Wednesday, December 23, 2009

Lips Touch

I am not a big fan of fantasy anymore the way I was in my teens, but even then I read more sci-fi than fantasy. However, LIPS TOUCH is by far the best collection of modern folktale fantasy. Laini Taylor has a most exquisite storyteller voice. From the very beginning, I trust her to trap me in her web of stories. I have spent three late nights reading her book, instead of getting to bed and the characters linger. This is a book I will read again ... and again ... and when my children are old enough, share with them.
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She says that she is no scholar (neither am I) but she is true to the essence of the religions she borrows from. I am familiar with them and yet, I could never have dreamt up these tales. They are wholly her own creations, beautifully imagined and written. This book ought to be read aloud because the language is so lyrical. Like a picture book, every word counts in Lips Touch.
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The illustrations by Jim di Bartolo are gorgeous. I only wish they were interspersed throughout the book instead of in chunks. They add to the atmosphere of this book.
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I am a huge admirer of Laini, for all that she does (arts & crafts, mothering, writing) and with such aplomb. She has a terrific site where she shares her writing process. It's long but well worth the read. Congratulations on being an NBA finalist, Laini! It's very well deserved.
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The upshot of reading this amazing book is that many books that I was previously excited to read are falling flat, flat, flat. And it scares me. Will my books ever be good enough?

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8 comments:

Bish Denham said...

Oh gosh! This sound great. I have added it to my 2010 book list.

Anna Staniszewski said...

I've heard such amazing things about this book! I'll have to bump it up to the top of my reading list. :-)

Karen Strong said...

Hi Vijaya,

I really LOVED this book as well. Definitely one of my favorites of 2009.

Anonymous said...

I want! It's on my ever growing to-be-read list. Thanks for posting.

Mary Witzl said...

Wow, you've got me wanting to read that now. Like Medeia, I've got a list as long as my arm, but I will have to wait many months until we get back to the U.K.: the books I've had sent here never made it to me!

Vijaya said...

Put this on top of your reading pile, ladies. And savor it like a delicious fruit ...

Mary, I'm sorry your books didn't make it. During our pan-European stay, I lost two boxes of books and I said never again. We'd make trips to England instead.

Merry Christmas ladies and thank you for visiting me here during a busy holiday season. Peace and Joy.

Molly/Cece said...

I so want to curl up with some good books. I'm just trapped with the moving right now and getting the house ready to sell and helping Tim head to Antarctica. I'm just giving everything to God. Days curled up with good books are ahead. I will try this one when time finally comes my way.

Vijaya said...

Molly, I know you have a TON on your plate right now, but this is exactly the kind of book you need to curl up with.