I Heart Monster

Happy 100th Birthday, Arizona!

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Tue, 14 Feb 2012 10:53:00 +0000

ONE HUNDRED years ago, Arizona was granted statehood in the United States of America. Being that my family had already settled these here parts long before statehood (I'm a fifth generation Arizonan), I feel a strong connection to the state I call home. So I thought that in honor of my favorite state, I'd share some of my favorite things about it and places in it. Here are a few highlights:

THE GRAND CANYON

It's perhaps what our awesome state is best known for, being one of the seven natural wonders of the world and all. Dude, it's right up there with Mount Everest and it's only 5 hours from my front door. I've been several times, and my favorite part is not the new fancy skywalk, but that every time I go, even if it's the same time of day, the colors and experiences are different. They're amazing. And I can truly, honestly say that I ♥ this place.

[Photo: Grand Canyon NPS]

FACT: It's illegal to harm a saguaro in Arizona. Doing so can carry a fine of more than $10,000 and a jail term of up to 25 years.

ARAVAIPA

Monster and I have only been here a couple of times because it's a protected riparian area in Southeast Arizona, but I've loved it both times we've gone. It's gorgeous. It's protected by The Nature Conservancy. And it's one of the few places I have successfully communed with wild water and not had a panic attack. And that's only ever ever happened in Arizona. (I'm like three-quarters hydrophobic)

[Photo:me]

FACT: It's also illegal to refuse anyone a glass of water.

OREGANO'S

A local chain of Italian restaurants that Monster and I and my grandma love. I was introduced to the restaurants through work, and no one I've taken has ever not liked it. We eat there at least one time a month, and my favorite dish is the Pablo Picasso Salad (Junior) 'cause I can't finish a full-size.

[Photo: yelp.com]

FACT: The state reptile is the Arizona Ridge-Nosed Rattlesnake. I've never seen one. In fact, I've only ever seen ONE rattlesnake in all of my outdoor activities, and it was a Western Diamondback. Arizona has thirteen species.

SUPERSTITION MOUNTAINS

I'm decidedly a mountain person. I hate the beach. And for seven and a half years, I lived in the foothills of the Superstition Mountains. I've spent too many hours to count hiking through these trails (my favorite is Massacre Falls) and probably just as many sitting on a rock on the side of a trail reading a book. I love these mountains and I love the lores and legends that accompany them. While I'm happy that I moved back to the city for many many reasons, the only thing I miss is seeing snow on these in March and watching the sunset over them out my front window each evening.

[Photo: me]

FACT: There are 26 units of the National Parks Service in Arizona.

MESA ARIZONA TEMPLE

Regardless of your religious affiliation, the Mesa, Arizona LDS Temple is a gorgeous place. It's where Monster proposed to me. And I've spent hundreds of hours by its reflection pool pondering life and meditating. I love the Christmas lights and love the beauty it brings to my hometown.

[Photo: lds.org]

FACT: Pluto (that thing out there we used to call a planet) was discovered at Lowell Observatory in Flagstaff.

SUPERSTITION RANCH MARKET

It's my favorite place to shop for produce. It's dirt cheap. Like I bought apples there on Saturday for 25¢ a pound. And the week before that I bought strawberries for 2 lbs. for a buck. Cilantro was five bunches for a buck this time and lettuce was three heads for a dollar for romaine and redleaf, and iceberg was 25¢ a head. Get the picture? Love me some Ranch Market.

FACT: Taser International, Cold Stone Creamery, P.F. Changs, and Ticketmaster were all founded in Arizona.

CHANGING HANDS BOOKSTORE

It's not Arizona's only Indie bookstore, it's Arizona's most awesome. The staff is supremely helpful and they all love love love what they do. Not that employees at other bookstores don't, but man, it feels like I've got a friend and a place to adore when I head into Changing Hands. It's just not the same at the others. And their events are the bomb diggity, yo.

FACT: Arizona has haboobs. We don't call them that though. We call them dust storms. But you really are driving down the road and see a wall of dust and sand coming at you from the right. It's not just in movies like The Mummy. And I've had the pitted windshields to prove it. But I'll take haboobs and heat over earthquakes, tsunamis, hurricanes and tornadoes any day.

KARTCHNER CAVERNS

Just to the east of Tucson lies these caves that were kept a very close secret until they were acquired by Arizona State Parks and developed by them. The result? Pristine cave formations without graffiti, that are still very much alive and very much jaw-droppingly awesome. You have to plan well in advance to get your tickets, but man, it's totally worth it.

FACT: We might reek of desert, but Arizona is home to the largest Ponderosa Pine forest on the continent, stretching from the White Mountains past Flagstaff.

BEYOND BREAD

When Monster and I spend a day in Tucson, it's never without at least one stop to Beyond Bread, a small Tucson chain. They have the most delicious sandwiches. And the sticky buns? They're ridic. Seriously. And it's the only standing exception to my "I Hate Brie" rule 'cause they just know what to pair it with and how much to use to make it oh so yummy instead of oh so ew.

FACT: Arizona claims three of the 50 largest cities in the nation: Phoenix (#6), Tucson (#33), and Mesa (#38).

I hope you enjoyed this little bit of me, this little bit of culture from my home state and my little tribute to the place I call home. I'm so wholeheartedly happy that I can call Arizona home and hope it continues to be an incredible place to live for at least another hundred years. And with that, I'll leave you with a couple of lists. Happy Birthday, Arizona!

AWESOME ARIZONANS

Sandra Day O'Connor: first female member of the Supreme Court

Frank Lloyd Wright: totally dope architect

Jimmy Eat World: a band from my hometown, Mesa

YA Author like Jillian Cantor, Tom Levine, J.S. Lewis, Lisa McMann, James A. Owen, Janette Rallison, Janie Lee Simner and of course that Stephenie Meyer chick. (no means a complete list)

AWESOME ARIZONA EVENTS

And since you made it this far, we're giving away a $20 Changing Hands gift card in honor of Arizona's birthday. Enter the rafflecopter below:

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Shakespeare Originated Phrases

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:56:00 +0000

This is for all the Shakespeare haters out there - people who think that he didn't really have any influence on modern-day English speakers. I daresay there's not a person I know who hasn't said one of these phrases this week. Saw this on Pinterest and just HAD to share with you bookish peeps.

Via Pinterest via Tumblr

ARC: Freshman Year and Other Unnatural Disasters by Meredith Zeitlin [Giveaway]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:12:00 +0000

Hey so... ARC Giveaway. Clap your hands! Scream for joy! Meredith Zeitlin's FRESHMAN YEAR AND OTHER UNNATURAL DISASTERS could. be. yours. Just fill out the Rafflecopter below for your chance. Open internationally, my lovelies. ♥

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I Hate You, Kelly Donahue by Mark Svartz [Book Inspection] [Giveaway]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 19:01:00 +0000

Plot Sketch: Mark has seen Kelly Donahue and used this journal to plot her demise. He forges a relationship with her so he can get to know her better and make her death a reality. He goes to extreeeeme lengths in the relationship to get to know her well enough to plot the best way to kill her.

Verdict: For those of us who trend toward the morbid for our humor, I Hate You, Kelly Donahue is as enjoyable as crepes. With Nutella. And powdered sugar. Even though I was ready for bed and just curious what the inside looked like when I picked it up, I couldn't put it down, or stop laughing, until I finished. Fifteen minutes later I was wondering when I could get another glimpse into the demented and hilarious mind of Mark Svartz, and if there'd be another edition, Die, Beth Erikson, Die?

It's spiral bound, with a stiff cover - stiffer than your average notebook, but not as rigid as a hardcover journal. It's got full-color pages on both sides with drawings and pictures and even metro cards. Okay, only one metro card. That's gotta pique your interest, right? The whole thing is in Mark's handwriting... in different colored pens just like in my journal.

This is probably not appropriate for your teen. There are a few f-bombs and depictions (not photos) of male genitalia. Parental discretion advised ;o).

If you like Roman Dirge's Lenore, this is a sure hit for you. And with it's release timing, it's perfect for the person who is both alone and bitter this Valentine's Day. Enter to win your own copy below.

Mark Svartz seems to have his hand in everything from writing to film to inventing. Check out his other projects on MarkSvartz.com

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Phoenix Comicon Kick-Off 2012 [Local]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:07:00 +0000

Phoenix Comicon invites you to join them on February 2nd for their annual kick off event. The event starts at 7pm at the Phoenix Convention Center, north building room 120D. This is the first major event leading up to the convention in May of 2012 and it promises very exciting announcements.

“Phoenix Comicon 2012 still has a few surprises coming.” said Marketing Director Jillian Squires “The kickoff event will let everyone in on them.”

It will be the first place to hear announcements about new major guests that will be attending the convention. The new announcements will add more guests to the already exciting list for 2012 that includes Ed Asner, Arthur Suydum, Vic Mignogna, George Perez, Jeremy Bulloch and William Shatner.

The event will include door prizes and giveaways through out the course night, however each person should RSVP at www.onsite.phoenixcomicon.com to be entered for the prizes.

I'm not going to make it since I'm playing photog at a teen formal, but if you're going, let me know in the comments. I'm eager to participate in Phoenix Comicon '12 suspense! ♥

Daughter of Smoke & Bone by Laini Taylor [Book Inspection]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Sat, 28 Jan 2012 02:31:00 +0000

Plot Sketch: Karou is an art student. She lives alone in a flat in Prague, and has lived in many different cities, speaking many different languages over her short seventeen-year life. The story starts after she's broken up with Kazimir, a few years older than Karou, he is beautiful, but practically soulless and he scares her all the time. Karou works for Brimstone, the only father she's only known, in tooth trade. Brimstone is not a man, but a chimaera, as are his shop employees, Issa (half-snake), Kazir, and Kishmish. These are the only family she has ever known. She grew up in the shop and when she was old enough, she got her own flat, but returned daily to the shop to run errands (or pick up teeth) for Brimstone. As far as she can remember, she's always had the eye tattoos on her hands - Issa has them too. Not for lack of asking, she has never discovered what the teeth were for, or who her parents were or where she came from or why she can't touch the wishbone around Brimstone's neck. She's learned the art of tooth trade, listening to their hums, and how to sort them. One day, Brimstone sends her to Izil, a tooth trader in Marrakesh, a week earlier than usual. Izil has not much for Karou to take back to Brimstone, but she does manage to catch the eye of a seraph. She does battle with him, is gravely wounded, but makes it back through the door with a handprint blazoned on it that was not there when she exited to the shop in Elsewhere before the seraph can finish her off. This is the story of what happens between the seraph and Karou.

Verdict: Stunningly beautiful writing. I was in awe of the way Taylor crafted her sentences and the way she wove her story together. Okay, let's be real. I wasn't in awe, I was hard core jealous! Told in third person omniscient, a rare point of view for YA, the characters are amazing, unique, interesting, and you get into a lot of their heads, not just the main character Karou's.

This was one of those books where I couldn't stop reading, and when I had to stop reading, I couldn't stop thinking about the characters and the story and wondering what would happen next. With twenty pages to go, sleep forced me to put it down, but the story still haunted me in my dreams. Partly because the only place I'd ever want to visit in Europe is Prague, and the descriptions and romance of that city grabbed me into the story at the very beginning. Partly because the other main spot, Marrakesh, is a place I've also always wanted to visit. She's skilled at setting the book. While the descriptions were thorough and beautiful, they also didn't make me scream with agony over their length.

I connected with many of the characters and having read this in November, I still remember them well at the end of January. I care what happens to them and want to know what happens next. Yeti of Smoke and Bone (the next in the series) can NOT come fast enough. But even though it's out this fall, I can't imagine having to reread any part of Daughter because it's so unique and so different from anything else that I've ever laid eyes on.

The timeline of the book is somewhat distracting. There are flips forward and backward between exposition and what's happening now. But after finishing the book, I can't imagine a more powerful way to tell the story. She holds on to important tidbits and releases them just as you need them to complete part of the puzzle, which lends itself to a better understanding of the motivations behind the choices the characters have made. It's like aha! moment after aha! moment. And for the record, I think this is the first time Monster and I have ever agreed on the quality of a book since Harry Potter.

For parents, the content is not completely clean, but the language is for the most part. There are some scenes with nudes in drawing class at the beginning, but nothing overtly graphic is described. Karou has lost her virginity, but it's not described in a scene, just a regret. I'd let sixteen and up read it for sure... but that's me. You figure out what's appropriate for your teen.

Fans of Fringe will heart this book!

Laini Taylor is also the author of the Dreamdark series and Lips Touch: Three Times. You can find her on Twitter.

Juliet Immortal by Stacey Jay

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 08:39:00 +0000

Plot Sketch: We all know the Shakespeare classic Romeo & Juliet. Or do we? Stacey Jay creates a world wherein Romeo killed Juliet, sacrificing their love for immortality and placing the two at odds for all eternity - Juliet trying to secure soulmates' love and Romeo trying to get one soulmate to betray the other as he did. Until this time when Juliet is thrown into Ariel's body. And everything is different. All the rules, all the procedures, even Romeo.

Verdict: Ya know what? I'm not a huge fan of this one. But I didn't hate it. I thought it had the potential to be such a great great book. The writing was done technically well and flowed well for a fast and easy read. But mans, the plot seemed to drag on and on. I feel like one third of the book could have been cut out completely because it focused entirely on Juliet's internal struggle. Now, internal struggle is fine when there's a point to it, when there's progress with it. But this same exact struggle happened again and again and I wanted to take Romeo's knife and plunge it through Juliet's heart myself to end not her misery, but mine.

That said, the characters were interesting... about as interesting as they could be for spirits inhabiting others' bodies. Even Romeo, whom I was primed to hate, grew on me. I loved Juliet for 2/3rds of the book, excepting those times I wanted to stab her, but really enjoyed the fringe characters as well. The depth that went into Ariel's relationship with her mother and the relationship that she had with her. You have to pay close attention though because Jay uses the host bodies' and the spirits' names interchangeably. While this didn't confuse me, I could see how it might confuse someone who had put the book down for a week or so.

Now when it comes to forging a connection with the characters? Nope. I couldn't connect with any of them. Not Melanie, Gemma, Ariel, Juliet, Romeo, none of them. There was a bit of humanity missing from each of them. Granted a fair few of them weren't technically human (Stacey Jay is the zombie queen and this is totally a creative zombie book), but I think the characters needed more depth for me to connect. I think that if there would have been less repetitive internal struggle, and perhaps a bit more internal thought/feeling/reaction to events unfolding, I might have connected better.

So basically, it's an easy read, a brilliant concept, and a little on the *bang head here* side plot progression-wise. Fans of Romeo & Juliet, the classic, might really enjoy this spin.

Stacey Jay is also the author of The You Are So Undead To Me series. We reviewed Jay's My So-Called Death, (and loved it) a stand-alone zombie tale. You can find Stacey at Facebook and Twitter. And, you can purchase Juliet Immortal, published by Delacorte Books for Young Readers (an imprint of Random House), at Changing Hands or Amazon.

Four YA Events from Changing Hands January 2012 [Local]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:06:00 +0000

Hey guys! Changing Hands is hosting some awesome events this month. You should totally check them out if you have time.

First up is Dark Days of Supernatural Tour featuring Ellen Schreiber, Veronica Rossi, and Tahereh Mafi. That's this Saturday, 1.14 at 4pm at Changing Hands in Tempe.

Second on the docket is Nick Lake with his new book In Darkness. That's Monday, 1.23, at 7pm at Changing Hands in Tempe.

Third is John Green. With a multi-media presentation and signing. It's Wednesday, 1.25 at Burton Barr Central Library (1221 N. Central Ave) in Phoenix. If this video doesn't make you want to go? What's wrong with you?

And last, it's Changing Hands' annual YAllapalooza, Saturday 1/28 at 4pm offsite at Burton Barr Central Library in Phoenix. Authors attending include: Tom Leveen, Cecil Castellucci, C.J. Hill (aka Janette Rallison), Adam Rex, Robin Brande, Amy Fellner Dominy, Aprilynne Pike, Bree Despain, Anna Carey, Kiersten White, and James A. Owen.

Terry Tibke of Upgrader and Actionopolis [Interview]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 07:12:00 +0000

Please help me welcome Terry to IHM today. Terry is an author/illustrator from Chandler, Arizona (hey, that's like next door to my city) and a Virgo who loves chocolate icecream. Straight-up chocolate icecream to be exact. He's also the next author in our Actionopolis series, the author of Upgrader.

IHM: In Ten Words or less, tell us about your most recent book.

TT: Dude’s gotta use mysterious energy to protect against interdimensional invaders. (Okay, so I slightly cheated).

IHM: Uh, no, you were just creative. We heart creative. So tell us, why are you a writer instead of a car salesman or a shrink or a teacher or any other profession?

TT: Actually, I’m most of those other things too. No! I’m kidding. But I am an illustrator too, and cameo at a very left brained grown up job. I’m an illustrator and artist for all kinds of reasons, most of them revolving around a need to get the visual images of all these cool things out of my head. I enjoy creating and seeing the looks on people’s faces when they see something I’ve made—well, more when they like it, than not. Those reasons all apply to my writing too, but the one reason beyond that is this: pictures (though they may tell a thousand words) are static. I drew my worlds and stuff for so many years without ever really telling the stories that come with it. One day, about ten years ago now, I just decided I’d better start telling those stories before I’m dead. Eh, not that I expect that to happen any time soon, but you never know.

IHM: For sure, you never know. So, who is your most interesting character never published in the series (yet)?

TT: Upgrader books are super-fast reads, so we try not to jam them with too many characters. I finished up the second book recently, so it won’t be long before she’s published, but Vera’s cool. She’s one of the only new characters introduced after the first book. I like the uncertainty you have about where here loyalties lie, and how kick-butt she is with her long rifle and vegi-ammo. I don’t want to spoil too much else about her. I expect you’ll like her too though.

IHM: Who is your hero?

TT: That’d be eighteen year old Dylan Kent. He wears a lot of black shirts, is into techno and trance music, and loves zombie movies and comics. But he’s also found that he’s pretty good at baseball and is on his high school baseball team—you know, to keep grounded and stuff. Overall, he’s just your standard teenager trying to make it through his senior year without anything too freaky happening. And he totally blows that. He finds the Sunsoul and has to improvise his way through saving his little town from Icarion’s seekers and an interdimensional invasion.

(Wait.... did you mean my personal hero, not my Main-Character?)

IHM: Well, yeah, but that's okay. Main Characters can double as heroes too, right? So, tell us the message you want readers to gain from your work?

TT: Reading is fun. Reading can be action packed—even for those comic book and manga readers. These stories are fast paced and really cool. I want readers of all ages to pick up Upgrader and, after the first sentence, dig in ‘till the end.

You can buy Upgrader at Amazon in either paperback or e-book version. Both affordable at $7.50 and $2.99 respectively. He's also the author of a YA fantasy released in 2009, Armageddon – The Battle of Darkening Skies (of which I own a signed copy, whee!), and works as an animation in-betweener on Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron.

And as a side note I have actually met him in person. Phoenix Comicon 2010:

Midnight Magic Interview with Nancy DiFabbio

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 07:55:00 +0000

Hey guys! Help me welcome Nancy DiFabbio to IHM today. We've got a Q&A with the author of Midnight Magic. So, read up and have fun! Thanks for stopping by today, Nancy! We're delighted to have you!

IHM: What sort of research did you do to write Midnight Magic?

