Dragonwing--Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman

Year Published: 1990
Pages: 480
Genre: Fantasy
Rating: 4/5

Finally I read this book (which has been floating around my bookshelf for years), and now I want to read the series.

I don't know why it took me so long to read it--I loved the Dragonlance series by the same authors. Maybe I was worried it would be too different than those books, which I adored. Or maybe time got in the way. Whatever it was, I'm glad I read it now. It sets the scene for a struggle between two races of demigods, the Patryns and the Sartans. Other races featured in this book are elves, dwarves (Gegs), and humans. All races are divided and mistrustful of one another; it appears that some sort of apocalypse separated them. The world is divided into three realms--the low realm, which is closest to land and on which resides the dwarves, the mid-realm, which is floating in air and occupied by elves and humans, and the high realm, which is above a crust of ice where the highest order of human magicians live. There is also an underrealm which contains a labyrinth where the Patryn were imprisoned--and forgotten--by the Sartans, causing the current conflict.

The book begins with a hired assassin (Hugh the Hand) given the task of killing a king's son--a bright, cheerful boy of about nine. He and the boy, Prince Bane, leave under the pretext that he is protecting the boy from enemies, and Bane's servant, Alfred, follows them. As they journey, Hugh begins to realize there is more to both of them than he bargained for. They end up stranded in low realm, where the dwarves are undergoing a revolution, where they meet Haplo, a mysterious figure from the underworld, and his remarkable dog. The journey takes them up to the High Realm where they must confront one of the more powerful magi--and where the true battle begins.

I loved this book. I loved the complexity of the worlds and races involved (how they create cultures, history, language, terrain!), I loved how bits and pieces were revealed as I read on, I loved the multi-faceted characters. (Who is good in this book? Who is evil? This is not so black and white!) I am definately planning on reading the next book in the series.

Challenge/s: TBR
Book-a-Week # 60

The Sound and the Fury--William Faulkner

Year Published: 1929
Pages: 378
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4/5

When I first began reading this book, I had no idea what was going on. Why were events streaming from one to the next, and where the heck was the punctuation? Welcome to the wonderful world of Faulkner, whom I had never read before. I will try to keep this review as spoiler-free as possible, but pieces of the story will probably leak out. I'm not sure that that would've ruined my experience--it probably would've made it easier for me to grasp the storyline.

The novel is a story of a prominent southern family's downfall, but it is not told in a straightforward manner. The first part is told from Benjie's point of view. Benjie is a grown man who suffers from mental retardation, and his concept of time is nonexistent. Therefore his memories lapse from today to twenty years ago to five years ago to this morning. They are all centered around his sister Caddie (who begins the family's shame) and the family's pasture (which is sold to pay for his brother Quentin's Harvard education, and becomes a golf course).

The next section is Quentin's, and is eighteen years previous. This is where we learn of Caddie's discrepancies. Quentin is so shamed by his sister's indecency--and by his thoughts and stirrings for her--that he loses his mind, and this section is stream-of-consciousness rambling as he wanders the streets of Boston. He ultimately drowns himself.

Next we hear from Jason, one of the most unlikeable characters ever created. Jason's story is told straightforward, but his sexism, racism, and contempt for his family make this section almost as difficult to read as the others. He is now the head of the family, where he makes life difficult for the servants and his sister Caddie's illegitimate daughter, who lives with them.

The last section is third person narration, and follows Dilsey, the long-time family servant. After this section an appendix tells some of the ancestral family history, clears up some of the confusion, and affirms some of what we have guessed.

As difficult as this book was to read, I really liked it. The writing can be hauntingly beautiful, and the family becomes more and more vivid as one reads. I plan on reading more Faulkner--perhaps As I Lay Dying?

Challenge/s: TBR (alt), Decades, Naming Conventions, 1% Well Read, States (MS)
Book-a-Week # 59

That Was Then, This is Now--S.E. Hinton

Year Published: 1971
Pages: 160
Genre: Young Adult
Rating: 4/5

All of Hinton's books for teens were favorites of mine since grammar school. This one deals with issues of drugs and morality. Bryon and Mark are best friends and have lived together like brothers since Mark's parents fatally shot each other in a drunken argument when Mark was young. But their friendship is tested by issues of morality. Grappling with immense emotional changes and struggling to come to terms with the death of a friend, Bryon is forced to make a decision between his friend and what he feels is right.

Simple writing, an easy read, and slightly dated. But still worth reading.

