Top Ten Books on My Spring TBR List

March 17, 2015Mere 6 Comments

Another Top Ten Tuesday from The Broke and the Bookish! My TBR list is always growing and changing, and I have TONS on my list right now. These 10 really are just a sampling. I’d LOVE to hear some of the ones on your list right now.

1. Ancillary Justice (Imperial Radch #1), by Ann Leckie. I’m actually already on this book and LOVING it. Gender identity? Sci-Fi? Complex social issues? Check, Check, and Check!

2. Words of Radiance (The Stormlight Archive #2), by Brandon Sanderson. I started this when it came out a year ago and just set it aside without finishing. It’s definitely time to catch up, especially since Sanderson just can’t go wrong.

3. Fairest (The Lunar Chronicles #3.5), by Marissa Meyer. Such a great YA series! I’ve been waiting for this book for over a year.

4. The Glass Arrow, by Kristen Simmons. Dystopian feminist fantasy? Yes. Also, the author owns greyhounds, so must…support (yes we’re a cult, so what!).

5. Saga, Vol #4, by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples. I’ve been loving this series so far. You can’t go wrong with Vaughn!

6. Angelfall (Penryn & the End of Days #1), by Susan Ee. This series was just recommended to me by nettan-the road so far. I couldn’t resist the description…this will happen soon!

7. While Beauty Slept, by Elizabeth Blackwell. I’m a sucker for retelling fairytales, and this one sounds very well done. Plus, I have an autographed copy from ALA. WOOOOO!!!

8. Silver in the Blood, by Jessica Day George. Another advanced reading copy from ALA. This one doesn’t come out until July, but it looks great!

9. What is Remembered, by Alice B. Toklas. A coworker who shares my love of reading, modernism, and the expats living in Paris, gave me this for Christmas. Toklas…Gertrude Stein..what’s not to love?

10. The Secret Place (Dublin Murder Squad #5), by Tana French. I’m not usually into murder mysteries, but Tana French has a way of creating wonderful stories with well developed characters. My dad and I have bounded over Tana French, and he gave me the newest in the series for Christmas.

Book #10 – The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood

March 13, 2015Mere 2 Comments

It should be no surprise to anyone that I’m writing about this book. It should surprise you that it has taken me this long into my life to actually read Atwood. What have I been doing with the last 30 years of my life?!

The Handmaid’s Tale is one of those landmark texts, the kind that generations upon generations of inspired readers share, handing you their well loved, worn copy. Looking at you with gleaming, affected eyes, they eagerly push the book into your hand with a smile that reads of change and opened minds.

Maybe I’m being too sentimental and overselling Atwood. Still, my point is that The Handmaid’s Tale was written with an important purpose, and 30 years later it still excels at that purpose. (Well I’ll be damned…I just realized that this year is the 30th anniversary of the book…huh…perfect!).

The premise is as follows:

In the not so distant future, the United States has erupted into a completely different world known as Gilead. In response to increasing liberalism, feminist movements, changing views on religion, etc., Gilead has restructured the entire nation, issued total control over the remaining society, and outlawed anything and everything from women in the workplace to wearing makeup to printing books, Only one state religion is allowed and women possess only 3 jobs: Wife, Martha, or Handmaid (though you could count the Aunts as a fourth, but they’re an extension of the Handmaid). Women exist to serve their roles as related to their house and man. This is how they contribute to the greater good of society.

Atwood focuses on the Handmaid, Offred (Literally Of Fred). Most of her days are spent alone, in silence. She is not allowed to read. She leaves the house once a day to purchase food at the market. Monthly she goes through the Ceremony where she has sex with the Commander (aka Fred), hoping to conceive by him. Offred is one of the valuable women who still have viable ovaries in this transitional society. If she cannot conceive, she will be deemed worthless.

First Edition Cover (source Wikipedia)

Atwood fills Offred’s days with monotony, reflections on her life as it as, and dreams of her life before. We are given glimpses of her lost hopes, her missing family, the horrors of the transition into the Handmaid’s role, and her struggles in her current household where she just wants to survive a little longer. She can barely even hope to find a way out. The story is structured to make us feel the sluggish, oppressive, passing of time, the tense fear of committing the slightest sin. The whole society, not just women, are controlled and stifled to an extreme.

