humouress's (hopefully) 75 in 2011 - zwei

It's the second half of the year, we're back from holiday - I think it's time to start a new thread! Plus, with the additional graphics I'm putting in, it might be slow to load. My first thread is here.

So here's my list for 2011 :

* Bedknob and Broomstick - Mary Norton
1) The Hand of Oberon - Roger Zelazny
2) The Courts of Chaos - Roger Zelazny
3) sleeping arrangements - Madeleine Wickham
4) Calling on Dragons - Patricia C. Wrede
5) Talking to Dragons - Patricia C. Wrede
6 & 7) The Chronicles of the Chrestomanci Vol II -Diana Wynne Jones
8) Sense and Sensibility - Jane Austen
9) Coraline - Neil Gaiman
10) Pride and Prejudice - Jane Austen
11) Moreta : Dragonlady of Pern - Anne McCaffrey
12 & 13) Nerilka's Story & The Coelura
14) New Spring - Robert Jordan
15) How to Catch an Elephant - Amy Schwartz
16) Ben 10 Alien Force 3; Everybody Talks About the Weather
17) Goodnight Moon - Margaret Wise Brown
18) Shapechangers - Jennifer Roberson
19) The High King's Tomb - Kristen Britain
20) Elmer - David McKee
21) Raven's Shadow - Patricia Briggs
22) The Sharing Knife - Lois McMaster Bujold
(first thread.)

23) The Runelords - David Farland
24) Mansfield Park - Jane Austen
25) The Castle of Llyr - Lloyd Alexander
26) The Warrior's Apprentice - Lois McMaster Bujold
27) The Mountains of Mourning- Lois McMaster Bujold
28) The Vor Game -Lois McMaster Bujold
29) The Amber Spyglass - Philip Pullman
30) Taran Wanderer - Lloyd Alexander
31) Meet Diego - Leslie Valdes (adapted)
32) Emma - Jane Austen
33) Blood and Circuses - Kerry Greenwood
34) The Riddle-Master of Hed - Patricia McKillip
35) Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen
36) The Trumps of Doom - Roger Zelazny
37) Artemis Fowl - Eoin Colfer
38) Howl's Moving Castle - Diana Wynne Jones
39) Sorcerer's Ward - Barbara Hambly
40) The High King - Lloyd Alexander
41) The Island of the Blue Dolphins - Scott O'Dell
42) The Secret of the Unicorn
43) Red Rackham's Treasure
44) Heir of Sea and Fire - Patricia McKillip
45-61) The Great Big Enormous Book of Tashi - Anna Fienberg, Barbara Fienberg and Kim Gamble

62) Library Thing - various threads (because it does take up a lot of valuable reading time. But it's addictive!)
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10) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen



This, I think, is possibly my favourite Jane Austen, because I've read it so many times, and we did it for Literature at school, so I understand the nuances of this the best of her works. This may be the template for the whole genre of modern day romance novels, but, while the romances are sweet, what I love best is the humour. It may be keenly wicked social commentary on her own times, but most of it is still applicable today. I know I'm acquainted with some Mrs Bennets and Lady Catherines! I've read Pride and Prejudice so many times over the years, but I can still discover something new that raises a smile even now.

I picked this book up for the Austan-athon, but it's taken me a while to get through, partly because it's my waiting-for-kids'-classes-to-finish book (so my reads are a bit disjointed), and probably partly because I've read it so many times I know parts off by heart (word for word sometimes), and I don't feel compelled to rush on to find out what happens next. But I do remember the first two or three times I read it being full of indignation on Elizabeth's behalf.

Ah - the story line, with as few spoilers as I can, in case there's anyone who hasn't yet read this classic :

The story is set in Jane Austen's time, which (I believe) was the Regency period. The five Miss Bennets and their parents are the chief family of prominence living near the small town of Merryton in Hertfordshire. The town is set all a-twitter by the news that the nearby mansion house has been let to a gentleman of large fortune. Though the Bennet family is prosperous, the girls need to marry well, since their father's estate is entailed to a male cousin and they have no brother, so they will inherit no money from their father.

The story is spread over about a year, with parties and visits, trips further afield to visit friends or tour distant counties, with some of the girls and their friends falling in love, receiving (sometimes unwelcome) proposals, getting married.

This is a brilliantly well-written book (in my unbiased opinion ;-) ) and the characters are brought to life vividly, not so much in the way they are described as in the things they say, especially compared to the things they do. The humour varies from subtle to wickedly keen, and even though some of it may hold period-specific references which don't register, most of it can still make you laugh, or at least smile. One of my all-time favourites.

23) The Runelords by David Farland



This also seems to be in print as The Sum of All Men by Dave Wolverton. (I wonder if I can count it as two books?...)

The southern Wolf Lord, Raj Ahten, is marching north, having already taken the countries of the south under his sway. Two old friends, the Kings of Orden and Mystarria, both Runelords, find themselves defending their lands against him. At the same time, the long prophesied Earth King is anointed, whom it is said will arise at a time when the Earth is in dire need.

In explanation, a Runelord is a leader who is gifted endowments, such as strength or sight, from those under him (or her) in return for his protection. The endowment is literally transferred, leaving the donor permantly weak, blind etc, and lasts for the rest of the lifetime. A Wolf Lord is one who takes attributes from animals.

While I found this an interesting story, with some interesting concepts, I felt there were a lot of (small) gaps. Though this was quite a long book, at 600+ pages, there were a lot of places that were lacking in detail, so things didn't quite make sense, or characters' motivations were rather vague. But I seem to be in direct opposition in my opinion to the recommendations listed on the cover - so maybe it's just me!

24) Mansfield Park by Jane Austen



A not quite-so-famous Austen novel.

Sir Thomas Bertram, a kindly man, if strict (and therefore stern and scary-seeming) parent, is married to the middle of three sisters, and she is seen as lucky to have married above her station in life. Her youngest sister has married below her, and as well as struggling financially, already has nine children with another on the way. Their eldest sister, Mrs Norris, childless and rather shrewish, lives nearby. She proposes they adopt the eldest niece, Fanny Price, and bring her to Mansfield Park to grow up alongside her cousins - but she should always know that she would not be their equal. Under Mrs Norris's guidance (whose altruism doesn't extend to taking in the young girl herself), shy, timid Fanny, who has been taken away from everything and everyone she knows, is neglected (but not treated cruelly) by the household, except for her cousin Edmund. As they grow up, she secretly falls in love with him, but she is so shy and retiring that nobody notices. And then all the cousins do grow up, and as they reach marriageable age, new young people enter the neighbourhood ... Will Fanny win her Edmund, or will they each fall in love with someone else?

As we read, we are also shown the acceptable standards of the morals and manners of Jane Austen's day, albeit in a country setting, rather than London - where the standards are a bit more relaxed.

I must reluctantly confess that, much as I love Jane Austen, and enjoyed this book, I didn't find it as humourous as 'Pride and Prejudice' or 'Sense and Sensibility'. I read all the major Austens years ago, and I think I liked the ending of this then; this time, reading with a vague idea of how things would end, I would have preferred the alternative ending that Austen mentions in the book itself.

Found you again, Nina! Hope you had a great holiday!

25) The Castle of Llyr by Lloyd Alexander



This is book 3 of the Chronicles of Prydain, and continues the tale of Taran, the Assistant Pig-Keeper and his friends. Princess Eilonwy is to leave Caer Dallben for the Isle of Mona, to learn how to be a proper young lady. Taran knows he is going to miss her, and is allowed to escort her to her new home. But new adventures, old friends and old enemies await, as well as new companions.

