I decided to start a new thread as the other one had way too many pictures on it!!! Previous thread here http://www.librarything.com/topic/61392







September reads

95. Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt
94. The Leper of Saint Giles by Ellis Peters
93. The King's Pleasure by Norah Lofts

August reads

92. Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones
91. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
90. The Forest by Edward Rutherfurd
89. The Last Queen: A Novel of Juana La Loca by C.W. Gortner
88. Watchmen by Alan Moore
87. Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy
86. Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist
85. The Inconvenient Adventures of Uncle Chestnut by Paul Nowak
84. Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope

July reads:

83. Beware, Princess Elizabeth by Carolyn Meyer
82. Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock
81. Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank
80. Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer
79. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling (reread)
78. More Blood, More Sweat and Another Cup of Tea by Tom Reynolds
77. Percy and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
76. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
75. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson
74. Kiln People by David Brin
73. Timeline by Michael Crichton

June reads:

72. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay
71. The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers by Margaret George
70. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
69. One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters
68. Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith (re-read)
67. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
66. Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart
65. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
64. The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope
63. The Blue Hawk by Peter Dickinson
62. The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell
61. The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits: Stories by Emma Donoghue

May reads continued:
60. Lamb: The Gospel according to Biff by Christopher Moore.
59. Handle With Care by Jodie Picoult
58. Earthman's Burden by Poul Anderson
57. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly
56. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer

Message edited by its author, Sep 8, 2009, 6:26am.

posting so I don't lose you!

Got you starred.

Found you and starred you.

eta: I'll be interested in knowing what you think of The Book of Lost Things and Friday's Child both of which I've read.

Message edited by its author, May 20, 2009, 9:56am.

Got you starred again!

Hi Luna! I'm all for "more books," but I'm not so sure about "less cats." My husband is allergic, so I have to live vicariously through all the cat lovers on LT. I love the pic of your cat about to have kittens on your profile page.

I'm sure I can provide you with a few cats if you ask nicely ;)

Its just that traffic on my thread had slowed down and I wasn't getting the discussion on books that I love so much, so I assumed it was due to the pics of the kittens meaning they were taking a long time to load. Unless I'm just reading poor books that no one cares about, or writing rubbish reviews!! lol

P.S........Mouse and Zita are currently beating each other up next to me. And the boys are apparently doing well and causing much mischief in their new home.

56. Friday's Child by Georgette Heyer 376 pages

When he is rebuffed by the Incomparable Lady Isabella, Lord Sherry heads out to marry the first girl he meets, in order to come into his fortune. This girl happens to be Hero, a childhood friend who isn't part of the 'in crowd' and not versed in the subtleties of high class society.

So starts this fun, comedic regency romp. As Hero takes everything Sherry says literally, repeats his comments and behaves as he does, she finds herself getting into more and more scrapes, leading Sherry to ever increasing despair at the marriage he finds himself in.

With an enjoyable entourage of characters, this was great fun to read. I didn't like it quite as much as my first Heyer read The Reluctant Widow, but it didn't put me off reading more of hers. They are lighthearted and easy going, but with historical accuracy and a style of writing that makes you thoroughly believe you are within this period.

3.5 out of 5

57. The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly 512 pages

David's mother has died, and his father has remarried and had another child. They all move into his stepmother's house, and David begins his retreat into the world of fantasy and stories, darkness and imagination that protect him from the jealousy of his new life, and the worsening of World War Two. And one day, he takes a step too far, and his world changes.

This new land is one where fairytales rule. However, these aren't the fairytales of childhood, with happy endings and lessons learned. They are darker, dangerous and cruel in their tellings. David must negotiate these in order to find his way home.

The first comment on this is that it was so much darker and more disturbing than I was expecting. Had I known how shocking the violence is, and how moody and powerful the stories get, I might not have picked it up when I've been quite tired recently!

It certainly gripped me though. I loved the changes to the fairytales, and the enjoyment of spotting all the different references to various stories. There is also the 'growing up' element to it, the lessons David learns and his progression from child to adulthood that occurs throughout this bleak journey.

The characters and animals within are all well described and realised, with creatures such as Leroi and The Crooked Man sending a chill to the core of the reader.

This was much darker and more horrific than I anticipated, but I couldn't have put it down if you'd paid me too. An intriguing take on the traditional fairytale idea. However, at times I had to wonder about the state of mind of the author after some of the twists and turns!

4 out of 5

>7: LOL, I don't think it was you reading rubbish.

If I was at home, I'd read your thread. However, I often check LT using an iPhone when I've got spare time somewhere and the pictures were killing the load times and I'd usually end up aborting it. Dial-up speeds may be mostly dead for residential use, but now technology is opening them back up in whole new areas. :-)

On the Heyer front...it seems like everyone is reading her. Somehow, I can't seem to summon the will to pick one up. I'm not sure why. Maybe I subconsciously associate them with Harlequin Romances and that's not a genre I enjoy.

Message edited by its author, May 23, 2009, 9:43am.

#10

I associated them with that a lot as well. They definitely aren't really romancy though! Maybe ask Ronincats for a recommendation of some of the more mystery based ones, she seems to know a lot about them. I would suggest that they are more likely to be enjoyed by women but wouldn't rule them out for the more open minded man.

>11: Open-minded? Well, of course I think I'm the most socially advanced male on the planet. However, I wonder if my wife agrees? :-D

#12 Lol

Prove it, give Heyer a go ;)

Tad, give The Toll-Gate or The Unknown Ajax a try, for starting out with Heyer. If you like military battles, her An Infamous Army is supposed to have one of the best descriptions of the battle of Waterloo ever in it, but I don't consider it one of her best "stories". But I am sure you would enjoy either of the first two, regardless.

ETA throwing hex signs at those who mention Heyer and Harlequins in the same breath. Ban the thought!

Message edited by its author, May 23, 2009, 10:09am.

#7 Lunacat,

I have also been lurking on your thread without posting. Given the volume of the posting this year, I just don't slap every thought that pops into my head down on everyones thread. I figure I'll store them up, sift through them, and only write things that are useful. Don't want to litter all the threads.....we all have enough to read. But jsut because there are not as many posts on your thread doesn't mean we aren't reading.

I have been resisting The Book of Lost Things but you're review has me leaning.

I thought that was a pretty compelling review of The Book of Lost Things. I am going to add it to my wishlist.
--BJ

Just so you know, lunacat, I check everyone's threads even if I do not say anything!!

Found you again! I was wondering why your thread had gone so quiet. Silly me should have looked for a new one :)

The Book of Lost Things is sitting here in my TBR pile. I loved the review. I don't like explicit violence, but based on your review, I'm going to give this a try over the summer.

Well, since we're all admitting to lurking about, I'll raise my hand as well since I read everyone's threads too, though I don't always comment!

I like your review on Book of Lost Things... I've had it on the TBR list for awhile now, but I don't think I've seen anyone else comment on the level of violence. Good to know...! I'll keep it on the list, but now I'll know that there are times when reading it might not be the best choice.

58. Earthman's Burden by Poul Anderson and Gordon R. Dickson 188pages

Alex Braithwaite has the unfortunate experience of coming across the Hokas. They are teddybear-like aliens with a pleasant attitude, and an aim to please. Doesn't sound so bad, does it? Unfortunately, they also have the ability to take anything told to them and turn it into a real life scenario. The wilder the better. So, as Alex has more and more to do with these aliens, he finds himself getting into more and more difficult circumstances, including being Watson to a Hokan Sherlock Holmes, and being sheriff in a Western.

This is hilarious from start to finish. The Hokas are portrayed brilliantly, and Alex is a really likeable person who you want to succeed, especially as the Hokas antics lead him to looking likely to lose his job and/or his fiancee.

I especially like the twists that all the scenarios have, as the Hokas interpret the novels they are given in their own ways, and take all things at face value. If you want a quick, highly enjoyable sci-fi read (that isn't really like sci-fi at all, more like a strange dream) I recommend this entirely.

4 out of 5

Message edited by its author, May 27, 2009, 1:58pm.

59. Handle with Care by Jodi Picoult 507 pages

My friend bought me this one as some light reading so I thought I'd get through it and see what I thought before focusing on something that I had been looking forward too a lot.

All I can say is, okish within the standards of her books, which isn't great. At times, it isn't even good. In fact, its pretty poor.

My Sister's Keeper I read and liked, apart from the appalling cheat at the end which annoys me now even thinking about it. Nineteen Minutes is my favourite of hers but I'm using 'favourite' mildly, in that I have kept it in order to read again when I want to turn my mind off completely and make myself able to appreciate heavier material again.

The plot: Willow is born with Osteogenesis Imperfecta (OI), also known as Brittle Bone Disease. She has 7 bone breaks before she is even born. When her parents discover they might be able to sue for 'wrongful birth' in that the condition could have been diagnosed sooner and the chance to abort given, they are thrown into a whirlwind.

The premise is the same is in ALL of her other books. There is family strife, and a legal case. The characters are typical of her with nothing new demonstrated at all, they are old props rolled out with new names given. The characters are also extremely irritating. Willow is too perfect and unbelievably advanced for her age. The mother, Charlotte, I wanted to slap......a lot. As I did the father and the older sister.

The only good thing about it was that I learnt a lot more about the condition OI. And there is the usual twist at the end that annoys me every single time. Why do I carry on reading these?? I'll wonder that until the next time a friend buys one for me and I read it again in the hope she might have come up with something vaguely original.

1.5 out of 5 (points given for me learning stuff about the medical condition and what it involves.

I love the Hoka books!

Luna, I'm glad I read Nineteen Minutes and decided that was enough Picoult for me.

#23

There are more? Ohhh, how exciting.

I haven't read the Hoka books for ages--and I do mean ages. A generation. I'm thinking it may be time to search them out again for a re-read. Thanks for the review.

>25: Earthman's Burden, Star Prince Charlie, Hoka!

#27: Those sound like fun and I am going to look for the lot of them! Thanks for the recommendations, lunacat and Tad.

hallo - just a wave so as not to lose your thread!

luna, many of the early fairy tales were really very dark indeed, not fluffy light things at all. I really want to read The Book of Lost Things now, based on your review.

Thanks for the review of Earthman's Burden - I'm adding it to my massive TBR list! Is there such as thing as too much ambition when it comes to books? I'm hoping not - although the house is not so slowing filling up :)

I have never really had the urge to read Jodi Picoult. It may not be fair but I tend to shy away from 'Best Selling' authors. I feel that a lot of authors are best sellers because people tend to buy their books based on their best selling status which perpetuates the cycle - if that makes any sense at all!

It makes sense to me, WilowRaven, because I have the same tendencies. But I did read a couple of Jodi Picoult, and enjoyed them until I realized that, like LunaCat mentions above, they're all pretty much the same book. So I had to stop. I try to stick to a rule of not reading anything by an author who puts out more than one book a year--sometimes I'm successful, sometimes I break down...

Just posting to remind myself I need to write reviews for:

60. Lamb: the Gospel according to Biff by Christopher Moore
61. The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits by Emma Donoghue

Ha! How funny to see #60 after my response to your comment on my challenge thread ;)

Hehe, how ironic! Is that what's called an unlikely coincidence??

I'm going away to further ponder your question to me and come back with some decisions. I thought I could do it off the top of my head but only 1 of the 5 I thought of has produced books that I would rate 5/5 every single time.

Jodi Picoult..I have read several of her books, and enjoyed most of them...

Her books are similar, but they work well for me as a sort of palate cleanser. I think they are easy reading, sort of you don't have to think about it reads that we all.. or at least I need now and then. I imagine I will read more in time.. she is dependable for not being off putting due to too much fluff.

Message edited by its author, Jun 3, 2009, 1:43pm.

My mooched copy of Earthman's Burden just arrived! I've got a few things to read first ahead of it, but I'm keeping it near the top of the TBR pile.

60. Lamb: The Gospel according to Biff by Christopher Moore 512 pages

This is the story of Jesus from his childhood friend Levi, who is known as Biff. From his youngest days, Joshua (as Jesus is referred to throughout the book as the name Jesus comes from the Greek translation of the Hebrew name Yeshua ) never has to go far without Biff, as Biff protects the kinder, gentler boy who is already demonstrating miracles, bringing lizards back to life!

Written in a very modern style, and with very modern ideas, we chart how Joshua learns, how he is picked on and bullied, his love for Mary (Maggie) Magdalene and his travels further afield, before arriving to the events that we are much more aware of.

I liked the beginning and I liked the end but the middle is where this book fell short. A lot of the humour felt too crass (I'm not opposed to acknowledgment of sex but there is a LOT in this) and lighter humour would have made me laugh, as opposed to feeling like I was being hit again and again over the head.

There were ideas that were interesting, and I liked spotting the stories that we know and seeing how Moore arrives at things such as the eviction of the moneylenders in the Temple and the various parables. I just felt that the humour was laden on with a shovel as opposed to being offered on a spoon.

Good ideas but Moore tries to hard and it falls apart.

3 out of 5

61. The Woman Who Gave Birth to Rabbits: Stories by Emma Donoghue 212 pages

A collection of short stories I was eager to read having enjoyed Slammerkin by the same author a while ago. I'm not an aficionado of short stories, but I liked the sound of these.

Each story is based on historical factual events found whilst she was researching. Dotting backwards and forwards in time, some of these are truly intriguing whereas I found myself getting bored of others. Or maybe just not finding my attention grabbed at all by them.

The standout story for me was 'Account', a story told in lists and statistics which kept me fascinated at how much tiny pieces of information can tell us. The entire relationship of Margaret Drummond (c.1472-1502) and King James IV of Scotland is relayed throughout these accounts, in sublime simplistic style.

Others that have stayed in my mind are 'A Short Story', recounting the life events (disputed) of Caroline Crachami who died on 3rd June 1824, height: 1ft 8" and age anywhere from 3-9years old, and 'Dido', the tale of a black girl (the product of an African woman and English man) brought up as part of Lord Mansfield's family. Lord Mansfield delivered the Somerset Ruling which said that no master was to be allowed to take a slave abroad by force, which some claim to be the start of the abolishment of slavery in Britain.

The rest of the stories were fine to read but haven't stuck in my head. If you read the titles of the three I've mentioned to me then I would be able to recall them immediately, whereas the same isn't true for the rest.

Worth reading if you like historical fiction/short stories or have enjoyed Slammerkin by the same author and its not bad, its just not brilliant either.

3.5 out of 5

62. The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn by Robin Maxwell 260 pages

I wanted to read this having read The Queen's Bastard, as there were quite a few references to the secret diary within it. I have to say that if I had read this one first, I doubt I would have gone onto The Queen's Bastard.

The premise is very simple, that Anne Boleyn kept a diary which was then passed to Elizabeth. I enjoy books about the Tudors and was interested to read this, but having read a reasonable amount of historical fiction based around this time, I was bored by this. It offered nothing new, had unconvincing voices of both Anne Boleyn and Elizabeth within it and added nothing to the real people's stories.

Read it if you like historical fluff but don't read it if you've read widely about the characters/don't like nonfactual based books/don't like modern voices in historical settings. It was plain boring and I'm annoyed that I wasted money on it rather than waiting for it to come on Bookmooch. Its definitely going up there for someone else to 'enjoy'. Any takers??

1.5 out of 5

63. The Blue Hawk by Peter Dickinson 250 pages

I love this author, having read three others of his, and was excited to get to this. It didn't disappoint.

The Blue Hawk is an essential part of a religious ceremony intended to renew the vigour of the King through its sacrifice. But when Tron, a young temple boy, steals the hawk under the orders of the Gods, the corruption and power of the priests is revealed, with consequences that turn the path of the Kingdom.

Based in a time that appears to be early Ancient Egypt, although the name Egypt is never mentioned, and neither is the Nile, this is beautifully written. The relationship between the boy and the hawk is reminiscent in some ways of When the Legends Die in which a young Indian boy loses his relationship with the land and his heritage.

The story moves along at a nice pace, with enough breathing spaces to investigate some ideas of spirituality and the power Gods had over people, but with action as well. I found myself entirely caught up and engrossed in what happened next.

I would say this is an outstanding tale of a boy growing up, with enough adult content to make it not a children's book and give substance to the story. This author does not disappoint.

5 out of 5

If you're interested, I would also recommend these by Peter Dickinson, they are firm favourites.

Tulku is the story of an American boy who is left orphaned after Boxer rebels attack the village his missionary father has been educating in Christianity. On his journey toward safety, he meets a British woman gathering flower specimens in China and Tibet, and things take an intriguing turn. I have read this again and again and never bore of it.

Eva tells of a 13 year old girl who awakes from an 8-month long coma to discover that she has been the subject of an astounding medical experiment. Her brain is the same as ever, but she now has the body of a chimpazee. This sounds like a plot to be sceptical about, and yet it is completely believable and wonderfully written from beginning to end. Another firm favourite.

A Bone From a Dry Sea goes back to prehistoric Africa and tells a parallel story of a girl digging up archaelogy, and the girl that causes said archaelogy. Again, beautiful and astounding.

I can't rave about this author enough, I find him brilliant and moving.

I have been a fan of Peter Dickinson's ever since I first encountered his The Changes Trilogy nearly 4 decades ago. I have never read any of his adult mysteries, although I have read much of his children's fantasy. And of course, he had the good taste to marry Robin McKinley, another of my favorite fantasy writers.

#40: I have added all of your recommended Peter Dickinson titles to the Planet. Thanks for the recommendations, lunacat.

I'm also a fan of Peter Dickinson - I loved The Kin, The Lion tamer's daughter and The Ropemaker as well as the others already mentioned. I also haven't read his adult fiction.

edit: touchstone

Message edited by its author, Jun 8, 2009, 12:33am.

The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope 280 pages

This Newbery Honor Book was beautiful from start to finish. An absolute pleasure to read.

Kate Sutton has been forced by Queen Mary Tudor from the court of Lady Elizabeth into the remote and mysterious Elvenwood Hall, more often known as Perilous Gard.
When she arrives, she discovers herself involved in ancient traditions, mysterious disappearances and the terrifying customs of the Fairy Folk.

This book is absolutely full of atmosphere, and beautifully written. The plot is good and has some original ideas, others which are woven in from legend, but it is the stunning atmospheric quality that made me drink this in. I felt the scenes, was shown and not told the descriptions and I lived every second of it.

The highest praise I can give is that this is: Pope's writing and this book are a cross between Robin McKinley's writing in The Blue Sword and McKillip's writing in The Forgotten Beasts of Eld. As those are two of my favourite fantasy books ever, I can give very little higher praise!

5 out of 5

Sounds wonderful! I am adding this to my wishlist!
--BJ

#44: I read that one last year and enjoyed it very much. As a matter of fact, I think you recommended it to me!

>44 I'm trying to read as many Newbery Winners and Honors this year as I can and I think I'll move The Perilous Gard to the top of the list. Thanks for the great review!

Have you ever read Pope's only other book, The Sherwood Ring? It is completely different in setting (Revolutionary War period in the US vs. Elizabethan England) but just as delightful as The Perilous Gard.

#48 no, its on my wishlist at BM so I'm hoping it will come up at some point *fingers crossed*

it sounds like a lovely book, thanks for the rec!

seconded - sounds like one to add to the list!

Wonderful reviews... I have Biff on my wishlist..after seeing your review I am reminded that I have got to read that one !

I had a copy of The Perilous Gard on my shelf since grade school, and didn't read it until last year... and instantly regretted how long it took me to read such a wonderful book. I think maybe the cover put me off for some reason, but it's definitely one I'll now re-read many times in the future. I didn't know she had another book (guess I never bothered to look for it), but I'll add it to the list!

I'm also surprised I haven't heard of Peter Dickenson before!!! Adding his books to the list as well... thanks for the great reviews/rundown of his works :)

Just wanted to share some pics of my new hair colour :)

Love the new hair color. I'm sure that would go over very well in my part of Appalachia (or not!). I wish I lived in England. (Clarification: I'm not actually FROM where I'm currently living.)

Regarding Lamb: The Gospel According to Biff, I too got very tired of the sex jokes. It seemed very much like a guy's book. I'm not opposed to sex jokes, but they primarily seemed to deal with boobs and I'm not that interested in boobs. :p

Thanks for the review of The Secret Diary of Anne Boleyn. I am an Anne Boleyn fan, but that sounds like one I can safely remove from the wishlist.

65. The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell 405 pages

I normally try my absolute hardest to write good reviews. I'm not naturally good at this, but I want to be, so I work hard at them, trying to give info about the book without giving away spoilers, and saying what I think.

On this book, I will fail. I will not be able to write a good review. I will leave that to those far more talented than me.

What I will say is this. Absolutely stunning. It made me laugh, sob, think and dream. I drank it in. I couldn't put it down and I was staggered by it. It was devastating and illuminating, beautifully spiritual and shockingly down to earth.

This is my best book of the year so far. This is the kind of book that should win prizes. That everyone should read. I will be amazed if anything takes over the crown of my top read of 2009.

Needless to say, 5 out of 5. I want to give it more.

Message edited by its author, Jun 11, 2009, 4:35am.

>56: Hmmm, several people have said to me, "Try it, you'll like it."

The pressure grows.

I really liked The Sparrow too, but haven't read the sequel yet.

#57 Personally, I think they're right. You would like it.

#58 I didn't know there was a sequel! I may be forced to spend money I don't have to get it.

sequel Children of God

Not as good as The Sparrow but, good.

For a second there I was afraid you were going to say that you didn't like it..
I was shocked!!!!!!!

It is an oft read favorite of mine ~ I have read the sequel only twice.

On this book, I will fail. I will not be able to write a good review
Well, you made me want to read it so I would say that's what a review should ultimately do: get people interested in the book. For me you definitely succeeded. :)

Luna - I read The Sparrow earlier this year, and I loved it too. I also liked Russell's A Thread of Grace, although it is much different than The Sparrow - historical fiction about the German occupation of northwestern Italy during WWII.

#56: The Sparrow made my list of memorable reads last year, lunacat, so I completely agree with your review.

