Books as Projectile Weapons

This post is for the January 2012 Teens Can Write Too! blog chain. This month’s prompt was:

“What are examples of books you’ve thrown across the room with force? Why did you throw them?”

This was a pretty tough prompt for me–to be honest, I’m not much of a book-thrower. I’m really more of set-down-the-book-as-if-it’s-a-bomb-and-start-crying person, and I’ve only done that one or two times. If I had the strength of will, however, to throw a book across the room and risk denting my Doctor Who poster, here are a few volumes that could have had the honor.

1. Bright Shadow by Avi. I think we can all agree that if we met Avi, we would get down on our knees and worship him. He’s an amazing writer and just as cool as any pop star–he goes by just one name, after all. However, this book severely disappointed me. I probably wouldn’t have hated it so much if I hadn’t expected so much. The plot, characters, everything seemed poorly done. It’s been quite a while since I read this, so I can’t go into much more detail, but I know that this book was the bane of my existence for a few days in middle school. Although I didn’t throw this one myself, I did witness my science teacher throw a copy of it across the room when I told her I hated it. Thanks, Ms. N.
2. Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan. I’m just begging for rotten fruit to be thrown at me by including this one on the list. Nancy was 12 years old when this one was published, making her a common teen author idol. The book was good enough–perhaps a high average. I was frustrated by this one because of pure, raw, teen-angsty jealousy. The only reason I did slam this book down when I’d finished and not, for example, Eragon, was because there were some aspects I disliked rather than none at all. I’m ashamed to include this one on the list, but I’m speaking for my past self here.
3. Thirteenth Child by Patricia C. Wrede. How did I dislike thee? Let me count the ways…oh, this book.  I absolutely detested it. The characters were poorly drawn, the world-building was weak, and the action was so slow that when I got to the end, I hadn’t realized that the climax had already happened. Some folks absolutely adore Wrede’s work, but I won’t be getting another one of her books. When I threw this book down, it was more out of relief that I’d finished than anything.
4. The Lost Hero by Rick Riordan. I used to be completely and utterly infatuated with Riordan’s work. I still have a soft spot for the PJatO series and the various derivatives, but I haven’t read any more of it since this one. I thought everything was going to be merry and bright when the young demigods made it back to Camp Half-Blood, but no–we have to reveal a horrible truth in the last sentence of the book. Riordan fans, you know what I’m talking about. I said “NO!” about five times before it finally sank in that the book was over on that sour note. I then went into a phase of pseudo-depression for about a week before I got over it.
5. Mastiff by Tamora Pierce. This book, too, was tossed down on the bed and moped about because of the ending. *SPOILER ALERT* I waited six months for my pre-ordered copy of this series conclusion to come, barely able to wait for Rosto and Beka to finally declare their mutual love. And what do we get? Some random mage dude instead. *END SPOILER ZONE* I really think Pierce could have done better with that. Authors, you can only cross us fangirls so many times before we get upset. Your book might just end up wedged in somebody’s bedroom wall.

Want to follow our blog tour? Here are the participating parties, day by day

January 5 – http://weirdalocity.wordpress.com/— From My Head
January 6 – http://correctingpenswelcome.wordpress.com — Comfy Sweaters, Writing and Fish
January 7 – http://laughablog.wordpress.com/ — Laugh A Blog
January 8– http://taystapeinc.wordpress.com — Tay’s Tape
January 9 – http://estherstar1996.wordpress.com — Esther Victoria1996
January 10– http://thewordasylum.wordpress.com — The Word Asylum
January 11– http://kirstenwrites.wordpress.com — Kirsten Writes!
January 12– http://delorfinde.wordpress.com — A Farewell to Sanity
January 13 – http://greatlakessocialist.wordpress.com — Red Herring Online
January 14– http://herestous.wordpress.com — Here’s To Us
January 15– http://incessantdroningofaboredwriter.wordpress.com– The Incessant Droning of a Bored Writer
January 16– http://teenscanwritetoo.wordpress.com –Teens Can Write Too! (We will be announcing the topic for next month’s chain)

 

 

Books I Highly Recommend (and not)

At the very beginning of the history of this blog, a little less than a year ago, I wrote a post titled “Some of my Favorite Books” which listed ten of my favorite books and series. Now, I realize that that list needs serious updating. And, where’s the list of my least-favs? Here I list the books I highly recommend, and afterwards, the ones that, frankly, I don’t.

Favorites:

• The Books of Bayern series by Shannon Hale
• Percy Jackson and the Olympians series by Rick Riordan
• The Inheritance Cycle series by Christopher Paolini
• Fablehaven series by Brandon Mull
• Septimus Heap series by Angie Sage
• Discworld series by Terry Pratchett
• Anything But Typical by Nora Raleigh Baskin
• Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine

Please keep in mind this list is subject to change!

Least Favorites:

• Swordbird by Nancy Yi Fan
• The Capture by Kathryn Lasky
• Bright Shadow by Avi
• Jade Green by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor
• Zel by Donna Jo Napoli

That’s all I can think of right now, and, as mentioned above, this list is subject to change! And I have another note on not-worthy-of-publication books. Molly, a relative, friend, and commenter, has asked me to warn  readers against one book  that she read and detested: Kiss Me Kill Me by Lauren Henderson. She says this book was an utter waste of time and money, and I’m going to take her word for it! From what she’s told me, I can tell it’s horrid.

 

Review: Perloo The Bold

This is the review for the book I recently re-read: Perloo The Bold by Avi. Enjoy!

Perloo The Bold by Avi

Copyright 1998, Scholostic Inc.

Perloo is a shy member of the rabbit-like Montmer tribe who would rather sit in his burrow and read than get involved in politics. But when he recieves a summons from Jolaine, the dieing Montmer leader, he gets very involved with politics: He is chosen as Jolaine’s successor instead of her only cub Berwig. When jolaine dies, Berwig accuses Perloo of her murder. Now Perloo must escape Berwig’s wrath, survive the greatest blizzard in Montmer memory, and even stop a war ~ With only the help of the first assistent of the late Jolaine, Lucabara. How will he do it? And what will become of Berwig? The only way to find out: Read the book! This is a charming animal fantasy that will leave you feeling satisfied and enlightened.

Rating: 3.5 stars.

Praise for Perloo The Bold:

“Avi flexes his creative muscles again [with] a book that fits in the ‘fun’ category… This fantasy/advebture offers a sharp satire on political greed… An exciting, suspenseful, and witty tale.” — Publisher’s Weekly, starred review

“The action is quick, and those pre-Redwall readers who have a yen for animal fantasy will be happy to come along.” — BCCB

“Avi has brought these creatures and their world to life in a fast-paced, compelling read. Younger fans of Redwall will especially enjoy this story. — VOYA

“Theatrical dialogue, good guys (and a girl) to root for, a migh-minded but firm-footed theme, and tons of action.” — The Horn Book

First sentence of Perloo The Bold: Thickly falling snow, tossed and turned by wailing winds, filled the air with streaky blurs of white and gray.

Visit Avi’s website at:

http://www.avi-writer.com