Books

What I’m Reading: August 2018

I have two difficult drafts that I'm working on that I keep editing and restructuring and sometimes avoiding, which is why I haven't been posting as often. I need a break from the emotional energy required by those posts. So on to books. I am currently reading... The Princess Bride by William Goldman This is… Continue reading What I’m Reading: August 2018

Books

Summer Reading List

I've rejoiced my parents' last day of school. I've purchased aloe for a terrible sunburn. I've broken out the baby powder for 80-degree days. Summer is upon us. That means it's time to read. A lot. If you're looking for suggestions, I have TRILLIONS. I even organized them from fluffy to thought-provoking, with ample gray… Continue reading Summer Reading List

Books

MINI BOOK REVIEW: Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

First impression: "This looks really trashy." Second impression: "No one can see me reading this." My emotional journey: "This is stupid." "But it's written so beautifully." "Sold. I'm into it." "What's going on with the teeth?" "Wow, this is getting intense." "WHY IS HE ON FIRE!?!?" "NOOOOOO!" "NOOOOOOOOO!" "Okay, that took a turn." "I get… Continue reading MINI BOOK REVIEW: Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor

Books

Book Betrayals: A List of Past Hurts, pt. 4

(Additional rants can be found here, here, and here.) I used to read more fantasy. Scanning my bookshelf, I see magical realism and memoirs where I once kept wizards and fairies. I still love Harry Potter and I'll take a good prophecy every now and again, but I avoid outright magical stories. It's possible these books are… Continue reading Book Betrayals: A List of Past Hurts, pt. 4

Books

Book Betrayals: A List of Past Hurts, pt. 3

(Catch up on part 1 and part 2.) Good ol' genre fiction. The stories I love tend to be more plot- than character-oriented, promising a fun ride. My favorite genres include chick lit, mystery, romance, and adventure. Meet the biggest offender for each of the above genres. Kale, My Ex, and Other Things to Toss… Continue reading Book Betrayals: A List of Past Hurts, pt. 3

Books

Book Betrayals: A List of Past Hurts, pt. 1

When it comes to books, I am a cheapskate. In this area of my life, I value quantity over quality, blowing my budget on thrifty, vaguely-interesting paperbacks rather than the one or two pricey hardbacks I really want. Why bother when I'm going to switch them out for cheaper, less bulky, better-looking copies in six months?… Continue reading Book Betrayals: A List of Past Hurts, pt. 1

Books

R.I.P. It or Ship It: Round 11

For round 11, I picked Alanna of Trebond from The Song of the Lioness Quartet and Emma Woodhouse from Emma Background Alanna of Trebond switched places with her twin brother and posed as a boy for years to become Tortall's first female knight. Her world consists of swordplay, jousting, and magical powers bestowed upon her by… Continue reading R.I.P. It or Ship It: Round 11

Books, Theater

R.I.P. It or Ship It: Round 1

For round 1, I picked: Daine Sarrasri from the Tortall Universe and Alexander Hamilton from Hamilton Background Daine Sarrasri, the lame follow-up protagonist to Alanna of Trebond, almost made me swear off fantasy. Daine represents everything I hate in female characters: she has the power to talk to animals, but is too incompetent to be of much use.… Continue reading R.I.P. It or Ship It: Round 1

Books

TERRIBLE PROSE TUESDAY: Harry Potter phenomena I don’t understand

The Harry Potter fanbase has decided on things that I don't agree with and/or comprehend and I wanted to take today to go through some of those things.

Books

BOOK REVIEW: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo

Warning: So many spoilers. If you'd like a summary, scroll to the bottom of the review. Hey, Shadow and Bone. C'mere. I wanna talk to you. Sit down, Shadow and Bone. How have you been? I've been hearing really great things about you. You know, I really liked you at first. I mean, really liked you. Your first 90 or so… Continue reading BOOK REVIEW: Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo