A Turn of Light

Hello readers!

It has been a while since my last post! Wow! I haven't posted since last year ;-) (har har). The past few weeks have been a little hectic getting adjusted to no longer having the hustle and bustle of the Christmas season (sniff) and becoming resigned to the fact that I now have to face the coming winter with no color at all. Okay, that might be a little overdramatic, but that's just how I feel after leaving December behind!

Well, I did manage to escape a little of the dreariness by reading (what else?) I had found a book toward the end of fall semester that looked interesting and was not in a section I typically look in: Sci-Fi/Fantasy. I know, I know, you're probably thinking "but you've said you love fantasy, why do you not look in this section all the time?" Well, here's my answer: I typically find the authors that I like in the Christian Fiction section, through recommendations and loans by friends, browsing the teen fiction section (yes, I know it's not what you'd expect, but there are a few gems hidden among all the cheesy, eye-roll worthy romance novels), or a combination of all three. But, I was killing time in a bookstore (which shall remain nameless but I will say it shares names with two popular characters on screen for Marvel fans and Whovians) with my sweetheart, just browsing and not willing to end our night out before he took me home. And so I ended up in the Fantasy section of this bookstore. About a year ago, he had gotten me into Ender's Game, which is a good story. Well, I was looking to see if there were anymore books in that series on the shelf, along with Neil Gaiman, who has also written a book I am quite fond of as you can find out about in one of my earlier posts. On the same shelf unit, I spotted a title that looked rather interesting. So I picked it up and added it to the stack (I always carry around a stack that I end up placing back on the shelves because the practical side of me says that I can't have them, I don't like that side of me). Eventually, I chose this book over Neil Gaiman. Here is the title of the book that so intrigued me: A Turn of Light. Sound familiar? It should; it's the title of this post ;-)  So, I brought it home, let the boy borrow it since I was already in the middle of a book and finishing up the semester so I didn't need that kind of commitment. Eventually I got it back and was able to read this amazing story. So, let me see if I can sum it up in such a manner as to pique your interest as it did mine.

A Turn of Light

This book opens up with a girl of 18 sitting out in a meadow, talking with her invisible friend. The girl's name is Jenn, and her friend's name is Wisp. You know that everything is not as it seems by the end of the first chapter, with Wisp talking to his own friends. I won't reveal what was said, you'll have to read that for yourself ;-) But back to Jenn. She is just days away from her 19th birthday, the day on which she will be able to do what she wishes with her life, but the same day that her father wishes to see her settled down with a young man. All Jenn wants to do is to get out of Marrowdell and see the world. Only she can't, for two reasons, one which she knows all too well, and the other which she has no idea. The first is because her father and aunt want to see her marry a young man from Marrowdell and settle there where she grew up. After all, that's what any respectable young girl would do. The second reason, though, is far more dangerous. If Jenn were to leave Marrowdell, she would die and the entire world be thrown into chaos. Why would such a simple girl have such an effect on such a big place? For one simple fact: Jenn is turnborn which means she was born during a turn, or sunset in her world, at the very border between the world of Jenn Nalynn and the world of Wisp, who is not of her world. All of this Jenn is unaware of, running about Marrowdell like the country girl she is, full of dreams and hopes and wishes. Marrowdell itself is a special place. Being on the edge of two worlds, it holds magic and mystery unknown anywhere else in the world, but only those who know what to look for can recognize it. I won't go into detail about the magic, again you'll have to read about it for yourself, but that does bring in a good place to introduce two more characters who have big roles in the story.

Bannan Larmensu and his friend Tir are on their way north toward Marrowdell, bringing everything they need to start new lives. Bannan signed the settlers' pact, which allotted him land in the north wherever he wanted, and is searching for his destination. Tir is just being a loyal friend and former colleague and is tagging along to make sure his friend does not hurt himself. Why would this be a good place to introduce these two characters? Because Bannan is a truthseer, which means he can tell if someone is telling the truth and can also see things for what they truly are, even if they are cloaked by magic. Why is he significant to the the story? Because he eventually is able to see Marrowdell for what it truly is, a place of magic and danger, mystery and intrigue. But he decides to stay for many reasons, not the least of which is the lovely Jenn Nalynn. And so his part in this story sets itself up... or does it?

On to the story. This whole story is just one event after another. Yes, all stories are like this, but in this particular story, it seems, every small action is instrumental in setting up yet another event. Both Jenn and her sister Peggs are engaged, and the events surrounding those happenings are quite interesting. Jenn unwittingly uses true magic and sets the stage for a good part of the story. It isn't until a little past the middle of the book that she learns who she truly is and what she can do. But, I won't spoil it for you. You'll just have to read the book and find out for yourself ;-) I will say this about the ending of the book though, it does not end the way you think it might. At least, I didn't expect this ending.

So now time for my opinion of the book. Overall, it was a great read. I would definitely read it again, just when I actually have the time to focus on the book and not have to put it down every few pages. You know those books where a) you have to stay focused and not get distracted from it in order to really follow what is going on, and/or b) you have to put it down every few pages in order to stay sane because there is so much information at one time? This is that type of book, both a and b. Great story, I love the characters and their adventures. It just seemed to drag in places. It's definitely not for the casual reader, I'll give it that. But now that I've read it, I want to go back and read it once more and see what details I may have missed. And now I pass it on to you. Go, read it, and tell me what you think about it!

And in other exciting news, Ms. Czerneda has announced that she is writing a sequel to this book, so I'm looking forward to seeing where she takes the story.

That's all for now. Go find an adventure!

Happy reading!

Why I Read

Hello readers

It has been a little while since I last posted. I've been busy with summer term and life in general. But that has not stopped me from reading!

Today's post is one that I've been stewing on for a while now. To give a background of why I've been thinking about it for so long, let me tell you the sweetened condensed version of the story.

I was taking an introductory business course my first semester at college. Toward the end of the term, I was placed into a group with three other students. One day, one of my teammates, for the sake of anonymity and forgetfulness of names and all that good stuff I'll call him Will, and I were waiting in the library for the rest of the team to arrive so we could discuss our project. (I'm sure everyone who has taken any college course, especially a business course, can understand this!)  Well Will and I started talking to pass the time, and the subject of reading came up. After talking for a minute about it, Will asked me an unusual question, one that I'd never been asked before. I don't remember the exact wording that he used, but he asked if I took reading seriously, treating the worlds within the stories as real. I told him yes I do. He responded with the craziest (at least to my mind) statement, and as soon as he said it I knew he was not a reader, and had not experienced the joy that is reading, at least not in the way I have experienced it. Again, I don't remember the way he worded it, so I'll paraphrase his response. He said I should not take it so literally, that I should keep my head out of the clouds. The world around me is more important than the ones I find in books, and my life in the real world is the best thing to focus on than the one that I experience in books, according to Will. You can imagine that I did not like that comment too well. However, instead of jumping into a rant about how I love to read and just how good for the soul a good book is, I just nodded and said maybe so. So, that is the shortened version of the story behind why I have been thinking about this for a while. Over the past year it it will come back to mind and I will have one of those arguments inside my head and you totally kill the other person and win your case. But unfortunately Will is no longer around to hear it. So, here I am typing it out for you to read, my defense for why I read and lose myself in books.

To start with, books do not addle the brain, despite what Aunt March says. On the contrary they can make a brain a better thing, especially if it is nurtured properly. Reading stories can help develop imaginations which can spill over into the real world. With a greater imagination comes greater creativity. Greater creativity can lead to success in any career regardless of the field of work; it pushes readers to think outside the box to come up with unique solutions to problems of all shapes and sizes. One example, albeit humorous yet not so humorous, is how to respond to any insult or situation. You've heard of Disney comebacks for any situation; well there is the literary equivalent. This could really be expanded to responses for any awkward situation. I usually use a common phrase from Bryan Davis' books whenever I'm thinking too hard or I'm bombarded with information. The phrase is "My brain is choking!" Of course the effect is much better if you have a panicked look on your face and hold both hands to either side of your head. ;-)  I did get a little off subject, but I think it was worth it. That's just a small advantage that readers have over non-readers. But a part of my point about the imagination is readers are able to picture things in their minds. Books, especially those without pictures, give flight to the imaginations of those who open their pages. As a person reads the words on a page, the picture that the author has so wonderfully painted forms in their mind, giving them a viewing portal into the world in which the characters live. And that my friends, is imagination at work and being exercised.

