Gender in Fantasy and SciFi Challenge (2012)

I am not entirely sure about challenges for 2012, but Eva was very excited about this challenge and thought everyone should join in. I really like the idea of this challenge, but my library has only 3 of the books on the list. I am not sure what will happen so I have decided to unofficially join in instead. It will really depend on whether or not I can track down some more of the books on the list or if I am willing to reread.

This challenge is hosted at Cynical Bookworm. You can get all the info and sign up here.

The rules are simple and not very restrictive:

- It's a 2012 challenge, so it starts on 1st January and ends on 31st December 2012. Join anytime!

- The goal should be 6 to 12 books (feel free to do them in any order/format/way you like). If you're tired at 6 books, consider it done. If you want more, go ahead.

- If it's an omnibus, count it as one book or as many as it includes - it's your call, really.

- The list might include multiple books from the same author. We think that it would be best if you read no more than one book from a particular author, so that you can diversify your reading, but feel free to read anything you like, as long as it's on the list.

- If you've already read one/some of these, great! Feel free to re-read them or choose something new. Whichever the case, we would like to see your reviews/comments.

- This list includes comics. Just keep in mind that all volumes of a comic will equal one book in this challenge, so that a balance is kept.

And the books are:

Margaret Atwood - The Handmaid's Tale (Would be a reread)

Marion Zimmer Bradley - The Mists of Avalon (Would be a reread)

Octavia Butler - Kindred (Would be a reread)

Octavia Butler - Wild Seed

Angela Carter - The Bloody Chamber (Would be a reread)

Suzy McKee Charnas - The Holdfast Chronicles

Charlotte Perkins Gilman - Herland

Nicola Griffith - Ammonite

Ursula K. Le Guin - Left Hand of Darkness (Would be a reread)

Ursula K. Le Guin - The Dispossessed

Anne McCaffrey - The Ship Who Sang

Vonda McIntyre - Dreamsnake

Marge Piercy - Woman on the Edge of Time

Joanna Russ - The Female Man

Mary Shelley - Frankenstein (Library Has)

Sheri Tepper - Beauty (I Own)

Sheri Tepper - The Gate to Women's Country (Library Has)

James Tiptree Jr - anything you can find, actually

Brian K. Vaughan and Pia Guerra - Y the Last Man (comic series)

Monique Wittig - Les Guerrilleres

Virginia Woolf - Orlando (Library Has)

Yoshinaga Fumi - Oooku (comic series)

What Are You Listening to Wednesday - Week 3

Debi at still with nothing of importance is doing this project where she had some of her favourite people send her lists of books she should read, movies she should watch, songs she should listen to, etc. I was sitting here drinking my coffee and I remembered that Ana had sent her a list of 50 songs and it was Wednesday. I live under a rock when it comes to music. I listen to music that has been out for 20 or 30 years most of the time, so stealing the list Ana sent to Debi seemed like a good idea. I figure I will try and listen to 5 songs off the list every week until I run out.

The songs for this week:

1. Vesuvius by Sufjan Stevens
2. Edward is Dedward by Emmy the Great
3. About Today by The National
4. Heads Roll Off by Frightened Rabbit
5. Ocean Breathes Salty by Modest Mouse

Of the five I had only really heard of Modest Mouse before, but I am pretty sure I have seen mention of a couple of the others. My first opinion of the songs is that I didn't really hate any of them. If they were on a CD I would listen to them with no problem. My favourite of the batch was 'Edward is Dedward', though. I am thinking I will have to explore Emmy the Great in more depth.

The song 'About Today' lead to me looking into a movie called The Warrior. There were comments on YouTube saying that the song and a scene in the movie were great. I am not sure when I will get around to said movie, but that's another thing I am usually behind with. The title makes me think the cc will like it, so we will go with that. The song has nice lyrics, but it didn't really excite me enough to explore the band more.

'Vesuvius' by Sufjan Stevens is catchy. I am thinking I will probably explore him a bit more, too. I really enjoy the covers to his CDs, their titles, and the names for his songs. He is creative in that sense at least. I am thinking it probably transports over to his music. I also see he has a Christmas CD.

Modest Mouse is the only one of the singers I can say with certainty I have actually heard of before. They are not a terrible band, but they have never really caused me to listen to them religiously either. 'Ocean Breathes Salty' was a good enough song, but not my favourite of the group.

Lastly, there was the song 'Heads Roll Off' by Frightened Rabbit. That is a very interesting name for a band, I have to say. I really liked the video I watched for this song. I liked the song, too, so it was an enjoyable experience. I am going to share video below, but I wanted to apologize because it has an advertisement before you can watch it. (I am actually listening to the song again while I write this and it is growing on me.)

I will probably listen to all 5 songs randomly during the next week and see what happens. I hope this post leads to some exploration of your own and I look forward to listening to the next 5 songs very soon!

The Infinity Gate (DarkGlass Mountain Trilogy, Book 3) by Sara Douglass

The Infinity Gate (DarkGlass Mountain Trilogy, Book 3) by Sara Douglass

Completion Date: July 28, 2011

Reason for Reading: Complete the trilogy.

