Lost in London

Lost in London Cindy Callaghan

Jordan Jacoby has a boring life in a boring town. She lives next door to her school--and her father works there. She wants to try something new, so her parents let her go on a school trip* to London, where she’ll be staying with her mother’s old sorority sister, who has a step-daughter Jordan’s age.

Only once she gets there she finds that Caroline and her friends are much richer and cooler and mature than Jordan. And Caroline really doesn’t want much to do with Jordan, especially if it means hanging out at tourist sites instead of shopping.

But then Caroline and Jordan get locked into Daphne’s overnight (think Harrods, but bigger. And cooler, as if that were possible!) The same night there’s a major break in. Now they’re being blackmailed, unless Jordan can stop it-- and win over Caroline in the process.

There are some Brit-picky things about this, but once I got over myself, this was an enjoyable middle-grade/tween caper. I appreciated that although Caroline was snotty and spoiled, she wasn’t vicious or overly poorly behaved. Her friends are nice, and each have their own personalities. I really liked Jordan. Even though she was pretty out of her depth, she kept her head for the most part, and stood up for what was right. This is one I really would have loved when I was 10.

Check back later today for an interview with Ms. Callaghan!

*It’s a school trip in that she has to do a project, but she seems to the only one going and she and her parents organize everything.


Book Provided by... the publicist, for a blog tour post

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Cinders and Sapphires

Cinders & Sapphires by Leila Rasheed.

Bookshelves of Doom described this one as The Luxe meets Downton Abbey. As both are things I adore, how could I say no?

It's 1910. After many years in India, the Averlys are back at Somerton, but whispers of the scandal that caused Lord Westlake his job have followed them. Ada is a beautiful and bookish, and longs to be allowed to attend Oxford, but must marry well to save the estate. On the boat back to England, a brief encounter with a super-hott Indian boy (on his way to Oxford) leaves her breathless. But, once back at Somerton, there's a new stepmother, a cruel stepsister, and Rose. Rose was a childhood friend, the daughter of the housekeeper. Lord Westlake as taken a keen interest in her and elevates her to Lady's Maid, but the servants don't like it and she gets advice from all the wrong corners. Fancy dresses! Scheming servants! A boy she loves that her father would never approve of vs. a good match with a good guy who will let her follow her dreams...

I wanted to like this more than I did. I needed more from Charlotte to make her more than just an evil step-sister. The narrative sometimes goes to other characters (mostly Rose and the stepbrother Sebastian) but mostly sticks to Ada. A little less Ada and more of the other characters (would *love* to get some of Ravi's point of view) would have rounded it out a little more. Ada and Ravi are super insta-love, which bugged me. I liked the relationship as it grew, but I wasn't entirely sure what attracted them to each other in the first place, especially given their very different stations. The foreshadowing and clues about the BIG SURPRISE at the end were also pretty heavy--something that would have worked better if the entire story were a little more fleshed out. I just wanted more. All that said, it was still a fun read. I liked many of the characters and want to know more, especially about the minor ones. It's definitely the first in a series, with some very ominous things left hanging, so be on the lookout for book 2.

ARC Provided by... the publisher, at ALA.

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Gilt

Gilt Katherine Longshore

Henry the VIII's many wives are common fodder for books for adults, not as much for YA (and when it is YA, it's more the princesses who get coverage, as they're the teens involved-- are there any good ones on Lady Jane Grey?) ANYWAY. Even in the shelves of Tudor fiction, Catherine Howard doesn't get a lot of play.

When this book came out, I was surprised that we hadn't seen more about her for YA before. When you think about it, her story is *perfect* for YA-- politics, romance, sex, death, pretty dresses, a teen queen who doesn't grasp the political realities surrounding her and a doomed relationship.

This one is narrarated by Catherine's friend Katherine TInley. Cat and Kitty have grown up together in the house of the Dowager Countess of Norfolk, with other daughters of minor nobility who have been sent there to be ignored or forgotten. Cat is then chosen to be a member of the new queen's household. After Henry's marriage to Anne of Cleves dissolves, he marries Cat, and Cat brings Kitty and their friends to court, where they are thrust into Cat's dangerous games of lust and sex. They can see what Cat can't-- how very close she is to the edge. They all remember what happened to the former queen, Anne Boleyn--why doesn't Cat?

Those with even a glancing knowledge of history know that those who marry Henry VIII don't find success. It's not a huge spoiler to say that Cat and others will lose their heads by the end of the novel.

