Next month I will be celebrating my 5th blog anniversary. It doesn't seem possible that I have been blogging that long. I thought it might be fun to give you a chance to get to know me better by asking me questions. So, get those questions ready and e-mail them to me at literaryfeline [AT] gmail [DOT] com! I will post the questions and my responses here on my blog.
© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Monday, June 27, 2011
Friday, June 17, 2011
Friday Randomness: Junkfood for the Mind
This weekend I found myself sitting in front of the television, not focused enough to read nor seeking anything substantial. I began flipping through channels. I stopped when I came across a movie I had not only seen before (twice) but also don't think is all that great. The acting is terrible, in my opinion (the setting is breathtaking though). But there I sat, nursing Mouse, watching Twilight.
I also recently sat through Trojan War, a movie about a young man who goes out to find a condom (really) for a tryst with the girl of his dreams only to land in a heap of trouble over and over again. It's a comedy in case you are wondering. Anyway. It wasn't all that good either, but there I sat. Watching.
I watched the movie Planet 51. The second half first and then caught the first half later. It was cute. Nothing spectacular.
Junk food for the mind, my husband calls it. Have you ever fallen victim to sitting through a not so good movie just because?
I love movies and have always stayed abreast on what was coming out when. I just haven't cared all that much the last several months, knowing I'd likely have to catch the movies on DVD at some later date.
I will be seeing the final Harry Potter movie in the theater though.
© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
I also recently sat through Trojan War, a movie about a young man who goes out to find a condom (really) for a tryst with the girl of his dreams only to land in a heap of trouble over and over again. It's a comedy in case you are wondering. Anyway. It wasn't all that good either, but there I sat. Watching.
I watched the movie Planet 51. The second half first and then caught the first half later. It was cute. Nothing spectacular.
Junk food for the mind, my husband calls it. Have you ever fallen victim to sitting through a not so good movie just because?
I love movies and have always stayed abreast on what was coming out when. I just haven't cared all that much the last several months, knowing I'd likely have to catch the movies on DVD at some later date.
I will be seeing the final Harry Potter movie in the theater though.
© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Wednesday, June 15, 2011
From the Archives: Mini Reviews from April 2005 (part 2)
I began keeping a reading journal several years before I began blogging. I find it interesting to sift through my thoughts of books that I read back then. My reviews were often brief and contained little substance, but I thought it'd be fun to document them here on my blog as well as share them with you. Here are a few from April 2005:
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Knopf, 1997 - Fiction, 448 pgs
In Memoirs of a Geisha, readers get a front row seat to the unfolding of a beautiful, sometimes sad and at times romantic story of Chiyo’s life and her becoming Sayuri, a geisha. Arthur Golden has a gift with words, bringing his characters to life and creating an extremely likeable character such as Chiyo. The history of Japan during the 1930’s and the intricacies of the preparations and life of geisha were educational and intriguing. I was a bit disappointed in the ending, if only because I thought it came to a close too fast and was too easy of an ending for such a complex story. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed Memoirs of a Giesha.
Haunted by Kelley Armstrong
Bantam, 2005 - Fantasy, 528 pgs
When I put my name in as a contestant in the drawing to preview this book through the publisher, I did not really expect to win. Kelley Armstrong is an author that came recommended to me through fellow fans of Laurel K. Hamilton’s and so I scooped up her first two books—and, of course, they are sitting amongst my many TBR books waiting to be read. There must be something about supernatural stories that can really grab my attention and hold my interest so completely. I was captivated with the story in Haunted. A witch ghost is given the task of finding and helping in the capture of a very evil and elusive demi demon. I immediately liked the main character, Eve Levine. She is a smart, tough and sassy woman who knows how to get things done. She became even more real for me as she struggled with letting go of her old life in the living world and making a life in her new world.
I had been so engrossed in the novel yesterday morning that I had to forgo stopping by the gas station on my way to work so as not to be late. I was down to half a gallon of gas and so I had to fight of panic of running out of gas. The writing itself is nothing fancy and in the very beginning I had difficulty finding my footing in the sense of setting. Perhaps it’s the dimension shifts I struggle to get my mind around because I recall having a similar problem with the first book in Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy, Daughter of the Blood. I am looking forward to reading Ms. Armstrong’s earlier books.
Devil’s Corner by Lisa Scottoline
Harper Collins, 2005 - Crime Fiction (S/T), 400 pgs
Assistant United States Attorney Vicki Allegretti is determined to solve the murder of her ATF partner and the mother of a former defendant she once hoped to convict. In a tale about drug and gun trafficking, corruption, and murder, Ms. Scottoline serves up a suspenseful and exciting mystery for readers. She pairs two unlikely heroines who prove to be a tough team to contend with. The personal aspects of Vicki’s life added fullness to the character and the story. And I loved the character of Reheema with her grit and charm. Although it did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel in any way, I was not too impressed with Vicki’s love interest, however.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think?
Memoirs of a Geisha by Arthur Golden
Knopf, 1997 - Fiction, 448 pgs
In Memoirs of a Geisha, readers get a front row seat to the unfolding of a beautiful, sometimes sad and at times romantic story of Chiyo’s life and her becoming Sayuri, a geisha. Arthur Golden has a gift with words, bringing his characters to life and creating an extremely likeable character such as Chiyo. The history of Japan during the 1930’s and the intricacies of the preparations and life of geisha were educational and intriguing. I was a bit disappointed in the ending, if only because I thought it came to a close too fast and was too easy of an ending for such a complex story. Otherwise, I thoroughly enjoyed Memoirs of a Giesha.
Haunted by Kelley Armstrong
Bantam, 2005 - Fantasy, 528 pgs
When I put my name in as a contestant in the drawing to preview this book through the publisher, I did not really expect to win. Kelley Armstrong is an author that came recommended to me through fellow fans of Laurel K. Hamilton’s and so I scooped up her first two books—and, of course, they are sitting amongst my many TBR books waiting to be read. There must be something about supernatural stories that can really grab my attention and hold my interest so completely. I was captivated with the story in Haunted. A witch ghost is given the task of finding and helping in the capture of a very evil and elusive demi demon. I immediately liked the main character, Eve Levine. She is a smart, tough and sassy woman who knows how to get things done. She became even more real for me as she struggled with letting go of her old life in the living world and making a life in her new world.
I had been so engrossed in the novel yesterday morning that I had to forgo stopping by the gas station on my way to work so as not to be late. I was down to half a gallon of gas and so I had to fight of panic of running out of gas. The writing itself is nothing fancy and in the very beginning I had difficulty finding my footing in the sense of setting. Perhaps it’s the dimension shifts I struggle to get my mind around because I recall having a similar problem with the first book in Anne Bishop’s Black Jewels Trilogy, Daughter of the Blood. I am looking forward to reading Ms. Armstrong’s earlier books.
Devil’s Corner by Lisa Scottoline
Harper Collins, 2005 - Crime Fiction (S/T), 400 pgs
Assistant United States Attorney Vicki Allegretti is determined to solve the murder of her ATF partner and the mother of a former defendant she once hoped to convict. In a tale about drug and gun trafficking, corruption, and murder, Ms. Scottoline serves up a suspenseful and exciting mystery for readers. She pairs two unlikely heroines who prove to be a tough team to contend with. The personal aspects of Vicki’s life added fullness to the character and the story. And I loved the character of Reheema with her grit and charm. Although it did not detract from my enjoyment of the novel in any way, I was not too impressed with Vicki’s love interest, however.
Have you read any of these books? What did you think?
© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Monday, June 13, 2011
Bookish Monday Mewsings
After four weeks of being back at work, I think I have finally settled into a morning routine. It can be a bit of a challenge with a newborn who keeps her own schedule, eating and sleeping on demand. She's slowly finding her own regular pattern--not without a little help from mom and dad--now that she's reached that three month mark. And so every work day, I rise before the sun, change and feed Mouse, and get ready for work. I admit to lingering with Mouse and rushing through my own routine--but it's worth it. At the end of the day I rush home to be with Mouse--no one better stand in my way! The evenings seem too short before it is bath and then bedtime.
I used to always say that a reader will always make time to read, no matter how busy he or she is. And I still believe that. At least to a degree. I now more fully understand how difficult it can be to make the time juggling a full-time job and a baby in addition to keeping a house. As a result, takes me quite a while to get through even one book. But I am reading! And I am slowly beginning to blog again. I am finding my rhythm, you could say.
At the moment, I find it easier to read books on my nook. Perhaps my not having unpacked my books yet has something to do with that? It is also easier to hold and turn pages with one handed. I still love my paper books, however. I haven't completely gone over to one side or the other.
This weekend I tweeted: A friend told me I need to relax more (she's right). Suggested I give up reading murder mysteries (not gonna happen).
Despite my friend's advice, this past weekend I was able to finish Mark Billingham's upcoming Bloodline and am about to begin L.J. Sellers' The Sex Club, the first in the Detective Jackson series. Yes, they are murder mysteries. I can't help it if I turn to mysteries and suspense novels for comfort. Perhaps it is the whole good triumphs over evil or the fact that such novels grip me and don't let go until the very end. If it's a good mystery anyway. Regardless, I enjoy reading a mystery. (Did I mention that my friend's reading tastes tend to lean in the James Patterson direction? She means well though, and I love her for it.)
Also on the bookish front, I recently took advantage of a special Unbridled Books was offering. Twenty-five e-books for twenty-five cents. The sale lasted only a short time and was offered at specific independent bookstores. I have several of the publisher's books already and ended up purchasing eleven titles for my nook:
The Distance Between Us by Masha Hamilton
Wolf Point by Edward Falco
Small Acts of Sex and Electricity by Lisa Haines
Shimmer by Eric Barnes
The Unnatural History of Cypress Parish by Elise Blackwell
The Good Doctor Guillotin by Marc Estrin
The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
Stranger Here Below by Joyce Hinnefeld
The Journal of Antonio Montoya by Rick Collignon
The Green Age of Asher Witherow by M. Allen Cunningham
The Phantom Limbs of the Rollow Sisters by Timothy Schaffert
As if I need more books.
What are you reading at the moment? Have any new books come your way recently?
I used to always say that a reader will always make time to read, no matter how busy he or she is. And I still believe that. At least to a degree. I now more fully understand how difficult it can be to make the time juggling a full-time job and a baby in addition to keeping a house. As a result, takes me quite a while to get through even one book. But I am reading! And I am slowly beginning to blog again. I am finding my rhythm, you could say.
At the moment, I find it easier to read books on my nook. Perhaps my not having unpacked my books yet has something to do with that? It is also easier to hold and turn pages with one handed. I still love my paper books, however. I haven't completely gone over to one side or the other.
This weekend I tweeted: A friend told me I need to relax more (she's right). Suggested I give up reading murder mysteries (not gonna happen).
Despite my friend's advice, this past weekend I was able to finish Mark Billingham's upcoming Bloodline and am about to begin L.J. Sellers' The Sex Club, the first in the Detective Jackson series. Yes, they are murder mysteries. I can't help it if I turn to mysteries and suspense novels for comfort. Perhaps it is the whole good triumphs over evil or the fact that such novels grip me and don't let go until the very end. If it's a good mystery anyway. Regardless, I enjoy reading a mystery. (Did I mention that my friend's reading tastes tend to lean in the James Patterson direction? She means well though, and I love her for it.)
Also on the bookish front, I recently took advantage of a special Unbridled Books was offering. Twenty-five e-books for twenty-five cents. The sale lasted only a short time and was offered at specific independent bookstores. I have several of the publisher's books already and ended up purchasing eleven titles for my nook:
The Distance Between Us by Masha Hamilton
Wolf Point by Edward Falco
Small Acts of Sex and Electricity by Lisa Haines
Shimmer by Eric Barnes
The Unnatural History of Cypress Parish by Elise Blackwell
The Good Doctor Guillotin by Marc Estrin
The Pirate's Daughter by Margaret Cezair-Thompson
Stranger Here Below by Joyce Hinnefeld
The Journal of Antonio Montoya by Rick Collignon
The Green Age of Asher Witherow by M. Allen Cunningham
The Phantom Limbs of the Rollow Sisters by Timothy Schaffert
As if I need more books.
What are you reading at the moment? Have any new books come your way recently?
© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
Saturday, June 11, 2011
Saturday Snapshot: Camouflage
Fun in the sun.© 2011, Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty. All Rights Reserved.If you're reading this on a site other than Musings of a Bookish Kitty or Wendy's feed, be aware that this post has been stolen and is used without permission.
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