Al Capone Does My Shirts Gennifer Choldenko
Moose Flanagan's family has just moved to Alcatraz, where his father is a guard and electrician. Not only is he now living next door to such notorious criminals as Al Capone, he has to make new friends, take a boat to school, and deal with Piper, the warden's daughter who manipulates everyone into going along with her schemes. To top it all off is his sister Natalie. Moose can't remember how many times Natalie has turned 10, but it's the only way his mother can cope with modern readers will recognize as severe autism. Moose's parents have tried everything possible with Natalie and their unflagging optimism and hope means the Moose feels he's missing out on a normal childhood and his parents' attention.
I think I'm one of the last people in the universe to read this. It won that Newbery Honor in 2005 and while it definitely deserves the prize for literary quality, it's also a book that kids will (and do) like. Moose is in this weird place where exaggerated stories of life on Alcatraz make him popular with the kids at school, but it also complicates things. Choldenko gives us a good sense of space and location as the kids run all over the island in their schemes and games. What I most loved is the complicated relationship Moose has with Natalie. He often resents all the expectations his parents place on him (like when he can't go play baseball with his new friends because he has to watch Natalie) and all the time and effort they spend on her, but at the same time, he is very protective of her and cares about her so much. To the point where he's willing to risk it all to do what's best for Natalie...
Book Provided by... my local library
Al Capone Shines My Shoes Gennifer Choldenko
Yay! A sequel! Not much time, just a few months, has passed since we last saw Moose, Natalie, Poper, Jimmy, Scout and Theresa on Alcatraz. Moose has been enjoying his time with just him and his parents, and feeling guilty about it. Luckily, Natalie is coming back when her school goes on semester break. Natalie has definitely changed and has gotten a lot "better," but all the means is she's started using pronouns and expressing some of her emotions and feelings. Moose starts to realize that there's an area between Natalie and "normal" and that Natalie can improve and sometimes get out of the world she's trapped in, she will never be like everyone else, and maybe that's all they can hope for and maybe that's enough. Trixle, of course, still goes out of his way to do what he can to drive her from the island. We also get to meet Trixle's daughter, Janet. Piper gets a lot more real as her mother is expecting and all her dad can talk about is how much he wants a boy and oh, the romantic entanglements...
PLUS! This is Alcatraz and now that Capone did something for Moose, Moose has to do something for him, and 105 is on the outside now and has been in contact with Natalie...
A wonderful follow up that doesn't disappoint. It's less about Natalie and Moose and more about Moose's relationship with his friends on the island, especially Jimmy. (Ok, and the romantic entanglements with Piper and Annie, but I liked the Jimmy stuff best. You don't get enough examples of male friendship issues in books that read like actual male friendships instead of girl friendships with boy characters.) Piper also becomes a lot less flat, which is good for her (I wouldn't have called Piper a flat character before, but she was a lot less explored in the first book.) We also see a lot more the politics involved in the adult world of Alcatraz (petty "office" politics, not national politics) but in a way that still makes sense for the kids to know about.
Book Provided by... ARC given to me by a fellow librarian who got it at ALA
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Friday, November 06, 2009
Housekeeping-a-go-go
Ok, I'm still struggling with the blog crisis that kidlitcon gave me about what I want to be and where I want to go and blah blah blah. Plus, I just have a lot of backlog to get through and other things in my non-blogging life that I want to focus more energy on and on and on and on...
I'm making a few changes in light of that.
In general, my blogging formula is
1. Write a few sentences on life, what's going on in blog world, general "hi, what's up?" type stuff
2. Review a book or two
I'll go a few days without posting because I have a ton of books to review but no time to do it. Days sometimes stretch into over a week.
I started pre-writing reviews (which coincided with a new personal policy to not return a library book before reviewing it) so that I could more quickly do a post for busy days. Sadly, adding the picture and links, adding my general "hi!" bit still took up too much time on some days.
SO! In order to cut through some of the backlog, I'mnot now just pre-scheduling a bunch of reviews. They'll just be posted automatically, one a day, and there they are.
I'll start having more non-review posts for the other things I want to talk about.
This means that I will now have a post a day (including weekends!). Also, there will be multiple posts some days. Some days, I'll want to talk about the book I just read, so I'll review it in addition to my pre-scheduled review. I'll want to talk about other things to participate in the discussion or just share about my life.
For now, THESE CHANGES ARE TEMPORARY. I'll re-evaluate around New Year's.
Between Cybils reading, NaNo writing, and a slew of other things, I'm feeling much more stretched than I should. These changes are to get me through that time and if it works, we'll keep 'em or tweak 'em and if they don't, we'll dump 'em.
PLEASE! Let me know what you think. Are such changes going to totally ruin all the reasons why you read Biblio File? Or are they just going to make it more awesome?
Let me know now, and let me know as things happen.
Thanks for reading!
Also, there will be a HUGE announcement on Monday. Look for it!
I'm making a few changes in light of that.
In general, my blogging formula is
1. Write a few sentences on life, what's going on in blog world, general "hi, what's up?" type stuff
2. Review a book or two
I'll go a few days without posting because I have a ton of books to review but no time to do it. Days sometimes stretch into over a week.
I started pre-writing reviews (which coincided with a new personal policy to not return a library book before reviewing it) so that I could more quickly do a post for busy days. Sadly, adding the picture and links, adding my general "hi!" bit still took up too much time on some days.
SO! In order to cut through some of the backlog, I'm
I'll start having more non-review posts for the other things I want to talk about.
This means that I will now have a post a day (including weekends!). Also, there will be multiple posts some days. Some days, I'll want to talk about the book I just read, so I'll review it in addition to my pre-scheduled review. I'll want to talk about other things to participate in the discussion or just share about my life.
For now, THESE CHANGES ARE TEMPORARY. I'll re-evaluate around New Year's.
Between Cybils reading, NaNo writing, and a slew of other things, I'm feeling much more stretched than I should. These changes are to get me through that time and if it works, we'll keep 'em or tweak 'em and if they don't, we'll dump 'em.
PLEASE! Let me know what you think. Are such changes going to totally ruin all the reasons why you read Biblio File? Or are they just going to make it more awesome?
Let me know now, and let me know as things happen.
Thanks for reading!
Also, there will be a HUGE announcement on Monday. Look for it!
Challenge Update!
OK! Guardian and China Challenge posts for November will go up this weekend.
Now comes the monthly post where I list all the reading challenges I'm participating in and how I'm doing...
TBR challenge, where I make a list of 12 books (and 12 backup) and read at least 12 by the end of the year. I've done 6.2:
Octavian Nothing II, Kingdom on the Waves
Frog Princess
High Fidelity
The Ballet Family
Hard Boiled and Hard Luck
Ballet Family
Ballet Family Again
The .2 is part of Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out
For the 1% challenge, I need to read 13 books by March 31. I've done 2:
The Wind Up Bird Chronicle
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
For the Buy Books Challenge, I need to buy and read 12 books by the end of the year.
I've purchased 43, read 13, and reviewed 7!
Turning Pages
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Forever Princess
Frog Princess
Gold
Dead is So Last Year
Don't Judge a Girl by her Cover
Living Dead Girl
Diamond Secret
Harry Potter Should Have Died
Fables: Dark Ages
Are These My Basoomas I See Before Me?
Jack of Fables: Jack's Big Book of War
Also, I purchased a copy of Mao's Last Revolution but I read and reviewed that last year, so does it count? Does it not? I'm going to say no, just because I've purchased so many other things...
Along the same lines, I purchased Lonely Planet: Paris but I'm not going to review that.
