Tanglewood's Tamer Book Challenge

After failing spectacularly at the two challenges I tried last year, I'm dusting myself off and ready to try again in 2011. Since I actually read a little over 75 books in 2010, I'm thinking this one might actually work. Famous last words...

Welcome!

Welcome to the group! I love the recently read display on your profile. And it looks like we read some similar books, so I'll be following this thread :)

Welcome to the group! Beautiful cat there on your profile page.

There is an introductions thread here in the group if you want to head over and meet the rest of us: http://www.librarything.com/topic/104688

Hi there, looks like we've read a lot of the same books recently. I'll be following your thread with interest!

Thanks for the welcome everyone! I look forward to seeing what everyone reads in 2011.

Hey, Michelle, I love YA fantasy too, so I have you starred and will be following your reads this coming year.

Hi Michelle, I'm also a reader of YA so will be dropping by to follow your reading.

It's great to find so many lovers of YA books (and other interesting categories). I've starred a lot of interesting threads and am a little scared about what all this is going to mean for my list of books to read.

Well, I'm cheating on my own challenge and starting a few days early.

The Knife of Never Letting Go is book one in the Choas Walking trilogy, a YA series. It follows Todd, a boy on the brink of manhood in a dystopian society where all the women have been killed off. He's accompanied by his loyal and talking dog, Manchee, who brings some well needed humor to the book (I kept picturing Doug from the Pixar movie Up). As Todd learns that the truth is not what he's been told, he must decide what it really means to be a man.

I loved this book and can't wait to read the second book, but I only gave it four stars because it ends on a cliffhanger. Really, it more felt like the book just stopped. Still, I'm just irked that it will be a few more days before I can get the next book.

I've come to the conclusion that it's much better to have too many books to read than not enough. Thanks to this group, I can rest assured that I won't run out of interesting things to read! Whereas my brother was just lamenting today that his reading has slowed down because he doesn't have enough book ideas (of course, I tried to get him to join this group, but so far with no success). We're definitely the fortunate ones.

I read The Knife of Never Letting Go last year, and enjoyed it, but I was also a bit disappointed by the ending and haven't continued with the series so far. I think at the end of the book there was some sort of ad for the next book that said enough to resolve the cliffhanger, so I didn't even have that compulsion to keep reading. I do mean to read the next book eventually, though.

I loved The Knife of Letting Go books. I'm happy with cliffhanger endings even with a wait for the next book, I love the anticipation.

I really, really love the second book (The Ask and the Answer) - I felt like it did some great things with the premises set up in the first book, especially with the idea of a one-gender telepathy.

The third book was solid, but I didn't love it as much - it worked as an ending for me, though, and I thought all three were quick reads!

>12 Aerrin99: Glad to hear the second book is great as well.



I love David Sedaris, but Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk was a disappointment. I was very excited about the premise, modern fables, which is right up my alley, but a lot of the stories just left me feeling, eh. Perhaps, I was unfairly expecting laugh out loud moments when this collection is darker and very violent. Some of the standout stories were "The Crow and the Lamb", "The Parrot and the Potbellied Pig", "The Faithful Setter", "Hello Kitty", "The Grieving Owl", and "The Squirrel and the Chipmunk". Ian Falconer's illustrations are excellent.*** 1/2

> Edited: Touchstone

Welcome to the group. I have heard from many that Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk was a disappointment. That is too bad because I liked his other books. Hopefully your reads improve after this one.

Sorry to head that Squirrel was not good as I have already put it on the Giant Freaking Wishlist. Most likely it was the title that made me put it there, so if this trend keeps up I just may jettison that puppy.

I felt The Ask and the Answer was better than book one in the Chaos Walking trilogy. While this one also ends on a cliffhanger, it still comes to a satisfying end. I also felt the second narrator helped balance out the story...I don't want to say anymore and give away any spoilers. **** 1/2

#13: Sorry to hear your first book of the year was such a disappointment.

#16: I still need to read book 1 in that trilogy, but I think I am going to wait until all 3 books are available.

Hi Michelle. Welcome to the group.
Have you started Monsters of Men yet? I just started reading it and the pacing is fast. Faster than the first two books. I loved Manchee.
Looking forward to seeing what YA you'll read this year. I don't have any YA on my planned list this year. I read extra amounts of YA books the past two years so that I could read chunksters this year.
Re: Veronica Mars and Pushing Daisies (convo from the Introductions thread) - they were both great shows. I'm always meeting people online that also liked those shows. "In real life" I don't know anyone who watches any of the tv shows I watch.

Stasia -- are you waiting to check all three books out of the library at the same time? That's going to be very intense.

>13 Tanglewood:, 14, 17 Well, at least my second read for the year was a good one.

>18 VioletBramble: They were out of Monsters of Men at the bookstore, so I'll have to wait until Wednesday for my copy to come in. I did find a free prequel, The World, by him for download at Amazon. Right now, I'm reading The Feed by Mira Grant and Major Pettigrew's Last Stand.

I guess if there were more people watching Veronica Mars and Pushing Daisies they wouldn't have gotten canceled. Sigh.

Hi Michelle! Just letting you know I found your thread. I'd wish you luck with the challenge but at the speed it seems you read I doubt it'll be a problem. :)

> 19 Feed was one of my favorites last year, and I went after her urban fantasy (under the name Seannan McGuire) shortly after and loved it, too. Can't wait to see what you think of it!

>20 Ape: How do you read and keep up with your thread?!

>21 Aerrin99: Thanks. I didn't know she wrote under another name. More books to add to my insanely long wishlist!



Feed by Mira Grant is a science fiction novel where the Kelli-Amberlee virus reanimates the dead. One of the interesting aspects of this novel is that everyone is infected with the virus, but they only turn into zombies when the virus emerges from its dormant state. Sometimes someone will just undergo a rare but spontaneous transformation, but mostly is it caused by the transmission of fluids with the active virus. The main characters are a brother and sister who are bloggers (bloggers are now the must trusted new source). I don't want to spoil anything by giving away more of the plot.

I loved the world building in this story. Everything from why people no longer eat red meat to what it means if someone can turn into a zombie while riding an elevator with you. The next book, Deadline, is coming out in May. ****


I just finished We Are On Our Own. It's Miriam Katin's account of how she and her mother had to flee from the Nazis and try to find a safe haven. It also flash forwards to the present to show some of the long term effects of events. It's the small details like a child losing her dog that make his memoir standout.The illustrations were also very interesting, with the art style shifting to reflect different shifts in the plot.
**** 1/2

Right now, I'm reading Monsters of Men and the next YA up is Sapphique, the sequel to Incarceron, which I loved.

Yay, glad you liked Feed! I like her urban fantasy a lot, but the first book is a bit slower and none of it is as right-away engaging as I found Feed. By the latest book I was very hooked though.

She's a brand new author - she published /three/ novels in 2010. It boggles my mind!

Ooo, I just added Incareron to my wishlist a week or so ago and saw it in B&N the other day - I might have to read it soon!

I'm reading Sapphique right now, and so far I'm finding it little less engaging than Incarceron. I'm only halfway through though and it is getting more interesting as it goes.

I thought Feed was ok. I enjoyed the idea and the world-building details, but I didn't much like any of the characters, not quite sure why.

#22: We Are On Our Own looks terrific! Thanks for the recommendation, Michelle.

How do you read and keep up with your thread?!

Unemployment. :(

> 24

That's interesting, because I loved the characters a lot and thought they were one of the book's strong points, but my boyfriend is currently reading it and is having the same issue, especially with Shaun.

I think her world-building in general is really fantastic - her faerie/San Fran crossovers is the best I've seen the 'faeries are real' thing done to date, in my opinion.

>23 Aerrin99: Aerrin99, I'm kind of surprised the publisher had her write under two different names. I mean urban fantasy and science fiction aren't that far apart.

>24 fabtk: Fabtk, oh that's a little disappointing. I hope Sapphique continues to improve.

>25 alcottacre: Alcottare, it really is, but I forgot to mention that's a graphic novel.

>26 Ape: Sorry, Ape. This economy is the dregs. My best friend has been looking for a job for the last year.

Yeah, in an hour and a half I start my first read-a-thon!

The Read-a-thon has begun! I'm ready with a cup of coffee, snuggly cat, and Monsters of Men. I'm currently at page 201/603.

4 hours in and I've finished Monsters of Men. Right now I'm too jittery to write a review (should have space out the coffee more). I will say I thought it was excellent and the best in the series.

Haha. You can tell it's a good book when you post 4 hours and 400 pages apart. ;)

#28: I knew it was a graphic novel - I saw your post on that thread. I enjoy graphic novels, so I am not put off by that.

#30: I am glad your Readathon got off to such a great start, Michelle!

>31 Aerrin99: LOL. I ended up deciding to post on the main Read-a-Thon page, but I did read right through the 2nd hr update. I think I'll just post here the end result of the read.

>31 Aerrin99: Your little marshmallow cheerleaders are so cute!

I am glad you like them! Anything to keep the Readathon fun for everybody :)

I'm just copying and pasting this from the main thread, so I have a record of it. I'll post reviews Sunday.

23rd hr/My 16th

I've been reading: The Demon King
Books finished: 0
Pages read:114
Reading time: 55 minutes
Cups of coffee: 5

Total books finished: 2
Total pages read:1133
Total time read: 14 hrs 30 min

The End-of-Event Meme

1. Which hour was most daunting for you?
The hour I tried to read nonfiction or maybe the 6th hour, which was my last hour before hitting the sack.
2. Could you list a few high-interest books that you think could keep a reader engaged next time?
Any books in the Chaos Walking triology and I'm really liking Demon King right now.
3. Do you have any suggestions for how to improve the next read-a-thon?
Nope, I had a great time.
4. How many books did you read?
I finished two and have 140 pg left in a third one.
5. What were the names of the books you read?
Monsters of Men, Sapphique, The Complete Letters of Vincent van Gogh, vol 1 (only read 18 pgs), and The Demon King
6. Which book did you enjoy most?
Without a doubt, Monsters of Men.
7. Which did you enjoy least?
Sapphique was the one I enjoyed least. I didn't read much of the Van Gogh letters, but they are very interesting, just too hard for me during a read-a-thon.
8. How likely are you to participate in another read-a-thon?
100% this was great! I think I'm actually going to keep reading until I finish The Demon King since I think it'll only take me another hour and a half.

Thanks Ilana for hosting this and to our cheerleaders for their support! It really made my first read-a-thon a lot of fun.

Add me to the list of those who enjoy YA books. I recently finished an exceptional book. I highly recommend No and Me.

> Whisper1, thanks for the recommendation. I hadn't heard about this one and it's gotten stellar reviews on Amazon. Just added it to my ever increasing wishlist.

My daughter is loving the Chaos Walking series, I'm next in line..... Glad you love it.

Monsters of Men is the third book in Patrick Ness' Chaos Walking trilogy. I'm not going to describe the plot since I don't want to ruin it for anyone who hasn't started the series yet.

I will say that the series has gotten stronger as it's gone along and this third and final book was my favorite. It's a gripping, fast paced read. The story alternates between three narrators, and I felt the third added an interesting counterpoint to the story. I also found the continued exploration of ideals intriguing, such as Redemption and Responsibility. The end of the story did leave me teary-eyed. **** 1/2 (Might change this to five stars but not sure if I'd re-read it)

Sapphique is the sequel to Incarceron by Catherine Fisher. Set in a dystopian world with a living prison, the "free" citizens are still trapped by protocol, which makes it illegal for them to use modern technology. Some of the wealthy are able to skirt around this issue, but the poor are forced to endure the harshness of protocol.

Last year, Incarceron was one of my favorite YA reads for the year. I have to say I was disappointed by this follow up. I still liked the novel and it was an enjoyable read, but I was expecting more. I think one reason I liked this one less is that one of the main characters Claudia was not a sympathetic this time around. ***

Last year I read Cinda Williams Cina's Weir series and enjoyed it. However, I thought The Demon King the first book in her new series, Seven Realms, was much better. The story takes place in the queendom of Fells. Centuries ago, there was a great breaking, caused by the wizards, which nearly destroyed the world. Since that time, the wizards have been placed under many restrictions and the High Wizard is "bound" to the Queen, but that bind seems to be breaking...

Raisa is heir to the throne but is not anxious to be married off quickly despite her mother's insistence. She's a strong and engaging character. Hans or Cuffs as he is known on the streets, is trying to break away from his life of crime but still provide for his family. Unfortunately, he unwittingly is pulled into a dark plot when he steals a powerful amulet.

This got off to a bit of a slow start for me, but that might be because I was getting tired from the read-a-thon. However, once I was a little less than 100 pgs in it the story really picked up and was a fast paced read. While there aren't really any plot surprises, this was a fun read and I'm just waiting for the next book The Exiled Queen to come in. ****

So sad to hear about Sapphique! I think I'll still pick up Incarceron, though - will I be desperate for the sequel if I do?

Nice reviews, Michelle!

Cinda Williams Chima is coming to my local library at the end of this month. I really should read one of her books!

*sigh* I've just found your thread and foresee it being extremely treacherous to me, and for my wishlist! I shall be following with interest.

Aerrin99 While Incarceron does have a cliffhanger ending, it still comes to a satisfying conclusion and is worth reading.

Alcottare, you're lucky! I love hearing authors do readings.

Lunacat, oh your kitty is so cute! I love it when they tuck their paws in.

Now for the reviews I've gotten behind on again!



What makes Mouse Guard: Fall 1152 standout are the beautiful illustrations. In this graphic novel, three mice uncover a plot to betray their queen. It has the feel of King Arthur and his knights but with mice. The story is not as strong as the illustrations, but the detail work from the costumes to the mouse villages is amazing. My favorite story is actually the epilogue. ****



Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard is the third book in the series. This book is a series of stories by different artists. The stories are a little uneven, but some were excellent : The Hawk's Mouse and the Fox's Mouse, The Raven, and Crown of Silver/Crown of Gold. The story set up is that the mice are telling tales in an attempt to pay off their pub tab and Petersen illustrates the pub scenes between the stories. Although I missed not seeing more Petersen's artwork, some of the guest artists were fantastic. ****

Now, I just need to get book two Mouse Guard: Winter 1152.

#46: I wish my local library had those books!

Trickster: Native American Tales, A Graphic Collection is a collection of 21 folktales. It matches Native American storytellers with different artists. The stories explain everything from the stars in the sky to why raccoons waddle. Some of my favorite were Coyote and the Pebbles, Rabbit and the Tug of War, The Wolf and the Mink, Giddy up Wolfie, Puapualenalena, How Wildcat Caught a Turkey, Espun and Grandfather, and Mai and the Cliff-Dwelling Birds (Okay, I really liked a lot of these). The artist styles in this collection vary significantly to great effect. Highly recommended for anyone interested in mythology or folktales. ****

#48: Someone else in the group just recently mentioned that one too. Unfortunately my local library does not have a copy. I am glad to see you enjoyed it, Michelle!

Marcelo in the Real World is a young adult fiction novel. The narrator of the story is Marcelo, who has an Asperger's like condition. He is pretty happy with his world; he attends a specialized school and is excited to have just gotten a summer job training Haflinger ponies to work with kids with disabilities. Marcelo's father, however, wants him to leave the sheltered world of Paterson and attend a public high school for his senior year. The two decide on a bet. If Paterson gives up working with the Haflinger ponies for the summer and instead works in the mailroom at his father's law firm, Marcelo will get to decide where he spends his summer year. The extra catch, though, is that during this summer Marcelo must follow the rules of "the real world." Unfortunately, there are some harsh truths to be learned in the real world.

Marcelo has a very authentic and unique voice. I found his story compelling and finished it in one sitting. ****

Gregory Maguire's Matchless is a retelling of Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Match Girl." When I found out Maguire had done a retelling of the story, I was very excited. I remember as a little girl sobbing after reading the original. Maguire's retelling does soften the blow, but I felt this story lacked the emotional impact of the original. **1/2

#50: I will be reading that one in the next couple of weeks (the library wants it back for some reason). I hope I enjoy it as much as you did!

#51

Surely the whole point of the story is that she dies, but in dying and death she finds peace and comfort that has been lacking in life?

>53 lunacat: As a child, I felt that it was a horrible for someone so young to die, alone and cold. Magurie's retelling does convey a sense of peace, but I just didn't emotionally connect with his story.

I guess that's what I was trying to get at. The story wouldn't stick with you if it wasn't for the unfairness, the tragedy, the beginning to understand mortality. Children are convinced of their immortality, and that of those around them, so this stands out for that reason.

If you subtract from the impact of the story, you lose how meaningful and important the tale is.

Beth Revis' debut YA novel, Across the Universe, is a stunner. Amy and her family have agreed to travel on a Project Arc Ship, Godspeed, to Centauri-Earth. For the 300 year journey, they are cryogenically frozen. However, forty-two years before landing, Amy is unplugged. Someone has tried to murder her. Elder, in training to become leader of the ship, tries to help Amy discover the truth behind Godspeed.

Revis' does an excellent job conveying a sense of claustrophobia in a closed system, particularly for Amy who has lived under real stars. Highly recommended. (Also, it's pretty spiffy that the underside of the dustjacket is a printed blueprint of Godspeed.)

#56: I really want to read that one and hope my local library gets a copy!

>57 alcottacre: Alcottare, I'm guessing that there's a good chance your library will get a copy. There was a large display at my bookstore, so I'm guessing they think it will sell well. I hope so anyway since it would be nice if they started publishing more SF YA titles.



Part god, part man Gilgamesh is the ruler of Uruk. Power hungry, Gilgamesh has claimed the bride night of every new bride in Uruk. The gods send Enikidu to defeat him, but Gilgamesh overpowers him during a wrestling match. The two become fast friends and perform many great feats, including killing the Bull of Heaven. The gods now fearful of this powerful duo strike down Enkidu. Seeing the death of his friend, Gilgamesh realizes his own mortality. He then sets out on a journey for immortality.

The translation I read of The Epic of Gilgamesh was by Andrew George. Although I was interested in the story of Gilgamesh, I found it difficult to really delve into the story due to the decision to use italics, brackets, and italicized brackets to show where the text for damaged. While it interesting to see how much of the text is missing, it makes it difficult to be fully involved in the story. With as many as six to fourteen brackets per page, it's very jarring. Still, I enjoyed it enough to try another translation (The section where Gilgamesh rebuffs the goddess Ishtar is very funny). Lorax recommended the Mitchell translation, so I'm planning on checking that one out.

The Andrew George edition does have an excellent introduction, as well as a time chart with the political history, intellectual life, and history of the Epic Gilgamesh.

Dave Petersen's second entry in the his Mouse Guard series, Mouse Guard: Winter 1152, has the guard trying to uncover an hidden traitor while another group must cross the treacherous winter landscape to bring back a cure for an injured Mouse Guard.

Although I enjoyed the story in this volume more than the last, it is the detailed illustrations not the story that make the Mouse Guard series so engaging. The illustrations depicting a snow covered world were particularly stunning. Another nice addition to this series is the introduction of hares as riders for the mice.

A third volume, Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard, an anthology edition is already out, and a new six part mini series is scheduled to be published later this year

>56 Tanglewood: Very glad to hear that you enjoyed Across the Universe, as I just bought it a couple of days ago. Sadly my copy is a paperback so I don't get the beautiful dust jacket. I can't complain though, it is very rare that books are released in NZ & the US at a similar time, and anyway paperbacks are way cheaper. Will read it after I finish a couple more library books.

The Mouse Guard series looks interesting - would it be suitable for 11 - 12 yr olds?

> 60 I hope you end up liking Across the Universe. The Mouse Guard series would be great for 11-12yr olds. If I remember correctly, someone on the graphic novels thread said his 12yr son loved the series.

>61 Tanglewood: Cool, might look into getting them for school. They sound like they would be popular.

Zombies vs. Unicorns started out as an online debate between Justine Larbalestier and Holly Black as to the superiority of one creature over the other and turned into an anthology of short stories with Team Zombie vs Team Unicorn battling it out for supremacy. The hilarious bickering between Larbalestier and Black carries on through the book. The anthology has a great line-up and the stories run the gamut of human emotion.

Some of the standouts for me were:

"Love Will Tear Us Apart" by Alaya Dawn Johnson A Zombie love story, told from the POV of a zombie

"Purity Test" by Naomi Novik This unicorn is tired of these wishy-washy 13year virgins, he needs a heroine with some spunk.

"Bougainvillea" by Carrie Ayan In this story, Iza's father has become a tyrant fighting zombies and now she must stand on her own.

"The Care and Feeding of Your Baby Killer Unicorns" by Diana Peterfreund After coming back from near extinction, unicorns are the killers in this story

"Princess Prettypants" by Meg Cabot Last boyfriend a jerk? What you need is a unicorn to even the score

"Cold Hands" by Cassandra Clarke Another zombie love story. Awww.

Whether you're on Team Zombie or Team Unicorn, this anthology is a lot of fun. Highly recommended.

Howards End is on the Landing is about Susan Hill's decision to read from her own shelves for a year. First off, kudos to her. I would run off shrieking if I had to do this. Last year I tried to read 50 books from my shelves, I managed 5. (I am wildly unrealistic at times). Let me also say this is a dangerous book. I added many, many books to my wishlist while reading this.

Hill's book is more about selecting books to read than the actual reading of them. Along the way she also recounts meeting many famous authors. She also has some really great lines in the book: "There is no reason why most of the books I own but have never actually read should be more or less in one place. They just are. Maybe they quietly gravitate into the sitting room one by one, to sob and huddle together for warmth."

