What to Read? … What to Read?

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“”My dear Peabody,” said Emerson, “pray correct me if I am mistaken; but I sense a diminution of that restless ardor for living that is so noted a characteristic of yours, particularly upon occasions such as this. Since that happy day that saw us united, never a cloud has dimmed the beaming orb of matrimonial bliss; and that remarkable circumstance derives, I am certain, from the perfect communion that marks our union. Confide, I implore, in the fortunate man whose designated role is to support and shelter you, and whose greatest happiness is to share your own.””

O.K. mystery fans this one is for you; mark December 9, 2008 on your calendar. Especially if you are an Amelia Peabody fan. Elizabeth Peters is releasing Lion in the Valley and I am extremely excited about this.

The 1895-96 season promises to be an exceptional one for Amelia Peabody, her dashing Egyptologist husband, Radcliffe Emerson, and their precocious (some might say rambunctious) eight-year-old son, Ramses. The long-denied permission to dig at the pyramids of Dahshoor has finally been granted, and the much-coveted burial chamber of the Black Pyramid is now theirs for the exploring.

Before the young family exchanges the relative comfort of Cairo for the more rudimentary quarters near the excavation site, they engage a young Englishman, Donald Fraser, as a tutor and companion for Ramses, and Amelia takes a wayward young woman, Enid Debenham, under her protective wing.

But there is danger and deception in the wind that blows across the hot Egyptian sands. A brazen kidnapping attempt, a gruesome murder, and an expedition subsequently cursed by misfortune and death—all serve to alert Amelia to the likely presence of her arch nemesis, the “Master Criminal,” notorious looter of the living and the dead. But it is far more than ill-gotten riches that motivate the man known as Sethos. The evil genius has a score to settle with the meddling lady archaeologist who has sworn to deliver him to justice . . . and he’s got her dead-on in his sights.

Peters has given us an exception plot time after time, her character Amelia Peabody is one to be followed. I am hoping that Peters doesn’t disappoint on this one. It’s time to run out and find more books.

Happy Reading

Sarah

Thank you Amazon for the picture

“The mouse mother held a handkerchief to her nose and then waved it in front of her face. She sniffed. “I will name him. Yes. I will name this mouse Despereaux, for all the sadness, for the many despairs in this place. Now, where is my mirror?””

Looking for good family fun before the holidays? Then why not try reading The Tale of Despereaux written by Kate DiCamillo. Not only will you be able to enjoy this story with the young and old but on December 19, 2008 children of all ages can see this wonderful story come to life on the big screen.

Kate DiCamillo, author of the Newbery Honor book Because of Winn-Dixie, spins a tidy tale of mice and men where she explores the “powerful, wonderful, and ridiculous” nature of love, hope, and forgiveness. Her old-fashioned, somewhat dark story, narrated “Dear Reader”-style, begins “within the walls of a castle, with the birth of a mouse.” Despereaux Tilling, the new baby mouse, is different from all other mice. Sadly, the romantic, unmouse like spirit that leads the unusually tiny, large-eared mouse to the foot of the human king and the beautiful Princess Pea ultimately causes him to be banished by his own father to the foul, rat-filled dungeon.

The first book of four tells Despereaux’s sad story, where he falls deeply in love with Princess Pea and meets his cruel fate. The second book introduces another creature who differs from his peers–Chiaroscuro, a rat who instead of loving the darkness of his home in the dungeon, loves the light so much he ends up in the castle and in the queen’s soup. The third book describes young Miggery Sow, a girl who has been “clouted” so many times that she has cauliflower ears. Still, all the slow-witted, hard-of-hearing Mig dreams of is wearing the crown of Princess Pea. The fourth book returns to the dungeon-bound Despereaux and connects the lives of mouse, rat, girl, and princess in a dramatic denouement.

A great cast is called upon; Matthew Broderick, Ben Falcone, Emma Watson, Tony Hale, Frances Conroy. Not only do you have a great cast, but you have a great story. DiCamillo has out done herself with this one. She once again has managed to draw her readers into the story and not let them go until the very end. Now go and get this book either for yourself or as a great holiday gift.

