For the past 6 hours I have put together a playlist on itunes for “Cleaning up my room” and it has great hits – Dr. Hook, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, Electric Light Orchestra, Creedence Clearwater Revival, Lynyrd Skynyrd, 10cc, Rolling Stones, The Animals and of course the Beatles. I decided to skip Zepp and Floyd, because they are more for my meditative, creative and thinking moods. It took me roughly 10 minutes to put it together...then I found an interesting book, so I read that for a while. Then a brilliant idea struck me. Why not become a candle arranger and then I set about removal items from my bedside table. I lit probably 30 candles, so much so that my sister was blinded by the light. Eventually, the smoke alarm went off. The incense I got around to burning heating the glass and my “bright idea” to put it under cold running water resulted in the glass shattering. I left the candles burning as I painted. Because, I mean who wouldn’t want to paint by candlelight like all classic artist would...well, not too sure about that one but we will run with it. I let the painting dry as I then moved onto catching up on Glee Season 2. I waited for that to load as I check my facebook and played facebook games. I then moved to the lounge where I watched some Nickelodeon and Disney. I also sketched a new comic book character that I haven’t worked into my storyline yet. Of course, as I sit here and watch Kell On Earth I am writing this entry. Because I need to do something other than clean my room.
I am dealing with situations my way...by not dealing with them at all. By avoid the situation. You will probably notice that my entries will skyrocket as I go back to uni. I need the distraction.
I am thinking of going into our storage unit right now to get my craft bucket out of there. I always get inspired to clean my room but never quite got there. I think sometimes that 3 in the morning is an appropriate time. Possibly, subconsciously, I know that it will never be achieved.
I like my messy room. Everything I need is out in the open therefore within grabbing distance. I think that the mess grows because of that and because of my lifestyle. Instead of waking up an hour before I'm ready, I wake up 20-30 minutes before I have to go. If I don’t hear the alarm usually I have 10-15 minutes. Damn you snooze button!
Sad to say that my room is still a rubbish dump and I considered taking photos of it but I decided to hold off on that one because there was no way that I would embarrass myself.
But I am striving towards organising it and once again, shutting away my crafts until the end of the semester.
So I will post this entry and hop to it and hopefully become an efficient future teacher and person.
Aloha!
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
A review I just had to write
Ok, I have mentioned in a previous post that I have resorted to stacking my books in a plastic container. But I digress. This was my first pick of the bunch. Boy was I ecstatic. I don’t know what made me pick this book up, but the entire day on Monday 14th of February, I couldn’t put it down. Even when I had academic advising at uni, I couldn’t take my mind of it. It was so fantastic.
From page one, where you meet the protagonist as an abandoned child, you can’t help but feel for her. Sky Bright, of all the fiction novels I have read this is one character I could never be peeved at. Joss Stirling wrote this in a manner where you feel for her character. The abandoned orphan then became the new girl in a new country (something I am familiar with) and as I was reading this book it was like a breath of fresh air. No, this was quite suspenseful in deciphering the paranormal – was it about wolves? Perhaps vampire? And as I was reading it, I was so happy that it was other. I will leave it to you to figure it out, so go and read it!
Stirling set the novel in Wrickenridge, Colorado and it was apparent that this was experienced by the English Author because of the minute attention to detail that was built up from the get-go. The characters were genuine too. It is natural for the new girl, all the way from Richmond, England to be shy. But she was quite feisty too! Albeit inept at sports but she was authentic in her timidity but shone through on her love of music. The mystery sounding the protagonist’s love interest further adds to the suspense of the paranormal. I absolutely loved the first glimpse of Sky Bright’s love interest Zed Benedict on page 17-18 with his “bad boy” cohorts. It was intense! From then on, I knew Joss Stirling had me hooked.
I don’t want to give away too much of the novel, because I want you to read it and discover what a gem it is without you being too impinged by my love for this novel. I prefer to describe my emotions towards the novel then give away, chapter by chapter, what transpired in the novel. Take it from me, you will love it. If you are looking to read something that is paranormal, yet not your everyday vampire or werewolf paranormal, then this is for you. You will fall in love with Zed Benedict or 6 of his older brothers...see? Variety! (Zed’s all good but his brother, the character Xavier, sounds mighty fine too).
When I really love a book, such as this one, it doesn’t matter if it 2, 3, 4 in the morning I was stay up to read it. This lets you and I know that this is definitely a gem. It was the perfect book to read on Valentine’s Day.
I am eagerly anticipating Joss Stirling’s next novel.
Adios Amigos!
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
My poor bookcase
I keep looking at it mentally yelling "Jenga! Jenga! Jenga!"
So I came up with a solution to remove the books I haven't read and put them into a large plastic container. I have my work cut out for me
Sunday, February 6, 2011
Soon enough, I am positive my bookcase will collapse
I have finally returned from a fabulous holiday in New Zealand for 1 month then another month spend of the sunny Gold Coast. My, have these 2 months flown! It kind of feels bizarre being back home, but I am so excited. I can't wait to settle in and be re-united with my bed!
I don't know whether I am over-thrilled or overly anxious when I look at my bookcase. My sister had been stocking me up with all the books she has amassed over the past 2 months and I can't even see my all time favorites because there is a lack of space! Soon enough, I am sure that it will be tumbling down. It is such a dilemma! Giving up my books is like surrendering a pet...sometimes even a child!
I best keep this entry short seen as I have a pile of books to read the size of Mount Everest. I am so daunted by the amount of books to read, I don't know where to begin. I will keep you posted on the books and try (emphasis on the word "try") to take a photo of my atrocious bookcase.
Sayonara!
P.S. I do tend to use the farewells of other tongues :) It has become a pet peeve of mind as I write them "What to use? What to use?" :P Go figure!
I don't know whether I am over-thrilled or overly anxious when I look at my bookcase. My sister had been stocking me up with all the books she has amassed over the past 2 months and I can't even see my all time favorites because there is a lack of space! Soon enough, I am sure that it will be tumbling down. It is such a dilemma! Giving up my books is like surrendering a pet...sometimes even a child!
I best keep this entry short seen as I have a pile of books to read the size of Mount Everest. I am so daunted by the amount of books to read, I don't know where to begin. I will keep you posted on the books and try (emphasis on the word "try") to take a photo of my atrocious bookcase.
Sayonara!
P.S. I do tend to use the farewells of other tongues :) It has become a pet peeve of mind as I write them "What to use? What to use?" :P Go figure!
Thursday, February 3, 2011
My guilty pleasure
Ok, I have read enough teen fiction via my fabulous older sister who buys every single on at K-Mart, Target, Big W, Kinokuniya, Angus & Robertson and QBD every month when they happened to be released. Thanks by the way, Sis. I happily tag along and present her with books that I think are great, which I haven’t read but she will look at me and say “Read it.” Rats! I got hooked on teen paranormal fiction just halfway through the year. Before that, she donated her vast collection to the library as we were moving house.
As she doesn’t like to clutter her room, she gives her newly purchased books to me when she is done! Woo! As a happily struggling Uni student, it gets quite difficult to buy books unless they are my favourite author that is! Then I am fine with it! Teen Paranormal is of course flavour of the month thats to Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Series but no this is not my guilty pleasure. Continue along!
I tend to lean towards classics as in Plato, Homer, Austen, Steinbeck, Tennessee Williams and William O’Hara. Well I tend to dabble into the classics would be the appropriate word. My true love, and all my friends will attest to this, is romantic fiction. Yes, I admit to reading soppy, over the top, head over heels, bodice ripping, clichéd, trashy romantic fiction. I was always an avid reader as a child. I loved Goosebumps and scary stories as well as science and Harry Potter. Then later on I was reading Sweet Valley High, along with a great friend of mine Sweeda.
I fell in love with romantic fiction as I was picking through my sister’s books. My sister is more of the book-a-holic that I am. As she is 5 years older than I am we both began our infatuation with them at around 13. She was staying at my Nana’s at the time, said-Nana loving Mills and Boon novels and the like. While I looked through her shelf, I don’t know for what reason, but I began to get hooked on to the romance kind. This book, by Amanda Ashley called “Shades of gray” was a paranormal romance about a vampire and mortal falling for each other and it was something different altogether. I was moving away from the adolescent fiction onto the heavy adult stuff. It had all this content about true love and destiny and what not. I was hooked after that. Not particularly on the paranormal but on the romantic. I have always been a sensitive and romantic soul so these novels really spoke to me as an adolescent. I must point out that even then I knew these romances and situations and hunks in these books weren’t real. That they were the figment of some fantastic author’s fantasy. Gosh it’s the best kind of escapism. First it was the Vampires, then the rugged Pirates, then Vikings, Oh the Vikings, then Lawmen, Gunslingers, Intergalactic Men, etc. I maxed out my library card with all sorts of romantic fiction and whenever I could scrape together to go to the bookshop and pick out romantic fiction. It was my guilty pleasure. It still is, if you have happened to come into my home and seen my bookcase.
And this is the part where most adults freak out or at least show some disgust and/or prejudice. A 13-14 year old reading romantic fiction? Yes, my Mum was horrified and disliked it also. But guess what? When my school report came around I still remember the comment my English teacher wrote on my report. “Mallory has shown an avid interest in reading and this has no doubt improved her grade.” I got a high B for that semester and by year 10 I was receiving A’s. A day in my life went a little like this - wake up, read, go to school, read, go home, read, dinner, read, bed. I was hooked onto books. Although a little obsessed but it was better than sitting in front of the TV for 7 hours out of the day. See, any reading is good reading as long as it improves spelling, increases your vocabulary, understanding and writing.
I suppose by now that you are shocked, flabbergasted that I would admit to being one of those nerdy, awkward, shy people who read romance novels. And at times I do become a little self-conscious over it too. But reading itself is a part of who I am. I love those sappy novels and the author’s who write them. What I love most about these novels is that despite the adversities faced by the heroine and her man, they end up happily married. For me, I would like to come away from a book knowing that the mythical people I have read about and fallen in love with in that moment in time are alright. That they have ended in a happy place. That is why I still can’t stand Othello, The Notebook and plays and novels of the like today. I want the characters in the play to have that fairytale ending because it reiterates that a life without love, hope, caring and happiness is a sad one.
If you’re still with me at this point of this epic tale then it is important to note that K-Mart, Target and Big W have cheap teen fiction books. That would be my best bet. Kinokuniya would be next if you can’t find what you are looking for, same goes for Angus & Robertson, Borders, QBD and the like. For cheaper books I would recommend your local second-hand bookshop, eBay and op-shops like the Salvos, St. Vincent De Paul Society, etc.
Now, contemporary teen fiction series I would like to recommend would be:
- Melissa De la Cruz: Blue Bloods Series
Of all the books I recommend to people this is the crème de la crème. My older sister bought them and I instantly fell in love with them. Picture it as Gossip Girl meeting Vampire Diaries. Melissa De la Cruz gives you a detailed look into New York and its many forms and she keeps you in suspense through every novel. I am hooked!
- Alyxandra Harvey: Drake Chronicles
Truly a spellbinding series about Vampires, Hunters and Villains, this book has it all! You will fall in love with the Drake family and the description Harvey gives of each one of these young hunks – The Drake brothers – your heart will melt. I liked that she teamed these ruggedly handsome men with strong, wilful albeit stubborn heroines.
- Bree Despain: Dark Divine
Of all the teen paranormal fiction that is produced right now, Despain’s books are a breath of fresh air. Paranormal never felt so good – the mystery, the prodigal son, etc. It is so original and is so rich in its content that I am patiently (and I mean with as much patience an impatient person possesses) awaiting her next instalment.
- Sarah Dessen: Along for the ride
I felt that this book, in fact all her books, perfectly capture the imperfect adolescent journey. We aren’t yet completely adults and we, teens, make mistakes. Her books are so authentic and original that each one is special. Along for the ride, one of her latest novels allows us to understand these mistakes and help with grief and loss. They relate to all teens. Highly recommend her!
Romance Authors that I love:
- Johanna Lindsey: She is definitely the all rounder when it comes to romance novels. She can write them all and I hope she continues to do so. I make it my job in life to read every single one of her books. The Haardrad Viking series is my favourite. She is a must!
- Julie Garwood: For your Highland Romances look no further. She has mastered it, along with fantastic Regency Novels and Contemporary romantic thriller fiction. A personal favourite of Sweeda and I is “The Gift.”
- Mary Balogh: She tends to create romances of love coming softly. I love how it can break the chains of restraint and heal all wounds.
- Madeline Baker: She would be my go-to author for American Indian fiction. I love her style – it is authentic historical romance.
- Susan Sizemore: Her witty novels on Primes and Werewolves leaves me gasping for me.
- Diana Palmer: Contemporary Western romance writer who’s novels are close to my heart.
- Arnette Lamb: Clan MacKenzie is a must!
- Julia Quinn: She has definitely earned the title of the modern day Jane Austen. Her novels are Regency genuine and witty.
- Christine Feehan: Her Carpathian series has won my heart over. I need more!
- Nalini Singh: Read her novels on Guild Hunters and there’s no turning back. A must for every paranormal fiction reader.
- Sandra Hill: Vikings and time travel never felt so good with her books.
- Katie McAlister: Outrageously witty and funny. The Ainsling Gray Chronicles being my favourite
- Elizabeth Lowell: You will love her Historical Western series. Another of Sweeda and my favourite.
- Jude Deveraux: Anything with the Montgomery’s is something that should be read as well as her medieval romances and contemporaries.
- Shirl Henke: Oh how I love how this woman and her writing partner Carol Reynard fuse American History and romance. Its a winning combination.
- Leigh Greenwood: A male romance writer with flair and was once a Romance Novel sceptic. The Seven Bride series will remain on my bookshelf of favourites
- Sherrilyn Kenyon: One of the best for last. Her paranormal novels on the Dark Hunters, Weres/Arcadians, Skoti etc are written with so much passion and downright hilarious humour that it will leave you with a belly ache from too much laughter and a mouth watering sensation as you read about these Hunks in designer. Maybe a few tears along the way as well. I suggest you read it right from the beginning with Kyrian and Amanda’s book then see if you can’t stop falling in love with Acheron.
I think I have embarrassed myself enough (if you have managed to get this far in this mammoth post), so I will leave it there for now. Although now you should all have at least one or more Author’s novels to hunt down and enjoy.
Happy reading! And I will keep you noted on up and coming authors whom I love or new books I have fallen in love with
As she doesn’t like to clutter her room, she gives her newly purchased books to me when she is done! Woo! As a happily struggling Uni student, it gets quite difficult to buy books unless they are my favourite author that is! Then I am fine with it! Teen Paranormal is of course flavour of the month thats to Stephanie Meyer's Twilight Series but no this is not my guilty pleasure. Continue along!
I tend to lean towards classics as in Plato, Homer, Austen, Steinbeck, Tennessee Williams and William O’Hara. Well I tend to dabble into the classics would be the appropriate word. My true love, and all my friends will attest to this, is romantic fiction. Yes, I admit to reading soppy, over the top, head over heels, bodice ripping, clichéd, trashy romantic fiction. I was always an avid reader as a child. I loved Goosebumps and scary stories as well as science and Harry Potter. Then later on I was reading Sweet Valley High, along with a great friend of mine Sweeda.
I fell in love with romantic fiction as I was picking through my sister’s books. My sister is more of the book-a-holic that I am. As she is 5 years older than I am we both began our infatuation with them at around 13. She was staying at my Nana’s at the time, said-Nana loving Mills and Boon novels and the like. While I looked through her shelf, I don’t know for what reason, but I began to get hooked on to the romance kind. This book, by Amanda Ashley called “Shades of gray” was a paranormal romance about a vampire and mortal falling for each other and it was something different altogether. I was moving away from the adolescent fiction onto the heavy adult stuff. It had all this content about true love and destiny and what not. I was hooked after that. Not particularly on the paranormal but on the romantic. I have always been a sensitive and romantic soul so these novels really spoke to me as an adolescent. I must point out that even then I knew these romances and situations and hunks in these books weren’t real. That they were the figment of some fantastic author’s fantasy. Gosh it’s the best kind of escapism. First it was the Vampires, then the rugged Pirates, then Vikings, Oh the Vikings, then Lawmen, Gunslingers, Intergalactic Men, etc. I maxed out my library card with all sorts of romantic fiction and whenever I could scrape together to go to the bookshop and pick out romantic fiction. It was my guilty pleasure. It still is, if you have happened to come into my home and seen my bookcase.
And this is the part where most adults freak out or at least show some disgust and/or prejudice. A 13-14 year old reading romantic fiction? Yes, my Mum was horrified and disliked it also. But guess what? When my school report came around I still remember the comment my English teacher wrote on my report. “Mallory has shown an avid interest in reading and this has no doubt improved her grade.” I got a high B for that semester and by year 10 I was receiving A’s. A day in my life went a little like this - wake up, read, go to school, read, go home, read, dinner, read, bed. I was hooked onto books. Although a little obsessed but it was better than sitting in front of the TV for 7 hours out of the day. See, any reading is good reading as long as it improves spelling, increases your vocabulary, understanding and writing.
I suppose by now that you are shocked, flabbergasted that I would admit to being one of those nerdy, awkward, shy people who read romance novels. And at times I do become a little self-conscious over it too. But reading itself is a part of who I am. I love those sappy novels and the author’s who write them. What I love most about these novels is that despite the adversities faced by the heroine and her man, they end up happily married. For me, I would like to come away from a book knowing that the mythical people I have read about and fallen in love with in that moment in time are alright. That they have ended in a happy place. That is why I still can’t stand Othello, The Notebook and plays and novels of the like today. I want the characters in the play to have that fairytale ending because it reiterates that a life without love, hope, caring and happiness is a sad one.
If you’re still with me at this point of this epic tale then it is important to note that K-Mart, Target and Big W have cheap teen fiction books. That would be my best bet. Kinokuniya would be next if you can’t find what you are looking for, same goes for Angus & Robertson, Borders, QBD and the like. For cheaper books I would recommend your local second-hand bookshop, eBay and op-shops like the Salvos, St. Vincent De Paul Society, etc.
Now, contemporary teen fiction series I would like to recommend would be:
- Melissa De la Cruz: Blue Bloods Series
Of all the books I recommend to people this is the crème de la crème. My older sister bought them and I instantly fell in love with them. Picture it as Gossip Girl meeting Vampire Diaries. Melissa De la Cruz gives you a detailed look into New York and its many forms and she keeps you in suspense through every novel. I am hooked!
- Alyxandra Harvey: Drake Chronicles
Truly a spellbinding series about Vampires, Hunters and Villains, this book has it all! You will fall in love with the Drake family and the description Harvey gives of each one of these young hunks – The Drake brothers – your heart will melt. I liked that she teamed these ruggedly handsome men with strong, wilful albeit stubborn heroines.
- Bree Despain: Dark Divine
Of all the teen paranormal fiction that is produced right now, Despain’s books are a breath of fresh air. Paranormal never felt so good – the mystery, the prodigal son, etc. It is so original and is so rich in its content that I am patiently (and I mean with as much patience an impatient person possesses) awaiting her next instalment.
- Sarah Dessen: Along for the ride
I felt that this book, in fact all her books, perfectly capture the imperfect adolescent journey. We aren’t yet completely adults and we, teens, make mistakes. Her books are so authentic and original that each one is special. Along for the ride, one of her latest novels allows us to understand these mistakes and help with grief and loss. They relate to all teens. Highly recommend her!
Romance Authors that I love:
- Johanna Lindsey: She is definitely the all rounder when it comes to romance novels. She can write them all and I hope she continues to do so. I make it my job in life to read every single one of her books. The Haardrad Viking series is my favourite. She is a must!
- Julie Garwood: For your Highland Romances look no further. She has mastered it, along with fantastic Regency Novels and Contemporary romantic thriller fiction. A personal favourite of Sweeda and I is “The Gift.”
- Mary Balogh: She tends to create romances of love coming softly. I love how it can break the chains of restraint and heal all wounds.
- Madeline Baker: She would be my go-to author for American Indian fiction. I love her style – it is authentic historical romance.
- Susan Sizemore: Her witty novels on Primes and Werewolves leaves me gasping for me.
- Diana Palmer: Contemporary Western romance writer who’s novels are close to my heart.
- Arnette Lamb: Clan MacKenzie is a must!
- Julia Quinn: She has definitely earned the title of the modern day Jane Austen. Her novels are Regency genuine and witty.
- Christine Feehan: Her Carpathian series has won my heart over. I need more!
- Nalini Singh: Read her novels on Guild Hunters and there’s no turning back. A must for every paranormal fiction reader.
- Sandra Hill: Vikings and time travel never felt so good with her books.
- Katie McAlister: Outrageously witty and funny. The Ainsling Gray Chronicles being my favourite
- Elizabeth Lowell: You will love her Historical Western series. Another of Sweeda and my favourite.
- Jude Deveraux: Anything with the Montgomery’s is something that should be read as well as her medieval romances and contemporaries.
- Shirl Henke: Oh how I love how this woman and her writing partner Carol Reynard fuse American History and romance. Its a winning combination.
- Leigh Greenwood: A male romance writer with flair and was once a Romance Novel sceptic. The Seven Bride series will remain on my bookshelf of favourites
- Sherrilyn Kenyon: One of the best for last. Her paranormal novels on the Dark Hunters, Weres/Arcadians, Skoti etc are written with so much passion and downright hilarious humour that it will leave you with a belly ache from too much laughter and a mouth watering sensation as you read about these Hunks in designer. Maybe a few tears along the way as well. I suggest you read it right from the beginning with Kyrian and Amanda’s book then see if you can’t stop falling in love with Acheron.
I think I have embarrassed myself enough (if you have managed to get this far in this mammoth post), so I will leave it there for now. Although now you should all have at least one or more Author’s novels to hunt down and enjoy.
Happy reading! And I will keep you noted on up and coming authors whom I love or new books I have fallen in love with
My guilty pleasure
Ok, I have read enough teen fiction via my fabulous older sister who buys every single on at K-Mart, Target, Big W, Kinokuniya, Angus & Robertson and QBD every month when they happened to be released. Thanks by the way, Sis. I happily tag along and present her with books that I think are great, which I haven’t read but she will look at me and say “Read it.” Rats! I got hooked on teen paranormal fiction just halfway through the year. Before that, she donated her vast collection to the library as we were moving house.
