Top 5 of 2016

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

The end of the year is nigh. Thus comes my yearly Top 5 reads. These could be brand new or ones I've recently discovered. A non-traditional way, for me, of looking at the best: these are 'heart-books', ones that are still speaking to me long after finishing them. They might not even have 5-stars on Goodreads. They have lingered in my heart-space.

This has been an odd reading year. I glance at my ratings on Goodreads. Many 4-star reads and yet I feel unsatisfied. All the good books I think up I read the year previous. Stay tuned for a Worst of 2016 and Biggest Disappointments of 2016. Those are aplenty.

For now… the best.




1. Rules for a Knight, by Ethan Hawke (yes, that Ethan Hawke)

The most I've ever enjoyed a 'self-improvement' book. Structured as a father writing, on the eve of battle, to his children with advice on being a knight (or a lady, the rules do not vary). He instructs on generosity, discipline, modesty, and various other virtues through straight-to-the-point advice or stories of his grandfather. I read this out loud to my best friend, reading two a week and musing on the advice during the week. We came to revelations, disagreed, and at the end, we bawled. This is truly a heart-book.


2. The Paper Magician, by Charlie N. Holmberg

Chapter 1, I was whisked into a magical world. Chapter 1, I fell in love. Though it is short, it is but fierce. Ceony is a wonderful main character and she goes through some incredibly difficult challenges. My new love, Magician Emery Thane, is gentle and burning with intelligence. This is a heart-book too (for many reasons… read it and find why). Books two and three, here I come!


3. The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet, by Becky Chambers

Think Firefly. This book satisfies that hole in your life. Wonderful crew, wonderful interpersonal connections, and really COOL science fiction. My favourite character, Sissix, is this awesome pilot with the most interesting culture and societal structure. Really, the core of the book is 'family' and how one forms connections to others.


4. The Chimes, by Anna Smaill

This book blew me away. The more I think on it and let it stew, the more I love it. It'll probably do well with a reread. It begins quite difficultly - as the world is based on the idea that every night the chimes ring, all short term memory is wiped. People have a sense of who they are, not really what they do day in and day out. It's weird. And wonderful. Imagine reading someone's mind that fuzzy, almost like being in a person who has dementia or Alzheimer's. I love this book more for its view on music and its structure. The characters are forgetful (ironically).


5. The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Don't know why this dug into my core. I've not ugly cried for a book in a long while. I began laughing through my tears at the end because I couldn't finish the book, my tears blocked all vision. It's a quiet story, beginning with truly unlikable situations and ending with pure delight. Recommended to all.

Honourable Mentions:

Nod, by Jonathan Barnes

Creepy. This story sunk its teeth in and wouldn't let go. The 'villain' is terrifying. The dystopian aspect is terrifying. What if one day, all at once, people stopped sleeping? Thankfully, our narrator is one that sleeps, so his story is told through the eyes of someone sane watching the world fall around him. Also, set in Vancouver.


The Fell Sword, by Miles Cameron

Second book in the Traitor Son Cycle. This series is ah-mazing. I rave on and on about it, but really, it's ruined all fantasy for me now. I expect the large cast epics to be as good as this. I have to remind myself: not everyone can write like Cameron. More badassery, more political manoeuvring, and enough intelligence by those in power.


~ Cheers to a better reading year! ~

Disappointed 2016

Hello Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

What. A. Year.

Mostly, my life wasn't a big ball of flaming turd. Some of my reads were. Awards created special for each book. Check these out…

This got published?!

Reading like a pulpy 1950's book, 'The Seventh Miss Hatfield" by Anna Caltabiano dumbfounds me. The premise is cool. There's so much potential for this to be more. Instead, it reads like a first draft… maybe a second draft if I'm kind. No character development, little to no story, unbelievable situations, and terrible time travel.
Redeems itself?: the cover. It's awesome.


Consistency. What's that?

Flailing all over the place, "The Search for WondLa" by Tony DiTerlizzi is one of the biggest disappointments. Characters do not stay true to form. Many of them will go into cliche territory when
it's uncalled for in their nature. It was like the author said "I want this to happen" and picked a character at random to do it. No thought into if the character would actually do it to begin with. Great in idea, terrible in execution. Blech.
Redeems itself?: The illustrations are nice.


