Cindy's Cats Cradle Books and Antiques newsletter, 2021

A little late to the game here. A couple of people asked me to set this up, but it wasnt until I found I couldn't post a review unless I had the book listed on my page, that decided to start. A few intro remarks First, the title is not a real store, its the name of the dollhouse I have made thats filled with miniature books, antiques, and cats. (Cats Cradle was my first intro to Vonnegut) Second I am an ecletic reader, there isn't much I won't read (I'll even pick up a romance or mystery if the right person recommends them and even then I don't pick up horror!) The readers at LT have helped me be more ecletic broadening my scope to include works from around the world and works in translation, for which I am forever grateful

So the book is Laughing Boy Oliver La Farge (five stars)

I am not much into westerns, or stories about the southwest, but Laughing Boy was recommended by several buddies here, and I just had to try it. This story was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1930, at a time when stories about American Natives as main characters, were few and far between, and most of theme filled with sterotyped characters and offensive terms. But this one is very unique - takes place in 1915, when a teenager from the Navajo (Dine') meets a girl who was raised in an American Indian School at a tribal dance. It was quickly love at first or maybe second sight and there story made me laugh, made me angry, and made me cry great tears.

From the forward "He was a young man composed of a mixture of elements; he was rather ferocious, romantic, and at the same time had the makings of a good scientist. The book sprang from a combination of vivid memory, the sad sense of saying farewell, and the knowleded acquired in writing a thesis as part of the requirement for a masters degree. He spent time with Navajo Indians soaking up the language and culture. Among them he had seen someting that had moved him greatly and this was his way of recording it. As the young can do, he made personal friendships, experienced moments of genuine contact among the Navajos, and those insights were vastly widened by his studies"

But this was not just some love story. It was a book filled with great descriptions of landscapes, ceremonies, beauty, poetry, conflict between a fathers wisdom and the young's passage to independence. And conflict etween two very different people that somehow mesh together despite it all. The characters are complex and the situations realistic in any setting. Its a very easy quick read but that doesn't make it any less powerful. Highly recommended

Since Im behind by several months, I don't want to list all the books I read. But here are 5* books so far

Inside Out and Back Again YA

To Calais in Ordinary Time HF

The Flying Classroom YA

Ariadne fantasy

The Ordinary Princess YA

The Goblin Emperor fantasy

EL Doctorow's Welcome to Hard Times is a great western for people who aren't that high on westerns.

I loved Doctorow's The March and was very disappointed when the other book of the same year March about the father in little women won the pulitzer. The one he wrote was about the march through the south after the Civil War and it was so well done. The syonpsis of Hard Times makes me hesitate to read it perhaps a bit too rough for me, but I'll take a look

Now reading The Tale of Princess Fatima, Warrior Woman the Arabic Epic of dhat Al-Himma.Composed between 1100-1143 in northern Syria., it takes place in the 7th century. Melanie Magidow the translator shows the epic to have elements of King Arthur, RObin Hood and of course Mulan. Its one of the only extant Arabic epic to feature a woman warrior. Just finished the forward, now on to the text.

The tale of Fatima so far is disappointing. It starts with the story of her great great grandfather, continues to two more and then tells this marvelous story of her grandfathers love affair with a woman forbidden to him. I settled back to enjoy the rest, but the scene jumped two generations withou t another word of this couple. Ok fine. But then as I was reading, I realized that the translator is telling a story as if she were a oral story teller, and while it could have worked, it didn't to me. Idk, i may return to it again later and see, maybe its just my mood, or the fact that it wasn't that long ago that I watched the new Mulan movie...

Completed another La Farge book of short stories published after his death Yellow Sun Bright Sky and it was as wonderful as his novel. The stories deal with the same issues of Navajo people dealing with the world that white men forced on them. Higher Education i portrays this the best A young 10 year old girl is taken to an 'indian school' in California, and returns at 17, completely lost. A loving family wasn't enough to save her. I cried for all of the children taken whose stories turned in to tragedies. At the end, the white 'professor' an ethnoligist who is living with the tribe is despondent, and regrets that he is white.

Another story with a different take look at a group of white and native taking shelter from the storm in the local indian trading post, work together to help with a new born baby, and despondent husband who has lost his wife. They cook meals together and share stories - if only that were true more often. 5*s

Now reading Tomato Rhapsody for the August Reading through Time Food theme. Not being a foodie, this is just perfect for me. Medival tale in Florence of a Jewish family, who connects with a Catholic one. Not sure I am buying into what I think will happen, but it doesn't matter. The combination of the story with the history of food is excellent. More later

just started bookseller of florence which so far is proving just as wonderful and interesting as the other two books Ive read of him Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture and Michelangelo and the Pope's Ceiling oh and Ex Libris Haven't read his about Da Vinci, should do so at some point

Also starting Allegorizings by jan morris (wrong touchstone, cant get it to come up)

Starting another Oliver La Farge novel about the Apaches in New Mexico Behind the Mountains and read some more of his short stories in A door in the wall with the little stone man being the most powerful of the collection.

Well....Instead of the above I found myself hooked on The Frozen Thames by Helen Humphries, after barely opening it from its package.. In less than two hundred pages, her vignettes of each year that the Thames froze bring that time period to life. There was some repetition in each, but I liked the way she linked events together with the lives of people at the time. History has always been a favorite subject of mine, and historic fiction a favorite genre, so whats not to love! Its also a way to cool off after another hot summers day. A short read with some lovely poetic language. Ive read a few of her books before, really enjoyed her writing about early photography in afterimage. Will have to look for more

Ok, then tomorrow morn I promise to return to my reading plan above, unless i get distracted by another shiny book cover

>8 cindydavid4: That was a cute little book, wasn't it! I especially loved the story about the boy who thawed frozen birds, still alive, that had fallen from the sky covered in ice, and the story of the family that had taken two robin redbreasts into their home to shelter for the winter.

Och, great to see you've got a thread going now, Cindy. I've just found it now (perpetually behind on CR...). Look forward to your comments as always.

>9 WelshBookworm: Loved those two stories as well. Tho I think my fav is the first one, about the empress matilda managed to go through Stephens troops by cloaking herself in white and going down the tower holding a rope made of white clothing. I know the history well, from when christ and his saints slept Penman was able to describe that whole scene so well, i just didnt realize that it was when the thames wa frozen. All the stories were fun to read.

>10 AlisonY: thanks, yeah, its fun but I wonder if others not on here would miss something, so I post the same thing in CR reading posts. Not sure if its nec or not. how do others handle that?

>12 cindydavid4: Maybe put a post in Messages or What Are You Reading? to let people know you've created a thread. I must admit I missed your thread for a few weeks as I generally set up all my starred threads at the start of the year and then only periodically go back to the group view in Talk to see if there are new ones I want to follow.

I too put what I'm reading next in my own thread and the What Are You Reading? thread, but not in any great length.

>13 AlisonY: perfect, Ill do both!

Im enjoying reading bookseller of florence a lot especially and reading it the same time as Tomato Rhapsody which takes place in same time and city! Seeing so many connections, tho one is about food and one if about books! Cosimo III plays a big part in both

Since retirement two years ago Ive been slowly going through boxes of stuff I brought home from school. Been giving lots away to my former collegues. In one box I came across a folder of poetry I had written, as well as journals from HS and college (gah I was depressing) But I also found a book journal i kept in HS, that Id forgotten I had. Haven't looked at it in years. Lots of them were about people with disabilities, or mental health issues. Several books about kids from other places in the world . I hadn't hit my "all sci fi all the time" stage yet, but did fiind a few books that I'd like to read again such as a book of Ruth ETA gah I just looked at the cover, oh my gawd! Fortunately I don't read many with a cover like that!

"I read this 374 pg book cudled between two pillows listening to the radio and not putting it down until 4 hours laterr. {some things never change} A book about love, a jewish girl, a catholic priest and her grandfather. I almost started crying. by the end i was laughing."

and in another 'some things never change ' category, I read four books in one day, saying i am very bored today. again, Most of the titles are ones I don't hear much about nowadays. But I didn't do bad with my descriptions and thoughts. And my handwriting was soooo much better then!

>15 cindydavid4: Oh, I can relate to the handwriting. Between being on a computer at work for years which definitely took its toll, as well as just getting older. People used to tell me how nice my handwriting was. That would never happen now.

>15 cindydavid4: Oh that's great fun. I kept a diary from the age of 12 until around 29 or so, and wrote pages and pages at a time. I've got dozens of notebooks in the attic. I'm not sure what to do with them now. I'm not sure if I want to re-read them or not - some of that stuff is probably best forgotten. I'm very sure that I definitely don't want anyone else to read them!

yeah, I started rereading and decided, um no there is life after HS thank god and I dont want to relive that time. Some of my poems were pretty good but i dont really dont want anyone to see them either!

