Review by Shellie: Soulless by Gail Carriger

Genre: Urban Fantasy; Steam Punk; Alternative Reality… and more

Set Up:

In an alternative Victorian London within a steam punk setting, this story depicts a society which is very much like it would have been 130 years ago – excluding the steam punk of course. The only difference is that it includes Vampires, Werewolves, and Ghosts as an accepted part of society.

The main character, Alexia, is special. She is a preternatural, which actually means she is soulless. This has special circumstances for all the supernatural beings in the story. Besides that, she is a spinster, curvy, feisty, and intellectual. All being characteristics which have not been looked upon as positive for a woman living during this time period.

The story includes a set of supernatural characters including a hunky Alpha werewolf, a swishy male vampire with an 18th century fashion sense, and a delicate friend with a love for bad hats. They are all mixed up within a mystery where some intense romance ensues, combined with an amazing mishmash of sub genres –  mixing urban fantasy, steam punk, and alternative reality.

 My Thoughts:

Amazingly this was my first steam punk novel, and second urban fantasy. What a great fun read. It made me laugh out loud, giggle, and blush. It has some very interesting yet tasteful romantic interludes, as well as a few evil and funny entanglements. I love feisty women with parasols.

The language is intelligent and felt just enough like the period in which it was set, but understandable for a modern reader. It is also wryly funny, and Alexia is determined to go against the societal norm for women. Which makes her a wonderful and strong female character. My favorite.

Highly recommended for an intellectual, humorous, and fun read. I give Soulless - 4 stars. I am looking forward to the next book in her series which is called Changeless, and then Blameless.

Other reviews of Soulless:

• Aarti at Booklust
• Misty at Book Rat

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Author Bio:

Ms. Carriger began writing in order to cope with being raised in obscurity by an expatriate Brit and an incurable curmudgeon. She escaped small town life and inadvertently acquired several degrees in Higher Learning. Ms. Carriger then traveled the historic cities of Europe, subsisting entirely on biscuits secreted in her handbag. She now resides in the Colonies, surrounded by a harem of Armenian lovers, where she insists on tea imported directly from London and cats that pee into toilets. She is fond of teeny tiny hats and tropical fruit. Soulless is her first book.

Contact Gail at Goodreads,Twitter, her Blog.

If you enjoy upbeat tweets and funny posts with a slight Victorian and steampunk fashion bent – she is one to follow.

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This book is appropriate for several challenges linked to the badges below:

  

 

 

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This book was borrowed from my favorite place to find books – the local library.

Amazon purchasing information US/UK/Canada The Book Depository Euro/AUD

Links for your reviews are all welcome! Thanks for reading Layers of Thought.

Review: Tarnished ~ by Karina Cooper

It’s release day for Tarnished (The St. Croix Chronicles) ~ by Karina Cooper!  And we have a review by Shellie for the book.

It’s a page-turning, action-packed steampunk murder mystery with even steamier romantic elements. It has a feisty lead character so it’s a perfect read for the fans of Gail Carriger – only it’s a bit darker.

About:  Petite and feisty redheaded Cherry St. Croix is a bit tarnished. Orphaned at an early age, she is from an upper class family and lives comfortably with a variety of servants in her estate home - albeit as a ward to a never-present male benefactor, since women from this alternative Victorian period cannot own and are considered property. Darker still is that she is addicted to laudanum or opium depending on which is closer at hand; and she is a collector – a hired bounty woman who tracks down the wanted.

As she travels the polluted and sooty underworld of this different sort of London, she is asked to “collect’ a “ripper” who is killing local “sweets” (the most beautiful and desirable prostitutes) and taking their body parts for goodness knows what. It’s in the process of finding this insidious killer that she discovers darker things about her past; and sidesteps two romantic entanglements.

Thoughts:  I really liked Cherry, the intelligent, tainted and strong main character who denies the existence of magic and only believes in science. It was also appealing that she is adamant about not wanting to get married, contrary to proper behavior for the time.

Although I really dislike comparing newer novels to wildly popular ones, I would say that this historical-ish novel felt quite similar to Gail Carriger’s Soulless, which I really enjoyed - although Tarnished is darker, less humorous, and has a more realistic setting than Carriger’s books. But like Soulless it includes science and gadgets, along with Victorian fashion and propriety, so it’s a genre-blender mystery story like Soulless.

My only niggle was that I had a slight problem getting into the author’s writing style at first. But I found it became easier after several chapters. And once I did I was completely hooked. I also want to mention that this first book is a cliff hanger, but what better way of starting off a series since it definitely created a desire to read the next in the series, even if I now have to wait.

