bluesalamanders 2011.2

2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011.1

Welcome to my new thread! Current achievements/goals:

76 / 150 books. 51% done.
37 / 75 *new books. 49% done.
2 / 5 ^non-fiction. 40% done.
14461 / 43000 pages. 34% done.
Audiobooks: 7d17h9m

Numbers subject to change without notice, management makes no guarantees, etc, etc.

Off we go!

Finished Book 77: *Hellbent by Cherie Priest
Early Reviewers ARC
Cheshire Red, book 2
Adult, Fantasy, 336p

Loner vampire-thief Raylene has a job to do, some side business to attend to, and - surprisingly - friends to protect and help as well.

Hellbent is a fantastic book, even better than Bloodshot. The characters, even minor characters who aren't on-page for long, are fully fleshed-out with their own personalities and obvious (or not-so-obvious) motivations. One thing I like most about this series is that they are not vampire stories; they are stories about people, some of whom happen to be vampires.

Although Hellbent is a sequel, there is enough background included to make it easily read as a standalone without making it uninteresting to people who have read Bloodshot.

Highly recommended.

Finished Book 78: *Torchwood: The Dead Line by Phil Ford, read by the Torchwood cast
BBC Radio Drama
Adult, Science Fiction, Audiobook, 43m

People fall into coma-like trances after answering telephone calls.

For the most part the characterization and plot fit well with the standard Torchwood story. However, Ianto's constant fear about Jack being in a trance forever fell flat - after all, Jack has a reset switch. If he died, he would have woken up again.

Finished Book 79: Torchwood: Golden Age by James Goss, read by the Torchwood Cast
BBC Radio Drama
Adult, Science Fiction, Audiobook, 43m

Torchwood investigates strange energy readings centered in India.

Not bad for a short audiobook.

Finished Book 80: *A Kiss in Time by Alex Flinn
Young Adult, Fantasy, ebook, 365p

Modern(ish) retelling of Sleeping Beauty.

In this day and age, there is no justification for kissing an unconscious stranger, so from the beginning Jack was a less-than-ideal hero, and for someone who is supposed to have magically-enhanced intelligence, Talia is uninteresting and not particularly bright for most of the story. Both of their parents are awful (and often unreasonable) for most of it as well.

In addition to the character issues, the writing is not very good. I might have enjoyed this when I was an adolescent, but I don't recommend it to adult readers.

I think I need to stop reading YA fairy tale retellings, because I have been striking out with one book after another recently.

80 / 150 books. 53% done.
40 / 75 *new books. 53% done.
2 / 5 ^non-fiction. 40% done.
15162 / 43000 pages. 35% done.
Audiobooks: 7d18h35m

It looks like I need to read me some Cherie Priest--I've got Dreadnought over in the tbr pile.

Roni - I've really enjoyed just about everything of hers that I've read! I'll be interested to see what you think when you get around to Dreadnought.

Checking in on the new thread, Blue!

Finished Book 81: *Spells by Aprilynne Pike
Wings, book 2
Young Adult, Fantasy, ebook, 368p

Finished Book 82: So You Want To Be A Wizard by Diane Duane
Young Wizards, book 1
Young Adult, Fantasy, 226p

Nita Callahan, perennial geek on the bad side of the school bully, runs across an unusual book while hiding in the children's section of the town library: So You Want to be a Wizard. She thinks it's a joke until she starts learning real magic (or rather, wizardry) from it. But it's not all fun and games when Nita and fellow wizard Kit accidentally end up in an alternate universe that's not at all friendly to humans.

Duane's fantasy (with a sci-fi twist) is a joy to read and only gets better as the series goes on. What other system of magic uses terminology like temporal-spacial claudication instead of magic door? The writing is clean and crisp, the worldbuilding is fantastic, and the characters are wonderful and come in ever-expanding varieties. This series is a yearly-reread.

Finished Book 83: *Witch High edited by Denise Little
Young Adult, Fantasy, Anthology, 307p

An anthology of short stories set in a high school for budding witches.

The stories are supposedly set in the same world, but nearly all had contradictory rules about magic that made that a tough sell. Also, there were multiple stories using the same plots (late-blooming witch coming into their magic with surprising power, apparent non-witch developing powers, not following magical rules having predictably disastrous consequences, etc). Despite the general quality of authors in the anthology, the stories were predictable, repetitive, and mediocre.

Finished Book 84: *Fire and Hemlock by Diana Wynne Jones
Young Adult, Fantasy, 420p

Retelling of Tam Lin, though I'm not familiar with the fairy tale. Polly realizes that she has two sets of memories from the previous decade. She must recall the hidden memories and discover which ones are real.

Fire and Hemlock is darker and more complex than the other books I've read by DWJ. I enjoyed it - I could hardly put it down - but at the same time it was confusing and often I was unsure if what I was reading was the past or the present. I would recommend it if you like complex and twisting stories of this sort, but not if you're expecting another light fantasy tale.

84 / 150 books. 56% done.
43 / 75 *new books. 57% done.
2 / 5 ^non-fiction. 40% done.
16483 / 43000 pages. 38% done.
Audiobooks: 7d18h35m

I just read the last few books of the So You Want to Be a Wizard series in July--I like that series too. And Fire and Hemlock although as you say, it is creepier than most of hers. Another retelling of the Tam Lin tale is The Perilous Gard by Elizabeth Marie Pope. There are a lot of them out there.

That sounds interesting, Roni, I'm adding it to my tbr list.

Young Wizards has been a favorite series of mine for about 15 years now. There's a new book coming out in the next year or so, too, I'm really looking forward to it!

