Happy Star Wars Day!

Why Read?

"The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you'll go."

– Dr. Seuss, I Can Read With My Eyes Shut!

"Isn't it odd how much fatter a book gets when you've read it several times? ... As if something were left between the pages every time you read it. Feelings, thoughts, sounds, smells...and then, when you look at the book again many years later, you find yourself there, too, a slightly younger self, slightly different, as if the book had preserved you like a pressed flower...both strange and familiar."

– Cornelia Funke, Inkspell  

"Everything in the world exists in order to end up as a book."

– Stephane Mallarme

"A children's story that can only be enjoyed by children is not a good children's story in the slightest."

– C.S. Lewis

"Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing."

– Harper Lee, To Kill A Mockingbird

"Do not read, as children do, to amuse yourself, or like the ambitious, for the purpose of instruction. No, read in order to live."

– Gustave Flaubert

"Books are the quietest and most constant of friends; they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers."

– Charles William Eliot

"We read to know that we are not alone."

– C.S. Lewis

"'A reader lives a thousand lives before he dies,' said Jojen. 'The man who never reads lives only one.'"

– George R.R. Martin, A Dance With Dragons

"It is only a novel... or, in short, only some work in which the greatest powers of the mind are displayed, in which the most thorough knowledge of human nature, the happiest delineation of its varieties, the liveliest effusions of wit and humor, are conveyed to the world in the best-chosen language."

– Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey

All of these quotes are from the phenomenal site Good Reads, where I have only skimmed the surface of 1,307 quotes about reading. These are all reasons why I love to read, as well.

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There's a theorist named Evgeny Morozov who writes about something called "net delusion." This concept is that the world's population has become naive with the invention of the Internet. People believe the Internet can fix anything, is stronger than anything, has power over anything. Morozov pities those of us who believe that sites like Twitter and Facebook can overpower government or tyranny. I, like Morozov, pity those who believe in the absolute power of the Internet.

The Internet is only as powerful as the people who use it. Those who wield the power of the Internet have the power to make change. Just as the invention of the printing press. Alone it holds no power. When a printer uses the press, only then is there power in the object. The printing press began a revolution around the world, just as the Internet has. They are mere catalysts in a human's evolutionary curiosity. "Guns don't kill people. People kill people." Well, certainly guns help in killing people. But, this is true. It is a tool we use. The printing press is a tool we use. The Internet is a tool we use.

Books are tools we need. Without them, there is too much untapped knowledge. Is it naive of me to think that books have power? Am I one of Morozov's delusional people? Can I sit here and say that one of the necessities of life is to read, and in reading one becomes powerful? I am, albeit, biased. But, when reading, a reader gains a more enlightened mind. A reader gains knowledge. If "knowledge is power," then the Internet is powerful. But, those who control it are even more so.

Excuse the tired ramblings of a weary college student. I found myself in need of an outlet of sorts. Perhaps this makes sense... Perhaps it doesn't. Perhaps I'll return to this post and edit the living day-lights out of it... Perhaps not.

"A person is a fool to become a writer. His only compensation is absolute freedom." – Roald Dahl

Happy Reading!

-- Isabel

Manga/Anime Corner!

Welcome to Manga/Anime Corner again! This time I am going to recommend a lighter manga/anime and a darker one. Both are manga and anime. While I typically prefer the Japanese voices, I happen to really like the English Dubbed voices of both anime. So, this time around, I cannot give a “Subs v. Dubs” recommendation. All right, here they are!

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Ouran High School Host Club­ – Bisco Hatori

Both an anime and a manga, Ouran High School Host Club is a fun romantic comedy for guys and girls alike. Ouran is a satire, overall. It pokes fun at the stereotypical male characters girls are supposed to like. And it is downright hilarious!

The series follows Haruhi Fujioka, a scholarship student at Ouran Academy. Ouran Academy is an extremely prestigious high school, where only the richest attend. Their unofficial motto is “Lineage first, wealth a close second.” It is very rare when an exceptional “commoner” is granted a scholarship. When looking for a quiet place to study, Haruhi stumbles into the Ouran Academy Host Club.

