It is hard to believe that my last post had been on a summer day in 2011. Now, my dear "babies," please do not interpret this break in posting as falling off the face of the Earth.
On the contrary. I was having an identity crisis, or at least a form of one.
I have been so happy with the overwhelming support and love for Kora & Penelope. To think that anyone, let alone more than ONE person, would be interested in my work has been the beginning of so many blessings. However, as a consumer and an entrepreneur, I often filled my days with this nagging feeling (I like to think of them as "thought wasps") that something was missing. Not a gaping-hole-need-to-be-filled-with-a-solution missing, but the type of missing where what you are searching for is in fact in front of you, but you don't have the tools or the inclination to look for it. I equate it to my daily mistake of searching for my glasses and finding them nestled safely on top of my head. While this may be considered charming for a young, absent-minded professor, this drives the more organized part of me crazy (what's left of that part anyway. I can feel my meticulous habits slowly dwindling as my research workload and creative projects rise in volume). No matter how hard I looked, I could not find those proverbial glasses.
So I did what came naturally. I asked tons of questions, I put my shop under a microscope, I spoke with customers - you name it. But those "glasses" refused to come out and play.
After months of deliberating, those proverbial glasses came crashing off my head and until the desk (all proverbial furniture, mind you). While I was proud of Kora & Penelope's products and audience appeal, I realized I was doing a disservice to the brand if I didn't expand my creative horizons. So I locked myself away and between conferences, classes, papers, and deadlines I began to create.
So here we are. 2012 and Kora & Penelope is getting ready for our first big Spring Sale (I was playing around with Sale-a-bration or something equally silly, but that's still under construction). Still the same beautiful jewelry, still the same fair, reasonable prices. BUT NOW, you get MORE stories, MORE products to choose from and MORE visual treats to feast your eyes upon as you scroll through our shop. I'm so excited to show you what I've been working on! And yes, accessories for those with glasses are on the list!
It's a whole new year. Why not spend it with Kora & Penelope?
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
Saturday, July 23, 2011
Happy Birthday, Minerva!!!
For Min Min's birthday, I have created this artistic tribute in his honor (I used his native LOLspeak as well):
Honestly, it should be a national holiday today.
Little Birdies that go Splat - Or a Retelling of Samson
Well, babies, I've done the unthinkable. I've chopped my hair off. I know, I know - it isn't exactly NBC Nightly News material. But it's kind of a big deal - for starters, whenever it would get cut past my shoulders, my behavior would resort to epic, psychotic proportions. Crying, screaming, never wanting to leave the house again - I've put my hairdressers (and dear friends) through hell. And for what? Was it vanity? Fear of the unknown? Insecurities? Or do I want to pretend I'm above all of that gender-specific behavior and say I'm just taking the story of Samson really, REALLY seriously?
If you think about it, the story of Samson is more than a Biblical story. If you ignore the fact that yet another woman is portrayed as a temptress and liar (it's okay, Delilah, you're in good company), the story serves as a panicked remark for the fear of the unknown. To step outside of ourselves and deal with the consequences of our mistakes. When Samson lost his hair, he lost his strength and was taken prisoner - but literally and proverbially. Did Samson get his strength back because God decreed it, or did he get it back because he managed to "get over himself?"
That "get over" yourself part is something I think we all struggle with. Unfortunately, our culture has been turned into a series of competitions (what? You thought the reality TV circuit was a coincidence?) where there are blatant winners and losers. Unless, you're seven. Then everyone gets a trophy and you have to learn the lesson the hard way - when you wake up from a good night's sleep and some crazy bitch has lopped your hair off. To deal with this constant stress of wanting AND needing to be first, we think we need to hold on to certain rituals: sitting at the same table in a restaurant, going to the same coffee house, keeping our hair long...never realizing that the opportunity to learn and change has presented itself in the form of a minor risk.
Why not take the risk? Why not cut my hair up to my ears? Why not put off school to start my own business and finish my novel? That "why not" is no longer accepted in our culture. Our pioneer spirit - the craving for the unknown landscape - has been replaced by the "work until you die" attitude. The "keep with the status quo" attitude. Is life too shaky to take chances? Is the American Dream running out of open spots? Do we have room for chances? Willa Cather is shaking her head from the ghostly plane.
Unfortunately, I can't answer any of these questions today. And I refuse to because it's July 23rd (my cat's birthday; he also took a chance. On me. I'd like to think it worked out well for the both of us), the Starbucks is good, and it's a beautiful Saturday. I'm blessed to have a place to live, a car that runs, and my bills paid (er...for this month, anyway). Besides, this questions need to be asked over time - as we peer over our little nests and contemplate if we are going to go "splat" should we decide to jump. As I tell my frosh - "Fly, baby birdies!" But that "splat" sounds mighty scary. And who wants that as their end?
So for now, I'll test my courage with my hair. Samson, eat your heart out.
