tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-58566847666735022682024-03-12T20:22:54.972-04:00From Pen to Paper...And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt. -Sylvia PlathAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.comBlogger161125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-40706714914218563422016-10-15T13:29:00.002-04:002016-10-15T13:38:36.341-04:002016 RONE Awards<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWpBx4wCYGvctHgZUy3_fRdE_nP2UWG2SRedS5NfLEvtO1cqZWQ9U3QHxFZmPMJX7YCb4bxxeVn_ulPskcBAmA72WOUvM0sKYftE6KKgIGH4mL6TAe1QguGZLw9_vWCrMt2byLX8Xlqwt/s1600/14610996_10102850110562559_6918241024237695498_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivWpBx4wCYGvctHgZUy3_fRdE_nP2UWG2SRedS5NfLEvtO1cqZWQ9U3QHxFZmPMJX7YCb4bxxeVn_ulPskcBAmA72WOUvM0sKYftE6KKgIGH4mL6TAe1QguGZLw9_vWCrMt2byLX8Xlqwt/s320/14610996_10102850110562559_6918241024237695498_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As previously established, I suck at blogging, but have a bit of news that bears mentioning! So I come to you, dear readers, from the land of Hermits and Introverts, to announce that last week, <i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Sirens-Falkeld-Julie-Tuovi-ebook/dp/B00WZY595U/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1476552277&sr=8-1" target="_blank">The Sirens of Falkeld</a></i> took home the <a href="http://www.indtale.com/2016-rone-awards" target="_blank">2016 RONE</a> award in the YA Paranormal category! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Can I get a "WUT, WUT"?!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
YOUGUYSIAMSOEXCITED!!!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First and foremost because I KNOW that the calibre of talent of the other nominees was top notch. (Here's lookin' at you, <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Barbara-Kloss/e/B005V06A0I/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1476551724&sr=8-1" target="_blank">Barbara Kloss</a>!... If you haven't checked out Barb's work, you need to. The girl writes a mean fantasy!) So it's quite the compliment to take home the gold when up against such epic talent. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Secondly, because it was the first book competition I've ever been nominated for... AND I WON! (Whaaat?!) That's gotta be a good omen, right? (I'm gunna say it is...) I was lucky enough to be able to attend the actual awards ceremony in Burbank, CA and I gotta say, it was a blast. T.J. Mackay and the staff of InD'Tale were such a pleasure to be around. I'm so grateful that the planets aligned for us to meet. It was a wonderful night! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thanks to <a href="http://www.indtale.com/" target="_blank">InD'Tale Magazine</a> for making it all happen, to my hunky husband for... well... everything, and most especially to all of you, dear ones, for voting for <i>Sirens</i> in the reader's choice round, and for all your incredible love and support thorough this journey! Here's to many more successes to come, eh? *fingers crossed* </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
XO, Julie</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-81030484685888710162016-02-22T15:13:00.001-05:002016-02-22T15:26:31.827-05:00Best Books of 2015<div style="text-align: justify;">
Listen, folks. Regular blogging might be a problem for me. It's true. In the world of Amazing Bloggers, I may or may not be a hit and miss in the dark... the twice-a-year-post kinda blogger... the person you've totally forgotten about because the moment I started raising a child, suddenly life was all "HOW DO PEOPLE HAVE TIME TO WRITE AND RAISE OFFSPRING??" and yoga pants and copious amounts of a caffeine...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
BUT all those failed posts aside, getting my yearly "Five Best Books" post down has never been a problem. I guess I like hearing myself talk about favorites. Sue me. So although it's February, and long past the acceptable time frame for: <i>I'm-so-late-but-I'm-doing-this-anyway</i>, I give you, my 2015 All Stars (in no particular order):<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">1. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-Stars-Sky-Until-World-ebook/dp/B00SW4K268/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456171404&sr=1-1&keywords=all+the+stars+in+the+sky">All the Stars in the Sky</a></i>, Sarah Lyons Fleming</span></b></h2>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHxPsgiXKjZwm0XXiGcChsj04Dqkxrul8L7PZmtkmX-uAWHfhrN7bxqRDAkzUblJbji33f791zKLvll9ixm1ROfou9LkoFxX6HMeMXinw17BSveWbG7dQTUBSHPlHdY4vOqm8PNJ1hJzx/s1600/23466036.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMHxPsgiXKjZwm0XXiGcChsj04Dqkxrul8L7PZmtkmX-uAWHfhrN7bxqRDAkzUblJbji33f791zKLvll9ixm1ROfou9LkoFxX6HMeMXinw17BSveWbG7dQTUBSHPlHdY4vOqm8PNJ1hJzx/s320/23466036.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Cassie Forrest has sworn she’ll never let the world get the best of her again. </span></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">She’s chosen to believe everything will be all right. </span></i></i><br />
<i><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></i></i></div>
<i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">But on a journey filled with heartbreak and madness and zombies, Cassie and her friends must struggle to stay alive—and it’s hard to believe in a future when survival seems unlikely.</i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Speaking of STARS (hardy, har!)... <i>All the Stars in the Sky</i> totally rocks the zombie apocalypse universe, you guys. In fact, you might have noticed that Sarah was on my All Star Team for 2014 as well. What can I say? This chick-a-dee is like an oracle. I devoured this book... TWICE... and could easily pick it up for round three with no problems whatsoever. This story isn't just about zombies... it's got a cleaver and machete stompin' story line too! And I'm in love. If you're in for an apocalyptic book that you CAN'T put down, try out this series! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">2. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Ember-Ashes-Sabaa-Tahir-ebook/dp/B00KWG5RSC/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456171505&sr=1-1&keywords=an+ember+in+the+ashes">An Ember in the Ashes</a></i>, Sabaa Tahir</span></b></h2>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHJFiBndF162uDom31_NYa2ke58BmMPKoAJLl_c6-iGYuBqKRPy-7Y_cwkAVgdH2vPHCYrHxPyQG_glHeBz5eCw3Ucade_0xBmsNwsTreTtbaapnwFDwwdQGUY0TUEKa2HNMbffZv5Njc/s1600/emberintheashes_jkt_5-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUHJFiBndF162uDom31_NYa2ke58BmMPKoAJLl_c6-iGYuBqKRPy-7Y_cwkAVgdH2vPHCYrHxPyQG_glHeBz5eCw3Ucade_0xBmsNwsTreTtbaapnwFDwwdQGUY0TUEKa2HNMbffZv5Njc/s320/emberintheashes_jkt_5-1.jpg" width="209" /></a></div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Laia is a slave. Elias is a soldier. Neither is free.</span></i><br />
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">Under the Martial Empire, defiance is met with death. Those who do not vow their blood and bodies to the Emperor risk the execution of their loved ones and the destruction of all they hold dear.</i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">It is in this brutal world, inspired by ancient Rome, that Laia lives with her grandparents and older brother. The family ekes out an existence in the Empire’s impoverished backstreets. They do not challenge the Empire. They’ve seen what happens to those who do.</i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></i>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">But when Laia’s brother is arrested for treason, Laia is forced to make a decision. In exchange for help from rebels who promise to rescue her brother, she will risk her life to spy for them from within the Empire’s greatest military academy.</i></span></i><br />
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i style="background-color: transparent;"><br /></i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">There, Laia meets Elias, the school’s finest soldier—and secretly, its most unwilling. Elias wants only to be free of the tyranny he’s being trained to enforce. He and Laia will soon realize that their destinies are intertwined—and that their choices will change the fate of the Empire itself.</i></div>
</span></i></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>I'm in love with everything about this book. </i></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This book kinda makes me wish I lived in back-in-the-day Rome. But only if it was like this... Dark magic, a school for bloodthirsty soldiers, a rising resistance, and a mom that makes every other evil step mother look like a chump, schoolyard bully. I loved every page!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">3. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Tiger-Lily-Jodi-Lynn-Anderson-ebook/dp/B006VE7KHK/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456171540&sr=1-1&keywords=tiger+lily">Tiger Lily</a></i>, Jodi Lynn Anderson</span></b></h2>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZmZ7K3Fqkk3yAYltpdBmoNovj6-VFsuLpvoRlsNKJlLC1S4CrVxmtyYXkzGX43gXKvV4o5BmJdU98GiugxWLGZyhp7UPkYok9hfHaIn5uxO-jE57t3xxVEQRVbDH5AEIq_3abb40yu8_/s1600/513TcheX6VL._SX329_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYZmZ7K3Fqkk3yAYltpdBmoNovj6-VFsuLpvoRlsNKJlLC1S4CrVxmtyYXkzGX43gXKvV4o5BmJdU98GiugxWLGZyhp7UPkYok9hfHaIn5uxO-jE57t3xxVEQRVbDH5AEIq_3abb40yu8_/s320/513TcheX6VL._SX329_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Before Peter Pan belonged to Wendy, he belonged to the girl with the crow feather in her hair...</span></i><br />
<br />
<i></i>
<i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">Fifteen-year-old Tiger Lily doesn't believe in love stories or happy endings. Then she meets the alluring teenage Peter Pan in the forbidden woods of Neverland and immediately falls under his spell.</i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">Peter is unlike anyone she's ever known. Impetuous and brave, he both scares and enthralls her. As the leader of the Lost Boys, the most fearsome of Neverland's inhabitants, Peter is an unthinkable match for Tiger Lily. Soon, she is risking everything—her family, her future—to be with him. When she is faced with marriage to a terrible man in her own tribe, she must choose between the life she's always known and running away to an uncertain future with Peter.</i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span></i>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></i>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i style="background-color: transparent;">With enemies threatening to tear them apart, the lovers seem doomed. But it's the arrival of Wendy Darling, an English girl who's everything Tiger Lily is not, that leads Tiger Lily to discover that the most dangerous enemies can live inside even the most loyal and loving heart.</i></span></i></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Perhaps it's because I, too, found myself irrevocably in love as a tender teen, and had my heart broken into a million tiny shards, but this book savaged my soul. <i>"It's not for lack of loyalty," </i>Tink says, as she looks back on the memories of youth that still feel like yesterday, <i>"It is just that she was fifteen once for the first time, and Peter walked across her heart, and left his footprints there."</i> </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*sigh* </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Readers beware... it's not a strictly happy ending... but it IS the best kind of sad resolution. This is for anyone who ever had a broken heart!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">4. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Uprooted-Naomi-Novik-ebook/dp/B00KUQIU7O/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456171600&sr=1-1&keywords=uprooted">Uprooted</a></i>, Naomi Novik</span></b></h2>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2764ifhGV9cfRMbyYTSH4GH2D0AqijcKJxlGJvUSc3_8Uo9PNy7GVD7HHpnGKZeD1gWiov15XubNotuclPPX29kdHgZ37xz5ozCOFhFZEB7l1EB2aHXP_iPqc8jnqV1uvLaJMmhtE5Ij/s1600/61GTgHMU28L._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT2764ifhGV9cfRMbyYTSH4GH2D0AqijcKJxlGJvUSc3_8Uo9PNy7GVD7HHpnGKZeD1gWiov15XubNotuclPPX29kdHgZ37xz5ozCOFhFZEB7l1EB2aHXP_iPqc8jnqV1uvLaJMmhtE5Ij/s320/61GTgHMU28L._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="219" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Agnieszka loves her valley home, her quiet village, the forests and the bright shining river. But the corrupted Wood stands on the border, full of malevolent power, and its shadow lies over her life.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Her people rely on the cold, driven wizard known only as the Dragon to keep its powers at bay. But he demands a terrible price for his help: one young woman handed over to serve him for ten years, a fate almost as terrible as falling to the Wood.</i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>The next choosing is fast approaching, and Agnieszka is afraid. She knows—<span style="background-color: transparent;">everyone</span> knows—that the Dragon will take Kasia: beautiful, graceful, brave Kasia, all the things Agnieszka isn’t, and her dearest friend in the world. And there is no way to save her.</i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>But Agnieszka fears the wrong things. For when the Dragon comes, it is not Kasia he will choose.</i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm just gunna say it straight: Novik is basically the Queen of Poetic Writing. This book is so beautifully written, it kind of makes me sad I didn't write it. Magic, intrigue and a budding, unlikely romance, this story is flawless!</div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<h2>
<b><span style="font-size: large;">5. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Six-Crows-Leigh-Bardugo-ebook/dp/B00UG9LC4I/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456171651&sr=1-1&keywords=six+of+crows">Six of Crows</a></i>, Leigh Bardugo</span></b></h2>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIq_Navo2lR5maxO7bMkKKAjwIkprkpkSZdrgQrdE__UXURx3a3XEhTdG622i0b_ZUh4thwRUm2IPMEma_i8IIDEjX93le5vSYXrdvngMnjCQsVyDCc6A6vt0RA9RfAckpxu6BBS-ijWB/s1600/Six-of-Crows.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIq_Navo2lR5maxO7bMkKKAjwIkprkpkSZdrgQrdE__UXURx3a3XEhTdG622i0b_ZUh4thwRUm2IPMEma_i8IIDEjX93le5vSYXrdvngMnjCQsVyDCc6A6vt0RA9RfAckpxu6BBS-ijWB/s320/Six-of-Crows.jpg" width="215" /></a></div>
<i style="text-align: justify;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">Ketterdam: a bustling hub of international trade where anything can be had for the right price—and no one knows that better than criminal prodigy Kaz Brekker. Kaz is offered a chance at a deadly heist that could make him rich beyond his wildest dreams. But he can't pull it off alone...</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">
<em><em>A convict with a thirst for revenge.</em></em></div>
<em>
</em>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></em></div>
<em>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></em>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><em>A sharpshooter who can't walk away from a wager.</em></span></em></div>
<em><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span></em>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><br /></em></div>
<em>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span></em>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><em>A runaway with a privileged past.</em></span></em></div>
<em><span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span></em>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em><br /></em></div>
<em>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>A spy known as the Wraith.</em></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>A Heartrender using her magic to survive the slums. </em></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>A thief with a gift for unlikely escapes.</em><span style="background-color: white;"> </span></div>
