Books ‘N Tunes #7: Trees, Volume #1

Welcome one and all to the next installment of my Books ‘N Tunes Reading Challenge!

I wanted to get this one in before the end of the month, so here we go! Hope y’all enjoy~ ❤

Trees (Volume #1)
by Warren Ellis & Jason Howard

Publisher: Image Publishing Publication Date: February 2015 Format: ebook, ARC Pages: 160 Genre: Graphic Novel, Comics, Fiction, Fantasy, LGBTQUIA / QUILTBAG, Science Fiction, Dystopian, Belonging, Aliens, Paranoia, Social Collapse, Military, Gender and Sexual Identity, Dark Fiction, Social Constructs, Morality, (Self) Identity, Corruption

Age: YA / Adult Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Provided by NetGalley Challenges: 2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (62), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, 2015 LGBT Reading Challenge (VARIOUS), Read A Million Pages, Books N Tunes, 105 Reading Challenge (Category: 1, 2, 3, 4, 10), 2015 New To You Reading Challenge (Brand New Series), NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge, 2015 Graphic Novel and Comic Reading Challenge

SUMMARY

(synopsis taken from GoodReads)

Ten years after they landed. All over the world. And they did nothing, standing on the surface of the Earth like trees, exerting their silent pressure on the world, as if there were no-one here and nothing under foot.

Ten years since we learned that there is intelligent life in the universe, but that they did not recognize us as intelligent or alive.

Summarize in a word?:
ZEFUCK.

RATING
4 / 4.5 STARS!

THOUGHTS & REVIEW

Oh… that was so messed up, but DAMN was it good!

Okay, so this one collects issues 1-8 in a single volume, and THANK GOODNESS FOR THAT. I don’t think I would have understood a single thing if I had to read it piece by pieces.

Tress takes place all over the world: militant China, a research facility in Svalbard, Somalia, the slums of Italy, what’s left of New York, and so much more. Each place has its own set of problems and unique characters that all add to the overall story and the cryptic message.

Why are the Trees here? Are they alive? Do they think? And if they do… what do they think of us pathetic humans scurrying around beneath them?

Another question: Can they communicate with us? And if they can… have they been doing so all along? Were we just too deaf, dumb, and blind to see… to listen… to respond back? And what will they do if we take too long to respond?

My biggest issue with Trees was the pacing — which is SLOW AS FUCK. You’ll have to have patience while reading this one, but by the end of the 8th issue, you’ll definitely being gasping for some of the twisted turn of events that take place. It also leaves us on one HECK of a cliffhanger, so this is my main reasoning for only giving the comic 4, MAYBE 4.5 Stars.

Also some seriously depressing shit happens towards the end that had my mouth hanging open for days because of how… graphic and heart-wrenching it was.

SO ONCE AGAIN – NOT A PERFECT 5.

As to any warnings I would give…

Some sexual content, vulgar language, violent imagery and the like. You know… the usual. Some major character deaths as well. :<

Would I recommend?

Oh yeah. Although I still hold to the belief that it would be better if whoever reads it was able to do so along with volume 2 (which I haven’t read yet, but anticipate to be just as good if not better than the first).

SONG & LYRICS

1. System of a Down – Toxicity

~LYRICS IN THE SONG THAT RESONATE STRONGEST~
( Pfft~ You mean, all of them? XD )

Conversion, software version 7.0
Looking at life through the eyes of a tire hub

Eating seeds as a pastime activity
The toxicity of our city, of our city

New, what do you own the world?
How do you own disorder, disorder
Now, somewhere between the sacred silence, sacred silence and sleep
Somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep
Disorder, disorder, disorder

More wood for their fires, loud neighbours
Flashlight reveries caught in the headlights of a truck

Eating seeds as a pastime activity
The toxicity of our city, of our city

New, what do you own the world?
How do you own disorder, disorder
Now, somewhere between the sacred silence, sacred silence and sleep
Somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep
Disorder, disorder, disorder

New, what do you own the world?
How do you own disorder
Now, somewhere between the sacred silence, sacred silence and sleep
Somewhere between the sacred silence and sleep
Disorder, disorder, disorder

When I became the sun
I shone life into the man’s hearts
When I became the sun
I shone life into the man’s hearts

 

Reason for choosing this song

System of a Down’s, Toxicity  just seemed to capture the corruption and disorder of the world at large after the landing of the “Trees.”

