more adventures of Tom and Huck

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Adventures of Huckleberry Finn is a great continuation of the story started with Adventures of Tom Sawyer. Through the adventures laid down in this book, we get more depth into the characters of both Tom and Huck. They become more three dimensional and real. In it we also get a sampling of the culture and people who live along Old Man River, the Mississippi. Although parts of the book became tedious, overall the story was well done and engaging. This particular edition is a literary critics version, and provides approximately 120 pages of related commentary and writings to help understand the story as well as the context. I'm glad i went back to this book anew after all these decades!

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classic tale

The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

How great to read this classic tale again after recently touring Samuel Clemens boyhood home of Hannibal MO where the story was born! Now on to Huck Finn!

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an exciting and fun tale

Hounded by Kevin Hearne
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you have ever wondered what it would be like for a two thousand year old druid to be living in a present day Arizona college town, this is the book for you. Reminiscent of Neil Gaiman's Sandman series, the author incorporates all manner of beings from folk tales, legends and religions into this modern context to achieve an exciting and fun tale as Atticus O’Sullivan and his Irish wolfhound Oberon fight to preserve the druid way of life, fight against evil, and to restore the earth to health and wholeness. Being ignorant of myth and legend, i'm enjoying the ins and outs of these characters from history and legend. This tale is not as serious as Gaiman's tales, but quite fun to read, and it is the kick-off for a series known as The Iron Druid Chronicles.

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wonderful story of epic proportion

Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

OK - i am fairly sure this will turn out to be the best book i've read in 2018. It took a while, over 1000 pages, and through 2 vacation trips, but this is an excellent story. It is rich and engaging from start to finish. Gone with the Wind fully deserves it's place on the must-read lists and among the classics of American literature. I am itching to see the film again now. What a wonderfully written and told story of epic proportion. 6 stars from me.

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Still chugging

World's End by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Still chugging my way through the Sandman series. Mr Gaiman uncovers more tales and legends from all over the world and over history.

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the Mistborn trilogy - part 1

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

"Mistborn: The Final Empire" is the fascinating first installment in the Mistborn trilogy. The tale revolves around an unlikely hero, a young women born into slavery, employed as a thief, and yet endowed with powerful abilities that are part of a complex and creative system of magic that are a part of this world and usually only found in the ruling classes. She is discovered and "called" by an enthusiastic and charismatic freedom fighter into a plot to overthrow the evil and oppressive Lord Ruler of the "Final Empire", and set up an egalitarian and just government in which the skaa (slaves) are considered as equals to the nobility. There is much action and twists and turns in the plot with many surprises along the way. I am looking forward to continuing this adventure in the second installment "The Well of Ascension". The is a great follow up by Mr. Sanderson to "Elantris".

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deserve and demand re-reading

Brief Lives by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More of this great graphic narrative from Gaiman. It has become obvious to me that these stories are deep and penetrating, and deserve and demand re-reading. On to collection #8, "Worlds' End".

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"together" ?!?!?!

i received this ad in the mail from Ford Motor Company yesterday. Someone please explain to me how any of these vehicle occupants are "together" other than their bodies being in the same SUV?

a richly human community

The Memory of Old Jack by Wendell Berry
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This is my first taste of Wendell Berry's rich fictional world of Port William KY. This tale is the told through a series of remembrances of a crusty old farmer, interleaved with his interactions with the people and events of the present. The character of "Old Jack" is a strong yet flawed, deeply human old farmer who is among of the last of his generation. Jack's life has been spent stubbornly fighting for his independence and for his ties to his land and surrounding country that he both loves and belongs to. This tale is a wonderful incarnation of the wholesome and healthy philosophy that Mr. Berry espouses and lives out in his life and writings. I am looking forward to more tales of this richly human community.

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legends and tales of many peoples and cultures

Fables and Reflections by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

More cool tales from the King of Dreams. It seems that Mr. Gaiman has included legends and tales of many peoples and cultures in this interesting series. Really enjoying the stories!

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better with each reading

The Eye of the World by Robert Jordan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

"The Dragon is Reborn" - this story is better with each reading, this is number five or six for me :) I love it. The question is, can i stop with this one, or is "The Great Hunt" next?!?!! :)

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creativity, originality, and beauty

Griffin & Sabine: An Extraordinary Correspondence by Nick Bantock
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one gets 5 stars for creativity, originality, and beauty. What a powerful story and medium. Loved it.

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better and better

A Game of You by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

These stories are getting better and better. Looking forward to the next installment!

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over-the-top outrageous black comedy

Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This one was a long haul, and it had me seriously reconsidering picking my books from "classic" must-read lists. This story is an over-the-top outrageous black comedy / satire that takes place near the end of WW-2 on and around an Allies airbase in Italy. All the ridiculousness of war and military operations, politics, and personnel are raised to the nth degree of zany. It took me over half way through before i actually could appreciate the message contained in this story. All in all, it was a little too over-the-top for my tastes, but as the story ends, it leaves the reader with a serious critique of war, politics, and the philosophy of swords and guns in the way our world operates. Serious haunting questions are contained within virtually every wild crazy part of this story. I see why it is on many must-read lists, and i can see how it has influenced other books, films, and television shows, namely M*A*S*H. I'm glad i read it, but i'm taking a break from the must-read lists for a while.

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Let Kids Be Kids

Creative and interesting

The Sandman, Vol. 4: Season of Mists by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Creative and interesting take on heaven and hell, and a collection of historical and worldwide deities.

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solid advice - seeking a home in Durham

more cool stories

Dream Country by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cool muse and cat stories. I could do without the Shakespeare.

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love the Cameo

The Doll's House by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

this a really cool story! it skips around a bit, and i did not follow all of it, but it's enjoyable and interesting. I especially love the Cameo appearance of G.K. Chesterton as himself :-) Excellent touch.

ps. Even better 2nd time around!

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sandman_(Vertigo)


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upon 2nd reading

Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Very nice upon 2nd reading, it will take some time to get into the story as these volumes progress.

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