Megan Wong's Blog, page 3
December 17, 2019
Book Review: December
There are times in your life where the chance opportunities flourish and grant more to you than you could have imagined. This is a book review and I will review my chosen book after I tell you how I found it. If I was not working in a bookstore, if I did not have a late shift, if I was not the person on the floor, if, if, if...then I would not have met G.S. Denning and perhaps I would have never known the sheer comedic joy of reading Warlock Holmes.
Warlock Holmes: A Study in Brimstone.
Unsigned (For now).I was returning to the customer service desk when I noticed a man standing there and - WRITING in a book. We had authors come in randomly to sign their books before and I wasn't that worried, but I was curious. The first thing he said to me was, "Don't worry. I'm just signing them. I'm the author." So perhaps I did have a worried expression on my face. I said it was alright, we'd had authors come in before and I asked him about his book.
Thus began an entertaining conversation that traversed the realm of Sherlock Holmes to Cons. peppered with anecdotes and tidbits about the cover and events he'd attended. His book was the perfect two-word pitch. "Warlock Holmes." Now what do you imagine that's about?
I am a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great consulting detective. I've read the original stories many times and I love to learn trivia about it. When I studied abroad in England, the one place I had to visit was the recreation of 221B Baker Street. I've devoted great stores of brain power and space to Sherlock Holmes, but I do not regret a single impulse to devour what I can about him and his writer.
Warlock Holmes can be best described if the world was turned on its head and then hit a few times with a baseball bat. The character of Holmes is not the least bit skilled in investigation. He is like a kicked puppy. I can imagine him pouting with innocent blinking for effect. Despite his inability to logically reason through many things, he is a fountain of mysterious power and a consulter of demons.
Watson, on the other hand, is purely human, but he has the logic and observation skills that Holmes lacks. They make for an interesting pair as Denning rumbles through the plots of the original stories with some rebellious twists and transmutations of demonic proportion.
Each story contains wit and humor and a thread of story that links them together. A Brimstone Thread perhaps? All the familiar characters are there, including appearances by Mrs. Hudson that will make you rethink her oh so minor role in the originals. There is much fun to be had in reading and I will add these books to my shelf to peruse again and again.
As for the signed copies, we only had the second and third in stock. So I put in an order for the first and bought the other two books. One day I shall seek G. S. Denning out and get him to sign the first book, but until now I'm happily reading and laughing maniacally at my good fortune.
You truly cannot know who will come to the bookstore.
Warlock Holmes: A Study in Brimstone.Unsigned (For now).I was returning to the customer service desk when I noticed a man standing there and - WRITING in a book. We had authors come in randomly to sign their books before and I wasn't that worried, but I was curious. The first thing he said to me was, "Don't worry. I'm just signing them. I'm the author." So perhaps I did have a worried expression on my face. I said it was alright, we'd had authors come in before and I asked him about his book.
Thus began an entertaining conversation that traversed the realm of Sherlock Holmes to Cons. peppered with anecdotes and tidbits about the cover and events he'd attended. His book was the perfect two-word pitch. "Warlock Holmes." Now what do you imagine that's about?
I am a fan of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's great consulting detective. I've read the original stories many times and I love to learn trivia about it. When I studied abroad in England, the one place I had to visit was the recreation of 221B Baker Street. I've devoted great stores of brain power and space to Sherlock Holmes, but I do not regret a single impulse to devour what I can about him and his writer.
Warlock Holmes can be best described if the world was turned on its head and then hit a few times with a baseball bat. The character of Holmes is not the least bit skilled in investigation. He is like a kicked puppy. I can imagine him pouting with innocent blinking for effect. Despite his inability to logically reason through many things, he is a fountain of mysterious power and a consulter of demons.
Watson, on the other hand, is purely human, but he has the logic and observation skills that Holmes lacks. They make for an interesting pair as Denning rumbles through the plots of the original stories with some rebellious twists and transmutations of demonic proportion.
Each story contains wit and humor and a thread of story that links them together. A Brimstone Thread perhaps? All the familiar characters are there, including appearances by Mrs. Hudson that will make you rethink her oh so minor role in the originals. There is much fun to be had in reading and I will add these books to my shelf to peruse again and again.
As for the signed copies, we only had the second and third in stock. So I put in an order for the first and bought the other two books. One day I shall seek G. S. Denning out and get him to sign the first book, but until now I'm happily reading and laughing maniacally at my good fortune.
You truly cannot know who will come to the bookstore.
December 10, 2019
Different Types of Love: The Love Triangle
My apologies for such a late post. It has been quite a busy day. I had my last class of the quarter and took an exam that had been consuming my thoughts for the past week. After much cramming and muttering to myself, I managed to pull a passing score and that is enough for this quarter.
I'm not sure if I've stated this directly on my blog, but I'm in a counseling psychology program. I mention it because I often bring in psychological theories in these posts and if you're wondering why I have such a fascination, there's your answer. I have passionately studied psychology since high school when it was first introduced to me and now I want to learn what I can to help others. Along the way, I find out interesting facts and theories that I like to connect to writing.
In the last few hours of this day December 10, (at least on the West Coast), I bring you:
Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love
Sternberg's Triangle - drawn by me
I'd come across it before, but this time I decided to consider each aspect and connect it to relationships I've observed in books. Feel free to comment and tell me about relationships you've read about and which part of the triangle applies!
First off, each point of the triangle represents a singular concept of love, whether its passion, intimacy, or commitment; these three are necessary components and reoccurring themes in relationships. Intimacy, of course, is the feeling of connectedness and the fuzzy warmth of a relationship where you can share things and feel accepted. Passion is that strong physical attraction that makes people do heroic and stupid things (judgement on which is up for debate). Commitment means stability, in the sense that this person will stay by your side through thick and thin.