I wouldn’t say the song is from the POV of any one character. I think it can be split between the different POVs that we see in the comic… The different cities, and the different states and levels of disarray, confusion, and disorder that’s proliferating the many cities’ walls, and furthermore corrupting the people within.

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Book Haul: …Which Is Bigger Than Big Because It’s Two Month’s Worth (Aha… ha)

Book Haul mania, guys! Truthfully, I wish I could say I’ve gotten the chance to read through most of these already… but, in fact, I’ve barely looked at them since purchasing/being gifted/winning/ requesting/or otherwise receiving them. 8D

As the title suggests, this haul is extra, EXTRA large because it’s a compilation of this month AND last month’s haul. (Maybe even a bit of the month before??? IDK WOW I’M SO BEHIND HAHAHAhaha… ehh… crap.)

Nevertheless, here we are! 😀

Definitely lemme know if any of them catch your eye or if you’ve read any of these titles yourself. I get the feeling that most of these are going to be pretty good-if-not-FAN-FRIGGIN-TASTIC-ONES, so I’d love to get some feedback if you’ve read and enjoyed ’em. (Or if you hated ’em, tell me why!)

As always , the links will take you to their GoodReads or NetGalley page, so if you’re interested, click away to read the description~~

 

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PURCHASED

Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe by Benjamin Alire Sáenz
None of the Above by I.W. Gregorio
The Five Stages of Andrew Brawley by Shaun Hutchinson
Running With The Wind (Mermen of Ea, #3) by Shira Anthony
A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness
The King of Forever (Scarlet and the White Wolf, #4) by Kirby Crow
A Boy And His Dragon (Beings In Love, #2) by R. Cooper
The Fangirl’s Guide to the Galaxy by Sam Maggs, Kelly Bastow (Illustrator)
The Legend of the Ditto Twins by Jerry Douglas
The Brothers Bishop by Bart Yates

FOR REVIEW or ARCs

Alien

Another Day (Every Day, #2) by David Levithan
The Dinosaur Lords (The Dinosaur Lords, #1) by Victor Milan
Penn’s Woodland by David Connor
The Long Journey Home by Cassandra Pierce
The Homecoming by J. Scott Coatsworth
Dangerous Concoctions (Curvy Assignments, #2) by Victoria Bright
Everything You And I Could Have Been If We Weren’t You And I (Todo Lo Que Podriamos Haber Sido Tu Y Yo Si No Fueramos Tu Y Yo)  by Albert Espinosa
Hunter of Demons (SPECTR, #1) by Jordan L. Hawk
A Neophyte’s Tale (Netherwalker, #.05) by CK Dawn
The Dragon’s Curse by Victoria Zagar
The Crying Game by Kol Anderson
Alien Love by Stan Schatt
A Boy Called Cin by Cecil Wilde
Misery’s Way: A Kit Colbana World Story (Colbana Files #4.5) by J. C. Daniels
The King’s Sword by C. J. Brightley
Prodigal (The Lost Imperials #2) by Tyler Jolley &Sherry D. Ficklin
Scarred Souls by T. T. Kove
Seventh by Rachel White
The Harem Master (Tales of Tavamara, #3) by Megan Derr
Stormbringer (Book of Wyrd, #2) by Alis Franklin
The Australian by Lesley Young
Lilliput by Sam Gayton, Alice Ratteree (Illustrator)
Picturing The Apocalypse by Natasha & Anthony O’Hear
Archimedes Nesselrode by Justine Graykin
Saronna’s Gift by Carmen Webster Buxton
The Society of the Preservation of C. J. Henderson
Corrupts Absolutely?: Dark Metahuman Fiction edited by Lincoln Crisler
Transcendence by Danielle Ackley-McPhail
Earthrise (Her Instruments, #1) by M.C.A. Hogarth
Cold Faith by Shaune Lafferty Webb
It’s Like This by Anne O’Gleadra
Like Stolen Pearl by Talya Andor
Drifter Volume 1: Out of the Night by Ivan Brandon
Twisted Dark, Volume 1 by Neil Gibson
Twisted Dark, Volume 2 by Neil Gibson
Twisted Dark, Volume 3 by Neil Gibson
Wayward, Vol. 1: String Theory by Jim Zub
Behind Story (Volume #1) by Narae Ahn
October Faction Volume 1 (October Faction, #1) by Steve Niles
A Glance Backward by Tony Sandoval
Let’s Eat Ramen and Other Doujinshi Short Stories by Nagumo
Spread, Vol. 1: No Hope by Justin Jordan
Robert Heinlein’s Citizen of the Galaxy by Robert Lazaro

GIVEAWAY WINNINGS

 

Omorphi (Hope, #1) by C. Kennedy

GIFTED / FREE / TRADED 

Soulless by T. Baggins
The Mussel Eater by Octavia Cade
In Her Head, In Her Eyes by Yukimi Ogawa
Hunting Monsters by S. L. Huang

MANGA
Ten Count [1] [2] by Rihito Takarai
Dia Game by Kotora Byaku
Tsume to Toge by Tooko Miyagi
HAL by Makano Aoi
Dramatical Murder 1 by Nitro+CHiRAL
Ai to Kairaku no Jouken by Kanda Neko
Shuuten Unknown [1] [2] by Sugiura Shiho
Torikago Syndrome [1] [2] by Samamiya Akaza
5 CATS by Amatu Risa
Sakabu no Oujisama by Shushushu Sakurai
Karen by Yamada Shiro & Kaoru Iwamoto

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A big thanks to all the publishers and authors for these proofs and galleys!

Quote of the Day: “Life is not a matter of holding good cards…”

“Life is not a matter of holding good cards, but of playing a poor hand well.”

— Robert Louis Stevenson

[Reckless Beat & Song of the Day] Muse – Reapers

RECKLESS BEATS is a musical feature where I incorporate a little music into this bookish blog.

Got a new song from Muse today from their new album, Drones!

Personally I’m rating the songs like this:

1. Dead Inside
2. Reapers
3. Mercy
4. The Handler
5. Psycho

Those who have heard the album, whaddya think?

Here’s Reapers~

meet the blogger : issue #6 (Would You Rather Book Tag)

I found this tag on Analee’s blog, Book Snacks, and decided to do it for my meet the blogger feature this week. Enjoy!

“Rules” are as follows:

MEET THE BLOGGER is a new feature I’m doing here on Reckless Indulgence to allow readers to get to know their bloggers (and, for me, mostly to pass the time). I always do a lot of surveys/meme-quiz things and then never post them anywhere. I figured, it would be fun to have a little section on my blog just for that purpose! Sometimes the questions will be specifically related to the topic of this blog. Other times… not so much.

This is more an exercise for me to try socializing with others than anything else. XD An avenue for discussion, if you will. You can definitely run with this meme on your own blogs. I have no problem whatsoever with that and would enjoy seeing your answers to the questions I post and answer myself! Just tag your post  with the words: MEET THE BLOGGER and then link back to any of my meet the blogger posts so I can see what you wrote!

meet the blogger: would you rather…

1. Read only trilogies or stand alones?

Hmm… difficult question to answer. I think right now I’d prefer stand alones. Granted – I love trilogies and series and all that, but I’d prefer not to be locked into series, especially if it’s going to be the ONLY thing I can read.

2. Read only female or male authors?

UM. There are other genders out there of authors so this question is irrelevant! Yeah, kay. 8D (But if I really must choose between the two then… I still wouldn’t care. Either one’s fine by me. I don’t judge a book by its writer.)

3. Shop at Barnes & Noble or Amazon?

B&N can go choke on themselves. >( I’ve had such horrible experiences in that store and with their employees… if it weren’t for the fact that I love ALL bookstores equally, I’d never set foot inside this one again. (Also, were it not for the fact that B&N is THE ONLY decent sized bookstore chain around my area in a 50-100 mile radius…)

Amazon is my main squeeze and probably always will be. (Although their prices are starting to get a bit ridiculous…) We go waay back. Before them was the ultimate of all bookstores: Borders. ❤

Ahhh, Borders…. How I miss thee!

Rest your soul, dearest friend. *wipes non-existent tear from eye*

4. All books become movies or t.v. shows?

Probably movies. I think there’s too much room for people reinterpreting a book the wrong way or adding too much and making it drawn out and crappy with TV shows. TV shows need scripts and all that. Maybe if it was a book series being turned into a TV show, that might work? But ALL BOOKS? Regardless of them being standalones, shorties, or otherwise? Naw. Not happening. Make ’em into movies. They’ll rock out nicely. And worse case scenario? If the book’s a long one, you cut it into PART 1 and PART 2, or make it into a trilogy or something.

5. Read 5 pages per day or 5 books per week?

5 books per week, obviously~ Can you imagine only reading 5 pages a day? I’d go nuts.

