It's Monday, April 30th! What Are You Reading?

Hosted by Sheila from Book Journey, this is a weekly event to share what we've read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

Finished Last Week:



Currently Reading:



Currently Listening:

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy was another DNF. While I enjoy John Le Carre's novels, this one just did not work on audio. I definitely want to try this in print. Someday.



Up Next:



What are you reading this week?

The Sunday Salon - April 29 Edition

Guten Morgen, meine Liebchen! I am coming to you from one amazingly clean house. The floors have been repaired and cleaned. The windows have been washed. The walls have all been painted the same beige color.

This is me with my colored walls:




This is me without my colored walls:




I just cannot get over how much of a difference it makes to have neutral wall colors throughout the house. It definitely does not feel like my house anymore, which I guess is the point.

On the plus side, in preparation for the big For Sale sign, which should go up today, I scrubbed the house from top to bottom, in a true Spring cleaning binge. It is beautiful, if I do say so myself. The bumps, bruises, chapped hands, aching back, and very sore muscles are worth it. The challenge will be to keep it looking this awesome until we get a big Sold sign.

In case you didn't notice, I made my decision about work this week. I shared my thoughts on this week's Fabulous Friday.

Reviewed this week:

• The Marbled Swarm by Dennis Cooper
• The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross
• Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

The Marbled Swarm was one of the strangest books I have ever read; I cannot stop thinking about it. I don't know what that says about me. 

Speaking of reading, it is time for me to do nothing but read today. I'm making up for yesterday. Have a great Sunday, everyone. Happy reading!

Fabulous Friday - April 27th

Well, I might not have said that, but I have a "thanks but no thanks" discussion with the new company. They were not very happy and may have commented about the expense of bringing me up to HQ in order to "make it work." I remained very polite and confirmed that I would work until they no longer needed me or until the lights are turned off for the last time. On the inside, I was doing a happy dance, one I have continued to perform internally since then. So this is a very fabulous Friday indeed.

What makes this a fabulous Friday for you?

Review - Under the Never Sky by Veronica Rossi

Title: Under the Never Sky
Author: Veronica Rossi
ISBN: 9780062072030
No. of Pages: 384
Genre: YA, Science Fiction
Synopsis:

"Since she’d been on the outside, she’d survived an Aether storm, she’d had a knife held to her throat, and she’d seen men murdered. This was worse.

Exiled from her home, the enclosed city of Reverie, Aria knows her chances of surviving in the outer wasteland—known as The Death Shop—are slim. If the cannibals don’t get her, the violent, electrified energy storms will. She’s been taught that the very air she breathes can kill her. Then Aria meets an Outsider named Perry. He’s wild—a savage—and her only hope of staying alive.

A hunter for his tribe in a merciless landscape, Perry views Aria as sheltered and fragile—everything he would expect from a Dweller. But he needs Aria’s help too; she alone holds the key to his redemption. Opposites in nearly every way, Aria and Perry must accept each other to survive. Their unlikely alliance forges a bond that will determine the fate of all who live under the never sky."

Thoughts: The haves versus the have-nots - they have been at the front of most novels for hundreds of years. In Veronica Rossi's world of Under the Never Sky, the haves do have everything, courtesy of a virtual world in which the inhabitants spend a large majority of their life. The have-nots are left to fend for themselves in a brutal world that pits man vs. man vs. mother nature. Into this harsh world Aria is thrust and left to her own devices, until she joins forces with Perry. Then the fun really begins.

Under the Never Sky falls into the very popular dystopian fiction genre. While touted as YA, it has a decidedly adult feel to it, as the problems Perry and Aria face are anything but child-like. Their actions, mannerisms, and thoughts are also extremely grown-up and thoughtful, something which is always attractive to readers outside of the target audience. This is one of those series that crosses generations, accessible and enjoyable to readers of all ages.

Ms. Rossi's use of language is perfect for the stark landscape in which Aria finds herself. In many ways, it mirrors the harsh environment, with descriptions that are effective with minimal word usage. In addition, she provides enough character development to keep readers engaged with the characters while not detracting from the action and adventure that remains at the heart of the story. Ms. Rossi's writing shows a level of a maturity that belies her debut novel status, providing more proof that Under the Never Sky is going to be a popular series.

With elements of Ready Player One, The Maze Runner series, Dune, The Hunger Games series, and more, Under the Never Sky is the ultimate combination of elements in previously successful dystopian novels, twisted in such a way to make each element fresh and exciting. Aria might not start out as a strong heroine but she evolves into an admirable role model that draws the sympathy and support of the reader. The worlds of Reverie and the Outside are a brutal reminder of the damage that could still happen due to global warming and a growing dependency on the virtual world. Almost non-stop action along with a decent amount of character development combines to create this thrilling new series that will leave readers anticipating the release date of the next story.

Acknowledgments: Thank you to the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association trade show for my review copy!

Review - The Girl in the Steel Corset by Kady Cross

Title: The Girl in the Steel Corset
Author: Kady Cross
ISBN: 9781459205383
No. of Pages: 259
Genre: Steampunk
Synopsis:

"In 1897 England, sixteen-year-old Finley Jayne has no one...except the thing inside her.
When a young lord tries to take advantage of Finley, she fights back. And wins. But no normal Victorian girl has a darker side that makes her capable of knocking out a full-grown man....

Only Griffin King sees the magical darkness inside her that says she's special, says she's one of them. The orphaned duke takes her in against the wishes of his band of misfits: Emily, who has her own abilities and an unrequited love for Sam, who is part robot; and Jasper, an American cowboy with a secret.

Griffin's investigating a criminal called The Machinist, the mastermind behind several recent crimes by automatons. Finley thinks she can help--and finally be a part of something, finally fit in.

But The Machinist wants to tear Griff's company of strays apart, and it isn't long before trust is tested on all sides. At least Finley knows whose side she's on--even if no one believes her."

Thoughts: Steampunk is such a fun genre. To see an author's vision of the past as it might have been had the use of steam been more prolific and accessible is always amusing. In Kady Cross' version of the past, not only does she create a vibrant world filled with futuristic gadgets and appliances, she also creates a world where evolution occurs much faster than it should thanks to mysterious organisms found underneath the Earth's crust. Combined together, these elements set the backdrop for the entertaining story that is The Girl in the Steel Corset.

Finley Jayne has some issues. In modern-day parlance, one might accuse Finley of having a major case of PMS, even if her mood swings are more frequent than hormones would explain. She vacillates between meek humility to murderous rage in fractions of a second. This darkness, or her other side, attracts her to Griffin King, someone with his own mysterious secrets and more money and power than any one person should have. What ensues is the typical paranormal romantic fare with a steampunk twist.

The Girl in the Steel Corset is not going to win any awards for literary genius. While pleasurable, there is a triviality to the story that prevents a reader from becoming wholly absorbed in it. The writing is trite at times, and there is an uneven balance between descriptions and character development, as if Ms. Cross could not decide on which of the two to concentrate. The result is a jaggedness to the flow of the story, which unfolds in fits and starts as it waffles between action, establishing the setting, and character insight.

With elements of Terminator and other stories in which robots (aka automatons) run amok, The Girl in the Steel Corset is decidedly familiar, while the Victorian elements of the story build the sense of unfamiliar that is essential to the creation of tension in any novel. Finley is an intriguing heroine, capable of supporting herself and yet surprisingly fragile and sympathetic.While it is not the strongest new release in the YA genre, reading it is still a pleasurable way to spend an afternoon or two.

Acknowledgments: Mine. All mine.

Review - The Marbled Swarm by Dennis Cooper

Title: The Marbled Swarm
Author: Dennis Cooper
ISBN: 9780061715631
No. of Pages: 194
Genre: General Fiction
Synopsis:

"The Marbled Swarm is Dennis Cooper’s most haunting work to date. In secret passageways, hidden rooms, and the troubled mind of our narrator, a mystery perpetually takes shape—and the most compelling clue to its final nature is “the marbled swarm” itself, a complex amalgam of language passed down from father to son.

Cooper ensnares the reader in a world of appearances, where the trappings of high art, old money, and haute cuisine obscure an unspeakable system of coercion and surrender. And as the narrator stalks an elusive truth, traveling from the French countryside to Paris and back again, the reader will be seduced by a voice only Dennis Cooper could create."

Thoughts: Before anyone contemplates reading The Marbled Swarm by Dennis Cooper, please note that the language is extremely rough, but more importantly the subject matter is seriously disturbing. One could take this as a sign of Mr. Cooper's genius in that he challenges the reader's sensibilities, or one could believe that Mr. Cooper may need to seek psychiatric help for his depraved subject matter. No matter what one feels about the main character of his novel however, one must laud Mr. Cooper for his ability to play with the language, rendering it completely unfamiliar and forcing the reader to wrest any meaning through painstaking and careful reading.

To say The Marbled Swarm is a difficult read is an understatement of the greatest magnitude; it makes Nabokov's Lolita seem like a children's bedtime story. First off, there is the narrator and his actions as he takes the reader through his horrific past and gruesome present. He surrounds himself with friends who share his more perverse proclivities, and some of the scenes about his "hobby" that ensue make the bloodiest horror movie pale in comparison. Even worse are his actions towards his brother and the horrible mental game his father unknowingly played with both his brother and him. The entire backstory of the narrator is enough to send shivers up and down the spine of the reader or send one running to the bathroom before losing one's stomach contents.

Yet, this is a novel that one is compelled to continue reading. The reader never really knows if the narrator is telling the truth or presenting his past as he would prefer it to have happened. The Marbled Swarm could be construed as one huge psychological study on the use of language to obfuscate the truth. As upsetting as the narrator's story is, the possibility that it is all a delusion allows the reader to power through to the end in order to resolve the mystery without having to question one's own mindset.

The Marbled Swarm is disturbing in its depravity but absolutely brilliant in its use of language. It is one novel that is not going to attract a large following because it is one of the most challenging reads ever published. For those readers who persevere, one will be rewarded with an entirely new appreciation for the English language and the power of words to hide or tell the truth.

Acknowledgments: Thank you to Erica Barmash from Harper Perennial for my review copy and for bringing to my attention some of the most challenging books I have ever had the pleasure of reading!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - April 23rd

Hosted by Sheila from Book Journey, this is a weekly event to share what we've read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

Finished Last Week:



Currently Reading:



Currently Listening:



Up Next:



What are you reading this week?

The Sunday Salon - April 22nd

Guten Tag, meine Liebchen. It is late in the afternoon on this gloomy and cold Sunday. As I rock out to Glee's version of the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack, work continues on Project Get-The-House-Ready-To-Sell. Our hardwood floors have been sanded, re-stained, and sealed. The polyurethane goes on tomorrow morning. The painters are next, followed by the window cleaners. We cleaned out all the closets yesterday, and next weekend's big project is cleaning and organizing the kitchen. By this time next week, we should have a For Sale sign in our front yard. Then will start the begging for prayers that we sell our house in a month or less in order to keep us on schedule to move well before the new school year. It is a scary/thrilling/intense situation.

Remember last week when I mentioned I was going to HQ for a mysterious meeting with the head of the department? I went, and it was definitely not what I expected. I was basically given his reasons why they were hesitant to offer me a job. It seems one of my former coworkers has been telling tales about my performance and my ability to work with others, and the person with whom I was talking never bothered to double check this information with HR. So, I was graciously offered an ultimatum that if I became more "collaborative" and developed "more productive relationships", they would allow me to work at HQ in a temp capacity after we moved while they assessed whether I was a good fit for the company. If they find that I am not a good fit, they will give me my 60-day notice as per the terms of my severance agreement. If they find that they do want me, only then will I be placed into a permanent position somewhere within the organization. ***blank stare***

Yeah. My thoughts on this entire discussion are not fit to print. I was gracious and left it open that I would be willing to accept their wonderful proposal. However, I keep going back and forth about whether I want to work for such a company. On the one hand, I need a job when we move. I am working with a recruiter in the area who is trying to help me find a job but to no avail at this point in time. On the other hand, I feel like I have been given so many mixed messages and they have handled this entire acquisition SO poorly that I am not certain this company is for me. Perhaps it would be better for both parties if I called a halt to everything now and just say that I will work as per my retention and severance agreements but part ways after that. I know it would bring me a sense of much-needed closure and allow me to focus on finding a much-needed position in our new location. I have a feeling this week coming up will be another emotional week filled with much soul-searching. (Yes, Bryan, I still need that ketchup.)

