The Inventions, Researches, and Writings of Nikola Tesla by Nikola Tesla

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover inventions, researches and writing of nikola tesla

Title: The Inventions, Researches, and Writings of Nikola Tesla
Author: Nikola Tesla
Series: Barnes & Noble Leatherbound
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, History, Non-fiction, Science
Dates read: 16th October – 15th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: Barnes & Noble Leatherbound
Year: 1995
5th sentence, 74th page: Fig. 61 is a vertical cross-section of the motor.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

The Inventions, Researches and Writings of Nikola Tesla is the definitive record of the pioneering work of one of the modern world’s most groundbreaking inventors. During the early twentieth century, Nikola Tesla blazed the trail that electrical technology would follow for decades afterward. Although he pioneered inventions like alternating current (AC), radio, wireless transmission, and X-rays, and worked with innovators like George Westinghouse and Thomas Edison, the once celebrated Tesla was later largely forgotten by history. With illustrations and diagrams of many of Tesla’s early patents and inventions, as well as dozens of thought-provoking lectures and articles, this volume offers a rare glimpse of a true genius at work.

The Inventions, Researches and Writings of Nikola Tesla is one of Barnes & Noble’s Collectible Editions classics. Each volume features authoritative texts by the world’s greatest authors in an exquisitely designed bonded-leather binding, with distinctive gilt edging and an attractive silk-ribbon bookmark. Decorative, durable, and collectible, these books offer hours of pleasure to readers young and old and are an indispensible cornerstone for every home library.

Thoughts

This was an interesting, fun and open read. I mostly bought it because I needed it to complete a reading challenge, and well, the cover was really, really pretty. What I didn’t expect was that I would enjoy this adventure so much… after all, it’s been quite a while since I picked up anything physics-related.

Physics is an incredibly intense and fun subject – one that I’m kind of realising I miss a bit. This book explains that fact really well – not only is the use of electricity really intricate and intense, but this collection actually manages to explain it in a really fascinating way. And accessible… you don’t need a physics degree to understand what discoveries and creations Tesla came up with. The diagrams also go a long way to helping you understand exactly what engines, power sources and discoveries he made.

I did really enjoy the biographical aspects of Tesla’s life throughout this as well. Although it was very science-heavy, there was just enough of the personal to keep even the least scientifically-minded person engaged. So, not only did I learn a lot about what the actual discoveries, researches and inventions of Tesla were, I also learnt quite a bit about his personal journey and life in his obsession with electricity.

 <- Dracula and Other Horror Stories ReviewBeauty and the Beast and Other Classic Fairy Tales Review ->

Image source: BookDepository

They All Love Jack by Nick Sweet

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of jack the ripper stories book cover

Title: They All Love Jack
Author: Nick Sweet
In: The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories (Maxim Jakubowski)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Mental health
Dates read: 15th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: Indeed, I am sure a psychiatrist would argue that all of the business I underwent with Sally – and that Sally underwent with me and my parents – must have something to do with my lust for killing whores…

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Everyone loves Jack. Or at least, that’s what he thinks as he shares his adventures and journey. Steadily becoming more and more unhinged as time goes on.

Thoughts

This short story is a little overwhelmingly scary – it’s all written from the point of view of Jack. And it starts out kind of normal. You’re not entirely sure if this is actually jack, or someone who is trying to get into his headspace… but then it becomes steadily more and more unhinged. And scary. And intense. And just downright crazy. Like I said, steadily more and more unhinged.

I did really enjoy the psychopathic wordplay throughout. It reminded me a little of the Jack letters, made his psychopathy all the scarier and was just thoroughly enjoyable. If not, as I said, a little terrifying. There is something that’s unsettling about reading a story from a first person point of view as they slowly descend into madness…

There are a lot of theories as to why people commit murders – the motives behind Jack the Ripper. This one firmly sits in the camp of previous sexual abuse… by the mother. And on that charming note, I’ll leave you at that. Because, quite honestly, ew.

