North Dogs

Book 42 - A book you pre-ordered

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard: The Sword of Summer by Rick Riordan

If you know me at all, then I don't think you need to question why I pre-ordered this novel.

Months ago, while browsing social media, I came upon the cover of this novel and had to check into it. Much to my delight, this novel is the debarkation of a new series; written by our dear Uncle Rick.

I am often concerned about pre-ordering books because I don't know if I will actually enjoy the novel. This is not the case with Uncle Rick. He wouldn't even need to release the name and I would buy the novel.

As you may remember, the trio of novels that I read for the seventh challenge were about Egyptian gods. If we just back up a little further to the second challenge, you will note that that novel was about Roman and Greek gods.

Well, this challenge breaks away from both of those series', however; you will take note of the lovely addition of a beloved female character from the Greek and Roman series'. (I guess he just couldn't help including her.)

Anywho, this novel is about Norse gods (think Odin, Thor, Loki, etc.), however; we aren't talking Hollywood altered story lines. This is the real deal. 

First of all, *spoileralert* (though you will find this out in the first few chapters), the main character dies and is sent to live in Valhalla which is one of the afterlife places to live. He ends up questing with a Valkyrie, a dwarf and an elf, which is a little different from the usual demigod group of questers.

Second, the story doesn't just take place in our world, there are nine worlds, which means that the characters do a little world jumping during their journey. The strangest idea is picturing them climbing the massive World Tree.

Lastly, if you doubted that Uncle Rick would add his usual sarcasm, you will be nicely surprised. The main character shares all of that wonderful sass that just reminds me so much of dear Percy Jackson.

Now, this is normally the part where I would strongly suggest that you read the novel, because it's just such a wonderfully written tale; but I think I'm a bit biased in that area. I can say that if you have read one of Uncle Rick's novels before and enjoyed it, then you will enjoy this piece of awesome.

Winter is coming, this is t-bear signing off

Sarah's Realities

Book 41 - A book set in high school

Dreamland by Sarah Dessen

Once again, we are privy to the wonderful thoughts of dear Sarah Dessen. 

For those of you who don't recall who Sarah Dessen is, return to Book 22; she is all over that book.

Though I have read this novel before, I haven't ever read it again.

I found that the harshness of the main character's reality makes it hard to put the novel down. With so many of Sarah's novels, I find that the experiences of the characters are so very realistic. I think this is one of the reasons that I choose to re-read her novels so very often.

Without spoiling the story;

We start the journey with sixteen year old, Caitlin, whose family has just learned that their beloved sister/daughter, Cassandra, has run away from home at the age of eighteen. 

As most people have difficulties dealing with being abandoned, Caitlin strives to find a place in her parents' lives after years of feeling overshadowed by her sister. She soon realizes that having all the attention from her parents is not all it's cracked up to be. 

With the addition of sudden telephone calls from Cassandra, the parent's begin to pay less attention to Caitlin. This is where the hard to read part comes in.

Our dear main character finds herself in love and being mentally and physically abused by the person she loves. She knows that what is happening to her is wrong, yet she still hangs on to the relationship because she fears what her life would be like without it.

The entire novel is not a sad tale, but I do find that it is difficult to read at times. You will be glad to know that our dear main character is able to find a happy ending, in her own way.

I do recommend reading this novel. The story is in no way easy to read, but the realness of the character's reactions and feelings are quite powerful to behold. Though this is only my second time reading this novel, I still feel that it is one of my favourites.

Right on schedule, this is t-bear signing off

Insane Affection

Book 40 - a book recommended by your sister

Crazy Love by Francis Chan

It's kind of funny actually.
A while back my dearest sister told me about this book that I had to read; but at the time I was rather June deep in the 2015 Book Challenge. I forgot that the book was even mentioned and moved along with my life.
Two or three weeks ago, my dearest sister mentioned the book again. She used phrases like, "you have to read this book!" and "it's a life changer!"
(We're almost to the funny part.)
I was being all cooperative and nicely put the book on the tippy top of the stack that currently resides on my writing desk. I must profess that I fully had all intentions of reading the book. I feel I have to say this as it appeared almost as though I were just going along with her ruse; at the time of the placing on the tippy top of the stack.
(This is where the funny part occurs.)
I carefully (the only adjective one should ever use when the conversation involves the handling of books) took the book from my dearest sister and placed it upon the tippy top of the stack which resides on my writing desk. When what to my obviously unprepared ears should be spoken, but; "just give it back to me when you are done, because I haven't read it yet."
Now I'm going to give you a little space to digest that.

