Flight into Fantasy

I found another reading challenge, linked to from several places, that I’m going to participate in. I figure if I don’t sign up for very many of these, and/or pick ones with reasonable numbers of books to read, I’ll be doing well.

I first heard about this one from Kailana and it looked like fun.

Here’s the place to go for the details.

Here are the rules Herding Cats II (April 1st, 2009 – December 31st, 2009):

1. Make a list of five books you love. Directions:

• Five. I’m as serious as a beached whale.
• All titles must be books you’ve read in 2007, 2008 or 2009.
• Please don’t list a series; just the first book. If you really want to list a book in the middle of a series, you can, but it has to be that specific book.
• Feel free to share why you’re putting the book on your list, because I am nosy.

2. Post your list:

• in your own journal, in the comments here, whatever is fine. Share the list here.
• Lists should be public (no locked entries, no logging in to view).

3. Browse the new book list. Stay a while. Read a few (eta: if you want; not even reading is required this time around if you don’t have time to commit to a new challenge but still want to share your favorites).

4. If you review your books, you can share the reviews. You know, if you want. No pressure. Definitely not.

I haven’t even looked at the list but listing favorites is always entertaining, even though narrowing it down to five books might be difficult.

Anyway, here’s the old college try:

• A Red Heart of Memories by Nina Kiriki Hoffman: This is beautifullywritten urban fantasy in the style of Charles de Lint and follows the adventures of Matt Black, a wanderer who can talk to inanimate objects, and the friends she gathers around her. All of them need healing, and all of them get it in a way that’s just very sweet and heartwarming.

• The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things by Carolyn Mackler: I thought this book handled the struggles of an overweight teenager extremely well. It goes on my list because I have actually reread it since, something I rarely do.
• The Keeper by Sarah Langan: I’m not normally a fan of horror, but I loved this book, especially for its sense of atmosphere and the utter creepiness of its backstory.
• Warrior’s Apprentice by Lois McMaster Bujold: This is the book that started my continuing and long-standing love affair with Miles Vorkosigan. I love Miles and I love Bujold.
• Geek Love by Katharine Dunn: This is another of my all-time favorite books ever. I love its exploration of family and what it means to be normal, and who exactly the freaks are.
• Happy Hour of the Damned by Mark Henry: Zombie chick lit! Come on, what’s not to love about that?

My selections from the list so far: