Verdigris Deep by Frances Hardinge

7 Stars

"When Ryan and his friends are caught stranded and penniless late one evening, they steal some coins from a well for their bus far home. Soon after, strange things begin to happen. Peculiar marks tingle on Ryan's knuckles, light bulbs mysteriously explode and a terrified Chelle starts speaking words that aren't her own. Then the well witch appears, with her fountains for eyes and gargled demands. From now on, the friends must serve her--and the wishes that lie rotting at the bottom of her well." (Taken from the inside cover.)

Well-written (as to be expected with one of my favorite children's book authors) and eerie, I think the biggest downside to this book is just that I hoped to like it more. It isn't as scary as I worried it might be, but it's still creepy enough that I wouldn't recommend it for very young children (or even the very squeamish adult, to be truthful). Hardinge's writing is lyrical, but not as solid as it was on Fly by Night or Gullstruck Island, I thought. Though, perhaps, some of that could be attributed to the more modern setting. It does draw you in, though, until you wonder how the three children can possibly solve this situation they find themselves in and get out of their debt. (And, in case you are wondering,"Verdigris Deep" is actually the British release title. The American release is titled "Well-Witched", but I didn't feel that the English-isms were extreme enough to deter anyone who's a little familiar with word differences between the two countries. I.e. she uses the term "trolley" where we would probably use "shopping cart." Just a heads up in case you have a preference.)

Questing in Camelot

Lately I've been in the mood for Arthurian stories. Since I work at the library, I had easy to access to several books in the genre. I couldn't resist! I thought that I would do a single large post about them all, rather than a post about each.


Merlin and the Making of the King- Margaret Hodges

We'll start with one I didn't like as much. Although I like the illustrations in this one, I didn't much like the writing. I felt that the writing was a bit rushed, skipping over too much. In addition, this version focuses on the Christian elements of the Arthurian legends, which isn't my favorite. I don't really like mixing Christianity and magic together, so I generally prefer Arthurian storytelling that focuses on the magical elements over the Christian ones. I know its impossible to ignore it all together, what with things like the Holy Grail, but nonetheless I like it minimized.



Merlin and the Dragons by: Jane Yolen

A wonderful picture book about Merlin's past. Beautifully illustrated and accurately told, this is wonderful picture book. I enjoyed it! Good for young and older children as well as adults.











King Arthur by: Sir Thomas Mallory

One again, beautifully illustrated. The writing here is average. Along the far sides of the pages there are various facts about Arthurian legends and history to supplement the writing. Overall an enjoyable experience. I'd say the target audience is 8-12.












The Fall of Camelot by: "Time-Life Classics"

This is my favorite of the bunch. It is written for a more adult audience, but I enjoyed it's tone and flow quite a lot. In my opinion, the best written of the bunch. It also has some of my favorite illustrations.













King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table Sir Thomas Mallory

This one is more of a chapter book for preteens. The writing feels pretty bland in comparison to some of the others, but it still decent. There are a few scattered illustrations, but they are nothing special.













And that's it for now. I also have a book about the themes within Arthurian stories, and during my breaks at work I'm reading a compilation of relatively unknown or forgotten Arthurian legends. At some later date hopefully I can tell you about them.

Funny In Farsi by: Firoozeh Dumas

7 stars

Funny In Farsi is a memoir of an Iranian girl growing up in America. Firoozeh Dumas first came to the U.S. from Iran in the early '70s when her father was sent to California on a two-year contract from the National Iranian Oil Company. Her family soon discovered that his presumed skill in English was basically limited to "vectors, surface tension and fluid mechanics." In short, humorous vignettes, the author recounts their resulting difficulties and Americans' almost total ignorance of Iran, illustrating the kindness of people and her father's absolute love of this country. - From Amazon.com

I must say that I enjoyed this book. I was led in a playful way through some of the culture of Iran, laughing as I went. Firoozeh amusingly describes the hilarity that ensues when as two very different cultures clash. The easy pace and friendly tone made it a quick and easy read, and one I would recommend to those looking for a little humor or a peek into Iranian culture. My only possible complaint was that in seemed a little rushed at times. I would have liked to have read a little more.

Scarlet Moon by Debbie Viguié

5 Stars

Ruth is attacked by a wolf as a child, and ever after has a fear of entering the woods near her home. When her brother leaves to join the Holy Wars, her father is left without help in the blacksmith shop and so Ruth takes over her brothers duties. She is comfortable in her role as blacksmith, and continues to brave her fear in order to visit her grandmother in the woods, who's been cast out of the village for accusations of witchcraft. "Amidst these dark days, a new man enters Ruth's life. William is a noble with a hot temper and a bad name, and he makes her shiver. But the young man is prey to his heritage, a curse placed on his family ages ago, and each male of the family has strange blood running in his veins. Now Ruth must come face-to-face with his destiny at Grandma's house..." (Taken partially from the back cover.)

Okay. Yes, this really is a rewrite of the story of Little Red Riding Hood. And, yes, if I had bothered to really read the back cover first, I might not have read it, either. Another in the "Once Upon a Time..." series, I hoped that this book would live up to the potential it had. Because, truthfully, "Little Red Riding Hood" has always been a pretty creepy tale. So adding werewolves (sorry for the spoiler as I'm sure you were all going to rush out and read this...) to the mix is actually not a large stretch for me. The concept could have been kind of cool. Unfortunately, the writing is as cheesy as the back cover makes it sound, coming across as trite and contrived. The moral of this review? Read every single one of Cameron Dokey's books in this series--but maybe don't bother with any of the other authors.

