asphaltcowgrrl (![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png)
asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2015-03-05 12:56 pm
asphaltcowgrrl) wrote2015-03-05 12:56 pm
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Book #1: Justice in June by Barbara Levenson
Finally completed the first book in the 2015 Book Challenge that I stole.
#41: A book by an author you've never read before.
Okay, I can do that. It's one of the perks that comes from being a reviewer - I'm constantly being introduced to new authors. One of my current review books was called Justice in June by Barbara Levenson. It's the second book in the Mary Magruder Katz series.
I'm not exactly sure what to say about this book. The story itself, while a bit convoluted, is good. However, the writing fails on many levels. The dialogue is a bit stilted and some of the actions and reactions are a bit overdone. But the main character is exactly that - a character and a half. She's fun and energetic and pretty much carries the story on her shoulders. Some of the side characters are fun as well, but not very well developed. Or maybe they're just not well enough developed for my tastes. I tend to gravitate towards side characters for some reason.
So, final take? It's a good story if you can get past some of the less well-written parts of the book. For example, you don't need to remind me three times a chapter about how humid it is in Miami in June. While I've never been to Miami, I do know that most of Florida is surrounded by water which, by logical dedcution, stands to suggest a humid climate. And I know I'm being sarcastic, but it got to be eyeroll worthy everytime the humidity or rain was mentioned. If you're a patient and forgiving reader, I'd suggest this book to you. But if you like a more polished writing style, skip it.
#41: A book by an author you've never read before.
Okay, I can do that. It's one of the perks that comes from being a reviewer - I'm constantly being introduced to new authors. One of my current review books was called Justice in June by Barbara Levenson. It's the second book in the Mary Magruder Katz series.
I'm not exactly sure what to say about this book. The story itself, while a bit convoluted, is good. However, the writing fails on many levels. The dialogue is a bit stilted and some of the actions and reactions are a bit overdone. But the main character is exactly that - a character and a half. She's fun and energetic and pretty much carries the story on her shoulders. Some of the side characters are fun as well, but not very well developed. Or maybe they're just not well enough developed for my tastes. I tend to gravitate towards side characters for some reason.
So, final take? It's a good story if you can get past some of the less well-written parts of the book. For example, you don't need to remind me three times a chapter about how humid it is in Miami in June. While I've never been to Miami, I do know that most of Florida is surrounded by water which, by logical dedcution, stands to suggest a humid climate. And I know I'm being sarcastic, but it got to be eyeroll worthy everytime the humidity or rain was mentioned. If you're a patient and forgiving reader, I'd suggest this book to you. But if you like a more polished writing style, skip it.
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Yeah, it can really mess with your voice if you're not used to it. Hah! And curly hair loves the desert weather, too. :D So do you design costumes then? That's really cool. :)
Nah, we moved back after a year or so and I'm actually in Nevada again. OMG, we lived in a suburb - Humble - and the few times we actually drove into Houston, it was terrifying. Seriously. I learned to drive on my own in Phoenix, a really large city, but Houston was just scary. Las Vegas seems like a small town compared to them both.
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Oh, no, I'd be a crappy designer. XD I work as a wardrobe supervisor for a touring theater company. Once things are designed and built I make sure they stay in perfect (or near as) condition and that they go on and off my actor's bodies in the order they're supposed to. You'd be surprised how quickly an actor forgets how to dress himself once he's got a wardrober to do it for him. XD Ah, my babies...
Whoo, Nevada! I've played Vegas multiple times (at the Smith Center) and Reno even more (that giant, gold, tortoise shaped place). I really took to Vegas. It's on my short list of places I wouldn't mind settling in one day (provided I can keep up a good stock of lotion, lol).
Right? Our hotel in Houston was twenty miles from the theater and we had to drive into downtown every day... wow. That was an experience. XD I feel like it taught me a good lesson in defensive driving, though.
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Ah, well you sew so I automatically thought maybe that's what you did. But still, to have a job in the arts like that would be cool. Sounds like you enjoy what you do, too, so that's always a plus.
I've never visited the Smith Center, but I've heard it's really nice. Oddly enough, I've never been to Reno either, although I do eventually want to visit. I'd love to travel and see places more though. If you live in any of the outlying areas, it really can be a nice place to live LOL - you learn to drink more water and that helps your poor skin. :D
OMG, I wouldn't even want someone else to drive me through downtown Houston every day. I'm sure it did. I know that when I honeymooned in San Diego, just watching the cab driver maneuver through traffic was enough to put me off ever living in California.
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