Another page turned

Yesterday I went to the library and limited myself to checking-out two books, The Hunger Games and The Demigod Files.

I came home at 3:30pm.

It's now 6:24pm the next day, and I have two books to return to the library.
 That's 525 pages in eight hours, I think. And right now all I want to do is tell everyone to be quiet so I can think about them. Ha. Fat chance. I'll write what I think instead....

The Demigod Files

by Rick Riordan

The Demigod Files are a sort of...well... file of short stories and pieces that didn't make it into Riordan's original series Percy Jackson and the Olympians, plus a few bonuses like 'portraits' of some of the characters, character inter views, a map or two, and a few word games sprinkled here and there. In short, a fan guide of sorts.

To be honest I only picked it up at the library because, out of the eleven or so books of R.R.'s {Including the Kane Chronicles which I was endeavoring to get hold of}, that was the only one not checked out already, besides The Lightening Thief. Blast! These summer reading program kids always get the jump on me when it comes to Riordan's works {which happen to be huge bestsellers}. Anyway, I brought home Files because it was something, and the hour and a half it took me to read it was not at all wasted. The shorts were written in the usual humorous fashion that I love about Rick Riordan's hand the most. Though, you could tell that these were 'just for fun' and lacked some of the reality of the original series. But I'm putting it down to lack of polish. I think if he had just taken a little more time with them, perhaps tweaked them here and there, or really edited them, they would have been up to par. But, as it is, all I can say is Good, but not as good as the original, The Lost Hero, or as good as the Kane Chronicles must be...grrmuffmuff.
 So if you see this book in the library and you liked Percy Jackson, heck yeah pick it up. For even though its small and not quite as good as the real thing, its still good. Like almond bark chocolate.

The Hunger Games

by Suzanne Collins

Oh, where to start? It defied my expectations and widened my writer-o-scope on first-person story mode, to say the least.
 I've been hearing recommendations from all over -- ranging from Amazon reviews to bloggers to neighbors to friends. Everyone telling me I should read it. So for the past three months I've been trying to catch it unawares on the YA bookshelves at the library{I never go out and buy a book on recommendations alone - I have to know I'll love it} -- Unsuccessfully. Seems every other teen was camped out for the book as well, and with only one copy it's first come first serve. Well, yesterday it had just been returned. Ha ha! I had it! Though I don't imagine seeing its kin until school resumes.
 So what do I think of it? Hm.
 Writing: Superb. Collins certainly has talent, no question there, and skill, which is equally important.
  Setting: Wonderfully fleshed-out and very real. Almost too. real. Suffice it to say that after reading it and the news, I now have very little faith in the present government. Perhaps this is just a side-affect.
 The characters are beautiful and real, some of the most spot-on human writing I've read in a long time. The scenarios are frightening; the gore just enough to make you feel the gravity of the situation. The sweet endearing moments make you smile, and the playful banter can make you laugh. The whole book is an emotional roller coaster. Which is how it was meant to be and how it should be.
With all this could I have found a new favorite series? Maybe. It will have to work pretty hard to get past  The Books of Pellinor, my all time favorite, but I'd be lying if I said it didn't have a chance. gasp!

There's always something though, isn't there? In the H.G.'s case it was the whole Katniss-Peeta deal for me. I thought it a little over-excessive and felt that it was there mostly for Teen-bait. But the brilliant writing made up for it, I suppose. I might even have to go and buy these books!

Well, until I can get my hands on The Kane Chronicles,

-Gwyn

Finishing what I began Sunday

Alright. Last post I dashed off quite abruptly and so I shall now continue - perhaps with more depth than would have been covered that day - the rest of the update.

  I spoke of Ez and how I'm going to begin working with him - starting tonight! And then was interrupted by a rather large toad. Well, I'm afraid I didn't get any pictures like I promised, we had to let him go and I couldn't find the camera. Drat.On

 Ah, yes! The reason I dashed off: I went to "The Prince of Persia" with two of my friends - one I had seen every day the previous week, and one I had not seen in three years.
 The movie itself wasn't bad, for being based on a video game. It had a story line. The palaces were lovely eye candy, though, Persia wasn't very Persian. And for an empire that existed before the Egyptian rule, they were very advanced, I mean, I had thought that cross-bow weren't invented until around 1070's -1100 A.D. And I had no idea Persia had access to Freisian horses - I breed, might I add, that wasn't developed until{speculated} the 6th century{and that was in Freisland}. Hm.
 However, if you are willing to over look the historical, geographical, and physical errors, and the fact that the Persian prince is played by a British{or American - I can't exactly recall} actor, this movie is quite enjoyable. Chock-full of action and stunts{some rather ridiculous}, ostrich racing{my favorite part btw :D}, impossible weapons, and, in my opinion, a helpless princess; if nothing else, this movie is a great one you can watch with all your history geek friends and ridicule all the inaccuracies :)





My rating: *** three stars
What that means for you: If you see it at the rental store on 99cent Monday go ahead and grab it. If you're wondering whether or not to pay $10 to see it at the cinema - save your money.

On with the rest...

My two cousins just flew in last night and will be here for a month or so{should be awesome!!} So I will not be posting frequently if at all.  My 2nd sister went down to visit them at home and see my 1st sister and help her get situated in her "new surroundings"; She flew up with my cousins and is going to help me start with Ez tonight.

I am also coming up on my 200th post in the very near future and I was thinking of doing a giveaway to celebrate. The only problem is what to giveaway? I don't know how many of you would be interested in a custom horsehair necklace. Anyone? Please comment.



And other than a few trivial things, I think that brings you up to speed on what's been going on and what might:) That's all for now. I must ring my cousins and see about meeting up soon.
   ~Gwyn

{Top Books to Read '09} MUST READS

These are the books that amazed, touched, and transformed the way I see/write and even think in some cases! So therefor MUST READS!

1. The Books of Pellinor{the Naming, The Riddle, The Crow, and The Singing}
A fantasy series by Allison Croggen said by some critics to rival Tolkin's writings! While I wouldn't take it quite that far, she is certainly one of the best fantasy writers of our time

The story follows a girl named Meared as she comes to learn she is a Bard, and not just a Bard, but also the Chosen One said to over throw Sharma{love that name, by the way}, the Dark Lord. But in order to fulfill her destiny, one which she herself is uncertain of, she must unlock the riddles that surround her past, present, and future. She must travel all over Annar in search of the answers, but in a land tearing apart from the strain of war and discord, danger lurks behind every bend of the road.

If you like fantasy, originality, danger, traveling, adventure and all the things that come with it, this book is for you! Simply amazing writing and extreme plot twists that will leave you staring at the page for ten minutes, wondering if you really read that... Even my Mum enjoyed it.
Ages 14+ for fantasy violence and plot line


2. From Baghdad, with love: A Marine, the war, and a dog named Lava
A true story written by Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman with Melinda Roth. This was a real eye-opener to the life of a solider in Iraq. Filled with the raw emotions of a Marine on duty and a ray of hope for human decency in the form of a small stray puppy.

{excerpt from inside cover} When Marines enter an abandoned house in Fallujah, Iraq, and hear a suspicious noise, they clench their weapons, edge around the corner, and prepare to open fire.
What they find during the US-led attack on the "most dangerous city on Earth", however, is not an insurgent bent on revenge, but a tiny puppy left behind when most of the city's population fled before the bombing. Despite military law that forbids the keeping of pets, the Marines de-flea the pup with kerosene, de-worm him with chewing tobacco, and fill him up on Meals Ready To Eat.
Thus begins the dramatic rescue attempt of a dog named Lava and Lava's rescue of at least one Marine, Lt. Col. Jay Kopelman, from the emotional ravages of war.
From hardened Marines to war-time journalists to endangered Iraqi citizens, From Baghdad, With Love tells an unforgettable true story of an unlikely band of heroes who learn unexpected lessons about life, death, and war from a mangy little flea-ridden refugee.
Incredible read; makes me want to help the export of Marine dogs from Iraq and give them all homes.
Ages: Very mature 15+, maybe even older. Was written for adults. So, caution! For very real, slightly graphic violence, strong language, and strong emotion

3. The Hiding Place
Also a true story. By Corrie Ten Boom
Incredible story of a Dutch family who decide to hide and help Jews during WWII. Their faith in God is amazing and changed the way I see many things.
Eventually caught, Corrie and her sister, Betsey, are taken to a concentration camp in Germany, where, against all odds, they continue to bring God's word to others and grow in Him. This story proves beyond measure that no matter how dark times get, God's Light shall shine through, that He is always there and caring for His children.
An incredible story of forgiveness, faith, hope, and thankfulness, this is a book I think everyone needs to read, especially today.
Ages 13+

Like I said before, these are books that i don't just like{there would be far more} but books that changed the way I see or do things, and books I think that need to be shared. :)
Tell me if you've read one of them and what you thought! ~Gwyn