Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning

Title: Darkfever (MacKayla Lane #1)

Author: Karen Marie Moning

Publisher: Bantam Books 2006

Genre: Paranormal Fantasy

Pages: 347

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (Fantasy Project); Reading Assignment

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death—a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone—Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae. . .

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane—an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book—because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands. . . .

This novel was quite a disappointment for me. I was hoping for a fun paranormal fantasy and instead I got an extremely unlikable main character, a confusing storyline, and way too many unanswered questions. I don't mind when the first book in a series leaves things unanswered. I do mind when it seems like all we get are questions and nothing more. Plus, MacKayla is a horrid character. Her Barbie doll exterior and seeming interior were of no interest to me. I hope that she grows through the series, but I don't really have an interest in following her journey. Probably an entertaining book for some, but not for me.

MacKayla Lane:

#1 Darkfever
#2 Bloodfever
#3 Faefever
#4 Dreamfever
#5 Shadowfever
#5.5 Fever Moon
#6 Iced
#7 Burned
#8 Feverborn
#9 Feversong
#10 High Voltage

Next up on the TBR pile:

The Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights

Title: The Arabian Nights: Tales from a Thousand and One Nights

Translated: Richard Burton

Publisher: 1932 version

Genre: Classics

Pages: 1049

Rating: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Perpetual (FanPro); Reading Assignment; Modern Mrs. Darcy - More than 500 pages

Full of mischief, valor, ribaldry, and romance, The Arabian Nights has enthralled readers for centuries. These are the tales that saved the life of Shahrazad, whose husband, the king, executed each of his wives after a single night of marriage. Beginning an enchanting story each evening, Shahrazad always withheld the ending: A thousand and one nights later, her life was spared forever.

This volume reproduces the 1932 Modern Library edition, for which Bennett A. Cerf chose the most famous and representative stories from Sir Richard F. Burton's multivolume translation, and includes Burton's extensive and acclaimed explanatory notes. These tales, including Alaeddin; or, the Wonderful Lamp, Sinbad the Seaman and Sinbad the Landsman, and Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves, have entered into the popular imagination, demonstrating that Shahrazad's spell remains unbroken.

I would give this 5 stars, but I realize that they are issues with this translation and compilation. I really did enjoy many of the stories listed in this volume. They are full of intrigue and adventure. But after reading the wikipedia page on the work, I have wish I would have read the new Syrian translation and compilation. Burton's volume took many liberties in editing and adding elements of the stories. Darn Victorians! Maybe someday I will get around to reading a newer version of the tales and see how they compare.

Next up on the TBR pile:

Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Title: Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke

Author: Susanna Clarke

Publisher: Bloomsbury 2008

Genre: Historical Fiction; Fantasy

Pages: 782

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; NPR Scifi/Fan; 21st Century Women Authors; A to Z - J; Books to Movies; 52 Books - W41

English magicians were once the wonder of the known world, with fairy servants at their beck and call; they could command winds, mountains, and woods. But by the early 1800s they have long since lost the ability to perform magic. They can only write long, dull papers about it, while fairy servants are nothing but a fading memory.

It's taken me years to get around to reading this giant volume, but I finally did it this week! And it was great! Clarke's writing reminds me of Jane Austen or Charles Dickens. I love the old-fashioned style of writing. The writing put me into the time period. And the story was great. I loved diving into Strange and Norrell and their strange personality quirks. The side characters were also very interesting. I loved Stephen and Arabella. The book meanderings through topics, stories, and characters, but somehow everything comes together in the end! The book is long, but I very much enjoyed it.

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon

Title: Outlander (Outlander #1)

Author: Diana Gabaldon

Publisher: Dell 1998

Genre: Historical Romance/Fantasy

Pages: 850

Rating: 5/5 stars TV Show: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; NPR Scifi and Fantasy; TBR Reduction; A to Z -- O; Book to Movie; Outlander

Unrivaled storytelling ... unforgettable characters ... rich historical detail ... these are the hallmarks of Diana Gabaldon's work. Her New York Times bestselling Outlander novels have earned the praise of critics and captured millions of readers.Here is the story that started it all, introducing two remarkable characters, Claire Randall and Jamie Fraser, in a spellbinding novel of passion and history that combines exhilarating adventure with a love story for the ages....The year is 1945. Claire Randall, a former combat nurse, is back from the war and reunited with her husband on a second honeymoon — when she walks through a standing stone in one of the ancient stone circles that dot the British Isles. Suddenly she is a Sassenach — an "outlander" — in a Scotland torn by war and raiding Highland clans in the year of Our Lord ... 1743.Hurled back in time by forces she cannot understand, Claire is catapulted into intrigues and dangers that may threaten her life ... and shatter her heart. For here she meets James Fraser, a gallant young Scots warrior, and becomes a woman torn between fidelity and desire ... and between two vastly different men in two irreconcilable lives.

