Calling all Readers....

I'm working on yet another reading list for my library's web site.  This time they have requested I make a list of Paranormal Romance and include Twilight series.  I read a ton, but so far this year, I've made a fantasy reading list (which included vamp books and urban fantasy) and a monster book list ( included non-traditional monster books, werewolf heros, shoe-loving vampires, CIA assassin Vamps...the usual suspects).

This third list won't be put out until February, but I don't want to overlap many of the books either.  Huge series which are still coming out, but started years ago don't tend to work well either, because older books are less likely to still be in collections.  All the books on the list must be in at least 5 of system's libraries (BCCLS - we have 70+ libraries).

So if you have some great paranormal romances that you love leave me a comment.  Please give me the author and a title at least NOT just a series. 

Currently reading : The Sacred Book of the Werewolf: A Novel By Victor Pelevin

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Wake by Lisa McMann
Category: Writing and Poetry

Title: Wake
Author: Lisa McMann
Publisher: Simon & Schuster, 2008
ISBN: 978-1-4169-5357-9
Review - Nominated for BBYA 2009

Plot: Ever since she was eight years old, high school student Janie Hannagan has been uncontrollably drawn into other people's dreams, but it is not until she befriends an elderly nursing home patient and becomes involved with an enigmatic fellow-student that she discovers her true power. Working in the nursing home is a way for Janie to save for college, but sometimes it's torture when the residents pull her into dreams of wartime and it's getting worse. School isn't any better, when classmates regularly nod off in class or in study hall and drag Janie with them. You see Janie can't escape the dreams and when she's dragged in she often passes out or appears to be having a seizure. After one incident at work, she's forced to go to a doctor and he begs her not to drive. She, of course, ignores him and buys a car. On the way home one night, she's dragged into a boy's nightmare and in time she find out it's the cute skater guy who came to her rescue the spring before. As he and Janie become friends and more the lies and complications mount until it climaxes in an unbelievable, but happy ending for the main characters.

Thoughts:
This book was much deeper than I thought it was going to be. Not mentioned in the cover flap info is the alcoholic mother (Janie's), the dead brother (her best friend's), the abusive father (the boy's) and the drug dealing at parties. It mixes fantasy, teen romance, and police drama complete with rich bad girls and teen drama. Sex is talked about but there is nothing explicit and while some of the secrets and consistences just seem too unreal the story was a much better read than anticipated. From the ending of this book, I'm betting that it's the start of a series. And I can't wait to read the next installment.

Currently reading : Wake By Lisa McMann

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Family Trip to Disney
Current mood: satisfied

I've been a very lazy blogger, but what else is new.

I needed to post something about our recent trip to the House of Mouse though.  One of my sister-in-laws (or should that be sisters-in-law?), is a big fan of Disney parks and has gone quite a bit with her daughter.  Last year, two of my sister-in-laws and thier families plus my father-in-law went and REALLY wanted Adam and I to join them.  It so wasn't a possibility with Pennsic and the fact that they were going in December.  Adam works retail so...no way no how on that trip.  They all had so much fun that it was quickly decided that we'd all plan a trip for a time of the year Adam and I could join them.

We decided on September and it turned out to be a good choice even if FL was still VERY hot.  Just after school started the crowds were at a manageable level and Adam was SO spoiled on his first trip.  The longest line we stood in was to get pictures with Mickey and that was really only about 45 Mins.  Most of the rides were 20-45 mins and we used fast passes to do the wait in line, then use Fast Pass trick to go twice quickly. 

High points of the Parks....the Lion King Show.  It made me want to go spend the money to see the live show.  It was really great!   Also high on the list were Everest (my new fav rollercoaster), Rockin' Rollercoaster - my first time on it and they didn't warn me it went upside down!, and Tower of Terror which was SO much better this time than it was a couple years ago with my friend EAJ.  It bounced ALOT! and Adam was afraid I'd bounce out because I was becoming airborn before he was *laugh*

Another special high point....I was tigger-napped!  Tigger was on his way to a honey break with Pooh and saw me wearing my tigger bouncing on Pooh tee and stopped, grabbed my hand and hauled me after Pooh and thier handler.  I could barely keep up, boy could that Tigger RUN!  I'm hollaring "Pooh Pooh! Wait up..."  The Handler is calling over her shoulder, "Pooh and Tigger are going to get honey, we'll be back in a few." and not even looking over her shoulder.  Finally she does and realizes that Tigger won't let me go...and Tigger is trying to get someone to get a pick of me with both Tigger and Pooh and the handler is trying to hussle them into thier break *laugh*  We ended up going over to where Tigger and Pooh were doing pictures and standing in line.  By the time we got to the front Tigger and Pooh had to go on another break and when they came back (sorry to spoil the illusionf or some) the same Tigger who had tigger-napped me was back.  He gave me a hug and let me get a picture kissing his nose.  It was very coola nd very fun.  I wish I could have spoken to the 'spirit' of Tigger inside the fur suit the day.  Something tells me I would like him/her alot.

Now for what most of my friends want to hear about....the FOOD.

We flew down and our first dinner was at Wolfgang Puck's restaurant at Downtown Disney.  It was GREAT  I had pumpkin ravioli and Adam had meatloaf on a bed of garlic mashed that was to die for....I know I stole some!

Our first day in the parks we were in Animal Kingdom and we had breakfast at AK Lodge - BOMA.  It was a great buffet with African dishes and classic american plus a custom omlette station.  Those who know me, know I didn't go near the omlette station.  I'm sorry there was breakfast curry with biscuits, a bake with some funky african spices, a hot creal from a grain that I can neither say nor spell!, plus roast ham, turkey, grits, and 100 other things I can't make or twist my hubby's arm into making...to hell with omelettes!  After starting the day there....and oh yeah...thier special juice blend.  OMG!  Nectar of the Gods or close to it....Mango, passion fruit, pinapple, orange, and more I think.  It's the Boma special juice and it was AWESOME~!  Even if I had to drink 3 glasses of water to follow it.  Damned Citric Acid allergy!

As I was saying, after starting the day there we explored part of Animal Kingdom.  We went to see the bugs and some dinosaur stuff and had soem decent chinese food for lunch.  For dinner we met with the rest of the family and had a private safarii tour and a Africian buffet dinner.  More curry and roasted meat and salmon (didn't know that was african, but whatever it was good) lots of different cous cous.  Ended the day in the pool rough housing with the kids for 2 hours...;)

Friday was MGM - now Disney hollywood - Studios.  We couldn't pass up going to Sci-Fi Cafe.  No the food wasn't 4 star, but it was still good and they have VERY good cherry cokes!  Adam enjoyed the experience and we both got lightup toys to take home.

Saturday was mini-putt with Robin and Sage and a lazy 1/2 day at Epcot.  We had lunch in Japan...good but only ok.  the Ginger cake was reallygood though.  After lunch and henna we had Japanese shaved ice....yummy in Melon flavor!

Dinner was in Mexico at St Angel's.  Food gets an A++, atmosphere gets a B-, and service maybe a solid B.  We had to wait for our waiter quite awhile to even get a menu or chips & water.  In his defence, it was busy....read mobbed.  Which is why it gets the lower grade for atmosphere.  If you don't like crowds..this place is not for you.  It's inside an incan pyrsmid so no windows, always night and the tour of mexico ride passes by one side and the open 'market' is on the otherside.  Even though there was room, it felt over crowded and smushed.  the food was delish though.  We had (and we shared so it really was a we on this place)  Lamb with cheesy rice over beets and sirloin with plantains.  I had a white chocolate moouse for dessert that made me wish for seconds.

Sunday was in Epcot again, but this time with Adam's dad, Carl.  We cheated and rented a cart for me this day so I culd keep up with Carl in his scooter.  We were fairly lazy this day too.  We started early...too early for some of the stuff there to be open.  We had lunch in Moraco @ Marakesh.  It was really nice.  They get A++ on everything: Food, furniture, entertainment, service, everything!  We left wanting to know where we could buy the chairs they had in thier dinning room!  Desserts were not a cop out, but were fruit dishes or baklava which is true to the region.  Everything top notch, I'd love to go back there for dinner some time.

Monday, we FINALLY went to the Magic Kingdom, which to me is true Disney.  i know it's hokey and aimed at kids and the food was the worst there.  That being said, it wasn't that bad.  We had burgers and on the sides bar there were sauteed mushrooms, good cheese sause, fresh tomatoes, onions, lettuce...they were a good 3-4 steps up form Mickey-D burgers even if they were gourmet.  Dinner was another family affair at the Polenesian at O'hana.  We had MEAT and more MEAT and more MEAT and a little bowl of veggies and a HUGE plate of Bannana Foster Bread pudding.  It was ok.  If we'd done it early in teh week I'd have been raving about it, but it kinda paled after Marakesh and St. Angel...oh andBoma and Puck's!

Tuesday we ended up going back to Animal Kingdom and riding everest about 5 more times, catching the lion king show and then hitting down town disney before going bck to the hotel and collapsing.  All in all we spent a small fortune on souvenirs and pins, but really loved the Disney food plan that let us not worry about the cost of food.  I would HIGHLY recommend the food plan if your staying in a Disney resort.

I will post pictures when I have time to put them online.  Many were emailed a link to the disney site, but those will be gone soon.  So I will upload favorites and make a slideshow for here.

Currently reading : Impossible By Nancy Werlin

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Flights of Fantasy
Current mood: restless

First time I try to post a blog all summer and MySpace eats it...;) 

So you don't get all the rambling, but here is a book list I compiled for BCCLS in July.  Guy, our computer guru, made it look awesome.  It looks much better at www.bccls.org

High (or Epic) Fantasy -- is one of the more traditional subgenres of fantasy literature and is probably what most people think about when they think fantasy. If you liked Lord of the Rings or Chronicles of Narnia, this would probably be the group for you. High (or Epic) fantasy is usually set in a world of the author's creation and often involves quests to save the kingdom, people, or the world. These books are often more serious in tone and have the general theme of good vs. evil.

Lois McMaster Bujold - The Curse of Chalion (other titles in this world include Paladin of Souls and The Hallowed Hunt) The Curse of Chalion centers on Lupe dy Cazaril, a castillar (knight of minor nobility) who returns home to the royal household of Chalion a broken man, after being betrayed and spending more than a year as a galley slave. Despite his desire to keep a low profile, Caz finds himself drawn into a strange journey of dangers both spiritual and temporal as he seeks to dispel the curse that hangs over the royal family.

David Eddings - The Belgariad (includes: Pawn of Prophecy, Queen of Sorcery, Magician's Gambit, Castle of Wizardry, and Enchanter's End Game) The Belgariad is the story of one young man's coming of age. In Pawn of Prophecy, Garion is just a young teen who knows only the farm he's grown up on and his Aunt Pol. He's swept up on a search for....something (they won't tell him what) by his aunt, an old storyteller, and an odd collection of their friends. His world is soon turned upside down as he learns that his aunt and the storyteller are both sorcerers. Danger and adventure lurk around every bend as Garion learns about magic, combat, good, and evil - and discovers his destiny. (Young Adult) The Belgariad is followed by The Malloreon (Further adventures of Garion and his friends). Eddings has also written 2 prequels: Belgarath the Sorcerer and Polgara the Sorceress.

