Home » Discussion Forums » Pollyanna's Booklist » Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading?
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46085 is a reply to message #46069 ] |
Mon, 07 November 2011 18:45   |
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i just finished changes by mercedes lackey. loved it.
Bonnie Holmes the faster ahead I go, the more behind I get
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46292 is a reply to message #46286 ] |
Thu, 17 November 2011 12:19 |
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 Angelia
Messages: 389
Registered: October 2008
Location: Southwest Missouri, USA |
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| AJLR wrote on Thu, 17 November 2011 07:36 |
I've just finished The Beekeeper's Apprentice, by Laurie R King. I was a little unsure about the concept before I started reading it, as I'm not usually a fan of an author writing about a character that was not their own creation originally. However, this story was - for me - delightful. Interesting and (sort of) believable plot developments, an engaging and understandable set of characters. And when I'd finished it (I was lucky enough to be able to download an e-copy, for free, from my public library) I was very pleased to see that it is in fact the first one in a series.
I'll let the synopsis and reviews on Amazon give the story details. 
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I liked it, too.
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46317 is a reply to message #46069 ] |
Fri, 18 November 2011 16:27 |
Kim A
Messages: 117
Registered: August 2009
Location: Vancouver, Canada |
Senior Member |
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Just finished Octavia Butler's Fledgling; my first book by her. It was fascinating. I couldn't put it down.
I'm also flipping through several books about climate change, including Climate Wars, by Gwynne Dyer, and Six Degrees: Our Future on a Hotter Planet, by Mark Lynas. Scary stuff. Great if you're looking for plot ideas for your dystopian novel!
And I finally figured out how to download library e-books: what fun! My first is an Edgar Eager-type story by Laurel Snyder called Any Which Wall.
Speaking of legal downloads, somewhere on this forum a while ago someone posted a link to a great article about why illegal downloading of artistic content is just plain wrong. Does anyone remember that? I'd love to be able to show that to my daughter, who doesn't seem to get it.
It was the only lullaby she would ever sing, and it was sung in Hell. --Laini Taylor
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46483 is a reply to message #46364 ] |
Wed, 23 November 2011 14:31 |
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Beauty/Anna
Messages: 481
Registered: November 2008
Location: America |
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| L.R.K. wrote on Mon, 21 November 2011 02:36 |
"The Margrave" by Catherine Fisher, the fourth & last in the Book of the Crow; and it's the only title the American publishers haven't changed - either because they ran out of alternative titles, or because they realised it was the only suitable one for the book.
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Why did the US change the titles? I mean, that seems rediculous.
(pardon the unPollyanna like tone...)
[Updated on: Wed, 23 November 2011 14:32]
"You are your best resource for success"
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46487 is a reply to message #46069 ] |
Wed, 23 November 2011 16:08 |
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L.R.K.
Messages: 1081
Registered: October 2008
Location: Sweden |
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I have no idea! It happens so often, too, which can get really confusing - in this case especially, I thought that she'd written more books set in this world, so was quite disappointed when I realised this was not the case... I do know, though, that in the case of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", J K Rowling was told by her American publishers that Americans would want nothing to do with philosophers or anything connected to philosophers, and so the title was changed to "sorcerer's stone" instead...
Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean, like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46496 is a reply to message #46381 ] |
Wed, 23 November 2011 22:25 |
librarykat
Messages: 566
Registered: October 2008
Location: Redneck Riviera |
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I read Mastiff last week. Won't spoil anything, but mixed reactions may be due to what happens in the book's climax. I could see the logic of it, though, mostly due to my reading so many crime thrillers and police procedurals. To me, the Beka Cooper Trilogy is basically a police procedural mystery trilogy, albeit one set in a fantasy medieval world where magic exists. The plot of this one is more political, and the characters have to make some difficult choices in situations where there is no really good choice. It seems darker in tone than Terrier and Bloodhound, which already were darker in tone than Pierce's other Tortall books, which might also have bothered some people. I love Beka Cooper as a character, and she really comes into her own in Mastiff; she's maturing as a woman and as a Dog (what the law enforcement is called in old Tortall). I like it a lot, but I do love mysteries and especially police procedurals. People who prefer the fantasy elements may not like it quite as much.
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46512 is a reply to message #46318 ] |
Thu, 24 November 2011 11:45 |
Kim A
Messages: 117
Registered: August 2009
Location: Vancouver, Canada |
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| Maren wrote on Fri, 18 November 2011 14:33 |
There was also one from a year or so ago about a musician who directly contacted a teenager who was uploading sheet music of his, I think. Could it be that one?
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That's the one I was thinking of! Thank you! (Here it is for anyone who hasn't see it.)
It was the only lullaby she would ever sing, and it was sung in Hell. --Laini Taylor
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46524 is a reply to message #46487 ] |
Thu, 24 November 2011 21:43 |
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Melissa Mead
Messages: 990
Registered: October 2008
Location: Albany, NY, USA |
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| L.R.K. wrote on Wed, 23 November 2011 16:08 |
I have no idea! It happens so often, too, which can get really confusing - in this case especially, I thought that she'd written more books set in this world, so was quite disappointed when I realised this was not the case... I do know, though, that in the case of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", J K Rowling was told by her American publishers that Americans would want nothing to do with philosophers or anything connected to philosophers, and so the title was changed to "sorcerer's stone" instead...
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Now that's just insulting. Sheez. You's think publishers would know better than to believe stereotypes.
Member of Carpe Libris: http://carpelibris.wordpress.com/
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46530 is a reply to message #46069 ] |
Fri, 25 November 2011 00:19 |
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L.R.K.
Messages: 1081
Registered: October 2008
Location: Sweden |
Senior Member |
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Yes, I know - I felt it was offensive too. And I won't go into any digressions about what I think about people who treat children as if they were idiots, either - as it's a subject I feel extremely strongly about! If I say anything at all I won't be able to stop myself, and I'll not only get off-topic, but really, really unPollyanna really, really quickly...
Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean, like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46551 is a reply to message #46496 ] |
Fri, 25 November 2011 15:15 |
harpergray
Messages: 87
Registered: March 2011
Location: Sweden |
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| librarykat wrote on Thu, 24 November 2011 03:25 |
I read Mastiff last week. Won't spoil anything, but mixed reactions may be due to what happens in the book's climax. I could see the logic of it, though, mostly due to my reading so many crime thrillers and police procedurals. To me, the Beka Cooper Trilogy is basically a police procedural mystery trilogy, albeit one set in a fantasy medieval world where magic exists. The plot of this one is more political, and the characters have to make some difficult choices in situations where there is no really good choice. It seems darker in tone than Terrier and Bloodhound, which already were darker in tone than Pierce's other Tortall books, which might also have bothered some people. I love Beka Cooper as a character, and she really comes into her own in Mastiff; she's maturing as a woman and as a Dog (what the law enforcement is called in old Tortall). I like it a lot, but I do love mysteries and especially police procedurals. People who prefer the fantasy elements may not like it quite as much.
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Thank you! 
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46632 is a reply to message #46524 ] |
Tue, 29 November 2011 12:44 |
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Angelia
Messages: 389
Registered: October 2008
Location: Southwest Missouri, USA |
Senior Member |
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| Melissa Mead wrote on Thu, 24 November 2011 20:43 |
| L.R.K. wrote on Wed, 23 November 2011 16:08 |
I have no idea! It happens so often, too, which can get really confusing - in this case especially, I thought that she'd written more books set in this world, so was quite disappointed when I realised this was not the case... I do know, though, that in the case of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", J K Rowling was told by her American publishers that Americans would want nothing to do with philosophers or anything connected to philosophers, and so the title was changed to "sorcerer's stone" instead...
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Now that's just insulting. Sheez. You's think publishers would know better than to believe stereotypes.
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I wonder if there would have been less controversy about the book (here in the US) if they had stayed with "Philosopher's"? It seems to be the sorcery that set some people off.
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46634 is a reply to message #46632 ] |
Tue, 29 November 2011 14:51 |
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L.R.K.
Messages: 1081
Registered: October 2008
Location: Sweden |
Senior Member |
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| Angelia wrote on Tue, 29 November 2011 18:44 |
| Melissa Mead wrote on Thu, 24 November 2011 20:43 |
| L.R.K. wrote on Wed, 23 November 2011 16:08 |
I have no idea! It happens so often, too, which can get really confusing - in this case especially, I thought that she'd written more books set in this world, so was quite disappointed when I realised this was not the case... I do know, though, that in the case of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", J K Rowling was told by her American publishers that Americans would want nothing to do with philosophers or anything connected to philosophers, and so the title was changed to "sorcerer's stone" instead...
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Now that's just insulting. Sheez. You's think publishers would know better than to believe stereotypes.
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I wonder if there would have been less controversy about the book (here in the US) if they had stayed with "Philosopher's"? It seems to be the sorcery that set some people off.
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You know... I find that thought oddly pleasing... in this context... poetic justice, and all... (Not that I mean that I wish any harm on J K Rowling herself - but then, she did manage to sell a book or two, so that's all right. )
Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean, like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46780 is a reply to message #46487 ] |
Mon, 05 December 2011 19:12 |
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Black Bear
Messages: 3216
Registered: September 2008
Location: Indianapolis, IN USA |
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| L.R.K. wrote on Wed, 23 November 2011 16:08 |
I do know, though, that in the case of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", J K Rowling was told by her American publishers that Americans would want nothing to do with philosophers or anything connected to philosophers, and so the title was changed to "sorcerer's stone" instead...
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Sorry, responding late--back when it came out, I'd read the title change was simply because the phrase "philosopher's stone" wasn't common in American parlance, not that they thought Americans had a general aversion to philosophy. Though they might have thought it was too hard a word for a kids' book.... (Also BS, of course, but still more plausible than "Americans hate philosophers.")