Or when describing how much she dislikes Jane Austen while her daughter fell in love with the BBC's Pride and Prejudice series:"She watched it so many times she knew it by heart and could hardly be deterred from reciting entire scenes for our entertainment, until, like Mary she had delighted us long enough."

As a lover of books on books, I enjoyed taking this journey with her. (Although I do have a quibble about her comment on Folio books, I quite like them and am a reader, thank you.)

I feel like I've heard the title Howards End is on the Landing so many times, and yet I somehow had no idea what the book was about. It sounds like something I may enjoy.

In Howards End is on the Landing Susan Hill sets an additional challenge for herself: If she were allowed to only keep 40 books what would they be. I decided it would be kind of fun to create my own list.

1. The Odyssey
2. The Scarlet Letter
3. The Grapes of Wrath
4. Pride and Prejudice
5. Macbeth
6. Shakespeare's Sonnets
7. The Twelve Caesars
8. Leaves of Grass
9. The Little Princess
10. Twice Told Tales
11. & 12 Hans Christian Anderson: The Complete Tales
13. Grimm's Fairy Tales
14. Frankenstein
15. Jamaica Inn
16. The Metamorphoses of Ovid
17. Hiroshige: One Hundred Famous Views of Edo
18. Sense and Sensibility
19. Far From the Madding Crowd
20. The Kindly Ones
21. ShipWrecks
22. Snow Country
23. Madame Bovary
23. The Complete Plays: John M. Synge
24. Sir Gawain and the Green Knight
25. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: Annotated Edition
26. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
27. Fahrenheit 451
28. Washington Square
29, 30, 31 The Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire
32. Tennessee Williams: The Plays 1937-1955
33. Stories: Katherine Mansfield
34. Great Expectations
35. Dracula
36. Les Liasons Dangereuses
37. Lolita
38. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
39. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
40. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows

Well, Faulkner and Willa Cather ended up getting bumped, and I never managed to get in any books on exploration, but I'm actually pretty happy with my list.

I can't remember who, but I'd like to thank whoever wrote the review of Room by Emma Donoghue that caught my eye.

Room is an amazing and gripping read. The narrator is a five year old boy, Jack. His mother was kidnapped at nineteen and has been trapped in a prison like room for seven years, during which time she gave birth to Jack. During the day his mother struggles to fill Jack's the time with enriching activities and at night she protects him from Old Nick's visits. With no other playmates, Jack turn ordinary objects into toys and his friends: "Toothbrush wants a turn (in the tunnel) but I tell him sorry, he's too long. He jumps in Fort instead to guard a tower." The subject matter is gut wrenching, but Jack's innocence adds some needed light to the story. Highly recommended.

>56 Tanglewood: Across the Universe sounds great! I may have to add that to my list. I also plan to read Gilgamesh soon - someone had recommended the Mitchell translation to me so I am looking forward to checking it out.

I have added many of your reads to my wishlist! Looks like you are having a great reading year.
--BJ

>65 _Zoe_: Zoe if you like books on books, I think you would like this one. It was an interesting insight into someone else's reading life.

>68 rubarbaru: Rubarbaru, I'll be interested in hearing what you think about Gilgamesh.

>69 billiejean: Billiejean, thanks for stopping by!

Just browsing through some 2011 threads and yours is dangerous! My wish list is way longer. I especially loved your thoughts on Howards End is on the Landing and picking your own 40 books. I will have to read it and do the same. :)

I enjoyed Howards End as well, a lot of the books she chose weren't my type of read but I loved how she browsed through her shelves like that, and the name dropping too. Your own top 40 list looks interesting and very diverse, I've come across or read most of them, will check out the others.
Everyone seems to enjoy Room, I'm still not sure if I'll read it.

I adored Room and am glad to see another convert.

Your description of Marcelo in the Real World was so compelling I want to abandon the two books I'm reading and start it. The dark side of the Kindle is that I could easily do that. I managed to just add it to my Wishlist, but geez it sounds fantastic.

>71 RosyLibrarian: & 73 Mihess & Nancyewhite Heh, heh I'm glad to inflict some damage on someone else's pile. This group has been horrible for my own wishlist.

>72 avatiakh: Avatiakh, I thought it was pretty funny that she she frowned on name dropping and then did it herself.

>Edit: I thought it would be nice to keep a copy of my final read-a-thon tallies. (Okay, not the one where I fell asleep after two hours but the others, so I just squeeze this in here.)

7th HOUR (Jan. 24th-25th read-a-thon).

I've been reading: Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
Books finished: 1
Pages read: 29
Reading time: 20 minutes
Posting time: 20 minutes

Total books read: 1
Total pages read: 246
Total time read: 3hr 50 minutes
Total time posting: 55 minutes

Comments: Well, I'm off to bed. Pettigrew was a good read. Too tired to comment more.

I work tomorrow, so I don't think I'll get in any more reading for this read-a-thon. Happy reading to everyone else. Thanks to Ellie for hosting and all the cute cheers from everyone else. Just saw your snowman cheer a few minutes ago Smiler69, nice!

Yeah, snow day for me! Does happy dance with cats Lazy me, just copying straight from my 11 in 11 thread.



Given that there are 124 reviews for Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, I'm not really going to review it. Like many others, I really enjoyed this charming read. I loved the Major Pettigrew's droll sense of humor but kept hoping someone would bop his son on the head. Highly recommended.



Ship Breaker is a YA novel by Paolo Bacigalupi that has won the Pritz Award. Bacigalupi is also the author of The Windup Girl, which I really need to read now.
In this post-apocalyptic future, the ice caps have melted and left entire cities buried under water and for most people electricity is a thing of the past. This has led to a rather dystopian society where there are the have-nothings and the have-fabulous wealth. Large portions of the population live in shacks along the new coast and scrap by to get meager amounts of food while the wealthy can afford to breed dog/tiger/men blends, "half-men", with genetically modified loyalty to protect them.

Nailer, the main protagonist, works removing copper from the old sunken hulks along the coast. It's dangerous work that's left him scarred, but he's in constant fear of being replaced by someone smaller and quicker. Home is no refuge for him either. His father is a drunk and drug addict with an abusive temper. But when one of the clipper ships crashes on the coast, Nailer can strip it for a fortune or risk it all and help the lone survivor return home and maybe get out this hellhole.

A fast-paced read, I really enjoyed Ship Breaker. I felt the most interesting characters, though, was Tool. I was far more interested in his story than anyone else's. If there is a sequel or companion novel, I hope he will feature prominently in it. Highly recommended.

Yay for snow days! I have one, too, so hope to get some more reading in today. Ship Breaker sounds great! Another one to add to the list.

75: Two more books to have on my radar. Great review of Ship Breaker. I've also heard good things said of The Windup Girl.

I read The Windup Girl after Ship Breaker and was amused/surprised/interested in finding bleeds from one book to another.

> Rubarbaru,, I'm happy you're enjoying a snow day too!

>Mihess & Mamzel I'm looking forward to reading The Windup Girl. It will be interesting to see the similarities.



The Most Beautiful Libraries in the World is a sumptuously photographed edition with three page foldouts. It is fascinating read about the many twists and turns of fate that these libraries suffered. Some of the most interesting that left me wanting to know more were the Mazarine Library, the Vatican Library, and the Monastery of El Escorial. It was especially interesting to learn that at times the purpose of some of these libraries was to withhold knowledge from others or retain texts that they had banned from others. I would love to read more about the Vatican library's habit of seizing texts. For instance, they seized Montaigne's books, including his essays, but allowed him to examine their collection. Highly recommended. *****

I loved Tool, too! I'm pretty sure there will be a sequel - it feels like it. I thought Windup Girl had an interesting world, but I was nowhere near as interested in the plot or characters (though many people really liked it).

I think sometimes that my love of YA lit is that authors are forced to have an engaging plot - kids won't bother to read it, otherwise!

Oh, snow days... Lucky. As I trudged up 2nd Ave over near 3 foot tall piles of snow at 6:30 Thursday morning, I thought to myself - if I had gone with my original plan to become a teacher I could be sleeping in my warm bed right now instead of sliding down mini snow mountains making my pants wet. Oh, to have snow days and holidays off -- it sounds luxurious. I'm so jealous.
And, once again, your thread is dangerous to my wish list. I already own Major Pettigrew, so I dodged one there.

#79: I would be positively drooling over that book I am sure - and thereby ruining it forever :)

Hi There

I'm compiling a list of birthdays of our group members. If you haven't done so already, would you mind stopping by this thread and posting yours.

Thanks.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/105833

Thanks for stopping by my thread Tanglewood!

What great reading you have done!

I have the Chaos walking series on my TBR shelf :) Thanks for your thoughts on them....without you giving anything away I now know I will enjoy them!

Room is one that is on my wish list...I will get to it sometime :)

Ship Breaker and the Mouse Guard series look interesting...I might have to check them out :)

I have never been a big fan or read much YA until recently, so I can see I will be in trouble with your thread :)

I have you starred :) Kara

> 80 Aerrin99 I just finished The Windup Girl and I agree that Ship Breaker was more fun.

>81 VioletBramble: Kelly, sorry you didn't get a snow day off ;) This winter has been insane. I am so ready for all the dirty snow to melt already.

>82 alcottacre: Alcottacre, but a little drool just means it's been loved!

>84 curlysue: Thanks for visiting me! I hope you enjoy the Chaos series. I really loved it.

Okay, now to catch up and review that last five books I've read.

The first two up are from my lovely Secret Santa. Score!


The Wild Wood by Charles de Lint

The Wild Wood is the story of Eithnie, a young painter, who has lost her inspiration. Hoping to find her lost vision, she retreats to her cabin in the woods. Once there, strange creatures start appearing in her paintings. The Faerie world needs her help or they will be doomed.

This is the first work of Charles de Lint book that I've read. His opening description of the Eithnie's dream was gripping and utterly captured the feverish nature of dreams. I was really surprised that there is not a sequel, though, although this books certainly stands on its own. I hoped that it would pick up with the next generation. Although I wish somethings had been developed more in this novel, I look forward to reading some of his later books.


The Alphabet of Thorn by Patricia A. McKillip

Nephenthe, abandoned as a baby, is raised by the royal librarians. Talented at translating languages, she stumbles upon a strange book that calls to her. As she deciphers the language of thorns, her future becomes intertwined with that the young queen struggling to maintain control of her queendom.

Beautifully descriptive, I loved this book! Books and magic what more can you ask for?

The Fire Within by Chris D'Lacy is a children's book with a touch of fantasy. A college student becomes a tenant of a mother and her young daughter, who loves squirrels. The family makes their living selling clay dragons and gifts the student with one of his own, helping him discover a hidden talent.

Eh, I was disappointed by this book. I was expecting it to be more about dragons but most of the story actually deals with squirrels. Luckily it has found a new home via Bookmooch.

The One Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is the first book in N.K. Jemisin's fantasy trilogy. When Yeine's mother abdicated the throne to marry her barbarian lover, her route to power was forever cut off. However, after her mother is murdered, Yeine's grandfather unexpectedly names Yeine one of the three heirs to the kingdom. Setting up a deadly three-way power struggle.

I loved the world building and political intrigue, especially that the Gods are real and even enslaved. The enslaved God Nahadoth reminded me, in a good way, a bit of Gaiman's Death character albeit Nahadoth is more pissed off than depressed. I can't wait to get the next book, The Broken Kingdoms.****

In the post-apocalyptic world of Paolo Baigalup's The Windup Girl, most of our natural food sources have been destroyed by viruses. Leaving the calorie companies, feared and hated, powerful enough to take down governments. The novel follows four characters through their struggle to survive in this turbulent environment.

Although I enjoyed this novel and the world building is very detailing and interesting, the characters are less engaging. The only one I really cared about was Emiko, the windup girl, which made it difficult to read about her treatment. I'll read Baigalup's next work, but I much preferred his YA novel, Ship Breaker.

I really loved the worldbuilding in Hundred Thousand Kingdoms too - and the gods were probably my favorite part! I did wish that some of the humans were a little more fleshed out, but it's one of my favorite worlds recently.

Nice reads Tanglewood!

The only de Lint book I have on my TBR pile is Someplace To be Flying...The Wild Wood looks interesting so I might check that one out :)

I have heard much talk about The Windup Girl and Ship Breaker..I like all the elements you mentioned Windup Girl has...will look at that one too!

Great list of recent reads, Michelle!

>88 Tanglewood: Oh, that one looks great. I just read Warbreaker which also had living gods and was an excellent read. I will definitely be adding Hundred Thousand Kingdoms to my wishlist.

>90 Aerrin99: Aerrin99, I'm hoping to get to her second book next week. I just hope she doesn't suffer from the sophomore slump.

>91 curlysue: Curlysue, I'm thinking the next Charles de Lint I check out will be his new YA novel The Painted Boy. Someplace to be Flying has stellar reviews, though, so maybe I'll add that too. (This is why I will never see the end of my list.)

>92 alcottacre: Thanks, Stasia!

>93 rubarbaru: Rubarbaru, I really enjoyed the whole living gods aspect. I will have to add Warbreaker to my list as well.

So pleased you liked the Santathings:)

Hundred Thousand Kingdoms looks good - onto the wishlist *sigh*

> 94 I haven't read the next book yet, so I'll be very interested to see what you have to say about it!

>95 calm: Yes, Calm you rocked as my Secret Santa!

I just realized I haven't been following, you which I have no idea why.

Not surprising with all these threads, it would be easy to spend all your time reading them and never read any actual books. (Not sure how Stasia does it.) Thanks for stopping by now!

Edit: typo

#99: The current prevailing theory is that I have at least two heads with 19 eyeballs :)

I don't believe that at all.......you have way too many eyeballs for reading not enough books. I say you have exactly 18 eyeballs instead.

>#99 LOL!!! That's pretty awesome. Trying to imagine it...FAIL! :) Nice try Stasia. Can't wait to hear what your other "tricks" are. :)

100: You forgot that you are also part robot.

So updated theory is that Stasia is a two-headed alien cyborg.



I've wanted to read the Walking Dead comic series since seeing AMC's show. While I know movies and TV shows often make changes, I was surprised by how far a departure it was. I ended up being thrown off guard a couple of times (there is a lot more death in the comic series).

I really debated whether to get the Walking Dead: Compendium or the separate books. While I think the Compendium is a much better value, I ended up getting the hardcover version of book one for portability and durability. The Walking Dead: Book One includes a couple of extras like character sketches and color cover art (the actual comic is black and white). Book One includes the first 12 issues of the comic while the Compendium includes Books One - Four (issues 1-48). Sadly, since I splurged on the hardcover, it's going to take me a while to get through this series.

#104: Yeah, that is the theory. Unfortunately for the theorists, only one of my heads and 2 of my eyes work at any given time - and only if I am lucky :)

>105 alcottacre: Really if I knew how, I would give you little cheerleaders for visiting all the threads!



Kvothe, whom the stories portray as both hero and villain, has retreated into the quiet life of a tavern keep until a traveling chronicler uncovers his true identity and persuades him to share his story. Full of dark foreshadowing, we follow him through his early days when the Chandrian were only creatures of story to when they become a deadly reality to him.

First off, I loved this book! At first I thought it was just going to be a regular fantasy, engaging but nothing special, but once the story within the story began it really kicked into high gear. After a while, I started slowing down my reading, so I wouldn't have so long to wait for the next book, The Wise Man's Fear, which is released March 1st.

All the descriptions of Kvothe's lute playing inspired me to drag my flute out and practice (My neighbors would be cursing Rothfuss' name if they only knew the cause). I've even ordered the hardcover because I know I'll be re-reading this in the future. Since I can't say exactly why I loved this so much, I'll just say Rothfuss is an excellent storyteller.

Stasia is a two-headed alien cyborg.

Hmmm, I'm not so sure about 'alien.' I mean, I've heard her refer to the mothership but I always assumed that referred to the place she stores all her books. (The Blackhole being her wishlist, afterall.)

TW- I think this is my first visit! I love your book choices. We've been following similar paths lately, due to Fantasy Feb! I really enjoyed Windup Girl, (I'm trying to knock out a review) and I am loving Name of the Wind. I'm just over 200 pages in.

I'm looking forward to reading The Name of the Wind, have been holding back as it sounded like there would be a long wait for the sequel.

You've read some great books lately! I loved The Name of the Wind when I read it last year, and I can't wait for the sequel. I didn't like The Wild Wood when I read it a few years ago, though... but I'd give De Lint another try, as I suspect the story just wasn't my thing.

Anyway, I read a lot of YA as well, so I've starred your thread!

I already have The Name of the Wind in the BlackHole, but I refuse to read it until the series is finished. . .how ever many years from not that is! lol

>107 Ape: Ape, I don't know. It sounds suspicious to me.

>108 msf59: Msf59, thanks for stopping by! Fantasy February has been a lot of fun. I can't wait for the next Rothfuss book to come in.

>109 avatiakh: Avatiakh, I feel for the people who read it back in 2007. I guess I'll be in the same boat after reading the sequel waiting for the conclusion to the trilogy;)

>110 dk_phoenix: dk_phoenix, this is my first year in the 75 group and I'm loving it. A lot of my reads are based off of reviews from this group, including The Name of the Wind.

>111 alcottacre: I don't blame you. I'm beyond worried that George R.R. Martin is not going to finish his series. (But you should give in and read The Name of the Wind anyway ;)

Well, now I have 5 books to review due to this weekend's Read-a-Thon.

In Scott Westerfield's alternative history YA novel, Leviathan, Archduke Franz Ferdinand and his wife are assassinated, leaving behind their son Alek. Although not heir to the Austrian throne, Germany still wants him dead, forcing him to flee in one of his family's walking clanker machines. Meanwhile in the Darwinist British Empire, Deryl dreams of joining the British Air Service and flying in one of their mighty beastie airships, but to do so she must disguise herself as a boy. Together Alek and Deryl will try to prevent an escalating war between the Clanker and Darwinist powers.

I thought the world building was interesting with the fabricated beasties, but I ended up wanting to like it more than I did. I just didn't care about the characters at all. The illustrations by Keith Thompson were a great addition. Although I didn't dislike this book, I think I'll pass on the sequel Behemoth. ***

Nice review, I liked Leviathan more, and I'm currently reading Behemoth but overall they're not as good as Philip Reeve's Hungry City series which I loved. Hester is just more my type of heroine, much more edgy. Alek & Deryn are too bound up in protocol to be able to do anything exciting.

Margi Preus' Children's book Heart of a Samurai is based on a true story. In 1841, a Japanese fishing boat becomes stranded on a deserted rock island after a storm. While rescued by an American whaling ship, the fishermen are unable to return home. One of the boys, 14 year old Manjiro, natural curiosity earns the attention of the captain. Lacking a son of his own, the captain takes the boy back to his home. Manjiro, thereby, becomes the first Japanese citizen to set foot in America. After living for several years in the U.S., Manjiro sets out to return home with his old compatriots.

I really wish the author had chosen to write this as a non-fiction account. The most interesting parts of the book were the epilogue and historical note, where she talked about the actual Manjiro, who by all accounts led a fascinating life. Many of Manjiro's actual sketches are included in the book. Although a Newbery Honor book, I was left underwhelmed. ***

>114 avatiakh: Edgy is good. I haven't heard of the Hunger City series, so I'll keep an eye out for it.

We only know the narrator of Living Dead Girl as Alice. She has been held captive for the past five years by Ray. If she doesn't comply with his every wish, he threatens to kill her family. Alice knows she is in fact the second Alice. The first was killed when she outgrew her childlike body and turned 15. Now Alice's 15th birthday is fast approaching and Ray wants her to help get a new member for their family.

This was a fast paced, gripping read but too disturbing for me. Originally, I purchased this book after it received some negative comments and was removed from Bitch Magazine's List of 100 YA Books for the Feminist Reader. I hate it when books get pulled from school libraries or otherwise banned and wanted to throw in my support (even if this isn't quite the same thing). It pains me to admit this, but after reading Living Girl Dead I don't see how this got on the list in the first place. It doesn't fit any criteria I have for Feminist Lit. (I no idea why the next book was Sisters Red was cut , though.)

Sisters Red is a YA retelling of Red Riding Hood. Since the attack that left their grandmother dead, sisters Scarlett and Rosie have seen a part of the world hidden from us, werewolves masquerading as men. That attack, which left Scarlett terribly scarred, gave her a new purpose and now she furiously hunts these soulless wolves. Rosie hunts with her sister but yearns for a normal life. Together with Silas, a family friend and woodsman, they will try to stop the next "potential" from turning into a soulless werewolf and try to bring down the wolf clan responsible for their grandmother's death.

Scarlett and Rosie alternate narrating the chapters, giving interesting insight into each character. (At first their voices aren't that different but that eventually changes.) I really enjoyed this retelling. Both the girls are strong and independent but in different ways. These girls don't need anyone to save them - they save others.This is the second title that I got after it was cut from Bitch Magazine's Feminist List. After reading the book, I was really clueless as to why it got cut, so I read up a little bit more up on it. I'm not going to go into the argument against the book, but just say I disagree. Jackson Pearce has a new YA novel, Sweetly, a retelling of Hansel and Gretel, which comes out in August. ****

In Walking Dead: Book Two the choices key characters make leaves you wondering how much of their humanity are they going to have to leave behind to survive. In the circumstances, I didn't necessarily disagree with any of the choices made, but I thought it certainly showed a slow erosion of moral or ethics, especially for Rick. I'm interested to see how the series continues to evolve.

Sisters Red looks like it would be right up my alley. Added to the TBR list.

I am going to have to give Sisters Red a try too!

Disturbing subject matter is my cuppa, so I have added Living Dead Girl

Sisters Red sounds promising :) i have added that also!

I enjoy learning about the books you are reading. I've added the Charles deLint book to my tbr list. You might want to try A Circle of Cats. I really liked this book.

I've heard mixed reviews about Sisters Red, but it sounds intriguing enough for me to want to give it a try!

> 120, 121 MickeyFine and Stasia, I love fairytale retellings (it seems like there are so many more these days). I think Sisters Red is a good bet if you do too.

>122 curlysue: Curlysue, I have to say Living Dead Girl is gripping, but unlike the Room, it's harder to read about since the narrator is the abused victim. I'll be interested to hear what you think when you get to it.

>123 Whisper1: Linda ah, I do have A Circle of Cats! I got it because I love Charles Vess' artwork (and cats). I hadn't realized it was by Charles de Lint. Good recommendation because I did enjoy it.

>124 dk_phoenix: Dk_Phenix, I hope you like it; just don't throw the book at me if you don't ;) I meant to add in my post on your thread that I completely agreed with you about one point, Peeta and Gale. I thought that was a complete cop-out.

#125: I enjoy fairy tale retellings, so it sounds like a perfect fit for me.

#125 Ditto what Stasia said.

Once a young lord full of ambition and potential, Cazaril was betrayed and sold as a galley slave. Although he escapes, his time in captivity has left his body scarred and broken, as is his spirit. Seeking refuge from a great family he once served, he is drawn into dark plots that threaten those he has sworn to protect.

The Curse of Chalion is the first work of Bujold's that I've read. Thanks for all those recent reviews LT'ers! I thoroughly enjoyed this fantasy. It is a nice blend of court intrigue and magic. Bujold uses the gods as her magic system and while the gods don't walk among the people, they do answer prays, often with a steep price. Poor, downtrodden Cazari was interesting and well-developed, unlike some of the other characters. Although the first in a trilogy, this book comes to a satisfying conclusion.****

I think I might like this series so I'm adding it to my wishlist. Thanks for the info!

Great review! Boy oh boy, every time I log onto LT and read someone's thread I have another book I want to read! At this rate, I will be food for the dust mites before I even get half down my TBR list. :)

>129 mamzel: Mamzel, I really enjoyed it and want to get to the next two once my book buying ban is lifted.

>130 jolerie: Jolerie, I know what you mean. Through the evil librarything statistics I've discovered that I buy more books per month than I actually read :(



O'Brien's Birthmarked is set in a dystopian society where there are population problems. Midwives outside the wall must turn over the first three babies a month to the Enclave. Gia, a midwife apprentice, discovers the dark side of the Enclave when her parents are arrested and Gia can find out no information about them.

I enjoyed the worldbuilding (I a soft spot for dystopian/post-apocalyptic fiction). It was also interesting after Sisters Red to read about a another main character that is heavily scarred. The book did lose half a star for some events at the end that I felt weren't logical or least that I didn't buy. (Since the parents get extra rations for giving up their children, there would be a yearly list and it makes no sense that the Enclave would set up Gia as a hero after she flaunted their laws. I think the author just wanted them not to shoot to kill. ) 3.5

Pfeffer's YA novel Life as We Knew It, Miranda's life is like that of your average teen, fights with her mom and getting swamped with homework. At first the impending asteroid heading towards the moon, only means more homework assignments for her. But when the asteroid hits, it has a greater density than expected and knocks the moon out of its orbit. This sets off a chain of catastrophic events that forever change Miranda's world.

Through journal entries, Miranda details the daily struggle for her family to survive. The novel focuses on the daily grind of finding food, water, and heating sources and the strain these place on their family relationship. I was a little put off by her relationship with her girlfriends, one in particular seemed stereotypical. The second novel, The Dead and the Gone, covers the same time period but in NYC with different characters. The third book, This World We Live In picks back up with Miranda and her family. I'm not that interested in the second book, but I plan on reading the third book. 3.5

>131 Tanglewood: I also have a soft spot for dystopias. I read the first line and I was like "cool". But this book is not the kind of dystopias I like.

In Aaron Renier's Children's graphic novel The Unsinkable Walker Bean, Walker Bean grow up listening to his grandfather's fantastic stories of life on the open seas. When his grandfather becomes deathly ill, he asks Walker to return a skull to trench deep in the ocean floor, which is guarded by monstrous sea witches. Along the way, he makes friends with pirates, discovers his mechanical talents, and faces off against his dad.

This was a really fun, light read with beautiful colors and detailed drawings. The two page town panel (pg. 72-73) was especially delightful. It was fun to try to spot all the things happening. I look forward to reading the next book. 3.5

Oh, I missed your comment when I was posting my next one DragonFreak. I like it when dystopias explore what it means to be human and what happens when society breaks down (which is not really what this novel is about).

Looks like a good string of reads for you. I enjoy dystopian novels in moderation but I think I'll skip these ones.

>135 Tanglewood: My thought exactly. You have no idea how exact that was.

Have you read The Hopkins Manuscript by RC Sherriff? The moon falls out of it's orbit and collides with the earth in that one. I gave it 4.5 or 5 stars -- I'll have to look it up. Anyway, highly recommended dystopian novel.

>138 VioletBramble: I haven't, and I see that Persephone Books has done an edition. I will definitely try to pick a copy up. Thanks!

Horror upon horrors, I have become my parents! Let me explain, it has been a long standing joke in my family that neither of my parents were allowed to go the video store without me because when I was a teen they rented the same movie three times . Each time they would come back saying, "Look what great SF movie we discovered!" They were good natured about it while I danced around them, waving the the movie, and laughing.

Now I've always prided myself on knowing if I've read a book by looking at the cover of a book and knowing if I've read it. (There is one fantasy illustration who throws me off but I can certainly read the first page and know if I've read it). Now I have reached a new low. While I was reading A Great and Terrible Beauty, it reminded me of something I'd read before, but it was a full sixty (sob) pages before I realized that I had read it before. It's only been out for seven years! (And they haven't changed the cover art, I checked). This is what comes from mocking ones parents.

I am too depressed to write a review of this book.

TW- That's a great story! Thanks for sharing! Still, is the book any good?

>140 Tanglewood:: Sorry that happened - thanks for sharing that story, though. it made me smile. I used to pick up James Patterson books for airplane reading. I don't fly all that often, but there was one book I think I got three times because I couldn't remember if I'd read it or not. It was one of those women's murder club books that all have numbers in the title and I couldn't remember where I'd left off. Each time I'd get about a 1/4 through before realizing. Anyway, just wanted to let you know you are not alone :)

#140 I have a variation on this problem. I'll remember that I've read a book but occasionally forget major plot points or how it ends. Makes re-reads fun but it's kind of sad.

P.S. Read A Great and Terrible Beauty a couple weeks back and I'm about 100 pages away from finishing the final book in the trilogy. Hope the (re-)read was enjoyable.

Don't be too hard on yourself. It can happen to the best of us..haha but it sure does make for a funny story. But if you do it a THIRD time, well there would be no excuses for that and then we may have to call the book police on you! :)

Lol, that happened to me recently with The Chrysalids. Part of the plot reminded me strongly of another book, then I realised that it was one and the same! Still a good classic to reread.

>141 msf59: I ended up giving it a 3.5. I liked the light blending of historical, romance, and fantasy. It was also good to see the problems the bullies in the book faced. I don't feel I can give a really fair review, though, as this isn't a book I would normally have re-read. I might pick up book two in the trilogy.

>142 rubarbaru: Thanks. Hearing about other readers' memory weaknesses has cheered me up;)

>143 MickyFine: Your review has tempted me to continue with the series.

>144 jolerie: Noted. Do not confess if it happens a third time!

>145 avatiakh: Humm. I've never read The Chrysalids (at least I don't think I have ;) and I have a copy around here. I need some more post-apocalyptic books for my 11 in 11 challenge.

Emily Winfield Martin's The Black Apple's Paper Doll Primer: Activities and Amusements for the Curious Paper Artist is an adorable collection of paper dolls, clothing, and backdrops to make. There are also plans for making a theatre for your dolls to perform in, an armoire to store their doll clothes in, and a doll mobile. She includes instructions for designing your own paper dolls, as well. One of the cute projects involves making your own paper doll family portrait. She even explains how to make a stop-motion film with your dolls!

This book is so cute that I can't bring myself to cut it up right now. The author recommends making color copies if you feel that way. In fact, some of the clothes would have to be copied because there are designs on both pages and some of the projects require enlarging. Although I bought this for myself, this would be fun for a family to do together. You can see two cool stop-motion films made with the dolls on the author's website (scroll down a bit) www.theblackapple.typepad.com

Loved the story of duplicate book buying -- my husband who reads rafts of SF has a big problem with this, which I am hoping LT will help out with!!! I'll be able to check, although I don't have the books he's read and didn't keep, I hope it will help....... I do it too, but less often. It's usually with a book I didn't like that much or didn't finish, but that a lot of other people like and keep recommending....... so I get hold of it and start in, and gradually it all comes back to me.

I used to love paper dolls. That book looks like fun!

>149 MickyFine: MickyFine, I made the leap and started out cutting out some of the dolls. I'm planning on making the armoire this weekend.

Ugh, I am not finishing much right now. The only book I am really into is my re-read of The Game of Thrones. I have six books right now that I've read 1/3 -1/2 and am not motivated to finish The Lies of Locke Lamora, The Exiled Queen, Kill Shakespeare, Blood, Bones, and Butter, The Big Over Easy, and In a Sunburned Country. I hope it's just me because I was really excited about some of these books.

I have managed to finish a few books, though.



The first up is The Best of Mutts by Patrick McDonnell. When I lived in Atlanta, I loved following this comic strip (Why New York Times must you be so snobby about comics?). If you don't know the strip, it features a cat and dog that are best friends. Most of the strips focus on their daily adventures while some urge our adopting animals from shelters and not leaving dogs chained in the yard. This book is a collection of best strips from 1994-2004 selected by the artist. The author introduces each year's strips by talking about shifts in the comic. For instance, in '96 he started designing the Sunday title pages as homages to other artists (some of these are absolutely fantastic). The Sunday comics are reproduced in color in this book. If you love animals, I think this book is a natural fit. Highly recommended. 5.0

I have two more reviews to write The Arrival and Odd and the Frost Giants, but first some breakfast.

Well, breakfast was followed by a trip to Borders where I was really, really bad. I get suckered in by those 33% off coupons every time!



The Arrival by Shaun Tan is a wordless graphic novel that tells the story of a man who leaves his young family behind to immigrate to a new land, hoping to bring them over later. Once in his new land he befriends a fantastical creature who aids him in his struggle. The story is told in a fantasy setting and the illustrations are wonderfully detailed and beautiful. The Arrival is heartwarming and one I see myself pulling off the shelf many times to pour over. 4.5

Odd and the Frost Giants is a very short Children's book illustrated by Brett Helquist. It tells the story off Odd a young Viking boy who's a bit of an outcast. While his life has been trouble, his father died on an expedition and Odd shattered his own leg,he still keeps a strange smile on his face. One day in the forest, though, he encounters a talking bear, fox, and eagle that pull him into the world of the Gods.

I love Neil Gaiman's writing and enjoyed his other Children's books Coraline and The Graveyard Book and even his picture books like The Dangerous Alphabet. This one, though, meh. It was average - characters, world building, plot, etc. Perhaps I would have liked it more if I were a child (there are a lot of rave reviews) but I could only give it 3.5 stars (and I think that .5 is only because I'm a Gaiman fan).

Whoa, Gaiman has totally covered every age group of writing hasn't he?? That is a pretty amazing feat when I think about it and each one it seems he is doing a pretty good at it as well!

>152 Tanglewood: You hit the mark on The Graveyard book for me. I didn't particulary like it either. Very, very average.

It double and tripled posted again!!!

> Jolerie, yes he has and quite a lot of writing.
> DragonFreak, sorry to hear you didn't like that one. Supposedly, it's being made into a movie.



Konami Kanata's manga series Chi's Sweet Home follows the adventures of an adorable kitten, Chi. Volume 1 has Chi getting lost and separated from her mom. She's found by a kind family, but they have to hide her from the super as their building doesn't allow pets. Most of the story involves Chi bonding with her adopted family. Like both Chi and her little boy go through potty training.

********Spoilers Volume 3**********
In this volume, Chi has made friends with an older black cat in the building who acts like an older brother, teaching her the ways of cats. Unfortunately, the super discovers black cat and the family decides to move rather than give up their family member. (I totally teared up when Chi and Black were separated).

*******Spoilers Volume 4**************
Tired of hiding from the super, Chi's family decides to move to a pet friendly building. Chi is thrown into a tizzy by the new place. While she is learning to cope, the family takes her and introduces her to the neighbors on the floor and their pets. (I suspect Black cat will reappear in volume 5 on one of the other floors).
********End of Spoilers*****************

These are done in full color and the illustrations are very expressive. While I don't normally read manga, I'm very taken with this series and already ordered volume 2 and 5 and pre-ordered volume 6 & 7. The plot lines are very simple, but Ms. Kanata really nails cat behavior and pulls at your heartstrings.

A solitary unicorn learns that she may be the last of her kind. Reluctant to leave her forest behind, she still sets out to find what has happened to the others. While most the world is blind to her true nature, she encounters many dangers on her journey and at the end of the road she must face the terrifying Red Bull.

This graphic novel adaption of Peter Beagle's The Last Unicorn is illustrated by Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon. Okay, I cried when I read the novel, I cried when I saw the animated movie, and this one had me tearing up too. This condensed version doesn't pack quite the emotional punch of the novel, but it is beautifully illustrated. In the back, there is also an interesting three page interview with Peter Beagle and a two page interview with Peter Gillis, who adapted the novel for this graphic edition, where he talks about shifts in the comic market. 4.0

I hadn't heard of the Chi's books, but those cover illustrations are adorable.

I loved The Last Unicorn the animated movie when I was growing up so much that I bought it a few years ago when it came out on DVD. I've never read the book or graphic novel though, and may have to check them out some time.

The Best of Mutts sounds wonderful!
--BJ

158: The Last Unicorn is one of my favorite stories, so I'm not surprised to hear there's a graphic novel version of it. I'll have to keep my eye out.

I just read The Last Unicorn earlier this year as well. But I didn't really quite know how to write a review for it...? Glad you did one for the graphic novel!

> Rubabaru, I'd wholeheartedly recommend the novel of The Last Unicorn. It's a short read but also very moving.

>BJ, cute cats and dogs, you can't miss ;)

>Mihess, it was interesting to read the interview and discover how different The Last Unicorn was originally. (There was a whole demon subplot.)

> Jolerie, I know what you mean. It's hard to review it without giving away any spoilers.

163: Oh, I didn't know that. Now I'll really have to keep an eye out so I can read that interview.

The novel version of The Last Unicorn is my go-to book when I can't get through anything else. I never have trouble reading it :) I didn't know there was a graphic novel, though.

And didn't he publish the original story for The Last Unicorn recently? I think I heard something about that.

>165 antqueen: Antqueen, I don't know if this is the one you were referring to, but in the interview they mention a limited edition by Subterranean Press called The Last Unicorn: The Lost Version and it's being published again in The First Last Unicorn and Other Beginnings .

In Chi's Sweet Home Volume 2, Chi continues to adapt to her new home and faces off against a fierce black cat.

*********Spoilers, Volume 5************************
In this volume, Chi is reunited with Black Cat and an Auntie Calico cat says she knows where Chi's kitty mommy is, but by now Chi only has a fuzzy memory of her mom. While looking for her mom, Chi becomes hopelessly lost, but Black Cat comes to the rescue and guides her home.
*********End of Spoilers***************************

I'm continuing to enjoy this charming manga series. Konami Kanata really has her finger on the kitty psyche!

A Game of Thrones is the first volume in George R.R. Martin's excellent A Song of Fire and Ice series. At the heart of this story are the Starks of Winterfell, lords of the bitterly cold northern kingdom. They are loyal to Robert Baratheon king of the seven kingdoms. Baratheon's kingdom is beset from all sides, by supernatural forces beyond the wall, the descendants of the deposed king across the sea, and the great houses within his kingdom. As Eddard Stark seeks to protect his childhood friend, Robert Baratheon, Eddard's own family is drawn into the deadly game of thrones.

Martin is probably my favorite living author, and it was a joy to revisit this world and its characters. I have so many favorite characters in this book Tyrion, Jon Snow, Rob Stark, Eddard Stark, and even Daenerys, but it is the political intrigue that I enjoy the most about these books. I'm glad I finished this right before the start of the HBO series, which looks great, and I hope to re-read the other books before the new July release. 5.0

(As a side note, I highly recommend getting the trade paperback or hardcover to read and not the mass market. The extra white space makes it a much easier read.)

Hiya! I just found your thread after you posted on mine and I'm starring it so I can find my way back later. We've read many of the same books and the ones you've read that I haven't look interesting too. I haven't read any manga (that I can remember), but Chi's Sweet Home looks to cute to pass by. I'll have to see if my library has that one!

#166: Yes, that's what I was thinking of.

#168: I still need to get to the 3rd one, but then, he writes them so slowly... I figure there's no rush...

> 169 Thanks for stopping by Kittybee! It's fun finding new threads and more books to add to one's wishlist.

>170 antqueen: Ha! Slowly, that's a bit of an understatement ;)



While watching a star fall to earth with the most beautiful girl the village, Tristan swears to bring her back the fallen star if she will grant him his heart's desire. Only the star has fallen beyond the wall and in the land of faerie and there is a beautiful young girl with pale golden hair. As Tristan tries to bring the star back to his village, an evil witch seeks to cut out the star's beating heart and the future rulers of Stormhold seek the stone around her waist.

Previously, I'd read the edition of Stardust illustrated by Charles Vess, which is well worth checking out if you can. Because I was tired of having my reading on the subway interrupted by people hawking their wares, I decided to try out the audio edition narrated by Gaiman himself. Stardust is probably my favorite work by him and his reading is fantastic. At the end of the audio, there is even an interview with him!

>171 Tanglewood: Have you seen the film? It was one of the rare cases where I preferred the film to the book.

Yeah, me too. De Niro, wow!

I have and really enjoyed it. It's one of the few DVD's that I've bought in recent years, but I still prefer the book ;)

Now that I see the book cover, I know that we have that book around here somewhere. Maybe I will read it this summer when my daughter, the Gaiman fan, will be in town to discuss it with me. :) I guess we will have to look for the dvd, too. Have a great day!
--BJ

>175 billiejean: BJ, I hope you enjoy it when you get to it.




The Poison Diaries by the Dutchess of Northumberland is a faux illustrated diary of a young orphaned boy who is nearly treated as a slave by his apothecary master. When the old apothecary lets the boy into a secret part of the garden, the poison garden, the plants begin talking to the young boy and encouraging him to kill off his master. He resists at first, but the plants slowly begin to work their way on him.

This is beautifully illustrated and filled with fascinating descriptions of poisonous plants. There are all sort of interesting tidbits, like poisonous Hemlock can be used as an antidote to strychnine poisoning. It's worth it for the illustrations alone but would also be great for anyone with an interest in plants. (Right now it's on sale for $3 at Amazon). 4.0

I am not going to go back and read the 50 or so posts I have missed, Michelle, but I will try and stay current.

The Poison Diaries looks like a good one. Thanks for the recommendation. I will see if I can find a copy.

No worries! We're all just happy to have you back :)

The Last Unicorn has gone on the wishlist. Not sure how I missed that before!

A half-giant of green skin and hair issues a deadly challenge in King Arthur's hall. He calls on the king to strike a blow at the him, the Green Knight, and gain his mighty axe, but should the Green Knight survive then he is allowed to return the blow in one year's time. Honorable Sir Gawain accepts the challenge to protect his king and severs the Green Knight's head. To the horror of the hall, though, the decapitated Green Knight picks up his head and reminds Sir Gawain of his oath. Now Sir Gawain must seek out the magical Green Knight and take his blow.

I read this poem last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. This time I listened to an audio edition, which was recommended by rubarbaru. Hearing it read aloud, really brought out the rolling alliteration and is a great way to experience this work. As a bonus, a reading of the original Middle English is also included after the modern translation (At the beginning there is also an introduction about Simon Armitage's translation). 4.5

I have had the new Armitage version of Sir Gawain in the BlackHole for a while now. I really must get to it! Thanks for the reminder, Michelle.

The Blind Contessa's New Machine is set in 19th century Italy and centers on the young and beautiful Carolina Fantoni, who is going blind. However, no one believes her except her eccentric neighbor Turri. As her blindness blots out more and more of her world, Carolina finds even her outlets for expression blocked. So that she can communicate with others, Turri invents for her the first typewriter and carbon paper, sparking their affair.

Based on a true story, Turri did indeed build the first typewriter and carbon paper for his blind friend Contessa Carolina Fantoni. It is the descriptions of Carolina slowly losing her sight that are so gripping. The author beautifully conveys Carolina's sense of loss and pangs of grief her father feels at being unable to help her. I was less interested in the love story between Carolina and Turri and instead more captivated by how she dealt with her ever shrinking world, like when her husband locks the backdoor and matter-of-factly withholds the key. A slender novel, I finished this in one sitting. I only wish more was know about the actual Contessa and Turri. 4.0

Excellent recommendation for Sir Gawain. So often when we read poetry to ourselves we miss the rhtyhms and other devices (you mentioned the alliteration) that make poetry so complex and intriguing.