Did you check out the books I reviewed this week? John Green is quickly becoming one of my all-time favorite authors. I have yet to read a bad book written by him, but his latest is pure genius. I have a feeling I am going to be raving about it for a long time to come.

• The Fault in Our Stars by John Green
• Across the Universe by Beth Revis
• First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde

Don't forget to vote for your favorite bloggers (ideally me) in the Goodreads Independent Book Bloggers Awards. Voting ends tomorrow.

That's about it from here. It has been a long week/month/year. I am going to take these last few hours of the weekend and relax. Have a great Sunday afternoon, everyone. Happy reading!

Don't Forget to Vote!

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Fabulous Friday - April 20th

I confess I am struggling to find something fabulous about this Friday. While it has not been a horrible week, all of the stress, uncertainty, and complete upheaval in my life in recent months is finally catching up to me, plunging me into a state of near-depression. All I can come up with today is to celebrate the fact that it is Friday and a much-needed weekend away from work is nigh. Sometimes, the simple reminders are the best.

What makes this a Fabulous Friday for you?

Audiobook Review - First Among Sequels by Jasper Fforde

Title: Thursday Next: First Among Sequels
Author: Jasper Fforde
Narrator: Emily Gray
ISBN: 9781428156647
Audiobook Length: 12 hours, 32 minutes, 32 seconds
Genre: Fiction, Mystery
Synopsis:

"With Thursday Next: First Among Sequels, Jasper Fforde's famous literary detective is once again ready to make the world safe for fiction. Thursday Next is grappling with a host of problems in BookWorld: a recalcitrant new apprentice, the death of Sherlock Holmes, and the inexplicable departure of comedy from the once-hilarious Thomas Hardy novels, to name just a few - all while captaining the ship Moral Dilemma and facing down her most vicious enemy yet: herself."

Thoughts: When last readers left Thursday Next, she had succeeded in saving the world...again...while finding her happily ever after with Landon, Friday, and the rest of her family and friends. First Among Sequels begins over a decade later, as readers discover the changes that have occurred since the Superhoop Championship which made Thursday a minor celebrity throughout the world. As in stories past, she is once again forced to defend her life against malevolent, shadowy figures about whom she must solve the mystery to save her own life and that of the rest of the world.

First Among Sequels is slow to start, as it tries to find its stride against the large amount of backstory necessary to bring the reader up-to-date on the characters' lives after such a long elapse of time. Unfortunately, it never really succeeds in picking up as in past stories and remains a lukewarm mystery with a recycled air about the entire plot. The ne'er-do-wells in this novel are not as clear-cut, proving it difficult for readers to support Thursday or even feel much anxiety about her fate.

Even the gags, the asides, and the literary references seem dull and uninspired this time. In fact, for the first time, some of the ridiculous scenarios in which Thursday finds herself are just that - ridiculous and worthy of multiple eye rolls. There is still some hilarity to be found - the references to Thomas Hardy writing funny novels are particularly inspired - but it does not have that spark which readers have come to expect from Fforde and Thursday Next.

Emily Gray remains an adequate narrator for the Thursday Next series. Her voice is in fact extremely suitable for Thursday's character with her wryness and wit that she portrays so easily to listeners. The continued issue with Ms. Gray as a narrator for this series is her poor performance of other characters, especially the males. She continues to struggle with the male voice, succeeding more in making them come across as a dopey facsimile of men than of something remotely accurate and somewhat realistic. Considering that Thursday is the type of character that surrounds herself with male figures rather than girlfriends, the number of male voices Ms. Gray is forced to portray is torturous and detracts from a listener's overall enjoyment of a normally delightful series.

First Among Sequels is not the strongest in the Thursday Next series from a story's perspective, but in true Fforde fashion, it retains the sense of comedic irony and tongue-in-cheek history for which he is known. The plot, unfortunately, remains stale, while the gags, while there, are for the most part lackluster and uninspired. Fans of the series will enjoy this return to Thusday's world but should enter into reading it with lower expectations than one might have previously held.

Acknowledgments: Mine. All mine.

Review - Across the Universe by Beth Revis

Title: Across the Universe
Author: Beth Revis
ISBN: 9780141333663
No. of Pages: 416
Genre: Science Fiction, YA
Synopsis:

"Amy is a cryogenically frozen passenger aboard the vast spaceship Godspeed. She expects to awaken on a new planet, 300 years in the future. But fifty years before Godspeed's scheduled landing, Amy's cryo chamber is unplugged, and she is nearly killed.

