Thursday, November 29, 2012

Inspired Creative Writing

In Inspired creative writing Alexander Gordon Smith reveals some brilliant insights into making your writing more effective. Drawing on his years of experience as a writer, editor and publisher, he shares insider tips on every aspect of writing, from overcoming writer's block, to creating characters so real they leap off the page, via how to choose your writing style, how to develop and maintain the right atmosphere for your writing, and much more besides. Packed with practical and realistic advice, ideas and techniques, this book will prove an invaluable aid to any writing experience. Whether you write part-time as a hobby or are intent on being the next Grisham or Proust, combining Inspired creative writing with your passion and talent will prove a winning formula.

**

This has definitely been the week to finish books! =) I've been working my way through Inspired Creative Writing for the last few months, taking it idea by idea. Alexander Gordon Smith shares ideas on how to focus and expand your creative written work. 

I loved the breakdown of each idea aligned with an explanation and a quote from where the idea seemed to have stemmed. I think all creative writers will gain knowledge, ideas, and varying perspective from this book. It definitely helped me birth new ideas that I've been toying with over the last few weeks. 

The only thing that disappointed me was the lack of examples. When reading about writing, I like to have writing examples. A short little blurb, paragraph, page that depicts the explanation. Giving readers/writers that "Ohhhhhhh" moment of understanding and application. 

However, Smith did add in Q&A at the end of each idea, which allowed for a further analysis of how idea-application would turn out. Though, honestly, I skipped most of those. 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

The Rules of Life


The first edition of The Rules of Life: A Personal Code for Living a Better, Happier, More Successful Life became a global phenomenon, topping bestseller charts around the world. This revised edition includes nine new rules to take you further, faster. Author Richard Templar brings together 106 practical rules that happy, successful people follow, even if they've never thought about it. These are realistic, commonsense things you can do differently, starting today... small things that make a powerful difference.

Templar offers real wisdom on:
Deciding what's important and what isn't
Focusing on changes you really can make
Using your intuition
Learning positive lessons from your regrets
Having great dreams and making practical plans
Staying young
Forgiving without becoming a pushover
 Follow The Rules of Life. You'll feel better. You'll be a better friend, partner, and parent. And you'll leave the world a better place.

**
Refreshing, motivational, and all around happiness-inducing, Richard Templar presents his rule book, The Rules of Life. Numbered 1-106, Templar outlines various rules to live by, or at least to apply to life. Broken down into four sections: Personal, Partner, Friends, and Social, this book covers it all. 

Some are simple and easy to follow in everyday life. While others are more intrinsic, requiring thought, decision, and dedication. Most of these, readers will find are morally astute. We often already focus on bringing these "rules" into our everyday actions. However, some are more difficult to understand and therefore apply. These rules reach deeper into lifetime commitments of change for the better. 

Of course, not all rules can be followed at all times. Templar knows and shares that truth throughout his book. After all, I'm breaking the first one as I write this review: Keep it Under Your Hat. The fact that failure happens, was a refreshing attitude to read about in a rule book for life. But as long as there is the attempt, there is only failure, and it doesn't seem as degrading or embarrassing when put into perspective. 

I highly recommend this book to anyone. Even if not for application, this book gives perspective. And I like that, it's quite helpful at times. =)

And with this review, I am also happy to say that I have completed my Fall Into Reading 2012 Challenge

Rating: 4/5 Cups

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

2013 Genre Variety Reading Challenge







Just found a new reading challenge about to start in January and I'm super excited about it!  This will be the third reading challenge I've participated in and it is being hosted by A Daydreamer's Thoughts. The challenge is to read a certain number of books from various genres (as if you couldn't tell from the blog title). 




The rules: 
[x]Runs from January 1st 2013 until December 31st 2013. Sign ups will be open until December 1st 2013.
[x]There are five levels to challenge yourself too. You may move up a level but not go down a level. These are all outlined below. Please mention in your sign up post which level you will aim for.
[x]The genres you choose to read are up to you. As long as every book is different, whichever genre you wish to read you can.
[x]Every month there will be a post on this blog (A Daydreamer's Thoughts) to link up to your update post / review(s)
[x]There will be a giveaway at the end of the challenge, and maybe a few within the year but these are TBD.
[x]To sign up, you will need to write a post saying which level you are challenging yourself too and then use the linky list. Non-Bloggers may post in the comments of this post.
[x]Any book formats are accepted.
[x]Novellas and Novels are all accepted for this challenge.
[x]YA, NA and Adult books all count towards this challenge.
[x]New sub-genres are accepted. (for example, paranormal-romance, or historical-romance)

