The Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon is the story of Percy Harrison Fawcett, British geographer, artillery officer, cartographThe Lost City of Z: A Tale of Deadly Obsession in the Amazon is the story of Percy Harrison Fawcett, British geographer, artillery officer, cartographer, archaeologist, and explorer of South America. He disappeared in May 1925 during an expedition to find an ancient lost city which he and others believed existed in the Amazon rainforeset.
Fawcett took his first trip to the Amazon was in 1906-1907 where he mapped the border between Bolivia and Brazil for the Royal Geographic Society. The mission was said to have nearly 700 miles of impassible terrain, along with a variety of other dangers, including cannibals, venomous snakes, piranhas, starvation, and disease.
Percy Fawcett’s life was fascinating. He was often compared to Livingstone. Over the course of his trips, he came to believe in an ancient lost city named Z, and disillusioned by WWI, decided to stake everything on one last trip to find the city.
"The Lost City of Z" takes a dual narrative approach for most of the book. The account of Fawcett’s life is alternated with Grann’s preparations to go to the Amazon and follow the footsteps of Fawcett. Grann treks into some remote areas of the Amazon and manages to survive, recounting the details with a mixture of awe and humor.
Grann does a excellent job of weaving together Fawcett’s tale with his own tale of trying to discover what happened to the explorer. One part travelogue, one part historical adventure and one part mystery, "The Lost City of Z" does a remarkable job of painting a picture of rugged exploration and travel in centuries past.
Looking for an X book in one of my ongoing challenges, I recently picked up The Xibalba Murders. It's the first book in a series featuring Lara McClinLooking for an X book in one of my ongoing challenges, I recently picked up The Xibalba Murders. It's the first book in a series featuring Lara McClintoch, Toronto-based antiquities dealer. She has been contacted by her former mentor, Dr. Hernan Castillo, who begs her to come down and help him with a mysterious project. He disappears, but leaves behind a cryptic message “we seek what the rabbit writes”.
Lara begins an investigation but seems to be unaware of what a dangerous position she is putting herself in. There is a resurgence of guerrilla warfare in the city, which is being led by a modern group who wants to return to the days of the Mayans. She then travels into the jungle where she enters the underground ruins in search of the treasure that Dr. Castillo was looking for.
One of the most fascinating things about this book was that each chapter is named after a Mayan day. The name is explained and fascinating facts are given to explain it's meaning. What I didn't realize at first is that the author then relates each chapter to the title's meaning. She also writes many remarkable facts about the Maya culture and their detailed history, which I found quite fascinating.
The plot was mildly interesting with some unexpected twists but I felt my mind drifting off in several places and had to go back and reread a section. I didn't love the heroine and felt she was naive a lot of the time. Since this is the first book of a series that now has eleven other books, I would definitely give it another try. I learned so much about the Mayan culture, it was worth reading, in my opinion.
Merged review:
Looking for an X book in one of my ongoing challenges, I recently picked up The Xibalba Murders. It's the first book in a series featuring Lara McClintoch, Toronto-based antiquities dealer. She has been contacted by her former mentor, Dr. Hernan Castillo, who begs her to come down and help him with a mysterious project. He disappears, but leaves behind a cryptic message “we seek what the rabbit writes”.
Lara begins an investigation but seems to be unaware of what a dangerous position she is putting herself in. There is a resurgence of guerrilla warfare in the city, which is being led by a modern group who wants to return to the days of the Mayans. She then travels into the jungle where she enters the underground ruins in search of the treasure that Dr. Castillo was looking for.
One of the most fascinating things about this book was that each chapter is named after a Mayan day. The name is explained and fascinating facts are given to explain it's meaning. What I didn't realize at first is that the author then relates each chapter to the title's meaning. She also writes many remarkable facts about the Maya culture and their detailed history, which I found quite fascinating.
The plot was mildly interesting with some unexpected twists but I felt my mind drifting off in several places and had to go back and reread a section. I didn't love the heroine and felt she was naive a lot of the time. Since this is the first book of a series that now has eleven other books, I would definitely give it another try. I learned so much about the Mayan culture, it was worth reading, in my opinion....more
In One Sweet Ride, we meet Grey Preston, a very successful team owner/driver on the NASCAR circuit. Grey is estranged from his father, a powerful US SIn One Sweet Ride, we meet Grey Preston, a very successful team owner/driver on the NASCAR circuit. Grey is estranged from his father, a powerful US Senator, who is currently in the running to become Vice President. Evelyn Hill works for Grey’s father. But the man she knows is very different from the one that Grey remembers. She's been given the task of convincing Grey to bring some of racing fans over to his father's camp.
I thought Evelyn was an extremely strong character and Grey was just okay. I think other male heroes in the Play by Play series were more complex. The romance was predictable and the ending was disappointing for me. The author can be counted on to write sexy and fun relationships, so her fans will probably not be disappointed.
