While She Knits

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

I am in a Reading Slump.  I just requested Chime by Franny Billingsley from the library, but until I can get my hands on it, what have you been reading that you would recommend?

Comments

[ricardienne.livejournal.com]

I have Chime on hold at my library, too! And I can pick it up next week, but I can't pick it up until I finish my last paper, and I don't want to write my paper!

I do have a book to semi-recommend, however: Daughter of the Nile, by Stephanie Dray.

What it's about: Cleopatra Selene, the daughter of the famous Cleopatra, living as a hostage-cum-ward of Augustus, and trying to square her love of country and personal devotion to Isis with the harsh reality of Roman domination.

Why You Might Like It: I think the classical setting, palace intrigue, and main character with a special relationship to her divinity would appeal to fans of Queen's Thief. But since we also appreciate the hard decisions that monarchs have to make, the fact that Selene has to compromise, is not free to do what she really wants, and is basically constrained by a lot of social and political and power-relations, might also be interesting.

Why You Might Not Like It: it isn't a hugely strong book, and Selene is not a hugely compelling character. Good guys and bad guys are drawn a little black-and-white (although the nasty horrid Romans are in no way bad *Romans*.) Definitely a light, get-from-the-library-to-while-away-a-Summer-afternoon book.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Huh, I just started Mara: Daughter of the Nile by Eloise Jarvis McGraw. They sound really similar.

correction

[ricardienne.livejournal.com]

All of that elaborate bolding, and I mis-typed the name of the book. It's Lily of the Nile (by Stephanie Dray)

[philia-fan.livejournal.com]

Well, let's see, I'd recommend Chime...

Currently reading The Last Little Blue Envelope by Maureen Johnson, great fun, but read the first one first if you haven't already (13 Little Blue Envelopes). I also liked The Explosionist by Jenny Davidson.

[freenarnian.livejournal.com]

I'm currently reading Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell and loving it, despite thinking for a moment that the library had accidentally given me a dictionary. Now I wish it was longer... I don't want it to end!

Before that I greatly enjoyed The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society by Mary Ann Shaffer & Annie Barrows. I avoided it for a long time, fearing it was that variety of sentimental historical fiction that I usually dislike. But I've got a soft spot for WWII stories and decided to give it a try. It was kind of wonderful.

In an entirely different category, I LOVED the Kiki Strike books by Kirsten Miller. So much fun.

And I highly, highly, HIGHLY recommend A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce. A memorable, in-depth, gorgeously detailed, suspenseful, character-driven retelling of Rumpelstiltskin set in a world similar to England during the industrial revolution. It'll appeal to fans of Robin McKinley's Beauty and the BBC drama North & South, if you can picture that combination!

Also by Bunce, StarCrossed, featuring the kind of thief we all seem to love hereabouts. ;) The sequel, Liar's Moon is coming out sometime this year.

And I enjoyed the world of Incarceron and Sapphique by Catherine Fisher (even though I'm not into steampunk). I'm disappointed there doesn't seem to be a book 3 in the works, however, since book 2 didn't tie up the story to my satisfaction.

[styromgalleries.livejournal.com]

Have to pop in and second the love for Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Such an awesome book!

[ricardienne.livejournal.com]

Seconding Elizabeth Bunce. I think I liked Curse as Dark as Gold better than StarCrossed, but that one was fun, too!

[brandy-painter.livejournal.com]

I can't help with the recs as I haven't been enjoying much of what I have been reading lately. Maybe I'm in some kind of slump. The new Penderwick novel comes out this week so I'm hoping it will help turn things around.

I reread the King of Attolia the other night. That helped me feel better.

Also, my library still has not gotten a copy of Chime. And I'm scared to buy it (see sentence one).

[beth-shulman.livejournal.com]

Chime was wonderful.

[ejmam.livejournal.com]

Have you read Graceling and Fire by Kristin Cashore? I've had good luck recommending those to people who like MWT's books. It's not a read-a-like, but fans come from the same places.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

I have! I liked them a lot and can't wait for Bitterblue.