The Most Unrelateable

Turns out, it's really hard to have high stakes for gods. They just do whatever they want. In "Kojiki" by Keith Yatsuhashi, he tries his darnedest to make me care about entitled gods. He even throws in a mortal. It ended up being a soap opera with whining that could've been solved if they actually talked to each other and LISTENED!
Redeems itself?: Gorgeous cover. It subtly wraps around to the back.

Sci-Fi Pulp-iest

"Corpus Earthling" by Louis Charbonneau. Used bookstore find, hilarious
cover, weird title, and surprisingly boring and gave me the heebie-jeebies. Our main character is a professor who definitely abuses his privilege. He's so horny. Poor him. Go for a girl your own age instead of stalking your students. YUK. Not to mention a 150-page build to a 3-page climax where there's some alien creature that attacks him and … I don't even care anymore.
Redeems itself?: An awesome first chapter.

Biggest Disappointment

After finding my most favourite dragon book ever, I lept at the chance to read book two, "The Lesser Kindred" by Elizabeth Kerner. A sharp turn toward the fluff, I disliked a lot about this instalment. The main character and her new husband love each other, a lot, many times a day, and what? What is this? I am pregnant (reveal at the end because she's suddenly incredibly stupid). The first book, she rocked - explored, was curious, pushed boundaries, did whatever she wanted. This book had her become Susie-homemaker, in the background, on a forever-quest to find… something, I don't even recall now. I will finish this series and hold out hope that it wraps up nicely.
Redeems itself?: Dragons?

ANGRY. THIS ONE MADE ME ANGRY. 

Beautiful cover. Sold me on the idea that a woman ruled a land and led her people to freedom from tyranny. "Irenicon" by Aidan Harte, boasts a cool world, a sentient river (yes SENTIENT!!!), and a kick-ass woman.

OMG THE ANGER. Not even 20% of the way through this I realized there were few female characters and they were all plot devices. The main character (told, we were), bold and powerful woman, was barely there and was governed by ALL THE MEN in her life. Really, the only reason she's a woman (I've surmised) is so that she can negotiate treatises with marriage (because woman) AND fall in love with the ACTUAL main character, an engineer who is so smart he is so smart.

Sure, she kicks all the asses. But I've never read a woman, said to be a woman, portrayed in such a mannish manner. I love, LOVE women warrior novels. They are allowed to be soft, have emotions, think womanly things, have aspects generally associated as masculine, and still kick-ass. I hated this book.

The nun, trained our "main character" because reasons. Then she dies because, of course, one's teacher must die (says the cliched hero's arc).

Any other women mentioned. You guessed it. They die.

I angry read this one to finish it. Hated every moment. 100% would not recommend.
Redeems itself?: Nope.
.
.
.
I need a drink...

~ Cheers to better reading in 2017!~

Superlative Book Tag - 2016

Hi Book-sniffers and Librocubicalarists,

At long last I have found time in my busy schedule (har, har, I'm on holiday) to post. It's snowing out and I'm taking a break from all the reading and decorating. I've been around, but thanks to NaNoWriMo - which I won, yay - and the Christmas concert season, my time has been severely limited. 

I have had enough time to watch many, MANY videos though. One I loved and had to do myself is by A Book Olive. The Superlatives Book Tag, where she crafted a way to showcase books you've read during the year but maybe haven't talked about them so much. 

I read a lot of crap and so-so books this year. While many, hardly any are memorable. Here we go anyway...

Most Likely to be in the movies: a book that would make the best movie

Twilight of the Dragons, by Andy Remic. 

Second in a series, this book has all the makings of a 'Game of Thrones' audience. Characters needing redemption, loads of actions, and DRAGONS. 



Biggest Drama Queen/King: the most (overly) dramatic book or character

A Rose in Winter, by Kathleen E. Woodiwiss.
Holy wow was this book full of eye-roll moments. Abusive father, drunk brother, a mysterious dark stranger, a mysterious marriage, ALL THE THINGS. I was laughing at the unintentionally-hilarious dramatic reveals. 


Best Dressed: the book with the best cover


The Chimes, by Anna Smaill.
A striking cover playing with negative space: beautiful water colour blues and a tinge of yellow, the silhouette of St. Paul's Cathedral and a bird (both significant to the story). The most surprising element that took me forever to catch. At first you notice only the violin's body shape, the two cut outs are actually the profiles of two different boys, our main characters. Well thought out. 


Most Creative: most unique plot, structure, or character

Cannonbridge, by Jonathan Barnes.
For having put off this book forever, this book sucked me in. The present day story is 'interrupted' by chapters of this famous, enigmatic author (Cannonbridge) interacting with various other famous authors from Dickens to Oscar Wilde. These were by far my favourite part of the whole. Of course it all came back around in a mild-melting ending. 

Runner up: The Chimes (again… yes…)
How do you tell a story about constant memory loss? Have repeating, foggy remembrances of things you just finished reading about. So difficult to get into the style and well worth it in the end. 


Most Popular (most read) on Goodreads

The Count of Monte Cristo, by Alexandre Dumas
According to my Goodreads "Year in Books", at least. 900,000 readers. That's pretty good for a classic. Also a chunker of a book, 1000+ pages. And it went on and on and on. A classic revenge tale, but holy cow the revenge takes place over a lifetime. That's a grudge I'd never want to hold. 


Most Likely to Succeed: a book that will be appreciated in years to come

The Fell Sword, by Miles Cameron (book 2)
This whole series should receive more attention. A memorable cast of hundreds, masterful interweaving of story lines, complex political situations, and creative otherworldly creatures. The first book and this (hopefully, I'll continue the series with praise) have spoiled most complex books for me. None will ever be as good as these. 


Class Clown: a book that made you laugh

Beyond Heaving Bosoms, by Sarah Wendell & Candy Tan
Talk about a book that is intentionally funny, my sides hurt from laughing at a multitude of passages from this romp. It disects and comments on all things "Romance Book" related. Now I've always enjoyed Romance books for their silliness and happiness. Popcorn books to enjoy between the dense, depressing ones. HIGHLY recommended for anyone who's ever been afraid of sharing that they love reading Romance. And Lord, it's funny. 


Most Improved: a book that started out slow and then picked up

Goldenhand, by Garth Nix.
For fans of this universe, Nix spared no expense in indulgent wonder. We get to explore the world more fully, through the eyes of Lirael (and my least favourite aspect of the book - Ferrin). While Ferrin's chapters dragged, Lirael's basked in the world. It all came together with a push to the plot and a quick ending.

Cutest Couple

An Irish Country Doctor, by Patrick Taylor
The couple in this, Barry and Patricia, are lovely. They are courting each other tenderly and tentatively. Also, she's an engineer. She worries that he will be intimidated by her career focus. He worries that he'll not have enough time for her. It's a lovely budding romance.  

I must admit, this one was difficult. Glancing at my books no one stood out to me. None were 'cute'. I changed the word in my head to 'endearing'. The type of couple that gives you cozy, love vibes - not passionate engulfment. I find sometimes passion gets misconstrued as love, or perhaps it's another person's version of love. I find love to be quiet and unassuming. Not many books carried this sentiment for me. 

Biggest Heartbreaker: book that broke your heart

So many let me down… therefore broke my heart. Left me disappointed and wanting. 

Only one book made me bawl the ugly bawl. And why? It was so happy. Not sad. Therefore, I change the interpretation to 'the book that had the most emotional impact'. 

The Secret Garden, by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I hated HATED the main character at the beginning of the novel. She grew on me, the garden grew on me, and all was good in the end. 


Since this year was so terrible for memorable or decent reads, I'll have to do a 'worst of 2016' along with my 'best of 2016'. 

To a better reading year, 2017!
~Happy Reading!~

Beginnings: The Eleventh

Of books ...

"Alice was beginning to get very tired of sitting by her sister on the bank and of having nothing to do: once or twice she had peeped into the book her sister was reading, but it had no pictures or conversations in it, “and what is the use of a book,” thought Alice, “without pictures or conversations?”

From 'Alice's Adventures in Wonderland' by Lewis Carroll

... that lead us down a rabbit hole, spinning unforgettable stories and never-ending madness.

