Mamzel in 2013, Part 2

Thanks for following me to my new thread. Comments are always appreciated. I changed my thirteenth, Miscellaneous, category to the HUB challenge (reading YA award winners).

1. TBRs - 3
2. Mysteries - 8
3. Speculative Fiction - 7
4. ERs and ARCs - 4
5. Graphic novels - 6
6. Nonfiction - 3
7. Food related
8. Plays - 1
9. Classics -2
10. Non-American authors - 8
11. Short story collections
12. YA literature - 5
13. HUB challenge - 25
Total to date - 70



I. Books from the piles in my room (TBRs) - no minimum

1. Sacré Bleu by Christopher Moore (2012)
2. Wheel of Darkness by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child (2007)
3. Run by Ann Patchett (2007)



II. Mysteries - no minimum

1. Heartstone by C.J. Sansome (2010)
2. Restless: A Novel by William Boyd (2007)
3. Grandad, There's a Head on the Beach by Colin Cotterill (2012)
4. City of Secrets by Kelli Stanley (2011)
5. The Woman Who Wouldn't Die by Colin Cotterill (2013)
6. Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker (2009)
7. Here She Lies by Katia Lief (2011)
8. A Fistful of Collars by Spencer Quinn (2012)



III. Speculative fiction - no minimum

1. Storm Front by Jim Butcher (2000)
2. Fool Moon by Jim Butcher (2001)
3. Grave Peril by Jim Butcher (2001)
4. Redshirts by John Scalzi (2012)
5. Old Man's War by John Scalzi (2007)
6. Hong on the Range by William F. Wu (1989)
7. 11/22/63 by Stephen King (2011)



IV. ERs and ARCs - no minimum

1. Out of the Easy by Ruta Sepetys (2013)
2. Keeper of the Black Stones by PT McHugh (2013)
3. An Infidel in Paradise by S.J. Laidlaw (2013)
4. Prisoner 88 by Leah Pileggi (2013)

V. Graphic novels - 10

1. Morning Glories by Nick Spencer (2012)
2. Fables: The Deluxe Edition Book One by Bill Willingham (2009)
3. The Sandman: The Doll's House by Neil Gaiman (1995)
4. Habibi by Craig Thompson (2011)
5. The Unwritten Vol. 1 by Mike Carey and Peter Gross (2010)
6. Unwritten: Inside Man by Mike Carey (2010)



VI. Nonfiction - 5

1. The Man Who Loved China by Simon Winchester (2008)
2. "Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" by Richard Feynman, read by Raymond Todd (orig. 1985)
3. The Billionaire's Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace (2008)



VII. Food related - 5



VIII. Plays - 5

1. Angels in America, Part One, Millenium Approaches by Tony Kushner (1993)
Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika by Tony Kushner (1993)

IX. Classics - 3

1. Lolita by Vladimir Nabokov (1955)
2. The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson (2012)



X. Non-American authors - 3

1. A Morbid Taste for Bones by Ellis Peters (1977)
2. Anatomy of Murder by Imogen Robertson (2011)
3. Instruments of Darkness by Imogen Robertson (2009)
4. The Face of a Stranger by Anne Perry (1990)
5. A Dangerous Mourning by Anne Perry (1991)
6. Zoo City by Lauren Beukes (2011)
7. Those in Peril by Wilbur Smith (2011)
8. The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (2011)
9. Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende (2011)

XI. Short story collections (still no luck picking a representative pic) - 3



XII. YA books for work - no minimum

1. Tiger Lily by Jodi Lynn Anderson (2012)
2. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak (2005)
3. The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan (2012)
4. "Who Could That Be at This Hour?" by Lemony Snicket (2012)
5. Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger (2013)



XIII. YALSA Reading Challenge

1. The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater (2012)
2. Juvenile in Justice by Richard Ross (2012)
3. The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen (2011)
4. After the Snow by S.D. Crockett (2012)
5. My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf (2012)
6. Sparks: The Epic, Completely True Blue, (Almost) Holy Quest of Debbie by S.J. Adams (2011)
7. Ultimate Comics, Spider-Man, Vol. 1 by Brian Michael Bendis and others (2012)
8. Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby (2012)
9. Heist Society by Ally Carter (2012)
10. Boy 21 by Matthew Quick (2012)
11. The Diviners by Libba Bray, read by January LaVoy (2012)
12. Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg (2011)
13. Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney, read by Ramon de Ocampo (2011)
14. Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (2012)
15. The Night She Disappeared by April Henry (2012)
16. Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy by Bil Wright (2011)
17. Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (2012)
18. Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (2012)
19. Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (2012)
20. The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriguez (2012)
21. The Round House by Louise Erdrich (2012)
22. Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks (2012)
23. Daredevil, Vol. 1 by Mark Waid et al, (2012)
24. Squire by Tamora Pierce (2001)
25. I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga (2012)

Starred 'Part 2'. Thanks for your good wishes for my grandson. He is doing really well now and I got home last night. First thing to do - Catch up on what's happening at LT! A little self-indulgent I know...

Doh - just posted on your part 1....

I really enjoyed zoo city and can't remember foreign words being a problem. I guess your problem with the ending is really only a problem with the Kindle format? although I'm not 100% sure I get what your problem was - did you feel cheated? Lots of books have a "PS" nowadays, kind of like a literary version of DVD extras, sometimes this works, sometimes it doesn't

Mysterymax, your grandson's family is so lucky you are able to help. They must be so grateful for your support and assistance.

Pete, It's my problem and I know it. I sort of pace myself for the expected ending. For instance, when I read the Lord of the Rings trilogy, I was pacing myself in the third book for 500-600 pages. When the story was closing around page 300 I wondered what was going to fill up the last 150-200 pages. I was surprised when I discovered it was all those addenda. I have never, ever, looked in the back of a book - even if I wasn't going to finish the book. I just don't. I get taken by surprise once in a while. I guess I was more tripped up since there were some issues still unaddressed.

mamzel, I followed you over here from thread #1 and just wanted to say that I'm glad you liked The Raven Boys! I did too, although I definitely feel like I need to read future installments to get some resolution. I haven't read anything else by Stiefvater except The Scorpio Races, which I absolutely LOVED, so I hope you enjoy that one if/when you read it!

Thanks to tottman over on the Green Dragon group, I've learned there is a name for my 'problem' - spacial navigability. He had a link to this interesting article: Your brain on books

It was interesting to read your thoughts on Zoo City. I'm still working on it. I agree to some extent about the foreign words but I don't find the problem annoying enough to put me off the book. Actually, I'd recently read some other books that were much worse in this respect, so Zoo City doesn't seem too bad in comparison.

Thanks for sharing the article. I suffer from that problem too when reading e-books. I didn't know there was a name for it either.

Interesting article.

Really interesting article, particularly how different types of books impact different parts of the brain. I think that's why I have to read something lighter after reading non-fiction or a serious classic. It gives one part of my brain a break!

Paulina, sometimes I think I get too cranky these days and maybe the language thing wasn't so bad. I don't mind the Romance languages so much since I can generally figure out what they mean, but the languages in Zoo city were totally Greek to me and frustrated me.

Hailelib and Stacy, glad you enjoyed the article. I find that it's nice to know, sometimes, that what I feel isn't so unusual.



The Brides of Rollrock Island by Margo Lanagan (2012)

"The old witch is there," said Raditch, peering over the top to Six-Mile Beach. "Well settled with her knitting."

The old witch, Misskaella, is the central figure in this book which, when read, should serve as a warning to any man considering a trophy wife. When she was young, Misskaella, the youngest of several girls, was not attractive and was scorned by the boys of the village and teased by her sisters and the other girls. It was discovered that she had a special ability to transform seals into beautiful women and it was here she discovered how to support herself. She charged men to create seal-womean, willowy, dark-haired beauties. The men felt beholdened to her but the women of the village felt even more hatred for her because of their sudden inferiority. They packed up and took any children they had to the mainland and left the men to try and please the seal-women. Since they only produced boy babies, Misskaella soon was the only real woman left on the island.

The story started when Misskaella was old but went back to when she was young to show the hows and whys of what she did. Each chapter was from a different person's point of view; a mother of one of the young men, one of the young men, one of the seal-women, one of their children, etc. It was almost like an anthropological study to see what occured. The language was very lyrical and made one think of Ireland.

Down to the Crescent I went, to the seals, who were all the one silver under the moon, except for the bull, the king, who lay among his wives like spilled ink, and the babies, like dark droplets thrown off him throughout the herd.

I recommend this book to fantasy readers and those who enjoy stories about mythological creatures.

Literary reference: none
CATEGORY: YA



Old Man's War by John Scalzi (2007)
Old Man's War #1

I did two things on my sevety-fifth birthday. I visited my wife's grave. Then I joined the army.

This is the second Scalzi book I've enjoyed and I will definitely be enjoying more.

When people reach the age of 75 they have the choice to enlist in the CDF (Colonial Defense Forces) and after a stint of 10 years can retire with a whole new body. A bit of blind faith is involved since one doesn't know beforehand how they get rejuvenated nor do they know what kind of battles they will participate in except that they will be protecting off-world colonies.

We follow John Perry as he joins up, gets a new body, and battles aliens. He makes friends on the way, who call themselves Old Farts, and does a pretty good job.

Being closer to 75 than I am to 20, I find this premise very intriguing. To be given an opportunity to keep my memories and knowledge in a body in the best condition of my life would be hard to resist.

I would recommend this book to fans of speculative fiction, especially older ones.

Literary reference: the monster from Frankenstein
CATEGORY: SPECULATIVE FICTION

Oooh, Old Man's War sounds fascinating - love the concept!

Ok I give in I will have to read Old Man's War, sounds great and its nice to see another good review of The Brides of Rollrock Island. I was amazed how Lanagan with all those differing view points managed to keep a coherent whole.

Give Old Man's War a go. I think you will like it.

Claire, I liked Brides a whole lot more than Tender Morsels which I found terribly over-nasty and without merit (MHO). Each time I started a new chapter I had to quickly figure out who was talking and what was their take on the story. It was fun.

So this weekend I am dedicated to graphic novels (since I have to get them back to the library).



Fables: The Deluxe Edition Book One by Bill Willingham (2009)
Fables: Deluxe Edition 1

Chapter One: Old Tales Revisited - In which we meet many of our principal players and get just the first hint or two of some of the myriad troubles to come.

I thought I would try to visit the adult graphic novel world and have started with the Neil Gaiman Sandman series but have heard so much about this series I thought I would give it a try as well. I'm so glad I did!

Many of the characters from our favorite fairy tales and nursery rhymes, along with some from books like Kipling's Jungle Book and Orwell's Animal Farm are alive and living in New York. Well, the more human ones are in NYC in a community known as Fabletown whose mayor is Snow White. The other, less human characters live upstate on The Farm.

It appears that Snow's sister, Rose Red, has been killed. Her apartment is like a scene from CSI, covered with blood spray. Snow calls in her friend and private investigator, Bigby Wolf, to find out what happened to her sister. The first five editions of the graphic novel introduce us to many of the characters and bring us to a surprising finding. The second five editions take place on The Farm continuing the story.

The art in these GNs are rich, layered, and detailed. It is without doubt an adult story which can be enjoyed in just an hour or two.

Literary references: so many!

CATEGORY: GRAPHIC NOVELS

LOL - you'll be really busy if you're going to keep track of the literary references in Fables! It's definitely a lighter read than Sandman, but quite a fun series to follow.

Willingham's Fables series is on my reading list this year as a perfect fit or three of my categories so very happy to see you give it such a positive review..... I am looking forward to diving into the stories!

I really did like Old Man's War and keep meaning to pick up the next in the series but haven't gotten around to it yet. Glad you enjoyed it too. Also really like what I've read of the Fables series as well. Eagerly awaiting for Book 6 to be released next month.

I glutted myself on Scalzi's books last year. They were all a lot of fun. And I've got a few of the latest volumes of Fables to look forward to. The fairy tale characters are so interesting and really gain in depth as the series progresses. I love how their well known stories give you a hint of their personality, but they're so much more than that.

Eva, I think they would end up needing their own thread!

Lori, I think you will enjoy them. I'm looking forward to reading more. I hope my library system has them all.

Dave, I will return to Scalzi soon. I'll have to put them on hold while I try to complete the YALSA challenge. I'm going to the library today to see if I can get some more titles for it.