My reread of this novel was slow going. I have no idea why it took me this long to read, because I really really enjoyed this book. Whatever the reason, I loved getting back into the story of Claire and Jamie. I originally read this a few years back at history reenactment events. Fitting as we were reenacting French and Indian War set just a few decades after Outlander. I never continued the series, yet have wanted to in the intervening years. One of my goals this year to finish the series.

Within the first chapter I dove head first back into the story. I love the character of Claire. She is such a well-rounded character I can imagine meeting her on the street. I love that her reactions to falling back in time are realistic. She is confused, angry, sad, but understands that she needs to figure this new situation out to survive. I love it! And meeting Jamie Fraser is just the beginning of a great romance. I love their little conversations here and there even before the wedding. I can't wait to see where their story leads in the rest of the series.

TV Show:

I was wary of the television series. Would it hold up to such an amazing book? Thankfully it does! Most of this is due to such great casting. They found the perfect people for Claire and Jamie, but the best casting is Tobias Menzies as Black Jack/Frank Randall. I've never been a huge fan of Frank, but to finally see him, I am more sympathetic to his situation. And then we get the flip side of Black Jack. Truly a villain for the ages. Beyond the main characters, I really enjoyed Dougal and especially Angus. And the scenery is just absolutely gorgeous. I want to go to Scotland right now! The only problem I have with the series was the horrible cliffhanger the creators left us with at the end of the first run. I guess I know what happens, but my goodness that was evil.

Outlander

#0.5 Virgins
#1 Outlander
#2 Dragonfly in Amber
#3 Voyager
#4 The Drums of Autumn
#5 The Fiery Cross
#6 A Breath of Snow and Ashes
#7 An Echo in the Bone
#7.5 The Space Between
#8 Written in My Own Heart's Blood
#8 A Leaf on the Wind of All Hallows

A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin

Title: A Feast for Crows (Song of Fire and Ice #4)

Author: George R.R. Martin

Publisher: Bantam Books 2005

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Pages: 1060

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall Reading Challenge;Fantasy Project; NPR Scifi and Fantasy; Mount TBR; 52 Books - W52; Well-Rounded Reader; Chunkster

It seems too good to be true. After centuries of bitter strife and fatal treachery, the seven powers dividing the land have decimated one another into an uneasy truce. Or so it appears. . . . With the death of the monstrous King Joffrey, Cersei is ruling as regent in King’s Landing. Robb Stark’s demise has broken the back of the Northern rebels, and his siblings are scattered throughout the kingdom like seeds on barren soil. Few legitimate claims to the once desperately sought Iron Throne still exist—or they are held in hands too weak or too distant to wield them effectively. The war, which raged out of control for so long, has burned itself out.
But as in the aftermath of any climactic struggle, it is not long before the survivors, outlaws, renegades, and carrion eaters start to gather, picking over the bones of the dead and fighting for the spoils of the soon-to-be dead. Now in the Seven Kingdoms, as the human crows assemble over a banquet of ashes, daring new plots and dangerous new alliances are formed, while surprising faces—some familiar, others only just appearing—are seen emerging from an ominous twilight of past struggles and chaos to take up the challenges ahead.

Another nail-bitting volume from A Song of Ice and Fire. I couldn't wait to see what to all the characters after the events of the third book. Unfortunately we only get half the story in this volume. Martin left the other characters to the fifth book. So no Jon Snow or Dany or Tyrion, but we do get some great stories centering on Brienne, Jamie, Cersi, Alayne, and my favorite story: Arianne Martell. I really loved getting stories from Dorne. We've heard about them for awhile, but only had contact with Oberyn. I loved meeting the Sand Snakes and the Prince of Dorne. My second favorite storyline involved Alayne in the Vale. I'm intrigued as to where that story is going. Overall a long, but very enjoyable read.