For the Chunkster Challenge, I have to read 6 adult books of 450+ pages by November 15, 2009. I've done 1.4
The Wind-up Bird Chronicle
That .4 is part of Atlas Shrugged and part of Life and Death are Wearing Me Out
Let's just say right now: THIS ONE IS GOING TO GO IN THE FAIL COLUMN!
There's the Fill in the Gaps challenge, where I came up with a list of 100 books and commit to finishing 75 of them within 5 years. 4.5 years in, I've done 8.2!
Speak
Julie of the Wolves
Whale Talk
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
The Dark is Rising
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
The Golden Compass
Betsy-Tacy
Once again, that .2 is Atlas Shrugged.
And then there's my own Guardian Challenge, which has me reading 10 books by February 1. I've done 3.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (which is filed under "comedy")
The Golden Compass (which is filed under "scifi/fantasy")
The Bottle Factory Outing (which is filed under "comedy" AND is a book I had never heard of before coming across it on this list.)
There's also my goal to read at least 50 of the books I owned but hadn't read as of January 1 by next January 1. I've done 20.4
Octavian Nothing II
Crazy Lady
Frog Princess
A Girl, A Boy, and a Monster Cat
A Girl, A Boy, and Three Robbers
Glass Castle
High Fidelity
North of Beautiful
Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies
Rapunzel's Revenge
Revolution is Not a Dinner Party
Rouge of the North
Story of Sushi
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Whale Talk
Hard Boiled and Hardluck
Betsy-Tacy
Ballet Family
Vogelein: Clockwork Faerie
Ballet Family Again
Once again, .4 is part of Atlas Shrugged and part of Life and Death are Wearing Me Out.
Then there is me trying to finish Anita Silvey's 100 Best Books for Children, of which I had 26 left. I've read 5!
Millions of Cats
Julie of the Wolves
The Dark is Rising
Snowflake Bentley
Betsy-Tacy
There's the
Japanese Literature Challenge so I have to read one book of Japanese literature by January 30. Which I've done! Complete! Huzzah!
Hard Boiled and Hard Luck
The Random Reading Challenge has me taking my TBR pile (or a segment thereof) assigning a number to each book, and then using a random number generator to pick my next book. I have to read 12 this way by July 31. I've read 2! Both were chosen from a list that had all by TBR books that were ON HAND (so books that I own, review copies, and books that were currently checked out from the library.)
A Girl, a Boy, and Three Robbers
Rouge of the North
And there is my own China Challenge. I'm going to read 12 books and do 3 China-related activities between now and September 1, 2010.
Also, I've been furiously studying my ChinesePod.com lessons
AND! Made a new recipe!
Well... there's that .2 of Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out.
New since last month are Callapidder Day's Fall Into Reading Challenge, where I make a list of books I want to read before the end of the year. I've read 17.4!
I'm not listing them all here, but we all know what that .4 is by now, right?
And, S. Krishna's Clear off Your Shelves Challenge, which sees me reading 38 books I own by the end of November. Cross your fingers for me.
I've done 6!
Now comes the monthly post where I list all the reading challenges I'm participating in and how I'm doing...
TBR challenge, where I make a list of 12 books (and 12 backup) and read at least 12 by the end of the year. I've done 6.2:
Octavian Nothing II, Kingdom on the Waves
Frog Princess
High Fidelity
The Ballet Family
Hard Boiled and Hard Luck
Ballet Family
Ballet Family Again
The .2 is part of Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out
For the 1% challenge, I need to read 13 books by March 31. I've done 2:
The Wind Up Bird Chronicle
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
For the Buy Books Challenge, I need to buy and read 12 books by the end of the year.
I've purchased 43, read 13, and reviewed 7!
Turning Pages
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Forever Princess
Frog Princess
Gold
Dead is So Last Year
Don't Judge a Girl by her Cover
Living Dead Girl
Diamond Secret
Harry Potter Should Have Died
Fables: Dark Ages
Are These My Basoomas I See Before Me?
Jack of Fables: Jack's Big Book of War
Also, I purchased a copy of Mao's Last Revolution but I read and reviewed that last year, so does it count? Does it not? I'm going to say no, just because I've purchased so many other things...
Along the same lines, I purchased Lonely Planet: Paris but I'm not going to review that.
For the Chunkster Challenge, I have to read 6 adult books of 450+ pages by November 15, 2009. I've done 1.4
The Wind-up Bird Chronicle
That .4 is part of Atlas Shrugged and part of Life and Death are Wearing Me Out
Let's just say right now: THIS ONE IS GOING TO GO IN THE FAIL COLUMN!
There's the Fill in the Gaps challenge, where I came up with a list of 100 books and commit to finishing 75 of them within 5 years. 4.5 years in, I've done 8.2!
Speak
Julie of the Wolves
Whale Talk
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
The Dark is Rising
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
The Golden Compass
Betsy-Tacy
Once again, that .2 is Atlas Shrugged.
And then there's my own Guardian Challenge, which has me reading 10 books by February 1. I've done 3.
The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie (which is filed under "comedy")
The Golden Compass (which is filed under "scifi/fantasy")
The Bottle Factory Outing (which is filed under "comedy" AND is a book I had never heard of before coming across it on this list.)
There's also my goal to read at least 50 of the books I owned but hadn't read as of January 1 by next January 1. I've done 20.4
Octavian Nothing II
Crazy Lady
Frog Princess
A Girl, A Boy, and a Monster Cat
A Girl, A Boy, and Three Robbers
Glass Castle
High Fidelity
North of Beautiful
Nothing But the Truth (and a few white lies
Rapunzel's Revenge
Revolution is Not a Dinner Party
Rouge of the North
Story of Sushi
We Have Always Lived in the Castle
Whale Talk
Hard Boiled and Hardluck
Betsy-Tacy
Ballet Family
Vogelein: Clockwork Faerie
Ballet Family Again
Once again, .4 is part of Atlas Shrugged and part of Life and Death are Wearing Me Out.
Then there is me trying to finish Anita Silvey's 100 Best Books for Children, of which I had 26 left. I've read 5!
Millions of Cats
Julie of the Wolves
The Dark is Rising
Snowflake Bentley
Betsy-Tacy
There's the
Japanese Literature Challenge so I have to read one book of Japanese literature by January 30. Which I've done! Complete! Huzzah!
Hard Boiled and Hard Luck
The Random Reading Challenge has me taking my TBR pile (or a segment thereof) assigning a number to each book, and then using a random number generator to pick my next book. I have to read 12 this way by July 31. I've read 2! Both were chosen from a list that had all by TBR books that were ON HAND (so books that I own, review copies, and books that were currently checked out from the library.)
A Girl, a Boy, and Three Robbers
Rouge of the North
And there is my own China Challenge. I'm going to read 12 books and do 3 China-related activities between now and September 1, 2010.
Also, I've been furiously studying my ChinesePod.com lessons
AND! Made a new recipe!
Well... there's that .2 of Life and Death Are Wearing Me Out.
New since last month are Callapidder Day's Fall Into Reading Challenge, where I make a list of books I want to read before the end of the year. I've read 17.4!
I'm not listing them all here, but we all know what that .4 is by now, right?
And, S. Krishna's Clear off Your Shelves Challenge, which sees me reading 38 books I own by the end of November. Cross your fingers for me.
I've done 6!
OW! My Eyes!
Check out the latest Twilight inspired book covers and oh! the promo copy!:
Wuthering Heights
I cannot live without my life!
I cannot live without my soul!