Finished Book 85: *Academy 7 by Anne Osterlund
Young Adult, Science Fiction, ebook, 178p

Two young misfits, each with their own secrets, are thrown together in a futuristic boarding school.

I was surprised to discover that this book was not the middle of some series. There isn't any introduction - which isn't a big deal, since the universe is described pretty thoroughly throughout the story - but nor is there much conclusion. It is an interesting story in a believable universe, but it seems incomplete and ultimately unsatisfying. Recommended only if you don't mind being left hanging.

Finished Book 86: *Charitable Getting by Sam Starbuck
Adult, Fiction, 304p

It's hard to come up with a plot description for this one. There isn't one main character or main storyline; it's more about what happens to a group of people during a specific time period. The characters include the people who work at a small company called SparkVISION, an pseudonymous blogger who some suspect might be one of those employees, and a reporter who is trying to "out" said blogger.

I started reading this book and then had to put it aside for several months. In the beginning, the staff of SparkVISION get a group of new interns and are very unpleasant to them. The idea and description of people being intentionally nasty to people on their first day at a new job (which is already an incredibly stressful time) was so upsetting that I wasn't sure I would ever pick the book up again.

But I did, and I'm glad that I did. Beyond that unfortunate beginning, the characters are not all horrible people intent on making those around them cry, and it's an interesting story.

It is also semi-autobiographical; the author has or had a job - and roommate - similar to one of the character's. If you want to see if you might like this book, I suggest checking out the author's blog, specifically the posts related to his job, here.

Finished Book 87: *Doctor Who: The Hounds of Artemis by James Goss, read by Matt Smith and Clare Corbett
Adult, Science Fiction, Audiobook, 1h6m

Amy and the Doctor visit an archeological dig in the middle of a crisis, with people disappearing and other strange things happening.

Overall an enjoyable story with both the Doctor and Amy generally in character and an interesting enough plot that I couldn't predict (all) the twists. I was actually briefly worried for Amy's safety, which is unusual in these stories (since it's obvious that nothing permanent will ever happen to the main characters).

Unfortunately, the end didn't make a whole lot of sense - the author conflated "telepathic" and "telekinetic", among other minor issues. But it is Doctor Who; it really only needs to make a certain amount of sense to be a fun story.

87 / 150 books. 58% done.
46 / 75 *new books. 61% done.
2 / 5 ^non-fiction. 40% done.
16965 / 43000 pages. 39% done.
Audiobooks: 7d19h41m

Not sure how I managed to get so far behind, but I am caught up now, Blue. Looks like you have been doing some good reading.

I love Fire and Hemlock -- it may be my favorite DWJ -- so I am glad you enjoyed it. I'm also quite fond of The Perilous Gard.

alcottacre - Definitely!

foggidawn - I liked it, although the Chrestomanci books will probably always be my favorite (with a special place in my heart for Dogsbody). I forgot to mention in my review, but it rather reminded me of Daddy-Long-Legs by Jean Webster.

Finished Book 88: *Soulless by Gail Carriger, read by Emily Gray
Parasol Protectorate, book 1
Adult, Steampunk, Paranormal Romance, audiobook, 10h48m

Alexia Tarabotti is "soulless", a preternatural, whose touch cancels the supernatural abilities of werewolves and vampires. This ability gets Alexia into trouble, as well as out of it.

I enjoyed this book immensely. Although it is a romance and it is obvious from the beginning the direction the story will take in that department, it isn't only a romance and there is a whole other storyline going on while the romance part happens alongside it. Alexia is fantastic and her interactions with the other characters are wonderful - her playful banter with Lord Akeldama, her verbal sparring with Lord Maccon, her sarcastic yet patient conversation with her friend Ivy.

I didn't love everything about the book. For example, the constant references to Alexia's "ampleness" and apparent unattractiveness were tiresome. She's big, I get it - and while I love reading about main characters who aren't of the standard thin-and-pretty set, I don't need to be reminded of it in every other paragraph. Also, there was rather more explicit sex than I expected.

The good certainly outweighed the bad, however, and I've already started the sequel.

Finished Book 89: *Torchwood: The Lost Files by BBC Audio
-- The Devil and Miss Carew by Rupert Laight
-- Submission by Ryan Scott
-- The House of the Dead by James Goss
Adult, Science Fiction, audiobook, 2h12m

The Devil and Miss Carew started out interesting but kind of fizzled toward the end, with the explanation not really living up to the rest of the story. It's never really explained how the "Devil" managed to do the things he did or why he chose Earth.

Submission was suitably creepy, and the attempt by the creature to garner sympathy failed completely (which I see as a good thing). There wasn't really an explanation of "how", but in this case the explanation of "why" was enough.

The House of the Dead started out sounding a little more fantasy than science fiction but in the end was the most powerful of the three - in fact, it made me cry. A lot.

In all three, the characters were read by their respective tv actors, with other people reading the other characters. These audioplays are almost like having extra episodes of the show.

89 / 150 books. 59% done.
48 / 75 *new books. 64% done.
2 / 5 ^non-fiction. 40% done.
16965 / 43000 pages. 39% done.
Audiobooks: 8d6h29m

Finished Book 90: *Changeless by Gail Carriger, read by Emily Gray
Parasol Protectorate, book 2
Adult, Steampunk Romance, audiobook, 10h30m

Finished Book 91: *Dark Lord of Derkholm by Diana Wynne Jones
Young Adult, Fantasy, 517p

A world of wizards and dragons and magic is being exploited by a man from another world, who uses their world as a magical fantasy tour theme park. Powerful wizards consult an Oracle to discover the means by which they can take back their world.

Then, things start getting a little out of hand.

Dark Lord of Derkholm is a satire of the classic epic fantasy genre. The hero's quests are faked expeditions undertaken by tourists instead of actual heroes, and when Derk and his rather unusual family are placed in charge of this year's quests, everything goes awry.

Fantastic book! Highly recommended.

Finished Book 92: *Blameless by Gail Carriger, read by Emily Gray
Parasol Protectorate, book 3
Adult, Steampunk Romance, audiobook, 11h54m

Finished Book 93: *Heartless by Gail Carriger, read by Emily Gray
Parasol Protectorate, book 4
Adult, Steampunk Romance, audiobook, 11h18m

Finished Book 94: *Heart of Iron by Ekaterina Sedia
Adult, Steampunk, 311p

This story meanders here and there, with a plot that never really resolves, but the vivid language and fascinating characters makes this a wonderful read, regardless.

Finished Book 95: *Across the Universe by Beth Revis
Young Adult, Science Fiction, 398p

In broad strokes, it made me think of The Giver (in space). I think I liked the end of this better, though.

95 / 150 books. 63% done.
54 / 75 *new books. 72% done.
2 / 5 ^non-fiction. 40% done.
18191 / 43000 pages. 42% done.
Audiobooks: 1d11h15m

Parasol Protectorate series by Gail Carriger (Soulless, Changeless, Blameless, Heartless)

I'm looking forward to the upcoming Timeless, but at the same time there are flaws throughout the books that do bother me. All the intimacy between Alexia and Conall is initiated by Conall and it's often used to distract Alexia from asking prying questions, often pressuring her when she would rather have a conversation, etc. As I mentioned in my review of Soulless, Alexia's "ampleness" and apparent unattractiveness are constantly overemphasized.

As much as I enjoy the series, I wish some things were different and I probably won't read (or rather, listen to) these books a second time.

I'm so glad you loved Dark Lord of Derkholm as much as I do!! Your reading as reported in today's posts echoes mine to an uncanny degree. I enjoy the Parasol Protectorate series, knowing the faults but just enjoying the zaniness and characters. I read Across the Universe a couple of months ago for my book group, and have to get a copy and read Heart of Iron by Tuesday for the same group.

May I say that my impression of the focus on Alexia's "ampleness" and coloration is slightly different? I take them to indicate how different she is from the English stereotype of loveliness, but not that they make her unattractive, especially to those not chained to that particular stereotype. Does that make sense?

Roni - I would love to agree, except the word "unattractive" (or something very like it) is used. It gets better in the later books, but the first book is like talking to first-year college girls; so fat and so ugly and why would anyone ever like her! It got old.

Also, her "ampleness" doesn't seem to get in the way of, for example, sitting comfortably three-across in a small carriage or laying down on the vampire's couch.

It just bothered me.

I liked Across the Universe, but I think it was particularly interesting to me to compare it to The Giver which is similar in so many ways - I was explaining it to my sister earlier, since she hasn't read The Giver. And Heart of Iron is just beautifully written, I was caught up from the very beginning. Even though I don't think the plot had much of a purpose, it didn't really matter.

I always thought most of her "ampleness" is in the bosom. She seems a very shapely woman in a time when the fashion was to be boyishly slender. And she's been told by her mother and family so much that she is unattractive. But really, most of the other people she runs into don't seem to fixate on it. But still, I can see where you are coming from.

While I thought Across the Universe had its flaws, it still was a good story. I haven't read any of Sedina's work yet, although I already have two other books of hers in the tbr pile.

But "shapely" means "hourglass", so not only would she have a large chest but the hips to match. Not to mention the bustle.

I've read The Alchemy of Stone, also by Sedia, which I liked but at the same time found very strange.

I agree. I almost said bosom AND butt. And it's been quite a while since I read the first book where most of that took place, so my memory may be minimizing it.

Alchemy of Stone and The Secret History of Moscow are the books I already have, but haven't read yet.

I lost you for a little bit, but congrats on achieving 75 a little late!

I read Heart of Iron this afternoon, and really enjoyed it as well. The only thing that marred my enjoyment was about 5 instances of very poor copy-editing where the wrong word was used or a word omitted. I loved how she worked the Decemberist revolution (of which Prince Sergei Petrovich Troubetzkoy was a leader), the contemporaneous sightings of the Spring-Heeled Jack in Britain (who was then the subject of many of the serialized publications such as Jack and Sasha read on the train), Florence Nightingale, and Turkey and the Crimea all into components of her backstory. It was very readable and interesting as well, good alternate history!

31 roni - I don't know a lot about the relevant history, so it's interesting to hear how much of it was drawn from reality. Glad to hear you liked it!

Finished Book 96: Fire by Kristin Cashore
Seven Kingdoms, prequel
Young Adult, Fantasy, 461 pages

Fire is a monster - an unnaturally beautiful creature who can control the minds of people and animals around her. Fire is also human. As a human monster, she is mistrusted, hated, feared, and desired. Her father was a monster and also a monster, cruel, controlling, and indiscriminate in the use of his abilities, but Fire was raised with human morals.

It's not easy to describe this book, because the story is less about people running around doing things then about the various characters learning about each other and themselves. And yet the story moves quickly and there is certainly action, since Fire's country is at war. It is a wonderful book and I highly recommend it.

Finished Book 97: Graceling by Kristin Cashore
Seven Kingdoms, book 1
Young Adult, Fantasy, 471 pages

A Graceling is a person with a gift, an almost magical ability to do something (although it's never referred to as magic). Someone Graced with speed, say, or swimming, or juggling can perform feats in that area that no regular person could hope to achieve.

In Middluns, Gracelings are feared no matter how benign their Grace may be, and that fear is multiplied with Katsa's killing Grace. Even her uncle the King fears her, though he uses his authority to force her to dole out punishment across his kingdom. But what if she decides she will no longer only be his pawn?

Katsa is a wonderful character who grows constantly and believably over the course of the book. The climax of the book is still brief and unsatisfying, but otherwise I enjoyed Graceling from beginning to end and also recommend it.

97 / 150 books. 65% done.
54 / 75 *new books. 64% done.
2 / 5 ^non-fiction. 40% done.
19123 / 43000 pages. 44% done.
Audiobooks: 1d11h15m

After almost 20 new books in a row, I've been doing a lot of rereads in a row. Usually I space it more evenly, I think.

Finished Book 98: Old Man's War by John Scalzi
Old Man's War series, Book 1
Adult, Science Fiction, 313 pages

Finished Book 99: The Last Colony by John Scalzi
Old Man's War series, Book 3
Adult, Science Fiction, 316 pages

Finished Book 100: Zoe's tale by John Scalzi
Old Man's War series, Book 4
Young Adult, Science Fiction, 336 page

100 / 150 books. 67% done.
54 / 75 *new books. 64% done.
2 / 5 ^non-fiction. 40% done.
20088 / 43000 pages. 47% done.
Audiobooks: 1d11h15m

Finished Book 101: The Will of the Empress by Tamora Pierce
The Circle Reforged, book 1
Young Adult, fantasy, 539 pages

Finished Book 102: Daja's Book by Tamora Pierce
Circle of Magic, book 3
Young Adult, Fantasy, Audiobook, 5h20m

Finished Book 103: Squire by Tamora Pierce
Protector of the Small, book 3
Young Adult, Fantasy, 380p

103 / 150 books. 69% done.
54 / 75 *new books. 64% done.
2 / 5 ^non-fiction. 40% done.
21007 / 43000 pages. 49% done.
Audiobooks: 1d11h15m

Finished Book 104: Lady Knight by Tamora Pierce
Protector of the Small, book 4
Young Adult, Fantasy, 409p

Finished Book 105: ^*The Great Fat Fraud: Why the "Obesity Epidemic" isn't, how to be totally healthy without losing weight, and if you should lose some pounds, how to keep them from finding you again by Mike Schatzki
LibraryThing Early Reviewers
Non-Fiction, 152p

A short, easy-to-read book that is what it says on the tin. Not the strongest addition to the FA/HAES library, but perhaps a good introductory text, especially the first few chapters, which show (with graphs and citations and everything) how a fit fat person is as healthy as a fit thin person and losing weight doesn't really make you much healthier whereas becoming fit (regardless of weight) does.

I don't agree with everything in this book. Schatzki talks about dieting as though it will definitely work, but the studies he talks about use starvation-level diets (don't try this at home!) and most don't seen to extend longer than 2 years. His most persistent message throughout the book is that 10K steps per day apparently solves everything (makes you fit if you aren't, helps you lose weight if you diet, brings about unicorns and rainbows...).

The book is written in a conversational tone that is entertaining but perhaps too simplistic at times. For example, in chapter 8 the dreaded "calories in/calories out" is mentioned, which then in an odd juxtaposition segues into a brief discussion of set-point theory.

Chapter 14 is "Getting to 10,000", a guide to slowly raising your number of steps from wherever it is now up to 10K. As an unfit fat person, it is an interesting idea.

Chapter 15, "You don't understand, it's embarrassing" is thankfully short. Schatzki should leave advice on self-esteem and confidence and how to be fat in public (especially for women) to other people.

Chapter 17 regards seeing the doctor. This chapter is overly-optimistic but nonetheless offers interesting advice. Schatzki suggests taking copies of several articles or studies relating to health and weight to show your doctor, as well as a schedule or chart of your fitness regimen (if you have one). He says "this will totally change the discussion" and I say maybe, maybe not.

Chapter 19 talks about the dangers of bariatric surgery, which generally fell in line with what I have read elsewhere. However, Schatzki seems so enthralled with his 10K step program that he would apparently recommend the very dangerous, potentially deadly surgery to people if they can't walk, without suggesting alternative activities or treatments first.

At the end of the book there is a very brief history of the Obesity Crisis, odd suggestions on how to help (note: reading this book does not make one an expert on anything), and the citations and index.

The Great Fat Fraud was a quick read and was written with short chapters and bite-sized bits of information. I would prefer a book with more explanation and maybe fewer jokes, although the style did make make it easy to read. Actually, it's such a short book that there could be more explanation and still keep the jokes.

105 / 150 books. 70% done.
55 / 75 *new books. 73% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
21568 / 43000 pages. 50% done.
Audiobooks: 1d11h15m

I've been having trouble finishing books this month. I start a book, I read it for a while, I put it aside. Even audiobooks lose my interest. It's frustrating.

Finished Book 106: *Ganymede by Cherie Priest
Clockwork Century, book 4
Adult, Steampunk, 352p

Finished Book 107: Wild Magic by Tamora Pierce
Immortals, book 1
Young Adult, Fantasy, Audiobook, 8h

Finished Book 108: Wolf-Speaker by Tamora Pierce
Immortals, book 2
Young Adult, Fantasy, Audiobook, 7h35m

108 / 150 books. 72% done.
56 / 75 *new books. 75% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
21920 / 43000 pages. 51% done.
Audiobooks: 2d2h50m

Sorry for your reading funk. It happens to the best of us.

I just finished Mastiff. I don't remember if you are reading Tamora Pierce for the first time or if these are rereads--have you read the first two Beka Cooper books yet? If so, Mastiff may get you out of your funk.

norabelle414 - Yeah, it happens. Books all around and nothing I felt like reading, right?

ronincats - It's easy enough to tell: all my new reads have an *asterisk and all my rereads don't. I got Mastiff yesterday and why I didn't immediately start reading it, I couldn't tell you. But I started today and now I'm about a third of the way through already :) And I really should read Goliath next.

Ah, see, that's the exact opposite of my system! Glad you are well into Mastiff.

ronincats - it's pretty easy to tell if you look at my stat tracking bit :)

I finished Mastiff. Couldn't put it down!

Finished Book 109: Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede
Enchanted Forest Chronicles, book 1
Young Adult, Fantasy, 212p

Finished Book 110: Emperor Mage by Tamora Pierce
Immortals, book 3
Young Adult, Fantasy, audiobook, 7h53m

Finished Book 111: Realms of the Gods by Tamora Pierce
Immortals, book 4
Young Adult, Fantasy, audiobook, 7h43m

The reader has a pleasant voice. However, she pronounces some words and names oddly (including common ones such as Gareth, Alanna, cumin) and pauses at times that either alter the meaning of what she's saying or just sound odd. In addition, each file has a different volume and strangely differing sound quality, as if they were recorded in different locations. Overall not the best audiobooks I've listened to.

Finished Book 112: Searching for Dragons by Patricia Wrede
Enchanted Forest Chronicles, book 2
Young Adult, Fantasy, 242p

Finished Book 113: *Mastiff by Tamora Pierce
Beka Cooper, book 3
Young Adult, Fantasy, 608 p

Finished Book 114: *Goliath by Scott Westerfeld
Leviathan, book 3
Young Adult, Steampunk, 543p

I don't really have the brainpower right now to write adequate reviews of Mastiff and Goliath, but suffice it to say they are both excellent books and every bit as wonderful as I could have hoped.

114 / 150 books. 76% done.
58 / 75 *new books. 77% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
23525 / 43000 pages. 55% done.
Audiobooks: 2d18h26m

Looks like the reading funk has abated!

Apparently so, and since I haven't been sleeping much due to an awful cough, I've had a lot of time to read!

Finished Book 115: Heir to the Empire by Timothy Zahn
Star Wars: Thrawn Trilogy, book 1
Adult, Science Fiction, 404p

Finished Book 116: Dark Force Rising by Timothy Zahn
Star Wars: Thrawn Trilogy, book 2
Adult, Science Fiction, 439p

Finished Book 117: The Last Command by Timothy Zahn
Star Wars: Thrawn Trilogy, book 3
Adult, Science Fiction, 467p

117 / 150 books. 78% done.
58 / 75 *new books. 77% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
24837 / 43000 pages. 58% done.
Audiobooks: 2d18h26m

Finished Book 118: Water: Tales of Elemental Spirits by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickinson
Young Adult, Fantasy, 266p

Upon rereading, I still enjoyed A Pool in the Desert, The Sea-King's Son, and Mermaid Song just as much. I skipped Kraken (which I disliked before) and I didn't like Sea Serpent any better. However, I liked Water Horse more this time around.

Finished Book 119: *Doctor Who: The Deviant Strain By Justin Richards, read by Stuart Milligan
Science Fiction, audiobook, 6h3m

This is one of the more complex Doctor Who books I've read or heard, with a plot that makes sense, a real sense that the characters are in danger, and some obvious and some not-so-obvious plot twists. I have low expectations for tv tie-in novels as a rule, but this one surpasses them easily.

The only down side of this audiobook is the reader. Milligan would be a fine reader for a regular novel but should avoid tie-ins like this. It's unusual enough to have an American narrate a Doctor Who book, but while Stuart Milligan does a passable Jack, his accents for the Doctor and Rose are generic "American trying to sound British" accents, which sounds nothing like the characters on show and was very distracting.

Finished Book 120: Fire: Tales of Elemental Spirits by Robin McKinley and Peter Dickinson
Young Adult, Fantasy, 297p

Phoenix by Peter Dickinson
An interesting, rather sweet story about people's lives being touched by the Phoenix.

There's no real conflict in this story, it's more of a build-up to a less-than-dramatic but nonetheless fulfilling conclusion.

Hellhound by Robin McKinley
Miri has always seen things just a little bit differently - a horse with a star on its forehead is a unicorn, one with two matching scars on its shoulders is Pegasus, and so on. This doesn't change when she adopts an unusual-looking dog and immediately says that it's a Hellhound. And what if it turns out she's right after all?

This is a fun story - Miri and Flame are both great characters - with a big dramatic climax that sort of wavers in the middle, though it has one of my favorite endings possibly to any fantasy story ever, when people are deciding whether or not they're going to believe what happened.

Fireworm by Peter Dickinson
A man saves his tribe from the fireworm by walking in the spirit world.

It just keeps going on and on and on and it's so boring. The story itself might not have been boring, but the way it was told made it so bland and uninteresting that I had a difficult time even finishing it.

Salamander Man by Peter Dickinson
A slave is sold to a wizard and then stranger things happen.

Again, the story could have been interesting but for the way it was written. It could be that I just don't care for Dickinson's style.

First Flight by Robin McKinley
Eldest son is a dragonrider, second son spiritspeaker, third son wizard. Luckily for Ern's family, they all gladly take their traditional paths, for all Ern's path to wizardry is through the less-than-respected route of healing. And then something amazing happens.

It's unusual for McKinley to write a story with so few female characters, although to be fair the main nonhuman characters are female. It's a very interesting story with very interesting dragons. Certainly the strongest story in this collection.

120 / 150 books. 80% done.
59 / 75 *new books. 79% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
25400 / 43000 pages. 59% done.
Audiobooks: 2d18h26m

Finished Book 121: Chalice by Robin McKinley
Young Adult, Fantasy, 259p

Chalice feels like McKinley's earlier books, like Beauty or The Blue Sword, rather than her more recent (and modern) ones. The language is beautiful and evocative and the world she creates is fascinating and draws you in, as the story goes along and we learn about it in bits and pieces as Mirasol learns.

The main characters, like all of McKinley's characters, are torn between two worlds: Mirasol was content in her solitary woodskeeper life before she was called to her duty as Chalice, and her mad rush to try and figure out what she is supposed to be doing and how is easy to relate to. And the Master, a Fire Priest who left the priesthood mid-transformation to take up his duty, inspires fear in everyone around him. They are where they are because of their love for the land and their sense of duty, but that doesn't make it easy on them - or the people around them.

While I still find the climax of the story unsatisfyingly brief, the book as a whole is such a pleasure to read that that doesn't bother me much anymore.

121 / 150 books. 81% done.
59 / 75 *new books. 79% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
25659 / 43000 pages. 60% done.
Audiobooks: 2d18h26m

Hope you had a great Thanksgiving, and that's a lot of good McKinley you've been reading!

I had a wonderful Thanksgiving, thank you :) And I'm continuing my McKinley kick with Spindle's End, which I've only just realized that I don't have a paperback copy of. My hardback copy is getting a little battered around the edges.

I really need to read some McKinley. I keep seeing good reviews of her work. What's a good one to start with?

I never know how to answer that question, so I'm afraid this is an attempt to avoid picking just one. My favorites are Sunshine, The Hero and the Crown, and...well, almost all of her books are favorites, really. Where to start depends on what you feel like reading. For example...

If you like a good urban fantasy vampire novel, Sunshine would be a good starting place.

If you enjoy the current trend for fairy tale retellings, Spindle's End is a fantastic reimagening of Sleeping Beauty.

For some classic sword and sorcery, The Hero and the Crown has a dragon, an evil wizard, and a so much more.

There's even The Outlaws of Sherwood, historical fiction about Robin Hood and his band.

And if you are a Kipling fan, go for The Blue Sword.

Thanks for the suggestions. Gives me a place to start.

I hope you like whatever you decide to start with!

Finished Book 122: Survivor's Quest by Timothy Zahn
Star Wars
Adult, Science Fiction, 416p

Left this one out of the list of Star Wars books earlier.

Finished Book 123: Spindle's End by Robin McKinley
Young Adult, Fantasy, 422p

I love this book - I probably liked fairy tales when I was a kid, but now the kind of story where the princess sits (or lays, as the case may be) around waiting for the prince to rescue her don't appeal to me. This is a much more active story, with the princess taking part in her own defense. The animal characters are fantastic - the different personalities they have are so appropriate to the species. And as always with McKinley's books, the description is incredible, with so much detail that the world seems to come alive.

123 / 150 books. 81% done.
59 / 75 *new books. 79% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
26497 / 43000 pages. 60% done.
Audiobooks: 2d18h26m

Hey, Blue, I read So You Want to Be a Wizard -- it was great! Thank you for the recommendation! I'm off to continue in the second book shortly. :)

PS: I love Robin McKinley too, though I did not delight in Chalice as much as you did -- but Spindle's End is one of my favorites, after Rose Daughter, perhaps.

I'm so glad you enjoyed SYWTBAW! It's a great kick-off to a great series.

I wasn't sure about Chalice the first time around, but it's grown on me. On the other hand, Rose Daughter is one of my least favorite of her books (just above Dragonhaven, which I doubt I'll ever reread). Interesting how opinions differ, isn't it?

It is indeed. I know a couple of people who enjoy McKinley's work and do not care much for Rose Daughter -- I think part of what makes the division of opinion so distinct (love it/hate it, almost) is that the novel is one of the very few of hers that, in my opinion, is really intended for adults, so it has some frankness, even bitterness, that is not typical of her other books. In fact, when I used to work in a bookstore, I would tell the children's section manager not to shelve that novel in kids' books with her other stuff. But, for me, the novel was also one of the first I encountered that really changed the fairy tale ending -- I read it, I think, around the same time as Jane Yolen's Briar Rose and Sheri Tepper's Beauty, years ago -- and I found it wonderfully dark, different, and bold to look so frankly at the "typical" happily ever after and actually make the statement that such choices could be damaging to the soul. It has been a while since I reread the book -- perhaps I might not love it as much now that the attitude is no longer a novelty, in a sense -- but I suspect it will always be amongst my favorites.

I am totally with you on Dragonhaven, though. Still, it was better than other people's efforts (*cough* Christopher Paolini! *cough*) in that direction. That might not be saying much, but McKinley on a bad day is still better than many others at their best. :)

Have we talked about Patricia McKillip at all (about whom I often say the same thing as McKinley, above)? Because I have always seen her as the next step up from Robin McKinley, esp. in terms of rich language and grown-up content, but if you don't care for Rose Daughter, you might not like McKillip, whose books sometimes have a similar tone (though she has a couple of YA, too, that are brighter). I would be very interested to know your opinions on her work, if you have had a chance to form any.

My problem with Rose Daughter isn't that. Deerskin is at least as adult and dark, and I love it - and I don't care what people say, Sunshine is adult, too. My problem with Rose Daughter is that it doesn't make any sense. The language is as beautiful as ever, but the plot is just a mess. Basically the opposite problem from Dragonhaven, come to think of it.

I do agree that Mckinley on a bad day is still better than some at their best, though!

I have tried Mckillip. I read The Forgotten Beasts of Eld last year after several recommendations and to be honest, I didn't care for it at all. I thought the plot was dull and the language stilted. I'm not planning to read anything else by her.

Ah, gotcha. Perhaps I should take a second (third? fourth? I can't remember how many times I read it) at Rose Daughter to make sure it is as good as I remember. I agree with you about Sunshine and Deerskin (oh, I love that book too!) -- they do have dark content, but I noticed that the darkness is resolved at the end, whereas in Rose Daughter, it's more ambiguous -- maybe even ambivalent -- about the bad things, and that can be discomfiting. This is not to imply that you are wrong about the messiness of the plot -- you may be quite correct and I may be remembering it through... forgive me... rose-colored glasses. :D

As for McKillip, The Forgotten Beasts of Eld is a bit different from her other works -- it's one of her older YA things, and very much tries to be "olde time fairy tale" in its pace and language. If you ever want to just have a quick sample of McKillip again, try The Changeling Sea which is a very slim little novella -- that might give you a better idea of what her bigger novels are like. My favorite of McKillip's, though, is In the Forests of Serre, which pulls in images from Russian folklore. When I finish reading it, I feel as though I am waking up from a dream.

But I'll stop trying to convert you now. Sorry for the hijack! :)

Deerskin gets pretty well wrapped up (though not entirely) but I don't find Sunshine all that resolved at the end; in fact that's one of the main complaints in the less-favorable reviews. If it were by any other author, it would unquestionably be the first book in a series.

I'm willing to give Mckillip another try. I'll add The Changeling Sea to my tbr list.

(Rose-colored glasses, heh heh heh :D)

(Just could not help myself there. :) )

Also... yay! And a fair point about Sunshine. Great, now I have to go reread MORE books!

Finished Book 124: *How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell, read by David Tennant
Yound Adult, Fantasy, audiobook, 3h24m

The son of the Viking chief is not what you'd call ideal hero material, but he makes things work.

I saw the movie, which had issues but was cute, so I decided to check out the book. It certainly has a more solid plot than the movie, but is not without its own issues - starting with intelligent beings being kept as pets, and why they would consent to it anyway.

Nonetheless, it was a fun story and I'll probably continue on with the series. Especially with David Tennant reading.

Finished Book 125: *My Enemy, My Ally by Diane Duane
Star Trek
Adult, Science Fiction, 309p

The Romulan Commander Ael t' Rlailiiu must choose between her oaths and her honor - and Kirk must choose if he is willing to trust an old enemy.

Another excellent novel from Duane. The Romulans in this book are some of the most interesting characters I've read recently, with different values and morals than the human characters but throughout the story it is clear that that makes them alien, but not necessarily evil. There is also a wide variety of non-humanoid aliens, such as the rock-eating Ensign Naraht, who is analytical enough to please Spock and friendly enough to please everyone else, for all he apparently looks like a pizza moving along the floor.

Finished Book 126: *Not On My Patch by Diane Duane
Young Wizards short story
Young Adult, Fantasy, ebook, 60p

In this story set after A Wizard of Mars, Nita and her friends just want to have a fun, relaxing Hallowe'en. Is that too much to ask?

It's as fun as all the Young Wizards stories are, and Duane as usual writes characters you start caring about almost immediately. She also manages to include both classic and current Hallowe'en pop culture references at the same time.

126 / 150 books. 84% done.
62 / 75 *new books. 83% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
26866 / 43000 pages. 62% done.
Audiobooks: 2d21h50m

Finished Book 127: *The Outcasts of 19 Schuyler Place by E. L. Konigsburg
Young Adult, Fiction, 296p

It starts at summer camp, where Margaret Rose decides not to participate and Tillie Kaplan just can't understand why, and moves to Margaret's uncles' house, where something isn't right - and when Margaret finds out what it is, she just has to find a way to fix it!

This is a great story. The writing is wonderful, of course, and the characters are charming and varied.

It wasn't perfect, though. I never understood why Margaret was at Camp Talequa in the first place. She supposedly carefully selected which summer camp she wanted to go, and yet declines to participate in anything right from the start? I certainly agreed with that decision later, but she didn't even give it a chance.

The end made me sad. But that's not necessarily a flaw.

127 / 150 books. 85% done.
63 / 75 *new books. 84% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
27142 / 43000 pages. 63% done.
Audiobooks: 2d21h50m

Currently reading:
*A Wind From the South by Diane Duane
The Cat Who Robbed a Bank by Lilian Jackson Braun

Finished Book 128: The Cat Who Robbed a Bank by Lilian Jackson Braun
The Cat Who, book 22
Adult, Mystery, 292p

Qwill and Koko get mixed up in yet another local mystery.

Not among the best of the series. Qwill is uncharacteristically passive, Koko merely repeats his previous antics, Yum Yum is practically invisible, and most of Qwill's friends barely show up either.

It's still a Cat Who book, though, and it's still relaxing to read. Not recommended as a starting place for the series, however.

128 / 150 books. 85% done.
63 / 75 *new books. 84% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
27434 / 43000 pages. 64% done.
Audiobooks: 2d21h50m

I'm going to have to buy some of those digital stories by Duane, I guess.

I'm not sure I'd recommend A Wind from the South...to be honest, it's kind of dull, not up to her normal standards. But I definitely recommend Not on my Patch! That one was quick and a lot of fun.

Finished Book 129: Stone Rose by Jac Rayner
Doctor Who
Science Fiction, 256p

Currently reading:
*A Wind From the South by Diane Duane
*The Cat From Outer Space by Ted Key

Finished Book 130: *A Wind From the South by Diane Duane
Raetian Tales, book 1
Young Adult, Fantasy, ebook, 290p

In the first third of the book, a young girl longs to learn to shoot and diligently learns her other lessons with the promise that she will be taught. In the second third, after defeating a magical creature that was haunting the village, she leaves her home and goes around defeating or ending other hauntings. In the final third, the peasants revolt against the nobility and Mati, with a goddess' power and guidance, helps them.