The Knight's Tales, Books 1 and 2 by Gerald Morris

6 Stars

Many years ago, the storytellers say, the great King Arthur brought justice to England with the help of his gallant Knights of the Round Table. Of these worthy knights, there was never one so fearless, so chivalrous, so honorable, so...shiny as the dashing Sir Lancelot. And there were others: Sir Kay the Loyal, Sir Bedivere the Just, and young Givret, who was known for being...well, short. Behold the very exciting and comical adventures of the Knights of the Round Table, as only the acclaimed Arthurian author Gerald Morris can tell them. (Taken in part from the inside cover.)

These books, while funny, are definitely written for a younger audience than Morris' much more involved "The Squire's Tales" series. They read like short story collections in a way, but the brief anecdotes all come together at points, drawing the story together. They were a fun read, but, as I said, not nearly as enjoyable as Morris' other collection (the best of which are the first couple of books). Younger audiences (8-12, maybe?) would probably love the humor and outright silliness in these books.

Ugly by Donna Jo Napoli

7 Stars

Based on Hans Christian Anderson's classic tale of "The Ugly Duckling", this book tells of a young bird who just doesn't fit in with those around him. Set in Tasmania and written for a young audience, Ugly introduces the reader to both the classic tale and a realistic view of wildlife in an unusual setting.

This was a surprisingly good read. As I started it, I was a little afraid that it would be so over-simplistic that it would come across as inane. But, actually, Donna Jo Napoli does an excellent job of getting down the rhythm of the animals she's writing for and about. They all use a simpler thought process--more direct, anyway--but surprisingly large vocabulary. She's obviously put a great deal of thought into how animals would realistically interact with their own kind and other species, as well as the things they would have deeper knowledge about. They are simple, not stupid. This would be a great read for younger children interested in animals, and I could happily recommend it to anyone that likes the original tale, as well.

Beauty Sleep by Cameron Dokey

8 Stars

"The Princess Aurore has had an unusual childhood. Cursed at birth, Aurore is fated to prick her finger at age sixteen and sleep for one hundred years--until a prince awakens her with a kiss. ... On her sixteenth birthday, Aurore learns that the impending curse will harm not only her, but the entire kingdom as well. Unwilling to cause suffering, she will embark on a quest to end the evil magic. The princess's bravery will be rewarded as she finds adventure, enchantment, a handsome prince, and ultimately, her destiny." (Taken from the back cover.)

Okay, so as you can tell, this is a retelling of the fairy tale "The Sleeping Beauty." I know several of you have already read this book (and many of Cameron Dokey's other fairy tale re-tellings), but thought I'd throw this one up here as I just re-read it. This book is probably not my favorite of Dokey's fairy tale books, but I can say it is a great version of Sleeping Beauty. One of my favorites. I am impressed at Dokey's ability to take the predictability out of a well-known tale while still leaving the bones intact. She follows the story and sticks to it, but you are somehow still left in suspense about the ending. And, while her writing is not EXCELLENT, it is good and she has some really beautiful and poetic moments. In this book in particular, I also enjoy her ability to take a princess that in many versions of the tale really doesn't do much, and turn into someone that has heart, bravery, and intelligence. I would highly recommend this book to anyone that is a romantic or who likes the tale of "The Sleeping Beauty."

Gossamer by Lois Lowry

7 Stars

"Where do dreams come from? What stealthy nighttime messengers are the guardians of our most deeply hidden hopes and our half-forgotten fears? Drawing on her rich imagination, two-time Newbery Medal winner Lois Lowry confronts these questions and explores the conflicts between the gentle bits and pieces of the past that come to life in dream and the darker horrors that find their form in nightmare. In a haunting story that tiptoes between reality and imagination, two people--a lonely, sensitive woman and a damaged, angry boy--face their own histories and discover what they can be to each other, renewed by the strength that comes from a tiny, caring creature they will never see." (Taken from inside cover.)

This was a very imaginative, if very brief, read. The concept of tiny fairy-like people bestowing dreams--as well as their awful, sweating and snorting counterparts, the Sinisteeds, who inflict nightmares--was very unique. And Lowry's treatment of it, if a tad over-simplistic, is interesting. This is a book that I would feel comfortable recommending to a fairly young audience (as young as 8, I think), though there are some intense references to a physically abusive husband/father. It is a simple book, but I have to admit that I totally cried in a couple of spots.

The Book of Dragons by E. Nesbit

8 Stars

"Who doesn't love dragons? In this exciting collection, E. Nesbit unleashes a flock of these mysterious, wild, and unpredictable creatures. Here you will meet a dragon who flies out of an enchanted book and swallows an entire soccer team; two children who try to wake St. George while dragons of all shapes and sizes descend on England; and wicked Prince Tiresome, who trades half his kingdom with a pigkeeper to catch a raging dragon. ... Featuring eight of E. Nesbit's best stories, ... [The Book of Dragons] returns...to delight and enchant a new generation of readers." (Taken from the inside cover.)

