Letters from Skye

Title: Letters from Skye

Author: Jessica Brockmole [Website][Facebook][Twitter] ; Read by Elle Newlands [IMDb][Twitter], Katy Townsend [Website][IMDb][Twitter], Lincoln Hoppe [Website][IMDb][Facebook][Twitter], Adam Alexi-Malle [IMDb][Facebook], and Guy Burnet [Website][IMDb]

Publisher: Books on Tape

ISBN: 9780385367646

Length: Approx. 8 hrs ; 7 discs

Obtained: Library audiobook copy

Why this book?:

For my book discussion, but also because I've been wanting to read it since I first heard about it before publication.

Comments:

I have to say, I am so glad I read this in audio format - despite being a bit more romance than I prefer with my audiobooks.  Because the accents/voices  were GREAT.  I haven't listened to many multi-narrated books, but I loved how each character had their own voice.  They were very distinct and came to life in my mind.

I had mixed feelings about this story.  I had some moral issues with it, but beyond that it was nice.  At first every time Margaret's story came up I was eager to get back to Elspeth, but by the time Elspeth "disappeared" I was really into Margaret's side of the story.

Anyway, glad I listened to this.

Crown of Vengeance

Title: Crown of Vengeance

Author: Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory

Publisher: Tom Doherty Associates

Series: Dragon Prophecy, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780765324382

Length: 605 pages

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

It looked like a first in series co-written by Mercedes Lackey.  And it is set in the same other world as The Obsidian and Enduring Flame Trilogies.

Comments:

Oh, where to start?  I guess with the Prologue, which is a creation story of sorts.  In which one discovers this is a good vs. evil story.  The characters were - well, I liked some of the characters sometimes.  But even the "good guy" characters could be ambiguous.  Decisions made, attitudes, reactions and interactions - they were all situational and made the feelings I had about/toward characters fluctuate.

The story is one of hardship, war, and a purpose.  Of prophecy, believers, and disbelief.  The primary character is the "Child of Prophecy" (or is she?).  A prophecy that many have disputed and studied for years as they've tried to comprehend just what it is predicting.  But Vieliessar is certain it tells of the time when evil will come to destroy, and how they must be prepared and fight together.

And I just made the mistake of starting to read the inside of the dust jacket... to be told things that have not happened yet!  And presumably happen in upcoming books.  That is just WRONG.  If I haven't read The Obsidian and Enduring Flame trilogies (which I haven't), then I don't already know these characters and their legends. Grrr.

But anyway... It took days of concentrated reading, staying up late, and drooping from exhaustion at work to finish this, but I did it.  I will continue to read the series, The House of Four Winds, because I do want to see what happens next.

Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story

Title: Knit Your Bit: A World War I Story

Author: Deborah Hopkinson; Illustrated by Steven Guarnaccia

Publisher: G. P. Putnan's Sons

ISBN: 9780399252419

Obtained: Library copy

Why this book?:

I was interested to see what knitting and World War I had to do with each other.

Comments:

A young boy wants to be patriotic and help with the war, like his father, but of course he's too young.  His mother suggests knitting, but knitting isn't for boys!  Or is it?  He soon discovers everyone is helping, and when a knitting bee is announced in class he decides he and his friends are going to win.  But knitting isn't easy and Mikey only gets one sock done right.  But perhaps one sock can still make a difference?  But you'd have to read it to learn how.

This isn't a super adorable book.  Nor does it have a lovely catchy rhythm or great vocab (not that the vocab is bad - just nothing stressed).  But it's interesting.  It speaks a lot of how people can support each other and of compassion.  With the added history and of course, gender issues.  It's not the type of book I'll be exclaiming about everywhere, but I still enjoyed it.  And I think it could definitely have it's place in education.  Especially with the author's note and the pictures on the inside covers.

Mr. Churchill's Secretary

Title: Mr. Churchill's Secretary

Author: Susan Elia MacNeal

Publisher: Bantam / Random House Digital, Inc.

Series: Maggie Hope Mystery, Bk 1

ISBN: 9780553907568

Size: 1968 KB ; 384 pages

Obtained: Library / Kindle copy

Why this book?:

I was looking at historical mysteries on NoveList and this came up.  It finishes the Historical Mystery Reading Challenge 2013 for me.

Comments: 

It's May 1940.  Churchill is in need of a new secretary and Maggie's drafted to fill in the position.  She's in the unique position of having been born in Britain, but raised in America.  She's a graduate of Wellesley and was about to go on for a doctoral degree in mathematics from M.I.T. when she had to go to London to attend the sale of her deceased grandmother's house.  Of course things didn't go as planned and here she is, still here, being passed for the private secretary position she applied to and taking on the role of secretary/typist.

