The real problem is that I haven't had much time for reading. Perhaps at some point I shall have to reconsider the focus of this blog.
For now, we'll go through my pleasure reading and dig out some recommendations.
Did anyone else read this series when they were twelve? I did, and remember it fondly. While looking for audio books to listen to on an upcoming airplane voyage, I came across an audio recording read by Tim Curry. Surprise: it wasn't good just because I was twelve. Garth Nix has a sophisticated writing style that is a pleasure to listen to, and as this book deals primarily with Death and The Dead it is much darker than most things I read when I was twelve, and therefore holds up better to adult scrutiny. Tim Curry's performance is absolutely stellar, and adds a lot to the grim and wonderful mood of the book. I am especially enjoying his personification of the demon-eternally-bound-in-cat-form, Mogget. Tim Curry also recorded the sequels, Lirael and Abhorsen (thanks to the recording I now know how to correctly pronounce Abhorsen (And seriously, what is with the covers of the new editions I just linked to?!)) which I am looking forward to when I have finished Sabriel.
This was the first audio book I really got into, when I decided last semester that having something to listen to would make my art homework easier to stomach. This actually worked, by the way!
Orson Scott Card is brilliant, which we already know. This book was very autobiographical, realistic, and with increasing hints of horror. You're reading/listening along, hearing about squabbling children, mormon drama, hellish coworkers- and you're not sure why you're still interested, but you are. And then the ending hit me over the head with a sledgehammer and left me hiding under blankets and weeping, devastated, but in a wonderful way. This is a book that makes you feel. Very worth reading.
The author of Tithe (what a horrible new cover!), Valiant (god, that's even worse!), and the Spiderwick Chronicles (which I haven't read on account of them looking a bit too childish) has been working on a Graphic Novel series. I just finished the second book, which I received for Christmas. It's a bit too early to make a judgement call on the series, as they're coming out once a year, but so far I like them. The art seems a bit stiff at times (almost trying too hard) but mostly it's very beautiful, and the story is compelling. I am quite pleased with the twist at the end of the second volume.
William Blake
I am currently very inspired by this guy and his illuminated books.
Just for fun
Someone who shall remain unnamed linked me to this the other day:
It's a Doctor Who/ Twilight crossover fanfic, and the author does a nice job voicing David Tennant's Doctor. I'm not sure if it's finished or not, as I've yet to finish reading what's posted right now. It's interesting how Rose and The Doctor make Bella and Edward appear sadly flat.
And that's all I've got for right now! Next time, maybe we'll compare and contrast some covers. The new editions of a lot the stuff I linked above make me sad.
-Grace out
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