Reinvented

Yes, it's true. I am reinvented. Sort of. It's not like I switched religions or anything. But after a recent discussion with my husband (you will also hear me refer to him as my boyfriend, Mr. Hottie, etc.), and a slew of events that were minimally life-changing, I am redefining my blog. I can't do YA anymore. Scratch that. I can do some of it, just not all of it. Because as the wise Dr. W once said, "Wasn't Narnia a whole different experience when you read it as an adult?"

(As Aslan roars in my face)

The answer is, "Of course it was." What I'm looking for is good literature. Good reads. Like the website. I'm kind of tired of over-the-top extremely handsome guys and out-of-this-world sparkling beautiful gals. I want substance. Besides sex, I mean. I don't need that from a book.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized I don't have that many years left. Even if I live to be 100, I will never get to read all I want to, nor will I get to experience everything I want to. I need to choose things that will benefit me somehow, not just give me instant and fleeting pleasure. It's not that I'm going to feel guilty about all the YA I have read. Nor about the time I've spent following boards on pinterest of things I'm never going to do. But now it's time to stop. To turn a new leaf.

http://justsomething.co/the-34-most-hilarious-pinterest-fails-ever/

This isn't going to be a book review blog alone, but will now include intellectual thoughts. I will try to maintain a theme, especially year-by-year, but I'm not promising I will be that organized. I do promise I won't post any cookie recipes. Or tell you about my awesome parenting skills (puh-lease). I might post a favorite piece of literature from the Gutenberg project. Or a favorite painting. You get the idea. And yes, I will still read. Because...guilty pleasure alert...I just got a digital copy of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on Overdrive. Squeee!

Oh yeah, this is good stuff. Because we do need an escape. But Harry Potter can be deep, too. I think that's why I liked the series so much. All that "love" goo. Serious stuff. But also really fun. Don't mock me. I loved it a long time ago.

The two books whose covers are pictured above are books that I read for my Lit class. While I never would have picked these books up without a class assignment (or at least a strong recommendation from a friend), I am so glad I've read them. The first, The Inconvenient Indian, is a brief history of the Native Americans from the time of Colonialism down and is written from a Native perspective. Thomas King has a colorful, honest, and sardonic way of telling these stories without boring us with a textbook version. American Indian Stories is a collection of essays and stories by Zitkala-Sa, AKA Gertrude Bonnin, who has written down these things in beautiful language and includes the story of her childhood. Yes, both of these are politically driven, but they're also interesting and well-written.

Well, there it is. Reinvented. What do you think?

Cogling

What mood I'm in today: Reading
What I'm listening to right now: Actually, I'm watching the Burbs.

Have you seen The Burbs? Because if you haven't, you should. Great summer movie. I watched this over and over growing up and I still know most of the lines. Is that lame? Probably. But I don't care. Especially since I just got back from camping for three days and don't plan on moving for the next five hours. Possibly more.

So my most recent read is Cogling, by Jordan Elizabeth:

Edna and Ike set out to help Edna's brother who has been replaced by a Cogling. This steampunk adventure is full of twists and turns and isn't sappy or pretentious. Read my whole review on Goodreads (click for link). Gave it four stars!

Now I'm onto trying to read Les Miserables, which is kicking my butt. Ergo, I'm also reading Victorian in between, another Jordan Elizabeth book.

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Gathering Blue

What I'm listening to right now: If You Could Only See, Tonic
What mood I'm in today: Reading

Today has been kind of weird. For lots of reasons, the least of which is I'm tired of looking at my computer. I'm kind of in a situation where I have to spend a lot of time with my youngest son, which means I get to watch Pokemon, Phineas and Ferb, and The Flash (good thing I actually like this show, though Phineas and Ferb can be pretty funny sometimes) repeatedly for several days. I'm also planning on running through the sprinklers tonight. And cutting back my dying lavender. And probably reading some more of Cogling, by Jordan Elizabeth.

Did I mention it's hot? I need a Popsicle. Be right back.

I almost forgot this little gem, Gathering Blue by Lois Lowry. It's the second book in The Giver series (which I just learned recently is actually a series). While I didn't love it as much as I loved The Giver, I really thought it had a good message and was an interesting story. In a harsh society, much more blatant one than Jonas', the crippled aren't worth much. Kira's mother insists she's strong and is able to contribute to society. Read my entire review here on Goodreads.

Hopefully next month I will be ten degrees cooler, at least.

Happy Reading!

Cybele's Secret

What mood I'm in today: Reading
What I'm listening to right now: Sonic Underground, in the background

So, what do you do when you have to wake up earlier than five and you can't go back to sleep right away? You remember that you haven't posted your latest book review yet. And no wonder. Summer has been brutal in every way. Lightning fast vacation, kids going every which way, hardly any time to read so that you resort to audio books, and temperatures above 100 F for five days.

Five days!

I mean, geez!

I can't claim that I actually read Cybele's Secret. I listened to it. And this cover...

Juliet Marillier has this talent for building worlds that I envy. I mean, the places I could escape to in my head! Fair warning; if you haven't read Wildwood Dancing, read that first. That one is still the best, but this was an entertaining close second. Read my full review here on Goodreads.

Until next time, Happy Reading!

Secrets, Lies, and Witches

What I'm listening to right now: my son making noises with his Flarp putty.

What mood I'm in today: Editing

Wow! I finally finished a semester. Again. Lots of semesters to go, but can't complain. 

Happy Mother's Day! Did you get your mother a book? Good for you! If not, I'm sure you at least gave her a card or a phone call or something else she will appreciate. The weather is pretty good here; a nice mix of rain and sun. At least my flowers are growing! 

I had a bunch of books on the back-burner, and at last! Here they all are in no particular order...

Escape from Witchwood Hollow, by Jordan Elizabeth. This was a really fun book to read. A little difficult to get through because of the writing style, but while I gave it three appreciative stars, most people give this four or five. You can read my review on Goodreads. I recommend reading this when you're in a spooky mood (think young X-Files meets Supernatural). 

And by Kimberly Loth, the last two books in the Thorn Chronicles series. 

And don't you just love these covers? Secrets and Lies are the finishing touch on Naomi and Sunday's stories. If you like modern-day supernatural mixed with love story, this is your kind of things. You can read my review of Secrets here, and of Lies here. 

That's it for today. Happy Reading!