Rating: 4
Read for: TBR challenge
Another book that seemed to have passed me by, this was given to me by a bookloving friend who after I gave him The Book of Lost Things, thought it would be right up my alley. How right he was.
War for the Oaks is an odd book that seems to have joined if not begun the urban fantasy category of books. The story of a rock musician who becomes embroiled in the battle between the two realms of Faerie, whilst attempting to reorganise her own shambles of a life. War for the Oaks is most definitely set in the modern day, in Minneapolis nonetheless, with rock music pervading every chapter.
Eddi McCandry quits her rock band and breaks up with her boyfriend, only to discover that she has been chosen to act as mortal overseer of the battle between the Faerie Seelie and Unseelie Courts. Until the battle commences, Eddi is assigned the phouka, a shapeshifting prankster faerie, as her bodyguard, to keep her safe from the evil Unseelie Court and its ruler, the Queen of Air and Darkness. Eddi finds the phouka insufferable and more than once it occurs to her to flee him and his protection, leaving behind the responsibilities of her role in the battle. But it becomes clear that the phouka has other motives for his involvement in Eddi's life.
While awaiting the battle, Eddie forms another band with her best friend and drummer, Carla, and meets the quiet Hedge, and the mysterious Willy Silver who she finds herself irresistably drawn to. The theme of music runs throughout the story and becomes vital in the final battle between the Courts. The phouka is probably my favourite character. Annoying yet chivalrous, deadly and seductive, you can never really guess what he will do next.
I did not love this book from the start, it took me a while to sink into the story. Bull's writing is not dazzling, but she has a musician's gift with words, evocative and intense, slowly drawing you into this little world she has created. I would be interested to hear her music. But what I loved most about this book is all the nods to British Folklore: phouka, glaistig, brownie and redcaps. The Seelie and Unseelie Courts are Faerie as I remember from folklore, but transported into the modern world of the United States. The meld of the two is not seemless, and I was left with many questions, but it is most definitely an entertaining and gripping story. I'll certainly never look at a rock gig the same way ever again!
Other blog reviews:
Valentina's Room
Friday, December 26, 2008
War for the Oaks - Emma Bull
Challenges 2008
Having said that, I read a lot of wonderful books this year! My favourites from challenges were Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close, The Crimson Petal and the White, The Ladies of Grace Adieu and Rebecca. My least favourites, Clan of the Cave Bear and The Gunslinger.
Thanks to all those who hosted challenges, it looks like a lot of fun and I hope to do so myself in the future! Happy reading!
Details in my original post. This was a good way of getting through some of my massive to be read pile which is growing far too quickly, I can't keep up! Books read:Nocturnes - John Connelly
Clan of the Cave Bear - Jean Auel
The Crimson Petal and the White - Michel Faber
Smoke and Mirrors - Neil Gaiman
The Ladies of Grace Adieu - Susanna Clarke
Details in my original post. I didn't quite complete this challenge as I couldn't get hold of Snows of Kilimanjaro and didn't ever seem to be in the mood for Kafka's Metamorphosis! I enjoyed reading more short stories than usual, though I stil prefer novels, as they give me far more time with the characters. Stories read: 
Details in my orginal post. I really enjoyed all these titles and am grateful for all the great recommendations! Books read:
Details in my original post. Brilliant challenge, I'll definitely participate next year! Books read:
Monday, December 22, 2008
Dewey's Books Challenge - reading list
Oops. I chose my list but completely forgot to post it. Well, it was quite hard, seeing as Dewey read and reviewed so many fabulous books over the years, but I have decided to go with the second challenge option and read 5 books over all 6 years of her reviews. Well, I've actually gone with 6 books, as its possible I may not be able to get hold of one of two of them (Into the Forest and The Lost Years of Merlin have proved elusive!). So, the list:
How I Live Now - Meg Rosoff
Looking for Alaska - John Green
The Lost Years of Merlin - T.A. Barron
The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing Vol 1 - M.T.Anderson
Into the Forest - Jean Heglund
The Uncommon Reader - Alan Bennett
Book Bloggers Christmas Swap 2008
So, the reason I have been posting way more than usual is not that I have finally pulled my finger out and stopped procrastinating..its because I have been lying in bed or on the sofa pretty much constantly since Wednesday feeling sorry for myself. Instead of just getting the flu, I managed to discover the world of bacterial bronchitis, so I'm not supposed to do much other than sit home. Sounds great, but its amazing how bored one can get so quickly! To make matters worse, I was actually too ill this weekend to carry out any of my winter solstice plans, and was left feeling rather bereft last night (though that may have been the antibiotics!).
But what did Mr Postie bring me this morning to brighten up my day? None other than my Secret Santa gift from the lovely Quixotic, and I was quite lost for words upon opening it.
Yes indeed, a box full of delights. First I found a beautiful handmade card and an adorable knitted gnome (who you can see has helped himself to my supply of sloe wine already!).
Also in this box of goodies...Dreams Underfoot by Charles De Lint and Strange Roads by Peter S Beagle, both books by authors that I have been longing to read ever since you naughty bloggers recommended them to me!
But she didn't stop there! I also found another card, some beautiful writing stationery (about which I am totally obsessed, just ask Rhinoa!) and two lovely little button badges that suit me perfectly!
Quixotic, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and wish you a very Merry Christmas! You've certainly brightened up a rubbish week for me.
