Here’s my reading list from April. Twenty-two books, for a total of 7,902 pages.

1. CRYSTAL SOLDIER “The Great Migration Duology Number 1″ by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (321 p.) Kind of a prequel to the pair’s “Liaden” series–it goes way, way back in their history, to tell the start of the sci-fi series’ universe. Jela is a soldier stranded on a dying planet, where he adopts a young tree, and ends up pairing up with a “gray-market” space trader named Cantra . . . I have to admit that I like the “real” Liaden series better. (Okay, a lot. I kind of love those books.) This whole world has such a different “feel,” it takes some effort to get into the story, though it’s well-written and pretty engaging once you do.

2. CRYSTAL DRAGON “The Great Migration Duology Number 2″ by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (359 p.)  The second book about the story of Jela and Cantra, with a look at the sheriekas enemy they are trying to fight. Again–it took some effort to get into the book (the beginning, with the sheriekas and the beginnings of Rool Tiazen weren’t really much fun), but the second half was definitely better, and at the very end, the real roots of the Liaden society were right there, and that was kind of cool. Literary archaeology.

3. WORLD WITHOUT END “Moontide and Magic Rise Number 1″ by Sean Russell (606 p.)  A fantasy duology which I absolutely adore. I’ve lost count of the number of times I’ve read it. In a world similar to ours circa the 18th century, but a world which used to have, in living memory, mages. The last one died about 50 years ago, yet around Tristam–a natural “empiricist” (think Charles Darwin)–odd things occasionally happen. He is sent on a voyage of discovery, with an additional goal of bringing back the “regis” plant for the ageing king, but there is a swirl of political intrigue around as well, as different factions work for or against him, as he travels on the small ship with the superstitious hands . . . Beautifully written, really excellent. Great story. Well executed. He’s such a good author, and this pair of books remains my absolute favorite.

4. SEA WITHOUT A SHORE “Moontide and Magic Rise Number 2″ by Sean Russell (608 p.) And, of course, the second book. Tristam’s ship arrives at the island of Varua, but meanwhile, back in the kingdom of Farrland, the different political factions are getting ready to pounce as the king great age starts to catch up to him. And still, it seems as if the power that should have died with the last mage isn’t quite ready to give up yet . . . Really. Excellent books. Give them a try.

5. PERSUASION by Jane Austen (254 p.) Her last completed novel. Anne Eliot, misunderstood and unappreciated by her family, once allowed herself to be talked out of an attachment with a young Frederick Wentworth . . . fast forward to her as an “old” spinster, and him as a successful sea captain, and now a “catch.” Add in a family cousin who may have sinister motives . . . It’s not my favorite Austen book, but it’s a good one, once the story gets going. A more mature novel than her others (because, well, so was she), it’s a little more sobering, and yet people still get what they deserve–good or bad–by the end of the book. What’s not to love in that?

6. FIRST AMERICAN by H.W. Brands (716 p.) A thorough and interesting biography on Benjamin Franklin. So many things I didn’t know about him. (Like, that his wife’s name was Debbie . . . not to mention that he was married at all!) What a decent, intelligent, fair-minded man he seems to have been, and with such a wide range of interests. Got to love that in a Founding Father.

7. LAST OF THE REALLY GREAT WHANGDOODLES by Julie Edwards (207 p.) Children’s book that I’ve loved since I was eight. I gushed about it on the 14th, which you can read here.

8. JACK AND JILL by Louisa May Alcott (308 p.) Best known, of course, for “Little Women,” my favorites from Louisa May were always this book and “Eight Cousins.” Okay, they’re a little twee, a little too sweet, a little too condescending, but I loved them anyway. This one tells the story of two friends who are in a sledding accident and then spend the weeks and months that follow trying to be better people. Doesn’t that just sound so very inspiring? (grin). I can’t help it, though, I always rather liked it . . . although it’s probably not a good book to read if you have blood sugar problems….

9. BEST OF ENEMIES by Nancy Bond (248 p.) Another long-time favorite. This book is from 1977 (or thereabouts), and was recommended to me in junior-high school, and I liked it so much, I bought a copy for myself sometime in my 20s. The author is better known for her Newbery Honor book, A String in the Harp (also fabulous), but I love this story. In Concord Massachusetts, the town is gearing up for its April 19th Patriot’s Day celebrations, but 13-year old Charlotte Paige is feeling bored and left-out . . . until she notices some odd men around town, talking in accents, wearing old Redcoat uniforms . . . turns out, it’s an invasion, of sorts . . . a really delightful story, with one of my favorite book-endings ever, and what a gift this woman has for good description! Pity it’s out of print, it’s a wonderful book.

