Victory Book-Sharing Challenge

Challenge 9: 'The Ambassador's Mission'

2012-02-16T22:57:00.001+10:30

For once, Luke gave me a Challenge book that I was actually excited to read. And wouldn't you know it, it's crazy hard to come by. I am on the waiting list at my library, but in the meantime, I thought I'd go ahead and issue Luke with his next Challenge.

Your Challenge: The Ambassador's Mission, by Trudi Canavan.

This book was chosen solely for the fact that its cover art reminded me of that of Brent Weeks' The Way of Shadows, which I happen to know Luke loves. Since my aim was to get Luke trying a new author that he would enjoy, I'm really hoping similar cover art equates to Luke having a similar love of the contents.

Or he'll at least enjoy describing in detail the many ways in which it's inferior. Still fun!

(LUKE: Sweeeet, I've actually been wanting to have a look at this for a while.)

Challenge 8: 'Hunting Party'

2011-12-16T02:05:00.003+10:30

You are being Challenged!

Your Book: Hunting Party.
Your Challenge: To read it.

Hunting Party is book one of the Serrano Legacy - probably one of my favourite Sci-fi series of all time. I chose Hunting Party partly because of this, partly because my other candidates included a 600 page book which is really only an introduction to the rest of the series and a book which I know Emma wouldn't like, and partly because it doesn't need the rest of the series to be good, it works just fine on its own. So yeah, have at it Emma, hope you enjoy yourself.

Review 7: 'Seven Little Australians'

2011-12-16T01:26:00.003+10:30

Another challenge, another classic. I think Em was right when she said I would have enjoyed it more when I was younger, but it was still alright. Similarly to some of the previous challenges (Emma, I'm looking at you), I am not a massive fan of the book, but it did however mange to elicit a chuckle or two fairly regularly, so I'm not unhappy with having to read it.

Tune in for the next Challenge in just a moment!

Author Visit: Matthew Reilly

2011-12-06T17:39:00.001+10:30

Last week, I went to a local Author Talk - Matthew Reilly promoting his latest book, Scarecrow And The Army Of Thieves. Luke first introduced me to Matthew Reilly a few years ago - best recommendation he's ever made - and we both read the latest book as soon as it was released.

Matthew Reilly discussing the painting used for the cover of Scarecrow And The Army Of Thieves.

I've never been to an author event before, and I quite enjoyed it. I know he did some other appearances that we just listed as Signings or Visits, but this was an hour-long presentation by Matthew Reilly about (it seemed) pretty much whatever he wanted to mention. He spoke about the various cover art decisions (Americans like explosions and calling people Matt instead of Matthew), where he gets his ideas, film and television possibilities, and his next projects.

I really wanted something that I wouldn't have been able to get from the internet or didn't already know, and I got it:

Spoiler warning he used before showing something from the new book.

the main character of his new novel is a girl. At least I think so. I wouldn't be surprised if it was a major but not main character.

I also really wanted news on when the next Jack West book is coming out, and the answer is: keep waiting, buddy. I feel like authors should be like story-writing robots, and as soon as one book comes out the next one should be nearly ready to go. Turns out it's not quite like that, if you are Matthew Reilly. I will be very eager to read Four Whatever Whatevers when it is eventually released, but since I just learned that books don't write themselves, it may be a while.

From Hovercar Racer.

Challenge 7: 'Seven Little Australians'

2011-12-04T15:01:00.001+10:30

As we mentioned in our Twitter posts, we have decided to suspend the audiobook Challenge, for reasons that we will discuss in an upcoming post. Therefore, we're moving on to Challenge 7!

Luke, you are challenged to read Seven Little Australians, by Ethel Turner.

Fun fact: In 1994, this was the only book by an Australian author to have been in print for 100 years.

It's an Australian classic, and while you may have enjoyed it more when you were a bit younger (and therefore closer to the characters' ages), it's never to late to catch up on your classics. I imagine it will be a quick and easy read, and it might even be fun for you.

I'm Reading: 'The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society'

2011-11-13T14:47:00.001+10:30

I'm not sure where I first heard about this book, but The Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society has been on my list of Books To Read for quite some time. I think the fact that I really had no idea what it was about prevented me from getting to it sooner. But who could resist that title?

