Weekly Reading Round-Up
Happy Friday! I’m drowning in a richness of new books— so many that I can’t figure out what to read next and have been taking refuge with an old, old favorite: Robin McKinley’s The Blue Sword.
How to describe The Blue Sword? It’s a coming of age story, an adventure, a battle between good and evil, a deft mix of high fantasy and down to earth practicality. At heart, it’s a fish out of water story in which a young woman raised in someplace rather like Victorian England finds herself the sword-wielding heroine of a magic-laced desert kingdom. I’ve read it at least two dozen times over the past three decades— possibly more— but I love it just as much every time, and still stop to read particularly good phrases aloud to myself.
And now it’s off to tackle that new book pile…. But what to read first??
What have you been reading this week?
A childhood favorite as well!
I read Once and Future Witches by Alix E. Harrow which was absolutely wonderful.
I’ve also been doing some re-reading. I finished The Temptation of the Night Jasmine yesterday and am now deep into my favorite Dick Francis book, To The Hilt. Comforting to go back to old favorites in times like this. My husband who suffers from dementia had a fall and fractured his right hip so I spent most of last week in the hospital with him for surgery. He was transferred back to the VA where he resides now and the next day I learned that I had been exposed to COVID19, so I’ve been quarantined since then. I’m something of an introvert and could even be a recluse, but not being able to leave my house has been tough. Almost done though, and I tested negative.
I always wished Ms McKinley had turned the Blue Sword into a series…. it was a great read. Another, similar storyline series was Alanna…don’t remember the author.
I too have been re-reading. Started Pink Carnation yesterday & will probably finish today. Have found myself reading modern romances recently; something I’ve never done, but Kindle Unlimited has tons of them. So far, I’ve enjoyed Aven Ellis’ books.
Have you any Pink Pandemic updates?💕
I’m reading Wine and Punishment by Sarah Fox. It’s the first in a cosy series set in a “literary pub” in Vermont. So far I’m enjoying it.
Mary Smith, the Alanna books are by Tamora Pierce. Her Wild Magic series is another childhood favorite of mine – also very good. The Blue Sword and the Hero and the Crown by Robin McKinley are also two childhood favorites of mine (I think I have the same exact copy as the pic that Lauren posted). I also love The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia McKillip and Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn. The later two have a very otherworldly vibe which I love and I reread them every few years.