Goblin Mode

 Goblin Mode: How to Get Cozy, Embrace Imperfection, and Thrive in the Muck by McKayla Coyle, 208 pages.

This is a pretty cute lifestyle/self-care type book that has the addition of many crafts and projects. It's light and fun, and some of the projects in here seem pretty fun. I think I'll probably try my hand at taking a mushroom spore print at sometime. I will warn that the chapter on foraging is not very good for multiple reasons, and I would recommend taking it with a heavy grain of salt. There isn't a whole lot of substance in this book, but it is very fun to flip through.

The Witness for the Dead

The Witness for the Dead by Katherine Addison, 232 pages

Set in the same world as the lovely Goblin Emperor (really, you should read it — it's very hopeful and good), this short novel follows the devout Thara Celehar in his calling as a Witness for the Dead. What does that mean? Well, it means that Celehar has the ability to get mental impressions from the recently deceased, helping solve problems regarding everything from contested wills to murders (both of which are covered in this book), as well as tracking down the occasional ghoul. This book skirts the line between high fantasy and mystery, and like the Goblin Emperor, is wonderfully realized. While Celehar is a minor character the Goblin Emperor, it would certainly help to read that book before you pick this one up.

The Goblin Emperor

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison, 446 pages

The half-goblin third son of an elvish emperor's cast-off fourth wife, Maia has no expectation of ever becoming the ruler of the Elflands. But then his father and two half-brothers are killed in a zeppelin crash, and, unlikely as EVERYONE finds it, Maia is suddenly the new emperor. The Goblin Emperor follows Maia's awkward transition from banished embarrassment to imperial rule, and bring along a surprising amount of hope for the future of the Elflands. Perhaps because of his rough upbringing, Maia is kind, thoughtful, and, yes, naive — but he also takes the unwanted job seriously, and wants the best for the empire. While the names and speaking styles were confusing, I very much enjoyed this book, and I look forward to discussing it with the Orcs & Aliens on Monday.

The Hobbit

The Hobbit or There and Back Again by J.R.R. Tolkien  365 pp.

I originally read the LOTR trilogy and The Hobbit when I was in college. Several years ago I spent a good portion of the summer listening to the audio version of all three LOTR books. I finally got around to listening to The Hobbit. For those who are completely unaware, it is the story of a Hobbit by the name of Bilbo Baggins who is chosen by Gandalf, the wizard, to go on an adventure with a group of dwarves to reclaim their mountain and riches from Smaug, the dragon. Along the way Bilbo finds the ring that gives the wearer invisibility which he uses to much advantage during the journey. The audio version read by Rob Inglis is perfectly voiced including the songs. I enjoyed this version a great deal.

Snuff

Snuff by Terry Pratchett  398 pp.

Sam Vines, the commander of the City Watch of Ankh-Morpork, has been coerced into taking a vacation by his wife, Lady Sybil. But policing is in his blood and it's not long before there is a dead body to investigate, even though Vines is out of his jurisdiction.This is just the thing to get him away from the balls and tea parties his wife drags him to, not to mention the restricted diet that has taken away his beloved bacon sandwiches. With the help of his loyal (and deadly) manservant and the local, if inept, constable Vines finds himself investigating the wholesale enslavement and genocide of Goblins and up against the locals in charge. This is a great combination: a of who-done-it and the bizarre and humorous society of Discworld. The audiobook was a great way to pass the time on a 550 mile road trip.

The Goblin Emperor

The Goblin Emperor by Katherine Addison, 446 pages.
An intricate, engaging account of a half-elven, half-goblin prince fourth or fifth in line for the crown, who has been banished to the countryside by his emperor father, and who then finds suddenly finds himself brought back to court after a tragedy strikes his family. With no real training, and no idea on whom he can rely, Maia must find a way to survive and rule.
Addison does a great job of weaving all the setting, the historical background of her world, the language and the myriad of characters into the flow of the story (though there is a helpful cast of characters in the back of the book).
This book finished second in fractious Hugo voting this year. I think that I would have voted for Ann Leckie's Ancillary Sword, but I am a bit of a partisan there.

Goblin Secrets by William Alexander

Goblin Secrets by William Alexander, 223 pages

Winner of the 2012 National Book Award for juvenile fiction, Goblin Secrets is a compelling book, that seemed to me, half finished. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but felt that it all got wrapped up very quickly. Rownie lives in Southtown part of Zombay with Graba, the witch, and her assortment of not-quite grandchildren, the Grubs. Rownie is not of the Grubs, and he is also not quite a grandchild of the strange old woman. Rownie is trying to find his missing older brother, Rowan. There is a ban on plays and performances in Zombay, but Goblins are in some ways excepted from this. There is a creepy mayor who is up to something. There is an impending peril, and the wrath of an angered Graba. But then it is all over, wrapped up neatly. I hope the story continues.

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Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties

Modern Fairies, Dwarves, Goblins & Other Nasties: A Practical Guide by Miss Edythe McFate as told to Lesley M. M. Blume  242 pp.

This is not a book about the cute and colorful little fairies that adorn the popular juvenile series. This is about the creepier side of the fae and their magical cohorts: goblins, brownies, trolls, dwarves, and other not so friendly beings. Alternating between descriptions and warnings concerning the creepy creatures are true cautionary tales of children and their unfortunate encounters with the often dangerous species. The illustrations by David Foote are suitably dark and mysterious. Also included are interesting, little known facts about fairies and their habitats like the existence of a fairy island in the Mississippi near here or that gray hair is not caused by aging but by fairies stealing the color. Now I know who to blame for those shiny gray hairs that seem to be mulitplying. This is a fun, if a little bit creepy, piece of juvenile fiction.