The Guild Season 4 Episode 9: Pirate Paddy
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
Monday, September 13, 2010
Tuesday Tomorrow
Published by: Little Brown
Publication Date: September 14th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 400 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Beyond the mirror, the darkest fairy tales come alive. . . .
For years, Jacob Reckless has enjoyed the Mirrorworld's secrets and treasures.
Not anymore.
His younger brother has followed him.
Now dark magic will turn the boy to beast, break the heart of the girl he loves, and destroy everything Jacob holds most dear. . . .
Unless he can find a way to stop it.
If you're looking for happily ever after, you've come to the wrong place."
Ever since Inkspell I've been hooked on Cornelia Funke. Can't wait for this one!
A Life Like Other People's by Alan Bennett
Published by: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
Publication Date: September 14th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 256 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"In this poignant memoir of his parents’ marriage, Alan Bennett recalls the lost world of his childhood and the lives, loves, and deaths of his unforgettable aunties, Kathleen and Myra. First published in the acclaimed collection Untold Stories, this tender, intimate family portrait beautifully captures the Bennetts’ hopes, disappointments, and yearning for a life like other people’s. With the sudden descent of his mother into depression, and later dementia, Bennett uncovers a long-held family secret in this extraordinarily moving and at times irresistibly funny work of autobiography."
It's Alan Bennett, need I say more?
The Mistaken Wife by Rose Melikan
Published by: Touchstone
Publication Date: September 14th, 2010
Format: Paperback, 432 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"It is the autumn of 1797. The war between the British and the French is being fought not just openly but also in secret by a network of spies. Reluctant heiress Mary Finch is no stranger to adventure, but even she hesitates before accepting this assignment: to travel secretly to Paris and disrupt vital Franco-American negotiations. She must rely wholly upon a stranger while deceiving her "dearest friend," Captain Robert Holland. Once in France, Mary’s safety rests on a knife-edge, and her colleague has secrets of his own. Undaunted, she sets about her task with wit, stealth, and determination. But she is not the only spy in Paris, and there is more than one British life in jeopardy if she fails. As implacable enemies join forces against her, Mary may lose everything."
I just picked up the first two in the series, and from all I've heard, I'll soon have to be picking up the third!
The Phantom of Pemberly by Regina Jeffers
Published by: Ulysses
Publication Date: September 14th, 2010
Format: Paperback, 336 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"HAPPILY MARRIED for over a year and more in love than ever, Darcy and Elizabeth can't imagine anything interrupting their bliss-filled days. Then an intense snowstorm strands a group of travelers at Pemberley, and terrifying accidents and mysterious deaths begin to plague the manor. Everyone seems convinced that it is the work of a phan-tom--a Shadow Man who is haunting the Darcy family's grand estate.
Darcy and Elizabeth believe the truth is much more menacing and that someone is trying to murder them. But Pem-berley is filled with family guests as well as the unexpected travelers--any one of whom could be the culprit--so unraveling the mystery of the murderer's identity forces the newlyweds to trust each other's strengths and work together.
Written in the style of the era and including Austen's romantic playfulness and sardonic humor, this suspense-packed sequel to Pride and Prejudice recasts Darcy and Elizabeth as a husband-and-wife detective team who must solve the mystery at Pemberley and catch the murderer--before it's too late."
The cover is so pretty, plus, making Pride and Prejudice and Gothic story, too funny!
Vampire Knits by Genevieve Miller
Published by: Potter Craft
Publication Date: September 14th, 2010
Format: Paperback, 144 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Surrender to the allure of knits inspired by the immortals we all love to fear. If you adore Twilight, True Blood, or The Vampire Diaries, this collection of 28 imaginative and beautiful projects is sure to captivate.
• Black capes are so 1897, instead get stylish with the dead sexy Sidhe Shrug.
• Unleash your inner shapeshifter with the Werewolf Hat.
• Keep warm while holding hands with your vampire by wearing these Bellisima Mittens.
• Around humans? Use the Blood Bottle Cozies to disguise your beverage.
Whether you are wandering the Carpathian Mountains or the bayous of Louisiana, these smoldering projects—for knitters of all levels—will keep you well protected, no matter what you attract."
Dood! Vampires and knitting, this is too too funny!
Friday, September 10, 2010
Book Review - Terry Pratchett's The Last Continent
The Last Continent (Discworld Book 22) by Terry Pratchett
Published by: Harper Torch
Publication Date: 1998
Format: Paperback, 390 Pages
Challenge: Terry Pratchett, Typically British
Rating: ★★★
To Buy (different edition than one reviewed)
Rincewind has gone walkabout and there is trouble brewing at Unseen University. The Librarian is having issues with staying his normal orange hairy self and keeps randomly changing from books to deck chairs. Left unattended the library could become one of the most dangerous places in the whole of Discworld with all that untended magic. The wizards, in a moment of clarity, realize they need to solve this disaster in potentia by getting the Librarian back to his normal orangutan shape. The hitch is they need to know his name, and it's hard for them to remember a time when he actually was human and referred to as something other than "Librarian," let alone remember his name. But they have an inkling that Rincewind knows. So they just need to find Rincewind and all will be well. Only thing is, Rincewind has ended up in EcksEcksEcksEcks, the last continent that gets no rain and no one can get to due to rim fall. Since his arrival things have gone odd, everything is different, but it's been different for thousands of years as of about five minutes previously. There are drawings in the rocks that look vaguely like the faculty of Unseen University... but surely their rescue mission didn't go so awry that they ended up in the right place thousands of years before they meant to? What happens next is what always happens to Rincewind, he has to run, because there's always someone out to get him, this time a magical kangaroo... while the Wizards are relaxing on a tropical beach they found outside a bathroom window in Unseen University. The window shut and now they are trapped... but with cigarette bushes and no apparent predators, life can't be all that bad. That is until they meet the God who is the creative force behind the island. Can all the wizards get together in the same time and place and sort out the Librarian and maybe this whole lost continent? Not even the wizards can be sure of that... they might have destroyed all of causality and stepped on an ant as Ponder says, or as Ridcully says, they've always stepped on the ant so they're on the right track!
I have come to a startling conclusion. I don't really like Rincewind. It's not a hate or a dislike of his character, it's a dislike of his story arcs. He's always running and he's just fixing things by pure chance. Whereas I love the Wizards! Their interaction and social dynamics are fabulous. I also think I'm crushing a little on Ponder Stibbons... ah young wizard geek, you are for me. So therefore this book became very two fold for me. Whenever it was Rincewind in Australia, because that is what "XXXX" is, it was too much "how can I fit in another film reference, cause that's all anyone knows about Australia," oh look, Mad Max and Priscilla references abound! Versus the Wizards and their exploration of their island and how it was evolving to suit their lethargic Hobbit esque ways. In fact I think Wizards might just have Hobbits beat on a meals per day basis... just putting this out there! Plus, with the inadvertent and unexpected company of their female housekeeper, well, the Wizards trying to maintain some sense of proper decorum and respect while still living the island life is hilarious.
The one thing I found very interesting is this book's correlations to Pratchett's later work, Nation. I really didn't like that book, it was slow and ponderous and at times very confusing. I know I'm alone in this, it's won lots of awards, whatever, it just wasn't my cup of tea. As I was reading The Last Continent I kept thinking, this here, THIS is what I expected and wanted Nation to be like. Just turns out Pratchett had written it ten years earlier with wizards!
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
Book Review - Terry Pratchett's Jingo
Jingo (Discworld Book #21) by Terry Pratchett
Published by: Harper Torch
Publication Date: 1997
Format: Paperback, 437 Pages
Challenge: Terry Pratchett, Typically British
Rating: ★★★★★
To Buy
Sir Samuel doesn't like the pomp and circumstance of his new job title and role of husband. And he really doesn't like tights. So when an assassination attempt is bungled during a parade, obviously for Sam it's an improvement. Because the chase is what it's all about. Worry about the details later. But why would anyone want to murder the Klatchian Prince? Could it be because a very strategic island has magically appeared between the two countries and war seems imminent? With the Guild leaders and other Lords becoming power hungry and war mad, forming up militias, it's short work for them to oust Lord Vetinari and even Sir Samuel. But the key to Sam continuing to keep the peace is that handy little "sir." That sir that means he must form his own band of merry men, and who could be merrier than the city watchmen? I mean watchtrolls, golems, dwarves, zombies, werewolves, kings and Nobby (you can't really categorize Nobby). Following the leads to one 71-hour Ahmed, who then flees with Angua, means there is a ship to be requisitioned and a friend to be rescued... even if that means going all the way to Klatch. Of course the Patrician has other plans for Sergeant Colon and Nobby in a mysterious underwater vessel. But once in Klatch things get out of hand, with the watchmen being held by the D'Regs, a nomadic desert tribe known for their ruthlessness and hospitality, as well as Nobby trying to pass for a woman. But will war be avoided and can life return to normal? And can Sam ever look at his butler the same after knowing he bit off a mans ear in bloody warfare?
Terry Pratchett is the ultimate in social satire and the skewering of political situations. His handling of war is no less acute and poignant. The majority of Pratchett books seem to take me awhile to get into, but once fully ensconced, it's one of the best books I've read in ages, and this was no exception. The beginning with the whole second bowman and allusions to the Kennedy assassination was not quite working. But once Sir Samuel's path was set as the head of his own private army, it being a lords duty to protect his land and county, the book just took off. Part raucous pirate story part Lawrence of Arabia I did not want to set the book down. It's not that it just shows the flaws of war and a society hell bent on just creating hell. It shows the humanity of not just one side but both sides. The children who end up fighting people who they thought of as their friends. The lack of justice in war and the real justice that doesn't exist and maybe should... also the pointlessness of it all. For centuries jingoism dominated all countries foreign policy. A policy bent on domination and control. But despite the more "racial" jokes, they are not used derogatorily, but to show the inherent racism that still exists without any justification. The blind hatred and stupid bickering over something that is there one second and gone the next is never shown more clearly than by Pratchett who makes us laugh at our own stupidity and history, but makes us think, and then, if we're smart enough to listen... change.
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
The Guild Season 4 Episode 8: Busted
Monday, September 6, 2010
Tuesday Tomorrow
Royal Blood (A Royal Spyness Mystery) by Rhys Bowen
Published by: Berkley Hardcover
Publication Date: September 7th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Penniless and thirty-fourth in line to the throne, Lady Georgiana Rannoch finds herself in a truly draining state of affairs. To escape her hateful brother, Georgie accepts an invitation from the Queen to represent the royals at a wedding in Transylvania. But at the macabre- looking castle, Georgie finds the bride with blood running down her chin, and a wedding guest is poisoned. Now it's up to Georgie to save the nuptial festivities before the couple's vows become: to love and to cherish, till undeath do them part... "
So looks like Rhys Bowen is even fallen prey to the lure of vampires... I wonder if it will be any good?
Wildthorn by Jane England
Published by: Houghton Mifflin
Publication Date: September 7th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 352 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"They strip her naked, of everything—undo her whalebone corset, hook by hook. Locked away in Wildthorn Hall—a madhouse—they take her identity. She is now called Lucy Childs. She has no one; she has nothing. But, she is still seventeen—still Louisa Cosgrove, isn't she? Who has done this unthinkable deed? Louisa must free herself, in more ways than one, and muster up the courage to be her true self, all the while solving her own twisted mystery and falling into an unconventional love . . . "
This has been a long time sitting on my to be bought shelf on goodreads, and finally it can be moved to the to be read shelf!
Firelight by Sophie Jordan
Published by: Haper Collins
Publication Date: September 7th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 336 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Descended from dragons, the draki's ability to appear human protects them from hunters. Jacinda lives with her pride in the Cascades, but she chafes under her special status as the only fire-breather in hundreds of years. Recklessly breaking the “no-fly” rule, she attracts hunters; mercifully, one hunter, a beautiful boy who looks upon her with wonder, lets her escape. After this, the pride intends to hobble her rebelliousness, and Jacinda is forced to flee. But while twin sister Tamra, who never manifested and was shunned, is happy with the move, Jacinda feels only anguish within Nevada's desert climate. Then she meets Will and, despite recognizing him as the same draki hunter, feels herself come alive. Jordan's compelling addition to the supernatural star-crossed lovers theme is equal parts taut suspense and sensuous romance, with visceral writing and believable relationships among characters, particularly among Jacinda's family. A foreshadowed twist and a thrilling confrontation in the end pages leave Jacinda heartbroken and in trouble, and readers will howl for more."
This just looks like a really fun fantasy book!
