Author Liesel K. Hill's Musings on Fantasia...
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Lord of Chaos Read-Along, Week 10--Thank Goodness for Epic Battles!
Hello Everyone, and Merry Christmas!
I'm going off line from now until the New Year. I'll be back January 1st with new posts. I do have some read-along posts scheduled between now and then, which I've mostly prepared in advance, but other than that, I won't be posting or be on line much at all for the next week and a half.
Everyone have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year!
Welcome to week 10 (our final week!) of the Lord of Chaos Read-Along. What an epic conclusion. We read roughly 100 pages a week for this read-along, so ten weeks should give you an idea of how long this installment is, but the ending is totally worth it!
Remember that this section, chapters 52-the end, as well as anything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk.
I'm going off line from now until the New Year. I'll be back January 1st with new posts. I do have some read-along posts scheduled between now and then, which I've mostly prepared in advance, but other than that, I won't be posting or be on line much at all for the next week and a half.
Everyone have a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a Happy New Year!
Welcome to week 10 (our final week!) of the Lord of Chaos Read-Along. What an epic conclusion. We read roughly 100 pages a week for this read-along, so ten weeks should give you an idea of how long this installment is, but the ending is totally worth it!
Remember that this section, chapters 52-the end, as well as anything that's come before is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk.
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| My Little Mat Cauthon Source |
Thursday, December 19, 2013
Thoughts for Thursday: Optimism
Just have fun, collect awesome sayings by awesome people, and try to be inspired!
This week's theme is optimism. I've had a remarkably disheartening week, so I really needed this topic. (For even more quotes, visit my other blog.)
There is some good in this world, and it's worth fighting for.--J.R.R. Tolkien
Dwell on the beauty of life. Watch the stars, and see yourself running with them.--Marcus Aurelius, Meditations
Write it on your heart that every day is the best day in the year.--Ralph Waldo Emerson
You'll never find a rainbow if you're looking down.--Charles Chaplin
For myself I am an optimist-it does not seem to be much use to be anything else.--Winston Churchill
Pessimism leads to weakness, optimism to power.--William James
Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier--Colin Powell
Which quote about optimism is your favorite? Do you have one to add?
Wednesday, December 18, 2013
Movie Review: The Mortal Instruments
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I think I've told this story before, but when this movie came out, I was very excited to see it. I'd just recently read the books and really liked them. But, for the first few weeks it was in theaters (and by few, I mean something like six or eight) I was either too busy or didn't have the funds to go see it.
One weekend, my sister (who is also a fan of the books) and I realized we were free and could go see it. Finally. Yeah, it had left the theaters by then. We were SO disappointed!
But, it's okay. It's on DVD now and I finally got to watch it. I will admit that the first time I watched it, I had some issues with it. I think it's because I spent most of the movie cataloging what they differently from the books. But, each time I watch it (I've seen it three times now) I like it a little bit better. It's kind of won me over.
Monday, December 16, 2013
Top Ten New Authors (To Me) for 2013
Each week we will post a new Top Ten list that one of our bloggers here at The Broke and the Bookish will answer. Everyone is welcome to join. All we ask is that you link back to The Broke and the Bookish on your own Top Ten Tuesday post AND add your name to the Linky widget so that everyone can check out other bloggers lists! If you don't have a blog, just post your answers as a comment. Have fun with it! It's a fun way to get to know your fellow bloggers.
Top 10 New-to-Me Authors I Read in 2013 (pictures courtesy of goodreads.com unless otherwise linked)
This one's easy! I think MOST of the authors I read in 2013 were new to me, so I'll go with my faves! :D In no particular order:
Songs for Writers: Monster by Eminem and Rihanna
Okay, this might be a sort of lame Monday post, but I was pressed for time this weekend, so deal with it.
One of my sisters is a big Eminem fan. She's not big on his really vulgar, exploitative stuff, but she always just says she loves the sound of his voice and the songs that are more tragic or meaningful without being too R-rated.
I'm not as big a fan as she is, but there's a few Eminem songs I can get behind. The more I listen, the more I like, even if I am very picky about which of his songs I can stand to listen to.
That said, my sister recently introduced me to the song Monster, sung by Eminem and Rihanna. I was more open to listening to it than I probably would have otherwise been, mostly because the last collaboration of these two, Love the Way You Lie, (listen HERE) was a song I liked. That one is both tragic and haunting, but if you've ever been witness to an abusive relationship (I have) or perhaps been in one, there's a lot of truth in it.
