Joining in on Meme Fun

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews?
Harry Potter. I have tried, but I just cannot bring myself to read that series. I think it was a cult obsession and is just not my thing. What I have tried from her, the writing was not even that great. I just don't get the appeal!

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?
There are many characters that I would like to meet. The characters from Thursday Next would be fun to spend some time with. We could go into books! That would be really cool! That's a social event, right? ummm... I am with Rhinoa, Mercedes Thompson would be fun to go clubbing with!

(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can't die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for awhile, eventually you realise it's past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?
Most classics or many of the textbooks that you have to read in university!

Come on, we've all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you've read, when in fact you've been nowhere near it?
I honestly have no idea. Something might slip out in a conversation, but there is nothing I am aware of claiming to have read...

As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to 'reread' it that you haven't? Which book?
I am really good with remembering what books I read, so that never really happens with me.

You've been appointed Book Advisor to a VIP (who's not a big reader). What's the first book you'd recommend and why? (if you feel like you'd have to know the person, go ahead of personalise the VIP)
Lord of the Rings. If they can get through all the pages that really do not need to be there, they can get through anything. haha

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?
Atlantis-lingo, so that when they find Atlantis I can figure out all of its secrets! If you want something serious, probably Latin.

A mischievious fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?
A Wrinkle in Time. Once upon a time I used to read that yearly, but that was before my TBR pile got so high.

I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What's one bookish thing you 'discovered' from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art-anything)?
There are so many books and authors that I would never have read without blogging! Sometimes I am not even sure where my picks come from, I just see them in the store and know that I have heard good things, so it would be hard to say how many books I have read have been blog-inspired.

That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she's granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leatherbound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead-let your imagination run free.
Think Beauty and the Beast! That is my favourite Disney movie because I have always wanted that library!

Yay, I posted! Thanks Rhinoa for tagging me, I need to show that I am alive from time to time!

Life as I know It...

I really do not know what is with me this month, but I am afraid everyone is going to forget about me, so I am trying this whole posting thing again! Seeing as how a blog is for posting and my blog has received little to no attention this month. I am just happy that it is because life has been good and I am busy that I have so little time for blogging and reading this month, it is much better than the alternative! Hopefully I will do a bit better job at keeping in touch in February. My TBR pile is really suffering from this month. I just finished my fourth book of the month earlier tonight! For some of you, that is a good thing, but for me, it is really weird!

I have accomplished other things this month, though... I bought new clothes, which I really needed to do because my wardrobe was a bit faded; I got sneakers that are like the most comfortable things ever and do not hurt my feet at all, which is an awesome thing for me; I rearranged my bookshelves except for one shelf; I managed to not buy any books at all so far this month; I ended a very bad relationship with a guy that means well, but was not really for me; I reconnected with some friends that I have not talked to in ages; I have a social life and have been doing things for my age group, something that my boyfriend was never interested in doing, so I have really missed it; and I have done a lot more... So, reading-wise, not my best month, but I have done a lot of things that I have been putting off for forever and a day, so I am really happy with myself!

I love how I sort of just added the boyfriend thing in there like it was no big deal... I was with him for quite some time, so it is a big deal! It is probably the biggest thing to come out of 2008 so far, and partly to blame for my lack of reading. I find that if I am idle too long, me and him tend to start talking again and then I fall into the same trap, so I have been latching on to my friends lately so I am kept busy and don't do that again. I love to read, but it doesn't keep me occupied enough at times, and then my mind starts wandering. A wandering mind is a bad thing.

So, if I am quiet for the rest of the month, you know what is going on. It is not that I do not like blogging or reading anymore, it is just that I need to keep busy! I am sure everyone understands. I also suck at blog-hopping, but I am trying!

Anyways, so once again, I am alive! And, I do check my email everyday, if nothing else, so if you need my attention for whatever reason, that is the best way to get in touch.

Once Upon a Time....

I used to be a blogger, does anyone remember those days? Well, I seem to have dropped off the face of the planet this month, so this is me saying that I am back! Did everyone miss me? I do not know where January is going to, but it is going by so fast, and I never seem to have time to do anything! I am behind in pretty much everything, so you will have to excuse me. I have even only read three books this month because I don't have time to sit down with my book! It is not a bad thing, though. I have had a good January so far, and hopefully it will continue. If not, these last few weeks should be sustaining. I hope so, anyways!

