The Hound of the Baskervilles . . .

 

Sherlock Holmes. These days he's really popular. And how can you not enjoy the versions out there 

when you have this:    

  or this:   

But as I my friend told me, if you're going to read anything Sherlock Holmes, you better read The Hound of the Baskervilles. 

What surprised me was how entertained I was by reading it. I had no idea that Sir Arthur Conan Doyle (because, yes, you must say his whole name to get that hint of British authority) was so clever with words. This mysterious tale is really well-known and I knew what was going to happen going in, but I didn't realize that I would have such a great literary treat to sink my teeth in to. Told in the perspective of Watson, we get to see reports, journal entries, and firsthand experience. Holmes is eccentric, smart, and just as socially awkward as he is now often seen on screen. 

And really, who doesn't like a good old-fashioned ghost story about a hound?  You gotta read this book!

Blood Red Road

I finished the audiobook of Blood Red Road the other day, and I have to say it was thoroughly enjoyable, offering a story that was intriguing and heartfelt.  Saba and her twin brother, Lugh, live on the shores of Silverlake with their father and younger sister. Then, as it so often happens, something tragic affects the whole family and Saba finds herself on a dangerous journey in search of her brother. Tagging along is her younger sister, Emmy, who is just as stubborn as Saba, and there are plenty of twists and turns to keep the reader guessing. And, of course, there's a love story buried in there too.

I really liked the character Saba, who was fierce and hostile and vulnerable and gentile all rolled up together. If anything, her character kept me coming back. She was strong and defiant, stubborn and defensive, yet her insights were some of the best lines. And her hope of finding Lugh was the heart of the whole book.

I liked it so much that I wanted to see the text—and I was in for quite the surprise. There are no quotation marks. As an editor, I was appalled. Where are our curly little friends? Not found in this book. And then I was immensely glad that I had listened to it, for it was beautiful to listen to, but it would have bugged the heck out of me if I had to read it.

This book is for teens and has some swearing in it. And there are a few intense scenes of fighting and people dying. But it's well worth the read—or listen!

Ender's Game . . . and running

 Ender's Game . . . people were astonished I hadn't read yet. Well, now I've read it.  And I liked it.

The story shocked me from the beginning because of the violence. I wasn't expecting nor the swearing. But about halfway through the swearing seems to be less frequent and the violence is just how the world has been created. Orson Scott Card is a great writer, although I hated all the comma splices he peppered the dialogue with—my editor instinct wanted to change them to periods or em-dashes.  My other complaint was he rarely tagged his dialogue.

The story, thought—the story! I loved the storyline. Little genius children who change the world . . . and ultimately they do change the world. By the end of the book, I had a desire to read more about Ender, Bean, and the others. There were so many interesting characters and intriguing situations. I really felt sorry for Ender, who had incredible talent and empathy, but had to use those things that were violent. I love it when a story makes me think.

In other news, I've started running again. I'm trying to find a route that is about 5K long, so I can start preparing for the race on June 2. I think I have found one, but I'll have to run faster if I want t get in a good workout before work. I'm also in need of getting a good running shoe, so wish me luck. My feet will appreciate it!

The Big Over Easy

I will be upfront and say that The Big Over Easy wasn't one of my favorite books to read, which isn't to say it isn't written well, because it's witty, has several laugh-out-loud moments, and is quite clever. But . . . it was a little bizarre for me.

With the popularity increase of fairy tales (Once Upon a Time; Mirror, Mirror; and so on), The Big Over Easy fits right in, and I was eager to see how the author entwined the fairy tale characters into one world. It focuses on Jack Spratt, detective of the lowly Nursery Crime Division, and his investigation of Humpty Dumpty's death. Numerous fairy tale characters popped as detectives, suspects, family members, and wealthy entrepreneurs.  As Jack starts to make headway with case, he's confronted by corrupted police officers and bewildering connections. And overall it was a lot of fun. Yet it was just a little strange from time to time. From the mad scientist that put a kitten's head on a fish to the mansion that wasn't all that it seemed to be, this book poked fun at detective story stereotypes and plots. And it made for a bewildering experience.

Yet the book has not left me. I still think about the plot . . . and the ending. That ending was something else, and apparently quite memorable. I finished this book about a month ago and I can still remember a lot of details, which is pretty amazing.  And it makes me think that perhaps I should give another of Jasper Fforde's books a try. You never know, I might like it better.

 There is some mild swearing and a few adult-type situations, so it's not really meant for kids. I would give it 3 out of 5 stars.

The Crystal Cave

 The Crystal Cave by Mary Stewart is a fantastic coming-of-age story about the famous wizard Merlin. As some of you may know, I've been slightly obsessed with the BBC One TV series Merlin. Okay, perhaps "slightly obsessed" is an understatement . . . I really, really like the TV show to the point that I talk about it a lot with my friends and family. In any case, I found out about The Crystal Cave from other fans and, funny enough, Colin Morgan, who plays Merlin. He'd recommended the book in an interview that I read online, and so I figured why not.

To be honest, I tried to imagine Stewart's Merlin to look like the TV show's Merlin—and really, who can blame me? Have you seen Colin Morgan? He is quite attractive, and then you get the added bonus of Arthur, played by James Bradley, who's handsome as well. 

Well, It didn't quite work out as planned, but it was fun trying. Stewart's Merlin is less about actual magic and more about being a seer, a definite twist on the story. The novel is filled with so much imagery that it was easy to imagine yourself in that time and discover the United Kingdom from a different perspective. Written over thirty years ago, this book is a thought-provoking read. At times, it can be humorous but for the most part it's a coming-of-age tale about how a young Merlin grows to fame before he becomes Arthur's adviser. 

I really enjoyed this book. It's a different take on Arthurian legend and really incorporates the geography of old legends. It made me wish that I knew more about Britain than I really do.