January saw work at the office pile up, but I still managed to get in a lot more escape reading and watching. Here are some of the books and shows that I like particularly and I hope you’ll give these a shot as well.
My Octopus Teacher
I think Elza Reads had recommended this documentary last year, so I randomly picked this up on Netflix. I was wary, because octopuses always reminded of Sea Witch in Little Mermaid and they definitely have an eerie alien-like appearance. But… it was mesmerising. I am thankful that these lovely wild underwater haunts still survive. As Craig Foster says, “… you’re part of this place, not a visitor.”
Strega Nona by Tomie dePaola
Apparently this one is quite a hit with the kids! Granny has a pot that never stops making pasta but the secret password is not known to her boastful intern. Of course, things go wrong. There’s definitely some dark humor in here, and I read a piece about how it’s really not for kids. But I liked the art style quite a lot and I’m not complaining.
Winter of Ice and Iron by Rachel Neumeier
Not bad for a standalone epic fantasy book. My full review HERE.
The Stone God by Erin Kellison
Unexpectedly good! Er, don’t be fooled by the cover, this book is strongly within the realms of Urban Fantasy with Techno-Mythology where the lesser gods and their children battle it out. The stone god has just woken up from centuries of cursed sleep, and his reluctant scion must help him take revenge. This was fast-paced and very well-plotted, and very unique.
The Warrior Bards Series by Juliet Marillier (The Harp of Kings, A Dance with Fate, A Song of Flight)
Marillier is always a terrific writer but somehow her books seem a bit formulaic lately. Many of the characters, scenes and themes that I read in these books seemed familiar to me from Marillier’s past works. These books aren’t quick reads either. If you haven’t read Marillier before, I’m not sure if this would be a good place to start but yes, definitely a strong sample of her writing.
So, how’s January 2022 been for you? Let me know if any recs to read or watch!
18 replies on “January 2022 Wrap-Up / Mini-Reviews”
I used to love Strega Nona when I was little, but then again I loved spaghetti so it was basically a dream come true! 😀
Haha, you can never eat too much spaghetti (… or so you think)!
The illustrations in ‘Strega Nona’ remind me of those by a near namesake Tomi Ungerer crossed with Maurice Sendak. This book feels as if it must be a modern classic at the very least — must look out for a copy!
Judging by the number of kids who read Strega Nona, definitely a modern classic! Strega Nona also seems to have a curious Mona Lisa smile in the art, which I found very amusing and delightful.
I had a good January! Reading wise and blogging. Now I just need to get all my reviews up… They are piling up a bit…!! But I’ll get to it!
YES! It was me who recommended My Octopus Teacher. Thanks for the shoutout and I am soooo glad you enjoyed it. Fascinating.
Hope you are will Lex and take care of yourself!
I owe a huge thanks to you for that rec! 🤩
Octopus Teacher was a great documentary. Shall I give you some recommendations for books with or about octopuses? 😊 🐙
Haha, love that emoticon. And I think you recommended the book Kraken by Wendy Williams before, which I had added to my TBR. Hope to read it by Non-Fiction November.
The octopus show sounds fascinating! I read a book recently about the search for alien life and there was a section talking about how unique and amazing the octopus consciousness appears to be.
I definitely had the “alien-like” feeling about them when I saw the documentary. But then the documentary also kinda humanizes them, it’s… beautiful. I hope you’ll give it a try.
wow, I love Strega Nona’s art! Just put a hold on it at my library! and there are 14 books in the series!!
Here is what I read in January: https://wordsandpeace.com/2022/01/31/2022-january-wrap-up/
Well, they’re pretty short. 14 will be done in a couple of hours, haha!
I remember Strega Nona from when I was younger. Such a fun story.
Juliet Marillier is an author I have wanted to read for a while, but have been continually intimidated by. I hope that some day I’ll pick up and enjoy a book of hers, but I’m really not sure where to start. Do you have any suggestions?
I think a lot of our SFF reading tastes are similar, so I think you’ll like Marillier. Her books are slower in the first quarter but get better. I highly, highly recommend her Sevenwaters series (esp. first book, Daughter of the Forests), or if you want something darker, then Wolfskin. I’m eager to know what you think of these!
I love those illustrations for Strega Nona. So lovely.
I seem to remember a similar tale when I was young but it was about a bowl of porridge that kept refilling (I could of course be misremembering that altogether).
Lynn 😀
Hmm… you’re right, I think a lot of the stories we read as kids had to do with the hero finding magical porridge refilling pots (that everyone wanted to steal). 😂
I have a pot that won’t stop making pasta but that is because it is easy and I am a better baker than main course cook.
Juliet Marillier is an author I have had on my TBR for ages. I think there is a swan series? I guess because I prefer YA to adult fantasy I have never got around to it. Do you have a favorite of her books, given this one may not be the best to start with? I think if I owned it instead of getting it from the library, I might be more likely to read it.
My favorite of her books is Daughter of the Forests, which is a retelling of the Six Swans folktale. I love that book, but I think it’s not for everyone? Another Marillier book you could start off with is Wolfskin, which has some of the most excellent characterizations. With Marillier, you may have to read about 25% of the book before it really picks up but the rewards are worth it. Hope you give these a try some day!