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If You Like This, You Might Like That: Angie from Angieville Gets Personal with Her Recommendations

9/30/2012

28 Comments

 
Angieville logo
Today on the blog, we are happy to welcome one of the deepest wells of book knowledge on the internet: Angie from Angieville. I'd seen posts of Angie's not only on her blog but on other sites and I honestly thought to myself every time, "You've got to get her over here, that girl's got crazy random taste." This is about the highest compliment I could ever give someone. I knew she'd be able to recommend a few lesser-known titles and she's done just that. (along with a few you might already know) For other older recommendations, you should check out her Retro Friday feature, where she reviews older books or books that have fallen under the radar. If you're not following Angieville, you should be. And if you need another reason besides me telling you to do so, I'm sure she can convince you with her recommendations post...


When Flannery invited me to write a guest post for the excellent If You Like This You Might Like That feature, I immediately cast my mind about for a theme I could hitch my star to. But after rejecting any number of possibilities, I decided the randomer the better. So today you get a list of recs that not only reflect the eclecticness of my reading taste but give you a surprisingly accurate glimpse into my daily life and musings.

It has been pointed out to me on more than one occasion that I have a questionable fondness for cousin love. Ahem. How weirded out are you now? It's not like I go seeking it out. But I have to admit my Beloved Bookshelf includes more than one volume in which cousins . . . get friendly. My issues aside, today I'm pushing Touch Not the Cat by one of my oldest favorite authors Mary Stewart. It's not just the cousin love you're getting here (hey, it was 1970s rural England--go with the egg, my friend). Oh, no. You're getting all kinds of bang for your buck, including but not limited to telepathic romance, crumbling English manors, and an abundance of literary references.

I love Sherlock Holmes. I love him in pretty much any incarnation, although I'll go ahead and go on record as being awfully partial to the Benedict Cumberbatch rendition. If you find yourself similarly Sherlocked, I highly recommend Laurie R. King's Mary Russell series. King switches things up by setting the series after the illustrious detective has retired to the Sussex downs. In fact, her young protagonist literally falls over Mr. Holmes and finds herself apprenticing with him before long. Start with The Beekeeper's Apprentice and read on through till dawn. King is particularly good with titles. A Monstrous Regiment of Women and A Letter of Mary are personal faves.

Is the election season getting to you, too? Whenever I find myself weary of the mudslinging and start questioning the sanity of any and all involved, I pop in a few episodes of The West Wing to feel better about the whole crazy rigmarole. I may or may not be on a two-episodes-a-night regimen at the moment. But if you love The West Wing like I do, then you will love the President's Daughter series by Ellen Emerson White. The original trilogy was written in the '80s and then updated a bit for the present day just in time for the publication of the fourth volume Long May She Reign in 2007. Smart, witty, and deeply affecting, protag Meg Powers is the daughter of the first female President of the United States. I adore her and I adore White's challenging, thoughtful prose.

It's officially autumn now and I always start craving cinnamon rolls round about this time. And when I crave cinnamon rolls, I immediately crave pulling out one of my three copies (I know) of Sunshine by Robin McKinley and cozying up. One of my few seasonal reads, I return to it every fall. Combining mouth-watering baked goods, a seriously introverted heroine, the most repellent vampires you ever will find, and Beauty and the Beast, it's just one of the biggest Angie books there is. Are you a cinnamon rolls/non-sparkly vampire fan? Perhaps it could be your book, too . . .

Speaking of fairy tales, don't you just hate Rumpelstiltskin? That dude creeped me the hell out as a kid. And I was forever outraged on behalf of the poor girl whose father sold her off repeatedly to a king who cared about nothing more than gold and was willing to kill her as soon as look at her. Then she gets saddled with his majesty's baby and the crazy dwarf that just won't leave her alone. Honestly. What is there to love about this tale? But then Elizabeth C. Bunce went and rewrote the maddening thing because it bothered her, too. And wouldn't you know, A Curse Dark as Gold is bloody brilliant.

One of my favorite movies (top ten for sure) is Casablanca. It's perfect as far as I'm concerned, and no matter how many times I watch it, I always tear up at the part where they stand up in Rick's Cafe and sing "La Marseillaise" in defiance. Imagine my delight when I ran across a tribute to that cinematic moment in a little-read book called My Heartbeat. At one point, the main character refers to her family watching Casablanca growing up and how her father always made them stand up and sing along at that point in the film. Somehow it remained a binding cord when everything else inside their family seemed to be falling apart.