Then you have the combinations.
Passion + Intimacy = Romantic Love
Fire and closeness, the possibility of getting burned - romantic love is usually the first stage of relationships and can create that "spark" of connection.
Intimacy + Commitment = Companionate Love
Closeness and loyalty can be a good combination for friendship. The trust from companionate love builds a strong foundation and can stick around for many years.
Passion + Commitment = Fatuous Love
A steady fire is to be appreciated, but you can still be burned. Without intimacy, this relationship may be fraught with intense encounters, but there isn't enough trust and disclosure to allow emotions to peek through.
Lastly, a combination of Passion, Intimacy and Commitments = Consummate Love
All three meshed together create a thriving relationship where one is dedicated to loving and disclosing to their partner. It's a winning combination and the kind of thing great romances are based on, but is it achievable?
Next, I'm going to give some examples of the different loves, starting with Island Whispers!
Monica - Adam (Admon? Monadam? What ship name would you create for these two?)
Monica and Adam begin with intimacy. They meet. They get to know each other and trust begins to form. I see their relationship as a slow blooming flower. In its infancy, they are still learning about each other. Next, they become committed to each other as they begin to explore the island. Their friendship is growing along with something else. That something else is just a small flicker of passion, but it grows with strength throughout the novel. I don't think they reach the full potency of consummate love, but their relationship definitely gets the closest.
Angelica - Grant (I'm not going to even try to give them a ship)
Angelica and Grant begin with different types of love for each other. While Adam and Monica seemed to be on the same page from one type of love to another, Grant has passion for Angelica and Angelica is just committed to Grant. While Grant pines a bit for his angel in the sky, she's not really thinking about him and when she does, she thinks with concern and caring. She wants to help, but she's not really thinking about romantic love. Their intimacy certainly grows throughout the novel. They begin to trust each other, but they keep secrets from each other too, so they never really reach any other points on the triangle. Grant may forever be doomed to the friendzone.
Angelica - Keith
The only rapidly developing relationship in the novel - most likely because of its dominating love type. Passion is pretty evident from the start on both sides and as they meet with each other more, it only grows. Angelica and Keith are the perfect "high school king and queen" with the image of a good combination. Their commitment to each other becomes clear as Angelica begins to take more opportunities to visit Keith and he does things to help her. However, the intimacy is lacking. While they share things with each other, Angelica knows that Keith is holding things back and that lack of sharing creates some trust issues. How much does she really know about him anyway? So while Angelica and Keith achieve fatuous love, they're not near the next level of consummate.
I was going to expand and choose a few of my favorite books to explore the relationships in them I was thinking Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series, Fire, maybe Percy Jackson or Ally Carter's spy series the Gallagher Academy, but it's almost midnight and I really don't want to be burning the midnight oil. Perhaps those will have to wait for another post. In the mean time, if you've got examples of different love-relationships, comment and explain below. I'd love to hear from you!
I'm not sure if I've stated this directly on my blog, but I'm in a counseling psychology program. I mention it because I often bring in psychological theories in these posts and if you're wondering why I have such a fascination, there's your answer. I have passionately studied psychology since high school when it was first introduced to me and now I want to learn what I can to help others. Along the way, I find out interesting facts and theories that I like to connect to writing.
In the last few hours of this day December 10, (at least on the West Coast), I bring you:
Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love
Sternberg's Triangle - drawn by me
I'd come across it before, but this time I decided to consider each aspect and connect it to relationships I've observed in books. Feel free to comment and tell me about relationships you've read about and which part of the triangle applies!
First off, each point of the triangle represents a singular concept of love, whether its passion, intimacy, or commitment; these three are necessary components and reoccurring themes in relationships. Intimacy, of course, is the feeling of connectedness and the fuzzy warmth of a relationship where you can share things and feel accepted. Passion is that strong physical attraction that makes people do heroic and stupid things (judgement on which is up for debate). Commitment means stability, in the sense that this person will stay by your side through thick and thin.
Then you have the combinations.
Passion + Intimacy = Romantic Love
Fire and closeness, the possibility of getting burned - romantic love is usually the first stage of relationships and can create that "spark" of connection.
Intimacy + Commitment = Companionate Love
Closeness and loyalty can be a good combination for friendship. The trust from companionate love builds a strong foundation and can stick around for many years.
Passion + Commitment = Fatuous Love
A steady fire is to be appreciated, but you can still be burned. Without intimacy, this relationship may be fraught with intense encounters, but there isn't enough trust and disclosure to allow emotions to peek through.
Lastly, a combination of Passion, Intimacy and Commitments = Consummate Love
All three meshed together create a thriving relationship where one is dedicated to loving and disclosing to their partner. It's a winning combination and the kind of thing great romances are based on, but is it achievable?
Next, I'm going to give some examples of the different loves, starting with Island Whispers!
Monica - Adam (Admon? Monadam? What ship name would you create for these two?)
Monica and Adam begin with intimacy. They meet. They get to know each other and trust begins to form. I see their relationship as a slow blooming flower. In its infancy, they are still learning about each other. Next, they become committed to each other as they begin to explore the island. Their friendship is growing along with something else. That something else is just a small flicker of passion, but it grows with strength throughout the novel. I don't think they reach the full potency of consummate love, but their relationship definitely gets the closest.
Angelica - Grant (I'm not going to even try to give them a ship)
Angelica and Grant begin with different types of love for each other. While Adam and Monica seemed to be on the same page from one type of love to another, Grant has passion for Angelica and Angelica is just committed to Grant. While Grant pines a bit for his angel in the sky, she's not really thinking about him and when she does, she thinks with concern and caring. She wants to help, but she's not really thinking about romantic love. Their intimacy certainly grows throughout the novel. They begin to trust each other, but they keep secrets from each other too, so they never really reach any other points on the triangle. Grant may forever be doomed to the friendzone.
Angelica - Keith
The only rapidly developing relationship in the novel - most likely because of its dominating love type. Passion is pretty evident from the start on both sides and as they meet with each other more, it only grows. Angelica and Keith are the perfect "high school king and queen" with the image of a good combination. Their commitment to each other becomes clear as Angelica begins to take more opportunities to visit Keith and he does things to help her. However, the intimacy is lacking. While they share things with each other, Angelica knows that Keith is holding things back and that lack of sharing creates some trust issues. How much does she really know about him anyway? So while Angelica and Keith achieve fatuous love, they're not near the next level of consummate.
I was going to expand and choose a few of my favorite books to explore the relationships in them I was thinking Cassandra Clare's Infernal Devices series, Fire, maybe Percy Jackson or Ally Carter's spy series the Gallagher Academy, but it's almost midnight and I really don't want to be burning the midnight oil. Perhaps those will have to wait for another post. In the mean time, if you've got examples of different love-relationships, comment and explain below. I'd love to hear from you!
December 3, 2019
First and Last
The Truth is Time doesn't lastand things of today are already the past.
One moment we breathe.The next we die.
One tear shedbutthe cheek is dry.
First comes a wealth of Fire,heat brings a drought,until it all seems dire.
Then comes the Rain -a resounding downpour -until it all drains,a drowned world no more.
In summary, our world always endsand yet,the end of one world is where another begins.
One moment we breathe.The next we die.
One tear shedbutthe cheek is dry.
First comes a wealth of Fire,heat brings a drought,until it all seems dire.
Then comes the Rain -a resounding downpour -until it all drains,a drowned world no more.
In summary, our world always endsand yet,the end of one world is where another begins.
November 26, 2019
When in Doubt, Go Back to the Basics
An integral part of school is the essay. No matter what grade you are in or degree, you generally are going to have to write at least one. I know most people abhor essay writing and there are a very slim number of essay enthusiasts. So I'm going to tell you what you already know, but what you may forget when overwhelmed with the prospect of writing.
Go back to the basics.
Write an outline.
I know. It's simple and obvious, but even I sometimes forget this tool. Outlines will give you structure, especially when your professor is giving you none.
A basic outline looks like this:
Introductory paragraph -
Hook(Draw the reader in. Tell them that they want more with this first sentence. A very similar quality that writers want in their novels.)Background/Summary(Help your reader out. Maybe they know everything about your topic, maybe they don't. Give them enough ground to stand on so that they're not lost later.)Thesis Statement(Make your argument. You're here to prove something and this is just a small preview of what is in store.)Body Paragraph 1 -Lead-In/Mini Thesis StatementArgument 1(By the way, you can have multiple arguments in the body paragraphs, but the general rule of 3 is good to live by. Too many and the paragraph may become its own essay. Too few and you might struggle to get the point across.)Mini Conclusion/Set-Up for next paragraph(Potentially you don't need to set up. Just wrap it up on a good note so that they're satisfied with this argument and can move onto your next paragraph.)Body Paragraph 2 -Lead-In/Mini Thesis Statement(It's a good idea to refer back to your original/intro thesis and tie it back around, but don't use repetitive phrasing or your reader will get annoyed.)Argument 1Mini Conclusion/Set-Up for next paragraphBody Paragraph 3 -Lead-In/Mini Thesis Statement(Wash, rinse, repeat...an essay has a repetitive format which can get old, but can make it easier for you to write it.)Argument 1Mini Conclusion/Set-Up for next paragraphConclusion -Summary(At last, you're almost there. Draw your points together and get it done.)Ending Thought/Takeaway Point/Call to Action(This is your time to tell the reader, but that's not all. This is how this is applicable or "go forth and conquer" with these new strategies.)
Now there are many variations and different terms for outlines, so this is definitely not an end-all-be-all model. However, if you find yourself thrown for a loop and scrambling to finish that essay, start with an outline. It might just save your life.
Go back to the basics.
Write an outline.
I know. It's simple and obvious, but even I sometimes forget this tool. Outlines will give you structure, especially when your professor is giving you none.
A basic outline looks like this:
Introductory paragraph -
Hook(Draw the reader in. Tell them that they want more with this first sentence. A very similar quality that writers want in their novels.)Background/Summary(Help your reader out. Maybe they know everything about your topic, maybe they don't. Give them enough ground to stand on so that they're not lost later.)Thesis Statement(Make your argument. You're here to prove something and this is just a small preview of what is in store.)Body Paragraph 1 -Lead-In/Mini Thesis StatementArgument 1(By the way, you can have multiple arguments in the body paragraphs, but the general rule of 3 is good to live by. Too many and the paragraph may become its own essay. Too few and you might struggle to get the point across.)Mini Conclusion/Set-Up for next paragraph(Potentially you don't need to set up. Just wrap it up on a good note so that they're satisfied with this argument and can move onto your next paragraph.)Body Paragraph 2 -Lead-In/Mini Thesis Statement(It's a good idea to refer back to your original/intro thesis and tie it back around, but don't use repetitive phrasing or your reader will get annoyed.)Argument 1Mini Conclusion/Set-Up for next paragraphBody Paragraph 3 -Lead-In/Mini Thesis Statement(Wash, rinse, repeat...an essay has a repetitive format which can get old, but can make it easier for you to write it.)Argument 1Mini Conclusion/Set-Up for next paragraphConclusion -Summary(At last, you're almost there. Draw your points together and get it done.)Ending Thought/Takeaway Point/Call to Action(This is your time to tell the reader, but that's not all. This is how this is applicable or "go forth and conquer" with these new strategies.)