ND: One of the first rules of writing is to “write what you know”. My protagonist, Mattie, experiences many of the same fears and desires that I did as a young teen, especially her passion for horses. I naturally drew on those memories when I created her. The horse in the story was inspired by my own little Morgan and my fascination with his breed. I had plenty of experience as a horse owner and equestrian to write factual and realistic descriptions of Mattie’s days working at the stable and participating in the horse show, but I did research the life of Justin Morgan, Figure, and the development of the Morgan breed.

IHM: Do you think YA literature has become over-sexed in recent years?

ND: Love and romance is a basic human need. It’s normal—and expected—to include a love interest in YA and tween literature, but I’m concerned about the message many YA books are giving our adolescents. I wish more authors would address the emotional aspects of “love” rather than focusing on the physical act. Yes, children have become sexually active at very young ages, but our literature shouldn’t imply that this is normal, desirable, or free from long term repercussions. It’s wrong—in my opinion—to encourage the belief that pre-teen and adolescent love is likely to last forever or that proof of love is demonstrated by the physical act.

In terms of the romantic storylines, I find it particularly frightening when the male “role model” is abusive and controlling, while the female character allows herself to be subjugated for the sake of their love. We need to empower young females and provide them with good role models, as I have done in Midnight Magic. Mattie’s mother and grandmother are strong women in their own right; they don’t rely on a male figure to “save” them.

IHM: Did you model your characters after real people? Did you model the plot on real events?

ND: All of the characters are purely fictional creations, but I borrowed physical or personality traits from people I’ve known—or wish I’d known. The storyline is pure fantasy, although Justin Morgan and Figure did exist. There is plenty of documentation about Figure’s amazing feats and incredible genes.

IHM: You write a column, “Tales from the NEIGH-borhood”, for local newspapers and have written both non-fiction and fiction books. What is your favorite style of writing?

ND: I prefer writing fiction because it allows for a freer flow of creativity. However, I do like to include some factual information as well, whether it’s about horse care—in the case of “Tales from the NEIGH-borhood” or historical information, as in Midnight Magic.

My first book, Quest for the Dress, was non-fiction, but it also contains humorous anecdotes about my experiences. Having a background in education, I guess I can’t stop myself from also trying to promote positive moral values, whether it’s non-fiction or fiction.

In the “Tales from the NEIGH-borhood”, each horse always learns something from the adventure he’s just shared. When Sonny spooked at the Christmas decorations on our front lawn and nearly squashed me in his attempt to run away, he learns that he should have trusted me to keep him safe. He advises his readers: “Tell your parents if something scares you, even if you feel silly. Trust me; it helps.”

You can purchase Midnight Magic at Amazon.

Misfit by Jon Skovron [Book Inspection]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Sat, 07 Jan 2012 00:16:00 +0000

Plot Sketch: Jael is the daughter of Astarte (otherwise known as Aphrodite, Delilah, and other female beings throughout history) and a priest named Paul. That makes her half-human, half-demon. Her story revolves around the complication of her coming of age and how her demon side makes the relationships in her life super-complicated. Well, that, and the fact that Belial, Archduke of Hell is after her to destroy her because she's a half-breed.

Verdict: It took me quite a while to finish reading this one because I felt like I had to take a break every few chapters and process. I've seen reviews talk about how religious people won't like this book. I'm religious and I adore it. It takes traditional perceptions of Heaven, Earth, and Hell and warps them into a completely tangible, wonderful world where Jael's story makes sense. An immense amount of research was done for this book... either that, or Jon Skovron is a history god/demon. One or the other. I found this world where demons are only demons because that's how we perceive them to be both beautiful and startling. The writing is gorgeous. Detailed without being verbose is a hard task to pull off.

At the beginning I felt like I was reading two books simultaneously, one about the teen half-breed Jael and one about her parents and how they met and made her. Again, in reading some reviews, I found that people didn't like that. I have to say, it's one of the main reasons I liked the book. Both sides of the story were poignant and both were necessary for you to understand Jael's struggle and the depth of conflict throughout the story. If you ignored the adult angle, you missed out a ton. And I thought that the third-person omniscient voice was imperative to Skovron's success. At times you even get to glimpse inside what air and earth are thinking and I think it's brilliant.

A book that makes me think this much? 5 stars for sure. It was scary good. And by scary, I mean paradigm-shifting, enlightening, and horizon-broadening, while satisfying my desires for paranormal romance. *shakes hand in air* It was hot.

Now. I have a bit of a warning for parents. IF your teen is going through some sort of a religious struggle? This book could make a difference. And depending on your teen, it could make a difference for the better or for the good. This is definitely one you'll want to read at least along side them if not before them and have discussions about with them if you have a particular religious philosophy in your home. I'm saying that this could strengthen a strong belief or weaken a weak one. Other than that, there is not a lot of graphic violence, but there is violence. And there is a brief, but not detailed description from Jael's best friend about losing her virginity.
_____________
And since I've found out that kids and teens use my blog to cheat on book reports, I'm discontinuing the Gauntlet portion of my reviews. Because honestly? I don't like getting bombarded with emails at 6:30 in the morning asking about what the theme of a book was or how it's characters grew because they got the rest of the info from my gauntlet portion, and then getting a reply to that email saying that I suck for not getting back to them in a fifteen-minute window. READ, dudes, READ. And yes, it's happened more than once, even this week. *sigh*

But I will say that if you know who Milo Rambaldi is, you'll appreciate this work. And if you don't? You still might appreciate this work.

Find out more about Jon Skovron at his website. Also, you can follow him on Twitter, Facebook, and buy his book(s) at Changing Hands or Amazon.

YA Scavenger Hunt Again!

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 20:22:00 +0000

Follow the hunt every day during the month of December! Answer the daily trivia questions from MG and YA books published during 2011 to be entered into the YA book giveaway.

Today's question is from Forever by Maggie Stiefvater.
Question #58: Who gives Sam permission to let the wolves stay on his property?

Remember to fill out your answer in the form at Most Important Letter here!

Merry Christmas!

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 15:16:00 +0000

We hope you got all of the books you wanted this Christmas!

Monster sure did!

What Makes A Great Book? [You're The Expert]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 12:18:00 +0000

Recently I was reading an article over at the Guardian that ponders "What's the definition of a great book?" It basically sums itself up saying that there is no way to define a great book. "I cannot give you rules for how to do this, or criteria, or objective guidelines, and even if I could, I wouldn't. I know how much harm that can do." And everyone is entitled to their own opinion.

So true. There is no definition of great writing. No way to measure a novel's engagement, evocation, or the pleasure it brings to its reader. Because we're all different. We are. And thank goodness. So, in advance of my 2011 Top 5 declaration, here's this odd bird's criteria to judge a book:

How many times did I stumble over sentence structure and word choice? When I look at a book critically, I look at the technical parts of the writing as well as the emotional parts. Was there an easier, more effective way to say what the author said? Does the way they chose to write it have more literary or poetic value to me than the hitch in my reading rhythm detracted? Still subjective to even my mood at the time, but isn't that one of the great things about literature? Even tense selection has a bearing on my perception of this. Example: Ashfall by Mike Mullin. I didn't like that it was told in past tense. It bugged me enough that I stopped reading it. Yet, it's been named on several lists' top ten, but to me, it's not worth finishing.
How connected was I to the characters? I'm not a teenager. I'm not a boy. But that doesn't mean that I shouldn't be able to get inside the head of the main character and understand his or her perspective and paradigm. I should care about him or her. I should want to know what happens next in his story if it's a serial. I should be able to determine if he/she and I could be friends or not. These things are paramount to me being able to understand and connect. Example: The Rivers of Time Series by Lisa Bergren. I'm still, months later, wondering what will happen next to all of these people. DYING to be caught up in another adventure.
Did the story make sense? One of the biggest problem spots with literature for me is this piece of the puzzle. When an author builds a world, does he or she violate the rules of that world with actions of the characters? All too often I find either convenience loopholes in the world building or blatant violations of rules that have been given. This violates my trust as a reader and doesn't allow me to fully enjoy the story before me because my critical side kicks in and then I'm on the prowl for more mistakes. Example: Sweetly by Jackson Pearce. There were so many inconsistencies that I would not have finished it save it was a book group selection. And when I got to the end, I did indeed throw it.
Was the story predictable? While this doesn't hold as much weight as the first three questions, it does hold weight. If I have a book figured out because of obvious foreshadowing and a key-to-the-puzzle prologue, I'm not going to like it as much as if I get hit with unexpected plot twists. I'm more adept than the people around me in real life at seeing these plot twists coming, (that's not me bragging, that's just me saying it's something I have a talent for) so if I'm surprised, it's a favorable thing for the book. Example: Matched by Allie Condie. I didn't see these coming. I didn't have the plot figured out from the time I started the book and learned the rules of its world. Do I see where things are trending? Absolutely. But do I know what the characters are going to do about them? Nope. Result? The very first dystopian novel I've actually enjoyed.
Did I think about the story when I wasn't reading the book? Another one that doesn't apply to all books, because I sometimes read chapters all day long with pauses every ten minutes, and sometimes I sit and read them all in one sitting. But after I'm done, am I pondering the ramifications of the last chapter? Or did I throw the book across the room and into the wall because I thought it was a waste of my time? Example: The Need series by Carrie Jones. WHEN WILL ENDURE BE ON MY DOORSTEP? I check its release date frequently, hoping it was moved up.

I hope this share enlightens you as to a bit of the way I judge and critique books. Our Top 5 of 2011 will be out before the end of the year. Merry Christmas! ♥ May your presents be filled with awesome reads, yo. ♥

If you want to share what you think is important in a book, or what defines a great book to you, leave a comment, or write your own post and leave us a link, we'd adore it! We're super interested interested in what you have to say on the subject.

For those of you not familiar with You're The Expert here at I Heart Monster, it's a type of post where we share some information with you, then ask you what you think about that information. We encourage you to leave your opinion or answers in the comments section, and even write your own post as an answer if you are so inclined. See, we're all different, and we all have different experiences, and that's part of what makes the blogosphere such a fun place - we're all experts about what we think and how we feel and our particular view on the world. This is just a forum for you to share those with the rest of us. A safe place where your opinion is respected. Attacking or hostile comments will be removed. If you do write a post, we'd love it if you share the link with us.

7 DIY Bookish Tutorials [Gift Ideas]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 07:11:00 +0000

Oh my goodness, Christmas is Sunday. For those of you who haven't yet shopped for that bookish person on your list, here are some bookishly fun DIY gift tutorials that you still have time to complete if you're low on cash or low on ideas.

Dollar Store Plastic Animal Book Ends Tutorial by Mad In Crafts. I saw these animals in the dollar bins at Target and had I seen this tutorial before I saw those animals I totally would have tried it. All you need is some spray paint, some plastic picture frames and some glue. So fun.

This Teeny Tiny Leather Spell Book Tutorial from Ruby Murray looks really fun. Harry Potter isn't the only spell book in literature, so this could be perfect for your fantasy loving girl.

Make someone food from their favorite fiction series. Fictionalfood.net has recipes from A Game of Thrones, Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, Twilight, and Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.

Something like this framed from a thrifted book of poems or shorts, or novel could really be a lasting and meaningful gift for a loved one.

This DIY Antiqued Embroidered Book Cover Tutorial from Urban Threads is GORGEOUS. It might be a little out of my capability range, but who am I to deny it to you guys who have mad embroidery skills?

These bookmarks and journal wraps via Craft Snob are fun, easy, and super great for traveling. I've made them before, and the recipients used and loved them. It takes about fifteen minutes total.

Make an origami pendant out of an old dictionary or book you salvage from the trash. I'm not suggesting you go dumpster diving behind your local bookstore... or am I? I kid. Pendant picture is from Ume Origami. Tutorial is via Paper Unlimited. This could be an ornament too.

Hope you enjoy these tutorials! You'll find all of them on my Pinterest board, Bookish. Have a great week! and good luck with those projects.

Don't Support Your Local Bookseller? [You're The Expert]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 10:15:00 +0000

I was perusing some of my usual web sections this morning and stumbled upon an article at Slate called "Don't Support Your Local Bookseller: Buying books at Amazon is better for authors, better for the economy, and better for you by Farhad Manjoo." I thought for sure the dude who wrote it was being sardonic.

Much to my surprise, after reading a few paragraphs into the article, I found that he was dead serious. And since this topic of Amazon vs. Indie Booksellers is one I struggle with, I thought I'd share this article with you and see what you think.

The author of the article starts by admitting that Amazon is douchey. My word, not his. Then he goes on to address some issues that I had never considered. And most issues that I could write an entire post about on their own. Remember, these are his points, not mine:

Indie bookstores recommend books their employees like, not ones that you might like based on your purchase and reading history.
Indie booksellers do not promote a local product, they promote a product from one of the major publishers in Manhattan. They are no more local than your local superstore.
Indie booksellers run on inefficient business models, and "benefit at the expense of someone else in the economy." That money you save by purchasing your book at Amazon could go to a truly local endeavor like the theatre company, museum, artist, or farmers market.
Indie booksellers pricing prevents people from buying more books. After all there is a finite amount of disposable income, so if people pay double at an Indie, they will only consume one book instead of the potential two for the same money. And isn't consumption of more literature the point of the whole industry?
Amazon's Kindle users buy e-books at twice the rate that they used to buy print books. But they keep buying print books too.

So here's where I am on the topics:

I've found that Indie booksellers are just as adept at recommending books to me as Amazon's recommendation algorithm. Being a blogger, I have to believe that getting a recommendation from a human is better than from a computer. And even if I wasn't a blogger, I'd think the same thing. Humans have reasons they like books, not merely genre similarities. I don't know how many times Amazon has tried to get me to buy The House of Night books and I hate them.
Food for thought. While they push the local authors, do they really benefit the local authors any more than Amazon does? I'd really like to see numbers on how many books authors sell in their native markets. That might have some clout in this argument. Sure it's a local job, but so is the job at the local Amazon warehouse that's thirty miles from here.
That's part of the reason I buy at Amazon. Money I save buying books from Amazon does go into local arts and entertainment ventures.,. one of which is Changing Hands, where I purchase any books I want to get signed, even when I know they're going to cost me more because a book signing is entertainment, and I'm willing to pay a premium to support the store and the author at an event.
With the amount of literature that I consume, this is a concern of mine. I get a fair amount of books from publishers, but I BUY BOOKS. Just ask Monster. He'll vouch. And I can purchase more if I buy them from Amazon. But I still go to Changing Hands at least once a month to support them, because I think that a local literary community is important. See what I mean about struggling with this debate?
Does not apply to this girl. I'm not an e-reader.

Now it's time for you to tell me what you think. Sock it to me, baby...

YA Scavenger Hunt Stop!

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 10:39:00 +0000

I'm today's hunt stop for the 2011 YA Story Scavenger Hunt!

Follow the hunt every day during the month of December! Answer the daily trivia questions from MG and YA books published during 2011 to be entered into the YA book giveaway.

Today's question (#23) is from Hourglass by Myra McEntire:

What is the first apparition Emerson sees in the novel?

Remember to fill out your answer in the form at Most Important Letter here!

Smackdown: Pangrelor vs. Middle Earth by Robert Louis Smith [Guest Post]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 07:30:00 +0000

Robert Louis Smith is the author of Antiquitas Lost: The Last of the Shamalans. He joins us today with a guest post! Welcome, Robert!

In 1954, J.R.R. Tolkien published the first of a breathtaking series of books that would go on to become some of the most influential novels of the 20th century. As anyone who has ever read The Lord of the Rings knows, Tolkien's books are so imaginative and unexpectedly powerful that his fantastic tale still captures our imaginations more than a half century after its original publication. These stories gave birth to the modern fantasy genre, and it is perhaps inevitable that so many contemporary fantasy books replicate aspects of Tolkien's writings. So pervasive is Tolkien's influence that the Oxford English Dictionary offers a word for it: Tolkienesque. Perhaps this is why we see so many fantasy tales that feature elves, dwarves, wizards, magic rings, and magic swords. The presence of these features is, in many ways, what we have come to expect from a modern fantasy novel.
But over the course of 57 years, these constructs of classical Northern European (or Tolkienesque) fantasy fiction have been imitated to the point of monotony. In tome after tome, we see elves and dwarves wielding magical swords or speaking in Northern European conlangs (fictional languages) as they follow some particular heroic quest. And let's be honest. Although there are many wonderful and imaginative novels that feature these elements, no one has done it as well as Mr. Tolkien.

When I sat down to write Antiquitas Lost, I promised myself there would be no magic rings, magic swords, elves or dwarves. A major goal was to create a fantasy novel where the creatures and setting were fresh. Pangrelor, the fantasy world described in Antiquitas Lost, is envisioned as a pre-industrial, medieval society with beautiful artistic accomplishments set in a savage and magical natural environment -- the Renaissance meets the Pleistocene, with magical beings and crypto-zoological creatures. Devoid of elves and dwarves, Pangrelor is inhabited largely by creatures that we are familiar with, but different from the usual fantasy fare -- gargoyles, Bigfoot creatures, Neanderthal types, Atlanteans and dinosaurs, to name a few. These differences give Pangrelor a much different feel from Middle Earth and the countless, adherent worlds that have followed. Hopefully the reader will find this refreshing. Over time, I have come to think of Antiquitas Lost as more of a "North American" tale, with many references to new world mythologies, as well as a hint of Native American influence.

Although Antiquitas Lost is not immune to Mr. Tolkien's sweeping influence, it is unique in many ways. When you take your first journey to Pangrelor, it is my sincere hope that you will experience a hint of the joy that accompanied your maiden voyage to Middle Earth, and that you will connect in a meaningful way with this unprecedented new cast of characters as you explore an altogether unique fantasy destination.

The Darfoyle, Escar

Again we see the character Hooks, though in this chapter he has been captured by the forces at Harwelden and is slated for a grisly execution the following day. Though he has spent many years involved in a life of petty crime, Hooks has never before landed in such dire straits, and the sad expression on his face perfectly fits his inner dialogue as he contemplates how he finds himself at such a sorry pass. In this scene, the guard is asking him to choose his final meal. On a technical note, the depth in this picture is amazing, and really showcases Geof’s artistic skill. As with the earlier Hooks illustration, we see a hint of Bernie Wrightson’s influence.

This is breathtaking. Depicted here is the Darfoyle, Ecsar, commander of the serpan legion that is preparing to storm the gimlet enclave of Scopulus. Darfoyles share remote biological origins with another species in Pangrelor, the grayfarers. Both are loosely based on gargoyles. As you might have gleaned from this illustration, these are some of Antiquitas Lost’s many bad guys. In the novel, the darfoyles are described as larger than grayfarers and darker in color. Unlike the grayfarers, darfoyles have tails. When Geof asked me to give him a feel for how I thought darfoyles might look on paper, I told him I thought they looked something like demons. Geof prepared for this drawing by creating a number of anatomic sketches focused on the musculature that would be needed to power the massive wings.

Author Bio
Robert Louis Smith, author of Antiquitas Lost: The Last of the Shamalans, has numerous degrees, including psychology (B.A.), applied microbiology (B.S.), anaerobic microbiology (M.Sc.), and a Medical Doctorate (M.D.). He serves as an interventional cardiologist at the Oklahoma Heart Institute. He is married and the father of two young children. He began writing Antiquitas Lost in 2003 while studying at Tulane University in New Orleans.

For more information please visit http://www.antiquitaslost.com/ and follow the author on Facebook and Twitter.

