Trends and Tamora Pierce... with an Interlude from Octavian Nothing

I've been reading three things this week: Tamora Pierce, books regarding the history of vampire fiction, and The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing.

Octavian Nothing is for book club. It is very good, but a little strange. Morbid, sort of. Haven't gotten very far in it, but I'd recommend it for those who aren't easily grossed out.

Vampire books are disturbing. There is a percentage of the book I'm currently looking at - Our Vampires, Ourselves - that feels like it's persuading me to believe in vampires. I don't believe in vampires outside the imagination. Thanks, but no thanks.

Tamora Pierce marathon still going strong. 15 down, 12 to go.

Tamora Pierce Marathon Update

I finished the third book in the Circle of Magic series. Loved the ending even more than the last time I read it.

13.5 read, 13.5 to go. Dead middle!

Trend Reading this Week

Many, many emails. Many, many author's websites. (I decided to email some authors of vampire novels to get their opinions.) Many authors' websites don't have quick links to their contact info and FAQ, and it takes forever. It's coming along nicely, though.

Also, I've continuing to read for my Tamora Pierce marathon. So far, by series:

Song of the Lioness: done

Immortals: 2/4

Protector of the Small: done

Circle of Magic: 3/4

13 down, 11 to go.

Tamora Pierce Marathon Day Two

I got sick this morning, so I went to school for the first three hours and came home. I crawled onto my bed and picked up a book - Tamora Pierce's Squire.

Update:

Finished Squire.

Finished Alanna: The First Adventure

Finished In the Hand of the Goddess

In the middle of The Woman Who Rides Like A Man.

4 read, 23 to go.

Tamora Pierce Reading Marathon

I won't have much homework tomorrow (hopefully) since it's the start of the last trimester, and I've decided to hold a reading marathon. Tamora Pierce, this time. I'm going to see how quickly I can read all of her books. I finished First Test last night, and am now halfway through Squire. Love her books. They just get better.

This is my goal: All her books in before the 31st of March. Probably won't happen - in that case, all her books before Spring Break ends.

Her books, by series:

Beka Cooper: 2

Song of the Lioness: 4

The Immortals: 4

Protector of the Small: 4

Trickster: 2

Tortall and other Lands (short story collection)

The Circle of Magic: 4

The Circle Opens: 4

The Circle Reforged: 2

All in all, 27. Who thinks I'm insane?

Trend Reading

Thank heavens for Google. My trend (the uprising of super/inhuman books) is proving hard to find secondary sources for - things like articles and expert statements - because it's very recent. Any assistance is welcome. For example, my poll. I am going to ask everyone to answer whether or not they have read a book about super/inhumans - vampires, werewolves and the like. Many have asked me why I don't just say vampires. Think of it this way: there are many types of vampires, depending on an author's imagination. One definition (Stephenie Meyer) says that vampires sparkle. That rules out the majority of vampire novels. Another definition says that vampires can be killed/maimed by garlic and crosses. That rules out some of the more recent vampire novels. And what about the werewolves and zombies?

This is an insane topic, but it's fun.

I also have realized that authors influence one another, and to answer some of the questions in my thesis, I have to take a look at the history of paranormal fiction. It goes back a long ways - 1811, first book published for the public on undead creatures in German (translated to English in 1813). Wikipedia is also proving very useful. (Before a storm of Wiki-haters comments, I use it for quick comparisons on dates and plot summaries.) It's fast, and generally reliable.

Any sources for material are welcomed. Remember my poll! It's for the intro or conclusion, though, not a source.

Finally, my Final Thoughts on Romeo and Juliet

I really enjoyed Romeo and Juliet. Juliet was my second favorite character (I really liked Mercutio), partly because she was so practical. Shakespeare's language gave me the most trouble, and I frequently, after I read someone's monologue, I had no clue what was said. Once I got into the rhythm of iambic pentameter, though, it was easier. Shakespeare obviously didn't write for a middle school audience - there's marriage (and the morning after), death, poison, and what would probably have been considered lewd/bad language. If he was writing for today's middle school audience, he probably would've used smaller words and less iambic pentameter. The story line could've been mostly the same, except perhaps with Romeo and Juliet dating instead of marrying. I also have a much different view on the play then at first, especially after I read The Juliet Club, which was a modern spinoff of Romeo and Juliet meets Taming of the Shrew. Romeo and Juliet was definitely a great play.