6. Be a professional reviewer or author?

OUCH! Can’t choose between the two! I love writing and reviewing books. I’d have to do both!

7. Only read your top 20 favourite books over and over or always read new ones that you haven’t read before?

Always read new ones. My reasoning behind this one is simple: once you’ve read a book, it’s always with you. And especially if it’s a favourite? That book will live on forever inside your imagination. No need to re-read it a million times. Also – reading new things feeds your intellectual hunger and keeps it satisfied.

8. Be a librarian or book seller?

Librarian! Hands down~ I didn’t go and get my MLIS or nothing!

9. Only read your favourite genre, or every genre except your favourite?

My favourite genreS (yes – that’s right! I’ve got more than one. 😛 ) There is more than enough variety in my favourite genres (even in just one of them) to keep me satisfied for a lifetime and beyond. ❤

10. Only read physical books or eBooks

Oho… that’s a tough one. I’ve been reading more a more ebooks lately (for work, for pleasure) and I can get them cheaper than physical books, which is also good. But my first love will always, always, ALWAYS be physical books, so that’s gonna have to be my choice!

I tag the next 10 of my followers:

1. John @ Write Me A Book, John!
2. CK @ CK’S Reading Corner
3. Lola @ Hit Or Miss Books
4. Yvo @ It’s All About Books
5. Cody @ Cody Kennedy, Author
6. Hannah G @ Things Matter
7. Bookwraiths
8. Shelleyrae @ Book’d Out
9. Anna @ Books For The Trees
10. Anastasia @ Read Or Die

Feel free to ignore, if you want! I’d love to hear your answers, so if you do this tag, comment below with a link to your post!If you choose to do this tag though, I’d love to read your answers!

[Book Review] As Spring Rain

As Spring Rain

Valentina Heart

What rating would you give it?
1.5 of 5 Stars

Give us a summary.

(Taken from Goodreads)

Michael only wants for his twin brother to be safe as he picks one bad boyfriend after another, never even lingering on the thought of loving Michael the way Michael loves him.

All Gabriel wants is Michael, each morning when he faces the day, and each night when he pulls a stranger’s face in for a kiss instead of the one he wants the most.

Fixing Gabriel’s boyfriend problems is a way of life for Michael, but what he doesn’t know happens behind closed doors, where Gabriel welcomes each kick or hit, and where he numbs his pain with the sharp edge of a razorblade.

Can they find a solution to their situation and make both of them happy?

What did you think of the book?

I decide to round up only because… well… ugh… Story wasn’t utterly horrible, but everything else was.

This was really bad. I mean, I understand it was a short story, but… this is ridiculous. So much went wrong, it isn’t even funny. And not to mention the writing. It was… *rubs at eyeballs and tries to erase image of horrible writing from my mind* I just want to forget the last half hour of my life ever happened.

This is how NOT to write a twincest book.

NEVER. AGAIN.

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

There is SO MUCH to warn my readers away from. How about this? JUST STAY AWAY FROM THE BOOK COMPLETELY.

The end.

Look, see? I’m smiling.

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

Tons and tons, hah ha~

• 2015 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• You Read How Many Books?
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks
• Read A Million Pages
• 105 Reading Challenge (Categories: 1, 3, 4)
• 2015 New To You Reading Challenge (Brand New Book & New Author To Me)
• 2015 LGBT Challenge (MM – incest between twins)
• NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge

Would you recommend this book?

DEFINITELY NOT. I just don’t know how a book could go so wrong. Really. I get the idea behind most of what happens in this book, but it’s just done in such a… fucking ridiculous manner that it all came across as some sort of twisted, demented, sick thing when it shouldn’t be. I get it. One brother wants the other, but in no way does it need to go down LIKE THAT just to get across the idea that he’s tormented by his feelings. Furthermore, who the fuck FUCKS SOMEONE “LOVINGLY” after finding them BLEEDING ALL OVER THE BATHROOM FLOOR in attempted suicide/trying to hurt and punish themselves? HUH? WHO THE HELL DOES THAT?!