The Levels:
  • Careful; 6 different genres, 6 books
  • Cautious; 12 different genres, 12 books
  • Branching; 18 different genres, 18 books
  • Avid Reader; 24 different genres, 24 books
  • Champion; 30 different genres, 30 books

I will be participating in the Cautious Level: 12 books with 12 different genres and separating them by month. These are the genres I'm going to attempt (in the order listed):


[x]Paranormal : Grace Doll by Jennifer Laurens
[x]Fantasy : Lizzy Speare and the Cursed Tomb by Ally Malinenko
[x]Romance : One Good Earl Deserves a Lover by Sarah MacLean
[x]Crime : Lest the Dew Rust Them by Michael Drakich
[x]Thriller : Faceless by Dustin Sanchez
[x]Adventure
[x]Non-Fiction : Get Me Out of Here by Rachel Reiland

[x]Comedy

[x]Horror

[x]Self-Help

[x]Religious
[x]Classics

As I finish each genre, I will include a review and link it to this page. Hopefully I can stay on track and accomplish my goal! If that happens, I may just have to move up a level next year! =)

Anyone else joining this challenge? If you want to, here's the link to the original blog post explaining the challenge: A Daydreamer's Thoughts - 2013 Genre Variety Challenge

WWW Wednesday (30)


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?


01. Currently Reading:
The Rules of Life by Richard Templar. Just started this book but am hoping to finish it before the weekend! So far it has some very uplifting motivational writing.

02. Recently Finished:
Bone Blind by Abigail Padgett. Horror story set around authors. It was a wonderful read with well crafted twists, but it lacked on the side of character connection.

03. Reading Next:
Aurora Sky: Vampire Hunter by Nikki Jefford. Just received this one yesterday and am dying to start it! I love Jefford's writing and am very excited about this new novel.


Bone Blind

Only the flame from a curious candle holder illuminated the murdered corpse of Karl Knock on a bitterly cold Massachusetts night twenty years in the past. When the efforts of local, state and federal investigators failed to cast more light on the crime than the little candle did, the case gathered dust, unsolved and forgotten. But when horror novelist Finn Ryan gets an invitation to dinner from a beautiful but eccentric and reclusive colleague, Tally Serzak, a web of danger sends its first, tentative filaments from that candlelit room. And nothing will ever be the same. Because Finn has secrets. So does Tally. And so does Newton, MA, Police Detective Warren Yost, who found Knock’s body on that cold morning so long ago.

Now, on the eve of retirement, Yost decides to solve the old murder and go out with a last hurrah. As Finn’s involvement with the strange Tally reaches an intensity that has him running into walls, he begins to see similarities between himself and his own characters. He’s in a horror novel, except this one is real. There are no ghosts, no zombies or vampires. There is only Tally and an unfolding story Finn doesn’t want to see, but can’t ignore. As she knew he wouldn’t. Warren Yost sees the story as well, but can’t assemble its puzzle until Finn provides a last piece that will lead to a final, and deadly, resolution.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Abigail Padgett brings fear to the lives of horror writers in her novel, Bone Blind, by digging up an old murder case in which the killer was never caught. But Finn Ryan, one of the main characters, may know who the murderer is, though his desire to protect adds an air of complication to the investigation.

Finn Ryan is a well known horror writer at work on his next book when author Tally Serzak crawls into his life. Finn is a guilt-ridden father whose only concern is to give his daughter everything she needs or wants. He creative, intuitive, gullible, and strange. But aren't horror writers supposed to walk on the weird side? 

Readers can connect with him on the level of caregiver/father. He's very loving, though if it only stems from guilt then that's not saying much. Padgett explores the guilt within in Ryan that started when his daughter, Katie, had an accident while he was supposed to be at home with her. Instead, he was having an affair. After  multiple surgeries and physical therapy, Ryan is determined to give his daughter her every dream. I feel this tidbit of history will send readers away from Ryan, making it very difficult for them to form a strong connection. 

Yost is the second main character, a police officer who is about to retire and bask in the glory of his hard work. But he can't let go of the Knock case - it was his originally and he would love nothing more than to see it closed. 

As Yost picks up his investigation: retracing his steps, interviewing suspects, and piecing the story back together, readers will come to connect with him, but it won't be a strong connection. Though he's a respectable police officer, intelligent, and thorough, Yost also has affairs outside of his marriage and spends work hours slacking off. These two main characteristics work against Yost for readers. Especially after his wife is introduced, who Padgett writes as a sweet-hearted woman whose gotten a raw deal by marrying Yost. 