Here I was believing that my dearest sister had read the book before and that I was receiving a most accurate review; directly from a brain who'd taken the words right off the page. Silly me.
As it has come to my attention that my dearest sister has never read this book before, I have taken it upon myself to give her an honest report. I feel it is my duty, as her dearest sister.

Dear Squid:

When I first began the journey that is this book, I felt that Mr. Chan was attempting to communicate with non-believers or beginner believers. Now I don't consider myself to be either of those and yet I still learned so much about what it means to be a Christian. 

Many of the themes have been studied and preached upon so many times that they are becoming almost tiring. When I was reading this book though, I was able to read the themes in a different light; which has helped the ideas to stick in my brain. There have been many events and specific moments over the past week where I have been able to take something that I read in this book and transfer it into my life or that of another.
I loved it.  I don't just mean the words. If you took a before and after of the physical book, it looks much more loved now. The pages have all been flipped through and viewed and the corners are slightly bent from being in a backpack rather often.

Though I will not, under any circumstances, write in a printed work of art; you will find stickies within the pages where I felt comment was needed. This appeared to be a solid alternative to defacing the beautiful pages.
You used the term "life changer". I wouldn't say that my life was completely turned upside down, but I am now much more conscious of certain aspects of my life. 

In conclusion, I must say a thank you for recommending this book, even if you haven't read it yet.

Much love, 

t-bear

Apocalyptic even without the zombies.

Book 39 - A book by an author from your hometown

Lorelai, You'll Never Die by Laura Konrad

You may be questioning the validity of this challenge as it is not actually named in the 2015 Book Challenge that I found on Pinterest. I have observed that there are a few challenges that would be rather difficult to fulfill and therefore have taken it upon myself to change them. Don't worry, the number of books to read and the time in which to read them have not changed.

This particular challenge has been altered from "A book that takes place in your hometown". As you may be able to imagine, coming from a small town and all, this is a very challenging challenge to behold. Though I do suppose I could have written something based in my hometown, however; I have been operating upon the basis that the books read during the challenge are published works. 

For many people it may be difficult to find published works of an author from their hometown, but I am rather in luck in such a situation.

If you would be so kind as to travel back in time with me to April 5, 2015; you will notice that the author of this novel is the very same author of the story that is Sky Goddesses of Dryden Vols. 1-4. 

One thing you may want to know before embarking on the journey that is this novel, is that it is futuristic and apocalyptic and wonderfully science fictiony. For me, this is rather a fantastic way to begin a novel journey, however; I understand that some do not feel the same way, *coughcough* Moma. I guess some people just don't know what good book genres are.

Anywho, though this novel is subtitled 25 Tales of the Apocalypse, the story flows from one tale to the next without much need to stop and observe ones surroundings. That being said, I spent one evening and then an afternoon with this novel because I just couldn't put it down. 

Now I'm not usually the kind to sit and read a majority of a book in one afternoon, but sometimes we must take the necessary steps to satisfy the universe. 

But seriously, the story picked me right up off my chaise and moved me into a world of death, destruction and "love" (you'll have to read it to understand the quotation marks). 

I embarked on this journey with the sole purpose of reading this novel because I felt that I owed it to Laura to read her published work of art. Little did I know that I would be caught in a world that doesn't exist but feels so very real when stuck between its pages.

I would suggest that you pick yourself up from this page, go right over to Amazon.ca and purchase a copy for your library. You may think I'm being biased or maybe borderline nepotistic, but I actually really love this novel.

In other news, asserting ones dominance is much more effective when driving sans muffler.

Stay golden, this is t-bear signing off

Fortunate Land Mass

Book 38 - A book that became a movie

Treasure Island by Robert Louis Stevenson

A couple weeks ago, I took a tour through the book area in our local Value Village. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, when I happened upon this delightful tale.

Rather than refer back to my lovely book challenge list, I decided to purchase the novel knowing that one day I would eventually read it; book challenge or not. Much to my enjoyment, I hadn't used this very challenge yet.

The movie to which I am referring to is not any ordinary Treasure Island, but rather the spectacular Muppet Treasure Island. Well done, Disney, I must say.

We could sit here and make a case that the movie is a wonderful example of how great Hollywood is at ruining good books; but you really can't go wrong with Muppet Treasure Island. I am quite leery about all those other Muppet movies they've been producing in the last few years, but this one is the creation of pros.

If you haven't already guessed, this novel is based around an island that is said to hold buried treasure. This treasure was hidden on the island by Cap'n Flint oh so many years ago.

The trouble all starts when an old drunkard of a pirate, Billy Bones, calls home an inn that Jim Hawkins (our dear narrator) and his mother own and operate. This old drunkard is handed a Black Spot by a blind pirate and soon after falls over dead. Jim retrieves a treasure map from Mr. Bones' garments and then begins the journey that will take him to Treasure Island and return him in much larger fortune.

As is always the case, the Disney movie had all the characters enjoy a happy ending, where the good guys won and the bad guys lost. The novel however, was rather full of murder and mutiny galore. If someone wasn't dying, was the chapter really worth reading? I say yes, but that's just one persons opinion. 

The movie also took on a somewhat musical element. During the hour and 3/4 length film, we are treated to many wonderful tunes brought to you straight from the mouths of the Muppets (and the humans). Now I generally love musicals so it wasn't difficult for me to rekindle the love that I had for this movie as a youngster. The score was also by Hanz Zimmer, how can you go wrong with that?

I can't say that this novel is one of my most favourite stories. If you have been relying upon the tale told in Muppet Treasure Island, you might want to consider reading this novel, because you are missing a lot of the story.

Seasons are a-changin', this is t-bear signing off

The Eternal Ocean

Book 37 - A book you own but have never read

The Infinite Sea by Rick Yancey

If you are a book lover, like myself, then you will have no trouble looking at your bookshelf and observing all the books that you own but have never read. Somethings I just sit and pass the time by looking at my bookshelf. People will look at you funny when you proclaim it in public. They obviously aren't book lovers. It must be hard for them.

With this novel (which is the sequel to The 5th Wave, a story that Hollywood has taken into its "care"); we are once again taken into an era where most of earth's population has been disposed of, and only few "humans" remain. 

Through the cold, pain, loneliness, and yes, love, the characters are taken on a journey of mind tricks and failed allegiances to the set-up-for-a-third-novel "happy" ending. I followed them the whole way, even when I regretted it, for my heart had trouble taking it in. 

It has been a rather long time since I read the first novel and I suppose I forgot how wonderfully the author describes every day emotions and actions.

I'll be putting these novels in the "you will want to read this again" section of my library. I guess it's a good thing that's the whole library!

this is t-bear signing off

Will the Temperature Shake?

Book 36 - A play

The Tempest by William Shakespeare

tempest [tem-pist]

noun

1. a violent windstorm, especially one with rain, hail or snow.

2. a violent commotion, disturbance, or tumult.

3. Propero, the right Duke of Milan.

Though I previously read that wonderful book on Will Shakes' life and works, I was not sure which category this play would fall under. As it turn out, it is a comedy. 

Remember in high school when you entered the English class and the teacher handed you a copy of one of Mr. Shakes' fine works of art, and you made a disgusted face and held the book like it were infected with the plague? Well, I would have to say that I started out with a similar opinion of the man; until I came to have a better understanding of the language. 

As a high school student I had some trouble deciphering the tongue better known as Shakespearish. This is one of the reasons that I was rather hesitant to pick up this particular book.

With little in my way, I began the tale of The Tempest and soon found out that I understood quite well what the characters were saying in their weird "English".

Assuming I read the story correctly, here is a brief account of the events:

As per usual, we find the trodden-on-family-member on an abandoned island (with his daughter), left to his own scheming. When what to his wondering eye's should appear, but a ship carrying the King, his son and many fancy pants fellows with names in high places. This is when the trodden-on-family-member takes his revenge with the assistance of a spirit. 

A little shipwreck, some invisible spirit spells and a few drunken fools bring the group together; right into the grasp of the trodden-on-family-member who feels it's time they recognized who he is and reinstate his place in society.

I'm not exactly sure what kind of humour Shakespeare was privy to when he wrote this play. I must say, there were no literal LOLs from me. 

Comedy, it may be; while misunderstanding, I probably am. 

this is t-bear signing off