Now there are many variations and different terms for outlines, so this is definitely not an end-all-be-all model. However, if you find yourself thrown for a loop and scrambling to finish that essay, start with an outline. It might just save your life.
November 19, 2019
Following Your Heart
A bit of a life update and a reflection on life at this point.
I'm currently in a graduate program and it's requiring so much of my time and energy. I did expect it, since this is what I want to do with the rest of my life, but, at the same time, I'm overwhelmed with the amount of work. Projects, assignments, essays and the like are all piling up and the end of the quarter is only a few weeks away. I also have a part-time job and I mention that to say I have more than just school concerns.
The past few weeks have not been kind. I wasn't sleeping well. I felt distracted and easily frustrated. In turn, I didn't eat as well as I should have, snacking on sugary foods and things that were less wholesome and more empty-calorie-focused. It felt like everything was spinning out of control.
And I guess that's where this post comes in.
We are every part of ourselves,
down to the shadows at our feet.
I was losing control of all the things going on in my life and it was causing me distress.
Last week, I just had enough. I was tired and completely depleted of energy. I didn't want to think about school or all of the obligations that I couldn't figure out how to fulfill. I just wanted to go to bed and sleep so that I could escape all of the pressures hounding me.
Except sleep still wasn't coming easy and I lay there stewing through my negative thoughts. One of my frustrations was that I hadn't been writing. I hadn't picked up a pen, looked through my ideas or typed out a sentence in weeks and I couldn't help feeling like a failure. I kept pushing writing away because of my other concerns and because I felt guilty to indulge in it when I had other things to worry about. Writing also felt like it would be stressful, because it would be adding something else onto my already fragile plate.
However, this night I was just so tired of not doing it that I gave in. I couldn't sleep anyway so why couldn't I distract myself with my own stories and characters?
To update on my writing life, I've been struggling with editing a manuscript and the changes felt monumental and insurmountable. Every time I even considered what I had to do, I'd feel frozen and helpless. I wanted to finish this project and clean it up so that I could send it to my publishers, but I kept feeling like I wasn't enough. So I put it off.
Until this night, that is.
I let myself think through the story. I dreamed and imagined and it began to play out. I knew what the issues were. I'd read the comments and critiques a hundred times cementing them into my memory. They'd become so ingrained in my conscious thought that it was hard to see past them. But this is my story and I wanted it to improve, so I gave it another chance and things started to make sense.
There's something about playing with ideas and letting your mind wander that is conducive for creative thought. Solutions that weren't even on the horizon appear and all of the puzzle pieces begin to fit together. I started to see the forest for the trees and vice versa.
One of my issues had to do with the ending. It wasn't wrapped up neatly. There were still questions. Readers could still argue that things were unresolved. Resolution is important, but not always necessary. Still I couldn't help my own nagging feelings that it felt unfinished and wasn't the best way that it could end. There had to be something, but I just didn't feel smart enough to figure it out.
This mind wandering diversion from sleep cleared it up though. I needed a distraction, a ploy that would look real and yet would hide the truth, and that's when it became clear. Details from earlier on and later collided and I realized that with a few changes, I could create a Romeo & Juliet type ending that still came out with its own meaning and merit. Tragic, but hopeful.
I spent half the night going from laying down to scribbling notes about these new ideas, but it was worth it. I felt calmer, more settled and less stressed than I'd felt in days. Following my heart and my passion really was a saving grace for my mental health.
Writing is something that I have control over and being reminded of my own ability to problem solve helped me to work out the other situations in my life that were spiraling out of control.
I don't know if it will work for others, but it might and so that's my post for today. Following your heart may help you succeed in ways that you don't realize, because it's all connected. Our lives are interrelated parts that are held together through tension. We can't let one go without having it backfire and negatively affect another aspect of ourselves.
I'm currently in a graduate program and it's requiring so much of my time and energy. I did expect it, since this is what I want to do with the rest of my life, but, at the same time, I'm overwhelmed with the amount of work. Projects, assignments, essays and the like are all piling up and the end of the quarter is only a few weeks away. I also have a part-time job and I mention that to say I have more than just school concerns.
The past few weeks have not been kind. I wasn't sleeping well. I felt distracted and easily frustrated. In turn, I didn't eat as well as I should have, snacking on sugary foods and things that were less wholesome and more empty-calorie-focused. It felt like everything was spinning out of control.
And I guess that's where this post comes in.
We are every part of ourselves,down to the shadows at our feet.
I was losing control of all the things going on in my life and it was causing me distress.
Last week, I just had enough. I was tired and completely depleted of energy. I didn't want to think about school or all of the obligations that I couldn't figure out how to fulfill. I just wanted to go to bed and sleep so that I could escape all of the pressures hounding me.
Except sleep still wasn't coming easy and I lay there stewing through my negative thoughts. One of my frustrations was that I hadn't been writing. I hadn't picked up a pen, looked through my ideas or typed out a sentence in weeks and I couldn't help feeling like a failure. I kept pushing writing away because of my other concerns and because I felt guilty to indulge in it when I had other things to worry about. Writing also felt like it would be stressful, because it would be adding something else onto my already fragile plate.
However, this night I was just so tired of not doing it that I gave in. I couldn't sleep anyway so why couldn't I distract myself with my own stories and characters?
To update on my writing life, I've been struggling with editing a manuscript and the changes felt monumental and insurmountable. Every time I even considered what I had to do, I'd feel frozen and helpless. I wanted to finish this project and clean it up so that I could send it to my publishers, but I kept feeling like I wasn't enough. So I put it off.
Until this night, that is.
I let myself think through the story. I dreamed and imagined and it began to play out. I knew what the issues were. I'd read the comments and critiques a hundred times cementing them into my memory. They'd become so ingrained in my conscious thought that it was hard to see past them. But this is my story and I wanted it to improve, so I gave it another chance and things started to make sense.
There's something about playing with ideas and letting your mind wander that is conducive for creative thought. Solutions that weren't even on the horizon appear and all of the puzzle pieces begin to fit together. I started to see the forest for the trees and vice versa.
One of my issues had to do with the ending. It wasn't wrapped up neatly. There were still questions. Readers could still argue that things were unresolved. Resolution is important, but not always necessary. Still I couldn't help my own nagging feelings that it felt unfinished and wasn't the best way that it could end. There had to be something, but I just didn't feel smart enough to figure it out.
This mind wandering diversion from sleep cleared it up though. I needed a distraction, a ploy that would look real and yet would hide the truth, and that's when it became clear. Details from earlier on and later collided and I realized that with a few changes, I could create a Romeo & Juliet type ending that still came out with its own meaning and merit. Tragic, but hopeful.
I spent half the night going from laying down to scribbling notes about these new ideas, but it was worth it. I felt calmer, more settled and less stressed than I'd felt in days. Following my heart and my passion really was a saving grace for my mental health.
Writing is something that I have control over and being reminded of my own ability to problem solve helped me to work out the other situations in my life that were spiraling out of control.
I don't know if it will work for others, but it might and so that's my post for today. Following your heart may help you succeed in ways that you don't realize, because it's all connected. Our lives are interrelated parts that are held together through tension. We can't let one go without having it backfire and negatively affect another aspect of ourselves.
November 12, 2019
Book Review: November
A young heroine must endure trials of body, mind and spirit to save her family and herself. The first dream in Maia Tamarin's heart is to become a tailor and the best tailor in their world. However, tailors can only be men. She begins the story stuck in a small port town while her brothers go off to war. Her father used to be one of the best tailors around but after the death of his wife, the family fell on hard times. Maia becomes the thread that holds the family together, and at the war's end she's the only one keeping them from tearing apart.
I got this from work. Yes, I work at B&N now. I'm so
glad that I decided to pick this one up because it was a
pleasant diversion into another world and I admire Maia
so much. Plus, the cover is absolutely gorgeous.However, a request from royalty might save her family and bring her what she most desires. The court wants Master Tamarin to show off his skill and become the court tailor. It's down to Maia to accept the challenge and save her family's name, because a court position is not to be refused.
She travels to the illustrious court and finds that it's not just any position, it's a competition. She must compete with the other Master Tailors and all under the guise of being a boy. Because if she's revealed, the price will be death and shame on her family forever.
If that weren't enough, the competition is for the emperor's bride-to-be and she is very picky. With enemies all around, Maia is one step from failure at every turn.
What I loved most about this book is Maia. She is a strong female character, and she is not a warrior. So many female heroines are fighters these days, but Maia battles with art. She is determined to win the competition on her own merits. She's prideful and stubborn, but she's willing to do the work and do it fairly. This world is already ripe with injustice but the only lie she tells is of her identity. She may not be male, but she shows her worth.
My second favorite part about this book is the Master Enchanter. A powerful man at the court who is able to do magic and he is enigmatically dangerous and funny. You can't pull the wool over a hawk's eyes and he sees everything. His role in Maia's journey is vital and important in helping her discover herself and the true extent of her craft.
This world is rich with details with history and stories that play crucial roles in the main plot. Not only is the cover beautiful, but this questing book is entertaining from the first page to the last.
I got this from work. Yes, I work at B&N now. I'm soglad that I decided to pick this one up because it was a
pleasant diversion into another world and I admire Maia
so much. Plus, the cover is absolutely gorgeous.However, a request from royalty might save her family and bring her what she most desires. The court wants Master Tamarin to show off his skill and become the court tailor. It's down to Maia to accept the challenge and save her family's name, because a court position is not to be refused.
She travels to the illustrious court and finds that it's not just any position, it's a competition. She must compete with the other Master Tailors and all under the guise of being a boy. Because if she's revealed, the price will be death and shame on her family forever.
If that weren't enough, the competition is for the emperor's bride-to-be and she is very picky. With enemies all around, Maia is one step from failure at every turn.
What I loved most about this book is Maia. She is a strong female character, and she is not a warrior. So many female heroines are fighters these days, but Maia battles with art. She is determined to win the competition on her own merits. She's prideful and stubborn, but she's willing to do the work and do it fairly. This world is already ripe with injustice but the only lie she tells is of her identity. She may not be male, but she shows her worth.
My second favorite part about this book is the Master Enchanter. A powerful man at the court who is able to do magic and he is enigmatically dangerous and funny. You can't pull the wool over a hawk's eyes and he sees everything. His role in Maia's journey is vital and important in helping her discover herself and the true extent of her craft.
This world is rich with details with history and stories that play crucial roles in the main plot. Not only is the cover beautiful, but this questing book is entertaining from the first page to the last.
November 5, 2019
Literature Lessons: Rites of Passage (Growing Up)
Many cultures have a rite of passage. This is generally a notable event in a child's life that heralds their transition into adulthood. This event doesn't necessarily have a specific time, but it can be associated with an age and generally has some ceremony.
Some examples of rites of passage that you might be familiar with include a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah, the Quinceañera; in America, 18 years of age and your ability to vote, 21 years of age and being legally allowed to drink, and getting a driver's license. There are numerous others and many that I'm probably not aware of, but the big picture is that the transition into adulthood is universally celebrated. It just differs on the timing and event.
