Why can't I just put down the book?

Really, what is wrong with me?

I started a series last week by an author I thoroughly enjoy. Only, it did not meet my expectations. I know I’m picky and judgmental about my books, which is why I generally rely on recommendations made by my family and friends. Well, dear friend, who will remain nameless, you have failed me. Miserably.* Now I am stuck in a series that is full of historical inaccuracies** and really really annoying leading ladies. The author’s other series are historically accurate and well written (and set in a different time period). This series, however, is not. There are jumps in logic, a surprising number of typos (which I am blaming on the publishers), and the character development for said leading ladies is horrible.

Has the author written so many books she has stopped caring? Does her publisher figure she already has a fan base and can get away with this?

Yet…
I cannot stop reading. I have done this, and do this, all the time. Once I start a series, it is very hard for me to put it down. I do like the male leads, the idea is good, and I want to know what happens next, but I probably won’t be looking for Book Three. I will stop myself. Really. Ok, maybe I am lying. The series could get better. Maybe. Probably not.

Why didn’t I just put down Book One? Well, I began reading the series because a dear nameless friend of mine let me borrow a bunch of books she was going to sell to the used bookstore. This stack of books contained Book Two. I, obsessive about reading a series in order, quickly went to my library’s database and placed a hold on Book One. When I realized Book One was bad I kept reading. I figured that Book Two must be better and wanted to be able to understand all of it (after all my friend and I have similar tastes). Now, I am about halfway through Book Two and it is not better.

I could live with the historical inaccuracies (after all it is fiction), a few of the typos, and some of the jumps in logic, but the character development is ruining it for me. I could even deal with the annoyingness (I am not sure that is a word) of the female characters, if they were actually developed.

--For example, I am constantly annoyed and frustrated by Faythe, the leading lady in Rachel Vincent’s Shifters series. But, and this is a big but, I know why she thinks and acts the way she does. I can understand her selfishness, because her life has supported it. Also, in each book she grows a little more, she evolves because of the events affecting her, as she would (hopefully) in real life. Also, when Rachel Vincent states something about one of the characters I know it is true because I have seen it or will see it in the character’s actions.

In this series, however, I, the reader, am constantly being told about the female characters, but never shown these traits they supposedly possess. I am told they are strong and smart, but only see their weakness and stupidity. The male characters, however, seem to grow and change. Their characters are actually developed. I can see their point of view and their reasoning. When the male characters change, I know why. I see them struggle. I see them evolving, and consequently, they are the only characters I can connect with. It is as if I am reading a half good and half bad book.

Earlier today (okay, while writing this) I decided to look at online reviews and see what others thought. It looks like most agree with me. These books are really bad. The reviews also commented that they liked the author's other books, so I am not alone.

In all fairness these books are not the worst I have read. I could still, objectively, give them a 2 out of 5 rating. An ‘I didn’t like it’ opposed to an 'I hated it', but I will not be recommending them to anyone.

Originally, I wasn’t going to post the series’ name and author, as it was originally simply a little rant. But the rant grew and now I have decided I should tell you the author and series, for your own reading protection.

Series- The Masters of Time
Author- Brenda Joyce
Brief Description- Time traveling highlanders, known as Masters, fight against evil and protect innocents.

*If your reading this, I believe we are now even for the several hours of your life I owed you for making you watch horrible movies with me.
**I am not talking about things like ‘Location A never existed’ or ‘Character B’s real life counterpart was not like that’ (which the author actually explains in the back of the book) but things like ‘that was not invented yet’ or ‘someone from that time period would not have understood that’.

PS - If you have read the series and disagree let me know, and let me know why.

PSS- Shannon O'Donnell at Book Dreaming has reached 200 followers! She is now giving away a $20 Amazon gift card and a query critique by Elana Johnson accompanied by a copy of Elana Johnson's ebook From the Query to the Call! I highly recommend stopping by her blog!


Love to ALL!

Bits

Today I just feel like posting bits.
I’ve lost 3 pounds! This isn’t that much for me given that I set a goal of -20 pounds about 15 days ago, but I think once I actually start going to the gym again it will pick up. Also, this means just 17 more pounds till I reach new goal!!! Woot woot!

I’ve kept my resolution not to buy anything (the lack of income helps). My only recent purchase was hair dye, paper clips, and mascara. I used a Wal-Mart gift card I received for Christmas to buy this so I’m going with ‘this doesn’t really count/ it was all useful’. Plus, I view these as job finding expenses. I needed the paper clips for my resumes and you have to look presentable to get a job right??? I’m especially proud that I went in knowing what I wanted, and came out with only what I went in to get.

Because I know you’re dying to know... I’ve dyed my hair medium ash brown. My hair was dyed light ash brown in my pic (yeah, I’m going wild right?).

On the job front I just got a semi-job! Last summer I worked for a local Unitarian Universalist church in my hometown. They were really great people and my job was the summer infant and toddler teacher. Basically, I played with infants and toddlers then cleaned and sanitized every Sunday for a few hours. Last night I received an email from them asking if I would be available to work for them again and provide some other babysitting services. My response…HURRAY!!! The extra cash will definitely help!

I’ve put 58 of my DVDs up for sale and have gotten a few bites!

My sister has been a huge help in the job search. She has helped with my resumes and is generally supportive. She has had a lot of experience with a lot of things (and is generally successful) so I know I can ask her anything and she will have a great answer. If she hasn’t had an experience with it, she at least has an idea of where I can find an answer. I am so grateful for her.

I’ve given my resume to several animal hospitals and a medical clinic, applied to Blockbuster and Books-A-Million, and will give my application and resume to a local daycare tomorrow. I really hope one of these works out.

I’ve also submitted an application to Teach for America. I would have to move and teach in a disadvantaged area, but this is something I think would be fulfilling. It is, however, a two year commitment. Basically, I would be deciding between this and grad school. On the plus side it is an instant salary and I would be doing a good service. Also, getting into a graduate program would mean moving as well. I actually would like to move. My only hesitation on leaving to go far far away is my nephew. I love him so much and I want him to really know me.

I have scheduled my GRE and have given myself a deadline of Monday to ask for teacher recommendations. I am extremely nervous about the recommendations.

I checked out some books from the library today. Among them were Every Dead Thing by John Connolly, Finnegans Wake by James Joyce, Only Revolutions by Mark Danielewski, and The Grail King by Joy Nash. I am really excited about Only Revolutions. I read Danielewski’s novel House of Leaves back in August and absolutely loved it. His books are definitely not for everyone (his works can drive you a bit mad), but they are masterpieces.

All in all, I’ve been doing pretty well since my last post.
Off to study for my GRE!
Love to ALL!