Permanent Obscurity

Permanent Obscurity: Or a Cautionary Tale of Two Girls and
Their Misadventures with Drugs, Pornography and Death
Author: Richard Perez
Published by Ludlow Press
ISBN: 978-097134154-8

Reading the title of the book…at first left me a bit shaky. “AM I FINALLY GOING TO BE heaving into EROTICA FILLED WITH NOTHING BUT unreal WRITING ABOUT JUST SEX”? But I love myself for giving Permanent Obscurity a try because Richard Perez brings and delivers this impressive 'cautionary tale' beautifully. Despite the fact that it does contain explicit substance in the tome; this character motivated scheme of the plot held my attention from the beginning to end. Heck, the drugs, pornography and death are what make this book so gripping to read.

This book is mainly what the title presents, “A Cautionary Tale of Two Girls and
Their Misadventures with Drugs, Pornography and Death.” It's a dark comedy about the difficulties relationships go through and the rhetorical question about Fame over Infamy. It’s about two girls, Dolores Santana and her best friend Serena Moon whom when one of them ends up in dept for her favourite street product, the other stays by her side and together, they brainstorm the just the right idea to fetch in the green and be free of the debts. However, not all good things last and soon, they go into tunnel from which both of them cannot escape from.

What I find so great about this book is the way that the characters are developed and presented. Believe me, there are a few books that leave me hanging “Um…was he really supposed to be doing that or am I just reading crap now” kind of a feeling. I believe characters make books possible and this one just made me grip tight on it because the characters were very plausible and realistic. I’m no “Dolores” (one the main characters in Permanent Obscurity) but reading about her just makes you feel like your crawling under her skin, actually feeling her very emotions to the depth of actually coming out of your comfort zone and wanting to help her.

My only (short) complaint is the draggy 2/3 of the ending. It was an incredible read but I feel it could’ve been “shorter” near the end. But anyhow, out of all the books in this style I've picked up over the years, this one has delivered exactly what I expected of it. I finally understand the idiom "don't judge a book by its cover" because you should never. It is a deliciously seedy romp of a tale, well written and with characters that, while you may not relate to them, you certainly enjoy reading about. This is a feisty must read that leave you feeling unforgettable.

Book review: Buried Alive

Buried Alive By Roy Hallums
The True Story of Kidnapping, Captivity, and a Dramatic Rescue

I chose this book, because it sounded like an interesting read and I love to read true-story books. Buried Alive describes the kidnapping of 56 year old man named Roy who was in captivity for 311 days prior to living and working in Bagdad, Iraq. The book tells his story, from his point of view and recounts how Roy Hallums survived the terror, over and above his family's (ex-wife and 2 daughters) dealt with the nightmare of knowing he was held prisoner or probably dead. It trails the trials and problems Roy and the others must go through while being seized captive and what they had to go through in order to survive. Hallums spent his time with several other individuals including individuals from France, Iraq, and the Philippines

I was thrilled about reading this book as I considered it was going to be an inside glance into what really goes in with the Iraqi people when they kidnap and possibly a better look into what is really going on there although, I was dissatisfied with this book. Even though it is a speedy read, I found it hard to begin as well as sometimes dosing off mid-page. I thought the writing was slightly ordinary moreover tedious every now and then.
I also felt that it needed in depth emotional essence. Hallums would illustrate being beaten plus starved in such a straightforward style that it made it hard to actually bond with him the same as an individual. It felt that it fell short on how he presented his emotions and was rather programmed in nature when it came to Mr. Hallums trying to explain what he sensed and underwent. It also didn’t flow very well, and was often repetitive. In the beginning, I found myself transfixed by the story but laer,just couldn’t wait to finish.

I also want to include what Jen and Johnson said http://jenhjohnson.blogspot.com/2010/01/buried-alive.html
“I also have concerns about the way in which he paints Iraq and many of the Iraqi people. At one point, he does paint with a broad stroke, explaining that many of the Muslims he knew were good, honest people whom he was proud to call friend. But that's where it stops. I cannot imagine what my feelings would be if I found myself in a similar situation, but we are called to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. Hallums never discussed this command from our Messiah, and it leaves me wondering if it crossed his mind at all. Because most of the American public is fairly ignorant to what the Muslim faith is, we too often stereotype all followers of Islam as members of jihad. Books like this one concern me because they, even if inadvertently, can easily perpetuate this misunderstanding, fueling hatred of all Muslims. We must remember our great and sovereign God wants all people to come to know him, including Muslims.”

I can’t visualize subsequent to reading the book what it would be like for an individual day after day. The Hallums family gives me a description and perceptive on what exactly a family has to go through and endure in these circumstances. I just wish Mr. Hallums would have let us in, but I think I understand why maybe he just couldn’t. In general, I felt the book was educational, but I wouldn't be likely to recommend it as a must read.

Though it is a captivating story, particularly bearing in mind what this individual went through, however the method wherein it was presented fell flat.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Thomas Nelson Publishers as part of their BookSneeze.com book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Blogger Home - BookSneeze - Bloggers get free books in exchange for a review

Blogger Home - BookSneeze - Bloggers get free books in exchange for a review
Okay! So this will be my first time on visiting this site. It's called http://booksneeze.com/blogger. They say you get book once you write a short summery about it!! This is so exciting! I hope to get Revolve 2010! Hope this site works. I will write a review on the site and aswell as on the product. Well here I go...

why the long WaiT?

I created this blog ... about a year ago, infused with ego and the enthusiasm for blogging. Little did i know, i really wouldn't be writing on it after a year, laugh out loud. (I'm restraining myself from using idiolect text words lol) Maybe or so, i really wont have many views in the beginning but hopefully that might change (or never change) I will blog about books, my life, possible tips, and perhaps tips and stuff on the homework i get from school. So far, i hope to make the best of it.

My first blog entry!

Well, as the title states..this is indeed my first blog entry. YA!


...........OK not very exciting BUT...


I have heard a lot about blog spot. It seems like every other person has it. So i wanted to try how good or how far I'll keep up with this.


Some...I've heard get ADDICTED TO "BLOGGING". Can that really happen? Getting addicted to writing rather seems bland. I dunno know... Perhaps when I blog next time, i should really work on my grammar? What do you guys and gals think (not that 1,000,000 are reading my blog).





OK, now I will tell YOU guys (and gals) of what I'll put in my blog.

• How my day went (probably the boring part)



• The weekly or daily wisdom provided from THE MASTERS



• A fun thing (like an illusion or a joke)



• Corny as it may seem I will post a new word every time I blog (hey, its an educational purpose)

and if I have anything more to write about, then I'll post that on here too.

So without further Audie (definitely spelled that wrong) I will eat cheese

Pain stakingly,

thalacufiya