- Francis Spufford, The Child That Books Built, pages 64-65
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Saturday, October 19, 2013
Quotable: The Child That Books Built
"When I caught mumps, I couldn't read; when I went back to school again, I could. The first page of The Hobbit was a thicket of symbols, to be decoded one at a time and joined hesitantly together. Primary schools in Britain now sometimes send home a photocopy of a page of Russian or Arabic to remind parents of that initial state when writing was a wall of spiky unknowns, an excluding briar hedge. By the time I reached The Hobbit's last page, though, writing had softened and lost the outlines of the printed alphabet, and become a transparent liquid, first viscous and sluggish, like a jelly of meaning, then ever thinner and more mobile, flowing faster and faster, until it reached me at the speed of thinking and I could not entirely distinguish the suggestions it was making from my own thoughts. I had undergone the acceleration into the written word that you also experience as a change in the medium. In fact, writing had ceased to be a thing - an object in the world - and become a medium, a substance you look through."
Thursday, October 10, 2013
Quotable: The Child That Books Built
"Once books were sacred, literally: the regime of reading was set by the experience of reading scripture. But in the secular times of the last three centuries, which brought us printed words on every subject, print to screw into a ball and flip away after a single reading sometimes, the promise of revelation has splintered, and the splinters have fallen separately, without losing all of their original brightness. One smithereen (at least) has glimmered in the novel. With its conventions that mimic the three dimensions of the world off the page, and its simulation of time passing as measured by experience's ordinary clocks, we hope it can bring a fully uttered clarity to the living we do, which is, we know, so hard to disentangle and articulate."
- Francis Spufford, The Child That Books Built: A Life in Reading
Tuesday, September 3, 2013
Books I Read in August
Passage by Connie Willis - Psychologist Joanna Lander teams up with a handsome neurologist whose ability to simulate near-death experiences brings them closer to understanding what happens at the threshold of death.
I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella - A breezy comedy of errors that begins with a missing emerald engagement ring and a businessman's stolen phone lead two people to unexpected love.
Deathless by Catherynne Valente - Spun with vivid magic, the Russian folktale "The Death of Koschei the Deathless" is reimagined as a love story between Koschei, the Tsar of Life, and warrior woman Marya Morevna during the early days of the Soviet Union.
Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse - A coveted silver cow-creamer drops hapless gentleman of leisure Bertie Wooster into the middle of two engaged couples, an incriminating notebook, an insufferable Scottie, and blackmail - in short, a situation impossible for any brain but Jeeves' to unravel.
The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty by Dan Ariely - A prominent psychologist shares his insights into the causes of humankind's tendency to cheat - something we all do, whether we admit it to ourselves or not.
The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum - Using cutting-edge science and hard-nosed determination, New York's coroner Dr. Charles Norris exposed poisoners, cleared the innocent, and revived American forensic medicine during the wild days of Prohibition.
Aunts Aren't Gentlemen by P.G. Wodehouse - Following doctor's orders, Bertie goes out to the country for rest - only to have his life interrupted by an overly friendly cat, a lovelorn couple, and his amoral Aunt Dahlia's betting schemes.
Sunshine by Robin McKinley - Though monsters haunt the darkness of her world, Sunshine is still unprepared to be taken prisoner one night by a group of vampires - or to make herself an ally of the otherworldly Constantine.
The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie by Tanya Lee Stone - You don't have to be an academic to enjoy this illustrated look at the history and cultural impact of that controversial fashion doll, Barbie.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel - In this spiritual fable of survival, an Indian boy is stranded in the Pacific ocean for 227 days - accompanied by a Bengal tiger.
Thank You for Smoking by Christopher Buckley - Big Tobacco spokesman Nick Naylor slings BS to pay his mortgage - but after getting death threats he worries that he may have smoked his last cigarette.
Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton - In this inventive fantasy that re-imagines the Victorian era, members of a genteel family struggle to make their way in the world after the death of their father - and they happen to be dragons.
The Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones - In a magical world devastated by packs of other-worldly tourists, a good-hearted wizard Derk is named Dark Lord and must organize the scenic evil - and just maybe free his world from tyranny.
Ignorance by Stuart Firestein - This is a short essay with case studies by scientist Stuart Firestein about the power of ignorance in advancing scientific knowledge and inquiry.
I've Got Your Number by Sophie Kinsella - A breezy comedy of errors that begins with a missing emerald engagement ring and a businessman's stolen phone lead two people to unexpected love.
Deathless by Catherynne Valente - Spun with vivid magic, the Russian folktale "The Death of Koschei the Deathless" is reimagined as a love story between Koschei, the Tsar of Life, and warrior woman Marya Morevna during the early days of the Soviet Union.
Code of the Woosters by P.G. Wodehouse - A coveted silver cow-creamer drops hapless gentleman of leisure Bertie Wooster into the middle of two engaged couples, an incriminating notebook, an insufferable Scottie, and blackmail - in short, a situation impossible for any brain but Jeeves' to unravel.
The (Honest) Truth About Dishonesty by Dan Ariely - A prominent psychologist shares his insights into the causes of humankind's tendency to cheat - something we all do, whether we admit it to ourselves or not.
The Poisoner's Handbook by Deborah Blum - Using cutting-edge science and hard-nosed determination, New York's coroner Dr. Charles Norris exposed poisoners, cleared the innocent, and revived American forensic medicine during the wild days of Prohibition.
Aunts Aren't Gentlemen by P.G. Wodehouse - Following doctor's orders, Bertie goes out to the country for rest - only to have his life interrupted by an overly friendly cat, a lovelorn couple, and his amoral Aunt Dahlia's betting schemes.
Sunshine by Robin McKinley - Though monsters haunt the darkness of her world, Sunshine is still unprepared to be taken prisoner one night by a group of vampires - or to make herself an ally of the otherworldly Constantine.
The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie by Tanya Lee Stone - You don't have to be an academic to enjoy this illustrated look at the history and cultural impact of that controversial fashion doll, Barbie.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel - In this spiritual fable of survival, an Indian boy is stranded in the Pacific ocean for 227 days - accompanied by a Bengal tiger.
Thank You for Smoking by Christopher Buckley - Big Tobacco spokesman Nick Naylor slings BS to pay his mortgage - but after getting death threats he worries that he may have smoked his last cigarette.
Tooth and Claw by Jo Walton - In this inventive fantasy that re-imagines the Victorian era, members of a genteel family struggle to make their way in the world after the death of their father - and they happen to be dragons.
The Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones - In a magical world devastated by packs of other-worldly tourists, a good-hearted wizard Derk is named Dark Lord and must organize the scenic evil - and just maybe free his world from tyranny.
Ignorance by Stuart Firestein - This is a short essay with case studies by scientist Stuart Firestein about the power of ignorance in advancing scientific knowledge and inquiry.
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Books Read in July
Maps and Legends by Michael Chabon - Pulitzer Prize-winning author Michael Chabon writes about genres, comics, fan fiction, tricksters, writing, maps, and golems in this engaging collection of essays.
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor - Seraphim reign triumphant over their defeated chimera enemies, and former lovers Karou and Akiva, separated by war and betrayal, see no hope for restoring peace to their fractured world.
I'm Down by Mishna Wolff - Mishna Wolff's father is white - but he acts like he's black, and he wants his awkward daughter to be just as cool as he is.
Writing Reviews for Readers' Advisory by Brad Hooper - An expert reviewer shares the basics of book reviewing for librarians, using examples and lessons gained from his years of experience writing and editing for Booklist.
Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich - Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's new job is taking her places she never expected - to strangers' funerals with Grandma Mazur, out onto a rusty fire escape, and under sexy Joe Morelli.
Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum's been handed her most difficult bail jumper yet: beloved candyman Uncle Mo, who everyone loves but no one really knows; a man whose disappearance coincides with bodies piling up along Stephanie's path.
Riveted by Meljean Brook - Airship engineer Annika is searching the world for her exiled sister, but when she discovers that cyborg scientist David Kentewess plans to survey Iceland, she fears he could put everyone in her hidden village of women in danger.
The Pet Project by Lisa Wheeler - A little girl wants a pet, and her parents tell her to go do some scientific research to find out which pet is best.
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart - In ten days, high schooler Ruby Oliver went from being popular to a social leper; her shrink and a list of fifteen former boyfriends help her begin to understand how exactly she got into this mess.
The Philosophy Book ed. Will Buckingham - A brief, readable introduction to the thinkers and ideas that have shaped the world.
Hard Times by Charles Dickens - Louisa Gradgrind's hard-nosed education, driven by her factory owner father's ideals, fails her and those around her in one of Dicken's shortest works.
Sidekicked by John David Anderson - Drew Bean is a sidekick-in-training with an absentee Superhero - and now that a deadly villain is bent on revenge, Drew and his friends must step up to save not only the good citizens of Justicia, but themselves.
Four to Score by Janet Evanovich - In the most satisfying Plum adventure yet, lingerie buyer-turned-bounty-hunter Stephanie Plum is on the trail of a missing bail jumper and some funny money.
Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare - When the Duke of Halford's overbearing mother forces him to pick a bride at "Spinster Cove," Griffin bribes a lowly barmaid, Pauline, to deliberately fail at her public debut.
High Five by Janet Evanovich - With no bail jumpers on the horizon, Stephanie Plum's side gigs prove more dangerous than her normal work: tracking down her missing uncle, doing odd jobs for the mysterious and sexy Ranger, and desperately avoiding an old enemy.
The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy - Four princes who hate to be called charming start a quest to win fame and honor - and possibly save a kingdom or two.
Hot Six by Janet Evanovich - When her mentor is suspected of killing a crime lord's son, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's not so sure her friend is innocent - but even less sure she wants to bring him in.
The Brass Verdict by Michael Connolly - Returning to the courtroom after a stint in rehab, defense attorney Mickey Haller is suddenly handed a murdered colleague's caseload - along with the secrets that may have lead to his death.
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester - After being abandoned to die in space, Gulliver Foyle seeks his monstrous revenge on the people who wronged him.
The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne - A battle of wits and wills ensues when French spy Annique Villiers is forced to flee France with British spymaster Robert Greyson Fordham in the tumultuous days of Napoleon's imperial ambition.
Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe - Moll Flanders tells the story of her checkered past as prostitute, con artist, serial bigamist, and professional fibber.
Days of Blood and Starlight by Laini Taylor - Seraphim reign triumphant over their defeated chimera enemies, and former lovers Karou and Akiva, separated by war and betrayal, see no hope for restoring peace to their fractured world.
I'm Down by Mishna Wolff - Mishna Wolff's father is white - but he acts like he's black, and he wants his awkward daughter to be just as cool as he is.
Writing Reviews for Readers' Advisory by Brad Hooper - An expert reviewer shares the basics of book reviewing for librarians, using examples and lessons gained from his years of experience writing and editing for Booklist.
Two for the Dough by Janet Evanovich - Bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's new job is taking her places she never expected - to strangers' funerals with Grandma Mazur, out onto a rusty fire escape, and under sexy Joe Morelli.
Three to Get Deadly by Janet Evanovich - Stephanie Plum's been handed her most difficult bail jumper yet: beloved candyman Uncle Mo, who everyone loves but no one really knows; a man whose disappearance coincides with bodies piling up along Stephanie's path.
Riveted by Meljean Brook - Airship engineer Annika is searching the world for her exiled sister, but when she discovers that cyborg scientist David Kentewess plans to survey Iceland, she fears he could put everyone in her hidden village of women in danger.
The Pet Project by Lisa Wheeler - A little girl wants a pet, and her parents tell her to go do some scientific research to find out which pet is best.
The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart - In ten days, high schooler Ruby Oliver went from being popular to a social leper; her shrink and a list of fifteen former boyfriends help her begin to understand how exactly she got into this mess.
The Philosophy Book ed. Will Buckingham - A brief, readable introduction to the thinkers and ideas that have shaped the world.
Hard Times by Charles Dickens - Louisa Gradgrind's hard-nosed education, driven by her factory owner father's ideals, fails her and those around her in one of Dicken's shortest works.
Sidekicked by John David Anderson - Drew Bean is a sidekick-in-training with an absentee Superhero - and now that a deadly villain is bent on revenge, Drew and his friends must step up to save not only the good citizens of Justicia, but themselves.
Four to Score by Janet Evanovich - In the most satisfying Plum adventure yet, lingerie buyer-turned-bounty-hunter Stephanie Plum is on the trail of a missing bail jumper and some funny money.
Any Duchess Will Do by Tessa Dare - When the Duke of Halford's overbearing mother forces him to pick a bride at "Spinster Cove," Griffin bribes a lowly barmaid, Pauline, to deliberately fail at her public debut.
High Five by Janet Evanovich - With no bail jumpers on the horizon, Stephanie Plum's side gigs prove more dangerous than her normal work: tracking down her missing uncle, doing odd jobs for the mysterious and sexy Ranger, and desperately avoiding an old enemy.
The Hero's Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by Christopher Healy - Four princes who hate to be called charming start a quest to win fame and honor - and possibly save a kingdom or two.
Hot Six by Janet Evanovich - When her mentor is suspected of killing a crime lord's son, bounty hunter Stephanie Plum's not so sure her friend is innocent - but even less sure she wants to bring him in.
The Brass Verdict by Michael Connolly - Returning to the courtroom after a stint in rehab, defense attorney Mickey Haller is suddenly handed a murdered colleague's caseload - along with the secrets that may have lead to his death.
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester - After being abandoned to die in space, Gulliver Foyle seeks his monstrous revenge on the people who wronged him.
The Spymaster's Lady by Joanna Bourne - A battle of wits and wills ensues when French spy Annique Villiers is forced to flee France with British spymaster Robert Greyson Fordham in the tumultuous days of Napoleon's imperial ambition.
Moll Flanders by Daniel Defoe - Moll Flanders tells the story of her checkered past as prostitute, con artist, serial bigamist, and professional fibber.
