Thursday, October 29, 2009

Balderdash (10)



Word Verification Balderdash

is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.


This is very easy to do.
If you comment on blogs you can do this too.


Write down all the word verifications you get while posting comments on other peoples blogs.

You then play Balderdash with them.

In case you don't know how to play, you take the made up word and come up with an authentic sounding definition for it.


Do this for a week and then post your best or favorite ones every Thursday.


Here are mine for this week:


capperym - is a large beautiful flower found on rare occations around waterfalls. These flowers need lots of water and so far only have been seen in a light, pale yellow and a delicate, soft orange.


asape - is a relative of the small monkey which is from Asapia. These monkeys are friendly so they have been captured and killed for their hide by poachers.


mings - is a fuzzy, rare animal that is long, thin and has a long tail. These animals hide from the daylight and any sound it hears. They live in woods and are rarely ever seen by the eye, only a few hidden cameras have caught a glimps of this cat like creature at night.


thypic - an herb found high in the mountains that helps with pain. This herb is kept secret by the inhabitants of the Thylaa Mountains since it has to be searched for and handled very carefully to get the best results.

Tuesday, October 27, 2009

It's Tuesday... Where are you? (3)

This is hosted by An_Adventure_In_Reading

I am currently bouncing back and forth between two different worlds.

I am walking down the street with Hadrian and Royce after finding the man who set them up to take the fall for killing the King a few winters ago. Then we saw his daughter and realized she is not truly his daughter, that he purchased her from a person by the name of Ambrose Moor. I am curious if this was a good thing for the man since they did not kill him as they had intended, well at least not at this time. I think Ambrose sells Elf children, but not sure. I can't wait to see where this story will go.

Avempartha by Michael Sullivan
I have just started this new book.

I am with Jin Li Tam in the forest while she just met with a mysterious blind person, Ezra. Ezra has just told her she is the Great Mother and that her ill son will save us all. He has requested to bless the child, but Jin and myself being very cautious of strange, eerie people have decided against it. However, Ezra has said he could whistle and have him brought to him to bless but thought he would ask and offer. Thankfully he is riding off on his horse with his magicked scouts with him. We are all safe for the time being. Now, we are back on the path to stop a war from unleashing.

Canticle by Ken Scholes

Monday, October 26, 2009

Monday's Beginnings (10)

This is the beginning of a new week!

So, I am wondering:

Where you are in your books or are you starting a new book for the new week? The beginning of the week always seems to be a great time to start anew. To me it seems to be the way Monday goes is a sign of how the week will follow. Have you been able to get much reading time in today? Or are you going to be rushed all week to get everything into the short 24 hour day?

I am still adding numerous books to my reading list. BUT, this week I think I have only picked up about four books. I have not been here in the blogoblock as much as I normally am. I am behind on my blog reading which could add to the small additions. This is still a wonderous thing! You are all helping to keep me out of trouble and these wonderful authors in work. I am kind of trying to make notes of books to read but the must, must reads are on the top of the list (that is what list these books are on).

I have not finished any books this past week. That is okay, the current book I am reading takes a lot of attention for me to follow the intertwining plots and mysteries of the scheme of things.

Well, for me today: The current book I am reading is (there on my right sidebar) Canticle by Ken Scholes. This is the second book in his series. I am still taking lots of notes and really reading closely on this one. There is so much details and hidden hints to the whole story and series that I love giving my undivided attention to it. I read through to my stopping point, but wont have much time to get to my discussion boards for the book in the evenings, so I think I will pick up another book to read until I can get all my thoughts out of my head on this one (I have a second book on my right sidebar Avempartha by Michael Sullivan). I hope I can get some reading done tonight, I shall see what occurs...

Now... this leaves us with one question left... Where are you?

Thursday, October 22, 2009

Balderdash (9)


Word Verification Balderdash
is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.
This is very easy to do.
If you comment on blogs you can do this too.

Write down all the word verifications you get while posting comments on other peoples blogs.
You then play Balderdash with them.

In case you don't know how to play, you take the made up word and come up with an authentic sounding definition for it.

Do this for a week and then post your best or favorite ones every Thursday.
Here are mine for this week:

pestin - when your child is constantly calling you (Huh mom, Huh mom, huh mom?) till youanswer them by vocal response.
testur - the crazy stupid mind games your boyfriend/girlfriend tries to play to see how you feel about them and if you ar loyal to them.
backsgen - the checking of background on your heritage to know where your ancestors have come from and what they have touched in the world.
autbar - that tool bar on your computer that adapts to what tools you use most often and places then at an easy click away so you don't have to go through all those drop down lists and boxes to find it.

Wednesday, October 21, 2009

Favorite Fictional Character (9)

Favorite Fictional Character
Thanks to the creative mind of Ryan at Wordsmithonia who started this on Wednesdays.

Okay, I had plans on another FFC this week. But This character just struck me. I have not seen this movie in quite some time... Which reminds me I am going to have to go watch it, or see if it comes on for the Halloween season.


I know most of you think of Halloween as a scary time. Ghosts, goblins, witches, vampires, werewolfs, and monsters. But this movie was far from scary, if anything it is one of the funniest Halloween movies I have ever seen.

