A Reader's Diary

What I've been reading in 2010...

2010-10-18T20:46:00.001-07:00

Wow, it's been over a year since I last updated this blog. In my defense, I've been quite busy with school and other things and haven't had the chance to read much, let alone reflect on the books afterwards.

Well, here's what I've been reading lately:

The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon. I loved Outlander when I read it last year, but I heard that the next book didn't begin until 20 years later (as I think I mentioned in a my last blog post here), so I didn't feel like reading the next in the series, thinking it would simply jump ahead to focus on the next generation. Whoops! Good thing I checked out the next book, because there WAS more about Jamie and Claire before the big 20-year leap, and even after that the books were as good as ever. I'm now in the middle of reading A Breath of Snow and Ashes, which is the 6th book in the series. Part historical fiction, part romance, and part scifi/fantasy, I really love this series.
The Mistress of the Art of Death series by Ariana Franklin. I read the 3rd book in the series first (oops), since it just happened to be the one available at the library at the time. I've since gone back to read books 1 and 2, and I think the series has gotten better over time. They aren't the rich type of historical fiction that Outlander is, but they are entertaining myteries. I'm looking forward to reading the next book in the series, A Murderous Procession (which I think I'm saving for my next airplane trip).
Since I heard that Terry Pratchett has a new book coming out (I Shall Wear Midnight) in the Discworld sub-series that began with The Wee Free Men (which I *adored*), I thought I should catch up with the last book published, #3 in the sub-series, which is Wintersmith. Terry Pratchett shows his usual brilliance here once again. I loved it.
And finally, the latest in Kathy Reichs' series: Spider Bones. I really liked this one a lot better than her last few novels, perhaps because the ending/answers weren't so obvious from the beginning. There were so many bodies and so many characters and plot threads that it was difficult to keep them all straight, but this complexity had the effect of keeping the mystery's solution(s) a surprise.

So that's the latest from my reading list.

As always, happy reading to you!

Summer reading

2009-07-03T23:12:00.000-07:00

I just finished Jacqueline Carey's 2nd Kushiel trilogy (Kushiel's Scion, Kushiel's Justice, and Kushiel's Mercy). I'd held off reading them for a long time, not sure how I would like hearing Imriel's perspective. But I really enjoyed it. And I'm sad that's the end of the story, for the most part, for them. I was prompted to read them in part because Carey's new book, Naamah's Kiss, was just released. But that story takes place several generations later.

I also read Outlander by Diana Gabaldon (finally!), realizing too that there is another book in that series to be published soon (#7, due out in September). Loved it, but am a little sad to see when I look ahead to Book 2 that it takes place many years after the events of the first. I still look forward to reading the rest of the series, though.

And Kathy Reich's latest Devil Bones. Once again, good for reading on the airplane. A little annoying to figure things out (once again) about 200 pages before the protagonist did, and I don't think I had to be a physical anthropologist myself to do it. But hey, an interesting quick read nonetheless.

That's all the (fictional) reading I've done so far this summer.

Happy reading!

Graveyards and Gods

2009-02-03T16:37:00.000-08:00

Just read two new books: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman and Small Gods by Terry Pratchett.

I thoroughly enjoyed both of them, though in both cases something felt a little missing. In the case of The Graveyard Book, which was inspired by Kipling's Jungle Books, I felt that perhaps if I had read those, I might have gotten more out of The Graveyard Book.

Or perhaps my reading tastes are changing as I get older. Maybe I would have liked these books a lot more 10 years ago.

Small Gods seemed to have rather a lot of torture and mature content references for a kids book, however. But it was fabulous, as per usual for Terry Pratchett. Several lines that made me burst out laughing (luckily I was alone), which is typical with his books, even though this story was fairly dark overall in comparison to even books like Mort.

If you are good with listening to stories, you can hear (and watch) Neil Gaiman read The Graveyard Book here: http://www.mousecircus.com/videotour.aspx

That's all for now. I'm back to my nonfiction/textbook reading.

~Happy reading!

June Books Recap: The Ghost Map and Bones to Ashes

2008-07-04T14:46:00.000-07:00

Other than my academic books, this month I only read (and all due to having time on airplanes):

(non-fiction) The Ghost Map: The Story of London's Most Terrifying Epidemic - and How it Changed Science, Cities and the Modern World, by Steven Berlin Johnson. Very good, I recommend it. It corrects a lot of misconceptions previous published about the story of John Snow and the Broad Street Pump. And it's well-written.

