Song for a Sunday

I feel I should do an April's Fool... but I can't think of anything.  So let's have a Song for a Sunday as normal, eh?

Sometimes you can't do better than a bit of Barbra and Judy, can you?

Stuck-in-a-Book's Weekend Miscellany

Happy weekend, one and all!  I think mine will be spent justifying my thesis in a thousand words (fun) and - rather better - hopefully the first trip of 2012 to Jane's Teas.  But I shall not leave you neglected, oh no - here is a miscellany to enjoy.

1.) The book - the first I heard of Marilynne Robinson's new collection of essays was through a post at Mary's Library.  Mary found When I Was a Child I Read Books a little uneven, and I've got to admit, the excitement I felt at the title (a book about books, yay!) was dampened rather when I discovered what it was actually about (philosophy and theology and stuff... oh.)  I have no problem with those topics, but they don't compare to my love of books-about-books.  Still, I'm intrigued to read it, since Robinson is such a brilliant writer - and this afternoon got a ticket to see Robinson talk about the book at Blackwell's on 15th May.  (Anyone around in Oxford then?)

2.) The link - is a week-long course my supervisor Sally Bayley is helping to run in Oxford: Sylvia Plath Interdisciplinary Masterclass.  All the info is here, for those with the interest, finances, and proximity to Oxford!  I would just add, Sally is lovely, passionate about literature, and able to engage people in discussions about it in a dynamic and friendly way.  That sounds like a testimonial, doesn't it?!  But it's true :)

3.) The other link - is the Explore Learning National Young Writers' Award, a competition for budding writers aged 5-14.  A story on 'Old and New', max. 500 words, can be submitted after April 11th by email, post, or at your local Explore Learning Centre.  Andrew Cope will be the judge - apparently he writes the Spy Dog series.  Being out of the loop on children's books, I don't know it - but I bet lots of you have read it aloud to your kids!  All the info you need is here - I'd love to know if your children/grandchildren/nephews/nieces etc. are entering.

4.) The blog post - is Daniel's at Hibernian Homme, mostly for the beautiful picture, and the question at the end - but also because if you haven't discovered Daniel's quirky, joyous, bohemian corner of the blogosphere yet, then you need to do some exploring...

Bloggiesta To Do List

Bloggiesta is on! Bloggiesta in an event from March 30 to April 1, hosted at It's All About Books, and it's about doing all the stuff you want to do to improve your blog. It's the moment to finally do it, learn how to, teach others and make friends!

My Bloggiesta To Do List:

1. Write 5 future WoW posts. ✓
   
2. Write 5 future Reviews posts. ✓
3. Write 5 future IMM draft posts. ✓
4. Check links on my blog. ✓
5. Update my profile. ✓
6. Update my review policy. ✓
7. Update my giveaway page. ✓
8. Write Update my giveaway policy. ✓
9. Clean my to-be-read books on goodreads. ✓
10. Update my Read 2012 page. ✓
11. Clean my Google Reader. ✓

Also, there are a lot of posts from mini challenges I want to read (taken from It's All About Books):

• It's time to get organized and draw more readers to your blog with Charlotte from Charotte's Library (@charlotteslib) as she teaches us how to make Themed Pages on our blogs.  ✓

• My guess is that by now, everyone's heard of Pinterest. But did you know it can be for more than just recipes and craft projects?  Joy from Joy's Book Blog (@joyweesemoll) tells you all about how to use Pinterest to Promote Your Blog in this fun post.  ✓

• We can never talk enough about commenting. Let's learn more about it... specifically How to Build Readers for Your Blog Through Commenting, a mini challenge found over at Sheila's from Book Journey (@bookjourney). ✓

• How about those reviews? Can we make them even better? In this post,  Jessica from The Bluestocking Society (@thebluestocking) teaches us Five Ways to Make Your Reviews Stand Out.  ✓

• The time has come for you to learn all about SEO! Check out this mini challenge  Get Noticed by Search Engines brought to you by April from Good Books and Good Wine(@booksandwine)  ✓

• How are your sidebars looking? Are they too cluttered? Are they too boring? Head on over to visit Penelope at The Reading Fever (@ReadingFever) for answers in this challenge: Sidebar Help: What DoYou Really Need!  ✓

