Finally, some of the books that I've had on hold at the library forever came in. And, I seem to have noticed a theme in my reading lately - dragons. Yes, even the non-fantasy book Girl With a Dragon Tattoo fits that category. However, these giant denizens of the fictional bestiary are part of the fantasy realm. Sometimes, one just needs some true escapist fiction. So, which literary dragons have I been slaying?
I have been rereading several books in the Dragons of Pern series by Anne McCaffrey. I was first introduced to her works by my mother, who owned several of the Dragon paperbacks. It was only recently that I realized that some of the books were organized into trilogies, as I'd just read the books in any order. The two that are my favourites, and the ones I most recently read, are Dragonsong and Dragonsinger. These two follow the trials and travails of Menolly, a citizen of a harbour town of Pern, blessed with a distinct gift of music that her family seems determined to smother. I enjoyed reading about Menolly; she is a likeable character and (to give part of the plot away) her time at Harper Hall is very interesting and well done. Sadly, I don't like the third book in the series, Dragondrums, quite as much. It focuses on Piemur, a friend of Menolly's from the Harper Hall. In recently re-reading the books I realized that I would have much rather read a third book on Menolly and her life as a journeyman harper, instead of suddenly switching characters to Piemur, who was only introduced in the second book.
The two I borrowed from the library are The White Dragon and Dragonflight, both of which I've read before, but not lately. I will let you know my thoughts on them shortly. They are books one and three of the Dragonriders of Pern series, but I don't think one necessarily has to read the books in order.
What other fantastical dragons have appeared lately in my reading? Mercedes Lackey, a truly original and prolific fantasy author, recently wrote about dragons in One Good Knight, one in her new 500 Kingdoms series. I really quite enjoy this series, and so it deserves a special blog posting of its own. If you wish to read that series, start out with The Fairy Godmother, as it explains the basic premise of the novels. The books are highly entertaining. Maybe they aren't great literature, but you will stay up late reading them!
Since I seem to have stumbled upon the dragon theme, I thought I would take a tour around my own bookshelves to locate further reading material once my current selections are finished. There isn't a lot about dragons on the historical shelf! However, to my great surprise, I found a number of books about dragons on my fiction shelves. I have discussed them below in no particular order.
Of course, one starts first with the great classic: The Hobbit. Many people know the tale of Bilbo Baggins and the band of dwarves on a quest to take the horde of treasure from the dragon Smaug. However, once one has read the Lord of the Rings, this nice little children's book takes on new dimensions. I haven't read it for awhile and it may be time to give it another go. I am not the type to read the Lord of the Rings every year like my brother, but a little Tolkein every now and again doesn't hurt. I think I've had my copy since I was about 10 and it is showing its age: the spine is lined and the edges of the front and back covers are rounded.
A curious young adult book that somehow ended up in my collection is Dragon's Blood, by Jane Yolen. It is a short, small book about a boy who wants to train a dragon to fight in the dragon-fights. I believe it is supposed to be the start or part of a series, but I just have the one book. I haven't read it in years, so I think it's time I had another look and investigated the possibility of a series.
Another interesting fantasy novel about dragons is Ladylord by Sasha Miller. What makes this book interesting is that it approaches fantasy and fantastical animals, such as dragons, from an Eastern/Oriental perspective. Most fantasy, whether or not about dragons, seems to stem from Celtic/English based roots and a dream of Merrie Olde Englande. However, Ladylord sets its fantasy in a world that seems to be based in Chinese/Japanese roots, which makes it a welcome change. Sadly, I have never come across another book by Sasha Miller, which is a shame as she is an excellent author. Maybe some research is in order there. I'll add Ladylord to my what-to-read next pile.
Dragons are sort of mentioned in A Wind at the Door, one of Madeleine L'Engle's Time Quartet featuring the Murray family. However, since dragons aren't the central theme, I think I will put L'Engle aside to another day (and a blog post all of its own!).
I own a terrific fantasy novel called The Blue Sword by Robin McKinley. Again, it approaches fantasy from a different perspective; sort of a colonial-Victorian-Arab-desert mix. It does not talk about dragons. So why is it on the list? Well, the other book in that series, The Hero and The Crown, does talk about dragons. It is set in the same land as The Blue Sword, but at a different time period. For whatever reason, I own only one of the books in the series, not both. But I wasn't going to let that stop me from recommending a few good books, even if one of them is only tangentially connected to the subject of dragons.
