foggidawn's second thread for 2011

Hello again! As some of you know already, I'm foggidawn, long-time LT member but first-year 75-er. I will actually read many more than 75 books this year, but enjoy the camaraderie of this group. In a normal year I read about 250 books -- I expect to read more than that this year, since right now I am unemployed and doing a lot of reading. I don't have a specific goal in mind as to how many books I read in a year -- I just start reading and see where I end up!

I read a lot of juvenile fiction, young adult, fantasy, some cozy mysteries, some classic literature, and a few chick-lit and inspirational fiction works, as well. I try to post at least a brief impression of each book I read here, and sometimes I write a more formal review as well -- you can view my reviews here

My first thread is here.

Books read so far:

1. The Book of Three by Lloyd Alexander
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J.K. Rowling
3. Throat by R.A. Nelson
4. Blue Shoe by Anne Lamott
5. The Telling by Beverly Lewis
6. Lyonesse: The Well Between the Worlds by Sam Llewellyn
7. Before Green Gables by Budge Wilson
8. Sabriel by Garth Nix
9. The Master of Ballantrae by Robert Louis Stevenson
10. Spellbinder by Helen Stringer
11. The Carbon Diaries 2017 by Saci Lloyd
12. Lucky Breaks by Susan Patron
13. The Gawgon and the Boy by Lloyd Alexander
14. The Emerald Atlas by John Stevens
15. Pink by Lili Wilkinson
16. By the Time You Read This, I'll Be Dead by Julie Ann Peters
17. Strings Attached by Judy Blundell
18. The Friendship Doll by Kirby Larson
19. Nightspell by Leah Cypress
20. Nerd Girls: The Ride of the Dorkasaurus by Alan Lawrence Sitomer
21. Delirium by Lauren Oliver
22. A True Princess by Diane Zahler
23. The incorrigible Children of Ashton Place, Book II: The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood
24. Wren to the Rescue by Sherwood Smith
25. The Unseen World of Poppy Malone: A Gaggle of Goblins by Suzanne Harper
26. Divergent by Veronica Roth
27. Remembered Death by Agatha Christie
28. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
29. Cloaked by Alex Flinn
30. Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
31. Huntress by Malinda Lo
32. The King of the Castle by Victoria Holt
33. Cannons at Dawn: The Second Diary of Abigail Jane Stewart, Valley Forge, Pennsylvania, 1779 by Kristiana Gregory
34. Like the Willow Tree: The Diary of Lydia Amelia Pierce, Portland, Maine 1918 by Lois Lowry
35. Wildwing by Emily Whitman
36. The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie by Tanya Lee Stone
37. Uneasy Money by P.G. Wodehouse
38. In the Company of Others by Jan Karon
39. A Girl of the Limberlost by Gene Stratton-Porter
40. Aunt Dimity's Death by Nancy Atherton
41. A Damsel in Distress by P.G. Wodehouse
42. Prince Caspian by C.S. Lewis
43. A Girl Named Disaster by Nancy Farmer
44. Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin
45. The Willoughbys by Lois Lowry
46. Dealing with Dragons by Patricia C. Wrede
47. The Girl in the Gatehouse by Julie Klassen
48. Half Magic by Edward Eager
49. Book of Enchantments by Patricia C. Wrede
50. The Wikkeling by Steven Arntson
51. The View from Saturday by E.L. Konigsburg
52. The Dust of 100 Dogs by A.S. King
53. The voyages of Doctor Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
54. Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater
55. The voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
56. The Silent Governess by Julie Klassen
57. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
58. Before I Fall by Lauren Oliver
59. My Man Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse

Found ya!

So many good books! I wish I could read as fast as you.

Thats pretty amazing that your are going to hit 75 before we even hit the mid mark of the year! Way to go. :) Must feel so good to just zip through so many books. If I could do that, I think the rate of my book purchases may be a tad more justified..haha

I read your message on my thread that you have been to the Hermitage! Oh, I am envious! I'm sure it was an incredible experience.

This evening I watched a dvd filmed in the hermitage. I highly recommend Russian Ark, a film by Alexander Sokuroy.

*waves*
Hi there!

(60 books read)

Another audiobook: Scat by Carl Hiaasen. I had been meaning to read this for some time. As with many of Hiaasen's books, it has a Florida setting, a strong environmental message, and a good bit of humor. I felt that the ending dragged just a bit -- after the action concluded, there were a lot of little plot points to tie up -- but that's my only real criticism. Readers who enjoy Hiaasen's other works, particularly his juvenile fiction, will enjoy this one, too.

(61 books read)

Lady of Milkweed Manor is the third book I've read by author Julie Klassen this year, and the best of hers so far, in my opinion. It's the story of a disgraced gentlewoman who finds herself an unwed mother. The author obviously did a lot of research on lying-in hospitals and wet-nursing, but also managed to skillfully work the fascinating historical details into the story, rather than overwhelming the reader with information-dumps.

(62 books read)

Replay by Sharon Creech is about Leo, the middle child in a large family, who often feels invisible among his loud siblings and relatives. Leo is also a dreamer, who uses his imagination to picture how he would like the world to be. This book is about Leo growing up and learning about family history, and thinking about what he would like to become in the future.

This book had a lot of elements that I should have loved (the school play, the family dynamics, the imaginative main character) . . . but I didn't love it. It was all right, but not fantastic. All in all, a book that I don't mind having read once, but not one that I would want to read again.

I usually like the books written by Sharon Creech, but I'll skip this one. Have you read Walk Two Moons?

#11 -- I haven't read it yet. It's one of the many I'd like to get to eventually. I have read (and liked) Love That Dog by Creech.

The only Sharon Creech book I've read was Absolutely Normal Chaos and that was pretty enjoyable at that time. I think it's the sequel to Walk Two Moons, but not sure.

(63 books read)

The Game of Sunken Places by M.T. Anderson is an interesting read, very reminiscent of Jumanji. Two boys visiting an eccentric relative in Vermont discover a mysterious and potentially deadly board game, which they must play to completion.

M.T. Anderson's books are hit-or-miss for me -- I liked Feed but hated Octavian Nothing, for instance. I enjoyed The Game of Sunken Places, which I read partly because I also have a copy of its recently-released sequel, which I plan to read soon. However, unless the sequel knocks my socks off, I probably won't keep either book.

I agree completely about The Game of Sunken Places. And Feed, actually. I haven't read Octavian Nothing, but not much I've read about it has enticed me toward it, either.

I'll be curious to know what you think of the sequel. I got rid of my copy of Sunken Places awhile back, I'm not sure I even knew there was a sequel coming out (although it doesn't surprise me, it felt like an incomplete story).

#15 -- The sequel came out a long time after the first book -- ten years, maybe? Long enough that any children who originally liked the book would have long forgotten about it. I'm not sure why it took him so long to get back to it, considering that he left the ending wide open for a sequel.

(64 books read)

I listened to Matched by Ally Condie on my computer, since I had it checked out in audio format. I like audiobooks for driving, but I find myself too easily distracted when I try to listen to them while doing other things. Or, conversely, if I devote enough attention to the audiobook, I find that I am bored because I don't have anything to do with my hands. Perhaps I should take up knitting. It also bothers me that the story goes slower than it would if I was just reading it. That may be the reason why I felt that this plot dragged on and never really got anywhere.

Matched is about Cassia, who lives in a Society which regulates every aspect of life, from food delivery at mealtimes to deciding who each citizen will marry, and when they will die. All of this is done, of course, in the name of optimal quality of life. As with many dystopian societies, it seems a utopia at first. Even Cassia is a model citizen, anxious to see who she will be Matched with and what her future will be. When she is Matched with Xander, her best friend from childhood ( an extremely rare circumstance), all seems perfect. Of course, the perfection can't last, and within days of being Matched with her friend, Cassia finds herself falling for another boy. She also begins questioning whether the government is really so perfect, or so altruistic, as it seems.

As I mentioned above, I felt that the plot here didn't really go anywhere. There was a lot of world-building, and a whole swath of the book where the characters stood around in the woods reciting poetry to each other (though I have to admit that Dylan Thomas' "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night" is probably the most unlikely love poem I can think of). However, the end of the book was an obvious setup for the next book, with little real resolution of plot elements. I understand that this is the first book in a proposed trilogy, but even without reading the as-yet-unpublished second and third volumes, I have to wonder if it wouldn't have been better for the author to write one book, instead of three.

I also feel that the best-friend character gets a raw deal. He's described as practically perfect in every way, and yet the girl chooses someone else. Poor Xander!

This is a decent YA dystopian novel, but it doesn't come close to being as good as some of my favorites from the last few years such as The Hunger Games, Delirium, and Divergent.

(65 books read)

I received Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney as an Early Reviewer book not long ago. The initial premise reminded me of Sorcery and Cecelia -- magic in Regency England -- but I didn't expect time travel, as well.

Victoria Mansfield, a young lady of quality, is appalled to discover that she has inherited magical abilities from a great-grandmother. In Tory's world, magic is a strictly plebeian accomplishment, and any member of the aristocracy who exhibits magical aptitude is shunned by polite society. Tory, like many other young aristocratic mages, is sent to Lackland, a strict school where they can learn to control and suppress their magical tendencies, and so be fit to re-enter society. While there, Tory meets a group of students who are not interested in suppressing their magic, but instead meet in secret to learn how to wield their powers. These young mages hope to be able to help defend Britain against attack from Napoleon's troupes. Fleeing a raid on their secret meeting place, Tory stumbles upon a powerful magical artifact that transports her to a different time, where there is also great need for powerful magic.

This book combines magic, time travel, romance, and adventure in just the right quantities. Tory is a believable, multifaceted character, conflicted about accepting her magical abilities, and yet strong in the face of danger to herself and her friends. Fans of fantasy, romance, and historical fiction are sure to enjoy this book.

(This review is also posted here on the work page.)

What is the primary setting for Dark Mirror?

Also, is it better than Sorcery & Cecelia, would you say?

#19 -- Primary setting is near Dover, 1803 -- so, I suppose not quite Regency, but close. And I wouldn't say it's better than S&C, but I would say, perhaps, nearly as good in its own way (S&C doesn't have the time-travel element, for instance, which makes comparison a little more difficult).

(66 books read)

Bit of a dry spell there! I haven't been reading as much as usual lately -- not sure why.

I just finished listening to Cybele's Secret -- I had read it a couple of years ago, but enjoyed this reread. It's the sequel to Wildwood Dancing, which I listened to last fall. The narrator is different, but both audiobooks are enjoyable. I keep hoping that Marillier will write one more book in this series, about the youngest of the sisters in the story.

(67 books read)

I finished The Apothecary's Daughter by Julie Klassen last night. It was a good read, one of her better ones, I think, though tinged with sadness. More realistic than a lot of romances, perhaps, in the way things sometimes work out, and sometimes don't.

