The Daughter of Time

I have been reading a lot of books this summer. A friend challenged me to see which of us could read the most pages from May to August (when we go back to school). Currently we're neck and neck at a bit over 4,000 words read!

Since I have been consuming books in such large quantities, I thought it would be fun to review some of them for you. I've been reading such varied books as Crazy Love by Francis Chan, Alpha Centauri by Robert Siegel, Father Brown books by G. K. Chesterton, some Janette Oke books, and also I even started the Harry Potter series (which I will definitely post about once I've finished).

But there was one book that I read that I knew I must share with you. I had actually read it some years ago, but only had a vague memory of intrigue and suspense with a bit of humor... and a very satisfying ending. When I read it this time I remembered why I liked it so much.

The book is called The Daughter of Time, and it's written by Josephine Tey (which, by the way, is a pseudonym, though I'm not sure why the author chose to have one). It is a mystery, but a very different sort of mystery than you usually read. The detective is not trying to figure out "whodunit" (at least not at first), the crime is not current (in fact, it is centuries old), the setting is a hospital room, and the case doesn't even seem like one at first.

To sum the story up in one sentence, The Daughter of Time is a story about a detective ("Inspector Grant") who decides to solve the mystery of the little princes in the tower. He comes upon this mystery because of a picture of Richard the Third, which to him does not look like the picture of an evil man who would murder his own nephews who were merely children. So, he begins to investigate, and uncovers a deeper mystery than he could have known.

I love this book because of the way it challenges you to think and really dig deep before simply accepting history books as "facts." When this book was written, it sparked many people to unearth the truth on Richard the Third for themselves. The book is also a fun (and rather quick) read, though the references to almost all of the royal lines in the War of the Roses can get very confusing sometimes. (Why did there have to be so many Henrys?) I also love the style of language the author uses: it's witty and engaging, and yet also demonstrates a masterful use of language.


The title of the book comes from the Francis Bacon quote: "Truth is rightly named the daughter of time, not of authority." I would encourage you to read the book and decide for yourself - do you believe that? Or does truth withstand time - even if our perception of it does not?

A Story Unfolding

What with Christmas and New Year's, college break and travel plans, friends to see and relatives to remember, I have been busy as all get out.

But somewhere, in the midst of it all, inspiration's spark has been flaming brightly. I am writing as never before... stories, poems, you name it. I very much want to share my work with you all, but I don't want to jeopardize whatever future publishing ability/rights I may have.

However, I have come up with a solution. I will post small excerpts on my blog, and if you would like to read more (which I would love if you did!), you can simply email me (under "Contact Me" up in the header) and I shall send you the link for the story or work-in-progress in a google doc.

I wrote this beginning some time ago, about the time where I was involved a car accident (no one was hurt or anything, thankfully). The idea and memories took a hold of me so powerfully that I had to get it down. Only recently have I looked at it, and picked up my pen again.

You never expect it to happen. Things come up, life continues on, and yet you never expect it to happen.

It was a Monday, the day Yvette and I go to our piano class. I was thinking about my upcoming job interview, and the Bible Study we had that night. I don’t know what she was thinking about. It was silent in the car, but a companionable silence. I remember that she had a slight smile on her face, though her eyes were locked dead ahead as she drove. I looked out the window at the green trees, feeling the slight summer breeze that blew through the space at the top. It was a typical day.

You never expect an accident to happen. You never plan it into your day like you would any other thing: “Dentist Appointment at 2:00 on Wednesday, go to grocery store on Friday, have a car accident Monday at 11:00.” No.

If we knew everything that happened in our day, would we even want to begin? I think not.

Certainly, if I had known about the accident when I woke up that morning, I wouldn’t have gotten out of bed with a smile on my face and excitement in my heart. I wouldn’t have planned how Katie and I would do a sleepover that Friday, and how I was going to finally sit down and paint the roses that were wilting on my windowsill. I don’t know what I would have done had I known. Perhaps I would have just killed myself then and there.

The car hit us dead on. I can see it in my mind, clear as day, coming closer and closer and closer. I remember noting that it was a Honda Civic: sleek, classy, bright red. The person was trying to pass a slowpoke in front of them, and misjudged the distance. My sister tried to swerve, tried to scream, tried to do something to save us. And she almost succeeded. She saved me.
copyright Melody 2010

This is my current inspiration, the story that is gripping me heart and soul. I am not sure yet how it shall unfold, but it is taking shape, oh so slowly.

