Among Others by Jo Walton

Among Others by Jo Walton

Completion Date: May 7, 2011

Reason for Reading: Once Upon a Time Challenge

Startling, unusual, and yet irresistably readable, Among Others is at once the compelling story of a young woman struggling to escape a troubled childhood, a brilliant diary of first encounters with the great novels of modern fantasy and SF, and a spellbinding tale of escape from ancient enchantment.

Raised by a half-mad mother who dabbled in magic, Morwenna Phelps found refuge in two worlds. As a child growing up in Wales, she played among the spirits who made their homes in industrial ruins. But her mind found freedom and promise in the science fiction novels that were her closest companions. Then her mother tried to bend the spirits to dark ends, and Mori was forced to confront her in a magical battle that left her crippled—and her twin sister dead.

Fleeing to her father whom she barely knew, Mori was sent to boarding school in England–a place all but devoid of true magic. There, outcast and alone, she tempted fate by doing magic herself, in an attempt to find a circle of like-minded friends. But her magic also drew the attention of her mother, bringing about a reckoning that could no longer be put off.

Combining elements of autobiography with flights of imagination in the manner of novels like Jonathan Lethem’s The Fortress of Solitude, this is potentially a breakout book for an author whose genius has already been hailed by peers like Kelly Link, Sarah Weinman, and Ursula K. Le Guin.

I have heard a lot of positive talk about this book, so I knew I was going to have to read it! Plus, I love the cover. My friend read Jo Walton years ago and told me I had to read her, too. She is on my TBR pile. This is my first time reading her and it is her newest book! Now I am particularly interested in seeing what happens in the other books I own by her.

I have been talking about doing a buddy read with Iliana for a while, but things never seem to work out. This time we both read the book, so we should post be posting our review today. I am a little late because my mouse is giving out on me and it is driving me nuts. Anyway, in order to do this we asked each other 4 questions. My answers to her questions are below and you can read her answers to mine on her blog.

1. The book has been described as a coming of age tale. What is one scene that you feel emphasizes this point?

I hate to think of this as a coming of age tale because I generally hate coming of age tales. It is only if I pretend they are otherwise I can stomach them. I can see this one being one, though. I think Morwenna really comes into her own when she joins the science-fiction book club. She has always felt like a bit of an outsider, but suddenly she finds that she belongs and her whole life changes as a result. She starts to get a bit more confident with her life and then she is able to tackle some of the larger issues hanging over her head.

2. Morwenna is a devoted reader of sci/fi books. As you were reading it did you take note of some of the titles she liked and would you like to read them?

There were so many good books mentioned throughout the pages of this one. I actually tried to find a website that lists all of the books in here. If anyone knows of one, let me know! There are several authors that have been on my TBR pile for a while that I haven't got around to reading. I now feel like I have further recommendation to finally get to them. One that comes to mind is Anne McCaffrey. I have known I had to read her for a while, but still haven't got around to her.

3. While it's Mori's mother that the reader is supposed to not like because of her actions, I thought her father was also quite unlikeable. Do you have any feelings about him and his actions (or sometimes lack of action)?

Yeah, there was one scene that turned me off him entirely. I thought I might like him a bit because after years of not being around he is finally making an effort, but then I got to know him and I was a bit appalled at the way he has acted. He has redeeming characteristics, though. As the novel progresses towards to the end I felt that he was starting to get his act together and be a parent. He still has a long way to go, but at least he was trying. He also loved reading himself and I can't entirely fault a fellow reader.

4. Would you recommend this book to any reader or only for sci-fii readers? Why?

I think this book has enough elements to attract any reader. I don't think it only works for science-fiction readers. Like the first question said, it is a coming of age story and that is a popular form of fiction. There are fantasy elements, but they are not too crazy as to turn anyone off that doesn't normally read fantasy. You could argue that they are not fantasy elements at all, but that is something you should discover with a read of your own. And, it is a book about loving books. You may not normally read science-fiction yourself, but you can appreciate the love of a reader and the enthusiasm she shows for books.

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger

Completion Date: June 28, 2011
Reason for Reading: Fun!

When Henry meets Clare, he is twenty-eight and she is twenty. Henry has never met Clare before; Clare has known Henry since she was six. Impossible but true, because Henry finds himself periodically displaced in time, pulled to moments of emotional gravity from his life, past and future. Henry and Clare's attempts to live normal lives are threatened by a force they can neither prevent nor control, making their passionate love story intensely moving and entirely unforgettable. The Time Traveler's Wife is a story of fate, hope and belief, and more than that, it's about the power of love to endure beyond the bounds of time.

As I mentioned in my last post, I have been feeling a bit disconnected from reading and blogging lately. I thought a good way to change things up a bit was to go back and reread some favourite books. I am also rereading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. This might be the year I read beyond book two in the series! This also might be the year I finally read Her Fearful Symmetry by Niffenegger. Anyway, I think this is my third time reading The Time Traveler's Wife. I read it when it was brand new, so before blogging, and then reread it in 2009. I want to say I have reread it another time, too, but now I am not so sure.

When I read this book for the first time it was complete whim. I was browsing the bookshelves at the store and my eyes fell on this book. At the time I hadn't really heard anything about it, but I liked science-fiction and decided to give it a try. When I finished I was so excited and lent it to a bunch of my friends. They gave it back and told me they didn't get why I loved it so much. That book has been lent out more than any of my other books, but I don't think anyway I have lent it to has enjoyed the book quite as much as me. That made me sad and was one of the reasons why I was so happy when the book started to get a lot of attention and then I met blogging friends that also loved the book. This is the main reason I stick with blogging even when I get a bit dispirited.

