I told myself at the beginning of this year that I really ought to use my goodreads page for more than just keeping a list of the books I’ve read and books I want to read (though I am a big fan of lists!). So I’ve been trying to add at least a short review for everything I’ve read. Numerical rankings don’t do much for me (and cause me more stress than they are worth in trying to decide how to apply them) so I haven’t bothered with those. I did, however, just recently create a bookshelf for my all-time favorites.
I was looking back at the books I’ve read over the past five years (I had a paper reading journal before goodreads) and feeling very grateful for all the great books I’ve discovered in the last two years or so. I’m not sure why it never occured to me to do more actual research to find good books. Up until about 2008 I mostly just grabbed random things off the library or bookstore shelves, or things I was recommended by friends or family. This led me to several books I loved (my husband introduced me to Harry Potter and Sabriel, a coworker gave me The Time-Traveler’s Wife) but not enough, and there were plenty of bad books too. All of which leaves me enormously grateful that there are so many good books out there now, and so many people talking about them and spreading the word so that I can find out about them.
Accordingly, here are some of my own thoughts on the books I’ve read recently (not including books by other Debut 2009 authors, since I’ll be talking about those in separate posts later, if I haven’t already). I’m pretty much just cutting-and-pasting what I said over on goodreads here…
The Wolves of Willoughby Chase by Joan Aiken
I think I would have loved this more had I read it as a kid, but I still enjoyed the story and can see why it is a childhood favorite for so many. It did not change my world, but it entertained me. I also appreciated the fact that Bonnie was so plucky and strong and positive, and always ready to take steps to improve her own situation while graciously accepting help when it was offered. Overall a pleasant, quick read.
Incarceron by Catherine Fisher
I really enjoyed this book on many different levels, but I think the aspect that impressed me most was the worldbuilding and the concept behind the story: of a world with vast technological advances that has determinedly stuck itself in a pre-industrial Era of frilly collars and scullery maids and manor houses, while locking their criminals away to an all-encompassing sentient prison intended to reform them and create paradise. Much of my delight in this book came from admiring the inherent shininess in this construction, and the clean and lyric prose that describes the worlds.
The characters were likewise interesting to me, though I felt less invested in those inside the prison. I found the emotional undercurrents and complicated relationships of the Warden and his daughter Claudia, and her tutor Jared to be the most compelling. I was far more nervous for Claudia, sneaking into her father’s study, than I was for Finn the prisoner in any of his perilous predicaments. And a certain scene between the Warden and Master Jared had me on the edge of my seat awaiting the outcome.
This book ended in a manner that left me feeling more that I had set down a much larger book, partway through, than a stand-alone novel. Fortunately there is a sequel, and I will definitely be reading it!
Stardust by Neil Gaiman
My favorite Gaiman book so far. The lovely feeling of a fairy tale, but with a nice twistiness and earthiness about it.
Princess of the Midnight Ball by Jessica Day George
I am a longtime fan of fairy tale retellings and quite enjoyed this one, based on the story of the twelve dancing princesses. It was light and readable and entertaining, with likable characters and enough questions and plotsiness to keep me engaged and reading.
I suspect that the cover and title may dissuade some readers who may expect this to be a (for lack of a better word) “girly” book. Personally, I suspect this story would appeal to a wide range of kid readers. Much of the story (the most interesting part, in my opinion) is actually told from the point of view of young under-gardener and former soldier Galen. Galen was the highlight of the book for me: upstanding, clever, brave, kind, and still interesting. Also, he knits! How great is that?
Wake by Lisa McMann
I found the spare prose and intriguing premise to make this a quick and entertaining read.
This wasn’t really “my kind of book”, however, so my reactions aren’t as strong as for other books listed here.
The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett
My favorite things about this book were Pratchett’s particular brand of humor (if it works for you, it is one of the funniest things EVER) and Tiffany herself, with her love of words and her frying pan and her Second Thoughts.
This was just a FUN book to read, full of little clever turns and bits that made me re-read them because they were funny or wise (or more often both). I found the first half of the book to be more compelling than the ending, but I will definitely be reading the sequels.
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
My absolute favorite thing about this book was the voice of the djinn Bartimaeus, no doubt helped by the fact that I listened to the audiobook and the reader did a wonderful job portraying him. It wasn’t a particularly fast-paced book, in my opinion, but I didn’t mind that as long as I got to listen to Bartimaeus with his snarky commentary and sly humor.
The sections of the book involving the boy magician Nathaniel were not quite as interesting to me, although I was intrigued by the setting and the mechanics of the “magic”.
I remain sufficiently interested to want to read the next book in the series, though perhaps not right away.
Tags: reading
