The Written World

Music Munday - Sons of Maxwell

2009-07-20T00:01:00.000-03:00

After the events of the last couple weeks surrounding 'Sons of Maxwell', I decided to look at their 'real' music videos this week. They are making quite a splash at the moment, but they are really just a bunch of guys from Nova Scotia. So, I think they should be known for who they 'really' are, too. Enjoy!

I like this video... Mainly for their costumes. I am such a history nerd! And, yes, they are wearing kilts. I like kilts as long as the people wearing them are not playing bagpipes. I have heard bagpipes too many times over the years...

A song that a lot of bands have done, but it's a fun song:

Green Angel by Alice Hoffman

2009-07-18T00:01:00.001-03:00

Left on her own when her family dies in a terrible disaster, fifteen-year-old Green is haunted by loss and by the past. Struggling to survive physically and emotionally in a place where nothing seems to grow and ashes are everywhere, Green retreats into the ruined realm of her garden. But in destroying her feelings, she also begins to destroy herself, erasing the girl she'd once been as she inks darkness into her skin. It is only through a series of mysterious encounters that Green can relearn the lessons of love and begin to heal enough to tell her story.

Title and author of book: Green Angel by Alice Hoffman

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Young Adult Fiction. Fantasy.

What led you to pick up this book? Nymeth recommends it and does it not have one of the best covers ever? I love the cover to this book!

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? Well, the cover, like I said above. I really liked the idea behind this book. It appears to be a fantasy novel, but really, it is about a girl that has to learn to deal with the horrible circumstances she has found herself in. Her family has been killed and she has been left alone. She feels like she is the only person still living, but events are going to unfold that show that there really are things to live for. It will save her from herself and allow her to find the person that she has lost. It was a touching, yet sad, book that can easily appeal to anyone that has had to go through the very strong process of mourning. Everyone deals with it in a different way.

What did you like least? I read this book a while ago, and while I enjoyed it at the time, it is not a book that has really stuck with me. It took me posting the synopsis above to really remember what had happened. Other books have stuck with me better. I hate to admit that it takes a lot to stick with me anymore, but that's what happens when you read a lot. If I had read this a different year where I hardly read anything, I think it would have been a lot more memorable.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? I have read The Story Sisters, The Ice Queen, Here on Earth, Practical Magic, Illumination Night, and At Risk. They all were rather different books. Four of them I read so long ago that I could probably reread them and they be totally different books to me. The Story Sisters has a review pending, so I will wait to say anymore on that one. The Ice Queen is probably my favourite book by her.

What did you think of the main character? The main character in this book was a broken character. I really felt for her. She had suffered an extreme loss and was trying to deal with it, or well, not deal with it, anyway that she could. She was trying to disappear, but by writing the book she was making herself remembered. She also interacts with interesting characters throughout. I felt like she was a readable character that with the exception of some magic realism, was dealing with the stages of mourning.

What about the ending? I liked the ending. It cleared things up and didn't leave anything hanging. It wasn't necessarily a predictable ending, but it was the ending that fit. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Friday Friends - Week Seven

2009-07-17T00:01:00.000-03:00

As I announced on here, I recently joined the land of Twitter. As a result, I have discovered even more book bloggers! This has meant that they follow me on Twitter, I follow them, and supposedly I read their blogs. What really happens is I use Twitter and often 'mark all as read' in blogland. I decided to make this weeks Friday Friends a list of the blogs I have discovered through Twitter. Since I suck at reading and commenting lately, hopefully they will get new readers to make up for me being so slack!

Bibliofreak - This blog is only a couple days new to me. I was exploring earlier and it looks like one I will enjoy!

Booking Mama - For some reason my feed program has me subscribed to this blog twice. Good ole technology!

BookNAround - Another blog that I just found. I was exploring this one earlier, too!

In the Shadow of Mt. TBR - A blog title that I could easily use, too! I had actually heard of this blog before, but I apparently only just started reading it...

MariReads - A blog I discovered just as she went to Scotland for a couple weeks. I'm jealous!

One Literature Nut... - I thought I was reading this blog, but discovered today that I was not. This is why not actually reading blogs can be a problem!

Online Publicist - Lots of good stuff going on at this blog. It seems to include book giveaways... Obviously a reason to read!

Presenting Lenore - She is giving away a copy of Mary E. Pearson's new book... Good reason to head over there and then stay!

Puss Reboots: A Book Review a Day - She will be guest blogging on my blog in August. A Music Munday post, so watch for that! (I don't waste time, huh?)

Today's Adventure - A new (to me) Canadian blogger. If you have been reading these posts, you would know that matters to me!

There we go. Ten new (to me) blogs for you to enjoy! Now, if you will excuse me, I got the latest book in Susan Carroll's Dark Queen series in the mail and want to go see what happens! Have a good Friday everyone!

Howl's Moving Castle and House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne-Jones

2009-07-16T00:01:00.002-03:00

In the land of Ingary, such things as spells, invisible cloaks, and seven-league boots were everyday things. The Witch of the Waste was another matter.
After fifty years of quiet, it was rumored that the Witch was about to terrorize the country again. So when a moving black castle, blowing dark smoke from its four thin turrets, appeared on the horizon, everyone thought it was the Witch. The castle, however, belonged to Wizard Howl, who, it was said, liked to suck the souls of young girls.
The Hatter sisters—Sophie, Lettie, and Martha—and all the other girls were warned not to venture into the streets alone. But that was only the beginning.
In this giant jigsaw puzzle of a fantasy, people and things are never quite what they seem. Destinies are intertwined, identities exchanged, lovers confused. The Witch has placed a spell on Howl. Does the clue to breaking it lie in a famous poem? And what will happen to Sophie Hatter when she enters Howl's castle?
Diana Wynne Jones's entrancing fantasy is filled with surprises at every turn, but when the final stormy duel between the Witch and the Wizard is finished, all the pieces fall magically into place.

Title and author of book: Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne-Jones

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Young Adult Fiction. Fantasy.

What led you to pick up this book? I really need to read more from Wynne-Jones, so this seemed to be the time to do so!

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? The world. Diana Wynne-Jones is a fantastic world-builder. She doesn't write anything that you cannot easily picture. When she tries to be a bit unusual, she can very successful explain how things are accomplished, so then it just makes sense. I love the characters. They all interact together in humourous and entertaining ways. The good and the bad, they all worked together to make a very readable story. There wasn't a character in the book that I didn't think was written really well. There is a lot of good things about this book.

What did you like least? There is nothing that jumps right out at me. I really enjoy Wynne-Jones and her writing. She can really do no wrong in my book.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? Yes. I read Fire & Hemlock. I consider it one of my favourite young adult novels of all time, and yet, it took me a few years to read anything else by her! That makes no sense, right?