A Song of Ice and Fire:

#1 A Game of Thrones
#2 A Clash of Kings
#3 A Storm of Swords
#4 A Feast for Crows
#5 A Dance with Dragons
#6 The Winds of Winter

The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien

Title: The Hobbit

Author: J.R.R. Tolkien

Publisher: 1937

Genre: Fantasy Literature

Pages: 300

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; Fall into Reading; Mount TBR; 52 Books - W49; Rereading; Book to Movie

Bilbo Baggins is a hobbit who enjoys a comfortable, unambitious life, rarely traveling any farther than his pantry or cellar. But his contentment is disturbed when the wizard Gandalf and a company of dwarves arrive on his doorstep one day to whisk him away on an adventure. They have launched a plot to raid the treasure hoard guarded by Smaug the Magnificent, a large and very dangerous dragon. Bilbo reluctantly joins their quest, unaware that on his journey to the Lonely Mountain he will encounter both a magic ring and a frightening creature known as Gollum.

A classic. A classic that I haven't read for a few years now. I figured it was time to reread especially with the release of the last part of the movie trilogy. I love Bilbo Baggins so much. He is such a great character. I love that the audience can latch onto Bilbo along this crazy journey of his. My absolute favorite part of the book is Riddles in the Deep (chapter where Bilbo gets the ring from Gollum). I love the dialogue between the two characters, three if you count Smeagel. Smaug is also an amazing character. I love the interchanges between the dragon and the other characters. Great dialogue!!!

Movie:

Peter Jackson is a master of taking these classic books and turning them into beautiful film adaptations. I know that there are changes between book and movie, but the changes don't bother me at all. I was still so enthralled with the story. Martin Freeman was a great Bilbo, but my favorite was Richard Armitage as Thorin Oakenshield. Perfect acting! I can't wait to see the trilogy closer this Christmas.

City of Bones by Cassandra Clare

Title: City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1)

Author: Cassandra Clare

Publisher: Simon Pulse 2007

Genre: YA

Pages: 485

Rating: 4/5 stars Movie: 4/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Mount TBR; Book to Movie; 100 YA; NPR Teen; Fantasy Project

When fifteen-year-old Clary Fray heads out to the Pandemonium Club in New York City, she hardly expects to witness a murder—much less a murder committed by three teenagers covered with strange tattoos and brandishing bizarre weapons. Then the body disappears into thin air. It’s hard to call the police when the murderers are invisible to everyone else and when there is nothing—not even a smear of blood—to show that a boy has died. Or was he a boy?
This is Clary’s first meeting with the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the earth of demons. It’s also her first encounter with Jace, a Shadowhunter who looks a little like an angel and acts a lot like a jerk. Within twenty-four hours Clary is pulled into Jace’s world with a vengeance, when her mother disappears and Clary herself is attacked by a demon. But why would demons be interested in ordinary mundanes like Clary and her mother? And how did Clary suddenly get the Sight? The Shadowhunters would like to know. . . .

I enjoyed this volume way more than most of the YA paranormal books I've read in the past. It wasn't amazing, but at least I was entertained. I guessed most of the twists in the book, but they weren't completely obvious. The characters were interesting. The storyline kept my attention. I want to know more about the world of the Shadowhunters. I have the second and third volumes in the series. I will definitely be reading them soon.

Movie

First starting to watch the movie, I thought "oh okay, it's the same." But I was mistaken. As the movie continues, more and more things are changed. There are some direct quotes here and there and mostly the characters are the same. However, there are many changes to Valentine and the entire ending is different. I can't quite decide if I like the changes or not. I think that if I saw the movie without reading the book, I would have liked the movie just fine. As I read the book, I had to change my perspective. They didn't turn the book directly into a movie. They used the book as a starting off point. Becuase it isn't a bad movie by itself, I still rated it 4 stars.

Mortal Instruments (DNFed series)

#1 City of Bones
#2 City of Ashes
#3 City of Glass
#4 City of Fallen Angels
#5 City of Lost Souls
#6 City of Heavenly Fire

The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Title: The Little Prince

Author: Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Publisher: Reynal & Hitchcock 1943

Genre: Children's Literature

Pages: 112

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; 1001 Books; New Author; Monthly Key - July; What's in a Name - Position of Royalty

Few stories are as widely read and as universally cherished by children and adults alike as The Little Prince. Richard Howard's new translation of the beloved classic--published to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's birth--beautifully reflects Saint-Exupéry's unique and gifted style. Howard has excelled in bringing the English text as close as possible to the French, in language, style, and most important, spirit.

Somehow I have gone 32 years without reading The Little Prince. This is the year I rectify that slight. And I'm so glad that I did. This is a delightful little story that appeals to all ages. It's usually shelved in the children's section, but really it could be shelved anywhere. The nuggets of wisdom sprinkled throughout make it a classic. I love that this story has some many different layers. I feel like this is a volume that once read again would yield an entirely different outcome.