As you have guessed and can see to the right... Young Frankenstein. This film is from 1974 and directed by Mel Brooks and written by Mel Brooks and Gene Wilder. This is a comedy done from the classic of 1931, and done in all black and white as well. There is quite a cast in this movie. Here is a link to see some scenes and the trailer of the movie - click_here.



I do have to say my favorite character out of the whole crew Young Frankenstein, played by Gene Wilder. Now, I have always loved Gene Wilder in the movies and would watch many of his movies when they would come on tv years ago.

Young Frankenstein (make sure you pronounce it properly as Frederick does - "Fronk'-en-steen") finds out he has inherited his families estate in Transylvania. Which is where his "mad scientist" grandfather did his work at.

This Young Frankenstein household servant lets the monster free who wonders around the country side creating a slight stir. Though he really is not a bad character.

And Young Frankenstein himself is a laugh to watch and listen to. I do have to say I enjoyed watching the Puttin on the Ritz routine again.

Gene Wilder has done many great movies but another one that may fall in the Halloween category that I just loved as well was Haunted Honeymoon. I loved these movies!

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Teaser Tuesdays (9)


Teaser Tuesday is a weekly event.
Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading.

(I am rotating from Teaser Tuesday and Where are you? on Tuesdays. This week is the teaser.)
Here's how it works:

Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)
Open the book to any random pageShare 2 "teaser" sentences from anywhere on the page.
Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!(Don't Give Too Much Away)
Just enough to pique our interests.
List the book and author so other participants can get their hand on it if they choose to read it as well.

This Week:

Charles shook his head. "No, absolutely not. Certainly, Xhum Y'Zir used them as such - but even his mechoservitors were intended for higher purposes than war."
Canticle
By Ken Scholes

This is page 243. This is a teaser for me as well being I have not got this far in the book. Though I do have an idea of what they are talking about...

Monday, October 19, 2009

Monday's Beginnings (9)

This is the beginning of a new week!

So, I am wondering:

Where you are in your books or are you starting a new book for the new week? The beginning of the week always seems to be a great time to start anew. To me it seems to be the way Monday goes is a sign of how the week will follow. Have you been able to get much reading time in today? Or are you going to be rushed all week to get everything into the short 24 hour day?

I am still adding numerous books to my reading list. BUT, this week I think I have only picked up about two books. It has been a little bit of a slow week or me here in the blogoblock. I am behind on my blog reading which could add to the small additions. This is still a wonderous thing! You are all helping to keep me out of trouble and these wonderful authors in work. I am kind of trying to make notes of books to read but the must, must reads are on the top of the list (that is what list these books are on).

I have not finished any books this past week. That is okay, the current book I am reading takes a lot of attention for me to follow the intertwining plots and mysteries of the scheme of things.

Well, for me today: The current book I am reading is (there on my right sidebar) Canticle by Ken Scholes. This is the second book in his series. Yes, I did go the opposite direction on my way home to get this book, as a matter of fact I even called the bookstore to make sure they had it and hold it for me to get there. Today was an good day. Nothing major happened. I was busy at work so I was not able to get any online following done or reading. I even went out for lunch so there was no reading then either. As for this evening... well, no reading done yet. I am hoping with all the running I did today (getting pictures developed and get the Halloween costume for my son) will be the most of it for the week and I can read for the rest of the week. I hope my usual feel on Monday does not hold true this week, I want to get my reading done. I think I am going into withdrawal already...

Now... this leaves us with one question left... Where are you?

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Balderdash (8)


Word Verification Balderdash
is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.
This is very easy to do.

If you comment on blogs you can do this too.
Write down all the word verifications you get while posting comments on other peoples blogs.
You then play Balderdash with them.
In case you don't know how to play, you take the made up word and come up with an authentic sounding definition for it.

Do this for a week and then post your best or favorite ones every Thursday.

Here are mine for this week:
antera - the internal antenna in the radios, cell phones, and many other mechanical devices that use to have actual antennas years ago.
zinch - the quick process of doing something without a thought - like a reflex.
bratisat - an adults moment we still have wehn we want something so badly we act like a little bratty child.
josterni - the sudden jerk you make when you have been day-dreaming then suddenly jump back into the current real world.
targa - the gooey bubble stuff from the black topped parking lots or roads in the summer time from the heat and sun that gets stuck, worse than gum, on the bottom of your shoes and track into the house.

Wednesday, October 14, 2009

Guest Blog - Fantasy: Where are we Going?

I would like to take a moment to introduce you to a new friend and blogger; Jacob from his new blog called Drying_Ink. Please, stop by his blog and check out his reviews of fabulous Fantasy and Science Fiction books, by amazing authors like Brandon Sanderson, Patrick Rothfuss, Guy Gavriel Kay, Raymond Feist, Robin Hobb, and many others.

Without further wait here is Jacobs' fabulous guest blog. Please leave a comment as we can all discuss and don't forget to stop over to Jacobs' blog to say hello...

The floor is all yours Jacob.

Fantasy: Where Are We Going?

It's easy enough to say fantasy's going somewhere - but where exactly are we going? Let's take a brief look, starting with one brief (if flawed) assumption:

We're moving away from the epic fantasy.

Which, admittedly, on the surface, is true - but we'll come back to our much-maligned epic later. It's evident that the genre as a whole is moving away from the serious, Tolkienesque-epic. Likewise, it's now rare that fantasy's heavyweight contenders use the generic races - you're not seeing Erikson re-enacted with dwarves, are you? (There are exceptions, of course.) In fact, we're moving towards predominantly human-based fantasy. Human conflicts, human wars - human morals. We've got books like Steven Erikson's Malazan Book of the Fallen, which, although featuring many races, focuses around a human empire - the Malazan.

What else? We're certainly seeing more crossovers between fantasy and other genres - like Neil Stephenson's excellent Anathem (an eclectic blend of science, science fiction and the fantastic), and more fantasy-crime novels in the urban fantasy genre, like Jim Butcher's popular Dresden Files. Urban fantasy as a genre is growing, too. Then we've got another shift - towards moral relativism. We're moving away from the moral absolutes of yesteryear, and more towards our more solid fare: shades of grey and our complex moral conflict. I'll mention Abercrombie here, too - and much as I hate to succumb to fanboy-ism, I'll have to mention Erikson as well.


What else? Well, on the shelves now, you'll be seeing - in a month's time - The Gathering Storm, part of the continuation of Jordan's epic fantasy - and there'll most likely be a rise in similar books, too. The epic fantasy certainly isn't dead, either. It's merely adapted away from absolutes and our generic fantasy world. And the rest of the genre is diversifying, too - we've got classics with mythological monsters, we've got a boom in steampunk. Fantasy is diversifying, and fast - and it's continuing to grow faster than we can predict it. So that means by the time you've read this post - I'm wrong! So just take a look at your local bookstore instead, and see for yourself the changes.

Jacob - Drying_Ink

Favorite Fictional Character (6)


Favorite Fictional Character

Thanks to the creative mind of Ryan at Wordsmithonia who started this on Wednesdays.

I finally got sucked in to the Halloween theme. It took me a little longer than others but I am starting to get there.

I have picked this show The Little Vampire for both the young boys in this movie. This is a kids movie, yes. I have watched it with my son for a few years now and look forward to it each Halloween. However, unlike many Halloween movies that are shown a few times in the season, I usually only see this one shown once in this colorful season.

I remember when my son was just getting over the vampire and zombie scare thing and we watched this show. He was sooooo worried it would scare him. I told him it would not be on Disney if it would scare him. After he watched it the first time he was sold, wanted to watch it over and over again.

Tony (the little boy standing up right) moved to Scottland with his mom and dad from the United States. He has a rough start at the new school in a new country with no friends. Not only is Tony having a tough time in school with bullies he starts having nightmares of vampires. Tony meets a young vampire, Rudolph, who quickly becomes his best friend.

Of course, Rudolphs family are looking for that precious stone that will turn them human again, but like all movies there is that "bad guy" out there. There is a vampire hunter that is looking for the stone as well to send all vampires back to the underworld. This movie turns out to be a very cute movie.

These two little boys are quite the pair in their fun adventures. Part of me wants to say there is a flying cow at some point in the movie. I can't remember for sure being it has been a few years since I have seen the movie but I think there is. The movie is very cute.
I will be looking for this movie again this year.

I learned in doing this post that this movie was based off of a childrens' fantasy book series by Angela Sommer-Bodenburg. Wild what you learn!

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

It's Tuesday...Where are you? (2)

This is hosted by An_Adventure_In_Reading

I am sitting with the Gypsy Scouts at our stations on the Keeper's Gate while the sun is rising on the Chuning Wastes with the sky washed in deep purple with strands of red twisting through the horizon. I just watched a brown messenger bird drop into its net to bring a message to First Captain Aedric. Wait, what is going on? The Watch Captain has just whistled the Third Alarm and the front guard have magicked themselves to disappear into the shadows. There is also the metal man in robes approaching, which is unusual.

Canticle by Ken Scholes
I have just started this new book, so I am just in the Prelude yet.

Monday, October 12, 2009

Book Review

A Door in the Woods

By: James Dashner

Publisher: Bonneville Books

Publish Date: June 2003

Genre: Fiction, Young, young adult (Age Range 9-12)

Series: This is the 1st book in the Jimmy Fincher Saga. (From what I can see there are 4 books in this saga.)

Recommendation: Yes, for the young reader looking for a little fantasy and mystery.

First Sentence:
Before I begin the story that will change your life forever, I guess I should introduce myself.

Book Synopsis:

JIMMY FINCHER ENTERED THE DARK WOODS ON A DAY LIKE ANY OTHER...

But what he sees there changes his perception of reality and sets off a chain of events that explodes in a torrent of suspense and excitement. An ancient legend come to life. A conspiracy of madmen. Strange portals to other worlds. Villains named everything from Raspy to Shadow Ka.

And behind it all is the old wooden door, lying deep in the forest by Fincher's home.

THERE. THE WORLD WILL CHANGE FOREVER.


My Review and Summary:

Let me just start with a little background on what happens when I have a new book:

When I start reading a book, get part of the way through or to about a quarter of the way my son starts asking me questions on it.

