Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Book Club
A friend invited me to join her book club in January, and I've been enjoying attending the monthly meetings ever since. In November, I'm hosting book club, which means I get to pick out the book we read. Exciting! Nerve-wracking! What book do I pick? This is an eclectic group, and from what I've experienced reads a variety of books. But I want to pick one they enjoy. And one that's good for a discussion. I'm leaning toward picking a book I've already read myself (don't want to accidentally pick a lemon), and I have a top choice in mind. But there are so many things to consider! I'm putting too much pressure on myself I think.
Review - Maisie Dobbs
This is the first book in the Maisie Dobbs mystery series set in 1930s England. It was recommended to me by a friend, and I'm so glad. It has a lot of things I love: historical setting, great characters, and an intriguing mystery. It's a quiet book, and kind of somber in some ways. The characters are still reeling emotionally from the first World War, and in this first book we are given some back story that took place during the war itself. Yet the story never became gruesome or maudlin; and overall, the tone wasn't depressing. The mystery itself had a classic British mystery feel to it, but I also liked the fact that the book was about more than the mystery and also about the characters themselves. So it was like two stories seamlessly woven into one. I'm looking forward to reading more about Maisie and Billy and Maurice and Lady Rowan. Bottom line, read this if you enjoy mystery or historical fiction.
Saturday, September 3, 2011
What I've been reading
Sweethearts, by Sara Zarr
This is a short book, but it packs such an emotional punch. As children, Jennifer and Cameron are picked on and ignored and bullied by their peers; but they have each other. A traumatic event ends up separating the two for a while, but years later they are brought together again. They must confront their shared history, the different paths they've taken, and figure out where to go from there. It's beautiful and heartbreaking; a look at love in an untraditional way. Zarr is so good at creating characters and stories that just burrow right inside of you.
Big Stone Gap, by Adriana Trigiani
Set in the mountains of Virginia in 1978, Big Stone Gap is the story of Ave Maria Mulligan. Ave Maria is content in her life, a life full of work and friends and community involvement. Until one day she receives some news that shakes her whole world and causes her to question everything about herself. This isn't a fast-paced story, but it doesn't drag either. There's a sense of simplicity and unhurriedness. I enjoyed the sense of place that the author created. And while normally I don't like "life-crisis" type of stories, Triginani managed to create a story free from the melodrama I often associate with that kind of book. Plus, the book was about more than just Ave Maria's crisis, it was about the town and the mountains and the people who lived there. It's about family and love and frienship.
Thursday, August 25, 2011
Romance
I love a good love story. But you know what's better than a good love story? A real-life love story. Ask your friends, ask your grandparents, your aunts and uncles, your co-workers....be warned: not every real-life romance has a happy ending. But for those that do, you won't be dissappointed.
Monday, August 22, 2011
Review - Pegasus
Pegasus, by Robin McKinnley
I've been slowly rediscovering author Robin McKinnley, and am enjoying every minute of it. Pegasus, her most recent novel, is a story of friendship, love, family, loyalty, and growing up. As a member of the royal family, Sylvi is bonded to a pegasus in an important ceremony on her 12th birthday (every little girl's dream, right?). This tradition is part of the treaty forged between humans and pegasi when the human's discovered the pegasus country and helped them defeat their enemies. For the most part, humans and pegasi must communicate through magicians and shamans, but Sylvi and the pegasus Ebon are able to communicate in the unspoken and telepathic way most pegasi communicate. Their unusual relationship is unusual and challenges centuries old traditions. And has some rather unintended consequences.
The characters in the book are very well-drawn. I love the picture of Syri's family; it's family in which people are encouraged to be themselves, yet fulfill their duty and responsibility as a monarchy. The families (both royal families -- human and pegasi) love each other. I also enjoy the development of Syri and Ebon's relationship. Because they are two different species, McKinnley is able to show the development of a real, loving, deep frienship without any of the expectations (and sometimes hinderances) of a romance. (not that I don't love a good romance -- because I do. But life is more than romances). I also love watching Sylvi and Ebon grow up, watching them go from enthusiastic kids, to young adults who have to face some pretty heavy stuff -- and some pretty intense consequences to their unusual relationship. The story jumps a bit between the reveal of the history of this land and the current events. But it has the rambling quality of listening to your Uncle George tell you a story. There aren't "history breaks"; it's more narrative. Sometimes I can get put off by rambling, but in this case it's charming and cozy.
I'm pretty sure there is going to be a sequel. If not, I'm going to be banging on Robin McKinnley's door asking her why she is so cruel!
Bottom line: excellent book!
I've been slowly rediscovering author Robin McKinnley, and am enjoying every minute of it. Pegasus, her most recent novel, is a story of friendship, love, family, loyalty, and growing up. As a member of the royal family, Sylvi is bonded to a pegasus in an important ceremony on her 12th birthday (every little girl's dream, right?). This tradition is part of the treaty forged between humans and pegasi when the human's discovered the pegasus country and helped them defeat their enemies. For the most part, humans and pegasi must communicate through magicians and shamans, but Sylvi and the pegasus Ebon are able to communicate in the unspoken and telepathic way most pegasi communicate. Their unusual relationship is unusual and challenges centuries old traditions. And has some rather unintended consequences.
The characters in the book are very well-drawn. I love the picture of Syri's family; it's family in which people are encouraged to be themselves, yet fulfill their duty and responsibility as a monarchy. The families (both royal families -- human and pegasi) love each other. I also enjoy the development of Syri and Ebon's relationship. Because they are two different species, McKinnley is able to show the development of a real, loving, deep frienship without any of the expectations (and sometimes hinderances) of a romance. (not that I don't love a good romance -- because I do. But life is more than romances). I also love watching Sylvi and Ebon grow up, watching them go from enthusiastic kids, to young adults who have to face some pretty heavy stuff -- and some pretty intense consequences to their unusual relationship. The story jumps a bit between the reveal of the history of this land and the current events. But it has the rambling quality of listening to your Uncle George tell you a story. There aren't "history breaks"; it's more narrative. Sometimes I can get put off by rambling, but in this case it's charming and cozy.
I'm pretty sure there is going to be a sequel. If not, I'm going to be banging on Robin McKinnley's door asking her why she is so cruel!
Bottom line: excellent book!
Friday, August 12, 2011
A new job plus Scorpio Races!
So, I started a new job this week and I'm still adjusting to a new, busier, crazier schedule. But the good news: I like the job so far! Better news: it's Friday!
I'm super excited about Maggie Stiefvater's new book The Scorpio Races. You should all check out her trailer for it, which I have conveniently put in this post...enjoy!
I'm super excited about Maggie Stiefvater's new book The Scorpio Races. You should all check out her trailer for it, which I have conveniently put in this post...enjoy!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Review - Chime
Chime, by Franny Billingsley
Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.
Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know. -summary from Goodreads
I absolutely adored this book, and would read it again in a heartbeat. The writing style is lyrical and musical and haunting; perfect for a book that is set in this world, but has a part of it in another world. I loved the characters. Briony, Eldric, Rose, Tiddy Rex...even the characters who don't get a lot of page time are fully developed. By the end of the book, you know them. And no one is a caracature. I loved Briony's sass and spirit, even though her heart was broken; and I loved that Eldric was fun and irreverant, but with a hidden maturity. And as far as the story goes, I loved the way it unfolded so delicately. You know pretty early that there's more to the story than what Briony knows and believes, but you have to stick with her as she finds it out.
Bottom line: read this book!
Before Briony's stepmother died, she made sure Briony blamed herself for all the family's hardships. Now Briony has worn her guilt for so long it's become a second skin. She often escapes to the swamp, where she tells stories to the Old Ones, the spirits who haunt the marshes. But only witches can see the Old Ones, and in her village, witches are sentenced to death. Briony lives in fear her secret will be found out, even as she believes she deserves the worst kind of punishment.
Then Eldric comes along with his golden lion eyes and mane of tawny hair. He's as natural as the sun, and treats her as if she's extraordinary. And everything starts to change. As many secrets as Briony has been holding, there are secrets even she doesn't know. -summary from Goodreads
I absolutely adored this book, and would read it again in a heartbeat. The writing style is lyrical and musical and haunting; perfect for a book that is set in this world, but has a part of it in another world. I loved the characters. Briony, Eldric, Rose, Tiddy Rex...even the characters who don't get a lot of page time are fully developed. By the end of the book, you know them. And no one is a caracature. I loved Briony's sass and spirit, even though her heart was broken; and I loved that Eldric was fun and irreverant, but with a hidden maturity. And as far as the story goes, I loved the way it unfolded so delicately. You know pretty early that there's more to the story than what Briony knows and believes, but you have to stick with her as she finds it out.
Bottom line: read this book!
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