Christmas Came Early This Year

I am pretty sure Christmas came on a Tuesday this year. Tuesday, December 15th. It was the day of my team lunch at work and our Secret Santa exchange. It's my favorite meeting of the year. And not because my Secret Santa made me homemade brownies and filled my gift bag with tootsie rolls. Rather, it's the only real opportunity my team has to get away, just us, and set the shop talk aside. I am blessed to work with such a great group of people. Sure, we get on each others' nerves sometimes, but at the end of the day, we wouldn't have it any other way.

Full of the holiday spirit after a fun afternoon, I decided to swing by my mailbox on my way home. I had three packages waiting for me. Well, two were for me. One was for my husband. In the corner of one of the boxes was a note saying it was for the Book Blogger Holiday Swap. I also noticed that according to the sticker, it had arrived the week before (but I won't let the fact that I was at my mailbox last Friday evening and was told I didn't have anything ruin my day--I'm in too good of a mood for that). The other two packages were from Amazon and I just knew they were from the SantaThing exchange (hosted by LibraryThing). I signed up my husband this year too, not wanting to leave him out of the fun of receiving a book in the mail. He hadn't a clue so was much surprised when he got home from work that evening.

Try as I might, I couldn't wait until my husband came home to open my Book Blogger Holiday Swap gift. Such wonderful presents awaited me! The snowman stocking was overflowing with goodies and then there was a rectangular shaped package that looked and felt an awful lot like a book.

My Secret Santa this year was Pooch from Yarn-Knit-Read-Lit and did she ever spoil me! She gave me heavenly smelling candles in a beautiful cloth bag, lavender lotion, note cards, a journal, a Christmas magnet, and an ornament for the tree. And then there was a book, Midnight Never Comes by Marie Brennan. I let out a squeal of joy at the sight of it! It's been on my wish list for awhile now.

I cannot thank Pooch enough for her thoughtfulness (thank you, Pooch!). Everything is perfect.

Parker insisted on getting in the photo. If you look closely in both the above pictures, you can see Anya under the glass of the coffee table.

As hard as it was for me, I did wait for my husband, Anjin, before opening my SantaThing package so we could open ours at the same time. My husband's Santa, Clue, sent him a copy of Crime Novels: American Noir of the 1930s & 40s. It's the perfect gift for him. He loves noir and enjoys reading short stories. My Santa, Boblinfortino, sent me copies of Anne Rivers Siddons' Off Season and The Girls by Lori Lansens. Both are new-to-me authors, and I look forward to giving them a try. Many thanks to both Clue and Boblinfortino for the books!

It was a good day, that Tuesday, the 15th.

(Note: I was assigned to send a gift to Teresa of Shelf Love this year. I had such a fun time shopping for her. She received her gift this past week. I'm happy to say her cat Sophie liked her gift as well.)

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© 2009, 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.

The Search for the Perfect Gift - Virtual Advent Tour

In honor of the Virtual Advent Tour, I was prepared to share with you a few of my favorite holiday things: my favorite song and tradition, the most memorable Christmas, and the holiday movie I've watched the most. But I have so much to do! It's my furlough day, you see, and there's last minute Christmas shopping, vacuuming and dusting that needs to be done, and, the most important, a book to get back to. So, when I was approached about offering up this spot for a guest post today, I quickly agreed.

Please welcome today's guest to Musings of a Bookish Kitty!

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Virtual Advent Tour hosted by Kailana andMarg.

Christmas is my favorite time of year. All the ribbons, bows, wrapping paper and boxes. Maybe a new toy or two. The sounds of Christmas carols fill the house as does the aroma of tasty treats. I have a great fondness for the colored lights and decorations. Santa's hat is a special favorite of mine, especially the puffy ball at the tip.

This year I knew I had to get the most perfect gift for my parents. Something that would earn me smiles and hugs. But what to get and where to find it? Should I ask my brothers to go in on it with me? Surely they would hog all the glory. I wasn't sure I could do it myself though. It wouldn't hurt to try, I figured. I could only hope that I would know the gift when I saw it.