So, how is everyone? I am taking a snow day, as we are having ANOTHER winter storm, so I am about to spend my evening reading. Maybe make it four books for the month... haha... Anyone reading anything interesting? I am about to start something new, not sure what yet, because I finished book number 3 at work today. I hopefully have my reading groove back, but it wasn't so much it was gone lately, I was just too busy to enjoy it....

Plans for 2008

I have to be up in 5 hours to get ready for work, but my sleeping habits are so screwed up lately, I cannot get to sleep! So, I thought I would talk about what some of my plans are for 2008. That's sort of boring, though, right, so maybe it will put me to sleep? I do not really do resolutions because I find that I suck at them, so why even bother! These are just the things I am thinking about.

First off, I need to not pressure myself into anything this year. If I want to read a book, I am reading a book. This will be my first year free of school (if I do not decide to go back in September), so it is my first year with no required reading. This means, that while there are thoughts in the back of my mind, I do not have to actually listen to them.

Secondly, I ended the year with so many books not reviewed, it was rather bad. Some were given to me, so I really do still plan to review them, but otherwise I imagine I am just going to start fresh. My hope is to review all the books I read this year, but if I do not, I am not going to feel bad about it. If I get too far behind, I tend to feel daunted by the long list of books that I have not reviewed, so I am going to general posts and mention books more, but that does not mean that everything I read this year will have a review. I read 196 books this year. The thought of how much time it would take me to review all of those scares me, and I really would like to read more.

Thirdly, I have decided to keep Twisted Kingdom. I am not sure what my plans are for it, other than posting fantasy/science-fiction reviews, but I plan to hold on to it. Fantasy is my favourite and it really needs its own blog. At least, that is my story and I am sticking to it. I do know that both of my blogs need a bit of fixing up, so hopefully I will accomplish that this year. Speaking of Twisted Kingdom, I posted my very first read of 2008 on there: The Princes of the Golden Cage by Nathalie Mallet, so head on over there and read it. I started the year off right!

Otherwise, my thoughts are that I would like to finish up some series/trilogies that I have on the go, because the list is getting a bit long. I would like to catch up with some favourite authors that I never got to visit with last year. I have to stay away from the bookstore as much as possible this year! I bought less books last year than the year before, so I have to keep it up. Book cards and things do not count, of course. I have to keep better listings of books because it makes the year end post much easier when I am organized.

These are just thoughts, though. If I accomplish none of this, it will not be a big deal. These are just things I would like to accomplish. Book-related things.

And, it would be nice to reach 200 books or so this year. I used to read that many a few years ago, but I slowed down in university. Now that I am out, it would be fun to reach those numbers, but I also have a life, so like last year I am not making it an official goal. Just a nice thought.

I am probably the only one not saying it, but in terms of what I read. I do not care if I read more classics. I hate most classics that I read anyways. I have my favourites, I might add more to the list, but I am picky! I think I read a good amount of non-fiction this year, so it would be nice to keep it up this year. All I care about is spending time with my fantasy/science fiction authors, reading a fair amount of Canadian literature, reading historical fiction, and otherwise just exploring other genres and authors.

I am still not sleepy. Oh, well.

The Fantasy Review - Part Two

Okay, I am home on my computer now, so let me just finish this up!

The next four fantasy books that I read were all for a younger audience. I think I read more young adult books this year than I normally do, but considering I only really kept track the last two years, it is hard for me to judge. So, the four books were Rowan of Rin by Emily Rodda, Midnight by Erin Hunter, Enna Burning by Shannon Hale, and The Dead Girls' Dance by Rachel Caine. Rodda's book was actually pretty good, I might have to find another book by her one of these days. Hunter's series is cute, all about cats and their adventures. Enna Burning was my least favourite Shannon Hale book. I wanted to like it, but it just did not work for me. Caine's book is another book in her Morganville Vampire series, like I said before, good but not great.

Then, back to Colleen Gleason for the second book in the Gardella Vampire Chronicles, Rises the Night. Like I said a couple times before, I was really surprised that I liked this series, but I do, and I am looking forward to more from her this year. One of the best of 2007.

Then, I went with Gaiman again. I don't hate him, I just don't love him. This time I went the short story route, and I am just not a short story person anyways, so it really does not matter who the author is. Smoke and Mirrors had a lot of interesting stories, so it was a worthwhile read. I will have to dig American Gods off the shelf for this year. See what I think of that one.

Sorcery and Cecilia by Patricia Wrede was horrible. I have read other books by her, and while sometimes I do like them, there is something about her writing style that does not always working for me.

More Gaiman, this time with InterWorld. I would just read my review, it will tell you what I thought of the book.... Then, I read M is for Magic. Most of the stories available in this book have been published elsewhere, but it was still fun. Again, though, short stories are not really my thing.

I also finally read Terry Goodkind this year. I really need to close comments sometimes on series, because he is an author that people have opinions on! It's just like Jack Whyte, people keep telling me that the series loses its steam, but I do not want to hear that, I want to pretend that no one else has read the series and I am first to them. It takes the fun out of it when I am waiting for the books to start to suck. So, I loved Wizard's First Rule and I plan to continue with the series this year.

More Mercedes Lackey, this time with The Fire Rose. I intend to finish this series, but I think I like the Five Hundred Kingdom one better. Then, there are all her other books... I will get to them one of these days!

Luck in the Shadows by Lynn Flewelling was another bad read. I plan to try her other trilogy, though, so maybe I will like it better.

Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan was cute, but I actually was not super impressed with it. I doubt I will read anymore from her. Moonrise was another good Erin Hunter novel, though.

Then, I moved on to some non-fiction with The History of the Hobbit by John D. Rateliff. I still have not bought book two, mostly because of the price, but I will read it one of these days. I really liked this book, and I plan to read more from and about Tolkien this year.

More Tas! Yay! This time in Dragons of the Winter Night by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. I think I might read them after finishing the book I am currently reading... I didn't like this one as much as the first one, but it was still enjoyable.

Then, I went on a Star Trek kick: The Battle of Betazed by Charlotte Douglas and Susan Kearney, A Time to be Born by John Vornholt, House of Cards by Peter David, interjection of C.S. Lewis, and then All Good Things by Michael Jan Friedman, Dead in Winter by Michael Jan Friedman, Homecoming by Christie Golden, The Farther Shore by Christie Golden, Into the Void by Peter David, The Two-Front War by Peter David, and finally End Game by Peter David. Then, I returned to it one more time for Mirror Universe: Glass Empires by Various Authors. Then, I never read anymore Star Trek all year!

Next up, Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card. I did not like this book as much as other people either, but it could have been the timing.

Last year, I also read Simon R. Green. I have not reviewed the books yet, though. By the time I do, I doubt I will remember what happened, but I do know that I like this series. It sort of reminds me a bit of Jim Butcher's Dresdan Files, but not entirely. It's fun, though, so I plan to read book three this year. Last year I read Something from the Nightside and Agents of Light and Darkness.

I also read another Robin Hobb book, and I did not review it! That really sucks because I really like that author. I read Golden Fool, another fav from 2007.

Then, more Shannon Hale with Book of a Thousand Days. I liked this one better than Enna Burning. I also read China Mieville for the first time with Un Lun Dun. There were a few issues, and it took me two tries to get into it. I sort of wonder if it was the book I liked or the idea of the book. Then, back to Shannon Hale with Princess Academy.

I really liked this next book because it reminded me a little of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's The Lost World. I love that whole idea for some reason, even if it is not dinosaurs. Chris Roberson had my interest with Set the Seas on Fire.

I finally read Artemis Fowl by Eoin Coelfer. A promising series, but it might be a while before I read another book in it. The Book Without Words by Avi was fun too.

Then, we have Catherynne Valente. I liked this book a lot, but at the same time, I think I expected it to be better. She has a bit of a different writing style that might not be for everyone, but I still plan to read the sequel. In the Night Garden is still worth reading.