[beth-shulman.livejournal.com]

I just read Chime today! And I loved it. LOVED. Other than that, I didn't read anything that outstanding. I read Shipbreaker, which I thought was typical dystopia (not that that's bad, just that I was expecting it to be new and fresh and different, and it wasn't.)

But Chime is amazing.

Has anyone read Sapphique? I'm not sure why, but it's been sitting on my shelf neglected because I can't drudge up the desire to read it. Is it good?

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

I wasn't crazy about Sapphique. Though I'm convinced that I didn't "get" it completely after crowinator and I read it and came away with different ideas about what really happened at the end. I think I rushed through it.

[wanderingdreamr.livejournal.com]

Well, with everyone recommending Chime I'm putting that on my to-read list now. I just finished up reading Toads and Diamonds by Heather Tomlinson which is a nice take on an old fairy tale and it's set in a fictionalized India (aka, the setting is pretty awesome). And, I read it last year but since no one else has suggested it, Ash by Malinda Lo was very nice (in short, what if Cinderella was a lesbian fairy tale instead) and the prequel to it, Huntress just came out, really need to get my hands on that too....
*keeps an eye on this thread for future suggestions*

Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

[(Anonymous)]

I finished reading Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit, by Nahoko Uehashi a few days ago (translated, of course). It's a Japanese children's novel--*not* manga--set in a fantasy land based on Medieval Japan. The main character is Balsa, a spear-wielding bodyguard who happens to be a woman. She rescues a prince whose father the Mikado is trying to kill him because he (the prince) has been possessed by a demon. I hope that's enough of a hook--I don't want to spoil it.

There is also an anime based on the book, and it's on Hulu. I really liked it. I watched it shortly before reading the book, and in a reversal from my usual pattern, I think I actually liked the anime more than the book. Some things were added in the anime that weren't in the book (so that there would be enough material for a whole season), which usually really annoys me, but in this case I think the additions kept the spirit of the book while deepening the characters. Also, the animation is absolutely gorgeous. And the fight scenes are actually *fight* scenes, not characters zooming through the air with swoosh marks (don't worry, not gory). And since it's based on a book, there is an actual story arc and satisfying ending, rather than open-endedness that just stops.

The book helped me understand better a few things in the anime that either weren't fully explained or that I missed with just the one viewing, while the anime helped me visualize landscapes and buildings that the book didn't always fully describe (perhaps relying on Japanese readers' familiarity with their culture's past the way I wouldn't have much trouble imagining the setting of a European-based fantasy?). My final assessment: book recommended, anime highly recommended.

--Handmaiden

Re: Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

Oww... I have this sitting on my TBR shelf. I need to get around to it. I adore Asian lit.

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

I read some great books for class this semester.

(Reposting because I screwed up my authors.)

When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
Realistic fiction with an awesome time traveling twist.

Year of the Dog by Grace Lin
A great multi-cultural book on an Asian-American girl.

Replay by Sharon Creech
For a cute and very funny account of a young aspiring actor.

And others...

Beauty by Nancy Butcher
A truly profound retelling a Snow White that left me inspired and chilled all at the same time. And the main character's name...? Anatolia!

The Hollow Kingdom Trilogy by Clara C. Dakley
An entrancing tale of goblins and kidnapped brides.

Fairest of All by Serena Valentino
Snow White from the Queen's POV. Chilling and beautifully written.

Emily the Strange series
The adventures of an odd girl with a unique mind. Seriously, Emily is like the gothic version of the Doctor. She's crazy, but I can't help but adore her!

Enola Holmes series by Nancy Holder
I've gushed about this before, so all I'm gonna say is read it!

I'll be back when my Goodreads list decides to agree with me.

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

First correction on the HK author. Her name is Clara B. Dunkle. Yeah...

Snow White and Rose Red: A Modern Fairy Tale by Regina Doman
One of my favs growing up, this book is a touching retake on the Grimm Brother's classic.

