Author Event: Patrick Rothfuss

The week of March 6th was a fun-filled week.  I almost wished that all the fun could have been spread out a bit; Benji home from school, Bon Jovi concert, Birthday dinner with Benji and Randie-Lynn, and an author event with Patrick Rothfuss! Oh, how I loved Rothfuss’s book, The Name of the Wind, so I was greatly looking forward to meeting him.

On March 9th, I found myself traveling with my Mom to the Borders store in Oak Brook, Illinois.  This location is about 1 ½ hours away from where I live; according to Google maps.  My Mom and I took off from her home around 3:30 pm for a 7 pm Patrick Rothfuss event.  Why so early?  I wanted to make sure we were there in enough time to not only procure wrist bands for the signing but to also obtain seats for the when Pat was addressing the audience.  We arrived around 4:30 pm which was better timing than I thought as the traffic south, towards the city radius, can be tricky.  I was pleased to arrive at said time; we obtained our wrist-bands, and great seats.  This author book-signing event was amazing.  It ranks up there with one of the best author events I have attended, and I have attended some great ones.

I have been procrastinating with writing this post because I was not sure how to describe this experience in such a way so that you could grasp how awesome it was without going on in lengthy detail.  It dawned on me that the best way for you to understand, or to at least have an inkling, was for me to write as if I were speaking to the man himself; a letter.  First, before I move on with that, i must give a shout out to two people.  First off, yet again, thanks so much Logan @ Rememorandom for not only recommending The Name of the Wind, but also for encouraging me to attend this event. Thank you!!    Next, thanks Mom for always being willing to come along with me on my little adventures in life. I tease you much with your willingness to meet people and not hold back, but you always help me greatly when I am at events such as this; help me to not blend into the background because I am nervous, not that I am shy rather I am reserved. Thanks for taking the time to drive with me, and meet this author.

Onward to the letter....

Dear Mr. Rothfuss,

First, before I move one, may I call you Pat?  I feel like I can just by the way you present yourself at your book-signing event. You are very personable, and well, to the essence of what you said, you and I are acquaintance friends via a mutual  “friend”.  A “friend” that I like well, and you like very much too.  A friend named Kvothe.  You know, I think the way you put it was very neat, and sounds so right.  There are only a few instances that I can think of where I have felt invested in a character where I wondered where that character’s life was headed, and felt as if that ”person” could live outside of the pages read. When this occurs, I can not help but feel in awe of the author, and some sort of “friendship”.  No worries, Pat, I am not a delusional person. I do know reality, and I do realize that Kvothe is a fictional character, and that you and I are not friends in the way people truly are. Still though, please take those thoughts as a true compliment towards your writing, and towards your warm, and humor-filled personality.

Here is the thing Pat, when I was waiting in line for you to sign my books, I was thinking of all the witty things I would say to you. Believe me, I had a fairly decent amount of time to think while I waited my turn as you had 400+ people there to hear you speak and sign their books. I was beyond amazed.  Actually, I had a tough time wrapping my head around that number, not because you don’t deserve that type of attention, but because...wow man, that is HUGE.  Beyond that incredible number of people, I being in the 5th group of people with at least 3 more groups to go, you continued to look relaxed and glad to spend a few minutes with each reader. Simply amazing. Yeah, that number of people was crazy! Crazy good!  So, while I was waiting, I was thinking of the compliments I wanted to give you. I decided on a concise way to sum up my thoughts so that I would not take up too much more of your time. However, once I was actually able to meet you; I did not speak. I stood there like a big idiot; a deer in head-lights. I thought to myself, “Come now Deanna, say something, anything.”  So I did, I muttered out a few words, nothing huge, but geesh, you need to know, there was so much more being said in my mind.  The following are my thoughts, although, not concise.

