Soon Remembered Tales

The Vampire Diaries: The Hunters: Phantom

2012-01-30T13:01:00.000-05:00

With the final Vampire Diaries book that was written by L.J. Smith I had given up on the series. I felt that Smith's writing had been progressively going downhill over the course of her most recent Vampire Diaries books and Midnight had been the last straw. The writing was weak, the characters were overemotional and whiney, and the plot was so all over the place that I felt as if I had entered another dimension. So once I was done I claimed I was finished with the series even though I knew there would be more books coming out that would not be written by L.J. Smith.

My determination not to read the series broke pretty much the moment Phantom came out. I had time to get over my annoyance of the previous book and I had to admit I was curious about how the characters would be handled by new authors.

Well, the book was still a little left field with all the dimension stuff but the majority of it was steadily focusing once more on the main characters and their town. Through it, the characters are fighting to achieve normalcy but I found the book to be very normal. IE: like the start of the series.

It moved along quickly, to the point where I felt (while reading) that it was too fast, but by the books end the pace seemed to have been perfect.

The book is a quick and effortless read that has a steady plot that eventually comes to a neat point and then is resolved. The writer(s) brought back a glimmer of what formerly was The Vampire Diaries and gives me hope for future books. And there will be future books and I might actually continue reading them.

The Mists of Avalon

2012-01-25T11:20:00.000-05:00

While we are on this Arthurian legend kick, I figured I would keep my other Morgan le Fay/Morgana/Morgaine book post within the same week as my previous entry: I Am Morgan le Fay.

The Mists of Avalon is another book that I have had on my to read list but it has been there since I discovered it was a book after watching the mini series. Again, my love for the character (she goes by Morgaine in this book) shows so bear with me.

While this book mainly focuses on Morgaine, it also does this wonderful feature of all the important ladies tied to the Arthurian legend. The Avalon family, aunts, cousins, sisters and even Gwenhyfar. It's filled with these powerful, and maybe not so powerful, female characters and displays effortlessly how involved in the legend these women were.

But, above all (and I feel this is worth mentioning) this is a book argumentative about religion. At least, that's how I see it. I try to stay away from two topics in public; one being politics and the other being religion. People get very uppity and offend quickly if you do not agree with their point of view and that remains true within this tale. Marion Zimmer Bradley places the pagan beliefs on a pedestal and at times I feel attacks Christian beliefs but, at other's, I feel she displays a gentle example of all religions being quite similar and sharing much of the same beliefs.

I appreciated that MZB didn't hold back in making all of her characters both lovable and hated. Every single character I disliked at one point, some more than others, but they all had at least one redeeming quality. King Arthur seems to be the most pitiful of characters and the most good hearted. He seemed almost simple, or maybe he is too loving, because those around him seem to be in more control of what is going on than he himself. It's the decisions of other women, mainly, that drive him to make the choices he makes. His relationship with his half sister Morgaine is something that is "filled with sin" but there is also a quality to the relationship that even when they are aged calls forth the bond of older sister and younger brother. I feel that their relationship is one of the most heartbreaking one's in the book.

The land of Avalon sounds like a fairy heaven and it struck me as such when I was a little kid watching the mini series. I wanted to be a maiden of Avalon! I wanted to have magic and see with the Sight! Reading the book as an adult...I'd still rather be a maid of Avalon than a woman at court although now I don't find either lifestyle to sound very enjoyable.

The book is nearly 900 pages long and a lot of the points made (religious, mainly) are repeated over and over. That was my biggest qualm with the book. Yes, I know your idea of those pagan ways, I know your beliefs of God, but it doesn't need to be repeated every three pages! I remember your qualms, I promise! The repetitive complaints about religion was what slowed up the book during different parts but otherwise I found myself reading it quickly. You're never with a female character for too long before you're given another female character to read about. It's easy to follow and keeps everything moving along with ease.

There are two points that I feel were made with the book that I believe can be followed today: one being that meddling in affairs of other's typically is not a good idea and is wanton for retaliation. Another idea being that although some religions are no longer practiced, that beliefs may no longer be held, they may slip "into the mists" so to speak but they are still there. They're a part of history and therefore still living in some way.

This book only made me love Morgaine all the more. She reaches out to the reader in a way that the other female characters do not. She is well intentioned, but things often go astray or she is is wronged by someone she cares for. She's a character that is wronged in many ways and not given the credit or attention she deserves by those around her.

I'm glad that I didn't read the book as a teenager because I feel much of it would have been lost by me. As an adult, I feel that I grasped the plots more and was able to understand the religious conviction and subtle details. I don't know if I'll ever read it again (it really was a large book) but maybe once I become a parent, if I ever have the time, I'll give it a try. I feel that I would be able to potentially see it from a new light (there is a lot of detail of motherhood within the book) but for now, I'm happy with what the book has left me with, the magic and mystery of that time period and the desire to learn more of the Arthurian legend.

I Am Morgan le Fay

2012-01-23T10:15:00.000-05:00

So, I've fallen into an obsession with Arthurian legend because I've also fallen into straight up fangirling over BBC's Merlin. Actually, I'm pretty obsessed with most BBC shows and have more or less forgotten about American TV, but that's another story.

When I was a little kid I would watch any mini-series that involved Merlin or Arthur and I always found myself fascinated by Morgan le Fay/Morgana/Morgaine. She was that character that was "bad". You weren't supposed to like her, you were supposed to be weary of her and hold back your trust. Depending on what mini-series you were watching she would have reason for her less than positive morals but the fact remained that I liked the character.

As a child I had a very black and white world: a character was good or bad. There wasn't an in between because I didn't think that deeply into what "character" truly was. But Morgan le Fay was really one of the first characters that I realized could be both good and bad. She was a person and people had more depth than just being completely good or completely bad and most times they became good or bad through life events.

It was an earth shattering moment, a very grown up realization that opened my eyes to so many more characters in my books and shows. Since then I have always been one to like the character Morgan (or her varying names) and upon watching the BBC show I was reminded of that and decided to dive into some of the Arthurian books that are on the market, many of which I've had on my 'to read' list on goodreads since I joined the site.

That brought me to I Am Morgan le Fay, a book that I've wanted to read for years but never had the opportunity to until recently. It's a short book and not very hard to get into. Immediately I feel for Morgan and am cheering her on. Nancy Springer writes in a simplistic way but uses that simplicity to dig right into your core and cause you to quickly take sides. I felt disgusted by Igraine's attitude towards her daughter and love for so many of the characters, even Annie the Gypsy pony.

I loved the story of Morgan and Thomas and all the little people who lived within her home. The magic felt real and was not overdone and the scenery was easy to imagine. Although Morgan is resentful of much and does seem to close herself off from much in the world by the end of the novel, accepting her place as the future "villain", it's still hard to not feel for this character.

Years ago while getting a certification in writing I had a lesson where I was to write scenes from the villains perspective. It was eye opening to see this character from their point of view and to put words to the character's thoughts. That's what Springer did with I Am Morgan le Fay. She also has I Am Mordred, another Arthurian villain and another book I own and have to read. It was refreshing to see this character and enter her mind. There are so many versions of the Arthurian legend and the role Morgan and I certainly know very little about what is held at a higher point than others but I enjoyed this nonetheless. It's certainly a book to read if you wants something quick, entertaining, and magical.

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children

2012-01-18T15:50:00.001-05:00

It seems like everyone has the best intentions of reading this book or have already finished it. I had my eye on it when it gained notice on the New York Times best sellers list but didn't approach the book... or a bookstore for that matter. I had banned myself from buying more books in September with far too many to read and the reading never being done. Then the end of the year approached and I broke down.

Working in a tutoring center I can read while not helping students. But the end of the year was also the start of final papers and tests which meant I couldn't be knee deep in Charles Dickens and easily hop up to help a student. I needed something enjoyable and quick. So I headed to the bookstore.

After flipping through the book and reading the first page I found it to (hopefully) fit my expectations and a few hours later I was beginning to read.

It seems that people have an assortment of expectations for this book: they want it to be scary, creepy, or just a little strange. They think it is entirely about the lives of children in this tiny home and they seem disappointed when it isn't exactly what they expected.

But this is what I expected: entertainment. I wanted to be taken somewhere else and experience another world. I wanted characters whom I could cheer on; no matter if I loved or simply put up with them. My expectations were met and happily so.

Now... the plot. I feel that I could easily give too much information away but I will use as much caution as I can. The main character, Jacob, has a relatively normal (if borderline boring) life. He has a job he hates, parents who are neither here nor there, and a somewhat insane grandfather who can see "monsters". As a survivor of WWII, It's easy to picture what monsters he may assume he is seeing. But assuming isn't always the way to go and there is certainly more than what meets the eye with nearly every character in this book.

There is a certain creepiness that is obtained by the use of vintage photographs through out the book and I certainly would not be willing to experience most of what the characters do. But in the end I found myself eager to find out what happened next with all of the characters and excited to begin each chapter.

Ah, I forgot, I did have one assumption for this book: that it was an open and close type of story. That everything would be wrapped up at the end. It isn't that type of book. There will be more (I believe a second book is on its way) so my assumption was wrong.

And I am completely okay with that!

So people thought it was too scary, others were bored because it wasn't scary enough, and some teased it for seeming to be a strange version of X-Men. Well, I still enjoyed it and I intend on reading the next book when and if it comes out. This book is incredibly popular right now and it's easy to get sidetracked by all the praise and criticism. The best thing to do is go out to your local bookstore or library and flip through it's pages. See what the book says to you and decide then if you're willing to read it. If you happen to like it, remember me, I liked it too.

Claire de Lune

2012-01-16T13:23:00.001-05:00

If you've read any of my past reviews you will already know that I jump for YA books that are simple and entertaining when my life is hectic. Claire de Lune has been a YA book that I've seen floating around goodreads for quite some time. When I was particularly busy but in desperate need for a book to read I decided to give Claire de Lune a go.

To be blunt, the book is simple and not a hard read. The language used is easy, the scenery simple enough, and the characters aren't extremely hard to handle. But, it entertained me for the little time it took for me to read it and I've recommended it to other people who needed something to read on flights or during drives.

Claire celebrates her sixteenth birthday only to discover that her mother has been holding back a very important tidbit of information: she's a werewolf by birth. Slowly, Claire draws closer to turning into a wolf and that ended up being my most favorite part of the book. The confusion of the teenage girl and upset that she's growing hair on the back of her hands and near her ears is something completely believable...or maybe it's not enough. I know I wouldn't handle that situation with as much grace as Claire does.

On top of all of this, Claire has a new romance to contend with. As if being a teenager wasn't hard enough, a new boyfriend and becoming a wolf certainly doesn't help. But that's not all when it's a well known fact that Claire's love interests father is one of the biggest threats to the werewolf population and has a desire to rid the world of them completely. With mysterious deaths happening through out the town, being a werewolf is not the safest thing. It's a classic who dunnit but with the twist of a young girl coming into her own (which is something all teenagers have to deal with).

Is this book incredibly riveting? No, not really, but I enjoyed reading it when I had the opportunity. Is it very original? Not entirely...but it's refreshing to read a book about a girl who is a werewolf, in fact, all the women are werewolves. Now that was something new and interesting.

The Girl Who Was on Fire

2012-01-11T15:18:00.000-05:00

Attention fans of The Hunger Games: there is more that you must read.

The end of a trilogy (or series) is often disappointing to me. I live and breathe the lives of these characters through heartbreak and success then very suddenly... it's over. I'm always left feeling like I lost a piece of something and it's true - I have - the entertainment and emotional pull of the books have left me lonely and without.

I have felt this way for many books but the most recent has been The Hunger Games. So, imagine my joy when I stumbled upon The Girl Who Was On Fire (not to be confused with The Girl Who Played With Fire. This is all about The Hunger Games and not about Steig Larson). The book is a series of essays by a list of authors and fans of the trilogy where they focus on a particular theme of the books.

I found it to be incredibly insightful and I came away from reading the essays with a better understanding of the books. Or, to be more specific, a different outlook of what I read in The Hunger Games. The information provided and the mix of real life facts in reflection of the fiction that I read and loved was startling. What I found to be most fascinating is the idea that this frightening world of Panem which we read about might actually be more similar to our world than we realize.

I think this is a companion book that people must read when they are finished with the books. Don't read this before you're done with the trilogy because it's filled with spoilers. But it is certainly a book that needs to be checked out.

Teaser Tuesday - January 10th

2012-01-10T09:51:00.000-05:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I'm actually in the process of flying to Florida right now but I figured I'd get this set up prior to my flight!

"It's the part of you that keeps you human. I suppose that's your blessing and your curse."
Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries: The Ripper

Going Away...But Not

2012-01-09T15:41:00.000-05:00

Hello readers! Wasn't it a week ago I was saying that I was back for good? Well I'm still here but I'm taking a brief hiatus (with posts scheduled!)

Tomorrow I'll be getting up at about 4 to head to the airport and hop my flight to Florida! I'm very excited as this will be the first time I've gone for an extended visit to see my grandparents since I was 12! I'll be in the Sunshine state until the 19th but I have book reviews that are scheduled to be posting! So keep an eye out for The Girl Who Was on Fire, Claire de Lune, and Miss. Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

See you in two weeks!

Books Read from January 2011-December 2011

2012-01-04T15:39:00.001-05:00

Books read during the year 2011 (at least the ones that I wrote reviews for!):

Vampire Diaries- Stefan's Diaries Vol. 1 Origins by L.J. Smith Review is Here
Vampire Diaries- Stefan's Diaries Vol. 2 Bloodlust by L.J. Smith Review is Here
The Hours by Michael Cunningham Review is Here
Silverlicious by Victoria Kann Review is Here
The Book of Tomorrow by Cecelia Ahern Review is Here
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson Review is Here
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by J.K. Rowling Review is Here
Father of Lies by
Pandora by Anne Rice
Little Women by
Vittorio the Vampire by Anne Rice
Merrick by Anne Rice
Blood and Gold by Anne Rice
Madeline at the White House by John Bemelmans Marciano
The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight by L.J. Smith
Choose to Recycle
The Easter Egg by Jan Brett
Love Your World
All Just Glass by Amelia Atwater Rhodes
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton
Bats at the Beach
Of Love and Evil by Anne Rice
The Family by Mario Puzo
The Life of Cesare Borgia
Blood and Flowers by Penny Blubaugh
Eighth Scroll by Dr. Laurence B Brown
The Loud Book
The Quiet Book
The Hunger Games: Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins
The Hunger Games: Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
Blackwood Farm by Anne Rice
Blood Canticle by Anne Rice
Green Living
Common Sense
Sisterhood Everlasting by Ann Brashares
Slate
Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Instructions by Neil Gaiman (link works for 40. and 41.)
Go the F**k to Sleep by Adam Mansbach
Vampire Diaries- Stefan's Diaries Vol. 3 The Craving by L.J. Smith
Blood and Chocolate by Annette Curtis Klause
The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Teaser Tuesday - January 3

2012-01-03T07:55:00.000-05:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

“There is no such thing as a true tale. Truth has many faces and the truth is like to the old road to Avalon; it depends on your own will, and your own thoughts, whither the road will take you.”

The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley

Hello and Welcome!

2012-01-02T15:48:00.002-05:00

Hey, remember me?

Erica, the blog owner of Soon Remembered Tales?

Yeah... I have been the worst blog owner for the past... seven months (wow, that is a long time). During that time a lot has gone on! Unfortunately, my luck was definitely split in half. The passing of my cat was the kick off, followed by a diagnosis of pre-cancerous cells (please, go to the doctor for your regular check ups!), and then a series of cancer diagnosis' in my family. It's been stressful, very stressful, and that was the main reason why I needed to take a break from this blog.

Another nicer reason was because I picked up work! If you've been following my blog for the last eight months that I was active you may remember my mentioning that I became a tutor at a local college. Well, I'm still working at the college but since this summer I have also been doing editorial work for a local book publisher!

I went from barely qualifying for part time work to working full time once editing was added on to my schedule. That, in addition to real life persistently keeping me busy, kept me away from books and this blog.

I think 2011 is the first year that I didn’t finish my goal for reading. I knew it was a long stretch (150 books in a year) but I couldn’teven break 100. I am someone who feels like a failure if I do not complete my goals but I think I was expecting too much from myself when so much was going on. This year, I still want to maintain some level of a goal but I’ll downgrade: 50 books must be read this year that are not qualified as children’s books. We’ll see if I can manage that! I've been so busy it's been hard to keep up with reviews of everything I've even read so maybe a smaller goal will be more feasible.

This upcoming year I hope for big changes (if you’re a book publisher and are hiring, check out my linkedin profile!) but I also want to continue with this blog. I started a tumblr page that will post an assortment of book related things. But most of all, I want to discuss the books I’ve read and partake in blog events. I want you all to remember who I am, gain personal reading or gift ideas, and look forward to my posts. I hope I can achieve that goal!

It’s good to be back. I feel like I’m returning home after a long vacation. It’s similar but somehow different. As if my time away has given me a new view on everything. Here is to the new year, may it bring good luck for us all and a lot of fresh new posts at Soon Remembered Tales!

Announcement

2011-11-17T08:55:00.002-05:00

Re-Opening Soon!

A new layout

New book reviews

Consistently updated

See you guys next year!

NaNoWriMo 2011!

2011-11-01T08:55:00.001-04:00

Hello everyone!

I am still on my unexpected hiatus. I know, I know, I am a horrible blogger. But I have not abandoned this blog yet. In fact, I'm hoping to make a come back in the new year. Life has been busy and it will continue to be so for the next few months. However, I should be having some free time come December/January which I've already devoted to writing up book reviews! During the past few months I've still managed to get some reading done and I want to talk about all of these books!

But for this month? This month is taken over by writing.

NaNoWriMo kicked into gear as of midnight and despite not doing my normal crazy writing at midnight (I opted to go to bed instead) I did get some words written this morning. Hopefully I'll reach the daily goal before the end of the day! (Only 500 words to go until I reach that).

So, who of you are partaking in NaNoWriMo? If you're partaking in the activity ADD ME! I'd be thrilled to see your progress! Good luck and I'll see you in another month or two!

She's Alive...

2011-10-21T11:16:00.002-04:00

Hello everyone!

Again, I apologize for being away for so long. This year has been very intense, both good and bad, and it looks like things will begin to calm down for a short while come December. I hope to write up posts in December and get back to relaying my opinion on books! Then, come January, I'm flying off to Florida to visit my grandparents for nearly two weeks!

One thing I've noticed since returning (even if it's just to say hello) is that all of the blogs I've followed have gone missing from my log-in page! So...if I was formerly following you and now it says I'm not...I didn't do that intentionally and I apologize!

None the less, I hope you all are doing well and enjoying October! I'll be back soon. :-)

Ten Years

2011-09-11T09:38:00.001-04:00

Moar Rain!

2011-09-08T11:14:00.000-04:00

Yes, still quite busy with real life but I wanted to update.

The hurricane came and went, ripped a part of our siding off but all was okay. We had a lot of power outages and the majority of my friends in New Jersey were evacuated from their homes but everyone is all right!

Well, up until today.

We're receiving some killer rains to the point where thousands of people are being evacuated in Pennsylvania. We're keeping tabs on everything with the news but we should be okay; seeing that we live on a mountain and away from the streams. I missed out on my one job for the past two days due to a horrible cold and now I'm missing out on a third day because there was an emergency evacuation due to the river next to my job flooding!

Craziness, absolute craziness. So here is another post of well wishing. I hope that those of you who are near rivers in the North East are safe or can get to safety. And for those of you in the area being affected by fires, please stay safe. My thoughts are with you.

