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Books the Fourteenth to Twenty-Fifth . . .
Yeah, so . . . it turns out I'm not any better at posting these with regularity when I'm not doing full reviews as when I am . . .
In my defense, though, the past month or so has been insane. I stage managed a production from hell, I got hired by the youth theatre company here in town to direct another show for them this morning, and I got a boyfriend (two weeks as of Friday. I'm trying not to squee :) ). Major life changes, all the way around.
So, anyway, I'm going to do these all at once in one post (well, probably more like two) as not to totally take over your lives. :)
Title: James and the Giant Peach
Author: Roald Dahl
Media/Genre: Novel
Page Count: 124
Status: Reread
Synopsis: When poor James Henry Trotter loses his parents in a horrible rhinoceros accident, he is forced to live with his two wicked aunts, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. After three years he becomes "the saddest and loneliest boy you could find." Then one day, a wizened old man in a dark-green suit gives James a bag of magic crystals that promise to reverse his misery forever. When James accidentally spills the crystals on his aunts' withered peach tree, he sets the adventure in motion. From the old tree a single peach grows, and grows, and grows some more, until finally James climbs inside the giant fruit and rolls away from his despicable aunts to a whole new life. James befriends an assortment of hilarious characters, including Grasshopper, Earthworm, Miss Spider, and Centipede--each with his or her own song to sing. Roald Dahl's rich imagery and amusing characters ensure that parents will not tire of reading this classic aloud, which they will no doubt be called to do over and over again!
Recommendation: Absolutely. This book is a classic, and a fun read. It also teaches a lot of science, which I don't remember realizing as I read it before, things like how earthworms help the soil and how grasshoppers make their sounds. Of course, it also tells us that rainbows are made by cloud men painting the sky, so the lessons may not be quite as effective, but still.
Title: Gathering Blue
Author: Lois Lowry
Series: The Giver Trilogy
Media/Genre: Novel
Page Count: 215
Status: Reread
Synopsis: Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg, lives in a world where the weak are cast aside. She fears for her future until she is spared by the all-powerful Council of Guardians. Kira is a gifted weaver and is given a task that no other community member can carry out. While her talent keeps her alive and brings certain privileges, Kira soon realizes that she is surrounded by mysteries and secrets. No one must know of her plans to uncover the truth about her world -- and to find out what exists beyond it.
Recommendation: I love this book. Read this book. It's amazing, and Lois Lowry is brilliant. Especially this, which sets up the third book so perfectly: "She knew no one who would be willing to soothe or comfort or aid a greviously wounded being. Or who would know how. Except Matt, she thought, remembering how the boy had nursed his little damanged dog back to life." Guh. Brilliance.
Title:</b> Messenger
Author: Lois Lowry
Series: The Giver Trilogy
Media/Genre: Novel
Page Count: 169
Status: Reread
Synopsis: Matty, who has lived in Village with the blind Seer since running away from an abusive childhood, is looking forward to receiving his true name, which he hopes will be Messenger. But he is deeply unsettled by what is going on. He has discovered his own power to heal others and learned of disturbing changes within his community. Under the gentle guidance of Leader, who arrived in Village on a red sled as a young boy and who has the power of Seeing Beyond, the citizens have always welcomed newcomers, especially those who are disabled. But a sinister force is at work, which has prompted them to close admission to outsiders. Also, it seems that Matty's beloved Mentor has been trading away parts of his inner self in order to become more attractive to Stocktender's widow. When the date for the close of the border is decided, Matty must make one more trip through the increasingly sinister Forest to bring back Seer's daughter, the gifted weaver Kira. On the return journey, Matty must decide if he should use his healing but self-destructive power to reverse the inexorable decline of Forest, Village, and its people.
Recommendation: I have already rhapsodized on the brilliance of Lois Lowry. I shall now do so again. Because she deserves it. This book, which bridges The Giver and Gathering Blue, is one of the books that changed the way I read. This book is utterly amazing and should be read by everyone.