When Catherine and Heathcliff's childhood friendship grows into something so much more, what ensues is one of the greatest love stories of all time. Even as fate conspires against them and passion consumes them, nothing can keep Catherine and Heathcliff apart. Not even death . . . for their forbidden love is unlike any other. Emily Bronte's masterpiece remains as compelling and thrilling as ever. Beautifully presented for a modern teen audience, this is the must-have edition of a timeless classic.
Pride and Prejudice
"Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her."
With all the forces of the world conspiring to keep Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet apart, how will fate manage to bring them together? It certainly won't be easy if they're fighting it every step of the way. But theirs is a love that was meant to be, despite all the odds against them. One of the most captivating love stories of all time, Jane Austen's enduring masterpiece is beloved by generation after generation. Beautifully presented for a modern teen audience, this is the must-have edition of a timeless classic.
Romeo and Juliet
These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which, as they kiss, consume.
When Romeo first lays eyes on the bewitching Juliet, it's love at first sight. But though their love runs true and deep, it is also completely forbidden. With family and fate determined to keep them apart, will Romeo and Juliet find a way to be together? William Shakespeare's masterpiece is one of the most enduring stories of star-crossed love of all time. Beautifully presented for a modern teen audience with both the original play and a prose retelling of the beloved story, this is the must-have edition of a timeless classic.
Harper Teen is obviously trying to get some play out of these common domain titles to get them into the hands of new readers. If this publishing market, why not try to package content you didn't have to pay for in order to piggy back off something Twilight-huge? And, it's not like these are trashy items. These are HUGE literary classics. This is GOOD LITERATURE. It just doesn't look like it.
Harper Teen is making things secretly educational. And it's not just the covers. Look at the quotations they're pulling from the text and look at how they describe the books. They're obviously going after a very target audience. And they're doing it pretty well. I hope it works for them (and, ultimately, for the reader. These are awesome books.)
I've done the same. My cousin and I were talking about boys (she was 16 at the time) and the conversation was couched in comparing certain boys to Robbie the Sex God or Dave the Laugh (from Confessions of Georgia Nicolson) and Edward and Jacob and possibly some Harry Potter characters. I then gave her sage advice: Never, ever, date a Heathcliff and be wary of the Rochesters. Stay away from Wickham. You can never go wrong with a Bingley and should seek them out. Darcys are ok, but you need to approach with caution.
While it's advice I fully stand behind, it was my way of trying to get her to read something a little more complex than her usual fare. As far as I know, it didn't work, but maybe Harper Teen's new campaign will.
But, oh, it kinda hurts my eyes.
What do you think?
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
I cannot live without my life!
I cannot live without my soul!
When Catherine and Heathcliff's childhood friendship grows into something so much more, what ensues is one of the greatest love stories of all time. Even as fate conspires against them and passion consumes them, nothing can keep Catherine and Heathcliff apart. Not even death . . . for their forbidden love is unlike any other. Emily Bronte's masterpiece remains as compelling and thrilling as ever. Beautifully presented for a modern teen audience, this is the must-have edition of a timeless classic.
Pride and Prejudice
"Darcy had never been so bewitched by any woman as he was by her."
With all the forces of the world conspiring to keep Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet apart, how will fate manage to bring them together? It certainly won't be easy if they're fighting it every step of the way. But theirs is a love that was meant to be, despite all the odds against them. One of the most captivating love stories of all time, Jane Austen's enduring masterpiece is beloved by generation after generation. Beautifully presented for a modern teen audience, this is the must-have edition of a timeless classic.
Romeo and Juliet
These violent delights have violent ends
And in their triumph die, like fire and powder,
Which, as they kiss, consume.
When Romeo first lays eyes on the bewitching Juliet, it's love at first sight. But though their love runs true and deep, it is also completely forbidden. With family and fate determined to keep them apart, will Romeo and Juliet find a way to be together? William Shakespeare's masterpiece is one of the most enduring stories of star-crossed love of all time. Beautifully presented for a modern teen audience with both the original play and a prose retelling of the beloved story, this is the must-have edition of a timeless classic.
Harper Teen is obviously trying to get some play out of these common domain titles to get them into the hands of new readers. If this publishing market, why not try to package content you didn't have to pay for in order to piggy back off something Twilight-huge? And, it's not like these are trashy items. These are HUGE literary classics. This is GOOD LITERATURE. It just doesn't look like it.
Harper Teen is making things secretly educational. And it's not just the covers. Look at the quotations they're pulling from the text and look at how they describe the books. They're obviously going after a very target audience. And they're doing it pretty well. I hope it works for them (and, ultimately, for the reader. These are awesome books.)
I've done the same. My cousin and I were talking about boys (she was 16 at the time) and the conversation was couched in comparing certain boys to Robbie the Sex God or Dave the Laugh (from Confessions of Georgia Nicolson) and Edward and Jacob and possibly some Harry Potter characters. I then gave her sage advice: Never, ever, date a Heathcliff and be wary of the Rochesters. Stay away from Wickham. You can never go wrong with a Bingley and should seek them out. Darcys are ok, but you need to approach with caution.
While it's advice I fully stand behind, it was my way of trying to get her to read something a little more complex than her usual fare. As far as I know, it didn't work, but maybe Harper Teen's new campaign will.
But, oh, it kinda hurts my eyes.
What do you think?
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Amazon Share on Twitter-- FTC Fail?
So, earlier this week Amazon announced that Associates can now Tweet their associates links to earn money that way. I don't tweet often about what I'm reading or just finished, but occasionally I do, and I could see my editing the standard message and adding in my associate link.
BUT! As we learned at kidlitcon, if you are an Amazon Associate (or any one of the similar programs available) you have to disclose that relationship. Something in your FAQ or on your sidebar isn't enough. You have to disclose in EVERY SINGLE POST, which is why I added the standard language to my blog posts at the very bottom.
So, the way I understand it, you'd have to disclose ON YOUR TWEET that you'll make money off the link.
But how does one fit a link, why you're linking to the product, and a disclosure all in 140 characters? That, I don't know.
So, at kidlitcon, we also learned that the onus is on the company, not the blogger, to guide us bloggers on how to react. Amazon gets a big ol' FAIL for that (from their FAQ):
4. Are there any other issues with the use of affiliate ads and social networks that I need to be aware of?
Yes - the FTC has issued guidelines regarding the use of advertising and social networks which become effective on December 1, 2009. You can review the complete text of these guidelines by following this link (note that it requires Adobe PDF reader):
http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005endorsementguidesfnnotice.pdf
Comments I've seen on the web and on Twitter tend to focus on "OMG! More Twitter Spam! That sucks!" But what about those that use responsibly? Can we tweet Amazon links and still disclose? Do you even want to? Should Amazon give more guidance? What do you think?
What are you ideas? Thoughts? Comments?
Book Provided by...
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
BUT! As we learned at kidlitcon, if you are an Amazon Associate (or any one of the similar programs available) you have to disclose that relationship. Something in your FAQ or on your sidebar isn't enough. You have to disclose in EVERY SINGLE POST, which is why I added the standard language to my blog posts at the very bottom.
So, the way I understand it, you'd have to disclose ON YOUR TWEET that you'll make money off the link.
But how does one fit a link, why you're linking to the product, and a disclosure all in 140 characters? That, I don't know.
So, at kidlitcon, we also learned that the onus is on the company, not the blogger, to guide us bloggers on how to react. Amazon gets a big ol' FAIL for that (from their FAQ):
4. Are there any other issues with the use of affiliate ads and social networks that I need to be aware of?
Yes - the FTC has issued guidelines regarding the use of advertising and social networks which become effective on December 1, 2009. You can review the complete text of these guidelines by following this link (note that it requires Adobe PDF reader):
http://www.ftc.gov/os/2009/10/091005endorsementguidesfnnotice.pdf
The Associates program is an advertising service and, as a result, you must follow all applicable laws and regulations regarding this type of advertising, including any FTC guidelines.
That didn't answer anything! How do I follow applicable laws and link to your content in a mere 140 characters?!Comments I've seen on the web and on Twitter tend to focus on "OMG! More Twitter Spam! That sucks!" But what about those that use responsibly? Can we tweet Amazon links and still disclose? Do you even want to? Should Amazon give more guidance? What do you think?
What are you ideas? Thoughts? Comments?
Book Provided by...
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
When's Dinner? I'm Hungry!
Do you NaNo, too? Check out John Green's latest video about it (and his hair) (warning-- that's a direct link to YouTube, so it'll start playing right away.)
Even better, IF YOU ARE A MAC PERSON, Scrivner is offering a free trial for NaNo-ers. AND, if you win, you can then buy it for 1/2 price! Which I'd be all over, except I'm a PC, and it only works with Mac. Poo. It looks really, really neat. Alas and Alack.
City of Bones Cassandra Clare
Clary has started to be able to see things that aren't there. After her mother is taken by demons, Clary (and her best friend Simon) quickly finds themselves in a world of demon hunters, including hotttttt (and infuriating) Jace. If Clary's going to save her mother, she has to deal with all sorts of recent history and politics.
Soooooooo not for me. I figured everything out way too quickly and wanted to smack Clary for missing the painfully obvious. Every big reveal was something I had figured out chapters ago. A lot of people found this funny, but I'm not one of them. And Holly Black's cover blurb promised "Funny, Dark, and Sexy" but I didn't find it to be any of that. I could actually go on for pages, but that would move into the petty and mean and not overly helpful or useful. If I were funnier, I could go for comedic-like some of the great Twilight takedowns, but I'm not, so I won't. Oh well. Everyone I know loves this series to death and so I'm glad I read it, but I won't read the others.
Graceling Karen Cashore
Katsa is Graced with a special killing ability that's exploited by her uncle the King. In her work with the secret council that she founded to offset her Uncle's dirty work, she discovers an international plot. With the help of another Graced one (Prince Po) she sets off to save a kingdom and a princess. Lots of adventure and girls kicking butt. Not really my thing, but good. I can see why it's so popular.
But, HOLY HOT GRACELING ACTION BATMAN! I was not suspecting it to go there. I thought it would stay cleaner for the younger teen set, but nope. It went there. And those are the parts I loved, and why I enjoyed reading it.
There's a companion novel/prequel out, Fire I probably won't read it, because it won't have Katsa or Po and I was more interested in their relationship than the world they inhabited.
Books Provided by... my local library
Reasons I picked them up both were required reading for my small group discussions at Books for the Beast
Currently Listening to Every Sperm Is Sacred Monty Python
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Even better, IF YOU ARE A MAC PERSON, Scrivner is offering a free trial for NaNo-ers. AND, if you win, you can then buy it for 1/2 price! Which I'd be all over, except I'm a PC, and it only works with Mac. Poo. It looks really, really neat. Alas and Alack.
And now, two reviews from the vault, as I need to do my writing for tonight (they're both short, because I don't have anything to add to the discussion of them.)
Clary has started to be able to see things that aren't there. After her mother is taken by demons, Clary (and her best friend Simon) quickly finds themselves in a world of demon hunters, including hotttttt (and infuriating) Jace. If Clary's going to save her mother, she has to deal with all sorts of recent history and politics.
Soooooooo not for me. I figured everything out way too quickly and wanted to smack Clary for missing the painfully obvious. Every big reveal was something I had figured out chapters ago. A lot of people found this funny, but I'm not one of them. And Holly Black's cover blurb promised "Funny, Dark, and Sexy" but I didn't find it to be any of that. I could actually go on for pages, but that would move into the petty and mean and not overly helpful or useful. If I were funnier, I could go for comedic-like some of the great Twilight takedowns, but I'm not, so I won't. Oh well. Everyone I know loves this series to death and so I'm glad I read it, but I won't read the others.
Graceling Karen Cashore
Katsa is Graced with a special killing ability that's exploited by her uncle the King. In her work with the secret council that she founded to offset her Uncle's dirty work, she discovers an international plot. With the help of another Graced one (Prince Po) she sets off to save a kingdom and a princess. Lots of adventure and girls kicking butt. Not really my thing, but good. I can see why it's so popular.
But, HOLY HOT GRACELING ACTION BATMAN! I was not suspecting it to go there. I thought it would stay cleaner for the younger teen set, but nope. It went there. And those are the parts I loved, and why I enjoyed reading it.
There's a companion novel/prequel out, Fire I probably won't read it, because it won't have Katsa or Po and I was more interested in their relationship than the world they inhabited.
Books Provided by... my local library
Reasons I picked them up both were required reading for my small group discussions at Books for the Beast
Currently Listening to Every Sperm Is Sacred Monty Python
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Monday, November 02, 2009
Nonfiction Monday
Show and Tell: Exploring the Fine Art of Children's Book Illustration Dilys Evans
When I was in college, I was very involved with the college's literary magazine. I was on both the art and literature selection committees. I don't know how I ever got on the art committee or why I stayed on it. I love art, but I can't discuss it intelligently. I had a few stock phrases that I could use intelligently such as "I really like the use of negative space" and "the composition just draws the viewer in" but mostly I'd pull a Meryl Streep as Anna Wintour in The Devil Wears Prada and shake my head slightly with a pained expression on my face. When pressed, I'd explain that "it just doesn't do anything for me."
That's one of the main reasons I don't review picture books on this blog, and when I review things that rely heavily on illustration, like graphic novels, the bit where I talk about the art is always strained, if I even bring up the art at all.
This book reminds me why I don't talk about art much. Each chapter stands alone as its own little essay on the work, life, and career of a children's book illustrator. It's full of technical explanations on process, the only I really got into was Denise Fleming, who it turns out is INSANE. Ok, not really, but her medium is paper pulp. She makes each illustration in a piece of paper as she makes the paper. I've made a lot of paper in my day (I really love making paper) and that's just super hard core.
Evans points out all these things I never noticed-- what makes us turn the page, the little details that tell the story, and fully convinces us that each of these artists is a genius.
The prose is full of technical information and can be rather dense in place for those not used to reading about art, and it would be really nice if there were an introduction and conclusion to look at the group of essay/chapters as a whole and to look at common themes and items that make a truly great picture book.
When I was in college, I was very involved with the college's literary magazine. I was on both the art and literature selection committees. I don't know how I ever got on the art committee or why I stayed on it. I love art, but I can't discuss it intelligently. I had a few stock phrases that I could use intelligently such as "I really like the use of negative space" and "the composition just draws the viewer in" but mostly I'd pull a Meryl Streep as Anna Wintour in The Devil Wears Prada and shake my head slightly with a pained expression on my face. When pressed, I'd explain that "it just doesn't do anything for me."
That's one of the main reasons I don't review picture books on this blog, and when I review things that rely heavily on illustration, like graphic novels, the bit where I talk about the art is always strained, if I even bring up the art at all.
This book reminds me why I don't talk about art much. Each chapter stands alone as its own little essay on the work, life, and career of a children's book illustrator. It's full of technical explanations on process, the only I really got into was Denise Fleming, who it turns out is INSANE. Ok, not really, but her medium is paper pulp. She makes each illustration in a piece of paper as she makes the paper. I've made a lot of paper in my day (I really love making paper) and that's just super hard core.