What did you think of the main character? I really liked Sophie. She was a bit annoying in the beginning, but as she progressed as a character and developed more into who she was supposed to be she became a character that I will remember for a while to come. The oldest of three sisters, she had resigned herself to a rather dull life. Events conspire to end her up in The Moving Castle, though, and then she really starts to shine. You quickly learn that not everything in this book is how it seems and Sophie might just have some surprises of her own in store for you.

What about the ending? I liked the ending. Obviously there are sequels now, but there don't have to be. The ending ties things up nicely.

The sequel to Howl's Moving Castle

When Charmain Baker agreed to look after her great-uncle's house, she thought she was getting blissful, parent-free time to read. She didn't realize that the house bent space and time, and she did not expect to become responsible for an extremely magical stray dog and a muddled young apprentice wizard. Now, somehow, she's been targeted by a terrifying creature called a lubbock, too, and become central to the king's urgent search for the fabled Elfgift that will save the country. The king is so desperate to find the Elfgift, he's called in an intimidating sorceress named Sophie to help. And where Sophie is, the great Wizard Howl and fire demon Calcifer won't be far behind. How did respectable Charmain end up in such a mess, and how will she get herself out of it?

Title and author of book: House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne-Jones

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Young Adult Fiction. Fantasy.

What led you to pick up this book? Sequel to Howl's Moving Castle.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? Twinkle. I'm sorry, but I thought the scenes with him in it were laugh out loud funny. He is just a great secondary character. The interaction between him and the main character and him and Sophie were immensely enjoyable! This book takes place in the same world as the previous book, so I enjoyed more world building. I also love the humour. The fact that the author can make you laugh really adds to the book.

What did you like least? While I didn't enjoy this book as much as Howl's Moving Castle, it was still a really good book. I can't find any major flaws with it to mention.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? Fire & Hemlock and Howl's Moving Castle. I enjoyed both of them.

What did you think of the main character? The first moment that we meet Charmain she is reading. Apparently, she always has her nose in a book. When I heard that, I thought I was going to love her! Sadly, she is not exactly what you expect in the beginning, but she will grow on you. She has lived a 'respectable' life, by her parents standards, and now has to figure out how to do many things on her own. It adds to her character in many ways which will leave readers a fan of her.

What about the ending? I enjoyed the ending. It was one of the more humourous scenes in the book!

Cross-posted at Twisted Kingdom.

Author Love...

2009-07-15T07:09:00.004-03:00

Hello, everyone! As some of you may remember, I vanished off the blogosphere for a large part of last year. I was hardly reading and I hardly wrote any reviews. One book that I did manage to read and review, though, was Princes of the Golden Cage by Nathalie Mallet. It was my very first read of 2008, but it still managed to stick in my mind and make my list of Top Reads at the end of the year. Since I was not a very good blogger last year, I feel that I didn't give the book the attention it deserved. So, this is me saying: READ THIS BOOK!

Why am I writing this post all of a sudden? Because the sequel is out! Yay! I received my copy in the mail yesterday. I have to have a fangirl moment and say it was a signed copy from the author. Thanks so much for sending me this book! I cannot wait to see where the story goes next. Actually, I was so excited about the books' release that I bought Nymeth and Chris a copy of The Princes of the Golden Cage for their Bad Blogger prize. (Did I not announce who 'won' Bad Bloggers on my blog? I can't seem to find a post about it. Oops!)

Oh, I should also add that Nathalie Mallet is Canadian, so her books would count for the 3rd Canadian Book Challenge.

Lavinia by Ursula K. Le Guin

2009-07-14T00:01:00.000-03:00

In The Aeneid, Vergil’s hero fights to claim the king’s daughter, Lavinia, with whom he is destined to found an empire. Lavinia herself never speaks a word. Now, Ursula K. Le Guin gives Lavinia a voice in a novel that takes us to the half-wild world of ancient Italy, when Rome was a muddy village near seven hills.

Lavinia grows up knowing nothing but peace and freedom, until suitors come. Her mother wants her to marry handsome, ambitious Turnus. But omens and prophecies spoken by the sacred springs say she must marry a foreigner—that she will be the cause of a bitter war—and that her husband will not live long. When a fleet of Trojan ships sails up the Tiber, Lavinia decides to take her destiny into her own hands. And so she tells us what Vergil did not: the story of her life, and of the love of her life.

Lavinia is a book of passion and war, generous and austerely beautiful, from a writer working at the height of her powers.

By a strange coincidence, I started this book at the same time that Nymeth was starting it. We decided to do a buddy review. These are her questions for me. You can read my questions for her on her blog.

What was your favourite scene? Why?
- I think my favourite scene was when Lavinia and her friend went down to the beach to see Lavinia's husband for the first time. You have to picture it. Two teenage girls sneak away from their home to spy on a group of soldiers from a foreign land. They could be the enemy, so it was dangerous in the first place, but they also should have been on guard and these girls managed to watch them for quite some time. I thought it was it was a quaint scene in the midst of all the other drama of the time. That is not to say that there were not other scenes that I enjoyed, but that is the one that came to mind first.

What did you think about the way Le Guin framed the story?
- I really liked it. In a way, you knew the whole story before it even unfolded, but if you were like me, there were a lot of names being revealed and without a context I forgot most of the story. I wasn't sure how it would work having Lavinia aware of what was going to happen before it happened, but it turned out fine in the end. It makes you think, really. Le Guin wrote her novel as a poet was telling Lavinia's story. What if that is all that living is? Several books I have read lately have used this idea and I have to admit that it does sometimes give me pause.

What about the setting? I know not all that much is known about Bronze Age Italy, so there isn’t much we can compare it with, but did you find it convincing?
- Like you said, not a lot is known about the history that is represented, but there was nothing in the book that made me think it was entirely implausible. I think for what we know about this time period in history, Le Guin did a very good job of representing it. She didn't try to go too far out of the realm of possibilty just because it is a little known part of history and she is essentially a sci-fi/fantasy author, so I think it worked. I enjoyed it, anyway!

What did you think of Aeneas’ son Ascanius?
- Well, I am not really all that sure. I was thinking this very question while reading this book, to be entirely honest. At times I didn't like him, but there were other times that felt sorry for him. I think he just felt lost. He had been through a lot and was not really sure what was the correct way to handle things anymore. He wanted very much for his father to be proud of him, but at the same time he wasn't sure how to go about doing that. He also lived a lifestyle that was not exactly proper for the times, so he often had to live a lie. By the end of the book, I actually didn't mind him, but in the beginning he was not my favourite character. I also think he got blamed for things that were not really within his control, which made him look even worse than he actually was.

