It did give me a germ of an idea for a story, but I'm not sure where the idea is going.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
London Under, Peter Ackroyd
London Under by Peter Ackroyd was interesting but it didn't go far enough. It had some interesting facts, but it was really thin on them. I'd like to find more books about the various series of underground catacombs around the world.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
New afghan for myself
I have decided that the combination of Pinterest and Ravelry is completely evil. Yesterday, I was looking for a little granny square pattern I could use to make a bookmark with some crochet thread I have. I ended up finding a pattern for a hexagonal granny that I'm now working up using the yarn I picked out for my personal afghan. I had been making it in a ripple, but I screwed up in a couple of places and I've kind of abandoned it. So now I'm going to use the yarn I had gathered and make a ton of little granny hexes and stitch them all together after a while. They work up really easily and are great for television stitching.
The pattern I'm using is this lovely one from Eggbirddesigns. I'm stopping at the fourth round using yarn that is no longer being made, Caron's Eco-soft. All but one of the colors are at least still available in their Simply Soft and Simply Soft Paints lines, so if I need to buy more of a color, I'll be good. I know I need to buy more black. I used up most of it on a scarf for a friend for Christmas. The one color no longer available is the one I'm using for the smallest round, so I should be good. If I have to, I'll frog the progress I'd made on the ripple afghan. I was making it out of double crochets with no gaps, so it's a very solid piece that used a lot of yarn.
The colors I'm using are:
Aqua Mist, the discontinued one :(
Spring Brook, the variegated Simply Soft Paints
Ocean, the dark blue Simply Soft
Black
These are the colors I'm going to be using for my bedroom when I get around to painting it and rearranging it. I need to buy a few more bookshelves, a few floating shelves, and a new lamp and then I can commence the massive project.
The pattern I'm using is this lovely one from Eggbirddesigns. I'm stopping at the fourth round using yarn that is no longer being made, Caron's Eco-soft. All but one of the colors are at least still available in their Simply Soft and Simply Soft Paints lines, so if I need to buy more of a color, I'll be good. I know I need to buy more black. I used up most of it on a scarf for a friend for Christmas. The one color no longer available is the one I'm using for the smallest round, so I should be good. If I have to, I'll frog the progress I'd made on the ripple afghan. I was making it out of double crochets with no gaps, so it's a very solid piece that used a lot of yarn.
Aqua Mist, the discontinued one :(
Spring Brook, the variegated Simply Soft Paints
Ocean, the dark blue Simply Soft
Black
These are the colors I'm going to be using for my bedroom when I get around to painting it and rearranging it. I need to buy a few more bookshelves, a few floating shelves, and a new lamp and then I can commence the massive project.
Four more books/stories - two good, two not-so-good
Well, I have four more for my list. One was a re-read because I just liked it. I'm also making slow progress on LOTR. I'm reading it mostly at work on breaks.
Stardust Miracle by Edie Ramer was the first read chronologically. I'll admit to more skimming it than closely reading it. It was one of my free downloads so I'm not to sorry about not liking it as much as I'd hoped. It just didn't grab my attention well.
Love Potions by Michelle Pillow was the re-read. I get a kick out of the family and am looking forward to more books in the series.
The Werewolf Liaison by Vivi Anna was a teeny, tiny, short story that I really didn't like in the least. EMT gets kidnapped by the big bad wolf, is tied up and interrogated, but the minute he turns all wolfy, instead of scaring the shit out of her, she's turned on? WTF? No. Just no. I'm very glad I didn't pay for this one.
The Naughty Never Die by LL Kellogg was another free read. I liked it. The characters didn't fall in live at first sight. In fact, he kidnapped her and scared the shit out of her, too. He was under orders from her Governor father to get her to safety and there was a miscommunication about him scaring her so she wouldn't ditch her security again. He had flaws, she had flaws. There was a mystery that had me guessing for some of it. I think I'll pick up the first book in the series on payday.
Stardust Miracle by Edie Ramer was the first read chronologically. I'll admit to more skimming it than closely reading it. It was one of my free downloads so I'm not to sorry about not liking it as much as I'd hoped. It just didn't grab my attention well.
Love Potions by Michelle Pillow was the re-read. I get a kick out of the family and am looking forward to more books in the series.
The Werewolf Liaison by Vivi Anna was a teeny, tiny, short story that I really didn't like in the least. EMT gets kidnapped by the big bad wolf, is tied up and interrogated, but the minute he turns all wolfy, instead of scaring the shit out of her, she's turned on? WTF? No. Just no. I'm very glad I didn't pay for this one.
The Naughty Never Die by LL Kellogg was another free read. I liked it. The characters didn't fall in live at first sight. In fact, he kidnapped her and scared the shit out of her, too. He was under orders from her Governor father to get her to safety and there was a miscommunication about him scaring her so she wouldn't ditch her security again. He had flaws, she had flaws. There was a mystery that had me guessing for some of it. I think I'll pick up the first book in the series on payday.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Getting there, but not knocking off categories
I finished Before Midnight by Jennifer Blackstream last night. I liked it. I'll be picking up the next one in the series. My only quibble is that the end seemed rushed. I liked how it ended, but the book just felt a bit easy, which had its own charm. I hope the next book in the series is a bit more complex, though.
As an aside, I'm trying to re-read the Lord of the Rings trilogy as part of my reading challenge. I remember now why I disliked it so much. It's BORING!!!!! Yes, I am that nerd/geek that hates Tolkien. I actually gave away the copies of Peter Jackson's trilogy, unopened, a few years after I bought them. Maybe after I finish this slog I'll borrow my friend's copy and try to watch them.
I've been working on my printers' mark research more lately, as is evidenced by the long list of printers' marks and early book history books. Walking into the Rare Books room at the NY Public Library the other day was like walking into Nirvana, The smell of the books just rolled over me the moment I walked in the door and I turned to the librarian whose name I didn't get and said with a sigh, "I love that smell." He smiled and said he did, too. It felt so good to be doing research again. Just sitting there, trying to find information about men who lived hundred of years ago, was just amazing. I really need to figure out what I have to do to get back to college. I felt so at home and at peace.
Oh, and a shout out to the librarian, Meredith, who helped me so much. She actually found, in their holdings, the two books printed by Gerard Van Wolsschaten (or however he wanted to spell it each day) that I was able to hold. I held two books printed in the early 1600s. I teared up, I'll admit.
As an aside, I'm trying to re-read the Lord of the Rings trilogy as part of my reading challenge. I remember now why I disliked it so much. It's BORING!!!!! Yes, I am that nerd/geek that hates Tolkien. I actually gave away the copies of Peter Jackson's trilogy, unopened, a few years after I bought them. Maybe after I finish this slog I'll borrow my friend's copy and try to watch them.
I've been working on my printers' mark research more lately, as is evidenced by the long list of printers' marks and early book history books. Walking into the Rare Books room at the NY Public Library the other day was like walking into Nirvana, The smell of the books just rolled over me the moment I walked in the door and I turned to the librarian whose name I didn't get and said with a sigh, "I love that smell." He smiled and said he did, too. It felt so good to be doing research again. Just sitting there, trying to find information about men who lived hundred of years ago, was just amazing. I really need to figure out what I have to do to get back to college. I felt so at home and at peace.
Oh, and a shout out to the librarian, Meredith, who helped me so much. She actually found, in their holdings, the two books printed by Gerard Van Wolsschaten (or however he wanted to spell it each day) that I was able to hold. I held two books printed in the early 1600s. I teared up, I'll admit.
Monday, March 16, 2015
Make It a Double, Sawyer Bennett
I've been adding way too many ebook freebies from Amazon and Kobo to my TBR pile thanks to Bookbub lately. One of them was Make It a Double, by Sawyer Bennett. The second book in a series, it works perfectly well as a standalone read. In fact, I haven't read the first, although I think I may need to go back and do so.
The story is about a man named Brody and a woman named Alyssa. He is an ex-con who was convicted of vehicular homicide and she runs a no-kill animal shelter. He ends up volunteering there to settle his community service requirements. There is, of course, external drama, but part of the conflict of the story is of a man adjusting back to life outside of prison. I liked how the routines established in prison life are both subtly and not-so-subtly touched upon.
My only problem with the story is the person. I fairly loathe first-person stories, and this one was written not just in first person, but in alternating POV, as well. It was well done, though, so I was able to get past that. I can definitely recommend this book.
The story is about a man named Brody and a woman named Alyssa. He is an ex-con who was convicted of vehicular homicide and she runs a no-kill animal shelter. He ends up volunteering there to settle his community service requirements. There is, of course, external drama, but part of the conflict of the story is of a man adjusting back to life outside of prison. I liked how the routines established in prison life are both subtly and not-so-subtly touched upon.
My only problem with the story is the person. I fairly loathe first-person stories, and this one was written not just in first person, but in alternating POV, as well. It was well done, though, so I was able to get past that. I can definitely recommend this book.
Thursday, March 05, 2015
The Pox and the Covenant
Last night I finished The Pox and the Covenant by Tony Williams. It really isn't a long book and it left me feeling the way a good history book should, wanting to know more about the subject. I knew from other readings that inoculation was a touchy subject in Colonial days, but I hadn't realized just how touchy it was.
I must confess to also being one of the many Americans that knew Reverend Cotton Mather only through the lens of the Salem Witch Trials. I had no clue he was actually a learned scholar and could legitimately be called a scientist. I figured he was simply a hidebound theologian. My mistake. I think I'll be reading more about him.
The book seemed to end a bit abruptly, as if the author didn't quite know if there was more he should put in there, but he did show how the kerfuffle over the smallpox epidemic of 1721 and the inoculations championed by Mather and his friend Boylston sped up a disconnect between the Puritan Covenant and a rapidly modernizing Boston and New England society. I will definitely be looking into this more.
I must confess to also being one of the many Americans that knew Reverend Cotton Mather only through the lens of the Salem Witch Trials. I had no clue he was actually a learned scholar and could legitimately be called a scientist. I figured he was simply a hidebound theologian. My mistake. I think I'll be reading more about him.
The book seemed to end a bit abruptly, as if the author didn't quite know if there was more he should put in there, but he did show how the kerfuffle over the smallpox epidemic of 1721 and the inoculations championed by Mather and his friend Boylston sped up a disconnect between the Puritan Covenant and a rapidly modernizing Boston and New England society. I will definitely be looking into this more.
