An Update at the End of the Year

It's been a year since I started my ravenous hunt for books... wow...

At the beginning of 2008, I set a goal: I wanted to read 25 books before January 1, 2009. I've reached that goal, and doubled it--I've read 50 books, and what books I read!!!

Here are some favorites from my long hunt:*

1. Holes, by Louis Sachar
2. The Shadow Thieves and Siren Song, by Anne Ursu
3. The Lightning Thief, The Sea of Monsters, The Titan's Curse and Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan
4. Sirena (DEPRESSING ENDING ALERT!!!), by Donna Jo Napoli
5. Waiting For Odysseus, by Clemence McLaren
6. The Riddles of Epsilon, Christine Morten-Shaw
7. The Good Neighbors, by Holly Black
8. The Book of Lies, by James Moloney
9. Keeper of the Winds, by Jenna Solitaire
10. Getting Started With Latin (NON FICTION ALERT!), by William E. Linney

My favorite of them being Holes, which is currently my all-time favorite book (even though it's not fantasy. Quite shocking)

What will the next year hold? Hopefully a huge bag of books--good books! And what will my goal be? Well, I decided instead of setting a goal, I would guess how many books I think I'll read. My guess for now, I suppose, is 48.

Anyways, this has been a wonderful year of books! I hope this next year brings you the most wonderful of stories--and life--you can imagine!

Love,

The Bookworm known as Galaxy

*There were bunches of other wonderful books; these were just some of my favorites. Also, I didn't mention the books that came in a series I had already read part of when I started my book-blog (like Brisingr, which was wonderful, but I didn't review Eragon or Eldest--its predecessors--so I didn't mention it in my favorites).

Inkdeath

(warning: Parts of this post may seem bloodthirsty due to some characters who made Galaxy furious)

Author: Cornelia Funke

Back-of-the-Book Description: The Inkworld is in disarray: Its author, Fenoglio, has lost his ability to write and, therefore, shape events; the odious Orpheus, however, has taken to recycling Fenoglio's words to control the narrative/world himself. The evil Adderhead, whose immortality was bound into the White Book by bookbinder-turned-people's champion Mo/the Bluejay, finds his body decomposing and demands a new Book; can Mo use the opportunity to end the villain's life altogether? Can Dustfinger come back from the dead? Will Resa's baby be born into peace or violence?

My Description: Inkdeath is beautiful. I'm not sure if it's the way it's written, if it's the magical Inkworld... I don't know. It's just beautiful, and you can't stop reading it because of it's beauty, and when you realize there are only 100 pages left you have to close the book and sigh to yourself that's it going to be over soon, and think about never finishing it, just so you won't have to leave that world behind.

However, I do have a few problems;

1. Doria(who is a boy, by the way, not a girl as the name suggests): In the last book, Meggie and Farid are together. I liked that. It tied the characters together, and those two made a cute couple; even though Meggie is a too young, and he is too old. For some reason, in this book Ms. Funke decides to bring in this 'other character' who starts to steal Meggie's affections, but we don't even get to know him. Sure, I know a bit about Doria's past, but that's it. I don't know his character.or what he would do or say half as well as almost any other character in the story, or at all, as a matter of fact, and for me he was underdeveloped. Meggie 'falling in love' with him was underdeveloped as well. One second we read about how he "sometimes brought her flowers", (it would have been nice if Ms. Funke had devoted a page or two to have an actual SCENE of that) the next her father sees him whispering in her ear and making her blush. Farid does hardly anything about it, even when he's without Dustfinger and with Meggie. He doesn't try to salvage the relationship until the very end, and that didn't make much sense.
2. Dustfinger: I love Dustfinger. He is one of my favorite characters; perhaps even my favorite. There jut wasn't enough of him in this book, though I was very excited when he took a lead in the end of Inkdeath, and I liked how he and Mo ended up good friends.
3. Meggie: Meggie used to be the main character. What happened to that? Why is Meggie no longer our protagonist? WHY? I always loved reading about her, yet she doesn't have much to do in this book besides blush at Doria, worry about her father and hold grudges with people who don't deserve it (especially her mother). Still, her no longer being the lead didn't bother me as much as I would have expected it to; it just confused me and made me wish for more of her--without the stupid grudges.
4. Mo: At the beginning of the book I can hardly recognize his character, but as the book moves on Ms. Funke sort of fixes that... Still, I find it odd that he'd say to Resa who is begging him to go back into our world (since when did Mo want to stay in the Inkworld anyway?) that "Meggie is almost grown up"(she's just thirteen, like me)"and she's in love with Farid"(oh, yes, she'd never even blush at another boy because of her love of Farid--that was sarcastic)and that's why they should stay. Later in the book Mo gets better, and you understand how he changed (sort of), it's just that one scene was a problem for me.
5. Orpheus: He LIVES? Are you kidding me? Why? WHY? Orpheus, who was a mere nuisance and annoying character in the previous book, becomes an evil, evil villain, and I, wanted, him, DEAD! Why did Ms. Funke leave him alive? WHY?!?!?!?!!?!?!?!
6. Brianna: Someone should have punched her. Violante should have punched her. I almost want to read her out of the book just so I can punch her. I don't mind Violante forgiving her for having a romance with Cosimo, Violante's husband, but I just wanted someone to punch her for it. I wanted Violante to do something. I mean yes, she kicked Brianna out of the castle for a while, (which was wonderful), but I would have liked something else... Like someone punching her. Like me punching her. Just once.

Besides those problems, this is a wonderful, wonderful book. I loved it. It's a page turning, it's interesting, and it's so, so beautiful.

Starting Date: Christmas (December 25th)

Ending Date: 2:??am, December 28th

Reading Time: Three days, if you count me staying up 'til 2:00am as a third day.

Pages: 663

Recommendations: To those who have read Inkheart and Inkspell. Don't think about reading this series out of order.

Writing Rating: 9

Story Rating: 7 1/2

Overall Rating: 8

Book #50 of '08

P.S. In the end, Farid leaves Dustfinger. WHAT? That's doesn't make any sense. NONE. That, is, not, FARID! NONE!!!

Keeper of the Winds

Author: Jenna Solitaire
Back-of-the-Book Description: After the death of her beloved grandfather--childhood guardian and only living relative--19-year-old Jenna Solitaire (billed as the book's author, complete with biographical blurb) begins the difficult task of sorting through family memorabilia in the attic. There she discovers a strange object in a pale, leathery case in an old trunk: an oddly shaped wooden board covered in scorched symbols accompanied by a planchette. The board, which produces in Jenna an uncomfortable yet addictive surge of energy, seems to be linked to her recent bad dreams and appears capable of summoning gale-force winds. The board also attracts friends and foes, including Simon Monk, a handsome yet shifty Vatican scholar with whom Jenna feels a resonance but whose allegiance remains a mystery.
My Description: I actually really enjoyed this book. The plot was very interesting, and I couldn't put it down. Still, I personally think that there was too much death (not of anyone we knew, besides Jenna's Grandfather, just innocent people), and Jenna should have listened to Simon much sooner. Besides that, not absolutely fabulous, but a very good read. I'll be looking for the next in the Daughter of Destiny series!
Pages: 236
Recommendations: To teens (probably more for girls than boys) who enjoy fantasy and mystery.
Writing Rating: 7
Story Rating: 8
Overall Rating: 7 1/2


Book #49 of '08

Getting Started With Latin

(subtitle: Beginning Latin for Homeschoolers and Self-Taught Students of Any Age)

Author: William E. Linney

Back-of-the-Book Description: What's preventing you from teaching Latin in your homeschool or learning it on your own? If you're intimidated because you've never studied Latin, bewildered by traditional Latin books that move too fast, or just don't know where to begin, then Getting Started with Latin is for you! Specifically designed to overcome these types of obstacles, Getting Started with Latin is divided into simple lessons that explain the fundamentals of Latin grammar in a way that anyone can grasp. Instead of burying you in mountains of information to memorize, new words and concepts are introduced in a gradual and systematic way. You can immediately apply what you've learned by translating the fun exercises at the end of each lesson. To hear the words pronounced, simply download the free MP3 files from www.gettingstartedwithlatin.com. Quickly check your work by turning to the included answer key. With everything you need here in one book, why aren't you Getting Started with Latin?

My Description: My family and I have been wanting to learn Latin for quite some time now. Mommy found this book on Amazon.com and ordered it.

It sat lonely on our shelf for a couple weeks before I pulled it down. I'll never forget my first lesson... "Nauta". It means sailor.

Now, for the actual review...

Mr. Linney gives us bite-sized lessons--usually only one page-worth--where we learn one word at a time, and sometimes learn Latin grammar. He makes it easy to grasp and though there were some times when I was slightly confused (the whole "Ablative Case" really mystified me. It took me a bit before I figured that out) I just kept going and I got it eventually.

I did, however, 'take a break' a couple times. Not purposely, but I just stopped studying... I was able to come back to it, though; almost without any trouble. By the end of this book I had a much-improved understanding of Latin, and more than just a foundation to build the house of language upon.

Getting Started With Latin is the only non-fiction book I've been truly wrapped up in. Practically all I read is fantasy, so being almost completely sucked-in wasn't something I expected. Now I love Latin. I really, truly do. He made it fun, interesting, and very lovable. I loved how it ended, and I also loved the little "Latin Expressions" he does every once in a while to keep us from getting bored (he explains some Latin phrases that are in our own language--like Summa Cum Laude). The FREE downloadable MP3s on his website helped quite a bit with my pronunciation, and the pronunciation guide in the back helped as well.

As much as I loved this book (and I mean really LOVED), I never fully appreciated it until I moved on to "The First Year of Latin". Don't get me wrong, it's good so far, and I'm excited about doing it, it's just the piles and piles of information in the INTRODUCTION, and the way it was written, and how small the text was... If I hadn't developed my love of Latin and that foundation from Mr. Linney's book, I would have been scared off. Instead, I took a few deep breathes and re-read the beginning. Turns out I was reading WAY more than I was supposed to, and after a bit I finally started catching on.

Anyways, to get to the bottom of it, if you want to get started with Latin, Getting Started With Latin is the way to go. Definitely. Positively. ABSOLUTELY.

Recommendations: To anyone who wants to learn Latin--if you can read, you could do it by yourself (like I did), but I'd recommend learning it with someone, if only so you can have someone to talk to in Latin and to share your new knowledge with (a job Dear Sister was forced to take, hehe. It's amazing how much she has learned without even reading passed lesson 8--she even skipped #6 and 7)

Pages: 224

Writing Rating: 9

Interest Level: 9

Overall Rating: 9 (it would be 10, but the book wasn't nearly long enough)

Book #48 of '08

The Book of Lies

Author: James Moloney

Back-of-the-Book Description: One dark and stormy night, four hooded men deliver an unconscious boy to a home for orphans and foundlings. There, a wizard awaits, ready to erase the boy's memories and implant new ones with the help of a magical book, The Book of Lies. A small girl watches the scene from her hiding place, plugs the boy's ears with wax to limit the damage, and later tells him his actual name, Marcel. Throughout the book, Marcel's challenge is to peel back the layers of deception that lies between him and the truth as he struggles to determine his identity and his allies amid warring factions grasping for a kingdom.

My Description: Wow. This book is a workout for the mind... You start formulating hundreds of guesses before you even realize it.

All the twists aren't that unpredictable, but it still keeps you guessing and guessing and dances circles around you, and still manages to pull you gently through the entire tail.

I loved Marcel and Bea and Nicola and Fergus (eventually), and the whole mystery around them. I love how you slowly... slowly learn pieces bit by bit, until CLICK! the story falls into place and things finally make sense.

I would highly recommend this book; even though the ending confused me, and left me a little disappointed.

Recommendations: To those who love fantasy, adventure, and/or mystery.

Pages: 368

Writing Rating: 7

Story Rating: 8

Overall Rating: 8

Book #47 of '08

Septimus Heap: Queste

Author: Angie Sage
Back-of-the-Book Description: There's trouble at the Castle, and it's all because Merrin Meredith has returned with Darke plans for Septimus. More trouble awaits Septimus and Jenna in the form of Tertius Fume, the ghost of the very first Chief Hermetic Scribe, who is determined to send Septimus on a deadly Queste. But Septimus and Jenna have other plans—they are headed for the mysterious House of Foryx, a place where all Time meets and the place where they fervently hope they will be able to find Nicko and Snorri, who were trapped back in time in physik. But how will Septimus escape the Queste?
My Description: I didn't like "Queste" as much as I had liked the other Septimus Heap books. It just didn't do it for me.
I wish that they had a happier ending for Simon and Lucy. I know what Simon did was horrible in the book before last, but I wanted him to resolve things with his brothers, and Jenna especially... I also wanted Lucy to figure things out with her own family, but I suppose the next book might make all that better--fingers crossed!
Also, it took forever for the action to start. In different books it's about halfway before they get passed the introduction. Normally in Ms. Sage's books I get it a lot more quickly. Strangely enough, this one was a little different. It took forever for some action, but when it came it was great.
Don't get me wrong, I really enjoyed this book. It was still the clever, witty, humorous and fun stuff that made me love this series... I just didn't like it as much as the others. Oh well.

Oh, and the whole Dragon/Marcia thing was great. I love Marcia.
Recommendations: To those of us who have fallen in love with the Septimus Heap books.
Pages: 608
Writing Rating: 8 1/2
Story Rating: 7 1/2
Overall Rating: 7 3/4

Book #46 of '08