2013 Thrillerfest Winners.

INTERNATIONAL THRILLER WRITERS ANNOUNCE THE WINNERS OF THE 2013 THRILLER AWARDS

ANNE RICE WINS 2013 THRILLERMASTER AWARD

The ballots are in and votes have been counted. The International Thriller Writers (ITW) is proud to announce the most thrilling authors of 2013. The winners of this year’s ITW Thriller Awards are:

2013 THRILLERMASTER AWARD: Anne Rice, one of America’s most beloved and celebrated authors, has 31 written novels, including The Vampire Chronicles, Songs of the Seraphim and the new Wolf Gift Chronicles. She has sold nearly 100 million books.Presented by R.L. Stine, 2011 ThrillerMaster.

2013 SILVER BULLET AWARD: Steve Berry, The New York Times and internationally bestselling author of The King’s Deception, The Jefferson Key, The Columbus Affair and nine more novels, Berry was honored for his philanthropic work on behalf of fellow writers and historic preservation. Presented by Brad Meltzer, 2009 Silver Bullet Award. 

BEST HARD COVER NOVEL Brian Freeman – SPILLED BLOOD (Silver Oak).

BEST PAPERBACK ORIGINAL Sean Doolittle – LAKE COUNTRY (Bantam).

BEST FIRST NOVEL Matthew Quirk – THE 500 (Reagan Arthur Books).

BEST E-BOOK ORIGINAL NOVEL CJ Lyons – BLIND FAITH (Minotaur Books).

BEST YOUNG ADULT NOVEL Dan Krokos – FALSE MEMORY (Hyperion Books CH).

BEST SHORT STORY John Rector – LOST THINGS (Thomas & Mercer).

There’s only one event where you can find New York Timesbest-selling authors lurking around every single corner, literary agents actually appearing in broad daylight and fans openly plotting and conspiring with the most feared and revered names of the thriller genre. Please join us next year from July 9-12, 2014 for ThrillerFest IX, the International Thriller Writers’ ninth annual celebration of all things Thriller is the largest event of its kind in the world.  The highlight of the festival will be the gala ITW Thriller Awards Banquet during which a fresh batch of authors will be announced as the chosen heroes of suspense. www.thrillerfest.com.

Brad Meltzer.

Lee Child

Meryl and R.L. Stine.

Anne Rice and M.J. Rose.

ThrillerFest Silver Bullet Award Winner Steve Berry.

Andy Gross at Fan Fest.

Steve Berry, David Morrell, Doug Morrell.

Mutated.

Title/Author: Mutated (Dead World #4) by Joe McKinney.

Genre: Horror.

Publisher: Pinnacle.

Source: Purchased.

Favorite Character:  The Red Man.

Synopsis:  THEY OUTNUMBER THE LIVING...25 to 1. Those are the odds of being struck down-and resurrected-by the savage plague that's sweeping the country, forcing survivors to band together against the dead.

THEY'RE GROWING STRONGER...
Even among the living, there is dissention.  A new leader known as the Red Man has risen up and taken charge-and he's nearly as dangerous as the hungry dead. Some, like Bob Richardson and his friends, strike out on their own.  Because if the men with guns don't get them, the zombies will.

THEY'RE GETTING SMARTER...
Fleeing the cities, Richardson  and his crew find sanctuary in an abandoned farm.  But their stronghold may not be strong enough.  Something strange and terrifying is happening to the undead.  They're banding together. Working as a group.  Hungering for a common goal: human flesh.  And lots of it. ~Product Description.

My Thoughts:  Mutated is the fourth installment of this zombie apocalypse saga, but I didn’t know that going in until I was already vested. It didn’t ruin the book for me and I was still able to follow with past events being sprinkled throughout without too much belaboring.

It is told in an omniscient point of view zeroing in on several characters and their journey through this dangerous and deadly landscape. The action is absolutely excellent and it is further expounded because there are many characters trying to survive. McKinney is a former police officer and knows his weapons, his fighting techniques and strategies using them to the advantage of the story.

The characters are strong. Some stronger than others, some kind of stumbling their way through trying to find their place in this epic saga. I was upset when the first main character died and kind of shocked because obviously they had been around for several books. I hated to get attached to a character only to have them rise as a zombie because their luck ran out. It frustrated me a bit but perhaps McKinney felt they had completed their job in the story.

