I didn’t get a chance to read the new version it until recently. I’m a terrible writer friend, I know.

But now that I’ve actually had the chance to read the new version, I wanted to write up a comprehensive review of Max Quick 2.0. This is what I posted on Amazon and Goodreads:

Something different (and I mean that in the best possible way)

I read a lot of YA and when you read as much YA as I do everything starts to feel a little stale and familiar even if there is some new twist or gimmick. Familiar isn’t a bad thing sometimes, but when I actually find something that shows me something truly new or unexpected, it deserves a special note. I really liked this book. One of the biggest appeals of Max Quick for me was its unpredictability. I’m not talking about twists but instead the way familiar tropes (aliens, time travel, mysterious heritage) are mashed-up in unexpected ways making for an enjoyable read. When the world stops for everyone else, there is some fantastic imagery (the chase scene in the frozen mist is one of my favorites) and some truly funny parts. The pace is fast enough that you’re caught up in the mystery of the present (why is everyone frozen?) and the past (who is Max?) and find yourself reading longer then you planned for answers. The tension makes for a quick (ha! pun!) read and, though the plot is complex, I don’t think the story ever gets bogged down by it. I’m truly looking forward to the next installment of the series and spending more time in this world.

In the interest of full disclosure, I read (yes, actually read, not listened to the podcast) the original version of Max Quick that Mark self-published when it first came out. My review was (and weirdly still is) one of the featured reviews on that edition so I feel like it would be an elephant in the room if I didn’t acknowledge here that this is a re-read for me. What are the differences between this version and the one that I originally read all those years ago? In general, everything is better. Scenes that were a little slow have been tightened, characters are better developed and there’s 100% less tyranny of the italics key. In original review, I admitted to loving the story but being frustrated by the writing and I’m pleased to say that is no longer the case in this new edition. This is a good book. Period. If you’re a fan of the podcast version and wondering if you should grab a copy of the hardcover now, I urge you to. It’s the story you already love but leaner, tighter and just overall better.

Disclaimer: The links in this post are Amazon Associate links because, why not? But I seriously love this product and this review is unsolicited.

I’ve bored you all to tears with the stories of my various hand issues but one of the most annoying side effects of the pain in my hands was that holding things for any length of time was very uncomfortable. I would try to rest my hands by staying off the computer and reading a book instead, only to find that holding a book open was as painful as using a computer. (I read a lot of comic books during those really bad pain days because they stayed open on my lap by themselves.)

I have never felt any need for a book stand. In fact, I would have probably poo-pooed the idea of hands-free reading because I’ve always liked the feel of a book in my hands. But this holiday season, I found myself falling in love with the BookGem. Continue Reading »

In the spirit of the new year, I thought I’d give you a quick list of all the books I read in 2010. Some people do this monthly. Those people are more organized, what can I say?

I had the fortune of reading a ton of good books this year, mostly because I was laid up with bad hands for a few months there and couldn’t do much else but it was nice. It’s funny how many of these I read on holiday break, though, which was from Dec 18th to yesterday and our vacation last winter.

A note about my “reviews.” According to Goodreads the stars are defined as:

• 5 stars: “it was amazing”
• 4 stars: “really liked it”
• 3 stars: “liked it”
• 2 stars: “it was OK”
• 1 stars: “didn’t like it”

I mention this because a lot of writers get really, really upset if they get 3 star ratings on Goodreads which I think is silly. Three stars means “I liked it” which is positive! Even 2 stars is positive, if lukewarm. I’m warning you now, unless a book really knocks my socks off or really rubbed me the wrong way, I rate just about everything 3 stars.

So, in Hillary-speak, here is what the ratings I give mean:

• 5 stars means: OMG BEST BOOK EVER!!!!!!! Now one of my favorite books of all time.
• 4 stars means: Wow, really really good book! Loved it! Just one smidgen away from being perfect and an all time favorite.
• 3 stars means: It was enjoyable and I liked it but it didn’t change my life. This is a pretty wide category. This contains books I was pretty “meh” about as well as books I liked but had a few flaws that kept them from 4 stars. It’s really my catchall rating. As the Parisian Scooter Riding Squirrel director man from the commercials says, “I don’t hate this.”
• 2 stars means: This book wasn’t technically “bad” from a writing sense but I didn’t like it/find it useful or interesting.
• 1 stars means: It was painful to get through this book.

OK, so, without further ado, here is what I read in 2010, in the order I read them: Continue Reading »