Highly recommended for those interested in steampunk, historical romance, urban fantasy, murder mysteries, and especially for those who like strong female leads. It’s a 3.5 star read for me. I can’t wait for the second in the series.

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Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages; Avon; June 26, 2012.

For more about Karina Cooper author of Tarnished, visit her website: http://www.karinacooper.com/

Thanks for reading.

Completed Challenge List and Links ~ 2010

 

Book Nuts need a Nutty Badge! This is our list of challenged completed in 2010

Most challenges include both John and myself unless otherwise noted.

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The Scandinavian Challenge: Read 6 books ~ Badge links directly to post:

1. The Unit ~ by Ninni Holmqvist
2. The Devil’s Star  ~ by Jo Nesbo

2 finished – not completed started in the middle of the year

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 RIP V – Fall 2010 ~ Goal:  Read four books, any length, that you feel fits my very broad definition of scary.

1. Dante’s Journey – J.C. Marino (by John)
2. Haunted Legends ~ edited by Datlow and Mamatas
3. Buying Time – Pamela Samuels Young
4. Dracula by Bram Stoker
5. The Devil’s Star  ~ by Jo Nesbo
6. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares

Short story and movie reviews of any number.

1.  Short Story and Movie review post

Links to host site page ~  links to review site.

Challenge Complete!

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Apocalypse Challenge: Books Required: Four

1. Life As We Knew It
2. The Dead and The Gone
3. This World We Live In (trilogy- all linked here in one post)
4. The Passage by Justin Cronin
5. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist

Completed with 5 (Shellie only)

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The Speculative Fiction Challenge 2010  -The Goal to read 24 Speculative Fiction Novels.

1. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway – (horror)
2. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan – (dark fantasy )
3. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy)
4. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka (horror)
5. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore (horror/humor)
6. Life As We Knew It
7. The Dead and The Gone
8. This World We Live In (all linked here in one post)
9. Inside Out by Maria Snyder
10. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp
11. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
12. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
13. The Song of The Whale by Uri Orlev
14. Post-Human by David Simpson
15. The Passage by Justin Cronin
16. Alone by Marissa Farrar
17. One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau
18. The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose (all three are in one post)
19. The Memorist
20. The Hypnostist
21. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
22. Hothouse Flower by Margot Berwin
23. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
24. Haunted Legends ~ edited by Datlow and Mamatas
25. Dracula by Bram Stoker
26. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares
27. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
28. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
29. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
30. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card

30 down – over by six so Challenge Complete! (Shellie only)

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Mind Voyages – Science Fiction and Fantasy Reading Challenge –2010 ~Nebula and Hugo Award or Nominees

This voyage is spontaneous and unplanned.

1. The City & The City by China Mieville
2. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
3. Beggars in Spain ~ Nancy Kress (review coming)

Three down – challenge complete!

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42 Challenge 2010 ~ The Goal is to read, watch, attend, and listen to 42 items related to science fiction – any medium.

1. Eon by Greg Bear – read by JD
2. Life As We Knew It
3. The Dead and The Gone
4. This World We Live In (all linked here in one post)
5. Inside Out by Maria Snyder
6. The Quiet War by Paul McAuley
7. The Army of the Republic by Stuart Archer Cohen
8. The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer
9. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
10. Post-Human by David Simpson
11. The Passage by Justin Cronin
12. The City & The City by China Mieville
13. Prador Moon by Neil Archer
14. Very Hard Choices by Spider Robinson
15. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
16. Voltaire’s Calligrapher by Pablo De Santis
17. Betrayer of Worlds by Niven and Lerner
18.  Short Story and Movie review post – includes 3 (1 poem, 1 movie, 1 short story)
19. 3 movies which need reviews
20. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
21. the first book “Sun of Suns”: From Virga: Cities of the Air ~ by Karl Schroeder 
22. The Naperville White House ~ by Mark Pedriani
23. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card
24. Hawkmoon: The Sword of the Dawn ~ by Michael Moorcock

29 down 13 to go – not going to make this one!

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The Woman Unbound Challenge – November 2009 – 2010:  The Goal is to read at least 5 books with two being non fiction. Two completed one nonfiction.

1. Stepmonster by Wednesday Martin (nonfiction)
2. A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar (fiction)
3. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan - (fantasy)
4. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy)
5. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel (non fiction, memoir, graphic novel)
6. Inside Out by Maria Snyder (young adult sci fi)
7. The Cost of Dreams by Gary Stelzer (fiction)
8. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
9. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins (classic mystery)
10. Thirsty by Kristin Bair O’Keeffe
11. The Recipe Club by Isreal and Garfinkle
12. Alone by Marissa Farrar
13. Rainy Lake by Mary Francois Rockcastle
14. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
15. Hothouse Flower by Margot Berwin
16. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
17. Chasing Stardust by Laurel-Rain Snow

Challenge Completed!  (Shellie only)

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Graphic Novels Challenge 2010 ~ Beginner (3 comics or graphic novels)

Shellie:

1. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel (graphic novel, non fiction)
2. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
3. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
4. The Principles of Uncertainty ~ Maira Kalman

John:

1. Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry (graphic novel, mystery)
2. Palestine ~ by Joe Sacco
3. Watchman ~ read but not reviewed

Completed!

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New Author Challenge 2010 ~ The Goal is to read 50 new authors this year – John and I both are contributing to this challenge.

1. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway – (horror)
2. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy)
3. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka (horror)
4. Nibble & Kuhn by David Schmahmann (general fiction)
5. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel (memoir – graphic novel)
6. Susan Beth Pfeffer – The Moon Books (apocalyptic, young adult)
7. Inside Out by Maria Snyder
8. The Quiet War by Paul McAuley
9. Searching for Whitopia by Rich Benjamin
10. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp
11. The Cost of Dreams by Gary Stelzer
12. Rooftops of Tehran by Mahbod Seraji
13. The Army of the Republic by Stuart Archer Cohen
14. Britten and Brulightly by Hannah Berry (graphic novel, mystery)
15. The Death of Bunny Munro by Nick Cave (dark general fiction)
16. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
17. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
18. The Manufactured Identity by Heath Sommer
19. Seven Deadly Wonders by Mathew Reilly
20. The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer
21. Pretty Birds by Simon Scott
22. Dirty Little Angels by Chris Tusa
23. By Fire, By Water by Mitchell J. Kaplan
24. Thirsty by Kristin Bair O’Keeffe
25. The Song of The Whale by Uri Orlev
26. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
27. Post-Human by David Simpson
28. Where Men Win Glory by Jon Krakauer
29. The Passage by Justin Cronin
30. The Recipe Club by Ireal and Garfinkle
31. The City & The City by China Mieville
32. Alone by Marissa Farrar
33. One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau
34. You Can’t Always Get What You Want by Sam Cutler 
35. Rainy Lake by Mary Francois Rockcastle
36. Blind Descent by James Tabor
37. The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose (all three are in one post)
38. The Kindness of Strangers by Kate Adie
39. Prador Moon by Neil Archer
40. Very Hard Choices by Spider Robinson
41. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist
42. The Bat Scientists by Mary Kay Carson
43. Dante’s Journey by J.C. Marino
44. Children of Dust by Ali Eteraz
45. Hothouse Flower by Margot Berwin
46. Book Lust by Nancy Pearl
47. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
48. Voltaire’s Calligrapher by Pablo De Santis
49. Then Came Evening ~  Brian Hart
50. Buying Time – Pamela Samuels Young
51. Dracula by Bram Stoker
52. The Devil’s Star  ~ by Jo Nesbo
53. Betrayer of Worlds by Niven and Lerner
54. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares
55. Chasing Stardust by Laurel-Rain Snow
56. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
57. the first book “Sun of Suns”: From Virga: Cities of the Air ~ by Karl Schroeder 
58. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
59. In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua 
60. Buddha’s Orphans: a novel ~  by Samrat Upadhyay
61. The Naperville White House ~ by Mark Pedriani
62. Corn Flakes with John Lennon ~ by Robert Hilburn
63. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
64. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card
65. Neverland ~ by Douglas Clegg
66. Palestine ~ by Joe Sacco
67. The Principles of Uncertainty ~ Maira Kalman
68. Hawkmoon: The Sword of the Dawn ~ by Michael Moorcock

Over by 18 authors – Challenge Complete!

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The GLBT Challenge 2010 ~The goal is to read 4 books that are GLBT related hopefully more.

1. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway– (horror)– secondary glbt character
2. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy) – secondary glbt character
3. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel (memoir – graphic novel) – main characters glbt
4. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream) – secondary characters glbt
5. The Recipe Club by Ireal and Garfinkle
6. One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau
7. In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua

Mini Challenges:

• Answer - Why Is this challenge important? – January 
• Fun Home by Allison Bechdel – March

This challenge is complete – Shellie only

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War Through the Generations 2010 – Vietnam: The Goal is to read 5 books and more about the Vietnam war.

1. The Recipe Club by Isreal and Garfinkle
2. Semper Cool by Barry Fixler
3. Chasing Stardust by Laurel-Rain Snow
4. Then Came Evening ~  Brian Hart
5. In the Wake of the Boatman ~ by Jonathon Scott Fuqua
6. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough

Challenge complete!

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The World Religion Challenge 2010: The Goal for this challenge is “unshepherded” - flexible.

1. The Reincarnationist series by MJ Rose (all three are in one post counts as three) – reincarnation beliefs from various religions 
2. By Fire, By Water by Mitchell J. Kaplan - Judaism
3. Children of Dust by Ali Eteraz – Islam
4. Dark Faith Short – various religions
5. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares (reincarnation)
6. The Song of The Whale by Uri Orlev  (reincarnation)
7. Buddha’s Orphans: a novel ~  by Samrat Upadhyay

9 books

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Five Year Challenges

The Basics Challenge – Exploring Speculative Fiction

A personal project located at The Basics Challenge site. This is a 100 book challenge (with a 25% forgiveness rate) which overlaps with other challenges.

1. The Things That Keep Us Here - Carla Buckley (adult apocalyptic)
2. The Magic Warble – Victoria Simcox (children’s fantasy)
3. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway – (horror, vampire)
4. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan – (dark fantasy, fairytale retelling )
5. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy, steam punk, vampire, werewolf)
6. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka (horror, classic, literature)
7. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore (horror, humor, zombie)
   - needs to be posted.
8. Life As We Knew It
9. The Dead and The Gone
10. This World We Live In (all linked here in one post) – (apocalyptic, young adult)
11. Inside Out by Maria Snyder (young adult – girls science fiction)
12. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp (horror- bizarro)
13. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
14. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
15. The Song of The Whale by Uri Orlev (fant/myth)
16. Post-Human by David Simpson (sci fi)
17. The Passage by Justin Cronin (horror)
18. Alone by Marissa Farrar (vamp horror/uf)
19. One Bloody Thing After Another by Joey Comeau (lgbt horror)
20. The Reincarnationist by MJ Rose (all three are in one post) - (paranormal)
21. The Memorist
22. The Hypnostist
23. The Unit by Ninni Holmqvist (dystopian sci fi)
24. Hothouse Flower by Margot Berwin (magical realism)
25. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
26. Haunted Legends ~ edited by Datlow and Mamatas
27. Dracula by Bram Stoker
28. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares
29. Our Tragic Universe ~ Scarlett Thomas
30. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
31. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
32. Buddha’s Orphans: a novel ~  by Samrat Upadhyay 
33. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
34. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card

34 completed, 66 more to go  (Shellie only)

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Fill in the Gaps: This is a 100 book challenge which overlaps with other challenges.

1. Fahrenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury (read - review link)
2. Something Wicked this way Comes - Ray Bradbury (complete - review link)
3. The Road - Cormac McCarthy (complete - review link)
4. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley 
5. The Metamorphosis - by Frank Kafka
6. Dracula by Bram Stoker
7. The Woman in White by Wilkie Collins
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen (abandoned)

7 completed, 1 abandoned - 68 to go (Shellie only)

Links to review site.

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More - Completed Challenges from 2010 and 2009

“Steam Punk” Preview: The Dream of Perpetual Motion by Dexter Palmer

Amazon Book Stats:

Hardcover: 352 pages

Publisher: St. Martin's Press; 1 edition (March 2, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 0312558155

ISBN-13: 978-0312558154

Genre: Science Fiction – Steam Punk

Publisher’s Blurb:

Imprisoned for life aboard a zeppelin that floats high above a fantastic metropolis, the greeting-card writer Harold Winslow pens his memoirs. His only companions are the disembodied voice of Miranda Taligent, the only woman he has ever loved, and the cryogenically frozen body of her father Prospero, the genius and industrial magnate who drove her insane.

The tale of Harold’s life is also one of an alternate reality, a lucid waking dream in which the well-heeled have mechanical men for servants, where the realms of fairy tales can be built from scratch, where replicas of deserted islands exist within skyscrapers.. As Harold’s childhood infatuation with Miranda changes over twenty years to love and then to obsession, the visionary inventions of her father also change Harold’s entire world, transforming it from a place of music and miracles to one of machines and noise. And as Harold heads toward a last desperate confrontation with Prospero to save Miranda’s life, he finds himself an unwitting participant in the creation of the greatest invention of them all: the perpetual motion machine.

Beautifully written, stunningly imagined, and wickedly funny, The Dream of Perpetual Motion is a heartfelt meditation on the place of love in a world dominated by technology.

Author Bio:

DEXTER PALMER lives in Princeton, New Jersey. He holds a Ph.D. in English Literature from Princeton University, where he completed his dissertation on the work of James Joyce, William Gaddis, and Thomas Pynchon (and where he also staged the first academic conference ever held at an Ivy League university on the subject of video games). Picture attributed to Bill Waldman via MacMillan.

Here is a link to the author’s website for more information.

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Curious about Steam Punk?

So what is it, you ask? Here is a link to the Wikipedia definition site. There is a whole subculture around this genre and it looks like its loads of fun. You can even dress up and attend functions, it even has its own type of music, which sounds fairly brilliant in my musical taste realm.

Here are several links from the MacMillan site to play around with – a book screen saver, wall paper, some Steam Punk art, and a number of excellent blog links.

For another Steam Punk urban adventure here is a review of Gail Carriger’s Soulless. It was a blast so naturally I am exited about this book, unless John snags it first.

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Amazon purchasing links for US/UK/Canada, from The Book Depository in Euro and AUD.

This book which was already on my list via Book Browse, was sent to Layers of Thought via MacMillan/St. Martins Press. Thanks Monica!

Also if you are interested in obtaining a free copy - Only The Best Sci Fi/Fant is giving one away – please tell Alec we sent you!

Challenge: Women Unbound – November 1, 2009 to November 30, 2010

Yet another book challenge! Click on the badge to access the challenge site and join.

Here is some basic information around this challenge taken from the site:

The challenge runs from November 1, 2009-November 30, 2010, but you may join in the fun whenever you wish!   Participants are encouraged to read nonfiction and fiction books related to the rather broad idea of ‘women’s studies.’  The definition according to Merriam-Webster

• the multidisciplinary study of the social status and societal contributions of women and the relationship between power and gender.

Interested in participating? Great! There are three levels you can choose as a reader (you can count books for other challenges as well):

• Philogynist: read at least two books, including at least one nonfiction one.
• Bluestocking: read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones.
• Suffragette: read at least eight books, including at least three nonfiction ones.

WOMEN UNBOUND Start of Challenge Meme:

1. What does feminism mean to you? Does it have to do with the work sphere? The social sphere? How you dress? How you act?

Feminism to me is a human rights issue. It is accessing the innate strength and knowledge that women have to sustain themselves. Which means supporting their/our collective right to live a life of their/our own choosing – meaning access to basic and equal human rights. This also commonly includes any faction or group that often does not have access to basic rights - for example the GLBT community and people of color. Feminism is linked intimately with gender, race, and class issues.

2. Do you consider yourself a feminist? Why or why not?

I believe that all women are essentially feminist, although they may be adverse to the label and may not claim to be. I think that those whom deny it must misunderstand it, are misinformed, and/or ignorant around the issues. They are judging all feminists on a small faction of publicized feminists which are labeled radical and angry. (I do understand and support this anger.)

3. What do you consider the biggest obstacle women face in the world today? Has that obstacle changed over time, or does it basically remain the same?

The current back lash which labels feminists negatively is what I believe to be the biggest challenge. Where would we be with out our mothers, grandmothers, and great grandmothers fighting for our ability to vote, to be able to own property, the ability to choose whom we marry, to leave abusive partners? The list goes on.

What I think so many women (and men) forget and what I frequently remind myself, is that in the US my great, great grandmother, was not allow to own property. She was considered the property of her father and husband. This was less than 100 years ago. My question is this how did we move into more enlightened times? Strong women who where and are feminists!

I encourage anyone who has negative feelings around feminism to join this challenge and to focus on the historical background and the women who went to jail, died, and endured horrible situations trying to gain the right to vote for women, the ability to own property, the right to an education, and the right to choose her/our own path in life.

Non of this means women/we have to forsake their/our values, our families, our religion (I am not religious), and our femininity.

My commitment to the challenge:

I will be reading from the Bluestocking Level: which is to read at least five books, including at least two nonfiction ones. I have decided upon a “book pool” since I like my “freedom to choose”. Here is a list of books that are already included in other challenges, links to other lists, blogs, and groups where I may access books from:

1. New Eves - ed Janrae Frank
2. Herland - Charlotte Perkins Gilman
3. Grass – Sherri Tepper
4. Anything by Octavia E. Butler
5. O Pioneer - Willa Cather
6. One of Ours - Willa Cather
7. The Bell Jar - Sylvia Plath
8. The Delta of Venus - Anais Nin
9. The Good Earth - Pearl S. Buck
10. The House of Spirit - Isabella Allende
11. The Poisonwood Bible - Barbara Kingsolver
12. The Wide Sargasso Sea - Jean Rhys
13. Their Eyes Where Watching God - Zora Neal Hurston
14. Women of Wisdom - Tsultrim Allione
15. Stepmonster - Wednesday Martin PhD
16. Feminism: the Essential Writings - ed Mirian Schneir
17. The Feminine Mystique - Betty Friedan

TBA – A book which is counter to feminism for contrast and reflection

Personal Lists from Goodreads:

• Goodreads Spec Fic Feminist list
• Goodreads Women’s Studies list
• Goodreads Strong Female Character list

Other places to find books:

• Science Fiction in Biology - Blog
• Feminist Review - Blog and on Goodreads
• Action Heroine Fans – Goodreads Group

I am looking forward to all the participant’s thoughts and reviews for this challenge!

To link to the challenge site’s participants lists click here. For the links to all the reviews link here.

Reviews:

1. Stepmonster by Wednesday Martin  - non fiction
2. A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar  - general fiction
3. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan - fantasy
4. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – urban fantasy
5. Fun Home by Allison Bechdel – non fiction graphic novel

Challenge complete!

I will continue to post related readings below and to the challenge site.

Speculative Fiction Challenge 2010

Speculative Fiction Challenge 2010  - Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror

(To access and join the challenge post at Book Chick City click on the above gorgeous badge.)

Here is the Wikipedia definition of Speculative Fiction with links -

Speculative fiction is a fiction genre speculating about worlds that are unlike the real world in various important ways. In these contexts, it generally overlaps one or more of the following: science fiction, fantasy fiction, horror fiction, supernatural fiction, superhero fiction, utopian and dystopian fiction, apocalyptic and post-apocalyptic fiction, and alternate history.

Challenge Specifics:

• Timeline: 1st Jan 2010 ~ 31st Dec 2010. Only books started on January 1st count towards this challenge.
• Level of Reading: I have chosen Obsessed – Read 24 Speculative Fiction novels.
• Books: Here are links to my main lists on Goodreads – Science Fiction and Fantasy where I will be accessing and adding books to be used in this challenge.
• Review Link: All monthly review links are posted on this page.
• Listing: All books that are finished for this challenge will be listed and linked below.

Reviews

1. RELEASE by Nicole Hadaway – (horror)
2. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan – (dark fantasy )
3. Soulless by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy)
4. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka (horror)
5. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore - (horror/humor)
6. Life As We Knew It
7. The Dead and The Gone
8. This World We Live In (all linked here in one post) - (sci fi, apocalyptic, young adult)
9. Inside Out by Maria Snyder - (young adult sci-fi)
10. Cursed by Jeremy Shipp (bizzarro horror)
11. Keeper by Kathi Appelt - (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
12. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner - (slip stream, literary)

12 down 12 to go.

The Basics Challenge ~ books read

The Basics Challenge ~ books read list.

What is it?  A personal project located at The Basics Challenge site, where I (Shellie) explore Speculative Fiction (Science Fiction, Fantasy, and Horror) and where YOU can explore any genre(s) you wish!

It’s a “perpetual” 100 book challenge, with a 25% forgiveness rate, and a five year time limit. The plan is to prevent a story writer from “re-inventing the wheel”, or to help a reader to be more knowledgeable within the area of their interest(s). It’s a challenge that is open to anyone who cares to join. Let me know in the comments if it’s something you would like to do.

Titles link to Shellie’s review for each book.

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2012

1. A Long Long Sleep ~ by Anna Sheehan (YA – dystopian)
2. Darkfever; Bloodfever; and Faefever ~ by Karen Marie Moning (review coming) (paranormal romance)
3. Jamrach’s Menagerie ~ Carol Birch (review coming) (literary w/paranormal elements)
4. Other Kingdoms ~ by Richard Matheson (review coming) (historical fantasy)
5. Oryx and Crake ~ by Margaret Atwood (review coming) (sci fi)
6. The First Days (As the World Dies #1) ~ by Rhiannon Frater (horror)
7. The Whisperer ~ by Donato Carrisi (paranormal crime)
8. “The Women of Nell Gwynne’s” ~ by Kage Baker (steam punk)

2011

1. Blue ~ Lou Aronica (modern fantasy)
2. Changeling Moon ~ by Dani Harper (paranormal romance)
3. Delirium ~ by Lauren Oliver  (YA – dystopian)
4. Eddie - The Lost Youth of Edgar Allan Poe ~ written and illustrated by Scott Gustafson (YA – historical paranormal)
5. Electric Ant ~ by Philip K. Dick (adapted by David Mack; illustrated by Pascal Aline) (sci fi – graphic novel)
6. Feed (audio) ~ by M. T. Anderson (YA – dystopian)
7. Galore ~ by Michael Crummey (historical paranormal)
8. In Other Worlds: SF and the Human Imagination (Audio) ~ by Margaret Atwood (sci fi – non fiction)
9. Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell (in audio) ~ by Susanna Clarke (historical fantasy)
10. Kafka on the Shore ~ by Haruki Marakami (modern fantasy)
11. Nebula Awards Showcase 2011 ~ edited by Kevin J. Anderson (collection) 
12. Possession ~ by A.S. Byatt (in audio) (historical – literary)
13. Promises to Keep ~ by Charles De Lint (urban fantasy)
14. Shadow Bound ~ by Erin Kellison (paranormal romance)
15. Spellwright (Spellwright, #1) ~ by Blake Charlton (epic fantasy)
16. The Afflicted Girls ~ by Susy Witten (historical horror)
17. The Conference of the Birds ~ by Peter Sis (fable)
18. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making ~ by Catherynne M. Valente (YA – fantasy)
19. The Hermetica of Elysium ~ by Annmarie Banks (historical fantasy)
20. The Hobbit ~ by J.R.R. Tolkien; adapted by David Wenzel (epic fantasy – graphic novel)
21. The Oracle of Stamboul ~ by Michael David Lukas (literary – magical realism) 
22. The Penelopiad: The Myth of Penelope and Odysseus (in audio) ~ by Margaret Atwood (myhology – retelling)
23. The Picture of Dorian Gray (in audio) ~ by Oscar Wilde; read by Simon Vance (classic horror)
24. The Sandman - The Dream Hunters ~ by Neil Gaiman; illustrated by Yoshitak Amano (fable – graphic novel)
25. The Uncertain Places ~ by Lisa Goldstein (urban fant)
26. Those Across the River (audio) ~ by Christopher Buehlman (horror)
27. Trouble and Her Friends ~ by Melissa Scott (sci fi – lgbt)
28. Warm Bodies ~ by Isaac Marion (literary horror)
29. Willy ~ by Robert Dunbar (literary horror)
30. Wither (Chemical Garden Trilogy # 1) ~ by Lauren DeStefano (YA – dystopian)
31. Wuthering Heights ~ by Emily Brontë  (classic paranormal)

2009 ~ 2010

1. Alone ~ by Marissa Farrar (vamp horror/uf)
2. Cursed ~ by Jeremy Shipp (horror- bizarro)
3. Dracula ~ by Bram Stoker
4. Haunted Legends ~ edited by Datlow and Mamatas
5. Hothouse Flower ~ by Margot Berwin (magical realism)
6. Inside Out ~ by Maria Snyder (young adult – girls science fiction)
7. Keeper ~ by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
8. Life As We Knew It (#1) and 
9. This World We Live In (#2)
10. The Dead and The Gone (#3) ~ by Susan Beth (all linked here in one post) – (apocalyptic, young adult)
11. My Name is Memory ~ Ann Brashares
12. One Bloody Thing After Another ~ by Joey Comeau (lgbt horror)
13. Our Tragic Universe ~ Scarlett Thomas
14. Pathfinder ~ by Orson Scott Card
15. Post-Human ~ by David Simpson (sci fi)
16. RELEASE ~ by Nicole Hadaway – (horror, vampire)
17. Soulless ~ by Gail Carrigan – (urban fantasy, steam punk, vampire, werewolf)
18. Tender Morsels ~ by Margo Lanagan – (dark fantasy, fairytale retelling )
19. The Arrival ~ (a wordless novel) by Shaun Tan
20. The Handbook for Lightening Strike Survivors ~ by Michele Young Stone
21. The Healer's War ~ by Elizabeth Ann Scarborough
22. The Magic Warble ~ by Victoria Simcox (children’s fantasy)
23. The Metamorphosis ~ by Frank Kafka (horror, classic, literature)
24. The Passage ~ by Justin Cronin (horror)
25. The Reincarnationist;
26. The Memorist;
27. and The Hypnotist ~ by MJ Rose (all three books in one post) (paranormal)
28. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight ~ by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)
29. The Song of The Whale ~ by Uri Orlev (fant/myth)
30. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore (horror, humor, zombie)
31. The Tempest ~ rewritten by Ann Keay Beneduce
32. The Things That Keep Us Here ~ by Carla Buckley (adult apocalyptic)
33. The Unit ~ by Ninni Holmqvist (dystopian sci fi)

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For a total of 74 books read in a less than a 3 year period. I have 26 more books to read to reach my 100 goal.

This list will be updated periodically and accessible via the tabs at the top of the blog.

Here’s to hoping that lists of books don’t bore you to pieces cause I have a few more coming up. I am still playing catch-up for our “real-life event” filled 2011. Not the best year, but what can one do? “Have a cup of tea, and get on with it!” as the English say.

Thanks for reading.

Completed Reading Challenges: 2009 ~ 2010

 

A bit of blog-keeping to keep track of completed challenges. Most challenge badges link to internal posts within Layers of Thought Where the hosting site for each challenge should be accessible.

Goodreads Seasonal Challenges

Spring 2010

5 Point Tasks:

• 5.3 Initials GS - Gary Stelzer The Cost of Dreams
• 5.9 Read in Bed - Hungry Girl: 200 Under 200:: 200 Recipes Under 200 Calories by Lisa Lillian
• 5.10 Victorian Read - The Woman in White Wilkie Collins

10 Point Tasks:

• 10.4 Reuse and Recycle - Searching for Whitopia: An Improbable Journey to the Heart of White America by Rich Benjamin
• 10.6 And the Oscar goes to - The film UP with the book Keeper by Kathi Appelt.
  The main character (a child) of the book and movie take a dangerous trip.
• 10.10 Fashion Fades - How Not to Look Fat Ever Again: Over 1,000 Ways to Dress Thinner--Without Dieting by Charla Krupp (The word Dress)

15 Point Tasks:

• 15.10 Personal Philosophy - The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Oschner - One of my personal philosophies is that it is possible to access one's creativity via dreams and writing.

20 Point Tasks:

• 20.2 Clean Sweep - Inside Out by Maria V. Snyder - The main character is a "scrub" and cleans pipes in this young adult dystopian sci fi novel.
• 20.3 Mental Heath - Cursed by Jeremy C. Shipp - The main character is a recovering alcoholic. I did not learn anything new regarding alcoholism through this quirky and fun character.

25 Point Tasks:

• 25.1 Future Aspirations - I would like a new home. It would be great if it was fun too. Fun Home: A Family Tragicomic by Allison Bechdel
• 25.5 Spring Cleaning - read 850 plus pages. I read the Moon Trilogy by Susan Beth Pfeffer  Life As We Knew It,The Dead and the Gone, and This World We Live In for a total of 1012 pages.

Summary:

• I read a total of 13 books for this challenge.
• My total number of points are 150.

Winter 2009 – 2010

1. Tender Morsels by Margo Lanagan
2. Nibble & Kuhn by David Schmahmann
3. Defining Twilight by Brian Leaf
4. The Metamorphosis by Frank Kafka
5. Soulless by Gail Carrigan
6. The Stupidest Angel - by Christopher Moore
7. The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley
8. Release by Nicole Hadaway
9. The Magic Warble

Total Points: 145 /1100
Completed Tasks: 8/58
Books Read for Completed Tasks: 9
Pages Read for Completed Tasks: 2808

Fall 2009

1. Stepmonster by Wednesday Martin PhD (11/23/09)
2. Soul Survivor by Bruce and Andrea Leninger (read 10/1)
3. A Map of Home by Randa Jarrar – (finished 11/22/09)
4. Playing House by Fredrica Wagman; (completed 10/1)
5. The World According to Twitter by David Pogue (completed 10/1)
6. The Man Who Loved Books Too Much by Allison Hoover Bartlett (posted Nov 6)
7. The Superstress Solution by Roberta Lee MD  (10/20)
8. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley (10/9/09)
9. Serena by Ron Rash (10/08)
10. Three Seed by Gabriel Madison (10/15)
11. Health Beyond Medicine by Scott Paton – not reviewed
12. Now What: 90 Days to a New Life Direction by Laura Berman
13. Dancing with Ana by Nicole Barker (finished 9/10)

This challenge was completed with 13 books.

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The RIP Challenge

Fall 2009:

This challenge was completed with 2 books.

1. Something Wicked this way Comes - Ray Bradbury (audio) finished review link
2. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley (audio)complete - review link

 

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Once Upon a Time

Spring 2010

Read at least one Fantasy, Myth, or Fairytale related book:

1. Keeper by Kathi Appelt (young adult/tween, mythic - slipstream)
2. The Russian Dreambook of Color and Flight by Gina Ochsner (slip stream, literary)

Read any number short stories of the same:

1. “Antickes and Frets” by Susanna Clarke

2. “The Goosle” by Margo Lanagan

Complete!

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The Sci Fi Reading Challenge – August 28, 2009 to August 8, 2010

The Goal is 3.14 books. (pi)

The Things That Keep Us Here by Carla Buckley

1. Life As We Knew It
2. The Dead and The Gone
3. This World We Live In (all linked here in one post)
4. Post-Human by David Simpson

Inside Out by Maria Snyder

This Challenge is complete

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The GLBT Challenge

2009:

This challenge was 50% completed with 3 books listed below:

1. Something Wicked This Way Comes
2. Frankenstein
3. A Map of Home

 

 

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Link back to current challenge post.