What I’m Reading
I’ve got two books on the go this week, both from the early 1990s. The first is an old favourite, Guy Gavriel Kay’s A Song for Arbonne (1992), which I have not re-read for some years—but which I am really enjoying all over again. It’s High Fantasy, set in a world based around the medieval Provence of the troubadors, i.e. think Aquitaine. Although Tigana is probably my favourite Guy Gavriel Kay novel, Arbonne comes a close second—I really like the mix of characters and the layers of plot and political manoeuverings/machinations to the story. In the end though, it’s a story about people, their joys and sorrows and struggles, which is the kind of tale-telling that I enjoy.
The second book, and one I have been meaning to read for-ever (ok, exaggeration, for quite a few years now) is John Marsden’s classic YA tale Tomorrow, When the War Began. Such a great title, isn’t it? So far I’m only a few chapters in, but it’s reading really well. It’s also about to be a movie really soon, which is why I’m keen to get in and read the book right now.
So how about you? What are you reading this week and how are you finding it?
I’ve never heard of A Song for Arbonne, but I am huge fan of the Tomorrow series. My son read them and had me read along and I just loved them. I think they’re a great example of books that can appeal to boys as well as girls, even with a female protagonist.
And by the way, thank you for today. Your advice has seriously buoyed my spirits 🙂
Wen, I am really glad if I have helped a bit with the book stuff. Re the Tomorrow books, the first one is really great so far, I’m pleased there’s more “Tomorrow” goodness to follow up with.
Just finished two that I’ve really liked. One was “Kafka on the Shore” and the other was “The Years of Rice and Salt.”
Dennis, I’ll have to keep an eye out for Kafka on the Shore, but Years of Rice and Salt is great—I read it a few years back. The author, Kim Stanley Robinson, is one of the three guests of honour at Worldcon in Melbourne, which I’m off to at the end of the month. I am really looking forward to his guest of honour presentation.
the Tomorrow series is on my tbr list, I’ll check out a song for Arbonne.
I’m reading an anthology with paranormal romances at the moment ‘Burning Up’ it’s quite good sofar. I’m also rereading the Black Jewels series by Anne Bishop, I love her writing style and her characters
The Black Jewels series was regarded as very original when it first came out and even now I don’t know a lot of books that are similar—Jacqueline Carey, maybe … And Anne Bishop certainly has a lot of fans.
When you finish all 7 in the the Tomorrow series, there’s 3 in the Ellie Chronicles. These start 4 months after the Tomorrow series ended.
The ending of these were right for the character, though I wished it was different…
I’ve just read,, and reread, and reread, and reread, and re… book 8 in the Black Jewels series. A great discovery and am now looking for the first 7 to read.
Yes, some of the best endings are ones you wish could be otherwise. I’m glad though that i have so many Ellie books to enjoy.
Beth Miller at Writers House is a big fan of the Black Jewels series as well, but I really do recommend starting at Book 1 … 🙂
I’m reading Michael King’s History of New Zealand, I’ve had it for two or three years and never got round to it. I’m really enjoying it – finding it far more readable than I expected.
I read the whole “Tomorrow” series some years back when my children were the right age for it – my mother always read my library books and I continued the tradition with my own children. Another great series that I read along with them was Susan Cooper’s “The Dark is Rising” sequence. (I could never really get into Harry Potter, on the other hand)
Michael King is a great writer—I often think that making history accessible was his ‘gift’.
And I, too, love The Dark is Rising series, it’s definitely one of my favourites although the film was incredibly disappointing.