I have been waiting for this video for what feels like ages. I present to you Katy Perry's E.T. feat. Kanye West. Sorry....I love me some Katy Perry and I really like this song.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
It's finally here!!!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
True Blood News
Mornin' beautiful people. I'm over at Bite Club today doing my True Blood correspondent thing. Stop by and check out some of the goodies I unearthed. Wow...that's a pretty bad pun even for me. *sigh* Okay, you can stop laughing at me now. Click on the banner for the 411.
Monday, March 28, 2011
What in the Hell is Going on Around Here?
Hello lovelies! So I’m a bit embarrassed about my lack of activity on the blog over the last few weeks. I wish I could blame it on my recent move but, I can’t. I suffered a couple of injuries during a couple of kickboxing classes because of my misguided belief that I’m the next Karate Kid and it kind of took the wind out of my sail. I’m a horrible injured person. Instead of taking the time to be productive and read, I ended sitting around being mopey.
That said, I’ve worked on a few blog posts over the weekend and I’m starting to feel like my zany self again. Not sure if I’ll have any reviews up but, I will have some posts up about the Dark Days of Supernatural event I attended last weekend and almost having a meltdown at a book sale. Until then, don’t forget to stop by the discussion for Dead as a Doornail (Book 5 of the Sookie Stackhouse series).
Hope everyone had a fantastic weekend!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
Random Books from the Bookshelf
Random Books from the Bookshelf is weekly feature hosted by Cookies, Books and Bikes. This weekly feature was created to showcase the first few paragraphs from books that have been sitting on the bookshelf patiently waiting for their turn to be read. I’d like to send a big THANK YOU to WonderBunny for letting me use her awesome feature on my site. Please stop by and visit her blog. Aside from this cool feature, she also posts great book reviews and shares AMAZING cookie recipes!
I don’t read much Fantasy but, I’ve bought a few books over the years to help me with the whole reading outside the box thing. They’ve been ignored long enough so I’ve decided to show them some love today.
Orphans of Chaos by John C. Wright
I
1.
The estate grounds were, at once, our home, our academy, and our prison. We were outnumbered by campus staff, and by the imposing old Georgian and Edwardian edifices. There were more mares in the stables than there were students in the classrooms. It was only the five of us.
The estate was bound to the North by the Barrows, to the West by the sea cliff, to the East by the low, gray hills of the Downs. What bound us to the South is a matter of dispute.
The Way of Shadows by Brent Weeks
1
Azoth squatted in the alley, cold mud squishing through his bare toes. He stared at the narrow space beneath the wall, trying to get his nerve up. The sun wouldn’t come up for hours, and the tavern was empty. Most taverns in the city had dirt floors, but this part of the Warrens had been built over marshland, and not even drunks wanted to drink standing ankle-deep in mud, so the tavern had been raised a few inches on stilts and floored with stout bamboo poles.
Coins sometimes dropped through the gaps in the bamboo, and the crawlspace was too small for most people to go after them. The guild’s bigs were too big and the littles were too scared to squeeze into the suffocating darkness shared with spiders and cockroaches and rats and the wicked half-wild tomcat the owner kept. Worst was the pressure of the bamboo against your back, flattening you every time a patron walked overhead. It had been Azoth’s favorite spot for a year, but he wasn’t as small as he used to be. Last time, he got stuck and spent hours panicking until it rained and the ground softened beneath him enough the he could dig himself out.
Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson
Sometimes, I worry that I’m not the hero everyone thinks I am.
The philosophers assure me that this is the time, that the signs have been met. But I still wonder if they have the wrong man. So many people depend on me. They say I will hold the future of the entire world on my arms.
What would they think if they knew that their champion—the Hero of Ages, their savior—doubted himself? Perhaps they wouldn’t be shocked at all. In a way, this is what worries me most. Maybe, in their hearts, they wonder—just as I do.
When they see me, do they see a liar?
PROLOGUE
Ash fell from the sky.
Dead as a Doornail Discussion (Sookie Stackhouse Book 5)
*SPOILER ALERT*
IF YOU HAVE NOT READ THIS BOOK OR THE PREVIOUS BOOKS IN THE SERIES, PLEASE DO NOT CONTINUE READING THIS POST!
If you were unable to re-read the book, go here for a Wikipedia plot summary. PLEASE remember not to discuss events that occur in books 6 through 10. We’re trying not to spoil the series for those readers who are reading the books for the first time.
I’ve decided to go easy on the questions this time around so I can give you all a chance to ask your own. Here are some of the questions I chose to get the discussion ball rolling…
Discussion Questions:
1. What did you think of Jason’s reaction to his first ‘shift’? (pg. 3)
2. What was your reaction to Sookie and Sam’s steamy kiss? (pg. 141)
3. Did anyone else want to stab Selah Pumphrey’s hand with a fork?
4. Is it just me or did you all have the overwhelming need to junk punch Alcide? (What? You don’t know a junk punch is?! Please click here).
5. Did you all flinch when Sookie finally revealed to Eric what had gone down between them? (pg. 214)
6. Were you able to predict who the sniper was or did it completely throw you for a loop when it was revealed?
Favorite Quotes:
I like men in general, and some men in specific, but when I saw them practically circle each other as they sniffed each other’s butts – excuse me, exchanged greetings – I just had to shake my head. (pg. 160)
“Should I just bite you, and end it all?” he whispered. “I would never have to think about you again. Thinking about you is an annoying habit, and one I want to be rid of. Or should I start arousing you, and discover if sex with you was really the best I’ve ever had?” (pg. 219-220)
I was sick of it—sick of being scared of the bogeyman’s dick. (pg. 223)
I nodded wordlessly. I thought, Instead of a cook-off, we could have a cock-off. Instead of a fishing derby, we could have a… (pg. 230)
Bring on your answers, questions, comments, favorite quotes, and conspiracy theories. We’re ready to get down to the nitty gritty!
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Random Books from the Bookshelf
Random Books from the Bookshelf is weekly feature hosted by Cookies, Books and Bikes. This weekly feature was created to showcase the first few paragraphs from books that have been sitting on the bookshelf patiently waiting for their turn to be read. I’d like to send a big THANK YOU to WonderBunny for letting me use her awesome feature on my site. Please stop by and visit her blog. Aside from this cool feature, she also posts great book reviews and shares AMAZING cookie recipes!
This week I decided to feature some historical romances that I’ve had laying around for longer than I’d like to admit. Yes, I said historical romance. No, I didn’t buy them by accident. What? I like to read outside the box every now and again. Without further ado, here are today’s selections…
Passion by Lisa Valdez
A Letter of Some Consequence
July 12, 1824
My Dearest Abigail,
What news I have! I hardly know how to tell you—you, my dearest and most trusted confidante, my girlhood friend and sister of the heart—you, who did warn me so directly and honestly what might happen were I to let my heart rule my head. And how correct you were. For here I am, facing the folly of my feverish desires. Have you guessed by situation? I would not doubt it. But I shall tell you immediately, as I am positive that your eyes are leaping down the page to discover my secret.
Reese’s Bride by Kat Martins
England
September, 1855
The crisp black taffeta skirt of her mourning gown rustled as she walked out of the dress shop a few doors in front of him.
Reese Dewar froze where he stood, the silver-headed cane in his hand forgotten, along with the ache in his leg. Rage took its place, dense and heavy, hot and seething.
Sooner or later, he had known he would see her. He had told himself it wouldn’t matter, that seeing her again wouldn't affect him. She meant nothing to him, not anymore, not for nearly either years.
But as she stepped off the wooden walkway, a ray of autumn sunlight gleamed against the jet-black curls on her shoulders and anger boiled up inside him, fury unlike he had known in years.
In for a Penny by Rose Lerner
June, 1819
“Thirkell, you know what happened the last time we went to one of the Ambersleighs’ do’s.” Lord Nevinstoke winced at the sound of a badly tuned piano from inside the townhouse. How had he let Thirkell talk him into this? “Can’t we go to Amy’s instead? She’s laid in some lovely French brandy, just for us.”
Thirkell rolled his eyes and shoved Nev up the steps. “After you’ve danced with my cousin, lent her some countenance, then we can go to Amy’s and get as drunk as you like.”
“But, Thirkell,” Percy said, “I don’t think we have any countenance to lend Harriet. We’re disreputable, remember? And as Nev has so accurately reminded us, the last time we attended one of Lady Ambersleigh’s little gatherings, the orchestra fled in hysterics.”
Saturday, March 19, 2011
Plinky Question of the Day
The Plinky Question of the Day is a weekly feature I added to the blog to get to know you guys better and vice versa. Sometimes the questions will deal with books or reading but, most of the time they won’t. Because, let’s face it, there’s more to us than what we read.
Do Rock Band instruments count?!
No!? Shit! Well then all I got is a basic understanding of how to use a recorder. *blank stares* Okay here’s a visual…
I had to learn how to play one in the 4th or 5th grade. I hated every second of it because they were classroom recorders so you never knew whose mouth was on it before yours. *shiver*
As far as which one I’d like to learn how to play, I’d go with the acoustic guitar all the way. I’d learn every Bob Marley and Jack Johnson song known to man. There’s just something about the sound of an acoustic guitar that sets my soul at ease.
How about you guys? Can you get down on a musical instrument? If you can’t, which one would you love to learn how to play?
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
You can find me over at...
I've found some interesting videos for my bi-weekly True Blood News post so swing by and get your True Blood fix.
There may or may not be a shirtless Eric in one of the vids.
I'm just sayin'.
;-)
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Random Books from the Bookshelf
Random Books from the Bookshelf is weekly feature hosted by Cookies, Books and Bikes. This weekly feature was created to showcase the first few paragraphs from books that have been sitting on the bookshelf patiently waiting for their turn to be read. I’d like to send a big THANK YOU to WonderBunny for letting me use her awesome feature on my site. Please stop by and visit her blog. Aside from this cool feature, she also posts great book reviews and shares AMAZING cookie recipes!
What’s up party people!? Apologies for the two week hiatus but, I’m happy to announce that I’ve finally finished moving in. Well I’m moved in enough to where I can function on a somewhat normal basis. This move was an incredible pain in the ass so I’m happy that’s it’s almost over. Enough of my bitching and moaning and on to the good stuff. I pulled the first three books that were laying around in the Thriller, Mystery, and Suspense section of my bookcase for today’s feature. They are:
The Echo of Violence by Jordan Dane
Near Haiti
Not even the mesmerizing beauty of the sea at night calmed Luc Toussaint.
The moon dappled undulating waves with shimmer as his slow-moving trawler navigated the Atlantic toward the Canal de la Tortue. Haiti and Port de Paix lay dead ahead. The crew of the Aquilina made ready for docking and had left Luc at the helm, alone with his thoughts. As captain of the commercial vessel, he normally took pleasure in the solitary feeling at this hour and drew comfort from being one with the sea. That feeling of serene isolation reminded him of the old days when he was a younger man—but not tonight.
He had other things on his mind.
Dying for Mercy by Mary Jane Clark
PROLOGUE
A FEW HOURS FROM NOW…
The moonlight trickled through the glass roof. He pulled a large clay pot from the corner of the room and sat on the cold ground beside it. Then he removed his shoes and socks.
To be accurate, he would have had to use thick nails and a lance to make the wounds—but how would he be able to hammer the nails into both of his hands or maneuver the long spear into his own side? The hunting knife would have to do.
Evidence of Murder by Lisa Black
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3
“I have a building full of dead people,” Theresa MacLean told the detective. “I don’t have time for one who isn’t even dead.”
Frank Patrick parked the car against the curb and gestured up at the antique brick architecture in front of them. “Not that we know of. But what woman runs out on a rich husband, a cool apartment, and her five-month-old daughter?”
“A stupid one.” Theresa pulled her stocking cap more tightly over the red hair she hadn’t bothered to curl, and took in the historic structure from a different perspective. “We’re in Lakewood.”
“So you did pay attention on the drive over from the morgue. I thought you’d slipped back into your coma.”
Sunday, March 6, 2011
Living Dead in Dallas Discussion - Sookie Stackhouse Book #2
**SPOILER ALERT!**
IF YOU HAVE NOT READ BOOK 1 IN THIS SERIES, PLEASE DO NOT CONTINUE READING THIS POST!
IF YOU HAVE NOT READ BOOK 1 IN THIS SERIES, PLEASE DO NOT CONTINUE READING THIS POST!
Plot Summary (provided by Wikipedia):
This book opens with Sookie Stackhouse finding the dead body of Lafayette in the backseat of Andy Bellefleur's car, which had been left at Merlotte's the night before. Sookie learns that her friend had recently attended a local sex party. She thinks the members of that group might know something about her friend's murder so she starts "listening" to people's thoughts by using her special mind reading talent while working at the local bar.
The Dallas vampires, Sookie, and Bill learn that The Fellowship of the Sun (FotS) as well as a "renouncer" vampire named Godfrey might be behind the disappearance. Sookie decides to go to the FotS church with Hugo, Stan's human dish washer (although he is a lawyer in his regular human life) and the lover of Stan's "sister," Isabel, in an undercover mission. Sookie discovers that Hugo is a traitor, but her cover is quickly exposed when they meet Steve and Sarah Newlin, and she is badly hurt while trying to escape from the church. She does escape with the help of Luna, a shapeshifter, and Godfrey (who turns out to be a remorseful child molester and killer). After a run-in with more Supes, including an undercover doctor at a local hospital and some werewolves, Sookie ends up back at the FotS to be with Godfrey as he "meets the sun." That night at the welcome home party for Farrell, Stan's house is attacked by the FotS and many humans die. Sookie, unable to locate Bill, helps Eric remove a bullet that he took protecting her from the gunfire; he insists the only safe way to remove it is to suck the bullet out. In doing so, she ingests a few drops of his blood inadvertently. Bill returns soon after; he had chased down members of the FotS. He reveals to Sookie that Eric's insistence on sucking out the bullets was just a ruse to get her to ingest some of his blood—now he will have a connection with her. Sookie is furious at Eric. She is also angry at Bill because he killed someone and did not check on her before beginning his pursuit of the FotS. Sookie leaves the house and immediately flies back to Bon Temps.
Back in Bon Temps, Sookie avoids Bill for several weeks during which Bill "dates" Portia Bellefleur, who is trying to find out more about the sex club in an effort to clear her brother Andy of any connection to the murder. After seeing Sookie at a football game with Tara, Benedict "Eggs" Talley (Tara's fiancé), and JB du Rone (another male friend), Bill follows Sookie home and they passionately (and violently) reconcile.
The next day, Sookie is invited to a secret sex party organized by Mike Spencer. Afraid to go alone, Sookie asks Eric to accompany her as Bill is out of town. At the sex party, Sookie is surprised to see her friend Tara and Eggs and learns that Mike and Tom Hardaway murdered Lafayette. The party is interrupted when Bill, Andy Bellefleur, Sam (in collie form), and the maenad Callisto gather in front of the house. The maenad enjoys the drunkenness and lust of the party participants and eventually kills Mike, Tom and his wife, and another local named Jan. Eggs & Andy, under the maenad's spell, recall nothing of the incident - Tara is the only non-supernatural present with any recollection of the events (she was hidden and thus did not fall under the maenad's spell). Bill and Eric burn the house, and Eric glamours Tara so that she will not be able to remember what happened at the sex party.
Welcome back guys! Glad to see you were able to make it for the Living Dead in Dallas discussion. Like with the first discussion, below are some questions that we highlighted during our re-read. Deanna and I thought they’d be good starting points for today’s discussion. We want to hear all your thoughts so don’t feel like you have to stick to answering only these questions so speak your mind and tell us what you’re thinking. PLEASE remember that this discussion might involve people who are reading the series for the first time so limit your comments to books 1 and 2 only. For all the re-readers in the house today we’d love for you to think back to when you first read Living Dead in Dallas and share your first impressions with us.
Discussion Questions:
- It seems several people are showing interest in Sookie right now: Bill, Sam, Eric. What are your thoughts on each of these relationships? Who do you think Sookie should be with?
- What did you think about Sookie’s freak out over being a ‘kept woman’? (Refer to pg. 28)
- Were you surprised to find out there were other telepaths out there? (Refer to pg. 75)
- Do you think it would be possible for vampires to go back into secrecy after such a public, world-wide reveal? (Refer to pg. 106)
- Would you have listened to your instincts or kept going along with Hugo? (Refer to pg. 125)
- What are your thoughts on Godric/Godfrey? Did Sookie’s reasoning for watching him “meet the dawn” make sense to you? (Refer to pg. 195)
- What are your thoughts on Eric saving Sookie while Bill went to seek revenge instead of checking on her after the shooting incident? (Refer to pgs. 210-216)
- The last two chapters pack a lot of information. We go from Sookie and Eric going to the orgy party, to the Maenad making another reappearance, to finding out who killed Lafayette and then finding out about Bill being a relative of Portia and Andy Bellefleur. Were you overwhelmed by how much information seemed to be put into such a short section?
- What were your thoughts on the participants of the orgy party?
What questions did you have while reading Living Dead in Dallas?
Favorite Quotes:
"You, on the other hand, are a sweet little eclair on the outside and a pit bull on the inside." - Terry about Sookie (pg. 21)
His arms circled me and drew me back closer to him. It was like being cuddled by a tree. - Sookie about Bill (pg. 61)
Maybe there really were fairies at the bottom of the garden, a phrase I remembered from a song my grandmother had sung when she hung out the clothes on the line. (pg. 63)
The gray jacket was on the floor, the white shell was discarded, and my arms were locked around Bill's neck before you could say, "Screw a vampie." (pg. 115)
"You are so lovely,"..."that if I slept with women, you would receive my undivided attention for a week. I know you are self-conscious about your bruises, but they only set off your beauty." - Farrell to Sookie (pg. 199)
"Can you refute it?" I was proud to use refute, which had been on my Word of the Day calendar. (pg. 234)
What were some of your favorite quotes from Living Dead in Dallas?
Have at it guys. What are your thoughts, opinions and/or questions?
Have at it guys. What are your thoughts, opinions and/or questions?
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
We Interrupt Our Regularly Scheduled Programming
Hey party people! Just wanted to let you guys know that I need to suspend my posts for this week because I'm in the process of moving. It's been a real pain in the ass but, I should be settled in by Saturday.
I will still be hosting the Sookie Stackhouse discussion for Living Dead in Dallas on Sunday and speaking of book discussions, you can still give your two cents about Dead Until Dark here.
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