Ok I am done with Tomato Rhaspody. Not finished, just done. What started out as a fun romp , a love story and a food history lesson turned into a s a drunken mess, with such vulgar descriptions and over the top ramblings that overtook any good humor and wonder that was promised. I kept reading thinking it couldnt get worse. But it does. I gave up, read the last chapter find out what happens to the lovers and then tossed it into the trade pile. , This is not a Shakespear comedy as some reviews call it. Its a 12 year old boy's wet dream. Gave it two stars for the buildup. Wish I could give it 0

I do know many many people loved this book. Im sorry, but this was not for me. Too many good books out there to read, and my time is short.

>12 cindydavid4: I try to post a small note on the What you are Reading thread (and genre, whatever else is relevant for the book and half a line of an opinion) and then post my full review on my thread. That way if someone sees something interesting in my list, they can stop over and check what I have to say even if they do not follow my thread usualluy :)

Do whatever works for you :)

Thanks!

Gave up on Bookseller of Florence, for now anyway. Really some interesting stuff in this data dump, including how manuscripts were made (the cover, the ink, the dye, the gold leaf)But im only a third of the way through Im just tired of reading it. I'll probably go back to it, Im sure theres more stuff that would interest me.. But too many people with detailed bios, too many business deals of manuscripts between this philosopher and that.....just too much.. Need a break.

So finished Matrix, and really loved it. Someone suggested that I read 'The corner that held them' which I could not finish. Both about nuns but this one considers the life of this Matrix (mother) and her very long life as an abess. The last section I thought went on too long, that it could have ended sooner. Perhaps Goff did not want to give up this character so easily. Yet this book presents a vision of how life can be so filled by one person, and that the threads from that person influence everyone around her. Its a lovely afirmation of faith even in these troubled time. Highly Recommended

Hi. Happy to see you have a thread. I’m finally visiting. Appreciating how can read a book, enjoy it, then stop once you feel done, without fretting about finishing it. Noting the comments on Matrix.

>22 cindydavid4: As you know, I did find The Corner That Held Them attention challenging. Great in some areas, but it felt a dense read for much of it.

>23 dchaikin: except when required by school, Ive never felt a need to finish a book that just didn't work for me. I have given some books another chanc : took me three times to finally read and love birds without wings. It was a book I knew I shouldve liked but just had a hard time making a dent. Glad I persevered (hated the movie btw)Tho his Corellies Mandolin I loved till the end, when I threw it agains the wall. Usually books I decide to give a second chance to sit on my tbr shelf till I give up and toss it in the trade pile.

>25 cindydavid4: Captain Correlli's Mandolin was a did-not-finish for me 20 years ago. I often think I must give it another go, as my reading taste has changed considerably since then.

It should have been one I loved, and did, thro the war, and the love affair. But after the war, Correlli does something so out of character, after so many years, I just baled

Sort finished Mrs March Have to admit the author does a good job in depicting the rapid fall into madness of the lead character. Reminds me a little of Patricia Highsmiths work, or perhaps the short story Yellow Wallpaper and the ending was really not a surprise.. But Mrs March (the character) so awful, dysfunctional, pitiable, that I could barely crawl through it to the inevitable distressing finish. after 50 pages I skimmed it. I could not stand to be in this woman's head for any longer. Again, kudos to the author. Id rate it a 3 just for that reason. Just a very difficult book to read

(note, I did copy some parts from other reviewers in this post, but I am not putting it up as my own. They just have a better way with words than I!)

Just finished life studies by Suzanne Vreeland. Ive loved her novels about artists, including girl in hyacinth blue and The Passion of Artemisia but these are a collection of short stories that focus on art, but more on the people around the artist. The first half of the book is set in an historic time frame. The stories cover Renoir,, Monet, Manet and Cezanne, which have characters to connect to each other. Later there is Van Gough, and an Italian artist I never heard of before - Amedeo Modigliani The story is told through his young daughter who was a baby when he, and later her mother died, and she goes out trying to discover who they were and who she is Really a lovely and tragic story, and found out most of it was true. The daughter, Giovanna, was an Italian-French historian of Jewish art mostly known for her biographical research on her father. In 1958 she wrote the book Modigliani: Man and Myth, later translated into English from the Italian by Esther Rowland Clifford. She died in 1984

I had great fun looking up the names of the works mentioned in these stories. Some I knew, but many others were new to me. Love google images!

the second half is contemporary, looking at young upcoming artists.A young girl is asked to water her neighbor’s plants while the neighbor is on vacation, and her eyes are opened to art she never imagined before. A man takes a bus to visit his wife in jail, and encounters a young portrait drawer who makes one for him to take to her. A mother recognizes that her son is growing into an adult when they both participate in a Tableaux Vivant. Probably my fav in this section is of a young girl whose third set of foster parents have enrolled in a catholic school that surpresses her artistic abilty and she finds a way out.

