Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Book Review: Bohemia by Veronika Carnaby



Sometime in mid-December last year, I received an e-mail from Ms. Veronika Carnaby herself, asking me to write a review for her debut novel, Bohemia. Along with the e-mail came a free digital copy of the novel itself, and I couldn’t be more grateful about it.

I still could not believe that she chose me and my blog to write and feature a review about her novel; it’s such an honor to be one of the chosen few. So enough of raving, here’s the book’s plot:

Book Summary:

In her debut novel, Veronika Carnaby picks up where the Beat Generation left off. Set in 1960, Bohemia chronicles a group of twenty-somethings who defy the "ideals" of a mid-twentieth century society to seek creative fulfillment. In the process, they spotlight the creative path that artists of all mediums tread, all the while depicting the challenges faced by youth in the decade that changed the world.



My thoughts:

Bohemia is really my type of novel, considering that I have this burning passion for everything nostalgic, and it’s really not that hard to fall in love with it. Veronika Carnaby’s way of weaving words, events and characters together is totally capturing. It was as if I am slowly being taken back into time in the 60’s and watch everything happen before my eyes. She really did paint pictures with words, and that’s my number one basis of a great book.

Bohemia is very realistic as well. Considering the time-table of the story, I think it was really difficult for a person to write something based from a very different era, but everything came naturally with Bohemia, from the jargon, the culture to the fashion. It’s that sort of book that makes you crave for more as the story progresses and leaves you disappointed in the last page because you think there should be more to it.

Veronika Carnaby was able to bring back the 60’s in this modern world and introduced it to another generation with downright success through her debut novel.

Bohemia is a very easy read, in my opinion, it’s not too long but it’s not too short as well, and it’s really capturing. I personally recommend it to anyone who’s planning to build a reading list, or to add it to their existing ones as this is really a great addition to any booklover’s shelf.

About Veronika Carnaby:

American writer and poet Veronika Carnaby carries a vintage charm about her that transcends well into her written works. Recognized for her Beat-style prose and innovative voice, Carnaby’s pieces have gained international recognition after appearing in such publications and functions as The Ed Sullivan Show, Empty Mirror Magazine, Dan's Papers Literary Journal, SESAC Magazine, SXSW, and the SESAC New York Music Awards. In past projects, she has worked with the likes of Archie Shepp, Ben E. King, and prolific Nashville songwriter and co-owner of Bug Music, Roger Murrah, among others. Since receiving the 2001 Young Authors Award for Excellence in Short Story Writing, she has welcomed the opportunity to share ideas of literary merit with the circles of Sir Paul McCartney, Roger McGuinn, Nancy Sinatra, and Roger Waters.

Channeling the caliber of her greatest influences, Jack Kerouac, Allen Ginsberg, Lawrence Ferlinghetti, The Beatles, and Bob Dylan, Carnaby infuses her writing with a poignancy and passion for literature, music, and twentieth century culture. Whether through her feats or her unprecedented knack for the written word, Carnaby has etched an indelible mark as a pioneer in her own right.



You may check out Ms. Carnaby's personal website here. You might also want your own copy of the novel. It's available on Amazon.com for only $9.99. ^_^

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

Book Review: Apocalypse Z: The Beginning of the End

I kicked off my 2013 with a Zombie novel because I was really getting impatient from waiting for the season comeback of The Walking Dead. I am just really grateful of Goodreads as it has been my guide to great books recently. I have my Goodreads account for a while now, but it wasn't until recently that I made use of it. LOL

I found a good zombie book written by a Spanish author and the first book in his series was translated in English, so I decided to go with it. I immediately looked for an ebook, bought it and just started with my adventure.


Plot from Goodreads:
The dead rise…

A mysterious incident in Russia, a blip buried in the news—it’s the only warning humanity receives that civilization will soon be destroyed by a single, voracious virus that creates monsters of men.

Humanity falls…

A lawyer, still grieving over the death of his young wife, begins to write as a form of therapy. But he never expected that his anonymous blog would ultimately record humanity’s last days.

The end of the world has begun…

Governments scramble to stop the zombie virus, people panic, so-called “Safe Havens” are established, the world erupts into chaos; soon it’s every man, woman, and child for themselves. Armed only with makeshift weapons and the will to live, a lone survivor will give mankind one last chance against…

My Review: It was a bit boring at first as it's written in diary form, sort of like Jonathan Harker's diary in Bram Stoker's Dracula. But like the said novel, the story gets better as it progresses; it's naturally written style, I think, is what made this novel easy to read, while the events made it more exciting to read. Loureiro, although I have never read his previous works, captured me with every line of this book with its realistic turn of events and its heart-pounding horde chases, gun shootings and car drifting. I am honestly getting impatient waiting for the English version of the second book.

I'm giving this book five cookies for the awesome flesh-hunting, heart-pounding adventure. :)