May 2012Monthly Archives

Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris

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Reason for Reading:
  • This was required reading for a course I took last semester.

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

With an irresistibly casual writing style, Ferris makes readers a part of his fictional advertising agency from the moment we open the book. Through numerous impromptu conversations, colleagues come alive. We learn that Larry and Amber have had an affair, and that Amber is pregnant. We know that Chris Yop is panicking because he exchanged his office chair without permission, and that Joe Pope is universally despised because he got promoted and now everyone has to listen to him. No one likes Karen Woo because she’s always trying to seem smarter than everyone else. And the head boss, Lynn, has cancer, but she doesn’t want anyone to know. We understand that the agency is in trouble, and that the unstable Tom Mota is being laid off. We realize that anyone could be next. And we’re dying to know what’s going to happen.

My Review:

Are you a fan of movies like Office Space? Or TV shows like The Office or Community? Then this is a book for you.

I was assigned Then We Came to the End by Joshua Ferris for a course I took last semester. We were supposed to be studying the workplace, as the course was to prepare us for going out into the workplace. We had to write resumes, figure out how life would be handled, how we would fit into these new things (to most of them) called careers. Granted, I’d been in an office environment as I’m a non-traditional student, but it was interesting to see how accurately it was portrayed in this book.

Then We Came to the End is filled with a mix-match of characters all facing the dreaded lay-off. There’s rumors, speculation, arguments, threats, tears, laughter, fights with office equipment and everything you’d expect, especially if you have worked in any sort of office environment over the last ten years. But mixed in with all this contemporary life are histories of various characters and personal, intimate looks at them through either the words of another, or their own words. It gets confusing at times and I won’t lie – the book is hard to follow most of the time as a result, but it’s a valid, interesting read and one that makes sense to give to college kids about to embark on their post-college lives.

 

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

Pace J. Miller | Broke and Bookish | Nights and Weekends


Lydia
31 May, 2012
Contemporary, reviews
0 comments
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Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

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Reason for Reading:
  • Fantasy with a Russian backdrop? Yes please!

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

Surrounded by enemies, the once-great nation of Ravka has been torn in two by the Shadow Fold, a swath of near impenetrable darkness crawling with monsters who feast on human flesh. Now its fate may rest on the shoulders of one lonely refugee.
Alina Starkov has never been good at anything. But when her regiment is attacked on the Fold and her best friend is brutally injured, Alina reveals a dormant power that saves his life—a power that could be the key to setting her war-ravaged country free. Wrenched from everything she knows, Alina is whisked away to the royal court to be trained as a member of the Grisha, the magical elite led by the mysterious Darkling.
Yet nothing in this lavish world is what it seems. With darkness looming and an entire kingdom depending on her untamed power, Alina will have to confront the secrets of the Grisha…and the secrets of her heart.

My Review:

Shadow and Bone is pure, unadulterated, guilty pleasure. I seriously devoured this book in just a few hours. It’s fantasy, but fantasy that appeals to the little girl inside of me – fantasy that has my toes tingling and my imagination whirling with images, ideas, and romance.

Alina and Mal are orphans, tested early while under the protection of a good Duke, for Grisha abilities. Grisha’s are a sort of sorcerer – each has an ability they are fantastic at, and they are separated according to those abilities.

The orphans and the Grisha’s are thrown together to create a story that is compelling and interesting. This is easily a book I’d throw into the “book crack” category along with several other well-known titles, and I wouldn’t be surprised to see it catch on with other readers and bloggers.

That all said, it’s not meant to be taken seriously. After all, this is fantasy, folks. The stereotyping can get a little annoying, but it wasn’t enough to pull me from the strength of the story, and I don’t know enough about Russian culture to catch any flaws. That said, I did thoroughly enjoy seeing a fantasy that was set in a type of country different than the normal (Hi King Arthur throwbacks).

This book is being released the early part of June, and I only recommend you pick it up if you have the time to devote to it – because you might just find yourself, like me, unable to put it down.

 

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

Paranormal Indulgence | Bookalicious | Candace’s Book Blog


Lydia
30 May, 2012
Fantasy, reviews, Young Adult
3 comments
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George R.R. Martin Blogger Fun

Pam at Bookalicious is hosting a read-a-long of George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series starting this July! I tend to re-read favorite fantasy series each summer so I figure Tis is as good an excuse as any, plus it will help with trying to get back into the book blogging atmosphere again after school nearly sucked everything out of me.

So If you want to tackle thee books along with us, join in the fun!

Lydia
29 May, 2012
Uncategorized
0 comments

Earthseed by Pamela Sargent

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Reason for Reading:
  • I received this from TOR Teen – apparently it’s been optioned for a motion picture!

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

The classic YA science fiction adventure by Nebula and Locus Award–winning author Pamela Sargent The ship hurtles through space. Deep within its core, it carries the seed of humankind. Launched by the people of a dying Earth over a century ago, its mission is to find a habitable world for the children—fifteen-year-old Zoheret and her shipmates—whom it has created from its genetic banks.

To Zoheret and her shipmates, Ship has been mother, father, and loving teacher, preparing them for their biggest challenge: to survive on their own, on an uninhabited planet, without Ship’s protection. Now that day is almost upon them…but are they ready to leave Ship? Ship devises a test. And suddenly, instincts that have been latent for over a hundred years take over. Zoheret watches as friends become strangers—and enemies. Can Zoheret and her companions overcome the biggest obstacle to the survival of the human race—themselves?

My Review:

To be honest, when I first looked up Earthseed by Pamela Sargent on GoodReads I choked a little bit with laughter seeing it’s original, 1983 cover. It was cheesy, embarrassing, and frankly everything I remember reading when I was 10 years old in the 80′s.

Thankfully, the edition I received from TOR Teen featured an updated cover and, after reading a few reviews, I dove into the story with hope.
After just a few pages I was immediately reminded of Beth Revis’ Across the Universe – which was not a bad thing, just made me remember the hope I had to see more sci-fi leaning Young Adult fiction out there and less paranormal-romance.

Earthseed gave me just about everything I look for in a sci-fi-”lite” book. It wasn’t too filled with technical terms that I had to struggle to figure out what was going on, in fact almost immediately I knew exactly what was happening, between the sentient Ship and the children. What I had an issue with, however, was the blatant type-casting of both races and disabilities. Since this book was written in the early 80′s I think it’s safe to say that Pamela Sargent was definitely not aware of what we are today. So if you want to read this book, keep in mind the year it was published – not that it gives Sargent an excuse (and I’m rather surprised that TOR Teen editors did not tweak it a bit), just that it was written nearly 30 years ago.

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

To Read Or Not To Read

Book Passion for Life


Lydia
29 May, 2012
reviews, Science Fiction, Young Adult
0 comments
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It’s Monday, what are you reading?

This meme is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

I read a lot this week. I blame those blasted Fantasy books – they just suck me in and don’t let me go!

Books I’ve read this past week (Links to reviews):

  1. Castle of Wizardry by David Eddings
  2. Wizards’ End Game by David Eddings
  3. Glow by Jessica Maria Tuccelli
  4. Railsea by China Mieville
  5. Shadow and Bone by Leah Bardugo
  6. Earthseed by Pamela Sargent
Books reviewed this past week:
  1. The Belgariad Vol. 1 (First 3 books) by David Eddings
  2. Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson
  3. Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey
  4. Pandemonium by Lauren Oliver
  5. Romantic Fairy Tales edited by Carol Tully

Books to read this week:

The Replacement Wife by Eileen Goudge

The Unseen by Katherine Webb

The Paris Wife by Paula McLain 

The Long Earth by Terry Pratchett, Stephen Baxter

The Unidentified by  Rae Mariz


Lydia
27 May, 2012
Books, memes
15 comments

Romantic Fairy Tales – Edited by Carol Tully

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Reason for Reading:
  • This was required reading for my Seminar in Continental European Literature class

I also recommend:

  • Grimm’s Fairy Tales

Summary from GoodReads

The German Romantic movement arose in response to the turmoil of the French Revolution and to the Enlightenment’s emphasis on science and reason. Nostalgia for the past and a fascination with mysticism and medivialism caused a group of writers to adopt the foremost form of the Kunstmar or “literary fairy tales”. This collection, vividly illustrating the development of German Romanticism, presents four of the genre’s key texts that still have the power to enchant and disturb. Goethe’s The Fairy Tale (1795) — an ethereal story of prophecy and resurrection — helped establish of the genre. Ludwig Tieck’s Eckbert the Fair (1792) is a dark story of incest and murder. Friedrich de la Motte Fouque describes the unhappy fate of a wood nymph with the soul of a woman in Undine (1811). In The Tale of Honest Casper and Fair Annie (1817), Clemens Brentano tells the tale of young couple destroyed by a false sense of honor.

