The Way of King Arthur by Christopher Hibbert

Book Synopsis from Goodreads: 
A fascinating and vivid depiction of the actual life and times of the real-life sixth-century British warrior who was to become known and loved as the legendary King Arthur.

My Thoughts:
This is a fairly quick read for a history book. I finished it in a day and I'm not a fast reader. What I appreciated most about this particular book on King Arthur is that it gives you a good summary of the history and warfare taking place during the supposed time of Arthur's life. I love history, but I retain information better when I can have an aerial view of it. In other words, summarize it for me pretty please. Once I have a good overview knowledge of the topic then I can better appreciate the details.

       Any type of fan of King Arthur could enjoy this book. Whether you prefer the historical no-nonsense point of view or if you prefer the romantic legend, this goes into both sides of the man. It rounds out the timeline of literary inspiration as well as the events taking place in England before, during, and after King Arthur's existence. And the last two or so chapters are dedicated to the archeological discoveries made in England that have shed more light on the legend. The language is simple but engaging without talking down to the reader. The author avoids doling out dry servings of history and sticks to the known facts while still retaining a healthy dose of romanticism.

The Author

Author Tidbit: A popular & prolific historian and biographer, Christopher Hibbert was actually born Arthur Raymond Hibbert. The name Christopher stuck after an Army Sergeant Major referred to him as "Christopher Robin" for his youthful looks.

Reservation Blues by Sherman Alexie

Book Synopsis from Goodreads: 
The life of Spokane Indian Thomas Builds-the-Fire irrevocably changes when blues legend Robert Johnson miraculously appears on his reservation and passes the misfit storyteller his enchanted guitar. Inspired by this gift, Thomas forms Coyote Springs, an all-Indian Catholic band who find themselves on a magical tour that leads from reservation bars to Seattle and New York--and deep within their own souls.

My Thoughts:
Prepare yourself for heavy. This is not a light inspirational story. It's inspirational, but there are moments that are incredibly bleak. This was my first Sherman Alexie title and he definitely has a unique way of writing. He doesn't utilize the typical novel format, but instead branches out in an almost cyclical way giving you quick short perspectives of the whole. My favorite element of his writing style is his use of symbolism and magical realism.  It offers a sometimes shocking contrast to the reality of the characters.
            As far as the characters and subject matter goes, you get a very intimate glimpse into each character's past and their lack of direction and sadness become your own. What I appreciated most was how Alexie describes how reservation life really is. I grew up watching movies that romanticized Native Americans and probably to their detriment. Reading this book was an eye-opener and if his portrayal is anywhere near the truth it should be told more so that the romanticized version can be put to rest. In the face of all the other issues this country deals with, it seems as if awareness of reservation poverty is nonexistent. Considering that one of the first reservations was created in 1758, it's a problem that has been around for awhile. This almost doomed tribal fate becomes the fate of each character in the book as they struggle to keep moving forward despite circumstances continuously bringing them down. It's an eye-opener. Do not read this if you're wanting a light read. Read it because you want to be informed. And especially read it if you're caught up in the romanticized version of the Native American. This is their side as it stands today.


Favorite Quote:
"In a dream, Chess, Checkers, and Thomas sat at the drum with Big Mom during the powwow. All the Spokane Indians crowded around the drum, too. They all pounded the drum and sang. Big Mom taught them a new song, the shadow horses' song, the slaughtered horses' song, the screaming horses' song, a song of mourning that would become a song of celebration: we have survived, we have survived. They would sing and sing, until Big Mom pulled out that flute built of the bones of the most beautiful horse who ever lived. She'd play a note, then two, three, then nine hundred. One for each of the dead horses. Then she'd keep playing, nine hundred, nine thousand, nine million, one note for each of the dead Indians."

The Author

Author Tidbit: Alexie grew up on the Spokane Reservation. He was born with hydrocephalus and had to have surgery at 6 months old. His chances of surviving were slim and doctors expected him to, at the best, have mental disabilities. Instead, he's become a well-respected writer. "Reservation Blues" won 1 of the 15 American Book Awards in 1996 and he has gone on to receive several other awards including having a film (Smoke Signals) based on his collection of short stories, "The Lone Ranger and Tonto Fistfight in Heaven."

The Night of the Moonbow by Thomas Tryon

Book Synopsis from Goodreads: In this spellbinding novel of idyllic childhoods torn apart by the blossoming terror of child pitted against child, Tryon spins a tale of the hidden horrors that lurk behind children's innocence, and an inevitable explosion of evil.

My Thoughts:
While this was a story that kept me interested in the fate of the main character, I would not call this horror. Even the review on the front cover, "A chilling nightmare...spine chilling terror..," is totally misleading. This is reminiscent of Lord of the Flies, suspenseful but not terrifying. 

The main character, Leo, is a tragic one but the book reviews would make you think he's another Damien.  Not so. But despite that, this book stands its ground as an example of how quickly society (and our civilized nature) can disintegrate. Acts of cruelty are balanced with characters that are both noble and compassionate.  The time period, 1938, provides a great parallel between the young boys turning against Leo and the beginning of Hitler's attempt to commit genocide.

What I most enjoyed was Tryon's writing style.  He has an extremely elegant way of writing that you don't see often in more contemporary writers. It's always nice when an author makes you go to the dictionary without being obnoxious about it. This is worth the read. Sad and bittersweet with a bit of hope at the end.

But my favorite Tryon novel is "Harvest Home." Want something to freak you out? Read that one. It's not a slasher, gore or hardcore horror piece. It's a lot more subtle than that. What makes it so creepy and a story that sticks with you is that it could actually happen. 

The Author

Author Tidbit: Thomas Tryon was an actor before he became a published writer. Some of his roles included the title role in The Cardinal and the Walt Disney television character Texas John Slaughter.

Changes by Jim Butcher

Book synopsis from Goodreads: Long ago, Susan Rodriguez was Harry Dresden's lover—until she was attacked by his enemies, leaving her torn between her own humanity and the bloodlust of the vampiric Red Court. Susan then disappeared to South America, where she could fight both her savage gift and those who cursed her with it.

Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it—against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry's not fighting to save the world...

He's fighting to save his--------DELETED FOR SPOILERS!

My Thoughts: This series has come a long way. This is not your typical fantasy/mystery. There is enough quirkiness to make it entirely unique and entertaining. The mysteries are good, but as the series progressed I became more interested in what was happening with and between the characters. There are some highly enjoyable elements in the Dresden Files. First and foremost...Harry Dresden. Think: Present day Chicago & Harry Potter all grown up and jaded with a really smart ass attitude. He's even in the Yellow Pages as Wizard for Hire. He's funny, he's gallant, and downright bad ass, but more than anything he's relatable. He's your average guy except he can blow shit up with his mind.

             And the side characters are just as good. Bob (the talking skull with an ancient spirit inside who is kind of pervy and loves to read dirty romances), Mouse (Harry's temple dog who's coolness I can't even begin to describe), Butters (the sad but adorable polka player that works at a mortuary) and Karrin Murphy (the toughest tiniest blonde cop that is just as impressive as Dresden but without magic). That's just a start. I'm leaving out a bunch more for the sake of your time. That being said, the first book in the series was good but not great. Just stick with it. It gets better and then it gets BETTER. Like in this one. Major life-changers happen in "Changes" #12. In fact, I had to immediately start the next one, "Ghost Story" because of the cliffhanger at the end of "Changes." And "Ghost Story" is now blowing my mind. 

            

            The writing is simple, but descriptive. Where Jim Butcher shines is in his action scenes and the personal back-and-forths between his characters. Those dynamics are what make this series one to read. 

Author Tidbit: Jim Butcher's love of science fiction and fantasy was kick-started by his sisters buying him "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hans Solo Adventures" to read while he was sick with strep throat.