Happy Reading

Sarah

Thank you Amazon for the picture

“You would think being a real live faerie princess would make your life fairy-tale-like, but fairy tales only end well. While the story is going on, horrible things happen. Remember Rapunzel? Her prince got his eyes scratched out by the witch, which blinded him. At the end of the story, Rapunzel’s tears magically restored his sight, but that was at the end of the story. Cinderella was little better than a slave. Snow White was actually nearly killed four different times by the evil queen. All anyone remembers is the poisoned apple, but don’t forget the huntsman, or the enchanted girdle and the poisoned comb. Pick any fairy tale that’s based on older stories, and the heroine of the piece has a miserable, dangerous, nightmarish time of it.”

Book 7 of the Merry Gentry series recently came out, Swallowing Darkness is written by the popular Laurell K. Hamilton. Now this is the way to spend a cold wet afternoon.

I am Meredith, princess of faerie, wielder of the hands of Flesh and Blood, and at long last, I am with child–twins, fathered by my royal guard. Though my uncle; Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, claims that he is the true father since he abducted me from my home, betrayed, and defiled me. And now he has branded my guards as a threat to my unborn children.

Bearing an heir has placed me halfway to my aunt’s throne, that much closer to my reign over the Unseelie Court–and well ahead of her son, my cousin Cel, in this race. Now I must stay alive to see my children born and claim my place as queen.

But not all in faerie are pleased with the news, and conspirators from every court in the realm plot against me and mine. They seek to strip my guards, my lovers, from me by poisoned word or cold steel. But I still have supporters, and even friends, among the goblins and the sluagh, who will stand by me.

I am Meredith Nic Essus, and those who would defy and destroy me are destined to pay a terrible price–for I am truly my father’s daughter. To protect what is mine, I will sacrifice anything–even if it means waging a great battle against my darkest enemies and making the most momentous decision ever made as princess of faerie.

Hamilton has a way of creating a vivid world that she immerses her characters in. She however couldn’t seem to pull this one off, although she has kept to her vivid writing it wasn’t quite up to her caliber. I was excited when I saw book 7 on the shelf, I eagerly picked it up seeing as how book 6 left us with a cliff hanger. If you haven’t read this series I will say this; the first part of this fantasy adventure is good, the second half not so much. It’s almost like there was no effort put into this. However, you may find you enjoyed it. If you did that is super if you didn’t on to the next adventure.

Happy Reading

Sarah

Thank you Amazon for the picture

“Jenks made a darting path over my basket, and a package of fern seed for Matalina’s wing aches thumped in.  Catching sight of the bust enhancer, his expression turned positively devilish.  “Speaking of slutty,” he started.

“Well-endowed doesn’t equal slutty, Jenks,” I said.  “Grow up.  It’s for the costume.”

“Like that’ll do anything?”  His grin was infuriating, and his hands were on his hips in his best Peter Pan poise.  “You need two or three to even make an impression.  Fried eggs.”

“Shut up!””

I was recently given a box of hand me down books. These were books that had been read and put aside to collect dust. I rummaged around and found The Outlaw Demon Wails written by Kim Harrison.

Red-headed witch Rachel Morgan has a demon after her, but that’s just one of her many troubles in this action-packed sixth installment of Harrison’s Hollows series (after 2007’s For a Few Demons More). A nice guy might be moving into Rachel’s town and life, but she’s still getting over her last boyfriend, whose murder she has yet to solve. Elf politician Trent Kalamack wants her to go to the ever-after on a dangerous mission. Rynn Cormel, Cincinnati’s new master vampire and ex-leader of the free world, is interfering in her life. Her friend, former demon familiar Ceri, is unexpectedly pregnant, by an unexpected partner. On top of all this, Rachel worries she may have had a too close encounter with a vampire and soon becomes concerned about her own abilities with demon magic. With the help of her feisty mother, Alice, and her pixy partner, Jenks, Rachel boldly tackles every challenge amid a cascade of plot twists that will delight Harrison’s fans.

For anyone who has been following this series you will be extremely pleased with the sixth book. The plot was excellent, we get a feeling of where Harrison might be taking her story and we get a good laugh through dialogue between fabulous characters. If you haven’t read this series may I suggest you go and do so now.

Happy Reading

Sarah

Thank you Amazon for the picture

“Try to get some sleep,” he said.

But Meggie didn’t want to sleep. “Dustfinger! What sort of a name is that?” she asked. “And why does he call you Silvertongue?”

What’s more fun than discovering a new series; finding out that it will soon to be turned into a movie. What series am I blabbering about? That would be Inkheart written by the talented Cornelia Funke.

Meggie’s father Mo has an interesting talent: when he reads aloud, things, and sometimes people, come out of their stories and into the real world! But now the evil Capricorn wants to use Mo’s talents to bring himself great wealth and power. Then Meggie discovers that maybe Mo isn’t the only one who can read things to life. This is an enchanting story full of adventure, suspense, and magic. The characters are vivid and delightful. Unlike many books for younger readers there is a distinct emphasis on the importance of family as seen in the close relationship between Meggie and her father. Unfortunately the author does include several instances of mild profanity which seems totally unnecessary in a children’s book and is perhaps the biggest detractor from the story. Lightly magical, humorous, and fun, Inkheart will appeal to those who like adventure and fantasy, and to anyone who ever wished a story could come to life.

This is a book that will delight readers of all ages. Its plot is interesting, its characters charming and you will definitely have your favorites. I know I sure do and I am marking down the days until the movie hits the theaters. Now the question is will the movie do the book justice? I certainly hope so. There have been a few movies that have come out that should not have been attempted. Now let’s all go and read Inkheart while we wait for January 23, 2009.

Happy Reading

Sarah

Thank you Amazon for the picture

“Amelia, his wife, is peering in. “Just grand, my dearest husband. Purest joy, of course, to see you again today as yesterday and the day before and the day before that and so on. You are as constant as my arthritis, my love. As dependable as flatulence after broccoli. As inescapable as the gaping mouths of graveyard worms. I see you are still ruminating upon your memoirs.””

I was wandering around the book store trying to find something that caught my attention. I rounded a display of bargain books and there it was; The Giant Killer written by Judd Palmer. I think it was the whole Preposterous Fables for Unusual Children that got me. Unusual Children why that would be me! I grabbed it off the shelf and hurried to pay for my new treasure.

Astride the Golden Hen, Jack the giant-Killer has almost rid the world of the colossal kind. But a solitary giant remains, cowering in the far North. He would stand no chance against Jack in his prime. But now Jack is old, made decrepit by the excesses of his fame.

I always did wonder what happened to Jack at the end of the tale, now I know. This is a great read again it doesn’t take too long and it is amusing. It is packed full of adventures; jealous wives; giants and a very old Jack; another great book for sharing with your unusual child or friend.

Happy Reading

Sarah

Thank you Amazon for the picture

“Arabeth dared to run her hand under the open fold of his shirt, her fingers

dancing across his smooth skin to the rougher place where skin and tar had

melded together, and it occurred to Maimun that he typically kept his shirt

open just a bit more for exactly the reason of revealing a hint of that scar, that

badge of honor, that reminder to all around that he had spent most of his life

with a blade in his hand.”

When one goes to the bookstore or the library you never know what you might find. I happened upon The Pirate King written by R.A. Salvatore, this is the second book in the forgotten Realms series.

Drizzt returns to Luskan, and the Realms will never be the same!

The Arcane Brotherhood has long held the city of Luskan in their power, but when corruption eats away at their ranks, Captain Deudermont comes to the rescue of a city that has become a safe haven for the Sword Coast’s most dangerous pirates. But rescuing a city from itself may not be as easy as Deudermont thinks, and when Drizzt can’t talk him out of it, he’ll be forced to help.

This was an entertaining book, it was a little awkward in the middle, and the way it reads seemed to be forced just a bit. But that to me didn’t matter, it was entertaining all the same and it was a great way to waste away an afternoon. Will you enjoy this book, I would say yes especially if you enjoyed the Hunter’s Blades trilogy. You know what to do.

Happy Reading

Sarah

Thank you Amazon for the picture

“I went on board a ship bound for London. Never any young adventurer’s misfortunes, I believe, began sooner, or continued longer than mine.”

It looks like there will be a new T.V. series will be airing on NBC starting on October 17, 2008. What might this do with books? Very simple; the program is simply called Crusoe. The tie in with books is it’s based on Daniel Defoe’s classic Robinson Crusoe.

Robinson Crusoe’s seafaring adventures are abruptly ended when he is shipwrecked, the solitary survivor on a deserted island. He gradually creates a life for himself, building in English literature. Land and making a companion from the native whose life he saves.

Daniel Defoe is generally credited with being one of the first novel writers in the English language. His book is appropriately billed as an adventure story. This is the way adventure stories are supposed to be, not what they are today glorified reality T.V.  This is a great read, if a bit long winded in some description. It’s a perfect book for sharing. I’m hoping the new series will be as good as the book.

Happy Reading

Sarah