Despite knowing the ending, it's a great ride to get there. Kitty's torn between a few guys-- there's the one who parents have betrothed her to, the one that Cat's set her up, and the one that Kitty actually likes. It's a really interesting look at the lack of agency people had when it came to family and politics. In addition to all of the stolen moments in dark corners and the glittering wealth, Longshore does a great job of painting the tension and the danger. Kitty can see that the game Cat is playing won't end well. She keeps waiting for the shoe to drop, and when it does, it happens so slowly that Cat doesn't notice until they come to arrest her.

I also really liked the characterization of Lady Rochford. One thing I've learned from reading my friend's blog that looks at Anne Boleyn novels is that Lady Rochford is often a bit evil. In Gilt she's a survivor who is just trying to remain a survivor.

It was great that will appeal to historical fiction fans as well as "rich mean girl" fans.

ARC Provided by... the publisher at ALA.

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God Save the Queen

God Save the Queen Kate Locke

I saw this book at ALA (how could that cover not garner a closer look?) but the rep said they didn't have ARCs. Ah well. It was pubbing shortly after ALA, so I could buy it or get it from the library then. BUT! There was a sign next to the book saying that the author was going to part of a panel on YA/Adult crossover titles. Interesting... why hadn't I heard of this panel? Because it wasn't a YALSA panel. It was hosted by ALTAFF. Have you ever heard of ALTAFF? They're the Association of Library Trustees, Advocates, Friends and Foundations. In other words, our support. I will definitely be checking out their offerings at future conferences, because this panel was great-- adult authors with high teen appeal, YA authors that adults love and great ideas and conversations. And then afterwards they gave out a copy of a book from EVERY author and had a signing. I didn't take all the books but I was very happy that God Save the Queen was on offer.

I read it on the plane ride home. It's an adult title with very high teen appeal (I field-nominated it for an Alex Award.)

It's an alternate history steampunk paranormal action mystery romance.

Basically, there was a mutation of the plague that affected aristocratic blood (blue blood has a whole new meaning here!) that makes the upper class undead. Whether they're vampires or werewolves tends to be determined by geography. So, it's 2012, and Queen Victoria is still on the throne and ruling the empire. And, like Victorian times in our world, this is a very class-divided society. Aristos rule, humans aren't worth noticing and inbetween are the halvies-- the offspring of aristos and humans. They're not undead, but they have special abilities. They're mostly used as guards to protect the aristos from human uprisings and rebellions, like the one that killed Prince Albert many years ago. Below everyone are the goblins, who will eat anyone and anything. Goblins are aristos, but the mutation went horribly wrong.

Xandra is a halvie, and a member of the elite Royal Guard who lives with her siblings (different mothers, same aristo father). She's very close to them, especially to her troubled sister Dede, who has disappeared. But then a body turns out that the authorities say is Dede's. Someone's gone through a LOT of trouble to make it look like Dede, but Xandra knows it's not. When she tracks down Dede, she finds herself in Bedlam hospital (literally) and in the middle of a movement to bring down the artistos. She's also going to discover some horrifying truths about what makes the empire tick and the truth of being a halvie.

Her investigation takes her down the sewers to see the Goblins and into the arms of Vex MacLaughlin, alpha of all UK weres (who tend to be Scottish.) Of course, Xandra's relationship with Vex doesn't sit well with her teacher, mentor, and friend, the young, hott vampire Winston Churchill.

But as she discovers more and more about why lies beneath the surface (both literally and metaphorically) she has no idea who to trust or what side is right.

Xandra kicks a lot of ass (while wearing a bustle!) and definitely has some anger management issues. She's complicated and it takes her a long time to sort our her allegiances. She also has a wonderful snarky voice. I also love the world that Locke has built, the slang, and the history, and the politics at play.

Most of all, I loved the relationship Xandra had with her siblings. The book dedication reads "This book is for my sisters: Heather, Linda and Nathalie. I could list the reasons why, but that would be a book in itself." But this book, under the politics and clothes and crazy-awesome thrill ride, is a love letter to sisterhood.

AND! We only have to wait until February for the sequel, The Queen Is Dead.


ARC Provided by... the publisher, at ALA

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Prince William and Kate

Prince William and Kate: A Royal Romance Matt Doeden

Starting with a brief biography of Wills and Kate before they met, and then detailing their courtship, engagement, and wedding, this is one that will be really popular with younger middle grade girls.

There’s nothing here that I didn’t know (and I’m not a huge royal watcher) but there are lots of large photographs and a good story about current events that kids are interested in.

This is one that didn’t wow me, but I wish we had in our library collection, because I know that if I put it on display, it would be snapped up in an instant.

Book Provided by... the publisher, for Cybils consideration

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Haunted

Haunted Grace Cavendish

Long time readers may remember how much I adore the Lady Grace Mysteries. They are historical fiction done right-- lots of excellent detail that never gets in the way of a wicked good plot.

In this one, Elizabeth’s court is on progress for the summer. At one estate, the owner is building a new manor house, but a spooky figure keeps appearing, stopping work. Is it a murdered earl? Or is it another noble trying to shame a rival in front of the Queen?

I especially liked how this one takes place outside of London. We still don’t see the Elizabethan England that most of it’s citizens saw, but it’s nice to occasionally leave the walls of Whitehall and see the countryside, and not just because it’s summer, so London is full of plague.

Book Provided by... my wallet. It's not available in the US, but you can order from the link above for a good price with free international shipping.

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Hound of the Baskervilles

The Hound of the Baskervilles Sir Conan Doyle

So, this was my very first Sherlock Holmes novel. Holmes and Watson are off to the countryside to investigate a death that looks like an ancient curse come to roost. In revenge for an ancient wrong, the Hound of the Baskervilles will bring death to whomever owns Baskervilles Hall. The latest was found dead, apparently of freight, with large animal prints all around him. His heir would like answers before taking possession. Holmes is very skeptical of such things and he explores the marshes and moors to discover the truth...

I really liked this! It was very fun because one of my regulars had this on her summer reading log and I was like, wait, I just read that, too! That was one of my few adult books, but you're 12! (Not that it isn't an appropriate title for a strong reader of that age like she is, but when I finally read an adult book but can only discuss it with a child? The irony amused me.)

But it's nice and spooky and atmospheric and an excellent mystery. While I still enjoyed it while reading it in June at the optometrist, it would be an excellent book for a late fall or winter night. I love how Holmes riddles things out and keeps Watson in the dark the whole time. I must read more!

Book Provided by... my local library

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Nonfiction Monday

The Norman Conquest of England Janice Hamilton

A great introduction to Anglo-Saxon England follows into the story of lead up to, the Battle of Hastings, and what happened next.

Overall a great introduction to life at the time and the story of the battle and conquest, with a great chapter about the very long-reaching effects and why we should still be interested in this one battle that happened almost 1000 years ago.

But, what I loved most of all was the back matter. There's a great section on how historians do research, with primary and secondary sources, and a good discussion of the problems of primary sources about the Battle of Hastings and how historians deal with that. There's a translation of a few panels of the Bayeux Tapestry, a glossary of Anglo-Saxon words and their modern English equivalents and the same with Anglo-French. We have a time line, a glossary, and a directory of who is who. Also, source notes, index, bibliography, and further reading. Even better, the bibliography and further reading lists are fully annotated and primary and secondary sources are listed separately.

A great look at a famous battle and why it matters, but overall a fantastic example of what nonfiction for kids can look like-- something for everyone to strive towards.

Round up is over at Books Together!

Book Provided by... my local library

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Cranford

Cranford Elizabeth Gaskell

This is not really an actual story and more a series of vignettes that detail life in a small North England village in the mid-nineteenth century. All the gentry in Cranford are female, elderly, and not nearly as well-off as they once were or pretend to be. Mary is a younger woman who lives in the nearby city of Drumble and often stays with the Matty Jenkyns, an old family friend, in Cranford. It is through Mary's first-person narration that we meet the people and see the daily life of the upper classes in this small town.

Due to the lack of an over-arching plot, this is a slow, quiet book, but I liked it nonetheless and often laughed out loud. (The edition I have is heavily endnoted to explain some of the references.) Cranford originally appeared serially in Household Words, edited by Charles Dickens. There is a great interaction between characters as they fight over which author is better--Dickens or Samuel Johnson. Dickens is seen as lowbrow. As a modern reader, this is extra hilarious, as Dickens is what has lasted and while Johnson is still well-remembered, his novels aren't. Despite the frequent references to Dickens and Johnson, this has more in common with Austen then either of them-- it's the same focus on female gentility with a sharp wit and keen eye for the small details of daily life.

Of course, I squeed when I saw Gaskell lived in Manchester and her husband was the minister at the Cross Street Unitarian Chapel, which is where I went when I lived there. (Of course, the building's moved, as the chapel he was at was lost in the 1996 IRA bombing. Now it's in an office building.)

I must now read more of her stuff, as I'm sure she won't hate on the North! North and South is on the list, as is... OOO! More stories about Cranford and the ladies within-- Mr. Harrison's Confessions and My Lady Ludlow. here's a UK version that binds them in one book...

