The One in Which I Attempted to Write Mini Reviews (but still used too many words)

One More Year: Stories by Sana Krasikov

Spiegel & Grau, 2008 (ARE)
Fiction; 240 pgs
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
Rating: (Very Good)


I read this collection of stories earlier in the year and featured several of the short stories from it. I enjoyed the book so much that I thought it was worth a mentioning as a whole.

I do not know if it was because I was reading the wrong kinds of short stories, whether they were truly bad or I just had not learned yet how to appreciate them. Short stories come in all different styles. Some are character studies; others have more of a vignette feel to them, that slice of life view; and then there are short stories that are more plot driven, with a clear beginning, middle and end. Sana Krasikov manages to capture all three in her collection, One More Year. Her characters are richly drawn and fully developed. Their stories are complex, their experiences real. She writes about immigrants from the former Soviet Union, each story a slice of their lives.

You can find my reviews of four of the individual stories here:
"Companion" & "Maia in Yonkers"
"Asal" & "Better Half"

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Lion of Senet by Jennifer Fallon
Bantam Fantasy, 2002
Fantasy; 558 pgs
Source: Bought at Barnes and Noble in October of 2004
Rating: (Good +)

Someone recently mentioned that they were surprised I read fantasy. I was a bit surprised they thought that being that it is one of my favorite genres. The problem is it isn't my only favorite and so I read a lot of other types of books too; and lately those seem to have taken over my blog.

I read Lion of Senet as part of this year's Chunkster Challenge, finishing it back in November, just in time. It is the first novel in the Second Sons Trilogy.

From the author's website:

On the world of Ranadon there is no night. Thanks to the intervention of Belagren, High Priestess of the Shadowdancers, and the sacrifice of a child of royal blood, the Age of Shadows has been banished and once again both suns shine brightly in Ranadon's skies.

When a volcanic eruption rocks the sea between the Kingdom of Dhevyn and the powerful mainland kingdom of Senet, a mysterious sailor is shipwrecked on the small island of Elcast.

His rescue brings together Dirk Provin, second son of the Duke of Elcast, Kirshov Latanya, second son of the Lion of Senet, Alenor D'Orlon - heir to the throne of Dhevyn, an angry and rebellious young woman named Tia Veran... and an orphaned acrobat known as Marqel the Magnificent.

But the badly wounded sailor is not what he seems. His arrival on Elcast stirs up old hatreds, exposes old lies, unravels old secrets and sets in motion a chain of events that will eventually change the world...

Fantasy novels of this type often get off to a slow start as the foundation is built, the world established and the characters introduced. The world Jennifer Fallon has created in this novel is dark and oppressive. Religion is being used to exert power over the people and those who wield it are desperate to hold onto it.

I liked Dirk, our young hero, instantly. He is a smart and kindhearted boy forced to grow up fast. He is put in very difficult situations, his will and moral character tested. Tia was another character I took to right away. She is stubborn and independent, not afraid to take a risk for what she believes is right. Alenor is also a strong female character. She has lived as a prisoner in the Senet's house for many years and yet she has kept her eyes and ears open. I never did warm up to Kirshov, the younger son of the Lion of Senet, completely. He seemed harmless but his ignorance about what was going on around him and his attitude were a bit off putting to me. And Marquel, I am not sure what to say about her without spoiling her story line. Her life has been anything but easy. She's the kind of girl who will go after whatever it is she wants, using whatever skills she possesses, and won't stop until she gets it.

Of all the characters, I least liked Belegren the High Priestess whose heart is full of greed for power. She uses religion as a weapon and does not care who gets hurt in the process. The Lion of Senet is hardly any better. They are frightening foes to be sure. I would definitely not want to live under their rule.

The novel really took off for me when Dirk left home and traveled with Kirshov and Alenor to Senet. That is when things began to come together fast and furious. The author did not make things easy for young Dirk and took the story to a darker place than I expected. I have to give her a lot of credit for that. I look forward to continuing with the trilogy and seeing what direction the characters go in next.

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Noir: A Collection of Crime Comics
Dark House Books, 2009
Crime Fiction (Graphic Novel); 104 pgs
Source: Bought by my husband at the Golden Apple in Los Angeles.
Rating: (Very Good)

As my husband was browsing through the recent releases of comic books, I wandered off to look at the shelves of graphic novels. I immediately honed in on this one and knew I had to read it--except I made my husband think he was buying it for himself (he claims he always knew better).

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first began reading this collection of graphic short stories. There are thirteen stories in all, each of them dark and gritty. And I loved just about every one. The first story left me stunned. The second, about a man with an ill wife who is about to lose his farm, is probably my favorite. It was called "The Silo" and was written and drawn by Jeff Lemire. Another one of my favorites was called "The Albanian" by M.K. Perker about an immigrant janitor who stumbles upon a murder-suicide in the office building where he works. I had to read the story called "Fracture" by Alex de Campi, Hugo Petras, and Clem Robbins twice because I hadn't realized the first time there was a special way to read it. The author and artist were quite creative with the set up of the story. I think it is pretty ingenious now that I better understand what they were aiming to do.

My experience with crime fiction short stories is hit and miss. Too often I find that characterization is sacrificed in the name of plot. Although I have read crime fiction graphic novels before, this was my first experience reading crime fiction shorts in graphic form. I was really impressed with how well done each of the stories were. So much is said within each pane and so few words are needed to get the entire story across (except in one case which was a short story, "Trustworthy" by Ken Lizzi and Joëlle Jones, written in words with a few art drawings to go along with it). I think readers of noir and who don't mind a lot of grit in their crime fiction should give Noir: A Collection of Crime Comics a try.

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© Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty 2006-2009
If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

From Book to Film: Push to Precious

She say, "Write." I tell her, "I am tired. Fuck you!" I scream, "You don't know nuffin' what I been through!" I scream at Ms Rain. I never do that before. Class look shock. I feel embarrass, stupid; sit down, I'm made a fool of myself on top of everything else. "Open your notebook Precious." "I'm tired," I says. She says, "I know you are but you can't stop now Precious, you gotta push." And I do. [pg 97]




Push by Sapphire
Knopf, 1996
Fiction; 192 pgs

Book Source: Paid for with my own hard earned cash.
Rating: (Outstanding)



Several months ago I was approached by a coworker and asked if I had read Sapphire's Push. She had seen a trailer of the upcoming movie and knew she just had to see it. When she discovered it was based on a book, she thought of me.

Push is not one of those novels that will appeal to everyone. It may offend some. It is a book that will drag out the reader's darker emotions: anger and sadness. It did for me, anyway. I read this book with tears in my eyes. I had a few choice names for the mother and father. My heart ached for Precious Jones. No child should have to endure what she did. No child. Ever. And yet it is also a story about hope and overcoming the odds. In that way, it is an inspirational novel.

My coworker insists that the novel is based on a true story, but I haven't been able to verify that. As far as I know, it is a work of fiction. However, before you take comfort in that, keep in mind that about 1 out of 4 girls in the U.S. are sexually abused (1 in 6 boys). Most sexual abuse occurs by someone close to the child, someone the child is supposed to trust. Precious' own story may be fiction, but many children throughout the world suffer in similarly every day. They endure not only sexual abuse but physical and emotional abuse as well. They fall through the cracks of our school systems, barely able to read and write, even by the time they are in their teens. I know. I've seen this first hand.

Sapphire tells the story using Precious' own voice, in Precious' vernacular. Words are spelled out phonetically, there are plenty of curse words, and certain phrases and concepts are repeated several times; while this might seem like it would be bothersome, it was not at all. If anything, the writing style gives voice to the character, putting the reader in her shoes if only for the span of the novel. It did not take long for me to fall into the rhythm of the story.

Precious is 16 years old at the start of the novel, pregnant with her second child. She had given birth to a daughter when she was only 12 years old. The father of her children is her own father, a man who has been raping her since she was a young child. She is extremely overweight and the butt of many jokes. Precious has a very limited world view, which is expanded through the course of the novel. All her life she has been alone, friendless and with hardly any support from others. Her mother is downright evil, beating her daughter regularly. I could not drum up an ounce of sympathy for Precious' mother. I don't think I was meant to.

Kicked out of junior high because she is pregnant, Precious is told she must attend an alternative school. It is there where she meets Blue Rain, an unorthodox teacher who draws Precious and her classmates out. For the first time in her life, Precious feels like she belongs somewhere. She connects with her classmates and teacher. She experiences the kindness of others, something completely foreign to her. She also comes to realize she is not alone.

Precious is one of those characters I wish I could reach into the novel and hug, reassuring her that she is beautiful and smart, and that she doesn't deserve the abuse she has suffered. She is courageous and good at heart. She thinks so little of herself and yet there is a spark deep inside her that keeps her going. She isn't completely without self-confidence, though it is extremely fragile. She craves praise and eats it up when it is offered. Reading the stories of her classmates, I felt the same way about them. Each of them also had suffered much in their short lives, enduring pain and loss that no child should have to endure.

Blue Rain realizes right away that the young women in her class need to learn to believe in themselves. She could easily stick to the curriculum and prepare them for the GED. She wants to do more than that for them, though.

Precious can barely read or write at the start of the book, and, as the novel progresses, the reader can see the growth she makes in the narrative. While this novel is a horror story in some respects, it is also an inspirational one. My heart broke for Precious time and time again. It also swelled at her successes, even the smallest of ones. Push is no fairy tale. There is no miraculous happy ending. Everything does not turn out perfectly in the end. What there is, however, is hope.

I couldn't help but think of Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye as I read Push. Many of the same themes run through both novels. The Color Purple by Alice Walker also came to mind which turned out to be quite fitting given the novel is referenced frequently. Precious identifies with Celcie from The Color Purple.

I think it is important not to overlook the cultural aspects of the novel. Precious is a black young woman, living in the Bronx with her mother who is collecting welfare. Discrimination is nothing new to her. She does not trust the authorities nor most white people. She spends much of her time wishing she was lighter skinned and thinner. What happened to her would not have happened had she been white, she reasons. One of my favorite scenes in the novel is when she attends her first Survivors of Incest Anonymous meeting. She walks in feeling alone, as if no one in the room will be able to identify with her or understand the horrors she has suffered. She walks out with the realization that she is far from alone and that what happened to her could have happened to anyone, regardless of race, size or economic background. Child abuse has no boundaries when it comes to culture. It affects us all regardless.

Push is one of those novels I can talk about forever if given the chance. I have given you a small taste of it here and hope you will give it a try. And if you are up for it, you might want to watch the movie too.

Movies based on books are rarely as good as their predecessors. We all know that. Some of you may avoid watching movies based on books you have read for that very reason. Others, like me, run to the movie theater (or the Netflix website) to see how those movies turned out.

Because of a summer movie with the same title, Push became Precious when it hit movie theaters. I couldn't wait the couple of days it would take for the movie to appear in a theater closer to my town, and so I dragged my husband to Los Angeles so we could see it at the ArcLight in Hollywood, where it opened its first weekend in limited release.

I have already talked at length about the book and so will not do so again while talking about the movie. All I really have to say is wow. Precious is quite a movie. The rave reviews you hear about Mo'Nique serving up an Oscar worthy performance as the mother is true. It was raw and oh so real. The final scene with Mo'Nique in the film is especially gut wrenching. Gabourey Sidibe who played Precious was outstanding in performance too. She had the same edge as the character in the novel, the same heart, and won me over just as quickly. I had been a little worried about the dream sequences going into the movie, but my concerns were unwarranted. While they were a bit more of a spectacle in the movie than they had been in the book, they were well placed and definitely worthwhile.

The movie differs from the book in a few ways, including the ending--although the overall feel of the two were much the same. I really don't feel pointing out the differences matters as a result. I think the only complaint I have about the movie is that I wish I'd gotten a little deeper look at Precious' classmates. I understand, though, the decision not to go that route. Movies have time limits and not every detail from a book can make it onto the big screen.

The movie enriched my appreciation for the book and vice versa. Just as in the book, I watched Precious grow from victim to survivor. While her overall story is terribly sad, her courage and hope make her an inspiration.

Movie: Precious (2009)
Genre: Drama
MPAA Rating: R
Directed By: Lee Daniels
Written By: Geoffrey Fletcher (screenplay) & Sapphire (novel)
Rating: 4 Bags of Popcorn

Monday's Movie is hosted by Sheri at A Novel Menagerie.

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© 2009, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.
If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Review: In the Woods by Tana French

What I warn you to remember is that I am a detective. Our relationship with truth is fundamental but cracked, refracting confusingly like fragmented glass. It is the core of our careers, the endgame of every move we make, and we pursue it with strategies painstakingly constructed of lies and concealment and every variation on deception. [pg 3]

In the Woods by Tana French
Penguin Books, 2007
Crime Fiction, 429 pgs


I am not sure where to begin with this review. In the Woods is not a mystery that had me rushing to turn the pages. Rather, I wanted to take it slow and savor every word. Tana French is a beautiful writer who appears to take great care with each word she writes.

The novel is dark and the subject matter heavy. A young girl is found murdered at an archeological site in Knocknaree, Ireland, and detectives Rob Ryan and Cassie Maddox are assigned to investigate. Detective Ryan knows he should not be on the case. At the age of 12, he had been the only one found after the disappearance of him and his two best friends in the very woods where Katy’s body was discovered. His shoes were filled with blood, and, to this day, he has no memory of what happened that fateful day. His past has haunted him off and on all his life, and suddenly, it is placed front and center. He wants to remember. And he and Detective Maddox, one of the few who knows about his past, are determined to discover whether a link between the twenty year old disappearances has anything to do with the recent murder.

Tana French’s gift lies not just in crafting an utterly intriguing story, but also in creating characters that are complicated and very much three dimensional, from the big players in the novel to the minutest of characters. The author did an amazing job of capturing the stress and tension an ongoing and high profile investigation like Katy’s murder brings with it. It weighed heavily on everyone involved, including the protagonist and his partner. The longer the investigation went on, the more dead ends they encountered, and even the closer they came to the truth, the more strain it put on them.

Ryan and Maddox had an extremely close relationship. The two were like siblings in many ways. They knew each other inside and out. They both carried their own baggage, and while they shared much about themselves, including some of their darkest secrets, they still held a few things back. This bond between them made them even better at their job in many ways, or so it seemed in the beginning.

Part of the reason I decided to read this book when I did was as part of an online book discussion. I got to it a little late, but one of the bonuses of online groups is that the questions and discussion live on after everyone else has set the book aside for something else. I thought about incorporating some of the questions and answers into my review, but that really wouldn’t work. Too many spoilers. I will say though that this book makes for good discussion fodder!

The ending seems to be the most controversial part of the book. Many people were left disappointed for reasons I’ll refrain from giving here. I actually quite liked the ending. I wish I could say more because there’s a lot I liked about it, but, well, you know how it goes. A little something called spoilers.

This is one of my shorter reviews for a book that deserves more. I can see why so many people have recommended this book, and you can bet I’m adding my voice to that chorus.

Rating: (Very Good +)

You can learn more about Tana French and her books on the author's website.

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© 2009, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.
If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Sunday Salon: The One in Which I Quit a Few Challenges

It is one of those mornings that feels and looks too nice to stay indoors. The sun is shining bright in a deep blue sky, only one or two small clouds in sight. It's not even 70F degrees out. Perhaps this means the 100 degree weather is behind us for now. I won't count it out yet. Summer has a tendency to fight to stay until the very end in Southern California. She does not give up easily.

I received the questions from my BBAW interview partner this weekend and am hoping to spend some time today answering those. I did not get the chance to work on my blog like I had planned yesterday, and so I may do that today as well. It goes without saying that I hope to visit many of your lovely blogs today.

My reading has fallen into its predictable pace, which means I have not been reading nearly as much as I would like. Those snatches of time when I read seem to be few and far between. I currently am reading Ru Freeman's A Disobedient Girl. The novel, set in Sri Lanka, follows the lives of two very different women, Biso and Latha. It has been described as both a "beautiful and hearbreaking novel." I hope to step into Biso and Latha's lives more today, perhaps making more headway than I have been able to so far.

The setting of Freeman's novel is what first made me decide to read it. I am drawn to books set in foreign locales, especially ones I do not know much about. Sri Lanka stands out for me for another reason as well. I once had a pen pal from Sri Lanka. He was actually living in Saudi Arabia at the time I wrote to him, but he often wrote about his home and family in Sri Lanka. I wish now I had held onto those letters.

It is quite a coincidence that Carrie from Books and Movies would post about her decision to drop out of a few of her challenges this week. She weighed whether she would be able to complete certain challenges by the end of the year versus her current reading obligations and decided to drop three challenges. For about a month now, I have been considering the same thing for the very same reason. In fact, I was trying to decide if I wanted to make a big announcement or go out quietly.

Last year I made the decision to stay in the challenges I knew I would not complete on the off chance that I might anyway. This time I am going to go ahead and drop out early. Looking over the numbers, there are a few challenges I keep telling myself I might be able to slip a few more books in. But am I really being honest with myself or is it wishful thinking? After going back and forth with myself, I am dropping out of the majority of the challenges I am in, hanging on to only two which I have not yet completed. This was not an easy decision to make. I hate giving up on anything. At the same time, it will be one less obligation on my plate. And right now, that's the priority.

I do not feel guilt about dropping out of the challenges. They are meant to be fun. Sometimes our reading has a mind of its own and takes us in directions other than where we originally intended to go. I appreciate all the hard work the challenge hosts put into their challenges and wish all of the participants the best of luck.

(Note: I am behind on posting reviews and updating lists. While the below numbers are accurate to my knowledge, it may not be reflected in my sidebar or on the challenge posts themselves as of yet.)

Challenges I Am Saying Goodbye To:
What's in a Name Challenge - 3/6
Themed Challenge 1/4 (deadline passed)
TBR Challenge - 4/12
Classic Challenge 2009 - 0/4
Cozy Mystery Challenge - 4/6
Nonfiction Challenge - 1/5
1st in a Series Challenge - 6/12
2nds Challenge - 3/12
Buy One Book and Read It Challenge 5/12

Challenges Continuing or Completed:
War Through the Generations: WWII Challenge - 3/5
Chunkster Challenge - 2/3
Sookie Stackhouse Reading Challenge - Technically I have completed this one. I am keeping this open, however, in case the author publishes a new book in the series before the challenge deadline.
Herding Cats II - I met the minimum requirement for this one--the pre-challenge phase, which is all that was required.
2009 Pub Challenge - Completed (update and summary pending)
ARC Challenge - Completed 1st & 2nd tier (update and summary pending)
New Authors Challenge - Completed (update and summary pending)


This Week In Reading Mews:

Reviews Posted:
The Promised World by Lisa Tucker (Interview with Author)
The Glass Devil by Helene Tursten

Currently Reading:
A Disobedient Wife by Ru Freeman

New Additions to my TBR collection (over last few weeks) :
Ritual by Mo Hayder (giveaway win ~ many thanks to Melody of Melody's Reading Corner)
Cleopatra's Daughter by Michelle Moran (from the author for review)
The Last Dickens by Matthew Pearl (TLC Book Tour)
Hardball by Sara Paretsky (from the publisher for review)
Prime Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan (from publicist for review)
Face Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan (from publicist for review)
Air Time by Hank Phillippi Ryan (from publicist for review)
Lethal Legacy by Linda Fairstein (bought at discount table at B&N)
Into That Darkness by Gitta Sereny (recommended by Sandy Nawrot of You've GOTTA Read This!)
The Impostor's Daughter by Laurie Sandell (giveaway win ~ many thanks to Suzanne from Chick with Books)

Other Posts of Interest This Week:
Monday at the Movies: District 9 & A Bit of the Outdoors
Random Fun. Not So Bookish Thoughts. Well, Mostly Not.

Coming Attractions:
At the Movies: Vicky Cristina Barcelona
Review of Sometimes We're Always Real Same-Same by Mattox Roesch
Guest Post by Author Clea Simon: In Defense of Leisurely Lit
Review of Shades of Grey by Clea Simon

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© 2009, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.
If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.

Review: Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris (& Challenge Wrap Up)

"Caucasian vampires should never wear white," the television announcer intoned. [first sentence from Dead and Gone]

Dead and Gone by Charlaine Harris
ACE Fantasy, 2009
Fantasy; 312 pgs


There are times when I wish I could read people's minds. I imagine it would get tiresome after awhile--not to mention the headache! And would I be able to block out the voices and images that flood my mind? I am sure there are some thoughts I would rather not be privy to. No, I don't envy Sookie Stackhouse at all.

Dead and Gone is the 9th book in Charlaine Harris' Southern Vampire mystery series, featuring Sookie Stackhouse, a Southerner in Bon Temps with the ability to read minds. It's a series filled with supernatural beings, a bit of magic, romance and mystery. Sookie and I have been through a lot together over the years. We have shared laughs, tears, and many frightening experiences. I was with her when she met her first vampire and discovered that the world around her was not the world she'd grown up believing it to be.

In this latest installment of the series, the were-people and shape shifters have decided it is time to announce their existence to the world. The vampires have been more of less integrated into society for quite a while, and the two-natured folk feel the time has come to step outside of the proverbial closet. Their coming out is met with a mixture of fascination, excitement, fear and anger. When the body of a woman, partially shifted into her animal form, is found hanging from a cross in the back of Merlotte's, the bar and grill where Sookie works, it's a sure sign of a hate crime. The real question though is whether the murder took place as a warning to other shape shifters or was it more personal?

As if that wasn't enough, a civil war is brewing between the fairies, and Sookie is right in thick of it. Add to that the inquisitive FBI agents who are breathing down her neck and a rather disturbing turn in her relationship with one of her vampire friends.

Trouble always seems to find Sookie and it does not waste time finding her again in Dead and Gone. She is joined by some of her usual crowd: her brother Jason, whose neck I wasn't quick to want to ring this time around; the ever sexy and confident vampire Eric; Sam, Sookie's charming boss; Amelia, Sookie's witch roommate; ex-boyfriend and vampire Bill Compton; and, of course, a special appearance by none other than the King Bubba himself. And that's just for starters.

I enjoyed Dead and Gone overall. I gobbled it up quite quickly as I often do Harris' books. That said, it left a little something to be desired. I liked the story well enough, but a couple of major scenes fell a little flat for me, especially towards the end. There were also side story lines that I would like to have seen more fully developed. All in all though, it was still a fun novel and a good escape from an otherwise stressful day.

It's been interesting to watch Sookie grow as a character. She isn't quite as innocent as she once was. The series has definitely taken a darker turn with each book. While Dead and Gone is not my favorite book of the series, it will tide me over until I can get my next Sookie fix.

In the meantime, let's get back to supernatural powers we wouldn't mind having. Now telekinesis . . . There's a gift I wouldn't mind having.

Rating: (Good)


Challenge Commitment Fulfilled: 2009 Pub Challenge, Buy One Book and Read It Challenge, & Sookie Stackhouse Challenge

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Well, what do you know? I have completed my first challenge! Technically, I suppose, it's the second one I have completed, but since I have have yet to prepare a wrap up post for that particular one, it's fair to say this one will end up being tallied as number one. It also happens to be the most recent challenge I joined. What challenge is that, you ask? Why the Sookie Stackhouse Challenge!

When I signed up, I mentioned that it felt like cheating, considering I only had the one book to go. I am now officially caught up with the Southern Vampire mysteries.

The True Blood television show that is based on the series is one of my favorite shows on the air today. Whereas the books are light and somewhat humorous, the television show is edgy and dark (not to mention graphic in terms of violence and sexual content). While the two are very different, they both are deliciously good.

Dead and Gone is the first novel in the series I have read since the start of the television series. It did make the reading experience different for me. The characters in the book blended a bit with the characters in the show. For some, it was important to keep them distinct, however, since their story lines vary so much from page to screen. I have to wonder if my warming to Bill a little in Dead and Gone has something to do with his television persona. I've never been a fan of his in the books before now.

I think my favorite books in the series fall somewhere in the middle. Dead to the World, book four, is at the top of that list. I have not been quite as impressed with the later books in the series, including Dead and Gone, however, I still find the novels entertaining. They're pure brain candy, and who does not need that once in awhile? I will continue to follow Sookie wherever she may go. I enjoy the world Charlaine Harris has created and look forward to seeing what new directions she will take Sookie and I next.

The Books:
Dead Until Dark
Living Dead in Dallas
Club Dead
Dead to the World
Dead as a Doornail
Definitely Dead
All Together Dead
From Dead to Worse
Dead and Gone

Many thanks to Beth Fish for hosting this fun challenge!

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©2009 Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All rights reserved.

Reviews: Defending Angels & Angel's Advocate

The room was completely lined with bookshelves that ran from the twelve-foot ceiling to the floor. And the shelves were stuffed to overflowing. Books were everywhere. Leather-bound, paperback, hardcover, skinny, enormously thick—it was overwhelming. Bree recognized a complete edition of the Oxford English Dictionary. Underneath it were rows and rows of books bound in tan leather with a red band across the spine. That weird sense of being pulled in two directions went away, to be replaced by a feeling of total contentment. This was a library, and Bree had always loved libraries. [pg 57]

Defending Angels by Mary Stanton
Berkley Prime Crime, 2008
Mystery (Fantasy); 294 pgs

Challenge Commitment Fulfilled: 1st in a Series Challenge, New Authors Challenge, Cozy Mystery Challenge, & Buy One Book and Read It Challenge

There was quite a lightning show yesterday. The thunder was so loud that it shook the building. I worried all day about my cats, imagining them shivering in fear under the bed while I was stuck in my office wishing I had a better view of the sky. I was not so worried about Riley, my dog. He's rather fearless even if excitable.

After I got home from work and had settled in, the thunder and lightning came in quick succession. Riley started barking and chasing the cats who were trying their hardest to reach the bedroom and their safe place. This was the first time he had ever really reacted to the thunder. I sat him down and explained that it was nothing to get excited about, just the gods bowling. Even they need to take time out and play. Perhaps Riley actually understood what I was saying, but the truth is he probably hadn’t a clue. More than likely it was my tone of voice, body language, and my stroking of his back that did the trick. But I'd rather think it was the story.

I cannot remember if it was my grandfather or father who first told me the story about the gods with their bowling balls: the thunder being the sound of the ball striking the pins and the lightning being the celebration that follows. Maybe you’ve heard the story too? It's one that calmed the nerves of a frightened child.

But what if it weren't the gods who were bowling, but angels? I can see it perfectly in my mind's eye . . .

Brianna (Bree) Winston-Beaufort is striking out on her own, having inherited her eccentric uncle's law practice in Savannah, Georgia. She could not be more excited: it’s an opportunity to prove herself and to move away from her well-meaning but overbearing parents. Unfortunately, her uncle's law office fell victim to fire, and so Bree is forced to find a temporary working space during the renovation process. She finds a house on Angelus Street that is too good to pass up. The price is right and the landlady, Lavinia, won't take no for an answer. The catch? Her new offices are located in the middle of a cemetery. And not just any cemetery. It is a murderers’ cemetery where the bodies of murderers have been buried.

In Defending Angels, Bree sets up office, hires staff, rescues a dog, and takes on her first client. She's been hired by the assistant of a recently deceased, extremely wealthy businessman to prove that his death was no accident despite evidence to the contrary. Bree is more than skeptical of her client's allegations, especially when she learns the client says she knows it was murder because the man's ghost told her so. Still, the former assistant is her client, and Bree must represent the client's best interests.

Bree turns on her Southern charm as she looks into the possible murder of the businessman, Benjamin Skinner. The more she digs, the more she begins to believe her client may just be right. And soon it isn't just her temporal client she is representing, but Benjamin Skinner himself, who is facing serious charges in a very different type of court, the Celestial Court.

It's impossible for Bree to ignore the strange things going on around her. Ghostly white faces that appear in her window, a horrid painting that has a life of its own, and staff that seem to have unearthly—dare I say, angelic—abilities. And what of Gabriel Striker, the private investigator who always shows up just when trouble is brewing? Bree quickly learns that there is much more to the law practice she inherited from her uncle than it at first seemed. She may not represent the most innocent of clients, but even they deserve a fair and just attorney on their side.

Bree manages to maintain her head through it all (although there are moments when she doubts her own sanity). I really liked how the author, Mary Stanton, kept the reader in the dark and just as confused at times as Bree. As Bree learns and adjusts to her new life situation, so does the reader. Bree's focus on the task at hand certainly is, in part, what keeps her moving forward.

The narrative is witty, fast-paced, and, of course, entertaining. I enjoyed the time I spent with Bree and her family and friends, and even getting to know her ex-boyfriend, Payton the Rat (who has well earned that name). Sasha, Bree's dog, will quickly win over the hearts of readers. I couldn't get enough of Bree's sidekicks, Ron and Petru. And I'm dying to spend more time in Lavinia's room upstairs.

I did not hesitate to jump right into Angel's Advocate upon finishing Defending Angels. In the second book of the series, Bree's aunt asks her to take on the defense of a rather unruly teenager, Lindsey Chandler, who assaulted and stole the money of a Girl Scout. Bree isn't sure how she can help--or if she'll be able to do much for the child, but she agrees to at least give it a try.

As it turns out, someone else needs her assistance as well. Lindsey's father died in a car accident four months before. Probert Chandler was a man who had lived a modest life despite his wealth. He had been found guilty of serious charges in the Celestial Court, however, and had filed for a retrial and Bree is his designated attorney. Bree has her hands full. Lindsey is out of control, and her mother does not know what to do with the child. Not to mention the long list of suspects who may be embroiled in some sort of trouble related to Mr. Chandler and his business. And does it relate to Lindsey and all the trouble she manages to find her way into? Bree has quite a knot to untangle in order to find the truth.

If that wasn't enough, it appears two bodies have disappeared from the cemetery surrounding Bree's office, and the murderers' spirits are out to stop Bree. Someone isn't happy she picked up where her uncle left off.

Angel's Advocate was just as exciting and fun as the first book in the series. The reader is reacquainted with old characters and meets a slew of new ones, each of them interesting. I could just picture Belli and Miles, Bree’s most recent guardians, crammed into the back of Bree's car everywhere she went. And, of course, I was happy to see Sasha by her side.

In preparation for writing this series, the author did extensive research into the subjects of angels and early Christianity. The foundation of the Beaufort and Company series is built loosely on 11th and 12th century medieval theology, which was influenced by the world's major religions of the time: Judaism, Christianity and Islam. The author also drew on Chinese religions as well. I found this especially fascinating and admit it makes the series even more appealing to me. Mary Stanton has created an intricate and detailed world that I am looking forward to exploring further with each novel.

Bree has an interesting back-story that is threaded throughout each of the novels and most likely will continue in future books. So, while each book can stand well on its own, there are personal story lines that carry over and might be best read in order.

Despite the somewhat frivolousness of the novels, they do have a darker side. The more I delve into the "cozy" sub-genre, the more I am discovering how wrong my early conceptions were. Charlaine Harris, Clea Simon and now Mary Stanton are among the authors who have shown me the light. I like edge to my mysteries and The Beaufort and Company mysteries certainly contain that.

“I think I made a mistake when I decided to go to law school instead of becoming a veterinarian.” [excerpt from Angel's Advocate]

Angel’s Advocate by Mary Stanton
Berkley Prime Crime, 2009 (ARE)
Mystery (Fan); 178 pgs

Challenge Commitment Fulfilled: 2nds Challenge, ARC Challenge, 2009 Pub Challenge, & Cozy Mystery Challenge

Check out Mary Stanton's website for more information about her and her books. And if you haven't already, take a look at my interview with the author.

Presenting Carrie Vaughn's Kitty Norville (Four Reviews)

I have done my best to keep each of these reviews spoiler free (unless you count a little synopsis as a spoiler), despite the fact that this is an ongoing series. While each of the books in this series can be read as a stand alone, the background stories are overreaching and quite revealing. The two most recent books published have a tiny hint of a cliff hanger at the end, promising more trouble to come. I recommend the reader read them in order if possible.

The series begins with Kitty and The Midnight Hour, which I read before my blogging days. Kitty Goes to Washington followed close on its heels (click on the title for my review). The following are my thoughts on the next four books in the series.


Kitty Takes a Holiday by Carrie Vaughn
Warner Brothers, 2007
Fantasy; 303 pgs

Ever since striking out on her own after being exiled from her pack in Denver, Kitty, the country's most famous werewolf and radio talk show host, has had it rough. Her trip to Washington only added to her now complicated life. She wants nothing more than to spend some quiet time alone and work on her memoir. A cabin in rural Colorado is the perfect getaway--or so she believes until strange things begin happening around her. A dead rabbit is left on her porch long with a cross painted on her door in blood. An evil lurks outside her door, one she cannot quite identify. With the police wanting to pin recent animal deaths in the area on her, Kitty must figure out what is going on. Old friend Cormac, the werewolf bounty hunter, and her attorney, Ben, are more than willing to help, although they come with their own baggage.

Amidst all of that, Kitty takes in a newly turned werewolf and has to reach inside herself to find the strength to be the alpha, a role completely opposite the one she was in at the beginning of Kitty and the Midnight Hour. Kitty is an amazingly strong woman, however, she doesn't quite realize that. Remnants from her abusive past have left their scars and will carry over into the next book in the series as well. At times, she lets her fears get the better of her, but she always manages to come through in the end.

Kitty Takes a Holiday is not quite as fast paced as the other novels in the series, but it does allow the character time to process much of what has been happening to her over the past few months, which I think adds a hint of realism to this urban fantasy series—grounding it in a sense. This particular book carries a number of different story threads, some intersecting better than others. It feels like a transitional book. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but felt there were a couple of minor loose ends that should have been resolved. Perhaps I have that to look forward to in future books!



Kitty and the Silver Bullet by Carrie Vaughn
Grand Central Publishing, 2008
Fantasy; 326 pgs

I was more than ready to dive into Carrie Vaughn's next Kitty Norville book after finishing Kitty Takes a Holiday. The mood was right and I was not quite ready to say goodbye to the characters just yet, however temporary. I wasn't disappointed.

Kitty and her new mate have settled in Pueblo, Colorado, far enough away from Denver not to cause problems, but close enough to continue with her radio show at KNOB. Her talk show is one of a kind. She reaches out to supernatural beings and others who want to learn more about them. When her mother is diagnosed with cancer, Kitty rushes home to Denver and finds herself in the middle of a power struggle between two powerful vampires. Despite her best intentions to stay neutral, Kitty is forced to choose sides. Her former pack leader wants her dead and will not rest until she is. With the werewolves and vampires on the brink of war and a powerful werewolf out for her blood, Denver is not the safest place to be--not even with the new supernatural police unit lead by Detective Hardin on the case.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun and entertaining. Kitty is coming into her own as an alpha wolf, still struggling with her former life and her new one. She is not a violent person and would prefer to talk things out, but even she realizes that the ideal is often not the reality. Kitty must make some very difficult decisions, and she isn't quite sure she is up to being the one to make them. Her insecurities come to the forefront in this novel.

I am still not quite sure how I feel about her love interest. I like him very much as a character, and perhaps my hesitation to fully accept them as a couple comes from the fact that I am not sure the sparks between she and another man from her past have fully had a chance to die out. Still, her current relationship makes more sense for practical purposes, and I do hope they will be happy together.

One of many things I like about Carrie Vaughn's series is that it is dark and a bit on the gritty side, while at the same time remaining easy reading. Carrie Vaughn is one of my comfort authors.



Kitty and the Dead Man’s Hand by Carrie Vaughn
Grand Central Publishing, 2009
Fantasy; 301 pgs

Challenge Commitment Fulfilled: 2009 Pub Challenge & Buy One Book and Read It Challenge

Kitty heads out of town again, this time for Las Vegas. She somehow was talked into hosting a live television special in the City of Sin and in delivering a message from Denver’s Master Vampire to the one in Las Vegas. Add to that a wedding, a poker tournament and mobsters; what could be more fitting for the setting of this novel?

Kitty is booked into the same hotel that is hosting a gun show and some of the conference goers are not too keen on her kind. It does not take much to make an enemy of someone who already has it in for you. Where Kitty goes, you can be sure magic and danger will be close behind, and sure enough, Kitty and the Dead Man’s Hand has some of both. Las Vegas is the home of many secrets and Kitty quickly finds herself tangled up in the middle of several.

Although I liked Kitty and the Dead Man’s Hand, it got off to a slow start. Considering the characters that needed to be introduced for the set up of the various plot threads, including the main one, it probably could not have been done any other way. In addition, I wish the author had gone a little farther with certain threads in the novel, but perhaps that was in part due to the limitations of a first person narrative.

Something I really liked about Kitty in this book is how she used her cell phone to warn her friends when she was about to jump into trouble. Sure, she didn’t stay put like she promised and ran head first into trouble all by herself. But at least she reached out for help, even if a little later than she should have.

One of the strongest things Kitty has going for her are her friends and how they will stand by her during the worst of moments. Kitty may not be able to tackle the biggest evil in the world on her own, but she is a team player—most of the time—and she is not afraid to stand up for herself no matter how afraid she might be.

Carrie Vaughn has created an interesting storyline which holds a lot of promise in developing further in future books. Although this was not my favorite book in the series, Kitty and her friends continue to keep me entertained and interested in their adventures.



Kitty Raises Hell by Carrie Vaughn
Grand Central Publishing, 2009 (ARC)
Fantasy; 336 pgs

Challenge Commitment Fulfilled: ARC Challenge & 2009 Pub Challenge


Trouble seems to follow Kitty no matter where she goes, and it certainly has found her in Denver. Something is stalking her and threatening her pack. She is up against a supernatural force she cannot explain, much less name. Seeking help from the crew of a televised paranormal investigation show, maybe she will be able to figure out who or what is behind the strange happenings and learn how to stop it before it wrecks even more havoc than it has already.

She also is offered help from another source; a mysterious vampire offers his services but for a price. His price is high and both the Master Vampire of Denver and Kitty are unsure they can trust the man who says he is the only one who can stop the foe they are up against. As danger draws closer takes the life of someone close to her, Kitty is desperate and willing to try anything to save her friends and family.

I am beginning to see a pattern with the Kitty Norville books. I appear to like the novels that take place in Denver best (although I really liked Kitty Goes to Washington too). Kitty seems more settled in this book, although not completely. Her position in the pack is somewhat tenuous, especially with an evil after her that she knows so little about.

Carrie Vaughn continues to add new and interesting characters to the series as well as bring back old ones that I am eager to learn more about. The longer the series goes on, the more I like the character of vampire Rick. Kitty has a good ally in him even though they do not always see eye to eye. And I was pleased to see Odysseus Grant reappear—there’s still so much to learn about him!

Kitty Raises Hell is a great addition to the series. It was different and fun. I look forward to meeting up with Kitty and friends again in the near future.

Many thanks to Miriam from Hachette for providing me with a copy of Kitty Raises Hell.

Be sure and stop in and visit the author's website!

See what others on the blog tour thought of the Kitty books:

Booking Mama

Books Amy Reads

Cafe of Dreams

Cheryl's Book Nook

A Circle of Books

Amateur de Livre

Cindy's Love of Books

Confessions of a Romance Book Addict

Drey's Library

Stephanie's Books

Book Thoughts by Lisa

Bananas 4 Books

Medieval Bookworm

Foreign Circus Library

Jenn's Bookshelf

Ms. Bookish

My Friend Amy

Write for a Reader

Amber Stults

Literary Feline

Wrightys Reads

Book Zombie

Fiction to Fruition

Wendi's Book Corner

Darby's Closet

In Bed With Books

This Book for Free

Gramma's Reads

Sam's Book Blog

Book Series Reviews

Books by TJ Baff

Slumdog Millionaire (Book & Movie Review)

“Do you notice when you breathe? No. You simply know that you are breathing. I did not go to school. I did not read books. But I tell you, I knew those answers.” [pg 18]


Slumdog Millionaire (aka Q&A) by Vikas Swarup
Scribner, 2005
Fiction; 318 pgs

Challenge Commitment Fulfilled: New Authors Challenge & Buy One Book and Read It Challenge

It was a spur of the moment decision to read Vikas Swarup’s novel when I did. I tend to prefer to read the book before seeing the movie it is based on, but I hadn’t known until recently that the movie was actually based on a book. In cases like this, when I really want to see the movie in the theater, I often times will just go ahead and see the movie anyway. The book will have to wait. Fortunately, I was able to get my hands on a copy of Slumdog Millionaire, so titled after the movie no less. The original title of the book is Q&A. Perhaps not quite as salable but still more accurate when it comes right down to it.

I loved the book. I loved the movie. Slumdog Millionaire is both a love story and a coming of age story. The book and movie are very different from one another, while at the same time sharing a similar structure and commonalities that will be easily recognizable to those who have watched and read the two formats. And yet, the two are different enough from each other to be completely different stories all together, at least content wise. For those who are nitpicky about book to movie translations, you might want to put some distance between reading the book and watching the movie. The two are worth taking in though. Both the movie and book tell stories that will pull at your heart strings, make you laugh and cry, and make you fall in love. At least, that’s how it was for me.

In Vikas Swarup’s novel, set in India, Ram Mohammad Thomas was abandoned by his mother when he was an infant. He was left on the church doorstep, taken in by the church, adopted by a family, and then abandoned again. During his early childhood he was raised by a priest but then, due to unfortunate circumstances, he was ripped away from all he knew and his life took an entirely different direction.

The book opens with Thomas being arrested and then tortured by the police, accused of cheating on the game show, Who Will Win a Billion? He won by answering twelve questions, questions an uneducated street boy couldn’t possibly have had the answers for all on his own. Or could he?

Sticklers for novels told in chronological order may struggle with this one at first. The unfolding of the story comes in a roundabout way, the chapters structured around each of the questions asked on the quiz show. With every question, Thomas tells his life story, the story of how he knew the answers that would end up winning him a billion rupees. The chapters, therefore, jump back and forth through time, not always following a chronological path. I had no trouble following the story, however, and actually found the format of the story quite effective. It was the perfect set up for what was to come.