The history: England is now joining the war (WWII).  The mystery: Plots and threats and terrorism during war time and involving politics.

There were several speeches by Churchill that are apparently fiction? (what's the point?), but I suppose they set the scene.  Speaking of which, sometimes I found myself drifting when the description became too much at once.

My knowledge of history is sadly lacking.  Partially because I don't retain much of what I learn and partially because I like to tune out current events and sometimes that means I tune out historical events as well.  I'm sure that makes me sound horrible, but there it is.  The point is, anytime I read a book like this, it offers new and interesting perspective that I may not have appreciated otherwise.  For example:

Just think, this is just over a decade before Alan Bradley's Flavia de Luce books.  This is the war Flavia's father fought in.  While this is London and Flavia's story is set in the country, this is what England had gone through.  From one fictional work to another, but still... interesting.

As far as the characters are concerned... I liked Maggie, but she could really get on her high horse.  Guess it was supposed to be that fiery red-headed temper.  The surrounding cast all contributed the the story and what was happening well.  I guessed who the bad guy was once I realized the connection, but that didn't detract from watching everything unravel after that.

Overall, I enjoyed the book and will probably read the next book, Princess Elizabeth's Spy.

a child's garden: a story of hope

Title: A Child's Garden: A Story of Hope

Author: Michael Foreman (link to British Council: Literature)

Publisher: Candlewick Press

ISBN: 9780763642716

Obtained: ILL library copy

Comments:

This is a children's book I kept seeing praise for around the blogosphere; I quickly requested it.  I found  A Child's Garden: A Story of Hope to be an emotional book.  It includes desolation/destruction, determination, life and beauty, sorrow, and hope... all within an average length children's book.

The illustrations - transforming from black and white to vivid color and back again - goes a long way to helping portray all this emotion.  Not to mention crumbled buildings and a barbed wire fence.  But the story does it's part too.  You feel hope for that little sprout and the child who tends it.

I did wonder where this is supposed to be, but after seeing some of the other books Michael Foreman has written and/or illustrated, I wonder if it isn't meant to be a general commentary on what's left after any war.  I'd think that how that is portrayed to a child would depend on the child's age and comprehension.

 My niece asked me to read this to her and immediately requested I read it again once I'd finished.  I'm not entirely sure what she saw with her nearly 4 year old eyes.  As I was reading it to her she wanted to know why the plant was torn down, so I told her they didn't want the people on the other side to have something that made them happy.  But look! They changed when they could have something happy and pretty too!  Whatever she saw, I believe she appreciated something for her to request it the second time, though I suspect that had something to do with the pretty scenes with the birds and butterflies.

Beyond Courage : The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust

Title: Beyond Courage : The Untold Story of Jewish Resistance During the Holocaust

Author: Doreen Rappaport; Read by Jeff Crawford and Emily Beresford

Publisher: Candlewick on Brilliance Audio

ISBN: 9781469206103

Length: 4 Discs ; 4 hours, 37 minutes + Bonus Disc

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I don't know where to start.  This book drew my attention from the moment I first saw it.  I tried checking it out in print first, but just never got around to it before it was due back.  I started listening to it in audio (soon after watching The Devils' Arithmetic, as it happens).  A mixture of mostly horrifying statistics and gripping stories of individuals and groups who fought back make this an inspiring read and a great resource.  It covers everything from when the tension (and deception) was first starting, to ghettos, to labor, transit, concentration, and death camps (and more, really, than you may have realized was involved).  Poems and songs written by Jewish people during that make for all the more impact. 

My problem was listening to this kind of writing and detail took quite a bit of concentration.  When I listen to audiobooks, I tend to be doing something else as well (for instance, driving) and need to be able to pay attention to both.  This meant I missed details.  Sometimes I could backtrack, but sometimes that just wasn't convenient.  I checked out the print version (after listening to the audio) so I could see the pictures, re-read some of the poems, and just absorb some of the information I had heard.

I recommend reading this, and if you listen to the audio, either have the print or bonus disc (contains the photographs and poems plus important dates - requires Adobe Flash) on hand or be able to devote all of your attention to just listening.  Whatever you decided, seeing the pictures and poems are worth it.

This is technically considered a MG juvenile book.  Though I definitely feel adults can read and learn from it (I certainly did), if a child you know is studying the Holocaust, you might recommend this as a reference.

