The Book Stacks

At eleven years old, Sarah - or Hai Nai Yu as she is later named by Nana - is sulky and depressed as her family suddenly leaves the wide open spaces of Wyoming to live on Vancouver Island, Canada. She has to leave many of her possessions, the life she’s always known, and even her best friend.

This trip, however, is the first step in a life path she could have never dreamed of…

I recently had the pleasure of reading Whale Song, a book I found played at my emotions, went further than I thought it would, and made me ask questions of myself and my beliefs.

Sarah’s life begins improving when she gets settled into her new home and meets Goldie, who becomes her new best friend. And while the school bully seems to enjoy picking on Sarah more than anyone else, forcing Sarah to deal with racism for the first time, she still finds delight in her family, her new friends, and Goldie’s grandmother, Nana, who shares wonderful tales of the Great Spirits.

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Even before Meg Cabot’s book The Princess Diaries was available to read, Disney had purchased the rights to make a film adaptation out of it. I’m guessing that they saw something they liked. The book and the filmed version have many similarities, but many differences too. In the book, Mia lives in New York, her father (The Prince of Genovia) is alive, her mother is an artist who ends up dating her Algebra teacher, and her grandmother (the Dowager Princess of Genovia) is a selfish, mean sort of person. In the film, Mia lives in San Francisco, her father (the King of Genovia) is dead, her mother is an artist who ends up dating her speech and debate teacher, and her grandmother (The Queen of Genovia) is the lovely, thoughtful Julie Andrews. In both cases, Mia had no idea that she was royal until she was told. Really, it ends up feeling like the book and the film are two versions of a similar story. I liked both. The second film, The Princess Diaries 2, is more of a continuation of the first film than an adaptation of a further book. I enjoyed that one too. Maybe it’s just my whole princess fixation. Who knows?

Here is the trailer for The Princess Diaries to give you an idea what I’m talking about.

Have you read the book and/or seen the film? What did you think?

Meg Cabot, The Princess Diaries, Disney

Hello, and welcome to this meeting of the Book Stacks Book Club: Cover to Cover. Today we are discussing Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters. If you were impressed by the level of historical detail that the author included in this story, you may be interested to know that Elizabeth Peters is really Barbara Mertz. You will also likely be unsurprised to discover that Mrs. Mertz has a Ph.D. in Egyptology. Crocodile on the Sandbank is the first book in the Amelia Peabody mystery series which is now 18 books long. So, if you really enjoyed this adventure, you have a few more books to keep you off the streets and out of the saloons.

At this point, I’m not really sure when I read this book for the first time. I do know that I’ve probably read it twenty or so times by now, though. I even bought the MP3 version from Audible. If you like audio books, this is one that I would actually recommend for purchase. It’s not the sort of story one reads only once, and never comes back to. Though originally targeted at the adult mystery market, this book is appropriate for the teen mystery fan. If you would like to read a more thorough review of this book, go here

In the meantime, what did *you* think of the book? Please comment and let me know.

1. Did you like the book?

I love this book. It contains several different genres in one less than 300 page book. It’s not just a mystery. It’s more of a Mystery/Historical/Romance. The characters are all interesting and, in a couple of cases, gifted with very complex personalities.

2. Do you have a favorite character?

Amelia Peabody herself is my favorite character in this story. She is just so self-possessed and decisive…even when she could do with a bit more thought on a topic first. It’s interesting to see the effect that associating with Evelyn has on her. Although Amelia believes that she is helping out Evelyn, she finds that Evelyn is aiding her as well. Thank goodness they found each other. This trip to Egypt becomes a turning point for Amelia in more ways than one in the end.

3. Should they make a film out of this book?

Please? I would *adore* seeing a well done episode of Mystery made from this book. Casting the film might prove to be a bit difficult, but it would be worth the effort. Can you imagine it? They could film on location and everything. *Sigh*

4. Which aspect of this book did you enjoy the most? (The Romance? The Mystery? The History?)

All of the strands of this story are so interwoven that it is really difficult to say, and my opinion tends to change from reading to reading. During this last journey through the book though, I really gravitated to the Romance aspect. Well, that and it made me want to find my books on hieroglyphics.

5. Did the book make you want to learn more about Egyptology?

Most assuredly. I need to finish reading Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs, now that I come to think of it. After reading this book for the first time I actually went to the British Museum. Sadly, the mummy exhibit was being worked on at the time. I *did* get to see the Rosetta Stone up close, though.

Okay, it’s your turn. What did you think?

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The book which we will be discussing next time is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows by J. K. Rowling. It’s finally out, and we are going to be discussing it on August 10, 2007. I hope that gives you enough time to finish it so that you can join us. (Oh, and I am always accepting suggestions for future selections for Cover to Cover, so feel free to comment your suggestion now. Just remember that if I choose your book you will be expected to participate.)

