"Starflower" by Anne Elisabeth Stengl

Starflower (Tales of Goldstone Wood) (Nov. 1, 2012) by Anne Elisabeth Stengl.*

This Christian fantasy novel takes place more than sixteen hundred years before the first novel in the Tales of Goldstone Wood series. Lady Gleamdrené Gormlaith, the queen’s cousin, is the fairest Faerie in the land, and she knows it. When she’s kidnapped by the troubled and cursed dragon-witch Hri Sora, Bard Eanrin and Captain Glomar – both of the royal court – set off on a rescue mission, for they both believe that Lady Gleamdren is their true love. Eanrin is veered slightly off course when he comes across an unconscious maiden in the Wood Between, a dangerous place. It rests between the Near World of mortals and the Far World of Faeries and other mystical creatures. The maiden is Starflower. In all his immortal life, Eanrin has never involved himself in the life of a mortal, and he has many qualms about it now. But he takes Starflower with him. Starflower, for a mortal, is an interesting creature. Even Hri Sora takes notice. What is Starflower’s story? And how is it connected to the dragon-witch?

            As this was my first novel by Stengl, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I found that I was fascinated by this tale. The main characters – and even the major supporting characters – all have distinct personalities, and Stengl’s writing is full of depth. I would recommend this tale to anyone with an appreciation of fantasy. The magnificent creature, Lumil Eliasul, does remind me of Aslan from the Narnia books, but this Christian fiction tale doesn’t read with blatantly obvious Christian undertones. It also reads as a standalone; one does not have to have read the previous three books.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rutabaga's Reads 2012: Part 9

The end of 2012 will be here shortly, so this will be my last compilation for this year. Thanks always for checking out my blog and perusing what I’ve read. I wish everyone a wonderful and blessed Christmas and a healthy, safe and fabulous 2013! Keep on reading, my Rutabaga friends!

The Humming Room (Feb. 28, 2012) by Ellen Potter.

When her parents are permanently ousted from her life, 12-year-old Roo Fanshaw is sent to live with Emmett Fanshaw, a previously unheard-of relative. He is described as eccentric, but wealthy, and lives in a large home on an island known as Cough Rock. Roo is especially skilled at hiding, which can be a very useful skill to have, but it doesn’t help her ferret out all of her new home’s secrets. What is the humming she hears? And who cries? Who is the mysterious boy on the water?

            Potter, who wrote “The Kneebone Boy” (you can find my blurb on that book here), was inspired by “The Secret Garden” to write this middle-grade novel. It is a quick read, and it has parallels that anyone who’s familiar with “The Secret Garden” will see. However, it is a shorter book and is well-modernized for this century. It’d be a good introduction for readers who may be intimidated by the original classic. I found the tale to be thoughtful and entertaining.

Ruby Red (May 10, 2011) by Kerstin Gier. Anthea Bell, translator.

Are your genes as unique as 16-year-old Gwyneth “Gwen” Shepherd’s? Gwen lives in an affluent London neighborhood, and she’s been the normal one: texting her best friend, going to the movies, giggling. But through the female line in her family runs a time-traveling gene. Her cousin, Charlotte Montrose, is supposed to be the gene carrier. So imagine everyone’s surprise (or contempt) when Gwen time travels three times within 24 hours. Talk about life going topsy-turvy! Suddenly she’s meeting the Guardians, a sort of secret society, getting fitted for fancy period-correct dresses, and traveling to eras past! Her unpreparedness is an understatement, as she didn’t get one iota of the training Charlotte did. But in being the gene carrier, she does gain a time-traveling counterpart: Gideon de Villiers. He’s easy on the eyes, but he’s also an obnoxious know-it-all.

            Gwen, the Ruby, is the last of the time travelers. With her blood, the Secret of the Twelve can be revealed, except the first chronograph was stolen. There is a second in use, but it’s not as full as the first. Why was the first chronograph stolen? Who stole it? What is the mystery that is the Secret of the Twelve?

            “Ruby Red” is the first in a YA trilogy by German author Kerstin Gier. As the first in a trilogy, there are plenty of questions yet unanswered, but I wholly enjoyed this book. I didn’t want to put this YA tale down. Gier’s storytelling flows well, and her writing is humorous and entertaining. I highly recommend this story to anyone who enjoys light science fiction.

Shadow of Night (July 10, 2012) by Deborah Harkness.

