So! A quick reading recap this week. I'm totally going to hit that 50 books this summer benchmark. TOTALLY.
11. Mastiff by Tamora Pierce
If you haven't read the Beka Cooper series, GET ON IT RIGHT NOW. It's the best kind of fantasy, where none of the characters are black and white, and the subplots are just as interesting as the main plot, and you never want it to end. No one makes stew in these books. (It always cracks me up when fantasy characters go on a trip and make...STEW!) Anyway, this book takes Beka on the road, which I think was a really interesting choice. I missed seeing her usual crew develop, but I liked seeing how she dealt with being out of her element. I wasn't a huge fan of the ending, but the rest of the series was so so SO good. You should totally read it.
12. Not the End of the World by Christopher Brookmyre
This is about a terrorist plot, and a B-movie festival, and a bunch of disappearing sailors, and Glaswegian photographers. I've seen Brookmyre compared to Elmore Leonard, whom I love, but unfortunately I managed to pick up one of his more serious titles when I was really in the mood for something funny. So I will definitely revisit later, and if you're into complicated, pop culturey mysteries, you should give it a try.
13. Watchmen by Alan Moore
Wow is this a dark book. I love that it was a game-changer for graphic novels, and anyone who claims that comics are a bunch of fluff about guys in day-glo tights needs to pick this up. I love graphic novels--anybody have any good recommendations?
14. Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
I've been meaning to read this forever, and it was well worth the wait! I think my favorite DWJ title is still Dark Lord of Derkholm, but this one was crazy and interesting and weird. I'd recommend it, but it seems like I'm the last person in the world to have read it, which is as it should be.
15. The Splendor Falls by Rosemary Clement-Moore
A lot of things about this book reminded me of Texas Gothic, which I LOVED. There's a ghostly mystery, and burial grounds, and archaeologists, and an awesome guy for the main character to argue with. Instead of tree-climbing goats, there's an impish Chihuahua. In short, a lot to enjoy. If you liked Texas Gothic, you'll definitely like this one.
So there you go! I'm going Internet dark this week to get some things done. Who am I kidding? I'm going to spend a lot of time swimming. But I do hope to get a lot of reading in too. Hope you have a similarly lovely week, and I'll see you when I switch back on again!
Monday, July 9, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Weekly Reading Recap
I haz been exercising my library card. What haz you been doing?
So the short version is that I'm reading 50 books this summer, because I am crazy. And I've already talked about books 1-6, so here are my most recent reads with representative lolcats because why not.
7. Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
This is an apocalypse book about a bunch of kids stuck in a store during, well, an apocalypse. Except you don't know a whole lot about the apocalypse because they've locked themselves inside, so I think the summary might be a little misleading. It's more about how the kids deal with the stress of being locked up together with little info about their families. At least they didn't get stuck in a shoe, because that would have been embarrassing.
8. Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron
I've read a lot of Jane Austen inspired stuff, including the one where Jane is a vampire (still not entirely sure what I think of that), so I figured I'd give the Jane Austen as detective series a try. I'm not sure I buy the Jane-ness, but I enjoyed the mystery, so I'll pick up the next one.
9. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
I spent the first 50 pages not knowing what the heck was going on, and the last 50 pages frantically reading to find out what was going to happen. The middle of this time travel drama was a total blur. Highly recommended to people who like a big old slice of life with their sci-fi. The confusing bits will eventually start to make sense, although you really start wishing people in the future had cell phones.
10. Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R.L. LaFevers
THIS BOOK IS HAPPY MAKING. I had a huge Egypt mania when I was a tween, and I would have loved the crap out of this book and walked around pretending I was Theodosia sleeping in her sarcophagus and undoing ancient Egyptian curses. (Yeah, so I'm not a tween anymore, but I still did it anyway.)
What are you reading, and do you have any lolcats for it? :)
So the short version is that I'm reading 50 books this summer, because I am crazy. And I've already talked about books 1-6, so here are my most recent reads with representative lolcats because why not.
7. Monument 14 by Emmy Laybourne
This is an apocalypse book about a bunch of kids stuck in a store during, well, an apocalypse. Except you don't know a whole lot about the apocalypse because they've locked themselves inside, so I think the summary might be a little misleading. It's more about how the kids deal with the stress of being locked up together with little info about their families. At least they didn't get stuck in a shoe, because that would have been embarrassing.
