Banner Designed by Twoscoopz
Books We Love is a regular fortnightly feature here at Book Chick City. It’s where we discuss our favourite books; the books we absolutely love and adore, would recommend over and over, and will keep forever on our bookshelves. I hope you enjoy and find some new-to-you books and authors to read. You can view the full schedule HERE.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
My guest today is the lovely Angie from Angieville. I visit this blog on a regular basis for the excellently written reviews and Retro Friday feature.
I haven’t read anything by this author… actually, I haven’t heard of this author before, but after Angie’s great post, I think I will have to check the author out!
So, without further ado, I give you Angie and the books she loves…
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
When I started thinking about which books to talk about in a post about my favorite books ever, I went immediately to the tab on my blog entitled “Beloved Bookshelf.” This is where I keep a running list of my most beloved reads. The books I find eminently re-readable. The ones that I connected with the very first time I read them and the ones with the characters and words that just never left my system afterward. It’s not a short list, necessarily. But it is distinguished. And looking at it I still didn’t really know where to start. But then I noticed something interesting. One author’s name appeared eight times on my list. Eight! I found myself amazed at that statistic. And so I thought I’d talk about that author today and why she seems to knock so many stories out of the park when it comes to me and what I look for when I sit down to read.
..
I discovered my first Robin McKinley novel in a bookstore in San Antonio, Texas. It was the cover of The Hero and the Crown that really sucked me in. The tiny warrior and her white horse fighting a dragon so much bigger and blacker and badder than them. The futility and audacity and bravery of the scene hit me in the chest and I took the mass market paperback up to the desk and handed over my cash to the clerk. By the time I got home I realized that this book was actually the second in a series (of sorts). Even though it appeared to be a prequel, it was written second, and I worried (as I always worry about these things) that I would be reading them “wrong” by starting with the “second” book. No bookstore I went to had the first book–The Blue Sword–in stock. But in the back of The Hero and the Crown it stated that interested readers could mail order a copy. Well, if ever there was an interested reader I was it. And so I did.
The Blue Sword arrived a week or so later and I was instantly a goner. Once again this book’s cover featured a girl with a sword and her horse. And what’s more, she looked like she owned them. Like the sword belonged in her hand. Like she could guide her horse properly with a blindfold on and both hands tied behind her back. I started reading that night and I never looked back. I was too busy immersing myself in Damar–a world somewhat like our own, but subtly different. A world where magic was real and existed on the other side of a set of hills. Where a girl who had always felt apart from society (a girl named Harry, no less) found herself very much needed. By a domineering barbarian king with serious rage issues, yes. But needed just the same. The Blue Sword instantly shot to the top of my favorite books ever and how handy that I already had the next book on hand. Incidentally, The Hero and the Crown does take place a few hundred years before The Blue Sword and Aerin is a different sort of hero from Harry. Though they are unmistakably kindred spirits. I love them both. In different ways. And I go back and forth on which one is my favorite. Probably it depends more on me than on them. Because I bring something different to the table each time I enter their world and go about the pleasant business of reacquainting myself with my old friends.
It’s closing in on two decades now since I read that first Robin McKinley novel. Since then I’ve consumed every other book she’s written. And that includes out-of-print picture books, YA, urban fantasy, fairy tale retellings, short story collections, historical fiction. You name it–the woman can write it. Her retellings of classic fairy tales are the best in the business. She positively owns Beauty and the Beast and one of my very favorite things about her work is that, twenty years after publishing Beauty, she came back to the fairy tale and rewrote it because she had a new perspective on the story that many years down the road. And they are both unquestionably beautiful and so very surprisingly different. It goes without saying that she is on my auto-buy list. But it’s more than just the fact that she writes the kind of books I like to read. How often do you encounter an author who consistently creates unrelated characters, stories, and whole worlds that delight and enrapture you? And this from an author who was publishing novels before you were born and is still producing them when you have turned into a woman grown with a husband and children to prove it. I’ve never been disappointed in a single book she wrote. I can say that of few other living authors and even fewer who’ve done it so steadily and with such diversity, style, and skill. Her status among my favorite authors and books is truly remarkable. At last count, I own 22 McKinley books.Those include 14 different titles, four *gasp* copies of The Blue Sword, three copies of Sunshine (her made of awesome vampire novel that makes my littler urban fantasy-loving heart go pitterpat), and this little gem:
A limited edition, illustrated le livre d’artist copy of Rose Daughter, complete with rose silk brocade cover and stunning artwork by Anne Bachelier. It is, hands down, the most beautiful book I own. The illustrations seem to perfectly capture Rose Daughter’s illusory quality. The uncertainty as to what kind of a beast he truly is. The allegorical character names. The inescapable feeling that it could all have happened somewhere. And perhaps did. That Beauty could have been anyone. Your own sister. A close friend. I pull out this copy when I want to be drenched in beauty–in every sense of the word.
My shelves are lined with McKinleys. They form the shape and the fabric of my reading life and it’s no coincidence they own so many slots on my Beloved Bookshelf. I will always be returning to them.
I’ll leave you with a list of my favorite Robin McKinley books by genre:
Fairy Tale Retellings: Beauty, Rose Daughter, Deerskin, Spindle’s End
Fantasy: The Blue Sword, The Hero and the Crown
Urban Fantasy: Sunshine
Historical Fiction: The Outlaws of Sherwood
Short Story Collection: A Door in the Hedge
Picture Book: The Stone Fey
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Thanks Angie!
Make sure you check out Angie’s blog Angieville! You can also find Angie hanging out on Twitter: @angiebookgirl, Goodreads and Facebook!
27 Comments
I don't think I've ever read any Robin McKinley. But this is a definite prompt to sort that out! lovely post.
Reply
Beauty is the next book in line on my TBR and I picked up Sunshine yesterday because the cover was irresistable.
Beauty will be my first with McKinley. I heard about her on Kristin Cashore's blog and if Kristin and Angie say she's good then well, she -is-.
Reply
I love Mckinley! If you've not read her before I would start with Sunshine, I'm also a huge fan of The Alphabet of Thorn.
Reply
I second the recommendations of Sunshine!
Reply
I totally am in the Robin McKinley fanclub. OMG. Waiting with baited breath for Pegasus and I almost own all of her books. Will definitely be on the look out for Rose Daughter now!
Reply
I am incredibly jealous of that gorgeous book, and I would have to agree with you. Robin McKinley is, like, one step away from being a goddess. I read The Hero and the Crown first (still haven't read The Blue Sword, but I have it and want to real soon). Like you, I think I may have to end up buying versions of all the different covers of her favorite books.
Reply
After all this Mckinsley love I have added Sunshine to my wishlist!
Reply
wow, i got goosebumps reading parts of this post! i've only read Sunshine which i liked, but from what everyone says about Beauty i think i'll like that one much better. and i like your idea of a beloved bookshelf!
Reply
Paul, thank you! And I (obviously) recommend you do try her. Pick your poison from that list down there and make sure to let me know what you think when you do.
Life After Jane, awesome! BEAUTY is a wonderful first McKinley read, I think. It's her first book and just a lovely take on the fairy tale. And that's some pretty sweet company you put me in there.
Abundance, I agree. SUNSHINE is made of awesome and a fun place to start, especially if you're an UF fan.
Nancy, happy to see all the SUNSHINE supporters out there. I think it deserves a wider readership for sure.
April, hehe. As am I. PEGASUS looks amazing.
Steph, well put! She is that. And that book…I don't even have a pretty enough place to put it. It sits on top of my others on my shelf like a swan among buzzards. *sigh*
Carolyn, woo-hoo! Mission accomplished then.
Charlotte, definitely give BEAUTY a shot. McKinley is wonderful at slightly twisting the original elements of the fairy tale to suit her heroine and her story.
Reply
Those are gorgeous books! I have never read Robin McKinley. Something to be on the look out for.
Reply
Yesss, I have them all too! Well not many copies of each, just the one of each (and not that gorgeous ROSE DAUGHTER). I even have MY FATHER IS IN THE NAVY.. I think I got that one too just so I could have EVERYTHING she wrote. *dork aura*.
Reply
I adored this post.
I haven't read her Blue Sword series…but I've read a few of her fairy tales, and they were beyond amazing. Spindle's End was such a clever take on Sleeping Beauty…and Rose daughter (not that amazing edition of yours) was just perfection. <3 Count me as one of those who can't wait for Pegasus.
Reply
Oh, I ADORE Robin McKinley. Her name always comes to mind when people ask me for a recommendation. Such lovely writing, and it's eminently re-readable. Great post!
Reply
Oh I LOVE Robin McKinley!!! The blue sword, Sunshine, Beauty, all lovely reads! Ms McKinley is such a wonderful author and Angie a total wicked blogger
Great choices!
Reply
Count me as another reader lacking on the McKinley's, but this was a wonderful post, Angie. Definitely intrigued now! Heading to Amazon to add some titles to my wish list.
Reply
I NEED to check out that artist! Beautiful!
Reply
I love hearing about authors that make readers impassioned enough to buy multiple copies – and discovering that Robin McKinley is one of them has shoved her book Sunshine to the top of my wishlist. Thanks Angie – This was a joy to read!
Reply
I only discovered McKinley thanks to you and Chachic (your retro friday column it's brilliant), so far I read "The Blue Sword" and I loved it, it proactively encourages daydreaming
Reply
I loved Blue Sword and Hero and the Crown – those were some of the first fantasy books I read and instantly fell for McKinley's world – good picks Angie! I still have to read Sunshine and your copy of Rose Daughter is awesome!
Reply
Cari, I know. I'm still amazed I own such a work of art in my library.
Janice, *highfive* yay for bookdorks! And that is impressive, btw. I know no one else who owns MY FATHER IS IN THE NAVY.
John, I'm so glad. And delighted to meet another McKinley fan. PEGASUS can't come soon enough. And it's so exciting to know it will be relatively quickly followed by part II.
celi.a, exactly. I couldn't even say just how many times I've read each book. But they never grow old.
KIKA, you make me smile.
Kenda, woot! Can't wait to hear what you think. Where ya gonna start? Huh?
Melissa, oh, gosh. My jaw dropped so low when I first saw the images on the gallery's website. I couldn't believe the work and passion that had gone into it.
Kay, it's my pleasure. Especially if you read and end up enjoying SUNSHINE the way I do.
Emily, what an apt way to describe the effect BLUE SWORD has on you. I love it. Also glad the Retro Friday posts are working for you.
Heather, I suspect they were the first fantasy for a lot of girls and what an impact they've had, clearly.
Reply
It's so nice in these posts to see someone's love of their books and authors for different reasons.
I read Sunshine at the begining of the year and like @Life after Jane said it was totally the cover that sold it to me.
It wasn't what I expected at all, a really unusual tale, one I definitely hope there's a sequel too actually.
Reply
As always, a lovely post about one of my favorite authors too Angie!! And now I must track down that copy of Rose Daughter. I've never read that one if you can imagine. Wonderful post.
Reply
Jumping up and down as another reader who just loves Robin McKinley's books. I don't know that I have everything (I know I don't have Dragonhaven, although I've read it) but I must be pretty close. I only read Sunshine this year and it was amazing.
You have absolutely the most beautiful edition of Rose Daughter there. Wow, it's lovely.
And yes, I'm hanging out for Pegasus too. I think I'm going to just go ahead and pay for the hardcover, because I don't think I can wait.
Reply
Great post. I have never heard of Robin McKinley, until yesterday, when I received Sunshine from the publishers. I wasn't sure, being more of a werewolf girl. As it has the Angie seal of approval I shall bump it up the TBR list!
Reply
I love love love Robin McKinley! I'm glad that Angie decided to write about her. And that copy of Rose Daughter is gorgeous. I'm envious. I can't wait for Pegasus! I should also be on the lookout for Outlaws of Sherwood because I haven't read that one.
Reply
Lovely. She has a book for everyone. Can't believe I haven't read Outlaws of Sherwood yet, what is my problem? It's next. I just decided that.
Reply
Laura, you are not alone in the longing for a sequel to SUNSHINE!
I actually love how it ends–and that last line–but I would give up a lot of things I love for a real, honest-to-goodness sequel.
Michelle, oh wow. Run don't walk to a copy of ROSE DAUGHTER. It's utterly different from BEAUTY and at first that's a bit jarring, but just keep going. It's beautiful. Just beautiful.
Kerry, yep, I buy her in hardcover now as well. Like you said, I can't help myself. And she gets such lovely covers lately. PEGASUS…wow.
Alexa, woo-hoo! Bump it up! Bump it up!
This is another case of vamps of the not so sexy variety. Which works wonderfully for it. And even though there are no weres, it's made of win.
Chachic, definitely be on the lookout. OUTLAWS will knock your little socks off. But I do have a big soft spot for Robin Hood retellings. *grin*
Liza, yay, you stopped in! Also, I have two copies of OUTLAWS for you to choose from for your browsing pleasure.
Reply