avengingsybil

I Honestly Can't

The Adoration of Jenna Fox certainly followed up and fulfilled the promise of its first half - highly excellent book. I'm moving past my Pearson envy for the most part and continuing to plug away at my own work-in-progress. The way I look at it, good writing should inspire and empower, not make me want to say screw it and curl up in a ball and watch So You Think You Can Dance reruns for the rest of my life. That sounds great and all, but I think there's room in my life for writing and competitive dance programming. That's today's outlook, at least.

Another author I hold in the highest esteem is Hilary McKay, and I am now immersed in her latest, Forever Rose. Please tell me that this is not the final Casson book. The world she has created is as real to me as the one in which I live, and I just can't bear the thought of not knowing what becomes of this family as they grow and change. Saffy might be my favorite with her brand of cool, brilliant badassery, but I love them all so much with their special talents and quirks.

Books. Honestly. Can you think of anything better in the entire world?

Written material © 2008 Dawn Emerman

But Maybe Still Go to Hell a Little Bit

Do you ever read a book and end up secretly kind of hating the author because she is so amazing that it makes you feel like you trying to write a book yourself would be so pointless when there are books like *this* in the world?

Yeah, go to hell Mary Pearson.

Not really! I kid! It's just that I'm smack in the middle of The Adoration of Jenna Fox and I don't want to do anything else but read it. What a story! It's so cool and smart and creepy and beautifully written, I am in awe. And also jealous of her copious talent. Quite the follow up to A Room on Lorelei Street--one of my faves--and quite a departure from it as well. Stay around for a long time please, Ms. Pearson. Thank you.

I look forward to some great discussions about what is sure to be a YA classic in the vein of Feed and I Am the Cheese (that whole stranger-in-one's-own-life theme being such a perfect metaphor for adolescence, with the science and secrets).

Written material © 2008 Dawn Emerman

And the Miller's Daughter Gets a Name

I  just finished Elizabeth C. Bunce's A Curse as Dark as Gold. This is yet another book that I might not have read if not for the recommendation of my awesome book club, and I found it to be remarkable.

A Curse... is a breathtaking retelling of the Rumplestiltskin fairy tale. It is paced for maximum suspense, and the characters--heroes and villains alike--are sympathetic and multi-layered. Each gets her or his own back story, which to me denotes a great deal of thought and care on the part of the author. Very impressive work, especially for a debut.  What I loved most about this book is the way that the entire story is infused with a feminist perspective, even if the thoughts and actions might not have been historically accurate. Charlotte, the protagonist, as well as her sister Rosie and the town midwife Biddy Tom are fierce, brave, independent women and Woodstone, the love interest, is a dream come true as a partner for Charlotte. I absolutely loved him. As did I love this description of their wedding night (from pp. 186-187):

So it was Delight or nowhere, and I must admit that I was not sorry to share the little pleasures of that lovely village with my worldly husband. Although I did point out that even the innumerable charms of Delight would be long exhausted by the end of our fortnight, he merely laughed and said I didn't understand the purpose of a honeymoon.

And, indeed, he was quite convincing about that; and all I shall record here is that we missed both breakfast and the luncheon buffet at the hotel our first day, and that I came to understand why so many young wives produce children three-quarters of a year after their weddings.

What Bunce conveys, in just those few coy, elegant sentences, is how Charlotte would come to produce the son central to the plot, but also hints that she had a good time doing it. High five for a fun, sexy honeymoon in olden times!

Feminist retellings in the YA sphere are nothing new, but this one stands out because it is so meticulously researched, lovingly written, and exciting to read. I definitely need to step outside my reading comfort zone more often - thanks again, Misfits, for the recommendation.

Written material © 2008 Dawn Emerman

Here We Go...

Oh, heavens. It's happening again. I just finished a book that wasn't particularly lightweight in tone or topic but something about it tapped into that restless part of me that is just coming alive time of year when the weather is changing and everyone and everything seems to be going cuckoo for cocoa puffs. For a reasonably responsible adult, I am unbelievably susceptible to spring fever. It affects me to the core of my being, and I experience a period of total upheaval that dictates what I wear, eat, drink and, of course, read. I'm just so excited about my current queue, which includes not only the aforementioned Scott ARC but also:

Mary Pearson's The Adoration of Jenna Fox
Marc Acito's Attack of the Theater People
Maureen Johnson's Suite Scarlett
Maryrose Wood's My Life: The Musical
Hilary McKay's Forever Rose

Naturally that's only the appetizer for two seasons' worth of offerings that will surely tempt me to abandon all else for the sake of their alfresco consumption. And you know, I can live with that.

What's stoking the flames of your seasonal affect?

Written material © 2008 Dawn Emerman