8. Jane and the Unpleasantness at Scargrave Manor by Stephanie Barron
I've read a lot of Jane Austen inspired stuff, including the one where Jane is a vampire (still not entirely sure what I think of that), so I figured I'd give the Jane Austen as detective series a try. I'm not sure I buy the Jane-ness, but I enjoyed the mystery, so I'll pick up the next one.
9. Doomsday Book by Connie Willis
I spent the first 50 pages not knowing what the heck was going on, and the last 50 pages frantically reading to find out what was going to happen. The middle of this time travel drama was a total blur. Highly recommended to people who like a big old slice of life with their sci-fi. The confusing bits will eventually start to make sense, although you really start wishing people in the future had cell phones.
10. Theodosia and the Serpents of Chaos by R.L. LaFevers
THIS BOOK IS HAPPY MAKING. I had a huge Egypt mania when I was a tween, and I would have loved the crap out of this book and walked around pretending I was Theodosia sleeping in her sarcophagus and undoing ancient Egyptian curses. (Yeah, so I'm not a tween anymore, but I still did it anyway.)
What are you reading, and do you have any lolcats for it? :)
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Blog Tour - Altercation
Anyway, here's a little bit about the book!
The FBI promises Jacinta Rivera and her friends that they are safe. Jaci wants desperately to believe them but weeks of hiding from their kidnapper, alias "The Hand", have left her wary. Hidden from the public eye in an FBI safe house, Jaci must reconcile both the mysterious disappearance of her father and the murder of her best friend.Uber cool, right? I'm all about a good suspense book, and I hope it doesn't sound too morbid when I say that I have contingency plans in the event of a kidnapping, and I've actually duct taped myself to a chair and tried to get out (it was research for a book, but also is handy in case I ever need to escape), and I've thought long and hard about potential kidnappers. Because really, if I'm going to be kidnapped, I want the BEST kidnapper possible.
A betrayal lands Jaci back in the grasp of The Hand, shattering her ability to trust and leaving her to wonder if she will ever piece together her broken life.
(Side note: I am a smartass. Please don't kidnap me. I'm also married to a ninja, so it's really in your best interests to not take me seriously.)
I mean, honestly? The Hand is SCARY. I would really prefer to be kidnapped by one of these guys.
1. Richard Simmons. I figure if Richard is my kidnapper, I'll get lots of exercise and maybe take off the last 10 pounds I ought to lose. And it's really hard to be afraid of a guy with that hair and short shorts, so as far as kidnappings go, it shouldn't be too stressful. Provided no vegetables are involved.
2. Darth Vader. Evidence suggests that if you're kidnapped by Darth Vader, two cute guys will disguise themselves in stormtrooper outfits and come to rescue you. And sure, you'll smooch your brother, but you ultimately end up with Indiana Jones! I am totally down with any kidnap scenario that ends with dating Indy.
3. Michael Symon. I'm a huge Food Network junkie, and it seems to me that being kidnapped by Mike Symon would be like HIM: Eat this meat, prisoner! ME: Okay! The only problem would be that after I was kidnapped by him, I'd need to be kidnapped by Richard again.
4. Ninjas. I'm married to one, so I figure the Ninja Code of Not Hurting Other Ninjas' Wives will keep me safe. Besides, I think this sign is awesome, and I want to give people the opportunity to carry one.
And those are my preferred kidnappers! Congrats to Tamara on her book, and thanks so much for visiting me today! In honor of the book release, THERE ARE PRIZES. You can learn all the relevant deets on Tamara's blog, but the short version is that commenting below enters you to win an ebook of PERILOUS or ALTERCATION, so let me know who YOU'D like to be kidnapped by! And the grand prize is pretty awesome, so check out that blog entry to win.
Monday, June 25, 2012
More Summer Reading!
I'm doing well on the quest to read 50 books, probably because I'm supposed to be editing, and I'm reading for inspiration, otherwise known as procrastinating. (I'm exaggerating a little--I made it to page 50 today and am going strong. But for some reason, I read more when I'm editing than when I'm drafting. Anyone else out there do that?) If you missed it before, I'm hoping to read 50 books before the kids go back to school in September. I posted about the first two last week, and I made a LOT of progress this week. Here's what I've been reading.