If you think about it, the story of Samson is more than a Biblical story. If you ignore the fact that yet another woman is portrayed as a temptress and liar (it's okay, Delilah, you're in good company), the story serves as a panicked remark for the fear of the unknown. To step outside of ourselves and deal with the consequences of our mistakes. When Samson lost his hair, he lost his strength and was taken prisoner - but literally and proverbially. Did Samson get his strength back because God decreed it, or did he get it back because he managed to "get over himself?"
That "get over" yourself part is something I think we all struggle with. Unfortunately, our culture has been turned into a series of competitions (what? You thought the reality TV circuit was a coincidence?) where there are blatant winners and losers. Unless, you're seven. Then everyone gets a trophy and you have to learn the lesson the hard way - when you wake up from a good night's sleep and some crazy bitch has lopped your hair off. To deal with this constant stress of wanting AND needing to be first, we think we need to hold on to certain rituals: sitting at the same table in a restaurant, going to the same coffee house, keeping our hair long...never realizing that the opportunity to learn and change has presented itself in the form of a minor risk.
Why not take the risk? Why not cut my hair up to my ears? Why not put off school to start my own business and finish my novel? That "why not" is no longer accepted in our culture. Our pioneer spirit - the craving for the unknown landscape - has been replaced by the "work until you die" attitude. The "keep with the status quo" attitude. Is life too shaky to take chances? Is the American Dream running out of open spots? Do we have room for chances? Willa Cather is shaking her head from the ghostly plane.
Unfortunately, I can't answer any of these questions today. And I refuse to because it's July 23rd (my cat's birthday; he also took a chance. On me. I'd like to think it worked out well for the both of us), the Starbucks is good, and it's a beautiful Saturday. I'm blessed to have a place to live, a car that runs, and my bills paid (er...for this month, anyway). Besides, this questions need to be asked over time - as we peer over our little nests and contemplate if we are going to go "splat" should we decide to jump. As I tell my frosh - "Fly, baby birdies!" But that "splat" sounds mighty scary. And who wants that as their end?
So for now, I'll test my courage with my hair. Samson, eat your heart out.
Friday, July 8, 2011
Bookworm Goddess: My Yearly Reads #61-71
And we came to the end...another great book, by the way. So, 71 books and 16,407 pages later, I reached my year deadline. I didn't quite beat Stephen King's annual book number, but I'm pretty proud of myself. So, without gilding the lily and any more lagoo, I present the last ten:
61. Bizenghast, Volume 3 - M. Alice LeGrow (Completed 3/17/11) - Okay, I'm still not sure what to do with this series. Now that Tokoyo Pop is going out of business, I'm hoping we haven't seen the last of Dinah and Vincent. And also, I want to know what the hell is going on in Bizenghast.
62. Armageddon in Retrospect - Kurt Vonnegut (Completed 3/28/11) - I adore Vonnegut. He is, by far, one of the greatest American writers. The intro by his son, Mark, is touching and
Vonnegut-esque. It proves that this talent for words runs in the family. Armageddon is some of Vonnegut's last pieces and the book is interspersed with some of his artwork. The stories are about - what else?- war, peace and government. But aside from Orwell, he's the only person who is worth listening to on this subject. I have to admit, I did tear up when I finished and saw his picture on the back. So it goes.
63. House of Night Series #1: Marked - P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (Completed 3/29/11) - I'm not into the sparkly Twilight vampires because I was raised on a healthy diet of Bram Stoker, Stephen King, Lovecraft, and Anne Rice. So forgive me if I'm unimpressed with Team Edward and Team Jacob. Thanks to Twilight, I now cringe whenever I walk past the "Teen Paranormal Romance Series" section because 1) that's a stupid name and 2) it's a stupid category for books. There is nothing wrong with teens, paranormal stories, or romance, but, lately, combining them has been awful. House of Night is not one of these combinations. The Casts have combined a more creative take on vampires (which is what Twilight is seriously lacking. But statistically, most Twilight fans are Jane Austen fans. Oh dear, did I forget to mention that I find Jane Austen to be drivel as well?) and included something new about their protagonist: she isn't a white girl. *Gasp!* Poor Bella is probably hiding under her knitted arm bands right now. Zoey Redbird is a quick-witted, magically-blessed Native American teenager who is given a destiny. And it isn't to be saved by a "hot, sparkly" vamp. House of Night remakes the vampire story and turns into into a power hungry, magic-learning, tradition-telling, modern series. The characters are funny, the adults are frightening, and the story is chock-full of goddesses, vampires, and ghosts. Oh, yeah, sex and blood too.
64. Hack/Slash, Volume 1: First Cut - Tim Seeley (Completed 3/30/11) - The feminist in me wants to punch Cassie and her slutty clothes in the face. The feminist in me also wants to high five Cassie and grab a steak knife to join the fight. The tongue-in-cheek sexy, Goth girl jokes don't get old, and if you're a slasher movie junkie like myself, you can care less about what everyone is wearing or saying. Just keep the limbs flying and the B-movie one-liners abundant.
