Tuesday Book Club
As you can see from the time stamp, I’m up kind of late. It’s New York where I am, but my body is still on Arizona time, but I’m still way tired, but I might as well just stay up and write this since I’m still buzzing from that cannoli I ate after the cheese and vodka pizza (don’t ask, because I don’t really know. It was delicious and I ate it).
Anyway, the books:
Tonight I met YA author David Levithan, and knowing I was going to meet him, this week I read his new novel, written in collaboration with Rachel Cohn (they’re the two who brought us Nick and Norah’s Infinite Playlist last year). The new one is Naomi and Ely’s No-Kiss List, and I adored it. So funny, so painful and funny and honest and funny and weird and funny. It’s life as I never knew it–life as a Manhatten teenager with way too much freedom–and so that’s a side benefit to a novel that’s already so entertaining it doesn’t need any side benefits. Such a good time on the page.
(Did I mention I’m really, really tired right now? It’s late and I’ve been traveling all day and then I had cheese and vodka pizza and I don’t drink and I’m sure the vodka burned off but then I had that whole sugar infusion with the cannoli. So if I’m rambling, just take it.)
The second book I read this week is the one I read straight through from my home airport early this morning to the car ride away from the Newark airport into town tonight, still reading in the car even though I get car sick from that and even though it was already getting dark out and I had to squint.
But how could I not keep reading? The book is AMAZING. It’s Laini Taylor’s Faeries of Dreamdark: Blackbringer. Ach, as the faeries would say. So beautiful, so exciting, so imaginative–one of the best fantasy novels I’ve ever read. I loved every page of it, and I love the cover and interior illustrations (I wish there had been more!) so much I kept flipping back to them just at random because I think they’re so beautiful. I want some posters for my bedroom. I could full-on faerie geek out over this. Great work, Laini T.
I’m going to bed now, but I wanted to give you early risers a chance to report on your books while I’m still sleeping off the pizza. So have at it, and again, please excuse any rambling on my part. Good night and great books.
Technorati Tags: Tuesday Book Club, Books Clubs, Reading Clubs, Books, Reading, David Levithan, Rachel Cohn, Naomi and Ely’s No-Kiss List, Laini Taylor, Faeries of Dreamdark
September 18th, 2007 at 3:48 am
I’m 2/3 of the way through The Book Thief…good, oh, oh, so good and I’m scarily in love with the characters and afraid for them. I also read three picture books: Dumpling Soup, Frankenstein Makes a Sandwich, and Flotsam. Plus, I curled up with Cassie was Here yesterday and read it straight through, because today, the author and I are meeting at a French bakery for lunch. (I put in that detail just for you, Robin. More on what I ate when I get back.)
September 18th, 2007 at 4:55 am
The Book Thief and now Blackbringer–two on my must-read list. Thanks for the tips!
I finished your book last night, Robin! Bravo! An incredibly weighty subject tackled in the easy-to-read, believable voice of a teenage girl. I love Mena–her insecurity, conviction, doubt, sincerity, passion. And I admire your ability to weave a tale that connects two seemingly unlikely subjects–faith and science. You did it well and very convincingly.
Yours is the first published work I’ve read from an author with whom I’ve actually been in conversation. It was fascinating to see the bits of you sprinkled throughout–love of fantasy (specifically LOTR), puppies, blogging. I enjoyed the way you used technology and pop culture. Teens will really be able to identify with your scenarios.
As an aside, I thrilled to the first reference to Ms. Shepherd’s infatuation with Aragorn. Especially since right there, holding place on the facing page, was my Aragorn bookmark. Shepherd has great taste.
September 18th, 2007 at 7:27 am
Mmmm…the pizza sounds good, Robin! I hope you slept well.
I read two awesome books this week despite it all. Jay Asher’s Thirteen Reasons Why–a book I’m still thinking about and Nick Hornby’s new YA–Slam.
Both books have given me a lot to think about, which is great, because I won’t have time to review them until later this week.
13 Reasons Why is a book I loved even though I hate suicide for so many reasons, none of them religious.
Slam was awesome. Nick Hornby was made for YA. His 15-year-old boy explained so many things to me–like, most notably, how do 15-year-old boys think? Now I’m scared, but also very amused and touched.
September 18th, 2007 at 7:33 am
I’m a slow reader this week… still working on “Eat Pray Love” and “Specials” (Scott Westerfeld).
September 18th, 2007 at 7:40 am
I finished up two books:The View From Mount Joy by Lorna Landvik and Waiting by Deborah Ginsberg(which took me longer than I thought!).
I’ve started about three new books(for future blog review)-Before I Die,Odd Mom Out and Indential Strangers,which is a true story of twin sisters separated at birth who found each other as adults and then discovered that they were parted from each other on purpose,as part of a social experiment. Very intriguing,to say the least!
September 18th, 2007 at 9:01 am
I’m rereading Bird By Bird by Anne Lamott. It’s been years since I read it last.
September 18th, 2007 at 9:21 am
I’m at an impasse. I have many half started books that for whatever reason I am not finishing. And a few unstarted that have been loaned by friends. BBB is one of those books, though I gave that one back before finishing.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:34 am
I didn’t say thanks last week for all of your congratulations for the J.K. Rowling trip thing. So, thanks for sharing in my excitement, guys!
I loved (loved loved loved) Atonement, which I finished last week, but then I read Stormy Weather by Paulette Jiles and didn’t like it. I did enjoy learning about the place and time, so it wasn’t a complete loss. And then I read Lisa See’s newest book, Peony in Love, and I didn’t care for that, either, though I liked the background she gave at the end. So now I’m reading Consequences by Penelope Lively. I am hopeful about this one.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:42 am
lol nice pizza Robin! XD I hope your having fun in New York even though you tired! Right now I’m reading Dairy Queen by Catherine Gilbert Murdock. I like it so far though there’s a lot of info about farming that is kinda hard to get through like how they do things but I’m only on the second chapter so I think it will get better.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:50 am
EEk! Thank you Robin! Thank you for reading car sick, and for mentioning it here! As I emailed you, the last *new* book I’ve read was yours (LOVED it. It stole my whole day, in a good way!) — and after that I realized if I’m ever going to finish writing the sequel to Blackbringer, I can’t keep getting sucked into new awesome books. So for now, just for now, I’m only rereading things I’ve loved in the past, the premise being that I will be able to set them down and get back to work. Ha! One of those was East by Edith Pattou, and another was The Goose Girl by Shannon Hale. Love em!
Have a great day in New York!
September 18th, 2007 at 11:58 am
I’ve just finished Skulduggery Pleasant, Alfred Kropp: The Seal of Solomon, and Secrets Lies and Algebra, all of the middle school-ish age range, and all fun in different ways. I read Secrets, Lies in one sitting - it’s a very quick read. But I liked The Seal of Solomon best of the three, for epic adventure and humor in one handy package.
September 18th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Loved Blackbringer!! I am hoping my adult book club will read it! I am reading Incediary by Cleve. Very interesting premise, an adult book. Also started The Scarecrow and his Servant by Pullman.
September 18th, 2007 at 4:17 pm
Lady T, that book about the twins separated at birth as part of a social experiment sounds incredible. Wow. And the fact that it’s a true story–double wow.
Laini, totally deserved! I’m so glad you wrote that book, and yes, please concentrate on writing the next one in the series so we can lap that one up, too. Get rid of all the distractions! Please!
Jone, glad you liked Blackbringer, too! I think you’re right–it would be a great book club read.
Kelley, thanks for everything you said about my book! I’m so happy you liked it. And yes, if you have an Aragorn bookmark, you are Ms. Shepherd’s (and my) people.
Jen, good reading week for you, huh? I haven’t heard of Seal of Solomon. Thanks for the recommendation.
Dylan, that’s cool you’re on to your next book. Let me know what you think of that when you’re done.
Kari, when someone loves something x 4, I have to pay attention. Thanks for that recommendation, too. Gar, so many books I want to read!
Heather, I haven’t read Bird by Bird in years, either. Is it still as funny and useful as it was the first time for you (assuming you felt the way I did)?
Patrick, in a bit of a reading slump? Last week and this one–hm. I know how it is. Sometimes even with my huge TBR pile I can’t bear to commit to a new book. Magazines, my friend. Someday you will want story again.
Katie, I met Scott Westerfeld last night! I had to confess to him (because I do that) that I’ve had one of his books on my shelf for six months and still haven’t read it. I want to get to it!! Garrr!
Kelly, sounds like you had a great time reading this week. And not just one, but two boy books! I agree, it’s fun to read things from a teenage boy perspective–it explains so much that I just didn’t (and maybe still don’t) get about how guys think. I keep hearing such great things about Thirteen Reasons Why. Must get to it. And now Slam, too! Cannot deny the mastery of Hornby.
Sara, thanks for putting The Book Thief in my face again. I need to read that and watch Horatio Hornblower before the year is out so I’ve checked off my “Sara Sez” list. And yes, you know I like to know about your food life. Thank you.
September 18th, 2007 at 5:44 pm
Cannoli? Wow, did I ever start something with you . . . was it from Bruno’s Bakery down near NYU?
September 18th, 2007 at 5:47 pm
Ah, BJ, I wish. No, it was from (don’t hurt me) a street vendor. I was desperate.
It wasn’t even a fraction as good as the cannoli you introduced me to. Bless you.
September 18th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
School started again, so it’s back to reading scholarly, informative material that just makes you want to bash your head against the wall.
In one class, we’re talking about the causes of US imperialism, which means reading fantastically racist essays like Josiah Strong’s “Anglo-Saxon Predominance” and speeches by 19th century senators with sentences like “It is a mighty people that He has planted on this soil; a people sprung from the most masterful blood of history; a people perpetually revitalized by the virile, manproducing workingfolk of all the earth.” barfbarfbarfbarfbarf
It’s pretty infuriating at times, but it does explain a lot about the history of our nation’s expansion.
On a similarly oppressive note, the DC Voting Rights bill effectively died in the senate today. Super Suck. If any of your senators voted against ending debate, you should call/write them and politely ask WHY THE *#%! THEY VOTED TO CONTINUE THE DISENFRANCHISEMENT OF 600,000 AMERICAN CITIZENS?!
/rant
September 18th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
Will do!
September 18th, 2007 at 9:07 pm
Robin, thank you for the lovely details of your culinary delights in NY. Mmmmm.
And how nice that you met Scott Westerfeld! His books are on my “Want to read” list, too. Someday…
I love reading all of these great book recommendations from everyone! I bought Seal of Solomon since I enjoyed the first book, but haven’t gotten to it yet. Must… get off internet… and READ.
My husband LOVED Faeries of Dreamdark and our book group (for adults who like to read kid lit) is going to discuss it in November (next month is your book, Robin). Now I am even MORE excited to read it, and I suppose I’d better clear an entire day.
I read Billy Hooten: Owlboy by Tom Sniegoski. A bullied kid who loves comics becomes a superhero. Cute and fun.
September 18th, 2007 at 11:18 pm
Just wanted to let you know the cover for evolution 2 is sent in so maybe it’ll be up soon. I had to do it in paint so it’s kind of messy but I think you can see the genral idea.
September 19th, 2007 at 2:05 am
Lizzie, I don’t understand. Why are senators afraid of letting the DC citizens vote? Are you DCers all a bunch of crazed loons? Or do you just pay too close of attention? Informed citizens are so scary. And thanks for the phrase virile, manproducing workingfolk. I’m going to use that in the romantic comedy I’m working on.
Dylan, I’ll be looking for your cover!
Michelle, that’s great your book group is going to read Faeries of Dreamdark! You’re in for a real treat.
September 19th, 2007 at 9:43 am
Eat Pray Love arrived this morning, and I grabbed it on my way out to go visit my daughter, with, I have to admit, a tiny residual bit of skepticism about whether it would be that good. I was hooked by about - oh, the Introduction, and have already thought of three people on whom I’m going to push it. It’s wonderful in so many ways.
Also ordered Faeries of Dreamdark… You are one dangerous book pusher, woman. (Thanks, as always!)
September 19th, 2007 at 9:53 pm
Thanks Robin I checked it’s up now.