Books & Videos

[katiefoolery]

Well, one video. But definitely more than one book.

This week's video is a bit of a catch-up on my week. Which is rather logical. Why not spare a couple of minutes and catch up on said weekness?

Unfortunately, I've finished reading House of Many Ways by now. I really didn't want to. I tried my hardest to avoid it, but it happened eventually. This book definitely felt like a return to Diana Wynne Jones's inventively magical best, especially after I failed to be blown away by The Pinhoe Egg. If you've read Howl's Moving Castle, then you need to read House of Many Ways. And if you haven't read Howl... why on earth not? It's all fairytales and sarcasm and vanity and confusion. And yes, it's much better than the movie version, although the adaptation certainly has its charms. I just prefer my Howl to be a jerk, not a misunderstood anti-hero.

One of the things I like about Diana Wynne Jones is the way her characters develop in a very understated way. I was just sitting here thinking that Charmain never really grew or changed throughout House... but she did, in much the same way Sophie does in Howl's Moving Castle.

So read it. And then you can read Company of Liars, for it is similarly addictive. It's set in the time of the plague in England, but it might as well be a fantasty realm. Superstitions are upheld and mythical creatures are believed in - even a man with a wing for an arm is accepted as something that just happens. It's fascinating and beautifully written and packed full of fascinating characters. And yes, it's another book that really shouldn't have to end, but inevitably does.

Since I seem to be developing a trend here, I'm going to ask you all to recommend me your latest book-you-can't-put-down. Please?

(Also, I saw Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince and now believe that Luna Lovegood is made of some sort of crazy awesome. She was seriously the best thing about that movie and she was only in about three scenes or something.)

Comments

[redcapetango]

I love "Howl's Moving Castle"! It has been my favorite book by Diana Wynn Jones thus far.
Since we seem to have somewhat of the same taste in books, I will have to check out "Company of Liars"...
As far as a book I couldn't put down, I would say "The Shape of Mercy", by Susan Meissner, though you have to want to read about the Salem Witch trials.

[katiefoolery]

It's a great book, isn't it? I could quite bring myself to like the movie as much, although I did like the way they made more of the war in the background. But Howl! They turned him into an anti-hero and he's just not. He's a jerk and that's the way I like him. But yes, it's a fantastic book. There's another one in that series called The House of Many Rooms - have you read that? It has Howl and Sophie as secondary characters, but it's really quite a lot of fun. I liked it much more than Castle in the Air.

Thank-you so much for your recommendation! I think the Salem witch trials are an absolutely fascinating era of history, so I'll definitely be looking out for that book. I actually have to go out and buy some books for my work (school library), so I may just add that one to the list.

[redcapetango]

I have read the House of Many Ways! I liked it, though I missed Howl and Sophie being the main characters.;) Would you recommend Castle in the Air, even if it wasn't as good as the other two? Have you read any of her other books?
The Salem witch trials are absolutely fascinating! In a sad kind of way. It makes me wonder how something like that can be started...
You work at a school library? I would love to work for one! It was my dream when I was little to work at a library.;) It would be especially fun to order the books!
Thank you for subscribing to my page! I thought about adding you when I wound up here through simply's journal, but didn't know how you felt about new friends.;)

[katiefoolery]

Castle in the Air is worth a read, definitely. It has the wonderfully quirky characters so typical of DWJ but it just didn't make me love it the way Howl's did.

I love meeting new friends! I'm really glad to have met you. :)

[redcapetango]

I will have to put it on hold at the library then! I tried to put Company of Liars on hold the other day, but the library site was down.:P So, this gives me a chance to put both requests in.;)

I'm glad to have met you! It makes dreamwidth more fun to have a new friend on it!:D