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The Demon Who Peddled Longing by Khanh Ha

December 3, 2014 by

Source: Virtual Author Book Tours
Paperback, 291 pgs
I am an Amazon Affiliate

The Demon Who Peddled Longing by Khanh Ha is set in post-war Vietnam when a country is still plagued by Khmer Rouge pirates, thefts, rapes, and other devastation.  Nam is a 19-year-old young man striving to avenge the death of his cousin after she is found naked, raped, and killed in the canals of his town after disappearing one evening.  His life was once simple, and this loss, along with the loss of his uncle shortly afterward, has left a deep emptiness in him.  Adrift in the Plain of Reeds, Nam is stumbled upon by an eccentric woman who lives on her own, and he agrees to help her and earn money as he plans out his next steps in the search for his cousin’s killer.

“He felt a fever coming on while he stood in the doorway looking down at the boat.  The water-covered plain reddened as the sun went down, water and sky for one brief moment reflecting each other in a flaming red; and looking across the shimmering water he could see nothing in sight but clumps of tall bushwillows and beyond them dark rain clouds rolling in from the horizon, gigantic billowing black shapes quickly filling up the sky, and distant roars of thunder reverberating over the horizon, seemingly coming from deep in the earth like drumrolls.”  (page 17 ARC)

Nam’s journey from northern Vietnam to the south is fraught with danger as he runs into kind people who are twisted by longing for a better life and whose lives are darkened by loss and oppression.  His presence in their lives helps to shed light in the darkness, but it also further raises tensions in already tenuous situations.  From helping a local family haul in fish and earn money, Nam is always on the lookout for her cousin’s killers.  In many ways, however, Nam’s journey is serendipitous when he uncovers the truth of his cousin’s death.  Along the way, he becomes a man and is free to take his life in any direction he chooses. The novel is very atmospheric and heavy at times, but readers can get lost in Nam’s journey of self-discovery.

The Demon Who Peddled Longing by Khanh Ha is about the darkness that can hover over our lives, and how we each can choose to bow to that pressure or stand up to it.  Part quest and part fable, Ha has created a rich journey through the towns, canals, and fishing hamlets of post-war Vietnam that are struggling to find their way in a world that was once and in many ways still is in turmoil.  Personal demons to actual struggles with evil outside of ourselves can mark our journeys, but they do not have to define who we are.

About the Author:

Khanh Ha was born in Hue, the former capital of Vietnam. During his teen years he began writing short stories which won him several awards in the Vietnamese adolescent magazines. He graduated from Ohio University with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism. Flesh is his first novel. He is at work on a new novel.  Visit the author at his website.  Check out his interview.

Other works reviewed:

Filed Under: fiction, Read in 2014, review copy, reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Jane Austen Cover to Cover: 200 Years of Classic Book Covers by Margaret C. Sullivan

December 2, 2014 by

Source: Quirk
Hardcover, 224 pgs
On Amazon and on Kobo

Jane Austen Cover to Cover: 200 Years of Classic Book Covers by Margaret C. Sullivan is chock full of covers from when Jane Austen’s books were first published to more modern renditions as publishers strove to attract the attention of young adult readers.  The covers range from plain leather and cloth to campy and romantic, but Sullivan does not stop there.  She offers her readers a bit of publishing and copyrights history, along with some family biographical notes.  Austen’s novels have endured for two centuries, and some volumes included illustrations by artists and critical introductions by famous critics of the time.  In the back of the book, there are synopses of the novels and a guide for buyers of Austen’s works, with some sage advice about staying within a budget — especially since some volumes can cost $500 or more.

This is a beautiful rendition of the publishing history of one novelist, with carefully reproduced covers, quotations pulled from the novels, and great comments about the books, the author, the publishing industry of the time, and more.  Readers of Jane Austen — no matter how new to her books — will love learning who coined the term “Janeite”, how wealthier buyers in the 1800s personalized their bound books with signature bindings, and critical comments about the book cover decisions that publishers made given the trends of the time.