Sandy, Two more reasons why hanging out here on LT is so rewarding. I don't know if I ever would have discovered Scalzi and I'm positive I never would have tried a Fables GN.



The Sandman: The Doll's House by Neil Gaiman (1995)

Morpheus returns and is searching for a girl who is a dream vortex, a potentially devastating event for mankind. The girl in question, Rose, is on her own search for her brother who is in foster care (locked in a basement). Will they find their targets before something horrible happens?

What I would love to know is how Gaiman thinks Morpheus' voice sounds like. His voice bubbles are white letters on black background and have a rippled edge rather than everyone else's black on white, rounded edges. In my mind he has an echo-y sound that film makers use to infer a person talking to himself instead of out loud.

On my way to get the next two volumes from the library. Ta!

Literary references: Batman, Justice League, Merlin, Faust
CATEGORY: GRAPHIC NOVELS



"Who Could That Be at This Hour?" by Lemony Snicket (2012)
All the Wrong Questions #1

I loved the Series of Unfortunate Events. The three orphans had unique personalities and Uncle Olaf was deliciously evil. Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any of the same charm in this series. The young Lemony Snicket seemed very flat and one-dimensional. The explanations of phrases returned as well as the stupid adults. Lemony's chaperone was inexplicably dumb. There was no resolution to the problems which might be financially satisfying to the publishers but frustrating to the reader.

Literary references: The Wind in the Willows and The Lord of the Rings
CATEGORY: YA LIT

Bummer on the Lemony Snicket - I thought you could always count on him for a laugh.

You're hitting a lot of my recent favorites ... Gaiman's Sandman, the Fables series, and John Scalzi ... I'm so glad that you like them all!

Cammy, I added the first lines of the book (which I forgot to do). It could be that he is trying to give a noir feel to the story but I don't feel that noir looks good on an twelve-year old. I was bummed.

Clif, I definitely will continue with all of them!



The Running Dream by Wendelin Van Draanen (2011)

My life is over.
Behind the morphine dreams is the nightmare of reality.
A reality I can't face.

16-year old Jessica lost part of her leg in an traffic accident returning from a track meet. She is...was...a talented runner but that all seemed to have come to an end. It might have except for the extraordinary support she receives from her friends, her family, teammates, and her community. And an extraordinary young woman with cerebral palsy who showed her that she was still luckier than some, even with a prosthetic leg.

This is simply an inspiring YA story about teen with a driving desire to return to running and give back to a new friend. It is well worth the time to read.

Literary reference: none
CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

A reading marathon this morning.



Those in Peril by Wilbur Smith (2011)

The Khamseen had been blowing for five days now. The dust clouds rolled towards them across the brooding expanse of the desert. Hector Cross wore a striped keffiyeh wrapped around his neck and desert goggles over his eyes.

I loved Wilbur Smith's Egyptian series starting with The River God and when I saw this book on B&N's sale shelf I couldn't resist. Having the house to myself this morning I indulged in a little marathon and read the book in one sitting.

A line from the movie version of Hunt for Red October about bullets not being a good thing on a submarine rang through my head as a pitched battle ran in the bowels of a natural gas tanker. (And BTW, LNG tankers are way more complicated than the one illustrated.) I also groaned at some cliched lines like:

He felt a bullet slam into the wooden case on his shoulders. It knocked him off balance so that he tumbled over the top of the wall into Hazel's arms.
'Oh God, I thought I was going to lose you.' Her voice was a sob.
'Sorry.' He gave her a swift hug. 'It's not going to be that easy to get rid of me.'

That being said, I took full advantage of an empty, quiet house and read the book from cover to cover. The action was well paced with two climactic scenes, one in the desert and one on the high seas. The Arab characters were stereotypically evil but the Americans tried their best to match them but, of course their motives are purer. *dripping sarcasm*

Literary reference: none (they were way to busy to read)
CATEGORY: NON-AMERICAN AUTHOR

Greetings, mamzel!

I really enjoyed "Your Brain on Books" - thanks for sharing it.

I'm glad you enjoyed Old Man's War - I've already got it checked out from the library, so hopefully I'll get to it soon!

Such a shame about the Snicket - I was hoping for something extraordinary.

Glad to hear you liked Old Man's War. Too bad about Lemony Snicket. I also enjoyed the Series of Unfortunate Events books, but I particularly liked his picture book, The Composer is Dead. My daughter plays in a youth orchestra and we both thought it was hilariously funny.

Dejah, enjoy the Scalzi!

Eva, so was I!

Mathgirl, I've never seen his picture book. I'll have to look for it. Thanks for the suggestion. I like 'hilarious'!



After the Snow by S.D. Crockett (2012)

I'm gonna sit here in my place on the hill behind the house. Waiting. And watching.
Aint nothing moving down there.

It's England and it's covered with snow. Deep snow. Willo and his family struggle to exist in the mountains, trapping rabbits and trading the furs for other necessities. One day, however, Willo hears his mother call him and when he returns home finds everyone has been taken. He packs up a sled and sets off to find his family and rescue them.

Willo's voice is semi-literate and the interesting thing about him is a voice he hears that he calls a dog but seems to be more literate than himself. This voice, a feral, cautious voice, helps him as he makes his way to 'civilization' and the dangers he finds there.

He eventually learns that his father was not the person he thought he was and that he is the son of a man who has given hope to many people in a better life offshore from their island.

The science of the deep winter is intriguing. The CO2 has changed the chemistry of ocean water and currents have stopped circulating the warm water up from the tropics.

This was an interesting survival, apocalypse story.

Literary references: Robin Hood, Charles Dickens, and ficticious book, In Search of an Ark
CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

This HUB Challenge is fun. I'm listening to the excellent Libba Bray novel The Diviners in the car and I got a very creepy graphic novel My Friend Dahmer from the library which I'm going home now to read!

My Friend Dahmer by Derf Backderf (2012)

I first met Jeff Dahmer in the seventh grade when the kids from the district's three elementary schools were stirred together in the hormonal soup that was junior high.

This wasn't exactly the first line of the book since the opening scenes showed a teen-aged boy shuffling down a road until he came across a dead cat. He picked up the smelly roadkill and carried it to a shack where he immersed it in a liquid-filled jar and added it to a collection of similar jars with other roadkill. All the while other teens taunted him.

The author had the (luck? misfortune? unbelievable opportunity?) to know this serial killer during the time when adults around him should have noticed that there was something dreadfully wrong. The kids sure did! He was the brunt of teasing and they used him to set up pranks incorporating his creepiness. For instance, they would insert him in groups for their yearbook picture so it would look like Dahmer was involved in every activity.

Creepy is the operative word here. Not only is the featured character bizarre but is drawn to emphasize the sullen and lonely personality he was.

I highly recommend this fast read (it's a graphic novel) for a retrospective insight into the creation of a monster.

Literary reference: None

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

30. That sounds like a truly fascinating read. Must remember that for the future.

Paws, It's totally different, I warn you.



Sparks: The Epic, Completely True Blue, (Almost) Holy Quest of Debbie by S.J. Adams (2011)

My dad's a regular guy, and my mom's a total kook, so I guess I had a fifty percent chance of coming out normal. Leave it to me to screw it up.

Debbie Woodlawn has been living a secret life. Her best friend since sixth grade has really been her crush. They have grown together in an atmosphere of religious teen groups sworn to abstinence and have spent Friday nights watching reruns of the TV series, Full House. But this Friday, Lisa has chosen to go on a date with a boy and Debbie is afraid of losing her. She decides to reveal her true feelings but catching up to Lisa may be harder than she thought.

She is helped by two other kids, Emma and Tim, who introduce her to their 'religion' which they call the Church of Blue. Their mascot is a dashboard Buddha painted blue. They create quests which give them things to do like seeing people completely nude and breaking an object of value. They help Debbie track down Lisa so that she can profess her love before Lisa can taste boy love.

On the surface this is a cute teen romp chasing around from one teen hangout to another. Under this, however, is a girl who has to come to terms with her sexuality and come out to the object of her long term love.

Literary reference: the Bible

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

Ultimate Comics, Spider-Man, Vol. 1 by Brian Michael Bendis and others (2012)

It's been a long time since I've read the super hero comic books and I know there is a story line that goes way back. This volume, however, picks up right after the death of Peter Parker and right when young black Miles Morales is bitten by the same spider.

Miles has a father dedicated to keeping him out of trouble. He puts Miles' name in to be chosen for a prestigious school where he can meet good kids, like his Asian friend, Ganke.

When Miles realizes that he has super powers it takes no time for him to follow in the original Spider-Man's footsteps and fight for good. It doesn't take long for his efforts to be noticed by Spider-Woman and Nick Fury.

This was a wonderful example of a superhero graphic novel and the reader only needs to know a small amount of the back story to become immersed in the story. If one is looking for a place to start in a story, this is it.

Literary reference: All the President's Men

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

> 28 - I love that cover.... and the story has peeked my interest as well!

I just wanted to let you know that I did, indeed, enjoy Old Man's War - thanks!

Lori, It got my attention as well. I was surprised when I saw there was an alternate cover with a raven on it - much less impressive.

Dejah, Yay! You are welcome.

Hi mamzel,

Between Old Man's War and Redshirts, I think that John Scalzi is a must, can't wait to read these one. Is it already 2014 ?

Fables was already on my wishlist but you just give it a boost to the top of the GN.

Oh and I stopped myself from reading YA books since being an accomplice of my little cousin reading first book of Twilight saga as a favor: meaning talking about it with her, been there, done that and never again. Thanks God, she's all grown up now.

Your reviews give me the boost that I needed to start again on the YA wagon. The Running Dream seems interesting.

Electrice, All the books I've been reading lately have been for the YALSA challenge so I'm reading books that have won awards or are on their Best Of... lists. Unfortunately, some of the best ones I've already read - like Code Name Verity and Never Fall Down. I took this challenge because I work in a high school library and because I just can't resist a chance at winning free books. If you want to give a YA a shot, read Code Name Verity. Your cousin would probably like it too.

Thanks Mamzel, I will have a YA category next year I think and those titles look like winners :)

I remember my childhood not so long ago, going to the library and asking the fine ladies and gentlemen working there for recommendations and how I was happy and grateful when they hit the nail on, that were the good old days.

Nowdays I tend to take BB from you all ;)

I just had to share this line from Seraphina by Rachel Hartman.

"That's an excellent idea," said Orma, apparently thinking e serious. "I might come with you. The Porphyrian Bibliagathon is supposed to be well worth seeing."

It sure sounds interesting to me! Whatever it is.

I think I may pick up the start of the Fables series when I'm at work tonight, I've heard too many good things to avoid it any longer. And, I noticed the Dahmer book at work last week too, think I'll check it out at some point. I was in middle school when he came on the scene, and my parents were Paranoid that something would happen to me (I live in a suburb of Milwaukee, maybe 8 or 10 miles from downtown). I kept trying to tell them that I was the wrong gender and sexual persuasion, but they'd hear none of it. It's an odd time in my personal history, to have something so renowned happen locally - just strange!

Laura, and can you imagine learning that you sat next to him in class? I hope you enjoy the Fables.

Hmmmmm... I've added two to my wishlist from your most recent posts. Both the Dahmer graphic novel and the Sparks: Almost Completely True Blue look very interesting!

My poor languishing wish list!! :)

Goodness - another person reading Seraphina! I requested it from the library a few days ago and I'm looking forward to giving it a try. I can't wait to know what you think of it!

Tina, the wishlist can become a very attractive, albeit very bloated creature! We are a dangerous group.

Dejah, it's quite interesting. Great world building. I agree that it belongs on the Best YA Fiction list. I sometimes picture Kirsten Stewart in the lead of any movie version since Seraphina is a rather dour, unhappy character.



Wonder Show by Hannah Barnaby (2012)

I couldn't get Night Circus completely out of my mind as I read this for no other reason that they both have a circus setting. They couldn't be more completely different, however.

Portia is from a family of gypsies and she was raised by her father after her mother died. He left her in the care of her Aunt Sophia, a stern woman who was not up to raise such an imaginative and energetic young woman. Sophia, in turn, left her in the care of Mister and his home for girls.

