Meerkat's Den

what meerkat's been reading this summer

I have a lot of catching up to do in terms of posting about books I've read lately. I see that the last book I posted about was that horrible book in which the kitten dies.

Well, actually, I skipped a book in my summer reading list. And I feel that, for the sake of full disclosure & honesty, I must admit that I read a romance novel while I was vacationing at the Rivah House with the incomparable CubicleGirl and The Girl. Yes, I actually bought a book at the 7-11 in Smithfield, VA. No, not even at the Piggly Wiggly or whatever supermarket they had there in town (it wasn't a Piggly Wiggly, but it shoulda been). But I digress. The fact is, I bought actual reading material at the freakin' 7-11. See, I had brought along Pocahontas: Medicine Woman, Spy, Entrepreneur, Diplomat by Paula Gunn Allen. What a perfect book to read while vacationing in Powhatan country! But 10 pages into it and 16 hours into my vacation, I had determined that, although it was promising to be a good book, and I do want to get back to it, it was not reading that would satisfy me while I drank Stoli vanilla with Diet Coke, smoked cigars, and listened to country music while sunbathing on the banks of the James River.

So I picked up a medieval romance at the convenience store. Another Chance to Dream by Lynn Kurland turned out to be a perfect beach/summer read. The plot kept me interested, and I found the medieval adventure & chivalry aspects enjoyable. It took me back to that time in my life, the pre-teen years, when I loved those romance stories in the original sense of the word "romance": tales of chivalry, honor and courtly love. I did find the heroine a bit annoying at times, and Kurland overdid the 'twases and 'tises a bit. But overall a fine specimen of medieval romance.

Being in that vaguely medieval frame of mind, I decided to pick up a book that I had started last summer, but got bored with 2/3 of the way through and put down. Fortunately, I had left the bookmark in it, so I could pick right back up where I'd left off. It's a testament to C.J. Cherryh's writing that I could dip right back into Fortress in the Eye of Time, having read the first 2/3 one year before, and not have to reread any parts of it to refresh my memory. It's not among the best fantasy books I've read...I mean, it's not anything outstanding that's going to stay with me forever. But I like the way the book just kind of seeped into my bones. It was very dream-like, which really matched the ideas in the story. It's a book you can really settle into and relax and take a long time to read. There were parts where I was kind of lost...where I think Cherryh could have been more articulate with what was happening...but then maybe it would have lost its dream-like trippy quality. Definitely a book for hardcore fantasy fans. I wouldn't at all recommend it as a first book for someone to be introduced to fantasy. But great for a fantasy fix if you're a long-time fantasy fan like me.

Next I read Isabel Allende's new novel ZORRO! I tried all summer to get it at the library and finally scored a copy right at the end of summer. I was anxiously anticipating this book and it did not disappoint at all. It was a wonderful read! Just great. It had EVERYTHING. I don't want to put in any spoilers, but suffice to say, this book has it all: Indian warriors & medicine women, Spanish missions in California (but of course), pirates, gypsies, more pirates, voodoo priestesses...oh, and of course, duels & swordfights. Loved this book. Allende really did justice to the Zorro legend in a way that I feel no other writer today could have. I breezed through this book -- I mean, I would take long lunches just because I couldn't stop reading. Such a delightful read.

After that, I read Ferret Fun, part of the Animal Ark series by Ben Baglio. My excuse for reading this is that I'm thinking about finally pursuing one of my long-time dreams: to write a children's book. This means that I can finally read children's literature as "research" and not feel guilty about it. This book was delightful. I'm happy to report that NO FERRETS WERE HARMED IN THE PLOT OF THIS BOOK, unlike the carnage we saw in Toes. It had a nice plot arc, some suspense, good characters, and I actually did learn some things about ferrets that I didn't know. I can't wait to read another book in the series! Maybe Hedgehogs in the Hall?

Right now I'm reading The Dim Sum of All Things by Kim Wong Keltner. I will write a full review when I finish the book. But let me just say two things. First, I started the book last Friday and I'm almost finished (another can't-put-down book). Second, the book had me laughing out loud in bed last night. To the point that Mobtown came in and asked, "Are you giggling maniacally to yourself?" I am loving this book.

posted by meerkat35 @ 10:29 PM