Tencendor is no more. The land is gone. But a few SunSoars still remain, and a new foe walks the world.

Ishbel Brunelle, priestess of the Serpent Coil, and Maximilian, the Lord of Elcho Falling, have raised the magic of Elcho Falling, and found new allies against the darkness in the mysterious Lealfast. And more crucially still, Axis SunSoar, former god and current hero, has rediscovered the magical Star Dance and revived his legendary Strike Force to push back the evil hordes commanded by the DarkGlass Mountain.

But their enemy grows stronger through blood and betrayal, the Lealfast have their own agenda, and when unexpected treachery threatens, Axis SunSoar must face a darkness greater than any he has ever known.

Dear Ms. Douglass,

I have had this book languishing on my shelves for a while and then it seems to have taken me forever to review it. I still find it hard to believe that such a talented author is no longer with us. I simply have to remember that I came to your books late and have your entire backlist left to explore. The fact that I read you at all is because of the joys of review copies. I had heard of your books before, but just never got around to picking any of them up. There are too many books in this world and not enough time... Then the first book in this trilogy came out and I knew it was time to finally give your books a chance. I am so happy that I did because I have loved this trilogy and was sad to see it come to an end. It wasn't even a problem that technically this is a trilogy connected to one of your earlier trilogies. You wrote in such a way that I never felt like I was missing anything, but I still look forward to back-tracking and filling in the details.

The Infinity Gate was a bitter-sweet reading experience. When I really enjoy a trilogy I am always sad to get to the end and admit that it is over. I was so excited about the last book, but then when it arrived I kept putting it off until just the right moment. I finally sat down with it over the summer and once again was gripped by the fantastic writing and interesting story. The thing is that I am really struggling to write this review. It is always so hard to review sequels because I hate revealing to much of the story. Anything I say I will either ruin this book or the two books that come before it. I know that people read reviews at their own risk, but sometimes you can't help glancing at it while you scroll down to the bottom to see the overall opinion.

So what can I say? If someone is looking for a fantasy with a strong female cast, this is a good choice. Ishbel in particular is no damsel in distress. But on the other hand there are strong male characters that could lead to literary crushes like Axis, a carry-over from your earlier series, and Maximilian. There is a lot of action, though, which doesn't appeal to everyone. If you like action, though, another good trilogy to check out. And, even if you don't like the action so much in your books, there is a lot of other things going on. There is a story that develops in amongst everything else. There is also some romance for romance fans. The main romance is between Ishbel and Maximilian, but other characters have their moments. There is also magic, which is always fun. The battle between good and evil, which is common in fantasy novels. A very interesting world with different races and species created that are believable. There is also religion. Frankly, you have written a trilogy that has many different things that would appeal to many different readers. And, all three books were great. I love it when an author can write a second book in a trilogy that doesn't bore the heck out of me.

It really is sad that you will have no more books, but I believe you went out on the top of your game and I hope that many more generations of fantasy fans get the chance to read your wonderful books. You were also gifted with fantastic covers that will look gorgeous on any shelf. Thanks for delighting readers and leaving many books behind to be enjoyed. I know that you will never be forgotten.

Sincerely,

A Dedicated Fan

Thanks to Harper Collins Canada for sending me a copy of this book! This book counts for the Aussie Author Challenge.

Love Times Three: Our True Story of a Polygamous Marriage by Joe, Alina, Vicki, and Valerie Darger

Love Times Three: Our True Story of a Polygamous Marriage by Joe, Alina, Vicki, and Valerie Darger

Completion Date: July 21, 2011

Reason for Reading: Review Copy from Harper Collins Canada.

From a family that inspired 'Big Love's' story of Bill Henrickson and his three wives, this first-ever memoir of a polygamous family captures the extraordinary workings of a unique family dynamic, and argues for the acceptance of plural marriage as an alternative lifestyle.

I think part of the reason I am struggling with reading near the end of the year this year is because I have been having a hard time all year figuring out what I wanted to be reading. A couple times this year I have emailed my very nice contact at Harper Collins and asked her to surprise me with 'different' books. This book met that criteria very nicely. I have to admit that I am a bit intrigued by this 'alternative lifestyle', but I was never really actively pursuing the subject matter. I have seen an episode here and there of Sister Wives, but that is about it. I had never even heard of this family before, but I was impressed they were brave enough to write about their life for the masses. I was curious about just what it was like to live in a Polygamous marriage. I am the sort of person that is very sceptical of the institution of marriage in the first place, so why not explore different ideas.

The reason I am finally reviewing this book all these many months later is because I am watching Big Love. I was curious and I figured why not see what the show is all about. We don't have the channel it aired on, but I had heard of it before over the years. I wanted to see their viewpoint on the subject. I am about halfway through the first season and it is an interesting show. I was just explaining to the guy I was watching it and he asked what it was about. The best way to describe it is to say that on the one hand it shows how 'normal' the family is living in the mainstream world. They deal with the same problems as everyone else. On the other hand, it shows just how crazy the cult-like lifestyle is for those that live on the compounds. The 'Prophet' in this show is married to a girl who is only 14 or 15. It's horrifying.

