Currently: October!

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CURRENTLY

(as written on Sunday afternoon)

Listening: the TV.... conference is over for a moment, and now there's political talk going on the TV. 

Eating: going to make more pumpkin cookies to take to the family gathering this evening. Lots and lots of cookies. But, we did have Hootenanny Pancakes this morning:



Loving:  that my daughter is home from the Shakespeare competition and  that she had fun and survived her first school trip experience and all is well!

Reading: Feedback by Robison Wells. Enjoying it. It stresses me out though. Read and finished Sulan this weekend too (by Camille Picott) which also stressed me out. I need a relaxing book!

Feeling: clean, just out of the shower!

Watching: Revenge (though not at this very moment) I've been catching up on season 1, watching two and three episodes at time the past few days. Good intense stuff. Loving Jack. :)




Wanting: to figure out how to make an Ezio costume for my son, the kid who never wants to dress up, but really wants to this year:




Needing: to write a ton of reviews. I don't usually get too behind, and... I'm behind.

Thinking: about book signings! Two big ones this week. Monday Maggie Stiefvater and Wednesday Lois Lowry. Fun, yes? 

Enjoying: Muse the 2nd Law.... especially Chris singing in this song:




What's going on with you this weekend? Anything you are currently doing that you'd like to share?

Book Review: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs

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Book: Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs
Genre: YA Fantasy.. with a mixed of history too.
Rating:★★★☆☆
For: RIP
From: a Christmas gift last year

What a strange little book! It appears to me the author came across some funky pictures, strange bizarre old pictures, and figured out a story to go along with them. Very fun idea, but sometimes I also felt it to be a little forced.

So there's this kid whose grandpa has told him some crazy stories about the past. When his grandpa suddenly dies, he leaves this boy with some mysterious last words. The boy (Jacob) is now obsessed with figuring it all out, so much so that his parents think he's gone a little crazy, but despite that (or because of that maybe) they let him, along with his dad, go investigate further.

This leads him to end up in Wales where his grandfather says he lived as one of those kids who got shipped off by their families to escape the horrors of WWII and hopefully live in a safe peaceful place. Jacob's hope is to find the lady who ran this home for children and see if any of the stories his grandfather talks about were true.

Well, yes, he finds the home and the lady and the kids, but it's not at all what he expected! Everything, not just the kids, is very peculiar! Wow, indeed. The more he learns, the stranger things get.

This book is definitely an interesting one. A strange mix of WWII history, fantasy, and horror. The pictures for sure add to the creep factor and make the story feel a bit real... sort of. For me, it felt real at first, and less and less so as things went along. I feel mixed in my review because I was quite into it all at the beginning, but sort of lost interest by the end. I think there's much much more to the story though, and so I'm assuming there's more books to come. And I do actually want to find out what happens next!

Bottom line: An interesting book that was entertaining and that I enjoyed for the most part.

Other Reviews:

The story is funny and poignant by turns, and effectively creepy throughout, enough to make me wish I’d read it on a foggy October evening. From Fyrefly's Book Blog

Do NOT read the eBook. Go out and get your hands on a physical copy. The holding of this book is as much a part of the experience as the reading of it. From Capricious Reader

For me, when I think about the story itself, I think the first half of it was the strongest. I loved the stories from Jacob’s grandpa, and the descriptions of the kids at the orphanage. From Reading in Winter

This was one story that I didn't feel like I was simply being told, but that I was actually IN the story as well. From One Literature Nut

It will give you the right amount of autumnal chills to drive back the summer heat and spending time with the peculiar children in Miss Peregrine’s home will bring back your own memories of magical childhood adventures. From Stainless Steel Droppings

Many bloggers mentioned the book trailer, and that it was a good one and actually made them want to check out the book, so I must share that too. What do you think?

Top Ten Tuesday: Rewind to Re-Read Wants

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This week for our Top Ten lists from The Broke and the Bookish we get to do a "rewind" meaning... pick a past topic and make another list. Now, while I shouldn't AT ALL be thinking about re-reading, what with all the piles and piles of NEW books around here to read, but still, I'm wondering what I'd put on that list if I didn't do any repeats at all from the first list (found  here) even though all those I still want to re-read, of course.

A "New" Top Ten Books I Want to Re-Read List

1. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
2. The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater
3. Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta
4. Warbreaker by Brandon Sanderson
5. The Queen of Atolia by Megan Whalen Turner
6. The Host by Stephenie Meyer
7. A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry
8. The Thirteenth Tale by Diane Setterfield
9. The Hollow City by Dan Wells
10. The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss

Wow, do I LOVE all those books or what? What books do you want to re-read.. even if you just barely read the book for the first time?

Book Review: The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle

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Book: The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
Genre: Classic
Rating: ★★★★☆
For: Double Classics Challenge and The Classics Club list
From: the very first book I added to my Kindle!

So, it only took me nearly six months to read this. This is in no way a reflection of the book itself, which is simply delightful, but rather my inability to concentrate on it and being distracted by too many other books.

But yes, I'm glad to have finally finished this quaint book so I can now say I've read one of the first Robin Hood books. I had to do a little Wikepedia research to find out if that's even the truth. (Because, as we know, Wikepedia is the place to go for said truth!) and I learned that this book was published in 1883....by an American no less. Wow, I would have guessed much earlier. And I also would have guessed he was British.

But regardless, Mr. Pyle took the ballads and stories of Robin Hood and compiled them into what they call "coherent narrative in a colorful, invented "old English" idiom." It was meant for children, which I can see a little, but I maintain that the "old English idiom" will/would/is a bit hard for kids to grasp. That being said, I think this book would be an absolute BLAST to read aloud. And kids will love it.

And while this book is not considered the "first" of course, it is considered the one that got everyone all interested in Robin Hood and sparked the retellings and fascination we see today. At least that's what some think.

The characters are wonderful, and it's a blast to meet them all and see how they are different or the same from other versions of Robin Hood. For instance, Little John is giant big and is proficient with a staff, but in this book, he is Robin Hood's closest friend out of all the guys in the gang. Some other stories I've read (or watched) have Much, the miller's son as his best friend (or Midge as he's called in this book.)

Will Scarlet is quite the dandy in this book, which is a little different that I'd thought of him, yet he IS a very strong and powerful one! Allan a Dale sings, as is his norm, and the Sheriff is as obnoxious as ever. Guy of Gisbourne shows up for only one story and he is quite the wimp, I see no tortured villain in him at all! (Must be just a BBC thing with that angle.)

But.. wait!!! There's no Maid Marian! (I think she is mentioned at the beginning, but never appears.) What's UP with that? So, that's one of my few complaints! How can there be Robin Hood without Marian? What was this author thinking?

But back to the language! I loved it! Such poetic fun style! Such description of these guys who are always "merry, lusty, stout, jolly, joyful, sweet" and etc. And verbs like "quoth, bade, jest, prate, spake" etc.

I highlighted a few passages that I liked, though I had to quit after awhile or I'd highlight the whole thing, and here's a couple to share:

The Little John turned to Robin Hood. "Why, how now, good master," said he. "Alas! Thou art in an ill plight. Marry, thy jerkin is all befouled with the dust of the road. Let me help thee to arise."

" A plague on thy aid!" cried Robin angrily. "I can get to my feet without help, good fellow."

Or this:

"Hold good cook!" said he. "Now, I bethink me it were ill of us to fight with good victuals standing so nigh, and such a feast as would befit two stout fellows such as we are. Marry, good friend, I think we should enjoy this fair feast ere we fight.  What sayest thou, jolly Cook?"

Isn't that just so tongue trippy? Makes me happy.

The stories are filled with sword fights, and archery contests, and mistaken identities, and lusty songs and ballads, and jokes and tricks and adventures, one after another after another. These boys had fun, I tell you! It covers the time from when Robin Hood first becomes an outlaw, takes us through how he meet all his jolly merry men, tells about all their adventures, and then sadly, we even are treated to the demise of poor Robin. Yes, a very very sad story there in the end and not jolly or merry at all.

Bottom line: I loved it. It was a blast to see the "beginning" of this tale.

Other Reviews:

It’s joyous and raucous and funny, and the characters, thinly sketched as they sometimes are, are really likable. From 50 Books Project

Robin Hood is like the ultimate pastoral fantasy combined with a heist story. From All- Consuming Media

Lots of laughs, and definitely lots of action as Robin gathers his band, outwits the sheriff and becomes a hero through his "redistribution of the wealth." From Jeanette's Books

And now, I'll attempt one more time (well, I'll not guarantee that) to convince you to watch this BBC show. What are you waiting for? 

Sweet Author Signings

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It's been a crazy week of author signings!

First, Rob Wells launched Feedback:

This is when he's telling us about his health struggles,
that happened all during the writing of Feedback.

At the signing table!

My book!
I read it already and need to review.

Then Maggie Stiefvater came to the neighborhood on tour for The Raven Boys:

This is when she is telling us about Gansey's shoe.

At the signing table!

My copy of The Scorpio Races, which I confessed to her
was my favorite of the bunch.

Then we were treated to an appearance of Lois Lowry, one of only five authors who has won the Newbery Award twice!

Here's a bunch of us bloggers waiting, waiting, waiting.
(If I wasn't so tired at the moment, I would add names and links!)

This is when she is telling us about how The Giver, and its series came to be.

At the signing table!

My copy of Son, which I plan to read this weekend!

What fun we are having around here! And it's not over yet... stay tuned for more author encounters!

AARON NEVILLE ANNOUNCES JANUARY 22 RELEASE FOR HIS BLUE NOTE DEBUT MY TRUE STORY

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ALBUM FEATURES NEW VERSIONS OF HIS FAVORITE DOO-WOP SONGS PRODUCED BY KEITH RICHARDS & DON WAS

Iconic soul/R&B vocalist Aaron Neville has announced a January 22, 2013 release date for My True Story, his debut for EMI’s Blue Note Records. The record, produced by Keith Richards and Blue Note Records President Don Was, finds Neville revitalizing some of his favorite songs from the doo-wop era and beyond.

“Aaron Neville is one of the most expressive and soulful artists of all time, it’s such a thrill to hear him sing,” Was says. “His vocals have a way of reaching into your heart and stirring something really deep inside. It’s a huge honor to welcome him to Blue Note Records and to be involved, along with the legendary Keith Richards, in the production of this album.”

All of the tracks were hand-picked by Neville himself as they are songs that have remained close to his heart since he was a child. “When I was a kid, doo-wop was like medicine to me,” Neville explains. “I didn’t care what else was goin’ on in the world as long as I could sing along with Pookie Hudson and The Spaniels, The Flamingos, The Clovers, Sonny Til and The Orioles, Clyde McPhatter—I was like a kid in a candy store.”

A stellar group of session players was assembled to lay down these tracks. In addition to Keith Richards on guitar other musicians include: Greg Leisz on guitar (Beck, Sheryl Crow, Bob Dylan, Ryan Adams), Benmont Tench on organ (founding member of Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers), George G. Receli on drums (Bob Dylan, James Brown), and Tony Scherr on bass (Bill Frisell, Norah Jones, Rufus Wainwright). Richards sheds some light on the atmosphere in the studio as he explains, “This was a dream session. The band fell right into the groove and Aaron sang like an angel. It was an honor!”

During Neville’s five decade recording career, he has displayed a chameleon-like ability to perform, collaborate and contribute to a wide range of genres. From the funky soul and R&B cuts with the Neville Brothers to a triple platinum, Grammy winning duet with Linda Ronstadt in 1989, “Don’t Know Much” (off an album the duo received two Grammys for), to the title track of 1993’s The Grand Tour which put Neville on the Country charts for the first time, to his several Gospel records including his most recent project, I Know I’ve Been Changed in 2010.

The track listing for My True Story is as follows:
1. Money Honey (Jesse A. Stone)
2. My True Story (Eugene Pitt & Oscar Waltzer)
3. Ruby Baby (Jerry Leiber & Michael Stoller)
4. Gypsy Woman (Curtis Mayfield)
5. Ting a Ling (Nugetre)
6. Be My Baby (Jeff Barry, Ellie Greenwich & Phillip Spector)
7. Little Bitty Pretty One (Robert J. Byrd)
8. Tears On My Pillow (Sylvester Bradford & Al Lewis)
9. Under The Boardwalk (Arthur Resnick & Kenny Young)
10. Work With Me Annie (Hank Ballard)
11. This Magic Moment / True Love (Medley) (Doc Pomus & Mort Shuman)
12. Goodnight My Love (Pleasant Dreams) (John S. Marascalco & George Motola)

:::: SOURCE: Blue Note Records ::::

EGYPTIAN PROJECT - YA AMAR

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With all the news that’s been coming out of Egypt over the last year, it’s surprising that more music has not been circulating. Years before the term ‘Arab Spring’ was coined, French producer Jérôme Ettinger devoted himself to exploring, preserving and spreading the sound of the North African country he fell in love with. Assembling world-class musicians and layering in tasteful electronic rhythms beneath virtuosic playing, his Egyptian Project debut, Ya Amar (Six Degrees Records), is the most potent album to arise from this country since the political upheaval began.


More of an infusion than a fusion, Egyptian Project is the result of a long and commited collaboration between the defenders of Egyptian musical tradition and a young French musician who mix the sounds of the Nile delta and Cairo with the ambiances of trip-hop, electro, hip-hop, and even classical music. « The fluvial meeting of oriental fragrances and minimalist electronic sounds » makes for a journey into unexplored territories.

‘My idea was to mix electronic and Egyptian music,’ he says. ‘I chose one string instrument player, one singer, one percussionist and one rababa player. They are all my family now—I manage and organize everything for all of them.’

As his passion for Egyptian culture and music grew, Ettinger assembled a team of renowned artists for a touring band: percussionist Ragab Sadek, rababa player/violinist Salama Metwally, oud player Ihad Radwan and singer Sayed Eman, whose epic vocals decorate many of this album’s 10 songs. With all musicians between the ages of 50 and 60, Ettinger has played an important role in introducing these incredible artists to the world beyond the Nile.

The band has already performed numerous times to tremendous acclaim in Egypt and throughout Europe, including a recent show at the famed Paleo festival in Switzerland. Expect a U.S. tour in early 2013.

:::: SOURCE: Six Degrees Records ::::