A breath of fresh air

Sometimes it gets really hot where I live. Africa hot. The kind of hot that melts people (get my drift?). Until the sun goes down and the Delta breeze starts cooling everything off. That's when I like to open up the windows and let the sweet air flow. This, my friends, is how it feels to read one of Shannon Hales' wonderful novels! My sister, Kristin, told me about her and how I just "HAD to read The Goose Girl ." She'd picked it up one day and couldn't put it down (DITTO). Shannon mostly writes for children and young adults, but don't let that dissuade you. Her books are quite simply a dream read for any girl, regardless of age. I say "girl" because we're talking princesses and romance and marriage and happily ever afters. However, if you're a dude and you like that sort of thing, more power to ya! Goose Girl is a modern day, dressed-up Grimms Brother tale of the same name. It is also the first novel in the Books of Bayern series. The story is centered around a princess named Ani, who has special powers that are not appreciated by her mother, the Queen, or anyone else really. She's an oddity, but a likable one. Her mother sends her off to be married to a prince from another kingdom, yet along the way she is overthrown and her identity is stolen by her lady-in-waiting. Ani must take matters into her own hands as she finds herself totally alone in an unfamiliar land. Luckily she lands a gig as the keeper of the Royal Flock, hence the title "Goose Girl." I just love the way Shannon writes, lulling me with her poetic prose. It's obvious from her novels that she appreciates tough chicks who are at one with nature. Most of her heroines kick some serious butt whilst camping-out for long periods of time. She has an awesome imagination that literally oozes from every page! Goose Girl was my favorite of the three Bayern books, but I also heartily enjoyed Enna Burning and River Secrets (both based on characters you'll meet in Goose Girl). Shannon was awarded the Newbery for her novel Princess Academy, another super-fun read for young girls. I recommended it to my eleven year old daughter and she just couldn't get into it. I honestly loved it, was horrified when she wouldn't read it, and almost disowned her right then and there! We're now on better terms since she's read The Series of Unfortunate Events novels and gave them a thumbs up (but seriously, what mother wouldn't worry?). Book of a Thousand Days is also another "how does this woman do it!?" kind of read that just boggles the mind. Her imagination knows no bounds, people! I took a peek at Amazon and noticed that she has a couple of new books out that I have not read, o happy day! Recently she has delved into a little contemporary adult fiction, giving us Austenland, an ode to all things Jane Austen (I think I already mentioned that I love this one) and The Actor and The Housewife (has anyone read this???). All I know is that no matter what genre, Shannon Hales' books, like her many female characters, kick some serious booty!

Shalom, my friends

There are times in the life of a reader when one has to pull out the big guns and call on friends for a good book recommendation. Personally, I am lucky to have awesome friends and family to whom I can turn when my stack starts to dwindle. A couple of years ago I was desperate for a read so I called on my sister-in-law Natalie for her expertise. She kindly shared several of her favorites, one of which was Davita's Harp by Chaim Potok. Natalie deserves some serious props here for turning me on to Chaim because he is now one of my absolute faves! The problem is, I am just not eloquent enough to give Chaim and his beautiful novels the praise they deserve. But I'll do my best to convey to you, with my limited intellect and vocabulary, why he has earned my undying love. First of all, I love to say his name, which takes quite and bit of phlegm to pronounce. Secondly, his prose is unique in it's simplicity. I just couldn't seem to get his voice out of my head long after the book was finished (kinda like a Miley Cyrus song, though not as annoying). Also, Chaim's' novels gave me a much needed education on Judaism. I became fascinated with Jewish culture and soon found myself adopting the Hebrew greeting "shalom" in my daily life (ring..ring.."Shalom, this is the Walter residence"). Although I enjoyed Davita's Harp, I will have to say it was his novel My Name Is Asher Lev that blew me away. It's the story of a young Hasidic Jewish boy who realizes that his calling in life is to be an artist, far from the hopes and dreams of his parents. One interview I read alluded to this particular novel being auto-biographical in nature. Chaim himself was an artist and, in fact, one of his paintings plays a pivotal role in this book. Not only was he a great author and artist, he was also a college professor, a rabbi and the editor of a newspaper. Do you see why I get a little nervous about reviewing his books? The man was a genius and his books are masterpieces, people, MASTERPIECES!!! Now I'm getting a bit too dramatic for my own good. If you haven't yet had the pleasure of reading one of his novels may I suggest starting with his most popular, The Chosen? It is also a very compelling read and has an equally awesome sequel titled The Promise. If for some reason you read (or have read) one of his books and you don't like it, I kindly ask that you keep it to yourself. I think it's pretty obvious from this post that I am quite attached to Mr.Potok and can't be trusted to take any criticism about him very well. That being said, I leave you with a very heart-felt "Shalom."

The One & Only Jane Austen

Let's get this party started! I thought it would be kinda fun to begin with my first posts featuring a short list of authors I love. Five authors who's books are a sure thing as far as I'm concerned.

The one and only - Jane Austen. Oh how happy you make me!!! I love Ms. Austen for so many reasons. She makes me laugh, swoon, cry and sometimes cringe. It's easy to identify with her characters because they are so real and so totally flawed. If I HAD to pick my favorite novel that she penned it would probably be Pride and Prejudice (with Sense and Sensibility at a close second). I first fell in love with P&P and all things Austen when Colin Firth (hubba-hubba) was cast as Mr. Darcy in the A&E film adaptation (and when I saw his beautiful grounds at Pemberly). I was a gonner! Jane Austen's books are now parodied to the point where it's getting a bit insane. One can hardly keep up with all the new releases, but I'm not complaining. This summer I was both disgusted and entertained by Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It's a great way to get your Mr. Darcy fix while laughing out loud as bloodthirsty zombies attack Mr. Collins! It was a goal of mine this summer to read all of Jane's books, but alas it was not meant to be. I did, however, finish P&P, S&S and Persuasion. After finishing Persuasion I had a hankerin' to watch the A&E version. Man those people are NOT attractive, the teeth and moles disturb, but it's still a great show that captures the angst I felt from the novel. I know, I know, this is technically a book review, but one cannot love Jane's books without loving the movies that go with them. All I know is that when the day is grey and I'm feeling a little blue, all I have to do is open one of her novels or pop in one of the many A&E films and everything is looking a little brighter!

P.S. Other Austen-esque novels I have read and enjoyed are The Lost Memoirs of Jane Austen, Austenland and the series An Assembly Such as This(from Darcy's view).