4 stars
I always love Patricia Wrede's books, but I had forgotten how little this volume of short stories is actually connected to the Enchanted Forest series. I really wish they'd done a volume entirely of Enchanted Forest stories, but only 2 of the 10 in here are connected and only 1 has familiar characters.
While I enjoy the other stories, I had a much harder time with several of them this time. They're not all the same age level thematically or in tone. A good 6 of them are fairly dark. Which is fine, except I was reading this with Boo, to kind of "finish up" reading the Enchanted Forest series. We skipped 6 stories because they'd have been either boring or scary or both. (And I had to slightly edit a 7th as we read it.)
(I read all of them... it'd been years since I'd read them and I was trying to figure out which ones I felt comfortable reading to Boo.)
I wish they'd done a book of Enchanted Forest stories and put the others in a different collection for an older audience.
Showing posts with label Patricia Wrede. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Patricia Wrede. Show all posts
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Saturday, August 20, 2011
Saturday, July 16, 2011
Saturday, June 25, 2011
Boo Review-- Dealing With Dragons
Dealing With Dragons by Patricia Wrede
A 5 star review from Boo... :)
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Patricia Wrede and Our Grand Experiment
Plus NaNoWriMo and other things stuck in my head.
In just about a week, I have reread all four books of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles... and all three of the Sorcery and Cecilia books. (The two shown are my favorites of the two series.) Not just because I love them, which I do, but also because it's NaNoWriMo and when I'm stuck there is nothing better than Patricia Wrede.
Of course, now the problem is I've run out of the ones I'm familiar with, which means I need to find more Patricia Wrede books to read. (If you've got a favorite, let me know!!)
Now, you may be thinking that NaNoWriMo is the Grand Experiment, but it's not. I mean it is one, but it's not the one mentioned in the title of this post. No, the one I'm talking about is-- Reading Dealing with Dragons to Boo. It's our first attempt at a book that can't be read in a sitting. (Well, okay, I can read it in a sitting, but not out loud with a child.)
We read 3 chapters yesterday, which took about an hour since I kept stopping to ask questions. Had to make sure she was actually paying attention and not sleeping or something. It'll be interesting to see how well she keeps up with a story spread over several days.
As for other things stuck in my head, I'm sad Numb3rs isn't back this season.... but as much as I love NCIS I'm thinking they should have cancelled it instead.... they're running out of reasonable storylines.
I want more Burn Notice, but I'm not caught up, so I refuse to watch the new episodes that are starting up again.
If the library doesn't get Fringe in soon, I may scream. The main character drives me absolutely batty, but the premise is so darn interesting.
Anyway, with all that stuck in my head, my blogging is spacey. :)
How is your November going?
In just about a week, I have reread all four books of the Enchanted Forest Chronicles... and all three of the Sorcery and Cecilia books. (The two shown are my favorites of the two series.) Not just because I love them, which I do, but also because it's NaNoWriMo and when I'm stuck there is nothing better than Patricia Wrede.
Of course, now the problem is I've run out of the ones I'm familiar with, which means I need to find more Patricia Wrede books to read. (If you've got a favorite, let me know!!)
Now, you may be thinking that NaNoWriMo is the Grand Experiment, but it's not. I mean it is one, but it's not the one mentioned in the title of this post. No, the one I'm talking about is-- Reading Dealing with Dragons to Boo. It's our first attempt at a book that can't be read in a sitting. (Well, okay, I can read it in a sitting, but not out loud with a child.)
We read 3 chapters yesterday, which took about an hour since I kept stopping to ask questions. Had to make sure she was actually paying attention and not sleeping or something. It'll be interesting to see how well she keeps up with a story spread over several days.
As for other things stuck in my head, I'm sad Numb3rs isn't back this season.... but as much as I love NCIS I'm thinking they should have cancelled it instead.... they're running out of reasonable storylines.
I want more Burn Notice, but I'm not caught up, so I refuse to watch the new episodes that are starting up again.
If the library doesn't get Fringe in soon, I may scream. The main character drives me absolutely batty, but the premise is so darn interesting.
