Name of the Wind

I woke up this morning thinking about books. Part of my brain was singing the little ditty from Skippyjon Jones. Another part of my brain was thinking about the book waiting for me on my nightstand. I kinda wanted to write a little book talk about both of them, but didn't know what to title it if they were in the same post. That's why there are two today. Because I couldn't decide.

So what is this mystery book waiting for me?

So let me start at the beginning. Before I even explain what the book is about, let me tell you how I came across it. As an English teacher, kids know that I like to read. Sometimes kids will tell me about books and I'm instantly interested. One day, a kid name Wesley (not Wes) told me I had to read this book. It was the best book he had ever in his 15 years of life read. (He was smart and a frequent reader so he probably has read a lot of good books.) He went a step further than just telling me about this book, though. He actually brought in his copy of the book for me to read. There was no way to get out of reading it. Which I really wanted to do when I saw the cover. See, there are multiple styles to the cover of this book and I thought it looked dorky. Really dorky.

I know, I know, you're not supposed to judge a book by its cover and all that garbage. But here's a little secret. I judged that book by its cover. I judged a lot. And it wasn't looking good.
But I was trapped. So I read. Since I was being a whiny judgmental baby, it took me a little while to get into it. Like 50 pages. But then... Oh. My. Goodness! I saw a t-shirt that described it as a literary orgasm. Yep. That'll do. When I finished the book, I was so glad to have been trapped into reading it. I was fiending for more. And of course I read it about 2 years before the next book was ready. Do you know how hard it was to know that there was more story out there, but I couldn't get it??? I don't know if you've figured this out about me yet, but I AM NOT A PATIENT PERSON!
That being said, the next book has been sitting on my nightstand waiting for me. In those long waiting years I filled my brain with other books. I received the sequel as a birthday present about a month after it came out and now it has sat for about a year. Why? Partially because it's long. Like 1000 pages long. Partially because I've been reading mind candy. (But gosh darn it, I have enjoyed that mind candy.) Partially because I've been busy with work and college and kids and making excuses. Partially because I know the story will not be finished in this book and it will leave me begging for more and more like some drug addict, but with a book! Whatever. It's going on vacation with me. Not Mockingjay. The Wise Man's Fear.
So anyway, that's the back story on the book. It was a lot of lead in, but I feel like admitting my hesitation lets you know a lot about the book. If I didn't like it, I would have smiled at the kid and told him it was pretty good while never thinking about it again. But instead I decided to post on it. 


After all that, I'm finally ready to tell you about the book. 
SUMMARY

It starts our with Chronicler getting Kvothe's story. Kvothe (rhymes with quoth, the word no one says except when quoting Poe) is difficult to find, but the storyteller has managed to do it. He wants the whole story. The story Kvothe hasn't told anyone and insists that it is told his way. Why would anyone care about his story? Well, apparently he's pretty amazing. You read the paragraph he uses to start the story. And since the story starts out with monsters and a apocalyptic feel, I think its safe to say that Kvothe had something to do with ending the world as it was previously known.
The story is filled with sorrow, love, adventure, friendship, and curiosity that has me dying for more.

Here's what the back of the book says. I wouldn't usually include the back blurb because they're usually downright boring, but this one is pretty fantastic.

My name is Kvothe. I have stolen princesses back from sleeping barrow kinds. I burned down the town of Trebon. I have spent the night with Felurian and left with both my sanity and my life. I was expelled from the University at a younger age than most people are allowed in. I tread paths by moonlight that others fear to speak of during day. I have talked to Gods, loved women, and written songs that make the minstrels weep. You may have heard of me.

Right? 

INTERESTING LINES
"Outside the Waystone Inn the air lay still and heavy on the empty dirt road that ran through the center of town. The sky was a featureless grey sheet of cloud that looked as if it wanted to rain but couldn’t quite work up the energy."
"He had a bright, reckless tenor that was always wandering off, looking for notes in the wrong places."
"His reaction was minimal, it wasn’t until later that I found getting any reaction from Master Lorren was about as likely as seeing a stone pillar wink."
"To deem us simple enemies is to lose the true flavor of our relationship. It was more like the two of us entered into a business partnership in order to more efficiently pursue our mutual interest of hating each other."
Do you like how some of my favorite lines tell you very little about the story? Ha!