Monday, July 1, 2013
Books Read in June
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| A Noble Groom by Jody Hedlund |
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| Villette by Charlotte BrontΓ« |
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| Shades of Grey by Jasper Fforde |
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| The Raven Boys by Maggie Stiefvater |
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| Glass by Ellen Hopkins |
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| Watership Down by Richard Adams |
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| Ptolemy's Gate by Jonathan Stroud |
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| Bellwether by Connie Willis |
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| The BFG by Roald Dahl |
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| The Lost Art of Reading by David L. Ulin |
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| Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor |
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| Caliban's War by James S.A. Corey |
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| The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin by Josh Berk |
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| Ain't Nothing But a Man by Scott Reynolds Nelson with Marc Aronson |
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| Hold Me Closer, Necromancer by Lish McBride |
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| One for the Money by Janet Evanovich |
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| The Wish List by Eoin Colfer |
Thursday, June 6, 2013
How Books Can Open Your Mind
This is a lovely and passionate TED Talk from Lisa Bu, who lost her childhood dream but grew into the rich life of an active reader. She's a charismatic speaker, and I of course love her message, too.
Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Books Read in May
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| Little Brother by Cory Doctorow |
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| Shade's Children by Garth Nix |
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| The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer |
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| Eon by Alison Goodman |
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| Coraline: The Graphic Novel by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell |
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| Eona by Alison Goodman |
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| Bomb by Steve Sheinkin |
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| Mrs. Piggle-Wiggle by Betty MacDonald |
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| Leviathan Wakes by James S.A. Corey |
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| Shadow and Bone Leigh Bardugo |
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| Tell Us We're Home by Marina Budhos |
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| The Fault in Our Stars by John Green |
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| The London Eye Mystery by Siobhan Dowd |
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| Rabid by Bill Wasik and Monica Murphy |
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| If Stones Could Speak by Marc Aronson |
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| Let's Pretend This Never Happened by Jenny Lawson |
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| Crown Duel by Sherwood Smith |
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| The Golem's Eye by Jonathan Stroud |
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| Is Everyone Hanging Out Without Me? by Mindy Kaling |
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| The Disreputable History of Frankie Landau-Banks by E. Lockhart |
The Botany of Desire
by Michael Pollan (dnf)
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Books Bought in May
Nook Books:
Implied Spaces by Walter Jon Williams - I ran across his name after reading Leviathan Wakes. Hopefully I've discovered a new favorite scifi author!
The Crown Jewels by Walter Jon Williams (Maijstra #1)
This is Not a Game by Walter Jon Williams
Siege and Storm (pre-order) by Leigh Bardugo - I read the first book and immediately pre-ordered the second.
The Uninvited Guest by Sadie Jones - Manor house comedy of errors: the description contains the words "dysfunctional" and "eccentric", which make my ears perk.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters - I kept hearing about this one, and Walters is from my hometown so naturally I must read it!
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause - Klause inaugurated the YA vampire craze with her book The Silver Kiss, and this is it's natural antecedent: a werewolf novel. VOYA: 5Q, 4P. (Probably would have gotten a perfect ten if it had been published in the 2000s instead of 1997.)
Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey - I hear it's dark and funny. I'm in.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - It was recently made into a movie, and it sounds like one my sister and I would both enjoy.
The Dragon's Path by Daniel Abraham - Supposed to be an excellent epic fantasy first book, and it included an ARC of Leviathan Wakes!
Legion by Brandon Sanderson
The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson - Okay, so you can probably tell I'm a fan of Sanderson. Ever since I read his Mistborn trilogy with its amazing magic system, I've been hooked.
The Complete H.P. Lovecraft - All of his short stories, arranged in chronological order. Seems like a good thing to have on hand if I ever need to feel a nameless terror.
Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card - A parallel novel to Ender's Game that tells the story of Bean's beginnings as a homeless orphan. It's great to get into another character's head and see his differing perspective on the same events. Now I can get weed my physical copy of this book, too!
Physical Books:
The complete Borrowers series by Mary Norton! Boxed set! - Reading this the moment that diploma hits my hand this June.
Children of God by Mary Doria Russell (The Sparrow #2) - My teacher told me that it really does complete The Sparrow, so I figured I had to get it, though I've heard mixed reviews.
Appleseed by John Clute - The name struck me as familiar, and it's space opera, so I bought it.
The Animal Family by Randall Jarrell - Total impulse buy. I was up for a fairy tale-esque story "decorated" by Maurice Sendak.
April Lady by Georgette Heyer - You should see the all-pink ridiculously silly cover. Looking forward to reading this on the bus.
Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen - Everyone keeps telling me he's funny, and the setup for this book sounds like it. Except oddly, since it's set in Florida part of me expects it to be like Key Largo. I will probably have to revise that impression at some point...
House of Abraham by Stephen Berry - A nonfiction book about Mary Todd Lincoln's family during the Civil War. When Lincoln talked about "a house divided," he definitely meant his own.
The Nutmeg of Consolation by Patrick O'Brian
The Wine-Dark Sea by Patrick O'Brian
The Yellow Admiral by Patrick O'Brian
The Hundred Days by Patrick O'Brian - Books 14, 16, 18, and 19 of the Aubrey/Maturin series. I want to reread the first few books and power through the rest this summer. They were all on sale! (I should be buying these in e-versions, but I can't resist a bargain.)
Implied Spaces by Walter Jon Williams - I ran across his name after reading Leviathan Wakes. Hopefully I've discovered a new favorite scifi author!
The Crown Jewels by Walter Jon Williams (Maijstra #1)
This is Not a Game by Walter Jon Williams
Siege and Storm (pre-order) by Leigh Bardugo - I read the first book and immediately pre-ordered the second.
The Uninvited Guest by Sadie Jones - Manor house comedy of errors: the description contains the words "dysfunctional" and "eccentric", which make my ears perk.
Beautiful Ruins by Jess Walters - I kept hearing about this one, and Walters is from my hometown so naturally I must read it!
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause - Klause inaugurated the YA vampire craze with her book The Silver Kiss, and this is it's natural antecedent: a werewolf novel. VOYA: 5Q, 4P. (Probably would have gotten a perfect ten if it had been published in the 2000s instead of 1997.)
Sandman Slim by Richard Kadrey - I hear it's dark and funny. I'm in.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl - It was recently made into a movie, and it sounds like one my sister and I would both enjoy.
The Dragon's Path by Daniel Abraham - Supposed to be an excellent epic fantasy first book, and it included an ARC of Leviathan Wakes!
Legion by Brandon Sanderson
The Emperor's Soul by Brandon Sanderson
The Rithmatist by Brandon Sanderson - Okay, so you can probably tell I'm a fan of Sanderson. Ever since I read his Mistborn trilogy with its amazing magic system, I've been hooked.
The Complete H.P. Lovecraft - All of his short stories, arranged in chronological order. Seems like a good thing to have on hand if I ever need to feel a nameless terror.
Ender's Shadow by Orson Scott Card - A parallel novel to Ender's Game that tells the story of Bean's beginnings as a homeless orphan. It's great to get into another character's head and see his differing perspective on the same events. Now I can get weed my physical copy of this book, too!
Physical Books:
The complete Borrowers series by Mary Norton! Boxed set! - Reading this the moment that diploma hits my hand this June.
Children of God by Mary Doria Russell (The Sparrow #2) - My teacher told me that it really does complete The Sparrow, so I figured I had to get it, though I've heard mixed reviews.
Appleseed by John Clute - The name struck me as familiar, and it's space opera, so I bought it.
The Animal Family by Randall Jarrell - Total impulse buy. I was up for a fairy tale-esque story "decorated" by Maurice Sendak.
April Lady by Georgette Heyer - You should see the all-pink ridiculously silly cover. Looking forward to reading this on the bus.
Stormy Weather by Carl Hiaasen - Everyone keeps telling me he's funny, and the setup for this book sounds like it. Except oddly, since it's set in Florida part of me expects it to be like Key Largo. I will probably have to revise that impression at some point...
House of Abraham by Stephen Berry - A nonfiction book about Mary Todd Lincoln's family during the Civil War. When Lincoln talked about "a house divided," he definitely meant his own.
The Nutmeg of Consolation by Patrick O'Brian
The Wine-Dark Sea by Patrick O'Brian
The Yellow Admiral by Patrick O'Brian
The Hundred Days by Patrick O'Brian - Books 14, 16, 18, and 19 of the Aubrey/Maturin series. I want to reread the first few books and power through the rest this summer. They were all on sale! (I should be buying these in e-versions, but I can't resist a bargain.)
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
April: Books Read
Books Read, with links to my reviews:
Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky: A London Trilogy by Patrick Hamilton
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jean Birdsall
East by Edith Pattou
Embassytown by China MiΓ©ville
Wonderstruck by Brian Selzick
Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery by Steve Sheinkin
Redshirts by John Scalzi
Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
The Color of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa
Team Human by Justine Larbalestier
We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky: A London Trilogy by Patrick Hamilton
The Penderwicks: A Summer Tale of Four Sisters, Two Rabbits, and a Very Interesting Boy by Jean Birdsall
East by Edith Pattou
Embassytown by China MiΓ©ville
Wonderstruck by Brian Selzick
Enchanted Glass by Diana Wynne Jones
The Sparrow by Mary Doria Russell
The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism & Treachery by Steve Sheinkin
Redshirts by John Scalzi
Robopocalypse by Daniel H. Wilson
Tomorrow, When the War Began by John Marsden
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
The Wednesday Wars by Gary D. Schmidt
Why Be Happy When You Could Be Normal? by Jeanette Winterson
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
The Color of Earth by Kim Dong Hwa
Team Human by Justine Larbalestier
We are the Ship: The Story of Negro League Baseball by Kadir Nelson
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
April: Books Bought
Nook Books:
Watership Down by Richard Adams - I reread this every year, and I've been itching to get it on my Nook. Now I have it! Not that I'm getting rid of my physical copy or anything crazy like that....
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole - Deeply funny, and even though I read it years ago I smile every time I think about Ignatius J. Reilly's unique filing system. Nearly time for a reread.
Something About You by Julie James - Recommendation from my cousin, Beth, who increased my list of romance books by a lot during her too-short visit.
Hit Man by Lawrence Block - A hit man with a heart of gold? Perfect.
The Slaves of Solitude by Patrick Hamilton - His books are unlike what I normally gravitate toward, but the way he creates characters is so extraordinary that I am back for more. Awkward courtships? I'm in!
Redshirts by John Scalzi - You cannot call yourself a Star Trek fan if you don't know about the many tragic sacrifices made over the decades by eager young redshirts.
Feed by Mira Grant - It was so cheap! It's been on my list for a while! - and the third book in the trilogy was just short-listed for the Hugo, which was my tipping point. (Not to be confused with M.T. Anderson's Feed.)
The Duchess War by Courtney Milan - According to my friend Caitlin, this book is "scrumtrelescent"! How could I miss that?
The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan - Because who can beat the price of FREE?
The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick - I loved the movie, and even Kirkus admitted that the book was charming.
Anthropology of an American Girl by Hilary Thayer Hamann - Some friends of mine love this book, and I got it for 99 cents.
Cooperstown Confidential: Heroes, Rogues, and the Inside Story of the Baseball Hall of Fame
by Zev Chafets - So cheap! Yay, Barnes and Noble!
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson - Again, another steal from a favorite author!
How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier - Great title, should be fun!
Liar by Justine Larbalestier - Unreliable narrator? Check! Controversial original cover art? Yup.
How to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at An Answer by Sarah Bakewell - A Nick Hornby recommendation
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie - Y'all, I love my fantasy revenge novels.
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan - What about this title isn't great?
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - I decided to read this for a class, but found that I had loaned out my copy! Curses. So I bought it again on Nook. Yes, it's that good.
Physical Books:
The City & The City by China MiΓ©ville - An author who is known for his complexity and originality. My first foray into his works was Kraken, which I enjoyed well enough to seek out more.
The Scar by China MiΓ©ville - see above
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester - My love for Master and Commander has made this one an inevitable read, though I don't think anyone can top Patrick O'Brian's incredible series.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie - I cried actual tears when reading this book, which is unusual for me. And it's set near my hometown, where Alexie grew up.
The Edge of the Crazies by Jamie Harrison
The Birthday Boys by Beryl Bainbridge
The Sweet Hereafter by Russell Banks
The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett
Watership Down by Richard Adams - I reread this every year, and I've been itching to get it on my Nook. Now I have it! Not that I'm getting rid of my physical copy or anything crazy like that....
A Confederacy of Dunces by John Kennedy Toole - Deeply funny, and even though I read it years ago I smile every time I think about Ignatius J. Reilly's unique filing system. Nearly time for a reread.
Something About You by Julie James - Recommendation from my cousin, Beth, who increased my list of romance books by a lot during her too-short visit.
Hit Man by Lawrence Block - A hit man with a heart of gold? Perfect.
The Slaves of Solitude by Patrick Hamilton - His books are unlike what I normally gravitate toward, but the way he creates characters is so extraordinary that I am back for more. Awkward courtships? I'm in!
Redshirts by John Scalzi - You cannot call yourself a Star Trek fan if you don't know about the many tragic sacrifices made over the decades by eager young redshirts.
Feed by Mira Grant - It was so cheap! It's been on my list for a while! - and the third book in the trilogy was just short-listed for the Hugo, which was my tipping point. (Not to be confused with M.T. Anderson's Feed.)
The Duchess War by Courtney Milan - According to my friend Caitlin, this book is "scrumtrelescent"! How could I miss that?
The Governess Affair by Courtney Milan - Because who can beat the price of FREE?
The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick - I loved the movie, and even Kirkus admitted that the book was charming.
Anthropology of an American Girl by Hilary Thayer Hamann - Some friends of mine love this book, and I got it for 99 cents.
Cooperstown Confidential: Heroes, Rogues, and the Inside Story of the Baseball Hall of Fame
by Zev Chafets - So cheap! Yay, Barnes and Noble!
The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson - Again, another steal from a favorite author!
How to Ditch Your Fairy by Justine Larbalestier - Great title, should be fun!
Liar by Justine Larbalestier - Unreliable narrator? Check! Controversial original cover art? Yup.
How to Live: A Life of Montaigne in One Question and Twenty Attempts at An Answer by Sarah Bakewell - A Nick Hornby recommendation
Best Served Cold by Joe Abercrombie - Y'all, I love my fantasy revenge novels.
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan - What about this title isn't great?
Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones - I decided to read this for a class, but found that I had loaned out my copy! Curses. So I bought it again on Nook. Yes, it's that good.
Physical Books:
The City & The City by China MiΓ©ville - An author who is known for his complexity and originality. My first foray into his works was Kraken, which I enjoyed well enough to seek out more.
The Scar by China MiΓ©ville - see above
Mr. Midshipman Hornblower by C.S. Forester - My love for Master and Commander has made this one an inevitable read, though I don't think anyone can top Patrick O'Brian's incredible series.
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie - I cried actual tears when reading this book, which is unusual for me. And it's set near my hometown, where Alexie grew up.
The Edge of the Crazies by Jamie Harrison
The Birthday Boys by Beryl Bainbridge
The Sweet Hereafter by Russell Banks
The Voyage of the Narwhal by Andrea Barrett
Monday, April 1, 2013
March: Books Bought, Books Read
Continuing my Hornby "Stuff I've Read" emulation, I'm keeping a list of all the books I read in a month, and the ones in progress, as well as the ones I purchased. Considering how long it's gotten, it may be a better idea to break it up by week when it's this busy!
Books Bought in March
From the UW Bookstore's Spring Sale:
Words and Rules: The Ingredients of Language by Steven Pinker - I love books about language, reading, and writing.
Mantissa by John Fowles - Ever since The French Lieutenant's Woman I've been meaning to read everything he ever wrote.
The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney - Never heard of it, but it's the story of a woman trying to solve a murder in the Northern Territories during the dead of winter - in 1867. Yep, it's hitting all the right buttons.
The Manual of Detection by Jedediah Berry - Magical realism, and I'm there! I still haven't found anyone to compare to Borges, Garcia Marquez, or Calvino, but I keep trying.
Anonymity: A Secret History of English Literature by John Mullan - History of literature, check. Jane Austen first published anonymously, and there were conjectures about her sex when her books were reviewed.
About A Boy by Nick Hornby - I liked the movie, I liked Hornby's essays, so I'm going to try his fiction.
The Del Ray Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy ed. Ellen Datlow - Short stories and science fiction - I grew up on Golden Age scifi short stories, and I keep looking to reclaim those reading experiences.
Memoir: A History by Ben Yagoda - Another history of literature. I sense a theme.
The Awful End of Prince William the Silent: The First Assassination of a Head of State with a Handgun by Lisa Jardine - A slim book that promises an intriguing take on history.
That Mad Ache by Francoise Sagan (trans. Douglas Hofstadter) / Translator, Trader by Douglas Hofstadter (a two-in one book, with half being the story translated from French, and the other half the story of the translation)
Nook Books:
L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy - One of my all-time favorite films, so I decided I might love the book. Noir is awesome.
Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones - I love Wynne Jones, who is unparelleled at creating unusual fantasy worlds, with tricky rules that move the story in unexpected yet satisfying ways. I've heard this is a good one.
Hyperion by Dan Simmons - I've read it before, and it's stuck with me. Time to read it again.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - I gave away my last copy, but now I need to prepare for the MOVIE version, with Harrison Ford as Graff, who now officially has a monopoly on awesome adventure/scifi roles!
Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson - The first of a science fiction trilogy about the colonization of Mars that sounds amazing.
Trouble in Texas by Katie Lane - Why yes, that is a shirtless cowboy on the front! Romance is a bad habit to get into.
Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Neverfall by Brodi Ashton
Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London
She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth by Helen Castor
The Essential Works of Winston Churchill by Winston Churchill (Golgatha Press) - Reading The Wordy Shipmates got me interested in reading Churchill's histories, and this was a cheap collection at B&N.
Dunkirk: A Retreat to Victory by Julian Thompson - Another Vowell book that I purchased for its cheapness and my sudden interest in reading about Dunkirk.
Larklight by Philip Reeve - Steampunk space travel? Okay, you've got me.
And since I have NO self-control, from the indie used bookstore Magus Books:
The Box by Richard Matheson - remember the movie? There's a short story it's based on (by the guy who wrote I Am Legend, which is scifi/horror) - and for me short stories aren't that interesting unless they're science fiction.
The Faded Sun Trilogy by C.J. Cherryh - I've been searching for a cheap edition of Downbelow Station for a while now, to get into Cherryh's voluminous oeuvre, but no luck. It's not even digital! Shocking - you would think that all science fiction books would automatically converted to digital, just by virtue of their genre. Silliness aside, this trilogy will have to do as my intro to her work. It's about a dying race of aliens searching for their homeworld after human beings (! but yeah, sounds like us) have nearly wiped them out.
On Basilisk Station by David Weber - the first of the Honor Harrington series, which I hope I like since it features a strong female protagonist
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett - In case I need some literary fiction at the end of the day.
Midshipman Bolitho by Alexander Kent - I picked this up hoping it will be like Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander series, which I love.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld - so cheap! And steampunk! I couldn't resist, and the woman who rang me up told me she loved the trilogy.
Desert Queen: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell: Adventurer, Adviser to Kings, Ally of Lawrence of Arabia by Janet Wallach - A bio of a strong woman? Yes please!
Books Read in March (reviews at links):
The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
Shakespeare Wrote for Money by Nick Hornby
Babymouse: Queen of the World! by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm
Other People's Love Letters: 150 Letters You Were Never Meant to See ed. Bill Shapiro
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne M. Valente
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart
Books Bought in March
From the UW Bookstore's Spring Sale:
Words and Rules: The Ingredients of Language by Steven Pinker - I love books about language, reading, and writing.
Mantissa by John Fowles - Ever since The French Lieutenant's Woman I've been meaning to read everything he ever wrote.
The Tenderness of Wolves by Stef Penney - Never heard of it, but it's the story of a woman trying to solve a murder in the Northern Territories during the dead of winter - in 1867. Yep, it's hitting all the right buttons.
The Manual of Detection by Jedediah Berry - Magical realism, and I'm there! I still haven't found anyone to compare to Borges, Garcia Marquez, or Calvino, but I keep trying.
Anonymity: A Secret History of English Literature by John Mullan - History of literature, check. Jane Austen first published anonymously, and there were conjectures about her sex when her books were reviewed.
About A Boy by Nick Hornby - I liked the movie, I liked Hornby's essays, so I'm going to try his fiction.
The Del Ray Book of Science Fiction and Fantasy ed. Ellen Datlow - Short stories and science fiction - I grew up on Golden Age scifi short stories, and I keep looking to reclaim those reading experiences.
Memoir: A History by Ben Yagoda - Another history of literature. I sense a theme.
The Awful End of Prince William the Silent: The First Assassination of a Head of State with a Handgun by Lisa Jardine - A slim book that promises an intriguing take on history.
That Mad Ache by Francoise Sagan (trans. Douglas Hofstadter) / Translator, Trader by Douglas Hofstadter (a two-in one book, with half being the story translated from French, and the other half the story of the translation)
Nook Books:
L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy - One of my all-time favorite films, so I decided I might love the book. Noir is awesome.
Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones - I love Wynne Jones, who is unparelleled at creating unusual fantasy worlds, with tricky rules that move the story in unexpected yet satisfying ways. I've heard this is a good one.
Hyperion by Dan Simmons - I've read it before, and it's stuck with me. Time to read it again.
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card - I gave away my last copy, but now I need to prepare for the MOVIE version, with Harrison Ford as Graff, who now officially has a monopoly on awesome adventure/scifi roles!
Red Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson - The first of a science fiction trilogy about the colonization of Mars that sounds amazing.
Trouble in Texas by Katie Lane - Why yes, that is a shirtless cowboy on the front! Romance is a bad habit to get into.
Everneath by Brodi Ashton
Neverfall by Brodi Ashton
Darkness Before Dawn by J.A. London
She-Wolves: The Women Who Ruled England Before Elizabeth by Helen Castor
The Essential Works of Winston Churchill by Winston Churchill (Golgatha Press) - Reading The Wordy Shipmates got me interested in reading Churchill's histories, and this was a cheap collection at B&N.
Dunkirk: A Retreat to Victory by Julian Thompson - Another Vowell book that I purchased for its cheapness and my sudden interest in reading about Dunkirk.
Larklight by Philip Reeve - Steampunk space travel? Okay, you've got me.
And since I have NO self-control, from the indie used bookstore Magus Books:
The Box by Richard Matheson - remember the movie? There's a short story it's based on (by the guy who wrote I Am Legend, which is scifi/horror) - and for me short stories aren't that interesting unless they're science fiction.
The Faded Sun Trilogy by C.J. Cherryh - I've been searching for a cheap edition of Downbelow Station for a while now, to get into Cherryh's voluminous oeuvre, but no luck. It's not even digital! Shocking - you would think that all science fiction books would automatically converted to digital, just by virtue of their genre. Silliness aside, this trilogy will have to do as my intro to her work. It's about a dying race of aliens searching for their homeworld after human beings (! but yeah, sounds like us) have nearly wiped them out.
On Basilisk Station by David Weber - the first of the Honor Harrington series, which I hope I like since it features a strong female protagonist
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett - In case I need some literary fiction at the end of the day.
Midshipman Bolitho by Alexander Kent - I picked this up hoping it will be like Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander series, which I love.
Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld - so cheap! And steampunk! I couldn't resist, and the woman who rang me up told me she loved the trilogy.
Desert Queen: The Extraordinary Life of Gertrude Bell: Adventurer, Adviser to Kings, Ally of Lawrence of Arabia by Janet Wallach - A bio of a strong woman? Yes please!
Books Read in March (reviews at links):
The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
The Duff: Designated Ugly Fat Friend by Kody Keplinger
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
Shakespeare Wrote for Money by Nick Hornby
Babymouse: Queen of the World! by Jennifer L. Holm & Matthew Holm
Other People's Love Letters: 150 Letters You Were Never Meant to See ed. Bill Shapiro
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
Hex Hall by Rachel Hawkins
Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins
Spell Bound by Rachel Hawkins
The Wordy Shipmates by Sarah Vowell
Seraphina by Rachel Hartman
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne M. Valente
Fairy Dust and the Quest for the Egg by Gail Carson Levine
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart
Monday, March 18, 2013
Biting Off More Than I Can Chew
Reading post-quarter is amazing, except--well, I get overwhelmed. There are so many great books out there! Right at my fingertips! What is the right solution to this problem?
So here's my current compulsive reading list of nine books (you can track my progress here):
The Monkey and the Monk: An Abridgment of Journey to the West, translated and edited by Anthony C. Yu
A Few Good Books: Using Contemporary Readers' Advisory Strategies to Connect Readers With Books by Stephanie L. Maata
Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins
Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky by Patrick Hamilton
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne Valente
When I Was A Child, I Read Books by Marilynne Robinson
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart
The Beautiful Fall: Lagerfeld, Saint Laurent, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris by Alicia Drake
Pulphead by John Jeremiah Sullivan
And now I don't know which one to pick up first!
Such a good problem to have.
| I don't know, either |
The Monkey and the Monk: An Abridgment of Journey to the West, translated and edited by Anthony C. Yu
A Few Good Books: Using Contemporary Readers' Advisory Strategies to Connect Readers With Books by Stephanie L. Maata
Demonglass (Hex Hall #2) by Rachel Hawkins
Twenty Thousand Streets Under the Sky by Patrick Hamilton
The Girl Who Fell Beneath Fairyland and Led the Revels There by Catherynne Valente
When I Was A Child, I Read Books by Marilynne Robinson
Wicked Plants: The Weed That Killed Lincoln's Mother & Other Botanical Atrocities by Amy Stewart
The Beautiful Fall: Lagerfeld, Saint Laurent, and Glorious Excess in 1970s Paris by Alicia Drake
Pulphead by John Jeremiah Sullivan
And now I don't know which one to pick up first!
Such a good problem to have.
Friday, March 1, 2013
Homage to Hornby: Books Bought, Books Read
Lately I've been reading Nick Hornby's collected essays from his Believer column (Housekeeping vs. the Dirt, The Polysyllabic Spree, and More Baths, Less Talking. The format goes like this: at the beginning of each essay, he lists the books he's purchased and the books he's read for that month. Like most bibliophiles, those two lists rarely match up.
While I'm still experimenting with the best way to structure this blog, I'm going to steal a page from Hornby's amusing and smart books and present you with my lists (the links will take you to the Goodreads profile or to my reviews):
Books bought in February:
Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis (Nook)
A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge (Zones of Thought #2)
The Children of the Sky by Vernor Vinge (Zones of Thought #3)
The Fiction Writer's Handbook by Shelly Lowenkopf (Nook)
Zig Zag: The Incredible Wartime Exploits Of Double Agent Eddie Chapman by Nicholas Booth
Hunk for the Holidays by Katie Lane (Nook: don't judge - he has whiskey-colored eyes! I love whiskey!)
A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana by Haven Kimmel
Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer
Frederica by Georgette Heyer
The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer
A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer
Revenge: A Story of Hope by Laura Blumenfeld
Pulphead: Essays by John Jeremiah Sullivan
I May Be Some Time: Ice and the English Imagination by Francis Spufford
I swear I don't normally buy so many books in a month...you should see my library hold list for an indication of my more frugal self. This list is the result of some late-night buying at Powells.com, where it's all so cheap, and shipping was only $4 for everything from Zippy down!
Books read in February:
Jane Austen: A Life by Clair Tomalin
Going Postal by Terry Pratchett (Discworld series; re-read)
The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
Nonfiction Readers' Advisory ed. Robert Burgin
A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge (Zones of Thought #1)
The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick (audiobook)
In progress:
The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne Valente
A Few Good Books: Using Contemporary Readers' Advisory Strategies to Connect Readers With Books by Stephanie L. Maatta
The one wrinkle I'll add is that I downloaded a HUGE number of books from the fantastic Project Gutenberg this month--far too many to list in one entry, or even ten.
So instead I'll give you a teaser of the obscure (and not so obscure!) classics that I'm excited to read about, and the reasons for my enthusiasm (links will take you to free copies via Project Gutenberg):
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy (1905)
A swashbuckling adventure story along the lines of The Three Musketeers, this is the story of a Frenchwoman named Marguerite who marries a handsome fop, Sir Percy Blakeney, at the start of the French Revolution. Their love is meant to be, but a terrible misunderstanding estranges them as the Terror begins in France, where a mysterious hero who calls himself the Scarlet Pimpernel is smuggling French aristocrats out of the country.
For movie fans, the 1934 adaptation starring Leslie Howard will make you forget all about the limp Ashley Wilkes (Gone With the Wind). Not to get sidetracked or anything, but the actor Leslie Howard died in 1943 when his plane was shot down by Nazis. He may have been acting for British Intelligence at the time, though the official story is that he was doing anti-Nazi propaganda. So Howard was a bona fide spy, playing a fictional spy! He was a talented actor whose life was tragically cut short, and the rest of his filmography is worth checking out, too.
I'll stop here for now, but there are so many fantastic books available for FREE through Gutenberg that I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me on the subject in posts tagged Three Free Books.
While I'm still experimenting with the best way to structure this blog, I'm going to steal a page from Hornby's amusing and smart books and present you with my lists (the links will take you to the Goodreads profile or to my reviews):
Books bought in February:
Lucky Jim by Kingsley Amis (Nook)
A Deepness in the Sky by Vernor Vinge (Zones of Thought #2)
The Children of the Sky by Vernor Vinge (Zones of Thought #3)
The Fiction Writer's Handbook by Shelly Lowenkopf (Nook)
Zig Zag: The Incredible Wartime Exploits Of Double Agent Eddie Chapman by Nicholas Booth
Hunk for the Holidays by Katie Lane (Nook: don't judge - he has whiskey-colored eyes! I love whiskey!)
A Girl Named Zippy: Growing Up Small in Mooreland, Indiana by Haven Kimmel
Black Sheep by Georgette Heyer
Frederica by Georgette Heyer
The Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer
A Civil Contract by Georgette Heyer
Revenge: A Story of Hope by Laura Blumenfeld
Pulphead: Essays by John Jeremiah Sullivan
I May Be Some Time: Ice and the English Imagination by Francis Spufford
I swear I don't normally buy so many books in a month...you should see my library hold list for an indication of my more frugal self. This list is the result of some late-night buying at Powells.com, where it's all so cheap, and shipping was only $4 for everything from Zippy down!
Books read in February:
Jane Austen: A Life by Clair Tomalin
Going Postal by Terry Pratchett (Discworld series; re-read)
The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
Nonfiction Readers' Advisory ed. Robert Burgin
A Fire Upon the Deep by Vernor Vinge (Zones of Thought #1)
The Polysyllabic Spree by Nick Hornby
Nothing to Envy: Ordinary Lives in North Korea by Barbara Demick (audiobook)
In progress:
The Inimitable Jeeves by P.G. Wodehouse
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne Valente
A Few Good Books: Using Contemporary Readers' Advisory Strategies to Connect Readers With Books by Stephanie L. Maatta
The one wrinkle I'll add is that I downloaded a HUGE number of books from the fantastic Project Gutenberg this month--far too many to list in one entry, or even ten.
So instead I'll give you a teaser of the obscure (and not so obscure!) classics that I'm excited to read about, and the reasons for my enthusiasm (links will take you to free copies via Project Gutenberg):
The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baroness Orczy (1905)
A swashbuckling adventure story along the lines of The Three Musketeers, this is the story of a Frenchwoman named Marguerite who marries a handsome fop, Sir Percy Blakeney, at the start of the French Revolution. Their love is meant to be, but a terrible misunderstanding estranges them as the Terror begins in France, where a mysterious hero who calls himself the Scarlet Pimpernel is smuggling French aristocrats out of the country.
For movie fans, the 1934 adaptation starring Leslie Howard will make you forget all about the limp Ashley Wilkes (Gone With the Wind). Not to get sidetracked or anything, but the actor Leslie Howard died in 1943 when his plane was shot down by Nazis. He may have been acting for British Intelligence at the time, though the official story is that he was doing anti-Nazi propaganda. So Howard was a bona fide spy, playing a fictional spy! He was a talented actor whose life was tragically cut short, and the rest of his filmography is worth checking out, too.
I'll stop here for now, but there are so many fantastic books available for FREE through Gutenberg that I'm sure you'll be hearing more from me on the subject in posts tagged Three Free Books.
Wednesday, February 27, 2013
Three Free Books
The Black Moth by Georgette Heyer (1902-1974)
This writer started a whole new genre--Regency romance--hit a home run her very first time at the plate. Here is her description of the wicked, fascinating, and impeccably dressed Duke of Andover, who is attempting to seduce a young woman:
"He walked coolly forward into the full light of a great pendant chandelier, standing directly beneath it, the diamond order on his breast burning and winking like a living thing. The diamonds in his cravat and on his fingers glittered every time he moved, until he seemed to be carelessly powdered with iridescent gems. As usual, he was clad in black, but it would have been difficult to find any other dress in the room more sumptuous or more magnificent than his sable satin with its heavy silver lacing, and shimmering waistcoat. Silver lace adorned his throat and fell in deep ruffles over his hands, and in defiance of Fashion, which decreed that black along should be worn to tie the hair, he displayed long silver ribands, very striking against his unpowdered head."
Sadly, we have to wait a few more years for any of her other works to fall into the public domain. This gem of a book was the first Heyer I read, and it's every bit as thrilling and romantic as you could wish!
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1797-1851)
Anyone who has only seen a movie version of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster probably doesn't know that the original is slightly more philosophical than the groans and screams of the many adaptations. Its alternate title is "The Modern Prometheus." The Goodreads summary does a good job here:
"Frankenstein, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises profound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever."
All this philosophizing doesn't make the story of monstrous hubris any less sinister than it was when it first came out in 1818.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne BrontΓ« (1820-1849)
The youngest and least-known of the famous BrontΓ« sisters, Anne wrote two novels: this one and Agnes Grey (a governess story!) Goodreads says that her writing is sharper and more ironic than the romantic style of Charlotte and Emily. The lesser known female novelists of the Victorian era are hidden gems, and I look forward to reading the last BrontΓ«'s works.
(So I gave you more than three this time. Bonus: here are Anne, Emily, and Charlotte BrontΓ«'s tiny but wonderful oeuvres in Project Gutenberg. Enjoy!)
This writer started a whole new genre--Regency romance--hit a home run her very first time at the plate. Here is her description of the wicked, fascinating, and impeccably dressed Duke of Andover, who is attempting to seduce a young woman:
"He walked coolly forward into the full light of a great pendant chandelier, standing directly beneath it, the diamond order on his breast burning and winking like a living thing. The diamonds in his cravat and on his fingers glittered every time he moved, until he seemed to be carelessly powdered with iridescent gems. As usual, he was clad in black, but it would have been difficult to find any other dress in the room more sumptuous or more magnificent than his sable satin with its heavy silver lacing, and shimmering waistcoat. Silver lace adorned his throat and fell in deep ruffles over his hands, and in defiance of Fashion, which decreed that black along should be worn to tie the hair, he displayed long silver ribands, very striking against his unpowdered head."
Sadly, we have to wait a few more years for any of her other works to fall into the public domain. This gem of a book was the first Heyer I read, and it's every bit as thrilling and romantic as you could wish!
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (1797-1851)
Anyone who has only seen a movie version of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster probably doesn't know that the original is slightly more philosophical than the groans and screams of the many adaptations. Its alternate title is "The Modern Prometheus." The Goodreads summary does a good job here:
"Frankenstein, an instant bestseller and an important ancestor of both the horror and science fiction genres, not only tells a terrifying story, but also raises profound, disturbing questions about the very nature of life and the place of humankind within the cosmos: What does it mean to be human? What responsibilities do we have to each other? How far can we go in tampering with Nature? In our age, filled with news of organ donation genetic engineering, and bio-terrorism, these questions are more relevant than ever."
All this philosophizing doesn't make the story of monstrous hubris any less sinister than it was when it first came out in 1818.
The Tenant of Wildfell Hall by Anne BrontΓ« (1820-1849)
The youngest and least-known of the famous BrontΓ« sisters, Anne wrote two novels: this one and Agnes Grey (a governess story!) Goodreads says that her writing is sharper and more ironic than the romantic style of Charlotte and Emily. The lesser known female novelists of the Victorian era are hidden gems, and I look forward to reading the last BrontΓ«'s works.
(So I gave you more than three this time. Bonus: here are Anne, Emily, and Charlotte BrontΓ«'s tiny but wonderful oeuvres in Project Gutenberg. Enjoy!)
Tuesday, February 19, 2013
Nonfiction Reader's Advisory
Nonfiction Readers' Advisory by Robert BurginMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
Every reference librarian should recognize the value of suggesting nonfiction to patrons. Ultimately, the fiction/nonfiction divide, useful though it might be, is still an artificial one.
The essays in this book discuss everything from theory to practice, including sources for finding books worth recommending, the reading habits of avid readers, and multicultural nonfiction. I suggest reading with an eye to expanding your personal to-read list as well: I must have added dozens of titles that piqued my curiosity. I'll be a nonfiction reader yet!
I especially enjoyed the chapter on nonfiction for school libraries. I myself only started enjoying nonfiction as an adult after I read two excellent books: Laura Hillenbrand's Seabiscuit and Kate Summerscale's The Suspicions of Mr. Whicher, both books that showed me the power of nonfiction storytelling. I did read nonfiction as a kid, but mostly when I was curious about a topic (sharks, 19th century clipper ships, books on etymology and language - you'd be amazed at what kids will pick up when given the chance). And I'll never forget those trusty DK Eyewitness books with their densely packed pages of text and pictures.
Friday, June 29, 2012
Reading
I follow a lot of blogs, and many of them are written by avid readers and writers. Here's a collection of links to articles and blogs about writing:
somanybooksblog.com - A blog from a reader in Minnesota. I honestly don't know how she reads so many books! They're not all lightweight works, either. She's a librarian and says of herself: "If you haven’t figured it out, I like to read. This blog is about what I’m reading and not reading (as sometimes happens), what I want to read and what I am considering reading. There is also occasional agonizing over reading, not reading, what I want to read and what I am considering reading. From time to time personal life slips in and stories about my husband, school, libraries, or pet pictures might appear."
undergroundnewyorkpubliclibrary.com - I just discovered this blog today, and it's marvelous: "The Underground New York Public Library is a visual library featuring the Reading-Riders of the NYC subways." The blog is the creation of photographer Ourit Ben-Haim, who writes "I’m fascinated by how we apply ourselves to stories and discourse. In so doing, we shape who we understand ourselves to be." (Discovered thanks to So Many Books.)
brainpickings.org - Be warned! This website is sometimes overwhelming, especially if you're like me and have never-ending lists of books to be read. The short posts, featuring nonfiction books, are usually accompanied images, links, and videos. You'll find a rich source of new things to learn about. Maria Popova, the main writer and editor, says of the site: "Brain Pickings is your LEGO treasure chest, full of pieces across art, design, science, technology, philosophy, history, politics, psychology, sociology, ecology, anthropology, you-name-itology. Pieces that enrich your mental pool of resources and empower you to combine them into original concepts that are stronger, smarter, richer, deeper and more impactful."
somanybooksblog.com - A blog from a reader in Minnesota. I honestly don't know how she reads so many books! They're not all lightweight works, either. She's a librarian and says of herself: "If you haven’t figured it out, I like to read. This blog is about what I’m reading and not reading (as sometimes happens), what I want to read and what I am considering reading. There is also occasional agonizing over reading, not reading, what I want to read and what I am considering reading. From time to time personal life slips in and stories about my husband, school, libraries, or pet pictures might appear."
undergroundnewyorkpubliclibrary.com - I just discovered this blog today, and it's marvelous: "The Underground New York Public Library is a visual library featuring the Reading-Riders of the NYC subways." The blog is the creation of photographer Ourit Ben-Haim, who writes "I’m fascinated by how we apply ourselves to stories and discourse. In so doing, we shape who we understand ourselves to be." (Discovered thanks to So Many Books.)
forgottenbookmarks.com - This site was created by a used and rare bookseller, who has also published a book. The images show found objects he's encountered, along with the books he found them in.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Chip Kidd
I love me a good TED Talk, and this one by book art designer Chip Kidd is a lot of fun. Not content-heavy, but he has a dramatic presentation style and makes me want to hear more from the people who design those iconic book jackets, which often wordlessly communicate more about the book than the best-written blurb.
Tuesday, May 22, 2012
The Creation of Beautiful Things
I am not a Luddite who believes that e-books are not "real" books. I own an e-reader and love it, though I also read traditional paper books, listen to audiobooks (gotta love the Jeeves and Wooster series by P.G. Wodehouse - bally stupendous!), and I compulsively read articles on the web. I am always reading, writing, and encountering art.
But sometimes I see things that make me recognize all over again how lovely traditional books can be, and the things they do best. Below is an example of a physical book, engineered to be a work of art. Click the picture for a larger version.
But sometimes I see things that make me recognize all over again how lovely traditional books can be, and the things they do best. Below is an example of a physical book, engineered to be a work of art. Click the picture for a larger version.
It is a 17th century British "trick" poem "I Saw a Peacock with a Fiery Tail." The video below explains the genre and shows the book and the poem being read.
I don't just love this book because it is beautiful. I love it for what it does with language, which is what all great poetry does with language. It makes us look closer, think more deeply, and imagine extraordinary things.
This book could have been animated on a computer very easily. Printing physical copies was an incredibly complex challenge (read the publisher's blog here for the story). What is the value of human determination to create lovely things that serve no purpose but to delight? I don't know, but it's my favorite aspect of human beings and keeps from becoming discouraged by the ugly side of things.
For other ambitiously intricate books, check out Jonathan Safran Foer's Tree of Codes here, and The Night Life of Trees here.
Found via Brain Pickings.
Tuesday, May 15, 2012
Friday, April 20, 2012
Old Books
I'm studying the preservation and conservation of library materials this quarter, and this video talks about some of the very topics we've been covering in class:
The real villain is acidity, which degrades paper and makes it brittle. If you have scrapbooks and best-loved books that are beginning to feel frail, you can stop the damage (sadly, nothing will restore it to perfect condition) by using Archival Mist. For stamps, there is Clarity, made by the same company, Preservation Technologies, which has a contract with the Library of Congress to preserve acidic materials in its collection.
Video comes via Explore.
The real villain is acidity, which degrades paper and makes it brittle. If you have scrapbooks and best-loved books that are beginning to feel frail, you can stop the damage (sadly, nothing will restore it to perfect condition) by using Archival Mist. For stamps, there is Clarity, made by the same company, Preservation Technologies, which has a contract with the Library of Congress to preserve acidic materials in its collection.
Video comes via Explore.
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