Pc Games

Without a doubt, George R.R. Martin is a fantastic writer. Measuring him with the typical yardsticks for what makes a good author will not find him wanting. His prose is concise yet marvelously descriptive and unlike many authors in the fantasy genre, he keeps the story moving without plodding through setting the stage. His dialog is also excellent and his ability to intertwine characterization with keeping their dialog consistent and entertaining is top notch. He clearly has a very clever mind, as his plots are well thought out, complicated without being ridiculous or confusing, intricate, and engrossing. br / br /With all of these great attributes, it's a shame his books are ruined by Martin's handling of sex. In the first three books (I haven't read the fourth), the scenes where any kind of sexual activity takes place are so out of place, so graphic, and so jarring, they remove you from the story. One minute a character is deeply embroiled in a web of intrigue, and the next scene could come straight from a porno. I'm not a fundamentalist christian or have any problems with sex in literature, but Martin just doesn't deal with it well. It seems like all of his characters are psychotic sexual deviants who are incapable of levels of intimacy which fall into any kind of normal spectrum. On top of that the level of detail he goes into and the kinds of depraved acts (from mass incest to torture during sex) are just so horrid that they really detract from the story. br / br /I'm honestly not sure what bothers me the most about it. Is it that he portrays such horrible things in such detail, or that he actually isn't embarrassed to have come up with these ideas and put them into print for the public to read. It really makes me think he's just a sick person, and is titillated by writing these scenes as opposed to actually trying to tell a story while writing them. br / br /He deals with violence in a similar graphic fashion, and one might dig up the old argument that it is hypocritical to criticize graphic use of sex and not graphic use of violence. But the violence ends up fitting into the story far better as the setting is a medieval, militaristic society. When someone in the story is killed in a graphic scene of violence during an epic battle, this doesn't pull you out of the story, but instead very much drives the story home. By contrast, the sex scenes almost always feel out of place and do the exact opposite. In a pulpier fantasy novel this is to be expected, but with Martin's complex, political plot lines, it's a distraction. br / br /These books are still very much worth reading, but they could have been absolutely brilliant classics on the level of Tolkien, Moorcock, or Howard had they not possessed this critical flaw.

Catching Fire (The Second Book of the Hunger Games) / Suzanne Collins

This book was just ok for me. It seemed rushed to me, like she had to get something out. Very under developed. By far I would have to say True To The Game was the best of this trilolgy. Almost seems like the authors were different in II and III. Hmmm.

I immediately ordered this book after working through the Kaplan's Logic Games workbook for a bit. I just the Powerscore one today and I can already say that it's a lot better than the Kaplan book. The Kaplan book had many editing errors (primarily mixed up answers), which made it very confusing to someone who is just starting to study for the LSAT. The explanations and strategies were somewhat hard to understand as well. I also feel that it doesn't provide enough practice problems so that you know you entirely grasp the concepts. br / br /The Powerscore book, on the other hand, has really clear explanations. I really like that it gives you literally step by step practice on solving the logic games. It's also more detailed than the Kaplan book, and there are notes at the margins, which I thought were really helpful. It gives you small hints here and there on what to look out for while solving the games. I also like that the book is "honest," meaning it pretty much says "If you don't do this, then you won't get the question" and it also encourages you to read each and every explanation for the correct and incorrect answers.

I really enjoyed this book. It is a perfect blend of economics and action. Leeb tells us all of the things that have gone wrong, but he also shows us the way out. His book is well researched, well-reasoned and easy to read at the same time...a rare combination. br / br /If you want a good financial planning book to go with this, I would highly recommend Are There Cracks In Your Nest-Egg?: A Quick and Easy Guide for Building and Preserving Wealth.

This was my first trip through a Neil Strauss novel and I have to say, it was a great read. The Style Diaries is a tale of his exploits and dealings with women, largely during his years spent emersed in the world of professional pick-up artists. br / br /There is a passage at the very beginning of the book that states, "these pages are not meant as prescription, but as prevention". After reading the book, it's easy to see why. I won't ruin any of the book for you. It's a very short read that will keep your interest to the end, but the moral of the story was... unexpected and pleasantly surprising. If you've ever asked yourself, "am I missing out on this exciting lifestyle of the pick-up artist?", you should read this book.

You must be willing to practice with some determination for this book to have value. If you are willing, you will find a lot that is useful here. Good golf involves a heightened mental state that increases focus and concentration. It's easy for concentration to lapse, especially on the practice range, where shots can get thoughtless, hurried and mechanical. br / br /The principal thesis of this book is that focus and concentration can be learned, just like the more technical and mechanical aspects of the golf swing. There are many simple and practical suggestions on how to train for concentration and positive outcome. While some of the suggested drills may seem outlandish, most are straightforward and simple to do. Most golfers can get a lot of value from embracing these suggestions, learning how to slow down during practice sessions. br / br /The book is well written and organized. It's brief enough to be accessible, though the last few chapters do seem a little like padding. Perhaps they felt they needed a longer book. br / br /All in all a unique approach and a very good value for serious golfers of most skill levels who are willing to put in effort. Only the absolute beginner might want to wait a while before tackling this approach.

On a recommendation from a friend, I found this book in my neighborhood paperback exchange. By all evidence of the physical object, I went into the read cautiously, as it seemed to resemble any of the dozens of pulp sci-fi novels surrounding it. br / br /The writing was, in fact, nothing particularly special. It was, as expected, a fast-moving, simple and rather un-nuanced writing style. There were no big surprises, and read like a pulp novel. br / br /That's the extent of the criticism, though. Although as literature Ender's Game was lacking, the story and the characters were all brilliantly captured and relayed. br / br /Card did a spectacular job capturing the psychology and the complexity of the interplay of individuals with one another, with their society, and with the institutions forming their realities. br / br /Though it did not exceed a simplistic telling of a tale, the subjects and characters were so wonderfully captured that Ender's Game was a complete joy to read, and bore an intellectual payload far overshadowing the writing itself.

This should be one of the first books you read when you enter the community. I love AFC to PUA stories, they serve as a great motivational tool to power your transformation. After reading this, go learn Natural game. Scripted game is over played and too popular today. Myster Method is too well known to work properly. I have had girls ask me if i watched the PUA.

I was pretty hesitant to read this book because, to be honest, the story line sounded awful. But my sister insisted that it was fantastic and that I should read it. And since she's so bossy I did. I'm glad I did. I loved it! br / br /This is not a happy book for the most part. The characters have had hard lives and the main part of the book is set in a to-the-death competition. It was very well-written though and I had a hard time putting it down. Many people died here, but for the most part they weren't gross (well, one was). The characters were interesting and the whole idea of what America had become was intriguing. br / br /Even though the book isn't 'happy' there was a feeling of hope and strength. That maybe change was possible although it might be hard. I didn't come away depressed or sad - I came away thinking 'that was a great book'. But be warned that there will be another book or maybe more so there's no closure. br / br /The story is told in first person present which totally bugs me. I hate that style. After a while though it didn't bug and I was totally sucked in. So maybe I don't hate the style... br / br /And I just want to give a shout out to Peeta and say that if he gets hurt in later books there will be PROBLEMS. I love that boy. br / br /Go read this book. But read it before you hand it to your teens to make sure you're okay with it. I do think this is a great example of a fractured society, one without God, and much, much, much better than say, Lord of the Flies. br / br /*taken from my goodreads review