 <- The Ballad of Kate Eddowes ReviewMonkeys Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Dirtmouth by Stephen Graham Jones

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover haunted nights ellen datlow

Title: Dirtmouth
Author: Stephen Graham Jones
In: Haunted Nights (Lisa Morton & Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Family, Horror
Dates read: 15th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Blumhouse
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: It wouldn’t be a lost hunter, either, unless that hunter was really lost; rifle season had closed ten days earlier.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

A little over a year ago he lost his wife. On a pilgrimage to the mountains that took her life, he loses both of his children. But the way in which he loses them will only happen on a dark Halloween night…

Thoughts

One of my biggest rants around Halloween is the fact that a) we’re not American. And b) most people don’t understand the roots of the festival. This short story does address those roots. After all, Halloween (or All Hallows Eve) is the night of the year in which the barriers between worlds fall. Most of the stories I read that feature this ideal are kind of sweet – definitely filled with hope and connections with the past… this isn’t such a nice story, but I love that it connects the spirit world with the living one.

The narrative voice of this story is absolutely amazing. It is funny, witty and not one that I’m likely to forget at any time soon. It took me a little while to realise exactly what was happening… but once I realised that the man who is telling the story was trying to explain what happened to a cop. It just became brilliant. Although, once you finish it, the cheer, hope and good humour with which this story is told – that becomes a little bit creepy… after all, he’s recounting the death of his wife and the loss of his children.

There are many tales of the power of a mother’s love. Normally I find them kind of sweet and cheerful. Not so much when that love means a weird zombie coming back from the dead, visiting her children and just generally wreaking havoc on the world. Talk about a horror story!

 <- With Graveyard Weeds and Wolfsbane Seeds ReviewA Small Taste of the Old Country Review ->

Image source: Amazon

At Grave’s End by Jeaniene Frost

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover at grave's end

Title: At Grave’s End
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Series: Night Huntress #3, Night Huntress Universe #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 22nd September – 15th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I showered again and went downstairs.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Some things won’t stay buried… At grave’s end.

It should be the best time of half-vampire Cat Crawfield’s life. With her undead lvoer Bones at her side, she’s successfully protected mortals from the rogue undead. But though Cat’s worn disguise after disguise to keep her true identity a secret from the brazen bloodsuckers, her cover’s finally been blown, placing her in terrible danger.

As if that wasn’t enough, a woman from Bones’s past is determined to bury him once and for all. Caught in the crosshairs of a vengeful vamp, yet determined to help Bones stop a lethal magic from being unleashed, Cat’s about to learn the true meaning of bad blood. And the tricks she’s learned as a special agent won’t help her. She will need to fully embrace her vampire instincts in order to save herself – and Bones – from a fate worse than the grave.

Thoughts

Thoroughly enjoyed this book. It took me a little while to read, because I couldn’t read it late at night before bed, or while I was trying to study, or really do anything productive in any way, shape or form. It was just really, really good and I never wanted to put it down. I finally had to set aside a night to finish it… just so I could get my little happy fix.

Unlike a lot of the books I put on the strong women shelf, Cat finds her beau in the first book, and ever tale afterwards is all about them. And you know, all the people trying to kill them, preying on the weak, yada yada yada. Yet this still works brilliantly. Cat and Bones are trying to create their lives together, but they keep coming up against hurdles. One of which is Bones’ past as a gigolo. But they’re accepting of this. Neither was pure and innocent when they got into the relationship. Neither is free of a past. And they both use their sexuality to constantly trap predators. Its kind of a nice balance – because they both do it. don’t get me wrong, I don’t love that Cat is constantly having to dress provocatively and seduce men into going with her to kill them… but I love that both her and Bones do it, get jealous and understand each others’ motive.

This month, I needed a book that had Dracula as a character. I figured I was probably just going to finally get around to actually reading Dracula… but then Vlad showed up in this story. What a brilliant idea! Not only does this novel feature Vlad the Impaler / Dracula / Haunter of My Dreams, but it also features Cleopatra’s daughter. Now I’m curious to see what historical figure Mencheres is… because he must be to be that old and powerful… yay for reading the next books in the series!

The war that takes place in At Grave’s End feels like it should be finished at the conclusion of the book. But I get the feeling that this is just setting the story up for a much greater war. Makes me feel a little like a conspiracy theorist in my musings… but there is no way that such an intense war between characters can be over so quickly… so I suppose I had better pick up the next book and get reading!

<- One Foot in the GraveDevil to Pay ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Irish Duke by Cathy Maxwell

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for four dukes and a devil book cover

Title: The Irish Duke
Author: Cathy Maxwell
In: Four Dukes and a Devil (Cathy Maxwell, Elaine Fox, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash & Tracy Anne Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Romance
Dates read: 14th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Avon Romance
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: He gave a bitter laugh, his anger welling inside him all over again.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Susan has managed to find a way to carve out a life for herself in amongst the English gentry. It’s not quite what her family has in mind, but it’ll do. And she uses the myth of the Irish Duke to do so. Everything is going well until she finally meets an Irish Duke…. and her life, livelihood and existence are turned on their heads.

Thoughts

This was a great, fun and cute historical romance. It was beautiful, fun and impossible to put down. Mostly, I’m just disappointed that this is a standalone novella. I would love to have this as part of a greater series… but that’s okay, I’ll just find another one of Maxwell’s books to add to my ever-expanding list. Mostly, I think I loved this because it was so incredibly sweet and easy. It wasn’t the kind of story that you have to concentrate on and really delve into.

I like how this is all about perceptions. About how the fallacy created by one woman can completely destroy the reputation of another person. Even if that little story she tells is technically true… her words have power, and Susan is about to find out just how far the power of words can go. This is such a beautiful story, and although it starts off with one woman accidentally destroying the reputation of an incredibly handsome man… it is also about how that damage can be repaired and a happily ever after reached.

One of the things that drew me into this story straight away was the fact that Susan is a strong, independent woman. In a society and world that is filled with simpering women, clawing themselves up the social ladder and just in general being about women relying on men; she manages to find her own little niche and life. I also love that her not-so-kind in-laws and sisters get a bit of comeuppance at the end of the story.

 <- Four Dukes and a Devil ReviewThe Duke Who Came to Dinner Review ->

Image source: Amazon

China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover china rich girlfriend kevin kwan

Title: China Rich Girlfriend
Author: Kevin Kwan
Series: Crazy Rich Asians #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Asia, Book to Film, Chic lit, Contemporary
Dates read: 31st October – 14th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Anchor Books
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: NICK: WTF!

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

It’s the eve of Rachel Chu’s wedding, and she should be over the moon. She has a flawless oval-cut diamond, a wedding dress she loves, and a fiance willing to thwart his meddling relatives and give up one of the biggest fortunes in Asia in order to marry her. Still, Rachel mourns the fact that her birth father, a man she never knew, wont’ be there to walk her down the aisle.

Then a chance accident reveals his identity. Suddenly, Rachel is drawn into a dizzying world of Shanghai splendor, a world where people attend church in a penthouse, where exotic cars race down the boulevard, and where people aren’t just crazy rich… they’re China rich.

Thoughts

This is yet another fabulous hit. At least with me. And when I say fabulous, I mean flamboyantly fabulous because seriously… talk about lives of the rich and famous!!!

I spent most of my time reading this book giggling, laughing my head off, and sending random snapchats to my friends in particularly glorious moments. There is just something that is deliciously witty and disparaging about Kwan’s writing that I haven’t found in the longest of times. It has been the perfect fit for my mood lately, and a great summer read with the gloriously warm weather coming in. Easy, fun and so completely unbelievable that you actually believe that these people exist…

China Rich Girlfriend reveals yet another facet to the lives of the rich and famous among Asian and Chinese societies. And, again, Rachel is thrust in the middle of peoples’ issues and hang ups. Almost having her life destroyed in the process. It’s incredibly drama filled, but at least this time, Rachel doesn’t so much act as a naïve lamb going to the slaughter. She’s actually able to stand up for herself and approach the whole situation with her eyes open, no happy little, dream come true delusions this time. Thank goodness. I loved this more cynical version.

This story mostly follows Rachel and her discovery of her new family. As such, Nick tends to take a bit of a step back as a main story character. He’s always there, but not in the limelight as in Crazy Rich Asians. The other two relationships that are followed, and incredibly intriguing are that of Kitty and Bernard. I never thought I’d want to know what happened to them so badly, but it turns out that I had to have their story in my life too!

