Ban Rona Book Club

The Florid Sword

This week, your librarian read chapters 29-34 of North! Or Be Eaten. This excerpt is another great one to read aloud. The Florid Sword, that mysterious swashbuckler, has some pompously magnificent monologue. Grab a friend and subject them to a rousing performance. And if you're feeling inspired, make Andrew a Florid Sword comic book drawing (or oil painting) and send it to him; I bet it'd make his day.

The Florid Sword leapt from the roof of the cobbler’s building, bounced off the canopy, flipped through the air, and landed graceful as a cat behind Sneem. He wore a black cape, black boots, and black gloves, and had black hair that hung to his shoulders. Everything about him was black as coal, including his mask. The whites of his eyes shone. He thrust his narrow sword and put a grisly end to the Fang. Janner caught the white flash of his teeth when the man smiled.“To be sure, Sneem, thou fiend, the Florid Sword hath run you through like unto a bolt of iron lightning piercing the watery depths of the Mighty Blapp, may she run wide and muddy all the days of mine own life! Flayed by my blade! Aha!”Glag sputtered in outrage from the tower platform. The Florid Sword spun, and his cape whooshed in a graceful circle. He unslung a bow from his shoulder, notched an arrow, and let it fly. First there was a thonk, then a moan, then the sound of Glag’s body crashing through the roof of the boathouse.“And thou!” cried the Florid Sword as he slung his bow over his shoulder again and glared at the hole in the roof. “Glag, the fallen foul fool! Fah!” He straightened and flourished his cape, then yanked his blade from Sneem’s limp body and wiped it on a patch of the creature’s leather armor.Podo, Tink, and Janner never moved. All three of their mouths hung open. Janner made out a bright red symbol on the front of the man’s black shirt. An F and an S curled and swooped like thorny vines across his chest....“What was that all about?” Tink asked.“The Florid Sword,” Podo said with admiration. “Never heard of him.”—From chapter 31, "In the Alley of the Roundish Widow."
Did you have a favorite excerpt from this week's reading—or from anywhere else in the series? Share it in the comments!Thoughts? Questions? Crazy speculations? Come on over to the forum and strike up a conversation! 

By the Light of the Hanger Moon

This week we read chapters 22-28 of North! Or Be Eaten. Here's my favorite excerpt. Read it aloud. Try to picture Claxton's filthy brown snake-beard and the flashing whites of his eyes in his dirty face, and Podo's arched eyebrow and steely gaze. And while you read, growl a little.

The leader turned to his clan and raised his voice. “Stranders!”“Of the East Bend!” they answered.“Quick hands! Long beards!” he cried.“And sharp daggers!”“No law!” shouted the leader.“No law!” They raised their cups and roared with laughter.“Now then, clan,” the man said, raising a hand, “it’s time we got to know our new friends. My name is Claxton Weaver. I’m a thief, a wanderer, and a swinger of steel. I don’t like Fangs, I don’t like strangers, and I don’t like rules. These are my people, and this is my camp, and we’d just as soon toss ye into the river as let ye have another scrap of our meat. So you’d better think of somethin’ that ye have or somethin’ you can do for me that’ll help me understand why I should let ye keep breathin’.”The Stranders’ good cheer vanished, and they scowled at the family. Oskar stopped midchew and looked up at the man. Leeli, Nia, and Janner froze as well. The only sound was Tink’s lips smacking as he ate his meat, aware of nothing but his hungry belly.Podo considered the man for a moment and said, “Aye. Well. We’ve got food. We’ve got weapons, as you can see. I’m willin’ to let ye have the lot of it if you let us go safe and hale, Claxton Weaver.” Then the old pirate’s voice deepened and his nostrils flared like a mad horse’s. “But if you decide that’s not enough, then ye need to know that my name’s Podo Helmer, and I roved the Strand before you were born, with the likes of Growlfist and the Pounders. Don’t look so surprised, laddie. I crept the West Redoubt with Yule Borron by the light of the Hanger Moon. I’ve sailed the Mighty Blapp a hundred times, from here to the edge of the map, and I can fight with hands, teeth, and even me eyebrows if it comes to it. Do you understand what I’m sayin’?”Claxton Weaver stood aghast, his face so wretched and alarming that even Tink stopped chewing his meat. Nia pulled Leeli close. Janner’s body tensed, and he wished his sword were at hand because he feared he would soon need it. The Stranders around the fire sat still as stone....Claxton’s eyes flitted to Janner and Tink, then Oskar, considering Podo’s threat. “Ye crept the West Redoubt?” he asked. “Really?”“By the light of the Hanger Moon.”—From chapter 22, "The Stranders of the East Bend
What was your favorite excerpt this week? Whether it was from the book club reading or another section, share it in the comments!This week in the forum, we've been talking about names, making decisions, and what Andrew might write next. There are a ton of other great topics just waiting for you to discover them, too. We'd love to hear your thoughts.

Is it worth it?

This week's reading—chapters 15-21—included so much deep emotion. Nugget and the dragons woke up wells of grief and remorse and longing which spilled out all over the pages. It was so hard to pick an excerpt this week—but here's this one. Oh, beautiful ache.

He was only twelve, but he knew enough to realize that the way before him would be hard. Is it worth it? he asked himself. Was it worth losing his old life in order to learn the truth of who he was and who he was becoming?Yes.Like the pluck of a stringed instrument, the first edge of the sun broke loose and poured light over the world.—From chapter 18, "Old Wounds and New Healing"
Was there a passage from this week's reading that spoke to you? Please share it with us! And as always, feel free to post an excerpt from elsewhere if you're reading at a different pace.p.s. Stop by the forum before you go. :-) We'd love to hang out with you awhile.

Fierce affection

Dear readers, this week's excerpt includes a wee spoiler. The farther we get into the series, the harder it is to avoid them. If you're brand-new here, though, we don't want you to feel like you're on the outside. You're welcome here. I will try not to post too many spoilers.But I love this passage.

It was at this moment that Peet the Sock Man leapt from the rim of the gully at top speed, his arms spread wide like wings. Janner watched his uncle with awe.His socks had long since fallen away in shreds, cut to pieces by the talons at the ends of his reddish forearms. Peet’s white hair trailed behind him; one of his eyebrows lay flat and low, the other arched like a curl of smoke; and in Peet’s eyes blazed a single purpose: Protect. Protect. Protect.What struck Janner most about his uncle in this moment was not the graceful leap through the air or the deadly, mysterious talons, but that amidst all the danger and panic, Artham P. Wingfeather’s gaze was fixed on him with what Janner knew to be a fierce affection.There in the gully of the gargan rockroach, with toothy cows below and Fangs of Dang approaching, Janner felt safe.—From chapter 8, "A Thorn of Contempt."
Do you have a favorite paragraph or so that you'd like to share with us? The above is from this week's reading (chapters 8-14), but you're welcome to share something from another part of the series if you like.We're looking forward to meeting you—be sure to stop by the forum for some tea and discussion. :-) 

Into the gully

Yes! Our first excerpt from North! Or Be Eaten! Isn't this fun? This week, I read chapters 1-7, and present to you my favorite snippet. What I appreciate about it is the growing sense of foreboding as every "If" brings the Igibys closer to the doom pronounced by the last three words.

Suddenly Janner found himself skidding down a steep bank. Podo had led Nugget into a deep gully and was halfway across the depression, amidst old branches, brown leaves, and rotting tree trunks. The trench stretched a long way in both directions, so they had no choice but to cross it.The donkey stopped dead in its tracks on the rim of the slope. Janner pulled at the reins while Nia pushed from behind, but the animal wouldn’t move. Its eyes were fixed on the gully floor, its nostrils expanding and contracting like a beating heart.If Janner had not been running in fear for his life, he might have remembered what Pembrick’s Creaturepedia had to say about such gullies in Glipwood Forest; he might have thought to warn his family before they scrambled down into the tree-clogged floor. If Janner hadn’t been thinking about the Fangs and trolls snarling through the woods behind him, he would’ve suggested firmly that the Igiby family find a way around the gully, even if it added hours and miles to the journey.If Peet the Sock Man, so familiar with the dangers of the forest, had been with them and not fending off the Fangs and trolls and horned hounds, he would’ve most emphatically suggested that the Igiby family not descend into the hole.But they did.
What was your favorite passage from this week's reading—or anywhere else in the series? Post it in the comments!Don't forget to stop by our discussion forum for some great conversation about all kinds of Wingfeathery topics. We'd love to meet you and hear your thoughts! 

Recommencing the Ban Rona Book Club

North or be eatenCan I help you?Back in January, we started a very exciting adventure—reading The Wingfeather Saga together. Just a week ago, we finished On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness, and this week we begin reading North! Or Be Eaten. For those of you who've been reading along with us, welcome back! And for those of you who might be wondering if it's too late to join in the fun, come on in—we're glad you're here. :-)Each Monday, along with a bit of fan art or some other fun thing, I'll post what chapters I plan to read during the upcoming week. You're welcome to read along with me, or go at your own pace. (If you haven't read book one yet, I'd encourage you to do that before diving into book two. But don't worry—it won't take you long to catch up. I'm taking my time.)Each Friday I'll post my favorite snippet from the week's reading, and invite you to share your favorite in the comments. Whether you're keeping pace with us, or are somewhere else in the books, we want to hear which parts you loved best!All week long there are conversations happening in our discussion forum. Andrew joins in when he's able, there are a few regulars you'll learn to recognize, and we'd love to meet you. Do you have a question or comment about something you're reading? Want to talk about your favorite character? Have you spotted a sly bit of sneakery on Andrew's part? (He likes to slip little book and music references into the stories when he thinks we're not looking!) We'd love it if you'd come over to hang out with us. We're all very friendly and the conversations have been great fun. Just click "Book Club" above (if you're on a mobile device, you'll find it in the dropdown menu). We've got tea and crumpets waiting.And now, North! Or Be Eaten!::vanishes::

This week, Madame Sidler will be reading chapters 1-7 of North! Or Be Eaten. Check back on Friday for an excerpt, and to share your own favorite quotes.See you in the forum! 