Title: Dragonsong
Author: Anne McCaffrey
Series: Harper Hall Trilogy
Media/Genre: Novel
Page Count: 208
Status: Reread
Synopsis: Every two hundred years or so, shimmering Threads fall from space, raining death and black ruin on Pern. The great dragons of Pern hurl themselves through the beleagured skies, flaming tongues of fire to destroy deadly Thread and save the Planet. But it was not Threadfall that made young Menolly unhappy. It was her father who betrayed her ambition to be a Harper, who thwarted her love of music. Menolly had no choice but to run away. When, suddenly, she came upon a group of fire lizards, wild and smaller relatives of the fire-breathing dragons, she let her music swirl around them. She taught nine of them to sing. Suddenly Menolly was no longer alone -- she was Mistress of Music and Ward of the dazzling fire dragons.
Recommendation: The Harper Hall trilogy was one of those book series that made up my childhood, and it's one of those stories that never gets old. It's also a wonderful introduction to McCaffrey's extensive world of Pern.
Title: Dragonsinger
Author: Anne McCaffrey
Series: The Harper Hall Trilogy
Media/Genre: Novel
Page Count:
Status: Reread
Synopsis: When Menolly, daughter of Yanus Sea Holder, arrived at the Harper Craft Hall, she came in style, aboard a huge bronze dragon, followed by her nine fire lizards. The Masterharper of Pern, aware of her unique skills, had chosen her as his only girl apprentice. But the holdless girl had first to overcome many heartaches in this strange new life. Two things sustained her -- her devoted lizards, a subject on which she was fitted to instruct her Masters -- and the music...music of compelling beauty, music-making where at last she was accepted. In the Great Hall, Menolly could fulfill her destiny.
Recommendation: I think this is my favorite book of the Harper Hall trilogy. I love Harper Hall, and I wish someplace like that existed in real life! And isn't that the mark of a good book?
Title: Polaroid Stories
Author: Naomi Iizuka
Media/Genre: Play
Page Count: 88
Status: New Read
Synopsis: A visceral blend of classical mythology and real life stories told by street kids, this play journeys into a dangerous world where myth-making fulfills a fierce need to transcendence, where storytelling has the power to transform a reality in which characters' lives are continually threatened, devalued, and effaced. Not all the stories these characters tell are true; some aree lies, wild yarns, celver deceits, but whether or not a homeless kid invents an incredibly history for himself isn't the point. Polaroid Stories takes place on an abandoned pier on the outermost edge of a city, a waystop for dreamers, dealers and desperadoes, a no-man's land where runaways seek camaraderie, refuge, and escape. Like their mythic counterparts, these modern-day mortals are engulfed by neeeds that burn and consume.
Recommendation: This was a really odd play, but I liked it. It helps that I'm a nut for Greek mythology. I probably never would have pulled this off the shelf to read had it not been required for a class, but I'm glad I read it. It's a great example of how mythology translates to modern life, and the different ways that storytelling can be used.
Total: 25
Books Read: 14
Books Reread: 11
* = new books read
January:
1. The Storyteller’s Daughter by Cameron Dokey
2.* Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carmen
3.* The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
4.* Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman
5. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
6.* River Secrets by Shannon Hale
7. The Giver by Lois Lowry
8.* Forest Born by Shannon Hale
9.* The Sea Gull by Anton Chekov
February:
10.* The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
11.* Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge
12.* Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones
13.* Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
14. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
15. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
16. Messenger by Lois Lowry
17. Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
March:
18. Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey
19.* Polaroid Stories by Naomi Iizuka
20. The Phantom Tollbooth (script) adapted by
21. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
22.* Witch Week by Diana Wynne Jones
23.* The Black Circle by Patrick Carman
24.* The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen Beckett
25. Dragondrums by Anne McCaffrey
In my defense, though, the past month or so has been insane. I stage managed a production from hell, I got hired by the youth theatre company here in town to direct another show for them this morning, and I got a boyfriend (two weeks as of Friday. I'm trying not to squee :) ). Major life changes, all the way around.
