tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9670860878960883172024-03-27T22:57:34.015-07:00Wordsmithing and WorldbuildingHave Laptop, Will TravelAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.comBlogger104125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-5056253238635920812016-03-10T20:06:00.002-08:002016-03-10T20:06:36.638-08:00I'm Moving the Blog<h2>
If you read my Month in Review post for February, then you know that I'd considered moving off of Blogger, and possibly onto my own domain.</h2>
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After a lot of research (and hours of work), I have now officially moved to my own site!<br />
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<a href="http://www.rlhendrian.com/">http://www.rlhendrian.com</a> is now live :)</h2>
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I am now re-working all of my Blogger posts for the new page (see, hours of work), and I will hopefully be able to keep all/some of the comments intact as well.</div>
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If you are reading this, please consider coming over and following me on my new site :) </div>
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To make the transition a little easier, I'll probably double post for a week or two. I'll post on my new blog, and then repost on here with directions to the new space. I don't plan on deleting this blog, at least not for some time, as I have to make sure I save anything/everything that is any good. However, I will eventually be <i>only</i> over at my new site.</div>
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Thanks to everyone who has read/commented/followed my posts, and I hope to see you over at my new site :)</div>
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-Cheers!</div>
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R - <a href="http://rlhendrian.com/">rlhendrian.com</a></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-35351090971133547162016-03-03T16:46:00.001-08:002016-03-03T16:46:15.937-08:00Monthly Rewind: February (and Some Questions for You Bloggers)<h2>
I almost don't know where to start on my Monthly Rewind - February was . . . Intense.</h2>
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At any rate, it's March (the month of appropriately mad weather for Michigan), which means it's time for the monthly link-up with Nicole at <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a>. <span style="font-size: small;">Instructions on <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/2016/02/february-wrap-up-round-up-link-up.html">how to join are here</a>.</span></h3>
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You may or may not have noticed that I was pretty absent for most of February. There are a few reasons - </h3>
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First, I picked up a second part-time job a couple weeks into the month, and both my time and internet access have become even more limited than normal. That being said, I'm still here! </h4>
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Working two jobs has also upped my caffeine intake, and made me seek out coffee from less savory places (like the gas station). I'm normally pretty spoiled because the coffee at the bookstore is <i>amazing</i>. Not so amazing at the gas station. But hey, it's coffee. I think.</h4>
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Secondly, I've been having an endless amount of annoying problems with Blogger and Google+. They are currently refusing to let me comment on anyone's comments, or even read them when I'm logged into my blog. </h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I didn't realize what a goldmine TOP* gifs were . . . until now ^^</td></tr>
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Ugh. </h4>
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Anyhow, after much deliberation, I'm considering moving my blog to a different platform, or possibly my own domain.</h4>
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Which leads me to these important questions:<br />1. Is it worth buying an actual domain name?<br />2. What blogging platform do you use, and why? Do you like it? Is one better than the others?</h2>
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Any advice/feedback would be really appreciated! (Oh, and since I can't read your comments - note the contact form on the top right-hand side of the blog- thanks!)</h4>
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And now that I have that out of the way - February in Review!</h2>
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On the Blog and Reading fronts, my hectic schedule made hash of things - and I only managed 5 posts :(</div>
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<li><i><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/02/beautiful-people-in-which-we-pretend-i.html">Beautiful People - Couples Edition</a></i> - the Writer Link-Up, helped me investigate two of my characters from <i><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/search/label/TBDI">The Butler Did It</a></i> and determine if they were in a relationship or not. They still say "no." But you'll have to read it to decide for yourself ;P</li>
<li>Continuing the inevitable February theme, I posted a list of my T<a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/02/lovely-books-10-literary-couples-i-was.html">op 10 Favorite Literary Couples</a>. And there was some gorgeous fanart, as the cherry on top.</li>
<li>Maybe my favorite Top Ten Tuesday ever - <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/02/top-ten-tuesday-top-10-songs-that-need.html">The Top 10 Songs that Need to Be Books</a>. They all need to be written already!</li>
<li><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/02/top-ten-tuesday-top-10-books-that.html">Top Ten Books I Ended Up Liking (In Spite of Myself)</a> I included plenty of reasons, and a few disclaimers. And I totally restrained myself from gushing about Tom Imura.**</li>
<li>I ACTUALLY FOUND TIME TO WRITE A REVIEW of <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/02/stars-above-lunar-chronicles-short.html"><i>Stars Above (The Lunar Chronicles)</i> </a>by Marissa Meyer. <b>4 stars</b></li>
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<a href="http://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446058438l/25203675.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a><a href="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0121/2432/products/Hwang_Guest_PB_1024x1024.jpeg?v=1337016320" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0121/2432/products/Hwang_Guest_PB_1024x1024.jpeg?v=1337016320" height="320" width="212" /></a>My reading count for this month was even worse - I started about 15 books, and finished only two of them! </div>
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The first was Stars Above, and the second was <a href="http://catalog.sevenstories.com/products/guest"><i>The Guest</i></a> by <br />
Hwang Sok-yong. I'm not sure if I'll review it or not. It's about the 52 day massacre in the Hwanghae Province of North Korea during the Korean War. It was moving, disturbing, horrifying, and profoundly important if you're looking to understand a little more of the North/South Korean relations, the relationship of Korea with the West (especially the U.S.), and the two huge "foreign guests" of Christianity and Communism. It wasn't light reading, but I was glad I read it. I'm just not sure how to explain it in a review! (A funny place for a writer to be in, let me tell you).</div>
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I am also reading through a manuscript for a friend, so that's taken plenty of time and attention. </div>
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And if you're interested, here are some of the books I'm currently reading:</div>
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<i>Without You, There is No Us</i> by Suki Kim</div>
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<i>Passenger</i> by Alexandra Bracken</div>
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<i>The Star-Touched Queen</i> (ARC) by Roshani Chokshi</div>
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<i>Salt to the Sea</i> by Ruta Sepetys</div>
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<i>H is for Hawk</i> by Helen MacDonald</div>
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<i>Small Data</i> by Martin Lindstrom</div>
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<i>Glass Sword</i> by Victoria Aveyard</div>
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Also in reading, <a href="http://booksbyintisar.com/">Intisar Khanan</a>i's (novel-length!) follow up to <i>Sunbolt</i>, <i><a href="http://booksbyintisar.com/store-memories-ash/">Memories of Ash</a></i>, has a release date!! This is easily one of my most anticipated books of 2016. It's out May 30th - so just 3 months to wait!! In the meantime, there will be a cover reveal on March 16th, and it will be up for preorder on that day as well.</h3>
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Off the Blog:</h2>
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<li style="text-align: left;">I started the second job (at a new local brewery)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I started yet <i>another</i> novel (I have very bad habits.) More about this in a minute.</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I turned 27</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I made lots of kimchi and discovered kimchi stew (soooo good. And kimchi fried rice is almost better!!)</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">I basically did a lot of cooking, now that I think about it . . .</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">One of my best friends got engaged and I get to be a bridesmaid (my second time)!</li>
<li style="text-align: left;">The only movie I watched was <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> <i>and Zombies </i>(Because <i>Matt Smith - Eleventh Doctor as MR. COLLINS</i>)***, I watched none of the Oscars, and watched an unhealthy amount of YouTube videos when I should have been sleeping after 12-16 hour work days. </li>
<li style="text-align: left;">And to be honest, if anything else happened in February - I don't remember it. I was probably sleeping. My ability to fall asleep anywhere on anything at anytime just turned into a superpower.</li>
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Looking Ahead:</h2>
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Hopefully I'll finish a few of those books this time around, and have some time for reviews! I'm also thinking of doing a series of editing posts on <i>The Last Coffee Shop</i> - to help me actually edit it, and because it would be fun. Thoughts? My major goal for March is to do at least one edit through.</div>
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Oh, and that book idea I mentioned above) - it won't go away. So I started writing it. It's basically a vintage sci-fi + western + Hallyu wave <complete id="goog_357268244">+ </complete>high fashion novel in the world of TLCS (though not a sequel). The MC's voice is stuck in my head - he's an angry teenage model (yes, that's <i>he</i>) on the run from a truly freaky family situation. He takes refuge at a greasy spoon space diner, which is run by a posse of (former) warrior women who specialize in fried chicken. Because I just can't write anything normal. If you'd like to see a glimpse into it, here's the link to my <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/rlhendrian/writing-inspiration-red-as-blood/">Pinterest board.</a></div>
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Also, I plan on plugging away at <i>The Butler Did It</i>, and reading everyone else's wonderful posts (I did a lot of reading posts in Feb, but rarely had the energy to comment, lol)</div>
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So that's it for me folks. How was your February? Do you have any big plans for March? What are you reading? And please tell me your thoughts on the blog move idea/domain name :) I'll give you all the virtual cake if you do!</h2>
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<i>Footnotes</i>:</div>
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*From BIGBANG. SO MANY GIFSSSS</div>
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**Yes, I know he's fake. No, I will not get over it.</div>
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***Not as bad as I thought it would be, and Matt Smith was <i>hilarious</i>. </div>
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My rating: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1508070133">4 of 5 stars</a><br /><br />
Like all short story collections, "Stars Above" is a mixed bag. However, seeing as all of the tales are set within the world of The Lunar Chronicles, I enjoyed every one of them. Here's a brief, spoiler-free summary:<br>"The Keeper"- This story tells Michelle Benoit's story in more depth. It touches on her relationships with both Scarlet and Dr. Tanner, and finishes with how she came to protect Cinder. Well written and plotted, it manages quite a bit of story and character development for its length. 4 stars.<br><br>"Glitches"- This story follows Cinder as she joins the Linh family in New Beijing. She's a child, she has no memory of "the other family," and she's a cyborg. Young Cinder and Peony are precious, and I enjoyed reading this part of the story. 4 stars<br><br>"The Queen's Army"- Naturally, this is a story about Wolf and how he became an elite member of the Queen's Army. This story has a decidedly different tone from the previous two, and it was one of my favorites. Taken from his parents and genetically modified, Wolf (or Z, as he's known at the time) must deny his gentle nature and become a killer if he wants to survive. 4.5 stars<br><br>"Carswell's Guide to Being Lucky"- A cute story about pint-sized Thorne at school. The most interesting thing about this story was that Thorne was from a wealthy background, and how that shaped his character. Otherwise, this one didn't do much for me. 3.5 stars<br><br>"After Sunshine Passes By"- Next is a story about Cress as a child, and how she came to be put in a satellite. This one is quite short, and it is basically a reworking of the beginning of Rapunzel in the world of TLC. 3.5 stars<br><br>"The Princess and the Guard"- Winter and Jacin are the titular characters in one of the longer stories in the anthology. Basically, this story just explores their childhoods and backstory. Jacin was the character I felt the most distant from in TLC, so it was good to get more of his personality and character. Winter is, as usual, completely charming with a stain of sorrow. 4 stars.<br><br>"The Little Android"- A pretty straightforward retelling of "The Little Mermaid," but with an android (Mech6.0). It was a standout in that only Cinder has a brief cameo (as far as the main LC characters go), and we get to see more of the world and everyday people of TLC. Bittersweet and well done. 4.5 stars<br><br>"The Mechanic"- I'll admit that I was primed to like this one, since it is the story of Cinder and Kai's meeting from Kai's perspective. It was great fun to get in his head, since he is one of the more impassive/emotionally unavailable characters. As I suspected, he's pretty funny. I would read an entire book with him as the POV character. 4.5 stars<br><br>"Something Old, Something New"- Obviously, there is a wedding involved. This story was the sappiest, and definitely had the most corny parts, but it also surprised me with some truly hilarious bits. The mental images of all the male characters decorating for a wedding together was worth the read by itself. It went on a bit long for me, but it also neatly tied up the story and sent the characters into the next stages of their lives. 3.5 stars<br><br>Overall: A fun, breezy read with some standout stories, a liberal dose of humor and mayhem, and more of lovable characters. Definitely a must for Lunar Chronicles fans. 4 stars
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/list/4341872-rebekah-h">View all my reviews</a>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-4298763301214470692016-02-23T12:38:00.002-08:002016-02-23T12:38:30.881-08:00Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Books That Really Weren't My Thing (But I liked them anyway) - With gifs and reasons and stuff<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Source<a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/">: The Broke and the Bookish</a></td></tr>
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Top Ten Tuesday is a really fun topic (again) this week* - since it highlights books from genres or on topics that we don't normally read, but that we really liked. </h2>
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As a bookseller, it's part of my job to read a diverse selection, so I have read plenty of books that I wouldn't pick up because I simply wanted to. Here are 10 of the books I liked more than I thought I would!</h4>
As always, TTT is hosted by <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/">The Broke and the Bookish</a>, and you can find out how to participate in the link-up <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html">right here</a>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(Disclaimer: All images belong to respective copyright holders and are not being used for any financial gain)</span><br />
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And here we go . . .</h4>
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Top 10 Books That I Liked (Even Though They Weren't My Usual Reads)</h2>
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1. <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781616204518">The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry</a> by <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=Zevin%2C+Gabrielle">Gabrielle Zevin</a></h3>
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Why it isn't me: I don't usually go for cute and cuddly NYT bestsellers.</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Sniffles* Pushing Daisies!</td></tr>
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<b>How it changed my mind: </b>While it was most definitely cute and cuddly, and bestselling, <i>The Storied Life of A. J. Fikry</i> was sweet not sappy, and a love letter to books and bookstores. How could I not approve? The author really captured the charm of indie bookstores, reading, and the quirky people you meet in the bookish world.<br />
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2. <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780373210787">The Iron Fey Series</a> (And <i>The Immortal Rules</i>) by <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=Kagawa%2C+Julie">Julie Kagawa</a></h3>
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Why they aren't me: Two words- <i>paranormal romance</i>. And they were billed to me as "swoony," which always earns an eyeroll (internally, of course, one must be polite).</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My eyeliner is never this flawless, but this is how I'll react . . .</td></tr>
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<b>How they changed my mind:</b> While there was zero swooning, I did find the characters charming** enough to read every one of the Iron Fey books (and I even made it through the slight love triangle unscathed).</div>
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Anyhow, these books are like those giant cupcakes -- you buy one and one becomes five and . . . anyhow, I actually really enjoyed them. But I sort of felt like I had a sugar hangover after the fact. The characters are fun, the worlds are lovely (I especially love her take on the Fey), and Julie Kagawa is a <i>good storyteller</i>. <i>Immortal Rules</i> was one of the more interesting vampire books I've come across, and I loved Kagawa's take on a post-apocalyptic setting.</div>
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3. <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781476729091">The Rosie Project</a> by <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=Simsion%2C+Graeme">Graeme Simsion</a></h3>
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Why it isn't me: It's an adult contemporary romance/comedic novel. I don't usually enjoy romantic comedies, and they only ask for an hour of my time. A book is much more demanding.</h4>
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<b>How it changed my mind:</b> It was actually hilarious. The characters were quirky and fun, and I <i>loved</i> Don Tillman. He's autistic, brilliant, and so socially awkward that I was immediately charmed. Rosie was fun, but Don's narration won this novel for me.</div>
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4. The <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781442402324">Benny Imura Series</a> and The<a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250043771"> Joe Ledger Series</a> by <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=Maberry%2C+Jonathan">Jonathan Maberry</a></h3>
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Why they aren't me: I am not into zombies. Period. And the Joe Ledger series are an adult zombie series, which really isn't my thing . . .</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before <i>Rot & Ruin</i></td></tr>
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<b>How they changed my mind: </b><strike>TOM.***</strike> While there are <i>a lot</i> of zombies in both series, they also include: strong characters, brother bonds that will make you cry in a hole, great action, <i>swords</i>, authentic and relatable teenage drama, adorable characters, <i>plotlines</i>, humor, philosophy, and really complicated but terrifying villains. And did I mention Tom Imura? No? Small oversight. And as for the Joe Ledger books - they're like a Clint Eastwood movie with zombies and humor. A little rough,**** but I liked them way more than I thought I would (I haven't read them all yet, but they're still going strong)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">After</td></tr>
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5. <i><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780679732181">Absalom, Absalom</a></i> by <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=Faulkner%2C+William">William Faulkner</a></div>
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Why it isn't me: I read some of Faulkner's short stories for school and was driven mad by his stylistic decisions (run-on sentences, strange punctuation, etc). Despite my love of classic lit, we didn't click.</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lehighvalleyhaunt.com/wp-content/themes/investigate2011/images/woods.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://lehighvalleyhaunt.com/wp-content/themes/investigate2011/images/woods.gif" height="155" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Trying to capture that eerie, empty feel with a gif here</td></tr>
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<b>How it changed my mind:</b> I saw how short it was, and picked it up on vacation. And I was completely won over by the eerie darkness, the strange style, the drama, the depiction of the South, the story, and the narrators. Faulkner went from my never-read-again list, to my read-everything-eventually list. Just because of this book.</div>
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6. <i><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780553497786">The Smell of Other People's Houses</a></i> by <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=Hitchcock%2C+Bonnie-Sue">Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock</a></h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">So pretty</td></tr>
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Why it isn't me: I tend to avoid coming-of-age novels as a genre, especially when they sound like they're just about teenagers doing teenage things (no, I never liked them when I was a teenager).</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Couldn't resist, mate</td></tr>
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<b>How it changed my mind:</b> First, there was the evocative title. Second, I met a few people at Winter Institute who completely convinced me to read it with their love for this book. And then the author read an excerpt, and I loved her prose. The story is much more layered and complicated than what I expected, the characters are lovable and seem like real people, and the peek into 60's-70's Alaska was absolutely fascinating. If you like contemporary-ish YA at all, you should definitely give this book a shot.</div>
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7. <i><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781591826033">Fruits Basket</a></i> (Manga) by <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=Takaya%2C+Natsuki">Natsuki Takaya</a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Just look at this cover . . .</td></tr>
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Why it isn't me: While I love manga, I'm not much into the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj40JSPsI7LAhXHSSYKHbCMBhAQFggrMAE&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FSh%25C5%258Djo_manga&usg=AFQjCNHbGxdNkNWOx9q8wiW9yGE6WYsIIw&sig2=wkqv4S8hZ9xmSD2ZuYi8ig">shoujo</a>/school stuff/romance. I prefer <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dnen_manga">shonen</a>, hands down.</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/5f689efb8b4e72d7cd936d1879279505/tumblr_mhaxedh7QM1rypvm7o1_250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/5f689efb8b4e72d7cd936d1879279505/tumblr_mhaxedh7QM1rypvm7o1_250.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And Hiro - that kid with unlimited adult sass</td></tr>
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<b>How it changed my mind: </b>Blogger Victoria Grace (<a href="http://storitorigrace.blogspot.com/">Stori Tori</a>) convinced me to watch the anime first, and I was hooked. I swear I've never been so invested in school clubs or random everyday life before. I had to read the manga because the anime doesn't have the entire story! And there are three very important things I haven't mentioned:<br />
<b>1. </b>Everyone and everything is so darn <i>cute</i>!<br />
<b>2. </b>The Chinese Zodiac have human forms, and they revert to animals when hugged by the opposite sex. It's weird and random and provides tons of hilarity.<br />
<b>3.</b> The characters have surprising layers, and/or really dark sides. </div>
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8. <i><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781416975878">Clockwork Angel</a></i> by <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=Clare%2C+Cassandra">Cassandra Clare</a></h3>
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Why it isn't me: See #2. Guys - this is so "not me" that I was almost too embarrassed to put it up (and I am <i>not</i> knocking anyone who likes these books, I promise). Paranormal romance, love triangles, ridiculously unrealistic characters, weird taxidermied-looking dudes on the covers, I could go on for days here - but they're not my normal thing, obviously.</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taxidermy . . .</td></tr>
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<b>How it changed my mind:</b> This was just a fun book. I stopped thinking and just giggled at the dialogue and got lost in the indulgent steampunk world and fun. Quirky, cute characters and plenty of action helped too.</div>
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9. <i><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9781250059949">Does This Beach Make Me Look Fat?: True Stories and Confessions</a></i> by <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=Scottoline%2C+Lisa">Lisa Scottoline</a> and Francesca Serritella</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Got to love that title though</td></tr>
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Why it isn't me: This is the sort of book I'd never even notice. Confessionals, anecdotes, personal mother-daughter stuff, chick-lit, etc.</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Batman, are you trying to make us all feel bad?</td></tr>
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<b>How it changed my mind: </b>I got this ARC from a box at work when I was desperately seeking a beachy read for a review program. The review was due in two days, and I needed something quick and easy. What I didn't expect was how much I enjoyed it! The stories were pretty relatable, and funnier than I thought they would be. As I have a close relationship with my mother, I found the mother-daughter stuff endearing and fun. It was easy to read, but only just fluffy enough. Sweet and sincere, I could honestly recommend it as a "beach read" to readers and non-readers alike.</div>
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10. <i><a href="http://www.indiebound.org/book/9780141439969">Little Dorrit</a></i> by <a href="http://www.indiebound.org/search/book?searchfor=Dickens%2C+Charles">Charles Dickens</a></h3>
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Why it isn't me: I was fully persuaded that I didn't like Dickens. (Too early of an exposure - which was my own fault!). Long, overrated, boring, and melodramatic - that's what I thought. And <i>Little Dorrit</i> is basically moose-sized.</h4>
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<b>How it changed my mind: </b>I watched the Masterpiece Theater (love MT!) version and was hooked, so I decided to give the book a chance. I liked it even better. It was hilarious - with a such a heady level of satire I was completely surprised, and the characters were brilliant. The Circumlocution Office still figures into my conversations. Anyhow, <i>Little Dorrit</i> rekindled my love for Victorian novels, and sparked a new one with Dickens' works in particular. Many years later, I'm still a loyal fangirl <3<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
So, what was the last book you read that was out of your comfort zone or not something you'd normally read? Why did you like it? Have you read any of these books? </h2>
<i>Footnotes:</i><br />
<i>*</i>Last week was <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/02/top-ten-tuesday-top-10-songs-that-need.html">10 Songs that Should Be Books</a> - which was a fabulous idea!<br />
**Ash is my spirit animal (okay, one of my many spirit animals)<br />
***<i>Tom Imura = <3<3<3<3<3</i><br />
<i>****</i>The Joe Ledger covers are gross. Who wants to <a href="http://images.booksense.com/images/books/437/033/FC9781250033437.JPG">look at this</a>?<i> </i></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-6326238777972061992016-02-17T07:50:00.002-08:002016-02-17T07:50:40.707-08:00Top Ten Tuesday: Top 10 Songs That NEED to Be Books<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Top 10 Songs that NEED to Be Books (Top 10 Tuesday on Wednesday)</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeYsSZwVII_tJBCqaWmP9zZFonQbqCk5ugdLs7VzHN8p-HQ7yD9zq9HZeLCl1SZWKLuadPGbV3tggJOUXYDR9us1k4l08OfSob8Yh1TKAIrHzZmNw7yF7tjJqX3J0_n21XvuJ2HYCnkzu/s1600/toptentuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeYsSZwVII_tJBCqaWmP9zZFonQbqCk5ugdLs7VzHN8p-HQ7yD9zq9HZeLCl1SZWKLuadPGbV3tggJOUXYDR9us1k4l08OfSob8Yh1TKAIrHzZmNw7yF7tjJqX3J0_n21XvuJ2HYCnkzu/s1600/toptentuesday.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html">Source</a>: <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/">The Broke and the Bookish</a></td></tr>
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When I saw this, I knew I <i>had</i> to participate, no matter how I managed to obtain internet. Next to books, music is my favorite thing in the world, and I could probably make a list that goes on for days. As <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/discussion-time-how-does-music-affect.html">I've written elsewhere</a>, many/most of my own writing is either directly linked to music, or music is just one of the many ingredients. Either way, music and writing are inextricably connected for me.</h3>
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The challenge here was limiting myself to 10! (So only one song per artists, or it will mainly be Within Temptation) Anyhow, I included videos where applicable, the song titles are linked to lyrics, and the bands are linked to their sites for more info.</div>
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1. <a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/withintemptation/darkwings.html">Dark Wings</a> by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiUmuW6h__KAhUC2SYKHeL7APwQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.within-temptation.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNEC0lF1aF5AAhPKMd1oJmYZHzJEtg&sig2=y-rBWD4thP35slCpS3fEvw">Within Temptation</a></h3>
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There is a fantasy novel in almost every Within Temptation song (whether they were inspired by one, or it's one that's begging to be written!*). I have WT songs on almost every one of my novel playlists for a reason :) </div>
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So why pick Dark Wings? Look at the lyrics, listen to Sharon Den Adel's vocals and the epic power of the music. This is a fantasy novel about the Faye, or some ancient winged race (related to dragons, maybe?)</div>
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2. <a href="http://www.lyrster.com/lyrics/dragons-lyrics-the-green-children.html">Dragons </a>by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjS7K2xiP_KAhUCWSYKHdn0A6oQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fthegreenchildren.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNEeJr1Z8WVoJuAROjLiot0XBIiiNg&sig2=mDS4O3xgaxCX-ZC8q24wSg">The Green Children</a></h3>
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Speaking of dragons, metaphorically, the song <i>Dragons</i> has a story. There are several parts to it (just click on The Green Children's channel in the links to find the others - starting with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jv9q71bO5S4">Life Was Beautiful</a>), but <i>it isn't a book</i>. It needs to be. Like a modern Kay and Gerda in <i>The Snow Queen</i>, our video protagonists get separated and caught up in a sinister looking web of magic (?) or not. </div>
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The video visuals are amazing, and the dance pop ambiance makes it fun to listen to. And the lyrics are intriguing to boot. There is definitely a book here. One of the many bands I love that haven't made it into a post yet, The Green Children are another frequent contributor to my novel playlists.</div>
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3. <a href="http://www.kpoplyrics.net/bap-one-shot-lyrics-english-romanized.html">One Shot</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/OFFICIALB.A.P/">B.A.P</a></h3>
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Note - there is a bit of blood and violence in this video, but nothing too graphic.</h4>
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Life choices are the major theme in this heavy-hitting song by B.A.P** The video above has handy subs for the lyrics, but it's still pretty obvious what's going on. But the surprise ending . . . This gives me all kinds of novel ideas. I'm thinking contemporary YA about a gang of street boys, with a sci-fi/time bending twist.</div>
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4. <a href="http://lyrics.wikia.com/wiki/Heather_Dale:The_Maiden_And_The_Selkie">The Maiden and the Selkie</a> by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjhsKqg-v7KAhXD4SYKHXoPA84QFggdMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fheatherdale.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNECiHDtIrwY4LMsawlKliyhxaADZA&sig2=UWZ6gq7PVJYtHGk8oGvZgg">Heather Dale</a></h3>
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If you're into the Celtic/Folk/New Age music scene (or King Arthur), you've probably heard Canadian singer Heather Dale. Her music is based on folklore and legends, with her own spin. </div>
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I picked this song for the unique ending - the maiden is very proactive about this marrying a <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Selkie">selkie </a>prince business (basically Scottish were-seals). Instead of dying on command when she can't marry her true love (a real danger in Celtic ballads), she finds a way around it. Applause for her. Embellish this story, and it could be a lot like a <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjL29vF_P7KAhXBJiYKHZDyBlsQFggdMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FTam_Lin&usg=AFQjCNFUhzBiw6YBNWExwi_nR5o5IsBQ7w&sig2=x0_C4HcQL-FkuaS5Oi0YDA">Tam Lin</a> retelling.</div>
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5. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjQnNqpif_KAhWI7CYKHX-9De0QFggnMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.rvwsociety.com%2Fbiography.html&usg=AFQjCNHk-nXvMTwDVTPC8iQlHtV_t8LojQ&sig2=_OXGZ_PBm74vCXAUT5YC3A">Ralph Vaughan Williams</a> Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis, performed by the <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiQrsGfif_KAhVE5yYKHXHEBk0QFggjMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bbc.co.uk%2Fprogrammes%2Fprofiles%2F3ZdqdVLsMqsvj8ZHptXN2ZT%2Fabout-the-orchestra&usg=AFQjCNHrSPk_pK0yvOHVfRsKxrnJdVGOYA&sig2=4Vjsp2tew1lQ7QHJ-z27RQ">BBC Symphony Orchestra</a></h3>
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Don't feel like you have to watch all 17 minutes of the above performance, but I promise that it's worthwhile! You might recognize this piece from the movie Master and Commander. It's depth and haunting beauty always make me want to write - and if I could write something half as beautiful as this piece of music, I'd be pretty well pleased. </div>
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I love Thomas Tallis and his sacred/choral music, but Vaughan Williams (impressively) actually improved upon the original with his 1910 fantasia (above). Seriously, if this was a book, I think we'd all read it.</div>
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6. <a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/30secondstomars/fromyesterday.html">From Yesterday</a> by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiq4ZLEif_KAhVL4CYKHfBaCF8QFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thirtysecondstomars.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNFochND7W4j6otNwno90UJ8FCWRAQ&sig2=fNwG1nPRKX4UbxO7diLVoQ">30 Seconds to Mars</a></h3>
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This video is another one that needs a book. Not only is it gorgeous and evocative, the powerful lyrics of the song just shout novel at me every time. Sci-Fi, historical fiction, fantasy, it doesn't matter. It would just be a really cool book, regardless. (Am I the only person who thinks that this video is better than a movie already?)</div>
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7. <a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/red/shadows.html">Shadows </a>by <a href="http://www.redmusiconline.com/">Red</a></h3>
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Lyrics, music, vocals, story, this song has it all. And it's oh so intense. We can follow up with <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dc1kTm6aKME">So Far Away</a> and <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ti7kuD-YgRA">Hold Me Now</a>. If you like powerful vocals and messages with driving rock music, then you need some Red in your life.</div>
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I'm envisioning this as urban fantasy with a character who walks the wire between life and death, and constantly suffers from crises of conscience and complex moral dilemmas. With Red serenading them in the background, how can they not be awesome?</div>
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8. <a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/clickfive/whenimgone.html">When I'm Gone</a> by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/theclickfive/">The Click Five</a></h3>