Rites of passage can be culturally important because they celebrate the individual and show support for their emerging identity. In Island Whispers, Monica is put through a rite of passage which is called: The Test of Strength. If a demon survives the test, they are considered an adult and given more privilege in their hierarchy. Some of this privilege means freedom of movement. After the test, Monica is allowed to leave the caves whenever she wishes and is given different responsibilities.
The Test of Strength is just as it's named, a test of endurance and ability, a mental and physical challenge. It is a maze of tunnels and caves which leads a young demon to use everything they've learned until that point. A capable demon is able to find their way to the end. The demons value strength because it forms the foundation of their society. Strength = Safety.
The strongest among them are the protectors and warriors responsible for keeping the rest safe. The caves are also a hardy environment and so the test is about eliminating the weak so that only the "most fit" demons are living. Weeding out weakness is a practice of the dominate and Monica comes to realize that it isn't fair or right. She begins to think that perhaps an ancient transition to adulthood is not necessarily the best way to define a young demon as an adult.
Standing up to tradition can be difficult and it raises questions; are we abandoning our culture or are we transforming our culture to continue growing/learning/improving? There are many ways to view this. I don't want to say that rites of passage are good or bad. It's not so easy to look at it as one or the other. Many rites of passage are beneficial, providing social support, a sense of identity and community. However, it's important to be aware of our traditions. Do they cultivate wellbeing and positive affect in others or are they harmful meant to command a mindset and exclude others?
Monica has begun considering those questions and perhaps now, with her newfound adult status, she can begin to change things.
Some examples of rites of passage that you might be familiar with include a bar mitzvah or bat mitzvah, the Quinceañera; in America, 18 years of age and your ability to vote, 21 years of age and being legally allowed to drink, and getting a driver's license. There are numerous others and many that I'm probably not aware of, but the big picture is that the transition into adulthood is universally celebrated. It just differs on the timing and event.
Rites of passage can be culturally important because they celebrate the individual and show support for their emerging identity. In Island Whispers, Monica is put through a rite of passage which is called: The Test of Strength. If a demon survives the test, they are considered an adult and given more privilege in their hierarchy. Some of this privilege means freedom of movement. After the test, Monica is allowed to leave the caves whenever she wishes and is given different responsibilities.
The Test of Strength is just as it's named, a test of endurance and ability, a mental and physical challenge. It is a maze of tunnels and caves which leads a young demon to use everything they've learned until that point. A capable demon is able to find their way to the end. The demons value strength because it forms the foundation of their society. Strength = Safety.
The strongest among them are the protectors and warriors responsible for keeping the rest safe. The caves are also a hardy environment and so the test is about eliminating the weak so that only the "most fit" demons are living. Weeding out weakness is a practice of the dominate and Monica comes to realize that it isn't fair or right. She begins to think that perhaps an ancient transition to adulthood is not necessarily the best way to define a young demon as an adult.
Standing up to tradition can be difficult and it raises questions; are we abandoning our culture or are we transforming our culture to continue growing/learning/improving? There are many ways to view this. I don't want to say that rites of passage are good or bad. It's not so easy to look at it as one or the other. Many rites of passage are beneficial, providing social support, a sense of identity and community. However, it's important to be aware of our traditions. Do they cultivate wellbeing and positive affect in others or are they harmful meant to command a mindset and exclude others?
Monica has begun considering those questions and perhaps now, with her newfound adult status, she can begin to change things.
October 29, 2019
Breathe. Accept this moment as it is
Life can be stressful. Take a moment. Breathe. Feel through this moment.
I made this video at my old university before I left. There was a wonderful spot where you could sit on a rock by the water and watch the world go by. You could feel part of the world or separate. It was a beautiful spot and a peaceful place for me to get away from the "go-go-go" mindset of campus life.
I made this video at my old university before I left. There was a wonderful spot where you could sit on a rock by the water and watch the world go by. You could feel part of the world or separate. It was a beautiful spot and a peaceful place for me to get away from the "go-go-go" mindset of campus life.
October 22, 2019
Story Tag: Part 4
Welcome back!
Since it took a little while for Part 4 to come out, I've written more than I did previously.
If you're just tuning in, Inna Jong Key and I are passing a story back and forth. We've got no plans for it. We haven't talked about what will happen. It's all spontaneous.
Check out her blog for part 1 and part 3. Check out my blog for part 2.
Without further ado, here is the next scene:
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Part 4
My head aches as Carla manhandles me out of the car. The storm has died a bit, enough that the rain drums with less enthusiasm and I’m only mildly dampened. The driver says something with concern but she snaps at him and continues shoving me out. My eyes feel gritty and dry as I blink open to an apartment complex. I frown as I try to remember why it is familiar. The fake terracotta roofs and open porches are meant to mimic some Asian-European hodge podge of design. It’s only after Carla marches me to number seventy-six that it hits me.
Carla rings the doorbell and moments later, Anthony opens the door. I rub my head and squint. A million questions are buzzing through my mind; the most prominent one being: why are we here? We used to be good friends with Anthony when we were all in middle school band, but I quit in high school and Carla switched to orchestra. Anthony was the only one dedicated enough to stick with his trumpet. After that we grew apart and only said a passing hello in the hallway.
“Let us in,” Carla says nearly pushing Anthony out of the way. “We can’t stay out here.”
He blinks but nods and steps aside. Is this as strange to him as to me or does he know something?
The apartment is just how I remember it from middle school. The entryway is still crowded with shoes thrown every which way. The hallway light is flickering as if on its last leg and the smell of fast food is a greasy cloud over everything.
Anthony shuts the door and then yells down the hall. “Ma, I’ve got some friends over. I’m going to my room.”
“Keep it down,” his mother replies and I can make out the Jeopardy music from the living room where she’s probably been sitting for the past seven hours.