Seal Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy Seal Sniper

Title: SEAL Team Six: Memoirs of an Elite Navy SEAL Sniper

Author: Howard E. Wasdin & Stephen Templin; Read by Ray Porter

Publisher: Blackstone Audio (Print: St. Martin's)

ISBN: 9781441786326

Length: 9 1/2 hrs

Obtained: Library copy

Comments:

I was checking some audiobooks in, and this happened to be one of them.  I paused long enough to start reading the back blurb, then set it aside to look at later.  Soon, I found myself deciding I'd like to try it.  When I first started listening I was unsure.  He was just... such a guy.  I think it was more the actual writing than the way Ray Porter read it too.  I'm sure I'm explaining it poorly, but it made connecting difficult.  Anyway, I adjusted quickly enough.  Pretty much once he went back to his childhood and background.

Anyway, parts of the book were funny; parts were shocking (I don't remember what it was but I actually gasped and covered my mouth while listening to one part).  And still other parts were a string of jargon I'm just not gonna understand (types of weapons and ammo, etc.).  Some of the political insight was interesting because I was still a child at the time and didn't really understand what was going on.  Like I remember seeing something on the news about the Gulf War before we went out one evening.  The bits about his training was definitely interesting.  Now I'm curious to try some other books about the military.

It seems Howard Wasdin and Stephen Templin also have a YA version of this called I Am a SEAL Team Six Warrior Memoirs of an American Soldier.  And more recently they've written a fiction book called SEAL Team Six Outcasts.

Elemental Masters... The Fire Rose; The Serpent's Shadow; The Gates of Sleep; Phoenix and Ashes; The Wizard of London

The Fire Rose (Elemental Masters, Bk 1) by Mercedes Lackey (library copy) -

This is the first in this series, but I hadn't read it before.  I really liked Rosalind, and while Jason isn't very likeable at first, that changes.  Like the Beauty and the Beast story this parallels, Rosalind find the kindness of Jason under his outer appearances.  Beyond this, the the world of Elemental Masters is being introduced, including how the elements fire, earth, air, and water relate to the rules of magic.  In addition, the book is set around the time of the 1906 San Fransisco quake.  So the time adds an extra element to the story.

The Serpent's Shadow (Elemental Masters, Bk 2) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I've actually read this multiple times, but of course I had to read it again as I work my way through this series.  Maya and Peter are both great characters.  Maya is a female doctor in London during a time when that's hardly heard of...women still don't even have a vote.  But not only is she female, she's also of mixed blood.  Her father was English, her mother was Indian.  This "half-breed" status is another huge point of prejudice.  Peter Scott is a water master, but not of the usual aristocratic blood accepted by the circle of Masters in London.  So when it comes to trying to face the darkness recently come to England, Maya's aunt who practices a foreign and dark magic, Maya and Peter struggle to get any help.  This one has some parallels with Snow White.

The Gates of Sleep (Elemental Masters, Bk 3) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I'd only read this one once before.  Probably because I have trouble with stories where characters are essentially trapped, which Marina certainly is through part of the book.  Anyway, it has a Sleeping Beauty twist to it.  Something I noted upon my most recent reading of it... The phrase "the thought was parent to the deed" was repeated about 5 times give or take once.  I do like Lackey's books, but this isn't a favorite.

Phoenix and Ashes (Elemental Masters, Bk 4) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

I've read this before, but I didn't remember it at all.  I didn't even recognize the story as I re-read it.  Speaking of the story, this one is a twist on Cinderella.  Eleanor's father comes home one day with a new wife and two step-daughters.  Not long after her father goes off to fight in the war (World War I) and promptly dies, leaving Eleanor at the mercy of her stepmother and stepsisters.  Big twist?  Eleanor is magically held captive in the house.  (Well, there's a little more to it than that, but I don't want to retell the story.)  Despite the captive thing (uh- I'm seeing a theme here), I liked this one better than The Gates of Sleep.

The Wizard of London (Elemental Masters, Bk 5) by Mercedes Lackey (personal copy via PaperBackSwap) -

This was a new-to-me read.  It's a bit different from the previous books in the series.  Instead of focusing on an Elemental Master (though the Wizard of London is one), it focuses on Talents.  That is people with things like clairvoyance, mediums, etc.  These talents include a husband and wife that run a school to help children like this, and two young children recently come to the school.  This story, I believe, takes place prior to the other books in the series.  It may come fifth in publishing order, but chronologically I believe it would be first.  It is apparently based on The Snow Queen, but I wouldn't know anything about that.

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Anyway, on to an overall impression while reading this series...

I've noticed (and if you read my post on Intrigues and Changes, this is the point I couldn't remember) that Mercedes Lackey's characters including (or maybe especially) the children are much wiser than I would ever be.  The teachers always ask questions intended for the the students to come to some deep revelation.  The student then proceeds to do so.  The teacher responds with pride and praise.  This is done over and over through series after series.  There are other similar characteristics as well.  I guess it's part of her "voice."