As Kath says in message 60, Children of God is not as good as The Sparrow, but I have yet to have read a truly bad book by Russell. I encourage you to read them all.

I've got The Sparrow on the TBR pile and need to bump it up! Thanks for the review.

#62 A Thread of Grace looks interesting, I'll be putting it onto my LT wishlist.

Sorry, but catching up on your thread! Just popping in to say that I'm adding The Blue Hawk to my TBR. I love historical fiction based on ancient Egyptian times!

#66

Have you read River God by Wilbur Smith? I'm not entirely sure how accurate the historical elements are but I really enjoyed it. Exciting and fascinating story based in Ancient Egypt. I think you'd enjoy it as well.

Stasia is right.. I too, have read all of her books, and she has not yet written a bad one :) Sparrow remains my favorite of hers and a favorite overall.

#67: No I haven't... but I will add it to my TBR. Have you heard of Pauline Gedge? She's a somewhat obscure Canadian writer but she writes amazing historical fiction, mostly Ancient Egypt. My favourites are Child of the Morning which is about Hatshepsut and House of Dreams about a young peasant woman who raises herself up to be concubine of Pharoah, all because of pure ambition.

66. Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart
67. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander

Before I forget that I've read them! I'm off on holiday for a week tomorrow and I will have forgotten about them otherwise. If I can't remember enough to review them.......they were both enjoyable light reads. I am reading the next in the series of both.

I liked the creativity of Beyond the Deepwoods, and its world building/creature building etc, and the characters of The Book of Three, except the main character who was rather boring.

Right..........yay for holiday! A week of sun, sand and reading in Turkey :)

>70: I think Taran doesn't really come into his own until Taran Wanderer (fourth book). Up until that point, it's the secondary characters who are the most interesting in Alexander's books.

And what I find the most fascinating about the Prydain Chronicles is the way the books themselves mature along with Taran, so that The Book of Three is very much a children's story, while the last two especially deepen and grow into much more. Along with The Dark is Rising series, these are my two favorite children's fantasy series out of all of them.

Have a lovely holiday, lunacat!

I loved the Princess in the Pyrdain Chronicles, she had so much spunk! I've only read the first 3 or 4 books in the Edge Chronicles, but I remember liking them more and more, my son loved them and read quite a few too. Beyond the Deepwoods seemed to spend a lot of time introducing the world to the reader. Also great are Chris Riddell's amazing illustrations.

#72 ronincats - that's what I liked about the Harry Potter books too...

lunacat, hope you have a fantastic holiday - pics when you get back please!

I agree with what's been said so far about the Prydain Chronicles!!! I remember being very surprised at how much I liked them, and I think they do just get better. I think I discovered them after watching Disney's 'The Black Cauldron' animated film and seeing that it was based on a book... yes, the books are much better, as usual!

Back today from holiday and completely exhausted, haven't been to sleep for..........31 hrs. Dozed on the plane and in the airport but no proper sleep. Now trying to hold out till bedtime! Got to take Luna to the vets for her stitches out first though.

On holiday I read:

Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith
One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters
The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
The Autobiography of Henry the VIII by Margaret George
Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay

I will try and write short reviews at some point but they certainly won't be in depth or detailed, my brain has been fried by the sun!

Wow, you've had some great reads lately. I love Joy in the Morning, The Autobiography of Henry the VIII (Margaret George's best book IMO), and Tigana. I'll be watching to see what you think of them.

>77: I'm concerned about the Patrick Rothfuss series.

I saw the second one was on Amazon with the "Pre-Order" status. I put it in my Wishlist there. Last week, I noticed that it had been grayed out and marked "This item no longer available" and I can't find any mention of it anywhere on their site.

I'm guessing he's having trouble finishing it. That's not good for the second book in a series.

#79

Oh no. Thats bad news as I really really loved the first one. I was regretting reading the first one before the second was out because I wanted to go on to read it immediately. I was hoping it would be out soon. Bother!

>80: I just went to his blog and looked. If you read between the lines, the answer is "yes" to the question of delayed finishing.

Like you, I'm regretting reading the first when I did. I read it last year, enjoyed it, and had thought the second was coming this summer (the original date)...so everything would still be relatively fresh in my mind. Multi-year is too long, however, so I'll have to re-read.

Message edited by its author, Jun 24, 2009, 10:02am.

#81

Yeah, I just went there too. Didn't read the whole post but he seems like he's an interesting character. Kinda wished he hadn't put so much effort into writing that post and had got on with the book instead!

I suspect I will have to reread as well when it finally came out. Unfortunately, even though my copy was brand new, it disintegrated whilst being read (pages falling out all over the place) so it was destined for the recycling. I will have to get a new new copy.

Welcome back, lunacat!

Indeed - hope you had a fantastic holiday!

#83 and #84

Thank you, it was a lovely holiday, just what I needed. Hotter than I was comfortable in though, we're looking for cooler places next time! My fair skin just doesn't cope with 35 degrees in the shade, I got a lot of heat rash and basically itched for the week. I'll post some pics at some point, might start a thread for 75ers holiday pics?

Just trying to gradually catch up on life now. Unfortunately taking some time for my stomach to settle down having been abroad.

68. Joy in the Morning by Betty Smith 304 pages

Does anyone find it very difficult to review a book that is a re-read, and one that has been re-read A LOT?

By the author of one of my favourite books ever (and the one I've probably re-read most) A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, this is shorter and lighter hearted but highly enjoyable.

Annie has just moved from Brooklyn to the mid West, to marry her college fiancee Carl. She's only 18 and the marriage is condemned by both their families. Despite living on the breadline and often running out of money, this is a story of striving to better yourself, and what love can make bearable.

There is very little plot, but the charm is in watching this young married couple attempting to make it through against adversity, and discover what marriage means. I love Betty Smith's writing, and whilst this book doesn't hit hard like A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, it is charming and tender.

I still enjoy it every single time I read it.

4 out of 5

69. One Corpse Too Many by Ellis Peters 192 pages

Following on from the first, I enjoyed this historical murder mystery much more.

Brother Cadfael is back in the monastery in Shrewsbury, and the town has been under siege by King Stephen, during the Civil War. The town is divided between those supporting Stephen and those supporting Matilda, who is in France.

During this troubled and violent time, 94 of the defenders of the town are put to death, and Cadfael agrees to bury them. However, he has 95 corpses.

This is an enjoyable read, with twists, turns, love and loyalty all explored. I also love the historical details, the descriptions of the herb gardens and the layout of the monastery. I was initially reading these cos they are written by Edith Pargeter under her pseudonym of Ellis Peters, but I'm now finding myself enjoying the mystery of it.

3.5 out of 5 (I got muddled at the beginning by the different factions, otherwise it would have been 4/5).

70. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss 662 pages

I have been looking forward to reading this fantasy a lot, and it didn't disappoint.

The opening pages draw you into a world and life with absolute ease, and before you know it you're half way through and wishing that the book was twice as long.

This is Kvothe's story, a young prodigy who is now an unassuming innkeeper with a secret identity. He reveals his upbringing in a theatrical troupe, and the emergence of his talent as a magician.

The brilliance of this book comes in the world building, the character building and in the humour. Normally I would expect to dislike someone of this talent, and yet I didn't at all. I desperately desperately want Kvothe to succeed.

The challenges Rothfuss puts in his place are varied and thrilling, and there is a realism to him that I really appreciated.

I can see why everyone raves about this. I am too. I loved it. Just very very disappointed that a) my copy (despite being brand new) completely fell apart so I couldn't re-read it immediately and b) the follow-on shows no sign of appearing soon.

That was my one quibble, that it was left so obviously as a trilogy, as in the style of The Fellowship of the Ring. I desperately desperately want to get to the second right now!!

I would advice not reading this until all three are out, unless you enjoy the suspense and the frustration of wanting to know what happens next, and having no way of finding out. Its extremely irritating!

5 out of 5

71. The Autobiography of Henry VIII: With Notes by His Fool, Will Somers by Margaret George 944 pages

I love historical fiction, I love Tudor fiction and I love epics. This was all three, and very good it was too.

Starting with letters exchanged between a dying Will Somers and Catherine Knollys, the daughter of Mary Boleyn, this autobiography really comes across as Henry's voice.

Every action he takes clearly makes sense in his mind, and becomes very clear from his viewpoint. The arrogance of the King, and yet the acknowledgment of perceived failings make him thoroughly likable, in the way a so called 'tyrant' wouldn't normally be. I especially liked the recounting of his early years, and his marriage to Jane Seymour and onwards. It was also very good in that. I've read a lot of historical fiction centered around Katherine of Aragon and Anne Boleyn, and yet I wasn't bored by their stories.

It stands at 944 pages and yet didn't feel nearly so long. I found it an easy and fascinating read, with plenty of characterisation, and Henry's views of people such as Cardinal Wolsey and Thomas More are so intriguing.

I thought it was going to be a heavy read, especially for a holiday, and yet it wasn't at all. I will definitely be reading more by this author.

4.5 out of 5

72. Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay 688 pages

Having read The Last Light of the Sun earlier this year, and knowing that this was the novel a lot of people tout as Kay's best, I was thoroughly looking forward to this. It didn't disappoint.

The wide scope of this fantasy novel, the political intrigues and limitations of the magic, the plot itself are all fascinating and highly addictive.

Tigana is a land that has been wiped out, as revenge by the wizard Brandin for the death of his son there. The name can only be heard, remembered and spoken by the people who lived in the land. The rest of the population cannot even remember such a place ever existed, and cannot hear or see the word spoken or written.

But there is a fightback occuring amongst remnants of Tigana. A fight for the land to be remembered and rebuilt, a fight for freedom from the tyranny of the two opposing evil wizards who have conquered the land, and a fight for the fulfilling of destinies.

The story is written in sections, from various people's viewpoints including Devin the singer and Dianora, a member of Brandin's saishan (harem).

Its difficult to describe, other than as a fantasy that includes war, vast political intrigue and maneuvering and yet one that also tells the story of the common people.

The characters are all enthralling, with different levels to each of them, and a history that is slowly revealed, and there are many twists and turns, especially at the end. The best twists are saved until last :).

Spoiler alert: spoiler in strikethrough text.


I really appreciated the fact that, while there were some resolutions, it was clear that the characters lives and the world go on after the story has finished. The book tells the story for the battle of Tigana, the world doesn't simply stop once we stop reading, and neither do the characters lives.


A fantasy that is more than a fantasy, and that lived up to its billing. I loved this and I love this author. I will definitely read this again.

5 out of 5

All in all, a very good collection of holiday reading :)

Message edited by its author, Jun 25, 2009, 11:09am.

In response to #86 - absolutely yes!

#91

Glad I'm not the only one :) I struggle a lot with writing reviews anyway (often considering going to the much shorter one or two sentences about each book) but re-reads are particularly hard!

Me too... I keep trying to review Neil Gaiman or Jane Austen books when I reread them, but every time I falter. Of course the problem with both of those authors is that I'm not the only slightly obsessive fan out there...

Great reading over your holiday, lunacat. Great job on the reviews as well!