And, finally, on even more of a tangent, a book that isn't really even about dragons at all, is the book Raptor Red, by Robert T. Bakker. No, it is not about a dragon. It is a fiction novel where the main character is a dinosaur. Yes, I know, dinosaurs are not dragons. However, they are as close as we are likely to get in this non-fantasy world! And, it is fiction. It is a story told entirely from the point of view of the dinosaur - she is the main character. Not fantasy - because there are no humans and dinosaurs living together, but fiction, because it is not a true story, although it is factual.
So there it is, my current dragon reading and my list of further suggestions on the topic. I also welcome any suggestions from my readers as to dragon books I should add to my quest. I'm always interested in reading new books and I'm sure I have missed plenty of good dragon books. Happy reading everyone!
Friday, May 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
My Favourite Book
My Ngaio Marsh still isn't in at the library. Neither are any of the other 7 books I put on hold. (However, I did receive The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo today - yay!) So, what have I been reading in the meantime while I wait for my books?
I've been reading Kings & Queens of Scotland, edited by Richard Oram. Yes, a historical non-fiction book about the rulers of Scotland. With an editor, no less. It's been an interesting survey of the monarchs of that particular piece of the world. I'm about half-way through the Stewarts (as opposed to the Stuarts, for all you monarchists out there). Each monarch has his or her own essay of what or whom the monarch did, built, proclaimed, fought, wooed, and wedded. Royal family trees can be complicated, so I have been reading Kings & Queens of Scotland with my favourite royal, historical, non-fiction compendium at my side.
Yes, my favourite book in the entire world is this: Britain's Royal Families: The Complete Genealogy, by Alison Weir. This book is exactly what it says it is - it is a complete genealogy of the royal family of Britain, including all those pesky Stewarts and Stuarts! The Kings & Queens of Scotland has its own family trees in the back of the book, but for accuracy and completeness, I prefer Britain's Royal Families. I read nearly every non-fiction history book with my Britain's Royal Families within close reach. I probably look something up in it every day. It doesn't have a place in my bookshelf because it never rests in my bookshelf! We moved recently and I packed up my books first. I was lost for nearly a month without it. Wikipedia just isn't the same. (In fact, it's often at my side while I surf Wikipedia, to double-check the facts!)
My copy is the revised edition (of the 1989 version) published by Pimlico in 1996. I think I've had this book for nearly 15 years! When I first bought it, I read it cover-to-cover. As you can see by the photo, it's well-loved. In fact, it is falling apart. The binding is broken right at Malcolm III (an early Scottish Monarch who ruled from 1058 to 1093) and the front half of the book has separated from the edge. The author's note has also detached itself and is floating free. Further, it is out-of-date: I am missing several key events such as the deaths of Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother, Princess Margaret, Diana Princess of Wales; the marriages of Prince Charles and Prince Edward; and the births of Prince Edward's two children.
The condition of the book is a testament to the fact that it is my most-used book - a favourite companion on my journeys through historical fiction and fact. I recommend this book for all royalist monarchist historians like myself. I have found it essential and turn to it time and time again. It is my favourite book.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Tiny Landmass
The second selection in May for our book club was Small Island, by Andrea Levy. Sadly, this was not my favourite book. It was a bit of a push to finish it off for the book club.
Essentially, this book is about racism in post-WWII Britain. It deals with four main characters: Queenie, a white woman who runs a boarding house; Bernard, her white soldier husband; Hortense, a black woman from Jamaica; and Gilbert, also black and from Jamaica, who is Hortense's husband. Gilbert and Hortense board in Queenie's house.
The book had important things to say about racism and colonialism. The Jamaicans were taught everything about Britain - so much so that the Jamaicans thought of themselves as British, as every bit a citizen of the Empire as any other Brit. However, the Jamaicans were not thought of as British by the people who lived in Britain. To the British, they were foreigners, and black foreigners at that, despite the ties to the Empire. The Jamaicans faced the prejudice of the British with surprise, considering the Jamaicans felt they themselves were British. The book also discussed briefly the American feelings towards black people and the segregation imposed on the American soldiers, even in Britain.
So, if this book deals with important themes, why didn't I like it? Perhaps because I didn't really like any of the characters. None of the main characters were really likeable at all, so I didn't get into the story. If I don't care about the characters, I'm not interested in where their lives are going and then don't want to read the book because I have no interest in the story. I didn't feel like I could identify with the characters. It became a little better by the end of the book, but by then it was almost too late. Perhaps I disliked the characters because they were not real people but symbols, each with something to represent. It is difficult to identify with a symbol.
I also did not like the set-up of the book. Each main character told a portion of the story from his or her perspective. That did work when different characters described the same event. However, the book then jumps forward and backward in time. The reader is jumping between voices and time periods. I would have preferred a more chronological order for the book. If I don't care about the character in the present day, why would I care about them in the past? Maybe a linear structure would have assisted in developing the reader's relationship with the characters.
Those are my feelings on Small Island. Fortunately, I did not buy the book, only borrowed it. I will probably never read it again and would think twice about picking up another work by this author. The book wasn't terrible. I just didn't like it. However, those are my thoughts. If anyone liked it, you are welcome to post a spirited defence in the comments and we can have a civilized debate.
Next book up for book club is The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo. I am borrowing a copy from a friend and should start reading it this week! Stay tuned for updates.
Essentially, this book is about racism in post-WWII Britain. It deals with four main characters: Queenie, a white woman who runs a boarding house; Bernard, her white soldier husband; Hortense, a black woman from Jamaica; and Gilbert, also black and from Jamaica, who is Hortense's husband. Gilbert and Hortense board in Queenie's house.
The book had important things to say about racism and colonialism. The Jamaicans were taught everything about Britain - so much so that the Jamaicans thought of themselves as British, as every bit a citizen of the Empire as any other Brit. However, the Jamaicans were not thought of as British by the people who lived in Britain. To the British, they were foreigners, and black foreigners at that, despite the ties to the Empire. The Jamaicans faced the prejudice of the British with surprise, considering the Jamaicans felt they themselves were British. The book also discussed briefly the American feelings towards black people and the segregation imposed on the American soldiers, even in Britain.
So, if this book deals with important themes, why didn't I like it? Perhaps because I didn't really like any of the characters. None of the main characters were really likeable at all, so I didn't get into the story. If I don't care about the characters, I'm not interested in where their lives are going and then don't want to read the book because I have no interest in the story. I didn't feel like I could identify with the characters. It became a little better by the end of the book, but by then it was almost too late. Perhaps I disliked the characters because they were not real people but symbols, each with something to represent. It is difficult to identify with a symbol.
I also did not like the set-up of the book. Each main character told a portion of the story from his or her perspective. That did work when different characters described the same event. However, the book then jumps forward and backward in time. The reader is jumping between voices and time periods. I would have preferred a more chronological order for the book. If I don't care about the character in the present day, why would I care about them in the past? Maybe a linear structure would have assisted in developing the reader's relationship with the characters.
Those are my feelings on Small Island. Fortunately, I did not buy the book, only borrowed it. I will probably never read it again and would think twice about picking up another work by this author. The book wasn't terrible. I just didn't like it. However, those are my thoughts. If anyone liked it, you are welcome to post a spirited defence in the comments and we can have a civilized debate.
Next book up for book club is The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo. I am borrowing a copy from a friend and should start reading it this week! Stay tuned for updates.
Saturday, May 22, 2010
Book Clubbing
Like so many people in this day and age, I have joined a book club. I used to laugh at the directed reading book club questions in the back of novels, thinking them suited only to 8th grade English classes and not the reading public demanding only entertainment from its fiction. However, I was wrong. People want to talk about books. Indeed, if I didn't want to talk about books, why do I have this blog?
And, you don't have to use the questions in the back of the book. In fact, most of my favourite books don't have reading questions in the back at all. And those that do, well, I won't hold it against them.
I joined the book club to expand my reading horizon. I was tending to read the same books over and over again: historical fiction, mystery, historical mystery, non-fiction historical and wanted to try something new. However, I was a little cautious. I was excited about sharing my book with the world, but hesitant about trying new books. What if I didn't like them? But reading anything is never a waste of time.
Our book club is limited in nature: 4 of us, 4 months, 4 books. We've already discussed the book for May and are getting ready to move on to June. My month is July. I'm looking forward to discussing my pick!
We had two picks for May: Reading Lolita in Tehran and Small Island. Neither were books I would pick off the shelf to read at the library, nevermind to own at the bookstore. Although neither book was my favourite, they were interesting to read and the first book (all we've had time to discuss so far!) promoted an interesting discussion about the role of women and religion in the world.
Reading Lolita in Tehran is about one Iranian woman's struggle during the Islamic Revolution. The author, Azar Nafisi, lived and taught literature at University in Iran before leaving her country to move to the United States. She frames her book in four sections, each structured around a different author or novel: Lolita, Henry James, The Great Gatsby, and Jane Austen. I have never read Lolita in Tehran or elsewhere, nor The Great Gatsby, nor Henry James. However, a little Wikipedia research helped.
For a book club, this was a good choice in that the book presented a wide forum of other literature to discuss in addition to the book itself - that is, if one has read the other books. I also found that the front jacket blurb about the book was misleading. The book discusses the author's entire teaching life in Iran: including the time she resigned from the university and started her own book club/literature class with some of her female students at her home. This portion of the author's life does not encompass the whole book. However, to read the blurb, it would seem like the entire book revolves around the author and her at-home literature class. It does not; it is one factor in the author's interesting life. I felt like the book had been mislabelled and wondered why her story seemed to be straying "off track" as it discussed other aspects of the author's life instead of focusing on her private reading class. I also would have liked to learn more about the women in her class.
The book is an interesting read. However, I would recommend that you brush up on your Henry James, Lolita, Great Gatsby and Jane Austen before reading! It is not a comfortable read, but the struggles faced by the women in Iran are gripping. Not my usual choice of book, but I'm glad I read it.
My thoughts on Small Island will be in my next post. And what is our pick for June? The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson. I'm currently 396th in line on hold for the book at the library! Stay tuned for a post discussing this book after I've read it and discussed it with the club. And my pick in July? You'll have to wait and see.
And, you don't have to use the questions in the back of the book. In fact, most of my favourite books don't have reading questions in the back at all. And those that do, well, I won't hold it against them.
I joined the book club to expand my reading horizon. I was tending to read the same books over and over again: historical fiction, mystery, historical mystery, non-fiction historical and wanted to try something new. However, I was a little cautious. I was excited about sharing my book with the world, but hesitant about trying new books. What if I didn't like them? But reading anything is never a waste of time.
Our book club is limited in nature: 4 of us, 4 months, 4 books. We've already discussed the book for May and are getting ready to move on to June. My month is July. I'm looking forward to discussing my pick!
We had two picks for May: Reading Lolita in Tehran and Small Island. Neither were books I would pick off the shelf to read at the library, nevermind to own at the bookstore. Although neither book was my favourite, they were interesting to read and the first book (all we've had time to discuss so far!) promoted an interesting discussion about the role of women and religion in the world.
Reading Lolita in Tehran is about one Iranian woman's struggle during the Islamic Revolution. The author, Azar Nafisi, lived and taught literature at University in Iran before leaving her country to move to the United States. She frames her book in four sections, each structured around a different author or novel: Lolita, Henry James, The Great Gatsby, and Jane Austen. I have never read Lolita in Tehran or elsewhere, nor The Great Gatsby, nor Henry James. However, a little Wikipedia research helped.
For a book club, this was a good choice in that the book presented a wide forum of other literature to discuss in addition to the book itself - that is, if one has read the other books. I also found that the front jacket blurb about the book was misleading. The book discusses the author's entire teaching life in Iran: including the time she resigned from the university and started her own book club/literature class with some of her female students at her home. This portion of the author's life does not encompass the whole book. However, to read the blurb, it would seem like the entire book revolves around the author and her at-home literature class. It does not; it is one factor in the author's interesting life. I felt like the book had been mislabelled and wondered why her story seemed to be straying "off track" as it discussed other aspects of the author's life instead of focusing on her private reading class. I also would have liked to learn more about the women in her class.
The book is an interesting read. However, I would recommend that you brush up on your Henry James, Lolita, Great Gatsby and Jane Austen before reading! It is not a comfortable read, but the struggles faced by the women in Iran are gripping. Not my usual choice of book, but I'm glad I read it.
My thoughts on Small Island will be in my next post. And what is our pick for June? The Girl With a Dragon Tattoo, by Stieg Larsson. I'm currently 396th in line on hold for the book at the library! Stay tuned for a post discussing this book after I've read it and discussed it with the club. And my pick in July? You'll have to wait and see.
Friday, May 21, 2010
The Library
Ah, the Library. As someone who loves books, the library - any library - is my home away from home. There is just something about a library that makes me relax as I walk through the door. I can browse for books to my heart's content.
I also love university libraries. I have been fortunate enough to attend two universities, and have been in my fair share of libraries! While one does not browse in an academic library the same way as in a regular library, the university library still maintains that sense of coming home. There is a peace in the shelved books, each one organized and in its place.
Bookstores are not quite the same as the library. True, they can often offer a greater selection, but I'm not interested in buying books. I merely want to read them. Many books I will only read once, so I don't need to own them. I will collect a series if I'm really interested in it, but I usually use the library for my reading needs. I think of my local library as an extension of my own personal library. It stores all the books I would like to buy, but don't have the money to purchase or room to store.
What of my own personal library? Sadly, I don't really have one. A friend of mine has a room I'm insanely jealous of - it's lined with bookshelves full of books. I don't quite have that - yet. Instead, I have bookshelves and books in every room. There is always a book nearby.
One of my favourite movie scenes is in the animated Disney Beauty and the Beast. It's the part where Belle walks into the Beast's library and it's this gigantic room with huge windows, comfortable chairs and lovely floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. My friend whispered to her brother in the theatre that such a room is my heaven. Perhaps not my heaven - but I can dream!
So, I don't have a castle filled with books. I don't even have one room of my house in suburbia totally dedicated to books. However, I do have a library card. The library is my castle - no dreaming required.
I also love university libraries. I have been fortunate enough to attend two universities, and have been in my fair share of libraries! While one does not browse in an academic library the same way as in a regular library, the university library still maintains that sense of coming home. There is a peace in the shelved books, each one organized and in its place.
Bookstores are not quite the same as the library. True, they can often offer a greater selection, but I'm not interested in buying books. I merely want to read them. Many books I will only read once, so I don't need to own them. I will collect a series if I'm really interested in it, but I usually use the library for my reading needs. I think of my local library as an extension of my own personal library. It stores all the books I would like to buy, but don't have the money to purchase or room to store.
What of my own personal library? Sadly, I don't really have one. A friend of mine has a room I'm insanely jealous of - it's lined with bookshelves full of books. I don't quite have that - yet. Instead, I have bookshelves and books in every room. There is always a book nearby.
One of my favourite movie scenes is in the animated Disney Beauty and the Beast. It's the part where Belle walks into the Beast's library and it's this gigantic room with huge windows, comfortable chairs and lovely floor-to-ceiling bookshelves. My friend whispered to her brother in the theatre that such a room is my heaven. Perhaps not my heaven - but I can dream!
So, I don't have a castle filled with books. I don't even have one room of my house in suburbia totally dedicated to books. However, I do have a library card. The library is my castle - no dreaming required.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
First Post!
Welcome to my blog! This is a blog about books; what I'm reading, what I've read, what I want to read and what you should read. I love books and have been reading since before I can remember.
What am I reading currently? Sadly, nothing. I just finished the most recent book in the wonderful Mary Russell series by Laurie R. King. Check her out! This particular series looks at what happened to Sherlock Holmes after the Doyle stories.
While I am waiting for the next installment of Mary Russell to arrive at the library, a friend recommended I check out Ngaio Marsh. I have her first book on hold at the library and will let you know how it goes once I've read it.
What am I reading currently? Sadly, nothing. I just finished the most recent book in the wonderful Mary Russell series by Laurie R. King. Check her out! This particular series looks at what happened to Sherlock Holmes after the Doyle stories.
While I am waiting for the next installment of Mary Russell to arrive at the library, a friend recommended I check out Ngaio Marsh. I have her first book on hold at the library and will let you know how it goes once I've read it.
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