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It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey. Want a good book to read? Stop by and see what’s new in the world of literature!

Americus by MK Reed and Jonothan Hill – This was a great graphic novel. When a conservative mother makes it her personal crusade to rid her town of sin and evil, which comes in the form of a well-loved novel featuring dragons and magic, chaos ensues. Parts made me mad because I know there are actually people like this woman out there who want to censor books that libraries carry because of their personal beliefs. A very good read though with great subplots threaded throughout.

Aunt Dimity and the Village Witch by Nancy Atherton – I really enjoy this series featuring a woman who inherited an English cottage in a small town from Aunt Dimity, a friend of her mother’s whom she never met but speaks to in the form of a journal. What’s great about these books is that they aren’t dark and murderous, they’re set in the English countryside, and, despite trials along the way, always have nice resolutions. Purely an escape novel, which can be so nice.

The Island of Dr. Moreau by H.G. Wells – I’m listening to this sci-fi tale on CD. It’s another novel that I should have read a long time ago. When the protagonist, through a series of unfortunate events, comes to the island he is disgusted by the grotesque creatures that inhabit it. Only as he sees and learns more does he realize the true madness that has captured the island and fears for his life. The only bad thing about this CD is that I’m certain I’ll miss a turn one day because I’m so entranced with this nail-biting tale.

The House of Silk by Anthony Horowitz – An adult novel based on a case of Sherlock Holmes. I hope he plans on writing more as I am thoroughly enjoying this novel. Filled with the spirit of Doyle plus twists and turns that will keep your heart thupping until the last page.

I hope you’re reading week is just as enjoyable as mine is! Happy reading! 🙂

2012: 05/14
CATEGORY: Books & Media
Monday Reading Blogs
Reading
SciFi/Fantasy Books
Series
YA lit trends & news
TAGS: books on cd
Mondays
Reading
science fiction
Series
YA
6 comments

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey. Want a good book to read? Stop by and see what’s new in the world of literature!

Had a great weekend running around in the beautiful weather. Got to go on a much needed 7-mile run. It started as a “I think I’m going to go for a nice 3-mile run maybe longer if I feel okay” and then my legs didn’t want to stop moving! I loved it. 🙂 Mid-fifties, sunny, with a nice breeze that cooled me off without being challenging. Ahhh…

I have some great books in my reading pile too. Here’s what I’m reading now:

The Abused Werewolf Rescue Group by Catherine Jinks – I’m listening to this YA book on CD. I have to admit I don’t immediately jump on every vampire/werewolf book that comes out because a lot of them seem so similar that it’s like reading the same plot over and over. What grabs me is a story about a boy who doesn’t know he’s a werewolf, who isn’t charming and brooding and filled with an overabundance of wolf testosterone. (Is that such a thing?) That’s how this story begins and with a title that makes it seems more like a PETA story, I’m already hooked.

Timeless by Gail Carriger -Here’s another series that involves vampires and werewolves, but in such a quirky way I can’t help but devour each new book. There are vampires who are more concerned with fashion than blood, werewolves that act as babysitters, a preternatural that turns supernaturals mortal, and a toddler that blends all these aspects together. Not to mention the delightful steampunk elements that are threaded throughout. A perfect book for any mood.

All There Is: Love Stories from StoryCorps by Dave Isay – StoryCorps was started in 2003 with the idea of capturing stories and preserving them for future generations. A person visits a StoryCorps booth, sometimes alone but more often with someone they love, to tell a story that they want to honor the memory of. This book is a compilation of the love stories both happy and sad from those sessions. I got choked up at almost every story just because they captured such beautiful memories of the human spirit.

I hope you’re reading week is just as enjoyable as mine is! Happy reading! 🙂

2012: 03/12
CATEGORY: Fitness
Monday Reading Blogs
Reading
Running
SciFi/Fantasy Books
Series
Steampunk
Traveling
YA lit trends & news
TAGS: books on cd
fantasy
love stories
Mondays
Reading
romance
Running
science fiction
spring
steampunk
StoryCorps
YA
4 comments

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey. Want a good book to read? Stop by and see what’s new in the world of literature!

I officially signed up for Book Expo America this June in NYC. Yay! It’s like a mini vacation for me as I get to meet new people in the world of books, pick up some fun ARCs, and listen to great speakers about the craft of writing. If you love books and have never been, definitely check it out! And this week is the big Pitchapalooza event. I’ve been working on making this event a great experience for the community, so as excited as I am I’m also looking forward to it being finished after all the work and planning! 🙂

I’ve been reading some great books as well:

Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury – I’m listening to this book on CD and the narrator does a great job of bringing Bradbury’s classic tale to life. The descriptive language alone makes Something Wicked a wonderful book to listen to.

Batman: The Black Mirror by Scott Snyder – I just started this graphic novel and so far, so good. The illustrations are classic superhero with their bold colors and ideal figures. It begins with Dick Grayson as Batman after he took over the cape and cowl when the original Batman was supposedly dead. But Batman has returned as well as a fun litany of evil villians – a recipe for excitement!

Wonder by R.J. Palacio – This juvenile fiction book is one of the best books I’ve read in a while. August is a typical 10-year-old boy starting his first year of middle school. Except August was born with severe facial defects that, countless surgeries later, have made breathing and eating better but haven’t changed the aesthetics of his face. Told through several people surrounding August, Palacio’s story paints a wonderful picture of being different and how it’s the love and kindness that makes all the difference.

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson – The first book in the Mistborn series, Sanderson, who I was first introduced to through his collaboration with the late Robert Jordan in finishing his Wheel of Time series, has written a high fantasy book where evil reigns and there has been no salvation in sight for the past thousand years. This series has been recommended to me several times, so I’m excited to finally be reading it!

I hope you’re reading week is just as enjoyable as mine is! Happy reading! 🙂

2012: 02/27
CATEGORY: Events
Monday Reading Blogs
Reading
SciFi/Fantasy Books
Traveling
YA lit trends & news
TAGS: book expo america
books on cd
fantasy
Graphic Novels
Mondays
Pitchapalooza
Reading
science fiction
Writing
YA
8 comments

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey. Want a good book to read? Stop by and see what’s new in the world of literature!

Happy (Almost) Valentine’s Day! I hope everyone gets shown – and shows – a little extra love this week. Although I do fall in the “I want to show my loved ones that I love them every day, not just Valentine’s Day” I still think the holiday is fun. 🙂 I had off from work today which has afforded me the opportunity to catch up on my To Do list. I’ve gotten a chance to do some writing on my novel, which is progressing nicely, and watch the most recent Downton Abbey – yay! Love days off! 😀

I’m reading and listening to some wonderful books right now. Here’s what I’m enjoying this week:

Born to Run by Christopher McDougall – I’m really enjoying this book on CD. The narrator is wonderful and it doesn’t hurt that the topic is interesting too. McDougall seems to have done a thorough job in his research on running and, more specifically, why some runners are faster, healthier, and seemingly indefatigable. I’m not quite finished, but I believe the argument and conclusions that follow are on the merits of barefoot running and going back to the days before the running shoe revolution. Stories about the featured runners and the history behind some of the longest, most challenging races are really interesting. Makes me wish I were reading it so I didn’t have to stop when my drive was finished! The only aspect I don’t like is how McDougall writes like he has a bone to pick with Dean Karnazes, another, very well known, ultrarunner. I don’t know if Dean turned him down for something, but McDougall comes across as being petty. It’s strange when the rest of the book is so positive and really detracts from the story McDougall is trying to tell.

Legacy by Molly Cochran – I’m not very far into this YA paranormal book, but I’m already in love! Cochran has a wonderful way with storytelling. It has everything I look for in an engrossing paranormal read – mystery, attractive love interest, protagonist with unrealized powers, delightful setting and side characters. I have a feeling I’m going to rip through this one quickly! 🙂

100 Bullets written by Brian Azzarello and illustrated by Eduardo Risso – What would you do if a stranger offered you the chance to get away with murder? Thus begins the graphic novel series 100 Bullets. With a premise like that, how could I not read it? The illustrations are classic and keep in tune with the integrity of the plot. There are actually, as the title suggests, a hundred untraceable bullets, one gun and a promise that no repercussions will take place against the person who decides to use the gun and the bullets. Although I’m only on the first one, I’m already intrigued and am looking forward to reading the others (there are 12 in the series).

