Book blogging (mostly)
Juvenile Fiction
Atherton Series (Audio)
22 years ago
I absolutely hate not having an audio book to listen to in the car. For over 2 years now I have exclusively listened to books while driving. About a month ago, however, I found myself on the way to the grocery store just as I was finishing the last book I had in the car. Desperate, I decided to stop at the nearest library to pick something up (typically I reserve books beforehand to ensure I get something of high quality).
I normally stop at a library near my office, so this was not one I had ever been to before. While searching, I came across the book you see to the left – The House of Power by Patrick Carman. This caught my eye because I have read and enjoyed The Land of Elyon which was also written by Carman. It turned out to be a pretty good decision.
At this point I have finished all three books in the series (The House of Power, The Rivers of Fire, and The Dark Planet), and I enjoyed them all quite a bit. The Atherton series follows the adventures of an orphan boy named Edgar who loves to climb. He spends his nights climbing, and his days tending to the fig trees in the grove where he grew up. Soon, however, life becomes extremely interesting for Edgar as he discovers the truth about the world he’s grown up on.
What makes the Atherton books better than the Land of Elyon books is the adventure. It starts sooner in Atherton, and is generally more exciting throughout. The only major problem in all three books is the narrator is merely sufficient to get the job done. He doesn’t bring the characters or the setting to life the way many narrators do and as a result, I would recommend reading them before listening to them. At least it is the same narrator throughout, unlike the Land of Elyon, which went through 3 different narrators in 4 books.
If you enjoy books for younger readers (10-12?) definitely give these a shot. Especially if you enjoy unique worlds that, while narrow in scope, have a depth that allows for a pleasantly manageable thoroughness. (This can be said for both series by Carman, and is a clever writing technique that I’m surprised we don’t see more often. You may also enjoy reading them just to see how he does a good job of creating small worlds that are efficiently well-realized).
Recent books on CD (and why they aren’t in the database)
12 years ago
I am constantly listening to books on cd in the car. Literally, all the time. I do not listen the news, music on the radio, or music on cd. I don’t sit it silence as I make my way to and from work. There is always a book on, and there is always at least one in queue. I didn’t start keeping track when this book on cd endeavor began (Thanksgiving of 2007, on a trip to Dallas) but if my memory is correct, I have listened to 68 books on cd since then, with 69 and 70 in the car at the moment. This does not include multiple listens to the same book (which has definitely occurred with books in the Harry Potter and Artemis Fowl series.)
So with that said, why don’t I have entries for all of these in the database since that is meant to be a repository of all the books I’ve read? This may seem ridiculous, as some have pointed out, but I don’t think it’s fair to these books to put them in the database. I don’t pay nearly as much attention to them as I do to the books I actually read (what with all the trying not to run my car into other cars). I don’t ever have a favorite quote recorded, I don’t tag important parts, or take notes while listening, and I don’t have anything to easily look over to confirm my synopsis is correct. I simply don’t give them the same attention as I do other books, and I think any write up I would do for them would reflect that.
However, that doesn’t mean I can’t at least share a brief bit about if they are good and worth listening to (or in some cases reading). The two most recent books I’ve finished are Ironhand and Stargazer. Both books are part of a larger series, and both are aimed at younger audiences (as are most of the books on cd I listen to).
The Stoneheart Trilogy
Ironhand (sequel to Stoneheart) follows George, a teenage boy who gets caught up in an adventure when all the statues in London suddenly come alive. He meets a few friends along the way (of both the flesh and bronze variety) and wreaks all sorts of trouble. The series is read by Jim Dale, who also narrated the Harry Potter audio books. He’s talented but, unfortunately, he is the best part about the series. They aren’t terrible, but they are only just good enough to keep reading and to make the drive to and from work more interesting. If they find their way on to your “to-read” list, I would recommend they stick towards the bottom. If you really want to be entertained by statues coming to life – just watch Gargoyles.
The Land of Elyon
Strargazer is actually the fourth in the Elyon series. They tell the story of Alexa Daily, a teenage girl who seeks adventure in the Land of Elyon, only to find more than she bargained for. I have enjoyed all four books, mostly because of the sense of adventure that Carman is able to capture. Still, they aren’t phenomenal, and the narrators have changed multiple times, which is always frustrating in a series. The unique world Carman has created for the series is consistent, but not very deep. I’ve recently started his Atherton series, however, it is seems to be a little better so far. I’ll let you know more once I finish it.
I’ll try to post more on the books on cd I read as I finish them, and at the end of the year (or more likely in January) I will do a post of the best books on cd I’ve read so far. (Special thanks to the Harris County Public Library, for providing me with all these books!)
Grip of the Shadow Plague
12 years ago
This is book three in the Fablehaven series. If you have read the first two, and are considering the third, it should come as no surprise that I recommend picking it up. So far each book has been exciting, imaginative, and non-stop entertainment.
If you haven’t read any of the Fablehaven books and are wondering if you should start, I say yes. From the very beginning, I have been captivated by Mull’s books. Plus, they are so quick and easy to read that, if you don’t like the first one, it will only take you a day or two to finish the book and realize it’s not for you.
They are each full of magic and wonder, and serve as an excellent palate cleanser between books that require more effort as the reader. That isn’t to say Grip isn’t good, or worthwhile, just that it serves to remind you how fun reading can be, like Harry Potter, and not how beautiful and heartbreaking a book can be the way I Am a Cat might.
Sorry, no quote on this one!
Full database entry on Grip of the Shadow Plague. Beware spoilers.