In the extremeness of her story, Atwood creates a lens through which we can critique our current culture. The world of Gilead is just a funhouse mirror version of our own, twisted, curved and quite cracked. Still, its basic structure comes from our world’s very real issues with gender roles (male as well as female), religious influence, political power, and the domestic space of the home. The norm of the world is a blanket we wrap around ourselves. Atwood’s ability to tear it away through her close scrutiny is why The Handmaid’s Tale remains a phenomenal unconquerable text.

Obviously, I’ve touched on perhaps my favorite discussion point, so I’ll share a few texts below if you’re interested in further reading. Many more exist, but these are ones I’ve found particularly enlightening.

Of Woman Born: Motherhood by Experience, by Adrienne Rich.* *This one above all closely relates to Atwood’s work.

The Feminine Mystique, by Betty Friedan.

The Second Sex, by Simone de Beauvior.

Sexual Politics, by Kate Millett.

I’d love to hear your thoughts or any books, articles, (non-fiction or fiction), you would like to share!

Book #9 – Rebel Angels, by Libba Bray

March 11, 2015Mere Leave a comment

Since I took so long to complete the 4 reviews for the rest of my February books, I ended up filling some of my reading with somewhat lighthearted fair. After Wool, I couldn’t delve quickly into something very complex (just too many thoughts). So, I read Libba Bray’s second book in the Gemma Doyle series, Rebel Angels. That statement may, in fact, be a bit misleading since the world of Gemma Doyle is actually a bit complex, if not the deepest. What I really love is that Bray has some of the loveliest blending of history and fantasy I have ever come across.

The basic premise for the series is as follows: Gemma Doyle is a 16 year old girl living in India with her family in 1895. After her mother’s mysterious death, the family returns to England and Gemma is shipped off to Spence, a girl’s boarding school. Once there, she must deal with strange visions, a mysterious boy following her, and of course the social society of teenage girls. Magic and tense friendships send her on a strange journey to understand who she is and the legacy her mother left her.

I cannot praise Bray enough as an author, and I’ve really just dipped my toes into her works. However, since the Gemma Doyle series is her first full series, some of it is a bit rough around the edges. I loved book #1, A Great and Terrible Beauty, with it’s very well researched Victorian setting, ties to India, and mythical, mysterious, magical Realms. Plus, I LOVE it when I can’t quite see all the twists coming (keep me guessing guys, it’s way more entertaining that way).

Rebel Angels, book #2, picks up where book #1 ends with only a short gap of time, and unfortunately it seemed stretched a bit thin at parts (specifically where the magic is involved). Regretfully, I also saw the twist coming from approximately page 10. I was actually angry when my suppositions ended up being the supposed “twist.” Sometimes, it’s okay, because the author has kept me guessing even if I see the twist, or “think” I see it. That didn’t happen here.

Despite that, I still recommend Rebel Angels. I’ll be starting Book #3 sometime in the near future, so I can see if she strengthens anything there. I know part of the problem with the series is because it is her first. Diviners is just plain amazing, so it’s nice to see her depth and style develop.

On a side note, if you’re bored, go read Libba Bray’s bio on her website. It just makes me happy…

Ten Books for Readers Who Like “Female Action/Heroines/Dystopian” topics (ie Hunger Games)

March 10, 2015Mere 12 Comments

Another Top Ten Tuesday brought to us by The Broke and the Bookish. How I love them so! I’ll admit though, that this week’s Top Ten is a bit of a challenge. For Readers Who Like….a certain Genre? A certain Character? A specific book/series? Yogurt? I dunno…the possibilities are endless (though I doubt I can recommend books based on Yogurt).

I’m going to bite the bullet and go the easy route, since this is only my second “Top Ten Tuesday” list. Therefore let me present:

The Top Ten Books for Readers Who Like:

Let me clarify a bit before we get to the list. These are Dystopian or female-action oriented reads. It’s all about the heroines kicking ass. Honestly, we could leave the Dystopia out of it! I chose this, because it’s been on my mind lately, and because, though I enjoy The Hunger Games trilogy, I get bogged down by the end (in other words, I HATE IT), and I think there are other books out there tackling the subject matter in better ways. So, enjoy. Tell me what you think! Any others you think should also be included? I’m certainly not an expert, and I know there are tons out there that I have yet to read.

1-3. The Graceling Realm Trilogy by Kristin Cashore (Graceling, Fire, & Bitterblue). I have to include the entire series, because they are just that good. It isn’t a Dystopian series but the heroines are all strong, realistic characters (book two even features a female archer). It is action oriented, in a broken world, with strong character development, and of course, romance. Cashore’s heroines deal with relationships in a decidedly more adult and less trivial manner than many young adult books treat love (including Hunger Games). She provides alternative ideas of what expectations a person should have in a relationship, and her characters are well rounded and ever evolving. Of course, you also have the battle for freedom, rebellion, and some intense dark moments throughout the three stories. Really, I can’t recommend the series enough.

4. Wool, by Hugh Howey. I just reviewed this book, so of course it’s at the front of my mind. Howey creates an amazing and mysterious Dystopian world in his Silo Saga. I’ve only read book #1, so I can’t speak to the rest of the series, but it boast a strong female character who is logical, intelligent, determined, and strong. It has rebellion, and truth seeking, and yes, a little romance. One of the best Dystopian books I’ve ever read.

5. The Glass Arrow, by Kristen Simmons.

Okay, I can’t REALLY recommend this one since I only just bought it and haven’t read it but come on…it looks like it will fit and I can’t WAIT to start. Seriously, the only reason I haven’t opened it up yet is because I have to finish this book club book first. Just read this (and the rest of the description) and you’ll understand: “The Handmaid’s Tale meets Blood Red Road in Glass Arrow, the story of Aya, who lives with a small group of women on the run from the men who hunt them, men who want to auction off breeding rights to the highest bidder.”

6-9. The Song of the Lioness quartet by Tamora Pierce. Really, you could count ANYTHING by Pierce. I also recommend Wild Magic from The Immortals quartet, which directly follows the events of the first series. They are for a slightly younger reader, but all of them have strong female heroines who we watch grow up throughout the series. Alanna, our main heroine, must hide her gender and true talents, battle her way into becoming a respected knight, and help save her kingdom from upheaval. All of this of course takes place while she is turning into a woman and trying to decide who and how to love. Yes, we get a love triangle here, but it doesn’t bother me like the whole Peeta/Gale debacle. Also, the relationships are realistic: troubled but not over-dramatized, physical as well as emotional. And her choices might just surprise you.

10. Cinder and the entire Lunar Chronicles, by Marissa Meyer (though I can’t vouch yet for Fairest and Winter isn’t out until November). Back to Dystopian fiction here, though really it’s just straight sci-fi and not a Dystopia. Meyer writes an entirely addicting series. We have a futuristic world with yes, fairytales, and our Cinderella is, of course, a cyborg (part human/mechanical-tech parts…not to be confused with AI or full robot from other futuristic tales). We have romance, action, and even a bit of a whining heroine. Really though, the little bit of whining, which is expected with Cinderella in my opinion, is my only complaint. I started to get annoyed with the romantic story, but Meyer fleshed it out so startling well and realistically in Scarlet and Cress (yes also fairy tales), that it has become one of my favorite examples of HOW you do romance in fiction (nearly up there with Cashore).

If I Were a Book Character I Would Be…

March 5, 2015Mere Leave a comment

How could I forget World Book Day?! How?! Something must be wrong in my head…Thankfully, it doesn’t matter that much since I pretty much make it a point to honor books and their influence on my life each and every day. Therefore, it’s never too late to have a little bit of fun!

Over on The Bookie Monsters, Tash shared a short and sweet post about the character she would choose to be (Matilda, FYI which I totally love). So, why not join in?

If I were any book character I would be:

Jenna from Sister Light, Sister Dark and White Jenna, by Jane Yolen.

If you’ve read any of my (very few) posts, I have mentioned these books multiple times, so this shouldn’t be surprising. They were such a formative part of my youth, especially of my reading identity, or for my entire identity really.

The main reasons I would love to be Jenna are:

First and foremost, she kicks ass. She is young when this prophecy is thrust upon her, and though she is not necessarily the “go conquer the world” girl, she is about protecting her people and writing the wrongs of the land. Basically, she’s an Amazonian princess. Think Xena, but less cheesy.

I’ll admit, I wanted to BE Xena as a kid. I didn’t crave the clothes really, but I did love how she was a tough woman beating down all the slimy guys around her. And no, I’ve not turned out to be a man hater. Perhaps this is why Jenna resonates with me so. In an all female society, she does not hate men like many around her or become the doting housewife. Yolen makes Jenna into someone who wants, deserves, and ultimately finds an equal partner to fight alongside her, save the kingdom with, and eventually rule with her.

The second reason I would love to be Jenna is because of her shadow sister, her “sister dark,” Skada, who can only appear at night by moonlight or lamplight in the shadows.

Seriously, I just love the 80s art work! I know there are two other editions now, but *sigh* I can’t get enough of these original covers.

This is the magic of the Dales, of the women who raised Jenna, who can call forth these shadow halves. For an only child, it was powerfully alluring. I always wanted a sister. To be able to have a partner in crime that is nearly a second skin still sounds wonderful. (I mean, I’ve gotten close with my husband but still…).

Wrap all of this together with the songs, legends, history, and folklore that ties the main tale together, and it is a world I would not mind experiencing. I’m only sad to see some reviews of these books aren’t that positive (ehem, Goodreads), so maybe it doesn’t hold up that well. But for me, being White Jenna with her sister Skada, is still a dream, and a clear explanation of who I have indeed become in the real world. Yolen made magic happen for me. So Jenna will remain part of my shadow self forever.

Book #8 – Wool: Omnibus (Silo #1) by Hugh Howey

March 5, 2015Mere 1 Comment

Well, I promised to get caught back up on the books I’ve finished this last month and here I am! I can’t think of a better place to start than with perhaps one of the best pieces of dystopian fiction to emerge in recent years. The popularity of Hunger Games started a surge on the market of dark, futuristic worlds where “ordinary folk turned heroes” fight for justice, equality, etcetera, etcetera…I’ve always enjoyed dystopian tales, so I’m OK with this trend. However, as with all fads, the true gems of the bunch are few and far between. Wool by Hugh Howey is one of these diamonds.
Howey started this series as a novelette, self published on Amazon. It received such high praise that fans clamored for more, and the book was born. Wool is actually a collection of these first 5 short stories and is book #1 in the Silo Saga (you can rest assured I’ll be reading the other two soon enough!). The 5 stories tie together into one nearly seamless tale about living within the strict boundaries of a highly controlled society. When those rules are challenged, and the the lies that built them addressed, everything and everyone must either change or ultimately be destroyed.

Without giving too much more away, the story is essentially set on Earth, sometime in the distant future, where society lives underground after some unknown long-ago disaster destroyed everything on the surface and filled the air with toxic chemicals. This space underground is a huge silo, 144 floors deep. Every once and a great while, someone breaks the law by saying they want to go outside. They are sent outside to Cleaning, an act in which they clean the sensors/cameras on the top of the silo (which give the upper levels a view of the bleak landscape outside) and summarily die from exposure (even in their cleaning suits). One Cleaning sets a series of events into motion which bring the lies to the surface and the Silo to it’s knees.

Art by Jasper Scheurs

The dystopian idea of people left to survive underground indefinitely is a great sociological exercise. Howey uses this experiment to his advantage to explore how society and culture is constructed or created; how the pieces work together but eventually wear around the edges to create gaps. What happens when the entire world is built on falsehoods? Who do you trust and how do you deal with the sudden confrontation of this altered world?

Character development in Wool is also very solid. You probably know by now, I’m big into strong, or at least realistic, female heroes. Howey succeeds at this as well. Jules is a wonderful character: strong, believable, and vulnerable in the right ways. She is a born leader with clear morals and beliefs about building and maintaining her community. Her rise, fall, and dangerous adventures in the silo unite all the stories. Jules is the vehicle for change who is believable for her imperfections as well as her honorable actions.

In the end, go read this book. It may stand for a long time near the top of my favorite books.

Top Ten All Time Favorite Books (from the past 3 years)

March 3, 2015Mere 2 Comments

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and The Bookish, with a new list prompt each week. What a wonderful way to try to get back in the writing rhythm.

This one will be quick, since I didn’t know about the weekly list until today! In no particular order, here are the top ten books I’ve read in the last 3 years (some may actually be a little outside of that time frame, but it’s all relative anyhow).

1. The Handmaid’s Tale, by Margaret Atwood, is one of my more recent reads. I can’t believe it took me this long to get to this feminist classic. I’ll be reviewing it more in detail soon.

2. The Feminine Mystique, by Betty Friedan. Keeping up with my constant focus on gender studies and persisting stereotypes of domesticity, it is of course fitting that I’ve read Friedan. She is a must if you are interested at all in the feminist movement or gender studies in general.

3. The Elegance of the Hedgehog, by Muriel Barbery. I read this probably closer to 5 years ago, but it resonates with me still. Few novels have such beautiful language and bring out such sincere emotions.

4. The Way of Kings, by Brandon Sanderson. Few people can create complex new worlds like Sanderson. Here, he is in his element, setting up a world and an epic fantasy series that promises to be more than divine!

5 & 6. The Name of the Wind & The Wise Man’s Fear, by Patrick Rothfuss. For now I lump them together, since Rothfuss is still writing the series. Talk about true character development and depth!

7. Into Thin Air, by Jon Krakauer. This book about Everest is a little outside my norm. Recommended by a friend, I couldn’t have enjoyed it more. Krakauer really brings to life the longing for conquering Mt. Everest while displaying the complexities of increased commercial climbs and the horror of one of the deadliest days on the mountain.

8. The Art of Asking, by Amanda Palmer. I’ve reviewed this book already just back in January. I still love it. I still maintain that the message is valuable for all of us.

9. The Diviners, by Libba Bray. 1920s supernatural horror. Really. What isn’t to like?! Bray sets up a supernatural-historical-world blend like only she knows how. I couldn’t see all the twists (yeah!), and I cannot wait for Book #2. Please hurry!

10. Kushiel’s Dart, by Jacqueline Carey. Really, I recommend the entire trilogy (Phedre’s Trilogy). For some, the first book starts slow. However, I love the complex political building Carey does here. The series only get’s stronger.

11. Fire, by Kristin Cashore. Again, I could go on forever about the entire trilogy (Graceling Realm), but instead I’ll just mention my favorite of the three. All of them are great, but this one is perhaps the most consistent.

Reader Questionnaire and Random Musings

February 10, 2015Mere Leave a comment

I found this over on bluchickenninja’s blog awhile back, but I haven’t had the time to follow suit until now. It just felt like a fun little writing exercise, and I’ve been silent on the blog for a few days due to, well, life stuff (good life stuff, just stuff). Feel free to follow suit on your own writing exercise.

1. What is your favorite book?

Like most avid readers, this question is nearly impossible to actually answer. Really?! JUST ONE?! Still, I do have a few that I point to as “keystone” books for shaping who I am. Jane Eyre, which I read in the 6th grade, remains a turning point for me as a reader.

Who DOESN’T want a Jane Eyre baby book?!

Jane Yolen’s Sister Light, Sister Dark and White Jenna were equally as pivotal.

2. What are your goals? For the year? For your life?

First, to get healthier. I know this is an ongoing goal, but I’m really focusing on it right now.

Second, reading a minimum of 48 books for this year and writing in this blog regularly. So far, I think I’ll come out ahead!

3. Are you a writer? If so, tell me about your work.

This is a bit of a loaded question. I assume it means, “are you a published or attempting to be published writer.” I’m certainly not published, and I’m not certain I’m trying, but I do consider myself a writer. A writer of poetry, critical thought, ideas, life. Aren’t we all writers of a sort on here? Words and writing feel like part of my blood and breath, and that in turn describes “my work.” Usually spur of the moment tales, dark dreaming landscape stories and poems. I have more ideas and outlines than full creative monsters, but then again, being here is already helping me develop that further.

4. If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

Just one place?! Iceland. Ireland. The Mountains (any mountains). On another train trip…maybe through the mountains.

Via Trains & Travel with Jim Loomis

5. What was the last movie you saw in the theatre and was it worthwhile?

American Sniper. This past weekend for my brother-in-law’s birthday. I almost went into full analytic mode about the movie here. The only thing that stopped me was getting home from the movie at Midnight. And, yes, it was worth it.

6. I’m curious, are there any books that you’ve tried to read and simply couldn’t finish? This is a no judgement zone.

Under the Dome by Stephen King. Don’t get me wrong, I like him, just NOT that book. Middlemarch by George Eliot.

7. Are you currently working on a new book/project right now? If it’s secret, you don’t have to tell me about it. If so, however, I hope it’s going well.

Again, not a professional writer, so no. But I do have a few ideas in the work (mostly random children’s tales). Also, I need to finish editing my “poem” A Salmon Named Ella.

A salmon named Ella
And Nelson Mandela
One fine sunny Cape Town morn,

Deeply were talking,
While swimming and walking,
About why the fish was so forlorn.

8. If you could live in any of your favorite books, which one would you choose?

Jane Eyre, possibly or Harry Potter because, come on…

9. Are there any book-to-movie adaptations that you think are just incredible? That you absolutely hated?

Going back a bit, Contact by Carl Sagan is pretty good, though it cuts a lot of the hard core science for the movie. Also, the 2006 BBC miniseries Jane Eyre, is AWESOME. The 2011 version, not so much. Eragon is also butchered in the film.

10. What do you look for in a book that you want to read? What’s the first thing to capture your attention?

I’ll admit it, I have a type: strong female character, unique world (dystopian/fantasy), well written prose. I do read other things, but these are the ones that grab me first.

11. If you’re an author, what do you do when you first get an idea for a book?

Again, doesn’t apply, but my problem is that I spend hours upon hours obsessing, thinking, dreaming up the story…without writing.

12. How do you feel about different genres? Romance? YA? Sci-Fi? Poetry? Do you have any favorites? Any least-favorites?

I’m open to almost anything, but I’m not big into crime stories (Tana French’s books being an exception) or generic romance. I do love YA, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Autobiography, & Historical Fiction.

13. If you could meet any writer in the world, dead or alive, who would it be?

Jane Yolen. Yes, she trumps Bronte on my list because she was kind enough to answer questions for a folklore project through e-mail when I was in college. SO. COOL.

14. Do you prefer Fiction or Non-Fiction?

Fiction. But I never underestimate the power of a very good non-fiction book.

15. Are there any characters that everyone loves that you can’t stand? Or vice versa?

I hate…HATE Catherine and Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights. Please…let them rot.

Also, I don’t like Twilight so I therefore despise all of the characters.

16. What do you like to do besides reading/writing?

Spinning (yarn), making soap, cooking, baking…lots of bread. Sometimes hiking, crocheting.

17. If you could be remembered for one thing, what would it be?

Apparently turning my house slowly into the witch’s house in Hansel & Gretel.

18. What is your favorite guilty pleasure book?

Anne Bishop’s Dark Jewel’s Trilogy.

19. Do you have a reading goal set for this year?

Stated earlier: 48 books! On numbers 8 & 9 for the year right now.

20. Tell me anything about yourself that I haven’t asked. Random fact. Weird human trick. Whatever.

I am obsessed with weird animals. I want a random animal farm one day. Sheep, alpaca, chickens, goats, you name it. I’ve wanted a pet skunk since I was a kid. I would name him Broccoli. I also think armadillos are awesome and want an armadillo basket (a taxidermied basket).

Oh yeah, I like weird taxidermy…Just look at the hat in my profile picture.

