The first month of 2013 has come to an end...already. Is it just me or does time seem to be flying? I can't believe it is February already. Other than reading a whole lot of books and buying just as many, I haven't really accomplished much. But since I've decided to read 150 books this year, reading a whole lot of books is a good thing. And I must say, I've really enjoyed what I've read this month. Here's a rundown:
1. House of Mystery (Graphic Novels) #1-4: I'm a big fan of this series creator Bill Willingham. His Fables series is one of my favorites. Author Matthew Sturges takes Willingham's concept and runs with it. And while this one does not, yet, live up to Fables, I definitely enjoy it and can't wait to read more. The series centers around a group of characters who are stuck in The House of Mystery. Other colorful characters come and go from the House which is actually more of a bar/way-station than a House, but the main group of 4-5 characters are tied to the House in a way that does not allow them to leave. Various nefarious characters and creatures want to get into the House...including its original owner, Cain of Cain and Abel fame. Mysteries and adventures ensue. If you like graphic novels and especially creator Bill Willingham, check it out.
2. Sweet Tooth (GN) #1-3: Jeff Lemire has created an very interesting world in this graphic novel series. Sweet Tooth is set in a world in which a virus has made it impossible for people to produce normal children. Children are now born with distinct animal features. Sweet Tooth is one such child. He is part deer. After the last of his family dies, he is left alone until a rather ominous man stumbles across him and promises to take him to a safe place. Along the way we meet some new helpful and not so helpful characters, all who are seriously flawed, but their colorfulness adds a weird sense of reality in this rather odd world. I'm not exactly sure where this series is headed, but each volume has been entertaining so far.
3. Life of Pi by Yann Martel: Not sure why I took so long to actually get around to reading this book as I've owned it for years, but the release of the movie finally got it off the shelf and into my hand. I don't know what I was expecting of the book, but it wasn't a thought provoking story that stuck with me long after I put the book down. I enjoyed the book so much I actually put off watching the movie (I still haven't seen it) because I didn't want to take the chance of the movie ruining the books experience for me. Definitely recommend this book to everyone.
4. The Raven Boys (The Raven Cycle #1) by Maggie Stiefvater: Stiefvater has a way with words. I don't know how she does it, but she manages to pull me into a story and makes me enjoy something that, in the hands of another author, would be horrible. This book includes rich (and not so rich) prep school boys, an awkward girl who's is the only non-medium member of a family of psychics, ghost and weird, creepy locations that don't necessarily follow time in the traditional sense. Any one of those things could be a story by itself, but this book includes them all and makes it work. If you're a fan of young adult sci-fi/fantasy, check it out, but it isn't a book for everyone.
5. The Art of Fielding by Chad Harbach: This was my favorite read of the month and will probably make an end of the year "best of list". Centering around a group of students at a Midwestern university, this novel is full of heart and soul. While baseball plays a big part in the book, it is the device used to bring these students together, not the subject in which the plot revolves around. The way the characters change, grow and interact will leave you wishing you knew them for real. I highly recommend this book.
6. A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire #1) by George R.R. Martin: I have a hard time reading fantasy. It tends to bore me with world building before the plot actually gets moving causing me to stop reading before anything happens. Not the case with Martin. With this book, he manages to build a world without forsaking the movement of plot. Rather than spending the first third of the book informing the reader of the book about the world, he jumps right into the story and builds the world as he goes. And what a world it is! Now I will admit to having watched the first 2 seasons of the HBO television show before starting this series, but I would have no problem hating the books if Martin fell into Tolkien's way of writing. But it turns out HBO did an amazing job adapting the book. Read the book, watch the show...doesn't matter to me, but definitely experience this world some how. You won't regret it. I can't wait to continue with the book series.
7. Eve and Adam by Michael Grant: Back when I still worked at the bookstore, I randomly picked up an advanced readers copy of a book called Gone by this guy who I had never heard of but later found out was behind the Animorph books. Once I learned that, I was really skeptical about reading Gone. Then I read it and Michael Grant immediately became an author I followed in anticipation of new books. And since reading Gone, I've not been disappointed. Eve and Adam is (obviously) a play on the Creation story of Adam and Eve. Except in Grant's book, Eve gets to create Adam. But the story is about way more than that...Adam is actually a pretty minor character in the book. There's love, dysfunction (familial and romantic), cooperate malfeasance and a lot of fun. It's a book geared towards young adults, but who cares?
8. Poison Study and Assassin Study by Maria V. Snyder: Poison Study is the first in a series that I now look forward to finishing. Assassin Study is a short story that takes place immediately following the end of Poison Study centering on the male lead from Poison Study. While there is a lot wrong with the book, mainly the main character is too perfect at everything, the story is definitely enjoyable. It is marketed as an adult fantasy, but reads more young adult and could easily be recommended to young adults. The lead characters is a female who is about to be hung for murder when she is offered the chance to become the poison taster for the Commander of the country she lives in. She is trained by the country's chief assassin who is the other primary character. While the book is about the girl, it is a book easily enjoyed by male and female audiences as guys will immediately be drawn to the male characters for the story. There is a bit of a love story, but it is subtle until the end and might even come as a bit of a surprise when it does surface. The book was very well received by critics on its release and after having read it, I can understand why. I look forward to finishing the series...especially now that I own all the books.
9. The World We Found by Thrity Umrigar: I'm going to start by saying that if my book club hadn't been reading this book, I would have never picked it up. I have very little interest in Indian culture so reading a book primarily set in India didn't interest me. That being said, I'm glad I read it. The author did a great job of developing the characters so it didn't seem like a chore getting to know them. I learned a lot about the struggles of living in India, especially struggles between the Muslims and Hindus. The book is a short, easy read...just over 300 pages. But be prepared to wish for another 100 pages. And if you like all the loose ends of a story tied up, this book isn't for you, but if you're a fan of ambiguous endings, you'll love it.
February is already stacking up to be a busy reading month. I have 8-10 books I'd like to get through this month so stay tuned to find out how I do. Ja
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