The Last of the Second Chance Pile

 I finally, FINALLY, got to the last four books of the pile. If you haven't been following the second chance pile read-or-unhaul-it challenge, you won't know, but I've been trying to read something I call the Second Chance pile. This is the last stage of my bookshelf-cleaning journey for the year. Let's get into it. 

Courtesy of jooinn.com

As usual, here are the rules. 

1. I pick up a book at random from the pile. 

2. I read at least 5 chapters. 

3. I decide if I keep going or DNF (do not finish) it. 

4. I review it. 

The process above is what'll happen to these books. I'm trying to do at least three per blog, but today we have the last of the pile, so we're going for four books. If I'm not enjoying myself and I'm not compelled to keep reading I will put it down. Onward! 

First The Dead by Tim Downs

Courtesy of Ebay.com

It started well, with two men trying to get bodies out of the bayou, then transitioned to a bad blind date. It's a series of murders, according to the back, where the killer/killers are using the waters of Hurricane Katrina to cover up their crimes. Great concept, but we'll see if I continue. Our main character is a forensic expert who focuses his attention on bugs and forensics. Already, the conversation with his date is not my forte. Fortunately, he wanted the date to end, so him talking about death and bugs helped his case.

I DNFed it. Two chapters were good and the next two chapters were boring. I had no motivation to continue because I didn't connect to our main character. I'm pretty sure it was mostly just me disliking our main character. I didn't even get to why someone was taking a body out of the bayou into the flooding area. I was too bored. Either this starts super slow, or our main character is kind of strange. I also have no interest in hearing about the dead for as long as it talked about the dead. Forewarning, it is all about dead bodies. 

Broken Angel by Sigmund Brouwer

Courtesy of goodreads.com

I DNFed this by mid-chapter two, when someone started torturing someone with threats and thumbscrews on toes. I was done at that point. I also figured the violence would get worse if the second chapter included torture, so this wasn't the book for me. It was a bit like jumping into a fantasy novel and not knowing what was going on. Maybe you are meant to read the whole thing to figure that out. I didn't even get there. 

Plotwise, you are probably supposed to figure it out chapter by chapter. It centers around a young girl who grew wings in an apocalyptic world. It reminds me of Maximum Ride, but if you had three main characters (don't know the third main person, didn't get there) and it was a different apocalypse. Also, our oppressive group has some religious connotations and I kind of hate that. I guess the book is supposed to make you think, if reviews on the cover are to be believed. I decided torture was a deal-breaker and didn't continue. 

Are you Afraid of the dark? by Sidney Sheldon

I started this and was on the fence for the first chapter, but by the fifth chapter I was in - hook, line, and sinker. It got my attention within five chapters and had me caring about the main characters right away. I wanted to continue. I was even upset that I couldn't find the audiobook on my library app. It follows two women, both widows of murdered men, who find they are being chased with intent to kill. The plot follows them finding out why - all in the wake of a long list of missing and dead individuals in Europe. It kicks off with the cases of the dead, some of them related to scientists and mafia. You feel the widows' grief and hear the personal stories -with little details thrown in that make you wonder what this "Prima" issue is. 

I will spoil nothing. This was too good. Five stars and I can't recommend it enough. If I had just thrown this in the little library I'd have kicked myself. The main characters have a growth arc and bond over their grief, commonly going back to the days of their marriages in their head and being jerked back into reality (I think that's disassociation). It gives out bits of information at a time, telling you more and more as the stakes get higher and higher. Little clues are thrown out as dialogue and events pile up. Past events impact future events directly. You'll notice what connects when you pay attention to names and flashbacks. I would say this is for adults only, though, so don't read this to your young children. 

Ghosts In Baker Street by Various Authors

Courtesy of Goodreads.com

This was a short story collection. I read one story to judge whether I was keeping it. The theme of this collection is Sherlock Holmes finding supernatural events and having no explanation for the event. The first story was eventful, a man claiming to be Satan and getting shoved in the asylum as a direct result. Holmes talked to him and the man said he was leaving at midnight. At midnight the man who claimed to be Satan was suddenly not claiming to be Satan and very confused about where he was. It was interesting to say the least. It was entertaining enough to stay. 

The thing about short story collections is that they are not binge-able. I want to savor, not speed through, so I'm keeping it with only one story read. That being said, some might not be my jam, but the stories here probably aren't found anywhere else. I'm not throwing the whole book into a donation pile when good stories remain. 

Conclusion

This was the end of the second chance pile, for real. I am done with it. I have the rest of the year to chill with books I know I'll love. I'm happy. I no longer have to wade through the pile. The book cleaning process was completed before December hit and I have more time for other books. Not much else to do except celebrate a project completed. 

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I wrote a book! I am delighted to say that I have 5 five-star reviews up on Amazon now, which is amazing. I hope you like it, too. If you're interested in buying a paperback, hardcover, or ebook version go to my website link in this blog or click here to go straight to my Amazon page. 

Jack Thomas is running from a past case. He's hiding in Wrenville. Is his past case catching up with him? 

Find out in my first book, Wrenville, a stand-alone suspense novel.

Cleaning My Shelves

 I'm a book dragon. I need help. I am now going through all the bookshelves to get the unwanted out and make space for new books. I only have so much space. This was overdue. 

Courtesy of Lithub.com

Today you're reading what'll be a lot of work. I went through all the shelves one by one. I took out what I had doubts about and put it in two categories. One stack of books is the donate pile (which I did all at once). The other stack was what I gave a second chance to. 

The second chance pile will be addressed later in this post and given a star (1-5) review. Whatever stays will prove itself. The rest of it goes in the donation stack. Some shelves did not change and won't change because they are my Nancy Drew collection or didn't have any books leave the shelf. 

The Process

This took some time. I started with my bedroom bookshelves, then made my way into the living room bookshelves. Many of these shelves won't change much. I'm working from the most chaotic to the least chaotic shelves. I began by going to every shelf and picking out what I immediately knew was a donation pile book. This meant outdated reference books, textbooks I'd never use, duplicates, and anything else that just had to go. It was mostly outdated reference books and duplicates. I did this on all shelves to get the obvious "donate me" books out of the way. 

From there, I went shelf-by-shelf finding the "second chance" books. I tested them by the standards I set, then decided if they stayed or left. I got through with this process before December hit, which was something I was happy with. 

Courtesy of Pinterest

Second Chance Pile

The whole idea of the second chance pile is giving books that might be good a chance to prove they belong on the shelf. It sounds like I'm making them battle when I say that, but I don't want to miss a good book. Below I have listed the rules for the second chance pile. 

Rules for second chance pile:

1. It has to prove it is readable/worth reading in five chapters. 

2. If it is DNFed or less than three stars it goes into the donation pile.

3. Only books that I am on the fence about or have serious doubts about reading go in this pile. If I won't read it or reference it, it is donated. 

The Fate of The Second Chance Pile

Here we have the fate of the books on the second chance pile. I'll list the book and author with either a star rating or a DNF. I will put my reasons for the DNF beside those books. This process took the longest because life happened and I didn't have all the time in the world to read through. Fortunately, a lot of time was saved by going with my gut instinct to weed out what I clearly wouldn't like. 

-DNFs-

The works of Doyle by Authur Conan Doyle -  Grating writing style

On Thin Ice by Linda Hall -  Lost interest in the plot

Dangerous Secrets by Lyn Cote - It rubbed me the wrong way within one chapter

Reasonable Doubt by Tracey V. Bateman -  I was still not totally into it five chapters in

The Secret Marriage of Sherlock Holmes and Other Eccentric Readings -  It wasn't the actual Holmes stories

A Million Ways To Die In the West by Seth MacFlarlane -  The humor wasn't for me

Reader's Digest Condensed Books Vol 4 1996, Vol 4 1993, Vol 1 1997 - They are condensed, not full novels

Divine Love Song by Elizabeth Mulloy - I wasn't interested enough to keep going 

Crazy Love by Francis Chan -  Not interested enough to continue

White Dessert by Loren D. Estleman - No interest within the first chapter

Spring Fever by Mary Kay Andrews - got bored within two chapters

Raven Threads by K. D. McCrite - Not compelled to read further than five chapters

Sundays In Fredericksburg by Various authors -  Not Compelled to read further than five chapters

Why her? by Nicki Koziarz - Lost interest by chapter four

At Home In Mitford by Jan Karon - On CD, can't play on laptop

An Island At War by Deborah Carr - Genre was too dark for me, not sure I wanted to continue 

The White Rose Resists by Amanda Barratt - Genre was too dark for me, couldn't sit with distressing emotions

The Last Bookshop In London by Madeline Martin - I was not invested in the story or the main character

Sherlock Holmes and the Egyptian Hall Adventure by Val Andrews - Not invested in the story or compelled to keep reading

Murder Among us by Ann Granger - Not compelling enough, didn't care even after the murder plot was revealed

The Defense Never Rests by F. Lee Bailey - Not my genre, a biography and not a mystery novel

First The Dead by Tim Downs - Not my thing, didn't connect to the main character

Broken Angel by Sigmund Brouwer - Torture by chapter two, too much

-Star Ratings-

Freckles by Gene Stratton-Porter- 4 stars, but had to throw out because it was missing pages

Mountain Peril by Sandra Robbins - 4 stars

The Good Neighbor by Sharon Mignerey - 4.5 stars (would definitely recommend) 

The Elementary Cases of Sherlock Holmes by Ian Charnock - 4 stars (not light reading)

Soul Tattoo by Samuel Kee - 4 stars (excellent faith book)

Storm Front by John Sandford - 3.75 stars 

In the company of sherlock holmes by various authors - keeping it, no star rating due to amount of actual short stories in it

Donna Parker Special Agent by Marcia Martin - 4 stars, excellent light reading

Hearts of Fire - 5 Stars, not light reading

Ghosts in Baker Street by multiple authors - 5 stars, a fun collection

Are you Afraid of the dark? by Sidney Sheldon - 5 stars, an amazing thriller with perfect pace

Courtesy of LiveAbout

Conclusion

Well, I'm done, and I still have a problem. I still lack space on my bookshelves. I found space, yes, but that filled back up before I even finished the second chance pile. I'll always have this problem. It's a luxury to have this problem, really. Let's be real. But it does make me consider an e-reader. 

For all those in small apartments, you understand. It might be a good idea for all of us to go through every few years and pick out a second chance pile. Your second chance pile could be what you never feel like picking up or something you heard bad reviews of, but regardless many book dragons should consider trying it. You'll find books you love in the process. You might even learn your taste in books is not what you expected. 

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I wrote a book! I am delighted to say that I have 5 five-star reviews up on Amazon now, which is amazing. I hope you like it, too. If you're interested in buying a paperback, hardcover, or ebook version go to my website link in this blog or click here to go straight to my Amazon page. 

Jack Thomas is running from a past case. He's hiding in Wrenville. Is his past case catching up with him? 

Find out in my first book, Wrenville, a stand-alone suspense novel.

Silent Film Review - The Navigator (1924)

I watched The Navigator, starring Buster Keaton. I've got my review of it and I loved it. It's mostly just physical comedy and silly action. 

Courtesy of IMDB.com

The Navigator, starring Buster Keaton, is about a guy (Rollo) who gets on a boat, after being rejected by a woman. Then someone cuts the boat loose while the other main character (the same woman the guy had asked to marry) jumps on the boat just before a group of spies leave the ship adrift. It's mostly just comic antics with very few dialogue boxes. First, the two on the boat run around looking for help and the source of their voices, each time missing each other narrowly. Next, we have them trying to cook in the kitchen. They use salt water for coffee and can't open cans. The pair even get spooked by "ghosts" which are just the ship rocking and weird accidents. Before long they get used to all this and get the system down pat. They find safe places to sleep, end up working out how to use the kitchen, and even fend off cannibals. They stumble upon a submarine in all the cannibal ruckus and that's where it ends. Rollo gets a kiss and then we have "The End" in a dialogue box. 

It was cute, silly, and physical comedy. I loved it. Nothing bad can be said for any of it. Realistic? No, but who cares. This is intended to be laughed at by all ages. Buster Keaton did not disappoint. 10 out of 10. I'm putting the video in the post so you can laugh at it, too. Most of the jokes are longer than we see in our media today (unless you've pulled up Pink Panther or something). I'm pretty sure the long, extended jokes work because of the physical comedic talent behind them. I'm never tired of it. I'm always engaged in the story. Both main characters are fantastic. The woman is always as smart or smarter than the man in Buster Keaton films. I love that. They worked together to do these wonderful scenes. She, too, is doing the physical comedy. 

If you want more of these films, please sound off in the comments. This is the last research film I have for Buster Keaton and I would be glad to watch more for easy content. What do you want me to review next?

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I wrote a book! I am delighted to say that I have 5 five-star reviews up on Amazon now, which is amazing. I hope you like it, too. If you're interested in buying a paperback, hardcover, or ebook version go to my website link in this blog or click here to go straight to my Amazon page. 

Jack Thomas is running from a past case. He's hiding in Wrenville. Is his past case catching up with him? 

Find out in my first book, Wrenville, a stand-alone suspense novel.

Silent Film Review - The General (1926)

 Again, we are back to more film reviews. I have two more left from the 1920s. Stay tuned for those. Today we have The General from 1926, a Buster Keaton film. 

moviehousememories.com

I know that many of my reviews are already overwhelmingly positive toward Buster Keaton. This is no exception. The main plot of our film is Johnnie Gray and his love for his train (named General) and his love interest, who only had eyes for a soldier at the beginning of the film. This is set in the south, so the south army is actually the side we root for in this film. If you hate that, pass on the film, but it isn't really the point of the film. The train gets taken by the north, along with the love interest who went into her trunk while it was on the train. Johnnie was told no by recruiters and the love interest was lied to. Her family told her he never got in line, but that was a lie. When the train is taken he goes after it, naturally, and ends up saving the love interest from the northern soldiers. Not only that, but the two of them thwart the plans of the northern army by delaying their train and taking Johnnie's train back.  They warn of the oncoming attack and the northern army is defeated. Johnnie gets admitted into the army as a lieutenant for his heroics. 

It's cute, it's dramatic, it's a long train chase scene you'll never be bored of. I would say the only thing that was missing was the other guy showing up and looking shocked while Johnnie kissed his love interest. Literally all of it was gold. It was the perfect blend of drama and comedy. I rate this 10 out of 10 stars. 

Why You Should Watch It

There are so many reasons to watch it that I have no reason why you shouldn't. It's free on YouTube and I can drop the video here for easy access. It showcases Keaton's stuntwork and how he literally chilled out on a cowcatcher of a train while it was moving. His stunts are illegal to do in Hollywood theses days because insurance won't sign off on them - because all these stunts he did could kill you. He's amazing and knowing he did his own stunts makes his films more wonderful. 

Our characters are adorable, though the beginning of the film is a little less comedic than the end and middle. Keaton wrote this with someone else and I think the drama might have come from the other writer. All the same, it blended together well. You cared about Johnnie Gray and his train from the start and never stopped caring. I never lost interest in our main characters and no one was portrayed badly, except the northern army. That's just because the setting was the south. Both our main man and the main woman were shown to be intelligent, which makes me very happy. 

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I wrote a book! I am delighted to say that I have 5 five-star reviews up on Amazon now, which is amazing. I hope you like it, too. If you're interested in buying a paperback, hardcover, or ebook version go to my website link in this blog or click here to go straight to my Amazon page. 

Jack Thomas is running from a past case. He's hiding in Wrenville. Is his past case catching up with him? 

Find out in my first book, Wrenville, a stand-alone suspense novel.