Our favorite Simmons brunch guest has been busy!
Listen or read (click title) the Q & A about his new book, Gatty's Tale.
Did anyone here read his Arthurian trilogy? I only read the first one.
Also, Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy is filming. Photos here. Nicole Kidman plays Mrs. Coulter; excellent casting, I think! Daniel Craig, the new James Bond, is Lord Asriel. Lyra is played by an unknown; no photos!
Furthermore, it looks like the November book is The Body of Christopher Creed by Carol Plum-Ucci, widely available at your library and in paperback.
Finally, I want to point out that Eunice added her part to the Nick and Norah discussion. Do check it out --
Monday, October 23, 2006
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
"The Unreal Deal"
Anita Silvey has an article about the "new breed of teen heroes " and the shift in teen reading on SLJ.com. Click the above title to read it.
What did you prefer read as a YA? (Old school) Realistic or (new wave) genre fiction?
I did not realize she published another book: 500 Great Books for Teens.
Perhaps we can each make our own list of (recent) Desert Island Picks soon...I like Silvey's.
What did you prefer read as a YA? (Old school) Realistic or (new wave) genre fiction?
I did not realize she published another book: 500 Great Books for Teens.
Perhaps we can each make our own list of (recent) Desert Island Picks soon...I like Silvey's.
'ware bears
The Canning Season was not my first Polly Horvath. I've read at least three of her other books, including The Trolls, my first and favorite. Horvath is Canadian and known for wacky, off-kilter characters, particularly adults, who act in unpredictable and bizarre ways.
One of my concerns about the group reading The Canning Season is that it would be too strange, but, believe it or not, Horvath toned down the irresponsiblitity and craziness of the adults in this book. Was the wackiness too great for anyone? I do love me a bit of quirky.
Did it strike anyone else that this book is not just for young readers? I know people go on and on about books that can be read on multiple levels, but I kept running across parts that I thought kids would not necessarily understand. --- that's not a bad thing; I liked it. The story is also morbid and dark! Ratchet's mother is cruel, Harper's aunt is cruel, the house is surrounded by lethal bears, and then there's the whole story of Tilly?Penpen? (I forget) tripping over her mother's head. Despite this (or because of?), Tilly and Penpen have a healthy view of death.
Horvath does not skimp on the language. She uses big words, curses; the two aunts speak freely in their antiquated manner. I forgot about her use of "fuck" until I read through the Amazon reviews and saw that Horvath lost some fans because of it. In my library, the book is shelved in the YA section, which I agree with. And I LIKE that the aunts have a little sass and say "inappropriate" things (Tilly just can't help herself) -- they are not old pushover spinsters, but fiercely independent women who live as they see fit, regardless of the opinion of others. They may be naive about technology and current affairs, but they are happy and loving people.
(Really, I thought people would be more upset about Harper's repeated use of "Christ" as an explitive than "fuck.")
Any thoughts on the ending? I thought it moved a little too fast, and wrapped up a little too neatly, but I liked it.
One of my concerns about the group reading The Canning Season is that it would be too strange, but, believe it or not, Horvath toned down the irresponsiblitity and craziness of the adults in this book. Was the wackiness too great for anyone? I do love me a bit of quirky.
Did it strike anyone else that this book is not just for young readers? I know people go on and on about books that can be read on multiple levels, but I kept running across parts that I thought kids would not necessarily understand. --- that's not a bad thing; I liked it. The story is also morbid and dark! Ratchet's mother is cruel, Harper's aunt is cruel, the house is surrounded by lethal bears, and then there's the whole story of Tilly?Penpen? (I forget) tripping over her mother's head. Despite this (or because of?), Tilly and Penpen have a healthy view of death.
Horvath does not skimp on the language. She uses big words, curses; the two aunts speak freely in their antiquated manner. I forgot about her use of "fuck" until I read through the Amazon reviews and saw that Horvath lost some fans because of it. In my library, the book is shelved in the YA section, which I agree with. And I LIKE that the aunts have a little sass and say "inappropriate" things (Tilly just can't help herself) -- they are not old pushover spinsters, but fiercely independent women who live as they see fit, regardless of the opinion of others. They may be naive about technology and current affairs, but they are happy and loving people.
(Really, I thought people would be more upset about Harper's repeated use of "Christ" as an explitive than "fuck.")
Any thoughts on the ending? I thought it moved a little too fast, and wrapped up a little too neatly, but I liked it.
Monday, October 16, 2006
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Rev your engines
Okay! There's been a sorta hiatus, with busy lives and more pressing tasks than La Rumpus, but I hope people can find a quiet moment for good books and gentle discussion. Ahhh.
Discussion is scheduled to begin tomorrow, but I'm not yet finished with The Canning Season. Will do ASAP. How are you coming along?
I'll post a November Book Poll this weekend -- please vote!
Discussion is scheduled to begin tomorrow, but I'm not yet finished with The Canning Season. Will do ASAP. How are you coming along?
I'll post a November Book Poll this weekend -- please vote!
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