I have not taken art classes but it seems I learn from the books I read - All of the Ian Pears art detective mysteries, Dark Waters and lots more over the years. Always appreciate a new to me book to teach me more! Highly recommended!

>28 cindydavid4: That sounds really interesting - noting that title.

Modigliani always sticks in my head as one of his nude portraits was on loan to the Ulster Museum a few years ago, and my youngest (who was around 7 or 8 at the time) kept loudly commenting to me about how hairy the woman's nether regions were when we went to see it. Suffice to say we didn't linger too long after that.

Nice review of Life Studies; it does sound interesting!

I love anything NK Jemisin has written so not surprised I am loving her short story collection How long 'til Black Future Month. So far I think my fav story is The Ones Who Stay and Fight an answer tp Ursula La Giuns Those Who Walk Away from the Omelas. There is also a story thats part of her new book the city we became but haven't gotten there yet.

Also reading Joan, Lady of Wales. I was hooked onto the history of Wales through the fine writing of Sharon Kay Penman who wrote here be dragons along with many other books. Sent me on a few trips to Wales to discover more. Joan was the illegitimate daughter of King John of England. He latter marries her off to Llewellen the Great, Prince of Wales. This is non fiction, yet because there is so little we know of the women of that time, there are some guesses and possibilities and just idk, but Im enjoying the writing of this Welsh historian.

>31 cindydavid4: "Valedictorian" in the NK Jenison collection was interesting and has a nice resolution on what happens to the high school kids who go beyond the Fire Wall. The teacher in me always looks for angles to approach the work. For ex:

--You could read the story as one in a series of works that deal with eugenics or class struggle.

--You could see the story as a riff on what Jemisin sees as human traits--resistence to change, preference for the mediocre, dislike of diversity--and whether you buy those ideas.

--You could see it as an allegory about the state of education, i.e., AI will take over because our educational system lacks rigor.

--You could see it as a commentary on the inevitability of change and evolution--Neanderthal v. Homo sapiens. Evolution is inevitable, but what will be lost/gained in the transition, especially when AI figures out how to make their own carcasses?

There wasn't much in the way to grasp at character-wise. I'm not really sure what motivates the main character or exactly why she is so full of rage or where her sense of competition comes from. Maybe this clearer from a broader read of her work.

Thanks for sending me the link and sharing.

thanks for your response!

You could read the story as one in a series of works that deal with eugenics or class struggle.

yes, thats why it seemed to compare with never let me go And some of the eugenics in another story has 'masters' taking over the bodies of children so they can be forever young. She has others in a similar vein.

And re class struggle, most of her stories (and her novels) focus on that theme, which is what I think leads her protaganists to have that same determination drive, and anger, and yet they are totally human in the traits you mention.

Read a review that touches on what I got from the stories in this book. One is the folklore aspect, it feels like someone is telling me these stories. Also there is such a range of experience among people in each story. anyway, see what you think

review

Ok, finished, and wish there was more! definitly a 5* book, even if some ot the stories weren't my fave . noting my faves

the ones who stay and fighta riff on Le Guins Those who walk away from the Omalahs. This time its a utopia, but the work to stop hatred and prejudice continues to need people to fight for it. 5*

the city born great this is the beginning of her new novel of the same name, about a city (ie NY) that is a breathing intinty Looking forward to reading the novel 4*

L'alchimista chef discovers a man with a secret recipe that will save her life *4