This book was enjoyable with another read through. I still love it and look forward to reading it again in the future. I find with the book that I fly through the first part, but since I know how the book ends I tend to read a bit slower. The whole book is good, though. It is just a sad book for a while there. When I read it the first time it was all a surprise. When I read it now, though, I know the story pretty well. I forget some of the details, though, so it still reads well with every reread. I still am baffled with my love affair with this book. I was drawn to it in the first place because of the science-fiction aspect, but this is also a romance novel at the same time. I am surprised that aspect of the story didn't turn me off every time I read it, but it all works together to make an enjoyable read. I won't rehash the story because it has been reviewed forever, but I will say that I love this book and think everyone that STILL hasn't read it, should read it!

Losing Focus...

Ah, blogging... A skill I seem to be having some difficulties with lately. I have to admit, when my computer broke and I couldn't blog... I wasn't as upset as I expected to be. I was initially when my computer died and I was worried I was going to have to buy a new one, but once I calmed down a bit I was very easy-going about the whole thing. I am not sure what is wrong with me this month. I am having a hard time reading, too. I just seem to be in a strange mood and I can't shake it. I keep thinking I should blog, but I don't. I keep thinking I should read, but I seem to be crawling through everything that I am reading.

This has been happening to me off and on for my entire blogging career. I sometimes wonder if it wouldn't be better for me to stop blogging entirely, but I always talk myself out of it. I do enjoy talking about books and interacting with other bloggers, but lately it has felt like a chore. I think part of this is because my numbers where there reading wise at the start of the year, but quality-wise I am lacking all around. There are some books that I have loved, but mostly I have read a lot of books that are just okay. As this trend has continued, I have started to feel more apathetic about everything. And, I am having a hard time concentrating on one book. Right now I am reading Game of Thrones by George R.R. Martin, listening to American Gods by Neil Gaiman, and rereading Outlander by Diana Gabaldon. I feel like I am making little to no progress in any of them despite enjoying all of them.

So, I have been thinking lately. For the first part of this year, I have been following along with all the changes that Amanda has been making to her blogging experience, and I sort of agree with her. This blog has never really been a personal blog. I chat about life-stuff once in a while, but it is predominately a book review blog. I am starting to think that I need to branch out in life a bit more. I was trying new things at the beginning of the year, but at this point I am back to the same-ole-same, and it is starting to wear on me. The things I normally enjoy doing are become a chore because it is all I seem to do. There is obviously a problem there... I am having that problem with books. I feel like I read the same thing over and over again.

I obviously need to make some changes... Now to decide what they will be!

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants: Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants: Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Completion Date: June 8, 2011

Reason for Reading: Finish the series.

From #1 New York Times bestselling author Ann Brashares comes the welcome return of the characters whose friendship became a touchstone for a generation. Now Tibby, Lena, Carmen, and Bridget have grown up, starting their lives on their own. And though the jeans they shared are long gone, the sisterhood is everlasting.

Despite having jobs and men that they love, each knows that something is missing: the closeness that once sustained them. Carmen is a successful actress in New York, engaged to be married, but misses her friends. Lena finds solace in her art, teaching in Rhode Island, but still thinks of Kostos and the road she didn’t take. Bridget lives with her longtime boyfriend, Eric, in San Francisco, and though a part of her wants to settle down, a bigger part can’t seem to shed her old restlessness.

Then Tibby reaches out to bridge the distance, sending the others plane tickets for a reunion that they all breathlessly await. And indeed, it will change their lives forever—but in ways that none of them could ever have expected.

As moving and life-changing as an encounter with long-lost best friends, Sisterhood Everlasting is a powerful story about growing up, losing your way, and finding the courage to create a new one.

I am really surprised to say this, but I really wound up liking this book. I was having a bit of a hard time getting into things at the time, but this book was entirely different from what I had been reading and it worked really well. This is the fifth book in the famous Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series and is hands-down the best of the lot. The characters are older, though, so that could be part of the appeal. It was really interesting to see what happened to them in the 10 years since the 4th book took place. They think that have everything that they wanted from life, but drastic changes take place that change everything. I was a bit worried about the direction the book was going in, but it actually all worked out for me.

The four friends have been close since they were babies, but things have happened in the last 10 years that has driven them apart. A lot of it is distance and not knowing how to bridge it anymore when it is only part of the group. Tibby has moved all the way to Australia, so she is not in close contact at all. She decides, though, that the four of them have to reconnect and so she sends them plane tickets to do just that. After this, nothing will ever be the same again. The first problem is that after the reunion, things have changed so much that the girls still don't know how to connect with each other. It isn't until other events happen that Tibby finally succeeds in bringing them together.

It was a touching story and yes, it was a bit of a coming-of-age story. Normally I don't like that so much, but it suited my mood at the time. These were characters that I had spent time with before, though, so it made it a story that I was all ready invested in. I think writing a book that followed up right after the fourth book never would have worked. It was a smart idea to set it in the future and then flash back to the events that happened during those years when it pertains to the story.

I quite enjoyed this book. It was a satisfying end to the series.

I received this book for review from Random House Canada.

Series:

The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants

The Second Summer of the Sisterhood

Girls in Pants: The Third Summer of the Sisterhood

Forever in Blue: The Fourth Summer of the Sisterhood

Sisterhood Everlasting

Chaos Walking - Book Three: Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness

Chaos Walking - Book Three: Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness

Completion Date: May 23, 2011

Reason for Reading: Finish the Trilogy.

"War," says the Mayor. "At last." Three armies march on New Prentisstown, each one intent on destroying the others. Todd and Viola are caught in the middle, with no chance of escape. As the battles commence, how can they hope to stop the fighting? How can there ever be peace when they're so hopelessly outnumbered? And if war makes monsters of men, what terrible choices await? But then a third voice breaks into the battle, one bent on revenge - the electrifying finale to the award-winning "Chaos Walking" trilogy, Monsters of Men is a heart-stopping novel about power, survival, and the devastating realities of war.

What to even say about this book that hasn't been said before... The first book in this trilogy was rather good, but the second book didn't do a lot for me. This meant that I put off reading the third book for quite some time. In an attempt to finish up some series/trilogies, though, I decided to add this book to my list for the Once Upon a Time challenge. I finally got around to it in May. I have to say, this was a satisfying conclusion to a trilogy that my feelings for were all over the place. This book made me rethink the entire trilogy and decide that I might like it overall a bit more than I expected to upon completing book two. Ness does write an entire story, but I still don't love it as much as other series and trilogies.

