Musings of a Bookish Kitty

Saturday, April 08, 2017

Sunday Post: New Books, Blogging Tips & A Sick Cat

New to My Shelves: The April My Lit Box was waiting for me when I got home from work earlier this week. I always look forward to seeing what I will find. I hadn't realized it has been an entire year since I first signed up for the subscription box! This month's theme is "Letting Go," and the box included a bookmark of a door, doors figuring prominently in the month's book selection Exit West by Mohsin Hamid; a bit of green tea; and a tote with the word music printed in several languages in the shape of headphones, a reminder of something we all share, even if in different forms.

From my Going Postal Book Club I received:

Etched on Me by Jenn Crowell

Recent Purchases:

Blood's Echo by Isabella Maldonado

Veiled Magic by Deborah Blake

An Ancient Peace by Tanya Huff

For Review (Many thanks to Mulholland Books):

Penance by Kanae Minato

Additions to Mouse's Library:

Wolf! by Becky Bloom and Pascal Biet
(free book with her well health check-up)

Peppa Pig and the I Love You Game by Neville Astley

(Mouse's choice at last bookstore visit)

What I Am Reading: I finished reading The Black Lily by Juliette Cross at the beginning of the week, staying up late one night to do so. It was more than I hoped for. I am looking forward to reading more in the series. I now am reading Etched On Me by Jenn Crowell, my current Going Postal Book Club selection. I have a feeling I will have a lot to say about this one in the group's reading journal. I have also started this month's TBR poll winner, which is already proving to be quite chilling.

What I Am Listening To: I am still in the same spot I was last week in The Sense of an Ending by Julian Barnes. I hope to get back to it this week. Other things took my attention away from listening to any audiobook this past week.

What I Am Watching: Besides The Voice, I have not spent much time watching television. I did see the beginning of a Yo Kai Watch movie and the end of a Pokemon one, my daughter's current interest. She's also discovered Monster High. Should I be worried? Haha.

What's Going On Off the Blog: My daughter enjoyed her spring break and spending time with her grandmother. I think the feeling was mutual. I completely forgot about the Girl Scout Spring Break homework assignment Mouse was supposed to complete before our next meeting. We'll be doing that this week.

Both Mouse and the cats had doctors' visits this past Friday. I was really anxious to get Parker seen especially given his continuing health issues (Feline Triaditis and history of cancer) and more recent concerns that have arisen. He's a real trooper though, that cat. The veterinarian ran more blood tests, and found definite concern in regards to his kidney function. Parker will be undergoing an ultrasound this next week, before we settle on a course of treatment. He's lost a concerning amount of weight since his last veterinarian visit, probably the result of his throwing up more frequently. He also may have a tooth infection, but due to his other health issues, the doctor does not want to risk putting him under anesthesia at this time. In the meantime, he is continuing on his regular medications and we are hoping for the best.

Gracie and my mom's dog seem to be at a truce. Or rather, Gracie has decided not to torment the poor dog anymore. I can tell Gracie is feeling jealous though because whenever I am home, she is right on my heels begging for attention.

My husband and I took advantage of my mother's visit to spend an afternoon seeing a live performance of Evita at a local theater. We so rarely get time alone (usually only when my mom is in town), and so it was a nice treat for us. Sunday will be especially busy for us as Mouse has a Girl Scout event in the morning and a birthday party to attend in the afternoon. Soccer doesn't start up again until next weekend, thank goodness.

This Week In Reading Mews:

Tell me about what you have been up to! What are you reading, listening to and watching? How was your week? Do you have anything planned for this coming week?

Every Friday Coffee Addicted Writer from Coffee Addicted Writer poses a question which participants respond on their own blogs within the week (Friday through Thursday). They then share their links at the main site and visit other participants blogs.

If you could meet one author, dead or alive, who would it be?

I went round and round in my head about who I would like to meet. I have met authors before--in person and via e-mail or on social media. I am always a bit nervous because I have a tendency to become really shy when meeting an author in person--tongue-tied even and a bit star-struck. So, meeting an author in-person isn't high on my to do list. I would rather admire them from afar rather than embarrass myself by falling to the ground and kissing their feet.(Okay, so I would never actually do that).