I think the most interesting character is The Red Man. When I found out more about him I was creeped out. He is so sinister and evil and yet he rang true. His motivations are simple and his methods are brutal. He is by far the freakiest plot device/bad guy in the book and maybe that I have ever encountered. He is like the accident on the side of the road that you slow down to stare out. What makes him scarier is that he has a personal history and a bit of a vendetta against another character Niki Booth, who he actually knew as a teenager. Niki is a former cheerleader/honor student/do-gooder who turned into a kick-ass soldier to survive and protect her younger cousin. It is clear from this book that there is a long history with her in this series and she is an important player. I also loved Jimmy and Gabi Hinton and the complexities and understanding of their relationship. Nate is a naïve young man who I see growing in what he has to face next.

The Zombie mythology is used in a way that has not been done before. The Zombies are sick by stages and each stage denotes different symptoms and capabilities. Also what I found interesting is it’s not only just the zombies that the plot is driven by, but the desire and possibility of finding a cure to this affliction that has changed the world.

Although I did enjoy this book for the most, by the end I was a bit exhausted by all the fighting and I found myself wanting the culmination to come sooner than it did. It seems that this installment has wiped the playing field a little bit to make room for a new chapter so to speak of the Zombie Apocalypse in McKinney’s world.  Another issue I had was that some of the typos pulled me out of the story, but shouldn't the editors have found those? 

Recommendation:  If you like kick-ass zombie novels with tons of action and a unique concept you may want to check out this series.

Other Editions:

Challenges:

Close Your Eyes

Title/Author: Close your Eyes by Amande Eyre Ward.

Narrated by: Meera Simhan and Phoebe Zimmerman.

Genre: Mystery.

Publisher: Brilliance Audio.

Source: Library.

Favorite Character: Victoria.

Synopsis: For most of her life, Lauren Mahdian has been certain of two things: that her mother is dead, and that her father is a murderer.
Before the horrific tragedy, Lauren led a sheltered life in a wealthy corner of America, in a town outside Manhattan on the banks of Long Island Sound, a haven of luxurious homes, manicured lawns, and seemingly perfect families. Here Lauren and her older brother, Alex, thought they were safe.

But one morning, six-year-old Lauren and eight-year-old Alex awoke after a night spent in their tree house to discover their mother’s body and their beloved father arrested for the murder.

Years later, Lauren is surrounded by uncertainty. Her one constant is Alex, always her protector, still trying to understand the unraveling of his idyllic childhood. But Lauren feels even more alone when Alex reveals that he’s been in contact over the years with their imprisoned father—and that he believes he and his sister have yet to learn the full story of their mother’s death.

Then Alex disappears.

As Lauren is forced to peek under the floorboards of her carefully constructed memories, she comes to question the version of her history that she has clung to so fiercely. Lauren’s search for the truth about what happened on that fateful night so many years ago is a riveting tale that will keep readers feverishly turning pages. ~Goodreads.com.

My Thoughts:  Since my library doesn't have endless audio book choices, it gives me the opportunity to listen to some books that I may not normally try.  Close Your Eyes is a murder mystery that takes place in the 70s and then in contemporary times.

Main protagonist, Lauren, wakes up one morning to discover her mother has been killed and her father is charged with the murder.  However, Lauren's brother, Alex, maintains that he is innocent but can't convince his sibling of that.  She feels that their happy home was a lie.  That love can be dangerous.  That people leave you.  Her issues manifest in the fact that she is too afraid to marry her boyfriend and she depends on her brother to the point where when he announces he is going to Iraq for Doctor's Without Borders she starts to have panic attacks.  Her brother leaves her one task when he is gone.  To investigate a puzzling piece of evidence that no one has been able to figure out.  Lauren has no intention of doing so, but after her brother goes missing and is believed dead, she is then spurred on to dig in to her father's case. 

There are other characters too.  The other protagonist Sylvia, her best friend Victoria and lesser appearances from Victoria's mother, Mae.  Their story started in "Book 2" and it was confusing at first, but then I realized it was different characters and I knew that somehow everything would tie in at the eventually.  Sylvia and Victoria are from very different worlds.  Sylvia is an only child who lives in the poor part of the City and her distant mother doesn't seem to find her role as parent too joyous.  Victoria is reckless, lives on the Upper East Side and is a product of a pampered childhood existence with no consequences.  Their friendship is fun and thrilling, but also intense and tests boundaries. It is one of control and fear.  Victoria is a fascinating character and unfortunately, one I've seen time and time again in real life.  She is so compelling because I wanted to see what she would do next.  Perhaps this is why those kind of people attract so many to them -- their excitement is addictive.  As an adult Sylvia now needs Victoria, but realizes that she can't count on her once best friend.

The alternating viewpoints are useful because it allows the reader to understand that these characters  are critical in solving the tragic crime and also as a way of getting into their minds. The two women's stories tangle into each other and help them solve issues that have been plaguing them. 

Although I did guess "whodunnit" it took me quite a while because I had other suspects in my head at first.  Was it the neighbor who was a little too friendly?  Was it indeed one of the family members?  Were people being protected?  Or was it just an accident?  All these scenarios went through my head. 

The writing was sparse and to the point.  Sometimes pretty.  It had a quality of being make believe, the characters not quite touching and it made me feel like I couldn't quite touch the world they lived in either.  Instead of being inside the story I was watching.  This didn't bother me while I listened, it was just a quality I noticed.  Some readers may not be able to enjoy this style however. There are other issues that I found odd or perhaps just not strong; when her brother Alex was going down the checklist of panic attacks, sometimes the therapy sessions with Lauren seemed unreal as well as other conversations.  This was not a huge problem as it was still enjoyable.  This kind of explorative book is usually not my cup of tea.  Lauren and Sylvia tend to live in their heads for periods of time.  I think people who read literary fiction and love murder mysteries would enjoy this book.

Narration:  I enjoyed the narration very much.  Simham and Zimmerman's distinct fit the characters.  Lauren comes off like a naive, nice girl who wants to hide from the world.  Her speech had that kind of timid, lack of confidence.  Sylvia, the books other main character has the cadence of a cynic, someone who had been around the block a time a two.  Kind of dry and sometimes desperate.  Mae who is Sylvia's best friend's mother has an air of regret and confusion. 

All in all: Although the book didn't compel me, it was a fast, and fun read (if you consider murder mysteries fun) that held my interest.

Other Editions:
  

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 14 - (Dealbreakers).

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Tell us your dealbreakers.  

I have a lot of dealbreakers because I'm picky.

If we're talking about writing, a dealbreaker would be bad grammer and typos.

If we're talking about authors -- bad behavior!!!  Also, I really don't like when authors contact me on Goodreads.  And of course plagiarism.

If we're talking about the stories themselves, I have a whole list.
-Beautiful girl who doesn't know she's beautiful and all the boys love her.
-When a character has no flaws.
-When a story is wrapped up too fast and neatly.
-TELLING instead of showing.
-When the hero lifts the chin of the heroine, whether to kiss her or tell her something.  UGH!
-Contrived plot points.  Example: FMC and MMC must have sex for some reason, to save the world, or to be bonded, or to trick someone.   I think the only time it might work is in arranged marriages.


What are *your* dealbreakers?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 13 - (Describe an underappreciated book everyone should read!)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Describe one underappreciated book EVERYONE should read. 

Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint.  I bet that fans of the author really like the book, but I feel like in the blogging world, this author is very underappreciated.  I've tooted his horn quite a few times, but alas, no one has come forward to tell me that they tried one of his books and loved it.

Memory and Dream is an Urban Fantasy.  de Lint wrote UF before the genre was even named (well practically) and is oftened called the Father of UF.  His characters are relatable and likeable and his writing is gorgeous.  It's better than gorgeous.  The story is about an artist, Isabella, who receives a letter from an old friend.  The thing is, that friend is dead.  The letter opens up old wounds and tragedies that Isabella must face.  You see, Isabella has a unique magic and her wand is her paintbrush. I don't want to give too much away, but I urge everyone to read this book and anything by this author.  Charles de Lint doesn't write the hyped up Urban Fantasy (not that there is anything wrong with many of the UF's on the shelves today, some of them are awesome...but you know what I mean) with a heroine who has superpowers.  His books are about regular people who come in contact with the magical and mysterious, who realize that there is more to this world than meets the eye and he does it in such a believable and approachable style.

