Thursday, February 28, 2008

1 Day Refund

It is a habit of mine to wait until the last minute to do everything. This spread-the-word activity is (sadly) no different.

So. Over at the Story Siren, a splendid book-blog of challenge taking and book giving glory there is a contest. A contest for THREE WHOLE BOOKS!!! Note that these are whole books as opposed to ones with the pages torn out. They are for the Fire/Poison/Magic Study Series by Maria V. Snyder. For all the details you must go off in pursuit of the shiny grey link. Oh. And just a quick note. This contest ends tomorrow at midnight. Yes. Yes. I can hear your protests. "Aella! Why must you put such important things off until the very last minute?" And I have no answer but to hang my head in shame.

But to make it up to you, I am now engaging in another spread the word activity. 3 Cheerz for dual-postage and space conservation! This one is another book give away, but at the Page Flipper. This is also a laudable blog with many the intriguing review. 6 Books all of which are described ever so eloquently at the linked blog:
  • Tweak by Nic Sheff
  • Here, There Be Dragons by James A. Owen and its sequel, In Search for the Red Dragon
  • Three Little Words by Ashley Rhodes-Courter
  • Fake Boyfriend by Kate Brian
  • and The Unspoken by Thomas Fahy
Bloggers will enter. But who will win? Simply observe the details and act upon the directions. And this time I've given fair warning. 31 days worth actually. The entire challenge is simpler than chick lit and far less painful.

Support the literary realms and its "dauntless crusaders" (time for another round of Name That Movie) in these splendid challenges and my hopes for success to all.

Holding Blog-Banners on Street Corners,

Monday, February 25, 2008

The Deep Questions in Life...

What Be Your Nerd Type?
Your Result: Literature Nerd

Does sitting by a nice cozy fire, with a cup of hot tea/chocolate, and a book you can read for hours even when your eyes grow red and dry and you look sort of scary sitting there with your insomniac appearance? Then you fit this category perfectly! You love the power of the written word and it's eloquence; and you may like to read/write poetry or novels. You contribute to the smart people of today's society, however you can probably be overly-critical of works.

It's okay. I understand.

Drama Nerd

Musician

Social Nerd

Anime Nerd

Artistic Nerd

Gamer/Computer Nerd

Science/Math Nerd

What Be Your Nerd Type?
Quizzes for MySpace


Woah... Totally didn't see that result coming. And the secretary says: sarcasm duly noted. This quiz was surprisingly enjoyable. I discovered it whilst trolling for book-blogs. There are quite a few questions, but I suppose that is merely to allow for a more "accurate" result.

But it got me thinking. Do you think this quiz, or any other that categorizes, is manipulative and promoting stereotypes? Just pondering as I really can't make up my mind. Comment away. What is your opinion?

Sunday, February 17, 2008

Warning: Do Not Read This Book...

So, in preparation for last night, Medeia and I stalked the local library for Holly Black books. The Spiderwick Chronicles to be exact. And then, as a reward for our "efforts" we went to see the movie. Despite the irritating green line projected down the middle of the screen by faulty equipment for the duration of the film, I must say that it was greatly enjoyed. And I don't know how it happened.

Seeing as I tend to be something of a purist in book to movie transitions I was shocked by how much I liked Spiderwick. Although the first half was accurate enough, the second took great liberties with the plot, building on the events in the very short books. But the dialogue was humorous, intelligent, sometimes even snarky and the characters turned out to be well acted. Freddie Highmore, a young English actor, played both of the Grace twins wonderfully, adopting completely different persona whenever he made the switch. And Mallory was noteworthy as well (note* expect swords and plenty of green blood). Happily, even through the big screen portrayal, the essence of the books remained. The fantastical and borderline macabre sensations from the works of Holly Black's incredible talent were maintained and worked upon to make a film that the target audience could enjoy as well as the older set (leaning, but not catering, to a younger crowd).

Not to mention that the creatures looked as if they had come from the Field Guide itself. There were griffins, sprites, rock trolls, goblins, griffins, flower fey, brownies, boggarts, griffins *blithers for another hour or so*. Even Mulgarath, the ogre, closely followed the illustrations of the honorable Mr. Diterlizzi and was suitably fearsome.


To say the least, Medeia and I's conversation while leaving the theater went something like...

M: And did you see...
A: I know and then the sword *jabs air* in that part...
M: That was brilliant! And the rock troll...
A: And HOGSQUEAL!!
M&A: *burst into laughter*
Father Siofra: *odd look*


So go see it, but with an open mind. There might be room for compromise in novelty cases after all.