As can be imagined, Mister was not a savory character. He farmed the girls out for menial work saving his favorites to serve in his house. Portia grew suspicious when she found a graveyard behind his house, full of previous young women. A circus came through town and she found a flyer with their schedule in the road. She took this opportunity to steal Mister's bicycle and chase after them. Her plan was to travel with the circus and look for her father in the towns they visited.

She was accepted to work with the side show, a collection of human oddities, and taught how to 'bally' and attract customers. These freaks became her new family. Portia's bad luck followed her here, however.

This is a charming story of misfits who suffered the daily disgust of people but formed a most unusual family. They accepted her even though she was normal. It was heartwarming that they were the most normal people she knew.

I highly recommend this book since it has a touch of scary but is overall a delightful story.

Literary reference: none

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

This month has been focused mostly on books for the YALSA challenge so it's heavily weighted with YA books.

Totals to date:
1. TBRs - 2
2. Mysteries - 4
3. Speculative Fiction - 4
4. ERs and ARCs - 1
5. Graphic novels - 3
6. Nonfiction - 1
7. Food related
8. Plays
9. Classics -1
10. Non-American authors - 7
11. Short story collections
12. YA literature - 4
13. YALSA challenge - 8
Total to date - 35

My favorite was a surprise - My Friend Dahmer was eeriely fascinating. Another graphic novel, Fables: The Deluxe Edition Book One was beautiful and joined together so many familiar characters.

My least favorite was Juvenile in Justice which had a lot of problems and didn't offer a balanced view of juvenile incarceration.

I love it when I accidentally read two books in a row that share a theme. In this case Wonder Show and Heist Society share a theme of unusual families.



Heist Society by Ally Carter (2012)
Heist Society #1

No one knew for certain when the trouble started at the Colgan School. Some members of its alumni association blamed the decision to admit girls. Others cited newfangled liberal ideals and a general decline in the respect for elders worldwide. But no matter the theory, no on could deny that, recently, life at the Colgan School was different.

Katarina (Kat) Bishop has to break into a very securely guarded art museum to steal 5 paintings that had been stolen from the home of mobster, Arturo Taccone, who is threatening to expose her father. Of course, it turns out that Taccone is not even the legal owner of the paintings which had been taken from their owners by the Nazis and never returned. What is a girl to do?

She calls together a group of friends who are ultra-rich or sophisticated thieves themselves and they plan a heist. They are on a very short time table and the sections of the book tick by as the fourteen day deadline slips by.

This was a fun, sophisticated, jet set adventure set in the cities of New York and European capitals. It doesn't hurt that the girl on the cover reminds me a little of Audrey Hepburn.

Literary references: The Princess Bride as the name of a plan and Gone with the Wind as one of Kat's aliases which was Melanie O'Hare.

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

The Brides of Rollrock Island looks good. I have other Lanagan books on my wish list, but haven't read anything by her yet.
I'll look out for My Friend Dahmer , although I'm not sure I could actually read it. Your review reminded me of a video I saw the other day. I was watching Shane Zoyczan read his poetry when You Tube recommended another video: Sierra DeMulder at the National Poetry Slam in 2010 or 2011, reading a poem from the point of view of Dahmers mother. It was so sad and compelling, about how parents aren't necessarily responsible when their child turns out to be a monster.

Violet, I did enjoy brides even though I hated Tender Morsels which I found unnecessarily brutal. In the Dahmer book, his parents were portrayed as totally clueless to their son's problems and proclivities. They seemed to be too wrapped up in themselves to notice much.

Another one for the Hub Challenge:



Boy21 by Matthew Quick (2012)

Sometimes I pretend that shooting hoops in my backyard is my earliest memory.

You can bet that I loved the parallels between this book and Harry Potter. Since the orphan-made-famous story has become such a part of our culture, it seems natural that it be referenced in a story about an Irish kid on an all-black basketball team with an alcoholic, legless grandfather and a father who works in a tollbooth at night. Can you picture a senior basketball player covering a Harry Potter book and saying it's Invisible Man by Ralph Ellison? Putting it that way almost makes it sound a little forced. Or am I showing my cranky pants again?

In any case, this is a wonderful story about an Irish teenager who is the only white boy on the team (which is no big deal here), has a wonderful girlfriend who also plays, has to take care of his grandfather, and dreams of leaving Belmont and its gangs, drugs, and poverty.

Finley's coach approaches him in the days before school restarts to ask him a special favor. A new kid will be joining school under an assumed name. He was a basketball star in his Los Angeles school until his parents were killed. Now he has had a break with reality and Finley is charged with gently helping him back to real life and the team so they can win the championship. No pressure there! Not to mention that Russ plays the same position as Finley and even wears the same number! It's all for the team. Coach doesn't ask much from his players.

Russ, who calls himself Boy 21, says that his parents are in space and will return for him. He dutifully follows Finley around (since Coach managed to ensure they have the exact same schedule) and seems comforted by Finley's silence which is his way of dealing with his own tragic memories. Will they eventually be able to heal each other? Will Finley get his invitation to Hogwart's?

Literary references: Run, Rabbit, Run by John Updike, The Merchant of Venice, Invisible Man, Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone, Le Petit Prince

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

#28 Hi Mamzel, After The Snow sounds really good. I think a person could just read snow related books for a year. For some reason snow and the cold works in literature to inhance mystery and fantasy novels.

#30 My Friend Dahmer sounds really creepy. It's to bad that people don't pay enough attention to children and teens to help them when it is obvious they have mental issues.

#32 I enjoy reading superhero comics, but I haven't read as many Marvel as I have DC. Spiderman is a great character. It sounds like you picked a good starting point for reading superhero graphic novels.

In reference to VioletBramble mentioning a poem about Dahmer's mother; I just listened to Far From the Tree, and there was a section about children who commit crimes that featured quite a bit about Dylan Klebold's parents that was just heartbreaking. It's not always the parents' fault and it's never that simple.

Caroline, I know what you mean. Snow and cold close the world up around a heat source and makes things incredibly difficult, like existence! I read this particular Spider-Man since it made the list of top graphic novels for the year by the YALSA (the HUB challenge). I'm glad I was motivated to read it.

Alison, Indeed things are not ever simple. My comment just reflected what the author's view of the parents was. I find it hard to believe that Dahmer was collecting dead animals (and possibly killing one or two along the way) and this was never noticed by any adults. And that none of the kids mentioned anything to their own parents.

College Humor has these great ideas for new punctuation marks.
And you can even download them!

Awesome!

Those new punctuation marks would be useful tool to have here at LT!

Oh, please don't let people actually start using something like a "hemi-demi-semi colon". It's bad enough that people actually sometimes use an interrobang.

I liked the first three.

Paws, what's an interrobang?

57. An interrobang is a combo of an exclamation mark and a question mark. Rather than typing !? as we sometimes do, some morons tried to get people to use the interrobang (‽).

It took me a while to listen to this but, wow! was it worth it.



The Diviners by Libba Bray, read by January LaVoy (2012)

In a town house at a fashionable address on Manhattan's Upper East Side, every lamp blazes. There's a party going on - the last of the summer.

Evangeline O'Neill (Evie) is sent to stay with her uncle in New York City, a humming place in the 1920s. She has a friend named Mabel, whose parents are radicals, and meets Theta, a dancer with the Ziefield Follies. Her Uncle Will runs The Museum of American Folklore, Superstition, and the Occult, otherwise known as the museum of creepy crawlies. His assistant, Jericho, has a mysterious secret.

A series of gruesome murders draws Evie into an investigation when she discovers she can see things by touching objects. She thinks she can discover the killer by touching items that belonged to the victims. The murderer is nicknamed Naughty John and seems to be killing for some kind of ritual to coincide with the arrival of Solomon's Comet.

This book is a perfect blend of historical fiction and horror. The setting of NYC in the 1920s is full of reference to the music and people of the day. This is a must read. Even though I listened to this book, I fully intend to read it when I have some time.

Literary reference: Langston Hughes

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

I've had The Diviners on my wish list since it came out. It sounds so good. I'm holding off on buying it -- trying to read those books on the shelf--but your review makes me want to get it now. Is it the start of a series?

My 2012 SantaThing Santa wanted to get The Diviners for me but settled for a strong recommendation instead. While I love historical and crime fiction, your mention that this is part horror has me reconsidering - how much horror is there? That's really not my genre at all.

Violet, it ends on a cliff hanger and I checked Bray's website but there was no mention of a sequel. I would not be surprised, though.

SouthernKiwi, there is a serial killer that is following a ritual which involves removing parts of the victims. While it's not described in great detail, it is there to peak your imagination. There is also a house... Horror is not my thing either but the quality of the setting and characters outweigh any ickiness. I hope you consider giving it a go.



Prom & Prejudice by Elizabeth Eulberg (2011)

As you might guess, this is a retelling of the Austen story which takes place in a girl's private school called the Longbourn Academy. Lizzie Bennet attends on scholarship due to her talent playing piano. Her roommate, Jane, gives her assistance in clothing and Jane's younger sister, Lydia, has disastrous luck with choosing a boyfriend. Of course, the story would not be complete without Will Darcy, a dour, gorgeous student from the boy's school, Pemberly, and the bad boy townie, Wick. The main focus of the girls at Longbourn is the perfect escort for the prom and that's just about all they talk about.

This was a quick read. Die-hard Austen fans might get a kick out of it

Literary reference: None other than its namesake

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

I have taken a break to enjoy the latest in one of my favorite series and take a breath in adult literature before continuing on the HUB challenge.



The Woman Who Wouldn't Die by Colin Cotterill (2013)
Dr. Siri Paiboun #9

Dr. Siri is married to a wonderful woman, Madame Daeng, who makes the best noodle soup in Vientiane. She is unable to talk about her past but writes about it instead. It just so happens that a figure from her past has returned to Laos to do one more thing before he succumbs to cancer - kill her. Luckily Dr. Siri is invited to assist identifying a body after a witch has located the sunken boat where the body has lain. Dr. Siri has long been able to see spirits but has never been able to hear them and jumps at the chance to learn how from the witch. And he can take Madame Daeng away from the danger haunting her.

But, of course, nothing is ever so simple and Sr. Siri finds himself in the middle of a convoluted scheme to recover treasure from the sunken boat.

I was at the edge of my seat reading this book and I would have read straight through if my friend hadn't pulled me away. Dr. Siri fans - you're in for another treat!!

Literary reference: none

CATEGORY: MYSTERIES

My friend and I went on a picnic and enjoyed a wonderful time here:



Pt. Reyes National Seashore

What a beautiful view! Might you have imagined sunken boats during the picnic?

LOL - We did keep an eye out for whales, however. On the drive home we had the unbelievable luck to see a bald eagle! In Marin county! We also saw a parade of wild turkeys with a large tom watching over them from a tree branch. Stopped at a place that makes cheese and bought some Brie. Another typical California day!

@23 have to agree. Noir doesn't look good on anyone younger than 30.

I still haven't gotten to read Dr Siri!!! One is coming via bookmooch.

I am listening to the audio version of one of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid series and that is what a 12-year old should sound like. Even with a little cynicism and disappointment, the charm and joy of youth still comes through.

One of the great things about Dr. Siri is how accepting he is about people and how he helps others even if it could be dangerous for him. I hope you will get to like him too.

Great review of Dr. Siri - it'll be fun to get started with the series again!

Eva, I hope you enjoy them as much as I did!



Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever by Jeff Kinney, read by Ramon de Ocampo (2011)

NOVEMBER
Saturday
Most people look forward to the holidays, but the stretch between Thanksgiving and Christmas just makes me a nervous wreck.

Greg is a normal 12-year old kid in middle school. He lives with his normal mom and dad and two brothers, one older and one younger. He has all the typical problems of a boy his age but he also has an imagination that gets him into the most interesting predicaments.

The reader of the audio version is perfect for this book. He reads at a slightly slower pace and with the right pitch to share the mischief and enthusiasm of the characters.

If you have young kids, this would be perfect to share with them on a car trip. The humor reaches the adult as well as the child.

Literary reference: none

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

Seraphina by Rachel Hartman (2012)

I remember being born.
In fact, I remember a time before that. There was no light, but there was music: joints creaking, blood rushing, the heart's staccato lullaby, a rich symphony of indigestion. Sound enfolded me, and I was safe.

