What Am I Reading Wednesday - December 12

What I Just Finished Reading

The Cruel Prince – Holly Black
A young human raised in Faerie probably wouldn’t be as conversant as Jude with human culture and slang, but once you get past that this is one ripping novel. I loved that none of the characters are particularly likeable, and the individual agendas and shifting alliances are what I expect from Faerie. Several old friends make cameo appearances, which just makes things all the better.

Walking Your Octopus – Brian Kesinger
Kesinger’s illustrations are delightful.

The Stupidest Angel – Christopher Moore
An annual holiday read. Nobody writes dumbfuck males better than Moore.

Lyra’s Oxford – Philip Pullman
This perfect little novella is just what I needed after the conclusion to His Dark Materials. I love seeing Lyra and Pan doing their thing, and the woodcut illustrations are lovely.

The Best Christmas Pageant Ever – Barbara Robinson
Another annual holiday read. This book gets at the point of the holiday, and is hysterical while it does so.


What I Am Currently Reading

Basic Japanese Grammar – Everett F. Bleiler
Oh, Tuttle. It doesn’t look too good when your copy editors don’t catch the mistake in the very first example sentence in the book.

The Holy Grail – Malcolm Godwin
This book is an excellent overview of the Grail myth in its various permutations, and the illustrations are plentiful and gorgeously presented.

Veins of Gold – Charlie Holmberg
Holmberg writes bona fide American fantasy, not European fantasy transplanted into an American setting. Forty percent of the way in, I’m not entirely sure whether I’m sold on the love interest, but I’m interested to see where the story—and the social commentary I think Holmberg’s weaving in—are going.

The Truth About Fat – Anthony Warner
In the first three chapters, Warner gives an overview of research into the hormones and physiological processes that lead to weight maintenance and gain. He does a good job of presenting scientific research in terms accessible to lay readers, which not all authors manage. I’m interested in seeing what his overall point is.


What I'm Reading Next

Probably Robin McKinley’s Spindle’s End, or maybe I’ll extend the Arthuriana streak with Gerald Morris’ books.

これで以上です。