The Gray Wolf Throne by Cinda Chima Williams
The Glass Swallow by Julia Golding
Forging the Sword by Hilari Bell
...
let's start there
Showing posts with label Books I've Read. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books I've Read. Show all posts
Monday, April 30, 2012
Thursday, June 16, 2011
Books Read and to Read
Two books read for end of May/ beginning of June! Lately, that's a record for me.
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima. It was recommended by a friend. I enjoyed reading this book, which is obvious since it was around 500 pages long, and I finished it. Although, just as a warning, there is a lot of kissing in this book! Overall, her voice in this book attracted me because it reminds me of a story I want to write someday--3rd person, medieval fantasy, multiple points of view (not exceeding 3 or 4) aimed at a slightly younger readership than the high fantasy of Brandon Sanderson and Tad Williams. Often as I read, though, my critical writing wheels are at work, looking for what's good and what could be improved. I noticed that often Chima will give historical details in large chunks. These often pulled me out of the character's point of view. As I've started reading the second book, The Exiled Queen, I've looked at these closer and saw how they flow into a character's point of view. My question: can these historical references be linked even more to the character's thoughts so that I am not pulled out of their point of view quite as much?
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
I finally read it! It's been on my reading list for a couple of years. We read it for our VISTA book club. The characters in this book blew my mind away--they were so young yet geniuses. And, though I wondered how they could be so smart, I never disbelieved that they were. Or disbelieved what they did. I was a little disappointed because as I neared the finale of the story, I began to remember conversations that I'd overheard of people discussing Ender's Game, and I began to suspect what was happening. The one thing that bothered me a little in his style was how he downloaded information through conversations. These little kids talked for half a page without interruption in paragraph or by other characters. The effect of it was a lot of telling without showing. Which ingrained itself in my mind even more when I heard a quote by Card recently about not doing this very thing when you write. Mostly I noticed it at the beginning of the book.
Recently, I attended the WIFYR (Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers) Conference for the second time. Today I bought a couple of books that I'm excited to read! One I am excited for is Wolves, Boys, & Other things that might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler. As I was getting books signed by various authors, I saw her and thought "She looks very familar". After Emily Wing Smith signed a book for me, I stepped over and talked to Kris. She had been Alane Ferguson's assistant when I attended her class two years ago. I remembered her story, and that she was working on one to get it published. It was fun to see her and get to talk to her. And now I have her book!
The Demon King by Cinda Williams Chima. It was recommended by a friend. I enjoyed reading this book, which is obvious since it was around 500 pages long, and I finished it. Although, just as a warning, there is a lot of kissing in this book! Overall, her voice in this book attracted me because it reminds me of a story I want to write someday--3rd person, medieval fantasy, multiple points of view (not exceeding 3 or 4) aimed at a slightly younger readership than the high fantasy of Brandon Sanderson and Tad Williams. Often as I read, though, my critical writing wheels are at work, looking for what's good and what could be improved. I noticed that often Chima will give historical details in large chunks. These often pulled me out of the character's point of view. As I've started reading the second book, The Exiled Queen, I've looked at these closer and saw how they flow into a character's point of view. My question: can these historical references be linked even more to the character's thoughts so that I am not pulled out of their point of view quite as much?
Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card
I finally read it! It's been on my reading list for a couple of years. We read it for our VISTA book club. The characters in this book blew my mind away--they were so young yet geniuses. And, though I wondered how they could be so smart, I never disbelieved that they were. Or disbelieved what they did. I was a little disappointed because as I neared the finale of the story, I began to remember conversations that I'd overheard of people discussing Ender's Game, and I began to suspect what was happening. The one thing that bothered me a little in his style was how he downloaded information through conversations. These little kids talked for half a page without interruption in paragraph or by other characters. The effect of it was a lot of telling without showing. Which ingrained itself in my mind even more when I heard a quote by Card recently about not doing this very thing when you write. Mostly I noticed it at the beginning of the book.
Recently, I attended the WIFYR (Writing and Illustrating for Young Readers) Conference for the second time. Today I bought a couple of books that I'm excited to read! One I am excited for is Wolves, Boys, & Other things that might Kill Me by Kristen Chandler. As I was getting books signed by various authors, I saw her and thought "She looks very familar". After Emily Wing Smith signed a book for me, I stepped over and talked to Kris. She had been Alane Ferguson's assistant when I attended her class two years ago. I remembered her story, and that she was working on one to get it published. It was fun to see her and get to talk to her. And now I have her book!