The Effluent Engine takes place in late 19th century New Orleans a spy tries to discover and buy the inventors work to use in Haiti Very different from all of the other stories, its more of a steam punk detective thriller *4

the valedictorian >32 nohrt4me2: explains this better than I could 5*

the storytellers replacement a fairy tale about a wicked king and his equally wicked 6 daughters 5*

brides of heaven a planet full of woman discovers a way to solve the problem of no men 5*

walking awake a horror story where masters are able to chang thie bodies by inhabiting people to live for ever. Yes it been done before but her take on it is genus. 5*

the elevator dancer in man working in a ho hum job in a boring life discovers a dancer in the elevator only he can see. 5*

cuisine des Memoires Restaurant asks for your favorite memory of food and is able to create the recipe and the meal 4*

stone hunger a precursor to her stone sky novels a girl learns she has the power to move mountains. 5*

on the banks of the river Lex DEATH (aka terry pratchett) explores a flooding and dying nyc. If you get my tp refernce youll understand when I say there is actually some humor (dark tho it is) in this depressing tale. 4*

the narcomancer a precurser to her dreamblood books, about a utopia where a gatherer who is sworn to obey his goddess, falls in love with a girl 5* This is another story that has me eager to read these book!

Henios really odd narration here, about an author going to the award ceremony. She divides this into 6 sections, but they are not in numerical order. I cheated and read them in order, then read them the way she wanted. I kinda see where she was going here, but I'd love to know her reasoning. I know the title is also the name of a character in War Craft. Not sure if thats whats going on. interesting tho 4*

too many yesterdays not enough tomorrows yes it does sound like a hallmark movie. About a group keeping in contact via email as people are dying arond them.

sinners, saints, dragons and haints in the city beneath the waters
effects of hurrican katrina in NOLA 5* 5*

going to my local used bookstore to look up the two series Im wanting to read. stay tuned....

Just read a fascinating non fiction Joan Lady of Wales: power and politics of King Johns Daughter here is my review

This non fiction historical account of Joan, John, Llewellyn is very well done. Her knowledge of Welsh history, customs, legends and etiquette makes a great background to Sharons book. She often notes that there is little documentation on some subjects but she manages to do with what she is able speculate (and non of her guesses seemed off at all) I suspec Sharon knew all of this but it was just too unweildly to include it all. She tells about what is known of Joan as a child, Her marriage to Llwellyn, the many times she negotiated for her husband with John and later Henry, more info of her family and life there. Their are some moments when it slogges, and at times when she just goes on and on trying to prove a point that was made pages before. So I skimmmed. But I think its worth the read for Sharon's fans. There was much that I learned and makes here be dragons even more special to me. It needed a family tree as well as a good map showing castels and families.Otherwise Id recommend it to readers of here be dragons and other readers of interest to Wales

almost finished withIsaac Asimov collection creations: the quest for origins in story and science about the origin and nature of the universe, solar system, earth and humankind (and no the answer is not 42:)* )Some excellent works from writers Im familiar with (Stansilaw Lem, Clifford Simac, Arthur C Clark, Carl Sagan, HG Wells, and Asimov in one of my fav stories, the ugly little boy.) But also some fantastic work with new to me authors Gregory Benford, Lauenence Manning,Brian Aldiss, Raymond Z Gullan, and more, that Id love to dive more into their work. However this was edited in the stone age of 1983. Pity I guess there were no women to include in that time nor any from other cultures excelt for the Rig Vada, pity...Still the collection was good enough for a 4*

I had to look up Joan, Lady of Wales in Wikipedia. Good stuff. Also, cool about the Asimov collection. No huge surprise about not including female authors in a 1983 sci-fi collection. Although certainly there were options. ??

Hee, yeah like I said, stone age! and yeah there were options. Fortunately times have changed, somewhat!

>35 cindydavid4: This was already on my TBR, but thanks for bringing it back to my attention!

>39 WelshBookworm: would love to hear your thoughts on it!

Finished the most excellent Killing Moon (realized how much it felt like a vampire story, in Egypt) meant to start the book for this month cloud cuckoo land but decided I wanted to remain in this world awhile so I picked up the sequel the shadowed sun 20 pages into it there is no other place Id rather be. And its set in a place I know well, Canyon de Chelly (pronounced Canyon de shea) located near Chinle Arizona within the Navajo Nation. Also home to the ancient Anasazi tribe that she studied while here. Used to hike in this area, gorgeous place. I am glad the weather outside is cool,and I am retired, so am spending quite about there reading. Life is good

I was going to start our book group selection for today A burning but as I was scanning it, I realized I just could not deal with such a depressing story that is so similar to so many other places in the world. I know its an important story to tell, about a 16 year old Indian girl who made a post on FB and was arrested and sent to prison. My heart just cant take this right now