That's the only Klassen I haven't read yet, but I've heard it's quite good.

67 books read! What an accomplishment. Congratulations.

#23 -- I didn't like it quite as much as Lady of Milkweed Manor, but I'd rank it as my second-favorite of the four.

#24 -- Thanks! I suspect I will break 75 by the end of the month . . . good thing this challenge isn't a limit, or I would be quite at a loss for the rest of the year! ;-)

(68 books read)

The Story of the Treasure Seekers by E. Nesbit has been on my radar for quite some time -- one of those books I've meant to read, but never gotten around to. I finally got around to it, partly by virtue of its being a free Kindle book, and I'm so glad I did!

I read another Nesbit several years ago (I think it was Five Children and It) and thought it was okay, but nothing fantastic. Treasure Seekers, on the other hand, is fantastic. I love the Bastables, and their adventures are just hilarious. I also think I may have a slight literary crush on Albert-next-door's uncle -- but my list of literary crushes is numerous, so nothing new there.

Since many of Nesbit's books are free on Kindle, I will probably read more of them in the future. This one was certainly a delightful read on a rainy afternoon.

(69 books read)

Ida B. by Katherine Hannigan was a library sale purchase. Actually, I checked it out several years ago when it was a new release, but never got past the first few pages. In that case, it was circumstances conspiring against me, not the fault of the book, so I decided last night to pick it up and read it.

My main problem with this book is that it's trying too hard to be Kate DiCamillo -- and I'm going to admit something here: I generally don't like Kate DiCamillo's writing. (The exception to this would be The Tale of Despereaux.) So, to me, Ida B. felt disingenuous, like the author was straining to make the main character unique and likable. Ida B.'s narration has a weird, folksy tone that I spent a large portion of the book trying to place. Was it Southern? Appalachian? All-purpose country-girl? In my head, I couldn't make it sound right for rural Wisconsin, which is where the book is set.

The story, once you get beyond the narrative voice, is fairly good: Ida B. spends most of her time playing in the orchard (talking to the trees, which she has named) and by the brook near her house. She is home-schooled because traditional schooling didn't work for her, a free spirit. When her mother becomes ill, Ida B. is sent back to school for the first time in four years, and her father has to sell part of the farm (including a few of Ida B.'s beloved trees) to pay the bills. Ida B. must find some way to cope with these changes in her life, and her fears about her mother's health.

I'm not sorry to have read the book, and I did find it a quick read. I imagine its ideal reader (probably a big Kate DiCamillo fan) would really enjoy it . . . I'm just not that reader.

Belatedly catching up on threads... Half Magic caught my eye on your previous thread. I remember finding it so funny as a child when they got into all those mix-ups because of only half their wishes coming true. Especially the cat that lost its voice, and then had the wrong half of the word restored to it! Still giggle now to think of it!

(70 books read)

Mission (Un)Popular by Anna Humphrey is another galley from the box I got earlier this year. It will be released in June. Since it doesn't have any reviews yet on LT, I'm posting mine here, as well as on the work page:

Margot Button is devastated when her best friend Erika's mother decides to send Erika to private school, rather than the public middle school. Without Erika to back her up, how will Margot face the popular, bullying in-crowd? Shortly after the school year starts, however, Margot befriends new girl Em, a stylish (and slightly wild) New Yorker. Em has everything -- from a famous dad who can get her exclusive pre-release copies of music, to the wittiest comebacks when the Mean Girls start teasing Margot about her clothes or hair. However, soon Em starts monopolizing Margot's time and alienating Margot's former friends in favor of girls from the popular crowd. For a while, Margot enjoys the unaccustomed popularity that comes with being Em's best friend -- but before long, she starts to wonder what secrets Em may be keeping from her. Worse, some of Em's escapades are not exactly legal. In the end, Margot must stand up and take responsibility for her own choices and actions, and she can't always count on Em backing her up.

At over 400 pages, the book does have a few pacing issues, but there is enough action to keep readers hooked even through the slow parts. Margot is a great, realistically flawed character, and her mother and stepfather are quirky yet involved parents. All in all, this funny yet thoughtful exploration of middle-school friendships and popularity will ring true to pre-teens struggling with similar issues.

(71 books read)

The Suburb Beyond the Stars by M.T. Anderson is the sequel to The Game of Sunken Places (post #14). Brian and Gregory are enjoying planning the next round of the Game, when they discover that all is not well in Vermont, where they played the Game not long ago. When Cousin Prudence and Wee Sniggleping both go missing, the boys go to investigate, and find new and terrible monsters planning to take over the world.

I didn't like this book quite as well as its predecessor. Part of the problem is that it ends in a cliffhanger, but I don't really feel any desire to read the next book (which has not yet been published -- or even written, as far as I know). There's no real plot resolution at the end of this book. Moreover, the last book was a clever puzzle with some scary adventure thrown in; this book is more scary and less mysterious. People who like inventive horror (bizarre monsters and such) will probably enjoy this -- it's just not for me.

I appreciate you reading The Suburb Beyond the Stars, so I don't have to ;) I didn't love the first one (especially not like Feed) but if the sequel had been good, I would have looked for it anyway. I don't think I'll bother.

#31 -- We strive to provide excellent service here! ;-)

*fills out comment card* "Excellent service, would come again" :D

(72 books read)

I had read Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers as a child. I love the Disney movie, I must admit -- but I like the book, too. Interestingly, the only part of the book I have any clear recollection of from my childhood reading is the visit to Mrs. Corry's gingerbread shop. I think I was a little bit horrified at her breaking off her fingers ("just barley-sugar, can't possibly hurt them") and giving them to the twins.

I enjoyed this enough that I may look and see if I can find the sequels (which I don't think I did read as a child), but I don't feel a pressing, drop-everything urge to do so, just a mild curiosity.

This was an audiobook -- I've listened to more audiobooks than usual so far this year -- and the narration by Sophie Thompson was quite good. She has a nice, soothing voice, but not so soothing that it puts one to sleep while driving!

I enjoyed Mary Poppins recently and found the 2nd in the series in the library. I bought an omnibus of all 5 but it's a really awkward size and shape to read, and I can't carry it around.

(73 books read)

Murder Must Advertise by Dorothy Sayers falls somewhere in the middle of the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries. I had intended to do a reread at some point, starting at the beginning of the series. However, I picked this one up at the used bookstore over the weekend, and I felt like reading it immediately, so I did! In this book, Lord Peter goes undercover at an advertising agency to investigate what has been classified as an accidental death. Of course, there's much more intrigue under the surface. The description and dialogue of the people at the ad agency are hilarious, too. I frequently recommend this series to all of my mystery-loving friends, though I wouldn't necessarily recommend starting with this book.

(74 books read)

Since I probably won't see my young cousin, with whom I have been rereading The Chronicles of Narnia, until summer, I have made a project of recording The Silver Chair for her. I finished the book this evening, but still have to edit the last two chapters and burn it all to CD. I purchased an extra copy of the book to send along with the CDs, so she can try to read along, or at least look at the illustrations as she listens.

The Silver Chair never manages to be one of my favorites from the series, though I do love Puddleglum. Perhaps it's that I find Jill less of a strong character than Lucy, Polly, or Aravis (from other books in the series). Still it's always worth a read when I'm rereading the series, and it's been too long since I've done so. I'm looking forward to the next two books, which do make it onto my list of favorites -- but plan to wait until my cousin and I can read those together, in person.

I haven't commented on here in a long time, but I am amazed about how many books you've read. In fact, amazing is a huge understatement.

I plan on reading the whole Narnia books this summer and not stopping on the third this time.

#38 -- Thanks! I hope you enjoy the Narnia series this summer.

(75 books read)

Another audiobook -- I listened to Page by Tamora Pierce, second in the Protector of the Small series. This was a reread (though last time I actually read, not listened to it). I listened to First Test last fall, and when looking through available audiobooks to check out, Page caught my eye, and I decided to continue with the series.

The Protector of the Small series is about Keladry of Mindalen, the first girl to train as a knight since Alanna the Lioness. Unlike Alanna, Kel is officially allowed to train as a girl, so she does not have to disguise herself as Alanna did -- but that does not mean that she does not have to face down prejudice, bullying, disapproval, and suspicion from those who believe that women should not be knights.

This was actually the first series by Tamora Pierce that I ever read -- when I stumbled across her books at my local library several years ago, this was the only series of hers that was available in its entirety that day (once I was hooked, I read all of her other books, though I had to request some from other library branches). Though I now recommend that readers start with the Alanna books, starting here worked all right for me. I'm enjoying my reread.

>39 foggidawn: I hope I do too. There is this person at my school who's parents bought her the whole Narnia books all in one huge paperback and if she reads them all, she gets 50 bucks. Personally, being a kind of low-level person, I don't think she'll make it. But maybe I can buy it from her because I think it's techniquelly hers. I'm pretty sure I can get it for more than half as less, because I know she doesn't want it forever and she doesn't know the actually value. Pretty smart of me, eh?

And congradulations on hitting 75 BOOKS!

41>

Make sure you read the Narnia books in the right order, if you do get the book -- a recent omnibus is almost certain to have them bound in the wrong order (chronological order, starting with The Magician's Nephew, which sucks all the wonder and joy out of both that one and The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe). I haven't reread them since I was a kid, myself, since the overt Christianity would certainly annoy me tremendously now, but I still have very strong opinions about the order in which they should be read.

>42 lorax: Well in truth I'll probably skip The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe, because I've read it 3 times and watched the movie at least 7 times. That book kind of bores me now. There is a chronological and publication order isn't there? I don't know which order I should do.

I definitely agree with Lorax, though since you've read The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe before, it matters a little less. Still, I definitely recommend reading them in the order in which they were originally published.

OK, I should do that then.

Congrats on reaching 75 books!

Big Congrats on hitting your 75 so early! :)

Thanks, everyone!

(76 books read)

Continuing with my re-listen of the Protector of the Small series, I finished Squire today.

Thank goodness for audiobooks -- I am in a bit of a slump as far as actual reading goes.

(77 books read)

Continuing with the audiobooks, I listened to Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing today while cleaning my house. It was, as I remembered from childhood, a fun, quick read. The audiobook was read by the author, which can sometimes be good and sometimes be bad. It was actually indifferent this time -- I thought she put too much emphasis on some words and phrases, making everyone sound overly emotional or angry, but it didn't interfere too much with my enjoyment of the audiobook.

I have been doing a little actual reading, but it's slow going. I have lots going on right now, and I'm in a bit of a slump as far as finding books that I actually want to finish. I think I need a comfort read next.

I love those Fudge books. It was probably my last realistic fiction books before I read Harry Potter and decided that I like Fantasy books better. Judy Blume read it? Hmmm...I can imagine why that may be bad. I also read Blubber by her, which is also pretty good at that time.