Jane Austen Cover to Cover: 200 Years of Classic Book Covers by Margaret C. Sullivan contains beautiful artwork, commentary, and more for Jane Austen readers, book publishing connoisseurs, and history buffs.  Using the resurgence of Austen’s work in movies to redesign book covers is just one trend that will captivate modern readers, but this volume has a lot to offer. A perfect gift for the Jane Austen lover or history buff in your house.

About the Author:

Margaret C. Sullivan is the author of The Jane Austen Handbook, (my review) editrix of Austenblog.com, and an active member of the Jane Austen Society of North America.

Filed Under: nonfiction, Publishers/Publicists, Quirk Classics, Read in 2014, review copy, reviews Tagged With: ,

Mailbox Monday #299

December 1, 2014 by

Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia at To Be Continued, formerly The Printed Page, has a permanent home at its own blog.

To check out what everyone has received over the last week, visit the blog and check out the links.  Leave yours too.

Also, each week, Leslie, Vicki, and I will share the Books that Caught Our Eye from everyone’s weekly links.

Here’s what I received:

1. The Haunting of Sunshine Girl by Paige McKenzie, which came unexpectedly from Weinstein Books.

Based on the wildly popular YouTube channel, The Haunting of Sunshine Girl has been described as “ Gilmore Girls meets Paranormal Activity for the new media age.” YA fans new and old will learn the secrets behind Sunshine—the adorkable girl living in a haunted house—a story that is much bigger, and runs much deeper, than even the most devoted viewer can imagine…

 

 

2.  Rain in Search of a Rainbow by Shaila Abdullah from Loving Healing Press for review.

Displaced by the Pakistan floods, Rani’s family has taken refuge at a relief camp where they are doing their part to help other flood victims. Eight-year-old Rani wants to assist but doesn’t know how. Heeding the advice of her father to help in a way only children can, Rani embarks on a journey to bring true joy to a dear friend on the occasion of Eid.

What did you receive?

Filed Under: mailbox monday, meme Tagged With: , , , ,

Kobo Sales!

November 30, 2014 by

For those of you looking for great deals on Kobo items; check out these deals:

 

Black Friday Sale! Up to 75% Off Bestsellers From Every Genre! Valid through 11/30/14!

Black Friday Sale! Up to 50% Off Select Popular Magazines! Valid through 12/3/14!

Black Friday Sale! Get $40 Off Kobo Aura- Now Only $99.99! Valid through 12/1/14!

Filed Under: announcements Tagged With:

282nd Virtual Poetry Circle

November 29, 2014 by

Welcome to the 282nd Virtual Poetry Circle!

Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock’s book suggested.

Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don’t like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.

Today’s poem is from N. Scott Momaday, recited by Elizabeth Mo:

The Delight Song of Tsoai-talee

am a feather on the bright sky
I am the blue horse that runs in the plain
I am the fish that rolls, shining, in the water
I am the shadow that follows a child
I am the evening light, the lustre of meadows
I am an eagle playing with the wind
I am a cluster of bright beads
I am the farthest star
I am the cold of dawn
I am the roaring of the rain
I am the glitter on the crust of the snow
I am the long track of the moon in a lake
I am a flame of four colors
I am a deer standing away in the dusk
I am a field of sumac and the pomme blanche
I am an angle of geese in the winter sky
I am the hunger of a young wolf
I am the whole dream of these things

You see, I am alive, I am alive
I stand in good relation to the earth
I stand in good relation to the gods
I stand in good relation to all that is beautiful
I stand in good relation to the daughter of Tsen-tainte
You see, I am alive, I am alive

What do you think?

Filed Under: virtual poetry circle Tagged With:

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Pop-Up Book by Lisa Ann Marsoli and Keith Andrew Finch

November 28, 2014 by

Source: Silver Dolphin Books
Paperback, 12 pgs
I am an Amazon Affiliate

Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Pop-Up Book by Lisa Ann Marsoli and Keith Andrew Finch is a classic story for the holidays, and many of us who have grown up since the classic television show was first aired remember this heart-warming story.  In many ways, it is an anti-bullying story, but more than anything its about spreading kindness and giving to others.  Rudolph is a reindeer who doesn’t quite fit in, but through his journey and with the help of Santa Claus, who realizes the error of his earlier judgments, he finds that he has more to give than he first thought.