I happened across this apparently classic children's literature in the same secluded corner as Pat O'Shea's, The Hounds of the Mórrígan. And I have to say, Edith Nesbit's stories are just plain fun! They are each very unique, and while I liked some more than others, the collection feels complete in a way that a lot of short story books just don't. Her writing style reminds me very much of A. A. Milne's (she was British and wrote around the turn-of-the-century), especially in her ability to draw in the young reader with innocent humor. Her characters are delightful (bad and good are both lots of fun), and the book as a whole probably only took about two days to get through (at a VERY leisurely pace). I would definitely recommend this to anyone that likes imaginative fantasy with a "folk tale" feel. (I might recommend reading the last story first, though, as it was probably my least favorite in the collection. It left me feeling slightly less satisfied than many of the others. Still worth a read, but I would save one of the others for last, personally.)

The Anthony and Amanda Show!!!

So... Did everyone else forget to post anything, or are people just so busy they haven't read anything to post about? I feel a little domineering here...

Oh! And anyone smarter than me--how do you invite new people to post!? (What I tried the other night didn't work, after all, Anthony. It just invited them to FOLLOW the blog, which they are already doing. Lame.) Ashley and Ivan have both expressed interest in posting (and I, for one, would love to get bookish input from more sources), but I've no idea at all how to make that happen. That is all.

I should probably have a catchy tag line or some cheesy theme music to bow out here. Unfortunately, my writer (Ivan) is unable to post!!! *grumble, grumble*

I Shall Wear Midnight by: Sir Terry Pratchett

7 stars

I Shall Wear Midnight is a discworld novel by my fantasy favorite Terry Pratchett. The main character, Tiffany Aching, is a young witch in training. This is Pratchett's fourth novel about Tiffany Aching. In this particular novel Tiffany and the Nac Mac Feegles (tiny angry blue faeries) must battle an ancient ghost of a witchhunter.

Like all of Pratchett's novels, it is filled with fun, humor, and has an excellent point. Since it is the fourth Tiffany Aching novel, I wouldn't recommend it to those who haven't read any of the other Tiffany Aching novels. I will say that the Tiffany Aching novels are great read for both adults and children. They were written with a young audience and will be easy for kids and adults to enjoy.

Of this book in particular, I think that I liked the other three Tiffany Aching novels more than this one. However, I still greatly enjoyed it and can comfortably give it a 7.

Finally, I was pleasantly surprised when reading the bio of Terry Pratchett on the back cover to learn that last year Terry Pratchett was knighted for his "contributions to literature". He is now Sir Terry Pratchett. I couldn't agree more.

Life of a Colossus by: Adrian Goldsworthy

8 stars

Life of a Colossus is a biography of Julius Caesar. Though I have not read any other biographies of Caesar, I am tempted to call it the authoritative biography. It chronicles everything we know about Caesar, from his early years on the run from the dictator Sulla to his conquests in Gaul and Britannia as a proconsul to the civil war against Pompey to his assassination at the hands of Brutus. In short, Caesar lived a very exciting life during an exciting time in history.

Adrian Goldsworthy manages a good balance storytelling and historical accuracy. He has no qualms admitting when our knowledge is limited or missing, but he doesn't bogged down in scholarly quagmires. Goldsworthy focuses on Caesar, but you will also learn a good deal about the Roman Republic in its last years, as well as several other famous Romans, including Pompey, Crassus Curio, Cicero, Cato, Mark Antony, Brutus, and Sulla. Though the book is long, it is well paced and there is always something interesting happening. I thoroughly enjoy it all, and often I found myself wishing I was a Roman aristocrat rubbing elbows with these men.

I would add a small warning. At a little over 500 pages of nonfiction, the book is not for the faint of heart. Those who love history, especially ancient history, will enjoy it, but it is surely not a causal reading.

The Hounds of the Mórrígan by Pat O'Shea

7 Stars

Ten-year-old Pidge picks up a worn, discarded book in an old second-hand bookshop in Galway, Ireland, before returning home. This unwitting action eventually leads him to become the unlikely hero on a quest against the Mórrígan (pronounced MOR-ree-an), the Irish goddess of death and discord. As Pidge, and his younger sister, Brigit, traipse across the realms of the Fey, they encounter both good and evil, learn to trust themselves and each other, and enjoy the kind of adventure all children dream of. The Hounds of the Morrigan was published in 1985, having taken O'Shea ten years to complete. Many characters in the book are culled straight from Celtic mythology. (Taken partially from Wikipedia. And I apologize for the lousy synopsis. I really wanted to just copy the back of the book, but apparently there are NO copies of that description anywhere on the internet. Perhaps I will re-write when my brain is more prepared to do so...)

This book was most definitely worth a read! It pulls you in perfectly. The setting is enchanting and Pidge is just lovable and charming from the outset. The plot's exciting, the history/mythology is unique, the baddies are both truly awful and knee-slappingly funny, and it's just an overall great read. The only reason this was a 7 and not a 9 for me is because it is quite long, and, unfortunately begins to feel its length before too long. Every encounter Brigit and Pidge have would be fascinating on its own, especially if you are at all interested in Celtic or Irish mythology, but taken all at once, it's drags a tad. I almost wish the author had somehow managed to make it into more than one book... Don't really know that that would have worked, but the point is that I want to love this book, and ended up just really liking it, instead. You should definitely read it once, though! It was especially fitting as a Halloween read. (Look at the cover with a little more depth; you'll see what I mean...)

In Defense of Elitism by: William A. Henry III

3 Stars

I picked up In Defense of Elitism because it sounded like an interesting philosophical read. The basic premise is this: Those people who are more valuable to society deserve greater privileges and respect. In the past such value was measured by blood and lineage, but in modern America this can simply be those who contribute the most to society. The author does a good job of outlining this premise. I was hoping that he would offer multiple arguments to support this premise, as well as discuss multiple arguments against it, ideally offering counters to such arguments.

