"If you find a book that looks interesting but is part of a series, do you always start with the first title?"
I figured I'd try another meme to pass the time. This is my first time participating in the Book Blogger Hop, brought to you by Crazy-for-Books.com. :)
Well, to answer the question... While I'd much rather start a series from the beginning, I have been guilty of reading books out of order. When I was younger, for example, I participated in a program called Battle of the Books hosted by my library. This program consisted of kids from grades 6-8 (or was it 9? 5-9?). Their goal: to read a certain amount of books selected for the program and compete in a trivia tournament at the end of the summer. Occasionally one of the books for the program was part of a series, but it wasn't always obvious.
One year, I picked up a book called Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry. I'd never heard of it before and it was the first book that I'd ever read by that author. I read it, loved it, and studied it. Long after I finished that book, I learned that it was part of a series. I was disappointed because I didn't know beforehand, but I wasn't lost at all while reading! So what was the big deal?
Anyway, I ended up reading Lois Lowry's little dystopian series out of order. Gathering Blue was the second. After that I was able to get copies of The Giver and Messenger. I read the series from second-first-third and had no problems (although I do think that reading the third book last made the most sense, so I'm glad I did)!
Sometimes reading out of order isn't a big deal. Sometimes it is. While I've had okay experiences in doing so, I still prefer to read the first book first. :) It really depends on what kind of series it is, I guess.
What about you?
*EDIT: I hate misspelling names. T_T Errors have been fixed!
Hello! Today, I bring you Booking Through Thursday, a book-themed meme that asks weekly questions.
This week's questions (directly from BTT):
When you travel, how many books do you bring with you? Has this changed since the arrival of ebooks?
I tend to have a packing problem when I travel. I always want to have something to read when I'm away. The problem is that I also like to have options--so the one book I pick to bring with me is quickly joined by another... and another. Depending on how long I'll be away, and how much room I have left in my bags, I could have as many as three or four books at a time. That doesn't sound like a lot, now that I've said it, but my trips are usually fairly short.
As far as ebooks go... Eh. I don't have an eReader. I don't really have the money for one, first of all, but I really just have no interest. I like having a physical book in my hands. I like looking at a full bookshelf. I like having a piece of literature that fits snugly in my bag when I'm out. I do see the convenience of having a Nook or a Kindle, but since I don't really do a LOT of traveling, whether it be for business or whatever, I don't feel much of a need for one.
How about you guys? Try the meme out for yourself and post your responses! :)
Title: Knightley Academy Author: Violet Haberdasher ISBN #: 1416991433
Today, for my first review (ever!) ... Knightley Academy! I hope I do it justice; please remember that I am new at this!
I will start off by saying that Knightley Academy (KA) was a nice change of pace. While I do love magic and I can tolerate vampires, it was good to read something that focused on a different subject. Although we do come across some familiar elements, it is still quite refreshing and entertaining.
KA tells the story of Henry Grim, an orphan working as a servant at the Midsummer School for Boys, and he's not too thrilled about it. He's treated poorly by those he works with, and is the recipient of a lot of negativity from the students with wealthier upbringings. What keeps him going are his secret lessons with Professor Stratford--which are actually preparation for an exam for the school for knights, Knightley Academy. The thing is, no one has passed the entrance exam for years--but wait; Henry isn't even a student! Through a little loophole in the exam rules (anyone that resides at the Midsummer school may participate), Henry is allowed to sit the exam. He is accepted after getting spectacular marks, but he's the only one at the school to pass--and a commoner, nonetheless! His acceptance causes quite a stir not just at the Midsummer School, but across the country as well.
Things get a little crazier once Henry is actually at the academy. He meets Frankie (the tomboy daughter of the headmaster) and his roommates, Adam and Rohan, who are also not your typical students. Their presence causes some controversey, and they are the targets of many a prank--some from Henry's rival, Valmont, and others much more mysterious and even sinister. Who is behind it all? The answer may surprise you... but I'm not telling!
The narration of the story is what really got me. It's witty without being overdone, and just gripping enough to make you want to sit there and read. I laughed at the little things and really sympathized with Henry and his friends, who were only trying to get used to their new surroundings. Adam, a Jewish boy, has only ever known a life of inevitable boredom--his family is full of accountants. Going to Knightley was, without a doubt, a much more preferable option for him, and was surprised to get in. Rohan (who is Indian), on the other hand, had a more privileged upbringing, but shares his struggles with the other boys. I also found a lot of amusement in Valmont, Henry's rival from the Midsummer School. After forcing his way into the school via his uncle, the disgruntled history professor, he and Henry face each other on a number of occasions and sometimes you don't know whether to love him or hate him.
There is, of course, that little familiarity I was talking about earlier... At times I felt like I would soon be walking the halls of Hogwarts, but the interesting thing about that is that Haberdasher acknowledges it (hence my favorite quote: "What do you think this is, magic school?"). There isn't a dull moment that I can recall. The plot is extremely imaginative, and I give the author a lot of credit for coming up with something as unique as Knightley Academy, because, really--sword fights? Mysterious goings-on in a Victorian setting? Competitions and something unusual brewing just underneath the surface? It's so exciting and fun!
I would recommend Knightley Academy to anyone looking for adventure, mystery, or even just something to try after reading all of the Harry Potter books. I am very much looking forward to the sequel!
For some added fun, here is a YouTube video of the author herself reading the first part of chapter 1:
(I hope that wasn't too much summary...! As I said, I'm a newbie!)
Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Maeghan, otherwise known as Pandorka. I am a college student double-majoring in French and sociology. It's an unusual combination, but I am a bit of an unusual person. :) I've had a passion for languages since middle school and that passion continued to grow once I got into the university. There, I've learned to take everything in stride.
I also work part-time at a book store--I'm frequently in the children's department, which is appropriate for me because I'd like to be a children's librarian. I'm generally not too picky with what I read, but my favorite genre is, without a doubt, fantasy (although you could kinda lump that together with some science fiction and especially dystopian fiction). Anything that's a little different from real life is basically what I enjoy.
Diana Wynne Jones is one of my favorite authors, and we even share a birthday! I am also a big fan of the Harry Potter series by JK Rowling and Percy Jackson & the Olympians by Rick Riordan. I'm really just a big kid! By blogging here I hope to turn you (the readers and possible parents of young readers) onto some of the best stuff out there.
Random facts about me that may amuse you: - I collect rubber ducks - English is my mother tongue, but I also know French, as well as some Spanish and American Sign Language. I would like to learn German, Latin, Greek, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese... (I think you see where I'm going with this) - I have four cats - I love cooking and baking and frequently visit blogs that feature pictures of pretty food (and the odd stuff, too!)
Well... Hello to the dear few that have stumbled upon this little corner of the Internet. :) Just popping in to talk about how I really should just jump into the whole blogging thing. I'm really great at READING other people's blogs (I frequently visit my close personal friend and blogging inspiration Pirate Penguin...) but not so great at updating my own.
This is something that I really want to do. I just wish that I were more organized! Perhaps that part will have to come later. I have a little more time for myself than I usually do (I'm a college student with a double-major and I also work part-time... hehe), so this may be one of my only opportunities!
I'll use another post to sort of introduce myself, but then I want to get right into it--my first book review will be for Violet Haberdasher's Knightley Academy!
Just a quick update after a long period of... well, nothing: I have a few ideas swirling around my head (including, but not limited to a "new" way to blog reviews and a meme of my own creation); I just need the time to put them here and get them going. :)
In other news, I am on a quest to find Camp Half-Blood today with my partner-in-crime, Cristina. >:D This should be fun!
I went to the Teen Author Carnival yesterday in NYC--it was an amazing time. I should elaborate on it... Perhaps in a little while (I promise!). Right now I'm trying to update everything. :3
Sandy suggested that I try a meme to get myself going here. I figured it wasn't a bad idea. I checked out The Story Siren and read her blogging guidelines (Thanks for telling me about them, Lucy!). TSS listed a few different memes, and I chose Booking Through Thursday. Give it a shot!
This week's questions were (directly from BTT):
What books did you get for Christmas (or whichever holiday you may have celebrated last month)?
Do you usually ask for books on gift-giving occasions or do you prefer to buy them yourself?
For Christmas this year, I didn't receive any books. In the past few years, I haven't really kept a list of things that I wanted for Christmas, unlike when I was little and my lists contained toys from every commercial I saw. I do, however, work in a bookstore, and I always wonder why friends and family members don't think to get me gift cards for my store for gift-giving occasions. Most of my paycheck goes right back to my employers, so why not?
So this year, instead of books, my parents left a gift card in my stocking. I was thrilled! This time around I used it to get the last few volumes of Y: The Last Man (an awesome graphic novel series that a friend of mine introduced me to), which I shared with my boyfriend (we'd been collecting them since the summer).
When I was still in high school, I discovered one of my favorite authors-- Diana Wynne Jones. In what must've been 10th or 11th grade, when I actually made a list of things I wanted, a majority of it contained her books. That was a good Christmas! :)
Anyway, for gift-giving occasions and whatnot, I really do love getting books. Also, I'd never say no to a gift card. ;) It's nice to see what friends and family think I will like, because I know they put thought into their choices, but a gift card allows me to pick whatever I want. Either way, I'm happy!
Sorry if this was a little lengthy, but I've had a strong urge to write all week and no reviews to post! Those should be coming soon. I'm really going to try!
