Odds and Ends

I have been incredibly delinquent and haven't even really noticed. I suppose that means I've been keeping busy, but I'm not sure what I've been doing. Although in the last couple of days, I can say I've been enjoying the sunshine.

I have been reading, though. And listening to books. It seems like they have mostly been frivolous fantasy, nothing too serious. Definitely not anything that will rank among the classics. But among all that frivolity, there was one book that really stood out.

I read The Princess Curse, by Merrie Haskell. I'm not going to go into a lot of detail, because that would ruin it for you, but what I really enjoyed about this book was it's really unique plot twist. It starts out as the story of the 12 dancing princesses, and ends with a nice little Beauty and the Beast plot, tailored perfectly for a sequel (which I sincerely hope is in the works, because otherwise, I'll be a bit disappointed). I've read quite a few 12 dancing princesses stories, and Jessica Day George, for example, creates sequels that use the characters from her version to incorporate other fairy tales, but I think this one is unique in how it transitions from one to the other in the same story line, with the same characters. And, I feel a certain kinship with the author--we have a few things in common.

Currently, I am reading a book called The Language of God: A Scientist Presents Evidence for Belief, by Francis Collins. I was reading it while waiting for the bus the other day, and a girl who was also waiting commented on how much she had enjoyed it. I admit that sometimes, the science takes a minute for me to figure out, but I too am enjoying it. I find myself wanting to have a discussion with the author about the things I believe and how they tie in with his science, but I'm content to carry it on in my head. I'm only about halfway through, but it is very enlightening, and it fits.

So that is what I've been up to in terms of literary pursuits lately. And now, as I close, I leave you with a delightful little quote from Carpe Jugulum, by Terry Pratchett:

"She sang in harmony. Not, of course, with her reflection in the glass, because that kind of heroine will sooner or later end up singing a duet with Mr. Bluebird and other forest creatures and then there's nothing for it but a flamethrower."

Ciao!

Where's the book I want?!

This week, I've been trying to find a book to suit my mood, and I still haven't come across it. I just want something real, with some humor and some sadness, but not too much drama. I need a book about a single 30-something who is trying to figure out how to be an adult. But not the media version of a 30-something person. Nothing too contrived, nothing over the top, nothing with a serious moral or anything. A character who has some good moral standards, and isn't extreme in any obnoxious way. Just a normal person trying to figure out life. I want a book about someone like me, only better. (My life is too dramatic at the moment). Is there anything like that?

Where's MY crayon?

Lately, my nephew has taken a great liking the the Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson. Being the one who usually ends up reading them to him (somehow his mom can always finagle reading the latest library books), I can see why. There are three particular things I love about these books. And, by these books, let me specify. The ones I have been reading for the past couple of weeks are:

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Harold's Fairy Tale

Harold's Trip to the Sky

Harold's Circus

So, what is so great about these books? First, the art. I read these books and I absolutely love the simplicity. We're talking two colors, simple drawings, nothing fancy. And I love it because it is the kind of art a child would draw, and because it makes me feel like I could draw too. (Of course, if I were to try, it wouldn't go quite like my mind envisioned it, but still--it does make me feel like I could be an artist). 

Second, the stories are terrific. The plot is all about drawing things with a crayon and the adventures you can have doing so. Such a simple concept but so delightful. And again, it is so very much what a child would do. Maybe not with crayons, but with blocks or boxes or other toys. Children have a knack for taking simple, simple things and imagining great adventures with them. 

Thirds, the vocabulary. This stands out to me because Johnson isn't trying to dumb it down at all. My nephew is three and I know he doesn't understand what each and every one of those words means, but it doesn't matter. He enjoys those stories, and they are fun for me to read because they aren't dumbed down. This gives me hope for my own writing, because I love a clever turn of phrase and I always worry that I'm using words that are too big for my intended audience (which is generally younger kids). Seeing that vocab isn't a hangup for a young kid enjoying these books makes me think that my own writing could be published someday. 

So, there you have it. Three great reasons to love Harold and his wonderful purple crayon. Although, if it were my nephew with a crayon, he'd choose green. 

What kind of magic do you believe in?

