Christina reads the "Five and Dime" challenge

I think this challenge is a great idea! Even though I'm still working on my 1010 category challenge, I can't resist starting one here. :) I will plan for a 5x5 challenge, and my "end date" will be January 10, 2011, the day I go back to school after winter break.

Here are my categories and tentative book selections (though everything is subject to change, of course!):

1. Faeries, Fangs, and Full Moons -- urban fantasy
(Possibilities: A Local Habitation by Seanan McGuire, An Artificial Night by Seanan McGuire, Skinwalker by Faith Hunter, War for the Oaks by Emma Bull, Blood Bound by Patricia Briggs)

2. Rule Britannia -- books set in England
(Possibilities: The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise by Julia Stuart, Cheerful Weather for the Wedding by Julia Strachey, The Mischief of the Mistletoe by Lauren Willig, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand by Helen Simonson, One Day by David Nicholls, Prisoners in the Palace by Michaela MacColl)

3. The Kids Are Alright -- YA novels
(Possibilities: The Karma Club by Jessica Brody, Something Happened by Greg Logsted, Winter Shadows by Margaret Buffie, When It Happens by Susane Colasanti, Matched by Allyson Condie, Brightly Woven by Alexandra Bracken, Pegasus by Robin McKinley, How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier)

4. Around the World -- books not set in the U.S. or U.K.
(Possibilities: No Longer at Ease by Chinua Achebe, The Elegance of the Hedgehog by Muriel Barbery, Death in Berlin by M. M. Kaye, The Gaslight Dogs by Karin Lowachee, The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway, The Lieutenant by Kate Grenville, The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafon)

5. To Be Continued -- next in the series
(Possibilities: The Last Olympian by Rick Riordan, Breath and Bone by Carol Berg, Empire of Ivory by Naomi Novik, Changeless by Gail Carriger, The Silver Blade by Sally Gardner, The Pilgrim of Hate by Ellis Peters, Wanderlust by Ann Aguirre, Happy Ever After by Nora Roberts, Son of the Shadows by Juliet Marillier)

Hi Christina, glad to see you, like me, can't resist a challenge. All your categories are of interest to me, so I will be checking in here often!

I really can't resist them! It's actually becoming a problem. I still have 20 books to go in the 1010 challenge! I'll get it done, though...somehow. :) I'll definitely be checking out your thread as well!

I like your categories :)

@4 -- Thanks! :)

Book #1: Julia Stuart, The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise
Completed on: September 26
Category: Rule Britannia (1/5)

Balthazar Jones is a Beefeater, one of the famous guards of the Tower of London. Like all Beefeaters, he lives in the Tower, along with his wife Hebe and Mrs. Cook, the world’s oldest tortoise. While Balthazar enjoys his unusual life at the Tower and is fascinated by the monument’s often bizarre history, all is not right with his world: his beloved son Milo died three years ago, and now his marriage is in serious trouble as well. Now he is faced with yet another challenge: the Queen has decided to move her menagerie of exotic beasts (gifts from other world leaders) from the London Zoo to the Tower in hopes of increasing tourism. Balthazar has been put in charge, despite his total ignorance of how to care for the animals. As Balthazar struggles to fulfill his new duties while coping with his problems at home, the other residents of the Tower also deal with shattered dreams, ignorant tourists, loud ghosts, the insufferable Tower ravens, and the complexities of love.

I wanted to like this book; I was intrigued by the unusual plot and the promise of lovable eccentricity in the characters. However, in the end I thought it was just okay. The book’s biggest problem, in my opinion, is that it tries way too hard to be cute; it struggles under the weight of its attempts to be whimsical. The prose is overwritten in an attempt to be fanciful, but I just found it frustrating. There were also too many distracting storylines – the entire plot with the animals, in particular, seemed completely unnecessary. The central story of Balthazar and Hebe would have been enough to carry the novel, and I do think that this storyline in general was well done. I felt truly terrible for the characters’ grief for the loss of their son, and the scenes in Milo’s room were very poignant. Overall, though, the book’s efforts to be whimsical were unsuccessful, and I didn’t like it as much as I’d hoped.

Book #2: Margaret Buffie, Winter Shadows
Completed on: September 27
Category: The Kids Are Alright (1/5)

Canadian teen Cass hates her life: her mother died of cancer not long ago, and her dad has already remarried. Her stepmother Jean is an absolute nightmare – she appears determined to banish every reminder of Cass’s mom from the house, and she always seems to blame Cass for everything that goes wrong. In her angry and grieving state, Cass drifts through her life with few friends or interests to cheer her up. Then one day she finds an old brooch and a diary hidden in the walls of her house, and she begins to learn about her ancestor Beatrice. Meanwhile, in the year 1856, Beatrice struggles with her own family problems: she too has a wicked stepmother, and she must also deal with her mixed Scottish and Cree heritage, which sets her apart from the other young women in her community. As Cass and Beatrice lead seemingly parallel lives, they also begin to see each other and even influence each other’s lives. Will each girl find the strength to choose the right path in her life?

This is another book whose premise I liked but whose execution I was less than impressed with. I liked the idea of two young women leading parallel lives in different time periods, so I felt like the story had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, this is one of those books that really suffer for being geared toward a young audience. The chapters generally alternate between Cass and Beatrice, but each chapter is so short that it’s difficult to become absorbed in either girl’s voice or plot. The frequent transitions are jarring, and the plot episodes are generally very choppy. I also thought the “young” focus really harmed the character development. Clearly the reader is supposed to sympathize with the two heroines, but I found Cass completely insufferable. She’s a whiny, bratty teenager who spends all her time selfishly wallowing in grief. Not that the rest of her family is much better, and I certainly didn’t sympathize with the stepmom either, but Cass really rubbed me the wrong way. I feel bad focusing on the negative aspects of the book, and I do think that younger readers might enjoy it. I did like the descriptions of the setting, too – I really got the feeling of an ice-cold Canadian winter. Overall, though, I have to say I was underwhelmed by this book.

