So its weird but I feel like I have to explain myself before I start reviewing here. I get really nervous doing these posts and I have no idea why. This is my third attempt at cannonball and every year I fail. Not because of the reading, I usually get that done but because of these reviews. I get kind of caught on the idea that no one cares about my opinion and worry that I will say something stupid. Its silly but….anxiety is a hell of a roadblock. My heart is beating fast even writing this now. But I’m doing it this year! I set my goal low and am trying to get done right out of the gate and not let my own brain stop me (this same fear has kept me as a lurker on Pajiba for over a decade). I’m a couple books ahead before I got my courage up to post so hopefully I will be writing a couple in the next few days!
My first picks of the year aren’t the most original. Larsson series already has four movies in two countries but I decided to finally see what the fuss was about when they are for sale under 2 dollars at my local bookstore. I really don’t want to spoil the books for people who like me may have somehow avoided spoilers for this entire time so I won’t go into many details.
I am disappointed that the series is over and I suppose that is an endorsement. I could have read more about the amazing Lisbeth and more importantly just the country of Sweden which is now some place I would love to go to but would never want to live in. Salandar is a great character who I found myself supporting even when I didn’t agree with all her decisions. Blomkvist, the other main character, is rather interesting and clever but at times can feel like a male self-insert fantasy. At some point in the second book, I had to pause and ask if there were any other female characters left that he hadn’t slept with. Like seriously dude let a lady be.
The second and third book are much slower than the first, though once they get going they are hard to put down. They lack mystery like the first, and are a change of pace from what I expected of the series. I expected a who-dunnit in each book and got something very different. The first two books I read in about a day each and the third took me almost two weeks, reading the first 300 pages taking most of that time and then the rest swallowed in an afternoon. These books are bleak and dark and not always something you would want to pick up on a rainy day but the writing is amazing, the characters are engaging and I enjoyed reading it as a whole though probably will never pick it up again for a second viewing.
And I’m going to include some pictures! I walk dogs and pet sit so I’m often reading with an animal companion. Just had the random idea to take a picture of whoever was keeping me company with the books I read.
Featured Image: Emmy and Ruth model with The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
Riley reads along to the Girl who Played with Fire
Leo snuggles up to The Girl who Kicked the Hornets Nest