>41 cindydavid4: I think you mean The Killing Moon not Killer Moon.

hee, um yeah, Ill fix it thanks for the heads up. Just finished shadowed sun which was even more amazing. There were some issues, like she felt she had to overexplain things that the reader would have picked up themselves. But her background is in counseling, so I do get it, and this is an early work. Aside from that this duo is powerful, page turning and unforgettable. Review of both upcoming. I think she is now my fav nre fantasy writer, and cant wait till I read her new one (a few big master tomes ahead of that , but Ill gt there)

in the meantime....another reader hereabouts turned me on to another excellent writer, Kelly Barnhill.Im hooked after reading this:

On wildness, cracked worlds monsters and on the odd nature of the short story

https://kellybarnhill.wordpress.com/2018/05/22/on-wildness-cracked-worlds-monste...

"This is why I like reading short stories, and this is why I write them — to be astonished; to be left breathless; to return to the world, shaken and dizzy, and looking over my shoulder, waiting for the monster to return."

Barnhill's short fiction is different from her longer fiction in a lot of ways - she is mainly a children author in the long form; her short one spans both children and adult monsters (or is there a line in there really?). So if you venture into her longer works, be prepared for that. Great monsters and imagination though :)

Looking at the girl who drank the moon Over 300 pages, sounds more of an older children book, but I don't mind reading those.

both children and adult monsters...,mmmm ive known my share of both :)

>46 cindydavid4: This one is the 2017 Newbery Medal winner. Officially is considered middle grade/8-12 - so young enough to be still real children book and not YA. :)

I like children books - middle grade and higher can work for anyone IMO and they often work for me. But some people have aversion to them or can get disappointed if they do not expect that - so I thought I should mention it :)

>47 AnnieMod: I appreciate that. Im always pleasantly surprised to find a book like the miraculous adventure of Edward Tulane so I don't judge too early!

appears I need more fantasy in my life the girl who drank the moon I love the mix of fairy tale and serious tale, and definitly a wink and a nod to Neil Gaiman, who she has been compared with, and its a good thing . This is a new to me author and something tells me this wont be the last one I read from her

I needed to think a bit about why I so loved the dreamblood duology. Goes back to the first adult fantasy I read, when I was 14 and my boyfriend gave me his copy of Dune. Well I gobbled that up, read then next three books when they came out and reread the original many times since. As an adult I see some issues I didn't notice before, but oh my god this world he creates, and makes us belive in sand worm and the voice. I would go over the glossary again and again, and while it took me a bit to catch all the enviornmental essays in the book, once I did I was emeshed in it to start being an enviornmentalist in the 70s. I loved the characters, their struggles the way too human issues, and have been lookiing for these worlds ever since i

Found thos worlds in Barbara Hamblys Darwath, George RR Martin Game of thrones (first three books) Raymond Fiests the magician and others that held me in their sway for so long I felt like I really belonged there and missed leaving it.

So along comes NK Jemisin; read her Kingdom series for a book group, went on to read her broken sky trilogy, and then this, which is an earlier series based on the short story Necromancer. If you wish to read this duology, reading the short story will give you an idea of this world where dreams are gathered for dreamblood, to cure, to ease pain and death, and oh yeah to kill. There are two worlds here, one that feels very egyptian, two cities vying for power, the other filled with 'barbarians' in the deserts of northern arizona. She has a glossary to help you with names but not that hard, the hardes part was remembering who is in each city. I love her descriptions, they she develops her charatcers, the complex but not too plots, all centering around very human issues. A few times she would drop herself into the narrative and tell us something we already figured out, as if to make sure the lesson was learned. Part of this is her background as a counselor, but its not too bad.Honestly that was the only problem I had with this book. The first book is a stand alone but you really need to read it before the second,

Definitely 5*s for both, and can hardly wait to read her new one ( but I have a few others that come first so, later)

the girl who drank the moon is another 5*, Currently working on her short story collections dreadful young ladies with the best of the collection the taxidermist's other wife delightfully unsettled me; Shades of Bradbuty and Gaiman

not sure if this is kosher, but I wanted to share a review for this book from amazon that I loved and expresses my feelings exactly. I will not be reviewing the book here. If this isn't done, let me know and I will delete

Ten stars.

Twenty stars.

A hundred stars.

I LOVED this story. I loved everything about it. I would recommend this book to anyone and everyone, from children to adults. I don't usually reread books, but I know I will return to this story again and again.