Just passing through and trying to catch up on the threads...

You have clearly read some really good ones. I liked the "spoiler" and agree that with any books, that can make a difference :)

Just wanted to announce: Yay, I've added my wishlist from bookmooch into collections. Only took me three days lol

>96 I did mine last week and it took me two days - but it's only 2/3 the size of yours. Although it's grown a bit now that I've looked through your list and found some interesting books that I didn't know about before. ;)

Message edited by its author, Jun 27, 2009, 5:52am.

Well I'm going to take your advice on The Name of the Wind and not read it till next year. I have Tigana to read sometime this year and I haven't seen a bad review of it yet. Talking about waiting for sequels or next in series, I've been waiting absolutely ages for the final book of the Obernewtyn Chronicles. Book 5 came out at the beginning of last year and the final book was meant to be in October this year but has been delayed till March 2010. The first book came out in 1987 so she's been taking her time!

#97

Good to know I'm corrupting some more people :) I shall have to go and peruse your wishlist so you can return the favour

#98

I fear Patrick Rothfuss may be going the same way. The second installment was supposed to be out in April this year but no sign yet!

And:

Here are some more kitten pics on my facebook page. I believe the album is public so you should all be able to see.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10...

And some holiday pictures from Turkey:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=10...

lots of lovely photos - looks like an amazing holiday and the kittens look hilarious with leads!

Message edited by its author, Jul 1, 2009, 12:44pm.

I am officially stuck in a rut with my reading. In the middle of both Timeline and Kiln People and I'm.......I dunno, I'm enjoying them both, I just can't seem to get a good block of reading going.

Don't know whether to give up on them both for the time being and start something new, or battle through the lethargy. Not helped by it being so hot here so all I've wanted to do is doze. What is it about the hot weather that makes people so sleepy??

I liked Timeline though I had seen the movie before getting to the book. I always keep a few books on the go at the same time, but make sure they are all totally different, easy to shift between them when I lose interest.
I'd recommend a brilliant YA title such as I am the Great Horse by Katherine Roberts if you do decide to pick up another book.

It is definitely the heat. It has been in the mid to upper nineties with one billion percent humidity here (southern Tennessee) and I just can't concentrate long enough to really get into a book. Ugh, I am SO ready for the fall!

#101 I can't even sleep in the heat. It doesn't make me want to doze--it makes me want to do NOTHING. We've have a few cooler days this week, so I'm more energetic, but last week, I had to concentrate just to keep breathing!

Went on another bookbuying outing with my mum today and we got 21 new books for me (yes, I did need them).

We also got a copy of The Blue Hawk that I read in May and reviewed in post #40 and wondered if any of you reading my thread would like me to send it to you? If so, just post here or send me a message, if not then I'll put it on BM.

21 new books! Now, Luna, you cannot tease us with that number, and then not list the titles - we need to oohh and awww over the new additions to your library! :)

#106

I promise to list the titles tomorrow, as you have requested. Nothing really really exciting, mostly just older sci fi and fantasy books to complete or try and complete series!

My philosophy is "Want trumps need." Especially when it comes to books. So there.

#105 definitely the hot weather - I'm in a similar rut - loads I want to read/finish, just can't make any decisions... ...so I've been re-reading Harry Potter instead...

#109

Sounds a very good idea, I'm leaning toward some YA to tempt me. Determined to finish Kiln People first though or I'll never finish it. Have also completed Timeline, just trying to find the energy to review it now!

Instead, I snuck off early from work today and am watching the 5th set of the men's finals.......

p.s the kittens are also watching the tennis.....noses up against the tv!

Message edited by its author, Jul 5, 2009, 12:03pm.

you have to work on a sunday! booo! hisss!

...and me too (the tennis) - in bursts. can't seem to settle to anything today...

Its alright, I get thurs/fri/sat off so its not so bad. Comes with working with horses, they don't just shut down at the weekend! lol

ah - wouldn't mind more friday's off (had this one off for blur in hyde park...)!

...like you, i've only come in to the 5th set, but is it just me, or is this really not a very exciting match? maybe i'm walking in at the wrong moments...

There doesn't seem very much atmosphere, or emotion from either player. I think the problem is the public don't appear to care who wins.

yep, it does make a difference when the crowd's into it - seems a shame, it shouldn't really matter if it's good tennis. but then, i'm not really getting in to it either...

73. Timeline by Michael Crichton 489 pages

3 historians have been sent back into the heart of the Hundred Years War, and its not looking certain whether they will ever get back, or even survive.

I haven't really got that much to say about this, mainly because I'm not sure how I felt about it. It was ok, but not great, and at times there felt too many plot lines going on. People were picked up and dropped again just for the sake of it, and the characters were predictable and boring.

The only bit I can actually say I enjoyed was the epilogue, when I realised I had cared about one of the characters after all! But it took me to the last 2 pages to come to this decision. And I liked the motto at the end,

Companions whom I loved, and still do love, ...Tell them, my song

If you want to read a time travel book that actually catches the feel and the imagination, try Doomsday Book by Connie Willis. If you have read Crichton before and liked him, and want something.......less 'historical' in feel, try this.

2.5 out of 5

Message edited by its author, Jul 5, 2009, 2:08pm.

74. Kiln People by David Brin 568 pages

The world is full of clay people. Not people, but dittos. Copies of the original 'real' human beings, who fulfill roles their creator makes them into. The ivory pleasure givers, the greens that do all the household tasks and a variety of others so that you really can be in more than one place at once. And, at the end of the day, your multiple duplicates are called home to inload their memories into the real person, and so nothing is lost.

That is the world in which this book is set, and if it sounds like it would make for a confusing read, it does! Following a set of dittos, and the original detective human, they uncover a mad scientist and a large variety of different secrets complicated by the many lives they lead.

I thought I was going to really enjoy this, and I loved the premise, however I just couldn't follow what was going on. I would just get into a section before it changed again, which was frustrating at times. There was also a lot of 'scientific' information that is given at various times that my brain just wasn't quick enough or intelligent to understand.

Its one of those that I should have loved but didn't. Perhaps more of a male book, or a book for someone with a better background in detective stories and able to follow the logic much better. It wasn't for someone like me, whose brain gets easily distracted!

2 out of 5 because I just didn't understand what happened, or how it ended.

75. Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson 198 pages

Finally, a book that absolutely captivated me after too rather rubbish ones!

Melinda has started high school without any friends. Not only that, but all her old friends hate her after she called the cops at an end-of-summer party. She can't tell anyone what really happened, and she's falling apart. So she retreats into silence...

This was a really powerful book about the struggle to be a teenage, especially when you're not one of the 'in' crowd, and don't have a place. The hurt, the not knowing where to go during free time, the boredom of being on your own during lesson, are all described perfectly, and the main character is utterly real.

I guessed WHAT had happened at the party almost as soon as the book had started, but whilst that event was the trigger, the book was mainly about the loneliness and desperation to either hide yourself, or find your own place in the world. Melinda cannot find the words to do either, so she just doesn't speak.

There are moments of humour as well, the descriptions of the teachers and the behaviour of some of the other students are really amusing, which means that you don't feel at all like you're simply dragging yourself through a teenager's angst, but properly seeing the world through her eyes.

I really really enjoyed this, and it truly hit the nail on the head in terms of what its like to be a loner teenager.

5 out of 5

#117: Sorry you did not enjoy Kiln People more, lunacat. I like it quite a bit, but then, I really enjoy detective stories as well. Glad to see that your next read was better for you.

#117: Also sorry you didn't like Kiln People more. I suspect you're correct that being a detective story fan probably helps in following the book's structure. I read it when it first came out and then again last year after lots of classic noir thrillers and suspense stories. The second time I found it much easier to follow. Ah well...if you'd like something a bit less stressful in both the science and the plot line by Brin, I'd recommend The Practice Effect.

I would like to introduce you to Ralph, our new guinea-pig! We went out strawberry picking and ended up bringing him home. He was up for adoption cos he can't be with other guinea-pigs as they bully him, so we brought him home :)

Sorry about the poor photo quality!


And here is Mouse inspecting Ralph

Poor bullied Ralph! He does look a bit nervous...

Aww, he looks cute!

He does look cute, but I think Moon is thinking 'lunch.'

76. Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein 655 pages

I've heard a lot about this book, it being a classic of the sci fi genre, and a seminal book, so I was excited to read it and it started off very well.

After a preliminary expedition to Mars ended in silence from those who travelled there, a second expedition is sent 2 decades later. There they discover a human, the child of two of the original crew, who has been raised the Martian way. Used to the conditions and ways of Mars, he initially struggles on Earth, and as people and politicians fight for control of 'The Man from Mars', a nurse called Jill discovers he is much much more than he seemed.

I thoroughly enjoyed the first 2/3rds of this, watching Mike grow, develop and learn, and the writing kept me interested which I had been concerned wouldn't happen, given its age. However, the last 3rd fell short of the expectations I had built up, becoming boring and tedious, as well as far too 'philosophical' for my taste. I don't like focus on Church or religion at the best of times, and had I known this was going to contain so much, I probably wouldn't have read it.

I'm glad I've read it as it was certainly illuminating, but I feel that perhaps the last third was very much of its time, and wouldn't be considered relevant for today? I'm not sure.....but it wasn't relevant to me.

4 for the first 2/3rds, 2 for the last third

Interesting review.....I haven't read a lot of Heinlein but it seems to me that he is often caught up in matters of theology. I have enjoyed what I read in that vein but can see it might be offputting.

#125 I read this years ago back in high school and loved it. Then reread it a few years ago and also thought parts of it were quite dated, I hadn't remembered all the religious focus. I believe that the original publication was shorter than later editions - I don't know if that makes a difference.

Reminding myself that I've read Percy and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief and enjoyed it, will post a review when I'm not full of cold/flu and I can keep my eyes open for more than a minute!

Hope you feel better soon, lunacat!

Thanks Stasia

More bad news: My grandma is on the way downhill. She's in hospital and no 'life saving' measures are being made, she's just being kept comfortable. I'm going to see her tomorrow once we're sure I'm over this bug/flu.

77. Percy and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan 392 pages

This was just want I needed to read, something lighthearted and silly that needed no real thought.

Percy has been expelled from his fifth school. Somehow, bad things happen around him. He is dreading going back to his home where his step-dad will make things awful for him. When his mum says they're going to the beach, things are looking up.........but they're about to go downhill again, in true 'myth' style.

I thoroughly enjoyed this. The premise was fun and original, the storyline ticked along nicely and the characters were all nice to be around. There were no indepth revelations, no real philosophical wonderings on the world, it was just good fun.

I liked it so much I'm debating whether to order the rest of them second hand instead of waiting to get them on BM or find them in a shop...........argh, decisions.

4 out of 5

78. More Blood, More Sweat and Another Cup of Tea by Tom Reynolds 352 pages

This is the follow-on to Blood, Sweat and Tea: Real-Life Adventures in an Inner-City Ambulance, taken from 'Paramedic's Diary', an on-going blog charting some of the cases that the London Paramedic sees on his shifts.

