50bookchallenge; 15000pages
Haven't posted my book list in ages, which doesn't mean I haven't been reading. In fact, what with now taking the T to work, I have more time to read than ever. So, without further ado, the last month or so's worth of reading:
Book #69 -- Will Shetterly, Nevernever
, 240 pages.
Continuing my re-read of the Bordertown series. I'd forgotten most of this one, honestly, and surprised myself with how much the ending affected me. Ambiguously happy never felt so sad.
Book #70 -- Isobel Carmody, Little Fur #1: The Legend Begins
, 224 pages.
The first in a series for kids, this is an adorable adventure book with an eco-friendly message that refrains from being *too* dogmatic.
Book #71 -- Ying Chang Compestine, A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts: A Collection of Deliciously Frightening Tales
, 192 pages.
This is an amazing collection of short ghost stories focused around food, with recipes to accompany each story. Absolutely wonderful.
Book #72 -- Keith McGowan,The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children
, 192 pages.
Quirky retelling of "Hansel and Gretel".
Book #73 -- Susanne Selfors, To Catch a Mermaid
, 272 pages.
Typical, but still fun, example of the children-dealing-with-death-of-one-parent-and-grief-of-the-other-discover-something-remarkable-that-helps-heal-family genre.
Book #74 -- Amy Gordon, Magic by Heart
, 197 pages.
In one of those alternate realities in which magical abilities are rare but not unheard of a young girl with her own budding abilities brings together a family long separated by fear and resentment.
Book #75 -- Jane Lindskold, Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls
, 288 pages.
Pretty impressive for an early novel with an amazing portrayal of a mentally ill protagonist trying to survive in a dystopian society.
Book #76 -- Barry Hughart, Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was
, 288 pages.
How the hell did I manage to miss this one for so long? Based on a Chinese folktale, this novel has that indescribable *something* I associate with the 1980s fantasy of my childhood - something both simpler and deeper than today's polished, 'sparkly' fantasy.
Book #77 -- Megan Crewe, Give Up the Ghost
, 256 pages.
Cass knows her parents are worried about her, but she wishes they wouldn't bother. With her dad always off in his own world and her mother always on the road, Cass has been taking care of herself since her older sister died. Not that death has stopped her from poking her nose into Cass's business. Besides, Cass has friends, they're just . . . well, dead.
Book #78 -- Dean Hale, Shannon Hale, and Nathan Hale, Rapunzel's Revenge
, 144 pages.
Graphic novel version of a kick-ass, braid-whipping Rapunzel.
Book #79 -- Kerry Hardie, The Bird Woman: A Novel
, 384 pages.
This is exactly the sort of domestic strife novel I wouldn't usually buy, but picked up cause it was free at ALA and I'm very glad I did.
Progress toward goals: 305/365 = 83.6%
Books: 79/100 = 79.0%
Pages: 23945/30000 = 79.8%
2011 Books
cross-posted to 15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynraven
Book #69 -- Will Shetterly, Nevernever
, 240 pages.
Continuing my re-read of the Bordertown series. I'd forgotten most of this one, honestly, and surprised myself with how much the ending affected me. Ambiguously happy never felt so sad.
Book #70 -- Isobel Carmody, Little Fur #1: The Legend Begins
, 224 pages.
The first in a series for kids, this is an adorable adventure book with an eco-friendly message that refrains from being *too* dogmatic.
Book #71 -- Ying Chang Compestine, A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts: A Collection of Deliciously Frightening Tales
, 192 pages.
This is an amazing collection of short ghost stories focused around food, with recipes to accompany each story. Absolutely wonderful.
Book #72 -- Keith McGowan,The Witch's Guide to Cooking with Children
, 192 pages.
Quirky retelling of "Hansel and Gretel".
Book #73 -- Susanne Selfors, To Catch a Mermaid
, 272 pages.
Typical, but still fun, example of the children-dealing-with-death-of-one-parent-and-grief-of-the-other-discover-something-remarkable-that-helps-heal-family genre.
Book #74 -- Amy Gordon, Magic by Heart
, 197 pages.
In one of those alternate realities in which magical abilities are rare but not unheard of a young girl with her own budding abilities brings together a family long separated by fear and resentment.
Book #75 -- Jane Lindskold, Brother to Dragons, Companion to Owls
, 288 pages.
Pretty impressive for an early novel with an amazing portrayal of a mentally ill protagonist trying to survive in a dystopian society.
Book #76 -- Barry Hughart, Bridge of Birds: A Novel of an Ancient China That Never Was
, 288 pages.
How the hell did I manage to miss this one for so long? Based on a Chinese folktale, this novel has that indescribable *something* I associate with the 1980s fantasy of my childhood - something both simpler and deeper than today's polished, 'sparkly' fantasy.
Book #77 -- Megan Crewe, Give Up the Ghost
, 256 pages.
Cass knows her parents are worried about her, but she wishes they wouldn't bother. With her dad always off in his own world and her mother always on the road, Cass has been taking care of herself since her older sister died. Not that death has stopped her from poking her nose into Cass's business. Besides, Cass has friends, they're just . . . well, dead.
Book #78 -- Dean Hale, Shannon Hale, and Nathan Hale, Rapunzel's Revenge
, 144 pages.
Graphic novel version of a kick-ass, braid-whipping Rapunzel.
Book #79 -- Kerry Hardie, The Bird Woman: A Novel
, 384 pages.
This is exactly the sort of domestic strife novel I wouldn't usually buy, but picked up cause it was free at ALA and I'm very glad I did.
Progress toward goals: 305/365 = 83.6%
Books: 79/100 = 79.0%
Pages: 23945/30000 = 79.8%
2011 Books
cross-posted to 15000pages, 50bookchallenge, and gwynraven