Hopefully I'll be back in the near future with something other than weather updates!!

Earthquakes, Hurricanes, and Selling Books, Oh My!

2011-08-26T12:03:00.000-04:00

I keep vanishing and for that I apologize. You know that term, when it rains, it pours? That's been happening for the majority of this year. We all know of previous issues but more have arrived.

But the good news is that I have a fancy new job and I love it. I'm very busy between work and getting my life squared away. Trying to play grown up and all that.

This week has been rather eventful. My area felt the much talked about East Coast earthquake. Now, for those who do not live in the East Coast, understand that we don't typically receive earthquakes. This is only the second one I've ever felt in my lifetime. It wasn't horrendous, more amusing because I thought my car was breaking down (my mother thought it was the washer), but it was still talked about because it's such a rare event. And it was strong enough to put a crack in a bridge I cross over to get to work. Now that was fun, being literally two minutes from my job and being told I had to turn around and find another way to it because they were afraid the bridge would collapse (it didn't, btw). And it messed up cellular service so I couldn't call my job to say I would be late.

This can be considered my 'earthquake picture', only because I took it the day of.

Now we're due for the biggest hurricane we've ever received in my life time. The most unnerving part of all this is that my friends are being evacuated from the coast. I, luckily, am far enough inland to not be affected with the evacuations but we're still in for a hellish weekend. And I need to get my car fixed at some point during this hurricane. Ah, bad timing is bad.

In other news, I am on a minimalist kick. I want to downgrade as much of my belongings and part of that is... books. I love books. I love reading. We all know this but I feel the need to remind you before I continue. I have about 20 books sitting on my floor awaiting a trip to my favorite used book store. I'll be selling them to the store so that, hopefully, someone else will buy them and enjoy them as much as I have since owning them. But wow, so many books! I went through my book shelves and considered each one. What ones have I read and intend on reading again? What ones will I return to in search of quotes? What ones are 'classics' that maybe, one day, my children will have to read in school? If I answered 'not this one' for any of the books I took them off the shelves. It's given me so much room for my ever changing book collection.

So besides the real life issues, saving for a plane ticket to visit family in Florida, car troubles, nature kicking our butt, and work- I have been reading. I've been flying through a book series and I hope to actually (gasp) provide you all with some type of book reviews in the future! You know, after I finish reading this series and we aren't being pummeled with bad weather.

I hope you're all doing well. I'm sorry for the lack of posts. And if you happen to be in the line of this hurricane, stay safe!

Guest Post: This Is Where I Leave You

2011-08-17T13:20:00.000-04:00

Hi all! I’m Amanda, from Amanda’s Musings. While I don’t run a specifically book related blog, I do read. A lot. I’m also an English Lit major, which adds to the time I spend reading.

I recently finished “This Is Where I Leave You” by Jonathan Tropper. While I’m pretty sure this book was all the rage last year, I’m sometimes slow getting around to things.

That being said, Tropper’s novel is a wonderful one. It’s one of the funniest, saddest, happiest, most depressing books I’ve ever read, and no, that won’t make sense until you pick it up for yourself.

Judd is forced to return to his childhood home after the death of his father, whose dying wish was for his family to sit Shiva. For the Foxman family, seven days spent with everyone under the same roof may very well be their undoing.

Judd recently found his wife having an affair with his boss. Phillip is the family screw up. Paul blames Judd for ruining his chance at college sports and the opportunities it would have afforded him. Alice just wants a baby. And on it goes.

“This Is Where I Leave You” is an absolute gem of a novel. Tropper’s ability to dissect the familial relationship is almost scary – I saw threads of my own family within the walls of the Foxman home. I was taken by complete surprise by the sheer truth of the words on the pages, and loved every time it happened. Families are far from perfect (all of them). But your family is also your home – sometimes whether you want it to be or not.

"We all start out so damn sure, thinking we've got the world on a string. If we ever stopped to think about the infinite number of ways we could be undone, we'd never leave our bedrooms." – This Is Where I Leave You

Call For Guest Bloggers!

2011-08-10T09:43:00.000-04:00

Is anyone interested in doing a guest blog? If you have an idea and want to write a post about books/book stores/reading in general let me know! I'm dying to get some guest bloggers on here because I'm kind of overwhelmed with personal life stuff (again).

If you're interested please email me at:

soonrememberedtales@gmail.com

I hope to hear from you!!!

The Help

2011-08-08T10:19:00.000-04:00

I am such a stubborn person. If you know me personally then this isn’t new information. While working in a bookstore this book was released and people couldn’t get enough of it. Everyone was buying a copy and just raving about it. So, because I’m stubborn and make no sense, I pushed it aside and refused to read it. Why? I’m not even sure. No, wait, I didn’t want to just jump on the bandwagon when everyone else was obsessing over it. Because I am stubborn.

Insert a year or so and now I get wind that The Help is being made into a motion picture. It seems that Hollywood is doing that a lot lately- making books into films. And I’m relatively quick to see these films, however I always try to read the books first. So, I stopped being stubborn and got the book on my Kindle. I opened it, curious to see how it began (I always look to see how books start, forever reading the first page before I usually getting around to reading the book) and I couldn’t put it down.

It’s a thick book but I flew through the book and enjoyed every moment. See, for the past few months I’ve tried to stick to the more relaxing, happy, short books. It’s been all that I can concentrate on with an assortment of less than happy things going on in my life. So this was my first serious book since my life became topsy turvy. And I loved it… I see why there was such hype and so many customers would tell me to read it.

The book is told from three perspectives. Two black women who are maids in white homes in Jackson, Mississippi and another woman- Miss Skeeter- a white woman who is breaking away from the typical expectations of the southern 1960’s woman.

While Miss Skeeter is expected to get herself married because, my goodness, she is a whole twenty-three years old and is single, her educational endeavors are looked down upon. She has a degree and it seems like no one finds it important or an achievement in any way. God forbid a woman in her twenties isn’t engaged or married.

There was something more than this. Aside from Miss Skeeter being single, she was also tall, thin, her hair wasn’t perfect, and goodness how will she ever get a husband looking like that.

I immediately related to this woman on so many levels. I’ve heard comments pertaining to my height and the height of women in my family. We’re all above average and closer to six foot than anything that’s considered ‘petite’. People have commented, “But you’re so tall” as if it was something disgusting. “You wear heels?” As if it’s completely incomprehensible that I, a woman of 5’9”, would even dare to consider wearing heels. The comments continue. “You’re twenty five and you’re not dating anyone? Oh we know you’ll never marry.”

The other women of the story (Minny and Aibileen) are trapped by the presence of people who are fearful of difference and extremely racist. They cannot look at a person who is different from them and see nothing but separation. These women may suffer some weaknesses but they are so strong and brave. I just fell in love with all of the main female characters. This was a book that days after I had finished reading it I was still trying to grasp words to describe how wonderful it is. I still was struggling to express my feelings because it was just that good.

I can say for sure that I will definitely be seeing the movie once it's out in theaters and I am telling everyone I know to please pick this book up and read it. It is worth the hype. It isn't a romantic story, it isn't flimsy, it's real and tough, sometimes funny, often sad, but just so well written that the words completely transport you to Jackson, Mississippi during an important time in American history. Grab the book and give it a read before the film comes out and also check out the trailer to the movie down below!

Go the F**k to Sleep

2011-08-03T10:17:00.002-04:00

This book absolutely and positively cracked me up. Family members who have children loved the concept and humor. Yeah, I have no children. I hope to be a parent one day but I haven’t the personal experience of what it is to be a mother. However, I know enough people who have children that I’ve been around. I recall clearly trying to get a child to go to sleep with a friend. We would pretend we were asleep, sing to the child, do an assortment of things and yet this child insisted on staying awake. After two hours we were pretty tired of it.

This book is humorous and well, it’s more for the parents than the children. If you don’t mind saying the word ‘f**k’ around your child then sure, go ahead, read the book to your child because there are cute pictures and a rhyme scheme. It’s entirely your choice. But I do believe this is something that a parent or caregiver to a child can identify with and laugh over.

What’s better? Friggen Samuel L. Jackson reading the book. You can hear what the book is about in the awesome youtube video below and decide for yourself if you would like the book. Or, better yet, get it as a gag gift for a friend (I’m intending on doing just that!)

The Vampire Diaries- Stefan's Diaries: Vol. 3 The Craving

2011-08-01T11:57:00.000-04:00

Ah the last book of this little trilogy. Really, they are so short and such quick reads that why not read them? When you're stressed and looking for some brainless entertainment I look to these books. It isn't a snub to the writing or anything because it serves it's purpose in entertaining me and giving me a temporary break from whatever is causing me stress in my real life. I welcome these type of books and due to an assortment of stressful things happening in my life for the last three months I have been devouring them any chance I get. Serious literature with deep concepts? No, sorry, I can't concentrate on that right now. Let alone any book that is highly emotional, I need something that's exciting or happy.

The book picked up shortly after where the last one left off. Okay, no problem. It might be a good idea to read the three books of Stefan's Diaries one after another since they all take place so closely to each other.

I appreciated that this book featured Lexi more. If you are a fan of the tv show (and these books are based off of the tv show not the book series) then I hope you are a fan of the character Lexi. While watching the show I always wanted to know her history and while the second "Stefan's Diaries" book introduced her, this book continued with tales of her. I really enjoy the character and wish I could find out her history. That's the problem with vampire literature- I'm introduced to an assortment of characters who are all immortal so they've lived a number of years and I'm left wondering about the details of their lives.

The book felt a little rushed at the end. It had a huge build up and my fav Damon pops back in and is controlling as always. But then all of these elements are thrown in, this interesting plot develops and then is quickly finished. I was disappointed with that, really, because I was hopeful to hear more about the details of this plot. But it was quickly taken care of and finished. But now, see, I want Damon's diaries. Yeah, he doesn't write in a diary (I don't think?) so maybe it can be Damon's Mind but there is a gap in time from the end of this book to when the television show begins and I would really appreciate allowing my obsession to continue!

The Color Purple

2011-07-27T08:19:00.000-04:00

Growing up my parents used to watch The Color Purple every time it came on tv. I knew that it was a book but as a child and teen I had little interest in reading anything that my school considered worthy enough to read. I was a rebel. I loved books but I did not want to be forced into reading anything. So I stayed very far away from The Color Purple until I began to work in a book store. Then, every start of a semester we would set up displays of the books the schools wanted their students to read and The Color Purple was always on the table. It started to spark my interest despite my refusal to read it as a kid. In fact, most of the 'classics' I didn't begin to have interest in until I was far away from school. Then it was my choice, it was my decision to read these books, rather than having them crammed down my throat.

I picked up The Color Purple and was surprised- the entire book is through letters. I had never known that. The language slowly grows and changes as the main character and her sister matures and I quickly fell in love with them. It's an entire life told through letters between sisters that mean the world to each other.

Now, their lives aren't perfect. Women are abused, men rape, and there is a number of sexual scenes. But I read it nonetheless. This is life, unfortunately (well maybe not so unfortunate for the sex scenes). These characters are growing up so it's understandable that they will be seeing different aspects of their lives. Good and bad.

There are some very strong female characters in The Color Purple which is pleasing to read. I generally enjoyed the majority of the female characters and even a decent portion of the males that were featured. It's definitely a different time and place but I read it quickly and enjoyed the book despite the long list of heartaches that the main characters felt.

And they really do have a lot of heartaches. So much of the book I spent going, "Really? Do they have no luck?" It wasn't to the extent of being unbelievable but it was definitely prominent and sad.

This book isn't for the faint of heart. If you have any issues with homosexuality, sexual exploration, language, and violence then you should stay away from The Color Purple. This has drawn a lot of negative reaction from people across the US and has made this book one of the most banned and challenged books in the country.

What's the most enjoyable part of this book? That it ends on a good note. That despite all of the hardships the characters experience they still come out for the better and life still works out for them. There are good things that come their way, they just have to fight to get it, and I feel that's a positive message to the readers.

And the movie? The movie is pretty good as well. Of course it's different from the book but it's pleasurable and beautiful and will make you cry.

Percy Jackson: The Lightning Thief

2011-07-25T18:42:00.000-04:00

As a child I had a strange obsession with Greek mythology. I suspect it began because of the Disney movie Hercules but I can’t quite remember if that is the cause. None the less, I devoured the Greek mythology books that were available at my school library but have since forgotten the majority of the Greek myths. Still, the idea of Greek gods and the likes attracts me because I am a nostalgic freak.

I had a reader tell me to read Percy Jackson two years ago and at the time I had so many other books I was reading or more interested in that I put the series aside. Recently I’ve joined an online community that sort of obsesses over mythology and it sparked my interest again. A friend of mine swore by the Percy Jackson books. She loved the entire series and felt I should read the books for years. Finally, I listened to everyone and took out The Lightning Thief from the library.

And I loved it.

I read the book quickly and it was the right amount of excitement and humor that I needed. The characters are lovable- even the bad Aries. And the way the gods are presented is incredibly interesting.

The Greek myths pop up through out the book in different, more modern, ways and they were exciting every time I spotted them. “Oh, oh! I know what myth this is!” Or “I recognize this! Ugh, I have to reread my myth books!”

I loved Percy’s mother. I love Annabeth. I love Grover. Ugh, I love all of the good characters, okay? And I love Ares, even if he’s kind of a jerk. Just the idea of the God of War riding around on a motorcycle makes me very happy. I appreciate the concept that despite that no one believes in the old Greek gods anymore, they were immortal, so of course they still exist.

I flew through this book and rushed to get the next one, only to discover that my library didn’t have it because someone took it out forever ago. Disappointment at the extreme! This is a series where you read one book and you immediately want the next. They’re quick reads and very addictive so if you’re going to set out and read the Percy Jackson series- please- make sure you have access to all of the books.

Blog Hop 7/22

2011-07-22T08:17:00.000-04:00

Blog Hop:

This Weeks Question:
What’s the ONE GENRE that you wish you could get into, but just can’t?

Answer:
This is tough... I have liked something in nearly every genre. I'm lucky that way. As a teenager I could only read teen fantasy- that was it. I had little to no interest in anything else other than that genre and The Vampire Chronicles. Once I entered college and began studying English my interests branched out to other genres. I devoured a lot of books after that and even still, I'm starting to slowly get more and more into more genres that I previously had trouble enjoying. But there is one genre that I really just find hard to get into.

Horror/Thriller.

Now I like my creepy stuff. But I am so picky with finding a book I will actually read in the Horror section. So picky. Other genres that I can't get a hang of are mystery and romance. But... I'm not particularly interested in those genres. I've never been a big fan of romantic or crime movies, my interest is low with that. But I do like my creepy stuff. I like my creepy tv and my creepy movies, however I always have to be 'in the mood' for it. The same goes for the books, I suppose. I need to be in the mood and it's a mood that is here and gone. But who knows? Ten years ago I never thought I would be reading historic fiction and enjoying it yet here I am. Maybe in another ten years I'll be devouring as many thriller books I can get my hands on.

Slate

2011-07-20T17:19:00.000-04:00

The author of Slate contacted me to see if I was interested in reading his novel. I agreed and then my life became overwhelming so I put off reading it for a number of months (Sorry to the other authors whose books I have not read yet!). The author was very sweet and polite when I spoke with him and then all that time passed and I finally opened up Slate with every intention of reading it.

Read it I did... and... wow.

The book, to me, ended up sounding more like a fantasy smut novel than 'chick lit'. I would not even categorize it as literature, let alone literature meant for women. It seemed very much like a dream novel about what the author wants women to do and much of it was either rushed, drawn out, or just one ridiculous thing after another.

There were so many male parts coming and going I had lost track as to who was who and the dialogue... oh the dialogue was really unfortunate.

I thought this had the potential of being a chick-lit book and hell, it could even have become a movie. The premise that a woman who was recently becoming divorced decides to hold fake casting sessions to find the next guy sounded interesting and like a good build up for a comedy but it was so far away from that. I felt slightly disgusted when I finished the book and I have no intention of rereading it.

Apologies to the author. This isn't the nicest of reviews but this book was very far from my expectations and incredibly disappointing. I don't know any women who act like the main character does in this book and if I knew such a woman, I would certainly not be her friend.

Teaser Tuesday- July 12th

2011-07-19T10:04:00.000-04:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I concentrate on Mae Mobley, try to keep my mind off Miss Hilly. Show me how to teach Baby Girl to be kind, to love herself; to love others, while I got time with her...

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

Sisterhood Everlasting

2011-07-18T17:14:00.000-04:00

While in High School I was obsessed with the series Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. What attracted me so much to the books was a number of things. They were my age and dealing with some of the problems that arise for teens. They were a group of friends who were like sisters- this I could relate to the most. I’m an only child and the closest I’ve come to having ‘siblings’ is through my friends and cousins. The books sort of proved the fact that I could have friends who were like sisters. There was also the fantastic cast of four different girls whose personalities were all very different so really, anyone could relate to at least one of the girls.

I always identified the most with Lena. Just sayin’.

When the fourth book came out I waited impatiently for the soft cover to be released so that I could continue having the collection of books as paperbacks. I thought that was that, though. I had heard the fourth book was the last in the series and there would be no more. It made me sad because I had grown to love the girls in the series so much and expected them to be there each summer when I was off from school. During those hot summer days I would lay on my bed and read the books with a fiery speed and suddenly the series was over with and I was in mourning.

This type of emotion for a book series has happened only a few times in my life. The other time? When the last Harry Potter book was released. I reacted much the same when I went to see the last Harry Potter movie. But that’s another story.

Imagine my glee when I found out that the sisterhood was back for another novel? I stalked the date for the book release obsessively and the moment I got my hands on it (or rather, my hands on my Kindle) I read the book in a day.

The girls are older, more mature, and in different places in their lives. They’ve lost touch in many ways and hope to all meet up again when, as if a wish came true, Tibby sends for the other three girls to meet her in Greece at Lena’s grandparents house. Excitedly the girls fly to Greece for their long awaited reunion and that’s where things become heavy.

Consider this your warning for spoilers. If you continue to read and something ruins the book for you, don’t blame me.

When the girls arrive to the house in Greece it is only at the very beginning of the book. I expected world wind romances and maybe an argument or two but what I did not see coming was that one of the girls dies. I was reading this book at work and was completely shocked by what happened then had to stop reading because I was nearly in tears. I would sit there, blink a little bit, try to calm down, then grab the Kindle to continue reading because I wanted to know how this could happen.

Insert the majority of the books plot: What happened to this girl. Did she commit suicide? Because it looked that way.

Spoiliers No More:
This is my suggestion for those who have never read the Traveling Pants books before: wait on reading this one and start from the first book. This is a series you want to read in order.

My second suggestion is to those who intend on reading this book: if you are going through a tough point in your life, hold off on reading this. The majority of the book is quite upsetting and very real. It can be upsetting to read if the reader is going through a tough patch themselves. Believe me, I know, because I was going through a rough time when I read this book.

The book is worth the read though… so don’t completely forsake reading it. You finally know for sure what is going on with these different characters and you can assume how they will continue to live, since they are now adults. Everything ties up neatly by the last chapter and I felt that finally I did get to say goodbye to these girls in a more proper way.

Common Sense

2011-07-13T09:42:00.000-04:00

Another freebie for Kindle users (and I'm assuming other e-readers) is Common Sense. Now, this was something I've always heard about but never did anything with. It was something that had to do with America, something that was important, something that some kids had to read in class. Whatever. My attention span for it all ended there.

