Lunacat's mission for 2009......76 books!

Despite the fact this isn't about the number of books read, and I only started my list in june, I can't help feeling slightly annoyed that I didn't reach 75. So this year I'm going for 76 as this obviously makes sense :)







1. Royal Road to Fotheringay by Jean Plaidy (finished Jan 2nd) 416 pages 4out of5
2. The Captive Queen of Scots by Jean Plaidy (finished Jan 5th) 444 pages 4 out of 5
3. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (finished Jan 7th) audiobook 3.5out of5
4. Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett (finished Jan 10th) 415 pages 5 out of 5
5. Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (finished Jan 12th) audiobook 3 out of 5
6. The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett (finished Jan 13th) 124 pages 4.5 out of 5
7. The Sunne In Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman (finished Jan 13th) 886 pages 4 out of 5
8. The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier (finished Jan 16th) 252 pages 4 out of 5
9. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (finished Jan 18th) audiobook 3 out of 5
10. The Riddle-Master of Hed by Patricia A. McKillip (finished Jan 18th) 222 pages 4.5 out of 5
11. Heir of Sea and Fire by Patricia A. McKillip (finished Jan 20th) 207 pages 4.5 out of 5
12. Harpist in the Wind by Patricia A. McKillip (finished Jan 23rd) 257 pages 5 out of 5
13. Twilight by Stephenie Meyer (finished Jan 25th) 404 pages 3.5 out of 5
14. Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn (finished Jan 26th) 203 pages 4 out of 5
15. Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen (finished Jan 26th) audiobook 1 out of 5
16. I Die, But the Memory Lives On by Henning Mankell (finished Jan 18th) 115 pages 5 out of 5
17. The Drowned World by J. G. Ballard (finished Jan 30th) 175 pages 3.5 out of 5
18. Company of Liars by Karen Maitland (finished Jan 31st) 553 pages 3.5 out of 5
19. Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman (finished Feb 2nd) 129 pages 5 out of 5
20. The Stone Raft by José Saramago (finished Feb 6th) 263 pages 3.5 out of 5
21. Three Hearts & Three Lions by Poul Anderson (finished Feb 9th) 177 pages 3.5 out of 5
22. Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson (finished Feb 10th) 4 out of 5
23. The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay (finished Feb 17th) 5 out of 5
24. Shakespeare: The World as Stage by Bill Bryson (finished Feb 17th) 4 out of 5
25. O Pioneers! by Willa Cather (finished Feb 19th) 3.5 out of 5
26. The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman (finished Feb 20th) 4.5 out of 5
27. People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks (finished Feb 22nd) 4 out of 5
28. The BFG by Roald Dahl (finished Feb 25th) 5 out of 5
29. New Moon by Stephenie Meyer (finished March 3rd) 3 out of 5
30. The Accidental Sorcerer by K. E. Mills (finished March 5th) 3 out of 5
31. Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper (finished March 7th) 5 out of 5
32. Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue (finished March 9th) 4 out of 5
33. He, She and It by Marge Piercy (finished March 15th) 4.5 out of 5
34. The Girls by Lori Lansens (finished March 18th) 3.5 out of 5

You have inspired me, lunacat! I obviously need a page ticker, too.

Yep, me too. I was planning on counting pages in 2009 in any event, and now I just have to follow TT's instructions....

You say it's not about the number of what you read, isn't it the content that we're really after - what difference does it make if you read 300,000 or 30,000 or 3,000 pages or 50 books or 500 books if you enjoyed the experience?

#5 cyderry: You have a point and one I considered after the fact. If the page count and number of books become the more pressing issues, I will discard them.

> 5 cyd, you have given me a new challenge! Read less! A toughie for Stasia! :)

- TT

#7 TT: No, not a toughie, TT - an impossibility!

It is all about the pleasure of reading, but it's also somewhat gratifying to see how that turns out for the number counters--as in how many books, how many pages, and so forth. In 2008, I read numerically more books than I've read for a long time and I got curious as to how many pages it all added up to--but had no way to tell. It's just one of those "hmmm" I wonder type questions, which is easily tracked here.

Royal Road to Fotheringay by Jean Plaidy
An interesting and illuminating book about the early years of Mary, Queen of Scots. The only things I had read about Mary before dealt with her capitivity and relationship with Elizabeth I so it was a pleasant surprise to learn about her early years, including her marriage to the Prince (then to become King) of France, her falling in love with Darnley and the events that lead to his murder and her loss of power. If you're at all interested in this period or the lives of powerful women in history, this is a good historical novel to read. There is also a sequel dealing with her captivity that I am currently reading, The Captive Queen of Scots.

4/5

Fantastic number, luna!!

Sounds like a good read too - I'm not a massive historical fiction reader, but I do have one or two on the shelf that may trigger a new genre interest this year.

(PS don't forget the cast either... that can hardly have helped! Sure you'll do fine once you're up to full strength.)

#10 Oh yes, cute number!

This books sounds interesting. I recently read an historical romance, A Time for Dreams surrounding the captive years of Mary Queen of Scots, and I really hardly knew a thing about what had happened to her previously. A lot of it dwelled on what had happened to her husband, the Earl of Bothwell, who I knew nothing about it. It made me want to read more about what had happened. Thanks for reviewing, I may give this one a look!

Lunacat

Methinks we have knitter lurking on this thread? Love the number! The book sound interesting, too. I'd like to know more about Mary, Queen of Scots. I always thought her bad reputation just might have been the result of "bad press" put out by Elizabeth I--who certainly was no saint!

Hello! I noticed on your profile page that you're currently reading Sunne in Splendor - how are you liking it so far.

Also, I'm with you in counting pages read. I see you're going for over 28,000. This year I'm aiming for 25,000, which will be 3,000 more than 2008. Last year was tough for work, so I think I can reach a higher goal this year.

And, I just added Royal Road to Fotheringay to my wishlist. :)

#15 Talbin

I'm loving Sunne in Splendour. I initially starting it before christmas and then misplaced it (shock horror!) and so started Royal Road to Fotheringay and have now found it again. So will be picking it up again. But I'm about half way through and completely enjoying both the story being told and the characters involved.

The sequel to Royal Road to Fotheringay, The Captive Queen of Scots by Jean Plaidy was an enthralling and fascinating continuation of the tale of Mary, Queen of Scots, specifically dealing with her captivity and time in England once she had been forced to flee Scotland. This book really opened up my eyes to what she went through, and not only her but the stories of the people around her, whether fellow 'prisoners' or those keeping her. It seems that in every tale of Mary and Elizabeth I, there has to be a 'good queen' and a 'bad queen' and in this one, Elizabeth is portrayed in a less than nice light, but the thing that made this book stand out was the characterisation and evocative relating of the era.

4 out of 5, and recommended for anyone who enjoys historical fiction, or has in interest in Mary or Elizabeth.

Another book this intensely brought to mind was a YA book, A Traveller in Time, dealing with the same events but through the eyes of a young girl who gets caught up in the lives of one of the plotters to free Mary. This book (by Alison Uttley) would be even more recommended than the one just reviewed!!

>10 lunacat: & 17 Luna, I have 11 books by Jean Plaidy, but neither of those two. Your reviews make me wish I had those as well!

- TT

Hi Lunacat
You started the year with two good books. I enjoy historical fiction and will add these to my TBR in 2009. Unlike Phillipa Gregory, Plaidy's books are well researched and tend to contain lots of historical accuracies.

The Sunne in Splendour is one of the books I hope to get to this year, and I will probably add some of the Jean Plaidy books, too. I read Plaidy first as a teenager (centuries ago) because my mother loved them so much. I am a fan of historical fiction, but not a Phillipa Gregory fan - just too many inaccuracies for me to take.

Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (audiobook)

Having always been wary of the 'classics' after several group reads at school that I automatically rebelled against because we were demanded to read at the speed of the group, not to read ahead and to read outloud when chosen, it seemed like an audiobook might be the way to go. I knew the basics of the storyline, but I wasn't prepared for how much I enjoyed it, even knowing what was going to happen!

I found myself cross when my journey was over and I had to get out of the car. For once, I wanted to continue driving. And I was completely caught in the soap opera dramas of the Bennett's and a storyline that is still relevant today.

For anyone cautious to read 'classics', Pride and Prejudice' is a great 'light' starting point, and I have a new like for audiobooks as a way for me to enjoy these without getting bogged down, and without them encroaching on my 'page' reading time.

Next up, Wuthering Heights!

4/5

I think audio books are a great way to do Austen—the book don't require heavy concentration, so they're fine while driving. I'm listening to Sense and Sensibility during my commute and elliptical machine sessions.

I occasionally listen to audio books on my commute and sometimes end up parked in my driveway for a period of time because I can't stop listening!

I'm glad you enjoyed P&P lunacat, I love it.

>21 lunacat: luna, you may be interested in my take on P & P.

http://www.librarything.com/topic/53441

Coincidently, I will also be using Wuthering Heights as my next background book!

- TT

>24 TheTortoise: TT

I had already been reading along about the book, but never got round to commenting. contrary to popular belief/first appearences, I am actually very shy even on the www and therefore can sometimes not bring myself to post a comment where I don't know the person or fear I might be unwanted or intruding!! Daft, isn't it?

Dark, fantastic and hilarious, Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman was everything I expected from the collaboration. Full of brilliantly eccentric characters including an angel from heaven and a fallen angel from hell who are both desperate to stop the end of the world, it made me laugh on nearly every page.

It captures the weirdness of England and accentuates it without the events or people ever being entirely impossible, and the story raced along at a breakneck speed as the Saturday that it is all going to end on comes closer. From a devil trapped inside an ansaphone to the prophecies of Agnes Nutter, every twist and turn was wonderfully imagined, as well as a guest appearance from DEATH, by far and away my favourite character in the Discworld world and star of such equally fabulous books as Mort and Reaper Man.

For anyone who has ever loved anything by Neil Gaiman or Terry Pratchett, this is a much read, as well as anyone who likes good, weird, funny books!! It has made me want to read everything else written by Neil Gaiman, and wish that I hadn't already read everything by Terry Pratchett!

5/5, it lived up to all my expectations and they were pretty high to begin with.

Welcome to the fan club for Good Omens, Lunacat! You meet the passion requirement required to belong. What a book!

Thanks for the great review of Good Omens. It's already on my TBR pile.

Sorry to interrupt your thread but I was just wondering if you wouldn't mind explaining to me in dumbed down terms how to put the nifty numbers on my countdown. Thank you ever so much.
Leslie

#29 leslie

You mean the tickers or the numbers next to each book?

Sorry, I should have been more clear. I meant the numbers next to the books.

>25 lunacat: Luna, your comments are as valuable as anyone elses, so comment away!
We are all friends here on LT.

- TT

#31 molly

I searched for the number images on google, and then saved them to my computer. You then need a photo sharing site such as photobucket. Get yourself an account (its free) and then upload the photo to there. It will provide you with a variety of links and you need then one starting

Wuthering Heights by Emily Bronte (audiobook)

Some people have described this as the most romantic story ever, but I have to say I couldn't feel it. I fell in love with the language, phrases like

"he's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same; and Linton's is as different as a moonbeam from lightning, or frost from fire."

and

"I lingered round them, under that benign sky: watched the moths fluttering among the heath and hare-bells; listened to the soft wind breathing through the grass; and wondered how anyone could ever imagine unquiet slumbers for the sleepers in that quiet earth."

but I had absolutely no like or empathy with the characters. The story was tragic but not one where I wanted any of the people to come out of it with what they desired. The setting was spectacular and the descriptive elements and ability to create atmosphere was unsurpassed but I was left unfulfilled simply because I had no emotional resonance with the people. Heathcliff was bitter, vengeful and arrogant, Cathy spoilt and selfish, and the next generation followed suit.

All in all, the setting and language invoked immense passion and a desire to be free amongst such wild settings, as I have an inate affinity with such places anyway. But the people left me cold, and I wish it hadn't. I give it 3 for the beauty of it, but it would only have had 2 for the characterisation.

3 out of 5

#34 lunacat: I am not a Wuthering Heights fan either. I know that it is one of those books I am supposed to like, but I cannot stand it.

Great review of Wuthering Heights, you really "hit the nail on the head" about its good and bad points.

Ok, so I have to chime in on the Wuthering Heights discussion. This is one of my all-time favourite novels, and I have read it so many times. I agree with all the points you made - the language is certainly beautiful, and the characters are really horrible people. However, that is precisely what I like about it. So many novels are full of perfect characters. They are kind and caring, and say and do all the morally right things. Even characters with huge flaws tend to only have one flaw, and by the end of the novel more often than not they come to recognize their flaws and fix them. Not so with Wuthering Heights. Heathcliff and Catharine each have about a million flaws, and they never really overcome them. In fact, their only redeeming quality is their love for each other - and even that they manage to screw up. I know this sounds weird, but I love that they are bad people - to me it makes the story that much more interesting and passionate. Hareton is one of the only characters in the novel who is inherently good, and I really hate him - he is so boring! LOL I must sound like a really twisted person right now, but this is one of the things that I find so amazing about Wuthering Heights.

Anyway, it just shows how subjective reading is - neither one of us is right or wrong. I think this is exactly why I love novels so much - one piece of text can draw such opposite reactions from two people!

A Traveller in Time looks awesome! I really want to get a copy and read it for my 999 Challenge Children's & YA category.

#37 Cait86

You're right there in that they have flaws, but I didn't feel they had a million flaws, they just each had two or three immensely annoying ones that made them very unlikeable! I have no problems with the characters in my books being flawed, and cannot stand 'perfect' people, or those who end up perfect, so it wasn't their flawedness that I disliked, just the fact I wanted to give each of them a shake and a slap and tell them to bluddy well grow up and get over it!!!!!

#38 allthesedarnbooks

A Traveller in Time truly is a fantastic book, and I can reread it again and again and again, any time I feel tired or emotional or don't want to have to concentrate, it is one that I can retreat into like a warm duvet.

What a brilliantly fun book! The idea of the Queen as an avid reader, the corgis tearing up the books she drops and her having to explain to the librarian, everything about The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett made me smile.

The ONLY complaint I had was whilst I could imagine every situation, and the Duke of Edinburgh was wonderful as were the other characters, I couldn't 'get' the Queen. As a person she was fine, but not as THE Queen.

Didn't detract much from the enjoyment though, and as a lighthearted but unique novella it gets nearly the full score from me. And maybe I was being dense, but the ending did give a small surprise :)

4 1/2 out of 5

Doesn't that sound interesting! I think I will add to my TBR list...

The Sunne in Splendour by Sharon Kay Penman

Having read proportionally more from the Tudor era than any other in English history, I felt I should broaden myself slightly and I'm thoroughly glad I did. From start to finish (and at 886 pages including author notes etc there was quite a way to go!) this was interesting and fascinating with a wide variety of captivating characters. As the story unfolded, telling the lives of King Edward IV and King Richard III, I cared more and more about the main people involved.
At one point, I had to go and look up EXACTLY when and who this tale was talking about, as the Richard Penman painted was NOT the Richard I had heard about, albeit just by vague notions (killed the Princes in the Tower, was a bad leader, was killed in battle and succeeded by Henry Tudor). The Richard in this story has plenty wrong with him, but he also has a lot right, and the theory that Penman espouses for the disappearance of the Princes indeed was persuasive, especially considering the repercussions.

It was also enthralling to see various people in their youths, especially Elizabeth who would become mother of Henry VIII.

Because I adore historical fiction, and this opened my eyes to many of the events and people I didn't previously know about in an interesting and well written way, I give this 4 out of 5, only not 5/5 as it doesn't make me want to start it again immediately, as I want to do with all toprated books!

>34 lunacat: and >35 alcottacre:: TOTALLY with you on Wuthering Heights. Friends of mine raved about it when I was a teenager. I loathed it and only stuck with it because I loved them (the friends, I mean) dearly.

#43 - So??? Are you now a believer in Richard? This is one of my very favorite books. Not only did it make me believe in Richard, but I really loved King Edward IV too (I would have loved to have met him face to face).

On Wuthering Heights, I couldn't stand it. I too read it in high school and it was sheer torture, I didn't have an ounce of sympathy for a single character, I thought they all got what they deserved!

I also loved The Uncommon Reader, I identified with her love of books and the little things she'd do so she could read and read! Have you seen "The Queen" (the movie) it was very good and made me appreciate this book all the more.

I love your numbers! So fun and easy to see! Good reading choices so far this year. Do you normally tend to read historical fiction?

#46

yes, most of my reading is either historical fiction or fantasy, I drift between the two with an occasional dip elsewhere into different types. Whatever takes my fancy really, but that is what I most enjoy. My library has just been updated and gives a pretty fair representation although it doesn't include all my books yet, mostly fantasy and historical fiction with a smattering of other stuff.

The Brief History of the Dead by Kevin Brockmeier.

Laura Byrd is stranded in Antarctica, alone and with no contact with other people. Meanwhile, in the city of the dead, things are changing.

Its difficult to review this book without giving a lot of it away. So all I will say was that the writing was very good, and the plot was also well structured. I wanted to keep reading, and the characters (especially in the city of the dead) were fabulous. And the basic premise was a wonderful one, and one that I thoroughly enjoyed and that made me ponder a lot on what comes after.

I couldn't help feeling sad at the end, and possibly a tiny bit like I had been left hanging, but it made me think, it was enjoyable and I would certainly recommend it! If you like books like The Five People You Meet In Heaven, The Road, and The Lovely Bones, this had elements of all of them. Wonderful poetic writing, a plot that makes you think and want to know more, and characters that colour the book. What more can you ask?

4 out of 5 - reduced from maximum because sometimes the writing didn't have the 'edge' that I wanted, (such as The Road which was fantastically brutal and raw) and the language was occasionally flowery for the sake of being flowery. But all in all, a recommended read.

Wuthering Heights - in a word - Grim. I am drawn to it and every time I read it I am satisfied and yet I'm not. And then I end up knowing that I will have to read it again. In a couple of years it will be about time for that again.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Chilling, dark and haunting, this made me nervous to drive at night as I listened to it! From the silence and solitude of the Artic to the cold and gloom of the Swiss Alps, with the desolation of Scotland to add to it, this was not a happy read.

Frankenstein is, unlike the belief of many, the maker of the 'demon' as opposed to the demon himself, and when he sees what a monster he has created, he deserts it. The being roams, learning language and the habits of man, and also learning to despise all humanity as they reject him again and again for his looks.

To get revenge, he sets out after Frankenstein. At times, I felt sorry for both the demon and for Frankenstein, at others I felt that they both got what they deserved, for creating such a being and for causing such murder and pain on others. At the end, I thought that every genetic engineer and scientist should read it to learn what could go wrong!

I wouldn't say it was enjoyable, but it was a very good example of how to build suspense and keep the reader reading (or listening) right to the end. I didn't come away thinking 'wow' though.

3 out of 5

</b>
Trying to kill the permanent bold you've got going on here.

It appears to be in your first post on Frankenstein, btw.

Ooh, adding The Uncommon Reader and The Brief History of the Dead to my wishlist! I haven't read The Sunne in Splendour since I was in high school, but I remember loving it then. I think it may be time for a reread--- although as it doesn't fit into any of my 999 categories, I may have to wait until next year. :(

Have you ever read The Perilous Gard? If you haven't, it's one of my favorites, which deftly combines YA Tudor historical fiction with fairies.

#51, 52

Thanks TadAD, I've been sitting trying to work out what the heck was going on with that!!!!!!!!!! I think its fixed now.

#53 allthesedarnbooks

Nope, I haven't read The Perilous Gard but I'm off to hunt for it now!! I know what you mean about having to wait, I have 147 books on my tbr list and thats not including any rereads I want to do in the meantime! Where are we supposed to find the time from??

The Riddlemaster of Hed by Patricia McKillip

A very enjoyable start to this fantasy series, and so far living up to the standard that Forgotten Beasts of Eld led me to expect of her.

Whilst being fairly typical within its genre (man on a remote land finds talent and discovers that he holds the key to world events that will affect many many people. Oh, and his life is also in danger) there is enough different in this book to keep you on your toes. The people are well realised and the places, although nothing new or surprising, fit well with the story being told. There are formulaic points: a dark force threatening, an unwilling hero, physical signs to demonstrate how he is different, but I stayed interested and was pleasantly taken aback by some of the twists and turns.

There is also a darkness and a gritty reality to her books that make them stand out for me above some others. So far, this series is reminding me a lot of the Earthsea series, and also some parts of the beginning of Robert Jordan's series The Wheel of Time, although the writing is far above the latter's standard (I gave up on the WoT after about the 7th book but I still enjoyed the first 3 a lot: The Eye of the World, The Great Hunt and The Dragon Reborn). I'm finding it interesting, now I am into at least summarising the books I read, to look at similarities with other books!

Can't wait to read the next one, Heir of Sea and Fire which I'm just about to start.

4 1/2 out of 5

>56 lunacat:: I'm so glad you're enjoying it. She keeps the quality going over all three volumes of the trilogy, imo. All of her books are enjoyable, but Riddlemaster and Forgotten Beasts stand a head above them as far as I'm concerned.