Then, we have a long list of books I never got around to reviewing: Brown Girl in the Ring (which I am scared to admit I can hardly remember), Beauty by Robin McKinley (she is a hit or miss author with me. I always end up enjoying her novels, but she is another author with an awkward writing style), The Book of Dead Days and The Foreshadowing are both by the same author (they both had interesting aspects to them, and I plan to read more from him this year), King's Prophecy by Morgan Howell (a book about orcs, which is not something I read much about, so I am intrigued with this trilogy. I really liked this first book). Over Sea, Under Stone is the first book in a series I wish I had discovered long ago.

The last two reads of 2007 were also fantasy. They were two of my favourite reads, and I think they were probably my two favourite young adult books. In the top five anyways. They were The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray and The Blue Girl by Charles de Lint.



So, the top reads (in no particular order) are (in list form):
Beauty by Robin McKinley
The Rest Falls Away/Rises the Night by Colleen Gleason
Moon Called by Patricia Briggs
Fool's Errand/The Golden Fool by Robin Hobb
The Eagle's Brood by Jack Whyte
Dragons of the Autumn Twilight by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman
Stolen by Kelley Armstrong
Flight of the Nighthawks by Raymond Feist
The Briar King by Greg Keyes
The History of the Hobbit by John Rateliff

Young Adult Favourites:
The Blue Girl by Charles de Lint
The Sweet Far Thing by Libba Bray
The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke


Favourite New Author (to me): Robin Hobb
Favourite New Author (published first time): Colleen Gleason
Favourite Old Author: Jack Whyte, Patricia Briggs, and Libba Bray

You know, I think I might see where my reading started to slide. Most of the books I chose for my favourites happened in the first 100 books that I read this year. After that, there were a lot of really bad books and a lot of just average books. No wonder I struggled the second half of the year... There were other reasons too, but that would not help.

The Fantasy Review - Part One

My favourite genres for reading have always been fantasy and science fiction. I think science fiction probably came first, but as I have gotten older I have also added fantasy to the mix. Fantasy has sort of taken over as the dominant genre, but science fiction was always my first love. I think I started reading sci-fi when I started to notice I was quite a big fan of Star Trek on television. I also used to read a lot of Star Wars books. Ten years ago, I sort of moved away from the television-related science fiction and started to read some of the big name authors. I think this coincides with reading A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L'Engle. I probably read other sci-fi novels before that, but that is the one that stands out. For fantasy, I think the book that really started me on that path was Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I have always loved both genres, though, I did read Lord of the Rings and The Chronicles of Narnia when I was younger, and those are two of my favourite series. A lot of why it took me so long to develop my reading interests was because I tried to be the 'cool' kid in school, but halfway through junior high I gave up caring and in many ways finally became me.

That is my long-winded intro to my post on reading fantasy and science-fiction in 2007.

So, in 2007 I started out my year with a brandnew book by a brandnew author: Colleen Gleason. This required me browsing the romance section, something that I never do, so it shows you how much I wanted to support her! The Rest Falls Away may not be high-brow literature, but she is much better than many of the other paranormal authors I have read. The author is a very nice woman, the romance is not too over-powering, and there is suspense. Works for me!

Next up, I FINALLY read Juliet Marillier. Wildwood Dancing is a fairy-tale retelling, and while not the best book ever and not everyones cup of tea, I found it enjoyable.

One Good Knight is the sequel to The Fairy Godmother, which I read the year before. It was good, but I enjoyed The Fairy Godmother much more. I hope to read the third book this year, if it ever decides when it is coming out in paperback! It was originally February, but when I went to order it with my Christmas money, it had been pushed back.

New Moon was another author that I had read before and decided to read the sequel to. Twilight was enjoyable, I read it last year, but I am finding Bella more and more annoying. It was good, but I have a hard time getting into the books in the series.

Another really good paranormal author is Patricia Briggs. I had read Moon Called by her in 2006, so I was very excited for the sequel in 2007. Just like I am very excited for book 3 in 2008. Mercedes Thompson is one of my favourite female fictional characters, and so far no trashy sex! Yay! (I am thinking Laurell K. Hamilton here.) Great series. Mercedes is a very strong woman who gets the job done, and while she is in all the books, the other focus paranormal group changes from book to book. One of my favs of 2007.

Lisa Tuttle's The Silver Bough was a fun book. I really must try her again sometime. Too bad it is not a real place, I wouldn't mind visiting there!

