Sorry! The English and Their Manners

Today’s Nonfiction post is on Sorry! The English and Their Manners by Henry Hitchings. It is 392 pages long including notes, bibliography, and index. It is published by Farrar, Straus, and Giroux. The cover is a table set with different kinds of silver and dishware. There is some strong language, talk of sex, and no violence in this book. The intended reader is someone who is interested in the way that manners have developed over the centuries. The tone is academic but readable. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- Most of us know a bit about what passes for good manners- holding doors open, sending thank-you notes, no elbows on the table- and we certainly know bad manners when we see them. But where has this patchwork of beliefs and behaviors come from? How did manners develop? How do they change? And why do they matter so much? In examining his countrymen’s manners, Henry Hitchings delves into the English character and investigates what it means to be English.
Sorry! presents an amusing, illuminating, and quirky audit of English manners. From basic table manners to appropriate sexual conduct, via hospitality, chivalry, faux pas, and online etiquette, Hitchings traces the history of England’s customs and courtesies. Putting some of the most astute observers of humanity- including Jane Austen and Samuel Pepys- under the microscope, he uses their lives and writings to pry open the often downright peculiar secrets of Englishness. Hitchings’s blend of history, anthropology, and personal journey helps us understand the bizarre and contested cultural baggage that that is bundled with our understanding of what it means to have good manners.

Review- This is an amusing and interesting about the history and current state of manners. Hitchings starts the reader in modern day with some interactions of two tennis stars and how they behaved. Then he moves us from the beginning of written word with how manners started and delivers us back to modern day. Hitchings is engaged and engaging with this subject. This could have been a very boring book but it is not. It is funny, interesting, and a little sad with all the information about how manners and the people who use them have evolved over the course of history. Instead of dry and boring quotes Hitchings gives real stories from over the course of time. Famous people have had a lot to say about how young people, poor people, and people in general act. I had to read some parts of this book to my spouse to he could laugh too. I highly recommend this book.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Siren’s Secret

Today’s post is on Siren’s Secret by Debbie Herbert. It is published by Harlequin Nocturne and is 299 pages long. It is a standalone novel. The cover has the main character in her mermaid form looking very pretty and mysterious. There is some strong language, sexuality, and violence in this novel; adult only for the best. The intended reader is someone who likes paranormal romance with serial killers. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Shelly Connors’s worlds- on land and in the sea- are turned upside down when an evening swim turns into a nightmare. On a sweltering night deep in the bayou, the mystical mermaid witnesses a horrifying act. With a monstrous killer now how on her trail, her and the lives of her kin are in jeopardy.
Terrified of becoming the next victim, Shelly has no choice but to turn to Sheriff Tillman Angier. Tillman has had his intense gray eyes on the sultry honey-haired beauty for a while. The feelings are mutual… and impossible to ignore. But he’s determined to solve the murders, and he knows Shelly’s hiding something. Can she trust with her deepest secret?

Review- This was a fun read. The murderer you feel both disgusted by and pity for, the heroine is between a rock and a hard place, and the hero needs to remember that no one is ‘normal’. All the threads that Herbert pulls together for this mystery/romance read work. I would wish for a little better dialog but it was not bad. It was all believable dialog but I just love the sharp back and forth kind and this does not have it. The heroine has two stupid moments but that is all they are moments; the she goes back to be very sensible and reasonable. The hero has a handicapped brother who helps he get his head out of his ass about the heroine and they had a great relationship. The paranormal felt very secondary to the plot of the novel to me but that did not annoy me at all. I think that if you are looking for a mystery with some paranormal elements then you need to try this book.

I give this book a Four out of Five stars. I won this book in a Goodreads giveaway and this is an honest review.

Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 17

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 17. It is written by Akimine Kamijyo and is published by Tokyopop. As it is the 17^th in the series you need to have read the previous volumes to understand the story. The cover is special for this volume as it pulls out into a beautiful artwork; it has Akira, Yuya, Bontenmaru and Kyo on it. The intended reader is someone likes fighting manga, good characters, and interesting plot. This volume has some strong language, nudity, and lots of violence; older teen and adults only. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- At the second gate, the battle between Akira and Saisei begins. As the blind genius Akira falls before the might of the beautiful and mysterious Saisei, she reveals her true identity to him. Is there any way that Akira can survive this confrontation with another timeless samurai mater?