As it turns out, it is about an author, Juliet, who begins to correspond with (and later meets, and later becomes one of) the members of the Guernsey Literary And Potato Peel Pie Society, who live on the island of Guernsey, which was occupied by Germany during the Second World War.

I also didn't realise it was written in "epistolatory style", as I since read somewhere. I have read a few books written in letters and email and didn't particularly enjoy them - I think because there is so much telling and not showing, and because while telling long-winded stories it is hard to maintain a character's letter-writing tone. I did enjoy this one, once I had gotten used to the style and started to get all the characters straight.

The final thing I didn't know before I read it was that the author's health problems meant the book was finished by her niece. I didn't notice any major difference in writing style, but maybe I would have if I'd known. I think I like that I wasn't distracted and analysing in that way.

The moment I decided I had to love the book was on page 122, when Juliet sends a telegram to one of the Society's members regarding a recent letter. Up until now they had all only communicated by mail, but clearly this was an event worthy of sending a telegram:

Telegram from Juliet to Isola
23rd April 1946
Did Elizabeth really slap Adelaide Addison STOP If only I had been there STOP Please send details STOP Love Juliet

The book does finish with a happy ending, but not the ultimate happy ending that could have gone down. It was an interesting look at a very small part of the impact of WWII. It was easy to see how the authors (Juliet the character, and the actual author, Mary Ann Shaffer) could become so involved in the lives of the people living on the island.

Challenge 6: Reading With Your Eyes Closed

2011-10-11T20:59:00.002+10:30

Luke and Emma, I hereby challenge you to read without reading a word. In other words, I would like you both to enjoy the aural pleasures an audiobook can give. I personally really enjoy audiobooks and often use them to fall asleep to when the old noggin won't stop whirring.

The book is Straight by Dick Francis.

This particular book is by an author who is somewhat of a traditional read in my family, with his books being crime-thrillers and always having something to do with horses or horse racing, but from quite varying angles. He does a lot of research to make his angles credible and I more often than not find myself learning stuff about random things, which is always nice.

Anyway, I like this one, so I hope you guys enjoy the story and the experience of listening to it.

Review 5: 'Never Cry Wolf'

2011-10-11T18:46:00.000+10:30

First of all, I would like to tell you about the aspect of the book that I didn't like: whatever the hell the cover was made of. Touching it felt like fingernails on a blackboard, if that bothers you which it never did me, but I can imagine.

Next I would like to tell you that I really enjoyed this book. As Luke said, it is by biologist Farley Mowat, who is sent out to the wilds of Canada to find out why wolves are killing all the caribou. (Spoiler: They're not.)

Mowat describes the two summers and a winter he spends there, as he studies and gets to know a family of wolves. It is Bryson-ish in tone, which keeps it light and entertaining even though there is lots of factual science and nature elements in there. It was a surprisingly quick read. It really got me interested in the wolf family - when it was done I wanted a sequel so I could find out what happens to them after the book.

I would definitely recommend this book, and I may even investigate some others he's written. I think this is the most enjoyed and agreed-upon book in the Challenge so far.

Review 4: Put Yourself In My Shoes

2011-09-27T15:42:00.006+09:30

Well this challenge certainly was interesting. The first book I read was one of the Goosebumps series, and it made so little impression on me that I can't even remember the title (something about mud men? - ah yes: You Can't Scare Me). It was followed by a Nancy Drew/Hardy Boys book - Gold Medal Murder, which was easily preferable (If nothing else because the cover had Nancy on it, and she's hot :P). Apart from the cover art it was a bit more complex, and I had to think for at least a few moments to figure out what was going to happen.

Next up were the two horse books (Western Star and Star's Chance for Thoroughbred and The Saddle Club respectively). These were mildly entertaining, but unfortunately did have any hot girls on the cover art... disappointing. Although I probably did learn something about horses while reading them, so that was good. Last of all was Sweet Valley High (The Treasure of Death Valley). I can't say I particularly enjoyed this one all that much, and I'm not entirely sure why. Perhaps just because it was so divorced from what I usually read. On the bright side, it did have treasure, so it wasn't all bad.

Now, on to the most important matter: From my studies, and extensive research in these books, I have concluded that Long Blond hair is preferable to strawberry blond, and that you can never go wrong with blue eyes.

So, all in all, while I am not in awe of these books, they did provide a moderately entertaining 3-4 hours reading. Thinking about it, they really didn't last long... It was also interesting see how much my tastes in books has evolved, which is to be expected, but is still interesting.