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Maybe it starts like this: A famous young detective was on his way to propose to his gf, and he was caught in a freak accident. Or was it just a freak accident? He comes back, but no one, including his girl, can see him. He doesn't need/want revenge, and though he has some unsolved cases, he's kind of puzzled as to why he didn't pass over. And there's your story - with lots of ghost-solving-mysteries along the way. I don't think I've ever read a book like this.*** </div>
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But I want a book where the aforementioned ghost is the hero/POV character. I feel like comic books and movies/tv shows have somewhat explored this (but they're usually stupidly violent). At any rate, this is <i>my ghost's</i> anthem.</div>
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9. <a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/used/generationthrowaway.html">Generation Throwaway</a> by <a href="http://news.theused.net/">The Used</a></h3>
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I am envisioning <i>Les Mis</i> meets <i>Holes</i> meets <i>The Maze Runner</i>. </div>
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Led by an uncompromising idealist, a ragtag group of misfits and recreants sets out to save the world, but it's never that simple. I think I need to write this book already, and dedicate it to everyone else who listened to lots of pop punk/emo/post-hardcore as a teenager.</div>
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10. <a href="http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/warrenzevon/werewolvesoflondon.html">Werewolves of London</a> by <a href="http://www.warrenzevon.com/">Warren Zevon</a></h3>
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Who doesn't want this to be a literal book? The lyrics are nuts. I want to read it. Modern, jaded British werewolves just minding their business in London. (On second thought, I might be the only person who wants to read this)</div>
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So there you go: 10 songs that needed to be novels, yesterday.</h2>
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Would you read any of these if they were books? Have you heard any of these songs/bands? Did you watch any of my videos? Is there a song that you think really, really, needs to be a book? Sound off below ;)</h3>
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<i>Footnotes:</i></div>
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*Seriously - just look over their lyrics. Novels happening <i>everywhere.</i> This seems to be a defining characteristic of symphonic metal - <a href="http://xandria.de/">Xandria</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi-urfpkf_KAhXI4CYKHdUTACoQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.delain.nl%2F&usg=AFQjCNEOslK4DNEtvj_HU-TJd84sFmFtiA&sig2=rnZI3FjEMl4XipKI9nnhrQ">Delain</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwib0I3ykf_KAhVHNSYKHSPKD-8QFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.epica.nl%2F&usg=AFQjCNERP-OF90iVZPsLq0PT3AZAaAiDuw&sig2=i48MBnqTm3rsB27fFBED4g">Epica</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwibm-qEkv_KAhXCLSYKHWC8B90QFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fnightwish.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNHZ2RpuPD2V9Nik71ZdcOw5tV5x4g&sig2=Y1hHPB3I7kU1WpPGH6iuAw">Nightwish</a>, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwia_puKkv_KAhUI2SYKHe2XDxoQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.kamelot.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNHQFO8RFz8dOJEUXVtqIqQSWlmA_w&sig2=xeDY4ClJrr3Ltl5YeNHgQA">Kamelot</a>, <a href="http://www.mortenveland.com/sirenia/">Sirenia</a>, I could go on forever but google it and you'll understand.</div>
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**B.A.P is the only Kpop band on this list. But I find that the theatrical, overblown nature of Kpop is more suggestive of characters or themes than complete novels. And it's very good at that (Case in point - my current infatuation with <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj194aAkP_KAhUDSCYKHVTTA-MQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ygbigbang.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNGSQ7bU992mgXn_agG7R3cp7d3bPQ&sig2=vMyLycnj7iJWV9bOketogg&bvm=bv.114195076,d.eWE">Bigbang</a> and <a href="http://jyj3.net/biography/kim-junsu/">Kim Junsu</a>'s stuff)</div>
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***Closest thing was the ghost fiance in the Kdrama "<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi33ZXCkf_KAhWMKCYKHRxsDToQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fasianwiki.com%2FWho_Are_You_-_Korean_Drama&usg=AFQjCNGojXT-VdBTHYC2bDE_4j7L440fGw&sig2=d2lh8GOgxLLdWmcfGaRrow">Who Are You?</a>" He was <i>epic</i>.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-88129880560048368852016-02-15T11:00:00.000-08:002016-02-18T06:19:33.443-08:00Lovely Books: 10 Literary Couples I Was Actually Invested In (With Fanart!)<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGLyeG-CSXbSXMDDkKXGOROQHpwXVLwbF9NEez6SMY29njzBcX58khyp9VjQlqP0tNmShyphenhyphen3YOJQLa_O4sOdSdIxb9t4kw419AJ_ApyHaaWMDJnpdbna0bH04eAv214GXbe6HxmNO4aek/s640/lovelybookscouples.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXGLyeG-CSXbSXMDDkKXGOROQHpwXVLwbF9NEez6SMY29njzBcX58khyp9VjQlqP0tNmShyphenhyphen3YOJQLa_O4sOdSdIxb9t4kw419AJ_ApyHaaWMDJnpdbna0bH04eAv214GXbe6HxmNO4aek/s320/lovelybookscouples.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image <a href="http://traceydyck.blogspot.com/2016/02/lovely-books-couples.html">Source</a>: Adventure Awaits/Tracey Dyck</td></tr>
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Well, I'm behind on reading and reviewing, so I tossed it all out the window and decided to join <a href="https://www.blogger.com/profile/03445222618456673198">Tracey Dyck's</a> new February link-up: <i>Lovely Books </i>(<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0l1FDI8sY-hkHYrGuOI6f5u3aeblfUkOs9pFMdmvg3iG42MOK-kl3YPNyiTUw8OXyd798-xBepTS6ZorrXnXvRm-sNlz-wYTzg56_9yAVQjXRLyFuqfDWShjj66d0WnlbMol8yhdYtIw/s1600/awesome+blog+banner.jpg">Adventure Awaits</a>)</h3>
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This is a new link-up that goes live the Saturday of every month. Rules (very few rules) can be <a href="http://traceydyck.blogspot.ca/2016/02/lovely-books-covers-titles.html">found here</a>.<br />
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Since <i>Lovely Books</i> is all about loving on books with other bloggers and bookworms, I knew I had to join in. I totally missed the first one, but the second one was, you guessed it, Valentine's Day themed.<br />
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<h3>
In unintentional rebellion, I'm doing it for <i>President's Day</i>.*</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/87500/Cool-George-Washington-Wearing-Sunglasses--87639.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.freakingnews.com/pictures/87500/Cool-George-Washington-Wearing-Sunglasses--87639.jpg" height="320" width="267" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking good, George.</td></tr>
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<br />
But, yes, favorite literary couples. I'm slightly embarrassed that I did a <i>total mind blank</i> on this at first. I love books and characters, but I never get that invested in romantic plots. That being said, there are some couples in fiction that were so awesome, I felt my heart clenching in concern for them.** That's some mighty fine writing, my friends. (I intentionally ruled out all manga/comic book couples, because that was easier and required less mental straining)***<br />
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Warning: Some of these might be a little spoilery (but I find that figuring out romantic plotlines is one of the easiest to do, so probably not).</h4>
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<h4>
There is also fanart. So enjoy! <span style="font-size: x-small;">(All art is credited when possible and belongs to the artist. It is not being used for any profit/marketing/or anything other than promoting awesome artists)</span></h4>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
1. <b>Howl and Sophie</b> from <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6294.Howl_s_Moving_Castle">Howl's Moving Castle</a></i></h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/cc/49/99/cc49999f270626e572e6d60c323be43d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/cc/49/99/cc49999f270626e572e6d60c323be43d.jpg" width="278" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Unfortunately, I have no idea who the artist is! :( I want to credit them. Source: <a href="https://www.tumblr.com/tagged/howl's-moving-castle">Tumblr</a></td></tr>
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It's a testament to the late Diana Wynne Jones' writing that she made us all fall in love with someone as <i>awful </i>as Howl. He's a spoiled brat of a wizard, albeit a brilliant one, and his antics are too funny. On the other hand, I think Sophie is one of the great unsung heroines of literature. She's smart, sensible, and forced to spend most of the book in the (fitting) guise of an old woman. Howl really doesn't deserve her - though I defy you to not want them to end up together. This a charming fantasy that resembles Beauty and the Beast, if the Beast was attractive in looks but not behavior, and the Beauty had a beautiful spirit but was a little old woman on the outside. A must read.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://49.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1bfyfx8Vl1qjgr1bo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://49.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1bfyfx8Vl1qjgr1bo1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sophie proving her love - movie version</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<br />2. <b>Eugenides (the Thief) and Irene (the Queen of Attolia)</b></h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orig00.deviantart.net/61c1/f/2010/072/8/f/attolia_attolis_by_annmarieri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://orig00.deviantart.net/61c1/f/2010/072/8/f/attolia_attolis_by_annmarieri.jpg" height="200" title="http://annmarieri.deviantart.com/art/Attolia-Attolis-157130895" width="140" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://annmarieri.deviantart.com/art/Attolia-Attolis-157130895">Attolia + Attolis</a> by <a href="http://annmarieri.deviantart.com/">annmarieri </a>on <a href="http://deviantart.com/">Deviantart</a></td></tr>
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In Megan Whalen Turner's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/448873.The_Thief"><i>The Queen's Thief</i> series</a>, the story of how Irene comes to respect Gen as a man and an equal is an impressive, mature look at love and relationships. And these books aren't romances at all. They're based around a fantasy world that resembles Ancient Greece and Rome, full of intrigue, deception and lethal scheming. In the center of it all is Eugenides, the titular Thief, whose charm, wit, and quick fingers get him in and out of loads of trouble. When he starts falling in love with the powerful, proud, and disdainful Queen of Attolia, things get messy, and deadly, fast. Just read it, I don't want to give too much away.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://40.media.tumblr.com/a1caca0ef5f6eb177f41b2caf41f6a6f/tumblr_niuczs5L7P1r5z675o1_500.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://40.media.tumblr.com/a1caca0ef5f6eb177f41b2caf41f6a6f/tumblr_niuczs5L7P1r5z675o1_500.png" height="456" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Via <a href="http://natroze.tumblr.com/post/109302044569/prismatic-void-is-100-to-blame-for-me-reading-the">Natroze </a>on Tumblr - so funny!</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
3. <b>Beatrice and Benedick </b>from <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12957.Much_Ado_About_Nothing">Much Ado About Nothing</a></i>. </h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://paperclip.rcs.ac.uk/images/b/be/Much_Ado_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://paperclip.rcs.ac.uk/images/b/be/Much_Ado_Poster.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this - poster from Ali de Souza's <a href="http://paperclip.rcs.ac.uk/index.php/Much_Ado_About_Nothing_2011">2011 production</a></td></tr>
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<i>Much Ado</i> is one of the deepest, and yet most entertaining, comedies from the Bard. If you get the chance to see it live, take it, as it's hilarious to see the action. Beatrice and Benedick are the bachelors, the confirmed singles who have sworn of love, marriage, and everything in between. Their relationship is realistic and funny, contrasted with the "love at first sight" of Hero and Claudio. My second favorite couple in Shakespeare is the Macbeths - who put the bad in badass and are scary as all get out. They're also hopelessly devoted to each other. Take that, Romeo and Juliet.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://49.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mclnmifTIw1qgvdf9o2_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://49.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mclnmifTIw1qgvdf9o2_500.gif" height="191" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She has such a way with words, you know.</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orig07.deviantart.net/7b07/f/2010/096/0/0/004b89cd9a73475676ff89c9df25f468.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://orig07.deviantart.net/7b07/f/2010/096/0/0/004b89cd9a73475676ff89c9df25f468.jpg" height="400" title="You saved my life by LauraTolton on Deviatart.com" width="166" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Copyright: <a href="http://lauratolton.deviantart.com/">Laura Tolton</a></td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
4. <b>Sabriel and "Touchstone"</b> from <i>Sabriel. </i></h3>
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<i></i><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img00.deviantart.net/aabe/i/2015/125/6/8/dust_by_lauratolton-d1jli5z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://img00.deviantart.net/aabe/i/2015/125/6/8/dust_by_lauratolton-d1jli5z.jpg" height="256" title="Dust by LauraTolton on Deviantart.com" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Copyright: <a href="http://lauratolton.deviantart.com/">Laura Tolton</a></td></tr>
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Another pair from a book that isn't really romantic. Garth Nix's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/518848.Sabriel"><i>Sabriel</i> </a>is awesome. Sabriel is the Abhorsen, a sort of reverse necromancer that puts the dead back, as opposed to calling them up. When she's forced to take on the responsibilities of her father (the current Abhorsen), Sabriel must leave the safety of school to confront all the powers of darkness. She's a feminine, authentic girl who is way cooler than anyone you've met, yet identifiable. She's also strong, very strong, in a quiet way that never screams "I can do anything a man can do!" Her relationship with Touchstone is believable, touching, and humorous. READ THIS BOOK. (Artist Laura Tolton has <a href="http://lauratolton.deviantart.com/gallery/1533592/Abhorsen">an amazing gallery</a> with more Abhorsen related works - check it out.)</div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
5. <b>Kate and Christopher</b>, from <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/195381.The_Perilous_Gard?bf=500&from_search=true">The Perilous Gard</a></i>, by Elizabeth Marie Pope. </h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orig09.deviantart.net/354a/f/2009/006/4/a/christopher_heron_by_whimsicalcow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://orig09.deviantart.net/354a/f/2009/006/4/a/christopher_heron_by_whimsicalcow.jpg" height="219" title="http://whimsicalcow.deviantart.com/art/Christopher-Heron-108676145" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Christopher Heron by <a href="http://whimsicalcow.deviantart.com/">Whimsical Cow</a> on Deviantart.com</td></tr>
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Another book I've read that no one else seems to have heard of. And it's their loss, because <i>The Perilous Gard</i> is one of the best YA novels ever. Really.<br />
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orig08.deviantart.net/35f4/f/2009/005/2/c/kate_sutton_by_whimsicalcow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://orig08.deviantart.net/35f4/f/2009/005/2/c/kate_sutton_by_whimsicalcow.jpg" height="320" title="http://whimsicalcow.deviantart.com/art/Kate-Sutton-108564637" width="301" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kate Sutton by <a href="http://whimsicalcow.deviantart.com/">WhimsicalCow </a>on Deviantart.com</td></tr>
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It's set in 1558, and the historical accuracy makes this the most believable novel I've read about the Fae. Kate is the heroine, exiled by Queen Mary Tudor to the Perilous Gard of the title. It's an unwelcoming place, full of secretive inhabitants, including the handsome, rude, and mysterious Christopher Heron.<br />
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<br />
<br />
Their relationship has a bit of the Jane Eyre-Mr. Rochester dynamic, but without all the <i>creepiness</i> (Christopher just acts like the type of guy who'd hide a wife in the attic, but he isn't). And there is a sad lack of fan art for this book! However, Jenn Rothwell's (<a href="http://whimsicalcow.deviantart.com/">Whimsical Cow</a>) illustrations are perfect.<br />
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<h4>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
6. <b>Gemma and Kartik</b> - <i>The Sweet Far Thing</i> (The Gemma Doyle Trilogy #3) by Libba Bray</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/16700000/Gemma-and-Kartik-gemma-doyle-trilogy-16778422-712-622.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://images4.fanpop.com/image/photos/16700000/Gemma-and-Kartik-gemma-doyle-trilogy-16778422-712-622.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Copyright <a href="http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/gemma-doyle-trilogy/images/16778422/title/gemma-kartik-fanart">Sam Schechter</a></td></tr>
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I read this book a long time ago (whenever it first came out), but to be honest, the only thing I really remember is the ending - and Gemma and Kartik's characters. I always liked these two fine, but I didn't really care about their romance until, gulp, it was threatened by death and destruction and mayhem.<br />
<br />
I'll warn you, they don't get a "happy ending." But it's a beautiful finale that really proved how much they meant to each other. In other words, we had real, self-sacrificial love, that made sense, in a YA novel. Not kidding. And yes, fine, they had good chemistry and a convincing relationship too. At least, as far as I remember . . .<br />
<h4>
<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://dfep0xlbws1ys.cloudfront.net/thumbse2/b7/e2b700e7391a1e6f93359d963dfd0613.jpg?response-cache-control=max-age=2628000" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" height="400" src="https://dfep0xlbws1ys.cloudfront.net/thumbse2/b7/e2b700e7391a1e6f93359d963dfd0613.jpg?response-cache-control=max-age=2628000" title="https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/lcrossan/dragon-fire/" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dragon Fire by <a href="https://www.inprnt.com/gallery/lcrossan">Leanna Crossan</a></td></tr>
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</h4>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
7. Aerin and Luthe from <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjun5rnk_rKAhWDdh4KHYf1Cw4QFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F77366.The_Hero_and_the_Crown&usg=AFQjCNG1gWn9kRb_krR58CaLq1typMmPzw&sig2=6EgbwXfoEZ5C3WXecx7pYg">The Hero and the Crown</a></i></h3>
Robin McKinley really likes her bittersweet endings. A lot. <i>The Hero and the Crown</i> is no exception. Somehow, her characters seem to make more adult decisions than most YA protagonists. Which means that these two do not end up together - because it would be irresponsible. Cue my twelve-year-old tears.<br />
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Yes, I really did cry for them when I was twelve. I just wanted them to be okay, you know? It doesn't affect me like this anymore (I'm all "hooray for people making the right choice instead of the romantic one"), but I still like them together. After fifteen years, it would be a shame if they weren't on this list.<br />
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There is basically zero fan art, or art at all, of either Aerin or Luthe. Sadly.<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
8. Luthien and Beren from the Silmarillion by J. R. R. Tolkien</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orig02.deviantart.net/6a28/f/2013/024/b/0/beren__luthien_and_huan_by_steamey-d5sj3y4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://orig02.deviantart.net/6a28/f/2013/024/b/0/beren__luthien_and_huan_by_steamey-d5sj3y4.jpg" height="400" title="http://kg177.deviantart.com/art/Beren-Luthien-and-Huan-350251708" width="332" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beren, Luthien, and Huan by <a href="http://steamey.deviantart.com/">Steamey </a>on Deviantart.com</td></tr>
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Tolkien wasn't known for romance, but is there anything more romantic than disguising as monsters to infiltrate "worse than Mordor" to steal a mystical gem from a guy who makes Sauron cower?<br />
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I didn't think so.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5s8k19MGt1rx6fg1o1_500.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://40.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m5s8k19MGt1rx6fg1o1_500.jpg" height="640" title="Found at http://gustavomalek.tumblr.com/post/25779356298/beren-and-l%C3%BAthien-against-carcaroth-by-justin" width="425" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Beren and Lúthien against Carcaroth by <a href="http://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.justingerard.com%2F&t=NzE5ZWRhNjZmMDBjNTc3NDU3Zjc0MWNjM2I3ZjJiYjE4OWUxODgxYixTWGIwZDVBdw%3D%3D">Justin Gerard</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
In fact, Luthien and Beren are so hardcore that they die and come back to life, mainly because Luthien is so stubborn that she refuses to lose her man after everything they've been through. It's pretty epic.(I love all of Tolkien's couples, but Luthien and Beren are definitely my favorite!). On a side note, I could probably fill about five posts with all the quality fanart of these two, so narrowing it down to just a couple pictures was <i>hard</i>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pre08.deviantart.net/a932/th/pre/i/2013/177/2/0/cinder_by_ice_ridden-d6aqyq8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://pre08.deviantart.net/a932/th/pre/i/2013/177/2/0/cinder_by_ice_ridden-d6aqyq8.jpg" height="200" title="http://chrysalisgrey.deviantart.com/" width="145" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chrysalisgrey.deviantart.com/art/Cinder-380851280">Cinder </a>by <a href="http://chrysalisgrey.deviantart.com/">chrysalisgrey </a>on deviantart.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
9. Kai and Cinder from <i>The Lunar Chronicles</i> by Marissa Meyer</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pre04.deviantart.net/03ab/th/pre/i/2013/336/d/d/lunar_chronicles__prince_kaito__cinder_and_iko_by_mari945-d6wgidm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://pre04.deviantart.net/03ab/th/pre/i/2013/336/d/d/lunar_chronicles__prince_kaito__cinder_and_iko_by_mari945-d6wgidm.jpg" height="400" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://lostie815.deviantart.com/art/Lunar-Chronicles-Prince-Kaito-Cinder-and-Iko-417315082">Prince Kaito, Cinder, and Iko</a> by <a href="http://mari945.deviantart.com/">Mari945</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I admit that I was rooting for them just because I loved both of their characters separately.<br />
<br />
<br />
Kai's evolution from a slightly silly prince into a seriously impressive Emperor was one of the highlights of the series. And Cinder is the sort of character I love the minute they're introduced. Practical, no-nonsense, not afraid to laugh at herself, headstrong, determined, you get it. I can relate (and I'll add that I wouldn't say no to Kai either . . .).Cute fanart aboundeth for these two.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<h3>
10. Morwen and Telemain from <i>The Enchanted Forest Chronicles</i> by Patricia C. Wrede</h3>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orig05.deviantart.net/ebb1/f/2012/029/3/6/forest_scene_by_chibi_oneechan-d4o11h9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://orig05.deviantart.net/ebb1/f/2012/029/3/6/forest_scene_by_chibi_oneechan-d4o11h9.jpg" height="231" title="Forest Scene http://chibi-oneechan.deviantart.com/" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://chibi-oneechan.deviantart.com/art/forest-scene-282224061">Forest Scene</a> by <a href="http://chibi-oneechan.deviantart.com/">chibi-oneechan</a> on Deviant.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
(I couldn't find art I liked of these two, but I did find some gorgeous forest art that reminds me of the entire series)<br />
<br />
If you know who Morwen and Telemain are, <b>can we be friends</b>? I love this quirky little fantasy series, and the whole Morwen + Telemain thing is a definite highlight. Granted, the fact that they <i>like</i> each other isn't confirmed until very late in the series, and it is a side thing, but it was obvious.<br />
<br />
They're hilarious every time they interact - the ultimate odd couple in denial. She's a sensible witch with a lot of opinionated cats, and he's an absent-minded magician (<i>not</i> a wizard) who relies on endless theories and experiments instead of raw power. Classic.<br />
<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
So there you have it: 10 of My Favorite Fictional Couples</h2>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJ-BKBNoRTP_O0AvNW1NopCoJUZY3kOrvFV1XfJMVJamEYIeUq5z34hOgqXSalAba8Or6G1lAJVPyRTsbddU6qLltwCcXXLv4vFOoEPR0YlA6tANvJNV58W380O40gDlDsVsoeWzPKCc/s1600/20160214_221628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidJ-BKBNoRTP_O0AvNW1NopCoJUZY3kOrvFV1XfJMVJamEYIeUq5z34hOgqXSalAba8Or6G1lAJVPyRTsbddU6qLltwCcXXLv4vFOoEPR0YlA6tANvJNV58W380O40gDlDsVsoeWzPKCc/s400/20160214_221628.jpg" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">True. Love.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
The trick to getting me invested is making me care so deeply about the character that I want what they want. A good author can make you feel a little heady during a romantic scene. A great author can make your heart ache with the characters, make you want their "happy ending" for them so badly that you confuse it with your own feelings. And a brilliant author will do all of the above without you realizing it happened until it's too late ;)</h4>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
What was the last fictional couple you got invested in? Why did you care (or not care) about a fictional relationship? Do you tend to anticipate the romantic bits, or are you like me, and distracted by swordfights? Have you read any of these books? <i>Why not?</i></h2>
</div>
<div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<i>Footnotes:</i><br />
<br />
*George and Martha approved<br />
**Confession time: I actually <i>have</i> a fictional <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/rlhendrian/double-trouble/">couples themed Pinterest board</a>.<br />
***Winter Soldier + Black Widow <3<br />
<br /></div>
Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-70460134731909349522016-02-08T18:07:00.001-08:002016-02-08T18:07:44.677-08:00Beautiful People: In Which We Pretend I Have An Ounce of Romance in My Soul (and Interview My Characters)<h3>
For clarification: I believe I have claimed to have exactly 2.5 ounces of romance in my soul. </h3>
<h4>
That's a reasonable estimate. I have felt palpitations of the heart (when I see tiny baby creatures - or a really cool pair of shoes), and I sometimes feel lightheaded when I see an expertly crafted piece of art (whether it's a hand forged knife or a Monet). I will even admit to swooning over babies or particularly amazing voices (<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj579DVxunKAhWKs4MKHY5CCrwQtwIIHDAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-W2FvV2hJNo&usg=AFQjCNEsFcUbGmbJT3ntZN5RayL4HHED1w&sig2=3eNLgiRnIfAas8zGyTK9Wg&bvm=bv.113943665,d.amc">Hong Kwang-ho</a>, I'm looking at you). But to sort of paraphrase a fictional character I can relate to, "Romance is, tolerable, I suppose, but not handsome enough to tempt me."*</h4>
<br />
<a href="http://i0.wp.com/paperfury.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/12659809_733120423455969_138222172_n.jpg?w=410" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i0.wp.com/paperfury.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/12659809_733120423455969_138222172_n.jpg?w=410" height="320" width="320" /></a><br />
What's the point of this monologue, you ask? (Since you came here to read about my writing, not about me, I get it). Well, it's February, so the Beautiful People is, *you guessed it,* "Valentine's Edition." (<a href="http://paperfury.com/beautiful-people-15/">Beautiful People</a> is the Monthly Writing Meme hosted by Cait @ <a href="http://paperfury.com/">Paper Fury</a> and Sky @ <a href="http://www.furtherupandfurtherin.blogspot.com/">Further Up and Further In</a>. To participate, <a href="http://paperfury.com/beautiful-people/">click here</a>.)<br />
<br />
Anyhow, I love BP and really wanted to participate, so instead of digging up one of my unedited manuscripts with a romance,** I decided to go hunting one down in one of my WIP's.<br />
<br />
Ironically, my NaNo from last year, <i>The Butler Did It</i>, starts off because of a bad romantic connection (the heroine's, to be precise). But for 5.7 thousand reasons, her story is about the polar opposite of romantic. So instead, I decided to interview a pair of sensational side characters who *official statement* <i>"have nothing going on between them"</i>)<br />
<br />
<h4>
Confused? You can read more about <i>The Butler Did It</i> <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/search/label/TBDI">right here</a>. And here's a tongue-in-cheek synopsis:</h4>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Ernestine Grey thought her life would be perfect when she disguised as a boy and ran away to the Citadel with her one true love, Lord Atlantis de Carrefour. But when Atlantis is (inconveniently) brutally murdered, Ernestine finds herself adrift in a world of manners, monsters, money, and under the thumb of Atlantis' unpredictable sister Sif. And what does the sinister yet efficient butler, Sydney Smith, have to do with everything?<br />
Set in an alternate history where the continents never divided, and the outside world is overrun with monsters, <b><i>The Butler Did It</i></b> is currently a murder mystery that terribly subverts Cinderella and Victorian romances.</blockquote>
I didn't finish this project for NaNo, but I <i>did</i> make a good start. If I'm going to finish it (I intend to), I need to get to know every character and their motivations thoroughly. This is especially important as TBDI is trying to walk the line between absurd and authentic.<br />
<br />
<h4>
Today, I'm going to interview Sydney Smith (not his real name, exactly) and Pasifica de Carrefour (Sif). Since TBDI is in (MC) Ernestine's first-person perspective, I thought it would be fun to get more of the story from her more flamboyant companions' point of view, savvy?</h4>
Before we start - pictures and character descriptions! I actually managed to find some pics that looked like just what I was picturing for each of them (if you've never tried, then you don't know how difficult this is!!)<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/1f/2c/f8/1f2cf8c6e1a8eccfe5d3d2fdc42451fc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/1f/2c/f8/1f2cf8c6e1a8eccfe5d3d2fdc42451fc.jpg" width="207" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sydney, in the flesh (actually it's Shota Matsuda, but whatever)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
And his character description pilfered from a previous BP: </h4>
<div>
Sydney Smith (?), Butler (?)- He is surprisingly young and scary. His spectacles seem to reflect rays of light into your soul. And he's so efficient, condescending, and capable that Ernestine sort-of hates him. However, his past is apparently linked in interesting ways to the de Carrefours, and Ernestine is determined to get to the bottom of it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/02/c9/10/02c910b2dc9d1621f411da8169d132a7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/02/c9/10/02c910b2dc9d1621f411da8169d132a7.jpg" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I picture Sif as having this dark , silent-film vibe (and looking a lot like Maude Fealy^)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<h4>
Second pilfered description:</h4>
Pasifica (Sif) de Carrefour - Atlantis' scandalous and "wild" sister. She seems to be more irritated that her brother's murder put her in mourning seclusion than that he was murdered. She has a surprisingly crafty brain, and she daydreams about exploring lethal jungles and reporting her findings back to the Citadel.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h3>
And now, please humor me as I ask them these questions and "let"them answer for themselves.***</h3>
<br />
-<i><b>Lady De Carrefour</b> is a tall, imposing young woman with an inappropriately direct gaze. Though she is garbed toe to fingertips in impeccable mourning black, and quietly seated on the <a href="http://www.thefreedictionary.com/settee">settee</a>, something about her seems wild.</i></div>
<div>
<i>-Standing ramrod straight, somewhat to her left (the closest patch of shadow), is a pale, slim young man who appears to be of East Asian descent. Despite his youth, he's sporting a pair of spectacles that obscure his eyes and make his impassable face even harder to read. Based on his neat black suit and white gloves, he's probably a butler. He was introduced to you as "<b>Mr. Smith</b>," with no first name or title, so this seems a safe conclusion.</i></div>
<div>
<b><i>-</i>R</b> - <i>Yours Truly, and my description is unnecessary </i>(text in italics)<br />
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4>
<i><b>R-</b></i>Shuffles notes, clears throat- "Good Afternoon, I hope you don't mind if we ask you two a few questions?"</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif raises a brow, "I assumed that's why we're here?" Her tone is haughty, removed. Not very encouraging.</span></div>
<div>
<h4>
<br /><b><i>1. R</i>-</b>Clears throat again - "How did you first meet each other?"</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif fans herself with an ebony-handled fan that has a pattern of skulls burned into it. "We met as children. Old Master Smith got himself a child in East Asia."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney makes an intriguing, strangled sound, and Sif waves a hand. "Mr. Smith, you're part of this, did you wish to add something?"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"My mother was a diplomat," his voice is soft and low, so I have to lean in to hear. "She couldn't leave, and my father was the Head Butler to the de Carrefour house. He returned to the Citadel when I was young, and my mother remained behind. But they were married, and there was nothing untoward." His lip twists a bit, in scorn, perhaps?</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4>
2. I decide to address the next question to him first, "Mr. Smith, what was your first impression of her ladyship?"</h4>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif snorts (very unladylike), "Tell the truth, please. It won't leave this room."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney shifts from foot to foot. It's the first unnecessary motion I've seen him make. "If my lady insists," there's a waspish hint to his voice now. "I thought she was a spoiled, wealthy brat. Like every other aristocratic child I had met. Rude, ill-bred, and too inclined to speaking her mind."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"What?" Sif's outraged shriek makes me jump. She finally turns to look at Sydney. "Excuse me?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney bows, but not before I catch the hint of a smirk, "You asked me to be frank."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Not that frank,"mutters Sif, her cheeks flushing a bit. "Well, I suppose that's fair, if it's never leaving this room. It didn't even happen. And since none of this is happening, I want to you to come sit beside me, where I can see your face as you insult me."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney sighs, "Due to our difference in station--"</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif cuts him off, "Never leaving this room. As your superior in rank, breeding, privilege, position, etc, etc., I <i>command</i> you to come sit where I can see you."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mr. Smith sighs heavily, but he comes round the settee and seats himself a proper foot away from her ladyship. And he refuses to look at her, focusing on me instead.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif gives him an irritated scowl, "Well, don't you want to know what I thought of you?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Not particularly."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif whacks his arm with her fan, and turns to face me. "I thought he was a girl. And once I realized my mistake, I thought he was a prissy, insufferable bore. And far too good at combat for a mere child."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney's fingers clench a bit, but he remains silent.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4>
3. "Well," I say, trying to smooth over the tension, "That seems like an inauspicious beginning. But you're friends now. More than friends, if Atlantis was ever to be believed. Which brings me to my next question - how long have you been a couple?"</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif goggles at me, her mouth opening and closing soundlessly. Sydney starts, but he seems speechless as well.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif finds her voice first, but she sounds strangled, "What? I do not, do not perceive your meaning? Atlantis spread rumors about me? Why would he do that!?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney snorts now, "Why wouldn't he?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif whacks him with her fan again, "Don't speak ill of the dead! Even if he was a pig, he was my brother!"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney leans forward, clasping his gloved hands together and watching me over his spectacles. His eyes are extremely dark, nearly black, and his hair is inappropriately long for a butler. "Regardless of your source, it's all entirely unfounded. It's impossible for a lady and her butler to even be friends. And despite her lack of manners, my lady's reputation is without reproach. She has never committed the slightest romantic indiscretion, and she has a degree of restraint that <i>her brother</i> would have been wise to emulate." I know I'm not imagining the scorn now, though he is trying to hide it.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4>