My parents love to eat and what better place to find the perfect gift than in an eatery? The hint of cinnamon and nutmeg in the air made my whiskers twitch. The icebox was full of all sorts of treats, including some of my own favorites. I couldn't resist a little taste of whipped cream on a pie. And was that a turkey, I spied? No one would notice if I took a little nibble.

I slunk to the entertainment department where there were towers of DVD's and CD's. Josh Groban was singing Silent Night in the background. The choices were endless. In music there was everything from classical and jazz to rock and country. The movie collection was quite impressive too. I was sure I could find something that my parents would like. The best evenings are those when we all settle together in the living room to watch a movie. I always seem to fall asleep during the movies; the flickering lights from the screen and the sounds coming from all around me often lull me to sleep. It is the fault of that too soft pillow on the couch. It gets me every time.

I wandered by a cabinet of computer games that I just had to stop and browse. I don't play, but my dad likes them. A month's subscription to World of Warcraft would make him happy. And maybe my mom too. It would give her more time to read. She's always complaining she doesn't have enough time to read.

I still was at a loss for what to get them when I happened upon the bookstore. The door was already open, I swear. Books lined the shelves, some slid into their spots at angles while others were neatly edged. The books were arranged alphabetically by author's last name. Memories of bedtime and curling up in bed with a book sprung to mind. A bookmark with a little kitten charm attached caught my attention. One can never have too many bookmarks. Those little dangling tassels are fun to bat around. They don't always taste so good though.

I was no closer to finding that perfect gift than when I first started. It was impossible. There were too many distractions and sunspots to sleep in. I would have to enlist my brothers' help after all. Then I remembered that there was still one place I hadn't looked. And I headed for the entrance. My eyes took a moment to adjust to the dim light. I nearly bumped into a shelf of T-shirts on my way to the sleeping bag section. What to get, what to get . . . I decided to sleep on it for a while.

It wasn't until later that night when we were all together that it came to me. As I looked up at my dad petting Parker, I saw the tension ease out of his shoulders and the slight upturn of his lips. Mom leaned over to give them both a hug. "The purrs of an angel," she said as she turned to look for me. She scooped me up in her arms and held me close. I gave her the best gift I could think of. I began to purr.


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Today's guest: Anya, a short haired tortie of 18 months, is more likely to bask in the heat of a computer rather than use it. However when she puts her mind to it, her paws produce the most amazing things. At least when she's not distracted by the cursor.

Wishing you all a Happy and Safe Holiday Season!

Be sure and stop by the Virtual Advent Tour website for a list of other tours taking place this month!

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© 2009, 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.

The One in Which I Attempted to Write Mini Reviews (but still used too many words)

One More Year: Stories by Sana Krasikov

Spiegel & Grau, 2008 (ARE)
Fiction; 240 pgs
Source: Review copy provided by the publisher
Rating: (Very Good)


I read this collection of stories earlier in the year and featured several of the short stories from it. I enjoyed the book so much that I thought it was worth a mentioning as a whole.

I do not know if it was because I was reading the wrong kinds of short stories, whether they were truly bad or I just had not learned yet how to appreciate them. Short stories come in all different styles. Some are character studies; others have more of a vignette feel to them, that slice of life view; and then there are short stories that are more plot driven, with a clear beginning, middle and end. Sana Krasikov manages to capture all three in her collection, One More Year. Her characters are richly drawn and fully developed. Their stories are complex, their experiences real. She writes about immigrants from the former Soviet Union, each story a slice of their lives.

You can find my reviews of four of the individual stories here:
"Companion" & "Maia in Yonkers"
"Asal" & "Better Half"

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Lion of Senet by Jennifer Fallon
Bantam Fantasy, 2002
Fantasy; 558 pgs
Source: Bought at Barnes and Noble in October of 2004
Rating: (Good +)

Someone recently mentioned that they were surprised I read fantasy. I was a bit surprised they thought that being that it is one of my favorite genres. The problem is it isn't my only favorite and so I read a lot of other types of books too; and lately those seem to have taken over my blog.

