Book: The Wood Wife by Terri Windling
Age-range: 16 and up
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Yes
Although this book is almost 15 years old, I didn't discover it until last year or the year before. Surprisingly, our tiny little library in Pennsylvania had a copy and I read it, not really knowing what to expect. This book is full of things that I love: fairy tales, mythology, the desert, writers, romance. I have wanted to re-read this book for a while, but that proved more difficult than I expected once I moved back to Utah. No bookstores within a 50 mile radius had it in stock and the one copy in the entire county was missing in action.
I finally found it yesterday (was it really only yesterday?) at a different library in a different library system. So I started to read it again. Through the Prologue and Chapter One I was confused at why I had liked it. This wasn't the book I remembered it being. Chapter Two made me even more wary and I was about to give up, but just couldn't do it. Finally, there in Chapter Three I began to remember why I loved it. I stayed up late, I woke up early, and I finished it in less than 24 hours.
This is a book difficult to describe. The tag-line on the front reads, "An extraordinary tale of wild desert magic." But that doesn't really get to the heart of it. This isn't some wild fantasy, it's a remarkable book because of the very believability of it! By the end you begin to wonder if you went out the desert you might find the characters populating this book. You begin to believe.
So read this book. Walk the spiral path. I dare you.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Sunday, April 25, 2010
April Book Review #5
Book: Twilight by Stephenie Meyer
Age-range: 13 and up (although it's not a book I would ever recommend to someone not already out of high school)
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Yes, but different
I will willingly admit that I read Twilight before there was a Twilight craze. I read it before New Moon came out. I read it before it came out in paperback, even. I am responsible for at least 100 (not even kidding) people reading this book. Once upon a time I loved it, was completely Team Edward (before there was a Team Jacob), and was vaguely embarrassed that I read and enjoyed a book about, of all things, vampires.
Then everything exploded. That idiotic movie came out with Robert Pattinson playing Edward and suddenly I wondered if I had ever really liked Twilight at all. Surely I was not one of THOSE fans. And so many of my peers who wrote were bashing on Stephenie Meyer and her writing ability. I kept my now-floundering opinions to myself, but I stopped recommending the book, and didn't touch it again.
Until this last week.
I had to see why I had loved the book so much that I had recommended it to so many people. I had to remember why I had gushed and begged my sisters to read it. I had to remember why I had loved getting a Team Edward shirt from one of my sisters for Christmas. What was all the fuss about? Surely it hadn't really been that good. I must have just been in a reading dry spell to latch on to this book so much.
So I read it again.
And I loved it again. The first time I read it as a reader. This time I read it as a writer. And while I'm the first to admit that there's at least 20 pages toward the beginning that could be deleted without any harm to the story, I still felt like it was an amazing book for a first-time author. I fell in love with the characters again. The Edward in my head was my original imaginary Edward and not that awfully-make-upped Robert Pattinson. I had forgotten certain parts and enjoyed discovering them again, as if it were the first time. I even became slightly obsessed again, staying up early into the morning to read the partial copy of Midnight Sun on Stephenie Meyer's website. It's Twilight from Edward's point of view, and I actually prefer his voice to Bella's in some ways. I hope she'll finish the book because I would definitely buy it.
Now this does not mean that I encourage or condone the reading of any other books in the series. I have read them all and decided (back before the explosion) that I preferred the story as it is contained in the first book. I have no use for half-human/half-vampire babies, werewolves, or any other thing mentioned in the other books. (Although, to be fair, I was fairly suicidal when I read New Moon, so that could have influenced my reading of that book.)
In conclusion, you should read Twilight if you haven't. Just ignore the hype. And never, under any circumstances watch the movie. You can, however, watch the New Moon movie. But don't read the book. That is all.
Age-range: 13 and up (although it's not a book I would ever recommend to someone not already out of high school)
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Yes, but different
I will willingly admit that I read Twilight before there was a Twilight craze. I read it before New Moon came out. I read it before it came out in paperback, even. I am responsible for at least 100 (not even kidding) people reading this book. Once upon a time I loved it, was completely Team Edward (before there was a Team Jacob), and was vaguely embarrassed that I read and enjoyed a book about, of all things, vampires.
