farawayeyes4: (ChuckWriting)
Hey,

After a certain person prodded me about a month ago, I decided it'd be fun to return to some old friends of mine and re-read David Eddings. I've loved The Belgariad/Malloreon series since 1996-97. The first time I met Garion, Polgara, Belgarath and company was during the most awful winter of my memory here in Minnesota. We didn't have school that entire month, I was left with little to do but curl up in a chair under a warm blanky and read. So, I chose a fantasy series I had stumbled upon at the library and was well on my way down the rabbit hole lost in this awesome world.

Now that I'm returning to it, all the love, the humor, and the fun I remember the first time reading it all coming back. I'm kinda reading it a little out of order---I started with Belgarath the Sorcerer, a prequel that came out after the series itself, but somehow starting at the VERY beginning seems appropriate before we get to Garion's portion, yes? The funny thing about this series is that the first volume was originally published in 1982. I was born that year, so Garion and I are the same age in many respects, so it's another element that makes this series all the more special and dear to me.

I also know I need a book to read soon---one that I know backwards, frontwards, and sideways---as I will be going on a trip and I hate flying. I need something I can read while I'm trying not to think too hard about being in the sky or getting past the TSA or all the other headaches that come with post-911 flying. Somehow, getting lost in all those little inside jokes and those great characters seems right.

Truthfully, it's also been way too long for me not to read this fantastic series. It's got a lot of flawed characters that make them so real and relatable, a great plot structure, and the main messages under the magic are so strong that it makes it more than the typical "fantasy" or so-called genre novels. (That's a whole nother rant about how genre has ALWAYS been better than the literary rep it gets, but not for this entry)

So, what are you re-reading? What would you like to re-read if you haven't in awhile? Why?
farawayeyes4: (ChuckWriting)
Happy New Year everyone!

Here's what I read last year:

Books I read in 2014


  1. The Princes in the Tower by Alison Weir (258 pages)


  2. Fangasm: Supernatural Fangirls by Katherine Larsen and Lynn S. Zubernis (239 pages)


  3. Elizabeth of York by Alison Weir (457 pages)


  4. Katherine of Aragon by Jean Plaidy (643 pages)


  5. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum (139 pages)


  6. The Good Earth by Pearl S. Buck (357 pages)


  7. Dracula by Bram Stoker (444 pages)


  8. The Lady of the Rivers by Philippa Gregory (435 pages)


  9. The Kingmaker's Daughter by Philippa Gregory (409 pages)


  10. The White Princess by Philippa Gregory (519 pages)


  11. On Monsters: An Unnatural History of Our Worst Fears by Stephen T. Asma (284 pages)


  12. Goodbye to All That by Robert Graves (347 pages)


  13. The Guns of August by Barbara W. Tuchman (524 pages)


  14. Japanese Tales by Royall Tyler (320 pages)


Total pages read: 5375

All of them were good. If you haven't read any of these, I recommend all of them.

farawayeyes4: (Manga Rin and Butterfly)
Hey,

It sure has been awhile, hasn't it.

As many of you know, I work in retail, and during November and December, I can become very busy. This past Christmas season was no exception. So, why did it take until March to recover? I've been taking a break, quite frankly.

That doesn't mean, however, that I've been lazy! Far from it. I've been catching up on a lot of reading. Since I had this conversation in another lj last night and someone wanted a list of books I've read, well, here it is.

I've read pretty eclectically, if you ask me. History, historical romance, memoir, forensic crime fiction, literary fiction, and essay. It's been nice to get away from the fandom for a bit and expand the ol' horizons. As the old saying goes: A good writer must be a good reader.

So, what have I read exactly? Here's a list with a short thought on each book:

Book List )
Not to fear, though, readers of mine. While I've been doing all of this reading, i have also been doing some writing. I have six pages thus far on the next chapter of Journey. I'm at the halfway point. Hopefully, by the end of the month I can post the next installment. I also intend on reading some of my fellow fanfiction writers works to get caught up in the fandom. Sometimes we just need a break and I've certainly enjoyed mine!

I'd like to thank everyone at the IYFG that nominated, seconded, and voted for Journey and Worship. I am stunned speechless that my story was deemed worthy to take first place and third place. I wish everyone in the Best of 2008 polling luck. I'd also like to thank those who nominated, seconded, and voted for Worship at the FA awards. I am so grateful to have placed second for a lemon I wrote. Thanks everyone for your patience in waiting for the next chapter in this long absence. It IS on its way!

Until next time,

Far Away Eyes

Profile

farawayeyes4: (Default)
farawayeyes4

June 2017

S M T W T F S
    123
45678910
111213141516 17
18192021222324
252627282930 

Syndicate

RSS Atom

Most Popular Tags

Style Credit

Expand Cut Tags

No cut tags
Page generated Jul. 12th, 2025 04:09 pm
Powered by Dreamwidth Studios