Oui free men

You know that book we read in January....

I finally finished it. I even laughed out loud a few times. I don't know if I will read the rest of the series, but only because the stack on my end table is too high already and I find my new church calling is leaving me less time to read. But if I ever am at a lack for something to read I think I'll be able to turn to Mr. Prachett. I loved the Free Men. I loved the first, second and third thoughts. I loved how the 'magic' was explained, but that doesn't make it not magic, because that's the same thing we do for our children. I loved how the battle plan was, "If you see something, attack it." I loved how Tiffany beat the Quin by being confident in herself and who she was, and honestly, I liked that she was a little bit selfish. That she defended her family just because it was hers. I could go on, but I won't. There are so many gems that you just need to discover them on your own.

Thanks for introducing me to some very enjoyable people, Caite.

CRIVENS!

Whew! I made it! I finally read my own recommended book!

What can I say but that the experience was even better the second time around? I had totally forgotten about the part where Tiffany has to agree to marry Rob Anybody...whoever says size isn't an issue is a complete nincompoop.

But I think my favorite quote this second time around is: "It doesn't stop being magic just because you know how it works."

Sound advice indeed.

I think my second favorite piece of advice was: "Never cross a woman with a star on a stick, young lady. They've got a mean streak."

Now if, like me, you absolutely adored this book, (and it seems like most of you have!) I have another gem for you. Not a book, after all I've had my turn and I'm excited to try something new; but it's almost as good.

http://www.goodreads.com/

The above site has oodles of quotes from all your favorite stories. So if you're ever blue and need a bit of cheering up, look for the Terry Pratchett section. There are some doozies!

A day late and a dollar short, as usual.

Well, I actually finished The Wee Free Men last Wednesday and have been busy up to my ears since. It was quite lovely that I had something entertaining to read on the ride to and from Salt Lake last Wednesday (the textiles, sewing, and statistics students went on a field trip to Deseret Mills where they make all of the temple clothes and garments). It was kind of obnoxious, though, to be completely absorbed in the story and start chortling and realize that the six people around me (who obviously forgot to bring their own charming novels) didn't get the joke and didn't appreciate that I was enjoying myself. What was even more obnoxious was that I had to put it down and I somehow found myself having to choose between hiding on the bus and finishing the book or taking the exclusive tour through Deseret Mills and take in all the wonders of those factory seamstresses (I swear, I will never understand how they can sew like that and avoid hurting themselves. Really. Sewing at those kinds of speeds...it left me speechless). And you know that your reading habits are causing issues when you can't reason rationally.

I did love that the heroine's name was Tiffany. I don't think I had read a book yet with the main character having the name of Tiffany. And I would literally have to either mouth or say out loud the wee men's lines. I couldn't resist myself from sounding it out loud, which drove my husband crazy, because he didn't have the least idea of what I was trying to say.

All in all, I thought it was a fun book, a sweet treat to lighten your day, and a quick read--but not because it's short but because you can't put the darn book down even if you have reached Rexburg and you're husband is wondering why you haven't gotten off the darn bus yet.

I give it 5 out of 5 stars. :)

A fruitful library trip

I got to the library today and picked up the first three books in the series.  I am only about 120 or so pages into the first book but I am really enjoying it so far.  When Caite called me about something else this afternoon I spent several minutes reading her some of my favorite lines so far.  She patiently indulged me.

The top 3 (again, so far):

It was a good clang, with the oiyoiyoioioioioioioinnnnnnnnngggggg that is the mark of a clang well done.

"Yes. But sometimes it so hard to find half a mind when you need one."

And finally there was The Goode Childe's Booke of Faerie Tales, so old that it belonged to an age when there were far more e's around.

I am posting these in the hopes that they will make you laugh and want to hurry out to find a copy of the book to read along with us.  I think it is going to be a lot of fun!

The Wee Free Men by Terry Pratchett

Okay folks, I'd like to kick start this adventure by combining something new with something already cherished. I am a big fantasy fan, and one of my all time favorite authors is Terry Pratchett.

I fell in love with this author two chapters into the first book of his that I ever read; I laughed my way through the entire book and didn't realize until the end how much he made me reexamine my own perspectives. I love the way his no-nonsense characters work so hard to find (and then maintain...which is much harder than the finding) some sort of order in their totally nonsensical world. And although Mr. Pratchett has written several books full of wonderful characters, I'd like to introduce you to his newest series: The Tiffany Aching Adventures.

Our January book is the first book in the series, The Wee Free Men.

Now, bear in mind, you don't have to read past the first one if you don't want to...but if you're anything like me, you won't be able to stop after just one! Should you feel inclined to read on, the rest of the series continues as follows:

A Hat Full of Sky

Wintersmith

I Shall Wear Midnight

I would also recommend that this particular series be read in chronological order. (Again, you don't have to, but I'm kind of anal that way...so if you do read them out of order, don't tell me.)

These are shorter young adult novels, so you could very easily finish the entire series before February.

I wish you all happy reading in a brand new year and look forward to hearing what you thought of my choice!