A Host Club is a group of men who entertain women with conversation and drinks. Host and Hostess clubs are very popular in East Asian countries. The Ouran Host Club is a group of six male students. Each student epitomizes a male stereotype found in Japanese manga/anime.

Tamaki Suo is the princely, flamboyant, and narcissistic founder and president of the Host Club; Kyoya Otori is the secretive, pragmative, megane (glasses) vice-president of the Host Club; Hikaru and Kaoru Hitachiin are the mischievous, childish, twins in the Host Club; Mistkune “Honey” Haninozuka is the Lolita, sweets-addict, and eldest member of the Host Club; Takashi “Mori” Morinozuka is the protective, quiet, tall, and second eldest member of the Host Club. What is Haruhi to do when she meets all of these strange men? What happens when she accidentally smashes an $80,000 vase in the clubroom? Is working as a Host the only way to pay off her debt? Don't they realize that she's a girl?

Back Row: Kyoya, Mori (with Usa-chan), Tamaki
Front Row: Kaoru, Haruhi, Hikaru, Honey

The anime only spans 26 episodes (a rather short anime), and the manga is only 18 volumes long (a rather short manga). There are two seasons in the anime. A 3^rd season was rumored, but hasn’t been produced. There is a live-action drama and film, which I haven’t seen. The anime ends rather abruptly and very differently than the manga. To find out what happens, I suggest reading the manga for answers. Despite the ending, I adored the anime! Every episode had me cracking up and smiling. And, guys, don’t be afraid of it! I know quite a few men who really enjoyed it, too! Initially, Ouran is really weird… But, you grow accustomed to it!

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Cowboy Bebop – Keiko Nobumoto (anime) / Hajime Yatate (manga)

The 1998 award-winning anime, Cowboy Bebop, is actually one of the greatest anime I’ve seen. Granted, I say that about a lot of things on this blog… Cowboy Bebop truly is brilliant. With only 26 episodes and one movie, this show caters to everyone. Men and women alike will love this show. It’s science fiction, film noir, Western, and crime fiction all in one. The music is reminiscent of the 40’s-60’s with its jazz and southern tones, but also the 50’s-70’s early rock style. The animation is awesome for a 1998 show. The voices, both in Japanese and English, are perfect for each character.

The year is 2071, and the entire Solar System is accessible through hyperspace gates. The explosion of a test hyperspace gate, in 2022, severely damaged the Moon. The survivors abandoned Earth and colonized other planets. Now, Mars is the central hub of human civilization. However, it is also the hub of interplanetary crime syndicates. Those syndicates have an influence over the government and the ISSP (Inter-Solar System Police). In order to regulate the corruption, a bounty system – similar to one in the Old West – is established to deal with crime. Those involved are aptly named, “cowboys.”

Our main characters are aboard a ship called the Bebop, owned by a man named Jet Black. An ex-ISSP detective, Jet turned to bounty hunting to pursue justice. Despite his gruff exterior, Jet is protective and caring man. His partner in crime is a man named Spike Spiegel. Spike is an easygoing, skilled pilot and a master of hand-to-hand combat and firearms. While hunting for their next paycheck, the two encounter Faye Valentine – a novice, bounty hunter with a gambling problem and debt – and Edward – an eccentric computer genius and master hacker. As they pursue various criminals, the Red Dragon Crime Syndicate keeps popping up. Will Jet and Spike get involved in something far bigger than a little bounty? Who is this mysterious Julia woman? Will they keep the corgi?

From Left: Jet, Spike, Faye, Ed, and Ein.

The manga was written after the anime aired, but still is enjoyable. I started and finished this show in less than a fortnight (2 weeks). I can’t even begin to tell you how fantastic Cowboy Bebop is. I’ve remained pretty vague in my description of the show because the characters will be elaborated on when you watch the show. Both the Japanese and English voices are perfect for the characters. Ladies: Spike is unbelievably handsome no matter what language he’s speaking. Gents: Spike is unbelievably bad-ass no matter what language he’s speaking. Everyone: Cowboy Bebop is unbelievably awesome no matter what language they are speaking.

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Both anime can be found on AnimeReady.com, JustDubs.net, AnimeCrazy.net, and various others. Manga can be found on CityManga.com or MangaFox.com. Ouran can be found on YouTube in high quality in both languages. It was posted by FUNimation and is completely legal.

Don't forget to do your best to support the artists, too. Give both a try! They’re tons of fun!

Happy Reading and Watching!

-Isabel

Phobia of the Day

Chromophobia - Also Chromatophobia. Fear of colors.

Courtesy of phobialist.com

Tamora Pierce, 2: The Circle Universe

Will contain SPOILERS of sorts.

I welcome back an author I consider to be stellar. Tamora Pierce is back with 3 series this time. Rather significantly fewer than the 5 in the Tortall Universe, but not any less well written or interesting. I happen to love the Circle Universe almost as much as the Tortall Universe. This time, these 4 protagonists must be read chronologically, as I review them. There will be spoilers. There is no way to avoid them.

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The Circle Universe:

Initially set in Emelan, a powerful country in this world, the Circle Universe begins in the city, Summersea. As a port city, Summersea is both a stronghold and the capitol of Emelan. Again the world is structured very similarly to that of the Middle Ages in Europe. Summersea has a monarchy, court, nobility, knights, and such, just as Tortall does. (Click here for the Tortall Universe).

Again, magic is a normal thing is this world. Although not everyone possesses magic, it is common and accepted in society. Winding Circle is a temple-city just outside of Summersea, where there is a center for those with ambient magic go to study. It is just as prestigious as the Lightsbridge University for Academic Magic. The temple serves as a school for the general population as well. But, once the students turn 16, they must become a novice of the Living Circle (the pagan religion of Emelan) or leave the school.

The Series:

Sandry’s Book (1997), Tris’ Book (1998), Daja’s Book (1998), Briar’s Book (1999)

The Circle of Magic – 10 year-old’s Sandreline “Sandry” fa Toren, Trisana “Tris” Chandler, Daja Kisubo, and Briar Moss (formerly known as Roach) are introduced to the reader. They are all “ambient mages” – they are all able to use magic externally. Niklaren “Niko” Goldeye, a powerful mage, discovers these four and puts them into a cottage aptly named, Discipline.

Dedicate Rosethorn and Dedicate Lark run Discipline Cottage - they are two rather opposite women. Where Dedicate Lark is soft and kind, Dedicate Rosethorn is rough and commanding. Discipline serves as a home to “special cases” in Winding Circle. Generally, it is for students who don’t get along with others during their education.

There the four learn about their strange abilities: Sandry is able to manipulate thread and fabric; Tris is able to manipulate the weather; Daja has an affinity to manipulate fire and metal; Briar is able to manipulate plant-life. Niko pairs them with teachers, but can everyone get along? Can a noblewoman, a street-rat, a Trader (a trading race despised by most), and a merchant realize their potential and set their differences and pride aside? Can they master their uncommon magic and earn the respect of the adults they encounter? Can they protect themselves, let alone those around them? Perhaps… Perhaps not.

Magic Steps (2000), Street Magic (2001), Cold Fire (2002), Shatterglass (2003)

The Circle Opens – Four years after Sandry’s Book, Winding Circle finally acknowledges the four young mages. With their respective teachers, Briar, Sandry, Tris, and Daja decide to travel around the country. There each find a mage they can teach. Suddenly becoming teachers themselves, the four protagonists struggle to balance their own studies with that of their new students.

In Summersea, Sandry finds a 12 year-old boy, Pasco Acalon, with dance-magic. When a serial killer preys on a rich trading family, Sandry and Pasco work together to defeat the mages and their deadly weapon, unmagic – the absence of magic and life itself. Can their lively magic defeat something so sinister and life-less?

Briar finds a stone-mage named Evvy on the streets of Chammur. But, the sponsor-woman of the Viper Gang has her eye on Evvy. Briar must protect his pupil from the lady’s greed, but also help his teacher with assisting the sickly locals. Can Briar maintain a battle on two fronts?

Daja travels north to Namorn, where she finds twins with magical talent. Nia has an affinity for carpentry and woodwork, and Jory has an affinity for cooking. When someone is setting fires throughout the city, Daja takes it upon herself to help Bennat Ladradun – head of the firefighters – keep Namorn from burning to the ground. Can Daja protect her new friends from the fiery threat?

While the other three branch out, Tris encounters a man named Kethlun “Keth” Warder, a glass mage who “lost” his ability when struck by lightning. After the incident, Keth is able to mix lightning and glass. However, there is a murderer on the loose, and Keth’s glass spheres contain visions of the killer’s work. Keth accidentally creates a living glass creature and refuses to indulge his magic anymore. As Tris tries to convince Keth of his ability, she tries to uncover the identity of this murderer. Can Tris hunt down this murderer without getting killed?

The Will of the Empress (2005)

The Will of the Empress – Sandry’s cousin, the Empress of Namorn, has been begging for her little cousin to visit her for years. Finally, Sandry agrees to see her cousin, but there’s a slight catch. Sandry’s uncle requests that her three mage-friends join her. After years of being apart, the foursome is no longer as chummy as they once were. Now adults, they each carry secrets that, years ago, they once would’ve shared with each other.

Sandry expects a quick visit with her cousin, and then return home to her Uncle in Emelan. But, her Empress cousin has other plans. The four soon find out that the will of the Empress is considered law here in Namorn. If they are to escape, Briar, Sandry, Daja, and Tris must set aside their qualms and learn trust each other as they once did. But, it is easier said than done. Can they repair what was lost?

Tamora Pierce has announced the following book is in the works. The series will be called The Circle Reforged. No word, yet, as to how many books she intends to write for this segment of the story.

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Another book describing what Briar, Evvy, and Rosethorn encounter in Yanjing and Gyongxe, is also in the works. An audio book called Melting Stones was released in 2007. It was in Evvy’s perspective as she goes with Rosethorn to determine the source of weird phenomena on an island. This has also been released in book-form since. My sister quite liked it!

Tamora doesn’t seem as though she'll stop writing any time soon. And as long as she writes, I will read whatever she publishes. Give her a try! You may find her books to be your cup of tea! If the Circle Universe isn't your style, try out her Tortall Universe. Perhaps Alanna might be more to your liking.

Happy Reading!

-Isabel

Phobia of the Day

Chaetophobia - Fear of hair.

Courtesy of phobialist.com 

Tamora Pierce, Part 1: The Tortall Universe

She gets ALL of the Stars!!

One of my all time favorite authors, Tamora Pierce, has written approximately 8 series of teen fantasy/fiction novels. The majority of her novels cater to women because her protagonists are females (with the exception of Briar from the Circle Universe). These “teen” books aren’t just for young girls going through adolescence. Women of all ages can enjoy them, too! I still enjoy reading them. My mum liked them, too! The Circle Universe is far more fantastical, but not any less well written and enticing. But, those are for another post. 

I love Pierce's writing style and stories so much; I’ve read almost everything she’s ever written. The only two I can think of, that I haven’t read, are two I haven’t had the chance to read yet. I’m going to review the Tortall Universe chronologically by plot. Spoilers for some things are inevitable, but do not affect reading the books. Plus, they do not need to be read in any specific order. I certainly didn’t! I read Daine, Kel, Alanna, Aly, and then Beka. You'll see!

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The Tortall Universe:

Tortall is a major country in this universe, where these books take place. It’s similar to the Middle Ages in the sense that it has a monarchy, court, nobility, knights, and such. It’s capital, Corus, is the main hub of power and society. Otherwise, it’s a completely different world.

Magic is something very real and practical to all Tortallans. Whether magic comes from the common herb-woman or a mage at the King’s court. Creatures from lore are also very present. There are many religious deities who often play a part in human lives. Sometimes they choose champions or use them to carry out their own purpose. Despite their power, they do not often mettle in human affairs, allowing humanity to shape the world.

The Series:

 Terrier (2006), Bloodhound (2009), and Mastiff (2011)

Beka Cooper Trilogy – George Cooper is caught stealing at the age of 6. His mother, ashamed, tells him the story about his famous ancestress, Rebakah “Beka” Cooper. Beka is a trainee for the Provost’s Guard – Tortall’s equivalent of a police force. In those days, trainees were called “Puppies” and guards were called “Dogs,” both of which were stationed in the “Kennel.” Beka struggles to make her home, the Lower City of Corus, a safer place. Using her street smarts and determination to succeed, Beka battles to protect what she loves from outside threats. These three books about Beka are written in a diary-style, unusual for Tamora Pierce. However, that doesn’t take away from the emphasis on the story. 