Evans points out all these things I never noticed-- what makes us turn the page, the little details that tell the story, and fully convinces us that each of these artists is a genius.
The prose is full of technical information and can be rather dense in place for those not used to reading about art, and it would be really nice if there were an introduction and conclusion to look at the group of essay/chapters as a whole and to look at common themes and items that make a truly great picture book.
Overall though, a really interesting read for those interested in picture book illustration.
Nonfiction Monday round up is over at Books Together.
Book Provided by... my local library
Reason I picked it up... it was this month's book for the DC Kidlit Book club.
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Nonfiction Monday round up is over at Books Together.
Book Provided by... my local library
Reason I picked it up... it was this month's book for the DC Kidlit Book club.
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Sunday, November 01, 2009
The Insanity Has Begun
Can you write a 50,000 word novel in one month? Wanna try? Sure you do.
Well, it's November. That means, once again, it's time for National Novel Writing Month!
It's super fun, and you should do it! Some helpful hints to pad your word count:
Give your character a double first name, such as Mary Anne. That way, every time you write his/her name, it counts as 2 words instead of 1.
Do not use contractions. Don't = 1 word. Do Not = 2.
When in doubt, have ninjas and/or pirates attack the scene. Especially if they don't belong. All sorts of chaos to write!
Never delete. Want to go back and change something? Change the color of the rejected text, or italicize it. Something so that you know it shouldn't be there, but so it's still in your file, helping your word count move right along.
And, as if that weren't good enough, check out this awesome contest. It makes me wish I were writing YA this year:
Serendipity Literary Agency, in collaboration with Sourcebooks and Gotham Writers' Workshop, is hosting its first Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition for a chance to win a one-on-one consultation with one of New York's leading YA literary agents!
If you've written a novel for young adults—or have an idea for one that you would like to write—we invite you to enter our contest. Simply submit only an enticing title along with the first 250 words from the opening of your original YA novel using the form below. There's no entry fee or purchase requirement.
GREAT PRIZES
The Grand Prize Winner will have the opportunity to submit an entire manuscript to YA literary agent Regina Brooks and receive a free, 10-week writing course, courtesy of Gotham Writers' Workshop.
The Top Five Entrants (including the Grand Prize winner) will receive a 15-minute, one-on-one pitch session with Regina Brooks, one of New York’s premier literary agents for young adult books. They will also receive commentary on their submissions by editors at HarperCollins, Penguin, Harlequin, Random House, and Sourcebooks and receive a one-year subscription toThe Writer magazine.
Well, it's November. That means, once again, it's time for National Novel Writing Month!
It's super fun, and you should do it! Some helpful hints to pad your word count:
Give your character a double first name, such as Mary Anne. That way, every time you write his/her name, it counts as 2 words instead of 1.
Do not use contractions. Don't = 1 word. Do Not = 2.
When in doubt, have ninjas and/or pirates attack the scene. Especially if they don't belong. All sorts of chaos to write!
Never delete. Want to go back and change something? Change the color of the rejected text, or italicize it. Something so that you know it shouldn't be there, but so it's still in your file, helping your word count move right along.
And, as if that weren't good enough, check out this awesome contest. It makes me wish I were writing YA this year:
Serendipity Literary Agency, in collaboration with Sourcebooks and Gotham Writers' Workshop, is hosting its first Young Adult Novel Discovery Competition for a chance to win a one-on-one consultation with one of New York's leading YA literary agents!
If you've written a novel for young adults—or have an idea for one that you would like to write—we invite you to enter our contest. Simply submit only an enticing title along with the first 250 words from the opening of your original YA novel using the form below. There's no entry fee or purchase requirement.
GREAT PRIZES
The Grand Prize Winner will have the opportunity to submit an entire manuscript to YA literary agent Regina Brooks and receive a free, 10-week writing course, courtesy of Gotham Writers' Workshop.
The Top Five Entrants (including the Grand Prize winner) will receive a 15-minute, one-on-one pitch session with Regina Brooks, one of New York’s premier literary agents for young adult books. They will also receive commentary on their submissions by editors at HarperCollins, Penguin, Harlequin, Random House, and Sourcebooks and receive a one-year subscription toThe Writer magazine.
The Top 20 Entrants will receive autographed copies of Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks.
JUDGING
YA literary agent Regina Brooks, along with editors at Sourcebooks, will read all of the entries and determine the top 20 submissions. These submissions will then be read by Dan Ehrenhaft, head Acquisitions Editor at Soucebooks Fire; Alisha Niehaus, Editor at Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin); David Linker, Executive Editor at HarperCollins Children’s Books; Michele Burke, Editor at Knopf Books for Young Readers (Random House); and Evette Porter, Editor at Harlequin. These judges will whittle the top 20 down to five, and each of the five winners will be provided commentary on their submissions.
NOVEMBER IS NaNoWriMo
In honor of National Novel Writing Month—an international event where aspiring novelists are encouraged to write an entire novel in 30 days—entries for the YA Novel Discovery Contest will be accepted from 12:01am (ET) November 1 until 11:59pm (ET), November 30, 2009.
IT IS EASY TO ENTER!
The contest is open to writers 13 years of age or older. Entrants will be judged solely on the title and the first 250 words of their YA novel—no additional material will be accepted. For an inside look at what the judges will be looking for, participants can refer to Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks. There is no minimum word count for the submission. Only online entries will be accepted. And only one submission per person.
Press Release Provided by... Sourcebooks
JUDGING
YA literary agent Regina Brooks, along with editors at Sourcebooks, will read all of the entries and determine the top 20 submissions. These submissions will then be read by Dan Ehrenhaft, head Acquisitions Editor at Soucebooks Fire; Alisha Niehaus, Editor at Dial Books for Young Readers (Penguin); David Linker, Executive Editor at HarperCollins Children’s Books; Michele Burke, Editor at Knopf Books for Young Readers (Random House); and Evette Porter, Editor at Harlequin. These judges will whittle the top 20 down to five, and each of the five winners will be provided commentary on their submissions.
NOVEMBER IS NaNoWriMo
In honor of National Novel Writing Month—an international event where aspiring novelists are encouraged to write an entire novel in 30 days—entries for the YA Novel Discovery Contest will be accepted from 12:01am (ET) November 1 until 11:59pm (ET), November 30, 2009.
IT IS EASY TO ENTER!
The contest is open to writers 13 years of age or older. Entrants will be judged solely on the title and the first 250 words of their YA novel—no additional material will be accepted. For an inside look at what the judges will be looking for, participants can refer to Writing Great Books for Young Adults by Regina Brooks. There is no minimum word count for the submission. Only online entries will be accepted. And only one submission per person.
Press Release Provided by... Sourcebooks
Friday, October 30, 2009
POETRY FRIDAY IS HERE!!!
Welcome to Poetry Friday! Please leave a comment with your link and I'll update throughout the day!
For my own entry...
Street Love Walter Dean Myers
In this verse novel, we get to hear the voices of many characters. Damien has a house on Sugar Hill and a scholarship to Brown. Junice's mother has just been arrested and she's doing everything she can to keep her family together. Their love is against the odds and we hear their lives, those of their friends and family, people in their neighborhood, and even Junice's social worker.
While the terseness of the verse novel form doesn't work as well for bringing the reader along as Damien and Junice find each other, I do really like how Myers has a very distinctive voice for each character. Damien's actions in the end of the book drove me UP A WALL, but I loved how strong Junice was, doing everything she could to keep her family and life together. She refused to be victimized by her circumstances and did what she could to keep it together.