Another advantage is the ability to escape. Stories give readers the wonderful opportunity to escape from the worries of the present world and run to the embrace of another place and sometimes another time, into the open arms of friends both old and new. I can't tell you how many times I have picked up a book to forget what I'm worried about or to run off on an adventure and escape the normal routine. Sometimes I just need a little comfort that can't be offered by anyone present, but the characters in the story world give me just what I need. If I need a laugh there are books that do just that (I'm reading one such book right now); if I need a word of wisdom any book on my shelf will give me what I need. So, books can provide the means for escape and comfort that nothing else can provide. Sure a movie or a video game can provide that, and for some people that is their outlet, but there is something special about using your imagination to paint a picture in your mind's eye and interpreting the descriptions for yourself.

Yet another reason why I love to read is this: I meet so many new friends. With every book I pick up I learn a new name that I know I will grow to love and a new name I will grow to despise and never want to see. And yet, each name is dear and special to me. Yes I may not want to see that character ever again, but I still want to see their name on the page because I know that means the story is not over yet and I don't have to say goodbye just yet to the characters I do like. There are some characters who have left the story worlds that I read, never again to dance across the pages, and that fills me with grief whenever I open those books. Yes, I can always go back and read the stories again, but that separation will always be there. I will never again meet them for the first time, never reel from the shock of their disappearance. These characters include Susan, Peter, Professor Kirk, Mr. Tumnus, and Reepicheep; Sapphira, Elam, Karen, and Professor Hamilton; Brom; Boromir; all these just to name a few. Some have died and some have just left the story altogether to live happily ever after, but they are my friends all the same. At the same time I have many friends who are still in the story at the end: Meggie and Mo; Maria, Robin, and Sir Benjamin; Aslan; Billy, Bonnie, Matt, Lauren, and Clefspeare. Through these friends I have gained wisdom, learned how to fight evil and allow good to prevail, how to persevere and hold on to my faith when it seems like all hope is lost.

Reading has taught me patience. (I know, this is probably a stretch, considering I do glance ahead to see if a character is still present later in the book) In spite of my flaw, I have developed a patience in waiting to learn what happens. There are many times when there is a situation in one of my books that I want to see resolved but it won't be resolved for several chapters because of a skipping between points of view. There is also the wait between books in a series! That is probably the worst kind of waiting when it comes to reading because even when you can't stand it any more and have to know what comes next, you can't look ahead except at the summary that the author might decide to give. And that is enough to drive any book lover absolutely bonkers!

One last thing is reading teaches readers to be quiet and still, even when everything around us is not. I could write a whole post about how calming a book can be, and I might do just that at a later date. Even when everyone else is running around and losing themselves in the hustle and bustle and noise around them, a reader can immerse herself in a good book and tune out everything else. This is what makes reading so relaxing. It helps a reader to slow down and de-stress, distracting from the worries of the day.

That is why I love to read. These are abbreviated reasons, but they still show just how wonderful it can be.

Even dogs love to read!

I'd love to hear your thoughts on reading and what it means for you! Tell me in the comments. Then go read a book and put your head in the clouds.

Happy reading!

A Few of My Favorite Non-Classic Classics

Now that I’ve told you a little about myself and why I love reading, let me tell you about some of my favorite stories. These books are a few titles that I think should be labeled as classics. Probably the main reason I think these should be on the same shelf as Dickens, Poe, and Austen, is their stories are timeless. Many books that you read can have relevance for only so long before fading into obscurity. There is only a select few books that stay with you throughout your life. For me, these titles are among the many that I will keep on my bookshelf for years to come. So, without further ado, allow me to introduce you to some of my favorite non-classic classics.

1.  The Storyteller’s Daughter

This book is one of the most recent additions to my bookshelf outside of my normal fandom. I consider it to be what I call a gateway classic. What I mean by this, is it is a retelling of a well-known, well-loved, and often interpreted classic masterpiece, which sparked my interest in the original story. Just to keep you on your toes and keep the suspense up, I’ll wait till the end to tell you what the original title is, although I’m sure once I start explaining the story you’ll recognize it. ;-)