65. Cat Getting Out of a Bag and Other Observations - Jeffrey Brown (Completed 4/2/11) - Thank you, Jeffrey Brown, for making me more of a crazy cat lady. If you don't have a cat, you might find this to be cute. If you do have a cat, this is gospel truth. And the kitty is really REALLY cute.
66. Odd and the Frost Giants - Neil Gaiman (Completed 4/18/11) - I blame Neil Gaiman for making me hate the movie Thor as much as I did. I had read this gorgeous retelling of Norse myths before I saw the movie, so the bar was set incredibly high. Instead of watching another crappy superhero movie, curl up with this short read. Odd and Bod, another Gaiman character, should team up.
67. Catwoman: It's Only a Movie - Will Pfeifer (Completed 4/20/11) - I always worry about how men portray Catwoman. She's either a bitch or really, really sexy. Then, they give her a baby, and I suddenly began to worry they were going to turn her into a "mom." You know the type - the woman who gives up everything in her old life because she's a "mom." And she talks about "mom" things and hangs out with other "moms." And then Catwoman gets a "mom" haircut and wears "mom" jeans because, you know, she'll lose the weight once the kid hits college. Luckily, Pfeifer knew better. Catwoman is none of the previous claims. She's strong, clever, brave, and bares a striking resemblance to Audrey Hepburn. I hope I'm a mom like Catwoman one day, leather catsuit and Hepburn looks included.
68. Mirrormask - Neil Gaiman (Completed 4/23/11) - Yes, Neil Gaiman is a staple in my house. And yes, I enjoyed this one too. I found this copy in a used bookstore. It has the story, along with the art and stills from the movie. It's Coraline with an edge.
69. Bossypants - Tina Fey (Completed 4/26/11) - I am madly in love with Tina Fey. I want to sit next to her and see if she smells like strawberries. After reading this, I get where Liz Lemon was born, but I also get to see Tina Fey as she wants to be seen. She's more than a Sarah Palin impersonation, people. She's smart, hilarious, and a bit self-loathing. A strong woman with a character flaw - THAT is how you get it right.
70. Dawn of Avalon - Anna Elliot (Completed 4/28/11) - Elliot's second short story about her Tintagel characters. This time, Morgan gets a chance to speak. I don't know what I love more - Elliot's retelling of well-known characters through the eyes of their women or the Cornish setting. I don't have to answer that yet, do I?
71. 13 Little Blue Envelopes - Maureen Johnson (Completed 4/30/11) - This was a Free Friday Nookbook and, to be honest, I would have paid for this one. Well, for starters, it takes place in London (that is NOT why I decided to read it. It just helped make the decision easier), but it's also one of those fun YA adventures where the main character finds herself among wacky, friendly faces. The backdrop throughout Europe is tempting, but the open ending breaks this from the YA mold. However, I just found out there is a sequel. I'm not sure if I'll read it. I kind of like the way it ended in my head.
61. Bizenghast, Volume 3 - M. Alice LeGrow (Completed 3/17/11) - Okay, I'm still not sure what to do with this series. Now that Tokoyo Pop is going out of business, I'm hoping we haven't seen the last of Dinah and Vincent. And also, I want to know what the hell is going on in Bizenghast.
62. Armageddon in Retrospect - Kurt Vonnegut (Completed 3/28/11) - I adore Vonnegut. He is, by far, one of the greatest American writers. The intro by his son, Mark, is touching and
Vonnegut-esque. It proves that this talent for words runs in the family. Armageddon is some of Vonnegut's last pieces and the book is interspersed with some of his artwork. The stories are about - what else?- war, peace and government. But aside from Orwell, he's the only person who is worth listening to on this subject. I have to admit, I did tear up when I finished and saw his picture on the back. So it goes.
63. House of Night Series #1: Marked - P.C. Cast and Kristin Cast (Completed 3/29/11) - I'm not into the sparkly Twilight vampires because I was raised on a healthy diet of Bram Stoker, Stephen King, Lovecraft, and Anne Rice. So forgive me if I'm unimpressed with Team Edward and Team Jacob. Thanks to Twilight, I now cringe whenever I walk past the "Teen Paranormal Romance Series" section because 1) that's a stupid name and 2) it's a stupid category for books. There is nothing wrong with teens, paranormal stories, or romance, but, lately, combining them has been awful. House of Night is not one of these combinations. The Casts have combined a more creative take on vampires (which is what Twilight is seriously lacking. But statistically, most Twilight fans are Jane Austen fans. Oh dear, did I forget to mention that I find Jane Austen to be drivel as well?) and included something new about their protagonist: she isn't a white girl. *Gasp!* Poor Bella is probably hiding under her knitted arm bands right now. Zoey Redbird is a quick-witted, magically-blessed Native American teenager who is given a destiny. And it isn't to be saved by a "hot, sparkly" vamp. House of Night remakes the vampire story and turns into into a power hungry, magic-learning, tradition-telling, modern series. The characters are funny, the adults are frightening, and the story is chock-full of goddesses, vampires, and ghosts. Oh, yeah, sex and blood too.
