http://www.goodreads.com/review/list_rss/177451 en-US Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:19:09 -0700 60 http://www.goodreads.com/ 200 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo.gif 30147222 Mon, 18 Aug 2008 12:19:09 -0700
I've read....we'll just say, a LOT...of books about William Morris, and this book still had several images I'd never seen before.

An absolutely wonderful book. Highly recommended.]]>
author: Linda Parry
name: Sidhe
average rating: 5.00
book published: 1996
rating: 5
read at: 08/08
date added: 08/18/08
shelves:
review:
Probably the best book on William Morris I've ever read. The book is broken down into different sections detailing his work in different areas. This man did the job of twenty, so it makes sense that a book about him would have to be organized this way. The book details his work as a conservationist, political activist, and business owner, as well as the more commonly discussed areas of textile / wallpaper pattern artist, and interior designer.

I've read....we'll just say, a LOT...of books about William Morris, and this book still had several images I'd never seen before.

An absolutely wonderful book. Highly recommended.
]]> 29318824 Thu, 14 Aug 2008 11:21:41 -0700
I got about halfway through it, maybe even more, and I just decided I wasn't *enjoying* it at all.

The characters are hard to sympathize with. But the most offputting thing to me was her lack of an active environment. Her books usually take place in small towns, where the town...the buildings, the history...become almost like another character in the story. I just didn't get the same feeling from this urban London setting.

I will, of course, still keep reading other Hoffman books. Every author has a bad day.]]>
author: Alice Hoffman
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.46
book published: 2008
rating: 2
read at: 08/08
date added: 08/14/08
shelves: partial-reads
review:
This is Hoffman's first book I've stopped reading before I was done.

I got about halfway through it, maybe even more, and I just decided I wasn't *enjoying* it at all.

The characters are hard to sympathize with. But the most offputting thing to me was her lack of an active environment. Her books usually take place in small towns, where the town...the buildings, the history...become almost like another character in the story. I just didn't get the same feeling from this urban London setting.

I will, of course, still keep reading other Hoffman books. Every author has a bad day.
]]> 28866411 Tue, 05 Aug 2008 12:14:36 -0700
author: Graham Joyce
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2005
rating: 3
read at: 08/08
date added: 08/05/08
shelves:
review:
At times the story line was a bit difficult to follow. And I could have done without the drugs in the book, or the 'rape scene'. However, the book's true poignancy comes in the contrast of old ways with new. The setting of 1960s rural England was a wise choice, with references to the space program(sometimes a few too many), hippies, and modern medical technology contrasting against folklore and herbal medicine.
]]> 28471223 Mon, 04 Aug 2008 11:09:19 -0700
author: Alice Hoffman
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.60
book published: 2001
rating: 4
read at: 08/08
date added: 08/04/08
shelves:
review:
Although the setting of this book at times seemed more murky and brackish than enjoyably mysterious, I do believe that was Hoffman's intent. This book seemed to be quite a bit darker in tone than any of the books I've read by her so far...the description of one hazing in particular left me shuddering and wincing. But again, her masterful ability to meld magical experiences with the every day makes this book shine.
]]> 27407087 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:51:41 -0700
author: Alice Hoffman
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2004
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 07/31/08
shelves:
review:
Alice Hoffman is at her mythic fiction best in this book. The story of three generations of women, the book focuses on the way that we communicate, or don't, with the people we love, or sometimes hate, the most....our mothers. The book also focuses on ruminations of death and its meaning. An excellent read!
]]> 27415373 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:42:09 -0700
author: Alice Hoffman
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.72
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/31/08
shelves:
review:
The idea of the interconnected stories revolving around the same New England farm house was brilliantly executed in this book by Hoffman. While I enjoyed some stories more than others, that is true of any book of this sort. It was great to see who the house belonged to, and to watch the 'children grow up.' At the same time, the evolution of the house itself made it the central character of the book.
]]> 28348473 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:39:26 -0700
It took me less than a day to read this, so it's a very easy read, but an enjoyable bit of fluff, I suppose I'd call it.]]>
author: James Patterson
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.41
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/31/08
shelves:
review:
This was my first James Patterson. Goodness knows his normal books aren't my usual reading fare. And although this book seemed rife with pop culture references, and at times I felt like I was reading a movie script instead of a novel, it was still well-written enough to merit a decent rating on here.

It took me less than a day to read this, so it's a very easy read, but an enjoyable bit of fluff, I suppose I'd call it.
]]> 28146515 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:37:06 -0700
author: Rebecca Donner
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.21
book published: 2008
rating: 2
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/31/08
shelves:
review:
Good artwork, so so story.
]]> 28348446 Thu, 31 Jul 2008 07:36:47 -0700
author: Alice Hoffman
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2004
rating: 3
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/31/08
shelves:
review:
The descriptions in the book are wonderful, and the fairy tale quality as well. However, it seemed a bit too transparently inspired by 9/11 to me, which wouldn't be so bad if it had decided to be fully one thing or the other. Instead we were in some sort of 'is it a fairy tale or real life' environment where the 'shining city across the bridge' was burning.
]]> 28146486 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:44:21 -0700
author: Suzanne Weyn
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.08
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 07/26/08
shelves:
review:
Interestingly enough, this book takes the fairy tale of Rumplestiltskin and takes away every reference to magic in it. It instead becomes a historical fiction tale set in Victorian America. However, it's still worth the read because the author does a pretty good job of believably incorporating every story element to the new tale. Every now and then, however, it gets a little cheesy. The final line of the book basically reads like the last line of a joke.
]]> 25523009 Sat, 26 Jul 2008 07:41:22 -0700
Allen seems to be developing a theme between her novels in regard to characterizing a non-human object and giving it a magical and charming life and influence on the other characters. In _Garden Spells_, it was the apple tree. In _The Sugar Queen_ it's.....books. Allen writes these non-human characters so very well, they almost become more dear than the main protagonists.

