I repotted the orchids this morning. We decided to put them in one long pot, which we hope will work. We’ve got the bottom as eggcrate lighting grid, plastic liner, with needlepoint canvas to prevent fine stuff from filling bottom, and we’re just hoping it works. Watering with ice cubes.
Trees are in bloom and of course the weather’s dipping to 31 F tonight.
Hopefully the trees will withstand it.
And we’ve ordered the crab apple tree we wanted, our last major tree—along with a hinoki cypress to fill in for the one that demised. They’re fragile getting started, but we hope this will do it.
And Tracker is imminent for release.
I’d recommend CJC’s books to your niece, especially the Chanur books. CJC tends to be more low-key or subtle about how she handles the tougher philosophical or adult-level content.
I would agree that your niece might need a couple of years before she’s mature enough to handle a few things, but most things in CJC’s books, I think she’ll be able to handle then. Certainly by high school, she should be fine to read any of CJC’s books.
I was in early college when I first read a book by CJC, but I could’ve done fine with them, and did with similar books and authors in high school, or a few in junior high (middle school).
It depends on the maturity level of the younger reader, how much he or she can handle, either in the fantasy or real-world actions, or the philosophical, metaphorical content.
As an adult-level reader even at 12 and after, I handled most things fine. There were rare instances I didn’t like something, but I could read about it. Some things went over my head as a young teen, and wouldn’t soak in until I re-read as an older teen or adult. But I don’t think that was bad exposure.
So it depends on the younger reader, what he or she is ready to deal with in reading.
So much good stuff out there, what a great time she’ll have!
(Books are ideal holiday or birthday gifts too.)
Decades ago, when my son was in high school (he’s now passed his 50th birthday) he was interested in the books featured during Banned Books Week, and asked if he could read one of them; I stopped by the bookstore and picked it up, handed it over without a pre-read. A few days later he brought the book back and suggested that I might like to read it: “There’s nothing there that you wouldn’t be okay with.” A clear message that I didn’t need to censor his literary choices!
The mccaffery that may be best for that age range are the dragon singer trilogy.. They are still my favorites now 🙂
Much appreciate the many suggestions. I always make a point to read a book before I send it. So many books, so little time! Yes, the Menolly books by McCaffrey are in the queue. I hadn’t thought about Charles De Lint — I’ll have to refresh my memory of his stuff — I have a whole shelf full, but some of his stuff is pretty dark and gets into child abuse. My little cousin’s mother has a Kindle, and I think she’s allowed to read books on it. I really want to send her the first Foreigner book – despite the male protagonist — CJ has so many entirely cool ideas going on in the Ateviverse. It’s such a great introduction to alien cultures. Maybe I’ll send it to her for Christmas. Her parents are both military – USAF — her mother is a Lt. Col in the reserve and her dad is a full Col active duty. I think she would relate to Banichi and Jago, and the size difference between humans and Atevi put an interesting spin on things from a ‘tween’s perspective. I’m going to be rereading them again, ramping up to Tracker . . . so I’ll pay attention from that perspective.
Harry Potter is good if you dole out a book a year. The later ones of course get darker.
My pre-order of Tracker shipped early this morning. The ebook is due out tomorrow.
mine is “processing”, so not going to get it tomorrow. will probably get the ebook also, no need to wait any longer!!
Anthologies are a pretty good idea. Back in my day they were produced regularly. F&SF did one a year.
I just opened my Kindle Fire and Tracker was there! I’m so excited!
I just got mine from Kobo. And now I have to wait till Friday before I can start reading, with work and evening commitments. That’s advanced-level practicing my patience ;), but good to know the ebook has arrived.
Yay! Both the ebook and the audiobook versions of Tracker have downloaded, and the hardback is on its way, and should arrive this week, maybe by tonight.