Now, Amy is caught inside an enclosed world where nothing makes sense. Godspeed's passengers have forfeited all control to Eldest, a tyrannical and frightening leader, and Elder, his rebellious and brilliant teenage heir.

Amy desperately wants to trust Elder. But should she? All she knows is that she must race to unlock Godspeed's hidden secrets before whoever woke her tries to kill again."

Thoughts: In Beth Revis'  Across the Universe, mankind has been hurtling towards a new planet and unknown salvation for generations. The heroine Amy is thrust into this new world by accident as she is cryogenically unfrozen fifty years before she should be. What is supposed to be a mission of peace and survival quickly grows cloudy and confusing as she discovers the changes over 200 years on-board have wrought mankind and finds clues that lead her to believe that the mission about which her parents were so passionate may not be as peaceful as she initially believes. It is this air of mystery and potential doom into which Amy is thrust while trying to make sense of her new surroundings and find allies sympathetic to all her foreignness.  Across the Universe begins with an intense moral dilemma and quickly moves on from there to mystery, intrigue, and a glorious amount of realistic science fiction that will makes readers eagerly anticipate more from this talented writer and her spooky, intense new series.

The wonderful thing about Across the Universe is the fact it portrays science without romanticizing it. The description of the cryogenic freezing process is horrifying, which adds an air of reality to this piece of science fiction. More importantly, it is exactly what more pragmatic minds would consider when freezing someone alive. Even better, Ms. Revis discusses the ramifications of being cryogenically frozen and woken generations later. The adjustments to this new life are lengthy and confusing, and it is not as simple as waking up and moving forward with one's life without missing a beat. In other words, Ms. Revis presents her plausible science with all of the ethical and moral dilemmas that should also coincide with advances in science.

Another strength of  Across the Universe is the mystery. This is much more than Amy's confusion about Elder and her concerns about life on Godspeed. It is the overarching mystery about the Godspeed's true mission, the reason why certain people were frozen, and what they hope to obtain when they reach their destination. There are hints throughout the novel that all is not as rosy as Amy was led to believe, but at this point in time they are nothing but shadowy clues. While in more poorly written stories, the lack of answers could be bothersome, under Ms. Revis' skill, however, the reader is only drawn more fully into the story of the Godspeed.

Ms. Revis' debut novel is as good as they come. It has all the harbingers of its successful predecessors in its particular genre while being completely unique. Amy is a strong and sympathetic character, and a reader instantly bonds with her confusion, her desire for answers, and her issues adjusting to her new life. The story ends satisfactorily but builds anticipation for the rest of the series and the sought-after answers which remain nebulous and filled with potential. In other words, Across the Universe is a more than welcome addition to the YA science fiction canon.

Acknowledgments: Thank you to the Great Lakes Independent Booksellers Association and their trade show for my review copy!

Review - The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

Title: The Fault in Our Stars
Author: John Green
ISBN: 9780525478812
No. of Pages: 313
Genre: YA
Synopsis:

"Despite the tumor-shrinking medical miracle that has bought her a few years, Hazel has never been anything but terminal, her final chapter inscribed upon diagnosis. But when a gorgeous plot twist named Augustus Waters suddenly appears at Cancer Kid Support Group, Hazel's story is about to be completely rewritten."

Thoughts: For those who may doubt John Green's writing abilities, one need look no further than his latest novel, The Fault in Our StarsS. It is proof positive that not only can he write one amazing story, he keeps readers wanting more in spite of the most tragic plot lines possible. The Fault in Our Stars is more than just another YA novel; it is a testament to humanity's ability to find love in even the most trying of circumstances.

One knows from reading the synopsis that The Fault in Our Stars is not going to be the cheeriest of novels. It is because of Mr. Green's skill as an author that he is able to balance that fine line between pathos and the more macabre. More importantly, he is able to maximize the emotional impact without becoming overly verbose, something that allows the story and the characters to speak for themselves. The magic happens when the reader sits back and enjoys the ride rather than trying to figure out the fate of each character.

As with other Green novels, the characters are so real and truly make the novel. Readers cannot help but fall in love with them, as Green makes it so easy to do so. In The Fault in Our Stars, Green gives the world Gus. Everyone needs someone like Gus in their life. Not only is he charming and gorgeous, his zest for life is simply infectious. He knows how to bring people out of their shells and enjoy the gift of life. Readers get the benefit of this gift, as the scenes with Gus simply sparkle.

The story is told through Hazel's point of view, thereby affording readers a glimpse of what life is like for those with cancer. While Hazel is in remission of sorts, she knows she is living on borrowed time. Yet, through Green's stunning prose, a reader never feels sorry for her. Instead, a reader will recognize the need to survive that exists in everyone.

Together, Hazel and Gus embody all humans. Their yin and yang relationship highlights the need for balance in everyone's life as well as the more obvious lesson to take the good with the bad that life throws one's way. Not only are they the world's cutest couple, they are an excellent metaphor for life.

The Fault in Our Stars is not so much a coming-of-age novel as it is a life-affirming novel. It is about dealing with the hand one is dealt without regrets, and learning to enjoy life in spite of its foibles. In true Green fashion, The Fault in Our Stars is a reminder of happiness through tears, joy through pain, and life over death. Worthy of all of the gushing and accolades it has been receiving since before its initial release date, The Fault in Our Stars will deservedly take its place among one of the best novels of 2012.

Acknowledgements: Mine. All mine.

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? - April 16th

Hosted by Sheila from Book Journey, this is a weekly event to share what we've read in the past week and what we hope to read, plus whatever else comes to mind.

Finished Last Week:



The Marbled Swarm is an incredibly disturbing novel but I couldn't stop reading it.

Currently Reading:



Tender Is the Night is another book club selection so expect to see this on here for the next month or so!

Currently Listening:

The Tin Drum ended up being a DNF. After listening for three hours, I could not tell you what was happening in the story. Mental note - magical realism on audio is not for me.



Up Next:

?

What are you reading this week?

The Sunday Salon - April 15th

Guten Morgen, meine Liebchen! I know that it sounds like I am repeating myself, but at the same time, this really has been quite the last few weeks. Insane really. I am more than ready to get off this roller coaster.

First, let me address my silence from last week. We were on vacation, visiting Jim's family in Houston. With his father being so sick, it was great to see him before he got too bad. His father has Lewy Body Dementia disorder and is not doing very well. He barely knew who I was, let alone the kids. His body is definitely feeling the effects of the Parkinsons'-like symptoms. Even worse, Jim's mom is stuck bearing the brunt of all this. She spends her days going back and forth between the assisted living facility where her husband currently lives and the assisted living facility where her mother lives. To say she is exhausted is the understatement of the year. I feel so badly for her and pray that she receives some more help soon.

The week away from work was wonderful albeit way too short. I worked remotely during the week to conserve vacation days, but it was so peaceful to step away from the office for a while. The weather definitely made the trip worthwhile, as it was in the low to mid-80s the entire time we were there. SO gorgeous! We thoroughly enjoyed our time by the pool, at the shooting range, and the time with family.

We returned on Easter, spend the day recovering, and arrived back to work on Monday to a shocker. On the one hand, Jim was officially offered a promotion and nice raise for a position at our headquarters in Beloit. I was offered...nothing. I was told that they have no positions for me at all. In fact, HR is supposedly trying to find a position for me outside of the company. So, on the one hand, we are officially moving to either southern Wisconsin or northern Illinois. We want to celebrate Jim's promotion but cannot because I officially have no job once this one is done, which they are now predicting will happen in October.

Jim did express his concerns and disappointment about my lack of prospects to HR and to his current boss. Conveniently, I received a phone call from the person in charge of my department late Friday afternoon. He wants me to fly to Beloit on Monday to have an in-person chat about my prospects with the company. That would be a $1,000 trip to Beloit for one day for a 90-minute conversation in which he already told me he still has no positions available for me at this point in time. It seems like a complete waste of money and time to me. It isn't as if I don't have an actual job to do either. I am not a huge fan of these 12-hour trips either. They are absolutely exhausting. Needless to say, I am not completely happy about the turn of events.

The plan now is to put the house up for sale as soon as possible. We want to move before July but need the house sold before we can do so. My parents have graciously offered to take our dogs for us, so that is one less worry/complication. We are getting price quotes now on the few repairs we need, painting, and some other odds and ends we neither have the time to do nor the inclination. Once these are done, the house goes on the market. Hopefully, we can sell it sooner rather than later. As long as we can pay off our mortgage and move before July, we will consider ourselves lucky.

On the blog this week, I reviewed the following:

• Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
• Lady Chatterley's Lover by D. H. Lawrence
• Starcrossed by Josephine Angelini
• Nice Girls Don't Bite Their Neighbors by Molly Harper (audiobook)
• Linger by Maggie Stiefvater
• Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
• The Night Eternal by Guillermo del Toro and Chuck Hogan
• The Princess Bride by William Goldman

I also solicited votes for the Independent Book Blogger Awards hosted by Goodreads. I hope you decide to vote for me!

For now, I have more prep work to complete. Closets need organizing, drawers need cleaning. There is too much to do and not enough time left in which to get it all done. I hope everyone else is able to enjoy your Sunday. Happy reading!

Review - The Princess Bride by William Goldman

Title: The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure; The "Good Parts" Version
Author: William Goldman
ISBN: 9780156035217
No. of Pages: 290
Genre: Fantasy
Synopsis:

"What happens when the most beautiful girl in the world marries the handsomest prince of all time and he turns out to be...well...a lot less than the man of her dreams?
As a boy, William Goldman claims, he loved to hear his father read the S. Morgenstern classic, The Princess Bride. But as a grown-up he discovered that the boring parts were left out of good old Dad's recitation, and only the "good parts" reached his ears.

Now Goldman does Dad one better. He's reconstructed the "Good Parts Version" to delight wise kids and wide-eyed grownups everywhere.

What's it about? Fencing. Fighting. True Love. Strong Hate. Harsh Revenge. A Few Giants. Lots of Bad Men. Lots of Good Men. Five or Six Beautiful Women. Beasties Monstrous and Gentle. Some Swell Escapes and Captures. Death, Lies, Truth, Miracles, and a Little Sex.

In short, it's about everything."

Thoughts:  The Princess Bride is one of my all-time favorite movies. From the first time I watched in, as a special treat in elementary school, I fell in love with this charming story filled with love, adventure, comedy, and so much more. No matter how often I view the movie, I continue to find it enjoyable and adorable. Like any good bibliophile, I have long desired to read the novel on which the movie is based. Now that I have done exactly that, I just want to forget that I ever read it and watch the movie a few hundred more times to scrub my brain from the annoying collection of words that is The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure; The "Good Parts" Version.


The biggest fault of the novel is that it tries too hard to be amusing. Goldman's supposed autobiographical memories about being read the story as a child, his constant interruptions of the narrative, the idea that the story is actually a piece of non-fiction, his arrogance - all of it is a little too forced, too saccharin to be enjoyable. Goldman does not need to interject these bits of "truth" into the story, as the story itself works better without the interruptions and reminders that Goldman is responsible for compiling the good parts of the story. As a reader, there is no need to pretend that this is a work of non-fiction. I want to be swept away by a delightful story, not have that story broken up by asides from the author.

More importantly, Goldman, the narrator, is simply unlikable. He is arrogant and somewhat crass. His relationships with his wife and child are disturbing in the manner that he is constantly scoping out other women and gives his work priority over any member of his family. His need to share his thoughts with the reader, no matter how mundane, belies a level of self-absorption that detracts from the overall charm of the story.

The parts without Goldman's interjections were exactly what I was hoping to find when reading the novel. I was impressed with just how closely the movie tied to the original story, and the changes that were made to the movie version did nothing but make it even more enjoyable. The novel itself is darker than the movie, in that Prince Humperdink is definitely a little more sadistic than even the movie portrays, and he has all the toys at his disposal to show the reader this. Still, the best scenes remain intact, and it was absolutely wonderful to see such memorable lines in print.

In my opinion, the tongue-in-cheek satire Goldman uses in The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure; The "Good Parts" Version to mock historians and history alike is unnecessary and does nothing but distract the reader from a great story. As a result, this is an example of the very infrequent scenario in which the movie adaptation is much better than the original print version of the story.

Acknowledgments: Mine. All mine.