What began as a record of everything I read for one year quickly turned into a place to connect with other book lovers over our shared passion. I'm so glad that I discovered the book blogging world! Please visit as often as you like, and feel free to chime in with your opinions any time.
Ambassador of Books ~ Book Club Madam ~ Blogger Gal
Attention MD/DC/VA Bloggers!
Are you a blogger who lives in Maryland, Virginia, Washington, DC, or someplace nearby? Are you interested in connecting with other bloggers for literary festival and get-togethers? Fill out this form to add your info to the local blogger database - we can't wait to meet you!
That's a good question ... I'm a daughter, a wife, a mother, a sister, a friend ... and there's so much more! But for the purpose of this blog I am a first and foremost a reader.
When I was in the first grade I read The Hobbit and my love of Fantasy took root. By the time I left elementary school I had completed the entire series as well as The Belgariad by David Eddings. Seventh grade brought me the beginning of Robert Jordan's The Wheel of Time series ... which is still not complete. High school and college introduced me to the classics and to history. My reading disappeared for several years when I had a child. Then I started a book club and it came back in full force.
Today I read anything that catches my eye ... at the moment that includes historical fiction, fantasy, literary fiction, and any titles I find interesting. I'm always on the lookout for the next great find ... any suggestions?
If you are not a Mary Russell fan, you should be! I've been promoting Laurie R. King's Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes series to my readers for quite awhile but now I've got some extra ammunition for my cause ...
The wonderful and ever-popular Nymeth just reviewed the first book in the series, THE BEEKEEPER'S APPRENTICE and she is now a fangirl of Mary Russell. You can't argue with Nymeth, now can you?
For the author's thoughts on the first book in the series you should check out this short post.
The 10th book in the series, THE GOD OF THE HIVE, comes out in April 2010. To help promote the book, King has put together Twenty Weeks of Buzz. Events will include a free download of THE BEEKEEPER'S APPRENTICE (perfect for those of you who are still on the fence!), a fundraiser for Heifer International, and much, much more. The full details are at this link, and you can catch the latest announcements at King's blog, Mutterings.
Today is I Read It! day at 5 Minutes for Books. The idea is to share about a book that you read because of someone else's recommendation. I do that all the time here on my blog but I thought it would be fun to share about this particular book.
Volsungasaga
author unknown 65 typed pages/approx. 120 book pages translated from ancient Danish (I think)
What is it? The Volsungasaga is an ancient Norse epic that tells the tale of the warrior Volsung, who was the grandson of the god Odin, and of Volsung's descendants. Learn more about it at Wikipedia. Where did I hear about it? At the Bookworms Carnival on Mythology hosted by Things Mean A Lot of course! 5-Squared posted a fabulous review of this epic that really caught my attention. In fact, it is much better than my review so I suggest you go check it out.
Why did I read it? After 5-Squared's review, I knew I had to check this out at some point. And since I still needed to read a few more books for the Really Old Classics Challenge I decided to search out a copy of the Volsungasaga and dive right in.
So, what did I think about it? That is a tricky question. Part of me enjoyed reading this epic but the rest of me alternated between irritated, confused, and horrified.
ENJOYED - I love the "Saxon Chronicles" series by Bernard Cornwell. One of the main features of that series is the Danish characters, mostly warriors, who invade Britain. This epic reminded me of many of my favorite characters from that series and filled in some of their mythological history, further fleshing out their stories.
IRRITATED - When I was in the middle of the story Kiddo asked me about the book and I told him it was basically a story about a bunch of people who are constantly out to get revenge on each other for some murder or another. I told him that I was surprised there were any people left at all, what with all the slaying that was going on. Apparently I spoke to soon; the story ends when all of Volsung's descendants have finally been killed off.
CONFUSED - I read the translation provided online by the Online Medieval and Classical Library. I don't know if there is another version out there but this was the only one I could find and it really didn't work for me. Imagine reading something like the King James version of the Bible but with tons of outdated words and others with unique spelling or definitions that don't match up to modern language. I did eventually get used to it but I'm sure there are parts of the story I missed out on because I didn't understand all the language.
HORRIFIED - I know that times were different back then and that the mortality rate among children was very high, but did these women seriously have NO maternal instincts?! I can't recall how many times in the story a mother had her own children killed for some ridiculous reason. In a way it reminded me of the play MEDEA which I read last month. In other ways it reminded me of the books I've read about Sparta, about how mothers expected their sons to be extremely tough and were ashamed of them if they were not. But seriously, NO maternal protectiveness or anything?! I am so glad I didn't live back then ...
