Currently on Hand: 4.3.10

As I suspected would be the case, a few of the books I checked out from the library have been renewed, and several were returned unread. Those I have retained:

1. Narcissus in Chains by Laurell K. Hamilton (currently reading)
2. A Horse and His Boy by C.S. Lewis

As I'm anticipating some down time in the near term, I made another overly productive trip to the library and have picked up the following:

1. Prince Caspian: The Return to Narnia by C.S. Lewis
2. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
3. The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis
4. The Last Battle by C.S. Lewis
5. 1984 by George Orwell
6. Animal Farm by George Orwell
7. A Swiftly Tilting Planet by Madeleine L'engle
8. Catch-22 by Joseph Heller
9. The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
10. Cerulean Sins by Laurell K. Hamilton
11. Life of Pi by Yann Martel

Collectively, I've got thousands of pages to read in only a few weeks if I'm to return them without renewing them. As it would require reading over 200 pages a day, that is unlikely to happen, but, crazy as I am, I intend to do my best. Worst case is either I renew or find that I'm not able to because someone has put in a hold request for it. No matter the case, unless they go lost, I'll have access to them again at some point, right?

Admittedly, I feel a bit of a book hog, but I know all too well that if you really want something...you should put in a hold request for it. And selfishly, I like to have the variety. Besides, I live in a small-town and based on the consistently diminishing hours of our library, our population does not seem to consist of a lot of readers (sad isn't it?). I might as well make use of it. :)

Obsidian Butterfly by Laurell K. Hamilton

Finished: 4.2.10

When I bought this book at my favorite used bookstore, the owner said something about needing to prepare for some really rough ones in the series, but assured me that if I stuck it out, it would be worth it. Based on those comments, I anticipated this particular volume to be rather horrible. That was so not the case!

In this 9th volume of the Anita Blake Series, most of our main characters are primarily absent from the storyline. Considering what a large role they have played in the previous volumes, it initially comes as quite a surprise. Honestly, I worried that without her love interests present, it would get boring or I would feel less involved in the story.

Surprisingly, I was as invested as I have ever been, and though I am happy to see the return of those characters in the 10th book, it was great to spend some time with Anita without them. The one on one time helped me get a more intimate understanding of Anita's mind. More than that, it was quite a treat to get to know the mysterious Edward better.

Overall, this turned out to be my favorite in the series so far!

A Wind in the Door by Madeleine L'engle

Finished: 3.29.10

Another wonderful book by Madame L'engle. As was the case with the first in this series, the story is wrought with moral lessons and ideas about what would make the world better. The particular lessons in this volume relate to hate and war, what value they serve (none), and how to overcome them (love, acceptance, belief in ourselves). Full of fantastical creatures and moving through space, body and time, it is definitely recommended and a fabulous read.

I can't wait to move on to the next in the series!