Beginnings: The Tenth

Of absurdity ...

"This is my favourite book in all the world, though I have never read it."

From 'The Princess Bride' by William Goldman

... that makes the reader question the writer's credibility. 

Beginnings: The Ninth

Of the magic ...

"In the autumn season, hawks, falcons, and eagles followed an ancient path through the sky on their journey south for the winter, the same path their ancestors had flown since they first took wing in ages long dark to memory."

From ' The High King's Tomb' by Kristen Britain

... to create the atmosphere of Autumn with words.

Beginnings: The Eighth

Of terror ...

"It's getting harder and harder to tell the living from the dead"

 

From 'Nod' by Adrian Barnes

... that is unavoidable for those that stay sane.

Beginnings: The Seventh

Of the mundane ...

"Ironically, 

since the attacks, 

the sunsets have been glorious."

From 'Angelfall' by Susan Ee

... twisted because of a menacing force. 

Beginnings: The Sixth

Of sarcastic humour...

"12^th Day of September

I am commanded to write an account of my days: I am bit by fleas and plagued by family."

From 'Catherine, Called Birdy' by Karen Cushman

... from a bygone time.

Beginnings: The Fifth

Of pure poetry...

"Endless moons, an opaque universe, 

thunder, tornadoes, the quaking earth."

From 'Empress: a novel' by Shan Sa

... for a tale of a remarkable woman.

.

Beginnings: The Fourth

Of a curious piece of paper...

“The slim, cream-coloured note may just as well have been inserted into a bottle and tossed into the ocean rather than sent by post, for by the time John received it, the professor was already dead.”

From 'Here, There Be Dragons' by James A. Owen

... that sets the danger, the mystery, and the consequence of late mail.

Beginnings: The Third

Of a wise mind ...

"My lifelong involvement with Mrs. Dempster 

began at 5:58 o'clock p.m. on 27 December 1908, 

at which time I was ten years and seven months old."

From 'Fifth Business' by Robertson Davies.

...  remembering a childhood past, with a memory that changed his entire life.

Beginnings: The Second

Of the ordinary...

"She scowled at her glass of orange juice."

From 'The Blue Sword' by Robin McKinley

... leading to a grand adventure.

Beginnings: The First

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

Inspiration for a thing can come from others' creativity. In Dylan's video "Favourite First Sentences", he beautifully portrays the first sentence of one of my favourite books 'I Capture the Castle'. 

"I write this sitting in the kitchen sink."

There's simpleness, yet we're intrigued. A good first sentence can be many things: memorable, poetic, startling, or humorous. It strikes curiosity in the reader's mind or makes them stop to ponder. 

A great deal of first sentences have stuck in my brain; a good deal of others have been revisited. Spending the afternoon reading each first sentence on my bookshelf gave me a sense of time travel: I was brought back to those moments when I read those words. 

Thus I have compiled a small list of some of my favourites. Each carry with them promise of a great story to come. Enjoy.

With Weather Changes...

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

With the weather changing, comes some serious wish list making. What books do I most want to finish this year. The year always comes closer than I expect, thus some planning ahead is required.

Currently, my new work schedule is settling, as are my realistic ideas about book reading. Here are my top reads for the last quarter of this year:

1. Prisoner of Night and Fog ~ A WWII novel about Hitler's niece. Quite intrigued.

2. Anna Dressed in Blood ~ Need me a scary story for October.

3. Jackaby ~ After finishing 'The Invisible Library', I need some Gothic paranormal mystery.

4. Dark Days Club ~ Also in the same vein, some paranormal Victorian kick-butt fantasy.

5. Empire of Storms (V) ~ pumped for the next installment of this epic fantasy

6. Goldenhand ~ One of my first fantasy worlds and favourite author, the newest book.

7. Twilight of the Dragons (II) ~ Ultimately silly and incredibly enjoyable series.

8. The Autumn Throne (III) ~ Queen Eleanor Trilogy, one of my favourite historical characters.

9. Scythe ~ From the king of creepy, the premise alone makes me want to read this book right away.

10. And I Darken ~ Previewed the first bit on my ereader. Interested in this alternate history.


Any additional books read are icing on the cake!

~Happy Autumnal Reading~

Summer Reading Challenge - 2016 - Completed

***Challenge FULFILLED***

Read a Book That('s):

1. A Classic ~ The Count of Monte Cristo (Alexandre Dumas)


2. A Science Fiction ~ Beacon 23 (Hugh Howey)


3. A Romance ~ City of Lost Souls (Cassandra Clare)


4. A Red Book ~ Frostfire (Amanda Hocking)


5. Over 600 Pages ~ A Court of Mist and Fury (Sarah J Maas)


6. Under 300 Pages ~ Serefina and the Black Cloak (Robert Beatty)


7. You've Been Meaning To Finish ~ Taran Wanderer (Lloyd Alexander)


8. Makes You Cry ~ The Secret Garden (Frances Hodgson Burnett)


9. Takes Place in Summer ~ The Greengage Summer (Rumer Godden)


10. The Last in a Series ~ Hidden (Sophie Jordan)


11. A Guilt Book (one that should've been read by now) ~ Irenicon (Aidan Harte)

12. A Library Find (never heard of, not on TBR, found browsing the shelves) ~ Ties that Bind, Ties that Break (Lensey Namioka)



Feel free to use or make your own!

~ Happy Summer Reading ~

Try a Chapter - Reflection

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

I've challenged myself to read the first chapter (ish) of five books that have been sitting on my shelf for ages. 

Being very excited to do this, I found myself with an empty evening to sit down and delve into the beginnings of these books. Here are my reflections:

Brondings' Honour ~ Ann Ewan (18 pages read)

Why? I read her book 'Firedrake' in highschool and remember loving it. Supporting a fellow Canadian.
Writing? At times, oddly constructed (stilted, old-world phrasing).
World? Viking in feel; unfamiliar 'clan' structure.
Protagonist? Brave, a healer that feels ill-equipped and wants to learn more.
Read next? Maybe. Not completely invested in the protagonist's story.

 ~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

Daughter of the Empire ~ Feist & Wurts (26 pages read)

Why? Found in a recommendation for 'strong female protagonist in fantasy'.
Writing? Good set-up, first chapter ended with a cliff-hanger, reads smoothly.
World? Eclectic, intriguing cultures; experienced both the religious and nobility structures; lots of background.
Protagonist? Reluctant, pulled from her life choice due to tragic reasons; in her head often, getting our information from her inner monologues.
Read next? I want to know what happens. Sure.

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

Cannonbridge ~ Jonathan Barnes (14 pages read)

Why? Best friend bought it, disliked the writing, gave to me to read. It's been on too many monthly TBR lists.
Writing? Gothic style, creepy, quite nice; easily slipped into the story.
World? Opening scene is that of Byron, Shelley, and Polidori telling each other ghost stories.
Protagonist? I assume it's Cannonbridge, the man who arrives during the lightning storm at the end of the chapter.
Read next? Totally hooked. Yes.

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

King's Dragon ~ Kate Elliott (18 pages read - prologue plus chapter 1)

Why? Again, found this one on recommendation list for 'dragons'. This book is bought secondhand and smells funny.
Writing? Good, sturdy; not yet gripping.
World? Very standard Medieval fantasy; Arthurian in feel; 'magic' maybe?
Protagonist? No idea who it is, probably the baby in the prologue. While it gave me the backstory, it didn't give me enough for the story I'm about to read. The mother in the prologue was mysterious; the king would be interesting to follow. The adolescent boy in chapter 1 is not particularly interesting yet.
Read next? When I'm ready for a reliable fantasy.

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Magic ~ Emily Croy Barker (15 pages read)

