Ok for the entire month of November I wast posting random numbers as my status on Facebook. I had a lot of people coming up to me or commenting asking what the hell the numbers meant. I would explain that I was participating in NaNoWriMo and that the numbers were the word count. Most people gave me a look like I'd drank my breakfast, so I've decided to take a minute and explain what NaNoWriMo is and why I did it.
To start with NaNoWriMo stand for National (Na) Novel (No) Writing (Wri) Month (Mo). As the NaNoWriMo website states it's 30 days and nights of literary abandon. NaNoWriMo is a month long challenge for writers to complete a novel, 50,000, words in one month. In order to reach 50,000 words by the end of the month every participant must write 1667 words per day to finish on time. I went in with the understanding that the reward was simply knowing that you completed the challenge and now had the first draft of a manuscript. However I was pleasantly surprised at the end of November when I completed the challenge to find that there were several wonderful writer-y prizes to be had.
I first learned about NaNoWriMo back in 2008 when I took a Creative Writing course at the University of Maine. On the first day of class our professor informed us that we would be writing a novel that semester as well as several other pieces, and no joke the number of students was cut in half by the next class. we used the NaNoWriMo concept but had almost two months to complete it rather than just the one. Ever since then I've wanted to see if I could do the one month challenge but would forget about it until halfway through November. This year a friend of mine asked me if I was going to do it and I thought about it. I had just finished completing the first draft of another piece and I wanted another writing project while I let the previous one sit for a while before editing. I had multiple ideas kicking around in my head (per usual) so I figured I would take one and see if I could do it for NaNoWriMo.
The biggest worry I had about NaNoWriMo was the fact that when I write I write by hand not on a computer but in order to maintain accurate word counts and to validate my novel at the end of the month I would have to write on the computer. I was worried because typically when I write creatively and I do so on a computer I stare at the blinking cursor until my eyes go cross at a loss for what to write, but when I put a pen to paper it spills out of me a lot of the time faster than I can write it. I also like the pen and paper because you can take it anywhere and write when you get a free minute. Also I was worried because I work two jobs one writing for a paper which could exhaust my writing and consume time with interviews and retail which has it's busiest season in November.
But despite my insecurities with using technology to write and the heavy workload I faced I completed the challenge. I had friends pushing me keeping me on track and asking about my word count, so to you I say thank you. I had family who questioned my involvement in such a challenge and I thank you for wanting to make me do it that much more so I could show you the finished work. And to all the people on Facebook who wondered what drugs I was on writing random numbers as my status, thank you for making reaffirm my reasons for participating in NaNoWriMo.
Thursday, December 6, 2012
Monday, November 26, 2012
Apology
I want to start today by saying that I am sorry I've been slacking a bit. Life as is has a way of doing has gotten in the way of my blogging. I was unable to continue my reading challenge month by month. With moving and trying to find a place to live and a new job things kind of fell by the wayside. When I picked up a book i wanted it to be a book I wanted to read and not a book I had to read. I wanted to get lost in the fictional world and sometimes familiar world. I wanted to find that escape into a well read book with cracks on the spine and earmarked pages. I wanted to find the new tales of familiar friends. I wanted to delve into those books that I'd accumulated on my night stand until my challenge was over because they didn't meet any of the criteria.
The with Novemeber came a new challenge a month long challenge, NaNoWriMo. I will explain that later but for now I want to again apologize and tell you I will now resume my installments of book reviews, writing nonsense, and endless chatter about nothing at all.
The with Novemeber came a new challenge a month long challenge, NaNoWriMo. I will explain that later but for now I want to again apologize and tell you I will now resume my installments of book reviews, writing nonsense, and endless chatter about nothing at all.
Wednesday, June 6, 2012
Biographies #1: Night - Elie Wiesel
I started my biography month just a tad early because I wouldn't have had enough time to finish another book by the end of May and because I can't not be reading something. I started with "Night" because I'd heard great things about it from many people.
Elie Weisel was only thirteen when he was forced with the rest of his family to leave their home and board a train destined for a Nazi concentration camp. "Night" follows his journey through his life during World War II and the multiple c a story, with concentration camps he was placed in.
This was not an easy read. While with other books you can tell yourself that it is only a story, with biography you can't do that. There is no denile that this didn't' happen and that a real human being dint' go through all all of these things. Weisel's story in painful to read but a story that will truly reach down to your soul. Weisel's recounting of this painful period in his life is so vivid and real that I couldn't help but feel like I was there with him, while still knowing that as much as I was feeling, for him it would have been at least twice as much. I'm not really one to cry at books and movies not matter how sad, however, once I finished reading this book all the emotions that had been building up as I read poured over and I cried. I highly recommend this book. It is a story everyone should hear.
Elie Weisel was only thirteen when he was forced with the rest of his family to leave their home and board a train destined for a Nazi concentration camp. "Night" follows his journey through his life during World War II and the multiple c a story, with concentration camps he was placed in.
This was not an easy read. While with other books you can tell yourself that it is only a story, with biography you can't do that. There is no denile that this didn't' happen and that a real human being dint' go through all all of these things. Weisel's story in painful to read but a story that will truly reach down to your soul. Weisel's recounting of this painful period in his life is so vivid and real that I couldn't help but feel like I was there with him, while still knowing that as much as I was feeling, for him it would have been at least twice as much. I'm not really one to cry at books and movies not matter how sad, however, once I finished reading this book all the emotions that had been building up as I read poured over and I cried. I highly recommend this book. It is a story everyone should hear.