Anyway, that is what this book is about, too. Yes, these people are in a Polygamous marriage, but in the day-to-day they deal with the same sort of things that we do. It puts a face on something we generally only hear about on the news for horrifying reasons. That is what the show Sister Wives does, too. I have to admit that I have learned a lot. I think before these families started stepping into the limelight I thought they were all crazy. I still don't think I personally could live their lifestyle, but considering the disastrous results of marriage in this world who are we to say what is right or wrong?

I have my problems. I don't like how sexist it is. God apparently says it is all right for men to take on many wives, but not for women to take on many husbands. I refuse to believe in a god that is that limiting. I also have a problem with a god that says that marriage should be between a man and a wife or a man and many wives, but doesn't consider marriage between two men or two women moral. See, this is why I didn't want to review this book. I am too opinionated and I try to live that stuff off my blog, but I wouldn't be truthful if I left it out entirely.

Moving on. The book is about the Darger family. It is told from each of their viewpoints. It talks about their childhoods, their adulthood, and now their marriage. It is VERY personal. They really don't seem to hide anything. They are really so normal, though. They are in the marriage because they want to be, their children are not being married off at a young age, and they can leave if they ever decide that they don't want to live this way any more. They have to hide, though. This book has brought them full attention and could be very damaging, but they were brave enough to do it. I applaud them for that. It is just such an awkward situation. I don't know if it could ever be made legal because what they do in those compounds is NOT moral. I don't care what your religion tells you. That is not to say that ALL of them are bad, but there are obviously some problems. These children being married to these old men horrifies me. They are way too young to have any say in the matter.

It is very hard to think objectively. I am basically of two minds about this. I also believe that this is a very debatable subject. I want to make sure that everyone knows this is MY opinion and has hardly been about the book at all... I think the book is important, though. It made me think and while I am not going to rush out and live the lifestyle myself, I can appreciate that this works for the people in it. I also find it rather intriguing that Polygamy has existed forever and this is the first family that was brave enough to write a memoir about it. You shouldn't have to hide who you are.

Yep, so this was a jumbled mess of a review. I recommend the book. If you are curious, you should read it for yourself and make up your own mind.

Thanks to Harper Collins Canada for this interesting read!

Week in Review (43)

Random Thoughts

I am not even sure why I am bothering with this post because there is not a lot to report. I didn't finish anything. I hardly even attempted to read. I am really hoping that December is a better reading month because November was depressing. I find that happens often, though. I just never seem to enjoy reading in November. There are other things going on that take my attention away, I suppose. When I could be reading I am usually cleaning or watching TV on DVD. I suppose it is nice to catch-up on a few things that I have owned forever and never watched, but reading would still be a good idea. I am hoping amongst doing laundry tonight I can finally get some reading done. There are many good books I am in the midst of that I would really like to see how things play out. Wish me luck!

As for my blog, I did really well posting in November considering the lack of reading. I was disappointed I got too busy to post yesterday or Friday, though. I am hoping the posting will at least continue because despite the quiet reading month I still have plenty of books that I would like to talk about before the year is over.

The sign-ups for Virtual Advent are still open. Hopefully a few more people will sign-up before we kick things off on December 1st. I am really looking forward to seeing what people post about this year.

Challenge News

I am hoping in December I will be able to squeeze a couple more challenge books in. I did very badly on the Great Reading Swap. I had actually hoped to get to many of them in November and December, so it makes November's quietness all that much more depressing. Some challenges will be finishing up in December, so I will be posting about them as we go along.

Weekly Reads

Nothing...

Weekly Posts

Week in Review (42)

New Books in Series - 2012

Review: Alice, I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

What Are You Listening to Wednesday - Week 2

Tuning in on Thursday - Week 4

Thursday's Tales - Week 3

New Additions

Bought:

Nothing this week...

Borrowed:

Nothing. I really need to go to the library on Monday...

Loaded:

Nothing this week...

Received:

Death Comes to Pemberley by P.D. James (Random House Canada)

Thursday's Tales - Week 3

Fables and Jack of Fables - A Catch-up Post

Jack of Fables - Volume 9: The End by Bill Willingham and Company

Completion Date: July 17, 2011

Reason for Reading: Carry on with the Series.

Jack Frost seeks to kill a dragon, unaware that it’s his own father. Jack Frost has just set upon the greatest quest in a long and distinguished career of great quests: To kill a dragon. Of course, he is not aware that the dragon in question is in fact his own father. Meanwhile, the Page Sisters find a new purpose in life: restoring the Great Library. This volume includes JACK OF FABLES #50, a special issue that includes appearances by everyone who’s ever shown up in the series.

