tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post115062248354445752..comments2023-05-24T08:06:43.882-04:00Comments on Romance Writer's Revenge: Tuesday Review: Spooky YA Novels GaloreTerri Osburnhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17176989488447450585noreply@blogger.comBlogger24125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-56898689627999229082012-07-31T17:41:17.097-04:002012-07-31T17:41:17.097-04:00See, I knew I should have goggled names or somethi...See, I knew I should have goggled names or something. I wasn't sure about Chopin, but knew she wrote something depressing too. Yes, the Yellow Wallpaper (Perkins) was so terribly depressing, but I think it really gave me my first real fire about how belittling men could be to women and their real health problems--that it's only been very recently (last 30 years or so) we've been approaching mental illness and depression more compassionately. <br /><br />Now I have to look up the Chopin book where no one dies in the end but has sex. Of course THAT one was never featured in class. WTH. And definitely find Herland. <br /><br />I love your comments when I bring up stuff like this. You're so patient with my obvious ignorance--esp when I supposedly majored in English! I was always better at the writing than the literature, I'm afraid.Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-31466662926753622952012-07-31T17:37:35.609-04:002012-07-31T17:37:35.609-04:00Q, typically I'm not an Olympics fan, but I...Q, typically I'm not an Olympics fan, but I've been watching bits and pieces--I even watched some volleyball yesterday and was so obsessed, Dad and I nearly missed his doctor's appt! I still don't know if they won. <br /><br />I do love the gymnastics and I saw on the news they kicked some ass, so that'll be fun to watch tonight. I'm looking forward to it (assuming it's not past my bedtime when they show it!)<br /><br />I did feel bad about the guy gymnastics last night...when Japan had their little fit and Ukraine got kicked out of 3rd place. You could see them roll their eyes, like, "Well, that's JAPAN, they always have to win..." Too bad. I'm sure they were all really awesome; and glad to see GB got one of the top medals, even though I wish they'd retained their 2nd place status.Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-64011284778120203302012-07-31T17:34:23.115-04:002012-07-31T17:34:23.115-04:00Di, I love when authors can incorporate real place...Di, I love when authors can incorporate real places and time!! Will have to investigate those books. Excellent suggestion. I read the Devil Colony by James Rollins--and he's excellent at suspense and tension--and now I never want to go to Yellowstone National Park because I think it will blow in a fiery mess *LOL*--and my previous boss loved the book so much he still is obsessing about it and recommending it to others. *LOL* I'm guessing this is a similar sort of thriller?Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-61309447322482711782012-07-31T17:32:30.989-04:002012-07-31T17:32:30.989-04:00Mo, I hate it when I can't find books that exc...Mo, I hate it when I can't find books that excite me to read, but the older I get, the broader my interests become. Or maybe it's the writing aspect--I'm willing to read self-help books, history, psychology, religion, and other non-fiction, as well as writing craft books (so long as they refill the well and don't poison it! Hard to pick a good one that does that!), and sometimes I'll branch into other aspects of fiction I enjoy. Like in my romance, the aspects I really like are the social history--so I find books about social history in the eras I find fascinating. I love reading stuff about Indian and Islamic cultures--as a family network. I know I like books with dystopian themes, so I go looking for those kinds of books, which is how I got so hard and heavy into the YA novels. I mean, there was Harry Potter and Twilight, but after that, I had to do some searching. (Though I did enjoy the Princess Diaries...I am charmed by the variety. Just depends what I am in the mood for. Mood is extremely important. Maybe you need to figure out your mood--what are you interested in knowing more about?)Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-24402078464417666292012-07-31T17:28:05.928-04:002012-07-31T17:28:05.928-04:00I definitely want to try Pat's drinking game. ...I definitely want to try Pat's drinking game. Who's in?Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-82052629913377722322012-07-31T17:25:01.405-04:002012-07-31T17:25:01.405-04:00You don't think Kate Chopin's The Awakenin...You don't think Kate Chopin's <i>The Awakening</i> is depressing, Hellie? It's one I always want to add to Jenny Crusie's reference to literary classics (Madame Bovary, Anna Karanina) in which women who go after what they want die or become celibates devoted to good works (Hester Prynne). Granted the insanity of the heroine in Charlotte Perkins Gilman's "The Yellow Wallpaper" is even more depressing. But to be fair, Chopin also wrote "The Storm" in which great sex between adulterous lovers ends with everyone happy, and Gilman wrote <i>Herland</i> with its feminist utopia sans competition and conflict.Jangahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15128188159653860806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-59418973522725552432012-07-31T17:08:25.193-04:002012-07-31T17:08:25.193-04:00I've given up fiction while the Olympics are o...I've given up fiction while the Olympics are on!<br /><br />Just watched Michael Phelps add to his medal collection. What a swimmer. He's generally acknowledged as the greatest Olympian ever! <br /><br />Also watched the American Lady Gymnasts taking gold. An awesome spectacle.<br /><br />I think we need synchronised writing as an Olympic event.<br />You guys would look great in leotards. *wink*Quantumhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08686409685564115213noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-73070754033037496942012-07-31T14:36:49.871-04:002012-07-31T14:36:49.871-04:00I've recently finished Shadow of Night, the se...I've recently finished Shadow of Night, the second in The Discovery of Witches trilogy by Deborah Harkness. I can't wait for the next one. Also, she was in our area on a book tour, and she was great. This book takes place in 1590, and I loved how she incorporated real people and places. <br /><br />Now I'm reading Bloodline by James Rollins-man I love him!<br /><br />DiDi Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05952698961588256891noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-85808381086764980632012-07-31T13:13:13.753-04:002012-07-31T13:13:13.753-04:00What a fun sounding game!
I do need to get someth...What a fun sounding game!<br /><br />I do need to get something going in the currently reading department...nothing really fills me with excitement...sigh...Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01517092592545660754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-68142010753654206402012-07-31T12:18:10.473-04:002012-07-31T12:18:10.473-04:00Rome was violent, Spartacus even more so. Husband-...Rome was violent, Spartacus even more so. Husband-critter and I devised a drinking game for Spartacus. Take a shot for every instance of the word "cock." At the end of an episode, one could easily have alcohol poisoning.P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-10957610058790735412012-07-31T12:14:43.672-04:002012-07-31T12:14:43.672-04:00I watch HBO, Starz, Showtimes series on DVD, so I&...I watch HBO, Starz, Showtimes series on DVD, so I'm always a season behind. As a rule, the producers of cable series revel in the absence of censors. That's why I like them; I'm a sick puppy.<br /><br />Mortal Instruments was cheap, about $2.99, a couple of weeks ago. As was Anna Dressed in Blood. I'm all about cheap. Thought I'd give 'em a try.P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-61664916452201590732012-07-31T12:04:56.058-04:002012-07-31T12:04:56.058-04:00HBO is pretty violent. (Understatement of the Deca...HBO is pretty violent. (Understatement of the Decade I suspect.) ROME was violent...and graphic so I only survived a few episodes of that.Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-40437454586762290072012-07-31T12:03:59.382-04:002012-07-31T12:03:59.382-04:00Pat, no worries, never got more than a few pages i...Pat, no worries, never got more than a few pages into Austen either, which I consider a truer crime. THOUGH I could usually plug along with Mark Twain all right. And Kate Chopin(?)--the chick who wrote the Yellow Wallpaper. MAN, that girl had some problems, but good. I remember a women's literature class that I loved--everything we read was wonderful, but I suspect that had far more to do with the teacher than the content. She was passionate about the subject and able to make it very interesting.Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-75517128607912021472012-07-31T11:51:47.334-04:002012-07-31T11:51:47.334-04:00Oh, and Kiddo reads the Immortal Instruments stuff...Oh, and Kiddo reads the Immortal Instruments stuff. I think she's reading the second Prince one right now.Terri Osburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17176989488447450585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-21262271096032065122012-07-31T11:51:24.640-04:002012-07-31T11:51:24.640-04:00I don't have HBO but it was available in some ...I don't have HBO but it was available in some hotel I stayed in not long ago. Watched about 8 minutes of Game of Thrones and couldn't take the violence. That stuff is not for me.Terri Osburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17176989488447450585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-52343092755140090492012-07-31T11:41:57.072-04:002012-07-31T11:41:57.072-04:00Currently reading Stacia Kane's Unholy Magic, ...Currently reading Stacia Kane's Unholy Magic, the second in the series. It's hardly lyrical, more like seriously spooky UF with a protagonist who has drug addiction from hell. Anna Dressed in Blood is next along with Cassandra Clare's Mortal Instruments. I'm still...totally obsessed with fan fiction.<br /><br />I loved the first three books in the Song of Ice and Fire series (Game of Thrones), but book four is a total letdown, five...which I just read, was okay. But fantasy is totally my thing. Season one of the TV series was good--great casting. Might be more approachable for non-fantasy readers. Since it's HBO, expect loads of violence and sex.<br /><br />I've never read any Dickens. (Also, never gotten more than a few pages into Jane Austen, so not much of a classics reader.)P. Kirbyhttp://www.patriciakirby.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-75287084725930448762012-07-31T11:00:39.048-04:002012-07-31T11:00:39.048-04:00I knew Janga wouldn't let me down with a new l...I knew Janga wouldn't let me down with a new list. Okay, must stop by the bookstore! (Though I'm still not falling for the ONE MOUNTAIN AWAY. It's a trap, people! *LOL* I respect it couldn't have ended any other way, but deep down I know it's a trap! *LOL*)Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-48001612059944630102012-07-31T10:58:39.558-04:002012-07-31T10:58:39.558-04:00Terri, it's amazing the breadth of things I di...Terri, it's amazing the breadth of things I didn't read and got an English degree. It's called mastering the art of the skim and also massive note taking. A lot of this stuff was regurgitating themes the professor thought important. I was great at pulling things out of context so to speak to support my argument and moving on. (Deacon Elder's daughter at work!) I particularly loathed Dickens though. He was boring and manipulative. And to me, a fake. Dragging this crap out by the paragraph and it's all "life is awful" with a sappy ending. I have issues with Dickens. *LOL*<br /><br />I agree it IS appalling though. But I think it's appalling that so much of the literature we're encouraged to read is so darned depressing.<br /><br />OMG, you bought a book! To go with your other unread books! *LOL* But I applaud your optimism!Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-78784046220919395492012-07-31T10:53:31.097-04:002012-07-31T10:53:31.097-04:00Marn, yeah, now the group has pledged to write mor...Marn, yeah, now the group has pledged to write more, I suppose reading more is a bit out of the question. Still...maybe keep a "WISH LIST" as a reward. You should reward yourself at the end of a writing session with something you like. A chapter or two of a good book might be nice before bed.Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-34872499835681853202012-07-31T10:52:18.933-04:002012-07-31T10:52:18.933-04:00Hi Mo! Yeah, not everyone is lyrical. *LOL* I find...Hi Mo! Yeah, not everyone is lyrical. *LOL* I find a lot of YA novels lyrical and that might be why I gravitate to them more. And darker. But the supernatural darker rather than thriller-killer kind. *LOL* But Longmire sounds like a good one to note; and I'm glad you enjoyed the newest Higgins book. My favorite of hers is MY ONE AND ONLY, but I think that's because I love reunion stories.Hellie Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03933713255844695337noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-83079134412764243992012-07-31T10:33:32.946-04:002012-07-31T10:33:32.946-04:00I reviewed Molly O'Keefe's second single-t...I reviewed Molly O'Keefe's second single-title, <i>Can't Hurry Love</i> today. I loved it! I thought it was the best turnaround of heroine I didn't like to one I was totally rooting for since SEP's Sugar Beth. I have an eARC of <i>The Notorious Countess Confesses</i>,the next book in Julie Anne Long's Pennyroyal Green series, and I'm excited about reading it.<br /><br />The O'Keefe and several other great reads are releasing today. Aming those I've already read and loved are <i>How to Romance a Rake</i> by Manda Collins, <i>All Summer Long</i> by Susan Mallery (maybe the best in the Fool's Gold series), and <i>Forever and a Day</i> by Jill Shalvis. Emilie Richards's <i>One Mountain Away</i> is also out today, a wonderful read for those who like women's fiction. I like Liz Carlyle's <i>The Bride Wore Pearls</i> too.Jangahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15128188159653860806noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-35065358450358466552012-07-31T09:03:14.009-04:002012-07-31T09:03:14.009-04:00How do you obtain an English degree without readin...How do you obtain an English degree without reading Dickens? I've read Dickens. My kiddo read Dickens this past school year. HOW did you get around that???<br /><br />What have I read? Well, I've reviewed most all the books I've read this summer so nothing new to report beyond those. Right now I'm reading a friend's unpublished MS. And it's back to writing. But I brought a couple books home from conference (yes, just a couple) so I have something to pick up in August.Terri Osburnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17176989488447450585noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-88466359217630038622012-07-31T08:43:03.748-04:002012-07-31T08:43:03.748-04:00As to YA, I read Anna Dressed in Blood. It was re...As to YA, I read Anna Dressed in Blood. It was really good. I read Sherry Thomas's second in her series, the Ravishing the Heiress. I can't wait for the third in that one.<br /><br />Besides that, I'm trying to write. But I should be reading more, probably. I could stand some filling up the well. :)Marnee Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01533816213473440342noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-416913236621309814.post-41999261693250617342012-07-31T00:19:06.027-04:002012-07-31T00:19:06.027-04:00Well, I found the Longmire books quite lyrical... ...Well, I found the Longmire books quite lyrical... And I read Krisin Higgins newest book and dug it. But not sure I'd say lyrical fits it's description, but it was fun. Same with Nancy Martin and the newest Blackbird Sister mystery... <br /><br />But then again, I haven't read much lately...and my eyes are recovering from being dilated so I didn't read a thing today, uh, Monday.Maureenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01517092592545660754noreply@blogger.com