Classics # 4: Anne of Green Gables - L M Montgomery
Again this month I wasn't able to read as many books as I would've like to, but it was another crazy month. As my last book for my Classics challenge I chose. "Anne of Green Gables" for a couple of reasons. One was because almost everyone I know was telling me what a good book it was. The second reason I chose this book was that when I was about five years old my family went on it's first and only vacation to Prince Edward Island, where this book is set, while there we visited Green Gables.
Anne is an orphaned girl who has never known a real home and has come to Green Gables on Prince Edward Island completely by mistake. Here she finds a home, a home she always wanted and never had. Here she struggles with growing up and trying to fit in, in a place where she can't help but stand out.
I enjoyed this book. It wasn't lie a lot of the other books I read. Most of them are book with mystery, action, or science fiction, whereas this book was about the human experience, real life, no frills , nothing extra, just real people in real situations. Montgomery's writing is person and realistic Anne personality jumps right off the page making you fall in love with Anne. While you could easily imagine this story becoming sad and sappy but it doesn't. This story is excellent and well done a story any little girl would fall in love with.
Anne is an orphaned girl who has never known a real home and has come to Green Gables on Prince Edward Island completely by mistake. Here she finds a home, a home she always wanted and never had. Here she struggles with growing up and trying to fit in, in a place where she can't help but stand out.
I enjoyed this book. It wasn't lie a lot of the other books I read. Most of them are book with mystery, action, or science fiction, whereas this book was about the human experience, real life, no frills , nothing extra, just real people in real situations. Montgomery's writing is person and realistic Anne personality jumps right off the page making you fall in love with Anne. While you could easily imagine this story becoming sad and sappy but it doesn't. This story is excellent and well done a story any little girl would fall in love with.
Monday, June 4, 2012
Classics #3: The Crucible - Arthur Miller
The great thing about classic books is that they come in all shapes and sizes. No one would dispute the face that William Shakespeare's works are classics yest mostly they are plays and poems. Embracing the the diversity that comes with reading classics and opted for a play as my third book in this challenge.
In 1692 in a small Massachusetts village was plagued by witchcraft hysteria. This incident would go on to be remembered long after those involved were dead and gone and the village of Salem Massachusetts changed beyond what the victims would recognize. In this short play Arthur Miller takes a look at the hysteria that consumed Salem Village and follows the lives of some of the major people involved.
First I want to state that from when I first heard about it I have be absolutely fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials. It was my favorite part of history class and my favorite destination on my eighth grade class trip. Reading this was enjoyable and interesting. Aside from getting to read about one of my favorite topics I also got the challenge of reading a play. Plays are a little more difficult to read only because they are meant to be seen visually and not necessarily read. Thankfully I have an active imagination which helps me to see the play staged out in my head without the aid of actors. Another interesting thing about reading this particular play an knowing when it was written is seeing the correlation in the topic chosen and the politics of the time. You draw a line of parallel between the hysteria of the witch trials in 1692 and the McCarthyism that was plaguing our nation in the 1950's. "The Crucible" was a powerful piece bringing to life a dark period in American History giving it's perpetrators and victims a face and a voice.
In 1692 in a small Massachusetts village was plagued by witchcraft hysteria. This incident would go on to be remembered long after those involved were dead and gone and the village of Salem Massachusetts changed beyond what the victims would recognize. In this short play Arthur Miller takes a look at the hysteria that consumed Salem Village and follows the lives of some of the major people involved.
First I want to state that from when I first heard about it I have be absolutely fascinated by the Salem Witch Trials. It was my favorite part of history class and my favorite destination on my eighth grade class trip. Reading this was enjoyable and interesting. Aside from getting to read about one of my favorite topics I also got the challenge of reading a play. Plays are a little more difficult to read only because they are meant to be seen visually and not necessarily read. Thankfully I have an active imagination which helps me to see the play staged out in my head without the aid of actors. Another interesting thing about reading this particular play an knowing when it was written is seeing the correlation in the topic chosen and the politics of the time. You draw a line of parallel between the hysteria of the witch trials in 1692 and the McCarthyism that was plaguing our nation in the 1950's. "The Crucible" was a powerful piece bringing to life a dark period in American History giving it's perpetrators and victims a face and a voice.
Sunday, June 3, 2012
Classics #2: To Kill A Mockingbird - Harper Lee
Again this book was another cross over book from the previous challenge. This book was recommend to me by my friend Ann. She said I would love this book and I should give it a try. So I did. Now not really what most people would term a classic "To Kill a Mockingbird" fits in this category because it is a book that has stood the test of time and is one of the books a lot of teachers in this country require their students to read. Having said that I will state that I was never required to read this book in any of my English classes in high school or college.
For six year old Scout Finch the world is about to change. Set in a time when race was a much bigger issue in this country "To Kill A Mockingbird" is a tale about race, justice, love, and doing what your conscience tells you to. Scout is the daughter of lawyer Atticus Finch and along with her brother Jem and their friend Dill they are about to face some of the hardest things they will ever have to face. When a black man is arrested and accused of raping a white woman Scout and Jem come face to face with the realities and harshness of racism and intolerance.
I have to say Ann didn't lie when she said I would love this book, I did. Lee created a wonderful story that talked about real, hard issues and put it through the eyes of a child. Children see things that we as adults don't. There is no gray area, it is black and white and they want to know the reasons for why something is happening whereas as adults we tend to ask fewer and fewer questions instead of more.There is an honesty in Lee's story and a blinding truthfulness that comes from being told from the point of view of a child. Scout doesn't have a bias, or the agenda of an adult. This is an excellent way to get a message across to a wide variety of people without the claiming of prejudice. I loved this story and am finding it hard to put into words at the moment all the other things I think about this book. The piece is fantastic and everyone should read it. It is relevant to all people of all generations.
For six year old Scout Finch the world is about to change. Set in a time when race was a much bigger issue in this country "To Kill A Mockingbird" is a tale about race, justice, love, and doing what your conscience tells you to. Scout is the daughter of lawyer Atticus Finch and along with her brother Jem and their friend Dill they are about to face some of the hardest things they will ever have to face. When a black man is arrested and accused of raping a white woman Scout and Jem come face to face with the realities and harshness of racism and intolerance.
I have to say Ann didn't lie when she said I would love this book, I did. Lee created a wonderful story that talked about real, hard issues and put it through the eyes of a child. Children see things that we as adults don't. There is no gray area, it is black and white and they want to know the reasons for why something is happening whereas as adults we tend to ask fewer and fewer questions instead of more.There is an honesty in Lee's story and a blinding truthfulness that comes from being told from the point of view of a child. Scout doesn't have a bias, or the agenda of an adult. This is an excellent way to get a message across to a wide variety of people without the claiming of prejudice. I loved this story and am finding it hard to put into words at the moment all the other things I think about this book. The piece is fantastic and everyone should read it. It is relevant to all people of all generations.
Classics #1: Persuassion - Jane Austen
Ok so initially this book was supposed to be part of my friends and family challenge but since that didn't work out I decided it would make a great transition book in to the second challenge of Classics. My friend Sunni is a huge Jane Austen fan so when I got her recommendation for my book challenge I wasn't surprised. This was a perfect book to transition over with because it was initiated last month but worked for this month as well.
Anne is the youngest of three daughters and the one most often forgotten and left out. Now twenty-nine years old Anne's young life has one major regret that she let herself be persuaded that the man she loved wasn't worthy enough and so she broke it off with him. When the man she loves come back into her life after being gone so long will Anne get another chance to right the wrong she made all those years ago or will she continue to be persuaded by others?
This is actually the first Jane Austen book I've ever read. Shocking I know it seems to be a requirement to read at least one of these books by the age of 20 if you're a woman. Now while it has taken me a while to come around to fulfilling this requirement by the unseen forces that determine the rules and requirements I am glad that I finally did get around to reading one of Austen's books. The story was well written and the characters were vibrant and alive. The way Austen weaves her story is strong and enticing and you can't help but get ensnared in the lives of the characters she creates. I have to say that upon reading a description of this book it isn't the kind of book I would normally have been drawn to. Now, however, I see that this is exactly the kind of book I like. The characters are strong, true, and real; while the story is well written, captivating and enjoyable. Austen has created a wonderfully strong female character that I can relate to.
Anne is the youngest of three daughters and the one most often forgotten and left out. Now twenty-nine years old Anne's young life has one major regret that she let herself be persuaded that the man she loved wasn't worthy enough and so she broke it off with him. When the man she loves come back into her life after being gone so long will Anne get another chance to right the wrong she made all those years ago or will she continue to be persuaded by others?
This is actually the first Jane Austen book I've ever read. Shocking I know it seems to be a requirement to read at least one of these books by the age of 20 if you're a woman. Now while it has taken me a while to come around to fulfilling this requirement by the unseen forces that determine the rules and requirements I am glad that I finally did get around to reading one of Austen's books. The story was well written and the characters were vibrant and alive. The way Austen weaves her story is strong and enticing and you can't help but get ensnared in the lives of the characters she creates. I have to say that upon reading a description of this book it isn't the kind of book I would normally have been drawn to. Now, however, I see that this is exactly the kind of book I like. The characters are strong, true, and real; while the story is well written, captivating and enjoyable. Austen has created a wonderfully strong female character that I can relate to.
Friends n' Family #4: Ender's Game -Orson Scott Card
Okay so in my Friends and Family challenge I have been unable to read as many books this past month as I would have liked to. Also all of my books this past month have been family recommendations except for this one. My roommate Adrienne recommended this book to me along with a great many others. She reads just about everything and her recommendations are all over the map, which I like.
Ender Wiggin is growing up in a world constantly at war with an Alien race known as the Buggars. In a world constantly at war the military needs soldiers and brilliant ones to lead the armed forces and put and end to a neverending war. Ender, along with his brother Peter and Sister Valentine are all candidates to enter the Battle school but for one reason or another both Peter and Valentine are rejected for the program but Ender makes the cut. He is sent into space to Battle school and bred to be a solider. He is only a child but he will be a solider. His brother and sister are also only children but have power all their own. The human race needs a leader and they need it now otherwise humanity as they know it may cease to exist. h
I liked this book. It's not any secret that I like science fiction so this book was pretty interesting. Orson Scott Card weaves an interesting tale about what the future could be like. We have no idea what could be waiting out in space and while a race of bug-people does seem unlikely the threat to Earth may not be. Now if you haven't decide that I'm completely insane and are still reading this blog than I would like to add Card captured me with an interesting story and a unique one. I loved this book so thank you to my roommate for recommending this book.
Ender Wiggin is growing up in a world constantly at war with an Alien race known as the Buggars. In a world constantly at war the military needs soldiers and brilliant ones to lead the armed forces and put and end to a neverending war. Ender, along with his brother Peter and Sister Valentine are all candidates to enter the Battle school but for one reason or another both Peter and Valentine are rejected for the program but Ender makes the cut. He is sent into space to Battle school and bred to be a solider. He is only a child but he will be a solider. His brother and sister are also only children but have power all their own. The human race needs a leader and they need it now otherwise humanity as they know it may cease to exist. h
I liked this book. It's not any secret that I like science fiction so this book was pretty interesting. Orson Scott Card weaves an interesting tale about what the future could be like. We have no idea what could be waiting out in space and while a race of bug-people does seem unlikely the threat to Earth may not be. Now if you haven't decide that I'm completely insane and are still reading this blog than I would like to add Card captured me with an interesting story and a unique one. I loved this book so thank you to my roommate for recommending this book.
Saturday, June 2, 2012
Biographies #2: Happy Accidents - Jane Lynch
I jumped right into this book after finishing "Night". With all the emotion and imagery conjured up by "Night" I needed something light to read before going to sleep. I'd been wanting to read Jane Lynch's biography since it came out so I grabbed it.
Jane Lynch has been the ultimate guest star, a wonder on stage, and laugh out loud scary as Coach Sue Sylvester on Glee. But behind the scenes after the curtain falls there is more to her story. How Jane Lynch discovered she had the acting bug and how she struggled and came to terms with her sexuality.
Ripe with Lynch's well known dry wit and sarcasm "Happy Accidents" is a wonderful journey of how Jane Lynch followed her dream of becoming an actress. More than just another run of the mill celebrity biography "Happy Accidents" also talks about the struggle that is far more common than celebrity, the difficulty in accepting yourself. With wit and humor Lynch talks about the accidents that culminated in getting her where she is today. Though not all of her story is a funny one her writing and ability to accept herself make even parts of the tough stuff funnier. This is a wonderful biography about a truly remarkable person.
Jane Lynch has been the ultimate guest star, a wonder on stage, and laugh out loud scary as Coach Sue Sylvester on Glee. But behind the scenes after the curtain falls there is more to her story. How Jane Lynch discovered she had the acting bug and how she struggled and came to terms with her sexuality.
Ripe with Lynch's well known dry wit and sarcasm "Happy Accidents" is a wonderful journey of how Jane Lynch followed her dream of becoming an actress. More than just another run of the mill celebrity biography "Happy Accidents" also talks about the struggle that is far more common than celebrity, the difficulty in accepting yourself. With wit and humor Lynch talks about the accidents that culminated in getting her where she is today. Though not all of her story is a funny one her writing and ability to accept herself make even parts of the tough stuff funnier. This is a wonderful biography about a truly remarkable person.
Monday, May 7, 2012
Friends n' Family #3: The White Queen - Philippa Greggory
Okay again another well timed book with my budding interest in British History. While home on a visit I was talking to my Aunt (my mother's sister) and telling her about watching The Tudors and my new interest in British history. My Aunt who has always been into British history started talking about an author who does a lot of writing about British history. So my aunt suggested Philippa Gregory's The White Queen. While not about Tudor England like a lot of her other work it is still set in Britian's turbulent past and starts setting the stage for the reign of the Tudors.
The White Queen is the story of Elizabeth Woodville who rose from the life of a common woman to be Queen of England. She had beauty that capture the eye of a king and the strength of will to keep her family together and protected for years. Her two royal sons were the central figures in one of the most confusing mysteries in British history. "The Princes in the Tower" were her two York sons who while being kept in the tower went missing. The White Queen shares the story of how Elizabeth rose to royalty and her long fight to make sure she and her family stayed there.
While parts of the story are fictitious Philippa Gregory uses fact and deductive reasoning to create a story that is believable. This story is well written and captured my attention from the beginning and held onto it with an iron grip until the very end. The story incorporated the history behind Elizabeth Woodville but also mythology connected with her and her family. Another draw to the story for me was the fact that Elizabeth was a strong, fierce woman who demanded respect and fought tooth and nail for it. She went from being a woman with no power and a family supporting the loosing side to marrying the oppose and becoming the most powerful woman in England. I loved this book.
The White Queen is the story of Elizabeth Woodville who rose from the life of a common woman to be Queen of England. She had beauty that capture the eye of a king and the strength of will to keep her family together and protected for years. Her two royal sons were the central figures in one of the most confusing mysteries in British history. "The Princes in the Tower" were her two York sons who while being kept in the tower went missing. The White Queen shares the story of how Elizabeth rose to royalty and her long fight to make sure she and her family stayed there.
While parts of the story are fictitious Philippa Gregory uses fact and deductive reasoning to create a story that is believable. This story is well written and captured my attention from the beginning and held onto it with an iron grip until the very end. The story incorporated the history behind Elizabeth Woodville but also mythology connected with her and her family. Another draw to the story for me was the fact that Elizabeth was a strong, fierce woman who demanded respect and fought tooth and nail for it. She went from being a woman with no power and a family supporting the loosing side to marrying the oppose and becoming the most powerful woman in England. I loved this book.
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Friends & Family #2: Green Darkness - Anya Seton
Ok a bit of a slow month for me but the month has been a bit of a wonky month for me work wise. Nevertheless here is book number two for the month, my Mom's favorite book and recommendation for the month. She read this book a while ago and then got my Aunt to read it and she in turn liked it so now it was my turn to give it a go. Generally my Mom and I have similar taste in books however this book isn't one of of typical books we share. Usually my Mom and I share mysteries and this while technically not a mystery certainly has that aspect.
Celia Marsdon looks like everything a proper English lady should be and married to a proper English gentleman. However not is well in Celia's marriage her husband Richard has become withdrawn and then suddenly Celia has suddenly started behaving completely out of character. When the problems in their marriage become life and death the only way to stop a horrible end it to go back, back to the first time they met not the 1960's but further back to 16th Century England. Celia and Richard's story goes back further to when their souls were first introduced bi ack to Tudor England. Saving their lives in the present all goes back to reliving what happened to their souls in the past.