</span></em><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Kaz's crew are the only ones who might stand between the world and destruction—if they don't kill each other first.</i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This one actually kind of reminded me of Brandon Sanderson's <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Mistborn-Trilogy-Brandon-Sanderson-ebook/dp/B004H1TQBW/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456170642&sr=1-1&keywords=mistborn"><i>Mistborn</i></a>. It's like Ocean's 11 meets fantasy, and I loved it! Twists, turns and an intriguing multiple POV telling of the ultimate heist! But be warned: it's NOT a standalone. Yeah. Which is what <i>I</i> thought until the last page. At which point I almost lost it, knowing I'd have to wait for a sequel to find out what happens. Curse you, Leigh Bardugo! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-size: large;">6.<i> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Illuminae-Files-Amie-Kaufman-ebook/dp/B00OEXJARS/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1456171697&sr=1-1&keywords=the+illuminae+files">The Illuminae Files</a></i>, Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff</span></b></h2>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECZ5ghj9y7mh7tZquuZwm86w38IUcWKIH8BYNII0jSORsy1zbhsfhowghmza3genQL2-mE0NtYgZDYOc06nbsIRvmaITjjDTAtoVKYTPJlHqobV9NMUbXA5Ny0MI3cYaMfGvCOYsZN_kC/s1600/23395680.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgECZ5ghj9y7mh7tZquuZwm86w38IUcWKIH8BYNII0jSORsy1zbhsfhowghmza3genQL2-mE0NtYgZDYOc06nbsIRvmaITjjDTAtoVKYTPJlHqobV9NMUbXA5Ny0MI3cYaMfGvCOYsZN_kC/s320/23395680.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: merriweather, georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">This morning, Kady thought breaking up with Ezra was the hardest thing she’d have to do.</i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>This afternoon, her planet was invaded.</i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>The year is 2575, and two rival megacorporations are at war over a planet that’s little more than an ice-covered speck at the edge of the universe. Too bad nobody thought to warn the people living on it. With enemy fire raining down on them, Kady and Ezra—who are barely even talking to each other—are forced to fight their way onto an evacuating fleet, with an enemy warship in hot pursuit.</i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>But their problems are just getting started. A deadly plague has broken out and is mutating, with terrifying results; the fleet's AI, which should be protecting them, may actually be their enemy; and nobody in charge will say what’s really going on. As Kady hacks into a tangled web of data to find the truth, it's clear only one person can help her bring it all to light: the ex-boyfriend she <span style="background-color: transparent;">swore</span> she'd never speak to again.</i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><i>Told through a fascinating dossier of hacked documents—including emails, schematics, military files, IMs, medical reports, interviews, and more—<span style="background-color: transparent;">Illuminae</span> is the first book in a heart-stopping, high-octane trilogy about lives interrupted, the price of truth, and the courage of everyday heroes.</i></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 21px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What "Top Five" list of mine would be complete without an Honrable Mention!? I didn't specifically label it as such, however, on account of I couldn't decide WHICH of these should be demoted to a mere honorific status. So I guess that technically makes this my Top SIX Books of 2015, but tomato tomah-tow, right? HA!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I won't lie... I was totally skeptical about <i>the Illuminae Files</i> at first. The format is definitely unique, and I worried it'd turn me off the story.... Oh contrare! Just the opposite, my friends! The email/IM/text/photo format actually gave the story <i>more</i> of an impact. And FYI, it's <i>totally</i> worth the hardcopy purchase, JUST for the visually stunning cover art. Just sayin'.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Don't be scared, you guys, give this one a try... you'll be glad you did!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And that's my list! 2015 was a fabulous year for reading, and 2016 is already keeping me busy, as I'm in the thick of things with Pierce Brown's <i>Red Rising</i> series. (Ohmyheart... AMAZING. You can bet it'll be on next year's list. Not even a question!) If you like these and wanna know what else I'm kickin' around, be sure to follow more of my reviews on <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/13886089.Julie_Tuovi">Goodreads</a>! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So what about you, you perusers of my blog, you? What books totally knocked your socks off last year? I love a good recommend! </div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-78605517056185562015-06-15T20:30:00.003-04:002015-06-15T20:31:51.411-04:00Release Day!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Short, sweet and to the point... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
IT'S FINALLY HERE! My book child, <i>The Sirens of Falkeld</i>, made its debut in the big wide world today! Three cheers and a WOOT, WOOT HALLELUJAH!! Ebook AND print copies are available on Amazon <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WZY595U/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0CGSG6B5VHZK6HDCM0ZT&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>. Fans of Maggie Stiefvater's <i>The Scorpio Races</i>, and Margo Lanagan's <i>The Brides of Rollrock Island</i> will likely dig this... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCcBDjFDvwUuEPygiqEcEPTAsXQebBZ_o5pDa-cVoJSX3wz_dBj_f89ph-NOofJHhyphenhyphenWWj51ynCfJn2Fz618dch7Owqef-M06fx7x07n-lPSoZg4tEO1ljEEVkH2t0XYtZRT5q5QgR-udd/s1600/juliefront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUCcBDjFDvwUuEPygiqEcEPTAsXQebBZ_o5pDa-cVoJSX3wz_dBj_f89ph-NOofJHhyphenhyphenWWj51ynCfJn2Fz618dch7Owqef-M06fx7x07n-lPSoZg4tEO1ljEEVkH2t0XYtZRT5q5QgR-udd/s320/juliefront.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Kade Finley, of the Scottish Isles, was raised on legends of the sea. His Gaffer, Toran Finley said, that beneath Muireall’s wind-swept cliffs, deep under the waves, there lived a legend as old as the Highlands themselves. Of Manannán Mac Lir, the sea god, and his beautiful <i>maighdean mhara</i>, who swam the tides, luring sailors to their deaths. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">But they’re not just legend. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Kade saw one on his ninth birthday. On that day, a fierce storm swallowed half the island, and his da, Aidan Finley, was never seen again. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">It’s been nine years since Da disappeared, and Gaffer is dying. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">Desperate to save him, Kade decides to capture a maighdean mhara, of whom the stories say will grant one wish if caught. But Admiral Gilbert Owen, commander of the island’s WWII naval base, complicates things. In his quest for power, the Admiral has enraged the maidens, making it dangerous to be human in <i>maighdean mhara</i> infested waters.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;">
</span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.399999618530273px;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Happy reading, dear friends!! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And now I shall go battle down the hatches and wait for the reviews.... *whimpers*... (no one actually tells you how nerve wracking this is... Just in case you didn't know? IT'S NERVE WRACKING). </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-11993394803277170002015-06-08T13:33:00.000-04:002015-06-08T13:33:47.461-04:00Final Countdown!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So.... <a href="http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00WZY595U/ref=s9_simh_gw_p351_d0_i1?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=desktop-1&pf_rd_r=0QXH5F0VQE1768DXXT1S&pf_rd_t=36701&pf_rd_p=2079475242&pf_rd_i=desktop"><span style="color: red;">my book</span></a> is being released one week from today. WHAOOOOOOO! June 15th, everyone!!! That day is a very big day, Pascal! Most of the time, I'm over the moon to FINALLY be starting this process. Kinda like this:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cnvnzP6mZ3IMw2pcxi3Sej3EWPkVpI4IJiWjMq7TL44wp_u6eWYRe_fJv58xLwLFNrYwcdM-lnFn6C9f1SwtlAmnzZn_zme9aomtKJNcnDLH5e2OIkYXIeIWdj-cRHrKdmXJrnflouhv/s1600/giphy.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2cnvnzP6mZ3IMw2pcxi3Sej3EWPkVpI4IJiWjMq7TL44wp_u6eWYRe_fJv58xLwLFNrYwcdM-lnFn6C9f1SwtlAmnzZn_zme9aomtKJNcnDLH5e2OIkYXIeIWdj-cRHrKdmXJrnflouhv/s320/giphy.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
But then there's those OTHER days... </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic26nuAN4tKawUWLoFSTIbcaYInDnT4MQFXTsx_sZserWZwpRak7Gmd0Copao0xOrJJutjh92p3n-x_kVjimyRtWjoQh-yw0D4p4rgajuy2cjz5_VR6EepwhIcSqmT2veRNyqc8YbrsR1u/s1600/e99cc6fafc828202dba6d2ea475ac3be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEic26nuAN4tKawUWLoFSTIbcaYInDnT4MQFXTsx_sZserWZwpRak7Gmd0Copao0xOrJJutjh92p3n-x_kVjimyRtWjoQh-yw0D4p4rgajuy2cjz5_VR6EepwhIcSqmT2veRNyqc8YbrsR1u/s320/e99cc6fafc828202dba6d2ea475ac3be.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
THIS ^^ half of me is point two seconds away from storming the digital mine fields of Amazon and ripping back every single 0 and 1 making up my book, protecting my work like a mamma bear defending her cubs. Because, this thing that I wrote? PEOPLE WILL BE READING IT. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
O_O</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
*breathes into paper bag*</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Okay, so realistically, I know that the handful of people who will be reading my book for the next little while are peeps who are likely to still love me no matter if I fall on my face or not. BUT STILL. It does kind of send the freak out vibes into motion, knowing that this precious piece of MY SOUL will be in the hands of blood-thirsty reviewers. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
Oh gosh. Where's that paper bag again??</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
For now, I think I'm going to put on my big girl panties and go listen to that Fight Song again. Maybe that'll give me the courage to go slay some dragons next Monday. In the meantime, any of you battle-hardened self pub authors wanna give a newbie some advice? I'm all ears!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-92107375232674923572015-05-29T14:44:00.005-04:002015-05-29T14:44:41.432-04:00Fight SongRecently discovered this new song, and now I'm obsessed:<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/xo1VInw-SKc" width="560"></iframe><br />
<br />
Doesn't it just make you wanna go write like a billion words and be amazing?!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-50473095067693482482015-05-26T12:55:00.001-04:002015-05-26T13:02:31.097-04:00Free ARCs! Going once... going twice...<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hello, fellow read-a-holics!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I am searching the kingdom, near and far for four or five brave souls to read and review my book--coming June 15th... EEEEeeek! *happy dance* You have all been so kind in the past, offering advice and support and much-needed cheerleading, that I thought I would see if any would like a free copy in exchange for an honest review.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Here's a summary:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUbrFsXrdrFcPLJUJusofH_NYMdHP2SCppEViBxMXq3WYCIheThd-u4v13f7Ew4RT8j4Xequabr5rvffciwa8k9G2PPkUTfAD7FMqtT_BfaNmA8Yvz7oTK2yqlmGJFRVmpLxYWdtip1w8/s1600/juliefront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHUbrFsXrdrFcPLJUJusofH_NYMdHP2SCppEViBxMXq3WYCIheThd-u4v13f7Ew4RT8j4Xequabr5rvffciwa8k9G2PPkUTfAD7FMqtT_BfaNmA8Yvz7oTK2yqlmGJFRVmpLxYWdtip1w8/s320/juliefront.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">Kade Finley, of the Scottish Isles, was raised on legends of the sea. His Gaffer, Toran Finley said, that beneath Muireall’s wind-swept cliffs, deep under the waves, there lived a legend as old as the Highlands themselves. Of Manannán Mac Lir, the sea god, and his beautiful sea maidens, the </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">maighdean mhara</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">, who swam the tides, luring sailors to their deaths.</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">But they’re not just legend. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Kade saw one on his ninth birthday. On that day, a fierce storm swallowed half the island, and his da, Aidan Finley, was never seen again. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">It’s been nine years since Da disappeared, and Gaffer is dying. </span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
</span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Desperate to save him, Kade decides to capture a maighdean mhara, of whom the stories say will grant one wish if caught. But Admiral Gilbert Owen, commander of the island’s WWII naval base, complicates things. In his quest for power, the Admiral has enraged the maidens, making it dangerous to be human in <i>maighdean mhara</i> infested waters.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
If you're willing, I'd gladly impart you with massive amounts of good karma, magic charms, luck potions, and, of course, a MOBI file for your handy dandy e-Reader. If interested, email me at: julietuovi (at) gmail (dot) com (no spaces) or just leave a comment below. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
As always, thank you for your kind words and encouragement! The online writing community is seriously the best. No joke. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
XO</div>
<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-2002760774194377312015-05-13T13:07:00.003-04:002015-05-13T13:29:35.543-04:00Waiting on Wednesday...<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eWDqDoFgNuTrXlTbSlarxyaXMdU1ZNai9cSuUK9OXCfXoLzGTU-DuLZbdF-638yL8VygYQEBN1SIvqQVDnUhIcuUfUhmdqhOuuh7jkCYlJbHX7OUEsyRatwQr88uTJy86WFTs6Doz7XM/s1600/New+WoW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0eWDqDoFgNuTrXlTbSlarxyaXMdU1ZNai9cSuUK9OXCfXoLzGTU-DuLZbdF-638yL8VygYQEBN1SIvqQVDnUhIcuUfUhmdqhOuuh7jkCYlJbHX7OUEsyRatwQr88uTJy86WFTs6Doz7XM/s1600/New+WoW.jpg" /></a></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.90625px;">Hello, lovelies! </span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.90625px;">Today I joined a blog event called "Waiting On" Wednesday, which is hosted over at</span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.90625px;"><span style="color: red;"> <a href="http://breakingthespine.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red;">Breaking the Spine</span></a></span><span style="color: #333333;">, and spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating. As I'm constantly on the lookout for delicious new books to read, naturally, I thought this was a smashing idea. Bring on the books!!</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">
<span style="color: #333333; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;">My chosen pre-publication "can't-wait-to-read" selection TECHNICALLY came out just yesterday, so I know, I know--it's already published. But Since it was JUST yesterday, and I haven't read it yet, I figured I'd put it up anyway:</span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;">
</span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;"><b><u>End of Days, Susan Ee</u></b></span></span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span></span></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxl5jG-Xs6dB0dNORKHIhoVagg127PQUx2VSDg1myZs-FS9a2RmULTzd0muBrl4eUQgwaRR0cB48cXfEaAMG_WF4t-PFtW-iIF1_zNvFjAnx6S-VtD2Vc9BoIaZquca1U52ij-86SRzI2/s1600/13638020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxl5jG-Xs6dB0dNORKHIhoVagg127PQUx2VSDg1myZs-FS9a2RmULTzd0muBrl4eUQgwaRR0cB48cXfEaAMG_WF4t-PFtW-iIF1_zNvFjAnx6S-VtD2Vc9BoIaZquca1U52ij-86SRzI2/s320/13638020.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">End of Days</em><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> is the explosive conclusion to Susan Ee’s bestselling </span><em style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Penryn & the End of Days</em><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> trilogy.</span></div>
<span id="freeText8538670358560214018"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText8538670358560214018"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span id="freeText8538670358560214018">
<i></i></span>
<br />
<div style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText8538670358560214018"><i><i>After a daring escape from the angels, Penryn and Raffe are on the run. They’re both desperate to find a doctor who can reverse the twisted changes inflicted by the angels on Raffe and Penryn’s sister. As they set off in search of answers, a startling revelation about Raffe’s past unleashes dark forces that threaten them all.</i></i></span></div>
<span id="freeText8538670358560214018"><i>
</i></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText8538670358560214018"><i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></i></span></div>
<span id="freeText8538670358560214018"><i>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"></span></i></span>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText8538670358560214018"><i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><span id="freeText8538670358560214018"><i>When the angels release an apocalyptic nightmare onto humans, both sides are set on a path toward war. As unlikely alliances form and strategies shift, who will emerge victorious? Forced to pick sides in the fight for control of the earthly realm, Raffe and Penryn must choose: Their own kind, or each other?</i></span><span style="background-color: white;"><i> </i></span></span></i></span></div>
<span id="freeText8538670358560214018"><i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">
