Rutabaga's Reads 2013: Part 8

Here is Part 8 of Rutabaga’s Reads 2013 and the second Past Reads edition. I read these books in the summer of 2011. They have been re-formatted from their original lengths (which were a lot longer).

The 3 Little Dassies (Sept. 21, 2010) by Jan Brett.

“The 3 Little Dassies” is a take on the “Three Little Pigs” story. (A dassie, also known as a rock hyrax, is a mammal. They are referred to as dassies in South Africa.) “The 3 Little Dassies” follows sister dassies Mimbi, Pimbi and Timbi. All grown up, they choose to move to a mountain area in the Namib Desert (in Namibia) where it will be cooler and less crowded. They want to avoid eagles, which prey upon them. Their cart is pulled by a turtle, and they befriend a handsome Agama Man (a red-headed agama lizard). He informs the dassies that the only ones living in the area are him and a family of eagles.

            What happens when the hungry eagle discovers the dassies? Does he huff and puff?

            Brett is a masterful writer and illustrator of children’s books. She does a terrific job laying out her stories, and her pictures are magnificent – so full of color and detail. Be sure to check out all of her illustrations, because she also utilizes the outer margins, thus creating further picturesque enjoyment for her readers!

Count the Ways (Oct. 2, 2009) by D. M. Ulmer.

This work of fiction is a military romance novel. Young computer scientist David Judge is called upon by his Great Uncle Keith Buhl to clear the cruel memory of David’s grandfather, LTJG Brendan Judge. Brendan has been missing in action since 1953. The novel takes place in the years 2000 and 1950. In 2000, David is tasked with finding evidence to vindicate his grandfather against allegations that he betrayed his wife, Carlie Buhl Judge. It is this betrayal that is thought to be the cause of Carlie’s tragic death.

            In 1950, U.S. Naval Academy Midshipman Brendan Judge finds himself on an Iowa farm in fictitious Northvale, ready for a tough summer of work in order to bring in income. When 24-year-old Brendan finds work on a farm, he finds resistance from Mr. Buhl, a mom in Mrs. Buhl, and their children: Ed, the eldest; Keith, age 14; Sarah, the youngest; and Carlie, age 23.

            If you’re looking for lots of action/adventure or fantasy, bypass this book, but don’t judge this book by its cover. It’s not as backroads-whimsy as the cover might suggest, and the romance is not excessive. It has a real pursuit quality about it with characters so vivid and alive, they might remind you of people you actually know. The past and present will have to meet with the right amount of information to vindicate Brendan, but I expect you’ll be rooting for him throughout the book.

Heaven is for Real (Nov. 2, 2010) by Todd Burpo with Lynn Vincent.

At the end of February 2003, three-year-old Colton Burpo’s appendix ruptured and filled his body with poison for five days. In addition, pockets of infection were removed from his abdomen in a second surgery. He was taken to the ICU with his life questionable, yet he was alert the following morning. A miracle child. On a Fourth of July trip that year, Colton finally told his parents about his “supernatural weird” experience. He remembered being in the hospital, for that was where the angels sang to him and spoke with him. He also sat in Jesus’ lap. He knew his parents’ locations through his surgery, though no one had told him they had been in separate rooms praying, making calls and, in Todd’s case, venting toward God.

            Colton talked of his visit to Heaven over a span of time. He told his dad he was only there for three minutes, yet he got to do so much. Like Alex Malarkey (“The Boy Who Came Back from Heaven”) Colton said he saw Satan, but unlike Alex, he would not describe him. Alex’s description, meanwhile, was quite detailed and ugly.

            “Heaven is for Real” was an intriguing nonfiction book to read. Colton talks of a painting that depicts Jesus’ face as he recalls it. It is Prince of Peace by Akiane Kramarik, who painted it when she was eight. Start off skeptically if you want, but please try to keep an open mind. There was one place in particular that simply warmed my heart like a steaming mug of hot chocolate warms one’s hands. Summed up, to exude childlike faith is exceptional.

Magic Under Glass (Dec. 22, 2009) by Jaclyn Dolamore.

In this debut novel, 17-year-old Nimira lives in Lorinar, but hails from Tiansher. She has dark skin and black hair where fair skin is the norm. She came to find success, but she’s considered no better than a beggar. When Nimira is approached by A. Hollin Parry (a young and wealthy sorcerer) to be the accompanying singer to his automaton, she has qualms about it, but figures it’d be a better occupation. She goes to Vestenveld Estate even amidst hearsay that the automaton is haunted. Nimira’s first encounter with the automaton is practical. The automaton, or clockwork man, is beautifully and intricately made. But on her next encounter, alone, the automaton moans and waves his hands over the pianoforte. She is startled, but begins to communicate with him (How?). He says his name is Erris. Does the automaton contain the ghost of a man? Is it enchanted to think on its own? Is it a trapped man?

            For Nimira, corresponding with Erris is tough, but there’s more. She doesn’t want to be caught talking to the automaton, not by Hollin and definitely not by Miss Rashten, Mr. Parry’s intimidating sorceress and head maid. She also dreads meeting Mr. Soleran Smollings, a condescending man who is head of the Sorcerer’s Council and Ambassador of Magic.

            Read this tale if you enjoy fantasy fiction; bypass it if you do not. I found it to be a swift read with clean content. It is light fare compared to other YA books out there, but it’s still a nice read. Any romance comes across as puppy love. Its sequel is "Magic Under Stone".

William and Kate: A Royal Love Story (Dec. 21, 2010) by Christopher Andersen.

This book details the ongoing royal saga about Prince William (Wills) and Catherine (Kate) Middleton and their often winding, oftentimes trying, road to togetherness. The beginning is centered on William’s parents and his younger years. He grows from a naughty, tantrum-throwing boy into a young man who worries about everyone but himself. Not surprisingly, there is much mention about the ugly details regarding the marriage of Prince Charles and Diana, Princess of Wales.

            Kate grows up in a hard-working, middle-class family which grows into a millionaire household thanks to her mom’s (Carole) entrepreneurial drive. The subsequent chapters venture through the years of Wills’ and Kate’s time at St. Andrews University in Scotland. Carole pushed her daughter to attend the university. Kate already had three top university choices, and none of them included St. Andrews. But Kate finally caved into her mother’s almost incessant urging. Kate eventually found herself in Wills’ company through their initial mutual study of art history (he later switched to geography). Through many ups and downs, the book finally reached the point where Wills proposed to Kate. “Waity Katie” finally had her prince and, as we know, on April 29, 2011, the world saw a new princess.

            Since I lacked back story regarding the royal family, I found this story to be highly informative, sometimes even too much so. The eight chapters in this nonfiction account are well-focused and highly detailed. Prepare yourself for over-the-top and twisted events, often fraught with large amounts of neuroticism, scandal, overspending and showy fascinators. If those things don’t interest you, then leave this book on the bookshelf!