I must admit that I read this book in two parts, and the reading went more smoothly after we got back from holiday, but initially Gurgi (who seems to be a clone of Gollum from LoTR), constantly moaning about his 'poor, tender head' annoyed me. Later on, I appreciated the way Alexander always finds a couple of appropriate rhyming words for Gurgi to describe every action. Overall, it's a well written book, given that it's written for children. It concentrates on the characters (primarily Taran) and their feelings, but sketches in details of events and surroundings. If you take the time and imagination to fill them in, you catch a glimpse of the world of Prydain.

>7 humouress: : Yes, we did, thanks Stasia - the kids especially. They don't seem to notice whether they're hot or cold, as long as they get to play and have fun 8-)

#8: Good for the kiddos!

Hi, Nina! I'm having a great time with The Wise Man's Fear! Thanks for wishing for it - I hope you may get it soon. It's as good as it is H-U-G-E!

> 10 : Glad you're enjoying it. If I ever catch up with my quota for this year (still hoping to read 75), I'll give it a go.

26) The Warrior's Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold

Miles Naismith Vorkosigan, the son of Cordelia and Aral Vorkosigan of Cordelia's Honour, is determined to live up to his father's and grandfather's formidable reputations and (despite physical handicaps) gain entry into the Imperial Military Academy. However, things don't go as planned, and Miles goes off-planet to visit his Betan grandmother, with his bodyguard, Sergeant Bothari and his daughter Elena, Miles's childhood friend, on whom he has a secret crush.

Almost as soon as they land on Beta Colony, Miles manages to acquire a jump-ship and a liegeman. But to pay off the mortgage on the ship, he and his followers have to deliver a cargo - to a war zone, where they promptly get involved in the war ... and Miles eventually ends up acquiring over 3,000 troops and a fleet of 19 ships of war (which he names the Dendarii Free Mercenaries). Which then gets him in trouble back at home, on Barrayar, where he has to face the Council of Counts and the Emperor ...

I do like this novella for, well, several reasons; it's well written, Miles always manages to find an unorthodox way out of every corner he's backed into (though don't ask me to explain the twists and turns of the plot), and I like the splashes of humour and the interactions between father and son, because I can see the deep love and respect they have for each other - in spite of Miles's stated hang up of having to live up to his father's legendary reputation.

27) The Mountains of Mourning by Lois McMaster Bujold

Back on Barrayar, Miles has newly graduated from the Imperial Military Academy and is spending time at the Vorkosigan country seat, which he will eventually inherit. When a case of infanticide, because of physical deformities at birth, is brought before his father, Miles is chosen to investigate the matter and mete out justice. As Prime Minister, and a 'progressive' with intergalactic experience, Aral Vorkosigan wants to stamp out these age old beliefs, where 'mutants' are considered anathema. Miles, with his obvious deformities, is to be both messenger and message.

Unlike most of the other Vorkosigan saga stories that I've read, which focus on interstellar adventures and / or political manoeuverings at the Barrayaran capital of Vorbarr Sultana, this is a story about back-country Barrayar and the long-held prejudices that modern technology hasn't managed to erase. It has a different pace and atmosphere (dare I say, bucolic?) to it, which I rather like; but it still has Miles thinking on his feet.

28) The Vor Game by Lois McMaster Bujold

Ensign Vorkosigan, hoping for spaceship duty, is assigned to his first posting at Lazkowski Base, on the edge of the arctic circle. Disappointed, he learns that there are bigger things in store for him - if he can prove he can survive 'Camp Permafrost'. Then there is a mutiny on the base, and Miles has to choose between witnessing a massacre or joining the mutiny...

... In limbo at Imperial Security HQ, to avoid a charge of high treason (again), Miles is offered a reconnaissance mission to the Hegen Hub (a wormhole nexus, connecting four adjoining regions of local space to the greater galactic web) where there has been a sudden increase in military activity. The Dendarii Merecenaries are also currently stationed there. The mission (as often happens with Miles) goes awry, and then he learns that the Emperor of Barrayar has gone missing. Miles, tumbling from one situation to another, has to rescue the Emperor and prevent an interstellar invasion.

As ever, Miles finds himself in the thick of things, and with a lot of luck (both good and bad) has to find the solutions to tricky situations; this time while juggling three personas. This novella is fast-paced; it kept me turning pages, even though I've read it before. I like the humour and the touches of humanity; the description of Prime Minister Vorkosigan, who inspires awe even away from Barrayar, making time every day to get down on the floor to play with his crippled infant son, was touching.

I like this series, especially these earlier books, where we see more of Miles's parents and his interaction with them. And the complexities of Vor politics add twists to already twisty plots.

I am glad to see that you are enjoying that series so much, Nina!

29) The Amber Spyglass by Philip Pullman



This is the last in the trilogy of 'His Dark Materials', and everything is resolved; although not necessarily most happily. Lyra and Will are racing against different factions towards an unknown destiny, when she will determine the fate of the multiverse.

This is a well written book. Though the protagonists are young children, it is probably aimed at young adults, as there is some violence, and a bit of philosophy. Although I read the first two books in this trilogy a couple of years ago, 'The Amber Spyglass' had me hooked. I like the way the details of the segments of the different universes are thought out, and I appreciated the sense of urgency overhanging the whole book. I was left slightly unsatisfied with the ending, because I do like my happily-ever-afters; but I suspect that this is one of the things that make the book a classic for a lot of readers.

30) Taran Wanderer by Lloyd Alexander



Having been taken in as a foundling by the sorcerer Dallben, and now missing his childhood friend,the Princess Eilonwy, Taran sets off on a quest (with the ever faithful Gurgi in tow) to discover his heritage before he can act on his feelings for her. But will he be as satisfied if he finds he comes of common stock rather than noble, as he dreams?

This is book 4 of the Chronicles of Prydain. I feel the story flows more smoothly this time, with some nice details and descriptions. However, the passage of time is somewhat glossed over, such as when Taran is hard at work learning the intricacies of a craft from basics through to the finished product. This is a nicely written children's book about the magical land of Prydain.

31) Meet Diego! adapted by Leslie Valdes



My two year old has recently discovered Dora and Diego programs on television, and was thrilled to find this book on our bookshelf. This book seems to be based on an episode introducing Diego into Dora's world, and follows the same, if simplified, format, with a quest, the map and backpack, and Swiper the fox, and the same kind of interactions.

My two year old loves the book, and keeps asking me to re-read it. He happily makes all the noises and does all the actions as the story goes along. And then asks me to start again, when we get to the end.

I've got The Book of the Three from the library and should be reading it soon. We also recently watched The Black Cauldron though I've heard it only loosely follows the books.

> 18 : I read it last year as part of the Prydain readathon; but then I couldn't get 'The Castle of Llyr'. The series does stir up some magical childhood memories.

I loved the Taran series as a child, too!

> 20 : I have one more to go, with the intriguing title of 'The High King'. It makes me wonder what Taran has in his future ...

Well, if anyone is interested, my 7 year old has joined LT, as 'superboy'. You're welcome to pop over and say 'Hi!'

I hope you mean 17 year old as no one under 13 is allowed to have a personal account.

> 23 : Uh-oh; I forgot about that! Well, I was the one who physically entered everything for him, and I'm sure he'll forget all about it, now the read-a-thon has finished. I shall have to beg the powers that be to let us at least keep it up for another couple of weeks, until we collect the sponsorship money (proof that he read all the books).

I would say as long as you are the one doing the entry, you should be fine.

Phew (I hope)! Thanks.

The good news is that he raised $361, and altogether the readathon apparently raised over $18,000 for charity (I'm going by the information as it was relayed to me, which can sometimes be a bit vague!)

32) Emma by Jane Austen


Emma is Emma Woodhouse, an heiress in her own right, who lives with and looks after her fussy, kindly old father. At the ripe old age of 20, she has decided that marriage is not for her, but - having just celebrated the wedding of her governess in a match that she feels she made herself - she feels that she is ideally suited to making matches for other people. The story follows Emma as she makes mistakes and learns from them, and finds out that maybe she is not suited to matchmaking, and she does want to get married, when she realises she has found her perfect match.

I must admit that the first time I read 'Emma' (when I was much younger!), I cringed at some of her faux pas. This time (as I was expecting them), I didn't find them so bad, and I think I enjoyed the book more. Austen is, as ever, light-hearted and refreshing to read.

33) Blood and Circuses by Kerry Greenwood



This is the sixth Phryne (Fry-knee) Fisher book, set in post-WW I Melbourne.

When she is asked to investigate a suspicious run of bad luck at Farrel's travelling circus, Phryne goes undercover and joins the circus. This ties into the same case that Inspector call-me-Jack-everyone-does Robinson is working on, which involves a gang war threatening to break out on the streets of Melbourne. Phryne, who always finds a different paramour in each book, this time finds two; they help her fit into circus life, since her high society veneer has to be peeled off for the time being and her remembered childhood poverty isn't useful, either.

I quite like this series (partly, I must admit, for the cover art) for the period atmosphere and different views of early 20th century Australian life that Ms Greenwood conveys. Of course, not knowing anything about 1930s Melbourne, I can't tell how accurate it is, but she does seem to put some research into the particular aspect of life she focuses on in each book (in this case, circuses and their social hierarchy). This book is nicely put together, as ever, with a highly likeable supporting cast, but it wasn't a page turner for me. Maybe I'm feeling a bit prim at the moment, but there were a few too many naked bodies about the place, which got in the way of the story somewhat.

34) The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia McKillip



This is volume one of the Riddle-Master trilogy.

In the world of Morgon, prince of the island of Hed, wizards have long disappeared, and now the seat of learning is the College of the Riddle-Masters at Caithnard (a riddle being a question with a story-answer and a stricture). There is, however, intrinsic magic; land-rulers are bound to their realms, but each bond is different, depending on the land.

Morgon learns that, against his inclinations, he is the Starbearer, and this sets him on a quest to get an answer to the unanswered riddle from the High One, who dwells in Erlenstar Mountain and maintains the land-rule. As he makes his way through the realms, the Starbearer narrowly escapes being killed several times by mysterious attackers, but is helped by the rulers and land-heirs that he meets.

I love the way Patricia McKillip writes, and this trilogy is one of my all-time favourites. There is something beautiful and ethereal about her tales; maybe it's because she shows us the emotions and vulnerabilities of her characters, but everything she writes seems to touch my heart.

I like the way she describes something magical, and contrasts it with an immediate change to the mundane, with (for example) an instance of sibling squabbling. Somehow, this really emphasises the strength of the sibling bond. I can empathise with the family ties that shine through the story, for example between rulers and their land-heirs, be they siblings or parent and child.

I fall in love with every Patricia McKillip book I read, but this, for me, was the first and best.



I also want to put in a word for the cover of this edition. Just seeing it sends shivers of pleasurable anticipation and nostalgia down my spine. Not only does it depict Morgon's journey through the winter wastes towards Erlenstar Mountain, but it also hints at the peace that can come from shape-changing to a vesta (the horned animal in the foreground) or a great tree.

35) Northanger Abbey - Jane Austen


For my money, this is one of the funniest of the Jane Austen stable as she pokes fun at the gothic horror stories that were so popular in her day. Her young heroine, Catherine Morland, is introduced to Bath society by family friends, and develops a passion for gothic novels. Imagine her delight when she finds out that one of her friends lives in an ancient abbey, and she is invited to stay with them! Unfortunately for her, her reading influences her imagination and leads her into hilarious (for us) adventures.

I loved this book - and the hero, Henry Tilney.

37) Artemis Fowl by Eoin Colfer



This is another of my YA reads from the library. Artemis is a twelve year old Irish boy, and is actually an anti-hero, being the last of a centuries-old family of multi-billionaire super-criminals. Although now they are merely billionaires, the family fortune having been lost; but Artemis has a brilliant
plan to restore their finances - by kidnapping a fairy.

This book was quite fun to read. It is obviously written for children (pre-teens), but keeping that in mind, it flows along nicely.

I lost your thread when you started the new one! And you've been (re) reading some of my favorites--Bujold, McKillip, Alexander, and Austen!

Welcome back, Roni! Wow - you seem to be going for double 75 this year. I'll be lucky to get to 50 (again).

Woo hoo! I'm just about at the halfway mark for my 75 - and only 2 months to go!!

It's the journey, not the destination!

I'm glad to be back here. I'm able to read more this year because of being retired--but now that my husband retired too last month, my reading time seems to be shrinking again. Go figure!

Somehow, having men underfoot slows everything down(no offense to your husband).
My dad's pretty much a couch potato, but if he starts a project, somehow everyone in the house ends up standing around him holding stuff (but he gets to do the fun parts).
My husband, on the other hand, feels we always have to be doing something, so on days off or weekends, he's got everything all planned out - but not to be divulged until the last minute. So any plans I might have (catch up on my 75, fir example) fall by the wayside.

36) The Trumps of Doom by Roger Zelazny



This is the 6th book in the Amber series, but the first in the story of Merle Corey. It's quite similar to the first Corwin story, being set on Earth, and having an unknown assailant who keeps attacking the protagonist, but Merle doesn't have amnesia, and (if we've been following the plot of the Great Book of Amber) we, too, understand some of the workings of Shadow. and it quickly comes back again to the internal politics of the royal house of Amber.

I quite like the Amber books. They're all quite short, though your imagination gets a work-out, as Zelazny takes you into weirdly fantastical lands, and there is a vague sense of comfort and familiarity as he takes us occasionally through modern (1970s to 1980s-ish) Earth.

38) Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones



In the fairy-tale land of Ingary, Sophie Hatter is the eldest of three sisters, and thus doomed (she feels) to fail the worst if they set out to seek their fortunes, so she feels responsible for looking after her sisters. Unfortunately, she falls under a curse cast by the Witch of the Waste, so she leaves home. She meets Howl's moving castle (which is also trying to avoid meeting the Witch) as she is crossing the moors, and stays on to look after the housekeeping, in return for the chance to have the spell removed.

This is a fun YA read, with lots of unexpected twists and turns to the tale, and mixed up characters who have been cursed by the Witch. And Sophie finds that her sisters, whom she tries to protect from the wizard Howl, are not the only ones who need saving.

39) Sorcerer's Ward by Barbara Hambly



(Also known as 'Stranger at the Wedding')

When trainee wizard Kyra Peldyrin receives a letter from her younger sister Alix, informing her of her upcoming wedding, Kyra gets such an impression of danger that she travels back to Angelshand as fast as she can, in spite of having left home under a black cloud six years ago. In a world where wizards are looked at askance, Kyra's father is not pleased to see her, in case she upsets the marriage he has worked to arrange to unite two important merchant houses. Now Kyra has to avoid detection by the church's witchfinders as she races against time to uncover a curse and save her sister's life.

This is a well written story, and one of my all-time favourites. Partly, I think, because sceptical, unlovable (so she feels) Kyra falls passionately in love - I do like a bit of romance, especially against the odds. The affection between the sisters also resonates with me, and the descriptive writing makes the story feel very real.

I know that the story is set in the same world as others by Barbara Hambly, but I wouldn't mind seeing more books about these particular characters, especially to find out what happens to Kyra next.

I'm just re-reading Heir of Sea and Fire which is Patricia McKillip's sequel to The Riddle-Master of Hed. It is one of my all-time favourites, but such a worthwhile re-read; I am discovering how funny it is, when the first time, as a teenager, I read it so earnestly.