Challenge/s: Read it Again, States (OK)
Book-a-Week # 58

Dolores Claiborne--Stephen King

Year Published: 1993
Pages:
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4/5

Good ol' King, never disappoints. At least not much. This book, for one, wasn't disappointing in the least. Dolores Claiborne has been charged with the murder of her boss, an older, disagreeable, lonely rich widow. So she gives her confession--but not for the crime they are expecting to hear about.

The entire book is told in Dolores' voice, as a transcript of her confession at the police station (with the exception of a few newspaper clippings at the end). And her voice is gritty and real. King is a master at characterization, and this is no exception. It is amazing how much he is able to tell through the eyes of only one character. Dolores' story is instantly captivating, and her life is filled with sadness, pain and strength. And I even liked the ending.

Challenge/s: Decades, Naming Conventions
Book-a-Week # 57

Tortilla Flat--John Steinbeck

Year Published: 1935
Pages: 244
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4/5

I really enjoyed this book. It is meant to be an analogy of the King Arthur saga, but set in southern California in the depression, and characterized with paisonos--several-generation Mexican Americans with a distinct culture and way of life. I adored the paisanos, whose main concerns were to find ways to obtain more liquor and who spent much time rationalizing their actions against their moral code--and always finding amusing ways to do so. The story was passionate and humorous. I didn't really get the Arthurian thing, but I'm not too well-versed in Arthurian lore to begin with. I will say that I read the story before the foreward (to avoid spoilers), and after reading the foreward was the first time it occurred to me that Steinbeck's portrayal of his characters was offensive to Mexican-Americans. Afterwards it certainly made sense, but as I was reading it seemed to me that he was referring to specific individuals who formed their own cultural group, rather than an entire ethnic group who adhered to a different set of standards. An interesting controversy, either way.

Challenge/s: Decades, Naming Conventions
Book-a-Week # 56

Sundog--Jim Harrison

Year Published: 1991
Pages: 244
Genre: Fiction
Rating: 4/5

I have no idea where this book came from; it's been on my bookshelf for ages and I finally decided to read it. At first I thought I was going to hate it. It seemed colorless and boring, narrated in first-person by a self-centered author sent to write a biography on an engineer. But as characters were introduced and the subject's story began to be revealed, I realized this book was far more than I expected. Strang, the engineer, is suffering from a nerve disorder brought on by ingesting an herb in a foreign land (a common treatment for the natives there, but too much for him). Confined to a wheelchair and attended by a beautiful Costa Rican dancer, he tries to bring back the use of his damaged legs. His work had led him all over the world, and the story he tells is honest, raw, sexual and strong. The ending of this book is a sort of beautiful yet obscure triumph.

Challenge/s: TBR
Book-a-Week # 55

Foundation--Issac Asimov

Year Published: 1951
Pages: 256
Genre: Science Fiction
Rating: 3.5/5

I'm not the hugest sci-fi fan, but I thought it was high time I read some Asimov. Pretty amazing stuff, actually, considering where technology was at the time it was written. In this series (of which I have only read this one), a foundation of scientists (psychohistorians, who are sort of statisticians who predict human behavior based on mathematical probability) realize the end of the world is imminent and come up with a way to preserve society. They pick people to send to different ends of the universe, and set into motion a plan, one that is wholly dependent upon the lead psychohistorian's predictions. And then we get to watch it unfold. It was an enjoyable and thought-provoking read, if somewhat dry and, well, scientific. I do plan on finishing the series next year.

Challenge/s: Naming Conventions; 1% Well Read
Book-a-Week # 54

A to Z 2009 Challenge

And while we're adding next year's challenges, here's another one I'm in for:
The A to Z Reading Challenge. I am choosing option B, which is to read 26 books with titles beginning with all 26 letters of the alphabet.

The 2009 100+ Reading Challenge

Why not? Even though I have only read 58 books thus far in 2008, I'm feeling gutsy. So I have signed up for the 100+ Reading Challenge. Since I met my Book-a-Week goal, I might as well strive for higher, right?

The Bean Trees--Barbara Kingsolver

Genre: Fiction
Year Published: 1992
Pages:
Rating: 4/5

Another really good read this year. In this novel the protagonist, Taylor, leaves her small town in Tennessee and travels west. Stopping on the way at an Indian reservation, she acquires an abandoned and abused baby. Spunky and vibrant, Taylor is a true heroine as she manages to find a place for herself and Turtle, the baby, in Arizona. There she creates friendships with a newly-single mother, two old-fashioned spinsters (one of whom is blind), and a woman who runs an auto body shop when she is not aiding refugees from Central America. The book is about friendship and belonging, about helping others, and about realizing that life is bigger than oneself. While I wouldn't say this book was as good as The Poisonwood Bible, it is still a worthy read.

Book-a-week # 52!!!! I made it!!!!!
Challenge/s: Decades--1980s

The Thirteenth Tale--Diane Setterfield

Genre: Gothic Fiction
Year Published: 2006
Pages: 406
Rating: 5/5

Oh how I loved this book! I was swept away by Setterfield's version of gothic fiction. For days my vision was clouded by dank moors and hidden children, and a dark, doomed, looming house. This was one of those books that you wish would never end even as you zoom toward the finish to find out what happens.

The book is a story within a story. A biographer named Margaret Lea who lives above her father's bookstore and grapples with the fact that she is a single twin whose sister died at birth is contacted by a well-known author, Vida Winter. Ms. Winter is known not only for her books, but for the fact that she has never disclosed the truth about herself to any biographer. Now, she wants that truth told, and Margaret is the person she wishes to tell it to.

Margaret moves into Ms. Winter's house on the moors, and becomes immersed in her story. I will give away nothing, but I will tell you that the story includes insanity, twins, abandoned children, incest, a house falling into disrepair, a governess, a fire, an asylum, and many, many references to the novel Jane Eyre.

I didn't think I would like this book, but it was one of my favorite reads of the year. So even if you think it doesn't sound like your thing, I'd advise you to give it a shot.

Book-a-week # 51
Challenge/s: RIP III

I Am Mordred--Nancy Springer

Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Year Published: 2002
Pages: 192
Rating: 4/5

I really, really liked this book. Granted, I love the Arthurian mythology, and it is hard for me to not enjoy ANY retelling of that story. But I think what I really enjoyed about this book was the deeper theme of predestination--is it possible for us to avoid what we are meant to become?

In this novel, no. Destiny wins in the end, despite all of Mordred's better efforts. The reader is privy to his feelings of love and hate for Arthur, the father whom he is destined to destroy. We watch as he tries to let goodness overcome fate. We see Arthur's struggle as well, for he too knows that the son he loves but cannot acknowledge as his own will one day kill him. And in the end, it comes down to an effort between the two to save poor Mordred's soul.

The story is sad and captivating, simple and complex, and I recommend it to anyone, especially those with an interest in Arthurian retellings.

P.S. Does anyone else have an odd feeling that that is Brad Pitt under the helmet on the cover?

Book-a-week # 50
Challenge/s: Young Adult, Arthurian, Naming Conventions

You Don't Know Me--David Klass

Genre: Young Adult
Year Published: 2002
Pages: 352
Rating: 4/5

This is another good young adult novel. The narrator is telling the story to his mother, by whom he feels abandoned since she has taken up with a man who abuses him. The story is sad and funny, as he outlines his adventures in classes, in the mall as his friend is arrested for stealing an eggroll, in his date's basement trying to avoid her angry father, and various other scenarios. Perhaps not very realistic (the character certainly is unlike any fifteen year old I've ever encountered) the book is still entertaining and viable, especially considering the difficult subject matter the author is tackling.

Book-a-week # 49
Challenge/s: Young Adult

Scorpions--Walter Dean Myers

Genre: Young Adult
Year Published: 1996
Pages: 224
Rating: 3/5

I liked this book, although it was rather simplistic compared to the other Myers book I read this year, Fallen Angels. The story is about a young man who is drawn into a gang by his criminalized brother and his intense hatred of the school bully. It is hard to review without spoiling, but suffice to say that there is a lesson to be learned here, not only about the choices we make, but about how friendships are affected by said choices. My students really like this book, and I often recommend it to them.

Book-a-Week # 48
Challenge/s: Young Adult

Yes We DID!!!!! (link to Obama book giveaway)

I am still reeling from the election Tuesday. What an exciting and inspiring night! Watching the rally in Grant Park on TV (I know, I should've been there) I was struck by the unification and diversity of the crowd. I think this bodes very well for our nation.

A fellow book lover, Teddy Rose is sponsoring an Obama book giveaway. Here is the link for more info: http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2008/11/in-celebration-of-44th-us-president.html
Visit so that you can win Life Magazine's The American Journey of Barack Obama!

There is a long road ahead of us, but a little hope goes a long way. Our country has awakened, and the whole world is watching.