Review- I have a love hate relationship with blurbs in general but the blurbs for this series are not good enough. This blurb would make you think that 1. Akira thought he was going to lose, and 2. That Saisei’s true identity has anything to do with the main story. It does not; it is just a minor plot point during the fight. That is it. Two pages to ‘discover’ and talk about it then they move on. The important plot things that are happening in this volume is we get to Akira truly fight. He does not hold back on Saisei and he proves that there is a reason that Kyo kept him around. Akira is no push-over. He has so many cool moments in this volume. I like to think of this as Akira’s cool volume because he just so awesome. Everyone and everything else takes a back seat to this fight and Akira’s awesome ice mastery. And for bonus we to see Arika lose his cool for the second fight of this volume. I highly recommend this series.

I give this manga a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Rebbe

Today’s nonfiction post is on Rebbe by Joseph Telushkin. It is 642 pages long and is published by HarperCollins. The cover is a picture of the Rebbe in front of his home. The intended reader is someone who wants to know more about the Rebbe, Chabad, or Jewish life in general. There is no strong language, no sex, and no violence in this book. Anyone can read this book. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- From a small synagogue in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, the late Rebbe Schneerson affected the policies of US presidents and politicians, counseled some of our greatest thinkers, and spread his teachings of love and righteousness to the far corners of the world. An ambassador for Jews globally, his role was unprecedented within a fragmented religion, made up of diverse, often divided, sects. May Jews- especially those involved in Chabad- believed that the Rebbe was the messiah while he was still alive.
Drawn from the Rebbe’s private correspondence, Rebbe is a rich and illuminating portrait of this remarkable man who was a devoted spiritual leader and tireless counselor; a controversial advocate for women’s rights and community openness; and an accomplished scholar fluent in dozens of languages. Joseph Telushkin illuminates the Rebbe’s rich private life and chronicles his achievements, from his close bond with his congregants to his influence on presidents, including Jimmy Carter and Ronald Reagan. Throughout, Telushkin pays tribute to the Rebbe’s legacy- his teachings, of love, education, and respect- which have become engrained in millions of Jews and non-Jews alike.

Review- This was an engaging and interesting biography. I personally know very little about Jewish life much less about their individual leaders. The Rebbe was quite a man. He was educated at European universities before World War 2, he experienced losses because of the war, he believed in love for all Jews but start with your neighbor and so much more. I enjoyed this book because Telushkin does not hold back from the reader. We see the Rebbe from many different sides. We have personal letters, dairy entries, sermons, and newspaper articles; not just what the Rebbe wrote himself but what was written about him. At the end of the book there is a very helpful timeline of the Rebbe’s life from birth to death with what he was doing in each year. It helps to place everything in the book in context. This was a moving and hopeful about a man who had seen the worst that humanity can do but still believed in our best traits.  I recommend this book.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I was given this book by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

The Mirk and Midnight Hour

Today’s post is on The Mirk and Midnight Hour by Jane Nickerson. It is 371 pages long and is published by Knopf. The cover is a picture of twilight with a girl in the center walking towards the sun. It is a standalone novel and is a retelling of the Ballad of Tam Lin. There is no strong language, no sex, and violence is only talked about it does not happen on page. The intended reader is young adult and adults. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket-Seventeen-year-old Violet Dancy is left at home in Mississippi while her father fights in the war against the North- a war that has already claimed her twin brother. Grieving and adjusting to life with a new family- a love-crazed stepsister, laudanum-addicted stepmother, and two cousins she doesn’t quite know how to handle- Violet feels like a stranger on Scuppernong Farm.
When she comes across a severely injured Union soldier lying in an abandoned, vine-shrouded lodge, things begin to change. Thomas is the enemy- one of the men who might have killed her own brother- and yet she’s drawn to him; their time together, deep in the wild forest, feels enchanted.
But there’s an uneasiness, too: Violet isn’t Thomas’s only visitor. Someone has been tending to his wounds- keeping him alive- and it becomes chillingly clear that this care hasn’t been out of compassion. Against the dangers of war and the ominous powers of voodoo, Violet fights to protect her home, her family, and the mane she’s begun to love.