Instead, the author focuses on only one argument in favor of this premise: elitism works better than egalitarianism. To support this argument, Henry examines the state of the work force, school systems, culture, and other things. He paints the failings of all of these areas due to a leaning towards egalitarianism and away from elitism, and suggests that by focusing on more elite systems the failings would disappear.

Though it was not the book I had hoped to read, I have a different, rather larger problem with the book. All information and research contrary to his argument he assaults with a hefty sledgehammer of skepticism. He attacks any and every possible weakness, at times dismissing strong reasonable pieces of research. After he does this, he presents his own information, but does very little to support or defend it. He merely asserts his claims and assumes that we should accept it. As a result, I felt that he was being unfair to the opposition and overly generous to his own claims.

In addition to this, I felt that he was arguing for some unsavory things that didn't necessarily have all that much to do with the arguments concerning elitism and egalitarianism. I won't go into detail, but at times it felt more like a personal rant than anything else. As a result, I found the book quite disappointing, and I would not recommend it to anyone.

Dark Lady's Chosen by: Gail Z Martin

Series rating: 6 stars

Dark Lady's Chosen is the fourth book of the Chronicles of the Necromancer series. In thought I would review the series, since I haven't reviewed any of the other books on this blog. The first three books are The Summoner, The Blood King, and Dark Haven. The Summoner and The Blood King were excellent fantasy books. I wouldn't say that they were particularly unique in any way, or groundbreaking, but well written, fairly paced, and very entertaining. If the series rating was based solely on those two, I think that I would give the series a 7 or an 8.

Unfortunately, the third book, Dark Haven, was a 500+ page book with probably about 100 pages of plot development. It was a long book with very little to show for it. Dark Haven was also too wordy, though not nearly to the same degree. In my opinion, Dark Haven and Dark Lady's Chosen should have been one book. I feel like there was only one book worth of content between the two of them.

Despite the excessive wordiness of the last two books, they were still enjoyable. I think I would recommend the series to fantasy lovers. Those uninterested in fantasy novels should probably give these a skip.

As end note, I would just like to say that Gail Martin's middle initial "Z" is a bit silly. I don't know what she or her publishers were thinking.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

7 Stars

Nobody Owens (Bod, for short) finds himself suddenly orphaned as a toddler. He then has the great fortune to wander into a graveyard, where he is immediately adopted by the resident ghosts. This book follows his up-bringing by this bizarre community, through both the tender and the terrifying. The Graveyard Book was the 2009 Newberry-Medal Winner. (Deservedly, in my opinion.)

A very interesting concept, this book lives up to that pique. Gaiman is a great story-teller. He weaves in noticeable and plot-driving details without making them annoyingly obvious, and his imagination in throwing in folk lore about the dead--and other grisly graveyard inhabitants--is limitless. He also has a good sense of humor, and plays it well here. This book definitely made me want to read more of his work; unfortunately, I've heard that Coraline is terrifying and Stardust just plain crude. But, if he writes another book for children anytime soon, I will be seeking it out! (I've been wavering between giving it 7 and 8 stars and decided to err on the side of caution. But it really is very good, and I would definitely recommend it to people with a taste for the eerie!)

The Classics Reclassified by Richard Armour

7 stars

The Classics Reclassified is for those who hate classics. It is also for those who love classics. The Iliad, Julius Caesar, Ivanhoe, The Scarlet Letter, Moby Dick, Silas Marner, and David Copperfield all receive a humorous summary. Richard Armour's sharp wit spears the plot holes, the characters that don't make sense, the things that ought to have been left out, the excessive details, and everything else that your English teacher was too proud to point out.

Those of you who love the classics will enjoy a hearty chuckle. Those of you who hate the classics can laugh at their expense. Either way, laughter will ensue.

A few children's reads...

So, for a slight change of pace, I decided I wanted to add a brief list of a few favorite picture books. I like some more than others, but I'd say they all fall within the 8-10 Stars range. They are all different styles and genres and are only really related insofar as they are some favorites of mine, sorry.


The Dot by Peter H. Reynolds:

I have loved Peter H. Reynolds' loose-style illustrations ever since I've known of him, but this book especially holds a place in my heart. It's a book every artist really ought to own. Sarah, this means you. If you don't have it already, you need to. ;D (And, I have to add that the first time I read this book, it was a Spanish translation called, "El Punto", which actually I may have liked even more, since that title added some interesting double meaning to the whole...)


Ms. Rubinstein's Beauty by Pep Montserrat:

This has been a favorite ever since discovering it a couple of years ago. It is the only work so far by this author illustrator, but it's a great one. For a far more poetic (albeit a bit of a plot spoiling--read it AFTER you read the book, I'm telling you!!!) review than I can give, please visit:
http://fusenumber8.blogspot.com/2007/02/review-of-day-ms-rubinsteins-beauty.html


City Dog, Country Frog by Mo Willems:

The gorgeous pictures by Jon J Muth are what attracted me to this book to begin with, but it is as beautifully written as illustrated. Poignant, silly, sweet, sad, and wonderful all rolled into one. And, did I mention the gorgeous pictures?







Fox in Socks by Dr. Seuss:

So, perhaps it is a tad cliché to include Dr. Seuss, but really, the guy was a genius. This is one that I don't remember reading as a child, but just might rank as my favorite of his books. It doesn't have the same depth of meaning as some of his others, but the alliterations and rhyming patterns are FAN. TAS. TIC. Not than anyone expected anything else.







Snow White illustrated by Trina Schart Hyman:

I mention the illustrator, not the author, because, truthfully I have never loved the tale of Snow White. It's really, very dark. This retelling is no exception as it sticks pretty close to the Grimm version. BUT. If you have never loved Snow White, either, this book might just change your mind. And all because of a person known as Trina Schart Hyman. Who I adore. I have never been disappointed in a book she's illustrated, because even if the book were completely terrible, her illustrations would make it all worth while. No, seriously. Check it out, and you will see exactly what I mean.


The Sleeping Beauty by Mercer Mayer:

I know, I know, another fairy tale with beautiful pictures. But, this one, I choose not just for the amazing illustrations, but because this is my very favorite re-telling of the tale of the Sleeping Beauty. Ever. And I've read a LOT of re-tellings. Mercer Mayer manages to add all sorts of interesting twists to the timeless tale while managing to be true to the story. It is a real classic. And, just so that you know, if you have a hard time finding it, that's because it's now out of print. And people like to steal the library's copies and take the hit in fines just to have a copy. Unfortunately for the rest of us, it really is that good.


The Giving Tree by Shel Silverstein:

This book makes me cry. It has some of Silverstein's typically funny poetry, but it is much deeper than many of his other, sillier reads. Plus, it's about a tree, and we all know what a tree-hugger I am. But, then, since my dad had this book around for as long as I can remember, maybe this book is WHY I'm a tree-hugger.









The Eleventh Hour by Graeme Base:

Those of you who have never read any of Graeme Base's books need to move it to the top of your to-do list. Especially if you love bright colors. Or puzzles. Or clever rhymes. Or intricate illustrations. Or well-thought out children's books. ... Yeah. Enough said.

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón

4 Stars -3 for content (Yes, meaning it actually gets only 1 Star...)

"The novel, set in post–Spanish Civil War Barcelona, concerns a young boy, Daniel. Just after the war, Daniel's father takes him to the secret Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a huge library of old, forgotten titles lovingly preserved by a select few initiates. According to tradition, everyone initiated to this secret place is allowed to take one book from it, and must protect it for life. Daniel selects a book called The Shadow of the Wind by Julián Carax. That night he takes the book home and reads it, completely engrossed. Daniel then attempts to look for other books by this unknown author, but can find none. All he comes across are stories of a strange man – calling himself Laín Coubert, after a character in the book who happens to be the Devil – who has been seeking out Carax's books for decades, buying them all and burning them." (Taken from wikipedia.)

I'm only posting this, because based on the synopsis you might actually be tempted to read this book (the Cemetery of Forgotten Books, a mysterious book character burning a certain author's life's work, unusual setting, etc.). It starts out with so much promise! Ruiz' writing style is very lyrical and beautiful, and in the beginning there are lots of interesting and poignant interactions between Daniel and his widowed father. It carries on in this lovely way for about 60 or 70 pages and then, WHAM! Random sex scene. And then lots of garbage-y suggestive language for pretty much the rest of the book. :( This book is about 1/5 "Great Expectations", 1/5 "The Historian" (by Elizabeth Kostova), and, unfortunately about 3/5 parts smutty and salacious talk, gritty encounters, and people being absolutely horrible to one another. Boo. I hate when a very gifted author gives in to the temptation to make his book more "exciting" by adding a lot of unrealistically grimy atmosphere and language. I find it very difficult to believe that the vast majority of Spaniards in the 50s had such horrible marriages, and I scoff at the apparent take-home message that sexual intimacy is very rarely a good thing and that only when it's between young, unmarried, and inexperienced individuals. Again, boo. I have to admit that I did not read the whole book, but because of Ruiz' compelling storytelling, I skimmed about the last half of the book to find out the answers to the mysteries presented. An interesting plot-line, unique European setting, occasional flashes of hope and genuine human emotion, and an intriguing search for answers are, unfortunately, not enough to save this dark tale from the smelly pit into which the author has chosen to cast it.

The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells

6 stars

The Island of Dr. Moreau is stereotypical Wells. For those who haven't read any H.G. Wells, he is famous for science fiction novels such as The Time Machine, War of the Worlds, and The Invisible Man. All of Wells' novels that I've read have had a similar theme- the degeneration of man due to science. The Island of Dr. Moreau is no exception- the main character is trapped on an island with the amoral scientist Dr. Moreau, who creates human-like beings out of animals.

The Island of Dr. Moreau is probably the grossest Wells novel that I've read, and therefore I wouldn't really recommend it to someone who wanted to read a science fiction book. However, if you like the amoral mad scientist theme, or you like H.G. Wells, go for it.

People of the Lie by: Morgan Scott Peck

5 stars

People of the Lie is a psychiatrist's attempt to fuse science and religion by explaining the phenomenon of evil people with psychiatry. In a sentence, it was an interesting read, but I believe he was ultimately wrong.

According to Peck, evil is basically a kind of disease: malignant narcissism. The evil person is one who refuses to submit one's will to a higher power, be it God or some other virtue or discipline. Believing they are right and refusing to accept otherwise, they force others to live according to their worldview. Because they believe they are right, they will lie to themselves and others in order to convince others of their virtue (hence the title of the book, People of the Lie).