O.R. Melling has a fabulous series that I really must read the fourth book to this year. Then, I plan to back track and reread the books again because she has rereleased them with added things, and I want to see what is added! The Summer King and The Light-Bearer's Daughter are the two I read in 2007.

One of my favourite new authors of 2007 was Robin Hobb. I just decided it was time to read her and dug one of her books off my TBR pile. I just adore her writing style. She currently holds the place for my favourite fantasy author after reading Fool's Errand. Her books are long, but they do not feel long.

Heir to the Shadows by Anne Bishop is one of the books in her Black Jewels series. I want to love this series, but I am having a hard time with it. I will have to see what book 3 brings with it. I hopefully will read it this year.

The Eagle's Brood is a Jack Whyte novel. I am shocked at myself for only reading one book by him 2007! I really love this series, so I plan to try and read more than one book by him this year. I ended at such a bad time, too, because all the characters from the Arthurian legends have been set up, and I want to know what happens next! Maybe I will try and squeeze him in for January. One of my favs of 2007.

Holly Black's Valiant disappointed me. I have not decided yet if I want to read her next book.

I am so happy that I finally read Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. I adore Tas, and I mean ADORE him. He is one of my favourite literary characters ever, and I look forward to reading more from this series this year. Dragons of the Autumn Twilight was the first time I have ever read Dragonlance, but it is very embarassing to admit how long the book was on my TBR pile. One of my favs from 2007.

Storm Front is the first book in Jim Butcher's Dresdan Files. I plan to read the whole series, and while I like it, it is also not my favourite series ever. I'll read one or two this year, no big rush.

I read a bit of Neil Gaiman this year. First up was Coraline by him. I have had this book for a couple years, so I am glad that I finally read it! While I enjoy him as an author, only Good Omens has ever super impressed me. I wonder what would have happened if I had read another book first... Well, Carl raves on about him, so I probably would have read the ones I have anyways. I did like Stardust, but he just doesn't blow me away.

I read a few books from Shannon Hale this year, as well. The Goose Girl, the first one I read, was probably my favourite. She is almost as good as Libba Bray, but Bray remains my favourite for the moment. And, no one can knock Madeleine L'Engle off my top spot, I am very loyal to her.

Then I read Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. I really love the idea of this book. I can't wait to get to the sequel this year. Totally a favourite of 2007.

Flight of the Nighthawks is my first attempt at reading Raymond Feist. I am glad I started with this one, I like the characters grown up. I am finding myself getting more and more fed up with many books written about children. It is likely just a stage I am going through, but if I had started with a different book, I am afraid I would not have liked it as much.

I decided to start off with Rachel Caine's Morganville Vampire series instead of her adult books, I am not even totally sure why. Glass Houses was enjoyable. If I didn't finish the series, I would not be totally disappointed, but I like it. I plan to stick with it, and have book 3 ordered... actually, that did not come when I got my books last week. I must check that.

I read three Kelley Armstrong books in a row: Bitten, Stolen, and Dime Store Magic. I probably would have read more, but Dime Store Magic annoyed me. I needed to take a break after that. Stolen is probably my favourite right now, and if I had to choose, would be my favourite of 2007 in terms of her.

Greg Keyes is interesting. Sometimes his writing style really annoyed me, but The Briar King really stuck with me. It's surpring, frankly. I think I would have to call it a favourite of 2007, even if it annoyed me at times. I am excited to read the next book, but book 4 is only coming out in hardcover this year, which means I have to wait until 2009 for the paperback, so I am not rushing things.

Magician: Apprentice was Raymond Feist again. Like I said above, I like the characters when they are older better, but I plan to read all of his books eventually.

The Dream-Maker's Magic was the last book in a young adult trilogy by Sharon Shinn. The only Shinn I read this year, which is bad, considering I own all her books except the ones only out in hardcover... bad me! Good book, though.

Frank Beddor's debut, The Looking-Glass Wars was interesting. I liked it better than the original, but I have never really liked Carroll.

Thanks to Buy a Friend a Book week, I now own all of Roger Zelazny's Amber series. I really liked Nine Princes in Amber and The Guns of Avalon, so I look forward to more in the series this year!

Okay, that's enough recap for now! The other half I will post tomorrow. I read more fantasy than I thought I did!