29 March, 2010

My Reading Does Double Duty: Research and Blog Challenge

I was just cruising the site of Book Chick City, a book reviewing blog that specializes in speculative fiction. I noticed that she had several book challenges going that were open to international readers/bloggers. This part was important because BCC is based in the UK.

Why not put all of the research that I am doing to a fun use? I thought. I could kill this challenge. Even when I read a book for the purpose of reviewing it, (because, let's face it, I am guilty of skimming when I read for entertainment) I can still devour 2-3 books a week. That's between my job, and writing, and grocery shopping, and visits to the bookstore... Well, you get the idea.

It's no wonder I have insomnia; my mind, let alone my body, just doesn't understand the concept of sleep. You mean, 6-10 hours where nothing gets accomplished? Pah!

Honestly, I had noticed the reading challenges before, but this week I have spring break, which means a whole nine days off from my job. What ever will I do with all that extra time? Do I live in a hot, sunny clime, where I'd spend the time on the beach or at the pool? Have I hoarded my laundry or put off spring cleaning? Are any of my friends available during the day, when I would encounter cabin fever? Will I really spend all of the time chained to my laptop, banging out my novel? Am I going to read the books anyway? No. No. No. Realistically no. YES.

In the spirit of ultimate multi-tasking, I have decided to take on 2 (That's T-W-O, people!) book challenges that Book Chick City is sponsoring. And the best part, I've already done some of the work. *modestly pats self on the back*. I love it when I've already got my foot in the door. Ok, enough gloating.
Until next read,
AliseOnLife



28 March, 2010

What I've Been Reading: YA Edition

Well, I have set aside my WIP for just a little while. Even though I haven't been adding to my novel, I have been doing some flash fiction. Check my page, This Is Me to see the two short stories that I have written for a contest sponsored by Novel Novice. I'm a little ashamed to admit that two migraines this week sidelined me from really doing as much as I wanted.

However, in the absence of advancing my word count, I have been putting in many hours reading books. Because of the nature of my current WIP, I am obsessed right now with paranormal YA. I have glutted my bookshelf with recent and hotly anticipated releases.

I just joined Good Reads, a website I can't believe I didn't know about before! But, I'm making up time by posting some snapshot reviews of all of the books that I have read in the past few weeks. There will be no spoilers as yet, but I'll make sure to note when there are. This will be my YA edition. As I read, or covet, books in other genres, I'll include them also.
Until next read,
AliseOnLife


Magic Under Glass Magic Under Glass by Jaclyn Dolamore


My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I was drawn into this world, and especially the character of Nim. I know that the story of Nim and Erris will continue, and I can't wait to find out if Erris will ever surrender his clockwork body!


Hush, Hush Hush, Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Well-written and absorbing. The type of book that I would keep reading even when I should be sleeping or working, because I just have to find out what is next.


Fallen (Fallen, #1) Fallen by Lauren Kate


My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Very suspenseful. I loved the language in this book, as well as the darkness of each character. Every discovery revealed more mystery, more layers, and kept me turning the pages.


Guardian of the Dead Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey


My rating: 2 of 5 stars
As much as I anticipated this novel, I was completely lost in the multiple plotlines that were intertwined throughout. Though these plotlines were revealed to have a connection at the climax of the tale, I wasn't overly impressed. As a person of Native people heritage (1/4), I applaud the author's attempt at bringing to life Maori creation myths. However, the rhythm and melody of the oral tradition was completely lost in the telling. I wasn't drawn into the story, and only felt compelled to finish because I very rarely 'give up' on a book.


Click to see books from all genres that I've rated>>

24 March, 2010

Literary Collision

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to see a second-grade class perform, Los Tres Cerditos Y El Lobo Feroz (The Three Little Pigs). As the third little pig knocked on the service window of 'Casa Depot' and ordered the bricks he would use to build his house, a girl in a stripy blue dress skipped over. 'Did someone say brick?' 'Aye yi yi. Wrong fairy tale.' Cue laughter from audience. I think I was more amused than everyone else. Why? Because I love it when fictional characters from different stories come together. Granted, most of my examples are animated. Teen Titans. The Justice League of America. League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (the graphic novel, NOT the movie).

