Books for April, 2004

[pegkerr]

The Lay of Beleriand by J.R.R. Tolkien. I really really enjoyed this. Makes me think that I should make a point of reading poetry more often, more than just the poem-a-day I get on The Writer's Almanac.

The Languages of Tolkien's Middle Earth by Ruth S. Noel. A fast, easy read, but I gather from some of the reviews I've read of this one that it's not particularly authoritative; she makes mistakes and omits some material that's in the Simarillion.

The Grand Tour or The Purloined Coronation Regalia, Being a Revelation of Matters of High Confidentiality and Greatest Importance, Including Extracts from the Intimate Diary of a Noblewoman and the Sworn Testimony of a Lady of Quality by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer (1crowdedhour) Won't say anything about this, since it's not yet out on the market yet, but . . .*gloats*

Scholar of Magics by 1crowdedhour. I adore the way this one started out, with Samuel Lambert, an American marksman, taking tea in the home of an English hostess, nailing a beetle in midair with a lump of sugar, and then secreting the corpse in a potted plant. I also love the reappearance of Jane Brailsford, a delightfully decisive heroine. It just gets better from there.

Someplace to Be Flying by Charles DeLint. Enjoyed this one, too, even more than some of his others. I felt aware that I was reading this one as a writer more than usual, watching how he set things up, established tension and pacing, etc.

Redwall by Brian Jacques. Mmm. First novel. Yeah, I can tell. He certainly does a lot of dictating to the reader exactly how they are supposed to see the various characters. (This characters is evil, this one is brave, etc.) Wonder if this a first novel thing, or an I'm-writing-YA thing, or just him? I might try one or two others by him.

Goose Chase by Patrice Kindl, one of the books sdn sent for the girls. Thanks, sdn! One aspect of this one reminded me very strongly of Georgette Heyer's Cotillion, actually, in that male hero is initially dismissed by the reader--is meant to be dismissed by reader--as too painfully stupid to be suitable for the heroine. But you know, he kinda grows on you, so that by the end of the book you realize, yeah that could actually work. Not bright, but really kind. Reading this one reminded me how many of my friends have recommended her Owl in Love. Must read that one, too. Yes, I'll certainly look at more books by this author. Nice distinct first-person voice.

Mmm, I note there were no re-reads this month. Excellent. But the numbers are still low because I'm still reading scads of stuff online, too.

Comments

[pinguthegreek.livejournal.com]

Couldn't help but comment on Redwall. Yes, they are easy and get very samey after the first few. But he is aiming at the younger end of the YA market, I understand. Hsve not read him for years - I got disillusioned !

[kalquessa.livejournal.com]

I was rather disappointed with Redwall, too, probably because I read it after I'd already enjoyed several of his later books in the series. I recommend Salamandastron is you are interested in trying more of his work.

[sdn.livejournal.com]

i so love patrice's work.

http://www.patricekindl.com

she has a newfoundland and a parrot!

[oneminutemonkey.livejournal.com]

I love Jane in Scholar of Magics.

And I happily recommended Goose Chase in my column. It's such a cute, cool book.

[splagxna.livejournal.com]

i read a lot of brian jacques when i was younger. i felt like he tells the same story over and over - mice are always good and brave and homebodies at hart, badgers are always gruff fighter types, weasels and wildcats and stoats anad foxes etc are always evil, hares are always flippant adventurers... it got boring after a bit.