#53, I think you'll love The Perilous Gard, it's a beautiful read. I think I may have to quit school and work and stay at home doing nothing but reading. Of course, then I'd have to quit spending so much time on the computer, too...

I love Patricia McKillip, all her books are wonderful, but I think agree with TadAd about the Riddlemaster trilogy and Forgotten Beasts of Eld being her best. The Book of Atrix Wolfe is another favorite.

#56

The Riddle-master of Hed in on my list for 999 this year. Thanks for the good review. I'm now very anxious to get it and get started! It sounds like maybe I ought to get Forgotten Beasts of Eld at the same time.

#58 allthesedarnbooks

I happen to be at my mum's tonight and she is collecting Newbery Award winners and nominee's but she didn't have this one..........so I fluttered my eyelashes and it is now on order. And it doesn't count on my tbr pile because its for her as well!! lol

#59 MusicMom41

You really should get The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, it was one of my favourite books of 2008, and one of my favourite fantasy books to date I think. I would recommend to anyone :)

#58 allthesedarnbooks

So glad to hear that The Book of Atrix Wolfe is worthwhile since it's in my tbr pile!

Nice thread lunacat!

>58 allthesedarnbooks:, bwahaha, sounds like an excellent strategy! You both will love it. I borrowed it from a friend about 5 years ago and then "forgot" to ever give it back. Miraculously, we still exchange books!

>62 loriephillips:, It's very good! Another good McKillip is The Alphabet of Thorn.

luna, somehow I seem to have missed your review of the Brockmeier first time round! So glad you enjoyed it. I've actually requested his previous book, The Truth About Celia, on ILL - sounds quite different, but I really enjoyed his style (even the flowery bits).

I've added The Brief History of the Dead to my amazon wishlist - thanks for the convincing review!

*adds Forgotten Beasts of Eld to wishlist...*

I also very much enjoyed McKillip's Od Magic. Not as dark as some of her imagery, with a sense of humor and some lively characters! It's my favorite of her recent books ( the Riddlemaster trilogy and Forgotten Beasts of Eld are some of her earliest works--mid to late 70s.).

ETA The Perilous Gard is also one of my favorites from way back--one of my favorite retellings of the Tam Lin story (1974). Too bad Elizabeth Marie Pope only wrote one other book, The Sherwood Ring, a delightful fantasy set in New England during the Revolutionary War (1956).

Not sure how, but I had missed your thread. I'm glad I found you! I really enjoy McKilip too. But I haven't read Od Magic -- thx Roni.

>67 ronincats:: I'll second the recommendation of Perilous Gard. It was one of those book I had on my shelf since I was... I think 9 years old or something silly like that, but didn't read it until 2 years ago. I'm now 26. I definitely kicked myself over that one, because it was excellent.

Heir of Sea and Fire by Patricia A. McKillip

As the follow on to The Riddle-Master of Hed, I was expecting good things from this book but feared that, as with a few series, the middle part of the trilogy would be the worst. Thankfully, my fears were unfounded.

Heir of Sea and Fire focuses mainly on a different character to the first, which I think helps the feeling of it being a 'new' story as opposed to the intermediate part of a tale where the beginning and end are the thrilling part.

Raederle is the woman Morgon has been 'destined' to marry, but through this book she begins to explore her own power, her demons and where her life is heading.

I don't want to say too much in fear of spoilers about the first part, but the twists and turns continue to surprise and delight, and touches such as the 'king wraiths' and their chilling darkness, and the various forms in which different characters appear make it just as good as the first.

In one line: Typical fantasy tale that stands out with fantastic twists and characters that have many facets.

Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5

Next (and I am nearly finished it now) Harpist in the Wind the 3rd part of the trilogy.

lunacat

I'm excited to see your good reviews of the Riddle-Master Trilogy because I'm ordering that in February for my 999 fantasy category. I had planned to count it as one book--but I see now that if I get in a bind I can use if for 3. I can hardly wait until you finish the third one. I'm eagerly waiting to start it now!

MM, I think they'd count as three. They're not so big, but they're not quick reads either. Glad you're enjoying the series Lunacat!

This is awful. I have read the Riddlemaster series at least four times--but not in the last decade at least--and this discussion makes me want to pull them off my shelves and read them again RIGHT NOW!

>73 ronincats:: I'm suffering the same problem. I have too many other books waiting to be read but reading this makes me want to pull it down and go through it again.

LOL let me know if you do and I'll join you even though I think I read them last year, if not then it was fall 2007, but definitely since we've been in Romania.

Harpist in the Wind is the final part of the trilogy by Patricia A. McKillip and I found myself as I am with every good series, rapidly devouring and yet desperately not wanting it to end!

Bringing together all the characters from the previous two books, I have to admit there were few disappointments, and the writing and descriptions remained beautiful. I only had one complaint.......I would like to have heard more from some of the minor characters, (Tristan, Astrin, the Morgol, Lyra).

Apart from this, it is an exemplary example of how to make a 'typical' story completely stand out. The twists and turns, and the 'riddles' that makes it so thrilling to read are the kind of frustrating where you groan and curse and love it all at the same time. And the final twist actually made me gasp out loud.

The ending was bittersweet, for so many reasons, and I was so tired and sleepy and caught up in the world that I had tears in my eyes (both good and bad). The thing that makes McKillip stand out for me is the darkness she adds to her stories, and the way they feel so real, despite being full of wizardry and magic.

It will take some GOOD fantasy to knock this trilogy out of the top 5 fantasy reads of this year, and I'm only on Jan. Thankfully, all my other books tbr have all been recommended from LT, so we shall see!

In one line: Final part of riddlefilled trilogy, complete with frustrating cliffhangers, gasps out loud and an ending that lives up to the rest of the books.

5 out of 5 for a fantastic conclusion

Next up: Twilight which was given to me by my best friend. I guess we'll see whether all the fuss is justified!

>76 lunacat: Oh good! You loved it. Me too :)

>77 lunacat:, Ooh. Can't wait to see what you think about Twilight! I thought the first book was decent to good, but then the rest of the series... *shudders* Of course, once you've read the Twilight books (and seen the movie, which I haven't yet) you'll have something to talk about with any preteen and teen girls you know. My thirteen-year-old cousin and I have greatly bonded!

>77 lunacat: & 79: I concur!!! The first book was pretty darn good, but after that... *sigh*. It's quite unfortunate.

...am loving your thread + the lovely pictures of numbers! Twilight got delivered to my house just a couple of days ago...so I'm probably gonna start it soon as well and, like you said, see what the fuss is about. Either I'll be pleasantly surprised (seeing as I don't really expect much from it) or I'll get a chance to bitch about it on my thread, which is also fun. It's a win-win situation, really :)

Hi lunacat

Keeping up with all the posts is a daunting challenge, but I wanted to stop by your thread and say hello. WOW. You are really zipping along thus far this year and have read some very interesting books.

While Jane Eyre is one of my top three all-time favorite books, I have to agree with you on Wuthering Heights. It simply never captured my imagination or tugged at my heart strings the way Jane Eye has. The Bronte sisters are fascinating though and I've tried to read as many of their books and to learn as much as possible about this family.

lunacat

Went to the bookstore today and am nowthe proud owner of The Riddle-Master of Hed Trilogy in a single volume. I probably won't get a chance to start it for a couple of weeks because I want to be able to concentrate on it and not read it piece meal. But I am really excited about it after reading your reviews!

Whisper1

re the Brontes. Emily wrote wonderful prose, but I couldn't enjoy the story. Have you read her poems? I read some many years ago and I remember liking them beter--I'd like to find a book of them now.

I love Charlotte's books. I've never read Anne but I own 2 of her books and will read at least one of them this year for 999 Calassics. "Stay tuned!"

I've just added The Riddle-Master of Hed to my wishlist. I've started dipping my toe into fantasy, and I think I've been spoiled so far - I've read George R.R. Martin's Song of Ice and Fire series and Philip Pullman's His Dark Material's series. I think I've set the bar so high that any fantasy I read now has got to be pretty darn good. Between your reviews and the reviews here on LT, it looks like McKillip's series is a good place to go next.

>84 Talbin: They're much different than either of those, which as you know were much different than each other. I do wish Martin would finish!!!! LOL

We'll be looking forward to your take on the matter.

>85 suslyn: The main thing I'm looking for is well-written fantasy. I know that every genre has more than it's share of duds, and what I don't want to do is to start just groping around blindly for the good stuff. It may be awhile before I get to this series, but I will eventually!

Well don't forget Guy Gavriel Kay!

Absolutely don't forget Guy Gavriel Kay. So far this year I haven't read any of his but I will be (hopefully soon but then everything is hopefully soon!).

Roni just posted an incredible list of her fantasy favs on my thread. Mouth-watering stuff.

ETA She started it in msg 150 and expanded it in Msg 157 -- bless her :)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer

I have to admit to going into this read with an amount of skepticism. It couldn't really be all that it was cracked up to be, could it? Well, it wasn't, but I enjoyed it none the less.

The basis is that Bella (the narrator) falls for Edward, a vampire. And then has accidents. And gets into danger. A lot.

Its not brilliantly written, and for the first chapter or so, the writing irritated me to the extent I thought I was going to extremely dislike it. But that feeling eased off as I got into the story. Its an easy read, with an entertaining storyline that keeps it moving.

I didn't feel I ever connected with the main person, Bella.....somehow she didn't feel 'real' to me, but Edward and the outlying characters I felt more toward, and this helped.

I set out believing that I wouldn't like this but despite everything, I really enjoyed it. Its not 'literature' by any means, but it was easygoing and fun, and I might even read the next one at some point.

In one line: easy to read, mediocre writing, obsessed girl falls for vampire, gets into accidents.

3 1/2..........would have had 4 had the writing been better, 2 if it hadn't been entertaining and easy to read.

Ella Minnow Pea by Mark Dunn

This was a hilarious, captivating and very unique idea. The Island of Nollop is a haven for all lovers of language. They don't have television, choosing to read books. They don't have telephones, writing letters instead. And the basis for this philosophy is one sentence: The Quick Brown Fox Jumps Over The Lazy Dog.

But, as the letters begin to fall off the statue saluting the author of this sentence, Nevin Nollop, the High Council declare that Nollop is testing them, and declares that they have to remove said letter from all use.

The result is fascinating, and as more letters fall and the consequences of using the letters becomes increasingly severe, the implications of banning letters becomes clear.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a brilliant idea, well realised with good characters and a very good storyline. For anyone with any interest in language, or just want to read a really unique book, this is the one for you.