Too bad. I won that one too but I haven't started it yet.

I hope you have a more positive response! I didn't think it was awful or anything; it just didn't do anything for me.

Book #3: Justine Larbalestier, How to Ditch Your Fairy
Completed on: October 21
Category: The Kids Are Alright (2/5)

In the unusual city of New Avalon, almost everyone has a personal fairy. There are shopping fairies (who always find you the best clothes at amazing prices), always-knowing-what-your-kids-are-up-to fairies (most common among mothers), never-getting-lost fairies, and several others. Fourteen-year-old Charlie Steele has a fairy too, but she hates it: any time she’s riding in a car, her fairy will always find a perfect parking spot. Charlie doesn’t drive and hates riding in cars, so she’s been walking everywhere in hopes that her parking fairy will go away. As a result, she’s constantly in trouble for tardiness and never gets enough sleep. In desperation, she teams up with Fiorenze, who has an every-boy-likes-you fairy, in order to get rid of her fairy once and for all.

I really liked the quirky premise of this novel, and by and large I found it a quick, entertaining read. New Avalon has an Australian feel to it, with a lot of unfamiliar but amusing slang. Charlie’s voice comes across very well; she definitely reads like a typical fourteen-year-old. She reminded me somewhat of a teenage Bridget Jones – funny and often charming, but also occasionally irritating when she starts complaining. One of my biggest problems with the book, in fact, was Charlie’s constant complaining. It really got on my nerves, especially because I couldn’t see what was so bad about the parking fairy! Yes, I’m sure it got irritating for her to be carted around by all her friends (so that they could use her fairy to get a good parking space), but after all, there are worse things in life! My other issue with the book is that I feel like there are too many loose ends. The world of New Avalon is interesting, but it definitely has flaws, and I’d like to see those explored a bit more. There were also characters whose fates I wanted to know about. Basically, I think this book could really use a sequel! Overall, it’s a light, fun read, but the story wasn’t entirely satisfying for me.

Book #4: Julia Strachey, Cheerful Weather for the Wedding
Completed on: October 24 (I'm just late in posting the review!)
Category: Rule Britannia (2/5)

In this novella, originally published in 1932, Dolly Thatcham is getting married. The story begins with the whole household in confusion as it prepares for the big event. On the surface, all the commotion seems perfectly normal, but it soon becomes clear that most of the characters aren’t happy about this wedding – including the bride. While Dolly’s clueless mother bustles around issuing contradictory orders to the servants, Dolly experiences overwhelming and confusing emotions about her impending marriage. Everything is complicated by the presence of Joseph Patten, one of Dolly’s former suitors, who may or may not still be in love with her.

Two things you should know about this novel before deciding to read it: (1) it’s very short, just over 100 pages; and (2) it is not a stereotypical romantic comedy. There are several comedic moments, but the overall tone of the story is quite bleak. All the characters seem isolated and incapable of true communication with each other. Furthermore, none of them are particularly likeable; my favorite was Dolly’s sister Kitty, but she’s not one of the principal actors in the story. The whole books is more of a scene than a novel; all the events take place over the course of a single day, and the characters’ internal struggles are much more important than the few external events. All this is making it sound like I didn’t enjoy the book, but I actually did like it. It’s easy to read because of its length, but it’s definitely not a fluff book. I enjoyed the biting satire and was impressed by the writing. So, even though this wasn’t exactly a feel-good read, I liked it overall and would definitely read it again.

Book #5: Michaela MacColl, Prisoners in the Palace
Completed on: November 24
Category: The Kids Are Alright (3/5)

As the daughter of a rich tradesman who has recently been knighted, seventeen-year-old Liza Hastings is used to the best of everything. But when a tragic accident kills both her parents, Liza suddenly finds herself alone in the world, with no money and no prospects of marriage. Desperate for a job that will keep her off the streets, she accepts a position as a lady's maid to Princess Victoria, the future queen of England. Liza soon discovers that Victoria's selfish mother and the manipulative Sir John Conroy are deliberately keeping the princess helpless and dependent in order to consolidate their own power. However, with the help of some unconventional friends, Liza is determined to protect the princess and save the throne of England.

