December Book Bracket
When I typed up the title for this post, I said to my husband, "It's December. Do you know what that means?" He couldn't guess, so I told him: "It's close to that time of year where I run lots of data on the books I've read this year!" But, before I get to that point, I have to talk about the books I read (or, for the most part, listened to) this month.
Astrid the Unstoppable, by Maria Parr, Translated by Guy Puzey**
The dynamic nine-year-old Norwegian wonder named Astrid Glimmerdal delights and terrorizes her hometown as she learns about her godfather's long-kept secret and tries to help him.
Why I picked it up: This book was suggested somewhere at some point and I got it with an Audible credit.
My impressions: This is a solid children's book and touches different emotions in the reader (or listener), but it has just a point or two that parents might want to know about in case they want to discuss them with kids. The main character is vibrant and loveable - who wouldn't want to know Astrid? As dynamic as she is, there are a few ways in which she seems just a tad flat - I'm not sure that she changes as much as some other characters in the story. However, this is the conclusion more of an afterthought, and not a glaring weakness. I loved her family, her home village, and the shenanigans she gets up to. She has some flaws (anger), which aren't necessarily worked on throughout the book, but it's generally pretty clear when she crosses the line. While I originally though the book alluded to the story Heidi a little too much, I think I eventually appreciated how the story played with both paralleling and departing from that classic's plot. Parents of more sheltered children might like to know that divorce, alcoholism, and having a child out of wedlock/a summer fling are topics that come up in the story. They aren't dwelt upon, per se, but they are a part of the story and talked about by the characters. I think this book would be great for kids who can encounter some of those more mature themes mentioned, as well as for adults who would like a jaunty children's read. This book has been likened to a mashup of Heidi, Anne of Green Gables, and Pippi Longstocking, and perhaps of even more.
The Bears on Hemlock Mountain, by Alice Dalgliesh**
A tale for young readers about Jonathan and the errand he is asked to carry out when there may or may not be bears in the vicinity.
Why I picked it up: I got this one through Audible - I'd heard it recommended somewhere.
My impressions: The easy language and simple narrative would probably make this story good for emerging readers. It is a short tale, but it has some solid bones to it - a plot, a mistake that has natural consequences for the character to learn from, and a few descriptions of yummy food. It's not a book I'd say one needs to read, but I think a younger child who is just getting into reading could enjoy it.
The Switherby Pilgrims; A Tale of the Australian Bush, by Eleanor Spence**
Miss Arabella takes ten orphans from poverty and dire straits in England to settle in Australia, a land of dense wilderness, limited civilization, danger, and opportunity.
Why I picked it up: This was a book I got with an Audible credit.
My impressions: Though not a must-read, this was a fair historical novel for children that looks at a time from Australia's history. It had a feel reminiscent of Laura Ingalls Wilder books, something like what Western expansion was like in the United States, but in a different country. There was a little bit of Swiss Family Robinson feel to it, as well, as it seems like the Australian wilderness may have been even harder to tame than the American frontier. The characters were nicely developed (some more than others, of course), which is impressive, considering that there were about eleven orphans to distinguish from each other. The way in which the black character is depicted probably wouldn't be the tone used today, but it was not malicious - in fact, he had a very important role to fill, and his differences from the other characters were what allowed him to play such a pivotal role. Very sensitive children might have trouble with a physically abusive character who shows up more in the story after a certain point, but the story is mainly about journeying and surviving in difficult circumstances. I enjoyed listening to this story and learning about the history of another country, and I think those who enjoy children's historical fiction would find much to like in this book.
The Complete Brambly Hedge, by Jill Barklem
This compendium includes all the stories in the Brambly Hedge series, which center on a society mice living a gentle existence in the shelter of great trees.
Why I picked it up: I heard about it somewhere or other and decided to give it a try.
My impressions: I'm so glad I picked it up! I'm not saying it's changed my life, but it may have just changed my life. It felt like the books you'd read to kids who are too young to get into the Redwall series yet. It has cute little woodland tales and gorgeous illustrations that are detailed and a delight to take the time to look at. I spent a minute or two on some of the most involved illustrations, and even went back to peek at a few again. No, there's not a ton of plot, but some have more problem-solution than others. They might be a little long for a bedtime story, but they are cozy and comfy as can be. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes cute tales of woodland creatures, and really, I think I'd recommend this book to anyone. It's great and I hope to have a copy someday for my own future children.