</span></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.9149990081787px;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span></span></span></span><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span></span></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;">You guys, I love this series in a bad way. I randomly picked </span></span><i style="color: #333333; line-height: 18.90625px;">Angelfall</i><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;"> up in the store one time, not having any idea what to expect--and was hooked by page 2. I then proceeded to devour the first two books, only to find out the third wasn't due out for a looooong time. (Gah! CURSES!) Anyway, if you haven't read this gem (which, incidentally, started out as a self </span></span></span><span style="color: #333333;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;">pub-ed book... YEAH!) definitely check it out. You won't be sorry!!</span></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="line-height: 18.90625px;">What about you, lovely readers? Any wonderful books to recommend? (Anticipated OR published??) Lay 'em on me!</span></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-24410795527559978262015-05-11T11:52:00.001-04:002015-05-11T16:08:21.400-04:00A Rose by Any Other Name...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_INqOtzU34Ka2NFVLDgiTAyQLue61ZnlGgBmcv1LbEAFz47Jxn5_BvYEd6gq1rC-qSTaxP9hlKVzGJSdZ6dmEdpMhbS6JVWMH7lVhj_CsdEiwoJ6lqTOy3izbxU3KQ-X0OJFOf3cps9o_/s1600/writing-under-a-pen-name.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_INqOtzU34Ka2NFVLDgiTAyQLue61ZnlGgBmcv1LbEAFz47Jxn5_BvYEd6gq1rC-qSTaxP9hlKVzGJSdZ6dmEdpMhbS6JVWMH7lVhj_CsdEiwoJ6lqTOy3izbxU3KQ-X0OJFOf3cps9o_/s320/writing-under-a-pen-name.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
While perusing the internets the other day, I came across <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/douglas-mcpherson/author-pseudonyms_b_6961586.html"><span style="color: red;">THIS</span></a> article on the Huffington Post about authors who change their names.... even further, authors who change their sex! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Okay, not ACTUALLY, but via pen name for sure.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Possibly the most famous to do so, is our beloved J.K. Rowling herself. I guess technically, she didn't do a complete overhaul on her name, but in the face of the big, scary, literary world, she DID opt for gender neutral initials. On her <a href="http://www.jkrowling.com/en_US/#/timeline/pen-name/"><span style="color: red;">website</span></a>, J.K. herself says this: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #636363; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;">"The use of a pen name was suggested by her publisher, Barry Cunningham. He thought that young boys might be wary of a book written by a woman, so Joanne chose ‘K’, for ‘Kathleen’, the name of her paternal grandmother."</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
My little feminist feathers get a little ruffled when I hear this. I mean, WHY SHOULD IT MATTER if the author is male or female? Harry would have sold either way, right... RIGHT?! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Okay. I hope he would have. But the truth is, you're right, I know that he might not have. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*sigh*</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But it isn't just lady authors changing their epithets to more masculine sounding names or initials. As the article points out, male authors do it too! (Which, by the way, I had no idea there even WERE incognito guys who wrote romance until I read this article.... which just goes to show how much I know, I suppose. Haha!) But it does make me wonder about the guys who write romance who DON'T change their names... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
... ahem... Nicholas Sparks, anyone?? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I mean, if there was ever a person to write a better romantic, sappy, cheese dripping novel, I haven't heard of this person. (And I'm totally not mocking, by the way... I love me some Nicky Sparks just as much as the next gal!) But Nicholas Sparks... he's a GUY!! I wonder if HE ever gets irked that he's a man trying to his hawk his wares in the female dominated market of literary romcom? And I wonder if he ever considered changing HIS name (I mean... you know... back BEFORE Nicholas Sparks was Nicholas Sparks...) It makes you wonder what his secret is... HOW he sells chick books to chicks so successfully when he's was a guy... And if his agent ever had a similar J.K. Rowling conversation with him in those pre-publishing days. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, I suppose in the end, if we can't expect people to NOT judge a book by it's cover, then we can't very well expect them not to judge names either, right? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What are your thoughts? Do YOU use a pen name? Why or why not? </div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-72865741187382038392015-05-08T12:59:00.001-04:002015-05-08T20:08:58.238-04:00Self Publishing . . . here I come!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well... I'm finally doing it. I'm self publishing! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
WAHOOOOOO!!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEkJqyRX1zYOvIzy7z5uj2TTLIrhVxUEWwuLQISzSPn8Q1EmMkl2dx_EIIbzg6EGmlpZuwvdz6c14R1A_853IVK0d25Q-PH6mOSHiWIC8027u6eflHAiRdBXkX0X3WswnkYwXC_oMhUAx/s1600/juliefront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIEkJqyRX1zYOvIzy7z5uj2TTLIrhVxUEWwuLQISzSPn8Q1EmMkl2dx_EIIbzg6EGmlpZuwvdz6c14R1A_853IVK0d25Q-PH6mOSHiWIC8027u6eflHAiRdBXkX0X3WswnkYwXC_oMhUAx/s320/juliefront.jpg" width="213" /></a>My book,<i> The Sirens of Falkeld</i>, is already available for pre order on Amazon (<a href="http://the sirens of falkeld"><span style="color: red;">HERE</span></a>, if you're interested), and will be coming out June 15th. HOW COOL IS THAT?!?!?!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You guys. Despite all the extra stress and work... I'm actually crazy excited about this! Which is weird, cause, I'll be honest... self publishing wasn't exactly an avenue I originally considered for myself. Because it kinda has a stigma... you know? (Come on. I KNOW you know.) The stigma that <i>"Well obviously she wasn't good enough to publish the REAL way, soooo .."</i> << Yeah. THAT one. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I admit. I bought into that sentiment for a long time.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*ducks the rotten tomatoes* </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I WAS WRONG, OKAY?! I ADMIT IT!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Over the years, I've gotten to know many self published writers--a few of which have become very good friends!! They're brilliant wordsmiths. Their books are amazing. And they are SO courageous!! Though them, I quickly began to see self publishing in a very different light. (Though, it still took me a little while to work up the courage to do it myself!) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Listen, you guys. The industry is changing. Amazon and its e-book warriors are causing a massive shake up in the publishing world. And WHO KNOWS where things will all end up? Isn't it exciting?! I think so! I loved what <a href="http://www.forbes.com/sites/davidvinjamuri/2012/08/15/publishing-is-broken-were-drowning-in-indie-books-and-thats-a-good-thing/"><b><span style="color: red;">THIS</span></b></a> Forbes article had to say about things. If you haven't read it yet, I suggest you do! It wasn't like this article made my decision for me or anything. But it DID help tip me over the edge solidly into "Yes, this is the path for me!!" territory!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
That and a couple of really awesome <i>already-well-on-their-way-to-greatness</i> self pub-ed authors (ahem, here's lookin' at you, <a href="http://scribblesnjots.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: red;">Barb</span></a> and <a href="http://www.sarahlyonsfleming.com/"><span style="color: red;">Sarah</span></a>!) who were incredibly inspiring and who bent over backwards to help me in my own process!! (Thanks ladies... you're AMAZING!!)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So I'm doing it. I'm self publishing. Already, I love having the final say in what goes into my work . . . I love designing the cover art . . . I love not having to worry about freakin' word counts . . . I love that I don't have to wait three years to see my work out there . . . I love, love, LOVE that I'm going to be able to start getting readers NOW!! It's all so exciting, and I'm thrilled to be a part of it! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Goodbye query letters, hello readers!! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What are your thoughts on self publishing, dear readers? Are you as excited about all the industry changes as I am? </div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-56356118166687502822015-01-13T16:26:00.001-05:002015-01-13T16:30:50.958-05:00Best Books of 2014<div style="text-align: justify;">
And by "year in review" what I really mean is "review-of-the-books-I-read-while-I-wasn't-writing-blog-posts." Cause, ya know. If you look, I'm pretty sure I've only written like THREE since 2013's "year in review." Pa-thetic. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the brights side though, wanna know what ISN'T pathetic? These top five books I'm a gonna share with you. Nope. Not even a little! So without further adieu, I give you, my top five (as always, in no particular order):</div>
<br />
<b><i>Angelfall, </i>Susan Ee</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxdc7li2qNN9eclpgO7_Q8917AFL2JhvIqmg_pjPMw_hgXKHIye74IbeCChmya99mgX93P4Cua2gA4JDvwk7vJsDYVOL8gkN5WCxblID6ZeSKAt6XiA8HvvAh938LiP-CRk0b48eZm_zy/s1600/11500217.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOxdc7li2qNN9eclpgO7_Q8917AFL2JhvIqmg_pjPMw_hgXKHIye74IbeCChmya99mgX93P4Cua2gA4JDvwk7vJsDYVOL8gkN5WCxblID6ZeSKAt6XiA8HvvAh938LiP-CRk0b48eZm_zy/s1600/11500217.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><i>It's been six weeks since angels of the apocalypse descended to demolish the modern world. Street gangs rule the day while fear and superstition rule the night. When warrior angels fly away with a helpless little girl, her seventeen-year-old sister Penryn will do anything to get her back.</i></span></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">Anything, including making a deal with an enemy angel.</i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">Raffe is a warrior who lies broken and wingless on the street. After eons of fighting his own battles, he finds himself being rescued from a desperate situation by a half-starved teenage girl.</i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">Traveling through a dark and twisted Northern California, they have only each other to rely on for survival. Together, they journey toward the angels' stronghold in San Francisco where she'll risk everything to rescue her sister and he'll put himself at the mercy of his greatest enemies for the chance to be made whole again.</i></div>
</span></i><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span><b><i>The Aviator's Wife</i>, Melanie Hauser</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhUQZv4OiPbgkZ-Ek0Jrh375WMdDQ6YBCh1a8CXLvCG3LwCUdQVvv-xtCzr-Zfi-gkwFat0QuzBe6USlXU4_7oF9HSYbAXJAEFvUckQQZEwnRC30V7iiB3Er_QKGR-4V9r6JVv6Z-Ja9-/s1600/13642903.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWhUQZv4OiPbgkZ-Ek0Jrh375WMdDQ6YBCh1a8CXLvCG3LwCUdQVvv-xtCzr-Zfi-gkwFat0QuzBe6USlXU4_7oF9HSYbAXJAEFvUckQQZEwnRC30V7iiB3Er_QKGR-4V9r6JVv6Z-Ja9-/s1600/13642903.jpg" height="200" width="135" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span id="freeText3855708027556738048" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">For much of her life, Anne Morrow, the shy daughter of the U.S. ambassador to Mexico, has stood in the shadows of those around her, including her millionaire father and vibrant older sister, who often steals the spotlight. Then Anne, a college senior with hidden literary aspirations, travels to Mexico City to spend Christmas with her family. There she meets Colonel Charles Lindbergh, fresh off his celebrated 1927 solo flight across the Atlantic. Enthralled by Charles’s assurance and fame, Anne is certain the celebrated aviator has scarcely noticed her. But she is wrong.</span></i></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<i>
<span id="freeText3855708027556738048" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;"><span id="freeText3855708027556738048">Charles sees in Anne a kindred spirit, a fellow adventurer, and her world will be changed forever. The two marry in a headline-making wedding. Hounded by adoring crowds and hunted by an insatiable press, Charles shields himself and his new bride from prying eyes, leaving Anne to feel her life falling back into the shadows. In the years that follow, despite her own major achievements—she becomes the first licensed female glider pilot in the United States—Anne is viewed merely as the aviator’s wife. The fairy-tale life she once longed for will bring heartbreak and hardships, ultimately pushing her to reconcile her need for love and her desire for independence, and to embrace, at last, life’s infinite possibilities for change and happiness.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;"><span id="freeText3855708027556738048">Drawing on the rich history of the twentieth century—from the late twenties to the mid-sixties—and featuring cameos from such notable characters as Joseph Kennedy and Amelia Earhart, The Aviator’s Wife is a vividly imagined novel of a complicated marriage—revealing both its dizzying highs and its devastating lows. With stunning power and grace, Melanie Benjamin provides new insight into what made this remarkable relationship endure.</span> </i></div>
</span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<b><i>The Stranger and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender</i>, Leslye Walton</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZHj27Npf8OLwO1GDIfS5pV1gUz5V0peur4TfHKJ_dKmryKofOuHO0EWiAY4Wq94xc2sWWBK_VU5kPv6CFuaOJ8Q6NvJ-z77N2uTlKdnl1EVJ-vDjhI-f8f0lReMUEPNFtnzguEOvywDV/s1600/18166936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSZHj27Npf8OLwO1GDIfS5pV1gUz5V0peur4TfHKJ_dKmryKofOuHO0EWiAY4Wq94xc2sWWBK_VU5kPv6CFuaOJ8Q6NvJ-z77N2uTlKdnl1EVJ-vDjhI-f8f0lReMUEPNFtnzguEOvywDV/s1600/18166936.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Foolish love appears to be the Roux family birthright, an ominous forecast for its most recent progeny, Ava Lavender. Ava—in all other ways a normal girl—is born with the wings of a bird.</span></i></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">In a quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to fit in with her peers, sixteen-year old Ava ventures into the wider world, ill-prepared for what she might discover and naïve to the twisted motives of others. Others like the pious Nathaniel Sorrows, who mistakes Ava for an angel and whose obsession with her grows until the night of the Summer Solstice celebration.</i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">That night, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air, and Ava’s quest and her family’s saga build to a devastating crescendo.</i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">First-time author Leslye Walton has constructed a layered and unforgettable mythology of what it means to be born with hearts that are tragically, exquisitely human.</i></div>
</span></i><br />
<br />
<b><i>Until the End of the World</i>, Sarah Lyons Fleming</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxyftXVNAZzVcCVuu3wTXAjk_rwzJmr1XkzuNPgb6pVQICjPtiWOH_bvpmWukZ-8fuNU-B69Yn3ibZcqUENa5rFXcWRu0wlLr1l8KMoeBWeA1lNMavRAzGPDr6g6EgmmaHGJzqpITLyit/s1600/e38c59_c721043f6d7847ebbeca49f032011384.jpg_srz_228_328_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUxyftXVNAZzVcCVuu3wTXAjk_rwzJmr1XkzuNPgb6pVQICjPtiWOH_bvpmWukZ-8fuNU-B69Yn3ibZcqUENa5rFXcWRu0wlLr1l8KMoeBWeA1lNMavRAzGPDr6g6EgmmaHGJzqpITLyit/s1600/e38c59_c721043f6d7847ebbeca49f032011384.jpg_srz_228_328_75_22_0.50_1.20_0.00_jpg_srz.jpg" height="200" width="138" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Cassie Forrest isn't surprised to learn that the day she’s decided to get her life together is also the day the world ends. After all, she’s been on a self-imposed losing streak since her survivalist parents died: she’s stopped painting, broken off her engagement to Adrian and dated a real jerk. Rectifying her mistakes has to wait, however, because Cassie and her friends have just enough time to escape Brooklyn for her parents’ cabin before Bornavirus LX turns them into zombies, too. </i></div>
<span id="freeText9318147386724692901" style="background-color: white;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText9318147386724692901" style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: italic; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span id="freeText9318147386724692901" style="background-color: white;">
<i><div style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: justify;">
<i>This is difficult enough, but Cassie’s tag along ex-boyfriend and her friend’s bratty sister have a knack for making everything, even the apocalypse, more unpleasant. When the two attract a threat as deadly as the undead to their safe haven, Cassie’s forced to see how far she’ll go to protect those she loves. And it’s a lot farther than she’d anticipated. This, coupled with Adrian’s distant voice on Safe Zone Radio and, of course, the living dead, threaten to put Cassie right back into the funk she just dragged herself out of. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span id="freeText9318147386724692901"><i>Survival’s great and all, especially when you have leather armor, good friends and home-brewed beer, but there’s something Cassie must do besides survive: tell Adrian she still loves him. And to do that, Cassie has to find faith that she’s stronger than she thinks, she’s still a crack shot and true love never dies.</i></span> </div>
</span></i></span><br />
<i><br /></i>
<b><i>We Were Liars</i>, E. Lockhart</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xZ_u0smDrSmaMWR_r2QG-QKsf0H5Z4sDxOawTqvRAAUevR-wpwImiJB_A951CCZIt9uPEvGGKqYRi8ma0MpdHjajX1E1PLp76TfIKDXEoqqCNnIAA4C0Gw8PHiS90mPXx5SV1kq_KZy5/s1600/WeWereLiars__140612011956-575x883.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-xZ_u0smDrSmaMWR_r2QG-QKsf0H5Z4sDxOawTqvRAAUevR-wpwImiJB_A951CCZIt9uPEvGGKqYRi8ma0MpdHjajX1E1PLp76TfIKDXEoqqCNnIAA4C0Gw8PHiS90mPXx5SV1kq_KZy5/s1600/WeWereLiars__140612011956-575x883.jpg" height="200" width="130" /></a></div>
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A beautiful and distinguished family.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A private island.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A brilliant, damaged girl; a passionate, political boy.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A group of four friends—the Liars—whose friendship turns destructive.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">A revolution. An accident. A secret.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">Lies upon lies.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">True love.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">The truth.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"> </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">We Were Liars </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">is a modern, sophisticated suspense novel from National Book Award finalist and Printz Award honoree E. Lockhart. </span></i><br />
<br />
<br />
Runner up (Because seriously, its painful picking only five… I gotta give myself a LITTLE leeway…)<br />
<br />
<b><i>Wonder</i>, R. J. Palacio</b><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB_FjiPnQDNpa9nyD_J5476qc12BuUMvANjxTSQ7ZyNIH4a2N3O_KSQ-PWIQI7zVgK_jC80XQDWHQ71-HC_E9OuS_favb7AtW_vEcYM9mYVaSHLU8KZqL2R0u6utUHCvGq7ll3ZtPKY9y/s1600/wonder.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirB_FjiPnQDNpa9nyD_J5476qc12BuUMvANjxTSQ7ZyNIH4a2N3O_KSQ-PWIQI7zVgK_jC80XQDWHQ71-HC_E9OuS_favb7AtW_vEcYM9mYVaSHLU8KZqL2R0u6utUHCvGq7ll3ZtPKY9y/s1600/wonder.jpg" height="200" width="131" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;">You can't blend in when you were born to stand out.</span></i></div>
<i></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></i></div>
<i>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">My name is August. I won't describe what I look like. Whatever you're thinking, it's probably worse.</i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">August Pullman wants to be an ordinary ten-year-old. He does ordinary things. He eats ice cream. He plays on his Xbox. He feels ordinary - inside.</i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">But Auggie is far from ordinary. Ordinary kids don't make other ordinary kids run away screaming in playgrounds. Ordinary kids don't get stared at wherever they go.</i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">Born with a terrible facial abnormality, Auggie has been home-schooled by his parents his whole life, in an attempt to protect him from the cruelty of the outside world. Now, for the first time, he's being sent to a real school - and he's dreading it. All he wants is to be accepted - but can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, underneath it all?</i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">Narrated by Auggie and the people around him whose lives he touches forever, WONDER is a funny, frank, astonishingly moving debut to read in one sitting, pass on to others, and remember long after the final page.</i></div>
</span></i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And, like the Razzies, my year round up just wouldn't be the same without giving a big shout out to my Biggest Disappointments too. Here's to you, my face-palming, eye-clawed-out, head-banged-against-the-wall books… Give it up for:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Into the Still Blue</i>, Veronica Rossi</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>Fever</i>, Lauren DeStefano </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>The Darkest Minds</i>, Alexandra Bracken</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Better luck next time, dearies ( ;<br />
<br />
And there ya have it: my literary year. It's a wrap.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, you may or may not have noticed a bit of a pattern in my reading (don't worry if you didn't… it took me all of 28 years to realize this about myself)… </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I like sad books. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I mean, it's not like I don't like happy ones too, but as I was perusing my collection for happy books to lend my sister-in-law (who's daughter is undergoing cancer treatments), I found that the number of truly happy books in my collection was LITERALLY in the single digits. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What does that meeeeeean??! It's like I'm in love with human tragedy or something!! Ack!! Even my top five did not escape unscathed! With the exception of maybe <i>Angelfall</i> and <i>Wonder</i>, ALL of them are pretty weepy books. (And even <i>Angelfall</i> and <i>Wonder</i> could be classified as sad in their own rights). </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sheesh. Despress-o-bot here. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But you know what? I'm gonna go out on a limb here and say that it's okay to like sad stuff. Because, lets be honest… so many of "The Greats" <i>are</i> filled with melancholy and gloom. I mean, they aren't called the "Greek Tragedies" for their humor, right? Also, I'm pretty sure Shakespeare didn't have a happy bone in his body. (An over exaggeration, I am aware. But you get the idea). <i>The Great Gatsby</i> . . . <i>Scarlet Letter</i> . . . <i>Uncle Tom's Cabin</i> . . . sheesh, my entire AP high school reading list was one, long, tear-stained tragedy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And yet, here we are… WE LOVE THIS SAD SHIZ!!!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Maybe there's just something in human nature that is drawn to tragedy. Like a car accident on the side of the road, or the news we just can't pull our eyes from. Sad books makes us FEEL. They speak to our souls and leave scars on our hearts. They stick with us until the end . . . haunting us with "What if's" as we lay our heads on the pillow at night. They are the best because they are timeless. In reading them, we recognize our own deepest struggles. Reflections of ourselves. And we discover company in traveling those roads with our dear characters, perhaps making us feel not-quite-so-alone in our own private struggles. So maybe that's why the saddest stories are the ones that stick with us the longest. We can relate to them, because just to <i>be</i> human, is often times one great tragedy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then again, maybe it's just me. And maybe I <i>do</i> need psychiatric help. You be the judge ( :</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And on that deep note, I shall leave you! Please, feel free to leave comments about YOUR favorites from 2014… the best, and--if you feel so inclined--the worst, too! I always love a good recommendation!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-16216456398464532822014-09-09T20:46:00.000-04:002014-09-09T20:47:13.371-04:00Pink Slip in the Mail<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #443f38;">I absolutely loved this post by </span><span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><a href="http://www.alyndenrolland.com/"><i style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="color: red;">A. Lynden Rolland</span></i><span style="color: #443f38;">,</span></a><i style="color: #443f38; font-weight: bold;"> </i><span style="color: #443f38;">author of</span><i style="font-weight: bold;"> <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Of-Breakable-Things-Lynden-Rolland/dp/1939765153"><span style="color: red;">of Breakable Things</span></a></i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Of-Breakable-Things-Lynden-Rolland/dp/1939765153" style="color: #443f38;">,</a><span style="color: #443f38;"> about how she got her agent. I found this gem over on </span><a href="http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/guide-to-literary-agents/how-i-got-my-literary-agent-a-lynden-rolland"><span style="color: red;">Writer's Digest</span></a><span style="color: #443f38;"> website, and loved it so much that naturally, I copy and pasted the whole thing right here. </span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #443f38;">Don't hate me copyright Gods! I linked! I credited! It was just too funny and every emotion so perfectly accurate that I couldn't resist! Enjoy</span></span></span><span style="color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="line-height: 18px;">…</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;"><span style="color: #443f38;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">PINK SLIP IN THE MAIL</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
The first time I mailed a query letter the envelope gave me a paper cut. I should have seen it as a sign. The fact that I used snail mail tells you how long ago this journey began, and the fact that I sent out only <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">one</em> query tells you how naïve I was going into it. I checked the mail with a childlike diligence every day. A week later, there was my SASE, perfect lettering and all. My penmanship is typically slop. It’s a cursive-print hybrid mess that only a handwriting analyst might understand. But with lettering so intricately lined, so neatly arranged, the SASE<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">had</em> to contain good news. I rushed back to house, tossed the rest of the junk on the table, crisscrossed my legs and fell to the floor, ripping open the envelope. At first, I didn’t think there was anything there besides my query. Was it possible that my dream agent had accidentally forgotten to include the shining request for the full manuscript? I expected it to fall out with a thud like a block of gold.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
I thumbed through the contents again, flipping the envelope upside down and shaking it. Out fluttered a neon pink square. <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Pink</em>. Freaking pink. Surely such a positive color would be representative of good news, but immediately the term “pink slip” came to mind. If that was the intention, I’m telling you now, agent: NOT FUNNY. Not funny at all. I didn’t even receive a personalized rejection. Hell, I didn’t even get a full sheet of paper! Just the standard thank you, ‘this business is subjective’ blah, blah, (shoot me in the face) blah.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
I didn’t think it would sting quite as badly as it did, but that horrid, pink demon-slip left quite the paper cut on my ego. Everyone gets rejected. If I’ve heard it once, I’ve heard it a million times. But writers take things to heart. Writers are perfectionists. We analyze and internalize things more than other people. If we weren’t overly emotional, we wouldn’t write dramatic fiction.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">MORE REJECTIONS</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Eventually, I racked up over forty rejections. I took the criticism in stride. I rewrote; I reworked; I revised. Every time I wanted to jump off the roof, I reminded myself that my house wasn’t high enough … I’d only break a leg, and then I’d be crippled and still rejected. Pass.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Many agents were encouraging. They liked my writing. They liked my premise, but I was already hearing the word <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">trend</em>. YA Paranormal was on its way out. I came very close with one agent, but in the end, it just didn’t work out. I was thankful for her advice, but I was crushed. Hope is a beautiful thing; each time an agent would request the ms, the elation was such a high. But the tricky thing about hope is that it acts similarly to helium. It doesn’t last forever, and when I was inflated to cloud nine, that only meant I had further to fall. And fall I did. I was done with it.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: underline;"><strong style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">AND JUST WHEN I WAS ABOUT TO GIVE UP, <em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">THIS</em> HAPPENED…</strong></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
I gave up. I shelved the manuscript. My skin was not thick enough to withstand the knives of rejection. Ironically, the same week, I received an email from Rachael Dugas at Talcott Notch Literary Agency. She requested the first fifty pages. A few days later, she requested more. It was not my first full request, and I was no longer that optimistically eager moron. This time I didn’t get my hopes up. A month later, I checked my email to find:</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Hi, Amy–</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Thank you for your manuscript and your patience. I simply loved [Of Breakable Things] and would be interested in representing you. Can we set up a time to chat sometime early next week, perhaps sometime Monday afternoon?</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Best,</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
<em style="background-color: transparent; border: 0px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">Rachael Dugas</em></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Blink.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Squint.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Reread.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
Jaw drop.</div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #443f38; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 15px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify;">
My first tiny piece of success as a writer. I fell to the floor in tears. Would the moment have been so gratifying if I’d succeeded the first time? Certainly not. I’d like to believe that those paper cuts have made my skin a little thicker, but if anything, at least they’ve made me a bit more colorful, a bit more interesting, and a bit more appreciative.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Aaaand now I'm going to read her book. Because with a post that good? Her novel has to be even better. Hehe. Logic by me.<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-60674974083141927202014-08-12T20:06:00.001-04:002014-08-12T20:07:28.221-04:00Sensory Fiction <div style="text-align: justify;">
Every once in a while I pick up a book so good, that I literally start to feel whatever the character is feeling. Fear. Anger. Happiness…. ahem… lust. (Don't give me that look, hypocrite!) The last book that grabbed me by the hair and DEMANDED that I read was <i>Angelfall</i>, by Susan Ee. The writing… wow… incredible. And without even getting into Raffe's totally gorgeous angel body, lets discuss the intensity of her scenes. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Have you read it?… And do you REMEMBER that scene in the woods? Ya know what I'm talking about…. when all those creepy pigmy people are bumping up against her "like piranhas" and start taking bites outta her? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
HOLY CRAP-MY-PANTS!!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I mighta had nightmares that night. Just sayin'.<br />
<br />
Page turners. They're the best. Arena… Forbidden Forest… Chucky-infested dystopian town… you name it, you're there. But what if you didn't need good writing anymore to do it? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well MIT's new "<a href="http://www.brit.co/sensory-fiction-wearable-book/"><span style="color: red;">Sensory Fiction</span></a>" vest might be doing just that. Super smart MIT peeps have come up with a type of vest that lets you not only READ what you're… ahem… reading, but EXPERIENCE it as well. According to the article: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9scZWuNLHGF_l_8GT78GJZdr0j3wk4DM6iT1xRuJYaumDCtGGVX1vegMXrkywvE3RKZUKCg1bQ-M7bFZYR34u3kZLuwQU_QOyIJhKI1kRhrE2N0d6DMGe2LbrdxRiRtBF745dvygL0Xk/s1600/SensoryFiction1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF9scZWuNLHGF_l_8GT78GJZdr0j3wk4DM6iT1xRuJYaumDCtGGVX1vegMXrkywvE3RKZUKCg1bQ-M7bFZYR34u3kZLuwQU_QOyIJhKI1kRhrE2N0d6DMGe2LbrdxRiRtBF745dvygL0Xk/s1600/SensoryFiction1.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></div>
<i style="color: #525252; font-family: proxima-nova-n4, proxima-nova; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; text-align: start;">The reader straps on a high tech-looking vest equipped with a compression system, localized body temperature control and heartbeat and shiver simulator. As you read, they vibrate, change temperature and alter pressure while the cover’s 150 LED lights put on their own show.</i><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x5P-xfptObn24fmvEXk0NrZRY9S8vCwtOLkZcouCfbpn88lfncrgxUCXzI0Pqr4Cj7KOlDfWfxYQcMG6HN4ozrVTDPu7RA7qsCiK0dUvT-nOF7JSqXOnPOZmRvYYca3bm_YzF7nVOiDO/s1600/SensoryFictionPack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x5P-xfptObn24fmvEXk0NrZRY9S8vCwtOLkZcouCfbpn88lfncrgxUCXzI0Pqr4Cj7KOlDfWfxYQcMG6HN4ozrVTDPu7RA7qsCiK0dUvT-nOF7JSqXOnPOZmRvYYca3bm_YzF7nVOiDO/s1600/SensoryFictionPack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x5P-xfptObn24fmvEXk0NrZRY9S8vCwtOLkZcouCfbpn88lfncrgxUCXzI0Pqr4Cj7KOlDfWfxYQcMG6HN4ozrVTDPu7RA7qsCiK0dUvT-nOF7JSqXOnPOZmRvYYca3bm_YzF7nVOiDO/s1600/SensoryFictionPack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x5P-xfptObn24fmvEXk0NrZRY9S8vCwtOLkZcouCfbpn88lfncrgxUCXzI0Pqr4Cj7KOlDfWfxYQcMG6HN4ozrVTDPu7RA7qsCiK0dUvT-nOF7JSqXOnPOZmRvYYca3bm_YzF7nVOiDO/s1600/SensoryFictionPack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x5P-xfptObn24fmvEXk0NrZRY9S8vCwtOLkZcouCfbpn88lfncrgxUCXzI0Pqr4Cj7KOlDfWfxYQcMG6HN4ozrVTDPu7RA7qsCiK0dUvT-nOF7JSqXOnPOZmRvYYca3bm_YzF7nVOiDO/s1600/SensoryFictionPack.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8x5P-xfptObn24fmvEXk0NrZRY9S8vCwtOLkZcouCfbpn88lfncrgxUCXzI0Pqr4Cj7KOlDfWfxYQcMG6HN4ozrVTDPu7RA7qsCiK0dUvT-nOF7JSqXOnPOZmRvYYca3bm_YzF7nVOiDO/s1600/SensoryFictionPack.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a><span style="color: #525252; font-family: proxima-nova-n4, proxima-nova;"><span style="font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px;"><i><br /></i></span></span><i style="color: #525252; font-family: proxima-nova-n4, proxima-nova; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; text-align: start;">The book takes care of the atmosphere with ambient lighting that sets the mood of your character’s journey. Subtle changes on the vest are meant to make you feel what that protagonist is experiencing — physically and emotionally. It might vibrate to speed up your heart rate during an angry fight scene. Pressurized airbags could constrict when your leading lady is afraid. The personal heating device at your collarbone might warm you during a love scene.</i><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #525252; font-family: proxima-nova-n4, proxima-nova; font-size: 17px; line-height: 30px; text-align: start;"><br /></span>
Truthfully, I'm not sure how I feel about this lil' gadget. I mean, on the one hand, it could take an already <i>grip-you-by-the-eyelids-and-MAKE-you-read</i> kinda book and make it even better.<br />
<br />
On the other?<br />
<br />
Couldn't it be a crutch for authors who juuuuust can't quite seem to get their writing where it needs to be? And what would happen to the quality of our dear books then? Would it simply dumb down the craft of writing?<br />
<br />
Either way, ya gotta admit… its a pretty freakin' sweet idea!<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-9185492776581811772014-08-07T19:55:00.001-04:002014-08-07T19:55:45.737-04:00Radio Silence.<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wow. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This has to stop. The "Me-not-posting-posts" thing. Actually, its been so long since I HAVE posted, that I seriously doubt anyone is still listening…. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Houston? Houston? Anyone there?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yup. Didn't think so. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Consider this post my leaf turning. My new start. Operation "Blog Image Makeover." Readysetgo!! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQH1MTQWMHcFqJkNrPaChYAzUaIELqYRt6p3eLTG6z6jNtbAZZzsedATvcvLo1ZcAjqSMwXw1q10xYwozpcJLjhu6GNZLtSvIcKzzNJGC_GsImg4rqTBgq36si2oyuAteiBThnLGxNeKK/s1600/1322638442outlander20thann3in.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQH1MTQWMHcFqJkNrPaChYAzUaIELqYRt6p3eLTG6z6jNtbAZZzsedATvcvLo1ZcAjqSMwXw1q10xYwozpcJLjhu6GNZLtSvIcKzzNJGC_GsImg4rqTBgq36si2oyuAteiBThnLGxNeKK/s1600/1322638442outlander20thann3in.jpg" height="320" width="196" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, I'm reading <i>Outlander</i> right now, and I have to admit, its just… meh. Seriously. I can't figure out what the hype is about. And I say that knowing full well there are thousands of women everywhere… (errrr… or at least there WOULD be thousands, if thousands actually read my blog) who are cursing my name for saying so. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
BUT SERIOUSLY. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I don't get it. The story idea is fantastic. I mean, who doesn't love a good time traveler?! Add a bit o' Scottish hottie and bada boom bada bing! You got a story! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But the writing. The sentences. The words. YOU GUYS…. ITS SO BORING. The pacing is just so off for me. The action gets bogged down in every single minute description of every single action she takes in the day. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*pounds head against wall*</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, I'm not a fan of the narrative-like style. It makes me feel like she's just telling me the story rather than showing. (I'm such a <i>show-not-tell </i>snob these days. Its sickening. I'm aware.) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But anyway, anyone with comments actually still tentatively checking my blog for signs of life who wants to weigh in on this, please, share with the class! I know I have AT LEAST two friends who are probably shooting daggers at me for this post…. (here's lookin' at you, Mandi and Michelle!) But seriously, even if you hate me for it, I'd love to chat about it. (Cause I really gotta know… what's with the hype??)</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Side note, I DID watch the first episode of the TV series last night, and it showed promise, so I'm not completely killing the idea of it. But lets just say I'm exactly jumping to put the sequel on my "To Read" list.]</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
So since <i>Outlander</i> didn't capture my attention the way I hoped, I'm also reading The Strange and <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZIuO9H7_GR27rZr-9G_o289zdyBhQ6FuwW76btahHjmJC6aAdl0azmwJZtgUXr2uZDMYjllCBbu30yC5hqdM-sAonaCCCpA1Xq9bk6IYWUIN-iWQreAmrSYAMFX1biHFMdXvcqLFbLCV/s1600/18166936.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyZIuO9H7_GR27rZr-9G_o289zdyBhQ6FuwW76btahHjmJC6aAdl0azmwJZtgUXr2uZDMYjllCBbu30yC5hqdM-sAonaCCCpA1Xq9bk6IYWUIN-iWQreAmrSYAMFX1biHFMdXvcqLFbLCV/s1600/18166936.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></div>
Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender. And lemme just say… don't ever let anyone tell you "peeps don't judge books by their covers." Cause they totally do. I'm living proof. But as I'm only on like page 5 of the book (on account of I have a dear little angel that has been quite cantankerous lately), I don't have much of an opinion on it yet. But it has a solid <i>above-four-stars</i> rating on Goodreads, so, ya know. Can't go wrong! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Any-whooo… I'm gonna "Julie Out!" here now, because its highly doubtful anyone is reading anyway. I must go forth and search out YOUR blogs to bribe you to comment on mine. Muahahahaha!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Julie out. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07138259451498462929noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-68321062165210187642013-12-26T15:13:00.001-05:002013-12-26T15:14:02.176-05:002013 Book Round-up!<div style="text-align: justify;">
So this year, I was kind of a dismal failure when it came to reading books. I haven't actually gone back and crunched the numbers, but I'm quite certain I fall short of my high water mark from previous years! (Which is, in fact, quite short of what many of you fellow readers can accomplish! Well done, you bibliophiles, you!) My excuse for not setting the high water mark this year?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pregnancy. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
See, some might view pregnancy as a great opportunity to veg on the couch and read books… these people would be wrong. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Veg on the couch? Most certainly. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Read books? Child, please. That takes WAY too much brain power!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm pretty sure I spent AT LEAST a solid three months on the couch doing nothing but watch Bones and barfing. As it turns out, Bones probably isn't the best show to watch when you're feeling queazy, on account of all the guts and gore involved with dissecting dead bodies. Go figure. But still, I got hooked. What's a girl to do?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyhow… despite the fact that growing a human being made me, well, less than human for seven months, I did manage to scrape up a few favorite books from 2013. So here they are… my top five, in no particular order:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>(1) <i>The Eternity Cure</i> (Blood of Eden, #2), by Julie Kagawa</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6Mrxio6O88qyhYRdRrSkY1c0vU5xPPATVMvunxIgGiSDgNPtqiIeDHjSv_ZqVYwaYlW4CPJrMa8Lfz853ZEuX43XwXAd5B_xeJRvKxQK4LH52ZPKMJgjua5VxZYoBJ7-Nn_eZY2Gkfw0/s1600/13581990.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio6Mrxio6O88qyhYRdRrSkY1c0vU5xPPATVMvunxIgGiSDgNPtqiIeDHjSv_ZqVYwaYlW4CPJrMa8Lfz853ZEuX43XwXAd5B_xeJRvKxQK4LH52ZPKMJgjua5VxZYoBJ7-Nn_eZY2Gkfw0/s320/13581990.jpg" width="210" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><br /></b>
<b>(2) <i>Requiem</i> (Delirium #3), by Lauren Oliver</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOmYyxPzR9xxHJ4H9WGU1hexT3mRxsTEKYicvLN4NVF7ayK4-sjE-ACzYmSvnjFYV0ZiZb7rgn5Xi9kLZeb01uyGyDVKxIxxAbJ0fW_M-EFR9FCWO4ao_2etZPbN6vEKT15129d0XINw0/s1600/9593913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOmYyxPzR9xxHJ4H9WGU1hexT3mRxsTEKYicvLN4NVF7ayK4-sjE-ACzYmSvnjFYV0ZiZb7rgn5Xi9kLZeb01uyGyDVKxIxxAbJ0fW_M-EFR9FCWO4ao_2etZPbN6vEKT15129d0XINw0/s320/9593913.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">They have tried to </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">squeeze</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"> us out, to stamp us into the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">past</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">But </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">we</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"> are still here.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">And there are more of us </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">every day</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Now an active member of the resistance, Lena has been transformed. The nascent rebellion that was under way in Pandemonium has ignited into an all-out revolution in Requiem, and Lena is at the center of the fight.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">After rescuing Julian from a death sentence, Lena and her friends fled to the Wilds. But the Wilds are no longer a safe haven—pockets of rebellion have opened throughout the country, and the government cannot deny the existence of Invalids. Regulators now infiltrate the borderlands to stamp out the rebels, and as Lena navigates the increasingly dangerous terrain, her best friend, Hana, lives a safe, loveless life in Portland as the fiancée of the young mayor.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Maybe we are driven </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">crazy</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"> by our feelings.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Maybe love is a </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">disease</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">, and we would be better off without it.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">But we have chosen a different road.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">And in the end, that is the point of escaping the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">cure</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">: We are </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">free</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"> to choose.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">We are even free to choose the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">wrong</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"> thing.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>(3) <i>The Brides of Rollrock Island</i>, by Margo Lanagan</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgMm_fqDMHiewT3RbvVdhX_hUwu39QG-zZbxkqt_TjVWI1AWbvuK4wwUIIZoj98I3jzYvOJgeUqXbuZBqjiPT5_Afez_NnK1Y_zYPbt2rbY6chIVASbDjPnA0ycs0kNZyHXLQ4-casLI4/s1600/margo-Brides-of-Rollrock-Island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUgMm_fqDMHiewT3RbvVdhX_hUwu39QG-zZbxkqt_TjVWI1AWbvuK4wwUIIZoj98I3jzYvOJgeUqXbuZBqjiPT5_Afez_NnK1Y_zYPbt2rbY6chIVASbDjPnA0ycs0kNZyHXLQ4-casLI4/s320/margo-Brides-of-Rollrock-Island.jpg" width="216" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><i>Rollrock island is a lonely rock of gulls and waves, blunt fishermen and their homely wives. Life is hard for the families who must wring a poor living from the stormy seas. But Rollrock is also a place of magic - the scary, salty-real sort of magic that changes lives forever. Down on the windswept beach, where the seals lie in herds, the outcast sea witch Misskaella casts her spells - and brings forth girls from the sea - girls with long, pale limbs and faces of haunting innocence and loveliness - the most enchantingly lovely girls the fishermen of Rollrock have ever seen.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif;"><span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><i><br /></i></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><i>But magic always has its price. A fisherman may have and hold a sea bride, and tell himself that he is her master. But from his first look into those wide, questioning, liquid eyes, he will be just as transformed as she is. He will be equally ensnared. And in the end the witch will always have her payment.</i></span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><i>Margo Lanagan has written an extraordinary tale of desire, despair and transformation. In devastatingly beautiful prose, she reveals unforgettable characters capable of unspeakable cruelty - and deep unspoken love. After reading about the Rollrock fishermen and their sea brides, the world will not seem the same.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>(4) <i>Dancing in the Dark</i>, Robyn Bavati</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0PgngldRrZeRD3si_F7apx4KXXMK49ynukCRpEabF53Tv32Rol8SvekAJT55do2oiidArWlUcBuUAh7G9vPOn65wOCMHr0EKaGXZETxT96kDlAQaFfqMf9VAGka-e6NfIug9KKnx7sCk/s1600/15862108.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL0PgngldRrZeRD3si_F7apx4KXXMK49ynukCRpEabF53Tv32Rol8SvekAJT55do2oiidArWlUcBuUAh7G9vPOn65wOCMHr0EKaGXZETxT96kDlAQaFfqMf9VAGka-e6NfIug9KKnx7sCk/s320/15862108.jpg" width="207" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><i>North American debut of the Australian award-winning drama. Ditty Cohen is passionate about ballet--she loves how it feels to stand en pointe, to rise and spin across the room. But her Orthodox Jewish parents want Ditty to focus on the teachings of the Torah and to marry at a young age according to their religious tradition. Although her parents forbid her to take dance lessons, Ditty secretly signs up for ballet and becomes entangled in a web of deceit. As one lie leads to another and another, Ditty knows she must stop dancing, but she can't abandon the one thing that gives her freedom. She begins to question her faith and everything her parents have taught her, realizing just how much is at stake as her two worlds collide.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>(5) <i>The 5th Wave</i>, by Rick Yancey</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XqSIuvQ2Q5bq4e0F3L-YvydIdOerCnFtkNof8Ii7DSew_KsCiYbOEtoBlu6y0KSzp5XdnlYX44aP6tDwJp7nLD9W2j20xs8GkC9nRGtgd4qLtf_-PZysSInDS4q3w3wB3PO2UwP3C7JL/s1600/16101128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XqSIuvQ2Q5bq4e0F3L-YvydIdOerCnFtkNof8Ii7DSew_KsCiYbOEtoBlu6y0KSzp5XdnlYX44aP6tDwJp7nLD9W2j20xs8GkC9nRGtgd4qLtf_-PZysSInDS4q3w3wB3PO2UwP3C7JL/s320/16101128.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">After the 1st wave, only darkness remains. After the 2nd, only the lucky escape. And after the 3rd, only the unlucky survive. After the 4th wave, only one rule applies: trust no one.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Now, it’s the dawn of the 5th wave, and on a lonely stretch of highway, Cassie runs from Them. The beings who only look human, who roam the countryside killing anyone they see. Who have scattered Earth’s last survivors. To stay alone is to stay alive, Cassie believes, until she meets Evan Walker. Beguiling and mysterious, Evan Walker may be Cassie’s only hope for rescuing her brother—or even saving herself. But Cassie must choose: between trust and despair, between defiance and surrender, between life and death. To give up or to get up.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Aaaaaand, because I'm totally indecisive, and couldn't kick this book out, (despite the fact that it has pretty dresses and handsome princes and even a love triangle--a completely shallow YA novel), I loved this book nonetheless, and award it my Honorable Mention:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b><i>The Elite</i> (The Selection #2), Kiera Cass</b></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXM68Ap9C8fYaYIhyphenhyphensFQp7yT-Q4ZnE1xaFhq-IeMV99_tm0iZOsFOCq9N7r5pfu9l-bW_uYrFCCRqycRuWcXeK2F2IVIz47ryFKJejt2KysdvsZAFG960oFZd5XE8uA-LpUSGXk1ZWmRG/s1600/16248068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJXM68Ap9C8fYaYIhyphenhyphensFQp7yT-Q4ZnE1xaFhq-IeMV99_tm0iZOsFOCq9N7r5pfu9l-bW_uYrFCCRqycRuWcXeK2F2IVIz47ryFKJejt2KysdvsZAFG960oFZd5XE8uA-LpUSGXk1ZWmRG/s320/16248068.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Thirty-five girls came to the palace to compete in the Selection. All but six have been sent home. And only one will get to marry Prince Maxon and be crowned princess of Illea.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">America still isn’t sure where her heart lies. When she’s with Maxon, she’s swept up in their new and breathless romance, and can’t dream of being with anyone else. But whenever she sees Aspen standing guard around the palace, and is overcome with memories of the life they planned to share. With the group narrowed down to the Elite, the other girls are even more determined to win Maxon over—and time is running out for America to decide.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Just when America is sure she’s made her choice, a devastating loss makes her question everything again. And while she’s struggling to imagine her future, the violent rebels that are determined to overthrow the monarchy are growing stronger and their plans could destroy her chance at any kind of happy ending.</span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
All of these books were epic in their own right. They were unique (yes, even the vampire one, you naysayers! Don't be hatin'), they were all well written, and they were all undoubtedly, wonderful stories! If you haven't read them already, you should probably get on down to the library and check 'em out. You won't be sorry!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And what would a top five round up be without a bottom dwelling round up? I don't have FIVE biggest disappointments, (because honestly, thats a depressing list). However, I do have a couple of terrible, awful, no good, very bad standouts that I feel compelled to warn you against. I give you, my two biggest disappointments of the year… </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(1) <i>Reached</i>, by Ally Condie, and</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
(2) <i>Allegiant</i>, by Veronica Roth</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You both should be flogged for starting off with such smashing book ones, then tapering off in book twos, only to nose dive over a cliff in your book threes. May we fellow writers never be guilty of letting our poor readers down in such a dismal fashion! You, Ally Condie and Veronica Roth, were the most disappointing of 2013. May the critics rest your souls. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, there you have it, my lovely writers and readers! My 2013 round up! What were your '13 favs? Your '13 nose dives? I'd love to hear them! Especially since I have some lost ground to make up in 2014. Bring it on!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-38644115442870320222013-12-16T21:18:00.001-05:002013-12-16T21:18:20.489-05:00Honey, I'm home!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Honestly, I sort of suspect that any of the few people I DID have following my blog, probably thought I died or something, and stopped following me MONTHS ago. I don't blame those people, I really don't. Radio silence for going on seven-ish months? I get it! And I wish I could say I had some awesome excuse for failing my faithful blog followers, but I really don't.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I mean, I DID have a rather gnarly pregnancy. And its true it ended in an emergency c-section. And I had to spend the first 38 days of my daughter's life visiting her in the hospital, on account of she's a cheeky little bugger and decided to come two months early… buuuuuut… as good as those reasons are, alas! None of them had anything to do with why I stopped posting. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I just had to choose for a little while there: writing or blogging. Time is a precious commodity. You know how it goes. I see you in the back there. Yes, you, nodding your head. We understand each other!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But I'm back now. YAY! (Though I realize that many of you have now checked out, seeings how it is, in fact, the holidays….) But perhaps we can all meet again after the festivities have died down for another year?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Until then, you should probably start thinking of your fav books of 2013. Cause I will be asking shortly, on account of I have a book addiction (its a problem), and I'm sure I missed some good ones whilst holed up on the couch during my pregnancy! Missed you, writers! So glad to be back! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
<br /></div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-58276322264850036172013-06-22T16:08:00.000-04:002013-06-22T16:08:00.905-04:00Still alive!<div style="text-align: justify;">
Hey Peeps, its me. Julie. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Remember me? Had a 2013 new years resolution to do a blog post at least once a week? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[cue light bulbs]</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Yeah. As you can see... two months since my last post=EPIC new years resolution failure. There was, though, an... ahem... well... BUMP in the road that has caused me to fall off the bandwagon a wee bit:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznT-L_L7vwhoXfEf-48uRgRBFmxwpQGg1N_FTsvPZbOUhEdy7dhoVu-fnOm8nbFRgl8OW6AIR8Xs9PSy9Px-e9-Drzht1yIxHXdfc4keODkXDKgRZesuZMSjuvpppXkWuJC1dW2QnpZJb/s1600/IMG_5140,e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiznT-L_L7vwhoXfEf-48uRgRBFmxwpQGg1N_FTsvPZbOUhEdy7dhoVu-fnOm8nbFRgl8OW6AIR8Xs9PSy9Px-e9-Drzht1yIxHXdfc4keODkXDKgRZesuZMSjuvpppXkWuJC1dW2QnpZJb/s320/IMG_5140,e1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
I'm smiling and pretty in this picture. But what I really look and feel like is this:</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFW-BUXty2IEXeeSTCUIS8W3gRqdnzGqF35zv-uvJppgll3NEFGv875uoBc9XmaRmVzn8IQ6EXleZTZmlZtHVy7j72vXfVApDisqGOQu1u3Zy-1eaOc0rWN0n9LJLFtpL8z3DMDwwKdAv/s1600/sick-prego-copy-red-eye.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgFW-BUXty2IEXeeSTCUIS8W3gRqdnzGqF35zv-uvJppgll3NEFGv875uoBc9XmaRmVzn8IQ6EXleZTZmlZtHVy7j72vXfVApDisqGOQu1u3Zy-1eaOc0rWN0n9LJLFtpL8z3DMDwwKdAv/s320/sick-prego-copy-red-eye.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think that's a zombie preggy person. Or maybe a preggy demon. I'm not really sure. But the point is, she looks pretty miserable in an TELL-ME-ONE-MORE-TIME-I-LOOK-TIRED....I-DARE-YOU, kinda way. Which pretty much sums up my current state of being. Oh, plus some vomiting, which I haven't experienced since being hospitalized in the Gettysburg hospital on my 9th grade American Heritage spring break trip. (True story!) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Luckily, though, with the first trimester just about in my rear view mirror (does it end at 12, 13 or 14 weeks... can anyone agree??), I'm starting to feel a TINSEY bit better. (And by "tinsey," I mean that I might be able to commit to writing about three words a day on my WIP). With any luck, there will be sunshine and rainbows coming up in the next few months!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unless, of course, the golden era of the second trimester is a myth. In which case, there will probably be more hiatus-ing of the blog. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm pushing for sunshine and rainbows here... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
If for no other reason than I'm starting to run out of episodes of Bones to watch. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What have all of you lovlies been up to? Any zombie-deamon-preggy lady advice for a first time preggy lady? New shows to pick up after I run out of Bones? Hope you all are well!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-8344806172540003042013-04-07T23:21:00.006-04:002013-04-07T23:21:47.881-04:00That Time I Joined the Circus<div style="text-align: justify;">
So.... I joined NetGalley. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not the Circus. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Although lets be honest... joining the circus would be loads of fun (I dream of being a trapeze artist when I "grow" up... that along with an ice skater and prima ballerina)... but I digress. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I joined NetGalley. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Which, I'm not sure why I didn't know about this awesome-ness before, but basically its a place where people (insert: bloggers/librarians/professional reviewers, etc.) can go to get advanced copies of books. All for the small price of a review. Not too shabby says I! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Any-whoooo... so I joined this fabulous NetGalley. The first book I read and reviewed was the sequel to the <i>Immortal Rules</i>, called the <i>Eternity Cure</i>. Which you all know from the review I posted, I drooled over like Joseph Gordon-Levitt at the Oscars. It was just that good. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And now I just finished my second book via NetGalley. (I'm really never going to get over how cool it is to have access to all these awesome AR copies!) The book is called <i>That Time I Joined the Circus</i>, by J. J. Howard. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEv4J3KsqJJuYKSaVRM-tho7Z6B2wgyE-AviU7wEi0dvZWIoqTIkLhQR2R2YRgKNC0co-JYDj13gkoCUHM0RlFfXHliyWWAeMb3jbvyeu02zjmmZOMCthopegIx5_3CWTMOTF_VFyWgljp/s1600/14741598.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEv4J3KsqJJuYKSaVRM-tho7Z6B2wgyE-AviU7wEi0dvZWIoqTIkLhQR2R2YRgKNC0co-JYDj13gkoCUHM0RlFfXHliyWWAeMb3jbvyeu02zjmmZOMCthopegIx5_3CWTMOTF_VFyWgljp/s320/14741598.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Lexi Ryan just ran away to join the circus, but not on purpose.</span></i></div>
<i><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">A music-obsessed, slightly snarky New York City girl, Lexi is on her own. After making a huge mistake--and facing a terrible tragedy--Lexi has no choice but to track down her long-absent mother. Rumor has it that Lexi's mom is somewhere in Florida with a traveling circus.</i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">When Lexi arrives at her new, three-ring reality, her mom isn't there . . . but her destiny might be. Surrounded by tigers, elephants, and trapeze artists, Lexi finds some surprising friends and an even more surprising chance at true love. She even lucks into a spot as the circus's fortune teller, reading tarot cards and making predictions.</i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">But then Lexi's ex-best friend from home shows up, and suddenly it's Lexi's own future that's thrown into question.</i></div>
</span><div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<i style="background-color: transparent;">With humor, wisdom, and a dazzlingly fresh voice, this debut reminds us of the magic of circus tents, city lights, first kisses, and the importance of an excellent playlist.</i></div>
</span></i><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
First of all... can we talk about how STUNNING the cover is? I know what they say... but guys... I seriously can't NOT judge a book by its cover. I really can't. Its compulsive. Especially when its a beauty like that!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Pats on the back all around for the marketing team. I applaud you!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
However, beyond its stunning cover, I have to admit that the story itself fell a little short. I guess that's why they have that whole preverbal don't judge by the cover nonsense in the first place, eh? This book practically screams: OPEN ME NOW!!! I'M BEAUTIFUL!!! and it even with all that razzle dazzle, it somehow still let me down. Poop.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I guess I should tell you why...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Well first of all there was a lot of that "telling" instead of "showing" bit... (which--for the record--I'm starting to really hate myself over. I mean, seriously, before I started writing, I didn't realize the difference between telling and showing. Or... if I did... I didn't know there was a name for it. Now I can't NOT notice it, even if I try! Gah!!) But yeah. The telling. There was a lot of it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And by a lot I mean like A LOT a lot. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And I just can't handle that anymore. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Beyond that, though, there was this super duper weird love SQUARE going on. Cause as if love triangles weren't enough, now writers gotta start throwing in the fourth wheel. Oh joy.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eli.... Nick... Jamie... all of them are Alpha-male-ing it over this one Lexi girl. Or is it Xandra? Or Alexandra? Or Allie? I forget...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
WOMAN! STOP CHANGING YOUR FREAKIN' NAME ALREADY!!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, ALL of them are trying to get with this emotionally unbalanced Lexi, which I find sort of hard to believe in the first place, because she's like the Bella Swan of the circus: completely unremarkable. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And then, to top it off, the guy she finally DOES end up with is kind of like... "Eh.... [shrugs]...meh." The character was completely underdeveloped. As were practically ALL of the characters in the book. Her best friend back home... her best friend at the circus... her best girlfriend back home (not to be confused with the boyfriend, who is actually the best friend)... all of these characters are watery and easily forgettable. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I probably would have forgotten about <i>LexiXandraAlexandraAllie </i>too, if it weren't for the fact that she was the main character. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And while I love the idea of telling the story in a circus setting [three cheers for <i>Water for Elephants</i>!!!], the setting wasn't enough to carry the bulk of a lack luster story and forgettable characters. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Save your pennies and your time. Give this book a pass. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sorry, J.J.! Better luck next time...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-23000400291312730282013-03-15T21:23:00.002-04:002013-03-15T21:23:52.204-04:00The Happiness Advantage<div style="text-align: justify;">
So, the other day, when I was all "wo-is-me-ing," feelin' pretty blue, cause I haven't been able to nab an agent yet, Hubbs tells me I need to read a book. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"Book? What book? I like books!" Says I!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then Hubbs tells me the book is called <i>The Happiness Advantage</i>.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I'm pretty sure my face went from looking like a kid on Christmas morning, to Little Cindy Loo Whooo's when she found out the Grinch stole her Christmas tree. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Great. Nonfiction. Whoop dee do. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But Hubbs insisted, so I complied. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
YOU GUYS. This book is amazing! I'm not saying I'm all converted to non fiction, or that Hubbs is suddenly back in my good graces as far as book recommends go (seriously, he gave one too many hard core fantasy novels for me to trust his judgment anymore). But at least on this one, he was right. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholLmeciNYONjUMYsTFnXDu001Z-CvjQI9ZDDBiKWMPPV_TdiAlrDxLi3OmBuZk7ut7kT5Nz4FA2uzvRWjnlMpEfekHA5fZ0GkoUGRaoxS3gJMkJR3iZ386Fw7yiVkxVdhFUWHNBBZS-Vp/s1600/the-happiness-advantage.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholLmeciNYONjUMYsTFnXDu001Z-CvjQI9ZDDBiKWMPPV_TdiAlrDxLi3OmBuZk7ut7kT5Nz4FA2uzvRWjnlMpEfekHA5fZ0GkoUGRaoxS3gJMkJR3iZ386Fw7yiVkxVdhFUWHNBBZS-Vp/s320/the-happiness-advantage.jpg" width="320" /></a><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Conventional wisdom holds that if we work hard we will be more successful, and if we are more successful, </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">then</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"> we’ll be happy. If we can just find that great job, win that next promotion, lose those five pounds, happiness will follow. But recent discoveries in the field of positive psychology have shown that this formula is actually backward: <b>Happiness </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><b>fuels </b></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"><b>success, not the other way around.</b> When we are positive, our brains become more engaged, creative, motivated, energetic, resilient, and productive at work. This isn’t just an empty mantra. This discovery has been repeatedly borne out by rigorous research in psychology and neuroscience, management studies, and the bottom lines of organizations around the globe. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;"> </span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I used to sell pest control door to door... you know... when I was in college and desperate for money. At this job, I was bombarded with the whole Positive Mental Attitude whooo-raw. I won't lie. I basically wanted to sock my team lead in the face everyday. His false coo-coo happy-ness routine was like another bag of Snickers the day after Halloween: Just. Too. Much. And I did NOT buy the sentiment that telling myself I was going to sell 10 accounts that day, would make it happen. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But ya know what? After reading this book? I might actually be a believer... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Some of my favorite studies: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