So, feel free to email me if you'd like to come along for the ride. But I warn you... it's not a smooth one.

All About Books

Here are some interesting tags about books that have been floating about the blogosphere, which I have filled in my spare time. I thought you might enjoy them! Feel free to grab any you're interested in. :) 

Here's the first one:

Instructions.... Grab the nearest book and flip to page 123 and type up the first four lines (sentences). It has to be the nearest book, you can't pick one randomly... the only exception is text books :) They don't count as options in this case.

Well, the nearest book is Jane Eyre: "I should, if I had deliberated, have replied to this question by something conventionally vague and polite; but the answer somehow slipped from my tongue before I was aware-- "No, sir."

"Ah! By my word! there is something singular about you," said he: "you have the air of a little nonnette; quaint, quiet, grave, and simple, as you sit with your hands before you, and your eyes generally bent on the carpet (except, by-the-by, when they are directed piercingly to my face; as just now, for instance); and when one asks you a question, or makes a remark to which you are obliged to reply, you rap out a round rejoinder, which, if not blunt, is at least brisque. What do you mean by it?"

The Second One: (This one's a long one!)

Top 3 authors:

1. L. M. Montgomery

2. C. S. Lewis

3. J. R. R. Tolkein

Top 3 male characters: 

1. Frodo & Sam from The Lord of the Rings (I just love those hobbits!)

2. Gilbert Blythe from the Anne of Green Gables books (he loves Anne so much and yet she won't see it!)

3. Sir Percy Blakeny from The Scarlet Pimpernel (love him both as Sir Percy and as the Scarlet Pimpernel)

Top 3 female characters:

1. Beauty from Beauty by Robin McKinley

2. Elizabeth from Pride and Prejudice

3. Anna from my story Rescue My Heart (yes, I have to admit, I love a character I made up. After all, she is very similar to me!)

Top 30 fiction books in no particular order: 

1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

2.The Chronicles of Narnia (especially The Horse and His Boy) by C. S. Lewis

3. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury

4. The Last Sin-Eater by Francine Rivers

5. Beauty by Robin Mckinley

6. Emily of New Moon series (especially Emily's Quest) by L. M. Montgomery

7. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke

8. Wild Rose by Ruth Axtel Morren

9. Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo

10. Turn Not Pale Beloved Snail by Jacqueline Jackson

11.The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

12. Watership Down by Richard Adams

13. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

14. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baronness Orczy

15. A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens

16. The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau

17. Redwall by Brian Jacques

18. Mossflower by Brian Jacques (I love all of the Redwall books, but these are my two favorites)

19. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

20. At Home in Mitford series by Jan Karen

21. Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke

22. The Tender Years by Janette Oke

23. A Gown of Spanish Lace by Janette Oke

24. The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery

25. Lady of the River by Dianna Crawford

26. Kilmeny of the Orchard by L. M. Montgomery

27. Return to Gone-Away by Elizabeth Enright

28. The Beekeeper's Apprentice by Laurie R King

29. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

30. Regina Silsby's Secret War by Thomas J Brodeur

Top 3 books most recently read:

1. Jane Eyre

2. Do Hard Things

3. The Book Thief

Worst 3 books ever read: (please don't read any of these! They are truly horrible)

1. A Monstrous Regiment of Women by Laurie R. King (the sequel to A Beekeeper's Apprentice). The name alone should scare you away! :P

2. Sophie's World: A Novel about the History of Philosophy by Jostein Gaardner

3. Summer of the Swans (just kind of boring and dumb, in my opinion)

Top 5 scenes from any book:

1. The scene from Inkheart where Meggie is reading the book for Capricorn and his men to release the shadow. (I love how they did this in the movie!)

2. In Regina Silsby's Secret War, the scene where Rachel is playing the organ as Regina Silsby.

3. In The Last Sin-Eater, when Cadi and Fagan are running for their lives up the mountain and God sends a mist to cover their tracks.

4. In The Scarlet Pimpernel when Sir Percy and Lady Blakeney want to talk to each other and confide in each other so badly, but they both are restrained by their pride. It's just so sad and sweet! :(

5. In The Lord of the Rings, when Frodo and Sam are together at the end of all things.

The book(s) that made me cry the most:

1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

2. The Last Sin-Eater by Francine Rivers

3.The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery

4. Watership Down by Richard Adams

5. The Scarlet Pimpernel by Baronness Orczy 

6. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

7. The Book Thief by Markus Zusak

The books that made me laugh the most:

1. At Home In Mitford (and other books in the series) by Jan Karen. The situations are too funny!

2. The Redwall books by Brian Jacques

3.Watership Down by Richard Adams (love this book!)

4. The Four-Story Mistake, and Return to Gone-Away by Elizabeth Enright

The books that made me feel the best at the end:

1. The Lord of the Rings by Tolkien (though it is so sad!)

2.The Last Sin-Eater (one of my favorite books ever!)

3. The Blue Castle by L. M. Montgomery

4. The Last Battle by C. S. Lewis (because they're all finally in Narnia and with Aslan forever!)

5.The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

6. Kilmeny of the Orchard by L. M. Montgomery

Contemporary or Historical?

I love both, though perhaps Historical a little bit more. :)

Science Fiction, Fantasy, or Horror?

Fantasy, definitely. I don't like horror at all, and I like only a few Science Fiction books.

Hardback or Trade Paperback or Mass Market Paperback?

It doesn't really matter to me I guess. I mostly have paperbacks.

Barnes & Noble or Amazon?

Hard to say - Barnes & Noble has some pretty awesome journals, but Amazon is really easy to order from. :)

Bookmark or Dog-ear?

Well, I tend to dog-ear unless I have a bookmark handy (yes, I'm bad, I know).

Alphabetize by author, alphabetize by title, or organize not at all?

In my room, I organize by how much I like the book. The books closest to the middle of the bookshelf are my favorites.I to try to keep books by the same author together, though. ;)

Keep, Throw Away, or Sell?

Keep, unless it's a book I already have, then give away/sell.

Keep dust-jacket or toss it?

Haha I never thought of tossing the dust-jacket!

Read with dustjacket or remove it?

Though it's annoying, I usually keep it because I thought that's just what you do. 

Little Women or Anne of Green Gables?

Ann of Green Gables. I love L. M. Montgomery's writing style!

Short story or novel?

Usually novel. Though I have found a few short stories that I absolutely love.

Stop reading when tired or at chapter breaks?

At chapter breaks. That's the only way I can force myself to put down the book!

“It was a dark and stormy night” or “Once upon a time”?

Probably "it was a dark and stormy night," because that promises a slightly deeper book than "once upon a time." ;)

Tear Jerker or Belly Laugh?

Tear Jerker.

Buy or Borrow?

I usually borrow a book from the library or from a friend first, then buy it if it's really good.

Buying choice: Book Reviews, Recommendation, or Browse?

I usually only buy books that I've read before, unless I'm at a garage sale or something where they're really cheap.

Collection (short stories by the same author) or Anthology (short stories by different authors)?

Either one!

Standalone or Series?

I kinda prefer standalone, unless I really love the author's style of writing.

Tidy ending or Cliffhanger?

Definitely tidy ending. I hate it when a story ends with a cliffhanger or a kind of wishy-washy ending. :P

Morning reading, afternoon reading, or nighttime reading?

I usually read while I eat breakfast and lunch, and sometimes before bed. It just depends if I'm really into a story or not.

Favorite genre series?

(I take it this means your favorite series from your favorite genre.) Have to say Lord of the Rings.

New or used?

Just depends. I usually buy my books used, though it's nice to have them new!

Favorite book of which nobody else has heard?

Regina Silsby's Secret War by Thomas J Brodeur. It's really good, too, you should definitely check it out! :)

And the last one: 
Name 12 Characters and then answer the questions:

1. Anna (from my story Rescue My Heart)

2. Frodo (LotR)

3. Sam (LotR)

4. Jane Eyre

5. Lucy (Narnia)

6. Edmund (Narnia)
7. Sir Percy (The Scarlet Pimpernel)

8. Meggie (Inkheart)

9. Capricorn (Inkheart)

10. Mr. Darcy (Pride & Prejudice)

11. Elizabeth (Pride & Prejudice)

12. Emily (Emily of New Moon)

1. Who would make a better collage prof, 6 or 11?
Well, probably Edmund. Though I don't doubt Elizabeth would have a sharp enough mind (and wit)!

2. Do you think #2 is nice?

Yes. :) It's so sad that the ring basically destroys his life.

3. 12 sends 8 out on a mission. What is it? Does it succeed?
Hmmm... interesting. Emily sends Meggie on a mission. Perhaps she sends her on a mission to get more paper for her... and Meggie just writes some into existence. ;)

4. What is or what would be 9's favorite book?
Now this I'm not sure of, but one thing I do know - he despises the book Inkheart. ;)

5. Would it make more sense for 2 to swear fealty to 6, or the other way around?
Frodo swearing fealty to Edmund... now this is an interesting thought. 

6. For some reason, 5 is looking for a roommate. Should (s)he room with 9 or 10?
Innocent little Lucy isn't going to room with either Capricorn or Mr. Darcy!

7. 3, 7 and 12 are going out to dinner. Where do they go and what do they discuss?

Sam, Sir Percy, and Emily. Hmmm... Sir Percy would probably be the one to pick the place, as he is the most talkative and decisive of the three (and he'd probably pick somewhere fancy). Sam probably would be too nervous to talk about anything, Sir Percy would be acting affected and foppish, and Emily would probably be writing down her thoughts about them in her journal. Altogether a very interesting scene. ;) 

8. #3 challenges #10 to a duel, who wins?

Sam challenges Mr. Darcy to a duel. Sorry Sam, but Mr. Darcy has quite the advantage over you with height, I'm afraid. ;)

9. If 1 stole 8's most precious possession, how would (s)he get it back?
 Anna would never steal anything from Meggie! They're both nice, sweet girls who probably would become friends since they have so much in common. (And they really do have a lot in common. Their stories are surprisingly similar!)

10. Suggest a story title in which 7 and 12 both attain what they desire.
Hmmm... how about: "Acceptance For Who You Really Are" (haha sounds like a self-help book. I'm horrible with titles!)

11. What kind of plot device would you have to use if you wanted 1 and 4 to work together?
Anna and Jane Eyre working together... that probably wouldn't be too hard as long as they both understood how the other person liked to work.  

12. If 7 visited you for the weekend, how would it go?

Well, that would be interesting indeed to have Sir Percy over for the weekend! I think I would be rather intimidated by him. :P

13. If you could command 3 to perform any service or task for you, what would it be?

Oh, good old Sam. I'd ask him to please come into one of my novels so I can write a wonderful character like him. 

14. Does 11 like to write or draw?
Elizabeth Bennet isn't very fond of either, I don't think, though she does "tolerably well" at both. :)

15. If 2 had to choose sides between 4 and 5, what side would (s)he choose?
So if Frodo had to chose sides between Jane Eyre and Lucy... I think he would probably chose Lucy. They have some similarities. ;)

16. What might 10 shout out while charging into battle?

Mr. Darcy charging into battle - now that's a new one! He'd probably shout "What's going ooooonnnn??" ;)
 
17. If you had to choose a song to best describe 8, what would it be?
Aw... probably Vanilla Twilight (for Meggie's relationship with her mom). 

18. What would be a good pickup line for 2 to say to 10?
Well, if they were actually going to duel like one of the other questions said, Frodo would say, "What big sword you have, Mr. Darcy!"

19. What would 5 most likely be arrested for?
LUCY??? ARRESTED??? Well, only if it was for doing what is right.

20. If 11 and 9 were racing to a destination, who would get there first?

This would be a very interesting scene. Capricorn would probably get there first, because he would do something to hinder Elizabeth. 

21. What is the lowest point of 1's story?

For Anna? Like... the whole story. :P (And for those of you who are reading it, I don't want to give anything away!)

22. 1 and 9 reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by 4's sinister secret organization. 11 volunteers to help them, but it is later discovered that s/he is actually a spy for 4. Meanwhile, 4 has kidnapped 12 in an attempt to force their surrender. Following the wise advice of 5, they seek out 3, who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fic?
Okay, so let me get this straight:  Anna & Capricorn team up (unlikely!) to save the world from Jane Eyre's secret organization (haha!). Elizabeth Bennet volunteers to help them, but is discovered to be Jane Eyre's spy. Jane Eyre kidnaps Emily to force their surrender. Following the wise advice of Lucy, they seek out Sam, who gives them what they need to complete the quest. 
Haha! I would call it "In Cahoots with Jane Eyre"

This was a ton of fun to fill out, and I hope you had fun reading it! :D

Only the Beginning of the Adventure

I have a number of these tags floating about my draft posts, and I figured - why not make them all in one post? So here they are:

The first tag is the Music Shuffle Tag! (from Stephanie) Rules: Put your music player on shuffle. Then answer the following questions by using the title to each song that plays while on shuffle. Then tag 6 people.

