Sunday, October 30, 2016

Red: My Uncensored Life in Rock by Sammy Hager with Joel Selvin

Started: 10/26/16
Finished: 10/29/16
Year: 2011
Pages: 252
Genre: autobiography
Grade: B+
Reason for reading: borrowed from Dave
Blurb (from back cover): "For almost forty years, Sammy Hagar has been a fixture in rock music. From breaking into the industry with the band Montrose to his multiplatinum solo career to his ride as the front man of Van Halen, Sammy's powerful and unforgettable voice has set the tone for some of the greatest rock anthems ever written-songs like 'I Can't Drive 55,' 'Right Now,' and 'Why Can't This Be Love.'
"In Red, Sammy tells the outrageous story of his tear through rock 'n' roll, From the decadence of being one of the world's biggest rock starts to the unfiltered story of being forced out of Van Halen, Sammy's account spares no one, least of all himself. His is a tale of a true rock 'n' roller-someone who's spent decades bringing the party with him wherever he goes but always headin' back to Cabo for mas tequila.
Opinion: For me personal, Van Halen is better with Sammy instead of David. Better lyrics, better music, etc. This is a no holds barred look at Sammy's life, including the mayhem with the Van Halen brothers and just being a rockstar in general. A must read for anyone who likes Van Halen, Sammy or rock and roll.

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Medical Murderers Edited by Rose G. Mandelsberg

Started: 10/16/16
Finished: 10/23/16
Year: 1991
Pages: 434
Genre: True Crime
Grade: B
Reason for reading: TBR pile
Blurb (from back cover): "In hospitals and private examination rooms, nursing homes and clinics, they were entrusted with people's lives. As respected doctors, surgeons, nurses and other medical professionals, they had the power over life and death-and they wielded it to satisfy their own sadistic needs. They are dedicated healers turned perverse killers, preying on the sick and helpless, the innocent and trusting human beings they had sworn to protect."
Opinion: Not a bad collection of true crime stories that deal with medical professionals. Several took place outside the US. Would recommend for fans of true crime stories but don't expect a lot of detail.

Sunday, October 16, 2016

A Game of Thrones by George R. R. Martin

Started 9/21/16
Finished: 10/16/16
Year: 1996
Pages: 807
Genre: fantasy
Grade: B
Reason for reading: borrowed from Dave
Blurb (from back cover): "In a land where summers can last decades and winters a lifetime, trouble is brewing. The cold is returning, and in the frozen wastes of the North of Winterfell, sinister and supernatural forces are massing beyond the kingdom's protective Wall. At the center of the conflict lie the Starks of Winterfell, a family as harsh and unyielding as the land they were born to. Sweeping from a land of brutal cold to a distant summertime kingdom of epicurean plenty, here is a tale of lords and ladies, soldiers and sorcerers, assassins and bastards, who come together in a time of grim omens. Amid plots and counterplots, tragedy and betrayal, victory and terror, the fate of thw Starks, their allies, and their enemies hangs perilously in the balance as each endeavors to win that deadliest of conflicts: the game of thrones."
Opinion: I was curious what the hype was about and an ex had suggested that I would enjoy them several years ago. Definitely a lot of characters to try to keep track of but I didn't feel overwhelmed by it. Interesting enough for me to continue with the series and probably check out the TV show when time allows.