read 52 books in 2009

My Quick Review:

I was hesitant to being the Tiffany Aching Adventure series by Terry Pratchett. I love his adult Discworld books so much, I was afraid his attempts at young adult fiction would be subpar and spoil his genius for me. After reading The Wee Free Men, I’m now just disappointed that I waited so long to read it.

While the familiar Discworld characters are absent, Pratchett’s fabulous writing is not. The new characters rank right up there with the Discworld characters and the plot is not watered down for younger readers. If anything, perhaps it’s not sufficiently different to account for younger readers.

The Wee Free Men are wonderful characters, complete with Scottish accents. Tiffany is also a wonderful new addition and has the makings of a wonderful, matter-of-fact, witch. Political and current events satire is missing, but the references to our own world is alive and strong and readers will enjoy making the connections.

Overall, another great book by Pratchett, in which he flaunts his writing range and mastery with ease.

This really isn’t my 34th book read – I’ve actually read more, but it’s taking time to write up my thoughts on them. So I’m starting with the one I finished most recently.

My quick Review:

Terry Pratchett is a remarkable writer, and Wintersmith is one of his finer books. It’s quite rare to read a book that makes me laugh out loud, but this one did so numerous times. While technically a young adult book, this reads just like all the other Discworld books. The main character just happens to be 13.
The witches in Pratchett’s books rank as his best characters, so following TIffany and her continued growth as a witch under the guidance of the elder witches is simply delightful. The Wee Free Men complement the witches perfectly. The witches use truth in wonderful sarcasm, while the Wee Free Men use it in complete innocence. Both result in great moments.
I highly recommend Wintersmith to any Pratchett fan, and to anyone who can appreciate the intelligent sarcasm and irony presented by his characters. Pratchett ranks up with the best writers ever. That’s hard praise to give someone who writes fantasy, but he stands apart in the mastery of telling a story that encompasses so much more.

38. Specials – Scott Westerfeld
39. Saving Grace – Clara Geraghty
40. French Kiss – Sarra Manning
41. Kiss and Make Up – Sarra Manning
42. Sealed with a Kiss – Sarra Manning
43. Are These My Basoomas – Louise Rennison
44. Practical Magic – Alice Hoffman
45. The Dirt – Motley Crue
46. Meet Me On Platform Eight – Carole Matthews
47. Ghost Girl – Torey Hayden
48. Dreamland – Sarah Dessen
49. Midnight In Manhatten – Francesca Delbanco
50. Library Of The Dead – Glenn Cooper
51. Son Of A Witch – Gregory Maguire
52. Vanishing Acts – Jodi Picoult.

And also Lucas – Kevin Brooks, Last Chance Cafe – Sarah Dessen and the 13 and a half lives of Captain Bluebear (a novel). =]
52.

My 27th book for 2009 was NOT LOST FOREVER, by Carmina Salcido, which I described on my blog.

http://demibrix.blogspot.com

I just finished my 3rd reading of A WOMAN OF INDEPENDENT MEANS by Elizabeth Forsythe Hailey. It’s a great read!

http://demibrix.blogspot.com

I loved this book about a social therapy team in a nursing home setting. I wrote a full report on my blog. Where the Trail Grows Faint, by Lynne Hugo

http://demibrix.blogspot.com

Really sad, sweet, eerily echo-y of my own relationships. Graphic novel.

School reading counts! Refreshing to read this for political theory instead of boringboring Hobbes and Locke.

This is an excellent and easy to read primer for anyone wanting to look into the stereotyping of women. A variety of categories women are lumped into are examined, illustrated, and explained in all their sexist histories. Using biting sarcasm touched with humor, the Guerrilla Girls explain how stereotypes have affected women though time. Tips for how to overcome or remove stereotypes are also scattered throughout the book. For a light yet revealing introduction to feminism and the stereotyping of woman, you can’t find a better and more entertaining book. The last few pages also feature tools to create your own feminist subversions and a thorough bibliography for further research.

40. Stalking the Divine: Contemplating Faith with the Poor Clares – Kristin Ohlson