I tag:

Nicole K.
Limwen
Celebrilomiel
Eldarwen
Ivorydancer
Evergreena

Are you male or female? What Do I Know of Holy? (Addison Road) -of course, let's answer a question with another question!

What do people feel when they are around you? And Now My Lifesong Sings (Casting Crowns) - I certainly hope so.

Describe your current relationship? You Raise Me Up (Selah) -this is the kind of relationship I desire. :)

Where would you like to be right now? You Are the Sun (Sara Groves) -haha nope

How do you feel about love? Like a Lake (Sara Groves) -poetic, but hard to decipher a meaning out of this :P

Whats your life like? Here I Am (soundtrack from Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarron) -fits pretty well!

What would you wish for if you only had one wish? Jesus Hold Me Now (Casting Crowns) - yes!

Say something wise? What A Friend We Have In Jesus

If someone says "Is this okay. . ." You say? You Can't Take Me (soundtrack of Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarron) -lol I guess I don't believe people very easily :P

How would you describe yourself? Impromptu Opus 90 No. 7 (Schubert) -so I guess I'm a piano piece!

How do you feel today? Cry of the Heart (Michael W. Smith)

What is your life's purpose? Oh Draw Me Lord (Selah)

What is your motto? All Things New (Watermark)

What do your friends think of you? Times (10th Avenue North)

What do you think of your parents? Miracle of the Moment (Steven Curtis Chapman)

What do you think of very often? Attempting the Impossible (Facing the Giants Soundtrack) - yes, I enjoy attempting the impossible, I try to do it every day!

What is 2+2? Nothing I've Ever Known (Soundtrack of Spirit, Stallion of the Cimarron) -haha! I guess I epically fail at math :P

What do you think of your best friend? The Time is Now (Twila Paris)

What is your life story? All of Me (Selah)

What do you want to be when you grow up? How Long? (Michael Card) -lol I'm not that impatient!

What will you dance to at your wedding? You're Not Alone (Meredith Andrews) -ah, such a sweet song! :)

What will they play at your funeral? The Warrior is a Child (Twila Paris)

What is your hobby/interest? Spring (Vivialdi - Seasons) -well, I do like spring, though I don't know how that could be a hobby. :P

What is your biggest fear? My Surrender (Steven Curtis Chapman) -my biggest fear, and my biggest joy.

What is your biggest secret? The Promise (Jim Brickman) -I guess this could be true, since I have promised to remain pure until marriage.

What do you think of your friends? Different Kinds of Happy (Sara Groves)

What will you re-post this as? Only the Beginning of the Adventure (Narnia) - and it is! :D


Next, the friendship tag, which I got from Stephanie as well. :)

Rules: Choose any amount of friends, blog friends or real life friends, and say at least two things (or more!) you admire or like about them. Tag those friends, and if they have blogs, make sure to link to them!

Cassie: I am so blessed by the community you've put together on literary ladies! And I love the cute pictures you put up on your blog. :)

Merriette: You always have interesting, thought-provoking posts, and it's been a pleasure to get to know you through blogging. I enjoy your encouraging and insightful comments on my blog, as well as on my story! (and I hope I can read some of your written works someday). ;)


And here is the last tag: Name eight books you'd like to live in for a week, and then tag eight people:

1. Inkheart by Cornelia Funke (but only for a week! And only if I was well away from all the badguys and such. Come to think of it, there isn't really any place in that world that's safe.)

2. The Little White Horse by Elizabet George (awesome book. Just like a fairytale!)

3. Redwall by Brian Jacques (I think I would most like to be a squirrel or an otter though)

4. Narnia (probably in The Magician's Nephew, because it would be so cool to see Aslan creating Narnia!)

5. At Home in Mitford by Jan Karen (it would be fun to be a part of such an interesting community!)

6.Love Comes Softly by Janette Oke (back to the simpler times, where they had their values in the right place)

7. The Secret Garden by Francis Hodgson Burnett

8. Rescue My Heart or Alphyri (two books that I've written. Because I would love to meet my own characters! Though I'd probably end up like the author in Inkheart. :P)

I tag:
Violet
Hannah
Celebrilomiel
Rachel Danielle
Cassie
Frailyn
Evergreena


Hope you enjoyed that! :D