Vassa in the Night

The State of the Reader: 10/4/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 11 Comments

<–The State of the Reader: 9/27/17          The State of the Reader: 10/11/17–>

A weekly post updated every Wednesday detailing my current reading projects and where I am with them in addition to what new titles I’ve added to my to-read list.  Title links go to Goodreads to make it easier for interested parties to add any books that might strike their fancy.  I attempt to use the covers for the edition I’m reading, and I’ll mention if this is not the case.  If you have a Goodreads account feel free to friend me!  I’d love to see what you’re reading and/or planning to read.

Samples Read This Week

  1. The Last Magician by Lisa Maxwell: Kept – I’m blanking on what I read of this sample,but I know I loved the cover of this book, which mimics the Auryn on the cover of The Neverending Story.  It takes place in modern NYC where anyone with magical power who dares to enter becomes trapped by something called the Brink.
  2. Fever Dream by Samantha Schweblin: Kept (RWTR) – I’m reading a book with a similar mien Blink Once where there’s a comatose and/or locked in person serving as an unreliable narrator due to the nature of their condition so we, the readers, aren’t quite sure what’s going on.
  3. Lock and Mori by Heather W. Petty: Kept – After downloading the correct sample, I decided to keep it even though I only skimmed the first page or two.  I’m also reading a book similar to this in The Daemoniac, showing Sherlockian motifs are still alive and kicking.  Just realized the title has a similar sound to Rick and Morty with the “ck” ending of the first name, and the “ry” sound of the second, especially since Morty’s “t” is very soft.
  4. The Upside of Unrequited by Becky Albertalli: Kept (RWTR) – Holy shit yes…I want to read this so badly.  It’s a bit pricey for Kindle, though I don’t know if that’s the correct belief tbh.  I think digital should be less, because there’s no physical materials to deal with, but I’ll probably change my tune when I get more involved in the publishing biz.  This seems like something I’d like to own though.  The first paragraph has the main character wondering how mermaids pee, and despite Rick and Morty’s exclamations about “mermaid puss,” I think it’s a valid question (second Rick and Morty reference ftw).
  5. The Red Hunter by Lisa Unger: Kept – I already like the character of Raven, and I’m already pissed off for her.  She stood up for herself against bullying/verbal abuse, and now she’s in trouble?  Absolute bullshit.
  6. Every Heart a Doorway by Seanan McGuire: Kept – A home for wayward fairy tale children.  Curious to see how this all comes together.  Also every time I read this title, I immediately think of this lyric in the song “St. Theresa” by Joan Osbourne.  “Every stone a story like a rosary.”  I think it’s because the title has the same cadence as the lyric (at least up until “story”).  I have this weird thing about cadences.  I definitely remember songs in what I call my “auditory memory,” but it works for cadences, too.  So even something not sung, but said in a particular way will activate that.
  7. Emma in the Night by Wendy Walker: Kept – Two sisters go missing; one returns.  What happened to the other one?  An odd influence for this add came from a DNF read Vassa in the Night.  Even though the book didn’t hold my interest, I still love the title.  Since I’ve seen it in more than one place, I won’t feel like I’m “stealing” if I use it as a naming convention for a story or chapter.

Books Purchased This Week: 0

Books Finished This Week: 1

Title: The Diamond Tree
Author: Michael Matson
Date Added: January 26, 2016
Date Started: September 28, 2017
Date Finished: October 1, 2017
Reading Duration: 3 days

Media: eBook/Kindle

This was a cute, little fairy tale with all the proper elements, though I could’ve done with a bit of a shakeup from the typical enchanted princess/love at first sight Rescue Romance.

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The Goodreads Book Tag 2

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 12 Comments

I still have a ton of blogger tags/awards to get through, and I can’t even claim to be doing them in order.  Today this is the one I’m awake/aware enough to go through, so…

First, I found this on The Writing Hufflepuff’s blog so you should check her out.  She does book reviews mostly and her blog is just set up really neatly.  I use Goodreads a ton, so this is the perfect tag for me.  Please feel free to friend me there if you use it, too!

What was the last book you marked as read?

The Quantum Ghost by Jonathan Ballagh.  I just finished reading it this morning.  Such an excellent mid-grade novel.  I’ve also read and reviewedThe Quantum Door, which was good, too, but Ghost was even better.

What are you currently reading?

I’m currently reading six books, but that number will probably jump back up to seven before I post my State of the Reader update this Wednesday:

  1. Saga Vol. 1 by Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staples
  2. A Court of Mist and Fury by Sarah J. Maas
  3. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir
  4. The Legend of Zelda: Hyrule Historia by Patrick Thorpe
  5. The Raven King by Maggie Stiefvater
  6. The Poetic Edda by Anonymous

What was the last book you marked as ‘to read’?

Primitive Mythology by Joseph Cambell, the fist book in his Masks of God series.  I initially had The Power of Myth on there in its stead, but a friend told me that I could just watch the interviews with Bill Moyers, so I threw that on my Amazon wish list.

Continue reading →

The State of the Writer: 2/19/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 28 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 2/12/17          The State of the Writer: 2/26/17–>

A weekly post updated every Sunday discussing my current writing projects and where I stand with them.  This will include any and all work(s) in progress (WIP) be they creative writing, essays/analyses, or reviews of any type.

Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction (FFVII) Novel
Current Word Count: 274,050
Prior Word Count: 274,545
Word Difference: -495
Status: Editing
Progress: 1st edit of Chapter 8

white-ribbon-shoes-2

I spent yesterday organizing my notes more and planning to add them into the story, but I was too tired after organization to bring the latter plan to fruition.  I’ll work on it today hopefully before it gets dark.  I’m supremely happy I don’t have work tomorrow.

There’s a break in this chapter that may or may not become a new chapter.  I haven’t quite decided yet.  Like I said out of all of the “earlier” chapters I wrote, Chapter 8 needs the most attention.  I think I’ve cut the most out of this one so far.  That would be something I could potentially keep track of: how many words I cut out per chapter.  I just love keeping track of figures lol.

Quote: This tiny maid who’d been so abused was now dripping in luxury.  She slipped on flat shoes as light as her skirt, adorned in white ribbons as well.  Maybe they’d go out to greet the great sea.  She wasn’t sure due to the rain. 

Project: Essay
Title: Half a Tragedy Is Worse Than Whole
Subject: FFVII Comparative and Meta
Current Word Count: 1436
Prior Word Count: 1436
Word Difference: 0
Status: Drafting
Progress: N/A

I actually had the plan to work on this this weekend, and since I have an extended one (weekend that is) I may get some words in tomorrow.  According to my notes and outline, I’m about halfway done with it, and I also had some “contrarian” inspiration.

I become riotously annoyed when people purposely attack me for my Sephiroth love, and even more so when they do it under the guise of being fans of him.  The internet is a dramatic place.

I’d commented on a Deviant Art photo of the Great General where he’s holding and contemplating the Black Materia as if he’s not sure what to make of it.  It could be a brief moment of clarity from the eldritch noise where a sliver of himself comes through or it could be a (speculative) time afterwards where he’s thinking about what he’s done, or it could just be his impassive, already indoctrinated “I’m going to kill everyone” face.  Either way, sexiness exudes.