Was there anything about the novel you were less than happy with?
- Actually, I think I consider this my favourite Ursula Le Guin novel. It reminds me of Marion Zimmer Bradley and other female-told novels. There are not enough books of this nature out there, so you have to appreciate what you have. Ursula is an author that I consider a hit or miss author with me, so to be able to say that I loved this book is very rare when she is considered. I am still not a huge fan of her writing style, or maybe voice is the best way to word it, but it worked for this novel. I recommend it!

Another book that I wish I had bought and not just read through the library...

Music Mundays Guest Post

2009-07-13T00:01:00.000-03:00

When Kailana asked me to write a guest post for her, I was more than happy to!

Then she told me she wanted a Music Munday post.

And there I gave pause. I told her, you’re crazy; I’m the absolute worst person to write a Music Munday post. Munday could be Mundane as far as my taste in music is concerned. For, you see, I have a very mundane taste in music. I’ve tried to branch out, but the ONLY stuff I seem to like are Top 20 bands. Top 20 ROCK bands. I AM the one who needs a musical tutorial. But then she said “frankly, it would be nice to have something a bit mainstream….”

So here I am.

I have a musical background. I grew up with singing in my family. I took piano lesions for years. I played many instruments in my school band including alto sax (my fave!), clarinet, tenor sax, baritone sax and even a little flute. I play hand bells at church and used to sing in the choir. I even contemplated a career in music; but the actual practice of ‘practicing’ was my downfall. Anyway, I have a musical background.

Yet I do no have a cultured taste in music.

I’m not sure if’s my mood lately or something going on deeper, but I’ve been attracted to a lot of rocking music lately. Grinding guitars, bone-deep throbbing drum beats, heart-skipping bass lines…oh I am so there. The ones that really get me are the ones who have that lovely little piano melody thrilling in the background…perfection. So here, to my eternal embarrassment is some of the music I’ve been enjoying lately:

Seether is a hit or miss band for me. The songs I love, I LOVE; the songs I hate, I HATE; there isn’t much middle ground. And now, they have released a cover of George Michael’s song CARELESS WHISPER and I just can’t seem to take it off repeat. I have listened to it so much; my daughter has learned some of the words. But it’s just so GOOD.

I Don’t Care by Apocalypica, who I am actually not too embarrassed to say I like very much, because they are a cool band, even by my mediocre standards. Apocalypica is a band from Finland, which is made up of classically trained cellists. Their music features all kinds of different influences; classical music, neo-classical music, metal, thrash metal, symphonic metal, etc, etc, it just kicks butt. And I Don’t Care, with guest singer Adam Gontier from Three Days Grace kicks major butt. Since embedding on the real video has been removed from YouTube, here is another. Just listen to the song ;)

The entire CD, Sounds of Madness, by Shinedown is just awesome. My favorite songs at the moment are "Sounds of Madness," "Call Me," and "Second Chance." "Second Chance" is the only one with a video at the moment. And the video makes me laugh because it reminds me of the trailer for a ridiculously horrible movie (at least it looks like it, I haven’t actually SEEN it, nor do I plan to) C ME DANCE. You should totally look that up.

And actually, I found a video for Call Me on YouTube. I just love this song, I love any song with just piano, a few strings, and a good singer. The video is just the song and the lyrics.

And lastly, anything by Alter Bridge. Alter Bridge is a band comprised of most of the members of the band Creed (the good parts of Creed, IMO) with lead singer Myles Kennedy. At first, I was resistant to liking this band but my husband loves (LOVES) them and I finally caught on. Their songs Watch Over You and Open Your Eyes are my faves.

So there you have it; what I’m jamming to this summer. Now it’s your turn. Educate me. What should I be listening to?

More On Customer Service...

2009-07-12T16:01:00.000-03:00

Dave Carroll has a video response following the 'United Breaks Guitars' video. He mentions how he wants them to give the money for him to a charity of their choice, and I believe that they are going to. The cc mentioned it earlier, but I can't remember the name of the charity. There is also going to be a video 2!

Sunday Book Coveting... I Bought Books!

2009-07-12T12:01:00.002-03:00

Other than a couple books here and there to continue on with series, I haven't really bought any books since I spent my gift certificates from Christmas. I decided that I deserved a splurge, so splurge I did!

So, what did I buy? I bought:

Fables: 1001 Nights Of Snowfall by Bill Willingham, etc.
Fables Vol 10: The Good Prince by Bill Willingham, etc.
Fables Vol. 11: War And Pieces by Bill Willingham, etc.
Carpe Corpus: Morganville Vampire Series by Rachel Caine
The Ghost Brigades by John Scalzi

Then, since I was already being bad...  I decided to preorder books...

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs
Sea Glass by Maria V. Snyder
Graceling (paperback) by Kristin Cashone
Fables Vol 12: The Dark Ages by Bill Willingham, etc.
Fire by Kristin Cashore
Fables Vol 13: The Great Fables Crossover by Bill Willingham

That should do me until October when I have my birthday.

What about you?  Bought any books lately?

I Was A Rat! by Philip Pullman

2009-07-11T22:53:00.003-03:00

“I Was a Rat!” So insists a scruffy boy named Roger. Maybe it’s true. But what is he now? A terrifying monster running wild in the sewers? The Daily Scourge is sure of it. A victim of “Rodent Delusion”? The hospital nurse says yes. A lucrative fairground freak? He is to Mr. Tapscrew. A champion wriggler and a budding thief? That’s what Billy thinks. Or just an ordinary small boy, though a little ratty in his habits? Only three people believe this version of the story. And it may take a royal intervention—and a bit of magic—to convince the rest of the world.

Set against the backdrop of a Royal Wedding—and a playful parody of the press, I Was a Rat! is a magical weaving of humor, fairy tale, and adventure.

Title and author of book: I was a Rat! by Philip Pullman

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Juvenile Fiction. Fantasy. Fairy Tale Retelling.

What led you to pick up this book? Ana recommended it in a post, so I read it for the Once Upon a Time Challenge III.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? I thought the book was a cute, quaint little story. It wasn't long, but it was touching. It is essentially a story of becoming someone that belongs, even if you are not sure if you deserve it. It is also a story of acceptance because the main character is not like everyone else. Some people look on his as a sideshow act, but he does find people that love and accept him for who he is. I liked the message behind the book.

What did you like least? It was too short. I think I would have preferred a novel because there were some characters and incidents that I would have liked to have seen more detail from.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? I probably should skip this question... I swear, there is something wrong with me, but I did not like the other books by him that I have read. Anyone that knows him knows what famous trilogy I am talking about... Pullman is a better writer than some of the series/trilogies that I profess to hate, though. He has that going for him!

What did you think of the main character? Roger was a cute character. A little annoying at times, but that was entirely the point. 'He was a rat!', or so he keeps telling anyone that asks. He was funny, too. Not entirely on purpose, but he did get himself into his fair share of adventures that lead to interesting storylines. I wouldn't mind seeing more from him!