The story line was magnificent. The mystery surrounding the murder, complete with the smallest clues that can only be solved by looking at it literature-ly, created a shocking story line that will not be forgotten by readers. My favorite aspect of Bone Blind was the double story. Not only does Padgett write Finn Ryan's story, she also depicts the story that Finn's writing. The intriguing plot definitely makes up for the lack of character connection. Highly recommended for anyone who loves a good mystery/horror story! 

Rating: 3/5 Cups

Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (37)


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

The Rules of Life (p.4)
    - Richard Templar

You are about to embark on a life-changing adventure, possibly, if you choose to accept your mission. You are about to discover ways to become positive, happy, and successful in everything you do.

Doesn't that sound wonderful? =)

Should be Reading @ Wordpress

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Giveaway: Falling in Love

The Coffee Pot and Stephen Bradlee have teamed up to bring one lucky reader an e-copy of Falling in Love! The giveaway will be open until December 17th. So get as many entries as you can!

The winner will be announced on December 18th, 2012.

Good Luck! =)

[Winner will be notified by e-mail and must respond within 48 hours or another winner will be chosen]

Synopsis: Sherry Johnson is young, beautiful, bright and athletic. She has everything going for her, except for one thing. She is addicted to love. Her life is a vicious circle of nightly trysts and morning regrets. Her addiction got her kicked out of college, cost her the love of her life and has left her in complete despair. But still Sherry keeps falling in love. And falling. And falling. Finally, as Sherry struggles to pull herself up from a bottomless abyss, she realizes that she will have to learn to love the one person she has loathed for most of her life. Herself.


a Rafflecopter giveaway
NOTE: If the giveaway doesn't load for you, feel free to just leave a comment and I will contact the winner through that to notify them. Sorry about any inconvenience.

Friday, November 23, 2012

Falling in Love

Sherry Johnson is young, beautiful, bright and athletic. She has everything going for her, except for one thing. She is addicted to love. Her life is a vicious circle of nightly trysts and morning regrets. Her addiction got her kicked out of college, cost her the love of her life and has left her in complete despair. But still Sherry keeps falling in love. And falling. And falling. Finally, as Sherry struggles to pull herself up from a bottomless abyss, she realizes that she will have to learn to love the one person she has loathed for most of her life. Herself.

*May Contain Spoilers*

Stephen Bradlee goes no holds barred with his novel, Falling in Love,  a fictional piece based on a true story of sexual addiction. 
The realness of this novel was shocking and emotionally astounding. 

Sherry, who tells the story from her own point of view, is a troubled young woman who was raised in a world full of emotional and physical abuse. She's honest, blunt, psychologically unstable, and wants to share her story with the world so that others may believe that after the storm comes the calm. 

Sherry is such a strong character even though she is plagued with sexual addiction. She fights herself every step of the way, knowing that in order to survive life she must make some very big changes. The first, and hardest, being to find a way to love herself. 

Readers will connect with her based on her intense honesty and desire to make her life better. After growing up in a home where she was sexually molested, mentally abused, and with the knowledge that her mother deserted her, Sherry still desires a better life for herself and is willing to travel the deep roads of depression to find it. 

Her story is startling. It leaves an echo of unbelievable truth. I wouldn't recommend this to every reader; many of Sherry's accounts are difficult to read because of the graphic nature. However, Bradlee writes this novel with nothing but Sherry's version of a stark reality, relaying a side of life that many of us have never encountered nor understood. In doing so, he gives readers a glimpse of what power addiction holds over its victims. 

Rating: 4/5 cups

Wednesday, November 21, 2012

WWW Wednesday (29)


To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions…

• What are you currently reading?

• What did you recently finish reading?

• What do you think you’ll read next?


01. Currently Reading:
Bone Blind by Abigail Padgett. A novel revolving around a horror fiction writer. Just started this one yesterday, so I'm excited to see how this story evolves. Already has some great foreshadowing and the outcome isn't looking too good.

Falling in Love by Stephen Bradlee. This novel is plain shocking. A story about a woman addicted to sex and how she lives with it. I can't stop reading and am expecting to finish it today, tomorrow at the latest.

02. Recently Finished:
Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke. It feels so good to be able to say I completed this novel! It was quite an undertaking but I absolutely loved it!

03. Reading Next:
Probably the last book on my Fall Into Reading 2012 Challenge: The Rules of Life by Richard Templar.

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Teaser Tuesday (36)


Teaser Tuesdays is a weekly bookish meme, hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Anyone can play along! Just do the following:
• Grab your current read
• Open to a random page
• Share two (2) “teaser” sentences from somewhere on that page
• BE CAREFUL NOT TO INCLUDE SPOILERS! (make sure that what you share doesn’t give too much away! You don’t want to ruin the book for others!)
• Share the title & author, too, so that other TT participants can add the book to their TBR Lists if they like your teasers!

Bone Blind (Kindle Loc. 34-36)
     - Abigail Padgett

Occasionally a muffled sound was generated by the body of the man as one and then another internal organ collapsed. The sound was sporadic murmuring like conversation heard through a wall, curious and incomprehensible.

Should Be Reading @ Wordpress

Monday, November 19, 2012

Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell


At the dawn of the nineteenth century, two very different magicians emerge to change England's history. In the year 1806, with the Napoleonic Wars raging on land and sea, most people believe magic to be long dead in England--until the reclusive Mr Norrell reveals his powers, and becomes a celebrity overnight.

Soon, another practicing magician comes forth: the young, handsome, and daring Jonathan Strange. He becomes Norrell's student, and they join forces in the war against France. But Strange is increasingly drawn to the wildest, most perilous forms of magic, straining his partnership with Norrell, and putting at risk everything else he holds dear.

*May Contain Spoilers*

After a month of juggling this book with many others, I can finally say that I read Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell by Susanna Clarke, and thoroughly enjoyed it. 

Clarke writes an intricate story, where all characters play a part, about English magic and how it is brought back to life. The two main characters are, you guessed it, Jonathan Strange & Mr Norrell. Though, there are some wonderful minor characters who captured my heart including Arabella Strange (wife of Jonathan) and Stephen Black. 

Mr Norrell is the character the first part of the book reflects upon. It is his wish to be the only magician in England. He is incredibly stubborn, secretive, terrified of fairies, and hates The Raven King (the nameless slave who ruled England, Faerie, and other places). He isn't a very easy character to like, but he is quite humorous. Readers can connect with him based on his pursuit to be the best at what he does and his love of books. =) 

Jonathan Strange comes into the story around/near part two. He is a little unbalanced, has trouble focusing on multiple tasks at once, loves his wife, is an apt pupil, and wants to share magic with the world. He is definitely more open and friendly than Norrell, but is bound to fits of madness which he creates for himself using magic. Readers will connect with him based on his courage (helping England win the war with Napoleon), his love of Arabella (though sometimes he is a bit distracted from her), and his pursuit of knowledge and first hand experience. 

The plot of this book was a lovely in-depth look at the lives of the two English magicians. However, it did take more than half of it for a clear story line to emerge. After Strange and Norrell part ways, the plot evolves into a heroic journey to save three characters from the enchantment of a fairy. Though the first half was quite interesting, the second half was faster-paced and very intriguing. The only main downfall of this book was the length; it requires more than the average commitment. But I do have to say, it was definitely worth it. Such an enjoyable book filled to the covers with magic and a beautiful other-world. 

Rating: 4/5 cups

Friday, November 16, 2012

The 4-Hour Workweek

Forget the old concept of retirement and the rest of the deferred-life plan–there is no need to wait and every reason not to, especially in unpredictable economic times. Whether your dream is escaping the rat race, experiencing high-end world travel, earning a monthly five-figure income with zero management, or just living more and working less, The 4-Hour Workweek is the blueprint.

**
Timothy Ferriss shares his experience of living a richer life by working less with his book, The 4-Hour Workweek

His concepts are thought provoking and inspiring as anyone can do them. Work remotely, start a business, spend more time doing what you love. All things are possible. 

The first half of this book explains DEAL. A four step process to working less. Definition. Elimination. Automation. Liberation. While the second half of the book explains how you can move forward in business, life, and traveling the world by using this method. 

The best part about this book is it truly shows the reader how to accomplish everything. Ferriss provides in-depth research and examples of how it all can be achieved. He also includes websites, books, and other businesses that will help you complete more work in less time. The 4-Hour Workweek also includes stories from people around the world who read this book and how it worked! 

An added bonus: his companion website. www.fourhourworkweek.com 

I think everyone should read this and learn that how you live your life is optional! I know that I'm definitely going to apply what I've learned from this book so that I can enjoy life without feeling I have to "work for work's sake." 

Rating: 4.5/5 cups