This book picks up where book two left off. Everything that has been put in motion in the first two books has to reach some sort of conclusion. They have been plunged into war, another shuttle has arrived to survey the planet, and things are very tense from the very first page. Todd and Viola take it upon themselves to change the outcome of events, but they still make decisions that they regret. No one is perfect and Ness addresses this issue a lot. The book was fast-paced with lots of different ideas circulating around. Does everything get tied up in a neat little bow with the final page? Nope! I actually think there is a lot of unanswered questions, but sometimes that makes the series all that more appealing. Plus, it is insanely popular, so there could always be a fourth book.

I still have issues with the series. I might like Viola and Todd a bit more with this book, but overall I never really warmed up to them. This is likely the main reason why I didn't love this trilogy as much as other people. It helps if you like the main characters... They bothered me and sometimes I just wanted to skip through some of their scenes, but I read on and wasn't as disappointed as I expected to be. The books do overall address lots of issues that can easily pertain to the world we are currently living in. This is just some of those issues taken to an extreme that I hope we never have to deal with in our world.

Overall, an interesting book that is hard to review because it is the final one and it is no fun having an entire trilogy ruined for a person.

This book counts for the Once Upon a Time Challenge. I received a review copy of this book from Random House Canada.

Series:

The New World (short story)

The Knife of Never Letting Go

The Ask and the Answer

Monsters of Men

Once Upon a Time V - Wrap-Up Post

It's over again! Time flies when you are having fun, though. My reading slowed down a lot in June, but overall I think I had a successful challenge. There are still some reviews to be written, but that is normal for me. I have been a bit disorganized lately, but hopefully I can catch-up on things soon.

For the challenge, I accomplished the following:

Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.

Novels:
1. The Obsidian Dagger: Being the Further Extraordinary Adventures of Horatio Lyle by Catherine Webb (Book 2)
2. The Worlds of Chrestomanci: Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones (Book 1)
3. Sisters Red by Jackson Pearce
4. The Shadow Hunt by Katherine Langrish
5. A Discovery of Witches by Deborah Harkness
6. The Peach Keeper by Sarah Addison Allen
7. Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones
8. Widdershins by Charles de Lint
9. Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett
10. Among Others by Jo Walton
11. Empire of Ruins: The Hunchback Assignments III by Arthur Slade
12. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White
13. Dragon Seer by Janet McNaughton
14. The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan (Review Pending)
15. Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon
16. The Orphan's Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice by Catherynne M. Valente
17. Chaos Walking - Book Three: Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness
18. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George
19. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms: Book One of the Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin
20. Promises to Keep by Charles de Lint
21. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
22. Fool's Fate by Robin Hobb (The Tawny Man Trilogy, Book 3)

Graphic Novels:
1. L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Eric Shanower & Skottie Young
2. Fables Volume 15: Rose Red by Bill Willingham & Company
3. Ursula by Fabio Moon & Gabriel Ba
4. Trickster - Native American Tales: A Graphic Collection edited by Matt Dembicki
5. Ghostopolis by Doug TenNapel
6. Nightschool: The Weirn Books Volume 2 by Svetlana Chmakova

Stories are not just limited to the printed page. Many entertaining, moving, profound or simply fun stories are told in the realm of television and film. To participate in this quest simply let us know about the films and/or television shows that you feel fit into the definitions of fantasy, fairy tales, folklore or mythology that you are enjoying during the challenge.

I have watched the following:

1. Inception (Watched March 21, 2011)
2. Sin City (Watched April 2, 2011)
3. Tin Man (Watched April 5, 2011)
4. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (Watched April 9, 2011)
5. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (Watched April 11, 2011)
6. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader (Watched April 11, 2011)
7. The Princess Bride (Watched May, 2011)
8. Bridge to Terabithia (Watched May, 2011)

Read two non-fiction books, essay collections, etc. that treat any one or more of the four genres covered in this challenge.

I have read the following:
1. The Magician's Book: A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia by Laura Miller
2. The Return of the Shadow: The History of The Lord of the Rings - Part 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien

This quest involves the reading of one or more short stories that fit within at least one of the four genres during the course of the any weekend, or weekends, during the challenge. Ideally you would post about your short story readings on Sundays or Mondays, but this is not strictly necessary.

I have read the following:
1. terribly twisted tales edited by Jean Rabe & Martin H. Greenberg
2. Dreams Underfoot by Charles de Lint
3. Muse and Reverie by Charles de Lint
4. The Very Best of Charles de Lint

I am especially happy with myself that I posted a pool of possibilities and actually read a whole bunch of the books on there! There are more that I will hopefully get to at some point and time.

Thanks again, Carl, for hosting a fun challenge!

The Orphan's Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice by Catherynne M. Valente

The Orphan's Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice by Catherynne M. Valente

Completion Date: May 20, 2011

Reason for Reading: Carry on with series.

Catherynne M. Valente enchanted readers with her spellbinding In the Night Garden. Now she continues to weave her storytelling magic in a new book of Orphan’s Tales—an epic of the fantastic and the exotic, the monstrous and mysterious, that will transport you far away from the everyday….

Her name and origins are unknown, but the endless tales inked upon this orphan’s eyelids weave a spell over all who listen to her read her secret history. And who can resist the stories she tells? From the Lake of the Dead and the City of Marrow to the artists who remain behind in a ghost city of spice, here are stories of hedgehog warriors and winged skeletons, loyal leopards and sparrow calligraphers. Nothing is too fantastic, anything can happen, but you’ll never guess what comes next in these intimately linked adventures of firebirds and djinn, singing manticores, mutilated unicorns, and women made entirely of glass and gears. Graced with the magical illustrations of Michael Kaluta, In the Cities of Coins and Spice is a book of dreams and wonders unlike any you’ve ever encountered. Open it anywhere and you will fall under its spell. For here the story never ends and the magic is only beginning….

This book is a perfect example of reading series in a timely manner. I still enjoyed the book overall, but I am sure there were details that I missed because it had been so long since I read the first book. There really was no reason for the delay, either. I am pretty sure I have owned this book since it came out, so I could have read it right then. Instead, I was getting a copy of her newest book and decided I should read what's on my TBR pile by her first. I still remembered the overall story, so it wasn't an entire disaster, but in the future I plan to read both books near each other so I can see if I missed anything.

This duology has always appealed to me because it is like you are sitting around a campfire listening to a story. I have always enjoyed having stories read aloud to me, and this is written in such a way that you can hear the story in your mind like someone is reading it to you. It is a refreshing change, too. I am all for things that are different. This story makes use of other elements from stories, but in an original way that will appeal to readers. I read it at a good time because I was in the mood for something different. I feel like I have been reading the same thing over and over again lately. I felt that this was a satisfying end to the set, too. I enjoyed the ending and how the story progressed to that point. This was a story with lots of fantastical moments that worked really well overall. There was nothing that didn't fit the story even if it seemed like a strange idea. I enjoy when an author can blend things together and make them work.

Overall, this was another great book by Catherynne Valente. A young woman sits in a garden and tells a story to an upper class young man. He lives for the stories and sneaks away to hear more of them over time. To many she is considered an outsider and to be avoided, but he makes her feel like she belongs. I strongly recommend reading the other book first. This is not a series that you should read out of order. I recommend it strongly, though, and look forward to more from Valente in the future.

This book counts for the Once Upon a Time V challenge.

I received this book from Random House Canada to review.

Series:

In the Night Garden

In the Cities of Coin and Spice

Computer Update

I was supposed to get my computer back today. It did not happen... It might be Saturday now before I get it back... I will probably be quiet until at least then. If you are looking for me, feel free to drop me an email! Enjoy the rest of your week.

Computer woes

This is what Kelly's computer feels like at the moment!

She will be back when it is fixed!

Marg

Short Story Monday - The Very Best of Charles de Lint Part 8 and 9

At turns whimsical, dark, and mystical, this extraordinary collection of retold fairy tales and new, modern myths redefine the boundaries of magic. Compiling favored stories suggested by the author and his fans, this delightful treasury contains the most esteemed and beloved selections that de Lint has to offer. Innovative characters in unexpected places are the key to each plot: playful Crow Girls who sneak into the homes of their sleeping neighbors; a graffiti artist who risks everything to expose a long-standing conspiracy; a half-human girl who must choose between her village and her strange birthright; and an unrepentant trickster who throws one last party to reveal a folkloric tradition. Showcasing some of the finest offerings within the realms of urban fantasy and magical realism, this essential compendium of timeless tales will charm and inspire.

You would think we did not know the days of the week, but I assure you we do. We are just a couple days late! Well, for the second part. So, here is another edition of my buddy read with Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings.

Stories Read This Week:

'In the Pines'

'Pixel Pixies'

'Many Worlds are Born Tonight'

'Sisters'

'Pal o' Mine'

That Was Radio Clash'

Part 8: Questions that Carl Asked:

1. "In the Pines" seems to invite trying a different perspective when looking back at one's life and one's dreams. What do you think of the message in this story?

This story has ruminated around in my mind for a while. I was entirely sure if I received the message that de Lint was trying to get across. The woman in this story had big dreams starting out, but never really lived up to them the way that she hoped. It was starting to get her down, but a visit from an important person from her past puts everything back into perspective. I think people need that once in a while. They are so fixated on the dreams they have when they are children, that they refuse to change them when they are an adult. She was thinking she was a failure, but she was just not concentrating on the right things.

2. "Pixel Pixies" had a couple of wonderful thoughts about books and reading in it, particularly "Wise and clever humans..." on page 303 and the first paragraph on page 315. Pick one (and for the sake of our readers type out that small section, and then discuss it if you would. (I'll choose whichever one you don't pick).

Wise and clever humans had used some marvelous spells to imbue each book with every kind of story and character you could imagine, and many you couldn't. If you knew the key to unlock the words, you could experience them all.

This was a delightful story. I believe the basic idea has been expanded on in the novel Spirits in the Wire. This one, though, has a strong bookish connection because it takes place in a bookstore. This speaks to the idea of being able to read. At one point, Dick, was unable to read. When he learned how to it opened up a whole new world to him. To him, this was magic. The ability to read is magical, though. I couldn't imagine what it would be like to go a large percentage of your life without being able to read. When you just look at the pages and see gibberish, it does seem like magic that people can make sense of these things.

It reminds me of an episode of Oprah. There was a man on there and by the time he was on the show, he was around 100 years old. He had spent his entire life not being able to read, but at the age 98 (I think) was given the opportunity. This story has always stuck with me because I think it is an excellent example of the magic of reading, but also the idea that you are never to old to experience something new.

3. "Many Worlds are Born Tonight" has some science fictional elements in the concept of multiple universes being created by our decisions. What do you think of that idea either in general or particularly in light of the protagonist and some of the decisions he did or did not make?

This story was interesting. I like the idea that when something happens, each possible answer to it starts its own universe. Then, you really could make any of the decisions. At first, it quite went over my head because it was a strange idea, but I have come around to it now. It still opens up some big questions, though, because of course you are thinking about whether or not it is possible and then thinking about your own life and how there could be more than one of you, and then it sort of hurts the head.

Part 9: Questions That I Asked:

1. What did you think of the vampire story 'Sisters' compared to the popular vampire novels out nowadays?

This was actually a rather good vampire story. I am getting tired of paranormal-type stuff, but this turned out to not bother me that badly. It was an interesting enough twist that it kept me reading. The story is narrated by a vampire and then you also see her sisters side of things, too. The main character did not have a choice to become a vampire, but she is offering her sister the chance to join her. I think he handled things well enough that it was believable. He changed the 'normal' beliefs about vampires, but not so insanely that it will drive you nuts.