What about the ending? I liked the ending. It didn't really surprise me. I had figured out which fairy tale it was retelling from the very beginning, but I still liked it.

I thought this book was quite enjoyable! I think everyone should take the time to read about Roger's adventures.

Mister Monday: Keys to the Kingdom (Book 1) by Garth Nix

2009-07-09T12:01:00.002-03:00

Seven days. Seven keys. Seven virtues. Seven sins. One mysterious house is the doorway to a very mysterious world -- where one boy is about to venture and unlock a number of fantastical secrets. This is another thrilling, triumphantly imaginative series from Garth Nix, the best-selling author of THE SEVENTH TOWER, SABRIEL, and LIRAEL.

Title and author of book: Mister Monday: Keys to the Kingdom (Book 1) by Garth Nix

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Young Adult Fiction. Fantasy.

What led you to pick up this book? I have read Sabriel by him, but I didn't love it as much as others. Before attempting to finish that series, I thought I would detour and see if I like this one better.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? It's the titles of the books in this series that first really interested me. I thought a series that took after the days of the week was very creative. I found this book readable. It was an interesting storyline. I think the beginning of the book really caught my interest. I won't go into a lot of detail because then it would be a spoiler! I mainly just liked the many ways that Nix incorporated books and book related things into the book. If all the series has this in common, I think I will be in for a treat!

What did you like least? The writing was a bit too juvenile for my taste. That's what the series is marketed to, though, so it makes sense. It just didn't always work well for me.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? Just Sabriel, which I mentioned above. I have the sequel to this out from the library but haven't read it yet.

What did you think of the main character? I don't really have a strong response to him. I didn't love him and I didn't hate him. To be truthful, Mister Monday and his team have stuck in my mind better than the main character. I think they were very memorably written, while the main character was pretty average. I believe he is the main character to the whole series, though, so he might become more alive for me as I read.

What about the ending? It is set up for a sequel, but not in an annoying way.

Not my favourite book ever, but a fun series. If just for the book theme I will continue reading it. I am a nerd that way!

Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

2009-07-09T00:01:00.000-03:00

This moving, charming graphic novel about a dog and a robot shows us in poignant detail how powerful and fragile relationships are. After a Labor Day jaunt to the beach leaves the robot rusted, immobilized in the sand, the dog must return alone to the life they shared. But the memory of their friendship lingers, and as the seasons pass, the dog tries to fill the emotional void left by the loss of his closest friend, making and losing a series of friends, from a melting snowman to epicurean anteaters. But for the robot, lying rusting on the beach, the only relief from loneliness is in dreams.

Title and author of book: Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Graphic Novel. Fantasy?

What led you to pick up this book? I have seen a couple of reviews that made it look promising, so I figured I would give it a try.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? I liked this book because it was different. It is not like anything I had read before, to be truthful. You had to make your own impressions about the book based on the pictures. There were no words telling you exactly what was going on. This meant that the artist had to be able to draw pictures that were clear. It also meant that each person that 'reads' this book might not get the same impression from it. That made it fresh, which really interested me.

What did you like least? On the other hand, I am finding that I am not very good at 'reading' books by use of pictures. I think at heart I am a novel girl. I like words and I find that I have a hard time remembering to pay attention the pictures. I expect the words to tell me everything that is going on. At least with this book there were no words, so you had to pay attention to the pictures. While I did like this book, though, it is not something that I need to read a lot of. Plus, I am glad I got it from the library because it wouldn't be worth it to me to own it.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? No. This was my first.

What did you think of the main character? I think there were two main characters: the dog and the robot. I felt bad for both of them. The dog lost his best friend and spends the book trying to replace that experience, but it doesn't really work out for him. He cannot get over the loss of his friend. The robot, on the other hand, is trapped on a closed beach. He does not have any options other than to dream, so that is what he does. Varon does a good job making you feel for the characters. I was pretty impressed by this!

What about the ending? I had no major problems with the ending. Saying any more than that, though, would be a spoiler!

While this is not my favourite method of reading a book, I do have to say that I enjoyed this at the same time. While I won't be rushing out to buy it, I do recommend it.

This is why you should have good customer service...

2009-07-08T16:54:00.005-03:00

Pay the Piper: A Rock 'N' Roll Fairy Tale by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple (Book 1)

2009-07-08T12:01:00.000-03:00

A rock 'n' roll band to die for? Callie is about to find out.... Not much happens in fourteen-year-old Callie McCallan's sleepy Massachusetts town. So when the famous rock 'n' roll band, Brass Rat, schedules a concert in the Valley, it's big news. As a reporter for her school paper, Callie scores the scoop of a lifetime--a backstage pass to interview the lead singer of Brass Rat! Her friends are so jealous. But Callie isn't sure what the fuss is all about...until she meets the band. Lead singer Peter Gringras and his band mates are so cool. Especially Peter. When he plays his flute, it's as if he has some kind of hypnotic power. But there is something strange about the band, something Callie can't quite put her finger on. Maybe she's just being weird, but it's as if they're from here--but not from here--at the same time.

It's when, on Halloween night, Callie's little brother Nicky disappears--along with all the other children of Northampton--that she begins to wonder if her suspicions are so weird after all. It's crazy, but Callie thinks she knows why the children have disappeared--and who took them. To prove it--and to rescue Nicky and the other children--Callie will be forced down a road that will lead to her to a mythical world filled with fantastical creatures. A world from which there may be no return....

Title and author of book: Pay the Piper: A Rock 'N' Roll Fairy Tale by Jane Yolen and Adam Stemple (Book 1)

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Young Adult Fiction. Fantasy. Fairy Tale Retelling.

What led you to pick up this book? Reviews. Several people read this book and eventually I decided I had to read it! Also, for the Once Upon a Time III challenge.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? The fact that it was a fairy tale retelling. I have a soft spot for that genre. The connection to music also worked really well for me. It was like taking two of my favourite things and combining it in a book, so you know I had to give it a try! It was just a fun book. The characters were fun, the story was fun, and the idea behind it was fun. That's not to say that everything in the book is a good thing, though. It was a bit predictable, but that's sort of a given when you are retelling a well-known story.

What did you like least? I am not crazy about Yolen's writing style. This has been a problem for me before, actually. It is why I haven't read very much of her backlist yet. She still writes good books, but she is not an author that I have to read everything by and she is mostly an author that I would get from the library. I did like this book, though, so don't get me wrong!

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? I have read a few of her books over the years. Most recently I read Briar Rose. This is another fairy tale retelling and I loved this book! It's why I keep reading her. (If you click on the link it brings you to my review, which was actually three years ago! Time flies!)

