I don’t usually post about what I’m planning to post about…but I have so many exciting books stacked up right now, that I can’t resist sharing. 🙂 All of these had staggered release dates, but somehow they’ve managed to land on me all at once!
Month: February 2015
Book Review: The Runner (Tillerman Cycle)
After rereading and reviewing the first two books of Cynthia Voigt’s Tillerman Cycle, I skipped on past #3 (even though it’s my favorite) because I read it relatively recently, and went to #4, The Runner. It’s chronologically earliest, set ten years before Homecoming opens the series, and focuses on a different generation of Tillermans.
The title character is Bullet Tillerman, the uncle of Homecoming‘s Dicey. Like Dicey’s Song, this is mostly a character book. Bullet is a high school student during the Vietnam War, and the champion cross country runner in his school–but he doesn’t care about winning, only about running well. At home, he fights a mostly silent battle of wills against his father, while at school he holds himself aloof from the racial tensions rocking the student body.
I normally love Voigt’s focus on character…but in this case, I couldn’t get into the particular character she focused on. I wrote in my review of the earlier books about Dicey’s and her grandmother’s determination to hold themselves apart and not be dependent on anyone. Bullet shares the same characteristic with his mother and niece, but more so. Continue reading “Book Review: The Runner (Tillerman Cycle)”
Classic Review: The True Meaning of Smekday
I reviewed The True Meaning of Smekday a couple of years ago–and it was a delightful read! The sequel, Smek for President, finally came out this past month, so I reread the first in anticipation. Today I’m re-posting my review for the first one. Stay tuned for a review of the new book soon!
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I don’t remember anymore where I originally heard about The True Meaning of Smekday by Adam Rex, but I know I read it because I couldn’t resist that title–or the premise that came with it.
Sometime in the very-near future, aliens called Boovs land on Earth on Christmas Day (in true Doctor Who tradition) and proceed to take over the planet. Resistance is, shall we say, futile. The Boovs rename Christmas as Smekday, in honor of their General Smek who conquered Earth (Smekland). Our heroine is Gratuity Tucci–her friends call her Tip. Tip’s mother was abducted by the Boov on Smekday, a story she begins to relate for a school writing assignment on “The True Meaning of Smekday.”
When all humans are ordered to relocate to Florida, Tip sets out alone in her car (she’s eleven, but she taught herself to drive after her mother disappeared), accompanied only by her cat, Pig. Along the way, she meets a Boov named J.Lo (his Smekland-name). He has his own troubles, and they form an uncertain alliance. They realize that the troubles for Smekland have just begun, when another race of aliens comes to invade: the Gorg, known throughout the civilized galaxy as the Takers.
I am always impressed by books which can manage satire-level humor, balanced with genuine tragedy and heartache. Telling an absurd abduction story is one thing. Telling a tragic abduction story is another. Doing both at once–now that’s really something. There’s a lot of humor throughout the book, but there are also serious dangers and serious tragedies. Neither detracts from the other. Continue reading “Classic Review: The True Meaning of Smekday”
Imaginary Illustrations #8
It’s been a while since my last Imaginary Illustration…but today I’m bringing out another illustration for one of Jasper’s Rules for Life, from The Wanderers…
It’s somewhat adorable intimidation, but gotta love those fangs. 🙂
Book Review: Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett
I’m closing in on my 30th Discworld read! I just finished my 29th, Raising Steam, also the most recent in the series. After 29 books, I can say with confidence that Discworld books are amazing, hilarious and brilliant–except unfortunately, this particular one wasn’t. Still a decent read, but not quite on the level I look for from Discworld.
I’ve really fought not to admit that Discworld may be going downhill…and it’s because I know Terry Pratchett has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, and that makes me so sad, and I’m so impressed that he’s still bringing out new books. I Shall Wear Midnight and Snuff both featured…some choices I probably wouldn’t have made, but they were choices, it’s a preference thing, and they were still very good books. Raising Steam, however, has some real problems. It’s not a bad book–but the past 28 set the bar very high, and this book didn’t manage to scramble over it.
As you might guess from the title, in this installment steam power comes to Discworld. Specifically, an engineer from the hinterlands of Stolat has invented a steam-powered locomotive, and brought her (always “her”) to the big city of Ankh-Morpork. He lines up an investor, and both the world and city tyrant Lord Vetinari begin to take notice. Vetinari summons up Moist von Lipwig, one-time conman and current Chairman of the Royal Bank, and sends him as a government representative to grease wheels as-needed. Continue reading “Book Review: Raising Steam by Terry Pratchett”
Tales of the Marvelous 