The Fantastical Challenge

Both Rachel and Dana have suggested I read Inkheart, so I picked it up at the library, yesterday. I finished reading Pretties, spent a few pages in Anna Karenina (because I WILL read that book) and started Inkheart just before bed. I am in love.

The timing of this book in my life is perfect, b/c it is time for The Fantastical Challenge over at The Nattie Challenge.

I had been lax in updating The Nattie Challenge blog, after the loss of my laptop and regular Internet access. But, she is back up and running. The challenge is explained if you click one of the links above. I have a whole list of Young Adult fantasy I have been meaning to read. I tend to prefer YA Fantasy for some reason. Feel free to hypothesize.

I found this printed at the start of one of Inkheart's chapters. I wonder if I could have it printed up on stickers to put inside my favorite books for when I lend them out. ;) This is from an apparently fictional monastery in San Pedro, Spain.

For him that Stealeth a Book from this Library,

Let it change into a Serpent in his hand & rend him.

Let him be struck with Palsy, & all his Members blasted.

Let him languish in Pain crying aloud for Mercy,

Let there be no Surcease to his Agony till he sink to Dissolution.

Let Bookworms gnaw his Entrails in token of the Worm that dieth not,

When at last he goeth to his final Punishment,

Let the flames of hell consume him for ever & aye.

It makes me giggle. Corey called me last night, and I answered mid-chuckle. I tried to explain how this is funny, but I don't think he gets it. Do you?

Heather

Chunkster Challenge 2009 - Anna K

I joined the Chunkster Challenge and started reading my first big book of the year (I like big books, and I cannot lie...). I got about 1/4 of the way through. I am not giving up though. I just picked the wrong book to start with, I think. I also chose to start a giant of a book right as I went off of my ADHD medication. Can we say Return of the Short Attention Span?

I chose to read Anna Karenina.

I know, I know. But it was HUGE and calling to me from the shelves at B&N. Only $7 for this beautiful tome with the pretty pages. And what a beautiful name to say, "Karenina." It feels so pretty on my tongue.

I was sucked in pretty quickly, believe it or not. I quite enjoyed Part I of the book. Part II was harder to get into. Anna began to get on my nerves. I took a break to read my book group selection for the month (before finding out I wasn't going to Book Group). I picked Anna K back up and read for 2 hours at the doctor's office, Sunday. It isn't pulling me back in. I need to quit being annoyed with Anna. So, another break for me. I will read this whole book in 2009. It will just be in pieces.

Anyone already read it? Can you tell me if it gets good again? It was reminding me very much of a Russian version of Jane Austen for a while. Is anyone else completely annoyed by Anna herself? She seems shallow to me. I don't "see" this great love affair with Vronsky. It feels 2-dimensional. Go on. Gasp. I said 2-dimensional while speaking of the greatest novel ever written (according to some literary critics I have come upon).

I will not give up.

Heather