As she doesn’t like to clutter her room, she gives her newly purchased books to me when she is done! Woo! As a happily struggling Uni student, it gets quite difficult to buy books unless they are my favourite author that is! Then I am fine with it!
I tend to lean towards classics as in Plato, Homer, Austen, Steinbeck, Williams and O’Hara. Well I tend to dabble into the classics would be the appropriate word. My true love, and all my friends will attest to this, is romantic fiction. Yes, I admit to reading soppy, over the top, head over heels, bodice ripping, clichéd romantic fiction. I was always an avid reader as a child. I loved Goosebumps and scary stories as well as science and Harry Potter. I fell in love with romantic fiction as I was picking through my sister’s books. My sister is more of the book-a-holic that I am. As she is 5 years older than I am we both began our infatuation with them at around 13. She was staying at my Nana’s at the time, said-Nana loving Mills and Boon novels and the like. While I looked through her shelf, I don’t know for what reason, but I began to get hooked on to the romance kind. Before then I was reading Sweet Valley High, along with a great friend of mine Sweeda. But this book, by Amanda Ashley called “Shade’s of gray” was a paranormal romance about a vampire falling in love with a mortal and vice versa, it was something different altogether. I was moving away from the adolescent fiction onto the heavy adult stuff. It had all this content about true love and destiny and what not. I was hooked after that. Not particularly on the paranormal but on the romantic. I have always been a sensitive and romantic soul so these novels really spoke to me as an adolescent. I must point out that I knew these romances and situations and hunks in these books weren’t real. That they were the figment of some fantastic author’s fantasy. Gosh it’s the best kind of escapism. First it was the Vampires, then the rugged Pirates, then Vikings, Oh the Vikings, then Lawmen, Gunslingers, Intergalactic Men, etc. I maxed out my library card with all sorts of romantic fiction and whenever I could scrape together to go to the bookshop and pick out romantic fiction. It was my guilty pleasure.
And this is the part where most adults freak out or at least show some disgust and/or prejudice. A 13-14 year old reading romantic fiction? Yes, my Mum was horrified and disliked it also. But guess what? When my school report came around I still remember the comment my English teacher wrote on my report. “Mallory has shown an avid interest in reading and this has no doubt improved her grade.” I got a high B for that semester and by year 10 I was receiving A’s. See, any reading is good reading as long as it improves spelling, increases your vocabulary, understanding and writing.
I suppose by now that you are shocked, flabbergasted that I would admit to being one of those nerdy, awkward, shy people who read romance novels. And at times I do become a little self-conscious over it too. But reading itself is a part of who I am. I love those sappy novels and the author’s who write them. What I love most about these novels is that despite the adversities faced by the heroine and her man, they end up happily married. For me, I would like to come away from a book knowing that the mythical people I have read about and fallen in love with in that moment in time are alright. That they have ended in a happy place. That is why I still can’t stand Othello and plays and novel’s of the like today. I want the characters in the play to have that fairytale ending because it reiterates that a life without love, hope, caring and happiness is a sad one.
If you’re still with me at this point of this epic tale then it is important to note that K-Mart, Target and Big W have cheap teen fiction books. That would be my best bet. Kinokuniya would be next if you can’t find what you are looking for, same goes for Angus & Robertson, Borders, QBD and the like. For cheaper books I would recommend your local second-hand bookshop, eBay and op-shops like the Salvos, St. Vincent De Paul Society, etc.
Now, contemporary teen fiction series I would like to recommend would be:
- Melissa De la Cruz: Blue Bloods Series
Of all the books I recommend to people this is the crème de la crème. My older sister bought them and I instantly fell in love with them. Picture it as Gossip Girl meeting Vampire Diaries. Melissa De la Cruz gives you a detailed look into New York and its many forms and she keeps you in suspense through every novel. I am hooked!
- Alyxandra Harvey: Drake Chronicles
Truly a spellbinding series about Vampires, Hunters and Villains, this book has it all! You will fall in love with the Drake family and the description Harvey gives of each one of these young hunks – The Drake brothers – your heart will melt. I liked that she teamed these ruggedly handsome men with strong, wilful albeit stubborn heroines.
- Bree Despain: Dark Divine
Of all the teen paranormal fiction that is produced right now, Despain’s books are a breath of fresh air. Paranormal never felt so good – the mystery, the prodigal son, etc. It is so original and is so rich in its content that I am patiently (and I mean with as much patience an impatient person possesses) awaiting her next instalment.
- Sarah Dessen: Along for the ride
I felt that this book, in fact all her books, perfectly capture the imperfect adolescent journey. We aren’t yet completely adults and we, teens, make mistakes. Her books are so authentic and original that each one is special. Along for the ride, one of her latest novels allows us to understand these mistakes and help with grief and loss. They relate to all teens. Highly recommend her!
Romance Authors that I love:
- Johanna Lindsey: She is definitely the all rounder when it comes to romance novels. She can write them all and I hope she continues to do so. I make it my job in life to read every single one of her books. The Haardrad Viking series is my favourite
- Julie Garwood: For your Highland Romances look no further. She has mastered it, along with fantastic Regency Novels and Contemporary romantic thriller fiction. A personal favourite of Sweeda and I is “The Gift.”
- Mary Balogh: She tends to create romances of love coming softly. I love how it can break the chains of restraint and heal all wounds.
- Madeline Baker: She would be my go-to author for American Indian fiction. I love her style – it is authentic historical romance.
- Susan Sizemore: Her witty novels on Primes and Werewolves leaves me gasping for me.
- Diana Palmer: Contemporary Western romance writer who’s novels are close to my heart
- Arnette Lamb: Clan MacKenzie is a must!
- Julia Quinn: She has definitely earned the title of the modern day Jane Austen. Her novels are Regency genuine and witty.
- Christine Feehan: Her Carpathian series has won my heart over. I need more!
- Nalini Singh: Read her novels on Guild Hunters and there’s no turning back. A must for every paranormal fiction reader.
- Sandra Hill: Vikings and time travel never felt so good with her books.
- Katie McAlister: Outrageously witty and funny. The Ainsling Gray Chronicles being my favourite
- Elizabeth Lowell: You will love her Historical Western series. Another of Sweeda and my favourite.
- Jude Deveraux: Anything with the Montgomery’s is something that should be read as well as her medieval romances and contemporaries.
- Shirl Henke: Oh how I love how this woman and her writing partner Carol Reynard fuse American History and romance. Its a winning combination.
- Leigh Greenwood: A male romance writer with flair and was once a Romance Novel sceptic. The Seven Bride series will remain on my bookshelf of favourites
- Sherrilyn Kenyon: One of the best for last. Her paranormal novels on the Dark Hunters, Weres/Arcadians, Skoti etc are written with so much passion and downright hilarious humour that it will leave you with a belly ache from too much laughter and a mouth watering sensation as you read about these Hunks in designer. Maybe a few tears along the way as well. I suggest you read it right from the beginning with Kyrian and Amanda’s book then see if you can’t stop falling in love with Acheron.
I think I have embarrassed myself enough (if you have managed to get this far in this mammoth post), although now you should all have at least one or more Author’s novels to hunt down and enjoy.
Happy reading!
As she doesn’t like to clutter her room, she gives her newly purchased books to me when she is done! Woo! As a happily struggling Uni student, it gets quite difficult to buy books unless they are my favourite author that is! Then I am fine with it!
I tend to lean towards classics as in Plato, Homer, Austen, Steinbeck, Williams and O’Hara. Well I tend to dabble into the classics would be the appropriate word. My true love, and all my friends will attest to this, is romantic fiction. Yes, I admit to reading soppy, over the top, head over heels, bodice ripping, clichéd romantic fiction. I was always an avid reader as a child. I loved Goosebumps and scary stories as well as science and Harry Potter. I fell in love with romantic fiction as I was picking through my sister’s books. My sister is more of the book-a-holic that I am. As she is 5 years older than I am we both began our infatuation with them at around 13. She was staying at my Nana’s at the time, said-Nana loving Mills and Boon novels and the like. While I looked through her shelf, I don’t know for what reason, but I began to get hooked on to the romance kind. Before then I was reading Sweet Valley High, along with a great friend of mine Sweeda. But this book, by Amanda Ashley called “Shade’s of gray” was a paranormal romance about a vampire falling in love with a mortal and vice versa, it was something different altogether. I was moving away from the adolescent fiction onto the heavy adult stuff. It had all this content about true love and destiny and what not. I was hooked after that. Not particularly on the paranormal but on the romantic. I have always been a sensitive and romantic soul so these novels really spoke to me as an adolescent. I must point out that I knew these romances and situations and hunks in these books weren’t real. That they were the figment of some fantastic author’s fantasy. Gosh it’s the best kind of escapism. First it was the Vampires, then the rugged Pirates, then Vikings, Oh the Vikings, then Lawmen, Gunslingers, Intergalactic Men, etc. I maxed out my library card with all sorts of romantic fiction and whenever I could scrape together to go to the bookshop and pick out romantic fiction. It was my guilty pleasure.
And this is the part where most adults freak out or at least show some disgust and/or prejudice. A 13-14 year old reading romantic fiction? Yes, my Mum was horrified and disliked it also. But guess what? When my school report came around I still remember the comment my English teacher wrote on my report. “Mallory has shown an avid interest in reading and this has no doubt improved her grade.” I got a high B for that semester and by year 10 I was receiving A’s. See, any reading is good reading as long as it improves spelling, increases your vocabulary, understanding and writing.
I suppose by now that you are shocked, flabbergasted that I would admit to being one of those nerdy, awkward, shy people who read romance novels. And at times I do become a little self-conscious over it too. But reading itself is a part of who I am. I love those sappy novels and the author’s who write them. What I love most about these novels is that despite the adversities faced by the heroine and her man, they end up happily married. For me, I would like to come away from a book knowing that the mythical people I have read about and fallen in love with in that moment in time are alright. That they have ended in a happy place. That is why I still can’t stand Othello and plays and novel’s of the like today. I want the characters in the play to have that fairytale ending because it reiterates that a life without love, hope, caring and happiness is a sad one.
If you’re still with me at this point of this epic tale then it is important to note that K-Mart, Target and Big W have cheap teen fiction books. That would be my best bet. Kinokuniya would be next if you can’t find what you are looking for, same goes for Angus & Robertson, Borders, QBD and the like. For cheaper books I would recommend your local second-hand bookshop, eBay and op-shops like the Salvos, St. Vincent De Paul Society, etc.
Now, contemporary teen fiction series I would like to recommend would be:
- Melissa De la Cruz: Blue Bloods Series
Of all the books I recommend to people this is the crème de la crème. My older sister bought them and I instantly fell in love with them. Picture it as Gossip Girl meeting Vampire Diaries. Melissa De la Cruz gives you a detailed look into New York and its many forms and she keeps you in suspense through every novel. I am hooked!
- Alyxandra Harvey: Drake Chronicles
Truly a spellbinding series about Vampires, Hunters and Villains, this book has it all! You will fall in love with the Drake family and the description Harvey gives of each one of these young hunks – The Drake brothers – your heart will melt. I liked that she teamed these ruggedly handsome men with strong, wilful albeit stubborn heroines.
- Bree Despain: Dark Divine
Of all the teen paranormal fiction that is produced right now, Despain’s books are a breath of fresh air. Paranormal never felt so good – the mystery, the prodigal son, etc. It is so original and is so rich in its content that I am patiently (and I mean with as much patience an impatient person possesses) awaiting her next instalment.
- Sarah Dessen: Along for the ride
I felt that this book, in fact all her books, perfectly capture the imperfect adolescent journey. We aren’t yet completely adults and we, teens, make mistakes. Her books are so authentic and original that each one is special. Along for the ride, one of her latest novels allows us to understand these mistakes and help with grief and loss. They relate to all teens. Highly recommend her!
Romance Authors that I love:
- Johanna Lindsey: She is definitely the all rounder when it comes to romance novels. She can write them all and I hope she continues to do so. I make it my job in life to read every single one of her books. The Haardrad Viking series is my favourite
- Julie Garwood: For your Highland Romances look no further. She has mastered it, along with fantastic Regency Novels and Contemporary romantic thriller fiction. A personal favourite of Sweeda and I is “The Gift.”
- Mary Balogh: She tends to create romances of love coming softly. I love how it can break the chains of restraint and heal all wounds.
- Madeline Baker: She would be my go-to author for American Indian fiction. I love her style – it is authentic historical romance.
- Susan Sizemore: Her witty novels on Primes and Werewolves leaves me gasping for me.
- Diana Palmer: Contemporary Western romance writer who’s novels are close to my heart
- Arnette Lamb: Clan MacKenzie is a must!
- Julia Quinn: She has definitely earned the title of the modern day Jane Austen. Her novels are Regency genuine and witty.
- Christine Feehan: Her Carpathian series has won my heart over. I need more!
- Nalini Singh: Read her novels on Guild Hunters and there’s no turning back. A must for every paranormal fiction reader.
- Sandra Hill: Vikings and time travel never felt so good with her books.
- Katie McAlister: Outrageously witty and funny. The Ainsling Gray Chronicles being my favourite
- Elizabeth Lowell: You will love her Historical Western series. Another of Sweeda and my favourite.
- Jude Deveraux: Anything with the Montgomery’s is something that should be read as well as her medieval romances and contemporaries.
- Shirl Henke: Oh how I love how this woman and her writing partner Carol Reynard fuse American History and romance. Its a winning combination.
- Leigh Greenwood: A male romance writer with flair and was once a Romance Novel sceptic. The Seven Bride series will remain on my bookshelf of favourites
- Sherrilyn Kenyon: One of the best for last. Her paranormal novels on the Dark Hunters, Weres/Arcadians, Skoti etc are written with so much passion and downright hilarious humour that it will leave you with a belly ache from too much laughter and a mouth watering sensation as you read about these Hunks in designer. Maybe a few tears along the way as well. I suggest you read it right from the beginning with Kyrian and Amanda’s book then see if you can’t stop falling in love with Acheron.
I think I have embarrassed myself enough (if you have managed to get this far in this mammoth post), although now you should all have at least one or more Author’s novels to hunt down and enjoy.
Happy reading!
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
With a grain of salt...
What’s in a year? Why do we inflate it with all our hate? At least the Ancient Greeks had a goat and attached their woes and so forth to it, ineffectively creating a “Scape goat.” But why do so many people via facebook have to comment on how terrible the past/previous year was. I guess I always get a little curious about how people reflect in the year. You know, the “Oh 2010 is so bad” and “2011 should be so better.” I think that sometimes people put too much of the blame onto situations that have happened, overshading the good stuff. I had my ups and downs in 2010, but all in all it was a good year. I'm actually thankful that I can look back and laugh at what happened.
Exhibit A – my last minute assignment panics. Yes, I am the first to admit that despite being aware that I had an assignment due for 1, 2 and 3 I finished it the night before. But I like the stress. I live for it! It’s an adrenaline rush! The panic – will I finish in time? Have I saved it? What time is it? And voila! That last minute panic mode sends my mind into overdrive producing some of the best work I have produced. Just imagine if I really applied myself. I hated the situation, at the time, and kept mentally shouting at myself for being an idiot for leaving it late. I mean 10pm at night late. The sad thing was that I would give myself a 100 word an hour limit while I watched Flashforward. How sad. How hilariously sad. Suffice to say I passed uni! Last semester I got 3 credits and a distinction. Thank goodness for my photographic memory!
Exhibit B – My Death and Culture (Yes it was a unit at uni and yes I know it has a morbid name) speech. An awesome friend, Lauren, and I had to do a debate on “The funeral industry is completely about profit” with us being the negative team. It’s so hard to write a negative opinion on something that you don’t agree with. Lauren and I did a heap of research and the affirmative team had already met up a few times to discussion their position and strategy. Hello panic mode! Lauren and I managed to pull it together. We were supposed to be 7 minutes and each time I timed myself it came to a total of 8 minutes. Yikes!
