I've been waiting on awesomeness, so that a new long-awaited post would be exciting, dangerous, thrilling and maybe even slightly nauseating. Alas, I've been bogged down by humdrum daily life and have no new awesomeness to report. Those looking for awesome book recommendations. I am trying to wade my way into my massive reading pile, but I have reading ADD and keep starting something, then putting it down and picking up something else. Currently I'm reading the Morganville Vampires series by Rachel Caine. These are short, fast reads and hold my attention like a crime drama on television would. Nothing monumental, but fun. And while I'm waiting for the next book in the series to arrive in the mail, I'm reading Lament by Maggie Stiefvater. I talked about her book Shiver not too long ago. I just like the way she tells a story. This one is about fairies, not something I'd usually read, but I'm a sucker for a good storyteller. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Speaking of books in the mail, have you heard of Book Depository? I think it's based in the UK, but you can get new books pretty cheap. Now, I am a loyal fan of Amazon, so I was a little skeptical about a different place to get new books. I usually compare the prices, but on some books, Book Depository is significantly less expensive. I've gotten quite few books at half price and it's always free shipping, there's no minimum purchase amount to qualify. It takes about a week or so for the books to get to you and you can't really track your order, but if you're shopping for the book lovers in your family, it's worth a look. And the customer service was impressive to boot! (I had a snafu with one of the books I ordered, but they were very gracious and fixed everything right up.) I still love you, Amazon, but it's time we start seeing other people.

Happy Thanksgiving weekend. Hope everyone is fat and happy. No rest for the service industry, so eat a little turkey for me as I try to earn an honest living this weekend. And pray I don't throttle any cranky shoppers. I have an IV caffeine drip, it helps. And since I can't leave you without some sort of visual delight, as puny as this post may be...

This guy's got the right idea.

TBR

This is my to-be-read pile of books. I rummage through 2nd hand bookstores, bargain bins, online clearances, and book swaps looking for books I've been meaning to read. And this is what has happened. I don't want to pass up good deals, but I am buying faster than I can read. And I can read pretty fast. It's overwhelming now, I feel like I'm in school and this is my required reading. I've tried to curtail the buying , but I keep breaking the rules. I mean, who turns down free books? I also tell myself that I can only get books from my "wishlist" but then I keep finding new books I wish to have. At this rate, I have enough to read for at least a year. Does that stop me? Um, no. I'm sick, book shopping is like a comfort food to me, and I can't stay away from book recommendations from people I trust. So I implore you all to stop telling me about great books, at least for a year or two. Even if I beg, plead or cry at your feet. I'm serious. My house is a fire hazard. And if you see me at a bookstore, shoo me with brute force if necessary.

P.S. This is what happens if you have a chihuahua and she feels ignored by your picture-taking

She wants to make sure that all household activities involve (revolve around) her. She also gets mad if you are downloading pictures and not holding her royal self.

I love the state fair. I know it's not for everyone, it's crowded and crazy. The rides look dangerous, and it's a lot of money. But when the weather starts to get cooler, and the days get shorter I look forward to gluttonous feast of deep fried awesomeness. I can't wait to ride the Tilt-a-Whirl or whack pesky little moles on the head as fast as I can. It is an insane, tacky, loud celebration of food and fun (and if you look for it, agriculture and crafts.) I haven't found anything else like it. Avoid the freak shows and make sure to have a deep fried pb&j, oh, and pace yourself. Eating at the fair is like a marathon, not a sprint. And that's all I can say about it, you really do have to see it for yourself.

So I have been doing some reading. I have also been doing some forgetting. I forget to share what's new, like what I've read, which is the point of this blog. The point of the blog as far as I know. I believe the blog may have a mind of it's own and I can only do what it wills, it's very sneaky. So don't be alarmed at any wild surprises.

I'm rambling.

So a quick recap of what I've been reading:



The Dark Lover by J.R. Ward; Not what I expected. All four of the books in this post were recommended by my internet friends (not to be confused with face to face friends or t.v. friends) at paperback swap. I thought this was a Stephanie Plum-esque series but with vampires. I do like a good urban fantasy book now and again and again and again...Anyway, this book was more than I bargained for. It had a little of that urban grit to it, but it was a bodice-ripping romance novel disguised as a nice little vampire book. It was a little too raunchy for me, but I still trust my internet friends, Ward's take on the vampire myth was interesting and the non-romance novel parts were alright.



The Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead; Before you think I'm on this huge vampire kick, let me reiterate that these are recommendations that I've received recently, so the quicker I get through them and mail them out, the sooner I get new books. And people keep recommending books about vampires. Blame Stephenie Meyer, not me. This is definitely geared to a young adult crowd. Not people who like to read young adult novels, but angst ridden, too young to drive but old enough to know everything, young adults. I had actually seen this book a while ago at a bookstore and put it down because it didn't look like a book I would like. Yes, I judged a book by its cover. But people (internet friends) kept saying how hooked they were on the series I had to give it a shot. Meh. Not my favorite. But I feel like it could be good, so since I already have book 2 in the series, I'm going to to see where the story goes. Then I'll follow up with an opinion better than meh. I know, who sums up a book like that? Lame.



Bella at Midnight by Diane Stanley; A retelling of Cinderella. The feminist in me cringes to admit my love of Cinderella stories. I love fairy tales. I love Cinderella stories. Not Disney-fied, the real fairy tales people! Not that there is anything wrong with Disney. But that's just not what we're talking about today. I have read many (many) Cinderella retellings, and don't forget my confessed love for them, so of course I liked this one. It is a proper, satisfying once-upon-a-time/happily-ever-after tale. A clever, original retelling, and I found myself more in love with the supporting characters than the main ones. Even the antagonistic characters. By rotating the point of view, the author showed them as flawed and hurt, so although they did despicable things, you knew they hadn't always been despicable people. I really liked the shifting point of view, I think that is why I enjoyed so many of the supporting characters, and it didn't interrupt the flow of the story, so it really worked.



And (finally!) Listening for Lions by Gloria Whelan; I wanted this book to be longer. I want to go to Africa now, too. Told from Rachel's point of view, a young girl living in Africa with her missionary parents, it is her voice that makes this novel poignant. She tells her story so beautifully and simply that it feels true. I just wish there had been more of it.

I promise not to procrastinate so long next time so that I don't burden readers (or, I think it's actually just reader) with such a long rambling post. Someone really should intervene when I decide to do this at 3 am. It's just not right.

So I was just reading about Roman Polanski, and I don't really want to get in to the Big Scandal with him. (This fledgling blog isn't ready for something like that yet.) But did you know he directed a movie titled Pardon Me, But Your Teeth Are in my Neck? Yep, it's a vampire movie.

That's the only way to eat sandwiches.