Waterfall by Lisa T. Bergren [Review] [YA]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:37:00 +0000

Plot Sketch: Gabriella and Evangelia (how cool is that name, btw?) Bettarini, or Gabi and Lia as they call each other, are daughters of archaeologists. Losing their father just six months ago has left a raw spot, but their mother presses on in search of Etruscan sites in Italy during their summer vacation nonetheless, needing a find to support her family. Mom finds it. She finds an ancient Etruscan burial site in Toscana (I'm thinking Tuscany to us American-folk) and when Italian officials show up to close the dig citing a lack of proper paperwork, the girls decide to break the rules and enter a tomb. They find some super fun handprints, place their hands on them, and get catapaulted back to 14th century (1332 I believe) Italy amidst the Florence (or Firenza)/Siena tensions. Literally. Gabi arrives in 1332 minus Lia, but gaining a whole lotta knights fighting right outside her tomb, and she's in skinny jeans! The Forellis save her, and take her to their castle, where she begins her journey to find Lia, encountering total Italian hotties, ancient Italian politics, jealous girlfriends, and too-short dresses along the way.

Verdict: Dude. I loved this book! Had a really hard time putting it down! It was engaging, both emotionally and intellectually. Though, I couldn't really figure out why it was titled Waterfall since there wasn't a waterfall in the book or any mention or reference to one. I loved that the main character was a TALL girl who was smart, beautiful, and capable. YA lit seems to trend toward the short girl, leaving all of us tall girls wondering why. Part adventure, part romance, part amazing, part girl power, Waterfall is sure to make you laugh, squee, and grit your teeth. Plus, it's clean. Squeaky clean. Only one mention of intestines spilling out - but lots of dead knights, and no shortage of blood. But it's not graphic. And there's plenty of kissing ;o)

And I swear when I picked it up I had no idea it was from a Christian publisher, until I googled 'David C. Cook' and found their website. There are mentions of God in Waterfall, and Gabi's complete lack of faith and doubt in God, but it's not preachy at all. I applaud the weaving of a basic teen struggle such as one's belief in a higher power throughout this story, without making it overbearing. As a religious person myself, I often find it hard to read Christian lit. Its contents are so often sold as fact instead of belief and I often don't agree with the tenets of religions similar to mine. This is nothing like that, no selling, no conversions. So don't fret it if your belief in God and eternity and whatnot isn't the same as the masses, and don't let a fear of Christian lit keep you from feasting on this abundance of awesome.

The Iron Knight by Julie Kagawa [Blog Tour] [Giveaway]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 07:00:00 +0000

The hut was old and wooden, creaking faintly though

there was no wind. The most unusual thing, however, wasn’t

the house itself, but what held it up. It stood on a pair of massive

bird legs, gnarled and yellow, blunt talons digging into

the mud. The legs were crouched low, as if sleeping, but every

so often they shifted restlessly, causing the whole house

to shudder and groan.

The conclusion to the Iron Fey series was not, I repeat, not disappointing. I'm not gonna lie. I had The Iron King and The Iron Daughter in my library for oh, since they came out. So, when I was presented with the opportunity to be a part of this blog tour, I accepted, thinking that it would give me motivation to pick up and read these books that have been physically in my TBR pile, but had been surpassed by more pressing book club books and other books with deadlines. I've read the entire series in the last two days. I've been pushed and pulled in so many directions! Some little book gremlin was trying to make me miss out on this book tour.

But I have triumphed! I have finished the series! And I have to say that I am over-freakin'-joyed that Julie Kagawa wrote The Iron Knight. I hated The Iron Queen. Loathed the "Ultimate Noble Sacrifice" ending. Wouldn't have read the fourth book either if it wasn't for this blog tour... and I'm so glad I did.

I entered the book skeptical that Kagawa could write an entire book successfully from Ash's point of view. After the first five pages, I sighed out loud, growled, and said, "No. You can't write Ash the same as Meghan." It's true. Five cats as my witness, but then after page ten, I was like "There we go! Now we're cookin'." And it just got better from there. I enjoyed the banter and tension between Puck and Ash, but most of all, of this series packed with epic quests, I loved Ash's final one the best.

Of all of the journeys throughout this series, The Iron Knight details the most emotionally charged, the most riveting, and the most human. I both squealed with elation and cried tears of sorrow while joining Ash on his mission. I was more emotionally attached after the first chapter of The Iron Knight than I was after reading the entirety of The Iron Queen. As the pages and words flew past me, this world was created around me and I was tossed and tumbled through all of it - the relationships, the feelings, the conflicts. A really, really good read. In fact, the more I reflect on it, the better it gets. I love those kind of books. And I adored the ending. The only thing that I didn't adore was the amount of impertinent detail throughout the series. Though it gave me as a reader a great sense of place, I felt like it impeded the flow of the story in many a place. But that's a personal preference thing. Monster would probably adore these books; they're right up his alley.

There's one last little issue I must address. And that's the blurb on the cover that calls this series the next Twilight. In fact, I think the only thing that these two series have in common is that there are four books in them, and a girl who has a choice between two love interests. But the length and conflict of the love interests is not nearly the same. And neither are the sacrifices and motivations. There are actually reasons for those in this series. I think it would be better compared to Tolkien's Lord of the Rings. All of the epic adventure and danger at every turn is more similar to his work than anything else I can recall reading. The Iron Fey is more of an epic urban fantasy, heavy emphasis on the fantasy. The plot, characters, and writing are 400% stronger than those of Meyer's Twilight, and it's an insult to Kagawa to insinuate that they are even on the same plane.

Back to the fun part... At the end of the book, there are three supplements. The first, Survival Guide To The Nevernever. The second, a very enlightening interview with Julie (and Ash and Puck). The third, a set of discussion questions for reading groups. Being a book group coordinator, I wish that these were in each of the four books, but alas, I'll take what I can get.

The last of those questions asks this, "One of the premises behind Julie Kagawa's fairy world is that faeries exist and become more powerful when humans remember them, tell stories about them, and dream of them. What kind of power do dreams and the imagination have on humankind? How are they important in our lives?

Answer that in the comment section below to be entered to win your own copy of The Iron Knight. One entry per person. Ends 11/24/11 at 11:59PM. A black friday gift for the winner! Open internationally.

Also, check out another take on The Iron Knight at Harmony Radiant Reads.

A Book Tattoo? [You're The Expert]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 13:45:00 +0000

As with almost everything I discover lately, I found this tattoo on Pinterest and it got me thinking. I'm not a tattoo kind of gal. I don't get them personally. It's probably because I'm totally fickle, and can't dream up something I'd put permanently on my body. I'm not considering this tattoo at all...

...but it's kind of fun to look at it and wonder if I did get a similar tattoo, what books would I put on it? This one has six. Would I have six books that would for sure be on my favorites list forever? Am I old enough, have I had enough experiences in life to be sure that those six would never change? Probably not. And I'm closing in on thirty. These books have to have had a significant impact on my life so as to shift my entire paradigm...

So here goes. Fountainhead? Uh. No.

1984. Orwell.
Willow. Hoban.
Dracula. Stoker.

What would yours be?

Justin Cline, Author of Master of Voodoo & Vampirium [Interview]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 08:19:00 +0000

Next up in our interviews with Actionopolis authors... Justin Cline! He's a Cancer from Overland Park, KS (which I totally drove through once) and loves chocolate and peanut butter icecream... or just chocolate and peanut butter without the icecream too. Here we go.

IHM: In Ten Words or less, tell us about your most recent book.

Justin Cline: Small-town kid travels through shadows, attempts to save town. (Vampirium - Millennium of Shadows)

IHM: Why are you a writer instead of a car salesman or a shrink or a teacher or any other profession?

JC: I've always enjoyed telling stories. My dad was talking to me recently and saying that he had no idea where I got that drive from, and I had to point out that it was most likely from him. He's always had a natural ability for telling jokes or just entertaining people with tales of the things that have happened to him. The only difference between the two of us is that I started writing my stories down.

IHM: Who is your most interesting character never published in the series (yet)?

JC: There's a villain coming up in the Master of Voodoo series who's pretty entertaining to me. Although I'm not at liberty to disclose the nature or identity of the character, suffice it to say that he/she really turns Gibson's world upside-down.

IHM: Who is your hero?

JC: I don't know that I have one particular hero to single out, but I think that anyone who has ever said "I have a story to tell" and then actually told that story is a hero in my book. I'm a big proponent of put up or shut up.

IHM: What is the message you want readers to gain from your work?

JC: If there's a central message that runs through all my work--Actionopolis titles or otherwise--, it's the notion that identity is something that's constantly changing. How an individual is perceived by others or by him or herself is not a static thing. Black and white can be interesting, but gray is what makes a character fascinating.

Justin is the author of Master of Voodoo - Rise of the Dead! and Vampirium - Millennium of Shadows, both available on Kindle for $2.99, pick one up today from Amazon! You have a question for Justin? Leave a comment below.

Before Midnight by Cameron Dokey

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Tue, 01 Nov 2011 18:56:00 +0000

Plot Sketch: Girl is born and mother dies. Father heads back to court, never seeing new daughter. New daughter to be raised in country by nursemaid. Father comes back and drops off baby boy saying he is supposed to never leave the father's lands. Nursemaid raises them together as equals. Father remarries, brings new wife and her daughters to live at the stone house by the sea, fulfilling daughters wish, and you probably can guess the rest of the story... except that the steps are not mean to the girl...

Verdict: At times, I found the prose slow-moving and less melodious than the author thought it was. When it finally started moving, half-way through the book, it was interesting, but I still stumbled over the plot holes and even biffed it a couple of times, feeling lost wondering where elements of the story came from. They seemed to arise out of convenience rather than preparation, and that is never a good thing to me, especially with a retelling. I liked the twisty take on Cinderella, but think that it would be more suited if it had been in another time period or perhaps some other country, to make the retelling more complete. It still felt like while reading Cendrillon's story, I was reading Cinderella's story and I didn't like that. Plus, I thought it needed four more chapters to resolve all of the conflict that it started and didn't finish. We know there's no sequel, so it would have been nice to have resolution. Like I said, I liked the concept, but would have liked to have seen it better played out. The writing was adequate, and for some, would be considered wonderful, but for a 190-ish pager, I thought it dillydallied around too much. The End. Wah.

Location: I think... rural France mostly in a stone house near the sea.
Favorite Character: Raoul. He was the only one that actually made sense to me, even though I saw his plot line from the moment he was mentioned.
Would Change: organization of the story mostly. and lack of resolution.
Favorite Line: I don't have one.
Good for Monster? Perhaps. He does enjoy a bit of fantasy and intrigue, and the writing style is definitely up his alley.
People Who Will Like: Love At First Sight junkies, the wistful girl over yonder who yearns to be a princess, the woman cooped up with her cats all day (oh wait, that's me, nevermind), and Cinderella herself, I'd assume.
People Who Won't Like: picky readers like me, Robert E. Lee, Charlamagne, and most definitely Napoleon.
Chapters: 19
Author's Website: does not appear to be one, but here's the very lean publisher's profile: http://authors.simonandschuster.com/Cameron-Dokey/1332941

Grimm [Bookish TV]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 08:34:00 +0000

So, my Hulu queue was suddenly studded with a Pilot of Grimm this weekend. I don't remember favoriting it, I don't remember ever even hearing about it, but I guess I could just be getting old.

I watched it, even though I have three *blush* yes, three, episodes of Castle waiting in my queue. But guess what? I was not disappointed. Nope, I was scared, intrigued, and hooked from exactly the 1:00 mark where I screamed... yes, screamed. Lame, I know. TV on your laptop shouldn't make you scream.

Each episode is supposed to revolve around one of the stories from Grimm's Fairytales. Let's face it. There're enough of 'em to sustain an entire series for sure. The first focused on Blutbaden and Little Red Riding Hood. But like all great television shows (and yes, I consider Buffy the Vampire Slayer, a product of this same writers, great tv) it has a twist on it's original take. A modern application that had me never ever ever wanting to hear the Eurythmics version of Sweet Dreams ever again.

Catch up on Hulu or NBC.com. Then watch this Friday at 9/8C on NBC. It's spooky and disturbing and totally worth your time away from that book. Peace out, friends... and Happy Halloween!

Folding Chair Designs' Worldly Words Headband [Giveaway]

noreply@blogger.com (Shesten Melder) — Sat, 22 Oct 2011 13:20:00 +0000

You guys. I'm so excited! Amy of Folding Chair Designs has created this beautiful Worldly Words headband exclusively for one lucky I Heart Monster reader.

I'm thrilled to team up with her because, *gasp*, I actually know her. And I've seen her work in person and been witness to some truly amazing creativity pouring out of her head. So I'm stoked that you guys get a stab at having some FCD in your closet!

Folding Chair Designs has some fan. tastic. stuff. If you want to enter to win the Worldly Words Headband, check out the FCD Etsy page and tell us your favorite item. The winner will receive the Worldly Words Headband and his/her choice of three hydrangea pins made from felted wool with a beaded center.

Retail value of giveaway is $28. Christmas is just around the corner! So enter to win today. Giveaway is open internationally, and ends at 11:59PM Arizona Time on Monday, October 31st. One form entry per person.

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