Review- This was an excellent retelling of the Ballad of Tam Lin. With the strangeness of the VanZelts as the Fair Folk, Violet’s own sense and feelings, and the other subplots going in the background there is a lot to like about this book. The Civil War is just backdrop to get the story going but I liked that. The VanZelts were the best thing about this story. They are mysterious, callous, but not unkind. They are just very different from the real humans in the story. They are described as ‘People Things’ and I thought that was one the best describers in the book. The mixing of old religion and magic was just right. Violet is a good heroine. Just the right amount of bravery, luck, and love. The side characters are very interesting and they are the ones who question what is right and why something is wrong. Violet has two cousins staying with her one is just visiting and other is a young child who is going to stay as long as the war lasts. Dorian is just visiting but he is the really villain not the VanZelts. The VanZelts like the Fair Folk do think that they are doing wrong because  they are just following their ways but Dorian is doing evil just because he wants to do. I enjoyed the comparison between the two. I recommend this book.

I give this book Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 16.

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 16. It is written by Akimine Kamijyo and is published by Tokyopop. As it is the 16^th in the series you need to have read the others in the series to get the story. The cover has Kyo and Hotaru fighting one looking cool; per normal. The intended reader is someone who likes fighting, interesting characters, and surprising romance and should be older teen or adult. There is language, no sex, and lots of violence in this series and book. The story is told from the third person point of view with character’s thoughts added in for plot and character development. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book-Kyo and Hotaru begin to a fight to the death at the first of the Five Shining Gates. The two collide in a sizzling-hot flame that burns up both their bodies- and makes the ground tremble! Then Kyo’s ultimate technique, Suzaku, rises up into the sky…
The action-packed samurai epic continues!

Review- So Kyo and Hotaru are being mules about life and things in general. Their interactions are funny and I am not sure that they should be. I think that maybe just me and my twisted sense of humor. But I think that the reader needs to have a little twist in their humor to truly love this series. The fighting is very serious and all then Kyo goes and is himself. But that I mean an ass. He fights a battle he could have lost then he is an ass to Hotaru after he loses. I guess Hotaru was not surprised but it was so sudden that I had to just laugh and remember who is the main character of this series- an ass. Yuya still has the water dragon in her heart and they are running out of time. It end with our heroes at the second gate and things are going to get real. Akira will be fighting in this next volume and I love him!

I give this series a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

These Broken Stars

Today’s post is on These Broken Stars by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner. It is the first in the Starbound trilogy. It is 374 pages long and it is published by Hyperion. The cover has the two main characters reaching for each other as they fall through space. The intended reader is young adult but I think that adults would enjoy this book too. There is implied sex, implied strong language, and no violence in this book. The story is told from the first person perspective of the two main characters moving from chapter to chapter. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the dust jacket- It’s a night like any other on board the Icarus. Then, catastrophe strikes: the massive luxury spaceliner is yanked out of hyperspace and plummets into the nearest planet. Lilac LaRoux and Tarver Merendsen survive. And they seem to be alone.
Lilac is the daughter of the richest man in the universe. Tarver comes from nothing, a young war hero who learned long ago that girls like Lilac are more trouble then they’re worth. But with only each other to rely on, Lilac and Tarver must work together, making a tortuous journey across the eerie, deserted terrain to seek help.
Then, against all odds, Lilac and Tarver find a strange blessing in the tragedy that has thrown them into each other’s arms. Without the hope of a future together in their own world, they begin to wonder- would they be better off staying here forever?
Everything changes when they uncover the truth behind the chilling whispers that haunt their every step. Lilac and Tarver may find a way off this planet. But they won’t be the people who landed on it.

Review-  This was a really good read. I enjoyed the characters and I found their interactions to be very real. They argue for most of the book but they both know that the fights are about keeping the will to live. They are the only humans on this planet. I like that the authors play up the sense of isolation that they experience; especially when Lilac starts to hear and see things. Kaufman and Spooner play that very well. I guessed that she was not just seeing things but they hold that very close to their chest. In fact I would not not have been surprised if Lilac just did have head trauma from the crash. Lilac is a spoiled rich girl but she has other interests like how to make technology work. Tarver is a war hero with the desire to get home to his parents. Both are real, interesting, and likable. I look forward to where the authors are going with this series. Because some stuff happens that I do not think that anyone would see coming.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 15

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo Volume 15 by Akimine Kamijyo. It is published by Tokyopop and is the 15^th in the series. You need to have read the previous volumes to understand the story. The cover has Kyo, Yukimura, Benitora, and Sasuke on it looking cool. There is language, implied nudity, and lots of violence in this book and series; older teen and adults only. The story is told from god prespective with character thought’s added in for plot and character development. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- Kyo and company finally penetrate the Mibu headquarters. Later, while fighting off an onslaught of Mibu assassins, Bontenmaru and Akira fall into an enemy trap! But when Bontenmaru encounters Tokito of the Four Elders, he learns an amazing secret… The action-packed samurai epic continues!

