Recent Read: The False Prince

Sage, a spunky orphan, is enjoying his life of thievery, dirt, and avoiding punishment, when a nobleman named Conner plucks him out of his hardscrabble life, along with three other orphans. The cunning Conner reveals that the orphans are in a competition to impersonate the long-lost prince of Carthya. But while Sage isn't sure he wants to give up his freedom or risk committing treason, he might lose his life if he is not chosen.

The False Prince by Jennifer A. Nielsen was so good. To start, the premise is an interesting and exciting one that pulls the reader in right away. Even though it has a competing-for-your-life set up (complete with training) that's so overdone in a post-Hunger Games publishing world, I didn't realize it until now. In other words, this story comes off as original and interesting (instead of tired). I loved the characters--Sage is wonderfully defiant, clever and charming, with a strong character (despite his sometimes questionable morals). The plot and politics, as well as the relationships are complex and intriguing. This is a smart, fast-paced read I'd recommend to all readers, but especially reluctant ones.

 

Recent Read: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking

Ann chose to represent introverts in the public art project One & Other, where members of the public occupied a normally vacant plinth in Trafalgar Square in London. See her entire hour here.

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

I first heard of Susan Cain when I read some of the articles she published leading up to the release of this book. I then listened/read every interview with her I could find. She was everywhere--Time Magazine, NY Times, NPR, and local papers everywhere. The book debuted at #4 on the NYTimes bestseller list.

Every time I read something of hers, like an article in the Toronto Globe & Mail entitled, "Giving Introverts Permission to Be Themselves," I found myself saying, "Yes!" and "Thank you!" I answered yes on almost every question of her introvert quiz, and was determined to be a "strong introvert."

I waited months to get the book from the library, and then only got halfway through before I had to return it so it could go to the next person. I waited for it to come out on paperback and reread the whole thing, pencil in hand to mark it up.

It feels like an exaggeration, but my instant reaction to it is that it's been life-changing. Thank you, Susan Cain. It's both validation and understanding of my personality and who I am.

Cain starts with a little history, explaining how our society transitioned from a Culture of Character to a Culture of Personality, where extroversion came to rule and become the ideal. Often citing examples of significant people in history who were introverts, she discusses introversion (and extroversion) in business, culture, child-rearing, teaching, and relationships. She delves into the science and psychology of it as well. It was fascinating, useful, illuminating.

"Introversion--along with its cousins sensitivity, seriousness, and shyness--is now a second-class personality trait, somewhere between a disappointment and a pathology. Introverts living under the Extrovert Ideal are like women in a man's world, discounted because of a trait that goes to the core of who they are. Extroversion is an enormously appealing personality style, but we've turned it into an oppressive standard to which most of us feel we must conform." 

-Susan Cain, Quiet

Also, her website is a great resource for introverts.

Laura Marling

New album May 28

 

beautiful, as always

Picture This: King Jack and the Dragon

King Jack and the Dragon by Peter Bently & Helen Oxenbury

King Jack and his knights spend the afternoon building a castle, and then battling to protect it from dragons and beasts. But then giants come to take away Sir Zack and Casper, leaving King Jack alone in his castle to face the creatures in the night all by himself.

This ode to make believe is sweet and funny, with a classic, old fashioned feel both in text and illustration. Bently's text rhymes wonderfully, and contains little moments of humor. Oxenbury switched between black and white sketches and full (yet muted) color.

Franz

Photo by Andrew Youssef via Stereogum

I spent last night at a fabulous Franz Ferdinand concert. They're definitely one of my favorite live acts, and of the four concerts of theirs I've been to, this is in the top two (it's hard to say whether this one or Royal Albert Hall was better). It's impossible not to move with their music. It was a relatively small venue, and the crowd had fabulous energy (they/we were obviously passionate about Franz Ferdinand). There was lots of dancing and jumping and singing along. And Franz themselves were in fine form. They sounded great. There were moments of improvising and riffs. And then there's Alex's personality--kicks and dramatic faces and dancing that make me smile. They played a lot of songs I've never heard before, which I'm guessing will be on their forthcoming album. (and I'm assuming they'll be back to promote it!) It's not always fun to hear songs you don't know, but I liked every new song I heard. During Take Me Out, the whole crowd was stomping, jumping so that you felt the beats of the song reverberate through your body. Also, opening act the Palma Violets weren't bad.

Take Me Out


Take Me Out with a view of the audience


Can't Stop Feeling & Outsiders, complete with drum orgy


This Fire (which ruins the album version b/c it will never live up to the speed and intensity of the live version)



I love them so much.