#51 -- Yes, the Fudge books were favorites of mine, and of my brother's as well.

(78 books read)

The Mitford series by Jan Karon is one of my go-to comfort reads. When I am dealing with a lot of stress, or just in a reading slump, they're one of the first things I pick up. So, I read These High, Green Hills over the past few days. It's the third in the series, but I read the first two some time last year, so decided to start here instead.

The Mitford series is set in a charming small town in North Carolina -- a fictional town, but loosely based on the author's hometown of Blowing Rock. The main character is a sixty-something Episcopal priest. If I had to sum up the series in one word, it would be "soothing." There are lots of great, quirky characters, and there's plenty of stuff going on. Karon perfectly portrays the small-town bustle, as well as the real, touching, and sometimes heartbreaking interactions between people. I would live in Mitford if I could -- since I can't, I "visit" there frequently!

I'm about to start listening to the first Mitford book. It sounds like something perfect to do while I'm stitching/crocheting.

Hi foggidawn, just wanted to offer belated congratulations on hitting 75 books!

#54 -- I don't crochet or knit, and haven't cross-stitched in some time, but I imagine it would be a great thing to listen to while doing so.

#55 -- Thanks!

(79 books read)

Just finished Out to Canaan by Jan Karon, the fourth book in the Mitford series. I will probably read something else for a change now, but may continue with the series if I can't get in to anything else.

(80 books read)

The Lost Prince by Frances Hodgson Burnett is a free download for Kindle. I have to admit, before I ran across this title, I thought that Burnett had only written three books (The Secret Garden, A Little Princess, and Little Lord Fauntleroy), which I had read and enjoyed during childhood and enjoyed rereading as an adult. Looking at the numbers of copies cataloged on LT, I see that the popular three all have +1000 copies, whereas this book has only just over 250.

This book is set in an unspecified time, probably some time between 1880-1900. Marco Loristan, a penniless but noble boy, is living with his father, an exiled patriot, who works tirelessly for his beloved, war-torn country of Samavia. 500 years ago, the true prince of Samavia was overthrown and forced to leave the country, and since then, two warring factions have alternately controlled and oppressed the little land. It's rumored that the descendants of the prince have waited, while a secret resistance movement gathered strength. Now is the time for the rightful heir of Samavia to retake the throne, but first, the members of the resistance scattered across Europe must be given the sign. Young Marco and his friend, a crippled boy known as The Rat, volunteer, since they can travel unnoticed and pass on the message.

The rest of what I have to say contains SPOILERS, so if you're intrigued, you may want to stop reading here.

I can see a few reasons why this book may not have reached as wide an audience as Burnett's more popular works. First of all, it's almost immediately obvious that Marco and his father are the missing royalty -- a big deal is made of Stefan Loristan's innate nobility, that inspires strangers to treat him like a prince even though he is living like a pauper. The Divine Right of Kings is pretty much assumed, though it's plain that Stefan and Marco will be good and benevolent rulers because of their training as well as their inborn greatness. Imaginary Samavia is not given a precise location, but it's clearly Eastern European, leaving the modern reader to suspect that Marco is unlikely to ever assume the throne, considering the fact that the Balkan Wars, WWI, and the Bolshevik Revolution are scheduled to hit that area within his lifetime.

Apart from that, I thought it was a moderately enjoyable read. I had trouble sticking with it; it never fully engaged my attention. Marco and Stefan were just a little too perfect for me. The Rat was a more interesting character, but he never seemed to get to share fully in the adventure -- Marco got all of the most dangerous bits. Which brings me to my final criticism: why on earth did Stefan Loristan let Marco and The Rat go wandering around Europe on their own at age 13? For one thing, what sort of father does that, and for another, what sort of king lets his only son and heir do that, knowing that there are lots of people out there who would like to end the royal line? I guess it makes a good adventure story, but it seemed a little off to me.

(81 books read)

My first read for April continues my Mitford read-through, with A New Song. In this volume, Father Tim has retired, and his bishop sends him to serve as interim priest on the island of Whitecap, a fictional addition to North Carolina's Outer Banks. While this isn't one of my favorite Mitford books, it's still a pleasant read.

I spent much of March in a sort of slump, reading and otherwise, after starting the year off strong. I'm hoping that April will be better all around.

(82 books read)

Just finished another audiobook: Paranormalcy by Kiersten White. I had heard of this one before it came out, but only just got a chance to read (well, listen to) it. I was a little skeptical about the premise at first, but actually found it a lot of fun!

The main character, Evie, is a teen who works for the International Paranormal Control Agency because she has the unique ability to see through the glamors paranormal creatures use to disguise themselves. When a mysterious new paranormal creature appears at IPCA's central headquarters, Evie is fascinated with him. As it turns out, he came to the Center to try and solve the mystery of why large numbers of paranormals are suddenly dying -- but the IPCA knows even less than he does, and soon he and Evie find themselves running for their lives. Of course, they just happen to fall in love somewhere along the way. . . .

It's a cute story, most likely to appeal to a middle-school audience -- lots of action, a sweetly innocent teen romance, and a main character who is both feminine and tough as nails. It's also refreshing to note that the vampires are portrayed as disgusting rotting corpses under their glamors, with nary a sparkle in sight!

ETA: It does appear to be the first book in a series/trilogy, but it leaves only minimal loose ends. I liked it enough that I will probably read the sequels when they are released.

Just checking in! Sorry I have missed so many of your reads, but I will try and keep up from here on out.

#61 -- Welcome back!

(83 books read)

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs is another advance copy that I received; it comes out in June.

There are a lot of interesting elements in this book: murder, monsters, children with bizarre abilities, time travel. . . . It's hard to sum it up. It's scary enough that I (with an admittedly low tolerance for scary) was loath to read it right before bed, but I wouldn't classify it as horror. It sort of walks the border between horror and fantasy. To give a brief summary: Jacob, traumatized by his grandfather's sudden, violent death, travels with his father to a remote island off the coast of Wales, to find the orphanage where his grandfather lived before World War II. When he gets there, he finds much more than he bargained for. The children from his grandfather's stories are still there, living in a time loop in 1940. The monsters that killed Jacob's grandfather are hunting for peculiar children, and the group at the orphanage is in danger.

The book has an interesting format: the author has included a variety of old photographs of, well, peculiar subjects, many of whom appear as characters in the story.

The author obviously plans a sequel, as the ending of this book sets up for the next. I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger, but there's definitely more to come.

I did find the book enjoyable, though it's probably not one I would have picked up on my own. Fans of the bizarre and slightly creepy should love it, though!

Sounds like a fascinating premise. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled for it after it comes out.

I had no idea Frances Hodgson Burnett had written a fourth book, like you I thought there were only three. I've always loved those though, as an adult and a child, so I might have to find it for my Kindle too.

Miss Peregrine's Home... looks interesting too. I'll have to keep an eye out for it when it's released.

#64 -- It is a very interesting premise; I kept trying to think of a good comparison, but can't come up with one. I guess that speaks well for the author's originality.

#65 -- Looking at her author page, she actually has a few other little-known works, including some adult novels. I don't think they're currently available free for Kindle, but then again, I haven't looked very hard. The Lost Prince certainly is, and if you're a big fan of FHB, I'd say go for it!

I will have to look for Miss Peregrine's Home when it comes out too. Thanks for the review!

(84 books read)

Storyteller by Patricia Reilly Giff had been on my shelf since last year. I picked it up, hoping for a quick, well-crafted read. It was mediocre. The point of view shifts from modern to American Revolution, but neither story is fleshed out very well. I didn't feel like there was enough character development -- I didn't believe in or understand the motivations for a lot of their actions. This is not a book I'll keep, nor is it one I'd recommend -- there's much better juvenile historical fiction out there.

#68: Skipping that one then. I hope you have better luck with your next book.

(85 books read)

I downloaded the audiobook Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer. It's a book that has been on my radar, so to speak, for a while now.

Hope Was Here is the story of a teen waitress, who lives with her aunt Addie, a cook. At the beginning of the story, Hope and Addie are moving to a new town in Wisconsin to start over, because their savings has been stolen by an untrustworthy business partner. Hope is hesitant to open up to the people she meets in her new town, but soon she finds herself helping with a political campaign and falling in love with a short-order cook.

I enjoyed this story. I don't know that I would have picked it up in print, but it was available at just the right time for me to pick it up as an audiobook. My only criticism might be that Hope seems younger than her age -- but then again, I probably seemed younger than my age at 16 too, so maybe I shouldn't criticize!

(86 books read)

Today I finished rereading Wolf by the Ears by Ann Rinaldi -- the story of a young woman who was a slave at Monticello, and might have been Thomas Jefferson's illegitimate daughter. I have read most of Rinaldi's books, and this is one of the first I read, and one of my favorites of hers. I highly recommend Rinaldi's books to anyone who enjoys historical fiction.

#70: I enjoyed that one a lot. I am glad to see you did too.

#71: I do not think I have read any of Rinaldi's books. I will have to see if my local library has any of them.

#72 -- I definitely recommend Rinaldi! A Break with Charity and Time Enough for Drums are two others that I remember being particularly good.

(87 books read)

Another audiobook: listened to How to Ditch Your Fairy today. I think this might be one of those unusual cases where it's more enjoyable to listen to than to read. I wasn't sure if I would like the story -- plot summaries that I had read left me skeptical -- but I found it to be fun and enjoyable.

The premise is that, in the alternate world that Larbalestier has created, nearly everyone has an invisible fairy that brings them unusual luck in a certain area. 14-year-old Charlie hates her fairy -- a parking fairy, enabling any car Charlie is riding in to find an excellent parking space. This means that people are always making her ride with them when they are going anywhere that parking may be an issue. Charlie is determined to get rid of her fairy, hoping to get a better one, and of course she gets into all sorts of scrapes along the way.

The narrator for this audiobook has a charming Aussie accent, and though the setting for this book is not Australia, the narrator having an accent different from my own really helped me buy in to the made-up slang used by the teens in the story (not sure how this would work on an Aussie listener, though!).

I already have the Larbalestier book in the BlackHole. I will see if my local library has it in audio form.

(88 books read)

In the mood for more historical fiction, I read The Bad Queen by Carolyn Meyer. Meyer does a very good job of taking the notorious Marie-Antoinette and making her a believable and sympathetic character. I may have to look at the other books in the Young Royals series, as this is the only one I have read.

(89 books read)

I nearly forgot to add The Warden by Anthony Trollope to my list of books read! I finished it a day or two ago. A fellow LTer recommended to Barsetshire chronicles to me, and so I loaded the first two onto my Kindle. I very much enjoyed The Warden. Septimus Harding reminds me of Father Tim from the Mitford books, and I am wondering if Jan Karon was inspired by Trollope in her characterization.