Robin Hobb - Assassin's Apprentice (Farseer Trilogy, Book One) Fitz, often called simply "Boy" or "Bastard", is the illegitimate son of Prince Chivalry. Fitz has inherited a gift which allows him to meld his thoughts with those of nonhumans and also to repel physical attacks. This talent catches the attention of King Shrewd, who wastes no time in using Fitz's gifts for his own purposes. (Young Adult)

Robert Jordan - Wheel of Time (The Eye of the World, The Great Hunt, The Dragon Reborn, The Shadow Rising, The Fires of Heaven, Lord of Chaos, A Crown of Swords, The Path of Daggers, Winter's Heart, Crossroads of Twilight, Knife of Dreams, ....) Author Robert Jordan has created a world for Rand al'Thor and his friends that is much bigger than the village where they grew up. Rand, Perry, Mat and Egwene flee from their home with a mysterious Aes Sedai (sorceress) and her protector in order to save their village. The four soon learn that the world beyond Two Rivers is full of adventure, betrayal, and games of power. (Young Adult)

 Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey - The Elvenbane (Book One of the Halfblood Chronicles which also includes: Elvenblood, Elvenborn, and Elvenbred) In The Elvenbane, Shana is a half-breed, born of the forbidden union of an Elvenlord father and a human mother. Her exiled mother is dead and Shana is rescued and raised by dragons. Reaching adulthood, she explores her magical abilities and ultimately leads a revolt against the decadent elves. (Young Adult)

 Humorous Fantasy -- This subgenre is exactly what its name says it is: funny fantasy. If you like your magic served with a healthy dose of laughter, this is the group for you. These books might still contain a quest or even explore good vs. evil, but the tone of the book tends to be lighter and the characters less serious. You'll find many bumbling apprentices, puns aplenty, and a spoof or two in humorous fantasy books. These can be harder to find on shelves full of epics and adventures, but they are worth the time spent searching.

Piers Anthony - A Spell for Chameleon (Magic of Xanth series, Book One) The Magic of Xanth series is a light-hearted romp through fantasy that is great for any pun lover! The first book of the series is A Spell for Chameleon. Xanth, an enchanted land where magic rules and where every citizen has a special spell only he (or she!) can cast, is introduced in the story of Bink of North Village-- the only denizen of Xanth without a talent or magical gift. But according to the Good Magician Humfrey, Bink is as powerful as the King or the Evil Magician Trent. Unfortunately, no one can figure out what his magic is-- and unless someone does, Bink will be exiled from Xanth forever!

Robert Asprin - Another Fine Myth (Myth Adventures, Book One) The Myth Adventures series centers around a bumbling apprentice magician named Skeeve and the demon who becomes his teacher and mentor. At the start of Another Fine Myth, Skeeve's master, Garkin, summons up a demon (Dimension traveler) to scare the lazy apprentice into working, but everything goes wrong. An assassin kills Garkin mid-summoning, leaving the green, scaly demon -- Garkin's old friend Aahz -- stuck in the wrong dimension without any of his powers and Skeeve scared to death of him. The two must stick together to find out who killed Garkin and to figure out a way to get Aahz his powers back - or at the very least a way back home! (Young Adult)

Esther Friesner - Tempting Fate Ilana is relieved to get a summer job, but she wonders if she's made the right choice when the Divine Relief Temp Agency sends her to Tabby Fabricant Textiles. When she is given an unusual typing assignment, Ilana wonders aloud why a textile business would be issuing death certificates. Georgette calmly replies, "They're not death certificates, dear....They're death receipts. We're the Fates. It's what we do." Soon Ilana discovers that everyone employed by the agency works for the gods or the heroes. A must read for myth buffs and those who remember odd summer jobs. (Young Adult)

Diana Wynne Jones - Dark Lord of Derkholm Imagine a magical world which is treated like a Disney World vacation destination by an unethical dimension-traveling tour company. Mr. Chesney's Pilgrim Parties descend once a year from our world, expecting all the trappings of a fantasy land - including, of course, a villainous DARK LORD. That his tours are devastating the fantasy world does not matter to the unscrupulous Mr. Chesney, who has the backing of a powerful demon to help him force the people of the fantasy world to cooperate. When the Wizard Derk is forced to play the Dark Lord for the tourists, everything seems to go wrong. His children step in to help but things only get worse......or do they get better? (Young Adult)

Terry Pratchett - The Color of Magic (Discworld, Book One) Discworld is a flat world balanced on the backs of four elephants which in turn are balanced in the back of a giant turtle. Set in that kind of world, how could these tales be anything but parodies and spoofs of classic fantasy elements? In The Color of Magic, incompetent and cynical wizard Rincewind finds himself an unwilling guide to the naïve tourist Twoflower, whose luggage moves on hundreds of dear little legs. The two find themselves on a wickedly eccentric expedition across the Disc which includes Dragons (who only exist if you believe in them), barbarians, and a village on the edge of the world which is obsessed with finding out the gender of the turtle who holds up the elephants who hold up the Disc! How will they ever survive? (Young Adult)

Urban Fantasy -- A newer subgenre of fantasy that has become very popular recently. Urban Fantasy is set in 'our world' or an alternate version of the real world where magic can be used and monsters are real. Sometimes everyone knows about the supernatural and sometimes it's a secret from most of the world. If you're going through Buffy and Angel withdrawal, this is probably the section for you.

Kelley Armstrong - Dime Store Magic Leader of the American Coven, guardian to the preteen daughter of a black witch -- it's not the lifestyle twenty-three year-old Paige Winterbourne imagined for herself, but she's up for the challenge. When half-demon Leah O'Donnell returns to fight for custody of Savannah, Paige is ready. What she's not prepared for is the team of supernaturals Leah brings with her, including a powerful sorcerer who claims to be Savannah's father. Other books by Armstrong featuring Paige or her friends include: Industrial Magic, Haunted, No Humans Involved, and Personal Demon.

Jim Butcher - Storm Front (Dresden Files, Book One) MEET HARRY DRESDEN--WIZARD FOR HIRE Lost items found. Paranormal Investigations. Consulting. Advice. Reasonable Rates. No love charms and no parties. That's what Harry's ad in the phone book says. Business has been a little slow, but that all changes when Lieutenant Murphy from the Chicago PD calls him to the scene of a crime. A small time mobster and his girl have had their hearts ripped out - literally! Harry can tell right away it's magic, and killing with magic is against the Seven Laws of Magic. Harry should know; he's on probation for just that crime. He's got to figure this case out before the wizards' White Council hears about it and thinks Harry did it.

Simon Green - Something from the Nightside (Nightside series, Book One) Nightside is the hidden dark core of London. It's a place where it's always 3 A.M and you can satisfy any appetite, no matter how twisted, if you have the money. Creatures from all places gather here, and not for idle chitchat. To John Taylor, a finder of lost objects and people, Nightside is home...a home he has refused to return to for five years. A man has to make a living, though, and when he's offered a huge fee to discover the whereabouts of a runaway last seen wandering the streets of Nightside, how can he say no? Other books set in Nightside include: Agents of Light and Darkness, Nightingale's Lament, Hex and the City, Paths Not Taken, Sharper than a Serpent's Tooth, Hell to Pay, and The Unnatural Inquirer.

 Laurell K. Hamilton - A Kiss of Shadows A Kiss of Shadows introduces Meredith Gentry, a.k.a. Meredith NicEssus, a faerie princess of the Unseelie Court, where politics is a blood sport. Merry, who's part sidhe (elvish), part brownie, and part human, never really fit in. She's short, not skilled in offensive magic, and mortal because of her human blood. These are real liabilities when your family, especially Aunt Andais, Queen of Air and Darkness, is out to kill you. Merry has been in hiding for three years, but now Andais has found her - and has plans for her. Full of violence and sex, this one is not for the timid!

Kim Harrison - Dead Witch Walking Set in an alternate world where a plague has killed a third of the human population and exposed witches, weres, vampires, fairies, and pixies, Dead Witch Walking is the story of Rachel Morgan. Rachel is a witch and a runner (cop) for the Inderland Security (kinda like the FBI for the supernatural), but her career is going nowhere fast. She leaves her job and starts a freelance bounty-hunter business with her vampire friend Ivy and a pixie named Jenks - but NO ONE quits the IS and lives to tell the tale. Further adventures of Rachel, Ivy, and Jenks can be found in The Good the Bad and the Undead, Every Witch Way but Dead, A Fistful of Charms, For a Few Demons More, and The Outlaw Demon Wails.

Adventure Fantasy -- If you're more interested in sword fights and blood-pumping adventure, Adventure Fantasy is where you want to be. Magic is usually a bit rare or not even present in these non-stop adventures. Dragons, orcs, or other fantastic races and beasts either help or hinder the hero(es) on their mission to save, find, or rescue the world, treasure, or maiden. These books run the gamut from super-serious to laugh-out-loud funny.

Kristen Britain - Green Rider While traveling through the immense forest known as the Green Cloak, young Karigan G'ladheon finds her journey interrupted when a galloping horse bursts from the woods. The horse's rider is slumped over his mount's neck, impaled by two black-shafted arrows. As he lies dying on the road, he tells Karigan that he is a Green Rider, one of the legendary messengers of the King, and that he bears a "life and death" message for King Zachary in his horse's satchel. He begs Karigan to carry his message, warning her not to read it, and she reluctantly agrees. This promise given to a dying man changes Karigan's life forever. Find more adventures of Green Riders in First Rider's Call and The High King's Tomb. (Young Adult)

Sarah A. Hoyt - Ill Met by Moonlight In Ill Met by Moonlight, Hoyt takes the character of a young William Shakespeare, along with what little is known about his life and the plentiful material of his work, and weaves a magical what-might-have-been story. One night, Will arrives home to find his wife, Nan, and their baby missing. Searching for them, Will encounters a strange sight - a white castle full of magical creatures and Nan. Will is launched on a magical adventure to return Nan to his home, with both the help and hindrance of elves. This story and its sequels, All Night Awake and Any Man So Daring, are full of hidden Shakespearean treasures. These books are a must for any Shakespeare lovers, but at the same time they're fantastic stories of adventure accessible to those unfamiliar with the Bard.

Mercedes Lackey - The Lark and the Wren (Bardic Voices, Book One) Lackey's Bardic Voices series is about a loosely organized group of Free Bards who use the names of birds to identify themselves. In the first novel, The Lark and the Wren, Rune dreams of playing music, but is trapped in a small town inn where her mother is a maid and the whole town treats her badly. When Rune makes a foolish bet to face down a murderous ghost and surprisingly lives through it, she's faced with a difficult choice: go back home with proof of her victory, which will surely be taken from her; or run away and use the coin she's won to make her dreams come true. Rune chooses to chase her dreams. She travels to the city, studies music, and tries out for the Bardic Guild. Eventually she finds magic in her music and a place where she belongs. Lackey has also written a large number of fantasy adventures set in her world of Valdemar. These start with Vanyel?s story in Magic's Pawn, Magic's Promise, and Magic's Price. (Young Adult)

Laurie J. Marks - Fire Logic (Elemental Logic series, Book One) * Earth * Air * Water * Fire These elements have sustained the peaceful people of Shaftal for generations, with their subtle powers of healing, truth, joy, and intuition. But now, Shaftal is dying. The earth witch who ruled Shaftal is dead, leaving no heir. Shaftal's ruling house has been scattered by the invading Sainnites. The Shaftali have mobilized a guerrilla army against these marauders, but every year the cost of resistance grows, leaving Shaftal's fate in the hands of three people: Emil, scholar and reluctant warrior; Zanja, the sole survivor of a slaughtered tribe; and Karis the metalsmith, a half-blood giant whose earth powers can heal, but only when she can muster the strength to hold off her addiction to a deadly drug. If only they can find a way to work together, they just may change the course of history. Earth Logic and Water Logic continue the story of Shaftal and this unlikely group of friends.

Anne McCaffrey - Dragonflight Dragonflight, the first book of the Dragonriders of Pern, is the story of Lessa and how she sets out to save her world. To the nobles who live in Benden Weyr, Lessa is nothing but a ragged kitchen girl. For most of her life she has survived by serving those who betrayed her father; now the time has come to shed her disguise-and take back her stolen birthright. But everything changes when she meets a queen dragon. The deep and lasting bond they share will protect them when, for the first time in centuries, Lessa's world is threatened by Thread, an evil substance that falls like rain and destroys everything it touches. Dragons and their Riders once protected the planet from Thread, but there are very few of them left these days. Now brave Lessa must risk her life, and the life of her beloved dragon, to save her beautiful world. . . . Dragonquest and The White Dragon complete the trilogy, but there are many other books set in Pern, including: Dragonsinger, Dragonsong, Dragondrums, Dolphins of Pern, Renegades of Pern, All the Weyrs of Pern, and many more. (Young Adult)

Mel Odom - The Rover (Edgewick Lamplighter series, Book One) Edgewick Lamplighter who has spent his whole life as a librarian in the Vault of All Knowledge, dreams of adventure -- until one day, much to his dismay, his dreams come true. Shanghaied at the docks, he finds himself amongst pirates, slavers, thieves, mercenaries, goblins, wizards, and a whole horde of nasties! What's a poor librarian to do? Further adventures of Wick and his world can be found in The Destruction of the Books and Lord of the Libraries.

Fred Saberhagen - The Complete Book of Swords The First Swords were forged by the gods as pieces in a great game, to be scattered across the world for mortals to fight over. Each of the 12 Swords was infused with a unique, powerful ability: the Sword of Siege could reduce a castle to rubble; Coinspinner would bring its wielder phenomenal luck; Shieldbreaker could best any weapon, even another Sword; Sightblinder would make its wielder appear to others as someone either greatly loved or greatly feared. These three books--the First, Second, and Third Book of Swords, first published in 1983 and 1984 and combined here in one volume--follow the slippery Swords as they pass from hand to hand, from queen to commoner and back again.

Lawrence Watt-Evans - The Misenchanted Sword The old wizard wasn't exactly happy with Valder, who'd led his enemy to his hut. Now hut and magical supplies have been destroyed. But he'd promised the young scout a magic sword to get him safely back to his own lines -- and a much enchanted sword Valder would get! The resulting sword, once drawn, had to kill before it could be put down or sheathed. Army wizards told Valder that the sword would keep him alive until he'd drawn it 100 times; then it would kill him! If his new job as Chief Assassin for the army didn't make him use up the spell, he'd be practically immortal. Not bad, it seemed. There had to be a catch somewhere. There was -- and it was a lulu!

Fantasy Subgenre Blends -- Determining the genre of certain books has been getting harder and harder, especially in the last decade. Many novels blend elements of different subgenres and the same is true for fantasy. So while these might not fit perfectly into one mold, they are still fantastically enjoyable.

Alex Bledsoe - The sword-edged blonde It should have been a case like any other: a missing princess, a king willing to pay in gold for her return. But before he realizes it, private investigator Eddie LaCrosse, a slightly shopworn sword jockey with a talent for discretion and detection, is swept up in a web of mystery and deceit involving a brutally murdered royal heir, a queen accused of an unspeakable crime, and the tragic past he thought he'd left behind.

Brendon Burchard -- Life's Golden Ticket This is a novel that many don't even think of as fantasy. The author blends elements of fantasy with an inspirational story. Life's Golden Ticket tells the story of a man who is so trapped in the prisons of his past that he cannot see the possibilities, the choices, and the gifts that are right in front of him. His fiancée, clinging to life in a hospital bed, hands him a mysterious envelope, and he makes his way to an abandoned amusement park to appease her delirious pleadings. When he steps through the rusted entrance gates, the deserted park magically comes to life. During the narrator's trip, he samples various amusement park rides (all with allegorical meaning) and revisits his past. Each carnie he meets is a motivational guide with spiritual wisdom to impart.

Molly Cochran - The Forever King (King Arthur series, Book One) King Arthur, reincarnated as red-haired Arthur Blessing, is an orphan living with his Aunt Emily. One day he finds an old metal cup, which inexplicably makes him feel good; little does he know it's the Holy Grail. The powerful dark sorcerer Saladin, determined to possess the Grail, kidnaps Arthur, and it's up to retired FBI agent Hal Woczniak to save the young king and Camelot. The story continues in The Broken Sword, and The Third Magic. (Young Adult)

Charlaine Harris -- Grave Sight (Harper Connelly mysteries, Book One) Ever since Harper survived a zap from a lightning bolt, she's been able to find dead bodies. She and her stepbrother Tolliver have turned her weird talent into a way to make a living. Harper Connelly is the person people call when they've given up hope, when all they want is closure. Harper travels to the Ozark town of Sarne, Arkansas, to find a missing teenage girl's body. Finding the body takes no time at all, but leaving town afterward isn't so easy. Harper Connelly mysteries deliver a creepy blend of the fantastic, mystery, and family drama.

Kat Richardson - Greywalker (Greywalker series, Book one) Greywalker is a hard-boiled PI mystery blended with fantasy, but Richardson also includes elements of the spiritual. After a brutal assault, Seattle PI investigator Harper Blaine is dead for two minutes. When she wakes up at the hospital, she has the ability to pass between the normal world and the Grey. Home to ghosts, vampires, and other supernaturals, the Grey is a dangerous place to wander around. Harper enlists a local college professor and his wife to help her learn about this new ability and how to control it. Check this one out if you're looking for something to follow the Dresden Files.

Currently reading : Foul Play: A Sofie Metropolis Novel (Sofie Metropolis) By Tori Carrington Release date: 2008-04-01

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Minneapolis Sculpture Gardens (and other Pics)

I just wanted to post a few of my favs and a link to the Photobucket file with all of them in it and descriptions:

1st.  I think I mentioned that I loved Minneapolis.  I’m not sure if I said why.  People in Minneapolis give me stuff.  I swear!  We walked in an art gallery and Adam said to the woman, "My wife really loved the pin you have in your window.  Could we buy one?"  her answer was that she couldn’t sell us one because they were just decoration, but that she’d happily give us one.  SCORE 1

Down the street we were atrracted by the scent of roasted nuts and popcorn.  We found our way to Candyland just around the corner from Nicollette Ave on 7th or 8th.  Inside was a charming candy store with really friendly counter service.   We also found my first ever carmel popcorn easter bunny.  I mentioned it was cute and asked how much they were (hoping that in the post Easter week they would be discounted).  I was invited to help myself and that the carmel corn woudl still be good just take a hammer to the bunny to break him into managable pieces!

SCORE 2

These were followed by multiple scores at my conference where I got to meet Kim Harrison and she signed multiple books one for me and a gift or two....shhh don’t tell I haven’t given them out yet!

Adam and I also went to the sculpture gardens and below are a couple of my fav pics:

Walker Art Center - More than meets the eye....

Find the rest of the Pictures @ http://s73.photobucket.com/albums/i214/jul2474/MN%202008/?albumview=grid&start=20

3:49 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Fantasy - what’s it for?
Current mood: annoyed
Category: Writing and Poetry

Comments like this drive me nuts.  They remind me of a guy I knew in college who though reading - ALL FICTIONAL READING - was a waste of time and escapism.  He claimed he’d rather be on a golph course.

Now I will admit that I am much more likely to curl up with a  good book than take a walk, but that doesn’t mean that I am escaping life all the time.  I connect with people through books.  I have tons of friends who I have met while browsing the shelves of book stores, libraries, or found online and started chatting about books.  Talking about and arguing about book with others who love them is one of my favorite things to do.  Having said that you might think that I woudl love the above comment since the guy seems ripe for a fight with me, but nope.

When someone has that limited a view of literature and entertainment in general there is just no fun in the discussion.  How can someone dismiss fantasy (or any genre of books or movies or media) as just entertainment and believe that it has nothing to do with real life.  Ok, since I am a book love I will focus on books and not movies or music, but I truely believe the same counts for all just with different examples.

So fantasy is just for entertainment, huh?  Have ya ever read Lord of the Rings or even just The Hobbit?  All four of the books are great fantasy and if you look at the in context to when they were written and what was going on in the world, you will find some great social comentary.  The Hobbit can be read as a commentary on WWI/WWII.  Really look at the book and re-read the end with the different armies facing off against one another and then having to realign themselves and face off against true evil.

Want something more recent?  Look at C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia.  Both the book and the movies which brought it up in the national media recently.  The books are in part a critic of organized religion. While I don’t believe that they are about a quest to kill god, I do belive that C.S. Lewis’ own beliefs or lack of beliefs about religion helped to shape the story.  How can something that inspired national debate be ’only’ anything? And how could books like these by such gifted authors not affect your real life.

I don’t go around thinking that I have a demon spirit guide or that I am a hobbit or elf or wizard, but reading The Hobbit in college did make world history make more sense and books like the Narnia series let me know that I wasn’t the only oen with questions.

If your a reader who likes your fantasy with some social comentary, check out David Eddings books staring Sparhawk for a great satire of teh Roman Catholic Church.  For a look at politics and the machinations of power, check out his books about Belgarion.  I haven’t read his newest series, but I bet there are tons of layers and issues to think about in them as well.

If you’d like to think about the nature of evil and wonder who the real monsters are check out soem early Anita Blake books by Hamilton.  Warning after the 4th or 5th book the mysteries and police work kind of give way to not so soft porn.  I still love the books and most of teh characters, but I wish she would get back to soem decent plotting! 

If you just like fantasy that makes you laugh and helps you get through a rainy afternoon (which I REFUSE to refer to as only anything!), check out some of Robert Asprin’s Myth books or his Phule’s Company books (the first 2 were great, steady decline after that).  You can also check out one of my newst favorite vampire books - Undead and Unemployed (the whole undead series by Davidson - Betsy the Vampire Queen).

If you’ve got some book recommendations please feel free to post them in comments here!  I’m always up for a good book to read. 

ARGH - since I can’t search on MySpace and post the current book I will tell you here minus the artwork - Sword-edged Blonde by Bledsoe

1:42 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

PLA, Mineappolis, and Kim Harrison
Current mood: blissful

Adam and I just got back from Mineappolis - please forgive me if I misplace an ’n’ or mix up my vowels, I never could spell Minneappolis and Minnisota the same way two times in a row!

1st - to all those who live in, near, or are from the Twin Cities I have to beg yoru forgiveness.  I never thought of Mineappolis as a great vacation destination.  It just never occured to me at all, but the city was wonderful and the people were so nice I almost hated to come back East.  That’s saying a lot because my friends know how much I love the north east and how much I missed it when I lived in TX!

Adam and I stayed in Downtown Mineappolis about 2 blocks from the convention center.  The hotel was unremarkable, but decent other than location.  The location was incredible!  We were right on Nicollette Mall which isn’t a mall, but a stretch of Nicollette Ave that is full of restaurants, stores, and art galleries.  Just south of Nicolette Mall was Eat Street (the other end of Nicollette) which is a stretch of about 10 blocks filled with a bunch of ethnic restaurants.

So with that setting you can imagine that Adam and I had a blast eating our way through the city.  We ate at a Somolian restaurant, a Vietanmese family place, Mexican, Steak house, tiki bar, and one of the best breakfast places I’ve been to in a long time.

At the conference, I had a great time.  Got lots of swag (IE Loot) and some good ideas.  I’ll write more about that another day.

Those of you familar with the Twin Cities or those who are shopping addicts will be remembering that The Mall of America is also near Minneappolis.  We did find our way there and Adam liked the mall.  It was ok, but it was alot like walking through a mall here in Jersey, just bigger.  There were some cool and different stores there...Lake Wobegone, multiple Minnasota stores, and an oxygen bar to name a few.  I went with Adam on a Saturday when the conference was mostly over and so as you can imagine Saturday the mall was mobbed. 

Oh yeah - I also got to meet Kim Harrison and got a signed copy of Outlaw Deamon Wails!

1:33 PM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Preferred List and some Random thoughts
Current mood: breezy

Is there an easy way to add people to your preferred list?  I keep thinking there must be....shouldn't you be able to do it from FRiends or something?  Instead of having to go and search each one individually?  I'm horrible at that.  I search one of my friends with a fairly standard display name and I had to wort through 50 pages of people with the same name.  I narrowed it by college and married men and STILL had to sort through 3 pages.  I know you can search by email, but when your friends have 4-5 emails and you don't know which one is linked to thier MySPace....well that doesn't make it so easy.

Anyway - for my friends, if you want to be on my Preferred list please drop a comment and I will add you.  I can't promise that you'll actually be able to SEE the blogs because though I added by hubby over a month ago he still claims that MySpace denys him my blogs. *shrug*

Random thoughts - When did the Superbowl become a holiday?  i mean seriously.  At 10AM, I turned on my TV on Sunday and a sports caster was greeting a on site reporter with "Happy SuperBowl, Dave!"  For those of you who are not fans...teh kick of was at 6:15 PM.  I will admit that I turned on ESPN...so I was expecting coverage on the SuperBowl and I even enjoyed it, but I will never greet someone with "happy SuperBowl" 

Not even if the Eagles are in the SuperBowl....which would be the happiest SuperBowl morning for me.

I also don't get the whole ticker-tate (sp?) parade thing.  Kudos galore to the Giants for winning, but a parade....I think the HUGE party that followed with the players and STUFF TO DO! at the Giants Stadium (In NJ thank you very much) was much more appropriate and more fun for everyone probably.

Currently reading : First Daughter: White House Rules (First Daughter) By Mitali Perkins Release date: 24 January, 2008

12:41 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Simple Advice
Category: Food and Restaurants

Have you ever had the simplest and most obvious advice just suddenly click and make sense?

I was reading a lifestyle choices book (Ie. a diet book no matter what they call it) and one of the things to remember in it was:

You ALWAYS have choices.  Sometimes that choice can be not to eat.

To put it in context for anyone who just read that and thought that the book was advocating annorexia....it was under the question "What if I am going to a friend's party and I have no control over what is being served?"  The comment also went on to say that most catered affairs will give you multiple options and most restaurants will offer a healthy alternative or alteration for you, but at private parties where it's not catered.....you have the option of not eating.

I know that sounds so obvious, but for some reason that just clicked with me when I read it.  Not so much about the parties at other people's homes, but with the if I go out to lunch and the serving is huge....just take 1/2 and save it for later or tomorrow.  Or even just because I bought something doesn't mean I have to have it at that moment.

Something so simple.  Maybe it was just that I was ready to hear it when I read it.  Maybe it was that it wasn't some snotty group leader or cheery size 2 nurse giving the advice.  I don't know, but it stayed me with and has helped.  Adam and I are doing Weight Watchers together....or well we're trying to.  I hate the idea of meetings and can only just stand the ideas of weigh ins.  Adam has no problem with the weigh ins and likes the meetings.  It never ceases to suprise me how different we are and yet we work together so well.

Anyway, at the level I'm at now (well both of us really)  I have to eat 44 points a day, plus there is the 35 flex points a week, PLUS activity points.  Thankfully I don't HAVE to eat the flex points or the activity points as part of the program or I swear I'd be exploding.

As it in...at the start of the week before I got into a rythm of sorts with the points, I went home at 9 Pm having ate 25 points and was supposed to eat another 19 before teh end of the day.  Not hard to do if I wanted to waste the points on ice cream or junk, but I have been trying to also be realistic and eat more veggies and healthy food.  What that means is that I end up eating more food in volume that I would of junk.

Take yesterday:

Breakfast - Go lean Crunch and milk - it actually tastes good, I swear and 2% milk because i maintain fat free and 1% is only colored water! - 4 points

Go swimming at the Y - 50 mins swimming and treading = 7 activity points.

Eat a Cranola/nut bar before I go into the supermarket so I don't spend $100 on stuff i don't need. - 4 pts

Leave the supermarket with sushi for lunch YUMMY - 6 pieces -2 pts.  (That's right ONLY 2)

So I end up after lunch with a balance of only 10 points.

I make a turkey & cheese sandwitch on rye - 10 pts (only because I piled on the meat (4 oz) and cheese (2 slices) and had mayo (1/2 of a serving) So I get up to 20 points.

2 NY Cheesecake hershey kisses - 2 pts ==22 pts total

Carrotts as a snack - 0 pt

A chicken breast & spinach for dinner - 4 pts =26 points

a slice of liverwurst and cheese for anotehr 4 pts = 30 points

two servings of garlic bread (hey I swam I had earned an indulgence) - 10 points = 40 points

a WW recipe Berries and cream for the final 4 points.

That's ALOT of food!

11:13 AM - 4 Comments - 3 Kudos - Add Comment

Dumbledore gay, do we care? Is JK out of control?
Category: Writing and Poetry

http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2007/10/23/dumbledore/index.html

Don't have much time to actually write this blog, but I wanted to put this link up so that I woudl be sure to come back and actually write this blog!

But in the meantime...just some thoughts:

Does an author retain 'ownership' of a world after the story has ended?  I'm not talking legally here, I'm talking intellectually or maybe that should be imaginatively (sp?)

Is J.K. Rowling out of control telling everyone all the details of her characters lives after THE BATTLE and the books ended?  DO you want your favorite authors telling you the future stories of your favorite characters or would you rather create them yourselves or just leave it up in the air and wonder?

______________________________________________________

I finally found some time to sit and type!

The link at the top of the blog is to an article about JK Rowling's announcement that in her eyes Dumbledore was gay.  The article isnt' realy about whether or not he is, but about Rowling's announcement of this detail as well as other tidbits she's been dropping about characters. Traister, the aurhot of the article, does discuss some of the text evidence (or hints0 of Dumbledore's sexuality, but goes on to discuss why Rowling is revealing the info and if she should reveal all.

I'm not going to go into all the 'hidden' and not so hidden clues in HP7 about Dumbledore's lifestyle...why?  Because I don't really care.  In Rowling's eyes he can be gay, in my mind he's a teacher and an advisor and just as I wouldn't meddle and guess about my college profs' sex lives, I am not interested in gossiping about his.  And that stance, kind of shows how I feel about what the info Rowling is dropping.

I really don't care what she's saying.  I mean it's interesting in an academic way and she's brilliant and a talented writer.  I'm not even trying to disagree on those points, but she's DONE with the story.  Or so she's said.  What she's saying now is only what she imagines for the future of her characters and there is nothing that makes her version any more valid than my own.

I've spent hours upon hours reading those books and thinking about the charaters.  Books are my life and my job. I talk books every day with adults, with kids, and with teens.  I may not be able to make a valid claim that I spent AS MUCH time as Rowling did on these characters, but I did invest a great deal of myself in my versions of them over the years.  I didn't always liked how she portrayed them and sometimes I flat out disagreed.  So I say hands off the future, let the fans that loved the characters imagine thier own endings, or rather continuings.

As for the why she's doing it?  There are the cynical who say, "Hey look at the reaction she got."  And believe that she's doing it to keep HP in thenews and in the minds of the readers.  Face it book seven is over and the bok lists titled "Life after Harry" abound!  There are the staunch supporters and fans who believe that she is doing it to satisfy the cravings of her fans.  If people are still asking for info, they must want to know and so she's only trying to please her fans.  I think I probably come down somewhere in the middle.  I do think Rowling is a smart business person. She's  keeping herself and her books in the public eye, but I think she's also giving fans what they want and indulging in a bit of a book lover's pasttime...sharing what she THINKS happens after the book closes.

Most book lovers do it. At the end of a story we love, we cloe our eyes and imagine the next scene or the next year.  What did Charlie and Wonka do after the end of the Chocolate Factory (yes I know their are other novels, but *I* didn't read 'em)?  Did Dorothy find Kansas boring after Oz?  What was Alice's life like AFTER the looking glass?  Isn't that part of loving a story?  So i'm going to indulge myself...below is what's happening in my Potter-verse post BATTLE.

Harry and Ron did indeed become Aurors and helped the Ministry clean up after Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Hermionie and Ron did end up together and Hermionie also went to work for the ministry, but she became thier version of the lawyer.  Her pet cause is still House Elves and most wizards still don't understand why.  Ginny did go on to play professional Quiddich, but not as a seeker.  She enjoyed playing with Harry too much to take that position.  It was and always will be his position.  She was a chaser and a great one.  Harry, on the other hand, did not play proffessionally.  He'd had enough of the limelight and turned down the multiple offers he had to play.  He does coach a young wizard's team and drops in to help the Hogwartz team train though.  He still loves the game and flying is still his biggest thrill.

Neville became quite a hero after the battle and Harry did his best to shove Neville in the spotlight as much as possible.  Partly because Neville deserved it and partly to keep himself out of it.  Neville and Luna dated for awhile quietly.  They both work in thier areas of interest to help Ron and Harry as Aurors.  None of them ever did finish wizarding school.  None of thier class did, but it's generally accepted that theyfaced extreme practical experience and the question of exams is rarely brought up in polite wizard society.

When Hogwartz re-opened the next fall.  Neville started to help with the Herbalism classes and eventually taught all of them.  Draco, who had a mini-breakdown, after the battle came back and helped teach the Defense against the Dark Arts classes. His family lost most of thier money and possessions.  Draco felt he had to search Hogwarts as a sort of penance, which he did for quite a few years.  Until harry in his 40s, decided with Ginny to retire as an Auror...he was getting older, slower, and it's a dangerous job.  She's taken a desk job during her second pregnancy and now it was his time to step down.  He took over the Defense Against Dark Arts classes much to the relief of the still acting Headmaster Professor Mcgonagol.  Draco left the school to open an muggle memorabelia store, it's located a few doors down from the Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes. Draco didn't suddenly start loving mugles, but he can see the way the wind blows.  Since the downfall of Voldemort, Wizard interest in muggles and muggle stuff is on a rise and so he's using that to rebuild his family fortunes.  Not everything in the store is real, but enough is that it's become Mr. Weasley's 2nd favorite place to shop!

Hey, speaking og Weasleys' Wizard Wheezes and the Weasleys.  George never does fully get over the loss of his twin, but he does go on with life.  He continues inventing for WWW and what many don't know is that he is the Q to Harry and Ron's Bond.  Under the cover of creating jokes and funny toys he invents many gadgets and tools for them to use as Aurors.  Percy's reunin with his family, though late is sincere.  He's so disillusioned by the Ministry of Magic that resigns and becomes a reporter and then editor of the Daily Profit and spends his life keeping the Ministry as honest as possible by always questioning them.

So there is my take.....does it make Rowling's any less vaild? No. Does it make your version less? No.  It just makes it different.

Currently reading : Once Bitten, Twice Shy (Jaz Parks) By Jennifer Rardin Release date: 08 October, 2007

7:23 AM - 2 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment