Book Nook: What have I been reading?

This week I'm just going to list a few titles I've had on my To-Read shelf that I've finally managed to begin reading.

This blog has been a bit harder to post to since quarantine (don't ask me why, I have no will power at this point in the game, and things are looking downhill again in society).

So without much further ado, and in obviously no particular order:

Legendary - Stephanie Garber
Moriarty - Anthony Horowitz
Stalking Jack the Ripper - Kerri Maniscalco
DeadLand: Ghostwalkers - Jonathan Maberry
Asylum - Madeline Roux

Those are just a few that I can see from my desk.


What books are on your To-Read list?

Which ones have you finished?

Next month I will (try) to get a new little review up and running.

Have a fantastic week, and stay safe!

Book Nook:

Today we all lucked out.

Due to circumstances, I was able to finish an entire novel today. While that is cause for joy, it was mostly due to being a little ill.

That's fine by me. It's been a while since I've had an entire day to myself to read.


Title: Dead Beat
Author: Jim Butcher
Series: The Dresden Files

SPOILERS AHEAD - though since it was published in 2005 I'm certain most of you have read this. (I'm a little behind the times here, gimme a break.)

In this tale, we find our friendly neighbourhood wizard dealing with multiple things:

    - his half-brother vampire who can't seem to hold a job
    - regaining control over a severely burned hand
    - a half-alive vampire threatening Murph
    - students of Kemmler
    - a silver coin with a demon
    - Necromancers
    - Halloween


With all this ahead of him, and only a few days to get the bad guys.

With everything coming down the line he manages to find the help of a mortician, his half-brother vampire, his huge shaggy dog, the Wardens (who knew, right?), and a plethora of others.


But something goods gotta come out of it, right?

It's just an average day for the resident private investigator Wizard.



I personally love this series. What are yours?

2019

I'm grateful for a new year to improve upon myself.

Last year I was able to begin a few new things:

              Going back to college to finish my Bachelor's Degree
              Starting a new job (part time, but in a bookstore)

I can't wait to see how this year will improve.

I'm going to start a GoFundMe so that I can do a semester abroad - to do something more exciting.


More details to come.



What are you grateful for this year? What new expeditions are you looking forward to?

Book Nook: Mystic Notch #1

As many of you may have noticed I love reading. One of my favorite genres is Mystery. Over the past couple of years I've stumbled across a sub-genre of the genre that my mother and I became hooked upon (okay, she'll pilfer the book first, I'll read it after and tell her my suspicions as to the suspect and we both enjoy using the recipes in the back. You should try some of those cookies recipes! Delicious!)

Cozy Mysteries.

Basically a woman begins a new life after some life alternating event, often they return to their home town, or start up a new business.

Today's book finds the main character returning home after getting shot.

Title: Ghostly Paws
Author: Leighann Dobbs
Series: Mystic Notch
Number: One


Wilhelmina Chance has returned to her roots in the White Mountains of New Hampshire after a nasty divorce and an accident from her job as a crime reporter which leaves her with a rather interesting side affect: she can see, and hear ghosts.

Returning to town to get life back in order (as well it can be with the undead talking to you), she opens a bookstore that used to be run by her grandmother. Now the proprietor she and her new housecat investigate the murder of the local librarian.

This is a fun read, as it takes you on the side of the Supernatural and mystic side. It was a quick read, but well thought out and planned. It's a great weekend book to read, if you need something for the weekend, or a road trip.

Check it out at your local library, or bookstore.


What have you recently read?

Leave a comment below and let's talk literature!

WIP Week - Outlining

Right, well let me tell you about my writing style.

I get the story in my head. When I'm in the mood (or the zone) I write/type depending on what I prefer. I NEVER outline. Not even when I was supposed to do so in high school.

The last some odd years - basically since middle school - I've had this story idea in my head. I'm not ashamed to admit it began with a fanfiction for Lord of the Rings, spanning into Pirates of the Caribbean, Van Helsing, and The Phantom of the Opera.

Over the course of those many, many years it has evolved into something far more frustrating and life/mind consuming. (It may be a miracle I managed to stay sane for so long.)

Now, to this outline.

I realized that this massive fanfiction had an excellent plot, great locations, interesting tech, and a bunch of characters ripe for the picking. Only....they weren't their fictional characters anymore.

Through the course of years the characters left behind their rather copyrighted persona and became something more original. It was a miracle.

So I spent a few hours (yup, hours) going through the story. I made an outline for the first time in forever.