"And that's final."

Here we are—Aerwiar!—at the end of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. I have loved reading with you all these last two months, and knowing that we've still got three books to go makes me gladder than glad. Thank you all for chiming in with your favorite quotes, and for your wonderful input in the forums. We've had some great discussion, and I'm looking forward to more questions, more speculation, more fun, more heart-responses, and more friendship-building as we continue.Picking a favorite excerpt each week can be tricky. This week, selecting from chapters 45-51, I had to pick between the scene that made me cry (but is pretty spoiler-heavy) and the scene that made me bounce in my seat and cheer. I'm going with the latter. (But for the record, the scene that made me cry is in the last chapter.)Thanks for reading, everyone.

“We’ll tell you all about it tonight,” Podo said, turning toward the road, “once we find a safe place to rest.” The old man tossed the bundle over his shoulder and took a deep, glad breath of salty air. “Follow old Podo!” he then roared with gusto, and marched off in a southwesterly direction, away from the forest.“Papa,” Nia said.“Eh?” Podo said, stopping several paces away.“I think we should go to Peet’s tree house. He has food and—”“Food?” Tink said.Peet the Sock Man perked up and looked at Nia with a twinkle of hope in his eyes.“We ain’t goin’ there,” Podo said, his bushy eyebrows bunched together. “We’re heading to Torrboro then up the North Road until we find safe passage to the Ice Prairies.” He whipped his head around and set out again, but Nia didn’t move. Podo turned again, his face red. “Come on, I say!”“No.” Nia’s back straightened.“What?” Podo took a step back toward his daughter.“I said no.” Nia took a step forward. “You’ve held on to your anger long enough, Papa, and now that anger is becoming a burden you no longer bear alone. It’s causing us to suffer with you—you stubborn old fool.”Podo was dumbfounded.“Peet saved all of our lives,” Nia said, “yours most recently. You may feel fine now, but not half an hour ago death was lapping at your toes. And do you know who you should be thanking for the breath in your lungs?”Peet was backing away sheepishly, but Nia grabbed his arm and pulled him forward. “This man,” she said. “He’s got provisions and shelter in the forest, where no Fang will want to venture for a long time after what happened here. Now I love you, Papa, but I’m the mother of these children, and I’ve a mind to put food in their bellies and pillows under their heads. We’re going to Peet’s tree house and that’s final.”Combined looks of bewilderment, embarrassment, and anger flashed over Podo’s face. Janner wanted to laugh. Podo sputtered and formed the beginnings of words with his mouth but came up with nothing to say.“Peet, lead the way,” Nia said.—From chapter 47, "Old Wounds."
What passage did you love best from your reading this week? Or, what was your favorite moment in the whole book? Post it in the comments!This coming week is Holy Week—the traditional time to reflect on the days leading up to Christ's crucifixion and resurrection. We'll take a break from reading and start North! Or Be Eaten on April 6. No fear, though; we'll still be here during the break. Be sure to come by throughout the week for forum discussion and a few Holy Week posts.

Drawing strength

Behold the following excerpt, my favorite from chapters 39-44 of On the Edge of the Dark Sea of Darkness. The situation is dire, and Janner's worries are legitimate, but he's not alone. Is there anyone who gives you strength when you're afraid? Who makes you feel like you can be more than you are?We're almost finished with book 1! Only one more week, and then we'll pause to celebrate Christ's resurrection before diving into book 2. I'm so enjoying reading with you. :-)

With a fierce look in his eyes, Podo threw the bundle into the back of the wagon and mounted it without waiting for the boys. They scrambled in as Podo said, “Hya!” to Danny the carthorse, who whinnied and tore toward Glipwood.Janner’s eyes watered in the wind as he watched the sweeping boughs of glipwood trees whiz by. He prayed to the Maker that Leeli and Nia were still safe. He wondered how they possibly would escape with Nia and Leeli, if indeed the Fangs had overrun the town. He looked up at Podo, at the white hair flying out behind him, bluish now in the moonlight, and felt better. Maybe Podo didn’t have a plan, but knowing that his grandfather was with him, even in the face of the Fangs of Dang, made Janner feel like he could be more than he was. He drew strength from the old man, like water from a well, and rested in it. And he looked admiringly at Tink, who had found a Fang sword among the remains in the wagon and was holding it in two fists, clenching his jaw.—From chapter 40, "Betrayal."
What stood out to you in your reading this week? Whether you're keeping pace with us or are somewhere else in the series, post your favorite excerpt in the comments!How have you been enjoying our forum? This week's discussions included Leeli, the melding process, and more. We'd love to hear your voice. Grab a friend and come on over. 

The stories are true.