American Gods by Neil Gaiman

Title: American Gods

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: William Morrow 2001

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 480

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; NPR Scifi/Fan; Ebook; 52 Books -- W20; Lucky No. 14 -- Favorite Author

The storm was coming….Shadow spent three years in prison, keeping his head down, doing his time. All he wanted was to get back to the loving arms of his wife and to stay out of trouble for the rest of his life. But days before his scheduled release, he learns that his wife has been killed in an accident, and his world becomes a colder place.
On the plane ride home to the funeral, Shadow meets a grizzled man who calls himself Mr. Wednesday. A self-styled grifter and rogue, Wednesday offers Shadow a job. And Shadow, a man with nothing to lose accepts.
But working for the enigmatic Wednesday is not without its price, and Shadow soon learns that his role in Wednesday's schemes will be far more dangerous than he ever could have imagined. Entangled in a world of secrets, he embarks on a wild road trip and encounters, among others, the murderous Czernobog, the impish Mr. Nancy, and the beautiful Easter -- all of whom seem to know more about Shadow than he himself does.
Shadow will learn that the past does not die, that everyone, including his late wife, had secrets, and that the stakes are higher than anyone could have imagined.
All around them a storm of epic proportions threatens to break. Soon Shadow and Wednesday will be swept up into a conflict as old as humanity itself. For beneath the placid surface of everyday life a war is being fought -- and the prize is the very soul of America.

So it turns out that I read one of Gaiman's books out of order. Anansi Boys is a follow-up to American Gods. I ended up knowing a bit more about Anansi than this book reveals. It didn't ruin this book for me, so I guess it was okay.

This novel was out book club selection for May. I was really excited to introduce my book club ladies to Gaiman as I love his work so much. And this book did not disappoint. I love how all of Gaiman's works (okay most of them) start in the real world with a seemingly normal person. But then something happens that's not quite right and we're thrown into a hidden world of some kind. In this case, we get to meet gods. Half the fun of the novel is trying to figure which gods Shadow meets in his travels. I got most of them; guess I know my various mythologies. I loved following Shadow as we learn more and more of what really is going on. The big twists threw me, but I loved them. Overall, this is a very strong novel from Gaiman. It has his usual style of characters and writing. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Title: Wicked (Wicked Years #1)

Author: Gregory Maguire

Publisher: HarperCollins 1995

Genre: Fantasy

Pages: 406

Rating: 3/5 stars 4/5 stars for the musical

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; ebook; Book to Movie (or musical); Lucky 14 -- Walking Down Memory Lane

This is the book that started it all! The basis for the smash hit Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, Gregory Maguire's breathtaking New York Times bestseller Wicked views the land of Oz, its inhabitants, its Wizard, and the Emerald City, through a darker and greener (not rosier) lens. Brilliantly inventive, Wicked offers us a radical new evaluation of one of the most feared and hated characters in all of literature: the much maligned Wicked Witch of the West who, as Maguire tells us, wasn’t nearly as Wicked as we imagined.

I probably read this right around the time is was released. I recall reading it in high school but can't pinpoint the year, so anywhere from 1995-2000. I recall that I really enjoyed the novel. Upon rereading, my opinion of the book has lowered. I love love love the premise! We get to see how the Wicked Witch became the WW. I always assumed there was more to the story than she was just wicked. Overall, I gravitate toward villains. They usually have much more interesting back stories than heroes. I was to learn what makes them tick. I want to see their motivations for doing wicked things. So, I love the idea of this book. I love the concept the Wicked Witch and the Good Witch were friends once upon a time. I love the idea of expanding the discussion of politics and social class within Oz.

But then we come to the actual book and most of it falls fairly flat. The story becomes a bit convoluted. I got lost in all the small details of the world that are included but don't seem to matter much in the long run. I was disappointed in the little growth exhibited by Elphaba and Galinda. I wanted to see more. I wanted to really track their paths to seemingly opposite ends of the spectrum. The side character flit in and out of the story with little to no consequence. I wanted to truly explore the world of Oz, but the choppiness of the novel impeded my ability to dive in and get lost. Upon rereading, I just didn't love this book.

The Musical

On the other hand, I adore the musical. I saw a production of Wicked in Chicago in 2008 and fell in love. Of course, I didn't get to experience the musical with Idina Menzel and Kristin Chenoweth, but the actresses in the production were very good and enjoyable. The musical succeeds by narrowing the focus to the journeys of Elphaba and Galinda. It cuts out Elphaba's childhood and some of the minor plots from the book. We also contain the action to Shiz and then the Emerald City. By doing so, we get a better sense of the women's journeys and the implications of their choices. Plus, it has some great songs!