Anthony just leads us up the cramped stairway and into his room. He shoves aside a stack of books and throws a pile of laundry off the bed and into his closet. His room is nearly the same as well, but you can see the differences. The posters of Pokemon and action figures are replaced with some of his favorite composers and the Periodic Table. While the Star Wars bed covers are the same, the boy that sits down on them is not. His dirty blonde hair is longer and falls into his eyes. He’s taller too, but it’s more than that. He looks older in his eyes. The careless trumpet player running around in confusion is now a serious, intelligent young man and he let us in without a hint of protest.
As much as I want to sit on the bed like old times, I pick out a mostly clean spot on the floor and rub my head. I don’t remember much about the car ride over. Had I passed out? I glance at Carla but she is tight-lipped and tapping away on her phone.
“Why are we here?” I ask.
She waves her hand distractedly. “We needed to go somewhere no one would expect to find us.”
“Gee thanks, Carla.” Anthony rolls his eyes and it’s almost like old times. “I’m right here.” He looks from her to me. “Care to explain why you don’t want anyone to find you. I mean, I think I’m obligated to know, especially since you’re camping out in my room.”
Her dark eyes flash and she lowers her phone. “You don’t want to know, Anthony. The less you know, the safer you’ll be.”
He shakes his head. “And that doesn’t sound like every movie plot ever.” He turns to me as if hoping for a straight answer when I’m in the dark too. “Come on, Lizzie. What’s going on here?”
I clench my knees to keep from shaking. “I don’t know. There was someone in the house, I think. It was dark and the storm...I’m not sure.”
“Shouldn’t we call the police?” Anthony says. “Do you have your phone on you?”
I pat my pockets and realize that I don’t. How did that happen? Did I drop it? I always have my phone on me. It is either in my pocket or my hand and I should have noticed the weight difference.
“Carla,” I say. “Let me use your phone. I’ll call the police and Mom and Dad.”
She just stands there with a lockjaw expression. “No, we’re not calling anybody.”
“Then who have you been texting,” I snap. “You took my halfway across town, barged into Anthony’s home and you won’t say anything about what happened!”
“I’ve got to use the bathroom,” Carla says. She opens the door and closes it with a bang.
Since it took a little while for Part 4 to come out, I've written more than I did previously.
If you're just tuning in, Inna Jong Key and I are passing a story back and forth. We've got no plans for it. We haven't talked about what will happen. It's all spontaneous.
Check out her blog for part 1 and part 3. Check out my blog for part 2.
Without further ado, here is the next scene:
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Part 4
My head aches as Carla manhandles me out of the car. The storm has died a bit, enough that the rain drums with less enthusiasm and I’m only mildly dampened. The driver says something with concern but she snaps at him and continues shoving me out. My eyes feel gritty and dry as I blink open to an apartment complex. I frown as I try to remember why it is familiar. The fake terracotta roofs and open porches are meant to mimic some Asian-European hodge podge of design. It’s only after Carla marches me to number seventy-six that it hits me.
Carla rings the doorbell and moments later, Anthony opens the door. I rub my head and squint. A million questions are buzzing through my mind; the most prominent one being: why are we here? We used to be good friends with Anthony when we were all in middle school band, but I quit in high school and Carla switched to orchestra. Anthony was the only one dedicated enough to stick with his trumpet. After that we grew apart and only said a passing hello in the hallway.
“Let us in,” Carla says nearly pushing Anthony out of the way. “We can’t stay out here.”
He blinks but nods and steps aside. Is this as strange to him as to me or does he know something?
The apartment is just how I remember it from middle school. The entryway is still crowded with shoes thrown every which way. The hallway light is flickering as if on its last leg and the smell of fast food is a greasy cloud over everything.
Anthony shuts the door and then yells down the hall. “Ma, I’ve got some friends over. I’m going to my room.”
“Keep it down,” his mother replies and I can make out the Jeopardy music from the living room where she’s probably been sitting for the past seven hours.
Anthony just leads us up the cramped stairway and into his room. He shoves aside a stack of books and throws a pile of laundry off the bed and into his closet. His room is nearly the same as well, but you can see the differences. The posters of Pokemon and action figures are replaced with some of his favorite composers and the Periodic Table. While the Star Wars bed covers are the same, the boy that sits down on them is not. His dirty blonde hair is longer and falls into his eyes. He’s taller too, but it’s more than that. He looks older in his eyes. The careless trumpet player running around in confusion is now a serious, intelligent young man and he let us in without a hint of protest.
As much as I want to sit on the bed like old times, I pick out a mostly clean spot on the floor and rub my head. I don’t remember much about the car ride over. Had I passed out? I glance at Carla but she is tight-lipped and tapping away on her phone.
“Why are we here?” I ask.
She waves her hand distractedly. “We needed to go somewhere no one would expect to find us.”
“Gee thanks, Carla.” Anthony rolls his eyes and it’s almost like old times. “I’m right here.” He looks from her to me. “Care to explain why you don’t want anyone to find you. I mean, I think I’m obligated to know, especially since you’re camping out in my room.”
Her dark eyes flash and she lowers her phone. “You don’t want to know, Anthony. The less you know, the safer you’ll be.”
He shakes his head. “And that doesn’t sound like every movie plot ever.” He turns to me as if hoping for a straight answer when I’m in the dark too. “Come on, Lizzie. What’s going on here?”
I clench my knees to keep from shaking. “I don’t know. There was someone in the house, I think. It was dark and the storm...I’m not sure.”
“Shouldn’t we call the police?” Anthony says. “Do you have your phone on you?”
I pat my pockets and realize that I don’t. How did that happen? Did I drop it? I always have my phone on me. It is either in my pocket or my hand and I should have noticed the weight difference.