#3. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
I enjoyed this quite a lot--the Russian inspiration felt new and different to me. I'll admit that some of the plot threads I was most hoping to see developed, like a lot of the political bits about the Grisha status and the king and queen, didn't get as much page time as I hoped. But there's always the sequel, and I'll definitely be picking it up! It has just hit the shelves; pick it up and let me know what you think!
#4. I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
Holy crap so good. Why haven't people been gushing more over this?!? It's like a YA mashup of Silence of the Lambs and Dexter, and that's a sentence I never thought I'd have reason to say. It's creepy and freaky and so so awesome. Please be forewarned that this is one of those endings in which there's less resolution and more sequel set up. But I was so happy to learn that there would be a sequel that I didn't freaking care.
#5. Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies by James Marshall
I just couldn't resist. And really, from the never-ending WTFBBQ first sentence all the way through the equally WTFBBQ ending, it's quite a ride. But it's a VERY politically incorrect, no holds barred satire--you have to read it with your tongue firmly in cheek. And if you're anything like me, you will laugh hysterically and feel vaguely guilty over it and wonder if maybe there's something wrong with you. It reminded me of Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal, in which he satirically suggests that poor people should eat their children and the best ways to cook them? It's that kind of humor. I'm still vaguely stunned.
#6. Deadline by Mira Grant
This is the third book in the Newsflesh series, which is the best zombie series I've ever read. If thou hast not read it, thou shalt stop reading this and GET A COPY ALREADY. I do think I liked the first two books better; I don't want to go into spoilery details, but I felt like it ended so fast and I just wasn't ready for it to be over. But then again, I probably wouldn't EVER be ready for it to be over, so there's that. Seriously, I cannot even begin to explain how good this series is. And she's doing a cryptozoology series under her real name, Seanan McGuire, and I am ALL OVER THAT.
So there's that. I'm trying to get a nice variety--some YA, some adult, some MG. A smattering of genres--right now I'm reading a historical mystery, which is nice, and then I think I'm going to pick up a YA fantasy. I've heard it said that it's important to read outside your genre, and I totally agree. So I'm going to get back to it!
#3. Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
I enjoyed this quite a lot--the Russian inspiration felt new and different to me. I'll admit that some of the plot threads I was most hoping to see developed, like a lot of the political bits about the Grisha status and the king and queen, didn't get as much page time as I hoped. But there's always the sequel, and I'll definitely be picking it up! It has just hit the shelves; pick it up and let me know what you think!
#4. I Hunt Killers by Barry Lyga
Holy crap so good. Why haven't people been gushing more over this?!? It's like a YA mashup of Silence of the Lambs and Dexter, and that's a sentence I never thought I'd have reason to say. It's creepy and freaky and so so awesome. Please be forewarned that this is one of those endings in which there's less resolution and more sequel set up. But I was so happy to learn that there would be a sequel that I didn't freaking care.
#5. Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies by James Marshall
I just couldn't resist. And really, from the never-ending WTFBBQ first sentence all the way through the equally WTFBBQ ending, it's quite a ride. But it's a VERY politically incorrect, no holds barred satire--you have to read it with your tongue firmly in cheek. And if you're anything like me, you will laugh hysterically and feel vaguely guilty over it and wonder if maybe there's something wrong with you. It reminded me of Jonathan Swift's A Modest Proposal, in which he satirically suggests that poor people should eat their children and the best ways to cook them? It's that kind of humor. I'm still vaguely stunned.
#6. Deadline by Mira Grant
This is the third book in the Newsflesh series, which is the best zombie series I've ever read. If thou hast not read it, thou shalt stop reading this and GET A COPY ALREADY. I do think I liked the first two books better; I don't want to go into spoilery details, but I felt like it ended so fast and I just wasn't ready for it to be over. But then again, I probably wouldn't EVER be ready for it to be over, so there's that. Seriously, I cannot even begin to explain how good this series is. And she's doing a cryptozoology series under her real name, Seanan McGuire, and I am ALL OVER THAT.
So there's that. I'm trying to get a nice variety--some YA, some adult, some MG. A smattering of genres--right now I'm reading a historical mystery, which is nice, and then I think I'm going to pick up a YA fantasy. I've heard it said that it's important to read outside your genre, and I totally agree. So I'm going to get back to it!
Wednesday, June 20, 2012
OH MY GOD
Look! Look! I posted twice in one week!
I think I deserve a cookie now.
But not this one shaped like Richard Simmons.
That's all.
This post brought to you by an author who is trying to avoid editing her next book.
I think I deserve a cookie now.
But not this one shaped like Richard Simmons.
That's all.
This post brought to you by an author who is trying to avoid editing her next book.
Monday, June 18, 2012
Summer Reading
One of the things I'd really like to get caught up on this summer (besides this poor neglected blog) is reading! So I think I'm going to take a stab at 50 books before school's back in session. And I need YOU to help keep me in check! And if you have any summer reading goals, let me know and we'll nag each other until we get it done.
I can nag very uniquely, you know. Like, I could threaten to send the Ninja Attack Squad to your house to steal all your socks. And I could REALLY DO IT. (Except for the part where my friends might resent my ordering them around like ninja flunkies. And Ninja Flunkies should be a band name. I've been coming up with those a lot lately for some reason.)
So here are my first two reads for the summer! And I will review them in limericks, because I feel like it.
#1. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
This book, it won lots of award-as.
But it doesn't contain any sword-as.
It's a myst-ry sci-fi.
Bout a girl and a guy
And it has lots of references of Madeline L'Engle, which I find quite plainly awesome. And yes, I know this was supposed to be a limerick, but MADELINE L'ENGLE TRANSCENDS LIMERICKS.
#2. Clarity by Kim Harrington
This book has been on my to-read list,
Forever, and now I am so pissed.
Should have read it before,
This book I adore,
It's a mystery with a psychic twist!
Right now, I'm reading this INSANE book called Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies. I'm...just...
*speechless*
I'll come up with some words to describe it. Next week, maybe. What are you reading?
I can nag very uniquely, you know. Like, I could threaten to send the Ninja Attack Squad to your house to steal all your socks. And I could REALLY DO IT. (Except for the part where my friends might resent my ordering them around like ninja flunkies. And Ninja Flunkies should be a band name. I've been coming up with those a lot lately for some reason.)
So here are my first two reads for the summer! And I will review them in limericks, because I feel like it.
#1. When You Reach Me by Rebecca Stead
This book, it won lots of award-as.
But it doesn't contain any sword-as.
It's a myst-ry sci-fi.
Bout a girl and a guy
And it has lots of references of Madeline L'Engle, which I find quite plainly awesome. And yes, I know this was supposed to be a limerick, but MADELINE L'ENGLE TRANSCENDS LIMERICKS.
#2. Clarity by Kim Harrington
This book has been on my to-read list,
Forever, and now I am so pissed.
Should have read it before,
This book I adore,
It's a mystery with a psychic twist!
Right now, I'm reading this INSANE book called Ninja Versus Pirate Featuring Zombies. I'm...just...
*speechless*
I'll come up with some words to describe it. Next week, maybe. What are you reading?
Friday, June 15, 2012
All the Things
So! I have winners who will be receiving paperbacks, and one will get a mention in one of my upcoming books as well as the opportunity to name a character, but for right now, I'm only going to mention them by initials. Why? Someone pointed out to me that the winner might want me to name a character after, say, their BOSS and then feed them to a herd of hungry Yeti, and they might not want that screamed all over the interwebs. Or they might want me to name a character after them and feed them to the Yeti, in which case it'll be kind of obvious. But for the moment, I shall protect the confidentiality. Mostly because I want to feed someone's boss to hungry Yeti. It's all about me.
And the winners are...AH, BS, and NC! If your initials match those initials AND you entered the contest, quit reading this and go check your email! And then start thinking about Yeti fodder!
In other news, I finished the first draft of a new book on Wednesday! And then yesterday, I got the first round of edits on Demon Derby, which will be my third book. And in my spare time, I'm working with a bunch of other Michigan writers on a short tour, which I'll be telling you more about soon. Aaaaand I'm going to be contributing to the Bookish Brunette blog on occasion. You know, during my free time.
Also, this really cracks me up. Why? WHY NOT.
And the winners are...AH, BS, and NC! If your initials match those initials AND you entered the contest, quit reading this and go check your email! And then start thinking about Yeti fodder!
In other news, I finished the first draft of a new book on Wednesday! And then yesterday, I got the first round of edits on Demon Derby, which will be my third book. And in my spare time, I'm working with a bunch of other Michigan writers on a short tour, which I'll be telling you more about soon. Aaaaand I'm going to be contributing to the Bookish Brunette blog on occasion. You know, during my free time.
Also, this really cracks me up. Why? WHY NOT.
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