Mattimeo by Brian Jacques
I must be on some kind of books of my youth nostalgia kick because I have been reading the Little House on the Prarie series and now I am working on the Redwall series by Brian Jacques. This is one of my most favorite series from when I was a kid - I don't remember when I started reading it, maybe 5th grade, but I read the books consistently through high school and perodically since then. And my brother Matt read them all and loved them too - they really are not girl books per se, more action and battles than anything. And now I found Mattimeo at the thrift store on buy one get one free day so I bought it and got another in the series for free! And I remember that I still love them and now I want to find them all - both to read myself and to collect for the girl's book collection. Which, by the way, is becoming quite extensive. I should do a post on it someday.
Anyway, Mattimeo, this is the 3rd or 4th in the series. Redwall Abbey is attacked by a band of villians lead by a masked Fox known as Slagar. Slagar and his band are slavers and kidnap Mattimeo (son of the great warrior mouse Matthias) and some of his friends with the intent to sell them into slavery to a polecat (not sure what that is) and his evil rat minions. When the kidnapping is discovered, Matthias, as the warrior of Redwall, and some other brave animals including a hare, a hedgehog, a squirrel, some shrews and a badger, go off to the rescue. And there are many battles, an earthquake, a poetry spouting owl, and delicious sounding food, funny accents, and general awesomeness. Definitely recommended!!!
After I read this book I looked up the author's website to see how many there are currently in the series (and the answer is A LOT) but I was very sad to discover that Brian Jacques has very recently passed away. He was definitely an amazing and prolific author.
Friday, February 18, 2011
No. 22: Impulse
Impulse by Nora Roberts
This is an OLD Nora Roberts book - I found it in our Jeep when we cleaned it out to sell it. It had a price sticker from the half price book store in Des Moines (where I have not lived since 2005) and it had a bookmark on page 11. So apparently I started it, lost it, and forgot about it completely for 6ish years. I imagine this is not the first time it has happened to me.
Anyway this book was okay, I really loved the plot, but the characters and execution were only so-so. I mean, not that I could actually write a better book than Nora Roberts (because I am almost positive I cannot) but when I read the back cover the story that popped into my mind was WAY better than reality.
Nevertheless, the actual book was pretty okay - a very boring, safe accountant decides to start living her life and to be adventerous for the first time. She quits her job, sells everything she has and goes to tour Europe. I am telling you right now, if I was single and without kids I would immediately begin figuring out how I could do the same. It sounds awesome! She ends up in Greece where she meets a very handsome stranger who starts to romance her. All good so far right, this book seems really good at this point. But then, tragically, it starts to go down hill. The MMC is kind of jerky and sort of angry (and not in a good way) and the FMC is about to SERIOUSLY overreact and ruin everything by being too sensitive and stupid. And I hate that.
There are some books where the MMC can be kind of jerky and angry but it is somehow very compelling and sexy. And there are some books where the FMC can misunderstand situations or the MMC's feelings about her and react badly but it is good because then the MMC is forced to find her or otherwise resolve the misunderstanding and profess his love for her and live happily ever after. I LOVE those kind of books. Perhaps in the top 5 of kinds of romance novels I love. But this book didn't quite make it. It was going there, it started so good, but the characters didn't do it for me.
This is an OLD Nora Roberts book - I found it in our Jeep when we cleaned it out to sell it. It had a price sticker from the half price book store in Des Moines (where I have not lived since 2005) and it had a bookmark on page 11. So apparently I started it, lost it, and forgot about it completely for 6ish years. I imagine this is not the first time it has happened to me.
Anyway this book was okay, I really loved the plot, but the characters and execution were only so-so. I mean, not that I could actually write a better book than Nora Roberts (because I am almost positive I cannot) but when I read the back cover the story that popped into my mind was WAY better than reality.
Nevertheless, the actual book was pretty okay - a very boring, safe accountant decides to start living her life and to be adventerous for the first time. She quits her job, sells everything she has and goes to tour Europe. I am telling you right now, if I was single and without kids I would immediately begin figuring out how I could do the same. It sounds awesome! She ends up in Greece where she meets a very handsome stranger who starts to romance her. All good so far right, this book seems really good at this point. But then, tragically, it starts to go down hill. The MMC is kind of jerky and sort of angry (and not in a good way) and the FMC is about to SERIOUSLY overreact and ruin everything by being too sensitive and stupid. And I hate that.
