What I’m Listening to now: Reykjavík by Ragnar Jónasson and Katrín Jakobsdóttir
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Review: The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare
This took me a little bit longer to finish than it normally would. Not because I didn’t like it, but mostly because I’ve been working from home more recently and commuting less. I do most of my reading these days on the subway. I thought this was a good sequel. It picks up not much after the end of the last book. I will admit that some of what happened was predictable, but there was one reveal at the end that I did not see coming. Lin, who claimed she is the Goddess, now has to prove it. Kel is investigating the Shining Gallery incident with the Ragpicker King’s and his crew’s help. Conor is doing his best to be mature and rule, and Antonetta is prepping to marry. A lot is going on, and they have no idea where the real threat is coming from. I do like how Clare can weave together so many interconnected stories so seamlessly. It just flows very nicely together. For me the character that really was the star was Conor. The events of the last book and his feelings for Lin have changed his perspective, and we can see that growth. I do think people underestimate him. That he knows more of what is going on than he leads people to believe. I am really looking forward to where is story goes next. I do love a good mystery, and adding a bit of magic is just a bonus.
What I’m Reading Now: Gideon the Ninth by Tasmyn Muir
My book club this month is Gideon the Ninth. The theme is Science Fiction and Kate spoke so highly of this one, I thought I would check it out.
Happy Mother’s Day from Stacks!
Review: Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen Read by Kate Kellgren
This month’s Theme for our TBR Project book club was Cottagecore. Since it’s officially Spring, we wanted to read something sweet, simple, and a little rustic. I chose Pride and Prejudice because I have seen many versions of the story in movies and TV, but I have never actually read the book. I didn’t realize until after I started reading that it is the 20th Anniversary of the Kiera Knightley movie. For those interested, it’s being rereleased in theaters to celebrate. I digress. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that there are so many details left out of the many interpretations. The lives of Lizzie and her sister is much more lively than they came across to me in any movie or TV show ever gave me an impression. They are all involved in the running of the house and in the town. While the focus may be on marriage, they all had other interests. It was good to get to know Jane a bit more. She is always portrayed as stoic, which she is, but she is also a lot more observant than she is given credit for. Even Wickham became a more interesting character. Same with Darcy. We get a little bit more incite into his mind much earlier in the novel than I believe we do in most adaptations. He’s not just rude but socially awkward. Who can’t relate to that? Anyway, it was delightful. I am glad I have finally read it.
Happy Easter!
Weekend Reads: Libraries
The library is one of my favorite places. I get more than half my books from there. This week I had to stop at the library on the way home from work and a friend commented on how that was unusual. He didn’t know a lot of people that still go to the library. (He is more of a libby person, which counts as also going to the library to me.) So, I thought this weekend would be a good time to celebrate the library. So, here are three picks where libraries feature in the plot.
In a world where there is magic and it is found in bits of meaning that never quite get translated, Robin finds himself whisked away to England from his home in Canton so that he can prepare to go to the prestigious translation school at the University of Oxford. This is a thoughtful and devastating look at colonialism and the struggle that everyone, particularly those from outside of the colonial core, must face when they consider what is lost or gained by contributing to the empire. I loved this book and if you like dark academia vibes that make you really consider the world, this a pick for you.
Strange the Dreamer by Laini Taylor
Beth and I both loved this one. In fact, this is one that I have both gotten from the library (audiobook) and from Beth’s shelves. This story follows Lazlo Strange, an orphan and a dreamer, who is raised by monks and grows up to be a librarian. During his studies, he falls in love with the stories of another place, Weep, that has a tragic history that is slowly revealed as part of the novel. When an envoy from Weep comes to his city, Lazlo does everything he can in order to become part of the delegation that will return to Weep. Strange is such a lovely soul. This was an interesting story with romance and terror and gods and monsters. If you like stories that include their own mythology, this is one for you.
The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern
I picked this up on the recommendation of my friend Cristin (further recommended by the audiobook including narration from one of my favorite readers, Bahni Turpin), this is another adventure with its own mythology. Our protagonist, Zachary Ezra Rawlins, is a grad student who studies video games and takes some time in between semesters to indulge in one of his favorite hobbies, reading. Everyday he goes to the library and picks up some books that catch his attention. He finds in the stacks a mysterious book that doesn’t seem to be catalogued correctly and he’s launched into an adventure that takes him everywhere and nowhere. There are assassins, thieves, different timelines, lost cities, bees, secret societies, and so much more. This is a story that has stories inside of its stories and it is a wild ride.
So, there you have it. Three books that feature libraries because libraries are always strange and magical places. Do you have a favorite book that is either set in a library or features a library or librarian? Let us know in the comments!
What I’m Reading Now: The Ragpicker King by Cassandra Clare
I am a sucker for a fantasy novel. I am surprised this became available at the library so soon.
Review: Onyx Storm by Rebecca Yarros
The third installment in the Fourth Wing series started off pretty well and then was a bit of a slog in the middle before hitting with the big finale at the end. I wouldn’t say this was the best in the series. It didn’t have the same sense of purpose as the first two. Which is weird since we have three books in the world, and we have a better sense of the world and what is at stake. Part of it might have been that the scenes between Violet and Xaden were a bit tedious. Which is a problem since they are the heart of the story. This might show my age, but their obsession with each other is beyond toxic. Like, they really need to go to therapy. I do appreciate that at least other characters do call out how truly problematic their relationship is. So at least, it’s not gone on notice and younger readers will read it and think As entertaining as this story is, their relationship should not be relationship goals by any means.
My real issue with this book was the middle. It spent way more time island hopping, looking for Adarna’s dragon family. I can understand what Yarros was going for. It not only expanded the world. Showed that not everywhere in this world has magic or mystical creatures and gave more incite into the Gods of this world. I do have a feeling that they will be playing a bigger role as the story moves forward. However, I stopped caring if they ever found the Irid dragons and even forgot at one point why they were doing all of it in the first place. All I can say is that whatever was trying to be set up in this portion of the book better pay off in later books. So yeah, a good installment to the story. Not great, but good. The ending does set up a pretty interesting storyline for the next book. Let’s hope Yarros can keep the momentum going.
Weekend Reads: Paths
Spring is here and it is delightful. Trees are blooming, birds are singing, and I’ve been getting out on some hiking trails. I am the kind of person who listens to audiobooks while I walk, even when I’m outside intent on enjoying nature. The right book can absolutely get me through fatigue or the desire to turn back and be done. That has put thoughts of this week’s Weekend Reads theme in my mind. These books are either themselves about following a literal or physical path, or they’ll keep you going because you just want to know what happens next.
Cheryl Strayed memoir’s of her hike of the Pacific Crest Trail, Wild is heartbreaking, touching, and funny. I enjoyed the story so much that I assigned to Beth as part of a Pop Culture Homework Assignment. This was a pick for Oprah’s book club and it was made into a movie, so I know I’m just another voice in a cacophony recommending it. But, if you’re interested in women’s stories and in particular tales of battling grief and finding yourself, then this is a great read.
The Chaos Walking Trilogy by Patrick Ness
This is an action-packed series that will keep you on the trail. Epic, interesting and terrifying, it is set in a world where people can hear each other’s thoughts. And when I say everyone, I mean everyone, even the dog. The protagonist, Todd, meets someone whose thoughts he cannot hear and they go on a mission to change to world.
A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson
A classic in the travel memoir genre, this is another trail-hiking adventure. It follows Bill and his friend Stephen as they embark on an adventure to hike all 2,197.4 miles of the the Appalachian trail, a journey that will take them through fourteen states. starting in Georgia and ending in Maine. These are two middle aged men who probably have no business going on this trek, but they do anyway. It is funny, informative, and touching. I really love this book and I know Beth enjoyed it, too.
So, there you have it! Three books vaguely related to the idea of getting out there in the world and walking around. Do you have a favorite tale of a journey, travel memoir, or epic adventure? What has kept you outside and moving because you needed to know what happens next?
2 Women, So Many Books 