Review- Kyo and Yuya have so many great interactions in this volume. They argue, they ignore each other, and then they talk about it. The picture of a healthy and loving relationship that makes me laugh. Bontenmaru gets his own chapter. We learn more about what drives him and yay! Akira is a main character now! We do not see too much of him but I am so happy that he is here and here to stay now. Saskue and Benitora are getting closer to being back with the main group and that gives us the chance to see into the Mibu testing labs. One thing that I really like about Kamijyo’s art style is that she does not over do the gore. In the test labs she could have made it really gory and I think that would have taken away from the story and character development. But because she did not go that way I think that makes the blood that is there more impactful. With time running out for Yuya the pressure is on. I love this series.

I give this manga a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

John Quincy Adams: American Visionary

Today’s nonfiction post is on John Quincy Adams: American Visionary by Fred Kaplan. It is 673 pages long and is published by HarperCollins. The cover has a picture of Adams on it looking very dignified. There is no strong language, no sex, and no violence in this book. But it is written in a very scholarly tone so I think that older teens and adults are going to enjoy this book the most. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- In this fresh and lively biography, rich in literary analysis and new historical detail, Fred Kaplan brings into focus the dramatic life of John Quincy Adams- the little-known and much-misunderstood sixth president of the United States, and the first son of John and Abigail Adams- and persuasively demonstrates how Adams’s inspiring, progressive vision guided his life and helped shape the course of America.
Kaplan draws on a trove of unpublished archival material to trace Adam’s evolution from his childhood during the Revolutionary War to his brilliant years as secretary of state to his time in the White House and beyond. He examines Adams’s myriad sides: the public and private man, the statesman and writer, the wise thinker and passionate advocate, the leading abolitionist and fervent federalist who believed strongly in both individual liberty and the government’s role as an engine of progress and prosperity. In this ways- and in his energy, empathy, sharp intellect, and powerful gift with words both spoken and written- Adams was a predecessor Lincoln and , later, FDR and Obama. This sweeping biography makes clear how Adams’s forward-thinking values, his definition of leadership, and his vision for the nation’s future is as must about twenty-first century American as it is about Adams’s own time.
Meticulously researched and masterfully written, American Visionary paints a rich portrait of the brilliant leader and his significance to the nation and our own lives.

Review- I did enjoy this biography but it is not easy to read; it is 672 pages long and only 17 chapters. It is very scholarly and very in-depth to the subject. I knew very little about Quincy Adams before this book and now I like our sixth president. Much of Kaplan’s resources are letters and dairy entrees from Quincy Adams himself so I feel that I have a good idea about how the man really was. Kaplan’s’ writing style is readable but the subject is very intense. Kaplan gives a full account of Quincy Adams life from birth to death. He gives full essays that Quincy Adams wrote; gives full length poetry and dairy entrees. Those touches give this biography something very special and genuine. My only complaint is that it is only 17 chapters. When you sit down to read it you are going to be there awhile so I had to make sure that I had everything that needed to be done before I sat down with this book. I do recommend it and I did enjoy it very much.

I give this book a Five out of Five stars. I was given this book by HarperCollins in exchange for an honest review.

The Incrementalists

Today’s post is on The Incrementalists by Steven Brust and Skyler White. It is 304 pages long and is published by TOR. I believe it is a stand-alone novel. The cover has the title with Las Vegas in the background and a connect the dots moving across the cover. The intended reader is someone who likes secret societies, murder mysteries, and immortal souls. There is strong language, some sexuality, but no violence which is surprising. Adults readers will enjoy this book the best. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- An ancient conspiracy to make the world better. Just a little bit at a time. The Incrementalists- a secret society of two hundred people; an unbroken lineage reaching back forty thousand years. They cheat death, share lives and memories, and communicate with one another across nations and time. They have an epic history, an almost magical memory, and a very modest mission: to make the world better, a little bit at a time. Their ongoing argument about just how to accomplish this is older than most of their individual memories.
Phil, whose personality has stayed stable through more incarnations than anyone else’s, has loved Celeste- and argued with her- for most of the last four hundred years. But Celeste, recently dead, embittered, and very unstable, has changed the rules- not incrementally, and not for the better.
Now the heart of the group must gather in Las Vegas to save the Incrementalists, and maybe the world.

