Reiffen’s Choice

I have just finished reading Reiffen’s Choice by S.C. Butler and cannot recommend it enough. It is an enthralling book, of magic and Dwarves, of children and men and animals who can change their shape – from bear to bat to man and back to bear.

A story both dark and bright – of the light and the darkness. Few books have made me think and dream as much of late. In some places it is reminicent of Tolkien as in the Abyss at the bottom of the world in the real of the Dwarves. In others of C.S. Lewis as in animals who speak. But, page after page, it urges you to go on. To turn the page and read the next line. To find out about the Brydd and the Bryydin, about what happend to the other Shapers annd where exactly the Wizards are from. But we are left, in the end with more questions than answers – how old is this world? How were Bryyds and Areft and the others killed? They were (are?), gods it would seem, and yet they were defeated. How? Why? Can the same tactics used on Areft work again on the Wizards?

I cannot wait to read the sequel – Queen Ferris. And I am sure the final volume as well, whenever it comes out. 5 stars for S.C. Butler for story superbly imagined and wonderfully put to the page. This is a book worth reading.

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What a beautiful day!!

Well, today was defeintly the most beautiful day of the year so far. It was sunny, not a cloud in the sky, and warm, so warm. Must have been at least 70+ degrees all day long. We opened all the windows and let the wind blow through the windows bringing so much nice, wonderful fresh air into the house. It was wonderful!

Andros played outside basicly all day long, and I read Axis… I didn’t mean to read the whole book today, but it just kind of worked out that way. I started it around 9am or so when I got up and just kept going till I finished it around 4pm, with only a few minor breaks for lunch, and to take care of. It was a very good book, obviously.

Mostly I sat on the swing and watched him play in the grass with his ball, truck, the dogs and all the random things he found to play with in the yard. He’d find a stick and one of the dogs would pull on it and go off and chew on it… then realize he’d found a new one and come back for that one too. Or he’d find a puddle or spot in the yard which was slightly more moist than most and play in that, or dig in the garden, or play with rocks on the patio, or… well you get the point. He was just a very busy, very happy little guy all day long. Which made it highly unsurprising when he fell asleep soon after dinner – he’d had a long, hard day of playing!!

Kevin on the other hand was extremely productive! He tilled up the garden, planted more lettuce and greens, and built a trellice for the kiwi plants (which I helped with after I finished my book;). In the process he got his first sunburn of the year. I’m happy to report that neither I nor Andros (despite having been outside for basicly the same amount of time), have one to match is though. Really hoping Andros hasn’t/doesn’t inherite his tendency to burn. Though, I suppose only time will tell.

Books books, and more books.

So, we went up and saw my grandparents today and dropped off some food that I’d made for them (spicy red beans indian style, basmati rice, spaghetti sauce, waffles). We hung out there for a while talking to Grandma and Grandpa. Dad went and did a little bit of running around at one point… apparently it was the first time he’d been out of the house in nearly a week.

Afterwe left, we went up to Borders so I could look at some books. I managed to keep myself from buying any, though only just. I was mostly looking at Mark Bittman’s How to Cook Everthing and The Best Recipes in the World. I definetly would love to have both of them, but I think I want The Best Recipes in the world more. It just looks like it has so many cool, tasty sounding recipes its really pretty amazing.

So, I started a new wishlist for myself on thethingsiwant.com (). Its pretty short, as theres just not a lot of stuff I *DO* want, as crazy as that may sound. I mean, I suppose there’s lots of stuff I’d like, but not neccasarily ‘want’. If that makes any sense.

John Scalzi’s series about the Colonial Defense Forces was great – I finished
it last week – it had a fascinating premise and was just very thought provoking. I would love to read more about the CDF, Consu, Boutin, and the Perry’s someday!!

I’m also anxiously awaiting Sanderson’s publication of the third Mistborn book in October. The Well of Ascension was just as good as Mistborn, though it certainly asked as many questions as it answered. Which I suppose is to be expected in a series.

I’m nearly finished with The Outstretched Shadow by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory. I keep forgetting to look up and see what the next book is and if any of the libraries around here have a copy. I’m sure Tor’s hope was not to encourage more library usage, but that’s certainly been my reaction. I just can’t justify spending $8-25 on a couple days of bliss, you know? Honestly though, they are selecting wonderful series.

If you need something to read…

Subscribe to Tor! When I first subscribed to Tor’s newsletter which would supposedly give me free ebooks, I was very, very skeptical. I mean, come on, are they really going to send me good books for free? The answer, I can now assure you is yes, the really are. Or, at least, they have. I sat on the computer and read Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson in two days – 600+ pages of absolutely wonderful writing. It was fascinating, and I can’t wait to read the next book – The Well of Ascension – though its going to have to wait for a little while. I’m just not able to justify spending $28 on a book that’ll last me all of 2 or 3 days, judging from the first. So, I’m waiting till June when it comes out in paperback – $8 is justifiable!! Either that or I’ll get it from the libary.

The second book they sent was Old Man’s War by John Scalzi. I’m not quite through it yet (been busy with other stuff, and not been able to devote my entire day to reading ::sniffle::), but so far it’s very good too. I did notice that there are at least a couple more books already out in paperback in the series, so I’ll be able to get them much more quickly.

Now, the one downside to e-books that I must admit, is that it takes up your computer. I suppose if you have your own then thats no big deal, but if your sharing (like me) with other folks, it becomes slightly more of an issue. But my family has survived me hogging the computer for quite a while now, so its nothing entirely new.

Anyhow, if you’re into science fiction and/or fantasy, I definetly recommend subscribing to Tor’s newsletter, especailly if you have a hard time, like I do, deciding what to read next. So far at least, they have selected very good books. We’ll see how long it lasts!!