Book Club, Cover to Cover, Crocodile on the Sandbank, Elizabeth Peters, Barbara Mertz, Temples, Tombs, and Hieroglyphs, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, J. K. Rowling

Hello, and welcome to this meeting of the Book Stacks Book Club: Cover to Cover. Today we are discussing Sabriel by Garth Nix. Sabriel is a dark fantasy targeted towards the teen audience, and is actually the beginning of a series which continues in Lirael, Abhorsen, and Across the Wall. Just for your information, Sabriel can stand on its own, but once you reach Lirael make sure that a copy of Abhorsen is close to hand. Trust me on this.

I first read Sabriel a few years ago, back before Abhorsen was available. I inhaled it and reached for the next book. Yes, I enjoyed it that much. I’m sure that someone out there will disagree with me, but I really feel that some of this story is strikingly original. Just about every book that you run across these days seems to be a bit derivative of something else, and I really didn’t get that feeling from Sabriel. By the way, if you get a chance, be sure to listen to the audio version of this book, as it is read by Tim Curry. He somehow manages to come up with a multitude of believable voices both male and female and in a variety of ages.

Well, what did *you* think of the book? As is now customary, I would like to begin the discussion with the following question:

1. Did you like the book?

I love this book, and I have read it a couple of times by now. I actually own the audio book version. One of the things that always grabs me about this book is Garth Nix’s use of language. His descriptive skill is nothing short of amazing. I always think, “Now, if only *I* could describe things that well.” Sabriel herself is a very strong female character who accepts her responsibilities even when she would rather be doing something else. This is not the sort of book to read if you are searching for a light bit of brain candy. This is a dark fantasy/adventure story that has you rooting for the main characters even when things seem impossibly dire.

2. Did you have a favorite character?

Sabriel is my favorite character, but I am also very fond of Touchstone and Mogget. Sabriel steps out into a world that she knows even less about than she thinks she does (initially anyway) because it is something that she has to do. Does she hide away, even when she has the opportunity to do so? Nope. She just steps out there and does what she has to, ignoring her fear and uncertainty.

3. Do you think that they could make Sabriel into a film?

No. Seriously. Too much of the story would be lost if this book was translated into film. It would end up looking like a horror flick. This is just one book that they should leave alone.

4. Where do you think that you would fit in in the Old Kingdom? Or are you destined for Ancelstierre?

Charter Mage, no doubt about it. Preferably one who works in the Clayr’s great library, but you don’t learn about that until later in the series…otherwise you’d know that King Elvis and the Alien Space Ducks work there. Yeah. Anyway, I like the way that the Great Charter describes everything and also links everything together. To be a part of that and able to describe things yourself to say, create light or Charter Sendings would be very interesting to me.

5. Are you planning on reading more of this series?

I know that I’m just being nosy now, but I’m curious. And yes, I am planning on reading the books again at some point. Well?

Okay, it’s your turn. What did you think?

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The book which we will be discussing next time is Crocodile on the Sandbank by Elizabeth Peters. Yes, we are going for a historical mystery this time around. We will be discussing Crocodile on the Sandbank on July 27, 2007. Won’t you join us? (Oh, and I am always accepting suggestions for future selections for Cover to Cover, so feel free to comment your suggestion now. Just remember that if I choose your book you will be expected to participate.)

Cover to Cover, Sabriel, Garth Nix, Crocodile on the Sandbank, Elizabeth Peters

Daja’s Book is the third book in Tamora Pierce’s Circle of Magic series. This time Daja is the central character, as she and her friends encounter major grass fires and some of her own people. Unfortunately, Daja has been named outcast from her people and has been forbidden to speak with them. Can she and her friends stop the spread of the flames? Daja is the third of the four young mages to be featured in this series. Her magic works through smithcraft, and as a result, the reader begins to gain a small amount of knowledge in this area. As you may remember, one of the things I enjoy is well researched fiction. It’s fun to learn stuff while enjoying a good story. As is usual with Tamora Pierce’s books, this book contains thoroughly realized characters and a well thought out plot. The four children have very different personalities, for example, as well as very believable motivations. I have enjoyed the whole series so far. If you enjoy fantasy aimed at folks who are around grades 5-8 (like I do), definitely give this series a try.

Daja’s Book, Tamora Pierce

Sandry’s Book by Tamora Pierce is the first book in the Circle of Magic series. I have read the book several times before, but this time I listened to the full cast audio presentation during my commute. Narrated by Tamora Pierce herself, the full cast presentation really brought an extra element of life to this Book on CD. The Circle of Magic series is about four children with magic that shows itself through everyday objects, such a spinning, metalwork, plants, and the weather. Sandry’s Book introduces us to Sandry, Tris, Daja, and Briar and what they can accomplish when they set their minds to it. A noble, a merchant, a trader, and a thief come together to form a family. In the process, they prove themselves very valuable to their new home. Admittedly, I am a hardcore Tamora Pierce fan. I have most of her books in my collection. Part of the reason I love her work is that each series has its own focus and strength. This series concentrates upon four very different main characters that learn to work together when it’s most important. It takes place in a completely different world than the one in the Alanna books. Even the magic is different in this series. As with all of her books, the characterizations are very believable and the plotlines are well thought out. If you are a fan of fantasy, you should really give this book a try. It’s just that good.

Sandry’s Book, Tamora Pierce, Circle of Magic