If you could timewalk, would you travel to the past and risk unwittingly disrupting it by introducing new variables? Diana Bishop and Matthew Clairmont have so that Diana can learn how to be a witch. And don’t forget Ashmole 782 (see “A Discoveryof Witches”). They expect things will be accomplished shortly. Not surprisingly, things don’t go as planned. Danger lurks in multiple forms, as do secrets and fears, love and sorrow. Then throw in many notable historical figures – e.g. Christopher Marlowe, Sir Walter Raleigh and even William Shakespeare – and the past can get extra messy. (Or for Matthew, re-messy.) Will Diana learn to control the witch in her? Can Matthew come to terms with his greatest fears? How will their actions in the past affect the present? Will time unravel?

            Fans of “A Discovery of Witches” will surely add this sequel to their bookshelves, but I did not find this novel as riveting as the first. The writing is intelligent, but I lacked interest in the book until roughly 275 pages in. Harkness is well-researched, which is so important, but it is the reason I didn’t find it riveting. There were too many extra details. And sometimes, extra details read as just extra words. This novel is over 575 pages long; therefore, it contains a lot of extra words for someone like me who finds historical details interesting but doesn’t necessarily relish them.

            I’m not discouraging anyone from reading this book; I’m still interested enough to look forward to the final installment. I simply want you to be aware that this isn’t a rapid read like the Twilight series. It’s heavy stuff. After all, it’s holding the weight of the main characters’ present AND over four hundred years of the past!

Vanishing Barns on the Backroads (Apr. 9, 2012) by Julie Bronson.

A book of photography with limited captions, Julie Bronson captures vanishing scenes from the countryside. Most of the photos were taken within 35-40 miles of where she lives in southern Minnesota. This book, as noted by the title, focuses on very old barns, though there are other crumbling structures as well (e.g. silos, windmills). Bronson finds beauty in the dilapidated, the abandoned, the forgotten. To her, these relics of an older farming landscape represent a treasure trove of rural history.

            Bronson displays much skill in her photography. It is apparent that she cares very much for the subjects of her photos, inanimate as they are. She pays great attention to natural lighting and the angle of the shot. She hones in on the remains of a bygone time. In her next book, I would like to see page numbers, and it would be a good idea for someone to proofread her book before she publishes it. Aside from that, this book is a dear ode to the vanishing structures of old. These barns/silos/etc. were once essential to the organization and management of farms, so let us appreciate them as their physical shells vanish from view along our back roads.

What Doesn’t Kill You (Apr. 17, 2012) by Iris Johansen.

Newly introduced Catherine Ling is a beautiful but lethal woman. Orphaned at a young age, she was left to fend for herself in Hong Kong. To survive, she became an expert in martial arts and information-gathering. She can be ruthless and cold. She does have a caring side, which she often attempts to keep tamped down. Now a top-notch and highly effective CIA agent, Catherine wants to focus her attention on her son, Luke. But the CIA calls, and she’s whisked away to find Hu Chang, a master chemist whose life she once saved. A brilliant man, he’s concocted wonders that can miraculously heal or painfully slay. A vile man named Hugh Nardik has something Hu Chang made, and Nardik will stop at nothing to accomplish what he wants, including hurting Catherine and her son. Can Nardik be stopped before he reaches his goal to destroy?

            “What Doesn’t Kill You” is classic Johansen. There’s a strong woman at the center of the story who’s bold and is no distressed damsel. There are supporting characters we know from her past novels, and there’s plenty of violence. For those familiar with Johansen’s work, there aren’t many surprises, and the suspense is same old, but it’s always nice to cheer for the good guys, though even they can walk a fine line. I do applaud her on her character, Catherine Ling. It’s nice that she’s finally introduced a major heroine who’s not only Caucasian. Read this if you like thriller fiction.

Inspired Look!

Do you know which character inspired this look? I am guessing - and hoping - that many of you do. Don't judge it too harshly. Remember, it's an INSPIRED BY look, not an imitation. I worked with what I could come up with in under a week. I put on this face and wig for my role as "Commercial Voice" for our annual Sunday School Program. The commercial spots were meant to be somewhat off-the-wall, which meant I could look a bit over-the-top!  :-) I am happy to say that this look had the desired effect, as 95% of the attendees had no clue this was coming.
       If you know who inspired my look - or feel you might know - please leave a comment on this post. I am curious to see if there are any other guesses besides the one I took my inspiration from!

"Against the Tide" by Elizabeth Camden

Against the Tide (October 1, 2012) by Elizabeth Camden.*

Lydia Pallas grew up poor and then became an orphan on top of that in Boston in the latter part of the 1800s. She has the gift of language in her ability to quickly pick up vocabulary and understand sentence structure. This earns her a coveted career as a translator for the U.S. Navy. To secure such a professional job as a woman during this time is especially impressive. It is through her translator job that she catches the eye of the exceptionally attractive Alexander “Bane” Banebridge. He is driven to put a stop to the opium trade and has a tormented past because of that trade. His fight with it causes him to deny himself non-secret friends and loved ones, security and a permanent place to call home. When the enemy goes on the offensive, Bane resorts to a ploy he is not proud of. But Lydia is ready to jump in with both feet to help Bane. Can Lydia keep her wits about her? Can she overcome her obstacles? Will Bane maintain the upper hand?

            Camden’s novel gives readers a lot to think about, but in a very engrossing, constantly-moving book. I enjoyed this book immensely from the deepness of the history to the richness of detail with which Camden wrote to the denial of Lydia’s major issue to the internal battles of Bane and to the innocent romance and intensity of danger. I was riveted from the first page.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rutabaga's Reads 2012: Part 8

This is Part 8 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2012. It includes books I’ve read since Part 6 that are not picture books. What are you reading today? Let me know by commenting on Part 8’s post.

Breadcrumbs (Sept. 27, 2011) by Anne Ursu.

In a contemporary version of Hans Christian Andersen’s “The Snow Queen,” Hazel Anderson does not fit. An adoptee from India, she is too imaginative, most of her classmates treat her with contempt or simply give her the cold shoulder, and she’s only stuck at the school to begin with because her parents have divorced and money is tight; therefore, she had to leave her previous school. But she has Jack Campbell, and they fit together like the pieces of a fantastic puzzle.

            Or they did.

            Overnight, Jack seemed to find her disdainful. He suddenly quit talking to her and then he went away. Because something happened. A mirror shard fell from the sky and happened into his unsuspecting eye, traveled to his heart and froze it. Hazel goes off on a quest to rescue her best friend, albeit “in ill-considered shoes, brave and completely unprepared.”

            “Breadcrumbs” is a middle-grade novel that takes place in Minnesota and mentions Minnesota Twins baseball player Joe Mauer in the storyline. Ursu writes a creative story that is part fantasy and part realistic fiction. It is magical, but the magic is subtle. Ursu expertly weaves the realism with allusions to the modern-day stories we’ve read (“Weren’t wizards good? Dumbledore’s a wizard.”), but also to the well-known tales of yesteryear (“… but all she knew about wolves was that you should never tell them how to find your grandmother’s house.”). While Hazel’s flighty imagination can be trying, she is a heroine, and even more importantly, she is an awesome best friend.

Juliet Immortal (Aug. 9, 2011) by Stacey Jay.

You think you know Romeo & Juliet’s star-crossed love story.

            But what if Juliet died so Romeo could gain immortality and join the Mercenaries of the Apocalypse? And what if, consequently, Juliet also gained immortality by joining the Ambassadors of Light? In this rendering of the greatest love story, this is precisely what happened. Romeo has spent centuries inhabiting deceased human bodies to recruit more Mercenaries through murder. Juliet has only returned to Earth about 30 times over the past 700 years. She works to bring soul mates together – to spread love and light.

            Juliet inhabits Ariel Dragland, who is not dead. She has to find the soul mates she should be helping and bring them together before Romeo negatively interferes. Romeo has reanimated the fresh corpse of Dylan Stroud. But extra trouble lurks. Juliet/Ariel can’t contact Nurse for details, and Romeo/Dylan is actually scared. Both are being watched.

            Juliet tries to mend Ariel’s relationships with her mom and with her best friend, the selfish Gemma Sloop. She even falls for Ben Luna before making a devastating discovery.

            Whether you accept – or scoff at – this take on Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet, consider this book. Juliet/Ariel and Romeo/Dylan are well-developed characters even when supporting characters appear flat and underdeveloped. The full story of the Ambassadors and Mercenaries is unclear, but the main plot is intriguing. Besides, who doesn’t like the occasional love story with a twist? I expect fans of supernatural YA novels will enjoy this one.

Princess Academy (July 6, 2005) by Shannon Hale.

Have you ever dreamt of being a princess? Miri Larendaughter hasn’t, until eligible-age girls from their village home of Mount Eskel – in the kingdom of Danland – are summoned to a princess academy. To learn what? How to properly be a princess, of course! There are the usual subjects of Reading, Mathematics and Commerce, as well as the princess-forming subjects Poise, Conversation and Diplomacy. Studies are led by the harsh Tutor Olana, who makes it clear what she thinks of mountain girls, but fortunately knows not what quarry-speech is. They have a year’s time to learn to read for the first time and become as polished and poised as true princesses. The competition is strong. Who is chosen as the academy princess? Who catches the eye of Prince Steffan of Danland? When danger arrives by force and aggression, how are Miri and her classmates saved?

            This is a satisfying middle-grade story of tough work, hard studies, family, friends and where our hearts call home. For anyone who’s ever felt out of place in anything or felt wronged by unfairness, you’ll connect with Miri. She stands up for herself and for the fairness of the class, as she also strives to learn all that she’s never had the opportunity to. She struggles internally: with her feelings for Peder, how she can help her village and the possibility of becoming princess. They say that Home is where the heart is. Where does Miri’s heart tell her she belongs?

This Dark Endeavor (Aug. 23, 2011) by Kenneth Oppel.

Oppel writes a gothic prequel of Dr. Victor Frankenstein. In this version, Victor is a hot-headed, hot-blooded, attention-loving sixteen-year-old. He lives with his parents, two younger brothers and cousin, Elizabeth, at Chateau Frankenstein. In Oppel’s narrative, Victor also has a twin brother, Konrad. Victor, Konrad and Elizabeth stumble one day upon the Dark Library. It is filled with books on alchemy and ancient remedies. Their father discovers them there and forbids them to return, as it is illegal to practice alchemy. But when Konrad falls deathly ill, Victor is driven to find a cure. To procure the ingredients, Victor, Elizabeth and their friend, Henry, enlist the help of a disgraced alchemist named Julius Polidori. The ingredients are few, but obtaining them is dangerous and difficult. Victor is overly confident in the ability of the elixir. Can the Elixir of Life save his much-loved twin?

            Oppel creates a young Frankenstein who is on his way to becoming the mad scientist we know from Mary Shelley’s novel. Victor is perhaps unlike the protagonists we are used to reading – those who are, for the most part, easily likeable – but that is part of what makes Oppel’s tale so appealing. “This Dark Endeavor” is an excellent prequel to Shelley’s work and honors it well. It has enough horror and romance to push it into gothic territory, enough history and science to feed the story without muddling it, and it has bursts of humor to prevent it from reading too darkly. There were a couple particularly tough parts to read, but it otherwise read very quickly. I won’t be surprised if a movie version is made of Oppel’s creation.

Unbroken: A Ruined Novel (Feb. 1, 2013) by Paula Morris.*

Rebecca Brown (“Ruined,” see Part 1) has returned to New Orleans (NOLA), a city of beauty and ghosts. After the events of the previous year, the last thing Rebecca wants or expects to see is a ghost. Now cue a teenage boy with intensely blue eyes named Frank O’Connor. He’s looking for a lost item that led to his death in 1873 and will trap him if it isn’t found soon. Complications arise as Rebecca strives to help. Not enough time. Aloof, maybe-boyfriend Anton Grey. Keeping secrets. Threats from vengeful ghost Gideon Mason. Unhinged Toby Sutton. Rebecca’s vacation to NOLA isn’t a vacation. It’s a high-stress trip tougher than a school project. Can she help Frank before he’s trapped for eternity? Can she open up to others about the spirit world? Will Toby get his revenge?

            This is another enjoyable YA story from Morris. Rebecca did spend a decent amount of time completing wonderful volunteer work, but it occasionally detracted from the ghost world. That said, I do see how Morris used the volunteerism backdrops to allow Rebecca to have a ghostly chat or put a visual to a verbal description. “Unbroken” is a fast-paced, engaging read. If you like ghosts. And some non-scary suspense.

* This is a Scholastic purchase, and the edition is only available through the school market.

"At Every Turn" by Anne Mateer

At Every Turn (Sept. 1, 2012) by Anne Mateer.*

In 1916, Alyce Benson is a 22-year-old graduate of the Chicago Institute of Domestic Arts and Sciences. She is impetuous, but has a heart that is full of faith and compassion toward others. Alyce loves to attend church, as her grandmother did when she was physically stronger and had her sight. Alyce found her connection to religion through her grandmother, although neither of her parents attend. One Sunday, Alyce hears the story of a missionary couple. She wants to help, not just after hearing their words, but seeing pictures of dear young faces who have so little, and she, with her wealthy father, has such abundance. Impulsively, she stands up and pledges three thousand dollars to the mission of Mr. and Mrs. McConnell. She challenges the church membership to rise up and match her pledge.

            Unfortunately, her father does not simply hand over the money. Frantic, Alyce tries to come up with ideas to raise the funds herself. What is she good at? Driving fast! With the assistance of Webster Little, her father’s mechanic, Alyce trains and competes in a few car races.

            Races with cars to be driven by men only.

            But Alyce is determined to help those children through the missionaries, and she is desperate to raise the money she pledged so publicly. Her heart is in a good place, for she wants to help so much. But she will have to juggle her secrets and the stories associated with them. When she’s left in a big quandary, can she trust the Lord to lead her out of it? Will she allow Him to mold and shape her in His own way?

            Mateer creates a subtle heroine in Alyce. She is not a weapon-wielding warrior-woman on an action-adventure chase. No. Alyce’s heroine is demure with a penchant for driving fast and being around automobiles. She’s a heroine to those who are down on their luck and is a caring friend as well. Mateer’s research into the time period is both obvious and appreciated. Her characters seem real, and the story progressed smoothly. While I did not love the book, I did like it. It may be of particular interest to those who enjoy historical fiction and/or Christian fiction and/or car racing stories with a female protagonist.

* Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from Bethany House Publishers. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions are expressly my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Disclosure of (No) Material Connection

[Edited 4/14/2013]

This Disclosure of (No) Material Connection applies to most of the posts on The Reading Rutabaga blog. Unless noted specifically as otherwise, I HAVE NOT received any compensation for writing my book summaries and reviews. I have no material connection to the authors, artists or publishers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”


[Original Post]

Due to a summary/review that I will post as an otherwise, I want to include a Disclosure of (No) Material Connection, which applies to the books/posts prior to today that I’ve blogged about and will likely apply to most of the books I summarize/review in the future. Unless noted specifically as otherwise, I have not received any compensation for writing my book summaries and reviews. I have no material connection to the authors, artists or publishers. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Rutabaga's Reads 2012: Part 7

This is Part 7 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2012. [More children’s picture books!] Thank you to all of you who have been visiting my blog regularly. Please pass this site along to anyone you know who likes to read AT ALL -- from quite often to every once in a blue moon.

Blue Sky (Mar. 1, 2012) by Audrey Wood.

Look up at the sky. What sort of sky is it today? Sunny? Stormy? In “Blue Sky,” a boy and his monkey take notice of the many types of skies there are from one with storm clouds to one with rainbows. The prose is very simple, as it identifies the type of sky only. There is no conversation. The pictures are simple, but complete. Despite the simplicity of the story and pictures, “Blue Sky” tells us to pay attention to the many moods of the sky and the weather around us. It’s a book for the very young or a good tie-in read for young children when encouraging them to notice the sky. 

The Chimpansneeze (2012) by Aaron Zenz.

Like its predecessor, “The Hiccupotamus,” this picture book features a play on words, as the title implies. It is written in rhyme. In a comical way, Zenz tells a cause-and-effect story with his chimpanzee and his chimpansneeze. What effect does the chimp’s sneeze have on the other animals in the story? This is a witty book with its rhyming text and colorful illustrations. It will get kids laughing. And not to be missed is the ‘Did You Know…’on the last page with humor the adults will surely get. The bits of strange word play may be confusing to anyone just learning English. But aside from that, it’s a fun story, and I hope you’ll like it, too!

The Ice Cream King (Mar. 1, 2011) by Steve Metzger. Julie Downing, illustrator.

Teddy Jones is excited when he spots a brand-new ice cream shop. His mother tells him he can get any ice cream concoction he chooses, and when he receives a Thrill Chill paper crown, his imagination takes him away to his ice cream castle where he is the Ice Cream King. He has halls of chocolate and walls of sprinkles. He can slide down Whipped Cream Lane, take his spaceship to the ice cream moon and eat off of ice cream meteors as he zooms past. What brings him back to reality?

            Metzger’s writing is dream/reality-specific. When Teddy is in his saccharine daydream, the text rhymes. In reality, it doesn’t. Downing’s text-complementing backdrops for Teddy are shown by the style of pictures. In reality, the pictures are pretty basic and not embellished, but when he’s the Ice Cream King, the pictures are more detailed and contain more color. It is a charming story with charming pictures. It is sweet, but not excessively so.

LMNO Peas (Apr. 6, 2010) by Keith Baker.

In Baker’s land, peas aren’t simply small, green rounds that you eat. Baker’s peas are alphabet peas that “play in the ABCs” according to occupations and the letter they begin with. For example, for F, “We’re farmers, flaggers, and best friends in a band.” The peas display their occupations on tall letters. The pages are vibrant and colorful, though not overwhelmingly so, and the rhyming text is charming and fun without missing a beat. His “pea-ple” are delightful to read about. This is a great story for those just learning about the alphabet and for those who know their alphabet, but are working on discerning what words start with. So get out those alphabet peas and have fun!

The Night Before Halloween (Aug. 28, 1999) by Natasha Wing.

   Cynthia Fisher, illustrator.

With Halloween just around the corner, this small tale from Wing’s Night Before series is a costume-adorned, friendly-monster-filled children’s picture book for the whole family. Everyone is getting ready for a fun fright night, human and ghoul alike. Kids need their faces repainted and mummies unravel and put on new wraps. In spite of the work involved to get ready, one thing’s for sure … All are ready to party! A fun story expectedly written in rhyme, it’s an entertaining read for any young one excited to dress up and collect a bag or bucketful of treats!

Olympig! (July 5, 2012) by Victoria Jamieson.

Boomer is a pig ready to take on the Summer Olympics. He’s trained hard and dreamt big. His mama even made him a costume! Too bad Mr. Hamstring, a reporter, has no encouraging words for him. When things don’t turn out as hoped for, what brings back Boomer’s spirit? What does he tell Mr. Hamstring at the end?

            “Olympig!” is a hilarious, highly entertaining picture book. Jamieson, as author and illustrator, includes amusing phrases, such as the wrestling move called “pig in an armpit blanket” and terrific illustrations. They are colorful and funny. Despite the humor, Boomer shows us that we should never give up, even when we’re down. It’s a great story for ages five to eight. But it’s funny for big kids – like me – too! The older kids will enjoy the subtle, but still humorous, commentaries that are interspersed in the illustrations outside the text, especially in the vignettes.

Stay Close to Mama (Mar. 13, 2012) by Toni Buzzeo. Mike Wohnoutka, illustrator.

Twiga (Swahili for “giraffe”) is a very young, very curious giraffe. When he catches the scent of a sausage tree – also called the kigelia tree, which contains sweet fruit – he wanders away from his mama even when she says, “No, little Twiga! Stay close! Stay safe!” What sorts of potential dangers does he come near as he follows his nose?

            Twiga’s curiosity is such like any child’s, though instead of a thousand questions, he uses his sense of smell and not words. The story mostly contains simple language. The illustrations are soft and rather muted, but still warmly colorful. Buzzeo shows us a protective mother and an inquisitive son in a non-dramatic story. It’s not a must-read, but it has its own simple charm.

Siberian Virtuosi

My blog is about books, but this post isn’t about books, so please pardon my digression. Tonight I attended a Siberian Virtuosi concert. They are a State Ensemble of Violinists from the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) -- a republic of Russia. Siberian Virtuosi consists of 11 violinists and one pianist, and the musicians range in age from 16 to 26. They are AMAZING, so if they are performing in a city near you, I highly recommend that you go. They played 18 concert pieces, most of which were classical pieces. The most impressive part? All violinists had all 18 pieces memorized! During/right after the concert, I had many an inspiring thought thanks to this concert.
  (1) Learn Russian. 
  (2) Learn to play the violin.
  (3) Memorize 18 pieces of difficult music (or one concerto).
I expect none of the above will ever actually happen … :-)
            I also expect that Mia, the main character in “If I Stay,” would love to listen to Siberian Virtuosi. She may be a cellist to their violins, but they are all string instruments. And like Mia, I expect the immensely gifted troupe of Siberian Virtuosi have a deep appreciation for classical music and music in general. [“If I Stay” can be found here.]

Rutabaga's Reads 2012: Part 6

This is Part 6 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2012. This compilation of book summaries/reviews represent my most recent reads of the year + a couple picture books.

Anna Dressed in Blood (Aug. 30, 2011) by Kendare Blake.

Killing the dead is all in a day’s work for seventeen-year-old ghost hunter Theseus Cassio “Cas” Lowood. People send him tips on murderous ghosts, and he travels around with his witch-mom and his athame (special knife) to dispatch those ghosts. His most recent mission is in Thunder Bay, Ontario, to the home of Anna Korlov. She’s a lethal ghost whose M-O is to rip apart anyone who enters her house. But she doesn’t kill Cas. Her life ended brutally in 1958. What is her story? How is Anna different from other ghosts Cas has encountered? Cas will need help and befriends a couple peers who are a big help: Thomas Sabin, a psychic, and Carmel Jones, the popular girl who’s braver than she appears.

            This YA novel is a paranormal/horror tale. It is not for anyone with a weak stomach or who is prone to nightmares. There is some strong language, perhaps typical of teen-speak these days, but it is worth noting for those who like to know. I quite enjoyed reading this book. I like the droll humor and the allusions to the Ghostbusters. Despite the gore, reading this book was attention-grabbing with its humor, suspense, horror and light romance. The sequel, “Girl of Nightmares” is in this compilation as well.