4. I decide to drop this line of questioning, but I note that the foot between them has decreased by about half. "How loyal are you to each other? Would you have a falling out over secrets or disagreements?"</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif flicks her fan open and shut, almost as if she is nervous. "These are ridiculous questions, you know. No relationship is interesting without a few secrets. Otherwise I get bored too easily."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney finally looks at her, and his mouth softens a touch, as if he wants to smile, "I am a butler to the honorable House de Carrefour. I am nothing, if not loyal. To the death."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif rolls her eyes. "Really, Sydney. You're so melodramatic. <i>Of course</i> he's loyal, it's the East Asian oath and loyalties and honor nonsense. I, however, am as fickle as the ocean and half as reliable."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"That's only part of the truth,"says Sydney. He drops his voice (as if I can't hear him), "My lady, don't use my <i>first name</i>."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif just swats him with the fan again, but this time, he stops it with a single finger.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney continues, ignoring her frown, "I take pride in following the ways of my ancestors, true. But I have other loyalties that take precedence. And don't let her flippant tone fool you, My lady is at least as loyal to her house as I am. But to her ancestors . . ." Sydney steeples his fingers, and his expression is grim, "That depends on her ancestors. As might my loyalty."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif's eyes widen, and she goes a bit pale. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<h4>
5. I sense that there is an entire subject we are all just glossing over, and in the hope that this interview doesn't turn into a bloodbath, I continue to the next question. "Could stress put you two at odds? And if it came down to it, would you die for each other?"</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney's brows raise a hair. "Stress to dying for each other. That's quite a leap. I'd be appalled if my lady would die for a humble butler. And I'd also be appalled if something as commonplace as stress affected my professional or private relationships. That being said, I feel it would be my duty to place myself in harm's way, if my lady were in danger."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Nonsense, Sif scowls at him, "You know full well that I can take care of myself. I'd be offended if you died for me."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"I didn't say anything about dying," muttered Sydney.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif continues to glare at him until he meets her gaze. "Well, I'm glad you don't intend to die yet,"she said at last. "I abhor serving tea, and no one is as efficient as you."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney's lips twitched, "So glad to be appreciated, my lady."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif raises the fan, but Sydney grabs her wrist before she can smack him, "If you even try to do that again, I'm going to throw it out the window."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif tugs at her arm (not very hard) "How dare you lay a hand on me? And this is my favorite fan. If you touch it I'll cut holes in your shirts."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney shakes his head, "Immaturity does not suit you."</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4>
6. I clear my throat, "Instead of squabbling, why don't you list five food or drink quirks that you know about each other. If you can."</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif blinks at me, as if she had forgotten I was there. "Food . . . quirks?" She wrinkles her nose in thought, "Sydney has a lot of eccentricities. I've had many years to observe them. So I'll go first. He never eats with the other staff, <i>ever</i>. He abhors cold tea - and he takes it personally if we let it go cold. He always prepares tea himself, and never lets anyone else touch it. He is mildly obsessed with tea, and it's the only subject he ever becomes tiresome on. He hates boiled eggs, and steak and kidney pie." Sif leans back, looking self satisfied, "I could keep going for days."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney (still has her by the wrist) clears his throat, "My turn." He looks at me, pointedly, his eyes narrowing over his spectacle frames, "If I'm eccentric, then I'm not half so eccentric as <i>her</i>. She will drink tea, regardless of the temperature, and she thinks nothing of it. She always takes cream and sugar in her tea, even if it ruins the delicacy of the flavor. She eats far more than is proper at parties, and then complains endlessly about being too full. She is overfond of wine and strong spirits, though she is much wiser about them than her late brother. Her favorite food is steak and kidney pie," his mouth curled in disgust at the last one.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif elbows him and frowns at me, "Whatever happened to discreet and honorable de Carrefours and all that?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney tugs her arm, pulling her against him, "What happens in this room, never happened."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif keeps her eyes on me, though she is blushing. "All men really are the same."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4>
7. I decide that grinning is a bad idea and continue with a question, "Does anyone disapprove of your relationship?"</h4>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney, expressionless and completely deadpan, "What relationship?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif, almost at the same time, "He's the family butler. I'm the lady of the house. How is there <i>anything</i> reproachable about that?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I note down that they are sitting completely next to each other and holding (gloved) hands.</span></i></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif leans forward, looking suspicious, "You wrote down that Atlantis is full of . . . lies, correct? There is <i>nothing</i> going on here. It would be, practically illegal, not to mention impossible."</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4>
8."Yes, duly noted. Next question: what's your ideal date?"</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">They both look blank. Sif leans back, puzzled. "Day of the week, holiday, what do you mean?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"No, a date, it's uhm, new slang for a 'romantic outing.'"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif's cheeks are burning again, but she looks angry. "Why on earth would we go on a 'romantic outing' if we're a butler and a <i>lady</i>?"</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4>
9. I put up my hands, "Hey, I didn't pick the questions! But just pretend, humor me. If you <i>were</i> in a relationship, what do you think would be a fun thing to do together?"</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney answers almost before I finish, "A week at the Hidden Sanctuary of the Brothers of Solitude. You have to take a week-long vow of silence, and time is spent in meditation, gardening, calligraphy, tea ceremonies, tending bees, that sort of thing. It's just what my lady needs after her trying last month."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif hits him with the fan, and this time she is successful, "No - that sounds like what <i>you</i> want to do. I don't want to go anywhere I can't talk!"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney snatches the fan and tosses it behind the settee. "A place you can't talk sounds wonderful."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"But you still want her to come," I point out, afraid that this is going to derail again. "Lady de Carrefour, do you have a better suggestion?"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif freezes, "Monster hunting in the Amazonian wilds? That could be exciting. Or we could disguise as soldiers and explore the Siberian wastes. I love snow."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney rolls his eyes, "I despise snow."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Then don't come with me!"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney smiles at last. "We aren't going anywhere. This is a pointless exercise in futility."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Oh, yes,"says Sif, flushing and averting her eyes. "That's right."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney sighs, and then kisses her gloved hand, "If you decided to go to Siberia, I'd have no choice but to follow, unfortunately. Your brother and father are both dead. I'd be highly irresponsible to let you go alone."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I glance from one to the other,</i> "Don't go to Siberia just yet, please. I still have a few more questions."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney looks at me, and I can see irritation behind the spectacles, "Hurry up then. They're tiresome."</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4>
10. "I think you've both displayed your personality dynamics - very opposite. And you fight plenty and <i>do not</i> mesh perfectly."</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif frowns at me, "We're complementary. Like bitter and sweet. And we <i>do not</i> fight a lot."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney snorts again, but he doesn't add anything.</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<h4>
11. "Well," I say, "Then what are your best and worst moments together?" I wisely decide to leave off "as a couple."</h4>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif shrugs, "None of the moments have been particularly notable. He's the butler."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Likewise,"says Sydney, "She's Lady de Carrefour. Sometimes she is more reasonable, those are the good times. I suppose the past few months have been, trying."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif sighs heavily and leans into his shoulder. "My brother's murder has put a damper on things, and well . . . he was my brother." She looks at her lap.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
12. I nod, trying to look understanding, "I see. That is difficult, I'm sure. So where do you see yourselves and your relationship in the next few years?"</h4>
<br /><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney frowns thoughtfully, silent a moment before he replies, "I suppose that one or both of us will probably be dead. Someone targeted Atlantis, there's been a slew of strange murders, the creatures outside the Citadel are proliferating and getting closer, and the earth has been full of tremors. Add Lady de Carrefours insane desire to go adventuring, and I'd give us, three years."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif straightens, "Excuse me? With our many skills, I think we could last <i>at least</i> five. Don't be such a wet blanket."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney shakes his head, but he starts to smile, "With the amount of trouble you de Carrefours get into, I don't think that's likely."</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sif rolls her eyes and shoves him rudely, "Speak for yourself. But whatever is this <i>relationship</i> she keeps alluding to? As if we are, or have ever been, anything other than butler and lady." She scowls at me. "There is nothing inappropriate going on, except your bold and scandalous questions, ma'am."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sydney pokes her, "Don't be rude, Sif."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"Don't use my name in public."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">"We're not in public."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<h4>
I decide to remove myself from the scene, and resist the temptation to peek back in the room after I shut the door. Let them think they can keep their secrets for a little while . . .</h4>
<br />
<h3>
So there you have it. I enjoyed letting Sif (and Sydney) finally speak for themselves instead of being filtered through Ernestine (as fun as she is to write). And I feel like <i>I</i> learned a few things about their characters by the end (so this paid off).</h3>
<br />
<h2>
What did you think? Would you want to read more about these characters? Should I just swear off Valentine's' Day posts and leave them to the pros? And for the last time, <i>are</i> they actually in a relationship? Sound off in the comments. (And applause if you made it all the way to the end - this is long!)</h2>
<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i>Footnotes:</i><br />
*Despite the fact that I am not: handsome, rich, or male. Mr. Darcy and I can relate on a personality level (which is probably why I'm always confused at why most people I know think he's so dreamy, lol)<br />
**I <i>do</i> have some books with romances - even a couple weddings. But as a writer, I tend to gravitate more toward unresolved sexual tension or attraction that's never acted on. You've been warned.<br />
***I wrote this in a dash and only read over it once, so apologies for any roughness :P<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0fjsdpWAV1qc882co1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0fjsdpWAV1qc882co1_500.gif" height="167" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I know brother, I know.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-92158242677475138082016-02-05T10:29:00.004-08:002016-02-11T13:32:25.583-08:00Monthly Rewind (January is OVER?) and TLCS<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/183/2015/07/Monthly-Wrap-Up-Round-Up400.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/183/2015/07/Monthly-Wrap-Up-Round-Up400.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This says 2015. But I am too lazy to do anything about it.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h2>
I <i>do</i> know that it is the fifth of February. </h2>
<br />
<br />
I'm just behind. Still. But I know what day it is, because it's the second day of the February Birthday Avalanche. My family (extended and immediate) have so many birthdays this month that I confuse them all. (Even mine, sometimes!)<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
But I digress. January is over. </h2>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdwgvqsjNV1qichoz.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://38.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mdwgvqsjNV1qichoz.gif" height="191" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yes. It is.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1362495700l/13638125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1362495700l/13638125.jpg" width="133" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bring on the villains</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I survived the first month of 2016 without losing my mind, despite the crazy amount of things I had going on. I didn't blog very much, but I read several books! See the proof scattered over this post.<br />
<br />
I also read quite a few books on the Korean language, but those covers just aren't as pretty, so I'm ignoring them.<br />
<br />
Anyhow, I usually do the end of the month wrap-up hosted by Nicole @ <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a>. I refuse to let the fact that I am a week late stop me from participating. If you want to join up late like me,<a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/2016/01/january-wrap-up-round-up.html"> click this link</a>.<br />
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
As I said, January wasn't a huge blogging month for me. I did compile several epic Best of 2015 lists - covering music, writing, books, and more:</h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.soompi.io/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/TOP-super-powers-soompi.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.soompi.io/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/TOP-super-powers-soompi.gif" height="241" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/2015-end-of-year-book-survey.html">Year in Books</a>. If you were interested in what I read, and seeing a lot of book covers, then this is the post for you.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/best-in-movies-music-books-and-my-final.html">Year in Everything Else</a>. Kpop, movies, and the other things I got around to in 2015.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The only <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/">Top Ten Tuesday</a> I managed to finish in January. <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/ttt-gif-ful-writerly-and-readerly.html">Writing Resolutions for 2016</a>. Gifs aboundeth.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>And behold, I wrote a writerly post! <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/7-basic-tips-for-writing-better-dialogue.html">Tips for Better Dialogue are this way - - - -></a></li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/beautiful-people-14-not-repeat-of-my.html">January 2016 Beautiful People</a> - Betas, queries, writing processes, ideas, and more. Click this for a peek into what I am (probably) writing in 2016.</li>
</ul>
<ul>
<li><i>Another</i> writerly post. <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/discussion-time-how-does-music-affect.html">How does music affect your writing?</a> I shared specific examples, and a video that you must watch.</li>
</ul>
<ul><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1434640793l/24611571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1434640793l/24611571.jpg" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fine, but a little light</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</ul>
<ul>
<li>The aforementioned <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-brief-update-and-emoji-book-tag-mini.html">Emoji Mini Reviews</a></li>
</ul>
<ul></ul>
<ul>
<li>I finished the first draft of my WIP, <i>The Last Coffee Shop</i>, took pictures of my food like a regular twenty-something, and went to a bookseller wonderland called Winter Institute. <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/winter-institute-and-last-coffee-shop.html">Read more about that here.</a></li>
</ul>
</h3>
<div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1434739324l/19370304.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1434739324l/19370304.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="131" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I liked this one way more than I thought I would</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447031069l/25813245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447031069l/25813245.jpg" width="139" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">POOR KEN=Tokyo Ghoul</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Counting back, I actually completed 9 posts, which is pretty good considering how busy I was!</h2>
<div>
Looking ahead, there's the February Beautiful People (I'll have to find a WIP with romance in it if I want to participate!), books to read and review, my birthday (I am trying to replicate the kimchi stew/kimchi jjigae I had in Denver), and a lot of work stuff to keep me busy. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Also, I made the mistake of starting Kdrama <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=6&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiWhOSaluHKAhVIKCYKHVTbBSwQFghHMAU&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt3469052%2F&usg=AFQjCNHIrelHrr0NcW3QfzbIsK8IooyJ3Q&sig2=rI_YZHyO3eznoJwyanTvGQ&bvm=bv.113370389,d.eWE">You Who Came From the Stars</a></i>, and I won't be able to rest until I finish the darn thing. (HOUR LONG EPISODES, PEOPLE. And there are <i>21 of them</i>). I don't know why I do these things . . .</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://49.media.tumblr.com/620bebe1a74b43bd98cbbc1a32c0eef0/tumblr_n58nlwg3yn1qclcl2o2_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://49.media.tumblr.com/620bebe1a74b43bd98cbbc1a32c0eef0/tumblr_n58nlwg3yn1qclcl2o2_500.gif" height="148" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ahem.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450543752l/25852735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450543752l/25852735.jpg" width="129" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><3<3<3 Ishiguro</td></tr>
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<div>
And speaking of TV, I forgot to mention something in my Denver recap - I discovered <a href="http://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/">NHK World News</a> (out of Japan). I turned on the hotel TV when I was way overtired (as you do), and was mesmerized (you read that right) by this glimpse into Japan and Asian politics from the inside. Fascinating. My favorite segments were on pop culture (exploring a manga studio!!) and going to lunch (not kidding).</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
As far as writing goes, I have to decide which WIP to work on next. I have several in progress, several in synopsis form, and several begging to be typed down right this minute.</div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
I'm giving <span style="font-style: italic;">The Last Coffee Shop</span> a month-long break, so I can come back to it in March with reinvigorated editor's eyes. To celebrate finishing the draft, I'm ending this post out with some random stats and facts.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Current Word Count on the Unholy Leviathan: 121,554</h3>
<div>
This is just to show you that I have <i>a lot</i> of work cut out for me.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
Page Count (Size 11 font): 254</h4>
<div>
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<h3>
Fun Fact #1: It was supposed to be a <i>novella</i>.</h3>
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<h3>
Fun Fact #2: TLCS was originally structured as a (fractured) fairytale retelling. Any guesses as to which one? (Handy <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/search?q=the+last+coffee+shop">link to TLCS posts</a> if you want to dig).</h3>
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<h3>
Fun Fact #3: I actually did finish this draft while listening to <i><a href="https://youtu.be/niw0KukWzIM">Let's Not Fall In Love</a></i> in an endless loop, :0</h3>
<div>
Hey, whatever works, right?</div>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
First Sentence (from the Prologue): <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The first time that the boy died, he drowned.</span></h3>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Last Sentence: <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">“Madeleine Capot,” said the figure, “Did you miss me?”</span></h3>
<h4>
</h4>
<h4>
My Current Favorite Chapter Title: <span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Chapter 17: You, Me, and Blood On the Dance Floor</span></h4>
<h3>
</h3>
<h3>
Fun Fact #4: Despite the mammoth word count, I actually stuck much closer to my story outline with <i>The Last Coffee Shop</i> than most of my other manuscripts.</h3>
<div>
This gives me something to look forward to March for (March isn't Michigan's prettiest month . . .)</div>
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<h2>
So that was my January. Am I the only one still surprised by the fact that it's February? What did you do last month? Read anything good? What are your plans for the shortest month of the year?</h2>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-37480909500582781772016-01-31T15:31:00.001-08:002016-01-31T15:31:13.891-08:00Winter Institute and The Last Coffee Shop Disguised as One Lovely Blog Tag<h3>
Look at my post title.</h3>
<h3>
This is why no one has hired me to name things. :P</h3>
Well, I just got back from a whirlwind trip to Denver (for work), and I am:<br />
<b>A.</b> Thoroughly exhausted, and <b>B. </b>Behind on non-bookselling life. Prepare yourself for sleepiness and gifs . . .<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://25.media.tumblr.com/72e382dd76a0b63cce220769cccfc9e2/tumblr_mljhy7wOEk1r99fqvo1_250.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/72e382dd76a0b63cce220769cccfc9e2/tumblr_mljhy7wOEk1r99fqvo1_250.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basically me at work when I got back</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<h4 style="text-align: center;">
Nevertheless, I really wanted to share a few things on the blog and do some updates. In this regard, <a href="http://en.gravatar.com/sarahmjmac">Sarah </a>from <a href="https://inkandpapertallship.wordpress.com/">Ink and Paper Tall Shi</a>p then inadvertently came to my rescue. She <a href="https://inkandpapertallship.wordpress.com/2015/12/08/one-lovely-blog-tag/">tagged me</a> for the "One Lovely Blog" tag a month and a half ago. Thanks Sarah!</h4>
<h4>
The rules:</h4>
<h4>
1. List 7 facts about yourself</h4>
<h4>
2. Tag 15 other blogs to do the same</h4>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://49.media.tumblr.com/d59fd72da01b57a216851502bf4d6152/tumblr_nxgybbajzQ1tqdxslo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="128" src="https://49.media.tumblr.com/d59fd72da01b57a216851502bf4d6152/tumblr_nxgybbajzQ1tqdxslo1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">She was always a little shouty, imo, but this was funny.</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
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<div style="text-align: center;">
As usual, I am flouting the rules by writing 7 facts about my trip, and tagging no one. Not, understand, because I don't know 15 lovely blogs! I know LOTS of lovely blogs, and I am just choosing not to tag you all :) I will be like a ninja with tags, only tagging when least suspected.</div>
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<a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/67299502/large.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/67299502/large.gif" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
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In case you didn't read <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/a-brief-update-and-emoji-book-tag-mini.html">this post</a> (linked), I was at the American Booksellers Association Winter Institute for the last 4-ish days. It was in Denver, Colorado, and the weather was absolutely gorgeous! I spent any spare minutes (and there weren't many of them!) walking the streets of downtown and taking it all in. If you <a href="https://www.instagram.com/booklass13/">follow me on Instagram</a>, you saw pictures of exciting things like candy and lights.* I might incorporate some of those pictures into this post :)</div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Fact #1: The ABA gets some great keynote speakers.</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LzDZ9FqVoHHvry_SpC7reJhHPQB9g1eBJrpW1i8Po-d2eTtJVLArIG-Pi2kXmTpN7zMmiMMIvu5pzafZwNnkn5LruFJFtA7fqxKJFomVGKe7_tJC9_KxDNjpxLb5WmVU-_scOAWse6Q/s1600/20160124_082130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9LzDZ9FqVoHHvry_SpC7reJhHPQB9g1eBJrpW1i8Po-d2eTtJVLArIG-Pi2kXmTpN7zMmiMMIvu5pzafZwNnkn5LruFJFtA7fqxKJFomVGKe7_tJC9_KxDNjpxLb5WmVU-_scOAWse6Q/s320/20160124_082130.jpg" width="180" /></a>Though this is my first Winter Institute, I've heard nothing but good things about the many speakers the ABA has had come in to inspire booksellers, authors, and publishers. This year's keynotes were Martin Lindstrom, Amy Cuddy, and Newbery medal winner Kwame Alexander. I was only vaguely familiar with them (i.e., I knew their names and what they did), but they were all absolutely fabulous!<br />
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<a href="http://www.googleadservices.com/pagead/aclk?sa=L&ai=CgJBDtYOuVq-nJcS6hASc0IHYBZDk7LwHmKPitaACsNidjAEIABACILH2qCcoA2DJzsqJkKTQEaABkIzU4QPIAQGpAmFcbJ6fe4M-yAMbqgQiT9CjYfbiifT4-lvu_PXLqNTTEpcgFCbx3NysTKdOxYQlHIgGAYAH2POrHpAHAagHpr4b2AcB&ohost=www.google.com&cid=CAASJORoKK8UGl7UKCSjrIq69I3yKntbTrxJY2Js1rL6X6kLMISzxw&sig=AOD64_0sxCaZ1Rcp3_JUzUa1TJxt_MZMoQ&adurl=http://www.a-speakers.com/speakers/martin-lindstrom/&clui=1&nb=0&res_url=https%3A%2F%2Fsearch.yahoo.com&nm=3&nx=177&ny=2&is=534x317&clkt=105">Martin Lindstrom</a> gave us fascinating insights into how "small data" can show and predict trends, and teach you a lot about marketing, business, and people.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.ted.com/speakers/amy_cuddy">Amy Cuddy</a> (TED talks) worked with us on presence, confidence, and personal power. She was sweet and fun, and her presentation was great for introverts! (Fake it until you become it)<br />
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<a href="http://www.bookinaday.org/index.php?page=about&family=kwame">Kwame Alexander</a> was hilarious and charming. He told us stories about his childhood, inspired us with his determination and drive, and was generally fantastic. I hadn't read his books before now, but they just jumped onto my list ;)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VnFK8BEdtb7owlfdf34HESHl9OMdR7tAd7ySRBO3GFXymXbb8xruvwYRR8idCaIUsfBYflj6C2KkhUCKByO2fENH1Mb5yW8AxwwlrrZez8b9v44f2c8KZfmkGkbZRVlyVRGVMILO1dk/s1600/20160124_084216.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8VnFK8BEdtb7owlfdf34HESHl9OMdR7tAd7ySRBO3GFXymXbb8xruvwYRR8idCaIUsfBYflj6C2KkhUCKByO2fENH1Mb5yW8AxwwlrrZez8b9v44f2c8KZfmkGkbZRVlyVRGVMILO1dk/s400/20160124_084216.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Stories bypass reason and go directly to our unconscious" - Martin Lindstrom's talk</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
</h2>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Fact #2: Denver has some fabulous Asian Fusion cuisine</h2>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Aside from books, Japanese and Korean food are something I always seek out in a new place. I found several gems in Denver. I had <a href="http://www.maangchi.com/recipe/kimchi-jjigae">kimchi stew</a> (kimchi jjigae) for the first time (it's incredible), and some lovely sushi as well. And naturally, I bought a bunch of imported sugar . . .</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSlZ5DGdIxn0Xi-WynXW-HAp2SQOQYuqbPkjRyORMzfV6FH9w3X1trC2AQaOYm9GY85eURZrEJgmfO2z606cGooo0bxKCa41hu2eb3BKY-STsa5rYeECvI-ABnhS1mlzDuX12oso_ppk/s1600/20160123_195847.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhSlZ5DGdIxn0Xi-WynXW-HAp2SQOQYuqbPkjRyORMzfV6FH9w3X1trC2AQaOYm9GY85eURZrEJgmfO2z606cGooo0bxKCa41hu2eb3BKY-STsa5rYeECvI-ABnhS1mlzDuX12oso_ppk/s400/20160123_195847.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a serious priority</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnyN9RxMSEdS4hiAWnBXFR7XoSP4BRDRgy0-9TMqCkkL2gSnmc0WBWUBiKZDI0v5PKDBnfKmnuIZ_HHpfprjPYd4rYB12_qwl3KWyTR_KkV1FqaVK1XRW9UUmlxlOTGEGwzOb8WtK9Q0/s1600/20160123_154857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLnyN9RxMSEdS4hiAWnBXFR7XoSP4BRDRgy0-9TMqCkkL2gSnmc0WBWUBiKZDI0v5PKDBnfKmnuIZ_HHpfprjPYd4rYB12_qwl3KWyTR_KkV1FqaVK1XRW9UUmlxlOTGEGwzOb8WtK9Q0/s320/20160123_154857.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Miso and Sake at Aoba Sushi in Downtown Denver</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVAfEjcxTEi4biWVqE98-5cR5akj5tMa77L8HUhdl1fC1QWNw56pTfNrvT_2mdMTGLjxcbvK2Daayjo_B8wW90Aea_SZod9cWf2eQWj4N7MwCHbHU1iIsyLy_KAOhcdSZ6EQLxRsbAG8/s1600/20160123_155544.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTVAfEjcxTEi4biWVqE98-5cR5akj5tMa77L8HUhdl1fC1QWNw56pTfNrvT_2mdMTGLjxcbvK2Daayjo_B8wW90Aea_SZod9cWf2eQWj4N7MwCHbHU1iIsyLy_KAOhcdSZ6EQLxRsbAG8/s400/20160123_155544.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sushi!</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOwPrxTVV672nRFsdjkocLhTDe6WNAv8jxQl5lKzGn9lbvQzhyphenhyphenDRaLDSmvXqTR_fNxe89-B5ExHMZG2fkdVcOw1MQlp7M5u6DMz93QI2PUVKY7XPkXDiAiAPQYKjnV8BfJNdwPnILkRA/s1600/20160125_195405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOwPrxTVV672nRFsdjkocLhTDe6WNAv8jxQl5lKzGn9lbvQzhyphenhyphenDRaLDSmvXqTR_fNxe89-B5ExHMZG2fkdVcOw1MQlp7M5u6DMz93QI2PUVKY7XPkXDiAiAPQYKjnV8BfJNdwPnILkRA/s400/20160125_195405.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And I found a quiet ramen shop. I worked on my book and was sad to leave :(</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Fact #3: Downtown Denver is a lovely place for walking enthusiasts</h2>
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Like most cities, there are a lot of interesting things to see within a 3 mile radius. Though Winter Institute had a packed schedule (and fifteen minute breaks, tops), I managed to sneak out a few times for some fresh air. After the sessions ended each evening, I had a little more time to walk around. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhfzt0hExKURE54_cqbfA6Lu7llontPFTKPAeqG1giBxr9YZbnXy4wMnth2frwWOSLWvJsa-71_JCqDDTy6BwTurR6Sq6-U3RJCwWQhM8RBva1iOPjNvnMTL9mqMdICpFLAfnXzVa9e4/s1600/20160124_104205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXhfzt0hExKURE54_cqbfA6Lu7llontPFTKPAeqG1giBxr9YZbnXy4wMnth2frwWOSLWvJsa-71_JCqDDTy6BwTurR6Sq6-U3RJCwWQhM8RBva1iOPjNvnMTL9mqMdICpFLAfnXzVa9e4/s400/20160124_104205.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I went rogue on Sunday for a couple hours - to go to church. The church I attended met in this awesome synagogue!</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Fact #4: I finally got to meet some of the authors for the reading program I did - Indies Introduce.</h2>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZm8uX8K4aOupbOagWKQygEQIbsPsgEGxSxbQiak4s0xZCkSqJ5xEhJVfDmL0biC6jaNmZC52J9UgkVQffI95XMPu1S6m_hiYfPv6h9ffdqpbwO8JZektJn7y-CTV2NcASrLENAzN6X0/s1600/20160126_141046.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPZm8uX8K4aOupbOagWKQygEQIbsPsgEGxSxbQiak4s0xZCkSqJ5xEhJVfDmL0biC6jaNmZC52J9UgkVQffI95XMPu1S6m_hiYfPv6h9ffdqpbwO8JZektJn7y-CTV2NcASrLENAzN6X0/s320/20160126_141046.jpg" width="179" /></a><br />
<br />
Not everyone was able to make it, but the whole session on the Indies Introduce program was still really neat. Each author read a two minute selection, and then answered a question from one of the II booksellers. I was too shy to get on stage and ask a question, but I <i>did</i> get to visit with some of the authors, including Martin Seay, author of the upcoming debut <a href="http://www.mhpbooks.com/books/the-mirror-thief/"><i>The Mirror Thief</i></a>. My blurb was the one chosen for the Indies Introduce promo spreadsheet, and we follow each other on Twitter, so this was a lot of fun for me.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag5JQ6wzwVhFcNGiTyoWdi51V9L1qe3JZSYrupbJHMuvDSFRjx6ihfAEzCnnlHiNnnYhKERTNPUpyGKl5Xtml3SibtTobAuxtny9ZLeaenktDxNDIbEct9HLRMQWP0vS89oZz5NckO5Q/s1600/20160126_144728.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjag5JQ6wzwVhFcNGiTyoWdi51V9L1qe3JZSYrupbJHMuvDSFRjx6ihfAEzCnnlHiNnnYhKERTNPUpyGKl5Xtml3SibtTobAuxtny9ZLeaenktDxNDIbEct9HLRMQWP0vS89oZz5NckO5Q/s400/20160126_144728.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
The picture on the right is a few of the covers for authors who couldn't make it to Winter Institute.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Fact #5: Booksellers like to party. And their parties are a lot of fun! </h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauZLpz14GMRPWKc4KgvI8ufvsIhPMXvnGAJjtyh2KcHGEGFFuyMIVD0pFnmf4OV9Qgkr1ewXwsan2G4Qq1wghruegkcdNsVFy8RCawyP-2LeBgFbjdzYSlUvULdmLey7QutCX_0fX8LA/s1600/20160124_220820.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiauZLpz14GMRPWKc4KgvI8ufvsIhPMXvnGAJjtyh2KcHGEGFFuyMIVD0pFnmf4OV9Qgkr1ewXwsan2G4Qq1wghruegkcdNsVFy8RCawyP-2LeBgFbjdzYSlUvULdmLey7QutCX_0fX8LA/s320/20160124_220820.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The ceiling at the opera house.</td></tr>
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There was a party basically every night. And by party, I mean organized events with booksellers, authors, reps, <i>books</i>, snacks, and drinks. The Scholastic party was at a gorgeous opera house. They had a french fry bar. It was as amazing as it sounds. I had a fabulous Cabernet, but I forgot to write down the name of it! Other party highlights included the author receptions (I met authors like <a href="http://rutasepetys.com/">Ruta Sepetys,</a> and re-met <a href="http://www.alexandrabracken.com/">Alexandra Bracken</a> - who is one of the most personable, sweet authors I<b> </b>have ever met).<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://38.media.tumblr.com/88c40ec82455938e467723cf762aadf5/tumblr_npg4npsQiD1rspno7o1_540.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://38.media.tumblr.com/88c40ec82455938e467723cf762aadf5/tumblr_npg4npsQiD1rspno7o1_540.gif" height="183" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, maybe this is not an accurate representation (it's not). But this reminds me of my sister and I <i>pretending</i> we are having a party. It usually involves dancing in the car. Badly.</td></tr>
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<h4>
And did I mention that there were books? More about that next.</h4>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Fact #6: BOOKS . . . BOOKS . . . EVERYWHERE!</h2>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ15_j-SilA7UHp8mGUEjjoAyUgTjZiWnJiQAF01e1AOf0CfbIQ2y4w84pxEci8DdYKIppTmGiVT9zIT-FCz7o9rJr_J87Zzc9nHzNZkldtVxSbTHNUwpytGj64eY_ZO9-pkqlxsAv6c/s1600/IMG_20160123_220935%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOJ15_j-SilA7UHp8mGUEjjoAyUgTjZiWnJiQAF01e1AOf0CfbIQ2y4w84pxEci8DdYKIppTmGiVT9zIT-FCz7o9rJr_J87Zzc9nHzNZkldtVxSbTHNUwpytGj64eY_ZO9-pkqlxsAv6c/s320/IMG_20160123_220935%25281%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is the book I took home from the swap.</td></tr>
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If you've ever been to BEA (Book Expo America), then you know what I'm talking about. There are a few magical times when people are just handing you books, and letting you keep them. And it's overwhelming. And you have to <i>choose</i>. I came home with books from all the keynotes, signed ARCs, and more ARCs that looked interesting. I actually preferred Winter Institute to BEA - it's centered on my line of work, and a lot less crazy (there are <i>a ton</i> of people at BEA). But I will go anywhere where they hand me books.<br />
<br />
All of the publisher partners are incredibly generous - from the parties, to the books, to the time and knowledge that they put into their sessions. I learned so much about business, bookselling, publishing, the industry, and the importance of local independent bookstores.<br />
<br />
Speaking of bookstores, I visited both locations of the iconic indie <a href="http://www.tatteredcover.com/">Tattered Cover Bookstore</a> - and it was even better than the hype! <br />
<br />
One of my favorite parts was the Backlist Book Swap - basically, you brought a book (5 years old or older) that you thought was under read, and swapped it for another person's pick. It's a brilliant idea, and could be easily adapted to many occasions. If you were wondering, the book I brought for the swap was <a href="https://www.cslewis.com/us/books/paperback/till-we-have-faces/9780156904360"><i>Till We Have Faces</i></a> by C. S. Lewis. It's a retelling of the Cupid and Psyche myth, and explores sacred and profane love. It's brilliant, beautifully written, and I've hardly met anyone else who loves it!<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing — to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from — my country, the place where I ought to have been born. Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home? For indeed it now feels not like going, but like going back.” <br /> ― C.S. Lewis, <i>Till We Have Faces</i><span id="quote_book_link_17343">
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Fact#7: While I Can't Sleep on a Plane - I <i>Can</i> Finish a Book Draft!</h2>
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Writing a first draft is the easy part - usually. But what started out as a silly short story became a behemoth that took me thirteen months to draft. It's a lot longer than a short story. A lot.</div>
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Anyhow, I was exhausted on the flight home, and I tried to sleep. It wasn't working, so I plugged in my headphones and pulled out my computer. Two hours later, we were landing in Grand Rapids, and I'd just typed the last few words of <i>The Last Coffee Shop</i>. Well, the initial draft. Revisions and polishing are ahead, but now I have something to polish! And I won't feel so bad about starting one of the handful of projects buzzing around in my head. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GXQcX4AAdkb4Op8uKMMr2YVw-pjsSjbb2WWLF7Jcogn28WUZ0SBItDLZRdnc_JXrPqM62BXmqO-QvsZnwPcpDyRrXvN4m4MDjRoi6yzcJeFSdKviIjVGJn67N7WZyUx21Svs4eyPxpY/s1600/20160127_213515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GXQcX4AAdkb4Op8uKMMr2YVw-pjsSjbb2WWLF7Jcogn28WUZ0SBItDLZRdnc_JXrPqM62BXmqO-QvsZnwPcpDyRrXvN4m4MDjRoi6yzcJeFSdKviIjVGJn67N7WZyUx21Svs4eyPxpY/s320/20160127_213515.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The last page of <i>The Last Coffee Shop</i></td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
It's hard to express the feeling that finishing a book (even if it's just a bad first draft) gives you. It's heady, satisfying, and I usually want to break out dancing. Needless to say, since I was on a plane, I refrained from the latter.</div>
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<a href="http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view2/1164785/psych-charlie-brown-dance-o.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view2/1164785/psych-charlie-brown-dance-o.gif" /></a></div>
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There was so much more about my trip (especially what I learned), but I'd have to write about twenty posts! The information alone was worth it, and it was a lot of fun too. I met a lot of booksellers, and I hope I'll run into more of them at future events. Denver was a cool place, and I'd love to go back some time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPLa-TJoyhsS3EFlboM5G-PZVMkA6ztD6SbJ662wh65PyAZNEKBlkhR6-oBttIfEDYgQfNe7NxQcSzV-qpnwDH_D1QEAiSVd5D-IxAkd34KgVC1EA4_n-XCOn2NXxbj3mry8r0kkEgv8/s1600/20160126_064602.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPPLa-TJoyhsS3EFlboM5G-PZVMkA6ztD6SbJ662wh65PyAZNEKBlkhR6-oBttIfEDYgQfNe7NxQcSzV-qpnwDH_D1QEAiSVd5D-IxAkd34KgVC1EA4_n-XCOn2NXxbj3mry8r0kkEgv8/s400/20160126_064602.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The sunrise as seen from my hotel room.</td></tr>
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<h3>
<b>So there you go. Feel free to pick up the tag and link back :) Have you ever been to Denver? Are you planning on any trips in the next few months?</b></h3>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-5316137460796829002016-01-22T15:14:00.000-08:002016-01-22T15:14:15.409-08:00A Brief Update and Emoji Book Tag Mini Book Reviews<h3>
Update First:</h3>
<br />
All of those book reviews I planned on writing . . . well, they didn't happen :) And as we near the end of January (PANIC!), I'm not sure I'll have that much time for reviews! But that's okay. While I haven't been online, I've been writing, working, and reading a lot.<br />
<br />
More importantly, I've also been prepping for the ABA Winter Institute. I've never been before, and I was honored to win a scholarship to this Bookseller Education/Networking event. I'm really excited, but kind of intimidated! All of the booksellers/book people I've met have been wonderful, kind, and welcoming, but this is <i>a lot</i> of people. Qualified, professional, accomplished people. <i><b>Did I mention there were a lot of them?</b></i><br />
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Now, if you're the social, extroverted person, you're wondering why I'm freaked out, right? I am not a social event/party person. I spend parties washing the host's dishes, reading their books, playing pirates with their children, or having intense conversations in shadowed corners.<br />
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So much of my conversation happens in my head anyhow, and I try so hard to focus, that I usually end up stuttering out a few coherent sentences. It's not impressive. So yes, I'm nervous. But I'm also really excited. I love learning, I love taking notes, and I love educational sessions. For real. <i>That</i> is my element. And I <i>am</i> excited about meeting people. Just, a few at a time.<br />
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With the amount of stuff the ABA has planned, I probably won't find time to blog <i>or</i> read/write. However, I plan on taking pictures (and copious amounts of notes), and learning a lot from my more experienced peers. <i>And I am sure there will be lovely people who will graciously accept (or ignore) that I am a 9-year-old masquerading as a 26-year-old!</i><br />
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<h4>
Whew! Now that I've gotten that off my chest - Here's what I've been reading and a few thoughts about each one, using the Emoji Book Tag that <a href="https://rawlse.wordpress.com/">E. Rawls</a> <a href="https://rawlse.wordpress.com/2015/11/13/the-emoji-book-tag/">tagged me for </a>oh, I don't know, two+ months ago!</h4>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Emoji Book Tag - Or What I've Been Reading</span></span></h2>
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<span style="font-weight: normal;">Rules: </span></div>
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<div>
1. Match the Emoji to a book.</div>
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2. Rule number 1 is the only rule I am following.</div>
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</h4>
<h3>
The Pouting Emoji: These next two share the pouting emoji because #1 was just not as in-depth as I was looking for, and #2 was not exactly what I was wanting from it :) </h3>
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<a href="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/PEO-pouting_cat_face.svg/2000px-PEO-pouting_cat_face.svg.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/a7/PEO-pouting_cat_face.svg/2000px-PEO-pouting_cat_face.svg.png" height="200" width="200" /></a><br />
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Don't get me wrong, I actually really enjoyed both books - just not as much as I wanted to!<br />
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<h4>
<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24611571-magna-carta">Magna Carta: The Birth of Liberty</a></i> by Dan Jones - 3.5 out of 5 stars</h4>
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1434640793l/24611571.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1434640793l/24611571.jpg" width="131" /></a>Dan Jones writes trim historical nonfiction that makes for easy, fun reading. However, if you're looking for really scholarly stuff, read the books listed in the bibliography.<br />
<br />
<i>Magna Carta</i> is a great refresher on this pivotal period in English history, and an informative look into a document that has had such an enormous cultural impact. Jones is a good writer and he excels at condensing large amounts of information.<br />
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All in all, a fun book.<br />
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<h4>
<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22062202-marked-in-flesh?from_search=true&search_version=service">Marked in Flesh (The Others #4)</a></i> by Anne Bishop - 3.75 out of 5 stars (ARC - Released March 2016)</h4>
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I actually finished this in December and never reviewed it. I love this series, with a few minor reservations (my usual adult novel reservations, lol). <i>Marked in Flesh</i> was a solid entry in a strong series - so why the 3.75 stars? I just felt like it didn't break any new ground. It was obvious where everything was headed from the previous book, so there weren't many surprises.<br />
<br />That being said, Bishop's writing is as lush and enthralling as ever, and it is truly amazing that she's managed to develop and maintain such an immense world and cast of characters. Her character development is continual, with new facets being revealed with each installment. My biggest question - what is the last book going to be about? I'm not sure how I feel about this.<br />
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<b>A big, big thank you to Penguin/Roc for the ARC!</b><br />
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<h4>
</h4>
<h3>
Laughing and Crying Emoji:</h3>
<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25813245-tokyo-ghoul-volume-5">Tokyo Ghoul, Volume 5</a></i> by Ishida Sui - 4.5 out of 5 stars (ARC - Released February 2016)<br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="http://memesvault.com/wp-content/uploads/Laughing-Crying-Emoji-02.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://memesvault.com/wp-content/uploads/Laughing-Crying-Emoji-02.jpg" height="128" width="200" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Okay, this may seem a little strange, but few mangas yo-yo between hilarity and tear inducing drama like <i>Tokyo Ghoul</i>! Not that it has *actually* made me cry, but poor Ken has come pretty close.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447031069l/25813245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447031069l/25813245.jpg" width="139" /></a>The emotional intensity just rises in this continuation of Ken Kaneki's tragic story. The moral dilemmas increase and the stakes rise, and we get to know a few more of the surrounding characters better. Ken's developing feelings about consuming any human flesh just get more complicated with each chapter. There's quite a bit of action (culminating in a showdown with the Gourmet), and more exploration of Rize's fascinating subplot.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
And the art . . . I've never seen anything that is so beautiful, yet so raw and gruesome. Ishida is a very talented man.</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<b>Thanks a bunch Viz for the ARC!</b></div>
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<br />
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1362495700l/13638125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1362495700l/13638125.jpg" width="133" /></a><a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1840218/thumbs/o-PUNCH-EMOJI-570.jpg?5" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1840218/thumbs/o-PUNCH-EMOJI-570.jpg?5" height="169" width="200" /></a><br />
<h3>
The Fist Emoji: </h3>
<h4>
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13638125-vicious"><i>Vicious</i> </a>by V. E. Schwab - 4.5 out of 5 stars</h4>
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You can see this either as a fist bump or a punch. A punch is appropriate for <i>Vicious</i>, as it was basically about supervillains. It's also pretty violent.<br />
<br />
I know I wanted to punch Eli and his god-complex all the way to the moon . . .<br />
<br />With complex characters and moral dilemmas, a lot of snark and shameless geekery, this book was everything that I wanted out of a supervillain story. I had only a few minor quibbles (Eli's cliche backstory, and the fact that he was like a not-as-good Light Yagami in some ways. Oh, and it <i>is</i> a little higher on the foul language meter, so be advised)<br />
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However, the fist bump application basically sums up my feelings about the ending. I haven't been left with such a satisfied smirk on my face in a long, long time . . .<i> perfect ending.</i><br />
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450543752l/25852735.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1450543752l/25852735.jpg" width="129" /></a><a href="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1859851/thumbs/o-WEARY-570.jpg?6" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1859851/thumbs/o-WEARY-570.jpg?6" height="200" width="198" /></a><br />
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Sad Emoji:</h3>
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<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25852735-the-buried-giant">The Buried Giant</a></i> by Kazuo Ishiguro - 4.5 out of 5 stars</h4>
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None of these really fit this book, so I'm strong-arming here!<br />
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I am against the grain on this book: I love the dreamy, fable-like quality of it. It's beautiful, sad, sweet, touching, and full of strange depth. It's like a clear pool that looks shallow and boring, but the longer you stare at it, the more you realize that it's full of life, deep and clear, and absolutely lovely. Ishiguro's Japanese-English heritage makes for an interesting twist on a quasi-Arthurian quest saga, and I really loved it. But yes, it was kind of sad.<br />
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Happy Nerd Emoji: </h3>
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<i>The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi</i> by William Scott Wilson (currently reading)</h4>
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A perfect fit for this emoji !<br />
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I periodically indulge my fascination (read: obsession) with Japanese history and culture. Naturally, I always come across the legendary swordsman, Miyamoto Musashi (1584‒1645). He was a warrior, a wanderer, and an acclaimed artist, and so crazy talented that you can hardly believe he was real. But he was, and this is one of the most readable, well-researched biographies I've found yet. Wilson's writing is the perfect balance between entertaining and informational, and he narrates like a storyteller.<br />
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So as you can see, my reading year has started out pretty well. I have some more ARCs to get to, and a mammoth TBR, so I won't lack for material!<br />
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Have you read or do you intend to read any of these books? Feel free to swipe the tag and emoji your way through some books.</h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-45096200872592035122016-01-18T11:51:00.002-08:002016-01-18T11:51:07.175-08:00Discussion Time: How Does Music Affect Your Writing? (Or Does It?) with Sample Tracks<h3>
I had a whole lineup of posts to get to, and then . . . the muse struck. I have been feverishly trying to finish my draft of <i><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/p/my-novel-projects.html">The Last Coffee Shop</a></i>, and guys, I'm <i>almost there</i>! I was stuck in a giant writing rut (for TLCS) since October- I knew what I wanted to happen, it just wasn't, happening. If that makes sense? </h3>
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Also, I tend to get a little down at the beginning of the new year - I know, I know, that's stupid - but there it is. Instead of seeing potential or a fresh start, I get overwhelmed by all the things I need to do, plans to make, and everything I <i>didn't </i>accomplish the year before. Being buried by all the snow we <i>didn't</i> have in December did not help my energy levels (who wants to go to work in blizzards or freezing rain?)*<br />
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But you know what, things turn around so quickly when you're a writer. One minute you're afraid you'll never write another coherent sentence (this can't just be me), and the next, your fingers are flying to the moon and back with new ideas. </h3>
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As some of you might have guessed, I'm what I call a "musically affected"writer. I consume copious amounts of music while writing, and make extensive, elaborate playlists for every book, and major characters. Since I have an enormous amount of trouble concentrating on anything for long, the playlists really help to get me "in the zone,"and stay focused on my story and its world/characters.<br />
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Sometimes, getting through a difficult passage (writing wise) can be the difference between the "right"song and the "wrong" song. I have <i>zero</i> musical aptitude, but there is a lot of talent out there ( which is a boon for anyone in my boat). With a little digging, I can usually find just the musical cue that I need.<br />
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Which leads me to the overall theme of this post (sort-of): </h2>
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Have you ever noticed musical impact on your writing, and how so? </h3>
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I find this subject endlessly fascinating, and I'd like to hear from other writers. Has a particular song/cd ever influenced the way you wrote something, or given you a plot idea? </h4>
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I know that things work the other way around - one of my all-time favorite bands, Dutch symphonic metal greats <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjrpdjo4rPKAhUCjz4KHfQmDz8QFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.within-temptation.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNEC0lF1aF5AAhPKMd1oJmYZHzJEtg&sig2=cfSYzUyzFK-pwMwV01W2BA">Within Temptation</a>, have songs (and whole cds) inspired by the novels they read. And they aren't alone (it does seem more prevalent with metal bands).<br />
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I have stumbled across bands inspired by everything from <i>Lord of the Rings</i> to fairytales to <i>Batman</i>. And if writers inspire musicians, you know that it goes both ways.<br />
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So what are some bands/songs that have inspired your writing (good or bad!).<br />How do certain songs/types of music influence your writing?<br />Has a song ever "saved" your plot, or pulled you through writer's block?</h3>
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Now that I've asked you to weigh in - I'll share five diverse tracks that helped me through my recent writing slump. All of the songs are linked to the artist's websites, for more information. I also added explanations for why I picked each of the songs, and links to the character descriptions! <b><span style="font-size: x-small;">(All images, songs, and lyrics are copyrighted to the linked artist, and posted here to share - no money is made from them or from this blog)</span></b><br />
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<i>Note: If you read this post, you have to watch at least Exhibit B, or I will find you . . .**</i><br />
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<br />Exhibit A: "Little Games" by <i><a href="http://www.thecolouristmusic.com/">The Colourist</a></i></h3>
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I write character-driven novels, so the intricate relationships between people figure deeply in how my plot progresses. I love this California band's lush pop sound, and the clever, wry lyrics about a relationship gone sour. While I'm not writing about a romantic relationship, the lyrics are ambiguous enough to apply to other scenarios, and both the sound and the words fit the situation so well. It also has that dance-y feel that has shaped so much of TLCS's soundscape.<br />
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Exhibit B: "Hurricane" from the Korean production of <i>Death Note: The Musical</i>, performed by <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hong_Kwang-ho">Hong Kwang-ho</a> as "Light"</h3>
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I found this video completely by accident (I was looking for stuff from an unrelated musical), and was intrigued - <i>Death Note</i>, a musical? Straaaange. But I watched it, and I couldn't have cared less if it was about space puppies or organic corn farmers - Hong Kwang-ho <b>is. that. good.</b><br />
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The way his voice conveys the intensity of the lyrics (and Light's character arc, which makes more sense if you're familiar with <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjc-pjSi7TKAhXLeT4KHe99DhwQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.viz.com%2Fdeath-note&usg=AFQjCNFKfEuvfiokaF09LtI8MYKKGIcrYQ&sig2=xRQTlQrQgNM7iw--L7ITfg">Death Note</a></i>) left me speechless. I attached the subbed video for that reason - just listen to how he manages to communicate, even if you don't understand a word.*** Good music (especially in theater) has no real language barriers, and this is a perfect example.<br />
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<br />So how did it help? As I said above, the drama and power of the vocal made a perfect emotional background for writing some dynamic rising action. It's unrelated subject matter - but that's beside the point. Now if I could just buy a download somewhere . . . (growls faintly in frustration)<br />
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Exhibit C: "Roundtable Rival" by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiGodmM0rPKAhVLaz4KHSpFDq4QFggkMAI&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.lindseystirling.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNFnIAAvw1Gny7pSZJZzVzO9snzWnA&sig2=ZxNxodP5jynS-G-7zRKB1Q">Lindsey Stirling</a></h3>
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Lindsey Stirling has catapulted to popularity in the last year, and for good reason: her music is unique, and her personality is vibrant and fun. I love how this video is a steampunk showdown. The confrontational but playful nature of this piece worked very well for the constant tension between my main characters and their interests. It's a bit like a showdown every time <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/09/beautiful-people-september-edition-meet.html">Luc </a>and <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/05/beautiful-people-for-writers.html">Mads </a>have a conversation!<br />
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<br />Exhibit D: "Trade Mistakes" by <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjny66C1bPKAhWJez4KHfgZCe4QFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.panicatthedisco.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNFUDnklBFltNnynxtl_4HiuJjKC3w&sig2=p96SI_x9CgK7qjAs0ORHFg">Panic! At the Disco</a></h3>
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<a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/07/beautiful-people-for-writers-july-2015.html">Jupiter Jive</a>, the elusive yet strangely pivotal dancing thief, could be summed up by <i>Panic! at the Disco</i>. To be honest, I'm not a huge fan of PatD (though I <i>love</i> Brendon Urie's voice and quirky sense of humor) - but for whatever reason, they quickly became JJ's voice throughout the writing of TLCS. And while many of their recent (ish) songs suit him well, <i>Trade Mistakes</i> is a song with intriguing lyrics and a beat you can dance to. Again, it's a song with a playful sound, but a very guilty note to the lyrics!<br />
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Exhibit E: "Let's Not Fall in Love" by <a href="http://www.ygfamily.com/artist/main.asp?LANGDIV=K&ATYPE=2&ARTIDX=3">BIGBANG</a></h3>
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While there is a lot of K-pop on my Jupiter Jive playlist (in addition to pop-punk, Latin pop, and well, an abnormal amount of pop****), few bands ran away with my ears like BIGBANG. From their flamboyant on-screen image, to their intriguing songwriting and catchy music (and <i>talent</i>), they have quickly lent tracks to most of my playlists. However, it wasn't till I heard <i>Let's Not Fall in Love </i>that one of their songs clicked with what I was currently writing. About 30 repeats later, I found that I'd not only written past the part where I'd stalled, I was almost done. I feel like I owe someone a thank-you note - I was <i>that </i>stuck!<br />
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So there you have it: a mini taste of <i>The Last Coffee Shop</i>'s writing soundtrack. While every song might not directly relate to the action, each piece did something for me while I was writing.</h2>
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<br /> Feel free to share some of your favorite current tracks in the comments, and don't forget to answer the questions (if you don't write books, do you listen to music while blogging or doing writing-related work?)</h3>
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<i>Footnotes:</i></div>
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*If I got to stay home during said weather, I wouldn't be so grumpy about it, I promise!</div>
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**Just humor me here.</div>
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***In related news, my Korean studies are . . . proceeding. I'm a very faithful student with zero natural aptitude, but that's never stopped me from trying things before!</div>
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****And hip hop. I don't normally do hip hop - but apparently Korean hip hop is an exception? And I don't have anything against pop music, per se, I just don't listen to the <i>actual </i>radio, so I'm not normally up on what's playing :P</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-46321686015488603662016-01-11T10:28:00.001-08:002016-01-11T10:28:21.013-08:00Beautiful People #14 - Not A Repeat of My OTHER Writing Goals List<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I was a tiny bit dismayed when I saw the <a href="http://paperfury.com/beautiful-people/">Beautiful People</a> theme for this month: <b>Writerly Resolutions and Goals</b>, since I'd already done a <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/ttt-gif-ful-writerly-and-readerly.html">slightly similar post</a>. However, when I skimmed the questions, I realized that I hadn't really answered any of <i>those questions</i>. So, naturally, I decided to tackle the challenge of a whole new list. Because, why not?</div>
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Beautiful People is a monthly meme for writers, hosted by <a href="http://paperfury.com/">Cait </a>and <a href="http://www.furtherupfurtherin.net/">Sky </a>(click their names for their respective awesome blogs).</h3>
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Writerly Resolutions and Goals for 2016 (Part II, Sort of)</h2>
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1. What were your writing achievements last year?</h4>
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Other than my book deal (<a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/p/knight-of-blue-surcoat.html">see here</a>), I amassed a large word count on three other projects, completed another year of steady reviews for a local publication, and picked up blogging again.</div>
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2. Tell us about your top priority writing project for this year?</h4>
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Finishing <i>The Last Coffee Shop</i>. This has been my BP topic for most months. If you want to read about it, <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/p/my-novel-projects.html">click here</a>. I would also like to finish my draft of my NaNo project, <i>The Butler Did It</i>, and do some polish edits on some of my older, finished manuscripts.</div>
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3. List 5 areas you’d like to work the hardest to improve this year.</h4>
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1. Organization (just in writing, I'm not asking for a miracle!)</div>
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2. Plotting. While I'm not as bad as Swiss cheese here, I tend to pay a lot more attention to my world and characters than, you know, the plot. And with a mystery like <i>The Butler Did It</i>, that doesn't work out so well. I'm planning to rework and chart that book's plot soon.</div>
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3. The quality of my blog and posts. Writing can <i>always</i> improve!</div>
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4. My editing. I just need to actually, you know, do it.</div>
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5. Focusing. Maybe not just in writing. I tend to jump from book to blog to book to another book and subject to subject. This makes research a little scattered, even though I love research. So I need to pick something to work on and Just. Work. On. That.</div>
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4. Are you participating in any writing challenges?</h4>
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Other than (planned) NaNo, no. Does anyone have any suggestions? I love challenges!</div>
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<br />5. What’s your critique partner/beta reader situation like and do you have plans to expand this year?</h4>
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My beta/critique is nil right now, mainly because I have nothing I'm ready to show someone! However, I do have a few <strike>victims </strike>friends, and my long-suffering and loyal sister/bff Grace, who are intended readers <i>when</i> I have something that won't make me screech in embarrassment.</div>
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I am open to more betas - <i>I just need something for them to read, that's all</i>.</div>
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6. Do you have plans to read any writer-related books this year? Or are there specific books you want to read for research?</h4>
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Erm, no? I am always doing research for something or other. I love nonfiction and have a tendency to pick up random books and head down pointless rabbit trails. I have two pet projects that I really want to get some preliminary research down for, so I'm reading a few books for those right now (hey, it's an excuse to read <i>another</i> book about samurai).</div>
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7. Pick one character you want to get to know better, and how are you going to achieve this?</h4>
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I want to get to know most of the characters in <i>The Butler Did It</i> better, but especially the narrator/MC, Ernestine. I will probably do intensive character sheets, and maybe some Beautiful People posts :)</div>
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As I've said before, my characters are usually the part of a novel that I'm <i>most</i> confident about. They're also my favorite part.</div>
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8. Do you plan to edit or query, and what’s your plan of attack?</h4>
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Edit. Edit. Edit. Since I have a book coming out this year, I'll be focusing on getting more manuscripts in publisher shape. My plan is discipline! Despite my distraction issues, I'm pretty good at making myself do things. So I plan to chart out an editing checklist and guide for the rest of the year (probably from February on, since my January is already pretty busy), and stick to it!</div>
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9. Toni Morrison once said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” What are the books that you want to see more of, and what “holes” do you think need filling in the literary world?</h4>
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As a mad King Arthur buff, I can never see too many Arthurian novels. However, I am equally interested in world mythology. We need more fantasy/myth stories set in places like Zimbabwe or Malaysia, and rooted in their unique cultures. Also, more graphic novel - novel fusions, like <i>The Graveyard Book</i> or <i>The Nest</i>. I love manga and animation inspired art, and I'd love to see more books that fuse traditional novels with a more visual medium.</div>
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On that note, I am currently stewing over two novel projects set in a mythical variant of Korea, and rooted in actual Historical Japan, respectively. The latter is a retelling I've been wanting to do for ages. The only problem with it is that I want it to have illustrations. So, either more work for me, or I write the book and find an illustrator someday. (My dream is to team up with one of the amazingly talented artists on deviantart).</div>
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<br />10. What do you hope to have achieved by the end of 2016?</h4>
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While world domination would be my second option, I'd really just like to get my debut novel into as many readers' hands as possible. Also, to have a few rough manuscripts, and at least <i>one</i> that is publisher ready, that would be phenomenal.</div>
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If you didn't mean books - then progress with my Japanese and Korean studies. I am dreadful with languages, and I'm trying to learn two (in addition to my sorry Latin and bad French, and perfectly acceptable English).</div>
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So what are your writing (or other) goals for this year? Do you have any challenge suggestions for me?</h3>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-43093819504312390142016-01-09T11:25:00.000-08:002016-01-09T11:27:15.537-08:007 Basic Tips For Writing Better Dialogue<h3>
Whether you are a narrative-heavy author, or you lean toward more dialogue driven scenes, all authors have to agree on the importance of good dialogue. In some ways, all books are dialogue: a conversation between the writer and the story, between the story and the readers, and most obviously, between the characters. It's the latter, the dialogue between characters, that this post will be examining.</h3>
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First off, what makes "good" dialogue? To answer that, we have to look into the purpose of dialogue within a novel.</h4>
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The way I see it, dialogue must fulfill these 3 functions.</h3>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />1. It develops characters<br />2. It moves a scene forward<br />3. It propels the plot and embellishes the narrative</span></h4>
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Based on those three requirements then, "good dialogue" would not only be integral to the story, it would act as a way for the author to reveal the character's personalities, preferences, and drive to the reader. But it gets a little more complicated.<br />
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Imagine, for example, that you're writing a book about a young girl set in Victorian London. It's probably obvious that you couldn't have her tell people that they looked "cool,"or that something was "awesome." Even if she had a laid back personality, modern slang would jar the reader out of Victorian London, and ruin the character's voice. So we can add to the above - <b>dialogue must suit the tone and voice of both the novel and the characters.</b><br />
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The problem above is nothing a little research can't fix. But "correct" dialogue can still come off as stilted, and jar you out of the story as well. So how do you find the balance between natural and accurate? There's the difficulty in dialogue right there.<br />
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This brings us back to the original question: how do you write good dialogue that doesn't snap the reader out of the story, and that helps the novel's flow?</h4>
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It's different for every author and novel, but here are <b>Seven Universal Tips for Writing Dialogue</b>, whether your novel is in futuristic San Francisco, or Ancient Greece.</h3>
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1. <i>Always</i> read your dialogue bits aloud, preferably to another person.</h3>
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This might be embarrassing at first, but I can't stress its importance enough. When you read your novel aloud, you'll hear exactly how the character's speech patterns sound. So will your listener. Something that sounded okay in your head may sound completely different read out loud.<br />
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2. Watch the formality of your writing "speech."</h3>
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This is one I've had a lot of trouble with in the past, as I was steeped in ancient literature for years! Alternatively, slang falls into this same category. If informal, slang-filled speech is the norm (i.,e., you're writing about greasers or flappers), use it <i>sparingly</i>. You want your readers to be following along, immersed in the story, not referring to Google every five minutes. The same goes for immense/rarely used words.<br />
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3. To convey a certain time period/era/type of character, a little bit of a foreign language, slang, or dialect goes a long way.</h3>
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Some authors are stronger at this than others (Mark Twain, John Green, Cormac McCarthy, and Zora Neale Hurston come to mind), but this is one of the trickiest things to pull off. You don't want to date your novel (i. e., using too many 20th century specific words/phrases), and you don't want it to throw off the reader (see number 2).<br />
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As much as it is possible, leave your setting details to the narrative. For example: Make your readers feel like they are in the court of Louis XIV <i>before</i> you add any French. And then, when you add the French, think of it like cayenne pepper - a seasoning where a pinch pervades the entire dish. Make sure your French is authentic to the mid 1600's, and accurate for aristocrats and/or serving class. This can be <i>a lot</i> of work, but it will make your story feel more real, and read better, even if your reader knows nothing about 1600's France.<br />
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4. Listen, listen, listen to how people talk.</h3>
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People are people - they tend to raise their voice at the end of a question, stop in the middle of a sentence, and lose their train of thought. While you don't have to replicate speech patterns exactly (and it would be tedious for both you and the reader if you did this!), a little bit of careful listening can give you a feel for how dialogue should flow to sound natural.<br />
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Listen to the people around you and think about how they might be thinking/feeling as they talk: did they pause because they were unsure, or because they are telling a lie? Now, I'm not encouraging you to over-analyze your friends and acquaintances! I just want you to examine speech patterns, and the way people actually talk :)<br />
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5. Read Screenplays or Stage Plays</h3>
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Think about a movie or a play. Unlike a novel, a movie's narration is typically visual. We aren't told that this is Paris, we see the Eiffel Tower and <i>know</i> we're in Paris. This gives a movie a huge advantage in setting the scene. They can skip right to the characters and the dialogue.<br />
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Novelists have it a little harder, but it's still rewarding to look at how a scriptwriter handles character. Good dialogue often separates a great movie/play from a terrible one, and strong characters can sometimes rescue a mediocre plot.<br />
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So back to the screenplay: read a good, strong script/play (<i>Casablanca</i>, <i>The Godfather</i>, <i>To Kill a Mockingbird</i>, <i>Schindler's List</i>, <i>Psycho</i>, <i>Oedipus the King</i>, <i>The Importance of Being Earnest</i>, <i>Henry V, </i>etc). Study how the author uses dialogue to reveal the character's personalities and establish each unique voice. How do they incorporate humor? How do the characters interact among themselves - do they change how they speak around particular people?<br />
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6. In First Person - Even the Narrative is Technically Dialogue</h3>
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First Person dialogue is different from third person dialogue in that the narrative is in the main character's distinctive voice. However, most people have a lot more internal dialogue than external.<br />