Thomas is an amazing boy. His life has been extremely difficult. He has seen things that no child should have to see. He is street wise and yet has a good heart. He is a loyal friend. After leaving the church, Thomas is sent to an orphanage where he befriends Salim, a Muslim orphan boy whose family was brutally murdered right in front of him. Thomas takes Salim under his wing and the two are, for a time, inseparable.

Thomas meets many people as he is growing up. He travels across India doing his best to survive. He lives off of the streets, serves the wealthy, is taken in by those with kind hearts and treated ill by those up to no good. Even in the worst of times, Thomas seems to come out of every situation okay, although perhaps a little more weary of the world.

I came away from the novel with tears in my eyes, touched by not only Thomas’ story, but by those whose lives he touched. It truly was an inspirational story. Slumdog Millionaire (aka Q&A) is well worth reading.

What does it take to find a lost love?
A. Money
B. Luck
C. Smarts
D. Destiny
[from the movie]

The movie told a slightly different story. The love story was more prominent and there were fewer characters, but the overall feel of the two were similar. Jamal Malik is on the verge of winning the game show, Who Wants to be a Millionaire, when he is accused of cheating and taken in for questioning by police. He has just one question to go.

Jamal and his older brother Salim lived with their mother in the slums of Mumbai up until their mother was murdered by Hindu rioters out to rid the area of Muslims. The boys and a neighborhood girl named Latika were able to get away. They take to a life on the streets, struggling to survive as best they can. The brothers are eventually separated from Latika, but Jamal never forgets her and is determined to find her, whatever it takes.

The movie unfolds in a similar vein as the book, only in more of a chronological order. With each question, the movie flashbacks to Jamal’s childhood. The movie was even darker in some respects than the book. Not only in images but in storyline as well. Life is not pretty in either the book or movie—it is harsh and often cruel. The adventures and encounters in the movie as compared to the book diverge completely in some areas, while still maintaining some minor similarities all the while. There is a definite combining of characters and the occasional life story. Even the motive for the protagonist going onto the game show in the first place is not the same.

In the movie, Jamal’s relationship with his brother grows more complex as the story unfolds. Here are two boys that were inseparable, experiencing many of the same situations, and yet their lives take very different paths. Jamal is honest and well meaning while his brother is more callous, hardened by the streets. Regardless, the two still are brothers, a tie that links them together irrevocably.

Although the character of Jamal was my favorite in the movie, I also took an instant liking to Latika. She was confident and a true survivor. I did not feel I got to know her quite as well as I might have liked but it was obvious she and Jamal belonged together even as she stood in the pouring rain as a young girl, waiting to be invited into the shelter by the brothers who had led her to safety.

The actors, both young and old, did an amazing job. The older Jamal, played by Dev Patal, had such an innocent and honest look about him that serves the role well. The two boys who played the brothers, Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail (Salim) and Ayush Mahesh Khedekar (Jamal) stole my heart the instant I first saw them playing cricket on the runway. I especially loved the ending, as the credits began to scroll across the screen. The cast of the movie sang and danced in true Bollywood fashion. It seemed quite fitting. And of course, my husband and I raced to the store after the movie to buy a copy of the great soundtrack. I haven't felt the urge to do that in a long time.

In this case, I really cannot decide which I like best: the book or movie. I think they both were equally good. I will definitely be buying Slumdog Millionaire when it comes out on DVD.

Movie: Slumdog Millionaire
Genre: ‎Crime, Drama, Romance
MPAA Rating: R
Directed By: Danny Boyle and Loveleen Tandan
Writers: Simon Beaufoy (screenplay) & Vikas Swarup (novel)

Monday's Movie hosted by Sher at A Novel Menagerie

In Support of Authors and Books Everywhere

(Note to my Husband: Do not read this post for your own good. Trust me.)

There are a number of reasons why I should not join My Friend Amy's Buy One Book and Read It Challenge. For starters:

1. This past year I more than did my part to support the publishing industry and authors. If you knew the number of books I bought, you would recognize that I probably paid half their salaries for the year (I actually kept a count of all the books that came into my house in 2008, notating which ones I spent money on. I refrained from mentioning it in my year end wrap up because it was an embarrassingly high amount--so much for my only buy if I wasn't to read it right away idea).

2. Have you seen how many TBR books I have? No, really. You should take a peek. The last thing I need are new books.

3. My house is falling apart. I should be saving money to invest in keeping my house standing.

4. My husband's sanity.

Then why am I joining this one anyway? Because no matter how many restrictions and limits I try to set on my book buying, I nearly always fail. So, I am taking an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" approach. I also I want to show my support for my favorite authors and ones I have yet to discover.

Amy's initial goal with this challenge was to encourage non-readers to read at least one book this year. With the economy suffering as it is and the publishing industry struggling as a result, she thought readers could do a little something to try and help, even if in the smallest of ways.

Participants are given two options:

1) The first option is to simply buy one book and read it. The book you buy and read should be a book you have chosen for yourself for pleasure. It should not be work related and books read to your children do not count.

2) The second option is to buy one book a month and read it. I am asking that those of you who will probably already have one book read by January 2 choose this option. Books can be on your other challenge lists, it is only necessary that you buy them and read them!

Restriction: Books should be bought in 2009, although an allowance is being made for up to 3 books purchased before that time.

Time Frame: January 1, 2009 to December 31, 2009

Option one is very tempting, but I might as well go for the second one. It's probably more realistic for me. Although, option one certainly would be more challenging. Imagine me only buying one book all year . . .

Now, where did I leave those car keys? Bookstore, here I come!

One more thing. Stop by my husband Anjin's blog for his list of favorite books of the year! For those who want to skip the gaming, movie and TV bits, just read the 7th bullet point. Do say hello if you have the time. He'd love to hear from you (and maybe he'll go easier on me when he sees this post, which I know he'll read if only because of the warning at the top. Or maybe it's just me who thinks a big "do not read" message means to do just the opposite . . .)