Thursday, July 15, 2010
Walking Across Egypt
I have read other books since I last posted, like Evermore and The Summoning, but I didn't feel like writing about either of those. Ballad by Maggie Stievater was my favorite of her books so far, (well developed characters; great voice) except for one thing--there was so much trashy language in it that it blackened the beauty of the book.
For my VISTA book club, we read "Walking Across Egypt". The characters in it were cute with some funny interactions. But, there was too much extra little details that lifted me out of being emotionally tied to the characters. That makes more sense in my mind than it does written out.
For my VISTA book club, we read "Walking Across Egypt". The characters in it were cute with some funny interactions. But, there was too much extra little details that lifted me out of being emotionally tied to the characters. That makes more sense in my mind than it does written out.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
Yesterday, as I tried not to move around too much, I wrote in both the stories I am currently working on, started reading "The Miles Between", watched the extended Two Towers (which is really long), and began watching Moributo, an anime.
This morning, I finished, "The Miles Between". This is a fun, random, crazy sort of book that explores themes of loss and abandonment. I enjoyed the voice; the characters were three dimensional; and the adventure they had was fun. In the beginning, for my own reasons, I thought about not reading it to the end. But I'm glad I did! It's a good book to have read on April 1. No April Fools jokes there.
This morning, I finished, "The Miles Between". This is a fun, random, crazy sort of book that explores themes of loss and abandonment. I enjoyed the voice; the characters were three dimensional; and the adventure they had was fun. In the beginning, for my own reasons, I thought about not reading it to the end. But I'm glad I did! It's a good book to have read on April 1. No April Fools jokes there.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
I broke my toe on Sunday, so this week I am staying in and working on reading, writing, and other indoor activities that keep me off my feet.
Yesterday, I read "Need" by Carrie Jones. I enjoyed the story behind it even though I felt the writing style was younger than it's YA category (it read more like a middle grade to me)and the voice of the main character seemed younger than she was.
Yesterday, I read "Need" by Carrie Jones. I enjoyed the story behind it even though I felt the writing style was younger than it's YA category (it read more like a middle grade to me)and the voice of the main character seemed younger than she was.
Saturday, March 27, 2010
This week, I read and finished two books--which is probably a record for me. Kimberlie brought them from home during Spring Break.
The first one I read, Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater, was one I was wanting to read for a little while now, but it has way too many hold requests at the library. I read another book by her, The Faerie Queene's Lament, back in February. I enjoyed both stories, but I felt her writing had improved in Shiver. She was able to weave more real descriptions and her characters felt more authentic--there was a different depth in the writing. At the end of both books, I wanted just a little bit more--maybe another scene. Since the conflict was resolved. But I think that just shows that I enjoyed the story.
The other book was I read was, Hush Hush, by Becca Fitzpatrick. This had an exciting plot where a lot of it, I wasn't sure what was going on behind scenes--kind of like a mystery. But at the end, it all came together. The main character was strong and so were the supporting ones--likeable, even though they were flawed. Since I'm religious, I found some of the things the author used to create her world somewhat questionable. But for her story, it was believable.
So those are the two books I read this week. I also finished reading my own book--going to start revising them soon. My little sisters are reading them while they're here.
The first one I read, Shiver, by Maggie Stiefvater, was one I was wanting to read for a little while now, but it has way too many hold requests at the library. I read another book by her, The Faerie Queene's Lament, back in February. I enjoyed both stories, but I felt her writing had improved in Shiver. She was able to weave more real descriptions and her characters felt more authentic--there was a different depth in the writing. At the end of both books, I wanted just a little bit more--maybe another scene. Since the conflict was resolved. But I think that just shows that I enjoyed the story.
The other book was I read was, Hush Hush, by Becca Fitzpatrick. This had an exciting plot where a lot of it, I wasn't sure what was going on behind scenes--kind of like a mystery. But at the end, it all came together. The main character was strong and so were the supporting ones--likeable, even though they were flawed. Since I'm religious, I found some of the things the author used to create her world somewhat questionable. But for her story, it was believable.
