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.

[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).

[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.

[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?

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

Kiki Strike... You wouldn't have happened to have gotten that rec from me, did you? :D

*harped on about that series last summer*

But yes... I second KS wholeheartedly!

Checks has already read Dark as Gold, but you're right. That is a lovely book.

[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*

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

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

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

Yes, I've read all these except the Kiki Strike books--never heard of these! And I haven't technically read StarCrossed yet, but it's sitting right here. Maybe that's what I should read next.

I can't say enough good things about The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. So good.

[checkers65477.livejournal.com]

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

[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.

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)

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

You haven't! Well go out and read it! I think Beth still hasn't forgiven me for recommending this series to her before it was finished. We should get the third book next year.

Here's her reviews.

Inside the Shadow City:Well-written, enormously entertaining, and completely plausible in its implausibility. And there are great female leads - strong, fallible, and convincingly real characters. Add New York City and a mysterious underground labyrinth, and you've got a real winner of a book. (I'm not sure why there's no movie adaptation yet; there should be.)

The Empress's Tomb: This was a very strong sequel to a great first novel. (Also: Trixie Drew = win.) The writing is strong, the characters are still extremely likable and entertaining. And I've decided that Ananka's voice most reminds me most of Veronica Mars, she of the endless, clever quips. Although this book is comprised of the same "ingredients" as the first novel in the series, nothing felt reused or old; it was fresh and new and fascinating. It's a laugh-out-loud pageturner. A must-read.

-by beth_shulman on Goodreads

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

[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.

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]

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?

Re: Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit

[wanderingdreamr.livejournal.com]

Oh I LOVE Moribito (I think I even got Justine Larbalestier to watch it somehow XD) and I'm so sad that the official translations stopped after the second book (and it's so old there don't seem to be any fan translation projects for it). The setting is fantastic (apparently the author is an anthropologist), Balsa is such a strong woman and best of all, POLITICS! Although the best thing in the anime would be the fight scenes, those were so gorgeous. *_*

[crowinator.livejournal.com]

I keep meaning to reread Sapphique a little slower as well -- I'm not convinced I got it either. It's a trippy one but it's worth it just to find out what happens. Like "freenarnian" mentioned above, I was disappointed there wasn't a third book too, especially right at first. (Sorry, I don't remember how to tag people's LJs here.)

I read a lot of interesting books lately, but I recommend The False Princess by Eilis O'Neal to people here. It's a fantasy novel about a girl who finds out, on her sixteenth birthday, that she's been a stand-in for the real princess of Thorvaldor her whole life because of her parents trying to avoid a prophecy that said the princess could be killed before her sixteenth birthday. It's fairly traditional but has a couple of good bait-n-switches and a sweet romance and best of all, it's a standalone story. For once, not a trilogy.

For the record, I really loved Chime too, though it took me a while to get used to the odd narrative.

[crowinator.livejournal.com]

The Hollow Kingdom is one of my most favorite reads ever. Seconded. I've reread it so many times I stopped counting, but curiously, I never bothered to read the other two since the first one is a standalone story. It's definitely the most interesting portrayal of captured brides I've seen, and you have to love goblin king Marak. But then I couldn't read him without thinking of David Bowie in Labyrinth, so there's that too.

[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.

[ninedaysaqueen.livejournal.com]

Close Kin and Serpent Coils are awesome reads! You should definitely try them. They deal more with the elf clans and the awesomely unique culture Dunkle created for them.