June 1, 2008
I decided that joining the Book Binge challenge was something I could easily accomplish. Despite the fact that school is letting out and the Penguins are in the Stanley Cup Finals (for how much longer, no one knows and I really fear for Game 6, but that’s how life is. I loved my Pens when they sucked. I love them if they don’t win the series.), I read like a demon.
Here’s the list:
The Long Lavender Look — John D. MacDonald
Nine Princes in Amber — Roger Zelazny
Master — Colette Gale (read my review at Front Street Reviews!)
H — Elizabeth Shephard
The Rabbi’s Cat 2 — Joann Sfar (read my review at Front Street Reviews!)
Little Vampire Does Kung Fu — Joann Sfar
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress — Dai Sijie
Rashi’s Daughters II: Miriam — Maggie Anton
The Island of Dr. Moreau — HG Wells
Windfall — Rachel Caine
Leave a Message for Willie — Marcia Muller
Wow. Eleven books. Pretty good, but I’d been hoping to finish a certain ARC of a certain upcoming release of a certain series I love so much, I can hardly wait to sit down, crawl inside, and read some more of. Stay tuned for more about that, but it’s possible that I like this place more than my own creation right now (probably because it’s not my creation. You know how that goes).
Only one of these books disappointed me, and I’ll have more about that later on. The rest I really dug, especially Little Vampire, which both my kids attached themselves to. The book says it’s for kids 10 and over. My kids aren’t ten. That hasn’t stopped them yet.
Three of these books are still here in the house (H, Dr. Moreau, and Willie). If you’d like to read one of them, give a yell and I’ll share my copy with you. Yes, they’re all registered at BookCrossing. Why? Because it’s fun to see where a book I’ve read ends up (and for how long, which is something I’m terribly guilty of).
Now, I must leave and go finish up that ARC ’cause I’m also in the middle of a cool mystery I’ll tell you about when I finish it. And there’s a lot of buzz right now about the way cool Toni McGee Causey, whose new book, Bobbie Faye’s (Kinda, Sorta, Not Exactly) Family Jewels, has me excited to pick up the first in the series as my next read… I’ve got a copy to share, too, so stay tuned.
Other new releases on my radar:
Fox’s Bride, by my bud Amy Ruttan.
A new Ellora’s Cave release from Anna J. Evans
One Too Many by Marie-Nicole Ryan
Reilly’s Promise by Christyne Butler
Maybe I ought to quit this writing gig and do nothing but read all day. And ride my bike, but that part’s a given…
marci
June 1, 2008 8:45 pm
Although I’m cheering for the Red Wings (I’m Michigan born and still support most of their teams!) and not the Penguins, I’m truly enjoying the Stanley Cup playoffs. Games 3-4 were more interesting than Games 1-2. I can’t wait for Game 5 – just to see what happens. BR/BR/Anyhow… I will have to check out the Little Vampire. I fell in love with Sfar when I read The Rabbi’s Cat (on your recommendation, no less), so if you rave about this one, I am trusting you again. Off to see if I can get it from the library.
Julia Smith
June 1, 2008 8:56 pm
I don’t know how things are going to work out for Sid the Kid, Susan. Here in Cole Harbour (home of Sidney Crosby) spirits drooped considerably after Saturday night’s game.BR/BR/’Nine Princes in Amber’!! One of my favorite all-time books! (Warning – it’s the first of a series…)
Susan Helene Gottfried
June 1, 2008 10:50 pm
Tell me about it, Julia — I was AT the game. (I know! ME! At a Stanley Cup Final game!!!)BR/BR/Marci, I got Little Vampire from my library. Wonder if they’d do an inter-state loan???
Amy Ruttan
June 2, 2008 9:17 pm
Thanks for the shout out!! I wish I could read all day too.BR/BR/It’s killing me not to be reading the Lover Enshrined voraciously as I want.
MaryP
June 3, 2008 7:56 am
They survived game six! Triple overtime — poor boys, they basically played two games last night. Whew.BR/BR/I’m intrigued by The Rabbi’s Cat 2. That one makes it to my to-read list, for sure!
Susan Helene Gottfried
June 3, 2008 7:58 am
Whew, indeed. I’m exhausted. BR/BR/As for Rabbi’s Cat 2, be sure to start with Rabbi’s Cat 1. It’s not necessary to understand what’s going on, but it’s sure fun!
Wylie Kinson
June 3, 2008 8:31 am
I’m so envious of your upcoming reading schedule!!BR/I’ve got four books on my virtual nightstand — two by Amy Ruttan, a Christine d’Abo and another by an author who hasn’t managed to sell her stellar work, but it’s just a matter of time before her ‘boys’ make it into mainstream 😉 –BR/and every time I go to read, something (usually kids) interrupts. And with summer holiday looming, I’m feeling doomed!
Christine
June 4, 2008 12:57 am
Eleven books. That’s quite an accomplishment. BR/BR/No watching the Stanley Cup for me. Depressing at the Canucks didn’t make it. And even more so with the recent, tragic passing of Luc. BR/BR/I’m intrigued by “Little Vampire Does Kung Fu.” BR/BR/Thanks for stopping by and commenting on our lovely garden. There’s more photos to come.