Mes Livres

(My Books)

:)

So, that Rumplestiltskin book I was talking about reading a little while back—finally finished it! (A Curse as Dark as Gold, by Elizabeth C Bunce.) It was good, but not mindblowingly spectacular. It deviated from the original story in a way that made it clear that it was still a Rumpelstiltskin story, but still made enough changes to feel fresh.

I just finished Raised by Wolves, by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. That appealed to me more than ACaDaG, even though the writing was obviously for younger readers. The story drew me in, and the main character definitely seemed fifteen. I’d even go so far as to say that she seemed more like a fifteen-year-old than most other fictional fifteen-year-olds. I kept waiting for the main romantic interest to endear himself in some way, but… well, at least it isn’t billed as a romance, because we never got anything more than how much she adored her dearly beloved werewolf boy. She loves him, she loves him, she loves him—I get it, but I never figured out why we were supposed to love him.

The alpha, though—Callum—her relationship with him was fantastic. It was deep and complicated and believable. Her reactions to his actions and decisions and their history together was totally realistic. I ended up liking Callum more than the love interest.

And now I’m reading Lament, by Maggie Stiefvater.

…

OH MY GOD I LOVE THIS WOMAN SO MUCH. She makes me want to tear my hair out sometimes (but not too often, thank god), and I just want to SQUEEE over her books but I’ve been trying SO HARD to contain myself!!!

!!!

I first read her book Shiver (which is another werewolf book) late last year. I was at school at the time, living in a dorm where space is severely limited (especially bookshelf-space), but I liked Shiver so much that I decided I couldn’t part with it (i.e., send it home to San Diego). I kept it on my shelf for the whole year, even though it’s kind of a fatty hardcover. (Think, like, Harry Potter #2 or #3. And yes, that is how I judge how fatty a book is. =P) My FAVORITEFAVORITEFAVORITE bit—and yes, it makes sense within the context of the story, but I don’t want to spoil that part—is the Rilke translation:

“Again and again, however, we know the language of love, and the little churchyard with its lamenting names and the staggeringly secret abyss in which others find their end: again and again the two of us go out under the ancient trees, make our bed again and again between the flowers, face to face with the skies.”

Oh. Mygod. I can say with an uncommon sense of confidence that that’s one of, if not the absolute, BEST pieces of writing I have ever read.

And yes, after finishing Shiver (which was, as you might have gathered, fabulous—I can’t wait for the sequel, Linger, that is coming out in FIVE MORE DAYS), I went online and devoured as many Rilke translations as I could find, and even briefly considered learning German so I could read his original poems.

So Shiver is why I picked up Lament. I started it today. I intended to have a productive day and work on my UK visa paperwork and do some writing, but I should probably have known better. Lament is awesome. I love the characters—all of them. Dierdre is totally realistic in her reactions and mannerisms and the feelings she has when she interacts with Luke. She’s totally relate-able, even though this totally unique thing is happening to her. Luke is badass and still incredibly endearing. And I wish James was my friend. He needs a hug. <3

The only reason I’m writing this right now is because Lament got so intense I couldn’t take it. I had to take a break, mid-chapter, because my mind was going to explode.

And I’m not even halfway through yet. :)

I LOVE MAGGIE STIEFVATER. She’s the latest addition to the list of people authors I want to be like.

…

—Whaaaaaaat is going on!? It just started raining outside!! Rain! In Southern Cali! In JULY???

It must be the end of the world. That’s the only explanation.

Juuuulyyy

I finished my story and got it in on time. :) It’s been about two weeks since the deadline came and went, but I’m still quite pleased with myself. I went to the gym in the morning, did a final read-through and edit, and then submitted it—all before I headed off to work. It was a good day (except for the work part).

Yesterday, I went down to La Jolla Shores and surfed for the first time in a year. Couldn’t find anyone to go with me, so I just went all by myself. I’m pretty terrible, but there were probably three different instances where I managed to stand up (crouch) before the wave ended. The first time I managed it, all I could think was, “Ahhh, so this is why surfers keep at it…”

And this morning, after I got back from the gym, my mom and I got all my housing for next year sorted out and paid off! I’m so glad that’s taken care of—one less thing to worry about, you know? I’ll be living in the largest of the res halls at U of Edinburgh, and will probably be surrounded by first years. It wasn’t my first choice—or second or third, really—but I’ve only heard one bad thing about it (that it’s noisy, since it’s next to a huge street full of bars and clubs). Everyone I’ve talked to who lived there last year had a really fantastic time, so I’m not real worried at all. Ear plugs are such a small investment. ;)