"Goddess of the Rose" by P.C. Cast

We all know the story of "Beauty and the Beast".  It has been adapted into children's movies, inspired art work,  and helped to shape the romantic ideas of multiple generations.  Compared to the wimpy princesses traditionally featured in fairy tales, Belle is always portrayed as smart and strong willed.  She's a heroine I find far easier to relate to (and that I'd rather my daughters emulate as well).  Even the Beast is a fascinating character (if far more interesting as the Beast than the prince...I can remember as a child how we quickly discarded the transformed prince doll and played exclusively with Belle and the Beast).

In "Goddess of the Rose", P.C. Cast combines the "Beauty and the Beast" fairy tale with other myths (notably the Minotaur) and a modern twist.  The rose takes on even more importance than you're used to, and becomes a powerful symbol for her rather than just a token for him.  It is a symbolic, romantic novel that will keep you entertained and perhaps longing to meet a Beast of your own (and start a rose garden).

To read my longer review of "Goddess of the Rose", click here.
To find out more about "Goddess of the Rose" and P.C. Cast's whole Goddess series, visit her official website.

"Light Years" by Brian Clegg

I love books that are both educational and entertaining in ways that you never expected.  "Light Years" is one of those books.  It doesn't just look at one person or event or story.  Instead, it takes the history of man's study of and relationship with light.  There's a lot of stories, philosophy, and history.  The book is not quite a novel, not quite a history book, not quite a textbook.  It's something unique, and it was fascinating to read.

To read my full review of "Light Years" by Brian Clegg, click here.

If you've noticed that "Light Years" is the firs book I've posted about it awhile, there's a reason why.  My blog might be Keri's Bookshelf, but at the moment I don't have a bookshelf.  We moved.  Not just a down the road into a bigger house move, but a major, across the world, busy applying for a visa type move.  This involved majorly downsizing.  It felt like amputating a limb, but we managed to get rid of at least half of our books.  Some we sold; some we gave away.  Even so, we still have more boxes labelled "books" than anything else.  We got rid of all of our bedding, towels, and electronics (including my computer, which has also made blogging more difficult).  We kept stacks of boxes full of books.

Right now most of my books are still stacked in boxes in storage waiting to be shipped to us.  Life is hectic.  I don't even have a card at my new library yet.

On the other hand, I discovered ibooks on my new phone.  It isn't the same as holding an actual book.  It doesn't smell like paper or give the same weight in my hand.  It does let me have a stack of books in my pocket all the time.

I guess what I'm saying is this.  Thanks for not giving up on my or this little book blog of mine.

I'm back with Once by Morris Gleitzman

Sorry that I disappeared for a few months.  I know, I kind of disappeared for awhile.  I have a legitimate excuse though.  I've been busy moving.  So please be patient with me if it continues to be sporadic for awhile.

In between packing boxes and applying for new jobs and tackling a never-ending to-do list, I have managed to keep reading some good books as well.  Hopefully I'll eventually get caught up on here.

For now, here's a little tribute to a children's book set in WWII.  Once only took me a couple of hours to read, but it was good for readers in a wide range of ages and I personally enjoyed it.

For my book review of Once by Morris Gleitzman, click here.
To visit author Morris Gleitzman's official website, click here.

"Waking the Witch" by Kelley Armstrong

You've probably noticed by now that I enjoy Kelley Armstrong's novels.  I've read most of them.  I'd like to read the few books of hers that I haven't gotten to yet.

The Armstrong book that I've read most recently is "Waking the Witch".  Part of the "Otherworld" (sometimes called "Women of the Otherworld") series, "Waking the Witch" centres on the witch and private investigator Savannah Levine.  Savannah takes on her first solo case by travelling to a small town to investigate some murders.  She soon discovers that in this case, nothing is as it seems.

Although it wasn't my favorite book in the series, I did enjoy it and getting to read more about Savannah.  If you're just looking for a stand alone book I wouldn't really recommend it, but it does have its place in the series.

To read my longer review of "Waking the Witch" by Kelley Armstrong, click here.

If you enjoy "Waking the Witch", I recommend:

• the rest of Armstrong's "Otherworld" series.  "Bitten" is the first in the series.  For a similar crime type feeling without the paranormal element, try Armstrong's "Nadia Stafford" series.
• other crime fiction novels with a strong female lead, like Patricia Cornwell's books about Scarpetta.
• other urban fantasy/paranormal novels like "Generation Dead" by Daniel Waters or Rachel Caine's books.

"The True Darcy Spirit" by Elizabeth Aston

Yes, I probably read too much Austen fan fiction.  I read Jane Austen's novels and now I just can't seem to stop.

My most recent visit to the world of Austen was "The True Darcy Spirit" by Elizabeth Aston.  Set about twenty years after "Pride & Prejudice", the children of Austen's novel take center stage.  I read it because of the Austen tie-in, it works on its own as an interesting historical novel.

Click here to visit author Elizabeth Aston's official website.

If you enjoy "The True Darcy Spirit", I recommend reading Elizabeth Aston's five other novels related to the Darcy family.  Obviously fans of Aston will enjoy reading (or rereading) Jane Austen's classic novel.  Other Austen fan fiction novels include "Jane Austen Stole my Boyfriend", "Dancing with Mr. Darcy", and "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict".

"Goddess of the Rose" by P.C. Cast

If you're familiar with the "Goddess Summoning" series by P.C.Cast, then you'll know what to expect from "Goddess of the Rose".  Yes, it takes a strong modern woman and throws her into mythology and a passionate love story.  Yes, there is a conflict of how to resolve the two different worlds, and the initial struggles about whether they can accept love.  Then there's the inevitable happy ending.  If this is what you're expecting, then "Goddess of the Rose" delivers.  Yes, you know what to expect.  You also know what to expect when you buy a chocolate bar, but that doesn't stop you indulging, does it?

To read my book review of "Goddess of the Rose" by P.C. Cast, click here.
To visit P.C. Cast's official website, click here (or here for her blog).

"The Red Queen" by Philippa Gregory

"The Red Queen" is the second book in Gregory's "The Cousins' War" series (after "The White Queen").  The interesting thing about this series so far is that it takes many of the same events and shows them from differing perspectives.  It was an interesting book set during a period that is less often covered in historical novels than many other areas of English history.  Although it wasn't my favorite book of hers, Phillipa Gregory is the queen of historical novels set around the English court.

For my review of "The Red Queen", click here.

"Dracula" by Bram Stoker

I read a lot of vampire books, so I decided to go back to the classic and read Bram Stoker's "Dracula". 

Although it wasn't the first piece of vampire fiction, "Dracula" is the classic vampire novel.  The funny thing is, when I read it, I wanted more of the vampire.  I felt like for a book called "Dracula", there simply wasn't enough of Dracula (who also uses the name De Ville...later borrowed by Cruella of "101 Dalmations").  That was a major way in which vampire fiction has evolved since then.  In Stoker's "Dracula", the vampire is an evil, "unholy" creature that the main characters hunt down and abhor.  In most modern vampire fiction, the vampire is one of the main characters that in some way you like.

Traditionally, there is something seductive and sexy about vampires (even in old succubus folklore).  There are moments of this in "Dracula", but only moments.  For example, the vampire tells the group of men hunting him, "Your girls that you all love are mine already; and through them you and others shall yet be mine..."  Most of the time, though, Dracula is more of an eccentric old man or generic shape shifting evil.

Yes, "Dracula" is a classic, and I'm glad that I read it.  It made me interested in how vampire fiction has evolved, and showed how different culture was then.  As far as simple entertainment goes, though, I have to say that I prefer modern vampire books.

"Emma" by Jane Austen

If you've been reading this blog, you already know that I've been reading (or re-reading, as applicable) all of Jane Austen's novels.  I left "Emma" for the last, and just read it.

There are a lot of ways that you could approach this novel.  I read a critical essay about "Emma" discussing it in terms of anthropological significance and the detailed, realistic portrayal of English country life during the period.  It would be easy for me to start analyzing "Emma" from a feminist perspective (especially regarding Mr. Knightley and Emma's relationship and his role as brother/informal tutor to her before being her acknowledged suitor).  Post-colonialists can have a ball with Austen's works.  I'm not going to dive too much into any of these, but you can click here for some good resources for a critical/academic approach to "Emma".

The thing is, Austen wasn't an academic.  She was smart and observant.  She observed not only life around her, but trends in literature and readership.  In fact, finishing the last of her books led me to notice some of the themes that have carried throughout her books.  They all have that classic Austen feel, and there are definite story and character similarities that carry through all of her works.  A less obvious thread, though, is the theme of reading that goes throughout all of the books.  Stuck into her novels are little discussions on reading and what we read.

In "Emma" there are many moments that embrace books: Emma always means to read more; Harriet recommends books to her friend/suitor; letters that are written, read, re-read and shared.  Austen encourages us--as we read--to consider why we read.  What role does reading play to us individually and as a society?  How do our reading choices both reflect and help to shape us?  In a very post-modern way, Austen inserts a gentle play of books within books and questions the nature of reality for her subject and readers.

I have to admit that I've enjoyed reading all of Austen's novels in a relatively short period, and it was a bit bittersweet to finish the last one.  There's still plenty of Austen fan fiction out there to enjoy though... look forward to "Mr. Darcy, Vampyre" soon.  I checked it out from the library too.

"Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend" by Cora Harrison

I admit that there's been a Jane Austen theme to my reading lately, and I've been reading both Austen's novels and Austen fan fiction.  (It all started back in March when I won a copy of "Confessions of a Jane Austen Addict".)  So although I'd never heard of this book or the author (Cora Harrison), when I saw the title on the shelf at the library, it was enough for me to bring it home.

The title worked to grab my attention, but isn't completely accurate to the book.  It's more catchy than fitting, but it does capture the light-hearted tone of the book.  "Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend" is a fun romp through a story of teen romances and family dramas, society expectations and friendships, and--of course--it has a spunky teen Jane Austen.  It's not a biography, but the novel does have some basis in historical information.  It may not be the best novel you'll ever read, but it is a fun piece of fan fiction.  I enjoyed it for what it is.

For my full review of "Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend" by Cora Harrison, click here.

"My Art Book"

My children love art.  My five-year-old is especially artistic and interested in art, and we try to take her seriously and encourage her.  She does, after all, come from a family with a lot of professional artists in it.  Lately when we go to the library, she heads straight for the bookshelf with the children's art books.

Some of these books, we've discovered, have been pretty awful.  Sometimes, though, she finds a book that is a little treasure.  The best book she's found so far is "My Art Book" published by DK.  If you have kids, this is a great book both to start informing them about art and to try out some great art projects of your own.

There are some really good ideas and clear instructions for making your own artwork.  My kids preferred reading and looking at the book for ideas, and then pulling out our art supplies so that they could work on their own "inspired-by" project.  This book led to a lot of entertainment.  I'm not sure how many hours my daughter spent thumbing through it or working on ideas inspired by it, but it was a lot.  After having the book out from the library for a full month they still weren't sick of it and still looked at it regularly.  This is a definite winner for an art book for kids.  We used it at home, but I think it would be a great resource for art teachers as well.

For more about why my family loved DK's "My Art Book", click here.

"Mansfield Park" by Jane Austen

If you remember, I set a goal to read (or re-read) all of Jane Austen's novels.  So far I've managed:
"Pride & Prejudice"
"Sense & Sensibility"
"Northanger Abbey"
and now "Mansfield Park".

(In case you're wondering about the order I'm reading them in, it's a simple system.  I just pick up whichever Jane Austen novel happens to be available at the library when I visit.  Next up are "Persuasion" and "Emma".)

 I'll just start out by admitting it.  "Mansfield Park" is my least favorite of Jane Austen's novels.  It is obviously Austen; you could pull out any single page, read it out of context, and just know that it is from one of Austen's books.  Yet it never reaches quite the level of the other books.

What is it that's lacking in "Mansfield Park"?  Or what is perhaps there that's not in the other five novels?

First of all, Fanny Price just isn't as good of a main character as Austen's other heroines are.  She doesn't have the wit or warmth of most of her counterparts.  When we think of Jane Austen, we normally think of strong women leads.  Fanny Price, however, is mostly characterized as being weak and sickly.  Yes, she has moral integrity, but she's also known for being "persuadable".

Also, the love story just lets the book down.  I know that in Austen's time it was acceptable for cousins to marry each other.  Even as a modern reader I could have probably handled that they were somehow related.  What makes the relationship between Fanny and Edmund disturbing is that they have grown up together like siblings.  They refer to each other in family terms, like "brother" and "sister".  Perhaps most disturbing to me is how completely malleable Fanny is to Edmund. 

Their relationship is not one of equals.  Although Edmund confides in Fanny, he is not actually influenced by her.  Proof of this is offered again and again (for example, when he takes part in the play after her confirming counsel that he should not; his continued high opinion of the Crawfords despite Fanny's better judgement).  Fanny, on the other hand, has formed most of her life and opinions around Edmund's advice, approval, and love.  Even when they are approaching marriage, this is how their relationship is described:
"a regard [Edmund's feelings for Fanny] founded on the most endearing claims of innocence and helplessness, and completed by every recommendation of growing worth, what could be more natural than the change? [from "warm and sisterly regard" to "wedded love"]  Loving, guiding, protecting her, as he had been doing ever since her being ten years old, her mind in so great a degree formed by his care, and her comfort depending on his kindness...what was there now to add, but that he should learn to prefer soft light eyes to sparkling dark ones..." -"Mansfield Park", Vol. III Chap. xxii

In the other novels, you really want them to get together.  Who doesn't savor every moment of misunderstanding in "Pride & Prejudice", for example, yet long for Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy to have their happily ever after?  In "Mansfield Park", conversely, you just don't really care.  Or, if you do, it's because you don't actually want them together.