My Review:

Recently there’s been a lot of fairy-tale hype happening. Turn on the TV and you’ll see advertisements for Grimm and Once Upon a Time. The theater this year will have two, yes two movies centering on Snow White. We’ve had recent movies re-telling Beauty and the Best and Red Riding Hood and this fairy tale uprising, I believe, is just getting started.

I recently took a class that focused on uncanny literature from Continental European authors. These stories were included in the reading for that class and I will not sugarcoat this – some of them were strange, disturbing, and outright freaky. But that makes it all the more fun to read, right?

Between poor Casper and Annie and all this business about beheading to Eckbert and that business about the incest, these fairy tales are accessable – so much so I forgot I was reading for class at some points and just enjoyed reading fairy tales that I was very unfamiliar with.

So if you are a fan of Grimms Fairy Tales and want to experience a little more on the uncanny side, this is a volume of stories that will sit proudly on your shelf. It’s a book of pure fun (and grossness).


Lydia
27 May, 2012
Fairy Tales, reviews
0 comments
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The Belgariad Vol. 2 by David Eddings

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Reason for Reading:
  • This was a Christmas present to me from my newest brother-in-law.

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads:

The quest may be nearing its end, but the danger continues. After discovering a shocking secret about himself he never could have imagined—all in pursuit of the legendary Orb—Garion and his fellow adventurers must escape a crumbling enemy fortress and flee across a vast desert filled with ruthless soldiers whose only aim is to destroy them. But even when the quest is complete, Garion’s destiny is far from fulfilled. For the evil God Torak is about to awaken and seek dominion. Somehow, Garion has to face the God, to kill or be killed. On the outcome of this dread duel rests the future of the world. But how can one man destroy an immortal God?

My Review:

Castle of Wizardry:

Just when I thought things were going to comet to some sort of conclusion.. David Eddings throws me for a spin with the ending of this book.

But I get ahead of myself -

In Castle of Wizardry Belgarion finally comes into his own – sort of. The prophecy peaks, things we, as readers, have known since the first and second book are revealed (and the characters are surprised by them? Really?). I suppose it would have helped, also, to have the prophecy revealed at the start of each book so we could see the pieces coming together as well – but that isn’t how it’s to be, so we really don’t know just how explicit it is.

This book and The Magician’s Gambit suffer a bit from “middle-child syndrome”, all things said. It’s obvious that the story is hurtling toward a grand finish, but first we have to get through all of the revelations and traveling – and there is a LOT of traveling. That said, I’m looking forward to seeing what the end brings and have thoroughly enjoyed a weekend completely absorbed in this world created by David Eddings.

Enchanters’ End Game: 

In just three short days I plowed through The Belgariad series and emerged, happy (and a bit melancholy to leave them behind). As much as I loved the series, wept at certain deaths, rejoiced as characters got everything and more than they could have dreamed of, I have only one small criticism to offer now that I’ve finished my first David Eddings series.

I think authors such as Brandon Sanderson and Mickey Zucker Reichart have spoiled me when it comes to battle scenes. Take for example, Reichart’s Renshai series – the swordplay is so beautifully described it makes me want to weep thinking about reading it again. Every motion came alive in my imagination. In contrast, David Eddings struggled with putting into words the action taking place in these books. Villains died quickly and neatly, which robbed me, as a reader, of a need to see them get their “just desserts.”

That said, I still loved the direction of the story, the way all the pieces fit neatly together, the growth of the characters and uniting of the world, and that little bit that left the story open to grow more.


Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

Gamer Girl’s Book Reviews

Thirst for Fiction

Lydia
26 May, 2012
Fantasy, Favorites, reviews
1 comment
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The Belgariad Vol. 1 by David Eddings

Order from:

 

Reason for Reading:
  • This was a Christmas present to me from my newest brother-in-law.