My son always asks, "Mom, What book are you reading?"
I answer with whatever the name of the book is.
My son always asks, "Do you like it? What is it about?"
Lately, I answer with "Yeah, I like it." or "Yes, this is really good." then tell him a quick thought on what the book is about.
My son religiously askes, "Oh, maybe I can read it when you are done?"
Now, this is where I usually look up from my book and say, "No, this book is for adults. It's a little old for you." (Please keep in mind my son is 10. Going on 30.)

So you have to imaging his surprise and delight when I was reading this book and we where doing our normal ritual and my answer this time was "Yes, I think you would enjoy this one." The kids eyes just light up, and all he could say was, "Really!?!"


This was a really quick and easy read for me. I enjoyed following the beginning to Jimmy Fincher's tale. The author caught my attention in the first paragraph when Jimmy mentions he cannot be destroyed. I was curious to see how this all would play out. It was a nice adventure to get to the end of this book.

Jimmy was a normal 14 year old by with a Mom, Dad, and an older brother living in a town called Duluth, Georgia. Until the day he was climbing a tree and saw a man dragging a woman fighting into the woods, then she just vanishes. Where did she go? And why is this man... Oh, Jimmy nows this man... The whole story just takes off from here.

Jimmy is sent by his dad to find an old friend, not knowing exactly where this friend lives or what he looks like, whos name is Joseph. Then he is told by his dad to be scared, that being scared will keep him alive.

On page 3 of the book there was one paragraph I just loved and really made me look forward to the fun tale that was going to be told with a childs view and discription on things, which does make it easy to see knowing what a kid sees.
"Before I begin, there are things to say. You must prepare yourself. The world is not what you think it is, and the nightmares that sometimes wake you in the middle of a storm may be truer than you think. Every novel you've ever read may not be as fictional as you thought. If I have learned anything, it is that nothing is beyond possible or belief. The world as I once knew it has turned upside down, and I've finally realized that the phrase "truth is stranger than fiction" is not just a stupid cliche.""

**I do want to thank The_Writer's_Notebook for reviewing this book first, or I would have never found this little book. My son is just going to love this too.

Monday's Beginnings (8)

This is the beginning of a new week!

So, I am wondering:

Where you are in your books or are you starting a new book for the new week? The beginning of the week always seems to be a great time to start anew. To me it seems to be the way Monday goes is a sign of how the week will follow. Have you been able to get much reading time in today? Or are you going to be rushed all week to get everything into the short 24 hour day?

I am still adding numerous books to my reading list. This week it has grown by thirteen books. Yes, THIRTEEN!! Wow!! You all have been on a roll this week with reviews and they are just soooo wonderful I have added almost all of them to my list. When is Christmas!?! I have a very nice list for gifts if anyone needs ideas.... Of these thirteen books I have 2 series that are 3 books, 2 series that are 2 books so far, and there is one book for my son and I to read together. This really is a wonderous thing! You are all helping to keep me out of trouble and these wonderful authors in work. I am kind of trying to make notes of books to read but the must, must reads are on the top of the list (that is what list these books are on).

I do have to say I finished TWO books this week! **Applause** Thank you, *bowing* thank you very much *bowing*. Okay, this is a great feat for me. I am luck if I finish one book a week so to do two is wonderful.

Well, for me today: The books I have completed this week are Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins and A Door in the Woods by James Dashner (I will review here later tonight.)

I am very anxiously waiting for Canticle By Ken Scholes to come out tomorrow. My first stop on my way home from work is in the opposite direction to my local bookstore to purchase this book. Today was an okay day. Nothing major happened. I was extremely bored at work so I was able to catch up on a few blogs this morning then that was about it. I finished this second book (which I think I cheated a little being it is for younger kids but hey I'll take two books a week if I can get it. lol.)

Nothing very big even happened over the weekend. Other than spending all night into the wee hours of the morning Saturday at the hospital with my dad to find out he just has a stomach virus. See, he had a sever stroke about 9 years back, is not able to talk and lost use of his whole right side, so when he gets sick and run-down he gets very scared something else is wrong. We do as he wishes and take him to the hospital to get checked out. So, all is well other than just a virus and I got a lot of reading done waiting in the room with him.

Yesterday I took my son up to the mountains to run around through the woods for just a few hours. He absolutely loved it. We walked up the side of the hills and climbed a few huge rocks and took some pictures. There is a natural spring there with a nice stream running, and of course being the child he is when down to the stream to look and walk around - yep, you guessed it... He fell in. Thank goodness it was just his one foot and a hand barely up to the elbow (it is getting chilly here already and you definitely need a warm jacket). It was a funny sight though.

So I've been busy but not. Tonight I plan on reviewing the first book of Lamentation in preparation for Canticle.

Now... this leaves us with one question left... Where are you?

Sunday, October 11, 2009

Awards!!




The Splash Award is given to alluring, amusing,bewitching, impressive, and inspiring blogs.


I have to Thank Froggy over at Froggaritavilles_Bookcase! Please stop by and say Hello!


Rules:

- Put the logo on your blog/post.
- Nominate & link up to 9 blogs which allure, amuse, bewitch, impress or inspire you.
- Let them know that they have been splashed by commenting on their blog.
- Remember to link to the person from whom you received your Splash Award


My Nominees are:

Ryan at Wordsmithonia

Krista at Life_or_Something_Like_It...