I enjoy books that surprise me, and books with twists. For this reason, I make an effort sometimes to NOT try to figure out the secrets characters keep. Some authors make this difficult to do because the secret revelations are so obvious. Allen's books manage to surprise me. This book had one surprise twist toward the end that in particular caught me off guard and left me saying "Wow!"

Very highly recommended...best book I've read recently. ]]>
author: Sarah Addison Allen
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.03
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/26/08
shelves:
review:
I requested this book at the library when a friend informed me it had been released. I didn't read anything about the story beforehand...I just knew it was a new book by the author of _Garden Spells_. I'm glad now that I didn't read any information or reviews, because it made the whole story all the more fresh.

Allen seems to be developing a theme between her novels in regard to characterizing a non-human object and giving it a magical and charming life and influence on the other characters. In _Garden Spells_, it was the apple tree. In _The Sugar Queen_ it's.....books. Allen writes these non-human characters so very well, they almost become more dear than the main protagonists.

I enjoy books that surprise me, and books with twists. For this reason, I make an effort sometimes to NOT try to figure out the secrets characters keep. Some authors make this difficult to do because the secret revelations are so obvious. Allen's books manage to surprise me. This book had one surprise twist toward the end that in particular caught me off guard and left me saying "Wow!"

Very highly recommended...best book I've read recently.
]]> 27359365 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:32:01 -0700
_Such a Pretty Fat_ is the story of Jen's personal quest to get healthier. Part of what makes the book so charming is that, unlike other protagonists of dieting books/memoirs, she doesn't hate herself, hate her size, or hate food. She loves and adores all three. In fact, she most likely would never have attempted a diet if her doctor hadn't used a scare tactic to make her picture a life of heart attacks and other health problems.

This book is, however, more than a memoir. It is a candid and fascinating look at the world of the diet industry. As Jen tries first one diet and then another, she explains how they work (and, more often, don't) for a real person with real shortcomings. One especially well-written scene has her sitting in a Jenny Craig office, noticing that every other customer is either at a perfectly normal weight, or underweight. Jen also observes how the Jenny Craig employees try to encourage her to use their products, whether or not it's practical in the situation (going out to a business dinner? Take your frozen meal with you!!! Um....no).

Jen's description of her results as she begins working out with a personal trainer are also inspiring. As she begins to have more energy and more strength, the reader is reminded why it's a good idea to work out for a purpose other than merely taking inches off one's waist.

A great read, and definitely recommended.]]>
author: Jen Lancaster
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/19/08
shelves:
review:
This was the first book by Jen Lancaster I've read, and I'm not sure I would have enjoyed her caustically comedic style in either of her other books, but when used in discussion of dieting and the diet industry, it definitely worked, at least for me.

_Such a Pretty Fat_ is the story of Jen's personal quest to get healthier. Part of what makes the book so charming is that, unlike other protagonists of dieting books/memoirs, she doesn't hate herself, hate her size, or hate food. She loves and adores all three. In fact, she most likely would never have attempted a diet if her doctor hadn't used a scare tactic to make her picture a life of heart attacks and other health problems.

This book is, however, more than a memoir. It is a candid and fascinating look at the world of the diet industry. As Jen tries first one diet and then another, she explains how they work (and, more often, don't) for a real person with real shortcomings. One especially well-written scene has her sitting in a Jenny Craig office, noticing that every other customer is either at a perfectly normal weight, or underweight. Jen also observes how the Jenny Craig employees try to encourage her to use their products, whether or not it's practical in the situation (going out to a business dinner? Take your frozen meal with you!!! Um....no).

Jen's description of her results as she begins working out with a personal trainer are also inspiring. As she begins to have more energy and more strength, the reader is reminded why it's a good idea to work out for a purpose other than merely taking inches off one's waist.

A great read, and definitely recommended.
]]> 27172412 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:18:18 -0700
A pet peeve of mine in fiction is when a protagonist constantly makes the wrong decision in situations that might have brought about a sooner resolution. Specifically, when other characters who want to (and can) help ask her what's wrong, and she keeps her secret bottled up, dealing with the problems on her own. This especially seems ridiculous when the character keeps her secret from characters she should trust. The whole idea of Charlotte marrying a man, and then refusing to let him help her one ounce...until he is so frustrated he leaves her....just....seemed rather frustrating and far-fetched.

One thing I did notice and appreciate, however, was that the author put the emphasis on the emotions and the plot, and not on the descriptions of the two girls. In fact, I ended the story not quite clear whether the girls were blonde, brunette, or redhead, actually pretty or plain. In an age of storytelling where the female protagonist is usually described within the first few pages as "uniquely pretty" or "plain compared to her sisters, with long red hair" etc, it was actually refreshing to have an author focus on substance rather than physique (although I'll admit, I do love a story with a pretty protagonist too!). ]]>
author: Elizabeth C. Bunce
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.99
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 07/19/08
shelves:
review:
Not a bad book, really, just...a book that had some aspects to it that kept me from enjoying it enough to give it more stars.

