books...

[littlelotte]

Library day. Finally got Till We Have Faces, as I've been meaning to read it for about three years now. Also got Coraline based on numerous suggestions (wanted to get American Gods, but they didn't have it in, as nearly as many people have told me to read that as Till We Have Faces), a book of Irish legends and stories, and a book of Welsh folktales. I read Mary Zimmerman's Arabian Nights and I was fairly impressed with it, though it didn't hit nearly the same chord that Metamorphoses did. I still have to read her Odyssey.

I started reading a book of Indian stories, but I had to return it. I enjoyed what I read, but I had already rechecked it out once and don't like rechecking books out more than once in a row in case someone else is interested in them. Same goes for the real Arabian Nights first volume. I'll check them out again within the next couple of rounds. I really enjoy the Indian "tale within a tale within a tale" format. Or rather the "tale after tale after tale within a tale" format. The one I read about the king and the corpse actually got a little tedious after a while. I think it was twelve tales within the main one. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed every one, but I was too anxious to get on with the main story. I really have to acclimate my mind and patience to that format.

I think I'm going to read Coraline first in this batch. In fact, I think I'm going to start it now. Too bad I have to work in nine hours :-P

Also, I won a $30 gift card to Best Buy at the work party Sunday night. I'm going to get Loreena McKennitt's newest album, but I need another recommendation, too.

Comments

[amneria.livejournal.com]

Till We Have Faces is excellent. You will enjoy it.

That sounded like a command. YOU WILL ENJOY IT!!

Hehehe..I'm tired and loopy.

Love you!

[snowowl.livejournal.com]

I actually didn't like American Gods...I thought the writing was sub-par and the plot only so-so. But then, like you, I can name ten people who absolutely love it. My SO didn't like it either, so since it's his copy technically -- I'll talk to him and ask if he'd like to pass it on to you. It's in good condition and everything. :)

[diatryma.livejournal.com]

I liked Coraline quite a bit. I liked Anansi Boys more than American Gods, though-- just a different type of book.
Have you found Catherynne Valente's book, The Orphan's Tales: In the Night Garden? From what you said about Arabian Nights, it does sound like your sort of thing.
I really have to start that book soon or I'll be reading it for the next four months.

[samuraibutterfl.livejournal.com]

If you like Indian stories, try "The 20th Wife" by Indu Sundaresan. I got the book a while ago and read it while I waited for the India thing to come through. I haven't finished it yet because I got too depressed when I tried to read it, but it was still very good.
As for music, my favourite is Within Temptation but their first American release isn't due out for a while. Want me to upload you some stuff?

[amelia-petkova.livejournal.com]

Coraline is great, and so is the new McKennitt album. (Wish that I could have seen her performance at the Alhambra!) I'm not sure that I can recommend any other books in the Arabian Nights genre, but have you seen the TV mini-series for it? I was very impressed. (I also wanted the costumes.)