The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett

The Color of Magic

by Terry Pratchett

Publication Date: 1983

Number of Pages: 210

ISBN: 9780061020711

This is the first novel of the legendary Discworld series, where the flat, disc-shaped world is balanced on the backs of four elephants, which then stand on the back of a giant turtle named the Great A’Tuin, who walks with infinite slowness toward a destination unknown.  In this introduction to Discworld, we meet Twoflower, a gullible tourist from the Counterweight Continent, and Rincewind, a blundering wizard, who have banded together (through rather contrived circumstances) to explore the Disc.  Twoflower’s insatiable curiosity and inability to assess potential danger lead the pair into a series of misadventures in their journey across the Disc. 

Discworld is a unique combination of magic and everyday practicality; Rincewind the wizard only managed to learn one spell before being kicked out of the Unseen University and survives largely on his wits and ability to outrun those he’s offended.  Much of the humor in the novel relies on parodying the traditional fantasy elements.  In Discworld, the wizard is incompetent, the heroes can barely string three syllables together, the magical objects (like the aggressive and slightly homicidal Luggage) are certainly unique, and the dragons tend to explode. 

This novel moves quickly from one event to the next, and features lots of humorous adventure and action.  The jokes are just as frequently seamless as they are momentary head-scratchers, keeping readers on the edge of their seats. 

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If you enjoyed The Color of Magic, you might also enjoy these books:

Discworld Series by Terry Pratchett

The Color of Magic is merely the first in a series of Discworld novels; there are currently 35 books in the series (as well as picture books, graphic novels, video games, and companion guides), with the release of Raising Steam in March 2014.  Each book in the series can be read as a standalone novel, though the each member of the cast of characters generally appears in numerous titles.  Continuity is not particularly important, so each novel has its own plot and theme, though titles can be grouped together as story arcs.  Try this page or this flowchart for more information! 

The Eyre Affair by Jasper Fforde

Set in an alternative version of England, The Eyre Affair begins the series with the mysterious kidnappings of literary characters, which is changing the content of classic literature, and therefore, the very fabric of society.  This novel is the first in Fforde’s Thursday Next series, and in the same way that Pratchett parodies traditional fantasy fiction stories, Fforde’s series parodies the world of literature.  This series is more mystery-driven, but equally humorous and witty. 

The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams

This classic fantasy novel features Englishman Arthur Dent’s adventures (and misadventures) as he travels throughout the galaxy with a tour-guide writer.  This irreverent, humorous novel is also the first in a series that includes six books, each featuring the offbeat Dent and a zany cast of characters. 

Week 11 - Ebooks and Audiobooks

Ebooks and audiobooks are certainly unique mediums, and carry with them their own strengths and drawbacks.  I personally am an avid ebook reader, ever since I received a Kindle as a Christmas gift from a family I was a nanny for about four years ago.  They had two school aged children, so a good part of my day was spent waiting for them to complete their independent activities and I always packed at least two books with me each day.  The family had noticed this, and bought me a Kindle so that I didn’t have to lug three hardcover books around with me all the time.  I absolutely loved it; it was a great size, I could still use the library to put books on it, and the selection of free online books was enormous.

The major difference in my reading habits that I noticed right away was that if I was reading a book that didn’t really capture my attention, I didn’t feel the need to finish it.  There were so many more available to me immediately that I didn’t feel bad about skipping one that was poorly written (one of the frequent drawbacks of self-published ebooks).  I also noticed that I got better at being interrupted at my reading; while I used to have trouble getting right back into the book after an interruption, I find now that I don’t have that problem at all.

The one drawback that was particularly prominent was the lack of ability to make notes.  The model that I own does have that capability, but frankly, it was cumbersome and often required a master reset if I tried to highlight a passage or make a note.  For this reason, I still do any academic-focused reading on traditional book formats, since it saves me time and frustration.  In the intervening years I’ve gotten an iPhone, so I frequently do my reading on that device instead, which works much more seamlessly and offers the ability to use the device without connecting to a wireless internet network, which certainly increases its usability.

I have talked to a good number of customers at our store about their preference for ebooks because of their ability to manipulate the font or text size.  I know this was a big perk for my grandmother; she frequently increased the text size so that only a dozen words appeared on a page, and that made it easy for her older eyes to read it.  She did mention that sometimes it made reading slower, since the next page had to load before she could read it, but that she preferred her ereader anyway because the eye strain was so much less.  I’ve also heard from a few customers that they read on their ereader because of their dyslexia; the ability to manipulate the font helps decrease the reading time and difficulty.  Generally, I believe the greatest strength of ebooks and ereaders to be increased accessibility, so they are a very appealing option for quite a large segment of people.

Audiobooks have similar features that increase accessibility, especially for those that have limited vision.  They are also convenient for those that do not have the time to sit and hold a physical book/ereader, so long as you’re able to multitask.  I used to commute about an hour to work, so I frequently used audiobooks to “read” in the car, though it was often in concert with a physical copy when I was not driving.  It does require a certain amount of attention, however, so it’s not an ideal fit for everyone.