Of course that changed when I realized I could get Common Sense for free. That seems to be the start of many instances where I'm reading things I never thought I would. Point for e-readers? I think so.

Common Sense was written by Thomas Paine and published in 1776. It's a declaration of sorts that American's should demand independence from Great Britain. The argument that Paine raises is, at times, humorous. He lists every reason the citizens should listen to him in a rather explanatory way. A school teacher would be proud.

Now this wasn’t any type of a ‘story’ but more based on fact and opinion. It might not have a plot, it is very much just an argument, but the significance of Common Sense is great- especially for American’s and even Great Britain. Now, it’s not like I’m going to go back and read this again. I am that person who really likes plots and political complaints and demands sort of bore me. But I don’t regret the time I spent reading this because it’s a piece of my history.

Add the fact that you can get it for free and it’s fantastic and worth the read. You really have no excuse now. So hop to it and see how people wrote opinionated papers over two hundred years ago.

Teaser Tuesday- July 12th

2011-07-12T10:19:00.000-04:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

I had vowed to never harm a human again, to never allow a human to come to harm because of me. I was trapped as neatly and as permanently as if I were still a sideshow vampire at a circus, tied with vervain ropes- and Damon knew it.

The Vampire Diaries: Stefan's Diaries #3: The Craving by L.J. Smith, Kevin Williamson & Julie Plec

I've Returned!

2011-07-11T10:03:00.000-04:00

What hasn't gone on in the past two months? Really. I've been pretty busy and I've completely put this blog off to the side. When I started Soon Remembered Tales it was created as a way for me to express how different books I've read made me feel. The emotional journey with whatever my little book worm heart latched onto I tried to convey in my reviews. So they may not be very constructive. They may not be top quality. But the blog is enjoyable and fun for me.

However, the past two months have been a royal kick in the butt for me. One thing after another happened and I was struggling to find happiness in the most simple of activities. But I think I'm back now and more refreshed than ever. So hello! I've returned!

I may be fifteen pounds lighter, a little tanner, a little stressed out, and have a very busy schedule on my hands but I'm happier than I've been and ready to bring you all the book reviews you've come to expect from me. What's better is that I am happy to write these reviews, rather than feel that I have to.

This photo could sum up my life pretty well. I had minor surgery on Friday, my cell phone died so I had to downgrade to my mothers old (and very simple) cell, I've been trying to read, trying to clean, and although the photo doesn't show it- I've got my midnight premiere tickets for Harry Potter on Thursday night.

Also, I turned 25 on the 6th of this month! I received a number of wonderful cards from dear friends, flowers from my parents, a post card, and a book. A friend of mine took me to Sonic (my first Sonic experience) and I got to enjoy a very unhealthy snack. I'm rather lucky if I do say so myself.

What's even more exciting? I landed another job and will be starting it on Monday (when I'll probably set this up to post). I'll be working for a publishing company and I can't wait!!!

So for all of you that have stuck by while I've been awol for the past two months- thank you. I hope you're all having an awesome summer!

Children Book Picks

2011-06-27T11:17:00.001-04:00

Two books I've read on my Kindle (which I got for free!) are perfect for parents to read to their children before bedtime.

Charlotte Bronte Herr's childrens book The Wise Mamma Goose and Fairy Tales Every Child Should Know were entertainment for me while we were without internet after some severe storms. Fairy Tales Every Child Should Know (which you can get for free on your Kindle and I am assuming for other ereaders) is a nice compact book that really does have all of the classic fairy tales. Many I've read before but some were new to me and enjoyable to pick up. Our culture has fairy tale references sprinkled all over the place so why not have your child be a part of it?

The Wise Mamma Goose is pretty adorable as well. I mean, when I was a kid I got a kick out of any barn yard stories. I don't know why but the idea of chickens and geese being able to talk was exciting to me. I lived for that stuff. This book features some problem solving and a cute pooch to boot.

Then, after work one day, I stopped into a book store and discovered.... Instructions by Neil Gaiman... I can't get enough of Neil Gaiman. Who could? He's a fantastic author and when he reads his books aloud, oh my goodness, he has the perfect reader voice. I won't deny that I was incredibly excited to see he had a new children's book out and even more excited when I discovered it was a guide of sorts for fairy tale adventures. Apparently this was taken from another book? But I don't really care, this is a new publication with beautiful illustrations. It's sort of like the mystical version of Oh! The Places You'll Go but even better because this would have hit home for me as a child. I grew up in some place that was between reality and imagination, everything and anything was possible and I would have devoured a book that essentially helps you along on your magical quests. Tips of where to turn, what to look out for, who to trust and how to defeat the bad things. And you know what is the best thing about it? Many of the stories you'll read in Fairy Tales Every Child Should Know are referred to in this book! It's wonderful, magical, and made me return to my childhood for a brief moment.

Don't believe me? Check out the book trailer and beautiful illustrations.

Green Living

2011-06-15T11:17:00.000-04:00

This is old news for some, new for others, but I’m gluten and dairy free due to allergies that I discovered a few years ago. When I decided to stop eating gluten I entered a world that I knew very little about. I started to learn what organic living was about and take a little more care of how I treated myself and the environment around me.

I am by no means completely knowledgeable of green living although I’m happy to say I know a little bit more about the effect we have on the environment now than I did a few years ago and I’m taking active steps towards a better way of life.

I came across Green Living at my favorite used bookstore and figured… why not? A nice concise book discussing all of the different ways you can start to live green. What is living green? I think the best way to describe it is that when you’re living green you make the smallest mark on the environment as you can. You also are essentially not putting anything on or in your body that shouldn’t be there. It’s like the ultimate version of being healthy.

Each topic is broken down into easy chapters- how to have your children live green, how to have a house that is green, what you should and shouldn’t do for bodily cleanser products. The list goes on and to my joy each chapter was easy to read. You just have to keep it simple when I’m a newbie with something. Catch my interest, explain the pros and cons and I’ll likely stick with it.

This book is slightly outdated having been published in 2005. I didn’t become gluten free until 2009 and at that time there was so few organic options in the grocery stores of my area that I had always assumed that ‘green living’ hadn’t really started to get a hold on society until a few years ago. Little did I know that it’s been a pretty strong way of life for many years.

What I read was all generally eye opening. I know the positives to eating healthy but when it comes to all of the other factors in life I’m kind of in the dark. Well, this book certainly helped shed some light on the situations we are living in and adding to.

Despite it being out of date I think it would be a book people should read if they want a quick go-to guide about living green. It also includes helpful companies and websites that can help you on your adventure to having a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Then take more steps towards a better living and read other books, there are a tong on the subject out there and they’re all worth a chance to check over.

Blood and Chocolate

2011-06-13T11:11:00.005-04:00

As a teen I read The Silver Kiss and remember being ecstatic and surprised to read a book about vampires that were different than the vampires I was used to (Anne Rice’s and Amelia Atwater Rhodes). I loved her characters and devoured the book, being left wanting more. When I discovered the author had another book out, Blood and Chocolate, I jumped all over it.

Werewolves aren’t my cup of tea. They aren’t a supernatural creature that I was ever a huge fan of but since I loved The Silver Kiss so much I couldn’t help but give this werewolf story a try.

Vivian is a teenager but incredibly mature. That might scare some teens away from the book because the novel isn’t fluffy and fake. The teenagers are realistic, at least in this day and age, with interests in partying, drinking, and sex. The plot spans over the course of the summer months so right now is the perfect time to read it.

Most teenagers find themselves feeling as if they don’t belong. The awkward teenage years where you are changing too fast to keep track, as are the people around you, but this book takes all of these teenage issues to a whole other level. Vivian is a werewolf who can change nearly any time she feels like it but has no other choice during full moons. Her pack is in need of a new leader since her father had died and Vivian is disgusted by the politics of the pack she is a part of. Feeling like an outsider within her pack and also feeling rebellious enough that she wanted to befriend humans.

Befriend humans she did, also acquiring a boyfriend who didn’t know who Vivian really was. Would she be willing to keep from her boyfriend who she really is? Or would she put herself and her pack in danger by revealing herself to him?

The book twists and turns in so many dark ways and I really enjoyed all of the characters. No matter how little they appeared in the books pages you still knew the characters well. You were able to judge the majority of their reactions to different situations and while at times this made it easy to guess what would happen- it still was exciting as the plot weaved about all of its surprises. And they remained that- surprises, because even though you might guess the result you didn’t know how it would happen and you certainly were not ‘sure’ if you were right.

The first time I read this book I was in high school and loved it, flew through it, and wanted more when the book was complete. This time around I found myself without electric due to a tornado and not allowed to do anything because of doctors orders. I have a ton of books to read and yet my eyes landed on this one. Once more I flew through its pages and despite the book being written a number of years ago I felt it was still very much relevant to the present day. Nothing that was in it was outdated and you could easily enough picture it happening today or ten years ago. I like that in a book.

Check back in September to hear about why Blood and Chocolate has been one of the most banned books in the US.

My life likes to throw things at my face

2011-06-11T18:32:00.000-04:00

So, we all know that a month ago I suffered the loss of my cat Oliver. He was, more or less, my best friend. There was a slew of other dramas that went on during the week that we had to put Oliver down which I didn't mention in the entries but it was implied.

The drama continues and there has been new problems placed before me. I'm incredibly stressed and finding it hard to do just about anything let alone read and write. Hopefully this is just a hurricane of bad activity and things will begin to settle in the near future.

I just wanted to let you all know, there might be a slow up of blog entries and I may not be on as often. This could change of course but I wanted to give my readers a heads up. I do have a few more book reviews set up to be posted in the upcoming week, so keep an eye out for them. Otherwise, wish me luck and I'll be writing again soon.

Blood Canticle

2011-06-08T13:19:00.003-04:00

The final book in Anne Rice's Vampire Chronicles- the very series that I grew up with and loved so much. The series that helped me step away from childish books and immerse myself into more serious adult material. And... I hated this book. Oh my goodness did I hate this book.

Lestat is back and not better than ever. He had a few quotes here or there that I snickered at but he seems to be running on too much coffee through most of the book. Yes, I had wondered where my self obsessed drama queen was in Blackwood Farm but he really came back with too much of a vengeance in this novel. He's all over the place and obsessing over one then and then the other.

Quinn Blackwood, who is still in this tale, is still relatively the same character that he was in Blackwood Farm which I'm ok with. He's also stopped his rambling of true love and stuff and just seems to be happy to be with Mona so that's an improvement.

Mona Mayfair who is part of this new trio drives me nuts. I actually applaud Lestat for the multiple times he nearly snaps her neck. She was a great character in Blackwood Farm but in this book she cries nearly every time she is in a scene and has the temperament of a two year old. She's insanely annoying and the only time I really enjoyed her being present was when she was quiet. Every time she would open her mouth I'd groan.

Really, this book was all over the place and threw in the Mayfair stories (The Witching Hour, etc are all about the Mayfairs and a separate series until this book where they combine) so that I, a person who had never read the books about the Mayfairs, was totally lost and overwhelmed. Not only that but I found myself not really caring. I'm here for vampires! I'm here to find out what happened to all of my beloved characters! Where is my Louis? Where is David? Where are the rest of the vampires that I have loved over the past ten books?

This book, like I said, is the final book in the series so I expected some type of wrap up since I wouldn't be receiving 'updates' in further novels and I never received that. When I first started to read this book I was taking my time, moving very slow, simply because I wasn't really enjoying it. Then, after the book sat on my desk for two weeks without being touched I became determined to just finish it and get it over with. So I spent a Sunday speeding through the rest of the book and literally sighed when it came to a close.

If a reader of The Vampire Chronicles wasn't to read this book they really wouldn't be missing out on much. So... it's up to you if you want to sit through this book. I love Anne Rice, I love her Vampire Chronicles, but this book just kills me. I've read it twice now. The first time while I was in High School and it had just published and now during this year. I don't plan on reading it again.

Blackwood Farm

2011-06-06T13:05:00.001-04:00

The second to last book in The Vampire Chronicles which introduces the vampire Quinn. Let me just say... I find him adorable. The first time I read the book I recall being a little bored here or there while Quinn tells his entire life story but I still really liked him as a character. He's sweet, polite, and just... so adorable. He's probably the least threatening vampire that has ever shown up in the Chronicles.

Of course, he tells all of this to Lestat who is moving about again after he was awoken during the end of the book Merrick, and I find Lestat to almost seem like himself in this tale. Although, maybe he's a little too quiet. Because Lestat certainly just sits back and lets Quinn tell his story without trying to draw attention to himself. I mean, come now, this is The Brat Prince we're talking about. He's such a drama queen and needs to be center stage. Maybe after his trip to Heaven and Hell he's grown some patience?

Quinn is not associated with any of the vampire's previously mentioned in the Chronicles so his story is completely separate from the rest. A brand new vampire who is only in his early twenties, his tale is much more modern day then the ones in the past, but in many ways I found I could relate to him more in that way because I understood the time period he lived in.

Quinn has a bit of a problem though- a creature, similar to a ghost, has followed him since childhood. This creature, named Goblin, has always been protective of Quinn and somewhat sweet but upon Quinn becoming a vampire Goblin took on darker characteristics. He needed the blood Quinn took and he became violent to even the people Quinn cared for- something he had not done previously.

Quinn approaches Lestat with hope that Lestat would provide help in getting rid of Goblin. Lestat agrees to help and affectionately calls Quinn Little Brother. I can't help but feel that maybe Lestat will do better at being friends with Quinn because he isn't one of Lestat's fledglings. None the less, Lestat tries his best to provide help in the form of Merrick Mayfair. She's only there very briefly and the decision of what to do with Goblin is quickly made and acted out with surprising results. I'm somewhat disappointed in how little we see of vampire Merrick without her being a panicked mess as she was at the end of Merrick. She seemed a little bit more like she was as a mortal which I enjoyed but... then she was out of the picture. So I never had the chance to enjoy her.

Also enter Mona Mayfair- the soul mate to Quinn. She seemed interesting enough during this book and I enjoyed her character although the 'love at first sight' that she and Quinn experience kind of drives me up a wall. It was just too much and too dramatic. I kept telling Quinn to shut up as he ranted and raved about how much he loved and needed Mona despite that he had literally only just met her. That was a little overkill, I won't lie.

In comparison to the earlier books of The Vampire Chronicles this wasn't a strong but like I said, I really did enjoy Quinn as a character and I appreciated how he fought to keep some form of normalcy with his mortal family despite now being a vampire. He almost makes it appear easy while characters in the earlier books didn't quite find it so easy.

Blog Hop June 3rd!

2011-06-03T14:43:00.000-04:00

Blog Hop:

This Weeks Question:

“Share your favorite post from the last month and tell us why it’s close to your heart!”

Answer:

This past week has had a lot of ups and downs. It's been incredibly stressful and is now, hopefully, starting to calm down. So this question was a little hard for me because so many of my entries were written through a general stressed haze.

I flipped through the past months posts and I came upon my post about The Family by Mario Puzo. Even though it's been awhile since I finished reading that book I still think of it regularly. I really loved every page of it and the love between Lucrezia and Cesare. My obsession has also been bumped up due to the Showtime series, I'm sure. I can't wait until the second season comes out! I think if a book sticks with me for weeks after I read it, it's a pretty good book. The same goes for the tv show!

Update:

A lot of people are graduating from High School this weekend. It's making me nostalgic of when I graduated (Class of 2004!) and of course my more recent college graduation.

So with that, if you happen to be graduating from High School or getting your degree:
Congratulations!

You've reached a fantastic achievement in life. Live it up and enjoy every moment!

The Hunger Games: Mockingjay

2011-06-01T12:34:00.021-04:00

This post is going to possibly be riddled with spoilers so proceed with caution.

When Catching Fire ended I was in an uproar of "Where is Peeta!?!?! DID SOMEONE SAVE PEETA!?!?!" as was Katniss. For a long while, like... the first four chapters... I kept telling myself that surely they were fooling me and Peeta was in District 13 and completely safe. But... well we all know about that (if you've read the book, I mean).

Peeta is finally 'saved' and completely nuts and... ugh. It broke my heart. The golden boy with the bread reduced to this cruel thing. But it gives you more depth to his character and you become even more attached to him as he struggles to overcome his obstacles while so often he was seen to be liked by everyone.

I thought Collins made really strong characters in all of her other books but in Mockingjay she seemed to really twist them around and make you know every fiber of their beings. You thought you knew the characters beforehand, but you didn't, not really. Characters I once disliked I liked by the end of this book, others that I had liked I grew cautious of, and many I was heartbroken over.

Collins really doesn't hold back. You think she's willing to go to any great heights in the first two books but this one- wow. She really is ruthless. But how could she not be? The very series is about the revolution of a land. Revolutions are generally not happy and clean and bloodless. The very subject matter calls for destruction and death and Collins is sure to bring it. No one is safe and I was near tears through out an assortment of scenes.

Katniss sort of falls apart but... I try not to judge to harshly because looking at the broad spectrum these characters have gone through a lot. Post-traumatic stress disorder, anyone? I expect the characters to kind of fall from grace after everything that's occurred and that certainly happens. Maybe I didn't like it so much, the falls from grace and this final book combined, but I think it was really necessary for the author to write in this way.

I won't say who died... but allow me to say that it pulled at my heart strings and the damn Hanging Tree song was stuck in my head for days after I finished the book. The ending wrapped everything up as nicely as it could despite what had happened during the course of the past three books and I was glad that Katniss had her final stand, so to speak.

While this was certainly my least favorite of the books it was still well written and I found it so hard to put it down. This series finally makes YA literature something worth reading again. The genre was destroyed by fangirling of many poorly written books but this series really gives hope for the future of the YA genre. A movie is being made based off of the books and while I have a mixture of feelings about Hollywood having to turn every book into a movie... I am sort of excited to see it develop.

This series is worth the read whether you're a teenager or an adult, male or female, and I promise you that. Go out to the store and pick up all three now- not just the first book- but all three. Because you will fly through each book and crave the next until you have it in your possession.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire

2011-05-30T12:19:00.000-04:00

I read The Hunger Games (book 1) a couple of years ago before the following two books were available. I adored the book, was totally sucked into the plot and fell deeply in love with the characters, and was eager to find out what happened next.

The original book kept me on my toes and I never really knew what was going to happen. But Catching Fire blew me out of the water. This book just didn’t stop. Everywhere you looked there was a new shocking piece of information, a new shocking plot twist, and I was clinging on to the ride with wide eyes and my jaw dropped.

Now picture this: I’m at tutor and where I work I sit at a table with another tutor. She and I entertain ourselves until a student comes along who needs help. How do I typically entertain myself? I read. Catching Fire was read at work during slow points and obsessively so. I slumped down in my chair, the book getting closer and closer to my face as I quickly read over each page, and occasionally I’d slam my Kindle down and gasp “Oh my gosh I can’t believe that just happened”. That’s how the entire book went for me. Continuously I would be flailing over what I was reading and then I’d dive deeper into the book, speed-reading my way forward so I could see what would happen. It’s just that great.

Spoilers from this point on:
Peeta was always my favorite character. While I enjoyed Katniss because she’s a tough female in a world where YA female characters are always dependent on others, she takes charge and makes rash decisions. She gets angry and impulsive and maybe emotional every now and then, but she’s brave. She’s tough. And I would not want to get on her bad side. But Peeta? Peeta has always been my favorite and always been the character I feel I would get along with. I just friggen love him. Gale? Eh, he’s ok.

