The Secret Adventures of WriterGirl

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): The Legend of Ashitaka by Joe Hisaishi [Princess Mononoke soundtrack].






Granted, this runs a bit on the long side of what I like to showcase here on Feature Fun Friday, but this is a rather remarkable compilation of all eight Harry Potter movies. Plus, if pressed for time, you can re-watch the entire series in fifteen minutes! :D But in all seriousness, I had to watch it through to the end. It recaptured the wonder of them all over again for me. I came as near as I have in a long time to remembering what it felt like to pick up that first book when I was twelve years old. And that was thrilling. Have a fantastic weekend, everyone!

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Same Direction by Hoobastank.



My reviews are a bit different than most. As an undercover superhero (ordinary girl extraordinaire), my purpose is to try and uncover hidden gems lost from the familiar radar. Because of this, I have set up some guidelines for myself (just like the pirate code). :)

I will focus on YA and Children's literature (with very rare exceptions).
I will not review any book that is one of the top 25,000 bestselling books (based on Amazon ranks).
I will try and aim for books 100,000 or larger.
I will review recent books or books of great merit (preferably both).

Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal: A Worldwide Cinderella by Paul Fleischman, illustrated by Julie Paschkis
Published: September 4th, 2007
Publisher: Henry Holt and Co.
Pages: 32
Current Amazon Rank: #64,706
Author's Website: Paul Fleischman, Julie Paschkis
Want it? Find it here.



The First Line:

Once upon a time there lived a wealthy merchant whose wife had died.





My Take:

I have a secret love for picture books. Even though I don't have any kids, I buy them in abundance. They are simply remarkable to me. So much story in so few words, and so gorgeously/uniquely/stunningly illustrated! They bring me no small amount of joy. And you are about to be introduced to one I love.

Cinderella is a worldwide fairy tale. Some people have called it a phenomenon because in almost every culture of the world there exists a version of Cinderella. Glass Slipper, Gold Sandal is a celebration of all these.

From Zimbabwe to Iran, Laos, Indonesia and Mexico, seventeen different versions of Cinderella are melded into one lovely story here in a seamless and vivid way, highlighting the beauty of each culture but also revealing how similar we all really are. The story jumps between countries, sometimes in the middle of a sentence, but each country's name is shown in the background (which is really cool) and the story flows seamlessly.

The illustrations evoke each culture, paying homage to them and their uniqueness and I cannot tell you how much I appreciate and love this fact.

I loved this story. For me, I can't think of another picture book of Cinderella I ever want to show to my kids (when I have them) or as a recommendation to anyone else now.




The Final Word:

Absolutely lovely, this truly is a "worldwide Cinderella" story. It is the Cinderella I turn to now to appreciate all this fairytale is.

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now) The Dance/Bye Merrylegs by Danny Elfman [Black Beauty soundtrack].

Top Ten Tuesday is hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. Every Tuesday a new top ten list on various topics is revealed. There’s also a Top Ten Tuesday page where see past and upcoming topics.

This week is:

Top Ten Books You’d Hand To Someone Who Says They Don’t Like To Read

Holes by Louis Sachar. It's funny, different, easy to get into, and absolutely absorbing once you are inside. The three (possibly four) plot-lines all converging is a fantastic piece of storytelling and had my little jr. high mind geeking out over it for days.


Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones. This book. I don't know how you cannot love reading after finishing this. The only exception I can think of is if you don't like fantasy (and really even then it's doubtful. This is one that crosses barriers). All of Diana's stuff I would recommend to a reluctant reader. She is a jewel.


The Thief by Megan Whalen Turner. Great storytelling starts and ends with Megan Whalen Turner. It may take years for a new book to come out, but I promise you, I have never once been happier at the prospect. Every book is worth it. And The Thief is the perfect place to jump in for any person, lover or hater of books. It is fantastic.


The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. This story is both beautiful and rich, with layer upon layers of meaning hidden underneath just waiting to be found, but it can be enjoyed on any level. It is in its simplicity that makes it so powerful. I might also recommend The Screwtape Letters by C.S Lewis to go hand in hand with this, depending on age and personality.


