Jurassic Park - Michael Crichton

One Sentence Summary:

A man uses DNA to bio-engineer dinosaurs on his own private island.

Review:

Michael Crichton is a brilliant story teller, his characters resonate with the human complex on every level, his plots are fast passed and his imaginative settings stay with the reader for a long time after the last page is turned. This is no exception to that rule, it is a highly entertaining read that will be read in the future as pulp in the way that we read penny dreadfuls to learn about our history through the literature of an era but will never be considered great literature. That said  I would only recommend this to someone who already knows they enjoy what I call "modern era sci-fi" (which .in my mind is stuff that could maybe be real but probably isn't but sounds completely ridiculous).

6/10

If you enjoy this read more by Crichton and also check out Robin Cook, Orson Scott Card and Steve Alten

The Cotton Malone Series - Steve Berry

One Sentence Summary:
Cotton Malone is a retired agent of the US Department of Justice who keeps getting pulled in to ridiculous Indiana-Jones-esq adventures.
Review:
These are all great mystery-adventures with a lot of historical research to back them up. Real fly by the seat of your pants stories with lovable characters. Each novel (so far up to the seventh) has an individual plot with real character development (no regurgitation here like you get in some series). Written to about a grade nine level to appeal to the masses these are great airplane reads. I recommend them to anyone who is looking for an easy and entertaining adventure.
7/10

If you enjoyed him read books by James Rollins, Matthew Riley or Douglas Preston/Lincoln Child

The Walking Dead Graphic Novels - Robert Kirkman et al

one sentence summary:
the world has ended do you have what it takes to survive?
review:
This is a great series of graphic novels, I didn't intend to review graphic novels but this series is just so great that I couldn't help myself. I highly recommend this to anyone who has any interest in end of the world zombie type apocalypse stories. The art is really well done, the longer you look at each panel the more you see, just like any good comic book. The characters are all really interesting and play off each other well and the story line is great. But the best part is the witty dark-funny dialogue on almost every page there is something that will make you go "wait...what...ooooo..." Highly entertaining, I recommend it
8/10

If you enjoyed this check out:
Max Brooks
J. L. Bourne
Rhiannon Frater

Songs of Love & Death - lots of awesome people

One Sentence Summary:
An awesome collection of short stories in the romantic-fantasy-scifi genre.

Review:
The first story is by Jim Butcher and it is about Harry Dresden... it made me want to get back to reading The Dresden Files. Well written and lots of fun.
The second story is by Jo Beverly who I had never read anything by before this. I found it a little too "at your pleasure Mr. Darcy" if that makes sense? A little to prim and proper for my tastes.
The third story is by Carrie Vaughn (she writes the Kitty Norville series) it was a fun read, I would actually have liked it to be a bit longer... seems like the plot points for a novel laid out with no detail. Still a fun read though.
The fourth story is by M L N Hanover who I have never heard of, but it was a great story quirky and with a twist. I will be keeping an eye out for this new author (apparently actually a pen name for a well known action adventure type author).
The fifth story is by Cecelia Holland who I had never read anything by before this, I enjoyed her twist on Historical fantasy and was delighted with her descriptive prowess.
The sixth story is by another author I had never read but have added to me to read list, Melinda M Snodgrass. I really enjoyed her alien races and her writing wasn't bad either (understatement of the year award... or at least of this post). I will keep an eye out for more by her.
The seventh story is by Robin Hobb, whom I love. Her story is a romantic little tromp through a fantacy world where nothing is quite as it is remembered.
The eighth is by Neil Gaiman and is written in the same style as Neverwhere. It is really good, in a "makes you think" sort of way.
The ninth story is by Marjorie M Lui and features her typical ass kicking female protagonist. Great if you like her stuff.
The tenth story is by Jacquline Carey who we know is one of my all time favourite authors, this is a back story on one of the characters from the kuishels dart series.
The eleventh is by Lisa Tuttle, kind of a let down after Carey's story. I still enjoyed it but it was a weaker story. I will keep an eye out for more books by her as her style was intriguing.
The twelfth story is by Linnea Sinclair a lovely short look at the future sci-fi world of cargo and trade. A really fun read.
The thirteenth story is by Mary Jo Putney set in her world of deamon hunters this is a great look at the relationship between two such hunters. Well worth a read through.
The fourteenth story is by Lanith Lee a work of sci-fi that is reminiscent of Firefly. I highly recommend you read it if you like space westerns.
The fifteenth story is by Peter S Beagle (who is mostly a screenplay writer) it is another really fun read.
The sixteenth  story is by Yasmine Galenorn it is very typical of her writing, really plot driven and exciting. A very strong character for a short story, really well done.
The final story is by Diana Gabaldon it was the perfect way to cap off this collection, a nice little time travel story with an interesting twist.

I recommend this collection to anyone who calls themselves a sci-fi/fantasy fan.

Angela's Ashes and 'Tis - Frank McCourt

one sentence summary
The live of a boy growing up in a depressed Ireland. folowed by 'Tis The story of that boy immigrating to New York City at 19
Review
These are well written, horribly depressing novels. McCourt paints such a vivid image of a terrible, neglected childhood that you will want to pull him out of and put him in foster care. He follows it up with a horrid young adult life that will make you glad you aren't as misfortunate as he is. That said they are also really funny, in a dark and twisted sort of way. I found the religion reflected in them a little on the extreme side of things and a bit off putting. That said if you enjoy reading family dramas I would recommend these to you.
6/10

Sarah's Key - Tatiana de Rosnay

One Sentence Summary:

In 1942 a Jewish girl hides her brother in the cupboard when the police take her away thinking she will be right back, in 2002 a reported uncovers the story of the girl.

Review:

I really enjoyed this story though the writing was a bit jilted with abrupt scenee changes from time to time, especially in the 2002 parts of the novel. De Rosnay's historical fiction is her strongest point, and I would like  to read more historical work from her. I am not sold on her modern era writing but it is still a solid story. Some of the characters were a bit weak, seemingly thrown in for no reason other than that De Rosnay thinks they should exist, they really didn't do much to move the story along. There were also rushed segments. But if you like WW2 fiction I recommend this as it has all the elements of a great war story.   

8/10

If you enjoyed this I recommend:
Winter Garden - Kristin Hannah
Day After Night - Anita Diamant
The Secret Daughter - Shilpi Somaya Gowda

An Amish Love - Beth Wiseman, Kathleen Fuller, and Kelly Long

one sentence summary:
1) A white lie ends in a forced marriage
2) A blind girl finds love
3) A man who left the community returns and has to regain his wife's trust
Review:
These three stories are all really good reads, Amish romances are one of my "guilty" pleasures. I enjoy the immersion into an "alien culture" that is more alien to me than most sci-fi "aliens'. these stories are all page turners and the stories all have happy endings. I highly recommend these stories to anyone who enjoys romances or is interested in Amish culture.
6/10
8/10

If you enjoyed this check out books on this list