The Stolen One by Suzanne Crowley
Awesome historical speculation on the daughter of Katherine Parr.

As always, my namesake...

Nine Days a Queen: The Short Life and Reign of Lady Jane Grey by Ann Rinaldi

Also have you read any of Tanith Lee's books?

[auburntine.livejournal.com]

I've recently been reading Terry Pratchett's Tiffany Aching books - The Wee Free Men, Hat Full of Sky, Wintersmith, and I Shall Wear Midnight. His writing is quirky and witty. And Tiffany is a very strong female character.

I'd also recommend Orson Scott Card's Ender's Game, and Ender's Shadow (the whole Ender's Shadow series is great). Tricksters, political intrigue, action, mind games - they're some of my favorites next to the Queen's Thief series.

Rosemary Suttclif's The Eagle of the Ninth is also an excellent book. It's set in Roman times, and follows a soldier trying to discover what happened to his father's legion after his father and 5,000 men disappeared 20 years ago.

[generalblossom.livejournal.com]

Frances Hardinge - particularly her two more recent books Gullstruck Island ( in the USA called Lost Conspiracy I think) and the newest one Twilight Robbery (again name changes for the USA, Fly Trap). Really dark and complex and cynical but oh so worth it YA fiction. Like nobody else´s books.

The new book is a sequel, but can be read on its own perfectly and I would recommend people to start with it.

[beth-shulman.livejournal.com]

Someone on Goodreads recommended Frances Hardinge to me recently - I read Fly by Night and loved it. The sequel's not out in the US yet :-( And the title is Fly Trap. WHHYYY.

[elvenjaneite.livejournal.com]

Among Others by Jo Walton--anyone who loves SF/F should read this book!

I just finally read The Lost Conspiracy by Frances Hardinge which was really nice.

Also read recent and enjoyed: The Red Glove, The Vespertine, Brain Jack.

[readingisgoodforyou.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

I'll second The Vespertine, as I thought it and Chime had a similar feel to them (historical fantasy/paranormal, great characters, bit of romance).

[katecoombs.livejournal.com]

I thought The Iron Thorn by Caitlyn Kittredge was pretty good, but the best book I've read lately is Chime. I also just read the third book in Katherine Langrish's Troll Trilogy and really liked it. All three books (Troll Fell, Troll Mill, and Troll Blood) are now available in one volume, West of the Moon. It's historical fantasy based on Norse legends.

[chachic.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

I think the last book that I read and loved was The Piper's Son by Melina Marchetta, which is the companion novel to Saving Francesca. If you've never read Marchetta's work, I highly recommend them. :) She's an Aussie author that writes contemporary fiction. Jellicoe Road was one of my favorite reads last year. She has a fantasy book out, Finnikin of the Rock, but I haven't gotten around to it.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

I adored Finnikin of the Rock! Haven't read any of her other stuff, but I'll take a look for these.

A few others I thought of

[(Anonymous)]

Cosmic, by Frank Cottrell Boyce. Contemporary setting, non-fantasy, humorous; about a 12-year-old boy who is very tall and starting to get stubble and so frequently gets mistaken for an adult, and a few scrapes and one big adventure that ensue. Also about what it means to be a dad vs. what it means to be a child. And it's funny.

The Franchise Affair, by Josephine Tey. A mystery that for once isn't about murder. Fans of Lord Peter (I'm one too!) take note.

Princess Sonora and the Long Sleep, by Gail Carson Levine. Short, funny retelling of "Sleeping Beauty."

Secondhand Charm, by Julie Berry. Fantasy. Recommended with qualifications: I really liked her style of writing, and the idea of magical sea serpents and their relationship to their human was unique, but some of the pacing was rushed, especially later on, and certain characters and their motivations could have used more development.

Enchantress from the Stars, by Sylvia Louise Engdahl. Sci-fi/fantasy, literally: though the framework is sci-fi, within the story it changes from sci-fi to fantasy and back depending on which POV (of the two main characters) is being used, both in terms of how the happenings are understood and in terms of writing style. (I think I may have seen this recommended on another book rec thread, so to whomever mentioned it favorably, thanks!)