Have you ever heard of Charles de Lint?  What book do you love that you wish *everyone* would read?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 12 - (How do you fight blogger fatigue?)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

How do you fight blogger fatigue?  

I don't. I just go with it and hope it ends soon.

I know this seems like a cop out and I should be "doing" tons of stuff to comba it, but the more I fight it the more it seems like work and I don't want blogging to seem like work.  I want it to be fun.   I do complain to my blogging BFFs and we commiserate and I'll tweet about it and usually get support and that actually helps validate my feelings so I don't feel so guilty.

Do you guys have any tips for fighting the blogger doldrums?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 11 (Show off 5 of your best blog posts!)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Show off! 5 of your best blog posts.  

Surprisingly 3 of my top 5 have to do with my favorite authors. Two feature Stephen King. Go figure!  Another has to do with the night I met Robert McCammon and actually rode in a care with him.  Can you imagine riding in a car with an author you have followed and adored for over twenty years!?

The remaining two is a feature and a meme.  I started Midnyte Finds and would love to continue but haven't because I feel like I can't "find" anything worthy.   It's hard to follow up such a special event as making earrings for battered women and children in shelters.  The last one is a Book Blogger Confessions post that I participated before I was a co-host.  The topic is blogging controversies and I I'm proud that I was able to express my opinion without getting overly dramatic and mean.  (Well, I think, maybe you can be the judge of that.)

1. Happy Birthday Stephen King!

2. A Conversation with Stephen King.

3. The Night I Got To Ride in a Car with Robert McCammon & Sherilynn Kenyon (or, best night EVER)!

4. Midnye Finds: Bling's The Thing.

5. Book Blogger Confessions: Blogging Controversies.


What about you?   Do you have any posts that you are particularly proud of?  I'd love to know.

15 Book Blogger Challenge /Day10 (How I choose which book to read next!)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these fabulous bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

How do I choose which book to read next?

Sometimes I'l go by my Challenge lists and sometimes it's just what I'm in the mood for. Sometimes it's becuase I have to review something by a certain time, but that's rare because I don't often take review books.  A lot of times, I'll read the first sentence or page and if I'm interested I'll keep reading.  If not, I'll put it down and try something different.  Sometimes, I'll open a book because it has caught my attention through word of mouth and I've become excited about it.

Regarding audio books, I predominantly take them out of the library so I don't have a ton of choices. I basically do the same thing as with a physical book.  I'll read the synopsis.  I usually check more than more than one audio book out of the library just in case the first one I choose doesn't work for me.

Whatever method I use, the one thing I can count on is that the decision is always agonizing!

How do you choose which book to read next?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 9 - (Why do I blog about books?)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Why do I blog about books? 

(Channelling Buddy from Elf). I blog about books because I love books!  Books are my favorite!  And reading too.  Reading's my favorite.   I love reading.  (End Buddy channelling).

There just never seems to be a defecit of material does there?  There are just soooo many books to read and authors to get to know and stories to appreciate.  With books there is always something new and different.  Even if a book is old and has been read before, it's the first time *I've* read it. Even if it's a re-read (which TBH I rarely do)there is always something new to be discovered.

I also blog about books because I love discussing books with others.  I love hearing what other people are reading, even if it's a book I will never read. That is one reason I'll read blogs/reviews that are kind of different genres than I would normally read.  I love to hear the stories and why people like the characters and what they have to say about the book is always fascinating.   I like to hear the story from their point of views.

I never really thought to blog about anything else, except maybe Halloween and travelling, but I feel like while I do keep Halloween in my heart 24/7 and I travel whenever I can, books are more prevalent to my everday life.

15 Day Book Blogging Challenge/Day 8 - (What appeals to me on blogs!)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Quick!  Write 15 bullet points of things that appeal to you on blogs. 

• Easy to read. 
• Easy to navigate.
• Has info I'm looking for (e-mail, twitter button, search field).
• Dark colors (purples, reds, blues).
• A cool design.  I love headers!
• Themes.  I looove when a blog has a theme and it is carried throughout the blog. The ratings, the lingo, the graphics. 
• Streamlined.  Not a lot of clutter.  Especially on the sidebars
• A clever or interesting blog name.
• Fun stuff! Cool memes, pretty graphics, clever features. 
• When the blogger interacts with you.  Either they will comment on a comment you left, visit your blog or talk to you on Twitter.
• Easy to comment.  No captchca.  
• Easy to load.  I know this isn't always the blogger's fault, but there are some blogs that freeze my computer. 
• When some of their personal life shows through.  It can be as simple as mentioning their dog's name to being extremely and open with many aspects of their life. 
• Approachability.  I love when a blogger really encourages and welcomes EVERYONE to comment, participate and discuss books.  
• Personal style.  This just doesn't encompass the design, but the tone of the blog and the way the person writes their posts or even formats them. (Also love when a review or post is formatted in a clever way).   So many bloggers out there have a flair for getting their opinion heard and information out there.  Definitely something I would like to improve upon.  Maybe these said bloggers could write a blog post! : )

What about you? Do you agree or disagree with any of the above?  Tell me if I missed anything!

The Zombies of Lake Woebegotten

Title/Author: Zombies of Lake Woebegotten by Harrison Geilor.

Narrated by: Phil Gigante.

Genre: Horror/Humor.

Publisher: Brilliance Audio.

Source: Library.

Favorite Character: Julie.

Favorite Quote: "In this town, who would even notice if the dead started walking!" ~Rufus.

Synopsis:  The town of Lake Woebegotten, Minnesota is a small town, filled with orginary (yet above average) people, leading ordinary lives.  Ordinary, that is, until the dead start coming back to life, with the intent to feast upon the living.  Now this small town of above average citizens must overcome their petty rivalries and hidden secrets, in order to survive the onslaught of the dead. ~Goodreads.com. 

My Thoughts: This book started out slow for me.  I'm not sure if I had to get used to the narrator's  cadence or the pacing of the story.  I also had a problem with the timeline.  At first I thought the events were in a strictly linear order, but not all of them are.  So people that I thought had died made appearances and I got confused.  About half way through I figured it out and realized my error.  Don't get me wrong, I think the book is hysterical from the get-go.  It is just not fast paced.

The characters are pretty awesome.  Can you imagine a zombie outbreak in a town of reserved and kind of crusty midwesterners?  They aren't alarmed at first and in fact seem kind of bewildered until a town meeting is called and they have to show the citizens proof. 

The characters are varied, unique, quirky and odd.  There is Julie, the ex-military soldier who came home to take care of her grandfather and has a unique side job besides being a waitress.  And of course, the former superintendent who unbeknownst to all (or most) is a serial killer.  He is quite colorful and brings interest and mayhem to the otherwise boring town.  Yes, boring even though there is a zombie outbreak.  I also think Eileen, the Mayor's wife is a great character.  Conniving and a bit selfish and she has some tricks up her sleeve as well. 

I wouldn't consider this a straight up Horror story although there is some gore and gruesome scenes, although they are mostly tempered by the humor.   Points for the clever author name as well, which also lets the reader kind of know what to expect.  There is also another book by the same author, The Twilight of Lake Woebegotten which looks pretty funny as well.

Narration: At first I wasn't keen on the narration.  Gigante felt plodding and I felt it was more suited for a bedtime story so I could nod off.  However, as the story progressed I began to appreciate the tone and it lent itself well to the spoof.  It kind of reminded me of the Saturday Night Live skit "Deep Thoughts."  The accents were also perfect and made the dialogue more humorous.

All in all: A hysterical and wacky tale of zombies with action and terror in it as well.

15 Day Book Blogging Challenge/Day 7 - (Blogging Quirks).

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Blogging Quirks. 

1. Well for one thing, I'm a huuuge last minute blogger.  I hardly have any posts ahead of time. I don't know why.  I think it's because working on posts takes a lot of time to me and to sit down and write more than one or two at a stretch is exhausting.  Also, I also read slow.  I can't read a book or two a day (sometimes even in a week), which leads me to...

2. I (usually) start writing reviews as soon as I finish a book.  One, because of the reason above - so since I don't have a lot of content in my back pocket so for me to wait is that much more time without something on my blog.

3. I rarely use a reader to keep up with blog posts.  I mainly use Twitter to see what's going on.  Also, I have the blogs I like in my bookmarks and I'll just use that as my "list."

4. I don't usually blog on weekends.  I guess it's just time constraints.

5. I overreach.  I sign up for tons of Reading Challenges. I come up with ideas for memes, features and maybe implement them a few times and then it's like I can't keep up the momentum.  With Reading Challenges, I'll get distracted with other books, and with the memes/features I'll run out of ideas.

6.  Sometimes when I get stuck writing a post, I put in all the other stuff and it helps spur me on.  I set up the header, the picture and the other details.  I guess it looks like it's halfway done and tricks me into thinking I have more done than I do so the remainder of the post is a little less daunting.


Are any of my quirks similar to yours?  Do you have any blogging quirks you'd like to share?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 5 (Recommend a tearjerker!)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Recommend a tearjerker.

I don't go out seeking tearjerkers, but sometime emotions sneak up on you.  Kind of like when those ASPCA ads come on television.  

The books that come to mind that have gotten me the most upset is the Harry Potter series.  I cried several times, became depressed, anxious...just so invested in the characters to the point where I would have physical reactions. 

Other books that have made me tear up are N0S4A2 by Joe Hill, Memory and Dream by Charles de Lint and Dust & Decay by Jonathan Maberry.  

How 'bout you?  Do you like reading sad books?  If so why?

15 Day Book Blogging Challenge/Day 6 - (Shopping!)

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

Describe how you shop for books.

Bookstores:  I wander the aisles and look at the books on the shelves until a title or a book cover catches my eye.  Then I'll read the synopsis.  If it interests me, I'll read the first sentence or so.  Then I'll start my inner monologue which goes something like this:

Do I really need this?
When will I need it?
After the other 100 books I still have to read?
Will I really start it right away?
Wouldn't it be better, cheaper and more environmentally responsible to simply get it from the library?
But what if in a few days I want to start it?

Of course, no one watching would know I'm having this discussions with myself.  It simply looks like I'm looking at the book, twisting my mouth, hefting the book in my hand as if I'm weighing it.

Online: I usually go to Amazon and repeat the above.  Sometimes I'll get lost in the internet root system. You know, where you keep clicking and clicking and clicking until you don't even remember the first item you clicked on.  Then I'll put things in my cart or on my wishlist.  When I look at the cart and see how much all my purchases would be, I'll either just move the books to my wishlist or log off entirely.

I'd love to hear if any of you do the above?  Or maybe you have another method of shopping for books.

15 Day Book Blogging Challenge/Day 4.

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

What's the last book you flung across the room?

(Contains Spoilers!)

I may get in trouble for this, but I was so angry with Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning, I tossed it across the room.   I NEVER literally fling books no matter how annoyed I am, but this one, I did.  Not hard, but enough to have it land about 5 feet away.

I know this is only the first book in the series, but it frustrated me to no end.  It left me with more questions than answers.  Sure we found out who killed Mac's sister, but we know nothing about him.  We know his name (if that's even real) and we see him, but that's about it.  We don't even know who Jericho really is!  I have suspicions, but again more questions and dead ends.  I also felt the end was kind of rushed to pave the way for the next book.  I'm happier when a book, even if it's in a series, answers enough questions to keep you satisfied and leaves enough open to want more.

Maybe another reason for my irritation is that everyone absolutely gushed about this series and about Mac and Jericho and their relationship.  Don't get me wrong, I liked it, but not like everyone else did so that just added to my frustration.

I was told to keep reading because the series gets so much better.  I plan to, but haven't yet.

Do you think I'm nuts for not loving this book?  Has this ever happened to you?  If you've flung a book across the room, which one and why?

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 2

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish exercises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

What is your bedtime reading ritual?

I like reading to be the last thing I do before I go to sleep.  It helps me unwind and it is my "treat" in a way.  My reward for getting through the day and doing chores around the house.  (Okay, sometimes I don't get to all the chores.)

I simply get ready for bed, make sure I have a glass of water or iced tea on my night table and dive into what I’m reading.

What about you?  Do you have a bedtime reading ritual?  I'd love to hear it. 

15 Day Book Blogger Challenge/Day 1.

I came across this awesome idea on Good Books and Good Wine.  The 15 Day Book Blogging Challenge.  April came up with these awesome bookish excersises to get our creative juices flowing, to remind us why we blog in the first place and for fun!

I've been so busy lately and I've been out of town so I feel that my blog has been seriously lacking.  Truth be told, it's been hard to get back in the swing of things.   When I saw this Challenge, it lit that blogging flame again.  The nice thing is, you don't have to do all 15 challenges.  Just do what you can.  You also may want to visit the other participating blogs and see what they have to say.

For complete details please visit the starting post HERE.

15 Book Related Confessions:

1.  I judge people by what they read (but I've gotten better).  People who gush over books that I find silly or ridiculous - I feel like I can't have conversations with them.  I know it's mean and awful, but I feel like there are so many other better books out there.  I met a woman who did like one of the offending books and she expressed that she doesn't like to talk about those kinds of books specifically because of people like me.  She said that she enjoyed the book and she doesn't want to have to apologize for it.  Touche.  And let's be honest, the people who have read War and Peace and all those literary classics that I can't discuss coherently probably think the same thing about me.

2.   I judge books by their covers.  If it looks too romancy or just boring, I probably won't pick it up to even see what it's about.

3.  I always try to check out what people are reading on the bus, subway, airplanes, cafes, etc. to the point where I'll try to squint and read a sentence or two.

4.  In the above situation I desperately always want to discuss what they are reading and contemplate how to strike up a conversation about the book without seeming like a lunatic.

5.  I often feel like a reading failure because I haven't read a lot of books that my blogger friends are so familiar with.  I still have no clue what the Black Dagger Brotherhood is and it took me forever to read the first of the Cat and Bones and FaeFever series.

6.  Pertaining to the above, I often feel when I finally do get to said books that everyone has gone ga-ga over, I don't love them like everyone else.  Too high expectations?

7.  I dislike series.  Maybe that's another reason I haven't read many of the above mentioned.  I don't mind cliffhangers to a point, but when they get frustrating I get annoyed.  I feel cheated and I feel that author is just trying to get me to buy the next book.  (Disclaimer:  I know that this isn't really the case. Sometimes it's just the vision the author has and sometimes it's the editor/publisher.)

8. I don't usually mind when a main character dies.  I think it adds depth and realism. Maybe it's the type of books I've always read where no one is "safe."  (Thanks Stephen King.)  Sometimes when a main character, or any character for that matter, lives through a hail of bullets it doesn't ring true.  Death of a main character adds a bit of that dark tragedy that reflects real life.

9.  I've never read anything by Lovecraft! (Ducks.)

10.  I try to rope my friends into participating in my blog.  I've succeeded with one, but I'm always asking my buddies to do a guest post or if they're reading something I suggest they write a review.  One reason is to have more content because I feel like my blog always needs more.  Another reason is just to have more points of view.  And finally, because I want to get them as hooked as I am.

11.  Even though my favorite books are Horror, I feel poorly read in that genre.  There are just so many other books that distract me.  Then when I read a good Horror blog or cull through Goodreads groups, I realize all the authors and books that I need to read up on.

12.  I love physical books.  The smell, the cover, the feel of the pages.  I think Joe Hill mentioned that a physical book is "the whole package."  (Just to clarify I do read e-books too.)

13.  Although I have read Romance in the past, I will probably never read another book where the main goal is a relationship again.  Just not interested.

14.  If a book is hyped too much I become resistant.  I don't want to read it because it couldn't possibly be as good as the masses have said.

15.  I don't look at authors as sex symbols.  I think they're rock stars, but my favorite authors are just too transcendent and too high on a pedestal to think of in "that way."



Image credit: ivaleksa / 123RF Stock Photo

World War Z.

Title/Author: World War Z by Max Brooks.

Narrated by: Ensemble Cast.

Genre: Horror, Speculative Fiction, Dark Fiction.

Publisher: Brilliance Audio.

Source: Purchased.

Favorite Character: Christina and Jessica.

Synopsis:  The Zombie War came unthinkably close to eradicating humanity. Max Brooks, driven by the urgency of preserving the acid-etched first-hand experiences of the survivors from those apocalyptic years, traveled across the United States of America and throughout the world, from decimated cities that once teemed with upwards of thirty million souls to the most remote and inhospitable areas of the planet. He recorded the testimony of men, women, and sometimes children who came face-to-face with the living, or at least the undead, hell of that dreadful time. World War Z is the result.
 
This invaluable chronicle reflects the full scope and duation of the Zombie War, but most of all, the audiobook captures with haunting immediacy the human dimension of this epochal event.  Facing the often raw and vivid nature of these personal accounts requires a degree of courage on the part of the listener, but the effort is invaluable because, as Mr. Brooks says in his introduction, “By excluding the human factor, aren’t we risking the kind of personal detachment from history that may, heaven forbid, lead us one day to repeat it?"