Review- I wanted to like this book. It has a great premise but the execution falls flat. I keep trying to tell what about the story is just did not hit with me but I just cannot put my finger on it. The characters are not bad characters. They are believable but just not really interesting to me. The mystery is interesting but it never got its hooks into me. Why Celeste did what she did really did not move me or make me care. Nothing about this book made me care. I hate being so harsh but this book just was bland to me. I read it hoping that something or someone would pull me into that world but nothing ever did. I cannot say that I would not recommend this book because that it just missed me and my taste in books and life in general is not everyone else’s. If you think that you would interested in reading this about immortal souls who are trying to make a better world then yes try this book. But if you need more than just a good premise for a story then do not.

I give this book a Two out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I borrowed this book from my local library.

Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 14

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 14 by Akimine Kamijyo and is published by Tokyopop. As it is the 14^th volume in the series you need to have read the previous ones to understand the story. On the cover is Kyo, Shinrei, and Hotaru looking cool and ready to fight. The intended reader is someone who is a fan samurai manga, complex plots, and surprising romance. There is language, lots of violence and some partial nudity. Older teens and adults only. The story is told in third person God point of view with some inner thoughts of the characters to add character and plot development. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- In the midst of Bontenmaru’s battle with the Mibu assassin, Firefly, Goyousei Chinmei suddenly appears! With his sights set on the Mibu headquarters, the time comes when Kyo and Muramasa must part… As the gang begins its hurried journey, Akira appears, carrying the ultimate prize: Kyo’s true body!

Review- So Kyo has learned everything that Muramasa can teach him so it is time to continue on the journey. Akira is now a main character and the Mibu now have Kyo’s true body. Add the pressure of Yuya’s time limit being put down to 12 hours and you have a very annoyed Kyo. He is at his best when he is annoyed. Not too much in character development in this volume but the plot gets going again. As much as I love Kyo Akira is something special. All three of them get to do lots of fighting and we have some good dialog to go with it. Now the bad guys take the time that Yuya has left with her water dragon and cuts to twelve hours. They have twelve hours to get to Shinrei and defeat him or Yuya will die. Only two more of the Four Emperors to get than they are all together again. More fighting and drama is certain and I love every minute of it.

I give this manga a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I bought this manga with my own money.

Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 13

Today’s post is on Samurai Deeper Kyo volume 13 by Akimine Kamijyo. As it is the 13^th in the series you need to have read the previous volumes to understand the story. The cover Kyo and Bontenmaru in the front with Hotaru is the background. There is language, some sexuality, and lots of violence in this manga. The story is told in third person god point of view with internal thoughts of main characters to give character and plot development. There Be Spoilers Ahead.

From the back of the book- The battle for Yuya’s life begins! As Benitora faces the steel-skinned Kaji-sama, Sasuke tests his new Muramasa blade against the vicious Maki-sama. Meanwhile, Yuya and Bontenmaru encounter the deadly assassin, Keikoku the Firefly… What is the true nature of this mysterious new foe? And how will our heroes survive the Mibu onslaught?!

Review-Kyo is forced to deal with the fact that he did not finish his training with Muramasa as a child and now he has to finish. If he does not Yuya will die. Hehas to push himself almost to death but he does it. Muramasa is a key character for this volume but he gives Kyo what he needs then dies. I like that Kamijyo finished a plotline. Keikoku or Hotaru as he will be called from now on was one of the four emperors and he, just like all the others, wants to fight Kyo again. Hotaru is a hilarious character. He is very blond. He is a good fighter but anything else and his just sort of fails. But that is part of his charm. And we start to see inside the Mubi castle and how life goes on in there. Yuya is dealing with having the water dragon in her heart and so is Kyo. I love him. He is so shy about how he feels that the only way that he can show Yuya that he cares is to 1 kill people who look at her and 2 be an ass. In the real world I would hate him but in this particular fictional setting I find him charming. I will never understand why.

I give this volume a Five out of Five stars. I get nothing for my review and I  bought this manga with my own money.