Sunday, May 31, 2020

Wyrd & Wonder Wrap-up Post!



Thanks to imyril,  Lisa, and Jorie for organizing this!

I visited a bunch of blogs this time including Calmgrove & Peat Long.

my posts:



Book Beginnings: The Fifth Season

Chocolat review


Here is a quick tour of everything else I read: 
Mirrormask: I listened to an audiobook novelization of the film and really enjoyed it. I probably would have been a bit lost if I hadn't seen the film, though. 

City of Brass by SA Chakraborty: I didn't finish this. I'm not sure why this one didn't click with me; I liked it at first and I was intrigued by the setting,  but after a while, it didn't seem to be going anywhere, and there was nothing I felt strongly enough about to keep me reading.

Monstress vol 4: The Chosen: I read vols 1-3 last year and it might have been a mistake to wait this long; as with the previous volume, I felt a bit lost. Kippa was taken by forces working for the mysterious "Doctor" and Maika is trying to find her. There is a lot of talking and not a whole lot of plot progression, which would be ok if it were easier to follow, but...  I could really use a synopsis to sort out my thoughts if I can find one somewhere. I will probably reread this series when future volumes come out; at least, I want to give it another try. I really like the art, though.

The Sandman Companion: A guide to the comics series; most of the book is interviews with the writer, Neil Gaiman. I loved it! Most of what I thought was really interesting was very specific commentary on the stories, so I am not sure how to review this one. Towards the beginning, Gaiman mentions a few writers that influenced him. I recognized Roger Zelazny (I really liked A Night in the Lonesome October) and Samuel Delany (I have read a couple of novellas by him plus the novel Babel-17.)

The Fifth Season by NK Jemisin: The first book in the Broken Earth trilogy which was one of the highlights of my reading in 2018. I finished rereading this but still need to review it! It was definitely worth rereading but I am not sure when I will read the next one.

short stories:

I read a graphic novel version of two Oscar Wilde fairy tales illustrated by P Craig Russell (in one volume): The Devoted Friend/The Nightingale & the Rose. Lovely illustrations! I have read and reviewed The Nightingale and the Rose before. I can't really think of anything to say about the other one. 

I revisited two other excellent short stories:
"Come Lady Death" by Peter Beagle (Podcastle podcast): I read this years ago as part of a short story collection by this author, but this is my first time listening to a Podcastle episode! I hope to listen to some other Podcastle episodes before next year's Wyrd & Wonder.

I also reread "Paid Piper" by Tanith Lee: the first tale in her collection Red As Blood: Tales from the Sisters Grimmer. This is one of my favorite fantasy stories: a retelling of the Pied Piper of Hamelin with a little bit of the myth of Pan mixed in.

You try to lock everything up in a cage. Your animals and your hearts. But love will always get out. Love, or hate.

other:
I listened to the album of the "Orpheus in Hadestown" musical (2010) and I highly recommend it.

Once upon a time there was a railroad line
Don't ask where, brother, don't ask when
It was the road to Hell, it was hard times
It was a world of gods...and men!

Look out for my 20 Books of Summer list soon!

2 comments:

  1. Mirrormask! I haven't heard of that for a long time. I used to love the movie. I didn't know a novelization exists.

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  2. You are very welcome - it was delightful having you along and I'm so glad you enjoyed it! Here's to new friends and new bookish adventures :)

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