No, not really, but kind of. Sometimes I don't have the time to read. Not because I don't want to read, but because I have another obligation that may be taking up my time. These include a variety of things. Work isn't necessarily the biggest culprit either, though it can be a factor at times.
There are plenty of other things that I enjoy spending time doing. An example of this that has been taking up some of my time recently is game nights. Sometimes we play cards, or board games, or even video games. I never really realized before how much time a video game eats up. But I started paying attention recently, and realized that some sessions can last 3 hours! But what do I gain from gaming?
I get a sense of belonging. I spend time interacting with like minded people in an activity that we enjoy. True there are some gamers that rage when things aren't going their way. But more often than not, I play with people that are playing simply to enjoy the game.
I'm going to be blunt though. I won't play a game if I can't enjoy it. I value my time enough that I know there's no point in using my time to play something that I'm not going to at least have fun with. but yeah, I'm not slacking, I just haven't read as much recently. Though I am reading! Honest.
I just need some "social" time now and then to stay sane.
Monday, January 9, 2012
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Steampunk/Romance/Murder/Mystery
Ok yeah that's a mouthful. I know it sounds kind of odd too. But all those are valid descriptions of what the book I'm blogging today is about. I decided I wanted to start looking into a variety of types of books, and explore outside my "zone" of horror and fantasy.
Viridis
Calista Taylor
330 pages
"A Steampunk Romance"
Interestingly this book starts off describing a mans dead body, and the place where the detective presumes he had spent his last hours before his death. It may not be a new idea, but it's nice to have the period style descriptions. Not only that her presentation of t he period, and the steampunk technology is lovely.
Viridis, in the book, is not just the name of a club, It's also the name of a non-alcoholic herbal concoction. It's described at least twice, and it's affects are also described thoroughly. It's the wonderful detail throughout the whole piece though that helps guide the readers imagination to set up the vibrant colorful character filled environment.
The language is beautiful, helping to make the characters believable and life like. A polished piece as a whole, its pacing varies. The content though keeps the reader interested, giving them a reason to continue reading. You learn about the difference between classes, and how it's causing rifts in society. It's almost a social commentary piece, what with the ideas of tinkerers and lords, and them not seeing eye to eye. Oh and the government issues as well! Secret service type stuff, it's great!
The end is very unsuspecting, and as a spoiler alert, you may not want to continue past here.
I was intrigued that the author used a gay couple as a focal point. At least, the alternative lifestyle turned out to be the reasoning. The matter of accepting people for who they are is what was the driving part of the whole book.
So, my end thought is that this is a wonderful read for a mature audience. Yes there is sex. Yes there is violence. But the details, the full world is fantastic.
Well, we're going to get back on the ball now I think ^_^ Hope you read something great this weekend!
Viridis
Calista Taylor
330 pages
"A Steampunk Romance"
Interestingly this book starts off describing a mans dead body, and the place where the detective presumes he had spent his last hours before his death. It may not be a new idea, but it's nice to have the period style descriptions. Not only that her presentation of t he period, and the steampunk technology is lovely.
Viridis, in the book, is not just the name of a club, It's also the name of a non-alcoholic herbal concoction. It's described at least twice, and it's affects are also described thoroughly. It's the wonderful detail throughout the whole piece though that helps guide the readers imagination to set up the vibrant colorful character filled environment.
The language is beautiful, helping to make the characters believable and life like. A polished piece as a whole, its pacing varies. The content though keeps the reader interested, giving them a reason to continue reading. You learn about the difference between classes, and how it's causing rifts in society. It's almost a social commentary piece, what with the ideas of tinkerers and lords, and them not seeing eye to eye. Oh and the government issues as well! Secret service type stuff, it's great!
The end is very unsuspecting, and as a spoiler alert, you may not want to continue past here.
I was intrigued that the author used a gay couple as a focal point. At least, the alternative lifestyle turned out to be the reasoning. The matter of accepting people for who they are is what was the driving part of the whole book.
So, my end thought is that this is a wonderful read for a mature audience. Yes there is sex. Yes there is violence. But the details, the full world is fantastic.
Well, we're going to get back on the ball now I think ^_^ Hope you read something great this weekend!
Thursday, January 5, 2012
The Importance of Amusement
So today I was reminded how important true amusement can be. I sat here and laughed, true laughter laughs, till I cried. And I feel so much better afterwards I'm surprised.
So with that In Mind I'm sharing a funny Video today, for no real reason. Just to help share the laughter today.
back to usual scheduling soon. Thanks for being understanding.
So with that In Mind I'm sharing a funny Video today, for no real reason. Just to help share the laughter today.
back to usual scheduling soon. Thanks for being understanding.
Wednesday, January 4, 2012
Villains Children Know
So in the new year I'm sure we all have been watching the news, and their always trying to paint various people in a villainous light. And I'm seeing a trend. Kids have a habit of turning people they don't know into villains. And today I've got two such stories to share with you about kids and their villains. Neither are very factual, but they are both enjoyable shorts. Just a bit of fluff to lighten things up.
_________________
The Pumpkin Eater
Justin Cawthorne
18 pages
This unique seasonal story looks at the kinds of stories that parents tell children.(You know, if you don't behave the boogeyman will get you" type of stuff) The made up things, like how flashlights scare away monsters. This one is set in October on Halloween and examines what happens when a boy heads somewhere that is frightening. Yet he is determined to trick or treat the place anyway, to prove something to his friend. We learn something very interesting about the person who lives there though, he's not your everyday neighbor.
A fun read for most ages, though an adult should pre-read it to determine if it is appropriate for their child. It isn't traumatizing, but it can seem scary to very young kids.
_________________
The Demon of Walker's Woods
Dan Dillard
79 pages
This story is a much more grim look at the way children demonize older people that they do not know. It also examines the reactions that children have when something awful happens to someone that they are close too. You're shown how they progress to various levels, pushed by curiosity, only to have their fears confirmed. Recommended for and teens and up, children should only read this piece at an adults discretion. As it may be crueler than most can stand.
_________________________
Well, Happy reading folks! Hope you have a great day and I hope the new year is going well for you ^_^.
_________________
The Pumpkin Eater
Justin Cawthorne
18 pages
This unique seasonal story looks at the kinds of stories that parents tell children.(You know, if you don't behave the boogeyman will get you" type of stuff) The made up things, like how flashlights scare away monsters. This one is set in October on Halloween and examines what happens when a boy heads somewhere that is frightening. Yet he is determined to trick or treat the place anyway, to prove something to his friend. We learn something very interesting about the person who lives there though, he's not your everyday neighbor.
A fun read for most ages, though an adult should pre-read it to determine if it is appropriate for their child. It isn't traumatizing, but it can seem scary to very young kids.
_________________
The Demon of Walker's Woods
Dan Dillard
79 pages
This story is a much more grim look at the way children demonize older people that they do not know. It also examines the reactions that children have when something awful happens to someone that they are close too. You're shown how they progress to various levels, pushed by curiosity, only to have their fears confirmed. Recommended for and teens and up, children should only read this piece at an adults discretion. As it may be crueler than most can stand.
_________________________
Well, Happy reading folks! Hope you have a great day and I hope the new year is going well for you ^_^.
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
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
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
Monday, January 2, 2012
The Goblins Goals
To do List.
~post at least 200 times in 2012
(should be easy enough right? but darn that sounds like a lot of content to read) 2/200
~make 12 goblins. (which equates to one a month... how hard can that be?) 0/12
~make 36 Teaghans (this might be a bit much.....) 0/36
Jewelry project minimums for the year
~ make 12 necklaces 0/12
~make 12 bracelets 0/12
~make 6 pairs of earrings 0/6
Other aims
~ take 365 photos that I'm willing to share. 1/365
~send 12 postcards 0/12
~get sewing machine fixed (no numerical value)
~get projects organized onto a schedule (no numerical value)
~keep apartment clean (shouldn't be too hard)
~post at least 200 times in 2012
(should be easy enough right? but darn that sounds like a lot of content to read) 2/200
~make 12 goblins. (which equates to one a month... how hard can that be?) 0/12
~make 36 Teaghans (this might be a bit much.....) 0/36
Jewelry project minimums for the year
~ make 12 necklaces 0/12
~make 12 bracelets 0/12
~make 6 pairs of earrings 0/6
Other aims
~ take 365 photos that I'm willing to share. 1/365
~send 12 postcards 0/12
~get sewing machine fixed (no numerical value)
~get projects organized onto a schedule (no numerical value)
~keep apartment clean (shouldn't be too hard)
There Once was a Huntsman...
I love love love love love love Fairy tales ^_^. Have I said that before? Hrmm... Well now you know that I do. Why does it matter you wanna know? Well, for one thing, there are a lot of different takes on fairy tales. there are many perspectives and presentations, all vying for our approval and readership.
This time I found a Gem. (Do I say that too much? hrmm... I like shiny things, I can't help it!)
Unicorns Walk Among Us
Sg Lee
35 pages
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
This particular story looks at how people 'hunt' unicorns. Not only that, it contemplates the repercussions that the action can have.
The writing style is very charming, and it is reminiscent of older stories I have read. The writer also has a website where they are working on filling in various stories. I highly recommend that you check out this short story, and then delve right into their web serial.
http://talesofthebigbadwolf.com/
^_~ Listen to the Goblin dearies, she wouldn't steer you wrong.
This time I found a Gem. (Do I say that too much? hrmm... I like shiny things, I can't help it!)
Unicorns Walk Among Us
Sg Lee
35 pages
http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
This particular story looks at how people 'hunt' unicorns. Not only that, it contemplates the repercussions that the action can have.
The writing style is very charming, and it is reminiscent of older stories I have read. The writer also has a website where they are working on filling in various stories. I highly recommend that you check out this short story, and then delve right into their web serial.
http://talesofthebigbadwolf.com/
^_~ Listen to the Goblin dearies, she wouldn't steer you wrong.
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