tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-43718416554581392992024-03-13T11:57:10.773-04:00The life of a bookwormYou can find me in a bookTemp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-69912611161112450962017-03-15T11:12:00.000-04:002017-03-15T11:12:02.523-04:00Self Help<div dir="ltr">
Surface reason for reading this book: My sister in law loves it and I thought it would be a fun challenge.<br />
Underneath reason: I feel shitty and unmotivated so why the frak not?</div>
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And so started my journey with my first self help book since reading <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10412.He_s_Just_Not_That_Into_You?ac=1&from_search=true">"He's Just Not that Into You."</a></div>
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Behold:</div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">This title is fucking exciting and
validating. Anyway, I am about halfway through and the struggle is upon me. Perhaps
it's because I haven't come across new ground in this book yet and I'm on
chapter 12. As a person that is used to reading for plots and character growth,
this is frustrating. So far, I've found the third and the sixth chapters the
most helpful. The third chapter is about the importance of living the present
and the sixth lists tips for radical self love. And now you know a little bit
more about me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> My favorite thing about this book is her use of quotes. I am
a person who has a great enthusiasm for affirmations. Positive self talk,
tailored mantras, messages taped up in accessible areas...I am all about it. I
found myself highlighting and saving quotes from every chapter read thus far.
She has a good mix from Anais Nin to Dolly Parton. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">She makes some compelling points about
retraining your brain and loving yourself. She's huge on loving yourself. I
don't disagree. I believe that how you view a situation effects how you go out
addressing it which then affects the outcome. Again, it's just nice to be
reminded of this and read it put in a different way. This is the strongest
selling point for me.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">The one thing I don't like about this book
is the 'it's already out there in the universe' talk. It sets off my contrary
side. I can be grouch. I'm glad I started reading this book. I'm glad that I
plan on coming back to it and finishing it bit by bit. Her tone is a bit more
motivational speaker than I usually care for but it's a self-help book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I would recommend this book for anyone in a shitty mood but open
to suggestions.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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My favorite quotes thus far:<br />
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<span style="background-color: #93e3ed; color: black; font-family: "droid serif"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being present gets you out of your head</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #93e3ed; font-family: "droid serif"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"> You are more than enough. Avoid comparison like the plague.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #93e3ed; color: black; font-family: "droid serif"; font-size: 13pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">You aren’t a better person for feeling guilty or bad about yourself, just a sadder one.</span></div>
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Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-66221511001385644462017-03-08T11:04:00.003-05:002017-03-08T11:08:15.329-05:00Black History Month Reading<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">I have been known to love a theme. For
Black History Month this year, I decided to read mostly Black Historical
Romance novels. The reigning queen of the genre (in my factually correct
opinion) is Beverly Jenkins. She's been giving you facts and steamy sex scenes
for decades. I've been reading her since high school and I'm still a fan. I
completed the three novels in her newer "Destiny" series.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;"> In
this series, Jenkins tries some newer areas and it works. My favorite departure
from her norm was <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17331377-destiny-s-surrender?from_search=true">"Destiny’s Surrender"</a>, the second book in the series. Billie,
her heroine in Destiny's Surrender, was very different from the others one I've
read as she was a 'lady of the evening'. She and Andrew had an ongoing sexual
arrangement at the start of the book which also has not happened in any other
Jenkins’ book I’ve read. Andrew is also not the only man Billie sleeps with in
the book. During his absences, she doesn’t pine but continues to earn a living.
Jenkins usually likes to keep her women
virgins and naive about sex. I mean, she’s still focused on being
respectable and someone her new family can be proud of. It tempers some of the
risk but still makes for a good read.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">Another departure for her in Destiny’s Surrender
was the anger between Andrew and Billie. When she comes back to him with their
son, it isn’t a romantic or touching scene. She doesn’t come back for him and
it is a last resort. He doesn’t fall to his knees and believe her. Instead,
they exchange the harshest words I’ve heard read a hero call a heroine. Andrew’s
transformation doesn’t happen immediately and they have to work to build
something. It helps that they were almost in love previously. I really enjoyed
this book.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin: 0in; text-indent: .5in;">
<span style="font-size: 13.5pt;">For a twist, I decided to try someone new
the genre. Well, new to me. I get attached to authors and I have never
considered going outside of Jenkins for my Historical Black Romance needs.
However, thanks to Twitter, I randomly came across Alyssa Cole. I’ve previously
read ‘<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28930356-be-not-afraid?from_search=true">Be Not Afraid</a>’ by her and liked it so I took a chance on a second one. "<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23674576-agnes-moor-s-wild-knight?from_search=true">Agnes Moor Wild Knight</a>’ is 38 pages of adventure, great characters, humor and
romance. Based on a true story, she gives us a quick backstory and the
experience of a Black woman in King James IV court. I liked the fact that she
was not a virgin or naïve. She was fleshed out. I also liked how Agnes and her
knight know what’s up after seeing each other. She, of course, had to
fight it and her reasons for not trusting it are valid. Overall, it was very well
done and I look forward to reading more by her.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-50219161688910353602017-02-15T14:51:00.000-05:002017-02-15T14:51:12.491-05:00Quickie Review: The Wangs Vs The World<br />
One of the things I am trying to do this year is read books within a year of their publication date. Amazon helped me do that on the low when this book became available for under three dollars. So...thanks Amazon for owning Goodreads and keeping a close watch on my reading tastes.<br />
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I loved this book. It starts off with the self entitled resentful voice of Charles Wang. The book then takes turns handing over the narrative to different people: Saina Wang, Grace Wang, Andrew Wang, Barbra Wang and even the car which belonged to Charles's first wife. We experience the same event, different ways through characters who are mostly likable. The event in question is the economic downfall of the Wangs. Charles Wang invested too much in what seemed like a good idea for his make up company and as a result, the Wangs are now without funds. Charles and Barbra travel across the country to pick Grace (from boarding school) and Andrew (from college) so that they can live with Saina, Charles's eldest daughter.<br />
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The most interesting character and my surprise favorite was Barbra. Before her parts of the story, she is seen as the vapid second wife of Charles Wang. No one, not even Charles, likes her very much. She saw an opportunity when his first wife died and did what she felt had to be done to take it. Through her marriage to Charles, she elevates her position and material well being but is still not happy. Barbra is mocked by her stepchildren and eventually ignored by her husband. This "Failure" however puts her through some very interesting changes. Her narrative doesn't make her all of a sudden more likable but learning her back story does flesh her out which I thought was a great way doing it. <br />
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Charles Wang is another character that surprised me. I was prepared to not like him throughout the whole book but there were moments in which I felt his desperation to hold on his life. This made me feel for empathetic towards him. Yes, he was a sexist, selfish and arrogant character but made the rest of him easier to take. He was still insufferable but at least I could go "Awww" every now and again.<br />
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The Wangs vs. The World feels like one of those books you could read in one sitting. It's not a book where a lot happens but enough to keep you going. I found myself stopping at certain points to stretch it out. It was interesting, funny and did a great job showing the contrast between first generation and second generation immigrants in America. I would definitely recommend this book to someone looking for new fiction.<br />
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Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-76828484091386589242017-01-30T12:00:00.000-05:002017-01-30T12:00:19.047-05:00We Need New Names<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When Darling's way of life in Zimbabwe is wrecked by paramilitary policeman, she is 10 years old. Her childhood and those of her friends are now tragic and filled with games centered on their poverty and devastation. Her and her friends often talk about their plans for escaping and how much better their lives would be. Eventually, Darling's escape because real. She moves to America to live with her aunt. This move however presents her with a whole new set of problems and issues to face as she finds her place as immigrant. </div>
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I almost didn't finish this book. First, there are no quotation marks. I know, I've complained about this before and I've also gotten over it. So, I got over myself and continued to read. And so when I was able to put my own petty bias away, I found myself faced with a new hurdle. This book is painful to read. Bulawayo uses first person narrative so we get Darling's perspective of the different tragedies in her childhood. Because Darling is 10, the stories feel like 'show, don't tell', leaving the reader to gather context clues. This tended to add tension to the reading experience. I found that while some scenes were difficult to read, it was also hard not to finish.</div>
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The latter half of the book goes into her experience in America. I have no idea what I was expecting but much like Darling, I was disappointed. Her new American accent and new friends aren't enough to make her feel as though she fits into America. Each chapter reads like a short story. We get glimpses into different times of Darling's life. The second half of the book goes faster chronological but still feels like it's dragging. Darling gets further and further away from the child she was at the start of the book but that doesn't mean conforms. </div>
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This was an interesting book. I enjoyed the narration and the descriptions. The pacing was slow at times, especially at the end. I would definitely recommend this book to a friend. It isn't a quick read but it isn't terribly long. There aren't many bright spots in this book so be forewarned. You probably won't laugh. I don't know if that's important to you. Mostly, when it isn't painful, it's sad. It's becoming less important to me. </div>
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Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-19301757342619257332017-01-16T12:00:00.000-05:002017-01-16T12:00:31.423-05:00Feelings Though<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCrmOB91LbLEK4gPGi8rQ_5FanC0Ie1NuYU2Hyn-4c11jgn7cZjqYo407K8DjQTSqKuRFFWubFeJ2ES8erDfGQTPIktIppw3HUmqvSlgOCa-KIPLpmOHoJUTwgQP88udcRLsRylJKQ5cE/s1600/meatycover.jpe" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCrmOB91LbLEK4gPGi8rQ_5FanC0Ie1NuYU2Hyn-4c11jgn7cZjqYo407K8DjQTSqKuRFFWubFeJ2ES8erDfGQTPIktIppw3HUmqvSlgOCa-KIPLpmOHoJUTwgQP88udcRLsRylJKQ5cE/s1600/meatycover.jpe" /></a></div>
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I read<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17259934-meaty?from_search=true"> Meaty by Samantha Irby </a>at just the right time. I ran across her blog '<a href="http://bitchesgottaeat.blogspot.com/">bitches gotta eat</a>' years ago but didn't pay too much attention. I saw the cover of the book and dismissed it. I really thought it would be about food and I didn't consider myself a 'foodie' so it couldn't be for me. Like I said, I wasn't paying attention.<br />
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And then one night, for some reason I'm not ever going to remember, I tried the first chapter. I pressed click to buy immediately. I mean the first chapter is titled "At 30" so how wasn't that going to speak to me? Side note: I was previously obsessed with turning 30. I am now at best preoccupied with being 32 but I won't dally on that. I found Irby delightful, funny and candid. It was amazing. I'm not usually one for memoirs or non fiction but I felt like she got me. During this time, I was also going through a period when I hated my body. I felt betrayed by it and there were days when I felt unique in this disgust. At best, I was bitter and worst I was lonely. Reading <i>Meaty </i>however, allowed me to face that and laugh. This was a shock for me because I usually go to books for escape. This book wasn't a escape. This book was a confrontation.</div>
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The chapter titled "My Mother, My Daughter" affected me the most. It's the story of the role reversal between herself and her mother. Her mother needed to be taken care of by her young daughter after a car accident exacerbated her MS. I hadn't been expecting that. Plot twist: I was recently diagnosed with MS right before reading this book. Irby had been describing her own autoimmune disease (Chron's) up until this point. I remember feeling a couple of different emotions. The story is angry, sad and beautiful. It's everything and it's perfectly placed in the book. I thought that I would be too fixated on her mother's diagnosis to really get into it but the overall story was too compelling to get hung up on a detail. It was almost as if the story wouldn't allow my feelings of self pity. </div>
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I am now officially a fangirl of Samantha Irby. I read her blog on the regular. I followed her on Instagram. I followed her Twitter. We live in the future and I suppose this is what you do when someone writes something that touches you. <i>Meaty</i> touched me right when I was feeling numb. It also got me interested in memoirs again. There are few books I read that fill me with gratitude and this was one of them. So, thanks. Also, I definitely recommend it. Meaty isn't just an awkward quirky gal's stab at life. Yes, she's both awkward and a little quirky but she's also more than that. This book is more than that. </div>
Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-29599483265273967802017-01-05T12:00:00.000-05:002017-01-05T12:00:11.927-05:00Totally meet your heroes I've had the honor of being involved in three interviews with authors I admire. I was an active participant in two of them and a live audience in one. These interviews meant something to me as a podcaster but moreso as a reader. I was afforded these opportunities all because of Nerdgasm Noire Network. I love being a part of that podcast seems odd I haven't brought that up yet.<br />
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The first one happened at WisCon 14 and it was with Daniel <span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">José</span> Older. We had all read <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22393174-half-resurrection-blues?ac=1&from_search=true">Half Resurrection Blues</a></i> prior to the interview and reviewed it for the podcast. It feels odd to include the first one because I didn't actually conduct the interview. I was just in the room when it happened. Still, I watched transfixed as my friends recorded with a man whose work I had been reading earlier that day on <a href="http://www.tor.com/author/daniel-jose-older/">tor.com</a>. Amazing.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #51083d; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: white;">Nerdgasm Noire Network <a href="http://www.nerdgasmnoire.net/blog/2015/11/6/interview-with-daniel-jose-older-at-wiscon.html"><span style="color: white;">Interview with Daniel José Older at Wiscon</span></a></span></span><br />