I wish I liked this book more. It has so much. It is a wonderful world filled with exotic music, dragons, dragons that can turn into humans, and half-breeds. There is palace intrigue, bigotry, secrets, plots, and all sorts of interesting things to weave a wonderful story. I read it at work, however, and I think being constantly distracted from the story did not do it justice. I would have set it aside except that I was reading it for the HUB Challenge and I wanted to get it done.

Another unfortunate problem I had is that the description of Seraphina made me think of Kristen Stewart, a dour, grumpy, and generally unhappy girl. She is, however, a very talented musician, who has been appointed as the assistant to the court composer, a very prestigious position. Her secret is that she is half dragon. She gets in the middle of a plot to assassinate the royal (human) family. Everyone is accusing the dragons of the plot but Seraphina thinks there may be more to it.

If you are a fan of being immersed in a new world with new creatures, words, and every day objects, this is a book for you.

Literary reference: not anything real

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE



Keeper of the Black Stones by PT McHugh (2013)
Stone Ends, Book 1

Oh, dear! With a promising premise, this book became a hot mess for me.

Jason Evans is almost 15 years old, a normal American teenager, orphaned and raised by his grandfather, Dr. Richard Evans (Doc). He finds a journal written by his grandfather and overhears a conversation between Doc and his friend, the father of bad guy, Nicholas Fleming. Fleming is abusing some time travel stone slabs by travelling back in time and altering history. At present, he is trying to prevent Henry Tudor from winning the War of the Roses. How this will make the present better is never explained. Doc is determined to stop him and travels back in time to prevent this. Jason finds he has a special affinity with the stones and has a vision that his grandfather will be killed. He talks his friend, Paul, and Reis, a bodyguard left to protect him, into travelling back to save Doc. Fleming's daughter, Tatiana, also joins the intrepid group as they follow Doc to 15th century England dressed in cargo pants (even Tatiana) and carrying assault weapons. The plan is to stay unnoticed and carry out their plan. Yeah, right!

As the author points out in his historical notes following the story, the devil is in the details, and I wish someone had noticed his basic geographic gaffs. Like the fact that New Hampshire is not east of England and there is no latitude greater than 90 degrees. They made no attempt to dress for the period and took with them items like an iPhone. **SPOILER** I had a laugh, however, when it was discovered that Doc had a Kevlar vest beneath his titanium chain mail. **END SPOILER**

Literary references: Johnny Quest, Bernard Cornwell, Robinson Crusoe, and Richard III by Shakespeare

CATEGORY: ERs AND ARCs

I'm sorry you didn't enjoy Seraphina. It was one of my favorite YA reads of the past year. I'm really enjoying your other YA reviews, because that's pretty much all the students at work will read (without being forced). We're always on the lookout for new ideas.

It is really interesting to read your comments on the Diary of a Wimpy Kid -- I have actually given that book as a present but I have never read it myself.

Jennifer, I fully admit that I didn't read it in the best of surroundings. I will try and read it again when I can give it better attention because I'm sure I would like it.

Pammab, It was really cute and I think it is a series that does not have to be read in order. It's definitely a book that I could see a parent reading aloud to a kid and laughing with him. Good present!



The Night She Disappeared by April Henry (2012)

DREW
It was me who took the order. It could have been anyone. I don't know why I feel guilty. But it was me.

I would definitely recommend this book to a teen looking for a mystery. That being said, the mystery to the story is whether Kayla will be rescued in time. The reader is in full knowledge of her condition and who the kidnapper is.

Gabie works in a pizza parlor with Kayla and Drew. They are "work friends." Kayla had asked Gabie if they could switch shifts so she was working Wednesday instead of Gabie. Drew told the police that the man who placed the order asked about the girl with the Mini Cooper (Gabie) but no one gave that much thought. Even when Kayla didn't return from the delivery and her car was later found parked near the river.

The police arrive at the decision that Kayla had been murdered and probably dumped in the river but Gabie has a strong feeling that she is still alive and with Drew, they make their own investigation. The suspense builds as the reader hopes they will find Kayla before the kidnapper finishes her off and comes after his original victim.

A fast read with a satisfying ending.

Literary reference: none

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE



Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy by Bil Wright (2011)

When I was twelve, I convinced my mother to let me do her makeup for Parents' Night. When I was finished, my sister, Rosalia, who was fifteen, said, "Ma, aren't ya even gonna say anything?"

Carlos (professional name-to-be Carrlos) is a charming Hispanic who lives in New York City and has always known that he wants to be a makeup artist. He gets a break when he is hired to work in Macy's at the FeatureFace Cosmetics counter.

He has a crush, Gleason Kraft, who helped by photographing Carlos's sister and friends for his portfolio. Their collaboration was good enough that Gleason was invited to show them in a gallery. But does Gleason like Carlos the same way?

Carlos's sister has an abusive boy friend and his mother loses her job managing a dry cleaning store so it is even more imperative that he succeeds so that he can support them and take them to a more comfortable and safe location.

The reader quickly comes to like Carlos and hopes he does succeed and all his dreams come true. This is another fast YA read with an original hero.

Literary reference: Vogue magazine

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

Seraphina is on my wishlist and since I do like good world building, it'll stay there, but I must admit I got a bit scared when you mentioned Kristen Stewart - I'd have to forget that image before I read it! :)

I'm finally catching up with your reviews! I'm intrigued by the Libba Bray book. I've not read any of her novels and I've heard mixed reviews of her earlier series. However, I just finished one of her short stories appearing in a steampunk collection and I quite liked it. Maybe I should try The Diviners.

Dang it. You got me with Wonder Show & Makeup in the Fat Boy. You are BAD for my wish list!! :)

I'm also interested in The Diviners, but I think the touchstones are wrong.

Eva, Sorry about the KS reference. In my dictionary she's listed under the definition for 'surly'. She has, unfortunately, become my go to image for any young woman who is sour and downbeat. Don't let this deter you from reading the book, however.

Mathgirl and Tina, The Diviners is a terrific book. I also got quite a kick from her book Beauty Queens, an amusing retelling of Lord of the Flies and recommend that one as well. (Touchstone fixed - thanks)

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz (2012)

One summer night I fell asleep, hoping the world would be different when I woke. In the morning, when I opened my eyes, the world was the same. I threw off the sheets and lay there as the heat poured in through my open window.

Aristotle (Ari) meets Dante at the public pool and the two loners finally find someone they can relate to. Both are third generation Mexican and are struggling with their ethnic and sexual identities. The reader follows their progress through Ari's eyes.

This was well written and the characters are very likeable. I found myself hoping for the best for both of them.

Literary references: Superman and Archie and Veronica comics, Heart of Darkness, William Carlos Williams, Bless Me Ultima, The Grapes of Wrath, War and Peace, The Sun Also Rises

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

Next week is spring break! In between attacking the ivy invasion I have a few books lined up including Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Book Store and Round House. Looking forward to a week of peace and reading!

Enjoy your spring break! Hope you enjoy both of those books - loved Mr. P and found Round House to be fairly interesting. Definitely thought provoking anyway.

Intrigued by Aristotle and Dante. Have a great week of peace and reading!

Yay, spring break! Enjoy!

Thanks everyone! It's a beautiful day outside and my daughter got me up and out to the gym. After a little workout we went to a nearby shopping center to get provisions. She wanted to visit the brand new Pier 1 Imports to get a housewarming gift. I have to say that it opened just two doors away from a World Market which surprised me. When I walked in I was assaulted (and that is an understatement) by smells, colors, and a claustrophobic arrangement of useless junk. I had a headache by the time I left. Needless to say, I won't ever have to go back. Also sad that this useless waste of space displaced our town's only bookstore which had to move to much smaller quarters. Fah!



An Infidel in Paradise by S.J. Laidlaw (2013)
Received through Early Reviewer Program

The snake is lying on the front porch like a present or a warning, blood pooled at its throat, glistening against the blackness of its leathery skin. The guard shot it at daybreak, execution-style.

It's tough enough being a 16-year old girl without having to move to a new school in a new country. Emma's mother is a Canadian diplomat and when her husband took up with a native woman in Manila, she took her kids to a new posting in Islamabad, Pakistan. So now Emma is faced with leaving friends and meeting new ones in a more restrictive community. She is not allowed out of the compound unless driven by a driver or accompanied by adults. Her school is an international school where everyone is used to itinerant people so Emma was immediately approached by friendly students and one very handsome and rich Pakistani boy, Mustapha. Aisha is a beautiful Pakistani girl who grew up with him and who is bound to be his arranged wife. She also has major attitude.

Emma gets her wake up call after she leaves her little sister alone in the house to attend a party. Violence breaks out in the city and she risks her life to get back to her sister. She also gets involved in helping Aisha teach children who make their livelihood rummaging through garbage for food and recyclables.

Literary references: none

CATEGORY: ER

Me and Earl and the Dying Girl by Jesse Andrews (2012)

So in order to understand everything that happened, you have to start from the premise that high school sucks.

I couldn't help but compare this book (just a little) to Green's The Fault in Our Stars because of the girl with cancer aspect but that is the only similarity between the two.

The use of language in this book goes beyond the aim of shocking the reader. Do not, I repeat, do not read this book if you get offended by obscenities and bathroom humor. It is on every page. But this is possibly a more realistic portrayal of teenage boys.

Greg is from a Jewish family, reasonably smart, a little overweight, not attractive, and determined to get through high school without ever being noticed. Earl is from a terribly dysfunctional family with no father, an alcoholic Internet-addicted mother, and violent, angry brothers. It is only logical that these two boys share a love of making films. They watch classic examples of film styles and try to create their own versions like Hello, Good-Die, Star Peaces and 2002. One day, Greg's mother asks him to visit Rachel, a girl he knew in middle school who has just been diagnosed with leukemia. Her mother has hope that he will be able to cheer Rachel up.

As Rachel's health deteriorates, so does Greg's schoolwork and his family and teachers get concerned. The reader follows the story to its inevitable end with concern for the boys and their ability to succeed in life.

Literary reference: A Tale of Two Cities

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan (2012)

Lost in the shadows of the shelves, I almost fall off the ladder. I am exactly halfway up. The floor of the bookstore is far below me, the surface of a planet I've left behind. The tops of the shelves loom high above, and it's dark up there - the books are packed in close, and they don't let any light through. The air might be thinner, too. I think I see a bat.

This book was a blast. I read it all this morning and it took me from an intriguing bookstore in San Francisco to the Google campus in Palo Alto to a mysterious subterranean library in New York City to a really cool knitting museum and an artifact storage facility. Clay Jannon is a creative web designer but unfortunately the bagel company he worked for went under and he has to find a new job. Walking around San Francisco he notices a sign in the window of a bookstore called Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore. Upon entering the store he is immediately taken by the steep book-lined walls of the store. Mr. Penumbra hires him on the spot and he starts by taking the 10 pm to 6 am shift after agreeing to some most unusual rules.

Clay's curiosity about the true nature of the store takes him (and us) on a really cool adventure. This story walks a fence between the ancient world of book printing and the emerging world of digital books. The scenes at Google alone are worth the time reading this book. What a cool place to work!

Book lovers will love this book!

Literary references: (I'm sure I missed some)
The Dragon-Song Chronicles (fictitious)
Steve Jobs and Einstein: His Life and Universe
Nicomachean Ethics by Aristotle
Shibumi by Trevanian
The Stuff of Legend
Cannery Row
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Stranger in a Strange Land
The Visual Display of Quantitative Information by Edward Tufte
The Maltese Falcon
The Guide to Central Park Birds (fictitious)
Moby-Dick
Ulysses
The Invisible Man
Sophocles, Plato, Virgil, Horace, Ovid
Murikami, Stephenson, Gibson
The Information
House of Leaves

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

LOL - and I'm wondering where that bookstore is. I'd love an open-all-hours bookstore... and the bats are a plus.

Glad you liked it! It was one of my favorites from last year - so much fun!!

I don't mind Pier 1, but they have nothing on Cost Plus!! There's chocolate and biscuits at Cost Plus, after all. :) Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore sounds great - wishlist material!

85> I'm on the waitlist for that at the library. Something to look forward to reading.

The kitchenware is better at Cost Plus, too. Pier 1 can't decide whether it's Cost Plus or a cheap version of Pottery Barn.

Mr. Penumbra was a lot of fun. I had read a lot of great comments here and was glad to read it for the HUB Challenge (adult book with special appeal to teens). I'll be glad to finish this. Unfortunately, I read some of the better books before I learned about the challenge and the rules are that you can only count books read during the challenge so I couldn't count those. The good and bad thing is that I am reading many titles I probably would not have chosen on my own. I can't wait to get this book into the hands of a student!

Cost Plus is a lot like our World Market. They have the scented candles and pillows but they also have a good assortment of tableware and food items as well as wine and beer. I get my sherry vinegar there as well as my occasional fix of marzipan!



The Pregnancy Project by Gaby Rodriguez (2012)

For a moment, I understood just what it must be like to be a celebrity caught in the middle of a scandal. There I was, on a senior class field trip, in disguise, and running away from a reporter and cameraman who had followed me, trying to sneak a quote out of me for their story.

Some books are enjoyed for the author's use of language, or the setting, or, like this one, for the extraordinary character. In this case, Gaby Rodriguez, who tells her story about how she designed an experiment for her senior project that involved pretending to be pregnant.

She enlisted the help of her mother, her boyfriend, her best friend, one of her sisters, the principal, and assistant superintendent. She would spring her news to the rest of her family, friends, her boyfriend's family, teachers, etc. and record the comments that she heard and were relayed to her by those in on the plan.

Gaby's mother was a teenage mother. She raised eight children (of which Gaby was the last) without the support of a husband. Gaby saw one after another of her sisters become pregnant and her brothers become fathers. As the youngest she frequently was given the responsibility of babysitting so that her sisters could take care of business or party and she realized that she wanted more for her own life. She also saw how society saw these young parents and stuck them in the role of welfare recipients without a chance to become a productive member.

We have had Senior Projects at the school where I work for several years. I mentor students every year to write books and write research papers on books and literacy. I have yet to see a project that has the impact that this project had. Wow!

Literary reference: none

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

The Pregnancy Project sounds fascinating - how cool!

->91 mamzel:
Oops, I just assumed that you meant Cost Plus when you said World Market. Any place that carries chocolate and marzipan is fine by me! :)

I think they're the same chain. I could be wrong, but inside, they are identical.

So The Pregnancy Project is non-fiction? Wow.

You know about the Alex awards, don't you? Those would all be good candidates for your HUB Challenge.

The Pregancy Project looks very interesting! Why only 3 stars?

Book bullet in the form of Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore

->94 RidgewayGirl:
OK, good - I feel less silly now. :) The full name of Cost Plus is "Cost Plus World Market," but there could very well be a separate "World Market" as well.

Eva and Alison, You're right. They are one and the same. I hope that Pier 1 won't push the World Market out of business.

Dejah, Cammy, Pam, It was indeed a true story and I admire Gaby's courage for going through with it. It makes you wonder how many other amazing things are being done by teens and we aren't aware of it! I gave it only 3 stars because of the writing style which was basic and sparse. It's like the ghost writer only corrected Gaby's spelling and grammar and didn't give it any oomph.
The Alex Awards are part of the HUB Challenge. In fact I decided not to wait for the long waiting list at the public library and went ahead and bought Mr. Penumbra and The Round House for my school's library. (Two-thirds through RH this morning - and - WOW!)

Claire - Excellent fun! Enjoy!

I watched Michael Moss last night on the Colbert Report. He talked about his book Salt, Sugar, Fat: How the Food Giants Hooked Us and I am watching the Torchwood marathon while typing this. Just saw a commercial for a well known cheese cracker and felt so guilty while craving a box. I think I probably knew what he was talking about all along and I hate myself for falling prey for these things. I will really try to stop myself from buying these items. My new rule - if it's advertised on TV I won't buy it. (Except for cheese - love those cute happy California cows) Is there a detox program for neon orange dye?

You could come stay with me for detox - no tv!

Max - LOL! I don't think I'm quite ready to give up TV - especially with a new season of Dr. Who and Game of Thrones starting this weekend! You're a dear to offer. But, if I'm strong enough to stop smoking, I can stop eating junk.

This is what I do before the TV comes on -



The Round House by Louise Erdrich (2012)

The feelings this book brought up were so complex. On one hand I feel hopeful for this family that has been threatened and strained and has managed to stay together. On the other hand, I feel guilt for the terrible situation that Native Americans still suffer for the greed, bigotry, and indifference of the Europeans who displaced them and still impose an untenable life on them.

Joe is a thirteen-year old boy whose parents are involved in tribal government. His father is a tribal judge and his mother takes the petitions for inclusion in the tribe. One day his mother returns home bleeding and in shock. She had been raped and beaten and escaped before being set on fire. She retreats into a shadow world of fear and Joe feels it is his job to find who did this to her and help bring her back.

As the story evolves the reader learns of the complications of law between the reservation, park land, land leased to whites, and the U.S. government. The perpetrator is well aware of this and ensures that he will never be charged.

This book deservedly won the National Book Award.

Literary references:
Handbook of Federal Indian Law
The Family Album of Favorite Poems
J.R.R. Tolkein
Dune
Meditations
Plato
The Iliad
Shakespeare
Montaigne
Book of Mormon
William Warren, Basil Johnston
The Narrative of the Captivity and Adventures of John Tanner
Vine Deloria Jr.

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

The Round House is very good, isn't it? I'm glad you liked it, too.

Torchwood marathon??

Gosh, perhaps I do need cable....

Plus: adding The Round House to the virtual TBR stack....

Allison, This book was on the list of adult book for teens, part of the HUB challenge so I read it earlier than I may have. I'm really glad I was nudged!

Pam, I missed any advertising for it and was pleased to come across it. I DVRed the shows so I could watch all of them. Ah, Capt. Jack, I never had a chance, did I?



Friends with Boys by Faith Erin Hicks (2012)

First day. First day. First day. First day.

I liked this graphic novel despite its having way too many issues packed into its modest size. Maggie was home schooled by her mother who vanished as soon as she finished the year. Now she is headed to a public high school where her three older brothers (her only friends) already attend. Her father is the police chief. And, oh yeah, she is haunted by a beautiful ghost. Add to this a bullying volleyball team, feuding twin brothers, and a drama club production of a zombie musical. There's enough for three books here.



Daredevil, Vol. 1 by Mark Waid et al, (2012)

Battlin' Jack Murdock wanted his son to live his life without fear. He urged Matt not to follow in his footsteps as a small-time boxer...to have the cuts to make something of himself. When Matt was still a teenager he saved an old man about to be run over by a runaway truck. But a radioactive cylinder fell from the truck and blinded Matt for life.

We get an idea of how Matt "sees" by the art in this book, kind of by sonar. What a challenge to try and illustrate! When one arch villain tries to confound him by sound, the illustrations get even more confusing and hard to understand. I did not like this nearly as much as the Spiderman I read recently. One cool thing, however, was the bad guy known as The Spot but he was dealt with in the first few pages.

Literary references (both books): none

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

Two more books left in the HUB challenge! I'm presently reading Tamora Pierce's Squire which is the only award category of the challenge I haven't sampled. Pierce won the Edward Award for "significant and lasting contribution for writing to teens". Oddly enough, I have never read any of her books before today. Again, I am glad I am nudged to give her a try. I am totally enjoying the book.

Books that were part of the challenge but I had already read before the official starting date so I couldn't count them without rereading them (and were really, really good!):

The Fault in Our Stars
Every Day
Never Fall Down
Code Name Verity

I read Squire with my children and they both enjoyed it. I hope you like it, too. The rest of the series are also fun and imaginative reads. I like that Pierce doesn't downplay the misogyny.

Friends With Boys sound kind of fun!

Alison, I really admire some things that have placed this book apart from other 'gutsy girl' books. 1) Within a few pages of the beginning, we see how her maid packs pads for her. 2) I enjoyed the frank talk she had with her mother who did not dissuade her from having sex but advised her to consider how the consequences would affect her goals. These are topics that are rarely if ever (and even more rarely - in a timely manner) addressed in YA books and Pierce has done it perfectly - no preaching and no sweeping them under the rug. Did I get lucky with picking the right book or does this happen in all of her books? I guess I might have to read more to find out, huh?

Dejah, It was quite cute even though cluttered.

Nice review of The Round House. It sounds like it would be a great read. I just started Indian Horse by Ojibway author Richard Wagamese about a survivor of Canada's residential schools for native children, and it would be interesting to follow up with The Round House.

Paulina, I think you would like RH. It's really shows the difficulty of prosecuting crimes when a Native American is involved. Too many cooks in the kitchen...



Squire by Tamora Pierce (2001)
Protector of the Small #3

Despite the overflow of humanity present for the congress at the royal palace, the hall where Keladry of Mindelan walked was deserted.

This book was a wonderful blend of the medieval world and feminism. Unfortunately, I have entered the story line way in (3rd of the quartet, 11th in the Tortall series). I think I am lucky to arrive where I have. Kel is well on her way to achieving her goal of becoming a lady knight. She is suffering the physical and emotional beatings of making her way into an all-male bastion. Having been in her position, I appreciate the following aspects built into the story:
1. Acknowledgement of her physical needs - her maid packs pads for her
2. A lady knight mentor (albeit a silent mentor) who knows what she is going through
3. Male friends that accept and respect her for who she is
4. Mastering a weapon that is deadly but easier for a woman to handle
5. Kel doesn't take crap from anyone - not her peers or her superiors - she refuses to take many of the duels challenged by her detractors

I loved the attraction felt by animals to her. The flock of sparrows was so charming. The care she took of the griffin until the parents could be found was pure dedication.

The Japanese presence was interesting if not confusing. They added a type of strong but feminine warrior that was a good example for Kel.

I may have to return and start from the beginning of the series - perhaps over the summer!

Literary references: none

CATEGORY: HUB CHALLENGE

March was a major reading month thanks to the incentive of the HUB challenge and a week of spring break - 19 books! Except for one adult book (the latest by Collin Cotterill) and two ERs, the rest were for HUB. Only one left to go to complete the challenge and I can get back to reading what I want. It was fun but I ended up reading a lot of books I probably would not have - I guess that was the whole idea, right? I have to say a lot of the fun was the hunt. A few of the books I already had in my library. I was able to get a decent number from the local library system. A few (Juvenile in Justice, Pregnancy Project, Mr. Penumbra, and Round House) I went ahead and bought for my library so I could read them. Some of them (about 10%) were just not available which I find odd for award winning books. Why doesn't the library system have these books, I wonder. Don't they read the award lists, too?

Totals to date:
1. TBRs - 2
2. Mysteries - 5
3. Speculative Fiction - 5
4. ERs and ARCs - 3
5. Graphic novels - 3
6. Nonfiction - 1
7. Food related
8. Plays
9. Classics -1
10. Non-American authors - 7
11. Short story collections
12. YA literature - 4
13. HUB challenge - 24
Total to date - 55

19 is very respectable indeed - congrats!

I am used to this group being the second group listed (after the extremely prolific 75ers), maybe third after the Gamers, but this week I was briefly taken aback in our slide to third or fourth until I realized it was due to all the new members sliding over from Goodreads! If you haven't read their posts yet, they are managing to import all their reviews and Tim and the LT gang are doing a great job answering their questions. Members have even offered them virtual refugee supplies (blankets and hot tea)! Maybe a few of them will wander into this thread too. If so, make yourself at home, folks.

>114 mamzel: - I hadn't clocked that, even though a couple of folks I know had made the leap

Pete, and the migration continues. Covered wagons, steerage class crossings, on they come.

StoryBundle has just offered a new bundle of ebooks, this time highlighting women authors. A portion of what you pay can go to the organization called Girls Write Now. You pay what you want for the first 6 books but if you pay at least $12 you get an extra two. What a deal! Check out this link for more information.

The Round House sounds great mamzel. I will add it to my list and get back to you when I get around to it. I'm enjoying all your YA reading you are doing. I really liked The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Thanks for visiting my thread.

I am going to have to stop visiting your thread! Way too many good suggestions here !! The Eldrich & Pregnancy Project will be on my WL as soon as I finish posting!

I am such an enabler! Shame on me!
Enjoy Round House, Roberta and Tina. Well worth the time.



11/22/63 by Stephen King (2011)

I have never been what you'd call a crying man.

Where Ready Player One evokes memories of the 1980s by references to movies, music, literature, etc., 11/22/63 evokes memories of the late 1950s/early 1960s. It made me aware that history is continuously unfolding as I live my every day life.

Jake Epping teaches an English class for adults and is overwhelmed by a story written by the school's janitor about his family being slaughtered by his father. When he learns that the owner of the diner where he habitually dines has a time portal in the storage room, his first thought was to go back and try to prevent this tragedy from happening. He learns that every time someone goes back, history is reset and that person arrives at the same place on the same date in 1958. When he returns to the present, only two minutes have passed. His first foray was not without mishaps as Jake learns that the past has its ways of preventing change.

After this first trip back, Al, the diner owner, reveals to him the reason why he is sharing his secret. He is dying and needs Jake's help to prevent an event from occurring which could prevent the Vietnam War and all the deaths involved. All he has to do is prevent Lee Harvey Oswald from shooting Kennedy. Al hands over his detailed research on Oswald's movements and contacts. Al can't go back again because he is dying and won't live the five years until the assassination attempt.

Jake goes back again and tries to hide in the past. He frequently slips and uses modern slang which the Texans chalk up to his Northern origins. He makes good friends and falls in love with a school librarian. As the story proceeds, we see the past pushing back time and again, harder as the crucial time draws nearer.

I find it so interesting that the past takes on a certain personality and actively works to prevent Jake from accomplishing his task. I used it as an example to the kids in my library group about how an antagonist does not always have to be a person. This book doesn't have monsters and bad guys like other King stories, but there is a level of slowly rising tension as the days tick by and Jake gets closer to his goal.

Favorite quote:

In the Derry of 1958, the most up-to-date computers were the size of small housing developments, and the local paper was no help. What did that leave? I remembered a sociology prof I'd had in college - a sarcastic old bastard - who use to say, When all else fails, give up and go to the library.

Literary references: TONS!
Ray Bradbury, Peyton Place, A Stone for Danny Fisher, The Lincoln Hunters, The Catcher in the Rye, The Chapman Report, Blackboard Jungle, the play version of Of Mice and Men, A Reliable Wife, Twelve Angry Men, Last Exit to Brooklyn, Arsenic and Old Lace, Ayn Rand, Death of a Salesman, Bleak House, The Spy Who Loved Me, The Group, Jude the Obscure, Tess of the D'Urbervilles, Slam the Big Door, H.H. Munro

CATEGORY: SPECULATIVE FICTION

Excellent synopsis and great quote too!

One of these days I'll borrow 11/22/63 from my Stephen King fan friend and read it! It sounds really good.

Thanks, Alicia! :0 The quote is something I try to purvey to my students every day!

R.P. - It's a real commitment! Just short of 850 pages - but quite a page turner.

The Round House certainly isn't like the Birchbark House at all. When she's not writing for kids, obviously she takes no prisoners.

Stephen King stuff is not my normal type of reading material but I did tackle 11/22/63 and the only thing I had trouble with it was - how heavy it was! Absolutely impossible to take the book to bed to read!

Nice review of 11/22/63, mamzel! I keep hoping my library system will get 11/22/63 in e-book format.... just double checked and no such luck. After having hefted Lonesome Dove - even though that was in trade paperback - I am not up for reading 11/22/63 in paper format.... that is one hefty book! I have never read any King so I am also not motivated to go out and buy it new.

125> Not your library's fault that they don't have the ebook. Simon & Shuster is one of the publishers that won't sell ebooks to libraries.

http://durangoherald.com/article/20130325/NEWS01/130329716/-1/s

119> Is it scary at all, or just tense? I've never read Stephen King because I'm such a wimp, but I liked the TV miniseries of The Stand and also the movie The Shawshank Redemption (although I like the edited for TV version better than the real R-rated version).

> 126 - Great article, thanks BookLizard! It explains why my library has hard cover, large print hard cover and audiobook formats available for 11/22/63 but no e-book. ;-(
I think the publishers are a little out of touch with reality and the changing times we live in.... I don't see this helping their sales in any way. *sighs*

No, 11/22/63 isn't 'scary' in the Stephen King sense. It's more of a time travel book. There is suspense - wanting to see if our 'hero' can accomplish his goal - but not a horror type. I really enjoyed it. And it reads very fast, in spite of its size.

127> One way some libraries (the ones in more affluent communities) are getting around the restriction is by loaning out ereaders preloaded with some of the bestsellers. However, most libraries can't afford to take the risk of loaning out an expensive device that might not be returned.

128> Thanks. I might try it some day. Maybe.

Prisoner 88 by Leah Pileggi (2013)

1885. Idaho Territory. A new group of prisoners arrives at the Idaho Territory. One of them is really short. Maybe because he is only 10 years old.

Based on a true person, this children's book is about Jake, who was found guilty of manslaughter and sentenced to 5 years. This was probably the best thing that could have happened to him. His father was not the best caretaker. In fact, the man Jake shot was trying to kill the father. In prison he finally got some decent food and was given a job helping in a pig farm. He also was given lessons in reading by a Mormon prisoner, in for polygamy.

The story is told in Jake's voice and we follow as he finds how important good food, hard work, and good friends can be. We cheer his good fortune and his dedication to his work and learning.

Very interesting information and article, BookLizard!

Mamzel, I've been seeing a lot of non-horror Stephen King around here recently. I'm really surprised at that, and by how good the reviews are -- before April began, I only knew that King wrote horror and On Writing. I may have to look into him more deeply....

Really interesting article, BookLizard. I don't read e books, but it's definitely an interesting problem for both libraries and book stores.

Mamzel, Prisoner 88 sounds like a lovely story, and I really need to go back to some of the Tamora Pierce books that I missed in high school.

BL - thanks for sharing that article. I find I have many more better ways of borrowing a book than fussing with Overdrive. I was really annoyed when I tried to get the Overdrive app for my Windows phone for an audio book and found I couldn't. That's when I discovered Playaways available at my library.

Pam - After my own attempts at writing, I can only admire his ability to put so many words together. I started a blog and posting on LT to try and loosen up any capabilities I have inside me.

SK - I intend to try and read as much of the Tortall series as I can find. I was really impressed with Squire. Having once been in the position of the only woman in a man's field, I found Kel's problems and support very realistic.

Hi mamzel, lots of good reviews there, particularly for YA fiction. Boy21, The Diviners: I like it when the action takes place in the 20s with all jazzie thingie going on ;) Seraphina: mixing dragon and music is an interesting concept, looking forward to read how she does it. First Test: is it fast-paced ? Putting Makeup on the Fat Boy and Aristotle and Dante look promising. Friends with Boys: I'm always happy to be hit by GN bookbullets !

The Round House is definetly going on the must-read of the wishlist. Prisoner 88: from your review, it does not feel like a sad story but more an uplifting one, even though we're talking about child imprisonment ? 11/22/63: seems gripping ?

Electrice, I'm glad to give you some reading ideas! The Tamora Pierce I read had plenty of action but it wasn't a racing around kind of action, lots of character development. Prisoner 88 was a short and easy read, and uplifting. The notes about the real boy at the end were even more uplifting. 11/22/63 kept me reading the whole time. King is a real master at that. I hope you get a chance to enjoy any of these books.

You kept giving me plenty of YA choices for next year, so all happy from my side :)

Electrice, I might have another one for you...



Etiquette & Espionage by Gail Carriger (2013)
Finishing School, Book the First

Sophronia intended to pull the dumbwaiter up from the kitchen to outside the front parlor on the ground floor, where Mrs. Barnaclegoose was taking tea.

Fans of Carriger's Parasol Protectorate series will recognize her style of humor and action, a little toned down for the younger audience. Sophorina is the youngest of a family of daughters, a tomboy with an insatiable curiosity. Mrs. Barnaclegoose (or is it?) is offering Sophorina a place at a finishing school and her mother is all to eager, if perplexed at the offer, to allow her to go. No sooner are they off in a carriage than the action starts as they are attacked by flywaymen from airdinghies. Thanks to Sophorina's quick thinking and bravado, they escape and make it to the school which is in a series of large inflatable balloons.

This quote really demonstrates the language and style of the story:

Sophorina wanted to say something about the prototype, but she knew when she was being dismissed. She bobbed a curtsy. "Thank you, my lady."
Lady Linette winced. "Miss Temminneck, arrange afterhour lessons with Professor Braithwope, do. We really must work on that curtsy of yours, dear."
"But I have advanced eyelash fluttering to practice, and a mathematics problem concerning how to order strychnine and a lamb dinner on a limited budget, and three chapters on court etiquette to read, and my handkerchief to starch, and the quadrille to memorize!"
"No one said learning etiquette and espionage would be easy, my dear."

A real mixture of steampunk and paranormal (and a hint of romance to come), this book should really be a hit with girls.

Literary references: None

CATEGORY: YA BOOKS

->137 mamzel:
Though I would have wanted it without the tone-down, I must admit that quote is quite cute. :)

Eva, it is aimed at the YA reader. Carriger's sense of humor carries over.



Habibi by Craig Thompson (2011)

From the Divine Pen fell the first drop of in. And from a drop, a river.

It's very difficult to write about this book - it is so rich. It is the story of two souls who find each other and support each other through the worst of times. It is the story of the Arabic world, so alien to many of us. And it is the story of a world gone sick with waste. It is also the story of how people can be so cruel to others without a thought except for their own interest.

The story opens with a father selling his 9-year old daughter to a scribe. The scribe is killed by robbers and Dodola ends up in a slave market. She escapes, snatches up a 3-year toddler, Zam, and they run out to the desert. Dodola ends up in a harem and Zam ends up a eunuch. Though seperated they eventually find each other again.

As their stories go back and forth in time, the reader is given lessons in the Arabic alphabet and is regaled with stories from the Qur'an and the pages are decorated with Arabic motifs. A lot of work went into this book! Even the cover which is designed to look like gilded leather.

This is an outstanding book - for older readers.

Literary references: none

CATEGORY: GRAPHIC NOVELS

"Surely You're Joking, Mr. Feynman!" by Richard Feynman, read by Raymond Todd (orig. 1985)

When I was eleven or twelve I set up a lab in my house.

Nobel Prize-winning physicist, Richard Feynman, reminded my of Kipling's elephant child in that he was "full of 'satiable curtiosity". There was hardly anything that he didn't want to see how it worked, what made it go. From radios with tubes to the atomic bomb, he wanted to know everything. Along the way he couldn't help but pull pranks on his friends and coworkers.

I enjoyed his stories about his work reviewing school text books and breaking into safes at Los Alamos. The only section that grated a little was his annoyance at all the attention he got when the announcement about his Nobel came out. He was less than gracious.

I'm glad that I had a strong math and science background when I listened. Even though I didn't understand everything, I had the patience to try and I was able to enjoy the experience.

Literary references: none

CATEGORY: NON-FICTION

Well, that's good to know - the Parasol one does contain an awful lot of groping, which I'm assuming is missing from this one. :) Habibi is on the wishlist - I read and liked his Blankets a few years ago.

Yep, I need to pick up Habibi this year!

Hmmm, maybe if we'd run around comparing him to Dexter, not as in crime Dexter, but Dextorious as in Dexter's Lab - he might have been a bit humbler. Sounds like a good book if you just skip the right chapter, but I doubt I have the background for it.

No new book bullets hits for me on this last pass through your thread, but only because Habibi is already on the reading list, as is Etiquette and Espionage. Great reviews!

Eva, I opened Blankets up to the page where one boy was giving another a golden shower and that was it for me!
Pam, Habibi is quite graphic sexually but there is so much more to the book! I hope you enjoy it.
Cammy, the jokes he pulls are true geeky fun!
Lori, thanks! Habibi was really amazing.

And thanks go to electrice for this one -



The Unwritten Vol. 1 by Mike Carey and Peter Gross (2010)
The Unwritten #1

Peter stared in awe at the Gossamoks' bodies, lying around the ancient stone altar in twisted heaps.

The story opens with a sample of one of the books written by Tom Wilson's father, which features a main character named Tommy Wilson. It is a fantasy series (think Harry Potter) which came to an abrubt end when the author vanished. Tom now fills in his father's place at conventions and book signings. When a really ugly bad guys try to kill him, it looks like his fantasy life and real life may have more in common than he realized. When he visits his father's villa, he finds a doorknob, a London map with literary locations and authors' addresses, and a note from his father, and so he is off on a path to discover what happened to dad and try to avoid being killed.