(.....yup....good luck getting that song outta your head.)

Right now it's at seven (7) pages, and I'm still not even close to being done with it.

The only issue I now face.

Writing.

I have 2 1/2 pages written out, but I'm taking my time in doing so. I did set a deadline to have chapter one done by the 15 of April. See how well that didn't turn out? Life happens, and we can't always keep up. (Well, I'd be more inclined to do so if I was getting paid for it. Or if I had an editor or a BETA reader.)

Huzzah for being a free writer!

Here's a little snippet of my outline for WIP week!

THE LIEBRARY

-Liebrary houses ancient books, of magic, obscure, rare finds

- A group of Magicians were in charge of keeping it

- They abused the power in the books

(Possible ghost of the past in charge of it now)

What's something that you are working on? Would you be interested in reading my novel, piece by piece?

Book Nook: A Challenge!

Welcome to the New Year!

Last year I participated in the GoodReads Reading Challenge. I chose 25 as the number of books that I would read (as the past couple of years I went from 100 (which didn't happen) to 15, which was surpassed).

I knocked that goal out of the park, reading well over 30 books. (34/25 woo!)

I tend to read fantasy, young adult, mysteries, and a variety of historical non-fiction. I delve into fiction and biographies from time to time as well.

I love recommendations from anyone as well - gives a different perspective


I'd like to know what sort of books you read. Which genre do you tend to pull towards?


Here's a few that I read through last year, as well as some series I'm going to continue on with this year:

Crown & Key Series

A Carolyn Blue Culinary Mystery

Black Cat Bookshop

Odd Thomas Series

Magnus Chase and the Gods of Asgard

Fairy Tale Fatal Mystery

Booktown Mysteries

Splintered Series

Ophelia Wylde Paranormal Mystery

Precious Stone Trilogy

Kingdom Keepers (Will continue the series this year)

The Land of Stories (Will continue the series this year)

I've got a lot of other books on the docit for this year as well including:

Les Miserables

The Hunchback of Notre Dame

A Tale of Two Cities

Give me a few books you thoroughly love to read. I'd like to see what's caught everyone's fancy.

Fairy Tale - Fatal Tale

Over the last week I've read three, yes 3 books. They are the first in a new series that I've picked up. A Cozy Mystery Series that will take you into the year 1867.

The first novel, "Snow White Red-Handed" takes us from a steamship out of New York to the fabled castles that was reported to have belonged to Snow White.

Follow Ophelia Flax and her friend Prudence (Prue) Bright, two actresses who've lost their jobs, now take on the role of maids.While working for a millionaire's wife they uncover a plot in regards to daughters who are not daughters and sisters who are not sisters.

Here we meet Professor Penrose, a studious teacher from England. Together they track down a killer who used an apple laced with cynaid.

Follow them through the first casino, through the Black Forest, and deep into the mines of Snow White's seven dwarves.

With all the fun humor of the time (an ankle!!), this will be one of those reads you simply cannot put down!

There are two more novels in the series (hopefully more to come, more to come!!)!!

Here you have it, wish it was more.

Maia Chance is a writer to whom I will be eagerly look forwards to.

Leave a comment with your current favorite read.

Reading - Make It a Hobbt

While I would love to stake claim to that marvelous quote - I cannot.

Back in high school a trilogy of epic fantasy movies came out over the space of three years. While I had never read the novels (yet), I set a goal to read them before going to see the movies.

Reading a trilogy, especially one such as The Lord of the Rings is no easy feat. The novels were written is such a way that the words flow, how it was written, the context. For some it's an intimidating factor. For me - it was downright terrifying! But I made it through .... six times. (Still haven't gotten around to the Silmarillion, tried it, but it scares the crap out of me!)

In honor of books in general - here are a few that I have a particular fondness of. No particular order.

1. The Shadow Revolution by: Clay Griffith and Susan Griffith

           

     This is the first in a trilogy. The Crown and Key series is what happens when you mix Victorian England, magicians, and a slash of steampunk. Each book is wonderful, telling the story through a band of adventurers. Join Scribe Simon Archer, alchemist Kate Anstruther, hunter Malcom MacFarlane, and the inventor of their gadgets Penny Carter as they fight to save London, and England at large from supernatural threats.