Like the first book, there is humour in some of the situations (if you didn't laugh, you'd cry), sheer stupidty of humanity in others, as well as the constant battle with politics and red tape that has taken over the NHS. There are also some truly heartbreaking stories, as well as a few happy endings.

Reynolds is a easy to read author with a clean style and a witty, if often cynical outlook on life. If you liked the first, read this. If you haven't read the first and want to find out what being a life saver (or waking up drunk people on buses) is like then buy his first.

4 out of 5

I'm also reading favourite scenes from Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince as I've just seen the film and was mildy disappointed so I'm reminding myself of the 'real thing'. Won't include it in the total though!

Message edited by its author, Jul 18, 2009, 1:46pm.

#131: I am currently reading book 4 in the series. My recommendation: order the rest of them! Do not wait for BM, do not find them in a shop!

Have just read 133 messages on this thread - I had lost you, Luna! So sorry to read about your grandmother. But good to read you had rescued Ralph. And hope you are over your flu.

Luna: I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother - I'll be keeping her and you in my thoughts.

79. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling 608 pages

Isn't it funny how books mean different things depending on whats going on in your life. I was in the kind of mood where the reread of a favourite was needed rather than a new book, and Harry Potter is always a comfort read.

This time, it reassured me that it doesn't matter whats going on in your life, however bad things may be, you still need to fight. And that death is a next step, not the end and not a goodbye. Its what I needed at the moment.

No point rating it but I am including it in my total.

In other news, I went to see my grandma and she was......better than I was expecting. I guess she's always been a very stable centre around which our family circles, and the thought of her being....'not with it' scared me. So even though she was ill and frail and sometimes quite confused, she was still my grandma.

Message edited by its author, Jul 22, 2009, 4:08pm.

I am glad to hear that your grandmother was better than you expected. I hope that she continues to improve!

#137

Thanks. My mum just let me know that she wasn't so good today, and that she said she was disappointed when she woke up this morning and was still with us :(

#138: I know that when my grandmother passed away she was ready to go. Perhaps your grandmother is at that stage. Makes it hard for those of us left behind, though.

I'm so sorry to hear about your grandmother. I lost my beloved gram eight years ago. Alas, I still miss her.

Yeah, it is her time. Tonight or tomorrow night we think. She's so ready to go. To be honest, it will be such a relief for everyone, including her. And she's been away from my grandfather for far too long already.

Luna - I'm so sorry to hear about your grandma. You and your family are in my prayers.

80. Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer 240 pages

Despite the fact I've read a lot of historical fiction centered round the Tudors, some good and some not so! But I wanted a slightly different approach, and also needed an easy read as my brain isn't up to much, so this seemed a good choice.

Starting from the very first falling apart of her parent's marriage and going till Henry marries Jane Seymour, it was a refreshing take on what it was like to be Mary and what led her to become the queen she did. Meyer really clearly showed the change from the girl that was essentially quiet, well educated and peaceful to the one that had been taught to fight tooth and nail for what she held dear.

The touch of a young tragedy (not sure whether it was historically true or not) was quite nice, but the events that are well known were looked at in a really personal and basic level. The idea of Mary sneaking around palaces to learn gossip from the servants was moving and also set up the feelings of paranoia and isolation that followed her through her life.

I really enjoyed this, the very clear and pure writing, and no overly political references and facts clumsly pushed into the narrative was a lovely relief. I think I'm going to hunt out some more by her.

4 out of 5

81. Alas, Babylon by Pat Frank 312 pages

Randy has received a telegram from his brother Mark, a Colonel in the SAC (Stragetic Air Command), telling him that he is sending his wife and children to be with Randy in the hopes they will survive. He ends the telegram, 'Alas, Babylon'. And so Randy knows the worst is coming. Nuclear War.

Written very well, and not suffering from its age at all, the tension mounts from the beginning and continues to the end as the fight for life or death is drawn back to the forefront of everyone's minds. Whilst the focus revolves around Randy, other characters are well formed and individual, giving a cross section of the town. Despite having little knowledge of the area or society being shown (1950's Florida), I could easily see the town and the people, and understand their actions.

A really interesting and enthralling look at what might happen, it was less bleak than books such as The Road, and because of this seemed more realistic as well.

5 out of 5 A classic for a reason

#144: I enjoyed Alas, Babylon when I read it earlier this year as well. Have you read Nevil Shute's On the Beach yet? Another classic.

I read Alas, Babylon in high school and remember really liking it. Hmm, I think its time for a reread :)

I really like your comments regarding Mary, Bloody Mary by Carolyn Meyer. Meyer did a nice job in portraying this sad, tragic figure.

I second Stasia's recommendation for On the Beach

I'm adding On the Beach to the ever growing tbr pile.

I strongly believe (although my brain isn't working tonight) that my mum has On the Beach so I will grab it at some point when I'm home.

#150: How is your grandmother doing, lunacat? I continue to hold you all in my prayers.

#151

Thanks for asking after her. She was moved home on tuesday as she had asked to go home and would be more comfortable there.

On wednesday I got a call as I was going to work saying she was unconscious so I didn't go to work and as many people as could gathered round her. At about 9.30am she moved and opened her eyes for the first time since the previous evening and said

'Did you think I was quite dead today?'

The whole room descended into giggles as my aunt (whom she has been living with) said 'Well, yes we did Mum.'. She said

'Well, I'm not'

And has improved since then, at one point keeping another aunt up half the night chatting! So she's on fine form at the moment, and mentally completely lucid and with it. Just her body that is giving out, but not nearly as fast as we had thought!

I have to admit to being quite embarrassed coming into work this morning after having to dash off with the declaration 'my grandma's dying', to tell them that she hasn't at all and that she has rallied round.

'The reports of her death are greatly exaggerated' - isn't that wonderful? I am so glad to hear that she is on the upswing!

Just posting a link to new pictures of the kittens and Ralph the guinea pig :)

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=11...

loved the photos!

Me too!

Aww, Ralph is such a cutie and the kitties are growing up so fast!

82. Mythago Wood by Robert Holdstock 319 pages

Steven has come home, a year after WWII has ended. His house, sitting on the edge of Ryhope Wood, is the same as it has always been. His brother, Christian, is different.

Christian has become embroiled in the research of his father, the research that meant that father was cold, distant and very often not in their lives at all. Christian is now as obsessed with Ryhope Wood and what it contains as his father ever was, and Steven watches as he slowly becomes claimed by its power. But Steven also finds himself drawn by what it offers.

I don't usually like fantasy that takes characters from this world and transplants them into a fantasy land. However, the build up and atmosphere of this novel made it work very well. There is darkness and foreboding throughout, and an intelligent and interesting premise revolving around myths and where they come from. There were details dotted and dropped in throughout this world that gave tantalising glimpses and weight to the ongoing tale, and this was another book where the world had the feeling of a living entity that had been in existence long before the story, and would remain in existence long afterwards.

I didn't expect to like this nearly as much as I did, and I loved the ending. Sometimes books are too neat, with everything ending up happily and whilst I'm not saying this didn't, it all felt very real as well as maintaining its mysticism.

4 out of 5

luna: Mythago Wood sounds really good - it's been added to my wishlist - thanks!

Ditto what Amber said :)

I think you'll both like it a lot, it was different enough that I found it intriguing, but didn't mess around so much with 'traditional' fantasy that I also found it satisfying. I don't like sitting down to tuck into a fantasy to discover its trying TOO hard to be original.

Hi lunacat

Been busy catching up on posts, but belated congratulations on hitting the 75 mark! ...Also glad to hear your granny is doing much better.

...I've also got Nevil Shute's On the Beach on my wishlist pile (the one beside my bed, it may not have reached online status...) - I read A Town Like Alice when I was travelling around Australia and loved it, so it's been there a while... Will look forward to your thoughts, if you get to it before me!

...and Alas, Babylon is now added to the list...

Grandma update #2:

My mum sent me a text that her sister has sent to her re their mum (my grandma). It reads: 'Mum is just eating a boiled egg by herself'!

This is the 87 year old lady who last week we were sitting a virgil for and watching her breathing. That was brought home last tuesday to die. That now has a chest infection, only has one kidney working and that one was failing last week!

She's certainly a tough old lady. But then, this is also the lady that (with her husband) drove from the UK to Iraq in the fifties with 4 small children and stayed out there while her husband was an archaeologist!

This is also the lady who, when bringing the three younger children, aged 7, 4 and 18 months, home from Iraq solo (oldest had been sent home previously), decided to stop off to visit Vienna and Copenhagen as a tourist on the way, because she might never get the chance to see them again!

I'm proud of my Mum!

You go Grandma!

Acquired three books today, 2 that I'm really chuffed with and one that I got.......just for the hell of it! I'm not supposed to be buying books anyway, so.....

Hood by Stephen R. Lawhead
Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy
A Malady of Magicks by Craig Shaw Gardner

are added to the library :)

which is the one just for the hell of it?! ;)

A Malady of Magicks My mate was pulling faces at the two, so I added the 3rd to wind her up ;)

always a good reason for buying a book!

I thought so!!

Congrats on the books lunacat!

oh wow! I lost you!! But I'm back in the saddle and reading your posts.

I quite enjoyed Hood a few months ago... hope you have a good time with it! Book 2 is sitting on my bedside table, taunting me...

83. Beware, Princess Elizabeth by Carolyn Meyer 236 pages

In need of an easy read (the other I'm reading at the moment is taking more brain power!) so I picked up this having recently read Mary, Bloody Mary.

This tells the story of Princess Elizabeth from her father's death to her coming to the throne. I again really appreciated the simplicity, and the way the author doesn't go for assumptions on the furthest end of the 'likely' scale, but instead works round the most likely explanation for events. Knowing some basic factual information based around this period, I appreciate it!

There is a nice enough sense of character and detail in this, without it being overwhelming.

There is no point reading these for anything new or original. They are YA and therefore a nice easy read, either as a beginning basis to learning about the people being written about, or as a simple dip into Tudor times. It was a well needed escape!

3.5 out of 5

p.s Can anyone give me any hints about living with a teenager?? We acquired one about 5 months ago into our household and things have been difficult for various reasons, some of which are calming down now. However, we now have full scale teenage behaviour, and not really sure how to go about coping with it!

Have a lot of patience. You will need it.

Out of curiousity, what does "chuffed" mean?

Good luck with the teenager - my sister is 18, and so I sympathize. She drives me absolutely crazy!

"chuffed" is pleased. good word ;)

...am now intrigued as to how you go about acquiring a teenager?!

#177

Well, she was an ex-work colleague who we found out was having some serious problems at home, problems that had been going on for quite some time. So we took her in and here she is! Its been a stressful 5 months, but now is the first time that everything else has settled down so much that her full teenage behaviour has come out in full...........and its repressed teenage behaviour of 4 years as well!!

#176

Lol, never even thought that chuffed was a specifically english word. Yeah, it means pleased. I like good sounding words like that.

It is a good word - thanks for translating! :)

84. Barchester Towers by Anthony Trollope 499 pages

Despite people reviewing this and telling me that it was good, I remained slightly wary of starting this book. My track record for the so called 'classics' is not good. I get bored, bogged down, and fed up with the language and the convoluted ways of getting to the point.