Deb at Bookmagic



Sisterhood Award

I have to Thank La Coccinelle at The_Ladybug_Reads for this WONDERFUL award! Please, please stop by and check out her site and say Hello! Tell her I sent you!

Okay, this award is wonderful. I am going to pass on to a bunch of great friends I have here in this wonderful world, Blogosphere. They are:

Alexia at Alexia's_Books_and_Such...

Michelle at The_True_Book_Addict

Krista at Life_Or_Something_Like_It...



Este Blog investe e acredita na... PROXIMIDADE!

I have received this lovely award from Ryan over at Wordsmithonia. Please stop by Ryans wonderful blog and say Hello.

Being a recipient of this award affirms that this blog invests and believes in the Proximity - nearness in space, time and relationships. This blog receives this great award as a further way to reiterate that it is excedingly charming, and aims to find and be friends. They are not interested in prizes or self-aggrandizement! Our hope is that when the ribbons of these prizes are cut, even more friendships are propagated. Please give more attention to these writers!



Jacob at Drying_Ink

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Book Review



Catching Fire

By: Suzanne Collins

Publisher: Scholastic Press

Publish Date: September 2009

Genre: Young Adult, Fiction

Series: Second book of The Hunger Games (for review of first book Hunger Games click here.)

Recommendation: YES!!! But read The Hunger Games first. You will appreciate this book much better.

First Sentence:
I clasp the flask between my hands even though the warmth from the tea has long since leached into the frozen air.
Book Synopsis:

SPARKS ARE IGNITING.

FLAMES ARE SPREADING.

AND THE CAPITOL WANTS REVENGE.

Against all odds, Katniss has won the Hunger Games. She and fellow District 12 tribute Peeta Mellark are miraculously still alive. Katniss should be relieved, happy even. After all, she has returned to her family and her longtime friend, Gale. Yet nothing is the way Katniss wishes it to be. Gale holds her at an icy distance. Peeta has turned his back on her completely. And there are whispers of a rebellion against the Capitol - a rebellion that Katniss and Peeta may have helped create.

Much to her shock, Katniss has fueled an unrest she's afraid she cannot stop. And what scares her even more is that she's not entirely convinced she should try. As time draws near for Katniss and Peeta to visit the districts on the Capitol's cruel Victory Tour, the stakes are higher than ever. If they can't prove, without a shadow of a doubt, that they are lost in their love for each other, the consequences will be horrifying.

In Catching Fire, the second novel of the Hunger Games trilogy, Suzanne Collins continues the story of Katniss Everdeen, testing her more than ever before...and surprising readers at every turn.

My Summary and Thoughts:

This book starts just months after Katniss and Peeta return home from the Hunger Games, which they won by tricking the Capitol with those poisonous berries. Here we are in the morning of when the Victors Tour starts. Things have changed for Katniss in District 12. Katniss is not sure where she fits in now, she is rich beyond her dreams and has more fame than she wants with being a Victor, let alone the Love Struck Victor, of the Hunger Games. Then there is her relationships that have changed due to those Games; Gale, Peeta, her Mother, Prim, and the people (who helped her by donating what little they had to send her gifts along with all others). And Katniss is well aware she is hated by the Capitol Authorities for her trick that won her and Peeta the Hunger Games, when there is only to be one winner.

President Snow graces Katniss with his presence before her tour and makes her aware some people believed what she did that won her the Hunger Games was inteded to save both Katniss's and Peeta's lives due to the crazy young love they shared, yet other Districts took this as an act of defiance towards the Capitol leading to possible uprisings. President Snow makes Katniss aware she is to do what she can to convince the people in all the Districts she is truely in love with Peeta and that is what drew her to come up with the idea with the berries, or else something will happen to anyone she loves (not nice either).

Katniss, Peeta, Haymitch, and the rest of their crew go on the tour. They are heavily guarded and watched as they go from District to District. Then you read of all the changes that happen in District 12 as we come to the next years Hunger Games. Even though this sounds as it may be boring, there are a lot of happenings that keep the pages turning and pick up small clues to what is going on around the different Districts and maybe even for later in the book.

The next years Hunger Games come about with great celebration in the Capitol, being this is the anniversary of 75 years of games. Every 25 years the games are called the Quarter Quell, which are set up with special circumstances established by the Capitol when the games started. No one knows what these celebratory circumstances are until the sealed envelopes of years ago are opened and read. Katniss and Peeta are slightly relieved, as being Victors they are not entered in the drawings of the games again, yet they still worry over their siblings and friends who are in the age range. Or are they?

Katniss gets tidbits of information as to what is going on outside District 12. But what is really going on? With District 12 being of such a small census will they be affected? Will Katniss be able to help sooth what people think of rebeling? Does she even want too? Where does Katniss stand on the rebellion and worries of her families and friends?

You are going to have to read the book. There are very great details given along the way to help you out as well.

The pacing is wonderful, everytime I went to set the book down to go back to work or go to bed (so I could get up for work) something else would happen and I had to keep going. The many rises and falls of the story are very well set to keep you going, no interest lost quickly here. After reading both books I feel I really know these characters very well, through what they have done or not done along with how their friends and family react or what they say.

Thursday, October 8, 2009

Quick Review of my Shelf... (3)



Lamentation


By: Ken Scholes


Publisher: Tor


Published Date: February 2009


Recommendation: Yes! Yes! Yes! To follow a story from different characters view point and try to figure out the bigger picture.


First Sentence:
Windwir is a city of paper and robes and stone.


Book Synopsis:
An ancient weapon has completely destroyed the Androfrancine city of Windwir. From many miles away, Rudolfo, Lord of the Ninefold Forest Houses, sees the horrifying column of smoke rising. He knows that war is coming to the Named Lands.

Nearer to the Desolation, a young apprentice is the only survivor of the city - Nebios sat witing for his father outside the walls and was transformed as he watched everyone he knew die in an instant.

To the south, Petronus, the Hidden Pope of the Androfrancine Order, also sees the column of devastation. He knows that he cannot turn away from his Order an longer.

And within sight of Windwir sits Sethbert, the Overseer of the Entrolusian City States, gloating over what he believes is the triumph of his plan to dominate the Named Lands. At his side, though, is Lady Jin Li Tam - her father's pawn in the game f statecraft, but destined to become her own Queen on the board.

Soon all the Kingdoms of the Named Lands will be at one another's throats, as alliances are challenged or collapse, and the hidden plots of many powers are revealed.

My Thoughts:
Okay, I am going to try and make this short and sweet. I am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the second book in this series to come out, it will be in stores October 13, 2009 ~ very, very soon ~ and I am reviewing my notes and thoughts on the book to be ready to dive right into the next book.

This story to me is like the Whymer Mazes used as a meditation device by the Androfrancines. The maze circle that seems to never end and always turns back on to itself. I loved this story, there's always a mystery to figure out. Who and why did they destroy the city of Windwir, the home to the Androfrancines who protected the rest of the people in the world from the technology and dark pieces that could be used to destroy the world and only trickling out the small pieces of information they feel the people of the world can handle.

There is talk of an ancient Wizard whom created the Seven Cacophonic Deaths, which no one is to know what the words are inorder to protect everyone and anyone from causing distruction.

However, the book starts right off with the distruction of Windwir and only one metal man from the city, being fully functional, seems to have somewhere in his memory some idea yet no idea as to what happened on that tragic day. Isaak is the name given to this metal man.

There are many creative secrets in this book, such as the letters with secret messages intertwined within, the tapping out of messages while talking to another person on their skin, and the wonderous magic of running so fast and not being seen either running or standing still. Then you have Isaak the metal man, who is powered by a constant steam source.

I loved the writing style of a view from each characters point of view. When I first say this was the writing style I was nervous that information would be lost in the translation. After I read through this book so far, I did start taking notes so I didn't forget all the wonderous details to help with the mystery, but found that I really liked the way the author wrote this with the point of views. I actually got more details from seeing and knowing what each character did.

Did the right man pay the price for the distruction of the city? Could he have weaved the web that you see in this book? The further you go in the book the more intricate the web becomes. The more I thought on the book after reading and trying to piece together information from through out the whole book I have a very my idea of what is going on. I am curious to read what really happens. I had a wonderful time piecing the pieces together and making the story go the way I think it may.


***Also, Krista over at Life_or_Something_Like_It... is having a contest for 4 different books. This book is one of those great books. If you would like to take a chance to win Lamentation stop by and enter. Contest ends October 31.***

Balderdash (7)

Word Verification Balderdash is a weekly meme hosted by Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books.

This is very easy to do.


If you comment on blogs you can do this too.

Write down all the word verifications you get while posting comments on other peoples blogs.

You then play Balderdash with them.
In case you don't know how to play, you take the made up word and come up with an authentic sounding definition for it.


Do this for a week and then post your best or favorite ones every Thursday.


Here are mine for this week:

ganker - that annoying pain from that childhood accident you had, which now you wish you never tried to do that trick all the kids thought was soooo cool, that now comes to bother you when you least expect it.


daypera - the confusion of day and night when you work the evening/night shift into the wee hours of the morning, then have the weekend off and can't sleep at all.


nonormas - this is the illusion we all have that, "I" do not have a normal family because of all the crazy acts, loud speaking, funny looks, and insane responses "my" family always gives. That no one would understand how crazy "my" family is. (Well, everyone I know each thinks there family is a little crazy. I don't know if there is any such thing as a "normal" family anymore. Please, if you have a normal family I would love to meet them, because I know I do not, but I love them all anyway.)


hordsome - this is a need to keep everything, either put out neatly on the numberous shelves in the house or away in boxes and totes in the attic, basement, closets, and any stow away spot you can find.


slyzati - when you start talking to your friends parents and start to mention something your friend does not want mentioned to them the friend makes a jesture to you and you start changing the words coming out to cover up what has come out completed to make the story something different. The process of side stepping in a coversation fluently without the parents knowing is slyzati.

Wednesday, October 7, 2009

Favorite Fictional Character (5)



Favorite Fictional Character
Thanks to the creative mind of Ryan at Wordsmithonia who started this on Wednesdays.

Sorry all, I am still stuck in the 80's. One of my all time favorite tv shows was Punky Brewster. This show ran from 1984 through 1988. I just loved this little girl.

Penelopy "Punky" Brewster was abandoned with her dog at the grocery store by her mother. She did not want to live in an orphanage and does befriend Henry Warnimont who does adopt her.

This little girl was all but little. She had huge ideas and an enormous amount of energy to go with the ideas. When I think of Punky I am reminded of the pig tails, bright colored clothes done in layers, the bandana tied around the one leg, and yes... one pant leg rolled up slightly exposing the mismatched socks and shoes. Punky had many great adventures and such energy to liven up the screen when she was on. One of her most famous lines used on the show was Punky Power.

I just feel like a little girl again with the whole small world ahead of me where things are just so simple to a 9-12 year old kid. Ahhh, to be young again.

Well, if you would like to at least hear the opening song of the show with Punky walking around with her puppy click the link here. This is right before she meets Henry. (Sorry, I have not figured out how to put the video right in my blog posts yet.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzXf1gvfPSM

Tuesday, October 6, 2009

Teaser Tuesdays (8)




Teaser Tuesday is a weekly event.Sponsored by MizB of Should be Reading.

(I am rotating from Teaser Tuesday and Where are you? on Tuesdays. This week is the teaser.)

Here's how it works:



Grab the book you are currently reading (anything at all)
Open the book to any random pageShare 2 "teaser" sentences from anywhere on the page.
Please Make Sure They Are Not Spoilers!(Don't Give Too Much Away)
Just enough to pique our interests.
List the book and author so other participants can get their hand on it if they choose to read it as well.



This Week:


Later that day, another tribute is killed in combat and a third gets eaten by a pack of those fluffy squirrels, leaving Haymitch and a girl from District 1 to vie for the crown.

Catching Fire


By Suzanne Collins

This is page 201. This is a teaser for me as well being I have not got this far in the book. I think they may be viewing past games, the one in which Katniss's mentor won 25 years ago since this is the Quarter Quell.

Monday, October 5, 2009

I Won a Book Giveaway!

I won this book from over at Bookin_with_Bingo!! WOOT! WOOT!

Thank you Bingo!

I can't wait to get this one in the mail. It sounds good. It will be added to my tbr pile and I will get to it here some time in the future and let you all know what I think.

Synopsis of the book from Booking with Bingo's site:

THEIR LOVE IS FORBIDDEN!

Healer and high priestess of her people, Lady Cael is fated to life without a mate. But a mysterious explorer named Lucan Rourke doesn't know her secrets, and his touch makes her crave a future that her extraordinary birthright has forbidden her. . .

BUT DANGER IS NO MATCH FOR DESIRE!

Lucan has just one mission on Pendragon: to find the mythical Holy Grail, Earth's only hope for survival. His powerful attraction to Cael is a distraction he can't afford, unless he convinces her to join forces with him. Yet working so closely together only heightens their passion . . . even when the terrifying truth of Cael's heritage threatens to shatter Lucan's every belief-and the galaxy itself.

Monday's Beginnings (7)

This is the beginning of a new week!

So, I am wondering:

Where you are in your books or are you starting a new book for the new week? The beginning of the week always seems to be a great time to start anew. To me it seems to be the way Monday goes is a sign of how the week will follow. Have you been able to get much reading time in today? Or are you going to be rushed all week to get everything into the short 24 hour day?

I am still adding numerous books to my reading list. This week it has grown by five books. Four of these books are together in a series. This really is a wonderous thing! You are all helping to keep me out of trouble and these wonderful authors in work. I am kind of trying to make notes of books to read but the must, must reads are on the top of the list (that is what list these books are on). I do have to say I finished ONE book this week! (The Blade Itself)

Well, for me today: I have started a new book today, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins. I am currently on page 45 out of 391 pages. As I have mentioned I am a slow reader, but I have high hopes this book will go faster. The first book in this series was a fast read for me, it was over a weekend so I could put more time into it but this on has started out just as exciting and I once again have not been let down and don't want to put it down. Today was a okay day. I was bored at work, so don't tell anyone but I picked up my book from time to time when I was to be working to read. If the week keeps going on this path I should have Catching Fire finished before the end of the week and into my next book. I will have to wait and see what it will be from my growing stack of tbr books. I tried last week putting more time into the books than online. I really hope no one minds. I also got caught up from Thursday through Sunday with events that took time from my reading and the online stuff. Uncles wedding, family time, and a golf outing with work; so I was running around a little bit. I am hoping this week with begin to calm down to the way I am use to; calm, relaxing quite time at home.

So... this leaves us with one question left... Where are you?

Awards, Round #1

Okay, I have a few awards to had out. I will be doing these in sessions. I am hoping I can get the second, and final session, tomorrow night. I am hoping, but I will be done with the awards this week.


Please I ask everyone to take the time to visit all the presenters of the awards to me and to the new nominees of these awards. They are wonderful sites with great information to share.







I have received this award from three fellow bloggers. I love this picture!! Sorry, I had to throw that out there. The three bloggers I received this award from are wonderful people and you really should take the time to visit their sites, Pixie13 at Just_Random_Stuff, Ryan at Wordsmithonia, and Parajunkee at Parajunkee's_View. Thank you all, I love this award!



The Dragon's Loyalty Award is an award for the loyal fan/commenter, whether the recipient is a fellow blogger or just a someone who follows and comments regularly.



Here are the rules:


If you have a blog, post it on your blog with a link back to the site who gave it to you. Leave them a comment on their site, email, etc. to let them know. If you don't have a blog but have a website, Facebook, MySpace, Twitter or other type account, post there with a link back.


Pass this on to 3-10 loyal fans.



I have some great followers here that I would love to pass this on to. They are:

Alexia at Alexia's_Books_And_Such...

La Coccinelle at The_Ladybug_Reads...

Froggy at Froggaritaville's_Bookcase






I have to thank Ryan at Wordsmithonia for this great award. I have been talking with Ryan through blogs and common sites for some time now. Thank you Ryan! It is great to have a wonderful friend like yourself.


This award is designed with one purpose in mind. Pass this on to other bloggers who have awarded you in the past.



So, now I pass this on to some wonderful nominees... I hope you take a few minutes and visit these sites, there is a lot of great information and wonderful people to meet.



The new winners are:

Nikola at Nikola's_Book_Blog

Deb at Bookmagic

Michelle at The_True_Book_Addict









I would like to thank Nikola at Nikola's_Book_Blog for this lovely award of My Top Blog Commenters Award. Thank you Nikola! Please make a point to stop by Nikola's blog, its a great place and person to visit.


Now I would like to pass this wonderful award on to a few nominees of my own...
They are:


I am also going to award this award to a new follower and friend here in this lovely little world we have. She is not a top commenter of mine yet, but I have commented back and forth with her at her blog and here on mine a few times. Please stop by and say hello to:

Petty Witter at Pen_and_Paper

Sunday, October 4, 2009

Book Review



The Blade Itself
the first law: book one

By: Joe Abercrombie

Publisher: Pyr

Recommendation: Yes, if you like a series with corruption somewhere deep within and like to think on it yourself.

First Sentence of the Book:

Logen plunged through the trees, bare feet slipping and sliding on the wet earth, the slush, the wet pine needles, breath rasping in his chest, blood thumping in his head.

Books Synopsis:

Logen Ninefingers, infamous barbarian, has finally run out of luck. Caught in one feud too many, he's on the verge of becoming a dead barbarian - leaving nothing behind him but bad songs, dead friends, and a lot of happy enemies.

Nobleman, dashing officer, and paragon of selfishness, Captain Jezal dan Luthar has nothing more dangerous in mind than fleecing his friends at cards and dreaming of glory in the fencing circle. But war is brewing, and on the battlefields of the frozen North they fight by altogether bloodier rules.

Inquisitor Glokta, cripple turned torturer, would like nothing better than to see Jezal come home in a box. But then Glokta hates everyone: cutting treason out of the Union on confession at a time leaves little room for friendship. His latest trail of corpses may lead him right to the rotten heart of government... if he can stay alive long enough to follow it.

Enter the wizard, Bayaz. A bald old man with a terrible temper and a pathetic assistant, he could be the First of the Magi, he could be a spectacular fraud, but whatever he is, he's about to make the lives of Logen, Jezal, and Glotka a whole lot more difficult...

Murderous conspiracies rise to the surface, old scores are ready to be settled, and the line betwween hero and villain is sharp enough to draw blood. Unpredictable, compelling, wickedly funny, and packed with unforgettable characters, The Blade Itself is noir fantasy with a real cutting edge.

My Review and Synopsis:

The beginning of the book was easy yet a little hard for me. There is a lot of background work done here on the characters and the status of the world. You are introduced to all the characters in their elements, places, and world before they are introduced to each other. It can get a little confusing, but if you can keep it all separate it is worth it. One of the best parts here is having your characters separate and seeing their views on what they know or see, then seeing them actually meet and how the knowledge of that one character could help the other they just meet-if shared. Seeing how they get into the conversations to share the information or even when they don't share the information because they don't know who they have been in contact with or what they are involved in.

Through out the book you really get a feel of how unstable the three Empires are and the contempt they feel for each other. There are the Northmen, the Union and Angland, and the Gurkish. The Northmen and Gurkish seem to have leaders that are very ruthless and blood thirsty to take over as much land they can and rule all they take. The Union is stuck in the middle of both these places, yet doesn't seem to be as barbaric as the other two with killing. Angland is the place, in the North but is part of the Union, in which the Union sends all their guilty parties of treason agains the crown or toward the government (and in this time it could be a small thing or a large doing that could land you here - even working with or looking at the wrong person could hurt you). They have shared borders all these years?!? If you ask me I don't know how...

Just when you think you have all the characters details down a few more are added. All these people from the different areas of the world are pulled together to save their worlds from a bigger threat than the Northernmen or Glukish navy or Unions soldiers. What is this greater thing to be defeated by these specially selected few? That answer seems to be only known by the First of the Magi, Bayaz, and his brothers.

There seems to be a magic that surrounds each character in their own way. Yet the characters don't seem to be aware to the fact they have something special about them. These characters don't even realize the enemies they make and the bigger enemies they upset. In this book the story only begins, the adventure only starts.

I am sorry to add here that you will have to read the next book to see where they go after this story. What about the war? Who is this greater threat? I too have to now go get the second book in this trilogy. I have questions and can not let them go unanswered. There is just too much scheming and bribing and underlying meanings in things said or not said that I just have to keep going with the trilogy. I hope you enjoy it as well.