Uprooted was one of my favorite books of the last few years, and possibly ever. Since I’d never read Novik’s Temeraire books, I had no idea if it was a particular stroke of genius from her, or if she’s just always been consistently great and I never knew. I still haven’t read Temeraire, but now that she’s 2/2 for me with Spinning Silver, the imperative to do so becomes more pressing. Here is the summary from Goodreads: “Miryem is the daughter and granddaughter of moneylenders, […]
“I am not an angel,’ I asserted; ‘and I will not be one till I die: I will be myself.” (BINGO 5!)
For many, Jane Eyre is part of the reading undertaken during their education. For some it is read in high school, for others college, but for me it never joined the reading lists of my various courses. In fact, until several years ago when I read Agnes Grey I had read nothing at all by any of the Brontes. It is however fully in the milieu of a reader’s culture; I understood it enough to get the jokes in Texts from Jane Eyre and Hark! […]
Ghoulia is a cute story with charming art, perfect gift to give a young reader next Halloween
Several years ago, Neil Gaiman suggested celebrating All Hallow’s Read around Halloween. You celebrate the Halloween season by giving seasonally appropriate books to friends and family. Either directly about the holiday, or perhaps spooky and scary books that fit this time of year’s mood. I’ve done this for the past three years now with my girls. This year was a bit of a challenge for my newly turned seven year old. She loves Halloween but really, really does not like to be scared. She is […]
Not your Grandmother’s Nancy Drew
Nancy Drew Clue Book #8 World Record Mystery is not your grandmothers (or mother’s) Nancy Drew. There have been several covers over the years, some updating the setting and variety of different series. Based on Caroylyn Keene’s concept, this series is a very modern upgrade to our girl sleuth. She has “one of each” friend (the girly-girl and the tomboy), she has video games and each girl has a cell-phone. They are about third or fourth grade (old enough to be on their own, but […]