(fiction) Bones to Ashes by Kathy Reichs. Not bad. Interesting bits about Acadian history. Not enough suspense if you know much paleopathology and can guess things ahead of time, but if you've read the series so far it's worth reading to keep up; Devil Bones comes out in August.

I'm looking forward to hopefully squeezing in a little more novel-reading this summer, in between the stacks of academic articles and books (very interesting academic articles, but still. I miss fiction).

Bones and Ochre

2008-03-30T16:03:00.000-07:00

I'm currently reading Bones and Ochre: The Curious Afterlife of the Red Lady of Paviland, by Marianne Sommer. It's non-fiction and traces the history of the interpretation of these ancient human remains since they were found in 1823.

I'm hoping that I can do up a book review of it to be published in an academic journal, so I won't review it here right now. If I don't get it done for the journal, I'll post my review here. And if I don't, then probably I'll write a shorter summary review for here.

I haven't read any novels in a while, it's all journal articles right now, though I few months back I finished the Kushiel's Dart trilogy by Jacqueline Carey, and really enjoyed it. Maybe when I get another break I can pick up with the second trilogy that follows it.

New Year, new books!

2007-01-04T17:25:00.000-08:00

I didn't have much of a chance last semester to read for "fun"... Over the holiday break, mostly on planes and in airports, I read Dan Brown's Deception Point, Charles de Lint's Jack of Kinrowan, and Max Allan Collins's Bones: Buried Deep (based on the TV show characters). All fun, quick reads. Next on my list, if I ever get time this semester, is the latest Kathy Reichs, Break No Bones. I was waiting for the paperback, but since I just discovered there is a trade paperback out (I was waiting for the pocket version), I'll just go for that one when I get a chance.

So, mini-review of Bones:Buried Deep today: As a fan of the show, I enjoyed it. Better than your average fan-fiction. Wasn't the best mystery I'd ever read, but it pleasantly passed the hours on the airplane. Not the lightest read with the forensic details, but not a lot of analysis required either (actually, thinking too much about details here is probably not recommended, you will probably just get annoyed). A nice break from the textbooks, however.

~Happy New Year and happy reading!

REVIEW: Kushiel's Dart

2006-08-26T08:41:00.000-07:00

Today's review: Kushiel's Dart by Jacqueline Carey (adult fantasy)

Summary: Phedre, born with a red spot in her left eye, is sold into indentured servitude as a small child, raised first in the Night Court and then bought by Anafiel Delaunay, who teaches her to spy and tells her she is marked by Kushiel, which means she finds pleasure in pain. She enters the service of Naamah and becomes a courtesan, working her way towards freedom while weaving through political plots and schemes. What she learns one night sets her off on a dangerous and desperate path. Phedre, the only anguisette born in three generations, must find a way to save her beloved country, the beautiful and unique Terre d'Ange where all are bidden to follow the commandment of the Blessed Elua: Love as thou wilt.

My thoughts: A beautiful, creative novel that reads like historical fiction yet is filled with the wonder of fantasy. Full of adventure, action, suspense, mystery, intrigue, and romance, there is something for everyone here. My one little annoyance with this story is the lack of any mention of menstrual periods or pregnancy scares among the servants of Naamah. Maybe in a race descended from angels, such things are not issues. The first in a trilogy, I look forward eagerly to reading the sequel.

~Happy reading!

Review of Jesus the Man by Barbara Thiering

2006-07-14T11:19:00.000-07:00

Review of Jesus the Man by Barbara Thiering

Author Thiering is an expert on the Dead Sea Scrolls. In Jesus the Man she explains the pesher method and reveals what the gospels and other texts tell those “who have ears to hear” about the historical origins of Christianity in the gospel period. She postulates that the method details how Jesus survived the crucifixion, married and had children with Mary Magdalene, and more. She shows the historical political meanings behind the various “miraculous” occurrences such as Jesus “walking on water” and raising Lazarus “from the dead”, the “virgin birth”, and the appearances of “angels” and “Satan”, and reveals the origin of Christian practices like communion. Overall she shows in detail how knowledge of the symbolic system, calendar, practices, and general culture of the ascetic group to which Jesus belonged is vitally important to understanding the pesher history that lies below the surface meaning of the New Testament.

Whether you agree with her conclusions or not, Thiering shows us how the Dead Seas Scrolls allow a completely new way of reading the New Testament and offer new insight into the circumstances in which the new religion of Christianity arose. I think everyone will find something in this book worthwhile, and for those who cannot accept the “miracles” of the gospels or the strange predictions of Revelations, this book may be life-changing and offer a new context in which to understand Christianity.

Jesus the Man is an important scholarly work that cannot be lumped in with The Da Vinci Code. Yet the popularity of such stories indicates that people are ready to reexamine the historical and political origins of Christianity and to take a fresh look at the faith.

~Happy reading!

Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs

2006-05-28T20:44:00.000-07:00

Today's review:

Cross Bones by Kathy Reichs
(forensic/archaeological thriller)

Summary: Dr. Tempe Brennan is investigating another Montreal murder when she is drawn into something much bigger than she's ever dealt with before: she may have found the bones of Jesus Christ. Brennan and Ryan take off for Israel. But others want want she's found and will kill to get it.

This eigth novel in the series is based on facts, particularly on the work of a colleague of Reichs' at UNC-Charlotte, James D. Tabor, who has recently published the non-fiction The Jesus Dynasty. Those like myself who rushed out to get their hands on Holy Blood, Holy Grail after reading The DaVinci Code will probably want to read that book too. And while the historical aspects of Jesus and early Christianity are such a hot topic these days, especially with the release of the DaVinci Code movie last week, Cross Bones is a great novel to pick up for some early summer reading.

~Happy reading!

Recent reads and review of Pandemic by Daniel Kalla

2006-04-29T10:41:00.000-07:00

Books read since last entry:
STIFF: The Curious Lives of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach (non-fiction)
Pandemic by Daniel Kalla (thriller)
The Door in the Hedge by Robin McKinley (fairy tales)
The Secret Country by Pamela Dean (fantasy)
The Kite Fighters by Linda Sue Park (children's historical fiction)

Today's review:

Pandemic by Daniel Kalla (medical thriller)

Summary: A deadly new flu virus emerges in rural China, and Islamist terrorists move in to exploit it. The story follows the efforts of many characters to stop the spread of the virus, or in the case of the terrorists, to carry out their deadly plans.

This novel provides a realistic story with lots of detail, although all that detail could also become a bit cumbersome if you like a more fast-paced thriller. The medical and scientific aspects of the story are especially interesting. The author does very good job of making each character a unique individual with his or her own story. The subject is familiar to those who went through the SARS outbreak. One warning: as you can imagine, some passages were pretty shocking and gross (ie, many references to "bloody sputum").

New additions to my To Read list:
Hotter Than Hell by Mark Tushingham
Lirael and Abhorsen by Garth Nix
Bones: Buried Deep by Max Allan Collins and Kathy Reichs
Omnivores Dilemma by Michael Pollan (non-fic)

~Happy reading!

Reviews: Blood and Chocolate and Persepolis 2

2006-04-15T19:52:00.000-07:00

Today's reviews:

Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause (horror/fantasy/youth fiction)

Summary: Vivian is a teen girl and a werewolf, member of a pack. When her father, the pack's leader, is killed in a fire and the pack is forced to relocate after two human girls are killed, Vivian meets a human boy in her new town. She begins to fall in love with him, even though her pack tells her that humans and werewolves cannot be together. She hopes that this boy is different.

My thoughts: I decided to read this novel after having it recommended to me a dozen times. It's an interesting story. The character of Vivian is a bit distant from the reader; it's hard to get too close to her, to really understand her and to empathize with her. She is moody, swinging from angry to violent to lovesick. The way the pack members are described made me not like them, yet Vivian seemed to care for them very much, which could be confusing. I just couldn't get too into the story, and found it hard to understand why this novel is a favourite of so many people. I hear there is a movie being made, and it will be interesting to compare the two. Overall it's an interesting story, especialy for horror, werewolf, or even vampire fans, but not a great as I had the impression it would be.

Persepolis 2: The Story of a Return by Marjane Satrapi (graphic novel)

Summary: *POSSIBLE SPOILER WARNING*
This book, the sequel to Persepolis, tells the story of a young woman who travels from her native Iran to Austria, lives in various places including a home run by nuns and on the street, makes friends with punks and anarchists, and takes up smoking. She then returns to Iran, tries to fit back in but is still different, gets married, then in the end gets divorced and realizes that she will need to leave Iran once again, as it is not the place for her.