There are some books where the MMC can be kind of jerky and angry but it is somehow very compelling and sexy. And there are some books where the FMC can misunderstand situations or the MMC's feelings about her and react badly but it is good because then the MMC is forced to find her or otherwise resolve the misunderstanding and profess his love for her and live happily ever after. I LOVE those kind of books. Perhaps in the top 5 of kinds of romance novels I love. But this book didn't quite make it. It was going there, it started so good, but the characters didn't do it for me.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
No. 21: The Long Winter
The Long Winter by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Oh, I know what happens next, The Long Winter. Yikes. So, the Ingalls family is living in their teeny tiny shack like house out on the homestead. They are happy because this is where they are going to stay - Ma has finally put her foot down and demanded that Pa find them a place to settle so the girls can get some schooling and stability in their lives. Which I think is admirable.
But then, one day, Pa is in town and a wise old Indian comes into the store and indicates (I cant remember if he talked or used hand signals or a combination) that this coming winter will be a very cold and snowy one. Pa finds this persuasive, particualrly in combination with compelling muskrat related evidence. So he (wisely) decides to move his family into town instead of attempting to survive the winter in the homestead shack.
Well, the winter is indeed long and terrible and they almost starve to death. And, although it is not mentioned, I would be willing to bet a lot of money that they all got scurvey. You cannot go an entire winter eating almost nothing but bread and a few potatoes. It is not healthy. Anyway, thanks to the daring efforts of Cap Garland (my particular favorite) and Alamazo Wilde (almost as good as Cap) the town was able to purchase some wheat from a crazy homesteader way outside of town. Cap did it out of the goodness of his heart, Alamanzo did it out of guilt because he refused to sacrifice his future potential wheat crop so that people didn't starve to death. Although risking your life and almost dying is a pretty good way to say "Sorry I care more about myself and my future wheat than I care about the people of this town."
Anyway, obviously they didn't all die, but I am sure there were long lasting effects from almost 7 months of near starvation. But it had a happpy ending and they got to eat turkey and cranberries when the train finally came through.
Oh, I know what happens next, The Long Winter. Yikes. So, the Ingalls family is living in their teeny tiny shack like house out on the homestead. They are happy because this is where they are going to stay - Ma has finally put her foot down and demanded that Pa find them a place to settle so the girls can get some schooling and stability in their lives. Which I think is admirable.
But then, one day, Pa is in town and a wise old Indian comes into the store and indicates (I cant remember if he talked or used hand signals or a combination) that this coming winter will be a very cold and snowy one. Pa finds this persuasive, particualrly in combination with compelling muskrat related evidence. So he (wisely) decides to move his family into town instead of attempting to survive the winter in the homestead shack.
Well, the winter is indeed long and terrible and they almost starve to death. And, although it is not mentioned, I would be willing to bet a lot of money that they all got scurvey. You cannot go an entire winter eating almost nothing but bread and a few potatoes. It is not healthy. Anyway, thanks to the daring efforts of Cap Garland (my particular favorite) and Alamazo Wilde (almost as good as Cap) the town was able to purchase some wheat from a crazy homesteader way outside of town. Cap did it out of the goodness of his heart, Alamanzo did it out of guilt because he refused to sacrifice his future potential wheat crop so that people didn't starve to death. Although risking your life and almost dying is a pretty good way to say "Sorry I care more about myself and my future wheat than I care about the people of this town."
Anyway, obviously they didn't all die, but I am sure there were long lasting effects from almost 7 months of near starvation. But it had a happpy ending and they got to eat turkey and cranberries when the train finally came through.
No. 20: On the Shores of Silver Lake
On the Shores of Silver Lake by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Oh Pa, what is with you and your complete inability to just hang out and be happy. Yes you were living at Plum Creek for like 2 years (which is like 100 years in Pa time) and yes your poor poor family has sufferd horribly during that time - let us not forget the horrifying grasshopper incident, also random fires, the evil Nellie and most tragic of all, the scarlett fever epidemic that left Mary blind. I mean, wow, that family has had a rough couple of years. But you have a house! Animals! You live near town! You are creek and plum tree adjacent!
But you know Pa, he is restless, so when Aunt Docia stops by and invites Pa to immediately sell their house and come west to work on the railroad he agrees. Despite the fact that he is now forcing his family (recently recovered from scarlett fever) to sell their crap and move again. Also let us not forget that he is leaving NOW, so Ma has to care for Mary (blind), Laura (helpful but headstrong), Carrie (peaked) and Grace (baby) all by herself on the train! But, they do it anyway and get to live in a shanty on the shores of Silver Lake.
Then some good news, they get to move into the surveyors house which is fancy and full of food. So for one happy winter they get to have food and warm and safe. Then Pa finds a homestead, builds a building in town and mows a crap ton of hay ably assisted by Laura. And she meets Alamanzo and likes his horses.
It seems like things are looking up. I wonder what happens next...
Oh Pa, what is with you and your complete inability to just hang out and be happy. Yes you were living at Plum Creek for like 2 years (which is like 100 years in Pa time) and yes your poor poor family has sufferd horribly during that time - let us not forget the horrifying grasshopper incident, also random fires, the evil Nellie and most tragic of all, the scarlett fever epidemic that left Mary blind. I mean, wow, that family has had a rough couple of years. But you have a house! Animals! You live near town! You are creek and plum tree adjacent!
But you know Pa, he is restless, so when Aunt Docia stops by and invites Pa to immediately sell their house and come west to work on the railroad he agrees. Despite the fact that he is now forcing his family (recently recovered from scarlett fever) to sell their crap and move again. Also let us not forget that he is leaving NOW, so Ma has to care for Mary (blind), Laura (helpful but headstrong), Carrie (peaked) and Grace (baby) all by herself on the train! But, they do it anyway and get to live in a shanty on the shores of Silver Lake.
Then some good news, they get to move into the surveyors house which is fancy and full of food. So for one happy winter they get to have food and warm and safe. Then Pa finds a homestead, builds a building in town and mows a crap ton of hay ably assisted by Laura. And she meets Alamanzo and likes his horses.
It seems like things are looking up. I wonder what happens next...
Saturday, February 5, 2011
No. 19: On the Banks of Plum Creek
On the Banks of Plum Creek by Laura Ingalls Wilder
This might be one of the more depressing books in the series (although none of them are really that happy) because after Pa rashly abandons their house in Indian Territory - he trades their wagon and ponies (not Pet and Patty! Laura's favorite! How cruel Pa!) to a Norweigan for his dugout house - basically a house dug out of the ground and covered in sod. A dirt house. Remember their previous house - now abandoned - had glass windows. Anyway, Ma is initially very slightly displeased, but Pa makes a joke and she gets over it. Plum Creek seems like a nice place at first, a creek, tons of plum trees, a place to swim, a wheat field. So Pa starts to get a little crazy and builds a big house on credit (with glass windows, and actual nails, and milled wood rather than logs) purely based on the speculation that his wheat crop will be wildly successful. And he buys Ma a big new stove and a store bought broom (every woman's dream!) although to be fair he also buys her dress fabric. So that is nice.
Anyway, tragedy strikes and a plague of grasshoppers descends on Minnesota and eats every plant for a hundred miles. This is literally one of the worst things I can imagine - maybe a plague of spiders would be worse - but I hate grasshoppers and their disgusting crunchy bodies. I can barely bring myself to read the grasshopper chapters. Anyway, the horrifying bugs eat the wheat, the Ingalls family is destitute. So Pa decides to leave his wife and three young daughters to care for the farm while he goes off to find work. I admire his initiative - especially since he had to walk like 300 miles in worn out boots, but if he hadn't moved his family out of Wisconsin none of this would have happened. Anyway, he finally comes back! And they are happy. But now it is winter and there are terrible blizzards all winter. And Pa almost freezes to death in one (in view of his house - but he couldn't see it for the snow) and he eats all the Christmas candy, but everyone is happy because he isn't dead. Isn't that a happy ending?
This might be one of the more depressing books in the series (although none of them are really that happy) because after Pa rashly abandons their house in Indian Territory - he trades their wagon and ponies (not Pet and Patty! Laura's favorite! How cruel Pa!) to a Norweigan for his dugout house - basically a house dug out of the ground and covered in sod. A dirt house. Remember their previous house - now abandoned - had glass windows. Anyway, Ma is initially very slightly displeased, but Pa makes a joke and she gets over it. Plum Creek seems like a nice place at first, a creek, tons of plum trees, a place to swim, a wheat field. So Pa starts to get a little crazy and builds a big house on credit (with glass windows, and actual nails, and milled wood rather than logs) purely based on the speculation that his wheat crop will be wildly successful. And he buys Ma a big new stove and a store bought broom (every woman's dream!) although to be fair he also buys her dress fabric. So that is nice.
Anyway, tragedy strikes and a plague of grasshoppers descends on Minnesota and eats every plant for a hundred miles. This is literally one of the worst things I can imagine - maybe a plague of spiders would be worse - but I hate grasshoppers and their disgusting crunchy bodies. I can barely bring myself to read the grasshopper chapters. Anyway, the horrifying bugs eat the wheat, the Ingalls family is destitute. So Pa decides to leave his wife and three young daughters to care for the farm while he goes off to find work. I admire his initiative - especially since he had to walk like 300 miles in worn out boots, but if he hadn't moved his family out of Wisconsin none of this would have happened. Anyway, he finally comes back! And they are happy. But now it is winter and there are terrible blizzards all winter. And Pa almost freezes to death in one (in view of his house - but he couldn't see it for the snow) and he eats all the Christmas candy, but everyone is happy because he isn't dead. Isn't that a happy ending?
No. 18: Little House on the Prarie
Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Somehow I do not have Little House in The Big Woods which is the first in this series (although I have at least 2 copies of every other book in the series!) I decided to skip it for now and read starting with this one.
The book I read belonged to my Aunt Lisa - and I have had it forever and read it so many times the cover fell off. But I don't want a new one, I like this one that says "Lisa H" in my Grandma's handwriting on the top of the first page. So I am taping the cover back on.
Anyway, in this book Pa sells their cozy cabin in the big woods - the one where they have lived and were happy and had a cow and were near Ma's family - to move his wife and three daughters into Indian Country. Because he feels too crowded. Not that I think this is a bad idea (which I totally do) but I want you to fully understand how complient Ma is. If Aaron told me, lets sell our house and all our stuff to move way the heck out into the Bush because I think town is crowded I would wish him good luck and send him on his way alone.
Anyway, they drive forever and finally decide to settle. Pa builds a cabin (nearly killing Ma in the process) and hunts, then there is a fire, they get malaria, they are nearly attacked by Indians, and then at the end of all that, after a year of what I would consider to be extremely bad luck - Pa hears that the government is going to make the settlers leave Indian Territory (the nerve of that stupid government) but without waiting for official confirmation, he decides to leave his house (with glass windows which was a big deal), fields, cow and calf (are you sensing a theme here) and move to Minnesota.
I guess, what I am saying is - Pa is crazy and he is forever moving his family for no good reason and if I were Ma I would be headed back to the Big Woods of Wisconsin and moving back in with my family. But she is a good wife and loves Pa so she deals with it.
Somehow I do not have Little House in The Big Woods which is the first in this series (although I have at least 2 copies of every other book in the series!) I decided to skip it for now and read starting with this one.
The book I read belonged to my Aunt Lisa - and I have had it forever and read it so many times the cover fell off. But I don't want a new one, I like this one that says "Lisa H" in my Grandma's handwriting on the top of the first page. So I am taping the cover back on.
Anyway, in this book Pa sells their cozy cabin in the big woods - the one where they have lived and were happy and had a cow and were near Ma's family - to move his wife and three daughters into Indian Country. Because he feels too crowded. Not that I think this is a bad idea (which I totally do) but I want you to fully understand how complient Ma is. If Aaron told me, lets sell our house and all our stuff to move way the heck out into the Bush because I think town is crowded I would wish him good luck and send him on his way alone.
Anyway, they drive forever and finally decide to settle. Pa builds a cabin (nearly killing Ma in the process) and hunts, then there is a fire, they get malaria, they are nearly attacked by Indians, and then at the end of all that, after a year of what I would consider to be extremely bad luck - Pa hears that the government is going to make the settlers leave Indian Territory (the nerve of that stupid government) but without waiting for official confirmation, he decides to leave his house (with glass windows which was a big deal), fields, cow and calf (are you sensing a theme here) and move to Minnesota.
I guess, what I am saying is - Pa is crazy and he is forever moving his family for no good reason and if I were Ma I would be headed back to the Big Woods of Wisconsin and moving back in with my family. But she is a good wife and loves Pa so she deals with it.
No. 17: Farmer Boy
Farmer Boy by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Farmer Boy is my favorite of all the Little House on the Prarie books (except maybe tied with The Long Winter) and it always has been. I think it is an amazing description of what life was like. When I read it now though, it gives me slightly different feelings. I now feel lazy, without useful skills and that I am a terrible housekeeper. Not only do I not sew all of the clothes my family wears, I don't raise the sheep, shear them, spin the wool, and weave the cloth! I am totally useless!
Similarly, unlike Alamanzo's mother, when I have a little downtime at the end of a hard day of cleaning, baking, weaving, spinning, cooking, etc - I don't sit down to listen to my eldest daughter read the newspaper while I knit my husband socks. I don't ever knit anyone anything (because I can't) and also I would rather read myself or watch tv. Also I don't do all that work in one (or 100) days. Also if I decide to crochet (something I can do) I don't make anything as useful as socks. I am a failure.
Despite the negative feels of self worth I now have, I am going to keep reading this series even though I know that Ma (of Ma and Pa Ingalls fame) works pretty hard to and is happy with a heck of a lot less. So that will make me feel greedy, selfish and whiney. But whatever, I love this series anyways!
Farmer Boy is my favorite of all the Little House on the Prarie books (except maybe tied with The Long Winter) and it always has been. I think it is an amazing description of what life was like. When I read it now though, it gives me slightly different feelings. I now feel lazy, without useful skills and that I am a terrible housekeeper. Not only do I not sew all of the clothes my family wears, I don't raise the sheep, shear them, spin the wool, and weave the cloth! I am totally useless!
Similarly, unlike Alamanzo's mother, when I have a little downtime at the end of a hard day of cleaning, baking, weaving, spinning, cooking, etc - I don't sit down to listen to my eldest daughter read the newspaper while I knit my husband socks. I don't ever knit anyone anything (because I can't) and also I would rather read myself or watch tv. Also I don't do all that work in one (or 100) days. Also if I decide to crochet (something I can do) I don't make anything as useful as socks. I am a failure.
Despite the negative feels of self worth I now have, I am going to keep reading this series even though I know that Ma (of Ma and Pa Ingalls fame) works pretty hard to and is happy with a heck of a lot less. So that will make me feel greedy, selfish and whiney. But whatever, I love this series anyways!
No. 16: Finally Thin!
Finally Thin! by Kim Bensen
Yes the exclamation point is in the title. Anywa, I started Weight Watchers (and I am kicking butt btw) and my friend Jackie got this book for me. The author lost more than 200 lbs in 2 years doing WW. It is an amazing, touching and sometimes sad story. But I think really motivating, which I guess is the point. Anyway, I don't need to lose 200 lbs, or even 100 lbs, but I can still identify with the author's struggle with her weight. Hopefully I can continue to use this book to inspire me as I continue "my weight loss journey" Which, by the way, is a phrase that annoys me to no end! They say it at WW meetings and on The Biggest Loser and maybe even in the book. I think it is dumb, but I don't know why.
Anyway, the book also has quite a few recipes that look pretty good - I am going to try some out this weekend for the Super Bowl!