2. This is one of those stories that I am not really sure what specific question to ask, so I will have to just ask what you thought of the story 'Pal o' Mine'?

I had read this story before and still found myself wrapped up in it with the reread. It just makes me sad. There are very original people in this world that are being held back by the 'normal' people. If you push the envelope, you are considered strange and often ridiculed or not understood. That is what the character in this story is dealing with. She writes amazing music, but it is not with the 'norm', so people are constantly trying to change her in order to fit in. Instead of giving in, though, she just gives up and ends it all. It's sad that these things happen. It takes all the really interesting people out of society and I like being different, so I would be bored if everyone was the same.

3. If you had the chance, would you take the opportunity offered to the characters in 'That Was Radio Clash'?

This was another reread. It is an interesting idea. The characters are given the chance to go back to before their life all went wrong and change things to make a different outcome. There are times where I consider it... I know that everything that you go through makes you the person that you are, but that doesn't mean it isn't tempting to know what is going to happen sometimes and avoid it. I am not sure if I would actually do it, but there are moments.

Previous Weeks:

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon

Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon

Completion Date: May 18, 2011

Reason for Reading: Enjoyed her first book, Godmother.

The story of two very different women, one mortal, one mermaid, and the clash between worlds best kept apart... It is a cold day at the end of the world when a young woman, a princess in hiding, looks out across a Northern sea and sees something she could not have seen. It looks...it can't be. It looks like a mermaid's tail. And, as she looks more closely, she sees that the mermaid is dragging a drowning sailor in her arms. Because, only hours before, another princess, the daughter of the sea queen, has decided to risk everything and take a look at the world above the sea: the world of mortals. And there she finds a storm, a shipwreck, a sailor, and sets in train events which will change both women's worlds forever.

I don't know what to think about this book. I read it a while ago now and still haven't entirely made up my mind. I had the same problem when I read her first book. There is something about her so far that just puts me off from full-out loving her books. I like the ideas behind them, but maybe parts of the execution turn me off. This book is also partly because I was never crazy about the original version of this story, so the retelling would have had to be amazing for me to love it. I have to say that I enjoyed her first book much more than I enjoyed this one. The idea of what a woman will go through for a guy has always turned me off. No guy is worth that torture. I had hoped that Turgeon would rewrite that part, but instead she made it even more graphic. I repeat, no guy is worth that torture!

I have always been a bit curious about mermaids, though. They are one of those mythological characters that do not get written about a lot, so I was curious to see a book with them having a staring role. And, it said it was a twist on the classic tale, so that had lots of possibilities. I had recently read aspects of this story in a Charles de Lint short story. I did not make the connection at the time. It turns out de Lint retold the original story as well. This novel has a contrast between a human princess in hiding and a mermaid from an entirely different world. A twist of fate brought them together, and even though they were technically in competition with each other... they became friends. This aspect of the story was one that the original lacked, so it appealed to me.

I wouldn't jump up and recommend this book to everyone, but I will say that it has some interesting points. I have seen positive reviews of it, so I know that other people did enjoy it. I just couldn't get passed the idea behind the book. In the end I suppose the author redeems the original story by taking things in a different direction, but overall this story just bothers me and I cannot seem to get beyond that.

This book counts for the Once Upon a Time challenge.

Happy Birthday, Marg!

Of all my blogging friends, I believe I have known Marg from The Adventures of an Intrepid Reader the longest. She is why I started blogging, actually. That means it is because of her that I have made so many wonderful blogging friends over the years and read lots of great books.

So, I just wanted to take a moment and wish her a very Happy Birthday!

The Beauty Chorus by Kate Lord Brown

The Beauty Chorus by Kate Lord Brown

Completion Date: May 14, 2011
Reason for Reading: Fun!

New Year's Eve, 1940: Evie Chase, the beautiful debutante daughter of a rich and adoring RAF commander, listens wistfully to the swing music drifting out from the ballroom, unable to join in the fun. With bombs falling nightly in London, she is determined that the coming year will bring a lot more than dances, picnics and tennis matches. She is determined to make a difference to the war effort.

5th January, 1941: Evie curses her fashionable heels as they skid on the frozen ground of her local airfield. She is here to join the ATA, the civilian pilots who ferry Tiger Moths and Spitfires to bases across war-torn Britain. Two other women wait nervously to join up: Stella Grainger, a forlorn young mother who has returned from Singapore without her baby boy and Megan Jones, an idealistic teenager who has never left her Welsh village. Billeted together in a tiny cottage in a sleepy country village, Evie, Stella and Megan must learn to live and work together. Brave, beautiful and fiercely independent, these women soon move beyond their different backgrounds as they find romance, confront loss, and forge friendships that will last a lifetime.

A couple months ago, Karen (Sassymonkey) sent me an email telling me that this book looked to be right up my alley. She was right! I had recently read the non-fiction book Spitfire Women of World War II and this was a good companion fiction book to move on to next. I just had to get a copy because I had all ready ordered books recently when this book came out, so when the cc ordered online I convinced him to add this to the order. Between Karen telling me about it, mentions of the book online, and the fact that the cc actually bought me a copy... I knew I had to read it right away! It's because of books like this that my reading has been suffering of late. It was really good!

I have always been fascinated with female pilots. I think it is because in the back of my mind, I have always wanted to learn how to fly a plane myself. I am not sure if I ever will, so in the meantime it is fun to live through the lives of other women who had the chance. This book predominately follows the life of Evie Chase. She comes from a rich background, so has lived a rather sheltered life. Now, though, she has decided to make a difference in the war. While at a party for New Year's Eve she meets a man that sets that whole dream in motion. She gets off to a rocky start, but soon she is taking to the skies in model after model of plane. Through her, we can understand just how difficult and risky this life was for the women who lead it. They were equally as brave as the men who flew, even if it was not in combat. The men had much better training than these women did at most times.

