May Day

I know that May began yesterday, but I simply couldn't resist adding this little video to the May lineup.

With summer gearing up there are dozens festivals, outdoor concerts, and various theatre troupes getting ready for the masses.

While I would love to list all of them that are close to you, I don't know where my reader is hailing from. :)

The nearest city I'm close to is Atlanta. With that said, here are a few great conventions or festivals that you can find in the Peach state's capitol.

MoMoCon

This even first began back around 2005. It began with the Anime group at Georgia Tech. What first started out as a few rooms on the campus is now a large event which takes place at the Omni Hotel and Georgia World Congress Center. It began with free entry (which I loved!) and is now about $20 - $60 (depending on how many days you wanna be there). It's coming around at the end of May 24-28th. Great for anyone who loves cosplay and meeting their favorite voice actors.

Spirit of Sweet Auburn

Ever been down a 150-foot zipline? There's always a first time. Come down and enjoy the Southern hospatility. Good food. Great company. Haven't been yet myself, so little information.

Marietta Greek Festival

OPA! Come on down for authentic Greek food, entertainment, and shopping. Enjoy this cultural exchange and learn about those form the Isles. Make sure to come hungry.

Georgia Renaissance Festival

Turkey Legs! Knights in Armor! Pirates! Highlanders! King Henry! Musketeers! This is the place to be. Only open on the weekends, and Memorial Day from the end of April to June, this is not an event to be missed. There are various vendors who you can watch work at their craft. Entertaining shows with wit and acrobatics! Be prepared for a full day out, as it's an outdoor event. You can exit the park throughout the day and return. From 10:30 - 6, it's the best way to check out the Renaissance!

What are some of your favorite festivals? Places you love going to when the summer heat gets to be too much? Leave a comment. :)

The Trials of a Blogger

A spoofed title taken from the last book that I finished.

While there are dozens of amazing book series that have a lasting impression - Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, The Chronicles of Narnia - there are some new ones that are stepping up to the plate.

Over the last few years Rick Riordan has given us a new twist on Greek Mythology. He's even gone into Roman, Egyptian, and Norse Mythology. Spinning tales set in modern times with the old legends.

While these series are well-worth the read, I have found new love in the latest series.

"The Hidden Oracle" series, follows a disgraced god as he becomes human to atone for mucking things up and causing a massive war.

"The Trials of Apollo" - aptly follow Lester Papadopoulos, a sixteen year old who falls from the sky to land in a dumpster. He angered his father, who punished him by making him a human.

Oh?

Lester was Apollo.

The God of Music, Poetry, Archery, Medicine, bringing the sun across the horizon - is now reduced to a teen who can't seem to make any of these things work for him.

While in the service to a feisty young girl named Meg McCaffrey, he has to redeem himself in order to become a God again.

Follow his first person whining, er, tale-telling, as he goes from dumpster beatings, to battling plagues, to being the worst in everything he's supposed to be good at - to having to deal with an old "friend".

Oh.

And he has to find and save all the Oracles.


Trust me - this book is far better than I am making it sound. So please PLEASE - go check out this amazing book.


And, if you have a favorite myth, post it in the comments below.

Book Nook Part One

I'm labeling this Part One because there are many books to read out there - and there are many to review.

I have a group similiar to this on Facebook. (In case you're interested.)

Today's choice of book is one I actually finished in the wee hours of the morning - because I only a few chapters left - and it was exceedingly fantastic.

Okay - we all know the buzz about Rick Riordan.

Right?

First there was Percy Jackson and the Olympians:
"The Lightning Thief"
"The Sea of Monsters"
"The Titan's Curse"
"The Battle of the Labyrinth" (no, not Jareth's)
"The Last Olympian"


Well - after reading these I decided to skip to his newest in this particular series, "The Trials of Apollo" - which I got four chapters into and reazlied that it alluded to the previous series in the series - "The Heroes of Olympus"

So - fast forward and I'm speed reading these (mostly) five books just so I can get back to the juicy novel all about Apollo (my personal favorite god).

The series in order:
"The Lost Hero"
"The Son of Neptune"
"The Mark of Athena"
"The House of Hades"
"The Blood of Olympus"


Well - I finished, "The Mark of Athena" last night and here are some thoughts.

Firstly: SPOILERS!

Though this book has been out for a few years now, so this shouldn't shock too many people. (I must be the only one living under a rock.)

This brings together seven demigods - Greek and Roman - to head off to the Ancient Lands to stop two twin giants.

Each of the giants is a bane to one of the Gods - this one focuses on the bane of Dionysus (or Baccaus) - Otis and Ephialtes, twins.

In order to kill a giant, demigods and gods must work together. Should be pretty easy, right?

Well - you should consider that gods are fickle, wont to do whatever they want, even if it means leaving a teenager alone to fight off a giant......or two.

While traveling to the Ancient and beautiful city of Rome onboard a flying Greek Triemene, they encounter the New Roman Camp Jupiter, vengence in the Great Salt Lake, a pretty boy with a pretty big complex, the Georgia Aquarium, beautiful Charleston, Fort Sumter, and then the Party Ponys.

And that's before they reach Ancient Rome guys.

When they finally reach their destination, they meet up with Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, automotons, ticked off Nymphs, and one giant spider (shuddering internally over here).

Well - this is a must read for all your reader out there.

It's also a fantastic way to learn about the Greek myths, cultures and warriors. This new series also delves into the Roman gods, myths, and legends.

Please - take a look into all of this.


And - once you're done, check out the amazing Kane Chronicles:
"The Red Pyramid"
"The Throne of Fire"
"The Serpant's Shadow"


And his other new series - still continuing (and another personal favorite, other than Apollo) - the Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard:
"The Sword of Summer"
"The Hammer of Thor" (which will be coming out later this year)



What is your favorite book Series? Leave a comment below.

(I am not paid for name dropping, or anything else related to this blog.)