Exhibit C – Babysitting my sister’s kids I took my 8 year old nephew and 6 year old niece to the park. After he chucked a hissy-fit he ran off. I walked after him, after collecting all our gear from the park. If you have been to the park in Hurstville on Dora Street near the oval, you will know that the fence around the oval blocks any view of the side street. So I hear tires screeching before I reached the side street and, with someone who is anxious as I, I thought for sure that he was he was kidnapped. I rounded the corner to the street as fast as I could and he wasn’t there! I looked up every frikin tree along the way (as he likes to climb them) and he wasn’t in them. I started shouting his name frantically, with my niece right next to me. I thought for sure he was gone. I knew that my eldest sister would kill me then resurrect me only to kill me again and again. I doubled back to the park as fast as I could and my niece shouted at me telling me he was at the park. He had run around the block or the oval I should say and right back to the park. I walked towards him – not knowing whether to smack his backside or cry. I started to cry. I called my sister and told her to scold him as I started crying. I think more so over the panic of the ordeal. Its something that happened to me in 2010 that I don’t hold against the year. It happened! But it doesn’t mean that the year was a complete toss-bag.
Exhibit D – The mounting of the anxiety, due to my coping methods sent me into overdrive. I have suffered from depression and learned to deal with it, but my old way of coping with life situations – by not dealing with them and holding them off for as long as I can before things start to go BOOM! – really affected me. I wasn’t looking at it as situations of anxiety until I really looked into it and finding coping methods. I got lightheaded like I was going to pass out; restless; hyperventilating; disorientated; etc; etc.
I think that we should assess every year. But don’t look back on it as something to forget or regret. We should live regret free lives and look forward to what is ahead. And STOP PLACING THE BLAME ON THE PAST YEAR!!! From my past experience with depression, its important to note that life is and will always have ups and downs. We shouldn’t be happy or mad all the time, but take each as it goes and with a grain of salt. And us Flavells, well I think more so my Maternal Nana's Taylor family, have a knack for laughing as we look back at deplorable situations. I think they give us a positive aspect on the past because there’s no point in mourning over spilt milk.
I know that I have New Year’s resolutions, which many people seem more than happy to be cynical about but I fulfilled last year’s one. It made me so proud! I got my learner’s license (Yes at the last minute! In December). So this year, I will embrace what the year has installed for me and work towards the goals that I want to achieve. Carpe Diem! Well, for a lady of the night (Meaning I am nocturnal by nature and not a Hooker) Carpe Noctem!
Kakite ano
Exhibit A – my last minute assignment panics. Yes, I am the first to admit that despite being aware that I had an assignment due for 1, 2 and 3 I finished it the night before. But I like the stress. I live for it! It’s an adrenaline rush! The panic – will I finish in time? Have I saved it? What time is it? And voila! That last minute panic mode sends my mind into overdrive producing some of the best work I have produced. Just imagine if I really applied myself. I hated the situation, at the time, and kept mentally shouting at myself for being an idiot for leaving it late. I mean 10pm at night late. The sad thing was that I would give myself a 100 word an hour limit while I watched Flashforward. How sad. How hilariously sad. Suffice to say I passed uni! Last semester I got 3 credits and a distinction. Thank goodness for my photographic memory!
Exhibit B – My Death and Culture (Yes it was a unit at uni and yes I know it has a morbid name) speech. An awesome friend, Lauren, and I had to do a debate on “The funeral industry is completely about profit” with us being the negative team. It’s so hard to write a negative opinion on something that you don’t agree with. Lauren and I did a heap of research and the affirmative team had already met up a few times to discussion their position and strategy. Hello panic mode! Lauren and I managed to pull it together. We were supposed to be 7 minutes and each time I timed myself it came to a total of 8 minutes. Yikes!
Exhibit C – Babysitting my sister’s kids I took my 8 year old nephew and 6 year old niece to the park. After he chucked a hissy-fit he ran off. I walked after him, after collecting all our gear from the park. If you have been to the park in Hurstville on Dora Street near the oval, you will know that the fence around the oval blocks any view of the side street. So I hear tires screeching before I reached the side street and, with someone who is anxious as I, I thought for sure that he was he was kidnapped. I rounded the corner to the street as fast as I could and he wasn’t there! I looked up every frikin tree along the way (as he likes to climb them) and he wasn’t in them. I started shouting his name frantically, with my niece right next to me. I thought for sure he was gone. I knew that my eldest sister would kill me then resurrect me only to kill me again and again. I doubled back to the park as fast as I could and my niece shouted at me telling me he was at the park. He had run around the block or the oval I should say and right back to the park. I walked towards him – not knowing whether to smack his backside or cry. I started to cry. I called my sister and told her to scold him as I started crying. I think more so over the panic of the ordeal. Its something that happened to me in 2010 that I don’t hold against the year. It happened! But it doesn’t mean that the year was a complete toss-bag.
Exhibit D – The mounting of the anxiety, due to my coping methods sent me into overdrive. I have suffered from depression and learned to deal with it, but my old way of coping with life situations – by not dealing with them and holding them off for as long as I can before things start to go BOOM! – really affected me. I wasn’t looking at it as situations of anxiety until I really looked into it and finding coping methods. I got lightheaded like I was going to pass out; restless; hyperventilating; disorientated; etc; etc.
I think that we should assess every year. But don’t look back on it as something to forget or regret. We should live regret free lives and look forward to what is ahead. And STOP PLACING THE BLAME ON THE PAST YEAR!!! From my past experience with depression, its important to note that life is and will always have ups and downs. We shouldn’t be happy or mad all the time, but take each as it goes and with a grain of salt. And us Flavells, well I think more so my Maternal Nana's Taylor family, have a knack for laughing as we look back at deplorable situations. I think they give us a positive aspect on the past because there’s no point in mourning over spilt milk.
I know that I have New Year’s resolutions, which many people seem more than happy to be cynical about but I fulfilled last year’s one. It made me so proud! I got my learner’s license (Yes at the last minute! In December). So this year, I will embrace what the year has installed for me and work towards the goals that I want to achieve. Carpe Diem! Well, for a lady of the night (Meaning I am nocturnal by nature and not a Hooker) Carpe Noctem!
Kakite ano
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)