Are We Eating Meat?

Or something else? We all have heard rumors about places serving meats other than the kinds we're accustomed to, but what if someone was intentionally serving this and making sure you didn't know? What if that sweet meat was something, deviously acquired?

I'm guessing a lot of you have seen the movie "Sweeney Todd". So the idea about eating human flesh isn't unknown, or a rarity. But in this hard copy book, the author gives it a twist.

Ambrosial Flesh
Mary Ann Mitchell
391 pages

This book takes a rather gruesome look at a church practice that has been around for a long time, communion. And that's just when the book starts. We're let into the world of a young boy, his happiness, and fears and wonders. But when denied action that he's been trained to perform, he makes a decision that effects the rest of his life, as we find out as the book goes on.

He chooses to nibble at little pieces of his own skin. Eventually progressing to nibbling bits of other people that were consenting. The premise of the story is fairly believable, although eventually it takes a turn into the absurd that most horror does.

Not a book for those with weak stomachs, or that get queasy at the thought of blood. Aimed more towards mature audiences. I enjoyed it because it's very different from some of the books I've read in the way that we see it end. I'll just say, it is unexpected but definitely a good choice.

Learning Poetry

I happen to like a lot of different kinds of written work. As you've well noticed I'm sure if you're a regular reader, if you're not, welcome on board ^_^.

When I was in college I was introduced to something called Poetry Slams, the idea of which puzzled me slightly. Why would people be slamming poetry? And then we watched some video footage, and I was amazed! This was something new, and wonderful to me.

I was blessed to have the chance to see one of the artists perform live at my college. (And some of his work is amazing, just from a literary appreciation view, so seeing it done live and seeing what it was meant to sound like in person was great.) Today I figured that I'd start rounding this blog out, into a more cross genre creature (slowly as it may be) by adding one of his books of poetry to the mix.

What Learning Leaves
Taylor Moli
74 pages

I've had my copy of this book for 6 years. I've shared it with a few people, but it ended up in storage at one point and it recently came out. The poetry contained between the pages covers a variety of topics, but the ones that most people will relate to or understand are the ones concerning school.

"Like Lilly Like Wilson" is one of my favorite poems in the book. It looks at the way people use the word like, even when it isn't necessary. Teenagers will likely find amusement in the words, and an understanding as well. That sometimes, there's a limit.

Taylor Moli has put out more poetry since then(of course) and has his own website, If you're intrigued or even just a bit curious please head on over and take a look. http://www.taylormali.com/index1.html

From Book to Movie to Book Again

The not so past past has been a wonderful time for fantasy and science fiction books and films. One lucky story that has stood the test of both readers and cult film is that of The Last Unicorn.

Unlike many of the stories we get so wrapped up in of late, where Vampires and Were's run rampant, a more innocent creature is the focal point.The interpretations of the story can be different, but there is one theme that runs deep.

Love.
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The Last Unicorn
by Peter S. Beagle
212 pages

The original copyright says 1968, which I personally wouldn't have suspected. The story is beautiful, and hints at mytholigy at first. Telling how Unicorns were reacted to and treated in the past.

But the words of a hunter send the Unicorn on a journey to learn what's happened to her kindred. Through the pages and adventure, there are various lessons learned. The reader is introduced to a variety of mythological beasts at one point, only to have most of them to be revealed as fictitious.

But Love, in the end turns out to be the strongest thing by the end of the story. It is definetly a wonderful read. I do not know if a younger reader would find it an easy story to read, but it can be enjoyed by anyone.
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I loved the book. Honestly though, I was first introduced to the story via the film. It is enjoyable, though there are some discrepancies that finicky film watchers might not enjoy.

But that's a different story altogether, and this is a bookshelf, not a movie locker. ^_~

Comic books are a popular thing again, with the rise in the popularity of Manga. So the fact that this story made it's way into the graphic book world is interesting. Especially upon realizing the original copyright.

But then maybe I shouldn't be surprised, since it's a timeless story.
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The Last Unicorn
by Pater S. Beagle
Adapted by Peter B. Gillis
illustrated by Renae De Liz and Ray Dillon

This version is a lovely graphic rendition. Appropriate for comic book readers, or any collector that may have a copy of the original book itself. The artwork is amazing, and every time I pick my copy up I'm always afraid I might injure it in some way.

Honestly I never would have seen this book, if it Hadn't been gifted to me for my birthday earlier this year. I greatly appreciate it, because there's nothing better than a familiar story shown in a new way.
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I highly recommend any of the three incarnations of this book to you. And if you know of another one, feel free to let me know, okay?

Fun Fantasy Reads for Younger Readers

Before Harry Potter and the whole Twilight craze, there were a lot of fun books concerning the same topics written for young readers. Most of them are probably hiding in your bookshelves now, or in the bottom of old backpacks and you don't even realize they're there.

You don't believe me? Well, what about if I told you the name of the author. I bet a number of you remember something he wrote. Bruce Coville.

I thought that would ring a bell with some of you. He wrote the Camp Haunted Hills series, the My Teacher Series and a lot of other fun reads for youth readers. I remember the laugh I had when I saw one of the My Teacher books in my little brothers backpack. He thought it was something new.

But the books he wrote that I want to share today are his Magic Shop Books.

There are three of them. (I wish there were more.)The Monster's Ring,Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher, and Jennifer Murdley's Toad. They each had a different fun story to tell, and I won't lie, one made me cry. Anyways here's the simple details. (in case you didn't notice that I named them already ^_~)

The Monster's Ring
Bruce Coville
87 Pages

Jeremy Thatcher, Dragon Hatcher
Bruce Coville
148 pages

Jennifer Murdley's Toad
Bruce Coville
156 pages

All three books are well written. Each one has a separate story to tell. But a common theme they each share is the importance of following directions. But they each have different characters, and interesting outcomes.

Bullies are mentioned in them as well, and the effect their words have on other people. It's not that there aren't books that deal with this now, But I enjoy the way that the situations are shown in these books. I also like the way they are handled.

Now, I know it doesn't look like they're very long once they're added up. But you shouldn't let that be a deterrent . They're very enjoyable. Honestly, I reread one of them yesterday and it still makes me laugh. And in case you were wondering, I'm currently over 25.

Yes they do have reading level's on the back, but that should never be a reason not to read something. I've never really been one to pay attention to that. Either the content is appropriate and enjoyable or it isn't.

And I HIGHLY recommend these books. My copies are slightly tattered these days, but that doesn't change how much I've enjoyed them. You might find that the young folk in your life would enjoy them too.

Don't take a Book by its Covor

Here's another book that I own hard cover. (I own a TON of hard copy books, but not all of them are in great condition). I tend to pick them up at random, sometimes at thrift stores, bag sales, the library for sale bin, generally for no other reason than that the cover interests me.

Heh, this time I got a lemon.

Bard
by Keith Taylor
293 pages

I know that I said I was not going to be posting about any books that I didn't like. BUT I forced myself to read this whole book, hoping that as it got closer to the end it would improve, but it didn't.

The book itself is about a Bard named Fellimid mac Fal, and his adventures. How he interacts with the normal everyday people, as well as the people in power is shown to be simple and more or less the same in both cases.

But the writing is extremely dry. What irritated me most was the fact that it would lead up to an event, and then black out more or less. So there was no real release after the book made it to a climactic moment.

I am not planing on reading the sequel, even though I bought it as well. Before anyone jumps to the books defense and says that the Lord Of The Rings was also a dry read, they need to know one thing. Tolkien filled you in on what was happening, he didn't lead you into thinking you were going to witness a bloody scene and hold back. His was written as a history.

These are not written as histories, I suppose the best thing that i can say about their style is that they are very thorough. The descriptions would do well if the book was going to be made into a movie, but since this was written in the 70's i highly doubt that it is going to be made into one anytime soon.

The one thing I did enjoy about this book was the background of the main character they gave on the back of the book. He's a bard of Erin. There really aren't that many books about Bards that I've seen. So... It does get a small reprieve from my irritation for that small thing.

But I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone unless I knew they needed something to help them get to sleep. When I said I FORCED myself to finish reading this book, I mean it. I kept putting it down and trying to find other things to occupy my time. A book shouldn't make you want to be doing anything other than reading it.

At least, that's my opinion.

After completing it I let it sit for a while, hoping my impression would change, but when it didn't i decided to check out the original print date in the front of the book. It was started in the late 70's as a serial for a magazine. That means that the holes that bothered me weren't necessarily intentional, but were likely hook points where they'd left off.

That doesn't mean I like it, it just means that I'm not going to stop you from reading it and making your own opinion. But don't say you weren't warned.

Vampires are the "In" Thing

We all know about the Twillight craze, and how hot vampires are in pop culture currently. So it shouldn't surprise anyone that there are a large number of romance novels being written with vampires being the hunk du jour.

It should come as no surprise that some best selling authors are getting that title by writing about beings with fangs.

Sex and the Single Vampire
by Katie MacAlister
326 pages

I have never read a Katie MacAlister book before I read this one. I will gladly say that I would be more than willing to read more of her other books in the future. (and she has more books out than I would have imagined).

This particular book is classified as a Paranormal Romance on its spine. A classification 'm not all that familiar with honestly. Why? Well, most of the books I've been reading lately are in digital format, and I classify them however their title implies them to be.

Anyway, this book is about a woman named Allie, and her trip to London. Her job sent her to London to collect proof that ghosts exist. A task that should be manageable since she's a Summoner. Technically she should be able to walk into the haunted location and summon a spirit.

But it doesn't matter what she does, the best she can d at the beginning is just a cat's ghost. The scene is very amusing, and I enjoyed most of the book's informative tone as to how things should work.

The vampire, was a bit...different than I am used to. But he at least conformed to most of the traditional standards.(Not to mention the fact that he's a writer himself.) In any case he definitely fills the main male role in well. uhm...

The plot moves quickly enough, so this book would be a decent one as a pocket read or to carry on while traveling. Especially for people who enjoy glimpses at distant locations, ghosts, and romance all in one book.

This book is more appropriate for Adults than for kids, but older teens might enjoy it as well. (I have an odd sense at times for what is considered to be adult content...but i suppose since it's labeled romance, it's safe to say it's more adult in nature than some of my other reading.)

In any case, whether you like ghosts or vampires, or adventure stories in general, this book is appealing.

You'll likely be able to find it as an eBook if you look, though mine is hard copy this time. So I can't make a recommendation this time around about how to find it ~_~