Rashi's Daughters, Book II: Miriam

Rashi's Daughters, Book II: Miriam by Maggie Anton is just as compelling as the first installment - Joheved. This book begins where the first book ended but changes focus to the second of Rashi's daughters.

Miriam is engaged to Benjamin and cannot wait to marry him and start a life together. His is going home for the holidays and will return for the wedding soon. Unfortunately, while he is away he has an accident and dies. Miraim is devastated and cannot imagine marrying someone else.

She focuses all of her attention on being a midwife as her aunt has been teaching her to do. But eventually she will have to start looking at suitors. She is too young to stay single.

Judah ben Natan is a scholar in Mayence - at the yeshiva that Rashi used to attend. He has never been interested in getting married. His only passion is the study of Torah. However, as time passes he starts becoming attracted to his study partner and realises that he must get married to control his yeter hara (evil inclination). But he will not marry just any woman. She must know Talmud.

Where on earth would he find such a woman?

Anton, Maggie. (2007). Rashi's Daughters, Book II: Miriam. New York: Plume.

Rashi's Daughters, Book One: Joheved

Maggie Anton writes books that not only read like historical fiction, they teach the reader Torah and Talmud. The first book - Rashi's Daughters, Book I: Joheved - is an informative and engaging read.

Salomon ben Isaac, known as Rashi, is one of the most studied Talmud scholars of all time. His commentary changed the way Talmud is studied.

In the year 1068, Salomon had to return to Troyes, France to take over the family winemaking business. He was heartbroken to be away from the yeshiva and his students and teachers. So he began to teach Torah and Talmud to his daughters - secretly. Women were not taught Talmud in those days (and even now in many places). It was thought to be dangerous knowledge.

His oldest daughter, Joheved proves to be a dutiful and serious student. She keeps her knowledge a secret to save her father's reputation. He is starting a yeshiva in Troyes. She doesn't even tell her betrothed, Meir ben Samuel, until the young couple faces it first crisis and she must decide between marital happiness and her true self.

Anton, Maggie. (2005). Rashi's Daughter, Book I: Joheved. Glendale, CA: Benot Press.

The Rules for Hearts (sequel to Empress of the World)

The Rules for Hearts is the second book by Sara Ryan featuring Battle Hall Davies. The first was Empress of the World, where Battle met Nicola at summer camp.

It is now one year later and Battle is moving to Portland, Oregon. She will attend Reed in the fall but is moving early to reunite with her brother, Nick. She hasn't seen him for almost five years, since he left home.

Battle will soon find out that Nick is not necessarily the kind of person she wants her brother to be. In the mean time, she will live in Forest House - a group house where her brother lives - and join the play that everyone in the house is participating in.

Ryan, Sara. (2007). The Rules for Hearts. New York: Viking.

Magic's Child (Magic or Madness trilogy #3)

Magic's Child is the final book in Justine Larbalestier's Magic or Madness Trilogy.

Reason, Jay-Tee and Tom are still reeling from what happened to Reason. She now has more magic. Jay-Tee, on the other hand, has almost used hers up. Unless the vision that Jason Blake had about Reason being able to fix the problem of running out of life when running out of magic comes true, Jay-Tee will not live much longer.

But Jason Blake is not done trying to steal the magic from Reason and is not above using others to trick her into a vulnerable position. Will she be able to defeat him? Will she find a way to save Jay-Tee?

Larbalestier, Justine. (2007). Magic's Child. New York: Razorbill.

Eclipse (Twilight series #3)

Eclipse is the third book in the Twilight series by Stephenie Meyer.

In the third installment of the series, Bella has to choose between Edward and Jacob. They are both in love with her and she loves them both. What makes this decision more intense than some love triangles, she will be choosing between a vampire and a werewolf.

Again, I really can't say much without including spoilers, which I do not want to do. This is an exciting, well thought out series that is addicting. I cannot wait for the fourth book!

Meyer, Stephenie. (2007). Eclipse. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

New Moon (Twilight series #2)

New Moon is the second book in the Twilight trilogy by Stephenie Meyer.

Bella is just as klutzy as ever and it soon puts her in an awkward situation with Edward and his family. Although they all care about her, they are not completely immune to the lure of human blood. They are vampires after all.

The story between Bella and the Cullens continues and Bella reconnects with her friend Jacob.

I really can't say much without fear that I will accidentally add a spoiler. So just read it. If you like the first you will like this one, too.

Meyer, Stephenie. (2006). New Moon. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Anne McCaffrey's books of Pern

I have now read eleven of Anne McCaffrey's book that take place on the planet of Pern. They have all been great. My one complaint along the way was not knowing the order in which to read them. So, here are two ideas for you. One is recommended by Anne McCaffrey (I found it in the 10th book) and the other is in chronological order in the history of Pern.

McCaffrey Recommeded Order:

Dragonriders Trilogy:
Dragonflight
Dragonquest
The White Dragon

Haper Hall Trilogy: (overlaps time with Dragonriders trilogy)
Dragonsong
Dragonsinger
Dragondrums

Dragonsdawn

Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern

Nerilka's Story

MasterHarper of Pern

All the Weyrs of Pern

The Skies of Pern

(4 others - don't know the order.)

Historical Timeline:
It may be that if you read them in historical order you miss things that were revealed by the order thye were written in...

Dragonsdawn - the founding of the planet by people from Earth and nearby planets.
Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern - A plague strikes the Northern Continent
Nerlika's Story - Overlaps with Moreta, plague from a different point of view.
MasterHarper of Pern - the story of Robinton
Dragonflight - The story of Lessa who becomes Weyrwoman of Benden Weyr
Dragonquest - A trip back in time to save Pern
The White Dragon - Ruth and Jaxom of Ruatha
Dragonsong - Story of Menolly of Half Circle Sea Hold
Dragonsinger - A continuation of Dragonsong
Dragondrums - The story of Piemur
All the Weyrs of Pern - The discover of the computer Aivas
The Skies of Pern - A new role for dragonriders

Other books (I haven't yet read and will fit add to lists later)
The Renegades of Pern
The Dolphins of Pern
The Chornicals of Pern: First Fall
Dragonseye
Plus books written by Todd McCaffrey that continue the series?

The Skies of Pern (Pern)

The Skies of Pern is the eleventh book in the series by Anne McCaffrey that began with Dragonflight.

Now that the path of the Red Star has been altered and the last Pass is coming to an end, dragonriders need to think about what they will do After. They have always protected Pern from Thread; always kept the skies of Pern safe.

However, the more immediate concern is that a meteor is headed straight for the planet. Best case, it will miss and continue on through space. If it does hit Pern and it lands in the ocean, a tsunami will be released. Will the dragons be able to evacuate coastal holds in time?

McCaffrey, Anne. (2001). The Skies of Pern. New York: Del Rey.

All the Weyrs of Pern (Pern)

All the Weyrs of Pern by Anne McCaffrey is tenth book in the Dragons of Pern books, which began with Dragonflight.

At the end of the last book (chronologically, not by publish date but in the time of Pern) Jaxon and Ruth found part of the original settlement. Contained within this facility is the computer Aivas, an artificial intelligence that has been waiting almost 2500 years to hear what happened to the settlers, when they fled the southern continent.

Now Aivas will help the dragonriders, craft halls and holders catch up on the technology that was lost. All in an attempt to destroy Thread forever.

McCaffrey, Anne. (1991). All the Weyrs of Pern. New York: Del Rey.

Magic Lessons (Magic or Madness #2)

Magic Lesson is Justine Larbalestier's second book in the Magic or Madness trilogy. Reason, Tom and Jay-Tee are in Sydney to begin magic lessons with Esmeralda, Reason's grandmother.

They already know that they have two choices about magic - use it or go mad. Of course, the more you use magic the more you use up magic. Once you are out you die. So the only logical choice it to use as little as possible only as often as needed to survive the longest. Doesn't sound like magic is quite as fun as we thought!

Before they can further their knowledge, someone or something tries to break through the door - the back door to Esmeralda's house in Sydney, Australia that opens in the East Village of New York City. Is it Jason Blake? Or is it someone else? And whoever it is, why are they trying to get through the door?

Larbalestier, Justine. (2007). Magic Lessons. New York: Razorbill.

Twilight (Twilight #1)

Twilight by Stephenie Meyer is the first in the Twilight series. This is the first vampire book I have ever enjoyed.

Bella is moving to Forks, WA to live with her father. She is seventeen and moving in with him for the first time. She is not excited about moving to the darkest, rainiest place in the States.
She quickly makes new friends and starts to acclimate to everything but the weather. The weather she will never like compared to the bright hot sun of Phoenix.

Bella notices Edward and his siblings do not mix with the other students. They always sit by themselves at lunch and only talk to each other. But Bella sits next to Edward in her science class.

Soon they start to talk. Then her father's friend, a Quileute, tells of a legend of the cold ones who live off of drinking blood. Once Bella hears this, many things fall into place about Edward. But it doesn't scare her off. In fact, she is more intrigued than ever.

Meyer, Stephenie. (2005). Twilight. New York: Little, Brown and Company.

Magic or Madness (Magic or Madness #1)

Magic or Madness by Justine Larbalestier is the first book in a trilogy of the same name. (Justine is married to Scott Westerfeld, writer of the Uglies series.)

Reason Cansino has lived on the run in the Australian outback for fifteen years. She and her mother, Sarafina, were in hiding from her grandmother, Esmeralda. Sarafina is convinced that Esmeralda is a witch. She has warned Reason never to trust her. But when her mother suffers a mental break, Reason is sent to live with Esmeralda in Sydney.

Reason, while planning her escape from her grandmother's house, finds an old key. When she unlocks the back door with it and steps through, she ends up in New York City. Now she must admit that magic is real. She also must find some warmer clothes, as it is January (summer in Australia, winter in New York).

Larbalestier, Justine. (2005). Magic or Madness. New York: Razor Bill.

The Book Thief

The Book Thief by Markus Zusak is an amazing book. Read it. In fact, buy a copy for yourself and read that.

Liesel Meminger, a young girl living outside of Munich in nazi Germany, steals books. The first book she stole, she took from the snow before she could even read. Soon she is stealing books from nazi bonfires and even the home of the mayor.

This is the story on one family during the nazi reign. Liesel's Papa is not a part of the nazi party. In fact, he does not believe that Jews are bad. During WWI a Jew, and one of his best friends, saved his life. Now he wants to do something to help someone else.

Narrated by Death himself, this is the story of a group of quirky Germans and what circumstances put them through. It is a beautiful book that will make you cry and laugh out loud.

Zusak, Markus. (2006). The Book Thief. New York: Knopf.

A Wrinkle in Time

A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle is the story of time and space travel. Meg Murry, her brother Charles Wallace Murry, and their friend Calvin O’Keefe meet three strangle women living in the woods behind the Murry house. The three women are not from this planet, but from some far off galaxy where Meg’s father, a scientist, has been experimenting with time travel.

Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which help the kids travel through space and time to rescue Mr. Murry from the planet Camazotz.

L’Engle, Madeleine. (1962). A Wrinkle in Time. New York: Yearling.

Truesight (Truesight Trilogy #1)

Truesight by David Stahler Jr. is an interesting look at humanity.

Jacob lives in Harmony Station on the planet of Nova Campi. Harmony is a colony of the Truesight. The Truesight movement began at the end of the 21st century. Genetic alteration was common, but when a blind couple in Canada decided to ensure their offspring would also be born blind, the Seers in the world thought they were crazy. Now, almost a century later, there are Truesight colonies on many worlds.

Jacob is not the average kid. Like everyone who lives in Harmony, Jacob is blind. But just before his thirteenth birthday he starts to have headaches. At first he doesn't know what they might mean. Then he starts noticing a difference between the light and dark.

Jacob is learning to see. His brain is overriding the genetic marker for blindness. How will his community react to a Seer among them?

(Book two of the trilogy: Seer)

Stahler, David. (2004). Truesight. New York: EOS.

So Yesterday

So Yesterday by Scott Westerfeld is about trends. Hunter Braque is a Trendsetter. He does not start new trends, he spots them on Innovators and passes them up the line to the companies who spread them. Mostly he works in shoes. And is paid in shoes.

While spotting a new shoelace trend, he meets Jen. Jen is definitely an Innovator. She does not follow what is cool, but makes her own cool.

Together Hunter and Jen follow the trail of a missing colleague of Hunter's. She disappeared when trying to show them the coolest shoe ever. The trail leads them to a group that is trying to bring the downfall of consumerism as we know it.

So Yesterday is an interesting look at trends and brands that we see everyday and probably don't even think about. The book takes place in New York City and has a unique view of the city that only someone who lives here will fully appreciate.

Westerfeld, Scott. (2004). So Yesterday. New York: Razor Bill.

Extras (Uglies series #4)

Extras is the fourth book in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies series. It begins three years after Tally, Shay and David helped to bring the bubbleheaded time to an end.

The world has changed a great deal since then. One city has installed a system where you fame ranking is what decides your status in the economic ranking as well. The higher your face rank, the bigger your apartment, the more merits you have to spend. This economy leads to "kickers." Kickers spread gossip and stories to gain fame.

Aya Fuse is a fifteen year old ugly who wants to raise her face rank. Right now she is at 451,369. A nobody. An extra.

Then Aya meets a group of girls who pull great stunts. The strange thing about them is that they want to be anonymous. But if Aya can become one and then kick the story she might be famous enough to break out of the extras.

Though this book features other characters, Scott Westerfeld stayed true to the vision he began with Uglies. Extras is just as exciting as the first three books. I can't wait for the next one!

Westerfeld, Scott. (2007). Extras. New York: Simon Pulse.

First Among Sequels (Thursday Next #5)

First Among Sequels is the latest Thursday Next book by Jasper Fforde. Thursday Next is a literary detective with Spec-Ops, the special law enforcement branch for weird stuff. She is also a Jurisfiction agent - the group that polices fiction, from within.
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First Among Sequels takes place 12 years after the previous book - Something Rotten. Thursday and her friends from Spec-Ops now run Acme Carpets, ever since Spec-Ops was disbanded.
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I loved the first four book, but this one did not capture my imagination to the same degree. That being said, I did laugh out loud numerous times. Jasper Fforde is completely mad!
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Fforde, Jasper. (2007). First Among Sequels. New York: Viking.

Specials (Uglies Trilogy #3)

Specials is the third book in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies Trilogy.

Tally has been an ugly, a pretty, and now she will become a special. How will she react to being on the other side of the battle for freedom? Will she, like other specials, capture the pretties who are trying to escape the city?

Specials are super fighting machines. They are created to keep the uglies and pretties in line with the dogma of the city. They have strength, speed, clarity and focus. And Tally feels better than she ever thought possible. Being icy makes everything clear at last.

She has the chance to stop the New Smokies once and for all. As soon as she can make Zane into a special she will do whatever is asked of her...

This is an awesome trilogy! Go read it! Now!

Westerfeld, Scott. (2006). Specials. New York: Simon Pulse.

Pretties (Uglies Trilogy #2)

Pretties is the second book in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies Trilogy. The trilogy takes place in a world where everyone has an operation when s/he turns 16. An operation to become pretty.

There are those who try to fight against becoming pretty. Those who escape the city to live in the wild. Because there are those who believe that along with changing bodies, the operations alter personalities - a way to control the population.

But for those who have already had the operation, is there any escape? Or are they to "pretty-minded" to care about anything other than the next party?

Westerfeld, Scott. (2005). Pretties. New York: Simon Pulse.

Uglies (Uglies Trilogy #1)

Uglies is the first book in Scott Westerfeld's Uglies trilogy. It is partly a social commentary on the superficialness of society.

Tally is about to turn 16. On her birthday she will have an operation that will change her from an "ugly" to a "pretty." Her time living in the dorms in Uglyville will come to an end. New Pretty Town, here she comes... or not.

A few months before her birthday she meets Shay - another 15 year old who shares her birthday. Shay tries to convince her not to become a pretty - a concept that goes against everything they have been programed to believe.

Shay is convinced that outside of the city there is a place where people go who do not want to have their faces and bodies altered to look like everyone else. Tally is sure it does not exist.

Just before their birthday, Shay runs away. She leaves Tally a cryptic note she can follow if she want to join her.

On her birthday, the authorities - Special Circumstances - informs Tally that she will not be able to become a pretty unless she helps them find Shay and the others who have run away.

This is a great book! I cannot wait to read the next one - Pretties.

Westerfeld, Scott. (2005). Uglies. New York: Simon Pulse.

Always (Aud Torvingen #3)

Always by Nicola Griffith is the third book featuring Aud Torvingen. The first two are The Blue Place and Stay.

Aud (rhymes with loud) is a kick ass chick. With a past in law enforcement she now teaches self-defense, is a private security consultant, and has more money than she could ever need. She is starting to make some changes in her life after the stories in the first two books. (I will not spoil anything!) She is beginning to learn that everything is not black and white and that there may be more than one way to do things.

In Always Aud and her friend Dornan fly to Seattle - partly to see Aud's mother and her new husband and partly so Dornan can visit the coffee capital, as he owns a chain of coffee houses in Atlanta. While in town Aud must check on some property she has inherited from her father. And that is where the story get interesting.

One of the warehouses she owns is being rented by a movie company. The set has been plagued by one mishap after another. Aud suspects the sabotage has more to do with someone wanting her to sell the property than with the movie production.

Griffith, Nicola. (2007). Always. New York: Riverhead Books.

The Masterharper of Pern

The Masterharper of Pern is another of Anne McCaffrey's dragon riders books. Chronologically in the history of Pern (as opposed to publish date) it precedes Dragonflight.

A boy is born in the Harper Hall. His parents are the MasterComposer and the MasterSinger. Perhaps not surprisingly, Robinton begins to show his musical abilities at the age of three. He begins to compose songs before he is ten.

The Masterharper of Pern is the life story of Robinton, from birth to the time the Dragonflight book takes over.

McCaffrey, Anne. (1998). The Masterharper of Pern. New York: DelRey Books.