I apologize for the delay in posting. There was a sudden and abrupt, albeit temporary change in my situation. I have become the single, surrogate mother of 5 kids for a week, starting last Saturday. And the Friday before that, I went to see The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey right after work. So, it's been hectic. Anyway...

Last week I finished reading Far West by Patricia Wrede, and I thought this is an author I should highlight. I have read three of her series: Frontier Magic, Regency Magic, and the Enchanted Forest series. Now, as I read Far West, I was struck by the system of magic Wrede creates in the series. It's very unique, not necessarily in how magic works, or the actual nature of magic, but in how magic is controlled. And it isn't just one way, it's at least three, thus far int he series.

But not only did she develop three views of magic for this series, magic is very different in the Enchanted Forest, and even between characters in the Forest, in terms of how people use and control magic.

And finally, there is a very different style of magic in the Regency series. It involves objects a lot more than her other series, and is less and inherited ability. (And, I love this particular series for the way it was written. So clever!)

This author really impressed me. I mean, it is hard enough to develop one magical world. She has created three. Granted, a couple of them are set in alternate realities, so there is a kind of blueprint to work off of, but she still had to adapt to fit in magic. It is amazing. And, it gets you thinking about magic, and what it is and how we use it.

Which is a topic for another day, but in the meantime, Patricia Wrede is an author to read.

Metaliterature

So, maybe metaliterature isn't really a word, and maybe it isn't what I mean anyway, but meta seems to be the thing, so how could I pass up the chance to metafy?

This week, I finished reading The Eyre Affair, by Jasper Fforde. It's a good read. Not a "can't put it down" book, because I could put it down, but it did crowd out some other things I was reading, which I think makes it a compelling read at the very least, although I'm not sure I'd describe it as compelling in the connotative sense of the word. But, I'm getting ahead of myself.

First, the biography of this book.
Genre: novel, sci-fi/alternate history, female protagonist, bit of a love story as a secondary plot, mystery/detective fiction.
Main character: Thursday Next
Setting: England, 1985
Premise: Time travel is a given, and this has interesting consequences on history and on literature. Then someone figures out how to travel into literature, and how to bring fictional characters into reality. Villain threatens to destroy famous piece of literature, and heroine's job is to stop him.

What really stands out about this book is the premise. What if we could travel into fiction and bring fictional characters into reality. The writing is good (it's not Dickens or Austen or anything, but it's good writing), the characters are likeable enough (although somehow I never feel like I really know Thursday Next. I think her dad is pretty fantastic, though. This may not be your experience though--who knows why I didn't connect with the main character). I will say that it helps to be familiar with the plot of Jane Eyre, and this may be part of why I felt a bit distant from the characters. I have read Jane Eyre, but it has been a long time, and I'm not extremely familiar with the plot or the characters. So when Rochester takes on a behind the scenes personality, I don't know how congruous it is with his character in the novel. You can get by with a vague idea of the plot, but I recommend brushing up on it. I think it would have improved the reading experience.

Like I say, though, what really snagged me was the premise. The idea behind the book is pretty original, and the author does a good job of not ruining a good plot idea. Nothing is so sad as a great plot with poor execution. (I myself am an idea person, but not necessarily an idea executioner, so I appreciate people who can take a good idea and make it the best it can be). I think it's an idea that can go a thousand directions, and I never would have predicted this particular direction, but I was intrigued and enjoyed it.

The premise also led the book to be literature about literature itself, although not in an analytical or academic way. There are continuous discussions by the characters about the true author of Shakespeare's plays and various poets and novels and so on, which possibly makes the book read like this blog--the author's opinion on various literary works. This thread is in and of itself an interesting thing to consider (and it reminds me of Don Quixote, which I should review at some point. Fantastic literature, that.) It's fairly overt metaliterature, so be warned if that kind of thing bugs you. But on the whole, it's just good light reading, and I'm planning on reading more Thursday Next novels.

And is it just me, or does Jasper Fforde kind of vaguely remind anyone else of Daniel Craig?

The way things should have been

This week I read Little Women and Me by Lauren Baratz-Logsted. Mostly I was intrigued to find out how the author would make the premise work. I think this is a book that has an audience, and it is good as far as that goes, but if you have qualms about people introducing changes to books you love, proceed with caution. Because the whole premise of this book is changing a classic plot.

While it wasn't the most riveting book I've ever read, it did introduce a new way to look at a classic book, Little Women and pointed out things I have never thought about. For example, this author thought that Little Women is very episodic and jumps from plot point to plot point, and it seems like that was weird to her. It's really not that weird, if you think about it--do you want to read a day to day account of the characters in a book? But it did present an interesting perspective.

Baratz-Logsted also felt that the Laurie-Amy romance was all wrong. I disagree with that analysis, but that's not the point. The interesting thing is that it was this that led her to write the book, which basically asks the question, "If you could change a book, what would you change and how?" I don't generally think that way, myself. To me it's like asking what if about life questions, which is pretty unhelpful. Especially since 'what if' is never guaranteed. Even if you could go back and choose b instead of a, it doesn't mean that you would have outcome d instead of c. You could still get c, or you might get f, or mm, or 38. Anyway, it is interesting to consider what you might change about a book. I haven't come up with any specific books or done any major analysis or anything, but my general reflection is that the books that I love the most are the books I wouldn't change anything about. It is the books that I don't like that I want to change. Which seems pretty obvious. But usually the books that I don't like are books that, for me, have holes in the plot or poor writing, or just don't hold up. It's generally that the book doesn't seem well-written, not that I just happen to disagree with an author's plot choice. But still, it is interesting to consider.

So, any books that you would definitely change?

Books to suit your mood

Have you ever just not been in a mood for a book? Or needed a book to fit a certain mood? I finished one last night, and it was the perfect book if you want to cry. I wouldn't have guessed that I was in the mood to cry, but it felt good to shed a few tears.

The book was See You at Harry's by Jo Knowles. I have never read anything by her, so I don't know what her other books are like, but this one I recommend. Up front, I will tell you it deals with a couple of heavy issues, namely death and homosexuality. But she deals with them beautifully, and I think it is a good book for it's age group--teens (particularly early). From my coursework in graduate school, and just because of the world we live in, homosexuality is an issue that can't be tucked under the rug. It is a topic that brings up strong emotions in a lot of people, and while a parent should never leave education to books or others, this book I think does a really good job of introducing it, showing some of the tension around the issue, and it does it without preaching. I think the author managed to stay fairly neutral, not imposing her views, but just presenting it as a reality. The other issue, death, was also well dealt with, showing some of the feelings and the grieving process. And because the book focuses on a family, there is a good spectrum of reactions. Knowles did a really good job showing real reactions.

The characters in this book are very relatable, which I think in a book of this style is important. When dealing with hard topics, I don't want to read about someone who is practically inhuman in their approach. I like to read books that help me feel not alone in the world when I'm dealing with hard stuff. If the plot is based in reality. (Fantasy and science-fiction have a little leeway in that regard). At the same time, I don't want characters who go to the other extreme. Knowles strikes a good balance.

Anyway, it's good to have your books for all occasions. You know, books to read when you need a laugh, when you are sad, lonely, stressed, bored, etc. People talk about how books are your friends, and while a book can never replace a person for me, there is a lot of comfort in reading a familiar story. I think that is one of the powers of books. Not a bad power.

What makes a story

There is a game called Rory's Story Cubes, that my nieces and nephews have been playing lately. It's an interesting enough game, and I like the concept. Basically, you roll the dice, and make up a story using the pictures. So, what tends to happen is people create links between the items. "There was a mouse, and he found a key, and it opened the door, and then aliens took them to their pyramid on Mars." Something like that. It is connecting things, but a story is more than just taking elements and linking them together.

A story needs a plot. Things happen, there are reasons and results, people/characters change, they act, they do and say things. The 'elements'--pyramids, aliens, keys, mice--all become important because the story is affected by them. They become significant. The pyramid matters because of the reason we are there, and what we do there. Without the pyramid, the story becomes very different. When we are just linking objects together, that doesn't happen.

Of course, with the game, no one wants to sit around waiting for us to create a real story. That would probably take longer than we want. But a skilled story teller could create a story where even the most eclectic items become pivotal in the plot. It is magical.