The Blind Contessa's New Machine looks interesting. I've never heard ot this story and so am gladly adding it to the TBR list--thanks for bring it to my attention!

> Stasia, you're welcome!

> Bohemima, I completely agree with you about the benefits of hearing poetry read aloud. I plan to pick up more poetry on audio in the future.

The Marvelous Land of Oz is the sequel to Eric Shanower's graphic novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. In this story, a young boy Tip escapes the evil witch Mombi, who he has served his whole life, when she confesses she plans to turn him into a statue for her garden. During his escape, he steals some of her magical powder and the newly brought to life Pumpkinhead. On his journey, he meets up with Sawhorse, Woogle-Bug, the Tin-Man, and the Scarecrow. Little does Tip know how this journey will transform him.

I love the original The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and highly recommend the Annotated The Wonderful Wizard of Oz for anyone to read. Despite my love of the first book, I never read any of the later books, so I was really looking forward to this graphic novel adaptation. Sadly, I didn't feel this story had the scope or depth of the first book. I chuckled a couple times along the way, but this just didn't have the magic of the first book for me. I still plan on checking out the third graphic novel they're doing Ozma of Oz, though. 3.5 (FYI, my rating is much lower than others have given.)

Nice review of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight! Glad you enjoyed the audio.

I really need to get to The Blind Contessa's New Machine. I have had it in the BlackHole for a while now. *sigh*

>186 rubarbaru: I've really been enjoying the audio books on my subway commute, so I owe you a thanks for prompting me to try them again.

>187 alcottacre: Well, Stasia it is a quick read when you do get to it ;)



Rosemary Sutcliff's YA historical novel The Eagle of the Ninth is set in Roman Britain, and follows a young centurion, Marcus Aquila, and his body slave, Esca, as they try to discover the fate of the 9th Legion that marched into a mist and was never seen again and recover their lost eagle standard and thereby restore some of the legion's lost honor. This quest is close to Marcus' heart as his father disappeared with the Legion and a cloud of disapproval hangs over his memory and entire legion as long as the eagle standard remains lost and possible in hostile hands.

I love Roman history and hoped to like this more than I did. Perhaps I entered this Sutcliff's world with too high expectations, but I did enjoy the story and plan to read the next book in the series. I think I would have enjoyed this more if I had read it when I was ten or twelve-ish. 3.5

Good review of The Eagle of the Ninth. I saw the film 'The Eagle', which came out in February and was based on this book. I loved Rosemary Sutcliff growing up, so I decided to get the book after seeing the film, but I just couldn't get into it at the time. I thought, having just seen the film, it was too soon and it was tough to go into something where I knew the outcome. So I decided to put it aside at the time and try it again later at some point. But maybe it was also the book itself, as her work was appealing to the age group you mention. I plan to get to it at some point, though, as I would really like to find out how the story continues. I look forward to reading your thoughts on the next in the series.

#188: I think I enjoyed that one slightly more than you did, Michelle. I had never read anything by Sutcliff before so was not sure at all what to expect.

Rubarbaru and Stasia, I wanted to read the book before I saw the movie, so I wouldn't chance ruining it for myself. I plan on getting to The Silver Branch in a week or two and am hoping the series will improve for me as I know the third book won an award. I know what you mean about setting aside a book for a while, Rubararu. It amazes me sometimes how I can be uninvolved in a book, set it down, pick it up at a later date and become completely immersed.

I've never read any Rosemary Sutcliff but those sound interesting.

I know exactly what you mean about being uninvolved in a book and then coming back to it later and becoming totally immersed. This has happened to me many times and often those books go on to become favorites like The Hobbit and That Hideous Strength. I have always figured that I just wasn't ready for the books yet when it happens. :)

#188 I'm sorry you didn't enjoy The Eagle of the Ninth as much as you hoped but I am so envious of your Folio society editions!

You've also reminded me that I want to see the film.

>192 Kittybee: Ah, The Hobbit is another book that I need to get to!

>193 souloftherose: Thanks, I love Folio in part because they introduce me to authors I might never come across, but I hate how they empty my bank account!

For April is poetry month, I thought I would try some new poets and hopefully read some in my TBR pile.



Okay, I now know I am not a fan of Charles Bukowski. Far too much talk of body parts and bodily fluids for me. (Sniff, why did I not pick you The Greek Poets: From Homer to Present instead?) Anyway, I here is one poem from the collection.

Cockroach
the cockroach crouched
against the tile
while I was pissing and as
I turned my head
he hauled his butt
into a crack.
I got the can and sprayed
and sprayed and sprayed
and finally the roach came out
and gave me a very dirty look.
then he fell down into
the bathtub and I watched
him dying
with a subtle pleasure
because I paid the rent
and he didn't.
I picked him up with
some greenblue toilet
paper and flushed him
away. that's all there
was to that, except
around Hollywood and
Western we have to
keep doing it
they say some day that
tribe is going to
inherit the earth
but we're going to
make them wait a
few months.

Horace Walpole's Cat is a very interesting collection of a book. It has three illustrated versions of Gray's "Ode on the Death of a Favorite Cat" (Richard Bentley, William Blake, and Kathleen Hale) and goes into the historical background of the poem and it's reception. Christopher Frayling also includes background on Samuel Johnson and his cat Hodge and excerpts of his dictionary that mention cats. There is also a discussion between Rousseau and Boswell on the nature of cats (Rousseau is a fan, Boswell not so). It even has a fragment of Christopher Smart's poem on his cat Jeoffry. I thought this would only include an illustrated version of the poem, so all of this was a pleasant surprise. 4.0 (but only recommended to fans of cats ;)

This is the earliest version of Gray's Ode, which is slightly different from the one known today:

I.
'Twas on a lofty vase's side,
Where China's gayest art had dyed
The azure flowers that blow;
The pensive Selima reclined,
Demurest of the tabby kind,
Gazed on the lake below.
II
Her conscious tail her joy declared,
The fair round face, the snowy beared,
The velvet of her paws,
Her coat that with the tortoise vies,
Her ears of jet, and emerald eyes,
She saw; and purred applause.
III.
Still had she gazed: but 'mist the tide
Two beauteous forms were seen to glide,
The genii of the stream:
Their scaly armour's Tyrian hue
Through richest purple into view
Betrayed the golden gleam
IV.
The hapless nymph with wonder saw:
A whisker first and then a claw,
With many an ardent wish,
She stretched in vain to reach the prize
What female heart can gold despise?
What cat's a foe to fish?
V.
Presumptuous maid! with looks intent
Again she stretched, again she bent,
Nor knew the gulf between.
(Malignant fate sat by and smiled.)
The slipp'ry verge her feet beguiled:
She tumbled headlong in.
VI.
Eight times emerging from the flood
She mewed to ev'ry wat'ry God
Some speedy aid to send.
No dolphin came, no Nereid stirred
Nor cruel Tom, nor Harry heard.
What fav'rite has a friend?
VII.
From hence, ye beauties undeceived
Know, one false step is ne'er retrieved,
And be with caution bold.
Not all, that tempts your wand'ring eyes,
And heedless hearts, is lawful prize:
Nor all that glisters, gold.

Orange is the New Black is a memoir by Piper Kerman recounting her year in jail. After graduating from Smith, Kerman yearned for some excitement, so she followed the woman she was involved with abroad. For awhile hitting the beaches and partying delivered just that, but eventually she tired of the lifestyle and wanted to return home. She agrees to carry a large amount of cash into the country for her lover, who's involved in an international drug ring. Once she lands, Kerman never looks back until years later when U.S. customs officers show up at her door informing her she will be indicted for drug smuggling and money laundering. Although she pleads guilty, the legal process drags out for ten years before she is sentenced. While her lawyer warns her not to make any friends, it is the women in prison whom she forms a family with that help her navigate the prison system and cope with her sentence.

This was a very engaging and fast read. Kerman has a very different experience than most of the women she serves with. She is flooded with letters and books and a website is set up to organize her weekly visits nor does she have to worry about seeking employment when she leaves. In the book, she accepts responsibility for the pain she's caused her loved ones and the role drugs have played in the lives of so many of the women serving with her. She also sees how little prison does to rehabilitate or assist women, who are not a threat to others, re-enter the world. One shocking statistic that she cites is that "in 1980, there were 500,000 people in prison in the United States. Today there are 2.3 million ..." while funding to schools, libraries, and out reach programs continue to be cut. The very resources that can help counteract some the factors that land people in prison. 4.0

The Adoration of Jenna Fox is a YA science fiction book by Mary E. Pearson. After waking up from a year long coma, Jenna has no memories of her former life. Her parents give her videos to watch for each year of her life, but she is still left with many questions. Why can't she return to school? Why does her grandmother hate her? Why doesn't she have any friends? As the videos begin to spark memories, Jenna realizes her parent are lying to her, but how far do the lies go?

I wouldn't have normally picked this up, but it was highly recommended by someone on LT (of course, now I can't remember who). This was a gripping read, not so much for the mystery of Jenna, which can be untangled pretty early on, but for the relationships between the characters and the very interesting questions raised along the way. 4.0

>197 Tanglewood: That one is already on my TBR list, and your review is great. The cover art is really technicolour. Hope you enjoy your next read as well.

>197 Tanglewood: I had not heard of that one before but it sounds good. I think I'll add it to my wish list. Thanks!

Thanks for posting the Ode. I am going to have to look for the book! Lovely write up of it.

Just dropping by to say Hi and making my way around the threads again. You've been reading some great books!

Thanks for pointing out the sale on The Poison Diaries, I can never resist beautiful illustrations and at that price I don't have to, so I ordered it.

> 198 Mickyfine, it is very technicolor. I'm hoping that with titles like this and Across the Universe it means that publishers will be putting out more SF young adult titles.

> 199 Well, Rubarbaru you've hit me with a couple book bullets, so I guess turn around is fair play ;)

>200 sibylline: Sibyx, thanks for stopping by! It really is a very interesting book; it ended up being much more than I thought.

>201 jolerie: Jolerie thanks for dropping in!

>202 yolana: Yolana, I hope you like it when you get it! I thought it was such a great bargain.

>203 curlysue: Aww, thanks!

The Adoration of Jenna Fox is one of my favorite reads! It is a great book. Like you, I enjoyed it for the questions posed and the ethical decisions.

Hi, Tanglewood...I'm putting A Game of Thrones on my sooner-rather-than-later list. Thanks for the recommendation!

Karen O.

Ooh...and Sisters Red, too!

Karen O.

Linda, it was a very interesting read. I love books that can provoke thought.

Thanks for stopping by my thread Karen! I've enjoyed your postings on the poetry thread. I don't think you'll be disappointed by A Game of Thrones.

A Tough Guide to Fantasyland by Diana Wynne Jones gently pokes fun at the fantasy genre. Set up as a travel dictionary, this is a hoot if you read a lot of fantasy. There are a lot of inside jokes (Other Tough Guides: The Tough Guide to Transport in the Multiuniverse -mostly by Telephone Box). I ended up dog-earring (bad, I know) several of my favorite entries. Here's a short excerpt from one of my favorites: Apostrophes . "Few names in Fantasyland are considered complete unless they are interrupted by an apostrophe somewhere in the middle (as in Gna'ash)". While you could read this straight through, I dipped in and out of it. 4.0 (recommended for fantasy fans).

Mike Carey's graphic novel Unwritten, Vol. 1 follows Tommy Taylor. Tommy Taylor was the main character in his dad's phenomenally successful fantasy novels (As if Harry Potter was a real boy, like Christopher Robin). Unfortunately, Tommy's dad has disappeared and Tommy is left making money by appearing at Conventions. But now Tommy's life is being to dangerous parallel his fictional counterpart.

I really enjoyed this story, especially with all the literary allusions. The stories within the stories are very engaging. I was really bummed when this book ended, and I didn't have the next volume. I'm very interested to see where this story goes. 4.0

Fables: Deluxe Edition, Book One collects the first two trade paperback editions (or issues 1-10). The fables have had to flee their native land, and seek refuge in New York City, because the fearsome Adversary has sacked and conquered their lands. Many of the former royalty are now penniless. Snow White, divorced from her philandering ex Prince Charming, runs the Fable government. When her sister, Rose Red, turns up missing and her apartment splattered in blood, the Big Bad Wolf is called in to investigate.

This was another fun read. I love fairy tales, so I enjoyed how Bill Willingham played with them. I'm looking forward to reading the next in the series. Unfortunately, only book 2 is out now in the deluxe edition :(

Y: The Last Man: Deluxe Edition, Book One also collect the first two paperback editions. In minutes, all the men and male mammals on the planet are wiped out, all except Yorick and his pet monkey. What caused this massive death toll? A mysterious amulet, the birth of a cloned human, or some other force?

Yup, I enjoyed this one too! I'm curious to see where this series goes next. (And all the books are out, yay).

One word on the deluxe editions, they are printed on nicer paper and are slightly larger, but the binding are still glued. It costs about the same to get the deluxe editions as the two paperbacks, so I think the deluxe editions are the way to go.

Lots and lots of good write-ups here, Tanglewood. I'm adding several, especially the Walpole, the Pearson, and the Jones. Seems like you've been having fun and enjoying your reading.

I love A Tough Guide to Fantasyland. Have you read The Dark Lord of Derkholm? Same sort of humour.

>213 Matke: Bohemima, thanks this has been a really great reading year for me. I'm on track to read a lot more than last year.

>214 fabtk: Fabtk, No, I haven't read her The Dark Lord of Derkholm. I'll have to try it. Another book with the same type of humor is One for the Morning Glory by John Barnes.



The Twentieth Wife is a fictional account of Mehrunnisa rise to empresses in 17th century India. At age eight, Mehrunnisa sights Prince Salim for the first time and vows to marry him and become Empress. As far fetched as that dreams seems to others, Mehrunnisa still holds it close to her heart. Surprisingly, she manages to catch the attention Empress Ruqayya, who runs the Mughal Court's zenana, or imperial harem. Through Rugayya, she learns the about the inner workings of zenana and power struggles within. Prince Salim, however, is impatient to receive to crown and plots to wrest it from his father.

This is another book recommended by a 75er. I enjoyed Mehrunnisa struggles as much as the political intrigue for the crown. This was one of those books were I didn't want to do anything but read. I stayed up late reading it at night and finished it the next morning. I can't wait to read the sequel The Feast of Roses

Spoiler Alert: The second book picks up after Mehrunnisa's wedding to Salim.

I just picked up this book and the sequel yesterday. I can't to get to them!

Lucky you! You can dive into the second book right away. I have no patience for waiting for stories and wish I had picked up the second book at the same time :(

Just chiming in on The Adoration of Jenna Fox! I read it last year on Linda's (Whisper1) recommendation, and really enjoyed it. It seems to be the best book of its kind out there, as it actually addresses the ethical questions (or even asks them) rather than gloss over the issues or pretend they don't exist (or should I say, as if they wouldn't exist in those situations).

That was one of my favorite aspects of the book. I wasn't even sure how I would stand on some of the issues because the ramifications would be huge. Interesting read.

>215 Tanglewood: One For the Morning Glory looks good - will keep an eye out for it.

TW- I'm glad you enjoyed The Last Man. I love this series. I think I've read the 1st 4 and they are all good.

thank you for your warm thoughts on my thread :)

I finished my massive re-shelving project. Well, I ran out steam before I subdivided fiction and the graphic novels are shoved all over the place (and we're not even going to talk about what's happening inside the armoire). Anyway, I thought I'd try to post some pictures of my efforts. Just started using photobucket so we'll see how it goes.


Hopefully a long shot. Yay, it worked! You can click for a larger image.


Bedroom shelves & Tigger

And a few close-ups.

>221 msf59: Mark, I think the last deluxe book is out May 3rd.

>222 curlysue: Kara, just know others are thinking of you.

Oh, I'm in heaven looking at the photos of your books! Mainly, it is great to see that I'm not alone in my piles of accumulations and the need to find order.

Great job, by the way!

I love the colors, the red wall and the tchotchkes :)

nice work!

Impressive pictures! My books are sighing with longing for such organization. For anyone who enjoys looking at pictures of bookshelves, might I recommend Bookshelf Porn?

Are those pictures of bookshelves and books that you own?? *slobber slobber*
My type A personality is screaming with envy right now! :)

Love the photos, Michelle! Thanks for sharing!

Michelle, you have a beautiful library. I can see the covers of some very interesting books!

Nice library - thanks for sharing the photos!

Eek, I've gotten behind on visiting threads and writing my reviews. I hope to be better this week!

226 Linda, I really should set aside some of the money I spend on books for more shelves but this doesn't seem to ever happen ;)

227 Kara, thanks! As you can tell, I love red.

228 Micky, I love Bookshelf Porn! Some of those personal libraries are fantastic.

229 Valerie, yes I am a little book hoarder!

230 Katie, thanks!

231 Judy, thanks. I'm always squinting at books in photo's trying to make out the titles (West Elm especially torments me).

231 Jess, thanks for stopping by!

Britten and Brulightly is a graphic novel by Hannah Berry. Set in bleak and rainy London during the 40's, Private Investigator Fernández Britten has earned the nickname "The Heartbreaker." Tired of dealing with jealous and cheating lovers, he has sworn off all cases except those involving murder. When a wealthy young woman asks him to investigate her fiancé's apparent suicide which she believes was a murder, Britten has no idea what a twisted path the case will lead him down.

Berry's washed-out grayish illustrations wonderfully match the mood of her story. While I don't normally read mysteries, I enjoyed this dark tale though I did find the teabag sidekick a little odd. Despite the dark mood, this is peppered with a few jokes, like Ecuadorian Britten being mistakenly identified as French (like Belgian Poirot). 4.0

Imperium: A Novel of Ancient Rome by Robert Harris follows the political aspirations of Cicero as told by his slave Tiro (Tiro did write a biography of Cicero but unfortunately it was lost in the Dark Ages). Also, the inventor short hand, Tiro, assists Cicero in his dream of becoming Consul despite his "new man" status, i.e. not of the aristocracy. While working to achieve the highest political rank in Rome, Cicero comes up against some of the most powerful men of the day Pompey, Crassus, and Caesar.

Wow, this is my new favorite read (or listen) of the year! Harris makes Cicero's climb up the political ladder thrilling. Cicero's fighting against shocking levels of corruption makes this a gripping read. For instance, Verres the governor of Sicily would invite himself to a wealthy Sicilian's home and then arrive with wagons and cart off all their goods. Further, to silence his victims he would accuse them of spying and have them crucified. However, Harris doesn't present Cicero as just the champion of the people but as a complicated and ambitious man. I'm dying to get the sequel Conspirata. (Why can't I get my audible credit at the beginning of the month instead of the middle!?)

I listened to the unabridged audio version of Imperium read by Simon Jones. I highly recommend this audio edition as Jones does a fantastic job creating different voices, which is essential given the large cast of characters. I loved the audio so much that I stayed up late at night listening to it instead of using it for my subway commute. 4.5

Michelle- Good review of Britten and Brulightly. I have a copy nearby and plan on starting it very soon.
BTW- Love the bookshelves!

>233 Tanglewood: I am going to go out on a limb and say that you are a HUGE book hoard. ;)

That sounds like a great book Michelle! I will have to look into the book version of it.

> 236 Mark, I hope you enjoy it. I'm reading Radioactive: A Tale of Love and Fallout now and it's excellent. It's amazing how much their research advanced.

>237 jolerie: No, no it's my small apartment that makes me look like such a bad book hoarder ;)

I love the photos of your library.

I've heard nothing but good things about Britten and Brulightly and really wish it was available from my library. I may need to buy that one.

And I've been meaning to read Robert Harris' novels set in Ancient Rome for ages. We have them all and my husband loves them. Glad to hear you enjoyed it so much. Maybe this will prompt me to actually pick it up...

I am not sure how I managed to get 49 posts behind here, but hopefully I will do a better job of keeping up the rest of the year!

#63: I just started listening to the audio of Zombies Vs. Unicorns the other day and I am loving it! That is what led me here to your thread. We've read a lot of the same books and many that you have listed I currently have checked out from the library. I've just added a ton more to my "To Read eventually... at some point, I hope" list.

#209: A Tough Guide to Fantasyland sounds amazing... I have to find a copy!

#234: I have Britten and Brulightly checked out from the library but hadn't gotten gotten to it. I think I will start it today.

Eek, I'm behind in my own thread. I'll write a couple of reviews this weekend.

>239 billiejean: BJ, Thanks!

>240 souloftherose: Heather, I'm listening to his Pompeii now, which is really good.

>241 alcottacre: Stasia, don't worry. I'm even afraid to look at the main threads I don't even want to see how far behind I am after two weeks.

>242 bookymouse:, Bookymouse, thanks for stopping by! I'll have to check out your thread.

Hi Michelle. I see you haven't posted in a while. I hope everything is okay.
I just wanted to thank you for mentioning The Poison Diaries. The plant illustrations are beautiful. I loved the book.

Your thread is bad for my tbr list, or good, depends on how I'm feeling. :)

I am jealous of your preeeetty books AND shelves. I really need to invest in more bookcases.

Checking in, looking for those reviews!

#235 I've yet to read a Robert Harris, but I keep hearing good things; good to have a recommendation for an audiobook version too as I'm starting to use that method more.

Just stopping by to say hi and I hope everything's ok.