The Wild Robot Protects, by Peter Brown**
The third installment of the Wild Robot series follows Roz, the robot, as she leaves her island to stop the "Poison Tide" that is killing the ecosystems of the oceans and making life harder at home.
Why I picked it up: When The Wild Robot movie adaptation came out in October this year, I learned that there was a third book in the series. I finally decided to put it on hold through the public library's system - and it's been a while since I used the library instead of Audible for an audiobook!
My impressions: This was a good follow-up to the first two books, with the courage to take a look at life and death in the animal world as well as important human issues, but there are two things that I feel parents should be aware of before passing this book on to their children (more on those later). According to the author's note at the end, it sounded like there was a bit of time that passed between the writing of the first two books and this one, but it retained the feel of the first two books wonderfully and had me appreciating the animal and robot characters all over again. There's a solid plot and the story builds in a realistic way. While the robots are more technologically advanced than what we see in our own world, the story is for the most part believable. (Spoiler alert here) the only really unrealistic part of it was that the humans didn't even realize there was something wrong with the oceans of the world, and they'd been at work sending out a devastating form of pollution for months. The two parts I took issue with were Roz discussing that she was programmed to feel like a female, although she isn't male or female - and then was introduced to a fish that had switched from being a male to being a female (or vice versa). In my childhood, this wouldn't have been an issue. There are, in fact, some types of fish that can switch from male to female, or what have you. It's the natural world. The problem is that, in the society we live in, I can't help but read into this scene. Is it a subtle nod to the transgender agenda, or just a scene that highlights a way in which Roz maybe isn't so alone when she dwells in the animal world? The second issue I had was that a main character lied to try to solve a problem. That wasn't necessarily too bad, especially since the reader/listener sees it doesn't work, but the author spent a lot of time saying, "You shouldn't lie, but this is one of those situations where it really is the best case to lie." Well, that didn't sit right with me. Brown would have done much better to leave out the whole diatribe against lying if he was only going to undermine himself in the last sentence and show that the lying in the story didn't result in the consequence the character had wanted. In any case, I think this is a solid and enjoyable book, but I'd really want parents to know about those two elements before handing it off to the kids.
The Cat of Bubastes, by G. A. Henty**
This tale of adventure takes place primarily in ancient Egypt, when the son of the high priest befriends a foreign slave, and then the death of a sacred animal changes their fortunes.
Why I picked it up: This G. A. Henty book was the one that I came across most often, either in recommendation lists or bookstores. At least, that's the impression I have. It was free through the Audible subscription.
My impressions: This book has strengths, and it has weaknesses. The greatest weakness is that Henty sometimes spends too much time describing historical practices (in great detail) that don't factor into the story. In short, the story sometimes takes second place to the historical research. Other weaknesses include too much intro and outro time outside the main problem, and some seemingly formulaic writing - I may be wrong on that count, having listened to only one other Henty book, but that's the claim I'm making. The book's greatest strength was that, after a slow build, things got exciting in pretty quick order after a certain development. This event drew on specific historic practices that were indeed important for the reader/listener to know. If only more of the historic details were as necessary to the narrative! It was also neat to see how some parts of the Biblical narrative were woven in a little bit at the edges, although there were moments when it didn't play off quite right or seem strictly historical. The writing style does not feel particularly inspired or wonder-inducing to me (and some of their manner of speaking made me feel like I was listening to British gentleman rather than men of an ancient civilization), but there's lots of action and adventure, making me feel that this would be a good book particularly for boys.
Out to Canaan, by Jan Karon
This fourth book in the Mitford series follows Fr. Tim in his last year as pastor of his parish as he helps many parishioners and tries to support his mayoral friend in an election against a mysteriously funded candidate, one who advocates changing things up around the cozy small town.
Why I picked it up: I was ready for the next Mitford book and was able to take it with me as my husband and I stayed with family over Christmas.