At first, I feared this was going to be the same. It follows a group of people, mostly clerical in nature, and their comings and goings in Barchester, with scheming, love, money and power all involved. I struggled to get interested to start with, but slowly the people and their lives became more interesting and quietly humourous.

I wouldn't say that it was a laugh a minute, or that I particularly connected with any of the characters but I did enjoy dipping into another world, even though it was a world that meant I kept quietly dozing off as I read it. Not that you should take this as a bad thing, its been a long week at work and I don't think much would have managed to keep my attention, much less the antiquated language and style of this.

However, I made it through to the end and that has to be my biggest recommendation. For ME to have got through something written before 1920 is nothing short of a miracle. Three Men in a Boat is the only book I have read successfully that falls into this bracket, the others that I might have got through I have listened to.

In short, it felt to me like Middlemarch but better and with humour in it! And I got through it. Thats about a good a recommendation as one can get from me, who has tried and failed to read Pride and Prejudice and Jane Eyre many many times in my short life so far.

3.5 out of 5

85. The Inconvenient Adventures of Uncle Chestnut by Paul Nowak 55 pages!

What a delightful little book. Not even so much a book, just a few quietly and humourously given life lessons, and a book that has made me want to go and read a lot more of G.K Chesterton.

Not much I can say, other than that I believe the vast majority of 75'ers here would thoroughly enjoy spending about 30mins with this little volume. Also, my ARC copy came with a lovely little note apologising for the typos within.

4.5 out of 5 half a point subtracted for not being long enough.

Right, I've finished my 48hr working week of last week and my 32hr this week so I'm off for a good sleep!

Message edited by its author, Aug 5, 2009, 4:41pm.

I am glad you liked Barchester Towers. There is definately a quiet wit about the book. And don't feel too bad about falling asleep while reading it. I did too, and I mostly read classics. It is really a very polite story. I thoroughly enjoy Trollope's books.

luna;
Does your teen like to read or does she enjoy any other hobbies or activities you love? Perhaps if you can draw her in by including her in those activities she will open up to you. If you can get the communication going, sometimes that can be all it takes to open up a world between teen and adult; though a teen will be a teen will be a teen will be a teen---I'm sure you get my drift.
You seem to quite enjoy the YA category and if I remember correctily a little scifi? Perhaps you could share books back and forth and open up some dialog that way.
IDK. Teens are just a world apart and difficult to understand.
Best of luck to you and her. If she is misbehaving, there is usually something behind it, but the heavy sighs, eye rolling, door slamming, gotta get the last word in; all that type of stuff is pretty normal.
belva
P.S. ya shoudda gota boy. hee hee

Message edited by its author, Aug 6, 2009, 10:56am.

#178 sounds like she has good reasons for her delayed teenageryness then. good for you all taking her in. i'm sure you'll manage to settle into a pattern with time ;)

Grandma update #3

Following blood tests, its been discovered that her failing kidney has kicked into work again. However, she does have an infection somewhere. Following conversations between her and her doctor, as well as all four of her daughters, its been decided that she won't be taking any antibiotics, and given only palliative care to ensure she remains pain free.

Whilst she is absolutely 'with it' mentally, physically she is tired, uncomfortable and completely bed bound. Every morning she is disappointed to wake up, and we are disappointed for her. So hopefully it will be quick, quiet and pain free.

My thoughts are with you and your family as you go through this journey. It is a part of life we are never prepared for even when "they" are.
warmest of hugs my dear.
belva

Hey, Luna! I'm so sorry to hear about all that you've been going through with your grandma. It sounds a lot like what we went through with my grandma before she finally passed away in April. The ups and downs are so hard, as is watching them suffer. My thoughts are with you and your family!

I've added a bunch of your reads to my wishlist!

Glad to see you love Betty Smith, too! She's one of my favorites, and hardly anyone has read her books other than A Tree Grows in Brooklyn. Have you read Maggie-Now? It's my absolute favorite of hers, and it just kills me that it's out of print!

Oh, Maggie-Now is wonderful!~! You can probably still find it online somewhere though. And it is so short one could copy it if one really needed to. Ohhhhhhhhh, that is probably against some law, isn't it?
belva

#187- Yeah, I'm sure you could find it online... I just want people to be able to buy shiny new pretty copies, lol! My copy was my grandma's, and is actually in a double book omnibus with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn--- very heavy, but otherwise best inheritance ever!
-Marcia

-Marcia;
Mine is an old paperback that is held together by a rubberband. But I have it, it is mine, and I love it!~!
But what a treasure yours is. That must mean a lot to you to have it. My grandmother turned me on to the books, but didn't give them to me.
Have a great day Marcia.
later dayz,
belva

I just wanted to share this picture with those of you that have been so supportive whilst I've been struggling with my grandma.

She is still only on palliative care, but when we went over yesterday to show off my mum's new dog, she was outside in the garden. She's making the most of however long she has left. So....this is Grammie and Scruff :)



More pics of Scruff can be found here

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=11...

Message edited by its author, Aug 9, 2009, 1:23pm.

Great picture, Jenny! And Scruff is a doll. Of course, so is Grammie, God love her. Thinking of you!

This is like a miracle, isn't it? And look how beautiful Grammie is. Scruf is pretty darned cute too.
All the best. I hope every day left is as beautiful as this one.
belva

#192

She is beautiful, isn't she. I had my Grammie back yesterday. She was so much more with us mentally. If that short visit is the last proper moment I have with her.........well, it will never be enough but she was the Grammie that has been the centre of our family forever.

Your family has truly been blessed with the closeness and all the love that even comes through these threads. Your love for her shines through every word you share about her.

Message edited by its author, Aug 10, 2009, 1:51am.

Thanks. My childhood would have not been nearly as full of golden, perfect day memories and recollections without Grammie and Grandie in my life. Here's to fabulous grandparents :)

Let the Right One In by John Ajvide Lindqvist 519 pages

Oskar is the typical outside child. Bullied at school, living with his single mum in a boring apartment on a boring housing estate, he is fed up with life and he's only 12. But then he meets Eli. A 200 year old vampire. And things get more interesting for him.

This has been recommended by someone else here (will never remember who) and so I thought I'd give it a go, despite it not being quite my style. Translated from the author's native Swedish, the one thing this novel does really well is portray the atmosphere of a grey and dreary landscape, as well as the monotony and tedium of being a person on the outskirts of everything.

However, that is the only thing I found good about this book. I was interested for the first third, reading for the sake of it during the second, and totally bored throughout the third. Oskar, the main character, was two dimensional, with no particular reason for the reader to like him. Lindqvist attempts to make him appeal to the reader by painting him as a victim, bullied and misunderstood. However, I just pitied him.

The depictions of beatings and murders are graphic, gratuitously so, which was off-putting in the extreme. I wouldn't describe myself as squeamish, and if violence and the description of such has a point, thats fine by me. However, this was over done and wasn't as if we were in a real world, but in an entirely fake 'horror movie' world.

Various sub-stories also start off fine but they deteriorate as it goes on.

Whilst I suspected that this type of horror/urban fantasy was not my 'thing', I felt that with a highly recommended book, I might be able to enjoy it. I didn't. I very very nearly gave up all together.

1.5 out of 5 ............only scores any points because it started off alright and it wasn't so bad as to force me to abandon it.

The picture of your Grammie and Scruf is beautiful! I'm so glad you had her back for a brief time at least... My thoughts and prayers are with you!

Wonderful picture of Grammie and Scruf--and what a gorgeous setting to relax in as well.

What a treasure you have in the picture of Grammie and Scruff!

Lovely pic luna - and I join in the toast to fabulous grandparents!

(sorry the last book was so dreadful)

87. Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piery 376

Connie Ramos is committed to a mental institution after hitting her niece's pimp in the face with a bottle. She's in her mid-thirties, and fighting against a history of discrimination, ignorance, sexism and racism as she battles to make people realise that she isn't insane. Its 1976, and the fight isn't easy.

But, there is one thing very different about Connie. She can communicate with the future. In particular, 2137, where she begins to form a relationship with Luciente, who helps her not only learn about the future and her role in it, but also to fight back against those who would destroy her.

Piercy writes about the desperation of women without power, the ways the world turns against those on the outside of society, and how difficult it is to have your voice heard when you've been labeled insane. Not only this, but the two opposing societies she creates for the future are both the terrifying dystopia of machinery, greed and control, and the idyllic where all genders and people are believed equal and the land is treated with respect.

I found this heartbreaking, and surprising. The part I thought would be most interesting, the time travel to the future, in fact took a back seat as I watched Connie desperately struggling for control over her own future, and remembering the events that led up to this moment.

The backdrop of learning that is provided in the future is used to give Connie advice and direction and an escape from the horrors she is surviving.

The jumping around between the past, present and future was well done, but I found myself not having as much explained as I would have liked, especially with the dystopian world. There were also moments where I wasn't entirely sure what was going on, and where this fitted into the story. However, I enjoyed those moments nonetheless.

It was fabulously vivid, and intensely emotive. You truly do want Connie to be able to make it, and I cried at the end. Marge Piercy is definitely an author I thoroughly enjoy, and who isn't afraid to tackle big issues.

4 out of 5

#201: I bought that one earlier this year! I just need to find it so I can read it. Sounds like it definitely needs to be moved up on Planet TBR. I am glad you enjoyed it, lunacat.

I really liked Woman on the Edge of Time when I read it many years ago, and your review makes me want to read it again. If you haven't already, I recommend He, She, and It by Piercy, which is also set in the future and has similar themes.

My dear, you deserve lots and lots of credit for taking on the responsibility of a teen aged child and for opening your home and heart to her.

And, what a lovely, lovely photo of your grandmother. I was blessed by a wonderful grandmother who gave unconditional love. I am who I am today because of her!

Hugs to you.

#203

Yes, I read He, She and It earlier this year which made me grab this one when I saw it. Now going to see if she's done any more of this type of work.

Edited to add: Sadly, it would seem she hasn't. And I'm not interested enough in her other works to give them a go. These two will have to do.

Message edited by its author, Aug 12, 2009, 8:56pm.

I had the same problem--none of her other books appealed. Too bad. :)

*Sigh* Don't you hate it when you desperately want to reread a book but you don't have it to hand for whatever reason. It keeps lurking in my thoughts, and I own a copy, but its in my room back at my mum's which is full of furniture at the moment! Grrrrrrr

#207: I completely empathize, lunacat, as one who has a library full of books that are stacked higgledy-piggledy since I have only 1 shelf and about 7000 or so books, lol.

ah, the convenience of having parents close to where i work... i've raided their shelves many a time... (of course, there are inconveniences too...)

88. Watchmen by Alan Moore 424 pages

This is the first graphic novel I've read, and I'm not sure whether it will be the last or not. Let me explain......

First of all, we are in the 1980's, with flashbacks to previous times to tell the tales of the characters past lives and how they ended up where they are. There is also an impending nuclear war that will wipe out the world, and someone killing off masked superheroes.

I found it difficult to get into initially, I assume because this was my first since reading such things as Beano! Once I started to get into it, the actual coping with a graphic novel was easy enough, but it was the story I struggled with.

