Even better as an audiobook, read by Max Casella (Doogie Hauser's BFF, Racetrack in Newsies)! This just ascended to the heights where I hold Schooled Even better as an audiobook, read by Max Casella (Doogie Hauser's BFF, Racetrack in Newsies)! This just ascended to the heights where I hold Schooled and my beloved Born To Rock. ...more
100 books, and Gordon Korman just keeps on keepin' on, doesn't he?!
Finding an amazing fort/hideout in the woods would be amazing, but these boys have100 books, and Gordon Korman just keeps on keepin' on, doesn't he?!
Finding an amazing fort/hideout in the woods would be amazing, but these boys have bigger issues than who should and shouldn't be allowed in their special hideout. Loved how this ranged from petty issues (Clean up your trash!) to really serious things that affect kids, like divorce and abuse. ...more
I was recently at a booksigning for an author friend, talking to another author friend, and we were talking about this series, and she said, "This is I was recently at a booksigning for an author friend, talking to another author friend, and we were talking about this series, and she said, "This is an outrage!" to which I replied, "Mongo is appalled!" And the entire next row of seats, all women, whipped around and said in chorus, "Dungeon Crawler Carl! I love those books!"
All the way home from the event I was (voice) texting my sister, talking about why we love these nutty, violent, sad and hilarious books so much. Because right now, everything is awful, not aliens took over the planet and made us fight to the death awful, but still, pretty awful. But these books are so full of not just humor, but hope, and also moments of tenderness, that they provide the perfect escape. ...more
I could listen to these books all day long and over and over. Just so freaking funny, but also, the heart! You care about every character, and they caI could listen to these books all day long and over and over. Just so freaking funny, but also, the heart! You care about every character, and they care about each other! ...more
Has a very fairy tale feel, with people cursed with extreme beauty, and a king who disappears at night (reminding me of both Beauty and the Beast and Has a very fairy tale feel, with people cursed with extreme beauty, and a king who disappears at night (reminding me of both Beauty and the Beast and East o' the Sun, West o' the Moon). Several surprises, right up to the last page.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Fantasy world based on Norse mythology/history. Intriguing in the way it deals with the stress between those who worship the old gods, and a newly budFantasy world based on Norse mythology/history. Intriguing in the way it deals with the stress between those who worship the old gods, and a newly budding monotheistic belief system.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
A loose retelling of Hades and Persephone, set in 15th century West Africa. The rich descriptive language was wonderful, and I appreciated that there A loose retelling of Hades and Persephone, set in 15th century West Africa. The rich descriptive language was wonderful, and I appreciated that there was a glossary at the back to help as well! (Love me a good glossary!) I listened to the audiobook, but followed along in the physical book, which was great because I would have been pronouncing the names all wrong in my head, and I hate that! Also, who wouldn't want a pet elephant?! I mean, be honest!
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Waking up with no memories and no eyebrows would indeed be alarming. Especially when you quickly begin to realize that a) you're an evil wizard and b)Waking up with no memories and no eyebrows would indeed be alarming. Especially when you quickly begin to realize that a) you're an evil wizard and b) you have no idea how to carry on doing your evil wizard business, but you're supposed to host the Evilest Wizard of All in one week! This was a real hoot, reminding me of Castle Hangnail by Ursula Vernon, but for grownups.
*I am not rating books read for The World Fantasy Award.*...more
If I had a nickel for every book that features bog women that I've read this year, I'd have three nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it'sIf I had a nickel for every book that features bog women that I've read this year, I'd have three nickels, which isn't a lot, but it's weird that it's happened three times and it's only June.
This is exactly the kind of inbred, repressive "family tradition above all" weirdness that makes me such a sucker for any book categorized as Appalachian Gothic, but also makes me never want to go there.
What if I get kidnapped by someone who wants to make me his bog wife?! WHAT THEN? I would be a TERRIBLE bog wife! I don't like mud, and I hate cranberries! (Please note: no one is kidnapped to become a bog wife in this book, that is not how bog wives work.)
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Nowhere on the cover does this say that it's inspired by The Count of Monte Cristo, so let me be the one to tell you: IT'S A GENDER SWAPPED COUNT OF MNowhere on the cover does this say that it's inspired by The Count of Monte Cristo, so let me be the one to tell you: IT'S A GENDER SWAPPED COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO STORY! Love me some Count of Monte Cristo!
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Lovely look at mental illness, loss, what it means to be a daughter, and finding where you fit in the world and your family. Also, there's a goddess! Lovely look at mental illness, loss, what it means to be a daughter, and finding where you fit in the world and your family. Also, there's a goddess!
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Gorgeously written novella that I won't describe at all because I don't want to spoil anything. Suspenseful. Traumatizing. Fascinating. Also: the audiGorgeously written novella that I won't describe at all because I don't want to spoil anything. Suspenseful. Traumatizing. Fascinating. Also: the audiobook is read by the translator (from Icelandic), Mary Robinette Kowal (herself an award-winning author), and is absolutely fantastic.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
Cute and very meta reimagining of The Shop Around the Corner/You've Got Mail, only with competing magic shops. This is a world where witchcraft and maCute and very meta reimagining of The Shop Around the Corner/You've Got Mail, only with competing magic shops. This is a world where witchcraft and magecraft are known, but frequently still looked at askance, and which was quite an interesting element. Warning, tho: There is a Scene of an Adult Nature in this book that is Quite Detailed and also Goes On For Many Pages.
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more
This was weird. Real, real, weird. And so fascinating. A book for word nerds for sure.
What if language went away? What if you looked around, and suddThis was weird. Real, real, weird. And so fascinating. A book for word nerds for sure.
What if language went away? What if you looked around, and suddenly had no words for what you were seeing? How do you give meaning to your world? How do you communicate with the people around you?
Then of course, there's the monsters that spawn from people's dreams, and the ghosts that form when someone . . . oh, wait . . . is there a word for . . . you know, the body stops? But the ghost keeps on going . . .
*I am not rating books read for the World Fantasy Award.*...more