books for a one year-old

Last weekend Russell and I attended a birthday party for a one year-old.  We brought two books for the birthday girl, The Adventures of Lowly Worm and What Do People Do All Day? both by Richard Scarry. Here's more or less what I wrote in the card:

I was so glad to see these two books on the birthday girl's wishlist because I would have bought them for her anyway. What Do People Do All Day? was the most popular book in the [maiden name] household for many a year and Lowly Worm taught the [maiden name] girls how to behave in polite society. My mom would often prompt my sister and/or I with "Would Lowly Worm say/do..." when we were learning to navigate through through the world.

I hope these books serve the birthday girl as well as our family's copies served my sister and I.

holiday gift-giving, books incoming and outgoing

Now that the holidays are for the most part behind us and 2013 is drawing to a close, I think I will attempt attending to the blog (just recently Russell reminded me that it'd be two months since I'd posted). First order of business, an overview of my holiday (book) gift-giving.

I received:

• The Archived by Victoria Schwab (from Russell)
  This book came out in early 2013. I had to put it on my wishlist since the story revolves around an unconventional archive.
• Baba Yaga Laid an Egg by Dubravka Ugresic (from my dad)
  This is one of the books in Canongate's Myth Series (I've been slowly acquiring them all for my library). I was pleasantly surprised to receive this book from my dad because we'd had a conversation about Baba Yaga in October after I'd seen a sculpture inspired by the story in an exhibit.
• The Rhinebeck Sweater, edited by Ysolda Teague (from Russell)
  Stories and sweater patterns inspired by New York Sheep and Wool Festival, which occurs each October in Rhinebeck, New York. I'm certain that the only reason I received this book is because I told Russell that I was planning on buying it for myself if I didn't receive a copy for Christmas.
• Warchon: Clash at Sygillis (from Russell)
  This is an extremely hard to find European-style board game in book form. The first in an award-winning, but commercially unsuccessful planned series of games: Playmark Book Games by Z-Man Games. I've wanted to play this game ever since I first found out about this failed gaming system and I'm so pleased that Russell was able to find a copy of it.

I gave:

• The Children of Hurin by J. R. R. Tolkien and Christopher Tolkien (to my dad)
  Russell was sure that we'd given him this book already, but it was on my dad's wishlist.
• Eleanor and Park by Rainbow Rowell (to my niece, with instructions for her mom to read it first)
  Not a holiday present, but it traveled with the holiday presents.
• The Legend of Sigurd and Gudrun by J.R.R. Tolkien (to my dad)
  Tolkien's translation of two stories from Norse mythology. A must-have for any true Tolkien fan.
• Logicomix by Apostolos Doxiadis and Christos Papadimitriou (to my book-dislking sister)
  I got a lot of slack for the present that felt disturbingly book-like before it was opened. I knew this was a risky choice for my sister, but given the fact that she's just gone back to school to study applied mathematics I couldn't not get this graphic novel for her. She's already started reading it and has asked me whether I know of any other comics about math. I'd say that's a successful present!
• Playing at the World by Jon Peterson (to Russell)
  Subtitled "A History of Simulating Wars, People and Fantastic Adventures, From Chess to Role-Playing Games."

one of those relatives

Yes, I'm one of those relatives. The ones who give books rather than toys to the children in their lives. Though not having kids myself I sometimes unintentionally give them books beyond their reading levels. Poor Olivia got one of my favorite books, Zahrah the Windseeker, for her 10th birthday and while it is listed as 10 and up some places, I realized it wasn't the best choice when I visited her and found her reading The Tale of Despereaux. In any case, I'm making a concerted effort to be better about that.

This year, in hopes of being prepared for the birthdays that always seem to sneak up on me, I bought books for all my reading nieces and nephews in one fowl swoop (we already had something for the littlest one, who happens to have one of the earliest birthdays). Since I'm certain that none of them read this blog I'm going to share my selections here.

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler by E.L. Konigsburg (for boy turning 11)

Claudia knew that she could never pull off the old-fashioned kind of running away...so she decided not to run FROM somewhere, but TO somewhere. And so, after some careful planning, she and her younger brother, Jamie, escaped — right into a mystery that made headlines!

From the Mixed-up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler was one of my favorite books. I loved the idea of running away to the the Metropolitan museum of art (and of sleeping in a famous, ornate bed).

Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O'Brien (for girl turning 10)

Mrs. Frisby, a widowed mouse with four small children, is faced with a terrible problem. She must move her family to their summer quarters immediately, or face almost certain death. But her youngest son, Timothy, lies ill with pneumonia and must not be moved. Fortunately, she encounters the rats of NIMH, an extraordinary breed of highly intelligent creatures, who come up with a brilliant solution to her dilemma.

Another book I loved as a child (I loved the film adaptation, The Secret of NIMH as well; I remember reading Rasco and the Rats of NIMH, but not the second follow up).

The Mysterious Howling by Maryrose Wood (for girl turning 12)

The first book in the Incorrigble Children of Ashton Place series.
Found running wild in the forest of Ashton Place, the Incorrigibles are no ordinary children: Alexander, age ten or thereabouts, keeps his siblings in line with gentle nips; Cassiopeia, perhaps four or five, has a bark that is (usually) worse than her bite; and Beowulf, age somewhere-in-the-middle, is alarmingly adept at chasing squirrels.
Luckily, Miss Penelope Lumley is no ordinary governess. Only fifteen years old and a recent graduate of the Swanburne Academy for Poor Bright Females, Penelope embraces the challenge of her new position. Though she is eager to instruct the children in Latin verbs and the proper use of globes, first she must help them overcome their canine tendencies.
But mysteries abound at Ashton Place: Who are these three wild creatures, and how did they come to live in the vast forests of the estate? Why does Old Timothy, the coachman, lurk around every corner? Will Penelope be able to teach the Incorrigibles table manners and socially useful phrases in time for Lady Constance's holiday ball? And what on earth is a schottische?

I haven't read this one, but I loved the concept (children raised by wolves and whatnot) and it seems endearingly cheeky. I also like giving first-in-a-series books because if the recipient enjoys it they can continue along with the series.

The child in question has already received this book, but I haven't had word on what she thought of it, if she's even read it yet.

The Sigh by Marjane Satrapi (for girl turning 8)

Rose is one of three daughters of a rich merchant who always brings gifts for his girls from the market. One day Rose asks for the seed of a blue bean, but he fails to find one for her. She lets out a sigh in resignation, and her sigh attracts the Sigh, a mysterious being that brings the seed she desired to the merchant. But every debt has to be paid, and every gift has a price, and the Sigh returns a year later to take the merchants daughter to a secret and distant palace.

I wasn't familiar with The Sigh before I happened across it on a table in the children's section of the Strand. I do like Marjane Satrapi. The Sigh is more illustrated book than graphic novel and it is suitable for all ages (per the cover at least, I flipped through and didn't see anything questionable).

books, giving and receiving

There were only three books among my outgoing holiday gifts this year.  I did not purchase any books for Russell since we went a bit overboard with book buying this year (remember Borders?).

From my dad's Amazon wishlist I selected, The Transformation of Bartholomew Fortuno by Ellen Bryson.

My mom received Betty Crocker's Best Bread Machine Cookbook to go along with her new bread maker (a gift from my dad). My mom is going to be doing a lot of experimenting with ingredient substitutions to I chose this book in particular because of a section it has on problem-solving, which is full of illustrations. Two other things in its favor: overwhelmingly good reviews and a structure that enables it to lie flat.

I got my sister a copy of The Hunger Games.
She wasn't particularly enthused, but I reminded her about how miffed she was with me when Twilight (the film) was released for not having previously informed her about the existence of the Twilight Saga.
Now, I legitimately thought she would refuse to read Twilight given its slow pacing and her general dislike of vampires and I don't even like the series (my ambivalence turned to hatred after Breaking Dawn).
Since The Hunger Games is coming out next year and I love Suzanne Collins' trilogy, I thought it would be irresponsible of me not to get her a copy of the book.

I received three books this year (all from Russell)

• City of Ships, the fifth Stravaganza book, by Mary Hoffman
• Goliath, the third book in the Leviathan trilogy, by Scott Westerfeld
• The League of Extraordinary Gentleman, vol 2.

I really wasn't expecting books, but I have to say that I was tickled pink to get the two novels as they were among my most wanted books.

giveaway winners and their prizes

I finished ordering the prizes for my three winners this morning.¹ When I started shopping for them, I decided that I'd be sending each a book from her² wish lists as well as two of my own selections.

Wendy V

From her wishlist:

Huntress by Malinda Lo

This one was released in April and has been getting pretty good reviews.

The focus of Wendy's book blog, A Cupcake and a Latte, is young adult fiction so I limited my choices to that genre (or near enough) so that she could write about them on her blog if she chose to.

Stravaganza: City of Masks by Mary Hoffman (my review)

The first in Hoffman's wonderful Stravaganza series, which I'm rereading myself now.

Zahrah the Windseeker by Nnedi Okorafor-Mbachu (my review)

I adore this book. I think everyone should read it and I've lost count of how many copies I've purchased to give to others.

Nimrodiel

From her wishlist:

Cathedrals of the Flesh: My Search for the Perfect Bath by Alexia Brue

I'd never heard of this book before I starting shopping Nim's wishlist, but it sounds wonderful.

I've actually known Nim since before I started this blog (she's an online friend). We've shared books and book recommendations enough that she trusts my taste and would be open to books that she wouldn't necessarily pick out for herself.

Shades of Grey: The Road to High Saffron by Jasper Fforde (my review)

I know Nim's read and enjoyed Fforde before and Shades of Grey is quite wonderful, though more sedate that his usual work.

Three Bags Full: A Sheep Detective Story by Leonie Swann (my review)

This is my more "out there" selection for Nim. I hope she likes it!

Nulaanne

From her wishlist:

Kissing the Witch: Old Tales in New Skins by Emma Donoghue

Another one that I wasn't familiar with before. I do like Donoghue, though, so I think could be quite good.

My choices for Nulaanne:

Motel of the Mysteries by David Macaulay (my review)

One of the questions on the giveaway entry form was "Any of my favorites that you're dying to try?" Nulaanne mentioned Motel of the Mysteries and I'm happy to oblige.

The Witch's Boy by Michael Gruber

I haven't written a review about The Witch's Boy for the blog, but it is fantastic. I listed to the audio (read by Denis O'Hare) years ago and decided that I needed to pick up a hardcover copy for my library. Concerned with fairy tales, I think The Witch's Boy makes a good traveling companion for Kissing the Witch.

I do so hope that Wendy, Nimrodiel, and Nulanne enjoy the books I've selected for them.

1. For those who are interested this (books plus shipping) tidily ate up all my Powells affiliate program earnings. I had to add five dollars and change to complete the payment of the final order.
2. In this case, all the winners are female.

5 years [giveaway]

Five years ago today I posted my first blog post. I think that's a pretty good excuse for a giveaway.


I like surprises so this giveaway will be a little bit different than the usual book-blog giveaway. There will be at least two winners and the prizes will be customized. If you win, I'll send you a book off your wishlist¹ and a copy of one of my favorite books that I think you'll like.

I'll be posting my choices for the winners on the blog, so don't enter if that makes you uncomfortable. Don't worry, I won't be buying erotica. I don't know any of you well enough for that.

I'm using the commission I've earned from Powells Partner Program to buy the books.² As I mentioned above, there will be at least two winners. The cost of my book selections will decide how many more. The more the merrier!

If you win, you'll need to be willing to provide me with your mailing address. The prizes may ship directly from Powells and they may or may not be wrapped.

Who can enter?

• No location restrictions
• Family and real-life friends are eligible
• If you are a minor, have a parent or guardian submit an entry on your behalf
• You don't have to be a follower, but you'll earn an extra entry if you are

Interested? Click here to enter. You have until Wednesday, August 10 (11:59 pm, EDT).³

Thanks for reading! I'm looking forward to the shopping I have ahead of me.

1. Amazon, LibraryThing, ... anywhere as long as it's publicly accessible.
2. circa $93
3. Eastern Daylight Time

mother's day

My mom's birthday is May 8th. It's nice to have a spring birthday, but she suffers the fate of many a child with a December birthday: one present for two holidays. I admit that I've given the Mothers-day-birthday gift more than once, but I'm going to try to avoid doing that in future.

For her birthday this year, I gave her a Barnes and Noble e-giftcard with express instructions to use it to buy a couple of novels to read on her Nook. I chose A Fierce Radiance by Lauren Belfer and Caleb's Crossing by Geraldine Brooks for her.

She loves historical fiction. Caleb's Crossing is set on Martha's Vineyard and tells the story of the first Native American to graduate from Harvard. It's told from the perspective of the daughter of the man who takes the protagonist under his wing (of course she can't got to Harvard since she's a woman). A Fierce Radiance is about the development of penicillin. It's a perfect book for my mom as it's medical historical fiction.

For Mother's Day, I got her this lovely orchid:
While wandering aimlessly around the fancy garden store trying to pick out a plant for her, I found myself drawn to this particular plant. Most of what I know about orchids I learned from reading Susan Orlean's The Orchid Thief (see post). Luckily my parents have the Time-Life Encyclopedia of Gardening and one of the volumes has a section on the care and handling of orchids as houseplants.

Happy BAFABW

Happy Buy a Friend a Book Week, everyone. This is a wonderful excuse to do something nice for your friends.

Just get yourself to a real-life or virtual book store during Buy a Friend a Book Week [...] and, well, buy a friend a book (or e-book)! But here's the fun part: you can't buy your friend a book because it's their birthday or they just graduated or got engaged or had a baby or anything else. You have to give them a book for no good reason. In fact, this present out of the blue from you should shock the pants off of whomever you decide to give it to. And it'll make them happy. And that's the point: promote reading, promote friendships. (BAFABW website)

I've been busy working on a couple of reviews this weekend so I apologize for not posting. I'll try to make up for it this week ;)