To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. I know a lot of people have to read this in high school. I wasn't one of them, so this was my first read, and I must say it deserves its place as a classic.

--Handmaiden

Re: A few others I thought of

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

This is why I love this group so much--I just recently read Enchantress From the Stars. It caught my eye sitting on the shelf and I'd never talked to any one else who had read it. And here you are, recommending it! Anyway, I really liked it.

I tried Cosmic once and it didn't grab me, so I gave up on it. Something about the main character's voice, maybe? I know I didn't give it enough of a chance.

To Kill a Mockingbird--yay, it's great.

[readsintrees.livejournal.com]

Dammit people! My list of Books To Read still hasn't recovered from the LAST one of these book recommendation posts! I keep track on Amazon, and my list is now 219 books long! Stop recommending such good-sounding books!

*sigh*

I'm in the middle of reading "The Tea Rose" by Jennifer Donnelly, and before that I read "Revolution" by the same author. "Revolution" was very dark/gothic-ish with a lot of emphasis on music. "The Tea Rose" appears to be more romance oriented so far, but with plenty of excitement.

So, apparently I should be on GoodReads, eh? This is the first I've heard of it, but it sounds like what I do using a combination of Amazon wishlists, and a Facebook app called Booktracker. Might be nice to do it all in one place...

[brandy-painter.livejournal.com]

I really like goodreads for exactly that reason. And as you can see a bunch of us our in contact with each other over there too. We did a post once so we could find each other. Here is the link to that post if you decide to join up:
http://sounis.livejournal.com/392078.html

[sgwordy.livejournal.com]

Do you also enjoy non-fiction? The best books I've read lately have been non-fiction...

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, no. But what ones have you read that are good? Others here may not be as obstinately fiction-biased as I am. :)

[readingisgoodforyou.wordpress.com (from livejournal.com)]

In addition to Chime, I've read several great books here lately. Everyone over at LibraryThing was going crazy over Patrick Rothfuss' Kingkiller Chronicles and I have to say both The Name of the Wind and A Wise Man's Fear were quite good.

I'm currently reading The Lost Gate by Orson Scott Card, which seems to be really interesting so far. I saw Thor over the weekend, and I was really surprised to find some of the same characters either featured or mentioned in this book. Has anyone else read it?

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Flying pig love! I have heard so many good things about the Kingkiller Chronicles. Definitely need to read those. Oh! And Hold Me Closer, Necromancer. Have to read that, too, since I've heard some rave reviews.

[lizzlo.livejournal.com]

The Codex Alera series by Jim Butcher is a great fantasy series that's loosely inspired by ancient Rome. There are some really great characters, the plot is intriguing, and the magic system works very well. Also, it's already finished, so there is no waiting for the next one to come out.

Lisa Shearin's Raine Benares books are fun as well. I just read the most recent one, Con and Conjure. The author has a great sense of humor that really comes out in the main character's narration.

[creative-lefty2.livejournal.com]

Ok. My recommendations might be all over the place.

I just read The Invention of Hugo Cabret, which is told in a fascinating style despite not being a very good story. Then there's The Graveyard Book which is based on The Jungle Book and was kind of cool. And then there's The Book Thief which is just plain amazing. It's one of those books that I think everyone should read.

Higher up, some people were talking about Graceling and Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrel. Those books are pretty amazing, too.

[styromgalleries.livejournal.com]

Have you ever read The Book of Lost Things by John Connolly? I'm rereading it at the moment and it's just fantastic. It's a coming-of-age story, I guess. You could say there is a similarity to the QT series in that there are stories told within the story. Fairy tales, to be exact, and some of them quite dark. Speaking of being dark, there are some passages (if I am remembering correctly; haven't gotten that far yet in my reread) that can be a little gory, so if that's not your thing, be warned.