I enjoyed the first volume and I'm looking forward to more of this. #2 is on deck.

Literary references: mostly literary London locations
Harry Potter, George Orwell, No Thoroughfare, Coram Boy, Catch-22, Winnie the Pooh, Arthur Conan Doyle - 221B Baker Street and Reichenbach Falls, Our Mutual Friend, Frankenstein, Mark Twain, Rudyard Kipling

CATEGORY: GRAPHIC NOVELS

To get my play category started, I read this (these) play(s).



Angels in America, Part One, Millenium Approaches by Tony Kushner (1993)
Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika by Tony Kushner (1993)

Powerful and disturbing play about homosexuals at the beginning of the AIDS epidemic when fear and misunderstanding were the orders of the day. We get to know a variety of people and their reactions to this scourge. A few are homosexual, some in denial, and some of them are their friends and family. As the illness strikes two of them, the reactions of the characters is powerful and disturbing.

...and what I think is that what AIDS shows us is the limits of tolerance, that it's not enough to be tolerated, because when the s**t hits the fan you find out how much tolerance is worth. Nothing. And underneath all the tolerance is intense, passionate hatred.

The two parts were produced a while ago for HBO (I believe) and I want to see it again after reading them.

Literary references: Democracy in America

CATEGORY: PLAYS

LOL! You really picked a "good" spot in Blankets to start. :) I too have Unwritten on Mt. TBR (@clfisha has been teasing me forever with her posts about it and I finally bought them!), so I'm happy to hear more good words about the series!

I read your review of the Feynman book with interest. I have a math/science background too and have been meaning to read this for years but never got around to it. A friend recently recommended the Feynman graphic-novel biography to me.

Eva, I have the second book waiting for my weekend reading. Ah, cup of coffee and literary lit!

Mathgirl, He has a number of books out. It turns out that my (work) library has four different ones! And I had to discover him at the public library. At least now I can recommend him to students.

The Orphan Master's Son by Adam Johnson (2012)

Citizens, gather 'round your loudspeakers, for we bring important updates! In your kitchens, in your offices, on your factory floors - wherever your loudspeaker is located, turn up the volume!

One of the narratorss of this story is the ubiquitous loudspeaker spewing its daily propaganda into people's homes, day in and day out. The only stories North Korean children hear are those from the speakers, representative of the state. Another narrator is an unnamed interrogator who gives us the third part of the story. The third is our hero.

The first part of the story is about Pak Jun Do, the son of a man who runs an orphan work camp. Jun Do (purposely sounding like John Doe) supervises the orphans and oversees how much they get to eat and where they sleep. Even from the first pages of this book my mouth frequently dropped in astonishment because of lines like this - When boys wet their bunks, it was Jun Do who chipped the frozen piss off the floor.

He goes on to learn how to fight in dark cramped tunnels, gets pain training, goes out on boats to raid the Japanese beaches and kidnap people, and he is taught English and goes out on fishing boats to transcribe radio transmissions, and even is included in a trip to meet an American senator in Texas. As what happens with many North Koreans, he lands in a prison mine where he eventually kills, and takes the identity of, the Minister of Prison Mines, Commander Ga.

The second part of the story is how he manages to pull off this deception and lands on the doorstep of his house where he meets Sun Moon, Ga's wife, the national actress and special pet of Kim Jung Il. (As a fisherman, he wanted to fit in and he agreed to the tattoo of a woman on his chest. He didn't have a wife like the other fisherman so he got a tattoo of Sun Moon, not guessing where he would end up.)

His journey to the being in the presence of Dear Leader is an amazing one and it is equally astounding that Jun Do never loses his humanity. ...Jun Do understood that in communism, you'd threaten a dog into compliance, while in capitalism, obedience is obtained through bribes.

When Buc was gone, Dr. Song turned to Jun Do. "Where we are from," he said, "stories are factual. If a farmer is declared a music virtuoso by the state, everyone had better start calling him maestro. And secretly, he'd be wise to start practicing the piano."

The third part of the story is told by anonymous interrogator who is determined to get the true story of where Sun Moon and her children are buried. This part of the story is interspersed with Commander Ga's story as we are teased with their true fate.

I've read several stories that take place in dictatorships and I was amazed to see that men can still find new ways to torture and mistreat fellow humans. We are made to see that North Koreans have lived in total isolation for so long that this is their reality. They don't know what freedom is, don't know what it feels like, or what to do with it if they had it.

Literary references: Selected Works of Kim Jong Il, On the Art of Opera, On the Art of the Cinema, All for Her Country - not surprising that most of them don't have touchstones

CATEGORY: CLASSICS (because it really doesn't fit in any other category)

edited to add - check out the link to the book about the cinema!

> 150 - Wow, 5 Stars! You caught my interest with that one!

I've heard so many great things about that book. Can't wait for my turn at the library!

Lori & Stacy, I read it in two days. I could hardly put it down. When I saw the news it had won the Pulitzer, I went straight to my library and put a hold on it.

I'm currently reading Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea and really enjoying it. Very informative as I'm realizing how woefully uninformed I am about North Korea. This will be a nice companion piece to that book.

Goodness gracious! I'm 5 chapters in to The Orphan Master's Son and so many things have happened, so many terrible things. I did read Nothing to Envy last year so I thought I kind of knew what to expect, but no.

Alicia, read on. There is much more to come.

Pulitzer Prize Winner or not, I don't think I'm up to The Orphan Master's Son. Habibi, on the other hand, sounds great. Angels in America has been on my list for quite a while, so I think it's time I got to it. Thanks!

Up-to-date totals:

1. TBRs - 2
2. Mysteries - 5
3. Speculative Fiction - 6
4. ERs and ARCs - 4
5. Graphic novels - 5
6. Nonfiction - 2
7. Food related
8. Plays - 1
9. Classics -2
10. Non-American authors - 7
11. Short story collections
12. YA literature - 5
13. HUB challenge - 25
Total to date - 64

8 new books this month. I finished that HUB challenge. I'm a little bummed they never emailed me my completion logo. All that work and for naught! I'm back to my regular reading now - whatever grabs me. The Orphan Master's Son really knocked my socks off! Riveting, shocking, timely, thought-provoking!

I really hate it when I forget to save a post and have to create it all over again!



Unwritten: Inside Man by Mike Carey (2010)
Unwritten, Vol. 2

The story continues as Tom (NOT Tommy!) continues to follow clues left by his father, Wilson Taylor, author of a children's series about a boy wizard named Tommy. Aided by a blogger looking for a scoop and a young woman taking orders from an unseen source, he is in prison after being caught in his father's villa full of murdered authors. His father stuffed him with literature and literary trivia which turn out to be helpful as he follows clues on a map with sticky notes all over it.

The art is rich and the story is fast paced and intriguing. The styles change as we get glimpses of pages from the Tommy stories and other stories like The Song of Roland. Going to get the next one.

Literary references: The Song of Roland and Jud Süss



Bruno, Chief of Police by Martin Walker (2009)

On a bright May morning, so early that the last of the mist was still lingering low over a bend in the Vézère River, a white van drew to a halt on the ridge that overlooked the small French town.

Benoît (Bruno) Courrèges has left behind his respectable military life for a more quiet life as a policeman in the small village of St. Denis, in an area known for its fois gras, truffles, home made cheese, and other wonderful culinary treasures. Happy with no more action than running interference between the local farmers and the EU food inspectors, his world is turned upside down by the brutal murder of an old Algerian man. What appears to be a hate crime turns out to be even more insidious as Bruno's research turns up historical evidence linking the Arab man to a little known group of men who retaliated against Resistance families.

Full of wonderful images of a bucolic French village, this book is the beginning of a fun series.

CATEGORY: MYSTERIES

George Carlin Reads to You by George Carlin, read by George Carlin (2009) (did not finish)

I used to love George and his gravelly voice as he bitched about one thing or another so I thought I would have fun with this book, listening to it in the car. I have learned that there is a finite amount of his ranting that I can take and I returned the recording to the library unfinished.

Rant after rant without any surcease; nothing was left unscathed. When I found myself shouting at him that if Los Angeles was so unpleasant, why didn't he move his skinny old a** back to his precious New York, I decided to stop listening for the sake of my blood pressure and road safety.

I'll just hang on to my memory of the Hippy Dippy Weatherman.

George Carlin is amazing in small doses.

For a long time the only thing I knew George Carlin for was his role as Mr. Conductor on "Shining Time Station"... Napalm and Silly Putty was a *bit* of a surprise.

Hi Mamzel, your review of the George Carlin book make me smile. I pictured you driving along the freeways of L.A., shaking your fist and yelling to George to move his skinny *ss back to New York! I, too, used to love George Carlin, but I think Roberta is right - small doses.

Roberta, R.B., Judy, thanks for stopping by. It seems that the verdict on Mr. Carlin is unanimous!



The Billionaire's Vinegar by Benjamin Wallace (2008)

A hush had come over the West Room. Photographers' flashes strobed the standing-room-only crowd silently, and the lone sound was the crisp voice of the auctioneer.

I've seen comments on books about art forgery on several members' threads lately but this is the first book I've seen about wine forgery. In 1985 a bottle of (supposedly) 1787 Lafitte wine with etched initials Th.J. hinting that it was owned by none other that Thomas Jefferson, was auctioned at Christie's for the unheard of price of $156,000. The buyer was Kip Forbes, son of Malcolm Forbes. For the next 20 years more and more fabulously rare bottles were "discovered" and sold for more and more ridiculously high prices for bottles that were so old that they were considered great if they still had any taste at all. Tickets for tastings were sold and collectors competed with each other for the most amazing tastings. At the center of all of this was a German man, Hardy Rodenstock, who claimed to discover a good number of these bottles in a Venezuelan cellar.

Like the child who pointed out that the emperor had no clothes on, it took one collector to finally admit that he had many bottles that were forgeries and bring Rodenstock and other forgers to light. It was a very interesting trip through history learning about the old Bordeaux wines, how experts learned their expertise, and how people were able to hoodwink the most wealthy and influential collectors.

This was an interesting read and an interesting view into a rare world.

Literary references: Canterbury Tales, My Life and Loves, The New Great Vintage Wine Book

CATEGORY: NON-FICTION

I know a couple that collects wine for its value or potential future value as it ages so your review of The Billionaire's Vinegar caught my eye. I have a bit of trouble understanding why anyone would collect something that can spoil if not kept and stored properly but the idea of forging wine sounds fascinating!

I think I'll give The Billionaire's Vinegar a try - I like quirky, and this seems to fit. Thanks!

Dejah, Kip Forbes bought the first bottle of 1787 LaFitte with the initials on it for $156,000. Supposedly they found this and a cache of bottles behind a brick wall. So of course they put this bottle that had been kept at a constant temperature in the dark, on its side, in a glass display case, upright, under a spotlight!

I've been toting narrative nonfiction to my students and this fits that bill well. I have to admit I'm enjoying this genre more and more.

After just about giving up on getting it, I have finally been sent my finisher badge for the HUB challenge:


It doesn't take much to make me happy!

Congratulations on earning your badge!

Congratulations on earning your badge! With all your entries, I'm surprised you didn't win anything.

The challenge runs until June and then they will have a drawing for a bag full of award winners. I'll do almost anything for a chance of free books for my library!

>164 mamzel: Great review of The Billionaire's Vinegar! I actually didn't know it was about wine forgery, so it will be even more interesting than I expected.

I didn't either when I bought it. In fact, the first half of the book was a lot of history of Thomas Jefferson in France and history of Bordeaux wines as well as the backgrounds of the main players. It was late in the book that the "f" word even came up.

I hope the queue for Sookie 13 moves fast for you. Here is a thread where we are cautiously discussing Sookie. Enter at your own risk because there will probably be spoilers soon.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/153685

I have to share something that happened yesterday morning since it is the type of thing that has never happened to me before.