• Are you spending too much time on reviews? In this challenge, Melanie from Melanie's Musings (@MelanieFoust) gives you Five Tips to Write Reviews Faster  ✓

• Are you feeling in a bit of a blog fog? Well, languish no longer! Emily from Emily's Reading Room (@emsreadingroom) has Eight Ways to Freshen Up Your Content!   ✓

What do you think? A lot to do but not too difficult :) I just need time. Probably going to do more on weekend, since today I have work. Are you participating on Bloggiesta too? Please let me know :D Update: I found more mini challenges I want to participate:

• Comment Challenge @ There's A Book ✓
  
• It's All About the Number @ There's A Book ✓

P.D. James

This morning I went to the Oxford Literary Festival - only the third event I've attended in eight years in Oxford - and saw P.D. James talking with Peter Kemp (of the Sunday Times) about Death Comes to Pemberley.  As I've grown to expect from James's appearances, she was a witty and wise speaker - even without having read Death Comes to Pemberley (or, indeed, any of her books) I loved it.

My highlight from the event was the childhood story which revealed James's early propensity for crime literature: when her mother read her Humpty Dumpty, young Phyllis's question was "Did he fall, or was he pushed?"

I didn't join my friends in buying a copy and getting it signed, because of my Lenten fast, but I was tempted... has anyone read it?  I've heard mixed reviews, but would like to hear the yay or nay from you lot... those of you who are you still talking to me after my post on The Rector's Daughter!

Orcs -Forged for War by Stan Nicolls and Joe Flood– OPTIONAL

Nicolls, Stan and Flood, Joe Orcs -Forged for War 208 pgs. First Second, 2011. $13.49. (Language-PG Violence-PG-13; Sexual Content-PG-13 nudity).
Humans are a new race to the land of Maras-Dantia, and they want to take over. They fight against all of the elder races. There is in-fighting in both groups. This graphic novel follows an elite team of Orcs, under the ultimate leadership of a sorceress named Jennesta. She sends them out on missions that they don’t always agree with. For their latest mission they must guard a group of Goblins, which they don’t like at all.
This book sort of has a complex plot, which is compounded by confusing artwork. The characters all have a similar look –so I was constantly confusing goblins with human with orcs. In the end I was unsure of some of plots twists. I half wondered if I was just not paying careful attention, but came to the conclusion that the plot wasn’t interesting enough for me to care. I think students might be drawn to this battle filled epic, but school libraries won’t enjoy the topless women.
MS, HS– OPTIONAL Reviewer: Stephanie MLS graduate & Author.

Island of the Unknowns by Benedict Carey - ADVISABLE

Carey, Benedict.  Island of the Unknowns, 259 pages.  Amulet Book (ABRAMS), 2011 (originally published as The Unknowns in 2009).  $6.95 (paperback).  Language: PG (8 Swears); Sexual Content: G; Violence: PG.  Folsom Energy is a power plant.  Folsom Adjacent is the trailer park next to Folsom Energy (hence the name Adjacent).  In other words, it doesn't really have a name...it is a "nothing kind of place."  Nothing seems to happen there.  That is until people start mysteriously disappearing.  Lady Di and Tom Jones decide that something is wrong, and they start following clues left behind by Malba Clarke.  She uses math to lead them to answers to what is going on.  And they follow those clues and use more and more math as they go.  This book was okay.  It had its ups and it had its downs.  But I didn't love it.  The characters were quirky, but at times I felt like the author was trying too hard to make them quirky.  I enjoy math; in fact in school I liked math much more than I liked English.  And so I actually enjoyed reading and thinking about the math element.  The book would work well in a math class or in a cross-curricular unit.  It is for that possibility that I bump the book from optional up to advisable.  It deserves a place in schools, even if it is not a must-read.  EL, MS, HS - ADVISABLE.  Brent Smith, Reading Teacher

Only for Books Lovers: GoneReading

GoneReading is all about cool products for book lovers as us. But the interesting part is, they donate all of the profits to help fund libraries and reading-related charities. I think they products are amazing, but more amazing is they make it possible for people to read. So I though, why not give them a little help by promoting them on my blog?

