If I had a Magic Lamp is a meme hosted by Ya-Aholic and asks the question, if I had a magic lamp, what would I wish for? I'm going to go for the traditional three-wishes, because otherwise this post could go on FOREVER.

Wish #1:

I wish I could be the Next Big Thing in books. Like Suzanne Collins or Stephenie Meyer. But really, I'm aiming for J K Rowling. I heard she's richer than the queen. I've never been rich, but I know I would be good at it. I think I could even make a go at being queen.

I could totally do this gig!

Wish #2:

I wish I had the motivation to sit down and write the book that would make me the Next Big Thing. I have an idea, I have some notes and an outline, I even have the opening paragraphs written, but that's it. And I did all that like a year ago. 

Wish #3:

This one isn't really related to books or reading or writing, but it's one that I've thought about for a while. I wish I could instantly speak a foreign language. Actually, many foreign languages. And did I mention instantly? Cuz that would be so much better.

It's Monday: What are you reading (18)

It's Monday: What are you reading? is a weekly meme from BookJourney.

I haven't been reading as much as I usually do. I go through these phases where I'm reading four books at a time and as soon as I finish one I'm right back into a new one and I'm insatiable. Then at other times, generally after one of these phases, I just can't be bothered to read a line. Don't know why. Just happens. So it's been a while since I did any hard-core reading, but I managed to do a bit recently!

What I Read:
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick (*****)
Lovely book with lovelier illustrations. See my full review in the previous post.

Currently Reading:

The Map of Time by Félix J. Palma 
This book looks fascinating and I can't wait to dig into it! It almost sounds a little Eyre Affair-y and I am in love with that series.


From Goodreads: Set in Victorian London with characters real and imagined, The Map of Time is a page-turner that boasts a triple play of intertwined plots in which a skeptical H.G. Wells is called upon to investigage purported incidents of time travel and to save lives and literary classics, including Dracula and The Time Machine, from being wiped from existence. What happens if we change history?

To Read:

Honestly, who knows. My intentions generally go out the window depending on what's due back at the library first, what becomes newly available from the library, and what I've splurged on at the bookstore. I'm thinking The Devil's Cub by Georgette Heyer or Working Stiff by Rachel Caine may be next. Though I just got Withering Tights by Louise Rennison at the Border's going-out-of-business sale, and I do adore her Georgia Nicholson series...this one may cut in line! 

Review: The Invention of Hugo Cabret

The Invention of Hugo Cabret (*****) 
by Brian Selznick

The Invention of Hugo Cabret is a lovely book, both in story and illustration. It follows the adventures of two children as they try to understand the mystery of a wonderful mechanical man that Hugo's father was trying to fix. I loved the description of the early 20th century magicians, how they often began as clock makers or worked with machines, clockworks, and gears in some other form, which lead them to a career as magicians - their inventions were so wonderful and miraculous that an audience could believe it was magic. The story also delves into the early days of cinema and offers the reader a glimpse into a time when movies, by their very nature, had the ability to inspire wonder.

Hugo is an excellent novel and, despite its size, a quick read. I would recommend this to elementary-aged children or anyone who is young-at-heart. I also think this would be a great novel for parents and children to share. I look forward to seeing the movie adaptation this Thanksgiving and checking out Selznick's newest novel Wonderstruck; I noticed it recently in a bookstore and it's illustrations are just as wonderful as they are in Hugo.

Book & Media List: Dragons

A friend and fellow SLIS student recently asked me to create a book list with a focus on dragons. So Cassie, this one's for you! Please add any thoughts and additions in the Comments section!

Movies and TVs
How to Train Your Dragon (2010)
Dungeons and Dragons: Animated Series
Eragon (2006)
Dragonheart (1996)
Pete’s Dragon (1977)

Children/Tween/Young Adult
Eragon (Inheritance Series), Christopher Paolini
Dragonflight (Pern: Dragonriders of Pern), Anne McCaffrey
Dealing with Dragons (Enchanted Forest Chronicles #1), Patricia Wrede
Dragon Rider, Cornelia Funke
Dragon Slippers (Dragon Slippers #1), Jessica Day George
The Blue Sword (Damar #1), Robin McKinley
Dragon’s Blood (The Pit Dragon Chronicles #1), Jane Yolen
The Fire Within (The Last Dragon Chronicles #1), Chris d’Lacey
Magyk (Septimus Heap #1), Angie Sage
How to Train Your Dragon (Hiccup Horrendus Haddock III #1), Cressida Cowell
Firelight (Firelight #1), Sophie Jordan
DragonSpell (Dragon Keeper Chronicles #1), Donita Paul
Dragon’s Keep, Janet Lee Carey
Wild Magic (Immortals #1), Tamora Pierce
Fablehaven (Fablehaven #1), Brandon Mull
Voices of Dragons, Carrie Vaughn

Illustrated Books
Dragonology: The Complete Book of Dragons (Ologies #1), Dugald Steer, et al
Saint George and the Dragon, Margaret Hodges and Trina Schart Hyman (Ill.)

Classics
The Hobbit, JRR Tolkien
Farmer Giles of Ham, JRR Tolkien
The Forgotten Beasts of Eld, Patricia McKillip

Fantasy
His Majesty’s Dragon (Temeraire #1), Naomi Novik
The Elvenbane (Halfblood Chronicles #1), Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey
Joust (Dragon Jousters #1), Mercedes Lackey
Song in the Silence (The Tale of Lanen Kaelar #1), Elizabeth Kerner
Dragonsbane (Winterlands #1), Barbara Hambly
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice & Fire #1), George R. R. Martin
The Eyes of the Dragon, Stephen King
Cast in Shadow (Chronicles of Elantra #1), Michelle Sagara West
The Last Dragonslayer (The Last Dragonslayer #1), Jasper Fforde

Romantic Fantasy
The Smoke Thief (Drakon #1), Shana Abé

One Good Knight (Five Hundred Kingdoms #2), Mercedes Lackey

You Slay Me (Aisling Grey: Guardian #1), Katie MacAlister

Playing with Fire (Silver Dragons #1), Katie MacAlister

Heart of the Dragon (Atlantis #1), Gena Showalter

Love in the Time of Dragons (Light Dragons #1), Katie MacAlister

Date Me, Baby, One More Time (Immortally Sexy #1), Stephanie Rowe