The series still tugs on my heart-strings. Reading it brings back all the ambience and makes me remember that it inspired me to write, too (a long-abandoned dream). I love the interplay between characters, especially family members, and the juxtaposition of ethereal magic against every-day farm concerns. And the descriptions are delicious : coloured sails collapse like 'weary sighs' as boats come into harbour.

40) The High King by Lloyd Alexander

41) The Island of the Blue Dolphins by Scott O'Dell



Last week I finished Island of the Blue Dolphins, based on the true event of a woman who was the sole person left on an island off California when the local Native American tribe was evacuated, and who lived by herself for 18 years; known as the 'Lone woman of San Nicolas island'

I kept seeing it mentioned on LibraryThing, and then I came across it in my library, so I took it out. It was very different from what I was expecting (which was probably along the lines of a Nancy Drew mystery!)

The true story of the girl / woman will never be known because (and this was the sad part for me) when she was finally taken off the island to the mainland, none of her people had survived, and there was no-one who spoke her dialect. She was, apparently, very cheerful, chattering away to anyone and everyone, but she died 7 weeks after arriving on the mainland, because she had no immunity to mainland diseases.

The book itself, however, mentions none of this; it is all about her survival by herself on the island, with details of her day to day life, finding food or shelter. It is well written, engrossing, and believable; it's not surprising it comes highly recommended.

42) The Secret of the Unicorn by Herge

43) Red Rackham's Treasure by Herge

44) Heir of Sea and Fire by Patricia McKillip

(The cover I have) (The cover I wish I had)

I love the Riddle-Master trilogy; it is beautifully written, sweet and funny, heart-breaking and heart-warming, and still one of my all-time favourites. I've just re-read Heir of Sea and Fire, and the writing still evokes a wistfulness in me.

As a child, Raederle was promised, by her father, the King of An, to whoever recovered the long-lost crown of An. Morgon, Prince of Hed, did so, but has been lost on a journey to the Northern Wastes. Raederle determines to journey there herself, accompanied by the land-heirs of other kingdoms. Along the way, she makes discoveries about events and about her heritage that have ominous repercussions for the realm.

Belated merry Christmas, and an early happy New Year to everyone!

A belated Merry Christmas in reply and a Happy New Year!

Thank you.

45-61) The Great Big Enormous Book of Tashi by Anna Fienberg, Barbara Fienberg and Kim Gamble



Over the past few months, my eldest and I have been working our way through The Great Big Enormous Book of Tashi by Anna Fienberg, Barbara Fienberg & Kim Gamble. I think the Tashi stories were fashionable in school for a while, which is how we discovered Tashi.

Tashi is Jack's neighbour and best friend (they are both about nine years old), and he's escaped by the skin of his teeth from some exotic country (which seems to me to lie somewhere between Russia and China. Where would that be? Mongolia? Uzbekistan? My geography isn't up to the challenge).

Each story involves Tashi having to extricate himself from a convoluted predicament, usually with help from some of his myriads of relatives (with names like Third Uncle or Second Aunt). The situations range from magical (dancing shoes that let Tashi fly) to more mundane (being caught by a gang of robbers) and the villains and helpmeets, who can also be mundane or magical - such as demons - involve a cast of sometimes recurring characters, such as the evil local Baron or the good Princess Sarashina. Each story is richly illustrated with pencil drawings by Kim Gamble.

I like the way that Jack's parents are always eager to hear the next Tashi installment, and the way, after several passages that set the day-to-day scene (everyone chatting around the breakfast table, for example), you know that the Tashi story is starting when either Jack or Tashi utters the words "Well, it was like this ..."

The stories are all fun, and draw you in without, I think, being too scary for young readers. You're always rooting for Tashi, who is a likable hero, and you know he's going to outsmart the villains somehow, in the end. I'm finding that they are good stories for 6-10 year old's to read out loud; long enough, but not too long.



ETA : there are 32 individual Tashi stories; this veritable tome is all of them collected under one cover. So far, we've gone through the first 16, and we're hoping to finish the other half of the book, soon.

Moving on to 2012!