Thursday, November 1, 2012

Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale

November's book is Palace of Stone by Shannon Hale. This is the sequel to her Newberry Honor book, Princess Academy. It tells the story of Miri from Mount Eskel in the city of Asland on the verge of a revolution.
Here is Shannon Hale's website, and here's the link directly to her page for Palace of Stone.
Here's a quick interview from Salt Lake Magazine.


After writing 12 other books, local author Shannon Hale is releasing her first sequel, Princess Academy: Palace of Stone. It's the long-awaited continuation of her Newbery-Award-winning Princess Academy book series, which has also made buzz at the bookstores and given her a legion of local readers.
Hale wrote Princess Academy seven years ago and hesitated to revisit the story. "I was afraid that anything I would write couldn't measure up," Hale says. But then inspiration struck. She stopped worrying and focused on the story she wanted to tell.
"A new idea occurred to me and it was so compelling that I had to write it out. There were definitely challenges, but I knew the characters so well and the setting so well that it felt like returning home," she says.
The new journey with familiar characters was satisfying but the sequel to her most popular book has put some pressure on Hale. "When the advanced copies went out to reviewers I had a panic attack," she says. "These things keep happening where I realize I really am a lot more anxious about this work than most others."
Hale felt equally uncertain when she wrote Princess Academy because the plot line wasn't as sweeping or complex as her previous books. "It felt like a smaller book to me. It was a more intimate story and I was sure everyone would be disappointed," she says.
"It was then 10 times more successful than any other book I've written. I can never tell how these books will be received. I just have to trust that if I like the story, my fans will," she says.
If Hale enjoying her books is any indication of how well her fans will like her latest book, they should be in for a treat. Hale is delighted with the sequel. "Writing it was very exciting and the ending is so satisfying to me. It is so powerful and true to the characters," she says. 

Mutant Message Down Under by Marlo Morgan


October's book
So when I put this on our to-read list I said, "True story of a woman reporter going on a walk about with an Aboriginal tribe in Australia and how it changes her.", but then when I checked it out from the library my son was reading the inside flap and pointed out that it says the account is fictional.
Then when looking for a website for the book I came across this review, which states that the author claims it as truth but that many in Australia were upset by it and it's truth was called into question. I missed this discussion so I don't know what take you all have on the book. I'd love to read any comments.

There is no official website for the book or the author but here is the Wikipedia entry.

The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Sorry for my book group neglect. I'm playing catch up with blog entries, so here is the one for September. 

There was quite a bit of interesting discussion for this one so if you've been pondering it since then or didn't get to go and this sparks a bursting desire (or even a measly one) to discuss this book please feel free to comment. 
Devil in the White City: 
Murder, Magic, and Madness at the Fair that Changed America
by Erik Larson

"Their fates were linked by the magical Chicago World’s Fair of 1893, nicknamed the “White City” for its majestic beauty. Architect Daniel Burnham built it; serial killer Dr. H. H. Holmes used it to lure victims to his World’s Fair Hotel, designed for murder. Both men left behind them a powerful legacy, one of brilliance and energy, the other of sorrow and darkness.
Here, then, is your ticket to the greatest fair in history—a place where incredible dreams came to life alongside darkest nightmares" --From the Official Website

Here is the book's official website. This includes pages about Dr. H.H. Holmes and Daniel Burnham as well as an author interview and some other interesting information. 


Dr. H. H. Holmes

Daniel Burnham