Friday WishList: Dying For Brandon

I'm on page 973 (of 1000) of Brandon Sanderson's 'The Way of Kings' and do you know what I wish for this Friday?

I wish the next book was already out. I wish I wouldn't have to wait another year or two for another volume... or the subsequent volumes following that one. I want it all! Now!

However, according to Brandon Sanderson's website, it looks as if the next one won't be finished until 2012.

Whenever I'm done with a series book I wonder to myself why I even get caught up in them? Do I really need to be doing this to myself all the time? Yet, I can't seem to pull myself away.

Of course, I think there are twice as many series as there used to be. Maybe that's my problem. Or, actually, their problem. I understand the financial aspects of such endeavors.... but from a reader's standpoint I would love to just have one said and done with! At least give me the satisfaction of a sound ending each time.

What's on your wishlist today?

2011 Reading Goals

Do you ever make reading goals for yourselves? I'm not a fan of New Years Resolutions, but I think I might be willing to make a New Years Book Resolution. There are so many books that I haven't read that perhaps it's a good idea to start working on that list.

Here are some of my reading goals for 2011:

Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

Anything new coming from Brandon Sanderson

I Am Legend by Richard Matheson

One Hundred Years of Solitude by Gabriel Garcia Marquez

A History of the Wife by Marilyn Yalom

Hmm. Since I can finish that short little list in about two months what else do you recommend I read next year?

And as for music. Try out this fabulous rendition of White Christmas:

Friday Wishlist: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova

In 2008 when the first Twilight movie was released a group of friends and I sat in my living room discussing vampires. We had just laughed our way through Robert Pattinson's portrayal of Edward Cullen and were musing over the entire genre of paranormal fiction when someone brought up the book 'The Historian.'

Half the women there shivered visibly.

"That's a good book," one woman said.

The others nodded vigorously.

I had to admit to the group that I had never even heard of the book and the entire room swore they'd bring me their copy the next day.

Two years later and I have yet to hold it.

So what is this book that everyone swore I'd love, but couldn't bring themselves to loan out?

"In 1972, a 16-year-old American living in Amsterdam finds a mysterious book in her diplomat father's library. The book is ancient, blank except for a sinister woodcut of a dragon and the word "Drakulya," but it's the letters tucked inside, dated 1930 and addressed to "My dear and unfortunate successor," that really pique her curiosity. Her widowed father, Paul, reluctantly provides pieces of a chilling story; it seems this ominous little book has a way of forcing itself on its owners, with terrifying results. Paul's former adviser at Oxford, Professor Rossi, became obsessed with researching Dracula and was convinced that he remained alive. When Rossi disappeared, Paul continued his quest with the help of another scholar, Helen, who had her own reasons for seeking the truth. As Paul relates these stories to his daughter, she secretly begins her own research." -Publishers Weekly

Simply put... it's a vampire book. A really good vampire book.

"For once, a novel that is not horror or all blood and gore, but a truely facinating and suspensful tale that kept me awake after reading only 64 pages of it. I am not faint-hearted, nor have I ever been kept awake by any books. This novel facinated me and made me want to finish it in one sitting."- Buttonsamy, Amazon Reviewer

The problem, however, is that the book only gets 3 1/2 stars and the New York Times didn't have the best things to say about it. So what's the big deal?

Everyone I've talked to swears I need to read it, but most of what I read compares it to one of my least favorite novels (DaVinci Code). I'm flummoxed.

Is this sort of like one of those movies that does great from word of mouth but all the professional reviewers hate it?

I'll admit, I'm intrigued and it is definitely going onto my library list... which means it's about 5 books down. Right after The Name of the Wind, The Way of Kings, Beka Cooper- Terrier, and Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra.

Why am I still on the computer? I have some reading to do!


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Books: The Historian by Elizabeth Kostova
           The Name of the Wind by Patrick Rothfuss
           The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson
           Beka Cooper-Terrier by Tamora Pierce
           Leven Thumps and the Wrath of Ezra by Obert Skye

The Way of Kings: Friday Wish-List

I've had a very hard time finding out anything about this book and after digging around for awhile I finally had to admit to myself that the reason I want to read this book is because I love the author.

When Brandon Sanderson's first book Elantris showed up in the Science Fiction Book Club I hesitated buying it. I'd had some pretty bad experiences buying books from SFBC and I didn't want to end up forking out another $20 for a lousy book. The problem was I was pretty desperate for a new book. So I bought it. I instantly realized the sheer power of Sanderson's writing.

Elantris was Sanderson's first published novel and I have followed his work ever since. When it was announced that he would be finishing The Wheel of Time Series, I was among the nerdy fans on his website that cried out in joy.

Fast forward three years and what you find is that Brandon Sanderson has become the best new fantasy writer in a decade.

