ma easy goin' nature is being sorely fuckin tested

#87 A-Z reading challenge - titles

"Ivy tree" by Mary Stewart
About an individual who impersonates another individual ostensibly to get some cash from her co-conspirators but then it turns out that she may not be what she seems. There's a couple of handsome men, a doting sister, dying grandfathers, thwarted love affair and possible Roman ruins.

What did I think?
I like Mary Stewart. I really do. I especially liked her King Arthur series. And there's another one - something to do with greyhounds? But this I hated. It felt like reading for an assignment. The format didn't help - old, brown falling apart paperback with text that had started to bleed across the page. Maybe it's because the story is so set in it's time - with different norms and expectations. Or maybe it's the way they all refered to each other as 'darling' or the creepy sister love. *shudder* (Found through Unshelved book club - "Ivy tree" here.)


"Joust" by Mercedes Lackey
About a serf who is rescued from his serf-y life by a dragon rider (aka a 'Jouster') who takes him into the dragon compound and teaches him about caring for a dragon. This 'Jouster' has trained his dragon from an egg so they have a bond that the other riders (who steal their dragons when they are young and then entrust their care to others who ensure they are drugged up) lack.

What did I think?
Alert readers will note a similarity between this one and the 'A' title book. This is the beginning of the series and it makes so much more sense now. (There is definitely a bonus in reading a series in order.) So this time there didn't seem to be so much action going on in the background of the story. The character had his troubles and managed to work through them. I'm pretty lazy so reading about how hard someone works is always fun. Still, not her best title.

#76 Attend films I want to see - by myself if necessary
Didn't have to attend this one by myself - Transformers. This movie is nothing but action action action. Plus a bit of talking in between. Seriously - how wrong can you go with shiny vehicles, Shia LaBoeuf, men in uniforms and lots and lots of guns? Just leave your brain at the door and have a good time. More than meets the eye baby!