My Reading Frenzy

The Luxe Series by Anna Godberson

I blogged already about the first book in the series, The Luxe.  Since then I have read the other three, Rumors, Envy, and  Splendor.  I will admit I was tempted to give up after the second book.  The first two books were not terribly action packed, the historical elements were superficial, when I prefer more about the politics and NYC history, and they were not particularly well written.  However, I did like the characters, especially the Holland sisters, Elizabeth and Diana.  So, I kept reading.  I am glad I did because the stories got better: more interesting and better written.  And I really do like the descriptions of Gilded Age fashions. 

Penelope continues to scheme, Diana continues to charm, Lina continues to lie, and Elizabeth just wants to be left alone with her man, but family and the call of NYC interfere.  In the end each character ends up just how he/she should.  No huge surprises, but I was not disturbed by the predictability either.  I often have a difficult time determining if books are predictable because I am a well-read adult reading YA novels, or if the books really are too obvious.  Giving these the benefit of the doubt, there were enough small surprises to make me think teens who have not read too widely in this genre would not be disappointed.

While I did enjoy the series in the long run, I am not sure I will follow up with Godberson's next series beginning with Bright Young Things.  Had the characters been related to those in The Luxe series I might have given them a shot, but since they are not I will probably take a pass. 

 

The comic genius of Tom Angleberger

I have read two books by Tom Angleberger, The Strange Case of Origami Yoda, and Horton Halfpott or The Fiendish Mystery of Smugwick Manor or The Loosening of M'Lady Luggertuck's Corset. Both are comic children's or YA novels, but are quite different from each other.

The Strange Case of Origami Yoda is a casebook of anecdotes from the adventures of Origami Yoda. Dwight has created Yoda, but Yoda's advice is too wise, too apt, and too perfect to have come from the socially inept Dwight.  Because yes, while the advice's wisdom may not always be immediately evident, Yoda is always right.  Tommy, who is the casebook author seeks an explanation for Yoda's wisdom as he asks gathers the stories of Yoda's triumphs over evil as evidence of his powers.  I am sooooo looking forward to Darth Paper Strikes Back.

Horton Halfpott, as should be obvious from its extensive title is a wonderful romp around Smugwick Manor, where the family are horrors and the servants are heroes (except perhaps for the evil cook, Miss Neversly, who wields a dangerous spoon.)  This is a great way to introduce children to the grand tradition of the English farce.  Angleberger is a master of witty word-play, some of which will go over the heads of young readers who will still find much to chuckle about.  As the narrator describes M'Lady Luggertuck's perfume he claims, "The thick stone walls of Smugwick Manor once, long ago, held up against an assault by Belgian Crusaders, but they were no match for 'Eau d'Peccary,' which stormed the old castle like a berserker."  This would really be a great book for parent and child to read together so the parent can explain why he is convulsed in laughter once a page. 

I am in love...

with the works of Diana Wynne Jones.  I have only read two so far: Enchanted Glass and Howl's Moving Castle, I have the entire Chrestomanci Series waiting on my shelf and the second two in the Howl series on the way from Powell's (used versions), as well as A Tale of Time City.  So far all the books have been wonderful and charming.  Her characters are interesting and believable fantasy characters.  The books are appropriate for children, young adults, and adults.  I did not feel like I was reading kids books because they are not dumbed down by explaining every little nuance, Wynne clearly trusts her readers to figure it out, whatever "it" may be.  Nor do they avoid using specialized vocabulary, again relying on the reader's ability to use the context clues.  If a child really wants to read a book, and children want to read her books, he will do what he has to to be successful.  Easily frustrated readers will give up if a book is boring, but something fascinating like these books will work even with readers who have to put a great deal of effort in.  

Because the books are fantasy, the plots are somewhat difficult to summarize without giving anything away, but I will give it a shot.  Enchanted Glass, which I read quite a while ago and commented on briefly takes place at Melstone House with a protective, enchanted window.  Why do the inhabitants of the house need protection?  Well, since Andrew Hope inherited the house he knows there is something odd about it, but it is not until foster child Aidan arrives that everything starts to get exciting.  That is about all I can say except it is a lovely read for the backyard in a hammock or cuddled up on a comfy chair on a rainy day.   

Howl's Moving Castle is one of Jones' most well-known and highly regarded novels, for good reason.  Howl is a terrifying magician, or so he wants people to believe, who lives in a castle he has moved from place to place to avoid angy mobs and other undesirable interactions.  He spends his time looking for love and training his apprentice Michael.  Amazingly, as interesting as Howl is, he is not even the main character.  This instead is Sophie Hatter, who is a teen turned into an old lady after an unfortunate encounter with the Witch of the Waste.  Sophie seeks Howl because she believes he can remove the enchantment.  Adventures ensue and a lovely tale unfolds.  I am soooo looking forward to the next two books.  

Yet again the temptation to quit my job and read full time overwhelms me, but then I think of eating and back to work I go. 

What I Have Waiting

Soooo many of the blogs I read have some sort of a "What is coming" or "Books out soon" or "On our Radar" type of post either weekly or more randomly.  I am just a lowly, independent blogger with no connection to any sort of booksellers or publishers.  This would make it difficult for me to do any sort of post about what is coming up aside from books you can find out about from the same places I do....booksellers ads, other more "in the loop" bloggers, and e-mails I get because I am a librarian who supposedly has loads of money to spend on books for middle-schoolers (Has no one heard about the dire straits schools are in these days?). 

Bottom line...I am just going to bring to your attention a few books I have waiting on my shelves, some are new, some are old, some are really old, whatever the case they are books I own and intend to read...someday, maybe when I am rich and can quit working, or if there is another hurricane and I am stuck in the house for 18 hours.  I have no plans for a regular posting about this, but I could, that's how many books I own that I have not read.

1.  Wonder Struck by Brian Selznick  This was just released yesterday, and I loved The Invention of Hugo Cabret and was looking forward to this one, so I bought it, I am hoping to read it this weekend.  Maybe after I finish the three books I am currently read, maybe not.

2.  American Rose by Karen Abbott This is a biography of Gypsy Rose Lee.  I directed a high school production of Gypsy quite a few years ago and always thought it would be nice to read more about her, most especially because I want the real story, not the musicalized story.  I really enjoy biographies, but I do find it difficult to stay interested unless the subject is fascinating and the writing is stellar.  We will see how this one goes, someday.

3.  Seven Sorcerers by Carol King All I can say about this one is, I like fantasy, I liked the cover (Yes, I judged a book by its cover) so I picked it up.  I still think it looks like it will be good, but I almost always choose sleep over reading in the wee hours on school nights, which severely cuts in to my reading time. 

Three titles seems like enough for today.  Check back, maybe I will read these soon now that I have reminded myself why they are here, and I will have posted a witty and insightful review. 

Rebecca Makkai's The Borrower

I got this book because the book flap said it is about a librarian, and it was, sort of.  The fact that the main character, Lucy Hull is a children's library is somewhat incidental to the story, but not its focus.  It is her job that brings Ian Drake, the secondary main character to her...he is 10 and an avid reader.  Her knowledge of books also weaves itself through the story when she recommends books to Ian, then makes references to various books as they go on their adventure, and again when she makes lists for Ian of books he should read each year until he is 18.  But overall, the book is not really about books, though a "mortal" (inside joke from the book) is about the power books and stories can have in our lives.  (I always love a book about how important books are.)

Even though Lucy is 26 she is still a bit lost in life.  She tries to separate herself from her Russian/Soviet background, but the reader knows one cannot stop being what one is.  Ian is lost because of parents who want him to be what they want, not what he is.  This makes Lucy and Ian perfect quest companions, because in a way they want the same thing...to figure out who they are and how to be who they are. 

While Lucy is clearly the focus of the story, the reader is also drawn to Ian who is so young, but seems to realize the life he is being steered toward by his parents is not the one he wants though he is not able to articulate this because he is after all, only 10.  His journey with Lucy is the only way he knows to run away from what he wants to escape.  A backpack and a trusted adult are really the only thing a boy his age needs.  We love Ian and root for he and Lucy to make their escape....but as we know, there is no escape from reality.  The book is sad and funny and uplifting and wonderful. 

 

The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making

Well, that was certainly a title-full and it is a book-- full of adventure.  One evening while she is washing the dishes the Green Wind whisks September away to Fairyland. She is so ready for adventure she does not even spare her home or her mother a backward glance.  When September arrives  she finds there are pitfalls galore, deals to be made, and rules to follow, besides just the one about not eating fairy food.  At every turn September must acknowledge she is less clever than she thought but stronger and more resilient that she could have known in her "regular" life.  Not so much fantasy as the realization all little girls must accept.  

Catherynne M. Valente has created a unique world that feels part Oz and part Wonderland but is truly all unique and fabulous.  Just as Dorothy wants to go home, so does September, but not until she has helped those in need and released Fairyland from the wicked rule of the Marquess.  But sometimes little girls do not get to decide when they will return home, it is just time to go.  September make life-long friends who she knows she will see again, because she did eat in Fairyland.  Here's hoping Valente has more tales of September on the way.