Graceling

I started a new book: Graceling, by Kristin Cashore.

I googled her first name to type this post (if you're reading this Kristin pleeeeeeease don't be offended, it's the last name I had to know to find your sequel here at B&N where I'm typing this), and I found she has a blog, so WOO HOO!

< follow button ... clicked!>


I found Graceling at my local Half Price Books during my birthday shopping spree. I had never heard of it before, but the cover art caught my attention. (Yes, I do judge books by their covers.) Actually, it wasn't so much the art - it's just a sword with a person reflected in it - as the name, and the overall FEEL of the art, that made an impression on me.

When we were about to check out, I showed Col all the books I wanted - ones I had been looking for, a couple for J, and then Graceling. It is hardcover, so even at half price it was the most expensive book in my pile. I totaled everything up, and told Col that these were the books I had to have, and this one would bring the total to X and I would like to have it if that was within our budget. I don't think it was, but he agreed anyway.

Lucky me.

I hate writing up summaries of books - I'd much rather just copy it from the inside front cover - but the short version is simply that some people in the book have special talents, called Graces. A Grace may not be useful (one that was mentioned was climbing trees) or unusual (I might know some people in real life who have a Grace for cooking!), but then again, it may be both - like reading minds, for example. A cool side note is that you know when a child is Graced because his eyes, at some point after birth/in childhood, settle into two different colors.

Another thing I hate is describing why I like a book. The problem is, when I read, I'm so deep inside the book that I am not analyzing how it is written, or how the dialogue flows, and once it's over, I'm thinking about the relationships and plot points as if they are my own memories, not as character sheets and plot outlines.

Besides, in this case I haven't even finished it yet (I just started it yesterday), but I just HAD to find out if there is a sequel (not exactly, but there is one companion book already and one on the way). Sometimes a book just HITS you the right way, and this is one of those.

I think my Grace is the ability to find amazing books, sometimes without even reading the back or inside front cover text. Too bad my eyes haven't settled yet... ;)