Art's List of Recently Read Books April 1998:
This isn't a traditional review page. I don't want to read books and tear them apart, I just want to let you know what I'm reading and enjoying right now. If you are interested in owning any of these books, just click on the title and order it from Amazon.com (the world's larget bookstore).
Norse Stories
The Norse Myths: Gods of the Vikings by Kevin Crossley-Holland
Probably one of the most poetic interpretations of Norse mythology available. I use it all the time while writing my Northern Frights series.
Grettir's Saga translated by Fox and Palsson
The story of Grettir, the strongest man in Iceland in about 1000 AD. The original source for my novel Draugr and one of the most interesting Icelandic sagas. Blood, sweat and poetry. It's all here.
Young Adult Novels that I've read recently:
April 1998
Out of the Dark by Welwyn Wilton Katz
The story of a boy who lives at L'Anse aux Meadows, Newfoundland. The site of the first Viking landing in North America. Quite a good read. Katz has worked hard to capture the language and feel of Newfoundland.
The Third Magic by Welwyn Wilton Katz
A truly wonderful fantasy novel that retells the story of King Arthur. It won the Governor General's award and deserved it.
Kootenay Kidnapper by Eric Wilson
A mystery series set in Canada. A quick, easy read. If you want action, you'll find it here.
Riding Planet Earth by Shelley Leedahl
A story of a boy who is a newcomer to Saskatoon. Well written, with an intriguing main character. This is not Sweet Valley High! Written by a Saskatoon writer (Saskatoon is my home town, so I tend to brag about other Saskatoon writers).
Dragonfire by Karleen Bradford, Harper-Collins press
A fantasy about a boy who lives in our world, but must go back to his own world to fight the Usurper. The first in a series of novels. This is well written and an enjoyable read.
Sabriel by Garth Nix
A wonderful fantasy novel by an Australian writer. A fully-realized world, people by interesting characters. If you like fantasy this is a must read!
The Golden Compass and The Subtle Knife by Philip Pullman
The first two books in a fantasy Trilogy. Two of my favorite books right now. I can't wait to read the third book in the series!
Yuletide Blues by Rod Macintyre
The story of a boy and the piano he doesn't want to play. Set in Saskatoon and quite a good read. Rod is another talented Saskatoon writer.
Astro City: Life in the Big City by Kurt Busiek
This is an illustrated novel. That's a fancy way of saying this is a really long comic book, chock full of great short stories about superheroes. Busiek is one of my favorite comic book writers.
The Maestro by Tim Wynne-Jones, Groundwood Books
This is really well written. I was quite impressed with this book. A compelling story about an original character. Action and emotion. It also won a Governor General's award.
The Dark Garden by Margaret Buffie, Kids Can Press
A ghost story. A little complicate sometimes, but well done and...scary. Which is what it was meant to be. Margaret Buffie is a Winnipeg writer.
The Mennyms by Sylvia Waugh,
It's a story about...well...Mennyms...and I can't tell you much more than that, it'll give too much away. A nice fantasy novel. No swords and sorcery here, just tons of imagination.
Books on my list to read
The Tuesday Cafe by Don Trembath, Orca Books
Uncle Ronald by Brian Doyle, Groundwood books
The Good, The Bad, the Suicidal Beth Goobie, Roussan Publishers
The Ragwitch, by Garth Nix, Tor Books
Who has Seen the Wind by W.O. Mitchell
This Can't be Happening at Mcdonald Hall by Gordon Korman
A Confederacy of Dunces John Kennedy Toole