Portobello by Ruth Rendell
Published by: Scribner
Publication Date: September 7th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 304 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"London's Portobello Road, a street fabled for its shops and outdoor market, provides the backdrop for Edgar-winner Rendell's superlative suspense novel, which features a cast of colorful characters from varied classes and walks of life. Secretive 50-year-old Eugene Wren, who's addicted to cheap candy lozenges, is toying with marrying his longtime girlfriend, physician Ella Cotswold. Rootless Lance Platt cases the neighborhood for costly homes he can break into, and clashes with his great-uncle, Gilbert Gibson, a former burglar who now preaches the gospel. One man's losing 115 pounds triggers a series of coincidences that brings this disparate lot closer together, toward haphazard violence and death. Rendell (The Water's Lovely) is particularly adept at portraying young people just a dole check away from homelessness as well as the carelessness and callousness of the book's upper-middle-class characters. Her style has become ever more spare while retaining its subtle psychology and vivid sense of place. "
See, you say Portobello Road and I hear, book I must read!
Driven to Ink by Karen E. Olson
Published by: Signet
Publication Date: September 7th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 320 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"The latest in the cleverly designed tattoo shop mystery series.
Brett Kavanaugh is a tattoo artist and owner of Vegas's hottest tattoo shop, The Painted Lady. And in her spare time, she does some sleuthing. After discovering the corpse of a Dean Martin impersonator-sporting a spider web tattoo and a clip cord from a tattoo machine wrapped around his neck-Brett infiltrates That's Amore, a drive-through wedding chapel, as a bride-to-be looking for the mark of a murderer... "
Sometimes you just need trashy fun with a dash of mystery, and I think these books do a damn fine job!
Cross Your Heart by Michele Bardsley
Published by: Signet
Publication Date: September 7th, 2010
Format: Paperback, 320 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"After the death of her husband-and her dreams of motherhood-Elizabeth Bretton returned to the family estate in Broken Heart, Oklahoma. Little did she know she would also give up her life as the Silverstone heiress.
But escaping the past isn't that easy-especially with a vengeful ghost trying to kill her, a 150-year-old mystery to solve, and an outrageously hot were-jaguar named "Tez" trying to get into her boudoir..."
You know you want more vampires!
Juliet Naked by Nick Hornby
Published by: Riverhead Trade
Publication Date: September 7th, 2010
Format: Hardcover, 416 Pages
To Buy
The official patter:
"Hornby returns to his roots: music, manic fandom and messy romance in his funny and touching latest, dancing between three perspectives on fame: a sycophantic scholar, an appreciative audience member, a fabled singer-songwriter who can't see what all the fuss is about. After cult musician Tucker Crowe vanished from the public eye 20 years ago, his small but devoted fan base built up a mythology around his oeuvre and the people and places associated with his storied life. Self-appointed Crowologist Duncan has indoctrinated his girlfriend, Annie, on the wonders of Tucker, but when Annie fails to recognize the genius of a newly released version of Crowe's classic album Juliet, their 15-year relationship quickly crumbles. Meanwhile, Duncan's glowing first review is increasingly de-bated, while Annie's deconstructive essay posted on the same Web site earns her a clandestine e-mail correspondence with the reclusive musician. Soon, their exchanges grow more personal; given that Tucker lives in an American backwater and Annie resides in a remote English town, both view their e-mails as a safe flirtation until the dissolution of Tucker's latest marriage and a crisis with one of his several neglected children brings him to Annie's side of the Atlantic. Through brisk dialogue and quick scene changes, Hornby highlights each character's misconceptions about his or her own life, and though Duncan, Annie and Tucker are consistently ridiculous and often self-destructive, they are portrayed with an extraordinary degree of sympathy. Tucker's status of Dylan by way of Salinger allows for an intriguing critique of celebrity fetishization and of the motives behind the eccentricity that comes along with fame. Obviously, this is a must-read for Hornby's fans, but it also works as a surprisingly thoughtful complement to the piles of musician bios and memoirs."
Again, if you're a person who waits for the paperback, I don't get it... if on the other hand you have to get the paperback as well as the hardcover if they have different yet cool covers, then I totally get it!
Friday, September 3, 2010
Book Review - Terry Pratchett's Hogfather Redux
Hogfather by Terry Pratchett
Published by: Harper Torch
Publication Date: 1996
Format: Paperback, 354 Pages
Rating: ★★★★★
To Buy
In the 20th installment of Terry Pratchett's Discworld, we once again see old friends and meet some new acquaintances. Though perhaps I should have read this in December, seeing as it's about Hogswatch, Discworld's equivalent to Christmas, I still found it vastly enjoyable during the summer heat. The rouges gallery that Pratchett has assembled for us this time around are the Wizards of UU (that's Unseen University to those not in the know), DEATH, his granddaughter Susan, various other holiday or occupational manifestations in corporeal form, the assassin Mister Teatime (pronounced Teh-ah-tim-eh) and some inept villains, I would say thieves, but they are not licensed.
The core of the book is about belief. What would happen if someone was actually able to kill Santa Clause/The Fat Man/The Hogfather, insert name here, by destroying belief? Could the world actually function if The Hogfather died and what would happen with the extra belief that then seeped into the world? Would random manifestations like a Veruca Goblin or a God of Hangovers actually come into or back into existance to fill the void? Do we, as humans really need to believe the more fantastical lies of youth in order to function later in life? What I find wonderful about Terry Pratchett is that while his books have a flawless veneer of humor that may have you laughing out loud, he truly understands human nature.
I also find it fascinating that, like Neil Gaiman, he tackles the issues of what happens to gods over time. While in American Gods, Neil Gaiman has the new gods and the old gods battle it out for their piece of belief, whereas in Hogfather, we have old gods who do new jobs. Just because The Hogfather is all modern and Santa-esque with the sleigh pulled by giant pigs in his red kit doesn't mean that before that or even at the same time he's from an older age of blood and ice and fire. You need to evolve with faith and belief not to be outmoded and made obsolete.
Finally I would just like to say I think Susan is perfectly matched against Mister Teatime. She is no nonsense, monsters who threaten her or her charges will get the poker. I kind of admire her for her take no prisoners, nothing can faze me attitude, though having DEATH as your granddad probably teaches you the harsh realities rather fast. Against her Pratchett has placed Mister Teatime "who saw things differently from other people, and one of the ways that he saw things differently from other people was in seeing other people as things." A terrifying assassin who's own guild is trying to oust him. The struggle between the two is a great read, but it should be no surprise as to who wins in the end.
So go out and read this book! In fact, read all of Discworld, it's a place striding across time and space on the backs of four giant elephants atop the space turtle Great A'Tuin, that you'll want to stay in for quite awhile, and luckily for you as of this month there are 38 novels in that wondrous land.
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
A Plethora of Pratchett
Well, August has come and gone, which means it's now time for another themed month, again one with a little alliteration. One of my most favorite authors is Terry Pratchett, so it's natural for me to devote an entire month to him, even if he didn't have a new book coming out, which he does! His books are witty, wonderful, and have a way of taking the fantasy and science fiction genre and making it funnier yet more relevant than any other author I know. While he has many characters to celebrate on his flat land of Discworld, there is one that holds a special place in my heart. That person is Tiffany Aching. While you people over in England are probably already devouring this latest book, us here in the United States have a few more weeks to wait for I Shall Wear Midnight. But this final month is well worth the wait. Any book by Terry Pratchett is worth the wait, but a new Tiffany Aching book!?! I've been waiting a long time, and let me tell you, it's worth the final few weeks. But I will of course attempt to fill your time with plenty of Pratchett, I have been hoarding reviews so that I could inundate you with book after book. So hopefully time will fly... and of course there's a giveaway. What would a themed month be without I themed prize I ask you? Well a shame is what I say. So while waiting for the new release, let's see if you've got the numbers in your favor to win you some books!
THIS GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED
The Prize:
The Terry Pratchett book of your choice, found here, or use the widget on the left hand side.
The Rules:
1. Open to EVERYONE, just because you haven't been following me all along doesn't mean you don't matter, you just get more entries if you prove you love me by following.
2. Please make sure I have a way to contact you if your name is drawn, either your blogger profile or a link to your website/blog or you could even include your email address with your comment(s) or email me.
3. Contest ends Thursday, September 30th at 11:59PM CST
4. How to enter: Just comment in the space below!
5. And for those addicted to getting extra entries:
+1 for answering the question: Who is your favorite inhabitant of Discworld?
+2 for becoming a follower
+10 if you are already a follower
+10 for each time you advertise this contest - blog post, sidebar, twitter (please @MzLizard), etc. (but you only get credit for the first post, so tweet all you like, and I thank you for it, but you'll only get the +10 once). Also please leave a link!
Good luck!
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