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Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry

Amanda Feral is shallow, stone-cold bitch. Unless she’s got a few drinks in her–then she’s just a shallow bitch. I’d never hang out with her but then I’m sure she’d never hang out with me either. But there’s one thing that does make her interesting. Amanda Feral is a zombie.

Yep, a shallow, bitchy clothes-horse of a zombie.

I’ve never read a book where the protagonist is a zombie. How could you possibly have a zombie protagonist when all zombies do are shamble around and munch on humans, nary a thought process to be seen? So I know you’re wondering the same thing I was: How in the world can she be a zombie and not only string enough words together coherently to be bitchy but coordinated enough to dress herself? But it turns out there are TWO types of zombies! Those who are made and those classified as mistakes. The made zombies can hide just like other supernatural creatures, hence our lack of knowledge of them. All we ever see are the mistakes–the shambling cannibals of countless movies that we know and love. (Okay, maybe not everyone loves zombies, but I find people who don’t to be highly suspect.) Read more

Jennifer

Jennifer works as a production editor for a major publishing company in NYC but will not review any books put out by the company (under any imprint) on this site since that can be considered a conflict of interest. Areas of interest include Robin Hood, pirates, zombies (and horror in general), Beowulf (and other early English literature, though Beowulf has a soft spot in her heart), medieval history, Celtic history and literature, history of diseases, and some odd subjects like bog bodies. She lives in New Jersey with a husband and a cat. You can find her on LibraryThing, Twitter, and Goodreads.

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2010: 03/06
POSTED BY: Jennifer
CATEGORY: Horror
TAGS: Amanda Feral
author: Mark Henry
publisher: Kensington Books
seattle
zombies
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The Butcher and the Vegetarian by Tara Austen Weaver

The Butcher and the Vegetarian: One Woman’s Romp Through a World of Men, Meat, and Moral Crisis by Tara Austen Weaver. © 2010 Rodale Books. ISBN 0743289689. Hardback. Memoir/Non-Fiction. 240 pages. $23.99 US. [ Purchase ] Source: purchased at University of Washington bookstore

I suppose it is only appropriate to offer the caveat that having followed Ms. Weaver’s blog for the past year, I was overjoyed at the opportunity to support her writing (and food-loving) efforts by purchasing this book and attending her first reading. Hearing some of the background and side stories whetted my appetite to indulge in the book itself, and I was not disappointed (although I am inclined to agree with the author and her agent that a question mark would have better suited the cover in place of the heart between the butcher and customer).

Having read my fare share of trite literature lately, Weaver’s stylistic approach to language was refreshing. As a hybrid of food-writing and memoir, she skillfully combined facts and research about the production of meat with stories and then wove them back to relate to her own life. The book begins with the premise that she grew up a vegetarian but later, suffering from health problems, undertook the addition of meat to her diet upon her doctors’ recommendation. Read more

Allison

Allison Dauer, 24, works in corporate IT but dreams of an editorial career in the book publishing field. Visit her at her blog Sparsile.

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2010: 03/02
POSTED BY: Allison
CATEGORY: Nonfiction
TAGS: author: tara austen weaver
food
publisher: rodale books
San Francisco
seattle
vegetarianism
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Let Them Eat Cake

As a recent college graduate living in Seattle having studied (though not majoring in it) French, it’s fairly safe to say I could relate to the main character of this novel, Lexi Stuart who lives in Seattle with her parents and finds herself working in a French bakery. As no exception to the “Christian chick-lit” genre, this book leans heavily upon the tried-and-true model of an initially single character who has fallen away from her relationship with God and is at some sort of crossroads. Lexi struggles with her parents’ upcoming move and the necessity of finding a place of her own (that she can afford), finding meaningful work that uses the degree she slaved over, and the frustration that is everyone else in her life finding their perfect someone.

Somewhat needless to say the book is predictable. This is the first in a series and pretty sure I can even predict what happens in the next book just based on a few lines of conversation that were slipped in toward the end. I enjoyed relating to the character, and it was a nice fluffy read. As an English graduate, I invariably look to more than just the number of times I laughed or rolled my eyes, I look to the writing. I’ll admit I wasn’t expecting Pulitzer quality going into it, and my expectations were met. This type of novel has a pretty standard style, and Byrd doesn’t deviate from it. She (or her editor) throws in some “illustrations” that try to be original but come off cutesy and young.

Overall, I was entertained. I wouldn’t say I wasted my time, and I did finish the book. But if you’re looking at it on the shelf, consider carefully what you’re looking to find from the book. If it’s quality literature or surprises, maybe try the classics shelf. If you just want something to accompany your mug of hot cocoa and that won’t take too much of your time, this isn’t a bad choice.