Down into darkness

In this darkest moment, in mud and despair, Leeli's strength is like an anvil. Strike her, and sparks light the darkness. Our stories tell us who we are.

Leeli kept her eyes on the mud at her feet lest she collapse into tears. She summoned Nia’s strength and fought to keep her back straight, her eyes fierce. She would not fall helplessly to the mud only to be wrenched to her feet and prodded forward by the Fangs. This was her home, not theirs.Their way led to a corridor in the rubble, at the end of which was a well-traveled stair that sank away into darkness. Leeli paused at the top and looked up, wondering if this was the last time she would see the sky. Even sullied with smoke, it was beautiful.—From chapter 75.
What passage did you love best this week? I accidentally posted this excerpt and the previous one out of order—oops! I would love to read a segment you enjoyed, no matter where you found it, from the beginning of the series to the end. Post it in the comments! :-)Andrew's Christmas tour is underway! Will you be at one of his shows? Check out his music site for dates and tickets. I know he'd love to meet you (especially if you bring him some cough drops). 

Behold the Lamb of God tour 2015

Andrew's annual Christmas tour starts on Wednesday! This is one of the biggest, funnest things Andrew does every year. He got to meet some of you last year, and we're both hoping he gets to meet some of you this year, too. Bring along your books (he loves that!), or some drawings (we both love that!). His tour schedule is on his music site.Here's a video from the 2011 tour, just to get you started.[embed]https://youtu.be/49Bnx6-Su2U[/embed]

This week, Madame Sidler will be reading chapters 81-86 of The Warden and the Wolf King. Check back on Friday for an excerpt, and to share one of your own! See you in the forum. :-)

The Storm

Between Leeli, Janner, and the storm, there's so much going on in this section. The storm sets my heart thrumming with an old, jubilant song that I love.

Leeli had no song in mind. She reached deep into her soul, the music flowering from the rich soil of a hundred tunes she had sung or played over the years. The bouquet she gathered was simple and warm, glimmering with all the hope her love had planted.Janner stood behind her with his eyes closed, abandoning all his resentment toward the Maker and praying boldly for the song to speed over the hills to the Field of Finley.The storm was dark but not malevolent, a joyful blast of thunder and rain, wind and wildness. It scoured the town of every mote of Fang dust, every loose shingle, every fragment of waste. It lifted Leeli’s song like a pebble and sent it skipping across the rolling, spring-green hills and hollows—but the storm also seemed to hammer the song into the ground, where Janner sensed it pulsing eastward, flowing like an underground river.Janner shut his eyes and struggled to keep his footing as his Durgan cape whipped around him and Leeli both, snapping like a flag in the gale as Leeli gave herself over to the magic of the music, heedless of the stinging rain and crashing thunder.—From chapter 82, "The Battle Begins."
What did you love best from your reading this week? Post it in the comments! And then come hang out with us in the forum. Today we have hot berry cider and pie. It's going to be a party. :-)Speaking of parties, here are three things of note:
  1. The paperback Warden and the Wolf King is finally available for preorder!
  2. The Rabbit Room is having a huge sale on everything Wingfeather this weekend—and this is your last chance to snatch up a Creaturepedia or a signed hardcover WATWK! There are lots of other great things on sale, too, including Andrew's music and his brother's pirate books.
  3. The epic giveaway over at Into the Book ends tonight at midnight (central time)!

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving! I'm so grateful to be your librarian and to get to know you. :-) See you Monday!

Bonifer Squoon and the Cat Hair of Doom

Last week's book club reading involved a super creepy scene in Throg. If you've read that far, you might be wishing for some way to reassure yourself that you are not in immediate danger from a certain skittering horror. Joe Sutphin has just the thing to redirect your angst. If you haven't read this far yet, you can feel safe clicking through anyway—it's not spoilery.

This week, Madame Sidler will be starting Part Four of The Warden and the Wolf King! Join in with her in reading chapters 74-80, then come back on Friday for an excerpt, and to share one of your own.See you in the forum!p.s. Reminder: The giveaway at Into the Book ends this Friday!

Living into legend

I have seen the look on this young man's face when he discovers a new story. Many times I have nearly slipped up to help him and then, at the last second, realized that he needs no help. His face is full of reverence and breathless anticipation. His hands hold a book lightly, as if it might fly away on an adventure of its own, and then he slowly pulls it toward himself—a treasure. He wants to take the adventure into himself. In these moments I am glad to stay in the shadows. The books have done my work for me. And yes, this young man is a legend.

Down they went, not knowing what had become of their sister, not knowing what lay at the bottom of the mountain, not knowing anything but hunger, thirst, cold, and weariness. They had come further and done more in their few years than most men ever would. They were living lives that would pass into legend.Stories would be written about them—stories that would be read by children and parents at bedtime. Brothers and sisters would enact their favorite scenes, dressing up like Fangs or sea dragons or even Podo Helmer. Janner, Tink, and Leeli had done so themselves when they were children, Podo had done so with his siblings when he was young, and so it had been all the way back to the First Fellows, who heard tales from the Maker’s own mouth about other worlds he had made.—From chapter 73, "Across the Chasm."
What snippet did you best love from your reading this week? Share it in the comments! Then, come to the forum. Settle in and sip some bibes. Share what's on your mind. We are gifts to one another.p.s. Have you seen this giveaway?

The Chapter House door

If you follow Andrew on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, you have already seen this—the latest update on the Chapter House. But in case you haven't, and because we're so excited, here are those photos again! In the words of Andrew Peterson (in the captions):On the way to Blake BergstromChapter House door progressChapter House door finishedIsn't that door gorgeous? One can imagine stories inside it as well as behind it.

This week, Madame Sidler's reading will start in chapter 71 and continue through the end of Part Three. Check back on Friday for an excerpt, and to share one of your own!See you in the forum!p.s. Did someone say giveaway?!

The Crags at Castle Rock

Sometimes a song is a weapon, even if you can't sing very well. So if you need to, sing, and don't worry about how it sounds. :-)

The rain that rakes the ocean span The sun that breaks and warms the land The bows that bound from cliff to cliff The grass that greens the stone and sand The bells that ring in the tower clock The swallows that sing to the swooping flock And circle the mast of the sailing skiff All hallow the Maker of Castle RockWhen the waves march in and beat the brow Of the headland stones I remember how In the summer we stood on the windy dune As the daylight broke and we made the vow To return to Castle Rock someday No matter how far was our home away We would go there together and sing a tune To sound of the bells in the light of the moon For the praise of the Maker who gave us the boon Of the summer we spent on the northern bay —From chapter 70, "The Crags at Castle Rock."
Did you have a favorite excerpt this week? Post it in the comments! And once you're done with that, come hang out in the forum with us. There are a couple of new discussions as of today.This is the last weekend of Andrew's release tour for The Burning Edge of Dawn. He's got two shows in Indiana and one in Tennessee. If he'll be near you, go see him! And if you miss him, don't worry; Behold the Lamb of God starts up on December 2. :-) 

Cheesy Chowder

“You’ll be wantin’ some of my cheesy chowder and butterbread, won’t you, my little warriors?” [Podo] said. “It’s been simmering all evening, along with a thousand prayers that ye’d make it back to yer Podo safe and uneaten.”Janner joined Leeli and Tink at the table to gobble down the cheesy chowder. After the day he’d had, this seemed the finest meal he had ever eaten. A vat of steaming soup filled the kitchen with a rich, buttery smell, and a fresh loaf of butterbread had been sliced and set on the table. Janner got up to refill his bowl (Tink had already eaten three).—From On the Edge of the Dark Sea of DarknessWell, little warriors, the secret recipe is finally revealed: Andrew's mom's legendary cheesy chowder, which is so good that its deliciousness cannot be contained in one reality but must be enjoyed in multiple worlds. Thank you, Mrs. Peterson!Tips: Double this recipe, if you want a vat (and you do)! And don't forget the butterbread. :-)Cheesy Chowder2 c. water2 c. diced totatoes1/2 c. diced carrots1/2 c. diced celery1/4 c. diced onion1 t. salt1/4 t. pepperFor white sauce:1/4 c. butter (half of a stick)1/4 c. flour2 c. milk2 c. cheddar cheese, grated1 c. cubed hamCombine water, potatoes, carrots, celery, onion, salt, and pepper in large kettle. Boil 10-12 minutes. Meanwhile, in small saucepan, make white sauce by melting the butter. Add flour and stir until smooth (about 1 minute). Slowly add milk and cook until thickened. Add grated cheese to white sauce; stir until melted. Add white sauce and cubed ham to vegetables and liquid. Yields 6 servings.Cheesy chowder

This week, Madame Sidler will be reading chapters 62-70 of The Warden and the Wolf King. Check back on Friday for an excerpt, and to share one of your own!Any other recipes you'd like to try? We're collecting ideas in the forum!

The stories are true.