leahbird try, tries again to read 75 in 2014 (3)

New thread!

(picture coming soon)

“She is too fond of books, and it has turned her brain.”― Louisa May Alcott
"If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need."― Cicero

*Note: Descriptions are not mine, but culled from LT or other sources. Thoughts are all me.

Read This Year
1. The Interrupted Tale by Maryrose Wood
2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone by JK Rowling
3. The Dead in their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
4. Viva Jacquelina! by L.A. Meyer
5. Fables 19: Snow White by Bill Willingham
6. Saga, Vol. 1 by Brian K Vaughn
7. Saga, Vol. 2 by Brian K Vaughn
8. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
9. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets by JK Rowling
10. Boston Jacky by L.A. Meyer
11. Hollow City by Ransom Riggs
12. Saga, Vol. 3 by Brian K Vaughn
13. Fire by Kristin Cashore
14. Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde
15. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban by JK Rowling
16. The Serpent of Venice by Christopher Moore
17. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire by JK Rowling
18. Half Way Home by Hugh Howey
19. Fairest, Vol 3: The Return of the Maharaja by Sean E. Williams
20. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix by JK Rowling
21. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
22. Curtsies & Conspiracies by Gail Carriger
23. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
24. Throne of Jade by Naomi Novik
25. Black Powder War by Naomi Novik
26. Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik
27. Victory of Eagles by Naomi Novik
28. Tongues of Serpents by Naomi Novik
29. Crucible of Gold by Naomi Novik
30. Blood of Tyrants by Naomi Novik
31. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince by JK Rowling
32. The Curious Case of the Werewolf that Wasn't, The Mummy that Was, and the Cat in the Jar by Gail Carriger
33. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by JK Rowling
34. The Paper Magician by Charlie N Holmberg
35. Veronica Mars: The Thousand Dollar Tan Line by Rob Thomas
36. The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani
37. The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood
38. The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman
39. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
40. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan
41. The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood
42. Fables Vol. 20: Camelot by Bill Willingham
43. The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennen
44. A World Without Princes by Soman Chainani
45. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
46. The Eye of Zoltar by Jasper Fforde
47. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
48. Changing Diapers by Kelly Wels
49. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
50. Saga Volume 4 by Brian K Vaughn
51. Wild Rover No More by LA Meyer

39. I am Malala by Malala Yousafzai (with Christina Lamb)


Description: When the Taliban took control of the Swat Valley in Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education.

On Tuesday, October 9, 2012, when she was fifteen, she almost paid the ultimate price. She was shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, and few expected her to survive.

Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from a remote valley in northern Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. At sixteen, she has become a global symbol of peaceful protest and the youngest nominee ever for the Nobel Peace Prize.

I AM MALALA is the remarkable tale of a family uprooted by global terrorism, of the fight for girls' education, of a father who, himself a school owner, championed and encouraged his daughter to write and attend school, and of brave parents who have a fierce love for their daughter in a society that prizes sons.

I AM MALALA will make you believe in the power of one person's voice to inspire change in the world.

Thoughts: I'm notoriously bad at reading memoirs and autobiographies, so I'd been putting off reading Malala's book ever since it came out. I knew it dealt with topics close to my heart, but memoirs are usually so... uninteresting. I just happened to think of it while I was at the library picking up other books and then found myself really drawn into it.

Malala does a very nice job weaving historical and cultural information into the story of her family and her increasing involvment in the struggle against the Pakistani Taliban in the Swat Valley. I think this book would be a very good introduction to Islam and Pakastan for those people (of whom I know many) who only see terrorists and have no concept of normal people with normal lives. She doesn't glorify her religion in a way that would make some people (unfairly) mistrustful but rather presents how Islam informs her daily life and the bonds of family and culture. There are many and varied examples of the repressive, cultish brand of Islam the Taliban espouses, and Malala doesn't shy away from showing how some people were taken in by it, but the balance of good and deranged is well maintained. The major theme is more that good people were under dire circumstances and, while personally abhoring what was taking place, remained silent and compliant out of fear.

There are a few places where you can hear Christina Lamb's in the narrative. Places where a cultural or historical explanation smacks a bit too much of foreign coorespondent rather than 16 year old girl. But it wasnt' so distracting that it disturbed the flow too much. There is also a tendency to wander a bit, seemingly trying to tie familial stories to bigger issues, that doesn't always work particluarly well. It dose, however, feel like the writing of a 16 year old and ends up making the book feel more authentic and less guided and is therefore appreciable.

All in all, a very compelling, thought provoking, and ernest read.

I very clearly remember the day that most of the world heard of Malala for the first time, the day she was shot. I remember being heart broken that a girl who just wanted to learn was such a terrible threat to some people. But I also remember that bitter feeling I often have when someone like Malala becomes a world icon after tragedy strikes. Where is the global outpouring of support when these brave girls are making their stands in the face of almost insurmountable odds? Why does it take something like this or almost 300 school girls being kidnapped in Nigeria for us to pay attention and lend our own voices and dollars? We owe these children more than our broken hearts when something terrible happens, we owe them our dedicated allegiance to see their dreams- their simple and straightforward dreams of education and the chance of a better life- through to completion.

Rating: 4.08

Liked: 4
Writing: 4
Content: 3.5
Authority: 5
Value: 4

So, I just read this post about Wolf in White Van on i09 and am feeling confused. On Facebook they sold it as "If you only read one literary novel this year, make it this one." Huh? This sounds very genre to me so does the flippant definition of literary fiction as books about depressing suburban characters stand here? Weird. I guess being genre for me was never so limiting as to not include works that were well written and thought provoking.

>3 leahbird: There is often a discrepancy between what io9 says on their site and what gets posted on their facebook. I'm pretty sure whoever is in charge of posting stuff to facebook is otherwise uninvolved in the site.

40. A Natural History of Dragons by Marie Brennan


Description: You, dear reader, continue at your own risk. It is not for the faint of heart—no more so than the study of dragons itself. But such study offers rewards beyond compare: to stand in a dragon’s presence, even for the briefest of moments—even at the risk of one’s life—is a delight that, once experienced, can never be forgotten. . . .

All the world, from Scirland to the farthest reaches of Eriga, know Isabella, Lady Trent, to be the world’s preeminent dragon naturalist. She is the remarkable woman who brought the study of dragons out of the misty shadows of myth and misunderstanding into the clear light of modern science. But before she became the illustrious figure we know today, there was a bookish young woman whose passion for learning, natural history, and, yes, dragons defied the stifling conventions of her day.

Here at last, in her own words, is the true story of a pioneering spirit who risked her reputation, her prospects, and her fragile flesh and bone to satisfy her scientific curiosity; of how she sought true love and happiness despite her lamentable eccentricities; and of her thrilling expedition to the perilous mountains of Vystrana, where she made the first of many historic discoveries that would change the world forever.

Thoughts: One blurb summed this book up thusly: "A Natural History of Dragons stands somewhere between Naomi Novik and Elizabeth Peters, but rock solidly in it's own world and on it's own terms." While I don't think I'd go so far as to say "rock solidly," otherwise this is about the most apt description I could give.

Since I very much appreciate Naomi Novik and Elizabeth Peters- both Amelia Peabody and Temeraire being amongst my favorite characters- this book appealed to that side of me rather well. While reading Temeraire's stories, I did often wish that he and Amelia could team up and be sassy and troublesome to everyone, ever.

But that wasn't the book I was expecting to read. Perhaps I should read blurbs better before starting a book (something I rarely do and am unlikely to start), but I had convinced myself that this was going to much more of a fantasy based, you know, NATURAL HISTORY book than Amelia Peabody with dragons. Not to say that I didn't expect a little of that given the sample I read, but I really did expect the bulk of the story to be about Lady Trent's entry into science and in depth fantasticozoology, akin to a beastiary with personal anecdotes. (Hence the reason I thought it would be something I could read to Addy.) I guess I was expecting Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and that isn't what this is.

And since that isn't what this is, I would have expected rather more dragons, really. For good portions of the book you could substitute almost ANY creature someone might study for dragons and hardly impact the narrative flow at all. I get that that must have been partially intentional to ground it in the faux Victorian British world Brennan built, but I think the story would have faired better being a tad more dragony. A dearth of dead dragon bits doesn't really satisfy, as Lady Trent well knows.

And the fact that her sweet, obliging husband is pretty much killed as a direct result of her flagrant disregard for consequences or just simply being smart enough to take the strong person that you trust and love instead of the local woman you hardly know to investigate a possible murderer in a basement with one exit in the middle of the night..... Well, that rubbed me the wrong way. I guess he obliged himself straight into an early, foreign grave. At least Amelia has the intelligence not to harry off on her own unless she has to.

Rating: 3.42

Liked: 3.5
Plot: 3
Characterization: 3.5
Writing: 4
Auden scale: 3

Hi Leah! *Hugs*

Hiya!

So, is anyone else obsessed with Peter Capaldi's TARDIS and all the control room bookshelves? We'd seen a library in the TARDIS in the past, but now they're right there in the hub and he even picks them up! Love it!

Congrats on the new thread!

Thanks Lori!

41. The Hidden Gallery by Maryrose Wood (read by Katherine Kellgren


Description: Thanks to their plucky governess, Miss Penelope Lumley, Alexander, Beowulf, and Cassiopeia are much more like children than wolf cubs now. They are accustomed to wearing clothes. They hardly ever howl at the moon. And for the most part, they resist the urge to chase squirrels up trees.

Yet the Incorrigibles are not entirely civilized, and still managed to ruin Lady Constance’s Christmas ball, nearly destroying the grand house. So while Ashton Place is being restored, Penelope, the Ashtons, and the children take up residence in London. As they explore the city, Penelope and the Incorrigibles discover more about themselves as clues about the children’s—and Penelope’s own—mysterious past crop up in the most unexpected ways. . . .

Thoughts: Enjoyed it just as much the second time around, especially since I listened to Katherine Kellgren read it.

Rating: 3.93

Liked: 4
Plot: 3.5
Characterization: 4
Writing: 4
Auden scale: 3
Audio: 5

42. Fables Vol 20: Camelot by Bill Willingham


Description: Rose Red finally and formally takes on the mantle of Paladin of Hope to heroically rally the Fables in the tragic aftermath of "Snow White." A new dark age calls for a new Round Table, with modern knights willing to take on a sacred quest to reassemble the shattered pieces of Fabletown.

Collects issues #130-140 of this 14-time Eisner-Award-winning series.

Thoughts: There are only two more volumes in the Fables run, both due out in March. Given that the series is wrapping up I was hoping for some really spectacular storytelling here. Instead, it's pretty disjointed and lingers in strange places. The "main" story of Rose Red's call to arms ended up being mostly about building things, unexpected but pretty boring powers, and a lot of foreshadowing to a battle that I am very much opposed to and think is totally stupid.

Winter's story was interesting but too short. I love reading about the cubs and their different powers and would like to see more of that. But, even though it was interesting, it's in support of the battle story I don't like, so that was disappointing.

Oh well, it wasn't as bad as some of the middle volumes were and I'm certainly going to keep with it until the end. Here's hoping the last two are a bit better.

Rating: 3.25

Liked: 3.5
Plot: 3
Characterization: 3.5
Writing: 3
Auden scale: 3

43. The Tropic of Serpents by Marie Brennan


Description:
Attentive readers of Lady Trent’s earlier memoir, A Natural History of Dragons, are already familiar with how a bookish and determined young woman named Isabella first set out on the historic course that would one day lead her to becoming the world’s premier dragon naturalist. Now, in this remarkably candid second volume, Lady Trent looks back at the next stage of her illustrious (and occasionally scandalous) career.

Three years after her fateful journeys through the forbidding mountains of Vystrana, Mrs. Camherst defies family and convention to embark on an expedition to the war-torn continent of Eriga, home of such exotic draconian species as the grass-dwelling snakes of the savannah, arboreal tree snakes, and, most elusive of all, the legendary swamp-wyrms of the tropics.

The expedition is not an easy one. Accompanied by both an old associate and a runaway heiress, Isabella must brave oppressive heat, merciless fevers, palace intrigues, gossip, and other hazards in order to satisfy her boundless fascination with all things draconian, even if it means venturing deep into the forbidden jungle known as the Green Hell . . . where her courage, resourcefulness, and scientific curiosity will be tested as never before.

Thoughts: I found myself more interested in the story in this follow up to A Natural History of Dragons. While there is still more Victorianesque adventure story than natural history than I would like, this one is much much more ethnographic given that it is set in a Sub-Saharan African type setting and therefore EVERYTHING is vastly different for Isabella and in need of explanation. There is political intrigue and gossipy society to deal with as well, but the dragons and those that live amongst them are much more central. And it's nice that it is really and truly Isabella's understanding of dragons and politics that provides the answer to their predicament and not just details she happened upon incidentally.

Rating: 3.58

Liked: 3.75
Plot: 3.5
Characterization: 3.5
Writing: 4
Auden scale: 3

In other news, I got a really exciting job offer this week. There is a baby boutique in Knoxville that sells cloth diapers, baby carriers, natural baby products, and wooden toys and they are expanding into Maryville with a new story. I've been in there lots and they keep my doula business cards for customers who inquire. As soon as I found out they were opening the new store, I got in contact and went in for an interview. They offered me the job that day and we're currently working out all the details. I'm very excited! It's part-time so it won't interfere too much with my doula responsibilities and I'll get to help people find great products that I really believe in for their kids! YAY!

>14 leahbird: Yay! How perfect for you!

I know, I'm VERY excited! I said I'd never work in retail again, but this store is basically everything I love in one place and the kinds of people who shop there are not your average retail trolls so it should be wonderful. Here's to hoping my fellow employees are fun and easy to work with.

PS: It also means that, so long as I can swing the days off, I will most likely be able to come to Charleston for YALLfest! That's the biggest perk to steady pay checks instead of somewhat random chunks of (albeit decent) money- you can actually PLAN things instead of needing to play the waiting game.

AHHH! Look how cute the cover for As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust is!!!

Congrats on the new job - it sounds just perfect for you!

The week just kept getting better around here. Not only did I get that great job offer, but I snagged a new doula client that I'm really excited to work with.

And, best of all, my sister finalized her divorce yesterday!!!!! She wasn't able to get sole primary custody of Addy, but we didn't think that was going to happen anyway after the terrible miscarriage of justice that was her ex's criminal trial. She did get everything else she asked for and they will just have dual primary custody. All in all, a good outcome and the relief of it finally being over is huge. Coincidentally, it was a year to the day from the time all this started, both days being his birthday. So he spent one birthday in jail and one birthday getting divorced. Maybe he'll learn something important from all this and be a better man by the time his next birthday comes around.

So, I'm enjoying Peter Capaldi as The Doctor but I'm confused as too why all the episodes this season seem to be rehashing things we've already seen before. "Listen" felt a bit too much like The Silence. And what is up with the obsession with people in astronauts' suits?

Add to that the very obvious references of "The Girl in the Fireplace" in "Breathe" and how Missy reminds me of River or the human TARDIS (calling The Doctor her "boyfriend") and I'm just worried that they aren't bothering to write anything new at all.

Well, Robin Hood felt fresh. Except for all the bickering. I mean, the bickering was pretty funny but it's getting played out.

This is just too gorgeous not to share! My friend Sun-Hwa, who lives in Seoul, is getting married in two weeks and just posted a bunch of really stunning engagement photos. Some are in modern, drop dead gorgeous dresses, but I'm completely obsessed with this amazing picture of her in traditional dress. She's so beautiful and the dress is so lovely and it's just awesome all around.



And this one of her and her fiance is lovely too.



One of the things that depresses me the most about being a (mostly) white American is that we are the definite losers when it comes to beautiful traditional dress. I'm sooooo jealous of cultures that get to don beautiful, culturally significant outfits on special days instead of whatever creation some designer has decided is the look this year.

>14 leahbird: Congrats on the new job!

I'm glad you pisted those pics. I'm reading a Korean novel right now and it's helpful to see the traditional dress! Your friend looks lovely in those dresses.

>22 thornton37814: Thanks!

>23 cbl_tn: That's cool, glad I could help! I'm a little bit cultural dress obsessed so her pictures sent me on a really fun Google search and I found so many beautiful things.

Oh my goodness, your friend is beautiful!! Thanks for sharing!

Just discovered your new thread -- congrats on the job!

>25 scaifea: Isn't she? ;)

>26 foggidawn: Thanks foggi!

I just got sucked into the internet black hole for several hours. It happens from time to time and is usually a terrible idea. Today's topic is one that recurrently pops up and doesn't do me any good whatsoever except to make me feel desperate and hopeless: adoption/foster care. I really, really want to pursue both but it seems so overwhelming for a single person. I've felt called to adoption since I was 12 years old and 20 years is a long time to obsess over something you want... Damn you internet for being so full of information and blogs!

One of the serious perks of my new job, however, is that non-mobile children are welcome to come to work with you. So, if I was fostering babies under ~9 months, I wouldn't have to leave them for precious hours at a time. That makes things seem more doable. Except that most kids in foster care are 1-6 years old and, you know, babies annoyingly keep getting older. ;)

YAY! The Glass Magician has release information now! It will, in fact, again be about Ceony and Emery, is due Nov 4th, and has more lovely cover art!



AND, Saga, Volume 4 has a release date of Dec 9th!

44. A World without Princes by Soman Chainani


Description: Magic and romance battle each other in this much anticipated sequel to the New York Times bestselling novel The School for Good and Evil. Best friends Sophie and Agatha return to the spectacular world where the only way out of a fairy tale is to live through one. Together, they have the strength to face unseen enemies and new threats. But what will happen when they are torn apart?

Thoughts: Disappointing. Where the first book had that nice streak of girl power and finding your true self, this one is all "girl power leads to a battle of the sexes and there is no such thing as being true to yourself, your friends, and a love interest at the same time."

There were moments where I thought something powerful and important was about to happen but it was repeatedly gutted by something stupid. I know this is a transitional book and that the third one will probably redeem all the yuck from this one, but that isn't a very good excuse. Just don't do this to your series, authors. It's not fun anymore.

Rating: 2.91

Liked: 3
Plot: 2.5
Characterization: 3
Writing: 3
Auden scale: 3

>29 leahbird: Since I really didn't like the first book in that series, I will be sure to steer clear of that one!

Good plan. The first one was DEFINITELY better, so if you didn't like it, you really won't like this one.

ETA: The one big twist I thought I saw coming for most of the book turned out to be wrong and, personally, I think my idea was WAY better. ;)

As Chimney Sweepers Come to Dust's release date just got bumped from March 2015 to Jan 16th. Exciting!

I'm in the middle of a reading conundrum. I'm reading one ebook and listening to one audiobook and I'm equally interested in both. It's making deciding to read or listen very difficult. This is why I should never try to do two new stories at once!

I would either a) flip a coin, or b) take turns (30 minutes of reading, 30 minutes of listening)

I've been reading in bed and listening in the car, but my commute to work now is only 15 mins which doesn't give a lot of listening time. I might go lay on the couch and listen for a bit since listening in bed tends to put me to sleep.

PS: How far into Queen of the Tearling are you? I'm on chapter 4 and I'm having a hard time pinning it down in reference to "The Crossing." Is this supposed to be another planet or a parallel universe? When I started I just assumed it was a story set in a medieval England ripoff, but they then started referencing American and New London and New Europe and things got confusing.

They mention some things that make it sound like William Tear et al were from a fairly modern age with the talk of birth control (which was more medicalized than the "indigenous variety" they mention in the camp) and the Great White Ship that was lost sounds a lot more like a space ship than an ocean going one.

I just wonder if this is ever going to be made really clear or if it's something I should just roll with?

>35 leahbird: I'm in chapter 6, I think. The world-building is kind of confusing. E-readers are mentioned at one point, so it definitely takes place in our future. I think what happened is that William Tear left North American/Europe to found a utopia without the technology that he thought was bad. In the crossing, some other technology was lost as well. (including all of the doctors. Who puts all of their doctors in one basket ship?) I suspect that there will be a big reveal at the end that it does actually take place on another planet, but they're being coy about it right now. There's a section (probably where you are right now) that is very explain-y, but then the plot picks up again.

I think I would understand it better if I read it, but . . . . you know . . . . Katherine Kellgren.

Obviously you should read the ebook while listening to the audiobook.

>36 norabelle414: I just got through the "story" Lear told about the crossing if that's what you mean. Earlier there was mention of William Tear wanting a socialist utopia so I was feeling pretty sure it was set in the future somehow. It is weird feeling so discombobulated in such a "familiar" setting.

>37 Ape: I've done that before when something wasn't coming across clearly in audio and would do it again now if only there wasn't a long wait list for the ebook OR if the hard copy I'm waiting on wasn't currently a week overdue. Sometimes you really do need to see the words.

Great news about the new Flavia de Luce! Love the cover.

Congrats on the job offer and the new store. I'll have to let my family in Maryville know about it. My grand-nephew is just turning 2. Is everything there for newborns? Anything for toddlers? -- Not that we can't hope for another little one at some point. ;-)

Thanks! Today was our first day being open but i didn't work so I'm excited to get in tomorrow and see how we did. We're having a grand opening event on the 18th. We've got lots of wooden toys and some clothes.

I meant you should read 1 e-book and listen to the other unrelated audiobook, at the same time! You can do it, I believe in you! :)

>38 leahbird: Sometimes you really do need to see the words.

True! I remember taking notes in a church history class in college and hearing about Luther's 95 theses for the first time. I had never heard the word "theses" spoken before. It sounded an awful lot like another word I knew, so that's the word that ended up in my class notes. Fortunately one of my classmates corrected me before the exam.

Hahaha!

>33 leahbird: I'm having trouble deciding which book to pick up myself. I have an ER book (a mystery) that is calling my name, but I have a nonfiction book that is calling my name too. Decisions, decisions!

I'm reading my ebook a lot more just by default since I have a LOT of downtime at the store, but now I'm almost done with it so I need to find ANOTHER book to add into the mix. I guess it's a good problem to have. ;)

The ER book won today! I'm enjoying it so far.

I'm almost done listening to The Queen of the Tearling and yet the physical copy of the book that was meant to be available to me on 9/20 had still not been turned in to the library. It's infuriating that someone world check a book out from a waiting list and keep it 2 weeks longer than they should! I guess the person behind me on the list will be pleasantly surprised to jump a place when I cancel my hold. Yay, I get to save $.50!

45. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen (read by Katherine Kellgren)


Desription: A #1 Indie Next Pick and LibraryReads Selection

Magic, adventure, mystery, and romance combine in this epic debut in which a young princess must reclaim her dead mother’s throne, learn to be a ruler—and defeat the Red Queen, a powerful and malevolent sorceress determined to destroy her.

On her nineteenth birthday, Princess Kelsea Raleigh Glynn, raised in exile, sets out on a perilous journey back to the castle of her birth to ascend her rightful throne. Plain and serious, a girl who loves books and learning, Kelsea bears little resemblance to her mother, the vain and frivolous Queen Elyssa. But though she may be inexperienced and sheltered, Kelsea is not defenseless: Around her neck hangs the Tearling sapphire, a jewel of immense magical power; and accompanying her is the Queen’s Guard, a cadre of brave knights led by the enigmatic and dedicated Lazarus. Kelsea will need them all to survive a cabal of enemies who will use every weapon—from crimson-caped assassins to the darkest blood magic—to prevent her from wearing the crown.

Despite her royal blood, Kelsea feels like nothing so much as an insecure girl, a child called upon to lead a people and a kingdom about which she knows almost nothing. But what she discovers in the capital will change everything, confronting her with horrors she never imagined. An act of singular daring will throw Kelsea’s kingdom into tumult, unleashing the vengeance of the tyrannical ruler of neighboring Mortmesne: the Red Queen, a sorceress possessed of the darkest magic. Now Kelsea will begin to discover whom among the servants, aristocracy, and her own guard she can trust.

But the quest to save her kingdom and meet her destiny has only just begun—a wondrous journey of self-discovery and a trial by fire that will make her a legend . . . if she can survive.

Thoughts: I have decidedly mixed feelings about this book. On the one hand, it kept me enthralled, finding excuses to listen at home (and a bit at work, shh) when I normally only listen in the car. But now that it's over, I feel a little underwhelmed. To be honest, I don't feel like a whole lot actually happened. There were a few notable events that were nicely written and emotionally impactful, but there is much more that was just setting and story housekeeping... Maybe this would feel different if I'd read it. Is it a slim book? It didn't feel like a slim audiobook, but then again, nothing Katherine Kellgren does feels slim because she is so wonderful.

So what kept me so enthralled? The story is set amongst the descendents of American and European pilgrims to some new world. They came to The Tearling and New Europe through "The Crossing," but it's never exactly clear what this means. The setting feels medieval European but there are many references to pre-Crossing technology and social structure that assures us that this is all taking place sometime after our current age: references to e-reader technology, modern medicine and plastic surgery, etc. Those things were abandoned or lost in the crossing and William Tear's dreams of a socialist utopia. The book suggests a sea voyage but it definitely feels like that is incorrect. Was it a crossing into a parallel universe? Is this some other planet? A time bridge wormhole? WHAT'S GOING ON?

This balance of medieval queens, damn near Arthurian, with what feels like native magic, but in a post-modern alternate reality of some making just grabbed me so hard. It's driving me insane that this book ends without at least a hint of explanation as to how the hell this all fits together but it certainly kept me glued to a story that otherwise was well written but a little bit unexciting.

I will definitely be reading a follow up novel when it comes out but I don't know how much not knowing I can handle in the long term. There has to be an explanation!

Rating: 3.86

Liked: 4
Plot: 3.5
Characterization: 3.5
Writing: 4
Auden scale: 3
Audio: 5

I might be getting too old for these 24hr labors. My last client of the year (I'm not taking more because of travel and holidays) delivered a beautiful baby girl this morning. I feel like a zombie.

And now I'm at work. When I get off tonight, I will have worked 43 of the past 56 hours (and only slept 10). I'm definitely feeling my age right now. 32 year old, bookish bodies aren't meant for this kind of punishment.

I'm currently weighing the benefits of sleeping all day tomorrow vs library book sale at 9am. ;)

I hope you went to the library book sale and then went back to bed.

I spent an eternity at the book sale and came to a conclusion: book sales are broken. I don't know why I keep going to sales and second hand stores thinking it'll be wonderful. I'm just too particular about what I read and what editions I want and what condition I'll accept. So, I ended up buying a copy of The Thirteenth Tale, which I've read but didn't own, and some books for Addy. I give up.

And then I've laid on the couch all afternoon and watched tv and it's been glorious. And I got out of work tomorrow awful I'm doing more of the same!

I love library book sales, but maybe it's because when it involves books, I'm a total whore.

Only when it comes books, though. ;)

I WANT to be a whore a book sales. I want to scrape whole shelves off into my cute little cart and be the person that needs help getting everything out to the car. And at one point in my life, I was much more like that.

But now, I'm a book buying prude. Even book stores have defeated me a lot in the last few years. I just know I'm not willing to spend money on a book I don't plan to keep and to keep it it has to hold up and look nice on my shelf.

It's decidedly less fun but I don't find myself with boxes of unread books that I have no idea WHY I would ever purchase.

46. The Eye of Zoltar by Jasper Fforde


Description: Although she’s an orphan in indentured servitude, sixteen-year-old Jennifer Strange is pretty good at her job of managing the unpredictable crew at Kazam Mystical Arts Management. She already solved the Dragon Problem, avoided mass destruction by Quarkbeast, and helped save magic in the Ununited Kingdoms. Yet even Jennifer may be defeated when the long-absent Mighty Shandar makes an astonishing appearance and commands her to find the Eye of Zoltar—proclaiming that if she fails, he will eliminate the only two dragons left on earth.
　　　　　　　　　　
How can a teenage non-magician outdo the greatest sorcerer the world has ever known? But failure is unacceptable, so Jennifer must set off for the mysterious Cadir Idris in the deadly Cambrian Empire—a destination with a fatality index of fifty percent. With the odds against them, will Jennifer and her traveling companions ever return to the Kingdom of Snodd?

Thoughts: YAY! More Fforde! While I will remain painfully disappointed each time Jasper releases another book that ISN'T the follow up to Shades of Grey I'm dying to read, I'm still very excited by each of his books. They are always delightfully weird and clever.

So, Jennifer and the crew at Kazam are back for more adventures. This one is a bit different since Jennifer and some friends have to leave Snodd (and the rest of the familiar characters) on a search for the eponymous Eye of Zoltar to save the dragons, Feldspar Axiom Firebreath IV and Colin. New, quite delightful characters join our hero and Ffordish shenanigans ensue.

I quite liked most of this book. It was interesting to see another kingdom and get more insight into The Mighty Shandar. I LOVED seeing the character development of the princess and can't wait to see how she fares in the next book. Ultimately, the book was less about the plot and more about the dynamics that make up a team/family. These characters rallied together through trust and honor to survive against incredible odds and still be funny along the way.

BUT HOW COULD PERKINS BE GONE? I don't accept it. I kept thinking the next page would be a big "JUST KIDDING" or "We know how to bring him back," but NOOOO. Just gone. So not ok. I'm glad he and Jennifer got that kiss but it's just not fair. I'm so sad.

I was under the impression going into this book that it was meant to be the last in the series. I was reading and the pages were getting fewer and fewer and there wasn't a conclusion and I was so confused. And then it became apparent that this is NOT the end. Certainly not. Big things getting shaken up at the end. The next book, currently called Strange and the Wizard, should be very interesting. Can't wait.

But I'm still totally pissed that Perkins is dead.

Rating: 3.75

Liked: 3.75
Plot: 3.5
Characterization: 4.5
Writing: 4
Auden scale: 3

So, I did it. I took the plunge. I feel like a million pounds has been lifted from my heart.

I signed up for the certification classes to become a Foster Parent. They start in December.

As I've said before, it's something I've been thinking about forever but I just kept second guessing myself. My life and environment didn't seem ideal- single, living in a small cottage, unusually employed. But most of the things that I was worried about have pretty much resolved themselves this month. My sister just had her offer accepted on a house in town and, barring any weirdness, will be moving in a month or so, which means I can move into her 4 bedroom house here on the farm. Two more bedrooms and an extra bathroom and it won't cost me a penny (except in paint, she has awful taste in paint colors). And I'm back to a regular paycheck and it's from a job that is extremely flexible and child friendly. Other than being single and a tad nervous to do this alone, my excuses are all gone.

And I'm so completely excited!

That's pretty exciting news! :)

I'm so happy for you, Leah!!

>56 leahbird: Oh, that's wonderful, Leah! I'm so happy for you and for the little lives that you'll be helping.

Thanks guys! It'll be months before I'm certified to accept placements but it already feels so right.

I'm really interested in what the whole process involves, so I'm hoping that you'll be willing to share that process and your experience with us...

More than happy too! Firstly, at least in TN, every prospective FP has to take 23 hrs of PATH (Parents as Tender Healers) classes. That's what I start in December and it runs through the end of January. After that, I have to find an agency to do my home study with. That process takes about 4-6 weeks and involves lots of background checks, fingerprinting, home evaluation, psychological evaluation, etc etc. Once THAT's done, I can register with DCS and/or private agencies, clarify what children I can take in, and then wait for the call.

I'll kept you posted as things progress.

Don't let them read the first sentence in post 54! :P

Oh, wow. That's wonderful of you to open up your home and heart to a child who needs it. I've worked with kids who've ended up with foster homes (they're not called that but it's the same thing, basically) and the difference before and after being placed in a good home is astounding. Hope it all goes well for you with your classes and evaluations.
The new job sounds interesting too. I like the idea of natural baby products and wooden toys. If I had kids and lived an ocean closer, I'd shop there!

Thanks Paws! The inspection on the house my sister was going to buy came back with a lot of issues so she's back to the drawing board which means it could be a while longer before I can move into her current house. It's not an issue for now since the earliest I'd be able to take a placement would be March most likely, but I can't start the home study process until I'm actually moved in, so that's a potential bummer.

But, I'm not going to let the possibility of delay get me down. I'm on my way and that's what really matters to me!

47. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman


Description: A brilliantly imaginative and poignant fairy tale from the modern master of wonder and terror, The Ocean at the End of the Lane is Neil Gaiman’s first new novel for adults since his #1 New York Times bestseller Anansi Boys.

This bewitching and harrowing tale of mystery and survival, and memory and magic, makes the impossible all too real...

Thoughts: First thought is that the description above, from Amazon, is totally useless. But it's also better to read this book knowing as little as possible about what is going to happen and to just let it reveal itself slowly.

This has been sitting on my shelf since the day it came out but for some reason I just never got around to picking it up. I can't think of a single reason I wasn't reading it, but there it sat. Then, last month, a friend and I decided to start a book club and she mentioned this one. It seemed a great excuse to finally get around to it.

And now I'm just disappointed that it took me so long to pick it up. As always, Gaiman breaks my heart and puts it back together and manages to do all that with a gentle, yet haunting, touch and a lovely way with words. Whether he's crafting the essence of grandmotherliness in fresh cream poured on perfect porridge next to a warming fire or relaying the most horrifying betrayal and abuse, you just believe him. Even when you don't know if the narrator is reliable or not, you get the unending feeling that Gaiman himself is reliable. He won't let you down.

Our book club discussion was wonderful and gives me a lot of hope for future meetings. I'm currently the youngest member by about 10 years and the members are all academics: one literature professor, one artist/art professor (our token male member!), one geologist, and myself. There are several others who will hopefully be joining us in the future, but even if it's just this group I'll be happy.

Rating: 4.25

Liked: 4
Plot: 4
Characterization: 4.5
Writing: 4
Auden scale: 5

Yep yep yep, there's that book AGAIN. I really am going to read it, really really!

I'm glad you liked it. :)

Climbing out from under the rock known as Real Life to catch up on some threads -- WOW! lots going on around here! Congrats on the new job, and all the activity over being a foster parent. What a gift to be able to give to someone!

Followed by a lovely review of The Ocean at the End of the Lane. My only Neil Gaiman up to this point, but I quite enjoyed it.

I am very excited to hopefully be a peaceful safe place for some kids, but the blessing I feel for myself is huge. These kids need someone to love them and I desperately need some kids to love. :)

In other (non posting book reviews because I've not managed to finish anything in a week) news, I've become an obsessive crack fiend over.... fabric. I decided to try my hand at making some cloth diapers to see if it's something I might be able to get into to make a little extra money (because cloth diaper mommas are nutso diaper hoarders and now I'm one of them) and I somehow spiraled down the rabbit hole of online fabric stores and Pinterest and now I'm BUYING EVERYTHING AND MAKING A MILLION THINGS! I've got over a hundred fabrics pinned and I want to buy them all and make beautiful poop catchers and be an Etsy star.

Well, I'm attempting to stop myself from letting this happen. Because I am a seriously bad crafter. I have spectacular research and planning abilities and nearly non-existent completion rates... Every year I plan all these projects I'm going to do for Christmas and it just ends up meaning that the week leading up to Christmas I'm hunched over a sewing machine for 18 hours a day screaming about how I should have started sooner. I mean, I still owe Addy some piglets for the Faux Coco I made her LAST Christmas.

Oh, and I ordered a book to help me learn hand embroidery. Because that's likely to happen.

PS: This IS one thing I'm making for Addy for Christmas.



in this print


and don't ask what I had to do to get my hands on this discontinued fabric.

>70 leahbird: I'm the same way with craft projects, especially sewing.

>71 foggidawn: Maybe we should start a support group. ;)

So, it's new glasses time! I would love some opinions if you all care to assist.

What I'm sporting now


My current options

They are all cute, but my vote goes for Annette. LAngston is pretty cute, too.

Yeah, I like Annette too.But really, all of them work pretty well for you.

I think the "Annette" looks best. The others I feel are a bit too narrow, but Annette strikes a good balance with your face. All nice choices, btw. (Urgh, I want to buy new glasses! I don't need new ones but I'm addicted!)

WarbyParker.com frames WITH lens for $95. They are cute (as you can see), cheap, AND they donate a pair for every pair purchased. Makes having a stash possible and makes you feel good.

>76 leahbird: My optician has a 2 for 1 deal that I always go for when I get new glasses. Change is fun! And thanks for the reminder, I need to donate some old glasses and I know they're having a collection at the moment.

I just handed out over 2000 organic suckers at the store tonight. It was cold and raining out so the mall was the place to be. If I was playing the Queen Elsa Costume drinking game I would be in a coma right now.

Happy birthday, Leah!!

Thanks Nora!

>78 leahbird: "...If I was playing the Queen Elsa Costume drinking game I would be in a coma right now."

Thanks for that! What a smile!

48. Changing Diapers: The Hip Mom's Guide to Modern Cloth Diapering by Kelly Wels


Description: Finally, a book about modern cloth diapering that covers everything.

Topics covered:
- Why Choose Cloth Diapers?
- Basic Cloth Diaper Talk
- The Back-to-Work and Daycare Diapering Dilemma
- Daddies and Diapers
- Laundry: How to Wash Your Cloth Diapers
- Resources and more

Kelly Wels, a leading authority in the movement toward modern cloth diapering, has pulled the whole industry together to offer the best information on everything from what to buy, how to fit, and how to launder, to the health benefits for baby and the impact of diapers on the environment. Wels is a well-known powerhouse advocate and has become the main voice in the industry. The marketplace for this book is constant, as the US birthrate hovers over 4 million babies born per year and the word is getting out about the benefits of using modern cloth versus disposables. Wels is a continuous presence on her popular blogs and is often featured by other bloggers in the industry. When Wels talks, her audience listens, and her audience grows. She even received a Congressional Award for her work from Olympia Snow. These are not your mother s cloth diapers!

Thoughts: We loan this book out at work for new cloth diapering customers and I just happened to have some down time today as the mall has been DEAD, so I figured it was time I read this cover to cover. (I'm also totally freaking out that it's the first book I've read in almost a month... I even have book club in a week and haven't even picked up the book. This is soooo bad.)

You all probably aren't in need of the exact ins and outs of cloth diapering, so I'll just hit you with the interesting, big ticket ideas. I trot these out to potential customers every day and it never ceases to amaze people. Some of them were news to me and I've been around cloth diapers for years.

1. Cloth diapering your first child can save you $1500. That's including the cost of washing and drying the diapers. A decent CD (cloth diaper) stash is going to run you ~$300-500 depending on style and how often you plan to wash (we recommend every 2-3 days). Using disposable diapers will run you ~$2000. That's pretty huge. But then you add in the fact that you can reuse diapers for multiple children and you are looking at a potential savings of $5500 for three children. Don't plan on having more children? You can resell diapers really easily. In fact, if you go with a popular brand that changes it's patterns regularly, you may even make MORE money than you paid. I have personally seen used diapers in a desired print go for over $100... for something a kid already pooped in.

2. Cloth diapering is actually REALLY easy. Even easier than disposables if you factor in the numerous store runs to get diapers before you run out and the endless bags of diaper trash. Modern CDs are built like disposables, even though you can still get the kind your grandma would have used. If you can snap a snap or adhere Velcro, you can put on modern CDs. Seriously. No pins necessary, even if you go with grandma's favorite prefolds: now they make Snappis, which are super neat.

3. And that thing you are dreading: the poop. Firstly, it's super easy. You just buy a diaper sprayer that attaches to the toilet and spray the solid stuff away. Throw that rinsed diaper in the wet bag and don't think about it again until wash day. Also, did you know THAT YOU ARE SUPPOSED TO FLUSH THE POOP FROM DISPOSABLE DIAPERS TOO because it's illegal to throw away human feces?!?!?! I mean, once you think about it it makes sense, but who would have ever thought about it? Apparently anyone who read the diaper box because every single box has it printed right there on the side.

Add to these the ecological nightmare that is an estimated 27.4 BILLION DIAPERS EVERY YEAR being added to the landfill and the knowledge that these will take an estimated 500 YEARS to breakdown and the fact that disposable diapers contain a whole host of things that are questionably safe to have against your baby's skin and offgasing into their air supply 24 hrs a day for approximately 2-4 years and you can probably understand why I enjoy selling cloth diapers so much. And have already started buying my own stash of "fluff" for the mystical future children I am determined to have one way or another.

Plus, they are freakin' adorable. Here's my current favorite print, from my favorite diaper brand which just happens to be local!


Highly recommend to anyone having kids, thinking about having kids, already have kids still in diapers. It's quick and fun and full of info.

Rating: 4.42

Liked: 4.5
Writing: 4.5
Content: 4
Authority: 5
Value: 4

Edited to fix my VAST underestimation of the number of diapers used each year. I had calculated over 1 billion, but it's more like 27.4 billion. Nuts.

Very interesting. My mom occasionally mentions to people that she used cloth diapers for both me and my brother. Everyone thinks that means she's super granola, but nope. We were just poor.

Yeah, we get the crunchy argument a lot. I mean, I AM pretty crunchy so that was what first interested me in CDs, but now that I know so much about them, I'm a huge advocate for EVERYONE. Except for the upfront vs. deferred costs issue, I can't think of a single reason CDs aren't superior. And there are probably just as many people who get into CDs for the savings as do for any environmental reason.

The interesting thing is that you can only be so poor and cloth diaper in America. You have to have access to enough funds to foot the bill for the upfront costs, which of course can be deferred by having family and friends that CDed or will buy CDs as gift. But once you are below that line, you are most likely going to end up buying disposables because of being able to stretch the cost out. The terrible and heartbreaking fact is that a lot of really poor people are resorting to reusing disposables- as in, hanging disposable diapers up to dry. Because welfare doesn't deem diapers as necessary items for babies. Because whoever makes welfare rules is apparently an alien who has never been around a baby. How are people EVER going to be able to get jobs and get off assistance if they can't afford diapers for their kids so they can go to daycare? It's nutso.

Anyway... I bet you were adorable in your cloth diapers. ;)

Well, we didn't have a fancy set-up so there wasn't that much upfront cost. My mom made the disposable diapers herself from cloth and used pins and bought rubber pants to go on the outside. And the cleaning system was just a trashcan-hamper in the bathroom :-)

Diapers are definitely on the long list of reasons the disadvantages of being poor are far greater than just "not having money". They can't afford to get discounts by buying in bulk, and often can't get to places besides expensive convenience stores to buy them.

I was a pins and rubber pants baby too. At least until my very well-to-do paternal grandmother made my mom feel bad about not using disposables. SHE only used cloth with her kids because that was what you used in the 60s but for some reason decided that disposable diapers were the height of cool and meant you'd "made it" in 1982. So, at some point my mom switched. It still surprises me how often she caved to what my grandmother wanted because Mom is a strong lady who doesn't take shit anymore.

But, living in the middle of farming country with a bunch of Mennonite neighbors, I was one of the only kids in disposables. By the time my sister came along 3 years later, they were much more common.

The mid-80s was a huge shift in parenting, I think, and I'm not really sure why. Most of the stuff I had as an infant/small child was hand-me-downs from my older male cousins (born 1981-1984) which were very simple and fairly gender-neutral, but by the time my parents had me in 1988 it was all about complicated gadgets and absolutely EVERYTHING was gender-specific, from diapers to toys to clothes.

I see a lot of kids when I'm volunteering at the zoo so I think about these things, though thankfully I'm not up-close-and-personal with a lot of diapers. :-)

I totally agree. I mean, all my friends, regardless of gender, had a Care Bear. They might have had a more boyish one, but at least we were on the same page. Now it's princesses for girls and superheroes for boys and they aren't even very creative about it.

Unfortunately, diapers are fairly gendered, too. It was difficult when preparing for both my godchildren (who are cloth diapered) because the only really neutral stuff we were finding were solid colors and that was so boring when there were so many adorable prints. Luckily, Lisa and Wes are pretty open to the kids wearing whatever is cute, even if that means sometimes Mark is in a purple diaper or Lucy is wearing one with monsters on it. ;)

That is, however, one of the main factors in me wanting to make some of my own. My tastes aren't totally inline with what's on the market, so I'll buy the ones I really love and make the ones no one else is making.

Yep, I was a cloth diaper baby, too: white cloth, pins and rubber pants.

Some of us are older than disposables (not to mention any names!). My mother used cloth diapers in all-purpose white. When they were no longer needed for their original purpose, they made great dust rags. We used them for years and years that way.

Same here, cbl! And my kids were cloth-diapered, as well. But being born in the 80s and 90s, I also took advantage of disposables for them whenever we were traveling. Best of both worlds.

Yay for all the cloth babies!

I edited my review to reflect that my estimation was HORRIFYING wrong about how many disposable diapers are used each year. I had figured up over a BILLION each year, but it turns out my data was bad. The real number is approximately 27.4 BILLION. So, a bit more than was already disgusting.

So, it's cloth diaper talk again, but this time it's exciting! I'm making some baby doll cloth diapers for Addy for Christmas and I took one in to show the owner of the store this morning. She loved them so much that she instantly asked me if I could make some to sell at the store. She said they used to carry a big name brand CD's doll diapers and they sold pretty well but weren't even as nice as mine, just a single layer of the brand's patterned fabric.

So, I've now got 6 more to make for Addy and 2 dozen to make for a first order for the store. I'm never going to get any reading done. ;)

My diaper is in the center, with two newborn diapers we sell at the store.

Cute!

I'm reading a book! I have Book Club on Friday and I don't know if I will get through the book by then, but at least I'm reading some. An audiobook would be great so I could listen while I sewed or embroidered, but I can't make notes in an audiobook or put in sticky flags. ;)

>94 leahbird: I like the look! Interesting discussion!

Have a great holiday, Leah

Thanks Paul. It was good, minus the typical moments of stupidity by my family. But for the most part, quite nice. ;)

And now I'm at work, in a mall, for my first retail Black Friday. I was terrified but so far it's deadsville. If I had to be here at 5:45am I'd like to be busy but at least I'm not fighting off an angry mob.

I can understand why it would be dead in the store you work at on Black Friday, Leah. I mean, if I was a parent shopping for diapers, the last thing I want to be reminded of is "door busters."

HAHAHAHA!

In case you've missed the fact that this is happening, like myself, I present to you all an early Christmas gift:

The International Teaser Trailer for Le Petit Prince

It's GORGEOUS and made me tear up just thinking about it. I'm so freaking excited. And the voice actors in English are pretty impressive. I can't wait for this to come out next year.

So, Gracepoint kept it's word of changing the identity of Danny's killer but by the slimmest margin possible. I haven't decided how I feel about what they changed, but I'm leaving towards being disappointed.

It's pretty sad to see an article about spelling that contains so many spelling errors.

http://io9.com/americanize-anglicise-why-do-brits-and-yanks-spell-wo-1671334487?...

Look, look, A BOOK!

49. The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster


Description: This ingenious fantasy centers around Milo, a bored ten-year-old who comes home to find a large toy tollbooth sitting in his room. Joining forces with a watchdog named Tock, Milo drives through the tollbooth's gates and begins a memorable journey. He meets such characters as the foolish, yet lovable Humbug, the Mathemagician, and the not-so-wicked "Which," Faintly Macabre, who gives Milo the "impossible" mission of returning two princesses to the Kingdom of Wisdom.

Thoughts: There was a time when this book would have been an extreme pleasure to discover, when I was young and only introduced to boring children's books that didn't stack up to my expectations. Had I read this around the time I read The Giver it probably would have been in contention for my favorite book. But, reading it as an adult, it just didn't have the meat to hold me. I loved the linguistic fun and the moral that you should use your brain and appreciate the words and sight and sounds around you, but the story just felt like a bunch of clever ideas placed one after another. Someone in Book Club last night said that it read like a checklist made on a legal pad, touching on interesting things and checking them off the list to move to the next. I could have spent chapter and chapters with the Which Witch Faintly Macabre or in the Valley of Sounds, but the brief stops just left me feeling hollow.

I so wish I'd read this at the right time and just been able to let it be awesome.

Rating: 3.58

Liked: 3.5
Plot: 3
Characterization: 3
Writing: 3.5
Auden scale: 5

I read that one when I was a kid and it *was* awesome. Loved it.

Audible is having a 3 months for $3 special right now so, being the impatient person I am, I signed up just to buy Wild Rover No More. I'm so excited! If I can figure out how to loan it, it will be available to you lovelies as soon as I'm done with it.

LOOK WHAT I GOT FOR CHRISTMAS!!!!



My very own Golden Snitch Fob Watch Necklace!

ETA: I've also received thus far: hardcover editions of Eleanor & Park, The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place: The Mysterious Howling, and The Fables Encyclopedia. I've read and loved the first two but didn't own them so it's nice to be able to put them on my shelves and love them more. The last I'm so excited to get into as it really does seem to actually be a decent historical examination of the fables that are present in the Fables series combined with snippets from the comics themselves.

Oooh, love the snitch watch!

Happy Christmas, Leah!

Merry Christmas Leah! You must have been very nice this year since Santa brought you such wonderful stuff!

Happy Holidays!

Very cool!

Merry Christmas to all of you as well! I must have been great this year because I had a lovely holiday. Hope you all had wonderful days full of loved ones and books!

I added Immortal Unicorn and the Puffin Cloth Hardcover Black Beauty and some B&N giftcards! Yay books!

50. Saga Volume 4 by Brian K Vaughn


Description: The #1 New York Times bestseller returns! Visit new planets, meet new adversaries, and explore a very new direction as Hazel becomes a toddler, while her family struggles to stay on their feet. Collects Saga #19-24.

Thoughts: Surprisingly, I really wasn't into this volume of Saga. I've loved all the others but this one was just boring and the only "interesting" things that happened were annoying. Bummer. I really really hope this is a blip in an otherwise wonderful series.

Rating: 2.58

Liked: 3
Plot: 3
Characterization: 2.5
Writing: 3
Auden scale: 1

Even if I didn't like it, Saga Volume 4 got me to 50 BOOKS READ!!!! It's not 75, but I'm pretty pleased with it. Might squeeze another in before 2014 ends, but I'm happy either way!

Congrats for hitting 50!

Thanks Paul. To you as well!

51. Wild Rover No More by LA Meyer (read by Katherine Kellgrin)


Description: Jacky Faber is framed as passing confidential U.S. information to the British. Forced to flee Boston, she goes undercover as a governess for a prominent Puritan family. When outed by a nosy postmaster, she deserts the respectability of her position, dons a leotard and slippers, and poses as a Russian tightrope walker in a traveling circus.

But the law soon catches up with her, and prospects do not look good. Through her many adventures, Jacky has always found the ingenuity to escape dire situations, but this time it looks like Puss in Boots has run out of lives . . . and her happily-ever-after will be cut short at the foot of the gallows.

Thoughts: I really wish this wasn't the last Jackie Faber book. I'm going to miss this series a lot. But I also wish it wasn't the last one because it was a bit of a let down. Too heavy on random adventures and quite light on the things we want to see most from the last Jackie book: old friends, high seas adventures, and whether Jackie and Jamie will ever make it work. We do get an answer to Jackie's fate but it certainly doesn't give the kind of account I was hoping for.

I would have liked this much better as the penultimate book in the series with the final book being all about the aftermath, but that wasn't to be. I doubt LA Meyer would have written that book in any event, but his sad passing has closed that door well and good. There was a very touching dedication by Katherine Kellgrin and the crew at Listen and Live Audio to Lou's memory at the beginning of the audiobook. Hopefully he knew how much so many of us loved his work.

Rating: 3.1

Liked: 3
Plot: 3
Characterization: 3.5
Writing: 3
Auden scale: 3

Doubt I'll finish anything else this year so I'm going to go ahead and do my year end wrap up before I forget.

Year End Review for 2014

Books read: 51 (up 3 from last year)
Books paused: 4 (up 1)

Paper books: 17 (up 9!)
Kindle: 17 (down 4)
Audio: 17 19 (down 2)
New reads: 41 (no change)
Rereads: 10 (up 3)

From my shelves: 1 (down 3)
New: 22 (up 4)
Library: 28 (up 2)

Fiction: 49 (up 1)
Non-Fiction: 2 (up 2)
Series: 43 (up 2)
Fantasy: 40 (up 22)
Sci-Fi: 9 (down 6)
Young adult: 21 (down 4)
Fairy Tales/Myths & Retellings: 4 (down 4)
Comics & Graphic Novels: 4 (up 1)
Classics: 0 (no change)
Cookbooks: 0 (no change)

My rating of 4 or higher: 26 (up 1)
Average rating: 3.706 (up .081)
LT rating of 4 or higher: 28 (down 7)

Pages read: 10,201 (up 2,186)
Hours listened: 9 days, 15 hrs, 21 mins (up 1 hr, 27 mins)

Average page length: 300 (up 24)
Average hours: 13 hrs, 36mins (up 2 hrs, 40 mins)
Longest book read: 512 (down 97)
Shortest book read: 25 (no change)

Books by female authors: 28 (up 12)
Books by male authors: 23 (down 9)

Female authors - average rating: 3.87 (no change)
Male authors - average rating: 3.5 (no change)

Books from the female perspective: 25* (down 18)
Books from the male perspective: 29* (up 6)

Female perspective - average rating: 3.46 (down .1)
Male Perspective - average rating: 3.84 (down .05)

Female author/Male perspective: 16*
Male author/Female perspective: 14*

Female author/Male perspective - average rating: 4.125 (Thanks to JK Rowling)
Male author/Female perspective - average rating: 3.25

*If books had multiple main protagonists, I counted them in both groups.

I find it very interesting that I read and equal amount of physical books, ebooks, and audiobooks this year. And 9 more physical books than last year! It's still digital consumption heavy but I made no special effort to increase physical book numbers so it totally happened organically.

Lots more books by women read this year, thanks in part of the Harry Potter reread, but Naomi Novik and Maryrose Wood get a lot of credit there as well. There were a lot more books with male protagonists, again thanks heavily to Rowling and Novik.

And I read a ton of fantasy. Which is never a problem in my opinion!

End of Year Book Meme!

How the meme works: Simple! Just fill in the answers with books you read this year!

Describe yourself: Wild Rover No More

Describe how you feel: Shades of Grey

Describe where you currently live: A World Without Princes

If you could go anywhere, where would you go: The Magician's Land

Your favorite form of transportation: His Majesty's Dragon

Your best friend is: The Serpent of Venice

You and your friends are: Changing Diapers

What’s the weather like: Black Powder War

You fear: The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches

What is the best advice you have to give: Ready Player One

Thought for the day: The Mysterious Howling

How I would like to die: The Ocean at the End of the Lane

My soul’s present condition: Half Way Home

Love your answers to the book meme! I'll have to fill that in soon with my answers!

I love your meme answers! I hope to finish a couple more books so I'll wait a few more days to fill in mine.

I'm not sure I would enjoy hanging out with your friends if that's what you do for fun. ;) I'm sure I would enjoy the babies once they're dry, though!

The book meme is my favorite part of the end of year wrap up. It's so much fun! I look forward to seeing both of yours when they are done.

>123 cbl_tn: HAHA! I really loved the double meaning of that one. Most of my friends have small kids so there are a lot of diapers being changed AND I'm attempting to change people's diapering habits by spreading the good word about cloth diapers. So, there are a LOT of diapers in my world right now.

Best Books of 2014

1. Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
2. The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
3. His Majesty's Dragon by Naomi Novik
4. Saga, Vol 1 by Brian K Vaughn
5. The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
6. The Magician's Land by Lev Grossman
7. The Paper Magician by Charlie Holmberg
8. The Dead in Their Vaulted Arches by Alan Bradley
9. I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai
10. The Interrupted Tale by Maryrose Wood

3-10 were quite hard to put in order of preference and I totally feel like they would change position if I did this at some other time. They were all equally enjoyable and flawed. The Paper Magician would have fallen to last, or even off the list, based on it's flaws, but on the strength of the things it does right it managed to snag 7th.

I will work on my year-end book meme. I'm likely to finish only a couple of others and know what those titles are should they fit the meme better than other answers.

Definitely not going to finish a book today, so head over to my 2015 thread!