So, anyway, I'm going to do these all at once in one post (well, probably more like two) as not to totally take over your lives. :)
Title: James and the Giant Peach
Author: Roald Dahl
Media/Genre: Novel
Page Count: 124
Status: Reread
Synopsis: When poor James Henry Trotter loses his parents in a horrible rhinoceros accident, he is forced to live with his two wicked aunts, Aunt Sponge and Aunt Spiker. After three years he becomes "the saddest and loneliest boy you could find." Then one day, a wizened old man in a dark-green suit gives James a bag of magic crystals that promise to reverse his misery forever. When James accidentally spills the crystals on his aunts' withered peach tree, he sets the adventure in motion. From the old tree a single peach grows, and grows, and grows some more, until finally James climbs inside the giant fruit and rolls away from his despicable aunts to a whole new life. James befriends an assortment of hilarious characters, including Grasshopper, Earthworm, Miss Spider, and Centipede--each with his or her own song to sing. Roald Dahl's rich imagery and amusing characters ensure that parents will not tire of reading this classic aloud, which they will no doubt be called to do over and over again!
Recommendation: Absolutely. This book is a classic, and a fun read. It also teaches a lot of science, which I don't remember realizing as I read it before, things like how earthworms help the soil and how grasshoppers make their sounds. Of course, it also tells us that rainbows are made by cloud men painting the sky, so the lessons may not be quite as effective, but still.
Title: Gathering Blue
Author: Lois Lowry
Series: The Giver Trilogy
Media/Genre: Novel
Page Count: 215
Status: Reread
Synopsis: Kira, an orphan with a twisted leg, lives in a world where the weak are cast aside. She fears for her future until she is spared by the all-powerful Council of Guardians. Kira is a gifted weaver and is given a task that no other community member can carry out. While her talent keeps her alive and brings certain privileges, Kira soon realizes that she is surrounded by mysteries and secrets. No one must know of her plans to uncover the truth about her world -- and to find out what exists beyond it.
Recommendation: I love this book. Read this book. It's amazing, and Lois Lowry is brilliant. Especially this, which sets up the third book so perfectly: "She knew no one who would be willing to soothe or comfort or aid a greviously wounded being. Or who would know how. Except Matt, she thought, remembering how the boy had nursed his little damanged dog back to life." Guh. Brilliance.
Title:</b> Messenger
Author: Lois Lowry
Series: The Giver Trilogy
Media/Genre: Novel
Page Count: 169
Status: Reread
Synopsis: Matty, who has lived in Village with the blind Seer since running away from an abusive childhood, is looking forward to receiving his true name, which he hopes will be Messenger. But he is deeply unsettled by what is going on. He has discovered his own power to heal others and learned of disturbing changes within his community. Under the gentle guidance of Leader, who arrived in Village on a red sled as a young boy and who has the power of Seeing Beyond, the citizens have always welcomed newcomers, especially those who are disabled. But a sinister force is at work, which has prompted them to close admission to outsiders. Also, it seems that Matty's beloved Mentor has been trading away parts of his inner self in order to become more attractive to Stocktender's widow. When the date for the close of the border is decided, Matty must make one more trip through the increasingly sinister Forest to bring back Seer's daughter, the gifted weaver Kira. On the return journey, Matty must decide if he should use his healing but self-destructive power to reverse the inexorable decline of Forest, Village, and its people.
Recommendation: I have already rhapsodized on the brilliance of Lois Lowry. I shall now do so again. Because she deserves it. This book, which bridges The Giver and Gathering Blue, is one of the books that changed the way I read. This book is utterly amazing and should be read by everyone.
Title: Dragonsong
Author: Anne McCaffrey
Series: Harper Hall Trilogy
Media/Genre: Novel
Page Count: 208
Status: Reread
Synopsis: Every two hundred years or so, shimmering Threads fall from space, raining death and black ruin on Pern. The great dragons of Pern hurl themselves through the beleagured skies, flaming tongues of fire to destroy deadly Thread and save the Planet. But it was not Threadfall that made young Menolly unhappy. It was her father who betrayed her ambition to be a Harper, who thwarted her love of music. Menolly had no choice but to run away. When, suddenly, she came upon a group of fire lizards, wild and smaller relatives of the fire-breathing dragons, she let her music swirl around them. She taught nine of them to sing. Suddenly Menolly was no longer alone -- she was Mistress of Music and Ward of the dazzling fire dragons.
Recommendation: The Harper Hall trilogy was one of those book series that made up my childhood, and it's one of those stories that never gets old. It's also a wonderful introduction to McCaffrey's extensive world of Pern.
Title: Dragonsinger
Author: Anne McCaffrey
Series: The Harper Hall Trilogy
Media/Genre: Novel
Page Count:
Status: Reread
Synopsis: When Menolly, daughter of Yanus Sea Holder, arrived at the Harper Craft Hall, she came in style, aboard a huge bronze dragon, followed by her nine fire lizards. The Masterharper of Pern, aware of her unique skills, had chosen her as his only girl apprentice. But the holdless girl had first to overcome many heartaches in this strange new life. Two things sustained her -- her devoted lizards, a subject on which she was fitted to instruct her Masters -- and the music...music of compelling beauty, music-making where at last she was accepted. In the Great Hall, Menolly could fulfill her destiny.
Recommendation: I think this is my favorite book of the Harper Hall trilogy. I love Harper Hall, and I wish someplace like that existed in real life! And isn't that the mark of a good book?
Title: Polaroid Stories
Author: Naomi Iizuka
Media/Genre: Play
Page Count: 88
Status: New Read
Synopsis: A visceral blend of classical mythology and real life stories told by street kids, this play journeys into a dangerous world where myth-making fulfills a fierce need to transcendence, where storytelling has the power to transform a reality in which characters' lives are continually threatened, devalued, and effaced. Not all the stories these characters tell are true; some aree lies, wild yarns, celver deceits, but whether or not a homeless kid invents an incredibly history for himself isn't the point. Polaroid Stories takes place on an abandoned pier on the outermost edge of a city, a waystop for dreamers, dealers and desperadoes, a no-man's land where runaways seek camaraderie, refuge, and escape. Like their mythic counterparts, these modern-day mortals are engulfed by neeeds that burn and consume.
Recommendation: This was a really odd play, but I liked it. It helps that I'm a nut for Greek mythology. I probably never would have pulled this off the shelf to read had it not been required for a class, but I'm glad I read it. It's a great example of how mythology translates to modern life, and the different ways that storytelling can be used.
Total: 25
Books Read: 14
Books Reread: 11
* = new books read
January:
1. The Storyteller’s Daughter by Cameron Dokey
2.* Skeleton Creek by Patrick Carmen
3.* The Sandman: Preludes and Nocturnes by Neil Gaiman
4.* Ghost in the Machine by Patrick Carman
5. The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
6.* River Secrets by Shannon Hale
7. The Giver by Lois Lowry
8.* Forest Born by Shannon Hale
9.* The Sea Gull by Anton Chekov
February:
10.* The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
11.* Fly by Night by Frances Hardinge
12.* Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones
13.* Fablehaven by Brandon Mull
14. James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
15. Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry
16. Messenger by Lois Lowry
17. Dragonsong by Anne McCaffrey
March:
18. Dragonsinger by Anne McCaffrey
19.* Polaroid Stories by Naomi Iizuka
20. The Phantom Tollbooth (script) adapted by
21. Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar
22.* Witch Week by Diana Wynne Jones
23.* The Black Circle by Patrick Carman
24.* The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen Beckett
25. Dragondrums by Anne McCaffrey
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