In one line: Very enjoyable read, with a unique premise fabulously realised.

4 out of 5

Northanger Abbey of Jane Austen

Three words: boring, boring, boring. Had this been a 'real' book, I wouldn't have finished this, but it was an audiobook so I kept going, thinking maybe it would improve. But it never did.

The main characters were wet and not well realised, and the storyline was utterly uncaptivating. Maybe I just didn't 'get it' but this one was not for me.

In one line: Boring, and I have no idea why it is considered a classic.

1 out of 5 (sorry Austen lovers!)

lunacat

It's okay--even for many Austen lovers this is considered the "least favorite." We forgive you. :-) It's a spoof of the Gothic novels of her times, but if you've never read them you don't get the humor and without that it's really not fun to read. It's not her brilliant "comedy of manners" style, for sure!

I love your one line synopses! The trouble with me is I often don't get past one line. LOL I'm trying to do better this year because when I tried to do a summary of my 2008 reads I couldn't figure out I thought of the books based on my rough scribbles (albeit via keyboard).

We just had a discussion about Northanger Abbey in the Classics thread, and it does seem to be the overall consensus that it's not Austen's best. I liked it a lot better after reading The Mysteries of Udolpho and some of the other gothic fiction she was spoofing and actually found it quite amusing. But then again, my Austen tastes tend to go a little bit against the mainstream... ie. Mansfield Park is my favorite, and that's another one a lot of people don't care for.

>95 allthesedarnbooks: ATDB, why don't you come over for a cup of tea and we'll compare notes. It's a fav of mine as well.

Edited to clarify: Mansfield Park, that is. Not sure I've read the other yet.

Tea sounds lovely, Susan! Mansfield Park is great. :)

Lunacat..I love your numbers! Wow, ever so creative.

Ella Minnow Pea is next up on my list after I finish my current read The Things They Carried
Thanks for your comments regarding the Mark Dunn book.

91> So glad you liked Ella Minnow Pea! I'm a bit behind keeping up with threads, but I've really enjoyed your reviews, and Brief History of the Dead is winging its way through the mail to me from Amazon right now!

#92 - The main characters were wet
Wet? Wet, how?

#99

Awww, thanks. Brief History of the Dead is good. Had potential to be much much better but definitely still enthralling and well worth the read.

#100 fourpawz2

They fell in baths a lot. Due to their utter patheticness and indecisiveness. The baths got in the way and they couldn't choose how to get round them. :)

I Die, But the Memory Lives On: The World AIDS Crisis and the Memory Book Project by Henning Mankell

This wasn't the book I was expecting when I first picked it up, but instead a succinct and informative look on what it is really like to be an african with AIDS, and what impact AIDS is having on this continent.

There were some personal stories, interspersed with the facts and figures, as well as Mankell's own reactions to the things he finds out.

This was a short book, and one that every single person in this world should read. It scared me, opened my eyes and filled me with such sorrow for the people who have been touched by this disease, and the disparity between those in western civilisation who are HIV+, and those in Africa.

In one line: A must read for every single person who remotely cares about AIDS and its effects, or wants to learn to care.

5 out of 5, just for the necessity of getting across the subject, and the blunt and clear way in which it was written.

#103: Wow! Sounds like a very powerful book, lunacat. I will look for it.

The Drowned World by J. G. Ballard

London is under water. In fact, the entire world is, except the Artic and Antarctic cirles. Robert Kerans, Bodkins and a team of military support are investigating the change in flora and fauna as the world progresses back to the Triassic period, complete with 140F temperatures and giant mosquitoes.

But, slowly, the men's mental state is beginning to deteriorate. And then there is Beatrice, a woman who has refused to evacuate to cooler, safer climes.

The tone is dark, bitter and mesmerising as Ballard describes the setting, the tops of 17 storey office blocks poking through the surface of the boiling water, giant iguanas lying in wait for the kill. All of the characters (with the possible exception of Riggs) appear self contained and as the book progresses they seem increasingly likely to lose themselves. I never found that I connected with any of the characters but was instead just happy to watch their battles from a distance.

I initially struggled with the premise of the characters changing mental state but as I got more used to the writing style and became more intergrated into the world being created, it ceased being unrealistic and instead became entirely possible.

As the book went on, I found myself occasionally struggling with the writing (it felt like a very masculine book) but was interested enough to keep reading, especially as the plot sped up a notch.

The end is both unexpected and extremely expected, and it didn't feel like a 175 page book, instead including enough content to appear longer. Whilst written in the 1960's sci fi style that I am gradually becoming used to, once I had got mostly used to that I found it a quick, intriguing and innovative read.

In one line: London is underwater in this 1960's sci fi novel with a dark and enthralling setting and a well paced story.

3 1/2 out of 5 - detracted for somewhat dated writing and lack of connection with characters.

#106: Sounds like a good one, even with the dated writing. I do so love end-of-the-world scenarios, lol.

Stasia:

Me too, anything like The Road, World War Z, Blindness etc. I wonder what it is about apocalyptic or dystopian ideas that appeal so much.

Have you read Eva, a young adults book by Peter Dickinson? Thats an exceptionally well written book about the demise of humans and the role one person has to play it in. He's a fantastic writer (incidentally married to Robin McKinley of The Blue Sword and The Hero and the Crown fame) who writes wonderful YA books.

Your reaction to Twilight is very similar to mine. Acknowledged the not-great literary value, but had fun during the ride. In the end, I read the whole series, and enjoyed it. The movie, I think, is actually an artistically superior realization of the book than the book itself.

I'm intrigued by the Henning Mankell book you describe above. I'll have to read it.

I've addedThe Drowned World to my wish list - count me in with the disaster lovers!

ET fix my brackets!

I too love a good end of the world book (or movie) so I'm adding The Drowned World to my list!

#107: No, I have not read Eva, but I will certainly look for it. Thanks for the recommendation.

Company of Liars by Karen Maitland

Its 1348, and England is on the run from the Pestilence. Starting in the south, its on the move, and some people believe their only chance of survival is to stay ahead of the spread. Or die.

Within this terrifying time, a group forms, each person with a secret they are keeping. Camelot, the relic seller; Rodrigo and Jofre, the muscians; Cygnus the storyteller; Osmond and Adela, expectant parents on the road; Zophiel the conjuror; Pleasance the healer and last but not least, Narigorm, the mysterious child with white hair who reads the runes.

As they move north, their company battle against starvation and fear of the plague, but is it what is following them, or what is within them that will lead to their destruction?

This wasn't the book I was expecting it to be. The backdrop is the Plague but this is just the setting to allow this group to come together and travel. Each character is unique and well realised, and the secrets they carry slowly revealed but with some skill. The tales told, and the menace that follow them make it dark in places, but through mystery and menace rather than because of the Plague.

It kept me gripped but I was initially disappointed that it was less about the disease that spreads across the country and more about each person's individual secrets, pasts and futures.

If you want a book dealing totally with the Plague, with historical accuracy then this book isn't for you, but if you like a 'lighter' read, with mystery and suspense combined in a medieval england then you may well like this.

In one line: A company of nine flee the plague, and their secrets, in this historical novel full of mystery and suspense.

3 1/2 out of 5 (as it wasn't as much 'my kind' of book as I had hoped)

Lunacat

Have you read The DeCameron?

Here is a link describing this book
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Decameron

Also, here is a wonderful art work by my favorite -- J.W. Waterhouse

http://www.jwwaterhouse.com/view.cfm?recordid=44

#113 Whisper

Nope, I've never read that but it looks right up my street and very interesting so I'll make sure I keep my eyes open for it. And the picture is great, thanks for putting me onto both links.

Company of Liars looks interesting! Have you read Doomsday Book? That's my favorite plague novel.

lunacat

The Decameron is a great book of stories of all types--I liked it much better than Canterbury Tales. Of course, Geoffrey Chaucer was required reading and Giovanni Boccaccio I read for fun--and when I was a little older. I'll have to dig my copy out so I can dip into it a little--it's great for reading a little at a time. I hope you enjoy it!

#112: I will give Company of Liars a try.

I will also second (or is it third?) the recommendation of The Decameron.

#114 allthesedarnbooks

Doomsday Book was one of my favourite book of last year and I'm afraid Company of Liars isn't comparable.........Doomsday Book is just so brilliant!

I too wondered if you'd read Doomsday Book when you mentioned a plague read. it was good. :)

Another good plague book is Year of Wonders by Geraldine Brooks.

Another good end-of-the world type book is Earth Abides by George Stewart.

#120 loriephillips

I read Year of Wonders last year and thoroughly enjoyed it. It reminded me a lot of a YA book called Children of Winter by Berlie Doherty which was my first experience of historical fiction and the Plague. It is a fab read.

#121 stasia

Earth Abides has been on my wishlist for ages, hopefully I'll get hold of a copy at some point!

Ex Libris: Confessions of a Common Reader by Anne Fadiman

What a delightful set of essays from start to finish. I'm so glad that I finally got round to reading these. Highly amusing, with many moments and situations that I recognised.

A very short review this time, but everyone at LT must surely have read this or be going to. We're all booklovers, after all, and these essays describe exactly what it is to be obsessed with books!

In one line: An absolute must read for any lover of books.

5 out of 5

Hi lunacat
I read Ex Libris last month. What a fun read!

I'm waiting for a copy of Ex-Libris on its way to me. Can't wait to read it!

OK, I think 123 messages is enough lurking without saying hello! I'm enjoying all your reviews. 19 already!!

I'm going to look for the Henning Mankell book - sounds like I should read it, even though it'll be depressing. And I have The Sunne in Splendour on the bookshelf too.

Hello Lunacat,

Just stopping by to say I've been enjoying your reviews. I've added the Henning Menkell book to my pile.

I second Alcottacre's recommendation of Earth Abides.

I'll third it. Did a reread last year, it was as good as I remembered it being!

Message 122

I'm enjoying the conversations re. YA books and hope to read more of them during 2009. Thus, I've added Children of Winter to my list.

#130 Whisper

I hope you enjoy Children of Winter as much as I always have. I'll look out for your thoughts!

The Stone Raft by José Saramago

Having read Blindness several years ago and continuing to recall it having quite an impact on me, I was interested when I found The Stone Raft in a second hand bookshop and had to buy it. The story looked like something I would thoroughly enjoy, and with the bar set by Blindness, I had high hopes.

The Iberian Peninsula, encompassing Spain and Portugal, has broken free from mainland Europe and is now floating across the Atlantic. First there is intrigue and panic, but as the huge raft speeds up and seems determined to head somewhere, four people meet.

One man threw a rock an inordinate distance into the sea, a feat physically impossible. Another is followed by a flock of starlings. A woman draws a line in the sand which cannot be erased. And a spanish man can feel the earth shaking, despite there being no tremors recorded.

These strangers are drawn together, and as the world as they know it changes forever, so do their lives.

This was written in the same form as Blindness, the only punctuation being used are full stops and commas, so concentration is required. It takes some time to get into the flow of the story, and not be distracted by the style of the writing, and unfortunately I never found myself able to become as immersed in this as I did his previous book.

While the characters are interesting, and the coincidences that bring them together mean that it stays intriguing to read, I couldn't help but feel I would have enjoyed this more as a more conventional novel. The idea was fantastic, but I remained with the sensation that Saramago was trying to desperately tell me something I just wasn't understanding.

Unlike Blindness, I didn't find the answers clear, and found myself at times wishing the story would speed up a little. I'm glad I have read it, but it didn't pull me in enough to think that I'm ever going to read it again. The storyline and the impact it had on me just wasn't worth the intensity and concentration it required to read.

If you want to try something by Saramago, this isn't the place to start. Blindness is far superior.

In one line: A thrilling idea slightly bogged down in trying to be too much.

3 1/2 out of 5

Hey lunacat, I bought Blindness yesterday, so I am glad you found it such a great read!

I've read several of Saramago's novels, but I'd never heard of The Stone Raft. It sounds intriguing, and I'm going to give it a try even though it sounds like it might not be for everyone. Thanks for the review.

Three Hearts and Three Lions by Poul Anderson

This fantasy was a delight from start to finish, as I have come to expect from the 'Fantasy Masterworks' series, a selection of 'top of the range' fantasy. I had heard Anderson's name mentioned a lot in relation to good, well told stories but this was the first I have read and I couldn't have asked for more. Except for it to have been about three times as long!

I must note that it is essential that you read the author's note at the beginning. I usually do but sometimes don't and wouldn't want anyone to miss anything.

The story centres around the old fantasy faithful. A man transplanted in a world he doesn't know or understand, where it becomes obvious that he is destined to save this world. The man, in this case Holger Carlsen, is accompanied by a dwarf with attitude, a girl who turns into a swan and has motives of her own, and a whole host of old mythological legends and characters to help or hinder him, including Morgan le Fay, and others of the world of Faerie.

Holger is a likeable main character, as are all those on the side of the 'good' and the premise is brilliant, and made me look at historical events slightly differently, although not in too much depth!

Every page was filled with either action or interesting movement in the plot, and my ONLY criticism is in the way it finished. Much too abruptly for my liking! Some of the secondary characters could also have done with some more depth and background for my liking. But I like epics.

I would recommend it to anyone who likes classic fantasy or would like to try some. It was a thoroughly enjoyable ride from start to finish.

In one line: Classic fantasy extremely well done.

5 out of 5

Nice review lunacat. I think I will check this one out.

Great review. I love the Fantasy Masterworks series. I'll have to add this to the wishlist for my next Amazon UK purchase or my next trip to London. I wish they sold more of these titles in the US.
By the way, I like your 21. Very festive.

>135 lunacat:: I enjoyed Three Hearts, Three Lions. I think my favorite of his are Operation Chaos and, of course, the Hoka books that he did with Gordon Dickson. I haven't read anything by him in years (decades!), but maybe I should give them his works a try and see if my tastes are still the same.

I had somehow missed your thread before this, but I'll definitely be keeping up with it from now on! I think I've just added four books to my wishlist.

Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson

This is the story of a man's life in 1948 as he spends the summer with his father as a 15 year old boy, and his autumn as a 67 year old man having escaped from his life and beginning a new one.

For a large part of this novel (and it isn't very long), I thought I was missing something. I was interested in what was happening, could appreciate that the writing quality was high and the descriptions stunning and yet clear and succint, but I didn't feel that I had connected with it. There was a darkness, a foreboding and a melancholy that came with this story that made me feel sad and slightly uncomfortable at times.

In various ways we are given glimpseas of the lives of the characters and the stories of his father, acquaintances and himself are all relayed. His father's activities during the war, his childhood friend Jon, and Jon's mother, and his personal life are all touched on but it is only the summer of 1948 and the present day autumn that are dealt with in detail. However, it would seem that if there had been more bulk to this story, it wouldn't have been as clear and searing as it is.

Despite believing myself to have missed the point of the whole book, and preparing to admit that I just didn't get it, on the last page something tugged at me and I found myself swallowing a lump. I don't know why, and it isn't explained by my reactions to any other parts of the story but when can emotional reactions be explained!

I'd recommend it. I didn't think I would but I do. Its clear, well told, interesting and obviously more emotive than I gave it credit for. I'll have to wander off and examine my feelings toward it now.

In one line: Well written, succinct story, told in flashbacks detailing key events, about a summer and an autumn, the then and the now.

4 out of 5 (it was going to get 3 but redeemed itself at the last minute)

Egads! My TBR list is getting way too long... I've added Three Hearts and Three Lions and Out Stealing Horses to my list.

Lunacat
Out Stealing Horses is mentioned on various threads this week...Now, I see it posted on yours as well. I'll take this as a sign to move it further up to the top of the HUGE tbr pile.

Thanks for the great review.

Lunacat, woefully behind on threads, but just enjoyed catching up on yours, and have added seven (yes 7) to the TBR pile. Thanks for the reviews and lovely numbers!

The Last Light of the Sun by Guy Gavriel Kay

Having heard a lot about Guy Gavriel Kay, and read the first part of his Fionavar Tapestry (The Summer Tree) I was eager to read more of him. The only book I found of his on Bookmooch was this one, and so I dived right in.

Set in The Northlands, a place somewhat akin to medieval Scotland, Wales or Ireland, this is a story of various people's beginnings or ends of their lives. Incorporating strong attributes from past historical cultures (Vikings, Anglo-saxons and Celts all appear and feature strongly) these lands are brutal and fierce.

The characters are, as in most fantasy, all on a mission, either of revenge or redemption, salvation or forgiveness.

There is Bern Thorkellson, punished for his father's crimes and out to find a better place for himself in this hard world. Alun ab Owyn, who has the title of 'heir' thrust upon him when his brother is killed. King Aeldred is desperate for his people to achieve education and a higher learning but has to deal with the threat of invasion and killing among his people.

Within these main characters stories, there are many more, men and women, who are affected by their choices and behaviours as a threat looms over everything that they are all searching for. And then there are the faeries, that watch over this all.

I was engrossed in the stories of the people from the word go, and whilst it read as a Norse legend, I didn't find it dissatisfying at all. Each hero had a flaw, each villain a motive and each person a chance to change what is, or should, be. The faerie elements are beautifully written and the ending both appropriate and well received. I also very much liked the way 'incidental' stories are slotted into the overall narrative, a highly enjoyable touch. The strong female characters were also much appreciated.

Some people have said this isn't his best work but I found it engrossing and compelling. I appreciated the wildness of the setting, the tale that was being told and the people involved in it. If Tigana is supposed to be better, I can't wait to read it as this is already getting my top marks.

In one line: Engrossing fantasy with deep characters, drawing on Norse and Celtic ideas.

5 out of 5

A very nice review of The Last Light of the Sun lunacat. I've been hearing wonderful things about this author and will probably give Tigana a try sometime soon.

Shakespeare: The World as Stage by Bill Bryson

The main object of this book is to tell us how little is actually known about Shakespeare and his life, and in this Bryson does very well. He goes through his life from beginning to end, detailing what has been said about Shakespeare and what we know as absolute fact.

To bulk it out (as there really is VERY little know) Bryson goes into detail about Elizabethan and Jacobian life, as well as what is known about the people who Shakespeare may have encountered.

I found this humourous and enlightening in learning how many 'facts' of this period are in fact supposition or conjecture, and how his eminance as a playwright came about.

If you want a lighthearted and amusing book on Shakespeare, without the historical drudgery or desire to be taken absolutely seriously, this is the one to go through. I listened to it on audiobook and even though Bryson's somewhat muddled Anglo/american accent was slightly distracting at times, it was also great to hear it in his own voice.

In one line: Amusing, lighthearted biography on how much we DON'T know about Shakespeare.

4 out of 5

>144 lunacat::

Some people have said this isn't his best work...

I'm not sure what they're looking for; I think it definitely is part of his very top tier along with Tigana. Personally, I put The Fionavar Tapestry in that select group, also, but that's a little more controversial.

ETA: The nice thing about Kay is that even his not-top-tier stuff is pretty darn good. He has one, maybe two, that are only fair.

The Last Light of the Sun sounds like a wonderful book. I've not heard of this one, or the author.

And, the Bill Bryson book will be added to the tbr pile along with the one by Guy Gavriel Kay.

>144 lunacat:: Wow. Sounds fantastic. I'd never heard of Kay before this year and now today alone I've added two of his books to the list...

#144: I will try and track that one day as soon as I finish 'Tigana', which I am greatly enjoying.

#146: I read the Bryson book on Shakespeare last year, and agree with you, it is more about what we don't know (of which there is a lot!) than what we do.

hi - only just found your thread somehow, so i'm way behind - but definitely a couple here to add to my tbr pile!

i also loved a traveller in time when i was younger (and actually re-bought it recently, because i had a craving!) - i was also a rosemary sutcliff fan - if you're a lover of historical novels, have you read any by her? they're also ya fiction, but i regularly re-read warrior scarlet and knight's fee in particular...

It was my birthday yesterday and just wanted to share the haul that you'll be interested in :)



So reasonable birthday! And my mum has promised me more treats, we're going on a bookbuying mission at the end of march when I have finished my ridiculous work stint so that promises many many more :)

Lunacat

Belated Happy Birthday. That is quite a stash you have there.

O Pioneers! by Willa Cather

What a delightful tale of life and death on the American frontier. The descriptions of the land were sublime and the people within this story were all well rounded and realistic, with both strengths and weaknesses within each. My main complaint is that there wasn't enough of it. I felt there was a 400 page book hidden in this 122 page novella. The characters seemed to have so much more to tell, and we only got a glimpse of that within this book.

But maybe......just maybe, sometimes less is more.

In one line: Short tale of life and death and the beauty of a wilderness.

3 1/2 out of 5

Your edition must have really fine print. My edition of O Pioneers has 306 pages--one reason why I'm not reading it for the February author read.

I do plan to read it--and after your nice review I'll probably put it in my 999 Classics category. If it is just the difference in the size of print--this may be a fast" read for me after all! That would be nice for a change. :-)

#152 I've read 4 of the 6. Good haul! Enjoy!

ETA Oh, and Happy Birthday.

I've never read anything by Willa Cather, but have My Antonia in the TBR pile.

>152 lunacat:: Happy Birthday for yesterday!!! I'm so pleased to see the Tough Guide to Fantasyland in there - great book, and one I 'liberate' from secondhand bookstores when I see it so I actually own more than one copy...

>154 lunacat:: I just bought O Pioneers! today in the library sale after all the Cather-reading and -praising that has been going on around here lately, so I'm glad you liked it. (The library had obviously just had a clear-out, and the trolley was full of new books so I came home with 5 on top of the two holds I was collecting... argh. I would deem March 'Say No to New Books' month, except that it seems deeply philistinic to do so in the month of World Book Day. April, maybe, when a new year's council tax starts up....)

Happy Birthday again! Will be interested to hear your thoughts on Stephenie Meyer.

Happy birthday!

Is that a paperback copy of Eclipse?

belated Happy Birthday!

When I joined bookmooch in 2007, I got those two books at the bottom of your picture mixed up! I bought one when I meant to buy the other!!

Happy birthday Lunacat! And yay to 6 books and more to come.

I have My Antonia and Alexander's Bridge by Willa Cather out of the library at the moment. At the rate I'm going though, I'll be lucky to finish My Antonia and haven't even started AB!

Just wanted to share some pictures of my gorgeous, beautiful pregnant cat. She is 5 weeks pregnant today and has the cutest bump!

And before anyone complains at me for letting our cat become pregnant, we have homes for if she has up to 8 kittens, who are all people who had tried to adopt from a charity but been declined for stupid reasons, such as owning a dog or having small children. Sorry for the rant but we've had so much criticism!

Your cat is so beautiful!

The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Bod is Nobody. Nobody Owens to be exact. He has been brought up by ghosts and somebody wants him dead.

Thats the basis for this book but what I most liked was the eccentricity of it all. The characters, the dialogue, the Sleer and the Jacks all made it an original work.

Gaiman creates the various different people very well, and the premise was a brilliant one, as most of his are. It showed that it is a YA book at times, and if it had been an adult book I think I would have loved it all the more. I could have done with a lot more detail at times, but I often want more detail as I like epics.

I think if I had been younger, it would have left me with a happier feeling but I was melancholy at the end of this. Perhaps because it filled me with the thought that we can never go back. Our pasts hover in the back of our minds, seen through the haze of innocence and childlike joy. We can never have that again. And that thought made the ending......bittersweet.

However, it was the 'extras' that I liked the most. The secondary characters, the small pieces of information that formed the world, little things like the gravestone inscriptions, all raised a lot of smiles.

If you have ever liked anything by Gaiman, like fantasy, like childrens books, like a good story.........read this.

In one like: Lovely, funny, bittersweet book of growing up raised by ghosts and finding your way in the world.

4.5 out of 5

Hi lunacat,

I finished The Graveyard Book last week, and like you I felt a kind of sadness through out the book. I good read. Thanks for the review.

I'm eager to know what you think of The Book of Lost Things. It's a book I rather enjoyed.

What a beautiful kitty!

Hi lunacat, I've got The Graveyard Book ordered and on the way, so I'm glad to know you, too, think it's a good book. I've heard so much about it that I'm eager to hear what all the fuss is about. It seems like such a strange premise for a story! I've also heard good things about The Book of Lost Things, so I'm interested to know what you think of it as well!

Lunacat, I think that sadness is an integral part of the genre. Neil Gaiman based The Graveyard Book on Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Books in great part. He says so himself, and several of the chapters are direct re-interpretations of several of the Mowgli stories. (By the way, if all you know of The Jungle Books is the Disney version--shame on you, and you have been woefully misled.) I loved those stories as a child, but it always came to the end where Mowgli had to grow up and move beyond and I always cried. I didn't cry for Bod--but I may have gotten a little sniffly, perhaps. I think that the sadness is part of the power of these books. Gaiman's reinterpretation is inspired and has made these stories more accessible to a whole new generation of readers. But my heart will always be more in the jungle than the graveyard--first loves and I'm too old to change now and all that!

Edited to try and make the Jungle books touchstones work--they show up on the right, but not in the final product!

A belated, belated happy birthday, Luna! Sorry I missed wishing it earlier, I was out getting my ears pierced for the first time. :)

Catey

Happy Birthday, lunacat, and congrats on all the books!

belated happy birthday!

Happy belated birthday, Luna! Mine was on Wednesday. :)

>162 lunacat:: Luna
She looks great, we have a pregnant dog (or should I say bitch, she is a bit bitchy now LOL), seven weeks today.
Are cats 9 weeks pregnant too?
Anita

I am behind on threads (as always :) ), so Happy Birthday!
Your cat is so pretty!
And your birthday books look fantastic!

People of the Book by Geraldine Brooks

Having loved and devoured Year of Wonders last year, I couldn't wait to read this one and I wasn't disappointed.

Hanna Heath is set the task of conserving a book. Not just any book, but one at least 600 years old, with a coloured history and a lot of meaning behind it. It is in fact, a Jewish Haggadah, and renowed for its glorious artwork.

While she repairs it, she discovers various minute objects that reveal some hints of its past, and where it has been in the periods of time when its whereabouts were unknown. Through these keyholes, we are treated to glimpses of worlds rich in colour and detail, with convincing characters and stories of history I knew almost nothing about.

The story that unfolds is one that is magical. However, I felt the present day events and the attempt at the twist let this book down. Most of it I didn't mind as I appreciated Hanna's discoveries and the way it lead to the past stories, but somehow I could never connect with the attempts to draw us into her personal life.

Despite the negatives, anyone with an interest in history, books or a good story should read this.

In one line: Engrossing, well told tale of the history of a book.

4 out of 5

lunacat,
Thanks for the review of People of the Book, it's a book in my TBR pile waiting patiently to be read. I check your thread often as we have very similar tastes in books; when I look at your side bar of "touchstone works" almost all of them are checked as books that I also have. Most of those not checked are already on my wish list.

thanks for your great reviews, they're very helpful -
Eliza

p.s. your cat is sooooooooo pretty!

Adding People of the Book to my TBR....it might be there already, but if it is, then I am adding it again!

Lunacat, I think you put your finger on why I did not really like People of the Book. I did find the historical information interesting, but felt the book was overrated, and have never tried another Geraldine Brooks because of it. Maybe I should give her another try!

I went the other way re: Geraldine Brooks. I LOVED People of the Book, but really hated Year of Wonders. Different strokes and all that.

I am really enjoying reading your thread. We seem to have similar tastes in books and you're reading things I've either read already and loved or am about to read. Thank you for the mention of The Stone Raft by Saramago, too. I just recently read Blindness and I'm eager to read more stuff by him, as I really enjoyed the experience (although I was initially distracted by his punctuation).

The BFG by Roald Dahl.

I just had to reread this again, having talked so much about it on Whisper's thread (and others) and it came at a good time. I was tired and emotional, and it was there!

Sophie is taken from her bed by the BFG (big friendly giant) and from then on they have a gentle and yet highly enchanting mission to save the world's people from the not so friendly giants.

The imagination Dahl has, the subtle touches such as the way the BFG speaks, and the descriptions used make this my absolute favourite of his books. It starts well, continues wonderfully and ends in a way that is fitting! If you want an example of easy to read, well written, children's fiction with a unique storyline that is a joy to read, get this book.

In one line: lighthearted, well written tale of giants and dreams.

5 out of 5

Lunacat
So glad you read this wonderful book at a time when you needed a break.

Pretty kitty! And I loved the bday score! way to go :)

Thanks for all the comments about my cat :)

She's getting pretty big now, less than three weeks to go and eating a LOT! We're very excited about seeing the kittens, seeing how many she has, what colours etc.

good luck with the kittens!

I'm interested in learning about them when they are born.

You know we are all going to clamor for kitten pictures when they are born...

Yes! We must have pictures of the cuties when they get here.

I'll definitely post pictures, don't worry about that. I'll be a very proud mum (or grandma lol)





New Moon by Stephenie Meyer

My best friend got me Twilight for christmas and then got me New Moon and Eclipse for my birthday. I didn't think I would get round to reading them any time soon but as I had to go home from work today because of sickness and near fainting, I needed a light read and this was there.

Again, we have more or less the same storyline. Bella and Edward battling reasons they can't be together, Bella ending up in hospital, Bella having teen dramas, Edward being distant and weird at the same time.

In some ways I preferred New Moon to Twilight, due mainly to the larger role Jacob plays in this book. He appeals to me far more than Edward does, and the fact Bella isn't obsessed or worryingly infatuated with him is just a plus in my box. She appears to be able to have a normal friendship with him, which rang slightly truer for me than anything else does in these.

However, I found I was disliking more and more the way Bella is weak without Edward and strong with him. I'm by no means what you would describe as an avid feminist but I am independent and her inability to function or be happy without a man at her side doesn't feel the right message to be giving young girls. Love and friendship is all very well, but this felt like obsession and fanaticism which I didn't appreciate.

However, the book kept moving at a reasonable pace and I read it in one afternoon. It served its purpose in stopping me thinking about throwing up!

In one line: Badly written teen drama involving vampires that still manages to keep the interest to the end.

3 out of 5

sickness and near fainting?! i hope you're feeling better now!

The Accidental Sorcerer by K. E. Mills

Gerald Dunwoody has a lot of problems. He's a grade 3 wizard, he's blown up a factory and now he is the court wizard in a very strange country, for a very weird royal family.

Thats the basis for this fantasy, which seems mostly to be spoofing civil servants and bureaucracy in the same way as Terry Pratchett uses all sorts of themes within his books, such as the postal service, Hollywood etc. However, this book is nowhere near the standard of Pratchett.

The characters are reasonable and eccentric additions including a talking bird and a butterfly loving prince add smiles. Dunwoody himself is far too reminiscent of Rincewind on Discworld for me to be able to take him seriously as himself.

The main complaint I had about this was that had it continued as it had started, being lighthearted and bumbling along through the storyline, it would have received a better review. However, Mills attempts to add gravitas by adding unnecessary (in my eyes) details of violence that didn't add to the storyline. Not so much initially but as things progressed it seemed an attempt to establish this as a more 'serious' read. It doesn't work.

It wasn't a bad read as in.......this is terrible I can't read any more. Its not a good read as in........I really enjoyed this. It was........eh.

3 out of 5

Little Fuzzy by H. Beam Piper (174 pages)

Jack Holloway is digging for stones on Zarathustra when a friend comes to visit. This friend isn't human though. Its a 'Fuzzy'.

What follows is a lovely, interesting, enthralling and thought-provoking science fiction novel. The descriptions of the Fuzzies are wonderful. Their customs, habits, routines and methods of learnings are fantastic and made them entirely real.

