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Thursday, August 18, 2011

Her...An Indonesian Short Story Review




      This will be my first time participating in Indonesian Short Story Month. It's hosted by Novia at Polychrome Interest and you can review your own short story through the month of August.

"Once you have finished reading any short stories by Indonesian writers, please kindly share what you think about the story either in the comment form or in your blog (leave the link in the comment form or pingback this post)."


Her, Is a story of woman whose husband decides he's not happy at home and remedy's this by marrying an additional woman ...simplistic right...wrong. The complexity of the emotions this "Perfect wife" goes through are so realistic, to be quite honest I wanted to give her husband a good wallop. 
Her own anger, the anger and embarrassment of their children, the realization, and then finally acceptance that no matter how exceptional a wife she is, her husband will never truly love or be devoted only to her, and the turmoil she feels in regard to "Her". These are things that anyone could relate to, regardless of culture.


This story had me putting myself in the main characters position time and time again, and wondering how I would react if it were me. Would I be as self sacrificing? I'm not sure I could. I've seen women...and men in my own country staying with their spouse for similar reasons. In the beginning of the story I thought I might not be able to respect the first wife, but I found that by the end I did. She was much stronger than I had anticipated and I was thankful for that. I myself would not be able to make the same choices, but I found that I was happy she had some closure and understanding at the end of this story.

I've added some snippits and a link to the intire story as well as author info

               Her...By Titis Basino 

"Just like that I let him leave. I listened to the steadily fading sound of his car as he drove away. The motor grew fainter and fainter until it was finally drowned out by the children’s voices. At moments like that I felt that he accepted the freedom I had given him with too obvious relief."
".On the nights when my husband was with me and talked about 
"her," I listened to him with an odd mixture of patience and dejection. Deep down I begged that he would become tired of "her," but he never did".

" I appreciated her where I had once feared her. Had I met her earlier I would have been impressed with her cunning at capturing a husband; now I was impressed with the graceful manner in which she protected her rival’s feelings."
Sending a big thank you to Novia. I really enjoyed this story and am grateful to have participated :D

Sunday, August 14, 2011

Current Mosaic Progress



               














It's slow going, but I'm really enjoying it :D My mother swears once my daughter leaves for college on the 24th I'll have the entire house mosaic-ed...lol 

Friday, July 29, 2011

Avengers 2012

More please ;)




From: View Buzz
The Avengers is upcoming mega budget Hollywood movie which will be released in 2012. The Avenger Release date is 4 May 2012. This is an action/Sci-Fi movie directed by Joss Whedon who is experience person in film industry. The Avengers estimated budget is $150,000,000 and Robert Downey Jr. is playing leading role of Iron Man in this movie.Complete star cast of The Avengers includes Robert Downey Jr., Chris Hemsworth, Scarlett Johansson, Chris Evans, Jermy Renner, Samuel Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Mark Ruffalo, Tom Hiddleston, Lou Ferrigno and Clark Gregg. Chris Evans is playing role of Capitan America in this movie. This movie is sequel of Captain America: The First Avenger.
Presence of Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johansson and Chris Evans shows that this upcoming Hollywood movie has lot to offer and it will be one of the big movies of year 2012.

OMG!! I have died and gone to heaven. Lou Ferrigno voices the Hulk and there will be a cameo by Stan Lee!!

Movie Posters








Monday, July 25, 2011

MGoW - Artist Spotlight -Sarah Valsheim

This idea came from Chelle over at Persephone Reads. She does a feature aptly named I ♥ This Art which I thoroughly enjoy.
As a result I thought I would periodically spotlight a piece that calls to me...moves me...stirs my emotions in some way. A work that I believe needs to be shared :D
Todays Artist Spotlight Is...

Solitude


by~Sarah Valsheim
Ahhh, the bone structure...the cut of the jacket..the silvery grey hair...the hair, did I mention the hair! What can I say, I'm a sucker for grey haired men ;)

 I was actually torn between two pieces who turned out to be the same character, Gen. So I added "Away" below. It's full of detail, the poles and the wires..I especially love the area around Gens' feet :D

When I asked Ms. Valsheim If she'd like to add anything about herself in this post she replied, "Well.. what can i say? :D I'm a self taught artist, currently i live in Hungary with my fiancé until he finishes his studies. I plan to publish an ArtBook in the near future :) I think that's all >.< omg i can't write much about myself xD
Thank you very much for the feature <3"
So she's modest and gracious as well as being incredibly talented :D
Thank you Sarah, and I wish you all the luck in the world.

facebook: Sarah Valsheim

Twitter: @SarahValsheim
Deviant Art: http://sarah-valsheim.deviantart.com/
Portfolio: http://sarahvalsheim.daportfolio.com/



Thursday, July 21, 2011

SINBAD: THE FIFTH VOYAGE 2011 ???

Now before you watch this and give me the Really? I must tell you that it's supposed to be a tribute to  Ray Harryhausen’s Dynamation. You remember Dynamation. It was used in movies like  Mighty Joe Young ,  Jason and the Argonautsand The 7th Voyage of Sinbad. Well, maybe some of you are too young to remember them, but I do, and if you ever get the chance to see them, I highly recommend it ;) 


Directed by David Winning
Starring Patrick Stewart, Lorna Raver, Isaac C.
 Singleton Jr., Said Faraj, Shahin Sean Solimon
Release Date: July 18, 2011
Screenwriter: Ev Gabai, Sean Solimon
Giant Flick Films LLC

What's that you say? That voice sounds familiar....well of course it does. Who could mistake the delicious Sir Patrick Stewart :o He plays the aged Sinbad, (his voice anyway). Apparently Sinbad is recounting his tales of adventure. This particular tale involves the saving of Princess Parisa from an evil sorcerer.  It also includes the Pièce de rĂ©sistance...da da da daaaaa...the cyclops :D

I've been trying to find this film, and honestly It's been a bit puzzling. I thought I'd gotten it narrowed down to a release date of October 2010, but then I see July 18, 2011. I'm thinking maybe it was a direct to DVD release, but I'm still not sure. If it's not abundantly obviously to you by now...I'm perplexed :o any help would be appreciated :D

Sunday, July 17, 2011

Death Note and Death Note Two


Title: Death Note....Death Note Two (The Last Name)
Release 2008
Directed by Shūsuke Kaneko
Produced by: Toyoharu Fukuda
Takahiro Kohashi
Takahiro SatĹŤ
Seiji Okuda (The Last Name) 
Music by: Kenji Kawai
Studio: NTV, Warner Bros
Cast:
Tatsuya Fujiwara as Light Yagami
Kenichi Matsuyama as L
Erika Toda as Misa Amane
Asaka Seto as Naomi Misora
Shidou Nakamura as Ryuk (voice)
Shinnosuke Ikehata as Rem (Voice in Death Note: The Last Name)
Shigeki Hosokawa as Raye Iwamatsu
Shunji Fujimura as Watari
Takeshi Kaga as Soichiro Yagami
Yuu Kashii as Shiori Akino
Hikari Mitsushima as Sayu Yagami
Shin Shimizu as Kanzo Mogi

When I spotted these movies in Coconuts I was so elated I got a bit teary...yes, I was really that excited. The anime version was one of my very most favorites and to be able to own the live action films was a dream come true.


This movie is about a college student, (genius really) named Light Yagami. He discovers a mysterious notebook, called the "Death Note", lying on the ground. Once he touches it, he's able to see a shinigami, (death spirit) named Ryuk, who reveals some of the books secrets, but by no means all. The notebook states that if you write someones name in it while picturing their face, the person will die. Although skeptical, after some experimentation....Light discovers that is indeed authentic. 
Ryuk
Having grown up with a police officer as a father, he realizes that justice isn't always swift, and that sometimes the guilty do not get the punishment they deserve. As a result, Light decides to take matters into his own hands and starts executing criminals.....a lot of criminals, under the persona known as Kira. All the while Lights' father Soichiro Yagami along with the mysterious L, has been leading the investigation to hunt down Kira. 

The Last Name:
The eccentric and childlike L is determined to uncover Kira, and being a genius himself, they are equally matched. Light always manages to stay a step ahead of him but L closes in little by little, despite the fact that Light has taken on an accomplice named Misa, who also has a Death Note. For certain reasons Misa sees Kira as her God...her hero. With her shinigami Rem, she is able to Look at someone and kill them....but will she be able to see L's face? In the end will light be willing to sacrifice his own father to achieve his goals...to be the god of his new world.
Rem


The way I see it: If I expressed to you all of the twists, turns and manipulation that actually existed in these movies this review would be full of spoilers...not something I would do ;) The deranged labyrinth that is lights mind was like a fun-house to me...such a good time :D The movies stayed, (for the most part) true to story. L, (who is my absolute favorite character) was flawless. Kenichi Matsuyama literally was L, he completely immersed himself in this role. Truly incredible. 

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: They changed the ending. In my opinion... Americanized it. It was still good, but I am a fan of the...somewhat brutal at times, Asian style of anime and movies. Also in the anime series Light was always obsessed with power, and vocalized it often. They really didn't emphasize this in the films.

Love it or Leave it: OMG loved it!!! It was sooo much fun and Light was sooo messed up...quite the sick puppy ;) The fact that it did stay basically true to the story was big for me. The shinigami looked great, (it was eerie in fact...lol) and came across with a lot of personality. Erika Toda as Misa, also did a phenomenal job with her role. 

Note: You probably would only be fond of these movies if you enjoy anime, or Japanese style films. I, being a fan of both....was in my glory :D



Wednesday, July 13, 2011

The Name Of The Wind


Written By: Patrick Rothfuss
Copyright: 2007
Publisher:  DAW
Paperback Pages:  661 

I have to preface this review by saying that I have agonized over the writing of it. I find myself at a loss for words to properly describe what in essence to me, Is an incredible work of art. 

Chapter one begins at the Waystone inn. A small group of men are enjoying some libations while Old Cob fills their heads with wonder-tales, as was his favorite role. The unobtrusive innkeeper busies himself cleaning floors, wiping bottles and seeing to his patrons...the things that innkeepers do ;) Shortly there after, a local who has been attacked enters the inn carrying something in his arms. What that something is...and the events that take place as a result of it, I'll not tell you.....you have to find that out for yourself ;)
I will give you a little snippit though. It takes place a very short while later, when the innkeeper comes home, having only left a note as to his whereabouts for Bast...his very worried student/E'lir.

"A note? You sneak out and leave me a note?" He hissed angrily. "What am I, some dockside whore?"...and then...."It wasn't even a good note. 'If you are reading this I am probably dead.' What sort of note is that?" 
I literally laughed out loud :D

We are then introduced to Chronicler who, as the name imply's, is a historian of sorts. His arrival at the Waystone is the catalyst for all of the story that follows. He has been searching for a man named Kvothe, "pronounced nearly the same as quothe." according to our central figure. Chronicler desperately wants to write a true accounting of Kvothes' life, for he is a figure spoken of in lore and fantasy, and only his true story will satisfy the young historiographer.

After some deliberating, they reach an agreement and the tale commences. 

Kvothes young life begins in the wagon of a traveling performance group known as the Ruh.  With loving parents and supportive friends, he learns.....he thrives....and he is happy. Weather it be music, languages, or woodlore, Kvothe is the type of boy with a thirst for knowledge, and the ability to master skills the first time around. Once a poor tinker named Abenthy, (who is actually an arcanist) joins their group, Kvothe finds that he is gifted with talents few posses. That is when...excuse the pun...the real magic in this story starts to happen.

His road then takes a terrible turn. Finding himself alone and having to survive on nothing but his wits, Kvothe develops into a very resourceful young man. Over the next few years, he has little in the way of refuge, and a scant few people to depend on. Although arduous, the lessons he learns here in the city of Tarbean help to mold him into the man he will one day become.

Moving forward once again....Kvothe is a student at the University. Having a quick wit and an abundance of natural talent, he rapidly moves up in ranks, much to the dismay of Master Hemme, (a teacher) and Ambrose, a fellow student who turns out to be exceedingly more of a problem than Kvothe anticipates. 