Book Provided by... my local library

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End of the Affair

Last Sunday, I was reading in bed and Dan was whistling Forever Young. It was unbelievably annoying so I asked him to stop because I was trying to read. He's used to me being able to read through anything, so he looked over "Really? What are you read-- wait? GRAHAM GREENE? You're reading a book for adults?!"

I think his brain might have exploded this weekend when he caught me with some Elizabeth Gaskell.

The End of the Affair Graham Greene

On the surface, this is the story about what happens when our narrator, Maurice Bendrix runs into Henry Miles one night. Bendrix used to be having an affair with Henry's wife, Sarah, but she left him eighteen months ago. Bendrix hasn't gotten over it. Having the Mileses appear back in his life reopens the wounds that Sarah left. Bendrix wants to hurt her like she hurt him--he wants his revenge. As the story progresses, we get bits and pieces of their original relationship, how it began and the day it ended...

In the beginning, Bendrix claims that this is a record of hate far more than of love, for he hates Sarah now and wants to destroy her. Of course, despite Bendrix's protestations of hate, as the story goes on we see how his hate is a mask for his pain, he doesn't really hate at all. As Sarah says, ...Maurice who thinks he hates, and loves, loves all the time. Even his enemies.

It's a story of acceptance of loss, of London during the war (such minor details, such as standing on the sidewalk, the glass of blown-out and shattered windows under their feet). And it's a book about spiritual growth. Sarah left Bendrix for God. At the beginning, none of the characters believed, but in examining what happened and what happened after, Sarah becomes a Catholic believer and at the end, Bendrix and Henry aren't as sure in their atheism. For, in Bendrix's destroyed house, only the stained glass window survived, unmoving and unblemished by the bombs.

Perfectly crafted, Greene explores these relationships between people and religion with a slight hand (the entire book is only 192 pages). The prose is quiet and understated, but there is so much depth. I can't wait to read more of his work.

Book Provided by... my local library

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Nonfiction... Tuesday?

ARGH! I really wanted to get this posted yesterday, but for many reasons, it just didn't happen (I even had the day off, and yet... ah well.)

So, ALA announced the winners of their Youth Media Awards yesterday, as I'm sure you know by now.

There are now two nonfiction awards-- The Sibert award is for children and then YALSA (the division of ALA that deals with teens) has a new nonfiction award (rather boringly called the "YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award").

Both winners are books I've read and haven't reviewed yet! How's that for luck?

But, can I just say I'm gutted that The Frog Scientist didn't get any love?

First up, the Sibert winner was...

Almost Astronauts: 13 Women Who Dared to Dream Tanya Lee Stone

(This book was also shortlisted for the YALSA award)

This is the story of the women who wanted to be astronauts in the early days of the American Space Program. At that time, a woman pilot was an idea that didn't sit well with many people, let alone a woman astronaut. But, some women tried and proved they were better suited than men for the job.

But, in the end, the groundbreaking women who tried, failed to get into space. It wasn't until 1983 that the US sent its first woman into space. Even then, she was a Mission Specialist, not a pilot. It wasn't until 1999 that the US had its first woman commander of a space shuttle.

With a lot of cultural history thrown in, this book focuses not only on women in flight and space, but also on the role of women in society in the last fifty years. The end looks at why there still aren't that many women in space. Part of the problem is lack of women going into science and engineering and possibilities why.

There has been a lot of talk about how this is history that's trying to make a point. See, for instance, Liz's excellent post. I don't have a big problem with that. Most history books (and this gets truer the older the intended audience is) have an agenda or point of view. Personally, I like a more blatant point of view, because it's easier to then think about what's not getting said to prove the point. This is a very good teaching moment for children in evaluating sources and knowing that just because a source has a point of view doesn't mean it's not valid.

Overall, this was very interesting and an enjoyable read. It's also very well documented, with a further reading list, extensive bibliography, source notes, and index.

I read this for the Cybils and would have been on my personal short list if I were allowed 10 books instead of 5.

Book Provided by... the publisher, for Cybils consideration.

Charles and Emma: The Darwins' Leap of Faith Deborah Heiligman

This is the story of Charles and Emma Darwin's marriage and life together. There is certainly much of Charles's work and research, but it is more a sketch of their home life, and the work is mentioned in how it affected their family. When it comes down to it, it was a question of faith-- Charles's science led him more and more towards atheism, while Emma, although rather liberal (especially for the time) in her theistic views, was still deeply religious and often feared for her husband's soul. But this didn't cause much strain in their relationship, instead, Emma acted as Charles's sounding board, helping him determine all the objections he would have to address in order to make a convincing argument.