I suppose I could go with any one of my favorite authors (J.K. Rowling, Michael Connelly, Lisa See, who I heard speak once, Sue Grafton, Ilona Andrews, Juliette Cross, Nadia Hashimi, Jim Butcher, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, Jane Austen, Charlotte Bronte . . . The list could go on forever). And I even considered listing some that aren't necessarily favorites (but whose books I enjoy) that I think would just be fun to meet (Stephen King, John Green, or Nora Roberts, for example). How can I pick just one? And then it came to me. And especially fitting since April is National Poetry Month.

I wish I could go back in time to meet Emily Dickinson. She is the reason I first fell in love with poetry. I wish I could go back in time and sit with her and get to know her better. I figure she and I might both be uncomfortable at first, her being somewhat reclusive and all, but talk of our love for letter writing and poetry might open up the conversation. I don't know if I would be brave enough to share my poetry with her, but I would tell her how much hers has meant to me. In her life time, she never knew she would be revered as one of the most well known American poets.

What about you? What author would you like to meet?

Every Sunday, Kendra Allen of Reads and Treats comes up with a theme for a Sunday list of 5 things (because making lists are fun!) and asks participants to share.

Today's 5 Things on Sunday theme is on blogging tips!

1. If you want people to notice you and your blog, put yourself out there. Reciprocate comments. Comment on other people's blogs. Respond to comments on your own blog. Maybe even participate in memes or reading challenges. It may not happen quickly. Be patient. Keep at it. Also, keep in mind that a large audience is not necessarily better. Blogs with smaller readership are often the ones in which you'll build the stronger relationships and have the deeper conversations.

2. Do not be afraid or feel guilty for taking breaks--planned or otherwise. We all have lives off our computers and tablets. Your readers will understand.

3. Know that not all blogging tips will be a good fit for you and your blog. There's likely always going to be someone who may not agree with how you blog or what your blog looks like or even what you have to say. Blogger and review pet peeve lists may be popular, but they are just opinions. Do what works best for you.

4. Have fun. Blogging may feel like work sometimes, but try not to let it become a chore or just another obligation you feel you have to do. Blogging is voluntary. It's something you choose to do. So, have fun with it!

5. Most importantly, be true to yourself.

What sage advice do you have for other bloggers?

Thank you for helping me decide what book from my TBR collection I should read next:

My TBR List is a meme hosted by the awesome Michelle at Because Reading. It’s a fun way to choose a book from your TBR pile to read. The 1st Sunday of every month, I will list 3 books I am considering reading and take a poll as to which you think I should read. I will read the winner that month, and my review will follow. While I will attempt to post my review that same month, I make no promises--it may go up the following month.

Thank you to everyone who took time to vote in my TBR List Poll! The final results are very close! For a while there, I thought the poll might end in a tie. In the end, however, The Quiet Neighbors by Catriona McPherson and Alex Marwood's The Killer Next Door tied with 8 votes each, making The Girls Next Door by Mel Sherratt edging in for the win with 9 votes. Thank you again for voting!

I hope you all have a great week! Happy Reading!

The Sunday Post is hosted by the wonderful Kimba, the Caffeinated Book Reviewer, and gives us all a chance to recap our week, talk about what we are reading, share any new books that have come our way, and whatever else we want to talk about.

Stacking the Shelves is hosted by Team Tynga's Reviews and is a meme in which participants share what new books came their way recently.

© 2017, 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.

Wednesday, April 05, 2017

Bookish Thoughts: Uprooted by Noami Novik

Our Dragon doesn't eat the girls he takes, no matter what stories they tell outside our valley. ~ Opening of Uprooted

Uprooted by Naomi Novik
Del Rey, 2015
Fantasy; 435 pgs
Source: Purchased for my own enjoyment.

Goodreads Summary:

Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.

Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.

The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—everyone knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.

But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.

I remember deciding this was a must read from the very first moment I heard about it. I was especially excited when one of you cast your vote for me to read this one in 2017. Finally, the push I needed to read it!

Every ten years, a girl from one of the villages is chosen by the Dragon, a powerful wizard named Sarkan, and taken to his tower. The villagers do not know what the Dragon wants with the girls, but at the end of their ten years with him, they always leave home to strike it on their own, leaving behind their families.

Agnieszka did not expect to be chosen by the Dragon, but when he sees in her the gift of magic, he realizes it is his duty to the kingdom to train her. She has no idea she has the ability to use magic, nor does he come right out and tell her. Agnieszka is young and a bit naive and yet she is also very curious and smart. I quite liked her. She wasn't the pretty one or the most skilled. She was a bit clumsy and could be rather impulsive at times. You can tell this bothers Sarkan at first. He appears to be very cold--he's very logical and likes things done his way. He has the weight of the world on his shoulders, keeping the evil in the Woods back. As Agnieszka gets to know him better, so does the reader. I grew to quite like him. As time goes on, Agnieszka begins to realize how little she knows and her dislike for Sarkan grows into tolerance and eventually respect for her new mentor.

What didn't work for me especially was the romantic thread between Agnieszka and Sarkan. I imagine the kind of magic they were doing would bring them closer together; what they experienced is very intimate. And yet, he seems too old for her with her being barely an adult, and I just didn't see the romance. It seems more like a teacher/student type relationship, which, in essence, is what it was.

Agnieszka is definitely not the same person by the end of the novel that she started out as. Early in the novel, she has no idea of her abilities, and only longs to live the normal life of a villager. She grows and changes throughout because of her experiences and the more she learns about her own abilities. She is an out of the box thinker, her magic makes her so. Her way is the old way, the forgotten way. It makes her the only one who can really save the Woods in the end--if it can be saved.

Over the course of the novel, the reader, as well as Agnieszka, begins to understand the Woods better, and realize the threat to not only to the villages surround the Woods, but also to the entire kingdom and those beyond. Prince Marek's appearance and desire to free his mother, long lost to the Woods years before, takes an ugly turn and Agnieszka finds herself in unfamiliar territory, having to travel to the castle to beg the king for assistance. There we meet other wizards, including Alosha, a female sword-master, who I wish we could have spent more time with. There is also Solya, the Falcon, who she had met early on at Sarkan's. Agnieszka's, along with her friend Kasia, travels to the castle with her. I never was quite sure about him, but I could never bring myself to trust him.

I loved the world building in the novel--the drawing from folklore and the "old" feel of the story. The Woods with their darkness and their pain. I really liked how everything played out--and to go into detail would be too much of a spoiler. I have already said too much. The conflict between the Woods and the surrounding kingdoms isn't just a matter of good versus evil. Sometimes you have to uncover the root to find the cause. The question becomes, can it be healed or will it all have to be destroyed?

There are several stories within the bigger story in Uprooted, all connected--some in smaller ways than others. I appreciated the various nuances to the characters, the setting and the story. I would not mind spending more time in the world Novik has created in Uprooted. I imagine there are many more stories are there worth telling.

To learn more about Noami Novik and her work, please visit the author's website. You can also find her on Twitter.

Monday, April 03, 2017

Where Is Your Bookmark? (04/04/2017)

I currently am listening to The Sense of and Ending by Julian Barnes. It's a bit hard to share teasers as a result, but I couldn't resist trying.

Goodreads Summary:

Tony Webster and his clique first met Adrian Finn at school. Sex-hungry and book-hungry, they would navigate the girl-less sixth form together, trading in affectations, in-jokes, rumour and wit. Maybe Adrian was a little more serious than the others, certainly more intelligent, but they all swore to stay friends for life.

Now Tony is retired. He's had a career and a single marriage, a calm divorce. He's certainly never tried to hurt anybody. Memory, though, is imperfect. It can always throw up surprises, as a lawyer's letter is about to prove. .

Every Tuesday Diane from Bibliophile By the Sea First Chapter First Paragraph Tuesday Intros, where participants share the first paragraph (or a few) of a book they are reading or thinking about reading soon. It is also where I share my first impressions about the book I am sharing.

I remember, in no particular order:

- a shiny inner wrist;

- steam rising from a wet sink as a hot frying pan is laughingly tossed into it;

- gouts of sperm circling a plughole, before being sluiced down the full length of a tall house;

- a river rushing nonsensically upstream, its wave and wash lit by half a dozen chasing torchbeams;

- another river, broad and grey, the direction of its flow disguised by a stiff wind exciting the surface;

- bathwater long gone cold behind a locked door.

This last isn't something I actually saw, but what you end up remembering isn't always the same as what you have witnessed.

Every Tuesday, Ambrosia from The Purple Booker hosts Teaser Teaser at which participants grab their current read, open to a random page, and share two or more sentences from that page while avoiding any spoilers.

Excerpt from The Sense of an Ending:

“How often do we tell our own life story? How often do we adjust, embellish, make sly cuts? And the longer life goes on, the fewer are those around to challenge our account, to remind us that our life is not our life, merely the story we have told about our life. Told to others, but—mainly—to ourselves.”

and another:

History isn’t the lies of the victors, as I once glibly assured Old Joe Hunt; I know that now. It’s more the memories of the survivors, most of whom are neither victorious or defeated.

What do you think? Would you keep reading?

After reading several urban fantasy/romance novels in a row, settling into this one took a minute, and I admit the opening didn't hook me right away, but now I am really curious where the author is taking me.

What are you reading at the moment? Is it anything you would recommend?

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by the lovely ladies at Broke and Bookish.

This week's Top Ten Tuesday Top Ten Fandom Freebie. I struggled with this topic because I was not sure what direction to go. My ardent admiration extends in many directions. I nearly included my daughter--because I am her biggest fan (although my husband and mom might argue that point), but I decided that was too obvious. Although, anyone who knows me well will say all of my list is fairly obvious. Once I finished the list, I noticed a theme . . . Fantasy weighs heavily in my choice of fandoms.

1.

Harry Potter, et al. I reluctantly began reading this series about mid-way through, and now I wear a Ravenclaw House lanyard around my neck at work and wear a Ravenclaw House hoodie. I have been approached in public by strangers who tell me they too are in the Ravenclaw House. And once in a work meeting with the agency bigwigs, one of them, upon introducing himself pointed in my direction (I was wearing my lanyard) and excitedly told everyone he was a Ravenclaw too. Harry Potter fans are pretty cool, I think. It isn't just the books I love either. I'm a big fan of the movies too.

2.

Doctor Who. I came late to Doctor Who, although my husband tried to indoctrinate me early. It wasn't until the "newer" Doctor Who (starting with Christopher Eccleston). I actually was mad when David Tennant took on the role, and now he's my favorite. I am behind a couple seasons on the show (embarrassing to admit given how much I profess to love this show and anything related to Doctor Who). My cell phone case for a long time was of the Tardis (until it broke). It was always fun when passersby would recognize it, and say hello. I need to find a good sturdy case to replace the old one, I think.

3.

Jim Butcher's The Dresden Files. Or rather, Harry Dresden. I adore Harry, and have a bit of a crush on him. I love books involving magic or having to do with witches and wizards, and Harry is one of my absolute favorites.

4.

Supernatural. My husband and I started watching this show together and were hooked early on. I am not caught up to the latest season (and am probably way behind), but I am a big fan of the show so far.

5.

The Others series by Anne Bishop. I have so much love for this series. I love everything about it. And I really need to catch up.

6.

Buffy the Vampire Slayer. My husband and I used to watch the television show religiously. Three of our pets (two of which are no longer with us) were named after Buffy characters (admittedly, only two of those were on purpose). The idea for our daughter's name also came from Buffy the Vampire Slayer show. We didn't want to break tradition, after all.

7.

Peanut butter oatmeal chocolate chip cookies. Best. Cookies. Ever. Maybe not a real fandom, but I am thinking of starting one.

8.

Lord of the Rings. The movies. The books. I love them all. I just love the world and characters Tolkien created. Especially the elves. I want to be an elf.

9.

The Walking Dead television show. I haven't read the comics, but I really enjoy watching the show. Daryl and Carol are my heroes. So are Rick and Maggie. I really miss Glenn. Every time a major character dies, I rant about how I hate the show, and yet I keep watching.

10.

I am completely and utterly obsessed with reading and books. I always have a book with me in one form or another. I have books in just about every room in my house. I buy way too many books. I talk about books all the time. I blog about books. I get cranky if I am unable to fit in any reading time. Every time I see a book related tote or piece of art, I want it. I can't get enough of books.

Are you a fan of anything on my list? What are you a fan of? Please share!

Sunday, April 02, 2017

Mouse's Corner: A Photographer in the Making

Today's children are good with technology whether it be tablets, computers, gaming consoles, or cell phones. For the longest time, Mouse didn't seem particularly interested in any of them. Even despite her friends' interest in them. It's only been in the last year or so Mouse has taken to the tablet. She's quite a pro at finding her games or watching her favorite cartoons. As parents who know some of the pitfalls of online access, my husband and I are both very aware of what she's accessing and when (although, once she did purchase a couple episodes of Bubble Guppies before we had a chance to stop her--and we have taken measures to avoid that happening again).

Last summer Mouse took an interest in taking photos with our cell phones. She especially likes to take selfies. Children bring such an interesting perspective to life, don't they? I thought I would share some of Mouse's photos with you today (with her permission):