I read Lion of Senet as part of this year's Chunkster Challenge, finishing it back in November, just in time. It is the first novel in the Second Sons Trilogy.

From the author's website:

On the world of Ranadon there is no night. Thanks to the intervention of Belagren, High Priestess of the Shadowdancers, and the sacrifice of a child of royal blood, the Age of Shadows has been banished and once again both suns shine brightly in Ranadon's skies.

When a volcanic eruption rocks the sea between the Kingdom of Dhevyn and the powerful mainland kingdom of Senet, a mysterious sailor is shipwrecked on the small island of Elcast.

His rescue brings together Dirk Provin, second son of the Duke of Elcast, Kirshov Latanya, second son of the Lion of Senet, Alenor D'Orlon - heir to the throne of Dhevyn, an angry and rebellious young woman named Tia Veran... and an orphaned acrobat known as Marqel the Magnificent.

But the badly wounded sailor is not what he seems. His arrival on Elcast stirs up old hatreds, exposes old lies, unravels old secrets and sets in motion a chain of events that will eventually change the world...

Fantasy novels of this type often get off to a slow start as the foundation is built, the world established and the characters introduced. The world Jennifer Fallon has created in this novel is dark and oppressive. Religion is being used to exert power over the people and those who wield it are desperate to hold onto it.

I liked Dirk, our young hero, instantly. He is a smart and kindhearted boy forced to grow up fast. He is put in very difficult situations, his will and moral character tested. Tia was another character I took to right away. She is stubborn and independent, not afraid to take a risk for what she believes is right. Alenor is also a strong female character. She has lived as a prisoner in the Senet's house for many years and yet she has kept her eyes and ears open. I never did warm up to Kirshov, the younger son of the Lion of Senet, completely. He seemed harmless but his ignorance about what was going on around him and his attitude were a bit off putting to me. And Marquel, I am not sure what to say about her without spoiling her story line. Her life has been anything but easy. She's the kind of girl who will go after whatever it is she wants, using whatever skills she possesses, and won't stop until she gets it.

Of all the characters, I least liked Belegren the High Priestess whose heart is full of greed for power. She uses religion as a weapon and does not care who gets hurt in the process. The Lion of Senet is hardly any better. They are frightening foes to be sure. I would definitely not want to live under their rule.

The novel really took off for me when Dirk left home and traveled with Kirshov and Alenor to Senet. That is when things began to come together fast and furious. The author did not make things easy for young Dirk and took the story to a darker place than I expected. I have to give her a lot of credit for that. I look forward to continuing with the trilogy and seeing what direction the characters go in next.

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Noir: A Collection of Crime Comics
Dark House Books, 2009
Crime Fiction (Graphic Novel); 104 pgs
Source: Bought by my husband at the Golden Apple in Los Angeles.
Rating: (Very Good)

As my husband was browsing through the recent releases of comic books, I wandered off to look at the shelves of graphic novels. I immediately honed in on this one and knew I had to read it--except I made my husband think he was buying it for himself (he claims he always knew better).

I wasn't sure what to expect when I first began reading this collection of graphic short stories. There are thirteen stories in all, each of them dark and gritty. And I loved just about every one. The first story left me stunned. The second, about a man with an ill wife who is about to lose his farm, is probably my favorite. It was called "The Silo" and was written and drawn by Jeff Lemire. Another one of my favorites was called "The Albanian" by M.K. Perker about an immigrant janitor who stumbles upon a murder-suicide in the office building where he works. I had to read the story called "Fracture" by Alex de Campi, Hugo Petras, and Clem Robbins twice because I hadn't realized the first time there was a special way to read it. The author and artist were quite creative with the set up of the story. I think it is pretty ingenious now that I better understand what they were aiming to do.

My experience with crime fiction short stories is hit and miss. Too often I find that characterization is sacrificed in the name of plot. Although I have read crime fiction graphic novels before, this was my first experience reading crime fiction shorts in graphic form. I was really impressed with how well done each of the stories were. So much is said within each pane and so few words are needed to get the entire story across (except in one case which was a short story, "Trustworthy" by Ken Lizzi and Joëlle Jones, written in words with a few art drawings to go along with it). I think readers of noir and who don't mind a lot of grit in their crime fiction should give Noir: A Collection of Crime Comics a try.