Just a few days later, I happened to see a tweet by NovelNovice, a literary blog that I 'found' through Twitter. They are running a contest called, Literary Lovers Mash-Up, now through March 28th. (Click on the link to see all the deets.) Genius, I must say. And, it got my creative juices flowing so much that I woke up at 3am, unable to go back to sleep. I just had to put down the idea that showed itself as a dream. Halfway through the first story, I had another idea, and then another. I made a list, because I couldn't keep them all straight in my head.

I've decided that I want to post what I've come up with on my blog. I'd like to start showcasing some of my own work. Since the contest asks for submissions to stay under 500 words, I also thought that this would be a good way to practice KISS, in my writing. I'll post a different intro each day, until Sunday. Click on my new page, This Is Me, to see what I've penned.
Until Next Read,
AliseOnLife

21 March, 2010

How I Learned to Love YA

Recently, I've noticed how popular YA novels have become with people who aren't, well, young adults. My sister has been raving about several authors over the past few years, namely, Anna Godbersen and Maggie Stiefvater. Now, Jenna would not be considered a young adult, (I won't divulge her actual age, because we're twins!) but she reads YA almost exclusively.

Most of the short stories that I have completed, and all of the novels that I have started were aimed at an adult audience. Why not try something new? I thought to myself last year, when I hit a serious wall in my creativity. And so, I embarked on a new YA manuscript. Of course, the first thing I had to do was research.

The first author that I read shelved in the YA section of Barnes and Noble was Susan Beth Pfeffer. Her novel, Life As We Knew It, caught my eye because it dealt with a world-wide phenomenon, that would quickly turn Earth into a post-apocalyptic wasteland. And it was all the more compelling, because it was relatively plausible. I read the companion, The Dead and The Gone soon after.

Now, I was hooked. Research? What research? I was now reading books that I liked, not just to study the craft, but for entertainment. I devoured Melissa de la Cruz's Bluebloods and Masquerade (pun intended). Maureen Johnson, Mandy Hubbard, Rachel Caine and Melissa Marr are authors that I found in my local library. I quickly realized how much talent I had missed out on by bypassing the YA section.

I've just finished reading Jaclyn Dolamore's Magic Under Glass, and I've started Becca Fitzpatrick's Hush Hush. And I have to say that judging by all of these authors, the bar is pretty high. So, I'm going back to my own manuscript, because I've got some work to do.
Until next read,
AliseOnLife

18 March, 2010

Author Appreciation Week: C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp

The 'traditional' vampire goes out the door in C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp's Thrall series. Kate Reilly is one of the few people who has survived the bite of a master vampire. They are known as the Thrall, a parasite that invades the human body and communicates with a hive mind.

In the first book, Touch of Evil, Kate has to battle the call of the Thrall. Her life has come at a cost, because now she stands in line to be the Thrall Queen. She has also found incredible chemistry with a firefighter, Tom. But, trust does not come easy between the two. Tom is hiding the fact that his werewolf pack could have the answer to keeping Kate from completing the change to Thrall Queen.

In Touch of Madness, Kate returns with the threat of a multiple murder trial hanging over her head. The Thrall still have her in their sights, and they want to use her for their own means. Even having earned the title, Not Prey, cannot keep her out of the Thrall's reach.

The series wraps up with Touch of Darkness. Kate uncovers a diabolical plan put into motion by the new leader of the Thrall. Her Not Prey status has been taken away, and Kate must fight for her life and her relationship with Tom.

Keeping up with Kate Reilly's life is not easy. The second and third books jump right into the action, and a reader could get lost in the complexity of the plot. But, starting at the beginning is never a bad idea in the case of a trilogy, anyway.

If you like your fantasy in a real-world setting, with danger on every page, try this series. I also recommend the other series that C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp co-author, Tales of the Sazi, if you like paranormal romance. Shapeshifters and action abound!

Find the authors at: http://www.ciecatrunpubs.com
Cathy Clamp is on Twitter! @cathyclamp

Until next read,
AliseOnLife

Priorities...And a Very Pleasant Surprise

I was all set to start reading Cat's Claw, by Amber Benson (yes, all you BTVS fans, THAT Amber Benson), and then I received a phone call yesterday. It was the handy dandy automated phone service that my township library system has set up. I had a book being held for me, which I didn't remember ordering.

Now, I could have just gone onto the website to see what was there. However, my week had not been going very well, and I thought a surprise might help cheer me up. I scurried over, when I had a few moments to spare. What I picked up was a very good surprise, indeed. I was holding a copy of Jaclyn Dolamore's Magic Under Glass. I wanted to start this book so badly, right then. I did in fact, read the first five pages, sitting in the parking lot. I was hooked by the end of the first sentence.

I now found myself with a dilemma. I had already chosen the four books that I wanted to read over the next month. I had planned to review them, and I wanted to get started because I had hoped to get my blog up and running. Three of the books are also library books, so I had prioritized my reading to avoid late charges, or holding onto a book that might be in high demand.

The whole plan went out the window. I want to read this book, and I do not have the willpower to resist. It's Magic Under Glass, and I am not ashamed to push it to the front of the line. I'll return to the books that I have on My Bookshelf, just as soon as I finish. But, for now, I am interrupting the regularly scheduled programming.

Until next read,
AliseOnLife



Most informed YA readers are aware of the controversy surrounding the book cover of Magic Under Glass. I don't aim to comment in this post on the whole deal. However, I did think that I would post the two covers, so my readers can see the differences. The one on the left (or top) is what Barnes and Noble and Amazon have on their websites. The one on the right (or bottom) is what my copy looks like.

15 March, 2010

Currently Reading

I have found that my brain seems to function so much better when it has many things to process. For example, most nights I can be seen reading a book, watching television (with the captions on), and downloading music to my G1. All at the same time. And at the end of the night, I could tell you the track time of the 'Star in the Reasonably Priced Car', how many zombies Elizabeth Bennett had to kill on the road to Netherfield, and show off my newest playlist.

But, when I try to do just one thing, I can never seem to manage it. Unless, that one thing is reading a book like Matt Beaumont's newest novel.

Because, e
² has a format unlike the typical novel. We learn about the lives (and loves, and hates) of the employees of Meerkat360 through mostly emails. There are also blog posts and SMS messages thrown in for a change of pace. I will say that this is the continuing story of these characters, originally introduced in e, which I have not read. However, I haven't had any problem jumping right in and enjoying the chaos.

I know that there are other books that have used this format. The one that comes to mind right away is Holly's Inbox by Holly Denham, which I read just a few months ago. Both novels take place in England, and are quite enjoyable reads. You don't have to live in the UK to appreciate either book. You just have to have shared cubicle space or a break room with someone... how shall I say it?... crazy.
I have grown up in the age of emailing, texting, and SMSing as the alternative form of communication. (You know, instead of standing in front of someone and having a conversation with them.) So, e² is a match made in heaven for someone like me. A slightly neurotic, multi-tasking, techno-loving, reader.
Until next read,
AliseOnLife


Note: This is not a review of the book, it is merely my musings as I read. The books that I have listed under On My Bookshelf, will be books that I fully review.




13 March, 2010

The Beginning

As the title suggests, this is the first post in my new blog. I could start by telling you a few things about myself, but all of my quirks and foibles will, no doubt, be uncovered in future blog posts. What I will say is this: I am a reader, a writer, and most importantly, NOT AFRAID TO SHARE MY OPINION.

In the future, I will be posting excerpts from my own writing. But, I want to start out by posting reviews of books that I read. I am not a literary snob, so I read from a wide variety of genres. I want to share the joy that I find in reading. It doesn't matter what it is, just as long as it has words.

Though, I will be reviewing actual books. Ones that I check out from the library or purchase at the bookstore. Yes, I do actually still shop at bookstores. All the time, in fact. I like to see books and touch them, and run my fingers over the covers... I sound like a bit of a perv, now. I promise I am not. I just love books. I will leave that as the last word.

Until next read,
AliseOnLife

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