Friday, May 15, 2009

Lots of book news!

Oh my gosh, do I have a lot to write about!!! I'm very sorry for the inactivity of this blog. I didn't read an awful lot in the first half of this month (I've felt a little pressured because of Mother's Day and going to New College and all private stuff in my life), but I have a feeling that the next half will be a little more novel-populated.

I've got a lot to talk about, so I'll try going as slowly as I can. First of all, this week my younger brother, Adam, borrowed, from the library (and of his own accord), the audio-book of The Magician's Nephew, from the Chronicle's of Narnia. I thought it was nice that he wants to get into C. S. Lewis's work, but what I really liked was the audio-book itself. See, I'm used to book-on-CD format, where the actual text from the book is repeated by a narrator, with that one person doing the voices of different characters and so on. But this was different. The story was the same, and there was a narrator, but there were also different voices for different characters. So somehow they did away with all the "he said" and "she saids" that are in the book, and just the way the characters talked moved the story forward. It was quite a fascinating experience listening to it that way.

Now this is where a lot of my news belongs. With yesterday. I went to Borders again... finally!... because I wanted to see if it carried Pendragon # 10. Yet, when Annette and I were dropped off there, we saw that our whole store had been reorganised! My favorite book sections had been moved to the very back of the store and at first it was hard to know where things were! I mean, it's a really weird feeling when that happens to a store you go to a lot... and like a lot. I was like, "Whoa, have I been gone that
long?"

Okay, so I looked and I'll admit that there was no Hunt for Dark Infinity or any Soldiers of Halla. That was a little disappointing. I'd have been really happy if I'd just gotten a glimpse of them or something. Did you guys know that Wikipedia already has plot spoilers on Pendragon #10? That really sucks. I do not want to look at any spoilers, but I do really want to know what happens. Raise your hand if anyone's read these two awesome-sounding books? Oops... sorry. I can't see you. (Didja do it anyway?) ^,^ Well, comment anyway if you've read either of them. But remember, no spoilers! Just tell me how you like them.

Well, to stay on the bright side of things, I at last finished reading the third Travellers book. ^,^ It was a wonder that I remembered where I'd left off. That was pretty cool how it ended. I mean, Patrick Mac's territory is the one we know the least about, since it's had the least action so far. Third Earth. It sounds really cool and safe there, but these people have it way too easy. I'd sure like to see them get a taste of Saint Dane somewhere in book 10. Again, no spoilers, people! This is just my theory. Don't ruin it. I'll find out for myself... eventually.

Okay, here's something pretty awesome. When I entered the store, even before I started looking for Pendragon or 13th Reality, I saw signs for Rick Riordan, author of the books in Percy Jackson and the Olympians, coming to that precise store on May 17th, at 1:00, for a discussion and book signing. I was quite excited when I saw the signs. Another famous author in my book-store! The only other one I've ever met there is Lemony Snicket, and I totally ruined that... well, at least in my mind. I don't want to go there... Anyway, if I can be there, it would be so cool to meet another published author!

The problem is, I'm not so enthused about this guy's books. I mean, I like them good enough. Still, I know that at these kind of events, they expect you to buy the book, so you can get it signed and stuff. I'm not altogether sure of buying his new book, The Last Olympian. Maybe I can convince him to sign a scrap of paper for me? I mean, that's all I require out of the guy. That, and maybe a picture with him... Oh, I think I'll tell you about it tomorrow. If I go, that is...

Finally, I'd like to close off with announcing that I finished a book that, for all intents and purposes, isn't really a book... yet. Yes, Graham, I'm talking about finishing Sidewinder. (Since there's no cover for your book, I put up a picture of the sidewinder snake. Appropriate, no?) I've already emailed him saying that his debut novel is awesome. I had lots of fun editing the whole thing, pointing out mistakes and giving lots of general praise. (Jacoby knows that from what I did to his Dialunra prologue.) But really, the whole thing was awesome to read. It almost felt like I was reading an actual published work. I hope Sidewinder can work it's way into bookstores in several months, so that you guys can see what a cool writer Graham is. That, or you can ask him very nicely to see it. He told me not to spread it around. ^,~

Well, that's it for me. Hmm... it's hard figuring out how many books I've actually read this month. At the very least I know that Before the War 3 counts as one, but does finishing an audio-book or a book that's not published yet count? I think it does, in my book. So anyway, see you next time. I'll probably write about the Rick Riordan signing then. If not, at the very least I'll get to write about Jane Eyre. I'm almost done with that. (Please, J.N., don't you have something to write about?)

1 comment:

J.N. Future Author said...

sounds like you have been having fun! ^.^

yeah, no book 10 for me either...sad.

But I don't think I want to read it. reading it means admitting the end...