I visited their website and spend like half an hour gawking at the products. These are my favorites:

Penguin T-Shirt for Women: Chill Out & Read! / “Book Wrap” – Book Jacket Cover Protection

Book Journal – “Books To Check Out” / “Eat. Sleep. Read.” Bookmark

What do you think? Visit their website http://gonereading.com, maybe you'll find something you like :) They are also on Pinterest.

The Rector's Daughter - F.M. Mayor

There are a few books which I expect to love, end up not loving, and then wonder why.  I lean back in my chair, eye the novel sternly, and ask myself (and it) what went wrong.  Was it timing?  Would a re-read make me fall in love?  Have I recently read something else which does the same sort of thing, but better?  That's a sure-fire way to leave me unimpressed.  Or is the book simply not as good as everyone tells me?

Well, recently a novel joined the ranks of Hotel du Lac, Gaudy Night, and A Passage to India.  All books which have their passionate fans, and (with me) a somewhat underwhelmed reader.  Well, The Rector's Daughter, I certainly didn't hate you.  I liked you rather more than the above trio of disappointments.  But nor did I love you in the way that I anticipated I would, based on reviews by Rachel and Harriet.  So I have stalled writing about this novel... I finished it right at the beginning of 2012, and yet... what to say?  How to write about it properly - justifying my lack of adoration for this much-adored title, but not only that: this was one of those novels which gave me no heads-up on how I would structure a review.  But... well, I'll try.

The Rector's Daughter (1924) concerns the life and ill-fated love of Mary Jocelyn, the rector's daughter in question.  She is motherless, and lives a life of obedient graciousness towards her father - who is deeply intellectual, but not able to show his love for his daughter.  I think Mary was supposed to be in the mold of silently passionate women, having to be content with their lot.  A bit like Jane Eyre, perhaps... but then I have always thought Jane Eyre a little overrated.  Here she is:

His daughter Mary was a decline.  Her uninteresting hair, dragged severely back, displayed a forehead lined too early.  Her complexion was a dullish hue, not much lighter than her hair.  She had her father’s beautiful eyes, and hid them with glasses.  She was dowdily dressed, but she had many companions in the neighbourhood, from labourers’ wives to the ladies of the big houses, to share her dowdiness.  It was not observed; she was as much a part of her village as its homely hawthorns.

Mary has one great chance at love, with Mr. Herbert - and I do not think it gives too much away (for it is no surprise) to relate that her chance comes to nothing, and she must live with the consequences of this unlucky, ineluctable failure.  Love is one of the major themes of the novel.  That's true of a lot of novels, but in The Rector's Daughter the theme is love-out-of-reach; the journey from innocence to experience, bypassing happiness.  What horrifies Mary - and what seems to horrify F.M. Mayor too - is any sort of irreverence towards love.

One winter day when Dora Redland had come to stay with Ella, she and Mary met for a walk.  Mary suddenly started the subject.  "I wish you would tell me something about love.  I should think no one ever reached my age and knew so little, except of love in books.  Father has never mentioned love, and Aunt Lottie treated it as if it ought not to exist.  There were you and Will, but I was so young for me age I never took it in."

"What a funny thing to ask!" said Dora.  "I don't think I know much about it either.  There was one of the curates at Southsea - I never imagined he cared at all for me; I had hardly ever spoken to him.  I think some one else had refused him.  That makes them susceptible, I believe, and also the time of year and wanting to marry."  There was a mild severity, perhaps cynicism, in this speech, which astonished Mary.

"But, Dora, don't you think there is a Love 'Which alters not with Time's brief hours and days, / But bears it out even to the edge of Doom'?"

"Take care, Mary dear, you stepped right into that puddle.  Wait a minute.  Let me wipe your coat.  I am not quite sure that I understand what you were saying."

Dora is also a spinster, but less angsty.  I think I would have rather enjoyed a novel from Dora's perspective...

It is usually easy to give reasons why a book didn't work for me.  Indeed, they are few more satisfying activities than laying into a poorly written novel... but The Rector's Daughter isn't poorly written.

Perhaps my ennui can be attributed to spinster novel fatigue?  I have read quite a few recently, and have to say that May Sinclair's Life and Death of Harriett Frean attempts a similar type of novel rather more (for me) successfully.  The public debate about unmarried women between the world wars (covered fascinatingly in a chapter of Nicola Beauman's A Very Great Profession, and less fascinatingly in Virginia Nicholson's Singled Out) was loud and often angry; the 1920s novels dealing with this issue were written at a time when the issue was contentious, as well as potentially tragic.  Maybe I've just read too many, now?

Perhaps I found The Rector's Daughter too earnest?  I have often noted that novels others love sometimes fail with me if they are very earnest.  It kills a narrative.  And certainly there appeared to be very little humour in Mayor's novel... at least in the first half.  I was surprised, in the second half, to come across moments which would be at home in Jane Austen or E.M. Delafield's lighter work.  This passage was brilliant - it's from Miss Davey, a character (looking back) whom I remember nothing else about:

"Who can that be coming down the road?  Why, it's the pretty little girl with the dark curls we saw yesterday when the Canon took me out a little walk - your dear father.  Oh no, it's not; now she comes nearer I see it's not the little girl with the dark curls.  My sight isn't quite as good as it was.  No, she has red hair and spectacles.  Dear me, what a plain little thing.  Did you say she would be calling for the milk, dear? Or is this the little one you say helps Cook?  Oh no, not that one, only ten; no, she would be rather young.  Yes, what the girls are coming to.  You say you don't find a difficulty.  Mrs. Barkham - my new lodgings; I told you about her, poor thing, she suffers so from neuralgia - she says the girls now - fancy her last girl wearing a pendant when she was waiting.  Just a very plain brooch, no one would say a word against, costing half-a-crown or two shillings.  I've given one myself to a servant many a time.  Oh, that dear little robin - Mary, you must look - or is it a thrush?  There, it's gone.  You've missed it.  Perhaps we could see it out of the other window.  Thank you, dear; if I could have your arm.  Oh, I didn't see the footstool.  No, thank you, I didn't hurt myself in the least; only that was my rheumatic elbow."

Had I simply missed this sort of thing at the beginning, or did Mayor alter the tone?  I'm not suggesting that all novels ought to be comic novels, but without a slightly ironic eye, or dark humour, or even a slight reflective smile, I am rather lost.  This came too late in The Rector's Daughter - or at least I missed it.  Hilary wrote in her review at Vulpes Libris that "There is no distancing irony or humour – its serious tone is relentless."  I didn't find it quite relentless, but otherwise I agree with this sentence (although Hilary, as you'll see at the bottom, was overall more positive about the novel.)  I admire good comic writers so much more than I admire good poignant writers - it is so much more difficult to be comic - but maybe that is simply horses for courses.

However, as I finish a lukewarm review of The Rector's Daughter, I am chastened by the memory of my initial response to Mollie Panter-Downes's One Fine Day.  Who knows, perhaps a re-read of The Rector's Daughter would give me an equally enthusiastic second impression?


Others who got Stuck into this Book:

"This is such a brilliant book, worthy of being a classic, really, in that it so perfectly encapsulates how limited unmarried women’s lives could be before the advent of feminism" - Rachel, Book Snob

"The novel is minutely observed; there is beautiful detail about each day and the East Anglian countryside, so that although time passes in the book very slowly, it is wonderfully described." - Verity, Verity's Virago Venture

"This is a novel about how hard it is to understand other people, and how many misunderstandings and even tragedies arise from it." - Harriet, Harriet Devine's Blog

"I wouldn’t have missed it, and I do recommend it. I can understand why this novel is regarded as a hidden gem."  - Hilary, Vulpes Libres

Stealing Bases by Keri Mikulski - OPTIONAL

Mikulski, Keri Stealing Bases, 271 pgs. Penguin Group, 2011. Language - PG (21 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG; Kylie's life is falling apart. Her parents split, her BF cheated, and she lost her spot on the softball team! With everything going down hill so fast, how is she supposed to stop it? She tries the only way she knows how: get upset and let her emotions fly. Unfortunately, that doesn't help. 