So, I listened to Monster. It just made me smile. This is SO a writer's song. I don't know if it's meant to be, or if it was written about something else entirely, but as a writer, I can really get behind it.
Some of the lyrics:
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed,
Get along with the voices inside of my head.
You keep trying to save me, stop holding your breath.
And you think I'm crazy, and you think I'm crazy...well that's not fair!
Eminem's part talks about poetry and how if he can affect even one person's life, all the drama and agony is worth it. (A common theme for him.)
Anyway, watch/listen to the song below (courtesy of youtube.com) and tell me what you think.
What did this song make you think of? Did you relate it to your writing or some other part of you life?
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| Source |
I'm not as big a fan as she is, but there's a few Eminem songs I can get behind. The more I listen, the more I like, even if I am very picky about which of his songs I can stand to listen to.
That said, my sister recently introduced me to the song Monster, sung by Eminem and Rihanna. I was more open to listening to it than I probably would have otherwise been, mostly because the last collaboration of these two, Love the Way You Lie, (listen HERE) was a song I liked. That one is both tragic and haunting, but if you've ever been witness to an abusive relationship (I have) or perhaps been in one, there's a lot of truth in it.
So, I listened to Monster. It just made me smile. This is SO a writer's song. I don't know if it's meant to be, or if it was written about something else entirely, but as a writer, I can really get behind it.
Some of the lyrics:
I'm friends with the monster that's under my bed,
Get along with the voices inside of my head.
You keep trying to save me, stop holding your breath.
And you think I'm crazy, and you think I'm crazy...well that's not fair!
Eminem's part talks about poetry and how if he can affect even one person's life, all the drama and agony is worth it. (A common theme for him.)
Anyway, watch/listen to the song below (courtesy of youtube.com) and tell me what you think.
What did this song make you think of? Did you relate it to your writing or some other part of you life?
Sunday, December 15, 2013
Lord of Chaos Read-Along, Week 9
Welcome to week 9 of our Lord of Chaos Read-Along! This week, we read chapters 46-51. Remember that everything in this section, as well as everything that came before, is fair game for spoilers, so read at your own risk.
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I thought the meetings between Perrin and his in-laws were suitably amusing. I will say that I was impressed that Bashere was impressed with Perrin. When I first read it, I expected him to be all you're-unsuitable-for-my-daughter but he actually thought Perrin would be a good son-in-law, which made me like Bashere more. As for their relationship, I think Perrin's got a long way to go before he finds a comfortable niche in his relationship with Faile. The poor guy's trying so hard, but it's all turmoil for him right now.
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| Source |
2. Aiel attacking Aes Sedai: what is the world coming to? Any guesses as to who instigated the attack on Demira and why they let her survive?
Well it's obviously not any of the normal Aes Sedai we usually see. My guess would be either Shaido--who knows what their rationale might be--or Darkfriend Aiel. It would make sense if they were working for Sammael and trying to undermine Rand.
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I can't remember exactly why Nynaeve's being weird. It may have something to do with how they're manipulating him and the Band. Maybe her conscience is kicking in. I always think the Nynaeve/Mat dynamic is interesting (a.k.a. funny) because in many ways, these two are genre-opposite reflections of one another. Which means they'll never get along, always but heads, and always be funny together. Tylin still seems relatively normal at this point. Later, I end up not being a big fan of her character, but she speaks easily enough with our girls and seems very down to earth when it comes to her throne and cooperating with Nynaeve and Elayne. Which is good.
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| Loial traveling to Stedding Source |
Loial is determined to write his book about the Dragon Reborn and the Last Battle, and I don't think anything will deter him from that. Erith doesn't seem like the bullying type. Loial's mother, of course, is another matter entirely. If he can keep away from her, I think he could do whatever he wanted. But, of course, marriage would probably change his freedoms a bit. We'll just have to see what happens. :D
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| Travelling Source |
Twenty! Rand has already shown that he won't let them push him around. This is what's known as a learning disability. Moiraine learned the lesson quickly. If he's being stubborn, you have to try and find other ways to influence him, in such a way that he won't feel cornered. These Aes Sedai aren't the brightest crayons in the box, you know? Ditto about Kiruna. I think they're going about this all the wrong way. They're thinking of him like a pouty kid, rather than the most powerful man in the world. Big mistake. I had to roll my eyes when they went, "Oh, he re-discovered Traveling. Bummer." Yeah. He's the Dragon Reborn. Think outside the box, Ladies.