WHY I LIKE IT
You get trapped in this world where all kinds of things are possible. Magic exists and not in a cheesy pull-a-rabbit-out-of-a-hat sort of way. Like real magic. Like the kind of magic that connects the whole world.
Interesting phrasing and thorough, but not boring descriptions.
A likable character. He's a genius and a jerk, but I still like him. Its kind of like Good Will Hunting.
It made me look up some YouTube of a dude playing the lute. Now I know. I find it to be pretty relaxing. Here, you can know, too.

Skippyjon Jones

I love kids' books. A lot of them can take little mundane things and make them seem like an adventure. Sure, there aren't always glowing metaphors or a page describing how windy it was, but a lot of times I think that's OK. And I'm a mom. I figure if I'm going to raise readers, I'm going to look for books I don't hate to read. They can hear my hatred in certain books.
That being said, I will repeat/amend that I love many kids' books. One that's big around our house is about a dear ol' kitty who thinks he's a doggy. Skippyjon Jones!

What I like

It's pretty fun to read. As the primary reader in the house, that's important. The books slip in a little Spanish now and then (usually words that are in my limited Spanish vocabulary). There are songs, instructions to clap, and it's filled with alliteration. (You remember alliteration, right? What? You're not familiar with words that are taught in junior high poetry lessons? Geez. Fine, I'll remind you... it's when the words start with the same sound. Like Peter Piper picked a peck of pickled peppers.)

This little kitty uses his imagination to create new worlds where he is a chihuahua. He gets in all kinds of trouble while he's in his own little land. It's fun to pretend.

The kids really like it.

It's pretty complex. My nephew's first grade class used the book as part of a lesson. I think there's still some details that were fuzzy for him. I'm pretty sure I would have fun using it in the junior high, too.

Did I mention that it's fun to read?

 So we read about Skippyjon fairly regularly. My favorite is Lost in Spice, although the original has undeniable charm. 

There are several more books in the series, I just haven't read them. I'm sure they're wonderful, though.

We have also listened to the audiobook read by none other than Judy Schachner herself. It's OK, but I find that this story, for my family, it was best to read it instead of listen to it. Schachner reads it pretty quickly (a lesson I wish the narrator from The Gingerbread Boy would learn). Since my kids are young, they had a hard time keeping up with the Spanish words and ideas. I guess older kids might like listening to it like that, but whatever.

After we read it, Rela usually runs around the house saying "Noodles are naked" (from Lost in Spice). It's funny. Me? I'm usually singing "Oh, my name is Skipito Friskito..."

Princess Bride

It took me until I was about 25 before I watched The Princess Bride. Apparently that's practically blasphemy. So I did. And you know what?

The book was better.


Yeah, I'm like that. I read it. And I loved it. 

Just in case your memory isn't quite up to snuff, let's recap the plot. A love triangle exists between a stable boy named Westley, the beautiful maiden named Buttercup, and evil Prince Humperdink. Westley goes missing and Buttercup is kidnapped by a giant, a criminal, and a swordsman. A masked pirate follows the kidnappers and attempts to save the day.


Why I Liked It
It's over the top and made me laugh out loud. Like people staring at me as I giggle reading it in public. I like to think they were jealous. They were probably a little creeped out. 


I like that the author is a character. Goldman tells the story as a screen writer (so true!) who was told the story by his grandfather. As an adult, he reread the story only to discover his grandpa had taken out the boring parts. How relate-able. He even side notes how many pages he cut from the original story to save readers.


Why the Book was Better
Because I read it first. That's the only reason, I'm pretty sure. 


Also because every ridiculous line and plot twist present in the movie was also in the book. The part where they traded goblets about 20 times? Yep. Crazy duels performed by silly characters? Yep. Even this

Go ahead. Read it. You know you want to. Maybe you'll be the weirdo LOLing. Or maybe you'll decide to debate me on the merits of the movie over the book.