This was a fun, quick read with an interesting take on history. I appreciated MacColl's historical note at the end of the book, explaining which incidents actually happened and which were invented. I don't know that her interpretations of the various historical figures are always correct -- her view of Sir John Conroy seems a bit too nefarious to be true -- but I appreciated the effort to be historically accurate. I wasn't a huge fan of Liza's story, though. I found her somewhat obnoxious and bratty as a main character, and I didn't think her initial plight was that believable. Surely a member of the gentry, even if penniless, would find a more genteel occupation than becoming a maid -- perhaps a governess or a lady's companion, for example. All in all, this was an entertaining book, but I don't think it would stand up well to a re-read.

~~~~~

Wow, I've only read books in 2 of my 5 categories! Time to step it up! I've been focusing on my 1010 category challenge for now, but I'm almost done, so hopefully I'll have more time to dedicate to this in a couple of weeks.

Prisoners in the Palace sounds like one I'd like to read when I'm done with my nonfiction about Queen Victoria. It would be interesting to see this take on the Princess and those who surrounded her. Sir John Conroy, in both our books, sounds like someone about whom people, especially including Princess and later Queen Victoria, had definite for or against opinions. His portrayal in the movie Young Victoria was also very interesting. I'm not sure what the truth was about him.

It would definitely be interesting to compare nonfiction and fiction dealing with the same period! I wish I knew more about the Victorian era, but I don't even know where I'd start. Any suggestions for a good nonfiction read?

I've always loved the Victorian era, but I haven't read much about it. I'll let you know if I come across a really good nonfiction read on the era. Right now, I'm reading Queen Victoria: Born to Succeed. It's a detailed view of Victoria's life and court written in 1964. I'm enjoying it, but I think I also should read a biography written more recently to see what else historians have discovered. One fun thing about Queen Victoria is that she was a lifelong journal keeper, so we have access to some of her personal thoughts about events and people of her time.

@15 -- Thanks! One interesting novel I read about Queen Victoria was Stephanie Barron's A Flaw in the Blood. It's one of the few books I've read that takes a very negative view of Queen Victoria, so it has a unique perspective.

#16 Thanks in return. I have never heard of A Flaw in the Blood. I'll have to look for it. The negative perspective does sound interesting.

Book #6: Susane Colasanti, So Much Closer
Completed on: December 15
Category: The Kids Are Alright (4/5)

Brooke Greene knows that she and Scott Abrams are meant to be together. She’s had a crush on him all through high school, and despite the fact that they’ve never really talked before, she’s positive that he’s the one. So when she discovers that Scott is about to move away from their New Jersey town to New York City, she has no choice but to follow him. Brooke moves in with her estranged dad and transfers to a school in New York, all to get closer to Scott. Once she arrives, though, she falls in love with the city and begins to change in ways she never expected.

Sound familiar, anyone? It’s the exact same plot as the TV show “Felicity,” which is sort of what drew me to this book in the first place. Despite the unoriginal plot, though, I enjoyed this book overall. I found Brooke’s voice to be very realistic, and her character in general was believable. She’s a very smart girl who just doesn’t have the motivation to excel in school; she also has problems trusting people because of her parents’ divorce. The fact that she would follow Scott to New York, even though she’d never spoken to him, was certainly crazy; but then again, teenagers often do crazy things for a crush. I was a little dissatisfied with certain aspects of the ending; I was expecting romance to play a central role in this book, but it’s really more about Brooke’s journey to self-discovery. Overall, I didn’t fall in love with this book, but I did enjoy reading it and would read more by this author.

Book #7: Seanan McGuire, A Local Habitation
Completed on: December 19
Category: Faeries, Fangs, and Full Moons (1/5)

This second book in the October Daye series chronicles the further adventures of Toby, the fae changeling whose day job is private investigation. Toby’s liege lord, Sylvester, has a job for her: his niece January hasn’t been returning his phone calls, and he’s getting worried. Jan is the Countess of a small independent territory sandwiched between Sylvester’s kingdom and that of his greatest rival, so he needs a discreet investigator who won’t create a diplomatic incident. At first, Toby thinks this will be an easy babysitting job, but she soon realizes that there are many secrets in Jan’s territory. Jan and her subjects run a computer software company, and they’re working on a mysterious project. Even more alarming, several of her employees have recently been murdered. Can Toby find the killer before she becomes the next victim?

As mentioned, this is the second book in the Toby Daye series, and it’s definitely not a stand-alone; if you haven’t read the first book, you’ll be utterly lost. I read Rosemary and Rue about six months ago, and I had trouble remembering some of the aspects of Toby’s world, so some parts of this book were confusing to me. I’m really impressed with the complex world of this series – I get the impression that McGuire has really thought things through – but it sometimes seems a little overcrowded. There are so many different types of fae, all with their own abilities, and it’s hard for me to keep them all straight! The plot of this book was interesting enough, but it moved slowly at times. As for Toby herself, there wasn’t much development of her character in this installment; I felt like I could relate to her better in the first book. All that said, I did enjoy this book and will continue with the series. I’ll be interested to see how the little hints and details in this book will return in later installments!

Book #8: Seanan McGuire, An Artificial Night
Completed on: December 21
Category: Faeries, Fangs, and Full Moons (2/5)

Book Three of the October Daye series throws a few more insurmountable problems Toby’s way. Two of her best friend’s children were literally spirited away from their bedrooms in the middle of the night, and another of the children appears to be asleep but can’t wake up. Toby has to get the children back, especially when she hears that other children, both fae and human, went missing at the same time. With help from her motley crew of friends, she learns that the kidnapper is Blind Michael, one of the oldest and most powerful fae lords, who takes children and forces them to join his Wild Hunt. To retrieve the lost children, Toby must enter Blind Michael’s lands by one of three dangerous roads – and once she gets there, her troubles have only just begun.