This story had everything you could want in a GREAT fairytale.

The characters in this story were multifaceted and endearing. The storyline was well thought out with a satisfying conclusion. I wouldn't change anything in this story. As an avid reader, I have only encountered this in a tiny handful of books. Such a rare treat to read! There were plenty of plot twists and turns. A thread of dark mystery was carefully woven into the story. And yet, there is love, so much love in this book as well.

This book would make a fabulous gift, especially to Harry Potter fans. This book has a similar feel to it. In fact, I think I liked it even better, and that's saying a LOT. So many emotions in this book! Warm and fuzzy with a hint of sadness but uplifting too! Grownups will NOT feel like they are reading a children's story, and yet I would feel comfortable reading this book to a young child. Again, a rare story to be sure. I will seek out more books by this author.

Started and will quickly finish the book the sci fi//fan decided for December The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making is the first book in the Fairyland series by Catherynne M. Valente. a YA book that we thought would be a short fun read. So far so good.

Also starting cloud cuckoo land (really this time) as well as Parlor Games

Finished duchess of bloomsbury street Loved the first one, this one I dunno, just didn't enjoy as much. She is basically driven around place place at times screaming when will I get to see what I want to see. At times she seemed really spoiled and ungrateful tho that might just be me. Tho i did enjoy visiting london again through her eyes. I did love her visit with the stores owners wife and daugher. I did not like that the publisher decided to write on the back cover "hanff died in 1997 and never married' So all of her talents and accomplishments meant nothing I suppose. not the books fault but just maddening!

Shame The Duchess didn't do it for you. I quite enjoyed this one, and whilst yes, she sounded rather demanding at time, I got the impression that she was such a character people no one minded too much. I think quite a lot of it was black humour from her too.

Agree completely on that back cover quote. Oh my. Does it say that on the back of books from bachelors who have since passed?....

very doubtful, of course.

>52 cindydavid4: Now, she did sound equally spoiled in the first one but it came out differently there (partially because of the responses I guess). I love the first. The second is meh for me as well.

Didn't notice that either but I was a heck of a lot younger when I read it I was enjoying the ride and didn't notice anything odd other than her enthusiams. Soon after that i took my own trip to London and went book shopping tho that story was closed. Suspect if I read it now Id see it differently.

Stayed up way too late finishing Cloud Cuckoo Land ultimately liking it with some caveats. at the beginning when we find children in danger I couldn't take it and jumped chapters to see what happens. No spoiers here, but I did end up going back to read the rest. I don't mind his multiple time lines and multiple characters, and I loved how everything and everyone is connected to this one ancient book. But some characters I didnt see the point of, esl Konstance (tho I loved her name, a shout out to the constantiople sections of the book) It reminded me a great deal of cloud atlas in a good way..With the caveats i have, I'll give it a 4*

Oh my. All day yesterday till just now I was ready to praise mr dickens carol to the heavens. Then I got near the climax and well-the author jumped the shark. Totally ridiculous thing to do. I was planning a 5*, now a 3* and wondering if thats too high. I get that she's a screenwriter, and was not surprised how much the entire book was written for screen. But what she did made the entire journey fake and wasted. Im angry with her to waste my time with thi s But I reached a point that caused me not to care about the book . In fact I will not finish it. I enjoy fantasy, I enjoy magic realism, but this was neither. Just sloppy writing 2*

>58 cindydavid4: Don't you just hate when an author ruins the last section of a book...

yup. movies too

Well, this held promise but was rather disappointing: The Book That Changed My Life: 71 Remarkable Writers Celebrate the Books That Matter Most to Them Within a few pages, I realized that these remarkable writers (and actors and singers) what a shadow of what this book could have been. Basically each participate writes a brief paragraph of the book on each page. Thats it. I found the book a bit boring in total, possibly because I expected more dynamic comments per things that would seem truly "life changing". Ah well. to the trade pile

Finished Oh William, not my favorite of hers. Lucy is using a first-person, train-of-thought technique to skip around in her past, talking about a former husband (William), her mother, other relatives. She is letting her mind wander and she talks to the reader directly in short paragraphs and short sentences with comments like, "Oh, there's one more thing I need to tell you about Chrissy. Loved the last few sentences, they make the book for me, but so much of it was merandering about; almost like she is talking to her therapist or writing in her diary. Which is fine - just not as strong as Strouts others 3*

Now reading the witches boy another Burnhill book. Love how she writes

>61 cindydavid4: Shame (the book on writer recommendations). Definitely the kind of book you expect to lap up as a book lover, but I get how books on books can be hit or miss.