10. A WRINKLE IN TIME by Madeline L’Engle (211 p.) Continuing my nostalgia kick, I pulled this old gem from my collection. (So old, my copy is priced at $1.25. Who says I don’t get my money’s worth, huh?) I have read all the books in this series, but this has always been my favorite–Meg’s father is missing, she’s having trouble in school because the teachers won’t let her take shortcuts, and her brilliant, little brother Charles Wallace is bound to have even worse troubles . . . enter a dark and stormy night, a trio of mysterious new neighbors, a bit of tesseracting space travel, a good helping of science and wonder, independence and love, and, well, it’s a classic for a good reason. I just adore good children’s books that are just as entertaining and enjoyable for adults.

11. CESAR’S WAY by Cesar Millan (275 p.) A method of dog-training by the host of National Geographic’s The Dog Whisperer. I have a good collection of dog training books but this one’s unique–not as “positive” as the ones I usually read. (I lean toward clicker training; Cesar is all about being Pack Leader.) But I like what I’ve seen of him on his show–quiet, confident, he’s usually smiling, clearly loves dogs and loves what he’s doing. I’ve never seen him hit or yell at a dog. With him, it’s all about exuding the right kind of energy to make your dog feel secure in his place in the world. I can live with that. I don’t know that I agree with everything he says, but what he does say makes a lot of sense, and his show is amazing. . . . I think I’m about to start a dog-book jag . . .

12. A LITTLE PRINCESS by Frances Hodgson Burnett (266 p.) I couldn’t do a “series” of nostalgic-favorite-children’s-books without including this one. I admit, Sara is a bit of a goody-goody, but she’s not quite perfect, and she’s all about being kind, using your imagination, and controlling your temper . . . all lessons I could relate to when I was nine-abouts. It’s a bit on the “sweet and gooey” side, but still . . . I’ve loved this book for years.

13. BLUE SWORD by Robin McKinley (248 p.) Another old-favorite. This by another Newbery author. Harry (short for Angharad) goes to live with her brother when their father dies but one day, is kidnapped by a desert king . . . yes, I know, it sounds like a bad romance novel, but in fact, it’s an excellent, YA fantasy book. Again, incredible descriptions. Great writing.

14. ANNE OF THE ISLAND by L.M. Montgomery (244 p.) How could I do a nostalgia kick without visiting with Anne-with-an-E Shirley? Except, I wasn’t in the mood for “Anne of Green Gables,” so I went for my second favorite of the series, where she and Gilbert finally acknowledge the inevitable–who says college isn’t educational?

15. PRINCE OF THE BLOOD by Raymond E. Feist (351 p.) A fantasy book which revisits Midkemia, the world in which his “Magician” trilogy was set. It tells the story of the twin troublemakers, Borric and Erland, visiting a desert kingdom as ambassadors–until Borric is kidnapped by slavers and must escape to warn his brother….

16. KING’S BUCCANEER by Raymond E. Feist (523 p.) And, in the other book of this duology, Nicholas, Borric and Erland’s younger brother, takes sail to try to rescue a townful of people stolen away . . .

17. JOUST by Mercedes Lackey (441 p.) The first of a fantasy trilogy that takes place in a world similar to Egypt, but where warring countries fight on dragonback. Vetch is an Altan serf who becomes a “dragon boy” for the Tian jousters, but plots to escape to his own country…

18. ALTA by Mercedes Lackey (434 p.) The second of the trilogy, Vetch (now known by his formal name, Kiron) teaches his people how to raise tame dragons of their own, but learns that there are greedy, evil magi in his homeland, using the war for their own ends, and comes up with a plan that will at least end jousting.

19. SANCTUARY by Mercedes Lackey (305 p.) The third of the trilogy–now, hiding in a lost city in the desert, refugees from both countries are trying to come up with a plan to defeat the magi. This is my least favorite of the series, but it’s an intriguing world she’s built here, and they’re enjoyable stories.

20. WENDY KNITS by Wendy Johnson (301 p.). Do I need to explain this one? Knitting as viewed by the famous Wendy . . .

21. BALANCE OF TRADE by Sharon Lee and Steve Miller (451 p.) A stand-alone “Liaden” book–which is some of the best sci-fi around, I think. Jethri becomes an apprentice trader to Norn Van Deelin, and thus, the first Terran to so serve….

22. THE OTHER END OF THE LEASH: Why We Do What We Do Around Dogs by Patricia McConnell (225 p.) An excellent dog book. Not so much a book on dog training as an examination of how we–humans and canines–view the world, and when some of our differences have a big impact on our inter-species communication. (Like, we primates love hugging; canines hate it. We get louder and noisier when we get excited; dogs do not–and don’t respect it when we do . . . so that, yelling at our dogs doesn’t teach them anything other than that we’re unpredictable. What they want is calm assurance . . . and so on). Fascinating, and darn entertaining, as well, as she intersperses anecdotes. Oh, and I love her definition of heel from a dog’s point of view: “Walk slowly at the pace of death by your owner’s knee while ignoring all interesting things.”

• Tags: Monthly Reading List, Reading • Permalink:Reading List from April //