You would think that with a series that has been running as long as Jim Butcher's Desden Files series it must have started with a great debut novel. At least that's what I expected. Sadly after jumping into Storm Front a week ago I did not see what all the fuss was about. My guess is people were captivated with the world more then a story. It's an urban fantasy novel that follows Harry Blackstone Copperfield Dresden (amazing name) a wizard in what at least in the first book seems to be in our world and time frame although I don't believe its explicitly pointed out.

I've been really looking forward to diving into An Ember in the Ashes. After reading the overwhelming praise for the book I purchased it and immediately put it in my rotation to read. The one concern I had going into An Ember in the Ashes was that it was put in the Young Adult category. Outside of Brandon Sanderson's Reckoner trilogy I haven't been the biggest fan of many recent Young Adult books. And sadly my biggest complaints on An Ember in the Ashes are that it feels constrained by the shackles of the genre. 

I've read more Stephen King in the last couple of years then any other author. What you might find interesting is that Mr Mercedes the first in the Bill Hodges trilogy was one of my least favorite books that King has written. It wasn't bad but it just came across disingenuous. He's such a prolific author and to do what felt like a standard summer thriller felt out of character. So I went into Finders Keepers not expecting much. That feeling expanded exponentially when I got through the first chapter and found out what the main crux of this book was all about. 

I truly hate being down on any book. I have a deep respect for all authors. I assume that Paolo Bacigalupi poured his heart and soul into his book, The Water Knife. But I'm sad to say that it was probably my least favorite read so far in 2015. The one thing The Water Knife had going for it was that it was short, so I forced myself to finish it. Outside of that it was a major disappointment. 

I've read my fair share of celebrity autobiographies. It's not a favorite genre but it's one I've frequented enough to know the good from the bad. Probably more then any other genre to be a good celebrity autobiography you have to be great. It's hard for these to not feel like cash grabs. These folks usually have giant platforms in which they can tell their story from. Look at Amy Poehler for example. She's got her SNL days, her Parks and Recreation days, and now she and Tina Fey could host any award show they wanted too. And yet when I saw that Amy Poehler put out an autobiography I immediately hit purchase. 

I currently sit just barely on schedule to meet my goal of finishing 27 books in 2015. There's been a lot going on in the World of Joel (as anyone who frequents the blog would know) and as such my time for reading has been a bit limited. Not to mention with our recent move it brings me closer to work which means less time on the road to listen to books. And yet I keep trudging along and am now ready for the next batch of books I plan to partake in. My last batch was probably the best selection of five books so far with all but one being fantastic. Hopefully I can continue picking winners with books 16 through 20.