Sunday, November 29, 2009

The Leaning Pile of Books

So much for getting caught up on all my reviews this vacation weekend... I was planning to but I've been on the computer far less than normal. (Apparently, planning isn't working well this month since I only read about half the books on my reading list for the month.) When I do start writing them, I've got three reviews to do now: Black Ships by Jo Graham (great book), An Illustrated Guide to Mythical Creatures by David West and Anita Ganeri (good for the right age group), and Busted Flush edited by George R. R. Martin (pretty good). I just started reading The Better Part of Darkness by Kelly Gay, which has started out fast-paced and entertaining.

This week I got one book that I ordered a little while ago.




The Magicians and Mrs. Quent by Galen Beckett

This is one I have really wanted ever since reading Thea's review at The Book Smugglers. Part Jane Austen, part Charlotte Bronte and a fantasy book? Sounds like a book I must read! I had been waiting for the cheaper trade paperback release (which was earlier this month so it is out now), but recently Amazon had the hardcover as one of it's bargain books so it was actually cheaper than even the $10 trade paperback price. Of course, that was a deal I simply could not resist.

10 comments:

Fyrefly said...

Oooh, that book does sound good - kind of like a grown-up Sorcery and Cecelia! Also, I loved Black Ships and am always happy to see other people reading and enjoying it too!

orannia said...

I'll be looking forward to your reviews Kristen!

And oh! The Magicians and Mrs Quent! I have had this on my TBR list for ages (since Thea's review actually :) but I read a summary of it on Amazon and it didn't sound anywhere near as good. I trust Thea so I still want to read it...now I just need to convince my library *grin*

Thea said...

HUZZAH for The Magicians and Mrs. Quent! That's really great news about the bargain price for the pretty hardcover. I am excited to see what you think of it (my fingers are crossed!). I think book 2 is supposed to come out in 2010, so good timing.

And great that you've finished Black Ships too! Can't wait for the review :)

Harry Markov said...

Ah, I have the same problem. I have so many posts to write and send out to different places, it's nuts I tell you, nuts. Glad to see some activity here love. :)

orannia said...

I think book 2 is supposed to come out in 2010, so good timing.

YIKES! Must 'suggest' to library faster!

Nikki @ Bookizzle said...

Ooh, I like the sound of this book! Can't wait to hear what you think of it. :)

P.S. I have an award for you here!

Anonymous said...

The book sounds quite interesting. At least it is a change from vampires. Thanks for the tip.

Kristen said...

Fyrefly - Doesn't it sound wonderful? It's always hard to resist bargain books when they sound good - Black Ships was another one I got as a bargain book ($5 for the trade paperback). I thought it was well worth it. :)

Orannia - Thea's review was very convincing. :) I read the first couple of pages of The Magicians and Mrs. Quent and thought it seemed interesting.

Thea - There's nothing quite as good as finding a hardcover bargain book that is even cheaper than the paperback. I got a couple of Brandon Sanderson's books that way too for even cheaper than this one. The Magicians and Mrs. Quent sounds right up my alley so I'm looking forward to reading it. And Black Ships was wonderful; I'm looking forward to reading more by Jo Graham.

Harry - I am glad to hear I am not alone. Having 3 days in a row off from work to get caught up on blogging was so exciting and then I was so tired I didn't end up doing any of it (plus I spent Friday doing a bunch of online Christmas shopping).

Nikki - It sounds wonderful, doesn't it? Thank you very much for the award!

Cassandrajade - I agree, it is a nice change when there is a book without vampires.

Anastasia said...

I just bought:

- My Soul to Keep by Tananarive Due - it's currently $3.66 at Amazon and I couldn't resist

- Fire by Kristin Cashore - your review really sold me on it

- Was by Geoff Ryman - I've always meant to read more of him. Air was very good and reminded me of Maureen McHugh, compulsively compelling reading even though nothing seems to be happening

Since I only allow myself to read on the weekends now (reading a textbook on weekdays), I've been picking up books but not finishing them. Even if the book is good, once momentum is lost, it's becomes like leftovers and I crave something new & shiny.

I've nibbled on Captain's Witch by Rosemary Hawley Jarman (romantic fantasy written by a historical fiction writer, so it had more of that grounded, detailed feel), Reluctant Voyagers by Elisabeth Vonarburg (this one I still want to finish even though I've skipped to the end to see what happens; she's so good at crafting paragraphs; that's my measure of a good writer - it seems like nothing is happening and it ought to be boring, but I can't stop reading).

Kristen said...

Anastasia - Amazon does have some great bargains, and those sound like some good purchases. Fire is definitely in my top 10 books read during 2009 and My Soul to Keep is a potential candidate (I've narrowed it down to 12 books that stood out above all the rest so far).

I know what you mean about losing momentum with books sometimes and wanting to pick up something else shiny and new even if what you're reading is good. Captain's Witch sounds interesting - it's been on my wish list ever since you mentioned it and I looked it up. Elisabeth Vonarburg's books are ones I'm going to have to watch for too.