Happy Almost Friday my friends,
I'm trying to get back in the swing of blogging again, the outdoors and my mind has been calling. I also realized my book write ups have been piling up which is why this Ninja Writer's Library is gonna be long. So grab some tea and sit back and enjoy the booky ramble.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
This one is probably my second favorite of all Austen's work I've read thus far, which is 3 books. You know if I lived in this world I wouldn't be hurting in finding a husband, every busybody would be doing it for me. With in these pages I found a character that was the equivalent to nails on a chalkboard John Dashwood, the sisters' half brother. I cringed reading his parts. Everything was about money with him, uh he drove me bonkers. I will say before I read this book I did read Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters by Jane Austen and Ben H. Winters. Now that I've read the original I can tell the different styles of writing from what's mostly a Jane written part and a Winters heavily written one.
Mr Penumbra's 24 Hour Book Store by Robin Sloan
In Mr Penumbra's we delve into a world of coding, books, and an old mystery. It was an good read, I can't give the best review due to the pure fact I was physically sick, and having a depression spell, so some topics in the book, like the one character's obsession with the briefness of life gave me a weird feeling, but it was interesting enough to keep me going.
Howl's Moving Castle and Castle in the Air by Diana Wynne Jones
If you love the anime of the same name, then you should enjoy these books. The first book kinda follows the anime, but we get more info about the characters than we get from the movie, such as learning Howl's country of origin, and a few things about Sophie that we didn't know either. The second book in the series focus's on a carpet seller in what would be an Arabian land type setting, but I assure you it is the same realm. There is a third book called House of Many Ways that sadly the library does not have, so I can't read yet. *pouts* But yes this is one of those times I suggest reading the book even if you've already seen the movie, it'll provide add ons to the story, and of course continue the series if you want new untold adventures from this fun world.
The M Train by Patti Smith
I discovered this book through the Daedalus Books catalogue. I was very intrigued by it. Well I learned my library had it so I of course checked it out. This is a great read into a unique mind. It's like some Alice in Wonderland trip. Smith defiantly has a poetic air about her. She talks about the dreams she has, actually opens the book I think with a dream, about coffee, crime dramas, whatever comes to her pertaining to the events going on in her life at the time. Y'all she even talks briefly Doctor Who. The over all feel I got from it was poetic and gritty if that makes sense? I defiantly wanna add this to my physical library.
The Aunt Dimity series- by Nancy Atherton
I've seen books for this series in various book catalogues. My library has many of them, I've managed to read the first 6 books in the series. This series is very enjoyable, one problem with my speed reading skills, that are only worse when it's a good read, I breeze through them too quick. It has romance, but nothing smutty, mystery, a bit of paranormal, and a lovely main setting in the Cotswolds. So far the first book in the series Aunt Dimity's Death is my favorite we are introduced to Lori Shepherd, Aunt Dimity, Reginald the pink bunny, the Willis family, and all the other characters that you'll be revisiting frequently as you journey forth with the books. You'll find yummy sounding treats in the books, a recipe is usually added in the back, but you can get it from them from the website too. It's just a cute series, if you like some quick mystery reading try it out.
Rules of Magic and Practical Magic by Alice Hoffman
I love the Practical Magic movie, so I was excited to read the book and prequel. Now I had read Practical Magic back in high school, the Captain let me borrow it, but I don't recall anything except the death beetle being mentioned. Which is odd given I usually recall books I've read, if not I remember once I get started reading it, but for this it was like reading it for the first time.
With Practical Magic I will say I did like that we got to see the powers Sally's daughters have, and good things coming Gillian's way. With Rules of Magic I liked learning of the sisters past and about their brother, Sally and Gillian's grandfather. I liked Franny was a bit of a scientist and as a child decided to do experiments on her baby sibling, I mean yeah it was mean, but just humorous in her mind this was a serious study.
My cons with both books is the depressing vibe I got from them. See I'm the type of reader that takes on the emotions or feelings from what I read and already having anxiety and depression makes these rough to read, I mean don't get me wrong intriguing reads and I wanted to keep doing so, but unlike the movie which yes had a lot of sadness and darkness, but had humor to lighten it, I didn't get that in the books.
Ok my dears I hope you have a good rest of the week. Read a good book and may God always bless you!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
Books, Music, Geekiness, Life... This is the blog of the Thrifty Geek.
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Books. Show all posts
Thursday, August 30, 2018
Wednesday, July 4, 2018
The Ninja Writer's Library- Geekerella
"...the impossible is impossible if you don't try." - Elle's Dad
Happy 4th of July my friends (Even if your not from the US I hope you have a good day),
It's time to dive back into the Ninja Writer's Library. Today's read is a massive shout out to the geeks of the world. It's called Geekerella: A Fangirl Fairy tale (Once Upon a Con) by Ashley Poston. I first heard about this book from The Nerdy Girlie. It didn't take long for me to get interested in reading it. I mean first it's a retelling of my favorite fairy tale Cinderella*, with a healthy helping of geek. So of course being a geek I'm all down with this version. Yes it's YA encase you were wondering. Well, I was very excited to find it in the digital section of my library's offerings a few months ago, and I quickly put myself on the wait list, and I've been waiting "patiently" for my turn. So now it's been read here's me review.
What's it about?
We have two stories here we have Elle a girl living in the Cinderella situation. She's a geeky chick who's main fandom is this old sci fi show called Starfield, that was introduced to her by her late Dad. She also runs a blog about the show and is excited and dreading a movie reboot of the show that's being made.
The second part of our tale is about an actor named Darien**, who is playing the Prince in the Starfield reboot. While he's seen by most of the world as the latest Hollywood heartthrob from a teen show, deep down he's a geek who loves this old show and is just wanting to do the role justice and prove himself to the show's hardcore fans.
What did I think about it?
I enjoyed it. I actually would take a breaks through out the day from reading it so I wouldn't speed through it as I'm prone to do with a good book. You can tell the writer is in tuned to the fandom world. As I was reading the scene where Elle's nervously awaiting the cast announcement for the movie and she's all like they better not screw this up, I'm laughing cause that's pretty much what a fan would be like in that scenario, actually I may have heard or read fans who have said things like that.
She also makes great references to real life fandoms. I think the first was a Firefly reference, yes Browncoats rejoice thou has not been overlooked, Supernatural peeps she even mentions the Destiel ship I'm not kidding. I actually tried to list the various references she makes in the book, I still don't know if I have them all listed. I also just have to say excellent use of food truck, especially at the end.
It really hit on the button about what being a geek is. About how we love our fandoms, and how sometimes these fandoms and their characters help us get through the tough parts in life, and inspire us. Yes there was a lot of geek empowerment in this book, and that we should be proud of our geekiness. *Feels like their should be some spirit raising music in their somewhere*
If your a reader of YA , a Cinderella fan, and/or a geek I recommend this book. I defiantly will add this to my permanent library, it's just a fun geeky read.
I hope you've enjoyed a dip back into the library. Hope you guys have a great day. Those celebrating be safe with your fireworks, or firework viewings, and may God bless you!
*Note: Yes I do love Cinderella though I'm not a fan of the whole waiting around for the man to save her, but I'm knowledgeable enough to know when these tales were written that was the social mindset. So I don't get in a huff over it I just pull the lessons and the things I love from it and focus on like the magic, the ball, and dreams coming true after all the toil.
**Double Note: Is his name a Sailor Moon reference?
Friday, March 23, 2018
The Ninja Writer's Library: The Girl Who Chased the Moon by Sarah Addison Allen
Thank goodness it's Friday friends,
Today we are going to dive back into the Ninja Writer's Library. Today's book The Girl Who Chased the Moon is by an author who is actually from my region, Sarah Addison Allen. I love Allen's writing style. For all the books I've read by her she takes what could be an average small town you'd find around here and adds a surreal elements to it or the characters. This tale is no different. We have an orphaned teen moving in with the Grandpa she didn't know about and is having to unravel her deceased Mom's past as well as some town secrets, some quite surreal.
Allen also seems to include food in a good portion of her books. I didn't know whether to run out and buy some BBQ or make a cake after reading this. I mean you try reading about a town where the very air smells like BBQ and see how long it takes you to get a craving. Now I don't know if this is a supernatural phenomenon or the fact the town has so many BBQ joints in town.
I also loved they included the full moon names in the book, at least the digital I don't know about the physical version, she does provide a link to a PDF list on her site. I mean I know like the Hunter's and Harvest Moons, but I didn't know the others. Actually as a bit of trivia for you guys I read the majority of this book during the Full Worm Moon.
I actually encourage you guys to head over to this book's page on the author's site. It's got recipes and information surrounding the book, plus you can kinda tour the town of Mullaby.
A very good book, the ending left you wanting to know more of the story, so I hope she decides to make a sequel to it.