Not only is this a book with 'cute' written all over it, but also a serious look at what defines a sapient being and the lengths people will go in walking over what they consider 'inferior' beings to ensure they get what they want.

This is by far and away the best science fiction I have read this year. I get the feeling it could take some doing to beat how much this book touched me. The ending just makes it brilliant.

In one line: Not only a fascinating look at another species but also a discussion about the definition of a sapient being. Highly Recommended.

5 out of 5

Oh, and can someone please explain what is going on with the touchstones in my first post????????????????

>190 lunacat:: I enjoy all of Piper's work. Even his smash 'em-bash 'em space operas were fun. Sad that he committed suicide; there could have been a lot more from him.

>191 lunacat:: You have to wait for them all to "load" when you edit. This can take quite a long time, especially with LT being so slow lately. If you don't wait, the ones that haven't loaded just come up as plain text.

#193

thank you very much, that will explain it!

Would you recommend the next Piper I should try and get hold of?

Darn, adding another to the TBR pile because Little Fuzzy sounds so good. I need to stay away from your thread, lunacat!

>194 lunacat:: You could finish the Fuzzy series: Fuzzy Sapiens and Fuzzies and Other People. That's probably what I'd do.

If you wanted a little space opera, you could try a couple from his "Federation" books, perhaps The Cosmic Computer (also published as Junkyard Planet) or Space Vikings.

He also has a set of crosstime travel/alternate universe books. I'm not sure of the sequence, but I think Paratime was first.

Piper also wrote a number of short stories, some of them quite enjoyable. I know there are collections out there, though I can't recall the titles.

Little Fuzzy sounds really cute! I'll give it a try, since it's also quite short, so it shouldn't take a lot of time :)

I didn't add Little Fuzzy even after reading about it on Stasia's thread... but your review has convinced me!

Little Fuzzy sounds good! I'm adding it to the ever growing tbr pile.

Slammerkin by Emma Donoghue (420 pages)

Mary Saunders loves fine things and colour in her world. When she sees a girl wearing a red ribbon, she craves it. And so starts her downfall. Her actions lead to prostitution and eventually gaol.

I really enjoyed this historical novel, based in the 18th century. The use of colour and smells, descriptions of London low life and the feelings of Mary are well written. At every stage of her journey, her actions whilst sometimes not what the reader might have done, are logical and make sense. Never does she do something that is not fitting with the character portrayed.

Not only do her actions make sense but her relationships with others and her feelings also have reality to them.

The only thing I didn't like about this book was the prologue, in which we see where Mary has ended up. The rest of the story tells us how she came to that place. I was wishing throughout that Donoghue was going to throw a twist in the works as you end up so wanting Mary to have a good ending. By telling us previously, it spoilt my anticipation somewhat.

However, it was a very enjoyable and quick read.

In one line: A captivating story dealing with prostitution, desperation and a desire for more in 18th century London.

4 out of 5

Glad to see another Fuzzy fan, luna!

#202 Absolutely. I would love to adopt one!

Me, too, but I have dogs, and they probably would not get along.

Just wanted to update my thread with some pics of my gorgeous cat. She's got about 7-12 days to go before she has the kittens and she's getting pretty big now. We're very excited. She's also getting quite fed up of being uncomfortable!

Sorry for the poor quality of the last pic but I just wanted to give some idea of how big her tummy is.

Aww.....we should have a pet picture thread. She is sooo beautiful. Her coloring is perfect for showing off her round belly with that little swirl on the side.

Beautiful!

You're kitty pictures are wonderful. I especially like the "reflective" (pun intended!) mood of the first one.

So Adorable!! (=^I^=)

Just added Little Fuzzy to my wishlist, too! Thanks, lunacat!

Awww can't wait to see the kitties... jasmyn is right, we *should* have a pet picture thread!

He, She and It by Marge Piercy

When Shira's ex-husband wins custody of her son, she retreats from the corporation community where her life is dictated by the rules, and returns to her childhood home, the 'free' town of Tikva. There she discovers Yod, the cyborg who will change her world. Meanwhile, her grandmother Malkah is telling Yod a tale of the 16th century, where their ancestors freedom is just as threatened as it is now.

This novel combines the future and the past, much as Doomsday Book did so successfully. Earth is suffering in the mid 21st century, with high temperatures, radiation and danger. There are three different 'areas' within this world, the protected enclaves of the corporation where life is dictated by rules and regulations, but food is available and the people within this are protected.
The 'Glop' is the other end, a gang ruled slum with poverty, starvation and death.

I really felt that all three 'scenes' in the future were well realised and entirely believable, as were the characters, the motivations and the events that unfold. The backstory of the historical tale is just as enthralling, and show that whilst technology may advance and the world may change, human nature and desires are less likely to change.

There was a lot about the protection of the Jewish faith as well, and whilst it was slightly distracting at first as I don't know much about this religion and felt I was missing a lot, as the facts were revealed I forgot noticing details I wasn't sure about.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The way the stories played out, the progression of characters both 'man made' and human was exceptionally well written. This is one I will definitely reread and really analyses what makes us human, where the line is and how far we are willing to go in the protection of our freedoms.

In one line: The past seems to be repeating as a 'free town' in the future is under threat from the big corporations that rule most of the world.

4 1/2 out of 5

Ooh, He, She, It looks awesome. Adding to TBR pile!!!

I read He, She, It years ago, and really liked it. Marge Piercy has written another book Woman on the Edge of Time, with similar themes--a woman in a mental institution is able to transport herself to an ideal Utopian society in a different time and place. I really liked that one too.

These two books look very interesting.

He, She, and It sounds like a really good read. If it is anywhere nearly as well done as Doomsday Book I know I will love it. Onto the TBR it goes!

I am adding both of the Piercy books mentioned to the Continent. They both sound very good.

The Girls by Lori Lansens

A book told in two voices, this tells the story of twins conjoined at the head, but entirely seperate in thoughts, desires, likes, dislikes and opinions. Ruby and Rose have never been alone, and yet they have never looked at each other either. As they tell their lives, we learn about what makes them so individual, and unique.

I was expecting a 'typical' female written novel of medium writing quality and a standard method of telling, and in many ways this is what was delivered. However, the thing that made this enjoyable for me was not the backstory and the events as such, but the interaction between the girls through the telling. Neither knows what the other is writing, and the coincidences and comments the author drops into both make it appear both believable and fascinating.

At times I felt it was real, at others I was aware of the 'story' quality of it and couldn't feel it as a supposed autobiography and yet at the end, it was both heartbreaking and joyful, inspiring and devastating. I wanted more and yet I felt it ended where it should.

It seems much more a 'feminine' book than one that might appeal to all sexes and ages than some do, but it is an enjoyable and well paced read.

In one line: Conjoined twins tell their lives in unique voices and styles, to great effect.

3 1/2 out of 5

Next up, humour and fantasy combined in Nothing but Blue Skies by Tom Holt. I'm in need of a light read!

Very good review of The Girls. I think you very articulately express my own feelings about this book.

edited to fix touchstone

I went on a shopping spree today and managed to break my resolve of not buying any books!

I went to the library to look at their books for sale and discovered there was a 'portable bookshop' sale going on so of course I had to go in.

I got:

Fortress in the Eye of Time by C. J. Cherryh
The Mountains of Majipoor by Robert Silverberg
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heinlein
Freedom's Challenge by Anne McCaffrey
Ghost King by David Gemmell
The Elfstones of Shannara by Terry Brooks
The Ruby Knight by David Eddings
Von Bek by Michael Moorcock
Hawkmoon by Michael Moorcock
Changing Planes by Ursula K. LeGuin
The Queen of Subtleties by Suzannah Dunn
The Plantagenet Prelude by Jean Plaidy
Daughters of the Grail by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Marsh King's Daughter by Elizabeth Chadwick
The Needle in the Blood by Sarah Bower

All for £20!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ah, I found your thread!

I recently read Pride and Prejudice as well...planning on reading all the Austens in the nearish (which might include next year as well heh). I'd have to say that Persuasion is my favourite, so far at least.

Glad to see your high rating of Riddle-Master of Hed, which is just a wonderful book (or books I suppose).

Oh we posted at the same time - I'm SO jealous over all your finds for so little...wow, that's cool.

I've been trying to find the Majipoor books, but they seem to be out of print. And I'm very interested in that Cherryh series as well. I think I have the first one waiting...

And I forgot to say earlier I have The Girls on my to-read shelves, so interesting to read your review...

WOW! You were able to obtain some really great books. Happy reading to you.

Lunacat, you are my kind of gal. Now, let me ask you: How difficult was it to break your resolve of not buying any more books? I'm betting - not too hard :)

>220 lunacat:
Congratulations on your finds! I've been looking for Daughters of the Grail for some time now. I hear it's great! Let us know what you think.

# 220 Looks like a great haul, lunacat! There are several that I'd be interested in.

I was very proud of myself this weekend. I've made a commitment to not buy any more books for the month, but found myself in the bookstore anyway (magnetic attraction, I guess!). I did manage to walk out without buying anything! Amazing...

#226: How many people were holding you back, Lorie?

4 gorgeous kittens.............she started first stage labour at about 11pm, wanted me near her and decided she WAS having them on my bed *sigh*

Gave birth to the first at 5.45, the 2nd at 5.55, the third was harder for her at about 6.40 and the 4th at 6.50am. I'm now dashing off to work having had about 2 1/2hrs dozing!

She and I are exhausted lol. Have taken pics but have no time to post them, will do later!!

Aww, too cute! Congratulations!

Awwwwwwwwwwwwwww....!!! *gets all googly eyed*

Updated pics now they are clean and dry :)

This is the first born: pure black and weighing in at 110g



2nd: Dark tabby (taking after its mum) weighing 122g



3rd: (and the one that caused Luna the most trouble) Light grey tabby weighing 129g



4th: Pure grey weighing 111g



And contented Mama 12hrs after first born



Can you tell I'm proud???????????????????

She's doing great, they're all feeding, she hasn't moved them and she's keeping them and herself very clean. When we took them away to weigh them, she shouted for them and showed herself a very caring first time mum.

They are beautiful. I am glad they are all doing well. The grey tabby is a looker. Luna looks content.

They are so cute! We will need to see more pictures once they're eyes are open. They will be all fluffy and lively soon!

Number 2 is my favorite!
So, are you keeping them all? Or giving them away? Are you naming them or letting that up to the (possible) new owners?

I know, I Know, curiosity killed the cat. :)

We're keeping 2 and giving 2 away to friends of ours (providing the respective husband and father agree!! lol) and they'll name theirs. We don't know which we're going to keep. I have been trying to sex them and I *think* I have done 3 but Luna got cross and I'm not sure anyway!! lol.

So cute! Or, as my Japanese coworkers would say, KAWAII! (Pronunciation: car-why-ee).

They really are adorable. Congratulations Luna and lunacat!

Congratulations!!!!
They are totally adorable, I had never seen kittens so young, so thanks for sharing them :-)

I like the grey one, is that color called blue?

Our pups were between 340g and 450g, the biggest was the first and caused some trouble...

Anita

I like the little black kitty (first born)...well, I like them all. But, I cannot have cats in the house due to allergies and asthma...
I brush my sheltie every day and run the cleaner a lot to cut down on dander as much as possible.

Congratulations. This is so exciting.

Ahhh, the drowned rat stage! Really, they are gorgeous, but not yet cute. 10 days to eyes opening, 2 weeks to start tottering around on their own, 3 weeks to 8 weeks--absolutely adorable!! Looking forward to the pictures coming then.

Great reviews and even better kittens! Precious. Majipoor... brings back memories :)

Gorgeous kittens! You're denting my reserve not to get cats until I have a garden of my own...

Updates:

All are doing brilliantly. Some small concerns at the quietness of one of them (the grey one) but after weighing it, its putting on weight well so we'll just keep an eye out for it.

Luna has been a fabulous mum so far. She does leave them when they are asleep in a pile but comes back quickly when she hears them squeak.

We put them all on my bed to weigh them and while we changed her bed and she was not happy, picking one up and jumping off the bed with it to put it back in the cage were they are! We moved the rest of them back for her :)

Weight gain 24hrs on:

Black: 11g
Dark tabby: 8g
Light tabby: 5g
Grey: 9g

and #243 flissp

you should come and visit them! And if the two people we are expecting to have the other 2 kittens don't, you could take a kitten away with you ;)

Lunacat
Thanks for keeping us posted regarding mom and babies. This must be an incredibly wonderous time in your house.

35. Nothing but Blue Skies by Tom Holt (review will come soon)
36. Middlemarch by George Eliot (review pending)
37. The Queen's Bastard by Robin Maxwell (review pending)

I'll be very interested in knowing what you think of Middlemarch since it's on my TBR pile.

I just finished Middlemarch too. I am interested in seeing what you have to say.

I'm still trying to figure out if I can be bothered reading Middlemarch...heh.

*still in adorations over the kittehs*

#249 Severn - you really should give Middlemarch a go - it takes a bit of getting into, but once you do, the characterization is wonderful - I loved it.

#244 NOOOO lunacat, don't say things like that! You need to tell me that I mustn't have a cat, because it'd be cruel without a garden and living by so many major roads and, and, and.... ;)

For what it is worth, Middlemarch is one of my favorite all time books--a great story, great writing.

With these recommendations, how could I not add Middlemarch to the huge tbr pile.

>250 flissp: Flissp, our cats are indoor cats. Or out on a leash. Start 'em young and they leash train really well, and like it too!

Yes, my "kitten" (2 years old now) was taken out on a leash starting when she was about 4 months old. Now, she sees us get the leash and runs to the door, sits down, and waits for us to get her hooked up. She kinda walks with us, but mostly it's if we give a gentle tug because she's too far behind she just runs to catch back up with us. It's a great way for indoor cats to get outside for exercise and fresh air, but you really do need to start young just to get them used to the feel of the leash. Out other cat had her first leash on when she was about 3 and went nuts jumping around trying to get the thing off her.

Oh, Lunacat, the kittens are so great. Thanks for keeping us posted on them and the photos. They are all lovely but number 3 is my favorite, bless it's little bright pink nose.

What all those people said about Middlemarch. I still think it's a fabulous book despite having studied it for A-level. "The best of us walk around well-wadded in stupidity.... we would die of the roar that lies just the other side of silence." Awesome.

And your kittens are vvvvvvvvvvv cute. My friend's cat had kittens last year and I had to endure several months of pleading from my kids not to give one of them a home (it really wouldn't have been fair on the cat - our lifestyle is too insanely random to be able to settle one in and give him or her the proper attention). Fortunately in the end she decided to keep the object of their affections, and as she only lives just down the road, they can go see him any time they like and indulge :)

Updates:

Been away for a few days and bought an obscene number of books (not me personally but I have acquired them) and have read a couple as well. Am slowly catching up with reviews etc! (will give long lasting respect to the person with the closest guess to the number of books acquired on trip)

Have also read:

Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K. Jerome
To Say Nothing of the Dog by Connie Willis

I will review all the pending books when I am caught up

Also on the trip, I visited these 2 castles and thought you might like to see (these aren't pics I took, just standard images)

Rochester Castle:



Bodiam Castle:



And some pics of the kittens

awww a pile of kitties, so cute!
Do I see it right, are their eyes open?
Anita

They're just sneaking open now. One of them has had it open since it was about 3 days old but now the others are slooooooooooowly opening too.

I'm looking forward to you thoughts on Three Men in a Boat and To Say Nothing of the Dog.

Your kitties are adorable!

You know, Luna, I have a 'The Cuteness' folder in my pictures file. Several of your kitty pictures have made their way in there. I adore the black one, and love his/her little folded ears in the top photo. :)

Like loriephillips, I'm also looking forward to your Three Men in a Boat (To Say Nothing of the Dog) (1889) review. I have this, along with the sequel Three Men on the Bummel (1900) making the final ascent for the summit of Mount TBR!

Severn
My favorite is the black kitten as well!

Luna...I always wanted to visit Bodiam castle. Please tell me about this excursion!

I have a long history of solid gray cats (of which, for the first time in 37 years, we have been without since Bella died of cancer several years ago), so have to name #4 as my favorite!

#4 is my favorite too!

So in love with your pile of kittens!

I guess 17 books.

oh my, you lot really are chipping away at my NO CATS YET resolve!! I had a completely black cat called Arthur (after Arthur Dent) when I was growing up, so also have a very squidgy spot for black cats... (say NO to getting a cat Fliss, NO!)

I have some mates who used to rent a house on the High Street in Rochester - their back window overlooked the castle, the front, the cathedral - amazing. It's an oddly dichotomous town...

Also looking forward to your Three Men in a Boat review - this is one of my books lined up for the year...

They are making me want a new kitty also. We have two, Pumpkin who is 2 1/2 and still thinks she the baby, and Squeegie (she came with the name) who is 5 1/2. I keep meaning to put pictures up, but always forget when I'm at my home computer.

Just going to post the books I acquired over my three days away here and then start a new thread as, with the pics, its a bit overloaded!

Grunts by Mary Gentle
Freedom's Choice by Anne McCaffrey
The Ships of Merior by Janny Wurts
The Golden Torc by Julian May
The Non Born King by Julian May
The Adversary by Julian May
Fortress of Owls by C. J. Cherryh
Shardik by Richard Adams
Daughter of the Forest by Juliet Marillier
Stranger in a Strange Land by Robert A. Heilein (uncut)
When Christ and his Saints Slept by Sharon K. Penman
The Reckoning by Sharon K. Penman
Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams
A Time of Exile by Katharine Kerr
Jhereg by Steven Brust
Green Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
Blue Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson
Darkspell by Katharine Kerr
A Song for Arbonne by Guy Gavriel Kay
Deryni Checkmate by Katherine Kurtz
Lyonesse: Suldrun's Garden by Jack Vance
The Prince of Darkness by Jean Plaidy
The Revolt of the Eaglets by Jean Plaidy
Daughters of Spain by Jean Plaidy
The Onion Girl by Charles De Lint
Enchantment by Orson Scott Card
The Leopard Unleashed by Elizabeth Chadwick
Beauty by Robin McKinley
Spiritwalk by Charles De Lint
Practical Demonkeeping by Christopher Moore
The Rowan by Anne McCaffrey
The Runaways by Ruth Thomas (YA from my childhood)
Voice of Our Shadow by Jonathan Carroll
Sideshow by Sheri S. Tepper
The Warrior Queens: Women in History by Antonia Fraser
Earthly Joys by Philippa Gregory
The Amulet of Samarkand by Jonathan Stroud
Ptolemy's Gate by Jonathan Stroud
The Stars My Destination by Alfred Bester
Destiny by Elizabeth Haydon
The Knight by Gene Wolfe
Young Bess by Margaret Irwin
Elizabeth, Captive Princess by Margaret Irwin
Elizabeth and the Prince of Spain by Margaret Irwin
The Wild Shore by Kim Stanley Robinson
Lord Valentine's Castle by Robert Silverberg
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Ye Gods! by Tom Holt
Open Sesame by Tom Holt
A Bone of Contention by Susanna Gregory
The Wild Hunt by Elizabeth Chadwick
Fool's Errand by Robin Hobb
Bearing an Hourglass by Piers Anthony
Night Mare by Piers Anthony
Camber the Heretic by Katherine Kurtz
Majipoor Chronicles by Robert Silverberg
Centaur Aisle by Piers Anthony
The Sum of All Men by David Farland
Brotherhood of the Wolf by David Farland
Woman on the Edge of Time by Marge Piercy
A Spell for Chameleon by Piers Anthony
Throy by Jack Vance
Bridget Jones's Diary by Helen Fielding
Vale of the Vole by Piers Anthony
Beyond the Deepwoods by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
Stormchaser by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
Midnight over Sanctaphrax by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
The Curse of the Gloamglozer by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
The Last of the Sky Pirates by Paul Stewart and Chris Riddell
Slumdog Millionaire by Vikas Swarup
The Year 1000 by Robert Lackey
The Sentimental Agents in the Volyen Empire by Doris Lessing
The Dark Mirror by Juliet Marillier
Jane Boleyn: The Infamous Lady Rochford by Julia Fox
Ecce and Old Earth by Jack Vance
Warhost of Vastmark by Janny Wurts
The System of the World by Neal Stephenson
The Cellist of Sarajevo by Steven Galloway
The Winter Mantle by Elizabeth Chadwick
White Horses by Alice Hoffman
The Golden Notebook by Doris Lessing
The Lies of Locke Lamora by Scott Lynch

and last but not least

Three Men on the Bummel by Jerome K. Jerome

All bought 2nd hand for anything from 50p - £4 for me :)

I'll now stop making you jealous and make another thread.........but not today! My brain is wiped out!!

wow that's a lot of books, and some great ones there!

As I entered details of books by Rosemary Sutcliff the computer said she was mentioned in this conversation, but I have struggled to find it. I am probably being stupid....

but if you did read one or more Rosemary Sutcliff's and if you enjoyed it/them.....www.rosemarysutcliff.wordpress.com might interest you?