Although I loved the characters and all the drama, it didn't live up to the first few books. I enjoyed reading about softball and found the games in this book to be more interesting than the other sports that have been featured. I also loved how everything was resolved--the end is definitely worth reading. 

MS, HS - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: CCH

Around the World in 100 Days by Gary Blackwood - ADVISABLE

Blackwood, Gary Around the World in 100 Days, 358 pgs. Dutton Children's Books, 2010. Language - PG (2 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG; Harry is tired of everyone criticizing his automobile and so agrees on a £6,000 wager that his car can drive around the world in only 100 days. Along the way, Harry gains enemies and allies, learns about himself and his heritage, and has a lot of car trouble. Yet, somehow, Harry and his companions carry on and persevere. 

A fun spin on Around the World in 80 Days, this book is an entertaining read. It's surprising how things seem to fall into place when you endure. I love how witty all the characters are and love the different ways the reader got to experience the events, e.g. first-hand, newspaper articles, and journal entries. 

MS, HS - ADVISABLE. CCH

Shamra Divided by Barry Hoffman - ADVISABLE

Hoffman, Barry Shamra Divided, 301 pgs. Gauntlet Press, 2010. Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG; Dara is still traveling and trying to figure out who she is. When she arrives at Stone Mountain, many of her questions are answered by recountings of her history that Briana tells her. These stories of the past leave Dara with a sense of knowing who she is, but more questions have popped up, leaving her curiosity unsatisfied as she continues on her journey after Stone Mountain. 

While the history lessons are fun and great to know, it did not help this book live up to the first. There is still one more to read, so I'm hoping it will answer the questions Dara and the reader are left with. 

HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

Curse of the Shamra by Barry Hoffman - ADVISABLE

Hoffman, Barry Curse of the Shamra, 325 pgs. Gauntlet Press, 2009. Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - PG; It was supposed to be the best day of Pilla's life and as close as it would ever get to Dara's. The beautiful day was ruined when they were invaded and taken over by the Trocs. Dara escaped into the swamp with some others, but she's the only female among them. She's also the only one with wits enough to lead. Though Dara is strong and courageous, she won't be accepted easily and winning their land back will be even more difficult. 

In war, there has to be casualties, but I resent this fact of book writing. Some Shamra died, but I loved being with Dara as she helped others survive. Dara is an extraordinary, if somewhat impatient, leader that I found myself looking up to her with as much respect as the Shamra she rallied. I am very excited to continue with Dara on her new adventure in the sequel. 

HS - ADVISABLE. Reviewer: CCH

Taboo and Dennis, Steve, Fallin Up. Touchstone, 2011. pgs. 352. Language: PG-13, , Violence: PG-13, Sexual Content: PG-13.

Raised in East L.A., Jamie Gomez was no stranger to guns, family gang connections, drugs, and alcohol. After his mother married his stepfather, he never felt like he quite fit in. After becoming a father at a young age, he tried to make it in the world. Supported by his grandmother, he ran from job to job trying to support his family until his divorce from her. After reaching fame, however, with Black-Eyed Peas (a band he helped form in 1995), however, his troubles weren’t over. Battling a drug addiction and alcoholism, he almost lost everything. This is his story and what finally became his “wake-up call.”

A touching biography for fans of Black-Eyed Peas that deals with some matur issues. . The layout and narrative of the book are well-done and easy to follow. The photos are fun to look at as well. Readers who like biographies, music, and musicians will enjoy reading this book. HS. ADVISABLE. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Services Libarian, WHI Public Library.

Artemis the Brave by Joan Holub-ESSENTIAL

Holub, Joan, Artemis the Brave. Aladdin, 2010. pgs. 240. Language: G, Violence: G, Sexual Content: G

Artemis is know by her friends for being brave and a great huntress. To her brother, Apollo she’s not only a friend but a friend in arms. When a mortal named Orion comes to school and catches her eye, she starts to think that she might be able to have a boyfriend too. Orion, however, is making everyone at the school mad and keeps trying to rewrite Principal Zeus’ play to fit his image of what a lead role should be. Could Artemis have made an error in judging Orion?

A great novel for anyone who likes mythological fiction. The characters are likable and recognizable figures in Greek Mythology. The plot does a good job of holding the reader’s interest. The story is easy to relate to even though they are mythology characters. Readers who like realistic fiction, mythology, fantasy, and school stories will enjoy reading it. EL (4-6), MS. ESSENTIAL. Reviewer: Kira M, Youth Service Librarian, WHI Public Library.

Waiting on Wednesday # 92 - Lord's Fall by Thea Harrison

"Waiting On" Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted at Breaking The Spine, that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

My pick:

Lord's Fall (Elder Races #5) by Thea Harrison

In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two mates find themselves on different paths, torn between their duty to the Wyr and the passion that binds them...

Before she met Dragos, half-human half-wyr Pia Giovanni was alone and on the run. Now, she's mated, pregnant and heading south to repair the Wyr's frayed relationship with the Elves. Being separated from Dragos is painful, but for the good of the Wyr demesne they need to figure out how to be partners, in more places than just the bedroom.

In New York to preside over the Sentinel Games, Dragos is worried about his mate, but knows that finding two replacement sentinels is essential to show the rest of the Elder Races just how strong and brutal the Wyr demesne can be. But as the games heat up, Pia's negotiations with the Elves take a turn for the dangerous, straining her bond with Dragos and threatening everything they hold dear...

The Elder Races has become one of my favorites series, and I really want to read this one. It's interesting that the couple of the first book, Dragos and Pia, are protagonists again. But I'm kind of worried about the little...

The Mystery of the Third Lucretia by Susan Runholt - OPTIONAL

Runholt, Susan The Mystery of the Third Lucretia, 278 pgs. Penguin Group, 2008. Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - G; Kari and her best friend Lucas knew they were going to have fun in Europe; what they didn't realize was that it would be about solving a mystery. It started out as a game, but the closer they get to proving the case, the more danger they get in. These two girls sneak around, disguise themselves, lie a lot, and get help from all around the world. 

This mystery was cute and interesting with all the paintings and new places they see. I didn't especially like how the story was told with Kari explaining and interjecting in a very distracting manner. The ending was good, though, and very satisfying. 

MS - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: CCH

A Month of Sundays by Ruth White - OPTIONAL

White, Ruth A Month of Sundays, 168 pgs. Margaret Ferguson Books, 2011. Language - G, Sexual Content - G; Violence - G; Garnet is moving to Florida. Well, technically, she's staying with family members she's never met while her mom goes to find a house and job in Florida before sending for Garnet. So while Garnet's mom is gone, Garnet has the time of her life with new family and friends. Now Garnet has a big problem: she doesn't want to leave. 

While a short book, White was able to squeeze a lot of great stuff into this book. There are conflicts and triumphs and discoveries and growing horizons. I liked getting to meet Garnet's family and enjoying new experiences with her, but this book didn't pull me in.

 EL, MS - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: CCH

Flyaway by Helen Landalf - OPTIONAL

Landalf, Helen Flyaway, 167 pgs. Harcourt, 2011. Language - PG (15 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - PG-13; Violence - PG; Stevie's life is complicated and not knowing where her mom went isn't helping. Stevie is taken in by her Aunt Mindy who eventually sends her mom to rehab. Stevie's life is turning around, but what about all the good times? Can she move on, or will the past continue to haunt her? 

Reading about Stevie was sad, but that made it so much more exciting when good things turned her way. I got very attached to Stevie and was cheering her on every time she did something hard. Although her life has lots of problems I'm thankful I don't have to deal with, I can relate to some of her troubles and was able to take strength and courage from her example. 

MS, HS - OPTIONAL. Reviewer: CCH

Without Tess by Marcella Pixley - NO

Pixley, Marcella Without Tess, 280 pgs. D&M Publishers, Inc., 2011. Language - PG (11 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG-13; Lizzie is still trying to move on--five years after her sister, Tess, dies. Lizzie's life isn't the same. Her life will never be the same. Yet, she needs to move on, but how can she let go and live when her can't? 

