It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?
My friend Alissa (on her site – Alissa Grosso) alerted me to a great community blog posting from J.Kaye’s Book Blog where other bloggers can link to find out what the other’s are reading every Monday. It’s a great idea to connect with others and get some wonderful book suggestions.
I enjoy reading a bunch of books at once and am currently in the middle of three excellent novels.
Wheel of Time: Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan – If you like epic adventures and worlds that you can get lost in then Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time saga is a perfect series. I am reading Book 6 in the series. There are twelve so far with two more planned. The series follows Rand, a farm boy turned tortured hero, and his friends who have to battle everyday evils so that their world won’t fall to the Dark One. Robert Jordan has the amazing ability to pull you into his stories and make you lose all track of time.
Jordan was a brilliant author who passed away after a battle with cancer. He expressed his desire for someone to finish writing the saga before his death and thus Brian Sanderson, also a science fiction/fantasy writing marvel, was enlisted to finish the remaining three books. Both Jordan and Sanderson have blogs that are kept up to date and highlight talks, tours, and new publications. I had the privilege of hearing Sanderson speak when Book 12 was first published in Nov 2009. He is as dynamic as his books are and had a wealth of knowledge that he shared with the large group that had turned out to hear him speak.
Carnet de Voyage by Craig Thompson – Thompson is a brilliant author and artist and this is showcased in this graphic novel. (I mention Blankets, Thompson’s epic graphic novel memoir in a previous blog.) This particular tale chronicles Thompson’s travels in France and is both entertaining and beautifully drawn in his classic pen and ink style.
The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier – A classic novel about a boy who refuses to sell school chocolates thus defying both the underground school hazing club The Vigils and the seedy Brother Leon who presented as the archetype evil teacher. I read this when I was in high school and wanted reread it (I’m actually listening to it on CDs on my drive to work). It’s a compelling story filled with teenage angst and the power that one person can have against the masses. A must read!
runnersami.wordpress.com 
I’ve never read Blankets, but heard a lot of good things about it. I think I’ll have to check it out along with Carnet de Voyage.
The Chocolate War was one of the few decent YA books my public library had when I was growing up. I love that book!
I actually own a copy of Blankets – you’re welcome to borrow it any time! I think you’ll really enjoy Thompson’s illustrations a lot. 🙂
These look good! I have a friend who is a huge fan of the Wheel of Time series. I have also heard great things about The Chocolate War, though I understand it’s quite disturbing. Enjoy — and have a great week!
Thanks, Stephanie! And The Chocolate War is definitely disturbing but a must read classic.
Wow, those are some interesting reads!!=)
http://chas-n-kai.blogspot.com/2010/02/catching-fire-hunger-games-2-by-suzanne.html
The Chocolate War sounds interesting. Thanks for your comments on it – I love that about the Monday posts! 🙂
Thanks, Chasity! And I totally agree Bookjourney! I love visiting blogs to see what others are reading on the Monday Reading posts.