From the nearest book

by Carol2 Comments
Here's a quick quote from the book nearest to me, random page, third paragraph, second sentence. It's not a book I'm actually reading right now, it's in a stack that I'm going to be mailing out this afternoon for Paperbackswap. "Ante up, ladies. Elfkynan siasters are worth twelve to the Imperial sovereign or four colonial mints, nickel-silver, that is, for you shady types that have a pocket full of copper." (pg. 331, A Darkness Forged in Fire by Chris Evans) Just a little tidbit that doesn't reveal much about the book itself. Based on that piece, I picture a group of maybe five men gathered around a table; one, the speaker, dealing out cards. Obviously, from the coins mentioned it takes place in a different world than ours, but I still picture a version of an Old West saloon. The place is kind of dirty, the men not exactly law-abiding citizens. They're not dressed in clean white shirts, or crisp suits. They're...
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Friday’s Tale: The Sea-Maiden by Joseph Jacobs

by Carol6 Comments
Unlike last week's tale, this Irish story has several similarities to fairy tales I've read over the last year or so. The story opens with a fisherman who is not catching much. A sea-maiden rises out of the water and promises the fisherman many fish, if he will give her his first-born son when he turns 20. Of course, the fisherman agrees. Why do these people insists on making deals where they will lose their children? Of course, when the time rolls around the fisherman, sad and worried, tells his son about the bargain. Instead of surrendering his son to the sea-maiden, he takes him to the smithy and has a huge, strong sword made for the son, and the son goes out into the world seeking his fortune. His first day on his own, he comes across the carcass of a sheep beside the road. And there were a great black dog, a...
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Movie Comments: Red Riding Hood (2011)

by Carol19 Comments
David and I went to see Red Riding Hood this past weekend. Amber was spending the night at a friend's house, so it was the perfect opportunity for dinner and a movie. I warned David before we went that I wasn't making any promises, that it might be lousy, but I really wanted to see it. I know the critics didn't like it, but I have to say that we both enjoyed it. It wasn't outstanding, but it was fun, entertaining. The story strays from the original tale, pretty far actually; it has to to make it to a full-length movie. Red Riding Hood's name is Valerie, and she lives in the medieval town of  Daggerhorn, a town that lives in an uneasy truce with a werewolf. They leave out the best of their livestock every full moon and the wolf doesn't kill anyone, until one day. A girl, Valerie's sister, is found dead, killed by the wolf, and events...
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Teaser from I Am Number Four

by Carol17 Comments
"New developments have yet to present themselves. Not all the information is in. Don't give up hope just yet." He nods and the tiniest trace of a smile forms. He looks at Six, a new development that I don't think either of us could have imagined. (pg. 383, I Am Number Four by Pittacus Lore) I just started this one today and am no where near this point, but the story did grab me right from the beginning. I think it'll be a quick read. Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB of Should Be Reading. Play along. The rules are easy and I only cheated a little. Grab your current read, open to a random page, and give us two teaser sentences. Remember, no spoilers. I purchased my copy and the above is my honest opinion....
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Short Story Monday: Stardust by Phil Lovesey

by Carol6 Comments
I loved this quirky little story. It's told in the first person by a thief who in on parole, again, after having been released from  jail, again. By his own admission, he's not a very good thief. (and I do count myself as competent at breaking in, it's the getting out and away with it that tends to be a little more problematic) After being released, he is set up in an apartment in a run-down building. On the top floor lives a man who spends most of his time looking out his window through an expensive, fancy telescope. This man, who people refer to as Buzz, as in Lightyear, has a proposition for our narrator. The characters make this an enjoyable story. The narrator has an off-beat way of looking at life, and he's so honest about his faults, about the system, about his outlook. Buzz is just nutsy enough to be uniqe, and I enjoyed the interactions between the two of...
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