Review: The Card Catalog: Books, Cards, and Literary Treasures

The Card Catalog: Books, Cards, and Literary Treasures by Library of Congress
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

An interesting little book that discusses how libraries came to be and specifically about the establishment of the Library of Congress and the cataloging of books. Full of pictures, this book covers the earliest known cataloging of scrolls and books dating back to ancient times and finishes up with the modern computerized catalog system. There is a final section on what has become of the old fashioned index cards that most of us remember using in our public libraries.

Also included are some great pictures of books, authors, and old paper catalog cards.

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Review: A Storm of Swords

A Storm of Swords by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

In the third installment of the Ice and Fire series by Martin, the battle for the Iron Throne continues. Five major contenders have been vying for the crown and they're dropping like flies. Everyone is turning on each other and no one is safe. There are those you love to hate and those you hate to love. Some villains turn out to be halfway decent people if they're not lobbing off someone's head or literally stabbing someone in the back, and the heroes end up feeling to safe to realize their demise is around the corner. There are three weddings in this book and lots of people are "dying" to attend.
There's high body count in this one with some unexpected twists and turns. I think this is my favorite of the series so far.

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Review: A Clash of Kings

A Clash of Kings by George R.R. Martin
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

A Clash of Kings is Martin's second in the Ice and Fire series. Now that King Robert Baratheon is dead and his Hand Lord Eddard Stark has been beheaded, five family heads have come forward claiming themselves as kings (or queen) over Westeros or part thereof. King Joffrey, is Baratheon's oldest son and seems to be the rightful king, but his paternity is in question within the realm. If that is indeed the case, Baratheon's brother Stannis should be the next in line for the throne, yet his younger brother Renly believes he is better suited to reign supreme. Daenerys Targaryen, known as the Mother of Dragons, is the eldest child of the original line of kings who ruled the land until they were thwarted by Robert Baratheon. Finally, there is Robb Stark, son of Lord Eddard Stark and heir to the northern lands of Winterfell. He is dubbed as King of Winterfell by his supporters. These four men and one woman declare that they are the rightful rulers and each build armies and alliances to depose each other. It is a clash of kings. Expected lots of bloodshed, and manipulation among all of the families.

Besides the storylines of each family, we follow the paths of Jon Snow, Lord Stark's bastard son who has taken his oath as a defender of the north wall, as well as his legitimate daughters Sansa and Arya. Sansa is betrothed to King Joffrey, the evil young boy who currently claims the Iron Throne. He's an ass and you love to hate him. Arya has escaped the King's court and is hiding as a young servant boy on the road to the northern wall to take the oath of the brotherhood. She hopes to make it back to Winterfell and her family before Joffrey and his hateful mother find out. Heads will literally roll if she is ever found.

This is a great fantasy novel, intricately woven with a high body count and evil scheming.

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