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads

It all begins with the theft of the Orb that for so long protected the West from an evil god. As long as the Orb was at Riva, the prophecy went, its people would be safe from this corrupting power. Garion, a simple farm boy, is familiar with the legend of the Orb, but skeptical in matters of magic. Until, through a twist of fate, he learns not only that the story of the Orb is true, but that he must set out on a quest of unparalleled magic and danger to help recover it. For Garion is a child of destiny, and fate itself is leading him far from his home, sweeping him irrevocably toward a distant tower—and a cataclysmic confrontation with a master of the darkest magic.

My Review:

Pawn of Prophecy:

I love a good fantasy romp.

My brother-in-law has been after me to experience David Eddings’ works and presented me with the first three books in The Belgariad series for Christmas last year. I was thrilled and apprehensive because, you see, I have this problem when it comes to fantasy – I get completely and totally sucked in.

That’s not a bad thing, it’s just fantasy has this ability to make me forget to eat, sleep, drink … basically forget everything but reading. I walk around the house with my nose in the book, I fall asleep from utter exhaustion and wake up with the book on top of my face, begging to be read – forget the shower and coffee!

So I have to confess, there are times when I pick up a fantasy series and I hope that it will be gentle with me and provide me with opportunities to just put it down. In that regard, Pawn of Prophecy let me down.

This book had everything I loved. The legends of old gods, the young boy, the sorceress, the ancient prophet, the giants, the imps, the ordinary folk and the spies. It combined light, quick wit and humor with an enormous quest and kept me completely hooked every step of the way.

Now I understand why my brother-in-law pressed these books on me – and now that I’ve finished with the review of the first, I’m headed back to dive into the second.

Queen of Sorcery: 

I’m always a little apprehensive when approaching the middle book of a trilogy. The questions in my mind are usually: How will people I’ve come to love in the first book be treated? Will the main character (especially since he’s a child in this case) grow annoying and hard to relate to? Who else will be introduced? How will the story move toward a conclusion in the third book?

David Eddings did a fantastic job with putting me at ease regarding each and every one of those questions. New villains were introduced, and they are colorful and amazing. Old enemies were put to rest, moving the story forward in a way that was unexpected and fantastic. And new friends were brought into the mix – in this case a young, 15 year old girl who had me roaring with laughter.

Although Garion whined and wallowed a bit, it was comforting to see David Eddings address that head on, and in the process provide his readers with hope that it will change. If anything – it reminded me that Garion is still just a boy (as evidenced by a rather hilarious scene regarding learning to shave).

Great story movement, fantastic characters, a huge amount of fantastic world building – this series is living up to every good thing I’ve been told about it.

Magician’s Gambit: 

This is the first book of Edding’s Belgariad series that has earned less than a 5 star rating from me. Don’t get me wrong – I’m still enjoying the world, the setting, the progression .. but the addition of some characters (Relg is just weird, folks)and the darkness of the world as the progression is happening really made it easier for me to put the book down and do other things less important, like play Bejeweled.

That said, let me talk about what I did like in the book – I enjoyed finally seeing Garion start to come into his own. I enjoyed the humor – laughed out loud in several places, and I enjoyed seeing the budding relationship happening between Garion and Ce’Nedra (who is one of my favorites).

But now let me talk about some other favorites of mine:

1. Durnik. I love the common, peasant, strong but tenderhearted character. You know – the ones that don’t need special powers or abilities to show they are special? That’s what Durnik is. Add in the conflict with his emotions for a certain beautiful lady and you have a well-rounded, incredibly likeable man.

2. Mandorallen. I have a feeling this is not a popular character to like – but honestly, his coping method with fear won me over. I adore this character for all his high-brow speech and noble theatrics. As much as I love Durnik for his simplicity, Mandorallen provides me with the perfect compliment in character. Some of my favorite scenes involve this knight, and I cannot wait to see how he will change in the upcoming books.

I read the first three books of the Belgariad in a single volume and it took me less than 24 hours to do so. That’s how engrossing this story is. If you are a fantasy lover and, like me, have not read these books in the past I urge you to give them a shot. There is something in there for everyone.

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

Dragonmount

Gamer Girl’s Book Reviews


Lydia
25 May, 2012
Fantasy, Favorites, reviews
5 comments
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Ramona by Helen Hunt Jackson

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Reason for Reading:
  • This was required reading for my American Lit II class.

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads

Work from the prolific American author best known as the author of Ramona, a novel about the ill-treatment of Indians in Southern California.

My Review:

Sometimes I wonder if there’s a point to reviewing older novels. I mean – there’s obviously a point to reading them, and Ramona presents a good case for that. But after reading a book like this it’s hard to imagine that others haven’t read it, or something like it… until I remember that until this past semester, I’d never even heard of Ramona.

For those of you who, like me, had never thought to pick this book up let me just say that it will frustrate, awe, and inspire you. The story is one that speaks of epic, sweeping love and loss, but it’s buried in pages upon pages of description which, back in the day before the internet, television, and radio, would have passed for entertainment but today just feels as if it’s one more thing to push through in order to get to the meat of the story.

Thankfully, I read this book for a classroom setting – so three days were set aside for us to get to the meat and actually talk about the themes and ideas in Ramona.

Here’s what I came away from this talks with:

Even in a story, such as Ramona, when the author is seeking to shed light on the issues of the time (specifically the tensions between whites, Mexicans, and Native Americans), in order for Ramona to be related to she is given “white” characteristics – i.e. blue eyes from her Scottish Father.

Sweeping stereotypes are made not only about the whites (and honestly, as far as stereotypes go, they were pretty harsh but necessary ones) but also about Mexicans. Even the Native Americans in this book did not escape judgement from Helen Hunt Jackson.

Jackson has no problem spending 70 pages talking about the little things – making a bed on a porch, tension-filled relationship between Ramona and her adoptive family, and so on.. but she spends less than a paragraph on a vital turning part of the story. In fact, the action and result of this turning part happened so quickly I thought I’d imagined it happening and had to go back to re-read it.

I understand from our discussions the importance of a book like Ramona and I believe that it’s important that it continues to be read and talked about – but more than anything, I wonder how that will be possible with the changing of our culture. We talk in 140 character tweets – so how can we expect young adults today to be patient enough to read pages upon pages of description? It saddens me to think that this story is one of many that will end up lost as a result – so if you decide to read just one “classic” American story this year, think about choosing this one.

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

As The Crow Flies (And Reads!)


Lydia
24 May, 2012
Classics, Historical, reviews
4 comments
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Beauty and the Werewolf by Mercedes Lackey

Order from:

 

Reason for Reading:
  • This whole series cracks me up – I love Mercedes Lackey’s style of writing and the fact that the series is based on re-told fairy tales doesn’t hurt.

I also recommend:

Summary from GoodReads

The magic continues in “New York Times”-bestselling author Lackey’s enchanting new story from the Tales of the Five Hundred Kingdoms series. A beauty must battle some beasts before she rescues her prince.

My Review:

There are times a girl just needs to have some mindless fun. When those times hit me I head straight for this series.

Beginning with The Fairy Godmother and working all the way through various fairy tales these books by Mercedes Lackey never fail to make me laugh, coo a little bit in romantic bliss, and feel as if I’ve done something that is decadently delicious when I close the cover. These aren’t serious literature and that’s a good thing. I’ve read the Grimm’s Fairy Tales and the Romantic Fairy Tales by Teick, Fouque, and Brentano. So when I picked up Beauty and the Werewolf, I delighted in the fact that I was about to dive into complete silliness and fun.

And I wasn’t disappointed. While Beauty wasn’t my favorite of the series (One Good Knight holds that honor), I still thoroughly enjoyed the book. Honestly, I think I’d enjoy any book in this series as long as it contains my beloved unicorns, which had me snorting with laughter yet again.

This is a great series to give, or to read, or both! Perfect for the people in your life that you want to introduce to fantasy, and perfect for those days when you need just a little pick-me-up.

Don’t just take my word for it! Check out what these bloggers say!

Not So Angry Feminist

A Backwards Story

Lydia
23 May, 2012
Fairy Tales, Fantasy, reviews
5 comments
, , ,