So. Inappropriate cousin feelings, mad dwarfs, political commentary, baked goods, and French anthems. I better stop there before I reveal any other embarrassing literary quirks. Thanks so much for having me, 'venturers! I do hope you find something that suits.

Do any of these books sound like something you'd enjoy? I, for one, know I'll try more than one.

Thanks for visiting, Angie! We loved having you and your wonderful recommendations here at The Readventurer. Also, I think we all learned one or two tidbits about your life. (insert evil, maniacal laugh) Let me know where I should mail a framed picture of Aaron Sorkin to!
28 Comments
Chachic link
9/30/2012 01:08:25 am

Yay Angie! I love Angie recs. She's one of my trusted book bloggers and her reviews make me want to rush out to grab the books that she talks about. I clearly need to read Mary Russell's series because I love BBC Sherlock and that's the only thing I haven't read in this list. :P

Hey, I'm a fan of cinnamon rolls too even though we don't have autumn over here (or in the Philippines either). So far the most delicious that I've tried is Cinnabon. :D If only we could try Sunshine's famous cinnamon buns.

Reply
Angiegirl link
9/30/2012 01:01:21 pm

I think you'd like Mary and Sherlock, Chach. It's incredibly well-written and evolves in intricate and unexpected ways.

Cinnabon is my favorite, too. Though I dream about falling into New Arcadia and spending a day hanging out at Charlie's. *sigh*

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Chachic link
9/30/2012 04:53:48 pm

Who wouldn't like cinnamon buns as big as your head? :P The Beekeeper's Apprentice has been added to the ever-expanding wishlist (a good chunk of which is based on your recommendations).

Li link
9/30/2012 02:18:15 am

LOL @ cousin love! Yes, I try not to spend too much time thinking about the possibly-too-close connections of certain couples.

And second the President's Daughter rec - Angie's blog was how I discovered Ellen Emerson White and I've loved all her books to date.

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Angiegirl link
9/30/2012 01:03:37 pm

Right?! It's hard to delineate the line across which it bothers me too much to keep reading. But generally I think if the writing is strong enough and the plot compelling enough, I'm there.

Your comments re: EEW are music to my ears, Li.

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Sarah (The Brazen Bookworm) link
9/30/2012 04:23:07 am

I thought I was the only one who loved Touch Not the Cat! Only Mary Stewart could get away with so much passionate necking beneath a blossoming pear tree without making me laugh out loud. I read it when I was like 15 and I'm pretty sure I tried to use telepathy to contact my soulmate. It didn't work, sadly.

And I'll have to check out the President's Daughter series - it sounds great.

Reply
Angiegirl link
9/30/2012 01:05:02 pm

Another TNtC lover! *highfive* Blossoming pear tree indeed . . . LOL.

I heartily recommend the President's Daughter series. Each one gets better and the last one is quite frankly a work of art characterization-wise.

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Allison @ The Allure of Books link
9/30/2012 07:09:52 am

Angie, you are the best. Really.

Touch Not the Cat is one of hers I haven't read yet, but I do own a copy! I'll have to get to it soon.

Laurie King's series has been on my radar for awhile, but no one has really ever pushed me to read them...until now.

Sunshine and A Curse Dark as Gold are brilliant, I'm glad you think so too!

I'm off to Goodreads to add The Beekeeper's Apprentice to my list...

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Angiegirl link
9/30/2012 01:06:56 pm

Aww.

It's a great paranormal and different from her others in that respect, but all the great romantic suspense she excels at is there in spades.

I can't wait to hear what you think of the Laurie King books. I'm forever grateful to the bookfriends who pointed me in her direction.

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JenM
9/30/2012 08:01:39 am

I read Touch Not the Cat (well, really, all of Mary Stewart's books) as a young, impressionable teenager in the 1970's. I can't say that I remember any of the plots, but I know I loved them at the time. As for The Beekeeper's Apprentice, that's our bookclub pick this month and I'm just about to start it.

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Angiegirl link
9/30/2012 01:08:20 pm

That's delightful, Jen. I blew through them as a teen as well. It's hard to stop once you discover the excellence within.

What marvelous timing re: The Beekeeper's Apprentice. I hope you enjoy it!

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Maggie, Young Adult Anonymous link
9/30/2012 09:06:42 am

Les Cousins Dangereux! Haha.

I just got The Road Home by Ellen Emerson White from the library, and I'm so excited to start that. I'll add The President's Daughter too. I can't believe I just started watching The West Wing a month ago. And ooh, cinnamon rolls and Beauty and the Beast? Count me in for Sunshine too. Thanks for the recs, Angie! :)

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Angiegirl link
9/30/2012 01:10:34 pm

*snort* Indeed.

Did you really?! I'm all pins and needles to hear what you think. I have trouble being rational about THE ROAD HOME. It's just knit with my soul at this point. And if you enjoy it at all, you really must give the President's Daughter series a go after finishing. So smart.

Please, please let me know what you think of the EEW books and SUNSHINE as well.

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VeganYANerds link
9/30/2012 06:47:12 pm

These are all new to me but I am definitely interested in reading Sunshine (mm, cinnamon rolls) and A Curse Dark as Gold

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Angiegirl link
10/1/2012 01:39:25 am

Mission accomplished. :)

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Bonnie R link
10/1/2012 01:24:13 am

I've been meaning to read a Mary Stewart for so long it's really quite ridiculous I haven't gotten around to it yet. Touch Not The Cat is definitely going on my list though, sounds fantastic.
I so loved The Beekeeper's Apprentice I really need to purchase the next installments.
Fantastic recommendations, thanks!

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Angiegirl link
10/1/2012 02:22:48 am

Oh, it really is. I also recommend her NINE COACHES WAITING if you're in the mood for a gothic mystery.

The second Mary Russell book is fantastic. Almost painfully good.

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Michelle link
10/1/2012 05:58:50 am

Of course I just HAD to stop by when I saw Angie had a list of 'random' recommendations... Your picks are legendary girl.

It is shameful to admit I've had THE BEEKEEPERS APPRENTICE & NINE COACHES WAITING on my shelf for a couple months now and haven't picked up either yet? I've never read either author before but I think I need to. I'm sure good things will follow.

Also, EEW & Sunshine.... such love goes to those!

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Angiegirl link
10/2/2012 01:24:46 am

I wouldn't go so far as to call it "shameful." But I might look at you askance.

GO READ THEM. Those are both the perfect places to start!

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janicu link
10/1/2012 12:55:03 pm

Angie is the best book pusher. Sigh. OK so now I am eying the Mary Russell series and A Curse as Dark as Gold. And the cousin love one. :P

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Angiegirl link
10/2/2012 01:26:59 am

You will enjoy them one and all. I feel this to be true.

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Jessica link
10/2/2012 06:05:29 am

Ah, Angie. You've done it again. My Amazon cart is not bursting to the brim with almost every one of these books. Because, shockingly, I've not read a one of them. But I'm going to. Because I love The West Wing and cousin love. :) (HOW I LIVE NOW, anyone?)

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Angiegirl link
10/2/2012 06:17:42 am

Ooh. A blank slate for random recs!

There are no words for how amazing HOW I LIVE NOW is. No words.

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Jessica link
10/2/2012 07:49:12 am

That "not" should be "now." :)

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Heidi link
10/2/2012 07:28:23 am

Belated as ever, but of course I love this post. I love all of Angie's posts, and will read pretty much anything she recommends. I really REALLY need to read Sunshine. And A Curse Dark as Gold is one I'd never heard of, but sounds right up my alley. Thanks, Angie!

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Angiegirl link
10/2/2012 12:21:50 pm

You REALLY need to read Sunshine. It's just like the most perfect October/Halloween book EVER.

Curse is just lovely from start to finish.

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JenM
10/2/2012 01:32:28 pm

Okay, I finished The Beekeeper's Apprentice and I loved it. I don't usually like mysteries at all and I don't think I've ever read more than one of the original Sherlock Holmes mysteries, but I have a feeling I'm going to be reading more of the Mary Russell series.

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Angiegirl link
10/3/2012 02:37:40 am

There's just something about them, isn't there? It's the relationship between them that makes it for me. And the writing is top notch. So pleased you liked it, Jen!

Reply



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