While using psychiatry terms to describe evil can be useful, I think that equating evil with narcissism is a mistake. First and foremost, narcissism is sometimes a medical condition, and other times a choice. Evil doesn't work that way. Evil isn't a medical condition that afflicts people. Second, calling evil a disease possibly suggests a genetic element, which is just wrong. The dichotomy of good and evil isn't about one's genetic structure, nor should it be.

As I said before, People of the Lie was an interesting read, but he simply wasn't right. It was fairly well written. I feel that it did dip too far into the occult for a nonfiction book, but only occasionally.

Secret Keeper by Mitali Perkins

7 Stars

"When her father loses his job and leaves India to look for work in America, Asha, her older sister, Reet, and their mother must wait with Baba's brother and his family...in Calcutta. Uncle is welcoming, but in a country steeped in tradition, the three women must abide by his decisions. ... Asha's only solace is her rooftop hide-away, where she pours her heart out in her diary, and where she begins a clandestine friendship with Jay Sen, the boy next door. ... Setting her novel in the mid-1970s, a time of political turmoil, Mitali Perkins probes the relationships between sisters, mothers and daughters, women and men. Secret Keeper tells of one girl's struggle, within the constraints of tradition, to establish her identity and claim her future." (Taken from the inside cover.)

I have to say that the biggest downside to this book was that it was only fairly written. I found Perkins' switching between the author's viewpoint, and Asha's first-person voice confusing. However, I found that I liked the book more than I normally do when I don't connect with the writing style. The characters were engaging, interesting, and believable, even though they are not deeply expounded upon. The setting, like Jane Austen's books, is mentioned only in direct relation to how it affects the characters (which, truthfully, isn't much), but I found that this added to the realism of Asha as a young woman. (I mean, what 16-year-old is really THAT affected by politics in their everyday life?) The book was also surprisingly poignant. It manages to explore some levels of social acceptance and age-old parent/child drama without making any one thing or person "to blame." You come away a little saddened by the plight of people within a culture that is so rigid in its socially acceptable norms, but still hopeful because the characters have managed to show respect and real love for each other without flouting generations of tradition. It was a surprisingly deep read, despite Perkins somewhat inexpert style.

The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time by Mark Haddon

4 Stars

Summary: Despite his overwhelming fear of interacting with people, Christopher, a mathematically gifted, autistic fifteen-year-old boy, decides to investigate the murder of a neighbor's dog and uncovers secret information about his mother. (taken from this inside cover)

Review:

This was a very insightful look into the mind of an autistic child, which is completely new to me. It was fascinating to see how he processed information and what seemed like little issues were drastically huge issues to him (for example, he hated the color yellow and could not touch it because it made him feel sick). There was also some subtle humor in the dry comments and observations. I did enjoy the mathematical aspects. I always remember Stephen Hawkings when he said that mathematicians see the world completely differently from non-mathematicians, and Christopher's comments reminded me of that. However, to me I just found the theology and the plot too depressing.

-Amy

Going Postal By Terry Pratchett

8 stars

Summary from Amazon.com:
Soon after Moist von Lipwig barely avoids hanging, Lord Havelock Vetinari, the despotic but pretty cool ruler of Ankh-Morpork, makes him a job offer he can't refuse—postmaster general of the Ankh-Morpork Post Office. The post office hasn't been open for 20 years since the advent of the Internet-like clacks communication system. Moist's first impulse is to try to escape, but Mr. Pump, his golem parole officer, quickly catches him. Moist must then deal with the musty mounds of undelivered mail that fill every room of the decaying Post Office building maintained by the ancient Junior Postman Groat and his callow assistant, Apprentice Postman Stanley. Readers will cheer Moist on as he eventually finds himself in a race with the dysfunctional clacks system to see whose message can be delivered first.

Going Postal is but one of the many books written by Terry Pratchett, who is my favorite fiction author of all time. Pratchett is a hilarious writer whose books contain many subtle and not-so-subtle parallels of the real world. Within the humor you will find thoughtful critiques and dilemmas about some aspect of the real world. All of his books are intended to make you laugh, and as you laugh you think. I am always in awe of Pratchett's ability to do both at the same time.

I would say that Going Postal is probably in the high middle range of Pratchett's writing. If you haven't read any of Pratchett's books, Going Postal is an excellent place to enter. I own a copy (and many other Pratchett books) and would be happy to loan it out.

October Sky, or Rocket Boys by Homer Hickam

10 stars

Summary: NASA engineer "Sonny" Homer Hickam accounts his childhood and high school years as he and a group of misfit boys follow their dreams to reach space and build amateur rockets against all odds.

Review: I absolutely loved this book. I couldn't put it down, even while we were on our vacation to Disneyland. Homer Hickam has such an honest and humorous writing style that I laughed out loud several times. I even have to say that I got a little teary in some sections. It had a more novel-like feel rather than an autobiography. It was also one of those feel-good books that you put come away from feeling like you are a better person for reading. Like Homer Hickam, you come away from the experience feeling like you are empowered to do anything if you work at it. A thoroughly enjoyable read.

-Amy

Flavor of the Week by Tucker Shaw

7 stars

Flavor of the Week is a teen romance with a twist. The main character, Cyril Batholomew, is an amazing cook. But being the fat kid in school and a boy that cooks is the fast track to Loserville, so Cyril decides to keep his amazing chef skills a secret. Cyril's best friend Rose, happens to be the love of his life. The problem is she only thinks of Cyril as the sensitive best friend, nothing more. Cyril is fine with their relationship until one day Cyril's super suave grade school friend Nick moves back in. Nick immediately want to go out with Rose, but discovers that her true passion is food.
Nick begs Cyril to help him win Rose over. So being the good pal that he is, Cyril ends up making all these amazing dishes for Rose. Rose falls more and more in love...but not with Nick....with the food. Will Cyril's cooking open her eyes to his love for her? Read it and find out.