ETA--according to wiki:
Fearing that American readers would not associate the word "philosopher" with a magical theme (although the Philosopher's Stone is alchemy-related), Scholastic insisted that the book be given the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the American market.
I can see their point, as I don't think I'd ever heard the phrase Philosopher's Stone before I was an adult and had read a lot of medieval lit--a kid looking at that title would have no idea it was about wizarding.
[Updated on: Mon, 05 December 2011 19:18]
"The time is always right to do what's right."--MLK Jr.
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46782 is a reply to message #46780 ] |
Mon, 05 December 2011 21:53 |
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L.R.K.
Messages: 1081
Registered: October 2008
Location: Sweden |
Senior Member |
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| Black Bear wrote on Tue, 06 December 2011 01:12 |
| L.R.K. wrote on Wed, 23 November 2011 16:08 |
I do know, though, that in the case of "Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone", J K Rowling was told by her American publishers that Americans would want nothing to do with philosophers or anything connected to philosophers, and so the title was changed to "sorcerer's stone" instead...
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Sorry, responding late--back when it came out, I'd read the title change was simply because the phrase "philosopher's stone" wasn't common in American parlance, not that they thought Americans had a general aversion to philosophy. Though they might have thought it was too hard a word for a kids' book.... (Also BS, of course, but still more plausible than "Americans hate philosophers.")
ETA--according to wiki:
Fearing that American readers would not associate the word "philosopher" with a magical theme (although the Philosopher's Stone is alchemy-related), Scholastic insisted that the book be given the title Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone for the American market.
I can see their point, as I don't think I'd ever heard the phrase Philosopher's Stone before I was an adult and had read a lot of medieval lit--a kid looking at that title would have no idea it was about wizarding.
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I thought that I wouldn't "argue the point" as Jack Easy would say (not that he would, mind you - as he was prepared "to argue the point" with anyone anytime anywhere - note: the hero of Captain Marryat's "Mr Midshipman Easy", which I love but I don't think I have recommended as I'm hesitant as to how "PC" it is - though I must say that I think that Mesty is a surprising black character given the time it was written in - he's not only loyal and courageous, but also very smart, and it's often that his advice saves Jack's... er... posterior. Hm. But I digress... Where was I? oh, yes... ) - but, what the heck!
So they would not know what "the philosopher's stone" was.
Ergo they would think it had something to do with philosophers...
with whom (see above) they would want nothing to do.
Why, I feel all thin, sort of stretched, if you know what I mean, like butter that has been scraped over too much bread.
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46898 is a reply to message #46069 ] |
Sun, 11 December 2011 22:24 |
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Kathy_S
Messages: 313
Registered: October 2008
Location: Indiana |
Senior Member |
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I don't consider 'Philosopher's Stone' a matter of dialect at all. The UK vs. US dialect argument makes some sense when there are actually different terms for something on different sides of the ocean, especially if, say, an American kid reading that Harry is wearing a jumper is likely to think it's a dress with a blouse under it rather than a sweater. However, "philosopher's stone" is a phrase with a long history, used on both sides of the ocean, not something for which different terms were used in different English-speaking countries. I doubt much of the younger target audience in Britain knew what it was, either!
For me, one of Rowling's strengths is the way she embroiders and incorporates source material. It's both amusing to those who have the background and a fantastic way of introducing young people to historical ideas. Deleting a term such as "philosopher's stone," with all of its associations in literature, is equivalent to replacing the term "mandrake" with some random alternative. Thank goodness they at least left that one alone, so that, should any readers explore medieval herbals, they will say, "Oh! So that's why she thought up the pink, fluffy earmuffs." Shakespearean vocabulary should also seem a little less obscure....
[Updated on: Sun, 11 December 2011 22:55]
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #46985 is a reply to message #46906 ] |
Thu, 15 December 2011 22:31 |
emnwalker
Messages: 6
Registered: October 2008
Location: Utah |
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I've recently finished Cutting for Stone (liked it a lot); Animals Make Us Human by Temple Grandin, which was fascinating though I really don't think the title fits; the three Hunger Games books, which I liked more than I expected I would. The author does interesting things with the teenage main character loving two different guys; and I just finished Sue Grafton's mystery V is for Vengeance, whose main character I have become fond of over the years of reading the series. Oh, and I, also, recently downloaded my first e-book: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater, an author new to me. It is a YA fantasy, and it had some nice qualities - most of the horse details were realistic, and it had a couple twists that surprised me. I was a little disappointed in the ending, but overall, I enjoyed it.
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| Re: Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading? [message #47053 is a reply to message #46069 ] |
Mon, 19 December 2011 10:03 |
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Beauty/Anna
Messages: 481
Registered: November 2008
Location: America |
Senior Member |
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I've just finished Guards! Guards! by Terry Pratchett and started Feet of Clay.
However I am also reading Villette by Charlotte Bronte.
Well I'm reading a whole huge list at the moment but there's a few.
[Updated on: Mon, 19 December 2011 10:07]
"You are your best resource for success"
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Nov.-Dec. 2011 What Are You Reading?
