Week In Review

Random Thoughts

I am posting today after all! I was cleaning up my sidebars to get ready for next year and decided to wrap-up a couple of challenges. So, this post was born!

It snowed last night. Our first significant snowfall of the year, actually. Well, actually, it snowed in January, February, and March; but you know what I mean. I am both happy about the snow and not. At least it wasn't enough to shovel, but soon shoveling will start and I was so sick of shoveling last year! It was never-ending! I am not anymore excited about it this year. They are saying there is not going to be a lot of snow, but you really never know. I hope it doesn't snow on New Years this year. We had a snowstorm last year and I want to do something this year.

Challenge Wrap-Up

I am getting my sidebar ready for 2010, but first I wasn't sure if I have wrapped up all the challenges that end up on December 31. Many I finished a long time ago and stopped keeping track of, but I still have the 2009 Pub Challenge and Herding Cats on my sidebar. I have also finished The Arthurian Reading Challenge. I might keep it on the sidebar, though, because it doesn't wrap-up until March and I might read a few more books that count for it.

2009 Pub Challenge - The object was to read 9 books published in 2009. Young adult were not allowed because it is a Pub. My list:
1. Men of the Otherworld by Kelley Armstrong 01/27/09
2. Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs02/03/09
3. Grave Goods by Ariana Franklin 02/17/09
4. Storm Glass by Maria Snyder 05/01/09
5. The City and The City by China Mieville 5/26/09
6. I Met the Walrus by Jerry Levitan 05/04/09
7. The Blue Notebook by James A. Levine 07/07/09
8. The Story Sisters by Alice Hoffman 06/02/09
9. Among the Mad by Jacqueline Winspear 02/17/09

I enjoyed all the books I read for this challenge. The Armstrong, Briggs, Franklin, Snyder, and Winspear were books in series that I really enjoy. The only two authors that were new to me were Jerry Levitan and James A. Levine. The rest I have read other books by. I don't know if I can pick a favourite because several of those books will probably make my best of list for the year.

Herding Cats Challenge - This challenge ran from April 1st to December 31st. The challenge asked for 5 books, but I read 9 that would count.
1. One Piece: Romance Dawn by Eiichiro Oda
2. Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer
3. Nation by Terry Pratchett
4. Skellig by David Almond
5. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
6. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
7. Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
8. Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Cherie Priest
9. Marcelo In the Real World by Francisco X. Stork

Another list of books that I really enjoyed! They all had something about them that I enjoyed, so I am glad that I read them. I didn't not like any of them, which is always good. As opposed to the list above, there were more new-to-me authors than ones I had read before. The only authors I had read before were Terry Pratchett and Diana Wynne Jones.

Printz Project

The Printz Project is an on-going project. So far for it I have read 17 books. I hope to read a lot more next year. I had more out from the library, but ended up returning them unread. For those interested in what I have read so far my list is as follows:

Jellicoe Road by Melinda Marchetta - 2009 winner
Nation by Terry Pratchett - 2009 nominee
Repossessed by A.M. Jenkins - 2008 nominee
Your Own, Sylvia: A Verse Portrait of Sylvia Plath by Stephanie Hemphill - 2008 nominee
American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yung - 2007 winner
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation; Volume 1: The Pox Party by M.T. Anderson - 2007 nominee
An Abundance of Katherines by John Green - 2007 nominee
Looking for Alaska by John Green - 2006 winner
how i live now by Meg Rosoff - 2005 winner
The First Part Last by Angela Johnson - 2004 winner
A Northern Light by Jennifer Donnelly - 2004 nominee
A Step From Heaven by An Na - 2002 winner
Kit's Wilderness by David Almond - 2001 winner
Monster by Walter Dean Myers - 2000 winner
Skellig by David Almond - 2000 nominee
Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson - 2000 nominee
Hard Love by Ellen Wittlinger - 2000 nominee

Advent Calendar

Don't forget about the Virtual Advent! It started December 1st, but it is not too late to join up for days that haven't happened yet. Be sure and follow along even if you are not planning to post anything.

Weekly Reads

I missed last week. In the last two weeks I have only managed to read the following:

Obasan by Joy Kogawa - For the Japanese and Canadian Reading Challenge. It is about the Japanese treatment in Canada during World War II. I both liked it and didn't... I was interested in the subject matter, but I wasn't crazy about Kogawa's writing method.

Fingersmith by Sarah Waters - Loved this book!

The Children's Book by A.S. Byatt - I am so happy that I read this book. It took me FOREVER! I just can't read chunksters from the library. It was my first Byatt and I both loved it and didn't.