What did you think of the main character? I liked Callie. She was a believable character to fit the circumstances of the book. She didn't annoy me, which was great! She was not a damsel in distress character. She might not have had a concrete plan of action, but she did have a goal and set out to accomplish it. She was like a regular teenage girl, too, though, with crushes on boys and the stress of fitting in.

What about the ending? The ending didn't really surprise me. It was an ending that suited the events of the novel. Thankfully, while there is another book in this series, this book didn't have a cliffhanger ending! I want to read the next book, but the library doesn't have it...

Nymeth says: Had you ever read any other retelling of the Pied Piper? If so, how does this compare?
When I read this, the only book I had read relating to the Pied Piper was the original story itself. That I can remember, anyway. I feel like I have read others, but it was so long ago that I am not easily thinking of them at the moment. Since I read this, though, I read The Amazing Maurice and his Educated Rodents. That could be considered a retelling of the same story. They are rather different, though, so even with the retelling linking them it is hard to compare the two.

A recommended read! One of my favourites from the Once Upon a Time Challenge, actually.

Marked: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (Book 1)

2009-07-08T00:01:00.000-03:00

Enter the dark, magical world of The House of Night, a world very much like our own, except here vampyres have always existed. Sixteen-year-old Zoey Redbird has just been Marked as a fledgling vampyre and joins the House of Night, a school where she will train to become an adult vampire. That is, if she makes it through the Change--and not all of those who are Marked do. It sucks to begin a new life, especially away from her friends, and on top of that, Zoey is no average fledgling. She has been chosen as special by the vampyre Goddess Nyx. Zoey discovers she has amazing powers, but along with her powers come bloodlust and an unfortunate ability to Imprint her human ex-boyfriend. To add to her stress, she is not the only fledgling at the House of Night with special powers: When she discovers that the leader of the Dark Daughters, the school's most elite group, is misusing her Goddess-given gifts, Zoey must look deep within herself for the courage to embrace her destiny--with a little help from her new vampyre friends.

Title and author of book: Marked: A House of Night Novel by P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (Book 1)

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Young Adult Fiction. Fantasy. Paranormal.

What led you to pick up this book? I know a lot of people that love them, and since it is a genre that I enjoy, I thought I would give them a try.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? I liked that the authors came up with an original idea. With all the paranormal books on the market right now they are getting a bit monotonous. This series has the promise of being different. I did like the characters, too. They were interesting and interacted well together, but they were a bit predictable.

What did you like least? Don't kill me! I am just weird, but I don't like this series. I didn't like the writing and found everything a bit predictable. I also found it all a bit juvenile, but I suppose that is the marketing age. They do have a great idea here, but I don't think they pulled it off very well for me. It was a bit cliched, too. All the characters fulfilled a different role that was expected. It was like a stereotypical school. I couldn't find myself loving it, so I don't imagine I will be carrying on with the series. There are just better ones out there that I would much rather spend my time on. Even though I thought the story seemed different, in the end I just thought it was ridiculous! I just didn't find it very plausible, I guess. I am not sure what it was. It just didn't work for me.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? Nope!

What did you think of the main character? I didn't like her. She just about drove me crazy, actually. I did like a few of the secondary characters, though, but she told the story so I had to put up with her throughout. It was a bit strange how she got to the school in the first place, but then everything got so predictable. There was no spark to her character. The authors tried to make it surprising, but it was really just dull. Like I said about, she was cliched.

What about the ending? Another book that I was happy to see come to an end! I had the second book out from the library, but I decided that there were other books that I wanted to read a lot more and took it back unread.

Sorry, everyone. Just not my thing!

The Winter Prince by Elizabeth E. Wein

2009-07-07T12:01:00.000-03:00

Let's be frank. I really didn't care for this book. The only reason I am reviewing it is because it was supposedly one of my reads for the Once Upon a Time III challenge. It also means that I hardly remember it, so not sure how this review will go!

Medraut is the eldest son of Artos, high king of Britain and, but for an accident of birth, would be heir to the throne. Instead, his younger half-brother, Lleu, fragile and inexperienced, is chosen. Medraut cannot bear to be commanded and contradicted by this weakling brother who he feels has usurped both his birthright and his father's favor. Torn and bitter, he joins Morgause, the high king's treacherous sister, in a plot to force Artos to forfeit his power and kingdom in exchange for Lleu's life. But this plot soon proves to be much more-a battlefield on which Medraut is forced to decide, for good or evil, where his own allegiance truly lies.

Title and author of book: The Winter Prince by Elizabeth E. Wein

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Young Adult Fiction. Fantasy; Arthurian Retelling.

What led you to pick up this book? I saw it on a blog. I can't remember which blog now, but the fact that it was an Arthurian retelling drew me to it. I think I had too high of an expectation.

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? The fact that it was an Arthurian retelling that was a bit different than the regular ones. I liked that it was a fresh take on an old story.

What did you like least? Everything. I couldn't get wrapped up in this story. It took me a few days to read it and it is a really short book! I don't like Wein's writing style. I found myself skimming a lot of the time because I just didn't care to read everything that she had written. I also didn't really feel a connection with the characters. When you write such a short book you need to include things that catch the readers attention very quickly, but really I wanted to stop reading every step of the way. I just stuck with it because I thought it was just me and that if I kept at it she might start to grow on me, but that never happened.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? Nope! I had the sequel out from the library, but I brought it back unread. I find there are lots of other books that are calling to me more than trying to figure out what happens next in this series.

What did you think of the main character? The characters were not memorable. If I really like a book, I will remember the characters even if I cannot remember their names. With this book, I only have vague memories about who the characters were and what their purpose to the story was. Wein did not write characters that stuck with me at all.

What about the ending? I was happy to get to the ending and be finished with it! You know there is going to be a sequel, but I do not find myself rushing out to read it. It just ended and I moved on to the next and better book.

Embroideries by Marjane Satrapi

2009-07-07T00:01:00.000-03:00

From the best–selling author of Persepolis comes this gloriously entertaining and enlightening look into the sex lives of Iranian women. Embroideries gathers together Marjane’s tough–talking grandmother, stoic mother, glamorous and eccentric aunt and their friends and neighbors for an afternoon of tea drinking and talking. Naturally, the subject turns to love, sex and the vagaries of men.

As the afternoon progresses, these vibrant women share their secrets, their regrets and their often outrageous stories about, among other things, how to fake one’s virginity, how to escape an arranged marriage, how to enjoy the miracles of plastic surgery and how to delight in being a mistress. By turns revealing and hilarious, these are stories about the lengths to which some women will go to find a man, keep a man or, most important, keep up appearances.

Full of surprises, this introduction to the private lives of some fascinating women, whose life stories and lovers will strike us as at once deeply familiar and profoundly different from our own, is sure to bring smiles of recognition to the faces of women everywhere—and to teach us all a thing or two.

Title and author of book: Embroderies by Marjane Satrapi

Fiction or non-fiction? Genre? Graphic Novel. Current Affairs.