A pet peeve of mine in fiction is when a protagonist constantly makes the wrong decision in situations that might have brought about a sooner resolution. Specifically, when other characters who want to (and can) help ask her what's wrong, and she keeps her secret bottled up, dealing with the problems on her own. This especially seems ridiculous when the character keeps her secret from characters she should trust. The whole idea of Charlotte marrying a man, and then refusing to let him help her one ounce...until he is so frustrated he leaves her....just....seemed rather frustrating and far-fetched.

One thing I did notice and appreciate, however, was that the author put the emphasis on the emotions and the plot, and not on the descriptions of the two girls. In fact, I ended the story not quite clear whether the girls were blonde, brunette, or redhead, actually pretty or plain. In an age of storytelling where the female protagonist is usually described within the first few pages as "uniquely pretty" or "plain compared to her sisters, with long red hair" etc, it was actually refreshing to have an author focus on substance rather than physique (although I'll admit, I do love a story with a pretty protagonist too!).
]]> 26396483 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:11:40 -0700
My only complaint about this book is that the two main protagonists were a bit of an archetype. I felt like I was reading a nursery rhyme about one sister who always did what was good, and a brother who always misbehaved. ]]>
author: Brandon Mull
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.19
book published: 2006
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 07/19/08
shelves:
review:
This is one of those whimsical and charming childrens' books that is enjoyable by adults as well. The story unfolds slowly, as the children first arrive at their grandparents' house with no idea what is really lurking as close as the gardens, and then slowly discover Fablehaven's secrets.

My only complaint about this book is that the two main protagonists were a bit of an archetype. I felt like I was reading a nursery rhyme about one sister who always did what was good, and a brother who always misbehaved.
]]> 26217352 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:06:37 -0700
author: Jude Burkhauser
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.33
book published: 2001
rating: 3
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/19/08
shelves:
review:
Brings to life an aspect of art history little discussed.
]]> 25897734 Sat, 19 Jul 2008 07:05:18 -0700
author: Cameron Dokey
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.96
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/19/08
shelves:
review:
The author's style is very lyrical...magical things happen simply because the protagonist is enmeshed in a magical castle, and that is all she's ever known. It's a fast read, but as usual, Dokey makes use of every page, immersing you in a fantastically rendered world.
]]> 19879463 Tue, 01 Jul 2008 16:28:02 -0700
When Ambrose came to Fabletown (a haven for all in New York City), he had lost all memory of what had happened, and all of the other Fables swore to never tell him. He became the custodian, cleaning after others to endlessly atone for vaguely-phrased wrongs they claimed he had committed in order to keep him distracted...to avoid his remembering the pain of his loss. In reality, Ambrose is the one and only Fable who came to Fabletown with no sins to be absolved. He is the only completely pure-of-heart Fable.

This is all just back story to this volume, in which Ambrose finally remembers what happened to him, and finds an outlet for his emotions. Finally, this volume of Fables begins to pick up the pace (I had complained that previous volumes were just getting way too slow) in the overall conflict between the Fables and the Adversary. Ambrose's story is one of the best told from the entire series, and I'd rank this volume very high, perhaps at the very top, of the volumes thus far.

ANYONE who is a fan of fairy tales, mythic fiction, or just a damn good story should try reading Fables. ]]>
author: Bill Willingham
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.51
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 07/08
date added: 07/01/08
shelves:
review:
The best volume of Fables yet, this trade paperback recounts the story of Ambrose, aka "Flycatcher." One of my favorite Fabletown residents (and there are many wonderful ones from which to choose), Ambrose is the "frog prince" from fairy tales of old (his backstory is told as part of the beautiful stand-alone volume, 1,001 Nights of Snowfall). Ambrose met his princess wife, was married, became king, and had children. However, when he is confronted with extreme emotion, (fear, etc) Ambrose sometimes tends to accidentally slip back into his frog form. When the Adversary began conquering his kingdom, Ambrose succumbed to fear, and slipped into frog form, having to helplessly watch his entire family die at the hands of the invading army.

When Ambrose came to Fabletown (a haven for all in New York City), he had lost all memory of what had happened, and all of the other Fables swore to never tell him. He became the custodian, cleaning after others to endlessly atone for vaguely-phrased wrongs they claimed he had committed in order to keep him distracted...to avoid his remembering the pain of his loss. In reality, Ambrose is the one and only Fable who came to Fabletown with no sins to be absolved. He is the only completely pure-of-heart Fable.

This is all just back story to this volume, in which Ambrose finally remembers what happened to him, and finds an outlet for his emotions. Finally, this volume of Fables begins to pick up the pace (I had complained that previous volumes were just getting way too slow) in the overall conflict between the Fables and the Adversary. Ambrose's story is one of the best told from the entire series, and I'd rank this volume very high, perhaps at the very top, of the volumes thus far.

ANYONE who is a fan of fairy tales, mythic fiction, or just a damn good story should try reading Fables.
]]> 25651001 Mon, 30 Jun 2008 06:24:49 -0700
This book came in to the library, and the cover looked interesting, but the historical era was not one I especially prefer to read. I decided to give it a try when I saw it was written by the same author as _I, Coriander_, an excellent book. This one was also highly enjoyable, if a bit slow at points.

The author worked the idea of magic into the idea of the real time period almost too seamlessly. Magic seemed almost...unmagical. And the ending begs for a sequel. But it was still an enjoyable read I liked enough to finish in 2 days.]]>
author: Sally Gardner
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.00
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/30/08
shelves:
review:
Another good book from Gardner!

This book came in to the library, and the cover looked interesting, but the historical era was not one I especially prefer to read. I decided to give it a try when I saw it was written by the same author as _I, Coriander_, an excellent book. This one was also highly enjoyable, if a bit slow at points.

The author worked the idea of magic into the idea of the real time period almost too seamlessly. Magic seemed almost...unmagical. And the ending begs for a sequel. But it was still an enjoyable read I liked enough to finish in 2 days.
]]> 24999284 Thu, 26 Jun 2008 06:12:12 -0700
Which brings me to _The Willoughbys_. Yes, the style of the book is very much in keeping with Lemony Snickett....from the tongue-in-cheek dour plotline to the use of big words defined amusingly. But Lowry puts her own spin on the genre, which is all one can hope for.

I have no problem with a readalike book, as long as the book is done creatively and is enjoyable to read. _The Willoughbys_ is one such book. ]]>
author: Lois Lowry
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.73
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/26/08
shelves:
review:
When Lord of the Rings came out in theaters, it was a fantasy-genre revolution. We all raved. However, every fantasy movie produced after that suffered from comparisons to the trilogy. My question is...what's wrong with that? There's no such thing as a totally new story, and even the biggest names in the arts today crib from earlier classical sources. (OMG...you ripped off HOMER/SHAKESPEARE/etc!) If something is done well, why not try to emulate it?

Which brings me to _The Willoughbys_. Yes, the style of the book is very much in keeping with Lemony Snickett....from the tongue-in-cheek dour plotline to the use of big words defined amusingly. But Lowry puts her own spin on the genre, which is all one can hope for.

I have no problem with a readalike book, as long as the book is done creatively and is enjoyable to read. _The Willoughbys_ is one such book.
]]> 24431977 Fri, 20 Jun 2008 12:09:51 -0700
I give this book a very ambivalent 3 stars, because although I don't regret having read it, I don't feel I gained a darn thing from it either.]]>
author: Charles de Lint
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.45
book published: 2008
rating: 3
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/20/08
shelves:
review:
I believe I'll always have a soft spot for Charles de Lint, simply because he was my introduction into the mythic fiction/urban fantasy genre. However, his most recent books have all struck me as...mediocre. He is clearly capable of genius, but his writing has really reached a slump, and _Dingo_ demonstrates this. The book has too many up-to-the-moment cultural references (the main character plays World of Warcraft...OMG!!!!), plot cliches (my dad is such a loser...he owns a record store, loves comic books, and listens to cool music....woe is me), and dramatic moments that just plain fell flat. Even the magical element was just dull as dirt.

I give this book a very ambivalent 3 stars, because although I don't regret having read it, I don't feel I gained a darn thing from it either.
]]> 20290454 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:56:08 -0700
I wanted to like this book. I really did. Even while reading it, I wanted to like it so much that at times, I truly DID like it. After all, this is a book about a girl who apparently is my age, and grew up pretending to be a mermaid in her bathtub (like I did), was affected by Tori Amos' songs at an early age (like I was), and ends the book planning a wedding (like I am). But...

This book suffers from disjointed disease. From the outset, Amanda Adams claims that the book's purpose is to recount a history of mermaid lore and myth, and *perhaps* explore her personal growth via her love of mermaids. Well...the book was 40% the basics of mermaid lore, and 60% self-ruminating. Honestly, throughout the book I felt like I was just reading an extended version of a friend's Live Journal blog entry contemplating oneself via the metaphor of myth. This idea isn't so much annoying, as is the misleading implication that she was going to be primarily discussing myth, not personal story.

This alone would be a bit annoying. But there are other things about this book that rub me the wrong way. The author, in the first chapter, calls herself a rational skeptic...someone whose love of mermaids doesn't at all fit in with her usual logical world view. She then goes on to tell stories about her friend, Mitten, who just happens to show up in a chapter about Selkies. Mitten has big black eyes, loves the water, and dresses as a seal every year for Halloween. When they go swimming together, the author can see seals bobbing in the water with Mitten. And lo and behold...Mitten's mother met her father on the beach, and she disappeared with an especially flooding tide. (sigh) Let me say...I actually believe in this sort of thing. But to have such a story come in a book written by a 'skeptic' who admits she 'embellishes' the myths she recounts in the book already...makes her entire book seem like a tall tale.

Oh, and in another chapter about river spirits, she tells a story about going to a seashore, and seeing a beautiful naked woman lying on the beach between ocean and stream, surrounded by male admirers. One of the men calls the woman's name. Her name? Is River.

When truth and embellishment blend so completely in a non-fiction book, without any acknowledgement of the difference, the author loses her grip on either. And she also loses my respect. ]]>
author: Amanda Adams
name: Sidhe
average rating: 2.42
book published: 2006
rating: 2
read at: 06/08
date added: 06/09/08
shelves:
review:
Meh.

I wanted to like this book. I really did. Even while reading it, I wanted to like it so much that at times, I truly DID like it. After all, this is a book about a girl who apparently is my age, and grew up pretending to be a mermaid in her bathtub (like I did), was affected by Tori Amos' songs at an early age (like I was), and ends the book planning a wedding (like I am). But...

This book suffers from disjointed disease. From the outset, Amanda Adams claims that the book's purpose is to recount a history of mermaid lore and myth, and *perhaps* explore her personal growth via her love of mermaids. Well...the book was 40% the basics of mermaid lore, and 60% self-ruminating. Honestly, throughout the book I felt like I was just reading an extended version of a friend's Live Journal blog entry contemplating oneself via the metaphor of myth. This idea isn't so much annoying, as is the misleading implication that she was going to be primarily discussing myth, not personal story.

This alone would be a bit annoying. But there are other things about this book that rub me the wrong way. The author, in the first chapter, calls herself a rational skeptic...someone whose love of mermaids doesn't at all fit in with her usual logical world view. She then goes on to tell stories about her friend, Mitten, who just happens to show up in a chapter about Selkies. Mitten has big black eyes, loves the water, and dresses as a seal every year for Halloween. When they go swimming together, the author can see seals bobbing in the water with Mitten. And lo and behold...Mitten's mother met her father on the beach, and she disappeared with an especially flooding tide. (sigh) Let me say...I actually believe in this sort of thing. But to have such a story come in a book written by a 'skeptic' who admits she 'embellishes' the myths she recounts in the book already...makes her entire book seem like a tall tale.

Oh, and in another chapter about river spirits, she tells a story about going to a seashore, and seeing a beautiful naked woman lying on the beach between ocean and stream, surrounded by male admirers. One of the men calls the woman's name. Her name? Is River.

When truth and embellishment blend so completely in a non-fiction book, without any acknowledgement of the difference, the author loses her grip on either. And she also loses my respect.
]]> 23537728 Mon, 09 Jun 2008 07:46:19 -0700
author: Annie Sloan
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.50
book published: 1998
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 06/09/08
shelves:
review:
Gorgeous images of painted furniture from medieval times to present. My only complaint is that the author tried to cover so many styles, each section wound up being more of a teaser than anything else. However, there are many beautiful photos.
]]> 21942063 Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:19:39 -0700
The Host, on the other hand, is a great take on the genre of sci fi. I have always said that I like to watch sci fi, and read fantasy, but occasionally when a more inter-personal sci fi is written, I make an exception, and this is one of those. The concept is as follows....aliens slowly take over the earth by taking over host bodies. The aliens retain all memories of the hosts, but the consciousness of the individual is eliminated (in only most cases, as we'll see). The twist on this invasion story comes in two ways...first, the aliens are peaceful people who actually make the world a better place...eliminating illness, war, and poverty, and showing kindness and gentleness to all. We are bound to ask the question "do we deserve this world more than them?" The second twist comes when a host body, Melanie, is taken over by an alien, Wanderer. Both host and alien are unique to their kind....Melanie is an exceptional fighter who refuses to give up consciousness, and Wanderer is a misfit among her people who has travelled to many worlds, and never found a place to belong.

Other reviews have explained more of the plot, so I'll stop there. I will say that Meyer does a wonderful job of showing the struggle between Melanie and Wanderer, or "Wanda" as she becomes known. The story is utterly immersive, and despite the density of the pages and of the story, you can't help but want to read until the end. Recommended, even to non-fans of Twilight.]]>
author: Stephenie Meyer
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.18
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at: 05/08
date added: 06/02/08
shelves:
review:
First, I should precede this review by explaining that I'm not really a fan of the Twilight series. I read the first book, and it's not that I hated the book, I just didn't think it was all that amazing or gripping. I thought this was probably due to Stephenie Meyer's writing ability. I was wrong.

The Host, on the other hand, is a great take on the genre of sci fi. I have always said that I like to watch sci fi, and read fantasy, but occasionally when a more inter-personal sci fi is written, I make an exception, and this is one of those. The concept is as follows....aliens slowly take over the earth by taking over host bodies. The aliens retain all memories of the hosts, but the consciousness of the individual is eliminated (in only most cases, as we'll see). The twist on this invasion story comes in two ways...first, the aliens are peaceful people who actually make the world a better place...eliminating illness, war, and poverty, and showing kindness and gentleness to all. We are bound to ask the question "do we deserve this world more than them?" The second twist comes when a host body, Melanie, is taken over by an alien, Wanderer. Both host and alien are unique to their kind....Melanie is an exceptional fighter who refuses to give up consciousness, and Wanderer is a misfit among her people who has travelled to many worlds, and never found a place to belong.

Other reviews have explained more of the plot, so I'll stop there. I will say that Meyer does a wonderful job of showing the struggle between Melanie and Wanderer, or "Wanda" as she becomes known. The story is utterly immersive, and despite the density of the pages and of the story, you can't help but want to read until the end. Recommended, even to non-fans of Twilight.
]]> 22676467 Thu, 22 May 2008 10:13:42 -0700
The book ends abruptly, and I sincerely hope that more volumes will follow. We need to know more about all the fascinating characters!

]]>
author: Linda Medley
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.09
book published: 2006
rating: 4
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/22/08
shelves:
review:
Fans of Fables (the comic book) and fables (the genre) alike will enjoy this wonderful comic book compilation of fairy tale-like stories. In fact, even though I'm an enthusiastic fan of Fables, I'd have to actually rank this one as even better, in my estimation. The characters leap off of the page with their charm and fascinating stories. And the author, while alluding to fairy tales frequently, tells her own new stories with magnificent talent!

The book ends abruptly, and I sincerely hope that more volumes will follow. We need to know more about all the fascinating characters!


]]> 21705562 Wed, 07 May 2008 10:24:40 -0700
But this book really succeeds in that it is not just a cynical tell-all of all the insane things library employees have to put up with (my personal list, by the way, includes maggots in the binding of a book, being asked by a patron if he could body paint me, a patron who once printed out 100 sheets of paper with the simple internet query "how you put in PC at home" at the top of a search engine page, and so the list goes on). Scott's book is also, more importantly, the narration of an epic quest. The quest is one to find one's place in the working world, and to find satisfaction in one's job. Throughout the book, he questions whether library work is something he really WANTS to do, or something he merely has ended up doing. In the end, he finds a peace and resolution with his role as a librarian that seems to satisfy both him, and the reader (some of which have asked...or are currently asking...themselves the same question).

Two stories in this book especially moved me. The first was about a young handicapped patron and a Christmas gift, and the second was Scott's description of the closing of his old library. Throughout the book, he drives home the fact that as library employees, we are public servants, but for some reason, his description of standing alone in an empty building that had so many memories, and how when the patrons were gone, it was no longer a library at all...that was the story that drove home the fact to me the most.

High recommended to all of my fellow library employees on Good Reads. Stick your name on hold for it...you won't regret it!!!]]>
author: Scott Douglas
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.49
book published: 2008
rating: 5
read at: 05/08
date added: 05/07/08
shelves:
review:
Scott Douglas is brilliant! And he is, at the same time, just a regular guy. As a 5-year library employee (who would like to eventually get her Masters, but has to wait for financial reasons for a few years more), I could relate to so many of his stories, both of crazy patrons, and intra-office drama/gossip. His unique perspective of having worked at both a smaller and larger library ensures that librarians of all sorts will be able to relate to something in his book. For me, it was his old (first) work building...the one with mold on the ceilings and a regular list of eclectic patrons coming in the door.

But this book really succeeds in that it is not just a cynical tell-all of all the insane things library employees have to put up with (my personal list, by the way, includes maggots in the binding of a book, being asked by a patron if he could body paint me, a patron who once printed out 100 sheets of paper with the simple internet query "how you put in PC at home" at the top of a search engine page, and so the list goes on). Scott's book is also, more importantly, the narration of an epic quest. The quest is one to find one's place in the working world, and to find satisfaction in one's job. Throughout the book, he questions whether library work is something he really WANTS to do, or something he merely has ended up doing. In the end, he finds a peace and resolution with his role as a librarian that seems to satisfy both him, and the reader (some of which have asked...or are currently asking...themselves the same question).

Two stories in this book especially moved me. The first was about a young handicapped patron and a Christmas gift, and the second was Scott's description of the closing of his old library. Throughout the book, he drives home the fact that as library employees, we are public servants, but for some reason, his description of standing alone in an empty building that had so many memories, and how when the patrons were gone, it was no longer a library at all...that was the story that drove home the fact to me the most.

High recommended to all of my fellow library employees on Good Reads. Stick your name on hold for it...you won't regret it!!!
]]> 21707025 Tue, 06 May 2008 10:42:55 -0700
]]>
author: Margot Datz
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.25
book published: 2008
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 05/06/08
shelves:
review:
I received this book as a surprise gift from a friend, and found it to be a delightful and inspiring read. It's a coffee table/gift book, with paintings of women who are really mermaids engaging in regular (and not so regular) every day activities, with accompanying text about how one can learn lessons from living as a land-locked Mermaid. Quite cute, and several lessons were quite inspiring. A quick read...half an hour or so, but enjoyable!


]]> 17690153 Sun, 04 May 2008 13:04:16 -0700
Also, Byatt's philosophizing can get rather heavy-handed in a book that is already rather overwhelming. Don't be surprised if you have to skip certain segments of this book, but try not to skip too much of the journal entries or the poetry, as both are enjoyable and well written.

]]>
author: A.S. Byatt
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.98
book published: 1990
rating: 4
read at: 04/08
date added: 05/04/08
shelves:
review:
Here's another book that is definitely NOT an easy read, but ends up being worth the while. At times, the plethora of mediums in which the author speaks can be overwhelming...this one book includes straight-forward narrative, exerpts of fictitious literary criticism, poetry, epic poetry, letters, journal entries, more straight-forward narrative between non-contemporary characters....it can be overwhelming. But one cannot help but be impressed by the sheer *believability* the author is able to exude, whether she's creating fictional 19th century epic poetry, or describing the investigations of modern scholars. The one place where I felt this book was weak was in her attempt to create a "new version of love" in which two people can remain cool and separate, unemotional, and yet still conduct an affair. I never felt any kinship or enthusiasm towards the contemporary romance for this reason.

Also, Byatt's philosophizing can get rather heavy-handed in a book that is already rather overwhelming. Don't be surprised if you have to skip certain segments of this book, but try not to skip too much of the journal entries or the poetry, as both are enjoyable and well written.