“Carla,” I say. “Let me use your phone. I’ll call the police and Mom and Dad.”
She just stands there with a lockjaw expression. “No, we’re not calling anybody.”
“Then who have you been texting,” I snap. “You took my halfway across town, barged into Anthony’s home and you won’t say anything about what happened!”
“I’ve got to use the bathroom,” Carla says. She opens the door and closes it with a bang.
October 15, 2019
Book Review: October
I suppose it's strange to like an author for words that are not their own, but wait (that sounds like plagiarism), I mean to say that I have an appreciation for well placed prose.
Cassandra Clare is the author of The Mortal Instruments series as well as countless others. I only mention TMI because that was the start of the shadowhunters. In truth, I read Clockwork Angel before I ever read City of Bones and in more honesty, I prefer it. My preference does have to do with the fact that the book is set in Victorian England and I'm a fan of the time period, but I prefer the characters as well.
First of all, the book opens with the Thames River Song by Elka Cloke. I really enjoyed reading that and I think it sets the tone for the book.
Secondly, there is a prologue. Some people may tell you that a prologue is a bad idea. A prologue is a technique that writers used in the past, but for modern writing it is a crude way to introduce something. Well, I disagree. When you deny the use of something, you stifle your creativity. The more rules are placed upon you, the more likely you are to be confined until you can't even imagine what is outside the box. So there.
I want to say I bought this in Target, but I'm not sure.
My memory of getting this is fuzzy and I'm not
exactly sure how I found out about the series, considering
I'd never heard about The Mortal Instruments and the first book
in that series came out before this one.Immediately, readers are introduced to Will and Jem. They are parabatai meaning that they are hunting partners and as close as brothers. They're both nephilim (a little angel blood mixed in with human) and charged with the duty of hunting demons to protect the world.
Next, we meet Tessa. She is an American. She is traveling to see her brother and she is all alone in the world. Also, she loves reading. I really like her inner strength. She knows what heroines in books do, and she's not above trying stuff, but she also knows her limits and has such a factual mind. She is an absolutely wonderful character to follow as well as our "in" to the shadow world.
Begin Chapter 1, I mentioned that I like well placed prose. Above each chapter is a chapter title and a quote from some past writer. We've got William Ernest Henley, Lord Byron, Robert Browning, Horace, Christina Rossetti, and many others. The little quotes add some fun and a breather from the writing. I also enjoy the references in the story itself. Tessa absolutely adores Wilkie Collins, "Have you read the Moonstone?" she asks. At the time, I had not, but per her suggestion I picked it up. So you see, if a writer can write well enough to inspire you to seek out other books on your own, then I consider it a success.
Strange things are happening in London. Bodies and missing people and just an inherent wrongness that the shadowhunters feel a duty to intervene. While Will investigates the Pandemonium club, a group for Downworlders (those that aren't fully human or not human at all), Tessa begins to learn about herself and her family. She might not be as human as she believes herself to be - not when she has the power to become whoever she wants by holding something that belongs to them.
And who is the magister? Leader of these darker paths and the antagonist bent on bringing down the nephilim.
This book is a mystery, adventure, romance, YA story that jumps off the page.
Cassandra Clare is the author of The Mortal Instruments series as well as countless others. I only mention TMI because that was the start of the shadowhunters. In truth, I read Clockwork Angel before I ever read City of Bones and in more honesty, I prefer it. My preference does have to do with the fact that the book is set in Victorian England and I'm a fan of the time period, but I prefer the characters as well.
First of all, the book opens with the Thames River Song by Elka Cloke. I really enjoyed reading that and I think it sets the tone for the book.
Secondly, there is a prologue. Some people may tell you that a prologue is a bad idea. A prologue is a technique that writers used in the past, but for modern writing it is a crude way to introduce something. Well, I disagree. When you deny the use of something, you stifle your creativity. The more rules are placed upon you, the more likely you are to be confined until you can't even imagine what is outside the box. So there.
I want to say I bought this in Target, but I'm not sure.My memory of getting this is fuzzy and I'm not
exactly sure how I found out about the series, considering
I'd never heard about The Mortal Instruments and the first book
in that series came out before this one.Immediately, readers are introduced to Will and Jem. They are parabatai meaning that they are hunting partners and as close as brothers. They're both nephilim (a little angel blood mixed in with human) and charged with the duty of hunting demons to protect the world.
Next, we meet Tessa. She is an American. She is traveling to see her brother and she is all alone in the world. Also, she loves reading. I really like her inner strength. She knows what heroines in books do, and she's not above trying stuff, but she also knows her limits and has such a factual mind. She is an absolutely wonderful character to follow as well as our "in" to the shadow world.
Begin Chapter 1, I mentioned that I like well placed prose. Above each chapter is a chapter title and a quote from some past writer. We've got William Ernest Henley, Lord Byron, Robert Browning, Horace, Christina Rossetti, and many others. The little quotes add some fun and a breather from the writing. I also enjoy the references in the story itself. Tessa absolutely adores Wilkie Collins, "Have you read the Moonstone?" she asks. At the time, I had not, but per her suggestion I picked it up. So you see, if a writer can write well enough to inspire you to seek out other books on your own, then I consider it a success.
Strange things are happening in London. Bodies and missing people and just an inherent wrongness that the shadowhunters feel a duty to intervene. While Will investigates the Pandemonium club, a group for Downworlders (those that aren't fully human or not human at all), Tessa begins to learn about herself and her family. She might not be as human as she believes herself to be - not when she has the power to become whoever she wants by holding something that belongs to them.
And who is the magister? Leader of these darker paths and the antagonist bent on bringing down the nephilim.
This book is a mystery, adventure, romance, YA story that jumps off the page.