"Mansfield Park" is also the most moralizing of Austen's novels.  Many of them show the consequences of certain actions or personality traits, and even have almost fable type elements to them.  "Mansfield Park" is the only one that feels moralizing rather than just moral though.  In accordance with this, the novel is much less ironic than many of her others.  Yes, there are moments of irony in the novel (like Mrs. Norris constantly contradicting her words by her actions), but the tone is different.

I'm glad that I read "Mansfield Park", but it's not one I'll keep revisiting for pleasure reading.

"Goddess of Legend" by P.C. Cast

I've been reading the "Goddess Summoning" series by P.C. Cast lately (I've already posted about some of the other books in the series).  I'm really enjoying the series, especially the basis in mythology.

So far "Goddess of Legend" (using the Camelot legends) is my least favorite book in the series.  If you're interested in the series, I'd recommend reading any of the others over this one.  I still love P.C. Cast, but this is my least favorite book of hers so far.

To read my book review of "Goddess of Legend" by P.C. Cast, click here.

"Fade Out" by Rachel Caine

You've probably noticed by now that I have a weak spot for fantasy/paranormal fiction in general, and especially vampires.  I also really like young adult novels.  The end result is that I've read a lot of vampire books ranging from the horrific to cheesy.

"The Morganville Vampires" is a young adult series by author Rachel Caine.  The basic premise of the series is that a seemingly ordinary town (Morganville) is actually controlled and partially inhabited by vampires.  The main characters are:
Claire (teen genius and newcomer to Morganville)
Shane (brawn over brains and Claire's boyfriend)
Eve (both bubbly and ironically goth)
Michael (boy turned ghost turned vampire, guitar god and Eve's boyfriend).

They live together at the Glass House and have lots of life threatening adventures.

"Fade Out" is the 7th "Morganville" book.  (If you enjoy it, look for the next three books.  The 11th "Morganville" book is due to be published this November.)  In it, life seems to have found a new normal and calmed down.  In Morganville, though, normal and safe never last.  Eve becomes infatuated with a new friend.  In fact, everyone seems to just love the new girl and Claire must battle with jealousy and suspicions.  Throw in some vampire attacks, a vicious steampunk vampire computer, and reality TV references, and you have "Fade Out".

To read my review of the book "Fade Out" by Rachel Caine, click here.
To visit Rachel Caine's official website and find out more about all of her books, click here.

"Brisingr" by Christopher Paolini

I admit that I'm a little behind the times when it comes to Christopher Paolini's books.  Everyone was talking about Eragon when it came out way back in 2003.  Even my dad read and loved it and recommended it to me.  I put it on my mental list of books to read, but somehow never actually got around to it until recently.

The good news about procrastination is that I didn't have to wait for the next book in the series to be published.  I read the first three books of the "Inheritance Cycle" one right after the other, and the long awaited fourth book is due out in a few months.

"Brisingr" is Paolini's third book.  It continues the story of Eragon and his dragon Saphira.  (You could debate whether she's his dragon or he's her person; I think it's some of both.)  I enjoyed the book and thought it was probably the strongest in the series so far.  It tied together and explained a lot of points from earlier books.  Also, I really liked the moments of fierceness  that came out coupled with very quiet scenes.  There were a few things that I personally was disappointed by, but overall it was a good read and I'm looking forward to the last book in the series.

"Sense and Sensibility" by Jane Austen

I decided to continue my Jane Austen kick and read (or reread) all of Austen's novels.  I've recently read and blogged about "Pride and Prejudice" and "Northanger Abbey".

I tackled "Sense and Sensibility" next.  I had read it before, but not for probably a decade.  I've also seen several adaptations of "Sense and Sensibility" (my favorite is this one: Sense & Sensibility (Special Edition) ). Right now is a particularly good time to enjoy "Sense and Sensibility" as it's the novel's birthday.  The Jane Austen House Museum is currently celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication of "Sense and Sensibility".

With Jane Austen novels, I know what to expect and I'm never disappointed.  I really enjoyed revisiting "Sense and Sensibility".  The novel is a story of parallels and we see how two very different sisters (Elinor and Marianne) cope with very similar circumstances.  There are many other parallels that are created in the novel, so that the story almost becomes a complicated set of mirrors with each event and character reflecting or echoing something else.  Because of this construction, the reader is constantly making comparisons and drawing conclusions.  No one exists as a stand-alone entity and no judgements are made on their own.  Instead we are invited to compare characters and events, and everything is judged in context or compared in reference to each other.  Indeed, sometimes we are shown how different things are, and sometimes this system shows surprising similarities.

If you're not familiar with the story line of "Sense and Sensibility", it's pretty standard Jane Austen stuff.  Two sisters fall in love (obviously not with each other), complications arise, and eventually they're both happily married (much to the delight of their mother). 

For me, "Sense and Sensibility" is not the most romantic of Austen's love stories.  I find far more satisfaction, for example, in the eventual union of Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Darcy in "Pride and Prejudice".  However, the novel itself is a great literary creation.  It is subtle, carefully and beautifully crafted, clever, historically informative, and ultimately entertaining to read.

Austen's other novels are "Emma", "Mansfield Park", and "Persuasion".  In addition she wrote some shorter works (many of them pre-date her novels and are collectively known as her "Juvenelia"), some unfinished fiction, and many letters.  I'll read and write about more of Austen's works soon.

"Random Acts of Heroic Love" by Danny Scheinmann

I was given the book "Random Acts of Heroic Love" by Danny Scheinmann through the Secret Post Club.  I enjoyed it and have since passed on a copy to Pants With Names.  If I had enough copies, I'd pass them out to you too.

"Random Acts of Heroic Love" is an interesting novel that ties together a lot of different elements and styles.  It could have gone horribly wrong, but instead it formed a nice narrative that you enjoy reading and that is thought provoking.

For more about "Random Acts of Heroic Love", click here.
To visit the author's official website, click here.

"The Time of Singing" by Elizabeth Chadwick

I'm a sucker for a good historical novel.  I love the combination of historical fact and historical plausibility, and how we get the feeling of a period rather than just the facts.  If you're interested in fiction set during the Middle Ages, then I'd recommend "The Time of Singing" by Elizabeth Chadwick.  The novel spans a longish time period with a lot of characters and a lot of historical information.  Chadwick managed to take all of this information and story line (and it's a lot), and weave it together into a coherent and gripping novel.

To read my longer review of "The Time of Singing" by Elizabeth Chadwick, click here.
To visit Elizabeth Chadwick's official website, click here.

If you enjoy "The Time of Singing", I recommend reading Elizabeth Chadwick's other fantastic novels set during the Middle Ages.  I would also recommend Philippa Gregory and Posie Graeme-Evans's novels.  I haven't read anything by the following authors (yet), but I've been told they write in the same genre: Margaret George, Rosalind Laker, Alison Weir.

"The Host" by Stephenie Meyer

Just about everybody has heard of Stephenie Meyer.  She became a superstar in the publishing world virtually overnight when her first book, "Twilight", was published.  Since then the "Twilight" series has become a merchandising empire of best-selling books, popular movies, and related merchandise...but you don't need me to tell you this.  Even if you've never read "Twilight", you know about the vampire love saga.

What less people know about is what else Stephenie Meyer has done.  Her only other published book is a science fiction novel called "The Host".  This book hasn't reached the manic popularity of "Twilight", although I'm sure that both Meyer and the publishing company both made a healthy profit off of it.

Out of curiosity, I read "The Host".  Overall, I have to say that it probably is actually better written than the "Twilight" books.  Meyer's writing is more focused and less awkward with overall better crafting than the "Twilight" series (certainly at the beginning of the series).  Somehow, though, that doesn't necessarily make this a better book.  Despite the many shortcomings of "Twilight", people still get sucked into the characters and story (especially the love story).  In "The Host" you just don't get quite as involved with the characters, and so you're not as emotionally invested in the book.  It was entertaining, but it wasn't groundbreaking science fiction.  I do commend it, though, for the simple fact that I think it probably introduced scifi novels to a new generation of readers that wouldn't otherwise have considered picking up a scifi novel.

For more of what I thought about "The Host", click here.
To visit Stephenie Meyer's official website, click here.

"Distant Music" by Lee Langley

"Distant Music" is a book that is more about capturing a feeling or essence than about portraying a specific plot or even characters.  The novel is an embodiment of yearning.  It is about potential futures and unfulfilled dreams that are greater than a single individual or lifetime.  In many ways this is a beautiful, lyrical text, but it is also deeply melancholy and haunting. 

To read my longer review of "Distant Music", click here.
To find out more about author Lee Langley, click here.