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For instance, if I see a girl with a shirt I like, my thoughts might look like this: <i><b>That is an awesome Star Wars t-shirt. It has Han and Chewie on it, which is different. I love that color green. I wonder which film is her favorite?</b> </i><br />
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However, what I actually say is: <b>"I love your shirt!"</b><br />
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See how much of my inner dialogue was left out? A more outgoing or talkative person might say more, or even pursue a conversation, but it was enough for me to say "I love your shirt," so I stopped there. This tells you that I'm more introverted, but have an active thought life.<br />
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Likewise, when writing in first person, make sure that you remember to stay in your character's brain. You don't have to detail <i>every little thing </i>that crosses their mind, but be conscious of how what they think and what they say might differ. While this can create unique difficulties within the narrative (you can only see through one character's mind), it also makes a more intimate bond between the reader and the narrator, immersing the reader in your story. A careful balance of internal and external dialogue can really help your reader understand the character and empathize with them.<br />
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7. Read! And Pay Attention :)</h3>
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Sure, this is the first and best writing advice out there, but since we're looking at dialogue, think of a book that made you laugh or where the characters really stood out. Chances are, the author was good at dialogue. Reread one of your favorite novels and look closely at how the character's interact. How does the author space dialogue and narration? How does the dialogue fulfill my requirements from above? How much dialogue verses narrative fills a page?<br />
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Still lost and looking for examples? Here are some fun books and the corresponding skill they showcase:</h3>
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#3 and #6 - <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjdsob8r53KAhVKKCYKHRz0DWkQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F9165406-okay-for-now&usg=AFQjCNHNqu59OEoLJNiUECqASKV8SAYeNg&sig2=RGgjAPXsHA0CfZ5jU417sw">Okay for Now</a> </i>by Gary D. Schmidt. </h4>
Examine how Schmidt uses the first person narration to establish the time period, Holling's (the MC) personality and voice, and to drive the story.<br />
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<h4>
#2 and #3 - <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjw7ZrVrp3KAhWFSyYKHeWRCHkQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F14201.Jonathan_Strange_Mr_Norrell&usg=AFQjCNGsu6VkVD7L1A1PbyJL1GW8jM7KZQ&sig2=Hj0AR6mVHuhvsdeOYN_jWA">Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell</a> </i>by Susanna Clarke OR <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwir_-Pirp3KAhXMOyYKHWB3DtIQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F23943137-sorcerer-to-the-crown&usg=AFQjCNGYFFMDwdGWvJG5yacGvasYhS3TkA&sig2=-lSiOBVr__PmqditXuczrA&bvm=bv.111396085,d.eWE">Sorcerer to the Crown</a> </i>by Zen Cho. </h4>
Though both of these novels are fantasy, they do a superb job of reminding you that you are in a different era. Manners and customs are different, but never hard to understand. Also pay note to how the dialogue helps the worldbuilding.<br />
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#5 - <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/919075.Writing_for_Emotional_Impact">Writing for Emotional Impact</a></i> by Karl Iglesias and <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/190217.Writing_Screenplays_That_Sell">Writing Screenplays That Sell</a></i> by Michael Hauge. </h4>
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You might not be writing a screenplay, or ever intend to, but both of these books will help you be a more dynamic storyteller. Learn from movies and TV, and apply those techniques to your own writing. For a good example of this type of writing in novel form, check out <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiA84zIrp3KAhUGRCYKHX34DvUQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F2767052-the-hunger-games&usg=AFQjCNFIoGCZyZMZzJaC4OYlZe45wTh53g&sig2=zbSftbdvAYwuVzhCA0mhIQ&bvm=bv.111396085,d.eWE">The Hunger Games</a></i>. Suzanne Collins is (surprise!) a scriptwriter as well as a novelist, and her action scenes really benefit from her visual media experience.<br />
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If you are a writer, did I miss anything? What are your tricks for realistic dialogue? If you are a reader, what books really hooked you? Do you have any favorite dialogue or quotes to share?</h3>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-16664004973296487212016-01-05T17:14:00.002-08:002016-01-05T17:14:13.153-08:00TTT: Gif-ful Writerly (and Readerly) Resolutions For 2016<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeYsSZwVII_tJBCqaWmP9zZFonQbqCk5ugdLs7VzHN8p-HQ7yD9zq9HZeLCl1SZWKLuadPGbV3tggJOUXYDR9us1k4l08OfSob8Yh1TKAIrHzZmNw7yF7tjJqX3J0_n21XvuJ2HYCnkzu/s1600/toptentuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="178" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeYsSZwVII_tJBCqaWmP9zZFonQbqCk5ugdLs7VzHN8p-HQ7yD9zq9HZeLCl1SZWKLuadPGbV3tggJOUXYDR9us1k4l08OfSob8Yh1TKAIrHzZmNw7yF7tjJqX3J0_n21XvuJ2HYCnkzu/s1600/toptentuesday.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html">Source</a></td></tr>
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Well, I haven't participated in <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/">The Broke and the Bookish</a> TTT in awhile, and I'm feeling a bit foggy in the idea department, sooooo, you get my Top 10 New Year's Resolutions! Most of them are writing or book related, but I am prone to fits of incurable randomness.<br />
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If you'd like to participate, <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html">click here</a>.<br />
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It's the 5th already, so I suppose I'm resigned to the fact that 2015 is over. Not that I was particularly attached to it, or anything, it just felt too darn fast. Still, there is <i>a lot</i> to look forward to in the coming year. Especially my book. But in the meantime, I do have some goals, resolutions, and things I'd like to accomplish. And what better way to keep myself accountable than to post them where other people can see?<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Writerly/Readerly Resolutions for 2016</span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"> </span></h2>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. Promote My Debut Novel (<i>Knight of the Blue Surcoat</i>)!</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have been blabbing pretty endlessly about this, but it isn't going to stop. As soon as I get that date, I will be even louder. Prepare yourselves.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i.imgur.com/oP5BXLk.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/oP5BXLk.gif" height="166" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you?</td></tr>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2. Finish Drafting <i>The Last Coffee Shop</i> and Complete at least One Rewrite</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I'm really, really close on this one. I've actually done some re<span style="font-family: inherit;">writes <span style="font-family: inherit;">up to the halfway point as a <span style="font-family: inherit;">stalling method. I don't know what it is about endings <span style="font-family: inherit;">with me - if I know exactly how I'm going to end something, I seem to have a more difficult time reaching the end! How does that <span style="font-family: inherit;">make any sense?</span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.survivingcollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Supernatural-confused-gif.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://www.survivingcollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/Supernatural-confused-gif.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Does anyone ever look more dumbfounded than Dean?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span> </span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3. Complete at least One Rewrite/Polish/Edit of One of My Other Novels</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">This might be the most out there resolution on this list. I am <span style="font-family: inherit;">a <span style="font-family: inherit;">notoriously slow editor.</span></span> </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i44.tinypic.com/in8ivr.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i44.tinypic.com/in8ivr.gif" height="175" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maybe if I walk away no one will remember I said this.</td></tr>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. Review All My Arcs, Even If It's Just a Paragraph on Goodreads</span></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have an ARC problem. There's something about a<span style="font-family: inherit;">n unreleased book that makes me go all melty inside. <span style="font-family: inherit;">And then I feel incredibly cool for having <span style="font-family: inherit;">an exclusive. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Even if no one reads my paragraphs that I pledge to write, <span style="font-family: inherit;">I still plan on writing one for <i>every single </i><span style="font-family: inherit;">A<span style="font-family: inherit;">RC. *rides off into sunset*</span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickVXfcsDOxWWG_-maXcBRoBe4LVKox8BcJoh2POdpOcwEzrSzeh_BMxrNJtT4zwXh72CB0eELzbrJPNxpAYxJqYOsEjwt855d7E1Iwt1NLZrzgKsmmeyRPEemnx5BRoEyUa1l4ZPk4_Ma/s1600/Phineas+e+Ferb+013.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEickVXfcsDOxWWG_-maXcBRoBe4LVKox8BcJoh2POdpOcwEzrSzeh_BMxrNJtT4zwXh72CB0eELzbrJPNxpAYxJqYOsEjwt855d7E1Iwt1NLZrzgKsmmeyRPEemnx5BRoEyUa1l4ZPk4_Ma/s1600/Phineas+e+Ferb+013.gif" height="147" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fabulous Ferb</td></tr>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. Be More </span>Diligent<span style="font-family: inherit;"> About Teaching Myself Japanese (And<span style="font-family: inherit;"> maybe </span>Korean)</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">L<span style="font-family: inherit;">ifelong goal peoples. I forked o<span style="font-family: inherit;">ver <span style="font-family: inherit;">what little spending money I have in my budget for some books and cds and workbooks. I'm better at applying myself to something if <span style="font-family: inherit;">I have made an <span style="font-family: inherit;">investment. And it's also (kind-of) resear<span style="font-family: inherit;">ch -<span style="font-family: inherit;"> because I've had a novel idea stewing that is set in an alternate <span style="font-family: inherit;">East Asian landscape<span style="font-family: inherit;">. Secondly, traveling to <span style="font-family: inherit;">Japan <span style="font-family: inherit;">is <span style="font-family: inherit;">on my top<span style="font-family: inherit;"> ten life <span style="font-family: inherit;">g<span style="font-family: inherit;">oals. I'd like to <i><span style="font-family: inherit;">at<span style="font-family: inherit;"> least</span></span></i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> understand a little of this comple<span style="font-family: inherit;">x, elegant, and beautiful language.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://38.media.tumblr.com/2acec856118268cf766de25a32ed557f/tumblr_myucdf1w921shesixo1_400.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://38.media.tumblr.com/2acec856118268cf766de25a32ed557f/tumblr_myucdf1w921shesixo1_400.gif" height="200" width="141" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kanji? Are you laughing at me?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6. Make an Actual Writing Schedule- And Follow It</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Well, m<span style="font-family: inherit;">y previous <span style="font-family: inherit;">attempts have been gl<span style="font-family: inherit;">orious failures.</span></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img.pandawhale.com/120424-Kuzco-bad-llama-gif-imgur-tumb-D27w.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://img.pandawhale.com/120424-Kuzco-bad-llama-gif-imgur-tumb-D27w.gif" height="179" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't think I've actually tried hard enough.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span> </span></div>
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<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7. Win NaNo</span></h3>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">More glorious failures. I <i>have</i> hit the 50K word mark once. But that was before I started <span style="font-family: inherit;">working all week! <span style="font-family: inherit;">But I will <span style="font-family: inherit;">not be thwarted <span style="font-family: inherit;">by NaNo<span style="font-family: inherit;"> forever</span></span></span>. Maybe this is my year<span style="font-family: inherit;"> . . .</span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://31.media.tumblr.com/4cc294d0bb71279b44796a8237ce1aa1/tumblr_mfyd7gio9y1rvaggno1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://31.media.tumblr.com/4cc294d0bb71279b44796a8237ce1aa1/tumblr_mfyd7gio9y1rvaggno1_500.gif" height="129" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">NaNo, it's me or you.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span> </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">8.<span style="font-family: inherit;"> Learn <span style="font-family: inherit;">An Awesome Danc<span style="font-family: inherit;">e - Because Research</span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">There is a lot <span style="font-family: inherit;">of dancing back<span style="font-family: inherit;">ground material in TLC<span style="font-family: inherit;">S. I've watched <span style="font-family: inherit;">tons </span>of videos and listened to hundreds <span style="font-family: inherit;">of danc<span style="font-family: inherit;">e-y songs to get the feel for thi<span style="font-family: inherit;">ngs. <span style="font-family: inherit;">And <span style="font-family: inherit;">all it left me with <span style="font-family: inherit;">is <span style="font-family: inherit;">the desire to do at least one dance well. My enem<span style="font-family: inherit;">ies are</span> my coor<span style="font-family: inherit;">dination and dreadful memory for moves.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/139537690/original.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/139537690/original.gif" height="144" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I don't think I could learn this one in 50 years of practicing</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> 9. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Read <span style="font-family: inherit;">At <span style="font-family: inherit;">Least 75 <span style="font-family: inherit;">Books <span style="font-family: inherit;">That I Have Never Re<span style="font-family: inherit;">ad Before</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Goodreads, I'm counti<span style="font-family: inherit;">ng on you. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Here's <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4341872-rebekah-h">my pro</a><span style="font-family: inherit;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/4341872-rebekah-h">file link</a> if you want to join in (and be reading friends). I <span style="font-family: inherit;">easily</span> exceeded my goal of 50 this year (nevermind that<span style="font-family: inherit;"> half of my book count was manga!). Ideally<span style="font-family: inherit;">, I<span style="font-family: inherit;">'ll read one book I own, one for review, and one to expand my horizons. That seems like a good rule of thumb.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca/lifeatuoft/files/2013/09/tumblr_msy1lbVt9e1rjfyp5o1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://blogs.studentlife.utoronto.ca/lifeatuoft/files/2013/09/tumblr_msy1lbVt9e1rjfyp5o1_500.gif" height="163" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me at every event I've ever been dragged to.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<br />
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">10. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Put <span style="font-family: inherit;">Up One Or More Blog Posts A <span style="font-family: inherit;">Week</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I definitely saw helpful results f<span style="font-family: inherit;">rom my blogging this year. I got <span style="font-family: inherit;">(a little) more confident <span style="font-family: inherit;">about shar<span style="font-family: inherit;">ing my work<span style="font-family: inherit;">. I made <span style="font-family: inherit;">friends. I consciously tried to work a<span style="font-family: inherit;">t my writing, even on a casual leve<span style="font-family: inherit;">l. And everyone's input has not only been helpful, it's actually set me back at my personal (or novel) writ<span style="font-family: inherit;">ing <span style="font-family: inherit;">with increased drive. In<span style="font-family: inherit;"> some cases, <span style="font-family: inherit;">it's made me want to write my books even more than I already did, or given me a brea<span style="font-family: inherit;">kthrough. <span style="font-family: inherit;">Writing tea<span style="font-family: inherit;">chers always told me that a little writing every day<span style="font-family: inherit;">, of any kind, would <span style="font-family: inherit;">help. *hang<span style="font-family: inherit;">s head in shame* I'm <span style="font-family: inherit;">glad I finally listened<span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="font-family: inherit;">to their advice.</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view4/1623264/cyberman-victory-dance-o.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://stream1.gifsoup.com/view4/1623264/cyberman-victory-dance-o.gif" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I think I can do this dance, at least.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> So what are your resolutions or go<span style="font-family: inherit;">als for <span style="font-family: inherit;">2016 (writing or otherwise)? D<span style="font-family: inherit;">o you feel prepared for the upcoming year<span style="font-family: inherit;">?</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
<h3>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://i45.tinypic.com/enjhs.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://i45.tinypic.com/enjhs.jpg" height="214" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">I might be able to learn this one. <span style="font-family: inherit;">But <span style="font-family: inherit;">I would only wear these clothes if you paid me.</span></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span> </span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></span></h3>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-64380029841631891652016-01-04T10:31:00.000-08:002016-01-04T10:31:54.623-08:00Best in Movies, Music, Books, and My Final 2015 Wrap-Up - December 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn54/Kelvarhin/LOTR%20Pics/Fireworks03_zpse93c776a.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i301.photobucket.com/albums/nn54/Kelvarhin/LOTR%20Pics/Fireworks03_zpse93c776a.gif" height="161" width="400" /></a></div>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">HAPPY NEW YEAR!</span></h2>
<br />
I <i>do</i> know it's January 5th, and that I'm, as usual, late to the party. However, I really like the monthly wrap up hosted by Nicole @ <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a>, and I'm not going to get a little thing like being behind get in my way! For info on the link up and how to join, <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/2015/12/december-and-year-end-wrap-up-round-up.html">click here</a>. <span style="font-size: x-small;">(All images belong to respective copyright holders and are used for effect, and zero financial gain)</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://media.tumblr.com/6371f254e4ea428e9f479d3733987385/tumblr_inline_mn3kpr98sv1qz4rgp.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://media.tumblr.com/6371f254e4ea428e9f479d3733987385/tumblr_inline_mn3kpr98sv1qz4rgp.gif" height="140" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Despite the capslock above, this is how I feel about it being 2016</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
December seemed like it was gone in a second, and hardly marked due to a suspicious lack of snow. I wasn't complaining, as I had to drive just about every day, but I <i>did</i> miss the snow for Christmas and Cross-Country skiing purposes. Other than Christmas, work, more work, and <i>Star Wars</i>, my December was pretty quiet. I did manage to get up a few more posts and reviews, which was a wonderful thing.<br />
<br />
I normally stick pretty much to books for the blog, and that isn't going to change, but I already did a comprehensive year in books post (more about that later), so I thought it might be fun to cover some other areas in my December recap. After my post rundown, I have some very short Top 5 for the Year lists of things other than books (and videos/gifs/etc). Also, since this was my first "official" blogging year, I have a few questions for you at the bottom of this post.<br />
<br />
<h3>
December Book Reviews:</h3>
<br />
<ol>
<li><b><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/book-review-abomination-by-gary-whitta.html"><i>Abomination</i> by Gary Whitta</a> - 4 stars</b></li>
<li><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-pair-of-spoiler-free-mini-reviews.html"><b><i>Winter</i> by Marissa Meyer - (4.5 stars) & <i>Sorcerer to the Crown</i> by Zen Cho - 4 stars</b></a></li>
<li><b><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-pair-of-spoiler-free-mini-reviews.html"><i>Dragonfly</i> by Julia Golding</a> - 3.75 stars</b></li>
</ol>
<div>
Only four reviews (sigh), but I read a lot of books! Also, I wrote about 8 more reviews for a local publication, so I suppose I shouldn't feel too bad?</div>
<h3>
<br />Writing Related Posts:</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Only one distinctly writing related post in December, my <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/beautiful-books-3-editing-process.html"><i>Beautiful Books</i> entry</a> for NaNo project, <i>The Butler Did It</i> - but there was a very long snippet to prove I was actually writing!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h3>
Tags/Awards/Etc.:</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
I finally got around to a few more of these - all very fun tags from my kind fellow bloggers. Naturally, my answers involved writing, silliness, and multitudes of gifs:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<ol>
<li><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/dragons-loyalty-award-with-lots-of.html">Dragon's Loyalty Award</a> from <a href="http://saraletourneauwriter.com/author/saraletourneau/">Sara Letourneau</a></li>
<li>"<a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/be-thankful-challenge-accepted-via-e.html">Be Thankful Challenge</a>" from <a href="https://rawlse.wordpress.com/about-2/">E. Rawls</a></li>
<li><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/christmas-y-tag-2015.html">Christmas-y Tag</a> from <a href="https://deborahocarroll.wordpress.com/">Deborah O'Carroll</a></li>
</ol>
</div>
<br />
#1 revealed some random facts (including how many siblings I have), and <i>no one even tried to guess all my dragon gifs</i>. Consider yourself challenged.<br />
#2 brought out my rarely-revealed more sensitive side as I had to express the things I'm thankful for.<br />
#3 explored how my family celebrates Christmas, and introduced the hunt-for-the-pickle challenge<br />
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<h3>
YEAR END POSTS:</h3>
<br />
<ol>
<li><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/ttt-top-10-books-i-read-in-2015.html">Top 10 Books I Read in 2015</a> - It was definitely a challenge to narrow them down</li>
<li><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/10-favorite-new-to-me-characters-of.html">Top 10 New Favorite Characters in 2015</a> - Not as hard as #1 - still hard</li>
<li><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2016/01/2015-end-of-year-book-survey.html">2015 in Books, and What's Next for 2016</a> - okay, so this was posted in January, but it is a comprehensive look at my entire year in books for 2015, so it works. This was a template put out by Jaime from <a href="http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/">The Perpetual Page Turner</a>, and it had a ton of fun questions.</li>
</ol>
<h4>
So that was it for me on the blog in December - but I hope to get more posts and reviews up in 2016!</h4>
<h3>
Also, now that it is 2016, here are a few short lists of the non-book bests of 2015, a list of the top albums I listened to, and my general randomness:</h3>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h2>
Top 5 Movies for 2015:</h2>
<div>
I'm not much of a movie person. I watch them, enjoy them, and typically forget I saw them. If I didn't forget, you know I liked it! So here were my favorite movies I saw in 2015 (and reasons):</div>
<div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lhtJH63qGfm6RBa5tTffm3-gaEk=/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3614716/explosion2.0.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://cdn1.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/lhtJH63qGfm6RBa5tTffm3-gaEk=/cdn0.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/3614716/explosion2.0.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
1. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi68N2hupDKAhWDLmMKHUroAfYQFghbMAc&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt2488496%2F&usg=AFQjCNHXT6VOXhuz4G1KN7sHJi0gBEpoZw&sig2=x97mh-Ni8tNyGNlSHIr6Cw" style="font-style: italic;">Star Wars: The Force Awakens</a> - 9 out of 10 stars.</h4>
<div>
I am a Star Wars girl, and I was waiting for this with a mixture of excitement and dread. As you can see by my rating, I loved it. It was fun and exciting, and a great theater experience. The new characters were wonderful, the classic characters were epic, and it was so. much. better. than the prequels.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://data.whicdn.com/images/185344752/large.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://data.whicdn.com/images/185344752/large.gif" height="169" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
2. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi3xLmSupDKAhUD3WMKHR1jDJAQFgg-MAY&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt4618398%2F&usg=AFQjCNG_WxlIoZXPNeMrtpbUJHKAlaeH0A&sig2=PAMeNrfPjjKTPgubhAFaOw" style="font-style: italic;">Boruto: Naruto the Movie</a> - 9 out of 10 stars. </h4>
<div>
Seriously, I <i>loved</i> this movie. The animated action sequences were breathtaking - so beautiful that the fighting was pretty much my favorite part. And then there was the Sasuke-Naruto partnership/broship where they both deal with being dads and warriors and <i>awesome</i>.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://31.media.tumblr.com/36d8877744c05dea808d377e2531f9d8/tumblr_nhseu0hMpp1qzco77o1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/36d8877744c05dea808d377e2531f9d8/tumblr_nhseu0hMpp1qzco77o1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
<h4>
3. <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiz3MnYvZDKAhVJ22MKHcdbAJEQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt0478970%2F&usg=AFQjCNGFJsl8j4cefltDPdCOf07zqp0Gtg&sig2=M7YfSJGbWN_Op0EAfgd-5w">Ant-Man</a></i> - 8.75 out of 10 stars. </h4>
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<i>Ant-Man</i> was hilarious. But it was also a stand-out from the other MARVEL movies in the past few years. After <i>Winter Soldier</i> and <i>Avengers</i>, it might be my 3rd best MARVEL film ever. It was like reading an old comic book - fun, colorful, just sweet enough, with great action and delightful characters.</div>
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<a href="http://socialcomotion.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/creed-running.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://socialcomotion.com/Blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/creed-running.gif" height="141" width="320" /></a></div>
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4. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiT7vaMvpDKAhUGyGMKHb59DWYQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt3076658%2F&usg=AFQjCNEO8iELAO3x60TUKWT_9QvtTJHnYw&sig2=EBn3dFHG4hxGg0QUwpAOOg"><i>Creed</i> </a>- 8.5 out of 10 stars. </h4>
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Well made, directed, and acted, with a ton of heart, <i>Creed</i> was definitely one of the most compelling stories onscreen this year. I am a confessed <i>Rocky</i> fan, but I felt like <i>Creed</i> broke new ground with confidence, while staying true to what made the originals good. My biggest qualms with the film were moral ones, to be honest.</div>
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5. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjFp_nvvpDKAhVL6GMKHdPCDikQFgggMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt1661199%2F&usg=AFQjCNGIl-7mJIqwW534G4s98Ag5BB1K6g&sig2=MDe6gqafw0TB0gtT_SZuIw"><i>Cinderella</i> </a>- 8 out of 10 stars. </h4>
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Surprised you, didn't I? While I seriously considered <i>The Man from U.N.C.L.E.</i> and <i>Mockingjay: Part II</i>, I just liked <i>Cinderella</i> a little more. I really like Disney films, and I felt that <i>Cinderella</i> actually improved on the animated classic. It was charming, sweet but not saccharine, competently acted and directed, and <i>absolutely beautiful</i>. I love costume dramas and epics, and the costumes in <i>Cinderella</i> were exquisite. Also, I went with my little sisters, who were all completely in love with the movie, and that definitely helped.</div>
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I really didn't see a lot of movies this year, and there were a few I missed that I wanted to see (<i>The Martian</i>, <i>Far From the Madding Crowd, Macbeth, Mad Max: Fury Road,</i> etc), so I suppose I'll have to add them to my endless list of things to rent.</h4>
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Music:</div>
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As for music, I continued my trend of zero rhyme or reason to my music tastes. Thanks to <a href="http://nerdist.com/spotify-interactive-map-user-data-favorite-music/">this handy Nerdist article</a> about how Spotify tracks us all and ranks the most uniquely popular songs to a region, I know that my current playlists have more in common with citizens in <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Johor_Bahru">Johor Bahru</a>, Malaysia than they do with Grand Rapids, MI (closest city) . . .</div>
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<br />Also thanks to the stalkerish quality of web music services, I also know my most listened to bands, albums, songs, so I'm putting that information overload to use by listing them here!</h4>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
My most listened to playlist: <a href="https://play.spotify.com/user/1233135156/playlist/7gOYaMDPsqSXgubEFR5Xf9">Jupiter Jive</a> (linked to Spotify)</h3>
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Featuring dance-y hits from all over the world, and whatever attitude-filled tracks I decide to throw in, my JJ playlist was my go-to for writing, driving, dancing, cleaning, etc., and I listened to a lot of stuff that wasn't really my thing, before. If you don't know, <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/07/beautiful-people-for-writers-july-2015.html">Jupiter Jive</a> is the dancing thief whose existence shapes a lot of my current WIP - <i><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/05/beautiful-people-for-writers.html">The Last Coffee Shop</a></i>. Much like his personality, the music on this list has pervaded my life, writing, and this book for the past year.</div>
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Most listened to soundtracks: </h3>
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Tie Between <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Hobbit-Picture-Soundtrack-Special/dp/B00OIG3CAC">The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies</a> </i> and the <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Attack-Titan-SAWANO-HIROYUKI/dp/B00E6Q48B6/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1451927383&sr=1-1&keywords=attack+on+titan+soundtrack">Attack on Titan (Anime)</a></i> soundtrack</h3>
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Despite my mixed feelings on the movies, I have nothing bad to say about Master Howard Shore and his epic compositions. They are splendid for writing to.</div>
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The <i>Attack on Titan</i> soundtrack is a brilliant international fusion of instruments/musical styles. Not only does it fit the multi-national anime well, it provides a varying and haunting soundscape that is perfect for writing post-apocalyptic fiction.</div>
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Top 5 Most Listened to Songs in 2015:</h3>
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<b>Yes, they're all on my Jupiter Jive Playlist</b></div>
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1. <i>Collar Full</i> - by Panic! at the Disco</h4>
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<br />2. <i>Fools Gold</i> - by Fitz and the Tantrums</h4>
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3. <i>Dance With Me Tonight</i> by Olly Murs</h4>
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4. <i>Work This Body</i> by Walk the Moon</h4>
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5. <i>Fantastic Baby</i> by BIGBANG</h4>
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That last one is a leeetle embarrassing - considering that I racked up enough listens in 2.5 months of 2015 to make it my fifth most played song of 2015 . . .</div>
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Top 5 Most Listened to Albums in 2015:</h3>
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Jupiter Jive stuff, mostly.</div>
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<b>1. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/All-This-Bad-Blood-CD/dp/B00FQ5F5MC">All This Bad Blood</a></i> by Bastille</b></div>
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<b>2.<i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Vices-Virtues-Panic-At-Disco/dp/B004LP601S/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1451924272&sr=1-1&keywords=vices+and+virtues">Vices and Virtues</a> </i> by Panic! at the Disco</b></div>
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<b>3. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/More-Than-Just-Dream-Tantrums/dp/B00BF3AVPA/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1451924346&sr=1-1&keywords=more+than+just+a+dream">More Than Just a Dream</a></i> by Fitz and the Tantrums</b></div>
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<b>4. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Before-Dawn-Breaking-Benjamin/dp/B00V9107SY/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1451924547&sr=1-1&keywords=dark+before+dawn">Dark Before Dawn</a></i> by Breaking Benjamin</b></div>
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<b>5. <i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Talking-Hard-Walk-Moon/dp/B00OTLFGIM/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1451924478&sr=1-1&keywords=talking+is+hard">Talking is Hard</a></i> by Walk the Moon</b></div>
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Top 5 Bands/Artists I Discovered and/or Got Hooked on in 2015:</h3>
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<b>1. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwi4vfykz5DKAhVR7GMKHf3RAsYQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.smallpoolsmusic.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNG-Zog7Ro3TTrqOl4h-Oq4pdxPM0g&sig2=XKV3eyTjcQ9cEDGo7LyCPg">Smallpools</a> -</b> an indie pop band whose song <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj-v__Cz5DKAhVL8mMKHSW5DoMQyCkIHzAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3Dq3zMGLXBBzE&usg=AFQjCNEGR9haxJckyBNKfMOQoWnGZSj_1A&sig2=pjqqgmBsd6dbQpD-w5blag">Street Fight</a></i> was about my 10th most played song.</div>
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<b>2. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=10&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjd3dmy1ZDKAhUQ2WMKHdepCsEQFghFMAk&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ellahenderson.co.uk%2F&usg=AFQjCNFyP6nHQM4hhPdb0IPSM1_gCkysLQ&sig2=kgVANl_EFAE8Op8FDh204A&bvm=bv.110151844,d.cGc">Ella Henderson</a> -</b> British X-Factor songstress with an <i>incredible</i> voice. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiTio7c0pDKAhUBGmMKHWP0DZ4QyCkIHzAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DtA8AfQaUnXM&usg=AFQjCNGnDUdOVgX4jDQRwmLl5wbxpJvz5Q&sig2=kR1gVW0pdENR7XJkffz_1A"><i>Ghost</i> </a>was my 6th most played song this year.</div>
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<b>3. </b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwifwPT61ZDKAhVT32MKHSVTA0oQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Famaranthe.se%2F&usg=AFQjCNHVIgSIraiFOEPqdL-c0Mwpw8ECQA&sig2=9RIsVVASi9bfWpVLFpe1gw"><b>Amaranthe</b> </a>- Swedish symphonic metal band with 3! vocalists and a great sound. I just couldn't believe I'd never heard of them before.</div>
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<b>4. </b><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjJgfj62JDKAhVBT2MKHS_AD6cQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ygfamily.com%2Fartist%2Fmain.asp%3FLANGDIV%3DK%26ATYPE%3D2%26ARTIDX%3D3&usg=AFQjCNFEco3sPJejtrCOVODP72-0TnypYw&sig2=xPGz-D_7n8NYmphyhdzbAw"><b>BIGBANG</b> </a>- Kpop/hip-hop sensations that I had consciously avoided listening to but was aware of for years. But, like a virus, I managed to catch fandom in record time. To be honest, I'd sort of avoided Kpop because <i>everyone</i> I knew who listened to it was basically addicted. And now . . . EXO, SHINee, Shinhwa, fill in the blanks - raises hand - I'm a <i>fan</i>. But I have a marked <a href="https://play.spotify.com/artist/4Kxlr1PRlDKEB0ekOCyHgX">BIGBANG </a>preference. Try one of their older songs, <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=video&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiI47qC3JDKAhUL4mMKHeKTBOsQtwIIJTAD&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DlbKDBQC420I&usg=AFQjCNHN_5M2DVWLjNMIVEPKkcvXWlFHAA&sig2=OYPdf8nHn7BEAvimi5A0zg&bvm=bv.110151844,d.cGc">Blue</a></i>, for a gentler introduction.</div>
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<b>5. <a href="http://www.abraham-mateo.com/">Abraham Mateo</a></b> - this Spanish pop singer is the newest addition to my instant-like list. He may resemble a brunette Bieber, but don't be fooled - the kid can sing AND dance like a boss. His lovely vocals caught my ear when I was listening to a New Latin Beats playlist. Check out <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=8&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjA9fnM2pDKAhUD1WMKHed-DfsQtwIIRzAH&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D-oZ7coHgS-0&usg=AFQjCNEzzq3Pw0um6oqPrHJ0Sv8h0b6YuA&sig2=0iNzYXiqnDCSfmGtQEjzIQ">I'm Feeling So Good</a></i> for a song you can dance to.</div>
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<h4>
So that's it for movies and music. As far as 2016 goes - the movie I'm looking forward to the most is <i>Captain America: Civil War</i>. I'm also pretty excited about <i>Doctor Strange</i> though. And music, who knows? I just listened to a song by a Malaysian band that needs more investigation!</h4>
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In books, I have some reviews lined up for releases that I'm <i>really</i> excited about. And of course, once I know more to share about my own book release, you won't hear the end of it.</div>
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Before I go, I have a three simple questions for you readers. As a newer blogger, I still feel really clueless sometimes, and I am always happy to receive advice!</h3>
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1. Is there anything at all that you think I could be doing better, or should be doing? Honestly.</h4>
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2. Is there anything you'd like to see, in particular, on my blog?</h4>
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3. How often do you actually read book reviews (not just mine, any reviews!)</h4>
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Thanks a bunch for reading, commenting, interacting, and for making 2015 a welcoming year for me in the blogosphere!</h3>
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Happy Reading - May 2016 Bring You Many Bookish Joys!<br />-RH</h2>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-70595212137150653562016-01-01T16:43:00.000-08:002016-01-01T16:48:28.755-08:002015 End of Year Book Survey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUOJc5rVFlY05I_m8pgk4QkCuSqTyrpAWj9o0kcGDVaKXC2IO5yK0j1cZAEn2fuME1WbZ475FqoT3KqtyOPIE5egQkX7iS37Jj3H0zC1uOA-OlnuGEf41oTlurjvM7Le2_e3Y_-Ulwz4/s1600/year+end+survey.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoUOJc5rVFlY05I_m8pgk4QkCuSqTyrpAWj9o0kcGDVaKXC2IO5yK0j1cZAEn2fuME1WbZ475FqoT3KqtyOPIE5egQkX7iS37Jj3H0zC1uOA-OlnuGEf41oTlurjvM7Le2_e3Y_-Ulwz4/s640/year+end+survey.png" width="640" /></a></div>
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Well, any more year end posts will end up in January because . . . I managed to catch about 3 different viruses between Christmas and New Year's Eve - even though I haven't been sick in 4 or so years! While this was bad for working and blogging, I <i>did</i> manage to squeeze in a few more books before midnight on the 31st!<br />
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In the meantime, I found this survey through Nicole @ <a href="http://feedyourfictionaddiction.com/">Feed Your Fiction Addiction</a>, who does a monthly wrap up I participate in (coming soon!). The Year End Survey is hosted by Jamie @ <a href="http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/">The Perpetual Page Turner</a>. Thanks Jamie for hosting, and you can <a href="http://www.perpetualpageturner.com/2015/12/6th-annual-end-of-year-survey-2015-edition.html">join that link-up here</a>.<br />
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(All gifs belong to respective copyright holders)</span><br />
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<h3 style="padding: 0px 0px 15px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">2015 Reading Stats</span></h3>
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Number Of Books You Read: <b>127</b> according to Goodreads, but I forgot ( or just didn't add) quite a few. I tend to update Goodreads only when I remember :) I know I read a lot of research books as well.</h4>
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Number of Re-Reads: 3! I reread <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjd36mtv4nKAhXMOj4KHa0MDgUQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F195381.The_Perilous_Gard&usg=AFQjCNEw-mg8B8w-5872vNmv5n0O8WLkcQ&sig2=UP4xS69AW-qISjNSbX5Uxg&bvm=bv.110151844,d.eWE">The Perilous Gard</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/407813.The_Blue_Sword?from_search=true&search_version=service">The Blue Sword</a></i>, and <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjZ6ta1v4nKAhWHMz4KHTZtDJYQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F40159.The_King_of_Attolia&usg=AFQjCNFmTDyPjAJtMqyqWpsbl4oDShZHrQ&sig2=XLOPrmpLaEr9KSZ-tGrv6w&bvm=bv.110151844,d.eWE">The King of Attolia</a></i>, three of my all-time favorite books.</h4>
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Genre You Read The Most From: Easily Fantasy/Sci-Fi - with a whopping 69%. Nonfiction (20%) and Historical Fiction (8%) were next, and Contemporary Fiction was last at about 3%. Translated works made up about 50% of my total reading.</h4>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Best in Books</span></h3>
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1. Best Book You Read In 2015?</h3>
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I listed off my <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/ttt-top-10-books-i-read-in-2015.html">top 10 reads here</a>, and that was hard enough.<br />
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2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn’t?</h3>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22544764-uprooted"><i>Uprooted</i> </a>by Naomi Novik. I was really excited about this one, and prepped to love it. And I <i>did</i> love it until about 3/4's of the way through. From the awkward and uncomfortable (to me, anyhow) relationship developments on to the awkward finale (felt like I was reading a different book), it just didn't work for me.<br />
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3. Most surprising (in a good way or bad way) book you read? </h3>
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<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13539044-the-silver-linings-playbook">The Silver Linings Playbook</a></i> was absolutely charming - just the right amount of moving and funny. I am not a fan of most contemporaries, but I loved this book!</div>
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4. Book You “Pushed” The Most People To Read (And They Did)?</h3>
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Probably <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20558124-thorn?from_search=true&search_version=service">Thorn</a></i>, by Intisar Khanani. I managed to convince friends on and offline that this book was worth the read. The ones who got back to me all agreed.<br />
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5. Best series you started in 2015? Best Sequel of 2015? Best Series Ender of 2015?</h3>
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Best Series (novels): <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjpqo2ryYnKAhWDHT4KHbaGB18QFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F68428.The_Final_Empire&usg=AFQjCNHAiN8eQV9-bGX7o6EXcWkYclgTAQ&sig2=SOJpdcUAtadxwHyvDrC_Dw&bvm=bv.110151844,d.eWE">Mistborn</a> </i>by Brandon Sanderson (manga): <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwi16eGyyYnKAhVBKyYKHRRwApgQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F18667307-tokyo-ghoul&usg=AFQjCNH0GGBNAID2IvUPzGI-q-k9sJ6Dig&sig2=iOZmYH28nht7cV-oTHnRNw&bvm=bv.110151844,d.eWE">Tokyo Ghoul</a></i><br />
Best Sequel: <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21457243-vision-in-silver?from_search=true&search_version=service">Vision in Silver</a></i> (the <i>Others</i>) by Anne Bishop<br />
Best Series Ender (novels): <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwinu4WfyYnKAhUIPT4KHdiwDJYQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F13206900-winter&usg=AFQjCNEvuKDSMRHAARdU3_aO_gRLiVSyPA&sig2=abRXEuUaevHD81CuGAu59Q"><i>Winter</i> </a>by Marissa Meyer (manga): <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwi6iJfEyYnKAhXBPCYKHRj6B5kQFggcMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fseries%2F57883-naruto&usg=AFQjCNFds2GQWpzh6uJLSyhOp5f7apfBKg&sig2=JVsuCP24EnFh7vic_sRm7g&bvm=bv.110151844,d.eWE">NARUTO</a>!</i></div>
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6. Favorite new author you discovered in 2015?</h3>
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<a href="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f387f2_c26a6fd4036c4894b4b2294765c0f35f.jpg/v1/fill/w_345,h_301,al_c,q_75,usm_0.50_1.20_0.00/f387f2_c26a6fd4036c4894b4b2294765c0f35f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="174" src="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/f387f2_c26a6fd4036c4894b4b2294765c0f35f.jpg/v1/fill/w_345,h_301,al_c,q_75,usm_0.50_1.20_0.00/f387f2_c26a6fd4036c4894b4b2294765c0f35f.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiUv7TYyYnKAhWCMz4KHefSD5UQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fbooksbyintisar.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNFuT3ZNXQwQUWMHUlS4w26vbWZZkg&sig2=mr825hQVKkvH4pldH77DxQ&bvm=bv.110151844,d.eWE">Intisar Khanani</a> and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiX9tbmyYnKAhXGND4KHeCRCZYQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ryangraudin.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNHh6X_b3SQAwQKFusxEwRN25wBsfQ&sig2=hG_6rk8UzSeogj4HSpcdzg&bvm=bv.110151844,d.eWE">Ryan Graudin</a></div>
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7. Best book from a genre you don’t typically read/was out of your comfort zone?</h3>
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I read at least one book from basically every genre except Romance, and the closest thing I read to a romance was probably <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15839984-cruel-beauty">Cruel Beauty</a></i> by Rosamund Hodge. I loved that book, even though it was entirely written around a romantic relationship.<br />
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8. Most action-packed/thrilling/unputdownable book of the year?</h3>
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I'm going to have to mark this as a tie between <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24807186-wolf-by-wolf"><i>Wolf by Wolf</i> </a>and <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23437156-six-of-crows">Six of Crows</a></i>. I read each of them in one sitting, and stayed up way too late to do so.<br />
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9. Book You Read In 2015 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year?</h3>
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I don't reread many books (no time), so I'm not sure. But I will probably reread <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=3&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjT_tacy4nKAhUD4D4KHT6LD9cQFggqMAI&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F25752373-jakob-s-colors&usg=AFQjCNHe-bM50jaIBV3fTtiqS_JKP24kFg&sig2=XPtzDBIz_38lNBpXZj-DFQ&bvm=bv.110151844,d.eWE">Jakob's Colors</a></i> before I review it (since I read it in the summer, and it's only released here in January).<br />
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10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2015?</h3>
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I liked the cover for <i>Wolf by Wolf</i>, but I also loved this cover for <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23012623-the-silver-swan">Silver Swan</a></i> by Elena Delbanco. While the book wasn't my favorite, the black and silver shades of this cover are beautiful and striking, and the overall composition is fabulous.<br />
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11. Most memorable character of 2015?</h3>
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Another one I addressed elsewhere - you can see my <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/10-favorite-new-to-me-characters-of.html">favorite characters of 2015 list here</a>.<br />
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12. Most beautifully written book read in 2015?</h3>
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Tie between <i>Jakob's Colors</i> and <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22856215-where-women-are-kings">Where Women Are Kings</a></i> by Christie Watson (also a contender for best cover).<br />
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13. Most Thought-Provoking/ Life-Changing Book of 2015?</h3>
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<i>Between the World and Me</i> was definitely one of the most thought-provoking books I read this year.<br />
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14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2015 to finally read? </h3>
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<i>Ross Poldark (Poldark Saga #1)</i> by Winston Graham. It just seems like a book I would have read about ten years ago.<br />
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15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2015?</h3>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
“I've been thinking lately about immortality. What it means to be remembered, what I want to be remembered for, certain questions concerning memory and fame. I love watching old movies. I watch the faces of long-dead actors on the screen, and I think about how they'll never truly die. I know that's a cliché but it happens to be true. Not just the famous ones who everyone knows, the Clark Gables, the Ava Gardners, but the bit players, the maid carrying the tray, the butler, the cowboys in the bar, the third girl from the left in the nightclub. They're all immortal to me. First we only want to be seen, but once we're seen, that's not enough anymore. After that, we want to be remembered.”<br />
― <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2786093.Emily_St_John_Mandel">Emily St. John Mandel</a>, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/28098716">Station Eleven</a></blockquote>
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There were many beautiful passages, but a lot of <i>Station Eleven</i> stood out for its prose.</div>
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<h3>
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2015?</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9SN9FeMzEs_ePhR6jiujSgXRZxMSkuP1F72gzDGMLCd9xQtPcXJApeJE-bmf-jycou09sO6SaVj6C2WMemsXpS3wjBX8e8jkmazWJcVnTlUQ4I1G_TfcslIvY8vhe66X2AUyNveJ_XE/s1600/Screenshot+2016-01-01+17.14.11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="169" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr9SN9FeMzEs_ePhR6jiujSgXRZxMSkuP1F72gzDGMLCd9xQtPcXJApeJE-bmf-jycou09sO6SaVj6C2WMemsXpS3wjBX8e8jkmazWJcVnTlUQ4I1G_TfcslIvY8vhe66X2AUyNveJ_XE/s640/Screenshot+2016-01-01+17.14.11.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Graphic courtesy of <a href="http://goodreads.com/">Goodreads.com</a></td></tr>
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17. Book That Shocked You The Most</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/0e/c2/6a/0ec26ac83c2d149c07b2a17ee0a7e947.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/0e/c2/6a/0ec26ac83c2d149c07b2a17ee0a7e947.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">-Probably more shocked by T.O.P's hair-</td></tr>
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I can't remember the last book that shocked me. I don't really get shocked, I guess.</div>
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18. OTP OF THE YEAR</h3>
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I didn't even know what an OTP was until early summer (2015). (Google is a magical place - but how can it be your one true pairing if you have multiples?). So many questions. And I don't really care about pairings in the first place, so I don't know that I even have one. *thinks hard for a minute* Nope. Still not thinking of one.<br />
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19. Favorite Non-Romantic Relationship Of The Year</h3>
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On the other hand, I have a TON of these. From Kelsier and Vin in <i>Mistborn</i>, to Val and Hitomi in <i>Sunbolt</i>, I have way too many to list. But the ones that moved me the most were the epic brother-bonds formed between these two duos:<br />
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<b>1. Joseph and Jack from <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23714521-orbiting-jupiter">Orbiting Jupiter</a></i> by Gary D. Schmidt</b><br />
<b>2. Naruto and Sasuke from <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23941148-naruto-vol-72">Naruto</a> </i>by Kishimoto Masashi</b><br />
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20. Favorite Book You Read in 2015 From An Author You’ve Read Previously</h3>
<i>Winter</i> or <i>Orbiting Jupiter</i>. They're too different to pick between.<br />
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21. Best Book You Read In 2015 That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else/Peer Pressure:</h3>
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Despite my aversion to the cover (it's not a book I'd pick up based on the picture), <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16069030-the-winner-s-curse?from_search=true&search_version=service">The Winner's Curse</a></i> came highly recommended by a lot of people I trust. I really did enjoy it (though the second cover is worse!).<br />
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22. Newest fictional crush from a book you read in 2015?</h3>
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<b>. . . . . . .</b><br />
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23. Best 2015 debut you read?</h3>
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See #9. Also <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23943137-sorcerer-to-the-crown">Sorcerer to the Crown</a></i> by Zen Cho. I read a couple more amazing debuts, but they aren't published at all until 2016, so I'll save them for later.<br />
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24. Best Worldbuilding/Most Vivid Setting You Read This Year?</h3>
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<i>Six of Crows</i> by Leigh Bardugo. Her worldbuilding and settings are top notch.</div>
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25. Book That Put A Smile On Your Face/Was The Most FUN To Read?</h3>
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<i>The Silver Linings Playbook</i> had me in stitches, but I also really enjoyed <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21412202-as-you-wish">As You Wish</a></i>, Cary Elwes' surprisingly charming memoir about making <i>The Princess Bride.</i><br />
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26. Book That Made You Cry Or Nearly Cry in 2015?</h3>
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<i>Orbiting Jupiter</i>, and, don't laugh, volumes <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16048950-naruto----">#62</a> and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23941148-naruto-vol-72">#72</a> of <i>Naruto</i>. And I can name all the books that have made me cry <i>in my entire life</i>, and there are less than ten of them. So this is pretty impressive, Schmidt and Kishimoto.<br />
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27. Hidden Gem Of The Year?</h3>
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It's a novella, but <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16281483-mourning-cloak?from_search=true&search_version=service">Mourning Cloak</a></i> is a fantasy gem with great worldbuilding and fascinating characters. And the author is really nice :) You can read <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/07/fantasy-novella-review-mourning-cloak.html">my review here</a>.<br />
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28. Book That Crushed Your Soul?</h3>
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<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23714521-orbiting-jupiter">Orbiting Jupiter</a></i> pulled my soul out, crushed it, shoved it back in, and then did it again. But it was a beautiful book all the same (read <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/09/arc-review-orbiting-jupiter-by-gary-d.html">my review here</a>).<br />
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29. Most Unique Book You Read In 2015?</h3>
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I still don't quite know what to make of <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23271637-the-nest">The Nest</a></i>, a strange little story by Kenneth Oppel. I definitely liked it, but still. (It's a contemporary mild fantasy a la <i>Coraline</i>, about a boy and his new baby brother). The themes were great - with the affirmation that all lives have value. But it was pretty weird, all the same.</div>
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30. Book That Made You The Angriest (doesn’t necessarily mean you didn’t like it)?*</h3>
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<b>*Rant Warning*</b></div>
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<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19288043-gone-girl?from_search=true&search_version=service">Gone Girl</a></i>. I loathed it. I had the plot figured by chapter 3, and then spent the entire rest of the book with dreadfully unlikeable and foul characters just to find out that there really wasn't a shocker plot twist. I wanted to throw it off a cliff. Honestly, if I hadn't been supposed to read it for Book Club, I would have thrown it off a cliff <i>before</i> I finished it. *Thank you for letting me get that off my chest*</div>
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Your Blogging Life:</div>
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1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2015?</h3>
Too many to choose from, and I'm bad at picking favorites.<br />
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2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2015?</h3>
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See Above ^ But if I have to pick, the first review I posted on the blog was for an old favorite, <i><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/04/tbt-book-review-blue-sword.html">The Blue Sword</a></i> by Robin McKinley. It was fun to revisit a book I've always loved, and pick it apart in new ways.<br />
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3. Best discussion/non-review post you had on your blog?</h3>
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I am partial to my <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/09/top-ten-tolkien-tribute-for-hobbit-day.html">Tolkien Tribute</a> here, and my <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/05/scruffy-looking-nerfherders-unite.html">Star Wars tribute</a> from earlier this year.</div>
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4. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?</h3>
<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjj6rTn5onKAhWJ2T4KHb_lBJYQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bookexpoamerica.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNFFZ3XggwLFvBvjqVkqIZhR2MYU7A&sig2=RIXrAjsbdhY9mHlnqkSJqA&bvm=bv.110151844,d.eWE">Book Expo America</a>! And my favorite signing was Marissa Meyer's for <i>Winter</i>.<br />
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5. Best moment of bookish/blogging life in 2015?</h3>
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Getting the email from <a href="http://www.neverlandpublishing.com/index.html">Neverland Publishing</a> saying that they wanted to pick up my debut novel, <i><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/p/knight-of-blue-surcoat.html">Knight of the Blue Surcoat</a></i>. I'll probably not believe it till I hold a printed copy in my hands!</div>
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6. Most challenging thing about blogging or your reading life this year?</h3>
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TIME. Time is always a challenge. Between my job and other responsibilities, I am pretty busy. And I don't have internet, so that makes it complicated.</div>
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7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?</h3>
My <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/08/extra-extra-read-all-about-it-my-book.html">book announcement</a> had the most views. My Top Ten Tuesdays have the most comments :)<br />
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</h4>
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8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?</h3>
I've never thought about it. Maybe book reviews, because if I review a book, it means that I really want to converse with someone about it!<br />
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9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?</h3>
<i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjP4L7x6YnKAhWIaz4KHaUFA6sQFggdMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.parnassusbooks.net%2F&usg=AFQjCNG2czOhmGmebGbfreSxLMXxmgmSZg&sig2=naqmB_RENyhz0IRIffwoqw&bvm=bv.110151844,d.eWE">Parnassus Books</a></i> in Nashville, TN is a gem. But so was Book Expo!<br />
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10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?</h3>
YES! I more than doubled my goal of 50 books on Goodreads, and revamped my blog with more spirit and discipline.<br />
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Looking Ahead:</span></h3>
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1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2015 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2016?</h3>
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<i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/356867.The_Lone_Samurai?from_search=true&search_version=service">The Lone Samurai: The Life of Miyamoto Musashi</a> </i>by William Scott Wilson. I've had this biography sitting on my desk for a week, and I can't wait to get to it. (I felt that I needed to finish at least one of the 7 books I was reading first!)<br />
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2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2016 (non-debut)?</h3>
No idea. I already read <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22062202-marked-in-flesh?from_search=true&search_version=service">Marked in Flesh</a></i>, and I don't know if it's realistic to hope for a <i>Wolf by Wolf</i> sequel yet!<br />
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3. 2016 Debut You Are Most Anticipating?</h3>
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I am excited about promoting <i>a lot</i> of books - especially the 2016 debuts that I read earlier this year, such as <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26109004-the-mirror-thief"><i>The Mirror Thief</i> </a>and <i>Born on a Tuesday</i>. But I've already read them. As for new books . . .</div>
Erm, is it bad if I say my own (assuming all things work as planned)?<br />
But that aside, I am really intrigued by <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25733990-sleeping-giants">Sleeping Giants</a> </i>by Sylvain Neuvel. Giant robots and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1405652303?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1">this review</a> by author Sherwood Smith seal the deal.<br />
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</h4>
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4. Series Ending/A Sequel You Are Most Anticipating in 2016?</h3>
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I'm actually pretty excited about <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23174274-glass-sword?from_search=true&search_version=service">The Glass Sword</a></i>. I'm intrigued to see where Victoria Aveyard takes the story. And I'm really looking forward to the <i>Six of Crows</i> sequel, <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22299763-crooked-kingdom" style="font-style: italic;">Crooked Kingdom</a>, but the projected date for that is in September, and I don't even want to think about September.</div>
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5. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging Life In 2016?</h3>
Read and review more ARCs. It's not only helpful for my job, it utilizes the generous and invaluable resources available to a bookseller and blogger. I'm still pretty new at that aspect of things (though I've been selling books for over three years), and I have a tendency to bite off more than I can chew.<br />
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6. A 2016 Release You’ve Already Read & Recommend To Everyone:</h3>
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Other than <i>Jakob's Colors</i>, I think <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27214023-born-on-a-tuesday?from_search=true&search_version=service">Born on a Tuesday</a>,</i> the story of a Muslim Nigerian boy, was a powerful, thought-provoking read that is more important and relevant now than ever before. It wasn't an easy read by any means, but it's a compelling story that was unlike anything I've read this year.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">
Well folks, that's it for the questions. Have some virtual cake if you made it the whole way through!! Have you read/do you want to read any of these books? If you did a year end book review, make sure to leave a link in the comments so I can check it out!</span></h3>
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<i>Footnotes</i>;</div>
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*Normally I try to avoid ranting on the blog, but I had to get that one out.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-46531335055273101122015-12-24T20:12:00.002-08:002015-12-24T20:15:20.945-08:0010 Favorite New (to Me) Characters of 2015 (and Fabulous Fanart)<h3>
Happy Christmas Eve Everyone! I hope you are all getting some time off/rest or family time :)<br />I have been working almost nonstop, so I haven't gotten around to those year end posts I wanted to do, but I am trying to squeeze a few in before -- gulp -- next year.</h3>
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As much as I hate to admit it, 2016 is right around the corner. 2015 was a pretty good year for reading and writing, and I started off the year-end posts last week with my <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/ttt-top-10-books-i-read-in-2015.html">Top 10 Favorite Reads of 2015</a>. Today, I'm back with another list (because I love them).<br />
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If you ask me my favorite character (in books, movies, tv, etc), I usually can't answer. Unless it's the original <i>Star Wars</i> (Han Solo is the best. Period). And naturally, I acquire new favorites every year!*<br />
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So here is a list of my top 10 *new* favorite characters that I discovered in 2015, along with <i>why</i> I liked them so much, and cool art of each character. </h3>
<span style="font-size: x-small;">(All art belongs to the respective copyright holder, and sources are linked. This blog is strictly non-profit, and all known sources are credited.)</span><br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
1. Ken (Kaneki) - <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiSiKzv__XJAhVS4mMKHSZtDS8QFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F18667307-tokyo-ghoul&usg=AFQjCNH0GGBNAID2IvUPzGI-q-k9sJ6Dig&sig2=F7O93Lm1gp_Ns_iysm0eyA&bvm=bv.110151844,d.cGc">Tokyo Ghoul</a></i> (Ishida Sui) Manga + Anime</h3>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Official art Copyright Ishida Sui</td></tr>
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Where do I even start? All that bookish, quiet, adorable college student Ken wanted to to do was go on a date. Instead, he gets turned into a literal monster and the world goes to hell in a hand-basket. That's basically the story of <i>Tokyo Ghoul</i>.<br />
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Ken's story is not for the faint of heart - not only is <i>Tokyo Ghoul</i> quite violent - Ken himself has a downward spiral arc that rivals a Victorian melodrama, as he fights to retain his humanity in a brutal, bloody world. Think of anything bad that has happened to a character - and Kaneki has probably had something worse happen to him. Still, his fight to survive (physically, mentally, and spiritually) makes him an incredibly compelling character. And in case you couldn't tell from the cover art, Ishida Sui's art is <i>fantastic</i>. His style is so dreamy and beautiful, it just adds a layer of horror to the story. <i>Tokyo Ghoul</i> has spawned some incredible fanart as well, such as the gif of Ken's transformation below.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://49.media.tumblr.com/b7aee824964362cff2f916c5284cc8d1/tumblr_nftl01aCdi1rwniako1_r2_400.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://49.media.tumblr.com/b7aee824964362cff2f916c5284cc8d1/tumblr_nftl01aCdi1rwniako1_r2_400.gif" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copyright <a href="http://www.pixiv.net/member.php?id=31990" style="border: 0px; color: #258fb8; font-family: inherit; font-size: 12px; font-stretch: inherit; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; line-height: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: none; padding: 0px; text-align: left; vertical-align: baseline;">量産型</a> source pixiv.net</td></tr>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
2. Kaz Brekker (and Inej!) from <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwj84cXO__XJAhVR5WMKHT2lAPoQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F23437156-six-of-crows&usg=AFQjCNG-ms3h1yV8uHTqmTYBHkZBv_gKmQ&sig2=XoK9SR7mBl-aiIrBhwPsog&bvm=bv.110151844,d.cGc" style="font-style: italic;">Six of Crows</a> by Leigh Bardugo</h3>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://aubreymeeksart.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/tumblr_nr4ikxbdt11rs0b4vo7_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="209" src="https://aubreymeeksart.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/tumblr_nr4ikxbdt11rs0b4vo7_1280.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Official art by <a href="http://kevinwada.tumblr.com/">Kevin Wada</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><br /></i>
<i>Six of Crows</i> was one of those books that you read more for the plot than the characters, in my humble opinion, but that didn't stop me from loving Kaz and Inej. Kaz slightly edges Inej out, because I'd rather read a solo novel about him, but they are a pair of characters that are better together. And they really do make a great pair, with her skills and sense of honor, and his schemes and, well, drive to do <i>whatever</i> it takes to get the job done. Sort of like a criminal Batman and Alfred, if the roles were a bit reversed.<br />
Anyhow, this was one with <i>a lot</i> of cool fanart, so I had to post a couple of my favorites.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://36.media.tumblr.com/98dafa568f741bc6a1cfbd2269ec92a7/tumblr_no1poim5o61rbrc0qo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://36.media.tumblr.com/98dafa568f741bc6a1cfbd2269ec92a7/tumblr_no1poim5o61rbrc0qo1_1280.jpg" height="355" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Love this one! It's so atmospheric and eerie. Art <a href="http://waricka.tumblr.com/post/118461895958/kaz-brekker-tho">Source </a>-Copyright Waricka @ <a href="http://waricka.tumblr.com/">Metempsychosis</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://41.media.tumblr.com/68e3c98f245b7a338facf3fd04021367/tumblr_nvw40hiVNp1t5f8r6o2_r1_1280.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://41.media.tumblr.com/68e3c98f245b7a338facf3fd04021367/tumblr_nvw40hiVNp1t5f8r6o2_r1_1280.png" height="400" title="Kaj and Inej copyright http://theartofyoungadult.tumblr.com/" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fantastic depictions of <a href="http://theartofyoungadult.tumblr.com/post/130765211092/inktober-day-8-kaz-and-inej-from-six-of-crows-by">Kaz and Ine</a>j by <a href="http://gillianeberry.blogspot.com/">Gillian </a>@ <a href="http://theartofyoungadult.tumblr.com/">The Art of Young Adult </a> </td></tr>
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</h4>
<h3>
3. Yael from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1387924397?book_show_action=false"><i>Wolf by Wolf</i> </a>by Ryan Graudin</h3>
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<a href="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CR7PpDJUcAEG78c.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CR7PpDJUcAEG78c.png" width="200" /></a></div>
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I know, I know, I have been like a song on repeat about this book, but I really loved it! One of the main reasons was definitely the strong heroine, Yael. She's Jewish, a "victim" of Nazi experiments, and absolutely awesome. Here's what I had to say about her earlier this year:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
"I loved Yael so much. A little Winter Soldier and all survivor, she was sympathetic, hardcore, and brave. She (understandably) had a hard time trusting others, but she wasn't afraid to love or feel for the people in her past. She wanted to think well of people, and she put her mission ahead of her own interests." 5 star review, <i><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-wolf-by-wolf-by-ryan.html">Wolf by Wolf</a></i></blockquote>
Sadly, I have yet to see any fanart (I'll have to draw some, I suppose). But Ryan Graudin has a cool Pin-spiration board for it <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/rgraudin/wolf-by-wolf/">here</a>. And did I mention motorcycle racing??<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://41.media.tumblr.com/3f97f3defa7d1ae10a6e7d066d7008cb/tumblr_mjxkb5YUbq1qkbpm3o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://41.media.tumblr.com/3f97f3defa7d1ae10a6e7d066d7008cb/tumblr_mjxkb5YUbq1qkbpm3o1_1280.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image: Roland Sand - <a href="http://rhubarbes.com/post/45790187271/roland-sand">Source</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
</h4>
<div>
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<h3>
4. Rey (and Finn) from <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiOtrWW__XJAhUE6GMKHVRWAw4QFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt2488496%2F&usg=AFQjCNHXT6VOXhuz4G1KN7sHJi0gBEpoZw&sig2=wvHItfGUiJ9-D5GCyOnfYg&bvm=bv.110151844,d.cGc">Star Wars: The Force Awakens</a></i></h3>
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<a href="http://a.dilcdn.com/bl/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/11/ReyTFA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://a.dilcdn.com/bl/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2015/11/ReyTFA.jpg" height="320" width="219" /></a></div>
<i><br /></i>
<i><br /></i>
<a href="http://cowshell.com/store/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/watercolor_rey01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://cowshell.com/store/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/watercolor_rey01.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a>No spoilers here - but it is safe to say that when I first saw <i>Star Wars: A New Hope</i> (I was 7), it rocked my world. Han was my favorite (see above), but if Rey had been in <i>that</i> movie, I might have changed my mind. She is the SW movie character I've been waiting for. Fiery but not stereotypical - tough, relatable, and practical, and with a sense of humor, Rey was just the sort of strong female lead I was wanting to see (and Daisy Ridley's performance was top notch). I will happily follow her adventures in the next few films. (I also <i>loved</i> Finn - he was cheeky and so lovable, but <i>Rey people</i>)<br />
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
5. Maven from <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22328546-red-queen?ac=1&from_search=1">The Red Queen</a></i> by Victoria Aveyard</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://41.media.tumblr.com/a6e3ac41ecb0a06134bbf690ce7accfd/tumblr_nvc7brrol01rl766xo1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://41.media.tumblr.com/a6e3ac41ecb0a06134bbf690ce7accfd/tumblr_nvc7brrol01rl766xo1_1280.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Credit: <a href="http://wrathful-deity.tumblr.com/">wrathful-deity.tumblr.com</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I really enjoyed <i>The Red Queen</i> - it was just the right mixture of action, intrigue, and superpowers. Like an X-Men movie, none of it paved new ground, but I was surprised by how much I liked Mare, Maven, and Cal's interactions. Normally I despise love triangles, but this wasn't *really* a love triangle at all. Instead, it's a complex and dangerous relationship between three people, one of whom is an outsider in every way (Mare). Maven and Cal were actually more interesting to me (their brother dynamic, you know), especially Maven. In some ways, he's that character I always love - the neglected younger son who is desperate for his father's approval and overshadowed by his "perfect" brother. However, he was also willing to give up everything and go all the way to get what he wanted. Add that to his considerable brains and sharp wits, and you have a character that I get very invested in.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pre02.deviantart.net/ed61/th/pre/i/2015/307/7/c/prince_maven_calore_by_allarica-d91j87z.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://pre02.deviantart.net/ed61/th/pre/i/2015/307/7/c/prince_maven_calore_by_allarica-d91j87z.png" height="400" width="303" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This fantastic piece is by <a href="http://allarica.deviantart.com/">allarica </a>on deviantart.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Surprisingly, there is not very much Maven art.** He tends to draw the Loki crowd, so he has plenty of fans, but . . .<br />
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<h3>
6. Sakurako from<i> <a href="http://www.crunchyroll.com/beautiful-bones-sakurakos-investigation-">Beautiful Bones</a> (Sakurako-san no Ashimoto ni wa Shitai ga Umatteiru) - </i>Anime</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://38.media.tumblr.com/a7a29bf5c88ce65ca5822f8d95db2a39/tumblr_nvpfuaxHki1qimk8ao2_r1_540.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://38.media.tumblr.com/a7a29bf5c88ce65ca5822f8d95db2a39/tumblr_nvpfuaxHki1qimk8ao2_r1_540.gif" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is a <i>gorgeous</i> anime, by the way.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Sakurako (Kujo) is a brilliant but eccentric osteologist who is generally more interested in bones than people. Using her knowledge of bones, her experience as the niece of a forensic scientist, and her own considerable powers of observation, she solves mysteries somewhat on a whim. Aided by a high-school student, Shotaro (the Watson to her Holmes) who incidentally helps Sakurako with normal social interaction, and helps her out of scrapes. Sakurako is hilarious, and the dynamic between her and the empathetic, gentle Shotaro really makes the show.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://img05.deviantart.net/5395/i/2015/294/8/a/sakurako_san_world_by_s0mnialuc1d0-d9dwqp8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="http://s0mnialuc1d0.deviantart.com/art/Sakurako-san-World-567558188" border="0" src="http://img05.deviantart.net/5395/i/2015/294/8/a/sakurako_san_world_by_s0mnialuc1d0-d9dwqp8.jpg" height="291" title="Sakurako-san World" width="400" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://40.media.tumblr.com/edc34e74cd9864bd1484fe3c17b5d4e5/tumblr_n8i7ilOBtH1rxc7s0o1_1280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://40.media.tumblr.com/edc34e74cd9864bd1484fe3c17b5d4e5/tumblr_n8i7ilOBtH1rxc7s0o1_1280.jpg" height="320" width="272" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hitomi as envisioned by <a href="http://porotto.tumblr.com/">Porotto</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h3>
7. and 8. - Hitomi <b>and </b>Val from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18075001-sunbolt?from_search=true&search_version=service"><i>Sunbolt</i> </a>by Intisar Khanani</h3>
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Sadly, there really isn't ANY fanart for <i>Sunbolt</i>.*** Intisar Khanani has a great Pinterest inspiration <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/booksbyintisar/sunbolt-chronicles-inspiration-board/">board here</a>.<br />
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Anyhow, I love both of these characters so much that they get their own numbers :)<br />
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It's sort of spoilery to say anything about why I love Val (all you need to know is that he is A. A Breather****, B. An actual threat, and C. Awesome.)<br />
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Hitomi, our young heroine, is a racial + cultural outcast with hidden abilities and a lot of spunk. She's flawed and real, but still cool. The <i>one</i> piece of fan art I managed to fine captured her attitude pretty well. The second picture is a stock photo that kind of evokes her description. You'll have to read the book to find out what Val looks like . . .<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ad/3c/71/ad3c714b64aca084ff588831fe1fbaf9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/ad/3c/71/ad3c714b64aca084ff588831fe1fbaf9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
9. Utsuho from <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/series/101291-itsuwaribito-utsuho">Itsuwaribito</a> </i>by Iinuma Yuuki (manga)</h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://orig03.deviantart.net/5973/f/2014/191/c/2/azako_utsuho_by_saiyuri12-d7q5yiq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="http://saiyuri-taiyou.deviantart.com/art/Azako-Utsuho-467211266" border="0" src="http://orig03.deviantart.net/5973/f/2014/191/c/2/azako_utsuho_by_saiyuri12-d7q5yiq.jpg" height="400" title="Azako Utsuho by saiyuri-taiyou on deviantart.com" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Azako Utsuho by <a href="http://saiyuri-taiyou.deviantart.com/">Saiyuri-Taiyou</a> on DeviantArt</td></tr>
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Another strangely dark yet comic manga - <i>Itsuwaribito</i> has an extremely sketchy protagonist (Utsuho) who aims to help people by lying. Sound curious? It is. Utsuho is one of the most enigmatic characters I've come across - you really can't trust anything he says! You don't know where he stands, or if he really stands anywhere (he has a bit in common with Kaz - see #2), and he can be downright scary. Still, Utsuho is hilarious, and his interactions with the uptight Doctor Yakuma are golden.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img10.deviantart.net/17ad/i/2015/151/f/0/itsuwaribito_utsuho__redraw_2013__by_wiiwiipyon-d8vh9m6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="http://wiiwiipyon.deviantart.com/art/Itsuwaribito-Utsuho-Redraw-2013-536603118" border="0" src="http://img10.deviantart.net/17ad/i/2015/151/f/0/itsuwaribito_utsuho__redraw_2013__by_wiiwiipyon-d8vh9m6.jpg" height="282" title="Itsuwaribito Utsuho [Redraw 2013] by Wiiwiipyon" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Itsuwaribito Utsuho by <a href="http://wiiwiipyon.deviantart.com/">WiiWiipyon </a>on DeviantArt.com</td></tr>
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<h3>
</h3>
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
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<h3 style="text-align: center;">
10. Vin (and Kelsier) from <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiqpcGVgPbJAhVBz2MKHajvBQkQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F68428.The_Final_Empire&usg=AFQjCNHAiN8eQV9-bGX7o6EXcWkYclgTAQ&sig2=NCwKAPweDm676Xq5w08mTg&bvm=bv.110151844,d.cGc">Mistborn</a></i></h3>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://pre12.deviantart.net/64c9/th/pre/i/2015/128/3/c/mistborn__vin_and_kelsier_by_shilesque-d8smmuc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="http://shilesque.deviantart.com/art/Mistborn-Vin-and-Kelsier-531814692" border="0" src="http://pre12.deviantart.net/64c9/th/pre/i/2015/128/3/c/mistborn__vin_and_kelsier_by_shilesque-d8smmuc.jpg" height="400" title="Mistborn: Vin and Kelsier by Shilesque on deviantart.com" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mistborn: Vin and Kelsier by <a href="http://shilesque.deviantart.com/">Shilesque </a>on DeviantArt.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
These two kind of have a master-apprentice meets father-daughter relationship. I loved everything about it, and them. Vin was another strong heroine who was a joy to read about. Feisty, smart, a survivor, and a Mistborn, Vin is the sort of character who could have easily been annoying. Instead, she was nuanced and believable, and I can't wait to read more about her (soon!)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://img14.deviantart.net/0d22/i/2015/072/3/2/mistborn_vin_by_sgfw-d8lkov4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="http://sgfw.deviantart.com/art/Mistborn-Vin-519966688" border="0" src="http://img14.deviantart.net/0d22/i/2015/072/3/2/mistborn_vin_by_sgfw-d8lkov4.jpg" height="258" title="Mistborn-Vin by sgfw on deviantart.com" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Vin by <a href="http://sgfw.deviantart.com/">sgfw </a>on deviantart.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<h4>
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<h4>
<i>Honorable Mentions:</i> I was trying to keep this list strictly to characters I was completely unaware of <i>until</i> this year, however, there are a few that deserve a side note. </h4>
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<b>1. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=7&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjR4f2ijvbJAhXQuB4KHTuoB9QQFgguMAY&url=http%3A%2F%2Fshingekinokyojin.wikia.com%2Fwiki%2FLevi_Ackerman&usg=AFQjCNE77_W_VAAtnGNzHBqsfkDu26UGIw&sig2=nnfGYPhFvLDAGcFSec32LA">Levi Ackerman</a>. </b>While I first read some <i>Attack on Titan/SnK</i> last year, I didn't read the spinoff <i>No Regrets</i> series until a few months ago. It centers on Levi pre-AOT, and it made me love (and appreciate) Levi even more.<br />
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<b>2. Everyone in <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjjpMmZjvbJAhWHWx4KHdlWAvoQFggnMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.viz.com%2Fnaruto&usg=AFQjCNGtbO6sMYhtoPsA16C6AKy5MNl32Q&sig2=5gI_HEKz_PAXAoxW3SV_gQ&bvm=bv.110151844,d.dmo">Naruto </a>(well, except Madara)</b>. Similarly, I was familiar with the very large group of characters that make up <i>Naruto</i>, but I grew much more attached to them all once I read the whole series end to end! Also, the "new Team 7" in <i>Boruto</i> were pretty adorable.<br />
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<b>3. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjQ77yRjvbJAhWK1B4KHbNZDdoQFggdMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFoggy_Nelson&usg=AFQjCNF5Jhl6E39k3l60tC7P8jpWIWbieg&sig2=AP0yJcqAN-Fc-2JYrIjmaQ">Foggy Nelson</a>.</b> I also loved Foggy in the Netflix <i>Daredevil</i>. To be honest, I'd never really cared about him either way (though I like Daredevil [comics!] a lot), but the Netflix series changed that! Matt and Foggy's friendship really pulled my heartstrings, and it was a highlight of the show.<br />
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<b>4. <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiX_u6yjvbJAhWE7B4KHaAqCzEQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.imdb.com%2Ftitle%2Ftt3475734%2F&usg=AFQjCNExORFekMBbUIcFoGIxCOp4-ruAiw&sig2=H4ia21e4o7XLufiG2UUjtg&bvm=bv.110151844,d.dmo">Agent Peggy Carter</a></b>. I always liked Peggy, but she didn't really stand out to me. The tv series <i>Agent Carter</i> made me love her. From her banter with Jarvis, to her determination to live as her own woman in a "man's world," I can't wait to see more of her. Season 2 is soon!<br />
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Did you discover any new favorite characters this year? Who were they, and why did you like them? Are you familiar with any of the ones on my list?</h2>
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<i>Footnotes:</i><br />
*I even started a <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/rlhendrian/favorite-characters/">board on Pinterest</a> for them. My lists were too long, :P<br />
**Most of the stuff I found . . . did not look like Maven's description. It looked like Justin Bieber (?)<br />
***Maybe that should be my Christmas project?<br />
****Read the book.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-58468396022559985592015-12-20T12:55:00.004-08:002015-12-20T12:55:54.549-08:00Christmas-y Tag 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My parent's tree was the model</td></tr>
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Christmas is my favorite holiday, so I was delighted when Deborah O'Carroll (<a href="https://deborahocarroll.wordpress.com/">The Road of a Writer</a>) tagged me for this. If you don't already follow her blog, you should. She loves Tolkien and she's got a great sense of humor, and she's got a lot of interesting writing projects in the works.Thanks for the tag, Deborah, and Merry Christmas!<br />
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I'm skipping the rules and just getting to the fun part, because that's how I roll (today). If you read this post and would like to share your Christmas (or honestly, any holiday) traditions, I'd love to read/hear about them!<br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">(all images belong to their respective copyright holders, and are used for zero financial gain)</span></div>
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Christmas-y Tag 2015</h3>
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1. What is your favourite Christmas treat?</h4>
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Actually, would you believe it's fruitcake? I seem to be the only fan of this much maligned delicacy. But it has to be home/bakery made, and it can't have any of that dreadful fake candied fruit. Real dried fruit, pecans, and <i>legitimate ingredients</i> only. I also love Stollen (so apparently I just like bread/cake with dried fruit??)</div>
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2. Are there any special traditions that your family has to celebrate Christmas?</h4>
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Ever since I was little, we've hunted for The Pickle ornament on our tree. It's a vaguely strange tradition that is supposedly German, but no one really knows where it started. Regardless, you hang this ornament on the tree and whoever finds it first gets a prize. It's pretty hard to find a a green ornament on a green tree, but is there a point? No. Idea. Well, other than prizes. Still, it's something my dad's family, and his dad's dad's family (etc.) all have done for years.</div>
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3. How do you normally celebrate Christmas?</h4>
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We read the Christmas story, then hunt for the pickle (see #2), then we open presents, eat brunch (usually homemade, but we have met relatives for it before), and then hang out all day. I am a big fan of spending the day in pajamas.</div>
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4. Do you enjoy getting presents for your friends and family? Do you buy your gifts or go the homemade route?</h4>
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Yes! I love giving gifts. If I had tons of money, I would do this all year long, not just at Christmas. For everyone. I love picking out/making the perfect thing for each person and wrapping it up so it looks pretty. How much I make depends on the year and how much time I have. I knit gloves for people (a lot), as well as baby sweaters, and I've made other things too.</div>
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5. Is it cold where you live? Have you ever had a white Christmas?</h4>
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Funny you should ask - it's normally cold here (West Michigan), but this Christmas will probably be green. <i>Normally</i> we have snow by Thanksgiving (and when I lived farther north, we sometimes had snow by Halloween!)</div>
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6.What’s on your Christmas list this year?</h4>
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Books - always! Also, board games! I love them, but I don't usually spend my money on them. That sort of thing (anything my adult budget doesn't usually allow for)</div>
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7. What’s your favourite Christmas song?</h4>
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I actually don't like what I call "holiday music"--that generic stuff that involves pop divas vocalizing and singing meaningless phrases ("Last Christmas," I'm looking at you). What I do love are instrumental carols and folk tunes, and classic hymns. Any Celtic Christmas cd, <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=12&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwii_ODuoOvJAhWJ1h4KHQJABbgQ-TAIpQEoAjAL&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.mannheimsteamroller.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNFrGsp_G8ztD6GznqlPmbWY3Tjm8A&sig2=9Jg7WWR6pvh6ZibCmC-tVA&bvm=bv.110151844,d.dmo">Mannheim Steamroller</a>, and <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjfiPSGoevJAhVLkx4KHSHBAyYQFgg0MAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.trans-siberian.com%2F&usg=AFQjCNG_hZenRkD9gb4zOia7OtpQ9-8rYQ&sig2=0i97HOsqY2vlwMzmqCXDRQ&bvm=bv.110151844,d.dmo">TSO</a> are some of my favorites. For a beautiful modern rendition of "It Came Upon a Midnight Clear," you can't get much better <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D8LtePijO1I">than Kutless here</a>.</div>
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8. What are you reading in December? (Anything festive?)</h4>
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I'm not much for seasonal/themed books, but I <i>am</i> reading <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiFv6eWouvJAhUD6x4KHc1ABxQQFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F23607900-magna-carta&usg=AFQjCNGHUETHal4raerHY8fGAdpYCPx59A&sig2=s45qKJdEDq7rw4VicX5e_w&bvm=bv.110151844,d.dmo">Magna Carta</a></i> by Dan Jones, and a couple ARCs (none of which are festive. At all). One of my favorite things about December is that I usually find some time to read. With half-days at work, and a couple extra days off, reading is one of my priorities.</div>
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9. Are you an organised little elf or are you still shopping/preparing on Christmas Eve?</h4>
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It's practically a Christmas tradition for my sister (Grace) and I to be up <i>way too late</i> on Christmas Eve putting the finishing touches on everything.</div>
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10. How early do you start to get into the Christmas spirit?</h4>
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After Thanksgiving. I love Thanksgiving.</div>
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11. Do you make any Christmas crafts? Decorations? Send physical Christmas cards?</h4>
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<br />Sometimes. Depends on my mood and how many presents I made. I usually ice Christmas cookies and hang them on the tree. So they're usually ninjas or Star Wars characters, but they're <i>still gingerbread</i>.</div>
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12. What’s the menu for Christmas Day?!</h4>
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Sugar. With a side of protein and more sugar. My mom usually makes something good, like ham or turkey with mashed potatoes, etc. But I seem to develop a strange passion/tolerance for sugar and bypass most of the real food.</div>
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13. What famous Christmas character do you most identify with? (Scrooge, Elf, Tiny Tim, the Grinch, Santa, etc.)</h4>
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Well, I'm not Buddy the Elf, but that's probably obvious. I once played the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come in a skit though. It was so much fun! I got to pace around shrouded in black, and point at things. I didn't have to speak. In other words, the only sort of dramatic role I was meant to play.</div>
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14. If you were to start a new Christmas tradition, what would it be?</h4>
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I think my staying up till midnight and trying to finish crafts is a good one. Grace and I usually listen to music/watch movies and get really slap happy. It's a fun tradition. (See #9)</div>
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15. What Christmas movies do you like to watch this time of year or what’s your favorite?</h4>
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<i>It's a Wonderful Life</i>, <i>Elf</i>, the classic claymation <i>Rudolph</i>, <i>Nightmare Before Christmas</i>, <i>Rise of the Guardians</i>, and <i>White Christmas</i>. Also, I sort of associate <i>Star Wars</i> with Christmas, because I first saw it around Christmas when I was seven. After that, it became a thing. A thing that <i>The Force Awakens</i> is now continuing.</div>
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16. What’s your favorite Christmasy book or book with a favorite Christmasy part?</h4>
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<i>Letters from Father Christmas</i> by Tolkien is wonderful. I also like <i>A Christmas Carol</i> and <i>The Grinch</i>.</div>
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Merry Christmas Everyone! Feel free to do this tag, just link back so I can read it. Otherwise, share some of your favorite traditions in the comments. How do you feel about seasonal (any season) movies and books?</h3>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-90608540512585586532015-12-17T14:46:00.000-08:002015-12-17T14:46:09.609-08:00Book Review: Dragonfly by Julia Golding<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355031018l/6449920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1355031018l/6449920.jpg" width="220" /></a>One of the most pleasant surprises of 2015 was this book: <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6449920-dragonfly?from_search=true&search_version=service">Dragonfly </a>by Julia Golding. I was expecting rote YA fantasy - what I got was a sensitive, moving, and action-packed examination of cultural and religious conflict and cooperation.<br />
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Here's the synopsis from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6449920-dragonfly?from_search=true&search_version=service">Goodreads</a>:<br />
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Princess Taoshira of the Blue Crescent Islands is appalled when she is ordered to marry Prince Ramil of Gerfal. And he's not too pleased, either. She is used to a life of discipline, ritual, and splendor. He is used to hunting and carousing. They hate each other on sight. But both of their countries are under threat from a fearsome warlord, and the only chance of peace is to form an alliance.<br />
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When Tashi and Ram are kidnapped, they fear there's no escape--from their kidnappers or from each other. Can they put aside their differences long enough to survive ambush, unarmed combat, brainwashing, and imprisonment? And will the people they meet on their adventure--including a circus strongman, a daring rebel leader, a sinister master of spies, and the best female fighter they have ever seen--help them or betray them to the enemy?</blockquote>
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Arranged marriages, clashing religions, warlords on the move, and two teenagers who really just want to be their own people - this is the backdrop for <i>Dragonfly. </i>Though the novel takes place in a fantasy landscape, the peoples deal with a lot of the same problems: bigotry, religious and cultural differences, duty verse desire, and serious threats to our countries and ways of life.<br />
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Here are 3 more reasons why you should read <i>Dragonfly:</i></h3>
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<b>1.</b> <b>An authentic and empathetic portray of religious and cultural diversity:</b> Apparently this is one of my 2015 themes, since it seems to have cropped up in a lot of the books I read this year. If you are looking for a book that tackles these issues head on, but in a fantasy landscape, look no further.</div>
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<b>2. The worldbuilding. </b>This plays into #1. I felt totally immersed in the fantasy landscape. The depth of the world really drew you into the story and helped you care about all of the many people and allegiances. The religious systems added to this as well, with the antagonist's brutal, bloody religion, Tashi's goddess and ritual centered system, and Ram's casual Germanic god system, all in tension and playing into the plot.</div>
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<b>3. The examination of faith. Specifically Tashi's faith. </b>Saying any more would be severe spoiler territory about one of the strongest/most compelling parts of the book. I liked how Ms. Golding handled Tashi's belief system being challenged, and how Tashi had to make her faith her own. This was a very interesting plot element (and it had quite a bit to do with the plot). Also, the persecution she faced was raw and realistic. Persecution is a terrible, terrible thing, and all too real and relevant today.</div>
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Minor Quibbles: Since I have taken a vow of review honesty, I must put down a few of these (since I had them)</h4>
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<b>1.</b> The romance felt a little slapdash, almost like an afterthought. (Or like it was required?) I really would have liked to see more of the developing friendship first. The characters chemistry as friends was better, and I would have liked to see them take their time.</div>
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<b>2.</b> Some of the side characters detracted from the main story. They were introduced fairly late, and I just didn't care as much about them, and they were a distraction. I feel like their stories might have been better saved for future books.</div>
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<b>Overall: 3.75 out of 5 stars.</b> An intelligent fantasy novel about compromise, faith, courage, and doing the right thing, <i>Dragonfly</i> really stands out from the crowd. Tashi is a uniquely strong heroine, and she was probably my favorite part of the book.</h3>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-69275207061597978962015-12-16T08:46:00.000-08:002015-12-16T08:46:35.712-08:00Beautiful Books #3: The Editing Process (gifssss)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It's time for the last of the NaNoWriMo themed <a href="http://paperfury.com/beautiful-books-3/">Beautiful Books</a> series, hosted by Cait @ <a href="http://paperfury.com/">Paper Fury </a>and Sky @ <a href="http://www.furtherupfurtherin.net/">Further Up and Further In</a>. Click the link above for more about the monthly writing link-up, and how to join.<br />
<br />
<h4>
My NaNo project came in at 47K words (3K under the goal), but I don't intend on shelving it for too long. It's an alternate history/Victorian inspired fantasy, and the working title is <i>The Butler Did It</i>. You can read more about it <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/search/label/TBDI">here</a>.</h4>
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<br /></div>
<h3>
And now for the questions:</h3>
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<br /></div>
<h4>
1. On a scale of 1 (worst) to 10 (best), how did the book turn out? Did anything defy your expectations?</h4>
<div>
Well, since I haven't finished it, I can't really say how it turned out. But right now, I'd say it's at a solid 7 - I'm pleased with how it's going, but it's a long way from where it needs to be.</div>
<div>
Did anything defy my expectations? I didn't expect people moving around would take so much time! (I wasn't paying enough attention to Jane Austen! When you quit one house for another and only have horse-drawn conveyances, and must close/open houses, stuff takes forever). Also, I wasn't planning on so many drawing room conversations. But I suppose that's where the action really happens in this type of thing.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7IU7VK0KRA/T-NJAnQyD2I/AAAAAAAABDY/4p1CbTDiSCY/s1600/tumblr_m13md24PaI1qeeyzko2_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-c7IU7VK0KRA/T-NJAnQyD2I/AAAAAAAABDY/4p1CbTDiSCY/s1600/tumblr_m13md24PaI1qeeyzko2_500.gif" height="174" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There just aren't enough Lady Catherine gifs! She agrees.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<h4>
2. Comparative title time: what published books, movies, or TV shows are like your book? (Ex: Inkheart meets X-Men.)</h4>
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<div>
This is kind of hard, since I was trying to write a book I wanted to read. I suppose it's Jane Austen + Edgar Allen Poe with a touch of <a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=4&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwjeitCI19vJAhUs7YMKHdtiA7QQFggmMAM&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pbs.org%2Fwgbh%2Fmasterpiece%2Fdowntonabbey%2F&usg=AFQjCNFeF7ggYDi6WRmvnggowIBv5paTZQ&sig2=jksnrIFm3tat1m-nu0mNfA">Downton Abbey</a> and <i><a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwigwMK119vJAhWlo4MKHYTMAG0QFggdMAA&url=https%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FBlack_Butler&usg=AFQjCNH8yjHhZjW_bnM_R9TGpW0nPiPF1A&sig2=rW_pOBdVsfF3Eef3gQ8Ysg">Black Butler</a></i>. In other words, manners, secrets, scandal, murder, and really bizarre goings-on.</div>
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<h4>
3. Do you enjoy working with deadlines and pressure (aka NaNoWriMo)? Or do you prefer to write-as-you’re-inspired?</h4>
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<a href="http://i.imgur.com/HZMI0JP.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://i.imgur.com/HZMI0JP.gif" height="133" width="320" /></a></div>
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Depends on the day, and my mood/stress levels. I like deadlines because they make me <i>do stuff</i>. But I am also fickle and like to write when inspiration strikes. Regardless, my goal is to write <i>something</i> every single day, whether it's reviews, words in a book, or a blog post.</div>
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<br />
<h4>
4. How do you go about editing? Give us an insight into your editing process.</h4>
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<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1. Chapter-by-chapter read through, just like I've picked up a random book and am reading it for the first time. This tells me how the story flows.</div>
<div>
2. Print out the unholy leviathan (most of my books fit that length description). This is where I compare my outline/structure to the book, and do examinations of the plot arcs.</div>
<div>
3. Hunt for plot holes. They're there, just look harder.</div>
<div>
4. Have someone do a stylistic read through (usually my sister, Grace. She's a fantastic beta. I mean, sister).</div>
<div>
5. Take any input from 2-4, and apply to manuscript.</div>
<div>
6. Work on another project for at least another month so I can read the book with a clear mind again. Start over at 1.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And basically I do this until I am satisfied that it is either A. The worst novel ever written, or B. Ready to be submitted to more readers/agents/publishers.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://static.tumblr.com/mssgvrw/MdNlyy3m9/writing.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://static.tumblr.com/mssgvrw/MdNlyy3m9/writing.gif" height="176" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">What finishing this process feels like</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<br />
<h4>
5. What aspect of your story needs the most work?</h4>
</div>
<div>
Probably the plot! This tends to be my problem with my NaNo novels. I usually come up with ideas at the spur of the moment, and have little time to plan before November (yes, I know, that's my own fault).</div>
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<br />
<h4>
6. What aspect of your story did you love the most?</h4>
</div>
<div>
The characters! They came together like a symphony, and they will keep me plugging along. I love them all, and they turned out how I wanted them to ;)</div>
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<a href="https://45.media.tumblr.com/c726452fe5a4917835321ea7125cbd97/tumblr_nrujh3jlct1tdnwpwo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://45.media.tumblr.com/c726452fe5a4917835321ea7125cbd97/tumblr_nrujh3jlct1tdnwpwo1_500.gif" width="320" /></a></div>
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<h4>
7. Give us a brief run down on your main characters and how you think they turned out. Do you think they’ll need changes in edits?</h4>
</div>
<div>
<b>The major three characters: (More about them <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/10/beautiful-books-1-nanowrimo-2015-edition.html">here</a>)</b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Ernest(ine) Harrison (Grey) - </b>A naive but headstrong girl who disguised as a butler/manservant to be with her beloved, Lord Atlantis de Carrefour. But then he up and died and ruined everything, throwing her life into a tailspin. Despite this, she is a determined to not only survive, but flourish.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Pasifica (Sif) de Carrefour -</b> Atlantis' scandalous and "wild" sister. She seems to be more irritated that her brother's murder put her in mourning seclusion than that he was murdered. She has a surprisingly crafty brain, and she daydreams about exploring lethal jungles and reporting her findings back to the Citadel.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Sydney Smith (?), Butler (?)-</b> He is surprisingly young and scary. His spectacles seem to reflect rays of light into your soul. And he's so efficient, condescending, and capable that Ernestine sort-of hates him. However, his past is apparently linked in interesting ways to the de Carrefours, and Ernestine is determined to get to the bottom of it.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Two other important people:</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Atlantis de Carrefour - </b>Though he is the victim of murder most foul, he left a string of problems and mysteries behind him (including a manservant that appears to be a woman). So he's still a very important presence in the novel - not to mention his murder is the catalyst and the mystery here.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Ronin Kuznetzov -</b> A battle-weary young commander at a Siberian outpost, outside the Citadel. M.I.A at the beginning of the novel. No one inside the city cares if he will resurface or not, but that might be a grave oversight on their part.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<h4>
8. What are your plans for this novel once you finish editing? More edits? Finding beta readers? Querying? Self-publishing? Hiding it in a dark hole forever?</h4>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/c/cf/DspicableMeGruMoon12fLG.gif/revision/latest?cb=20131120163726&path-prefix=protagonist" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/p__/images/c/cf/DspicableMeGruMoon12fLG.gif/revision/latest?cb=20131120163726&path-prefix=protagonist" height="248" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
My main plan is to finish the draft, and then shelve it until I'm ready to edit it. I have a lot of other projects on the table. And then, who knows?</div>
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<br /></div>
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<h4>
9. Share a favorite snippet!</h4>
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<div>
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</xml><![endif]-->My favorite snippet (as of now) gives away just about every plot twist, so I am refraining from that. Instead, I just picked the first random bit that caught my eye! It's rather long, but it just didn't seem to work if I cut off more.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lady de Carrefour gave me a sour look. “Atlantis’ death will mean I can easily
avoid society, I’m in mourning after all. Unfortunate as it is, this has given me a chance I can not
afford to miss. Tell me, Miss Gray,
have you ever wanted more out of life than a good marriage, a couple offspring,
and the finest dress each season?” She leaned forward, her tone light but her
expression intense.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I was still processing her lack of proper
mortification at her brother’s death, but I had known my answer to this
question for a long time. “Of course not! That’s all I ever wanted. And,” I
surged on, rebellion blooming in my blood, “<i>Atlantis</i>,” it felt good to
say his name aloud, “promised me that life. And now he’s dead, and you don’t
even seem to care.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Instead of smacking me
again, as she certainly had a right to do, Lady de
Carrefour just leaned back in her chair, giving me
that satisfied cat smile. “Ahh, there it is at last: A spine. I figured you had
one buried somewhere. After all, it takes a certain determination to be
the sort of idiot you are. Don’t worry – I have loved Atlantis much longer than
you, and with both eyes open. But I don’t have time to mourn him now. Not when
he’s given me the perfect chance.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I glowered at her, sick of playing the respectful
valet. “You keep saying that. The chance <i>for what</i>?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Why, to leave the Citadel and go West, of course.” Lady
de Carrefour crossed her arms over her chest
(a very masculine habit) and regarded me thoughtfully. “That <i>has</i> been my
goal. Do I really seem like the sort of creature you’d want in a drawing room?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I stared at her blankly. “Why on earth would you want
to leave the Citadel? Don’t you know what it’s like out there?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Much more interesting than here is what it’s like.
Natives, ancient beasts, bands of criminals, jungles, cannibals, steam engines,
and thousands of miles of land just waiting to be claimed by adventurous
souls.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I shook my head, thinking of the dirty, crowded
wharves near my ruined home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
wide-eyed children, the adults who crept furtively through life, as if they
were afraid their own shadow might catch them. “No, there’s nothing out
there but death. Whether by monsters, disease, wild animals, or outlaws. The Citadel
is paradise. Why would you want to leave?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Lady de Carrefour
pressed her lips together, “One person’s paradise is another person’s gilded
cage. And besides, it isn’t much of a paradise at all, or even safe, if one’s strong
and healthy brother can be beheaded in his own home.” Her expression hardened
into a cold mask. “Now <i>that</i>,
is a travesty. And of course, what they don’t want anyone to know is that
Atlantis is not the first. There’s something else going on here, and no one
wants to talk about it. Have you heard about the murders farther inland, on
Embassy Row?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I gaped at her, “No, what are you talking about?
Murders are incredibly rare in the Citadel.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="mso-add-space: auto; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“<i>Were</i>. Were incredibly rare. Until earlier this year.”
Lady de Carrefour drummed her
fingers on the table top, “Something is happening. But no one is supposed to
know about it. I suspect that the Interior Guard has no clue what’d going on
either, and that’s why they’re keeping it quiet. It wouldn’t do to have mass
hysteria in the middle of the season, would it? Not when we might finally find
out if the Greco-Roman ambassador’s daughter might really wed the Persian
magistrate’s delightfully foolish (and delightfully rich) son. Why would we
want to fret about blood and death when ruffles have <i>finally</i> been ruled
acceptable for evening dress? Such <i>times</i> we live in,” her voice practically oozed scorn.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Still, despite her flippant dismissal, I realized that I had
been safely cocooned in my own life and my own troubles, with nary a thought
for the Capitol and all of the dignitaries who lived there. They were the heart of the Citadel, and part of the reason for its very existence:
a safe haven to raise the future rulers of the world, help them form
allegiances, and ensure a more global, united nation of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>mankind. In the Citadel, it was easy to forget that humanity was sorely
outnumbered by all the <i>other</i> inhabitants of the world.</span></div>
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<h4>
<br />10. What are your writing goals and plans for 2016?</h4>
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<div>
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<br />
Promote my debut novel - <i><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/search/label/knight%20of%20the%20blue%20surcoat">Knight of the Blue Surcoat</a></i>! Continue to work at my current novels. My major goal is to finish/polish up <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/search/label/lastcoffeeshop"><i>The Last Coffee Shop</i></a> (my darling) and get it query ready. I also have two more novels that are begging me to write them (or at least outline them). My current pesky idea involves Korean and Norse mythology, an oracle with zero spirituality or supernatural ability, a traveling pack of misfit warriors, and a deaf boy who lives in the forest and has a lot of secrets.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-41834771009360634852015-12-15T12:53:00.000-08:002015-12-15T12:54:22.942-08:00TTT: Top 10 Books I Read in 2015<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeYsSZwVII_tJBCqaWmP9zZFonQbqCk5ugdLs7VzHN8p-HQ7yD9zq9HZeLCl1SZWKLuadPGbV3tggJOUXYDR9us1k4l08OfSob8Yh1TKAIrHzZmNw7yF7tjJqX3J0_n21XvuJ2HYCnkzu/s320/toptentuesday.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXeYsSZwVII_tJBCqaWmP9zZFonQbqCk5ugdLs7VzHN8p-HQ7yD9zq9HZeLCl1SZWKLuadPGbV3tggJOUXYDR9us1k4l08OfSob8Yh1TKAIrHzZmNw7yF7tjJqX3J0_n21XvuJ2HYCnkzu/s320/toptentuesday.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Image Copyright: The Broke and the Bookish</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
I have been absent from Top Ten Tuesdays for too long (I love lists!), and this was a list I'd been planning anyway. Thanks, as always, to <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/">The Broke and the Bookish</a> for hosting <a href="http://www.brokeandbookish.com/p/top-ten-tuesday-other-features.html">this link-up</a>!<br />
<br />
I read a lot of amazing books in 2015, and at first, I wasn't even sure how to approach this. However, I finally settled on listing the 10 books that I loved that ALSO made the biggest impression on me this year. So here they are, in no particular order, with notes on why they made it onto the list.<br />
<br />
<h3>
Top 10 Books/Series for 2015</h3>
<br />
<h4>
<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1430883288l/25489625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1430883288l/25489625.jpg" width="131" /></a>1. <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25489625-between-the-world-and-me?from_search=true&search_version=service">Between the World And Me</a></i> by Ta-Nehisi Coates (Adult NF)</h4>
<br />
I think that this was one of the most important books of 2015 - as it intimately explores what it means to be a black man in America through the eyes of a father writing a letter to his son. It's raw, emotional nonfiction that is also spare and thought-provoking.<br />
<br />
<br />
<h4>
2. <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23398316-jakob-s-colours">Jakob's Colors</a> </i>by Lindsay Hawdon (Adult Fic) - 5 stars</h4>
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1425582787l/23398316.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1425582787l/23398316.jpg" width="128" /></a>Earlier this year, I had the great privilege of reading a bunch of debut manuscripts with fellow ABA booksellers. We had weekly conference calls (which I miss now), and selected 10 picks to promote in indie stores all over the country. It's probably obvious that this sort of thing takes a lot of cooperation and compromise, and while I liked a lot of the books, my favorite one didn't make the list.* That would be <i>Jakob's Colors</i>, a lyrical story about a gypsy boy in 1944, on the run from Nazi persecution, and separated from everything he knows and loves. It is one of my favorite books this year, and you can expect a US release in early 2016.<br />
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404354570l/21457243.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1404354570l/21457243.jpg" width="131" /></a><br />3. <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/21457243-vision-in-silver?from_search=true&search_version=service">Vision in Silver</a> (The Others #3)</i> by Anne Bishop (Adult Fantasy) - 4.5 stars</h4>
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I've mentioned my love for this series, but never reviewed any of them here. I plan to remedy that when I read the 4th one though. Basically, this is a series that combines urban, paranormal, and high fantasy, with an extremely detailed world/mythology, and fantastic characters. What made this one of my top picks for 2015? I truly admire Anne Bishop's consistency with these books. After 3 books, I <i>still</i> love the characters, and I am even more interested in the world than before. My only major complaint is the cover art . . .</div>
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4. <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/68428.The_Final_Empire?ac=1&from_search=1">The Final Empire (Mistborn #1)</a></i> by Brandon Sanderson (Adult Fantasy) - 5 stars</h4>
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436376748l/243272.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1436376748l/243272.jpg" width="123" /></a>I've <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/search?q=mistborn">mentioned this one a few times</a> this year, but I didn't actually review it.</div>
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I can't believe it took me so long to get around to reading this! High fantasy with rebellions, humor, a strong heroine, lots of action, a fascinating magic system, and stellar writing? Just about perfect. Now I have to find the time to read the sequels, and the rest of Sanderson's books.</div>
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5. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/20558124-thorn?ac=1&from_search=1"><i>Thorn</i> </a>and <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18075001-sunbolt"><i>Sunbolt</i> </a>by Intisar Khanani - 4.5 and 5 stars, respectively</h4>
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1371269696l/18075001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1371269696l/18075001.jpg" width="125" /></a><a href="http://booksbyintisar.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Thorn_CoverFnlRevFNLF_low_res.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://booksbyintisar.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Thorn_CoverFnlRevFNLF_low_res.jpg" height="200" width="133" /></a>I'm not really cheating because <i>Sunbolt</i> is a novella.<br />
This is probably no surprise to anyone who's been following my blog this year. I randomly discovered <i>Thorn</i> while scrolling Goodreads, and decided to buy it because of the cover. That was probably the best shallow decision I've ever made. <i>Thorn</i> is an awesome retelling of "The Goose Girl,"and you can read my full <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/05/book-review-thorn-by-intisar-khanani.html">review here</a>. I liked it so much, I immediately ordered Ms. Khanani's novella, <i>Sunbolt</i>, which I immediately fell in love with, as evidenced by <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/07/novella-review-sunbolt-by-intisar.html">my review</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422669874l/23941148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1422669874l/23941148.jpg" width="125" /></a>6. <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23941148-naruto-vol-72"><i>Naruto</i> </a>(the manga) by Masashi Kishimoto (yes, the entire 72 volume series) - 5 stars</h4>
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Laugh all you want, but I binge-read the entire manga in about 2 months and <i>it was epic</i>. I originally read the first volume when I was fifteen or sixteen, saw how many there were and that it was ongoing, and shelved it (for 10 years, lol). But after reminiscing about it with a friend (and seeing that the series was finally ending), I decided to reread it. And it hooked me all over again. And it has the august distinction of being one of the 10 fictional things that have actually made me cry. I am without shame.**<br />
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7. <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24807186-wolf-by-wolf?from_search=true&search_version=service">Wolf by Wolf</a></i> by Ryan Graudin - 5 stars</h4>
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No surprise here. I wrote a glowing <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/09/book-review-wolf-by-wolf-by-ryan.html">review of this book</a> back in September. I loved <i>The Walled City</i> (also by Graudin) and I feel like <i>Wolf by Wolf</i> topped it completely, and her writing just gets better.</div>
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8. <i>Six of Crows</i> by Leigh Bardugo - 4 stars</h4>
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Looking back over all of the books I've read this year, I realized that this was one of the ones I enjoyed the most, and also one of the most memorable ones. It's a very promising start to a new series for Ms. Bardugo, and I'll definitely read the sequel. But the best part about this book was THE HEIST part. And the fascinating cast of scalawags, as well. You can find <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/07/arc-review-six-of-crows-by-leigh-bardugo.html">my review here</a>.</div>
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<a href="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447171461l/13206900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1447171461l/13206900.jpg" width="131" /></a></div>
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9. <i>Winter</i> by Marissa Meyer - 4.5 stars</h4>
If you are a Lunar Chronicles fan, this will probably be on your list. It wrapped up the series with a bang, and was a lot of fun. You can <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/12/a-pair-of-spoiler-free-mini-reviews.html">read my review (spoiler free!) here.</a><br />
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<br />10. <i>Station Eleven</i> by Emily St. John Mandel - 4.5 stars</h4>
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Another book that needs no introduction. Beautiful prose, travelling players, quotable lines, SHAKESPEARE, and the apocalypse made this a winner for me. I liked it even better after I went to a mixed-media presentation featuring Shakespearean players and the author herself. This list would not be complete without it.<br />
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<a href="http://24.media.tumblr.com/a5562ffbd17550f3749f7194a165ff4d/tumblr_ml3saq0gIE1qgf2vvo1_500.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/a5562ffbd17550f3749f7194a165ff4d/tumblr_ml3saq0gIE1qgf2vvo1_500.gif" height="87" width="200" /></a>Honorable Mention at the Utterly Appropriate Number 11: <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25259977-bigger-on-the-inside">Bigger on the Inside: Christianity and Doctor Who</a></i>, edited by Gregory Alan Thornbury and Ned Bustard</h4>
This didn't make my list because it felt a little self-serving: after all, I wrote one of the essays in this collection. But in spite of that, I really loved the rest of these essays on Christianity and Doctor Who, so it had to be here anyhow.<br />
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<i>Footnotes:</i></h4>
<b>*A note on #2 </b>- A few of the books I liked <i>did</i> make it into the Top 10 - as there were some incredible debut manuscripts. However, I will save them for 2016 reviews and lists (when they are actually released)<br />
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<br />** A note on #6 -</h4>
<a href="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/6d/0a/1c/6d0a1ca5a482b6954e51303693c61475.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/originals/6d/0a/1c/6d0a1ca5a482b6954e51303693c61475.gif" /></a> Just went and saw the <i>Boruto</i> movie!<br />
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The fight scenes were so beautifully animated, it almost made me breathless. And it also made me love Sasuke and Naruto even more (impressive). And everyone's kids were just so darn cute! Oh, and it was a good movie too. Gave me all kinds of parental feels (despite the fact that I have exactly zero children, lol).<br />
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-48984614625628841342015-12-12T14:32:00.002-08:002015-12-12T14:32:21.856-08:00"Be Thankful" Challenge Accepted! (via E. Rawls)<div style="text-align: center;">
Thanksgiving might be weeks gone, but <b>thankfulness</b> and gratitude shouldn't ever be a seasonal thing :)</div>
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Elizabeth (A.K.A. <a href="https://rawlse.wordpress.com/about-2/">Rawls E.</a>) tagged me for <a href="https://rawlse.wordpress.com/2015/11/20/be-thankful-challenge/">this </a>back in November, and I am delighted to finally post it. Make sure that you check out Elizabeth's blog <a href="https://rawlse.wordpress.com/blog/">here</a>. She is a fantasy author who features chapters of her ongoing <a href="https://rawlse.wordpress.com/madnes-solver/">Madnes Solver</a> blog series, haiku, movie reviews, writing advice, and much more.</div>
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Thanks again!</div>
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And here are the rules:<br /><br />– Share this image in your blog post<br />– Write about 5 people in your life you are thankful for<br />– Write about 5 things in 2015 that you are thankful for<br />– Spread the love and challenge 5 other blogs to take part<div>
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5 People in My Life that I am Thankful For</h4>
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<ol>
<li>I've mentioned my adorable niece Beatrice several times on the blog, and as the youngest addition to my family, I am listing her off first. She just turned one, and she has big blue eyes and a sweet smile, and I am so thankful that she is a part of my life <3</li>
<li>My sister-in-law Erin. Though she is Beatrice's ^ mother, she was my friend and "new" sister first! Kind, generous, thoughtful, wise, hospitable, and a godly young woman, Erin is a blessing to everyone who knows her. And she is a great person to play <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Z-Man-Games-ZMG-71100-Pandemic/dp/B00A2HD40E/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1449958161&sr=1-1&keywords=pandemic">Pandemic</a>* with!</li>
<li>My friend Stacy. I have a handful of close friends, but Stacy was my earliest best friend. Though we currently live on opposite sides of the state and are too busy to see each other often, we can always fall easily back into our comfortable friendship pattern, and we will always be in the other's corner. <3<3</li>
<li>All of the lovely readers and bloggers who have been so incredible this past year. I am still technically a newbie in the blogging world (I only really got serious in 2015), no one has ever made me feel anything but welcome and valid. You are all awesome, and my only regret is that I haven't (yet) met any of you offline! Drop me a line if you're ever in West Michigan :)</li>
<li>My lovely coworkers at The Book Nook and Java Shop. I am truly blessed to work with some classy ladies who are always kind and help things flow smoothly - even when it gets crazy!</li>
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5 Things in 2015 That I am Thankful For:</h4>
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<ol>
<li><a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/08/extra-extra-read-all-about-it-my-book.html"><b>A book deal!</b></a> Neverland Publishing picked up the rights to my debut novel, <i>Knight of the Blue Surcoat</i>, earlier this year. Though waiting isn't easy (<a href="https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=0ahUKEwiin_iXrNfJAhXFOCYKHdvDB88QFggcMAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.goodreads.com%2Fbook%2Fshow%2F21416421-waiting-is-not-easy&usg=AFQjCNH5S3pAxOfdc8uHkg-orRbK-hQ2bg&sig2=QqasE-qMXnCv3xsgMH8NuA&bvm=bv.109910813,d.eWE">Mo Willems</a> is right), I'm trying to be patient as I wait for revisions, edits, advance readers copies and all that jazz.</li>
<li><b>BEA 2015!</b> I had the amazing opportunity to go to Book Expo America back in May. I met authors and bloggers, and came back with a bunch of books. It was my first time in NYC, and I can't wait to visit Manhattan again.</li>
<li><b>A car that runs.</b> Trust me, this is not something you take for granted. Though I have been dogged by car problems since last year, I am still more or less able to make it to work and back.</li>
<li><b>Friends and Family all over the country</b>. Since I couldn't name off everyone above, I'm putting it in here. From the new friends I made in New York and Pennsylvania, to the supportive local community, I'm grateful for you all (even though I don't talk about my feelings much irl!)</li>
<li><b>Books and words and writing.</b> Seriously. From the words of Scripture, to Shakespeare, to modern novels, to poetry and beyond. Literature is the love of my life and a great joy even at the worst of times.</li>
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Well, it's time to "spread the love," and instead of tagging people, I am challenging everyone who reads this post to think about all the wonderful things in their lives this year. If you want to, feel free to share something you are thankful for in the comments, or repost this challenge on your own blogs and spread it that way.</h3>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/glee/images/9/90/Spread_the_Love.gif/revision/latest?cb=20131030022102" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="" border="0" src="http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/glee/images/9/90/Spread_the_Love.gif/revision/latest?cb=20131030022102" height="225" title="Image copyright chibird.tumblr.com" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Adorable gif from Jackie @ <a href="http://chibird.tumblr.com/">chibird.tumblr.com</a> - click the link for more cuteness!</td></tr>
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<i>Footnotes:</i></div>
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Pandemic is an awesome cooperative game. You have to have a calm head and be capable of working with other people, all while thinking several moves in advance.</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-21834437386362353692015-12-10T16:10:00.002-08:002015-12-10T16:14:58.839-08:00A Pair of Spoiler-Free Mini Reviews: Winter by Marissa Meyer, and Sorcerer to the Crown by Zen ChoI decided to combine these two because they are both pretty popular and much buzzed about, so there will probably be reviews everywhere.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">These covers are so beautiful.</td></tr>
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First up is <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13206900-winter">Winter</a></i>, the long-awaited conclusion to Marissa Meyer's <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/series/62018-the-lunar-chronicles">Lunar Chronicles</a></i>. Here's a quick synopsis if you're unfamiliar with the series:</h3>
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Starting with <i>Cinder</i>, Marissa Meyer has taken familiar fairy tales and re-imagined them in a futuristic society threatened by Lunars: moon-dwellers with powerful perception-altering abilities that can make you see them as angelic beauties, someone else, or overpower your mind entirely.<br />
The Lunars hold a tenuous peace with the peoples of Earth, and the tyrannical Lunar Queen Levana has been pursuing a matrimonial alliance with the young Emperor Kaito (Kai) of the Eastern Commonwealth. The problem is, he's currently held by a band of rebels, led by Cinder, a cyborg who is also the missing Lunar Princess.<br />
The rebels are a motley crew: Iko the droid, Thorne the dashing criminal, Cress the painfully shy computer whiz, and Wolf the former Lunar warrior. Missing from their ranks is Scarlet, a human held captive on Luna, and currently the pet of the Lunar Princess Winter.<br />
In <i>Winter</i>, everything comes to a head as our heroes are scattered, separated, and hunted down by Levana. Cinder must decide if she'll accept her true identity and all it entails, as the rest of her band make their own choices and deal with the consequences in an epic conclusion to the NYT bestselling series.</blockquote>
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<br />So now that you have a basic idea of the story, here's what I thought about <i>Winter</i>.</h4>
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In short, <i>Winter</i> delivered almost everything: great storytelling and neat prose, expert handling of a large cast of characters, lots of action, real heart, and a fitting resolution. I felt like Meyer really worked hard to bring this series to its most logical and satisfying end, and she never sacrificed character for theme or story. As expected, Princess Winter (and to some extent, her guard Jacin) took center stage, but I didn't feel like the other characters got shorted. Though <i>Winter</i> was a whopping 800 pages, it never felt slow or too long, which is impressive.<br />
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And yes, I promised no spoilers, so I will give you my 3 favorite things about <i>Winter</i> instead:</h4>
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<b>1. Kai and Konn Torin.</b> Okay, this may seem underwhelming to you, but scenes with these two were almost my favorite part of the book! Kai went from being a lovable, charming, but rather dippy seeming prince in <i>Cinder</i>, to one of my favorite characters and a truly brave ruler. Alongside his capable but stern adviser Torin, Kai attempts to navigate a hostile world, loads of responsibilities, and his own heart. Their (almost) father-son relationship got a little more center stage (I love Torin's wry humor), as Kai was cut off from the rest of the major characters for quite some time. Marissa Meyer is releasing a follow up short story collection, and one of them features the beginning events of <i>Cinder</i> from Kai's perspective. As you can imagine, I'm pretty excited about this.<br />
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<b>2. Authentic Diversity. </b>Our cast is a group of misfits of different races, cultures, and belief systems. Yet we're never hit over the head with it. Every character has a motive and a drive, and even Queen Levana has a chance to show her layers. And then we have Cinder's outcast status, and the discrimination she's faced as a cyborg, as well as Winter's mental imbalances. Even with a story as big as this one, Meyer never forgets the humanity of her characters, and this makes them relatable even when it seems like they shouldn't be.<br />
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<b>3. Linh Cinder.</b> I <b>love </b>Cinder. She is probably my favorite take on Cinderella - <i>ever</i>. Cinder is forced to make difficult decisions and step out of obscurity for the sake of others. Her character arc comes to a fitting conclusion, and I am sad to see her go.<br />
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<b>Though there was a lot more I liked about the book, I don't want to ruin it for anyone!</b><br />
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Overall: 4.5 stars. Marissa Meyer finishes big with this action packed finale. <i>Winter</i> has something for everyone: a little romance, a lot of adventure, and a colorful cast of characters you'll be sorry to leave.</h3>
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<a href="http://www.brettaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/stock-vector-dividers-and-accents-five-decorative-lines-24064027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://www.brettaviation.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/stock-vector-dividers-and-accents-five-decorative-lines-24064027.jpg" height="16" width="400" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another pretty cover :)</td></tr>
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<h3>
<i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23943137-sorcerer-to-the-crown">Sorcerer to the Crown</a></i>, the debut novel by British author Zen Cho, is the first book in a planned trilogy about English magicians.</h3>
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<b>Here's the <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/">Goodreads </a>Synopsis:</b><br />
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<blockquote class="tr_bq">
At his wit’s end, Zacharias Wythe, freed slave, eminently proficient magician, and Sorcerer Royal of the Unnatural Philosophers—one of the most respected organizations throughout all of Britain—ventures to the border of Fairyland to discover why England’s magical stocks are drying up.<br />
But when his adventure brings him in contact with a most unusual comrade, a woman with immense power and an unfathomable gift, he sets on a path which will alter the nature of sorcery in all of Britain—and the world at large…</blockquote>
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Do you like Gail Carriger's steampunk novels, anything by Georgette Heyer, or <i>Jonathan Strange and Mr. Norrell</i>? If so, you might enjoy the whimsical <i>Sorcerer to the Crown</i>. Though it started off a bit slow, once the story got going, it really got going. The worldbuilding was great, and the prose was effervescent and full of witty, quotable lines.</h4>
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So what were my three favorite things about <i>Sorcerer to the Crown</i>?</h4>
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<b>1. The aforementioned prose. </b>Like Georgette Heyer and Jane Austen, Cho's prose is overflowing with humor, for example:<br />
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“I should advise you not to stop there, but set fire to his house, too, and sell his children to pirates. That is the only way he will learn” <i>Excellent advice, no?</i></blockquote>
Or how about this interesting observation:<br />
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"A female may be poor or delicate or a spinster, but it does seem ill-advised of Miss Liddiard to combine all three.”</blockquote>
<i>Sorcerer to the Crown</i> is above-all a charming book, as the quotes probably suggested.<br />
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<b>2. Zacharias. </b>A former slave who has become the reluctant leader of England's magicians, he's a studious, proper fellow and I loved him to pieces. I loved how Cho kept revealing his character through little bits - he's the reserved sort, and never one to brag, and you hardly realize the depth of both his courage and his ability until the end!<br />
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<b>3. It was <i>fun</i>.</b> In a sea of adult novels that are trying to be realistic, gritty, intellectual, or challenging, <i>Sorcerer to the Crown</i> just seems like a book the author wanted to write. Now I don't mean it's shallow, because it isn't! But, unlike most of the magicians in the book, it isn't pretentious. There are interesting observations on everything from colonial politics to women's positions in society, but they never distract you from the story.<br />
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Overall: 4 out of 5 stars. A delightful Regency fantasy with a touch of darkness, and plenty of material for sequels, <i>Sorcerer to the Crown</i> features a unique protagonist and a strong female lead. Zen Cho is an author I'd love to see more of.</h3>
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So have you read either of these books, or do you plan on reading them? Do you like fairy tale retellings? If so, do you have a favorite? How about magicians and 19th Century England?</h2>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-26600399295608842912015-12-08T17:19:00.000-08:002015-12-08T17:19:33.422-08:00Dragon's Loyalty Award (With Lots of Dragons)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMNm-3MFVrC6Afylh1QJfwgCGoP128WEVoR1Zhonqbnzyxj5xOVz_pDoXN1sMU67QP4dtHSxGuczphyphenhyphen036gt3ZnE2LOR6ucwDSjDrueyu4SBgJw2e7zHh8l1jHzQa99CZbD2mOs9WmVM/s1600/dragon%2527sloyalty.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDMNm-3MFVrC6Afylh1QJfwgCGoP128WEVoR1Zhonqbnzyxj5xOVz_pDoXN1sMU67QP4dtHSxGuczphyphenhyphen036gt3ZnE2LOR6ucwDSjDrueyu4SBgJw2e7zHh8l1jHzQa99CZbD2mOs9WmVM/s1600/dragon%2527sloyalty.png" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">2016 is looming and I am behind on basically everything but work. And though I didn't forget about a handful of tags and awards, I just had a lot of other things to do :)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">But it is December, and my fellow dragon-loving blogger <a href="http://saraletourneauwriter.com/author/saraletourneau/">Sara Letourneau</a> awarded me with this at the end of September (eep!), and I knew I wanted to do it right away. So, yes, December . . .</span></div>
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<i>Anyhow</i>, thanks again Sara! If you don't follow her blog, be sure to check it out <a href="http://saraletourneauwriter.com/">here</a>. She is also an author, and she features her writing process (and helpful tidbits for fellow authors) in her <a href="http://saraletourneauwriter.com/category/chronicling-the-craft/">Chronicling the Craft</a> series. Sara is full of awesome writing advice, but my favorite recurring posts are probably her new <a href="http://saraletourneauwriter.com/category/character-evolution-files/">Character Evolution Files</a>. She takes well known fictional icons such as Katniss or Bilbo and uses them to show how the authors have developed and evolved such lasting, resonant characters. And of course, there is a ton more to like about her blog, but you'll have to go check it out for yourself ;P</h4>
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Here are the "official rules" for accepting the Dragon's Loyalty Award:</div>
<br />1. Announce your win with a post, and link to whomever presented your award.<br />2. Post 7 interesting things about yourself.<br />3. Present <strike>15</strike> 7 awards to deserving bloggers. (I like symmetry - today)<br />4. Drop them a comment to tip them off after you’ve linked them in the post.<br />5. Display the award certificate on your website.<div class="separator" style="clear: both;">
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Since this is called the <i>Dragon's Loyalty Award</i>, I decided to incorporate as many dragons as possible into this post. And now it's time for interesting facts (which was hard - I feel like most everything about me is in other similar posts, or my "About Me" page!):</span></div>
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1. I have eleven siblings (yes, that makes me one of 12) - and I love <i>every single one of them</i>.</h4>
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So, maybe they drive me bonkers at times, but I can't imagine life without my brothers and sisters (lots of sisters). Though sharing a bathroom was sometimes trying (boys take <i>forEVer</i> to do their hair on Sunday morning).</div>
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2. I have the same birthday as <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/696805.Jules_Verne?from_search=true&search_version=service">Jules Verne</a> (though he was slightly older)</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Okay, so Naruto isn't 20K leagues under the sea, but, whatever.</td></tr>
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Though I didn't notice this until years later. <i>Around the World in 80 Days</i> is still one of my favorite novels.</div>
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3. I love to dance, but I'm not very good at it</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The word "drake" is often used for a dragons in fantasy novels (when we're going OE "Draca"), though it more commonly refers to a "male duck"</td></tr>
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From swing to the waltz to whatever craziness I come up with. But I don't make music videos of it for a reason. I'd love to take some classes someday!<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">4. The first dragon I ever read about was actually </span><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ry%C5%ABjin">Ryūjin/Ryo-Wo</a><span style="font-family: inherit;">, not Smaug</span></h4>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">The underwater Dragon King of Japanese legends fascinated me as a (very) young child. I started reading fairy tales and myths from all over the world as soon as I could read. Smaug <i>was </i>the first dragon I ever read about in a novel. But thanks to my childhood myth-binges, I still tend to pattern the dragons in my novels after the ones in Chinese and Japanese lore.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">5. I love dressing up, whether it's formal wear or costumes</span></h4>
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Smaug feels pretty, oh so pretty . . .</div>
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6. I'm fascinated by mirrors and all of the lore surrounding them</h4>
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This might have started when I watched a particular <i>Lost in Space</i> episode as a kid: as I recall, there was a guy trapped in a mirror, and his reflection was all that was left of him (because he'd been in there so long, he'd be dead in the real world). The Kabbalists (offshoot from traditional Judaism) believed that if you didn't cover a mirror after a person's death, you might catch a glimpse of the evil spirits drawn to the sadness of death (mirrors were the only way to see them). This is really interesting if you contrast it with the idea that vampires or other soulless beings wouldn't <i>have</i> a reflection. I could go on, but suffice it to say that mirrors often find their way into my novels.</div>
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7. I have always wanted to make a music video</h4>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here's a Dragon, there's a Dragon, everywhere a Dragon Dragon</td></tr>
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While I have no desire to be in it (see #3), I'm always getting epic ideas for music videos, and I wish I had the ability to make them. If I ever had a novel made into a movie, I would want to help make a music video for a song involved in the movie. <i>That's all I ask.</i></div>
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So, there are my 7 facts, and now it's time for the nominees:</h3>
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As always, don't feel obligated to do this :) But if you <i>do</i> decide to do it, please make sure that you link back so I can read your posts!</div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">1. <a href="http://wordpress.redirectingat.com/?id=725X1342&site=inkandpapertallship.wordpress.com&xs=1&isjs=1&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgravatar.com%2Fsarahmjmac&xguid=0ed89f2d85f21ac604e9c5e4f4a949b0&xuuid=816560d916d7b507b94a0b9904b85a41&xsessid=32a60ccad32e15375f7df27a3c7fd3ba&xcreo=0&xed=0&sref=https%3A%2F%2Finkandpapertallship.wordpress.com%2F&xtz=300">Sarah </a>@ <a href="https://inkandpapertallship.wordpress.com/">Ink and Paper Tall Ship</a></span></div>
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2. <a href="http://traceydyck.blogspot.ca/">Tracey Dyck</a></div>
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3. Bogdana at @ <a href="http://bogdanathebooknerd.blogspot.com/">Bogdana the Booknerd</a></div>
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4. Jane @ <a href="https://greenishbookshelf.wordpress.com/">Greenish Bookshelf</a></div>
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5. Áine @ <a href="https://writingonavintagetypewriter.wordpress.com/">Writing on a Vintage Typewriter</a></div>
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6. Skye @ <a href="http://skyehoffert.blogspot.ca/">Ink Castles</a></div>
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7. Bethany @ <a href="http://forgottenfeatherpen.blogspot.com/">Forgotten Featherpen</a></div>
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I tried to tag people that I haven't/haven't in awhile. And I know you are all probably as busy as I am, so don't feel pressured! <3 RH</h4>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-967086087896088317.post-16250403979259348412015-12-05T16:26:00.000-08:002015-12-05T16:26:52.198-08:00Book Review: Abomination by Gary Whitta<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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First, a big thank you to <a href="https://www.inkshares.com/">Inkshares</a>*and the author for sending out a review copy.<br />
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Gary Whitta turns from screenwriting to print in his debut historical fantasy meets horror novel, <i><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25909020-abomination">Abomination</a>. </i>You might recognize his name from <i>The Book of Eli</i> and/or upcoming Star Wars projects. I confess that I didn't (I never saw that movie, and Star Wars is too much of mishmash of talent for me to notice names), but I was intrigued by the concept and the cover right from the start.<br />
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Here's the (modified) synopsis from <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25909020-abomination">Goodreads</a>:<br />
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"Wulfric is England's greatest knight, but when he is called back into service to combat a plague of monstrous beasts known as abominations, he meets a fate worse than death and is condemned to a life of anguish, solitude, and remorse.</blockquote>
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Indra is a fierce young warrior, raised among an elite order of knights. Driven by a dark secret from her past, she defies her controlling father and sets out on a dangerous quest to do what none before her ever have—hunt down and kill an abomination, alone.</blockquote>
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When a chance encounter sets these two against one another, an incredible twist of fate will lead them toward a salvation they never thought possible—and prove that the power of love, mercy, and forgiveness can shine a hopeful light even in history’s darkest age."</blockquote>
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<b>Sound weird? It is - but in the best possible way.</b> <i>Abomination</i> truly stood out from every fantasy novel I've read in the past few years. The story was unique, the characters were fun, and the focus on a "familial" bond instead of a romantic one was a smart choice.</div>
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However, <i>Abomination</i> does start off a bit slow. The first few chapters are exposition heavy, with a lot of background story and characters to establish. The actual "story" of the book begins fifteen years after the abominations have been unleashed on England. That is when we meet Indra - a teenage warrior girl who is determined to kill an abomination single-handedly and prove herself worthy to join the Order (the elite knights who hunted down abominations in the 15 year interim). Indra is stubborn and foolish and utterly loveable, with her twin swords and her single-minded pursuit of something that is terribly dangerous.</div>
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Wulfric, our other main character, has gone from a celebrated warrior to a hunted man who only longs for death. Indra shakes up his world, and he starts to feel protective and interested in another human being for the first time in fifteen years. But this puts Indra (and Wulfric) in terrible danger.</div>
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It's hard to say much more without spoilers (though the spoilery things are very obvious once you start reading), but I'll still give you my 5 reasons to read <i>Abomination</i>.</div>
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<b>1. The concept.</b> Hello, it's basically <i>The Wolfman</i> meets <i>Vikings</i>, but with sinister magic and a strong heroine. I don't know about you, but he had me right there.</div>
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<b>2. Indra. I loved her.</b> She's a teenage girl with epic sword skills and an attitude - but both of those elements make perfect sense in context. Indra was raised by warriors, trained by warriors, and considers herself a warrior, but she's untried and discounted by the men around her. And despite her skills, she's a believable young woman with flaws, weaknesses, and insecurities.</div>
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<b>3. Great action.</b> <i>Abomination</i> was a bit gory (though light on it for a horror novel), but the fight and action scenes leapt off the page. I felt like I was reading a movie (no surprise, considering the author's film background). And although <i>Abomination</i> would make an awesome movie, I never felt like a movie would have been a better vehicle for the story.</div>
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<b>4. King Alfred + fantasy is a winning combination. </b>The ravaged setting of Britain under Viking threat was perfect for the story. It provided a real-world anchor as well as compelling motivations for all of the main characters.</div>
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<b>5. The themes.</b> For a violent and often dark story, the overall messages were both touching and redemptive. Nothing was magically fixed or better at the end, but the emphasis on mercy, selfless love, loyalty, courage in spite of terrible odds, and hope, made <i>Abomination</i> a welcome change from many of the books I've read recently.</div>
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<b>Overall: 4 out of 5 stars.</b> Though it starts off a bit shaky, the last two thirds of <i>Abomination</i> tell a brutal but redemptive story of familial love and courage that will appeal to both horror** and fantasy readers. And it's a whole lot of fun.</h3>
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<i>Footnotes:</i></div>
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*Believe it or not, I had no idea what Inkshares was before I received this book at work. It's a really cool publishing project that combines crowdfunding with novel pitching, and it's an awesome idea. The link is at the top of this review if you want to check it out (if you're an aspiring author, you should <i>definitely</i> click it).</div>
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**I use horror in a loose, more genre sense. While there was a lot of fantasy/sword/monster violence, and quite a bit of flying gore, <i>Abomination</i> was only a 5 or so on the <a href="http://rlhendrian.blogspot.com/2015/10/ten-great-october-reads-that-you-might.html">Creepymeter</a>.<br /><br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10263763900090745401noreply@blogger.com0