Here is the book list for May.
The Magician's Nephew by C.S. Lewis. I skipped over The Horse and His Boy, but it doesn't really matter much because this is chronologically the first book, even though it is not the first book in the series (despite what novices might believe). I really thought this book was amazing. I especially enjoy the "creation" scene, where Aslan sings Narnia into being. It was an excellent book.
Sourcery by Terry Pratchett. This book was pretty good. I'm not entirely sure where it falls in the wizard sequence, but it's funny. Basically, an eighth son of an eighth son (a wizard) has an eighth son, making that son a sourceror or source of magic. Then the wizards start having magic wars. This book also features Rinsewind, which is always fun. What I enjoy about the wizard series is that it combines all the elements of a real college with all the elements of magic. There are a lot of jibes at memos, college administration, etc., and I liked it.
A Study in Scarlet by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (from B and N's Complete Sherlock Holmes Vol. 1). This is the first Sherlock Holmes story. It's a novel, and I enjoyed it. In it, Sherlock and Watson must solve a very strange murder and they must begin with only the clues of a wedding ring and the word "Rache" in blood on the wall. It's billed as being "chilling," but to be honest, it's not a horror story by any means. I never knew that Sherlock Holmes was this much fun. The one thing that you should keep in mind is that the Watson sometimes serves as a foil of sorts for Shakespeare's ramblings about logic. Don't let it get to you; it gets better as the stories progress.
Carpe Jugulum by Terry Pratchett. This is in the witches series. It follows Masquerade, and it is also very hilarious. In it, the king of Lancre invites vampires to his daughter's naming ceremony. The vampires then decide to make their home in Lancre castle and to make meals of the people of Lancre. The witches, with the help of an Omnian preacher, must drive the vampires back to Uberwald. Oh, and one other thing: The vampires want Granny.
Jingo by Terry Pratchett. Ank-Morpork goes to war with Klatch over a piece of land that has risen up out of the ocean. This is part of the Watch series, although I'm not entirely sure where it falls. Somewhere before Feet of Clay, I believe, but don't quote me. Vimes has to figure out how to stop a war and save a prince after being removed from duty from Lord Rust. Lucky for Vimes that he's a knight, after all. I laughed until I cried.
Soul Music by Terry Pratchett. In this book, Music with Rocks in meets the discworld through Buddy and his guitar. The wizards make an appearance, but it primarily belongs to the Death sequence, following Mort and Reaper Man, but coming before Thief of Time. We meet Susan, Death's granddaughter, who must take over the job of grim reaper because her grandfather's gone off to contemplate the meaning of life. It's funny, but as always in the Death sequence, these are not my favorite books in the Discworld. Don't start with these, even though they are worth the read.
The Sign of Four by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. This Sherlock Holmes mystery focuses on treasure, secrets, and murder. I enjoy the Sherlock Holmes mysteries very much.
Ruby: The Adventures of a Galactic Gumshoe. This is not a book. It's an old radio program, but I enjoyed it so much I thought I'd share it. It's very weird, but there are a lot of great insights, as far as human nature goes, from the Android Sisters.
Well, that's it for books. I didn't hold to my committment to reading at least one literary book a month, but I did discover Sherlock Holmes. Additionally, I checked out several great essays such as "I Have a Dream," "JFK's Inaugural Address," "The Declaration of Independence," and "I Have Nothing More to Say" (excerpts from Joan of Arc's trial). It was good to visit the basics. I'm not sure I'd ever read many of these in their entirity before, so it was fun to see the difference between the quotes everybody repeats and the essays themeselves.
Enjoy!
Posted by LoWriter at May 31, 2005 11:12 AMI think Sir Arthur Conan Doyle counts as liturature (ie a literary book).... but that is just my two cents.
Looks like you had some great reads! I am sad, this was my second slacking month and I just can't seem to pick it up... all rereads except one or two again.
Why'd you skip 'the horse and his boy'? I have to admit, it is one of my favorites (after the last battle).
Posted by: 10lees at May 31, 2005 02:53 PMi will agree with 10 that Sherlock Holmes is literature. i slowed down at the end of the month, and didnt finish one of the books i've been plugging through. ah well, one more book for the busy month of June!
In May, i've gotten through Restaurant at the End of the Universe; Life, The Universe and Everything; So Long and Thanks for All the Fish and Young Zaphod Plays it Safe, all by Doug Adams. thus far, my favorite is Restaurant, and i cant put my finger on why. but all of the books are of course, funny and satisfyingly bitter. and Lo, dont be sad about "missing" one of the books. Young Zaphod is only 2 pages long. doh! :o)
i also listened to Joy School by Elizabeth Berg who i didnt know is a more well-known author. its a fluff book, but a good read about a 13 year old girl, who is a military brat, settling into a new town. she makes friends with interesting people and has a first love. Elizabeth Berg has a new novel that apparently just came out and is plastered all over book stores. not sure if i'd read her again as only like my fluff in between peanut butter.
Posted by: Dr. Gonzo at June 1, 2005 10:37 AMSee, I'm not sure it is "literature." It's along the same lines as Treasure Island. Great book, but not many would teach it as a work of "literature." My main problem with most of what falls under "real literature" is that it's too damn depressing. I think that's why I read so much Pratchett. The stupid people are the bad guys, and when they die, it's because they've really earned it. And you can't even get that sad because then Death shows up, and funny dialogue follows. For instance: "FOR YOU, THE CAKE IS OVER. YOU HAVE REACHED THE END OF CAKE."
Posted by: Lo at June 2, 2005 07:32 AMAlso, Dr. Gonzo, there's another one besides Young Zaphod Plays it Safe. And did anyone get Young Zaphod Plays it Safe? Could you explain it to me?
Posted by: Lo at June 3, 2005 09:12 AM