We also see how Darwin observes everything around him to think about his theories of evolution-- he looks at his children, at the plants in the garden, and spends much time talking to experts in every field to learn more and more and more.

I most enjoyed seeing how they raised their children. Unlike many Victorians, their children were allowed to run all over the house and freely voice their thoughts and feelings. It was nice to have proof that even though the Darwin's weren't the norm, some people didn't believe that children needed to be "seen and not heard."

An engaging read, and interesting and different window into Darwin's life. One of the things that makes it so engaging is how much the Darwin's wrote to each other (especially about religion, deep fears were hard to express face to face, so they'd write letters, even when they weren't apart) so there is a lot more dialog and feeling in this biography than you normally get. AND! It's all sourced at the end, so you know it's not fictionalized. There's also a really helpful family tree in the back that I wish I had noticed before I finished the book! Everyone's related and several people have similar (or the same) names, so it can be a little hard to keep everyone straight.

While I don't think this book will be picked up by many teens on their own, it will be enjoyed by those that give it the second look and open it up.

Book provided by... my local library

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Read a Thon Book Review

Ballet Family by Jean Estoril

When Joan's mother suddenly and unexpectedly passes away, she's taken from her Northern England home to her aunt and uncle's house in London. Her aunt is a famous ballet dancer, her uncle conducts the orchestra of the same ballet company, their oldest child has just joined the corps of the company and the younger three are all students at the company school.

Joan cannot understand their ballet-obsessed world, and the family, especially Anne, who's closest to Joan in age, cannot understand someone from so backwards a place as Rochdale and lacks the culture and sophistication to truly understand ballet.

Overall, it's a story of both sides kinda meeting in the middle to find peace, but honestly, the Garland family were absolutely horrible to Joan when she arrived. They're so self-obsessed and wrapped up in their own world that no one gave her time to properly mourn her mother and their whole attitude about her lack of knowledge and interest in ballet was "well, you'll learn." It was a bit appalling actually.

I do like though that there are two protagonists that we follow, Joan and Anne. I also liked the subplot of Delphine, the youngest child who is horribly spoiled and, frankly, a bit like Queenie Rothington for those who've read the Drina books. She's painted as a horrible attention hog with an overly inflated sense of self, but at the same time, she's always been told she's the best and she's part of this near-mythical ballet dynasty and she's the very youngest, and I think a lot of her actions are actually driven by fear that she's not good enough, not worthy of her last name.

I'm off to read the sequel.

Book Provided by... my wallet. I own it.

Links to Amazon are an affiliate link. You can help support Biblio File by purchasing any item (not just the one linked to!) through these links. Read my full disclosure statement.

Love is in the air....

Hmmm... blogger and flickr aren't playing well at the moment, so a picture will come at some later point... update 2/13 Finally! Huzzah! Pictures!

A Countess Below Stairs Eva Ibbotson

Anna is a countess who has been rendered penniless through the Russian Revolution. Living in London with her former governess she knows she must find work and ends up as a housemaid in the old-money-but-lost-splendor manor of Mersham. She works hard and tries to keep her blue blood a secret.

Rupert is the newest Earl of Westerholme. He never wanted to return to Mersham, it was supposed to go to his older brother, but George lies buried in Flanders field and Rupert knows George would want the family to hang onto the estate. But how to handle the crippling debt? Enter Muriel, his noveau riche heiress fiancee. The Earl needs her money, she wants his aristocratic title. Too bad she’s a nightmare.

Rupert and Anna soon fall in scandalous love, but it’s never to be, for she’s a poor servant and he’s an engaged Earl. But…

Oh how I loved this. It’s silly. Anna is ever so perfectly good (seriously, she makes Nancy Drew look nasty!) and Muriel is ever so evily bad. All the characters are flat and the plot is predictable and the end is unbelievably nice and tidy and perfect. But, I couldn’t put it down, how was it all going to play out? How was Rupert going to discover Anna’s true identity? Would it all come crumbling down? You knew how it was going to end, but how was Ibbotson going to get you there? It was oh so delicious!

Getting Cloudy

ARGH! I had leader blather and it got eaten. :( I have no idea what it said, so it obviously was not important...

Calder Game Blue Balliet

In this follow up to Chasing Vermeer and Wright 3 the kids are focusing on Alexander Calder, who is who Calder just happens to be named after.

Calder and his dad also go off to England while his dad's at a conference. There, they stay in this quaint little English village where there's something a little sinister going on. An anonymous American has donated an Alexander Calder statue to the town. They don't like change. They don't like outsiders.

One day, the statue goes missing. As does Calder.

Calder's dad realizes he doesn't really know in-depth what his son was up to these days, so he has Petra and Tommy fly out to help look...

I was pretty disappointed. I loved the earlier books but... Really, the whole closed off English village thing? It was very Hot Fuzz, but without being a spoof of itself.

Also, the townspeople didn't like the Chicago kids because they were American. But not one mentioned that Calder is part Asian Indian, Petra is partially Middle Eastern and Tommy is half Hispanic. Had the townspeople been shunning of outsiders, the fact that they were non-white outsiders (especially, I think, Calder's Asian Indian heritage) would have come up. In a really nasty way. But, it didn't.

This book was really scary and I liked that, but the explanation and the end were... weak. When I read the end I was like, wait... we spent all the time and energy and tension to work up to... that? Really?

It contains all of the awesome elements of the previous books, but doesn't pull the mystery off with the same skill as the others.

Homefront Doris Gwaltney

Sara recommended this one to me yonks ago. Yesterday I read it in one sitting.

Margaret Ann lives on a farm with her family in Virginia. Due to the fighting in Europe, her estranged aunt, Mary Lee and daughter Courtney are coming to live with them. Courtney is beautiful and smart and everyone loves her. But she's also stuck up and smug. At least to Margaret Ann. Of course Bobby Holland likes Courtney better. Of course Courtney now gets to sit next to Daddy at dinner.

But then, things get worse after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor. Her sister Elizabeth drops out of college to marry Tommy Gray before he enlists. Margaret Ann's older brother enlists. All the young men in her life are off to war.

I loved this book. I love how the chapters are named after where Margaret Ann is sleeping. In the beginning, she shares a room with her grandmother and is really excited to move into Elizabeth's room when she goes off to college. Then, less than a month in her own room, Aunt Mary Lee and Courtney move in, so she's back with grandma. When Johnny enlists, he lets Margaret Ann have his room, which makes her feel like he enlisted just so she could have her own room.

Margaret Ann doesn't cut Courtney a lot of slack and blames her for a lot of things that aren't her fault. At the same time, Courtney isn't completely innocent and I completely recognize Margaret Ann's feelings that everyone thinks Courtney is perfect. Both characters were flawed, but in that way that makes them really real. Also, I liked how realistic the inevitable thawing in their relationship was. A great recommendation. Thanks Sara!

Books! I! Own! Yowza!

So, after I posted yesterday, I saw that I had missed 2 very important updates!

1. The new issue of The Edge of the Forest is up! Check it out! Lots of awesome articles, plus 2 reviews by yours truly (My Last Best Friend by Julie Bowe and Reality Leak by Jodi Sensel-- both are great reads!)

2. The new Carnival of Children's Lit is up over at Wizard's Wireless. My contribution is actually my Geek Buffet post about the Xela Awards... check it out!

And now, a review of 2 books off the big scary list! (And a break because they're both Adult Nonfiction)

First up is Ten Thousand Miles Without a Cloud Sun Shuyun

This book isn't available in the US, so I had to order it from England after reading her The Long March: The True History of Communist China's Founding Myth.

In Ten Thousand Miles Without a Cloud, Sun sets out to retrace the journey of Xuanzang, a Buddhist monk who traveled to India at the start of the Tang Dynasty to learn Sanskrit and bring back new sutras to Chinese Buddhists. (His travels being the basis of Chinese classic, Journey to the West.)

Not a Buddhist herself, Sun is searching for her grandmother's faith, and Xuanzang's. What was his driving force as he faced many perils along his way?

Sun has a magical way of trying history and legend together with her current narrative. It all blends seamlessly and also paints an amazing portrait of the changing face of Modern China.

I highly recommend it, even if you do have to get it from England. Well worth it.

ALSO! How much do I love the fact that she has an Orphan Works notice on her list of illustrations! WONDERFUL!!!!! (sorry, that's the geek in me)

A Needle in the Right Hand of God: The Norman Conquest of 1066 and the Making and Meaning of the Bayeux Tapestry R. Howard Bloch

While this was interesting, as pop history it was ultimately unsatisfying. Bloch spends a lot of time proving minor points (did I really need half a chapter on the longship find of Sutton Hoo?) and leaves some other points hanging.

His premise is that the Bayeux Tapestry was stitched as a way to bring about a new multi-cultural peace and ultimately... I didn't buy it. There are many obvious other explanations to his supporting points that he doesn't address.

For instance, the fact that the tapestry is vague about some of the stickier points of the story (what the contents of the oath Harold swore, who Edward appointed as successor) isn't necessarily "sufficiently undefined as to permis all to identify with their particular point of view" ON PURPOSE. Maybe (a) it was common knowledge-- it's not like there are paragraphs of text here, most of the narration is based on common knowledge (b) Maybe they didn't know. This information doesn't appear in any other source, either. Maybe it was a secret.

