As usual, I'm only mentioning the ones that are worth mentioning.
I finally finished several series I've been working on for years.
The Girl who Leapt Through Time
Quite different than the anime film. It was a short story, so it didn't go as deep into time travel as the anime did (there's also a live-action movie of it).
Jackie Faber
Whoo, I finally finished this series. I started this probably over a decade ago. Wow, I feel old. I quite like the first few books. Up through the Bloodhound one. After that, they get rather repetitive.
But I recommend the beginning of the series.
Although I find it awesome when I've actually visited places that these books go.
Cirque du Freak
Yeah, finally finished this series too. I still like the manga better XD
Pilgrims of the Wild
This is a true story about a guy who started out as a fur trapper, and ended up raising a couple baby beavers. He ended up changing his career to be writer so he could protect animals (like his beavers).
You don't normally think about what would happen if you have a beaver in the house. Let's just say that beavers are natural construction artists. And interior re-designers.
Wild Swans
Because I never look at the back of a book I'm reading, I thought this was a novel. Sometimes I'm kind of ruthless about fictional characters, and this was one of those times where I thought, "man that character is too far gone to have any more use."
Then I found out that this whole book is a true story. And I felt like a total ass.
It's amazing. The author writes about her grandmother, mother, and then herself in the times before and during the Chinese cultural revolution.
I learned a helluva lot. I definitely recommend it.
War of the Worlds
One of those classics you hear about all the time. I liked it! It was an interesting perspective.
Then Dad had me watch the movie, which was so freaking typical @_@
A Comedy of Terrors
A self-published ebook you can get from Amazon. I read about it on a blog, from someone who had posted an excellent query letter.
The writing was very witty and clever. But it was too much so. There was no breathing space, and some of it was so silly that I couldn't keep track. But overall, congrats!
Jason's Gold (And the sequel).
I've read a couple books by this author. So far I've been fascinated by all of them. He always has interesting subjects, and I feel like I'm learning through the course of the story, while I'm being entertained.
This book takes place during the last great gold rush, up in Alaska and the Yukon.
The best books are the ones that keep you interested and broaden your understanding. I want to read more from this guy!
Animals in Translation
This is a book by Temple Grandin. There's an amazing movie about her. You should watch it.
This book is about animal behavior, which is excellent for my job.
Did you know that albino animals genetically have weird behavior?
And that cows are afraid walking over striped ground because their vision makes it look like the stripes are actually pits they could step in?
Black Elk Speaks
An account of an American Indian's life. See the other side of the fight against Custer. You won't feel as sorry for him.
An Absolutely Remarkable Thing
Hey, Hank wrote a book! I wrote some about it already.
It was pretty good too. I like books that have interesting messages, and this certainly did. Internet fame is a very new thing, and Hank is certainly experienced in writing about the pros and cons of it.
Some of the logistics were kind of awkward, like the hands of the Carls, but that kind of stuff is pretty easy to overlook.
The Overneath
This is a book of short stories by the guy who wrote The Last Unicorn. This is actually the first of his works I've read, even though I love that movie so much.
There are a couple short stories in here from The Last Unicorn world, about Schmendrick.
Temeraire
Hey, I finally finished the Temeraire books!
The first few were awesome.
I did have one big complaint. These books took place during the war against Napoleon. So throughout the books, Lawrence and Temeraire encounter and clash with Napoleon and his troops many times. But when Napoleon is finally caught, it's not even on screen? One moment they're battling and suddenly they have Napoleon as a prisoner. But you never see the actual moment happen.
Yeesh, way to let the air drop out of your sails.
And I wish that I could actually bring myself to care about Temeraire's hatchling...
Fast Food Nation
I haven't eaten much fast food since high school (since we watched Supersize Me, though I think that had problems of its own).
Now the only fast food I'll eat is In-n-Out since that's seems to be the only decent place.
If you eat fast food, read this book.
Clariel
It's a sort of side book from the Sabriel series. It's the origin story of someone who turns out to be a villain. It's hard to know what to make of it, since you know this girl will go on to be so much trouble. Although it's interesting to see how she's different, and how she tries to do the right thing when she's young.
I've read a couple books about a villain's back story. I think it's a fascinating idea. But I don't think it really works unless you have significant sympathy for the villain after they've actually become a villain.
Woodsong
If you've read the book Hatchet, this is by the same author. It's real stories of the author's life. He's done sled dog racing, and participated in the Idatarod. He's had some wild experiences. It's pretty amazing.
Braiding Sweetgrass
I already wrote a blog post about this book. It was lovely. I especially loved the first half. And the second half gave me a great idea for one of my stories!
It will make you feel connected to plants in a way you never guessed.
I really want to grow sweetgrass in my yard. I hope I can find some.
Bomb: The race to build and steal the world's most dangerous weapon
I like it when history books actually make an effort to be entertaining XD This one actually made me laugh. Plus I learned a lot.
My dad's a WWII nut, so I guess a bit of it has rubbed off on me.
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