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mayakittenreadsI have been horrible at this blogging thing the last 3 months. I would blame being back to studying, but I've been a bit horrible at that too. The very early winter seems to have affected me badly. However, I am determined to post something before flying off to visit my new twin nephews tomorrow (OMG, I have NEPHEWS!), so I figure short reviews of all the books I've read since February will work. I hope you're all ready... here we go!
Indistiguishable from Magic - Catherynne M Valente
This is collection of various blog posts, speeches and academic articles that Valente has written over the years. She writes about life, politics, writing, geekery and so many subjects. Not every essay was relevant to my interests, but she writes in such an engaging style that I couldn't help but enjoy this book. There are 60 odd essays, so it takes a while to get through, but it is well worth it.
Who Was Queen Victoria? - Jim Gigliotti
This is a basic history book aimed at kids that I grabbed on Kindle when I realised it was Women's History month and I wanted to read something about one of my favourite English Queens. Very simplistic, but a reasonable overview of Victoria's life. Definitely meant for kids though.
Cranky Ladies of History - ed. Tehani Wessley & Tansy Raynor Roberts
One of my most anticipated books of the year, particualrly as I was involved in crowd funding it! It definitely lived up to my expectations. Stories about so many intriguing women that I have never heard of before. I want to know more about the Irish priate Queen and the Australia Doctor and motoring enthusiast. Bookended by half sisters Mary and Elizabeth Tudor, this book is full of women who did awesome thing, women who did terrible things but most of all, women who would not be silenced and instead got angry. Read it!
Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories - ed. Kelly Link & Gavin J. Grant
This book took me a year and a half to finish, which perhaps tells you my opinion. There were enough interesting concepts among the stories for me to keep at it, but nothing really jumped out and grabbed me.
Prudence - Gail Carriger
This was another highly ancipated book for me and I loved every word. I ended up banning myself from reading it in my lunch break at work because I kept burting into giggles. I've enjoyed all of the books in this universe, but something about the character interaction in Prudence tickled my funny bone and I spent most of the book in complete hysterics. A delightful romp involving fashion, tea, were monkeys, India, a truly ridiculous dirigible and a giant mechanical elephant.
The Severed Streets - Paul Cornell
I was looking forward this book so much last year after loving the first in the series and then did not get around to it. Holy hell was I sucked in once I started though. I was glued to it while stuck in Perth airport and then on a plane home. Screw sleep, I could not put it down. I had to try very hard not to shriek and flail and wake up my seatmates when I reached THAT MOMENT! Anyone who has read the book will know exactly what I mean by THAT MOMENT! How Cornell got away with it, I have no idea, but it was absolutely brilliant. Crime, London and the supernatural all in one deliciously gripping package.
Phantazein - ed. Tehani Wessley
This is the anthology that happened by accident, but I'm so glad it exists. The stories inside are full of fantasy and myth and magic. They are new fairytales, some dark and some light but all with that whymsical, mythic quality.
Kat, Incorrigible - Stephanie Burgis
This book has elements of some of my favourite things. Magic, Regency England, a sassy female protagonist, romance, adventure... yet I just could not connect with it. It's YA, which I also usually like but there was no emotional connection with the characters. There was crisis after crisis with no answers to the numerous questions until the very end and I don't even understand the magic system properly after finishing it. Not sure I'll read further in this series. Disappointing, really.
I've not included any comics here, but I continue to read Ms Marvel, and have tried Princess Leia and Hawkeye. ;)
Indistiguishable from Magic - Catherynne M Valente
This is collection of various blog posts, speeches and academic articles that Valente has written over the years. She writes about life, politics, writing, geekery and so many subjects. Not every essay was relevant to my interests, but she writes in such an engaging style that I couldn't help but enjoy this book. There are 60 odd essays, so it takes a while to get through, but it is well worth it.
Who Was Queen Victoria? - Jim Gigliotti
This is a basic history book aimed at kids that I grabbed on Kindle when I realised it was Women's History month and I wanted to read something about one of my favourite English Queens. Very simplistic, but a reasonable overview of Victoria's life. Definitely meant for kids though.
Cranky Ladies of History - ed. Tehani Wessley & Tansy Raynor Roberts
One of my most anticipated books of the year, particualrly as I was involved in crowd funding it! It definitely lived up to my expectations. Stories about so many intriguing women that I have never heard of before. I want to know more about the Irish priate Queen and the Australia Doctor and motoring enthusiast. Bookended by half sisters Mary and Elizabeth Tudor, this book is full of women who did awesome thing, women who did terrible things but most of all, women who would not be silenced and instead got angry. Read it!
Steampunk! An Anthology of Fantastically Rich and Strange Stories - ed. Kelly Link & Gavin J. Grant
This book took me a year and a half to finish, which perhaps tells you my opinion. There were enough interesting concepts among the stories for me to keep at it, but nothing really jumped out and grabbed me.
Prudence - Gail Carriger
This was another highly ancipated book for me and I loved every word. I ended up banning myself from reading it in my lunch break at work because I kept burting into giggles. I've enjoyed all of the books in this universe, but something about the character interaction in Prudence tickled my funny bone and I spent most of the book in complete hysterics. A delightful romp involving fashion, tea, were monkeys, India, a truly ridiculous dirigible and a giant mechanical elephant.
The Severed Streets - Paul Cornell
I was looking forward this book so much last year after loving the first in the series and then did not get around to it. Holy hell was I sucked in once I started though. I was glued to it while stuck in Perth airport and then on a plane home. Screw sleep, I could not put it down. I had to try very hard not to shriek and flail and wake up my seatmates when I reached THAT MOMENT! Anyone who has read the book will know exactly what I mean by THAT MOMENT! How Cornell got away with it, I have no idea, but it was absolutely brilliant. Crime, London and the supernatural all in one deliciously gripping package.
Phantazein - ed. Tehani Wessley
This is the anthology that happened by accident, but I'm so glad it exists. The stories inside are full of fantasy and myth and magic. They are new fairytales, some dark and some light but all with that whymsical, mythic quality.
Kat, Incorrigible - Stephanie Burgis
This book has elements of some of my favourite things. Magic, Regency England, a sassy female protagonist, romance, adventure... yet I just could not connect with it. It's YA, which I also usually like but there was no emotional connection with the characters. There was crisis after crisis with no answers to the numerous questions until the very end and I don't even understand the magic system properly after finishing it. Not sure I'll read further in this series. Disappointing, really.
I've not included any comics here, but I continue to read Ms Marvel, and have tried Princess Leia and Hawkeye. ;)