Challenge 5: 'Never Cry Wolf'

2011-09-12T09:09:00.003+09:30

Emma, you have hereby been Challenged!
You must read Never Cry Wolf,
By Farley Mowat.

I have only actually read this book twice, but that is mostly because (until a short while ago) I didn't own it. It is the true story of the naturalist Farley Mowat, who is sent to the Arctic to find out why wolves were killing all the caribou. This may not seem like a good basis for an entertaining read, but he tells his story well and with a fair amount of humour.
I think Emma will like this book (It has wolves dude!) it's mix of humour, the recounting of the idiocies of bureaucracy and dealings with the local population (and wolves) are just great. And she may even learn a thing or two.

I'm Reading: Girly Books

2011-09-10T16:10:00.000+09:30

I've been reading a lot of, well, crappy girly books lately. Partly because my reading happens on the train, which means I need something that doesn't require a long attention span or detailed attention to plot points, partly because I am swamped up to here with uni assignments so I need something light to give my brain a break, and partly because I like them.

Sisterhood Everlasting - Ann Brashares

I am a fan of the Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants books. Mostly the first one, I think. (I always want authors to write more and then get mad when they fail to impress with later books.) Sisterhood Everlasting jumps to when the girls are adults. Some things that should have changed are exactly the same (move ON, girl!), and some have changed that I didn't like.

The main thing about this book is that it is SAD. A mind-fuck event happens quite early on. The rest of the book is quite emotional, but as soon as I figured out that what appeared to be true could not be, I was mad at her for continuing to jerk my emotions around. There are some good emotions that happen later - whatever else, she does emotion well.

10/10 for the message about the power of friendship.

Chasing Harry Winston - Lauren Weisberger

Lauren Weisberger also wrote The Devil Wears Prada, which I have not read although I've seen the movie. Although I didn't really want to read that book, I was interested in what else she might have written. I read this one a while ago, so this might be a bit vague and fuzzy.

Three friends make a bet to take place over the course of a year re: being a slut and getting engaged and something else respectively.

It was a fun read, the interactions between the girls were mostly supportive, there was lots of name-dropping (people and brands and places).

Minus points for neediness in finding a man.

Smoking Seventeen - Janet Evanovich

Stephanie Plum is a bounty hunter who is really bad (but lucky) at her job, and who has two totally hot men crazy for her. This is the seventeenth book about her, and while I was annoyed several books ago about the decline in quality over the series (and length of book, and complexity of mystery), I've accepted that it's light, fluffy adventure, and can now enjoy it as such.

Nothing particular awesome or particularly offensive, girl-power wise. Oh, she does get the vordo - an Italian curse that makes her want to have lots and lots of sex. Lucky for her, she gets to have it with Ranger and Morelli. I suppose having two hot guys on the go at once might be empowering for her.

The Rouseabout - Rachael Treasure

Rachel Treasure is an Australian author that I've been wanting to try. Her books seem to feature Australian country girls doing it tough and then (I assume) returning home to the land and making a (happy, with husband) life there.

I haven't actually finished this one yet, but I'm pretty sure I know enough to write about it. I like it, it's easy to read, there's a ton of Australian references (too many?). I like Kate, who is tough and independent and loves her property fiercely. Sometime the mothering stuff is a bit too real - I think I like my heroines a bit nearer to perfect sometimes. I wish she wasn't quite so obsessed with Nick, pretty sure there's a better message in it if you make a life for yourself with friends, daughter, work, family, and then find yourself ready for a bloke.

Yay for independence, Boo for obsession with a bloke, Yay for mates, Boo for killing off a bunch of people, Yay overall.

Guest Review: 'The Eyre Affair'

2011-08-20T20:37:00.004+09:30

When I began The Eyre Affair, it felt a little uncomfortable and was difficult to understand what alternate reality I had stepped into. This is probably because I knew pretty much zilch about the author, the setting or the main character prior to reading. The setting seemed futuristic, but then claimed to be the 80's. I found this unsettling until I realised that I was in a parallel universe with society built entirely around literature! What an amazing concept - people changing their names to John Milton, trading in currencies of rare manuscripts, crimes against literature are considered the major crimes in society, ordinary folk off the street coming to fisticuffs and joining cult groups about who the real author of Shakespeare's plays was. This world... was comforting! How good would it be to live in a world where, to help solve crimes, you have to read a book?! I was hooked.

I like the way that 'prequels' are coming out now to 'explain' occurrences in classic stories eg Wicked for The Wizard of Oz. I wonder if I'll ever read Jane Eyre again and not think about Hades throwing Bertha off the roof rather than her jumping. Luckily, I don't think this phenomenon ruins the originals.

I found the writing style easy to read and liked the quotes at the start of each chapter, which give the story depth. I thought Thursday was 'definitely written by a guy' at first, but by the end of the story, I was relating to her well. As a sciency person, I really liked the gene-splicing of extinct species and Mycroft's inventions. Boy, does this author have a colourful imagination.

Also, bonus points for the cover design. I like it.

A little bird tells me that this is a series, so I am planning on becoming delightfully embroiled in Fforde's world again.

ttfn,
Alison

Guest Challenge: 'Jane Eyre' & 'The Eyre Affair'

2011-08-15T21:27:00.006+09:30

Hello everyone

Thank you for my invite to join you guys on your literary journey! I'm so excited... and also slightly daunted, since the last book review I wrote was 11 years ago! Wowzers.
Through your quest, which I am thoroughly delighted to become a part of, I'm hoping to learn how to extend my appreciation of the books I read and be encouraged to try out some new authors. So thanks again :)
(Luke: Yay! Another person has been roped into ~~our glorious scheme to subvert mankind, one book-lover at a time!~~ the wonderful thing that is the VBSC!)

The first book I'm going to tackle was assigned to me by Emma approximately 9 months ago. The reason for the delay in taking up this read, is due to the apparent necessity of first reading the classic, Jane Eyre. I have now enjoyably made it through this classic and am finally getting my teeth into The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde.

I'll report back on this book from the airship I'm planning to build and fly around the world in (inspired by Thursday's glorious description).

TTFN
Alison :)

Review 3: 'The Colour Of Magic'

2011-08-15T12:54:00.006+09:30

I have three main people in my life with whom I discuss books. All three of them have read, loved, and recommended to me Terry Pratchett's The Colour of Magic.

This would be a much funnier post if I hated it and now have to search for three new friends with better taste in books, but actually I enjoyed it, too. Damn you guys.

The Colour of Magic is the first book in the Discworld series, so named because the world in which it is set is a disc, resting on the backs of four elephants, which rest on a giant turtle swimming through space. That's how the book begins, and it pretty much continues in that vein.

The first thing I thought when I started reading it was The Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy, and check it out, I just noticed that the cover hails TCOM as "The wackiest and most original fantasy since Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy." It has the same sense of 'just go with it' that I got from that, where the author is taking you on this trip whether it makes sense at the moment or not, but probably it will all make some kind of sense later, and if not, the ride is going to be fun anyway so just carry on reading.

I liked the style of writing; it moved along nicely and was a nice quick read, but still managed to convey a whole different world. Pratchett has lots of fun with words (like the Rimbow and the Circumfence and inn-sewer-ants and reflected-sound-of-underground-spirits) and ideas (like how dragons only exist if you believe in them - and the practical consequences of not believing in them).

I'm told there are plenty more books in the series (whoa, apparently there are 38 total!). There is also a live-action miniseries, a couple of scenes of which I was shown in preparation for reading this book, which I would watch, just because I loved the Luggage, trotting along on its many many legs. I'm sure I will grab another Discworld book from the library sometime - one attraction is that series order doesn't matter - as they are a fast, fun read when you are in the mood for something a bit odd and clever and funny.

Challenge 4: Put Yourself In My Shoes

2011-08-09T21:47:00.005+09:30

This challenge is a little bit different, and a big bit awesome.

Luke, here is your challenge...

Any four of the following:
1 x Babysitters Club book.
1 x Saddle Club book.
1 x Sweet Valley High or Sweet Valley Twins book.
1 x Nancy Drew book.
1 x Thoroughbred book.

BONUS: 1 x Goosebumps book.

Before you get all "But that's four books" on me, they are tiny; you will blaze through them. (And the bonus one makes five.)

These are the books I grew up with. They are the ones I collected and read and reread, and they are what made me the reader and the person I am today. They shaped my views on friends, horses, boys, siblings, the necessity of belonging to a club, and the preferable colour and length for a girl's hair. They will help you understand me, and many, many girls whose ages are plus or minus a bunch of years from mine.