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: Silver Publishing Publication Date: October 2012 Format: ebook, e-ARC Pages: 85 Genre & Themes: Novella / Novelette, Romance, Contemporary, Dark Fiction, Twincest,  Incest, Attempted Suicide, Self Mutilation, Cutting, QUILTBAG / LGBTQUIA

Age: Adult Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Provided by NetGalley Challenge:  2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (27), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, Read A Million Pages, 105 Reading Challenge, 2015 New To You Reading Challenge, NetGalley & Edelweiss Reading Challenge, 2015 LGBT Reading Challenge

Tour: Guest Post & GIVEAWAY — Burnt Edges: Strength can emerge in the most horrific circumstances…

Welcome to my stop on for the Burnt Edges tour!  

Today, we have a guest post from the author herself on how to write through your pain, especially when writing something so personal.  We also have a rafflecopter giveaway, so be sure to scroll down and check them out! 😉

Title: Burnt Edges
Author: Dana Leipold
Publisher: Booktrope
Publication Date: June 2015
Genre: Women’s Fiction

Familiar abuse or an uncertain future? Which would you choose?

This is Laurel Lee Page’s dilemma when she is faced with an unplanned pregnancy at nineteen. Born into a broken family, guilt and shame are all she has ever known. No matter what she does or whom she meets, Laurel appears to be living a condemned life. However, she is determined to find independence and freedom in spite of her family’s legacy of hatred and self-contempt.

Set in Southern California during the tumultuous 1960’s, Burnt Edges is a contemporary novel based on true events that prove strength can emerge in the most horrific of circumstances.

Amazon ~ Barnes & Nobles ~ Goodreads

Guest Post:

Writing Through The Pain

by Dana Leipold

 

When people read my book, Burnt Edges, they have two reactions:

“Whoa, this is tough to read,” or, “How did you write about this without going into a depression?”

Writing about abuse is difficult—whether it is your own or someone else’s. In my case, the story is about my mother and the abuse she suffered as a child from both parents. And it’s the worst kind of abuse you can imagine: incest. Not to say that any other forms of abuse aren’t awful. Abuse is horrific. No matter what form it takes.

To answer the question how did I write about it without letting it drag me under is more difficult than I can articulate. It DID drag me under, and for most of my life. Writing about it was the final act of healing for me. As I wrote the more difficult scenes I had to take breaks. It was important to step away and clear my head. And I’m not done writing about it either. There is another book I’m working on now that follows the story from another perspective.

Since I did not experience the abuse, I had to understand it in order to make it real.

The way I made it authentic was by interviewing my mom. She was very open and willing to talk to me about the details. Because of this, I wasn’t afraid to ask questions that seemed awkward or difficult. The book became a way for me to understand my mother in a deeper way. And I learned a lot.

See, abuse doesn’t just affect the victim. It affects everyone the victim comes into contact for the rest of his or her life. It seeps into the crevices of the victims’ DNA and becomes a part of who they are and who they will be so when that person tries to form relationships, the abuse is there. That is the story I am telling about my mother’s life and my life.

I was lucky that my mom was so open to this process and wasn’t afraid of allowing me to tell her part of the story that inevitably weaved into mine. She still suffers from the effects of the abuse but has come a long way from where she used to be, we both have. I have gone from feeling responsible for saving her to resentful and angry to finally accepting who she is and how she deals with life.

Writing this story is difficult but it is the best thing I’ve ever done to help both me and my mom move on.

AUTHOR BIO:

Dana Leipold is an author and member of the Association of Independent Authors. Her debut novel, Burnt Edges, depicts the unwavering resilience of a young woman in the face of family violence and abuse.

She has self-published two other books: a collection of limericks in Dr. Seuss-style for adults entitled, Stupid Poetry: The Ultimate Collection of Sublime and Ridiculous Poems, and a non-fiction book entitled, The Power of Writing Well: Write Well. Change the World.

Leipold lives with her husband and two children in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter

 

GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway

This tour was organized by Good Tales Book Tours!

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Disney Song Tag

Hullo y’all! 🙂 So… I saw this over at Stephanie’s Book Reviews AGES ago, and wanted to do it – but didn’t have the time. XD I STILL don’t have the time, but I really wanted to get this one on my blog, so here it is!

Feel free to grab it and post it on your blog as well. I’d love it if you’d link back or comment with a link to your post if you do decide to fill it out. I’m curious about what you’re answers will be. 😉

 

1. A Whole New World- What is your favorite newest fantasy series?

Huh. I guess I really haven’t been reading any series this year. Mostly sticking to oneshot, stand-alone books. I DID NOT REALIZE THIS. WHO’DA THUNK? But, uh… hmm… lesse… Probably Shuuten Unknown by Sugiura Shiho as the NEWEST fantasy series, and Sumeria’s Sons by Lexi Ander as the newest REPRINT fantasy series thus far. 🙂

 2. Part of You World- What book world would you like to live in? 

Well it’s more a universe as there are several books all tied into it, but… The Winter Haven Universe. It has books like The Fell/The Erl-King, Winter Haven Country Club, The Pact/Dunhaven, The Artifact, and so many others. So… yeeeahh.

The other book world I would most emphatically want to live in the Middle Earth universe from Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings series. That’s always been the dream. ❤

3. Let it Go- What book/series do you wish everyone would stop talking about?

Fifty Shades series. Just give it a rest people! It’s not even that interesting! Furthermore, WHHHHY is everyone going on and on about it as though it’s the greatest thing since sliced bread???

4. When You Wish Upon a Star- What book or series do you wish you could have more of?

AHAHA SO MANY! 😀 WELL, actually a few series I have wanted more of for AGES are actually getting more books published either this year or next, so I really have no complaints. xD Tis ALL good news. ❤ Some of them right off the top of my head are:

1. Scarlet and the White Wolf series (BOOK 4 IS ALREADY ON PREORDER!!!!!)
2. Splintered series (There’s going to be a fourth book, sorta… don’t know what to call Untamed. Coming out NEXT YEAR or possibly CHRISTMAS of THIS YEAR????)
3. The Mermen of Ea (FINAL BOOK IN THE TRILOGY IS OUT AND THERE’S A POSSIBILITY FOR MORE???????? 😀 😀 😀 😀 😀 )

On top of that, I started a new series earlier this year, which I was super pleased to here WAS a series (since I only read a short novelette and wasn’t sure if there was more). Love, love, LOVE this speculative fiction-fantasy series (The Three Lands).

Of course, there are some books I’ll always want (and not want) more of that will undoubtedly remain sequel-less.

1. The Left Hand of Darkness by Ursula K Le Guin
2. Let Dai series by Sooyeon Won
3. The God Eaters by Jesse Hajicek
4. Details of the Hunt by Laura Baumbach
5. The Merro Tree by Katie Waitman
6. The Elf and Shoemaker by M.L. Rhodes
7. Psionic Frequency (duology, I guess??) by Lexi Andor
8. One Thousand and One Nights series (I REALLY want more to that series. :<)
9. And weirdly — CLAYMORE! I mean… that’s just one of those series that was NEVER SUPPOSED TO END. I’m horrified each month when I don’t get another chapter installment. It’s like I’m going insane.

5. Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious- What is the longest book you have read?

Uhh, I’d say… probably Les Miserables or The Count of Monto Cristo? Or maybe A Storm of Swords? That one was pretty long… There are others, but yeah! Those are probably among the longest! XD

And then I’ve read a lot of 800-rangers like A Game of Thrones, Dhalgren, Wraeththu, Dune, and so many others. I don’t think Moby Dick was longer than any of those though, but I did read that one too, and it was a doozy.

But yeah! I figure any of those might be among my top contenders. 🙂

6. Hakuna Matata- What book could you read over and over without a care in the world?

Hmm… that’s actually difficult to say. Maybe…. Always Masked by Megan Derr?? That’s another one I really, really, REALLY wish we had more books to. ://///

7. A Spoonful of Sugar- What couple has the sweetest relationship?

….aha…. yeah I’m not gonna touch that one with a ten-foot pole.

8. You Got a Friend in Me- Who are the best “best friends?”

The main characters from 19 DAYS!! XDD They’re ridiculous and make me wish I had a friend that absurd just to make my days THAT MUCH MORE INTERESTING. Pfftt~

9. Zero to Hero- What character wasn’t expected to be a hero?

Uhh… I can’t think of any off the top of my head. (Also I generally don’t go into any book/series with expectations like that. It’s only when the author really throws something at us like turning a COMPLETE VILLAIN into a hero that I’m like, “Huh… well that was surprising/stupid/wtf.”)

10. You’ll Be in My Heart- What Character death made you cry the most?

WELL OBVIOUSLY THIS SECTION WILL HAVE SPOILERS, SO DON’T READ IF YOU DON’T WANT TO BE SPOILED FOR ANIMORPHS and THE WILD ROAD by Gabriel King.

I don’t cry over… well… anything. I mentally cry for them or something. And probably the one character I really went batshit crazy over when I was younger was Rachel from Animorphs and later on Three of Sorrow from The Wild Road. That shit was mad upsetting, BECAUSE I AM STILL UPSET ABOUT IT TO THIS DAY. 😦 😦 😦 😦 😦 😦 😦

[Mini Book Review] The History of the World in 1,000 Objects

History of the World in 1,000 Objects

DK Publishing

What rating would you give it?
5 of 5 Stars

Give us a summary.

(Taken from Goodreads)

From the watch Napoleon used to synchronize with his generals at Waterloo and Chinese David vases believed to be the oldest example of blue and white porcelain to the US Constitution and the Mayan Dresden codex, the oldest book written in the Americas, History of the World in 1,000 Objects provides a completely fresh perspective on the history of the world.

With objects revealing how our ancestors lived, what they believed and valued, and how these items helped shape civilization, History of the World in 1,000 Objects contains a treasure trove of human creativity from earliest cultures to the present day. Objects are grouped chronologically, under key themes, from art to the history of technology, and together help paint a unique picture that provides detailed insight into each culture.

In addition to stunning specially-commissioned photographs, History of the World in 1,000 Objects is packed with timelines and maps that make it easy to compare how people lived at different times and in different parts of the world.

What did you think of the book?

Absolutely LOVED this book! It’s visually stunning, intellectually fascinating… a perfect gift for any history buff or curious learner!

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

BE PREPARED FOR GORGEOUSNESS ON EVERY. SINGLE. PAGE. Your eyes and mind might just be blown sky-high.

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

A couple. The usual.

• 2015 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• You Read How Many Books?
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks
• Read A Million Pages
• 105 Reading Challenge (Categories: 7)
• 2015 New To You Reading Challenge

Would you recommend this book?

Oh most certainly~!

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: DK Publishing Publication Date: September 2014 Format: Hardcover Pages: 480 Genre & Themes: History, Non Fiction, Illustrated Books, Photography, Microhistory, Reference, Encyclopedia / Dictionary, Guide books

Age: Adult Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Bought Challenge:  2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (??), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, Read A Million Pages, 105 Reading Challenge, 2015 New To You Reading Challenge

[Book Review] The Authorized Ender Companion

The Authorized Ender Companion

Orson Scott Card (creator), Jake Black (writer)

What rating would you give it?
2.5 of 5 Stars

Give us a summary.

(Taken from Goodreads)

The Authorized Ender Companion is a complete and in-depth encyclopedia of all the persons, places, things and events in Orson Scott Card’s Ender Universe.  Written by Jake Black under the editorial supervision of Card himself, The Authorized Ender Companion will be an invaluable resource for readers of the series.

If you ever wondered where Ender went after he left Earth, before he arrived at Lusitania, you’ll find the answer here.  If you ever wondered how the battle room worked, you’ll find the answer here.   If you forgot the names of the people who discovered the Descolada, the answer is here.  The history of Gloriously Bright’s world?  Here.

The Authorized Ender Companion contains all that and more. There are character biographies, time-lines, colony histories, and family trees.

What did you think of the book?

Eh… it was okay. I don’t really have much else to say about it. It’s not nearly as awesome as the synopsis describes. I picked it up solely for the purpose of reference material for a book I was working on at the time. Furthermore, I thought it would be a good idea to have a guidebook for the Ender series on my shelves for that once in a blue moon situation where I forget something and want a quick look-up.

In truth, the book wasn’t half as spectacular as it should have been. Most guidebooks I’ve read are simply fabulous.

This one, was not.

Any warnings you wish to make for your readers?

None particularly.

Does it count towards any reading challenges?

A couple. The usual.

• 2015 GoodReads Reading Challenge
• You Read How Many Books?
• 52 Books in 52 Weeks
• Read A Million Pages
• 105 Reading Challenge (Categories: 7)

Would you recommend this book?

Probably not, unless you were looking for a reference book specifically for the Ender game. But even so, I would say go borrow it from the library or something. Don’t pay for it. It’s not worth it.

Reviewed by AMS (amomentsilence)

Publisher: Tor Books Publication Date: November 2009 Format: Hardcover Pages: 432 Genre & Themes: Science Fiction, Reference, Fiction, Encyclopedia / Dictionary, Guide books

Age: Adult Reviewer: AMS (amomentsilence) Source: Bought Challenge:  2015 Good Reads Reading Challenge (??), 52 Books in 52 Weeks, You Read How Many Books?, Read A Million Pages, 105 Reading Challenge