--75 Year old men AGING BACKWARDS</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
--Loosing weight just by being told that what you do burns calories </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
--Severe poison ivy symptoms (from contact with a NON poison ivy plant), just by being told it was poison ivy</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There was also a study that the author called "Give your Doctor a Lollipop," in which doctors who were given a lollipop before diagnosing a patient, gave the correct diagnosis TWICE as fast and more accurately than those who were not given a treat. And here's the kicker, they didn't even get to eat the lollipop! They just received one. Oh no... that's not all...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Research showed that 4 year olds do better when asked to just THINK about something happy before starting a task. And high schoolers who thought of the happiest day of their lives before taking standardized tests, scored consistently higher than their fellow students. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Also, there was a study done with Asian women and math. A group of Asian women were given two math tests of equal difficulty. Before the first test, the officiators told the women to think of themselves as women, who traditionally score lower in math than men. The women didn't do very well. On the second test, they officiators told the same women to think of themselves as Asian, an ethnicity who traditionally does very well at math. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What do ya know?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
On the second test, those Asian women rocked it!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now obviously getting published is not solely up to me. No matter how happy I am, I cannot simply smile Skittles and rainbows at an agent to get her to sign me. However, with these hard core positivity studies out there, think of the ways we writers CAN influence our work through positive thinking...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Listening to my favorite song before I start writing.... Telling myself that writing is the best part of my day... Repeating in my head that writing a great story is easy....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
None of these things are hard to do... and yet, as research shows, it will drastically improve my performance. I may not be able to get an agent to sign me just by being happy. But can I improve my actual <i>work</i> through positivity? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Given the ease of putting these theories to the test, I think I'm willing to give it a shot! Woot, woot!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpn4B1qmyqa1RIgzwyFVPaK7RRt4np7K7zJoimOOOlrqZz3Ed7tmv8aLpW1h8Os8sga1V01NdkWeBN6oalh0gefcrduxcrNR7kD1khQYA7XMQ63P_o-sg1awxOil6TVyxMWa2jkrhKCyB/s1600/positive-wallpapers-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="210" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMpn4B1qmyqa1RIgzwyFVPaK7RRt4np7K7zJoimOOOlrqZz3Ed7tmv8aLpW1h8Os8sga1V01NdkWeBN6oalh0gefcrduxcrNR7kD1khQYA7XMQ63P_o-sg1awxOil6TVyxMWa2jkrhKCyB/s320/positive-wallpapers-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-57470481691347745242013-03-06T16:50:00.001-05:002013-03-06T16:51:31.215-05:00Alec Greven on ELLENHolla, wanna be authors! This kid just totally schooled us...<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/vbB76ejvAro" width="420"></iframe></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
A publishing contract with Harper Collins AND a spot on the Ellen show. Kid, ya done good!<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-62350711874171228232013-03-06T15:08:00.001-05:002013-03-06T15:23:47.812-05:00Read: The Eternity Cure<div style="text-align: justify;">
Soooo... since my VERY LAST POST was about <i>The Eternity Cure</i>, I feel a tad bit obsessive that this one is ALSO going to be about said book of awesome, <i>The Eternity Cure</i>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Sorry guys. I promised a review. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Can I help it if the book was so addicting I couldn't put it down?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
No seriously, I really couldn't. Hubbs and I actually had a fight on Sunday about who got to commandeer the iPad for the morning. He needed it for a meeting. I needed it for my fix.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Meeting schmeeting, said I! OBVIOUSLY, I won. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Now I'm not entirely sure how reviews are supposed to operate when the book has been yet to be released to the public. I've perused Goodreads, and no one seems to be giving any reviews of substance, yet. So I'm assuming spoilers are frowned upon. Which means at some point, I'll probably have to update this review to reflect certain opinions on certain events that most certainly should remain untold at the moment. Suffice it to say, though, this book was AWESOME SAUCE!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RZRsAdYjGJfyuWGEYNk_vfnHS7FU9zdoq1eU1EKebaXsX3MX2urnhorrgqixpfac7w14u_FX7KiXi_Xx4XhToW86pWaNmN8dIUfEZFLQGHTWkVm2kJ9O538DCUzRksVgMuXWf3gzjwZB/s1600/9780373210695_p0_v2_s260x420.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5RZRsAdYjGJfyuWGEYNk_vfnHS7FU9zdoq1eU1EKebaXsX3MX2urnhorrgqixpfac7w14u_FX7KiXi_Xx4XhToW86pWaNmN8dIUfEZFLQGHTWkVm2kJ9O538DCUzRksVgMuXWf3gzjwZB/s320/9780373210695_p0_v2_s260x420.jpg" width="209" /></a><br />
<i style="color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Allison Sekemoto has vowed to rescue her creator, Kanin, who is being held hostage and tortured by the psychotic vampire Sarren. The call of blood leads her back to the beginning—New Covington and the Fringe, and a vampire prince who wants her dead yet may become her wary ally.</i><br />
<div style="text-align: -webkit-auto;">
<i></i><br /></div>
<div>
<i><i><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19px; text-align: left;">Even as Allie faces shocking revelations and heartbreak like she’s never known, a new strain of the Red Lung virus that decimated humanity is rising to threaten human and vampire alike.</span></i></i></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
New and old, there were lots of things to love... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I loved Jackal. Even though I simultaneously wanted to strangle and kiss him every other page. I love snarky wit... seriously. Does it get better than wit? Its hard not to love a vamp who has it in spades! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I loved Zeke (always!), who seems to have grown a pair since the last book. Which, lets be honest, is awesome. His new bad boy <i>I'm-not-afriad-of-you-anymore</i> vibe? Its hot. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I loved Kanin. He's got the stoic mentor role down pact. And I loved seeing the "dark side" of vamps through his torture (cue Darth Vader music). Not that I condone torture or anything, of course. But it did bring more depth to his character, which I appreciated. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
And yes, I even loved Phsyco Vamp. Because he's probably ONE OF THE CREEPIEST VILLAINS EVER!!!! Holy. Crap. <i>I'm</i> scared of him and he's totally fiction! Sarren is the stuff of nightmares. For. Real. And I loved him for it. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The only thing I didn't like was the cover. Don't get me wrong, turquoise? It ranks up there on the favorite color list, only second to red in my book. But still. I loved the first cover. It was awesome-ly creepy with the blood tears and all... Alas! I shall morn you, awesome first book cover design!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<i>The Eternity Cure</i> was very bit the kind of stupendous follow up you CRAVE in a sequel! Put this one on your calendar peeps, April 23, 2013, you won't wanna miss it!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The only draw back to an advanced copy? The wait time between book 2 and 3 just got THAT much longer... *sigh*....</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-30908070632944969462013-02-28T14:36:00.000-05:002013-02-28T14:40:24.698-05:00The Eternity Cure: sequel to Book of Awesome<div style="text-align: justify;">
What? Oh... why yes! That IS an advanced copy of Julie Kagawa's <i>The Eternity Cure</i> on my iPad...</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8IFzGl4eaAbQPSOWzwtqRWQkoLW55xkVHAdHZdLRGRixDw-Z6narmmP5dOF9tNtGVZ9HC2uj_as9r2FzEQo1bKMJqd1tJKOh7alcrlt-pKpKAVLFBOVmGwDc_PyD4ca7e4-81iwWHdRP/s1600/photo-3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw8IFzGl4eaAbQPSOWzwtqRWQkoLW55xkVHAdHZdLRGRixDw-Z6narmmP5dOF9tNtGVZ9HC2uj_as9r2FzEQo1bKMJqd1tJKOh7alcrlt-pKpKAVLFBOVmGwDc_PyD4ca7e4-81iwWHdRP/s320/photo-3.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to meet the oh-so-stellar, Laurie McLean, at the San Francisco Writer's Conference. Laurie is the ROCK STAR agent for Miss Julie Kagawa, who wrote the <i>Iron Fey</i> series, as well as (my favorite), her new vampire dystopian series, <i>Blood of Eden</i>. <i>Blood of Eden</i> made a smashing debut last year with the <i>Immortal Rules</i>, and, seriously guys? If you haven't read it yet... PUT IT ON THE TOP OF YOUR TO-READ LIST!!!! RIGHT! NOW!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Its amazing. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div>
Before I'd read the <i>Immortal Rules</i>, I thought I was done with vampires. Stoker, Rice, Meyer... I'd pretty much read 'em all, and I wasn't really interested in yet ANOTHER vampire book. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Oh. How. Wrong. I. Was. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaA1cjN3CWudyVSouUo_nRqz7T7_zsmUV3r-sMcE3M-2Q68xwlCKBpPfoY0wg5ei4q3_N8koiaHmqOZnYcQpiNRua9VPt_t7VNe7KJgOjuXI_U6z0JIjvEiz64YZyXN246LOQdIBDP9adl/s1600/10215349.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaA1cjN3CWudyVSouUo_nRqz7T7_zsmUV3r-sMcE3M-2Q68xwlCKBpPfoY0wg5ei4q3_N8koiaHmqOZnYcQpiNRua9VPt_t7VNe7KJgOjuXI_U6z0JIjvEiz64YZyXN246LOQdIBDP9adl/s320/10215349.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I was completely sucked (hardy har!) into this world that Julie Kagawa created. Its basically a vampire dystopian. If any of you have read <i>I Am Legend</i> (not the movie, which is different than the book), or <i>The Strand</i>, it has a similar vibe, in which vampires are the next step in evolution and humans are raised like cattle. I could NOT put it down!! </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, after I gushed to Laurie about HOW MUCH I FREAKIN' LOVED THE IMMORTAL RULES, she told me she'd try to get me an advanced copy of the sequel. Like, no big deal, right?</div>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
This was me: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIA3mky0uXPxc14kh4ACND-WFExW_8GMM1N5aTKF_mucBsqUbQFnQSya_xd4dvu2aPTeRvKbF6RapP9Yyr9mS9-OT5MB2wGSssKu11eI5g07UUPslra3RJKYh-FzSIIGz21YyR5Nltknhe/s1600/child-very-excited.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIA3mky0uXPxc14kh4ACND-WFExW_8GMM1N5aTKF_mucBsqUbQFnQSya_xd4dvu2aPTeRvKbF6RapP9Yyr9mS9-OT5MB2wGSssKu11eI5g07UUPslra3RJKYh-FzSIIGz21YyR5Nltknhe/s1600/child-very-excited.jpg" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Closed captioning: EEEEEEEEEEEEEeeeeeeeeeeeeeek!!!!!!!!!!!!!]</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
There also may have been some serious finger crossing going on. And a bit of freaking out. And probably some embarrassing exclamations of joy. Just a few.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyway, now that I've got my handy dandy advanced reader copy of <i>The Eternity Cure</i>, I plan on settling in for a long day of uninterrupted reading! Are you totes jealous yet?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
*sigh*</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Its a hard knock life, ya know? </div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-76383071841456830532013-02-21T15:07:00.001-05:002013-02-21T15:07:18.586-05:00San Francisco Writers Conference: Wisdom Noted<div style="text-align: justify;">
Wow. Its Thursday. And I STILL have not posted a SFWC update... I may or may not be a bit of a slacker. I blame the fact that my brain was fried and needed time to recoup. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
SERIOUSLY YOU GUYS, I LIE NOT!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Talk about <i>awesome-writer-advice-brain-overload</i>... $@#*!! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But now that I've been fed, watered and properly rested, I feel its time to make another virtual appearance. Here are a few things I learned this weekend at the writer's conference of awesome:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
R.L. Stien? For being the writer of a notoriously goosebump-y scary series, he was surprisingly, well, UN scary! In fact, he originally wanted to write comedy. Who knew?</div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp6dCDHqxfbsoXAs5oWkc8GNrXwovj4rzBkPou4D99nMkq7vdmG2OKYKRNKeZaEO3NaxSOVM9Gs3X7GVFwFKqi0F9YhHDba-UVHB6jF-CvKNBma4lX-xMXjPIWovYLkg21UZQAvA-tcz_/s1600/IMG_1737,e1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXp6dCDHqxfbsoXAs5oWkc8GNrXwovj4rzBkPou4D99nMkq7vdmG2OKYKRNKeZaEO3NaxSOVM9Gs3X7GVFwFKqi0F9YhHDba-UVHB6jF-CvKNBma4lX-xMXjPIWovYLkg21UZQAvA-tcz_/s320/IMG_1737,e1.jpg" width="212" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mount Doom is in San Francisco... don't believe me? Try hiking up this every morning:</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsOsRk9WbgPDd8by8DtZeGk3kmnGvRTd2Os_JsGT-O4KOn6DwMtcJggO0GIdeN4OgEm8ilnuldzpwErf14S8X330U0f_XsUtU6UbzLkGMishRib_bxLfb8DB_oJKLdMVoFyd-exVv8SCF/s1600/SanFran1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdsOsRk9WbgPDd8by8DtZeGk3kmnGvRTd2Os_JsGT-O4KOn6DwMtcJggO0GIdeN4OgEm8ilnuldzpwErf14S8X330U0f_XsUtU6UbzLkGMishRib_bxLfb8DB_oJKLdMVoFyd-exVv8SCF/s400/SanFran1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGnWkBSurJaUOR9HZvlZj8ZaAfl7GC9NGqh7CV92bCbHayvvR8hOu_OQII_D1KjMjytMvGnN7XARri04vHK5nFEU272r-xSd4ekJeH2FJuSJGHzJI5Y_itVfJwhIOKm7ZApkbDRoUJOBA/s1600/IMG_1710%252Ce1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicGnWkBSurJaUOR9HZvlZj8ZaAfl7GC9NGqh7CV92bCbHayvvR8hOu_OQII_D1KjMjytMvGnN7XARri04vHK5nFEU272r-xSd4ekJeH2FJuSJGHzJI5Y_itVfJwhIOKm7ZApkbDRoUJOBA/s320/IMG_1710%252Ce1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="tr-caption"><span style="font-size: small;">Forgive me if its unclear, but that's like a freakin' FOURTY FIVE DEGREE ANGLE! I suddenly have strong feelings of empathy for Frodo. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cable cars are a beautiful, beautiful invention. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliGuyEX5QmIER-PrkdueYUvRBgmePldA7YSvho-5fDk-NkNjCM4O4uk7Fn4OUMZN-8ocEXaPStmF1DlnwwEykynYYzVWB-ACRHWXLclO_GcTYJRzBPF4OWqpmZZ6_GMlVsoNR43ECk1Fd/s1600/IMG_1696%252Ce1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliGuyEX5QmIER-PrkdueYUvRBgmePldA7YSvho-5fDk-NkNjCM4O4uk7Fn4OUMZN-8ocEXaPStmF1DlnwwEykynYYzVWB-ACRHWXLclO_GcTYJRzBPF4OWqpmZZ6_GMlVsoNR43ECk1Fd/s320/IMG_1696%252Ce1.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