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© Wendy Runyon of Musings of a Bookish Kitty 2006-2009
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.

Why I Do What I Do - A Guest Post by Author Karen White

I had the privilege of reading and reviewing two books by Karen White, The House on Tradd Street last year and her most recent, The Girl on Legare Street, just last week. Both novels are rich in setting and characters; And on top of that, Karen knows how to spin an entertaining ghost story! I am excited to have her here with us today. Please join me in welcoming author Karen White to Musings of a Bookish Kitty!

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Recently I was riding in my car (blissfully and unexpectedly alone—except for my dog) and I heard an old Rod Stewart song. I’m not certain of the title but the lyrics go something like ‘I wish I knew what I know now when I was younger.’ Well, ain’t that the truth?

I’ve been married for twenty-two years to the same great guy (who travels an awful lot on business) and have two teenage children (I know, I know, and I appreciate your sympathies): a boy who’s about to turn sixteen and a daughter who will be eighteen in March. I am also the author of eleven published novels, with numbers twelve and thirteen being published in 2010 and book number fourteen due on my editor’s desk August 1st. This makes my life blessedly full, overly busy, too complicated, and way more demanding than I ever bargained for when I was a twenty-something and wanting it all.

So why do I do this to myself? This very question was asked by an old friend of mine recently and I had to think for a while before I could answer. It’s not because it was so hard to find an answer, it was just because it was so obvious that I kept trying to find a more complicated one. In a nutshell, I do what I do because being a writer isn’t what I do, it’s who I am. Although staring at a blank computer screen with a deadline hammering away at my brain while simultaneously trying to judiciously edit college application essays, negotiate X-box play time and stock the kitchen pantry is something akin to sliding down a razor blade and landing in alcohol, I am compelled to write because it’s how I’m wired. Creating characters and their stories, and then sharing them with readers, is what puts the wind in my sails.

Which brings me back to that Rod Stewart song: if I had known back before I started writing books how hard it would be, how exhausting, how many sacrifices in my personal life I’d have to make, would I still be doing this? Yep, I would. I mean, what sort of example would I be to my children if I didn’t follow my dream just because I had to work too hard? It reminds me of that Wayne Gretzky quote, “You miss 100% of the shots you never take.” Yes, life could be easier; but it certainly wouldn’t be better.

I guess I didn’t do a good enough job of explaining this to my inquisitive friend because her next question was something along the lines of how my children handled sharing me with my writing. Granted my kids aren’t overly familiar with home-cooked meals and have had to make do with me attending only 90% of all their athletic events, but they’ve seen firsthand what it’s like to pursue a dream; to set goals; to press on in the face of little failures; and to get back in the saddle after major spills. I think that’s a fair trade-off for a childhood of frozen whole wheat waffles for breakfast.

So, here I am. It’s a Friday morning in December and I just finished book #12 (ON FOLLY BEACH--May, 2010) and I find myself throw into the middle of making Christmas happen for my family. Not to be a Scrooge, but I’d like to postpone the holidays this year because I’m simply exhausted from my deadline. Everything’s half-done: Christmas decorations, Christmas letter, Christmas baking, Christmas shopping--NOTHING’s done. And starting in January, I have to start on the book due August 1st and I need some brain-cell regenerating time.

No, I’m not canceling Christmas. What almost kills us makes us stronger, right? But I’m not going to be a martyr. I’ve already started putting Christmas decorations back in the basement without putting them out (nobody will notice but me!) and I’m having Christmas dinner catered. And there’s that wonderful thing called online shopping that’s become my closest friend. I can do this. Really.

My life right now is a mixed bag of expectations, responsibilities, coming up short, and sometimes even successfully accomplishing my myriad tasks. Yes, I’m exhausted. But I think that just means that I need to go take a nap.

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Karen White is the author of eleven published novels with more on the way. Her most recent novel is The Girl on Legare Street, the second in a paranormal/mystery series featuring Melanie and Jack. You can learn more about the author and her books by visiting her website.