Airborn by Kenneth Oppel. Pirates, airships, high-seas adventure and the promise of a scientific discovery that could change the world? This has something for everyone.


The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins/Harry Potter by JK Rowling/Twilight by Stephenie Meyer. Depending on the personality type. These are hugely popular for a reason.


Rot and Ruin by Jonathan Maberry. Non-stereotyped Asian leads, a post-zombie apocalypse with one of the most unique approaches to zombies I've ever encountered? This is five-hundred pages but I flew threw every one of them.


Flight by Kazu Kibuishi [editor] - lots of different art styles, humor and they are all short stories so nothing is too daunting or intimidating. Similarily, if they like graphic novels, I would also probably try and get them hooked on Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto series. Ninjas, high action and plenty of engaging characters for everyone.


Hidden Talents by David Lubar. This is a bit of an unknown book that has a lot to offer. Fitting in, feeling like a freak (they are at a last-stop troubled youth school where even the freaks call them freaks), finding friends, and discovering they may have abilities that are partly to blame for getting them to that place.


The Strange Case of Origami Yoda by Tom Angleberger or Where the Sidewalk Ends by Shel Silverstein. Think books have to be all seriousness and moral lessons? Think again!


Something specific to the person in mind. My little caveat. ;)

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): We Are One Tonight by Switchfoot.





It's been too long since we've had a book trailer. And this one is a really good one. Enjoy!

Current Theme Song (aka what's playing on my ipod right now): Animal Nation by Peter Gabriel [The Wild Thornberrys soundtrack].

Some of you are going to be smiling like that very soon. Because yes, you have spoken. I'm making Turkish Delight.*




It turns out some of you are very vocal about your book choice recipes. :) And persuasive enough to get others to join your dark side. But this is not going to be a traditional recipe creation. Because for me to create something, I have to know it pretty well to know what to tweak and what I can play with. I'm going to let you in on a little secret... *whispers* I've never made Turkish Delight before.




So I am following a recipe (linking, of course) and we'll see how this adventure turns out. (because this thing apparently ruins PANS).




Proof:




I'm a just the tiniest bit nervous. I am a pretty decent chef, if I do say so myself. I love cooking. I do it for fun all the time. I've made carmels and toffees and fudge. It is ground I've treaded before. But this? This is a new beast entirely. It's a gel.



You see, Turkish Delight is not what I thought of at all as a kid. The witch promised ROOMS full of it! It had the word 'delight' in its name! How could it not be the most amazing thing on the face of the planet?






I thought it was chocolate, for sure. A super secret chocolate only the grown ups knew about.





Turns out, Turkish Delight is something more like this:






From Wikipedia

Turkish delight or lokum is a family of confections based on a gel of starch and sugar. Premium varieties consist largely of chopped dates, pistachios and hazelnuts or walnuts bound by the gel; the cheapest are mostly gel, generally flavored with rosewater, mastic, or lemon. The confection is often packaged and eaten in small cubes dusted with icing sugar, copra, or powdered cream of Tartar, to prevent clinging. Other common types include such flavors as cinnamon and mint. In the production process, soapwort may be used as an emulsifying additive.




(Also, as the legend goes, a Sultan ordered his confectioner to create some kind of treat to please his harem. Yeah Edmund, bet you never knew that).



I am, by nature, a girl of preparation. I hate going into anything blind. I did my research. I have never made Turkish Delight before, or even tasted it. And that would not do at all. So I went all the way across town (actually, several towns over) to a local import store to find and purchase real Turkish Delight. From Turkey. And lo and behold, THEY HAD LEMON! So I'm totally legit in avoiding the rose water recipe. I've had rose water treats before and it just made my stomach have a vendetta against me. There was talk of mutiny. (Rose Water? Blech).






See? Proof it's made in Turkey. I'm golden. ^_^









This is definitely going to be an adventure. One of my pans lives hangs in the balance. You don't get any more intense than that. This is high drama, people.





... *gulp*




Wish me luck!








*Don't worry, my beloved followers! All those other suggestions you gave me? Brilliant. I am already planning a reread to see what I can invent (really invent) next. :)