Note: Some of the numerical and factual material contained in this edition was previously published under the auspices of the United Nations Postwar Commission. ~Product description.

My Thoughts:  World War Z is a re-imagining of the world if a zombie apocalypse occured. Not just the world around a few characters or the world in one town.  But the entire world. Different countries, towns and citizens have different issues and deal with the outbreak in various ways. 

What makes this book very unique is the way it is executed.  Told in varying perspectives from politicians to soldiers to the commoner it encompasses not just personal accounts, but political, socio-economic, and cultural impacts.  Zombies simply make civilization as we know it break down, but the catalyst could have been anything - disease, natural disasters - which I guess one could argue that zombies are a disease and a natural disaster as well.  Although I didn't understand all the political ramifications, I felt the outcomes were very thorough and detailed. 

World War Z is not just a zombie book.  It's a look at how our world could change from the comforts and perhaps even some of the hardships that we are familiar with.  It's a glimpse into a realistic future that we may not all survive. 

My favorite characters were the two women in the story, yeah call me biased or maybe it *is* just a coincidence.  Christina Eliopolis is a pilot who bugged out of her plane and had help in her survival via her walkie talkie.  Her story has a supernatural or psychological twist, depending on how you view it.  Jesika Hendricks told the story of her childhood experiences during the outbreak, which included sorrowful and gruesome details.  

Narration: The cast that portrayed the characters did a very good job.  Again the women who spoke for  Christina and Jesika are very engaging and so are most of the narrators.  Notably the bodyguard.  Alan Alda and Rob Reiner have wonderful voices to begin with and portrayed their characters nicely. 

All in all: An interesting look at the world if faced with a zombie apocalpyse.  The different narrators and shorter accounts kept things interesting.

And yes, I saw the movie and enjoyed it.  It has echoes of the book, but as I'm sure you've guessed it is very different.  I didn't love the movie as much as some of my friends however.  I wonder if I'm desensitized to zombie shows/movies.  

BEA 2013 Coverage - Day 3 (Neil Gaiman!)

What: Book Expo America
Where: Jacob Javits Center, NYC
When: Saturday, June 1, 2013.


On the last day of BEA, I was very anxious to go see Neil Gaiman speak, but honestly, I never thought I'd be able to get in.   So Maria from Serpentine Library and I decided as soon as we got to BEA we would take one look around the floor for any drops and then go to the room where Neil was speaking.  We managed to get seats and I was able to sneak up front for a photo or two...or three.  Neil talks like he writes, thoughfully and lyrically.  And really, everything he says is so prolific it's like poetry.  The accent doesn't hurt either.

On why he feels Fiction is dangerous: "Fiction lets you into other people's heads.  It let's you have empathy.  The world doesn't have to be like the one you live in and that's very dangerous."

His worst fear: "That no one will tell me if it's a dud."  To which his editor replied, "I will."

Proudest of: "My kids.  And they baffle me."

On if he still feels doubt: "Yes.  It hasn't been 30 years of sucess.  Not everything works.  I'm arrogant and have self doubt."

On Ocean at the End of the Lane: "It's not a Fantasy at all.  It's about memories...I started writing a short story then it was a novellette.  Then I kept writing and it was a novella."  When he handed it in to his editor he included a note, "I think I've written a novel.  I hope you don't mind."  He felt writing this story was like driving at night with one headlight out in a thick fog.  He could only see a little bit ahead.  It's an organic story.  It's a story about stories. 

On writing: "You learn to write the one you're on.  Each book is it's own discovery."

After the Gaiman excitment, it was a pretty quiet day.  Yes it was still full of signings and long lines, but there weren't as many people on the floor.  It had a much more laid back vibe than previous days.

Mary Higgins Clark.  I snapped the picture when I was on another line.

I was told this book is about "Mommy issues." So I had to get it.

I enjoyed Saturday because I discovered authors that I may not have heard of.  Afterwards, Kate, Maria and I went out for lunch back on our home turf because we were too exhausted to stay in the city and explore.  Plus, we had plans to go to Chinatown the next day so we needed to rest up. 

Hope you enjoyed my BEA wrap up!  I'm looking forward to next year.