But Bloch doesn't address these possible explanations for any of his evidence.

I do like his in-depth art-analysis of the symbolism and origins of various aspects of the tapestry, especially as he does refer to specific panels that are illustrated in the full color insert pages, as well as several other full-color and black-and-white illustrations throughout the text.

And as a minor note, I really didn't like the font. The lower case p has this little bit that extends out and is just visually very distracting.

Love in a Foreign Language

There was a line from a poem written by a short blond girl who read once at a poetry open mic hosted by the college literary magazine. The line, which I don't remember exactly, was along the lines of, "I broke his heart in English, because I couldn't be bothered to translate."

There are many beautiful meditations on language, and losing your language, and living and loving in a foreign language in Chang-Rae Lee's fantastic Native Speaker.

I have tried and failed to date outside English. Conversation sticks to pleasantries like the weather and we never really get to know each other.

These were the thoughts running through my head as I read Xiaolu Guo's A Concise Chinese-English Dictionary for Lovers: A Novel

I think it is telling that it is dedicated to "The man who... knows how a woman lost her language."

Z (no one can pronounce Zhuang, just call her Z) is sent to London to study English. There she meets a man, older and a drifter, and falls in love with him.

She talks to him as she learns English. Each chapter is short vignette, starting with a word and definition. As the novel, and time, wear on, Z's English improves, but never reaches fluency.

It's a doomed affair, you can tell from the beginning, the way he has a conception of China and expects her to be a good communist and Buddhist because she is Chinese and those are aspects that fit in with his aging-hippie drifter persona, never realizing that China has changed drastically. You can tell by the way she doesn't understand privacy.

More than a chronicle of a doomed love affair, it is a story of subtle and wry cultural misunderstanding. It is a coming-of-age story, both emotionally and sexually.

It is beautifully written, at times switching between terse and broken, to evocative and sensual, to moments of clear truth.

One of my favorite books of the year.

Because I'm Sure you Wanted to Know...

Me: Holy Cow! Molly's interviewing me for her blog!
Dan: Um, shouldn't you be interviewing her?
Me: Probably, but I'm saving that for when her book comes out and she's all famous and everyone wants a piece of her. Because they will. And then I can be all "Hey Molly! You interviewed me! My turn!"

So, here's my interview over at Bittersweet.

And, now, onto the Poetry Friday portion of our event.

"Luke, you will find that many of the truths we cling to depend greatly on our own point of view."

-Obi wan Kenobi

When I lived in Manchester, I spent Guy Fawkes day in the Darwin Forest, drinking cider by a large bonfire and pretending I knew the words the various songs being sung around me. Living in the North, Guy Fawkes day was a day to celebrate "The last good man sent to Parliament." Whereas, traditionally, especially in the South, it is a day to celebrate catching a Catholic traitor who tried to blow up Parliament.

Harpers had an interesting article on Guy Fawkes and his modern role in Monday's Harpers.

Literary connections: I'm assuming that Fawkes the Phoenix in Harry Potter is named after Guy Fawkes. Also, the day play a big role in V for Vendetta. (Do I lose all street cred when I mention I haven't read this, but only seen the movie? The movie was pretty awesome!)

So, here I give you:

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder, treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot
Guy Fawkes, Guy Fawkes, ’twas his intent
To blow up the King and Parliament.
Three score barrels of powder below,
Poor old England to overthrow;
By God’s providence he was catch’d
With a dark lantern and burning match.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, make the bells ring.
Holloa boys, holloa boys, God save the King!
Hip hip hoorah!

A penny loaf to feed the Pope.
A farthing o’ cheese to choke him.
A pint of beer to rinse it down.
A faggot of sticks to burn him.
Burn him in a tub of tar.
Burn him like a blazing star.
Burn his body from his head.
Then we’ll say ol’ Pope is dead.
Hip hip hoorah!
Hip hip hoorah hoorah!

Ballet Books for Jennie

First things first. Today I unveil the Biblio File store. If there isn't a link in the sidebar, there will be one soon. It's a place where you can see (and buy) my current favorite things--and not just books. Check it out. Buy some stuff. Support the habit. Don't forget the Zazzle store either! Because, as Larry Beinhart once said (but don't ask me where) "Librarians don't make a lot of money, more than poets, but not so much, say, as your more successful panhandlers..."

Anyway, let's talk books.

A few weeks ago, I talked about my favorite ballet series, Drina, by Jean Estoril, that I had donated away to the library, which I know seriously regret. First off, big love to my father who saw that posting and braved the basement to make sure that I didn't actually leave it at home. I found the first 5, which I originally owned, rather affordably online. I then found the sixth as well! As far as I can tell 6-11 were never published in the US. All the copies of 7-11 I can find are at least $25 when I factor in shipping, and that's nothing I can afford at the moment. (See above)

Anyway, I've been enjoying rereading these wonderful books, even if I'm noticing things I didn't notice before. The basic premise of the series is that Drina Adams is an orphan living with her grandparents training to be a ballet dancer. The first 5 books were written in the late 50s/early 60s and take place mainly in London.

Things I never noticed before: how stereotypically stiff-upper-lip British Drina's Granny is. In one scene in the first book, Drina's lies get found out at a department store and she (age 12) starts crying. Granny is horrified she would show such emotion in public and tells her to pull herself together. Granny is often telling Drina to not be so emotional.

Also: the issue of Drina's "Italian Blood." Drina's father was Italian. Everytime Drina's temper flares up, or if she's overly emotional, excited, or sentimental, it's because of her Italian blood. Also, although her name is actually Andrina Adamo, her grandmother much prefers her to go by "Adams."

Anyway, onto the books!

We start with Ballet for Drina, in which we first meet Drina. Drina likes dancing, but it becomes very apparent early on that Granny does not approve. When she starts a new school, she meets Jenny Pilgrim, who hates ballet, but is forced to go to lessons nonetheless. With Jenny's help, Drina is able to start classes at the Selswick school and works very hard for two years. Then, Granny and Grandfather decide to move to London! And there's no more ballet for Drina, unless she can find a way!

Next up is Drina's Dancing Year in which Drina is accepted at the Dominick School to study ballet full time! There, she must deal with mean students and the fact that she hasn't danced in 6 months and is behind everyone else. But she finds a new friend in Rose (despite the fact Mrs. Chester is a snob and regrets that Rose is rather poor.)Drina's heartbroken when she isn't chosen to dance in the Christmas matinee, but Igor Dominick himself chooses her to act in a West End play!

In Drina Dances Alone Drina's grandfather has been ill. As a result, Granny and Grandfather are moving to Australia for a year! Drina can't give up her dancing and is sent to Chalk Green, Dominick's residential school. Drina sees her time in the country as being forced into Exile, as she's away from the hustle and bustle of London life. Will she ever be able to fit in? (Also published as Drina Dances in Exile)

In Drina Dances on Stage Drina's back at the Dominick, although Rose is still at Chalk Green. She soon meets Ilonka, a Lynzonian refugee studying at the Dominick as well. (Lynzonia is apparently somewhere behind the Iron Curtain.) Igor Dominick, Jr. has joined the school and is a little snot ball. And there's lots of ballet. Over Easter, Drina is being forced to go to Italy and finally meet the other side of her family! Luckily, the Dominick will be there on tour as well, so all is not lost! (Also published as Drina Dances in Italy)

Then, in the last book published in the US, we have Drina Dances Again. At the end of the last book, Drina turned down a chance to play Margaret in a West End production of Dear Brutus. Early on though, Drina visits her friends at Chalk Green and pulls a muscle rather severely. She's not allowed to dance for at least a month. So, she changes her mind and takes the part to take her mind off lack of ballet. Of course, she gets great reviews and although the back blurb makes a great to-do about Drina's choice between dancing and acting, it's not a choice at all. Even better, when she's back on her feet, Drina's chosen to dance the part of Clara in the production of Casse Noisette (aka The Nutcracker) that the Dominick is taking to the Edinburgh festival. Wahoo!

Then, in a very new-to-me Drina book, we have Drina Dances in New York. Drina's being taken to New York (via boat, as her grandparents are understandably skittish about flying.) Although there's no Dominick school in this one, Drina does fall in looooooooooooooooooooooooove! With an American Businessman! (Gyspy Jenny proved right again!) Also, Jenny's father's firm as closed down, so there's no agricultural college for Jenny. She's taking typing and seems resigned to not being a farmer after all.

One thing I've always loved about this series is Jenny's determination to become a farmer. Who wants to be a farmer? Jenny Pilgrim. I'm sure there's some post-war British thing about glorifying traditional country life, but whatever. I also like that she wants to do it properly and go to Ag. College and although money's tight, she fights to not be left out when her brothers get to go to college, she should be able too. So, I'm absolutely gutted over the fact it might not happen. That said, it's Jenny, so she'll find a way. I loved the way she and Drina have stayed best friends and that she really does provide a rock in Drina's life.