The third couple that was followed was Astrid and Michael. He was a douche nugget in the movie, he’s a douche nugget in the first book. And by the time you get to the end of the second book, you will seriously be hoping that he is not going to be around in the third… serious douche nugget. But, it makes for great reading, and gives you hope that Astrid may be able to find her own happily ever after, just with a few more bumps in the road…

<- Crazy Rich AsiansRich People Problems ->

Image source: Amazon

Coyote Speaks by Ari Berk & Carolyn Dunn

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover coyote speaks

Title: Coyote Speaks: Wonder of the Native American World
Author: Ari Berk & Carolyn Dunn
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Native American mythology, Non-fiction
Dates read: 16th October – 14th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Non-fictional text
Publisher: Abrams
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: The beauty and commercial value of these objects can make people greedy, even people who should know better.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Imagine
a time when there was only a thin line between the realms of humans and animals, and they could speak to each other and share their knowledge, or transform from one into the other through magic.

Imagine
a world where Coyote makes the heavens by holding all the stars in a blanket and then throwing them into the sky, where they become the constellations that we still see today.

Imagine
a land where people emerged into this world by growing like corn from beneath the ground.

Imagine
ancient objects, amazing journeys, mysterious symbols, and magical stories.

Now imagine all these things exist, for in Native America, they do.

Thoughts

I really don’t know much about Native American mythology. I’ve never had the exposure, and other than one character in the Mercedes Thompson series, I’ve not read any books that feature people of this heritage. So of course, I was extremely excited and fascinated to pick up this book and learn something new. Which, this was a perfect introduction to. I now know that I want to read further along about this mythos, but as a broad overview… this was fantastic.

This broad introduction was beautifully graphic. I spent more of my time staring at the pictures than actually reading the words. It was just beautiful and unforgettable. I’ll pick this up again and again, just because I loved the layout and print of the work.

I’m well aware of how many of the world’s Indigenous cultures and beliefs are frequently disrespected. So I was very happy to find that this was not only informative and a great introduction, it was also incredibly respectful to the mother culture. Now I just need to start slogging through that great bibliography at the end!

<- More Native American mythology reviewsMore non-fiction reviews ->

Image source: Amazon

With Graveyard Weeds and Wolfsbane Seeds by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover haunted nights ellen datlow

Title: With Graveyard Weeds and Wolfsbane Seeds
Author: Seanan McGuire
In: Haunted Nights (Lisa Morton & Ellen Datlow)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Horror
Dates read: 14th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Blumhouse
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: No one owns this house.

Synopsis

Mary Holston loves Halloween, but a tragedy occurs and her life is ended. Yet, the house stands as a testament to her life… and as a way in which their town can be kept nice, beautiful and pleasant…

Thoughts

As a start to a collection of stories about haunted nights and Halloween… this is absolutely freaking perfect. It starts with a little girl trick or treating and then flickers into the present. Something that is theoretically very cute and innocent is made into something that really, really isn’t. Alright, I’ve never truly understood why Trick or Treating is such a childhood obsession and seen of as cute… but apparently it is. I much prefer this dark and creepy version of a small ghost girl running around saying Trick or Treat though.

This short story has a kind of supernatural-esque kind of feeling. Mostly, it’s a great reminder that you should never go into a haunted house! Especially when you’re a group of teenagers who are hell-bent on destruction. And the house is one that has never been destroyed, decomposed or modified in any shape or form. I mean, you just know that some supernatural shit is going on right there. And of course, that’s what you keep screaming in your head the whole time you’re reading this… “don’t go into the house!”

This is a great, intense and fun short story. Mary Holston is the exact level of creepiness that makes me get goose bumps. Honestly, it’s small girl ghosts with their high pitched voices that give me the nightmares and make me check around the corners. So this makes me just freak out whenever I read it… which is exactly what you want as an opening Haunted Nights story.

 <- Haunted NightsDirtmouth ->

Image source: Amazon

Anne of Green Gables by Lucy Maud Montgomery

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover anne of green gables word cloud classics

Title: Anne of Green Gables
Author: Lucy Maud Montgomery
Series: Anne of Green Gables #1, Word Cloud Classics
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Family
Dates read: 5th – 11th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Word Cloud Classics
Year: 1908
5th sentence, 74th page: Isn’t that a perfectly elegant name?