I loved this book there was mystery, drama, romance, and history. Seton created a brilliant story that had you entangled in the web from the get go and keeps you trapped until the very end. The wonderful thing about a book that goes back an forth between two times is that you get to try and connect the characters from one time to the other. Who given what you know about them would be this person and who would be that. The mystery of the story comes from trying to figure out what happened to these two people hundreds of years ago and how the people in their lives are connected both past and present. The history in the book is fantastic. The story spans throughout the three reigns of Henry VIII's children, Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth. More than a story about love it is a story of England and of the constant state of fluctuation it saw with it's monarchs.
Celia Marsdon looks like everything a proper English lady should be and married to a proper English gentleman. However not is well in Celia's marriage her husband Richard has become withdrawn and then suddenly Celia has suddenly started behaving completely out of character. When the problems in their marriage become life and death the only way to stop a horrible end it to go back, back to the first time they met not the 1960's but further back to 16th Century England. Celia and Richard's story goes back further to when their souls were first introduced bi ack to Tudor England. Saving their lives in the present all goes back to reliving what happened to their souls in the past.
I loved this book there was mystery, drama, romance, and history. Seton created a brilliant story that had you entangled in the web from the get go and keeps you trapped until the very end. The wonderful thing about a book that goes back an forth between two times is that you get to try and connect the characters from one time to the other. Who given what you know about them would be this person and who would be that. The mystery of the story comes from trying to figure out what happened to these two people hundreds of years ago and how the people in their lives are connected both past and present. The history in the book is fantastic. The story spans throughout the three reigns of Henry VIII's children, Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth. More than a story about love it is a story of England and of the constant state of fluctuation it saw with it's monarchs.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Friends and Family #1 : Dies the Fire - S M Stirling
Okay so challenge month one has started and that means for the month of April I'm going to read as many of my Friends & Family favorite books as possible. I started with my Dad's favorite book. He's been trying to get me to read this book for years and I started it a while back but then some books by my favorite authors came up and so I got distracted. So when I made this challenge I made sure to add this book to my last and made sure it was the first book I started with. My Dad is a big Sci-fi/Fantasy buff so a lot of the books he reads tend to fall in those categories which is fine with me because I like those too.
Mike Havel is flying a family to their country home when he looses all power in his plane. Forced to land the plane in the Idaho wilderness he then must lead the family to safety. Quickly he finds that the problems may not be confined to his plane. Meanwhile Juniper Mackenzie is performing in a small town Oregon pub when the lights go out. Cars have stopped where they were and planes are falling out of the sky sending the town into panic and a blazing fire. Juniper with her and daughter and an ever expanding group of friends head to the country and Juniper's cabin to farm and help those who survive the crisis. But while some have helping others on their mind others have nothing but conquest and power.
I have to say that the first time I tried to read this I didn't really get into the book which is probably part of the reason I was so easily pulled away and into other books. This time however when I started reading the book I found that I got pulled into the story. It was interesting to see how a world so dependent on technology fared once they had to do without it. The writing was well down and the characters unique and well developed. I liked that there were two main groups of people experiencing the same phenomenon and that they react to the Change in different ways. One thing I had a hard time with was the quick passage of time. In the beginning the passage of time was consistent and easy to follow. Later time jumped rapidly and took a while to figure out how much time had passed. All in all however I really enjoyed this book. Thanks Dad.
Mike Havel is flying a family to their country home when he looses all power in his plane. Forced to land the plane in the Idaho wilderness he then must lead the family to safety. Quickly he finds that the problems may not be confined to his plane. Meanwhile Juniper Mackenzie is performing in a small town Oregon pub when the lights go out. Cars have stopped where they were and planes are falling out of the sky sending the town into panic and a blazing fire. Juniper with her and daughter and an ever expanding group of friends head to the country and Juniper's cabin to farm and help those who survive the crisis. But while some have helping others on their mind others have nothing but conquest and power.
I have to say that the first time I tried to read this I didn't really get into the book which is probably part of the reason I was so easily pulled away and into other books. This time however when I started reading the book I found that I got pulled into the story. It was interesting to see how a world so dependent on technology fared once they had to do without it. The writing was well down and the characters unique and well developed. I liked that there were two main groups of people experiencing the same phenomenon and that they react to the Change in different ways. One thing I had a hard time with was the quick passage of time. In the beginning the passage of time was consistent and easy to follow. Later time jumped rapidly and took a while to figure out how much time had passed. All in all however I really enjoyed this book. Thanks Dad.
Monday, April 2, 2012
The 9 Month Challenge
Dear Friends, Family, Followers, and Facebook Stalkers,
I have decided to expand my reading habits and give myself a different challenge every month for the rest of the year. My goal is to read as many books in that month meet the challenge. While I've already picked out the various month challenges I welcome the input of you all for books I can read. Here are the challenges:
April: Friends and Family Favorites
May: Classics
June: Biographies
July: American Fiction/Non-fiction
August: Book/Movie Crossovers
September: Women's Fiction
October: Horror
November: Relgion
December: Kid's Fiction
This is going to be difficult to say the least because there are a lot of books between now and the end of the year that I am going to want to read, books that don't meet the challenge requirements, but that is the point. So here I will be posting all my reviews of my challenge books. Here we go.
I have decided to expand my reading habits and give myself a different challenge every month for the rest of the year. My goal is to read as many books in that month meet the challenge. While I've already picked out the various month challenges I welcome the input of you all for books I can read. Here are the challenges:
April: Friends and Family Favorites
May: Classics
June: Biographies
July: American Fiction/Non-fiction
August: Book/Movie Crossovers
September: Women's Fiction
October: Horror
November: Relgion
December: Kid's Fiction
This is going to be difficult to say the least because there are a lot of books between now and the end of the year that I am going to want to read, books that don't meet the challenge requirements, but that is the point. So here I will be posting all my reviews of my challenge books. Here we go.
Sunday, April 1, 2012
#35: The Weird Sisters - Eleanor Brown
3/31/12
A funny story (or not really funny more just slightly interesting) about how I stumbled upon this book. We were doing a massive store wide inventory scan and I was scanning the Teen Fiction section when I pulled this book off to scan the barcode. I figured this was probably going to have some copies sent back because there quite a few copies in section. After pushing the button on the scanner I looked at my screen and saw that none of them were going back but also I noticed it was in the wrong section all together. So I checked the book out and read the back of it. It sounded good and I needed something to read so I grabbed a copy.
When you are named after three of Shakespeare's characters you are destined to lead interesting lives. That is the case for the three Andreas sisters Rosalind, Bianca, and Cordelia who's Shakespeare quoting father named them. When they learn that their mother has breast cancer the three girls return home to help out. But there is more than just being good daughter bringing the three girls back home. There are challenges worthy of any Shakespearean character hovering around these three ladies will they be strong enough to meet these challenges before the final curtain?
This book was unique in the fact that the entire book was written in collective first person. I'll admit I had a difficult time at first getting used to this but after a while it was easier. I liked it the story was complex and intriguing. With the collective first person I got to be inside all their heads and experience all their stories in a way typical third or first person doesn't allow. It was a great story about family and the connections that bind us together and also the connections that bind us to a place. There is no place like home and sometimes you have to go back there to remember it.
A funny story (or not really funny more just slightly interesting) about how I stumbled upon this book. We were doing a massive store wide inventory scan and I was scanning the Teen Fiction section when I pulled this book off to scan the barcode. I figured this was probably going to have some copies sent back because there quite a few copies in section. After pushing the button on the scanner I looked at my screen and saw that none of them were going back but also I noticed it was in the wrong section all together. So I checked the book out and read the back of it. It sounded good and I needed something to read so I grabbed a copy.
When you are named after three of Shakespeare's characters you are destined to lead interesting lives. That is the case for the three Andreas sisters Rosalind, Bianca, and Cordelia who's Shakespeare quoting father named them. When they learn that their mother has breast cancer the three girls return home to help out. But there is more than just being good daughter bringing the three girls back home. There are challenges worthy of any Shakespearean character hovering around these three ladies will they be strong enough to meet these challenges before the final curtain?
This book was unique in the fact that the entire book was written in collective first person. I'll admit I had a difficult time at first getting used to this but after a while it was easier. I liked it the story was complex and intriguing. With the collective first person I got to be inside all their heads and experience all their stories in a way typical third or first person doesn't allow. It was a great story about family and the connections that bind us together and also the connections that bind us to a place. There is no place like home and sometimes you have to go back there to remember it.
#34: Hunting for Hemingway - Diane Gilbert Madsen
3/25/12
We always go back to the classics. There is always a comparison between the authors we deem the masters, the fathers, the cream of the crop. There is always a standard in everything, writing, painting, acting, directing, everything. What makes them great? What makes theme the standard for everything else? Whatever the reason may be the point is that they are now at least in terms of the work immortal.
DD McGil has been unlucky in love from day one. So when her boyfriend Scotty goes missing she uses her investigative skills to try and find him. But when a man with a badge shows up at her door and tells her to stop investigating. Looking for a distraction DD jumps at the chance when she is hired to authenticate some lost Hemingway writing. But what could've been an interesting, enjoyable case quickly spins into a murder investigation. With something so valuable hanging in the balance there's no telling who will be next.
One of the things I like about Madsen's books is the fact that she always incorporates a literary icon and connects it in with a modern day mystery. there isn't a lot of technical jargon that needs explaining which makes the story easy to follow. They are enjoyable mysteries that keep you engaged and entertained the whole time. But more than just a good story with Madsen's books you also get history and information about whichever author she is focused one. It's a wonderful blend of mystery and literary history.
We always go back to the classics. There is always a comparison between the authors we deem the masters, the fathers, the cream of the crop. There is always a standard in everything, writing, painting, acting, directing, everything. What makes them great? What makes theme the standard for everything else? Whatever the reason may be the point is that they are now at least in terms of the work immortal.
DD McGil has been unlucky in love from day one. So when her boyfriend Scotty goes missing she uses her investigative skills to try and find him. But when a man with a badge shows up at her door and tells her to stop investigating. Looking for a distraction DD jumps at the chance when she is hired to authenticate some lost Hemingway writing. But what could've been an interesting, enjoyable case quickly spins into a murder investigation. With something so valuable hanging in the balance there's no telling who will be next.
One of the things I like about Madsen's books is the fact that she always incorporates a literary icon and connects it in with a modern day mystery. there isn't a lot of technical jargon that needs explaining which makes the story easy to follow. They are enjoyable mysteries that keep you engaged and entertained the whole time. But more than just a good story with Madsen's books you also get history and information about whichever author she is focused one. It's a wonderful blend of mystery and literary history.
#33: The Book Theif - Markus Zusak
3/21/12
Once in a while there are some truly unique ideas and spark your interest and cause you to become captured in the world created by the author. Too often stories are just different tellings of a similar story or even in more frequent they just redo the story. A lack of uniqueness is depressing, not to say that these other stories aren't interesting or enjoyable it's just nice when there is a new story to be told or an old story with a new voice.