]]> 20668970 Tue, 29 Apr 2008 14:07:44 -0700
The 'bad guys' are absolutely flat-as-cardboard stereotypical baddies. They make foolish mistakes, and one never really gets a sense of a serious threat to any of the 'good guys' because you can see how many mistakes the bad guys are making. Also, the book seemed rather disjointed at times...information was brought up that seemed important, but was never used, and Lackey wasn't entirely successful with believably combining Victorian England with Elemental Magic.

Because of these things, the book was more light a read than it seemed to be intended to be. It was, however, still enjoyable. ]]>
author: Mercedes Lackey
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.78
book published: 2003
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/29/08
shelves:
review:
A pretty pleasurable read overall. Mercedes Lackey, when I was 12 or so, was my first "favorite author" of my life, but I haven't read any of her books in years. Due to a passionate interest in the Pre-Raphaelites, (the main character is brought up among Pre-Raphaelite style artists) I had this book recommended to me, and decided to try her work again. Overall, this book is quite enjoyable, don't get me wrong. But there's a reason it's not a 5-star book.

The 'bad guys' are absolutely flat-as-cardboard stereotypical baddies. They make foolish mistakes, and one never really gets a sense of a serious threat to any of the 'good guys' because you can see how many mistakes the bad guys are making. Also, the book seemed rather disjointed at times...information was brought up that seemed important, but was never used, and Lackey wasn't entirely successful with believably combining Victorian England with Elemental Magic.

Because of these things, the book was more light a read than it seemed to be intended to be. It was, however, still enjoyable.
]]> 12170836 Mon, 21 Apr 2008 14:34:16 -0700
In this final volume, Gemma has to finally face the growing distance between her and Pippa, and between herself and her friends. She has to prepare to "debut," deal with her Victorian family issues (a brother who wants fame at any cost, a father who abuses opium, a grandmother who is so incredibly strict she stifles her), and find a way to restore the magic to the Realms...in a way that will make everyone happy!

The absolute best book/series combining Victoriana with magical fantasy that I've ever read! ]]>
author: Libba Bray
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.02
book published: 2007
rating: 5
read at: 01/08
date added: 04/21/08
shelves:
review:
When Gemma Doyle's mother dies a tragic death at the hands of a mysterious stranger, Gemma discovers her inherited "gift" of entering The Realms (a trippy Otherworld that seems a cross between Wonderland and Faerie) and controlling the magic there. Back in jolly old Victorian England at a girls' boarding house, she has to solve the mystery of her mother's death, and come to terms with this strange power she has been granted.

In this final volume, Gemma has to finally face the growing distance between her and Pippa, and between herself and her friends. She has to prepare to "debut," deal with her Victorian family issues (a brother who wants fame at any cost, a father who abuses opium, a grandmother who is so incredibly strict she stifles her), and find a way to restore the magic to the Realms...in a way that will make everyone happy!

The absolute best book/series combining Victoriana with magical fantasy that I've ever read!
]]> 12563448 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:21:20 -0700
The book is set in Portland, Oregon...the city I'd love to live in more than any other, so it had that to its advantage. Some authors have the gift for writing a book that teens can relate to long after their own teen years. This author isn't one of those gifted few. I grimaced or rolled my eyes numerous times as she had the teens speaking in outdated slang ("man, dude"...I half expected someone to say "totally righteous" or "totally tubular") and referenced teen culture that was also very 90s (Rock the Vote?? C'mon, I know it still exists, but that was a 90's thing). Nothing in the book indicated that it was set in the 90s, but the author seemed stuck in an outdated view of teens.

Then there was the subject matter. The author kept things intentionally vague at first to keep you curious, as the teens discovered strange things about themselves and anticipated a big rave going on in a few weeks that promised to give them answers to their questions. I stuck it out until the end of the rave, when we found out (SPOILER) that the kids are really fay changelings. Ok, I'm with you so far. But the way she describes it from there sounds like something out of a Scientology cult, with the changelings being referred to as if they are aliens in a host body preparing to ascend to a higher plane. Uh uh. Nope. You lost me. I'm gone. I tolerated the outdated slang, I tolerated the Francine Pascal-esque High School gossip book constant descriptions of what everyone wore and how gorgeous they looked, but changeling fay who are aliens trapped inside human bodies? Goodbye, Tara Bray Smith. ]]>
author: Tara Bray Smith
name: Sidhe
average rating: 2.77
book published: 2007
rating: 2
read at: 01/08
date added: 04/15/08
shelves: partial-reads
review:
Yes, this book was just a partial read for me, but having gotten to page 230 before I closed it and gave up, I think I'm justified in saying a few words.

The book is set in Portland, Oregon...the city I'd love to live in more than any other, so it had that to its advantage. Some authors have the gift for writing a book that teens can relate to long after their own teen years. This author isn't one of those gifted few. I grimaced or rolled my eyes numerous times as she had the teens speaking in outdated slang ("man, dude"...I half expected someone to say "totally righteous" or "totally tubular") and referenced teen culture that was also very 90s (Rock the Vote?? C'mon, I know it still exists, but that was a 90's thing). Nothing in the book indicated that it was set in the 90s, but the author seemed stuck in an outdated view of teens.

Then there was the subject matter. The author kept things intentionally vague at first to keep you curious, as the teens discovered strange things about themselves and anticipated a big rave going on in a few weeks that promised to give them answers to their questions. I stuck it out until the end of the rave, when we found out (SPOILER) that the kids are really fay changelings. Ok, I'm with you so far. But the way she describes it from there sounds like something out of a Scientology cult, with the changelings being referred to as if they are aliens in a host body preparing to ascend to a higher plane. Uh uh. Nope. You lost me. I'm gone. I tolerated the outdated slang, I tolerated the Francine Pascal-esque High School gossip book constant descriptions of what everyone wore and how gorgeous they looked, but changeling fay who are aliens trapped inside human bodies? Goodbye, Tara Bray Smith.
]]> 6275158 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:21:01 -0700
BUT

The author creates an amazing atmosphere, and the basics of the plot may be the same, but the details are entirely new and lovely. The aunt Evanelle is an absolutely fascinating character...not to mention the wonderful apple tree who wants to share in all the experiences. I stayed up late to finish reading this book, and I don't do that often.

Practical Magic had undertones of darkness and spices, mystery and tragedy. Garden Spells instead makes magic beautifully mundane...a part of these women's everyday life, and just as difficult but worth dealing with than the marital problems of Emma and her husband.

Very highly recommended...the best book I've read in a long time.]]>
author: Sarah Addison Allen
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.93
book published: 2007
rating: 4
read at:
date added: 04/15/08
shelves:
review:
Yes, this book is definitely reminsicent of Practical Magic in plotline. I can't imagine anyone not thinking so...a beautiful old house, two magical sisters whose mother died when they were young, one practical and a homebody, the other a wild woman with a daughter who comes back home to escape an abusive man. Um...sounds familiar. Very.

BUT

The author creates an amazing atmosphere, and the basics of the plot may be the same, but the details are entirely new and lovely. The aunt Evanelle is an absolutely fascinating character...not to mention the wonderful apple tree who wants to share in all the experiences. I stayed up late to finish reading this book, and I don't do that often.

Practical Magic had undertones of darkness and spices, mystery and tragedy. Garden Spells instead makes magic beautifully mundane...a part of these women's everyday life, and just as difficult but worth dealing with than the marital problems of Emma and her husband.

Very highly recommended...the best book I've read in a long time.
]]> 4649161 Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:20:36 -0700
author: Jack Kerouac
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.71
book published: 1957
rating: 1
read at:
date added: 04/15/08
shelves:
review:
I don't think I will ever be a Kerouac fan.
]]> 15557018 Thu, 10 Apr 2008 12:17:52 -0700
The proofreader of this book should be fired...numerous distracting typos are found throughout. Otherwise, it's a very enjoyable read, especially for the afficionado of all things Pre-Raphaelite! The author successfully uses her historical facts and creates realistic fictional storyline from there to create a fascinating modern-day mystery.

The final "reveal" was a bit of a stretch, but this book is an aesthetically-pleasing 'feel good' book, so it didn't bother me all that much to stretch my imagination a bit further in the end. All in all, a pleasant and enjoyable read.]]>
author: Fiona Mountain
name: Sidhe
average rating: 3.79
book published: 2005
rating: 4
read at: 04/08
date added: 04/10/08
shelves:
review:
Technically I'd give this book about a 4.5, but since there's no half-star choice, I chose to downgrade it to 4.

The proofreader of this book should be fired...numerous distracting typos are found throughout. Otherwise, it's a very enjoyable read, especially for the afficionado of all things Pre-Raphaelite! The author successfully uses her historical facts and creates realistic fictional storyline from there to create a fascinating modern-day mystery.

The final "reveal" was a bit of a stretch, but this book is an aesthetically-pleasing 'feel good' book, so it didn't bother me all that much to stretch my imagination a bit further in the end. All in all, a pleasant and enjoyable read.
]]> 18933058 Sat, 29 Mar 2008 13:05:08 -0700
Highly recommended. ]]>
author: Ann Johnston
name: Sidhe
average rating: 5.00
book published: 1995
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 03/29/08
shelves:
review:
There is officially a book out there for everything, and coming from someone who was looking for a very precise topic, I was floored that this book existed!!

Highly recommended.
]]> 18776698 Thu, 27 Mar 2008 12:31:16 -0700
author: Stephen Wildman
name: Sidhe
average rating: 5.00
book published: 1998
rating: 5
read at:
date added: 03/27/08
shelves:
review:
Sadly my plate is too full right now to read all of the text in this thick coffee table book of Burne-Jones' art, but simply the ability to see his work large and on paper makes this book a wonderful experience. Seems to quite thorougly explore every aspect of his life and work, including many pieces I had never seen.
]]> 18588130 Tue, 25 Mar 2008 09:11:44 -0700
author: Jan Marsh
name: Sidhe
average rating: 4.00
book published: 1997
rating: 3
read at:
date added: 03/25/08
shelves:
review:
This book really just rehashes the same quotes available in larger volumes...I was hoping for a more in-depth look at the actual writings of the P.R.B. Also, especially toward the end, the author seems to allow her bias to color her opinion of the latter days of the P.R.B. An ok book, with a few new interesting tidbits, but mostly disappointing to anyone seeking more.
]]> 17797178 Sat, 15 Mar 2008 07:57:27 -0700