Can't wait to hear your opinions on strawberry blonde vs long blonde hair and blue-green eyes.

Challenge 3: 'The Colour of Magic'

2011-07-04T12:51:00.008+09:30

Your mission, and you have no choice but to accept it, is to read:
The Colour of Magic, by (Sir) Terry Pratchett.

The Colour of Magic is the first book in the Discworld series. Me, I love Discworld, and it seems that everyone else either loves or hates it; there is no middle ground - comic fantasy isn't for everyone. Hopefully Emma will love it, as there are plenty more books in the series (40ish, I think).

One of the beauties of the Discworld series is that the books don't have to be read in order - you can skip pretty much straight to the good ones. While The Colour of Magic isn't (in my opinion) the best Discworld book, it is the first and that is why I am assigning it. Hopefully Emma will like it enough to read some more.

I am honestly unsure how much Emma will like this book, it does have some very... odd... humour. I love it, and I know quite a few people who do too, but it isn't for everyone. (So if you hate it Emma, I apologise :P).

In the end, Discworld is really summed up by this quote from T.P. himself:

"There are no maps. You can't map a sense of humor. Anyway, what is a fantasy map but a space beyond which There Be Dragons? On the Discworld we know There Be Dragons Everywhere. They might not all have scales and forked tongues, but they Be Here all right, grinning and jostling and trying to sell you souvenirs."

Review 2: 'Emma'

2011-07-03T20:40:00.008+09:30

I approached this book with misgivings; I have never really liked books of this style (about the exeptionally uneventful lives of English gentility). That said, I did make an effort, not just to get through Emma, but to enjoy it.

I can tell you now, it will never be one of my favorite books, and I probably won't read it again any time soon, but it wasn't as bad as I had expected. True, it seemed to drag on, and on, aaand on, but that really is just part of the style of writing. This, really, is my main problem with this book (and even the whole style/genre): It just takes a very long time to get anywhere. Admittedly, my impatience with the slow pace is probably the result of reading very little other than fantasy/sci-fi/action which reads quite a bit faster.

Now: the good points, I'm sure I can find some ;) ... I did get a few laughs from Emma (The character, that is) (Emma (the challenger, that is): Yay! I like it when I'm right.). She has a wonderful combination of egotism, arrogance and smug superiority that does make her character... hmm... interesting. She isn't - apart from a few incidences which she later regrets - mean or spiteful, she just thinks that she knows more/better than everyone around her. It is amusing when she finds out that things she is so absolutely certain about are not actually correct, and are usually a very long way from what is actually happening.

So in the end I have decided that Emma isn't a bad book, just one that I dont find particularly entertaining. Since this is usually why I read, there isn't a huge change of me reading it again - unless of course I start dating an Austen fan, then I might, if only to appear knowledgeable. :P

Check back for the next challenge soon.

I'm Reading: New Pern Books

2011-06-23T20:59:00.007+09:30

Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern series was the first of its kind that I ever read. When I was old enough to explore my parents' bookshelves, I quickly discovered the series, as well as a good number of her books based in other worlds.

When she starting bringing out books co-written with her son, I have to say I wasn't a massive fan (I'm talking about Dragon's Kin, Dragon's Fire, and Dragon Harper). The characters weren't ones I loved, they weren't based around the dragons as much, as I just felt the books weren't as detailed and rich as the earlier ones.

I recently re-read Dragon Harper, then discovered (a) it was better than I remembered, (b) I was a bit behind on the series, (c) my library had the next two books, and (d) I had study to procrastinate! I've just finished Dragonheart and Dragongirl, and apparently just in time, as two new books are scheduled to be released this year.

I did enjoy those three, although that may be the procrastination talking. I won't say I'm happy just to have new books coming out, because I would like an awesome series to stay that way, and we have certain standards to maintain. I don't love them like I love the earlier ones. I think they're doing a good job of exploring different aspects of Pern, while remaining true to most of what's already established. I have to say the theme of Dragongirl was absolutely flogged to death, so I would wish for a bit more subtlety in future books. Overall, however, as most jacket cover comments seem to say, good additions to the series.

(PS: If you have no idea what I'm talking about here, go and find yourself a copy of the first book, Dragonflight.)