Monday at the Movies: What I Have Been Watching Lately

Monday's Movie is hosted by Sheri at A Novel Menagerie.
(Disclosure: All of the below reviewed movies came to me either through my paid subscription to cable or Netflix.)

I went a little movie crazy recently. Sometimes I do that. I just start watching and I cannot stop. Here's a peek at what I've seen in the last couple of weeks.

I'll start with the good ones:

Taken
(Action, Crime - 2008, rated PG-13; directed by Pierre Morel; written by Luc Besson & Robert Mark Kamen)

Netflix Summary: While vacationing with a friend in Paris, an American girl (Maggie Grace) is kidnapped by a gang of human traffickers intent on selling her into forced prostitution. Working against the clock, her ex-spy father (Liam Neeson) must pull out all the stops to save her. But with his best years possibly behind him, the job may be more than he can handle. Famke Janssen also stars in this relentless action-thriller from director Pierre Morel.

I had wanted to see Taken while it was out in the theaters but I did not get the chance. I found this to be an intense and thrilling film, even a bit predictable. Liam Neeson is good in any role he takes on and playing the father of a kidnapped girl is no different.

Lakposhtha parvaz mikonand (Turtles Can Fly)
(Drama, War - 2005, rated PG-13; written & directed by Bahman Ghobadi)

Netflix Summary: Residents of an Iraqi Kurdistan village await the violent arrival of the invading U.S Army. A young boy named Satellite (Soran Ebrahim) helps clear minefields and installs equipment that brings in news from the outside world. Meanwhile, three orphans wander aimlessly, the victims of tragic happenstance. As Saddam is removed from power, these innocent children must confront the harsh reality that awaits them.

I cannot remember when I first heard of Turtles Can Fly. Perhaps it was recommended to me through Netflix. It isn't unusual for me to discover movies through recommendations made on the their website. This is a foreign film, a joint effort by Iraq & Iran, with subtitles. Satellite is quite the entrepreneur, organizing the children in the village, including the refugees. He assigns them jobs, sometimes clearing minefields. Several of the children are missing limbs, including one of the orphans who no longer has arms. The story of the three wandering orphans is heartbreaking. The more of their story that was revealed, the more my heart ached for them. This is not a happy film. It is harsh and dark, set on the brink of war, in a time when everyone is struggling to survive as best they can amidst a changing landscape.

El Orfanato (The Orphanage)
(Horror, Thriller - 2007, rated R; directed by Juan Antonio Bayona; written by Sergio G. Sánchez)

Netflix Summary: Fueled by fond memories from her childhood, Laura (Belén Rueda) persuades her husband (Fernando Cayo) to help her revamp a seaside orphanage into a facility for disabled children. But soon after the couple moves in, their son, Simón (Roger Príncep), begins exhibiting disturbing behavior. As Laura tries to understand Simón's increasingly malevolent actions, she becomes drawn into the house's terrifying secrets in this unnerving chiller.

This is not the usual type of movie I am drawn to, but I was curious about it after hearing such good reviews. Not to mention it was produced by Guillermo del Toro whose movie Pan's Labyrinth entranced me. I was swept up in The Orphanage almost immediately; Simón is a sweet boy with a big imagination. His parents do not know if they should discourage it, especially when his imaginary friends multiply and take a more prominent role in his life. The film takes its time in setting up the story, allowing the viewer to get to know the characters. The Orphanage is a haunting film in more ways then one. The pain and fear the mother feels when her son disappears is palpable. It is suspenseful and dark with an ending that I did not see coming.

The Illusionist
[Mystery, Romance - 2006, rated PG-13; directed by Neil Burger; written by Neil Burger (screenplay) & Steven Millhauser (short story "Eisenheim the Illusionist")]

Netflix Summary: With his eye on a lovely aristocrat (Jessica Biel), a gifted illusionist named Eisenheim (Edward Norton) uses his powers to win her away from her betrothed, a crowned prince (Rufus Sewell). But Eisenheim's scheme creates tumult within the monarchy and ignites the suspicion of a dogged inspector (Paul Giamatti). Set in early 1900s Vienna, this lush period drama from writer-director Neil Burger earned an Oscar nod for Best Cinematography.