My favorite poem is in the voice of Junice's grandmother, Miss Ruby, whose mind is coming and going:
Yeah, it's hard baby
It's hard right down to the bone
I said Oh, it's hard baby
It's hard right down to the very bone
It's hard when you're a woman
And you find yourself all alone
I've been flapping and scrapping
And running from door to door
You know I've been flapping and scrapping, honey
Running from door to door
I ain't what I used to be, ain't really Miss Ruby anymore
Book Provided by... my local library
ARGH! I had most of the roundup done and then my computer shut down and ATE IT. Grrrrr...
Anyway, bear with me! I'm working on it!
Ok, it's almost lunch time, here's what we have so for! Keep your links coming and I'll update again in a few hours!
Round two of the round up has been added! I need to go pick up my Cybils holds from my local library (which isn't the library that employs me) but I'll be back before dinner for more poetry fun!
Round three has been added. If I get many more entries, I'll add 'em before bed!
Round 4 is up! Thanks everyone for a great poetry Friday!
Don't forget to leave your Poetry Friday link below!!!!
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
For my own entry...
In this verse novel, we get to hear the voices of many characters. Damien has a house on Sugar Hill and a scholarship to Brown. Junice's mother has just been arrested and she's doing everything she can to keep her family together. Their love is against the odds and we hear their lives, those of their friends and family, people in their neighborhood, and even Junice's social worker.
While the terseness of the verse novel form doesn't work as well for bringing the reader along as Damien and Junice find each other, I do really like how Myers has a very distinctive voice for each character. Damien's actions in the end of the book drove me UP A WALL, but I loved how strong Junice was, doing everything she could to keep her family and life together. She refused to be victimized by her circumstances and did what she could to keep it together.
My favorite poem is in the voice of Junice's grandmother, Miss Ruby, whose mind is coming and going:
Yeah, it's hard baby
It's hard right down to the bone
I said Oh, it's hard baby
It's hard right down to the very bone
It's hard when you're a woman
And you find yourself all alone
I've been flapping and scrapping
And running from door to door
You know I've been flapping and scrapping, honey
Running from door to door
I ain't what I used to be, ain't really Miss Ruby anymore
Book Provided by... my local library
Round 4 is up! Thanks everyone for a great poetry Friday!
Lots of Halloween Poetry and related posts today! (Which reminds me, I should get candy before tomorrow, shouldn't I?)
Sally at Paper Tigers has a review of Halloween Poems selected by Myra Cohn Livingston and illustrated by Stephen Gammell.
Elaine from Wild Rose Reader has a round up of Halloween Poetry books to share with kids.
Elaine at Bluestockings shares Shakespeare's "Song of the Witches" from Macbeth.
Gregory K. from GottaBook has an original Halloween zeno!
Laura from Writing the World for Kids has a some zombie haiku.
Sara at Read Write Believe shares a poem by Jacqueline Jules about Harry Houdini who died on Halloween.
April from Teaching Authors offers up Halloween lesson plans with original Halloween poetry AND illustrations.
Liz from Liz in Ink shares "All Hallows" by Louise Glück
Gisele from Reflective Ink shares an original Vampire Haiku.
Pam from MotherReader shares "Folloween" by Adam Rex.
Charles from Father Goose gives us an original, "A Ghostly Night."
MsMac from Check It Out shares some of her students' spooky zenos.
Michelle from The Cat and Fiddle shares a Halloween word poem and how to make our own!
Julie from She-Smoke offers up some Halloween food poetry, including her original "Trick or Treat"
Barbara at The Write Sisters shares "The Erl-King" by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Kelly Polark gives us an original Halloween parody.
Priya from Book Crumbs shares "Jack-o'-Lanterns" by Ann Pedtke
Janet from All About Books gives us "Hallowe'en" from The Little Hill by Harry Behn.
I'm not the only one doing book reviews today!
Mary Ann from Great Kid Books has a review of the new edition of Edward Lear's The Duck and the Kangaroo, illustrated by Jane Wattenberg.
The Stenhouse Blog looks at Metaphors and Analogies by Rick Wormeli and explores how do define poetry with a metaphor.
Lots of great original poetry is being shared:
Elaine at Political Voices shares "Paean to a Bovine Beauty"
Julie from the Drift Record gives us two original zenos.
Laura from Writing the World for Kids also gives us a round-up of this week's 15-words-or-less poems.
Diane from Random Noodling shares an Emily Dickinson poem and her own, "With Apologies to Emily."
Jen and Colin from Coolhead Luke share some of the poems and pictures from their books.
Karen from Karen Edmisten (or, The Blog with the Shockingly Clever Title) shares an original, "I Am From"
Over at Deo Writer MsMac shares her own zeno.
Lorie Ann from On Point shares her haiku "Harvest"
And a plethora of wonderful poems by others!
Janet from Across the Page shares "These Are the Days when Birds Come Back" by Emily Dickinson
Kurious Kitty from Kurious Kitty's Kurio Kabinet shares "The Excrement Poem" by Maxine Kumin.
Jama from Jama Rattigan's Alphabet Soup shares "Autumn Song" by Katherine Mansfield.
Ruth from There Is No Such Thing as a God-Forsaken Town gives us "The Door" by W. H. Auden.
Little Willow from Bildungsroman shares "The Rose of Battle" by W. B. Yeats.
Sherry from Semicolon shares "The Children's Hour" by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
Tricia from The Miss Rumphius Effect gives us "Spelt from Sybil's Leaves" by Gerard Manley Hopkins.
Mary Lee from A Year of Reading shares "Fall" by Edward Hirsch.
Lorie Ann at Readertotz gives us the full text of "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" (Did you know there are 5 stanzas?!)
Lisa from Lisa in Little Rock gives the traditional English ballad "Scarborough Fair"
Sylvia from Poetry for Children explains the new zeno form and gives some examples by the creator, J. Patrick Lewis.
Don't forget to leave your Poetry Friday link below!!!!
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
HOW TO HAVE AN AWESOME NIGHT
Forgive the complete lack of book content.
But, here, in several easy steps, is how to have the greatest night EVER!
1. Have a super-busy, under-staffed, generally not-so-awesome day at work.
2. Stop by the fancy-schmancy grocery store on the way home and treat yourself to a nice piece of cheese.
3. Unpack the groceries, leaving those intended for dinner (Which is said nice cheese, some bread, and a pomegranate the size of your face)
4. Make a few phone calls.
5. Go to eat dinner and realize the cheese is missing.
6. Tear the house apart looking for it. Enlist the help of your husband. Don't succeed.
7. Conclude the only logical place for said cheese is in the dogs stomach.
8. Be annoyed the dog ate your dinner.
9. Be TERRIFIED over the fact that in addition to the cheese, the dog ate all the saran wrap and labeling!
10. Shove a bottle of hydrogen peroxide down dog's throat to induce vomiting.
I will skip the next several steps but include these highlights:
15. Find the saran wrap and cheese labeling in a pile of dog vomit and hold it up triumphantly.
16. Have the dog leap up, grab it out of your hand and RE EAT the @$#^%*^%%#^#@$!@$#%^^ Saran wrap.
...................
20. Buy more hydrogen peroxide.
..................
32. Give up and monitor her closely for the next 24 hours.
Yeah. It's been a good day.
But, here, in several easy steps, is how to have the greatest night EVER!