Anyway, with all that stuck in my head, my blogging is spacey. :)
How is your November going?
Friday, January 16, 2009
Back To Our Regularly Scheduled Programming...
As in books, as opposed to tv shows. You loved it, though. You know you did.
The Mislaid Magician or Ten Years After by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
5 stars
R-1
This is, of course, another reread for me-- the third Sorcery and Cecilia book. (The second is fabulous also. As Kate and Cecy are together for the duration of the book, it's written in terms of a commonplace book and a deposition.) This one sees a return to actual letter-writing-- with the fabulous addition of the letters of Thomas and James! Kate and Cecy still carry the book, but the extra letters round things out. (Not to mention, they're hysterical. Those must have been so much fun to write!)
James to Thomas-- " I shall present myself as [a potential investor], and if that will not serve to pry loose some useful information, I warn you that I will sacrifice you as well.... I shall not, of course, mention your utter refusal to take your seat in Parliament... What has it been, twice in the last fifteen years?
So, if you should receive any inquiries about your interest in investing in railways, kindly do me the favor of responding with circumspection. That is to say, I'd appreciate it if you'd tell them you'r like more information, instead of telling them to go to the devil."
From Thomas to James-- "Dear James, In London are you? Bored rigid yet?...
I can promise you that if I had a truly reliable gazing ball, I would never again return to my home weary from the hardships of the road to find my sister-at-law still visiting. Certainly not when the visitor seems to labor under the impression that she is hiding froma mysterious organization that plots her demise. (Not that I don't occasionally sympathize with the urge to plot her demise.)....
I may come to London myself. There are some fates worse than boredom. Put in a word for me with Old Hookey if you think I can be of the slightest use..."
James' reply-- "No, I won't invite you up to London. Find you own excuse to avoid your domestic disasters. Not that I blame you for wanting to avoid Her Grace, the Duchess of Waltham-- or have you suddenly acquired some other sister-at-law whom you wish to avoid?"
As if that weren't entertainment enough-- when all 6 children are together (2 of Kate's and 4 of Cecy's) and start casting spells of their own.... well, you can well imagine the chaos that follows.
And if you can't, it just means you haven't read either of the other books. And you really should.
The Mislaid Magician or Ten Years After by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
5 stars
R-1
This is, of course, another reread for me-- the third Sorcery and Cecilia book. (The second is fabulous also. As Kate and Cecy are together for the duration of the book, it's written in terms of a commonplace book and a deposition.) This one sees a return to actual letter-writing-- with the fabulous addition of the letters of Thomas and James! Kate and Cecy still carry the book, but the extra letters round things out. (Not to mention, they're hysterical. Those must have been so much fun to write!)
James to Thomas-- " I shall present myself as [a potential investor], and if that will not serve to pry loose some useful information, I warn you that I will sacrifice you as well.... I shall not, of course, mention your utter refusal to take your seat in Parliament... What has it been, twice in the last fifteen years?
So, if you should receive any inquiries about your interest in investing in railways, kindly do me the favor of responding with circumspection. That is to say, I'd appreciate it if you'd tell them you'r like more information, instead of telling them to go to the devil."
From Thomas to James-- "Dear James, In London are you? Bored rigid yet?...
I can promise you that if I had a truly reliable gazing ball, I would never again return to my home weary from the hardships of the road to find my sister-at-law still visiting. Certainly not when the visitor seems to labor under the impression that she is hiding froma mysterious organization that plots her demise. (Not that I don't occasionally sympathize with the urge to plot her demise.)....
I may come to London myself. There are some fates worse than boredom. Put in a word for me with Old Hookey if you think I can be of the slightest use..."
James' reply-- "No, I won't invite you up to London. Find you own excuse to avoid your domestic disasters. Not that I blame you for wanting to avoid Her Grace, the Duchess of Waltham-- or have you suddenly acquired some other sister-at-law whom you wish to avoid?"
As if that weren't entertainment enough-- when all 6 children are together (2 of Kate's and 4 of Cecy's) and start casting spells of their own.... well, you can well imagine the chaos that follows.
And if you can't, it just means you haven't read either of the other books. And you really should.
Thursday, January 1, 2009
Have I Mentioned How Much I HATE...
Not having internet!!! ACK!! Drives me nuts!!!
Happy New Year!
So... 2008. Total books read-- 107. Not too shabby. I'll give a better year in review tomorrow.... assuming I have internet.... since I'm not actually home, so I don't have my book of books.
Sorcery and Cecilia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
5 stars
R-1
YF
LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. And it's sequel... and the third one.
Cecilia and Kate are cousins writing letters in 19th century London. It may not be the 19th century London you're familiar with, though. (Unless of course you come from another dimension where magic use is entirely normal.) As the cousins discuss magic, the Season, and life in general, all sorts of crazy things end up happening!
I actually got to hear Patricia Wrede read part of the sequel manuscript at BYU's Life, the Universe, and Everything Sci-Fi convention about 6 years ago. (Yikes, was it really that long ago? Dang.) My fabulous cousin and I went, basically because I LOVE Patricia Wrede! (Seriously, if you haven't read her Dragon books, you totally should! Dealing With Dragons is the first. They're for kids and they're hysterical!)
Anyway.
We were inspired. So inspired, in fact, that we said, hey, we can do that.
Because the Cecilia books started with a letter game. Here's how it works-- 2 writers (you could do more, I guess, but that seems too complicated) create characters and exchange some basic setting information. VERY basic. The characters then exchange letters. FOREVER. Okay, not really, forever. But some of us take years to get the characters through one story year.
The main rule is- no discussion of plot.
NONE.
Because the fun of the game is not knowing what's going to happen next.
Since I'm sure you're dying to know-- yes, we're still playing. And naturally, we've started a blog. If you're interested (and I know you are LOL) you can find our antics at http://arriandkeish.spaces.live.com/ Keep in mind that it's going to make WAY more sense if you start at the beginning, so check the archives. March 20 is the first letter. (No, it wasn't posted in March, the letter is dated March).
I'll let you guess which one is me.
:D:D
Happy New Year!
So... 2008. Total books read-- 107. Not too shabby. I'll give a better year in review tomorrow.... assuming I have internet.... since I'm not actually home, so I don't have my book of books.
Sorcery and Cecilia or The Enchanted Chocolate Pot by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer
5 stars
R-1
YF
LOVE LOVE LOVE this book. And it's sequel... and the third one.
Cecilia and Kate are cousins writing letters in 19th century London. It may not be the 19th century London you're familiar with, though. (Unless of course you come from another dimension where magic use is entirely normal.) As the cousins discuss magic, the Season, and life in general, all sorts of crazy things end up happening!
I actually got to hear Patricia Wrede read part of the sequel manuscript at BYU's Life, the Universe, and Everything Sci-Fi convention about 6 years ago. (Yikes, was it really that long ago? Dang.) My fabulous cousin and I went, basically because I LOVE Patricia Wrede! (Seriously, if you haven't read her Dragon books, you totally should! Dealing With Dragons is the first. They're for kids and they're hysterical!)
Anyway.
We were inspired. So inspired, in fact, that we said, hey, we can do that.
Because the Cecilia books started with a letter game. Here's how it works-- 2 writers (you could do more, I guess, but that seems too complicated) create characters and exchange some basic setting information. VERY basic. The characters then exchange letters. FOREVER. Okay, not really, forever. But some of us take years to get the characters through one story year.
The main rule is- no discussion of plot.
NONE.
Because the fun of the game is not knowing what's going to happen next.
Since I'm sure you're dying to know-- yes, we're still playing. And naturally, we've started a blog. If you're interested (and I know you are LOL) you can find our antics at http://arriandkeish.spaces.live.com/ Keep in mind that it's going to make WAY more sense if you start at the beginning, so check the archives. March 20 is the first letter. (No, it wasn't posted in March, the letter is dated March).
I'll let you guess which one is me.
:D:D
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