YA Book Council discussion

Hey guys,

So I'm really digging this book . The first story was OK, and the 2nd one ("The Wizards of Perfil") was awesome! That, and the travesty that was my art history midterm are what really got me burrowing into the book. The rest of the stories are going down pretty well, too. No spoonful of sugar needed.

I just finished "The Specialist's Hat" last night and am hoping to read the rest this evening. Let me know who wants to borrow my copy next. This might be another one of those that I get a "loaner" copy for. It's that good.

I'm also ordering two of her other short story collections. One is Magic for Beginners which is also available as a free download at http://lcrw.net/kellylink/mfb/index.htm , which has two of the same stories as Pretty Monsters ("Magic for Beginners" and "The Faery Handbag"). The other is an anthology called The Best of Lady Churchill's Rosebud Wristlet . Let me know if anyone is interested in those.

So I zoomed right through this.

In "Magic for Beginners" a boy named Jeremy Mars is a character in a tv show who himself is a fan of a pirate tv show (pirate as in it hijacks broadcast frequency to air, not yarrrrrr, pirates) called The Library. Whoever decided to put the list of "things contained in this book" in the front flap of the dust jacket was a genius because all the YA librarian who was in my store this morning had to read was "dueling librarians" and she was sold on the book. (I'm so glad she got it, the writing really is top-notch.)

Anyway, even the story I liked the least ("The Surfer") had some pretty redeeming qualities. There are a few lines about the United States and our complacency with the way things are now (I think esp. appropriate to read prior to a presidential election), and mocking allusions to a waiting-for-the-aliens-type cult.

The final titular story I think serves as an antidote to people who hated Twilight or who loved it in the beginning and gradually became disappointed or disgusted by it.

I think my favorite of all was "The Constable of Abal", which is a really simple short story but rich with imagination. It's something I could imagine painting or drawing illustrations for. There is a room which is described in detail but in such a way that an economy of words still makes the image implode and tesselate within your brain, so that I was left wondering for a moment, just imagining wandering through this room for hours that seem like mere seconds. Really a beautiful and inventive tale.

Has anyone read this yet? *Dying* to discuss this with someone! That and my spine has decided it is an alien being which does not belong in my skin and is trying to exit somewhere at the back of the neck, but not having enough physical strength to leave on its own, is just very painful at the moment (hey, that could be a future Kelly Link-type story). Jane, I give you leave to use this idea for your writing. What was the other one that we were talking about at the meeting?

Alethea, I think it's going to have to wait until after Christmas. I promise that it'll be the first book I read after I finish Finals.

It's ok, I'm excited about Beedle too. I can't wait to get my pre-order!

I think I'll whip up a new costume for the party. Jason has his Time-Turner tacked up on the bulletin board, I can use that.

I promised I'll read it after my last final, and I intend to deliver. I have one blasted final left (a 4 hour paper) and then I'll start! I already added it to my currently reading list. I guess I should finish my paper now instead of lollygagging around on Goodreads.

It's good!

Seriously! You guys have to read this, especially if you like fantasy.