Merged review:
In One Sweet Ride, we meet Grey Preston, a very successful team owner/driver on the NASCAR circuit. Grey is estranged from his father, a powerful US Senator, who is currently in the running to become Vice President. Evelyn Hill works for Grey’s father. But the man she knows is very different from the one that Grey remembers. She's been given the task of convincing Grey to bring some of racing fans over to his father's camp.
I thought Evelyn was an extremely strong character and Grey was just okay. I think other male heroes in the Play by Play series were more complex. The romance was predictable and the ending was disappointing for me. The author can be counted on to write sexy and fun relationships, so her fans will probably not be disappointed....more
Eight years ago, Cooper Mason left Gold Valley and vowed never to return. He hates coming back home especially during the holidays because it reminds Eight years ago, Cooper Mason left Gold Valley and vowed never to return. He hates coming back home especially during the holidays because it reminds him of his sister, who died from cancer long before her time. This year his parents specifically asked him and he had little choice but to return.
Annabelle Preston had always had a crush on Cooper but being seven years younger, he always treated her like a little sister. She is determined to seduce him while he's home. She puts her plan in action, the whole time thinking Cooper knows who she is. Unfortunately Cooper thinks he's picking up a stranger for a quick hookup.
It was a quick read with lots of steamy bedroom scenes, some emotional upheavals between our main characters, and some heartfelt moments wrapped in a Christmas theme.
Merged review:
Eight years ago, Cooper Mason left Gold Valley and vowed never to return. He hates coming back home especially during the holidays because it reminds him of his sister, who died from cancer long before her time. This year his parents specifically asked him and he had little choice but to return.
Annabelle Preston had always had a crush on Cooper but being seven years younger, he always treated her like a little sister. She is determined to seduce him while he's home. She puts her plan in action, the whole time thinking Cooper knows who she is. Unfortunately Cooper thinks he's picking up a stranger for a quick hookup.
It was a quick read with lots of steamy bedroom scenes, some emotional upheavals between our main characters, and some heartfelt moments wrapped in a Christmas theme....more
Dr. Laura Reynolds had a job she loved until she lost it all. She saw a colleague stealing medical drugs and he framed her for it. Unfairly found guilDr. Laura Reynolds had a job she loved until she lost it all. She saw a colleague stealing medical drugs and he framed her for it. Unfairly found guilty, stripped of her career, and facing jail, Laura is approached by a firm offering her a job working at their remote facility in Antarctica. It's her only chance to practice medicine again, so she agrees. She is contacted by the FBI who wants her to spy on her new employer. She travels to Antarctica, where she has agreed to collect information for the government. When she starts to investigate, she realizes that things are definitely not what they seem.
This book had a lot of things I should have enjoyed, including secret facilities in Antarctica, cryo/stasis pods, artificial intelligence, a probable apocalypse, and a surprising twist that completely changed my understanding of what was going on in the story.
While the premise was interesting, I didn't enjoy the book as much as I expected. There was absolutely no chemistry between the main characters, and the end seemed rushed, especially since thirty percent of the book seemed to be Laura talking to her transport vehicle. This was my first book by this author, and I would definitely do more research before reading another one of his books....more
Alessandro and Theresa de Lucci had been living in a loveless and cold marriage. Theresa had married Sandro because she was in love with him. He marriAlessandro and Theresa de Lucci had been living in a loveless and cold marriage. Theresa had married Sandro because she was in love with him. He married her because was blackmailed by her manipulative father into the marriage so that he can get his family’s vineyard back.
Theresa didn’t know Sandro didn’t love her when he married her. She was totally in love with him and tried each day to make him love her even though his words and actions were cruel. After a year and a half of unhappiness and disillusionment, she tells Sandro she wants divorce. Unfortunate timing, since Theresa is about to discover that she’s finally pregnant and Alessandro is about to discover that he isn’t willing to lose Theresa.
The story follows them rebuilding feelings and learning about each other on a new level, after months of icy distance. This book gets great reviews but I just didn't care for it. I didn't like either of the main characters and struggled to finish it.
If you enjoy a love story with angst, emotional turmoil, a sexy, brooding, alpha male and an innocent, loving, damaged heroine, give "The Unwanted Wife" a try....more
It is with great sadness that I have reached The End of my month long read of "A Series of Unfortunate Events". I struggled with my rating because eveIt is with great sadness that I have reached The End of my month long read of "A Series of Unfortunate Events". I struggled with my rating because even though this wasn't my favorite book, I just couldn't NOT give this creative series a 5 Star ending.
Over the past twelve books, the Baudelaire children have been trying to escape Count Olaf, the evil villain. But the more they escape, the more powerful he comes back next time. His ankle bears a tattooed eye that has been watching the Baudelaire children all their life. Count Olaf wants the huge fortune that the Baudelaire parents left behind.
The action in this book takes place on an island in the middle of nowhere. You can truly see how much Violet, Klaus and Sunny have changed since book one in this series. The character development in this book was huge, and it might be the reason why I liked this book so much, despite the fact that I didn't love the way the series ended. I felt like there were too many unanswered questions that I still wanted answers to.
"The End" was probably the most serious of all the books. The Baudelaires have come a long way, overcoming so much tragedy, and I think that’s the biggest take away from the series finale. I loved the bond between these kids and the way they support one another, the focus of family, the importance of good morals, and the themes of courage, good versus evil, and hope.
Lemony Snicket's writing is unique, special, witty and very entertaining. I chose to listen to the last half of the series with the always fantastic narration by Tim Curry. I've spent all month with these children and I'm going to miss them....more
The Penultimate Peril finds the Baudelaires at the Hotel Denouement, a hotel organized by the Dewey decimal system. The Hotel Denouement is the last sThe Penultimate Peril finds the Baudelaires at the Hotel Denouement, a hotel organized by the Dewey decimal system. The Hotel Denouement is the last safe place for VFD, and the secret organization will be meeting there in just two days. The Baudelaires, disguised as concierges, spy on the hotel guests, hoping to discover whether or not the safety of the hotel has been compromised
The Baudelaires are once again accused of murder and once again face a crowd of people who are convinced of their guilt. This book is probably the closest we will come to understanding the VFD and the mysteries surrounding the Baudelaires, including a harpoon gun, a rooftop sunbathing salon, two mysterious initials, three unidentified triplets, a notorious villain, and an unsavory curry.
A good portion of the last several books in this series focused on what it really means to be a villain and this book continues with that trend. I really liked the inner conflicts that the Baudelaires were having when deciding whether they were noble or not.
One of the best things about this book that practically all characters that we met in the previous novels reunited back at the hotel. This was a great penultimate novel, making me anxious to head into the final book of the series, fittingly titled The End....more
In the eleventh book of "A Series of Unfortunate Events", The Grim Grotto, we find the Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire in a toboggan, rushing down In the eleventh book of "A Series of Unfortunate Events", The Grim Grotto, we find the Violet, Klaus and Sunny Baudelaire in a toboggan, rushing down a stream, helpless to save themselves, and ending up in the submarine of boisterous Captain Widdershins and his step daughter Fiona.
The action in this book is very high. Some twists are added and this revelation works wonders to make the entire series even better. The later books in the series explore the lines between good and evil.
"The Grim Grotto" starts out a little slowly but gets more eventful as time goes by. The attention to detail is fantastic and the setting is wonderfully portrayed. The emphasis on fungi and submarines was terrific and the descriptive passages are great.
As the Beaudelaire orphans try to unravel the mystery of V.F.D. and stay out of the hands of Count Olaf, they have to navigate dark waters and even darker intentions. This book weaves intricate plots and clever wordplay in a way that keeps readers eagerly turning pages....more
The Slippery Slope is set in the Mortmain Mountains, a chilly range of odd, squarish mountains, home to snow gnats, bears, and the VFD headquarters. TThe Slippery Slope is set in the Mortmain Mountains, a chilly range of odd, squarish mountains, home to snow gnats, bears, and the VFD headquarters. The Baudelaire orphans are separated, with Sunny being kidnapped by Count Olaf and taken to the summit of Mount Fraught. Violet and Klaus are left for dead along the road up the mountains. Sunny is forced to cook for and clean up after Count Olaf and his troupe, who are planning to destroy the headquarters of VFD. Meanwhile, Violet and Klaus are searching for the headquarters, and hoping to rescue their baby sister.
Most of these books follow the same formula: Olaf pursues the orphans, the Baudelaires evade him through unique methods, Olaf manages to get his capture one or all of the orphans, and then the orphans manage to slip away from him at the last minute.
The characters are still as amazing as in the previous books in this series. If you compare this book and the first book then you can truly see the character development happening for Violet, Klaus and Sunny.
Like all the previous books, there is great mix of humor, adventure, and suspense. You truly don’t know how the Baudelaires will get out of their predicaments. There’s a lot going on in this book and the books get more complicated the deeper into the series I get....more
In Book #9 of the Series of Unfortunate Events, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny continue to strike out on their own, arriving at the Caligari Carnival by stoIn Book #9 of the Series of Unfortunate Events, Violet, Klaus, and Sunny continue to strike out on their own, arriving at the Caligari Carnival by stowing away in the trunk of Count Olaf’s car. They use some of Olaf's things to disguise themselves. Klaus and Violet wear a large shirt together and pose as Siamese twins, while Sunny wears a beard and poses as Chabo, the Wolf Baby. Can they uncover the truth behind the initials V.F.D. and whether or not one of their parents survived the fire?
The introduction of new characters like Madame Lulu, Hugo, Kevin, and Colette brings fresh dynamics and challenges for the Baudelaires. There's the usual dash of close-calls and imminite peril, especially since the orphans must work in such close proximity to Count Olaf.
These later books are so much different from the first few. The orphans are driving their own story now, not just being placed with incompetent guardians. Tim Curry does a fantastic job of the audio and made this an enjoyable experience for me....more
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