One of my favorite supporting characters is the "Granny" or "Auntie" - basically the wise woman who gives advice, shares experiences, and, my personal preference, can kick some ass no matter what decade they're rockin'. These are the women who might look sweet on the outside, but you would not want to cross them. I think we need more characters who still get the job done after their 20s are over.
Here are some of my favorites:
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Knights of Badassdom
Oh hell yeah! If I don't see this movie, I need to turn in my Geek card (and that would be a travesty - all those lovely geek shirts would go to waste).
Peter Dinklage, Ryan Kwanten, Summer Glau, Steve Zahn, Danny Pudi - what happens when LARPers open a gate to hell.
Link goes to io9 - an awesome source for the sci fi/fantasy fan. There's a trailer that was released at Comic Con.
http://io9.com/5824161/in-the-first-knights-of-badassdom-trailer-larpers-open-the-gates-of-hell
Peter Dinklage, Ryan Kwanten, Summer Glau, Steve Zahn, Danny Pudi - what happens when LARPers open a gate to hell.
Link goes to io9 - an awesome source for the sci fi/fantasy fan. There's a trailer that was released at Comic Con.
http://io9.com/5824161/in-the-first-knights-of-badassdom-trailer-larpers-open-the-gates-of-hell
A little rant...
I should know better than to read certain discussions on certain boards. I really should. In my defense, I have met many wonderful readers and authors from these same boards, so the benefits are far greater than the momentary moments of Hulk rage I feel when reading certain opinions.
Yes, I chant the mantra, "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion," and I repeat as necessary.
The thing is, it's not so much that we disagree. I disagree with my goodreads friends from time to time, but not one of us takes it personally. Sometimes it's fun to debate why we liked/didn't like certain things. It's part of being in a community of readers, and some books strike a chord within us, giving rise to passionate arguments. I respect that.
What drives me up a freaking wall are the folks who have a vendetta against anything involving the paranormal and try to make Urban Fantasy readers feel inferior for enjoying their favorite books (same applies to Romance or YA readers). I've already gone ranty on this once (see http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/266622-just-my-opinion).
Romance, Fantasy and YA have been taking hits lately right and left - it's too dark, it's a bad influence, blah blah blah. The funniest part is that the majority of the haters haven't even read the books they are railing against. It boggles the mind and leads to moments of the aforementioned Hulk rage.
Today's rant is about folks who hate UF because some of them have romantic elements (again, these are the people who want UF wiped off the map, not those who just choose not to read it).
Yes, I chant the mantra, "Everyone is entitled to their own opinion," and I repeat as necessary.
The thing is, it's not so much that we disagree. I disagree with my goodreads friends from time to time, but not one of us takes it personally. Sometimes it's fun to debate why we liked/didn't like certain things. It's part of being in a community of readers, and some books strike a chord within us, giving rise to passionate arguments. I respect that.
What drives me up a freaking wall are the folks who have a vendetta against anything involving the paranormal and try to make Urban Fantasy readers feel inferior for enjoying their favorite books (same applies to Romance or YA readers). I've already gone ranty on this once (see http://www.goodreads.com/story/show/266622-just-my-opinion).
Romance, Fantasy and YA have been taking hits lately right and left - it's too dark, it's a bad influence, blah blah blah. The funniest part is that the majority of the haters haven't even read the books they are railing against. It boggles the mind and leads to moments of the aforementioned Hulk rage.
Today's rant is about folks who hate UF because some of them have romantic elements (again, these are the people who want UF wiped off the map, not those who just choose not to read it).
Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Currently Reading...
I usually read a few books at once. Sometimes I want something dark, sometimes I'm in a lighter mood. I might feel nostalgic and read a kid's book, or a romance if I absolutely must have that happily ever after. Now that I've caught up on some things on my to do list, I'm also catching up on my reading. I've finished quite a few books this week, and started some new ones too.
Here's what's on my shelf now:
Dead Iron by Devon Monk: Magical Western Steampunk adventure. I'm about halfway through it and really enjoying this one.
Brightest Kind of Darkness by PT Michelle: YA paranormal romance. I like this one a lot. Sweet and the hero isn't a jerk to the heroine (I'm a little tired of the teen boys being asshats).
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter: I loved book 1 and this one is starting out well.
Feed by Mira Grant: Awesome zombie book. I even have an autographed copy of this one (with a drawing of a chainsaw - fantastic!)
Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor: This one looks like it will be a good one, but the subject matter is very dark, so I will likely start and stop it many times before I finish. Set in Africa with a young woman who is the child of rape. I'd barely started the book and I wanted to cry.
The Hidden Goddess by MK Hobson: I loved book 1 and I have a feeling book 2 will be just as much fun.
Embassytown by China Mieville: It's taking me a little bit to get into this one. I've never read Mieville before, but heard that the books can be challenging.
This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost: I really liked the beginning of this one, then realized that I should have read the 2 spin offs first (not that you have to to understand the story, I just found I wanted to read them first). So this one is on hold for now.
Hexed by Kevin Hearne: Just got this one. Book 2 in Iron Druid series. Can't wait for more Atticus and Oberon!
New Atlantis: Musicians Battle for the Survival of New Orleans by John Swenson: Just getting into this one. I don't usually read non-fiction, but this book called to me. The beginning is an education into the NO music scene, so sometimes I'm in info overload, but then you get into the gut wrenching loss.
I will undoubtedly be adding more books to the list before the week is out, but that's what it looks like today. Hope you are all finding some good reads. If there's something you think I should be reading, let me know!
Here's what's on my shelf now:
Dead Iron by Devon Monk: Magical Western Steampunk adventure. I'm about halfway through it and really enjoying this one.
Brightest Kind of Darkness by PT Michelle: YA paranormal romance. I like this one a lot. Sweet and the hero isn't a jerk to the heroine (I'm a little tired of the teen boys being asshats).
Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter: I loved book 1 and this one is starting out well.
Feed by Mira Grant: Awesome zombie book. I even have an autographed copy of this one (with a drawing of a chainsaw - fantastic!)
Who Fears Death by Nnedi Okorafor: This one looks like it will be a good one, but the subject matter is very dark, so I will likely start and stop it many times before I finish. Set in Africa with a young woman who is the child of rape. I'd barely started the book and I wanted to cry.
The Hidden Goddess by MK Hobson: I loved book 1 and I have a feeling book 2 will be just as much fun.
Embassytown by China Mieville: It's taking me a little bit to get into this one. I've never read Mieville before, but heard that the books can be challenging.
This Side of the Grave by Jeaniene Frost: I really liked the beginning of this one, then realized that I should have read the 2 spin offs first (not that you have to to understand the story, I just found I wanted to read them first). So this one is on hold for now.
Hexed by Kevin Hearne: Just got this one. Book 2 in Iron Druid series. Can't wait for more Atticus and Oberon!
New Atlantis: Musicians Battle for the Survival of New Orleans by John Swenson: Just getting into this one. I don't usually read non-fiction, but this book called to me. The beginning is an education into the NO music scene, so sometimes I'm in info overload, but then you get into the gut wrenching loss.
I will undoubtedly be adding more books to the list before the week is out, but that's what it looks like today. Hope you are all finding some good reads. If there's something you think I should be reading, let me know!
Friday, July 15, 2011
Catching Up
All righty then - it's Friday, the newest (and last) Harry Potter movie is out, and I'm digging my way out of my "to do" list hole.
I did not stand in line to see the latest Potter movie. I think those days are behind me. Most of the time I wait for movies to come out on DVD, because, well, I'm a book person and don't want to spend $20 to see a movie that's just "OK". I am making an exception for Harry Potter and Captain America. I'm just waiting for things to calm down a little before I go see THE MOVIE OF THE SUMMER.
Recent Reads
After the jump there's some books that I've read and really enjoyed...
I did not stand in line to see the latest Potter movie. I think those days are behind me. Most of the time I wait for movies to come out on DVD, because, well, I'm a book person and don't want to spend $20 to see a movie that's just "OK". I am making an exception for Harry Potter and Captain America. I'm just waiting for things to calm down a little before I go see THE MOVIE OF THE SUMMER.
Recent Reads
After the jump there's some books that I've read and really enjoyed...
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Deadlines, T-Shirts, Writing, and New Books
Yep - I am in deadline hell. OK, so part of it are my own personal ones, but those are worse because I really want to finish them. So today I put on my deadline shirt (see right, another awesome acquisition from the fine folks at ThinkGeek.com) and I'm steadily making progress. I can tell that I'm not in overload yet, snarky humor still intact. You know I'm trying to kick deadline ass when the Wonder Woman shirt comes out.
But now it's break time, so I can check another item off my to-do list and actually write a blog post.
I have shared my love of t-shirts here before (the She-Ra shirt is still on my list), but I keep finding new ones! Like this beauty:
Evil-looking unicorns, robots, rainbows - I MUST HAVE!
I should know by now that venturing into ThinkGeek space is dangerous for the wallet, but I guess I am a slow learner in this regard.
I also signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo (I just love the word count widgets - they help keep me on track). I also like the whole goal thing - I know, it's just another deadline, but that's how my life is. It helps me power through any blocks I might have. So far I am behind, but that will change tomorrow.
Today a whole bunch of books I want to read were released to the world, overfilling my already overfilled TBR list - not that I'm complaining, it just doesn't go well with the whole "get out of deadline hell" plan I have going. Dead Iron by Devon Monk, My Life as A White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland, Hammered by Kevin Hearne (this is a double whammy cause I need to read Hexed, too), Sirensong by Jenna Black, as well as the other June and early July releases such as Heartless by Gail Carriger, Brightest Kind of Darkness by PT Michelle, Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter. It is an excellent summer for the reader in me.
Well, break time is over. Once more into the breach and all that. Hope you are keeping cool and reading great books!
| http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/womens/d3eb/ |
But now it's break time, so I can check another item off my to-do list and actually write a blog post.
I have shared my love of t-shirts here before (the She-Ra shirt is still on my list), but I keep finding new ones! Like this beauty:
 |
| http://www.thinkgeek.com/tshirts-apparel/womens/e8f4/ |
Evil-looking unicorns, robots, rainbows - I MUST HAVE!
I should know by now that venturing into ThinkGeek space is dangerous for the wallet, but I guess I am a slow learner in this regard.
I also signed up for Camp NaNoWriMo (I just love the word count widgets - they help keep me on track). I also like the whole goal thing - I know, it's just another deadline, but that's how my life is. It helps me power through any blocks I might have. So far I am behind, but that will change tomorrow.
Today a whole bunch of books I want to read were released to the world, overfilling my already overfilled TBR list - not that I'm complaining, it just doesn't go well with the whole "get out of deadline hell" plan I have going. Dead Iron by Devon Monk, My Life as A White Trash Zombie by Diana Rowland, Hammered by Kevin Hearne (this is a double whammy cause I need to read Hexed, too), Sirensong by Jenna Black, as well as the other June and early July releases such as Heartless by Gail Carriger, Brightest Kind of Darkness by PT Michelle, Uncommon Criminals by Ally Carter. It is an excellent summer for the reader in me.
Well, break time is over. Once more into the breach and all that. Hope you are keeping cool and reading great books!
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