Book Nook - Classic Corner

I know, I know, I did a book review last week. But hear me out, I've got a (loose, extremely loose) plan for this blog going forward.

The first week is up for grabs right now. Maybe I'll do a post about a comment or something the readers choose. Right now, it's up for grabs.

Second week will be a Book Review. Books will range from classics to new, young adult to .... regular adult (seriously, is it only the ages that make these books different?). Expect a lot of murder mysteries (Cozy Mysteries), as that is the major genre I read currently.

Third week will be a WIP on projects I'm working on. These will either be one of the many stories I've got running, one of the crafts I'm trying to get together for a business I'm running (Zaney Designs!), or a piece of art.

Fourth week will be Obscure Film Review week. Because there are tons out there that did not garner enough "media coverage" or what not. These could also be films that I enjoy watching and hope you might take a gander at them as well. Again films will range from the Silent Era to present. I will try and review movies not in theaters - or ones that you can either check out at the library or RedBox, or stream.

Whew! Now that the housecleaning is done, here is my Book Review for the week.

Book: Eyes Like the Stars

Series: Theatre Illuminata, #1

Author: Lisa Mantchev

As many of you know, I am a HUGE theatre nut. So you can imagine all of my bundled excitement, thrill, astonishment, and over bounding joy when I saw this series on the shelf. I couldn’t burst out about this, being inside the library and all, but when I got outside with my shiny book I whooted (cross between a woo-hoo and a hoot….).

But, I digress.

This book series takes place inside the Theatre Illuminata, a playhouse in the city (unnamed). The entire series surrounds the life of Beatrice Shakespeare Smith, Bertie for short. She lives inside the theatre, onstage using varying sets for her bedroom, cafe, and other. The entire series is her trying to find out who her parents are and why they left her at the Illuminata.

This first book sees Bertie trying to prove she's helpful to the cast and crew. So she set sets out to re-stage the production of “Hamlet”.

Let’s not forget - every character from every single play is alive and well, living backstage too. At curtain call they all come to life to repeat their lines. When not onstage they roam the backstage areas, talking, chatting, living their lives. Only they cannot leave the theatre...

What’s keeping them all there? The Book. The Book contains every play performed, all of their lines, and their lives.

Among those friends of Bertie’s are Peaseblossom, Cobweb, Mustardseed, and Moth (those mischievous fairies from A Midsummer Night’s Dream), Nate (a dashing pirate from The Little Mermaid) and, though often more mischievous Ariel (the sprite from The Tempest).

With all the excitement going around, it’s difficult to keep up with the Book, the current shows going on, and having to re-stage Hamlet in a whole new setting! What’s a girl to do?

Dying her hair a vivid blue, plunging on ahead, and writing her own script is what!

This is a book series that I highly, highly, recommend!

What's a book you'd like to see me review? Leave a few titles in the comments below.

Reading - Make It a Hobbt

While I would love to stake claim to that marvelous quote - I cannot.

Back in high school a trilogy of epic fantasy movies came out over the space of three years. While I had never read the novels (yet), I set a goal to read them before going to see the movies.

Reading a trilogy, especially one such as The Lord of the Rings is no easy feat. The novels were written is such a way that the words flow, how it was written, the context. For some it's an intimidating factor. For me - it was downright terrifying! But I made it through .... six times. (Still haven't gotten around to the Silmarillion, tried it, but it scares the crap out of me!)

In honor of books in general - here are a few that I have a particular fondness of. No particular order.

1. The Shadow Revolution by: Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith

           

     This is the first in a trilogy. The Crown and Key series is what happens when you mix Victorian England, magicians, and a slash of steampunk. Each book is wonderful, telling the story through a band of adventurers. Join Scribe Simon Archer, alchemist Kate Anstruther, hunter Malcom MacFarlane, and the inventor of their gadgets Penny Carter as they fight to save London, and England at large from supernatural threats.

2. Confessions of a Part-time Sorceress: A Girls Guide to the D&D Game (Dungeons and Dragons) by: Shelly Massanoble

          

        As a recent convert to the great game (began roughly over a year ago, though only been to about 10 sit-ins), I can attest that this is a great read for new beginners. It definitely helped me while I was learning the ropes of the game. If you need an intro to the world of the game I would highly recommend this.

3. Eyes Like the Stars by: Lisa Mantchev

         

        Okay. This entire book is based on theatre. Yes, with an "re". Take the wonderful works of Shakespeare and other plays, place them in a live theatre where they are actual people, and mix in a rambunctious girl who can call in any scene piece and make it real. When someone inadvertently unleashes Ursula, who kidnaps her best friend Nate (who happens to be a pirate from Neverland), Bertie Shakespeare Smith will do everything in her power, and the Book, to help rescue him. (Oh, it's the first of a trilogy.)

4. Northanger Abbey by: Jane Austen

       

      I had to add at least one Austen novel on this list. While there are many wonderful tales to choose from, I prefer a lesser known. This follows the life of Catherine Moreland in her quest to find love. Although, when she continues to see art in normal life, it's hard to tell what is real and what is pure imagination.

5. The Chocolate Cat Caper by: JoAnna Carl

     

      With Cozy Mysteries on the rise - well, at least for me - this is one of my favorites. When Lee McKinney divorces her husband, she moves up to Michigan to heel her aunt Nettie in her chocolate shop. Things are looking up, until a big client winds up dead with one of Nettie's chocolate's to blame! Lee goes undercover (ish) to find the culprit to clear her Aunt's chocolates. This one comes with recipes included!

I'll end it at five - but be aware there will be follow-up posts in regards to novel ideas!

Note: I am not paid for name dropping. I am not paid for anything said on this blog. Please don't sue me.