Then everything exploded. That idiotic movie came out with Robert Pattinson playing Edward and suddenly I wondered if I had ever really liked Twilight at all. Surely I was not one of THOSE fans. And so many of my peers who wrote were bashing on Stephenie Meyer and her writing ability. I kept my now-floundering opinions to myself, but I stopped recommending the book, and didn't touch it again.
Until this last week.
I had to see why I had loved the book so much that I had recommended it to so many people. I had to remember why I had gushed and begged my sisters to read it. I had to remember why I had loved getting a Team Edward shirt from one of my sisters for Christmas. What was all the fuss about? Surely it hadn't really been that good. I must have just been in a reading dry spell to latch on to this book so much.
So I read it again.
And I loved it again. The first time I read it as a reader. This time I read it as a writer. And while I'm the first to admit that there's at least 20 pages toward the beginning that could be deleted without any harm to the story, I still felt like it was an amazing book for a first-time author. I fell in love with the characters again. The Edward in my head was my original imaginary Edward and not that awfully-make-upped Robert Pattinson. I had forgotten certain parts and enjoyed discovering them again, as if it were the first time. I even became slightly obsessed again, staying up early into the morning to read the partial copy of Midnight Sun on Stephenie Meyer's website. It's Twilight from Edward's point of view, and I actually prefer his voice to Bella's in some ways. I hope she'll finish the book because I would definitely buy it.
Now this does not mean that I encourage or condone the reading of any other books in the series. I have read them all and decided (back before the explosion) that I preferred the story as it is contained in the first book. I have no use for half-human/half-vampire babies, werewolves, or any other thing mentioned in the other books. (Although, to be fair, I was fairly suicidal when I read New Moon, so that could have influenced my reading of that book.)
In conclusion, you should read Twilight if you haven't. Just ignore the hype. And never, under any circumstances watch the movie. You can, however, watch the New Moon movie. But don't read the book. That is all.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
April Book Review #4
Book: The Bean Trees by Barbara Kingsolver
Age-range: 13 and up
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Yes
I don't remember when I first read this book, but it's stuck with me. It's over 20 years old, but it still reads like it could be today (aside from a few pop-culture references from the 80s). It's an amazing story about family and what constitutes a family, about illegal immigrants and about abuse. When you take most of the subject matter individually it sounds depressing, but it really isn't.
The book is about a southern girl, and the voice is perfect. In the first chapter it's a very thick accent, but it fades as the book goes on so it never gets irritating or overbearing. She moves from Kentucky across the country to Arizona, with a stop-off in Oklahoma on the way. While she's in Oklahoma she acquires a baby girl. In Arizona she meets a lot of colorful, wonderful people.
This book is sort of hard to explain, but it's beautiful and amazing and it makes you see things a little differently. A definite must-read.
Age-range: 13 and up
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Yes
I don't remember when I first read this book, but it's stuck with me. It's over 20 years old, but it still reads like it could be today (aside from a few pop-culture references from the 80s). It's an amazing story about family and what constitutes a family, about illegal immigrants and about abuse. When you take most of the subject matter individually it sounds depressing, but it really isn't.
The book is about a southern girl, and the voice is perfect. In the first chapter it's a very thick accent, but it fades as the book goes on so it never gets irritating or overbearing. She moves from Kentucky across the country to Arizona, with a stop-off in Oklahoma on the way. While she's in Oklahoma she acquires a baby girl. In Arizona she meets a lot of colorful, wonderful people.
This book is sort of hard to explain, but it's beautiful and amazing and it makes you see things a little differently. A definite must-read.
Monday, April 19, 2010
What I Learned About Myself
I don't do well with assigned reading. Even if I assign it to myself.
I've had a hard time getting motivated to read my books this month. Sadly, I think this will be the first, last, and only themed month on The Bookish Blonde.
I've had a hard time getting motivated to read my books this month. Sadly, I think this will be the first, last, and only themed month on The Bookish Blonde.
Saturday, April 10, 2010
April Review #3
Book: The Tale of Despereaux: Being the Story of a Mouse, a Princess, Some Soup and a Spool of Thread by Kate DiCamillo
Age-range: 0 and up
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Yes
This is one of the most beautiful original fairy tales I've ever read. It tells the story of a mouse named Despereaux, a rat named Roscuro, a princess named Pea, and a nearly-deaf girl named Miggery Sow. The story is told in 4 books.
I hope that you'll indulge me as I tell you how I chanced upon this beautiful book. It was six or seven years ago and I was on-campus. My class had been cancelled and it was 2 hours until my next one. Too much time to do nothing, not enough time to be worth going home. So I walked down to the bookstore. After perusing the stacks there, on the sale table, was a little maroon book with a pencil-drawing of a mouse on the cover. I bought it without looking much past that. I went and sat by some big bay windows in a comfy chair and read. And read. And read. I missed my class, finished the book, and fell in love with that little big-eared mouse.
Now I know that the writing style is not to the liking of some people, but it lends itself beautifully to being read aloud. So find someone to read it to, or barring that, find yourself a quiet corner and whisper the words to yourself. Stories, as the book says, are light.
Go shine some light.
Age-range: 0 and up
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Yes
This is one of the most beautiful original fairy tales I've ever read. It tells the story of a mouse named Despereaux, a rat named Roscuro, a princess named Pea, and a nearly-deaf girl named Miggery Sow. The story is told in 4 books.
I hope that you'll indulge me as I tell you how I chanced upon this beautiful book. It was six or seven years ago and I was on-campus. My class had been cancelled and it was 2 hours until my next one. Too much time to do nothing, not enough time to be worth going home. So I walked down to the bookstore. After perusing the stacks there, on the sale table, was a little maroon book with a pencil-drawing of a mouse on the cover. I bought it without looking much past that. I went and sat by some big bay windows in a comfy chair and read. And read. And read. I missed my class, finished the book, and fell in love with that little big-eared mouse.
Now I know that the writing style is not to the liking of some people, but it lends itself beautifully to being read aloud. So find someone to read it to, or barring that, find yourself a quiet corner and whisper the words to yourself. Stories, as the book says, are light.
Go shine some light.
Friday, April 9, 2010
April Book Review #2
Book: Fly By Night by Frances Hardinge
Age-range: 10 and up
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Yes, maybe even better
This book is not what it is advertised to be. I remember buying this book because of the big sticker across the front that read: Imagine a world in which all books have been BANNED! The trouble is, not all books have been banned in the story. And the fact that some books are banned makes up about .01% of the story. So when you read the jacket copy and see the cover, just know that it's not an accurate portrayal of what the book is about.
Mosca Mye is our protagonist, a 12-year-old orphan with dark eyes and a "ferrety-look" about her. The book begins with a long and boring first chapter that goes into way too many details about things that don't matter, so just hang on until you get passed it. Mosca takes up with a sweet-talking con man named Eponymous Clent (aren't the names fabulous?) and rescues him from the clink. And I can't forget Mosca's goose Saracen who plays an important part throughout the story.
The story is complex and hard to explain in a few lines, so I'm not going to even try. I will tell you that (other than the first chapter) the book is amazingly well-written with fascinating names and creative world-building, though the setting is based on 18th-century London.
I'm pretty sure my favorite part of the book is the way Mosca talks. She loves words, collects them even, but the way she speaks belies the fact that she's so well-educated. Here's the first line she speaks where we really get to hear her voice:
"He's a mangy old nook-gazin' spy. 'S got papers, signed by the Stationers - I seen 'em."
Can't you just hear her voice? My only beef is that you don't really get to hear her voice until almost 100 pages into the story, so you're thinking she's one thing when she's really another, but now you'll have the advantage of knowing what Mosca truly sounds like.
So go read it already! I know my description is not the best, but trust me - you'll like it.
Age-range: 10 and up
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Yes, maybe even better
This book is not what it is advertised to be. I remember buying this book because of the big sticker across the front that read: Imagine a world in which all books have been BANNED! The trouble is, not all books have been banned in the story. And the fact that some books are banned makes up about .01% of the story. So when you read the jacket copy and see the cover, just know that it's not an accurate portrayal of what the book is about.
Mosca Mye is our protagonist, a 12-year-old orphan with dark eyes and a "ferrety-look" about her. The book begins with a long and boring first chapter that goes into way too many details about things that don't matter, so just hang on until you get passed it. Mosca takes up with a sweet-talking con man named Eponymous Clent (aren't the names fabulous?) and rescues him from the clink. And I can't forget Mosca's goose Saracen who plays an important part throughout the story.
The story is complex and hard to explain in a few lines, so I'm not going to even try. I will tell you that (other than the first chapter) the book is amazingly well-written with fascinating names and creative world-building, though the setting is based on 18th-century London.