The pop-up book, which is out in time for the Christmas special’s 50th anniversary, gives these classic characters new life for kids of all ages, and for collectors and adults too.  The images are those of the television classic and the story is truncated, but through the simple 3-D images, young readers will be awed by the flying reindeer and the gang.  This is sure to become part of every family’s holiday tradition.  Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer Pop-Up Book by Lisa Ann Marsoli and Keith Andrew Finch allows parents to share one of their time-honored classics with their children in a new and engaging way.

83rd book for 2014 New Author Reading Challenge.

Filed Under: challenges, children's fiction, New Authors Challenge, Read in 2014, review copy, reviews Tagged With: , , ,

Happy Thanksgiving!

November 27, 2014 by
Filed Under: announcements Tagged With: ,

Mice Mischief: Math Facts in Action by Caroline Stills

November 26, 2014 by

Source: Holiday House
Hardcover, 24 pgs
I am an Amazon Affiliate

Mice Mischief: Math Facts in Action by Caroline Stills, illustrated by Judith Rossell, has adorable illustrations of 10 mice, and these mice perform circus-like feats.  While one mouse is somersaulting, the other nine are making their beds tidy.  In a round about way, the book starts young readers off thinking about how many mice there are and what they are doing.  The equations also are on the pages, allowing younger kids to see what those formulas look like.

These mice are dividing their time between work and play, and parents can have young kids count each mouse performing each page’s tasks and then add them together to see how many total mice there are.  At the conclusion of the book, all of the mice are rewarded.  Mice Mischief: Math Facts in Action by Caroline Stills, illustrated by Judith Rossell, is one way to introduce young children to math problem solving while providing fun illustrations and new vocabulary words.

82nd book for 2014 New Author Reading Challenge.

Filed Under: challenges, children's fiction, New Authors Challenge, Read in 2014, review copy, reviews Tagged With: , , ,

The Wing Wing Brothers Geometry Palooza! by Ethan Long

November 25, 2014 by

Source: Holiday House
Hardcover, 32 pgs
I am an Amazon Affiliate

The Wing Wing Brothers Geometry Palooza! by Ethan Long is in a comic-book style with the wing wing brothers up to insane antics.  Using the whammer the brothers demonstrate the relative position of objects by shooting each brother out of a cannon hoping to go through a ring of fire.  Kids will learn the difference between in front, behind, below, and above as the birds are flung through the air at alarming rates.  Each illustration is vivid in color, and kids will love these daredevil birds and their death-defying attempts at teaching geometry.  Long has created captivating characters that kids will gravitate to easily.

My daughter loves that part of the book where the birds are creating shapes from smaller and more simple shapes, including a parallelogram.  My daughter may not know these bigger shapes yet, but she’s learning to see how they can be created using the shapes that she does know, including triangles and squares.  By the same token, kids will learn about equal parts and fractions of larger parts.  The Wing Wing Brothers Geometry Palooza! by Ethan Long is a fun way to introduce math to younger readers, and this book meets the Common Core State Standards for math.

About the Author (from Amazon):

I love writing books. I love creating characters, crafting plot, and working with great editors and art directors. I love visiting schools and meeting students and teachers. I love when you read and enjoy my books. And of course, I love when you buy them. I hate garlic ice cream, but I love pizza and sushi. I live in Orlando, Florida, USA with my family, and I love them, too.

81st book for 2014 New Author Reading Challenge.

Filed Under: challenges, children's fiction, New Authors Challenge, Read in 2014, review copy, reviews Tagged With: , ,

Mailbox Monday #298

November 24, 2014 by

Mailbox Monday, created by Marcia at To Be Continued, formerly The Printed Page, has a permanent home at its own blog.

To check out what everyone has received over the last week, visit the blog and check out the links.  Leave yours too.

Also, each week, Leslie, Vicki, and I will share the Books that Caught Our Eye from everyone’s weekly links.

Here’s what I received:

1. Jane Austen Cover to Cover: 200 Years of Classic Book Covers by Margaret C. Sullivan from LibraryThing Early Reviewers.

Jane Austen’s six novels are true classics, still immensely popular some 200 years after their first publication. But although the celebrated stories never change, the covers are always different. Jane Austen Cover to Cover compiles two centuries of design, from elegant Victorian hardcovers and the famed 1894 “Peacock” edition to 1950s pulp, movie tie-in editions, graphic novels, foreign-language translations, and many, many others. Filled with beautiful artwork and insightful commentary, this fascinating and visually intriguing collection is a must for Janeites, design geeks, and book lovers of every stripe.

2.  Colonel Brandon’s Diary by Amanda Grange, which I purchased from the library sale shelves for 50 cents.

At the age of eighteen, James Brandon’s world is shattered when the girl he loves, Eliza, is forced to marry his brother. In despair, he joins the army and leaves England for the East Indies for the next several years. Upon his return, he finds Eliza in a debtor’s prison. He rescues her from her terrible situation, but she is dying of consumption and he can do nothing but watch and wait. Heartbroken at her death, he takes some consolation in her illegitimate daughter, who he raises as his ward. But at the age of fifteen, his ward goes missing. Devastated by the thought of what could have happened to her, he is surprised to find himself falling in love with Marianne Dashwood.

What did you receive?

Filed Under: mailbox monday, meme Tagged With: , , , ,

Join Us for the Going After Cacciato Read-a-Long

November 23, 2014 by

As part of the War Through The Generations 2014 Reading Challenge with a Twist, we’ll be hosting our final read-a-long in December for the Vietnam War.

For December, we’ll be reading Going After Cacciato by Tim O’Brien.

Discussion questions will be posted on Friday for the designated chapters. Here’s the reading schedule and discussion dates:

  • Friday, Dec. 12: Discussion of Chapters 1-24
  • Friday, Dec. 19: Discussion of Chapter 25-the end

We’re breaking up the book into just two weeks given the holidays at the end of the month, and we hope that you’ll carve out some time to read along with us.

Filed Under: 2014 War Challenge With a Twist, announcements, challenges Tagged With: , ,

281st Virtual Poetry Circle

November 22, 2014 by

Welcome to the 281st Virtual Poetry Circle!

Remember, this is just for fun and is not meant to be stressful.

Keep in mind what Molly Peacock’s book suggested.

Look at a line, a stanza, sentences, and images; describe what you like or don’t like; and offer an opinion. If you missed my review of her book, check it out here.

Today’s poem is from Alberto Rios, recited by Kristina Watkins:

The Pomegranate and the Big Crowd

Ventura because she was hungry and because
She was curious—but more because she was curious—
Took the dare, a kiss for a pomegranate.
Everyone gathered, her friends and his. Everyone
Watched: the boys, the girls, the pigs and the chickens,
And more. Moving to the front were the children
She and Clemente would one day have,
And the children of those children, too,
Gathered and loud with everyone and everything else,
Loud as the pigs and fast as the chickens
Though she could not see them.
Still, they crowded her, and she could feel
Their anxious breathing.
This boy Clemente whom she would kiss
She would have kissed even without the pomegranate,
Though she could not say it
And was glad of this game. He suited her,
She thought. He had a strong face.
He felt what she felt. She could see him look around
But not at their friends. She could see him
Feel the shiver of the children they would have:
Their son Margarito, his two sisters
Both of whom would become nuns
If just to pray enough to take care of him,
This boy so serious he would seem like a stranger
In their arms, serious enough by himself
To make up for Clemente and Ventura
And for all the laughter
They themselves would feel,
This curious child who, as an old man
Would never trust a doctor for anything.
And his serious wife to come, Refugio,
And her sisters, Matilde and Consuelo as well,
All the people who would follow this kiss,
So many of them, and their children, too,
Everyone stood there, arms up, everyone watching,
So much noise in this moment,
This quick lending of herself
To his cheek, the way Ventura would later kiss
All these impatient children of theirs. The kiss
Seemed so small, but was filled with itself.
This small moment of affection she gave this boy
The quarter-second that it took:
There they all stood, waiting with the crowd
Egging them on, hefting the pomegranate
And pushing them toward each other.
Clemente and Ventura in that quarter-second lived
Their lives, a quarter-second not finished yet.

What do you think?

Filed Under: virtual poetry circle Tagged With: