Feb 15, 2010

Linger ARC Contest

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Linger CoverIn Maggie Stiefvater’s Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other.  Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past … and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack.  And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves … and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love–the light and the dark, the warm and the cold–in a way you will never forget.

Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th. Pre-order here.

Enter to win an advanced review copy of Linger, Sisters Red, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Replacement on Maggie’s blog.

Filed Under: Contests · 1 Comment
Feb 13, 2010

Seeing Muse in Concert

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I have a very eclectic taste in music.  It may not be as eclectic as some, but I don’t seem to stick to one genre more than another; it just all depends on my mood.

Until I was in high school, I didn’t really listen to music.  Before that, my older sisters always had control of the radio so I was forced to listen to their music.  Although I have fond memories of 80s hits, that genre isn’t my favorite; it seems too corny now.  In fact, almost all things 80s seem that way, which includes some of my favorite movies … unfortunately.

Once I got into high school, I started to listen to four styles of music: movie scores, religious music, Broadway show tunes, and The New Kids on the Block.  Now, I still love movie scores, religious music, Broadway show tunes, and even NKOTB, but my preferences have broadened and I also like alternative, punk, indie, industrial, rock, and some pop.

When I first liked NKOTB, they played in concert in Utah.  I wanted to see them so badly, but I wasn’t able to go.  Other than that one time, I had never had an itching to see anyone else in concert.  Particularly, bands like Green Day and Nirvana (when they were still around), even though I love their music, because of the unwanted “high” factor.

In recent years, however, I have wanted to go to a concert more and more just to experience one.  I tried to get tickets to the NKOTB concert in Utah last November, but they sold out way too quickly.  I almost saw Linkin Park, but I didn’t know about the concert until the tickets were sold out or too outrageously priced.  All my attempts to be one with the “cool” crowd has gone unrewarded … until now.

I really like Muse and I’ve really wanted to go to their April concert since I first heard about it in December, but I didn’t think I was going to be able to.  First, it’s on a school night.  Second, it’s the week of my niece’s wedding.  And third, the cost.

After I heard that a lot of my friends and even my boss and three of his kids are going, the draw to go became too unbearable.  I threw caution to the wind and bought tickets yesterday! (Okay, I really didn’t throw caution to the wind.  That’s not something I’d do.  I checked my syllabuses to see if anything pertinent is due on April 5. I only have an English paper due on April 6 so I’ll just have to get that done early.  I decided my niece’s wedding didn’t matter as far as the concert was concerned because she’s getting married April 8, and the only reason I was worried in the first place was having to take more time off of work.  I realized I don’t need to take time off for the concert so that relieved a lot of the unneeded stress.  And, Corey and I figured out a way to do it financially and I’m considering it my birthday present for this year.)

I’m so excited to go! I think it’s going to be great fun and I’ve heard that Muse puts on a fantastic show.

Filed Under: Music · 12 Comments
Feb 8, 2010

Prose vs. Story

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I know the best combination when reading a novel is to have good prose and a good story.  However, in many cases, novels don’t always have both.  Most often if a novel has good prose, it’s difficult to understand, takes more time to read, and is hard to get into (e.g. Fahrenheit 451 by Ray Bradbury, Mansfield Park by Jane Austen).  Whereas, a novel with a good story, is usually easy to understand, a “fast read,” very easy to get into, and in many instances has sub-standard writing.  (I don’t think I need to name names.)  Which do you prefer to read?

Personally, it all comes down to why I’m reading a particular novel.  Am I reading it to gain knowledge, increase my vocabulary, or to become well-read?  Or, am I reading it for entertainment, to escape the mundane, etc.?  For an everyday read, I would choose a good story over good prose.  Although I find eloquently written works to be refreshing from poorly written ones, I just don’t seem to enjoy them as much because it takes more effort to read them.  Let’s face it; I’m lazy and I want things to be easy. But, on the other hand, I have enjoyed reading a few “classics” in the last couple of years.  I’ve enjoyed broadening my horizons and becoming well-read.  I think the key for me is to find a good balance so that reading is more than just entertainment all the time.

Filed Under: Books, Discussion · 9 Comments
Feb 5, 2010

Musings about Reading

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I posted this on the forum I share with my friends. But, I wanted a broader range of opinion on my musings so I decided to blog about it too.

I know some of you aren’t as gung ho about Twilight anymore (or never were for that matter).  I understand completely because I’m not nearly as obsessed with it as I was anymore either.  I still have a soft spot for the saga because it ignited my love for reading and gave me amazing opportunities–most importantly the friendships I’ve made and still have two and a half years later.

I do still enjoy the anticipation of the movies, even if/when they don’t meet my expectations. And, I would also love to spend time with Stephenie Meyer on a more personal level if that opportunity ever became available.  But, the only reason I think about Twilight now (if I even do) is because someone (or something) mentions it in passing (or when reading another book).  And, the only reason I’m thinking so much about it now is because I’m listening to Twilight on audiobook at work right now.

I don’t feel a huge drive to read the books anymore, but that’s mostly because I have so many others I want to read.  However, I’ve noticed that when I still take the time to read (or listen to) Twilight, I still get that giddy feeling I felt when I read it for the first time.  That feeling isn’t nearly as strong as it was the first time because the mystery is gone now, but for some reason this story speaks to me.

I still find myself comparing other books to Twilight when I read them and I know it must get old for some people.  I don’t compare the stories because they’re all so individual and I don’t always compare writing (sometimes it’s inevitable), but I do compare feelings.  I don’t mean to, but for some reason if two characters have the same chemistry, angst, tension, etc. that Bella and Edward (or even Bella and Jacob) had, then I seem to be drawn to them much more.  There’s just something about that type of chemistry that makes a good story in my opinion.  (Some of the books I’ve recently read with those same feelings are The Dark Divine by Bree Despain, Graceling and my reviewFire by Kristin Cashore, The Hunger Games and Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, and Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater.)

Anyway, I have an onslaught of questions I’d like to ask you because I want to see how different or the same we are.  I know there are a lot, but I would appreciate it if you took the time to answer them.

  1. Do you ever do the same thing, meaning compare books to Twilight or another series that has meant a lot to you?
  2. Are there any books that seem to just speak to you?
  3. Why do you enjoy reading as much as you do?  Or, what do you hope to get out of reading?

For those that are/were Twilight fans:

  1. How do you feel about Twilight now that all the hype (other than the movies) has died down?
  2. For those of you that had a hard time with Breaking Dawn, did it change your opinion of the entire saga so you can’t enjoy it as much as you did?  Or, do you just ignore Breaking Dawn and/or enjoy it for what it is?
  3. Did the whole Midnight Sun fiasco (whether you view it as a black mark against the fans or a black mark against Stephenie Meyer) change the way you feel about the saga?
  4. Do you hope Stephenie Meyer continues to write?
  5. Do you just wish Twilight would die so you never have to hear about it again?

PS–I just realized that it may sound like I won’t like a book if it’s not like Twilight.  That’s not the case at all.  I just meant that if the feelings between characters are similar, then I’m more drawn to that kind of story.  And, the only reason I compare most things to Twilight is because it was the first time I experienced those types of feelings while reading a book.

Filed Under: Books, Twilight · 9 Comments
Feb 4, 2010

Meeting Bree Despain

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It’s already four days into February and this is my first post. I really need to blog more, but that would require playing less Facebook games when I have free time.

Anyway, on Saturday, my friends and I threw a party for Bree Despain, the author of The Dark Divine.  I feel like Bree and I are BFFs now, she was that personable.  She was so much fun to get to know and I loved hearing about why she wanted to become and how she became an author.

Not only was meeting Bree a lot of fun, but so was the party.  My friend Debbie was the one with the idea and once conceived, she and my other friends hit the floor running to make everything a great success!

Most, if not all, the marketing for The Dark Divine has included the color purple because of the gorgeous cover.  (At some of the book events, they even had custom nail polish named after the book.)  Because of the cover, we decided to decorate with purple balloons and other purple and black decorations and most of us wore purple to the party.  (I have to say that color wise, this was definitely my favorite party.)

The Dark Divine takes place around Thanksgiving so we had a fabulous Thanksgiving dinner.  It was so yummy! (I love being able to eat Thanksgiving dinner more than once a year. I used to request it for my birthday meal when I was younger.)

We had prizes too.  I was excited for the prize given to the person who wore the most purple.  But, alas, that game/contest was canceled a few days before the party because not everyone in the group had something purple to wear. Instead, a prize was given to the person with the best manicure or pedicure.  (Debbie knew I was disappointed about not being able to win a prize for wearing the most purple so she gave me a prize anyway–lavender bubble bath–because she knew it was inevitable that I’d win. The bubble bath is “divine” as I’ve already taken a bath with it.)  Another prize was given to the person with the best story about a time when they wished they had a cell phone, but didn’t.  (The main character, Grace, wished she had a cell phone more than once in the book.  But, her parents wouldn’t let her have one.)

My group of friends and I can get a little crazy at times.  We’ve been known to scare away people or make people nervous with our laughter and overall joviality.  Before we started to ask Bree questions, I warned her about our group.  Of course, I made it seem like I was innocent and wasn’t part of the devilishness to which most of my friends protested and corrected me. I only mention this because of the inscription Bree left in my book when she autographed it.

To Jennifer-
Thanks for the love & support. I had a great time laughing with you all. You’re right; this is a crazy bunch.
<3 Bree Despain

I laughed when I read it and I was happy we had made such a good impression on her.

It was a very fun party!  If you ever have the chance to meet Bree, I definitely recommend that you do.  She’s very down-to-earth, sweet, and funny.  And, as I stated in my review of The Dark Divine, I definitely recommend that you read it.

PS–For the record, I know I didn’t wear very much purple to the party.  But, in my defense, if the prize for wearing the most purple would’ve still been available, just trust the fact that I would’ve won.

Filed Under: Authors, Friends, Parties, SLTA · 14 Comments
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