But the relationship between Peeta and Katniss had me, once more, so on edge. I shipped these two so much and they seemed to really progress during this book. They became so much closer to one another and I just wanted Katniss to realize that she loved Peeta!

The fact that the book took such a twist as to bring all of the victors into the Hunger Games once more threw me so much. The creatures in the game, the ever changing arena, it was a mess and I didn't know what was coming next. But isn't that the great thing about a well written book? The author gives nothing away and all that you do, all that you guess, you're still surprised by the end.

I flew through this book as quickly as I could (despite that I did, after all, have work to contend with). As mentioned in an early post during this month... my life kind of threw up in my face. A lot of drama happened all at once and I was very unsteady and unstable. This book served as such a great distraction. For the first time in weeks I was completely immersed in another world and I had a break from the troubles my real life had given me. It gave my brain a chance to relax for a bit and concentrate on something else.

So, rock on Hunger Games, rock on Catching Fire. I won't lie- I think I liked this book more than the first and it killed me when it ended... however, I was lucky because I had Mockingjay waiting for me and I started it immediately after.

Blog Hop- May 27th

2011-05-27T09:52:00.000-04:00

Blog Hop:

This Weeks Question:
"What book-to-movie adaption have you most liked? Which have you disliked?"

Answer:
Oh boy. Generally I go into the movie theater with this huge expectations for book-to-films. I mean, why would I see the film version if I didn't love the book? So I'm already going in there with this idea that, "This is my favorite book. I love this character, I love that scene, I love this line. I EXPECT IT ALL TO BE THERE." and of course, I'm usually disappointed.

The Lord of the Rings trilogy did a pretty decent job of going from book to film. I mean, those books are incredibly long and yet they were still pretty spot on. I don't believe they would have been able to include everything simply because had they, the already three hour long films would have been even lengthier.

The same goes for Harry Potter. I love all of the films and I promise you I will be a crying mess when I leave the theater after the last film is released. I really enjoy the books and the movies.

Last but not least, Atonement's book-to-film adaptation was beautifully done and I cried while both reading the book and seeing the movie.

What have I disliked? In all honesty, I thought the film versions of Under the Tuscan Sun and Practical Magic were better than the books. The film version of Blood and Chocolate was pretty bad. I know there are more that left me raging but I can't think of them.

Update!
It's been an active week in my neck of the woods. I live in Pennsylvania, kind of the middle/east end of the state, and we've had insane weather as of late! Three tornadoes on Monday, a tornado warning last night, and a storm that was so intense that it blew over trees and knocked out the power for six hours. Now, I already live in the country so it's pretty dark out once the sun goes down. But when the few street lights we have go out it is black outside. I couldn't believe how dark it was!

Luckily, no one has been hurt or killed due to the storms in my area. My heart goes out to the mid west and all those involved in the horrible storms recently.

This past week I've jumped back into book reviewing with a vengeance. Please check out:
The Loud Book and The Quiet Book
Teaser Tuesday
The Wise Owl Bookstore

Have a great Memorial Day weekend everyone!!
Thank you to all who have served in our military.

The Wise Owl Bookstore

2011-05-25T10:26:00.000-04:00

May 15th I awoke to a gloomy day, as has been common since April 1st in Pennsylvania, but for once it didn't cause my mood to turn sour. I was off to the opening of a new bookstore so really, how could I not be cheerful?

In the city of Reading, PA there is the artsy Penn Avenue. For anyone who might be passing through I urge you to check this out for all of the unique little shops and the brand new store The Wise Owl Bookstore. Quaint and relaxing, you can stop in and browse for a wide range of books that are new or gently used.

I have the pleasure of knowing the owner and she's a really awesome woman who is bringing the relaxation of a legitimate bookstore to an area where there is only the mainstream booksellers.

On Sunday I was not only there for the bookstore opening but the chance to be able to attend Raymond Rose's booksigning. You can check out more details of Ray's books Better Together and The Fire Inside. He is also one of the creators of the company Christopher Williams Books.

I've sworn I will not purchase anymore books until I finish reading the ones I already own so unfortunately I didn't get anything at the bookstore but that doesn't mean I wasn't drooling over a slew of books that the store had. So tempting to buy each and every one of them. So maybe it's best that I've sworn off buying books for the moment because it gives all of you a chance to stop into The Wise Owl Bookstore and buy books for yourselves!

But in all honesty, this store is something new and exciting in the area. Something that is definitely needed. I fear that people are forgetting how comforting a bookstore can be because they're so used to Borders or Barnes and Noble but now the people within the Reading, PA region have an opportunity to be reminded of the pleasures that an indie bookshop can give. So check it out if/when you are in the area!

Teaser Tuesday, May 24

2011-05-24T09:35:00.000-04:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Increasingly, perfumes and fragranced products are being blamed for contributing to health problems such as asthma, migraines, neurotoxic effects, and upper respiratory irritation. That's because although perfumes were once distilled simply from flower essences, today's fragrances are complex mixtures of more than 4,000 chemicals, 84 percent of which have never been tasted for safety.

Green Living by the Editors of E

The Loud Book and The Quiet Book

2011-05-23T11:58:00.000-04:00

These complimentary children’s books are adorable and fun with lightly colored artwork and cute animal characters. The Quiet Book discusses ‘quiet’ moments, good and bad, all of which a child can experience while The Loud Book reflects many of those moments (once again, good and bad ‘loud’ moments).

What I really enjoyed about the two books were the characters. I’m always a sucker for artwork in picture books that is either simple or detailed but all around good. But also, it’s how unique this book is that grabs my attentions. How many of us can make a list of different types of ‘quiet’ or ‘loud’ moments? Enough to fill a book? I doubt it. While reading the books I was nodding my head and snickering to myself, “Yes that is definitely one kind of quiet.” And of course the situations apply to children. When you get in trouble, when relatives come to visit, when you are at school. I feel that they too will go, “Oh, I know what type of loud that is.”

Look at this as a little study into the different feelings in our lives, something that is completely overlooked or not thought much of. But it’s there, those quiet moments that seem… loud and so many more.

They’re separate books but I would suggest buying both books at once. The Quiet Book was the first published (April 2010) but The Loud Book (published just last month) is such a great follow up you just have to have it.

Blog Hop and a General Update

2011-05-20T10:42:00.000-04:00

Blog Hop:

This Weeks Question:
"If you were given the chance to spend one day in a fictional world (from a book), which book would it be from and what would that place be?"

Answer:
I legit muttered a curse under my breath when I read this question. This is, quite possibly, the hardest question I've tried to answer during my time with the weekly Blog Hop. What fictional world would I want to be in? I don't even know. There are so many stories, so many plots, that I fall in love with and wish I could be a part of. But then there is always the negative aspect of that world where I think, I'm not so sure about this. But lets take this seriously for a moment. What world would I want to be in? I love the world of Harry Potter, which I suspect will be a popular answer. Preferably one of the early books before the real battles began. The same goes for Lord of the Rings. The Fellowship of the Ring, which I think would be my final answer, always sounded so... pretty to me. Rivendell was my favorite location in the books. It sounded so beautiful. There are always parts of each season that are beautiful and dreary. Whether it's the muddy rainy days of spring or the dead-looking portions of winter. There are moments where it seems the seasons are almost magical and others where I feel the magic has slipped away. To me, Rivendell sounds like a place where the magical qualities of each season is what makes up the year. Plus I was always a big fan of the elves from Lord of the Rings.

So, there is my answer. If I were to spend a day in a fictional world it would be a day spent in Rivendell during the period that The Fellowship of the Ring took place.

Update:
I want to apologize to my readers. As mentioned a few posts ago I had to put my cat down on the 4th. It was sudden and very much unexpected. I've also been dealing with a couple of other dramatics of life and it's been very hard to get myself to do normal day-to-day functions. Only last week did I finally pick up a book and begin to read again and enjoy it. I'm slowly crawling out of the hole I've been in.

I will not be accepting any books from local or self published authors until I've caught up on the ones that have already been mailed to me. I'm sorry.

Also, if anyone is interested in being a guest on my blog please email me at soonrememberedtales@gmail.com it would be a great help in keeping this blog active while I get my life back together!

And finally, I do have a few reviews that I need to write. Hopefully I'll have them up during the course of the next week!

Eighth Scroll

2011-05-16T10:34:00.006-04:00

I was given the opportunity to read Laurence B Brown’s novel The Eighth Scroll and readily dove into it. The book, filled with mystery, plot, government cover ups, religious ideas and murders is not what I typically go for when looking for a book to read. It’s the type of plot that I am most unfamiliar with so beginning this book I was certainly entering a world and storyline that was foreign to me. Immediately, the language Brown uses in this book grabbed hold of me. When reading novels, you must understand that there is a lengthy list of what will draw my interest. Subject matter, plot, character development, dialogue, description. How else can all of these topics be obtained without the use of language? Brown, an opthalmic surgeon, is skilled in describing the actions of the body. I truly found that the most fascinating, how the characters moved and their bodies reacted to physical contact, and also how he described the act of fighting.

The Eighth Scroll itself is a novel that travels through time, following the Dead Sea Scrolls and depicting how dangerous such important religious documents can be. Quickly you are brought into the Hansen family and get a detailed portrait of how the father and son team interact with one another. They go to help one of Gerald Hansen’s colleagues on an archeological find but are shocked to find the colleague mysteriously dead before their first full day at the location. Little do they realize they’ve been sucked into a world where the CIA, the Vatican, and so many others are after the Dead Sea Scrolls and willing to kill whomever they can before anyone learns of their existence.

This turns into a life long chase for the Hansens, if only they were to leave the mysterious ‘find’ from the dig alone, they would be safe, but it’s all too tempting and they’re drawn in. Years later Hansen’s son Michael decides to get to the bottom of the mystery of the scrolls. He travels through the world and meets an assortment of different characters, some nice, some not so much, and eventually obtains the scrolls for himself. Seeing what they have written suddenly makes it all clear- this is a reason why so many people have invested such security on whether or not these are found. But now it’s too late and Michael’s life (and many others) is at stake.

The Eighth Scroll is fast moving and filled with twists and turns. It hops from location to location, character to character, but all of the plots are easily interwoven and complete in a nice way. There were many moments where I wanted to know what was going to happen next and was eager to get to the next page. Mystery thrillers are not a genre that I go after. I’m very unfamiliar with their layout and generally become lost in even televisions that cater to such a topic. But I happily stuck with this story and followed it through, I understood what was going on but it was still written in a way that not everything was given away to the reader. You had to keep going to figure out what was around the next turn.

You can check out a copy of this book at Barnes and Noble or Amazon.

Blood and Flowers

2011-05-11T12:08:00.001-04:00

As a preteen I went through a faery phase. Any book about faeries I could get my hands on I would devour. And at that time, during the early 2000's, there weren't many faery books available. In fact, I feel there wasn't so much of a prominent YA market as there is today. Granted this is based on personal opinion but it is what I remember.

Now I don't particularly like to admit this and it's a rare occasion when I do, but I'm an adult. I am no longer the preteen with sparkling fantasies. Faeries, other than those directly related to Shakespeare or folktales, don't hold the same fascination for me as they once did.

So it is with that I begin a less than stellar review... This YA novel didn't engage me. I couldn't find myself getting connected with any of the characters, and I was left looking for more plot, more description, more... everything. A lot goes on in this book and there is potential for some big plots. However, each plot is quickly taken care of.

The story follows the Outlaws, a theatrical troupe who end up in the land of Faery. I felt somewhat unprepared for this journey and feel it was rushed. I, as the reader, should have been knowledgable of everything in this story. Ok, maybe saying 'everything' is unfair. Of course a writer should have certain elements hidden but I was lost when I began this book. Where were the characters? How did they know of faeries? Even the backstories of many of the characters is not mentioned- only hinted at. I feel there was more potential for these characters to be characters I adore and cheer on but that simply was not possible with the information given.

In general, there was more time spent talking about the productions they were going to be putting on and the work they did leading up to the shows then anything about characteristics and plot. Now, I'm a supporter of the arts. I love theater and all it involves. I've worked with stage crews and I've performed on a stage. I know that there is a lot that goes into a production and it was nice to have a YA book highlight all the work that is involved. But it left me wanting more for the story itself.

I enjoy most YA books because they're quick reads that don't overwhelm me. Generally I am easy to please when it comes to these books but every once in awhile, I feel my age. I read a YA book that I can't follow and do not join due to it's simplicity. This, unfortunately, was one of those books.

The book may very well be more appropriate for a young teen but for this 24 year old the entertainment was lost on me.

The Life of Cesare Borgia

2011-05-09T15:30:00.000-04:00

Continuing with my new obsession of the Borgia family I happily grabbed Rafael Sabatini's biography of one of my favorite Borgia family members and devoured it over the course of a Friday night (a glass of wine was included in this adventure).

I had just finished reading The Family when I dove into a more factual telling of Cesare's life. However, I was pleasantly surprised that when Mario Puzo wrote The Family he really did stick to the facts of what happened to Cesare as he grew up and conquered so many lands. Sabantini is straight to the point with each important event that occurred during Cesare's life however he makes sure to also include all of the rumors that surrounded the family.

Now, if you do not know of the Borgia family, allow me to mention once more that this family was forever being followed by tales that completely conflict one another. Many times the supposive 'crimes' that the Borgia's committed were never true or at the very least suspected not to be. This family was powerful and this family, much like anyone with power, had a lot of enemies. If you were to have an enemy would you not suspect them to try and destroy you in any way possible? So why not use what you can against that whom you want to destroy?

So much of the more terrible things that Cesare Borgia and his family 'did' are suspected to be nasty rumors derived by their enemies and Sabatini makes it pretty clear that all negative talk about the family was just that- rumors. Sabatini does a great job knocking down every single rumor that was mentioned with a list of arguments that left me, as the reader, thinking "How could people believe these rumors in the first place?"

I'm partial to any information about Cesare and his relationship with Lucrezia. I am an only child and have fantasized that if I had a sibling we would be incredibly close to one another and I feel that these two siblings embodied that love. (No, not incest, head out of the gutter, please). However, there was very little mention about Lucrezia other than when something in her life directly affected Cesare himself. But, this is the life of Cesare so I guess it makes sense and if I want to learn more about their friendship I'll have to look elsewhere.

The fact is that I felt I got as much information about Cesare Borgia and his history as I could within this book. It did what it was made to do: Inform me on this man who was said to be incredibly handsome and filled with determination. If you are interested in the Borgia family and would like to know more about my favorite Borgia guy, I suggest you get thee to a bookstore or amazon and get this book.

RIP Oliver

2011-05-06T09:28:00.000-04:00

I had to put my cat to sleep on Wednesday.

I was there the day Oliver was born. He looked like a sausage with ears. It had been two years since we lost the first cat we ever had during my life time and I wanted another cat badly. Oliver was the kitten of my best friends cat. We watched him go from sausage to energetic kitten then took him home. He was so tiny, so cute, and immediately my buddy.

I recall the first night we had him I didn't sleep. He insisted on sleeping beside me and I was terrified I'd crush this tiny black and white kitten in my sleep.

He's always been my buddy, my best friend, and my go-to guy when I've needed to be comforted.

He was sick and hid it well. The visit to the vets office was horrible and the wait for him to leave us was torturous. I'm left feeling very empty.

There are other things going on in my life right now that have me upset and distracted but Oliver's departure takes the cake. With that... I have book reviews scheduled however it might be awhile before I add to those that are on the wait list. I just need some time...

11. 1. 1999 - 5. 4. 2011

The Family

2011-05-04T14:14:00.000-04:00

I am a complete Borgia family novice. I knew very little about them and only began to research the family for the most brief of knowledge after I heard of the Showtime series.

I watched the show and I fell in love with Cesare and Lucrezia Borgia.

I wanted to devour as much information as I could get my hands on. I wanted to know about these historical figures and compare all the information so that maybe, somehow, I could grow to understand this brother and sister who lived 500 years ago.

And so I began by reading the historic fiction by Mario Puzo (best known for The Godfather). Puzo was fascinated by the Borgia's and thought them to be 'the original crime family'. Now, I don't know much about other families in the broad spectrum of history so I can't exactly compare and say, "Wow, Mr. Puzo was entirely correct. The Borgias were the original crime family." However, from the way Puzo wrote this book I can totally see how his opinion influenced the historical facts.

The story, very simply, tells the tale of the Borgia family. Their rise to fame and their fall from it. Puzo doesn't spend much time going into wordy details about the scenery or descriptions of battles. he spends even less time on the dialogue between characters and yet he paints a picture where I grew attached to the Borgia's and the relationships they had with one another.

Despite their sins that range (in the book) from incest to murder I grew to feel for these characters. The Pope, Rodrigo, does what he needs to keep control over the papal lands and seems willing to do anything. And yet... he seems to still love his children, even if he makes poor decisions pertaining to them along the way.

Lucrezia, the daughter and 'good girl' seems to try hard in keeping all happy. Her incestuous love for her brother I find... lovely. I know! I know it's wrong! But I love the two of them and how they seem to complete one another. If they were not brother and sister they would surely be considered a perfect couple. Neil Jordan, the creator of the Showtime series, takes a different approach to the siblings. In the show they aren't incestuous (yet) but he was quoted to say:

I kind of want them to be almost the ideal lovers if they were not brother and sister. In other words, they will never find a bride or a groom that would live up to their expectations having grown up with each other. [link]

I feel this describes them well historically and fictionally. Mind you, historically the two likely did not have an incestuous relationship but it was a rumor spread by their enemies. It's just Puzo's take on it and I feel it was written well.

Cesare is fiercely protective, something I can understand, and he is a force to be reckoned with. He might have not been the nicest guy but he certainly loved his family.

If you are unfamiliar with the Borgia family the book certainly could still be read and enjoyed. You won't be lost or confused, I assure you. If you know of their history, well, Puzo follows it pretty well although takes some creative license in filling out the plot. If you know of the family then you know how the Borgia power ended but that's another story and I won't give it away on here. I really enjoyed the book and didn't want to put it down. I would suggest it to anyone who enjoys historical fiction or crime.

Check out the book with the link below and to check out the show go here.

Of Love and Evil

2011-05-02T09:50:00.000-04:00

Ah, Anne Rice. I'm still so happy to have the opportunity to read new books by you. A fan since I read The Vampire Chronicles for the first time nearly 13 years ago and still a fan to this day. When I read Angel Time I enjoyed the character Toby O'Dare. This novel picks up where the first left off. Toby is trying to be a better person and his interaction with his son, whom he met for the first time, is adorable.

There are new angels in this novel: particularly Toby's guardian angel who takes form and a demonic angel who appears further along in the novel. Toby, as in the first book, is asked to complete a mission for the angels. He is sent back to Italy to help a Jewish man and does it with great ease. I was slightly disappointed in this. It's as if he walked into the house, spotted the problem, and all was taken care of. Too easy and far too quick.

It isn't until after that Toby is tempted by the devilish angel and I found it possibly the most interesting thing in the book. Then again, I always find this stuff interesting. Give me a book where a devil is tempting someone and the person is fighting the temptation and I'm set. I love that type of stuff.

After this scene Toby attempts to rid a home of a ghost and even this I find more interesting than Toby's initial mission. The storyline pertaining to who is haunting the residence is interesting and tugged at my heart. The book moved quickly although I feel that I wasn't as attached to it as the first. I suspect that is because there is very little time in which we are dealing with Toby's real life compared to the first novel. It dove right into "Angel Time". However, I'm still interested in reading more about Toby no matter my disappointment with this book. I will also happily continue to read whatever else Anne Rice might surprise us with (still, I beg that she writes another Vampire Chronicle story).

