What I've been reading (besides fanfic)
My long overdue book post. Woot!
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
The Percy Jackson series is the best series I've read since Harry Potter. Oh wait, it's the only series I've read since Harry Potter...
Nevertheless! I am deeply in love with it. No, it is not ground-breaking literature. No, the plot is not as deliciously complex as Harry Potter. But the pace is swift and exciting. The characters are alive and invigorating and funny as hell. The Greek Gods are fresh and hip yet loyal to the myths, and easy to love (or love to hate) whether you're a fan of greek myth or not. If you don't know much about greek myths, you'll learn a thing or two! I personally love greek mythology, which is what steered me toward this series in the first place.
I was disappointed when I put the books down and sought out the fandom, only to find it quite small and overrun with youngins. This is why I need to convert some of my f-list. Seriously. I may compile lists of "Reasons Why You All Should Read Percy Jackson". There is so much potential for great fic, great pairings... Indeed, I have a femslash plot bunny myself. And there is still one book to go, so I want more people to squee with before it all ends!
A Strong and Sudden Thaw by R.W. Day (rwday)
A Strong and Sudden Thaw is my new favorite standalone novel. Maybe that doesn't mean much to some of you avid bookworms ('cause, like I've said before, I don't read that many novels to begin with) but good lord almighty do I love this book. Dragons, post-apocalypse, gay love, coming-of-age -- what more could I ask for? I found it immensely satisfying. There are sex scenes, though they're not that elaborate (nonetheless, I found them satisfying). I read this when there was very little new/engaging H/D (my precious OTP) fic to be found on teh internetz, and let me tell you. I did not fantasize about Harry or Draco for weeks; it was all about David and Callan. In fact, I'm still fantasizing about them... ;)
Ghost Boy by Iain Lawrence
A few weekends ago, around three in the morning, I realized I was enthralled with the idea of joining a circus, so I found a few circus novels on Amazon and ordered them, LOL. I wasn't sure about Ghost Boy at first, but I was quickly pulled in after the main character, Harold (a fourteen-year-old albino) joins up with some circus folk. The bonds between these characters warmed me up and I eagerly lapped up the rest of the book.
The end left me unsettled though. It took an unexpected turn, I thought. Surprises are cool, but... I wasn't convinced the twist of fate at the end matched the tone of the book, and it left me uncomfortable. Probably I missed the Great Moral, but whatev. So the beginning and the end of the book were not so compelling -- but all that stuff in the middle? I enjoyed. Very worth the four bucks I paid (shipping included!)
Only Words by Tina Anderson (Author) and Caroline Monaco (Illustrator)
I snatched this up last July with A Strong and Sudden Thaw back when Iris Print went out of business and everything was 50% off. It was my first manga (though admittedly, it's Western) and took me only fifteen minutes to read. The art was beautiful, the story touching. I'm not sure how it compares to other yaoi manga, but it left me hungry for more, so I'll be seeking out more yaoi soon.
I liked it, I'll read it again sometime, but for only fifteen minutes of entertainment...? I am glad that I got it for half-price rather than full. ;)
Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
The Percy Jackson series is the best series I've read since Harry Potter. Oh wait, it's the only series I've read since Harry Potter...
Nevertheless! I am deeply in love with it. No, it is not ground-breaking literature. No, the plot is not as deliciously complex as Harry Potter. But the pace is swift and exciting. The characters are alive and invigorating and funny as hell. The Greek Gods are fresh and hip yet loyal to the myths, and easy to love (or love to hate) whether you're a fan of greek myth or not. If you don't know much about greek myths, you'll learn a thing or two! I personally love greek mythology, which is what steered me toward this series in the first place.
I was disappointed when I put the books down and sought out the fandom, only to find it quite small and overrun with youngins. This is why I need to convert some of my f-list. Seriously. I may compile lists of "Reasons Why You All Should Read Percy Jackson". There is so much potential for great fic, great pairings... Indeed, I have a femslash plot bunny myself. And there is still one book to go, so I want more people to squee with before it all ends!
A Strong and Sudden Thaw by R.W. Day (rwday)
A Strong and Sudden Thaw is my new favorite standalone novel. Maybe that doesn't mean much to some of you avid bookworms ('cause, like I've said before, I don't read that many novels to begin with) but good lord almighty do I love this book. Dragons, post-apocalypse, gay love, coming-of-age -- what more could I ask for? I found it immensely satisfying. There are sex scenes, though they're not that elaborate (nonetheless, I found them satisfying). I read this when there was very little new/engaging H/D (my precious OTP) fic to be found on teh internetz, and let me tell you. I did not fantasize about Harry or Draco for weeks; it was all about David and Callan. In fact, I'm still fantasizing about them... ;)
Ghost Boy by Iain Lawrence
A few weekends ago, around three in the morning, I realized I was enthralled with the idea of joining a circus, so I found a few circus novels on Amazon and ordered them, LOL. I wasn't sure about Ghost Boy at first, but I was quickly pulled in after the main character, Harold (a fourteen-year-old albino) joins up with some circus folk. The bonds between these characters warmed me up and I eagerly lapped up the rest of the book.
The end left me unsettled though. It took an unexpected turn, I thought. Surprises are cool, but... I wasn't convinced the twist of fate at the end matched the tone of the book, and it left me uncomfortable. Probably I missed the Great Moral, but whatev. So the beginning and the end of the book were not so compelling -- but all that stuff in the middle? I enjoyed. Very worth the four bucks I paid (shipping included!)
Only Words by Tina Anderson (Author) and Caroline Monaco (Illustrator)
I snatched this up last July with A Strong and Sudden Thaw back when Iris Print went out of business and everything was 50% off. It was my first manga (though admittedly, it's Western) and took me only fifteen minutes to read. The art was beautiful, the story touching. I'm not sure how it compares to other yaoi manga, but it left me hungry for more, so I'll be seeking out more yaoi soon.
I liked it, I'll read it again sometime, but for only fifteen minutes of entertainment...? I am glad that I got it for half-price rather than full. ;)