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Best-selling Canadian author Lucy Maud Montgomery published the first book in her charming series in 1908, making it a literary favorite for more than a hundred years. Published as a children’s novel, the story of Anne Shirley, an orphan, was inspired by the author’s childhood adventures on rural Prince Edward Island. It follows Anne’s journey as she moves to a farm on Prince Edward Island to live with a middle-aged brother and sister who had intended to adopt a boy to help them with farming chores. The story follows Anne as she makes a home and comes of age on the island.

  • This chic and inexpensive edition comes with a heat-burnished cover, foil stamping, luxurious endpapers, and a smaller trim size that’s easy to hold.
  • The widely popular novel has sold more than 50 million copies and has been translated into more than twenty languages since its first publication.

Anne of Green Gables has been one of the world’s most charming coming-of-age stories for more than a century.

Thoughts

I didn’t really know what to expect when I picked this classic up. I know that a lot of people enjoy the story. And that is honestly the extent of my knowledge. It made it a pleasant surprise when I realised how much I loved this. Especially when Anne is such an unbelievably relatable character. Probably my favourite classics lead since I started trying to expand on my classics knowledge.

This is an incredibly sweet coming of age story. Mostly because it is all about love and family.  Not the family we are necessarily born into, but the one that we choose. Or, that fate chooses for us in any case. It’s not just about the two people who choose to parent Anne, it is about their relationship as siblings. The relationships they’ve formed with the rest of the town and Anne’s desire to fit into a bigger world.

Normally I find coming of age stories a little bit of a hard slog and not that engaging. But, this isn’t like that. It is impossible to put down, funny and filled with so much light and compassion that I won’t be able to forget this story. Not for a long time yet.

The language in this story is one of my favourite things… the language that Montgomery uses is open, relatable and simple. The long-winded, intense dialogue that fills Anne’s head is a great counterpoint to this. The ramblings and intensity are a great way to show the jumpy thought process that Anne follows. Probably what makes her so damn relatable… because I kind of go off on the same fanciful tangents.

<- Moby-DickAnna Karenina ->

Image source: Amazon

The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 edited by Trisha Telep

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of vampire romance 2 book cover

Title: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2: Love Bites
Author: Trisha Telep, Jordan Summers, Deborah Cooke, Karen MacInerney, Caitlin Kittredge, Dina James, Camille Bacon-Smith, Rosemary Laurey, Patti O’Shea, Angie Fox, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Jamie Leigh Hansen, Carole Nelson Douglas, Diane Whiteside, Jaye Wells, Stacia Kane, Jennifer Ashley, Justine Musk, Jennifer St Giles, Dawn Cook, Nancy Holder, Larissa Ione, Jeanne C. Stein, Tiffany Trent, Ann Aguirre & Devon Monk
Series: Mammoth Books
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Vampires
Dates read: 22nd March – 9th November 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Le Cirque de la Nuit.

Synopsis

From the biggest names in vampire romance, 25 tales of a hunger like no other.

Bloodthirsty new vampire romance, including thrilling new stories from bestselling and award-winning authors aush as Jordan Summers, Jaye Wells, Larissa Ione, Jeanne C. Stein and Deborah Cooke. You’ll encounter gothic romance and gritty contemporary tales of urban vampire love, from stand-alone short stories to well-loved (and feared) characters from established series.

Ruthless but tortured, gifted with paranormal sensitivity and sexually mesmerizing, vampires show they can be gentle and caring, too.

Forget the everyday world. Forget the rules. Succumb to a different kind of love.

Thoughts

I really think that Twilight kind of ruined the idea of vampires for me. And vampires with romance… it’s something that I’ve taken forever to truly get into. And even now, with this collection, I thoroughly enjoyed it in short bursts. Some of these stories were absolutely amazing. Many others weren’t. And some sat nicely in the middle. Which mostly just made this collection, fun, easy and a great break from reality late at night when I was no longer able to concentrate.

Having said that, the introduction sounds kind of pessimistic. That’s not the case with this book. It’s definitely an anthology that I would suggest to others. And one that I think people would thoroughly enjoy. I’ll probably even read it again in the future – just take my sweet time about it to space out the vampire overload.

As with all of the other Mammoth Books that I’ve read so far, I found this a great introduction to authors. Both new ones, and a reminder that I need to add some previously read authors to my wishlist too. I just need to magically find more money to actually purchase everything that has been added into my list.

<- Untitled 12Paris After Dark ->

Image source: Bookdepository