tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30481236446407662922024-02-20T14:20:47.829-07:00SqueeWriting about writing, and surviving with four kids, and avoiding housework. Not in that order.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-46077213155791628152015-05-03T18:29:00.002-06:002015-05-03T18:29:29.051-06:00Twitter PartiesHave you guys discovered twitter parties? I am such a geek, but I kind of love how it is a quick rush and there are prizes and people are all happy...I mean how many happy places are there in the internet world? Aside from cat videos, naturally.<br />
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This week (tomorrow!) I'm going to enter the #ModernDayMoms #CerealWars contest, which runs tomorrow at 1pm. RSVP <a href="http://linkis.com/moderndaymoms.com/tiw88">Here</a><br />
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I know, I know...they sound silly. But I've won some great prizes and I'll be honest, it is a nice change in my day to tweet at someone who is listening for an hour!<br />
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Good luckJaninehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-56009123070989518942013-06-28T12:28:00.001-06:002013-06-28T12:28:46.378-06:00Look! The return...About a week ago I nearly took a picture of my loveseat because it was laundry-free. For those of you who either 1. do not have small children or 2. are amazing at getting laundry done (or 3. are aliens) laundry is the evil that multiplies<i> all on its own. </i>I know I seem dramatic, but I swear laundry has the ability to procreate. You look away for a minute and suddenly your pile is twice as big and all those socks? They've run off for fantastic honeymoons in far-off places.<br />
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I wonder if someday someone is going to unearth a giant mountain of socks on some Caribbean island? Everyone else will see it as some big mystery but we'll be laughing, won't we precious. We always knew about those sneaky socks.<br />
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Anyhow. Laundry. I contend that summer is the worst for laundry because of all the changing in and out of swimsuits and such, though a good argument can be made for winter because of the bulky clothing. In the middle of my passionate, and logical defense of my own position I wonder: how did my life get reduced to this?<br />
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But I remind myself: it isn't reduction, its addition. I wanted these kids, all frustrating, stubborn, dirty, sometimes lazy and always patience-testing parts of them. I volunteered to have them take over my life. And I am better for it. Maybe not today, with a bit too much yelling and all the frustrated proclamations (no more tv ever! You will never have another new toy! No more desserts!) (that last one was aimed at me). I still believe if you don't learn to get over yourself and focus on others, the little or big people in your life, you become a weirdo. And frankly, I came out weird enough.<br />
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They are slowly and surely softening my rough edges. And each time I mess up and try to do better and am forced into confronting my weaknesses and foolishness I end the day grateful I was brave enough to try. Change is hard and trying to become a person good enough to raise these beautiful children? Scary enough some days I am afraid to get out of bed because I know I will fail the moment I open my mouth.<br />
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Luckily, they forgive fast. And love hard.<br />
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Does this post have anything to do with writing? Maybe. You should squint hard between the lines. In the meantime, I have to check on daughter #1 (on the toilet) and pray daughter #2 will not wake up while I make sure the twins are cleaning their "stations." Luckily, I'm not Cinderella. I have a deadline. I'm going to write an hour today even if the toilets don't get cleaned.<br />
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So there. Take that laundry.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-44926662443597828672013-05-20T20:13:00.001-06:002013-05-20T20:13:39.609-06:00In Defense of the Weak GirlWhen the discussion turns to common annoyances in YA books (or any books, probably) one common complaint is the weak female character. I won't say her name, but she loves a sparkly vampire and has become the poster girl for the kind of character nobody wants. She lets things happen. She is obsessed with a boy. She whines. <div>
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And before I go further let me clarify, I don't love a weak character. My favorite books feature characters who make things happen, who are intelligent and problem-solving. Who save themselves and don't wait for someone else to do it for them.</div>
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But I got to thinking as I was listening to an audiobook this afternoon (and I won't mention the title right now. I will just say it is making me uncomfortable, but not in a bad way. But we'll see.). You know, sometimes I am a weak character in my own life. Sometimes I've let people save me. Sometimes I've needed them to save me. Sometimes I'm stupid. Sometimes I care too much about trivial things and crave praise to make me feel valued. </div>
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Does that make me one of those girls? What does that even mean, anyway? Is there a list of qualities which you must achieve in life to become a "real" woman? Because sometimes I feel like there is. A complicated algebraic equation of amount you're allowed to care about fashion over the time spent reading times which boys you swoon over to the power of which indie bands you listen to. (I am clearly a math genius). </div>
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And if the numbers add up right and you take a few kickboxing classes then you qualify as a "strong" female. Or in the case of books, a strong female character. </div>
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But what if my numbers don't add up? Can my story still be valuable? What if the girl waits for the prince to save her? What if she doesn't know how to save herself? Can she still be an interesting character? Can her story still be worth telling? </div>
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Yes.</div>
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Because a real girl can sometimes be a damsel-in-distress and still be intelligent and complex and have hidden depths. Because I can care too much about what number the scale says and what other people think of me. Because when I was a teenager I just wanted a boyfriend because it made me feel like I had value. And not a single one of those facts tells the whole story about me or defines my strength, then or now. In fact, some of my strength now comes from feeling that way then. I learned things. I grew. And yeah, some of it I still struggle with. </div>
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I'm rewriting my WIP (again. I know.). And I'm thinking about my two female characters. I love them both. And I hope they don't get plunked in a category (Strong. Weak. Mid-weight!) because they fit some checklist. </div>
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A weak character can be complex and worthy too. And a strong character can kick butt but lack depth. Women come in all shapes and sizes and personalities. There's room in my library for a weak character. What about yours?</div>
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Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-87224192331138167262013-05-15T19:39:00.000-06:002013-05-20T19:39:28.781-06:00Book Recommendation: Hex HallOkay, so this book has been out for awhile. And there are sequels. And I might read them even. Here's the thing: Hex Hall has been on my TBR list for a long time, and I think that long lead time worked in HH's detriment. This is the blurb from goodreads:<br />
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<i>Three years ago, Sophie Mercer discovered that she was a witch. It's gotten her into a few scrapes. Her non-gifted mother has been as supportive as possible, consulting Sophie's estranged father--an elusive European warlock--only when necessary. But when Sophie attracts too much human attention for a prom-night spell gone horribly wrong, it's her dad who decides her punishment: exile to Hex Hall, an isolated reform school for wayward Prodigium, a.k.a. witches, faeries, and shapeshifters.
By the end of her first day among fellow freak-teens, Sophie has quite a scorecard: three powerful enemies who look like supermodels, a futile crush on a gorgeous warlock, a creepy tagalong ghost, and a new roommate who happens to be the most hated person and only vampire student on campus. </i><br />
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<i>Worse, Sophie soon learns that a mysterious predator has been attacking students, and her only friend is the number-one suspect.
As a series of blood-curdling mysteries starts to converge, Sophie prepares for the biggest threat of all: an ancient secret society determined to destroy all Prodigium, especially her.</i>
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Hex Hall was published in 2010 (I know, super behind. In my defense there have been lots of babies around here since, oh, 2006). Anyway, if I'd read Hex Hall in 2010 I think I would've liked it way more. Reading it now though it felt a little tired. The suspense didn't pull me in and Archer--oh, I want to love him more. Should you read Hex Hall? If you've got a spare afternoon and a warm day, (and a hammock, why not?) then for sure.<br />
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And just a note, I did listen to this book.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-91579352483108223052013-05-06T13:30:00.000-06:002013-05-06T13:30:13.261-06:00Today at the PoolD (my 3-year-old): Look Mom! Dad's can nurse too! (points an overweight gentleman exiting the pool).<br />
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Me: (gasping noises like I'm the one drowning).<br />
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How has your Monday been?Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-91076288033575124382013-04-29T12:06:00.000-06:002013-05-06T13:30:37.849-06:00All This Messing Around Has to StopIt's that time again. That time when I start to think, "you know, I could be a better blogger." I usually ignore these kinds of feelings because they come pretty constantly about pretty much everything. I could be a better housekeeper, writer, parent, chocolate-chip cookie maker.<br />
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Actually, that last one is a lie. I am an excellent chocolate-chip cookie maker. Really. They ruin my diet every week.<br />
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Anyway. Today is Monday and even though I hate Mondays they do offer the opportunity to start a week right. Today, already (nobody point out it is almost two and "already" hardly applies) I've, um, eaten breakfast, fed the brood, taken D to swimming and done 30 minutes of cardio, fed them lunch (why? Why do they need to eat so much?), showered, gotten the terrible twins on the bus and eaten lunch myself. And I think other stuff.<br />
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And let's be honest, if I'm going to fit something else in I need to learn to be more organized. Things that take me, right now, 30 minutes need to take me 20. I need systems. I need plans. I need (*shudder*) to-do lists.
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But here's the problem. Whenever I decide to get organized in my house, or in my writing (hello outline, I'm looking at you) my brain explodes. And that is a hard thing to recover from. Honestly, all the little pieces flying and somehow the organizing is MORE complicated than the chaos. Which frankly can't be true.<br />
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The thing is, to get to the organized you have to wade through the chaos and that forces you to face it. To look at each little McDonald toy you've been shoving in a bin for five years and think "this has served its purpose and can be thrown away." Or you can throw the bin away. Both work. And facing all those little loose ends you've been ignoring take a level of mental honesty I am not really prepared for.<br />
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You know how when you're revising a book you're supposed to kill your darlings? (sidebar: is this a quote from Stephen King or does it predate his writing book? Because it feels like something he should've said). I think cutting back is hard for the same reason. You clean up a little corner which only reveals how messy everything else is.
So once again its Monday and I have good intentions to do better this week. And I'm going to tackle one of those little places, in my house and in my book, that is all kinds of cluttered with broken dollar store toys and ripped up books (so the hardest, right? How do you throw away a book? I have board books my oldest chewed on so they look like they were shelved in a hamster cage but you can still read them so I keep them).<br />
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I'm going to tackle my little corner and make it cleaner, neater, and more organized. And I'm not even going to roll my eyes when I do it.
Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-82681088367182461292013-04-17T13:04:00.000-06:002013-05-06T19:40:32.166-06:00If there is anything cuter in the world than an eighteen-month-old, I don't know what it is.And yet. They sure do keep you busy.<br />
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But because of that busy I've been listening to more books and I've got a new! (qualified) book recommendation for you.<br />
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I just finished listening to Dan Well's <i>Partials. </i><br />
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From Goodreads:<br />
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<i>The human race is all but extinct after a war with Partials--engineered organic beings identical to humans--has decimated the population. Reduced to only tens of thousands by RM, a weaponized virus to which only a fraction of humanity is immune, the survivors in North America have huddled together on Long Island while the Partials have mysteriously retreated. The threat of the Partials is still imminent, but, worse, no baby has been born immune to RM in more than a decade. Our time is running out.</i>
<i>Kira, a sixteen-year-old medic-in-training, is on the front lines of this battle, seeing RM ravage the community while mandatory pregnancy laws have pushed what's left of humanity to the brink of civil war, and she's not content to stand by and watch. But as she makes a desperate decision to save the last of her race, she will find that the survival of humans and Partials alike rests in her attempts to uncover the connections between them--connections that humanity has forgotten, or perhaps never even knew were there</i>.<br />
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Well. Sounds kind of amazing, right? I mean Kira is definitely a tough cookie. And you know what I liked best about her? She doesn't assume because smart people have been working on a problem for a long time that she won't be able to solve it. Isn't that important? I mean, so what if people who have more experience, are older and are wiser or whatever have been working on a problem. That doesn't mean the young whipper-snapper won't be the person to think of the solution. I don't mean that to sound snarky: it is really what I enjoyed about her. A specific kind of fearlessness.<br />
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Unfortunately, Kira and I aren't bound to be BFFs (which is a word my boys just learned on the bus. They crack me up sometimes). Kira is a well-drawn character. At least, she should be. And maybe for some people she is. But there was something missing for me. That extra little bit of humanity or common experience that takes a character from interesting to living. So I leave this to you. If you like sci fi and post-apocalyptic novels, you will likely enjoy this. Dan Well's is clearly an excellent writer. And he attended my alma mater, so I like him for that too.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-33689137796322173662013-04-12T19:12:00.000-06:002013-05-06T19:13:39.988-06:00Books to Read: WonderYou know how sometimes there are those survey question, where they ask if there was a book you've read which changed your outlook on life? I never know what to answer. Especially in terms of novels. I have read lots of books which challenged the way I thought, or opened my mind to new ideas. I remember being really affected by <i>The Poisonwood Bible</i>, for example.<br />
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But when I think about my everyday, my habits, I can't think of a book which has made a distinguishable impact. Until maybe now.<br />
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From Goodreads:<br />
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<i>August (Auggie) Pullman was born with a facial deformity that prevented him from going to a mainstream school—until now. He's about to start 5th grade at Beecher Prep, and if you've ever been the new kid then you know how hard that can be. The thing is Auggie's just an ordinary kid, with an extraordinary face. But can he convince his new classmates that he's just like them, despite appearances?
R. J. Palacio has written a spare, warm, uplifting story that will have readers laughing one minute and wiping away tears the next. With wonderfully realistic family interactions (flawed, but loving), lively school scenes, and short chapters, Wonder is accessible to readers of all levels.</i>
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Wow. There is a lot to love about this book. Is it perfect? Probably not. But Auggie's story, which is told not just from Auggie's point-of-view but also from others who are close to him, really struck a chord. And made me ask how I treat people. Do I shy away from people who are different? Am I just friendly enough? Do I not risk looking foolish myself to help and be a friend to others? And because I am asking those questions still, now, a week or a month later, I am going to give <i>Wonder</i> a perfect score.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-17799484918437564242013-04-02T12:21:00.000-06:002013-05-06T12:22:39.491-06:00Books to ReadSo, I've been reading.
Okay, mostly I've been listening. And let's be honest, audiobooks are a little different from regular books. I mean, I'll stick with a book where the pacing is a little slow or the characters aren't quite as gripping if I am also doing the dishes or gardening or (gasp) doing laundry. So audiobooks have an edge there, I'll be honest.<br />
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But then sometimes I don't want someone else's voice in my head while I read. I listened to part of Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices books and I enjoyed reading it more, though the one I listened to, The Clockwork Prince, ended up being my favorite in the series. A series, by the way, you should read. Personally I liked the Infernal Devices much more than the Mortal Cup books.<br />
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I really enjoyed Gail Carriger's <i><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10874177-etiquette-espionage">Etiquette and Espionage</a></i>.
From Goodreads: <i>Fourteen-year-old Sophronia is a great trial to her poor mother. Sophronia is more interested in dismantling clocks and climbing trees than proper manners—and the family can only hope that company never sees her atrocious curtsy. Mrs. Temminick is desperate for her daughter to become a proper lady. So she enrolls Sophronia in Mademoiselle Geraldine's Finishing Academy for Young Ladies of Quality.
But Sophronia soon realizes the school is not quite what her mother might have hoped. At Mademoiselle Geraldine's, young ladies learn to finish...everything. Certainly, they learn the fine arts of dance, dress, and etiquette, but they also learn to deal out death, diversion, and espionage—in the politest possible ways, of course. Sophronia and her friends are in for a rousing first year's education.