My impressions: I'd noted that the third book had seemed a bit slow to me and, overall, not as good as the second book, but this book does a nice job of picking up the pace of the series. I like that we get to see more people become part of the sort of extended family that Father Tim and Cynthia attach to themselves, and that there are moments of growth for those characters that we can tell will keep being part of the story. There's a satisfying, although minor, sense of mystery as Father Tim ponders how the opposing mayoral candidate is being funded, and there are plenty of support-your-home-town good feelings that show up in different ways. I think part of what made this book better than the previous one was that it felt like there were real threats to Mitford as the reader knows it, and it wasn't clear how things would be resolved. Well, maybe they are clear and I'm just bad at guessing, but it was a chill, easy read that I enjoyed on my long Christmas break. Those who have already read and enjoyed the first three books in the series would be certain to enjoy this one as well.
Searching for and Maintaining Peace, by Fr. Jacques Philippe
I'm not going to spend lots of time talking about this one. It was time to start reading it about a month ago, and it's good I did, and it seems fitting that this would be the last book I read this year.
Bracket Play
As ever, Fr. Jacques Philippe's book was taken out of bracket play because I reread it so often and it runs the risk of being the best book I've read every year. I gave the best bracket spot to The Complete Brambly Hedge because it was such an incredible experience to read it.
For the first round, I paired stronger books with weaker book, but the middle match up - between The Switherby Pilgrims and The Wild Robot Protects - was a little closer. I decided on The Switherby Pilgrims because there were two points in the robot book that would make me more likely to provide a warning to those I'd recommend it to. In the second round, the book about Astrid won out over The Switherby Pilgrims. Even though Astrid has some elements that are heavier and could potentially be topics of concern, it was well written and full of a vivacity that beat out the tale of settlers in the Australian bush. I was sad to see the fourth Mitford book go down in this round, but it lost out to The Brambly Hedge, which ended up being the ultimate winner anyways. It feels weird to say the best book I read this month was a collection of children's tales about mice, but the charm of the illustrations, the desires it evoked in me to create something as beautiful, and the timing of my encounter with this book made it a convincing winner.
Books I Attempted Put Down
Seems like this was another month with a high book attrition rate, but it does also feel good to think that I was able to put down multiple books that I was less invested in finishing.
Beau Geste, by P. C. Wren**
This adventure tale follows British brothers who join the French Foreign Legion for reasons of honor.
Why I picked it up: I saw this at a local secondhand bookstore, and the interesting cover reminded me that I'd heard of this classic somewhere or other. This was available through the Audible subscription through the end of the month.
Why I put it down: I was having an off week and feeling more than usually sensitive to reading content. The beginning was just too much for me. I don't want to spoil anything with specific details, but let's just say it had to do with death and the deceased. I may have also read up a little bit on Wikipedia to see what sort of story I was dealing with, and it seemed like an important character ends up dying, and I didn't know if I wanted to deal with that, either.
The Cloister and the Hearth, by Charles Reade**
A tale set in Medieval times about the life of a scribe and illuminator.
Why I picked it up: I'm sure it was on a list somewhere of suggested books to read, and it was available through an Audible subscription.
Why I put it down: I wasn't sure that I loved the writing in the first chapter. I decided to do some Wikipedia research for this books as well. Based off when it was written (mid-late 1800's) and knowing the author was British had me curious about what his portrayal of the Catholic Church would be, but some of the content related in the article made me decide this wasn't a book I wanted to give more time to.
Poppy, by Avi**
A young mouse loses her fiance to an owl and faces off with him after befriending a porcupine.
Why I picked it up: I knew the books in this series by Avi were on Audible, and I felt like trying out this book I remember reading in middle school.
Why I put it down: Well, I feel silly about putting down a children's book that's normally something I'd enjoy, but since I married, things hit different - specifically, the death of one or two characters who are in love. I guess I better not pick up Martin the Warrior any time soon. In any case, as ridiculous as it seemed, I felt better when I realized what it was that bothered me.
Juniper's Christmas, by Eoin Colfer**
A young woman's mother goes missing ten years after Santa Claus stopped delivering gifts to children, and she must try to save Christmas and find her mother.
Why I picked it up: There's a reading challenge I came up with and I thought I'd use this book to meet a requirement for it, even though it was a (library) audiobook.
Why I put it down: This book had some good things going for it, and it sounded like an interesting premise. It had an experienced author (ever heard of Artemis Fowl?) and I liked that one of the characters early in the book was a homeless woman who is humanly real and a good friend to Juniper. However, I wasn't really invested in the book. If I'm going to meet that requirement for the challenge, I want it to be a book I'm actually interested in.