64. Hack/Slash, Volume 1: First Cut - Tim Seeley (Completed 3/30/11) - The feminist in me wants to punch Cassie and her slutty clothes in the face. The feminist in me also wants to high five Cassie and grab a steak knife to join the fight. The tongue-in-cheek sexy, Goth girl jokes don't get old, and if you're a slasher movie junkie like myself, you can care less about what everyone is wearing or saying. Just keep the limbs flying and the B-movie one-liners abundant.
65. Cat Getting Out of a Bag and Other Observations - Jeffrey Brown (Completed 4/2/11) - Thank you, Jeffrey Brown, for making me more of a crazy cat lady. If you don't have a cat, you might find this to be cute. If you do have a cat, this is gospel truth. And the kitty is really REALLY cute.
66. Odd and the Frost Giants - Neil Gaiman (Completed 4/18/11) - I blame Neil Gaiman for making me hate the movie Thor as much as I did. I had read this gorgeous retelling of Norse myths before I saw the movie, so the bar was set incredibly high. Instead of watching another crappy superhero movie, curl up with this short read. Odd and Bod, another Gaiman character, should team up.
67. Catwoman: It's Only a Movie - Will Pfeifer (Completed 4/20/11) - I always worry about how men portray Catwoman. She's either a bitch or really, really sexy. Then, they give her a baby, and I suddenly began to worry they were going to turn her into a "mom." You know the type - the woman who gives up everything in her old life because she's a "mom." And she talks about "mom" things and hangs out with other "moms." And then Catwoman gets a "mom" haircut and wears "mom" jeans because, you know, she'll lose the weight once the kid hits college. Luckily, Pfeifer knew better. Catwoman is none of the previous claims. She's strong, clever, brave, and bares a striking resemblance to Audrey Hepburn. I hope I'm a mom like Catwoman one day, leather catsuit and Hepburn looks included.
68. Mirrormask - Neil Gaiman (Completed 4/23/11) - Yes, Neil Gaiman is a staple in my house. And yes, I enjoyed this one too. I found this copy in a used bookstore. It has the story, along with the art and stills from the movie. It's Coraline with an edge.
69. Bossypants - Tina Fey (Completed 4/26/11) - I am madly in love with Tina Fey. I want to sit next to her and see if she smells like strawberries. After reading this, I get where Liz Lemon was born, but I also get to see Tina Fey as she wants to be seen. She's more than a Sarah Palin impersonation, people. She's smart, hilarious, and a bit self-loathing. A strong woman with a character flaw - THAT is how you get it right.
70. Dawn of Avalon - Anna Elliot (Completed 4/28/11) - Elliot's second short story about her Tintagel characters. This time, Morgan gets a chance to speak. I don't know what I love more - Elliot's retelling of well-known characters through the eyes of their women or the Cornish setting. I don't have to answer that yet, do I?
71. 13 Little Blue Envelopes - Maureen Johnson (Completed 4/30/11) - This was a Free Friday Nookbook and, to be honest, I would have paid for this one. Well, for starters, it takes place in London (that is NOT why I decided to read it. It just helped make the decision easier), but it's also one of those fun YA adventures where the main character finds herself among wacky, friendly faces. The backdrop throughout Europe is tempting, but the open ending breaks this from the YA mold. However, I just found out there is a sequel. I'm not sure if I'll read it. I kind of like the way it ended in my head.
Sunday, June 19, 2011
Bookworm Goddess: My Yearly Reads #51-60
51. The House on Mango Street - Sandra Cisneros (Completed 1/31/11) - I'm a strong believer that we should reread certain books every five-ten years. This is one of those books.
52. My Sister's a Barista - John Simmons (Completed 2/7/11) - I wrote about this book a few times in my I <3 Starbucks posts (which are many, I know). Simmons does not work for Starbucks in any way. However, he blends the observer/participant lines to create a narrative and business plan for one of the biggest, most successful businesses in the world.
53. The Sugar Queen - Sarah Addison Allen (Completed 2/10/11) - Ohhhh, I love Sarah Addison Allen. She is is such a fantastic writer. This time, the stories of the characters surround a chubby girl with a sweet tooth and her friend that has the strange ability to communicate with books. As a former chubby girl and a girl who wishes her books could understand her, I devoured this book in two days.
54. Baba Yaga Laid an Egg - Durbavka Ugresic (Completed 2/12/11) - If you aren't familiar with the Canongate Myth Series, take the time out of your reading schedule to get acquainted. The Canongate Myth Series features many talented writers from all over the world who reimagine popular myths. Baba Yaga is just another gem in the already gleaming Canongate crown. This book centers on aging, the maiden/mother/crone concept, and then turns into a dissertation on the history of Baba Yaga. When you finish this novel, add Margaret Atwood's Penelopiad, Jeannette Winterson's Weight, and Karen Armstrongs' A Short History of Myth to your list. Since I'm currently trying to work my way through the list (and it's difficult because so many are out of print), I'll keep you posted on other suggestions.
55. The Reapers are the Angels - Alden Bell (Completed 2/16/11) - I'm not a zombie fan. I hate them. They scare me, they disgust me...and, mostly, they scare me. I keep thinking of that Bob's Burgers episode where Tina says, "I'm not a zombiephile. They scare me, but I like their swagger." This is their swagger. In a world where we can't turn a corner in a bookstore because of teen paranormal romance, adult paranormal romance, adult paranormal mystery, teen paranormal fiction, science fiction, zombie anthologies, and fiction-based, but could be true, paranormal stories, this is a breath of fresh air. A breath of fresh air found in a world where it smells pungently of zombie flesh. I didn't find myself so frightened since Bell is a talented enough writer to know that zombies aren't the entire story. Those left behind are the real main characters.
56. The Wee Free Men - Terry Pratchett (Completed 2/22/11) - I laughed, I cried, I shook my fist to the heavens. Tiffany Aching in an adorable character and Pratchett manages to sneak a moral into the story among the hijinks that ensue. Kind of like when your mom used to sneak veggies into the pasta sauce. Pretty sneaky, sis.
57. Lyra's Oxford - Philip Pullman (Completed 2/24/11) - A great novella reuniting us with Lyra and Pan. However, if you haven't read His Dark Materials yet, then shame on you...
58. The Girl Who Chased the Moon - Sarah Addison Allen (Completed 3/5/11) - Yes, I know. I couldn't help myself. I ran out and got this after I finished The Sugar Queen. I can't get enough of this woman's writing. I did manage to drag this out for three days, but it was only because I wanted to savor the story.
59. What-the-Dickens - Gregory Maguire (Completed 3/9/11) - I'm such a huge fan of Wicked and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, but I wasn't into this story. This is a cute tale about tooth fairies, but the cutesy part of the story kind of got in the way.
60. Let the Great World Spin - Colum McCann (Completed 3/16/11) -This came highly recommended by a friend whose taste I trust completely. I was too young to witness the man walking a tightrope across the Twin Towers. But the Twin Towers have always been a part of my childhood and I still mourn them to this day (as do most people in this country). This is a gorgeous homage to the most beautiful manmade structures in the history of the world.
52. My Sister's a Barista - John Simmons (Completed 2/7/11) - I wrote about this book a few times in my I <3 Starbucks posts (which are many, I know). Simmons does not work for Starbucks in any way. However, he blends the observer/participant lines to create a narrative and business plan for one of the biggest, most successful businesses in the world.
53. The Sugar Queen - Sarah Addison Allen (Completed 2/10/11) - Ohhhh, I love Sarah Addison Allen. She is is such a fantastic writer. This time, the stories of the characters surround a chubby girl with a sweet tooth and her friend that has the strange ability to communicate with books. As a former chubby girl and a girl who wishes her books could understand her, I devoured this book in two days.
54. Baba Yaga Laid an Egg - Durbavka Ugresic (Completed 2/12/11) - If you aren't familiar with the Canongate Myth Series, take the time out of your reading schedule to get acquainted. The Canongate Myth Series features many talented writers from all over the world who reimagine popular myths. Baba Yaga is just another gem in the already gleaming Canongate crown. This book centers on aging, the maiden/mother/crone concept, and then turns into a dissertation on the history of Baba Yaga. When you finish this novel, add Margaret Atwood's Penelopiad, Jeannette Winterson's Weight, and Karen Armstrongs' A Short History of Myth to your list. Since I'm currently trying to work my way through the list (and it's difficult because so many are out of print), I'll keep you posted on other suggestions.
55. The Reapers are the Angels - Alden Bell (Completed 2/16/11) - I'm not a zombie fan. I hate them. They scare me, they disgust me...and, mostly, they scare me. I keep thinking of that Bob's Burgers episode where Tina says, "I'm not a zombiephile. They scare me, but I like their swagger." This is their swagger. In a world where we can't turn a corner in a bookstore because of teen paranormal romance, adult paranormal romance, adult paranormal mystery, teen paranormal fiction, science fiction, zombie anthologies, and fiction-based, but could be true, paranormal stories, this is a breath of fresh air. A breath of fresh air found in a world where it smells pungently of zombie flesh. I didn't find myself so frightened since Bell is a talented enough writer to know that zombies aren't the entire story. Those left behind are the real main characters.
56. The Wee Free Men - Terry Pratchett (Completed 2/22/11) - I laughed, I cried, I shook my fist to the heavens. Tiffany Aching in an adorable character and Pratchett manages to sneak a moral into the story among the hijinks that ensue. Kind of like when your mom used to sneak veggies into the pasta sauce. Pretty sneaky, sis.
57. Lyra's Oxford - Philip Pullman (Completed 2/24/11) - A great novella reuniting us with Lyra and Pan. However, if you haven't read His Dark Materials yet, then shame on you...
58. The Girl Who Chased the Moon - Sarah Addison Allen (Completed 3/5/11) - Yes, I know. I couldn't help myself. I ran out and got this after I finished The Sugar Queen. I can't get enough of this woman's writing. I did manage to drag this out for three days, but it was only because I wanted to savor the story.
59. What-the-Dickens - Gregory Maguire (Completed 3/9/11) - I'm such a huge fan of Wicked and Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister, but I wasn't into this story. This is a cute tale about tooth fairies, but the cutesy part of the story kind of got in the way.
60. Let the Great World Spin - Colum McCann (Completed 3/16/11) -This came highly recommended by a friend whose taste I trust completely. I was too young to witness the man walking a tightrope across the Twin Towers. But the Twin Towers have always been a part of my childhood and I still mourn them to this day (as do most people in this country). This is a gorgeous homage to the most beautiful manmade structures in the history of the world.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Bookworm Goddess: My Yearly Reads #41-50
41. The Witch Queen's Secret - Anna Elliot (Completed 11/21/10) - This was a short story that was free for all Nook readers (Yes, I have my Nook now! Best. Birthday. Present. Ever). It continues the tale of Isolde and fits right between the first book and the second. I really love the idea of Queen Isolde as the "witch queen." We pride the stories of Avalon on having such an open mind of all things magic. It is interesting to read a moment in King Arthur history where everyone was an ignorant, religionous fanatic just like everyone else. I feel for Isolde because she joins the ranks of so many misunderstood women. And it provides a good lesson to all: Magic is here to stay, whether we like it or not. My advice: Like it.
42. The Lost Hero: Heroes of Olympus #1 - Rick Riordan (Completed 11/28/10) - Oh, Rick Riordan, whenever there is one of your books in my house I get nothing done. This book kicks off the new series, right where Percy and his friends left off. The characters are new, but I still get excited when I meet up with the old faces from the Olympians series. Once again, a fast-pacing, exciting read. The only bad thing about this book is that I have to wait until September for the next volume.
43. The Book of Love - Kathleen McGowan (Completed 12/17/10) - Again, a beautiful piece of writing and research. I think this is my favorite of the Magdalene Line series. In this volume, Maureen and the reader are introduced to the intelligent, powerful woman known as Matilda. A kind and generous ruler over her people, a strong warrior, another famous redhead...and one hell of a chess player. The Time Returns.
44. Aesop's Fables (Completed 12/27/10) - I read this book as a kid and I have yet to stop reading it. I learn something new every time.
45. Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen (Completed 12/29/10) - I always saw this book in B&N and I always wanted to pick it up. Thanks to my Nook, I finally did and I am happy to report that I will read anything this woman writes. Part Practical Magic, part recipe book, and 100% Allen.
46. Click - Almond, Coifer, Doyle, Ellis, Hornby, Lanagan, Maguire, Ozeki, Park, Wynne-Jones (Completed 1/3/11) - This was a great idea. A book written in turn by some of the best YA and fiction writers. However, the story is a little weak, and I found myself praising the practice and not the plot.
47. Gone - Lisa McMann (Completed 1/12/11) - After months of waiting for this to make its way to shelves, I happily settled down to read the last installment. I can't really say too much because I don't want to spoil the story. Read it for yourself. It's worth it.
48. Fragments: Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters by Marilyn Monroe - ed. by Stanley Buchthal and Bernard Comment (Completed 1/13/11) - I love Marilyn Monroe. But, of course, so does everyone else. For those that really claim to love Marilyn, I offer you a challenge: read this book and see what she was really like. Read her thoughts, dreams, fears, and plans for the future. You haven't seen her like this yet.
49. A Short History of Women - Kate Walbert (Completed 1/24/11) - Needless to say, I cried when I reached the end of this book. This novel chronicles the lives of one family of women throughout the most daring and frightening parts of the feminist movements. Every character is flawed, yet strikingly beautiful. This is the way female characters are supposed to be.
50. Bizenghast, Volume 2 - M. Alice LeGrow (Completed 1/29/11) - What is going on in this book? I am so confused. Let's hope I get it in the next volume. Dinah, I'm rooting for you.
42. The Lost Hero: Heroes of Olympus #1 - Rick Riordan (Completed 11/28/10) - Oh, Rick Riordan, whenever there is one of your books in my house I get nothing done. This book kicks off the new series, right where Percy and his friends left off. The characters are new, but I still get excited when I meet up with the old faces from the Olympians series. Once again, a fast-pacing, exciting read. The only bad thing about this book is that I have to wait until September for the next volume.
43. The Book of Love - Kathleen McGowan (Completed 12/17/10) - Again, a beautiful piece of writing and research. I think this is my favorite of the Magdalene Line series. In this volume, Maureen and the reader are introduced to the intelligent, powerful woman known as Matilda. A kind and generous ruler over her people, a strong warrior, another famous redhead...and one hell of a chess player. The Time Returns.
44. Aesop's Fables (Completed 12/27/10) - I read this book as a kid and I have yet to stop reading it. I learn something new every time.
45. Garden Spells - Sarah Addison Allen (Completed 12/29/10) - I always saw this book in B&N and I always wanted to pick it up. Thanks to my Nook, I finally did and I am happy to report that I will read anything this woman writes. Part Practical Magic, part recipe book, and 100% Allen.
46. Click - Almond, Coifer, Doyle, Ellis, Hornby, Lanagan, Maguire, Ozeki, Park, Wynne-Jones (Completed 1/3/11) - This was a great idea. A book written in turn by some of the best YA and fiction writers. However, the story is a little weak, and I found myself praising the practice and not the plot.
47. Gone - Lisa McMann (Completed 1/12/11) - After months of waiting for this to make its way to shelves, I happily settled down to read the last installment. I can't really say too much because I don't want to spoil the story. Read it for yourself. It's worth it.
48. Fragments: Poems, Intimate Notes, Letters by Marilyn Monroe - ed. by Stanley Buchthal and Bernard Comment (Completed 1/13/11) - I love Marilyn Monroe. But, of course, so does everyone else. For those that really claim to love Marilyn, I offer you a challenge: read this book and see what she was really like. Read her thoughts, dreams, fears, and plans for the future. You haven't seen her like this yet.
49. A Short History of Women - Kate Walbert (Completed 1/24/11) - Needless to say, I cried when I reached the end of this book. This novel chronicles the lives of one family of women throughout the most daring and frightening parts of the feminist movements. Every character is flawed, yet strikingly beautiful. This is the way female characters are supposed to be.
50. Bizenghast, Volume 2 - M. Alice LeGrow (Completed 1/29/11) - What is going on in this book? I am so confused. Let's hope I get it in the next volume. Dinah, I'm rooting for you.
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Bookworm Goddess: My Yearly Reads #31-40
31. Bridget Jones's Diary - Helen Fielding (Completed 9/22/10) - Yay, Bridget!! I first read this novel in high school, but I'm sorry to say I didn't laugh as much as I should have. But I've always been obsessed with the movie (come on, how can you not enjoy "Fitz Herberts...because THAT is his name?"), so I figured I should reread this fantastic book in my old age. I GET IT NOW. I couldn't stop laughing - between Bridget and her singleton status to her adorable way of handling embarrassing situations, I fell in love with her all over again.
32. Twilight of Avalon - Anna Elliott (Completed 10/6/10) - I picked up this book when I was in severe Tintagel withdrawal. So naturally, I devoured the book immediately. Anna Elliot has recreated the Tristan and Isolde tale by going the Mists of Avalon route and allowing the women of the story to talk. Isolde is a powerful healer who has to watch her Tintagel under siege, run a kingdom, deal with the fact that her father was a traitor and her grandmother a witch, watch her husband die, marry an abusive man, fall in love with Tristan, lose Tristan, and then stand trial for witchcraft. Once again, a story like this one proves that we don't give famous historical women enough credit.
33. The Unwritten, Volume 2 - Mike Carrey (Completed 10/10/10) - I read the first volume of Unwritten the same time I read the first volume of Chew. My eyes feasted on great graphic novels that week. What draws me to The Unwritten series is the story within a story within another story, while referencing great works of literature and maintaining a graphic novel format. Mike Carrey has made story for comic book geeks AND literary nerds. Now, we can live peacefully.
34. Don't Look Now and Other Stories - Daphne du Maurier (Completed 10/20/10) - Another Cornish goddess!!! I've been a fan of Daphne du Maurier's since Rebecca, but I didn't understand her contribution to Cornish literature until I spent time in Cornwall. I read this back when I returned stateside with a new appreciation for this author. This book is a collection of short stories, proving that you don't need to incorporate blood, murderers, and gruesome details to scare the living daylights out of your readers. Sometimes a ghost story will do. It was a great October read.
35. Bizenghast, Volume 1 - M. Alice LeGrow (Completed 10/23/10) - If you choose to read Bizenghast, my advice to you is to keep reading. Trust me, the story makes sense after the third volume. I'm not finished with the series myself, but Dinah's story still haunts me. Ghosts and mental illnesses I can handle. But setting a story in an abandoned New England town? Now, THAT'S creepy.
36. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins (Completed 10/31/10) - READ. THIS. NOW. As you can see, I read the entire series in a month. Enough said. Just make sure you have all three volumes at hand. You don't want to go running off in the middle of the night looking for the next volume. And read the books before the movies come out. You'll enjoy Katniss's story much more. But seriously, go read this now. I'll wait.
37. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk - David Sedaris (Completed 11/2/10) - Oh, David Sedaris. How can you make a chorus of anal leeches singing German drinking songs out of a hippo's bumhole something I still laugh about? And then couple the book with heartbreaking stories that remind us that we're all human, even though you're portraying your characters as animals? Because you're a writing genius.
38. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins (Completed 11/12/10) - Okay, why are you reading this? FINISH THE SERIES NOW!!!
39. Olympians: Athena, Grey-Eyed Goddess - George O'Connor (Completed 11/16/10) - My boyfriend and I met George O'Connor at a comic convention. He's a very cool guy, and I don't want to brag or anything, but he not only signed our copy of Athena, he also drew a picture of Medusa on the title page. What does this mean, you ask? That he's a nice guy, a talented artist and a great storyteller.
40. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins (Completed 11/18/10) - Oh, you finished? How great was it? Did you cry at the part where ---? What about the ending when --? Don't you just hate ----? What about the part with Gale? What about Peeta? How sad is Haymitch? What about the scene with the cat? What did you think about Rue and the flowers? Don't you want to bake Mockingjay cookies? I'm so glad we can finally have this conversation.
32. Twilight of Avalon - Anna Elliott (Completed 10/6/10) - I picked up this book when I was in severe Tintagel withdrawal. So naturally, I devoured the book immediately. Anna Elliot has recreated the Tristan and Isolde tale by going the Mists of Avalon route and allowing the women of the story to talk. Isolde is a powerful healer who has to watch her Tintagel under siege, run a kingdom, deal with the fact that her father was a traitor and her grandmother a witch, watch her husband die, marry an abusive man, fall in love with Tristan, lose Tristan, and then stand trial for witchcraft. Once again, a story like this one proves that we don't give famous historical women enough credit.
33. The Unwritten, Volume 2 - Mike Carrey (Completed 10/10/10) - I read the first volume of Unwritten the same time I read the first volume of Chew. My eyes feasted on great graphic novels that week. What draws me to The Unwritten series is the story within a story within another story, while referencing great works of literature and maintaining a graphic novel format. Mike Carrey has made story for comic book geeks AND literary nerds. Now, we can live peacefully.
34. Don't Look Now and Other Stories - Daphne du Maurier (Completed 10/20/10) - Another Cornish goddess!!! I've been a fan of Daphne du Maurier's since Rebecca, but I didn't understand her contribution to Cornish literature until I spent time in Cornwall. I read this back when I returned stateside with a new appreciation for this author. This book is a collection of short stories, proving that you don't need to incorporate blood, murderers, and gruesome details to scare the living daylights out of your readers. Sometimes a ghost story will do. It was a great October read.
35. Bizenghast, Volume 1 - M. Alice LeGrow (Completed 10/23/10) - If you choose to read Bizenghast, my advice to you is to keep reading. Trust me, the story makes sense after the third volume. I'm not finished with the series myself, but Dinah's story still haunts me. Ghosts and mental illnesses I can handle. But setting a story in an abandoned New England town? Now, THAT'S creepy.
36. The Hunger Games - Suzanne Collins (Completed 10/31/10) - READ. THIS. NOW. As you can see, I read the entire series in a month. Enough said. Just make sure you have all three volumes at hand. You don't want to go running off in the middle of the night looking for the next volume. And read the books before the movies come out. You'll enjoy Katniss's story much more. But seriously, go read this now. I'll wait.
37. Squirrel Seeks Chipmunk - David Sedaris (Completed 11/2/10) - Oh, David Sedaris. How can you make a chorus of anal leeches singing German drinking songs out of a hippo's bumhole something I still laugh about? And then couple the book with heartbreaking stories that remind us that we're all human, even though you're portraying your characters as animals? Because you're a writing genius.
38. Catching Fire - Suzanne Collins (Completed 11/12/10) - Okay, why are you reading this? FINISH THE SERIES NOW!!!
39. Olympians: Athena, Grey-Eyed Goddess - George O'Connor (Completed 11/16/10) - My boyfriend and I met George O'Connor at a comic convention. He's a very cool guy, and I don't want to brag or anything, but he not only signed our copy of Athena, he also drew a picture of Medusa on the title page. What does this mean, you ask? That he's a nice guy, a talented artist and a great storyteller.
40. Mockingjay - Suzanne Collins (Completed 11/18/10) - Oh, you finished? How great was it? Did you cry at the part where ---? What about the ending when --? Don't you just hate ----? What about the part with Gale? What about Peeta? How sad is Haymitch? What about the scene with the cat? What did you think about Rue and the flowers? Don't you want to bake Mockingjay cookies? I'm so glad we can finally have this conversation.
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