Month of 300

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

Last year around this time I had a brainwave. Devote a month to reading books under 300 pages. A way to get ahead of the book challenge and knock off a bunch of books on the never-ending TBR.

The ending result from last year was finishing 10 books. When on average I finish 5-6 per month.


This year's contenders are taken from the TBR jars Dragon Jar (#1 picks), the Prince Jar-ming (#2 picks), and the Hero's Jar-ney (#3 picks).
 
214 - The Paper Magician ~ Charlie N. Holmberg
256 - Taran Wanderer (IV) ~ Lloyd Alexander
292 - The Seventh Miss Hatfield ~ Anna Caltabiano
264 - Hidden (III) ~ Sophie Jordan
246 - Brondings' Honour ~ Ann Ewan
222 - Looking Backward ~ Edward Bellamy
125 - Room of One's Own ~ Virginia Woolf
181 - Elric of Melnibone ~ Michael Moorcock
207 - Heir of Sea and Fire (II) ~ Patricia  A Mckillip 

Off TBR choices:
175 - The World Above ~ Cameron Dokey (Once Upon a Time # 19)
195 - Violet Eyes ~ Debbie Viguie (Once Upon a Time # 18)
245 - The Rose Bride ~ Nancy Holder (Once Upon a Time # 12)
193 - The Night Dance ~ Suzanne Weyn (Once Upon a Time # 8)


The challenge is non-restrictive (other than the page count).  There's always carry-over books from the previous month, or bookclub books, or new releases that don't follow the guidelines. Mainly, a fun excuse to power through a pile of books.

And the sun's out, so I'm out in the backyard reading in the loveliest weather!!!
~ Happy Reading! ~

After the Battle

The Returning
By Christine Hinwood

The story of what happens after a long war. Cam is young when he embarks off on, what he thinks, an adventure when he joins the rebellion against an invading Lord. When he returns, nothing is the same. No one trusts him, no one seems the same. He cannot be what he was.

A heartbreaking story of the complexities of war. The reader experiences many points of view - villagers, Cam, Cam's sister, his betrothed, and the Lord who started this mess. We experience a world where no one is exactly right, nor are they wrong.

Cam has seen many terrible things. He witnessed deaths, experienced cowardice, been a prisoner of the enemy, and has lost his arm. When he comes back, all he wants is to be part of the family again. His family wants to know what happen. He does not want to talk about it.

The language of this book, the way it is told, I found was difficult to get into. It's beautiful and subtle and takes a while for the mind to wrap around. I'm not sure I became fully invested because of it. The possibility for empathy is strong with this story. We see the toll that war takes, our hearts bleed, but I could not attach myself to any of the characters.

While an important look at what happens after, I'm not sure I liked this book. I can appreciate the writing and the topics is explores. Maybe it was not for me.

3/5 STARS

Regency Magic

Newt's Emerald
By Garth Nix

On her birthday, Lady Truthful "Newt" Newington, is shown the magical emerald that she will inherit. A flash of lightning and it's stolen! Taking off to London, then dressing as a man to solve the mystery, Truthful spends time with delightful characters - her aunt, a policeman, and a power hungry noble.

As soon as I heard Garth Nix had written another book, I jumped on it. It's very different from his fantasies. His Abhorsen Trilogy shaped my teen years. His writing jives with me. "Newt's Emerald" is set in Regency England, taking a fun romp in that era and add in a little magic. Hilarity ensues.

Lady Truthful is a refreshing character. She keeps her decorum and breaks all the rules. She is largely enabled by her aunt that shares much the same thoughts on society. My favourite trope is to dress a character as a man. She isn't exactly the most believeable man, but we enjoy it anyway.

Major Harnett, the policeman, is a great character (and my favourite in this story). He's her partner in investigation, as much as he seems unwilling to be.

All the characters were rounded, distinguishable, and lovable. I love Garth Nix's characters.

The story itself is fairly straightforward. There aren't many twists and turns and it ends in a purely satisfying manner. It's a light book. Quite delightful. You will smile most of the time while reading.

Read with a cup of fruity tea in the shade of a tree.

4/5 STARS

Bout-of-Book 16 ~ Wrap Up

Hi Book-Sniffers and Librocubicularists,

Bout of Books 16 has come to a close.  I managed quite well.

I fulfilled two of my own challenges and one task!


1. Finish a book that, as of today, I'm currently reading.

Incomplete. I did continue reading Illusion, however, not finished as it's 600+ pages.

2. Finish one YA.
TWO! Witch Finder (review here) and Newt's Emerald (review to come).

3. Read at least 3 books.
Two. Almost!

The task for the week that I completed was a post about 5 favourites. Surprisingly, not all fantasies.

~Happy Reading~

Finding the Obvious

Witch Finder
By Ruth Warburton 

Late 19th century London, in the poor East End, Luke Lexton has been able to identify witches ever since his parents were brutally murdered when he was little. After being initiated into a secret society of witch-finders, he is tasked with choosing the name of the witch he is to kill. He chooses Rosa Greenwood, a young woman of the upper class.


Not gonna lie. This was mostly a cover purchase. You can't quite tell from this picture, but the woman on the cover is a much more golden colour. Perfectly striking against the sky blue.

Pleasant surprise. Yes. Totally engrossing, somewhat predictable, and yet, ultimately satisfying.

Luke struggles (as expected) with killing a young woman. Not only that, she's kind and lovely. No wonder he's torn. Also, no big surprise, he totally likes her. Typical, yes.

Rosa is a more complex character. You'd think her to be boring - there are glimmers of a girl with her own agenda. She's unfortunately trapped by society, having to marry for money so her family won't fall into misfortune. Her mother thinks only of money, her brother is terrible, spoiled and useless, and abuses Rosa. The man he decides to marry Rosa to is his best friend - equally cruel and terrible. Though, not useless. Actually intelligent.

Don't skip out on this because of the obvious romance. There's underpinning commentary on social constructs in this time period. We find that even if you have money, life can be a cage. There's a FANTASTIC chunk of the book that explores a match factory and working conditions of the time. Horrible. Fascinating.

I was utterly engrossed in this tale. The ending was laughable and cheezy. At the end of my edition, there was a preview to the next book. I felt that made a much stronger ending than the one that was written.

Will I go on? Sure. Why not.

4/5 STARS