Not the understanding of it, although there are quite a few storylines and arcs going on simultaneously, but the 'graphic' (ha ha) nature of the stories. Most of the pictures I found stunning and very easy to absorb and fit to the story, but some of it....the amounts of blood etc.....was too much. Weirdly, I could cope with the pictures of New York after 'the big thing' happened, but the constant blood.....not so much.

I would also like to explain that I am not squeamish, can cope with my own blood and others in real life, but so much of it felt gratuitous.

I'm not sure whether I will read another graphic novel after the discovery that this one was perhaps not quite up my alley. Not to say that I didn't really enjoy it, and I will definitely be keeping it to explore again, as I feel this kind of thing needs more than one read to absorb everything, but it was just SO graphic (I know, what did I expect?).

I'm considering trying the Sandman novels by Neil Gaiman at some point, but I won't be running out to buy a complete set of graphic novels. I don't think they are the niche in which I feel comfortable.

Hmm........not so much a review as an analysis of my limits!!!

4 out of 5 for story, 3 out of 5 for how much I 'enjoyed' it.

The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner 436 pages

Telling the life of Juana, infanta and then Queen of Spain, this was an intriguing historical novel. I didn't know too much about Juana, having studied her parents Ferdinand and Isabella for A-levels, and Philip II after that, I seemed to have missed her out. All I knew was that she was considered to have gone mad.

I can certainly see how a woman might have gone mad at this time! A passionate and learned woman, she is sent at 16 to marry Philip, a Habsburg prince of Flanders. However, she is pulled from all sides by politics and those she loves, her parents and the interests of Spain requiring one thing, her husbands desires and wishes another.

Full of political machinations and scheming, this novel truly demonstrates how little control royal women had over their lives, and how easily they could be manipulated. Whilst it seems that Juana did have a streak of eccentricity about her, and some type of depression, whether manic or clinical, she certainly doesn't come across as the completely crazy person I always assumed. If I'd gone through the things she had, I'm not sure I'd be altogether the most settled person in the world either.

Written well for a historical novel, it caught me up and carried me along as I followed her life. Some of the details were highly enjoyable, even more so when they turned out to be true!

However, I have to say..........why do nearly all historical novels make 'first' sex scenes these wonderful passionate things. Having looked up a little more about her I discovered she was in fact very passionate about her husband, but reading it I was irritated. How many people have their first times being this wonderful, magical, not even slightly uncomfortable moment??

That being said, I did really enjoy this, the more so for not knowing much about this specific person. There was colour, intrigue, politics and laugh all thrown together in an easy style.

4 out of 5 as it was a nice example of recently written historical fiction (and by recent I mean......not a Jean Plaidy type which tend to be slightly less 'easy' to absorb and race through. For me anyway).

Thats my rant for today anyway. I'm probably not making much sense cos I'm tired and have a cold! So well done if you made it through both my reviews.

I

I hope you get over your cold soon, lunacat!

I am adding The Last Queen to Planet TBR. Thanks for the review, especially in light of your circumstances.

#211 yep, I'm not a fan of gratuitous gore either and, although I enjoyed Watchmen, I'm not going to place it on the pedestal a lot of people do. I think the thing to bear in mind is when it was written - I believe it was very ground-breaking at the time.

I'm absolutely going to recommend you read Sandman though. If you can't get them through the library, I could lend you mine? I've just finished lending them all out in dribs and drabs to a mate, who is now also a convert...

#213

Ooooh, thank you. I absolutely have to take you up on that offer! Can't remember if I've ever given you my address, but I shall go and do so now :)

Preludes and Nocturnes will be winging it's way to you shortly! ;)

Went on a day out to Orford Castle today (pics via link) but also went to a bookshop where I accidentally acquired 20 books.......oops

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=11...

They are as follows:

The Leper of Saint Giles
The Sanctuary Sparrow
The Virgin in the Ice
The Devil's Novice
An Excellent Mystery
The Raven in the Foregate
The Rose Rent
The Hermit of Eyton Forest

and then, non Brother Cadfael mysteries are

The Marriage of Meggotta by Edith Pargeter
Fuzzy Sapiens by H. Beam Piper
The Ladies of Mandrigyn by Barbara Hambly
The Drune by Jane Palmer
Sacred Hunger by Barry Unsworth
Desolation Road by Ian McDonald
Star Wreck V: The Undiscovered Nursing Home by Leah Rewolinski
In the Hall of the Dragon King by Stephen Lawhead
The Warlords of Nin by Stephen Lawhead
The Sword and the Flame by Stephen Lawhead

2 other books were to give to people :)

That surely is a nice haul! :D

Accidentally? If I was going to "accidentally" buy books, I'm afraid I'd buy more than 20...20 sounds intentional!

No accident here....move along.

Congratulations on the haul, lunacat! Nice pics as well.

I accidentally ordered books from bookcloseouts.com today..My fingers accidentally hit the key board and searched for the site...I accidentally searched my tbr pile on LT alphabetically and found some of them on bookcloseouts.com for $3.99. I accidentally ordered two copies of Lori Lansens The Girls:A Novel and now I will accidentally hope to be home when the packages so that I can avoid the eyes rolling in the head and the sighs that will purposely be expressed by partner.

Lunacat

I love books re. Henry VIII and all his paramours and family.

The Last Queen by C.W. Gortner sounds fascinating.

I haven't read many graphic novels, but I did really enjoy Persepolis, although I am not sure if this counts? Perhaps graphic memoir is a better description? Whatever, I thought it very interesting :)

My son just loaned me his copy of Watchmen. He really liked it and wants me to read it. I have it near my nextup or the nextnextup pile. Someday I'll get to it.

kittybee, I love your definition of Persepolis as a graphic memoir!

90. The Forest by Edward Rutherfurd 912 pages

I'm always in favour of a good epic, and this historical novel is certainly that. Charting the history of the New Forest, the lives of some of the inhabitants, and following the progression of its life as a habitat for deer to be raised in to its role in the industrial revolution and beyond.

Whilst this will never be described as great and lyrical literature, it was enthralling to watch the development of the families living within the Forest, and their relationship with nature and the resources it provides.

There are really nice touches such as following a deer throughout a season, and the 400year life of an oak tree.

The stories of the families are intriguing and informative, with plenty of drama and mystery thrown in for good measure, as well as descriptions of peoples roles, the types of jobs they did and how they impacted on the environment, and the country as a whole.

This reminded me a lot of Pillars of the Earth in style and writing. While I think that some of the individual people are a little stereotypical in their descriptions and predictable in their actions, the novel as a whole is enchanting and truly captures the romance of the New Forest as a whole.

If you like epic historical fiction with a lot of info lightly introduced, this is definitely a must read.

4 out of 5

Completely unrelated to books: I've been diagnosed with ME/CFS this week, and so a lot of my time has been spent researching where I go from here, and what might improve my quality of life, as well as working out things like whether I can carry on with the hours I do.

So don't be surprised if some 'coping with ME' books now crop up in my reading as well. However, I won't review them unless specifically asked if they help, as they are unlikely to be of extensive interest to people!

How miserable for you - I do hope that you find some good suggestions from your reading.

Message edited by its author, Aug 25, 2009, 1:38pm.

91. Outlander by Diana Gabaldon 850 pages

Desperately needed a slushy, 'no brain required', romance filled easy re-read and this fitted the bill perfectly. Won't bother to review, but it was just what was required and refreshed my befuddled brain nicely.

*Sigh*

I'm officially hopeless. I wandered into a charity shop to have a quick browse but told myself even if there was something, I wasn't allowed to get it unless I really really wanted it.

I came out with:

The Red Wyvern by Katharine Kerr
The Black Raven by Katharine Kerr
The Fire Dragon by Katharine Kerr
Lord of the Isles by David Drake
The Innocent Mage by Karen Miller

Am I beyond hope?

LOL well, maybe you are beyond hope, but you are in good company with the rest of us! Besides, it was a charity shop - you were doing your civic duty :)

Aw, I love the Outlander books... they're great escapist reading, but just intelligent enough that you never feel as if you're TOTALLY wasting your time...

And no, you're not beyond hope. :)

#229: If you are beyond hope, lunacat, I hate to think where I am!!

BTW - My two cents on the Outlander series - I love them and cannot wait for An Echo in the Bone to make its appearance.

I read Outlander at a former girlfriend's request. Can't say I loved it, though I did finish it. I kept wondering how she could forget her 20th century husband so easily. I doubt I'll pick up any of the sequels unless I'm stuck at some vacation place and they're the only thing there.

I was HUGELY behind here but have caught up, luna. So sorry to read about the ME/CFS. Hope you don't have the neuralgic pain with it and that it will ride its course and GO AWAY!!

Have you read Lavondyss Wood by Holdstock? It's a pair with Mythago Wood, I believe - it's been yonks since I read both. Have thoroughly enjoyed your reviews. All the best with everything.

#232

Lol, you're beyond hope with me Stasia. That has made me wonder whether there are stages to beyond hope though......terminally beyond hope anyone?

I like the first few Outlander books but got bored at about the time they went to America. I don't know why, it just didn't captivate me any more. It all felt far too much like telling the same story again and again. Or maybe its just my short attention span!

#233 I wonder that as well. Also, I find it difficult to work out how she can forgive him so easily with the whole 'beating' episode, and gets over things so quickly. And that sex fixes/cures all problems and situations!! Ahh well, no one said they had to make sense.

#234 No I haven't read Lavondyss Wood although it is on the wishlist so hopefully it will pop its head up at some point.

I'm hoping the ME will GO AWAY as well. Preferably quickly, although I know that is false hope. At the momemnt I'm trying a 'no refined sugar' diet to see if that helps. Its an excruiating form of torture!!

Luna, if you managed to keep it to just buying 5 books, you're less "beyond hope" than most of us! If I'm not allowed to get any books, I have to completely stay away from anything that even faintly resembles a selling of books! Once I enter, all hope is abandoned.

Do the things that make you feel good! Sometimes that's the best prescription.

When he died, Edward Gorey had over 35,000 books in his library. He never lacked for an old friend. Don't restrain yourself too much.

A quiz that I got sent that I thought I'd do..........just for the hell of it!

What were the last three books you bought?

The Red Wyvern by Katharine Kerr
The Black Raven by Katharine Kerr
The Fire Dragon by Katharine Kerr

What are the next three books you want to buy?

Hmmm.........choices, choices......the things I'd LIKE to buy are:

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters
The Rabbi's Cat
Wolf Hall

Which book would you most like as a gift from someone?

One of the three above!! Preferably The Rabbi's Cat cos its a book I can't really justify buying for myself.

Which book would you most like to give someone as a present?

Something they really wanted but would never be likely to get for themselves.

Who are your 3 favourite authors?

Margaret Atwood
Robin McKinley
Peter Dickinson

Which three books will you buy as soon as they are published?

The Wise Man's Fear

and I'm not aware of any others that I have to run out and get.

Who are your 3 favourite characters in books?