I can see why this film won an award for cinematography. It truly is a beautiful film, in scenery and set. I hadn't expected this movie to be a love story, and so was a little disappointed by that. Still, I enjoyed it. Both Edward Norton and Jessica Beil did a great job in their roles. Rufus Sewell was wonderfully despicable as the crowned prince. I especially liked the mystery of the movie; the ending was well played.

The Proposal
(Mystery, Romance - 2009, rated PG-13; directed by Anne Fletcher; written by Pete Chiarelli)

Netflix Summary: When she learns that she's in danger of losing her visa status and being deported back to her native Canada, overbearing book editor Margaret Tate (Sandra Bullock) forces her put-upon assistant, Andrew Paxton (Ryan Reynolds), to marry her. Directed by Anne Fletcher (27 Dresses), this romantic comedy also stars Craig T. Nelson and Mary Steenburgen as Andrew's parents, Joe and Grace, and Betty White as the outspoken Grandma Annie.

When I first heard about this movie I was not sure I wanted to see it. As much as I love romantic comedies, I've become quite selective of the ones I will watch. After hearing from friends (like some of you), I had a change of heart and added it to my Netflix queue. And I am glad I did. This was a funny movie. Sandra Bullock was hilarious in her role. She had the overbearing ball breaker down to a "t". And who can resist Betty White? I could have done without the added comic relief of the character Ramone as he was a bit too over the top for my taste, however. This was a great rainy day movie to enjoy with my husband, good for laughs and entertainment.


The okay to not so good bunch:

The Seeker: The Dark is Rising
[Adventure, Fantasy - 2007, rated PG; directed by David L. Cunningham; written by John Hodge (screenplay) & Susan Cooper (novel)]

Netflix Summary: Just as he turns 14, young Will Stanton (Alexander Ludwig) learns that he's the last of a race of paladins known as "the Light" who are dedicated to beating back the forces of darkness and their malevolent leader, the Rider (Christopher Eccleston). As Will travels through time gathering the powerful artifacts that will give rise to the ultimate showdown, he must keep the Rider at bay. Ian McShane and Jonathan Jackson co-star.

I haven't yet read the book, but was curious anyway. The premise is good, but the movie was a bit confusing and was not well put together. This one was only okay for me. It was good to see Christopher Eccleston again though. He was the one who first got me hooked on Dr. Who.


The Day the Earth Stood Still
[Sci Fi Thriller - 2008, rated PG-13; directed by Scott Derrickson; written by David Scarpa (screenplay) & Edmund H. North (1951 screenplay)]


Netflix Summary: In this updated version of the 1951 classic sci-fi thriller, Keanu Reeves stars as an alien named Klaatu who's sent to Earth to warn the leaders of the world about the consequences of their dangerous ways. Joined by a heavily armed robot companion, Klaatu informs the people of Earth that the constant aggression carried out against one another has raised the ire of an alien species, which is now threatening to exterminate all of mankind.


This was just another okay movie for me. It got off to a good start, but quickly became predictable. I have not seen the original and so cannot make a comparison.


Jury Duty
(Comedy - 1995, rated PG-13; directed by John Fortenberry; written by Barbara Williams, Samantha Adams & Neil Tolkin)

Netflix Summary: A luckless loser named Tommy Collins (Pauly Shore) finds himself homeless when his mom packs up the trailer and heads for Vegas. So, Tommy hits on the idea of serving as a juror in a long trial. Though he's assigned to an open-and-shut case involving a notorious killer, Tommy's need for the food, shelter and five bucks a day leads him to delay the proceedings for as long as possible.

I have nothing really to say about this one other than I didn't like it much. It wasn't all that funny to me and I was rolling my eyes more often than not at Pauly Shore's character's antics. Why I sat through this one, I haven't a clue.

What movies have you se,en lately? Have you seen any of these movies? If so, what did you think?

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© 2009, 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.