Bewildered and Searching the Sky for Griffins,
Aella Siofra

Tuesday, February 5, 2008

Meme-ing Me!

Which book do you irrationally cringe away from reading, despite seeing only positive reviews? Honestly?
Harry Potter, actually. I should probably pack up and leave town to avoid pitchfork-wielding fans at this point. It’s not that I dislike the books so very much, but I don’t think they come up to the bar people project them to be even with.

If you could bring three characters to life for a social event (afternoon tea, a night of clubbing, perhaps a world cruise), who would they be and what would the event be?
*Ponder* For a night of clubbing (something I’ve never done) I would have to raise Loor from the Pendragon series, Alianne from the Trickster’s Choice/Trickster’s Queen set, and Jacky from the Bloody Jack series. That would be very...exciting.

(Borrowing shamelessly from the Thursday Next series by Jasper Fforde): you are told you can’t die until you read the most boring novel on the planet. While this immortality is great for a while, eventually you realize it’s past time to die. Which book would you expect to get you a nice grave?

Without a doubt, A String in the Harp by Nancy Bond. Every time I try to read it it’s like an out of body experience. My entire brain goes into an impermeable lockdown as to maintain any semblance of mental activity.

Come on, we’ve all been there. Which book have you pretended, or at least hinted, that you’ve read, when in fact you’ve been nowhere near it?
Actually. I’m not sure I have been there. The answer is It by Stephen King. I can’t even look at it. Clowns have been my worst fear for years. Some kid asked me if I was scared of them and I became defensive, saying stupidly, “Pshaw, no. I’ve read It.” Settled his fears, but the karma just might kill me.

As an addition to the last question, has there been a book that you really thought you had read, only to realise when you read a review about it/go to ‘reread’ it that you haven’t? Which book?
No. I almost always remember what I read.

You’re interviewing for the post of Official Book Advisor to some VIP (who’s not a big reader). What’s the first book you’d recommend and why? (If you feel like you’d have to know the person, go ahead and personalise the VIP.)
Oh dear. It really depends. Lets say the VIP is female. I would suggest something intense like Cut by Patricia McKormick or Speak by Laurie Halse Anderson. Most people like those and they’re short and moving. I’m reading Catalyst right now actually.

A good fairy comes and grants you one wish: you will have perfect reading comprehension in the foreign language of your choice. Which language do you go with?
Japanese. Have the animes I love are in Japanese with English subtitles, but their mangas don’t come in English at all.

A mischievious fairy comes and says that you must choose one book that you will reread once a year for the rest of your life (you can read other books as well). Which book would you pick?
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke. I do that anyway.

I know that the book blogging community, and its various challenges, have pushed my reading borders. What’s one bookish thing you ‘discovered’ from book blogging (maybe a new genre, or author, or new appreciation for cover art—anything)?
Definitely a new appreciation for cover art. This has actually been instilled in me by my co-blogger Medeia Senka. Her artist’s eye could kill you in a rage.


That good fairy is back for one final visit. Now, she’s granting you your dream library! Describe it. Is everything leatherbound? Is it full of first edition hardcovers? Pristine trade paperbacks? Perhaps a few favourite authors have inscribed their works? Go ahead—let your imagination run free.
Oh. My. Tempests. My dream library would be behind a wall in a castle on the sea. Of course I would live in this great stone work of art. But you wouldn’t know the library existed. It would be secreted behind two-inch thick walls and reached only by daring to walk the ledge so far above sheer cliffs and pull a gargoyles right ear. This would then open a passageway. You would traverse this with a dimly flickering torch and then you’d enter through the door, ouroboros marked. Inside you would have to touch the torch to a wall ravine and then the flames would encircle the library to a never-ending ceiling, reached only by the ladders that slid along great walls. Books of all kinds would grace the walls. Everything from sea-logs, or an original scripted work of the Brothers Grimm, to Alex Rider novels or mangas. Perfect hardcover without the dreadful ‘80s first print artwork and a plethora of things I have yet to read. My secret fantasy. It gives me warm fuzzy feelings and the musty scent of old books in my nose just to think it.



I was memed by Ink Mage at http://www.inkmagic.blogspot.com. What fun! It was very nice to know someone wanted to hear my answers *hugs self* I have memed Twyla Lee Nyx, Medeia Senka (must I really link that for you), Bibliovore, and the mahvelous macabre of Sera Zane.

Cheerz and Feeling Loved,
*Aella Siofra*