Review: Fifth Business by Robertson Davies

genre: adult fiction

In Fifth Business, we meet Dunstable Ramsay when he's already an old man. His long years as a schoolmaster and historian have prepared him well to write his own story, to record his own truth. A good portion of this story takes place in the tiny Canadian town of Deptford. Here, everyone has their religion - and piousness is a virtue. For the 10 year old Ramsay, a split second decision (coupled with a stringent guilt complex), creates a situation that changes not only the the course of his life, but that of Deptford as well.

Ah, Deptford. What an intimate portrait of a small town and its early century closed-mindedness. The characters of Ramsay's youth - the enemy/best friend, a pastor's wife and son - these Deptford relationships will serve as a backdrop to the rest of his Ramsay's life, even into the horrors of World War I, where he returns home as changed man.

I am having such a hard time even trying to summarize this novel - it takes you to the most random places - a bombed out church in France, a tiny Canadian town, a magic show in South America. Each location is mystically tied together in Ramsay's experience and his inability to discount things he knows he's seen will force him to decide if he's a believer in saints and miracles or not. I know that it's beautifully written - tied and woven together like the fabric of a life, and you can tell that Ramsay is going over that fabric with a magnifying glass, trying to figure out the real and inconsequential in order to determine what his life amounts to and where else it can go now. It's self-absorbed and honest - a tribute to finding a way to live the life you choose, accept your role as "fifth business" and then dealing with the consequences and moving on, trying to do better.

A Buddy Review of Cotillion!!

genre: historical fiction

THIS is why people read Heyer, I'm sure. Cotillion is light and frivolous, full of match-making and high society.

Kitty has been raised by an odious and crabby guardian, who now swears that only Kitty will receive his fortune if he dies...IF she marries one of his great-nephews. WELL. Between her schemes to get herself to London and the follies of those men - how can humorous episodes NOT ensue? This is Regency period social drama at its finest.

WELL. I tried Heyer again because my buddy Melissa, over at Book Nut, had the grand idea to do a buddy review! So, we read it together and then had a little discussion online. There aren't any spoilers in here, so go ahead and enjoy part one HERE, and then continue on...below :)

part 2 of the buddy review:

Corinne: Yes! She threw me for a loop there too, I expected caddishness but not that! One thing about the book that I really liked - that actually encouraged me to seek out more information on my own - was the discussion of London "society" at the time - the ton and the fancy invite-only clubs. The rules were so strict and the punishments so seemingly severe in you stepped out of "line" (whatever the "line" happened to be at the time).

Melissa: I didn't pick up on that, but, yes, it's fascinating and admirable how she worked it in quite seamlessly. While we're talking about London society rules, any thoughts on Olivia, the Chevalier, and Kitty's role in their relationship? I found it to be one of the more fascinating subplots.

Corinne: The beautifully perfect Olivia? She snuck up on me and I was surprised by how integral she became to the story. I liked her and that she rather seemed to rise above societal concerns. The poor girl just wanted to be happy! I appreciated that Kitty, too, seemed to care more about Olivia's and the Chevalier's happiness (or the Dolph's, for that matter) than she did for what society expected for those poor souls.

Melissa: That's a good point about Kitty. There's some "country mouse-city mouse" dynamics going on in the book: Kitty -- who was raised in the country without all the refinements of the social scene -- is really the only one to show poor Olivia and poor Dolph any mercy. Do you think Heyer was doing a bit of social criticism there, or am I just reading too much into it?

Corinne: I DO see it as a bit of social criticism - since the characters who don't let themselves be trapped by that society are happier! Olivia's mother and Dolph's mother, who see society as the ultimate goal, are miserable and crabby.

Melissa: You're right. Though it probably also says something about mothers: perhaps Kitty's normal because she grew up without one?? Is there anything else about the book you'd like to discuss?

Corinne: Ahh, good point about Kitty not having a mother. I think I'd just like to THANK you for encouraging me to get Heyer another try. This was a gem :)

Melissa: You're welcome! I'm glad you found one that you enjoyed. I think like many authors who write/wrote a whole lot, she's really hit-and-miss, but the good ones are really fun.

2010 Young Adult Reading Challenge

Wahoo!! I'm up for my 3rd annual young adult challenge. J. Kaye is spicing things up this year, with some categories! I've only ever done 12, but I am going to go for

Just My Size YA Reading Challenge – Read 25 Young Adult novels

25!! What could be better?? I've made my initial list below, but will obviously be adding to it as the year goes by :) I'm going to be trying to clear out my massive drawer of to-be-read books, so I've at least put those down to start with :)

1. Into the Wild by Sarah Beth Durst
2. The Two Princesses of Bamarre by Gail Carson Levine
3. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Louise Rennison
4. Coffeehouse Angel by Suzanne Selfors
5. The Amaranth Enchantment by Julie Berry
6. Fallen by Lauren Kate
7. Shiva's Fire by Suzanne Fisher Staples
8. The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
9. The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
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25

challenges round-up

Wow! I finished up two challenges recently: The 2009 Young Adult Challenge and War Through the Generations: World War II.

Favorites from both?

War Through the Generations was what finally got me to read Davita's Harp by Chiam Potok - and am I GLAD that I did, that book is amazing. I also really loved The Boy Who Dared by Susan Campbell Bartoletti, a very interesting twist on your typical World War II book.

From the YA one, standouts were The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins and Life as We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer. Both grabbed me and wouldn't let me go until I was finished. This is my second year completeting this challenge and what do you know - I'm ready to sign up again!! I'll have a post about that forthcoming :)

I just want to say that since I began participating in book challenges two years ago now (happy anniversary to me!), I have stretched my own horizons so much (thanks, Melissa, since your "Expanding Your Horizons" challenge was the one that got me going!). I feel like they are such a good way for me to meet goals and try things I never would have - plus, the community is great :)

Thanks to all those of you who take the time to run the challenges - it's so much fun!

Review: God Made Your Body and How God Makes Babies by Jim Burns

genre: sex education for young children
source: the publisher

Dreaklock girl is the one who gave me the tip on these books, so thanks for that!

These two books are designed for parents to read to their young children, as a springboard to a discussion about our bodies and how babies are made. I'm a big proponent of teaching your children these concepts BEFORE friends or neighbors or the TV clue them in. Especially as a Christian, I wanted to teach these ideas within the framework of God's plan for us.

I read the one for younger children, God Made Your Body, to my nearly 7 year old son, and this was our first conversation beyond body part identification. The writing is so friendly and mild, talking simply about the differences between boys and girls and how both of their parts are needed to make a baby. The text doesn't actually use the word "sex" in this book (it says "making love.") But it really did lay all the most important concepts out there in a lovely and God-centered way, which I really liked. Actually, it was perfect for him and I. He asked some questions and got a bit grossed out but I think came away with a great foundation. And now he knows that he can ask me if he has more questions on the subject. We'll read the next book together also, probably next year when he turns 8 or sooner if he has more specific questions.

I asked my 9 1/2 year old if she wanted to read How God Makes Babies to herself or if she wanted me to read it to her, and she opted for me to read it out loud. She and I have had multiple conversations about this subject before, due mostly to questions prompted by stuff she's heard in the media. But even if we hadn't, this would've also been a great place to start. It's respectful and succinct, with more detail than God Made Your Body. I appreciated that when it talks about what actually happens in the act, God is a part of it:

"One of God's great ideas for a husband and wife was to make a way for them to join their bodies together...They get as close as two people can get. It's called making love or having sex. It's something that God created just for a husband and wife to enjoy when they are alone together..." and later in the text it says specifically what happens. She and I stopped multiple times in our reading to discuss the ideas and so she could relate it to our own lives (my sister is pregnant and I had a recently had a ruptured ectopic pregnancy - and she also has heard about teenagers having babies before they get married). The sequence flowed just right for us.

As a parent, these books are a blessing, especially if you are uncomfortable talking about the subject - just reading the words might be the easiest way for you to bring this subject up with your children, and you'll be surprised by how much easier it gets to talk about it, once you've started. I really do believe that our children deserve to learn the truth about this subject from us as parents, so that we can honestly answer their questions and teach them how to make decisions that will will hopefully help them be happier when they are older.

Review: General Winston's Daughter by Sharon Shinn

book 12 of 12 for the Young Adult Challenge 2009
genre: young adult

When we meet Averie, she's on a voyage to a new land, where her father and fiance are currently stationed in the military and where they are in the process of trying to occupy said country. As the daughter of a general, Averie has always had assumptions about the purpose and consequences of her father's work, but finding herself among a people in the process of being conquered has made her begin to question what it means to become a colony.

As she becomes familiar with Chiarrin, its people and customs, she finds much to love and respect. Her determined and rebellious ways keep her fellow countrywomen shocked and entertained, while helping them to see Chiarrin as a place with something of worth to offer. And one special soldier seems to keep appearing, making her question feelings she's counted on for so long.

I enjoyed reading this one. While Averie tries hard to be a deep thinker, I often felt like her awareness of imperialism and racism was too modern and contrived, so it felt more fluff than substance, but really good fluff none the less. And, to keep being honest, sometimes the dialogue was formulaic. BUT. There is a fantastic twist at the end and the love stories certainly kept me reading. Well, that and the fact that Shinn just made up an entire culture, satisfying and richly described. If you're a fan of young adult fantasy, this is one to try.

Review: Anastasia's Secret by Susanne Dunlap

genre: young adult historical fiction
source: publisher

At the heart of this novel is a girl and her family - bonded together by love and by circumstance - and an ages old empire on the brink of extinction.

As the youngest grand duchess in the family of Nicholas II Romanov, Anastasia has spent her insulated life among her older sisters and sickly younger brother. She's always ready for a prank, safe within a cocoon of wealth and privilege. Unfortunately, rumbles of unrest among her father's people begin to reach her ears through a boy she knows she probably should stay away from. And young love has a way of blossoming, even as the world Anastasia has always known begins to crumble around her.

Anastasia's Russian world, the political landscape and the closeness of the Romanov family all felt plausible and authentic. Her growth into young womanhood during such tumultuous times was especially poignant. Sometimes the first person narrative fell a little slack, but her aloofness felt almost like a forced maturity - as if she was searching for answers and a purpose for all the horrible changes to come upon her in such a short time. Occasionally, it was just a bit too spelled out for me.

Dunlap did her research and it was just deep enough for young readers to glimpse the horror of revolution without going over the edge. All the Russian names might turn some people off, but there is a nice guide in the beginning to help you out - and I do feel more knowledgeable about how Russian names work now. I know this book is being pushed as a love story - and I did enjoy that part of it, it certainly fleshed out Anastasia's character, but for me, the true draw of this story was its historical context and the inside view of one of the most famous historical stories told.

Review: Free Range Kids by Lenore Skenazy

genre: parenting non-fiction

I heard some buzz about this book a while ago, and even just from what a good friend wrote about the book, I knew it was something that would interest me.

Let me start off by saying this is not your average parenting book. It's not really "un-parenting" either - it's about taking the nitty-gritty of parenting seriously but knowing when your job as a parent is to just let go and let your children do things on their own. It's about giving your kids skills and then letting them actually USE those skills in the real world.

Lenore Skenazy is all about the real world.

She lays all the facts out on the table, and in a zany and humorous way she lays many parenting, nay, societal myths onto the chopping block. She tackles everything from the safety of Halloween candy to educational dvds to, yes, the infamous scenario of letting her nine year old ride the subway alone. What she hammers into us (and yes, it's sometimes a bit repetitive) is that the world is NOT REALLY A COMPLETELY UNSAFE PLACE. Through the media and our own collective, technologically advanced fear, we have convinced ourselves that all horrible things that could happen have a very good chance of happening to us, at any moment, and our sureness of this fact has really hampered our ability to teach our children confidence, competence and independence.

I know that's a really long sentence. But I'm kinda thinking it works.

I enjoyed listening to this one. The reader was pretty hilarious - the book has a really conversational tone and does a great job of giving baby step tips on how to start giving your children small bits of independence, some of which I've already started trying at home. I think, if nothing else, this book offers a great second opinion on so so many of the issues out there - and makes you stop and think: what if maybe I don't REALLY have to be so terrified about "blank?"

It's worth reading, I do think. I really do want to raise confident and independent people and this book is certainly a good place to start.

Review: Midnighters by Scott Westerfeld

genre: young adult

What if, for one hour a day, the entire world was frozen in motion - except for you? Oh, and a whole slew of terrifying creatures?? This is what Jessica Day finds out soon after moving to Bixby, Oklahoma. What she thought were terrifyingly real "dreams" make her suddenly very eager to become friends with the other kids at her new school that seem a little...off.

It's a slap-bang premise, I have to admit. To have this space in time where all bets are off, where an ancient and frea-kay set of rules suddenly apply and you get to be a part of it - that's just one great piece of imagination. I think Westerfeld nearly completely pulls it off. His characters are intense - although Jessica seems a bit "blah" compared to everyone else, but I can see how he's just getting her set-up to become who she truly is in the next two books.

My only complaint? He gets cheesy at the climax, darn him! It really was a great ride to the climax and while I believed it and I can see the potential, the dialogue cheesed out on me. I'm going to forgive it, though, because it really did keep my attention until I finished. I think I need to find out how this all turns out.

Review: The Foundling by Georgette Heyer

genre: fiction
source: publicist

It is hard to be a rich and powerful Duke, especially when you are 24 and treated like a child. Gilly, the Duke of Sale, finally had his fill of over protection and coddling - and as soon as an opportunity for excitement presented itself, he grabbed it and ran. In this story, he stumbles into all sorts of scrapes and causes all kinds of anxiousness among the throngs of folks who had been watching out for him. Part soap-opera and part temerarious adventure, The Foundling doesn't take you where you expect it to.

Which is why I had to put it down mid-way through. I'm SORRY, I'm sorry. I know Georgette Heyer is supposed to be amazing, which is why I won't give up on her after this one. The writing is great, I loved how we kept switching from point of view to point of view to get the story from different angles. I think my problem was expectations - I was looking for romance and this is definitely more of a Wilkie-Collins-esq crime story than a romantic tale.

Please check out another review:
Swords and Dreams
Goodreads

And if you have a suggestion for a different Georgette Heyer to read, I'd love to hear it :)