Wednesday, March 04, 2015
Children of the Night
Usually when I'm sick, I spend most of my recuperative time reading. For some reason, this stinking cold/flu/sinus infection, whatever it actually is, has left me not even wanting to read. This is when you know I'm on my proverbial deathbed.
I did manage to read, well, reread Mercedes Lackey's Children of the Night. It's an urban fantasy written back in the 1990's, before urban fantasy became big. I liked it then and I still like it. The heroine, Diana Tregarde, is definitely not perfect. She gets injured, has panic attacks, and drinks way too much. Too many of the heroes and heroines in sf/f are either perfect or virtual machines.
For shits and giggles, it's set during the Watergate era. I don't know why, but that has always really amused me. The setting also makes some of the jarring bits of the book make sense. This isn't modern day, with our modern slang or sensibilities. There are terms used in the book that are annoying, but they weren't looked askance upon in the early 1970's.
On the whole, while it may not have stood up as much as I liked from my earliest purchase of it, it still does stand up better than I hoped.
I did manage to read, well, reread Mercedes Lackey's Children of the Night. It's an urban fantasy written back in the 1990's, before urban fantasy became big. I liked it then and I still like it. The heroine, Diana Tregarde, is definitely not perfect. She gets injured, has panic attacks, and drinks way too much. Too many of the heroes and heroines in sf/f are either perfect or virtual machines.
For shits and giggles, it's set during the Watergate era. I don't know why, but that has always really amused me. The setting also makes some of the jarring bits of the book make sense. This isn't modern day, with our modern slang or sensibilities. There are terms used in the book that are annoying, but they weren't looked askance upon in the early 1970's.
On the whole, while it may not have stood up as much as I liked from my earliest purchase of it, it still does stand up better than I hoped.
Friday, February 27, 2015
The Immortal Who Loved Me by Lynsay Sands
One more book read. You would think I would have read more during this time being sick, but I just want to sleep and watch Hogan's Heroes. The Pox book was definitely put away because who really wants to read a book about fatal illnesses when one feels like crud warmed over? I listened to half of the audiobook/radio program for America: Empire of Liberty. I'll listen to the rest on my commutes to and from work.
I finished The Immortal Who Loved Me by Lynsay Sands on Wednesday. The Argeneau series is a lot of fun. I figure most vampire books should be written in a humorous vein (no pun intended). Serious vampire books tend to put me off. This one was not as funny as the majority of the others, but it was definitely not the most serious.
The jist of this series, and this is not really a spoiler, is that the immortals (vampires) are originally from Atlantis. Their society was isolated and developed into an extremely technologically advanced one before it was destroyed by a series of earthquakes. There had been an experiment to heal wounds using nanotechnology that went awry. Instead of the nanos disintegrating after healing the cancer or injury they were being used for, their lack of specific programming made them run amok inside the body of the patient and heal everything. Since the human body is assaulted by UV rays, pollution, etc., there is always something for the nanos to heal. Since the nanos used blood as fuel, the patients needed to constantly renew their blood supply since the little buggers were using it to keep them at the peak physical state constantly. Before Atlantis fell, transfusions were used. After it fell and the survivors made it out, if they were immortals, they needed to use other means to survive in the non-medically advanced world they found themselves. The nanos adapted their bodies to grow fangs when necessary.
The world she's built is pretty cool. It's mostly set in Canada, for anyone looking for a book set somewhere not the US. The people are also interesting. Basil is one of three brothers who escaped Atlantis' fall. He works on the Council. Sherry, the heroine, owns a kitchenware business, and is brought into the whole world when a character from a previous novel ducks into her store to hide from one of the villains that's been popping up in the last five or six books.
This really isn't a stand-alone novel. Too much of its plot is contingent on having read earlier books. A person getting into the series with this one would possibly be a little confused. The nature of the events mean there are a lot of previous characters popping in and out and things are assumed to be known. Ms. Sands definitely explains things for the newbie to the series, but I would still be disappointed by the immediacy of the romance between Sherry and Basil. Relationship growth happens after she basically accepts that they are life-mates. Basil, knowing the way things work, immediately accepts that Sherry is his life-mate when the two characters who seem to be turning into the match-makers of the series just say, "Here she is. Have fun, you crazy kids."
Also, the plot-line with Sherry's father bothered me.
If you want to start the series from the beginning, read A Quick Bite. To tell the truth, this newest one of hers probably won't be re-read much, even if it does go on my keeper shelf because it's part of the series. Here's hoping the next one in the series is much better.
I finished The Immortal Who Loved Me by Lynsay Sands on Wednesday. The Argeneau series is a lot of fun. I figure most vampire books should be written in a humorous vein (no pun intended). Serious vampire books tend to put me off. This one was not as funny as the majority of the others, but it was definitely not the most serious.
The jist of this series, and this is not really a spoiler, is that the immortals (vampires) are originally from Atlantis. Their society was isolated and developed into an extremely technologically advanced one before it was destroyed by a series of earthquakes. There had been an experiment to heal wounds using nanotechnology that went awry. Instead of the nanos disintegrating after healing the cancer or injury they were being used for, their lack of specific programming made them run amok inside the body of the patient and heal everything. Since the human body is assaulted by UV rays, pollution, etc., there is always something for the nanos to heal. Since the nanos used blood as fuel, the patients needed to constantly renew their blood supply since the little buggers were using it to keep them at the peak physical state constantly. Before Atlantis fell, transfusions were used. After it fell and the survivors made it out, if they were immortals, they needed to use other means to survive in the non-medically advanced world they found themselves. The nanos adapted their bodies to grow fangs when necessary.
The world she's built is pretty cool. It's mostly set in Canada, for anyone looking for a book set somewhere not the US. The people are also interesting. Basil is one of three brothers who escaped Atlantis' fall. He works on the Council. Sherry, the heroine, owns a kitchenware business, and is brought into the whole world when a character from a previous novel ducks into her store to hide from one of the villains that's been popping up in the last five or six books.
This really isn't a stand-alone novel. Too much of its plot is contingent on having read earlier books. A person getting into the series with this one would possibly be a little confused. The nature of the events mean there are a lot of previous characters popping in and out and things are assumed to be known. Ms. Sands definitely explains things for the newbie to the series, but I would still be disappointed by the immediacy of the romance between Sherry and Basil. Relationship growth happens after she basically accepts that they are life-mates. Basil, knowing the way things work, immediately accepts that Sherry is his life-mate when the two characters who seem to be turning into the match-makers of the series just say, "Here she is. Have fun, you crazy kids."
Also, the plot-line with Sherry's father bothered me.
If you want to start the series from the beginning, read A Quick Bite. To tell the truth, this newest one of hers probably won't be re-read much, even if it does go on my keeper shelf because it's part of the series. Here's hoping the next one in the series is much better.
Friday, February 20, 2015
Hidden Dragons by Bianca D'arc
I'm still working on The Pox and the Covenant. It's not a difficult read and is interesting. I'm just not in the mood for books about illnesses at the moment. I have a stupid sinus infection that's kicking my ass.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Cartoons of World War II
I spent some time at Books-A-Million today. I almost started reading a sci-fi, but I was pretty exhausted from work, so I took an easier route. I noticed a book called Cartoons of World War II, by Paul Husband, as I was going in. He collected cartoons, mostly editorial, on papers and magazines on both sides of the conflict. I've seen some of them before but it was nice getting the juxtapostion of date and source. My only regret with the book (other than my lack of cash to buy it at the moment) is that it didn't have more in it. I would love to see a comprehensive study of editorial satire from the era.
I'm not sure what category to put this one in. It wasn't a graphic novel. It was both a history book and an art book. Maybe I'll just add a couple of wildcard categories. Got it. I used it for the "book based entirely on its cover" category.
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Obsession in Death
Well, one more book down and I'm about a third of the way through one of my non-fictions.
I bought and read Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb today. Wow. It was really good. I've liked most of the books in the series, but I can honestly say this one is going to be in the top ten of them. It's very personal to Eve and the family she's built over the series. I like those. Since it just came out yesterday, I shall say no more, but I can chalk up Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb as my "book published this year". Started and finished on 2/11/2015.
The other one I'm reading is The Pox and the Covenant by Tony Williams. It's about the smallpox epidemic that hit Boston in 1721 that seems to be leading to the inoculation trend that I know John and Abigail Adams took advantage of for themselves and their own children. The surprising thing is that the cry for inoculations was started by a person I never expected: Cotton Mather. The book is quite interesting thus far and very readable, which is not always the case for history books.
I bought and read Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb today. Wow. It was really good. I've liked most of the books in the series, but I can honestly say this one is going to be in the top ten of them. It's very personal to Eve and the family she's built over the series. I like those. Since it just came out yesterday, I shall say no more, but I can chalk up Obsession in Death by J.D. Robb as my "book published this year". Started and finished on 2/11/2015.
The other one I'm reading is The Pox and the Covenant by Tony Williams. It's about the smallpox epidemic that hit Boston in 1721 that seems to be leading to the inoculation trend that I know John and Abigail Adams took advantage of for themselves and their own children. The surprising thing is that the cry for inoculations was started by a person I never expected: Cotton Mather. The book is quite interesting thus far and very readable, which is not always the case for history books.
Monday, February 09, 2015
2015 Reading Challenge
Wow. Three years since I've blogged. I guess that's actually a good sign as to my mental health. It means I no longer need the vent. However, I have decided to do a few reading challenges this year and need something to link back to. Of course, since I am insane, I can't just do one. I have decided to mix at least four of them into one massive challenge. If you want to start one of your own, here's a link to Bustle, which lists a bunch of options. Here goes.
2015 Reading Challenge, encompassing challenges by Popsugar, Kindred Digital Books, Bookish, Peekabook, Books and Chocolate, All About Books
There is a lot of overlap in the various challenges and I'm going to see how many of the categories I can fill up with my TBR shelves, female authors, and classics. To be honest, just knowing that at least three of my authors are prolific as rabbits means I'll be able to fulfill a few categories as soon as they publish their next few novels. I may not fill all of the categories this year, but it should be interesting. Beside this I'll be working on my NaNoWriMo novel from last year and a short pamphlet for the local libray. Then there are my crafts. This will be a busy year for me.
This post will probably get quite long as I will be using it as my central list.
A collection of short stories
A collection of poetry
A book published by an indie press
A book that takes place in Asia - The Rape of Nanking, Iris Chang, 1/15/2015
A book by an author from Africa
A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered “self-improvement”)
A graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of anyind
A microhistory - The Pox and the Covenant, Tony Williams, 3/4/2015
A YA novel
A sci-fi novel
A memoir
A mystery or thriller
A 19th Century Classic
A 20th Century Classic
A Classic by a female author
A Classic in Translation
A Classic with a person's name in the title
A humorous or satirical Classic
A forgotten Classic
A nonfiction Classic
A Children's Classic book
A Classic play - Lysistrata, Aristophanes, 3/15/2015
A classic romance
A book based on a true story
A nonfiction book - Children of the Flames, Lucette Lagnado, 1/15/15
A romance novel - Saving Grace, Julie Garwood, 1/30/2015
A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
A book that someone else has recommended to you
A book published this year - Obsession in Death, J.D. Robb, 2/11/2015
A Classic novella, under 250 pages
A 500+ page novel
A 1,000+ page novel
A novel in one day - The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy, Julia Quinn, 2/5/2015
Something by Plato, Aristotle, or Marcus Aurelius
A novel by David Foster Wallace
A novel by Nabokov
A novel by Mark Twain
A book by Neil Gaiman
A novel by James Joyce
A novel by Haruki Murakami
A novel by Kurt Vonnegut
A book by an author you LOATHE
A book written by an author with your same initials
An independently published by an Amazon author
A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ
A book by a person whose gender is different from your own
A novel on an e-reader - Children of the Night, Mercedes Lackey, 3/2/2015
A book that was/has been banned
A book with nonhuman characters
A book with antonyms in the title
A book with a number in the title
A book with a color in the title
A book with a one-word title
A book set in a different country
A popular author's first book
A book from an author you love that you haven't read yet - The Unleashing, Shelly Laurenston, 4/1/2015
A book a friend recommended
A book at the bottom of your to be read list
A book your mother loves
A book that scares you
A book based entirely on its cover - Cartoons of World War II, Paul Husband, 2/18/2015
A book you were supposed to read in high school but didn't
A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit
A book that came out the year you were born
A book with bad reviews - The Immortal Who Loved Me, Lynsay Sands, 2/25/2015 - (Putting this here because I gave it a generally bad review!)
A trilogy
A book from your childhood
A book with a love triangle
A book set in the future - Concealed in Death, J.D. Robb, 2/5/2015
A book set in a high school
A book that made you cry
A book with magic - Hidden Dragons, Bianca D'arc, 2/20/2015
A book by an author you've never read before
A book you own but have never read
A book that takes place in your hometown
A book set during christmas - Festive in Death, J.D. Robb, 2/6/2015
A book based on or turned into a tv show
A book that became a movie
A book you started but never finished
Listen to an entire audiobook - America: Empire of Liberty, David Reynolds, 3/11/2015
The Wolf, Jean Johnson, 3/7/2015
The Mage, Jean Johnson, 3/8/2015
The Mane Event, Shelly Laurenston, 3/9/2015
Printers' Marks: A Chapter in the History of Typography, William Roberts, 3/11/2015 (the link is to a downloadable pdf)
The Evolution of the Book, Frederick G. Kilgour, 3/11/2015
The Book: The Story of Printing and Bookmaking, Douglas McMurtrie. 3/11/2015
The Art & History of Books, Norma Levarie, 3/11/2015
Dragon Storm, Bianca D'arc, 3/12/2015
Big Bad Beast, Shelly Laurenston, 3/15/2015
Early Dutch, German & English Printers' Marks, Jean Philibert Berjeau, 3/16/2015 (the link is to a downloadable pdf)
Make It a Double, Sawyer Bennett, 3/17/2015
Printers Marks and their Significance, Douglas McMurtrie, 3/18/2015 (the link is to an online copy of the book)
Devices of the Early Printers: 1457-1560, Hugh William Davies, 3/18/2015 (the link is to an html copy from Project Gutenberg)
Printers Devices in Dutch Incunabula, W.J. Schretlen, 3/18/2015
Printers Marks, Horace Townsend, 3/18/2015
Printers Mottoes, Bella C. Landauer, 3/18/2015
Sicilia et Magna Graecia sive Historiae Vrbium Populorum et Graeciae ex Antiquis Nomismatibus Liber Primus, Hubert Goltzius, 3/18/2015 (this book was published in 1617 by the printer whose mark it took me years to identify. It is written in Latin, so it might be more accurate that I looked at every page)
Amoris Divini et Human Antipathia, 3/18/2015 (the same as the one above, but printed in 1655. The illustrations were absolutely amazing.)
Dutch Printers Devices, volumes 1-3, Peter van Huisstede, 3/19/2015
The Printed Book, Henri Bouchot, 3/19/2015 (link goes to a free downloadable copy at Project Gutenberg)
Masterpieces of the Early Printers and Engravers, Henry Noel Humphreys, 3/19/2015 (the link is to a downloadable copy of the book)
Heraldic Influence on Early Printers Marks, James Moran, 3/19/2015
English Printers Marks of the 16th Century, F.C. Avis, 3/19/2015
Before Midnight, Jennifer Blackstream, 3/20/2105
Stardust Miracle, Edie Ramer, 3/22/2015
Love Potions, Michelle Pillow, 3/23/2015
The Werewolf Liaison, Vivi Anna, 3/24/2015
The Naughty Never Die, LL Kellogg, 3/24/2015
London Under, Peter Ackroyd, 3/25/2015
Star Trek and History, Nancy R. Reagin, 4/5/2015
Keeper of the Flames, Bianca d'Arc, 4/8/2015
2015 Reading Challenge, encompassing challenges by Popsugar, Kindred Digital Books, Bookish, Peekabook, Books and Chocolate, All About Books
There is a lot of overlap in the various challenges and I'm going to see how many of the categories I can fill up with my TBR shelves, female authors, and classics. To be honest, just knowing that at least three of my authors are prolific as rabbits means I'll be able to fulfill a few categories as soon as they publish their next few novels. I may not fill all of the categories this year, but it should be interesting. Beside this I'll be working on my NaNoWriMo novel from last year and a short pamphlet for the local libray. Then there are my crafts. This will be a busy year for me.
This post will probably get quite long as I will be using it as my central list.
A collection of short stories
A collection of poetry
A book published by an indie press
A book that takes place in Asia - The Rape of Nanking, Iris Chang, 1/15/2015
A book by an author from Africa
A book that is by or about someone from an indigenous culture (Native Americans, Aboriginals, etc.)
A book that is a retelling of a classic story (fairytale, Shakespearian play, classic novel, etc.)
A self-improvement book (can be traditionally or non-traditionally considered “self-improvement”)
A graphic novel, a graphic memoir or a collection of comics of anyind
A microhistory - The Pox and the Covenant, Tony Williams, 3/4/2015
A YA novel
A sci-fi novel
A memoir
A mystery or thriller
A 19th Century Classic
A 20th Century Classic
A Classic by a female author
A Classic in Translation
A Classic with a person's name in the title
A humorous or satirical Classic
A forgotten Classic
A nonfiction Classic
A Children's Classic book
A Classic play - Lysistrata, Aristophanes, 3/15/2015
A classic romance
A book based on a true story
A nonfiction book - Children of the Flames, Lucette Lagnado, 1/15/15
A romance novel - Saving Grace, Julie Garwood, 1/30/2015
A National Book Award, Man Booker Prize or Pulitzer Prize winner from the last decade
A book that someone else has recommended to you
A book published this year - Obsession in Death, J.D. Robb, 2/11/2015
A Classic novella, under 250 pages
A 500+ page novel
A 1,000+ page novel
A novel in one day - The Secrets of Sir Richard Kenworthy, Julia Quinn, 2/5/2015
Something by Plato, Aristotle, or Marcus Aurelius
A novel by David Foster Wallace
A novel by Nabokov
A novel by Mark Twain
A book by Neil Gaiman
A novel by James Joyce
A novel by Haruki Murakami
A novel by Kurt Vonnegut
A book by an author you LOATHE
A book written by an author with your same initials
An independently published by an Amazon author
A book written by someone when they were under the age of 25
A book written by someone when they were over the age of 65
A book by or about someone that identifies as LGBTQ
A book by a person whose gender is different from your own
A novel on an e-reader - Children of the Night, Mercedes Lackey, 3/2/2015
A book that was/has been banned
A book with nonhuman characters
A book with antonyms in the title
A book with a number in the title
A book with a color in the title
A book with a one-word title
A book set in a different country
A popular author's first book
A book from an author you love that you haven't read yet - The Unleashing, Shelly Laurenston, 4/1/2015
A book a friend recommended
A book at the bottom of your to be read list
A book your mother loves
A book that scares you
A book based entirely on its cover - Cartoons of World War II, Paul Husband, 2/18/2015
A book you were supposed to read in high school but didn't
A book set somewhere you've always wanted to visit
A book that came out the year you were born
A book with bad reviews - The Immortal Who Loved Me, Lynsay Sands, 2/25/2015 - (Putting this here because I gave it a generally bad review!)
A trilogy
A book from your childhood
A book with a love triangle
A book set in the future - Concealed in Death, J.D. Robb, 2/5/2015
A book set in a high school
A book that made you cry
A book with magic - Hidden Dragons, Bianca D'arc, 2/20/2015
A book by an author you've never read before
A book you own but have never read
A book that takes place in your hometown
A book set during christmas - Festive in Death, J.D. Robb, 2/6/2015
A book based on or turned into a tv show
A book that became a movie
A book you started but never finished
Listen to an entire audiobook - America: Empire of Liberty, David Reynolds, 3/11/2015
The Wolf, Jean Johnson, 3/7/2015
The Mage, Jean Johnson, 3/8/2015
The Mane Event, Shelly Laurenston, 3/9/2015
Printers' Marks: A Chapter in the History of Typography, William Roberts, 3/11/2015 (the link is to a downloadable pdf)
The Evolution of the Book, Frederick G. Kilgour, 3/11/2015
The Book: The Story of Printing and Bookmaking, Douglas McMurtrie. 3/11/2015
The Art & History of Books, Norma Levarie, 3/11/2015
Dragon Storm, Bianca D'arc, 3/12/2015
Big Bad Beast, Shelly Laurenston, 3/15/2015
Early Dutch, German & English Printers' Marks, Jean Philibert Berjeau, 3/16/2015 (the link is to a downloadable pdf)
Make It a Double, Sawyer Bennett, 3/17/2015
Printers Marks and their Significance, Douglas McMurtrie, 3/18/2015 (the link is to an online copy of the book)
Devices of the Early Printers: 1457-1560, Hugh William Davies, 3/18/2015 (the link is to an html copy from Project Gutenberg)
Printers Devices in Dutch Incunabula, W.J. Schretlen, 3/18/2015
Printers Marks, Horace Townsend, 3/18/2015
Printers Mottoes, Bella C. Landauer, 3/18/2015
Sicilia et Magna Graecia sive Historiae Vrbium Populorum et Graeciae ex Antiquis Nomismatibus Liber Primus, Hubert Goltzius, 3/18/2015 (this book was published in 1617 by the printer whose mark it took me years to identify. It is written in Latin, so it might be more accurate that I looked at every page)
Amoris Divini et Human Antipathia, 3/18/2015 (the same as the one above, but printed in 1655. The illustrations were absolutely amazing.)
Dutch Printers Devices, volumes 1-3, Peter van Huisstede, 3/19/2015
The Printed Book, Henri Bouchot, 3/19/2015 (link goes to a free downloadable copy at Project Gutenberg)
Masterpieces of the Early Printers and Engravers, Henry Noel Humphreys, 3/19/2015 (the link is to a downloadable copy of the book)
Heraldic Influence on Early Printers Marks, James Moran, 3/19/2015
English Printers Marks of the 16th Century, F.C. Avis, 3/19/2015
Before Midnight, Jennifer Blackstream, 3/20/2105
Stardust Miracle, Edie Ramer, 3/22/2015
Love Potions, Michelle Pillow, 3/23/2015
The Werewolf Liaison, Vivi Anna, 3/24/2015
The Naughty Never Die, LL Kellogg, 3/24/2015
London Under, Peter Ackroyd, 3/25/2015
Star Trek and History, Nancy R. Reagin, 4/5/2015
Keeper of the Flames, Bianca d'Arc, 4/8/2015
Protector of the Small: First Test, Tamora Pierce, 4/16/2015
Protector of the Small: Page, Tamora Pierce, 4/17/2015
Protector of the Small: Squire, Tamora Pierce, 4/18/2015
Protector of the Small: Lady Knight, Tamora Pierce, 4/19/2015
Storm Warning, Mercedes Lackey, 4/23/2015
Storm Rising, Mercedes Lackey, 4/24/2015
Storm Breaking, Mercedes Lackey, 4/25/2015
An Offer From A Gentleman, Julia Quinn, 4/26/2015
Romancing Mr. Bridgerton, Julia Quinn, 4/27/2015
Sunday, January 22, 2012
Well, it's been a little bit since I updated this thing. I've decided it's time to get out of retail, given the fact that I generally want to murder the management staff at work daily. So, I have a plan. Get my Pharmacist Technician certification, then get a job that pays enough that I can actually save money for college rather than live paycheck to paycheck. Once enough money is saved, I'll get my degrees in history and library science and gleefully bury myself in paper for the rest of my life.
I've taken the first test and am on the second book in the course. I have a plan and for the first time in a while I have some hope for actually getting my degree. In the meantime, I'll keep working on my crafts and my occasional writing to keep sane and non-homicidal.
I've taken the first test and am on the second book in the course. I have a plan and for the first time in a while I have some hope for actually getting my degree. In the meantime, I'll keep working on my crafts and my occasional writing to keep sane and non-homicidal.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Artistic endeavours
Lately I've been expanding my artistic horizons. I signed up for Swap-bot over a year ago but have just recently started joining the swaps. I've been focusing on ATCs. I've also been working on my drawing and painting skills. They, to be generous, are non-existent. I 've been making Zentangles to work on the drawing and have purchased a bunch of watercolors and watercolor pencils for the painting. Since I have so many random papers at home I've been using them for some of the ATCs I've sent out.
I'm enjoying myself even though I'm getting a little frustrated with my lack of skills. I know I'll get better as I work, but I just feel as if I should be better already. I know it just takes practice, but I wonder sometimes how I'll find the time in the day to get better at all the hobbies I want to improve in. Stitching, designing stitching, painting and drawing and throw in the occasional bout of writing. I need to win the powerball so I can just indulge myself all day, every day.
I'm enjoying myself even though I'm getting a little frustrated with my lack of skills. I know I'll get better as I work, but I just feel as if I should be better already. I know it just takes practice, but I wonder sometimes how I'll find the time in the day to get better at all the hobbies I want to improve in. Stitching, designing stitching, painting and drawing and throw in the occasional bout of writing. I need to win the powerball so I can just indulge myself all day, every day.
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Stitching and tv
Never try to stitch while watching your favorite team play a game. It's not very productive. Man City just drew with Fulham and for at least the last twenty minutes I didn't set one stitch.
Monday, December 27, 2010
Squee!
Happy happy happy! I just bought tickets to a show I've wanted to see for a long time. Now I just have to con my brother into letting me take my nephew.
Friday, December 24, 2010
Long time AWOL
I've really been slacking on computer time in the past few months. First there was a ton of stitching, weird hours and then NaNoWriMo (which I nuked again).
My brother got married in October. They did it earlier than they had originally planned so their stitchy gift will be give for their first anniversary. I finished the Eagle Scout even though I still haven't given it to him. Oy! I have stitched about 25 ornaments in the last few weeks. I also finished the Kats by Kelly pattern I had. The Dragon and Witches Go Riding are still WIPs. I'll be adding two baby announcements to next year's list for my cousin and co-worker.
Mom and I have stolen my niece and nephew nearly every weekend for the last two months. Awesome! Mom's taking them to church, then the four of us go to breakfast. Last Sunday, Mom, my nephew and I had a four hour, single hand, Uno game. I have the Star Trek Uno cards and they have a card that makes you double your hand. It was played a few times that game. It was hilarious. My niece watched Mamma Mia and was almost through the singalong by the time I won the hand.
We're going to my cousin's house tomorrow and then we have the munchkins again for Sunday. I'll have my niece go through my music to pick what she wants me to put on her soon-to-be iPod. It should be fun.
So, Merry Christmas to the Christians. I hope everyone else had a happy holiday, whatever it may have been.
My brother got married in October. They did it earlier than they had originally planned so their stitchy gift will be give for their first anniversary. I finished the Eagle Scout even though I still haven't given it to him. Oy! I have stitched about 25 ornaments in the last few weeks. I also finished the Kats by Kelly pattern I had. The Dragon and Witches Go Riding are still WIPs. I'll be adding two baby announcements to next year's list for my cousin and co-worker.
Mom and I have stolen my niece and nephew nearly every weekend for the last two months. Awesome! Mom's taking them to church, then the four of us go to breakfast. Last Sunday, Mom, my nephew and I had a four hour, single hand, Uno game. I have the Star Trek Uno cards and they have a card that makes you double your hand. It was played a few times that game. It was hilarious. My niece watched Mamma Mia and was almost through the singalong by the time I won the hand.
We're going to my cousin's house tomorrow and then we have the munchkins again for Sunday. I'll have my niece go through my music to pick what she wants me to put on her soon-to-be iPod. It should be fun.
So, Merry Christmas to the Christians. I hope everyone else had a happy holiday, whatever it may have been.
Saturday, August 21, 2010
New Wedding design
Thanks to one of my cohorts on the LJ Cross-stitch group, I found the perfect wedding announcement for my brother and his fiancee. He proposed to her on (well, pretty damned near) the beach and the colors seem to suit her decor, so here we go. I won't even have to wait for her to pick flowers and stuff. I can start on it as soon as I finish the Eagle Scout, the Wiehenberg Sampler and the Dragon (in that order). Yay!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Another movie post...
I just watched Destination Mars! on Netflix. Tee-hee. It was awesome. It was such a great send-up of the 50's Mars invades flicks. The actors played it "straight" with just the perfect imitation of the pacing that the actors of those movies had. I have a new dvd hunt.
Of course, I just found 100 Million BC (which is unfortunately on a double feature with Journey to the Center of the Earth - even I have my B movie standards, low as they are) and Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus in the Wal*Mart $5 movie bin, so I'm having a fine movie night. I am becoming a big fan of the knock-offs The Asylum puts out. They are just so cheezy. Ooh. I just remembered they made this version of Sherlock Holmes, with Dominic Keating and Gareth David-Lloyd. It wasn't great, but it wasn't the worst, either. Definitely watchable if you keep in mind it's an Asylum film and the guy playing Sherlock needs to go back to acting school. Or at least take his hands out from behind his back once in a while.
Of course, I just found 100 Million BC (which is unfortunately on a double feature with Journey to the Center of the Earth - even I have my B movie standards, low as they are) and Mega Shark vs. Giant Octopus in the Wal*Mart $5 movie bin, so I'm having a fine movie night. I am becoming a big fan of the knock-offs The Asylum puts out. They are just so cheezy. Ooh. I just remembered they made this version of Sherlock Holmes, with Dominic Keating and Gareth David-Lloyd. It wasn't great, but it wasn't the worst, either. Definitely watchable if you keep in mind it's an Asylum film and the guy playing Sherlock needs to go back to acting school. Or at least take his hands out from behind his back once in a while.
Piranha 3-D
Okay, before I say anything else, I'll say this: I really want to go see this movie. It is obviously not going for Oscar nominations (unless the FX are somehow spectacular). It is a summer horror/fun flick. Apparently, people are peeved that there aren't going to be any special showings for reviews by critics. Hello?! This is the kind of movie guaranteed to make a critic's blood pressure rise and explode out of their pens in a sea of "Ack! This was horrible. No, no, blood and gore and 3D!" Showing it to a critic is a waste of time. Most won't watch a film and see the fun of it. They seem to need to find meaning and pathos in every film they watch. Um, not every film is out there for such a thing. Some are just fun bloodbath flicks that make you giggle and cheer when the obnoxious git gets eaten and the heroes somehow manage to save the day...except for the egg, of course, which is about to hatch the sequel, er, spawn of whatever the monster is.
I can't wait for this one. Chomp chomp and Christopher Lloyd thrown in for good measure!
I can't wait for this one. Chomp chomp and Christopher Lloyd thrown in for good measure!
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