I am a big fan of Duane's other books, but sadly this was rather dull. Many of the characters were unmemorable or interchangeable. Many of the concepts in the book are similar to ones used to better and more interesting effect in her other books. I recommend skipping this and reading her Young Wizards series instead.

Finished Book 131: *The Cat From Outer Space by Ted Key
Young Adult, Science Fiction, 166p

A spaceship crash-lands. The occupant? One cat.

This is a novelization of the movie by the same name. Reading the book was just like seeing the movie, with almost no changes or additions. No changes makes sense, but it would have been fun to get inside Jake's head a bit, or even Frank's.

Don't read the book. Watch the movie. It's very cute, and this novelization doesn't do it justice.

131 / 150 books. 87% done.
65 / 75 *new books. 87% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
28146 / 43000 pages. 65% done.
Audiobooks: 2d21h50m

Finished Book 132: 13 Little Blue Envelopes by Maureen Johnson
Young Adult, Fiction, 321p

Ginny's slightly-crazy aunt has given her a combination treasure hunt and scavenger hunt in a series of 13 letters. Each letter contains instructions for places to go, people to meet, and things to do or see. A solo tour of Europe is not something shy and quiet Ginny would ever have done normally, but with her aunt's letters to guide her, she takes the chance and goes.

This is the sort of book that you could (assuming the author did her research properly) follow along with in real life. Take a plane to this city, find this address. Take the ferry here, take a bus there, go to this museum and that cafe. It was a lovely journey to see new places and meet new people and, in the end, help Ginny accept her aunt's death.

I enjoyed it just as much the second time around.

Merry Christmas, blue!

Merry Christmas, roni! That's a fabulous picture.

Finished Book 133: *Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Young Adult, Fantasy, ebook, 275p

Certainly not the best YA fantasy I've ever read, but interesting and fun. The biggest flaw I noticed was uneven dialogue. I won't reread this, but I will check out the sequels.

Abandoned: Any Witch Way by Annastaysia Savage
Young Adult, Fantasy, ebook, read 27p

The story might have been interesting, but the writing was really pretty awful and I quickly reached the point where I had better things to do with my time.

133 / 150 books. 89% done.
66 / 75 *new books. 88% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
28742 / 43000 pages. 67% done.
Audiobooks: 2d21h50m

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, norabelle!

Finished Book 134: *The Girl of Fire and Thorns by Rae Carson
Fire and Thorns, book 1
Young Adult, Fantasy, 423p
SantaThing gift

I could hardly put it down and I wish the rest of the trilogy was already available. The writing is fantastic. Elisa is a great character, surrounded by other great characters. The story is fast-paced and easy to get caught up in. Definitely recommended!

#80 -- I loved Girl of Fire and Thorns . . . glad you did, too!

81 foggidawn - It's been on my tbr list for a while and my sister highly recommended it, but you know how tbr lists can be...it was a good choice by my Santa! I'm happy I had that little push to read it, I really enjoyed it.

Finished Book 135: *Trace by Sam Starbuck
Adult, Fantasy, 177p

From the back of the book: He could tell your fortune by looking in your eyes. He could steal your soul if you let him draw you. They said that he was a ghost who'd just disappeared one day, straight out of his cell. They said he'd come back.

I don't really know how to review this book. I am a fan of Sam Starbuck as a fan fiction author first and a novelist second, and the story in this book started out as fanfic (which he discusses in the afterword). So, having read that fic, I already knew a lot of what was going to happen, and I also couldn't quite separate Sam's characters from the TV show characters used in the original story.

However, it was an excellent story as fanfic and it's an excellent story now that it's been adapted to original fiction.

Finished Book 135: The Cat Who Went Into The Closet by Lilian Jackson Braun
Adult, Mystery, 257p

A suicide, a murder, a funeral, and a wedding - and a stage production, a snowstorm, a dogsled team, and a Christmas parade.

This is a typical Cat Who book, with lots of everyday things happening while Qwill (and Koko) investigate something that just doesn't seem right. Fun story, fun characters, overall a quick, enjoyable read.

135 / 150 books. 90% done.
68 / 75 *new books. 91% done.
3 / 5 ^non-fiction. 60% done.
29599 / 43000 pages. 69% done.
Audiobooks: 2d21h50m

Some stats regarding my reading over the past year:

Total books: 135 (last year: 144)
Total new books: 68 (last year: 62)
Total pages: 29599 (last year: 39517)
Total audio book time: 2d21h50m (last year: 65h20m)

F/SF rereads: 56 (last year: 79)
F/SF new reads: 59 (last year: 56)
Fiction rereads: 11 (last year: 11)
Fiction new reads: 6 (last year: 2)
Nonfiction new reads: 3 (last year: 3)

Doctor Who and related series books (mostly audio): 13 (last year: 24)

Average pages per day: 81 (last year: 108)
Unique books: 133 (last year: 131)
Books read twice during 2011: 2 (last year: 12)

Making my final tour of the 2011 threads, before going to my own and posting yearly statistics and a Happy New Year to all, before creating my 2012 thread. Guess what I'll be doing tomorrow? Do you know that Richard already has over 100 messages over there?
I've loved reading your thread this year, blue, and look forward to 2012.

I can't believe 2011 is just about over and done with. It seems like this year has gone so quickly...and I remember my grandma once saying that time just keeps going faster and faster as you get older.

I've enjoyed your thread this year, too! We'll have a great 2012 reading together.

And my 75 in 2012 thread is here.