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Next up was my interview with Tananarive Due. I practiced for this one. I have a talent for fucking up words and names so I practiced. I have a tendency to lean towards long silences so I practiced. I may have also done a little dance. Unlike the other two authors I'm mentioning here, I knew about Due before this podcast. I read <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2391371.Blood_Colony?from_search=true">Blood Colony </a>and fell into an Octavia Butler type love. No really. I believe I did really well considering I'm a fangirl. And we got a shout out from her husband Stephen Barnes at the end. He is also a writer and they just seemed so cool. She was friendly and funny. We had technical difficulties at first and were able to make jokes about it. I still get giddy when I think about it.</div>
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<span style="background-color: #51083d; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.nerdgasmnoire.net/blog/2015/11/9/nnn-episode-221-interview-with-tananarive-due.html"><span style="color: white;">NNN Episode 221 - Interview with Tananarive Due</span></a></span></div>
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Finally, my most recent interview was with Olivia Cole. We'd all read her books (<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21843217-panther-in-the-hive?from_search=true">Panther in the Hive</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29102099-the-rooster-s-garden?from_search=true">The Rooster's Garden</a>) but we figured this interview would go better as a one on one. I think I was the first to finish the latest book so I volunteered. It was my first recording alone on Zencaster so I had nerves about that. I was also in charge of the questions which didn't freak me out the way I thought it would. I had my gentleman caller (shut up, I'm old) over that weekend so this interview was also going be done with a sort of audience. He made sure to be supportive but out of the way. In the end, I found out that I had a lot in common with her and tangents ensued. This is quite possibly my favorite because it felt more like a conversation with a new friend.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #4c1130; font-family: "lucida sans unicode" , "lucida grande" , "tahoma" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><a href="http://www.nerdgasmnoire.net/blog/2016/7/20/nnn-episode-240-olivia-cole-interview.html"><span style="color: white;">NNN Episode 240 - Olivia Cole Interview</span></a></span></div>
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Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-87696747862527668192017-01-01T12:00:00.000-05:002017-01-03T08:44:53.827-05:00Non-Fiction Book GoalsDeep breath.<br />
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It's time for my annual "MELISSA IS GOING TO READ NON-FICTION THIS YEAR FOR REAL" self promise. The books listed below aren't the only ones I plan on reading. They are, however, the books I'm definitely going to put my best foot forward to complete.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWrZZPq-eCCrL4540i45VQBpfcMR-PEDjsd21jRJ7wMDGYz7_bLh0DFS_Ssiw5gXcim42nXxHNE5q-isk0yik6VGzBEUT3-8pNbZWCKNDMnhD3BQununsVqstsJnX_vb3LVtk-Y_hyC-E/s1600/IdaB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZWrZZPq-eCCrL4540i45VQBpfcMR-PEDjsd21jRJ7wMDGYz7_bLh0DFS_Ssiw5gXcim42nXxHNE5q-isk0yik6VGzBEUT3-8pNbZWCKNDMnhD3BQununsVqstsJnX_vb3LVtk-Y_hyC-E/s1600/IdaB.jpg" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4811082-to-tell-the-truth-freely?from_search=true">To Tell The Truth Freely </a> I feel bad because this is on my back burner list. I suppose I should start with this one.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACVdOUiqS5J9k0RTyabsV61Yc1lshjjn5HwBcWhbog0EtXlRfswMYqzTwOlsQM66vamBycFzmXCsOvXDrXC_BMIvCAJ0CdgHwwtn6VCiY7qTAGWysOq9W5k0wLMw7kXmRcMLQHFmXf19i/s1600/Zealot.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgACVdOUiqS5J9k0RTyabsV61Yc1lshjjn5HwBcWhbog0EtXlRfswMYqzTwOlsQM66vamBycFzmXCsOvXDrXC_BMIvCAJ0CdgHwwtn6VCiY7qTAGWysOq9W5k0wLMw7kXmRcMLQHFmXf19i/s320/Zealot.jpg" width="212" /></a> </div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17568801-zealot?from_search=true">Zealot The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth </a> This was recommended to me and he seemed real into it. So, we'll see.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8DEa2Ut8U9oNI0pY3A5fLWPxvOrEvVjUbipowhT-kx78U7Wkf38HYOWwOvJWFYHpL7ITSYJeGX0fQtNOAvFfYHUEXD2JP4D26j6qs8EWnCHtq6rdTGGQ8gGYLRGBvbUq3JMV0IW3e_Ov/s1600/warmth+of+other+suns.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiD8DEa2Ut8U9oNI0pY3A5fLWPxvOrEvVjUbipowhT-kx78U7Wkf38HYOWwOvJWFYHpL7ITSYJeGX0fQtNOAvFfYHUEXD2JP4D26j6qs8EWnCHtq6rdTGGQ8gGYLRGBvbUq3JMV0IW3e_Ov/s320/warmth+of+other+suns.jpg" width="211" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8171378-the-warmth-of-other-suns?from_search=true">The Warmth of Other Suns. </a> All of my grandparents migrated here from the South so of course I want to read more about it. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45uwNfc0Wh4tqM7-SsX0hfNC07bK2acpIOHMHl6uUYlvtn8iY8XZH_Gg9X2EXfIKlYdMqS4lCm0jWdBnD-ASg4TkazzzDNePGtj6oAk1oOEk1AudYUnlXZQS1_1HVgKnuy2WV7cJhgDhq/s1600/RBG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj45uwNfc0Wh4tqM7-SsX0hfNC07bK2acpIOHMHl6uUYlvtn8iY8XZH_Gg9X2EXfIKlYdMqS4lCm0jWdBnD-ASg4TkazzzDNePGtj6oAk1oOEk1AudYUnlXZQS1_1HVgKnuy2WV7cJhgDhq/s1600/RBG.jpg" /></a></div>
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T<a href="http://www.cnn.com/2016/10/14/politics/ruth-bader-ginsburg-apologizes-colin-kaepernick/">he Notorious RBG The Life and Times of Ruth Bader Ginsburg</a>. I'll openly admit I picked this one for the cover. I was ready to not read it<a href="https://www.buzzfeed.com/davidmack/rbg-says-colin-kaepernicks-protest-during-the-ant?utm_term=.gwqdxGp1q#.mn7nv6GWx"> due to her comments on Colin Kaepernick's protest </a> but she apologized and I'm curious.</div>
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Wish me luck for 2017!Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-78904428201791008042016-12-19T12:00:00.000-05:002016-12-19T13:55:07.655-05:00Strangely Wonderful <br />
I don't remember how I first became aware of Helen Oyeyemi. I want to blame Twitter. I'm going to blame Twitter. That isn't important. The important part is that I now have knowledge of her and am the better for it. At 32, she is my age (about a month younger than me if we are being technical) and has written five novels, two plays and one short story collection. The word 'accomplished' pops up. She's very accomplished.<br />
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I fell in love with the descriptions of her books. I mean you read this one for Mr. Fox and try not to be a little curious:<br />
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<i><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">It’s a bright afternoon in 1938 and Mary Foxe is in a confrontational mood. St John Fox, celebrated novelist, hasn’t seen her in six years. He’s unprepared for her afternoon visit, not least because she doesn’t exist. He’s infatuated with her. But he also made her up.</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">“You’re a villain,” she tells him. ‘A serial killer . . . can you grasp that?”</span><br style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: Merriweather, Georgia, serif; font-size: 14px;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">Will Mr Fox meet his muse’s challenge, to stop murdering his heroines and explore something of love? What will his wife Daphne think of this sudden change in her husband? Can there be a happy ending – this time?- from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10335337-mr-fox?ac=1&from_search=true">goodreads.com</a></span></b></i><br />
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Right?!<br />
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And so I have endeavored to read all of her books. They are wonderfully strange books. She has a tendency to tell a story in a story and then sneak another story in there. These stories feel normal at first but then there is a subtle twist. That twist usually opens up the story. Sometimes, this works for me and to be honest, sometimes I'd rather not.<br />
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My favorite of her works is Boy, Snow, Bird. It is more grounded than Mr. Fox and the most cohesive of works that I've read. It is the story of a White woman (Boy) who marries into an Black family but doesn't realize it until her daughter is born. They have been passing for generations. She also has stepdaughter who appears to be eerily perfect and after the birth of her daughter, Boy sees her as a threat. In this novel, Oyeyemi manages to wrap multiple stories into one beautiful package.<br />
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Helen Oyeyemi is more than accomplished. She's a creator of worlds that are heavy but whimsical. She has a flow that is at once complicated but feels effortless. I like to imagine her having one weird thought and making it a whole story. And that's how it feels. As though she wakes up in the morning and says to herself "What if this weird thing?" and then after a crapload of work, a book comes out.<br />
A book that feels like no one else had this 'what if' thought.<br />
Just...fascinating.<br />
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So far I've read two of her novels and her collection of short stories. I really look forward to reading more.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JEAcxt_ItfDfPvZNU79Tx9QyGo0gEFLbY7_w3mSh8j-84F3gMSyypyq0VaE7uddnIUmTg5BPrPggE-BDDRE8nDi_c8_rB6-BEL3FJBHQcalgUhMa0GkQpMQZQrLGWf7-x4P2AAc1Gmww/s1600/mr+fox.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1JEAcxt_ItfDfPvZNU79Tx9QyGo0gEFLbY7_w3mSh8j-84F3gMSyypyq0VaE7uddnIUmTg5BPrPggE-BDDRE8nDi_c8_rB6-BEL3FJBHQcalgUhMa0GkQpMQZQrLGWf7-x4P2AAc1Gmww/s200/mr+fox.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7fytjGN0DuJbh2AIc2cKTYCagcfsMqm_N5WCOkn9uciWHhvXWbG9bqkMSf9vuUU9eTnCQgtGfde-JQSX0KFWXgOoojuo-PA_cgUexTZkSWt6NCGyoyEDbbmdf60vajm1n9uT40INaP8R/s1600/what+is+not+yours.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7fytjGN0DuJbh2AIc2cKTYCagcfsMqm_N5WCOkn9uciWHhvXWbG9bqkMSf9vuUU9eTnCQgtGfde-JQSX0KFWXgOoojuo-PA_cgUexTZkSWt6NCGyoyEDbbmdf60vajm1n9uT40INaP8R/s200/what+is+not+yours.jpg" width="126" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapT2DmWqlU4hwJATAG9z19S1hXoT6ZTvw5wtdBr12FU_SSuvvFGQsHE9jBnVbTa_POfgTItha6hzISh-JBg_8mUGMeCt1QCSiOElCfOV8awL1WQQGisEHGrb-mpIu0bRsy11jp5NTRMaO/s1600/boy+snow+bird.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapT2DmWqlU4hwJATAG9z19S1hXoT6ZTvw5wtdBr12FU_SSuvvFGQsHE9jBnVbTa_POfgTItha6hzISh-JBg_8mUGMeCt1QCSiOElCfOV8awL1WQQGisEHGrb-mpIu0bRsy11jp5NTRMaO/s200/boy+snow+bird.jpg" width="133" /></a><br />
<br />Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-47088897782106241712015-02-18T19:54:00.003-05:002015-02-18T19:54:53.960-05:00I'm back and Open CityI'm back.<div>
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I am not the most consistent blogger but I am on a mission to do better. So let's go.</div>
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I recently finished <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8526694-open-city?from_search=true" target="_blank">Open City by Teju Cole</a>. Let me tell you, it was a journey. A journey full of the stories of strangers, no quotation marks and different countries. There are also interesting history facts. There is, however, no plot. None. Zip. Not there. Nope.</div>
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The lack of plot is what made this book a challenge for me. There is also a 'twist' introduced towards the end of the novel that tainted some of my enjoyment of the book. It was the kind of information that doesn't seem to fit until you think about it. I was upset (pissed) at first but it did add a darker shade on other parts of the book. So, I understood but I still wasn't pleased.</div>
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That being said, I don't regret reading it all the way to the end. It dragged for me at times and it definitely isn't a "pick me up" read. Nevertheless, it was well written and more engaging than not. What worked for me the most were the stories of the people he met. The stories had a common thread of struggle but were still diverse. They also provided us a small break from the narrator's head which was well needed at times. </div>
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I would definitely read more by this author. </div>
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<a href="http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/opencity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/wp-content/uploads/2011/08/opencity.jpg" height="320" width="207" /></a></div>
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Photo from <a href="http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/palimpsest-city/">http://www.3ammagazine.com/3am/palimpsest-city/</a> Follow the link for an interview with the author. </div>
Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-46112091470442617732013-11-04T20:26:00.002-05:002013-11-04T20:26:43.145-05:00Re-Reading Gotham Central or "Batman is a huge jerk and we cops can do our job." <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXPcSMFvUTkS2CvgNqzgXArF2NzLrr22fz9TqVv_NXBpnVC1l8oUllOC5R" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://t3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRXPcSMFvUTkS2CvgNqzgXArF2NzLrr22fz9TqVv_NXBpnVC1l8oUllOC5R" /></a></div>
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I am re-reading <i><u>Gotham Central </u></i>by Ed Brubaker and Greg Rucka. I am greatly enjoying it. The book has a 90's <i><u>Homicide: Life on the Streets</u></i> feel to it that never gets old for me. The best thing about re-reads is that it can reaffirm your love. I believe there is always a doubt that some things won't hold up no matter how much you loved them initially. Thank Yezzus, that wasn't true this time. I finished the first two story-lines (that had little to do with Renee Montoya) and I still read Batman's voice in a douche gravel voice. He really does come off as a jerk in this. I love it. I will officially always love it. </div>
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I really needed this re-read because DC Comics pissed me off with the New 52. Hard. I stopped defending it months ago. I still have love for Gail Simone and Batgirl but I just...I'm just going to keep re-reading. </div>
<br />Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-56911919699140295702013-10-28T23:05:00.002-04:002013-10-28T23:05:22.677-04:00You Suck! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Yes, it does. I tried. I really tried. I know that Moore has the tendency to "satire" race stereotypes in his books and it doesn't usually stand in my way. I read all of <a href="http://www.amazon.com/A-Dirty-Job-ebook/dp/B000GCFBTW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383015761&sr=8-1&keywords=Dirty+Job">A Dirty Job</a> and loved it. The difference between this and that though is a good story. The long and short of it is that I dislike the main characters. I dislike them so much. So what you have left are somewhat interesting side characters and racist stereotypes. Even the vampire lore is less than fun. How is it possible not to have fun with that? </div>
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<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Lamb-ebook/dp/B000OVLK2W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383015791&sr=8-1&keywords=Lamb">Lamb</a> was still perfect though. See also: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Stupidest-Angel-v2-0-Pine-ebook/dp/B006O0I3ZO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1383015822&sr=8-1&keywords=the+stupidest+angel">The Stupidest Angel. </a></div>
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<br />Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-71583248545475612832013-01-01T16:11:00.000-05:002013-01-13T17:31:25.733-05:00New Year Challenge <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This year's challenge will be getting through Lord of the Rings. I know. I didn't really do the challenge for 2012 but I figure this one will require less effort. Wish me luck.<br />
<br />Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-79980316345353819342012-12-27T01:35:00.001-05:002012-12-27T01:35:35.318-05:00Melissa finally does Audiobooks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I was not for audiobooks at first. I found them intimidating and thought that I wouldn't be able to fully grasp the context. I could not figure out how people lived their lives while listening to a book. Nope. However, my logic was flawed. I have been listening to story podcasts for over a year. I only listen to them while doing something else and if I feel like I zoned out or missed something I (dramatic parenthesis) rewind. I am now currently enjoying Happy Accidents as one of 2 of my free <a href="http://www.audible.com/">audible trial books</a>. I still doubt my ability to listen to a full fiction book on tape but I can listen to people tell me about their lives. I don't know if I'll keep audible but I'm a little more tempted than I was before. Also, I could listen to Jane Lynch tell me about her life for hours...apparently. </div>