The Author

Dead Ever After by Charlaine Harris

Book Synopsis from Goodreads:
Sookie Stackhouse finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.

But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough...


My Thoughts: This series is great if you need something light but entertaining with a sprinkling of sexy time. I tore through the first 8 or so on vacation. In fact, I had to stop at bookstores during vacation to find the next one in the series. Although these books, for me, are filler reading (meaning they don't serve a serious literary purpose but are solely entertainment/distraction) I really do love the main character, Sookie Stackhouse. Don't let her polite Southern demeanor fool you. She's a psychic Steel Magnolia with a touch of Fairy blood that drives the vampires wild. 
               All in all, the series is split pretty fairly between mystery, fantasy and romance. But if I had to choose I'd say it's a whodunit mystery before anything else. If you're bored and need a distraction, read it. If you like big blonde Viking vampires then you're gonna love #4 "Dead to the World." The book I just read is the last in the series, and although it's a good time to let it end, I will miss Sookie's attitude. If you finish the whole storyline then check out the author's other mystery series: Aurora Teagarden, Lily Bard (Shakespeare series) or Cemetery Girl.


*Author Tidbit:  She is a former weightlifter and karate student.

The Author

Invitation to Camelot edited by Parke Godwin

Book synopsis from Goodreads:
The magical world of King Arthur, Uther Pendragon, Morgan the Fay, Mordred and Guinevere comes alive in this wondrous collection of original tales by some of the finest talents in fantasy today. Features stories by Parke Godwin, Tanith Lee, Elizabeth Scarborough and others.

My Thoughts:
This is a really thoughtful collection of short stories and poems dealing with King Arthur. Considering I'm not a huge short story fan, I enjoyed every story I read. Of course, some more than others but, if anything, it gives the reader a variety of themes and perspectives. Some are directly from Arthurian legend, others have a liberal distance. I definitely found new authors to follow and enjoyed Parke Godwin's brief description of his relationship with each author and why he chose the pieces in this collection. The closing poem, "Winter Solstice, Camelot Station," by John M. Ford is especially clever.  A nice foray into Arthurian fiction.



*Author Tidbit: His short fiction has appeared in several anthologies. His short story "Influencing the Hell out of Time and Teresa Golowitz," was the basis of an episode of the television series The Twilight Zone.

The Editor

New and Selected Poems by Mary Oliver

Book Synopsis from Goodreads:
As Diane Wakoski has noted, the power of Mary Oliver's Frost-influenced pastoral writing is in her ability to cast a spell, to create "the illusion that the natural world is graspable." Oliver's fierce independence, beautiful imagery, and love and knowledge of the natural world are all driven by a searching mind, expressed in poems that make for good company. In Some Questions You Might Ask, Oliver gives us this one to chew over: "Is the soul solid, like iron?/ or is it tender and breakable, like/ the wings of a moth in the beak of an owl?" Highly recommended.

My Thoughts:
A poet with a truly beautiful perspective in its simplicity. She will make you see things in a new way or see them for the first time. I especially enjoyed her more recent poetry that focuses on nature. What makes her stand apart from other nature poets is that she doesn't describe things in a sweet and sugary way. It's more like she grabs a handful of really pretty mud and shoves it in your face. Some poets write in a way that embellishes and glorifies. Instead, Mary Oliver pulls back the veil and shows the bare bones of things. And it's gorgeous. Poets and readers of poetry should definitely add her to their list.

When Death Comes 

When death comes

like the hungry bear in autumn

when death comes and takes all the bright coins from his purse

to buy me, and snaps his purse shut;

when death comes

like the measle-pox;

when death comes

like an iceberg between the shoulder blades,

I want to step through the door full of curiosity, wondering;

what is it going to be like, that cottage of darkness?

And therefore I look upon everything

as a brotherhood and a sisterhood,

and I look upon time as no more than an idea,

and I consider eternity as another possibility,

and I think of each life as a flower, as common

as a field daisy, and as singular,

and each name a comfortable music in the mouth

tending as all music does, toward silence,

and each body a lion of courage, and something

precious to the earth.

When it’s over, I want to say: all my life

I was a bride married to amazement.

I was a bridegroom, taking the world into my arms.

When it’s over, I don’t want to wonder

if I have made of my life something particular, and real.

I don’t want to find myself sighing and frightened

or full of argument.

I don’t want to end up simply having visited this world.

The Poet

Poet Tidbit: Her fifth collection of poetry, American Primitive, won the Pulitzer Prize for Poetry in 1984.

Mulengro by Charles De Lint

Book synopsis from Goodreads:

        The increasingly bizarre murders have baffled the police--but each death is somehow connected with the city's elusive Gypsy community. The police are searching for a human killer, but the Romany know better. They know the name of the darkness that hunts them down, one by one: Mulengro.

 

My Thoughts:

       Well, folks, De Lint did it again. He wrote another good book. (Shocker!) Charles De Lint is the White Wizard of urban fantasy, but he takes a slightly different turn with "Mulengro," and dishes out some good horror. It's dark, it's violent, it's gory. But the story still has that special something that all De Lintian stories have. I can't even explain it properly, but every time I read him he reminds me of the raw magic that exists in every single moment and day. If you haven't read him before, try "Greenmantle" or "Moonheart." If you like fantasy you'll be hooked.
          As a writer, I catch myself trying to dissect the author's style. Near the beginning of the book, I came across a character description that I absolutely loved:

"Briggs looked up at his partner's call. Will Sandler was a tall and sharp-featured black man who went through life in a constant state of suppressed tension. It showed in the taut pull of the skin at his temples, around his eyes and the corners of his mouth, in the bird-like darting of his gaze. He contrasted sharply with the unimposing figure that Briggs cut- five-eight with a perpetual slouch that made him appear shorter, dark hair that was prematurely gray at the temples, sorrowful eyes. His suit was rumpled, tie loose, shoes scuffed. Will, on the other hand, always looked like he'd just left his tailor's. But the two men made an effective pair, for their strengths augmented each other's weak points. Briggs was a slow mover, a deliberate collector of details with little imagination, while Will's mind moved in intuitive lunges. Since they'd been paired, their success on cases had reached a departmental high of sixty-seven percent."

        So you're just meeting these guys and already you have a SENSE of them. Good writing.  The next scene that just sealed the deal for me that Charles De Lint is magnificent is that he actually has a moment in the book where the cat, Boboko (who is a talking cat, by the way), is watching on TV what his owner is dreaming of in the next room....!?! And the way he describes it is so vivid that it borderlines on intense.
        All in all, this book will keep you interested. There are enough characters from different backgrounds and with different perspectives that it creates a variety that will not bore you. Also, if you are interested in gypsies (or Rom) then you will fly through this book. It moves quickly, but once you reach the last quarter of the book it is fast-moving and action-packed.

Favorite Quote (by one superb hippie named Zach): "Some say that the devil's like a big old ugly black dog...there's a little piece of him in every one of us- a place where it's dark and our fears grow, where anger comes roaring up and bad vibes hang out. And the thing we've got to do in this life is to, like, keep that darkness down and not let it creep up and take us over. That's how you get an evil man, you know. He doesn't come from a bad family, or a bad street or a bad part of town. He comes from somebody who wasn't strong enough to hold back the darkness, or was too lazy to, or just plain didn't care. I think they freak me out the most-the ones that don't care."

The Author

Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman

Book Synopsis on Goodreads: 
Sisters Gillian and Sally Owens were brought up by their two elderly guardian aunts in a world of spells and exotica. As the magical charm of their childhood wears away, they escape from this mystical mayhem - one by running away, the other by marrying. Many years go by before strange circumstances thrust them together again, and once more they are in a place that blends the mundane and mysterious, the familiar and fantastic. Three generations of Owens women are brought together in an experience of unexpected insight and revelation, teaching all of them that such perceptions are rare and wonderful and - to be sure - practical.

My Thoughts: 
Alice Hoffman writes the modern-day fairy tale. There's a harshness in her books that's reminiscent of fairy tales before Disney got a hold of them. But she balances it with a healthy dose of whimsy and magic. Her language is concise and simple, but the way she describes things creates very strong imagery. Her books are always a treat and so was this one. Especially since it's so different from the movie. In fact, forget the movie. It was good, but the book focuses more on the sisters and the two younger girls than it does on the aunts or the ghost of Gillian's boyfriend. You get an extremely personal look into the lives of two women and two girls on the brink of becoming women; their fears, insecurities, sexuality and love lives. The book doesn't have the somewhat hokey quality that the movie has in regard to witches and magic. Even if this book isn't up your alley, at least give the author a try. You won't regret it.

Favorite Quotes: “My darling girl, when are you going to realize that being normal is not necessarily a virtue? It rather denotes a lack of courage." - Aunt Frances” 

“The moon is always jealous of the heat of the day, just as the sun always longs for something dark and deep.” 


Author Tidbit: After being treated for breast cancer at Mount Auburn Hospital in Cambridge, she helped establish the hospital's Hoffman Breast Center.

Dune by Frank Herbert

          Book Synopsis from Goodreads: Here is the novel that will be forever considered a triumph of the imagination. Set on the desert planet Arrakis, Dune is the story of the boy Paul Atreides, who would become the mysterious man known as Muad'Dib. He would avenge the traitorous plot against his noble family--and would bring to fruition humankind's most ancient and unattainable dream. A stunning blend of adventure and mysticism, environmentalism and politics, Dune formed the basis of what is undoubtedly the grandest epic in science fiction.    

          My Thoughts: I chose this book for a book challenge that consisted of reading 10 books from 10 different genres that I either did not like or did not read often. I am not a big science fiction fan, but I loved this book. The world that Herbert creates along with the culture of the native Fremens had me entranced. At the suggestion of a friend, I read the appendices first and found that to be very helpful when starting the actual story. I was able to understand more of the terms without having to constantly check the back glossary and it gave me a basic understanding of the political and religious history in the book. So if you have not yet read this book then I'd suggest you do the same. I am more than pleasantly surprised and would recommend it to others who have had a hard time getting into science fiction.
              I'm not a big desert fan. I'll take big green trees and mountains any day, but the imagery that Herbert creates with the landscape, sand worms and Fremen riders is far from colorless. It's beautiful and, along with the unique customs of the Fremens, it kept me interested. And it gave me a new respect for water.

Favorite Quote:
"Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me. And when it has gone past me I will turn to see fear's path. Where the fear has gone there will be nothing. Only I will remain."

The Author

*Book Tidbit: Dune won the Hugo and Nebula award for Best Novel (well deserved).

Fables by Bill Willingham (DC Comics-Vertigo)

          So growing up, I was never really into comic books. I was more of a classics kind of girl. The first comic book I got into was Hellboy then The Walking Dead, which I think are some of the trendier comics to get into. Forgive me. But I recently got into this series, Fables, where fairy tale characters are real people living in our world but are hiding their identities. There's even a Farm for the more conspicuous. In the city (Fabletown), Snow White is the unofficial mayor of all Fables (King Cole is the not very helpful face of the operation) and Bigby Wolf is the legal muscle. It's kind of awesome and clever with a nasty sense of humor.
         
          I just finished #3 "Storybook Love" and am still enjoying it. So far my favorite is #2 "Animal Farm" because, well, the pigs take over the farm. It's a nice little salute to Orwell. Did I mention that Goldilocks is a gun-toting, furry-loving revolutionary? And of course Prince Charming is a worthless mooch that lives off whatever woman he's shacking up with. Fantastic.

      Even more fantastic is the artwork. Every issue offers a seamless but layered variety of styles that meshes really well. Take your time looking, because you'll always find a new little detail that you missed the first time. If you read the first one and love it then there's plenty more. I buy the trade paperbacks and there are currently about 22 volumes of the trade paperbacks (each consists of 5 issues sometimes more). There's also some spinoffs.

Here are the first two volumes:

 


Comic Book Tidbit: This series has won 14 Eisner Awards.

The Creators:

Bill Willingham- Writer

Lan Medina- Penciller

   

Wilderness by Dennis Danvers

       I am pleasantly surprised by "Wilderness." It's easy to be cliche with things like werewolves and vampires, but Dennis Danvers pulls off the werewolf story with crisp but endearing language. I love Alice, the lonely werewolf looking for love (that turns into an actual wolf by the way). She's concise and practical with a slight masculine quality. But as the book goes on you see bits and pieces of a vulnerable side and, by the end of it, you just want the girl to be happy.
        The author put Barry Lopez's "Of Wolves and Men" to good use. Instead of pulling on just folklore, Danvers pulls on the biology of the wolf and how it relates to other wolves. You get an honest feel for the creature and the confusion between the wolf and the woman.
       This is definitely a love story with very little cheese. Although there's not a lot of sex, the writing style is definitely charged and, at times, erotic. But this is not erotica. It's more a tale of being lonely and finding someone to love. Dark but sweet.
       And because great books don't always have good endings, I have to give a shout out to the author for the one he came up with. Loved, loved LOVED it. You see Alice come full circle and it makes you want to sing.
         
         Unfortunately, the new cover (below) makes me want to wretch. The publisher should have stuck with the old one (above) to avoid looking like your stereotypical paranormal romance. Don't let this cover deter you!

Book Synopsis from Goodreads: Alice White has a secret. There is no friend or family member she can confide in—and she cannot trust it to the strangers she chooses for the fevered one-night stands that are as close as she dares come to love. Then she meets Erik Summers, college professor and biologist, who draws Alice from her cage, igniting a passion within her that she can't control or deny. Though he shares her fire and a deep spiritual and emotional kinship, Erik recoils from Alice's apparent delusions and dark truths. But in the vast Canadian wilderness, he will be forced to confront a staggering reality—when the moon shines down on Alice White . . . and the change begins again.

*Author Tidbit: This book was nominated for the Bram Stoker Award for Best First Novel

The Author

Animal Dreams by Barbara Kingsolver

Synopsis from Goodreads:
"Animals dream about the things they do in the day time just like people do. If you want sweet dreams, you've got to live a sweet life." So says Loyd Peregrina, a handsome Apache trainman and latter-day philosopher. But when Codi Noline returns to her hometown, Loyd's advice is painfully out of her reach. Dreamless and at the end of her rope, Codi comes back to Grace, Arizona to confront her past and face her ailing, distant father. What the finds is a town threatened by a silent environmental catastrophe, some startling clues to her own identity, and a man whose view of the world could change the course of her life. Blending flashbacks, dreams, and Native American legends, Animal Dreams is a suspenseful love story and a moving exploration of life's largest commitments. With this work, the acclaimed author of The Bean Trees and Homeland and Other Stories sustains her familiar voice while giving readers her most remarkable book yet.

My Thoughts:
This is an amazing book with well-thought out characters and perspective. Barbara Kingsolver makes you feel like you are immersed in the culture and history of her characters in a way that is subtle and absorbing. Be prepared to laugh and cry especially if you are a woman who has a sister. This is my first Kingsolver book and I'm looking forward to reading the next one.

Personal favorite quotes:
"...the very least you can do in your life is to figure out what you hope for. And the most you can do is live inside that hope. Not admire it from a distance but live right in it, under its roof."

"A miscarriage is a natural and common event. All told, probably more women have lost a child from this world than haven't. Most don't mention it, and they go on from day to day as if it hadn't happened, and so people imagine that a woman in this situation never really knew or loved what she had. But ask her sometime: how old would your child be now? And she'll know."

*Book Tidbit: This book won the Edward Abbey Award for ecofiction

The Author