Despite some quibbles I had with the previous book, I was eager to read this next installment of the series. Fortunately, I really enjoyed it, and it might even be my favorite of the series. There’s a very nice mixture of action and character development: Toby herself undergoes a huge emotional journey, and she also learns a lot about several of the other characters. The incipient love triangle of the earlier books is starting to develop more, and personally I’m always a fan of a little romance! I also loved the plot and setting of this book in particular; Blind Michael’s realm operates on nursery-rhyme principles and pays homage to well-known children’s fairy tales. I enjoyed the incorporation of various children’s stories, as well as the ballad of Tam Lin, into the plot of this book. Overall, I really enjoyed this book, and it has definitely renewed my enthusiasm for the series. Luckily I don’t have too long to wait for Book Four, which comes out in March!

Book #9: April Lindner, Jane
Completed on: December 23
Category: The Kids Are Alright (5/5)

In this modern-day homage to Jane Eyre, plain and sensible Jane Moore is forced to drop out of college when her parents die in a car accident. Left penniless after their deaths, she seeks work as a nanny and lands a job with none other than Nico Rathburn, a famous rock star on the verge of a big comeback. Jane’s utter lack of interest in celebrity gossip makes her perfect for the position, so she immediately moves into Nico’s mansion and becomes nanny to his daughter Maddy. At first, Jane is uncomfortable in her new position of proximity to the rich and famous; however, she soon finds a place for herself in Nico’s household and even strikes up a friendship with Nico himself. Jane’s feelings for Nico slowly deepen into love, but secrets from his past threaten to tear them apart forever.

Anyone who’s read Jane Eyre will immediately recognize all the same characters, events, and plot twists in this novel. I don’t want to spoil it for anyone, so I’ll just say that it follows the original book very closely. I was actually a little disappointed by the extent of the similarities; it seems like Lindner simply transliterated every single incident from Jane Eyre to a contemporary setting. I would have appreciated a little more creativity, more divergence from the original plot. I find it hard to give an overall evaluation of this book; I really enjoyed the first half, but I felt like things fell apart towards the end. The writing is good, and I was definitely drawn into Jane’s world, but I never felt like I understood Nico that well. I didn’t quite believe in his motives or in his love for Jane…maybe the ending was a little too rushed? I can’t quite put my finger on why, but everything after the big confession-of-love scene fell flat to me. This is a very competent and faithful retelling of Jane Eyre, but ultimately I was disappointed in where it decided to go.

I've been considering this for a few days, and I think I have to do it: I'm going to put this challenge on hold for now. Realistically, I just don't think I can finish by my projected end date of January 10; and I'm enjoying the opportunity to relax with some non-challenge reading! On January 1 I'll be starting the 11 in 11, and I'm sure I'll have my hands full with that, so unfortunately I won't have time to devote to this challenge anytime soon!

I will still hang around the group, of course, and I hope to return to this challenge at some point. Good luck to the rest of you! :)

Although I'm not focusing on this challenge at the moment, I might as well continue to add when I read books that fit the categories! This is the same review that I posted in my thread at the 11 in 11, so I apologize if it looks a little familiar. :)

Book #10: Helen Simonson, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand
Completed on: January 9
Category: Rule Britannia (3/5)

To all outward appearances, Major Ernest Pettigrew is the quintessential old-school Englishman: he loves tea, Kipling, a spot of shooting, and his cottage in the small village of Edgecombe St. Mary. His brother Bertie has just died, and in the midst of his grief he finds himself worrying about Bertie’s antique shotgun, which had been promised to him upon his brother’s death. His relatives have other plans for the gun, but the Major is determined to hold onto what is rightfully his. In the meantime, he develops a friendship with Mrs. Ali, the Pakistani woman who runs the local shop. Their friendship eventually begins to blossom into romance, but he and Mrs. Ali are both subjected to the cruel gossip of the neighbors. Through class prejudice, racial tension, and intergenerational misunderstanding, Major Pettigrew finally makes a decision about what is most important in life.

This book is a quiet, well written, and unexpectedly moving read. The Major is a sympathetic yet flawed character, and the reader is privy to his blind spots and little snobberies as well as his many good qualities. The other major players are also fleshed out beautifully, and there is a large cast of secondary characters with all the delightful little quirks you’d expect in an English country village. The pacing of the book is quite slow, and not a lot happens in terms of external plot events, but the novel manages to explore a lot of very interesting issues. Not only race and class are explored; Simonson also devotes some time to the vanishing landed aristocracy, the pain and regret that can lie at the core of families, and the different ways in which people relate to religion. There are also a few flashes of humor which I really enjoyed, such as: “The Major wished young men wouldn’t think so much. It always seemed to result in absurd revolutionary movements or, as in the case of several of his former pupils, the production of very bad poetry.” I enjoyed this book overall and would recommend it to anyone looking for a gentle, meditative read.

Thanks for your review. This one sounds really good.

I think that if you're interested in the premise, you'll like the book; it delivers what it promises, but it's a bit deeper than you might originally suspect.

Even better.

Book #11: Georgette Heyer, Footsteps in the Dark
Completed on: January 13
Category: Rule Britannia (4/5)

Siblings Peter, Margaret, and Celia, along with Celia’s husband Charles, have recently inherited an old house called the Priory, and they decide to move into it. As they begin mixing in the society of the nearby village, they are amused by the rumor that the house is haunted – until strange things begin to happen at the Priory. They hear mysterious groans and footsteps, and soon they’re all a bit spooked. Charles and Peter suspect that a human being is behind the “ghost” and start to investigate the various strange activities in the village. There’s no shortage of suspects, from the absentminded entomologist to the drunken doctor to a mysterious man named Michael Strange. As the four young people investigate the mystery, however, they uncover a far more sinister plot than anything they could have imagined.

As a devoted fan of Georgette Heyer’s romances, I was excited to read one of her mysteries; unfortunately, my expectations for Heyer are so high that disappointment was probably inevitable. The characterization, even of the main actors, seems a little thin – Charles and Peter were basically interchangeable to me, as were Margaret and Celia. The actual plot is entertaining, but for some reason I had trouble focusing on the book. There were some scenes that I felt dragged, especially toward the end of the novel. Also, the scene in which the villain is revealed didn’t fully convince me; I would have liked to know more about his motivations. Really, though, all of my complaints are relatively nitpicky details. The book is good overall, containing a nice mixture of mystery, humor, and romance; and I certainly intend to read more of Heyer’s mysteries. However, when comparing this book to her Regency romances, it definitely falls short.

Book #12: Luis Fernando Verissimo, Borges and the Eternal Orangutans (trans. Margaret Jull Costa)
Completed on: January 18
Category: Around the World (1/5)

In this unusual spin on the detective story, the narrator Vogelstein is on his way to a literary conference in Buenos Aires. The conference, sponsored by the mysterious Israfel Society, is dedicated to the works of Edgar Allan Poe, and Vogelstein is delighted to have the chance to attend – especially when he learns that his idol, Jorge Luis Borges, will be there. However, the conference never actually takes place; one of the speakers, an intelligent but widely disliked professor, is found murdered in his hotel room on the first day of the conference. There are several strange aspects to the death, such as the unusual position of the victim’s body and an assortment of playing cards on the table. The murder provides Vogelstein and Borges with a unique opportunity to exercise their deductive skills, while also discussing literature, geography, ancient religions, and the occult.

This is a book I was required to read for class, and without that motivation I probably would never have picked it up. I’m so glad I did, though, because it was a very interesting and unique reading experience! I’ve only read one or two Poe stories and have barely come into contact with Borges, so I’m sure I missed a lot of great allusions and clues. Nevertheless, I was able to follow the thread of the story very well – and I even guessed the murderer quite early on, although the “how” and “why” mystified me until the end. The conversations between Vogelstein and Borges are amazingly intriguing, and the ivory-tower intellectualism contrasts nicely with the underlying mundane investigation of a crime. I would definitely recommend this book to people who like their mysteries complex and intellectually demanding. If you love Poe and/or Borges, I’m sure you’ll find even more to enjoy!

(edited for translator info)

Book #13: Friedrich Dürrenmatt, The Pledge (trans. Joel Agee)
Completed on: January 19
Category: Around the World (2/5)

This book, originally subtitled “Requiem for the Detective Novel,” is narrated by a former chief of police who is telling a mystery writer about a real-life crime he was once involved with. About ten years ago, a young girl was brutally murdered in the woods near a small Swiss village. The police chief’s best detective, Inspector Matthäi, was assigned to the case. At first, the outcome seemed simple: a peddler named von Gunten was seen in the area, and he had razor blades in his possession which could have been used to murder the girl. However, Matthäi eventually came to believe that von Gunten was innocent, and he had solemnly promised the dead girl’s mother that he would find the true killer. The rest of the police chief’s story tells of Matthäi’s attempts to catch the murderer and the ultimate outcome of his investigation.

This is another book I had to read for class, and once again it was an unusual take on the detective genre. Rather than focusing on the externals of the “whodunit,” it spends most of its time on the internal psychology of Matthäi. I like the fact that the story is told in multiple layers of narrative; it adds some interesting ambiguities to the ending of the novel. Although a solution to the crime is offered, the book leaves a little bit of a question in the reader’s mind. This would drive me crazy in an ordinary mystery novel, but in this case I think it makes the story even more compelling. The novel also raises some very interesting questions about the role of law in society, and also about the importance of storytelling to humanity. The overall tone of the book is bleak, but I still found it fascinating, and it definitely made me think.

Book #14: Anna Gavalda, I Wish Someone Were Waiting for Me Somewhere (trans. Karen L. Marker)
Completed on: January 19
Category: Around the World (3/5)

In this collection of 12 short stories, French author Anna Gavalda explores themes of love and isolation. Some stories are funny, some are sad, but they all feature characters who are searching for meaningful connections in their lives. I’m finding it hard to give my thoughts solely on the collection as a whole, so here’s a brief rundown of each story:

.....“Courting Rituals of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés” – A woman has a romantic encounter with a stranger, but things do not go as planned. I liked the cheeky narrator of this one, and the ending surprised me.
.....“Pregnant” – A woman discovers that she is pregnant and prepares for the baby while also getting ready for a friend’s wedding. This poignant story has, in my opinion, the best ending in the collection.
.....“This Man and This Woman” – A husband and wife who have been married for several years drive to their vacation home in the country. A very short and somewhat depressing story.
.....“The Opel Touch” – A lonely young woman ruminates on her horrible job and lack of love. I really liked the dynamic between the narrator and her sister.
.....“Amber” – A rock star falls in love (or lust) with a beautiful photographer named Amber. I wasn’t nuts about this story, but there’s one very beautiful and vivid scene which still stands out to me from the entire collection.
.....“Leave” – A young man comes home on leave from the army and confronts his brother and an old flame. The narrator’s character is very well developed, and I couldn’t help liking him even though he is clearly flawed.
.....“Lead Story” – A traveling salesman narrowly misses dying in a horrific accident on the highway. I can’t say too much about it without giving away the ending, but this is a very sad story.
.....“Catgut” – A female veterinarian must prove herself to the rural community where she works, but she encounters some very unpleasant resistance. I wasn’t a fan of this very disturbing story; it was probably my least favorite in the collection.
.....“Junior” – A privileged young man and his bad-news friend get into trouble when they borrow Junior’s dad’s car. This one just made me laugh.
.....“For Years” – A man, though happily married with three children, can’t stop thinking about his first love. This is another sad story, but I loved it. Another great ending.
.....“Clic-Clac” – A man is in love with his female co-worker but hasn’t found the courage to tell her yet. I absolutely loved the narrator in this story, which is one of the most lighthearted in the bunch.
.....“Epilogue” – A woman attempts to get her short stories published but runs into some problems along the way. This was a fun and funny story, obviously meant to evoke the author herself. An interesting way to end the book.

Overall, I enjoyed this collection and am looking forward to reading her novel, Hunting and Gathering, which is already on my shelves.

Book #15: Nora Roberts, Happy Ever After
Completed on: January 31
Category: To Be Continued (1/5)

In this conclusion to the Bride Quartet (after Vision in White, Bed of Roses, and Savor the Moment), Parker Brown’s love life finally takes center stage. Parker is a detail-oriented micro-manager who likes to have everything in her life planned. And sexy mechanic Malcolm Kavanaugh is not part of the plan. They share an undeniable physical attraction, but Parker is determined to be calm and rational about their encounters. Yet with every kiss, Parker and Mal grow closer to one another, and soon they’re both in deeper than they ever expected. Can these two very different people stay together for the long haul?

As with the previous books in the series, this novel offers up sugary-sweet romance and a picture-perfect happy ending. I was looking forward to reading Parker’s story, since she was my favorite of the four girls, but this book is pretty much exactly on par with the other three. It’s fluffy, it’s a fast read, and it definitely provides a romance fix, especially if you like over-the-top sappy sweetness. However, there’s not really any depth to the characters, and all the “conflicts” are either shallow or depicted in a shallow manner. Some Amazon reviewers have also (justly) pointed out that these four women’s lives are just too damn perfect, and that does get annoying. Overall, I enjoyed this book, as well as the whole series, but there’s nothing particularly memorable or special about it.

Book #16: Lauren Willig, The Orchid Affair
Completed on: February 3
Category: To Be Continued (2/5)

Laura Grey has spent 16 of her 32 years as a governess, and she’s tired of dealing with unmanageable children and supercilious employers. Therefore, she decides to attend the Selwick Spy School and become a secret agent for the Pink Carnation. Her first assignment is to spy on André Jaouen, second-in-command to Napoleon’s minister of police. To her chagrin, she must pose as a governess to Jaouen’s two children; but her mission soon becomes very exciting when she discovers information about a French plot to dethrone Napoleon and restore the monarchy. As Laura tries to find out more about the plot, she also finds herself learning more about her employer – and becoming attracted to him in the process. But what is André hiding, and whose side is he really on?

I really enjoy the Pink Carnation books, and this one is no exception. I’m a sucker for the combination of the Napoleonic era, espionage, and romance; this installment also includes several bohemian artists and a traveling theater troupe. It’s a fun, quick read that never takes itself too seriously, and I enjoyed the lighthearted tone throughout. I loved the characters of Laura and André, who both have compelling backstories that go a long way toward explaining their present personalities. I wish the relationship between them had deepened a bit more; they seem to go from employer/employee to lovers very suddenly, and I’m not quite sure why the change occurs. While the romance was superficially satisfying, I wanted more depth. I still enjoyed the book, and I’ll continue with the series, but this was not my favorite romance in the bunch.

Book #17: M. M. Kaye, Death in Berlin
Completed on: February 6
Category: Around the World (4/5)

When beautiful Miranda Brand accompanies her cousin and his wife to Berlin, she thinks it will be nothing more than a pleasant vacation; she is curious to see the German city that has recently been partitioned in the wake of World War II. Her trip takes a nasty turn, however, when an elderly Brigadier whom she met on the train is murdered en route to Berlin. The Brigadier had just told a fantastic story involving Nazi runaways and an enormous quantity of stolen diamonds – a substantial motive for murder – and anyone at the dining car could have overheard him, which makes Miranda and all her traveling companions suspects. Softspoken policeman Simon Lang is investigating the Brigadier’s death, and he seems to be particularly suspicious of Miranda. Can she clear her name and find the real killer before more people are murdered?

I very much enjoyed this mystery, which should appeal to fans of Agatha Christie. The characters are charming in that 1950s way, and it was fascinating to get a glimpse of Berlin between World War II and the construction of the Berlin Wall. I hadn’t ever imagined what Berlin would have looked like, or been like to visit, at that time; but M. M. Kaye actually was there in the early ‘50s, so I’m confident that her portrayal is accurate. The mystery plot has several good twists and turns, and a high body count keeps things interesting. There’s also a nice and subtle little romance. Overall, I really liked this book and can’t wait to read more of M. M. Kaye’s mysteries!

I think I'm ready to set a new deadline for this challenge -- one I actually feel confident about making! I started the challenge on September 19 (2010), so I'm going to aim to finish by March 19 of this year. Five categories, five books per category, five months...it just seems right. :) I only have eight books left, so I think I can do it!

Book #18: Monica Dickens, Mariana
Completed on: February 9
Category: Rule Britannia (5/5)

Although about 20 pages of this book are set in Paris, the vast majority of it takes place in England, so I figure it counts for the Rule Britannia category!

This novel, published in 1940, tells the simple story of a girl growing up in England just before World War II breaks out. Mary Shannon is the daughter of a working-class widow, but her father’s family is a wealthier and more genteel, so she spends all her holidays at Charbury, the Shannons’ country house. To Mary, Charbury is the most wonderful place in the world, and she spends an extremely happy childhood there. As Mary grows up, she experiences all the typical trials of school, first love, and uninspiring career paths. Through it all, she searches for – and eventually finds – true love, as well as a deeper understanding of her own identity.

This book is a gentle, slow-paced read that is packed with atmosphere. It’s a wonderfully vivid picture of English life in the 1930s, and it was easy to immerse myself in that world. The writing style is very British and fun to read, with several laugh-out-loud moments, especially in the descriptions of Mary’s family and friends. The plot is pretty slow-moving and meandering, following Mary through more than ten years of her life, but it maintains its direction as Mary continues her journey of self-discovery. If you’re in the mood for a coming-of-age story or a period piece, I would definitely recommend this book.

Book #19: Ilona Andrews, On the Edge
Completed on: February 18
Category: Faeries, Fangs, and Full Moons (3/5)

Rose Drayton has her hands full, working a grueling dead-end job and taking care of her two little brothers. In addition, she and her family live on the Edge, a strip of land between the mundane world of the Broken and the magical land of the Weird. Edgers often have a little magic, but Rose’s power is special – special enough to draw the attention of various bluebloods from the Weird who hope to sire magically proficient heirs. When Declan arrives on her doorstep, the most arrogant and powerful blueblood she’s ever seen, Rose immediately questions his motives. Yet the antagonism – and sexual tension – between them must be set aside as the Edge is threatened by a madman with dark magic at his disposal.