I'm pretty sure my favorite part of the book is the way Mosca talks. She loves words, collects them even, but the way she speaks belies the fact that she's so well-educated. Here's the first line she speaks where we really get to hear her voice:
"He's a mangy old nook-gazin' spy. 'S got papers, signed by the Stationers - I seen 'em."
Can't you just hear her voice? My only beef is that you don't really get to hear her voice until almost 100 pages into the story, so you're thinking she's one thing when she's really another, but now you'll have the advantage of knowing what Mosca truly sounds like.
So go read it already! I know my description is not the best, but trust me - you'll like it.
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
The Bookmark Conundrum
I don't have an e-reader of any sort. I still read books the old-fashioned way. When I read I usually don't bother marking my place; I can almost always remember exactly where I left off. Lately, however, this has not been the case.
So I am searching for a way to mark my place. I don't want to spend $5 on a bookmark I will probably lose anyway (why not just mark your book with a $5 bill?) and I don't like the ones that grip the page by magnet or other means because they rip the pages when I pull them off. My biggest problem is that I need a place to put the place marker while I'm reading - someplace I won't lose it. I've been marking my current book with a bobby pin and then sticking it in my hair when I read. Unfortunately, my son caught onto this and now steals the bobby pin out of my book.
Any ideas for a bookmark for me?
So I am searching for a way to mark my place. I don't want to spend $5 on a bookmark I will probably lose anyway (why not just mark your book with a $5 bill?) and I don't like the ones that grip the page by magnet or other means because they rip the pages when I pull them off. My biggest problem is that I need a place to put the place marker while I'm reading - someplace I won't lose it. I've been marking my current book with a bobby pin and then sticking it in my hair when I read. Unfortunately, my son caught onto this and now steals the bobby pin out of my book.
Any ideas for a bookmark for me?
Friday, April 2, 2010
April Book Review #1
Book: Haroun and the Sea of Stories by Salman Rushdie
Age-range: 0 and up
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Not quite
The first book I chose to re-read this month is Haroun and the Sea of Stories, a book that I have recommended and bought for countless people. (Side note: I just read that he's coming out with a second book in the series! Squee!) I read it again to make sure I still liked it. I did.
I will happily admit it was slightly less magical on the second reading, however. Because I knew the twists and turns and surprises it was harder to suspend my belief and I got impatient for certain parts. But it was still as good as it was the first time.
Haroun's father Rashid is the Ocean of Notions, the Shah of Blah, an amazing storyteller who, one day, loses his Gift of Gab. Haroun then goes on a quest to get it back for his father and meets a number of funny people, including those with the unlikely names of Iff and Butt.
There are a lot of fabulous images, good lines, and an amazing use of the English language. There's also, at the core, a great moral. This is a book that can be told to children of any age (if they have the attention span) and even adults will love it.
So go out and read it already!
Age-range: 0 and up
Recommended: Yes
As good as the first time?: Not quite
The first book I chose to re-read this month is Haroun and the Sea of Stories, a book that I have recommended and bought for countless people. (Side note: I just read that he's coming out with a second book in the series! Squee!) I read it again to make sure I still liked it. I did.
I will happily admit it was slightly less magical on the second reading, however. Because I knew the twists and turns and surprises it was harder to suspend my belief and I got impatient for certain parts. But it was still as good as it was the first time.
Haroun's father Rashid is the Ocean of Notions, the Shah of Blah, an amazing storyteller who, one day, loses his Gift of Gab. Haroun then goes on a quest to get it back for his father and meets a number of funny people, including those with the unlikely names of Iff and Butt.
There are a lot of fabulous images, good lines, and an amazing use of the English language. There's also, at the core, a great moral. This is a book that can be told to children of any age (if they have the attention span) and even adults will love it.
So go out and read it already!
Thursday, April 1, 2010
An Explanation of April's Theme
The official theme for April is "Revisiting Old Friends" and it gives me permission to re-read books I haven't re-read in a while, or ever. I will not include books I frequently re-read like The Scarlet Pimpernel or Pride and Prejudice. The books I read this month will only be ones I've been meaning to get back to, just to see if I still love them as much as I used to, SO, in light of the self-imposed rules I've set up I would love to hear some recommendations. Is there a book I suggested to you that you loved? Did I give you a book once that I adored and you hated? Let me know, I will re-read it and share the results.
So suggest away!
So suggest away!
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