I also want to thank Nymeth for organising this year's Book Blogger Christmas Swap. I'm sure I am not the only blogger with a big smile on my face because of what you have organised, many many thanks for your festive cheer! My thoughts will also be with Dewey, who has done so much for events like this. Winter blessings to you all and may all your dreams blossom in the coming year!
(Apologies for the poor quality photographs. They were taken on my phone as I managed to lose my camera last week. My brand new camera. Just before my holiday. Typical!).
Saturday, December 20, 2008
Watchmen Trailers
Apple - Movie Trailers - Watchmen
My Daughter, The Fox - Jackie Kay
Read for: The Short Story Challenge
I'm still a little unsure of what I think about this short story (hence no rating). My first instinct was that I loved Kay's writing, so lyrical and full of beauty and life. The premise was unusual, but accepted by the narrator, embraced even. I find that summing up the story, woman gives birth to fox, just doesn't get across what it is really about, the pains and joy of motherhood. I am not a mother, and thus this story perhaps reaches me on a different level to those who have had a child.
On the other hand, Kay's story is bittersweet. Even with all the joys of being a mother and experiencing the love of her daughter, the narrator has to accept the difference between them, and that she will almost certainly outlive her child. Encouraging the reader to accept that the child is a fox is a hard task, perhaps made easier by the short length of the story. We are not given enough time to disbelieve. I honestly don't know what to think, I have no immediate feeling of pleasure or disgust, or boredom or amusement when reading this story, thus this review is quite difficult to write!
One thing that does stand out to me is Kay's description of her daughter's unconditional love. This innate bond between mother and child, formed in the womb. It reminds me of a recent photograph of a family friend, lying on the bed with her newborn daughter beside her. The mother is beaming, holding the tiny fingers of her first child. But it is the look on the child's face that moves me and I can only think of one word to describe it...adoration. Her eyes wide and her mouth slightly open, she gazes into her mother's face with delight. That if nothing else explains to me this bond and perhaps, may even help me choose if and when it is time for me to have a child...perhaps..
"Nobody tells you how flattering it is, how loved you feel, your child following your every move like that. Her beady eyes watched me open my post as if it was the most interesting thing anybody could do....Her eyes lit up, fierce with love. When she looked at me from those deep dark eyes of hers, straight at me and through me, I felt more understood that I have ever felt from any look by anybody."
Friday, December 19, 2008
Blog Advent Tour 2008
Welcome to your next stop on the great Blog Advent Tour 2008 as organised by the ingenious Kailana from The Written World and Marg from Reading Adventures!
I thought I would share a little something about my build-up to the winter holidays this year. I live in Norwich, a mediaeval city on the east coast of the UK. The city is not very large, but famous for its 11th century Cathedral and Castle, old markets, fairs, street theatre, crafts, infamous Colmans mustard and of course for our most famous resident...the great Stephen Fry! I have only been living here for two and a half years, but love the history and culture the city has to offer, and this is the first time that I have been here during the build-up to Christmas.
Every year the city hosts numerous festive events and I have had the pleasure of attending both the Mediaeval Fayres over the past two weekends, one at the Dragon Hall and the other in the cloisters of the Cathedral. Both were transformed by the presence of stallholders in traditional costumes selling mediaeval style wares, such as pottery, woodwork, games and jewellery. Minstrels, jugglers, fire eaters and storytellers graced the halls, passages and cloisters, with the smell of hog roast and mulled wine permeating the brisk winter air. I was particularly taken by the traditional ash longbows, but I did not have enough silver coin and had to be pleased enough with a beautiful old flowerpress, antique wooden jewellery box and mediaeval dice game in a small leather pouch. Here is a little taste of the Historic Christmas Fayre in the Cathedral.
And the final highlights to my mediaeval winter celebrations..a trip to the theatre to see a lovely performance of Charles Way's play Merlin and the Cave of Dreams and a visit to the somewhat drafty Cathedral to see the fabulous group the Mediaeval Baebes play their best performance yet (in my humble opinion), with the audience sipping mulled wine in an effort to stop shivering. I was even graced with my favourite song (which brought more than one tear to my eye) and the lovely ladies signed a copy of their new album for me. Drums, flutes, strings and beautiful lyrics sung in mediaeval latin, english and welsh in a stunning mediaeval setting. I do not know how I am going to top this next year!
A very Merry Yule/Christmas/Hanukah (etc etc delete as appropriate) to you all! Thanks for stopping by, and don't forget to visit the other blogs on today's advent blog tour:
Laclau from Conversaciones de cafe
Kriss from The Swim Mom
Morgan from Insert Clever Name Here
And there are plenty more fabulous sites to visit from tomorrow:
20 December
Jessica from The Bluestockings Society
Naida from The Bookworm
BookClover
BookThingo
21 December
Rhinoa from Rhinoa's Ramblings
Melissa from Remember to Breathe
The Bluestocking Guide
Michelle from Fluttering Butterflies
22 December
Think Pink Dana
My Friend Amy
Nicole from Linus's Blanket
Susan from Reading, Raving and Ranting by a Historical Fiction Writer
23 December
Jane from Janezilfeandtimes
Memory from Stella Matutina
Debbie from Friday Friends Book Blog
Cari from Book Scoops
24 December
Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings
Sheri at Semicolon
Kailana's Written World