I hope you weekend is a good one friends, read lots of books, and may God Bless You!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
Today we are going to dive back into the Ninja Writer's Library. Today's book The Girl Who Chased the Moon is by an author who is actually from my region, Sarah Addison Allen. I love Allen's writing style. For all the books I've read by her she takes what could be an average small town you'd find around here and adds a surreal elements to it or the characters. This tale is no different. We have an orphaned teen moving in with the Grandpa she didn't know about and is having to unravel her deceased Mom's past as well as some town secrets, some quite surreal.
Allen also seems to include food in a good portion of her books. I didn't know whether to run out and buy some BBQ or make a cake after reading this. I mean you try reading about a town where the very air smells like BBQ and see how long it takes you to get a craving. Now I don't know if this is a supernatural phenomenon or the fact the town has so many BBQ joints in town.
I also loved they included the full moon names in the book, at least the digital I don't know about the physical version, she does provide a link to a PDF list on her site. I mean I know like the Hunter's and Harvest Moons, but I didn't know the others. Actually as a bit of trivia for you guys I read the majority of this book during the Full Worm Moon.
I actually encourage you guys to head over to this book's page on the author's site. It's got recipes and information surrounding the book, plus you can kinda tour the town of Mullaby.
A very good book, the ending left you wanting to know more of the story, so I hope she decides to make a sequel to it.
I hope you weekend is a good one friends, read lots of books, and may God Bless You!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
Friday, February 9, 2018
The Ninja Writer's Library Julie and Julia by Julie Powell
Happy Friday my friends,
Since I've renewed my library card, finally, I think I'll include write ups about them in these library segments, I mean in a sense they do become a part of your library briefly. For today's literary offering I give you: Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment by Julie Powell. *I also feel it's my duty to warn you if you decide to read this book or go to any of her blog links there will be foul language, you have been warned*
I've watched and enjoyed the movie Julie & Julia for many years, I even went and read the original blog, but I had yet to read the book. For the uninitiated Julie Powell, with inspiration from her husband Eric (did they ever get back together actually), decided to cook through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year. A feat I find impressive since the best I can do is cookies half the time, let alone some impossible sounding, to me, dishes. Also impossible to say, I remember when I read the blog my head would hurt reading those words, though it could have been reading small print late at night too. I think I just kinda breezed passed the French this time, adopting the bread and butter approach a preacher my family knew used.*
I find that I resonate with the author on a few levels we have some of the same physical and emotional issues (EX: She felt like a "drone", I find myself feeling like a "zombie"). We enjoy food, have had bad experience with maggots, and love Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which gets mentioned a lot in this book, it's actually interesting to read what she was doing the night I was watching the final episode of Buffy.
I wasn't crazy with some language and subject matter, but it's nothing I haven't heard before, so eh not a fan but not gonna get worked up over it. I will say I actually did learn something useful pertaining to cooking mainly what exactly and how to identify the gizzard. *Thanks Eric's Dad*
One of my favorite parts in the book was also my favorite part in the movie, why I don't know, but it's when she's dealing with cooking lobsters. In the book it's like prolonged cause she has to cook multiple lobster dishes. I don't know why I find it humorous, maybe cause I would probably be dealing with the same pangs of guilt and episodes of freaking out she did if I were cooking up a live lobster.
Another part I enjoyed is the dinner that turns into a large get together during a black out. I don't know it's the idea that amidst chaos you and your peeps can find joy in good food and each other's company, I assume the meal was good I don't remember the particular consensus of how good it was.
Am I going to seek this book out to add as a permanent part of the library? I don't know yet, Still weighing the good against the bad. We'll see.
So my friends what did you all think of this book, and,or the movie? Are you guys reading anything good? Let me know in me comments. Have a good weekend guys and may God Bless You!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
Vampire >vv< Kitty
and Mousey~C>
*P.S. My family has a history of being friends to various degrees with the pastors of our church, I mean my Papaw and one of the preacher, God rest both their souls, use to pull pranks on each other. I think it was my Papaw, or my Dad, who asked the preacher, same one I just mention if I'm not mistaken, how he managed to pronounce some of those hard names and words in the Bible. The preacher said he just called it bread and butter and moved on.
Since I've renewed my library card, finally, I think I'll include write ups about them in these library segments, I mean in a sense they do become a part of your library briefly. For today's literary offering I give you: Julie and Julia: 365 Days, 524 Recipes, 1 Tiny Apartment by Julie Powell. *I also feel it's my duty to warn you if you decide to read this book or go to any of her blog links there will be foul language, you have been warned*
I've watched and enjoyed the movie Julie & Julia for many years, I even went and read the original blog, but I had yet to read the book. For the uninitiated Julie Powell, with inspiration from her husband Eric (did they ever get back together actually), decided to cook through Julia Child's Mastering the Art of French Cooking in a year. A feat I find impressive since the best I can do is cookies half the time, let alone some impossible sounding, to me, dishes. Also impossible to say, I remember when I read the blog my head would hurt reading those words, though it could have been reading small print late at night too. I think I just kinda breezed passed the French this time, adopting the bread and butter approach a preacher my family knew used.*
I find that I resonate with the author on a few levels we have some of the same physical and emotional issues (EX: She felt like a "drone", I find myself feeling like a "zombie"). We enjoy food, have had bad experience with maggots, and love Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which gets mentioned a lot in this book, it's actually interesting to read what she was doing the night I was watching the final episode of Buffy.
I wasn't crazy with some language and subject matter, but it's nothing I haven't heard before, so eh not a fan but not gonna get worked up over it. I will say I actually did learn something useful pertaining to cooking mainly what exactly and how to identify the gizzard. *Thanks Eric's Dad*
One of my favorite parts in the book was also my favorite part in the movie, why I don't know, but it's when she's dealing with cooking lobsters. In the book it's like prolonged cause she has to cook multiple lobster dishes. I don't know why I find it humorous, maybe cause I would probably be dealing with the same pangs of guilt and episodes of freaking out she did if I were cooking up a live lobster.
Another part I enjoyed is the dinner that turns into a large get together during a black out. I don't know it's the idea that amidst chaos you and your peeps can find joy in good food and each other's company, I assume the meal was good I don't remember the particular consensus of how good it was.
Am I going to seek this book out to add as a permanent part of the library? I don't know yet, Still weighing the good against the bad. We'll see.
So my friends what did you all think of this book, and,or the movie? Are you guys reading anything good? Let me know in me comments. Have a good weekend guys and may God Bless You!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
Vampire >vv< Kitty
and Mousey~C>
*P.S. My family has a history of being friends to various degrees with the pastors of our church, I mean my Papaw and one of the preacher, God rest both their souls, use to pull pranks on each other. I think it was my Papaw, or my Dad, who asked the preacher, same one I just mention if I'm not mistaken, how he managed to pronounce some of those hard names and words in the Bible. The preacher said he just called it bread and butter and moved on.
Saturday, January 27, 2018
Saturday Morning Sharings
Hello my friends,
I hope this post finds you all well. I have been in winter's grip, not as bad as the peeps in the north have had this year, but enough to turn me into a zombie* I think more so than usual, add in some other rough patches health wise and it's been a rather less than warm welcome to the new year. But we are thawed out, for now, and I'm trying shock life back into me. So for this post I'm kinda gonna channel Julie Wunder's Running in a Skirt blog where she does these posts occasionally called Currently and Things I'm Loving Lately, in which she discusses things she's doing, or into at the moment. Also probably homing in on Austin Kleon's Email Newsletters. I'm just gonna talk some things I'm enjoying or getting into right now.
Latest Movie Purchase
I don't buy movies often, but I saw Enchanted in the store and it's defiantly a top favorite of mine, so I had to get it. When this was out in theaters in 2007 I think, cause the DVD says the DVD released in 2008, I saw this twice, once with Fangirl, and then the two of us went to see it with my sister**, both times I came out of the theater feeling so happy. This is a feel good movie for me. It also is the reason I really think people need to just break into a good song and dance number a least once a day, any more than that and we're treading into Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Once More With Feeling territory in which singing and dancing not so great.
I was really happy to find the music video for Carrie Underwood's Ever After on the disc, I think I only kept catching snippets of it when it was on the TV, but now I finally got to see it all, and like the movie it makes me smile. It's one of my top two favorite songs from the soundtrack, That's How You Know is the other, and yes I purchased the soundtrack not long after I saw it the first time.
Another extra I love from this DVD is when they took three of the scenes and showed how they put it all together. Some people don't like having the secrets of scenes revealed, cause they feel the magic is ruined, it's never really ruined it for me, I find it all fascinating.
Attempting to Reread
I was hankering for some Jane Austen so I decided to reread Emma, but the mood has passed I believe I only seem to read a few sentences and I put it back down. Errr.
What's On My Youtube
I don't know how I came across this YouTube Channel but I'm enjoying it. It's called Book Roast brought to us by avid reader Gintare, I think I got that name right. She talks books, does critiques, but not in a ripping it to bits way. She also does a few subscription box openings, if I wasn't so broke I know at least one I'd subscribe to if I had extra cash to spend. She's a big Potterhead, a couple of her poxes are Potter themed. One of her bookcase shelves is dedicated to the series (I've wanted to do that too with not only the Potter series, but a few others as well).
Games I'm Zombieing Over
I've been playing Con Man: The Game a lot lately. It's based off the show Con Man with Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion. You basically get to fulfill your geeky fantasies and build your own convention. It's got everything in this game alien battles , geek culture references, and an elderly woman who has listened to Ray Steven's The Streak one to many times. There's even appearances by not only the main stars of the show, but some other members of the geek fame: Kevin Smith, Felicia Day, and Joss Whedon to name a few. If your a fan of the show, or want to run your own con I totally recommend this game if your looking to pass some time.
I've also been getting back into Dungeons and Dragons Online. I've been playing my blue haired elf trying to relearn everything. She got knocked over by a horde of trolls, one never wants to be adventuring alone and see a gang of trolls running at you.
In Memory
I sadly learned a singer who's music I enjoyed passed away. Her name was Lari White. Some of my favorite tunes included That's My Baby, Ready, Willing, And Able, and Take Me I thank her for the great music and hope she's at peace now.
I shall end my transmission here. I hope you all enjoy your weekend. God bless you!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
*PS- When I refer to myself as a Zombie or in zombie mode, it's that mind set where your just sitting there numbly going through your day. You don't feel quite all there.
**PSS- My sister was dying to get out of the house and asked Fangirl and me if we all could go out, despite the fact Fangirl and I had just came in from a out of state trip. Enchanted was still playing and they only thing I think good to see that night. I'll never for get the look on my sister's face when the opening musical number came on. One could read her thoughts "WHAT THE CRAP HAVE THEY BROUGHT ME TO?!"
I hope this post finds you all well. I have been in winter's grip, not as bad as the peeps in the north have had this year, but enough to turn me into a zombie* I think more so than usual, add in some other rough patches health wise and it's been a rather less than warm welcome to the new year. But we are thawed out, for now, and I'm trying shock life back into me. So for this post I'm kinda gonna channel Julie Wunder's Running in a Skirt blog where she does these posts occasionally called Currently and Things I'm Loving Lately, in which she discusses things she's doing, or into at the moment. Also probably homing in on Austin Kleon's Email Newsletters. I'm just gonna talk some things I'm enjoying or getting into right now.
Latest Movie Purchase
I don't buy movies often, but I saw Enchanted in the store and it's defiantly a top favorite of mine, so I had to get it. When this was out in theaters in 2007 I think, cause the DVD says the DVD released in 2008, I saw this twice, once with Fangirl, and then the two of us went to see it with my sister**, both times I came out of the theater feeling so happy. This is a feel good movie for me. It also is the reason I really think people need to just break into a good song and dance number a least once a day, any more than that and we're treading into Buffy the Vampire Slayer's Once More With Feeling territory in which singing and dancing not so great.
I was really happy to find the music video for Carrie Underwood's Ever After on the disc, I think I only kept catching snippets of it when it was on the TV, but now I finally got to see it all, and like the movie it makes me smile. It's one of my top two favorite songs from the soundtrack, That's How You Know is the other, and yes I purchased the soundtrack not long after I saw it the first time.
Another extra I love from this DVD is when they took three of the scenes and showed how they put it all together. Some people don't like having the secrets of scenes revealed, cause they feel the magic is ruined, it's never really ruined it for me, I find it all fascinating.
Attempting to Reread
I was hankering for some Jane Austen so I decided to reread Emma, but the mood has passed I believe I only seem to read a few sentences and I put it back down. Errr.
What's On My Youtube
I don't know how I came across this YouTube Channel but I'm enjoying it. It's called Book Roast brought to us by avid reader Gintare, I think I got that name right. She talks books, does critiques, but not in a ripping it to bits way. She also does a few subscription box openings, if I wasn't so broke I know at least one I'd subscribe to if I had extra cash to spend. She's a big Potterhead, a couple of her poxes are Potter themed. One of her bookcase shelves is dedicated to the series (I've wanted to do that too with not only the Potter series, but a few others as well).
Games I'm Zombieing Over
I've been playing Con Man: The Game a lot lately. It's based off the show Con Man with Alan Tudyk and Nathan Fillion. You basically get to fulfill your geeky fantasies and build your own convention. It's got everything in this game alien battles , geek culture references, and an elderly woman who has listened to Ray Steven's The Streak one to many times. There's even appearances by not only the main stars of the show, but some other members of the geek fame: Kevin Smith, Felicia Day, and Joss Whedon to name a few. If your a fan of the show, or want to run your own con I totally recommend this game if your looking to pass some time.
I've also been getting back into Dungeons and Dragons Online. I've been playing my blue haired elf trying to relearn everything. She got knocked over by a horde of trolls, one never wants to be adventuring alone and see a gang of trolls running at you.
In Memory
I sadly learned a singer who's music I enjoyed passed away. Her name was Lari White. Some of my favorite tunes included That's My Baby, Ready, Willing, And Able, and Take Me I thank her for the great music and hope she's at peace now.
I shall end my transmission here. I hope you all enjoy your weekend. God bless you!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
*PS- When I refer to myself as a Zombie or in zombie mode, it's that mind set where your just sitting there numbly going through your day. You don't feel quite all there.
**PSS- My sister was dying to get out of the house and asked Fangirl and me if we all could go out, despite the fact Fangirl and I had just came in from a out of state trip. Enchanted was still playing and they only thing I think good to see that night. I'll never for get the look on my sister's face when the opening musical number came on. One could read her thoughts "WHAT THE CRAP HAVE THEY BROUGHT ME TO?!"
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
The Ninja Writer's Library: Brian Froud and Alan Lee's Faeries
Hello my book nerd friends,
For the New Year I'm introducing a new segment to the blog The Ninja Writer's Library. In these posts I'll be talking about books: old ones, new ones, used, whatever I end up reading and finding in my shelves I feel like yammering to ya'll about.
Today's offering has been around in some form since according to the book's original copyright 1978, it is the Brian Froud and Alan Lee classic Faeries. This is the 25th edition that came out in 2002, the year I graduated high school. I received this as a Christmas present from my aunt this year, which goes great with one of the gifts I got from my sister The Labyrinth DVD, Brian Froud worked on the film, actually wasn't his son the baby?
This was an informative read. I mean I didn't know a lot of these legends and folklore surrounding different beings in the faery realm. Among these legends and tales you'll also find some faerie realm inspired poetry. There's even a section about flora and their ties to the faeries.
Of course there is the pairs' beautiful art. I actually wonder if they didn't also do work on The Spiderwick Chronicles movie, cause some of the drawings put me in the mind of the beings in the movie. Some of the pages were designed like illustrated journal entries with handwritten notes, which made it fill like you'd come across some old research text, though I found it difficult to decipher words/letters at times, not sure if it was the writing or the fact I wasn't wearing my reading glasses.
I will say some of the tales and descriptions left me a bit chilled. There was mention in this version that a woman had a copy signed for her future children, I'm hoping she meant for when their older, because while it's defiantly something to be shared with future generations I'd hesitate to read some of these stories to too young of children, if they're anything like I was the tales might induce panic and nightmares. Keep in mind I'm the kid who's over active imagination forced my Mom to have to call the school to get our librarian to lay off the weekly ghost stories. *hangs head in shame* so yes keep in mind these are not all happy faerie stories.
If your a fan of faerie art and folklore I really suggest this book. Maybe get one of the special editions that have come out since the original cause I know my edition included more art and writings I think than the original. I know it's going to be a keeper in my library.
I hope the new year finds you in many paged adventures my friends and God bless you all.
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
For the New Year I'm introducing a new segment to the blog The Ninja Writer's Library. In these posts I'll be talking about books: old ones, new ones, used, whatever I end up reading and finding in my shelves I feel like yammering to ya'll about.
Today's offering has been around in some form since according to the book's original copyright 1978, it is the Brian Froud and Alan Lee classic Faeries. This is the 25th edition that came out in 2002, the year I graduated high school. I received this as a Christmas present from my aunt this year, which goes great with one of the gifts I got from my sister The Labyrinth DVD, Brian Froud worked on the film, actually wasn't his son the baby?
This was an informative read. I mean I didn't know a lot of these legends and folklore surrounding different beings in the faery realm. Among these legends and tales you'll also find some faerie realm inspired poetry. There's even a section about flora and their ties to the faeries.
Of course there is the pairs' beautiful art. I actually wonder if they didn't also do work on The Spiderwick Chronicles movie, cause some of the drawings put me in the mind of the beings in the movie. Some of the pages were designed like illustrated journal entries with handwritten notes, which made it fill like you'd come across some old research text, though I found it difficult to decipher words/letters at times, not sure if it was the writing or the fact I wasn't wearing my reading glasses.
I will say some of the tales and descriptions left me a bit chilled. There was mention in this version that a woman had a copy signed for her future children, I'm hoping she meant for when their older, because while it's defiantly something to be shared with future generations I'd hesitate to read some of these stories to too young of children, if they're anything like I was the tales might induce panic and nightmares. Keep in mind I'm the kid who's over active imagination forced my Mom to have to call the school to get our librarian to lay off the weekly ghost stories. *hangs head in shame* so yes keep in mind these are not all happy faerie stories.
If your a fan of faerie art and folklore I really suggest this book. Maybe get one of the special editions that have come out since the original cause I know my edition included more art and writings I think than the original. I know it's going to be a keeper in my library.
I hope the new year finds you in many paged adventures my friends and God bless you all.
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
Monday, November 20, 2017
Austen and Austin
Happy Monday My Friends,
Well I'm happy to say this cold seems to be loosing it's grips from me even further. I unfortunantly till have some conjestion, I think I'll use a term a girl I knew said once, lung butter, but on the positive end I can pop my ears again! I never thought I'd be so happy to be able to pop my ears. Ok enough of this episode of my strange body let's get to more literary topics.
Musings of a Budding Janeite
If had told me in High School or college I would enjoy Jane Austen I'd proabably would have fallen off my unicorn. But I think it was only a matter of time. I enjoyed movies like Clueless, which is based off Emma, and The Jane Austen Book Club, I really enjoyed the mini series Lost in Austen. The closest I came to reading Jane's words was what was used in Sense and Sensibility, and Sea Monsters. I had a failed start one night, but I did attempt later with flying success, and thouroughly enjoyed it, I was kinda suprised to be honest... Should I ever marry I fear I'll hear my husband speak of my nerves as Mr. Bennet does his wife's. Last year at Books Unlimited I found a used copy of Emma with notes made by a student. Some probably don't like having books written in, but I love it, even if I don't understand sometimes what they've written.
The whole reson I bring up Austen is because of a web series inspired by her work Pride and Prejudice called The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. I discovered this while watching old episdes of Felicia Day's Flog. Actually it was more than a web series, websites, twitter accounts, and such were set up as though the characters had made them and they would post stuff to go along with the episodes. How often can one get a chance to tweet with Mr. Darcy. This year mark's the 5 year anniversary of the show so they are releasing the episodes, tweets, and all as they were released 5 years ago posting them through their Facebook Page. I was a little late when they started showing them again, but a quick binge and now I'm enjoying as it appears on my FB, I find it better this way as opposed to the huge binges sessions I did when I first watched it through. I really recommend you check it out, and when you're through with this series and are itching for more from Pemberly Digital's Austen interpretations check out Emma Approved and Welcome to Sandition, I think it's easy to guess what Austen work each is based from. The writers actually ended up combine all these Austen works into one universe, and they use the same multi media story telling format, Welcome to Sandition, if I understand correctly went as far as having their fans get involved in a roleplaying sort of thing, that was awesome. I'm kinda hoping these other two shows get the 5 year anniversary treatment next year.
When I started rewatching LBD I found this video in my Youtube recommendations. For the 5 year anniversary the cast came together to play a game called Marrying Mr. Darcy. Basically you assume the role of one of the single ladies of the book and try to end up with a suitor, or be an old maid. You know part of me wishes I had more Janeites around who would have fun with this, but at the same time makes me wander what my regular peeps would do with this.
If you've yet to tire of Jane Austen the Marrying Mr. Darcy blog shared a link to a Hellogiggles.com Article on How to Host a Jane Austen Girls' Night In. It's not an extensive list of ideas, but it does offer up some things I didn't know about.
The Austin in Austin
A few months ago I was diving in a Goodwill Outlet bin trying to find the rest of these Fairy and Mermaid Oracle Cards for Fangirl when I found Austin Kleon's Steal Like An Artist Journal. I was excited to find this. I've been following Austin Kleon for a bit, I don't know how I originally found him, maybe through the writer Keri Smith, though I'm pretty sure it was through his black out poetry. He's a writer and artist living in Austin Texas who sends out great e newsletters each week, and keeps cool notebooks. That's actual one of the purposes of the book I found is to be a notebook to collect your inspirations.
The book also has activities for you to do to get those creative juices flowing. My favorite thus far is where we were asked to climb up our creative family tree. You pick who your most influenced by then find 3 of that person's influences, and then those three's three. It's interesting an interesting tree I must say.
Of course I'm not the first to write in it, as I said it's used, but it's fun seeing what this person, a lover of Van's Chocolates apparently, came up with for some of these prompts. That's what I love about getting second hand books, you never know what treasures you'll find within, and I love connecting with a past reader of a used book I own.
With that I hope your week is good to you friends, may good books come your way, and God bless you!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
Well I'm happy to say this cold seems to be loosing it's grips from me even further. I unfortunantly till have some conjestion, I think I'll use a term a girl I knew said once, lung butter, but on the positive end I can pop my ears again! I never thought I'd be so happy to be able to pop my ears. Ok enough of this episode of my strange body let's get to more literary topics.
Musings of a Budding Janeite
If had told me in High School or college I would enjoy Jane Austen I'd proabably would have fallen off my unicorn. But I think it was only a matter of time. I enjoyed movies like Clueless, which is based off Emma, and The Jane Austen Book Club, I really enjoyed the mini series Lost in Austen. The closest I came to reading Jane's words was what was used in Sense and Sensibility, and Sea Monsters. I had a failed start one night, but I did attempt later with flying success, and thouroughly enjoyed it, I was kinda suprised to be honest... Should I ever marry I fear I'll hear my husband speak of my nerves as Mr. Bennet does his wife's. Last year at Books Unlimited I found a used copy of Emma with notes made by a student. Some probably don't like having books written in, but I love it, even if I don't understand sometimes what they've written.
The whole reson I bring up Austen is because of a web series inspired by her work Pride and Prejudice called The Lizzie Bennet Diaries. I discovered this while watching old episdes of Felicia Day's Flog. Actually it was more than a web series, websites, twitter accounts, and such were set up as though the characters had made them and they would post stuff to go along with the episodes. How often can one get a chance to tweet with Mr. Darcy. This year mark's the 5 year anniversary of the show so they are releasing the episodes, tweets, and all as they were released 5 years ago posting them through their Facebook Page. I was a little late when they started showing them again, but a quick binge and now I'm enjoying as it appears on my FB, I find it better this way as opposed to the huge binges sessions I did when I first watched it through. I really recommend you check it out, and when you're through with this series and are itching for more from Pemberly Digital's Austen interpretations check out Emma Approved and Welcome to Sandition, I think it's easy to guess what Austen work each is based from. The writers actually ended up combine all these Austen works into one universe, and they use the same multi media story telling format, Welcome to Sandition, if I understand correctly went as far as having their fans get involved in a roleplaying sort of thing, that was awesome. I'm kinda hoping these other two shows get the 5 year anniversary treatment next year.
When I started rewatching LBD I found this video in my Youtube recommendations. For the 5 year anniversary the cast came together to play a game called Marrying Mr. Darcy. Basically you assume the role of one of the single ladies of the book and try to end up with a suitor, or be an old maid. You know part of me wishes I had more Janeites around who would have fun with this, but at the same time makes me wander what my regular peeps would do with this.
If you've yet to tire of Jane Austen the Marrying Mr. Darcy blog shared a link to a Hellogiggles.com Article on How to Host a Jane Austen Girls' Night In. It's not an extensive list of ideas, but it does offer up some things I didn't know about.
The Austin in Austin
A few months ago I was diving in a Goodwill Outlet bin trying to find the rest of these Fairy and Mermaid Oracle Cards for Fangirl when I found Austin Kleon's Steal Like An Artist Journal. I was excited to find this. I've been following Austin Kleon for a bit, I don't know how I originally found him, maybe through the writer Keri Smith, though I'm pretty sure it was through his black out poetry. He's a writer and artist living in Austin Texas who sends out great e newsletters each week, and keeps cool notebooks. That's actual one of the purposes of the book I found is to be a notebook to collect your inspirations.
The book also has activities for you to do to get those creative juices flowing. My favorite thus far is where we were asked to climb up our creative family tree. You pick who your most influenced by then find 3 of that person's influences, and then those three's three. It's interesting an interesting tree I must say.
Of course I'm not the first to write in it, as I said it's used, but it's fun seeing what this person, a lover of Van's Chocolates apparently, came up with for some of these prompts. That's what I love about getting second hand books, you never know what treasures you'll find within, and I love connecting with a past reader of a used book I own.
With that I hope your week is good to you friends, may good books come your way, and God bless you!
Ninja <[0000]---------------[0000]> Writer
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