Overall, I enjoyed this book. It was funny and cute (slightly sappy in parts), but the best part of it is the awesome recipes. Talk about delicious (and in most cases...easy!). For example: Kitchen Sink Cookies, Baked Hot Butter-Maple Oatmeal, Whipped Hot Chocolate, Spice-dusted figs, M&M Carmel Brownies (just to name a few.) Each chapter title is a different recipe, which gets incorporated to that particular chapter. Overall a fun, quick read. Good for a mindless fluffy sort of reading mood (like most teen romances). I would recommend it to the female audiences....not so much the men folk.

-Abby

Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson

9 stars

Plot from amazon.com:
To keep a treaty made long ago, the king of Idris must send his daughter to marry Susebron, the God King of Hallandren. Loath to part with his eldest daughter, Vivenna, King Dedelin instead sends his youngest daughter, tomboyish 17-year-old Siri, who struggles to make sense of the schemers and spies in Susebron's court. Hoping to rescue her sister, Vivenna joins a group of Idrian operatives with questionable motives. As Vivenna comes to terms with her magical abilities, resurrected hero Lightsong questions the role of the undead Returned Gods, who command Hallandren's mighty army of zombie soldiers.

Warbreaker is a truly unique fantasy novel. Within these pages you won't find any fireballs, wizards, elves, or the like. Instead, you will find a system of magic based on color and Breath, a new world that includes men who die and come back to life as Gods, clothes that move as if alive, a religion that fears color, and many other unique and intriguing surprises.

Perhaps the highest praise I can give to Warbreaker is that I was truly surprised by some of the plot twists. I don't know about you, but sometimes books, especially fantasy books, are all too predictable. I didn't have this problem with Warbreaker. Once or twice there were true “huwhaaaaaaat!?!?!?!?!?!?” moments. The characters within Warbreaker are unique, complex, and believable, as is the world they live in. Finally, there were moments that made me laugh out loud. I'm usually not a laugh-while-reading kind of person, so this too is high praise.

Anyone who loves fantasy =needs to read Brandon Sanderson. In addition to Warbreaker, Sanderson has also written The Mistborn Trilogy and Elantris, which I also greatly enjoyed. I happen to own The Mistborn Trilogy and Elantris and anyone who wants to can borrow them.

Golem Written and illustrated by David Wisniewski

8 Stars

Golem is a picture book about the legend of the golem of Prague. For those who don't know the story, here is a quick summary. The Jews of Prague are being slandered and mistreated by the rest of the city. In desperation, the chief rabbi summons a man made of clay to protect the Jews. The golem protects the Jews, but grows in size and starts to gain a will of its own. When at last the emperor agrees to protect the Jews, the chief rabbi destroys the golem.

Golem is beautifully illustrated and well written. One can clearly see and hear the emotions of all involved in this wonderful retelling. I have read Golem before, and it remains one of my favorite picture books. I would recommend it to any who likes mythology, especially children.

The Tao Speaks Adapted & Illustrated By Tsai Chih Chung

Expert Rating: 6 stars

Newcomer Rating: 3 stars

Before I review this book, I’d like to take a step back so everybody is on the same page. Taoism is a Chinese philosophical and religious school of thought founded by the legendary (and possibly fictitious!) figure Lao Tzu. Lao Tzu wrote a book called the Tao Te Ching. The Tao Te Ching argues for a certain way of living, which includes following the Tao, refraining from wealth or honor, and living a simple life.

That said, The Tao Speaks is a book that describes and explains the principles contained within the Tao Te Ching. It is not really intended as an introduction to Taoism, but instead a further explanation for those who have already read the Tao Te Ching. Therefore, I wouldn't recommend it to newcomers. For those interested, I do have a couple of books that would do a fine job of introducing you to Taoist philosophy.

For those of you who know a little about Taoism, let me say a few things more about this book. The Tao Speaks does offer a pleasant romp through Taoist thought. Both the illustrations and the text are simple, minimal, and beautiful. The text will not be hard to understand, but so much meaning is packed into so few words it might be hard to comprehend. (Did that make sense?) While enjoyable, I felt that The Tao Speaks only offers explanation on the most traditional understanding of Tao Te Ching, rather than a new or unique interpretation. Therefore, you won't learn a whole lot of information. Truth be told, most everything from The Tao Speaks could be gleaned from other sources, if you knew where to look. Therefore, I would say that the The Tao Speaks is a unique artist experience, but as academically edifying as other texts.

In conclusion, The Tao Speaks isn't for newcomers, but is a fair book for those who already know a thing or two about Taoism.

Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge

10 Stars

Mosca Mye is born in a world terrified of the awesome power of words. She is both blessed and cursed by a literary father who teaches her to read--and then dies, leaving her an unwanted orphan. When she encounters the questionably articulate Eponymous Clent, she can't help but be drawn into his world of the unanswerable. But perhaps she gets in deeper than she expected when asked to spy on a powerful Guild by an even more powerful duchess. Her exploits lead her and her gander (yes, she really does have a pet gander) into treachery, a Guild war, and a terrible propensity for her world's history to repeat itself.

