Here are the books I read in the month of June--an almost unheard-of thirty-four books, totaling 10,166 pages. Even though some of the books were rather slim, that page count is still pretty impressive--even to me!
1. TOMORROW LOG by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (342 p.) A stand-alone sci-fi book. Gem is a master thief, approached by the local crime syndicate for a job--and then threatened and coerced to do it. Meanwhile, a long-lost cousin has approached him to ask for help with their family ship, and then she gets involved... Nobody does space-opera like these two.
2. SAFE-KEEPER'S SECRET by Sharon Shinn (222 p.) The first in a YA fantasy series, in a world where you can tell a secret to a safe-keeper and she or he will never, ever tell . . . Well, one night, a rider comes to their door with a baby . . .
3. TRUTH-TELLER'S TALE by Sharon Shinn (276 p.) Second in the series (and so far, my favorite), about two twins--one who is a safe-keeper and one who is a truth-teller.
4. DREAM-MAKER'S MAGIC by Sharon Shinn (261 p.) Third (and newest) in the series. Kellen was born to a mother convinced she had had a boy, and therefore is dressed and raised as a boy, which leads her into trouble when she goes off to school. Until she makes friends with a crippled boy as ostracized as she is...
5. DAMIA by Anne McCaffrey (336 p.) A different sci-fi series, in a world that would be ours in about 300-400 years IF we had strong psychic talents. Telepathy and teleporting are commonplace among the "gifted," making interstellar transportation instantaneous. Well, Damia is one of them, passionate, strong, over-confident, until she senses an alien presence in the distance....
6. DAMIA'S CHILDREN by Anne McCaffrey (272 p.) Taking place about 17 years later, now Damia is married and has eight children (whew!). Laria, the oldest, heads off to be Prime for the Dini planet Clarf, her younger brother goes to help the navy with its interstellar search for the "Hive" planets--lived on by viscious, relentless "insects". (It makes more sense in the story, really.)
7. LYON'S PRIDE by Anne McCaffrey (272 p.) Next book, following the story of the last one, expanding it.
8. TOWER AND THE HIVE by Anne McCaffrey (302 p.) And, the conclusion to the series, telling all the different stories, bringing them to a nice, tidy little end.
9. PLAINSONG by Kent Haruf (301 p.) Hard to describe. A beautifully-written book that interweaves different stories of a small Colorado town--a school teacher with a trouble-maker student, whose wife has left him and his sons. A pregnant 17-year old. Two elderly cattle-rancher brothers. Lovely.
10. SLIGHT TRICK OF THE MIND by Mitch Cullen (253 p.) Sherlock Holmes as an old man of 93, after WWII. While a well-written, evocative story, this was a little too sad, too wistful for me. It skips back and forth between a trip to Japan Holmes has just returned from, the story of his housekeeper and son back at his cottage, and an old case of a man's bereaved wife taking armonica lessons. The way it moves back and forth is sometimes a little unclear, unexpected--much in the way Holmes' aged mind wanders a bit. Which is part of the mastery of the writing, but still, it was a book that I more admired than enjoyed.
11. AN ASSEMBY SUCH AS THIS by Pamela Aidan (218 p.) First in a trilogy which tells the story of Pride & Prejudice from Mr. Darcy's point of view. Originally a self-published book, it's just been recently re-released (I saw it in B&N a couple weeks ago). I think that, allowing for some lack of editing (the self-published edition, at least, has more misspellings than I wish), still, she does a fine job getting into Mr. Darcy's mind to tell his side of the well-known story. It makes ignoring some of the cliches well worth it.
12. DUTY & DESIRE by Pamela Aidan (238 p.) Second in the Fitzwilliam Darcy series, and the weakest of the three. This one tells his story from the time he and the Bingley's leave Meryton to just before he heads off to Aunt Caroline DeBurgh's Rosings--something completely untouched in the original, and well, the house party Darcy ends up at, with its cast of characters, seems rather out of place in the story . . .
13. HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE by J.K. Rowling (652 p.) Does anybody need an explanation of this one?? This was Mom's and my "trip book" for our vacation this year, read aloud in turn over a month....
14. THESE THREE REMAIN by Pamela Aidan (335 p.) Third in the Mr. Darcy series, and a really good summation of the story. Again, the writing's not perfect (could it ever compare to the original?), but she does such a good job with it--respectful of the original, yet allowing for her own inspiration. And the character of Dy Brougham, Darcy's good friend? Reminds me a lot of Percy Blakeney (aka the Scarlet Pimpernel).
15. LAST-MINUTE KNITTED GIFTS by Joelle Hoverson (144 p.) Exactly what it sounds like--knitting patterns for last-minute gifts.
16. STITCHIONARY: CABLES by Vogue Knitting (194 p.) 200 cable stitch patterns.
17. MOUNTAINS BEYOND MOUNTAINS: THE QUEST OF DR. PAUL FARMER, A MAN WHO WOULD CURE THE WORLD by Tracy Kidder (301 p.) The remarkable, true story of Dr. Paul Farmer, who has spent his life trying to save the world, one sick person at a time, and doing an incredible job at it. The book, as all of Kidder's books, was incredibly well done, and the story he tells, the drive that "Dokte Paul" has . . . incredible. I was so impressed with both book and subject, that as soon as I was done reading, I made a donation to the charity Farmer started, Partners in Health.
18. A FRIEND FROM ENGLAND by Anita Brookner (204 p.) Dry, very British, very cool prose, this book, about Rachel, who becomes friends with the Heather--well, mostly her parents . . . the book reads like one, long, slow, dream of an afternoon. No big "events," no huge plot twists, just the calm, dispassionate narration of Rachel's relationship with the Livingstone family and their daughter.
19. ANTARCTIC NAVIGATION by Elizabeth Arthur (740 p.) Not afraid of broad, sweeping themes, this book. It tells the (fictional) story of Morgan Lamont, who dreams of recreating Captain Robert Falcon Scott's trek to the South Pole. But, it's not all about the Ice or the trek or the physically demanding journey. No, this book is as much about the internal journey, and it starts at the very beginning, with Morgan's earliest memory. Basically, this is the story of her life, her dreams, her personal growth, her lessons, her friends . . . and then, The Journey. This is my third read of this book, and it's impressive. Introspective, and taking its time to tell the story right. But also, therefore, not a "fast" read. It's not an adventure story per se, it's far too introspective for that. I admit I enjoyed it more the last two times I read it . . . there were definitely parts that I think could have been left out, but part of the point is that it was a personal journey, not just a quest to retrace Scott's footsteps.
20. FLY BY NIGHT by Frances Hardinge (483 p.) A YA book about a world where books are banned. Very few people can read, and the only thing acceptable TO read is that which is approved by the "Stationery Guild." Morgan is a girl whose father had been a historian, but is now orphaned and hungry for rich, filling, satisfying words, and so hooks up with Clent.... Really, a so-so book. Not as good as I'd expected. Not entirely horrible, either. Just . . . eh.
21. LONDON HOLIDAY by Richard Peck (254 p.) A nice, sweet kind of book. Three old friends decide to go to London together, for old times' sake, and to get away from their lives for a while, but before the vacation is done, their lives will have changed. This is a friendly, comfortable little book--purely enjoyable. He normally writes for young-adult readers, but this one is written for the "older" crowd (as evidenced, if by nothing else, by the age of the protagonists). If I did "beach" reading, this would be a good one.
22. THORNYHOLD by Mary Stewart (207 p.) Another gentle, easy kind of book. Taking place sometime around or just after WWII, lonely Geillis Ramsey inherits a house from her godmother. Mary Stewart has been a favorite of mine for years. Her mysteries aren't much, perhaps, in terms of "substance" and clues and all that, but they're so very evocative of the time and place in which they're set. Her descriptions of places, gardens, and oh, food, are just wonderful. A nice little story. Good for a summer afternoon.
23. THE SILVER BRANCH by Patricia Kennealy (407 p.) Sadly out of print, this is an excellent sci-fi book, about a Keltic empire in outer space, with magic, science, culture, and druidism all blended together to make an altogether lovely world. This, from her first trilogy, tells the story of Aeron, who becomes Queen. Does that description sound deadly dull? I'm afraid it does, but believe me, the book the series, the world are all delightfully rich.
24. THE COPPER CROWN by Patricia Kennealy (404 p.) The actual first book in the series, though not first chronologically. In the future, a probe-ship from Earth discovers the interstellar world of Keltia . . . again, this universe the author has created is absolutely wonderful. A joy to read.
25. THRONE OF SCONE by Patricia Kennealy (353 p.) The conclusion of the original trilogy, Queen Aeron goes in search of the long-lost Keltic Treasures to help win the war with the Imperium. (I know, I didn't mention the war, but, well, there is one.)
26. THE DREADFUL FUTURE OF BLOSSOM CULP by Richard Peck (183 p.) Having so enjoyed his "London Holiday" earlier in the month, I checked to see if Peck had any other grown-up books . . . I couldn't find any, but I always liked his Blossom Culp books when I was little, so decided to pick this one up . . . here, Blossom starts high school in 1914, but gets a glimpse into the future . . . Not as good as "Ghosts I Have Been," which was always my favorite, but well, it's always good to spend a little time with some old friends.
27. A YEAR DOWN YONDER by Richard Peck (130 p.) Much better than the Blossom book--this one actually won the Newbery Award in 2001 and I'm so glad I picked it up. Yes, it's for young adults and wasn't a "hard" read by any means--I think it took me about an hour or so from beginning to end--but I chuckled out loud as I read about Mary Alice's year with her very unique grandmother, circa 1939. This was an absolute treat, and excellent for a dreary, rainy Saturday.
28. THE MAKING OF A MARCHIONESS by Frances Hodgson Burnett (187 p.) She's known best for her children's books (Secret Garden, A Little Princess), but this is written for adults . . .although, really, I'd judge the writing level about the same. Emily Seton-Fox is a poor woman of good family who works at little jobs to make ends meet. She is delighted to be asked to a summer house party in the country, and watches the efforts of eligible women to catch the attention of the Marquis, looking for a bride.... (You can see where this is going, right? Luckily, so could I--since my copy of the book left the next-to-last page completely blank! Yep. That's right. I have no idea what was in Agatha's letter from home, except that it was clearly good news . . . still, that's frustrating!)
29. LONGSHOT by Dick Francis (320 p.) John Kendall is a starving writer hired to write the biography of a successful horse trainer, but gets sucked into the family problems--including attempted murder. Can his skill and knowledge of writing survival manual save the day? (Speaking of whom, did you know he's finally got a new book coming out this Fall? It's been years!)
30. HOW TO BE GOOD by Nick Hornby (305 p.) Kate has always prided herself on being good--a good wife, a good doctor, a good mother--but being married to the self-proclaimed "angriest man" has taken its toll and left her unhappy enough to have an affair. When her husband finds out, does he yell? Get violent? No. He reforms himself and becomes TOO good and TOO generous and TOO forgiving . . . Now what? I enjoyed this one, and kept chuckling out loud while reading--usually a good sign!
31. THE BIG OVER EASY by Jasper Fforde (383 p.) Entertaining nonsense, basically. It's a mystery novel . . . it seems that Humpty Dumpty is dead, fallen by his favorite wall, but Detective Jack Spratt suspects foul play . . . Yes, I'm serious. It's written for adults, filled with wackiness and silly puns (like the name of the legal firm Winsum and Loosum). I don't like this as much as his Thursday Next books, but well, it's still fun. I particularly like how the crime cases are judged not only by finding the guilty party, but by the complexity of the case, and how well it can be written up for the magazines--a trend started by Dr. Watson for his friend Sherlock Holmes. While being interviewed for the job, Jack's assistant (Mary Mary) is asked not only for her work experience, but how good her prose is, and how many times a case she's worked on has been published?
32. INVITATION TO THE WORLD by Richard Peck (195 p.) This is a non-fiction book addressing the issues around writing for young people. He's made a career out of writing for high school and junior high school readers, and puts some of his observations here. The observations made were fascinating, a glimpse at how different the world "they" inhabit is from the ones we adults are in, but since so many of his examples for fiction were pulled from the work he knew best--his own--there were times when the book sounded slightly like a plug. It wasn't, mind you, but sometimes it had just a touch of that feel. Really though, the insights were really interesting.
33. CRANFORD by Elizabeth Gaskell (160 p.) A classic look at a Victorian woman's world, this entertaining little piece of fiction is almost a series of vignettes, telling about the town of Cranford and some of its inhabitants. It's charming and gentle and amusing. If you like Jane Austen, you'd probably like this, though unlike her books, the point is never to find a husband.
34. ARCHANGEL by Sharon Shinn (390 p.) Oh, how I love this book. Part fantasy, part love story. Beautifully written. A sample: "So Naomi began her part of the ballad, and Rachel waited a full count until it was time to add her descant. She closed her eyes and began to sing, quietly at first, remembering what it was like to lay her music against someone else's. They were like two hands, pressing palm to palm; voice strained against voice with an actual pressure, pushing the notes upward and downward on the scale. Then it became a loom, Naomi's voice dark and Rachel's a bright gold thread weaving a pattern into the tight fabric. Then it became a race, Naomi's voice running, Rachel's chasing after. But they arrived in the same place simultaneously, Rachel two pitches above Naomi and the harmony absolutely perfect." I just so wish there were a soundtrack to go with this book. The descriptions of the singing make me swoon. I just love everything about this book.
(Yes, I know. All this in addition to finishing my Celtic Dreams, finished my Trekking socks, spent a long, fun, non-reading day at Risa's, spent a day with my oldest friend, worked my full-time job . . . all of that. Phew!)