Why? Sold by the title and the 'Hermione in America' marketing.
Writing? Contemporary, many modern cultural references.
World? University - working on thesis; no magic yet; a devastating break-up.
Protagonist? Lost, unsure, and almost 30; certainly self-searching; "everything is falling apart".
Read next? On the lighter, contemporary side, maybe.

~~~~~ ~~~~~ ~~~~~

Based off of these reflections, you can come to the conclusion what book I picked to read next. The great thing about this challenge was I was able to gain the feeling from each style and then able to discern what type of mood I could be in to read them.

Onto the next part. Reading my selection.

~Happy Reading!~

Try a Chapter - Challenge

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

A new challenge! This one is intriguing and I love it. Originally a BookTube tag, created by BookParadise, this approach allows the reader to sample a bunch of books before deciding which one to delve into.

Challenge: Read the first chapter of 5 books.

Reading the first chapter will allow me to explore the writing styles, find out which one appeals the most, and which one sets up a story that intrigues me the most.
I've chosen five that I own and keep putting off, again and again and again. They're never going to get read. Until now.

Reflect: Keep a few handy notes, write what I like, and what makes me go "hmmmm".

Juggling a career with a hobby isn't always easy. Sampling will allow me to make sure I devote my precious reading time to something I'm invested in.

Choose: Read the book that grabs me the most.

Result:  Write a second blog exploring my reading experience based on this method as well as the feelings toward the book chosen.

Good Luck!!!

Brondings' Honour ~ Ann Ewan

Cannonbridge ~ Jonathan Barnes

Daughter of the Empire ~ Raymond E. Feist

King's Dragon ~ Kate Elliott

The Thinking Woman's Guide to Real Magic ~ Emily Croy Barker







All of these are guilt books. Either I've bought them years ago, borrowed from a friend, or received as a gift.


~Happy Reading~

Last Third of the Year

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

Can you believe we've only got four more months of 2016? Upon reflecting, rereading my August post, my goodness was I in a panic. Now, I'm ten books away from my goal. Feeling on top of it!

September will be filled with changes in routine. I'll still push myself. Not trying to pressure myself, I'd like to set a few achievable goals.


1. September/October/December: Read at least 4 books each month.

2. November: Due to NaNoWriMo read at least 2 books. 

3. When Goodreads Challenge is completed, reread a few books. 

4. Reach 25,000 pages read. (with 7,818 more to go, this will be the biggest challenge)

5. Do the "Try a Chapter" challenge* with books I've been meaning to read, but keep putting off



I'll check in at the end of December to see how I've done with each of these goals. Autumn is a good time of year to curl up with a cup of tea, a cozy blanket, and a lengthy good book.

~Happy Cozy Reading~



*In a nutshell: pick 5 books, read first chapter of all, pick one to read.

A French Summer: Gold, Green, and Amber

The Greengage Summer
By Rumer Godden

The five Grey children have frustrated their mother until she decides they should spend a summer in France to learn a lesson.  Instead, their mother becomes sick and they stay at a Hotel while mother gets better in the hospital. The next two months become a child's paradise - ripe fruit in the orchard, swimming in the river, basking in the sun, and growing up.

Goodreads recommended this to me for reading (and rereading) one of my favourite books "I Capture the Castle" by Dodie Smith. I had no idea this wonderful this book would sink into my heart. Truly it reminds me of "I Capture the Castle" in the best ways - the narrator is a girl on the verge of womanhood, she misinterprets many events because of her innocence, and in the end, has revelations when looking back at an older age.

It can be read by young readers and by adults, each gaining very different meanings. In essence, it's about a summer and its golden paradise, each day feeling like a year. Every child's dream to suddenly be allowed to do whatever they want - their mother being removed because of illness.

The hotel itself is peppered with characters that begin to influence each child differently - Monsieur Joubert the famous painter who takes Joss (the eldest) under his wing; Paul the boy-help who fights with Cecil (second oldest and narrator) and becomes the catalyst to much mischief;  Madame Zizi the jealous and elegant woman attached to Eliot the oddly placed English Gentleman who promises mother to look after the children.

Eliot is our biggest influence, doting on the children, allowing them expensive experiences, and encouraging their whims becoming an almost reverent figure in their eyes.

The best part of each character is that we never gain a full understanding of who they are. Cecil cannot grasps the minute details and therefore we are left with many gaps in our understanding. It adds to the charm. We the reader are thus just as innocent to the goings on.

The French atmosphere is divine and Godden immerses us in an English child's view of what it is to be 'French'. The descriptions are like a delicate desert, deliciousness to be savoured, and nibbled in tiny bites.

Upon searching multiple bookstore sites, this book is hard to find. I recommend, that if you find it, read it. It will bring you back to the cusp of childhood when anything was possible.

5 STARS

Trapped Dragons Are Dangerous Creatures

Hidden
By Sophie Jordan

The third and final installment in the Firelight trilogy.
Firelight (I) - Review here.
Vanish (II) - Review here.

Possible spoilers. A brief review shall ensue.

What a wonderful series to stumble across. I first encountered book one on a random shelf excursion at the library. Thought, "Hey, terrible cover, but worth a shot. Dragons are always awesome!" What a journey. Perfect summer books. They'd be great to marathon.

By no means are these literature-shaping stories. They are fun, light-hearted distractions. In this last one, especially, you can tell that the author writes romance. The descriptions are hot and sexy. Perfect for a teenage romance.

The typical love triangle has a slightly different angle and none-the-less frustrating.

Likeable characters, a head-strong and conflicted female protagonist, and just enough tension between everyone to push the plot forward. 

In this final book, everything that can go wrong goes wrong. I applaud Jordan for taking me on twists and turns and NEVER stopping the action. It was constant. One thing would finish, another would pop up. An excellent conclusion to a fun series.

4/5 STARS

Cloak of Darkness

Serefina and the Black Cloak
By Robert Beatty

Serefina, a young girl, lives in the basement of the Biltmore Estate. Her father, the electrician, hides her. She scurries about and views the occupants above in secret, until one day she sees a man in a black cloak swallow up a young girl. More children disappear and Serefina takes it upon herself to protect the Estate.

A middle-grade book, I was surprised at how quickly the story became scary. The description of the man in the black cloak is terrifying. This is a perfect tale for someone wanting a scary, ghost-like story.

The Biltmore Estate is a real place (you can look it up), and Beatty did a fantastic job creating atmosphere surrounding this magnificent piece of history. Atmosphere is mostly why the story is engrossing.

Serefina is an unusual girl. She's got odd quirks and seems a little off. There were a few internal dialogues with herself that seemed lengthy and took forever to get to the point. Because of this, I cannot give the story a full rating. The internal 'figuring out of things' felt forced.

The villain is malicious and dark, and the conclusion to the novel will have your heart pounding.

For a Gothic, somewhat historical tale of a girl who wants to belong, I'd recommend this.

4/5 STARS

Meander for You

Taran Wanderer
By Lloyd Alexander

The fourth book in the Chronicles of Prydain.

Taran does not know who he is. He feels he should find out before he settles down. Thus begins the wandering around the landscape.

Lloyd Alexander's writing is lovely, though a little dated. I enjoy the simple complexity in which he explores human experience.

Taran is far less naive than in previous books, though some of his innocence remains as he encounters various people who are motivated by selfish desires. He quickly learns that he cannot always rely on others.

For the most part, he is in search of his parents. Where did he come from? He hopes that by finding his ancestry he might begin to define his self. Most of him wants to have come from nobility.

He grows in tender ways and betrayals. Truly, a remarkable 'coming-of-age' story.

4/5 STARS

Beginning of August

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

July - my usual month of extreme reading has ended. The pressures I have given myself are my own. The expectations were high and unreachable.

This year has been the year of changes. With changes comes a rearranging of life. Sometimes things suffer for the love of something or someone new.

On average, my July brings 10 read books. My total for the month was 6. Not terrible. And yet, I feel disappointed. Five of them were crunched in the end of the month.

I know I could have done it. Instead, I chose to go camping for a week, then go on a road-trip for another week. Reading does not get done with there's socializing and people.

My terms for August are looser. Read what you can. Read what you want.


'The Count of Monte Cristo' is the challenge for the bookclub. It's a honker. There's much superfluous material; there's some captivating material.

'Irenicon' by Aidan Harte is my guilt book. The one that I should've read as soon as I bought it, last year. So far, I'm liking it.

'The Secret Garden' by Frances Hodgson Burnett is the light book. Downloaded on my NEW Kindle Paperwhite. Getting used to the different reading surface.

'The Library at Mount Char' by Scott Hawkins is the audiobook I'm currently listening to. It's odd. I knew that going in. It's rated VERY highly on Goodreads. Got my fingers crossed.


~Happy August Reading!~

Magical World

The Paper Magician
By Charlie N. Holmberg


Ceony arrives at the cottage of the Paper Magician, Emery Thane, her new mentor. Unlike most magicians when they graduate, Ceony is forced to choose paper magic. She'd rather be a smelter - working with metals and weapons. As far as she can tell, paper is a useless material.
Almost instantly, I knew this would be a favourite book of mine.
This book, literal paper magic, has wedged itself firmly into my consciousness. Something reminiscent of Harry Potter mixed with a little Abhorsen (Garth Nix), this world is lovely and dangerous.

Magician Emery Thane is tailor-made for you to love him at first sight. Ceony is too busy lamenting the loss of being a smelter than to notice how enchanting Emery is. I cried in chapter 2 for Heaven's sake.

Ceony begins as a driven character. She's hardworking, which makes her sadness completely understandable. She's studied and worked so that she can do what she wants. It's taken away. When she begins to turn around on paper magic, it's something wonderful. She's powerful and the potential is captivating. The reader wants her to succeed. 

Now, I distinctly remember flipping the book around to read the synopsis and feeling betrayed at the spoiler. Fair enough, it's at the beginning of the book. But I would have rather it come as a shock.

Let's just say, there's another magician who practices the dark magic that uses flesh as the material. No further shall I go. You need to discover that on your own.

It goes in a surprising direction - almost abstract, kind of philosophical - exploring what it is to be a person. Very meaningful.

Enjoy. It's lovely. I cannot wait to continue this trilogy.

5/5 STARS

Mid-Year FreakOUT

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

The Book-Tube-a-Thon is on and I'm failing so hard that I'd rather do a tag than stew in my misery over how little I've read this July.

The Mid-Year FreakOut tag summarizes what the first half of the year has been like. I did this last year.  It's interesting to reread and still agree with most of what I had said. Let's go ahead and document this year!

Total Books Read: 37
Total Pages Read: 12,754
Go here to see my "Ultimate Reading Challenge" status.

Rereads: 2
Adult: 20
Young Adult: 17


What is the/your...

... best book you've read (so far) this year?
YA - The Paper Magician (Charlie N. Holmberg)
Adult - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Becky Chambers)

... best sequel?
YA - Prairie Fire (E.K. Johnson) or Queen of Shadows (Sarah J. Maas)
Adult - The Fell Sword (Miles Cameron)

... new release you've not read, but want to?
YA - And I Darken (Kiersten White)
Adult - The Aeronaut's Windlass (Jim Butcher)

... most anticipated release for second half of this year?
YA - Empire of Storms (Sarah J. Maas) the fifth book in the "Throne of Glass" Series

... biggest disappointment?
Middle Grade/Children's - The Search for WondLa (Tony Diterlizzi)
YA - The Returning (Christine Hinwood)
Adult - The Seventh Miss Hatfield (Anna Caltabiano)

... biggest surprise?
YA - Newt's Emerald (Garth Nix)
Adult - Pride and Prejudice and Zombies (Austen/Grahame-Smith)

... favourite new author?
YA - Renewed love of Garth Nix
Adult - Agatha Christie weaves a fantastic mystery and setting

... newest fictional crush?
YA - *sigh* Magician Emery Thane upon his first description, from The Paper Magician (Holmberg)
Adult - Sissix from The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Becky Chambers)

... newest favourite character?

Adult - Sissix from The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Becky Chambers)


... book that made you cry?
YA - Queen of Shadows (Maas)
Adult - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Chambers)
 
... book that made you happy?
YA -  Newt's Emerald (Garth Nix)
Adult - The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet (Chambers)
 
... most beautiful book bought or received?
YA - Witchfinder (Ruth Warburton)

... books you NEED to read by the end of the year?
1. Irenicon (Aidan Harte)
2. Empire of Storms (Maas)
 
... favourite Book Community Member?
Certainly Elizabeth from Books and Pieces. Thoughtful and insightful.
From Canada, Hailey from Hails Hearts Nyc. This girl is delightful


From many of my repeat answers, you may have figured that this year has been pretty lackluster. Not many that have stuck with me. The few that have, that bear the many repeats, please read. They are lovely. #1 recommendation "The Long Way to a Small, Angry Planet" by Becky Chambers. It will take your heart and run away with it - fall in love with a book again.