Category Archives: Year

I am Half-Sick of Shadows, by Alan Bradley

Posted on September 4, 2012 by Thistle

I’m in two minds about this installment of the Flavia series. On the one hand, it was fun to revisit the characters. On the other, I didn’t really see the point of the book, other than revisiting old characters (which … Continue reading →

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Daughter of Smoke and Bone, by Laini Taylor (audio)

Posted on August 24, 2012 by Thistle

I downloaded this book from the SYNC audio YA program this summer, mostly on a whim, as this is unlike most of what I read. At first, I wasn’t sure I would listen to much of it, and probably wouldn’t … Continue reading →

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Enchanted Glass, by Diana Wynne Jones (audio)

Posted on August 11, 2012 by Thistle

Another very enjoyable DWJ book! I love how she manages to keep you distracted by so many elements that you really never know how everything will come together in the end! There was one thing about Enchanted Glass that annoyed … Continue reading →

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The Prestige, by Christopher Priest (audio)

Posted on August 6, 2012 by Thistle

I first tried to read this years ago, but got bored quickly after it switched to Part 2 (of 5). I heard Simon Vance read the audio, so I decided to give it another try. I’m glad I did, because … Continue reading →

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The Weight of the Nation, by John Hoffman and Judith Salerno

Posted on July 24, 2012 by Thistle

Well, this book gave a lot of the negative information you won’t get in most books on health and weight loss, which I appreciated, but otherwise seemed to skim on the very surface of this topic and didn’t really tell … Continue reading →

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The Vision, by Jen Nadol

Posted on July 23, 2012 by Thistle

I really enjoyed the first book of this series (The Mark), up until it suddenly switched from philosophical to paranormal in the last few chapters. I didn’t plan to read the sequels, but somehow I forgot that by the time … Continue reading →

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Elantris, by Brandon Sanderson

Posted on July 4, 2012 by Thistle

Because I can’t really do justice to a description of this novel, here’s what Goodreads says: Elantris was the capital of Arelon: gigantic, beautiful, literally radiant, filled with benevolent beings who used their powerful magical abilities for the benefit of … Continue reading →

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Wonder Show, by Hannah Barnaby

Posted on June 27, 2012 by Thistle

Portia’s aunt leaves her at McGreavey’s Home for Wayward Girls, run by Mister, who puts the girls to work and uses them to raise a profit for himself. Portia escapes, joining up with a carnival sideshow, where she lives as … Continue reading →

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The Magician’s Assistant, by Ann Patchett

Posted on June 25, 2012 by Thistle

Sabine has spent years as Parsifal the Magician’s assistant, in love with him despite the fact that he’s gay. After his long-time partner dies of AIDS, Parsifal marries Sabine to ensure she will be legally entitled to his money and … Continue reading →

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Second Chance Summer, by Morgan Matson

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Thistle

Taylor has a history of running away when things get tough, but she can’t run away from the terrible news her father just received: stage 4 cancer, too late to treat, less than four months to live. Her parents decide … Continue reading →

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