Wicked Years

#1 Wicked
#2 Son of a Witch
#3 A Lion Among Men
#4 Out of Oz

Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie

Title: Peter Pan

Author: J.M. Barrie

Genre: Children's Classic

Pages: 162

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fantasy Project; TBR Pile; Book to Move; Well-Rounded Reader; Back to the Classics -- Adapted into a Movie

Somehow I've never gotten around to actually reading Peter Pan. Sure, we all know the story. There have been so many movie adaptations. But I've never actually read it. I enjoyed the storyline, but I must say the writing style is a bit off putting. The sentences are often stilted and oddly constructed. I can't say that it was the worst "classic" that I've ever read, but the book just didn't grab me like I thought it would.

Movie:

For my movie selection, I rewatched Disney's Peter Pan. I really enjoy this film. I love the music. I love Captain Hook. I love Smee. I love the fun and frivolity of the movie. This is the classic edition to me. That said, I really want to watch Neverland with Rhys Ifans. It looks amazing!

2014 Reading Challenges -- Perpetual Edition

Overall, I want to focus most of my 2014 reading challenges of knocking out some of my perpetual reading challenges. So I've chosen a few books from each challenge to help me reach my ultimate goals.

Fantasy Project: 20 Books

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Graceling by Kristin Cashore
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Wicked by Gregory Maguire
Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning
Peter Pan by J.M. Barrie
The Little Prince by
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkein
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD

Nonfiction Adventure: 20 Books

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton
The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
John Adams by
Washington by
American Lion by
Woodrow Wilson by
Alexander Hamilton by
The Private World of Georgette Heyer by Jane Aiken Hodge
What Ifs of American History by
A Vindication on the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft
Becoming Mona Lisa by Donald Sassoon
The Emperor of Maladies by
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD

NPR Scifi and Fantasy: 10 Books

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
A Feast for Crows by George R.R. Martin
American Gods by Neil Gaiman
Outlander by Diana Gabaldon
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
Neuromancer by William Gibson
Contact by Carl Sagan
Dune by Frank Herbert
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

NPR Teen Books: 10 Books

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury
The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
Dune by Frank Herbert
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
TBD
TBD
TBD
TBD

Top 100 YA Novels: 5 Books

Graceling by Kristin Cashore
City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Tithe by Holly Black
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
TBD

21st Century Women Authors: 5 Books

The Time Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
House of Riverston by Kate Morton
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

United States of YA: 5 Books

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian by Sherman Alexie
TBD
TBD
TBD

Time Top 100: 5 Books

Neuromancer by William Gibson
Beloved by Toni Morrison
TBD
TBD
TBD

Rory Gilmore: 10 Books

The Second Sex by Simone de Beauvoir
Living History by Hilary Rodham Clinton
The TIme Traveler's Wife by Audrey Niffenegger
Beloved by Toni Morrison
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
Siddartha by Herman Hesse
The Nanny Diaries by Emma McLaughlin and Nicola Kraus
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson
Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

1001 Books: 10 Books

Neuromancer by William Gibson
Contact by Carl Sagan
Fingersmith by Sarah Waters
Beloved by Toni Morrison
A Room with a View by E.M. Forster
Siddartha by Herman Hesse
Casino Royale by Ian Fleming
Choke by Chuck Palahniuk
The Little Prince by
The Long Dark Teatime of the Soul by Douglas Adams

U.S. Presidents: 5 Books

The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
John Adams by
American Lion by
Washington by
Woodrow Wilson by

The Road by Cormac McCarthy

Title: The Road

Author: Cormac McCarthy

Publisher: Vintage 2007

Genre: Dystopia

Pages: 241

Rating: 3/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Fall into Reading; Dystopian; Monthly Key Word -- December; Book to Movie; Bingo -- 4 from everyone but me; NPR SciFan (perpetual); Fantasy Project (perpetual)

How I Got It: Library loan

A father and his son walk alone through burned America. Nothing moves in the ravaged landscape save the ash on the wind. It is cold enough to crack stones, and when the snow falls it is gray. The sky is dark. Their destination is the coast, although they don't know what, if anything, awaits them there. They have nothing; just a pistol to defend themselves against the lawless bands that stalk the road, the clothes they are wearing, a cart of scavenged food—and each other.

Another meh book. I can appreciate the stark simplicity of the writing, but I just wasn't a fan of the rest of the book. Nothing grabbed me and kept me really interested in reading. I'm fairly certain that I finished because it's only 241 pages. Don't really see what all the hype was about. I guess it just wasn't my kind of book.

Movie:

The movie added a ton of action beats that just don't exist in the book. It also expanded the role of the wife. I understand why they did it for a wide spread release movie. The book just doesn't have enough to appeal to mass audiences. Overall, I like the movie better than the book, but It still just wasn't something that really held my attention.

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Title: The Graveyard Book

Author: Neil Gaiman

Publisher: HarperCollins 2008

Genre: YA Fantasy

Pages: 325

Rating: 5/5 stars

Reading Challenges: Neil Gaiman; ebook; Book Bingo -- 3 from everyone but me; The Fantasy Project

How I Got It: iPad read

Nobody Owens, known to his friends as Bod, is a normal boy.
He would be completely normal if he didn't live in a sprawling graveyard, being raised and educated by ghosts, with a solitary guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor of the dead.
There are dangers and adventures in the graveyard for a boy-an ancient Indigo Man beneath the hill, a gateway to a desert leading to an abandoned city of ghouls, the strange and terrible menace of the Sleer.
But if Bod leaves the graveyard, then he will come under attack from the man Jack—who has already killed Bod's family. . . .

This book has been on my list for awhile now. I participated in The Fantasy Project's Wheel of Fortune challenge and this book came up for September/October. Truly I had forgotten what this one was supposed to be about and when I read the summary, I got a bit of a shock. A few weeks ago I read Gaiman's M is for Magic short story collection. That collection includes a story of Bod. I enjoyed that story, but felt like there was so much more to tell. Thankfully Gaiman thought so too and wrote an entire book around Bod.

This was a delightful little book. I loved every minute of it. Gaiman gives us a full story, but broken down into chapters that read almost like separate adventures. The style reminded me of The Hobbit. Each chapter is a story perfect for telling to children at bedtime. I loved all of the characters, especially Silas. I loved the adventures of Bod in and out of the graveyard. I was sad but happy at the ending. I wanted to read more about where Bod went after his time in the graveyard. I wanted to learn more about the Honour Guard. I wanted to see if Bod ever met with Scarlett again. This book was amazing. I think I will put it on the reading list for the boys.

The Fantasy Project -- Wheel of Fortune Sept/Oct

From Michelle: How does everyone feel about doing a Wheel of Fortune spin for September/October? The premise is to choose 15 books from your list and then on September 1st, I will randomly choose a number between 1-15. Whichever number that comes up will be the book you read in September/October.

Here are my choices for the spin... Can't wait to dive in and start reading.

Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman – American Gods
Neil Gaiman – Anansi Boys
Gail Carson Levine – Ella Enchanted (Enchanted #1)
Gregory Maguire – Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
George RR Martin — A Feast for Crows (Song of Fire and Ice #4)
Cormac McCarthy – The Road
Karen Marie Moning — Darkfever (MacKayla Lane #1)
Karen Marie Moning — Bloodfever (MacKayla Lane #2)
Karen Marie Moning — Faefever (MacKayla Lane #3)
Maria Snyder — Poison Study (Study #1)
Maria Snyder — Magic Study (Study #2)
Maria Snyder — Fire Study (Study #3)
Jonathan Swift – Gulliver’s Travels
Gregory Maguire — Wicked

The random number generator picked #1! Very excited! Pulling The Graveyard Book to read this month...

The Fantasy Project Challenge

From Michelle: How does everyone feel about doing a Wheel of Fortune spin for September/October? The premise is to choose 15 books from your list (see more in depth details in the sign-up post HERE) and then on September 1st, I will randomly choose a number between 1-15. Whichever number that comes up will be the book you read in September/October.

Here are my choices for the spin... Can't wait to dive in and start reading.

Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman – American Gods
Neil Gaiman – Anansi Boys
Gail Carson Levine – Ella Enchanted (Enchanted #1)
Gregory Maguire – Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
George RR Martin — A Feast for Crows (Song of Fire and Ice #4)
Cormac McCarthy – The Road
Karen Marie Moning — Darkfever (MacKayla Lane #1)
Karen Marie Moning — Bloodfever (MacKayla Lane #2)
Karen Marie Moning — Faefever (MacKayla Lane #3)
Maria Snyder — Poison Study (Study #1)
Maria Snyder — Magic Study (Study #2)
Maria Snyder — Fire Study (Study #3)
Jonathan Swift – Gulliver’s Travels
Gregory Maguire — Wicked

The Fantasy Project: 101 Books in 10 Years

The list was compiled by Bella (formerly of A Bibliophile's Bookshelf), who currently blogs at A Prairie Girl Reads, and Jo (Ink & Paper) when they held a mammoth poll in 2009 inviting readers to nominate their favorite fantasy books. The list is compiled of all the books nominated and voted for (813 total) in order by number of votes. The challenge started out with a year long format and then I changed it to a perpetual challenge. In both instances, books could be read from the top 101 or the entire list of 813.
Below are the guidelines for this revamped challenge. I hope you will join me!
The guidelines for The Fantasy Project
Read 101 fantasy books from the list of 101, or the entire list of 813, in 10 years (access the lists at the top of the blog).
choose 101 fantasy books from the list (due to the large amount of urban/paranormal fantasy titles on the list, I have made thisexception--26 titles can be titles that are not on the list, i.e. newer releases that came out after the list was compiled, more books of a high fantasy nature, etc.) To break it down...75 titles from the list and 26 that are not on the list = 101 books total.
you can read other books in a series in which the first book, or other books in the series, appears on the list, to complete the challenge
post your list on your blog
choose your completion goal date ten years in the future and make note of it with your list of titles (like this: reading goal--101 books goal dates--August 20, 2013 - August 20, 2023)
come back here and post the link to your list in the linky below
write a review on the book when finished and link it to the title in your list
there are pages at the top of the blog that link to spreadsheets where you can list/link up your reviews
there is a members list page, where I will list your name, blog, goal date, and link to your list
there is a "introduce yourself" page for members
when you have completed the challenge, come add your link to the Completed Challenges page
If you happen to host a read-a-long, or an event or challenge surrounding one of the titles on your list, post about it at this PAGE
I will try to have periodic group check-ins too
grab the button from sidebar

A few more important details

this challenge can be crossed over with any other challenges
your link in the linky below must lead to your list, not just your main blog address. Any links that are blog links only will be deleted
the list must be made in advance. The idea is to work toward reading fantasy you may have been otherwise neglecting and/or the fantasy titles/authors you love. However, the list does not have to be set in stone. You can change out titles as the mood suits you.
every 2 - 3 months we will have what we'll call the Wheel of Fortune (borrowing from The Classics Club classics spin idea) where you make a list of 15 books from your list (i.e. 5 you're dreading, 5 you can't wait for, 5 favorites or rereads--yes, rereads are okay OR 5 urban fantasy, 5 high fantasy, 5 by the same author...the list is pretty much up to you). On a predetermined date, I will randomly draw (random.org) a number from 1 - 15 and the number that's chosen will be the book you read from your list of fifteen.
our Twitter hashtag is #101FantasyProject
Addendum: If you finish the 101 books before the ten years is up, come back and make another list and reset your ten year time limit!

If you have any questions or comments, please leave me a comment below, or email me at truebookaddictATgmailDOTcom

I found this the other day. How did I not know about this? Anyway, I have wanted to read some many books on the list of 813 that I had to sign up. In fact, I decided that I want to read mostly new to me books. I wanted to concentrate on getting to those books that I've been putting off. My goal is August 2023 for the 101 books listed, but I'm hoping I can read these in 5 years. I think I'll be making smaller timeline goals as the years progress.

My List:

New Reads:

Arabian Nights
Kelley Armstrong -- Bitten (Women of the Otherworld #1)
Kelley Armstrong -- The Summoning (Darkest Powers #1)
JM Barrie – Peter Pan
Anne Bishop -- Daughter of the Blood (Black Jewels #1)
Anne Bishop -- Heir to the Shadows (Black Jewels #2)
Anne Bishop -- Queen of the Darkness (Black Jewels #3)
Anne Bishop -- The Invisible Ring (Black Jewels #4)
Marion Zimmer Bradley -- The Mists of Aalon (Mists of Avalon #1)
Edgar Rice Burroughs – Tarzan
Edgar Rice Burroughs -- John Carter
Rachel Caine -- Glass Houses (Morganville Vampires #1)
Kristin Cashore -- Graceling (Seven Kingdoms #1)
Cassandra Clare -- City of Bones (Mortal Instruments #1)
Susanna Clarke --Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell
Paulo Coelho – The Alchemist
Eoin Colfer – Artemis Fowl (Artemis Fowl #1)
Suzanne Collins – Gregor the Overlander (Underland Chronicles #1)
Michael Ende – The Neverending Story
Antoine de Saint Exupery – The Little Prince
Jeaniene Frost -- Halfway to the Grave (Night Huntress #1)
Neil Gaiman – The Graveyard Book
Neil Gaiman – American Gods
Neil Gaiman – Anansi Boys
Robert Jordan – The Eye of the World (Wheel of Time #1)
Annette Curtis-Klause – Blood and Chocolate
Ursula Le Guin – A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea #1)
Gail Carson Levine – Ella Enchanted (Enchanted #1)
Gregory Maguire – Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister
Juliet Marillier – Daughter of the Forest (Sevenwaters #1)
Juliet Marillier – The Dark Mirror (Bridei Chronicles #1)
Melissa Marr -- Wicked Lovely (Wicked Lovely #1)
George RR Martin -- A Feast for Crows (Song of Fire and Ice #4)
Anne McCaffrey – Dragonflight (Dragonriders of Pern #1)
Anne McCaffrey – Dragonsong (Harper Hall #1)
Anne McCaffrey – Acorna: The Unicorn Girl (Acorna #1)
Cormac McCarthy – The Road
Patrica A McKillip – Riddle-Master of Hed (Quest of the Riddle Master #1)
Patrica A McKillip – Ombria in Shadow
Patricia A McKillip – The Changeling Sea
Robin McKinley -- The Blue Sword (Damar #1)
Richelle Mead – Succubus Blues (Georgina Kincaid #1)
Richelle Mead – Storm Born (Dark Swan #1)
Karen Marie Moning -- Darkfever (MacKayla Lane #1)
Karen Marie Moning -- Bloodfever (MacKayla Lane #2)
Karen Marie Moning -- Faefever (MacKayla Lane #3)
Karen Marie Moning – Dreamfever (MacKayla Lane #4)
Karen Marie Moning – Beyond the Highland Mist (Highlander #1)
Karen Marie Moning -- To Tame the Highland Warrior (Highlander #2)
Karen Marie Moning -- The Highlander's Touch (Highlander #3)
Karen Marie Moning -- Kiss of the Highlander (Highlander #4)
Karen Marie Moning -- The Dark Highlander (Highlander #5)
Karen Marie Moning -- The Immortal Highlander (Highlander #6)
Karen Marie Moning -- Spell of the Highlander (Highlander #7)
Audrey Niffenegger – The Time Traveler’s Wife
Garth Nix– Sabriel (Old Kingdom #1)
Aprilynne Pike – Wings (Laurel #1)
Terry Pratchett – The Color of Magic (Discworld #1)
Terry Pratchett -- Mort (Discworld #4)
Terry Pratchett -- The Wyrd Sisters (Discworld #6)
Terry Pratchett -- Guards! Guards! (Discworld #8)
Terry Pratchett -- Small Gods (Discworld #13)
Terry Pratchett -- Soul Music (Discworld #16)
Terry Pratchett -- The Truth (Discworld #25)
Terry Pratchett -- The Last Hero (Discworld #27)
Terry Pratchett -- Night Watch (Discworld #29)
Terry Pratchett -- The Wee Free Men (Discworld #30)
Terry Pratchett -- Nation
Patrick Rothfuss – The Name of the Wind (Kingkiller Chronicle #1)
Brandon Sanderson – Mistborn
Michael Scott – The Alchemyst (Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel #1)
Lisa See – Peony in Love
Diane Setterfield – The Thirteenth Tale
Maria Snyder -- Poison Study (Study #1)
Maria Snyder -- Magic Study (Study #2)
Maria Snyder -- Fire Study (Study #3)
Maggie Stiefvater – Lament: The Faerie Queen’s Deception (Books of Faerie #1)
Jonathan Swift – Gulliver’s Travels
Rachel Vincent– My Soul to Take (Soul Screamers #1)
Rachel Vinent– My Soul to Lose (Soul Screamers #2)
Kurt Vonnegut – Slaughterhouse-Five
JR Ward -- Dark Lover (Black Dagger Brotherhood #1)
Jaye Wells – Red-headed Stepchild (Sabina Kane #1)
Patricia Wrede – Mairelon the Magician (Mairelon #1)
Patricia Wrede – Snow White and Rose Red
Patricia Wrede – The Magician’s Ward (Mairelon #2)
Patricia Wrede – Thirteenth Child (Frontier Magic #1)
Diana Wynne Jones– Charmed Life (Chrestomanci #1)
Diana Wynne Jones– House of Many Ways (Howl's Castle #3)
Diana Wynne Jones – Castle in the Air (Howl's Castle #2)
Diana Wynne Jones – Fire & Hemlock

Rereads:

Diana Gabaldon -- Outlander
Homer -- The Odyssey
Diana Wynne Jones -- Howl's Moving Castle
CS Lewis -- Chronicles of Narnia
Gregory Maguire -- Wicked
JRR Tolkien -- The Hobbit
JRR Tolkien -- The Fellowship of the Ring
JRR Tolkien -- The Two Towers
JRR Tolkien -- The Return of the King
Jules Verne -- Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea