Review: At the Edge of the Orchard

At the Edge of the Orchard by Tracy Chevalier
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This is not a light read. The book is depressing in its portrayal of relationships and people in general.

I enjoyed the second half of this novel more than the first. I wasn't sure I was going to finish it at first. Then it started growing on me. I did not care for Sadie or James Goodenough. They were both mean and vindictive. I preferred their son Robert, so when the narrative switched to his perspective I found the story more engaging.

I enjoyed this book more than the last novel by Chevalier. It still wasn't as good as The Virgin Blue or Girl with a Pearl Earring. Her more recent books felt formulaic to me. This one move away from formula a little which is why I liked it more.

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Review: And I Darken

And I Darken by Kiersten White
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I expected this book to be fantasy, but it was more historical fiction. I still enjoyed it a lot. I was surprised I liked it as much as I did considering I was looking for a fantasy novel. One thing I really appreciated about this book was that Lada our main character was not a beauty and no one disputed they fact. She was not secretly pretty like so many young adult female characters. She was who she was an that did not include beauty. That didn't mean she was without power as a woman it just was where her power came from. I'd gotten tired of the "I'm so plain, but really I'm not plain but pretty," in young adult novels that when this novel didn't have that I was very pleased. All of the characters were human and that was nice. I recommend this book.

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Review: Wildwood

Wildwood by Colin Meloy
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

This book was enjoyable at times and boring others. It was not a book I wanted to read straight through but one I was happy to put down and only picked back up because it was convenient.

I liked the premise for the story, but I think it feel short of its potential.

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Review: Spice & Wolf, Vol. 1

Spice & Wolf, Vol. 1 by Isuna Hasekura
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I watched the anime years ago and loved it. It took me a while but I finally got around to reading the first light novel. I'm so happy I did. I liked that it had economics included in the story. Lawrence a traveling merchant is our narrator and when he travels through a village during the harvest ceremony the harvest God Holo sneaks into his wagon. Holo, the Wisewolf, is just so fun. She is both old and wise and young and silly. I can't wait to read more about Lawrence and Holo.

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Review: The Queen of the Tearling

The Queen of the Tearling by Erika Johansen
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was recommended by a librarian, who thought I might enjoy it based on other books I was checking out. Most of the time the librarians talk with me about books I'm returning so I was a little surprised to get the recommendation without asking. It was a good recommendation for me. I enjoyed the novel and I'm looking forward to the next book.

I really liked Kelsea was an interesting character. I really enjoyed her when she hadn't seen herself in a mirror and started pining over her lack of looks. Before she was shown her reflection she seemed content with who she was and I appreciated that. However, she did become a little obsessed with her looks and others looks and that irked me. I'm hoping that she gets beyond that and is able to just be a kick ass heroine.

I did enjoy the book, and am looking forward to the next. So many questions about the magic in this most apocalyptic world that were unanswered.

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Review: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing

The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondō
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Who doesn't want to live in a house that is full of things that bring you happiness, which is tidy and were everything can be easily found because each item has a place it lives? I want that house. Having collected many belongings I find that many of them don't bring me joy anymore. However, I didn't have a good way to cull them. This book gave me a way to do that which is helping be get through the process slowly but surly.

This book was very Japanese. However, it recommends a good way to tidy. I started the process and did not finish because I got stuck on paper. That was a mistake. I have been making my way slowly through paper still. I know have the next book that fills in more details and hope to get back to this.

I have recommended this book and given it as a gift. I will continue to do so because it has such good advice for creating a joyful home.

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Goals 2016

1. Read 10,000 pages

1. Fool's Quest by Robin Hobb (1/6/2016) 768 pages
2. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Seth Grahme-Smith and Jane Austin (1/9/16) 319 pages
3. Crystal Kingdom by Amanda Hocking (1/17/2016) 432 pages
4. The Water Knife by Paolo Bacigalupi (1/24/2016) 371 pages
5. Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen Cho (1/27/2016) 371 pages
6. Assassin's Apprentice by Robin Hobb (2/10/2016) 345 pages
7. Selected Poems by Emily Dickinson (2/4/2016) 54 pages
8. Royal Assassin by Robin Hobb (2/20/2016) 675 pages
9. All the Birds in the Sky by (3/6/2016)
10. The Keeper my David Baldacci (3/11/2016) 428 pages
11. Their Fractured Light by Amie Kaufman and Meagan Spooner (3/19/2016) 425 pages
12. Queen of Shadows by Sarah J. Maas (3/26/2016) 648 pages
13. Court of Fives by Kate Elliott (4/2/2016) 448 pages
14. Trail by Fire by Josephine Angelini (4/13/2016) 274 pages
15. This Census-Taker by China Mieville (4/25/2016) 
16. Once on a Moonless Night by Dai Shijie (5/20/2016)
17. Arcanum by Simon Morden (5/29/2016)

2. Read 3 Cover Blind books.

1. 
   

3. Read 2 poetry books.

1.  Selected Poems by Emily Dickinson (2/4/2016)

4. Read 2 books of short stories.

5. Read or listen to 10 non-fiction books.

1. The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert (2/3/2016) audiobook

6. Manga and Comics.

7. Audio books.

1. The Sixth Extinction by Elizabeth Kolbert (2/3/2016) audiobook
2. On Such a Full Sea by Chang-Rae Lee (5/7/2016)
3. Girls in Trucks by Katie Crouch