Set in the same world as the Parasol Protectorate, this YA series debut is filled with all the saucy adventure and droll humor Gail Carriger's legions of fans have come to adore.</i>
I thought this was really cute. Sophronia is an excellent heroine. She's spunky and funny and relatable. Carriger has a well-nuanced world she built for the Parasol Protectorate series (which were also cute) and frankly its a world I really want to live in. Werewolves AND automatons? It took me a bit to get fully engaged but by the time this ended I was sad to see it go. I'm excited for the next book.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-32876557777906642932013-03-20T12:49:00.000-06:002013-05-06T19:41:54.779-06:00Books to Read: Sapphire BlueThings I learned from reading this book: I always spell "sapphire" wrong on the first try. Other things I learned: good characters trump everything. Is there good plot going on in Sapphire Blue? Yep. Lots of adventure, beautiful dresses, hot smooches and danger. But mostly, there is Gwyneth. I love her.<br />
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From Goodreads:<br />
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<i>Gwen’s life has been a rollercoaster since she discovered she was the Ruby, the final member of the secret time-traveling Circle of Twelve. In between searching through history for the other time-travelers and asking for a bit of their blood (gross!), she’s been trying to figure out what all the mysteries and prophecies surrounding the Circle really mean.</i>
<i>At least Gwen has plenty of help. Her best friend Lesley follows every lead diligently on the Internet. James the ghost teaches Gwen how to fit in at an eighteenth century party. And Xemerius, the gargoyle demon who has been following Gwen since he caught her kissing Gideon in a church, offers advice on everything. Oh, yes. And of course there is Gideon, the Diamond. One minute he’s very warm indeed; the next he’s freezing cold. Gwen’s not sure what’s going on there, but she’s pretty much destined to find out.</i>
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I keep trying to figure out why this series works so much better for me than other urban fantasy books have. You think you've read enough of a category that you couldn't be engaged by it again, but then...</div>
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And I keep coming back to Gwen and Gideon. Really, all the characters here. I care about them. I want them to succeed. And I am totally convinced that there is some bad stuff coming. </div>
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This is a definite read, especially if you like a little adventure and romance while you're, say, doing the dishes.</div>
Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-7513863180677293852013-03-05T12:54:00.000-07:002013-05-06T12:55:09.989-06:00the Madness of MarchI'm totally not a big sports fan. And often March passes on by without me noticing one way or the other. But, because my alma mater was doing rather well in basketball earlier this year, I've been half-heartedly keeping track. And I've totally been missing out! I love how fast everything moves. One minute you've got dreams of glory, and an hour and a half later, you're dreams have died. Or been refueled.<br />
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Wow.<br />
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Wouldn't it be lovely and completely horrifying if all our life-long dreams were so efficiently dispatched? Imagine I'm writing say, and I've written and written, and it all comes down to a head-to-head and one quicsk glance over by one editor.<br />
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Ouch.<br />
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I couldn't do it. I don't have the heart for sports. It must take some severe perspective to be able to process all that, so fast. I mean, one three-point-shot at the buzzer and wham!<br />
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I don't have a big punch-line at the end of this. Just that March Madness is not for the faint of heart.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-56325301192420897832013-03-03T20:21:00.000-07:002013-05-06T20:21:58.388-06:00Book Recommendation: Shadow and BoneJan here. I just pop in when I've read something I really liked. Today it is Leigh Bardugo's <em>Shadow and Bone.</em><br />
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From Goodreads:<br />
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<i>The Shadow Fold, a swathe of impenetrable darkness, crawling with monsters that feast on human flesh, is slowly destroying the once-great nation of Ravka.
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<i>Alina, a pale, lonely orphan, discovers a unique power that thrusts her into the lavish world of the kingdom’s magical elite—the Grisha. Could she be the key to unravelling the dark fabric of the Shadow Fold and setting Ravka free?
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<i>The Darkling, a creature of seductive charm and terrifying power, leader of the Grisha. If Alina is to fulfill her destiny, she must discover how to unlock her gift and face up to her dangerous attraction to him.
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<i>But what of Mal, Alina’s childhood best friend? As Alina contemplates her dazzling new future, why can’t she ever quite forget him?</i><br />
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To be honest, I don't love the dark, mysterious hero. So the whole time the Darkling is doing his charismatic, we-are-meant-to-be thing I was pretty skeptical. And Mal was such a great character. And Alina is sympathetic and even though this is, at heart, a normal young girl who turns out to be not so normal story, she's believable. And the world is detailed and interesting and nuanced. The concept of the Shadow Fold as the evil is so spare and scary it works as the representation of evil in a way not realized in many other books. Definitely a recommendation. Jan http://www.blogger.com/profile/11383118080349674767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-31355001849856382512013-03-01T12:37:00.000-07:002013-05-06T19:43:38.886-06:00Books to Read: Ruby RedNote: this was another one I listened to. Again with the four kids and the laundry and dishes and craziness. Ah, my life. So good. (no, it really is, just kind of chaotic and busy.)<br />
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I loved this book. Look, it's so pretty:<br />
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This was one of those random, pick-it-off-the-shelf at the library reads. But then I couldn't ever get through it because every time I tried to pick it back up someone new vomited. February was a good month around here. So instead I checked and magic, the library had it available as an audiobook.<br />
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And you know its good when you do EXTRA housework in order to keep listening. ME. Extra housework. I know.<br />
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From Goodreads:<br />
Gwyneth Shepherd's sophisticated, beautiful cousin Charlotte has been prepared her entire life for traveling through time. But unexpectedly, it is Gwyneth, who in the middle of class takes a sudden spin to a different era!<br />
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<i>Gwyneth must now unearth the mystery of why her mother would lie about her birth date to ward off suspicion about her ability, brush up on her history, and work with Gideon--the time traveler from a similarly gifted family that passes the gene through its male line, and whose presence becomes, in time, less insufferable and more essential. Together, Gwyneth and Gideon journey through time to discover who, in the 18th century and in contemporary London, they can trust.</i><br />
<br />
Gwyneth's voice was fresh and funny, without falling into that trap of too much voice. I believed her when she claimed she didn't want to be the time traveler. I was afraid with her when she randomly traveled to other times. And when Ruby Red was done I couldn't wait to read the next one. Which I will review with grown up thoughts and more details in a future post. Go! Read! Enjoy :)
Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-29473145274228749942013-02-18T20:13:00.000-07:002013-05-06T20:13:42.880-06:00Audiobook Recommendation: The Raven BoysIt's Jan again. I'm going to guess Janine has been unable to post because her house is crawling with a stomach virus, so it is my turn. Like Janine I really enjoy audiobooks. Not all books are wonderful as audiobooks but the right book can be enhanced and really shine with the extra dimension of a good narrator. <br />
<br />
The Raven Boys is one of those books. <br />
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From Goodreads:
<i>It is freezing in the churchyard, even before the dead arrive.
Every year, Blue Sargent stands next to her clairvoyant mother as the soon-to-be dead walk past. Blue herself never sees them—not until this year, when a boy emerges from the dark and speaks directly to her.
</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>His name is Gansey, and Blue soon discovers that he is a rich student at Aglionby, the local private school. Blue has a policy of staying away from Aglionby boys. Known as Raven Boys, they can only mean trouble.
</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>But Blue is drawn to Gansey, in a way she can’t entirely explain. He has it all—family money, good looks, devoted friends—but he’s looking for much more than that. He is on a quest that has encompassed three other Raven Boys: Adam, the scholarship student who resents all the privilege around him; Ronan, the fierce soul who ranges from anger to despair; and Noah, the taciturn watcher of the four, who notices many things but says very little.
</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>For as long as she can remember, Blue has been warned that she will cause her true love to die. She never thought this would be a problem. But now, as her life becomes caught up in the strange and sinister world of the Raven Boys, she’s not so sure anymore</i>.<br />
<br />
Stiefvater has such a lovely writing style. From the beginning I felt connected to Blue, and wary of the Aglionby boys. And Stiefvater always gets the best narrators for her books. Like <em>The Scorpio Races</em>, which was another brilliantly-narrated book, the narration of <em>The Raven Boys</em> adds to the beauty of the writing. Excited to read the next in this series. Jan http://www.blogger.com/profile/11383118080349674767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-32529898054050334112013-02-05T13:17:00.000-07:002013-05-06T19:46:01.350-06:00It Must've Been Fun to Be ThreeI have a three-year-old daughter. And I'm not totally sure she has any kind of legitimate grasp on reality. She inserts herself into every story. She's been a princess, a member of the Voltron Force, a Power Ranger, a mermaid, a ballerina and my sister/aunt/mother. She'll start with "remember when," and follow it with any random thing that pops in her head. "Remember when I was a ballerina and I danced Swan Lake and you were the bad guy who tried to stop me?"<br />
<br />
Me: "Um, no?"<br />
<br />
After a number of these conversations it occurred to me how fun it would be to be three. Reality is all relative and you're practically a time-traveler. It would be like living in your favorite book all the time, only it would be a total choose-your-own adventure.<br />
<br />
Sadly, I can't go back. Instead, I listen to audiobooks and only half listen to her constant stories (hey, never claimed to be a perfect mom). And I've got a good one for you today.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/8843789-ultraviolet">Ultraviolet</a> by RJ Anderson<br />
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<i>Sixteen-year-old Alison has been sectioned in a mental institute for teens, having murdered the most perfect and popular girl at school. But the case is a mystery: no body has been found, and Alison's condition is proving difficult to diagnose. Alison herself can't explain what happened: one minute she was fighting with Tori -- the next she disintegrated. Into nothing. But that's impossible. Right?</i>
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<i><br /></i>
Let me first say I probably wouldn't have finished this book had I been reading and not listening. Which would have been a mistake. This book was twisty and turny with a nice plot twist at the end. I don't want to give away any spoilers but I'm excited the second book is out because now I need to know what happens next.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-26397960185127913372013-01-31T20:03:00.000-07:002013-05-06T20:03:45.367-06:00Book Recommendation: The Lost GirlFirst, this isn't Janine. I'm her mom and she's asked me to contribute a few book recommendations to her blog. And I agreed because she's my favorite daughter and also she's paying me in cookies. <br />
<br />
I just finished <a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13489219-the-lost-girl">The Lost Girl</a> by Sangu Mandanna<br />
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From Goodreads:
<br />
<i>Eva’s life is not her own. She is a creation, an abomination—an echo. Made by the Weavers as a copy of someone else, she is expected to replace a girl named Amarra, her “other”, if she ever died. Eva studies what Amarra does, what she eats, what it’s like to kiss her boyfriend, Ray. </i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>So when Amarra is killed in a car crash, Eva should be ready.
But fifteen years of studying never prepared her for this.
Now she must abandon everything she’s ever known—the guardians who raised her, the boy she’s forbidden to love—to move to India and convince the world that Amarra is still alive.
</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>What Eva finds is a grief-stricken family; parents unsure how to handle this echo they thought they wanted; and Ray, who knew every detail, every contour of Amarra. And when Eva is unexpectedly dealt a fatal blow that will change her existence forever, she is forced to choose: Stay and live out her years as a copy or leave and risk it all for the freedom to be an original. To be Eva.
</i><br />
<i></i><br />
<i>From debut novelist Sangu Mandanna comes the dazzling story of a girl who was always told what she had to be—until she found the strength to decide for herself</i>.
<br />
<br />
Interesting and creative. Eva's voice felt very authentic and I found myself swept along with her, worried about the Weavers and grieving with Amarra's family. I did find some logic problems. I'm not sure Mandanna ever fully justified a seemingly normal family believing in the idea of an Echo. <br />
<br />
For all that, this was an quick, engrossing read and one I wouldn't hesitate to recommend to all ages.Jan http://www.blogger.com/profile/11383118080349674767noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-52291006862633844492013-01-15T19:25:00.000-07:002013-05-06T19:25:53.571-06:00Books to Read: Every Secret ThingGuys. I read an actual book. Words on a page. Well, screen (ah, my beloved nook. Best gift ever.). I don't have as much time to read as I'd like, so when I do it is crushing to not to enjoy it. Luckily, that didn't happen with this book.<br />
<br />
I'd seen Susanna Kearsley's book, <i>The Winter Sea </i>floating around goodreads and an to-read lists, so I finally picked it up. And I loved it. Loved the historical mixed with present, loved the emotion, loved the characters. It was a carefully researched and fully realized story. If you haven't picked it up, I totally recommend it.<br />
<br />
I went to Susanna's website and discovered she has tons of books. I am late to this party! So I picked one at random--or technically, the library picked for me--and started.<br />
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From Goodreads:</div>
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<i>Kate Murray is deeply troubled. In front of her lies a dead man, a stranger who only minutes before had approached her wanting to tell her about a mystery, a long-forgotten murder. The crime was old, he’d told her, but still deserving of justice.
Soon Kate is caught up in a dangerous whirlwind of events that takes her back into her grandmother’s mysterious war-time past and across the Atlantic as she tries to retrace the dead man’s footsteps. Finding out the truth is not so simple, however, as only a few people are still alive who know the story…and Kate soon realises that her questions are putting their lives in danger. Stalked by an unknown and sinister enemy, she must use her tough journalistic instinct to find the answers from the past – before she has to say goodbye to her future</i>.
<br />
<br />
Wow. First, I love historical novels because I realize how little I know about history and it makes me want to learn more. Second, Kate Murray is someone I want to be friends with. A great mystery which didn't commit the cardinal, I'll-just-take-a-night-shower-while-I-wait-for-the-serial-killer sin. When Kate made a rash decision I was behind her, following her logic and hoping she was making the right call. And then at the end it wrapped everything up neatly and in a way I didn't see coming. Though caveat: I am terrible at predicting outcomes.<br />
<br />
Definitely recommend especially if you like historical fiction.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-104561800506062562012-05-16T12:26:00.002-06:002012-05-20T08:41:07.037-06:00And Then There Was VomitSorry for the gross title (not really sorry). Did I lose anyone? No? That's why you're my people.<br />
<br />
My 3-year-old has been a special kind of awesome lately. The ladies over on <a href="http://www.rantsfrommommyland.com/2012/05/conversations-with-three-year-old.html">Rants from Mommyland</a> mentioned a "cupcake baked by the devil."<br />
<br />
Yup.<br />
<br />
One of my friends pinned an article on Pinterest about how to manage your anger toward your children and I seriously raspberried the computer screen. Then I crossed my arms, stomped my foot and tossed my hair (I have an excellent tantrum teacher). It was just one of those days.<br />
<br />
So today. We went to the Y, the boys had gymnastics and then I promised the kids the BLOCK ROOM. The block room has padded walls and floor, which is a good thing because it is filled with foam shapes of various sizes all ready to be stacked, rolled on, leaped over and generally made mayhem with. The block room is my children's favorite place.<br />
<br />
Three-year-old played beautifully in the block room. She ran. She leapt. She didn't fall apart when the crazy boys (it was full of crazy boys, not just my own) knocked her down. At one point she ran up to me and asked, very concerned:<br />
"Mom, are we real?"<br />
<br />
Yes.<br />
<br />
"Am I real?"<br />
<br />
yes.<br />
<br />
"What about daddy?"<br />
<br />
I'm not sure if she was really pondering the existential nature of life or not, but apparently learning we were indeed real made her feel all kinds of better because she was charming! She hugged. She kissed. She <i>listened.</i><br />
<i><br /></i><br />
And then there was vomit.<br />
<br />
And when the dust had settled and she was in the bath and I had a second (while watching her thankyou) I checked some of my places online and discovered an old acquaintance had died in a terrible accident, and another friend-of-a-blogger-I-have-read was killed by an infection after giving birth. This is in addition to the other tragedies I've learned about this week (and there have been MANY).<br />
<br />
And I hugged her little face and decided maybe the anger articles was worth reading after all.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-25384157368614632522012-05-04T08:34:00.000-06:002012-05-04T08:35:20.796-06:00Oh, hi.Many things have happened since I last blogged. Many. Big things. Like moving across country. And having a baby. Okay, mostly those two things. So I won't make excuses about not blogging I'll just start again. Yay!<br />
<br />
I have a six month old daughter. She is perfect. I also have three other children. I believe they were perfect once (maybe not the redhead...). I promised my husband no more children because even though I love her perfect baby cheeks and I could squoosh them and snuggle them and kiss her all day, loving babies is not a good reason to keep having kids. Because you know they grow too fast. Anyway, right now I'm just basking in her perfectness.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, almost-three-year-old is not potty trained. I wonder if this should bother me? She also likes to drink her milk in baby bottles. No real reason other than preference and I say, whatever. A glass of milk in a bottle every day isn't a big deal. I know some people think I should fix this little habit of hers. And I think, why? Who decided a sippy cup was more socially acceptable and so all toddlers must use sippy cups. She drinks everything else from a cup. She just likes milk in a bottle. And frankly, she spills less.<br />
<br />
Also, I signed the twins up for kindergarten, and 1. It freaked out this former homeschooler. I promised myself we would reevaluate often and definitely before first grade. 2. They wanted the boys in separate classrooms as a matter of policy. Really? Maybe that's great for some twins but I really, really think it would be bad for my boys. Some things I get to decide as the parent. I'm taking control on this one or I'm yanking them from the system. End. Of. Story.<br />
<br />
I wish I was as relaxed about all the little things I do that aren't socially perfect. My house isn't as clean, my clothes are not pinterest perfect, my body is a bit lumpy-bumpy (remember the four kids part?) I snuggle and kiss my daughter's perfect cheeks and I'll go to bat defending my kids quirks, but my own?<br />
<br />
We don't all have to be the same. The end.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-29044068647593268892011-03-14T14:07:00.000-06:002011-03-14T14:07:01.292-06:00Loathing and LovingToday, I've got for you (and I promise someday to actually do things like schedule my blogs and be a regular poster. I promise) two special things: one I loathe, the other I love.<br />
<br />
So I often post little reviews/rants about commercials. Because, frankly, I don't have TiVo or a DVR so I end up watching commercials.<br />
<br />
And while some are charming and witty, and not only convey something about the product or service they're trying to sell but also manage to tell a little story with it, many, many others are deeply misguided. Consider the following:<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="349" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/C-bKe4TeMJg" title="YouTube video player" width="425"></iframe><br />
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At first glance you can see how they thought this might be funny. They gave the host glasses with those little glasses-holder strings. Hilarious! Everyone knows that's a recipe for being mocked. And, you know, she looks a bit geeky. A bit stuffy. Everyone else is more casual, and happy, ready for some fun social mixing, if it weren't for that pesky book they've all gotta talk about.<br />
<br />
I tried to analyze all the reasons this bothers me. Is it the inconsiderate "friends" who freely admit to taking advantage of hospitality offered and not even bothering to be polite (read a summary online people!) about it? Is it the implication that only stuffy, glasses-string-wearing uptight people care about book? For all you loose and funky people it's about the pizza baby. Is it that they're schilling for a diet pizza in a room filled with women (no football-watching sports fans here)? <br />
<br />
Um, yeah. All of the above. I don't think this is funny, I don't like the woman who claims she comes just for the pizza, and all that happens is by the end of it I want to put my arms around the poor hostess and tell her to ditch all those selfish ladies and invite me. I love books! I also love pizza, but I WOULD read the book, and hopefully bring some thoughtful comments to the table. Papa Murphy's FAIL.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, this weekend I started, and finished reading Jennifer Donnely's <i>Revolution.</i><img alt="Revolution [Book]" src="http://books.google.com/books?id=6SF-8gmg_BcC&printsec=frontcover&img=1&zoom=1&l=220" /><br />
<br />
Oh. My.<br />
<br />
<i></i><br />
I don't review books on this blog much...at all. Which is mostly because I'm too lazy, let's be honest. But, once in awhile I do find something amazing enough I've GOT to share.<br />
<br />
<i>Revolution</i> was beautifully crafted (how much you want to bet she's the kind of writer with an outline??). She wove together the story of Andi, a contemporary girl from Brooklyn, nearly crippled with grief over the death of her brother, and Alex, a girl living in Revolutionary France. And though I didn't always agree with the philosophy or underlying assumptions, though I didn't always love either character, and though I was sometimes overwhelmed with the horror of the French Revolution, I finished the book humbled, both as a person and as a writer. I learned history, I learned humanity, and I was entertained. <br />
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I have to note though, this book deals with some deep issues and there is a lot of (historical) violence. I would definitely say this is a 14/15 and up book, and perhaps one a parent would want to read first or at least with their teen. Seriously a worthy read.<br />
<br />
And, don't forget, I'd love it if you'd hop on over to wattpad and vote for Webs. I'm all engrossed in my latest WIP, but how fun would it be to have some of those editors/agents take a look at my stuff? Yup. Fun.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-22279802478078840652011-02-28T08:49:00.000-07:002011-02-28T08:49:01.779-07:00I'm being braveI've been querying Webs, my completed urban fantasy young adult novel, off and on for over two years. I've stopped to revise, once with an agent on an exclusive basis for nearly a year. Obviously, that didn't work out. My point is I'm not shy about sharing my stuff. I've sent it to friends and family WAY before it was any good. I've had beta readers. I've posted bits in forums for feedback.<br />
<br />
But...now I'm putting it up on Wattpad's Gatekeeper contest (see details <a href="http://www.gatekeeperspost.com/uncategorized/wattpad-presents-the-gatekeepers-discovery-writing-awards/">here</a> and <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/contests">here</a>). And I'm a little scared.<br />
<br />
I'm scared because now people who I've been hiding from will see my writing. Friends and family who I haven't told about my writing. I love these people. I don't think they'll be mean. I just...don't want them to see me as a failure. And we all know that the writing journey, for so many of us, is long and full of bumps and sometimes it ends differently than we want. I don't want them to know about all my failures. Or, I don't want them on the journey with me.<br />
<br />
But that isn't fair to them. I mean, none of them want me to fail. And even if a bubbly teen fairy tale isn't their cup of tea, I'm sure they'll support me. I just want to present only my best self, and I'm afraid they'll see all the rejections sort of like blemishes. Even though they won't. But what if they did? Like having someone drop by when I've got dirty diapers piled in a heap by the tv and the dishes full of dishes and my kids still in pajamas and noon (or in other words, everyday). I'm afraid for people to see the real me.<br />
<br />
I'm getting past it. I'm being brave. I'm putting my baby out there, warts and all. <a href="http://www.wattpad.com/1085902-webs-a-sleeping-beauty-tale">Oh, and if you're curious, you can check out the opening of my story here</a>. If you stop by, I'd love a vote...the first round is all about votes. And also: self-promotion? Another thing that makes me really nervous.<br />
<br />
Sigh...Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-78135188387741673862011-02-27T21:34:00.000-07:002011-02-27T21:34:43.385-07:00Crazy AuthorSo she isn't really a crazy author, but Maggie Stiefvater is doing some major spring cleaning and giving away scads of books. Really. Huge stacks Of yummy, delicious, books. You should head <a href="http://maggiestiefvater.blogspot.com/">over there and enter.</a>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-79550308993397435552011-02-23T22:27:00.000-07:002011-02-23T22:27:46.029-07:00What We SayMy blog doesn't get a lot of traffic. I don't post on it all that much. And I'm not scintillating. <div><br />
</div><div>But I never forget it is a public place. The things I say here? They'll stick around, especially if they're stupid or rude or offensive. And, maybe I'll at times be okay with rude. Or offensive. I'll try to shy away from stupid, but sometimes that one fights back.</div><div><br />
</div><div>I think sometimes on blogs, or twitter and oh-my-goodness-all-the-time on facebook people forget this isn't a phone call with their bff. They aren't scribbling in their journal from sixth grade with the little lock on the cover. Censor yourself, or don't, but remember, someday a boss will read it, or someone you want to be your boss. A potential girlfriend/boyfriend. A stranger with life experience so far from yours you couldn't even imagine them when you posted about the stupidity of owning fake chinchilla fur wall hangings. </div><div><br />
</div><div>That's all. The internet is the ultimate six-year-old brother. It'll come tearing out of the room with your favorite granny underwear on its head and scream about the time you spilled lemonade all over the front of your white pants just as your mom finishes taking prom pictures. And the internet never grows up, matures, or forgets. </div><div><br />
</div><div>So be careful. Be smart. And hopefully be a bit more scintillating than I am.</div>Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-56391674891056841282011-02-17T17:04:00.000-07:002011-02-17T17:04:02.942-07:00Internet ShoppingConfession: I don't really like to shop online. Don't get me wrong...I LOVE to shop online. Let me start again: I love to shop online for products I've already seen in the store. So I know what I'm getting. Otherwise, I see a picture like this:<br />
<img alt="New Syma 3 Channel S107 Mini Indoor Co-Axial Metal Body Frame & Built-in Gyroscope RC Remote Controlled Helicopter (Colors may vary)" src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/31spemFv9pL._AA300_.jpg" /><br />
of a cool radio-controlled toy and I'm imagining a scene like this:<br />
<img src="http://www.robotsnob.com/pictures/stanfordsaut.jpg" /><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
But what I get is this:<br />
<img src="http://image.made-in-china.com/2f0j00poETPDtRDQsu/Plam-Size-Toy-Helicopter-HM-0708-.jpg" /><br />
<br />
And okay, probably the fault is mine. They do have reviews, comparison sites, and product specifications online. But, I get all excited. I imagine the big reveal. I picture myself toting around the Shiny New Toy. And all sense gets sucked into the great vortex of shopping excitement. I hit the "buy" button and feel a rush.<br />
<br />
Then the package arrives.<br />
<br />
So the other day I bought some books on Amazon. Books are pretty safe to buy online. I mean, a book is a book right? But when they came, one of the picture books I'd ordered was in board book format. Now, this is actually a good thing. If you know my kids you know board books are the way to go around here. I sort of imagine the boys lugging a board book version of <i>Moby Dick</i> to some literature class someday.<br />
<br />
But it wasn't what I expected. And though in this case it was a pleasant surprise, it reminded me how careful you have to be. Sort of like the internet is the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;">tricky <span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;">leprechaun</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px;"> </span> o</span>f shopping. If you don't phrase your request just right he'll find a loophole and you'll end up with a timeshare in Montana. (note: I have nothing at all against Montana. I hear they have sky. Big sky).<br />
<br />
Moral here? ebooks. Not only am I never confused about what I'm getting when I buy an ebook, but I get it instantly. No waiting! No UPS guy! No brown boxes I save for six months, throw away, then buy the exact same size at the store the next week because I need to mail something.<br />
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And that is my post about the changing publishing industry. Feel free to quote me.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3048123644640766292.post-39209681389388736332011-02-11T17:13:00.001-07:002011-02-11T17:15:00.466-07:00In Random1. I hate carpet. It gets gross. And smelly. And it stains. Sometimes it has a lot of stains. And when you vacuum and feel like ah, now it is finally clean? Totally still gross. You just got up the crusty Cheerios which had been ground in by the small yet eerily strong feet of tiny people.<br />
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2. I am completely addicted to sugar. Have I mentioned this before? Let me enlighten you. Addicted. To. Sugar. I went off it for a week, and I expected great things. Did I get them? No. I gained two pounds. It might have related to the superbowl extravaganza, but really people. It wasn't SO crazy. So this week I've been back on it. Sneaking little treats. Searching the cupboards for hidden goodies. I might need professional help.<br />
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3. I make my own pizza. And it is soooo good. Maybe not quite the same as my brother's although I don't know. I've gotten better lately. And almost nothing makes me happier than the smell of something yeasty rising. Is that weird? It is undoubtedly related to #2. *sigh*<br />
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4. This blog post has been brought to you by my three children, who are being suspiciously quiet downstairs. I checked on them a few minutes ago. But I don't want to go back, because the minute they see me they realize they have approximately 1,245 immediate needs. Of course, this means the 18-month-old is being supervised by two 4 1/2-year-olds. Don't think too hard about this.<br />
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5. Me: Hmm. My head hurts. And my teeth. And I've got lots of pressure. Probably sinuses. I should probably take something. *a few minutes go by* Head. Sinuses. Get medication. *an hour later* Dang! Why does my head hurt so bad? I bet I need to eat about 9,000 calories in conversation hearts. Nothing helps a headache like artificial color and sugar. *ten minutes later* Oops. <br />
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5.Janinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03750915015483174169noreply@blogger.com3