My thoughts: A more mature book that the first one, which is fitting as the first was about growing up in Iran and the second is about Marjane becoming an adult. It was an enjoyable read, interesting and humorous, though at times sadder than the first book even though the death and violence of the first was more obviously tragic, making the contrasting humour funnier. I'm really getting to like the graphic novel format.

Happy Easter! And remember to post *comments* if you would like to see book giveaways here!

~Happy reading!

Contest info and Review of Hybrids

2006-04-03T12:10:00.000-07:00

I'd like to start doing some contests for free books, but I need to have a certain level of readership here first. So, if you would like to see book giveaways on this site, please leave comments on the entries, and spread the word about this site: post in discussion forums, mention it on you LJ, or put the Reader's Diary banner up on your webpage (available on the Bookends website, link at right). And clink on the Google advertisements; if I can get enough click-throughs, I will put any money earned towards more giveaways.

So keep those comments coming!

A favourite quote of mine: "How many a man has dated a new era of his life from the reading of a book." ~Henry David Thoreau (applies equally to women, girls, and boys) :)

Today's review:

Hybrids, Book 3 in the Neanderthal Parallax triology by Robert J. Sawyer (science fiction)

Setting: Ontario, Canada; New York, USA; and the corresponding locations on the parallal Earth of the Neaderthals.

Summary: Mary, the Homo sapiens genticist, and Ponter, the Neaderthal physicist, are stuggling to find a way to be together between two different worlds, and a way to have a hybrid child together. When they learn of the existence of a banned technology that would help them to conceive, they are forced to deal with the dilemma of selecting the traits that the child would have - including the capacity, or lack thereof, for religious belief. Meanwhile, this same technology catches the attention of someone with less peaceful intentions. As the Earth of H. sapiens experiences a magnetic pole reversal, it appears that one or both worlds may be in serious jepardy.

My thoughts: A very good read. So many different aspects to the story: magnetic fields, religion, genetics, social behaviour, etc. The plot kept me guessing at every turn, while still maintaing a strong direction. Very dark at times, yet at others almost too rosy. This novel has the ability to appeal to a wide audience. I enjoyed this trilogy so much that I will likely seek out more modern science fiction to read (I normally stick to the fantasy side of the fantasy-sci fi genre).

~Happy reading!

Review of Queen of the Amazons by Judith Tarr

2006-03-31T21:03:00.000-08:00

Today's review:

Queen of the Amazons by Judith Tarr (youth fantasy/historical fiction)

Summary: When the Queen of the tribe of women known to Greeks as the Amazons gives birth to a daughter, everyone is shocked to discover that the newborn is empty: she has no soul. But the more shocking is the Queen's decision to only to let the baby live, but to name her as heir to the throne. One day, the girl flees the camp, drawn like a moth to a flame to the West when she/"it" hears of a young conqueror sweeping across Asia: Alexander the Great.

My thoughts: A good, engrossing story. I enjoyed this unique mix of fantasy and history. A bir dry overall, a bit hard to get too much into the characters, but still lots to like, with a great, fast-paced epic conclusion.

~Happy reading!

Mistakes in books; Review of Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs

2006-03-24T19:57:00.000-08:00

Mistakes in books are a pet peeve of mine. I'm currently reading Robert J. Sawyer's Hybrids (Book 3 in the Neanderthal Parallax trilogy), and a character in the book states that she is listening to "The Woman in Me" on Shania Twain's "Come on Over" CD. Another song is mentioned too. Both are from the "Woman in Me" CD (hence the title!). Mistakes like that are so annoying, they make me want to be an editor so I can catch these things before they go to print.

Anyway...

Today's review:

Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs (forensic-mystery-thriller)

Summary: Dr. Brennan believes the skeletons of three girls found in the basement of a Montreal pizza parlor are the fairly recent victims of a killer, but she has a hard time convincing Claudel that they aren't 19th century archaeological material. As usual, it seems someone doesn't want her digging into this case. Meanwhile, her relationship with Ryan is on the rocks and an emotionally unstable friend drops in for a visit.

My thoughts: Not to give away any plot spoilers, but the subject of the novel ties in with a case recently in the news again. The Ryan problem was a bit predictable, and the thing with Tempre's friend was a bit odd, but the great climax to the story more than made up for it. Another great addition to this series.

With all the movies being made out of books these days, it's also nice to see TV series also being developed from book series; "Bones" is a great show based (somewhat loosely) on Kathy Reichs' Tempe Brennan novels.

~Happy reading!

Review of Deafening by Frances Itani

2006-03-10T19:03:00.000-08:00

Today's review:

Deafening by Frances Itani (literary fiction; historical; Canadian)

Summary: When Grania is just five years old, scarlet fever robs her of her hearing, then her language. But her loving and dedicated grandmother helps her to learn to read and to speak again. Later Grania is sent to the Ontario School for the Deaf in Belleville, where she learns to sign and to speak properly with her voice. As a young woman, she meets Jim, a hearing man, and they marry. Yet only two short weeks after their wedding, he leaves for the battlefields of WWI Europe. They write to each other, but their most powerful and emotional letters are written only in their minds. While some families receive tragic news and others wait for word, the 1918 influenze pandemic hits with a devastating impact, and people try their best to hold on to life and hope.

My thoughts: Deafening is a beautiful story. The contrast between the innocence of Grania's enclosed childhood and the harshness of war is striking. It is a love story, but not only a romantic one: it tells of the love between grandmother and grand-daughter, older sister and younger, husband and wife. Although I would have liked a longer ending, or an epilogue, the reader can use her or her imagination to fill in the gaps of what happened afterwards, and to many readers this may be preferable. All in all, a beautifully written story that hold your attention (not always easy in literary fiction) and stay with you long after you have closed the covers.

Itani dedicates her novel in part to her own grandmother, who was deaf since the age of one.

Happy reading!

Reviews: High School Bites and Bare Bones

2006-03-04T18:38:00.000-08:00

Todays reviews:

High School Bites by Liza Conrad (teen fic; vampire)

Summary: Sixteen-year-old Lucy finds out that she is descended from a line of Lucys beginning with the Lucy of Bram Stoker's Dracula. She also finds out that Dracula is still alive and a threat and there are other vampires everywhere, including her own sometime-boyfriend Vic. Lucy must defeat Dracula; suddenly math class isn't her worst nightmare after all.

My thoughts: Despite a lower reading level that I found annoying at times (a lot of redundant repetition), it's a good story and much more in-depth and interesting than I expected. Feels like a set-up for a series. It made me very interested in reading Dracula by Bram Stoker. All in all, a good story for such a quick read.

Bare Bones by Kathy Reichs (forensic-mystery-thriller)

Summary: Tempe's plans for a beach trip with Ryan are interuppted by the discovery of a buried bag full of bear parts... and a couple of human bones. This draws Dr. Brennan deep into the world of the black market in endangered animals and plants, and as the body count climbs, she discovers personally just how far these criminals are willing to go.

My thoughts: A very interesting story, though quite convoluted. It was difficult to keep all of the characters straight. A bit of a metaphor overload in the speaking styles of the characters. A nice bit of romance between Tempe and Ryan, quite refreshing in a series that focuses on the grim and grotesque. Overall another good read in a great series.

Currently reading: Monday Mourning by Kathy Reichs

Happy reading!

Reviews of Kathy Reichs's Fatal Voyage and Grave Secrets

2006-02-21T15:12:00.000-08:00

I received High School Bites by Lisa Conrad in the mail today... a teen lit Buffy-esque vampire story. Looks like a fun read. It promises "historical tidbits about Irish auther Bram Stoker, plus fascinating myths and legends about vampires". Will post a review when I'm done.

Today's reviews:

Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs (forensic mystery thriller)

Dr. Brennan is called in when an airplane crashes in the mountains of North Carolina. But someone wants her gone after she pokes around an old cabin in the area; Dr. Brennan is accused of violating procedure and is removed from the investigative team. She must dig deeper to solve the mystery she has stumbled upon in order to clear her own name and fulfill her sense of duty to the dead.

A good story, well-written with an especially gory opening scene. However the resolution to the mystery, the hidden secret, was a little bit too over-the-top in terms of believability. Interesting nonetheless, and anthropological as always.

Grave Secrets by Kathy Reichs (forensic mystery thriller)

Dr. Tempe Brennan is in Guatemala assisting in the recovery of the remains of victims of a paramilitary death squad when she is asked to assist on a case of missing teen girls and one skeleton discovered in a septic tank. Tempe finds herself involved in a complex and dark web of secrets that becomes even more deadly when two members of the forensic archaeology team are attacked on the highway. With help from local allies and Det. Ryan, Tempe races between Guatemala and Montreal trying to unravel the threads to find the truth.

I really enjoyed this book, and only partly because I felt so connected to much of the content (I've attended a lecture by Clyde Snow, and studied Peruvian trophy skulls). The promise of more romance for Tempe added another dimension to the series. The plot was quite tangeled, but Reichs presents just enough clues to maintain a sense of direction and discovery for the reader.

Happy reading!

Advance review of The Red Power Murders

2006-02-13T22:06:00.000-08:00

I received an advance readers copy of The Red Power Murders, "a Thumps DreadfulWater mystery" novel, from the HarperCanada First Look program at http://www.harpercollins.ca . The release date is set for March. The author, Thomas King, is a university professor and a member of the Order of Canada, which is cool; Canada is mentioned a number of times in the novel, although it is set in the US. I'd love to hear any comments from anyone who has read the previous book DreadfulWater Shows Up especially, or any of his other books.

Today's review:

The Red Power Murders by Thomas King "writing as Hartley GoodWeather"

This is an old-fashioned detective/mystery story, with a twist: the “detective” is Thumps DreadfulWater and the mystery centres on events that took place years ago involving the “Red Power” Native movement when FBI agents were killed and a Native activist disappeared. When more bodies start to pile up in the little town Thumps lives in now, he knows that solving this depends on finally solving the mystery of what happened all those years ago.

The small, mainly Native town of Chinook is a different and refreshing setting for this type of novel. The Red Power Murders is a good mystery that, while not a suspenseful page-turner, nevertheless keeps the reader guessing. With a wry sense of humour to lighten the tone, this book is perfect for a winter night by the fire.

Happy reading!

Review of Destiny's Daughter by Rebecca Brandewyne

2006-01-31T17:08:00.000-08:00

Today's review:

Destiny's Daughter by Rebecca Brandewyne
(romance; historical fiction; contemporary mystery-thriller)

Summary: When archaeologist Bryony St. Blaze learns that her father, a history professor, has been run down and killed, she is devastated. A strange package from him, mailed the day he died, propels Bryony to Scotland to meet a man who might be able to help her solve a timeless mystery, the key to the human past and future, a mystery protected by the members of a secret society who will kill to protect it.

My thoughts: This book is very similar in content to the DaVinci Code, although it was written before that bestseller. Yet Destiny's Daughter is much more complicated and far-reaching, delving into a dozen ancient cultures and areas such as astronomy, astrology, and mathematics. The language spoken by the characters is overly formal to the point of being ridiculous at times. I found that the uninspiring, textbook romance contrasts with the intricate tale of an ancient book with the key to human redemption. Although the mystery is "solved" in the end, many questions remain essentially unanswered and left to the reader.

I'd recommend Destiny's Daughter to those who loved the DaVinci Code and similar books about ancient mysteries like The Holy Grail, or to those interested in comparative religions and mythologies, but it's not a great romance and not a great book in itself. The content carries it, and while fascinating it can get quite confusing at times. But it will make you think.

Happy reading!

Books Sold and Current Reading

2006-01-30T20:43:00.000-08:00

I went down to a used bookstore today and sold over 40 of my books that I know I won't be reading again. I got $54 for all of them. I was surprised, they took every single book but one, which had some pages falling out. But I feel so much better, my bookshelves look half decent again and as I keep reading (and buying more books) I can build up another pile of books to sell (so I can buy more books). So yea! for used bookstores. Until all books are printed on recycled paper, the trade in used books will save many trees.

I'm still reading Destiny's Daughter. Although it is classified as a "romance", and there definately is some romance thrown in, I would not have labeled this book as such. Every other chapter follows the journey of a powerful book throughout history (and prehistory) and around the world, Egypt, Babylonia, you name it. I read those parts very closely, and sort of skip over the sexy scenes set in the present (they kinda read like fan fic). I'm about halfway through the novel right now; I'll set a somewhat unrealistic goal of finishing and posting a review for tomorrow.

James Frey Controversy; Review of Tough Guide to Fantasy Land

2006-01-28T20:23:00.000-08:00

Everyone seems to be talking about the James Frey controversy. I was not planning on reading the book so I hadn't paid much attention to it, but the question of defining non-fiction vs. fiction, and where a memoir falls in, caught my interest. Someone made the point that memoir cannot be guaranteed as absolute fact, because memory is faulty. I've seen that in the psych courses I've taken. So maybe there should be some sort of disclaimer on memoirs, that events may not have occured exactly as depicted in the book? Yet there is a difference between remembering differently and purposefully altering details in order to produce a "better" book. At what point does the book cross into the territory of a novel "based on a true story"? These are questions which I think will require a lot of discussion and debate, and I will be interested to see how the publishing industry reacts to these issues of authenticity, accuracy, and sincerity.

Today's review:

The Tough Guide to Fantasy Land by Diana Wynne Jones (nonfiction; fantasy)

A guidebook to the world of fantasy fiction, from "Adept" (someone with a masters of magic) to "Zombie" (the smelly, sad, and easy-to-kill undead). The author reveals the common template under which fantasy novels in the Tolkien tradition operate. The book contains interesting observations such as no one in fantasyland seems to ever suffer from scurvy and forks are non-existant. I found the Guide very funny, as I think other fantasy readers would also. "Official Management Terms" such as a "reek of wrongness" that distinguishes bad characters and locations are familiar, although I never thought of it in quite that way before. From this book it is clear just how influential Tolkien has been in shaping the fantasy genre. Definately a must read for the true and dedicated fantasy fan.

Next I plan to read "His Dark Materials Illuminated: Critical Essays on Philip Pullman's Trilogy". I'm also reading "Destiny's Daughter" by Rebecca Brandewyne. So far it is quite good; I wasn't expecting it to be (was expecting more romance, and I'm a few chapters in and there is none so far. Not that romance is bad, it can just be a bit much). The archaeology angle caught my interest right away, as well as the mythological and historical content (especially after recently reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman). I'll post a review when I'm done; for now here is a link to the author's website: http://www.brandewyne.com/titles/titles_abcd.html#destinysdaughter

Happy reading!

New Book Sources and Shopaholic Review

2006-01-21T20:22:00.000-08:00

Some of my favourite sources of information on new books:

BOOKS section of the Globe and Mail Weekend Edition (in-depth reviews)
CBC TV's "HOT TYPE" program
Powells.com DAILY DOSE e-newsletter
Amazon.com or Amazon.ca
harpercollins.com, harpercollins.ca, and harperteen.com

Today's review:

Shopaholic Takes Manhattan by Sophie Kinsella ("chick lit")

Summary: Becky is back in debt again. She's looking forward to a bright future and sees her purchases as "investments". She and Luke travel to New York and make plans to further their careers there. But Becky's debts, and her spendthrift habits, have followed her across the pond. It is only with a little luck that complete disaster may be averted.

My thoughts: Like the other Shopaholic books, reading about Becky's shopping habits can be stressful, which is a bit much for light "chick lit". On the other hand, there is enough humour to relieve the tension, and enough plot (romantic and otherwise) to keep the reader from closing the covers before the end. Becky's shopping and her justifications for her purchases are at once outrageous and ridiculous and all too familiar to some of us. Maybe some lessons here for shopaholic book-buyers?

~Happy reading!~

More new acquires and review of The Penelopiad

2006-01-18T22:19:00.000-08:00

My latest Amazon order of 4 books arrived today:

Collapse by Jared Diamond (non-fic; just released in paperback)
The Ancestor's Tale by Richard Dawkins (non-fic; biology/evolution: "A reverse tour through evolution")
Grave Secrets and Fatal Voyage by Kathy Reichs (fiction; mystery/crime/thriller).

I own later ones in this series by Reichs, but I want to read the books in order. The protagonist is a forensic anthropologist. The new TV series "Bones" is based on these books. Having taken a course in forensic anthropology myself, I find these books fascinating; plus I can never resist a good mystery.

Amazon included the latest issue of READ magazine with my books. It has an article in it, "The Myths Series and Me" by Margaret Atwood (available online). Which brings me to today's review...

The Penelopiad by Margaret Atwood

This is the story of The Odyssey told from the perspective of Odysseus's wife Penelope. It follows her life story and offers a different take on the killing of the twelve maids in particular.

The more you know about Greek mythology and Homer's work the more you will enjoy this book, but most people know enough of the stories of the Trojan War and the Odyssey to appreciate this story. Penelope's feminist perspective is fresh and interesting, much like the many retold fairytales published recently. It is a quick and fun read, though not a happy story.

A hint to students and teachers: this would make a great comparison story when reading the Odyssey (I can imagine the essays now...). Atwood's use of a Chorus as in Greek drama would also be interesting to students. Overall I recommend this book to everyone (within age-appropriateness, of course).

http://www.ReadMagazine.ca has an excerpt of The Penelopiad posted. The series website is http://www.TheMyths.ca

And the book was printed on recycled paper, which is always appreciated. All books should be, really.

Happy reading!

Currently reading, new acquire, review of Anil's Ghost

2006-01-17T16:35:00.000-08:00

I'm still reading The Penelopiad, which is at #3 this week on Maclean's Bestseller Fiction list. It's not very long, and it reads fast, so I might finish it tonight and have a review up sometime tomorrow.

I received Falcondance by Amelia Atwater-Rhodes in the mail today (I won it in a contest a while ago... boy it took a long time to get here). It is Volume 3 in the Kiesha'ra series. I talked to the author when she visited Book Divas a couple months ago; I haven't yet read the books. I don't think I'll read this one until I've read the first two (I remember winning the trilogy on Book Divas, but I haven't received it yet... don't know how long that will take to get here). Amelia Atwater-Rhodes published her first novel at age thirteen!

Today's review:
Anil's Ghost by Michael Ondaatje (adult; literary; contemporary)

Anil, a forensic anthropologist, returns to her native Sri Lanka to do human rights work in the midst of a war. She teams up with an archaeologist and when they uncover a recent victim amongst ancient skeletons in a government-protected site, they work together to identify him and to build a report despite the danger.

It is a good story, especially interesting in terms of the anthropological content. The literary style could make the plot drag a bit, but then this is a book to read and enjoy slowly. The various characters were original and interesting, and I liked how the author showed glimpses of their life stories. The quote from Clyde Snow shows the importance of human rights work: "One victim can speak for many victims." I would have liked a more complete ending, more from Anil's perspective. But overall it was a good read, though a horrifying look into Sri Lanka's civil war.

Book Buys and Review #1: Persepolis

2006-01-16T12:46:00.000-08:00

"Where is human nature so weak as in a bookstore!"
~ Henry Ward Beecher (1813-1887)

Made a quick visit yesterday to a thrift store and bought a few books:

Hybrids by Robert J. Sawyer (science fiction, Book 3 of a trilogy that I've been reading)
The Secret Country by Pamela Dean (fantasy, Book 1 of a trilogy, looks interesting)
Pandemic by Daniel Kalla (a medical thriller about a new flu pandemic, published in 2005)

It may be a while before I get to them, though... They are a ways back in the queue. I've just started reading Margaret Atwood's new book The Penelopiad, part of the Myths series.

Today's review:

Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi (graphic novel; youth/teen; memoir)

Summary: A young woman tells of her life growing up in Iran during the Iranian Revolution, and of having to leave her country. Translated from the French original.

My thoughts: A very interesting story of true events; a real look at life inside Iran and during a revolution from a child's perspective. The wry humour contrasts sharply with violence and intense sadness. I look forward to reading the sequel (I may even try reading it in the original French), and would like to read other graphic novels like this.

Welcome to my book diary!

2006-01-15T19:45:00.000-08:00

I've created this blog as a reading diary, a place to talk about what I think of the books I'm reading, what I want to read, and anything else book-related, such as movies based on books.

I will post book reviews and make recommendations, and talk about my adventures buying (and sometimes selling) books and meeting authors (when I'm lucky enough).

I think this will be more convenient and flexible than my current website http://www.geocities.com/booklvr_2000/ I have an eclectic taste, non-fiction and fiction, adult and young adult, although I especially love fantasy and historical fiction. I'm an anthropology and history student, so my tastes lean in that direction. I review casually for a variety of companies and individuals, so often I will post a review of a book that has not yet been released. And I hope in the future to hold a few contests for free books (remember to check back!).

I hope you enjoy reading my thoughts about books and more! Comments welcome!