Kate DiCamillo, The Magician’s Elephant. Possibly my favorite book by her. This would be a good book to read aloud at Christmas (or the winter holiday of your choice--there's nothing specifically about Christmas, but there is snow).
Stoffels, Karlijn, Heartsinger. I checked it out because Cheryl Klein was the editor. The language/translation was lovely, and it had that luminous quality to it that indicates a fable that will Impart Wisdom. I am not sure I entirely understood it, though. Its anecdotes are all about people who want love but who are let down--or do the letting-down--in all the various kinds of relationships. And, it cut off at the end rather abruptly. Am I supposed to believe that in contrast to everyone else, it worked out for the final pair? Or am I supposed to believe that there truly is no such thing as love, and they will end up like all the rest? Based on the content of the rest of the book, it seems to say the latter. Hopefully I'm misinterpreting?
Smith, Sherwood, Crown Duel (Crown Duel + Court Duel). My sister has often recommended this to me but I hadn't read it until now. I can certainly see why she likes it. It's the kind of high fantasy that is easy to settle into on a dark, rainy day. Nice romantic tension, plenty of action, and there are no annoyingly quirky characters. All good things in high fantasy.
Radiant Darkness, by Emily Whitman. A nice retelling of the Persephone and Hades myth. It wasn’t quite once-upon-a-time, but it wasn’t totally put-yourself-there-with-every-detail, either, which makes it a quick read for reader who can't quite handle 700-page tomes (or who just want something quick).
Catching Fire, by Suzanne Collins. I can't begin to imagine what will happen next. There is no time to be relaxed because every time the characters learn or figure out something, the enemy adapts. This is a great book to study for stakes! (Um--it's a kind of violent premise, if that's not your thing.)
My Fair Godmother, by Janette Rallison. Ha! This was just what I needed today. Light, funny, and yet, well set-up, plotwise, so that the MC's actions really do cause all of the complications. Sometimes you want a book that is Deep, and sometimes you just really need to dive into someone else's life and get away from the Real World around you. This is a great book for that.
I have Shannon Hale's Forest Born up next, and the library says they have Kristin Cashore's Fire waiting for me. Well, as long as I am spending the week keeping sleeping sickie kids from rolling off the bed, I have something to do with my mind...
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your sister
(Anonymous) 2009-10-15 03:58 am (UTC)(link)I want to get The Grey Lady and the Strawberry Snatcher for the kids. Do you remember that book? It rained today, maybe that's why I remembered it. I love the pictures.
Re: your sister
I've got a growing list of picture books we've checked out far too often that we should just own...