2010 reflections .... and being more resolute in 2011

I've been spending some time today reading other bloggers' resolutions for 2011, and started feeling a bit inspired.   I don't tend to make resolutions -- I have tried in the past, but I just don't seem to follow them very well.   However, I'm thinking that maybe .... just maybe ..... if I post up a few here, I just might be more likely to focus on following them.

It's funny to realize that it's already the end of another year.   Admittedly, time seems to pass pretty quickly for me (thus the title of this blog), but looking back, it's been a pretty good year.  In my personal life, there were a few ups and downs, and in my blogging life, a few ups and downs as well --- but more ups than downs.  I started this blog originally just to share my thoughts on the books I read, and I've really enjoyed not only doing that, but participating in memes, and making some friends in the blogging community.   I'm grateful for each follower, and each commenter .... and quickly, want to share on two of the more awesome things that happened to me this year.

The recent Random Magic tour has been so much fun --- just reading the book was a fantastic experience, but participating in the tour was something completely different for me, and it really made me stretch myself creatively.  Completely enjoyed myself.  And completely enjoyed my email conversations with Sasha Soren, as well --- as a result, my writing style in my reviews just might be a bit freer from now on.
 
And ... completely grateful for the Merry Sisters of Fate contest that I entered (my entry post is here).   I won this bag (which I use all the time for my books) --- but the really cool thing was that entering this contest meant I had to gather a bit of courage and write something.  You wouldn't think this would be a big deal, but for me, after years of not writing any poems, it meant feeling a bit naked.... and going for it anyway.  Very glad I did.  And I still love my poem.


So -- on to the resolutions.  Thanks for bearing with me on that first part.  I have 3 blogging resolutions (should be easy to stick to these), and 3 personal resolutions (if I post them up, I will feel compelled to make an effort on these).   And Happy New Year!!!!!!

1. Comment more.  I tend to read a lot of posts, but I don’t always leave a comment to let the blogger know I’ve been there.  I’m going to get better about this.
2. Don’t worry about reviewing every single book I read.  Sometimes, I just want to read (or re-read) a book and not take any notes. I need to stop feeling guilty about not sharing my thoughts on everything I read.
3. Participate more fully in my memes.  I don’t always have time to visit around to as many other bloggers on Tuesdays and Fridays, but I’m going to make more of an effort.

1. Be more patient when driving.  I tend to grit my teeth and make up nasty combinations of words for other drivers (“festering pus-ball” for example), especially for those driving under the speed limit.  I’m going to make more of an effort to not want to punch these people.
2. Finding something to be grateful for every day.  I am no PollyAnna Sunshine, to be sure --- but it’s too easy to get drawn down into seeing all of the negatives in the world.  I can find at least one thing each day to be happy about, even if I have to really think about it.
3.  Be kinder.  In general, but especially to myself.  I sometimes fall into an awful habit of being really unkind to myself, and I really excel at it.  And I need to stop.  :)

Wrap up post for 2010 challenges......

I had the best intentions..... and I think I bit off more than I could chew, so to speak.   Now, I know better (hopefully).    I've been reading other bloggers' sum-up posts, so here's one of my own.

Flashback Challenge -- completed at the Literati level, of 6 books.

Chunkster Challenge --  completed -- I had signed up for "Do these books make my butt look big" level of 4 books.

2010 Reading Challenge from Bart's Books -- challenge was 20 books, 2 in each of 10 categories.  Uh....  I half completed about 7, and fully completed 4.

Hogwarts Reading Challenge - this one ran until 12/13/10 -- I fell down a bit on this one, as well - although I did complete these classes:  Transfiguration, Defense Against the Dark Arts, Charms, History of Magic, Arithmancy, Ancient Runes, and Divination.   I thought I'd be able to complete everything .... and this challenge kicked my butt.  Which was already kicked from Bart's Challenge.

So ...  what did I learn?   While challenges sound cool, it's probably not a good idea for me to take on more than 3 (I'll have to see if I already did that for 2011....)

totally worn out from reading

India Black by Carol Carr

Summary (courtesy of GoodReads): In the winter of 1876, the beautiful young madam India Black is occupied with her usual tasks - keeping her tarts in line, avoiding the police, and tolerating the clergyman bent on converting her girls. But when Sir Archibald Latham of the War Office dies from a heart attack while visiting her brothel, India is unexpectedly thrust into a deadly game between Russian and British agents who are seeking the military secrets Latham carried.  French, the handsome British spy, discovers India disposing of Latham's body, and blackmails her into recovering the missing documents. Their quest takes them from the Russian embassy to Claridge's Hotel, from London to the English coast, all the while chasing the Russian agents who are intent on spiriting the stolen documents out of England.  But it is their own tempestuous relationship they will have to weather as India and French attempt to resist the mutual attraction between them - an attraction that can prove as deadly as the conspiracy entangling them...

And here's what I thought:  I had read a review of this book on Unabridged Chick, and was completely intrigued by her one-sentence summary: "London madam is wrangled into spying on Russians on behalf of the Empire, with help from street urchin and government agent."  I have read a fair amount about the Victorian era (both in fiction and non-fiction... and everything Anne Perry has written, as well), and thought this sounded like a good story.   I had planned on finding the book at the library, but to my surprise, received a very nice email from the author, herself, asking if I'd like to review the book.  Would I?   Okay.  Be like that.  Twist my arm and make me read a good book.   !!

And this was a really good book.  It's the perfect mix of a great main character, interesting supporting characters, adventure, intrigue, and historical setting -- combined with a wonderfully descriptive writing style and fast pace.  Intrigued yet? Let's start with India --- she's not your average streetwalker, plying her trade to just anyone.  No, she's a madam of a fine establishment (think the Everleigh Sisters of Chicago) --- she's a businesswoman with a good head on her shoulders, and a sharp wit, as well.   India is the one who takes us through the story, and she's an interesting narrator, full of witty (and wry) observations about the situation at hand.  When a client perishes at the brothel, she doesn't lose her composure; she calmly comes up with a plan.  And it's all supposed to be a simple job of finding someone to dispose of the body..... until it all gets very complicated, very quickly.

What happens next is pretty clear from the summary above --- the dead client wasn't your average man; there are now missing papers, which cause quite a problem, as it turns out.  This makes for an intriguing story, as India's not sure who she can really trust, and she doesn't have much say in her participation in retrieving the papers.  The supporting characters of French (British spy) and Vincent (street urchin and jack-of-many-trades) not only add to the story as a whole, but also give insight into India's character, as well (as they should).   It's an interesting triangle between the three of them, and it was interesting how the relationships developed throughout the book.   India's narrative voice colors everything, of course --- but she's an enjoyable character.   Example:  "It is amazing what a woman can do if only she ignores what men tell her she can't."  (p. 26).  Or how about -- "I extracted myself from her grasp, no small feat as Rowena had the grip of an octopus in heat."  (p. 91).   I liked her.  She obviously sees things with a wry sense of  humor, no doubt influenced by her life's experiences. 

I really appreciated the historical details in this book, as well.  Carol Carr has obviously done her research, capturing not only the flavor of the Victorian era, both socially and politically, but putting in real details, as well.  For example, her portrayal of Benjamin Disraeli in this story seems accurate with what I had read about him, and the politics of England and Russia also seemed accurate.  She adds in smaller details that also lend richness to the story -- like the revolver that India carries with her.  It's a Webley Bulldog.  I looked it up, and it's quite the gun -- completely practical (and appropriate for the time period).  Details such as this gave the story a nice depth.  I sometimes get a bit frustrated when a book set in the Victorian era seems to focus only on the clothing, and some social customs --- this book had a very authentic feel it.    

This was an interesting, lively read, with a terrific main character (and some great supporting characters, as well).  The book is coming out in January, 2011 --- and if you'd like to know more about Carol Carr and the book, she's got a great website here.  And stay tuned --- Ms. Carr has agreed to let me interview her, and give away a copy of the book!!

First sentences: "My name is India Black.  I am a whore.   If those words made you blush, if your hand fluttered to your cheek or you harrumphed disapprovingly into your beard, then you should return this volume to the shelf, cast a cold glance at the proprietor as you leave, and hasten home feeling proper and virtuous." 
Thoughts on the cover:  Absolutely beautiful and eye-catching.  Gives a good impression of the setting of the book, and a nice portrait of India, herself (definitely in line with the description of the character).

Wordless Wednesday --- Chihuly at Modern Museum, KC

I'm back -- and all kinds of refreshed now!

I hope everyone had a great Christmas!  I took a small break and did some reading -- and also went to Kansas City, MO.  Now that I've returned, I'm getting back on track --- ready to start posting some reviews.....

and wanted to give a quick thank you to my Secret Santa, Kelsey over at The Book Scout, who sent me a very nice package of books & swag (and which I just opened this morning).   Thank you!!!!

I also just opened my pack of bookmarks, from the Bookmark Swap that I participated in.  Just what I need for my new books!   :)

Small reading break......

As usual, life gets hectic around the holidays....  and I'm in the middle of two really good books right now, and would like to devote a bit of time to them (so no Teaser today, no Wordless tomorrow....) --- I am going to take a blogging break this week and spend some time reading (and drinking cocoa).  I'll be back Tuesday, December 28th.   

Have a great Christmas, everyone!!

Random Magic by Sasha Soren --- my review

Summary:  When absent-minded Professor Random misplaces the main character from Alice in Wonderland, young Henry Witherspoon must book-jump to fetch Alice before chaos theory kicks in and the world vanishes. Along the way he meets Winnie Flapjack, a wit-cracking doodle witch with nothing to her name but a magic feather and a plan. Such as it is. Henry and Winnie brave the Dark Queen, whatwolves, pirates, Struths, and fluttersmoths, Priscilla and Charybdis, obnoxiously cheerful vampires, Baron Samedi, a nine-dimensional cat, and one perpetually inebriated Muse to rescue Alice and save the world by tea time.

   
And here’s my review of this book:  Let me begin by saying that this book was like nothing I have ever read.  From the very beginning to the last words, I thoroughly enjoyed my read, taking time to re-read and savor things along the way.  I think one of the first notes I wrote to myself was that this story is like a fever dream: all floating around and bizarre, but somehow making an odd kind of sense.  It’s not the kind of book where you can make everything fall into place, make it behave.  Instead, I found it was easier just to lean back and relax into the story, letting it all wash over me.  I then could delight in the small things I discovered along the way -- thorn trees that throw thorns; “story-weaving needles;” butterfly trees.   I grew to love Winnie, a no-nonsense girl with a courageous heart.

Other readers have compared this story to Alice in Wonderland, and certainly, there is Henry’s search for Alice, and some of the things he encounters are very Alice-like.  Mr. Rabbite.  Mock turtle.  A dormouse.  A life-size chess game (more on that later).   The story definitely has that queer, somewhat disturbing yet completely intriguing quality that I find in Lewis Carroll’s stories of Alice (Alice in Wonderland and Through the Looking Glass).  We have characters who encounter beautiful things, and frightening things (sometimes, both at once), and who move from place to place in odd ways.  

I loved many things about this story.  The main characters, Henry and Winnie are interesting and well-written, and I found I really cared about what happened to them, and how their relationship was going to turn out.  They are both pretty straightforward, although Winnie admittedly has more mystery about her, being a doodle witch and all.   Winnie’s also Henry’s guide through many of the places in this book, so it’s a good thing that she’s smart and resourceful.

And the places in this book?  They’re wonderful and strange.  Sometimes, wonderfully strange.  Beautiful and disturbing (sometimes, both at once).  And that goes for the people, as well.  We meet The Count deMorgue, for example, who is darkly charming, and clad in a velvet dinner jacket “in a snappy shade of prune.”* (p. 113)  We meet the Muses, all enchanting and intriguing.  Baron Samedi makes an appearance, as well.   For those of you not familiar with the vodou religion, Baron Samedi is one of the loa, a guardian of crossroads (among other things).  He's my favorite of the loa .....   and no, I am not a practitioner - I just like to study different kinds of things.  

What’s also wonderful here is the writing.   Sasha Soren has a unique way of writing that can be amusing at one turn, thoughtful at the next, and all kinds of things in between.  Each chapter begins with a little description, and I found many of these to be interesting and funny, all on their own.  Soren is an incredibly creative writer, gifting the reader with all kinds of captivating details and descriptions.   I was frequently delighted by things I came across in this story, and really enjoyed how things moved from the light to the dark.   What I mean by that last part is: things seem to take a dark turn later in the book, when Henry discovers some disturbing things, and the whole chess game (described in exciting and fascinating detail) is somewhat ominous.  In fact, I would say the chess game is completely scary .... I was worried for Henry and Winnie.  And then, there are some interesting reflections on love.  As many times as I smiled to myself while reading this book, there were other parts where my heart ached.   I hadn’t been predicting that when I started the story, but there you are --- things aren’t always what you expect them to be.

This was a clever, twisting adventure of a story -- color me completely charmed.  

* let me say that this gave me a flashback to last Christmas Eve, where my sister presented us with a dessert layered with hazelnut spread... and prune filling.  It was somewhat odd and a bit disagreeable.