Hari from The Blue Sword
Luna from Harry Potter
Paola Brunetti from Donna Leon's books

Which three books did you inherit (not necessarily physically, but as recommendations from parents)?

A Taste of Blackberries (An absolute must read children's book, bittersweet and almost guaranteed to make you cry)
Laura Ingalls Wilder series
Terry Pratchett series

Which three books would you love to pass down to your children?

A Taste of Blackberries
Ex Libris
Anything by Michelle Magorian

Which three books do you most often recommend?

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
The Blue Sword
Tigana

If you were going into hospital, which three books would you take with you?

A Tree Grows in Brooklyn and two others I hadn't read before.

If you were stranded on a desert island, which three books would you want to find there?

Hmm........three things that are long and would give me enjoyment but make me think!

Your house is burning down and you can only rescue three books, which would you grab?

Eeek, I don't know.......these questions are hard! I'll come back to these last ones when I connect my brain.

Which book would you like your children to look at and immediately remember you by?

Which book would you like to be buried with?

And finally

What are you reading right now?

Damiano by R. A. Macavoy

Message edited by its author, Aug 29, 2009, 4:44pm.

Ouch, Luna! I would think you would want to be reading some uppers. That trilogy by MacAvoy is one of the most depressing I've ever read!

#239

Yeah, I discovered that when I started reading it, but now I'm 2/3rds through and don't want to give up on it. Will definitely be looking for some lighter reads after this though, I'm not going to be reading the other two right now. I'm just not up to it.

Unfinished: Damiano by R. A Macavoy

Ronincats is right. Depressing, tedious, melancholy and boring. I didn't bother to finish it. Definitely NOT a recommendation, it was probably the most dire thing I've read more than two pages of this year.

I'm counting the pages I survived through (175) but not in the book count.

I read Damiano and the other two books in the trilogy because it was way back in the day when I still read everything! And I loved Tea with the Black Dragon and thought the Lens of the World trilogy, both by the same author, was pretty good. I still have both those in my library, but got rid of the Damiano trilogy very quickly, even in those days when I tended to hang on to everything!

My sympathies, Jenny.

Go read some Terry Pratchett to cleanse your palate!

>241: I read his Tea with the Black Dragon and enjoy it, then Twisting the Rope which was slightly better than fair. I've never tried anything else of his.

92. Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones 252 pages

After the direness (is that a word??) of Damiano, I was desperate to read something light hearted and easy, and this was it.

Cat (Eric) and Gwendolen Chant are orphans, living with the 'Certified Witch' Mrs Sharp, when Gwendolen's magical talent comes to the attention of Chrestomanci, and they are taken to live in Chrestomanci Castle.

There, chaos ensues.

I really enjoyed this. It doesn't have a lesson at the end like so many YA books (I'm guessing because its aimed at slightly younger, more a children's book) but it is unadulterated fun with a nice number of twists and gentle humour thrown in for good measure.

You won't come away feeling you've learnt anything, had any in depth moments, but you will come away with a smile on your face, and thats absolutely what I needed.

4 out of 5

On a seperate note: Can you guys think of me and cross your fingers over the next few weeks. Tomorrow (hopefully) I am going to tell my boss about my diagnosis of ME/CFS and let him know that the doctor has advised I cut my hours in half. I then have to speak to the doctor and get a letter from her, and then apply for benefits to boost my income as I CANNOT survive on the money I'll get from only working 16hrs.

Thats the really scary bit. Our benefits system often refuses to acknowledge that ME is a real illness, and that it is as debilitating as it is, so declines to offer support (whether medical or financial) to those with it. I've heard of people who have it far worse than me who have been declined what I am applying for.

So, if that happens, I will just have to go back to the hours I am doing now and hope that I don't do too much long term damage to my health, or have a breakdown!

I love Charmed Life! Diana Wynne Jones is so brilliant.

I'll keep you in my thoughts and prayers. I've been so sorry to hear about your struggles with ME. Believe me, I know what it's like to have health struggles and not have those around you recognize the validity of what you're going through... plainly put, it sucks!

Definitely keeping you in my thoughts and prayers, Jenny!

All fingers and toes crossed for you Jenny. I really hope it works out OK for you - keep us posted.

Diana Wynne Jones is one of my all time favourite authors (probably something to do with the age I first discovered her; 7) - and Charmed Life was the first I read, so it has a particularly special place in my heart. You should read The Lives of Christopher Chant next, which is the story of Chrestomanci's childhood, and one of my favourites...

...going to have to fill in that quiz thing myself...

#244: Sending very good thoughts and prayers your way, lunacat!

Saw your post on Facebook--has to mean your boss is supporting you 100%. That's great news, Jenny. Now good luck with the bureaucracy!

Jenny;
You are on my heart and in my prayers. I hope everything goes well for you and people will open their hearts as you speak with them regarding your health issues and needs.
hugs and warm thoughts,
belva

Thanks everyone

Yup, my boss was amazing. Said I had to look after my health, that he would do everything and anything I needed him to, and that if there was anything they could do to help at work then let him now.

Such a relief.

woo! yay for your boss! ...now fingers crossed for the benefits...

Wonderful news, Jenny!

93. The King's Pleasure by Norah Lofts 332 pages

Katharine is born early, on campaign against the infidel Jews, to Queen Isabella of Spain, a fierce and determinedly religious woman. This birth and the difficulties of her childhood constantly on the move set her up for what will be a difficult marriage to Henry VIII, and some harsh life lessons to be subjected to.

This is my first Norah Lofts and it definitely won't be my last. The writing is easy to absorb but never takes history lightly, and includes a good amount of detail that feels as though it hasn't been manipulated or twisted, or even made up!

The thing I liked most about this novel is that the amount of fact and 'fictional' detail are perfectly balanced, the writing is lovely without being dense and the author doesn't fall into the trap of spending too much time telling background events, or too little and confusing the reader. Katharine's story remains the absolute centre of this novel and her thoughts clearly explain the choices she made. Whilst events outside her immediate vicinity are shown, they are only ever told to explain the impact they have on her. For instance, we never dip into Anne Boleyn's life or mind, and very rarely into Henry's......everything is centered around Katharine.

I absolutely enjoyed this, and wouldn't hesitate to recommend it to either people who are known lovers/likers of historical fiction, or to people wanting to make a venture into this genre.

4 1/2 out of 5

And I would just like to say thank you again to everyone for their support and well wishes at the moment. I really really appreciate them. If good thoughts could help me get better, I'd be well on my way by now :)

#254: Adding the Lofts book to Planet TBR. Thanks for the recommendation, lunacat.

Oh, luna that takes me back. I used to read Nora Lofts all the time. She, Elizabeth Goudge and Mary Stewart were three of my very favorite authors. I wonder why I stopped reading her/them? Hmmmmmmmmmmm. Thank you for the memories, the reminder and the rec.
Blessings on your day my dear and I am so very happy that your boss has such a good heart. It will go a long way toward making your trials easier to bear.
hugs,
belva

Thinking of you and wishing you well.

#254 Did you know that Norah Lofts lived in Bury St. Edmunds?

Message edited by its author, Sep 3, 2009, 3:02am.

The Norah Lofts book sounds good! I've never read anything by her. So glad to hear your boss was supportive! :D

#258

Yup. You informed me when I got The Town House. Do you know where?

In other news, I've been scarily productive today and wanted to show off! So here are some book related pics:

This was the one bookshelf in my bedroom here BEFORE tidying



And this is it afterwards



I also have pics of the individual shelves so you can be nosy and see what I have, if you are interested. Tell me if you want me to post them as well. The shelves are organised in genre, and are all TBR books. The read books live in a box in the opposite corner!

Maybe we should start a new thread just for pictures of our bookshelves? It really is like delicious book porn...

See here for just such a thread that I recalled:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/62559#...

I want to see everyone's book areas!!!!

94. The Leper of Saint Giles by Ellis Peters 223 pages

I started to read this as I was under the impression it was the next one I was due to read! Halfway through (and whilst tidying) I discovered number 4 after all, so this is number 5 in the series. However, I don't think that matters.

Huon de Domville, an aging nobleman, has arrived in Shrewsbury to marry an 18 year old heiress who is controlled by her aunt and uncle. Her despair at the pending marriage is clear, but events soon spiral out of control when Brother Cadfael finds himself (yet again) in the centre of a murder investigation.

Yet again I really enjoyed this, although I spent the whole time feeling slightly detached from Cadfael. The supporting characters are somewhat stereotypical; the young squire desperate to prevent the marriage, the young girl controlled by a greedy and self-serving aunt and uncle, and an overweight nobleman with thoughts only of money. However, it is the lesser characters that really made this for me, and added a wonderful amount of spice and colour to the story.

There are some twists dotted throughout the story, a few I could predict and some I didn't, and its nicely paced and easy to read.

A light and easy to read historical mystery, with the same format as the previous books that is still enjoyable.

3.5 out of 5

#263: I just read my first Brother Cadfael mystery the other day and definitely intend on reading more, Jenny. Nice to see I have some good reading ahead of me.

95. Jackaroo by Cynthia Voigt 284 pages

Gwyn is an Innkeeper's daughter, down to earth and solely concentrated on her role within her family, when a chance encounter with an old lady leads her to fully realise the injustice of life.

Facing the practicalities of existence as one of the people, as opposed to a Lord, she has to accept there is nothing she can do, but things are about to change. A strange man and his son turn up at the Inn and instigate events that will lead Gwyn and those around her deep into the Legends of Jackaroo, the masked outlaw, a hero of the people and a helper of those in need. But who is Jackaroo, and how hard is it to fight the neverending unfairnes of life?

This is a fantasy with a difference. Not revolving around either the mystical worlds, or the doing and undoing of magic, this is instead just a tale of a girl and those around her, and how an attempt to do good can quickly spiral out of control in the midst of gossip, intrigue, poverty and political turmoil.

Gwyn is an fascinating character, well written and with a realistic balance of faults and a determination to go a different path, whose every choice appears very real to her to basic character. Those around her are also well portrayed, and I really felt that these were real people, with voices to be heard and stories to be told.

The ending is both a finale and yet simply the stopping of this part of their tale, and there is a definite feeling of these peoples lives going on far beyond the finishing of the book.

It is no epic, or sweeping tale of magic and darkness, but instead a much quieter and thoughtful fantasy and it doesn't suffer at all from not including many of the themes that authors often seem to see as so essential to a fantasy novel.

Highly recommended

4 out of 5

Edited to say: I felt this was enough out of the 'mainstream' of normal fantasy to even post my review on the book's page, an unusual move for me!

Message edited by its author, Sep 6, 2009, 8:11am.

#265: I have heard good things about Cynthia Voight's books. This looks like one I would enjoy, so I will see about getting my hands on a copy. Thanks for the recommendation!

Great review, Jenny. It has definitely caught my attention and I will look for the book.

I LOVE JACKAROO!!!! *cough* Sorry for that outburst, I just get SO excited when people read books I love and enjoy them :) I first read Jackaroo in middle school and it is one of my comfort reads, every few years I take it out for a reread. My poor copy has been read so many times it is held together with tape.

New thread here for anyone still interested:

http://www.librarything.com/topic/72698