Book #7–The Walls Around Us, by Nova Ren Suma (due out March 24, 2015)

February 5, 2015Mere Leave a comment

As you may or may not know, I had the privilege to attend the American Library Association’s Midwinter Conference last week (more on that whole trip soon). During this wonderful train-snow-book-filled adventure, I acquired a whopping 47 books. Of course, most of them were free Advanced Reading Copies, and of course, I couldn’t wait to dig into them! And honestly, I cannot recommend you pre-order this book enough:

The Walls Around Us is a fast paced tale about two girls: one on the outside and one on the inside. Violet is a ballerina preparing to leave for Julliard who will let nothing get in the way of the future she has planned. Amber has spent the last 3 years inside a girl’s detention center, just trying to survive each day. A third girl, Orianna, holds the keys to unlocking mysteries for all of them. You see, as the story begins, she’s already dead.

The prose flits between place and time deftly. Employing first person narration, Suma creates distinct voices and experiences, allowing the reader to make the switches easily. Violet, ever independent and strong willed, speaks in first person, as an “I” never a we. Amber, on the other hand, does not distinguish herself from the rest of the prisoners. Suma gives her a third person narration, a “we” an “us” mentality. Right from the start, these girls are set to be apart, and yet, as you must know, they are neither what they seem.

The smoothness of the text also pulls you into the story and creates an easy way to read between the lines without using jarring neon lights. As always, I’m a sucker for language, and though it isn’t the lilting, descriptive tone I usually wilt over, The Walls Around Us employs a lively prose which fits the tense, mysterious and slightly supernatural tone of the book and ropes you right in.

Overall, The Walls Around Us is about more than ghosts or prisons or ballerinas. It’s about decisions, motivations, friendship, fear of facing reality, and about finally facing who and what you really are on the inside.

The walls are what we make of them.

Now, I leave you with the lovely view of where I finished the book…cuddled up with my oh so graceful sleeping greyhound, Prince.

Books #5 & #6: “Kitty & the Midnight Hour” and “Kitty Goes to Washington,” by Carrie Vaughn

February 4, 2015Mere Leave a comment

We’ve finally stumbled onto one of my guilty reading pleasures. Usually, I’m not a big on urban fantasy or werewolves, but Carrie Vaughn’s Kitty Norville series caught my attention a few years ago. I must admit, I was hooked quickly. I’ve never finished the series, but I have the first four as audiobooks, and I’ve listened to each multiple times. In fact, #5 & #6 on my list for 2015 are the first 2 of the series and my third time through each.

Carrie Vaughn’s series follows Kitty Norville, a radio talk show host who also happens to be a werewolf. The Midnight Hour traces the rise of her show, the public outing of her werewolf-ness (though most don’t believe it) and the the power struggle with her Alpha and her pack. Kitty Goes to Washington takes her to a Senate committee hearing in DC where she encounters a different way to live as a werewolf, a good vampire ally, and the political and religious trappings of it all.

The series is not particularly complex, but it is one of those “candy” series, as I call it. Addicting, quick, and heartpumping stories (especially as audiobooks). They make for something lighthearted to read when you don’t want to think too much. I picked these up for their third read because after finishing Rothfuss, I didn’t want to quite get his world out of my brain right away.

Kitty is a fairly independent character, and Vaughn paints her struggle for independence and self value very realistically. I think that is part of what draws me back to the stories. Kitty isn’t a superhuman hero or weak, sexually hungry animal. Instead, she’s clever with a sharp tongue and a calm demeanor (when she’s focusing). She’s a great listener, thus the radio show success, and she works to build a tight knit group around herself for support. Of course, there is some ass kicking, a little bit of sex, and a lot of wolfishness, but Vaughn doesn’t really overdo the wolf nature of her characters. The two bleed together cohesively. The action, however, can be a bit unbelievable. I mean really, just how many problems can one person encounter? However, I guess I can say the same thing about Buffy or Angel or Supernatural. When you’re in the limelight or at the center of some larger mythological plot, the trouble often looks for you.

Like many of these long series, the Kitty Norville series does run the risk of getting repetitive, which is the reason I’ve never gone past book 4. I can tell the action and the relationships may start to struggle. I still want to know more, see where it leads, one day. For now though, it’s time once again to move onto other books.

If you want something lighthearted, quick, and just plain fun, pick up Vaughn’s books.

Merely Creative

Learning. Creating. Growing.

Widgets

Search

books