The Ninja Writer's Library- The Final Pages of 2018

Hello Friends and Readers of Books,

I'm happy to announce that in 2018 I read get this: A TOTAL OF 30 BOOKS! There's probably those of you who've read more in a year, but for me given the fact for a few years now my reading has been short by mental illness, mostly fearing something would trigger me this is a milestone. According to Goodreads I read around 9,664 pages, it's nice to actually see that tallied up. I told Goodreads I'm shooting for 20 this year, yeah I know I should shoot for more than I read last year, but If I aim low and go more, I'll feel accomplished. So before I get to far into my first book of the year I figure better finish up my write ups for 2018's reads. So get comfy, this may take a bit.

Dear Mr. Knightley by Katherine Reay
First up is the first book by author Katherine Reay. It was the title that caught my attention, given it's the name of the character from Jane Austen's Emma. I thought it was a good read filled with bookiness and smut-less romance. It's also a book about finding your own voice and accepting all you are. It also deals with orphans young and adult and what they have to deal with being in this situation.
At first I was annoyed with everyone trying to get the main character Sam to let go of her literary habits, to me it was like forcing her to give up what she loved, but I see it wasn't they wanted her to completely let go of the words she loved, but let Sam shine more instead of the characters she hid behind.

This was a good heartfelt book, and I recommend it to lovers of books. It's a book I'm defiantly gonna put in my keep pile.

The Erye Affair by Jasper Fforde
 
Hanging onto the books with a literature theme we fall into the pages of The Erye Affair. It's the first in the Thursday Next series. We find ourselves in 1985 in an Alternate Universe were literature is so big it can start riots and movements, there's even a special crime unit that deals with Literature based crimes, which is the unit Thursday Next works in. Soon a villain steps in who finds a way to enter the pages of books risking altering their tales forever. It kinda reminds me of the Fiction Fixers video games, which I totally recommend you guys play.

It's a strange tale, as all trips to parallel worlds are, complete with airships, isn't that like required in parallel universe stories. I also got like some serious Doctor Who vibes when Thursday's time traveling Dad shows up, I think he defiantly took a page from the mad person in the blue box.
Our digital library has more of the series, but like a few books on into the series, so I've put in a request for them, hopefully they'll purchase them so I can continue the series in order. Must make a note to do so for the Aunt Dimity series too.

Like my previous read definitely for lovers of books, and parallel universes. When you read this book you should check out the website for the book, there's a lot of strange things there.

House of Many Ways by Diana Wynne Jones

Back in August I posted about the first two books in the Howl's Moving Castle Series, well our library got in the Third book House of Many Ways. We are once more back in the kingdom from the 1st book, thought the main character is a woman named Charmain who has been tasked to look after her great uncle's crazy magical house. We meet with some familiar characters from the two previous books including wizard Howl and his beloved Sophie, actually we find the wizard finding new ways to annoy his wife if that's possible.

Like the previous two it's a fun short read, though for my speed reading skills too quick. But if you like the world of Howl I totally invite you guys to read. I kinda wish they'd made anime for the other books two, a little curious how they'd translate.

Sourdough by Robin Sloan

When I first heard about this book, I want to say from Austin Kleon, I was intrigued, but after reading Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Book Store I was wary, see link to that post in above paragraph. Well I dove in anyway. We have a you techie named Lois who finds herself left to care for a Sourdough starter from her favorite restaurant when they owners are forced to leave. This leads her into a strange new world.  Like the author's other book it was interesting enough to keep me reading, I didn't get any strange vibes with this one, but I do have to say while it wasn't bad, it really wasn't mind blowing either.

Stardust by Neil Gaiman

I loved the movie Stardust, so I was glad to finally read the original book. Much like the previous book I liked it, devoured it quickly, but it really wasn't earth shattering for me which is a little sad given how much I enjoyed the movie. It joins the list of the rare times I prefer the movie to the book. This tends to happen sometimes. *ducks to avoid pitch forks*

I will say as I tend to do in books with movies, I'm glad I read this realm's origin story, and am grateful that this isn't one of those times reading the book of a movie I love hasn't spoiled the movie for me. I still haven't watched The Jane Austen Book Club since I read the book. Reading the full story behind a incident that was briefly mentioned in the movie kinda scarred me.

The Dark Materials: The Twisted Trilogy- Book Two by Amanda Churi

I've mentioned the author a couple times given I've ran into her at conventions I've attended the last three years. This year I purchased the second book in her first trilogy, I purchased the first one the year before. I just finished reading this during the Christmas holiday, I needed a break from my current mental health, and computer issues.

I think this book may have topped the first one. I have to say I'm really being further drawn into this story, and will probably have to shell out the money for the last one due out anytime, hopefully she'll be at the Asheville Anime Regional Convention again so I can.  I have to say unlike the first which had very minor spelling and grammar errors, keep in mind she published it as part of her Senior Research project and as I recall that's a crazy deadline to make, the second book didn't seem to have any. This story which was strange to begin with is getting even more dark and twisted. Our main characters find themselves dealing with the aftermath of their actions from the first book, which has lead to changes that effects the past and future.

I will warn you it is a dark book, as the whole trilogy has been, but it's a compelling read from an author who hails from my part of the state. This story has magic, time travel, a nod to current politics, a different view of heaven and h*ll, actually Supernatural fans might enjoy this now that I think of it

Hocus Pocus & The All New Sequel by A.W. Jantha

This is a favorite movie of mine, so when I heard about this sequel, I think it may have been Wotso Videos' post, I was ecstatic. I loved the idea that there was a continuation.
Now the first part of the book is of course a novelization of the books, but there is still some new here, we see into the characters heads and find a new view to what we've seen, we also see some new moments that will help tie this tale to the sequel.

Speaking of the sequel I loved it. I sometimes find reading a book of a character that has been a youth in another tale bitter sweet, example Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. I actually found some of the destines of the original movies characters humorous, and why did hey name the child Poppy. I don't think it was addressed in the book. It was great to catch up with the old characters and see how they got along after Halloween 1993.

I can't help feeling when we have the cellphone zombies it's a commentary on how people becoming zombies with their devices. I really hope the open ended way the end of the book was left is a sign for more story to come.
If those Sanderson Sisters "put a spell on you" then get the book and enjoy a trip back to that Salem we love.

Whew that was a list. I have checked out the first book of the new year Percy Jackson and the Olympian-The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. I think I'll read as much as I can in this series whatever the library has, hope it's not like Stardust. I'm holding for a couple books in the Miss Peregrine world, which includes the newly released one, but I'm like so far down the list.
Well I hope you guys are having a good new year, may you consume many burritos, and God bless you.

Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
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