Looking Forward ~ Looking Back This Week In Books

Sunday Salon

Being smarter than the average bear, while everyone else in the Greater DC area was frantically running around Friday buying TP, bread and milk, I was stocking up on books at the library. And thank goodness I did because we are up to our eyeballs in the white fluffy stuff.


















Incoming:

Wombat Divine
(Kara, me buddy at Not Just For Kids (a fabulous blog about kidlit) suggested this Mem Fox book as a Christmas read. It's an adorable story about a wombat trying to find the right role in the local Nativity play. We're enjoying it immensely. Thanks, Kara!) Young Readers


Dolley Madison
(Read this one along with my 4th Grader who had to do a research paper on this fascinating lady. Did you know that there's some controversy about what her read first name is?) Young Readers


The Secret Soldier
(Short but excellent story based on the life of a young woman who disguised herself in order to serve in the Revolutionary War.)
Young Readers


Graceling
(One of my buddies at our library checkout desk raised a brow when I plunked this down. She chastised me saying, "Haven't you read that yet?" Must admit, it's truly an oversight. I liked Cashore's "Fire" and can't really conjure an excuse for not having read Graceling.) YA

The Sphere of Secrets
(This is book 2 of Catherine Fisher's the Oracle series. A strong follow-up to "The Oracle Betrayed", there's more action and a better look at the characters motivation. Recommend it to those who like world-building with their fantasy adventure.) YA


Snow-Walker
(Okay, this is probably why I don't get around to reading all the books in year they come out-- I get on author jags. In this case, Catherine Fisher is my focus.

Snow-Walker is actually 3 books in 1, YA, and recommended by me to those who like a good adventure story.) YA


Darkhenge
(see... More Catherine Fisher in the bookbag) YA




Dreamdark: Silksinger
(Follow up to "Blackbringer", I'm sure I'll like the story, even if I don't like the artwork as well.)



Traitor's Gate
(The Crossroads series is popular and one I know nothing about. This book called to me from the library 'new arrivals' shelf. And yes, if I get to it, it'll be read out of sequence. I never used to do that.) Adult

Gwenhwyfar: The White Spirit
(This is a stretch for me. By Mercedes Lackey it also called to me from the 'new arrivals' shelf.) Adult

Maze Runner
(Hopefully I'll finish up this Friday Pick today.) YA

And let me admit here that I was an idiot. This book was offered through the Amazon Vine program and I didn't request it. Duh. The reason I didn't do this was because I was afraid it was going to be too much like "Hunger Games". Don't ask me where I got that ridiculous notion. In any case, I'm happy to announce that this book isn't derivative of anything I can think of. And James Dashner does a damn good job of making the mystery mysterious. I've got but 60 pages to go and haven't the vaguest clue as to why the kids are supposed to accomplish. Recommend it as guy-lit.

Wish Listed:

The Ask and The Answer

Al Capone Shines My Shoes

Still around:

Attack of the Deranged Mutant Killer Monster Snow Goons
(Still loving it)

Pam
Somewhere in the X-burbs