The Best of Me (Oct. 11, 2011) by Nicholas Sparks.

Dawson Cole and Amanda Collier were high school sweethearts whose lives took different paths after graduation. Now both in their early forties, they find themselves back where they grew up, in the small town of Oriental, North Carolina. Their love for each other is still evident despite all the years apart. They’ll have some time to catch up on their current events and their past relationship. But members of Dawson’s violence-prone, criminal family know he’s back in town, and they want to rewrite the past in the present. Has Dawson’s past come back to haunt him? And can long-ago love override what is present-day life?

            “The Best of Me” is classic Nicholas Sparks with a twist. It is characteristic of his regular body of work: romance that isn’t too lovey-dovey, even if occasional lines teeter on that line, and has a strong message of love overcoming all, even when the going is rough. But the twist is the thriller element with a couple of Dawson’s relatives. They’re so broken in their deranged state that their thoughts are cringe-worthy. The story is heartfelt and heart-wrenching and may even have you shedding a few tears before the end.

The Bridesmaid (Sept. 11, 2012) by Beverly Lewis.

In this standalone second novel in Lewis’ Home to Hickory Hollow series, Joanna Kurtz is a single Amish woman in her mid-twenties. In the eyes of others, she is practically considered an old maid amongst the Amish. Residing in the fictional area of Hickory Hollow in the real Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, she longs to find that special someone. She wants him to exist in reality, not only in the fiction stories she jots down as a closet writer. While visiting Virginia Beach for the funeral of a relative who spent his life in Hickory Hollow and Shipshewana, Indiana, Joanna meets Eben Troyer. From Shipshewana, Eben is taken with Joanna right away and vice versa. He is fully prepared to move to Hickory Hollow to be with Joanna, but circumstances may not be in their favor …

            Is Joanna destined to remain a bridesmaid, but never a bride?

            As always, Lewis’ novel shines with love, sadness, happiness, betrayal, and above all, a devoted connection to the Lord. Her books continue to show her readership the strength of characters in their trust, faith and devotion. And after Joanna is betrayed by someone so dear, Lewis shows us Joanna’s willingness to forgive and her perseverance to keep tenacious, hurtful thoughts away. Are we as willing to forgive others as Joanna is?

The Five Chinese Brothers (Oct. 7, 1938) by Claire Huchet Bishop.

   Kurt Wiese, illustrator.

I read this on a recommendation from my Aunt Patty awhile back, and I’m so glad she recommended it to me, for it is a clever read. For those of you who’ve read it, you know it is not a happy-go-lucky story, but it’s witty. This Chinese folktale is about five Chinese brothers who all look identical to one another and each has a special talent. When the First Chinese Brother is condemned to death for something beyond his control, the brothers subsequently stand in for each other and employ their special talents to avoid death. What is the judge’s verdict at the end? The story is illustrated with simple pictures and little color, but that does not detract from the text.

Girl of Nightmares (Aug. 7, 2012) by Kendare Blake.

In this sequel to “Anna Dressed in Blood” (the first entry in Part 6), Cas cannot get Anna Korlov out of his mind. He sometimes sees her when he’s asleep and other times when he’s awake. Each time he sees her, Anna is being tormented in twisted and sadistic ways. His friends tell him to let her go – she’s truly gone this time – but he cannot. After a mysterious picture arrives, he is adamant about going to England, and he takes Thomas with him. He sees his old family friend, Gideon Palmer, and eventually Carmel shows up. They meet new faces, though they’re not entirely trustworthy, including Jestine Rearden, a teenager with the Order of the Biodag Dubh. No matter the animosity or danger, Cas will do anything to save Anna, but there will be a price. There is always a price.

            What I mentioned about “Anna Dressed in Blood” applies here as well, including a positive reaction to the book despite its darkness. It is simultaneously as ominous and horrible as it is moving and tender. Blake pulls you into a world both terrible and exciting. She’ll take you on a rollercoaster ride of fear, love, panic, desperation and light romance. Hang on tight and be careful of the Obeahman’s teeth. He bites.

Insurgent (May 1, 2012) by Veronica Roth.

Taking right off from “Divergent” (see Part 3), Tris Prior is seeking refuge after surviving the massacre on Abnegation (the selfless) that Jeanine (Erudite, the intelligent) initiated using the simulation-serum-induced Dauntless (the brave). The serum didn’t affect Tris due to her Divergent abilities. Tris moves a lot in this novel. She goes momentarily loopy when given too much peace serum in Amity (the peaceful), undergoes an interrogation by truth serum in Candor (the honest) and spends time with the factionless. She even chooses to walk herself over to Erudite and the traitor Dauntless twice, but each time for completely different reasons. She can’t handle even holding a gun right now, and she is at times so consumed with guilt and grief that it might overpower her.