When I first started reading this series, I would have been hard-pressed to pick a favourite between it and Fables, but then it went off in a direction that didn't really work for me. I enjoy the idea of Jack of Fables, but Fables will always be my first love. I am still sad that this is the end of the series, though. This will probably be filled with spoilers with it being the last book in the series, so if you don't want anything ruined you probably should skip down to the next review. In the earlier Jack of Fables, that was Jack of Beanstalk, Giant, etc fame. Now it has passed on to his son Jack Frost. I like Jack Frost, but his father was much more entertaining. He has been turned into a dragon and only makes periodic appearances now. In this edition, though, they have brought everyone back together again for a very interesting end to the series. The art was wonderful as always and I have overall enjoyed reading this series. If you want to know the details, you should read it yourself. It is no fun if I ruin it for you!

Series:
The (Nearly) Great Escape
Jack of Hearts
The Bad Prince
Americana
Turning Pages
The Big Book of War
The New Adventures of Jack and Jack
The Fulminate Blade (review)

The End

Fables - Volume 1: Legends in Exile by Bill Willingham & Company (reread)

Completion Date: July 25, 2011

Reason for Reading: I never reviewed some of the books in the series.

When a savage creature known only as the Adversary conquered the fabled lands of legends and fairy tales, all of the infamous inhabitants of folklore were forced into exile. Disguised among the normal citizens of modern-day New York, these magical characters have created their own peaceful and secret society within an exclusive luxury apartment building called Fabletown. But when Snow White's party-girl sister, Rose Red, is apparently murdered, it is up to Fabletown's sheriff, a reformed and pardoned Big Bad Wolf (Bigby Wolf), to determine if the killer is Bluebeard, Rose's ex-lover and notorious wife killer, or Jack, her current live-in boyfriend and former beanstalk-climber.

In 2009 I bought this book and its direct sequel with Christmas gift cards. I have been hearing about the series off and on for years, but I don't generally buy graphic novels. Let's just say that by the end of 2009 I was pretty much caught-up with the series and I do not like to think about the money that took. It was fun going back and seeing the start of the series. I had been regretting that I only reviewed some of the books in the series, so I figured with a reread I could at least have something written down for all of them. A lot of people have been comparing this comic to the television show Once Upon a Time. There are similarities, but I think there are enough differences that it is not really the same at all. I have to admit that I would have loved to see a television show of Fables, but I am also enjoying that instead there is something fresh to enjoy. In 2009 when I reviewed this book for the first time I had this to say:

It was great! This is an awesome idea for a series. I am so excited to read more from it. I can safely say that something from Fables will be on my Best of... list for 2009!

Two years later I still consider this one of my favourite series and I am looking forward to reread the rest of the books.

Fables: Volume 2 - Animal Farm by Bill Willingham & Company (reread)

Completion Date: November 3, 2011

Reason for Reading: Carry on with the rereads.

Collecting FABLES #6-10, the second story arc of the fan-favorite, critically acclaimed VERTIGO series. Travel to upstate New York, where the non-human Fable characters have found refuge on a farm, miles from mankind. But all is not well on the farm — and a conspiracy to free them from the shackles of their perceived imprisonment may lead to a war that could wrest control of the Fables community away from Snow White. Starring Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Plus, a sketchbook section featuring art by Willingham, Buckingham and Jean.

I consider to enjoy this series and the rereads. It was nice to be reminded of little details that I had forgotten since reading this book for the first time in 2009. With the series there are lots of fairy tale and bookish connections. There are many that I am sure have gone right over my head, but in this instance I had actually read Animal Farm by George Orwell and could compare the two easily. It was surprising how easy it was to do, too, because there really is a farm of animals from popular fairy tales that were unable to live in Fabletown. They are unhappy with the way things are, though, and begin acting out a scene very similar to the popular novel. After I finished this book in 2009 I was in a huge hurry to move in the series. It just keeps getting better and better. The art is once again wonderful and well-worth checking out.

Series:

Legends in Exile (review)
Animal Farm (review)
Storybook Love (review)
March of the Wooden Soldiers (review)
The Mean Seasons (review)
Homelands (review)
Arabian Nights (and Days) (review)
Wolves (review)
Sons of Empire (review)
The Good Prince
War and Pieces
The Dark Ages
The Great Fables Crossover
Witches (review)
Rose Red (review)
Super Group (Forth-coming)

Tuning in on Thursday - Week 4

Older Shows

NCIS - We finally have returned to our re-watch of this show. At the rate we are going we may get to season 8 in this century. There is just always too much else going on, so we are slow. We should have watched the 8th season and then gone back and re-watched everything that came before it. Something along those lines! We continue to enjoy the show, but I want to see something new...

Bones - I have been watching the 3rd season of this show recently. It was a short season, so must have been the year of the writer strike. It continues to be good so far and I am looking forward to seeing what else plays out in this season.

Community - We watched the first season of this show on NetFlix, but they didn't have the second season on there. Now that we have it, we have been watching an episode here and there. The episodes are also shorter, so they fit in when we don't have a lot of time for longer watching.

House - I actually watched the new episode of House last night just to get a feel for what is happening in the show. It's interesting, to say the least. I haven't been watching because I haven't entirely watched the season before it. I should have by now, but I have been busy with Bones and NCIS. If I have it on, the cc will watch House, but he is not a big fan.

New Fall Shows

Once Upon a Time - This show was sadly not on this week. I am looking forward to the next episode!

Grimm - I haven't had a chance to watch the new episode yet. I have plenty of time to catch-up because I think this show is on a bit of a hiatus for the next little while.

I continue to be behind in shows like New Girl, The Secret Circle, and A Gifted Man. I really must stop watching Bones long enough to catch-up!

Movies

We were going to watch a movie the other night, but I couldn't make up my mind what to watch. Any suggestions?

What Are You Listening to Wednesday - Week 2

This is a meme that is hosted by Dolce Bellezza. I have been seeing it around for a while and I am still not reading, so let's talk music!

I missed this last week because I got distracted with other things. This week I am thinking about the holiday season. I have been assigning dates for Virtual Advent, so that has made me start thinking about the posts that are waiting for us to enjoy. One aspect of the holidays that I have always enjoyed is the music. There are songs that I can listen to over and over again over the holiday season. So, I thought it would be fun to share a couple of those songs and ask those that are reading this what some of their favourite Christmas songs are. Please feel free to share in the comments.

When I was a child my mother claims my favourite Christmas song was 'The Twelve Days of Christmas'. I would demand to hear that song during the holiday season before I went to bed. It was a particular version, too... The Muppets. I still have a copy of that song and it still makes me smile all these years later. It is not the version with John Denver. I am not exactly sure where it comes from, but it is fun to listen to. I am actually thinking about the Muppets because the new movie is out today or tomorrow. I am thinking I might drag the cc to see it. I am so happy they are making a new movie for this generation. I introduced the cc's son to The Muppets only this year!

Other songs I really enjoy:

What are some of your favourite songs from the holiday season?

Alice, I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

Alice, I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin

Completion Date: November 7, 2011
Reason for Reading: Fun!

Few works of literature are as universally beloved as Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland. Now, in this spellbinding historical novel, we meet the young girl whose bright spirit sent her on an unforgettable trip down the rabbit hole–and the grown woman whose story is no less enthralling.


But oh my dear, I am tired of being Alice in Wonderland. Does it sound ungrateful?

Alice Liddell Hargreaves’s life has been a richly woven tapestry: As a young woman, wife, mother, and widow, she’s experienced intense passion, great privilege, and greater tragedy. But as she nears her eighty-first birthday, she knows that, to the world around her, she is and will always be only “Alice.” Her life was permanently dog-eared at one fateful moment in her tenth year–the golden summer day she urged a grown-up friend to write down one of his fanciful stories.

That story, a wild tale of rabbits, queens, and a precocious young child, becomes a sensation the world over. Its author, a shy, stuttering Oxford professor, does more than immortalize Alice–he changes her life forever. But even he cannot stop time, as much as he might like to. And as Alice’s childhood slips away, a peacetime of glittering balls and royal romances gives way to the urgent tide of war.

For Alice, the stakes could not be higher, for she is the mother of three grown sons, soldiers all. Yet even as she stands to lose everything she treasures, one part of her will always be the determined, undaunted Alice of the story, who discovered that life beyond the rabbit hole was an astonishing journey.

A love story and a literary mystery, Alice I Have Been brilliantly blends fact and fiction to capture the passionate spirit of a woman who was truly worthy of her fictional alter ego, in a world as captivating as the Wonderland only she could inspire.

Earlier this year I read The Autobiography of Mrs. Tom Thumb and considered it one of my favourite reads of the year. I knew I was going to have to finally read her earlier book after having it out from the library a couple times since it was released. The truth of the matter is, I am not a big fan of Alice in Wonderland. I am not sure what it is, but I have just never enjoyed that book. I have always been more interested in Lewis Carroll as a person and the life of Alice Liddell. This book was written to explore the relationship between the two and the events that lead to the hugely successful book and its sequel. She obviously takes some liberties with the story, but it all works out well in the end.

The only thing that turned me off about this book was how pronounced the child molestation was in the book. It has always seemed so strange to me that young children were allowed to spend so much time with a grown man that wasn't even related to them. Obviously the truth of the matter is not known, but there are lots of theories about what might have happened. The scene where Alice and Mr. Dodgson stop talking in the book is imagined based on plausible ideas. It is imagined, though. Their really was a strong friendship between the Liddell girls and Dodgson, though. There are many pictures from those times and it is obvious that Alice had some favoured status based on her having a book about her and the nature about some of the pictures.

One of the ideas in this book I really appreciated was how when Alice was a little girl she wanted the story to be written down so she was always immortalized as the young girl of the tale. When she gets older, though, she starts feeling the pressure of being forever young. She gains a lot of attention later in life when she sells the original manuscript, but instead of the young girl that everyone has read about for years they are faced with an old woman just trying to survive during difficult financial times. Alice had a hard life in many respects. It is entirely possible that there is some truth to the tales of her relationship with her mother following the revelations of her relationship with Dodgson. If that is the case it must have been hard. Then, she falls in love and is denied that love because of her rocky past. This love will haunt her for the rest of her life until she comes to terms with the fact she did in fact love the man she ended up marrying. She also loses two of her sons during the war leaving only one surviving. That is never an easy hardship to endure and ultimately leads to her husbands decline and eventual death.

The book also captures the times well. The dresses, the parties, the outings, the method of speaking. It is all captured for the audiences enjoyment in Benjamin's wonderful book. Even if this was not a book based on notable characters, it would still be enjoyable because it is so well written. Alice lead a life both real and imagined that captures the hearts of anyone. I appreciate the importance of the ground-breaking novels even if I could never get myself to love them like others have. Benjamin has once again written a book I mostly enjoyed. She is a very talented author and I cannot wait to see what she comes up with next.

Recommended for those interested in Alice and Lewis Carroll, for those that enjoy books with a literary connection, or just for people that enjoy an interesting story written well and set in late 19th and early 20th century England.

New Books in Series - 2012

These are just some of the books I am looking forward to in 2012 that carry on a series I am currently reading. I am sure there were be a few more in the end, but this is a start:

November 13, 2012

April 24, 2012

(Cinderella: Fables Are Forever)

August 7, 2012

May 15, 2012

May 1, 2012

May 1, 2012

February 14, 2012

February 7, 2012

Days of Splendour, Days of Sorrow by Juliet Grey - August 7, 2012

What Books Are You Looking Forward to in 2012? Are there books like Bitterblue and Fair Game for me that you have been waiting forever for?

Week in Review (42)

Random Thoughts

I am still not really reading, so not much point in even bothering with this post... I hate when I don't read. It probably leads to more stress and then the desire to read is gone even more. I am hoping December will be a better reading month.

Don't forget to sign-up for Virtual Advent! We have been doing really well with sign-ups so far, but the more the merrier! I am really looking forward to seeing what everyone chooses to talk about this year. Around this time last year it was discovered that the cc's sister had cancer and she wound up dying 2 weeks later. Needless to say it was not very festive around here and I was distracted from the Advent Calendar last year. I think that means I am looking forward to it all the more this year. I will be joining in for the festivities on the 24th. I annually post with Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings for the event.

Challenge News

Nada. You have to complete a book to work on a challenge...

Weekly Reads

Nothing! I think this is the first time I have done a post like this all year and not have anything read... Depressing!

Weekly Posts

Week in Review (41)

Reminder: Virtual Advent 2011

Library Loot

Look What I Got!

Tuning in on Thursday - Week 3

Friday Reads - 19th Edition

New Additions

Bought:

Nothing this week...

Borrowed:

See Library Loot post.

Loaded:

You know, I keep forgetting to mention my NetGalley books... oops!

Received:

The Infinity Puzzle by Frank Close

The books mentioned in this post from the fabulous Cat at Beyond Books.

Friday Reads - 19th Edition

I am sort of reading now, but still very limited... Like, I haven't really finished anything, but still have lots of books on the go.

This Week I am Reading:

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde - Yeah, still reading this book. It's not even very long!

Touch of Power by Maria V. Snyder - New Maria Snyder! I was so excited that I was accepted for this from NetGalley. I am even not minding the fact it is a .pdf file because I wanted to read it so bad. It reminds me a lot more of her first trilogy, The Study Trilogy, and that is awesome. I am hoping it continues and it will probably bring me out of my reading slump if the beginning is any indication.

Deja Dead by Kathy Reichs - I have been really enjoying the television show Bones, so I thought I would see what the books were all about. They are very different, though! Brennan is older, has a child, etc. It is cool that the book takes place in Quebec.

Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson - I was left waiting around the other day and this book was available, so I started it. It's nothing amazing, but it isn't terrible either. I will probably finish it up this weekend...

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson - Yeah, I did start this at another moment of waiting around for someone. I had my library books in my car and I have heard good things about this book. I will get back to it eventually, but I have too much on the go at the moment.

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford - Another book I have been meaning to read forever, started, and still haven't even got back to reading it yet. It seems to be my reading month. I start things, but then don't really get back to them. I still have only read 3 books this month, so I really should finish a couple other things.

On-Going Reading:

Grimm's Fairy Tales - I forgot to post about my two stories this week, but I am still reading them. I will just post about four stories next week.

Tuning in on Thursday - Week 3

Older Shows

Bones - I finished the second season of the show. I think I am going to take a break, though. This is the fastest I have watched a show pretty much ever and there are other things needing my attention. I really enjoy the show so far, though, and have even started the first book by Kathy Reichs. It is very different so far! I am not sure I would have read it otherwise, but someone I know has the whole set and I figured I would see what I thought.

NCIS - We are still on the same season of this show we have been on for a while. At this rate I should have asked for something else for my birthday and saved NCIS for Christmas. It will be after the holidays before we watch it, anyway. We tried to watch it over the weekend, but just when we would get around to it the cc would have fallen asleep.

New Fall Shows

Once Upon a Time - We continue to both love this show. It is so much fun! I love fairy tales, so it just stands to reason that this would be the show for me. I am still surprised that the cc enjoys it, too. We are looking forward to episode 4 on Sunday.

Grimm - I am all caught up in this show again. I really enjoyed the 'Little Red Riding Hood' and 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears' story-lines for the first two episodes, but then I was a little confused with the third episode. I had never read a Grimm story with bees before. I guess it does exist, but I hate bees. It was not my favourite episode of television ever. I hope they get back to more recognizable tales next week. I still don't love this show, but it is enjoyable enough.

Movies

No movies again this week. We have been too busy to watch much of anything together. This weekend is going to be hectic again because I am FINALLY getting a new kitchen floor. I imagine there will be pictures because I am very very excited. I absolutely despise the current floor. It is likely 15 or 20 years old. We had flooring picked out, but it meant either a new fridge or renovating the cupboards. The guy would like to avoid renovating the cupboards. I hated the new fridge option. So, we just got entirely different flooring...

Look What I Got!!!

I was going to do a post today for What Are You Listening to Wednesday, but then I received books in the mail. Cat from Beyond Books sent me these treasures. I am so excited to read all three of them! So, thank you so much Cat!

Library Loot

I am still not reading.... It's rather sad because look at what I have out from the library right now:

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick DeWitt

The Death Catchers by Jennifer Anne Kogler

The Name of the Star by Maureen Johnson

Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry

Fateful by Claudia Gray

Peter Nimble and his Fantastic Eyes by Jonathan Auxier

There are others, but this is my most recent loot. This is just the library loot. There is lots of other books I own and have kicking around that look interesting...

Reminder: Virtual Advent 2011

Sign-up Here

Week in Review (41)

Random Thoughts

It is here! The 2011 Virtual Advent Tour for the 6th year. I hope people will join in! The website was redesigned this year and for that I must thank Alex for doing a great job. She also designed the gorgeous buttons. You can find the sign-up post here.

I have still not really been reading so far, but hopefully that will shift before the rest of the month flies by.

Challenge News

None of the few books I have read this month count for any challenges.

Weekly Reads

235. Alice, I Have Been by Melanie Benjamin (Completed November 7, 2011)
236. The Secret Circle: Book 1 - The Initiation by L.J. Smith (Completed November 11, 2011)

Weekly Posts

Week in Review (40)

'Fair Game' by Patricia Briggs

Books I Really Want to Read

What Are You Listening to Wednesday - Week 1

Tuning in on Thursday - Week 2

Thursday's Tales - Week 2

Remembrance Day 2011

Friday Reads - 18th Edition

A Funny Interlude

Six Sentence Saturday - November 12, 2011

New Additions

Bought:

Nothing this week...

Borrowed:

Down These Strange Streets edition by George R.R. Martin

Revenge of the Lobster Lover by Hilary MacLeod

Turn of Mind by Alice LaPlante

The Night Strangers by Chris Bohjalian

The Antagonist by Lynn Coady

Night Eternal by Guillermo del Toro

The Lunenburg Werewolf by Steve Vernon

Loaded:

Nothing this week...

Received:

Nothing this week...

Six Sentence Saturday - November 12, 2011

Welcome to Six Sentence Saturday.

Where I try to express my thoughts on recent reads using only 6 sentences!!!!.

At the end of each review I will post a

rating scale of 1-5 using the cute and original (lol) Playing Cards.

Rating scale will be as follows:

5 of Hearts- You must read this book NOW!!

4 of Hearts- A great read, put it on your TBR list.

3 of Hearts- Glad I read but no big deal

2 of Hearts- Why did I finish this?

Joker Card - Don't bother (why did I?)

Six Sentence Saturday is an idea that I occasionally borrow from Staci at Life in the Thumb.

Princess of Glass by Jessica Day George

Completion Date: May 25, 2011

Reason for Reading: Sequel to Princess of the Midnight Ball.

Hoping to escape the troubles in her kingdom, Princess Poppy reluctantly agrees to take part in a royal exchange program, whereby young princes and princesses travel to each other's countries in the name of better political alliances--and potential marriages. It's got the makings of a fairy tale--until a hapless servant named Eleanor is tricked by a vengeful fairy godmother into competing with Poppy for the eligible prince. Ballgowns, cinders, and enchanted glass slippers fly in this romantic and action-packed happily-ever-after quest from an author with a flair for embroidering tales in her own delightful way.

I really enjoy fairy tale retellings, so I am very happy to be enjoying this series by Jessica Day George. One of the sisters from the first book, Princess Poppy, is the main character this time. She is on an exchange program where there is a chance she can find a potential husband, but things do not quite go as planned. The story involves an evil fairy godmother, enchanted glass slippers, and a servant who wants more from life. This is not my favourite series ever, but it is enjoyable enough because George tells well-known aspects of fairy tales and writes creative stories. I look forward to what direction her next book will go into.

This book was read for the Once Upon a Time Challenge. (Bit slow on the review, I know!)

Princess Series:

Princess of the Midnight Ball

Princess of Glass

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

Completion Date: May 26, 2011

Reason for Reading: Fun!

Yeine Darr is an outcast from the barbarian north. But when her mother dies under mysterious circumstances, she is summoned to the majestic city of Sky. There, to her shock, Yeine is named an heiress to the king. But the throne of the Hundred Thousand Kingdoms is not easily won, and Yeine is thrust into a vicious power struggle with cousins she never knew she had. As she fights for her life, she draws ever closer to the secrets of her mother's death and her family's bloody history.

With the fate of the world hanging in the balance, Yeine will learn how perilous it can be when love and hate - and gods and mortals - are bound inseparably together.

I wasn't sure what to make of this book, not even when I finished reading it, but it was a bit different. I don't read a lot of books where gods play a major role, so it was nice to break out of the normal comfort zone. There is so much going on in this book, so it is hard to narrow down what to even talk about. I really enjoyed it and look forward to getting to book 2 sometime in this century. Yeine is the main character and both her herself and her interactions with other characters make her very readable. I recommend this book for its different idea and good writing.

This book was read for the Once Upon a Time Challenge.

The Inheritance Trilogy:

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms

The Broken Kingdoms

Kingdom of Gods

Promises to Keep by Charles de Lint (Newford Series, Book 21)

Completion Date: May 27, 2011

Reason for Reading: Part of the Newford Series.

With the help of a mentor and an anonymous benefactor, Jilly Coppercorn has overcome abuse, addiction, and a stint in juvie. Though she still struggles to stay clean, she has found safety and love in a newly formed family that includes her loyal best friend, a lovely artist, and her caseworker. Temptation comes knocking, however, when her best friend from the bad old days rides in on a motorcycle and takes Jilly to a beautiful, mysterious city full of wonderful opportunities. It seems perfect at first, until Jilly discovers that it was a one-way trip—and she still has unfinished business in Newford. At turns playful and serious, this urban fantasy introduces de Lint’s most enduring character and grapples with the realities of life-changing choices.

I really enjoy Jilly Coppercorn as a character in the Newford world, but this book was a disappointment. It really just rehashes information that has all ready been revealed in The Onion Girl and Widdershins, so if you have not read either of these books this is a good introduction, but otherwise you should just stick with those two books. There were a few different ideas, don't get me wrong, but it still wasn't enough to make me love this book. I still enjoy Jilly, though, and if you have experienced the wonder that is Charles de Lint and his Newford series, you really need to do so! I did enjoy the trip into the world of the dead, but I am not sure I would want to visit there myself. I guess I just don't think this book was really necessary.

This book was read for the Once Upon a Time challenge.

Newford Series:

Dreams Underfoot

The Dreaming Place

From a Whisper to a Scream

I'll Be Watching You

Memory and Dream

The Ivory and the Horn

Trader

Someplace to be Flying (Read, but not reviewed)

Moonlight and Vines

Forests of the Heart

The Onion Girl

Seven Wild Sisters

Tapping the Dream Tree

Spirits in the Wires

Medicine Road

The Blue Girl (Read, but not reviewed)

Widdershins

Make a Joyful Noise

The Hour Before Dawn

Old Man Crow

Little (Grrl) Lost (Read, but not reviewed)

Promises to Keep

Dingo

Muse and Reverie

A Funny Interlude

I just couldn't resist...

Friday Reads - 18th Edition

I am still not really reading. It is very depressing! I have only finished 2 books for the entire month of November. TWO!

This Week I am Reading:

The Last Dragonslayer by Jasper Fforde - This book is very entertaining. I am really enjoying it, but I am reading it very slowly because I am just reading slow in general. It isn't even a long book...

Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet by Jamie Ford - This is going to be a buddy read. Where I am not really reading, I figured I should start early in case it takes me forever to read it. I have still just barely started it, but I have wanted to read it for a while.

The Initiation by L.J. Smith - I was curious what the books were like in comparison to the show. They are very different! Another very short book that is taking me forever to read...

On-Going Reading:

Grimms' Fairy Tales - This will be on here for a while. I am just reading 2 stories a week and then reviewing them for the Thursday's Tales. Some I have read before, but others if I read it was so long ago I will hardly remember them.

Remembrance Day 2011

In Flanders Fields

By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)

Canadian Army

IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow

Between the crosses row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning,

WE WILL REMEMBER THEM.

Thursday's Tales - Week 2

Carol at Carol's Notebook has this Thursday feature called Thursday's Tales that I have decided to adopt.

Jorinda and Jorindel

This is the story about an evil fairy and two young lovers. It is a typical fairy tale in that the woman is captured, turned into a nightingale in this instance, and the male character has to come to her rescue after being let go by the evil fairy. When I was a child I never really paid attention to the 'Damsel in Distress' idea, but now that I am older I obviously notice it a lot more. It's sad that fairy tales can't be a bit more empowering. And, it is too bad that so many people read these stories and believe in the knight in shining armour.

The Travelling Musicians

This was a cute story. A donkey, dog, cat, and cock have reached their older years and their owners have decided they have out-lived their usefulness. The animals decide that they are going to have to set out on their own to avoid terrible fates. It starts with the donkey wanting to go to town to become a musician and he encounters the other animals on his journey. Things do not quite play out exactly how they plan, but they end up with a happy ending.