I, like Anthony, will probably not give a lot of reviews with ten stars, but wanted to start off on a good note. I just read this book for the second time. Seeing as how the first time I read it was only just over a year ago, that alone should say something.

Frances Hardinge is a genius! As difficult as it would be to create a world so dependent on words and actually be able to do it justice with your own, she pulls it off completely. She really is a master storyteller--one of those who makes you want to run out and finish that book you've begun writing, while at the same time making you completely despair of ever being a good writer. Now, that being said, she does have a taste for the slightly macabre, so I wouldn't recommend her for the very young or very squeamish. (Though, truthfully, this is not as apparent in "Fly by Night" as in her "Gullstruck Island." Another excellent read, but slightly creepier, and probably more a 9 than a 10 for me.) The characters in this book are outstanding and very memorable. The plot keeps you guessing, but doesn't lose you. She spins a beautiful web of words throughout. Even the names she chooses have world's of meaning, without giving anything away. If you haven't yet read at least one of her books, you really ought to. And if you only ever read one of them, it really ought to be this one.

Seven Daughters and Seven Sons by Barbara Cohen and Bahija Lovejoy

8-9 Stars

Since I don't really have time to write my own synopsis of this book I'm posting a copied one from Amazon:

"In an ancient Arab nation, one woman dares to be different.Buran cannot -- Buran will not-sit quietly at home and wait to be married to the man her father chooses. Determined to use her skills and earn a fortune, she instead disguises herself as a boy and travels by camel caravan to a distant city. There, she maintains her masculine disguise and establishes a successful business. The city's crown prince comes often to her shop, and soon Buran finds herself falling in love. But if she reveals to Mahmud that she is a woman, she will lose everything she has worked for."

I loved this book...Admittedly the first reason I picked it up was because of Trina Schart Hyman's beautiful Cover illustration (I can honestly say that I've read every book I've come across that has had the cover art done by T.S.H. She is a GENIUS! Any author lucky enough to have her art on their book should be singing her praises...GENIUS!)

The story is told in parts from the perspective of different characters. I love the insight into the lives and culture of Arab and Muslim women (and men) of the day. The characters are easy to identify with and feel empathy for. The plot is interesting and inventive.

I have reread this book at least two times since first reading it...it is a fairly quick read, and always leaves me feeling satisfied.

Winnie-The-Pooh by A. A. Milne

10 stars!

I won't be giving 10 stars to many books, but I feel Winnie-The-Pooh deserves it. I have read Winnie-The-Pooh many times and plan to read it many times more. Besides being funny, whimsical, and insightful, I feel like there is something timeless about Winnie-The-Pooh that will never get old.

Since the book is short and so well known, I don't feel like I need to summarize it. Just read it! And read The House At Pooh Corner while you're at it. They won't take much time, and they can be unbelievably enjoyable. Read them yourself. Read them with your significant other. Read them to your children. You won't regret it.

Mao and Me by Chen Jiang Hong

6 Stars

Mao and Me is a very short but intriguing read. Less than a hundred pages and illustrated in a way reminiscent of ancient Chinese art, it doesn't take more than an afternoon to read. It offers a small autobiographical glimpse into a boy growing up during Mao's declared cultural revolution. Since I am young and foolish, I don't know anything about China's recent history. This story offers a story both happy and sad. One gets to hear a story about a boy who grew up living simply but happily with his family. One also hears about book burnings, forced public disgraces, and a harsh government that forces people to live a certain way.

I'm sure that those who know about China's history will learn very little new information. I'm also sure that those like me, with little knowledge on this subject, will not gain a full picture of what happened. However, Mao and Me does provide a little look into a very foreign world. It was enough to pique my curiosity to look further, and it could do the same for you.

The Professor and the Madman by Simon Winchester

I thought I would repost the book reviews I did on my family blog. So Professor and the Madman, Mao and Me, and Winnie the Pooh are from that site.

7 Stars

How to make the first complete English dictionary:

Step One: Read all English literature.

Step Two: Copy down every single word.

Step Three: For each word, write a clear definition for every use. Track the word's history. Illustrate each use with a quote from literature. If possible, find the earliest use of the word.

Step Four: Alphabetize and organize all words. Put into typeset. (Backwards and reverse order)

As per the Admiral's orders, I am now reviewing the books I read. I finished The Professor and the Madman about a week ago. Although the making of the Oxford English Dictionary (OED) may not sound like an interesting reading topic, I thoroughly enjoyed it. In the world of the internet, computers, laser printers, and readily available dictionaries, it is hard to imagine the sheer amount of work required to create the world's first complete dictionary. As you'll learn from this book, it took thousands of contributors and nearly a century of work to make it happen. Dedicated volunteers from all over America and English read, wrote, and sent words to a single address. There, a full time staff was dedicated solely to struggling to control the madness of thousands of words being sent daily. The paper alone weighed in the tons, and had to be kept on a specially reinforced floor.

Added this amazing story of the OED is one more strange fact: one of the greatest contributors to the OED was a man who was completely and incurably insane. Articulate, educated, helpful, but insane.

In short, The Professor and the Madman provides a vivid and interesting account of a unique piece of history. Fittingly for a book about a dictionary, the vocabulary was challenging and the tone was educated. I was rarely bored, and I was always curious about what was going to happen next. The final chapter raises some interesting questions that make you think. I would recommend it for anyone looking for some interesting nonfiction.