One of the things I wanted to do this year was to read more classics, so this fits in nicely. I've already started the next book in the series.

#76: I know that Linda (Whisper) has read at least one book in the Young Royals series. You might want to check her thread for thoughts on it.

(90 books read)

I finished Barchester Towers this morning, and loved it even more than The Warden. Highly recommended!

#79: I am currently reading the last book in the Barchester series, The Last Chronicle of Barset. I hope you continue to enjoy the series to the end. Trollope is one of my LT discoveries!

#80: Mine, too -- recommended to me by another LT friend.

(91 books read)

I needed comfort reading this week, and so I picked up Whispers by Robin Jones Gunn. This is a contemporary inspirational romance that I first read as a teenager. It's the second book in the Glenbrooke series, and one of my favorites from that series. I'll probably continue rereading the series (skipping the first book because I read it some time last year, more recently than the others) since I am in the need of something familiar and comfortable at the moment.

(92 books read)

I've been hearing good things about Lois McMaster Bujold's books for some time now, and having just finished listening to The Curse of Chalion, I must agree with her fans -- excellent book! I'll be reading the sequel as soon as I can get my hands on it (which, in an admittedly hectic few weeks, may not be as soon as I would like).

(93 books read)

Continuing with my Glenbrooke series read, I finished Echoes last night. This was my favorite book in the series as a teen, and I still love it, though now I can see its flaws. I'd still recommend it to readers of inspirational romance!

So happy you enjoyed the Bujold! Though I probably already said that......

(94 books read)

Whipping through the Glenbrooke series -- finished Sunsets this morning.

(95 books read)

Continuing with the Glenbrooke series, I finished Clouds today. One of the things I enjoy about this series is the way that the author interweaves the lives of the characters, so you get glimpses of the "happily ever afters" of characters in earlier books, as well as the occasional introduction to characters who will be featured in later books.

(96 books read)

Finished Waterfalls, sixth in the Glenbrooke series. I'll probably read the last two this week, and then move on to some new reads.

(97 books read)

Another Glenbrooke read done - finished Woodlands last night. Again, I've already said pretty much what I have to say about this series -- but I will be done with it soon, and back to my usual descriptive posts. :-)

(98 books read)

Finished off the Glenbrooke series with Wildflowers -- which seems a transitional book for this author: she ends a series that, for the first seven volumes, has featured typical twenty-something protagonists, with a story of a more middle-aged woman whose marriage has turned cold and cordial, and explores a re-awakening of that relationship. Gunn's more recent books, the Sisterchicks series, generally feature mature women, with less romance and more exploring of various personal issues. (I'm not a fan of that cutesy series title, by the way -- but since I don't plan to reread those, I won't go into that more now.) Wildflowers is a fairly enjoyable read, though it doesn't number among my favorites of the Glenbrooke series.

(99 books read)

I polished off Cloudy with a Chance of Boys quickly the other day, when I wanted something light to read. It is the third book in the Sisters Club series, and I haven't read the first two -- and, having done it, I wouldn't recommend reading it without reading the first two, as I felt I had missed lots of background info. The pacing was fairly good, the characters seemed true to life, if perhaps a little too typical (not exactly stereotypical, but not particularly unique, either). On the other hand, that might make them more appealing to some young readers.

It's not a series I will continue to read, but it was also not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Congratulations in advance on completing 100 books! Wow!

Yes, congratulations are in order!

I so enjoy visiting here. It is wonderful to share a love of YA books. I'm adding your recommendation of the Carolyn Meyer book. With the exception of a few, I very much enjoy the Young Royals series.

I loved the book Hope Was Here by Joan Bauer. I also like Ann Rinaldi and recently read The Forever After Bird. Have you read this one?

#92 -- Thanks!

#93 -- Hope you enjoy the Meyer book. I'll have to keep an eye out for The Ever After Bird, as I haven't read it yet.

(100 books read)

I can't remember where on LT I heard about Gail Carriger's book Soulless, but I was intrigued by it and added it to my wishlist. When I came across a copy in a used bookstore, I picked it up, and just recently I read it. I was not disappointed!

Alexia Tarabotti is a Victorian spinster -- but there's nothing typical or little-old-maid-ish about her. She is a rare "preternatural" or soulless individual, and as such, she can neutralize the supernatural (vampires and werewolves) with a touch. Because she's a woman and unmarried, she can't hold an official position with the government, but she still seems to find herself in all sorts of adventures, often with the handsome (if grumpy) Lord Conall Maccon.

I won't give away any more details, but I did love this story. The secondary characters are great, as well, particularly the butler Floote, Professor Lyall, and the fabulous Lord Akeldama. Definitely a fun read! I'll be looking for the other books in the series as soon as I can.

(101 books read)

Flip by Martyn Bedford was one of the galleys I received earlier this year. I'll admit, I wasn't in a hurry to read it -- neither the cover nor the description really hooked me. However, once I started reading, I was hooked quickly!

Alex Gray is a pretty average teen . . . until the day he wakes up in someone else's body. Suddenly, he is caught in the life of Philip "Flip" Garamond, a popular and athletic boy. Flip and Alex have very little in common . . . except that they were born on the same day. Alex struggles with all of the problems one might expect to encounter: trying to find his way around a strange place and deal with people who know Flip and can't understand why he's acting so strangely all of a sudden, as well as trying to figure out what has happened to him. What has happened to Alex? Is Flip's mind now caught in Alex's body? Perhaps most importantly, can Alex be flipped back, or will he be stuck in a stranger's life forever?

This was a good, thoughtful read, and I think it has potential to be very successful.

Both Soulless and Flip sound interesting to me. I am going to look for them at my library. Thanks.

Congrats on surpassing the 100 mark! Flip sounds like an interesting read. Do you know when it's being released?

#97 -- Hope you like them!

#98 -- Thanks! I believe Flip came out at the beginning of April here in the US (and possibly earlier in the UK). I was just a bit slow about getting around to reading my pre-release copy.

>99 foggidawn: Awesome sauce! Onto the list it goes.

Congratulations on your first one hundred books for the year, foggi! You've posted about some great books I've been reading after hearing what you have to say about them, so thank you for that. Also, I'm so glad you enjoyed Soulless so much. It's in my TBR pile. Happy reading! :)

#101 -- Thanks, K! I think you will really like Soulless when you read it. :-)

(102 books read)

I reread The Magicians of Caprona because I had been meaning to reread some Diana Wynne Jones ever since I learned that she had passed away, and because it is one of the Chrestomanci books I didn't remember very well, having only read it once before. I enjoyed it, but it's never going to be a favorite.

(103 books read)

I did a bit of driving over the past few days, and while driving I listened to Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce, finishing off the Protector of the Small series listen/reread that I started earlier this year. I do like the way this book wraps up the situation that Pierce started building in the previous books, while also establishing Kel's career and giving an idea of what will happen to her once the series is over.

(104 books read)

I reread Witch Week because it's in the same volume as The Magicians of Caprona. Of the two, I like Witch Week best -- but then, I've always had a weakness for boarding school stories. Also, Chrestomanci plays a slightly more significant role in this one. What can I say? "Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man." Or at least, I am! ;-)

(105 books read)

I've had Esperanza Rising on my TBR shelf for some time. It's the story of a privileged Mexican girl whose family loses their money and comes to the United States to work as farm hands. In a very short time, Esperanza goes from a spoiled child to a mature, responsible young woman, as she learns to adjust to her new life. This is an excellent book, well deserving of its Newbery medal.

I don't know if there will be a noticeable decline in my reading and/or posting, but the next few weeks are likely to be hectic for me. I am moving on Tuesday, and starting a new job the following week. I will post as I can, though I'll have to get internet set up in my new place when I get there. I'm pretty excited about this move and this new job -- after more than six months of unemployment, I am glad to be back among the ranks of the gainfully employed once more!

Congratulations on the new job and move! Feel free to slack on LT for as long as necessary. We'll be here when things have settled down. :)

(106 books read)

Heidi is a free Kindle download, and while I watched a movie version as a child, I don't think I had ever actually read it before. The story was much as I remembered from the movie, making me want to go live on a mountain and raise goats!

I recently read Esperanza Rising and liked it. Good luck with your new job and your move.

I hope your move is as smooth and painless as possible and that your new job is fantastic!

>105 foggidawn: Wow I read Esperanza Rising in fourth grade, because I had too. I didn't like it back then, but looking back at it, it was all right. It would've definately have been an eye open-ing-er if I was older then.

I am back online, with a whole list of books read! I am going to go ahead and put them all in this post, rather than make a separate post for each:

(107 books read)

Cart and Cwidder by Diana Wynne Jones -- reread, first in the Dalemark Quartet. I'm not as fond of the Dalemark books as I am of the Chrestomanci or Howl books (or some of Jones' excellent stand-alone novels), but I think I actually liked this book better this time around.

(108 books read)

Drowned Ammet by Diana Wynne Jones -- reread, second of the Dalemark Quartet. Pretty much same reaction as above. I probably won't get to reread the other two Dalemark books for a while, as I don't own copies of them. Still, these two stand alone pretty well.

(109 books read)

Love Among the Chickens by P.G. Wodehouse -- typical wacky Wodehouse! I know I have read Ukridge at some point in the past, but all of Wodehouse tends to glom together in a homogeneous lump in my head, so I don't remember the specifics. This book, prequel to that, features Ukridge starting a chicken farm. Of course, neither Ukridge nor his friend (the POV character) knows anything about poultry. . .

(110 books read)

Piccadilly Jim by P.G. Wodehouse -- this, actually, may be my new favorite Wodehouse. It's a stand-alone, and I would definitely recommend it as a starting place to anyone interested in seeing what Wodehouse's style is like. I can't really describe the plot without giving stuff away, but it has all of the delightful plot twists and great humor one expects from Wodehouse.

(111 books read)

White Cat by Holly Black -- audiobook. This was well-done, gritty fantasy in a world much like ours, except that some people are born with certain abilities. These are known as curse-workers, able to manipulate luck, dreams, memory, or other things. Curse-working is illegal, and because of that fact several mafia-like crime families have sprung up. Cassel Sharp's family has long-standing ties to one of these families, but Cassel himself is the only non-worker in his family. He still floats on the edge of his prep-school society, running a betting operation and a few minor cons, until the night when he wakes up on the roof of his dormitory, with no idea how he got there. Is it just a return of a childhood tendency to sleepwalk, or has Cassel been cursed? I won't give away anything else, but I'm sure you can imagine that, in Cassel's world, all is not as it seems. The voice talent used for this audio version is perfect, too -- a very enjoyable listen.