2. Confessions of a Part-time Sorceress: A Girls Guide to the D&D Game (Dungeons and Dragons) by: Shelly Massanoble

          

        As a recent convert to the great game (began roughly over a year ago, though only been to about 10 sit-ins), I can attest that this is a great read for new beginners. It definitely helped me while I was learning the ropes of the game. If you need an intro to the world of the game I would highly recommend this.

3. Eyes Like the Stars by: Lisa Mantchev

         

        Okay. This entire book is based on theatre. Yes, with an "re". Take the wonderful works of Shakespeare and other plays, place them in a live theatre where they are actual people, and mix in a rambunctious girl who can call in any scene piece and make it real. When someone inadvertently unleashes Ursula, who kidnaps her best friend Nate (who happens to be a pirate from Neverland), Bertie Shakespeare Smith will do everything in her power, and the Book, to help rescue him. (Oh, it's the first of a trilogy.)

4. Northanger Abbey by: Jane Austen

       

      I had to add at least one Austen novel on this list. While there are many wonderful tales to choose from, I prefer a lesser known. This follows the life of Catherine Moreland in her quest to find love. Although, when she continues to see art in normal life, it's hard to tell what is real and what is pure imagination.

5. The Chocolate Cat Caper by: JoAnna Carl

     

      With Cozy Mysteries on the rise - well, at least for me - this is one of my favorites. When Lee McKinney divorces her husband, she moves up to Michigan to heel her aunt Nettie in her chocolate shop. Things are looking up, until a big client winds up dead with one of Nettie's chocolate's to blame! Lee goes undercover (ish) to find the culprit to clear her Aunt's chocolates. This one comes with recipes included!

I'll end it at five - but be aware there will be follow-up posts in regards to novel ideas!

Note: I am not paid for name dropping. I am not paid for anything said on this blog. Please don't sue me.

Volunteer!

Today I wanted to go over a few things that I do in my personal life.

While there is plenty of time for random videos based around the internet (I'm looking at you, YouTube), or looking at other things, there are other things which can occupy that time as well.

One of the things I was glad to begin back in the fall of 2015 was being a volunteer at one of the theater's in Atlanta. It was a wonderful opportunity for me to share my time and help out.

While ushering isn't a "glorified" job in any theatre, I find it a unique opportunity to help others .... and the benefit of seeing the show for free is the best reward imaginable. While volunteering my time - arriving two hours before the show is supposed to begin - it's a fantastic way to do something that I love while meeting new people.

I have also volunteered time at local theatre groups around my town, helping backstage with moving sets, props, and costumes into place. The techies and stage hands do most of the work for a show, making sure that the actors have everything they need and keeping them on time with their cues. They are the cogs of the show that you never see, but know are working.

During the summer our local library has a Summer Reading Program. Throughout the two months of no school, there are events for all age groups ranging from magicians, to reading with a rescue cat, to movies each week, and writing groups. Helping out at those events not only relieves stress from the librarians (who often have to go it alone without help). And who doesn't want to be a Librarian nowadays?

There are dozens of ways that you can volunteer your time. If you don't know where to start, ask your neighbor, or church leader. Guaraenteed there is someone close to you who knows of a project that needs extra hands helping.

What are some ways you give back?

A New Year

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This year has had a rocky start off (personally). Though it has greatly improved today.

2017

It should be an excellent new year. There are plenty of opportunities for improvement, change, travel, and learning new things. I am ready for the things ahead of me.

A few things that I've planned for myself - call them a Resolution if you must - I will call them a plan:

1) Finish a complete rough draft of my novel

     This has been a project between myself and another person - whom I'm co-writing it with.

2) Travel

      I know this is what everyone has on their bucket list, but I intend to do more of. There are a few places that I want to go - and I have high intentions of getting a passport soon.

3) Finish some art projects

      There are a few that I have on the line. Some that are taking time to get through, but I feel that this could be a great year for finishing things.

4) Read at least 25 books

      Last year I had a challenge set on goodreads.com for 15. I knocked it out of the park with 28. I think 25 this year is a reasonable goal.

What are some of your projects, or resolutions for this year?

Are you ready to knock 2017 out of the park?

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.

Free Day - An Ideal Day

What would you do if you had an entire day to yourself?

Shopping - day at the movies - hiking - sports - relaxing with a good book - ?

I think my ideal day would be spent in a mixture of things that I find relaxing.

I would start out the day with a light breakfast, to get myself going. Foods would include: apple, water, maybe a waffle or two.

Next would be some shopping, going out, walking around the mall (a great way to exercise by the way), getting various little things - or simply enjoy window shopping. Planning out things to purchase later on. This can also be done on the internet, if you don't want to go out.

For lunch I'd find a nice little spot either indoors or someplace shady outside. I would probably have just a baguette, some honey and cheese, and cranberry juice. With maybe a few Hershey kisses for dessert.

The afternoon would be spent out walking, or exploring one of the many gardens around the city. Taking pictures of the flowers, or some candid pictures of friends. I love taking photographs, so this would be ideal. Maybe I could convince then to make a short video or something.

I'd make it back in time to clean up and get ready for a night out.

I'd have a nice, brief dinner before heading to an 8PM show. Either a play or musical that interests me. Ideally it would be Phantom. Theatre is my favorite thing.



What would you consider an 'Ideal Day'?
A spa trip?
A long drive?

Leave a comment below describing how you would spend your day.

A Little Random

So I realized today that none of my posts to date have had much in common.

Well - they've been me ranting about various things in life and society, so I suppose that is the commonality of them all.

This past week I've been thinking a lot about people who work more than one job. People who spend, quite literally, their entire days working. Bouncing from one job to the next to the next, only getting home for a few hours to sleep before heading out and doing it all over again.

Then there are those who are not only working more than one job, but who are going to school on top of it - so now there's studying and assignments and commuting time.

How do they do it?

I mean, I've done the 6 classes thing. I didn't have a job though (unless you count SMing our college's production of "Hamlet").

I've also done the full time work thing - only in the summer.

However, when I tried mixing the two I bombed it.

Alright when I had Intro to Web Business and was switching between jobs and states (yeah, I moved for the summer) I managed it quite nicely. I even scored a B+ out of the class! So I thought I could do it again. I signed up for an online Intro to WebDesign.

It killed my school average.

Twice!

Not only did I bombed it once, I went back to try again, even taking Intro to Programming. Not only did I realize Web Design and Development were no longer as fun and easy as I'd thought - I got a crash course in how much math goes into programming!

(I spent most of the assignment inputting the data verbatum to the book, and it still came out wrong! How does that even happen! I was following it word-for-word! Why!!!)

Okay, so aside from all that - how do people work multiple jobs at a whack and not just fall over at the end of the day?

Today is my second day of double shifts.

From 10-2(or 3, depends on the day), I work at a music store. It pays $8.75, which isn't bad. It's quite amazing, really. I'm a part-timer, which means I'm working between 8-18 hours a week though, so it became boring quite quickly.

So I picked up another job. One that I swore up and down I would never be caught dead at because the pay sucks and you're relying on others to help cover costs. I thought I was going to become a bartender - which I was okay with. I served drinks last summer. Apparently I wasn't listening correctly. I guess I muted out the title of the actual job -

Server.

Yup. Glorified waitress.

When that finally sunk in I felt the bottom of my stomach drop from under me.

The extra job I'd gotten to help offset what I was barely making at one store was now basically me working for free.

What the crap had I gotten into?

There is no shame in being a server. It's a position designed to help people get 'experience' in the work field. It's not meant to be a career job.

I was starting to be okay with it. Sure, I complain when I'm not there, but when I am there: I don't stop. It's a job where I'm on my feet, but I'm constantly moving around. I'm not just sitting in the back room reading (to which I will never complain about - cause Books. 'Nuff said).

Then last night, I felt like I was finally grasping the whole, take order, place order wait for food, engage the guests without spending too much time at the table, take food out, check in on them and all that jazz. And that's when I got my first big hit.

No tip.

I sorta stared at it. I was honestly confused.

I thought I'd done a great job at the table, I mean we didn't have orange slices that night for a particular drink, but everything came out as they'd asked.

So - what did I do wrong?

I had another realization when working last Friday.

I over-analyze everything I do.

"Did I say enough?"

"Did I make too much eye-contact?"

"Did I accidentally respond to something I shouldn't?"

"Did I get their drinks right?"

"Was that a joke?"

I know that - with more time - this job will become easier.

I also know that - being an introvert - this is going to be one of the hardest things I've done. I feel like I'm intruding on their dinner/lunch.

I suppose it's all in how you present yourself. The best you can do is the already the Best.

If I take it one day at a time, then I can breathe.

So - to all those who work double-triple jobs, add school on the side, or are balancing both:

YOU ARE DOING YOUR UTMOST BEST. DON'T LET ANYONE TELL YOU OTHERWISE.

Otherwise, let them do what you do for a day. I guarantee they won't be able to handle it.