I went into this book wary, because I knew it was going to be sad. What I was not expecting was how creepy and demented Tess was. Lizzie recalls several experiences from when she and Tess played together and Tess's actions scared and disturbed me. I only kept reading to see what I hoped was an inevitable moving on in the end when Lizzie gets better and happier. Unfortunately, the ending wasn't even that good. MS, HS - NO. Reviewer: CCH

Read, mark, learn...

I sometimes think, regarding potential topics for SiaB, "oh, you've covered that Si, no need for another post."  But then I remember how different my readership is now from when I started (although there is some overlap, of course) and it is entirely possible (ahem) that you missed my post from 2nd June 2007.  I'll forgive you for that.  It did, I should warn you, include the phrase 'independent, non-contingent paratextual elements' - but fear not, I was speaking in jest, and the topic was... bookmarks.

I imagine there are few corners of the world where a discourse upon bookmarks would be welcome... but I do you the honour of supposing that blog-readers belong in one such corner.  Recently my book group discussed how we marked pages.  A disconcerting number of them were happy enough to turn down the corners of pages (VERY NO) and nobody at all used bookmarks - just the nearest train ticket or envelope, or nothing at all.

Perhaps it won't surprise you to learn that I take a different approach.

There is a little stash of postcards, particularly art postcards, by my bed.  When I start a new book, I have a rummage through these to find a postcard which works well with the book I'm reading.  That might be thematic or (more often) colour palette - basically anything which matches the spirit of the book.  It would feel quite discordant if I did otherwise...

So here are some examples... there are so many I could have chosen, but these were the first that came to mind.  I was reminded of the topic by the suitability of the postcard I used for A View of the Harbour:

I do have another boats postcard somewhere, but I think it's fallen victim to a common curse - when I finish the book, I reshelve it but forget to extricate the postcard.  Maybe I should check through all my maritime novels?  The Waves by Virginia Woolf, Beside the Sea by Veronique Olmi, Sisters By A River by Barbara Comyns...

Here are a few more, to whet your appetite.  For all those old red hardbacks I read (and there are plenty from the 1930s) this Lowry postcard comes in handy...

...when I was reading Maestro by Peter Goldsworthy, I was struck by how appropriate this postcard was. Although the novel's Eduard Keller is not, naturally, Andre Derain (as painted by Henri Matisse) I could easily picture Keller in this way.  Plus, the turquoise of the painting perfectly matched the turquoise of the spine - which was, after all, the reason I originally pulled Maestro off the shop shelf.

So, I've exposed the peculiar tangents of my bibliophilia... do *any* of you do the same?  Even a little?  Or am I in my own strange corner...?

And let me know if you'd like to see any more...

The Black Stallion and the Lost City by Steven Farley - ADVISABLE

Farely, Steven The Black Stallion and the Lost City, 245 pgs.  Random House, 2011, $16.99.  Language - PG (1 swear, 0 "f"), Mature Content - PG; Violence - PG;  The Black Stallion and the Lost City is about a horse named The Black, and Alec Ramsay, The Black's rider, who goes for an afternoon walk and loses their way.  Soon they find themselves almost back in time with flesh-eating mares and ancient rituals of the Greek civilization. 

I enjoyed how this book places you back in time with some Greek myths, while Alec and The Black are shooting a movie called "Alexander the Great."  It was very entertaining, and when you are waiting for something to happen, you are still just as entertained, as you would be during some action.  MS - ADVISABLE. Student Reviewer: MD

First Hero by Adam Blade - ADVISABLE

Blade, Adam The Chronicles of Avantia: First Hero, 154 pgs.  Scholastic Press, 2012, $7.99.  Language - G (0 swears, 0 "f"), Mature Content - G; Violence - PG;  The Chronicles of of Avantia, First Hero is an action packed book, with you "on the edge of your seat" all the way through.  This book has legendary creatures who each has a chosen rider, and are destined to save their continent, one way or the other.  

I love how this book reminds me of the movie "Eragon", how he is a chosen rider and is destined to save his home land.  I also enjoyed how this book included a growth of friendship, because friends are some of the few other people in your life that you can trust.  EL - ADVISABLE.  Student Reviewer: MD

Book Review: Slide by Jill Hathaway

Title: Slide

Author: Jill Hathaway

Series: Slide #1

Release Date: March 27th, 2012

Publisher: Balzer + Bray for HarperCollins

Age: Young Adult

Vee Bell is certain of one irrefutable truth—her sister’s friend Sophie didn’t kill herself. She was murdered.

Vee knows this because she was there. Everyone believes Vee is narcoleptic, but she doesn’t actually fall asleep during these episodes: When she passes out, she slides into somebody else’s mind and experiences the world through that person’s eyes. She’s slid into her sister as she cheated on a math test, into a teacher sneaking a drink before class. She learned the worst about a supposed “friend” when she slid into her during a school dance. But nothing could have prepared Vee for what happens one October night when she slides into the mind of someone holding a bloody knife, standing over Sophie’s slashed body.

Vee desperately wishes she could share her secret, but who would believe her? It sounds so crazy that she can’t bring herself to tell her best friend, Rollins, let alone the police. Even if she could confide in Rollins, he has been acting off lately, more distant, especially now that she’s been spending more time with Zane.

Enmeshed in a terrifying web of secrets, lies, and danger and with no one to turn to, Vee must find a way to unmask the killer before he or she strikes again.

I think Slide was my first YA book read this year, and I really enjoyed it!

Vee is interesting. She's narcoleptic and fall sleep pretty easily when she doesn't want, but also, she slides. When she's touching an object someone connected, she slides into them and see what they are doing. It's pretty cool but also very disturbing, because usually people is doing personal stuff, like kissing or taking a bath, and Vee has to see everything.

But it's an interesting ability when you are trying to discover who is behind the murder of Sophie, a sweet girl who was best friend with Vee's sister. Police says it was suicide, but Vee knows she was killed...

I thought Slide was refreshing, original and I really liked that Vee was the protagonist of this story, not the romance. She's brave and strong. BTW, there is romance, but a very normal teenager romance. But there were so many other important aspects of the story, like who is really the killer (I suspected from everyone), or what is Vee's father hiding, or Rollins's secrets...

Overall, I really liked Slide. The twists were amazing, and I kind of connected with Vee. I only wished the ending wasn't so rushed, and I wanted more explanations. Why? I was surprised, and it isn't easy to surprise me. So yes, I recommend it if you want to read a good mystery.

More about this book at jillscribbles.blogspot.com, Goodreads, The Book Depository, Amazon.

PD: I love the UK cover, I think it represents the book better.

Your Views...

As promised, here are links to other reviews of A View of the Harbour - I'll keep adding reviews as they appear, so let me know if you've written one.  I haven't included reviews written on LibraryThing, but they can be read altogether here.

"I love Elizabeth Taylor's writing, which so vividly evokes the shabby seaside town and the recent impact of the war on its inhabitants." - Laura, Laura's Musings

"Elizabeth Taylor brilliantly illustrates that regardless of how banal or tedious our day-to-day lives may seem, a profusion of thoughts and emotions keeps us constantly engaged even when we are silent or solitary." - Darlene, Roses Over A Cottage Door

"I thoroughly enjoyed this novel, it is beautifully observed, and the setting and its community are touchingly portrayed." - Ali, HeavenAli

"As usual, I’m not sure that Taylor really likes any of her characters, and nor are they very likeable[...], but that doesn’t matter to me, as I enjoy her cool appraisal of them and their lives." - Liz, Libro Fulltime

"Quiet, pin sharp observation & layers of undercurrents that intrigue you every time you read it." - Alison, The TBR Pile

"The reader is allowed into the heads of these ordinary characters and that is where the magic begins." - Liz, efandrich

"Taylor doesn’t need to create intricate plots or dramatic scenes; she deals in the quiet understatement of every day life, managing to weave a tale of enormous profundity and interest whilst making it seem as if nothing has happened at all." - Rachel, Book Snob

"This is an extraordinarily  complex, subtle, and beautifully observed novel." - Harriet, Harriet Devine's Blog

"Wonderful prose carried me along, and so often I was touched by moments of pure insight and moments of vivid emotion." - Jane, Fleur Fisher Reads