            This is very much Tris’ story. Her mentality weighs more due to the weight of grief and guilt she carries, which doesn’t say much except that her actions are sometimes less Dauntless-brave and more reckless-suicidal. This occasionally makes for an annoying, self-pitying character, but despite that, Tris is still able to think logically, selflessly and bravely when she truly needs to, touching on her Divergent points. There is a reveal that hints at their gated origin. Roth’s two books are must-reads for anyone who’s into dystopian settings.

Little Known Facts about Well-Known Places: WDW (Aug. 25, 2011) by Laurie Flannery.

The title makes it obvious that this book is of very specific interest. This is a fun little book full of tidbits about Walt Disney World (WDW), most of which you probably didn’t know the history of or the story behind. I am a HUGE fan of WDW (please do not confuse it with Disneyland -- it will grieve me). In fact, I feel very passionate toward the vacation spot. So for me, this book is a good choice and may be for you as well if you love WDW as much as I do or enjoy learning random facts about different places. And, if you are heading to WDW anytime soon and need something to read on the airplane, grab a copy of this book. Just think how smart you’ll feel being able to blurt out random facts about WDW!

The Mark of Athena (Oct. 2, 2012) by Rick Riordan.

Riordan scores big again with his third installment in the Heroes of Olympus (HoO) series. The seven demigods have embarked on a quest after a friendly visit to Camp Jupiter becomes unfriendly. Aboard the magnificent Argo II ship – built to float and fly – dangers await all the demigods, both those from [Greek] Camp Half-Blood and [Roman] Camp Jupiter (especially for Annabeth, a daughter of Athena). From headache-riddled gods to angry Roman demigods to kill-hungry monsters, it’s just another day for a demigod, particularly for those on a quest. Good thing they have their mixed-martial-arts-obsessed, battle-happy, satyr-chaperon, Coach Hedge, with them. And their joint arsenal of superpowers doesn’t hurt, either. But all will cross humbling/intense obstacles. Can they all work together to protect each other and save Rome?

            Enthralling plot. Convincing characters. Dangerous expeditions. Marked with comedy. It is what I have come to expect from a Riordan novel. It’s a no-brainer must-read for already-followers of this series (or his previous ones). But, for newcomers to Riordan, you won’t want to simply start at Book One of HoO, you’ll want to start with the Percy Jackson & the Olympians series. This book follows four demigod protagonists: two we’ve known since Percy Jackson and two we just met in HoO. Time to brush up on your Greek mythology with Roman counterparts!

The Night Before Father’s Day (May 10, 2012) by Natasha Wing.

   Amy Wummer, illustrator.

Whether you think this Father’s Day is long past or next year’s is too far in the future (or both), don’t ignore this most recent title from Wing’s “Night Before” series. While the dad is away on a [fairly lengthy] bike ride, his family gussies up his garage and makes his car shiny clean. As expected, it is written in rhyme and is a cute little story. Read it to your little ones or little ones you know and perhaps they’ll be inspired to make the next Father’s Day an extra nice one!

Rizzoli & Isles: Last to Die (Aug. 28, 2012) by Tess Gerritsen.

In the tenth installment, Boston PD Detective Jane Rizzoli and Boston Medical Examiner Dr. Maura Isles are back to keep three twice-orphaned teens safe. The parents of Teddy Clock, Claire Ward and Will Yablonski were once all murdered within a week of each other. Orphaned once. One-time survivors. Then two years later each of their foster families are murdered. Twice orphaned. Twice survivors. The three kids are sent to Evensong, a boarding school/sanctuary surrounded by acres of Maine wilderness with a locked gate and a state-of-the-art security system. Anticipating that there’s no place safer, imagine the surprise and fear when violence and death enter Evensong’s premises. Can these kids escape death a third time?

            Before “Last to Die,” I hadn’t read anything by Gerritsen, and I’ve never watched Rizzoli & Isles on TNT, but I expect I’ll read more from her. Her books are the type of thriller fiction that I prefer to read: bothersome moments, but not nightmare-inducing, and harmful scenarios without all the detailed, messy gore. There is some technical jargon, as is likely more expected from adult fiction than for a YA fantasy (though, fairly, those stories usually have their own set of “technical” lingo). I wasn’t sure I’d like this book, but I was immersed from the beginning, and it had a crafty ending. Smartly written. Additionally, the book was stand-alone, thus allowing me to not feel lost in back stories and tons of characters.