Alanna: The First Adventure (1983), In the Hand of the Goddess (1984), The Woman Who Rides Like A Man (1986), and Lioness Rampant (1988)

The Song of the Lioness – 200 Years after Beka Cooper, Alanna of Trebond has found herself in a predicament. Noble-born girls traditionally go to the covenant to learn how to be proper noblewomen and wives. Noble-born boys tend to become knights or study magic. Alanna wants to be a knight. Her twin brother, Thom, wants to study sorcery. The twins’ father is only concerned with his own studies and pays them little attention. The only solution is for Alanna to become Alan and go to the palace instead of her brother. Thom gets his wish, and goes to the temple to study magic. Alanna, disguised as a boy, must work through a world of men to earn her title of Knight. But, is she strong enough? Can she hide her femininity enough? Can she keep up this charade even when she befriends the handsome Prince Jonathan? What about George Cooper, the King of the Rogues? Can she help protect Tortall and her own family? 

Wild Magic (1992), Wolf-Speaker (1994), Emperor’s Mage (1995), and The Realms of the Gods (1996)

The Immortals – Veralidaine “Daine” Sarrasri is an orphaned girl who has an unusual gift of wild magic. Wild magic is not uncommon, but is a disregarded branch of magic. Her magic gives her a unique connection with animals. Her ability to talk to them is mistaken as insanity in her young age. But, eventually, Daine nabs a job with the royal horsemaster, which leads her to the mage Numair Salmalin: the most powerful mage in Tortall. Under his guidance, she learns to control her ability, something that is very important for herself and her companions. While the Carthaki nation is threatening war with Tortall and monsters on their doorsteps, Daine must learn to use her wild magic to help protect her new home and friends. In book one, Daine meets Alanna, which results in spoilers for The Song of the Lioness. As a reader, the reunion with Alanna brought a smile to my face. Tamora Pierce is said to be writing two novels about Numair’s life before meeting Daine.

The Protector of the Small consists of: First Test (1999), Page (2000), Squire (2001), and Lady Knight (2002)

The Protector of the Small – Keladry “Kel” of Mindelan is the first girl to follow in Alanna’s footsteps – legally. After a law is passed allowing girls to try for knighthood, Kel is the first to step forward. As she begins her training, she is constantly harassed, bullied, injured, and put on probation. Her training master doesn’t believe a girl will ever succeed as a knight. The young recruits must survive training, hazing, and bullying to move through the ranks. Kel must also endure these, but not alone. She befriends the wry Nealan “Neal” of Queenscove and Lord Raoul of Goldenlake, an old friend of Alanna’s. As she faces sexism and giant spidrens, among other creatures, Keladry fights to protect what she loves and for the title of “Knight”; something only one woman had done before. This series brings in spoilers for both The Immortals and Song of the Lioness. Despite that, the spoilers do not affect how one enjoys reading the series out of chronological order.

Trickster’s Choice (2003) and Trickster’s Queen (2004)

Tricksters – Alianne “Aly” of Pirate’s Swoop is 16 years old and daughter to Alanna. Aly’s parents refuse to let her work as a Tortallan spy, so Aly leaves home…only to get captured by pirates and sold into slavery in the Copper Iles. There she makes a bet with the trickster god, Kyprioth, to protect the children of the Balitang family. As Aly befriends Nawat Crow, a crow turned man, she finds out there is a far greater conspiracy in the Copper Isles. Can she protect Sarai and Dove Balitang? Can she protect herself? This series of two books is also known as Daughter of the Lioness for … erm … obvious reasons.

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Pick up any of these books for a fantastic read! You will not be disappointed. All of the covers have been remade so they can republish the series. As an owner of the original covers... it makes me feel really old. Haha!! Some of the old covers were better than the new ones! But, also, some of the "2nd Edition" covers were better than the originals and  the new ones. Some make the books look really girly and "teeny-bopper." Don't be dissuade by them! The content is really good!

The Circle Universe will be reviewed in another post… Purely because there are so many in the Tortall Universe and this post is already 2-pages long in Word without aesthetic editing

Happy Reading!

-Isabel