Nova Scotia Book of Musts: The 101 Places Every Nova Scotian MUST See by Allan Lynch - I have been to a lot of the places mentioned, but I still have places to see! It was a very interesting book. I think I might buy my own copy.

Bone - Volume 3: Eyes of the Storm by Jeff Smith - The third book in the Bone series. I really enjoy this series! I think it is going to be next year before I read book 4. There is only one copy of that one and the list is rather long.

The Summer Tree by Guy Gavriel Kay - Okay, didn't like this book, but I have read Guy Gavriel Kay now! I discovered I was reading it but I was not retaining anything. I doubt I will read the sequels, but I do plan to try something else by him in 2010.

Truckers by Terry Pratchett - My first read for the Terry Pratchett 2010 Reading Challenge. I liked other books by him better, but I do plan to read the rest of the trilogy.

The Higher Power of Lucky by Susan Patron - I was actually looking for a graphic novel by her, but this won the Newbery and I had been meaning to read it for a while. It was pretty good, actually!

My reading has slowed down! It's rather depressing...

Library Loot

Where I skipped a week this is a bit messed up. I will organize and post one next week, though! I think I might post a list of all the books I have out from the library.

Sunday Book Coveting

Next week I plan to start brain-storming what I am going to buy with Christmas gift cards. I get the same amount every year, so that means I can start choosing now!

Six Sentence Saturday - Take One

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?)

Staci does this cool feature that I am borrowing. I have the worst time keeping up on my reviews, so I figure if I do this mostly every Saturday than I will review books I probably won't review otherwise. It will likely just be books that I consider okay, so expect detailed reviews (hopefully) about books that I love.

A Distant Soil - Volume 2 - The Ascendant by Colleen Doran

I didn't like the first volume of this because I found it too cliched and predictable, but I decided to read the second volume anyways. The series does not improve. I found this volume as predicatable as the first volume and probably skimmed at times. Doran essentially takes popular aspects of fantasy, science-fiction, and mythology and puts them together. It sounds like a good idea, but it just didn't work for me. It makes me sad, really, because it did sound interesting.

Bogus to Bubbly: An Insider's Guide to the World of Uglies by Scott Westerfeld
I read this because I had read the books related to it this year and wanted to feel like I completed the series. This book was actually pretty interesting because you do often wonder how authors get their ideas; but Westerfeld addresses that and wrote a book that answers the questions the readers have always been wondering about. I learned a lot. Even though it is a book about a fictional world, it is written very believably. I was glad I read it and was welcomed even further into Westerfeld's world. There are some aspects of it that I wouldn't want to experience, but some of the technology is pretty cool.



X/1999: Prelude by Clamp (Volume 1)
X/1999: Overture by Clamp (Volume 2)
Chris recommended this series to me, and it does have an interesting premise behind it, but it was not one of my favourite manga series. I find, for me, that manga takes a while to get going for me, but I guess we will have to see what happens. The library doesn't have the next volume, so not sure when that will happen, but as it stands right now the series is not working for me. It's been a while since I read it and it isn't even sticking with me. Clamp is an interesting company, though, so I have hopes because I enjoyed Chobits. I will do a more detailed review when I carry on with this series.



One Piece: Romance Dawn by Eiichiro Oda (Volume 1)
One Piece: Buggy the Clown by Eiichiro Oda (Volume 2)
One Piece: Don't Get Fooled Again by Eiichiro Oda (Volume 3)
I find manga series hard to talk about, but I have to talk about this series because it is so much fun! I love the characters and the writing. I am very happy that Renay suggested this series for the Herding Cats challenge. I need to read more books in this series right away, but somehow never seem to check anymore out. I was a bit worried that it would be just a little so strange that it wouldn't work for me, but it was enjoyable. To appreciate it, though, you really need to read it and that is about all I can say on the matter.

Nation by Terry Pratchett

Reason for Reading: Herding Cats Challenge, Dewey's Reading Challenge

The sea has taken everything.

Mau is the only one left after a giant wave sweeps his island village away. But when much is taken, something is returned, and somewhere in the jungle Daphne—a girl from the other side of the globe—is the sole survivor of a ship destroyed by the same wave.

Together the two confront the aftermath of catastrophe. Drawn by the smoke of Mau and Daphne's sheltering fire, other refugees slowly arrive: children without parents, mothers without babies, husbands without wives—all of them hungry and all of them frightened. As Mau and Daphne struggle to keep the small band safe and fed, they defy ancestral spirits, challenge death himself, and uncover a long-hidden secret that literally turns the world upside down. . . .

Internationally revered storyteller Terry Pratchett presents a breathtaking adventure of survival and discovery, and of the courage required to forge new beliefs.

Dear Dewey,

I really don't know if I should be writing this letter to you or to Ana. I FINALLY READ Nation, Nymeth! So, yeah, aren't you both proud of me! I was starting to worry that it was going to wind up going back to the library unread, but I knew that you both loved it, so I had to read it. It's interesting. Ana is a huge Pratchett fan, while you had only read one Discworld book. I don't know what I am. All I know is that I think Good Omens is one of the greatest things I have ever read and Terry Pratchett co-wrote it with Neil Gaiman. (See, Carl, sometimes I say nice things about Gaiman... You don't have to cover your ears!). I have read a couple other books by Pratchett, but he was always just on the list for the most part. I know that Ana loves him, though, like I said, and that has always made me want to read more from him! I am glad that I finally did!

You did a nice summary:

The story takes place in the mid to late nineteenth century on a tiny island which has been nearly destroyed by a tsunami. One survivor remains from the entire nation: Mau. But survivors from other islands and from a shipwreck wash up on the island and help Mau rebuild his home. One character, Ermintrude (who says her name is Daphne) has the biggest adjustment to make. She’s an English girl who was on board a ship that runs aground on the island. Unlike the other survivors, she has no shared language, history, culture, or even similar appearance to the others. But they all learn to communicate.

I do know one thing, I would hate to be called Ermintrude! What a horrible name! (Uh, no offense on the chance someone reads this blog and happens to have that name...)

I also really liked this paragraph of yours:

I was particularly pleased by the end. The endings of books often irritate me; they’re either wrapped up too tidily, beating the reader over the head with closure, or things are left dangling, or the end is cliched, trite, predictable. This ending surprised me, in a good way. I thought I had it all figured out, knew how things would turn out. But I was wrong, and I was delighted with what Pratchett did with his final chapters.

I have the same problem! Often I finish books that I loved, but the ending leaves me trying to figure out what I truly thought of the book. Pratchett appears to write good endings, though. The book I read after it, I still haven't decided what I think of the ending! Good thing it isn't a book I plan to review this week...

Anyway, just between you and me, and well, everyone that is going to be reading this... (Brace yourself, Ana). I didn't think I was going to like this book. I was not very drawn in with the beginning, and it was more a sort of book that grew on me gradually. I was about halfway through and I discovered that I was really enjoying it, but it was not something that happened right away. I am glad that while I have seen some reviews of this book, it has not been reviewed to death. That often changes my opinion. (I am worried that is going to happen when I finally read The Hunger Games, for example). If I was sick of seeing thoughts on it, I might not have read it at all. So, I am glad that I did!

I can see why both you and Ana enjoyed this book. This further proves to me that I really have to read more Pratchett! Actually, now I want to reread Good Omens. I wonder if that will be as good with a reread? I am sure that no one really cares, but I have reviewed like 7 books today! I am allowed to go off on a tangent! (Even though I am scheduling them, so it doesn't really look like I reviewed that many...)

I am going to stop rambling now.

Until next time...

To read Dewey's review of this book, click here.

Herding Cats II and The Non-Fiction Five Reading Challenges

I decided to join two new challenges... I am trying not to overload, but I am mostly done what I am already signed up for and these are challenges that I wanted to join last year and didn't because I was hardly reading! So, the challenges are Herding Cats II and the Non-Fiction Five.

Here are the guidelines to Herding Cats II:

1. Make a list of five books you love. Directions:

• Five. I'm as serious as a beached whale.
• All titles must be books you've read in 2007, 2008 or 2009.
• Please don't list a series; just the first book. If you really want to list a book in the middle of a series, you can, but it has to be that specific book.
• Feel free to share why you're putting the book on your list, because I am nosy.

2. Post your list:

• in your own journal, in the comments here, whatever is fine. Share the link to the list here.
• Lists should be public (no locked entries, no logging in to view).

3. Browse the new book list. Stay a while. Read a few (eta: if you want; not even reading is required this time around if you don't have time to commit to a new challenge but still want to share your favorites).

4. If you review your books, you can share the reviews. You know, if you want. No pressure. Definitely not.

I am allowed to pick five books for the Herding Cats Challenge. Do you have ANY idea how hard five books are to choose? So, I decided to go with two from 2007, two from 2008, and then one from 2009. Considering I have almost read as many books in 2009 in three months as I read in the entire year of 2008, that might not be the fairest!

In 2007, I posted twenty books that were my favourite reads.

I am going to choose the following two:

28: Stories of AIDs in Africa by Stephanie Nolen - AIDs is a serious problem in the global community. People all over the world suffer from the disease. We may call it the 'gay man's disease' or the 'third-world country disesase', but what we actually have is a disease that can affect any race, gender, or financial bracket. It has affected millions of people and it continues to be a serious problem. I think in some ways it gets sweeped under the carpet because diseases like cancer have such a strong position in our society, but AIDs is not a problem that is going to easily go away. This book is a collection of stories from REAL people affected with a life-changing disease. Not all of them actually have the disease themselves, I might add, but they have all been touched by it. It's been two years since I read this book and I still have these people's stories running around in my head...

Wolf of the Plains by Conn Iggulden - Let me set the stage. This book is a chunkster. I bought it mostly on impulse. I didn't really even know what I was getting myself into, but I loved it! I read it in like a day or two. I know because I bought it on the third and my review is dated for the fifth... So, it was a very readable book! It is the story of Genghis Khan, who is a very famous conquerer from history. The novels may not be entirely accurate, but we have to remember that they are historical FICTION and not historical NON-FICTION. So, yes, he does take some liberties with the story. It is still excellent, though! I have also read the second book, but I haven't read the third yet... I hate to see trilogies end...

Moving on to 2008... I had a bad reading year and my Best of Post is a bit disorganized!

My two choices:

Ghost Rider by Neil Peart - It still surprises me when I think that the charming comedian is the reason I read this book! He loves the band Rush and he has me listening to them a lot more than I used to. When he mentioned Peart's books, though, and suggested I read them there was no contest! I read three of them in 2008 alone and absolutely loved them! I actually reviewed them, too, which is an accomplishment in itself! (I am ALWAYS behind on reviews!) Even if you are not a fan of the band, you can appreciate this book. It really is a book about healing and survival. For a bit of background for those not familiar, Peart lost both his daughter (car accident) and wife within about a ten month period of each other. His heart was breaking and he really didn't know how to cope, so he rode his motorcycle. This book was written afterwards about his struggles and coping with a situation that could easily break anyone. It is a very good book... And, well, not at the same time!

The Serpent Bride by Sara Douglass - Okay, so I have to include fantasy. I haven't yet, which is baffling for me! Anyway, this is my pick because, well, it's Sara Douglass and I love this trilogy! And, Sara Douglass has cancer, so the third book in the trilogy has been put on hold while she heals... See, she needs support, so people should read her books! For those that read my blog regularly, here is my reasoning for this book: This year I am doing a lot better, but we know how I am notoriously bad at reading series right away or reading books by the same author one right after the other... Well, she was one of my exceptions from last year! The best thing about Douglass is she can also write a really good second book in her trilogies. And, well, Douglass is not an author that I see a lot around the blogosphere, which makes me sad!

And, now, for this year... One book out of 93. This is going to be interesting...

Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy (Skulduggery Series, Book 1) - I just recently read this book and I LOVED it! What a fun book! What fun characters! And, well, the rest of my choices are adult books, but this is a young adult read. So, anyway, read this book! You will NOT be disappointed! I haven't had a chance to review it yet, but believe me, it's great! It is the story of a young girl who finds herself caught up in very unusual circumstances. Skulduggery Pleasant (isn't that a great name?) circumstances. You see, Skulduggery is a walking and talking skeleton, and that is just the beginning of the great characters! It was just fun. I have the second book out from the library right now and the third book is either just recently out or coming out soon. I strongly recommend a read!

Okay, so coming up with five books was REALLY hard!

My List of Possible Reads:
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury (Want to wait for the R.I.P. Challenge, though)
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke (I REALLY need to get around to reading this book!)
The Bone Doll's Twin by Lynn Flewelling (I own it...)
The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart (Have out from the library)
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch (Own it)
Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta (Have on request from the library)
One Piece, Volume 1 by Eiichiro Oda (Requested from the library)
Four and Twenty Blackbirds by Cherie Priest (Requested from the library! Finally!)
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud (Own it)
Nation by Terry Pratchett (Out from the library)
Monkey Beach by Eden Robinson (On Request from the library.)
Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan (Out from the library)


Then, we have the Non-Fiction Five challenge.

The Rules (unchanged from previous years)

1. Read 5 non-fiction books during the months of May - September, 2009 (please link your reviews on Mister Linky each month; Mister Linky can be found each month on this blog)

2. Read at least one non-fiction book that is different from your other choices (i.e.: 4 memoirs and 1 self-help)

3. If interested, please sign up below with the link to your NFF Challenge post (all choices do not need to be posted and may change at any time)

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

I really have no idea what I want to read at the moment... I own a LOT of non-fiction books... I will have to think!