I have noticed that the pacing when listening to an audiobook is quite different from reading it on paper.  I first noticed this when listening to The DaVinci Code on a long road trip; there were whole sections that seemed completely irrelevant or way too descriptive when I was listening to them.  I still remember that the description of the “long mechanical arm” reaching into the depths of the bank to retrieve the safe deposit box seemed to take hours, when in reality, it was probably only a couple of minutes.  Having read some of Brown’s other works in print, I know that his general pacing doesn’t bore me at all; the audiobook was unique in this.  I discovered that I’m all for the abridged version whenever possible, though the purist in me cringes to know that I’ve skipped whole sections of the book.

Another major issue with audiobooks is that the style of narration becomes one of the most important appeal factors.  If you don’t like the narrator, you won’t like the book.  Unfortunately, the style of narration has so many variables, that it can be very difficult to predict if someone else will enjoy it.  The gender of the narrator, their pacing, their pronunciation, their choices when reading dialogue, the pitch of their voice, and any number of other factors can be important to readers.  It is an additional matrix that must be considered when providing RA for audiobook listeners.  Finding a book with plot, story, and characters that are appropriate is the first step, but then you must consider narrative style as well.

So even though I personally prefer actual books, I do bow to the convenience of other formats.  Ebooks and audiobooks do play a role in the way that I read, because sometimes carrying around stacks of books just isn’t practical.  I do, however, know from talking with many customers that those formats have enabled them to start reading again, because it makes books accessible in ways that they were not before.

Check it Out - Online Booktalks!

I actually enjoyed making these booktalks this week.  It was a great learning experience!  My opinions on booktalking that I expressed in earlier weeks haven't changed; however, it certainly is a lot easier to give booktalks on books that you have loved.  I'm still not convinced that you shouldn't booktalk books when you've only read a summary, but the preparation process was a lot shorter for the books that I've read more recently and stick in my head more.  I suppose it's still a time saver not to read the whole book, but with the time investment it takes to successfully booktalk a book that you're not familiar with, I can certainly understand that it might just be easier to read it.  

Other than that, I was surprised at how little time it took to rehearse the booktalks, especially because I'm not a particularly comfortable public speaker.  I can do it, and I actually really enjoy it once I've started, but it simply makes me more nervous than the average person.  I really thought it would take longer to get it on camera, but I discovered that the longest time investment was determining the best way to record and publish them, rather than actually doing the talks themselves.  I do think it's a bit easier to do them extemporaneously, rather than rehearsed like these were, since there's less pressure to get them perfect and you can count on your audience to be a lot more responsive than a computer screen.  

All in all, it was a fun experience, and I'm seriously considering making this a regular habit!  

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Here are my three booktalks for this week's assignment, or it's embedded below!  Enjoy!

Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares

Sisterhood Everlasting

by Ann Brashares

Publication Date: 2011

Number of Pages: 349

ISBN: 9780679605096

It’s been ten years since the conclusion of young adult series, The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants.  The last we saw the Lena, Bridget, Carmen and Tibby, they had journeyed to Greece to find the lost pair of pants that tied them together.  The pants have been lost, and so have the close relationships that once defined their lives.  In this fifth and final installment, Tibby reaches out and plans a reunion for the quartet on the Greek isle of Santorini, and the remaining three enthusiastically make time to reconnect.  But when they arrive, tragedy strikes; Tibby has drowned, and leaves behind a series of letters for each of her friends that hint that it was planned.  Suddenly, the girls are left to deal with their grief, and must face the consequences of the choices they have made over the past ten years. 

Each of the girls embarks on a year of introspection and discovery, guided by Tibby’s letters.  As each new letter is opened, the characters discover something about themselves, taking the reader on their journey of self-discovery, and eventually, the realization that some bonds can never be broken. 

Though based on a young adult series, Brashares seamlessly transitions to adult fare.  While those who have read the earlier series will connect more fully with the characters, the novel also stands on its own as a study of the transition from childhood to adult friendship.  Each character’s story explores a theme universal to women’s lives: marriage, love, commitment, motherhood, work/life balance, death and grieving, and of course, friendship.  Brashares’ writing moves along at a steady pace, slowly revealing bits and pieces of the larger story.  Ultimately, the women find their way back together in a n ending that is both life-affirming and bittersweet. 

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If you enjoyed Sisterhood Everlasting, you might also enjoy these books:

The Myth of You and Me by Leah Stewart

This novel features two best friends, Cameron and Sonia.  The two have lost touch, and are forced to reconnect when Cameron fulfills of the dying request of her employer.  The story demonstrates the ways in which a childhood friendship can define a life. 

Wedding Night by Sophie Kinsella

More humorous in tone, this novel explores the relationship between two sisters, Lottie and Fliss.  Lottie, the more whimsical of the two, decides to marry an old flame after reuniting for only a few days, and Fliss decides it is her responsibility to prevent it. 

Peaches by Jodi Lynn Anderson

This teen novel features much of the same themes explored in the first several books of the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants series.  A group of three girls from diverse backgrounds bond during their summer working at a peach orchard, and begin a lasting friendship.