This year my A to Z theme harks back to 2012's theme, in which I listed an A-to-Z of books from my GoodReads "TBR" shelf. This year I want to revisit that list and report on which ones I've read, and what rating I gave them. Where the book hasn't been read, I'll mention other books starting with that letter I have read since 2012. ;)
Status: Read
Brief Review:
- Book #1 - It was good to see a main character who was very far from perfect. I found myself immersed in the world Ged lived in, and fascinated by it. Great world building.
- Book #2 - I loved the idea that the High Priestess of the Tombs (Tenar) got "eaten". I was glad when Ged turned up, tying book #1 in with book #2. This book was pretty slow-paced compared to the others.
- Book #3 - This book took us to yet more far reaches of the realm of Earthsea. I loved the "raft people" scenes. For me, book #3 was the most gripping and fast-paced book so far.
- Book #4 was quite slow as well, but I was still gripped. I was intrigued by Therru, a.k.a. Tehanu, wondering what her story would be. And I loved seeing Therru's point of view of Ged and Tenar: "Her parents had been taken ..." >> Full review
Some other "E" books still on my TBR:East of Eden - John Steinbeck.
Eleven (Brandon Fisher, #1) - Carolyn Arnold.
Ender's Game (Ender Quintet, #1) - Orson Scott Card.
Entwined - Heather Dixon.
Escapement (Neumarian Chronicles, #1) - Ciara Knight.
The Execution (Amnar, #1) - Joely Black.
Existence - David Brin.
I have the first book but haven't read it yet.
ReplyDeleteI love Ursula le Guin and everything she writes. So brilliant. In her book on writing, 'Steering the Craft' she quotes Woolf.
ReplyDeleteStyle is rhythm cries Woolf in this next passage which Virginia originally wrote to a writer friend:
[page 47] "Style is a very simple matter; it is all rhythm. Once you get that, you can't use the wrong words. But on the other hand there am I sitting after half the morning, crammed with ideas, and visions, and so on, and can't dislodge them, for lack of the right rhythm. Now this is very profound, what rhythm is, and goes far deeper than words. A sight, an emotion, creates this wave in the mind, long before it makes words to fit it. . . ."
I liked book 1 of the Earthsea quartet, but didn't get into book 2. I'm not sure why. I'll have to revisit it.
ReplyDeleteOn your TBR shelf for E, I've read Escapement and Ender's Game. For Ender's Game, I think a warning is always good: it's not a "happy" book, and it has some gritty moments. I'm not sure how it's ended up being labeled as a MG read for students although I did have my oldest read it at the end of 8th grade. The characters are young, but the story is really meant for YA to adult readers.
For me, book 2 got off to a very slow start (I mentioned this in the full review linked to in my post). But I was glad in the end that I stuck with it. Really, things didn't pick up pace until Ged appeared in the book.
DeleteOoo! Earthsea is on my TBR list right now. It's nice to see that those books can, eventually be read. Sometimes it feels like my TBR list never actually gets read...
ReplyDeleteAlthough I write stuff all the time one way and another I seldom read any books. . . . . Some folk will see his as terrible but I can only do so many things. Much like visiting blogs in the A to Z there are loads of them so my commenting is getting spread thin. Good luck though getting to Z, I will attempt to return soon.
ReplyDeleteRob Z Tobor
The Earthsea Quartet sounds intriguing. I'll have to add them to my TBR list. :)
ReplyDeleteintriguing set. i love your d - death on the nile!
ReplyDeletelove seeing these titles, old & new =)
happy e day!
how bad of me, i used the same word as Chris above me
ReplyDeletelet's see - they sound enchanting! ah, i feel better now!
One of my favorite "E" books is Exit Sherlock Holmes which is a weird sci-fi/Holmes mashup. Stumbled upon it in a used bookstore.
ReplyDeleteI feel like I must have read these books. I really like Ursula K. LeGuin, but I can remember them. I guess I will have to read them to see if I remember anything.
ReplyDeleteI read these as a child and loved them and again recently and found they hadn't dated well. A lot of it has become standard stuff, almost cliched (although it wasn't when it was written) and the pacing is very slow.
ReplyDeletemood
Moody Writing
I don't think I've heard of that many books which come in a quarter instead of two, three, or much more. I love the orange and yellow pallet on the covers.
ReplyDeleteI've read Escapement and East of Eden from this list. You're giving me so many books to add to my TBR list.
ReplyDeleteEast of Eden...one of my favorite books. Ender's Game I read, but not really my genre.
ReplyDeleteHave Enders Game but haven't read it on my kindle yet. Earthsea sounds like a good series.
ReplyDeleteAh. I've not heard of this book. Thanks for the review and other books recommended. :)
ReplyDeleteI have read Ursula Le Guin but not the Earthsea Quartet. I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteHi Trisha .. I haven't read any of these .. but I'd add book 3 of Stephen Tremp's (co-host) trilogy: Escalation .. which I'm waiting to read ..
ReplyDeleteReading .. time ... when?! Cheers and thanks for the recommendations .. Hilary
Thanks for showcasing about for this famous series of fiction. I havent read any of these, Have added them in my TBR list. Must check them out soon! :)
ReplyDeleteShilpa Garg
Co-Host AJ's wHooligan for the A to Z Challenge 2014
I haven't read any of this series. May have to check them out! Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like an interesting read and haven't lay my hands on. I shall bookmark them:)
ReplyDeleteHi Trisha!!! First I love your blog background!! Is it some kind of weird and wonderful sea creature? A fabulous plant? It's lovely!! Second, yay for your A-Zing and fun theme - thanks for the review of this mega epic story! Four books - that's brilliant!! Very intrigued about the "eaten" high priestress and invoking the name of Ged..!! Take care
ReplyDeletex
Hi Kitty :) The background is a flower, but I manipulated the photo so it was "reflected", so it could be used as a background without tiling in an unattractive way. :)
Deletethis is a good idea for the A-Z challenge- sharing books each day. I think Ive only read East of Eden and id probably have to go look at my bookshelves to come up with more Es but your list is good!
ReplyDeleteLove your theme, Trisha---that'll be so helpful for us readers! The only E title I've read up there is Enders Game. I can't believe you have a book for EVERY letter… that is SO epic!!!
ReplyDeleteOh man, I've not read any of these, either!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read a single book in your E list. I'll start reading right away. Thanks Trisha!
ReplyDeleteThis series is on my TBR pile!
ReplyDeleteDamyanti, A to Z cohost 2014
I have Entwined, it's a retelling of the 12 dancing princesses. I liked it, mostly because the bad guy reminds me of Jareth from The Labyrinth the movie, which I loved as a kid.
ReplyDeleteI STILL love Jareth, and that movie :) It's one of my top movies.
DeleteI will definitely be reading Entwined sometime, and now the idea of that bad guy means I particularly look forward to it. ;)