The book also looks at Stella Grainger and Megan Jones. They are roommates with Evie, so they add to the story. Stella is suffering through a lot of guilt and Megan is very naive. It is an interesting contrast. Especially when you add Evie to the mix! You get to see the lives of these three women intermixed with their jobs as pilots. It brings a human touch to the story of women pilots. Brown also works in the tragic death of one of the most famous pilots, Amy Johnson. She was covered extensively in the Spitfire Women book if anyone is interested. There are other books, but I haven't read them yet to be able to recommend them.

I am very glad that I read this book. It is really well-done and I got quite caught up in the story. The author did a very good job and I recommend this book strongly.

This book counts for the Historical Fiction Challenge.

Cross-posted at Historical Tapestry.

Week in Review (22)

Random Thoughts

I am not sure what is wrong with me lately, but I am getting very far behind in everything! I was so organized in the beginning, so it is a bit distressing. The more behind I get in things; the more stressed out I get. This is applied to blogging, reading, and life in general. It seems to be affecting all aspects lately. Most of my reading the last week or so has been very short books, novellas, or even short stories. I feel accomplished because I am actually reading, but I am in a mood where long books are not calling to me. I am just feeling moody, overwhelmed, restless... A combination of all those things. Hopefully I can get back on track this week and catch-up on a few things. I was fine last Sunday, so it is really a new thing. It is just annoying!

Challenge News

I basically just messed around with my reading this week. I didn't plan for anything. With it being June, though, I really need to get cracking on the reading swap. I haven't read like anything for that and I only have 6 months left.

Weekly Reads

120. First Flight by Mary Robinette Kowal (Completed May 30, 2011)
121. Eros, Philia, Agape by Rachel Swirsky (Completed May 30, 2011)
122. Overtime by Charles Stross (Completed May 31, 2011)
123. A Memory of Wind by Rachel Swirsky (Completed May 31, 2011)
124. The Yellow Wallpaper by Charlotte Perkins Gilman (Completed June 3, 2011)
125. Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi (Completed June 4, 2011)

It looks good, but the Paolo book is the only novel.

Weekly Posts

Week in Review (21)

May in Review

Review: The Return of the Shadow: The History of the Lord of the Rings - Part 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien and Christoper Tolkien

Short Story Saturday - Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales From Around the World edited by Kathleen Ragan Part 2

New Additions

Bought:

Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Borrowed:

The Actor and the Housewife by Shannon Hale

Ship Breaker by Paolo Bacigalupi

Other by Karen Kincy

Loaded:

Nothing this week...

Received:

Nothing this week...

Short Story Saturday - Fearless Girls, Wise Women & Beloved Sisters: Heroines in Folktales From Around the World edited by Kathleen Ragan Part 2

One hundred great folk tales and fairy tales from all over the world about strong, smart, brave heroines. A definitive sourcebook of folktales and fairytales and the first of its kind to feature a variety of multicultural heroines. Dismayed by the predominance of male protagonists in her daughters' books, Kathleen Ragan set out to collect the stories of our forgotten heroines: courageous mothers, clever young girls, and warrior women who save villages from monsters, rule wisely over kingdoms, and outwit judges, kings, and tigers. Gathered from around the world, from regions as diverse as sub-Saharan Africa and Western Europe, from North and South American Indian cultures and New World settlers, from Asia and the Middle East, these 100 folktales celebrate strong female heroines. In "The Mirror of Matsuyama," we see the power of a mother's love overcome even the silence imposed by death. In "Moremi and the Egunguns," a fearless girl faces messengers from the land of the dead. Fearless Girls, Wise Women, and Beloved Sisters is for all women who are searching to define who they are, to redefine the world and shape their collective sensibility. It is for men who want to know more about what it means to be a woman. It is for our daughters and our sons, so that they can learn to value all kinds of courage, courage in battle and the courage of love. It is for all of us to help build a more just vision of woman. Fearless Girls, Wise Women, and Beloved Sisters breaks new ground by reexamining our notions about heroism. This book will appeal to parents who want to foster positive role models for their children. An invaluable resource of multicultural heroines for any school library.

Today is the second part of my buddy read with Amy from Amy Reads of this short story collection. It was my turn to come up with the questions for the 12 stories that we read. You can read Amy's answers at her blog.

Stories Read This Week:

'"My Jon's Soul"'

'The Ghost at Fjelkinge'

'Little Red Cap'

'The Wood Maiden'
'The Child Who Was Poor and Good'
'The Pigeon's Bride'
'How the King Chose a Daughter-in Law'
'Marichka'
'Davit'
'Anait'
'The Fortune-Teller'
'The Tsaritsa Harpist'

1. What do you think the author of the story ' "My Jon's Soul" ' was trying to accomplish with this story?

This was an interesting story. It started off a bit strange. The main character was worried about the soul of her husband and whether or not he was going to be able to get into heaven. So, she takes it upon herself to go to heaven and make sure he will be able to get in. The idea behind it didn't really go with the whole 'empowering' image that these stories were trying for, but the conclusion did. She doesn't back down and she accomplishes her goal, so it all worked out in the end.

2. What did you think of 'The Ghost at Fjelkinge' in comparison with other ghost stories you have read?

This story actually reminded me of other stories that I have read. There were a couple aspects that were parts of other stories, at least in my mind. The being buried under the floor boards, for example, reminded me of 'The Tell-Tale Heart'. Most people were too worried about the ghost to understand what was going on, but this one woman stayed until the end and accomplished what the ghost had been trying for all along.

3. How does the story 'Little Red Cap' compare to other versions of the popular story?

When I read the first part of the story, I was surprised this book was in the collection. It was the typical story and it really about a little girl not listening, getting eaten by a wolf, and then saved by a passing woodsmen. It was not until she included the last paragraph that I understood why it was in there. It changes the story.

4. What did you think of the comparison between 'Little Red Cap' and 'The Wood Maiden' in the note section? Which idea do you think stories should portray?

In the note section, the editor compares these two stories by saying that by not following the rules, Little Red Cap is punished. In The Wood Maiden, though, the daughter is rewarded for not doing what her mother tells her to do. I think both stories have merit. I always found Little Red to be about not talking to strangers and not straying off the path because it can be dangerous when you are a child. The other story, the daughter just dances and has fun. I am not sure the severity of the situation is really the same. I think you can read both of them and get two different ideas without leading children to do the wrong things.

5. Do you think the dependable happy ending of 'The Child Who Was Poor and Good' gives a positive message to those who read stories such as that?

Sometimes I prefer stories that don't have happy endings. I will be reading and hoping that the author will do something different. I read a lot and I need some variety, but rarely do we see that in books as much as I would want to. This story had that perfect ending, but I think it would give an unrealistic view of what is like in the 'real' world.

6. What did you take away from the story 'The Pigeon's Bride'?

This story didn't really seem all that different than other popular stories. It was basically a retelling of another story. The title is alluding me at the moment. The guy appears to the princess as a pigeon, but if she tells anyone the truth then he will no longer be able to visit her. So, she tells her parents and he stops visiting, so then she goes on a trek to find him and win him back. I was not crazy about this story, really...

7. How does the story 'How the King Chose a Daughter-in Law' compare to other popular stories you have read?

This story sort of reminded me of 'The Princess and the Pea'. I am not entirely sure why, but the whole time I read it I was thinking about this... Instead of a pea under a mattress, though, this young woman has to find her way out of a very elaborate maze. It was also not a princess that succeeds at this.

8. The editor compares the story 'Marichka' to 'Hamlet'. What did you think about this?

This was a story about revenge. A woman bides her time and kills someone. It started out similar to Hamlet, but it is different in the end.

9. What did you think of the male filter idea that the editor mentions about the story 'Davit'?

That's my biggest problem with the popular stories. Even when stories are written to make women seem empowering, it still falls back on the popular aspects of other stories and makes it less about the woman and more about the man.

10. Judging by the first part of the story 'Anait', did you think it was going to be an empowering story?

I think that Anait was an empowering character, but I am not sure if the story itself seemed that way. Once it was played out, though, it made a lot more sense.

11. What message does the story 'The Fortune-Teller' carry with it?

I don't think this story was the best example. It made this woman out as a con artist, which doesn't seem like a strong character to me. Yes, male characters are played out this way often in books, but I don't think women need to be showed the same way.

12. What was your impression of the overall story 'The Tsaritsa Harpist'?

I really liked this story. It was a story of a woman using her brain to come to the aid of her husband. She was not compromising herself by dressing up as a man. She was just doing what needed to be done. It is refreshing to read stories where women rescue men instead of the popular story of women being rescued by men.

And, a general question, this concludes the section of stories from Europe. What do you think these stories tell about the culture of this country and the stories that come from it?

I might seem very picky with my answers above, but I did enjoy this collection so far. I just wanted very different from the norm stories. A lot of these so far, though, read more like retellings. It makes sense because a lot of the original stories came from these areas, but I still was hopeful that this collection would blow my mind a bit.

The Return of the Shadow: The History of the Lord of the Rings - Part 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien and Christoper Tolkien

The Return of the Shadow: The History of the Lord of the Rings - Part 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien and Christoper Tolkien

Completion Date: May 13, 2011

Reason for Reading: Non-fiction for Once Upon a Time V

In this sixth volume of The History of Middle-earth the story reaches The Lord of the Rings. In The Return of the Shadow (an abandoned title for the first volume) Christopher Tolkien describes, with full citation of the earliest notes, outline plans, and narrative drafts, the intricate evolution of The Fellowship of the Ring and the gradual emergence of the conceptions that transformed what J.R.R. Tolkien for long believed would be a far shorter book, 'a sequel to The Hobbit'. The enlargement of Bilbo's 'magic ring' into the supremely potent and dangerous Ruling Ring of the Dark Lord is traced and the precise moment is seen when, in an astonishing and unforeseen leap in the earliest narrative, a Black Rider first rode into the Shire, his significance still unknown. The character of the hobbit called Trotter (afterwards Strider or Aragorn) is developed while his indentity remains an absolute puzzle, and the suspicion only very slowly becomes certainty that he must after all be a Man. The hobbits, Frodo's companions, undergo intricate permutations of name and personality, and other major figures appear in strange modes: a sinister Treebeard, in league with the Enemy, a ferocious and malevolent Farmer Maggot. The story in this book ends at the point where J.R.R. Tolkien halted in the story for a long time, as the Company of the Ring, still lacking Legolas and Gimli, stood before the tomb of Balin in the Mines of Moria. The Return of the Shadow is illustrated with reproductions of the first maps and notable pages from the earliest manuscripts.

I have owned this book forever, so I was excited that I finally managed to finish it. I have started it a couple times, but it was never the right time. I included it on my list for the Once Upon a Time challenge this year, so I joined the non-fiction portion of the challenge to be able to count this book towards it. It was a really interesting read and before I was finished I bought the next book in the series. It's a bit confusing, though. Technically, this is book 6 in the series, but it is the first book that looks at the history of The Lord of the Rings. I know that some people are very particular about series order, but this book is marketed both as book 1 and book 6.

This book looks at the evolution of the books that would gain popularity in later years. It shows the progression that these books went through. There were a lot of changes. For example, Frodo used to be called Bingo. I am so glad that was changed! I don't think I could get used to that name. Then, there was no Pippin and Merry. I love the way those two play off each other, so I am also happy that was changed. Aragorn was originally a hobbit that wore wooden shoes. While very funny, that is another thing that I am not sure would entirely work for the story. Christopher Tolkien took all of his fathers notes and extensively researched everything. Some chapters there were many changes before it became the book we know and love. Other chapters were written almost entirely as they would later show in the later edition of the book.