I was reading a book with a main character who is a mother of a 6-month old baby. There was plenty of comments about smelling the baby, holding the baby, etc. and it made me think about how my son (now 27) used to wake up from his nap and play with a blue rabbit that had a handle he could reach. When pulled, it would play a lullaby. He would pull and shake on the handle and by listening these noises I could tell when he was getting bored and would go in and get him. As I was having these memories I heard 7 or 8 notes which sounded like the rabbit. I knew it wasn't my cell phone and it took a minute or two to realize it was his snow globe music box on top of my dresser which hadn't been wound in a couple of decades! *cue Outer Limits theme*

> 174 - Well, that is a bit freaky.... and pretty darn cool!

Here She Lies by Katia Lief (2011)

A pleasant little mystery with twins, jealousy, feckless husband, cutie pie baby, identiy theft, murder, and one woman's struggle to reclaim her life. Downloaded to Kindle from Story Bundle.

Literary references: Talented Mr. Ripley, The Stone Diaries, Ethan Frome

CATEGORY: MYSTERIES

174 is both creepy and neat!

#174 I think it is very sweet that you had those memories and that experience. I'm sure it was a little disconcerting but I hope it didn't frighten you.

Roberta, It was so sweet and innocent I just thought of it as a really neat coincidence.



A Fistful of Collars by Spencer Quinn (2012)
A Chet and Bernie Mystery #5

"Heard you drove another one off a cliff," said Nixon Panero. He spat a thin brown stream of chewing tobacco into an empty paint can, or maybe not that empty.

Another fun adventure with the excellent team of Bernie, a private detective, and his dog, Chet, a dog that didn't quite pass his K-9 training. These stories are told from Chet's unique point of view which includes lots of interest in food, distraction with cats and other animals, and no lack of human admirers. In this episode Bernie is hired to keep an eye on an actor starring in a movie to be shot locally. Thad has his demons, and some of them reside in town.

It is not necessary to have read the entire series to enjoy any of these mysteries. The reader is brought up to speed on any history necessary for the story, mainly on the relationship between Bernie and Susie Sanchez, a reporter. Chet remembers a lot of incarcerated perps, many of which were captured before and between existing books. The charming thing about the series is Chet's love and loyalty for Bernie. They are truly partners.

Literary references: none

CATEGORY: MYSTERIES

Mamzel, I read the first Chet & Bernie mystery a few months ago. I really enjoyed it. I passed it on to my aunt who was visiting. I ended up going to the library and picking up the whole series for her while she was here. I hope to get back to them soon.

I hope you'll get a chance. Reading them all at once might be a bit much. Dogs have a very narrow interest zone and what is cute for the time it takes to read one book but it might get monotonous.

I went to see Star Trek this weekend and was blown away! Benedict Cumberbatch was the best bad guy I've seen since... I won't say!

I also watched the season finale of Dr. Who. We're getting a new doctor next season?!?!? I saved it so I can watch it again.

Aaaaaaaa I want to see Star Trek so much! Very glad to hear that BC delivers the goods :D

I can't wait to see the Star Trek movie! So glad to hear your comments about it.

I agree, Cumberbatch was really great! I loved the movie and him.

>174 mamzel: Very cool!

I'm looking forward to Star Trek. It's good to hear you liked it, mamzel!

So, does Bernie help solve the mystery too? Not like Lassie, but like dog with good nose?

Yay for Trekkies (or Trekkers if you prefer)!

Bernie does help by picking up Chet's silent hints; growls, tail wagging, attention in a different direction than his own. He probably could solve the mysteries without Chet but Chet saves his life on a number of occasions.

ooooh Star Trek!

I have heard that no we are NOT getting a new Doctor anytime soon. Matt Smith has signed on for season 8, and will be in the 50th Anniversary special and the X-mass special.

DS
(Bruce's evil twin :-))

And speaking of the new Star Trek movie, did you hear about the deleted Cumberbatch scene?!

hopefully that scene will be on the BluRay disk.

Or an extended edition DVD!

no kidding - I saw a picture of that scene - definitely shouldn't have been cut.

I didn't hear about it. I'll look for it on the BlueRay version. When in the movie would it have appeared?

The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse (2011)

I thoroughly enjoyed the PBS series featuring Hugh Laurie as Bertie Wooster and Steven Fry as his man, Jeeves. I don't think they could have cast this pair any better.

I have come to enjoy audio books in the little time I spend in my car commuting to work and I thought this would be a perfect diversion. I was right. It might have been better if Hugh Laurie read it himself but the reader had a proper posh British accent to bring life to this book.

If you are not familiar with this series, Bertie Wooster is a man of means, not interested in securing a wife, and just floating along through life enjoying his special cigarettes and the company of his friends. Sometimes, however, these friends drag Bertie into trouble and Jeeves always manages to head off disaster. The two of them don't always see eye to eye on Bertie's wardrobe but after suffering Jeeves' silence he usually bows to the better judgement.

I highly recommend this series, whether you try the books, the audio books, or the TV series. You will come to love these two.

Literary references: none

CATEGORY: NON-AMERICAN AUTHOR

I love, LOVE the Hugh Laurie / Stephen Fry Jeeves and Wooster series!!! the entire cast is just perfect, from 'the stars are our daisy chain' Madeline Bassett, to fearsome Aunt Agatha, delightful Aunt Dalhia, and of course, the highly entertaining Roderick Spode - the 7th Earl of Sidcup. ;-)

Great entertainment!

Jeeves is wonderful! Need to watch the series.

I love Jeeves and Wooster too, and I found out that my library has The Inimitable Jeeves in e-audiobook format, so I'm looking forward to this, especially after seeing your review.

I'm going to try and see if I can get them through Netflix myself. They were so much fun.



Island Beneath the Sea by Isabel Allende (2011)

In my forty years, I, Zarité Sedella, have had better luck than other slaves. I am going to have a long life and my old age will be a time of contentment because my star - mi z'étoile - also shines when the night is cloudy.

The slave revolts in Haiti were as bloody and destructive as any in history. In this book by Allende, we follow the life of a mulatto who was sold to a sugar plantation owner at the age of nine. She grew up in his house as a kitchen slave, concubine, and nanny. Most of the book is written with an omniscient narrator but the best chapters are written from Tété's point of view. She gives birth to a son who is immediately taken away from her and a daughter, Rosette, who she is allowed to keep. Her master's first wife bears a son, Maurice, but is unable to take care of him so his care falls to Tété. Rosette becomes more than a big sister to Maurice over the years.

Tété suffers, as one well imagines, over the years but is always kept hopeful by the children in her charge. She gains a promise of freedom when she helps her owner escape ahead of an attack by slaves even though it is years before the promise is made legal. She helps her owner to the port of Le Cap where they sail for Cuba and from there to New Orleans to start over with a new plantation and new slaves.

This was a riveting depiction of life in pre-revolutionary Haiti and New Orleans before it was part of the U.S. The disparity between the owners and the slaves is shown accurately and as matter-of-fact. It shows how slave owners had little concern, other than monetarily, for their health and well being.

Literary references: The Interesting Narrative of the Life of Olaudah Equiano

CATEGORY: NON-AMERICAN AUTHOR



Greenbeard by Richard James Bentley (2013)

Mixing up genres can be very clever. A recent episode of Dr. Who titled "Dinosaurs on a Spaceship" illustrates how clever this can be. In this case it is pirates in outer space.

The pirate, Captain Sylvestre de Greybagges was kidnapped by extraterrestrials and returned with a vow to carry out revenge for what happened to him. He meticulously collects crew and materials for the final assault which takes little time at the end of the book.

The beginning of the book was bogged down with pirate patois and smatterings of other languages but that thinned out eventually and reading speed picked up. The author had fun with the names of the characters and there was a fun mixture of true pirate trivia with made up lore. Overall the mood was light and fun. The captain's plan was not revealed to the crew (or the reader) to keep them from jumping ship in fright. The whole trip takes us from the Caribbean to Liver Pool to Virginia and back to the Caribbean.

Another slight problem that interfered with full enjoyment was the minuscule font size and narrow margins.

This was a fun and different read. Sept. 19 would be the perfect day to start reading this book!

Literary references: Philosophie Naturalis Principia Mathematica, De l'Infinito, Universo e Mondi, Pseudodoxia Epidemica

CATEGORY: ERs AND ARCs

Nice review of Island Beneath the Sea. I've just finished Daughter of Fortune and was quite underwhelmed for reasons I can't quite put my finger on. I think I need to give Allende another go though.

I saw that you didn't quite love Daughter of Fortune. It was the first adult book by her that I read and I liked the historical fiction aspect of it. It always bothers me that a woman does something because of a man and doesn't recognize that she accomplished something remarkable on her own. It took a whole book for that woman to realize she didn't need the guy after all (if I remember it right). Maybe that's what bothered you. In this book the woman accomplishes something in spite of a man trying his best to keep her down. You may like it better. In any case, the historical fiction aspect - again - is amazing.



Run by Ann Patchett (2007)

Bernadette had been dead two weeks when her sisters showed up in Doyle's living room asking for the statue back. They had no legal claim to it, of course, she never would have though of leaving it to them, but the statue had been in their family for four generations, passing down a maternal line from mother to daughter, and it was their intention to hold with tradition.

So begins what I thought was going to be a story of a Catholic family in Boston (yawn) but the statue turned out to be a small part of it. Two families attend a speech by Jesse Jackson one night as a snow storm is starting. When they leave the meeting, one boy doesn't realize he is walking into the street, into the path of an SUV, and is knocked out of his path by the mother of the other family. How these families are linked is the true story.

Ex-mayor Bernard Doyle, father of Sullivan, adopted father of Tip and Teddy, and widower of Bernadette, has no idea how this woman is linked to his family, neither does the reader. We all eventually learn in flash backs that interrupt the present story.

As Tennessee Moser lay in the street unconscious, her daughter, Kenya, shows how remarkable she is by gathering the belongings that were knocked off in the collision. Doyle hardly delays in sweeping her up as he takes his own son to the same hospital Tennessee is taken. Making this decision easier for him is the fact that the two adopted boys are black so it's not so unusual for him to take care of her. As we learn, there is much, much more to this story.

At the upper level of chick lit, I am probably not the best audience for this book. I felt manipulated by the slow exposure of the facts always leaving questions unanswered but I did stay with it to the end. Should I be bothered that the whole truth wasn't revealed to the characters? Maybe not, but it left me with a feeling like an unscratched itch, a loose end not tied up. Why reveal it to the reader but not to those concerned? I picked this book up off the FOL shelf of the library because Patchett's name is one I have seen frequently in this thread. I found Bel Canto at a used book store and will read it eventually. I hope the accolades prove it better than this one.

Literary references: (more manipulation?) Moby-Dick, Call of the Wild, The Voyage of the Beagle, The Magic Mountain, A Separate Peace, The Double Helix, Walden

CATEGORY: TBRs

You are remembering correctly Mamzel. That may be part of my reaction in that initially Eliza annoyed me - sure she was very sheltered but for a smart girl she was very naive (if I was being harsh - dumb) about Jaoquin and the risks she took. I liked the story a lot more after the introduction of Tao and once Eliza starting gaining some self awareness, she definitely became a strong character in the end which was great.

May Update:
1. TBRs - 3
2. Mysteries - 8
3. Speculative Fiction - 7
4. ERs and ARCs - 4
5. Graphic novels - 6
6. Nonfiction - 3
7. Food related
8. Plays - 1
9. Classics -2
10. Non-American authors - 8
11. Short story collections
12. YA literature - 5
13. HUB challenge - 25
Total to date - 70

My favorite book this month was Isabel Allende's Island Beneath the Sea, a stunning historical fiction. The most fun I had was another adventure with Chet and Bernie. The biggest disappointment was George Carlin who became overbearing with his rants on what is wrong with mankind.

I am starting June with The Song of Achilles for the group read. I am already halfway through the book and thoroughly immersed in the world of ancient Greece.

->159 mamzel:
I just finished Unwritten: Inside Man and will definitely be continuing the series - so imaginative!

->167 mamzel:
Congrats on getting your badge - even if it took a bit longer than expected.

->179 mamzel:
Oh, I had forgotten I have Dog on It somewhere on my Nook - have to get to it soon!

I'm no trekkie, but I'll absolutely watch it for Cumberbatch! Can't wait for the 50th anniversary Who!!

Thanks for stopping by, Eva. I have to put #3 of Unwritten on hold. Every time I go to the library it is checked out. I am definitely looking forward to the Dr. Who 50th as well. Have you caught the programs about the previous doctors?

Moving to new thread here