Here's the list of books I read this month. I exceded my goal of five, but I should point out that two were very short, and I'm only allowed to count those as one book. I will do my best not to spoil the plots and stories of the books.
Thief of Time by Terry Pratchett: This is another Pratchett book. It was not my favorite Pratchett book so far, but the five horsemen of the apocalypse made an appearance, and that was pretty fabulous. I especially enjoyed the characters War and Famine.
Over Sea, Under Stone by Susan Cooper: The first in The Dark Is Rising Sequence, this book was a good introduction to the series although it was not my favorite of the five books. This series is probably classified as juevenile lit, but it's only annoying in this first book. In this novel, three children must help the battle between the Light and the Dark. It's very English and Arthurian legends play a big role in the plot of the overall series.
The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper: So far, this is my favorite of the sequence by Susan Cooper. We are introduced to a new character, Will Stanton, who has to accomplish a great task for the Light. He becomes instrumental to both the battle and the rest of the series. I especially like the way that the author keeps the reader as disoriented as the main character in many passages. It has the effect of making one feel like one is the main character.
The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett: This is the first Discworld novel. Begin the wizard books here, and everything else will make a lot more sense. I enjoyed it very much, and it made The Light Fantastic much more sensible. It reminded me a bit of Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, but only a little. Basically, Rinsewind, the Discworld's worst wizard, has to be a guide for Two Flower, the planet's first tourist. The Luggage is included. All in all, I would say that you don't have to begin Discworld here, but I would begin any reading about the wizards of Terry Pratchett's novels with this book.
Interesting Times by Terry Pratchett: Another Pratchett novel. I thought it was pretty funny, but I was glad I had read Color of Magic and Light Fantastic first. The Luggage is as unruly as ever, and I personally enjoy any author who can make a suitcase at least as interesting as the other characters. Rinsewind is sent to the Counterweight Continent to lead The Red Army. He's the world's worst wizard, so he ends up having a fair amount of trouble. Cohan the Barbarian and his Horde (men) also make a pretty major appearance.
Greenwitch by Susan Cooper: This is the third book in the Susan Cooper series. Jane, one of the children, plays a fairly major role in attaining an object of power for the Light. It's ridiculously short, so it only counts as half a book.
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis: I returned to my childhood with this book because the movie will be coming out next December. I wanted to get started before everybody else does and it becomes impossible to get the series from the library. For those of you who don't know, this book is the first in the series about Lewis's version of the Christian salvation story. I have a confession to make: I've never really liked Aslan. I like him more now that I'm older, but I wouldn't say that I harbour great affection for him. He always kind of pissed me off. I'm probably going to hell for this opinion.
I, Robot by Isaac Asimov: This book is nothing like the movie. It's eleventy billion times better. Both are good, but they're not really even telling the same story. This book made me think quite a bit about what defines humanity and could it be imitated in a machine. And my answers were not what I thought they'd be by the end of the book. It tells the history of robotics through the eyes of a retiring Dr. Susan Calvin and her experiences at US Robots and Mechanical Men. The book sparked a lot of interesting conversations. To those of you who've read it: I'd be interested in knowing what you thought.
The Grey King by Susan Cooper: This series just keeps getting better as I go. With one book remaining after this, Susan Cooper weaves a pretty good tale in which Will must undertake another quest for an object of power. A new character, Bran, is introduced. The Arthurian connection gets stronger in this book. I love the fact that, unlike the Harry Potter books, these books do not follow a predictable pattern even though, like the HP books, they all involve a quest of some sort.
That's it for the February reading. Hope you enjoy the picks. Happy reading!
Posted by LoWriter at March 1, 2005 02:33 PMwell chica, i think i may have to start in on the CS Lewis series myself. i'll see if i can get them on CD or something.
my list didnt get any bigger this month. each book was huge and very thought-provoking and required a lot of processing afterwards. and i might add, i've been watching Sex & the City through On Demand, so does that count as something?? ;o) here's my Feb list:
Little Children by Tom Perrotta - a take on suburban adulthood. very Desperate Housewives but with more sincerity. my thought processing question: Why do we deny ourselves of ourselves for superficial happiness?
My Year of Meats by Ruth L. Ozeki - a female documentarian takes on a Japanese program that is sponsored by the American Meat Association and in research, finds horrible truths about the processing of meat in America. made me think about political choices and reprocussions of actions or non-actions. Processing conclusion: when i get pregnant, i will eat only meat that is organic!
The Green Age of Asher Witherow by M. Allen Cunningham - ages 8 to 18 of Asher Witherow, a Welsh boy growing up in a coal mining town in California in the mid 1800's. VERY literary. deals with reconciliation of growing up, faith and the process of life. Processing realizations: i need to read more books on spirituallity.
so, hopefully March will be as thoughtful, and maybe i'll get more books read while i'm at it!
Posted by: Dr. Gonzo at March 2, 2005 12:37 PMYou did read some literature. I myself gave up on literature and have turned to juvenile lit. I like it better. I also have been on a sci fi/fantasy kick for about a year and a half now. What can I say? I get to much of the real world in my everyday life.
Also, as to meat processing, I get most of my meat from my parents. We get it from a farm. It doesn't get much more organic than that. ;)
Posted by: Lo at March 2, 2005 12:58 PMhow much would i have to pay you to get some of that farm-fresh goodness? seriously!
Posted by: Dr. Gonzo at March 3, 2005 10:45 AMI can talk to my dad and see if you're really serious. It's just beef.
Posted by: Lo at March 3, 2005 11:31 AMwell, if you are willing to share, i'll shell out some dough. i love a good, real steak or 9!
Posted by: Dr. Gonzo at March 3, 2005 02:11 PMWell I read 14 books, but I must say none of them were as enlightening as megs' selections (and over half of them were re-reads). I am (as well) reading tons of sci fi and juvi lit. I am currently reading the Poisonwood Bible though and I will hopefully let you know how that goes.
Posted by: 10lees at March 3, 2005 05:47 PMLet me know what you think of that one. I listened to it on tape this past fall.
Dr. G-- speaking of steaks, I have it on high authority that we must try a place called Gabe's on Wednesdays for steak.
Posted by: Lo at March 3, 2005 06:00 PMoh dear! Gabes..... was i talking to you about Gabes? its where 10 used to live in St. Paul. i hear good things, but it still looks a bit seedy. not that that's a bad thing.... but it is inevitable that i will one day go henceforth and enjoy the bar known as Gabes... why not sooner than later??
i woulda read more this month, but i had to finish season 3 of Sex in the City. :o)
Posted by: Dr. Gonzo at March 4, 2005 10:16 AMYes, TV is very important. I myself am addicted to Seinfield these days.
Well, the guy who does my hair says they have a special on steak on Wednesday but its regular price is rather spendy. Yeah, you and I were talking about this before.
Posted by: Lo at March 4, 2005 10:46 AM