When I decided to attend your book-signing at the Borders in Oak Brook, Illinois on March 9th, I did not know what to really expect.  I knew that you did a reading, a “talk” before the actual signing. This fact alone was exciting to me because I absolutely, 100%, hands-down appreciate when an author takes take time to talk to their readers. So yes, I was psyched about being able to hear directly what comes out the mind of a man who is able to write such an amazing book; one of the best that I have read, a book full of flowing prose.  I was psyched to hear a bit of what is in your Psyche!  You went beyond my expectations. How so?  I certainly did not expect the “talk” in the manner that you gave.  I actually do not call it “a talk” because it truly was a discussion between you and us - your readers.  A fantastic discussion it was. I loved all the questions & answers. It was good to learn, from you, that Kvothe will tell his story in three books, but you would not be done with The Four Corners world; more stories are waiting to be told apart from Kvothe.  I loved how you skirted around answer(s) that you did not want to give by giving a different sort of answer, and appropriately done.    I loved the banter, jesting, and most of all...the laughter from not only you, but also from us.  I fully enjoyed your thoughts on language; creating a new language or not, use of words, process you took to help narrator say certain words correctly for the audiobook, accents, etc.  I also enjoyed the stories of your son, especially the bit about the fact that he lacks the word “yes” from his language syntax. Interesting indeed, and such a true thing it is for many babies - a good thing that is.  I connected with that story because I am rather fascinated by language acquisition of children. It is a very fascinating thing to observe a child’s mind at work through the use of their words; a treasure, and a incredible blessing that most of us take for granted.  Language fascinates me, and what's more, I am greatly intrigued and fascinated with people who are able to string words together in beautiful ways, and in ways that make wonderful, intelligent sense.  That is what you are able to do Pat; string words together which creates beautiful thought, descriptions, and flow in your story.

Know this, your event was full of awesomeness. I enjoyed the entire time which includes my drive, and waiting.  I went into the event already knowing that I loved The Name of the Wind, knowing that Kvothe is one my favorite characters read, and knowing that I am in awe of your writing talent.  I came out of the event in more awe; you not only can write brilliantly, you also have fantastic speaking ability. You certainly have been gifted with words.

I thank you for signing my books, and for conversing with me, and being a good sport with photos. I thank you for your personable nature that seems to draw people into your world.  Mostly though, I thank you for your time; it is greatly appreciated.

Your reader who thinks your pretty damn cool!
-Deanna-

P.S.  Congratulations on hitting #1 on the New York Times Bestseller List for The Wise Man’s Fear.  A thrill for you, I’m sure!

P.P.S.  Ummm...Pat, I have got to share the photo you took with me.  I realize this is how you roll; love it.  But, you should know, this is probably one of my favorite photos with an author or another who is a “rock star”.  It is such a fun photo!  Thanks.

Believe it or not folks, I could have gone on. There is so much in my brain about this world that Patrick Rothfuss has created; so much about Kvothe. I admit I am highly intrigued with this author; his ability to write an incredible book has certainly caught my attention.

Have I read, The Wise Man’s Fear?  Ummm...nope, not yet.  ::GASP::  I know, right.?.  “What are you waiting for?” you may be asking. Frankly, I read The Name of the Wind only a month ago, and have yet to really absorb that story; absorb Kvothe. I am rolling around the world of The Four Corners in my head. I am rolling around the life of Kvothe in my head.  I need a bit more time to breathe sighs of amazement, and thrill from that reading experience before I move on to experience more of this story.  I am sure it will not be long, and believe me, you will know my thoughts on The Wise Man’s Fear because they will be posted.   :)

Photos from the signing:

My Mom as we wait for our group to be called up for the signing.

Pat signing my copy of  The Wise Man’s Fear

Mi madre chatting it up with Pat.

~~There is one photo of me attempting to chat with Pat, but ummm…dorky I look so, no show.

Side Note:  In light of my recent Sunday Post, you should know, I will be replying to comments made on this post. It was part of my “this means” aspect of my fast. 

Sunday Post: Reflection–a fast, a change, a pause…

March 20th, A Big Day…..
Happy 21st Birthday Benjamin!  How sweet it is that you are in my life, that you are my son, that you are a wonderful young man. I love you dearly, and greatly, and for always!

My thoughts were written early Sunday morning with important blog news at the bottom of this post.

Outside My Window.....birds are chirping, as the sun rises on this fine, fine Sunday morning.

I am Listening to..... birds chirping, and muffled tv sounds from a room next door.

I am Thinking.....of my plans for the day.  Trying to wrap my head around what I should do on a Sunday; an unusual experience for me as I am usually working.

I am Grateful for.....impromptu late night visit from a friend with a Shamrock Shake in hand. I am Grateful for.....patience, and compassion of a bus driver.  I am Grateful for.....soft green/brown eyes that pierce with own perspective and at times –truth. I am Grateful for.....sweet twist of a girl’s smile and eyes shinning when a basketball hits our house.  I am Grateful for.....baking hands of a 15 year old.

I am Pondering..... “I slept and dreamt life was joy, I awoke and saw life was service, I acted and, behold, service was joy.” from When the Grind of it all Makes it Hard to Keep Going by a holy experience. Actually, I am pondering the entire post. I am also Pondering....."why do I reduce The Greatest to the lesser instead of seeing the lesser, this mess, as reflecting The Greatest?" One Thousand Gifts p.128

I am Reading..... Tigana by Guy Gavriel Kay – loving this book. I read a fantastic interview with GGK;  The World of Guy Gavriel Kay, take a read.   Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan – this is a buddy read with Suey and Chersti.  The story did, indeed, pick up at chapter 10, and from there, I am hooked.  One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp – a powerful book that is speaking to my soul.

I am photographing..... daily; life, and events. well, I did not photograph an important event of Friday; IJ’s dental appointment.

I am Listing..... projects that need to be brought up to date.

I am Creating..... well, nothing this past week which is why I am listing what needs to be done with my projects.

On my Zune..... Lord of Chaos.  I do not only listen to this book, I also read. I alternate between the two formats throughout the week.

To Live my Faith..... See the bottom of this post for an answer to this prompt.

I am Hoping and Praying..... for my Uncle Tom’s health to be restored.

Around the House.....as lame as this sounds, when I work two shifts during the week, and especially when they are only separated by one day off (work tuesday and thursday) then my whole week is thrown off within the home.  True, I have three other days during the week to be productive (remember, I work every weekend as well) but throw in a dental appointment,and bam, I am on overload.  I do think, I would be able to manage our home far better if I were not working 32 – 40 hours a week which does not include drive time.  This then leads me to think of the women who lived during the 1700’s and 1800’s.  Their life was hard as compared to our lives now. They did not have conveniences as we are accustomed.  They did not have down time as I find myself expecting.  I should really start working on how my mind thinks. I think I need to take a closer look at Proverbs 31: 10-31  I should also re-read, from time to time, When the Grind of it all Makes it Hard to Keep Going.

From the Kitchen.....  made an Irish dinner. Well, not really an Irish dinner but close.  Pork Roast (corned beef was sold out when I went to purchase), cabbage, carrots, and potatoes. I also made Colcannon which is mouth-watering yummy! I found the “recipe” for this dish at Blog O’ The Irish, St Patrick’s Day Traditional Fare Is Not Corned Beef and Cabbage.  

The Children this week.....IJ had his dental appointment on Friday. This was a huge deal for me; an event.  Why? you ask.  IJ is unpredictable with compliance. He does not take readily to being told something and then complying on the spot.  Many times, when he decides he does not like something, is scared, etc then he is lost to any direction.  I hoped that he would have a good experience; he would comply.  Robert went with us because I have also figured out that when we are both with IJ then his compliance factor goes way up towards anything medical related.  Fortunately, the dental appointment was a success. IJ did an amazing job.  After a bit of hesitation, he did go into the dental chair. He asked his “why” questions, and he did cooperate. He did everything the dentist requested.  I think there is a combination of factors coming into play that made this dental experience far better than the one back in 2009.  First, IJ is older.  Second, and probably most important, IJ is taking medications.  Third, the dentist was excellent with IJ. He seemed to know how to talk to him. What to say, what to explain. He did not rush IJ, and nor did he piddle around during the treatment.  Fourth, we bribed IJ.  Yes, I am not above bribing, and IJ needs bribing.  We worked on a social story throughout the week, and IJ was balking at the dental idea with a resounding “Nope” in his way that means potential compliance trouble is in the air.  He then obsessed over a nerf gun on Thursday, and bingo, my bribe was born.  When IJ started hesitating with the exam, I reminded him of the nerf gun and how it could be obtained. The bribe was helpful, but much more costly than I anticipated.

A Few Plans for the Rest of the Week..... IJ has another dental appointment on Thursday. I hope this one goes well too. What will the bribe be? or will there be no bribe? If so, what are some low cost bribes?  All questions that I will answer.

Blog News…. while I was pondering and thinking about Lent,  I came across a scripture reading plan at Highland Christian Church,  Lent 2011.  Thanks HCC for posting the fasting & reading schedule for March 2011 and for the daily email links on the Lent 2011 page.This suits my family, although, I am not asking the kids to follow through on all the fasting ideas. I am going to have them choose one for each coming week.  By the way,  I don’t belong to this church,nor is it in my state, but I am glad for their willingness to maintain a website, and post their information.  The Blog News for all of you, however, is this…. I have felt a desire to fast for Lent. I read the following from a holy experience, Why Do Lent? Why A Failing Lent Actually Succeeds. “Okay… Lent. It’s the preparing the heart for Easter. Like going with Jesus into the wilderness for forty days, that we might come face to ugly face with our enemy. Our sacrificing that we might become more like Christ in His sacrifice.”  This struck me as to the reason why I should fast this season. But what could I give up to help prepare my heart?? What?? I pondered this for a week, until I came upon my answer.  Blogging.  I am going to fast from blogging.  This is a huge deal to me; a life-thread so-to-speak. I will jones, I am sure, when post ideas and thoughts plop into my head, but even so, I know that this is right for me; to blog fast.  This means…
~~ I will not be posting from March 21 – April 25th (besides one post that I was not able to get to last week; I will post that one)
~~I will not comment (besides catching up on the comments already on my blog, and any comments that come my way from the post that will go up this week).
~~ I will not read my Google Reader feeds.
~~ I will continue to participate in my read along/buddy reads, but not through posts.
~~ I will still email, facebook, and twitter and visit book forums. If I happen to be subscribed to your blog via email then I will be reading those posts.
~~ Why email, facebook, and twitter? These are ways to keep in contact with my son, and few out of area friends.  Why forums?  They are quick ways to communicate, and read up on book reading related stuff.
~~ You can email me; I welcome that, especially if you think there is something I should be aware of, say a fantastic book that you just read, or music that you are greatly liking, or any other life stuff that you want to share with me.
~~ Two books will be released in early April - The Emerald Atlas by John Stephens, and Kat, Incorrigible by Stephanie Burgis.  I will have my reviews for these books posted shortly after I return. Do know though, EJ has already read these books and loved both of them. She thought they are well worth reading; recommends them highly.
~~ My birthday will occur during my fast. I will be at work on this 42nd birthday, but do plan on encouraging Robert to take a vacation day the before, April 1st,  so that he and I can go cycling.
~~ Yes, I realize that I am late in choosing to fast, but a month of fasting is still something.

Photo examples of…..  Benjamin through the years….

Robert and Benjamin – 1990 – under 1 month of age

 
Deanna and Benjamin – 1990 - under 6 months of age but older than 2 months

 
Benjamin 1992 – 2 years old

 
Benjamin 1995 – 5 years old

Benjamin and Sophie – 1999 – 9 years old

Benjamin – 2000 – 10 years old waiting at his BMX race

Benjamin & Evie – 2006 – 16 & 11 years old

Benjamin – 2006 – 16 years old

Benjamin – 2007 – 17 years old

 
Benjamin – 2009 – 19 years old

Last two photos – Benjamin – 2010 – 20 years old

* the photo at top of this post is of Benjamin – Feb. 2011

The inspiration for my Sunday Post format came from In the Heart of my Home .  She writes posts called “Daybook”; I like her format, and have decided to take her lead.

The Pegasus Project

I read Pegasus by Robin McKinley last November, and loved the book.  I wanted to share this book with EJ, age 11,  because I thought she too would enjoy the read greatly.  However, I quickly realized that she was having a tough time with the beginning of the story. Still though, I would not give up the feeling that she would be glad to know this story.  I suggested that she and I read this book together; she accepted.  Her journey into the world of Sylvi began; we alternated between a chapter read aloud by me, and with each of us reading a chapter on our own.  This was a beautiful thing until I arrived home from work one Sunday evening to her exclamation that she was almost done with the read!  “What??? How could you be?”  I asked.  She said that she could not stop with one chapter, and had to keep moving on.  I replied with great disappointment because I was very much loving this time spent with her; spent with this book.  I sputtered out to her,  “But I wanted to read this aloud with you.” adding, with a pitiful, hopeful tone, “I at least want to read the last two chapters to you.”  She agreed, and that evening we finished the book with me reading aloud the last two chapters.  You can read my thoughts on Pegasus, and for EJ’s thoughts, please continue on with this post.

The first part of this post contains EJ’s thoughts on the book with the second part being her book project for school; a character monologue.

Copyright 2010
Publisher: G.P. Putnam Sons, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA)
Pages: 404, hc
Source: Own

Description: Since she was a princess she had a pegasus. Her name is Sylvi, daughter to King Corone IV. It's her 12th birthday and she is going to be bound to a pegasus. A weird thing happens when she  and her pegasus are bound; they can talk to each other in their minds!
His name is Ebon and he is a big, black, MALE, pegasi. He's actually pretty funny compared to the other pegasi.
The magicians are worried since Sylvie and Ebon can talk to each other. Especially one named Fthoom.

Everything is going to change for Sylvi.

EJ’s Thoughts: I would like to tell you that the beginning of the book was actually kinda hard to read. It was boring; I could say. Then my Mom started to read the book aloud to me, and once we were past
the beginning, everything then became so exciting!

At the end of the story, I became sad, very, very sad! I almost cried, but I didn't.  There were some boring parts in the book, true, but it was overall a  very good book.

Favorite Pegasi: This is a hard decision, but I would have to say Niahi (Ebon's sister). When she first
came into the book, I fell in love with her.

Least Favorite Pegasi: How dare I ask myself that question! If Fthoom had a bound pegasi, and that
pegasi acted like Fthoom, then him.

Favortie Scene: Another toughie right here, either when she was in the caves or when she learned another interesting fact about herself.

Least Favorite Scene: In the beginning when Sylvi is reading the journal.

Favorite Human: Sylvi, uh duh!

Least Favorite Human: Fthoom >:c

Was their any bad language? None that I know of...

How did Sylvi feel when she was around the Pegasi: Like an ugly wretched little creature. When she was around the Pegasi she felt like she was nothing because of the way Pegasi talked and walked; like singing and dancing. She felt they were beauty, and she was not.

How tall was Sylvi?  She was short, always called herself short in the book.

Did anybody dislike Sylvi? Fthoom, and some other magicians do because of how she and Ebon can talk to one another.

For EJ’s book project done for school, the requirement was to create a movie poster for the book, and to write a monologue based on one of the characters in the book.  Each child then had to present their character to the classroom which included giving the monologue, and dressing in character.  EJ choose Sylvi, and her Grandma (my mom) made the dress.  The dress is similar to the one in the book, and in EJ’s drawing above. It would have included a contrasting sash around the waist but we ran out of time for that detail.

A character monologue  by EJ
- from the book, Pegasus by Robin McKinley

Hello!  My name is Sylviianel, but everybody just calls me Sylvi.  I have orangish, brownish, blondish hair.  My eyes are green, and I am very,very,very, And I mean, very short!  Oh, and I am 16 years old.  I am gonna tell you about my family, friends, hobbies, and where I live.

My parents, mainly my dad, have the most important jobs ever; King and Queen of Balsinland - King Corone IV, and Queen Eliona.  Their children include Danacor, Farly, Garren, and last but not least, me - Sylvi!  I have cousins, aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles, 2nd-cousins, etc, etc, etc.  I could seriously go on all day.

I don’t have that many friends, but many enemies!!!  First off, let me name my four friends.  Ebon (he is my best friend), Niahi (Ebon’s little sister), Ahathin (my tutor), and my eldest brother - Danacor.  Now, I will name my number one enemy, Fthoom!  Dun..dun,dun....DUN!!!    He just hates me with all of his guts, and same thing vice versa.

I live in Balsinland which is named after our first King, Balsin.  Inside Balsinland, inside the walls, and inside the palace is where I live.  It is a very lovely land; a sweet, green land.  I found that description, “sweet, green land” in a journal that I read when I was much younger.

I have a few hobbies; playing with my dogs, and hawks. I also like riding my pony as I am too tiny for a horse.  I love to chat with Ebon, and can not imagine life without him; sharing the knowledge of all that I like which also include sweetmeats...yum!  
Besides my hobbies, I have a few princess duties, but I don’t like those.  I attend to them though because that is what my parents expect from me.

Lastly, I would like to tell you about my strengths and weaknesses, well the HUGE ones.  I feel that couple of my strengths are that I am loyal, and respectful.  I will do even the hardest of tasks if you ask me too, but it better not be dumb. My major weakness is that I am self-conscious.  You might have noticed, and it is mostly because I feel too short to be taken seriously.

Well, that is it about me, at least for now.  I thank you for your attention.
-Sylvi-

I along with GD attended EJ’s presentation, and I was very proud of the job she did.  The presence that EJ carries when in front of a crowd is amazing.  She was not monotone; there was drama.  She knew her character, and very little did she refer to her notes; maybe once for a nano second.   She was graded well on this project.

I should have dressed her hair up with “jewel” strands, but alas, that reveals my lack of forethought.

GD loved sitting with EJ at her desk. I was very impressed with GD as she did not fuss at all rather she stayed put, and quiet throughout the 1+ hours of class presentations.

I applaud EJ’s creativity, and diligence that she put forth on The Pegasus Project. I am also very pleased that she, indeed, is glad to know of this story.

Read to Me Picture Books: That's Hockey, The Blue House Dog, The Dollhouse Fairy, How to Find Flower Fairies

Danielle at There's a Book is hosting the Read to Me - Picture Book Challenge in 2011  The goal of the challenge is ... "to read with the kids in your life and/or enjoy picture books in general."

Throughout the year, I will be posting mini-reviews of the picture books that I read aloud to GD and IJ.  During our first month(January)  of read aloud books it dawned on me that a natural extension of this read aloud challenge would be to incorporate the development of GD’s oral narration skills. Therefore, the “reviews” will largely based on GD’s narration.  This is a skill that she needs to develop which means I hope that as the year moves along that the narrations will as well; expand and become a bit more detailed.  In the meantime, the “reviews” will be a bit on the lean side.  I do hope that you, my reader, will enjoy this journey – the journey of read aloud picture book posts featuring GD’s narration.  Check outTrivium Pursuit: Ten Things To Do With Your Child Before Age 10 and scroll down to Oral Narration for further information on narration.

 

That’s Hockey
by David Bouchard
illustrator: Dean Griffiths
copyright: 2002
publisher:  Orca Book Publishers
source: library

My Thoughts:  This story was picked from the library shelves for IJ’s eyes and ears.  IJ, currently, has an high interest in hockey. I was not sure how he would respond to this book, but hopeful I was.  That’s Hockey proved to be a great choice for him; for our home.

IJ stayed attentive to the whole story, and did not once hurry me along. That is a huge feat with IJ.  I thought this story was a very nice read about ET  taking his cousin to play street hockey on a snowy day with the neighborhood kids. The story revolves around the game these kids love, and their fair-to-all rule that enables everyone to play.  I loved the interaction between the neighborhood kids and the cousin.  I also greatly appreciated that the cousin, our narrator, remained unnamed.  Why? you ask. I felt this omission added familiarity of the narrator which made the story feel as if it was being told directly to us.  The illustrations were great, and action packed which added very nicely to the flow, and pace of the story.

While I absolutely enjoyed reading this book aloud, I was even more thrilled with the ending.  For the reason why, well, you need to read That’s Hockey for yourself.

The Blue House Dog
by Deborah Blumenthal
illustrator: Adam Gustavson
copyright: 2010
publisher: Peachtree Publishers
source: library

Description: All day and night in sun and rain and snow, a stray dog wanders the streets of a neighborhood after its devoted owner has died. No one takes much notice of the thin, unremarkable animal that some people call Bones. No one except the narrator, a young boy, who takes an interest in the dog s well being.

My Thoughts:  This was another library find that was specifically chosen for IJ. This story was not a hit with IJ.  While he loves his dog this story failed to completely capture him.  I must say though, for IJ, this was too lengthy of a read for him. He did, however, stay with the story for a decent period of time.  The illustrations are what helped tremendously in keeping IJ’s interest, and they are fabulous illustrations.  I thought this was a lovely story which addressed taking care of an animal in need through love and caring.  There were themes of compassion, and responsibility which can be drawn from for a nice discussion with your child. On that note, GD did stay with the story, and was able to discuss a bit about “compassion”.  Overall, I believe the story’s pace was good and a typical 7  year old would probably attend to the this story throughout.

 

 

The Dollhouse Fairy
by Jane Ray
copyright: 2009
publisher:  Candlewick Press
source:  library

Description: When Rosy discovers a real fairy living in her beloved dollhouse — the one her dad made just for her — she can’t believe her eyes. But Thistle is no ordinary fairy. Despite a hurt wing, she’s turned all the tiny furnishings topsy-turvy, and she’s starving for raspberries and chips and other treats to eat. Rosy loves nurturing the mischievous fairy back to health, and can’t wait to introduce her to her dad when he returns from his hospital stay. With a true flair for visual detail, Jane Ray offers a tale of family and friendship that touches on illness with a lighthearted tone — and celebrates the healing power of the imagination.

GD’s Narration (age 4):  My favorite picture was when the fairy dressed in doll clothes.  She had fun.  She dresses pretty.  She was messy.

Me: A cute story that certainly entertained GD.  I loved Rosy’s relationship with her dad, but was surprised that he became sick and was hospitalized.  I could tell that GD was a bit worried.  However, the story moved along nicely so GD did not dwell on Rosy’s dad.  While GD liked the fairy, I did not.  She was not a respectful fairy.  She made a mess and ruined things with no thought.  Rosy was okay with this. I am fairly certain that since the fairy was Rosy’s imagination that the destruction was Rosy’s way of dealing with her father’s illness.  GD, however, did not receive that message because she really thought there was a fairy in Rosy’s dollhouse.   All-in-all, a cute and fun story with beyond fantastic illustrations.  Yet, I hesitate to read it over and over due to the disrespect of the little fairy.

How to Find Flower Fairies
by Cicely Mary Barker
Original text and illustrations copyright: 1923
Our published edition: 2007
publisher: Warne – a division of Penguin
source: own

Description: After centuries of being hidden from human sight, the Flower Fairies allowed Cicely Mary Barker a glimpse into their enchanted fairy world in Fairyopolis. Now you can continue the adventure with this spectacular new novelty book where every page unlocks the secrets behind the magical places the fairies call home. Five eye-popping spreads include intricate three-dimensional pop-up images of flowers and trees that magically open up to reveal the secret homes of the fairies. Lift-the- flaps, booklets, maps and other ephemera provide interactive fun on every page leading up to a stunning surprise on the final spread.

GD’s Narration (age 4):   My favorite page is In the Garden  because it is so beautiful. It is so wonderful.  I like fairies.  They are so beautiful.  Last summer,  I saw a butterfly, and it was a green one.  I wanted to catch it, but I didn’t have a jar.  Maybe fairies are outside with butterflies, but not in our garden because it’s not beautiful.  I want to plant flowers in the summer because ours are old now; the snow.

Me:  Must first point out, our garden is in winter dead stage; not beautiful I will concede. However, during the summer it is lovely, and butterflies do like our little plot of land. Onward to the story.

This is a fun book to read to GD.  She is very fascinated with every pop-up, and the pop-ups are incredibly amazing. Within each pop-up scene there is detail that keeps me in awe, and GD in a fun land as she searches intently to find fairies within each scene.  The story of finding fairies in different locations was written as if the author is reporting on  fairies that she has personally sighted.  She gives tips and hints on how to locate said fairies.  Small written snippets within the pages are packed powerful with information, and wonderment.  What’s more is that this book could easily lend itself for learning extensions; oak trees, garden, flowers, butterflies, marshes, forest floor.  A nature study in waiting.   A treasure this book is, and one that will hopefully last years for the excited little hands, and eyes of GD.  This book is very much worth the money spent.

 

Side Note: I have gathered a sense that GD thinks that fairies are real, and that there is a very real possibility that a fairy can exist in her world.  I don’t encourage this thought, but I am also not discouraging.  It is a fun imagination stage of life that she resides.

Wither by Lauren Destefano

Wither
Chemical Garden Trilogy, book one
by Lauren Destefano
copyright:  2011
release date: March 22, 2011
publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
format: ARC paperback
pages: 358
source: Publisher

Back cover of the ARC:
In the distant not-too-distant future, because of genetic engineering, every human is a ticking time bomb – males only live to age twenty-five, and females only live to age twenty.  To keep the population from dying out, girls are kidnapped and sold into polygamous marriages. 
When sixteen-year-old Rhine is taken she enters a world of wealth and privilege that both entices and terrifies her. She has everything she ever wanted-except freedom.  With the help of Gabriel, a servant Rhine is growing dangerously attracted to, Rhine attempts to escape before it is too late.

First Sentence: (ARC book)
I wait.

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this read. It fit my mood for a good story that would engage my mind with a gripping, and thought-provoking plot yet not hold my reading eyes for days on end. Wither certainly pulled me right into the life of Rhine as she struggles with where she finds herself in society while at the same time providing a story  that moved along at a brisk pace which allowed me to read it in one day; refreshing. It has been a long while since I have read a book in one day so, yes,  this was very refreshing for me. A nice change of pace that allowed me to feel entertained while not feeling epic as my reads tend to feel these days.  Change in reading pace is a good thing.

The story itself reminded me of The Handmaid’s Tale; a story that is one of my favorite reads for the year 2010.  The premise was very familiar: women (in this case, girls) taken against their will to provide a service to the society - make babies.  They, the sister-wives, live under a household that is run by males who have power. The society is unable or may not want to change said situation.  In a very brief nutshell, those are the similarities. The difference is in how the society came to the destruction of living and freedoms.  The other major difference was with the age of the characters, the fact that one man should take several ‘wives’ to perform said service, and the depth of the story.   Both stories are dark in nature; not gory, but depressing in the sense of hopelessness. Although, I do think The Handmaid’s Tale provided a tad bit more hope.

Wither did a fairly good job showing the injustice of the times as well as with Rhine’s struggle, and determination to not succumb.  I do wish, however, that it did more than scratch the surface by fleshing out the societal conflict, and with Rhine’s emotional turmoil as well as the inner working of the governor system.  Although, that being said, this is the first book in the Chemical Garden series so I am hopeful that more of this world, and this society will be revealed to us with the following book(s).  

Wither is marketed to the YA audience, with that in mind, I am glad that the reason for Rhine and the other girls’ capture was not portrayed in detail within these pages, meaning, there are no sex scenes rather they were alluded. The idea of intimacy in the very real way of creating a baby is a strong undertone within this story, and also referred to many times by Rhine herself. I must also say that I was troubled by the polygamy factor while unsettling for two of the characters it was accepted too easily, and without conflict.   For these reasons, I do believe Wither is better suited for the older YA audience, and for me, that would mean my 15 year old could read this book, but not my 13 or 11 year old.  However, I am thinking this book would not have enough substance for the mind of my 15 year old; maybe possibly she would be better suited with The Handmaid’s Tale...maybe.

Bottom Line: I did, indeed, enjoy this story. I greedily read the pages as it suited my mood for an entertaining story with a quick pace that demanded little from my brain cells. I do think that this could potentially be a good series if the sequels flesh out the society, and characters a bit more.  I do think Wither will be enjoyed by many readers, and I do look forward to reading the next book in this series.

Recommendation: For those who enjoy dystopian, and are  looking for a good, quick read.  See my comments above about age of the reader.

Side Notes:  I do love the cover. It brought a lot of appeal to the book.

In the ARC book, I really love the layout of the pages which contain abstract graphic detail. I love the quote that was from “The Hollow Men” by T.S. Eliot and how it too was formatted.  These details, while minor to other readers, added to my reading enjoyment.

Very off topic yet dystopian in its own way:  As I was writing this post, I took a few breaks to browse through my Google Reader.  I came upon a post by Project Alicia.  She wrote a post that spoke to me, as I too am unable to keep far from my mind the tragic events that came upon Japan. I do have a small nagging struggle with feeling  rather frivolous with the posting about such things as books when thousands of people are suffering from one horrifying day.  Please read the heartfelt post: In the wake of such devastation.