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| Beardless Perrin with a Falcon on his shoulder. Source |
I think this is in line with what we've seen of Berelain so far. Her country is small and she doesn't have much power, so she latches onto people she thinks can help her. She's being fairly sensible about Rand, which I'm sure is at least partly Rhuarc's doing, but she seems to think that Perrin might be able to help her or care for her somehow. And for some reason, his being a married dude isn't a problem for her. This is why I don't like Berelain. It's bad enough that she's pretty loose to begin with, but the minute she starts trying to come between Perrin and Faile, she becomes public enemy #1 in my book.
7. Holy boxes of Dragon Reborn, Batman! They actually went ahead and took Rand! I think we all knew that the Tower envoy might try something like this, but were you surprised by how well it worked? Any ideas on what has happened to Min?
It definitely happened fast and unexpectedly. Dingbats though they may be, I'll give them credit for putting him at his ease and pulling this off without a hitch. I was surprised how well it worked the first time I read it. Rand has so many precautions in place, you wouldn't think it would have been so easy. This doesn't bode well for his Aes Sedai trust issues. I'm assuming their incessant channeling was expressly for this purpose--so people would stop paying attention. I've always been a bit confused on this point because it isn't very well explained but if this was intentional, then I guess we've got to give them kudos for thinking ahead that far, even if the kudos are grudgingly given.
I can't remember what happened to Min, but I'm thinking the embassy found a way to keep her from being there. Just can't recall the exact details.
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I feel ya. Well, I know what's going to happen, so I won't say much, except that the ending of book 6 is friggin epic! So excited! I remember when my dad was reading this, I kept bugging him when he was reading book 6 so we could geek out about the ending together. When he finally read it, he loved it too. Way cool!
I won't say anything about Loial--we do get to see more Ogier fighting in the future, but I can't remember what his role, if any, is at the end of book 6--but look for Perrin to call on some of his largely unknown weapons. *waggles eyebrows* And, you know, I can't imagine Sulin will be able to do much to help Rand while wearing that livery. Just sayin'.
I was glad to see more of Thom and Juilin again. Glad to see they're still loyal to our girls. (Anyone find themselves spelling loyal, loial? Or is it just me?)
I loved the way Perrin handled the nobles and how they tried to get info out of him. He flat out told some of them that if he knew the answers they wanted, he certainly would't tell them. Love him!
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| Herid Fel Source |
And I love Herid Fel. I love that he's bookish and manages to be mysterious in a bumbling sort of way. He's one of my favorite minor characters!
I also thought the bit with Alanna was interesting even if I'd still like to smack her upside the head. She talked about how she tried to compel Rand and couldn't. She's assuming that it's because he can channel, and no one's bonded a man who can channel before. It's an interesting theory--and perhaps a natural conclusion--and we'll see more on this subject later, but I've never thought that was the reason. Most gaidin agree to the bonding. Part of that agreement is obedience. It's kind of like marriage that way. Hehe. That agreement to obedience lends itself toward compulsion. Enter Rand. He was forced. If we stick with the rape metaphor everyone in Randland uses, it can be said that the rapist can force their victim, but can't make them completely surrender or enjoy the experience. I think the same thing applies here. Because she bonded Rand without his consent, she'll never have power over him. Anyway, just an interesting tidbit.
Thursday, December 12, 2013
Follow Friday: Up-selling Random Books! :D
The Feature & Follow is hosted by TWO hosts, Parajunkee of Parajunkee's View and Alison of Alison Can Read. Each host will have their own Feature Blog and this way it'll allow us to show off more new blogs!
How does this work? First you leave your name here on this post, (using the linky tools -- keep scrolling!) then you create a post on your own blog that links back to this post (easiest way is to just grab the code under the #FF picture and put it in your post) and then you visit as many blogs as you can and tell them "hi" in their comments (on the post that has the #FF image). You follow them, they follow you. Win. Win. Just make sure to follow back if someone follows you!
Bookselling Time: Go to your biggest bookcases. Go to the second shelf from the top and pick out the sixth book from the left. Hand sell that book to us - even if you haven’t read it or if you hated it.
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