Friday, May 25, 2007

Small Steps


Small Steps
by: Louis Sachar

Very, very, very different than the book it comes after, Holes. It follows the life of two kids from Camp Green Lake, Armpit and X-Ray. I liked it a lot.

It is a very different tone than Holes, none of the magical-tale feeling, more down-to-earth.

One thing I didn't like was the ending. It was way too practical for my liking. I was looking forward to something romantic, such as Armpit rushing off to makeup with Keira. Also, Ginny had a large role early on in the book, but was then cast off like she had served her purpose.

Wednesday, May 23, 2007

The Hero and the Crown


The Hero and the Crown
by: Robin McKinley

Love it love it love it! This was a precursor to The Blue Sword, also a very good book. What surprised me the most was how different they were. I like parts of this one better, but there are parts of the other book I wouldn't give up either. I don't like the beginning of The Blue Sword, I thought it was like mid-1800's, and then the whole scene and mood changes throughout the book, which I found very confusing.

In The Hero and the Crown I hate how inevitable everything seems to be. She just had to fight the dragon by herself, she just couldn't recover, she had to go up the staircase for centuries, she had to come back at the very last minute. Also, why did king Arlbeth have to die?

I do like how the author handled Aerin's mortal and not-quite-mortal sides, and the fact that Aerin could live a full life and still go back to love Luthe. I was really dreading her final decision.

It would be interesting to read a story continueing this one, where we get to see how strong Aerin's magic really is. Now that I've read this book I want to go back and read The Blue Sword, a lot of things will make more sense. But I still advise that you read the Blue Sword first, then The Hero and the Crown.

Tuesday, May 22, 2007

The Divide


The Divide
by: Elizabeth Kay

Saturday, May 19, 2007

Le Corbeau et le Renard

Le Corbeau et le renard

Maître corbeau, sur un arbre perché,
Tenait en son bec un fromage.
Maître renard, par l'odeur alléché,
Lui tint à peu près ce langage :
« Hé ! bonjour Monsieur du Corbeau.
Que vous êtes joli ! que vous me semblez beau !
Sans mentir, si votre ramage
Se rapporte à votre plumage,
Vous êtes le phénix des hôtes de ces bois. »
A ces mots, le corbeau ne se sent pas de joie ;
Et pour montrer sa belle voix,
Il ouvre un large bec, laisse tomber sa proie.
Le renard s'en saisit, et dit : « Mon bon monsieur,
Apprenez que tout flatteur
Vit aux dépens de celui qui l'écoute.
Cette leçon vaut bien un fromage sans doute. »
Le corbeau honteux et confus,
Jura, mais un peu tard , qu'on ne l'y prendrait plus.

Jean de LA FONTAINE
Fables, livre I (1668)

Cliquez ici pour l'écouter:
www.wheatoncollege.edu

Silas Marner


Silas Marner

The Weaver of Raveloe
by: George Elliot

My sister gave me this book for Christmas, and I had seen 2 TV versions before I read this. Wishbone, which was very good (I always love Wishbone), the more modern-ish Steve Martin one.  It is so nice to finally read the book and learn all of the details left out on film.  For example the story of the Cass brothers and their money schemes, plus Godfrey's situation with Nancy Lammeter.  But even more nice to know is Silas' background, the story of his epileptic fits and his horrible friend who kicks him out to steal his fiancée.  Not as nice to know is how very sad his condition has become, and how much the villagers fear/dispise him.

There isn't much for descriptions of English scenery in this novel, surprising to me.

Sometimes I wish George Eliot (a woman btw, Mary Ann Evans) would get to the point sooner, I just know what will happen but it takes forever to get there!

According to Wikipedia, "Ultimately, Silas Marner is a tale of familial love and loyalty, reward and punishment, humble friendships."

*New layout btw. I like this one, it is more airy and spread-out. Reminds me of imagining and reading books.

Tuesday, May 15, 2007

A Well-Timed Enchantment


A Well-Timed Enchantment
by: Vivian Vande Velde

(Amazing pen name, btw. I think I'll name my first child Vivian Vande Velde.)
I also read her book "Dragon's Bait" which was more geered towards an older audience, which I also liked.

Even though this book is meant for under 14 year olds I liked it. It has good ideas and a good ending, but the details aren't as fully developped as I would have liked. (But of course if I had my way all books would be about twice as long!) The ending comes too soon.
There are some pretty silly puns laced in and the main character doesn't grow a backbone until the end of the book.

It is very quirky and light-hearted, fast-paced, enjoyable.

Monday, May 7, 2007

Daughter of the Forest


Daughter of the Forest
by: Juliet Marillier

Very good. It reminds me a lot of Marillier's book Wolfskin, which was also excellent.

At some parts I cursed the characters' stupidity, and fervently wished that they would breach the gap of hate between the Britons and Sevenwaters, such as the brothers' constant hostility (except for Finbar), and the awful rumors told by the Britons.

I can't wait to read the next book in the series, Son of the Shadows.

Esperanza Rising


Esperanza Rising
by: Pam Muñoz Ryan

I had heard about this book so much that I just had to read it, even though it is meant for a younger audience. I love the cover art, her rising above her challenges, with the roses of memory. Esperanza means 'hope' in Spanish.

Some of my favorite parts:
Anza and her father listening to the earth's heart beat, then later on Anza and Miguel. Anza had to find her inner peace, and be around those she loved, to be able to hear the heart. Anza giving her doll to Isabel after she was not chosen for the Queen of May. Miguel bringing back Abuelita, a happy ending at last.

This is a true story about the author's grandmother.