Interesting mix of books. Glad you enjoyed White Cat. I read it earlier this year and found it mediocre but maybe it lends itself better to audio (?). Hope your next reads are just as much fun. :)

Congrats on the move and especially the new job! I hope the transitions to both go smoothly for you!

#114 -- I think it really was the narrator who "made" the book, for me. I skimmed a few of the LT reviews, and I can see how some might say, for example, that the second half of the book dragged a bit. I didn't notice that as much; listening as I drive, I'm almost a captive audience. If I had been able to set the book down and go do something else, I might have noticed any pacing problems.

#115 -- Thanks!

(112 books read)

I bought Here Burns My Candle by Liz Curtis Higgs because I am getting its sequel as an Early Reviewer book. It's Christian fiction, set in Edinburgh during the time of the Jacobite Rebellion. It's a darker read than a lot of inspirational fiction; the characters go through a lot of suffering and there is not always the expected happy ending. Nevertheless, I did enjoy it and am looking forward to seeing what happens in the next book.

(113 books read)

Just finished rereading 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson. I probably wouldn't have picked it up to reread, except that it was available as a free Kindle download, presumably because the sequel came out last month. I'll probably read the sequel, so it's good I had the opportunity to refresh my memory. 13 Little Blue Envelopes is the story of Ginny, an American teen who is sent on a sort of scavenger hunt through Europe by her eccentric Aunt Peg, who recently died of a brain tumor. I get a little impatient with Ginny for being spineless, but I did enjoy the story, both the first time I read it and at this reread.

(114 books read)

I'm feeling pretty good about how many classics I've read so far this year. I'm adding to their number Howards End by E.M. Forster. I liked it fairly well, though it didn't seem to get moving until the last half of the book. Also, none of the characters were particularly likeable. The writing reminded me of Henry James, whom I never seem to quite be able to read -- I always find my mind wandering, and then I sit the book down and the rest of me wanders, too. But I made my way through Howards End, and I'm glad I did.

(115 books read)

I was interested in Three Rivers Rising: A Novel of the Johnstown Flood by Jame Richards because I have family near Johnstown, and have been to the Johnstown Flood Museum. It's obvious that the author has done her homework, and there's an author's note at the end, explaining where and how she deviated from the actual history. The story focuses on Celestia Whitcomb, a young woman from a wealthy family, who spent summers at the hunting and fishing club in the mountains above Johnstown (it was this club that was responsible for the dam that broke, causing the flood). Celestia falls in love with Peter, a boy from town who works at the club for the summer. Of course, their secret romance could have dire consequences if they are discovered by Celestia's family. The author also shifts perspectives occasionally to focus on a few other individuals whose lives are affected by the flood.

I have to admit that I am not a big fan of verse novels. This is about on par with other verse novels I've read -- a slightly more spare way of telling a story, enjoyable, but I think I would have liked it better fleshed out in prose. That's just me -- I know lots of people are really fond of the format. For those people, I think this would be a very good read.

(116 books read)

I've been looking forward to Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold ever since I finished The Curse of Chalion. I found it to be at least as good as its predecessor, and have already recommended both to my fantasy-loving brother. I'd recommend these to anyone who enjoys well-written epic fantasy.

#121: I liked Paladin of Souls more than The Curse of Chalion, but I would recommend both of them highly. I am glad to see you enjoyed Paladin too.

(117 books read)

Just finished The Ring of Solomon by Jonathan Stroud. I enjoyed it, though it's not up to the level of excellence of the original Bartimaeus trilogy. It does stand alone, which is nice . . . but I'd still recommend readers new to the series to start with The Amulet of Samarkand.

I enjoyed the Bartimaeus trilogy. I think I may just stop with it and not bother with The Ring of Solomon.

(118 books read)

Jane by April Lindner is a modern-day retelling of Jane Eyre. The tagline is "What if Jane Eyre fell in love with a rock star?" and that pretty much sums up the premise of the book. Jane Moore is a poor college student looking for a job to help make enough money to return to school. She interviews at a nanny agency, and the supervisor there is impressed with her attitude, demeanor, and complete lack of pop culture knowledge enough to place her as the nanny to rock musician Nico Rathburn's five-year-old daughter.

Things progress pretty much as in the original, so I won't recount them here to avoid spoilers for any who have not read either book. I think Lindner did a pretty good job of staying close enough, both in plot and in style, to Bronte's work that fans of the original will not experience too much cognitive dissonance -- they might even enjoy it! I did, but while I do like the original (and even reread it earlier this year), I know many people who love it so much more than I do. So, I won't speak for how much those readers might enjoy this book, but for the casual fan like me, or for readers new to the story, I would recommend this book.

(119 books read)

Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters by Natalie Standiford tells the stories of three very different sisters over the course of one very eventful fall. I really liked the first story, didn't care for the second, and thought the third was all right, but it didn't live up to my expectations. The end of the book has a twist that I saw coming miles away -- but maybe that's just me. It didn't really hinder my enjoyment of the story. I thought the writing was good -- the author does a good job of making each sister's personality distinct and convincing. I'd recommend this to fans of YA lit, particularly fans of E. Lockheart and Maureen Johnson.

>125 foggidawn: That's one on my TBR list and I'm glad to encounter a positive reading experience with it. Now if only my library would hurry up and get it.

#125: I think I will give that one a miss. I would probably be so busy comparing it to the original that I would not consider the book on its own merits.

#126: I will give that one a try if and when my local library gets a copy. Thanks for the recommendation!

(120 books read)

Dark of the Moon by Tracy Barrett is a retelling of the myth of the Minotaur. The narrative focuses on the main characters, Ariadne and Theseus. Ariadne of Krete, daughter of the high priestess (human representation of the moon goddess), is destined to become goddess herself someday. It's a lonely life for her, since the friends she played with as children now fear her. So, she watches for new arrivals to her homeland, hoping that one of them might be a friend to her.

Theseus, newly recognized by his father, the king of Athens, has been sent as a tribute -- sent to what might well be his death. He and Prokris, an Athenian girl he met on the boat, hatch a plan that might save Theseus' life -- a plan that involves Theseus getting into Ariadne's good graces. To complicate matters, the "monster" that Theseus has been sent to face is Ariadne's beloved, misshapen brother.

This is an interesting take on the myth of the Minotaur. The author doesn't spare her readers in her description of the religious rituals of Ariadne's goddess, which involve animal and human sacrifice. Though in many ways a dark tale, the ending is hopeful, and I would recommend it to readers interested in mythology. I read this as a galley; it comes out in September.

Have you read David McCullough's book The Johnstown Flood? I highly recommend it.

#130 -- The author of Three Rivers Rising listed that as one of her main sources. I'll have to pick it up some day.

It really is quite good. McCullough puts a lot of research in his books.

#129: I will have to look for that one this fall. Thanks for the review and the heads up!

(121 books read)

I love Jasper Fforde's Thursday Next series, and enjoyed the most recent volume: One of Our Thursdays Is Missing. I actually liked it better than its predecessor, First Among Sequels, though I still think the first three books in the series are the best.

It's hard to describe the plot without giving away details that would be spoilers either for this book, or for one of the earlier five. It's also hard to explain the series to those who have not encountered it -- a humorous blend of fantasy and science fiction, set in an alternate universe. I recommend it!

(122 books read)

Ordinary Jack by Helen Cresswell, first book of the Bagthorpe Saga, is one of my childhood favorites. I was glad to find it just as delightful as I remembered.

Jack, the only "ordinary" child in the Bagthorpe family, hatches a plot with his sympathetic Uncle Parker to gain some fame (or at least notoriety) by becoming a prophet. That's the basic plot, but the eccentric characters and the wonderful British humour are what really make this series stand out. I'm sad that it is not more well-known -- I think it's been sinking slowly into undeserved obscurity for some time, as I first discovered it when I purchased the first few books at a library discard sale when I was 9 or 10. Anyone who likes British humour should certainly look for these books -- they are definitely worth the effort!

(123 books read)

Absolute Zero by Helen Cresswell is the second book in the Bagthorpe Saga, and may be my favorite of the series. In this book, the competitive Bagthorpes begin a spree of contest-entering, four-year-old terror Daisy comes for a visit and works on Reconciling the Disparate in many creative -- and simultaneously destructive -- ways, and the Bagthorpian traditions of fire, flood, and various other disasters continue unabated. Of all of the contest entries, however, the biggest winner of the family is Zero, Jack's lovable but not particularly intelligent mutt. Of course, this development does not set well with the rest of the Bagthorpes, but when they win a competition for "the happiest family in Britain!" they must try to put on a good show. Naturally, hilarity ensues. This book can be read as a stand-alone, though it makes a few passing references to events from the previous book. Highly recommended.

Edited to add: I discovered that neither of these two books had much in the way of reviews, so I have added my reviews (slightly fleshed-out versions of what I wrote above) to their work pages, if you care to view them there.

(124 books read)

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress by Rhoda Janzen was recommended to me by a friend here on LT. I don't read a lot of memoirs, but do enjoy one occasionally. I liked this better than Eat, Pray, Love, which I read last year.

Mennonite in a Little Black Dress is about a woman, who, faced with health problems and a failed marriage, goes back to visit her loving Mennonite parents. The book is partly about letting go and moving on after difficult relationships, and partly about embracing one's background, even the parts that may seem weird or embarrassing. The author has a very funny, down-to-earth voice, which I really enjoyed. I'd recommend this, especially to those who enjoy memoirs.

So glad you are enjoying the Bujolds!

#138 -- Thanks! I certainly am, and I'm sure I will eventually get around to reading more by her. So many books, so little time. . . .

I am surprised that my local library has Ordinary Jack! Of course, it does not carry the second book in the series. . .

(125 books read)

Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins is a romance set in a Parisian boarding school. Anna's novelist father sends her to the school for her senior year. In Anna's opinion he does this because he wants to seem highbrow and sophisticated. She resents going, especially when things have just started to heat up with the cute boy at the theater where she works, but she doesn't really have a choice. Of course, as the story progresses there is another cute boy, a close-knit group of friends, a Mean Girl, and plenty of relationship drama. At one point I laughed out loud and commented to the empty room, "This is porn for teenage girls!" (Note possible minor spoiler: at that point in the novel, Anna and her crush were sleeping together in the same bed -- fully clothed, and at that point in their relationship they were not even kissing, but their arms and legs brushed against each other . . . and then they fell asleep. See what I mean? Teenage girl porn.)

I am making fun of it, yes, but it is a good book, and I would certainly recommend it to teens looking for a romance -- particularly those who enjoy Maureen Johnson, Sarah Dessen, and the like. And it almost made me want to visit Paris. Almost.

Boy, I'm feeling snarky this evening! Time for more Bagthorpes, I think.

(126 books read)

Well, I did start the next Bagthorpe book . . . but then I got distracted by Wither by Lauren DeStefano.

Wither is a dystopian book, set in a North America where humans thought they had perfected genetic engineering . . . but they were wrong. After creating one perfect generation, they discovered that the children of that generation, though initially healthy and strong, died as young men and women -- men at 25, women at 20. That perfect first generation is still alive, struggling for a cure for their children, but meanwhile teenage marriage has become common, and very wealthy young men will often have several brides, in hopes of producing children before they die. Rhine, the story's protagonist, is one such bride. She was snatched from her brother, the only family member she has left, and is desperate to escape from her captors in any way possible.

I enjoyed this book, though I have a few quibbles with the world-building. (So, if the premise intrigues you and you would like to read the book without any spoilers or preconceived opinions, you may want to skip the rest of this paragraph.) For one thing, I thought that the premise of that perfect first generation was flawed -- surely, before all of the non-tampered-with humans were past childbearing age, they would realize that there were problems with the children of the engineered ones. A "generation" is a fairly fluid thing -- I mean, my brother and I are in two different ones (Gen X and Gen Y), though born only six years apart. Also, how could every citizen of the US afford to have genetically engineered children? You'd think it would be something that only the rich could do, and that the children of the poor would actually be the ones to save the human race by not carrying the genetic flaw. Also, Rhine describes a world where the USA has obliterated all of the other continents in a third world war, to the point where they are all under water. The melting of the polar ice caps is also mentioned. However, places like Florida and New York City still exist, with only some minor changes in the weather as consequences. I don't buy this -- if all of that land is underwater, the ocean would have to go somewhere. But I am willing to suspend disbelief on this, since I think future books may reveal that what Rhine has been told about the rest of the globe may not, in fact, be true.

Even with all of those issues, I still would recommend the story to those who enjoy a good dystopia, especially if you can suspend disbelief about some of the background details while you are reading.

I have Wither in the BlackHole already as I enjoy dystopian books. I am hoping to get my hands on it some time soon.

I won Wither at Dewey's Read-a-thon. So it's in my TBR Pile.

#143/144 -- Hope you both enjoy it!

(127 books read)

In Bagthorpes Unlimited, the third book in the Bagthorpe Saga, the hilarity continues as the Bagthorpes receive a visit from some unwanted relatives, and then pursue immortality in a variety of ways. This book is about on par with the first two, but I don't have much else to say -- as is often the case with series, when I've already described the series in my post about the first book.

My local library does not have that book in the series either. It looks like I am just going to have to be content with Ordinary Jack.

#147 -- Well, that's better than nothing! Maybe some day, when your book-buying limit is not so strict, you will run across them in a used bookstore or something. I keep meaning to buy copies to own, since many libraries have already weeded them out. I bought the first two or three that way when I was in elementary school, but I gave them to my brother, and he's not giving them up. :-)

Wither sounds really good. It also sounds familiar. I wonder if my demented mind thought of that at one time.

#149 -- Maybe you read a description or review of it somewhere? A lot of times books sound vaguely familiar to me, either because they remind me of something else I've read, or because I read about them on an LT thread or on a blog somewhere. I actually heard about Wither in two different places before I picked it up.

Can't remember. I usually can't remember anything. I don't even know what I had for breakfast...I didn't have any breakfast that's why. Well I added Wither to my Wishlist, but when I'll read it, I have no idea.

#151 -- I know that feeling. I had very limited access to a library for the first part of this year, so now that I am working at one once again, I keep placing holds on/checking out anything and everything that sounds interesting. I keep trying to remind myself that I don't have to read everything right now, but it's all just so tempting. :-)

>152 foggidawn: My problem is actually the availability of the books. I live to a...not very big library, so my choices are limited. I can also do a ILL, but it takes awhile to get here, like my most recent one took 2 weeks plus from a library 500-750 miles away or more. I haven't looked on MapQuest to see exactly how far yet. But I have a lot of books lined up at my library that they have for certain to read, so that's good.

(128 books read)

The Grimm Legacy by Polly Shulman is one of those books that I could have really loved . . . but I didn't. I liked it, and would recommend it, but I wanted it to be fantastic, and it was merely good. The premise is that a teenage girl, Elizabeth Rew, gets a job as a page in a circulating materials repository (like a library, but with objects instead of books). In the repository, there are a few special collections -- very special collections. For instance in the Grimm collection, there are various magical objects from fairy tales. Of course, All Is Not Well: someone is stealing items from the collection and replacing them with non-magical ones. There's also a cute boy and an annoying boy, to provide some romantic tension.

You can see why, with a premise that combines a library-like setting and magic, I would want to love this. Perhaps my expectations were too high. I think my main problem was that the dialogue felt stilted in places. The plot and pacing were fairly good, although I found parts of it pretty predictable. And I had a few quibbles with the fairy tale objects collection. Readers going in should know they're not all from Grimm tales -- some hail from Perrault, some from mythology, and some from other sources. (This isn't necessarily explained in the book, and it bugged me. For instance, they reference Cinderella's glass slipper, but in Grimm's "Aschenputtel," the slipper is gold. Perhaps I am being too persnickity, but I'm a bit of a fairy-tale nerd -- and the main character in the book is supposed to be, as well.) I would still recommend this book -- just not as enthusiastically as I would have done if it had lived up to my expectations.

#154: I already have that one in the BlackHole but my local library does not have a copy yet. I am sorry to see that the book did not meet your expectations.

(129 books read)

Just finished The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan. I still don't like the Kane chronicles as much as the Percy jackson books, but I'd say this book as about on level with its predecessor The Red Pyramid. Perhaps I favor the Percy Jackson books just because I know more about Greek mythology than Egyptian, so I get more of the little in-jokes in that series. At any rate, I would say that readers who enjoyed The Red Pyramid are likely to enjoy The Throne of Fire. I will read the next book when it comes out, to see what happens next with these characters.

Agree with that totally about the Kane Chronicles. But that won't stop me from reading The Throne of Fire

#156: I am anxious to read that one. I loved The Red Pyramid.

(130 books read)

The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope did live up to my expectations -- I read and loved The Sherwood Ring last year, and enjoyed The Perilous Gard just as much this year. I liked the way Tam Lin played into it in a small way, and would recommend it to fans of Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones, and vice-versa.

I tried to read The Perilous Gard, but couldn't get into it at the time. Since I vow to read all the Newbery books, I will revisit it, especially now that you recommend it.

Congratulations on reading 130 books!

I enjoyed The Perilous Gard too when I read it a couple years back. I still need to read Tam Lin by Pamela Dean at some point, having already read and enjoyed Fire and Hemlock.

(131 books read)

The first book for June is Silksinger by Laini Taylor. I read its predecessor Blackbringer some time ago, and loved it. I would recommend both, but start with Blackbringer. From the ending of Silksinger, it looks like there will be another book eventually -- I am eagerly awaiting it.

I liked Taylor's Lips Touch Three Times, so I will look for Blackbringer and Silksinger. Thanks!

(132 books read)

Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore is a decent first novel. I had some problems with it -- there were places where the action seemed to bump and jerk along like a wagon being pulled a little too quickly over rough ground, if that makes sense. I think this author will improve with time. Also, I didn't know much about the plot before reading, and I find that the title is misleading, since it doesn't really have much to do with the main story line.

The story is that of Nimira, an immigrant "trouser girl" (dancer) in a music hall. She is approached by a sorcerer, who says he needs a singer to sing along with a piano-playing automaton he has purchased. Hoping for better wages, she accepts his offer and travels to his country estate. Naturally, both the sorcerer and the automaton have secrets which Nimira discovers.

Some parts of the book were delightful, while others seemed either bumpy (as mentioned above) or derivative. There's a definite "Jane Eyre" strain to it. I also thought the world-building could be a little better. It seemed very British Empire (with Nimira's home country very like India or some other Asian country), and I had a hard time understanding the layout of the countries mentioned, which may be why my brain filled in the gaps by associating it with Britain, etc. The end of the book sets up for a sequel (though I wouldn't call it a cliffhanger, exactly). It's enjoyable enough for fantasy fans, but not anything that should be considered a first priority.

#164: I already have that one in the BlackHole but my local library still does not have it.

(133 books read)

I enjoyed Changeless by Gail Carriger, but not as much as I enjoyed Soulless. In fact, I was thinking that I wouldn't really be in much of a hurry to read the next book in the series . . . until I got to the twist at the end of the final chapter. So, I'll be looking for Blameless pretty soon!

I have heard that about the ending to Changeless. One of these days I will get to both that one and Blameless.

(134 books read)

Our Man Weston by Gordon Korman was a bit of a disappointment, I'm sorry to say. It's an early Korman, so I was hoping for the great humor that makes the Bruno & Boots series so delightful -- but, while Our Man Weston has some humor, I didn't find it nearly as enjoyable as other books by Korman. I have to wonder if I would have enjoyed it more if I had read it as an adolescent (which is really the optimal time to discover Korman).

In Our Man Weston, twins Tom and Sidney Weston have just arrived at a resort, where they have summer jobs. Tom is determined to work just hard enough, enjoy himself during his free time, and have a great summer. Sidney, however, is determined to uncover any sinister plots that might be hatched by the resort guests or staff . . . and with so many people around, surely there will be at least a few, right? As an amateur sleuth, Sidney has gained some notoriety with various law enforcement and defense organizations (many of whom look forward to his frequent communications for their entertainment value, as he always has some wacky theory or other). Tom fears that Sidney's antics will lose both of them their jobs, particularly since their supervisor can never tell the two boys apart. Unbeknownst to Tom, however, Sidney's most recent suspicions have a grain of truth in them, for there are criminals among the resort's guests. Will Sidney figure out who the real spies are before it's too late?

While this book does contain touches of Korman's trademark humor, it does not succeed in being as side-splittingly hilarious as others of Korman's early works. Readers new to this author would be better off looking for A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag or This Can't Be Happening at Macdonald Hall. However, young readers who can't get enough of Korman will probably find this book enjoyable as well.

Note: I'm posting a version of this review on the book's work page, since there are no existing reviews yet.

Oh Gordon Korman. I loved his books as a kid and I have a copy of A Semester in the Life of a Garbage Bag hanging out on my shelves. Sorry that you didn't enjoy this book as much as you'd anticipated but thanks for the bit of nostalgia. :D

#169 -- Yeah, I discovered his books when I was 12 or so, and I remember laughing until I couldn't breathe. I just don't seem to be able to achieve that level of hilarity any more; perhaps if I'd read this book back then I would have loved it. His newer stuff is not as funny, but the writing is a little more polished. I'm not sure if that's a good trade-off, really. And I haven't read any of his adventure series, though I know they're fairly popular.

I loved Gordon Kormon's Macdonald Hall books.

(135 books read)

Entwined by Heather Dixon is a retelling of the 12 Dancing Princesses fairy tale. It is also the loveliest fairy tale retelling I have read in some time. The writing is just elegant; it makes me wish that I could write like that. The world that Dixon creates is charming and different, without being intrusive in its differences. You don't notice the world, you notice the story and the characters -- but the world is the perfect backdrop for the story and the characters.

Possibly the best thing about this book is that it's a debut novel. I can't wait to see what this author does next. Five stars, and highly recommended.

(136 books read)

I blazed through The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson in an evening. Like its predecessor (see post #118 of this thread), it's a quick, light read. Ginny is traveling around Europe again, but not by herself this time. I won't give too much away about the plot (such as the identities of her traveling companions), but I liked the group dynamics -- though I will say that one character turned out to be a bit of a jerk, which I was only halfway expecting. There was a lot less touristy stuff in this book; it was more of a road-trip story (and I tend to like road trip stories). I was expecting a more dramatic revelation at the end of the book (again, I'm being vague to avoid spoilers), but I'm okay with the way it turned out. Basically, I'd recommend this book to those who enjoyed the first book, and I'd recommend both to readers who like lighthearted YA lit.

#168: It sounds like I can safely give that one a pass.

#172: Already in the BlackHole, but my local library still does not have it.

#173: I need to read the first book before I get to that one.

#174 -- I seem to remember that making Inter-Library Loan requests at your library is difficult, but do they take purchasing suggestions from patrons? Most libraries I've used give priority to patron suggestions, but I know that some suffering budget woes may not be able to do so.

My local library is definitely one of those suffering budget woes. They cut both employees and hours last year.

(137 books read)

A World Without Heroes, the first book in the Beyonders series by Brandon Mull, is a good solid fantasy. It falls between juvenile and young adult in terms of age range, whereas Mull's Fablehaven series was pretty firmly upper elementary. It's also more of an epic hero's quest. I'd recommend it to fans of epic fantasy and to those who enjoyed Fablehaven. On the other hand, I have the same problems with Mull's writing here as I had with Fablehaven: there's just not enough depth to suit me. That said, I will certainly read the next book to see what happens! Also, this one ended in a slight cliffhanger -- not a pull-your-hair-out cliffhanger, but enough of one to make me wish I didn't have to wait until next year for the next book.

Hey Foggi! I have a thread on here too. Though I can't seem to find it. Let me know if you see it please? I was going to add a book to it but can't find it. I hope it still exists.

#176 -- Ah, that's too bad.

#178 -- If you click on the "talk" tab at the top of the page, you should see a "started by you" option under "Your World" in the sidebar on the left. Clicking on that should give you a list of just the threads you've started -- maybe you can find it there?

(138 books read)

In Bagthorpes V. the World, the Bagthorpes turn their attention from genius, fortune, and immortality, and focus instead on Survival. They are on a quest to be Self-Sufficient . . . and the Bagthorpes never do anything by half measures. Add to the mix a visit from eccentric Aunt Lucy, who does not believe in Time, and you have a recipe for true Bagthorpian disaster.

The series continues to be fun and amusing. I have only read the later books in the series once, so will be glad to revisit them, though I have several other things to read before I do.

#179 - Thanks!

#177: I will wait until the series is complete to start it :)

#182 -- From the author's note in the back, it looks like he intends to make this a trilogy, and to release one book a year . . . so you shouldn't have to wait too long!

#183: That is good news! George R.R. Martin take note! :)

Oh, so many good books here! I just caught up on about a month's worth of posts. Dark of the Moon and Entwined were added to the wishlist, and my desire to read Wither was increased. I'm also struck by an urge to reread some Bagthorpes or Gordon Korman....

#185 -- Thanks for stopping by! :-) I definitely recommend Entwined!

I'm hoping to do a better job of keeping up in the future. You just read so quickly!

(139 books read)

Memento Nora by Angie Smibert is a dystopia, but not a post-apocalyptic one. (I can't remember whether the discussion that I was reading recently about post-apocalyptic vs. dystopia was on someone's thread here, or someone's blog somewhere, or both, but it's made me more aware of the distinction.) In Nora's world, some 30 or 40 years in the future, a drug has been developed that allows people to forget traumatic memories -- and in a world where acts of terrorism are increasingly frequent, most people take advantage of the drug. After seeing a man die in a bombing, Nora's mother takes Nora for her first visit to a Therapeutic Forgetting Clinic -- but a chance encounter with Micah, another student from her school, as well as a disturbing memory shared by her mother, make Nora decide not to take the pill after all. As Nora gets to know Micah and his friend Winter better, she gets drawn in to co-writing a subversive comic, Memento, to draw attention to the issue of whether it's really a good thing to forget all of life's trauma.

This is a short book, and a fast read. I actually wish there had been a bit more detail and background, particularly about Micah and Winter. While the perspective shifts between the three of them, the main focus is on Nora. I liked Nora well enough, but her life seemed fairly commonplace in comparison with what little we learned about the other two. Still, this is a solidly good read, one I'd recommend to fans of dystopias, and it's short enough to appeal to readers who are reluctant to pick up a more hefty volume.

#188: I had not heard of that one before. Thanks for the recommendation!

(140 books read)

The Extraordinary Secrets of April, May, & June by Robin Benway was on my radar because I absolutely loved Audrey, Wait!, Benway's first book. Extraordinary Secrets failed to impress, though. The story is of three teen sisters who suddenly develop superpowers, and find that the powers can be more problematic than they might have expected.

While the three characters are distinct, they're also kind of stereotypical (April the plain-Jane-brain, May the grumpy emo kid with no friends, June the pretty but clueless popularity-seeker) -- and I didn't actually like any of them. Also, the reason behind the development of their sudden powers is never fully explained, or at least not to my satisfaction. As for pacing, the plot meandered aimlessly along through a few dates and a couple of parties, then rushed to the climax and conclusion.

I probably wouldn't recommend this, unless the plot description really appeals to you. I'll probably try Benway's next book, though, because her first book was so fantastically fun.

(141 books read)

Squish: Super Amoeba is a new graphic novel for kids by Jennifer and Matthew Holm, the creators of Babymouse. It's about an amoeba, doing what amoebas do: living with his mom and dad, going to school, reading comic books . . .

Okay, so it's about an amoeba doing what kids do. There are a few science-y facts thrown in, but basically the amoeba angle is just for the gross factor, I think.

I didn't really "get" this graphic novel, but I am definitely not the target audience. Perhaps third and fourth-grade boys will love this just as much as third and fourth-grade girls love Babymouse. I'd recommend it to them, but I think grown-ups are unlikely to enjoy it much.

(142 books read)

I enjoy Sharon Shinn's fantasy novels, so was glad to pick up Gateway. It's different from her other writing, but still a good read. Daiyu, who was adopted from China as a baby and who lives in St. Louis, walks under the Gateway Arch after a transaction with a mysterious old woman, and finds herself in an alternate version of the city -- a different version of the whole world, in fact. There, she meets two operatives who travel between the many different worlds, and who have drawn here there to help them apprehend a suave, crooked politician. She also meets a charming local boy to whom she immediately feels a strong connection. Daiyu must decide who to trust, how to act, and what she is willing to sacrifice for love.

While not as good as some of Shinn's other writing (I like her Twelve Houses series best), this was a good read. I feel vaguely dissatisfied about the ending, but not enough that it ruined my appreciation for the book.

(143 books read)

I Shall Wear Midnight is the conclusion of the Tiffany Aching series, which exists as sort of a mini-series inside the Discworld realm. I haven't read much Pratchett other than the Tiffany Aching books, but I imagine I will some day.

In this book, Tiffany faces down the Cunning Man, an ancient evil that manifests itself every so often and causes witch-hunts and general unrest. In doing so, she really comes into her own as a witch. I enjoyed this at least as much as Wintersmith, though not as much as The Wee Free Men. I'd say it's a satisfying conclusion, and would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoyed the first three Tiffany Aching books -- and for those who have not yet encountered them, I'd recommend The Wee Free Men to just about anyone!

#192: Adding that one to the BlackHole.

#193: That one is already in the BlackHole and it looks as though my local library finally has a copy!

(144 books read)

It took me much longer than usual to read StarCrossed by Elizabeth Bunce. This was because it was one of those books I kept putting down. I would go off to do other things, and I felt no compulsion to pick it back up and see what happened.

To be fair, the book had its share of good points -- the world-building was very good, and the plot was detailed, with lots of political intrigue and such. It just wasn't for me. I had a hard time following the story, probably because I kept setting it down and doing other things. Certain things came too easily to the main character. For instance, at the beginning of the book she is fleeing town, and falls in with four aristocrats in a pleasure boat -- and they accept her, pretty much no questions ask, and protect her, even bribing a guard to let her out of the city with them even though she has none of the necessary paperwork. Things like this happen throughout the story, without good reason. Also, I can't figure out what the title has to do with the book, which kind of bothers me. Then again, maybe I missed something.

I really liked Bunce's first book, but this one wasn't a favorite. I probably won't bother with the sequel, unless people rave about it being much better than this.

Stopping by to wave hi.

(145 & 146 books read)

I finished listening to Mississippi Jack by L.A. Meyer, narrated by Katherine Kellgren, today. I love this series beyond reason, and highly recommend both the books themselves, and the audiobooks.

When I went to enter this in, I realized that I had not entered In the Belly of the Bloodhound, which I finished listening to earlier this month. Hence, two books in this post.

Checking my list of reads for this year, I realize that I haven't yet had a chance to talk about these books. The Bloody Jack series by L.A. Meyer starts out as the story of Mary Faber, orphan and beggar on the streets of London, who dresses as a boy and runs away to the sea, taking a post as Ship's Boy on a Navy ship. I don't want to give anything away, but Jacky (which is what she calls herself, and what she is known as from then on) goes from one wild adventure to another, in that book and the ones that follow. This series is just plain fun, and I am so excited to see that another one is coming out this fall. In the meantime, I plan to continue my reread (re-listen? but while I have read the books, this is my first time listening to the audiobooks). The narrator of the series, Katherine Kellgren, is just spectacular. I can't recommend these audiobooks highly enough; I think I actually enjoy them more while listening than I do when just reading!

I read the first one and enjoyed it. Someday I have to read the rest of the series. Maybe when the next one comes out...

(147 books read)

I'm thinking that it's just me, not the books. I just finished The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente -- another book which should have been a fast read, but which took me the better part of a week. Too much going on, I guess.

At any rate, I really liked this book. At times it reminded me of Alice in Wonderland, at times it reminded me of Coraline, and it played on a lot of children's fantasy and fairy tales. And I got a little tear in my eye toward the end of the book -- but it was a happy tear. I'd recommend this to, oh, lots of people!

Wasn't it delightful? I really enjoyed that one!

Oh, your recent read sounds delightful...on the tbr pile it goes.

#200/201 -- Yes, delightful indeed!

And thank you and hello to everyone who has dropped by recently!

Gateway sounds very interesting, so onto the pile it goes. Thanks for the great review!

#203 -- Hope you like it!

Added your latest read to the TBR list.

(148 books read)

I just finished The Lost Summer of Louisa May Alcott by Kelly O'Connor McNees. I'm a big Alcott fan -- I collect old editions of her works (Little, Brown editions from the early 20th century, mostly) and I wrote a paper on her in middle school after reading Invincible Louisa.

While this book has its faults (the pacing in the first half of the book wasn't great, and the sisters' characters seemed mostly cribbed from Little Women -- which was, yes, somewhat autobiographical, but still . . .), I did enjoy reading it. It felt a little bit like slipping into a misplaced segment of Little Women, falling in between Part I and Part II/Good Wives. The author certainly did her research, and I enjoyed the author's note at the end and got several good reading suggestions there! (When will I have time for reading several Alcott biographies? I sure don't know.)

I would recommend this to Alcott fans, particularly readers who are fascinated with the author's life, as well as her stories.

I saw this on Stasia's thread, and decided it looked like fun:

Favorite childhood book: I had lots of childhood favorites, but for much of elementary school it was Ten Kids, No Pets by Ann. M. Martin
What are you reading right now? Beauty Queens by Libba Bray, The Order of Odd-Fish by James Kennedy, and I'm listening to My Bonny Light Horseman by L.A. Meyer and The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan (both of which I have read before).
Bad book habit: Eating while reading.
Do you have an e-reader? Yes, a Kindle. I have not been using it much lately because I'm reading a lot of library books at the moment, but I do like it.
Do you prefer one book at a time or several at once? I used to read several books at one time, but now I usually just have one that I'm reading, and maybe one that I am listening to. Right now I am listening to one on CD in my car, and one that I've downloaded to my iPod, which is a fairly unusual situation for me.
Have your reading habits changed since starting a blog 75-Book Challenge? (Since I don't have a blog, I changed the question.) Having a 75-Book Challenge thread has made me be more diligent about recording my initial reactions to what I read, which is a really good thing. I don't always do a full review, but at least I write a few sentences about my reading experience.
Least favorite book you read this year: Nerd Girls: The Rise of the Dorkasaurus by Alan Lawrence Sitomer. My review here.
Favorite book this year: Either Divergent by Veronica Roth (my review here), or Entwined by Heather Dixon.
How often do you read out of your comfort zone? I don't know -- occasionally? Every few months, maybe?
What is your reading comfort zone? Fantasy (for any age), children's and young adult lit, literary classics, cozy mysteries, and inspirational fiction.
Can you read on the bus? Yes -- on the bus, in the car, in a plane, on the subway . . . I am not troubled by motion sickness, and not easily distracted.
Favorite place to read: In bed, or curled up on the couch (when I have one -- I don't currently have a couch because I got rid of the old one before I moved, and I miss having one).
What is your policy on book lending? I don't often lend my books -- not that I am opposed to it, but I live far away from most of the people who would like to borrow them. Basically, I expect that a book be returned within a few months, no worse for the wear. I have a few books I probably wouldn't lend out (my antique/vintage books), but other than that, I'm pretty easygoing, I think.
Do you ever dogear pages in your books? No -- I use whatever I have on hand as a bookmark: receipts, unused paper napkins, envelopes, and on rare occasions, actual bookmarks!
Do you write notes in the margins of your books? No.
What is your favorite language to read in? English
What makes you love a book? Great characterization. I love a good plot and really excellent writing, but the characters are what bring me back to the books I love over and over again.
What will inspire you to recommend a book? If I enjoy a book, I think about who I would recommend it to. For instance, I know my brother has similar tastes in fantasy books, as long as there's not too much romance. I know one of my co-workers reads the same YA books as I do. I know a lot of people on LT that will read one thing or another that I like. And occasionally I read a book that I would recommend to just about anyone . . . but for that, a book has to combine a lot of different elements with a high degree of excellence.
Favorite genre: Fantasy, or more specifically, young adult fantasy.
Genre you rarely read (but wish you did): I don't read enough nonfiction.
Favorite biography: I don't read enough biographies, either. I did enjoy The Trouble Begins at 8: A Life of Mark Twain in the Wild, Wild West by Sid Fleischman. And my favorite memoir is Facing East: A Pilgrim's Journey into the Mysteries of Orthodoxy by Frederica Mathewes-Green
Have you ever read a self-help book? Yes.
Most inspirational book you've read this year: I can't think of any that I've found particularly inspirational, unfortunately.
Favorite reading snack: Chocolate.
How often do you agree with critics about a book? I am a critic! Bwa-ha-ha! (I write occasional reviews of children's and YA literature for a major professional journal.) But actually I'd say I agree with other people's reviews, whether professional or not, about 65% of the time.
How do you feel about giving bad/negative reviews? If I don't like a book, I say so. However, I do try to find and mention the good points. I think it's important to give a fair review, and to consider that I just may be the wrong audience for a certain book. I try not to write negative reviews just for the sake of letting my snarky side come out to play . . . but it is tempting, I'll admit!
If you could read in a foreign language, which language would you choose? French, so I could read Cyrano de Bergerac in the original language.
Most intimidating book you've ever read: Handbook on the Pentateuch by Victor Hamilton -- intimidating because I read it for a class taught by the author.
Most intimidating book you're too nervous to begin: I have a lot of big chunky classics that are long-term TBR's. I don't know if it's that they're intimidating, or if I just know that they will require a big chunk of time when I could be reading other things. One book that definitely falls in this category is The Divine Comedy by Dante.
Favorite poet: John Donne
Favorite fictional character: Cyrano de Bergerac
Favorite fictional villain: Severus Snape
Books I'm most likely to bring on vacation: A wide selection of whatever I have on hand. I tend to bring lots of books on vacation, so I will have choices in reading material, and something that appeals to lots of different moods.
The longest I've gone without reading: No more than a day or two, I don't think.
Name a book that could not/would not finish: I have a LT collection for books that I've started but not finished. Some, I mean to come back to . . . others, not so much. I think The Order of Odd-Fish, one of my current reads, will be among the latter.
What distracts you easily when you're reading: People trying to talk to me.
Favorite film adaptation of a novel: The Princess Bride
Most disappointing film adaptation of a novel: Prince Caspian
The most money you've ever spent on books: Probably some big textbook order when I was in college or grad school.
How often do you skim a book before reading: Never
Do you like to keep your books organized? I like to, but I don't always do so!
Do you prefer to keep books or give them away once you've read them? I keep a book if I think there is a chance I will want to reread it, or if I have some sort of attachment to it (if it was a gift, or if it is signed by the author, for example), but otherwise I send it on its way.
A book that made you angry: I can't really think of one. There are too many ways to interpret this question. Angry at the characters for doing stupid things? Angry because I loved the book but hated the ending? Angry because I disagreed with the author's message or ideology? I'm sure I have read examples of all of these, but I can't think of them this late in the survey!
A book you didn't expect to like but did: Most recently, Flip by Martyn Bedford (post #96 in this thread).
A book you expected to like but didn't: Gardenias for Breakfast by Robin Jones Gunn -- an author of inspirational fiction whose books are usually favorites of mine. This one didn't live up to my expectations.
Favorite guilt-free pleasure reading: I have a collection of "comfort reads" that are my go-to books when I need something I know I will enjoy. Other than that, most of my reading is pleasure reading!

(149 books read)

Just finished Beauty Queens by Libba Bray -- I moved it up my TBR pile because it's a library book for which other people are probably waiting. Also, I read Zoe's review on her thread, and decided to go ahead and see what I thought of the book.

This may seem like a strange thing to say, but I wanted this book to be less than it was . . . less over-the-top, less message-y, less satirical. I think there was a good story there, but it got lost in the ridiculous details. I mean, a clandestine arms deal with an evil dictator is great. The fact that the evil dictator has a stupid-sounding name and an Elvis fetish makes it just silly. Also, the fact that the beauty pageant contestants either died in the crash or survived unscathed was a little convenient. Oh, wait. They weren't all unscathed -- one had a broken arm, and another had a tray embedded in her head, but they never suffered any ill effects (infection, pain, blood poisoning) from their injuries. I also think that the whole issue of survival was just too easy for them. (And I'm still trying to remember if they ever explained where the machete came from. Handy thing to have on a desert island, but not the sort of thing you'd expect pageant contestants to have in their luggage.)

There were some interesting underlying themes: evils of consumerism, value of diversity, exploring sexuality, the interplay between feminism and femininity . . . but I felt like I was being bludgeoned over the head with them in several parts of the book.

I did find it a quick read, and wasn't put off so much by the sheer absurdity that I stopped reading, so perhaps you should take my criticisms with a grain of salt. Still, I'm having a hard time thinking of who I'd recommend this to, as it's just all too bizarre.

I definitely agree with you that the survival was way too easy, which was disappointing since I love a good survival story. Also agree about the bludgeoning with the themes and about it being too bizarre.

I still can't say I regret reading the book, though.

Also, I hope you'll post your review on the work page, because it needs one like that.

#209 -- No, that may be the strangest thing about it . . . I don't regret reading it, either. It was fun. I just think it would have been more fun if she had dialed back the absurdity just a bit.

ETA: #210 -- I will try to remember to do that later today. Right now, I must get ready for work!

(150 books read)

I have hit 75x2 with My Bonny Light Horseman by L.A. Meyer. As with others in this series, I listened to the audiobook.

If I start out by saying that this is my least-favorite in the series so far, I hope that doesn't make you think that I would not recommend it! For one thing, I seem to recall liking the next two books quite well, and one would not want to miss an episode in Jacky's life, even if it is not as compelling as other reads. My main problem with this book is how conveniently everything comes together for Jacky. Granted, she has a history of close shaves and last-minute escapes, but even my credulity was stretched a little thin at this book. Also, while historical characters have made brief appearances in other books, Jacky gets several face-to-face conversations with Napoleon in this book, and I don't think I like having historical personages dragged into Jacky's story to quite that extent. (I make an exception for Mike Fink in Mississippi Jack, since he's more legendary than historical, if that makes sense.)

I'm looking forward to the next book in the series. If and when you read this series for the first time (and I certainly recommend that you do so!), don't let this book slow you down.

At Zoe's suggestion (in post #210), I posted my comments on Beauty Queens as a review. Usually I try to polish my reviews and make them a little more formal, but I left this one as it was . . . mostly because I have had a long day, and am too tired to fuss with it! :-)

Wow!, 150 so far this year - congratulations, that is an amazing figure!

Yes indeed, congratulations!

The time has come for A NEW THREAD! See you there!