WWII Germany: Hitler and his Nazi power are in control and there is only one way of thinking for all others are punishable. Liesel is a foster child who has a habit of stealing the on thing she cannot resist . . . books. Her accordion playing foster father teaches her to read and ignites her passion for books which give her a purpose and something to do during the bomb raids.
Though it is just another story about WWII it is also so much more than that. This is a story about words and their power, the power to heal, the power to distract, their power to give knowledge, and the power to inspire. The story is truly moving for anyone of any age whether young or old you will find in it a compelling story that will move you. A largely unique part of this book is that it's told from the point of view of death. It's interesting to see how Death perceives things and what the world looks like not only through to the story of a young German girl during WWII but from Death itself. I really enjoyed this book it was very well written and entertaining. I found myself captivated by the characters, the places, and the story drawn into a world I sympathize with a world where words have intense power and give life a purpose.
Once in a while there are some truly unique ideas and spark your interest and cause you to become captured in the world created by the author. Too often stories are just different tellings of a similar story or even in more frequent they just redo the story. A lack of uniqueness is depressing, not to say that these other stories aren't interesting or enjoyable it's just nice when there is a new story to be told or an old story with a new voice.
WWII Germany: Hitler and his Nazi power are in control and there is only one way of thinking for all others are punishable. Liesel is a foster child who has a habit of stealing the on thing she cannot resist . . . books. Her accordion playing foster father teaches her to read and ignites her passion for books which give her a purpose and something to do during the bomb raids.
Though it is just another story about WWII it is also so much more than that. This is a story about words and their power, the power to heal, the power to distract, their power to give knowledge, and the power to inspire. The story is truly moving for anyone of any age whether young or old you will find in it a compelling story that will move you. A largely unique part of this book is that it's told from the point of view of death. It's interesting to see how Death perceives things and what the world looks like not only through to the story of a young German girl during WWII but from Death itself. I really enjoyed this book it was very well written and entertaining. I found myself captivated by the characters, the places, and the story drawn into a world I sympathize with a world where words have intense power and give life a purpose.
#32: Real Murders - Charlaine Harris
3/14/12
After reading a book that you loved that really captured your interest it can sometimes be hard to shift into another book especially when it doesn't grab you right away. If you're like me you stick it out until the book is done and sometimes you can be pleasantly surprised as the way things turn out.
Aurora Teagarden is a small town librarian who has an interesting past time, she is part of the Real Murders group. Once a month they get together and discuss real life murders that have happened long in the past. But Aurora and the group get a violent shock when the murders they have been discussing start occurring in the present day. Now the experts on the crimes are now the suspects and Aurora must figure out what is going on and who is doing this before she is next,
I found this book a little slow at the start now whether this is coming down off a great read that I had trouble adjusting but I stuck with it nevertheless. Once I was into the book I found that reading it got easier. The characters at first were a little hard for me to connect with but after time I got it. The story line was interesting, recreating past crimes and putting them together. I really enjoyed the historical crime aspect of the story and got pulled in by that. The plot is what kept me going and eventually I found my connection to the characters. Over all pretty good read and definitely worth checking out.
After reading a book that you loved that really captured your interest it can sometimes be hard to shift into another book especially when it doesn't grab you right away. If you're like me you stick it out until the book is done and sometimes you can be pleasantly surprised as the way things turn out.
Aurora Teagarden is a small town librarian who has an interesting past time, she is part of the Real Murders group. Once a month they get together and discuss real life murders that have happened long in the past. But Aurora and the group get a violent shock when the murders they have been discussing start occurring in the present day. Now the experts on the crimes are now the suspects and Aurora must figure out what is going on and who is doing this before she is next,
I found this book a little slow at the start now whether this is coming down off a great read that I had trouble adjusting but I stuck with it nevertheless. Once I was into the book I found that reading it got easier. The characters at first were a little hard for me to connect with but after time I got it. The story line was interesting, recreating past crimes and putting them together. I really enjoyed the historical crime aspect of the story and got pulled in by that. The plot is what kept me going and eventually I found my connection to the characters. Over all pretty good read and definitely worth checking out.
#31: Buried in A Book - Lucy Arlington
3/13/12
Sometimes there is just something about a book that catches your eye so you pick it up and give it a shot. Maybe it's the title, the cover art, or the authors name at any rate you're intrigued so you start reading it. It's this first catch, the first meeting that grabs the readers attention first, and this is why putting time into a creative cover and attention grabbing title is so important. This is what happened with this book. I couldn't tell you what it was about the book that grabbed my attention first but it got it and stuck.
It's hard to loose you job at anytime but for Lila Wilkins as devastating as it is she sees it as an opportunity. Now she's going to start over and do something she's dreamed of work at a literary agency. When one of the clients drops dead on Lila's first day she is appalled to find that no one seems to be disturbed by it and it's business as usual. But Lila isn't wiling to give up on this just yet.
It's rough when you start reading something new, trying to get into the author's style, characters, etc. One of the things that really grabbed me about this book was the characters. they just jumped off the page as if they were right there in front of me. They were very dynamic and entertaining. The story was also well constructed creating a nice cozy little mystery. I was raving about this book as soon as I finished it telling everyone I knew to read it. You will laugh out loud and enjoy every minute.
Sometimes there is just something about a book that catches your eye so you pick it up and give it a shot. Maybe it's the title, the cover art, or the authors name at any rate you're intrigued so you start reading it. It's this first catch, the first meeting that grabs the readers attention first, and this is why putting time into a creative cover and attention grabbing title is so important. This is what happened with this book. I couldn't tell you what it was about the book that grabbed my attention first but it got it and stuck.
It's hard to loose you job at anytime but for Lila Wilkins as devastating as it is she sees it as an opportunity. Now she's going to start over and do something she's dreamed of work at a literary agency. When one of the clients drops dead on Lila's first day she is appalled to find that no one seems to be disturbed by it and it's business as usual. But Lila isn't wiling to give up on this just yet.
It's rough when you start reading something new, trying to get into the author's style, characters, etc. One of the things that really grabbed me about this book was the characters. they just jumped off the page as if they were right there in front of me. They were very dynamic and entertaining. The story was also well constructed creating a nice cozy little mystery. I was raving about this book as soon as I finished it telling everyone I knew to read it. You will laugh out loud and enjoy every minute.
#30: Chocolate Covered Murder - Leslie Meier
3/11/12
There is something to be said about a cozy mystery. They're very comforting and simple reads that are perfect for a rainy day, a day at the beach, or just a day when you want some simple fun entertainment. Without question they are well written good books they capture us and transport us for a little while to some where else like all books. The sleuths in these books aren't police officers, forensic experts, or other professionals, no in cozy mysteries the sleuths are everyday people whom circumstances have led to become involved in a murder mystery. I think this is one of the the biggest draws of these type of books is the connection we feel to the main character. They are mother's, fathers, college students, reporters, etc.
Lucy Stone is a small town reporter, mother, and wife. When a new sweet shop move's into the tiny Maine town of Tinker's Cove competition becomes fierce. The town is shocked when a local turns up dead in a rather unusual manner and Lucy is suspicious that it was more than just an accident. When the flirt manager of the new chocolate shop is the next to turn up dead people are less shocked and Lucy senses a connection that no one else seems to recognize. Lucy starts snooping and soon realizes that there is nothing sweet about what is happening in Tinker's Cove.
I have read everyone of the Lucy Stone mysteries and enjoyed everyone for the same reason, they are well written and fun. Leslie Meier has created a town that is like ones I know in Maine and characters that could be. The mysteries aren't so involved that you need a forensic textbook to follow them or the author has to spend half the book explaining the jargon. These mysteries are simple and wonderful. Meier allows you to play detective right along with Lucy it's great!
There is something to be said about a cozy mystery. They're very comforting and simple reads that are perfect for a rainy day, a day at the beach, or just a day when you want some simple fun entertainment. Without question they are well written good books they capture us and transport us for a little while to some where else like all books. The sleuths in these books aren't police officers, forensic experts, or other professionals, no in cozy mysteries the sleuths are everyday people whom circumstances have led to become involved in a murder mystery. I think this is one of the the biggest draws of these type of books is the connection we feel to the main character. They are mother's, fathers, college students, reporters, etc.
Lucy Stone is a small town reporter, mother, and wife. When a new sweet shop move's into the tiny Maine town of Tinker's Cove competition becomes fierce. The town is shocked when a local turns up dead in a rather unusual manner and Lucy is suspicious that it was more than just an accident. When the flirt manager of the new chocolate shop is the next to turn up dead people are less shocked and Lucy senses a connection that no one else seems to recognize. Lucy starts snooping and soon realizes that there is nothing sweet about what is happening in Tinker's Cove.
I have read everyone of the Lucy Stone mysteries and enjoyed everyone for the same reason, they are well written and fun. Leslie Meier has created a town that is like ones I know in Maine and characters that could be. The mysteries aren't so involved that you need a forensic textbook to follow them or the author has to spend half the book explaining the jargon. These mysteries are simple and wonderful. Meier allows you to play detective right along with Lucy it's great!
Saturday, March 31, 2012
# 29: Mokingjay - Suzanne Collins
3/8/12
It's always sad when a series we like comes to an end, however it is good for both the author and the reader to end on a high note for the series rather than dragging something out longer than it should just to put off the end. IF a series keeps going for too long the author looses the passion hat made them good and the readers loose the interest as well. So though it is sad the Hunger Games series is over I know it is also a good thing.
Katniss has survived the Quarter Quell but at what cost? A new game awaits Katniss a full out rebellion against the Captiol by the Districts and she has become the face of the rebellion willing or not. A war with the Capitol is not so different from the games themselves, the area is larger, there more people, but in the end the only one you can trust is yourself.
While I enjoyed this book it was my least favorite of the trilogy. Throughout most of the book it kept pace with the first two but at the end I found it dropped significantly. The ending felt rushed, too much information packed into too few pages. It was not the ending I expected for me otherwise well written series Despite the rushed ending I enjoyed the book and would happily read it again (and probably will).
It's always sad when a series we like comes to an end, however it is good for both the author and the reader to end on a high note for the series rather than dragging something out longer than it should just to put off the end. IF a series keeps going for too long the author looses the passion hat made them good and the readers loose the interest as well. So though it is sad the Hunger Games series is over I know it is also a good thing.
Katniss has survived the Quarter Quell but at what cost? A new game awaits Katniss a full out rebellion against the Captiol by the Districts and she has become the face of the rebellion willing or not. A war with the Capitol is not so different from the games themselves, the area is larger, there more people, but in the end the only one you can trust is yourself.
While I enjoyed this book it was my least favorite of the trilogy. Throughout most of the book it kept pace with the first two but at the end I found it dropped significantly. The ending felt rushed, too much information packed into too few pages. It was not the ending I expected for me otherwise well written series Despite the rushed ending I enjoyed the book and would happily read it again (and probably will).
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