It IS possible to write 3-4 books PER YEAR (You go, Anne Perry! You adorable little British woman, you!) Pretty sure she's up to like 80 books now... and I feel I shall never live up to her awesome-ness.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTb10Z6ewuP_Mfmt24XQLhEn1tKvgG3noQ4GjbE194qQUK2DrMhcm_8SuUBpq_o2_nKcC3sex_18dUQCirnsaBN2uYVgtLBqarQigMO8t8RjOyXXfnjDstT9-T0-T6qadxaMUUTXwVXvi/s1600/IMG_1729%252Ce1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTb10Z6ewuP_Mfmt24XQLhEn1tKvgG3noQ4GjbE194qQUK2DrMhcm_8SuUBpq_o2_nKcC3sex_18dUQCirnsaBN2uYVgtLBqarQigMO8t8RjOyXXfnjDstT9-T0-T6qadxaMUUTXwVXvi/s320/IMG_1729%252Ce1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anne is the one with the crazy smile... Haha! I heart this pic!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Laurie McLean, Julie Kagawa's agent, is a FREAKIN' ROCK STAR (and I'm not just saying that because she promised a possible advanced copy of the <i>Eternity Cure</i>...hehe!) She really is awesome. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEcydJ7mfFF5t98BgHtVqVJguY0HPzQ5LDZrNZg6ngIkYkmP1ObWUCRVNOKlFEXULfuyUJKuTb9MSjPKkINQ7Iy8Cc3H5Pu4lFUSte-srjW5iKEbr3GqUUsf9zDgRP9zRJptnHcTM9YFg/s1600/laurie10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEcydJ7mfFF5t98BgHtVqVJguY0HPzQ5LDZrNZg6ngIkYkmP1ObWUCRVNOKlFEXULfuyUJKuTb9MSjPKkINQ7Iy8Cc3H5Pu4lFUSte-srjW5iKEbr3GqUUsf9zDgRP9zRJptnHcTM9YFg/s320/laurie10.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Writers make the best friends (Holla LAURA, PERRY, and ASHLEY!!.. Missed you, LAUREN and TERRY!)</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXZ8liKXyvkvM0JQzuLI7JmV_JnvCkN06EtY0h-RyWyMPLPr8AsumN1g-8P2YRs9Mu9oDiCOUWX-7yGzZ1_2V55_IPD9k1ZGQ4k58UdlejX7XAZJiHdLhoznv30ea4H7ICr6xjHPINJUa/s1600/IMG_1738%252Ce1.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMXZ8liKXyvkvM0JQzuLI7JmV_JnvCkN06EtY0h-RyWyMPLPr8AsumN1g-8P2YRs9Mu9oDiCOUWX-7yGzZ1_2V55_IPD9k1ZGQ4k58UdlejX7XAZJiHdLhoznv30ea4H7ICr6xjHPINJUa/s320/IMG_1738%252Ce1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Three two-stall bathrooms are inadequate for a conference boasting 500-ish strong. Ew.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzWXITZvbXZHziTKcPHH-NdZ5nO3HBo88tZec46qrIoLyB5fHlvmRYL2PZNLwSFQXF2gNsdfCLU5aohOq8uLq9MOxKMTfBcoNpH1JE-eFSnwWdkUrO75jz0lNM3MObyVh_eAwlTXSlo03/s1600/Foul-Bathroom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="274" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuzWXITZvbXZHziTKcPHH-NdZ5nO3HBo88tZec46qrIoLyB5fHlvmRYL2PZNLwSFQXF2gNsdfCLU5aohOq8uLq9MOxKMTfBcoNpH1JE-eFSnwWdkUrO75jz0lNM3MObyVh_eAwlTXSlo03/s320/Foul-Bathroom.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Laura Perkins, from the Andrea Brown agency, is also a ROCK STAR! I have big plans to do an entire post on her session "Crafting A Can't-Put-Me-Down First Chapter for a YA Novel." It was sublimely superb! Thank you, Lara!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqx7wMIVbaTqHZVBBln7ALYa6ugnYlKxpkY6WiB3fA1EaipjoSV4a-9Mwo_rokFw77vXPrft-0DoBys0BKuQffOGxnUZpfjhEm3MhMGsYO4KmvTzPKNwzyrfwAIBg35-jixhs9636KT7XW/s1600/LaraPerkins-headshot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqx7wMIVbaTqHZVBBln7ALYa6ugnYlKxpkY6WiB3fA1EaipjoSV4a-9Mwo_rokFw77vXPrft-0DoBys0BKuQffOGxnUZpfjhEm3MhMGsYO4KmvTzPKNwzyrfwAIBg35-jixhs9636KT7XW/s320/LaraPerkins-headshot.jpg" width="280" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And last but far from least... Reaffirmed: I LOVE BEING A WRITER!</div>
<br />
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-49485929030305374132013-02-11T19:15:00.001-05:002013-02-11T19:15:46.253-05:00Book Slump Breakout<div style="text-align: justify;">
In high school, I was a band nerd. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[cue gasps of shock and awe]</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Unlike the cheer and jock crowd, who I'm pretty sure had chests of gold handed to them (pirate booty style), us poor nerds had to salve to raise money for band tour every year. One of our more notorious and highly-anticipated fundraisers was called the "Rock-a-Thon." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I kid you not. People would actually pledge money (REAL money!) for us to rock in a rocking chair for 24 hours. Straight. (The things desperate kids will do for money, I know...) </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I bring this up because my "2013 Books Read" numbers are currently quite low. Pretty sure I haven't even broken into double digits yet. Its sad. In an attempt to inflate my numbers, I was thinking of starting Julie's First Annual "Book-a-Thon." </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I mean, if people are willing to pay me to rock in a chair for 24 hours, certainly they'll pay me money to read books, right? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
...[insert pensive expression here]...</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I think its worth a shot. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Anyone willing to pledge money, please see the collection tin at the end of this post.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Okay, okay... so although the numbers are low, I admit, I have read a FEW books recently. One worth mentioning, is by author, Aurora Smith, who asked me to read and review her debut novel, <i>My Stupid Girl</i>. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3IxO6-z-Ot_-94GggOxpsFAhBLfW81nRAGgLY8gPEUbn6zbMsJypY9qv5v4Hw7Snv1FEZ66swQmcOBahqjxSotjARO8hw1-FfK_H8hRAnuR68p_hpTUObpFKOixJ0wcd87wibxU58mfV/s1600/photo-2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU3IxO6-z-Ot_-94GggOxpsFAhBLfW81nRAGgLY8gPEUbn6zbMsJypY9qv5v4Hw7Snv1FEZ66swQmcOBahqjxSotjARO8hw1-FfK_H8hRAnuR68p_hpTUObpFKOixJ0wcd87wibxU58mfV/s320/photo-2.JPG" width="223" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, arial, helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>All seventeen-year-old David really wants is to fly under life's radar. In a typical cold winter day in Montana he does something extraordinary: rescues smart, funny, gorgeous good-girl Lucy Peterson from drowning in a freezing lake. As their friendship grows, David realizes that risking his life was the easy part. His friendship with a girl who is different from him in every imaginable way forces David to challenge himself and those around him. He must face the abuse of his past and the uncertainty of his future as he struggles to keep Lucy by his side.</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
When Aurora sent me this book, she described it as "adorkable." [Eeek! Love!] So of course, I was EXPECTING the totally rock-awesome witty dialogue and descriptions that ACTUALLY made me giggle out loud... (which totally doesn't happen very often, peeps. I'm a stone cold reader... grrr!) It was awesome!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
What I was NOT expecting was the way in which Aurora was able to seamlessly tie in some seriously serious topics of discussion with all the lighthearted humor and whit! I've read YA books with some pretty heavy topics.... <i>Wintergirls</i>, by Laurie Hals Anderson and <i>Drowning Instinct</i>, by Ilsa J. Bick (both fabulous--ESPECIALLY Drowning Instinct, just in case you were wondering!). However, I can't say that I've read a <i>good</i> "adorkable," funny kinda novel that ties in such serious-ness with the humor. Most attempts end up coming across as insincere. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Not so with <i>My Stupid Girl</i>!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Aurora balanced the humor and serious perfectly! I absolutely adored David's pack of miscreant friends (especially Isaiah)! At the same time, I found myself in serious contemplation about the kinds of trials and life changes David had to go through. Some of the topics explored included: adoption, death, forgiveness, teen pregnancy, and religion. I especially liked how, through the book, the characters started out judging each each other as one way based on their outward appearance. And how eventually, they realized the importance of seeing past the public mask to the person within. It reminded me of how very wrong we can be when we <i>judge a book by the cover</i>, so to speak!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Oh, and I totally want David to design a tattoo for me. Cause he's just that awesome. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
One thing I did not like, though, ***SPOILER ALERT*** was that David almost seemed TOO understanding at the end. Miss Lil' Sweet Cheeks Lucy Pants comes to him with a doozey of a mistake that she made, and instead of having a bit o' heart ache over the matter, David (almost) immediately jumps back with ITSOKAYISTILLTOTALLYLOVEYOUSOMUCH!!! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Which, considering the issue in question, seemed a bit quick to me. In my experience, boys usually stew over things a little longer than a half hour.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I also thought that some of the witty descriptions went on a little long. For the most part the dialogue and running whit inside David's head were nothing but hilarious! But in the first chapter especially, I thought some of the stuff was "one joke too much," and it dragged down the action a bit. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Okay, and it was probably just me (and quite possibly cause I didn't bother actually reading the summary of the book BEFORE hand)... but I didn't know if David was a girl or guy for the whole first chapter! Haha ( : Perhaps I missed the "Hi, my name is David, and I'M A BOY" part, but just in case you miss it too? David is, in fact, a boy!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Overall, this was definitely a fun read! I would easily recommend this book for anyone looking for something quick and enjoyable! Its got "thinker" and "humor" all rolled up into one nice, neat package! You can find Aurora's blog <a href="http://redmybooksandlosetenpounds.blogspot.com/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">HERE</span></a>, on Facebook <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Aurora-Smith/146337458775709"><span style="color: #cc0000;">HERE</span></a>, and can buy the oh-so-fabulous read on Amazon, <a href="http://www.amazon.com/My-Stupid-Girl-ebook/dp/B00AQRTFSU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1360545688&sr=8-1&keywords=my+stupid+girl"><span style="color: #cc0000;">HERE</span></a>. Choose your virtual weapon, readers, and ENJOY!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Thanks, Aurora! Can't wait for your next David n' Lucy masterpiece ( :</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyll6wuIHyDohg300Z66nI-df7elJM_LfHY8ARMnWj1Jq5kTEPM94NvH5mNiUgqFpUdSILAJ5x8KacJ4e6itbGgl2cpSWXPS1D7BkxpXe1zXWV5s8slXXeANJTGn8Is6f0YMo9e354Kjqm/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyll6wuIHyDohg300Z66nI-df7elJM_LfHY8ARMnWj1Jq5kTEPM94NvH5mNiUgqFpUdSILAJ5x8KacJ4e6itbGgl2cpSWXPS1D7BkxpXe1zXWV5s8slXXeANJTGn8Is6f0YMo9e354Kjqm/s320/photo.JPG" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">P.s. Does she not look like the coolest person EVER? The socks. The tat. The necklace. I kind of want to be her friend. Just sayin'. </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-70774691676096467522013-02-04T20:30:00.001-05:002013-02-04T20:30:32.901-05:00Dialogue Overrated Thought this was "adorkable".... can YOU tell a story without dialogue?<br />
<br />
Disney can ( :<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="270" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/aTLySbGoMX0" width="480"></iframe><br />
<br />
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5856684766673502268.post-21699399173593617312013-02-01T20:56:00.002-05:002013-02-01T21:02:42.278-05:00eBook Revolution<div style="text-align: justify;">
Peeps, I'm headed to another Writer's Conference! </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
[Woot, woot! Three cheers!]</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Its the San Francisco Writers Conference in--wait for it--San Francisco, CA.<br />
<br />
I know, crazy, right? Naming the conference after the city? I thought it was weird too. Heehee.<br />
<br />
ANY-way... Whilst stalking the agents I shall be meeting my doom with during the <a href="http://sfwriters.org/what-is-speed-dating/"><span style="color: #cc0000;">Agent Speed Dating</span></a> session, I ran across <span style="color: #cc0000;"><a href="http://publishingperspectives.com/2013/01/the-publishers-anxiety-at-the-electronic-book/?et_mid=600656&rid=234763874"><span style="color: #cc0000;">THIS</span></a> </span>article, that one of the agents posted on her twitter page. To save you the long boring and--might I add--somewhat unnecessary introduction of the article, I will summarize the underlying sentiment: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Writers, bloggers, readers and the publishing industry are focusing on the wrong part of the "eBook revolution."<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtO8TnCe0gqF3Iv4FyhAihAgSpakjEYLX7Oj2UXI2tHSNCxxu9gEIcoAodPAArp08n76sQOFhM1p51jDuEGkcHYD38sWx9oSMtQz4sktIGPWLNo3sYKNHE6f2clTLq8iMn9aaoHJPmsieH/s1600/LLNE-liberte-names.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="203" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtO8TnCe0gqF3Iv4FyhAihAgSpakjEYLX7Oj2UXI2tHSNCxxu9gEIcoAodPAArp08n76sQOFhM1p51jDuEGkcHYD38sWx9oSMtQz4sktIGPWLNo3sYKNHE6f2clTLq8iMn9aaoHJPmsieH/s400/LLNE-liberte-names.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Instead of being threatened by the introduction of the eBook, and its implications on the way we CURRENTLY do things, we should instead focus on the limitless possibilities of the FUTURE. What can the eBook do for us? His words:</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 22px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<i>"The novel has helped foster publishing’s success since it was invented by Cervantes over 400 years ago, and yet readers—more than a decade into the arrival of ebooks—are experiencing stories on a screen in much the same way they do on the page. In fact, Apple recently filed a patent for an “animated graphical user interface,” which is basically digital page-turning. Where we could be innovating, we’re just creating another skeuomorph.</i></div>
<div style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px; margin-bottom: 22px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: justify; vertical-align: baseline;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ_RyTKM7Wd3DO8sN8f5_TLKfJwgHrDJHra8cdeS4DmV-OvbCjqyQFgMUFIvXQ3e2FAnCtfDOmZIKc3tSmdMLEhm2qK7pKx5pmyVzkIb5ZtCZksQjRu5tmvPZhQZcIyGNW2xyGEcj66QY/s1600/hand,stars,universe,glitter,photography,hands-69fe247b49ed83e18369cd52941aa457_h_large.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="216" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJ_RyTKM7Wd3DO8sN8f5_TLKfJwgHrDJHra8cdeS4DmV-OvbCjqyQFgMUFIvXQ3e2FAnCtfDOmZIKc3tSmdMLEhm2qK7pKx5pmyVzkIb5ZtCZksQjRu5tmvPZhQZcIyGNW2xyGEcj66QY/s320/hand,stars,universe,glitter,photography,hands-69fe247b49ed83e18369cd52941aa457_h_large.jpg" width="320" /></a><i>It wasn’t supposed to be like this. The screen was supposed to be limitless, a portal to another dimension. A magical mirror in which truly anything could appear: words, pictures, movies, sound. And yet novels have merely traded one container for another, with stories trapped inside. Because of this, the future has so far proved to be an illusion, if not a setback."</i></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The author then introduces his own interactive novel, wherein the reader has the freedom to choose the book order, the contents, narrator and the ability to mix n' match everything like an iTunes playlist. He also included book websites, fake email addresses for the characters, photos, and music. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
The switch to this new, interactive style of storytelling, the author claims, is inevitable. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22px;"><i>"Stories began before the invention of the book: as oral tales, recited poetry, knots in a rope or even just sound and rhythm. And stories will continue to evolve. But we can’t let the fact that these are new iterations of something we hold dear deter us from embracing them."</i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Honestly? The guy kinda sounded like he had a chip on his shoulder about this. Just sayin'. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Besides that, though, the dude DID make some solid points. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXK9aQ41_2lIhDTiJGxWL1_Gkh7Fuoo7L-YVJpRqVHfarytq268wOIvgHzYnYcwjEG5Uac4BW0HLoYbpIIK9-GwnOLpnII4aV49Wj7gU9tb56klbNerXbQiqqhr-Kt5U9eVBm8XlDgKmo8/s1600/books.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXK9aQ41_2lIhDTiJGxWL1_Gkh7Fuoo7L-YVJpRqVHfarytq268wOIvgHzYnYcwjEG5Uac4BW0HLoYbpIIK9-GwnOLpnII4aV49Wj7gU9tb56klbNerXbQiqqhr-Kt5U9eVBm8XlDgKmo8/s320/books.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Don't get me wrong, die hearts! I am, and will forever be, a traditionalists when it comes to reading. NOTHING is as good as feeling the rough grain of the page beneath my fingers... smelling that ink-and-paper smell waft up with the turn of a page... or hearing the crack of a brand-new-book spine. I love real books.<br />
<br />
Always have. Always will. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
But still. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I was fascinated by this writer's point of view. And I have to admit, I'd never even considered eBooks in this fashion. This new, interactive, weirdly WEIRD way of approaching a book. It kinda reminds me of a high-tech, futuristic pop up book for e-readers. Heehee. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
In a conceptual form, it sounds interesting. And I have a certain amount of fascination that comes with the idea. But then I really think about experiencing a book that way and go: </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Eww. Gross. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Where is the imagination in this new book universe? The ability to create, shape and develop your own <i>personal</i> world as a <i>reader</i>? Because that's what good books do, right? Give you just enough of a boost to push your imagination into its own interpretation of the world? Books challenge creativity and inspire the mind. If all that imagining is done for you, doesn't it kinda take away part of the thrill and excitement? </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I mean, lets be honest... how many of you were disapointed when you finally saw someone ELSE's onscreen interpretation of Twilight. Or Harry Potter. Or the Hunger Games... [insert any book-made-into-movie]... </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
You get my point. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Then again, maybe I'm just one of those ol' timers in denial about a world that is rapidly changing, with or without me. Maybe this author is right. Does my hesitation to embrace this new kind of reading is really have any merit?</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Your thoughts, peeps!! I wanna hear 'em!</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5