What led you to pick up this book? I have read her other three books, so figured it was time I got around to this one!

Summarize the plot, but don’t give away the ending! See above...

What did you like most about the book? The style. It is a group of women sitting around discussing what life was like in Iran. Iran has been in the news a lot over the last few years, but it was never about the personal stories. Satrapi gathers a group of Iranian women together to talk about something so simplistic as their sex lives. For Iranian women, though, it is not that simple. She infuses humour into the telling and brings to life women who have had to deal with things that we can only begin to imagine in the western world. At the same time, though, it is not that different from the way things are here. I think we forget that sometimes, so it was wonderful for Satrapi to humanize the story.

What did you like least? It was too short. I am glad I took this out from the library because it took me no time at all to read it. I actually was sitting in the parking lot waiting for the guy to buy something. He wasn't in there all that long and I think I had it finished and was just sitting there waiting for him to come out.

Have you read any other books by this author? What did you think of those books? I have read all of her other books. For my thoughts, click on the links. (Remember that this was back in my early days of blogging and the reviews might not be the greatest!) Persepolis 1, Persepolis 2, and Chicken with Plums.

What did you think of the main character? There really isn't a main character. It is just a bunch of women each telling their story, so it is more like a collection of short stories. They also aren't really 'characters' because this is a true story and they are telling about things that really happened to them. I liked all the characters and enjoyed reading their stories.

What about the ending? I have no complaints about the ending. Just, as I said above, it came too soon!

I am glad that I have read all of her books now. It was three years ago that I read the first three, though, so I think I might reread them this year. When I read them before I was still very much a newbie to graphic novels, so my opinions might have changed over time. I do think that everyone should read Satrapi. She is a wealth of information in a world where her country is often being condemned on the news. It is always good to have both sides of the story. I hope that she has a new book out soon!

Jellicoe Road by Melinda Marchetta

2009-07-06T07:08:00.002-03:00

So, this was supposed to be posted on Saturday. It's late... I will leave it at that! Here is my joint review with Heather from A High and Hidden Place.

"What do you want from me?" he asks. What I want from every person in my life, I want to tell him. More.
Abandoned by her mother on Jellicoe Road when she was eleven, Taylor Markham, now seventeen, is finally being confronted with her past. But as the reluctant leader of her boarding school dorm, there isn't a lot of time for introspection. And while Hannah, the closest adult Taylor has to family, has disappeared, Jonah Griggs is back in town, moody stares and all.

In this absorbing story by Melina Marchetta, nothing is as it seems and every clue leads to more questions as Taylor tries to work out the connection between her mother dumping her, Hannah finding her then and her sudden departure now, a mysterious stranger who once whispered something in her ear, a boy in her dreams, five kids who lived on Jellicoe Road eighteen years ago, and the maddening and magnetic Jonah Griggs, who knows her better than she thinks he does. If Taylor can put together the pieces of her past, she might just be able to change her future.

What did you think of Taylor Markham? Did your opinion change as the novel progressed or stay the same?
In the beginning I was not very fond of Taylor. She was a bit whiny and annoying. I know she had a hard life, but it was no fun to read about her. She annoyed me so much in the beginning that I wasn't even sure if I was going to be able to read the book. She grew on me, though. Once you get to know her and see where she is coming from she is really not that bad. It took me a good part of the book to like her, though. She is a troubled youth, but it is her attitude towards other people that bothered me the most. She was justified in being angry with her parents, but she was taking it out on the world. My opinion changed as the book went along, so it was worth all the annoyance in the beginning.

What are your thoughts on the cover? Did it make sense for the book at all? Do you like it?
It's not that I don't like the cover, but we all know that as much as we shouldn't we judge a book by the cover. This cover doesn't really convey to me what the book is about. It doesn't tell me what to expect. I read it based on reviews by bloggers, though, so I can't say whether or not I would have picked it up based on the cover alone. I might have. It's an interesting cover that is different than most of the ones that you see on the shelf. I can't say I hate it, but I don't really love it, either.

What did you think of the juxtaposition of Taylor’s first-person narrative and Hannah’s third-person omniscient “novel” in the book?
This was my favourite part of the book. This is why I kept reading. In the beginning, I think I was a bit confused about what exactly was going on, but as the pieces started to fall into place I was captivated. I love stories in stories. I had some of the mysteries and secrets figured out, but I was still very impressed with how Melinda pulled things off. I liked how everything was connected, even if you didn't always know it at the time, and that by the end of the book all the mysteries are solved. In a world of series and trilogies, it was nice to get to the bottom of things in one book. I was left thinking 'wow' at the end, and not trying to figure on what just went on. I like that in a book.

Who was your favorite secondary character?
I loved the characters in the story that Hannah was telling. They were a great group of people. Hannah is a great character, too, but she is not in the book as much as you would expect. You just get to know her through her writing. Frankly, I can't think of a secondary character that I didn't like. They all brought something to the book in their own way and were wonderfully written. I think that Marchetta has great promise as a writer. I plan to read more from her!

I should point out that this book took me a few pages to get in to. It was not one of those books that grabbed me from the very first page. It was worth it, though. While this didn't make my top reads of the first part of the year, it does not mean that it is not one of my favourite books! Heather rated it a 4.5 out of 5, and if I still did ratings I would agree. It is definitely worth the little bit of extra work to get into it. It isn't that the beginning is bad, it is that there are things going on that you don't really understand in the beginning. By the end, though, you will be wiser and more appreciative of the story.

Also, this is a Printz winner, so I finally reviewed one of the Printz books I read. Yay!

Sunday Book Coveting... Another Library Overload

2009-07-05T00:01:00.001-03:00

Okay, these books are all due back to the library on the 9th. I might be able to renew some of them, but this is the last of the books from me hitting 'renew all' instead of 'renew selected'.

Tender morsels by Lanagan, Margo - Nymeth's favourite of the year so far, really have to read!
Exodus by Bertagna, Julie
Grim Tuesday by Nix, Garth - Continuing on with series.
Orphans of chaos by Wright, John C.
The secret hour by Westerfeld, Scott - Stalled on reading him, need to get back into it.
The wee free men : a story of Discworld by Pratchett, Terry - Buddy read
Powers by Le Guin, Ursula K. - Last book in trilogy
Dragon slippers by George, Jessica Day
Off with their heads! : fairy tales and the culture of childhood by Tatar, Maria
The language of the night : essays on fantasy and science fiction by Le Guin, Ursula K.
The Queen of Attolia by Turner, Megan Whalen - Continuing on with series
The fox woman by Johnson, Kij - Made Nymeth's Top Ten of the year so far

So, 12 books... Wonder how I will make out?

Friday Friends - Week Six

2009-07-03T13:47:00.002-03:00

Alice Teh from Hello, My Name is Alice - Alice is a new-to-me blogger. She was commenting on my blog, but apparently I forgot to add her to my feed reader! I really enjoy her blog so far. She talks about books, food, and other interesting topics. What more can you ask for? I am glad that I am reading her blog regularly now. (Well, regularly for me, anyway...)

Bluestocking from The Bluestocking Guide - I think I started reading this blog after the most recent Advent Calendar. There is so much going on there that it can be a bit of an information overload at times. I applaud how organized she is! Lately it is all I can do to update a couple times a week. I am always in a hurry. I think my favourite feature on her blog is Sci-fi Fridays. I love the books that she showcases and it keeps reminding me that I need to do more of that type of reading!

Pat from Here, There, and Everywhere 2nd edition - I have been reading Pat's blog for quite some time now. I think I discovered it through one of Carl's challenges. She is a fantasy nerd like me, so you know that I stuck around. She reads such great books and is always adding things to my TBR pile. Recently she was showcasing the water life at the pond near her house. She takes fabulous pictures! Pat is one of my favourite bloggers and one of the nicest people. The blogging world is lucky to have her.

Dewey from The Hidden Side of a Leaf - What's a list of blogs without Dewey? Unfortunately, I cannot get her blog to work... Dewey has done so much for the blogging community, and even with her passing her work lives on. Many of the blogs that I have showcased in these Friday Friends posts I discovered through the most recent Read-a-thon, which was in Dewey's honour. I believe that Dewey will always be missed.

Nat from In Spring it is the Dawn - Okay, I think I can safely say I have been reading this blog forever! I don't remember a time when I wasn't. A fellow Canadian who now makes her home in Japan. She has a great blog. I enjoy her book reviews, photos, and hearing about her adventures in Japan. Another blog that the community is lucky to have!

Melanie from The Indextrious Reader - Another blog that I have been reading for quite a while. Another Canadian blogger, too. I like to support my Canadian bloggers, huh? She is a librarian, so she seems to find all the really interesting books. While she does read some of the stuff that other people are reading, she always seems to find 'different' things to talk about. I don't mind hearing about popular books, but I also like to go off the beaten path once in a while. Reading, for me, is all about experimentation. Melanie has a blog that you should be reading if you are not already.

Suey from It's All About Books - Suey is the co-host of the Printz Project, one of the many challenges that I belong to this year. I was just checking the library website and I have five Printz books in for me. I was lacking a bit on this challenge, so felt I needed to get reading! Anyway, Suey is such a nice person and has a great blog. My favourite feature of hers is when she posts her best of lists. The subjects range, but when it is book related you know that things are going to end up on your wish list! She is an all-around great blog to be reading.

Joanna from It's all about me - I am not really sure how I came across Joanna's blog. It is possible that she found me first, but I have been reading it for a while now. It's quickly become one of my favourite blogs, so I try and check it regularly (not this week, though..). I notice she just listened to an audio version of Melissa Marr's Wicked Lovely and enjoyed it. This is why I read blogs, because I like pretending people read things because of my recommendations! (haha, I mean, when I actually write reviews...) Anyway, another blog that you should be reading!

Kate from Kate's Book Blog - Kate has another blog that I have been reading for a while. She got a bit quiet for a while, there, but she is back and I am happy to see her! She just celebrated four years of blogging and I hope that she will be around for at least another four. She has a great blog. She talks about the books that she is reading, but she also includes quotes and other book-related topics to enjoy. The blogging community was a sad place while she was on hiatus, so be sure and visit her so we can make sure she sticks around!

Kristina from Kristina's Book Blog - Kristina is yet another blog that I have been reading a for a while and long ago forgot how I can across it. She recently became a new mother, so her blog has been a bit quiet. I am happy to hear from her when she posts, though. I hope all is well with you, Kristina, and that your life calms down so you can blog a bit more soon! Although, I think you comment on my blog sometimes... See, this is why I keep applauding organized people because I can't even remember who comments on my blog and who doesn't!

The Top Reads... so far

2009-07-02T12:11:00.003-03:00

Other people have been doing this, so I thought I would try and figure out what my top reads so far this year are. That is actually really hard, you know! As of the end of June, I read 192 books so far this year. That being said, I liked a lot of the books that I read this year. As for loving, though, I have only loved five. They are:

The Adoration of Jenna Fox by Mary E. Pearson

Old Man's War by John Scalzi

The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan

The Love We Share Without Knowing by Christopher Barzak

Graceling by Kristin Cashore

Honourable Mentions: Skulduggery Pleasant by Derek Landy and Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

There would be lots of books in the 4 to about 4.75 range, though. They just wouldn't get a 5. Unless I read a lot of really good books the second half of the year, it is likely that these five will be in the top reads at the end of the year.

Favourite Graphic Novel: Black Hole by Charles Burns

Favourite Graphic Novel Series:

Fables Series by Bill Willingham, etc. - I love this graphic novel series. I had't read it before this year. While some are better than others, this is a series that has to be read in order so you know what is going on. That makes it hard to pick a favourite, because they are all important.

Favourite Manga Series:

Tie between Emma by Kaoru Mori and The Dreaming by Queenie Chan

Happy Canada Day!

2009-07-01T14:05:00.003-03:00

In honour of Canada Day, I am going to do mini-reviews of the last few books I read for the 2nd Canadian Challenge, Eh? It finishes today, so it would be a good plan to finish things up.

The Golden Phoenix and Other Fairy Tales from Quebec Edited by Marius Barbeau & Michael Hornyansky

Vasilly asks: What were some of your favorite tales in the book, The Golden Phoenix? Should I read it?

I read this book quite a while ago because Nicola reviewed it. I love fairy tales, so what better to read than a collection released by Canadians. It was a really worthwhile read, I must say. The stories were ones that I had heard before, in many cases, but they had been retold probably through the generations orally. These two men took the oral stories and wrote them down for everyone to enjoy. To see the transformation made the book that much more enjoyable. The book follows a lot of the common trends in fairy tales: There is the repetition, the use of the number three, the successful youngest brother winning over his two older ones, etc. It should be read and enjoyed by more. Unfortunately, I didn't write down which stories I enjoyed and I already returned it to the library. I will say that I think I enjoyed all eight of the stories, though, and I do recommend it.

Scott Pilgrim: Precious Little Life - Volume 1 by Bryan Lee O'Malley

Scott Pilgrim's life is totally sweet. He's 23 years old, he's in a rock band, he's "between jobs," and he's dating a cute high school girl. Nothing could possibly go wrong, unless a seriously mind-blowing, dangerously fashionable, rollerblading delivery girl named Ramona Flowers starts cruising through his dreams and sailing by him at parties. Will Scott's awesome life get turned upside-down? Will he have to face Ramona's seven evil ex-boyfriends in battle? The short answer is yes. The long answer is Scott Pilgrim, Volume 1: Scott Pilgrim's Precious Little Life.

This book was just a fun read. Scott Pilgrim is one of those characters that everyone would love. It's funny because in many ways, it is a book about nothing. It is just Scott's life told in comic book form. He is in his twenties, lives with a guy, has no stuff of his own, plays video games, and belongs to a band. Then, there are the girls, of course. You think it is just going to be a typical down on his luck guy, but then O'Malley surprises you. I am looking forward to more in this series. Frankly, I think it is so stupid in premise that it makes it great!

Lost at Sea by Bryan Lee O'Malley

Raleigh doesn't have a soul. A cat stole it - or at least that's what she tells people - or at least that's what she would tell people if she told people anything. But that would mean talking to people, and the mere thought of social interaction is terrifying. How did such a shy teenage girl end up in a car with three of her hooligan classmates on a cross-country road trip? Being forced to interact with kids her own age is a new and alarming proposition for Raleigh, but maybe it's just what she needs - or maybe it can help her find what she needs - or maybe it can help her to realize that what she needs has been with her all along.

This was a good graphic novel. The artwork was well-done, the characters were interesting, and the story kept you wanting to learn more. It's rather interesting, though. O'Malley deals with a serious subject, but he manages to do it with a bit of humour thrown in. I enjoyed that. What teenager doesn't feel like they have lost themselves at some point and time. A very good book, I must say. I look forward to more by him.

The Guests of War Trilogy - Book 3 - The Lights Go On Again by Kit Pearson

For five years Gavin and his sister Norah have lived in Canada as "war guests." But now, as 1945 approaches, the war is finally ending, and Gavin and Norah will soon be going back to England.
Norah, who's fifteen, is eager to see her parents again, but ten-year-old Gavin barely remembers them. He doesn't want to leave his Canadian family, his two best friends and his dog.
Then something happens that forces Gavin to make the most difficult decision of his life.
The Lights Go On Again is the last book in the acclaimed series that began with The Sky Is Falling and Looking At The Moon.

All I can think of to say at the beginning of this review is FINALLY! I read the first two books in this trilogy several years ago, reread them a couple years ago, and then is the first time I have finally read book three. The first two books are told from the perspective of Gavin's sister, Norah, but in this book he takes centrestage. When he came to Canada because of the war, he was really too little to know what was going on. Now that the war is drawing to an end, though, he finds that the time to go home is near and he doesn't remember anything but his life in Canada. This book is a struggle between what is home for Gavin and the changes that the end of the war are bringing with them. A strong end to the trilogy. I am glad that I finally read it!

Starfinder by John Marco (Book One in The Skylords Series)

2009-06-30T00:01:00.000-03:00

A new fantasy series from the author of The Sword of Angels.

Steam trains and electricity are rapidly changing the world. Moth of Calio is obsessed with the airships developed by his friend Fiona's grandfather Rendor, and dreams of taking to the air one day like his heroes, the Skyknights.

But not everyone is happy to see humans reach the skies. For thousands of years, the mysterious and powerful race known as the Skylords have jealously guarded their heavenly domain. But Moth and Fiona are about to breach the magical boundary between the world of humans and the world of the Skylords.

Ever had a book that you know you are going to enjoy, but each time you pick up you have a really hard time getting into it? This is one such book. This is the second time I have been scheduled to post about this book and I still haven't finished it. What I have read, I have enjoyed; but I can't seem to get absorbed in it. I could have written a review pretending to have finished, but I wanted to be able to write a truthful review when I actually do finish the book. It's strange, really. I have read a lot in June, but at the same time, I find that June just flew by and I am shocked that it is already the end of the month.

So, have you read this book yet? Feel free to discuss it in the comments! Also, on the other topic, are there books you have had the worst time getting into, but in the end you loved them? Talk about that too.

I'll be back with a review soon! I am going to go see if my mood has changed and it will draw me in tonight! In the meantime, I have seen only positive reviews and it has a great cover!

Music Mundays: Michael Jackson

2009-06-28T21:34:00.002-03:00

This week's Post is from Chris at Stuff as Dreams Are Made On

This week we lost a great one. Regardless of the accusations that were made against him, I doubt that anyone can deny his presence as a powerful musician, performer, and humanitarian. Michael Jackson had a lot to overcome. There were times when he wasn't the most popular person in the world and none of us will ever know what he did or didn't do. But I do know that he gave a lot to this world. What he contributed left an impression on so many in so many ways.

I can remember idolizing Michael Jackson when I was a kid. I wanted the red and black jacket from Thriller so bad! But I never got it :( I remember trying and trying to moonwalk, but to this day, I still can't do it :p I did however learn the Beat It dance and there is video evidence of that somewhere. We'll just hope that it stays buried, lol.

I think my biggest memory of Michael Jackson at a young age was watching the premier of We Are the World with my mom and dad in the living room. I was very young then, but I still remember getting chills hearing it...and yes, there is video evidence of me singing We Are the World as well :p What I didn't realize back then was how that song and album would affect so many people's lives. People in Africa and here in the US that needed more help than what our government could or would provide.

Michael Jackson always kept others in mind and he's one of the few celebrities that I can think of that I can honestly say I never recall mentioning a negative thing about anyone. All of his songs had a positive message. All of his songs hoped to make the world a better place, not to focus on the negative. That can be a hard thing to do sometimes.

It's easy to remember the scandals associated with Michael Jackson, and I won't mention any of them here. But what I'll remember is that he was a uniting force. You didn't think of Michael Jackson as a black artist. He was a human. He transcended race and encouraged everyone else to do the same. He improved the lives of countless individuals, and that's what I think makes him a true star. RIP Michael.

Sunday Book Coveting... The Canadian Edition

2009-06-28T12:07:00.002-03:00

The 2nd Canadian Challenge is about to come to an end, but I think I am going to participate in the third one now. Today, I thought I would post a list of just some of the Canadian books that would count for this challenge that I all ready own.

The Forest Lover by Susan Vreeland - About Emily Carr
The Emily Carr Collection - Four of Emily Carr's novels
Several books by Pierre Berton
Cat's Eye by Margaret Atwood
The Robber Bride by Margaret Atwood
The Blind Assassin by Margaret Atwood
The Hidden World by Alison Baird
The Darkness that Comes Before by Scott Bakker
The Island Walkers by John Bemrose
Several books by and about Lucy Maud Montgomery
Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje
Away by Jane Urquhart
The Acadians: In Search of a Homeland by James Laxer
The Mountain and the Valley by Ernest Buckler
A Good House by Bonnie Burnard
Mean Boy by Lynn Coady

And many many more... So, how about you? What Canadian books have been on your TBR pile for a while that you feel you should get around to reading?