Happy reading! 🙂

2012: 02/13
CATEGORY: Fitness
Healthy Running
Monday Reading Blogs
Reading
Running
SciFi/Fantasy Books
Writing
TAGS: books on cd
Graphic Novels
Mondays
paranormal
Reading
Valentine's Day
Writing
YA
1 comment

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading?

It’s Monday, What Are You Reading? is hosted by Sheila @ Book Journey. Want a good book to read? Stop by and see what’s new in the world of literature!

I decided it was time to return to finish a couple of books I’d started, but put down in part because of their girth and part because new releases kept distracting me. 🙂 While I love reading new books by debut authors or returning favorites I realized I need to return to the classics and make a point of reading those as much as I read newer novels. So, hence Les Miserables. There are others that I can’t even bear mentioning because I should have read them long ago and thus will return to during this holiday season/new year. Starting my resolutions early! 🙂

Wheel of Time # 6: Lord of Chaos by Robert Jordan – Whenever I need a hands-down great book to escape into, I turn to Robert Jordan. If you love epic fantasies, you’ll love Jordan’s Wheel of Time series. It’s one of the reasons I’ve taken my time with reading the series. Also, aside from an autographed book from Brandon Sanderson after a talk he gave about picking up Jordan’s tale after the famed author had passed away, I love finding the books (mostly in paperback) at used bookstores around the country. It’s like a treasure hunt. 🙂

Les Miserables by Victor Hugo – A classic centered around the French Revolution, this tome is both roman a clef and a beautiful, albeit tragic, portrait of the lives touched during this time. I’d read most of Les Mis before I picked up Jennifer Donnelly’s novel Revolution and was glad I had as it made for a great reference to her vivid novel on the same topic. Hugo’s novel is a must read both for its rich descriptions and storylines and its historical significance.

Brewed Awakening by Joshua Bernstein – I’m really enjoying this new non-fiction book all about beer. It covers a range of areas on the topic including great beers to try, the home brewing movement, and what goes into the making of a good beer. I’m interested in trying to brew my own beer and in looking into the topic, stumbled upon this book. While it’s not so much about beer recipes, it’s teaching me a lot about what makes a brewery and a beer great.

Hope you have a great last week in November! 🙂

2011: 11/28
CATEGORY: Beer
Monday Reading Blogs
Reading
SciFi/Fantasy Books
TAGS: beer
classics
Mondays
Reading
Robert Jordan
Victor Hugo
8 comments

Steampunk Month

For those of you who love steampunk as much as I do The Mad Hatter: Bookshelf & Book Review is hosting Steampunk Month. You can stop by their blog for more details, but I can tell you that there will be new book postings/reviews, author interviews, guest author posts and prizes. Sweet! Even if you’ve never heard of steampunk, check it out to get initiated into this great genre of literature.

I wrote a post about the Rise of Steampunk. If you want more info on what the excitement’s all about. My wish is find some of the gear that goes along with steampunk characters and dress like that for Halloween this year. Better get searching!

Happy reading! 🙂

2010: 10/05
CATEGORY: Reading
SciFi/Fantasy Books
Steampunk
TAGS: Reading
science fiction
steampunk
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The Rise of Steampunk

I have seen a growing number of novels, blogs and articles revolving around the rise of the steampunk, so of course I had to find out more about this much talked about genre.

According to the invaluable source that is wikipedia, steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction that is set during an era, usually the 19th century, when steam powered machines are still prevalent. Prominent elements of science fiction and/or fantasy are woven into this time to tell the story of an alternate history.

Steampunk became popular in the 1980s-90s, but whose roots can be traced back to Jules Verne and H.G. Wells.

Some novels include:

His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman

Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

League of Extraordinary Gentlemen by Alan Moore – I had to get one graphic novel in the mix! 🙂

For a more extensive list of steampunk favorites, click HERE.

I’m currently reading Soulless by Gail Carriger, which I am loving! It’s set in Victorian England with sub-cultures of vampires, werewolves and other supernaturals co-existing with their human counterparts. It’s a great twist on the supernatural theme and the protagonist – a soulless spinster named Alexia with a penchant for speaking her mind and getting into trouble – is refreshing and delightful.

Have you read any steampunk novels? What are your favorites?