Books We Love is a regular fortnightly feature here at Book Chick City. It’s where we discuss our favourite books; the books we absolutely adore, would recommend over and over again, and will keep forever on our bookshelves. I hope you enjoy and find some new-to-you authors and books to read.
My guest today is the lovely Kai from Fiction State of Mind. I met Kai through our love of horror and we have been book buddies ever since. Her blog is a mixture horror, fantasy, urban fantasy, graphic novels, manga and young adult fiction.
If you haven’t checked out her blog then do, it’s fab!
Fiction State of Mind Online: Website | Twitter | Goodreads | Facebook
Hi everyone! I’m really excited to share with you some of my favorite books. My reading life really changed when I purchased my nook E-reader. I’m really moving forward to having a mostly digital library. I so however have one special bookshelf. This shelf contains print books that I won’t part with, they are either signed or have special meaning to me and these are the books I want to share with you today.
DUNE by Frank Herbert
“I must not fear. Fear is the mind-killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. I will permit it to pass over me and through me.” ~ Frank Herbert
When is a book more than just a book? When it resonates with current events in your life and saves you like nothing else can. Dune is the story of Paul Atreides a 15 year old boy whose comfortable life is being torn away as he and his families are relocating to Arrakis, Dune. The entire move is a trap. A cog on a political wheel that stretches out across the galaxy and will lead to death, betrayal, and a destiny for Paul none could truly imagine.
Dune was one of the first science fiction novels I read. The true essence of this book can be debated and discussed infinitely. Is it a treatise on religion? A metaphysical vision quest? Herbert created a rich history and back story for the Dune universe that spawned numerous sequels. Though I read and loved the first four of the novels, Dune is my favorite.
I was 15 when I read Dune, the same age as Paul. Like Paul my world was being torn apart. My mother had decided to leave my father. Overnight we went from a comfortable suburban home to a cramped apartment with no answers. Fear and anger where my constant companions. When I first read the fear mantra in Dune it spoke to me like no other piece of writing. I memorized it, scrawling it in my notebook at school, repeating it endlessly in my head. As I read Paul’s journey I not only found solace in the rich fantasy world and action but I began to feel confident in my own life as well.
Throughout the years many different versions of Dune have appeared in print with bonus features and content but I haven’t picked up any of them. The original Berkley paperback, with its crinkly cover and yellowing pages is the only version I ever want. Just holding it makes me smile and remember how special it was and is to me.
WRAETHTHU TRILOGY by Storm Constantine
The Enchantments of Flesh and Spirit
Storm Constantine’s vision of a futuristic and magical world where the majority of women are barren and a beautiful race of male magicians have risen to power, and found the power of procreation. In book one: The Enchantment of Flesh and Spirit we meet Pellaz a young boy living on a farm with his family. Cal a traveling, solitary Wraeththu comes seeking a meal and a place to sleep for the night. Cal is a force of nature. His ease and attractiveness fill Pellaz and shake the foundations of his world. As the two travel together showing the reader more of the wasteland the world has become. This is a coming of age story for Pellaz. The relationship between the two of them is delicate, Pellaz blindly following him based on his feelings and Cal torn between his growing affection for Pellaz and his fear of being tied down. It all culminates in surprising revelations and painful separation.
The Bewitchments of Love and Hate
My favorite of the three. This is the narrative of Swift a young Wraeththu of privilege and silence. Swift’s days revolve around education and boredom. He spends the majority of his time with his hostling (mother) Cobweb and thinking on his distant Father. Like a storm Cal breezes into their well mannered world. Cal steals Swift’s father’s focus from work and Cobweb creating heartache in the familial unit. It was fascinating seeing Cal through Swift’s eyes. Swift’s anger turns to understanding and even compassion for Cal a man so out of touch with his emotions that he can never stand still. This book also shows us more of the Wraeththu culture including how they procreate.
The Fulfillment of Fate and Desire
Now we finally get the narrative voice of Cal. Always a force of nature he is now focused and his sights are on the man he loves. Pellaz. Things aren’t quite that easy however. Pellaz has ascended to the role of Tigron, leader in the Pellaz political machine. This book is the culmination of Pel and Cal’s story and it’s simply stunning! Constantine’s narrative style is magical; she knows the landscapes of the heart, what drives us and what we fear. At its heart the Wraeththu Trilogy is about love in all its forms. The fact that the book explores love between men in a fantasy setting, there is an opportunity to address social issues without being preachy or demanding acceptance of alternative lifestyles. Instead these books focus on how we are alike not separate. A wonderful read! I really recommend getting it in the omnibus edition.
BLOOD and CHOCOLATE by Annette Curtis Klause
At the mere thought of this book I have to pick it up off my shelf and start reading! Even now I’ve spent forty minutes reading my favorite parts before writing this. This story is about Vivian. She is sixteen and wants to break away from the stifling world of her pack. Her deceased father was the previous leader of the pack and now all eyes are turned to potential Pack leader Gabriel for the future and Gabriel eyes are on her to be his Alpha female. With pack politics choking her freedom, Vi makes a choice for herself and chooses Aiden a human boy. These few blissful moments with Aiden and his friends give her a sense of normalcy she’s never known. The pack is never far however as a string of murders are leading literally to Vi’s doorstep and she must try to understand the confusing feelings Gabriel stirs in her. Werewolves, teen love and a climatic ending. That’s right ENDING no trilogy or protracted love triangle! Love that.
I hope you give these great books a try. Happy reading!
