So, my library was having a new front door installed, so everyone had to temporarily enter through the basement door, which is where the bargain sale books are. So, despite having *two* stacks of unread books at home, I bought some. One of them was Tamora Pierce’s First Test, which takes place in the “medieval and fantastic realm of Tortall.” I loved these books when I was younger, so I forked over my $0.25 for a bit of nostalgia. The King’s Champion Alanna the Lioness […]
Be careful what you wish for…
Ah, the glory of the library basement book sale, where books are $0.50, or even free! Thanks to the generosity of people donating books during the holiday season, my local library was practically begging people to take their donated and overstock books to give them forever homes. I am a little sad to learn that this one was my library’s only copy, but since it hadn’t been checked out in so long it got booted to the sale bin. I had a few free hours […]
If Neil Gaiman reads it, you can get used to any name
I’m fairly sure I saw this movie, but I can’t remember it for the life of me. So I picked up the audiobook. (Neil Gaiman, why must you insist on reading your audiobooks softly? Talk louder!) Our protagonist, Tristram Thorn, doesn’t show up for a while. We see his origins first, and discover how he came to be. Growing up in an extremely small and isolated town, he is understandably a bit naive. He does take direction and advice well, though. Except in […]
And it was all going so well…
This is a short story/YA book written by Neil Gaiman, and performed by a full cast in the audiobook. I suppose we get a full cast in exchange for the illustrations we do not get to see. It is an extended and alternate take on Sleeping Beauty, as you may have guessed. And if you know Neil Gaiman, you may have also guessed that nothing is straightforward here. The story seems straightforward enough – the sleeping curse on the kingdom is spreading, and Snow White, the queen […]