1. Have a super-busy, under-staffed, generally not-so-awesome day at work.
2. Stop by the fancy-schmancy grocery store on the way home and treat yourself to a nice piece of cheese.
3. Unpack the groceries, leaving those intended for dinner (Which is said nice cheese, some bread, and a pomegranate the size of your face)
4. Make a few phone calls.
5. Go to eat dinner and realize the cheese is missing.
6. Tear the house apart looking for it. Enlist the help of your husband. Don't succeed.
7. Conclude the only logical place for said cheese is in the dogs stomach.
8. Be annoyed the dog ate your dinner.
9. Be TERRIFIED over the fact that in addition to the cheese, the dog ate all the saran wrap and labeling!
10. Shove a bottle of hydrogen peroxide down dog's throat to induce vomiting.
I will skip the next several steps but include these highlights:
15. Find the saran wrap and cheese labeling in a pile of dog vomit and hold it up triumphantly.
16. Have the dog leap up, grab it out of your hand and RE EAT the @$#^%*^%%#^#@$!@$#%^^ Saran wrap.
...................
20. Buy more hydrogen peroxide.
..................
32. Give up and monitor her closely for the next 24 hours.
Yeah. It's been a good day.
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Two of my OWN challenges
So, for my China Challenge, if you're doing the Silk Road Trek level, you have to do 3 out of 10 China-related tasks. I've done 2!
One involves making a Chinese recipe that you've never made before. Done and Done. I highly recommend the Green Tea Steamed Shrimp Dumplings from Ying Chang Compestine's new book, A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts: A Collection of Deliciously Frightening Tales.
Another one is to listen to some lessons on Chinese Pod and learn some Mandarin. I actually spent my birthday money this year to buy a subscription to this site because I haven't kept my Mandarin up at all and that makes me sad. When I signed up, they had a sale, so I was upgraded to the guided level, which means I have a teacher who tells me which lessons to study and the calls me once a week from Shanghai! This level is so great because that means I HAVE to study.
It's funny though, because one thing I've realized is that I remember weird idiomatic things, but not how to say the days of the week. It's interesting what sticks and what doesn't...
And look! I actually read a book for my Guardian Challenge!
The Golden Compass Philip Pullman
Can you believe I hadn't read this yet?! There's a reason I put it on my gaps list.
For those you don't know (which I certainly didn't. All I knew was that there was a talking polar bear, a girl named Lyra, an evil monkey, and everyone had these animal spirit things)
Lyra has been raised by the scholars of Jordan College, part of Oxford University. She pretty much has her run of the place and the town. Her uncle comes to visit and Lyra saves him from being poisoned. Kids start disappearing up and down the countryside and Lyra goes to live with the beautiful Mrs. Coulter. Lyra then discovers Mrs. Coulter is behind the disappearing kids AND she's the one holding Lyra's uncle prisoner. So, with a band of gyptians, she goes to Lapland to save the day.
Pretty good adventure story. Plus, there's lot of stuff about Dust and the role of the daemon (the animal spirit thing that everyone has.) I know Pullman wrote this as an atheist Narnia and I don't mind that one bit. But... when he starts trying to criticize the Church (because it's obviously based on the Catholic Church) that's where the story got weak and I got annoyed. Just like I get annoyed when authors impart LARGE MORAL LESSONS into their works, it annoyed me. Luckily, there wasn't *too* much of it. And usually, the Church bits read a bit like a Dan Brown conspiracy, which I happen to really enjoy. But, at the same time, if you really wanted to criticize the Church, reading a bit like a Dan Brown conspiracy while great for my reading tastes doesn't say much about your criticism.
I'm torn on whether or not to read the next two books. Someone I really respect told me not to and where I really liked this, I wasn't compelled to run over and get the next ones right away, probably because the bit at the back of the book where it tells you to read the next two says that it takes place in a different universe. That makes total sense in relation to the book, but lessens my desire to read further, for some reason I can't fully put my finger on. THAT'S JUST ME. I AM WEIRD.
But, I am really, really glad I read this. And while the Guardian list has "His Dark Materials" on its list, I'm thinking that I don't have to read this whole series, just this.
Book Provided by... my library
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
One involves making a Chinese recipe that you've never made before. Done and Done. I highly recommend the Green Tea Steamed Shrimp Dumplings from Ying Chang Compestine's new book, A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts: A Collection of Deliciously Frightening Tales.
Another one is to listen to some lessons on Chinese Pod and learn some Mandarin. I actually spent my birthday money this year to buy a subscription to this site because I haven't kept my Mandarin up at all and that makes me sad. When I signed up, they had a sale, so I was upgraded to the guided level, which means I have a teacher who tells me which lessons to study and the calls me once a week from Shanghai! This level is so great because that means I HAVE to study.
It's funny though, because one thing I've realized is that I remember weird idiomatic things, but not how to say the days of the week. It's interesting what sticks and what doesn't...
And look! I actually read a book for my Guardian Challenge!
Can you believe I hadn't read this yet?! There's a reason I put it on my gaps list.
For those you don't know (which I certainly didn't. All I knew was that there was a talking polar bear, a girl named Lyra, an evil monkey, and everyone had these animal spirit things)
Lyra has been raised by the scholars of Jordan College, part of Oxford University. She pretty much has her run of the place and the town. Her uncle comes to visit and Lyra saves him from being poisoned. Kids start disappearing up and down the countryside and Lyra goes to live with the beautiful Mrs. Coulter. Lyra then discovers Mrs. Coulter is behind the disappearing kids AND she's the one holding Lyra's uncle prisoner. So, with a band of gyptians, she goes to Lapland to save the day.
Pretty good adventure story. Plus, there's lot of stuff about Dust and the role of the daemon (the animal spirit thing that everyone has.) I know Pullman wrote this as an atheist Narnia and I don't mind that one bit. But... when he starts trying to criticize the Church (because it's obviously based on the Catholic Church) that's where the story got weak and I got annoyed. Just like I get annoyed when authors impart LARGE MORAL LESSONS into their works, it annoyed me. Luckily, there wasn't *too* much of it. And usually, the Church bits read a bit like a Dan Brown conspiracy, which I happen to really enjoy. But, at the same time, if you really wanted to criticize the Church, reading a bit like a Dan Brown conspiracy while great for my reading tastes doesn't say much about your criticism.
I'm torn on whether or not to read the next two books. Someone I really respect told me not to and where I really liked this, I wasn't compelled to run over and get the next ones right away, probably because the bit at the back of the book where it tells you to read the next two says that it takes place in a different universe. That makes total sense in relation to the book, but lessens my desire to read further, for some reason I can't fully put my finger on. THAT'S JUST ME. I AM WEIRD.
But, I am really, really glad I read this. And while the Guardian list has "His Dark Materials" on its list, I'm thinking that I don't have to read this whole series, just this.
Book Provided by... my library
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Monday, October 26, 2009
Non-Fiction Monday!
This is under 100 pages, but I'm reviewing it because it's a Cybils nominee, and so I have to think critically about it. Also, so I have a record of my thoughts when we get to making the short list in a few months.
I and I is a verse biography of Bob Marley. Several of the poems fall into the reggae rhythm. Even better, at the end, there is a lot of information explaining each poem and giving further information about Marley's life. Each poem is also beautifully illustrated in full-color paintings.
After reading this, many Marley lyrics suddenly make more sense or have more meaning (including all of "Three Little Birds" and the bit in "No Woman No Cry" about being in a government yard in Trenchtown.) But, these connections aren't made for the reader and I'm not sure how many kids of the intended audience are overly familiar with Marley's work. I could have used more of Marley's own music and words to really paint his life.