>63 AlisonY: I love books like that and have several on my shelves. The first one I read was by Noel Perrin a readers delight literary masterpieces that have been wrongfully forgotten or were ignored in the first place. Blurb on back : "this is like an elegant secondhand bookshop run by a eccentric book lover...any second hand book shop browser will recognize here the joy of reading as well as the joy of discovery" This was given to me in college by a dear friend, and Ive spent many years since looking for the books he writs about. Rather what I expected of my former read. I know I found and read several, but this was before the net and google - I should go through it again and see if I can find more!

And while I was just looking on that shelf, I found the book I was expecting the last one to be for the love of books: 115 celebrated writers on the books they love most. Marked several of the pages, anothr one I should reread to find more gems. and finally, where books fall open: a readers anthology of wit and passion

So maybe it was a good thing I read the book above, because its making me look for the ones I have now that are so much better and to reread!

>65 AlisonY: Of course I'm now noting all of the above! They sound great.

Actually I discovered Rose Macalay from the Readers Delight, and found a reprint of Towers of Trebizond. Cover design is splendid and the first line 'take my camel, my dear' hooked me. This novel is a mix of things, part novel, part autobiographical travelogue and an exploration of religion. Love Aunt Dots description of travels into Turkey, and discussions about religion (some of which I found confusing) The narrator is Laurie, who I first assumed was male for various reasons, then saw some review that make her female. Given she/he is traveling alone at one point, I really think my first assumption is true. They are traveling with a preacher named Pigg who is wanting to convert the Turks. Along the way the trio meet British travel writers and witness the progress of Billy Graham on tour with the BBC. Macaulay does employ some typical British colonial stereotypes – though these things are put into the mouths of her characters and are fairly mild. Her characters are upper class English idiots – harmless enough and of a type – and I think she was poking gentle fun at them. Macaulay is a good observer of the Englishman/woman abroad – and here she is superb at portraying the noise and clamour of a Turkish harbour. The ending was a surprise and I really didn't see coming, but the narrators final comments on faith, love and death is perhaps the best part of the book.4*

The Avid Reader question about multi media use in books led me to pull out my copy of the museum at purgatory by the same author of Griffin and Sabine. The museum rooms contain collections from various 'visitors' have left. Its filled the Bantocks drawings of unusual acquisitions, and a paragraph or so explaining the collector. I remember getting this for a gift but obviously never actually read it.

Ok catch up time: read Griffin and Sabine and loved it, have the two others in the trilogy on their way! Also sorta read Lincolns Highway and have to agree with others here, maybe 3* for writing, but nothing for plot, characters and particular the ending

It took a very rainy friday morning but I finally finished Witch's Boy by Kelly Barnhill. When I first started it I felt that it was so much like Barnhills other books that I got bored. So I set it aside, reading it now and again, while I focused on other reads. Well our desert is getting quite drenched after 5 hours of rain (and still going) Got heat, hot cocoa, the music of the rain on the skylights, and finished the read. Its quite delightful and so glad I did. the characters in this book are similar to her others, they are young, scared and scarred, uncertain, but find their own strength and bravery, which is all that much stronger with other children like them. Very good endings (don't want say sweet, but endings that make sense given the story) And now that I am finished, and I can't go out and play, I need to get going with cleaning the house for our little group dinner tomorrow; Might even make me some chicken soup! Happy reading, all!

Happy new year everyone! I finished the year of with Bruce Chatwins on the black hill and loved it as much as others here have. Youd think that 80 years with twins and their lives would be a bore, and its not, the ending was just right. Im heading off to my indie annual 25% off sale, see what I can nab (hopefully not ones I already have!)

Thanks to those of you who have responded to my ramblings, its been fun. however I decided tho not to continue this into the new year. Between club read and book balloon 'what are you reading threads?' and other places where i post, I feel I can make the same comments and get more reactions and discussion . Plus Im not much of a reviewer. and who knows, I may change my mind..

finally, from one of my favorite authors, a new year message:

May your coming year be filled with magic and dreams and good madness. I hope you read some fine books and kiss someone who thinks you're wonderful, and don't forget to make some art -- write or draw or build or sing or live as only you can. And I hope, somewhere in the next year, you surprise yourself. Neil Gaiman

happy reading!