So when a new book comes out with his name printed across the cover I'll admit I'm pretty indiscriminate of the content.

But what is The Way of Kings about? Even Sanderson struggles to describe it:

The book started its life many years ago being about a young man who made a good decision. I wrote the entire book that way before realizing I’d done it wrong. So I started over from scratch and had him take the other fork, the more difficult fork. The fork that cast him into some of the worst imaginable circumstances, ground him against the stones of a world where there is no soil or sand on the ground.

My goal: to prove to myself, and to him, that the ‘good’ decision was not actually the best one. The Way Of Kings is his story, though he shares the space with several others. They’ll get their own books later in the series.

Intrigued yet?

It's all I needed. In fact, it's more than I needed and I feel like Christmas will be here on August 31st.

But if it's not enough for you, don't worry! Tor.com has a little something-something to wet your palette.

It's actually a BIG something-something....  You can read the prologue and first three chapters here and listen to chapters four through six here.

So, what are you waiting for!? Go... go... discover one of my favorite writers of all time.

Then come back and tell me what you think.

Books: Elantris by Brandon Sanderson,
           The Way of Kings by Brandon Sanderson,
           The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan

Blogger Interview: Cannwin

I have to tell you that I've had this idea in my head for awhile but this week seemed like a good time to post it since I'm up to my ears in responsibilities. So I'm going to interview myself!

Has reading a book ever changed your life?

I have had several books that have had an affect on the course of my life, but I can't say that I've ever had one that actually changed my life. Well, I could list a few life changing religious books.

Do you prefer to read fiction or nonfiction? Explain your choice.

I used to be solely devoted to fiction, but in recent years I have come to really discover and love the memoir. Life stories definitely have an emotional tug for me. I am moved by the trials and struggles that actual people have to deal with and I love knowing that despite the odds actual people can overcome anything.

Some of my favorites are A Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh, West With the Night by Beryl Markham, Three Weeks with My Brother by Nicholas Sparks and Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes.

Has reading a book ever made you cry? Which one and why?

Yes... I'm wondering who hasn't. There was this one book called Petersburg by Emily Hanlon. I read it when I was 19 and first out on my own. I was absolutely riveted by the plot line and could barely put the book down. Then one night at work the most unbelievable thing happened in the plot and I threw the book down in shock. It took me a good month or two before I picked it up and finished it.

Another, more recent book is City of Bones by Cassandra Clare, the end of that book made me sob.

How many books do you read each year?

Depends on the year. When my husband was in Iraq I read the entire Wheel of Time series in one year, that's 12 books. Plus the Harry Potter series. He actually wrote me a letter that said, "I see we're becoming the major financiers of Waldenbook."

Books kept me sane that year.

Have you ever written (or started to write) a book?

::blush:: Yes. Two. One on my own and the other for NaNoWriMo, they are the first two in a series I intend to finish sometime in my life. The series is called 'The GodWrought.'

If someone wrote a book about your life, what would they title it?

The Great and Random Ramblings of Cannwin. Hahaha.

If you could pick a book you’ve read to make into a movie, which one would you choose?

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson, but it would have to be on the caliber of Lord of the Rings or I would never go see it.

What was your favorite book as a child and why?

The Case of the Vanishing Boy by Alexander Key. I literally read that book until it fell apart.

Which character in a book best describes who you are?

I like to fancy myself as an Eowyn type.

What’s your favorite kind of music?

I don't think I have a favorite, I listen to whatever catches my fancy.

Who’s your favorite singer or band?

I have always adored Jewel. (Does that date me?)

What’s your favorite album?

The Hope Floats soundtrack. It's the best album EVER.

What’s your favorite song?

If You're Not the One by Daniel Bedingfield.

Do you like to sing karaoke?

Not on my life.

Are you a good dancer?

Probably not, but I'd like to think I am.

Do you like musicals? (movies or theater)

Yes. I adore Les Miserables and Fiddler on the Roof and Phantom of the Opera and My Fair Lady and...

Has a song ever made you cry?

I can't listen to the We Were Soldiers soundtrack, it makes me physically ill. I love the music, but it has a practical PTSD affect on my system. It dates back to my husband being in Iraq.

Do you have any questions for us, the bloggers?

Books: A Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh
           West With the Night by Beryl Markham
           Three Weeks With My Brother by Nicholas Sparks
           Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes
           Petersburg by Emily Hanlon
           City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
           The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan
           Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling
           Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
           Case of the Vanishing Boy by Alexander Key
           The Lord of The Rings by J.R.R Tolkien

Music: Hope Floats Soundtrack
           If You're Not the One by Daniel Bedingfield
           We Were Soldiers Soundtrack
           Les Miserables Soundtrack
           Phantom of the Opera Soundtrack
           Fiddler on the Roof Soundtrack
           My Fair Lady Soundtrack