Also, I'm not sure how I feel about verse biographies in general as an example of awesome nonfiction. Sometimes, I think they would be more accurately shelved in 811 (which is where poetry lives, for those of you who don't automatically think in Dewey) instead of Biography. On the other hand, telling the life of a poet or songwriter in poetry is an intriguing concept and I've seen some that are done really, really well.
Overall, when it comes to I and I, the back matter is very good, but I just wanted more from the overall package, especially in the main body of the work.
Book Provided by... my local library
Nonfiction Monday roundup is over at Wrapped in Foil!
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Sunday, October 25, 2009
Hour 23
Hours Spent Reading: 9.5
# of books read: 5 complete, 1 partial
# of pages read: 1009
# of mini-challenges completed: 8
Mood: So so so so so so so so so sleeeeeeeeeepy
Listening to: "Warwick Avenue" by Duffy
Ok all, I'm out. I can't keep my eyes open for the last two hours, these past weeks and the first part of this weekend can only be described as "crazy pants" and I just need to sleep now.
So, I'm off to bed, but it was super fun!
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
# of books read: 5 complete, 1 partial
# of pages read: 1009
# of mini-challenges completed: 8
Mood: So so so so so so so so so sleeeeeeeeeepy
Listening to: "Warwick Avenue" by Duffy
Ok all, I'm out. I can't keep my eyes open for the last two hours, these past weeks and the first part of this weekend can only be described as "crazy pants" and I just need to sleep now.
So, I'm off to bed, but it was super fun!
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Read a Thon Book Review
When Joan's mother suddenly and unexpectedly passes away, she's taken from her Northern England home to her aunt and uncle's house in London. Her aunt is a famous ballet dancer, her uncle conducts the orchestra of the same ballet company, their oldest child has just joined the corps of the company and the younger three are all students at the company school.
Joan cannot understand their ballet-obsessed world, and the family, especially Anne, who's closest to Joan in age, cannot understand someone from so backwards a place as Rochdale and lacks the culture and sophistication to truly understand ballet.
Overall, it's a story of both sides kinda meeting in the middle to find peace, but honestly, the Garland family were absolutely horrible to Joan when she arrived. They're so self-obsessed and wrapped up in their own world that no one gave her time to properly mourn her mother and their whole attitude about her lack of knowledge and interest in ballet was "well, you'll learn." It was a bit appalling actually.
I do like though that there are two protagonists that we follow, Joan and Anne. I also liked the subplot of Delphine, the youngest child who is horribly spoiled and, frankly, a bit like Queenie Rothington for those who've read the Drina books. She's painted as a horrible attention hog with an overly inflated sense of self, but at the same time, she's always been told she's the best and she's part of this near-mythical ballet dynasty and she's the very youngest, and I think a lot of her actions are actually driven by fear that she's not good enough, not worthy of her last name.
I'm off to read the sequel.
Book Provided by... my wallet. I own it.
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Hour 22
Hours Spent Reading: 8.5
# of books read: 5
# of pages read: 945
# of mini-challenges completed: 8
Mood: Second-windy
Listening to: "Unison" by Bjork
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
# of books read: 5
# of pages read: 945
# of mini-challenges completed: 8
Mood: Second-windy
Listening to: "Unison" by Bjork
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Hour 21
Hours Spent Reading: 8.5
# of books read: 4 complete, 1 partial
# of pages read: 848
# of mini-challenges completed: 8
Mood: Peaceful
Listening to: "I seraillets have" by Willhelm Stenhamer, performed by the Grinnell College Singers
# of books read: 4 complete, 1 partial
# of pages read: 848
# of mini-challenges completed: 8
Mood: Peaceful
Listening to: "I seraillets have" by Willhelm Stenhamer, performed by the Grinnell College Singers
Read A Thon Mini Challenge
Stella is challenging us to post pictures about the books we're reading! Usually I don't put in links and pictures while doing any sort of read-a-thon thing and instead go back and add them in later, but, if you want pictures, by Jove, I'll give you something to look at.
I'm reading Ballet Family by Jean Estoril, which is about ballet in London and was originally published in 1963. The above picture (which I blatantly stole from the Independent Newspaper) is from a 1960 production of "La fille mal gardee" at Covent Garden.
Rochdale is part of Greater Manchester (oh, city of my heart!) Often, when reading about the North, it talks about groddy canals. I'm pretty sure the canals used to be gross, but they've done wonderful restoration work on them and now they're positively lovely. Here's the Rochdale Canal:
Here are some more random canal pictures that I took in Manchester this spring. They're not of the Rochdale canal, but various ones around town as we wandered...
And... some more ballet:
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
I'm reading Ballet Family by Jean Estoril, which is about ballet in London and was originally published in 1963. The above picture (which I blatantly stole from the Independent Newspaper) is from a 1960 production of "La fille mal gardee" at Covent Garden.
And, because the main character comes from Rochdale, which her London cousins look down on (because everything in the North and bleak and horrible if you're from London. Grrrrr) Here's a picture of Rochdale!
Rochdale is part of Greater Manchester (oh, city of my heart!) Often, when reading about the North, it talks about groddy canals. I'm pretty sure the canals used to be gross, but they've done wonderful restoration work on them and now they're positively lovely. Here's the Rochdale Canal:
Here are some more random canal pictures that I took in Manchester this spring. They're not of the Rochdale canal, but various ones around town as we wandered...
And... some more ballet:
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Hour 20
Hours Spent Reading: 7.5
# of books read: 4 complete, 1 partial
# of pages read: 802
# of mini-challenges completed: 7
Mood: Peaceful
Listening to: "What Is Love" by the Shangri-Las
Currently reading The Ballet Family by Jean Estoril which has the maddening hilarity of London snobbishness for the North, especially the Manchester area. So typical, even to this day, but I'd like to once again state for the record that Manchester is one of my favorite places on Earth.
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
# of books read: 4 complete, 1 partial
# of pages read: 802
# of mini-challenges completed: 7
Mood: Peaceful
Listening to: "What Is Love" by the Shangri-Las
Currently reading The Ballet Family by Jean Estoril which has the maddening hilarity of London snobbishness for the North, especially the Manchester area. So typical, even to this day, but I'd like to once again state for the record that Manchester is one of my favorite places on Earth.
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Read a Thon Book Review
Vogelein is a clockwork faerie, designed to be a small dancing automaton that the faeries gave a bit of soul to, to make her real. She still needs to be wound on a regular basis, or she dies and forgets everything. Not only her memories of life events, but things like how to speak, or fly.
Her guardian, Jacob, has passed away and she must find a human she can trust to care for her, without making her a prisoner or a plaything. Along the way, she meets some real faeries.
Lovely. I especially liked Midhir, and how much our modern world has corrupted him. The line, "even the iron doesn't hurt me the way it once did" broke my heart.
This is a graphic novel. The visuals are black-and-white and hand drawn and beautiful.
Also, most excellent back matter.
Book Provided by...ummm... i can't remember. I think I got this from the author at ALA a few years ago, but it's been on my shelf FOREVER and I'm not 100% where it came from.
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
Hour 19
Hours Spent Reading: 6.5
# of books read: 3 complete, 1 partial
# of pages read: 694
# of mini-challenges completed: 6
Mood: Peaceful
Listening to: "Buddy Holly" by Weezer
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
# of books read: 3 complete, 1 partial
# of pages read: 694
# of mini-challenges completed: 6
Mood: Peaceful
Listening to: "Buddy Holly" by Weezer
Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.
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