2014 Reading Challenge

2014 Reading Challenge
Michael has read 1 book toward his goal of 50 books.
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Saturday, January 29, 2011

Book Review: Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure

Title: Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure
Author: Allan Richard Shickman
Pages: 148
Rating: A for Acceptable
Review: When you think of an epic adventure, your mind automatically drives itself towards magic and towers and dragons and wars. But not all epic adventures have the magic and dragons. Not all revolve around magical artifacts or great kingdoms. Sometimes, the highest adventure, can be just a simple traveling to save ones brother across a land that has never been traveled on.

Zan-Gah is different from anything else one will read. It sets you back several thousand years into the past. Where people lived in tribes and huddled together for warmth to sleep. Where rival tribes band together to take down a lion who attacked them in the middle of the night.

As you might have guessed from the novel, this is set in the Prehistoric times. How far, it’s not really told but it does not really matter because the story just wraps you up that you forget exactly what time we are in today. Zan-Gah is the story of a young boy who earned his name after he killed a Lion that attacked a little boy. Zan-Gah had a twin brother who disappeared. For a year no one found him, until finally Zan-Gah decided to go looking for him. Alone he traveled through tribes and unknown lands, not knowing the full extent of the dangers that lay around him. The book might be only around one hundred and fifty pages long, but the setting spans out to around two years, making the character grow before your eyes.

The travel and adventure was well written. Is it something that holds complexity and other storylines? No, but Allan Richard Shickman, the author, makes the simple written words something to think about. During the Prehistoric times, there were no cars, or planes, or boats or even bikes to travel on. Everything was by foot so most of the land was never really discovered. At least not by certain people. No one knew the dangers that lay ahead. They couldn’t go on google maps and see their neighbors. To them the world was what they knew and everything out there was just useless.

The way it was written, it takes you back to the time, makes you feel how they feel. Everything they discovered we, of course, already knew but it was as if we were discovering it ourselves also. In the book, Zan-Gah figures out the power of a sling and to him it is a great weapon. To him it’s the equivalence of a bomb to us today. With that sling, he was able to change the course of all of his battles and help his people defend themselves properly.

Things like twins and certain dances and sounds to them was magic. It was unexplainable to them and it was something beyond their knowledge. We of course know everything that’s going on, but to feel their emotions as they are confused about having a twin brother and the reasons they come up with as to why they do, it makes one think that simplicity is what we really need.

I’m used to high fantasy and young adult and this was a change. It made me realize that there was a time before swords and maces. Before towns and villages. Before bakers and priests. There was a time when it all started and when it all began. I’m glad I read Zan-Gah because it made me think about that time. It allowed me to live with these characters, if only for a brief stay, and experience everything they did. It made me think, that life today is extremely easy to life back then. That our teenage problems today seem infantile to what they had to go through yesterday.

Before the Review

Hey guys so yesterday I was to put up a review but I got sick badly. I woke up shaking, and I don't mean shivering I mean actual shaking and it would go on and off and then I just went down and felt horrible. So I'm just letting you guys know that I'll be putting up a review right now that was to go up yesterday. And I'm still a bit sick although I feel loads better. So hopefully by Monday I'll be brand new again. =D

Thursday, January 27, 2011

Hottest Female Characters (4)

Hey guys! So I was supposed to do this yesterday and even now I don't feel like doing this. I'm sick and don't have the will power to do anything but sleep. But, I might as well do this.


Recently I read a book called Behind Green Glass by Amanda Von Hoffmann and the whole time I kept seeing one person.

Lucy Hale.

You might know her from Pretty Little Liars or Privileged. But going back to while I was reading, for some reason I kept seeing Lucy as Isolde. First off, she looks like she could play an Isolde. And then the whole chill, laid back, in sweats with no make-up type of thing really fits her well. She's a beautiful girl with or without the make-up and very talented. Isolde in the novel is a junior so she has to be around 16-years-old and Lucy is -checks- OMG REALLY?! She's turning 21! God this is such a let down. I thought she was around 17/18 and here I am thinking haha I'm older than her this could work out and she's older than me by like 2 years.

Well, still, she plays a junior in most shows so it could work out for the movie of Behind Green Glass. haha =D I still can't believe she's older than me! I'm really sad right now. I think I might go cry in the corner for a while. But still, Lucy Hale, if you're reading this, email me ;D Okay that was creepy. -walks away-

Wednesday, January 26, 2011

Tuesday's Novel Spotlight (19)

Hey guys! Sorry I didn't post this up yesterday. I was trying to finish a book and when I did finish I got a headache and just went to bed. But anyway, today my copy of The Iron Queen which I had pre-ordered arrived! It looks epic near the other ones. But then I noticed, it's a bit taller than the first two. And The Iron King is short than Queen but taller than Daughter who is shorter than them all. That made me chuckle a bit.

But anyway! I can finally do my Christmas Book Haul now that I got all of my Christmas books. And yes, I am so cool that I will be doing it in January! How about them apples! >.>

Anyway, this week's Novel Spotlight is; The Iron Queen by Julie Kagawa.

My name is Meghan Chase.

I thought it was over. That my time with the fey, the impossible choices I had to make, the sacrifices of those I loved, was behind me. But a storm is approaching, an army of Iron fey that will drag me back, kicking and screaming. Drag me away from the banished prince who's sworn to stand by my side. Drag me into the core of conflict so powerful, I'm not sure anyone can survive.

This time, there will be no turning back.

Now, I haven't started the Fey Series yet because I'm trying to get the smaller books out of the way on my 50 book challenge. (I should get a progress bar for it eh?) But, once I'm done with the smaller books, I will tackle them. I know many people have gotten The Iron Queen and have started reading it though. Are you guys enjoying it so far? Leave your comments down below. =D Stick around for another post today. And hopefully this headache goes away!

Monday, January 24, 2011

Monday's Novel Talk (26)

Hey guys so it's Monday! Woo! I'm actually reading at the moment.

I'm reading Behind Green Glass by Amanda Von Hoffmann. It's about this girl who moves into a new house she believes is haunted. But then she finds out it's actually faeries who were cast out of their realms because of their physical and mental imperfections. I'm currently on page 94/95 out of 184 and I think it is amazing. For once I heard about a Faeries novel that doesn't involve a teenage girl falling in love with one. At least I hope she doesn't in this one but I don't think she does.

But it's actually an amazing novel that is well written so far and the story is deep. Very different and unique from what I've seen.

After I finish this I'll be tackling the shorter books in my pile so Narnia will be next. After that, who knows.

But I'm going to go back to reading. Some of my shows give today but I won't be able to watch until later. I'll see you all tomorrow. =D

Sunday, January 23, 2011

Blogger Interview: Jodi Webb

Happy Sunday ya'll! I did not get any books this week but that's alright. So instead I am going to shine the spotlight on another blogger! What is this you ask? Well, I know how us bloggers always interview authors. So I'm interviewing the bloggers so that we all feel special. Because let's face it, why don't we get to be awesome?

So this week the spotlight is on Jodi Webb. Jodi reviews books for Sacramento/San Francisco Book Reviews as well as on her blog; Words by Webb. She also organizes WOW Blog Tours at; www.wow-womenonwriting.com and, in her spare time, is writing a World War II era novel. She dreams of a time when there are 48 hours in a day.

Don't I agree with her in that last sentence, haha. So Jodi suggested a few topics that were all awesome. But one stood out to be since it was epic.

As a blogger and reviewer, how do you feel when you have to review that is bad? I, along with everyone else, want to know exactly how you feel and what you do.

Jodi Webb:

I love being a book reviewer. Each month I'm sent a list of hundreds of books and, depending on what I'm in the mood for, I choose a few books to read and review. It's great! Except when it isn't. The book, that is. I can't just chuck the book in the corner and say, "I'm not reading this anymore." The editor is expecting me to deliver 200 words by the 22nd. No excuses. Being a writer and a mom (mom's want to hug you and make everything OK) complicates being a book reviewer. I usually go through a few stages as I'm reading a book that isn't very good.
  1. It'll get better - I'm a hopeless optimist when it comes to books. I'm sure there's only that one mistake or the dialogue will get better. Whatever the problem is, I'm sure things will get better if I just keep turning the pages. Sometimes they do. Sometimes they don't.
  2. Maybe it's just me - Am I not getting the humor? Is it that I don't like the book or am I just cranky overall because I had to shovel 5 inches of snow? Let's take a deep breath and be objective. IS it really the book? Sometimes it is.
  3. How could you put your name on this? - I'm embarrassed. Did the author not see the final draft? Did some horrible editor rip it to pieces? How did this happen?
  4. Why you and not me? - Now I'm mad. You can get this published and I can't get an agent to look at my stuff. Where is the justice?
  5. What will I do? - I live my life trying not to hurt anyone's feelings. Being an author I know about super-sensitivity for your work. Maybe I should just say I like it and not devastate some poor, hard-working writer. Who would know?
  6. But what about the readers? - I buy books. With three kids (one in college), two dogs, a house, etc. I have limited funds for filling my bookshelves and limited time for reading for fun. I don't want to waste either. How would I feel if I shelled out $24.95 because all the reviews praised a book and it, well...stank.
  7. Balance, balance, balance - Reality sets in. I have to write a review. I have to find something good about it but I also have to warn readers about the not so good stuff, gently to protect the author's fragile ego.
Reviewing books is like juggling: authors, readers, editors, the writer in you. They all have a stake in the review. People refer to reviews as good and bad. What about fair? That's what I try to write. Reviews that are fair, pointing out the good and bad, allowing readers to make an informed decision. Good luck to all you budding reviewers out there!

I think Jodi described exactly how everyone feels when we have to write a review. You just feel bad when the book is horrible and don't know what to do. And then you start wondering how the hell they got published and you won't even be looked at. But then you start looking for the good things and how they could improve. I usually write about how the author wrote their story and how it came out onto the paper and how I feel about the it. I don't say it's good or bad because in all honesty, it's not only about me. What I find horrible, another might find perfect. I think the key to writing the perfect review is to be fair. Give both sides of the story but don't make your opinion the only opinion. Make it so that the readers will give it a shot for themselves.

This was a pretty fun interview to read. I can tell that reviewing novels is something Jodi loves to do and I wish her all the luck in finding a good agent for her novel!

If you want to be interviewed, send me an email at the email address on the side. In it, put your name, age, blog and some suggested topics. I'll send you an email back and bam! Magic happens. Be sure to comment and check out Jodi's blog and follow! And stick around when we get more interviews next week!

Saturday, January 22, 2011

Blogger Interview: Vamp's Book Reviews and Advertising

Welcome to the new thing on my blog. It's Saturday and it's time to shine the light on another blogger. What this basically is, is that you, the bloggers can email me with information; name, age, blog link and a bit about yourself. You can also send some suggestive topics you'd like to talk about or I send you one based on what you like and such. After that you write some about it, like an interview, and I put it up for the world to see. The reason I'm doing this is because we always interview authors but we never have anyone interview us. We never get that special light shining on us. So I want to give us the chance for that!

Today we have someone called Penny Peterssen but is better known as Vampirique Dezire. She is 42 years of age, writes erotica and runs two blogs; Blood, Lust and Erotica & Vamp's Book Reviews and Advertising. Just a warning that you will have to be 18 or older to go on Blood, Lust and Erotica. She is also a moderator for Mistress Journals Forum and is now doing freelance work for Naughty Nights Press, a brand new publishing firm.

Seeing how she loves to write, one topic came to mind.

What would you like to accomplish with your writing? Is there a specific goal you want to reach with your writing? IE. get top bestseller, receive awards, just do it for plain old love of writing.

Vampirique Dezire:

Firstly I would like to thank you Mike for allowing me the opportunity to come to The Subtle Chronicler and tell you about my writing. My name is Vampirique Dezire and I am a writer of Erotica. I don't have a sub genre that I deal with only but tend to try my hand at all of them.

I first started writing Erotica about ten years ago and it was mainly for friends who enjoyed the fact that I was writing a story catered to just their fantasies. Word got out pretty quick and I was soon writing stories for all these different people. This was back in the days of MSN chat. It was a while after I started my own group site on there, which I began to write for my own enjoyment of writing. Being a hobby and never thinking I was a good enough writier, I didn't even dream about looking to be published. That didn't come until the beginning of 2010 when I met this wonderful woman on Facebook, called Gina Kincade. Gina, an Author and owner of Naughty Nights Press, had created a writers group and invited me to join. Part of being in the writers group was Gina encouraging us to submit stories and critique each other's work, to the point that it would be polished to send for submissions. It was actually through this that I submitted my first story to Rachel Kramer Brussel's call out for an anthology, which I did and to my amazement my story was accepted and the anthology, Gotta Have It: 69 Stories of Sudden Sex, is due for release on February 1st.

To be honest, when I first started to write, I seriously had no thought of becoming a full time writer, now...I love it. I have 2 more stories due out in July through Naughty Nights Press and working on my first book as well as penning more short stories for submission. This is probably the best time of life at the moment, doing what I love.

Well there you have it. One woman's hobby turned into her dream. I think it's pretty cool how this was just something you did for fun and now it's something you do for a living. I think this is the way everyone wants it. Easy.

I wish you good luck on the rest of your awesome journey in writing. And if you guys want to check out her work just click the links above to her blogs and follow them both. I shall see you all later, possibly with another interview on the way. =D

Wednesday, January 19, 2011

Hottest Female Characters (3)

It's Wednesday! And it's giving American Idol! The first episode and they're in New Jersey! Wooo Jersey! Anyway, I liked the Hottest Female Characters post that I'm making another one. Although I'll only put one person at a time to extend it. Like the button? Thanks, my friend made it. THANK YOU LEONOR!




So this edition is a movie edition. The person to the left is... Heather Morris! You might recognize her as Brittany S. Pierce on Glee. Her epic one liners gave her a role as a regular and an episode dedicate just to her. So where's her big break? Something that involves a movie?

Well, did you know that Heather Morris is being considered for the new Buffy the Vampire Slayer movie? It's actually farther than being considered. They basically want her and she wants in. She HAS to be in it!

Yea, we love Buffy the Vampire Slayer, the original Sarah Michelle Gellar version. Yea, some people are mad at the remake. But who cares! So what if they're remaking it. If we don't like it, we don't watch it. That simple.

So they're making the new Buffy very sexy and very dark and I think Heather Morris can pull that off if we give her the chance. We see her as a bubbly slow blonde but I want to see her as an ass kicking, sarcastic one.

I don't know, I want it! But do you? What do you think of this whole remake thing and with Heather Morris in it? Give me your thoughts down in the comments below.

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Tuesday's Novel Spotlight (18)

It is now Tuesday! We'll it's been Tuesday and it's close to being Wednesday! But I just gathered up the courage to post. So this week I chose a novel that I saw a while ago when I ordered from Barnes & Noble. In the box come these advertisement cards and one of them was for this novel. And since I love White Tigers, I had to check the novel out.

Also, I finished typing this post and I'm going crazy. I've been misspelling EVERYTHING this week. I feel like I'm illiterate. What if my reading and writing abilities were some kind of super powers and now I'm losing them. UGH!

Tiger's Curse by Colleen Houck

Passion. Fate. Loyalty.

Would you risk it all to change your destiny?

The last thing Kelsey Hayes thought she'd be doing this summer was trying to break a 300-year-old Indian curse. With a mysterious white tiger named Ren. Halfway around the world.

But that's exactly what happened.

Face-to-face with dark forces, spellbinding magic, and mystical worlds where nothing is what it seems, Kelsey risks everything to piece together an ancient prophecy that could break the curse forever.

Tiger's Curse is the exciting first volume in an epic-fantasy-romance that will leave you breathless and yearning for more.

So what do you think? Have you read it or will you want to? If you have, give me your thoughts!


Monday, January 17, 2011

Monday's Novel Talk (25)

It's Monday! Such a crazy night. Pretty Little Liars, Bad Girls Club, Jersey Shore and Skins US. Too bad I won't see Pretty Little Liars until tomorrow and Bad Girls Club until later tonight but hey Jersey Shore is all that matters for now!

Anyway let's keep you updated.

I'm currently reading; Lodestone Book Two: The World of Ice and Stars by Mark Whiteway.

I'm currently on page 78 of 306. So far it's getting really good and hopefully I'll reach page 200 by tonight. I know this is a short update but the shows are so good and I'm all focused on them. =D

If you're watching any of these shows or any show that you're into just comment below and we can make our own fandom mwuahaha!

Blogger Interview: Beck's Book Picks

Hello my fellow followers and readers! I welcome you to what I hope to be a new weekly thing I'll be doing. Guest Posts is where I invite you, the bloggers, to come on my blog and do a guest post on a topic we have agreed to. The process is by you emailing me (which you will find my email on the side) you send me your name, age and blog and if you have any suggested topics. And then after agreeing on the topic that you have sent or I have sent, you send me your response and be a guest poster on here.

It's a fun way to interact with each other and to let our readers and followers step into the wider blogiverse. I mean, yea us bloggers like each other and help each other out but do we really know each other? So I created this to also get to know each other. It's fun, anyone can email me, and if you want to start doing guest posts also, go right ahead. It's fun!

Anyway a few people have emailed me already and I already have one set to go. I'm doing it Monday because I was supposed to put her on Saturday but with the no internet thing going on, I'm doing it now. But like I said in a previous post, this might be done on Saturdays and/or Sundays. Shall we get started, though?

Today it will be....

Rebecca from Beck's Book Picks. She's 28-years-old, an avid reader, an aspiring author and spends most of her time chasing after her kids.

Seeing that she has kids and loves to read, one topic popped into my mind for her.

Reading and your kids. How do you plan to introduce literature to your children? If already done, how do you plan to keep it going and further the experience? If you already have, how well do the two mix together and how does it feel knowing that your opening millions of worlds to them?

Rebecca:
Thank you so much for having me on your blog today Michael.

Reading is a huge part of my life and so is writing. My kids always see a book around me. It’s either stuffed in my purse when we leave or sitting next to me in any room I go. Often times they like to sit next to me with their own books. My daughter Brooklynn is four and she isn’t reading yet. She loves to look at chapter books such as Junie B Jones and tell the story in her opinion. My son Ethan is six and he is a great reader. He is currently in first grade and reading at almost third grade level. He often lays in bed at night and sneaks books under his pillow to pull out once he thinks I have tip toed off to escape to my own book. Books are important not only in my life, but also in theirs. I am so glad to see the relationship that they have with books. They love taking trips to the book store and picking out books. I think our house is overflowing with children books. I actually have a huge box hidden away to donate and it’s probably about time to clean out again.

My children as I stated above are used to seeing me with a book. They know it’s my escape from the world. I don’t want much TV. My kids love to see how long it takes me to read a book. If I am ever reading a book for more than a few days, Ethan will ask if it’s any good. Sometimes since he is the one who is such a good reader, he likes to have contests with me to see who finishes reading first; however he always wins, since most of his books are much shorter. Sometimes I think he cheats too. That’s ok, because I love seeing the look on his face when he has finished a book.

It warms my heart knowing that my kids enjoy reading as much as I do. They have a whole world opened up to them and knowledge to keep them busy. I hope as they continue to grow up that they will keep books close to their hearts and continue to love it the way they do now.

Thanks so much again Michael for having me on your blog. I enjoyed taking a time out and getting to stop and think about my children and how books affect their lives.


Reading this actually had me smiling the cheesiest smile the whole time. I seriously imagine this young boy hiding a book, acting as if he his sleeping and then having his mother walk away to bed and he pulls it out to start reading. Only to get caught and start laughing as if nothing happened. Sounds a lot like me when I was younger.

It's amazing how just the simplest words can create something so amazing and so beautiful. It is sad that most people don't read but I think that they are lucky to have a mother who loves to read and loves to share her experiences with her children. Just wait until they're a little older and reading the novels of tomorrow as we all do. Then, not only will your house be overflowing with novels, but with different worlds.

Hopefully their love for novels will continue to grow so that when they're older and have kids, they'll be able to pass it down.

I would like to thank you Rebecca for having the time to answer the question. It does mean a lot to me to be able to connect with you and your reading life and know that your next generation of family as interested in novels as we all are.

As you can see, it's not only a guest post but a sort of a short interview. How many times have we interviewed authors? What about someone interviewing us? We too are special and awesome and epic. So if you want to be interviewed send me an email with your name, age, gender, blog and suggested topics. I take anyone of any age, any gender, any race, any color, whoever you are. You could have 15 followers or 5,000. You could have been blogging for 2 months or 2 years. If you want to be interviewed just send me an email.

Leave some comments down below with what you think of Rebecca and her kids. And we shall see you around the blogiverse! =D

Sunday, January 16, 2011

In My Mailbox/Book Haul (9)

Hey everyone! Finally a first post since no internet. I've been trying to catch up on everything like my emails and facebook and websites I check and shows and all of that. Hopefully by tonight I'll be done. I'm actually feeling pretty weird right now. It's like everything is in slow motion and I feel so sluggish and just tired. I hope I'm not getting sick but who knows.

But tomorrow I will continue with the weekly posts and tomorrow I will have my first guest post up. The one that I posted about for you guys to email me. A lot of people emailed me and I think it's awesome and fun. So tomorrow I'll have the first one up and I'm thinking about doing them on Saturdays or Sundays. Or maybe Saturdays and Sundays. But for now I'll put them up as a surprise. This week I got a book for review and it sounds awesome.

Behind Green Glass

This novel actually sounds really interesting and different and unique. It's about fairies but there's this twist sort of thing.

Isolde is a shy and artistic sixteen-year-old who moves into a house rumored to be haunted. When she discovers a shard of green glass, a new world opens for her. Through the glass she see's Lyric, who mistakenly believes that he is a ghost, and other ethereally beautiful creatures. As their mystery unfolds, Isolde learns that they are not ghosts, but The Forgotten Ones, fairies cast out of their realm, labeled imperfect for their physical and mental differences. Isolde's friendship with Lyric and The Forgotten Ones teaches her that sometimes our "imperfections" can also be our greatest strengths.

Usually novels about fairies are about love and death and all of that teenage stuff. So it's pretty refreshing seeing something so different and so out there. I'll be reading this novel next and have a review up of it when I'm done.

So that's basically it. Not upset that I haven't been getting books since I have a pile of 45+ books to read at the moment so I'm all set. So stick around for tomorrow and see you all later! =D

Saturday, January 15, 2011

What Is This Weird Feeling?

My internet went down for the week since I forgot to pay it >.>
And now that I'm on it it feels weird as if it's something strange. I had guest posts and all that shnazz scheduled for the week but I guess I'll do it starting Monday so that I can take care of some things first haha.

See you all later! =D

Monday, January 10, 2011

Monday's Novel Talk (24)

Hello everyone! I forgot to post earlier because I was supposed to go pick up some X-rays at the hospital which never happened. And then I started playing my PS3 and it is just SO AWESOME!

But anyway, I am currently reading Laney by Joann I. Martin Sowles, and it is a vampire novel. Oh God, did I just say I'm reading a vampire novel? Yes.

If you didn't know or I haven't mentioned, I hate vampires. When I was younger I was terrified of them and now that they're in trend I just think they're overplayed. I mean don't get me wrong, I like watching The Vampire Diaries and True Blood. There are some vampire novels out there that are pretty good and worthy of reading. I'm just reluctant on reading them because of a certain glittering vampire series. -gag-

Laney is my first vampire novel after Twilight. And so far I must say it is good. The characters are tolerable, finally! No whiny little girls. And just everything about where they live and the atmosphere and how they dress and where they go and how they act. It's basically like Jersey in my city except they're in California. I can actually relate to them and place them here in my hometown and they'd fit in.

I'm currently on page 134 of 285. Not much to go and hopefully today I'll be close to done with it. I'm enjoying it a lot so far but who knows how I'll feel when it's all done. It might have me say that I still hate vampires. Or it might say that there's hope for them. Either way, I have about 1 more vampire novel left to read, Fat Vampire, and hopefully that one will break the vampire trend and set something different.

Sunday, January 9, 2011

A Few Reminders

Hey guys, just leaving a few reminders for you all.

If you have a Facebook and haven't already, Like my The Subtle Chronicler Facebook Page.
Leave comments and stuff and I'll surely answer back.

If you haven't seen my post from yesterday, check it out. I'm looking for Bloggers to do Guest Posts so that we can interact and bring this blogging community closer.

I'm thinking about making a TheSubtleChronicler twitter page. So that for those of you who find it easier to follow on twitter instead, can follow. I'll update you guys when and if I make one.

I also have a couple of events coming up. An author interview who's also giving away something from her book. That'll be on the 17th and will be part of her Blog Tour.

I have a review to write and will be doing another author interview with the author herself. Keep an eye out for that because the novel is pretty awesome.

My Blog turns 1 year old in May and I want to hold this big event full of guest posts and giveaways and stuff like that. I should start planning now even though it's a few months away. The excitement!

That's about it for now though. If I think of anything else, I'll just update this page. =D

Calling All Book Bloggers

Are you a book blogger? Are you looking for a way to get more followers? To get your blog out there? If so then this is the place for you. I have an idea that can help both me and you out. I'm thinking that every week, I can have a blogger (that would be you) do a guest post on my blog. I'd select a topic and you would write something about it. Or even if you have your own topics to talk about you could.

How it works is;

Send me an email at G_MIKE_07105 (at) msn . com (spaces are because of spammers)
On the subject line say, Book Blog Guest Post
In the email itself just write, Name, Age, Gender, Blog Link and a little about yourself. 2 sentences if you want.
If you have any suggestions for the topics just add those in there. And then send it to me.
I'll email everyone back and the age and gender thing is just to see the range of the book bloggers.

It doesn't matter how old you are, if you're male or female or even how many followers you have. You can be blogging for a week for all I care. It's just a way to interact with each other and our followers. To help each other in this book reading world.

The whole process is easy. I'll send you a topic I thought of or you suggested, you write a paragraph or two about that and then I'll send you the date on which it'll be put up along with the link when it is put up. You tell everyone to check out your post and I'll tell everyone to check out your blog. It's that easy.

No passwords no nothing needed. It's really easy and fun. So if you're interested just send an email to me with the format above and I'll email you right away =D

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Top 10 Book/Series Choices Of 2010

I completely forgot to post on Thursday and Friday D: I don't really know why I forgot though, seems like I've forgotten that too. Anyway, in this post I'll be showing you guys my Top 10 Book Choices of 2010. That'll be both books and series. So one series will count as just one book. Get it? Haha probably not. They will be in no specific order though because they were all to good to be judged any further. Now, shall we begin!

  • The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold
  • Dash & Lily's Book of Dares - Rachel Cohn & David Levithan
  • Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare
  • Lodestone Book One: The Sea of Storms - Mark Whiteway
  • Inside Out - Maria V. Snyder
  • Tyger Tyger - Kersten Hamilton
  • Buffy the Vampire Slayer #1 - John Vornholt, Arthur Byron Cover, Alice Henderson

  • The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins
  1. The Hunger Games
  2. Catching Fire
  3. Mockingjay

  • Seven Realms Series - Cinda Williams Chima
  1. The Demon King
  2. The Exiled Queen

  • Sword of Truth Series - Terry Goodkind
  1. Wizard's First Rule
  2. Stone of Tears
  3. Blood of the Fold
  4. Temple of the Winds
  5. Soul of the Fire
  6. Faith of the Fallen
  7. Pillars of Creation
  8. Naked Empire

Those are my Top 10 Book/Series Choices. What are your Top 10 of 2010?

Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Hottest Female Characters (2)

Hey guys! So today is supposed to be Guess That Novel but I'm feeling kind of lazy. I also almost forgot about doing a post. So what I'll be doing is another male blogger thing. Hottest Female Characters. But what I'll be doing is something different than last time. I'll be choosing about 5 girls who are actress' to play certain girls in movies about novels. How you girls do it with the guys, I'll be doing it with the girls. =)


Shay Mitchell - Nora Grey (Hush, Hush)

Why do I see her as Nora? There's just something about her that screams, "I'll fall in love with a Fallen Angel and be rescued anytime." Shay is currently in Pretty Little Liars the show, and although her co-star, Troian Avery Bellisario, Spencer, looks the part, I feel like Shay Mitchell can act it.








Megan Fox - Tally Youngblood (Uglies)

Now before you all start going off on me for my choice, WAIT! The reason I chose Megan Fox is because of Tally when she is pretty and special. We can't deny that Megan Fox is pretty. When she's not looking like a fake doll with all the botox on her face. But they can change that in movies like Transformers 1. And when they make her Special they can just beautify her up hardcore. As for the Uglies part, just make her look ugly. They have the technology and make-up for that now-a-days. But Megan Fox can have the coldness personality that Tally does as a Special. I know it'll never happen but a man can dream, right?

Amanda Seyfried - Trella Garrard Sanchia (Inside Out)

Why did I choose Amanda Seyfried? Well Inside Out is about this girl who's trying to escape Inside. Trella has this sort of innocence, hardcore look to her that Amanda Seyfried portrays perfectly. Having seen her in certain films, I actually quite like her. And if you just tie her hair back into a tight ponytail, we'd have a Trella.






Emma Stone - Clary Fray (City of Bones)

At first I would've chosen Emma Roberts, who I changed to a different character, for the role of Clary. But then Emma Stone got truly discovered. And although the role of Clary has already been cast, I still choose Emma Stone for mine. While Emma Roberts, (haha I just noticed they're both Emma's O.o) might seem like a good choice, I feel like Emma Stone has the maturity and looks a lot old enough to play the part. She's kicked ass already in Zombieland (was that the name) and I'm pretty sure she can kick some demon ass in New York.


Emma Roberts - Jacinda (Firelight)

While I still not have read Firelight, I still think of Emma Roberts. In fact, as soon as I saw the cover for Firelight, I thought of Emma Roberts. When I heard what the novel was about, I also thought about her and pictured her in it. And now when I read it, you'll know who I'll be seeing. Something about Emma Roberts just screams "DRAGON! HEAR ME ROAR! FIRE!" Plus, I really want to see Emma Roberts in a Fantasy book-to-novel adaptation.

So these are my choices for these certain characters. I will be doing more posts with female characters in the future. Do you agree with the people I have chosen? Have you casted your own actress' for these specific roles? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Tuesday, January 4, 2011

Tuesday's Novel Spotlight (17)

Hello all! It is Tuesday and I have some news for you. This year I won't be doing a semester in college. ='( It's really weird and odd not going to school for a few months since it's been my routine for basically my whole life. But when I went in to register they gave me classes and when I went to print my schedule out they told me they were closed and had no more space. Those were the last classes available so now I have to wait until May to do Summer I. It sucks, I know, but I can actually get a job without worrying about classes and actually read more! Woot woot! Now onto this weeks Novel Spotlight!

Matched by Ally Condie! I've been wanting to read this for the longest and with Christmas money I finally bought it. (I haven't done a Christmas Haul yet, I'm still waiting for the last book that I ordered with Christmas money to arrive.) But, Matched is sitting on my shelf and I can not wait to read it. Let me start off by saying I LOVE the cover in person! It's just a lot to take in in such little details. I love love love it! One of my favorite covers. Hopefully books 2 and 3 will be just as amazing so that they look epic next to each other. What is the book about?

Cassia has always trusted the Society to make the right choices for her: what to read, what to watch, what to believe. So when Xander's face appears on-screen at her Matching ceremony, Cassia knows with complete certainty that he is her ideal mate . . . until she sees Ky Markham's face flash for an instant before the screen fades to black.

The Society tells her it's a glitch, a rare malfunction, and that she should focus on the happy life she's destined to lead with Xander. But Cassia can't stop thinking about Ky, and as they slowly fall in love, Cassia begins to doubt the Society's infallibility and is faced with an impossible choice: between Xander and Ky, between the only life she's known and a path that no one else has dared to follow.

It sounds like a cheesy romance novel, but I'm sure it's not. Have any of you read the book? What are your thoughts on it? Leave the comments down below! =D

Monday, January 3, 2011

Books Read In 2010


Here's to hoping I start my new annual trend. Books Read In... is my annual post where I show you the list of books I read in the year. Since 2010 passed, I'll be making my list of books read in 2010. They won't be in specific order since I forgot which I read in what order. I do know what books I read first and last.

First Book Read In 2010:
Wizard's First Rule by Terry Goodkind

Last Book Read In 2010:
The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima

I promise you that Books Read In 2011 will be in order read with the date I started and finished. My OCD kicked in with recording them. Shall we start?! So the format for this will be, Title - Author - Pages. At the end I'll give the total of how many books I read, how many authors, and how many pages.

  1. The Short Second Life of Bree Tanner - Stephenie Meyer - 178
  2. The Lovely Bones - Alice Sebold - 372
  3. The Inferno - Dante Alighieri - 179
  4. A Lesson Before Dying - Ernest J. Gaines - 256
  5. Frankenstein - Mary Shelley - 166
  6. Dash & Lily's Book of Dares - Rachel Cohn & David Levithan - 260
  7. The Girl on the Dock - G. Norman Lippert - 132
  8. Clockwork Angel - Cassandra Clare - 476
  9. Incarceron - Catherine Fisher - 442
  10. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins - 374
  11. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins - 391
  12. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins - 390
  13. Lodestone Book One: The Sea of Storms - Mark Whiteway - 278
  14. Inside Out - Maria V. Snyder - 315
  15. Tyger Tyger - Kersten Hamilton - 304
  16. Bitter Frost - Kailin Gow - 235
  17. The First Escape - G.P. Taylor - 278
  18. The Secret of Indigo Moon - G.P. Taylor - 291
  19. Bitten - Kelley Armstrong - 436
  20. Buffy the Vampire Slayer 1 - John Vornholt, Arthur Bryon Cover, and Alice Henderson - 678
  21. Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure - A.R. Shickman - 148
  22. The Demon King - Cinda Williams Chima - 506
  23. The Exiled Queen - Cinda Williams Chima - 586
  24. Bogus to Bubbly - Scott Westerfeld - 224
  25. Wizard's First Rule - Terry Goodkind - 820
  26. Stone of Tears - Terry Goodkind - 979
  27. Blood of the Fold - Terry Goodkind - 623
  28. Temple of the Winds - Terry Goodkind - 822
  29. Soul of the Fire - Terry Goodkind - 788
  30. Faith of the Fallen - Terry Goodkind - 785
  31. Pillars of Creation - Terry Goodkind- 725
  32. Naked Empire - Terry Goodkind - 725
32 books, not much but it's good. Hopefully this year I'll pass 32 and go to 50.

Now for the totals,

Books: 32
Authors: 24
Pages: 14,162

Most Pages: 973 - Stone of Tears - Terry Goodkind
Least Pages: 148 - Zan-Gah: A Prehistoric Adventure - A.R. Shickman

Author I Read the Most: Terry Goodkind

Pretty Impressive. Tomorrow or the day after I'll put up my Top 10 Books of 2010. I encourage you to share your link to the books you read and your top 10 with me.

Monday's Novel Talk (23)

Hey guys it's Monday! And we are back on our weekly posting! So aside from this, I have a few posts to put up. You'll see them soon enough.

So, I finally can read again since it's 2011! And Happy New Year to everyone! Hope everyone has been having a good one so far. I can't believe it's already the 3rd. But anyway, the first book I began reading this year is;

Sapphique by Catherine Fisher. The sequel and conclusion, (or so I think) to the novel Incarceron! So far I'm on Part 1, Page 34. I would say which Chapter but there's no Chapter numbers. But so far it's really good. I'm liking it more than I did Incarceron. I'm familiar with the characters and the place so I'm not exactly confused. And already there's this sense of mystery and excitement. I would have read more, but I got a Playstation 3 for Christmas and I've been playing Final Fantasy XIII all day, everyday. It's amazing. But I turned it off to get some posts done before I forget. Sorry that I don't have much to say on the first post of 2011. It's just that I'm in the beginning and I don't really want to spoil it. Maybe I should start putting spoiler alerts and talking about them.

So stick around for a few more posts that I'll be getting up soon!
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