I really enjoyed this book, but I have to admit that I have seen the movies more recently than I have read the books, so there were some details that I have forgotten. I need to reread this series after a bit in order to pick up on everything that happened during the course of the rewrites. The footnotes helped refresh my memory, but I am not sure I picked up on everything. I am looking forward to reading the second part. In many ways it is also a book about the writing process and I have always found that really interesting. I also should point out that the title of this book was the original title for The Fellowship of the Ring. I am not sure which I like better, but I think the title they wound up with is more descriptive of what the book is about.

May in Review

What I Learned

I love to read, but lately I have felt like doing other things. I think I need to branch out a bit and have a few more hobbies. I am always busy and such, but reading is my main past time and has been for years. I think I am getting a bit burned out by it all and need to spice things up a bit. It also doesn't help that I read some really awesome books in the last little while and haven't been able to match them these last few days. So, I keep picking books up and then putting them back down.

I actually used my eReader this month. I like my eReader, but since it is a virtual TBR pile, I never feel like I am accomplishing anything. Hopefully I can get a bit of a mix going in my reading. There are several books on my eReader that I want to read, but I also am enjoying seeing a decrease in my bookcase. I have just been piling up the books I have finished lately. I should take a picture, because it is a big pile of my own books!

New to Me Authors

Jo Walton (Among Others)

Kiersten White (Paranormalcy)

Laura Miller (The Magician's Book)

Kate Lord Brown (The Beauty Chorus)

Julie Kagawa (Winter's Passage)

N.K. Jeminsin (The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms)

Jen Sookfong Lee (Shelter)

Mary Robinette Kowal (First Flight)

Rachel Swirsky (Eros, Philia, Agape)

Charles Stross (Overtime)

Series Talk

Newford Series: 11/24 - Approximately

Nightschool Series: 2/4

The Hunchback Assignments: 3/3 - CAUGHT UP!

Paranormalcy Trilogy: 1/1 - CAUGHT UP!

Forest of Hands and Teeth Trilogy: 3/3 - FINISHED!

The Orphan's Tale duology: 2/2 - FINISHED!

Chaos Walking Trilogy: 3/3 - FINISHED!

Princess of the Midnight Ball Series: 2/2 - CAUGHT UP! (Anyone know what this really called?)

There is also the Discworld Series. I am not sure where I stand in that...

The Source

Library: 8

Borrowed From Friend: 0

eReader: 8

Personal: 13

What I Read

95. Muse and Reverie by Charles de Lint (Completed May 2, 2011)
96. Nightschool: The Weirn Books Volume 2 by Svetlana Chmakova (Completed May 2, 2011)
97. Widdershins by Charles de Lint (Completed May 5, 2011)
98. Equal Rites by Terry Pratchett (Completed May 7, 2011)
99. Among Others by Jo Walton (Completed May 7, 2011)
100. Empire of Ruins: The Hunchback Assignments III by Arthur Slade (Completed May 8, 2011)
101. Paranormalcy by Kiersten White (Paranormalcy, Book 1) (Completed May 9, 2011)
102. Dragon Seer by Janet McNaughton (Completed May 10, 2011)
103. The Dark and Hollow Places (Forest of Hands and Teeth Trilogy, Book 3) by Carrie Ryan (Completed May 11, 2011)
104. The Magician's Book: A Skeptic's Adventures in Narnia by Laura Miller (Completed May 12, 2011)
105. The Return of the Shadow: The History of the Lord of the Rings - Part 1 by J.R.R. Tolkien and Christoper Tolkien (Completed May 13, 2011)
106. The Beauty Chorus by Kate Lord Brown (Completed May 14, 2011)
107. The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley (Completed May 15, 2011)
108. Mermaid: A Twist on the Classic Tale by Carolyn Turgeon (Completed May 18, 2011)
109. The Orphan's Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice by Catherynne M. Valente (Completed May 20, 2011)
110. Chaos Walking - Book Three: Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness (Completed May 23, 2011)
111. The New World by Patrick Ness (Chaos Walking Prequel) by Patrick Ness (Completed May 23, 2011)
112. Hare Moon by Carrie Ryan (Completed May 24, 2011)
113. Winter's Passage by Julie Kagawa (Completed May 24, 2011)
114. Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George (Completed May 25, 2011)
115. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (Completed May 25, 2011)
116. Dead Time by Christy Ann Conlin (Completed May 26, 2011)
117. The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms: Book One of the Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin (Completed May 26, 2011)
118. Shelter by Jen Sookfong Lee (Completed May 26, 2011)
119. Promises to Keep by Charles de Lint (Completed May 27, 2011)
120. First Flight by Mary Robinette Kowal (Completed May 30, 2011)
121. Eros, Philia, Agape by Rachel Swirsky (Completed May 30, 2011)
122. Overtime by Charles Stross (Completed May 31, 2011)
123. A Memory of Wind by Rachel Swirsky (Completed May 31, 2011)

Favorite Read of the Month: (This month there is a list...)

Widdershins by Charles de Lint

Among Others by Jo Walton

The Beauty Chorus by Kate Lord Brown

The Rose Garden by Susanna Kearsley

A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness

Honourable Mentions:

The Dark and Hollow Places (Forest of Hands and Teeth Trilogy, Book 3) by Carrie Ryan

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms: Book One of the Inheritance Trilogy by N.K. Jemisin

Chaos Walking - Book Three: Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness

The Orphan's Tales: In the Cities of Coin and Spice by Catherynne M. Valente

Empire of Ruins: The Hunchback Assignments III by Arthur Slade

Books Added to the TBR Pile

Mr Rosenblum's List by Natasha Solomons
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
Promises to Keep by Charles de Lint
Flygirl by Sherri L. Smith
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente

I don't count review copies... I just count money spent. So, I read 13 of my own books and only bought 5. Very impressive!

Thoughts on June

I read some short fiction near the end of May because I was having a hard time finding something really good to read. If you look at my favourites of the month list, you will understand why! Hopefully in June I can start fresh and get more great books read.