Reading

In addition to buying a book a day (which means my reading list is hopelessly beyond my control at this point), I subscribe to Beer Advocate and Wired magazines.

NOVEMBER
Divergent, by Veronica Roth (★★★☆☆)
This was the easiest read I've found in a long time, but I tend to find that true of anything written in present tense. The romance is my favorite part of the book; Ms. Roth created a dynamic relationship between the couple that feels believable. I am torn over the way Divergents are explained for the first 80% of the book: it's very "I know something you don't know," that feels immature. Also, I felt that Four's true identity was held back unnecessarily considering it was obvious the moment he and Tris met. I would still look forward to the rest of the series, but the Amazon reviews are leaving me a little wary.
The Golden Compass, by Phillip Pullman (★★★☆☆)
If I had read this book at the age of 11 or 12, I would have loved it. As it stands, I think things work a little too conveniently around young Lyra. And she's kind of a know-it-all. I plan to finish the series by the end of the month, so I'll reserve final judgement till then.
The Wise Man's Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss (★★★★★)
The second in the Kingkiller Chronicles details the life of young Kvothe from his days at University to his hard-won lessons across the Four Corners of the World, and back to University. The story is well-paced and clever.
The Name of the Wind, by Patrick Rothfuss (★★★★★)
The first book in the Kingkiller Chronicles is the tale of Kvothe the Arcane, Kvothe the Bloodless, Kvothe the . . . street-rat? Patrick Rothfuss weaves a tale so intricate that a reader can't help but find it dazzlingly simple. Rothfuss has not one word without purpose in the 600+ page tome that left me turning page after page without a breath between.

OCTOBER
Started Fellowship of the Ring and made it about 100 pages.

SEPTEMBER
The Hobbit, by JRR Tolkein (for the second time) (★★★☆☆)
Gandalf is the definition of "deus ex machina." Also, he's an asshole.
Cooking for Geeks, by Jeff Potter (★★★★☆)
I picked this up at my favorite store and was pleased to find someone who approaches cooking the same way I do--basically, how much trouble can I get myself into? Jeff Potter gives people like me a very basic understanding of the nuts and bolts of cooking, and how to stir up trouble in the kitchen without burning the house down.

AUGUST
Deception Point, by Dan Brown (★★☆☆☆)
Don't do this to yourself. If you want to read Dan Brown, read The Da Vinci Code. Plot holes the size of Texas are dwarfed only by plot devices worth millions of taxpayer dollars. Just don't.
The Eye of God, by James Rollins (★★☆☆☆)
I imagine this book would have been a lot better if I had read the 12 leading up to it, but I didn't. I jumped into the middle of the series, and therefore I feel guilty giving a real opinion. However, if the quality of the plot is any indicator of the rest of the series, just be aware that cliches and convenient plot devices are a dime a dozen.
The DaVinci Code, by Dan Brown (★★★☆☆)
Personally, this is my favorite of Dan Brown's books. Forget the questionable accuracy of the religions and societies discussed in the novel and take it for what it is: fiction. As fiction, the story is pretty intriguing. I stayed interested enough to finish the book in 2 days.
Angels and Demons, by Dan Brown (★★☆☆☆)
I honestly give a "meh" to this book. The romance felt contrived, but I have a difficult time with any romance that blossoms in the course of a day--and this book does take place over the course of a single day. That being said, I was pulled out of the story several times by things that are just not possible in the real world, where Mr. Brown unfortunately insists on setting his novels.
World War Z, by Max Brooks (★★★☆☆)
Definitely a book for teenage boys and people who love military-style books. Though this is a collection of the stories about the more emotional side of the Zombie War, many of the stories are still very "sterile" feeling due to the language and factual presentation of the accounts.