The Gypsy Morph

Well, I really read up a storm this weekend! I finished "The Elves of Cintra" last night and immediately moved onto "The Gypsy Morph." Angel Perez, another Knight of the Word, has helped the Elves retrieve the talisman they needed to move the Ellcrys. Yet she was badly injured in her battle and is unable to help them convince their nation that what they want to do is right. So as two elves, a brother and sister, try to convince the Elven High Council to use their talisman, Logan Tom is on his way to help. Meanwhile, the Gypsy Morph is headed to save as many as possible from the coming end of the world. "The Gypsy Morph" continues the tale of how Shannara came to be from the ruins of our world. It is Terry Brooks at his best.

The Elves of Cintra

I finished "Armageddon's Children" and have moved onto book 2 of the Genesis of Shannara: "The Elves of Cintra." "Elves" picks up right where "Children" left off: Logan Tom, Knight of the Word, has found the Gypsy Morph he was seeking in the post-apocalyptic nightmare that is the world. But right after finding the Morph, Logan lost it. But there's no time to find it - the demon army is here, ready to wage war with the nearby fortress compound; he has to trust that the Morph will be safe and he will be able to find it. I haven't gotten too far in "Elves" yet, but already a well-known personality from Shannara has made his appearance. "Children" felt closer to Terry Brooks' Word and Void series, but "Elves" has already started moving closer to Shannara. The blending of the two series is excellently done. I can't wait to see what happens to Logan and everyone else, to see how humanity will survive the demons and the once-men.

Still loving this series

Last week I mentioned that I was reading "Undead and unemployed". Well...in the past week I've been reading ravenously!!! I'm up to number 5 in this series and *really* enjoying them. I highly recommend them, they are fun and quick to read. I'm also enjoying that they take place in places I can relate to, such as Caribou Coffee. I keep waiting for them to go to Menards, but I can't see how they would work that into the story. But...you never know. In the latest book, not only is she does she have a fiend living in her basement, he's just told her there's a zombie in the attic. You never know what's going to happen next. Happy reading and have a great Labour Day weekend. Enjoy!

Armageddon's Children

At long last! After two years of waiting, I am finally starting "Armageddon's Children," the first novel in Terry Brooks' Genesis of Shannara trilogy. I bought the book about two years ago, when it first came out, but decided to wait until the entire trilogy was published before reading it. In the past I've read a book from a trilogy, and when the next book comes out a year later I've largely forgotten what has happened in the story! (One time I was sure I remembered, so I started reading book 3, and I didn't have a clue who the first character was whom I came across!) I started "Armageddon's Children" earlier today and I can't wait to read more!!!!

Who knew Vampires could be funny?

This week I'm reading Undead and unemployed by Mary Janice Davidson. I didn't realize it was the second book in a series. If you want to read them in order the first one is Undead and unwed. This series is described as "chick lit meets vampire fiction". I was worried it would be scary, but it isn't. The main character, Betsy Taylor is the new Queen of the Vampires. The sad news is that even though she's dead (make that undead) she still has bills to pay. She finds her dream job selling shoes at Macy's in the Mall of America. Of course there's also a King of the Vampires, and she's not interested in him. Or is she? Somehow this funny story reminds me of a Stephanie Plum novel, with the King reminding me of Ranger. So...if you're interested in vampires or shoes or laughing or books that take place in Minnesota, this is the perfect book for you. Enjoy.

Worldwired

I finished "Scardown" yesterday, and immediately started "Worldwired," the last book in Elizabeth Bear's Jenny Casey trilogy. I am extremely excited to see how the whole trilogy will end! There are so many things going on right now, what with disaster striking the Earth, I can't wait to see whether Jenny Casey is able to save the day. My only complaint so far is that the book doesn't seem to be following Jenny Casey as much as the other two did. I'm hoping that will change as I get a bit further into it.

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society

I think I have just found my favourite read for this summer. I have traveled to a far time and place and come back enriched from the experience. This collection of letters describes the experiences of the inhabitants of Guernsey Island during their occupation by the Germans from 1941-1944. Elizabeth, an intrepid, caring and fascinating character is only portrayed by those who love her, and yet she is central to the book. This book is one that you will re-read and love again and again. Mary Ann Shaffer has created a magical and poignant time and place.

Scardown

Well, instead of reading one of the many other books I have out, I decided that I needed to read the rest of the Elizabeth Bear trilogy with Jenny Casey. "Scardown" is the second book. The story picks up where "Hammered" left off. But where "Hammered" was about a few people, "Scardown" is revealing that there is a much larger, global problem that needs to be dealt with. I am about half way through it and loving every bit of it!

A fun book

This weekend I finished Secrets of a shoe addict by Beth Harbison. It was a 7 day book, but quick and fun to read.What happens in Vegas doesn't always stay in Vegas, when 3 PTA members pay a visit. The women bond over the situations that arise, like excessive shopping, gambling and unknowingly hiring a male prostitute. And how they get themselves out of trouble is even more interesting. It's a fun summer read. Enjoy.

Don't Stop the Carnival

Two years ago a really good friend of mine moved to the Cayman Islands to work and live. Naturally being curious (and insanely jealous), months ago I asked him what life is like on the island. He tried to explain, as best he could, the differences between the Cayman Island way of life and the pace of life he left behind. Finally he said "if you really want to know what it's like here, read this book". The book he mentioned was Herman Wouk's "Don't Stop the Carnival". While this fictional novel was published in 1965, it still details the carefree goings on within the Cayman Islands of today. Of course I said I would read it right away (which I never), but I finally got around to it and read a truly humorous story surrounding a New York publicist who gives up New York and becomes a hotel owner in the Caymans. After purchasing the hotel, the publicist soon learns that running a resort on foreign soil is not all it's cracked up to be. With truly colourful characters and hilarious situations, the hotel soon becomes a money pit. Will the publicist gain control and make a go of becoming a successful hotel owner in the Caymans? Well, it's up to you to find out.

Hammered

"Hammered" by Elizabeth Bear was recommended to me last week along with three other books. Having finally finished "The Weekend Man," I was looking for something a bit more fun to read; "Hammered" sold me with the cover quote: "Very exciting . . . very impressive debut" - Mike Resnick (I'm not going to lie - I didn't even bother reading the back of the book before starting it!). And even though I just started it today and am only about 50 pages in, I have to agree! There's already so much going on that I need to know what happened in the past and what is happening now. "Hammered" also has a rather unique aspect: anything written from Jenny ("Watcher") Casey's view is in the first person, while the other couple of character's have been written in third person. This is the perfect book for following up "The Weekend Man" - it's faster paced, has lots of dialogue, and insists on being glued to your hand!

The Weekend Man

I started reading "The Weekend Man" by Richard B. Wright right before the long weekend; I was planning on having a nice leisurely read at camp. Sadly, I barely read anything, and so "The Weekend Man" has come home with me. Part of the problem is that the book is not a super easy read. I think the problem is that it has lots of description with very little dialogue. The book appealed to me because it is about a man, Wes Wakeham, who has no idea what he wants out of life. I'm also not entirely sure what I want out of life, so I thought this would be an interesting read. Instead I ended up with a dry, sort of dull book. I'm planning on finishing it though, just to see how it all ends.

My Meaty Read

I just finished The Pillars of the Earth by Ken Follett, it was the book I chose to read on my holiday at camp. I loved the intertwined characters and the medieval setting. It is such a grandiose undertaking to build a cathedral and this book captures the span of time required to finish erecting such an edifice. It reminded me of Sarum, because of the setting and topic. I would recommend it to those who love writings of medieval England.

To Die For

This morning I finished "The Garden of Shadows," so I started reading Linda Howard's "To Die For." I've seen this paperback going through the Circulation Desk many times, so I decided to try it. The first line didn't really catch my interest, but by the end of chapter one I was hooked! "To Die For" tells the story of Blair Mallory, and how she was the witness to a murder. There is already so much intrigue going on, and so many questions that need answering! Plus there is the beginnings of a romance (which is very typical of her books). I am hoping it will remain interesting, and that it won't be too over the top in the romance department.

The Garden of Shadows

I started reading "The Garden of Shadows" by V. C. Andrews yesterday. And I haven't wanted to put it down! This is the first book that I have ever read by Andrews and I am very impressed with her writing style! The book is the prequel to "Flowers in the Attic," Andrews' first book. It tells the story of Olivia, a young girl who is too tall by society's standards and deemed ugly. She meets, falls in love with and quickly marries Malcolm Foxworth, heading to live with him at Foxworth Manor. Once there, she slowly discovers just the sort of man that she married, and learns to become the Mistress of Foxworth Manor that she needs to be. A great read that I strongly recommend! I can't wait to see how it ends!!!!

A Few More Graphic Novels

Over the last few days I have read two graphic novels. The first one was the Halo Graphic Novel (which, surprisingly, the library does not have). I am a big Halo fan, so I was excited to read the graphic novel. There were four stories and a lot of art. The stories themselves weren't very impressive; the first story I had trouble following what was going on. But the artwork was amazing! Two of the four stories had incredible art. I didn't really like the artwork in the other two. But then at the back of the book, there was a gallery of artwork, which had all sorts of neat images. So for the art alone, this book is a treat.

The second graphic novel that I read was Aeon Flux (and this one is from the library). I liked the movie, but the cover made it sound like it was a graphic novel adaptation of the movie, so I wasn't sure if I would want to read it. Thankfully, it turned out to be a prequel story. I found it entertaining, although I doubt I would have understood what was going on if I hadn't seen the movie. But I wasn't very impressed with the artwork - I didn't like the way the people looked.

Three Day Road

Three Day Road by Joseph Boyden is definitely a novel in my top three for the year (Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy being the first and Duma Key by Stephen King being the second). This portrait of two Oji-Cree young men leaving Northern Ontario to enter World War One is inspired in part by the true story of war hero Francis Pegahmagabow.

The story begins with only one soldier returning from the war, falling into the arms of his aunt, who can instantly tell how tramatized he is by the war. As the tale continues, readers are offered both the life story of Xavier Bird's aunt Niska, as well as the harrowing saga of what occurred in the battlefields of France and Belguim to create such a devastated and broken man.

With amazing detail and a beautifully flowing story that flashes between the present and glimpses of the past, this award winning novel is a must read for everyone.

Lamb

Yes, I know, I was going to read this back in June. But I didn't have time then, and so I am reading it now. "Lamb: the Gospel According to Biff, Christ's childhood Pal" by Christopher Moore has been a bit hard to get into. Don't get me wrong - it is totally worth reading, but it is not the non-stop laugh fest I was expecting when it was recommended to me. Part of the problem is that there are two stories going on right now: the story of Christ's growing up, and the story of Biff stuck in a modern day hotel room with an angel writing said story. And the latter story I don't really care about. I'm hoping that something will happen to tie them together (or at least to make me care about the second story).

The Hen House

Last week I read The Hen House by Sharon Sala. It's the third book in a trilogy. I haven't read the first two. In this one Letty is living the life she dreamed of. No longer a prostitute she's married to Eulis. They're doing well with the gold rush and are building a big home overlooking Denver. Life is harsh and Letty is opening her home to abused women and an orphan. Eulis dubs their home The Hen House. When she thinks she has everything she's ever wanted, life takes a sad turn when an angry husband changes her life. I enjoyed reading it. I guess The Hen House is classified as Chick Lit. Then again...maybe it's Hen Lit. Happy reading.

Vacation reading

Hi. This week I read Plague Ship. It's the latest Clive Cussler novel. When I realized neither Dirk Pitt or Kurt Austin was in it, I wasn't going to read it. But I started reading and in spite of the fact that I knew no one in it, I enjoyed it. It's your basic Clive Cussler adventure with all the usual excitement. Pretty far fetched, but fun to read. It's a 7 day book, but being on vacation I managed to read all 515 pages in just 5 days. Oh, and it's even more exciting if you take Clive to Starbucks with you. Happy reading.