Bats at the Beach

2011-04-27T11:06:00.000-04:00

I’ve seen this book on display through spring and summer months and have always been curious of it. And yet, I’ve always drifted past the book thinking I should pick it up and read it but always having an excuse. Either I was too busy or I was reading something else.

Finally I grabbed the book, enjoying one of our first warm spring days I rejoiced to have something that reminded me of summer. And my goodness what an adorable children’s picture book!!

With a cute rhyming storyline the tale is told of bats going to out for a ‘night’ at the beach. They had moon tan lotion! How adorable is that? But really the story line was second hand to the illustrations which I truly enjoyed. All of the little details of the different bats from babies to older bats.

There was a baby bat with swimmies on for the water- I’m sorry, but that is quite possibly the cutest thing ever.

The story is very reflective of what people usually do when they go to a beach with many of the same activities but, of course, this is a group of bats. So it’s twisted a little bit and made into a more bat-like time filled with lots of bugs to eat. I think it’s a perfect children’s book for little kids who like bats and bugs or maybe just the beach. There are other bat books… that I haven’t read yet. But after enjoying this one I feel that I won’t take so long going off to read the others that I always see on display!

Teaser Tuesday - April 26th

2011-04-26T09:15:00.000-04:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

She had been the grandmother of Aunt Queen, and I always saw a certain likeness in these portraits, in the eyes and the shape of the faces, though others claimed they could not. But then...

Blackwood Farm by Anne Rice

Note: Is it really the end of April already? When I typed in the header, I put "March" in at first.
And hey, check out the Raymond Rose Primer. You can look at it there. Free stuff is always a good thing, isn't it?

Angelfire

2011-04-25T11:43:00.007-04:00

The first book in the Angelfire trilogy, this debut novel is pretty lengthy and not something I would have generally gone after in the bookstore. In fact, I had seen the cover of the book and continued moving on with little interest in it. Yes, I judge books by their covers and typically I’m a good judge. However, I must admit that this time I was wrong.

I’m sure the concept of ‘reapers’ is more popular than I think. The theme of angels is certainly something that has caught the interest of young adult readers in the past year, bumping vampires only slightly out of the limelight. The love that is forbidden is a HUGE theme and a great way to grab a teenager’s attention.

Ellie, the main character and voice of this book, isn’t necessarily your loner that you see in most YA books as of late. She isn’t exactly ‘popular’ either, but she’s rich and has a group of friends, not the best student in school, but she is generally a nice girl who tries her best with life. She’s a likeable character who doesn’t hold much back and isn’t very whiney despite the situations she finds herself in.

Enter Will. Will is incredibly gorgeous, mysterious, and kind of following Ellie around. Typical of a YA book, right? Well, aside from a few moments where the interaction between Will and Ellie made me think of other YA books, I really enjoyed this pair because they find a way to separate themselves from the other YA couples that are out there. Will has been following Ellie around for a long time… like, hundreds of years. He is Ellie’s guardian and she is the reincarnation of ‘something’. Her job? To fight and kill evil reapers. Think of the Grim Reaper… ‘cept there are different breeds of ‘reapers’ and they’re all equally frightening and mean. Well, aside from the nice ones, but that’s a whole other story. For thousands of years Ellie has been reincarnated and grown as a mortal with extraordinary powers that allow her to go up against these creatures and for about 500 years Will has been by her side. Unlike Ellie, Will is more or less immortal.

Not to my surprise the characters are in love with one another. Well, ok so I lie. I was totally hoping they’d fall in love with one another. While having a slow moment at work I sat down the book and proclaimed to my coworker, “When are these two going to kiss?? They need to kiss already!” But their love, and this is what reminds me of other YA books, is forbidden. Unlike the other books on the market the characters in Angelfire seem to stick to their morals and promises a little more. I love the character Will because he doesn’t turn into a big bag of squish due to his feelings. He keeps his head in the game, is tough as hell, and is hard to be swayed. Despite his tough exterior he has some faults but he remains forever truthful and committed to his mission.

I enjoy that Ellie was both a typical teenage girl and also this mysterious being. Her memory of her past lives came back slowly although her fighting abilities almost came naturally. Her confusion, denial, and eventual acceptance of all of this is, in my opinion, accurate of how a teenage girl (or anyone for that matter) would generally take such ‘news’.

Of course, this is the first book in the trilogy so there are a lot of questions left unanswered. It’s unnerving for me, I hate cliffhangers, but I suppose it’s somewhat needed in a book that has two follow-ups. If you’re interested in discovering more about the world of the Grim, where the reapers come from and a place that all the former Ellie’s knew so well, go to your local bookstore. The book is out in full force and you’ll be able to find it easily. If I understand it correctly, the following two books will be published once a year. The second book, Wings of the Wicked, will be out next year followed by Hymn of the Fallen to be published during 2013

Angelfire (Angelfire - Trilogy)

Happy Birthday Shakespeare!

2011-04-23T09:39:00.000-04:00

Today is the 447th birthday of Shakespeare! He also died on this date... but we'll focus on his birthday. It's also Talk Like Shakespeare day but I'm going to save you all from the embarrassment of my talking like Shakespeare. It's bad. You're better off not hearing it.

Shakespeare and I at the Pennsylvania Renaissance Faire

I love Shakespeare and I fully intend on celebrating the day by squeezing in a little bit of reading time of one of his plays. I've read a ton of his work and all of his prose but... as I was looking over a list of his work and checking off what I've read, I realize I can't remember half of the titles. How sad is that? Doesn't really count as 'works I've read' in my opinion. So with that I've decided to reread all of his plays.

One of my bucket list goals is to have read every work of Edgar Allan Poe and Shakespeare, might as well get going. So I am going to curl up with my Shakespeare coffee cup and start reading! Oh, you haven't seen my Shakespeare cup spam yet? Allow me:

It was a gift from a friend and I still squeal over it.

If you're interested in talking like Shakespeare, please visit this site for general amusement and information.
If you're interested in getting your own Shakespeare cup check out the insult cup (the one I own), the romance cup, and the smutty one.

None the less, Happy Birthday Shakespeare!

Blog Hop- April 22nd

2011-04-22T10:35:00.000-04:00

Blog Hop:

This Weeks Question:
"If you find a book you love, do you hunt down other books by the same author?"

Answer:
Most definitely. It's always a hit or miss, of course. One book I might love by an author might mean nothing in the grande scheme of things. I might just have loved the subject manner or the characters in that particular book and come to find that the other books, by the same author, have very little hold on me. But I always will scope out more books by an author whom I enjoy and give it a try. I just finished reading Mario Puzo's The Family and loved it. I've never read any of his other books but now, I think I might. I might check out The Godfather and his other novels because I enjoyed the flowing writing style that Puzo wrote in. Will I enjoy the subject manner? I don't know. I'm not big on crime books. However, The Family certainly had enough anger and crime and yet I loved every page. So we'll see!

General Update:
I've been busy working and reading. I have a backlog of books to read and I'm trying to keep up with the stack so that I may get at least two book reviews up a week. Wish me luck, because I'm falling a little behind.

If you're celebrating the holiday(s) that are going on this week(end), I hope you have a nice time. If you aren't celebrating anything- just enjoy the time off!

All Just Glass

2011-04-20T12:27:00.000-04:00

Shattered Mirror, published a number of years ago, followed twin vampires (Nikolas and Kristopher), their sister, and their ties to a witch and trained vampire killer Sarah. One of the many books I enjoyed reading during High School long before vampire fiction for teens was a mainstream event I really enjoyed that book. Although, now when I read it I see the simplicity of it due to it’s writing style but what is most fascinating is that the author was only a teenager herself. Amelia Atwater-Rhodes is, to my knowledge, a few years older than myself. She’s been a published author since she was fourteen and I’ve loved every one of her vampire books. This author has ultimately grown up as she’s written her books and I feel that this novel, All Just Glass (a follow up to Shattered Mirror) truly displays her maturing writing style. There is something interesting in reading Amelia Atwater-Rhodes books compared to some other authors. Many authors start being published as adults, their writing styles might not change very much or ‘mature’, however with this particular author you are seeing the writings of a fourteen year old girl and how they change as she gets older.

When I originally read Shattered Mirror I appreciated how strong of a character Sarah was and I’m always a sap for any type of a vampire who is even remotely mysterious (the twins, in these two books). Spoilers, if you haven’t read Shattered Mirror, go do it right now before you continue reading!

Sarah Vida is no longer the witch she was, she’s been made into a vampire with the intention that if she can make the choice between living as the leech that she once hunted or take her own life. She may not have to make the decision herself because her mother proclaims that the witch families must get together and fight to kill Sarah and ‘free’ her of the life she was forced into. Once again, we’re faced with the decision- do you stay faithful to the wishes of your family or not?

Sarah is still as brave as ever and even more so because she fights the urges of a newborn vampire. Nikolas, who was kind of a jerk in the last novel, has a softer side in this one and I’ve grown to like him even more while Kristopher seems a little more weak- but not obnoxiously so. I appreciate that in this book Sarah isn’t in love with anyone. She doesn’t fall head over heels in love with the twin brothers and her ultimate decision of whether or not she wants to continue on living has nothing to do with her feelings towards these boys. It’s refreshing to read a vampire fiction book where the characters aren’t throwing their lives away in the name of being with a brooding vampire.

I really enjoy this authors books. Every time I see she has one of her vampire books coming out I eagerly await then read the book as quickly as I can and I’m never left feeling disappointed. They’re enjoyable quick reads that always leave me wanting more when I’ve closed the book (or turned off the Kindle, in this case). I think that means something- if I finish a book and can’t immediately hop into another one. When I finish it and I linger over what I had just read. That quiet moment where I sit there gripping the book and thinking of the characters, consider what happened to them, wonder if I want to find out or if I’m content for the mystery the end of books give.

Love Your World

2011-04-18T07:03:00.000-04:00

Another environment-friendly children's book to help instruct your little one the benefit of recycling and taking care of the earth. This is a great guide for children who would like to live green (well, more like their parents might want them to live green).

The book goes through much more than Choose to Recycle with project ideas and a check off list for parents to use as your child achieves each 'green living' point and a nice little 'super green start' award for the child at the end of the book.

I don't know about you, but as a kid if I could receive any type of a pat on the back for a job well done then I wanted to do the work even more.

Some of the project ideas and general life lessons include how to make a little garden, what to recycle, not to litter, how to conserve energy, reusing objects for something else (old socks => sock puppets), even suggesting taking vacations close to home so that you don't have to depend on cars, trains, and planes as much.

Sort of heavy stuff for little kids but I'm a firm believer that children will grasp the concepts, even if they might not fully understand the benefits to 'living green', it's great that so many books are becoming available to teach children at an early age that protecting the environment is good. Maybe, if more children begin doing this at a young age and continue with this through their lives there will be a more positive effect on the environment than the past generations have had. One can hope.

The Easter Egg

2011-04-13T12:21:00.001-04:00

I am such a fan of Jan Brett. No matter her book, no matter if I'm interested in the story (which has yet to happen, but I'm just saying...), I adore the artwork. I can't say enough positive things about the beautiful illustrations of Jan Brett books. Every one of them is detailed with such skill and beauty in a world where most children's books are filled with simplistic designs.

The tale is about Hoppi the bunny who is, at first, determined to make the most creative and beautiful Easter Egg out of all the bunnies. He goes from bunny to bunny and looks at their designs, marveling in all, and his helpful friends offer him tools so that he may try his hand at creating a wonderful Easter Egg as well. The bunny who creates the most perfect Easter Egg will be able to go with the Easter Bunny to hide eggs for Easter morning.

Along his travels he meets with a Robin who is panicking because one of her eggs fell from her nest. Hoppi decides, rather than make an Easter Egg, he will try and protect the robin's egg. His selflessness involves sitting through rain and sun and protecting the egg through the dark and frightening night.

Ultimately, Hoppi is praised for his good heart and bravery in the end but you'll have to read the book to see what I mean.

A cute spring time book filled with, as mentioned, beautiful illustrations that detail much of what is seen during the early spring months. From the browned grass to the pussy willow blooms, Jan Brett details all the beauty of spring right down to the smallest detail. I mean, Hoppi has little acorn bed knobs in his room! How adorable is that?

This is a cute addition to any spring time book collections and a nice gift for Easter morning. There isn't any reference to Christian beliefs in it, for those wondering. Go to your local bookstore and check out this adorable children's book.

The Vampire Diaries: The Return: Midnight

2011-04-11T13:18:00.000-04:00

Let me tell you right now: I was infuriated for two days after finishing Midnight. When I had initially finished it I sat in my reading chair, staring at my Kindle, then quickly flipped to the very end of the book before continuing to stare in simple disbelief. I then proceeded to complain to a friend through text messages and stomp around my house. The next day I continued to complain to my coworkers and I’m complaining now. This review is filled with spoilers. Ridiculous spoilers that will make you upset or relieved, depending on what characters you like, and if you enjoy the show or the books I might stop reading this right now.

If you are curious and just can’t bear to ignore what I have to say, then please, read on.

Now I’ve fallen completely in love with The Vampire Diaries tv show and while the books are great entertainment, something I would label as a ‘beach read’ (as in you don’t have to pay full attention to get the plot and can put it down then pick it up again without forgetting where you were), they are just that- entertainment. Considering the series was first published in the early 1990’s LJ Smith’s writing style hasn’t really improved or matured over the past twenty years. Maybe that was intentional, seeing that the books are meant to be from the prospective of teenagers, however there is one very large issue I had with this book.

I told you there would be ridiculous spoilers in this post so let’s get straight to the point: Damon dies. Damon, my favorite character in the books aside from Meredith, dies. I had accidentally found spoilers before the book was released proclaiming this and I was hoping they were just lies… don’t kill my favorite character. I never react well to the death of characters I love. Well, sure enough, he dies. And I didn’t enjoy how he died. It was a quick and rushed action for him to be essentially killed but his actual death was long winded and, excuse the pun, but complete overkill. All of this beside the fact that I was going “NO. NO. NO.” in my room while I read of his death. So, ok, I learned to deal with his death and moved on reading the book and how our Team Vampire Diaries saved their town and everyone lived (except Damon) but I was in a bad mood after that.

Bonnie, hush, you’re too skittish and drive me up a wall. I think I would have a love/hate relationship with a person who acted remotely like her. Elena bothers me in the books, she’s too needy yet is ‘known’ for being headstrong. One minute she is making clear demands and the next she’s being handled like a child. Stefan is weak, so much weaker than the character in the show. He’s completely whipped by Elena, whatever she says goes and he doesn’t seem to question it… ever. I think that’s what I enjoyed about Damon, he would sometimes buckle under Elena’s commands but generally did his own thing.

But what made me so incensed was that after this huge plot, all of these dramatics that have sprawled out over the past few books, the essential ‘bad guys’ just kind of disappeared with little fight. As if Smith would rather concentrate on the slow moving relationships of the good guys and didn’t want to deal with the ‘bad’ guys anymore she just brushed them aside and made them go away as quickly as possible. And then… on then… the end. The last chapter which is basically just one page and alludes to Damon not being dead but suddenly being brought back to life… yet not knowing who he is.

I flipped. I was shaking my Kindle back and forth in my hand going, “YOU CAN’T JUST BRING HIM BACK TO LIFE THEN END THE SERIES. YOU CAN’T DO THAT. WHAT HAPPENED TO HIM? HE’S NOT EVEN ON EARTH. HE DOESN’T KNOW WHO HE IS. HOW IS HE SUPPOSED TO GET BACK? IF HE DOES WHAT HAPPENS TO ELENA AND STEFANS RELATIONSHIP? WHAT IS GOING ON? I CAN’T BELIEVE THIS.” Capslocks and all, I was very upset. Like I said, I don’t react very well to characters I like being killed off. You’d think I would be pleased he was brought back to life, which I am, I love my Damon, but you can’t bring him back to life in a page and a half then just have it end. No. It can’t work like that!

So. If you have been reading The Vampire Diaries please go read this book because it does wrap up the series and it is the last written by LJ Smith. Where the series is going to go after this, I don’t know. The information about it all is awfully confusing because it appears that Alloy Entertainment owns the rights for Vampire Diaries and not the author herself? I’m not sure. I can understand LJ Smith wanting to wrap things up if she will no longer be ‘allowed’ to write these books but I just wish she did it a little different and the ending wasn’t so blunt and left me with so many questions. Is her writing fantastic? No, I’ve read better fiction than this. However, I appreciate the concept, I enjoy some of the characters, and I can’t say anything too negative about Smith because these books have served as a form of entertainment for a few years now. If I hated them, I could have stopped reading the series, but I didn’t because I had an emotional tie to these characters. I wanted to know what happened to them and see where their lives went. To me, that makes the writing good enough. Pertaining to style and the rights and wrongs of writing a novel, well, that’s a whole other argument that I don’t feel like getting into right now.

If you’re interested in more news about LJ Smith being ‘fired’ from The Vampire Diaries please refer to this link. Don’t boycott the books or tv show though. I love the show, it’s always keeping me on the edge of my seat.

Madeline at the White House

2011-04-06T08:40:00.000-04:00

I grew up reading Madeline and I adored watching the animations of the story book character. Even now when I see Madeline books displayed in stores I feel a warm fuzzy feeling that's reminiscent of reading books as a child. Madeline at the White House was published at the end of January and filled with the highlights of America's capitol.

The book features an assortment of different important locations in DC. Arlington National Cemetery, the White House (obviously), the Washington Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, and so many more. Madeline and the little girls come from France as a special gift of sorts for the President's daughter, Miss Penelope (Candle) Randall. Her father is far too busy and her mother is away but to keep her from being lonely she has the little girls from the house covered in vines to keep her company.

They have a ton of fun, but, Candle is upset that she can't go out and actually see DC. She's kept in the White House and still has yet to see the city itself. But Madeline's rabbit magician friend (who decided to slip into the girls suitcases) uses his magical powers to bring forth a cherry blossom tide that carries the girls through a tour of Washington DC on the last night that Madeline is there.

Cherry Blossoms and Washington DC kind of go hand in hand so I enjoyed that particular touch to the story. It's a cute little book for any Madeline enthusiast but also displays many of the tourist attractions that Washington DC (one of my favorite cities) has to hold.

Teaser Tuesday- March 5th

2011-04-05T08:27:00.000-04:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

He gave me a quick nod and turned away, disappearing. I shook my head in disbelief.
Angelfire by Courtney Allison Moulton

Blood and Gold

2011-04-04T14:14:00.000-04:00

Ah, Marius de Romanus. During the course of The Vampire Chronicles we have heard of Marius over and over again. He’s an important figure and near and dear to many characters. He tells his story to Lestat and much of Armand’s own story is about Marius. He cares for Those Who Must Be Kept, we know this from the previous Vampire Chronicles, and he’s a prominent role in Queen of the Damned. Pandora’s book follows much of her relationship with Marius as well. All of this news and stories of this character and yet it took so long for Marius’ own book to be developed.

So. Marius. You’re not necessarily my most favorite character. I don’t really know why I disliked him so much when I first read the Vampire Chronicles and even now as I’ve been reading through the Chronicles again I was like “Sigh, here we go, Marius’ book is next.” And yet… AND YET… reading Blood and Gold this time around (the second time I ever read it since it was first published when I was in High School) I really grew to like Marius.

He is an intelligent, headstrong type of character. He’s totally someone you already know, that stubborn person who wants everything to go his way and tries very hard to make things good and yet somehow or other, manages to mess everything up in the process. He’s a scholar and forever looking for something. Whether it’s happiness, looking to keep his loved ones safe, looking to keep Those Who Must Be Kept safe.

I’m sure I’ve blabbered about this before but the thing that fascinates me about vampires, no, not vampires. The idea of being immortal sounds so fantastic to me because I am a complete nerd. Live forever and see history be made? Ok! Meet worlds of people and watch as they pass into legend? Yes please. Travel the world? Learn every language? Read every book? Oh my goodness, it sounds like the best thing ever. All of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicle books hint at such an existence but, aside from Pandora, Marius’ book really displays the changing of time as this character, (who is over 2,000 years old) exists through the growing and downfall of many a nation. I love it; it’s fascinating to read.

One thing that bothers me about Anne Rice’s books is that she brings so many characters into her stories that you never hear from again. This is a personal issue that a few of my friends will understand but darn it, I want to know what happens to these characters who appear to be so interesting and yet as soon as they leave the characters life there is little mention of them.

The vampires of the original Theatre des Vampires? What happened to them? Laurent, one of it’s members, is brought up in the book Queen of the Damned but only to display his death, the same goes for another of the male members. But what about the women? Eleni? She was featured so much more than Laurent and yet there was never a mention of her after the 2nd novel in the Chronicles. Now in Blood and Gold, there are so many characters that are mentioned and then forgotten. Avicus, Zenobia, Arjun, and Bianca where did these vampires go? Anne Rice, I want to know what happened to these awesome characters!

But, I can’t hate that she brought these characters in. Marius is so head strong and kind of a jerk at times, he wants things to go his way, he wants a sense of control, he wants to be the teacher in the situation and that doesn’t always pan out for him. And yet, you see his more gentle side with weaker more innocent characters. He has an outpouring of love for Avicus and Zenobia, two characters he comes in contact with.

All of this, his history filled with travel, love and loss, and the protection of Those Who Must Be Kept, and Marius tells it freely to a vampire named Thorne who has just woken from a long sleep with the intention of finding his maker and causing her great harm.

The relationship between Marius and the modern day is interesting as well. He sounds so regal, so mature in many ways, and yet when he sets loose to mingle with mortals and feed beside Thorne he sounds like he could appear to be any man at a club are bar. I appreciate that change in character because through all of the other books I saw Marius as this figure that was untouchable and complete separated from humans. It’s nice to see him associate with them.

The book has a lot of historical references, whether or not they’re accurate I don’t know, but I enjoyed traveling through time with this man. This character that you have forever heard of and associated with in one way or another but never had too much alone time with. The book goes from thousands of years before and brings you up to date to a more present time where Those Who Must Be Kept are no longer alive and there is a new reigning sovereign.

I have to say I enjoyed this book so much more than I did as a young High School student. I don’t know, maybe I appreciate the sense of time a little more than I did at the earlier age. Isn’t that what I’ve been discovering though? It’s all tied in with time. I read these books at such a young age, whether it’s The Vampire Chronicles or some other book, and I reread them at my age now- ten years or so having passed by- and I’m forever surprised at how much my opinion has changed. It’s the magic of literature and sort of proof of how powerful aging can be. It can alter your opinion, through life lessons or simply education, things change. I’ve been repeating this over and over again with each Vampire Chronicle that I read but I can’t say it enough because it amazes me each and every time.

Now I only have two books left to read of The Vampire Chronicles before I’ve fully read the series over again (it’s been nearly two years that I’ve been going through these books). We’ll see what my impression is of those upcoming books.

But here is the point of Blood and Gold. Marius is fascinating and this book travels through 2,000 years. The bonds he creates and breaks are worth the read and seeing that he is so often mentioned in the previous Vampire Chronicles the book is a must read just for those who are traveling through the series.

Oh, and PS: believe nothing that the horrible movie Queen of the Damned tells you about Marius. Just. Don't do it.

Choose to Recycle

2011-03-30T11:20:00.000-04:00

I haven't written about any children's books in a really long time... sorry!

Earth Hour just passed us by and Earth Day is quickly coming upon us so I figured I'd write a couple of posts pertaining to some cute kids books that have to do with the environment!

First up is Choose to Recycle. It might not have a very attention grabbing title but this touch and feel book, made out of recycled paper, is bright and informative for children. With each page there is an example of what you can recycle and the power of the action.

Example: if you were to recycle a worn out bike tire it could ultimately be made into a ball of which you can play with. There is an assortment of examples such as these and they use objects which children know, toys they play with, which could potentially help children to remember to recycle with a little more ease. Add to that the touch and feel side of the book and it's all the more enjoyable.

It's quick, only ten pages long or so, but the point of the book is worth mentioning:

"What will you help to make when you remember to recycle?"

A good message to teach your children at an early age. Hopefully they'll grasp the concept and dive straight into taking care of the environment and learn to do it all their lives.

Merrick

2011-03-28T13:14:00.000-04:00

Continuing with my read through of Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles the next book on my list after Vittorio was Merrick. Another novel that is part of “The New Tales of the Vampires" category and one that I have read only once way back during my days as a High School student.

My memory of reading this book in High School goes as followed: I remember skipping through as much of it as I could because I was only interested in reading about Louis de Pointe du Lac and finding out what was going on with him. He’s one of my favorite characters and I was thrilled that this book seemed to feature a lot of him. But… I remember disliking the majority of the rest of it and being annoyed by the end.

But why did I dislike the rest of the book? Why was I annoyed with the ending? I couldn’t quite remember until I sat down and read through Merrick for the second time in my life.

The book, despite its thickness, only covers a few events. Its thickness comes from the character David recalling his relationship with the character Merrick. Now, I didn’t like Merrick while I was in High School and I never was able to remember why I disliked her. I enjoyed her character a little more, at the very least, reading the book now. I even enjoyed her life story a little more.

Merrick, a beautiful woman with a little bit of a drinking habit, can converse with spirits and is skilled in the art of voodoo. I know as a teenager I wasn’t very knowledgeable about that subject but now I understood it a little more (by no means am I a know it all with voodoo, just so you understand) and therefore enjoyed the concept of her life story.

But still, my heart was completely devoted to Louis. God, I love his character so much. Even if he is kind of a wet blanket I loved him the very moment I read Interview with the Vampire at the ripe old age of 12. I like to nurture… or at the very least a lot of people say I mother them… Louis is the kind of character who, in my mind, needs to be nurtured. He also is calm and happy to just be left alone to read- my type of guy. He’s filled with emotions just like me so maybe, I see myself in him, if only a little.

Although Louis has made brief appearances in the previous Vampire Chronicle books he was never present very much since Interview with the Vampire, which is his life story. Now it’s the present day and we’re returning to Louis and his heartbreak over so much that has happened in his life. I find him fascinating and was eager in High School, just as I was reading it presently, to see how he reacted to the ghost of his immortal daughter being brought forth. His downfall and resurrection is just… something exciting for me. Most of the book is backstory of who Merrick is and I found myself not really caring. I got it, she’s a force to be reckoned with, she knows how to speak to spirits, but I wanted to hear what was going on with Louis.

Finally we stop hearing about Merrick’s past and the story moves along with Merrick working alongside the vampires to bring forth the immortal child Claudia’s ghost to earth so that Louis may converse with her. Suddenly, all of this action is taking place and the story is moving along. It only took more than half of the book to get to this point- and that is what annoys me about Merrick.

What also annoys me is that there are all of these looming possibilities for plot at the end of the book. A secret order known as the Talamasca (if you have read The Vampire Chronicles before then you likely know what I’m talking about) has decided to rise up against the vampires of New Orleans. They’ve decided they’ve had enough. And then… then the book ends. That’s it. Just this big temptation then nothing more and it annoys me greatly.

So, I suppose if you are a fan of the characters David, Louis, or Merrick it’s worth the read. If you enjoy reading a series straight through, then you should read this book because some important stuff does happen to the characters, but otherwise I just find it annoying that so little happens in this book.

RIP Diana Wynne Jones

2011-03-26T11:45:00.000-04:00

The author of the beloved books such as Howl's Moving Castle, Dark Lord of Derkholm, and the Chrestomanci series has died overnight at age 76. She was diagnosed with lung cancer during the summer of 2009.

I feel that author Neil Gaiman put it best:

@neilhimself: Rest in Peace, Diana Wynne Jones. You shone like a star. The funniest, wisest writer & finest friend.http://bit.ly/htSQue

I leave you now with the trailer of the movie adaptation of one of her books.

Winner of CSN Stores Give Away!!

2011-03-25T18:00:00.000-04:00

This is rushed, but I counted all of your entries, put the numbers through random.org and the winner of the gift certificate for CSN Stores is...

Domestic Diva!

Congratulations, I'll be emailing you tonight/tomorrow morning with your gift card code.

Thank you all for entering!

Have a wonderful weekend and happy reading!

Vittorio the Vampire

2011-03-23T09:27:00.000-04:00

It's amazing what a couple of years does to the opinion of a book. I read Vittorio for the first time while a student in High School and just finished my second reading this past weekend. I recall enjoying the book while in High School, thinking it was pretty and fascinating, also loving the character Vittorio. But I found myself coming to the conclusion that my opinion has altered.

Since High School I've willingly read up on an assortment of historical details and yet I know so little. That's the thing with History, there is so much to learn and while you're trying to gather all the information more history is being created. So now I know who the Medici's are. Now I have a better understanding of Tuscany. I also have a better understanding of human behavior and emotions than I did when I was a teenager. Granted, I'm not omniscient of such a topic but I certainly know a little more than I did when I was younger.

Vittorio, as a character, doesn't quiet grab hold of me. I feel that he is the most mortal of the vampires in the rest of Rice's chronicles. Five hundred years and he still exists in his little home with his immortal bride. He's not very adventurous, in my opinion, so that bores me. I'm always itching to travel, to move to a new place, and yet he's settled in Italy for hundreds of years. His immortal bride, Ursula, not only makes me think of the Little Mermaid character but I find her sort of annoying. She sounds beautiful and fascinating to watch but she seems so weak. Two hundred years old and she's always crying and depending upon a newborn vampire (Vittorio). She's incredibly weak and so… clingy.

Vittorio's story is interesting, his love and fierce loyalty to his family is something I can relate to. Because, really, if my family was hunted by a group of vampires I'm pretty sure I would react the same way he did. The sight of angels is something I particularly enjoyed because when that idea is tossed into a story (and it fits, it's not random or sappy) I'm always interested to see how the author describes these beings. They emerge from the paintings Vittorio so loves and their description (which I don't want to get too into, best for you to read it yourself) is what I picture an angel to be.

(Slight spoiler) When Vittorio goes against his promise to destroy the coven of vampires by allowing Ursula to live he more or less damns his soul. He had the aid of the angels and broke his word so in retaliation he is given the ability to see the souls within every living being. The idea is terrifying if you consider what he is at this point- a vampire. With the need to drink blood from the living and yet seeing the soul within the very creature you are depending on for strength you would have to see that light, the soul, suffer and dim as you take the life. It's not just a physical thing anymore but you see the spiritual affect you are having on the creature you're living on.

The historical references only made me want to read my history books. I've been on a need-for-history kick recently and this certainly didn't help. But that's okay! It's a good thing! I like reading about history!

This book differentiates from the other Vampire Chronicle books because Vittorio is a vampire that has never been mentioned before and generally just stays off by himself. His story isn't tied into any of the previous stories we've read and he's never mentioned again. It's completely separate although the vampire as a being is still the same. It's much more spiritual than some of the other books and Vittorio is much more devoted to his religious practices so this might turn the reader away. Despite that I did not enjoy the book as much as I originally had in High School it's still an interesting read and I enjoyed myself while flipping through it.

Teaser Tuesday- March 22

2011-03-22T11:33:00.000-04:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

His boots were soon wet, and so he stretched out his arms, summoning the Cloud Gift without words, and began his ascent so that he might travel low over the land, listening for others of his kind, hoping to find an old one like himself, someone who might welcome him. Weary of the Mind Gift and its random messages, he wanted to hear spoken words.

Blood and Gold by Anne Rice

Blog Hop- March 18th!

2011-03-18T11:21:00.000-04:00

Blog Hop:

This Weeks Question:
"Do you read only one book at a time, or do you have several going at once?"

I have a horrible tendency to read more than one book at a time. As a kid and teenager I would easily switch from one book to another. I distinctly remember being in bed and reading a chapter from one book, move to the next to read another chapter, and then on. I had to learn how to read more than one book at a time all through my years of education or else I would never have had a chance to do pleasure reading. Being an English major, I would regularly have four books to read from cover to cover during the course of one week, all as class assignments. It was incredibly hard to do any pleasure reading at that point but when I could squeeze it in, I would.

Now that I have all the time in the world to do pleasure reading I'm not quite hopping from one book to another anymore. However I am forever 'reading' a selection of books. I've been taking my time with these publications, reading a little bit every couple of weeks or months, but I feel that the works call for such treatment because they're rather lengthy and I'm so easily distracted by other books.
The Complete Poems of William Blake
The Complete Works of Edgar Allan Poe
Modern European History
Don Quixote

And then, I'm reading Vittorio the Vampire by Anne Rice. I also have a couple of other books open that I haven't really begun to read (only have read a page or two). I just can't help reading multiple books at once. I've been doing it since grade school and it's now a part of me.

Happy St. Patty's Day!

2011-03-17T13:01:00.001-04:00

This past weekend I celebrated the holiday with a friend at Jim Thorpe! Today I'll be celebrating it in a completely different way by seeing The National Theatre (London) performing Frankenstein at a theater an hour from home. I'm excited!

Check out my parade video from Sunday and enjoy your holiday, whether or not you're Irish!

Guest Post: A Little Bit Wicked

2011-03-16T11:49:00.000-04:00

Guest Blogger: Brandon
Writing About: Kristin Chenoweth's A Little Bit Wicked

Hello, My name is Brandon and I am what can only be described as a South Korean, trapped in an American's body. I was adopted through Catholic Charities and raised in Baltimore by my parents who helped form me into the man I am today. I love to listen, or to hear people's stories either face to face of through films and books. I first found this obsession while reading Sir Ken Robinson's "The Element: How Finding Your Passion Changes Everything". Since then I have crammed every Malcolm Gladwell and enjoyed books like "Glass Castle" by Jeannette Walls and "Easy Rider, Raging Bull" by Peter Biskind.

When I was first told that one of my favorite actors has written a book called “A Little Bit Wicked: Life, Love, and Faith in Stages” I may have knocked over a few things to get to my computer to order this book. I am of course speaking of Kristin Chenoweth, who has some hardware in the award case for her roles in “You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown” and “Pushing Daisies”.

I want to start with this note. I not only read books but I also listen to them during my commute to the office. If you question the idea of listening to a book over reading it, this is one of many books I suggest. Kristin reads the book herself and her energy and emotions come through the reading. As suggested by the title, this autobiography focuses on Kristin’s life, loves, and faith which is fairly predominant in her life. And of course her amazingly popular sitcom “Kristin”.

I am a sucker for motivational and inspirational type books and this book is no exception. Kristin comes across as the good old girl, modest and a little quirky. There is so much to take in from this read that I really don’t know where to start. For someone that is so accomplished in what they do, it’s interesting reading about what went wrong in their journey, and why those things were the best events in their life.

As Kristin takes the reader through her life there is a lot to be said about her faith in good things happening, her love of music and family. The stories are heartfelt and add humility though the good and bad times and how this two time pageant second runner up made it to Broadway and Hollywood.

Kristin has a very different outlook on being a Christian. When I say different, I do not mean weird or strange, I mean LOGICAL. Her stories were not all serious, to be quite honest, it is quite the opposite. There is just something about a person who can laugh about the events of the past especially when it involves mild humiliation and hair tumors.

Coming to the second half of the book we get to Wicked but there really wasn’t as much as I expected. There are so many stories that sometimes they seem rushed. This is a little bit of a problem for me in the audio book but I can see how that wouldn’t come across in the book. I think the book balances between life and work pretty good and I think the stories get funnier as the book goes on.

I am kind of taken back by how much she lingers on The West Wing and Aaron Sorkin. Her description of The West Wing experience is nothing less then a family. As a HUGE fan of the show It is just as wonderful as I expected. Yet another reason to try out the audiobook is a Sorkin cameo when it goes into their relationship and experiences through productions like Studio 60.

One thing I was not expecting was the better part of chapter one being about her adoption. Wait, What? This caught me off guard and as I read on I think there were several points where I teared up a bit. I have never heard someone with such a similar beginning and a solid understanding on how they feel about their family and biological family.

Check out more about Brandon at his website: newrevmedia.tv.

Teaser Tuesday- March 15

2011-03-15T06:25:00.000-04:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"When I was a small boy I had a terrible dream. I dreamt I held in my arms the severed heads of my younger brother and sister."

Vittorio, the Vampire by Anne Rice

Little Women

2011-03-14T11:31:00.000-04:00

My mother and I enjoy watching old movies together. We would watch all the classics made into films or the MGM musicals with Gene Kelly dancing across the stage. It’s beautiful, romantic, and captures my attention completely. One such movie was Little Women. Not that 1994 version. Oh, no. I mean the 1949 film with June Allyson, Margaret O’Brien, and Elizabeth Taylor. It was then that I fell in love with the March girls and picked my favorites of the sisters (Jo and Beth respectably). But what about the book the movies were based on? We own a lovely hardcover with beautiful artwork from the Illustrated Junior Library that I have tried to read since childhood and yet, for whatever reason, I could never get past the first Christmas at the March’s.

Enter my lovely Kindle and I flew through the book. It’s lengthy, but not of the War and Peace sort. The book was so much like my beloved film! Or, well, vice versa. I try to read books prior to seeing the movie adaptation but it just didn’t happen that way. I don’t regret my first introduction to Little Women though. The book was more detailed while the movie only hit on major plot points.

I love the relationship of the sisters in this book. I can only read it with the knowledge of an outsider, I haven’t any siblings of my own, but I picture siblings acting much in this way. The arguments, occasional jealousy, one sibling connecting to another in a more specific way, and the bond that seems to never be broken. Each of the little women have a specific character trait. While Meg is the mature one, Jo the rebel, Amy the flirt, and little Beth the mother hen, I adored each character in their own way. However, as I mentioned before, I had my favorites.

I felt that I could identify with Beth’s comforting ways although she was the most heartbreaking of all characters (Yes, I am one of those girls who cries while reading books, especially if there is a dramatic scene). But Jo made me most happy. Her stubborn and powerful nature was something that I felt, or wished, reflected myself. Here is this woman who is going against the odds. She’s running around and acting much like a boy during a period of time where that wasn’t exactly expected of young ladies. I enjoy that she sticks to her opinions and doesn’t let others sway her.

The first half of the book, for me, was much more entertaining and a quick read than the last half of the book. I think part of that was because the sisters were more separated- all going their different paths and not corresponding with one another directly. So while the first part of the book was much about the sisters and the events of their lives as a whole, the second half of the book would focus on one girl with each chapter. So if I didn’t like a character as much as another I would drag through that portion of the book.

But I can’t complain much about the structure of the book. It did exactly what I hoped it would do: introduce characters you could identify with, show their up’s and down’s and not so good sides, and wrap up the story in a nice and complete way. You know what is going on in each of the girl’s lives and how they surpassed troubles. I really hate when books leave you hanging however this does not. It’s the type of novel I can picture myself sharing with a daughter, should I ever have one. A total ‘girls’ book but with the different personalities I think any girl could identify with at least one of the little women. I understand now why it’s such a classic and am pleased I finally got myself to read the book. I’ve been missing out on this book for years!

Hello, my name is Erica and I am a Kindle owner.

2011-03-07T13:16:00.001-05:00

So I came upon some extra money recently. I had it tucked away with the intention of buying myself something big and fancy as a birthday present. I’ll be turning 25 in July, the quarter century mark, which totally freaks me out but that’s beside the point. I figure turning 25 is something worth spoiling yourself over. So the money was set aside and I had my brain set on a list of different presents for myself. I was pretty dead-set about getting myself something and yet… I kept returning to tumblr and reading over posts written by bloggers who own e-readers. Their arguments as to why e-readers are awesome were pretty convincing to me so after doing some comparison research I decided- I was going to buy myself an Amazon Kindle.

I won’t lie, I have been a Kindle owner for only two weeks and I am in absolute love. I was worried that I would suffer buyer’s remorse but have yet to feel any woe due to the purchase. There is an assortment of reasons why I absolutely love the kindle and I hope, expressing these reasons, anyone who is considering an e-reader might find this of some help.

My household is filled with books. I live at home with my parents, it’s just the three of us, but my mother and I love to read. She has two bookcases of her own books that she’s collected since childhood, shelves of children’s books from my own childhood, and a large bookcase my grandfather built that is packed with books from my teenage years. Then we move into my bedroom where I have two more bookcases that are packed solid. I have no more room for books. None. And I’ve known this day was coming for months. I’ve been actively looking for the bookcases I have, to buy another, but keep coming back empty handed. The family jokes it’s OCD, that I must have all of my bookcases be exactly the same, well, it’s true. They need to be the same. I wouldn’t like to have a random bookcase that was different. My own obsessive behavior aside; I have no room for books and I really haven’t the money to buy a new bookcase anyway.

Well. Okay, so I did have the money for the new bookcase (if I had found it) because I went and spent $140 on my Kindle. However, that $140 Kindle already has nearly 30 books stored in it that I got completely free. Yes, that’s right. Thirty books for free. If I had gotten them as Mass Markets those thirty books would have easily cost over $200. They’re all the classics, which is exciting because I’ve wanted to read so many classics and yet many times thought, “I’m not sure I’ll like this book, do I really want to buy it?” No problem, I have it for free. So even if it takes me three years to make my way through the book it’s okay, because it’s on my Kindle and I didn’t pay a cent for it.

So just acquiring those free classics already paid off for the Kindle. Those thirty books that, if they were printed, I wouldn’t have any room for them.

Not only that, but the Kindle is so light and easy to carry around. I slip it into my purse or bag (nestled into the little ‘Kindle sock’ I crocheted for it) and it isn’t that added bulk that my books give. I adore that there is a function to look up words. If I am reading a book and I pass over a word that I am not 100% sure of the definition I like to look it up. This is all fine and good if I’m at work or at home with a dictionary available. But when I’m traveling or out and about I won’t have a dictionary handy. On the Kindle I can simply scroll to the word and there’s the definition.

I can go onto the internet from my little Kindle, I can update my twitter and facebook with quotes from the books that I adore, and I can download games, magazines, and newspapers. Say I’m cooking but really would like to read, well, I can set the Kindle to Text-to-Speech and allow it to read to me. Suddenly I have audio books without even shelling out the money for them.

Now, for all the naysayers who are completely against the e-reader because they feel it’s the death of publishing, hear me out. I was in that category for a long time and my opinion has changed fully. The availability of books on my Kindle is wonderful and convenient. I appreciate not having to find that bookshelf (at least for awhile), I appreciate the lack of bulk, and I appreciate the low price of these books when I typically haven’t much money to put towards book. But all of this does not take away my love for a published copy of a book. Don’t think that for a second. I know I could download I Capture the Castle to my kindle, a book I have already read and adore, but I don’t want to. I want the actual copy. I want to be able to look at the cover, smell the pages, and relive the memory of reading that book for the first time. Printed copies have in no way gone completely out of my life.

I would suggest an e-reader (specifically, the Kindle, because there is seriously nothing wrong with it!) to any avid book readers. If you don’t read a ton of books each year or are happy to just take books out from a library, then maybe an e-reader would be a waste of money, but if you don’t fall into that category then hop to it and order one!

The Vampire Chronicles: Pandora

2011-03-02T14:35:00.000-05:00

I have mentioned it before, but surely, I will mention it again even after this. I began reading The Vampire Chronicles when I was 12 and in 7th grade. At my school the middle school and high school shared a library, giving me the opportunity to read books that might have been a little mature for my age. Do I regret reading those books at such a young age? No. I was intelligent enough to realize if a books topic made me uncomfortable I would simply put the book back. But by the time I reached Pandora I was in High School, a little older, and completely in love with The Vampire Chronicles. All of the books are from the point of view of a male character until Pandora.

A brief history of The Vampire Chronicles: Vampires have been in existence for thousands of years and Pandora is a Child of the Millennia, about 2,000 years old, and just totally kick ass. (sorry for the language) After reading book after book about male characters that are quite powerful it was refreshing to enter the world of a beautiful, educated woman who is stronger than so many other vampires within the V.C. group.

Pandora is stubborn and opinionated and unlikely to easily accept help from anyone. It doesn’t matter that she is a woman, mortal or immortal, if she needs to travel alone then she will. I adore that in her character, that she is in control of her own destiny and happily so. She doesn’t fold to the expectations of society, at least not easily.

The love story between she and the other character Marius is one that I enjoy, particularly the way it is told in this book, and her relationship with the other men in her life (her father, Flavius) is written in a way that you can clearly see the emotional bond she shares with them- even if they are not spoken of from cover to cover.

Back in High School when I had originally read this book I flew through it in a day. I loved it so much and then for whatever reason, which is beyond me, I never reread it. Well, not until last week. And rereading it last week I fell in love with the book all over again. She isn’t just a powerful vampire but a powerful woman, who I feel we can not get enough of in literature.

Teaser Tuesday- March 1st.

2011-03-01T06:06:00.000-05:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"Poor old Jo! She came in looking as if bears were after her," said Beth, as she cuddled her sister's feet with a motherly air.

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Father of Lies

2011-02-28T15:26:00.000-05:00

I’ve always had a relatively decent fascination with the Salem Witch Trials. Not enough to call myself an enthusiast or anything, no, but I do enjoy my random books that reference this portion of history while never actually studied the history itself. I know, failure on my part. HarperCollins was kind enough to forward me a copy of this book and once I read synopsis I felt I would enjoy the book. My assumption was completely accurate and I flew through the pages of this book. I knew that had I been a teenager when this book was released I would have eaten it up and likely obsessed over it for quite some time. Even still as an adult I enjoyed it.

The character Lidda, one can assume, is suffering from bipolar disorder. However such disorders weren’t even heard of during the time of the Salem Witch Trials. At fourteen Lidda is beginning to feel overwhelming emotional swings, from happy to sad, calm to anxious, and worst of all she is beginning to hear (and sometimes see) a man. Centered around the development of the Witch Trials the man Lidda begins to hear could easily be assumed to be the devil himself. All of his comments, so tricky and smooth, excited me. I loved the characters and how they were developed. Not much was given forth about the man (Lucian) however you are left unsure if he is good or bad. He speaks much of what our modern minds point out about the girls who accused others of witchcraft. Lies and attention seeking, someone should have stood up against them all to prevent these people from being killed. And yet Lucian seems to push Lidda into getting into trouble.

The detail Ann Turner puts into the lifestyle of people during 1692 I absolutely loved. Mentions of every day activities, what women did in the household, how they cleaned dishes and their own bodies, being placed before a fire if you were sick, the clothing they wore, how they prepared for bed. I loved that detail because many Young Adult books that take place in the past lack that sort of thing. It was refreshing to read and I feel not necessarily forced down the readers throat. The flow of information was smooth and not overpowering. Not enough that it would scare a young adult away who might be weary of reading too much about history. The pace of the story was quick, with each chapter you wanted to know what would happen next, would Lucian convince Lidda to do something she would regret? Would he be exposed as a figment of her imagination or a devil? I adored this book, through and through it was an enjoyable reading.

For anyone, teen or adult, who might be interested in history, the Salem Witch Trials, or bipolar disorder I feel this would be a wonderful book to read. It’s not incredibly long and is fast paced. A perfect and quick read if you feel like staying in for a weekend and just relaxing with a book.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

2011-02-23T15:38:00.000-05:00

1998. I was 11 years old, turning 12 in July, when Harry Potter was unleashed into the world. Harry and I have a few things in common, at least back then. Many of the books were released near my birthday (Harry is a July baby too!) and while he was, say, 13 years old in book 3- I was 13 years old and reading book 3. Plus we both wear glasses. The point is that Harry Potter has been an important part of my life and a character I could relate to for years and yes, I grew up with him.

So rereading the first book now, 5 months shy of my 25th birthday, served as a trip down memory lane. I could recall how magical my first dive into Harry Potter had been. Middle School was not a pleasant experience for me. I mentioned this before that anything that allowed me to escape the real world I held near and dear. Unfortunately with all Harry Potter books the escape lasted only a day. I was one of those people who picked up the book the morning of the release and would finish it by bedtime.

This time around I took my time and read it little by little. It wasn't the hunger to devour a story, it was the appreciation of the writing and plot. Maybe I have begun to grow patience with age... no, that's a complete lie. Rowling began the book simply enough. She wrote the information needed to get a clear understanding of who Harry Potter, the boy, is and also to understand the life he has lived thus far. The words are simple, there isn't much excitement or many dramatic twists, but it captures the readers attention and urges you forward. It's after that the reader is quickly set off running, chasing after Harry and his friends to experience every mystery and surprise with him.

What I so loved about the book as a child, and what I still enjoyed, was that Rowling created a world that was believable. And you, the reader, discovered everything along with Harry. As the reader you did not have an omniscient position and that made it all the more exciting.

The hard cover book with the colorful book jacket, the pages that would stay open, the book has been loved repeatedly. Placing the book back on the shelf, next to my other Harry Potter books, I suspect I'll reread the series. I also feel I'll read the books to my children. They are magical and otherworldly and yet deal with the struggles of all young adults. Surely when the final movie is released I'll be very sad however I'll still have the books and childhood memories with my attachment to them.

Teaser Tuesday!!

2011-02-22T06:37:00.000-05:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"And I must tell you that, unlike you, I came by my education in English haphazardly, and certainly I never learnt it from Shakespeare's plays. Indeed I have passed through many stages of the English language in my wanderings and in my read, but the great majority of my true acquaintance with it has been in this century, and I am writing for you in colloquial English."

Pandora by Anne Rice

Out Stealing Horses

2011-02-21T09:23:00.000-05:00

Trond Sander has moved to a remote location in Norway. Far from city life and surrounded by nature he finds it easy to think of his youth and pulls the reader along with him. I grew up in a house that was nestled in the woods. The trees served as a playground and a safety net during my childhood. Even now when I am nearly twenty-five I’ll find myself craving the solitude of the woods if I find I’m stressed. I can relate myself to Trond in this way, with his desire to return to a place of quiet comfort. The description of the forest, the lake, the rain could be seen as just pretty writing. Maybe to some it is, at least. But I read it as the insight of someone who is familiar with nature and has a special tie to it. This isn’t just descriptions penned for detail. It’s the breath of summer air and that musky woody scent found amongst cool trees.

I gathered that much of the novel was Trond’s memories to his last significant summer with his father. The summer in which everything that was normal no longer mattered. But I discovered that… I didn’t really care all that much. The descriptions of nature, the moments alone with his father, yeah they gained my attention. But otherwise I was just like, well, ‘eh’. I’ve heard many good things about this book and expected it would leave me breathless and starry-eyed. However, I only pushed along and wanted to finish it so I could begin reading something else. When the book was done I didn’t find myself lingering over the memories. I didn’t find myself disliking what I had read either. It was simply just a book I had spent some time with. So for that I was disappointed. For someone who is nostalgic or loves the woods maybe you would find meaning in this book but honestly, I wouldn’t recommend it otherwise, and for that I am sad. I wanted to love this book but I was only left feeling disappointed.

I wanted to like this book. I really wanted to like this book. But it just fell short.

Borders Bookstores Files for Chapter 11

2011-02-16T08:37:00.000-05:00

Borders Group Inc. filed for Chapter 11 protection in New York on Wednesday, a month after the operator of the Borders and Waldenbooks chains said it may have to restructure in bankruptcy court. Read More Here

This has been a long time coming, in my opinion. I worked for the bookstore chain for over a year and there were many struggles that were not just obvious to me but to shoppers. Hence the multiple newspaper articles over the past year guesstimating when Borders would file for bankruptcy or begin closing stores.

But what does this mean for the book world? Should we be fearful, as readers, that the idea of bookstores is beginning to die out? Is Amazon really gaining that much power? Or are people just not reading like they used to?

I don't know about you, but I like to browse books. I like to see the covers, hold the books in my hand, smell the pages, and flip through them. I like to collect a basket filled with books that I might buy, sit down with a cup of coffee, and make my way through each book to see which ones I'll purchase. I love that contact, that relationship with what I'll be buying, and I'm sorry but I can't have that through online vendors.

Now that doesn't mean I don't buy books online. I enjoy ordering a book and having it delivered straight to my house- if it's a book I already know I want. But typically, I'll end up going to a bookstore first. I'll go through the process of manhandling all of these books and making lists of what I want to buy in the future. The element of a bookstore is something of peace and relaxation for me. Aside from parks (which I can only visit when the weather is nice) I don't really have many other places that bring me that sense of peace.

While I know Borders has been struggling for years and this news is in no way surprising to me it does leave me worrying about the future of bookstores in general.

Teaser Tuesday!!

2011-02-15T06:40:00.000-05:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The hat seemed to be asking rather a lot; Harry didn't feel brave or quick-witted or any of it at the moment. If only the hat had mentioned a house for people who felt a bit queasy.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

by J.K. Rowling

That February 14th Thing

2011-02-14T13:25:00.001-05:00

I don't particularly celebrate or enjoy February 14th. Whether or not I'm in a relationship it just leaves me feeling cranky.

However, my parents surprised me this year by presenting me with gifts. I was completely surprised, having no idea in the slightest they had something planned, and was very pleased to see what I had received.

I have a thing for tea and for entertaining. Granted, I don't have anyone to entertain to. But I do love daydreaming about making cupcakes and scones (all gluten free!) and presenting them with tea to a friend. That or I just enjoy making a cup of tea for myself and presenting it in a fancy manner so I can enjoy it all while reading a book.

So needless to say, this gift left me speechless.

A cupcake teapot? Yes please! And heart shaped waffle maker?? Oh my. I can't wait to make fancy little meals with that. Either breakfast or waffles for ice cream. The sign behind it (Keep Calm) is from my friend Jenni who is currently stationed in England. I'm thinking this is a start to a theme of my non-existent kitchen.

None the less, Happy Valentine's Day to those who celebrate it. To those who hate it, rock on.

Blog Hop- 2nd Week of February

2011-02-11T08:42:00.000-05:00

Blog Hop:

Question for the week:
"Tell us about one of your posts from this week and give us a link so we can read it (review or otherwise)!"

I kind of failed this week with posts. I've been on a self proclaimed 'hiatus' of sorts so that I can focus on some other things and get some reading done.

-If you'd like to be a guest reviewer on my blog please email me at soonrememberedtales@gmail.com-

I only posted once this week so I'm cheating and taking last week into consideration as well. Last week I posted about a friend of a friend. He was injured in the Middle East and hoping to get a house that is equipped for handicap use.

I talk more about it here- at this post- right here- omg look at it, please!

If you are a long time follower of my blog then you know that the military is something near and dear to me. Okay, well maybe not the structure of the military or whatever, but I have many family members and friends who serve. They mean the world to me and I would try and support them in any way possible because they are my friends and family.

I don't know this man directly but he is a friend of one of my military friends. He deserves support and love just as much as anyone else. So, if you can do something to help as well, that would be great.

Otherwise, I look forward to reading everyones legit book posts for this week since I sort of slacked off.
Have a great weekend boys and girls!!

RIP Brian Jacques

2011-02-09T10:04:00.000-05:00

The author of the popular Redwall series died on Saturday in Liverpool at the age of 71. Read this article from The New York Times for more information.

I found out about this news on Monday but it's taken me awhile to get this post up. I'm incredibly sad for his passing. Redwall was a series I read when I was in Elementary and Middle school. The stories were magical and possibly the first 'lengthy' books I had read. They took me away from the stresses of middle school (I hated middle school, it was a horrible experience) and put me into a happier place.

They were always a loved book amongst my friends, something that we all enjoyed whether we were boys or girls. It was a tie that a few of us had, rushing to the library and seeing who could beat out the others to take out the next book. They're perfect for anyone of that age. Anyone who wants a chance to break away and fall into the details of battles and excitement.

For a number of years I've been wanting to reread these books because I honestly have forgotten so much of what they contain. What I do remember is the pleasure they gave me, the escape I was able to take, and for that I'm thankful. For that I have a special place and bond with Mr. Jacques stories.

Blog Hop and an Update- First Friday of February!

2011-02-04T07:46:00.000-05:00

Blog Hop:

"What are you reading now and why are you reading it?"

Answer:
Are you ready for this? I am reading-
The Complete Poems of William Blake
Out Stealing Horses by Per Petterson
Modern European History
Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra
The Complete Tales and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe

Now if you've been a long time follower of this blog you already know that just about every book on that list, aside from Petterson, are books that I read once in awhile. I'll pull them off the bookshelf, read a poem or a chapter or a historical entry, then I place them back on the shelf where they are forgotten for a number of months. However, they are on my 'currently reading' list on goodreads so I figured it would be best to answer with the most honesty as possible.

I want to know more about history and I want to read more of the 'classics'. That would be the reasoning behind most of those books. And Petterson's book? I just want to read it. About a year ago I came across a review that made the book sound magical. It's just that I couldn't get into it due to real life stuff. It took me awhile but now I feel like I'll be flying through it's pages. We'll see!

Update:
I'm on some sort of a hiatus. I'll be trying to do weekly updates like the blog hop and Teaser Tuesday. If I happen to finish a book and have a review that will go up as well but please, don't run away due to inactivity.

I am taking requests to do guest reviews again!
It can be about any book of any genre.
If you're interested email me at soonrememberedtales@gmail.com

Also, I'm doing a give away!
If you would like to win a free copy of Cecelia Ahern's new book The Book of Tomorrow please see THIS entry.

The Book of Tomorrow

2011-02-02T12:00:00.002-05:00

For about a year now I’ve had a copy of P.S. I Love You sitting on my bookshelf. I have had the best intentions to read this book however there are about 8 more books on that shelf alone I haven’t read yet. Let’s not even get started on how many unread books I have elsewhere in this house. But when I was offered to read The Book of Tomorrow prior to its release I jumped at the chance.

This is a book geared towards ADULTS. Allow me to state that first and foremost. It seems some people who have read the book have that confused. Not all books that have a teenage protagonist is meant for teenage eyes. However, I find this book to be appropriate for teenagers if they are mature enough to handle it’s content.

Tamara Goodwin has been raised to trust a number of things: She is sixteen, her father is rich, and she will get what she wants. Tamara is a rebellious teenager who smokes and drinks on a regular basis, sneaks out, and is generally very rude to her parents (and likely everyone else). She admits right away that she isn’t nice but she promises to prove that she is better than the first impression we are given.

When her father dies Tamara’s life is flipped. Gone are the days of being spoiled and doing as she pleases. No longer can she have a vibrant social life. She is, in her mind, condemned to the wasteland of Ireland. Specifically- her uncle and aunts home in the country that is beside the remains of Kilsaney Castle.

Dealing with grief and the confusion of her mother’s sudden spiral into depression Tamara is lonely, bored, and itching for excitement. The excitement comes from the most unexpected places when she finds an old diary on a library mobile (traveling library… I feel like no one has heard of these, am I that removed from society that I know of this stuff?). At first she thinks it’s just an old book but something makes her cling to it. Then she discovers it has already been written in- with her own hand- a diary entry of the next day. The diary is written by Future-Tamara and Present-Tamara tries to use this discovery in whatever ways she can.

The book opens up doors Tamara had never seen before. She becomes a stronger person and more passionate about the feelings of others. What’s more is she discovers information about herself that she never knew.

I really hated Tamara when I began to read this. Through the first couple of chapters I kept pausing and going, “Wow. I can NOT believe this girl. She’s such a wench.” Typically when I hate the main character I find it very hard to make it through the story but this moved along quickly and held my interest. Tamara does grow and change for the better however the last quarter of the book really grabbed me. Secrets, love, loss, and all of that. Really I enjoyed the way the book came to a close. I went into the book hating the character but I closed it’s final pages feeling that I could appreciate the character and understand her a little more. Her voice was strong and there was a lot of wit, even in the beginning when I didn’t like Tamara she would get me laughing, and the visual I had of the Kilsaney Castle and summer in Ireland was much nicer than the snowy tundra I have outside my window.

So who would like a chance to dive into this book?

I’ll be giving away TWO copies of The Book of Tomorrow. All you have to do is leave me a copy SPECIFICALLY telling me you would like to be entered into the give away and I’ll draw the winner in one week. Go to it!

Help someone out!

2011-02-01T10:33:00.000-05:00

You may or may not know this but the military holds a special place in my heart. My father and both grandfathers served, as did other family members and many close friends. Luckily my friends and family retired from the military in good health, which is wonderful considering others might not be as lucky. A Marine friend of mine told me of his friend who was injured while in Iraq. He mentioned that there was a site where people could donate to help build a house for this Marine. One that is more accessible for himself and his family. I wanted to pass his story along to you all.

Now comes the important stuff- do you want to help?

If so here are a few ways that you can help SGT Adam Kisielewski:

Make a monetary donation!!! This would be wonderful!

I know the economy makes it hard for anyone to make many donations, so if you're unable to do that then please just SPREAD THE WORD!

Pass this along, ask friends or family to read over this, maybe they can make a donation or know professional tradesmen and volunteers in Fredrick County, MD who can help.

More info can be found HERE.

A Mini Break & call for guest reviewers!

2011-01-31T10:29:00.000-05:00

I've found myself completely distracted by writing. It's a surprise but one of my passions that come and go. Therefore, I'll be taking a short hiatus of sorts. I'll try to keep up with Teaser Tuesdays and Blog Hop Fridays however I am going to focus, while home from work, on my writing.

While at work if I find myself with some free time I will be happily reading my books and once I've completed some readings I'll post up reviews.

In the mean time... who wants to be a guest on my blog?

Like in November I am looking for people to write a book review on any book of any type. You can pick the book a part or simply talk about how the book has influenced you. Please consider this and email me at soonrememberedtales@gmail.com if you are interested! There is no deadline for this- it will be an ongoing thing- but please let me know!

Silverlicious

2011-01-26T15:33:00.000-05:00

I have to be honest- I've never read a Victoria Kann book before. However while working in the bookstore I saw how much of a hold these books had on children. Little girls flocked to them and I met a selection of very excited little boys who couldn't get enough of of the book as well.

With three books predating this newest one (Pinkalicious, Purplicious, and Goldilicious) Silverlicious will surely please all of it's fans.

Pinkalicious ends up losing a tooth, much like all other children her age, however this tooth ends up being her sweet tooth. Now all sweets taste gross and Pinkalicious is determined to get another sweet tooth. However, after visits from different fantasy characters of holidays (Valentine's Day, Easter, Christmas) and being ungrateful of each gift she receives she realizes that being sweet doesn't necessarily have to come from a tooth. It's an attitude as well.

The book is published on February 1st, just in time for Valentine's Day. Give this sweet story to your child so that they can enjoy the bright colorful images and learn a thing or two about what it is to be truly sweet. As I've said, I never read Victoria Kann's books before but she definitely received another fan in me. Do expect reviews in the future of her other books.

In the meantime order your copy of Silverlicious and catch up on the previous books if you haven't already!

The Hours

2011-01-24T14:07:00.000-05:00

Pulitzer Prize winning Michael Cunningham wrote The Hours over ten years ago. Since then it was made into a beautiful major motion picture that is both startling and moving and (in my opinion) very well adapted from the book.

I read the book years ago when I was only a freshman in college. During my junior year I took a film class where we watched the film and it brought me back to the book. Now, this year, I've read it again. Always amazing how different books are each time you sit down and read them. I notice things I never paid attention to beforehand and sometimes I understand the plots more simply because I've had experiences similar to the characters. This is what growing up does to you.

The Hours... a tale of three women all from very different times... and all tied together through actions and feelings. What I love is the power of Virginia Woolf's writing that has influenced all the women involved. The creative process and near obsession of coming up with a plot and deciding what will happen to the characters and when (shown through Woolf's chapters) I find to be accurate and written beautifully. When I've been 'in the writing mood' I literally sink into the world of which I am writing. I find it hard to escape and even when doing normal life functions such as having tea or socializing I'll find my mind slipping back to the characters and thinking of who will die, how it will effect others, what will happen to so and so.

The parallels of each story-line are so lovely and every time I read the book I notice how each character has the same experiences- no matter how small. Roses, always the mention of roses. Mrs. Brown surrounds her roses with presents for her husbands birthday, Clarissa buys roses for the party she will put on, Woolf places roses around a dead bird and has her well known character Mrs. Dalloway buy flowers.

I mean it when I say that the book always holds a newly revealed secret each time I read it. It's beautiful and haunting. It makes you open your eyes and reconsider your life, to look at it from a different perspective. At least this is how it's affected me. And don't even get me started on the movie. I love it. I love that film and the score to it. It's just lovely.

The book, with so many mentions of springtime warmth, was wonderful to read. Especially now while we have ice covering the windows and the snow plows driving by. I can't even see outside, just blurred ghostly images of everything that passes by through the sheet of ice.

There is one thing this book most certainly caused me to do, so be forewarned it might happen to you, I went out and bought flowers.

Interview with Author Mitchell James Kaplan

2011-01-19T13:14:00.019-05:00

Last week I wrote about Mitchell James Kaplan's book By Fire, By Water. It was a fantastic read and the author was kind enough to answer some questions for me to present to you all. Check this interview out, my original book review and once again- go read the book!

Q: When you were finished writing this were you happy it was completed? Sad?

A: I never did feel it was “finished.” Possibly to the annoyance of my publisher, I kept revising until the last minute. Even now that it's in the marketplace, my feeling is that By Fire, By Water is only the first chapter in a larger project (my novel writing career) rather than a complete entity unto itself.

Q: Out of all the characters who were in your novel, did you find yourself connecting emotionally with a particular one?

A: I became involved with all the characters. It was important for me to inhabit each of them. I lived with them every day. They were an important part of my life. They still are.

Q: Why have Santangel be the more prominent character and not another?

A: He occupied a position at the center of the events I wanted to write about, and played a role in all of them. His role as Columbus's sponsor was crucial, yet remains relatively unknown. His life was dramatic and I found his crises of identity and faith compelling. I did not chose Santangel; he chose me.

Q: What would you like the readers of this book to come away with when they're finished?

A: For me, writing novels isn't just an exercise in style, or in plot-construction, it's about contemplating the human condition through narrative. I would love to think my readers benefit from getting to know, intimately, characters whom they might not otherwise have understood or felt for.

Q: Are you working on any more novels and if so will they be of the historical genre?

A: Yes, and yes. In my opinion, all novels are historical. Even if they are set in the present (or the future) they involve exploring a given society at a particular time, trying to capture the spirit of that time and the way individuals are affected by – and change – the world around them. The setting and period may differ, but the process of researching and writing the novel will probably remain the same for me.

Q: Do you ever intend on writing another novel that will focus on Christopher Columbus' journey?

A: That is not in my immediate plans. I do have an idea for a novel along these lines, but it's not one of the next few I plan to write, and I may not, in fact, ever get to it.

Q: Care to leave any final words for myself, the readers of my blog, and your fans?

A:

Thank you so much, Erica, for giving me this opportunity.

Bloggers like you have become so important for writers and readers alike. You are providing an invaluable service by raising awareness of books that might otherwise go unnoticed. There is a wonderful vibrancy in the blogging community, too, and a respect for the written word and for storytellling.

To your readers: Thank you for supporting “Soon Remembered Tales.” Keep coming back for Erica's excellent recommendations, as will I.

To my readers: What would I be, without you?

Teaser Tuesday

2011-01-18T11:04:00.000-05:00

Teaser Tuesday is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should be Reading and it asks us to...

Grab your current read
Open to a random page
Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
Share the title; author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

"Do you think bad writing actually attracts a higher incidence of misfortune?"

"How I'd love to live in a world in which that were true."

The Hours by Michael Cunningham

The Vampire Diaries- Stefan's Diaries: Vol. 2 Bloodlust

2011-01-17T11:23:00.035-05:00

The second book in the Stefan's Diaries trilogy picks up where the first book left off. Refer to the first books review here.

We follow the newborn vampires Stefan and Damon as they run from Mystic Falls and arrive in New Orleans. Two new vampires who don't really have any idea of what it is to be a vampire they find themselves not only in trouble but realize just how young and unexperienced they are.

We see the darker side of Stefan who enjoys killing and human blood more than the Stefan we are familiar with on the tv show. Damon is weaker, sadder, certainly not the evil character that I've come to love on the show. However, by the end of the book that crazier character appears.

It's interesting to see the switch in roles of the brothers however I found myself just wanting the Stefan and Damon I enjoy from the show. Lexi appears and I embraced her. I loved her character during the show and I was happy to see read of her relationship with Stefan in the book.

Some of the scenes were incredibly predictable but it still held my attention. Vampire Diaries are generally a good form of entertainment. Whether it's the books, the show, or the books based on the show I'm always happy to sneak away and catch up with Stefan and Damon. They're age appropriate for teenagers and easily something I would have obsessed over when I was younger. ~~Actually I obsess over the show right now.~~ The third book is due out in May which saddens me- that's a long time to wait! But at least the tv show will have new episodes by the end of this month.

The Vampire Diaries- Stefan's Diaries: Vol. 1 Origins

2011-01-12T15:34:00.000-05:00

This albeit short book is a quick and satisfying read and perfect for any fan of the show. Now be forewarned- this book is not a continuation of The Vampire Diaries BOOK series. It is a written dialogue based off of The Vampire Diaries TV series. If you have read the books AND seen the show then you know that the two are very different in plot so if you have only watched the TV show you can pick this book up and enjoy it since it follows the TV shows plot. If you have only read the books then this will just leave you confused.

So quick sum up:
TV Show and Book Series: Stefan and Damon are the sexy vampire brothers.
TV Show: They hail from Virginia. Damon was serving in the Confederate Army, Stefan was at home.
Book Series: They hail from Italy a couple(?) hundred years BEFORE America’s Civil War.

I could go further but I won’t… I don’t want to ruin it for anyone who might decide to read the books but I just want you to understand the overall difference between the two. This book generally follows what has already been shown on the show of how Stefan and Damon became vampires. Of course, it’s placed together nicely and has much more imagery rather then when the show would go back to specific memories. The funniest thing I discovered when reading this book was that I could easily picture Ian Somerhalder as Damon each time the character showed up however for Stefan I saw a made up character in my mind. I don’t know what that says about my mind or the talents of the actors in the show but I guess it’s… good?

I had bought this book the week it came out and was eager to read it however I was too busy. It was the end of the semester and while at work I was helping a ton of students formulate papers and final projects so when I got home I was tired and spend my time playing an online game rather then doing pleasure reading. I also had a couple of articles I was buy writing on the side so when the games didn’t come into play- the articles did. Long version short, it took me a month to get around to reading this book but I was so glad I read it when I did. I was exhausted and in need of general light entertainment and much like the actual Vampire Diaries series this provided the entertainment I was craving. It’s a quick story and of course it leaves you wanting more. Pick up your copy of Origins today and while you’re at it grab Volume 2 Bloodlust since it just came out last week!

By Fire, By Water

2011-01-10T16:15:00.035-05:00

In September I made a list of goals for the remainder of 2010. On this list I included a goal of reading more poetry, history, and historic fiction. Let me tell you, I was failing at this particular goal until I received a copy of Mitchell James Kaplan's By Fire, By Water. When it comes to historical fiction my knowledge and experience is very small so I was not sure what to expect upon this book. I know little about the Spanish Inquisition nor do I know much about the Jewish faith. While raised Catholic I myself have not been a practicing Catholic since I was thirteen. But this book- it brought me to a time and place that I've never been before, where I was wide eyed with interest and rushing from scene to scene.

In Mitchell James Kaplan's first novel we, as readers, travel to the time of the Spanish Inquisition and one man, Luis de Santangel, is tired of it all. Anyone suspected of practicing the Jewish faith is questioned and tortured, everyone is expected to be of the Christian faith. Luis de Santangel, who comes from a family of Jews but converted has always been a target but when an important man who is involved in the Inquisition is suddenly found murdered Santangel finds himself a suspect. With his family being threatened, his friends being seen as suspicious, and Santangel himself facing the possibility of being questioned the reader faces the cruelty of that time period. The injustice of being forced into a belief is clear and it's a frightening concept as is most historical events. I am one of those readers who always tries to place myself into the plot. I feel that being able to creatively guess how I would feel in that situation gets me to better understand the characters. It allows me to feel their joys and pains. While Santangel is a tough character and will perform less than moral actions to get what he wants I understand his position. Toss in the rest of the historical figures and moments; they all tie together nicely and make for a novel that captures your attention.

It drew my interest in ways that I did not expect. I have a greater curiosity of the Spanish Inquisition and would like to learn more of the politics and history of it all. The only problem I had with this novel was- how do I score it on goodreads? It is a great novel and I think a great historical novel too however... I haven't much to compare it to. But I am sure even if I were to read many a historic novel in the future this will remain one of my favorites. I've already begun suggesting the book to people I know and now I suggest it to you all. Please, pick it up and read it.

Blog Hop and Update!

2011-01-07T10:01:00.000-05:00

Blog Hop:

"What book influenced or changed your life? How did it influence/change you?"

Answer: It's hard to answer this question simply because so many books have had an influence with my life. I can look at my bookshelf and easily tell you what was happening in my life, how old I was, where I was, what I was doing or how I was feeling when I first read a book. But the most influential author I've read (yes I'm changing the question/answer around a little bit) has to be Anne Rice.

People are allowed their own opinion of her and her writing but The Vampire Chronicles has had the most impact on me. It exposed me to a more adult form of writing (I read the Chronicles when I was in middle school) and the idea that you can explain what something looks like, how it feels, and make it appear to be poetic. Through my absolute love of the books I was able to meet a great group of people who had a fascination with her novels as much as I did. That was in High School- I'm still friends with these people. Even if I do not see them (they're spread out across the US) I speak to them nearly every day. No other book I have read has managed to create a tight little family like The Vampire Chronicles has.

Update:
My 2010 Books Read List
Happy New Years!
A Book Readers Quirks
Teaser Tuesday
Reviewed: Better Together
Huckleberry Finn Censorship

I woke up to three inches of snow this morning which was lovely. The local schools are closed which amuses me to no end because this amount of snow wouldn't even call for a delay back in New York. However, I'll find a way to enjoy it. Maybe even go sledding. You just HAVE to during the winter. It's a must.

Censorship and Huckleberry Finn

2011-01-06T09:49:00.000-05:00

Mark Twain's beloved classic Huckleberry Finn has often been the topic of censorship discussions due to the many terms of racial slang. I have written about it before and I will write about it again because this is a current news topic that must be addressed.

The n-word that is seen in Huckleberry Finn over 200 times has been said to be edited out of the book by a publisher and replaced with the word slave. As Jenice Armstrong states in her article Why whitewash n-word from Huck Finn? Those two words are not synonyms. Nope, not even close. They each mean something entirely different.

If we are going to go on a parade of censorship and remove all of the words that could offend a person we would have nothing of literature or art left. There is really no way to make everyone happy, I understand this. Just look at what is going on here- a book publisher is removing the offensive word from a classic to appease those who find it offensive and there is an outcry from the scholarly sort saying no, you can't do this. But this is, unfortunately, is different from saying 'that word in that book written years and years ago offends me'. The book stays true to the social norms of that time period and reflective of history passed.

The word is terrible. But it's a linchpin of this book. What makes so radical is the fact that in a time when the horror of slavery was still fresh and the specter of inequality hung over the whole country, Mark Twain was still able to use satire to show how wrong it was. -Alexandra Petri

If we remove historical content, words and writing that children and adults might have the opportunity to learn from, what will we be left with? What will be next? A removal of all books written about the holocaust? Maybe anything pertaining to teenage suicide or eating disorders. Oh, wait, people are fighting to have those removed as well.

But what these censorship-driven people do not seem to grasp is that this is reality and this is life. Bad things happen, people have been looked down upon, and we have a less than stellar past actions that the people of the world acted out long before we were born. But how can we learn from these mistakes and learn to look past them, to recognize when we our selves are falling into the same rut, if we do not know what historical mistakes we are trying to avoid?

To read more views of this topic please check out the following news articles that are all beautifully written (and some quoted here)
Why a new edition of Huckleberry Finn is wrong to remove the N-word
'Huck Finn' sanitized for your protection
Why whitewash n-word from Huck Finn?
Should "Huckleberry Finn" be censored?

Better Together

2011-01-05T16:33:00.002-05:00

A number of months ago I did a brief mention of an up and coming book by Raymond Rose. Since then, I’ve reviewed his first novel: The Fire Inside and now his second book has been released- Better Together. Better Together, for those of you who might not remember, is the manuscript I spoke of all those months ago.

When Paul Rhoads moves back to Pennsylvania he’s not entirely sure what is waiting for him. Being a well known author he’s met with a writers worst nightmare- ongoing writers block. With hopes of finding a level of inspiration and returning to his roots Paul isn’t expecting to end up in a relationship to boot. Annie, his High School love, is there to support and adore him as she had always been. With her infant son from a previous marriage Paul is brought into unknown territory. In a whirlwind moment Paul and Annie marry and feel they could never be happier.

But tragedy strikes when Annie is killed in a car accident and Paul is left with her son. He becomes a single father to a child he did not bear, a child who he is still getting to know, and he didn’t have any time to prepare for fatherhood.

What I appreciate about this book is that there are many a novel out there which focuses on motherhood. The books go on and on about single mothers and their pains and struggles. They have that right, because there are many a single mother out there. However, there are men who are single fathers and they deserve some recognition as well. Paul bumbles along trying to make the best of an upsetting situation and finds that one can find prejudices in being a single father.

As a reader you’ll feel the emotional effects of losing a loved one, the hilarity of fatherhood, and the surprise of finding love when you least expect it. Paul will become a familiar friend to you and his son an adorable little sidekick who you just want to hug. I certainly was sad when I had to put the finished product down and I will still think of the characters. You can buy your copy of the book at Christopher Williams Books.