The end of the story brings us back to the Waystone Inn. As it closes we gain some insight as to who has actually been the catalyst to the telling of this tale...but You'll have to find that out for yourself as well :D

The way I see it: For all of it's 661 pages this book went very quickly for me....too quickly. Kvothe was a character that drew me in, and quite honestly I didn't want to leave. As he tells his miraculous story to Chronicler you become Chronicler. He speaks of his adventures in such fascinatingly descriptive detail that you experience the events with him. 

Although it didn't feel like it initially, the supporting characters had a strong presence. It's almost as if I didn't notice them at first, and then they were there, and important. A subtle feeling...and as I looked back I realized that they were ever-present and had always made their voices heard. A new experience for me.

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: For this I can only tell you something I thought, would bother me. Going back and forth in time....I've had experience with time-travel, (for lack of better wording) before, and I can honestly say that in some books it made me feel disconnected from the story to the point of distraction. In The Name of the Wind however, this was not the case. It was written so well that the transition from past to present, although not seamless as it's not intended to be, beckoned you to go from one to the other. Rothfuss is a conductor, a manipulator of the highest degree. He brings you almost to the point of bliss, only to guide you back down to start the process again, but never letting you loose the excitement entirely. (Seriously...talking about the book here...lol)

Love it or Leave it: Honestly, I could go on all day about how much I loved this book. I could gush and gush about all of it's amazing attributes. I could tell you how it stirred my emotions, how I laughed many times, how I cried a few, and how at times I wanted to kick some butts for little Kvothe...lol It was a book that, once I'd finished it, I went skimming through to find the parts I especially enjoyed....and read them again. When I closed the cover I had a smile on my face that lasted for quite some time, and as I think about it now..... it comes back to me once again :D  





Monday, July 11, 2011

On My Wishlist-His Majesty's Dragon


On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. 
I'm not as diligent as BCC, but I do try to post these as often as I can :D

His Majesty's Dragon
Author: Naomi Novik
Publisher: Ballantine Books
 Pages: 384
Copyright: 2006


From goodreads:

Aerial combat brings a thrilling new dimension to the Napoleonic Wars as valiant warriors rise to Britain’s defense by taking to the skies . . . not aboard aircraft but atop the mighty backs of fighting dragons.

When HMS Reliant captures a French frigate and seizes its precious cargo, an unhatched dragon egg, fate sweeps Capt. Will Laurence from his seafaring life into an uncertain future–and an unexpected kinship with a most extraordinary creature. Thrust into the rarified world of the Aerial Corps as master of the dragon Temeraire, he will face a crash course in the daring tactics of airborne battle. For as France’s own dragon-borne forces rally to breach British soil in Bonaparte’s boldest gambit, Laurence and Temeraire must soar into their own baptism of fire.

I'm itching for a good dragon story. I find I can only go so long without one...lol   Since I've been picking out more and more of them lately, I know its time. Reading the summary on this book has me intrigued, and finding out that Peter Jackson has purchased the film rights to the series......I know I just have to make it mine :D

Added bonus: That's right, I said added bonus!  I also found out Novik has published a graphic novel as well, Will Supervillains Be On the Final?

Will Super Villains Be On The Final?
Author: Naomi Novik
Illustrator: Yishan Li
  • Paperback: 192 pages
  • Publisher: Del Rey April 26, 2011

Product Description from Amazon:
HEROISM 101
  
As universities go, Liberty Vocational is the private college of choice for budding superheroes learning to master their extraordinary powers for the good of humankind. But for sixteen-year-old Leah Taymore, just making her way through classes without incident is shaping up to be a superhuman task. Star struck by legendary ex-hero turned student advisor Calvin Washington, petrified by ultrastrict dean Dr. Santos, and tongue-tied over her supercool (and handsome) classmate Paul Lyman, timid Leah fears that even her ability to manipulate atoms won’t be enough to survive the rigors of L.V.—and become a full-fledged defender of all that is right. But the real test of her mettle is yet to come, in the form of infamous supervillain Bane, who has infiltrated Liberty with a sinister plan to bring down the best and brightest heroes of tomorrow before they even take flight.

I believe this one will have to come home with me as well...I know, no self control ;)



Sunday, July 3, 2011

On My Wishlist-Shadow Raiders

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. 
I'm not as diligent as BCC, but I do try to post these as often as I can :D



Shadow Raiders
Author: Margaret Weis & Robert Krammes
Publisher: DAW Hardcover (May 3, 2011)
Hardcover: 544 pages

All information gleaned from: M.W. Website
Shadow Raiders is the first volume in a new epic military fantasy series-by New York Times bestselling author Margaret Weis and Robert Krammes

Book One of the Dragon Brigade Series...

Lord Captain Stephano de Guichen, formerly of the Dragon Brigade, and his disparate group of friends who call themselves the Cadre of the Lost, are hired by the powerful Countess de Marjolaine, to find a Royal Armory journeyman who has mysteriously vanished, along with an invention that could revolutionize warfare. The Countess fears the invention may fall into the hands of their enemies. Always in need of money, Stephano and his friends undertake what they think is an easy job, only to discover they are being dogged by spies and targeted by assassins.

Meanwhile, Father Jacob Northrop, a priest of the feared Arcanum, and his Knight Protector, Sir Ander Martel, are dispatched to investigate the massacre of a hundred nuns at the Abbey of Saint Agnes. A lone survivor claims the nuns were attacked by demons from Hell.

Stephano and his friends take to the skies in their airship, the Cloud Hopper, still on the trail of the journeyman. Their route takes them near the Abbey of Saint Agnes. As they draw near, the Cloud Hopper comes under attack by what appear to be demons riding giant bats. Stephano teams with Father Jacob and Sir Ander and a dragon from his old brigade to fight the hellish forces.

After the battle, one question is on everyone's mind: Are these truly demons sent by the Evil One? Is this the Apocalypse?

As Father Jacob searches the Abbey to find the answer, he uncovers a startling secret that nearly gets him and Sir Ander killed. Stephano's search for the journeyman almost ends in disaster, as he and his friends encounter the deadly Freyan assassin, Sir Henry Wallace.

Schemes and tricks, lies and intrigues culminate in an exciting chase through the skies that comes to a shocking end, when friends and foes alike are caught up in the unexpected and terrifying conclusion.

"And don't worry - a swashbuckling RPG is in development in time for a Gen Con Release!"

OMG!!! SWASHBUCKLING!!! You had me at hello. I'm soooo looking forward to reading this one and the RPG. I love Margaret Weis <3 On her site she also talks about the mistake on the cover and how there will be a reprinting. I'm hoping the get one of the flawed ones...I'm weird like that. I'm of the mindset that imperfections give things character :D I've taken the liberty of highlighting, (what  I felt) were the particularly all consuming, make me absolutely have to get this book and RPG parts. 

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Pottermore!!!!


 Rowling launched the site via YouTube. She'll be selling all seven HP novels as e-books and audiobooks....(That's right Pat, Audiobooks...lol) She's also going to divulge some secret background details on characters and settings.  Details, Rowling says she's been “hoarding for years.”...She's been hoarding!!!

Wow!!! I have to say, I am soooo excited about this. I can't wait until October. Here is the link to the registration page. You can leave your e-mail and they notify you when everything is up and running. http://www.pottermore.com/ 

It also says Come back on July 31st (Harry's birthday) to find out how you can get the chance to enter Pottermore early. Apparently, a chosen few (let it be me, let it be me...lol) will have the opportunity to experience the incredible world of Pottermore before all others.
And look, you can follow on twitter as well...@pottermore

IMO....Great Idea. As long as the attention to detail is there, I believe it will be a huge hit. Who knows, maybe someone will create a site like this for other beloved series as well :D

Sunday, June 26, 2011

MGoW - Artist Spotlight

This idea came from Chelle over at Persephone Reads. She does a feature aptly named I ♥ This Art which I thoroughly enjoy.
As a result I thought I would periodically spotlight a piece that calls to me...moves me...stirs my emotions in some way. A work that I believe needs to be shared :D

Todays Artist Spotlight Is...

by ~IllusiveBlue



E. M. Lawrence is a self-taught, published illustrator. She resides in a story-book style haunted house with her partner, and far too many pets .

Saturday, June 25, 2011

Sister of the Dead-Book Three of the Noble Dead series


Written By: Barb & J.C. Hendee
Copyright: 2005
Publisher:  Penguin, ROC
Pages 416

This is the third book in the Noble Dead series. My first two reviews can be found here, and here.

This story is a continuation of Thief of Lives. No time has elapsed since the ending of our last story. 

Magiere, Leesil and Chap are still looking for answers, both to Magieres true origins, and to the fate of Leesils mother. 

Magiere is a Dhampir, created of a noble dead father and human mother. Her one and only purpose in life, (or so she's been told) is to hunt and kill vampires. 
What little information she has about her history and purpose, has come from Welstiel Massing, a man who seems to know too much about her, and whom she has discovered is actually a noble dead himself. 

Leesil, a halfblood elf, is on a quest of his as well. He desperately seeks to  discover the fate of his mother, who he believed had been killed as a result of his own actions. A guilt he has lived with for years.

Chap, a fey, self confined to the body of a large wolf-like dog, wants nothing more then to stop Magiere from finding out the horrifyingly brutal details of her past. 

They are joined on this journey by Wynn, an apprentice sage who is able to understand Chap, and who's knowledge of histories and languages may hold the key to revealing the answers they seek.

After some debate, our uncomon crew decide to travel to ChemestĂşk as it is on their path North to the Elvin lands. This is the place of Magieres upbringing, the place where she was hated and shunned. Yet, here we meet the one person who loved and accepted her, Aunt Bieja. 

The clues found in ChemestĂşk drive them even further from their Elvin destination, much to Chaps dismay. As they journey onward, they happen upon a dying town in desperate need of the hunters help. The choice to aid this town and it's people, brings our crew face to face with an undead vampire the likes of which they have never seen. One who is able to draw the life-force, not only from humans, but from the very world around it.

Believing the creature destroyed, they finally travel to the place of Magieres creation. As the atrocities committed to bring her into existance are revealed, she is confronted by her true enemy. 
Will she follow this entity and fully become the monster within...?

The way I see it: The bond between Magiere and Leesil is cemented in this sequel, and the vital importance of that relationship is revealed. Chaps role as puppet-master and his conflict with his fellow fey are brought to light with much more detail this time around, (something I enjoyed) All of the gory components involved in the making of Magiere are laid out before us as well. Wynns true role and that of Leesils mother are yet to be uncovered.

The bad, the bad, and the ugly: Trying to put this into words...Oh, I know...this was the longest 416 pages of my life. It seemed to me that there were parts of this book that were completely out of place, almost as if they were just thrown in to up the page count. It detracted from the story to such an extent, that there were times I actually dreaded picking the book up. As a matter of fact, If I wasn't so enamored with the main characters, I wouldn't have.

Love it or Leave it: I can't say I loved it :( I can say this, If about a hundred pages of randomness were edited out, It would have been fabulous, and of the same standard as the first two books. 

Will I purchase the next in the series? Not right away, but I believe I will eventually. I enjoyed the first two very much and I did love the parts of this book that focused on...well, the storyline.

Monday, June 20, 2011

My First OUaT Challenge Completed :D

The Once Upon a Time challenge is hosted by Carl over at Stainless Steel Droppings.
I participated in: The Journey, (By signing up for The Journey you are agreeing toread at least one book within one of the four categories during March 21st to June 20th period. Just one book.)

Quest The First, (Read at least 5 books that fit somewhere within the Once Upon a Time criteria. They might all be fantasy, or folklore, or fairy tales, or mythology…or your five books might be a combination from the four genres.)

And Finally, Quest on Screen,  (To participate in this quest simply let us know about the films and/or television shows that you feel fit into the definitions of fantasy, fairy tales, folklore or mythology that you are enjoying during the challenge.)

For The Journey I read The Cloud Roads by Martha Wells

I then continued on to Quest The First which included:
Dhampir by Barb & J.C. Hendee
The Dark Griffin by K.J. Taylor
The Outstretched Shadow by Mercedes Lackey and James Mallory
Thief of Lives by Barb & J.C. Hendee
of Blood and Honey by Stina Leicht

For Quest on Screen I reviewed:
Seirei no Moribito
Blassreiter

I had oh so much fun participating in this challenge. Thank you Carl for being such a lovely host.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

On My Wishlist - Spellbound

On My Wishlist is a fun weekly event hosted by Book Chick City and runs every Saturday. It's where I list all the books I desperately want but haven't actually bought yet. They can be old, new or forthcoming. 
I'm not as diligent as BCC, but I do try to post these as often as I can :D

Spellbound
Author: Blake Charlton
Cover Art: Todd Lockwood
Hardcover: 416 pages
Release Date: September 13, 2011

This is the sequel to Spellwright, a book that I very much enjoyed. It was brought to mind by my friend Pat over at Here, There, and Everywhere 2nd Edition. Spellwright was one of her latest acquisitions, and if she ever gets through her TBR pile and is able to read it (lol) I hope she gets as much out of it as I did :D

Oh, BTW...Love, Love, Love the cover art <3


Summary: From The Signed Page
In a world where one’s magical prowess is determined by one’s skill with words and ability to spell, Nicodemus is a wizardly apprentice afflicted by a curse that causes him to misspell magical texts. Now, the demon who cursed him has hatched a conspiracy to force Nicodemus to change language and ultimately use it to destroy all human life. As Nico tries to thwart the demon’s plan, he faces challenges from all sides. But his biggest challenge is his own disability, which causes him to create chaos wherever he goes. And the chaos surrounding Nico is affecting the world so profoundly that the kingdom to which he has fled to gather strength is on the brink of civil war, and he suspects that his closest allies—even Francesca, whom he loves more than life itself—may be subject to the demon’s vast powers. As Nico tries to forestall the apocalypse, he realizes that he doesn’t know if he can fully trust anyone, not even the woman he loves. And if he makes one wrong move, not only will his life be forfeit, he may end up destroying all mortal life as well.


Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Weekly Books Around The House...Edit


As I was straightening up this morning I realized that every week I go through the same process. I put away the majority of the books that have collected around the house throughout the week, only to find an entirely new set the following week. Because we are a family of seven, it's always an eclectic array, and as I looked upon them this morning, I thought to myself...If my family enjoys reading them....they deserve to be mentioned :D
So here they are....dat, da, da, daaaa!!

Title: Franny and Zooey
 Author: J.D. Salinger 
Publisher: Back Bay Books/Little Brown And Company
Copyright: 1955...1989
Considered one of Salinger's most popular works, Franny and Zooeywas initially published in the New Yorker as two separate stories entitled "Franny" (1955) and "Zooey" (1957). 
Franny Glass, a young college girl, has a nervous breakdown and turns to saying the Jesus Prayer in an effort to purge herself of the phoniness and ego she finds in herself. Her brother Zooey, equally troubled by religious angst, probes into her psyche, confronting her faulty thinking and leading her to some measure of peace.

Title: Train Your Brain 
  Author: Joel Levy 
Publisher: New Holland Publishers
Copyright: 2006
The brain is like a muscle, so a fit and healthy mind needs time spent working out - what Joel Levy calls 'Braintenance'! In this book, he takes the reader through a series of puzzles designed to maintain and improve brain function and intellectual health. These games and teasers help the reader with verbal, numerical and spatial aptitude; mental speed; logic; creativity; lateral thinking and memory. They range from word and picture puzzles to well-known favourites, Sudoku and Kakuro. With tips on how to build these exercises into everyday life, hints on how to approach problem solving and background information on the science behind the puzzles, "Train Your Brain" has everything you need for a complete mind workout. Like an intellectual gym, it can help you build your mind power, stretch your brain's agility and tone your thinking!

Title: The Exotic Pet Survival Manual 
  Author: David Aldertom
Publisher: Barron's
Copyright:1997 
Summary: Herp Supplies 
More than 200 entries give facts on the most often collected reptiles, amphibians, insects, and arachnids, with emphasis on behavior, feeding, breeding, and maintaining a healthful environment for the animal.
The creatures covered in this manual include ants, beetles, 16 kinds of spider, four kinds of scorpion, lizards, snakes, tortoises and turtles, frogs and toads, salamanders and newts. More than 250 full-color photos and illustrations, plus quick-reference question-and-answer panels. 


Title: Great Pyrenees  
  Author: Juliette Cunliffe
Publisher: Kennel Club Books

Product Description: 
Describes the history of Pyrenees in the France, the US and Britain. Also includes characteristics of the breed, care, feeding, genetic issues and training.
This book also has lots, and lots of pics :D
Title: Life of PI
  Author: Yann Martel
Publisher: Canongate Pub Ltd 
Copyright: 2001 

Life Of Pi: From Publishers Weekly
A fabulous romp through an imagination by turns ecstatic, cunning, despairing and resilient, this novel is an impressive achievement "a story that will make you believe in God," as one character says. The peripatetic Pi (ne the much-taunted Piscine) Patel spends a beguiling boyhood in Pondicherry, India, as the son of a zookeeper. Growing up beside the wild beasts, Pi gathers an encyclopedic knowledge of the animal world. His curious mind also makes the leap from his native Hinduism to Christianity and Islam, all three of which he practices with joyous abandon. In his 16th year, Pi sets sail with his family and some of their menagerie to start a new life in Canada. Halfway to Midway Island, the ship sinks into the Pacific, leaving Pi stranded on a life raft with a hyena, an orangutan, an injured zebra and a 450-pound Bengal tiger named Richard Parker. After the beast dispatches the others, Pi is left to survive for 227 days with his large feline companion on the 26-foot-long raft, using all his knowledge, wits and faith to keep himself alive. The scenes flow together effortlessly, and the sharp observations of the young narrator keep the tale brisk and engaging. Martel's potentially unbelievable plot line soon demolishes the reader's defenses, cleverly set up by events of young Pi's life that almost naturally lead to his biggest ordeal. This richly patterned work, Martel's second novel, won Canada's 2001 Hugh MacLennan Prize for Fiction. In it, Martel displays the clever voice and tremendous storytelling skills of an emerging master.

Title: Love Will Tear Us Apart
  Author: Sarah Rainone
Publisher: Three Rivers Press 
Copyright: 2009

Love Will Tear Us Apart: From Publishers Weekly
Rainone's fun and poignant debut novel centers on a group of longtime friends who reunite for a wedding in their small Rhode Island hometown. As Dan and Lea's wedding day approaches, four of their friends share narration duties, reminiscing on collective youth, lost innocence and wasted potential. There's brash burnout best man Ben, who once had promise as a ball player but now tends bar; hippie college dropout Cort, whose dislike of her mother has been softened by her mother's illness; cokehead bridesmaid Alex, who still holds a torch for Dan; and Shawn, whose would-be musical career has devolved into a singing waiter gig at a theme restaurant. Missing from the reunion is Jason, whose death is often mentioned as the characters recall their schooldays and youths while the nuptial events unfold. Rainone does a stellar job of capturing the personalities and quirks of each protagonist, and the contrast between their bright memories and dim current realities is nicely handled. It may seem gimmicky at first (chapter headings, for instance, are song titles), but the vivid storytelling and mix of hope and heartbreak is an addictive formula.


                       
Title: Hermit Crabs 
  Author: Neal Pronek
Publisher: T.F.H
Copyright:1982 Yes 1982

Includes information on choosing and caring for land hermit crabs. Includes 31 color and 29 black and white pics. This book, and it's photos ARE dated, but that only adds to the entertainment value for me :D 


Title: New Atlas OF Human Anatomy with Poster & CD-ROM 
  Author: Thomas McCracken and Richard Walker
Publisher: MetroBooks (NY) 
Copyright:(October 2000)

Full description for The New Atlas of Human Anatomy: Book Depository
Since earliest times we have been fascinated with the marvellous machine that is our body and have made efforts to understand anatomy and map the body and its systems. Today we are in the midst of extraordinary innovation - the US National Library of Medicine's Visible Human Project has produced the first anatomically exact and complete, three-dimensional, computer-generated reconstruction of an actual human body. The amazing imagery revealed in this unique book is derived from the process of digitising the thousands of cross sections of a body and is the result of years of painstaking research combined with innovative computer-modelling techniques. This process comes closest to achieving the ideal of anatomical representation - which is to re-create visually the exact forms of the body and all its parts.

 This is what my children have been perusing in their spare time this week. As their mother, (and being totally unbiased...NOT!) I'm delighted with their choices :D