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<br />Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-71990790364601557682012-12-22T18:55:00.000-05:002012-12-22T18:55:41.806-05:00Who Fears Death <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Nnedi Okorafor is a really good storyteller. I love it when a fantasy novel can cover non fantasy social problems. Love it. Who Fears Death has humor within the dark and at times violent tale. The flow helps as well. While Onyesonwu can be a frustrating narrator, I still loved her. Her Eshu powers reminded me a bit of Wildseed which was a great feeling. The feeling looked like the following gif.<br />
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So happy I finally opened started this book and I regret nothing.Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-88208551245920588612012-12-13T16:06:00.002-05:002012-12-13T16:06:57.687-05:00I can't quit you, Dresden<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is a series that annoys me but I keep coming back to read. I enjoy the adventure and the fast pace. For instance, this book opens with the action and then walks you back through the build up. I also a enjoy the rules, the White Council and the jokes. So then what annoys me about this series? Dresden. His 'weakness for a damsel in distress' is supposed to be charming (I guess) but comes across off putting. His police cop Murphy calls him on it frequently (well I'm on the 3rd book so frequently so far) but it feels like this book's version of "You so crazy." I believe this is why I am reading this series as slowly as possible.<br />
<br />Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-74515797919430174742012-11-17T22:49:00.003-05:002012-11-17T22:49:45.693-05:00Confession Time<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I am slow to finish this series because I read a spoiler about a character death a while ago. It's a great series. I love it. I'm starting to think Brian K. Vaughn was invented to write graphic novel series that get next to my heart. However, I know this one character, whom I frakkin love, will die and I just can't. Well, I can but I can't do it in a timely manner. There are times I rue the day I met tumblr. </div>
<br />Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-46021319995661758342012-10-31T18:54:00.001-04:002012-10-31T18:54:45.967-04:00Locke and Key 2nd Halloween Read<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Thanks to a recommendation from <a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/archives/archive.php?thingId=129472378">Pop Culture Happy Hour</a>, I started this also for Halloween. It is giving me the creeps but I like it.<br />Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-88325823804910448682012-10-13T11:46:00.001-04:002012-10-13T11:46:43.372-04:00Halloween Read <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I don't usually do this but I thought I'd read this book now because Halloween is right around the corner. I'm not quite finish with it yet but I need to be done before Halloween.<br />
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In short, her life sucked and then she died but she sucked at dying and now she's learning how to be a ghost. Seriously, it's a fine combination of sad/funny. At first, you swear this is about to be a rom-com but I am almost halfway finished and nope. I'm good with that though because I don't need her to fall in love or whatnot. I mean, at this point, how would that work?<br />
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It's not exciting and it's not really that spooky. I guess I was hoping for fantasy with sarcasm and I got sarcasm with fantasy. I'm used to a bit more lore and just creepiness. I read Vertigo Comics. Just saying. I can feel someone about to 'son' me right now with a creepier independent company. But anyway, this does not take away from the book. It would be a quicker read if it weren't so depressing but Notaro's humor keeps the depression in check.<br />
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I definitely had flashbacks to Dead Like Me. Remember Dead Like Me? It was great. This book is not as great as Dead Like Me. I don't want to slam this book but I don't want to lie to you.<br />
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See:<br />
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I picked the Season 2 trailer for Roxy.Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-31881705620289003592012-10-08T22:56:00.000-04:002012-10-08T22:56:18.581-04:00Impulse Buy<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I bought this on an impulse. I don't actually have a coffee table on which to display it. So pretty though. 9.98 at Barnes and Noble. Still happy.Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-76601495866429908392012-10-02T19:29:00.000-04:002012-10-02T19:29:03.487-04:00I love the library<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love Detroit Public Library-Main Branch. I love the library in general but my day was brighten by the Main Branch. I went into check out a book that was not checked in yet. The librarian kindly retrieved the book and then proceeded to checked it in. She could have easily told me to come back. I would have come back despite having to fight after work/DIA event traffic to get there after work. I really wanted to read this book but could not justify it in my budget crammed with other unjustifiable purchases. While I was waiting on her to retrieve the book, I found three other books I've been meaning to read from <a href="http://goodreads.com/">GoodReads</a>. On my way out, I passed by youth program (HYPE). It's pretty much everything I have ever loved about the library. I smiled all the way back to my car. <br />
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They also have a fantastic library used book sale twice a year. Seriously, it's multiple rooms filled with used books and a good number of them are fairly new.<br />
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Also, I am on a break from Storm of Swords because after my heart got broken I had to read about <a href="http://awoiaf.westeros.org/index.php/Ben_Plumm">Brown Ben Plumm</a>. Seriously, George R.R. Martin? SERIOUSLY?! It's not that I don't like the character but I feel like we could have used other words than "nappy" to describe his hair. His tone might not be all magical Negro but it's a bit close.Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-19877390426699063612012-09-23T00:10:00.000-04:002012-09-23T00:10:04.711-04:00Books cause Feelings <iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="480" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/-qqaCby1lGw" width="640"></iframe>
I am reading <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/62291.A_Storm_of_Swords">George R.R. Martin's Storm of Swords</a> and had to my version of this. I think of this clip whenever a book I love upsets me and I need to take a moment. Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-27568991542474971312012-08-04T11:45:00.001-04:002012-08-04T11:45:39.827-04:00Thank You For Smoking<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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After suffering somewhat of a reading slump, I was excited to read this book. The portion of the movie I saw seemed really interesting. The book wasn't a bad read by far. The premise and satire was potent enough to carry it through and some of the jokes did land nicely. The book's pace is fast which also helped.
And now for the side eye portion of the reading experience. The running gag about black women could have been left in the author's head. The lead character Naylor, while charming, was more likable in the movie than in the book. The ending itself also felt too nicely wrapped.
And so 3 stars on goodreads. I am reading the second book in the Ladies Detective Agency book and after that I'm sure I'll dip my toe in Storm of Swords.Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-34122525945591663702012-06-16T00:52:00.002-04:002012-06-16T00:52:49.518-04:00So Good but sooo long<a href="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR5e2HpFJB9rks9DqmQiKWIFPOkFKx1uDx3j-h3OIoTOqOz3W3_" imageanchor="1" style="clear:left; float:left;margin-right:1em; margin-bottom:1em"><img border="0" height="277" width="182" src="https://encrypted-tbn3.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcR5e2HpFJB9rks9DqmQiKWIFPOkFKx1uDx3j-h3OIoTOqOz3W3_" /></a>
Spending my Friday night trying to finish this epic book. It's great and interesting and a journey but damn is it long. There's adventure, religion, politics, family lines (which I have to tell you internet, is not a selling point for me in fantasy novels)and tortured romance. I am reading an electronic copy now and I feel like it's a book that readers faster in physical hard copy form.Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-16103542505838932192012-05-20T16:33:00.000-04:002012-05-20T16:33:09.440-04:00Overcoming initial reactions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This isn't the cover of the book but I really like this picture. I didn't think I'd like this book. My first reaction was "Older white guy writing about an African woman starting a detective agency? Okay, Internets." I cringe every time I think about James Patterson describing Alex Cross (Young Muhammad Ali), I mean really. I hear the rest of that series is pretty though. However, I kept collecting the books at used book sales. Eventually, I collected his other books as well. This can be partial explained by my impulsive behavior at used book sales. I mean, where am I'm going to find these books in good condition for a dollar ever again? I know. I'm working on it.
Anyway, I finally read the first book in the series and I enjoyed it. The book reads like a series of short stories (I heart short stories) that are connected. There were some bits that made me roll my eyes but I can't tell if it's from my ignorance regarding Africa and how it is referenced. This only happened a few times so for the most part, I enjoyed it.Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4371841655458139299.post-64064969454134586872012-04-14T17:18:00.003-04:002012-04-14T17:22:51.345-04:00Questionable Purchase<a href="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ_RUGCPzKGXkuq0a4yDISPpym_t8NmDYW6Bp6Ou6_7mnd_E4wQ"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 169px; height: 256px;" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.google.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQ_RUGCPzKGXkuq0a4yDISPpym_t8NmDYW6Bp6Ou6_7mnd_E4wQ" border="0" alt="" /></a><br /><br />I bought this at a used booksale today. The reviews aren't good. I have a bad feeling about this. I am pretty much going to read it like fiction and if I feel bad or scandalized then I won't finish it. <br /><br />Yes.<br /><br />That's a good plan. <br /><br />I probably shouldn't have bought this book. I really don't like the "outing" folks. Welp. We'll see.Temp Namehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08681491439838513270noreply@blogger.com0