Yes the exclamation point is in the title. Anywa, I started Weight Watchers (and I am kicking butt btw) and my friend Jackie got this book for me. The author lost more than 200 lbs in 2 years doing WW. It is an amazing, touching and sometimes sad story. But I think really motivating, which I guess is the point. Anyway, I don't need to lose 200 lbs, or even 100 lbs, but I can still identify with the author's struggle with her weight. Hopefully I can continue to use this book to inspire me as I continue "my weight loss journey" Which, by the way, is a phrase that annoys me to no end! They say it at WW meetings and on The Biggest Loser and maybe even in the book. I think it is dumb, but I don't know why.
Anyway, the book also has quite a few recipes that look pretty good - I am going to try some out this weekend for the Super Bowl!
No. 15: Rebelious Desire
Rebelious Desire by Julie Garwood
I am still set on re-reading all of Garwood's books to see if my hypothesis regarding the FMC's is true.If this book is a true representation of the rest of her books (and I hope it is not) than my hypothesis is 100% accurate. In this book, the FMC - Caroline - is summoned from the Colonies where she was sent by her father the Earl after an unfortunate shooting incident when she is 4. She grows up in America raised by her Aunt and Uncle as their own child and as a sister to her cousins. Now she is back in England. In one of the first scenes in the book, Caroline, her cousin Chastity and their black friend are riding in a carriage when they hear gunfire. Their groom flees and Caroline calmly approaches the scene of the shooting, there she finds some ruffians holding a carriage at gunpoint, a man in the carriage has been shot. Caroline, as calm as anything shoots the gun out of the hand of the bad guy - they run away - and she tends to the gunshot wound of the injured man. Nothing phases her, she is totally in control and collected.
Then, HE shows up and she turns into a nervous bubmling flighty wreck! Why Julie Garwood? Why? Some examples:
The FMC, to herself, when thinking about her dealings with the MMC, "What had happened to her control, her independence?"
And later, "Caroline continued to stare at him. A thousand thoughts flew through her mind but she wasn't able to catch a single one. She was, for the first time in her life, completely overwhelmed."
So, clearly, my hypothesis holds up thus far. But, I admit this is not one of my favorite Garwood books. First of all, it is set in the Regency Era (which I usually love) but is not one of Garwood's strong points. Secondly, I think the MMC is a bit of a jerk and a bully and I don't like him. Thirdly, it isn't in Scotland nor is there a single FBI agent or cowboy - those are Garwood's strong points. So not a winner, but it is proving my hypothesis so not a total loss!
I am still set on re-reading all of Garwood's books to see if my hypothesis regarding the FMC's is true.If this book is a true representation of the rest of her books (and I hope it is not) than my hypothesis is 100% accurate. In this book, the FMC - Caroline - is summoned from the Colonies where she was sent by her father the Earl after an unfortunate shooting incident when she is 4. She grows up in America raised by her Aunt and Uncle as their own child and as a sister to her cousins. Now she is back in England. In one of the first scenes in the book, Caroline, her cousin Chastity and their black friend are riding in a carriage when they hear gunfire. Their groom flees and Caroline calmly approaches the scene of the shooting, there she finds some ruffians holding a carriage at gunpoint, a man in the carriage has been shot. Caroline, as calm as anything shoots the gun out of the hand of the bad guy - they run away - and she tends to the gunshot wound of the injured man. Nothing phases her, she is totally in control and collected.
Then, HE shows up and she turns into a nervous bubmling flighty wreck! Why Julie Garwood? Why? Some examples:
The FMC, to herself, when thinking about her dealings with the MMC, "What had happened to her control, her independence?"
And later, "Caroline continued to stare at him. A thousand thoughts flew through her mind but she wasn't able to catch a single one. She was, for the first time in her life, completely overwhelmed."
So, clearly, my hypothesis holds up thus far. But, I admit this is not one of my favorite Garwood books. First of all, it is set in the Regency Era (which I usually love) but is not one of Garwood's strong points. Secondly, I think the MMC is a bit of a jerk and a bully and I don't like him. Thirdly, it isn't in Scotland nor is there a single FBI agent or cowboy - those are Garwood's strong points. So not a winner, but it is proving my hypothesis so not a total loss!
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