I expected this story to be like THE ILIAD and THE ODYSSEY, a story that lends itself to the art of storytelling. With those two epics, I feel like I can hear the storyteller spinning his tales to an attentive crowd gathered around a fire. The VOLSUNGASAGA was very different. The parts of the story are very disjointed, nothing flows together. And I can't imagine listening to this around a fire ... it was more like a history lesson to be learned while sitting at a desk.
In the end ... Looking back over this review you'd think I hated this book. Actually, I didn't. I didn't love it, but I do think it was worth reading. Plus I made some interesting (sometimes amusing) connections while reading it. For example:
The references to Norse gods Odin and Loki kept reminding me of Stargate SG1. They explained the Norse theology by saying a race of aliens actually started it. Here's an image of Loki from SG1 - I LOVED those little grey guys, especially Thor! And here's a video of Thor if you want to check him out.
Brynhild was a warrior woman who slept for a very long time before being awoken by the warrior Sigurd. This reminded me of the story of Sleeping Beauty. The two stories end quite differently though ...
Ragnarok is the name for the end of time in Norse mythology. It was also a theme in the most recent Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes book, THE LANGUAGE OF BEES, by Laurie R. King (reviewed here).
The descriptions of the dragon Fafnir and his treasure hoard reminded me of Tolkien's dragon Smaug from THE HOBBIT. And don't you just love Justin Gerard's Smaug? I kept imagining this image as I read about Fafnir.
So I can cross off another book for the ROC Challenge - yay!
I'm curious though ... have any of you actually read this or studied in back in your college days? I'd never even heard of it until 5-Squared's review - what about you?
This list begins on Nov. 4, 2009 and continues for exactly one year. Every book that I read or listened to within the year is included. This list does not include books that I've simply highlighted on my blog or written about based on previous readings.
For books I've reviewed in previous years, follow these links: age 31, age 30.
Note: If a title/author is not linked it means that book is one I plan to read within the next month; check back soon and it will likely be reviewed by then.
Because my blog reaches so many people I wanted to post this thank you letter here so that people around the world will understand just how wonderful Mr. Leonsis is. For those who don't know, Ted Leonsis is the majority owner of the Washington Capitals Ice Hockey team. (This post also includes a Kiddo health update.)
Dear Mr. Leonsis,
Back in November you had us out to the Verizon Center to watch the Caps game in the owners box. It meant so much to Hubby and I that you spent time talking to Kiddo about his allergies and his feeding tube; you treated him as we do, like he is a very important person. Then you took Kiddo to the locker room to meet the guys. As I told you then, this was an absolute dream come true for him. In fact, he wants to wear his signed jersey just about every day. I already sent you some photos from that night but here is a link to all of them so you can see how much fun Kiddo (and Hubby and I) really had:http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2041502&id=1364603680&l=4923701e53
At that game you told us not to be shy in asking for tickets to future games for Kiddo. When Kiddo was due for another surgery in December I took you up on that offer. Hubby and I wanted to give him a really fun night to help him think positively about the surgery. This time you sent us four tickets for some incredible seats not too far off the ice. We had a BLAST!
Kiddo brought his friend X; they play on the same hockey team and have been buddies since they were 4 years old. I did their hair up before the game so they were BOTH rocking the hawk this time around.
The game was incredible. Both boys had an absolutely great time. Here's a video of them "unleashing the fury" ...
The Caps were down at first but they came back strong and won it in overtime. The cheering from the boys (and from us) was deafening.
At the end of the game Kiddo turned to me and said "You know they only won because I was here - I'm their good luck charm!"
Thank you so very much for giving us tickets to this game. We had so much fun together, and it was a great way to enjoy the weekend before Kiddo's surgery.
Four days later we headed up to the hospital. Although we were concerned about the possibility that Kiddo would wake up in a lot of pain, he had a great attitude before surgery. In fact, he was quite silly in the pre-op room.
All the other kids in the various pre-op rooms were quiet (either due to nervousness or medication) but not Kiddo - HE was a nut, as you can see in the video below.
After a while they took him back for the procedure and we headed off to wait. The plan was to remove that long tube that you saw him with and to put in a new "button" type tube that is the size of Kiddo's thumb. Kiddo was nervous about this change but we knew it was for the best. While they were inside of him they were also planning to take biopsies (as they do during every endoscopy) to see if his esophagus has healed any since the feeding tube was put in.
I'm very glad to say that the surgery went as planned, no problems. Kiddo woke up in a small amount of pain but nothing over the top. That night he helped us decorate the Christmas tree and even put the star on the top. The next day he wanted to go to his power hockey lesson; he was in pain, but he skated through it. Within the week he was just about back to himself.
In the time since then, the new tube has proved to be a blessing - although it did take a bit of getting used to. Kiddo was back out playing hockey within the week, so that proves that he's back to normal.
Here are pictures of Kiddo with the old tube and the new tube so you can see the huge difference.
The night before the surgery:
Two days after Christmas (and no, he isn't eating that, just making it - he wanted to do the project with all his cousins regardless of whether he could eat it or not):
It is pretty amazing to me how small this new "button" is, especially after the long tube he had before.
We'll get the biopsy results on January 4. We're praying that there will be good news, but whatever happens, we'll be ok.
I can't thank you enough for the interest you've taken in Kiddo, and for the tickets to the game. You are an inspiration to us and we wish that there were more people in the world like you. Thank you, Thank You, THANK YOU.
Sincerely,
Heather J, Hubby, and especially Kiddo
PS. Happy New Year to you, your family, and the team. We'll be spending the day with X's family watching the Winter Classic together. :)
Aah, the end of another year ... how the time does fly. It will be REALLY hard trying to write 2010 rather than 2009 (and dare I admit that I actually wrote 2007 on a check the other day?!)
I recapped my reading year back in November when I celebrated my birthday so you won't see any huge year-end recaps here this month. Instead I've got my regular monthly recap ... and I must say, I'm rather pleased with it this month.
Affinity by Sarah Waters - 15 hours - VERY atmospheric, a great gothic novel
Other Stats
Kiddo & I did a Mom & Son Book Club post about A Christmas Carol. Now we're back to reading The Titan's Curse, book 3 in the Percy Jackson series; we'd put it aside for Christmas but now we're ready to continue.
My TBR list gained 5 titles this month and Kiddo's gained 1. (But that isn't really an accurate statistic. I count books as added to the TBR only after I post about them on Friday Finds ... and considering that I have 10 more books to post about, well, you see what I mean.)
I'm currently listening to an audio of Isak Dineson's biography; she's the author of Out of Africa. I've got the movie (which I LOVE) and the book checked out from the library and I'm only waiting to finish the biography before diving into both of them.
I've got a great reading plan for 2010 and I'm really hoping to stick to it. I've left myself plenty of room for flexibility (I hope!) so I'm optimistic that I'll meet my goals for the year. At least, I'm keeping my fingers crossed....
2009 is almost gone, 2010 is just about here ... wow, that was certainly fast. I wish all of you a wonderful time celebrating tonight, and a safe and happy 2010!
Bill Bryson's African Diary by Bill Bryson 53 pages
This book was not on my radar at all, yet I just had to read it when I found it yesterday. I've been listening to the biography of Isak Dinesen, author of OUT OF AFRICA, and it has put me in the mood to watch the movie again and to read the book. So while I was at the library yesterday I decided to look for a copy of OUT OF AFRICA. Lo and behold, this Bill Bryson book was shelved right next to it. A Bryson book I'd never heard of, that was very short, and had to do with Africa? SCORE!
The book is a very brief chronicle of a trip Bryson took in 2002 with CARE International, a relief organization, to tour their projects in Kenya. The trip included a stop at a camp for refugees from Somalia, visits with women who are part of CARE's micro-lending program, a tour of a model farm, and a trip to see a community well installed by CARE. There was some sightseeing thrown in as well, including a trip to Karen Blixen's farm (that's the same Karen from OUT OF AFRICA, who wrote under the pseudonym Isak Dinesen).
Bryson's account is a blend of his trademark humor and clear compassion for the people he meets. It is an uplifting look at what poverty-stricken people can do when they are given even just a little assistance.
It is just a few years after the end of WWII in England and society is in a state of flux. The Ayres family, formerly part of the high society that has all but disappeared from the countryside, struggles to hang on to their ancestral home, Hundreds Hall. But the three family members each have their own issues to deal with, and with only two servants to assist them it is impossible to keep the house and grounds in good condition. Doctor Faraday, a man of the lower class who had to work hard to earn his position, is called to Hundreds to treat one of the servants and so begins his association with the Ayres family.
But Hundreds Hall is not the only thing falling apart; the family seems to be doing the same, each in his or her own way. Is it mental illness, affecting each family member suddenly, or is it, as one of the servants suspects, that there is a "bad thing" infecting the house?
*** Why I Read It ***
I've had this book on my TBR list since I saw it mentioned on The Book Page. When it was chosen at the book club book for the Jan. 12 edition of That's How I Blog, I figured now was the perfect time to read it. I was extra excited because I'd just enjoyed another Waters book, AFFINITY, and was looking forward to reading more by her.
*** My Thoughts ***
This is a GOOD BOOK! I'm really coming to appreciate Waters' writing style. Her descriptions are very evocative; I can see the details of a scene very clearly as she describes it. I don't think I've read anything set in this time period before but Waters seemed to really capture the era: the sense of change, the aftermath of war, the modern vs. the traditional, and all of that crammed together in the English countryside. In addition, she took the prevailing sense of societal upheaval and turned it into the backdrop for what is essentially a gothic tale. VERY cool.
The story kept me on edge, constantly wondering what was going to happen, how things were going to be resolved. Things happen that make you wonder about the characters sanity and about the existence of a ghost, but you are never sure what to think.
As I got close to the end of the book I was extremely anxious to find out "the truth" about everything so I ended up staying up until 1am to read the final pages. Imagine my shock when there was no "solution"! I guess I should have remembered that this book was compared to THE TURN OF THE SCREW, a story notorious for it's ambiguous ending. I'll admit that I was really frustrated with this at first, but only because I didn't expect it; the longer I gave it to "settle in" the better I adjusted. In the end I can say that I completely enjoyed every part of this book. YAY!
*** Your Thoughts ***
If you've read this one or plan to shortly, try to tune in to the That's How I Blog show on Jan. 12 at 8pm EST to discuss it - it will be the topic of the 20-Minute Book Club near the end of the show. If you can't join in live, you can always listen to the recording at a later date.
And here are some other reviews in case you'd like differing viewpoints:
Shelf Love - I completely agree with their discussion of the ending!
So ... what say you? Is this a book you'd like to read? Why or why not? If you have read it, will you be joining in on the discussion on Jan. 12th? I'd love to know who else plans to participate!
I am seriously behind in sharing this with all of you, but here goes!
Flashlight Worthy Books asked 10 bloggers - including me - to come up with a list of the most discussable yet overlooked books published in 2009. We did a really good job if I do say so myself. You can check out our Best Book Club Books List at this link: http://www.flashlightworthybooks.com/list/545 You'll have to go check out that link to see which book I suggested.
And if you like lists be sure to check out Flashlight Worthy Books' other lists, like ...
I recently caught most of the movie MOLL FLANDERS on TV and I have to say, I was shocked. If I had not been familiar with the book I'd have said it was a lovely movie, but since I DO know the story, all I can say is "HUH? Say WHAT?!"
When I mentioned this on Twitter, Raych tweeted back saying, "I know, right? It's like the reverse of plagiarism, where they keep the content but change the title." I couldn't agree more! It's like there were two different plots, one for the book and one for the movie.
Here are a few of the things that happened in the movie, with my recollections of the book following:
Moll is put out of her first home because she encourages the young ladies of the house to visit the poor neighborhoods, and while there they are assaulted and raped. (In the book, she has an affair with the young man of the family and I think she gets pregnant, and must leave the house.)
She steps into the life of a prostitute willingly, is rescued by a man who falls in love with her, and eventually on her own again once he dies. (I don't remember for sure how it happened but she DID meet a man who loved her and they were happy together until his death.)
The very first time she steals something it is almost an accident and she is captured right away. (Moll actually had a very successful career as a thief which lasted many years.)
Her former evil Madame "rescues" her only to force her back into service as a whore and bring her to the Caribbean with her. (Moll had a pretty good relationship with her Madame and thought of her almost as a mother; and if I remember correctly, she moves to America of her own free will.)
Moll has only one child, with the man she loved, and has promised never to abandon her. (Moll has LOTS of children and abandons just about all of them through the years.)
When she is shipped off to the Caribbean, she is unable to get to her baby before the ship sails, and she is heartbroken. When the ship sinks, the Madame dies and she takes over her identity, living the high life in the Caribbean. Later she sends a friend to find her child and he does, although it takes years. They are reunited and live happily ever after. (I honestly don't remember how the book ends, but it is NOTHING like this ... nothing at all.)
Just a quick note to say that I watched Julie and Julia Tuesday night and LOVED it. And this from the gal (me!) who thought it would be a stupid movie!
Having read Julia Child's MY LIFE IN FRANCE, I really appreciated the Julia sections (Meryl Streep did an EXCELLENT job as Julia Child!). And being a blogger, I really appreciated the blogging parts of Julie's story. The fact that I am not a very good cook myself - like Julie is at the beginning - made it even more enjoyable. I was seriously laughing out loud MANY times.
I only watched this because I had some credit-on-account at Amazon.com's video on demand site. You can get $4.00 in free movies through the promo they have going on right now (click here for details), and this movie only cost $2.99 to watch. It was the perfect complement to my marathon of Christmas wrapping - light, fun, and a movie that kept me smiling as my hand cramped around the scissors and my last roll of tape ran out.
So ... what did YOU watch or listen to as you wrapped gifts this year?
And in case you haven't seen the movie, here's the trailer:
If you are not a Mary Russell fan, you should be! I've been promoting Laurie R. King's Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes series to my readers for quite a while but now I've got some extra ammunition for my cause ...