This book combines urban fantasy and romance in a fast-paced, exciting way. I really enjoyed the world-building in the novel, especially the depiction of the Edge and the various forms of magic. Rose and Declan are both sympathetic characters, but they and their relationship are pretty predictable. I actually really liked Rose’s little brothers, Georgie and Jack. Normally I hate children as characters in books for adults; it seems like they just exist to be adorable, and that drives me crazy. However, in this case, the boys are actually integral to the story, and they have really interesting magical powers! Overall, I was impressed with this book and look forward to reading the sequel, Bayou Moon.

Book #20: Robin Adair, Death and the Running Patterer
Completed on: February 24
Category: Around the World (5/5)

In the rough-and-tumble world of Sydney, Australia in 1828, nearly everyone has something to hide. Criminals from Great Britain are routinely shipped to the penal colony of New South Wales, and the city is full of ne’er-do-wells hoping to leave their pasts behind and create new lives for themselves. When a series of grisly murders disrupts the town, the governor of the colony involves the police, but he also enlists the help of Nicodemus Dunne. A convict himself, Dunne is permitted to live and work in the colony until his sentence expires; he makes a living as a “running patterer,” crying the news to interested patrons throughout Sydney. Dunne uses his far-reaching connections – from respectable tradesmen to unsavory convicts – to assist him in solving the crimes.

I picked up this novel because of the unique setting; colonial Australia seemed like the perfect setting for a historical mystery. Adair was obviously diligent in his research about the time period; the book is full of interesting historical tidbits and descriptions of real landmarks in Sydney. However, this strength of the book is also its main weakness: too much time is given to random factual digressions at the expense of the plot. The historical information is too obtrusive, and it’s often irrelevant to the main story. I also had some trouble following the plot and keeping track of all the characters. Even after the Big Reveal, several events and character motivations didn’t make sense to me. Finally, I was not impressed by the clumsy writing style; the attempts to be funny were painfully awkward instead. Ultimately, while the concept of this book was promising, its execution left me very underwhelmed.

Book #21: Gail Carriger, Changeless
Completed on: February 27
Category: To Be Continued (3/5)

Warning: This review contains spoilers for Soulless.

Lady Alexia Maccon has recently begun her duties as muhjah, preternatural advisor to Queen Victoria. She has also enthusiastically adapted to married life with her husband, the Alpha werewolf of the Woolsey pack. Her newfound happiness is soon disrupted, however, when a preternatural plague breaks out in London: the supernatural powers of vampires and werewolves are completely neutralized, and all the ghosts in the immediate vicinity are exorcised. Some people even suspect that Lady Maccon, the only known preternatural in the area, is behind this plague of humanization. Fearing that a powerful weapon against supernaturals has been discovered, Alexia must find out what is causing the disruption. At the same time, she must also follow her renegade husband to Scotland, where he has unfinished business with his former pack.

I was a big fan of Soulless, and this sequel largely lives up to the promise of the first book. Alexia is a delightful heroine, with her inescapable pragmatism and her devotion to parasols as weapons. It was fun to follow her and Conall into their married life and see the continuation of their teasing banter. I also enjoyed the steampunk elements, like the dirigible and the fascinating aethographic transmitter. The mystery aspect of the plot wasn’t terribly complicated, but it provided enough forward momentum to keep the plot going. The characters are really the strong point of the series, though; I’ll happily keep reading just to learn more about the flamboyant Lord Akeldama, the mysterious (and cross-dressing) Madame Lefoux, and my personal favorite, Professor Lyall. There is a rather large cliffhanger at the end of this book, which is annoying – but luckily I already have Blameless on my shelves!

Book #22: Gail Carriger, Blameless
Completed on: March 3
Category: To Be Continued (4/5)

Warning: MAJOR spoilers for Soulless and Changeless!

After her very public separation from her husband, Lady Alexia Maccon moves back in with her insufferable mother and obnoxious half-sisters. Alexia is now practically an outcast from polite society; she no longer has the support of the Woolsey pack, and Lord Akeldama – who would presumably have been her ally – is mysteriously out of town. Unwilling to take rejection lying down, Alexia is determined to vindicate herself in the eyes of both her husband and the world. To do so, she must leave England and confront the greatest danger she has faced yet: the Templars. Accompanied by Madame Lefoux and the faithful Floote, Alexia travels to Italy, battles murderous vampires, tastes pesto for the first time…and makes a shocking discovery about her unborn child.

This latest installment in the Parasol Protectorate series has gotten me very excited about the next two books – I can’t wait to find out what happens to these characters! Despite the breezy, tongue-in-cheek tone of the series, there are a few darker turns in this book which I found intriguing. There’s definitely room for a lot of interesting developments with the supporting characters, and I look forward to seeing what directions the various relationships will take. (Sorry that’s a bit vague, but I don’t want to spoil the book!) The plot of this novel is also very interesting, although interspersed with several dull action sequences. I just couldn’t concentrate on them, for some reason, and thus they failed to convince me. I still loved the comedy-of-manners aspect of the book, though, and I’ll definitely be reading Heartless when it comes out this summer.

Book #23: Seanan McGuire, Late Eclipses
Completed on: March 5
Category: Faeries, Fangs, and Full Moons (4/5)

Warning: minor spoilers for previous October Daye novels.

Half-human, half-fae private investigator Toby Daye can’t catch a break. She has just come to terms with the existence of her Fetch, the physical manifestation of her impending death, when everything changes on her once again. Her dear friend Lily, the Undine who rules over the Tea Gardens, is sick, and no one seems to know why. Then more of Toby’s loved ones start falling ill – and someone seems to be trying to blame it on her. With the help of her loyal friends and allies, Toby sets out to catch whoever’s behind the illnesses, only to discover a shocking secret about her own identity.

I’ve been enjoying this series since the beginning, but this book is definitely my favorite in the series so far. There are a lot of big changes for Toby in the book, and I liked that some of the mysteries in her past are starting to become clear. I also enjoyed seeing the development of her personal relationships (and, yes, I am completely rooting for Tybalt), as well as her growth as she confronts new challenges. Toby’s wry, self-deprecating voice is fun to read, especially during moments where the emotional stakes are high. While I was able to believe in the seriousness of those moments, the humorous one-liners kept things from getting too heavy. If you’ve been enjoying this series so far, or if you’re undecided about whether to continue, I definitely recommend picking up this installment! I’ll also be checking out book five when it comes out in September.

Book #24: Faith Hunter, Skinwalker
Completed on: March 13
Category: Faeries, Fangs, and Full Moons (5/5)

Jane Yellowrock is a bike-riding badass who makes a living by hunting and killing rogue vampires. Now she faces her most challenging assignment yet: she’s been hired to take down a rogue vamp who’s been terrorizing New Orleans, murdering vamps and humans alike. To complicate matters, she’s been hired by another vampire, which creates a complex interdependence between her and the local vamp community. Jane will need to use all her skills to complete her mission, including the one skill nobody knows about: she is a skinwalker, a shapeshifter capable of transforming into almost any creature by virtue of her Cherokee blood. As Jane tracks the rogue vamp all over New Orleans, she also delves into the secrets of her own past.

I won this book in a read-a-thon contest, and it’s definitely not the sort of book I’d have picked up on my own. Therefore, I had low expectations when I started this book, and unfortunately the novel gave me no reason to change my mind. There were a couple things that I liked, most notably the New Orleans setting. I’ve never been there, but I think Hunter depicts the city very well. The descriptions of smells in particular are very evocative – which is appropriate, since Jane often experiences the city as her animal alter-ego. I also enjoyed the scene where Jane goes to church; that’s not something I often see in mainstream fiction, but it’s a relatable, humanizing detail for me.

What I didn’t like is a much longer list, and Jane herself is at the top of it. Her penchant for being The Best At Everything gets old quickly; she can kick anyone’s ass, she always has a sarcastic one-liner at the ready, she has every male character in the book chasing her, she has magical powers, etc. etc. I also really did not like the scenes told from her alter-ego’s point of view. Writing from an animal’s perspective in the first person is a difficult feat, and leaving out articles and the verb “to be” just doesn’t cut it. Finally, the descriptions of Jane’s weaponry are incredibly unrealistic. At one point she hides a stake, a cross, and a gun in her hair; at another she carries something like thirteen crosses and thirteen stakes on her person. I’m sorry, but I just don’t buy it; for one thing, she’d jingle every time she moved! Ultimately, I’m just not interested enough to continue with the series, and I’ve read much better books in the urban fantasy genre.

Book #25: Erin Hart, False Mermaid
Completed on: March 15
Category: To Be Continued (5/5)

Nora Gavin has spent the past three years in Ireland, using her skills as a pathologist to find out what happened to several people whose bodies were found buried in peat bogs. Her desire to solve these mysteries stemmed from her own past: five years ago, her sister Tríona was murdered, and her killer was never brought to justice. Nora has always believed that Tríona’s husband Peter committed the crime, but there was no evidence to incriminate him. Now, however, Nora decides to return to America and make one last effort to find out what really happened to her sister. While she unearths new evidence that just might bring Tríona’s killer to justice, her sometime lover Cormac struggles to define his relationship with his father, who has recently come back into Cormac’s life after a long absence.

This is the third book in Hart’s series featuring Nora and Cormac, and it definitely does not stand alone. The unsolved mystery of Tríona’s death is a big factor in the first two books, and this third installment finally explores Nora’s inner conflict in some depth. Although I was eager to learn how the mystery would finally be resolved, much of the investigation itself fell flat. I couldn’t help but question the realism of the whole thing: was it really likely that a bunch of new evidence would turn up so long after the crime? Would the police even be interested in reopening the case at this point? I also didn’t really like the secondary story about Mary Heaney, a woman of Irish legend who was supposedly a selkie. Though I could see how it paralleled the events with Tríona, I didn’t really think it was necessary. That said, Erin Hart has the ability to suck me in with her writing, especially her descriptions of the Irish seaside. I would definitely read more books in this series, but False Mermaid is not a particularly strong installment, in my opinion.

And with that, I've completed my first "five and dime" challenge! My (second) self-imposed deadline was March 19, so I just made it in under the wire. Here's what I read:

I. Faeries, Fangs, and Full Moons (urban fantasy)
1. Seanan McGuire – A Local Habitation
2. Seanan McGuire – An Artificial Night
3. Ilona Andrews – On the Edge
4. Seanan McGuire – Late Eclipses
5. Faith Hunter – Skinwalker

II. Rule Britannia (books set in England)
1. Julia Stuart – The Tower, the Zoo, and the Tortoise
2. Julia Strachey – Cheerful Weather for the Wedding
3. Helen Simonson – Major Pettigrew’s Last Stand
4. Georgette Heyer – Footsteps in the Dark
5. Monica Dickens – Mariana

III. The Kids Are Alright (young adult novels)
1. Margaret Buffie – Winter Shadows
2. Justine Larbalestier – How to Ditch Your Fairy
3. Michaela MacColl – Prisoners in the Palace
4. Susane Colasanti – So Much Closer
5. April Lindner – Jane

IV. Around the World (books not set in the U.S. or U.K.)
1. Luis Fernando Verissimo – Borges and the Eternal Orangutans (Argentina)
2. Friedrich Dürrenmatt – The Pledge (Switzerland)
3. Anna Gavalda – I Wish Someone Were Waiting for Me Somewhere (France)
4. M. M. Kaye – Death in Berlin (Germany)
5. Robin Adair – Death and the Running Patterer (Australia)

V. To Be Continued (next in the series)
1. Nora Roberts – Happy Ever After (Bride Quartet #4)
2. Lauren Willig – The Orchid Affair (Pink Carnation #8)
3. Gail Carriger – Changeless (Parasol Protectorate #2)
4. Gail Carriger – Blameless (Parasol Protectorate #3)
5. Erin Hart – False Mermaid (Nora and Cormac #3)

I enjoyed doing this challenge, and I found that 5x5 was very manageable. I probably won't start another one anytime soon, since I'm in the midst of the 11 in 11 at the moment...but I'll definitely be checking in with this group and doing more of these challenges in the future!

Congratulations on finishing your 5x5 challenge!

Thanks! It's a bit of a load off my mind, since I'm trying to power through the 11x11 madness. :)