(PPS: Exciting news: apparently, Dragonflight is going to be made into a movie!)

Review 1: 'The Way Of Shadows'

2011-06-14T22:33:00.010+09:30

I wanted to like this book. I really did. Not just because Luke would yell at me otherwise, but because the premise - street rat turned apprentice assassin - was one I really liked. In my head, it was a lot like Graceling (which I really enjoyed and would recommend; it's about a girl whose Grace, her skill, is killing) but I've discovered that I really need to stop hanging on to what I think books are going to be like.

I've also discovered that 'having' to read books is a massive drag. I rarely liked the books I was forced to read in school, probably because I rarely approached them with the same enthusiasm I would a book I'd picked up at the library. Same goes with parentally-recommended books, most of the time (sorry, Dad). Despite Luke's assurances that it was awesome, and even my own interest in it, it was really hard to pick up The Way Of Shadows. Probably because it's 650 pages and I'm out of shape.

Anyway, the book. I did enjoy it. I would read the sequels. I can't say it's my favourite book ever, or that I would read it again (unless it was to prepare to read the next book in the series). At times I thought the writing was not great but it nevertheless kept me interested most of the time. I even cast longing glances at it during one of my uni lectures.

Disclaimer: Nothing in the next two paragraphs is supported by anything more than a 'feeling' I have about the book. Probably none of it stands up under scrutiny.

I think my main problem was that I never really felt like I understood the world I was in. The author clearly had this grand idea for it, and had this whole world in his head, with all different societies and interests going on, but a lot of the time I wasn't feeling it. Given that the book relies on politics a fair bit, I need to understand the world in order to be invested in it.

There was a bit of telling instead of showing, especially when it came to characters' motivations, which at times I have to say confused me. I'm pretty sure you have to show someone feeling remorse before you can say, 'And because of that remorse he was feeling all that time, he's now going to do this.' And people lying, then saying 'Just kidding,' and having people accept that... if they've lied once - or if, say, they're an assassin - why would you be taking anything at face value anyway?

I wanted to like Durzo Blint more, but he wasn't in it as much as I liked and wasn't constantly being awesome (although when he was, he was). I really wanted it to be the two of them against the world. (Maybe in the next one?) (Luke: You may have to read it to find out.) Azoth/Kylar is meant to be the main character, but I am much more interested in other characters. As Luke promised, there are some good strong (arse-kicking, I hope) female characters who look to be about to be awesome. And there's all kinds of other people, nobles and soldiers and magic types, all taking their places ready to get into it - say it with me - in the next one.

(Luke: Personally I like the third book the best, as it does bring together some of the things you have talked about, and you have a better feeling for the world and its politics.)

Challenge 2: 'Emma'

2011-06-05T19:23:00.015+09:30

I, Emma, hereby Challenge you, Luke, to read Emma.

You have to admit, there's something quite poetic about that being the first title I choose for you.

It might seem a little mean of me to choose an Austen title. Luke is not the Austen type (as far as I know) and I assume the little he has read (if any?) would have been forced upon him at school (Luke: Yep, Pride and Prejudice, though I managed to almost completely avoid reading it while still getting full marks on the assignment). I would like to show that Austen can be fun and funny. I also feel a bit of responsibility to educate him - literaturely - beyond the genres of SciFi and Adventure novels.

In addition to having the best title and best named herione ever, I believe that Emma is Austen's funniest and easiest to read. (Made more so as I believe Luke would have
been forced to sit through
seen at least some of the Gweneth Paltrow movie version. (Luke: Uhh no?)) And we can watch Clueless! For research, you know.

I'm Reading: Lee Child

2011-05-30T20:49:00.007+09:30

Lee Child is an author that people are constantly returning to the library where I work. By which I mean, people borrow Lee Child books and return them to the library. I haven't had people bring back missing authors to me. My theory is that if people are returning books, then they're borrowing and reading them, so they must be good.

I have a very long list of books on request at my library. I thought I had paused them all until uni was over, but a couple somehow made their way onto my bookshelf. One of them was the first book featuring Lee Child's Jack Reacher.

I thought Killing Floor would be something like Matthew Reilly meets Sue Grafton or something. In a way, it was: Ex-Army Guy Turns Detective, Solves Murder. But it was also very Isolated Small Town, Bodies Piling Up And No-one To Trust. And when I got my head around it being that, it turned into Massive International Conspiracy. Which is not to say I didn't like it. I really did. It just didn't fit into the box I'd assigned it.

Jack Reacher is smart, and can make connections, and does his research, all three of which I like in an investigator. He's pretty hardcore re: shooting people who will cause him trouble in the future but aren't actively holding a gun on him in the present. He does what has to be done. But he still comes across as a decent guy, who cares about (some) people and will do the right thing by them.

I just knew there was an extra bad guy close to them, I just knew it, but my really strong feeling about who it was was totally wrong. Good thing I'm not a detective.

I liked Child's writing style. I'll be interested to see how the series progresses - does he just keep stumbling on small towns with big problems and hot chicks he can hit on within a few pages? I will definitely keep reading because (a) I enjoyed this one, (b) uni holidays are coming up, and (c) do you know how awesome it is to not have to wait for the next book in a series?

I'm Reading: Historical Fiction

2011-05-12T19:41:00.002+09:30

As Luke so kindly pointed out, yes it has taken me a while to start on the book he generously lent me. But it's not like I didn't have other things to do! (I've started now. And hey, I still haven't finished the Women Of Marvel graphic novel I'm supposed to be reading to make my boyfriend think I'm interested in what he's interested in. Bros before bfs.)

Over Easter, there was a massive book sale happening at the Showgrounds. (I suspect Borders may have had something to do with it.) It had zero books by authors I read but I still came away with five or so books. (For $20. Bargain.) The only one I've read so far was Philippa Gregory's The White Queen.

The part where Luke may have a problem: I also borrowed from the library and read The Queen's Fool and now have The Red Queen waiting for me.

I love finding an author others have (presumably) known about for ages. Did you know, there's this author, right? And she writes about, like, kings and queens and stuff? From the olden days? It's awesome!

I knew the name from seeing the movie The Other Boleyn Girl, but turns out she's written a ton of other books, and they follow the royals all the way through the 15th and 16th Centuries. It's like she knew we wouldn't be paying attention in high school History class (supposing they taught us Tudor history, which they didn't). When this semester (or this month's challenge!) is over, I will be getting right into all her books, in order, and possibly into The Tudors on TV. And I plan to draw a Tudor family tree all over my bedroom wall so I can keep all the Henrys and Elizabeths straight.

Since this is a newly-discovered genre for me, anyone have any recommendations of other authors for me? (Lord knows I don't have enough to read!)

Challenge 1: 'The Way of Shadows'

2011-05-11T23:16:00.011+09:30

Today we see a momentous event, one which has potentially world changing consequences:

The inaugural Victory Book-Sharing Challenge challenge!

For our first ever challenge I will be assigning to Emma:
The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks.

The Way of Shadows is a dark-ish fantasy which centres around Kylar Stern, an assassin-in-training, and his master, Durzo Blint. There is a lot of Light / Dark contrast in this book (Enough so that I wrote an essay on it in high school), and that is partly why I love this book so much. It is also fairly action packed, but also detailed - lots of minor plot lines, most of which eventually converge, but I won't post any spoilers. Oh, and there's some epic Evil villains.

I think Emma will like TWoS, it has a couple of reasonably strong female main characters (More-so in the sequels - maybe you should keep reading to get to them *winks*) as well as a good storyline and engaging characters. I don't think she is as massive a fantasy fan as I am, but for this book, you don't really need to be.

In the Beginning...

2011-05-10T18:06:00.000+09:30

Ok, so I gave Emma a book to read, one that I had really liked. And three weeks later she *still* hadn't read it (yes, I know she has a massive book pile, but this should obviously have gone on the top), so I decided we needed some rules to go with book lending/advising. (Emma: Well I'm sorry I read your library book first. Next time I'll just let you get a fine!) Obviously, we are both reasonably busy, so we don't get a huge amount of time to read, so constantly giving each other books is unreasonable, as is completely ignoring anything given to you. And thus, the Victory Book-Sharing Challenge was born.

Basically, on alternate months, we choose a book for the other person to read. They have to read it at some point in the month, and then they put a small review, like/dislike, etc. on this blog. We will also, when we choose the book the other person to read, write a thing about how we think they will find the book, whether they will want to read more, etc.

I hope you (whoever you happen to be) enjoy reading about our reading, the first book will be up soon. :)