The creator of the picture is a person after my own heart.  Despite only experiencing the game in AMVs, she had sympathy towards Sephiroth, which I readily supported in the comments.  Another Deviant Art member whom I’ve had dealings with (she sent me an FFVII fanfiction to review/critique.  It didn’t hold my interest for a variety of reasons, the main one being it wasn’t about Aeriseph and painted Sephiroth in a bad light), decided she was going to engage me in conversation about my favorite general.  She said something a bit scathing about him, and I know I should’ve just let it go, but I’m a bullheaded Taurus, the horns came out, and I responded to instant regret.  I ignored all of her subsequent replies, because I realized I had absolutely no interest having any discourse with her about the subject.  She responded around three times before taking the hint.  Then she messaged me on tumblr with an apology of sorts, but I’d already decided I’d had enough.

A month or so ago, she’d messaged me, requesting I get in touch with another tumblr user who’d blocked her.  This should’ve been a red flag.  When I messaged the other user (who is another Sephiroth fan), she told me in no uncertain terms that the person in question had made her tumblr experience miserable.  She’d purposely say shit about her, then act disingenuous by liking or replying positively about Sephiroth posts.  I realized what I was dealing with (and found out that’s also around 19.  I don’t like to be ageist, but immaturity is a very viable reason for this behavior) and decided I’m way too old for this shit.  I have no desire to deal with the drama that sometimes comes with fandoms.  I have a live and let live attitude towards them.  You like this ship (pairing)?  Go ahead and read, draw, and share pictures of it.  If I don’t like that particular ship, I’ll just scroll past, because what you like doesn’t affect me.

Unfortunately, some people like to be combative and they have this attitude that everyone must like the same thing, nor can they understand why others may like a particular character (now I’m guilty of this, too, because why the fuck does anyone like that psychopathic, complete monster Hojo or eldritch abomination Jenova?  But I don’t go to fan pages dedicated to them and start trouble, because I am an adult). 

Huh, I really didn’t mean to digress on the drama that can occur in the FFVII fandom.  The point I wanted to make was the experience galvanized me a bit, and now I’m more interested and inspired to continue writing my Greek Tragedy comparative essay.  I’ve also learned to just walk away from certain arguments (this is advantageous in the current political climate, too.  Some things are just not worth arguing about/engaging with.  Your energy is better served elsewhere like in drinking wine or eating ice cream).  I don’t wish to engage in discourse with people who are either disingenuous ( as in attempting to reel you in by seeming to like what you like only to use it as an opportunity to bash it.  Seriously?  Who the fuck has time to do that?) or people whose minds won’t change no matter how much evidence you present.  To be honest…this is a pretty good overall lesson.  Fight the worthwhile battles and leave the rest.

We’ll see if I get to work on the essay tomorrow.  I’m supposed to take all of our rings (mine and my husband’s wedding bands and my emerald and ruby) in for cleaning.  I want to do that first thing in the morning so it’ll all depend on how my energy levels look afterwards.

In good news I’m currently caught up on all my book reviews.  I posted the “unfinished” one for Vassa in the Night late last week, and I’ve started going through and working on some of the blogger tags/awards I still have on my checklist (two more left!) and quicker essays.  I’m also toying with the idea of creating my own award, so stay turned for that.  I don’t want to give out too many details and ruin the surprise 🙂

I also tested out my Yeti microphone this weekend with and without the pop filter, and it sounds really good.  The pop filter definitely makes a difference, and my voice is started to get better since I’m now taking pills instead of an inhaled powder for my asthma (it’s a temporary reprieve, but I think my doctor wants to reexamine my medical regime for asthma management).  Maybe next week I’ll make a legitimate recording.  Then I have to figure out how I’m going to get it on here hm.  I do still want to upgrade this blog to premium, but I’m trying to wait a few months.  It’s the same price as an Amazon Prime membership, but I pay that in January, and I’d like to not have that amount of money come out of my account so close together.  If WordPress does it month by month, that would be so much better.  $8.33 per month is very doable.

I think I’ll do the 30 Day Video Game Challenge next week…all in one day.  I can work time like that.

What are you currently working on?  Is it a creative writing project, essay, review, or something else?  Have you just started something new or are you wrapping up a long term project?

<–The State of the Writer: 2/12/17          The State of the Writer: 2/26/17–>

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Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter (DNF)

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 19 Comments

Title: Vassa in the Night
Author: Sarah Porter
Date Added: October 15, 2016
Date Started: January 25, 2017
Date DNF: February 8, 2017

Pages: 296
Publication Date: September 20, 2016
Media: Hardback
Progress: 20%

In the enchanted kingdom of Brooklyn, the fashionable people put on cute shoes, go to parties in warehouses, drink on rooftops at sunset, and tell themselves they’ve arrived. A whole lot of Brooklyn is like that now—but not Vassa’s working-class neighborhood.

In Vassa’s neighborhood, where she lives with her stepmother and bickering stepsisters, one might stumble onto magic, but stumbling away again could become an issue. Babs Yagg, the owner of the local convenience store, has a policy of beheading shoplifters—and sometimes innocent shoppers as well. So when Vassa’s stepsister sends her out for light bulbs in the middle of night, she knows it could easily become a suicide mission.

But Vassa has a bit of luck hidden in her pocket, a gift from her dead mother. Erg is a tough-talking wooden doll with sticky fingers, a bottomless stomach, and a ferocious cunning. With Erg’s help, Vassa just might be able to break the witch’s curse and free her Brooklyn neighborhood. But Babs won’t be playing fair…

The fact I didn’t finish this book proves that I don’t like every story with a dead mother paradigm.  God. Damn.  That sounds super cynical, but usually that’s my kryptonite for sympathizing with a character, and it usually holds my interest throughout any tale.

Vassa in the Night is based on the Russian fairy tale “Vassalisa the Beautiful,” a story I’ve never read, but I surmise it’s their version of Cinderella.  I’m still interested in reading the original source even if an offshoot didn’t hold my attention.  What drew me to it in the first place was the emphasis on the personification of “night,” and the prologue seems to promise that this will be a prevalent plot point.  I love when abstract concepts are incarnated into entities with (free) will, but the snippet at the beginning was probably supposed to tide the reader over until later.

I think Vassa fell flat for me because I was expecting a story more like Mark Helprin’s Winter’s Tale, and instead I got an urban fantasy (as opposed to a Helprin’s novel, which is more magical realism).  UF is probably my least favorite subsection of the fantasy genre.  I just don’t have much interest in reading about established, mundane cities regardless if you slather a veneer of magic over their grime, and holy shit…I just realized that FFVII could arguably be considered (among other things) an urban fantasy especially considering Midgar is supposed to be an analogue of New York, so I’m totally talking out of my ass.  Let me attempt to mitigate.

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The State of the Reader: 2/15/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 17 Comments

<–The State of the Reader: 2/8/17          The State of the Reader: 2/22/17–>

A weekly post updated every Wednesday detailing my current reading projects and where I am with them in addition to what new titles I’ve added to my to-read list.  Title links go to Goodreads to make it easier for interested parties to add any books that might strike their fancy.  I attempt to use the covers for the edition I’m reading, and I’ll mention if this is not the case.  If you have a Goodreads account feel free to friend me!  I’d love to see what you’re reading and/or planning to read.

DNF This Week: 1

Title: Vassa in the Night
Author: Sarah Porter
Date Added: October 15, 2016
Date Started: January 25, 2017
DNF Date: February 8, 2017

Media: Hardback
DNF Progress: 20%

I think the moment I say I’m probably going to declare something DNF is the moment I’ve decided it’s going to happen.  It wasn’t what I expected, which isn’t always a bad thing…but it was in this case because this novel was not only urban fantasy, but young adult, the two (sub) genres I have the most trouble with.

I actually wrote the review for it last weekend, but I need to proofread it before I post.  I manage to go off on a tangent that includes both Shakespeare and FFVII, which considering that I’m a writer and an FFVII fanatic, is not that farfetched.

Books Purchased This Week: 5

Title: Dolor and Shadow
Series Title: Tales of the Drui
Author: Angela B. Chrysler
Date Added: June 16, 2016
Date Purchased: February 11, 2017

Dolor and Shadow

Media: Kindle
Price: $2.99

Every time I look at the title of this book, the words “Saevam iram, iram et dolorum…” run through my head like the merciless earworm they are.  Bonus points if you know where those words are from.

Title: Urchin of the Riding Stars
Series Title: The Mistmantle Chronicles
Author: Margaret McAllister
Date Added: May 17, 2016
Date Purchased: February 11, 2017

Urchin of the Riding Stars

Media: Hardcover
Price: $0.01

When I find books on my TBR list for less than $1.00, I’m quick to scoop them up.  This looks like a re-purposed library book; I don’t know yet, since I just ordered it from Amazon this weekend, and it’s going to take a few weeks to get to me.  This one and the one below were recommended due to my love of Redwall (and looking at the covers, it’s plain to see why).  Even if I don’t like either of them, I paid more for the shipping than for the books, and I’ve wasted $5.00 on worse things.

Title: The Dark Portal
Series Title:The Deptford Mice
Author:Robin Jarvis
Date Added:May 13, 2016
Date Purchased: February 11, 2017

Dark Portal, The

Media: Hardcover
Price: $0.01

Title: Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis
Series Title: The Vampire Chronicles
Author: Anne Rice
Date Added: February 13, 2017
Date Purchased: February 12, 2017

Media: Kindle
Price: $0.99

This is one of those rare books that I bought before I added, and I had to put all the information into this post while trying not to read the blurb, because I haven’t finished the prior book Prince Lestat.  I started it over a year ago, but I think my designated reading time for it was before jazzercise.  Since I haven’t been there in more than a year, and since I didn’t start scheduling my reading time until after I put it aside, I never got through the novel.  It’s not a DNF though.  I full intend to finish it.

The reason I purchased the sequel was due to a tweet by Anne Rice herself, informing her followers that the book was only $0.99 on Amazon.  Like I said above in regards to Mistmantle and The Deptford Mice, I won’t pass up a buy on any book on my list if it’s under $1.00.  That would just be silly.

Title: Riddled With Senses
Author: Petra Jacob
Date Purchased: February 15, 2017

I made a promise to fellow blogger Inkbiotic that I would purchase her book after receiving my next paycheck, and I’ve gladly kept that vow.  If the samplings she’s so graciously posted on her blog are any indication, I’m going to enjoy this greatly.  It’s magical realism with a same sex relationship.  Yes and yes.

Books Currently Reading: 6

Title: Prospero Lost
Series Title: Prospero’s Daughter
Author: L. Jagi Lamplighter
Date Added: June 19, 2016
Date Started: February 11, 2017

Media: Hardback
Progress: 10%

Since I declared Vassa in the Night DNF, it was necessary for me to pick another physical book to read the next time Vassa came up in my reading rotation (I’ll have to tell you all about that some time…).  I actually wasn’t entirely set on what to choose next, so I decided to read the first page in a few of the books in my pile and see what caught my fancy.

Prospero Lost was one of those books I judged by its title and cover first (so you see I wasn’t lying in my Rapid Fire Book Tag post), and I judged it well.  I don’t just buy books based on that though (I’ve been burned quite a few times before), but the blurb sparked by interest even more.  An ancient and immortal, magical family in the modern era who own a company that strives to do good in the world.  It was a tidy bit different from most mega-corporations in sci-fi and fantasy (and science fantasy), and since I have writing ideas for something similar, reading this book would also be a good learning experience.  The writing is good, and the plot coupons thus far presented are intriguing.

Then I came to this paragraph:

“I sat at a wrought-iron table next to the fountain, stirring my tea.  My hair, so pale as to appear silver, was piled atop my head in a Grecian style that had gone out of vogue more than a century ago.  My garment, a tea gown with a high lacy collar — the enchanted satin of which matched the emerald of my eyes…”

All I needed.

Title: The Missing Orchid
Series Title: Submissive Beth Mysteries
Author: Fia Black
Date Added: February 2, 2017
Date Started: February 8, 2017

Media: Kindle
Progress: 36%

I’m really hoping this case turns out differently from Beth’s others.  She’s investigated missing persons before, but they usually end up dead.  It’s not that every story needs a happy ending, but I really hope this one ends in a happy reunion :\

Title: The Illustrated A Brief History of Time/The Universe in a Nutshell
Author: Stephen Hawking
Date Added: June 25, 2016
Date Started: January 2, 2016

Media: Paperback
Progress: 27%

I just finished the chapter about black holes, and the next chapter proclaims that black holes aren’t actually black.  Astrophysics is amazing.

Title: The Dream Thieves
Series Title: The Raven Cycle
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Date Added: January 23, 2017
Date Started: January 26, 2017

Media: Kindle
Progress: 48%

I’m tearing through this just as quickly as I ripped through the first.  Somehow Ms. Stiefvater managed to make a drug laden, dangerous teenage party with Molotov cocktails in a field seem poetic #talent

Title: The Mabinogion Tetralogy
Author: Evangeline Walton
Date Added: August 24, 2014
Date Started: July 31, 2016

Medium: Paperback
Progress: 63%

One of the many things I find interesting about this compendium is how it will return to prior characters that were main ones in another branch and have them be side characters or even antagonists.  Since the fourth branch focuses on Gwydion and his brother Gilvaethwy, it’s from their point of view, and prior characters could be in positions set against them.

It’s also fascinating to note that the Old Tribes don’t really have a sense of fatherhood, but the New Tribes do.  The New have also introduced the idea of marriage, which many of the Old are quite against for good reason.  This fatherhood conundrum is a concept that I’ve read in both fiction/fantasy and historic or rather prehistoric fiction before.  You have to leave your presentism behind and remember that science and technology have not always been on the same level.  Women’s bodies were (and still remain in many cases much to my annoyance) a complete mystery.  No one really understood how conception occurred and sex was seen as merely pleasure or relief.  The connection between it and babies wasn’t a necessary fact, which meant that the idea of fatherhood was tenuous at best.  Even when it was mentioned, many scoffed at it since women aren’t impregnated by each sexual encounter, though Gwydion does note that if a cow is put into a field alone or only with other cows, she remains barren; however, if you add a bull, she’ll become pregnant.  Unfortunately, human pride stymies this comparison due to the idea of special creation (which I think is bunk) and not wanting to be compared to the beasts of the field.  Even in the present, this idea persists, which puts a damper on a great deal of progress and progressive thought.

Title: “Beta Reading”
Author: High School Friend/Fellow Author
Date Added: N/A
Date Started: February 14, 2017
Media: PDF/Kindle
Progress: 10%

What the hell is this? you ask.  Well an author friend of mine from high school whom I keep in touch with through the book of faces honored me the other day by asking me to beta read one of his novels.  I gladly accepted and figured out how to work it into the rotation.  He sent it as a PDF so I’m reading it on my Kindle during my lunch break along with the other two Kindle books.  He asked if I could have it finished by late February/early March, and I don’t think that will be a problem.

Obviously due to it being an unpublished novel, I can’t tell you anything about it or rather I’m erring on the side of discretion.  I’ll post my progress on it, just because it’s better for me to do so, since I’m more likely to make progress on reading, but alas, I shall have to keep details about the book hush hush until it’s published.

Fanfictions Finished: 0

Fanfictions Currently Reading: 1

Title: I’m the Darkness, You’re the Starlight
Author: runicmagitek
Fandom: FFVI
Pairing: Celes Chere/Setzer Gabbiani

She updated this week! I haven’t had a chance to read the next chapter yet.  I’m hoping this weekend will allow it.

Fanfictions Added to TBR List: 0

Books Added to Goodreads TBR List This Week: 4

Title: Komarr
Series Title: Vorkosigan Saga
Author: Lois Bujold McMaster
Date Added: February 13, 2017

I replied to a comment on a body positivity site about bullying, and another commenter replied to me recommending this book.  Though the blurb appears to be in Swedish, Goodreads insists the book is in English, and though it’s the 11th book of the series, I was informed this would be one I’d want to read.  The main character deals with bullying from all sources (family and schoolmates), which is something I grew up with, and like the MC, I was told to “ignore it and it’ll go away,” which is absolute bullshit.  I thanked the purveyor of the comment and added this to my TBR list.

Title: Prince Lestat and the Realms of Atlantis
Series Title: The Vampire Chronicles
Author: Anne Rice
Date Added: February 13, 2017

I talked about this above in the Purchased This Week section.

Title: One
Author: Sarah Crossan
Date Added: February 13, 2017

Thank you to The Writing Hufflepuff for throwing this into my sphere!  Apparently, it will rip my heart out.  I am so not ready D:

It’s about conjoined twin sisters Tippi and Grace who are perfectly happy being two in one, but then something happens that forces them to make the choice they’ve always been avoiding, and I already have a feeling I know what’s going to happen…

Title: Dweller
Author: Jeff Strand
Date Added: February 13, 2017

My Rapid Fire Book Tag (which I’ve already linked above) incited others to join in the fun, which is what such tags are about!  But there is a selfish side to the book tag phenomenon mwa ha ha, and that’s the fact that I find out about more new books to add to my ever growing TBR list.  Wait…this may not be so advantageous after all noooooo.  Hehe, truly, while I’ll never have time to finish them all, I’d hate to miss something I may very well love, and Ignited Moth almost casually mentioned this interesting horror gem (horror gem?  Horror gem?) in the Underrated Book section of the tag.

We’ve all heard stories about monsters in the forest and bogeymen in the woods.  They’re usually the Big Bad of any tale, and initially the main character Toby is terrified when he sees the creature in question, but the next time he encounters it, he’s lonely, unhappy teenager bereft of friends and overburdened with bullies.  The hungry creature provided a solution to both.  I just put this on my “Really Want To Read” list.

Total Books on Goodreads TBR List: 554
Change from Last Week: +3

Books Added to Goodreads To Be Reread List This Week: 0

What are you currently reading and/or what’s on your radar to read next?  What would you recommend based on my current and recently added?  As always I look forward to your comments and suggestions!

<–The State of the Reader: 2/8/17          The State of the Reader: 2/22/17–>

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The State of the Writer: 2/12/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 20 Comments

<–The State of the Writer: 2/5/17         The State of the Writer: 2/19/17–>

A weekly post updated every Sunday discussing my current writing projects and where I stand with them.  This will include any and all work(s) in progress (WIP) be they creative writing, essays/analyses, or reviews of any type.

Project: Story
Title: The Broken Rose
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Type: Fanfiction (FFVII) Novel
Current Word Count: 274,545
Prior Word Count: 276,905
Word Difference: -2360
Status: Editing
Progress: 1st edit of Chapter 8

ring-pink-diamond

This first edit is less about editing and more about cutting out unnecessary words.  I also repeated myself verbatim in quite a few areas, so those need to go, too.  This chapter was supposed to be about something else, but in attempting to get there, I wound up pushing that topic to the next chapter.  I think that’s why so much editing is necessary.  I still haven’t added any notes yet, but I’m working toward that part.

I don’t think I described the ring above quite how it looks.  I call it tear drop shaped, but that’s not really right.  Well, just something else to work on.  I like shiny things #shamefulnarcissistsecrets

Quote: The rings on her fingers were diamonds today to match the white of her clothes, two on the left and one on the right.  That side was the largest, shaped like a rose with open leaves set in bright platinum.  The band was the same and smaller white stones circled her minute digit.  On her left farthest finger was a teardrop pale pink to mimic the barest blush.

Project: Essay
Title: Half a Tragedy Is Worse Than Whole
Subject: FFVII Comparative and Meta
Current Word Count: 1436
Prior Word Count: 1436
Word Difference: 0
Status: Drafting
Progress: N/A

I really want to work on this.  The spirit is willing, but the mind finds it hard to focus.  It’s like in theory I want to continue drafting this essay, but I don’t have the motivation to do it, and I’ve learned that I cannot force myself to do something like this.  If I’m not feeling it, it’s not going to happen.

I’m going to work on some of the numerous blogger tags I have in my notes and some smaller projects.  I also want to test out the microphone I bought myself a month ago.  I still need to get a camera, but the microphone should be all I need to do some of the reading projects I have on my radar…that is if my voice behaves.

Project: Book Review
Title: Vassa in the Night
Status: Planning

I declared this one DNF this week.  It just didn’t hold my interest.  I’ll post a review for it soon.  It’s the last review on my schedule.  After this I’m all caught up.

What are you currently working on?  Is it a creative writing project, essay, review, or something else?  Have you just started something new or are you wrapping up a long term project?

<–The State of the Writer: 2/5/17         The State of the Writer: 2/19/17–>

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The State of the Reader: 2/8/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 22 Comments

<–The State of the Reader: 2/1/17          The State of the Reader: 2/15/17–>

A weekly post updated every Wednesday detailing my current reading projects and where I am with them in addition to what new titles I’ve added to my to-read list.  Title links go to Goodreads to make it easier for interested parties to add any books that might strike their fancy.  I attempt to use the covers for the edition I’m reading, and I’ll mention if this is not the case.  If you have a Goodreads account feel free to friend me!  I’d love to see what you’re reading and/or planning to read.

Books Finished This Week: 1

Title: Rest in Piece
Author: B. W. Ginsburg
Date Added: December 12, 2016
Date Started: January 22, 2017
Date Finished: February 6, 2017
Reading Duration: 16 days

I’ll be working on a review for this soon.  I’m still a bit backlogged with them.  I’m in the middle of one for The Raven Boys, which I should’ve finished last weekend.  If I’m lucky, I’ll be able to catch up on Ms. Steifvater’s novel and review Ms. Ginsburg’s this one.

Books Purchased: 1

Title: The Missing Orchid
Series Title: Submissive Beth Mysteries
Author: Fia Black
Date Added: February 2, 2017

Media: Kindle
Price: $0.00

Books Currently Reading: 5

Title: The Missing Orchid
Series Title: Submissive Beth Mysteries
Author: Fia Black
Date Added: February 2, 2017
Date Started: February 8, 2017

Media: Kindle
Progress: 5%

This is currently available for free on Amazon, so if you’re interested in erotica and/or mystery, I highly recommend it.  I never really considered myself an erotica reader (I’m not against it, and I’ve even dabbled in writing it), but Ms. Black does what I wish other authors would with the subject matter.

This is the third book in her Submissive Beth Series, and I’m already liking what I’ve read.  The lovely author sent me a gratis copy, but I had some trouble sending it to my Kindle.  It was odd because the format was correct, but I kept getting an error message.

Title: The Illustrated A Brief History of Time/The Universe in a Nutshell
Author: Stephen Hawking
Date Added: June 25, 2016
Date Started: January 2, 2016

Media: Paperback
Progress: 23%

I just started the chapter on black holes and the history of such.  One of the main ideas around black holes is contingent on light being considered both a wave and a particle.  If it’s the latter, that means gravity could have some sort of effect on it, but a large amount of gravity is require in order to have said effect.

Title: The Dream Thieves
Series Title: The Raven Cycle
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Date Added: January 23, 2017
Date Started: January 26, 2017

Media: Kindle
Progress: 28%

Ugh this book is so freaking good.  There’s no quality loss in the second book, and the author never lets up with the surprises.

Title: The Mabinogion Tetralogy
Author: Evangeline Walton
Date Added: August 24, 2014
Date Started: July 31, 2016

Medium: Paperback
Progress: 61%

I am finally in the last section, or Fourth Branch, of this book.  There are three sections, and I’m hoping to finish at least one per month, so I can say I read this compendium in less than a year.

Title: Vassa in the Night
Author: Sarah Porter
Date Added: October 15, 2016
Date Started: January 25, 2017

Media: Hardback
Progress: 20%

I’m giving this book a few more chapters to capture my interest.  I’m currently on Chapter 4 around page 50.  I think I’ll give it until around page 100 before relegating it to the DNF pile.

Fanfictions Finished: 0

Fanfictions Currently Reading: 1

Title: I’m the Darkness, You’re the Starlight
Author: runicmagitek
Fandom: FFVI
Pairing: Celes Chere/Setzer Gabbiani

No updates yet, but I’m still on the lookout for them.

Fanfictions Added to TBR List: 0

Books Added to Goodreads TBR List This Week: 4

Title: The Missing Orchid
Series Title: Submissive Beth Mysteries
Author: Fia Black
Date Added: February 2, 2017

I was graciously given a copy of this by the lovely author; it’s the third book in the series.  I try to keep at least one indie or new author book in my rotation.  This will be the next one after I finish Rest in Piece.

Note: I know this book is in the Purchased and Currently Reading section, which are the more recently updated.  I update the books I add to my TBR list during the week so as not to be overwhelmed in one day.

Title: The Ripper’s Shadow
Series Title: Victorian Mystery
Author: Laura Joh Rowland
Date Added: February 2, 2017

I’ve admitted before that I’ve never really been particularly interested in Jack the Ripper, but that doesn’t mean I can’t be interested in novels about Jack the Ripper.  Since the entire story isn’t known, writers have a duty to fill in the gaps, and this book comes recommended by Kim of By Hook or By Book who gave it 4.5 stars, so I’m sure it’s worth my time.

Title: Behind Her Eyes
Author: Sarah Pinborough
Date Added: February 3, 2017

The fore mentioned Kim of By Hook or By Book recommended this to me on Goodreads, and initially I didn’t add it, because it didn’t quite strike my fancy, and I have plenty of books on my TBR list to get through already, but then I read her review of it, and I’m dying to know what kind of a twist could throw a (former?) librarian for a loop.

Title: The Picture of Dorian Gray
Author: Oscar Wilde
Date Added: February 8, 2017

A pun led me to add this book to my list.  A friend tagged me in the below meme:

dory-in-gray

Once I finished unashamedly giggling, I realized I didn’t have the Wilde work on my TBR list and went to remedy that.

Total Books on Goodreads TBR List: 551
Change from Last Week: +3

Books Added to Goodreads To Be Reread List This Week: 0

What are you currently reading and/or what’s on your radar to read next?  What would you recommend based on my current and recently added?  As always I look forward to your comments and suggestions!

<–The State of the Reader: 2/1/17          The State of the Reader: 2/15/17–>

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The State of the Reader: 2/1/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 25 Comments

<–The State of the Reader: 1/25/17          The State of the Reader: 2/8/17–>

A weekly post updated every Wednesday detailing my current reading projects and where I am with them in addition to what new titles I’ve added to my to-read list.  Title links go to Goodreads to make it easier for interested parties to add any books that might strike their fancy.  I attempt to use the covers for the edition I’m reading, and I’ll mention if this is not the case.  If you have a Goodreads account feel free to friend me!  I’d love to see what you’re reading and/or planning to read.

Books Finished This Week: 1

Title: The Raven Boys
Series Title: The Raven Cycle
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Date Added: April 21, 2015
Date Started: January 1, 2017
Date Finished: January 26, 2017
Reading Duration: 25 Days

This is without a doubt the best book I’ve read in a long time, and unless I read something utterly spectacular, The Raven Boys will be the best book I’ve read all year.  I immediately bought the next book The Dream Thieves, and I’ve already delved in.  The subtle magic of the story makes you almost believe such wonder exists in our own mundane world.  I’ll be writing a review for this one.  It’s added to my growing to-be-reviewed list (which I’m trying to do in order finished).

Books Purchased This Week: 1

Title: The Dream Thieves
Series Title: The Raven Cycle
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Date Added: January 23, 2017
Date Purchased: January 26, 2017

Media: Kindle
Price: $5.99

Books Currently Reading: 5

Title: Rest in Piece
Author: B. W. Ginsburg
Date Added: December 12, 2016
Date Started: January 7, 2017

Media: Kindle
Progress: 67%

In an art mimics art kind of situation, I played a game called Limbo this week, a term that perfectly describes where the people in the puzzle are trapped.  I’m anxious to find out how this occurred and how Louise is going to help them and Catherine escape.

Title: The Illustrated A Brief History of Time/The Universe in a Nutshell
Author: Stephen Hawking
Date Added: June 25, 2016
Date Started: January 2, 2016

Media: Paperback
Progress: 22%

Oh man…well, if this doesn’t prove I’m not smart enough to study astrophysics and quantum physics, I’m not sure what else does.  I’d been dividing the number of pages I’d read by the number of pages I thought this book had ever since I started reading, because the percentages didn’t make sense.  Then yesterday I reached around page 100, but I have more than half of the book left.  Much more.  This makes no sense if the volume only has 200 pages or so.  Well, it turns out that The Illustrated A Brief History of Time and The Universe in a Nutshell are two separate books put together.  Universe has its own page count so the 200 I was seeing at the end of the volume was actually the 200th page of Universe, not of both *slaps forehead*  I’m actually reading two books in one.  I should figure out a way to count them as such so I receive the proper credit for my efforts.

I just completed a dizzying chapter on elementary particles and the forces of nature.  I think I understood around 40% of it.  I know that protons, neutrons, and electrons are made up of smaller particles called quarks, and I also know that for reasons they explained there is more matter than antimatter (I’m a bit fuzzy on the details though), but that has to do with those fore mentioned forces of nature.  The next chapter is on black holes, and I’m looking forward to how Professor Hawking sheds some light on that subject.

Title: The Dream Thieves
Series Title: The Raven Cycle
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Date Added: January 23, 2017
Date Started: January 26, 2017

Media: Kindle
Progress: 10%

I bought this immediately after I finished the first book in The Raven Cycle Series, because the end of The Raven Boys is such a magnificent cliffhanger.  The main plot of the story is resolved, but the overarching plot remains open and intriguing.  The boys are becoming far more interesting and complex and Ms. Stiefvater already did an excellent job presenting them as three dimensional entities rather than flat, rich snobs.

Ronan Lynch appears to be the prime focus of this entry whereas Blue and Gansey took more center stage in the prior.  Though the author is still utilizing her back and forth method between chapters to include our non-psychic from a psychic family protagonist.  Ronan has a special ability he inherited from his father Niall, and the more we hear about him, the more his cutting and guarded personality makes sense.

Title: The Mabinogion Tetralogy
Author: Evangeline Walton
Date Added: August 24, 2014
Date Started: July 31, 2016

Medium: Paperback
Progress: 59%

I’m almost to the end of the third branch, and I’m shocked and surprised that something good happened to the current main character.  Sometimes lost things can be found again if one is clever, brave, and determined.

Title: Vassa in the Night
Author: Sarah Porter
Date Added: October 15, 2016

Media: Hardback
Progress: 15%

This book is not quite turning out as I expected.  I thought it would have a similar mien to Mark Helprin’s Winter’s Tale, and even the prologue chapter seemed to have supported that, but as I go along, something is missing.  I can’t put my finger on it, but it’s sadly not as compelling as I hoped it would be.  Currently, Vassa is on her way to the destiny promised by the blurb, so I’m going to continue reading in hopes her encounter with Babs Yagg makes the story more interesting.

Fanfictions Finished: 0

Fanfictions Currently Reading: 1

Title: I’m the Darkness, You’re the Starlight
Author: runicmagitek
Fandom: FFVI
Pairing: Celes Chere/Setzer Gabbiani

No update from her this week, but I’m happy she’s back/okay and will hopefully be posting again soon 🙂

Fanfictions Added to TBR List: 0

Books Added to Goodreads TBR List This Week:

Title: Brave New World
Author: Aldous Huxley
Date Added: January 26, 2017

The other day I made a Facebook post asking people for their favorite dystopian story of any medium.  Mine is Final Fantasy VII (of course), but I was curious what others would pick.  There was the expected Hunger Games and the less expected Dune (which I haven’t read), 1984, which is currently selling at record rates on Amazon not at all to this Narcissist’s surprise…though another narcissist who doesn’t deserve a capital ‘n’ (nor does he deserve to be in the Capitol) would probably be furious if he even had an inkling to the reason why, and Blade Runner (which is something else I’ve neglected).  Then my one friend mentioned this, and I remembered reading this book in high school.  I don’t recall if it was for a class, and I certainly don’t recall the intricacies of the story other than people are classified as Alphas, Betas, etc., and the main character, though technically classified as an Alpha (I think) isn’t quite up to Alpha standards.  This book is more subtle than 1984 which the friend who recommended insisted would lead to open rebellion because it was such blatant, militaristic control (I’m not entirely sure I agree with that if you consider how people dismiss small, but virulent changes over time, but I’ll make a better judgment call when I reread that).  BNW is dangerous because it employs the use of panem and circenses, which is blatantly referenced in Hunger Games with the nation of Panem, the games themselves serving as “circenses.”  FFVII also uses it or at least did so prior to President Shinra having a gigantic sword shoved through his back *blink* It’s the idea of entertaining the masses with “bread and circuses,” in order to keep them amused and complacent.  A complacent population is less likely to rebel even if the entertainment is the very horror they should be rebelling against.  More than ever, narratives like this are needed to remind us what we must fight against.

Title: Ready Player One
Author: Ernest Cline
Date Added: January 26, 2017

This was another response from my “favorite dystopian” post.  My husband read this about a year ago.  He recommended it, but I forgot about it until he posted it on my status.  It’s dystopian and cyberpunk…like something else I know (you guys must be sick of how often I refer to it by now), and the only escape the main character has is a virtual reality utopia known as OASIS.

Title: A Court of Mist and Fury
Series Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Date Added: January 23, 2017

I was firmly on the side of the fence where this book wasn’t, but two friends, Megan of the Ink Garden and Kim of By Hook or By Book, convinced me that it was worth my time and better than the first.  Apparently, it deals with some of the issues I had with Tamlin, and I’m hoping the political intrigue it promises is enough to override the problems I also had with Rhysand.  I could’ve bought this yesterday when I went to Target, but it was around $15!  That’s a bit too much for a book whose predecessor I didn’t like very much.  I was going to go to Barnes and Nobel today to pick up postcards and possibly a book or two, but I may utilize my library card, which I really should start using.

Title: Riddled With Senses
Author: Petra Jacob
Date Added: January 28, 2017

This is another book published by a fellow blogger/writer whose blog Inkbiotic I am pleased to follow (link goes to the latest update about the above book), since it gives me a front row seat to knowing about any of her work 🙂  The story is set in the late 90s (a bittersweet time for this Narcissist) and centers around drugs, cynicism, and magic.  I take (legal) drugs, am a gigantic cynic, and desperately want to believe in magic.  I also love magical realism and wish more authors would venture into those glittering waters.  Per Ms. Jacob’s Goodreads profile, she specializes in gay and lesbian fiction, which is another point for this novel in my book.  It looks like it’s not available on Kindle, so I’ll be going the old paperback route!

Total Books on Goodreads TBR List: 548
Change from Last Week: +2

Books Added to Goodreads To Be Reread List This Week: 0

What are you currently reading and/or what’s on your radar to read next?  What would you recommend based on my current and recently added?  As always I look forward to your comments and suggestions!

<–The State of the Reader: 1/25/17          The State of the Reader: 2/8/17–>

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The State of the Reader: 1/4/17

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 25 Comments

<–The State of the Reader: 12/28/16          The State of the Reader: 1/11/17–>

A weekly post updated every Wednesday detailing my current reading projects and where I am with them in addition to what new titles I’ve added to my to-read list.  Title links go to Goodreads to make it easier for interested parties to add any books that might strike their fancy.  I attempt to use the covers for the edition I’m reading, and I’ll mention if this is not the case.  If you have a Goodreads account feel free to friend me!  I’d love to see what you’re reading and/or planning to read.

Books Currently Reading: 4

Title: The Mabinogion Tetralogy
Author: Evangeline Walton
Date Added: August 24, 2014
Date Started: July 31, 2016

Medium: Paperback
Progress: 48%

I’m pretty sure I read a bit of this this week, but not enough to move the percentage needle.  I’m currently at a part where the greatest concern seems to be a false king and a secret paternity.  The prince of the new tribes believes his father to be one man, but he’s actually someone else, and this particular individual (along with the prince) is one of seven survivors of the Welsh’s war with the Irish.  Intriguing much.

Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Series Title: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Author: Sarah J. Maas
Date Added: June 15, 2016
Date Started: November 20, 2016

Media: Paperback
Progress: 61%

You know it’s bad when the first sex scene between the characters does nothing for you, and their parting doesn’t move your heart one bit.  I don’t feel too bad giving this away, since it’s a general staple of romance narratives.  They fuck and they part, though not necessarily in that order in every narrative.  My biggest issue with this story is how abruptly Feyre and Tamlin fell in love.  It went from her having no interest in him to being head over heels for the High Lord.  There was little to no progression in the feeling, nor was any attraction painting prior to Chapter 18.  The one good thing I can say about this (and it’s kind of selfish but…) is I’m going to be extra diligent about such a paradigm when I reedit my own paranormal romance.  My biggest fear with stories like that is the romance doesn’t seem authentic, and that’s the problem I’m running into here, because there wasn’t adequate build up in the beginning.  I’m more than halfway through and still curious about what’s causing the blight.  The dialogue is at least well written and fairly witty, so there’s that to its credit.

Title: The Raven Boys
Series Title: The Raven Cycle
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Date Added: April 21, 2015
Date Started: January 1, 2016

Media: Kindle
Progress: 10%

I received a Kindle Fire for Christmas from my in-laws, and I absolutely adore it.  I was looking into purchasing one myself, since they’re only around $50, which is more than fair for a tablet.  I don’t see the need to drop $300-$500 on an iPad, when I’m really just paying for the name.  The Fire has 16G of space, and I’ve been using it to read and watch Let’s Plays on YouTube.  I downloaded a few apps as well, and may get one of those games you can play with your cat, because I’m that kind of person.

I prefaced with this because the KF is how I’m reading the above book, and I absolutely love it.  The main character Blue is a non-psychic in a family of female clairvoyants, but she’s always brought to a churchyard every year with her mother as the soon-to-be-dead march past.  She’s apparently an amplifier, even though she can’t see them herself. Well that changes (of course) this year when Maura (Blue’s mom) is replaced by Neeve, Blue’s aunt.  Blue sees a dying boy named Gansey who goes to the rich kid’s school in their town of Henrietta.  She usually stays away from them, but of course now the young woman is drawn into their world.

I’ve always been a fan of Ms. Steifvater’s writing ever since I read the first few chapters of Shiver.  It was a gift for a friend so I was never able to finish it (it, too, is on my extensive list).  The instant I read the sample for this, I knew I’d have to download it, and since I’ve taken to reading a chapter (or more) on my lunch break, I’m certain I’ll finish soon.

Title: The Illustrated A Brief History of Time/The Universe in a Nutshell
Author: Stephen Hawking
Date Added: June 25, 2016
Date Started: January 2, 2016

Media: Paperback
Progress: 8%

Lately to escape how terrible things are (and going to be) down here on Earth, I’ve been watching/listening to YouTube videos about quantum physics, astrophysics, dark matter, dark energy, the origin of the universe, neutron stars, the end of everything, and the like.  It makes my brain waves flutter especially when I consider eternity and the fact that nothing really matters (but ironically within that everything does).  While I erroneously think I’m smart enough to study such things, I at least know I need a remedial crash course, and Mr. Hawking’s Universe in a Nutshell is a fine beginning.  I actually started reading this book years ago, but like many things, put it to the side, and didn’t pick it back up until now.  It’s written in very rudimentary language for the average person to understand.  It’s a good starting point if you’re curious about life, the universe, and everything.  I’d also recommend reading Douglas Adams’s Live, the Universe, and Everything, as well.

Fanfictions Finished: 0

Fanfictions Currently Reading: 1

Title: I’m the Darkness, You’re the Starlight
Author: runicmagitek
Fandom: FFVI
Pairing: Celes Chere/Setzer Gabbiani

I’m seriously worried about my friend runicmagitek, and I sincerely hope that she’s just been so busy with the holidays that she hasn’t had time to check her tumblr.  It’s the only way I have of contacting her (especially since AO3 doesn’t have a messaging system).  This is what is a bit sucky and often terrible about online friendships.  If something happens to someone you only have the barest of information about, you’ll never really know.  Not that I’m a stalker or a creeper, but I am a worrier.  Here’s to hoping I hear something soon ;_;

Fanfictions Added to TBR List: 0

Books Added to Goodreads TBR List This Week: 6

Title: Dissonance
Series Title: Dissonance
Author: Erica O’Rourke
Date Added: December 30, 2016

This was a lucky find as I was scrolling through my Goodreads.  I’m fascinated by alternate universes and sort of subscribe to the multiverse theory.  I believe it’s a possibility, and there’s been some scientific evidence to support.  Until such a day when we have concrete proof, I shall take these inventive little tales about a heroine who can navigate between these realities, keeping the dimensions in harmony.

Title: Gilded Cage
Series Title: Dark Gifts
Author: Vic James
Date Added: December 30, 2016

The commons serving the elite is nothing new in story or reality.  The only difference in this tale is the elite’s power is magical as well as monetary.  All commoners must serve them for ten years, and the protagonist, Abi, is in servitude to England’s most powerful family.  In true Stockholm Syndrome fashion, she falls for one of the noble-born sons (ah hypergamy).  I’m not averse to stories with well used tropes.  I feel that messages can become more powerful in repeat.

Kim of By Hook or By Book brought up a decent critique about diversity in her review here (which is why I added this in the first place), but I’m hoping that won’t detract too much from the overall message of the story.

Title: The Blackwell Family Secret: The Guardians of Sin
Author: Jonathan L. Ferrara
Date Added: January 1, 2017

After finishing The Ghost of Buxton Manor, I went to Mr. Ferrara’s Goodreads’ page, following him as an author and added his other book.  I also tweeted him my love of his story, followed his (and Aaron’s) YouTube page (I already follow their WordPress), and discovered there’s going to be a sequel to Ghost.  In the interim, I believe I’ll read up on the true history of Rupert Buxton and Michael Davies, while I work on my Ghost review.

The Guardians of Sin appears to be another paranormal adventure involving spirits and secrets, also guardian angels, serpents, and the unleashing of the Seven Deadly Sins, so I’m now even more interested.

Title: The Count of Monte Cristo
Author: Alexander Dumas
Date Added: January 4, 2017

The most memorable reference I have for this book is from the movie V for Vendetta, where the titular character, played by Hugo Weaving, shows it to his “captive” Evey, played by Natalie Portman.  I know it has a happy ending (or at least the movie does), and I know from the blurb it’s about a man falsely imprisoned.  The reason I added it now is because of a comment on Deviant Art about The Broken Rose.  One of my readers was wondering if the story was going to take a Monte Cristo angle to which I (internet) laughed and responded that I’d never read it, but I’d have to add it to my TBR list (huh…the abbreviation for “to be read” and The Broken Rose are exactly the same.  That’s hilarious).  She replied that the novel was a bid stodgy, and I might want to entertain myself with the movie.  I figure I’ll give the book a try though.  I could always use more classics for my list.

Title: The Lie Tree
Author: Frances Hardinge
Date Added: January 4, 2017

A tale of a tree that will give you truth for every lie, and the bigger the lie, the greater the truth.  I’m also interested in the incongruence of a main character named Faith who thirsts for science and secrets, and the secret of the tree is too great for her to resist.  Drawn into the search by her disgraced father’s journals, Faith enters a world of lies, danger, and the truth that can unbind it all.

Title: The Bear and the Nightingale
Author: Katherine Arden
Date Added: January 4, 2017

The book channeled both a Cinderella vibe with the dead mother replaced with a cruel stepmother and ASOIAF with it’s fairy tales about Frost, a blue-eyed winter demon.  It seems to spin itself like a meta-fairy tale.  There’s an even deeper ASOIAF connection as Vasilisa and her siblings’ nursemaid warned them to keep the old rituals and honor the spirits of house, yard, and forest in order to protect their home from evil and keep dark things at bay (e.g. Craster in Song), but the stepmother forbids it.  The family acquiesces, but Vasilisa seems to know that more hinges on the rituals than mere rote.  I’m a sucker for a good fairy tale, and I love stories that mix paradigms with others I already love.  I have a feeling the stepmother may be an agent of Frost or something like that or Frost may not be as terrible as he seems.

Total Books on Goodreads TBR List: +6
Change from Last Week: 540

Books Added to Goodreads To Be Reread List This Week: 0

Books Purchased This Week: 10

I received all of the books I ordered from Amazon in between last week’s post and this week’s.  I believe I usually do the full breakdown, but owing to the fact I have ten books to add, I’m just going to cite the title, author, brief comment, and a link to the SOTR where I included it, if available;  I’ll just link to Goodreads if not.

  1. The Sword of Maiden’s Tears by Rosemary Edghill – I remember exactly why I wanted this one.  Check this description in the blurb:  “He was tall, with long, silvery hair, catlike eyes…” DONE.  That’s all I needed.  Added and bought as soon as I could find it.
  2. A Darker Shade of Magic by V. E. Schwab – I recall downloading a sample of this and loving both the language and the story.  Even though I didn’t finish that excerpt, with books I’m sure of, I don’t always have to.  There are three realities, and the protagonist can traverse them all (this sounds similar to the Dissonance added above.  Again, I love stories of the multiverse).
  3. The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill – There are just way too many amazing things about this book to adequately put into words, and I haven’t even read it yet.  It twists the story of the wicked witch, the stolen child, and the admirable hero on its head, throwing in magic by moonlight, and the “girl” in question looks brown on the cover.  Yassss.
  4. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness – Thanks to social media, I already know what the allegory for this is about, and I’m hoping that’s not going to spoil it too much.  I won’t reveal what I know just in case it is, since knowledge given can never be taken back.  Ah, I just read the blurb about the main character’s mother receiving her “treatments,” so it may not be as big of a spoiler as I thought.  The last line of it still twists cold through my heart.  “This monster is something different, something ancient, something wild.  And it wants the truth.” *shivers*
  5. The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente – I have a hit or miss relationship with Ms. Valente.  Okay, so really on one miss (Palimpsest), and one I’m going to give another chance (In the Cities of Coin and Spice [The Orphan’s Tales #2]).  The title itself intrigues me, and while I was a bit lukewarm on the sample, I still have high hopes.
  6. Prospero Lost by L. Jagi Lamplight – It wasn’t just the silver haired lady on the front cover (though I have to admit that was a draw), but also my love of stories set in modern times with historical, magical undertones.  Because let’s face it, those immortal beings are still going to be around, and how would they fit into our current age?  Also, the title is a clear homage to Milton’s Paradise Lost so there’s that.
  7. Dying of the Light by George R R Martin – Of course my favorite author is going to have a place on this purchased list.  My goal is to read all of his stories (not necessarily this year, but in my lifetime).  Like many of Martin’s stories, this one contains a jilted lover set on a world similar to ours just slightly off kilter.  The oddity in Dying is the perpetual twilight, a trope I’ve seen used in Final Fantasy IX with the city of Treno, and in WOFF as well.  I’m actually in the Eclipsed Region right now.  If there was every a land for me, that would be it.
  8. When the Moon Was Ours by Anna Marie McLemore – Another moon based fairy tale steeped in roses, silver, and magical realism.  There aren’t nearly enough books of that latter ilk.  It’s difficult to do.  To ride that line between fantasy and reality.  Make people believe the wonders are just out of sight.  What a lovelier world this would be if that were only so.
  9. Vassa in the Night by Sarah Porter – Something about the title of this sparked my interest.  If you couldn’t tell from the moon based stories I have on this list, I’m a bit of a night creature.  If you dig enough to peel off the first layer, it’s easy to see how my two favorite series (Final Fantasy and ASOIAF) are quite a bit moon obsessed, too.  It’s not so much the moon per se as the night it often lights.  I also have this fascination with “night in the city” motifs.  What am I talking about?  I don’t really know how to explain, but as much as I love bucolic settings in fantasy, I do enjoy urban ones if done to my specifications.  I’m not really a fan of urban fantasy, rather I like when urban settings are made fantastic, if you get what I mean.  Magical cities a la mythopoetic New York as seen in Helprin’s Winter’s Tale.  Vassa seems to hum to that same melody invoking Russian folklore and what appears to be a manifestation of Baba Yaga.
  10. Locke & Key, Vol 1: Welcome to Lovecraft by Joe Hill & Gabriel Rodriguez – I need to up my comic book reading game, and there’s no time like the present.  I was actually in a comic book store on New Year’s Day and saw this along with Saga.  I considered picking up Saga, but it was $50 for the first volume!  I guess the Saga will not continue.  I’m not sure how I’m going to fit comics/graphic novels into my reading cycle.  If I’m going to read them alongside my regular four or use them as my fantasy/general fiction.  The latter is sounding more feasible unless the elder gods compel me otherwise…

What are you currently reading and/or what’s on your radar to read next?  What would you recommend based on my current and recently added?  As always I look forward to your comments and suggestions!

<–The State of the Reader: 12/28/16          The State of the Reader: 1/11/17–>

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The State of the Reader: 10/19/16

/ The Shameful Narcissist / 21 Comments

<–The State of the Reader: 10/12/16          The State of the Reader: 10/26/16–>

A weekly post updated every Wednesday detailing my current reading projects and where I am with them in addition to what new titles I’ve added to my to-read list.  Title links go to Goodreads to make it easier for interested parties to add any books that might strike their fancy.  I attempt to use the covers for the edition I’m reading, and I’ll mention if this is not the case.  If you have a Goodreads account feel free to friend me!  I’d love to see what you’re reading and/or planning to read.

Books Currently Reading: 4

Title: The Mabinogion Tetralogy
Author: Evangeline Walton
Date Added: August 24, 2014
Date Started: July 31, 2016

Medium: Paperback
Progress: 22%

I seriously doubt I’m going to finish this before the end of the year seeing as I only go up a percentage a week and there are far less than 78 weeks left.  Hell 78 weeks is like a year and half so by that count I’ll be finished this by 2018  It’s okay though. I’m enjoying the read.

Title: The World of Ice and Fire: The Untold History of Westeros and the Game of Thrones
Author: George R R Martin
Date Added: January 7, 2015
Date Started: February 8, 2015

Media: Hardback
Progress: 75%

There’s a good chance I will finish this one before the end of the year and most certainly before The Winds of Winter comes out.  I’ll be lucky if the 6th book is released by this time next year, let’s be honest.

Title: Magonia
Series Title: Magonia
Author: Maria Dahvana Headley
Date Added: January 31, 2016
Date Started: October 1, 2016

Media: Paperback
Progress: 13%

I’m ready to get to the more fantasy part of this book.  The author keeps teasing it in the “everyone thinks Aza is hallucinating” or “her visions are due to her illness” type of way, and I just want to see what this magical world (that I assume is called Magonia) is like.  So far Aza’s witty for the sake of witty attitude hasn’t become too grating, and I’m hoping it stays that way.

Title: The Ghost of Buxton Manor
Author: Jonathon L. Ferrara
Date Added: August 16, 2016
Date Started: October 17, 2016

Media: Kindle
Progress: 6%

I’m enjoying this so far.  The pacing is good, the main character Rupert is both intriguing and sympathetic, and the story presents a lot of plot coupons that need to be cashed in.  It’s 400 pages, so I’ve got quite a ways to go!

Continue reading →