The story is about Shahrazad, a young woman who has a very interesting heritage. Her father is the vizier to the king, and her mother was Maju, the daughter of a fierce and proud people and also a great storyteller called a drabardi. Shahrazad’s mother died when she was very young. At her passing, the young girl inherited her mother’s gift of storytelling, but at the price of her sight. Years passed and the young girl grew into a young woman. This story is not only about Shahrazad, it is about the king as well. Not long before our story takes place, Shahrayar, which is the name of the king, had an unfortunate event befall him, leaving him without a queen. His heart was so grieved that he vowed to take a bride at every full moon and kill her the morning after their wedding night until he found true love. This is where our story really begins. Shahrazad offers herself as the first young lady to be the king’s unfortunate bride. However, she has a trick up her sleeve. The time comes for her to be presented to the king as his bride, and he takes her as his. Once they are alone, the storyteller’s daughter begins the greatest, most important story of her life, enticing a promise from the king that he will not kill her until her story is complete. She tells her tale in such a way that it cannot be completed within one night, thus saving her life. Every night she picks up her tale where she left off the previous morning. Soon, the people begin to suspect and treachery is unleashed within the palace. Shahrayar and Shahrazad, who by this time have grown to love one another, are separated. Soon, the storyteller is called forth to be tested beyond her physical ability.

I know that seems an abrupt place to leave the description, but if I were to go any further, I would give away the ending. Knowing how much many book lovers abhor spoilers I will refrain from ruining the book. If you really want to know what happens, well you’ll have to read it yourself. And, in case you haven’t already guessed, this book is a retelling of the classic One Hundred and One Nights. As I stated before, it is the perfect gateway classic to entice readers to explore the pages of the classic masterpiece.

2. The Little White Horse

I really don’t know where to begin for this book. It’s got everything you want in a classic fairy tale. It has suspense, hints of magic, new friends, fulfilled prophecies, and, best of all, romance. It has just enough whimsy to carry you away to a new world within our world for a little while, but still keeping enough reality within its pages to keep you grounded. There is not much that I can say about the story without giving too much away.

When young Maria Merryweather arrives at Moonacre Manor, she has no idea that her life is about to change. Whether for the better or the worst, you’ll have to read and see for yourself. When she finds out from her uncle, Sir Benjamin, that her family has been the subject of a prophecy, she sets out to do what she can to fulfill it and bring peace to all involved. Along the way, she meets new friends in the local village, including an interesting cat named Zechariah. Among these acquaintances, she finds an old friend named Robin. She even helps to settle a generations old dispute. Throughout her adventures, she learns some important lesson. While there are many teachable moments within this story, the most important one is when she learns to set aside her own interests in order to help others achieve their desires.

This book is one for the young and old alike. The story is timeless and never loses its character. Along with Maria, the reader learns a few lessons along the way. We learn to have the willingness to follow your heart, take a stand for what you know is right, have the courage to face your fears, and above all to be willing to set aside your ambitions to help someone else achieve theirs.

3. Room in the Heart

This story opens in pre-World War II Denmark. I find this particular story to be unique out of all the World War II books I have enjoyed. It follows two main characters, telling the story from their points of view, as well as three supporting characters who are no less important. Our two protagonists are Julie, a Jewish teenaged girl, and Niels, her best friend’s brother and a loyal patriot. As we make our way through the book, we follow both teens in their struggle to make sense of the new Nazi regime and what it means for their country, their families, and them individually. Amid all the chaos and confusion, a romance begins to blossom between these two, although neither is brave enough to admit it. Then, to everyone’s shock, comes the fateful order for the roundup of Jews. It is now that friendships are tested, loyal Danes are called upon to help their friends and neighbors escape the nightmare that is a concentration camp. Julie and Niels find themselves racing against the clock and the law in order to keep their loved ones safe.

Yes, I know there are hundreds, if not thousands of books out there set within the Holocaust. Most of these are on many school reading lists, from The Diary of Anne Frank to The Devil’s Arithmetic to The Hiding Place. This subject seems to have been exhausted. Yet we still read these stories of love, nightmares, betrayal, hope, despair, and discovery. This story stands out to me in a way that others do not, for a reason not even I can say. Maybe it is the romance, it could be as simple as the perspectives given. Whatever the reason, this book should be considered a classic or at least on school reading lists.

These are just a few of my favorite books that I believe are worthy of the “classic” categorization. You may or may not agree with this list, and that’s okay. In either case, I hope I have added a few more titles to your “To Read” list. I would love to hear what you think. Feel free to leave your own list of books you think should be considered classics in the comments below! :-)

Happy reading!