So those are the two books I read this week. I also finished reading my own book--going to start revising them soon. My little sisters are reading them while they're here.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Books I've Read
Over the last semester I've read several books that I really enjoyed.
Savvy by Ingrid Law: This is a book about a family whose children get a savvy (or special power) on their fourteenth birthday. I enjoyed reading it. The voice was good and the characters fun to follow around. The savvys of the different characters help create a unique world within our world and a fun setting for different things to happen in the story.
City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass by Cassandra Clare: These books are all really long...so it says something about them that I actually finished the series. :D There were some moral issues that left me feeling a little uneasy about the story where if I had young teenagers I probably wouldn't let them read them. However, I enjoyed the voice (awesome voice--though there were a few spots that brought me out of the story ), the characters were fun and well developed, and the plot was intriguing, keeping me engaged, wanting to know what happens next.
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen: Cute characters and story that makes it different from her other ones, however there's a certain formula for Dessen's stories that gives them all a very similar story arc.
Maximum Ride and Schools Out Forever by James Patterson: I had a hard time continuing to read the first book in this series--especially since I didn't realize at first that the main character was a girl and not a boy (she goes by Max). The voice didn't fit until I realized it was a girl. An intense story plot that makes you feel sorry all the time for the six main kids in it, the series has good characters and a plot that plays around with them. They don't seem to have control over anything.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan: I loved the interplay of myths throughout the story, having studied a little bit of Greek mythology. Good characters, an unsuspected (yet very suspicious) villain(s), and an intriguing setting for the Olympian gods. I'll read the second one sometime...interested to see what the movie does with it.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore: Loved the voice; Po and Katsa, the two main characters throughout the book. were both well developed and characters I connected with. There were also many side characters that helped move the story along. The ending to the climax was a little abrupt, and I had a moral issue with actions taken by characters in the book, which I thought towards the end of the book could have been cleared up, especially considering the character development throughout the story. But...that's just my opinion. Cashore has a great story voice.
Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson: Was kind of enjoying it until I realized it was another retelling of Cinderella.
Savvy by Ingrid Law: This is a book about a family whose children get a savvy (or special power) on their fourteenth birthday. I enjoyed reading it. The voice was good and the characters fun to follow around. The savvys of the different characters help create a unique world within our world and a fun setting for different things to happen in the story.
City of Bones, City of Ashes, and City of Glass by Cassandra Clare: These books are all really long...so it says something about them that I actually finished the series. :D There were some moral issues that left me feeling a little uneasy about the story where if I had young teenagers I probably wouldn't let them read them. However, I enjoyed the voice (awesome voice--though there were a few spots that brought me out of the story ), the characters were fun and well developed, and the plot was intriguing, keeping me engaged, wanting to know what happens next.
Along for the Ride by Sarah Dessen: Cute characters and story that makes it different from her other ones, however there's a certain formula for Dessen's stories that gives them all a very similar story arc.
Maximum Ride and Schools Out Forever by James Patterson: I had a hard time continuing to read the first book in this series--especially since I didn't realize at first that the main character was a girl and not a boy (she goes by Max). The voice didn't fit until I realized it was a girl. An intense story plot that makes you feel sorry all the time for the six main kids in it, the series has good characters and a plot that plays around with them. They don't seem to have control over anything.
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan: I loved the interplay of myths throughout the story, having studied a little bit of Greek mythology. Good characters, an unsuspected (yet very suspicious) villain(s), and an intriguing setting for the Olympian gods. I'll read the second one sometime...interested to see what the movie does with it.
Graceling by Kristin Cashore: Loved the voice; Po and Katsa, the two main characters throughout the book. were both well developed and characters I connected with. There were also many side characters that helped move the story along. The ending to the climax was a little abrupt, and I had a moral issue with actions taken by characters in the book, which I thought towards the end of the book could have been cleared up, especially considering the character development throughout the story. But...that's just my opinion. Cashore has a great story voice.
Prom by Laurie Halse Anderson: Was kind of enjoying it until I realized it was another retelling of Cinderella.
Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Everything Is Fine
Yesterday I read Everything is Fine by Ann Dee Ellis. The voice in this book is unique and engaging. Ann Dee has created a book filled with characters that are real and gain your affection. Plot, character, and dialogue all move the story forward.
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