Kristi Chestnutt's Blog, page 9
April 18, 2012
A to Z: Parasol Protectorate
Double points for me again today! I'm on a roll!
Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate is one of my favorite Adult novel series...ever.
It's steampunk, which is totally hot right now--but more than that--it's witty, smart, and hilarious without ever feeling heavy. The characters are unusual and totally lovable. Everything about this series is awesome. It's so different, so unique, that honestly there's nothing I can think of to compare it against. And that's saying something.
Author Website: http://gailcarriger.com/
I've read all books but the last...can't wait.
What about you? Any recent addictions?
Gail Carriger's Parasol Protectorate is one of my favorite Adult novel series...ever.
It's steampunk, which is totally hot right now--but more than that--it's witty, smart, and hilarious without ever feeling heavy. The characters are unusual and totally lovable. Everything about this series is awesome. It's so different, so unique, that honestly there's nothing I can think of to compare it against. And that's saying something.
Author Website: http://gailcarriger.com/
I've read all books but the last...can't wait.
What about you? Any recent addictions?
April 17, 2012
A to Z: Ouch
That's right.
It's a bit painful, I'm not going to lie.
After being a sporadic and spastic blogger at the end of 2011 AND the beginning of 2012, I've learned a ton fron the A to Z challenge. I'm loving it, don't get me wrong, but most of all, I'm learning that I DON'T have what it takes to be this methodical about blogging.
I need a break.
Don't get me wrong. I'm not a quitter. I'm not giving up. I'm going to make it.*cue Rocky music*
I just needed a little whine.
You know?
April 16, 2012
A to Z: Narnia and Nancy Drew
My love of reading began with both C.S. Lewis and Nancy Drew.
I could never get enough of either of them, and it's interesting to me that in my adult years, movies were made out of both. Makes you wonder if that's how long it took for someone as addicted as I was to put their childhood treasure into a more visual form.
That first sense of wonder, of getting lost in a book, in another world...it's irreplaceable. I'm still addicted to words, to letting my mind get lost in them, obviously. There's a freedom about it all.
I still have yet to see the latest in the Narnia series - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader...
After finding this preview, it's something I'll have to remedy soon. I've seen the first two movies and thought they were done well. It still can't replace that feeling of first reading them, that *magic* they held, but it's close. And it brings back warm fuzzy memories.
The Nancy Drew movie that came out a few years ago, while cute, just wasn't the same for me. Not even close. It could possibly be because I'm in denial about how cool she is. In my mind she was the epitome of awesome, cute and smart. The movies have her a bit more, I don't know, goofy or too cutesy or something. Obviously Nancy and I go way back. It didn't work for me, what can I say?
I much prefer the computer games they have available now. So much fun. Seriously. Hubs and I frequently buy and play them.
What about you? Any childhood favorites that have come back around? Were you a Narnia fan? Have you watched the latest installment?
I could never get enough of either of them, and it's interesting to me that in my adult years, movies were made out of both. Makes you wonder if that's how long it took for someone as addicted as I was to put their childhood treasure into a more visual form.
That first sense of wonder, of getting lost in a book, in another world...it's irreplaceable. I'm still addicted to words, to letting my mind get lost in them, obviously. There's a freedom about it all.
I still have yet to see the latest in the Narnia series - The Voyage of the Dawn Treader...
After finding this preview, it's something I'll have to remedy soon. I've seen the first two movies and thought they were done well. It still can't replace that feeling of first reading them, that *magic* they held, but it's close. And it brings back warm fuzzy memories.
The Nancy Drew movie that came out a few years ago, while cute, just wasn't the same for me. Not even close. It could possibly be because I'm in denial about how cool she is. In my mind she was the epitome of awesome, cute and smart. The movies have her a bit more, I don't know, goofy or too cutesy or something. Obviously Nancy and I go way back. It didn't work for me, what can I say?
I much prefer the computer games they have available now. So much fun. Seriously. Hubs and I frequently buy and play them.
What about you? Any childhood favorites that have come back around? Were you a Narnia fan? Have you watched the latest installment?
April 14, 2012
A to Z: Mulch, Mom & Miracle Dogs Too
BONUS points! Three M's!
What do they have to do with books? Um, okay. Not much.
Really they just describe my Friday night and why I'm up at 10:30 trying to come up with an "M" for Saturday morning. Almost forgot and there's no way I'm tarnishing my so-far-perfect record!
This whole plant and mulch thing has been an ongoing project for us all week. It could seriously be it's own post. Monday we went around to a few nurseries and Lowe's Hardware Store, on the search for some new plants for our back flowerbead. Seems easy, right? Yeah. Not so much. After three of four trips to different stores and lots of debate, staring, and admittedly even some camera phone picture taking, we decided on August Beauty Gardenias. The problem? They only had five and we needed twelve.
We decided to buy and plant the five, put down weed cloth, and spread mulch, with promises from said store that the other shipment would be in first thing Wednesday morning. Trust me when I tell you that they knew hubs by voice when he was finally able to buy the other seven today, after calling every store around for the last three days. It was a process. But now they are planted and so far I'm loving them. I would post pictures, but alas, it's dark. I *did* take before and after however and WILL try to post those tomorrow since Sunday is the official A to Z day off. It'll be fun to see if I remember. Honestly, I feel like they deserve a post for all the trouble they've been.
Which brings me to my 2nd "M". Mom. My mom. Who gave my sweet toddler the Movie Miracle Dogs Too in his Easter basket this year.
So, you see? It really was a night of "M"s for us here at the Chestnutt household.
And the movie? Kind of hokey but fun. I'm almost ashamed to admit that we watched the whole thing and loved it. It was cute and had heart...what can I say? I'm a sucker for heart. And cute puppies.
Hope this post finds you enjoying your beautiful Saturday and that if you ARE doing yard work, it goes well!
What do they have to do with books? Um, okay. Not much.
Really they just describe my Friday night and why I'm up at 10:30 trying to come up with an "M" for Saturday morning. Almost forgot and there's no way I'm tarnishing my so-far-perfect record!
This whole plant and mulch thing has been an ongoing project for us all week. It could seriously be it's own post. Monday we went around to a few nurseries and Lowe's Hardware Store, on the search for some new plants for our back flowerbead. Seems easy, right? Yeah. Not so much. After three of four trips to different stores and lots of debate, staring, and admittedly even some camera phone picture taking, we decided on August Beauty Gardenias. The problem? They only had five and we needed twelve.
We decided to buy and plant the five, put down weed cloth, and spread mulch, with promises from said store that the other shipment would be in first thing Wednesday morning. Trust me when I tell you that they knew hubs by voice when he was finally able to buy the other seven today, after calling every store around for the last three days. It was a process. But now they are planted and so far I'm loving them. I would post pictures, but alas, it's dark. I *did* take before and after however and WILL try to post those tomorrow since Sunday is the official A to Z day off. It'll be fun to see if I remember. Honestly, I feel like they deserve a post for all the trouble they've been.
Which brings me to my 2nd "M". Mom. My mom. Who gave my sweet toddler the Movie Miracle Dogs Too in his Easter basket this year.
So, you see? It really was a night of "M"s for us here at the Chestnutt household.
And the movie? Kind of hokey but fun. I'm almost ashamed to admit that we watched the whole thing and loved it. It was cute and had heart...what can I say? I'm a sucker for heart. And cute puppies.
Hope this post finds you enjoying your beautiful Saturday and that if you ARE doing yard work, it goes well!
April 12, 2012
A to Z: Kritique!
About time for a writing related post, yeah?
Don't cut those eyes at me. I see you, you know. Trying to catch me off theme again. BUT writing is the producing of a book (in some forms), so it's still book related. *sneaky*
And what book can be written without the help of awesome Kritique partners?!?
What? It isn't spelled that way? SHUT UP. *sneaky again*
It just so happens (and seriously odd universe coincidences) my critique partners and I are all "K's". It's true. And I don't know how I ever wrote a book alone without them for support and instant help-me-not-melt-down-because-I'm-feeling-crazy emails. Actually, I do know. And it wasn't pretty. Trust me.
So today I want to say thank you to the writing buddies I met through the blogosphere, the ones that keep me company on this writing journey of mine and keep me sane (mostly) and laughing (always).
Kristin Rae - http://www.kristinraewrites.com/
KM - www.one-page-reviews.blogspot.com/
Kim Franklin - http://www.kim-franklin.com/
Don't know what I'd do without them.
What about you? Have critique partneres in your writing life you trust? Or you non-writers, people in life you can call when you need advice or lifted up?
Don't cut those eyes at me. I see you, you know. Trying to catch me off theme again. BUT writing is the producing of a book (in some forms), so it's still book related. *sneaky*
And what book can be written without the help of awesome Kritique partners?!?
What? It isn't spelled that way? SHUT UP. *sneaky again*
It just so happens (and seriously odd universe coincidences) my critique partners and I are all "K's". It's true. And I don't know how I ever wrote a book alone without them for support and instant help-me-not-melt-down-because-I'm-feeling-crazy emails. Actually, I do know. And it wasn't pretty. Trust me.
So today I want to say thank you to the writing buddies I met through the blogosphere, the ones that keep me company on this writing journey of mine and keep me sane (mostly) and laughing (always).
Kristin Rae - http://www.kristinraewrites.com/
KM - www.one-page-reviews.blogspot.com/
Kim Franklin - http://www.kim-franklin.com/
Don't know what I'd do without them.
What about you? Have critique partneres in your writing life you trust? Or you non-writers, people in life you can call when you need advice or lifted up?
April 11, 2012
A to Z: Jace Wayland
Jace Wayland of The Mortal Instruments.
*sigh*
Those of you that have read the books know what I'm talking about, right?
The humor, the attitude, the Jaceness!
I can NOT wait for this book to be in movie form (City of Bones). Rumors are that it's set to release August 23, 2013...around a week before my birthday.
Happy Birthday to me! (Though we all know that chances of it actually coming out on time is laughable.)
So far I've heard this guy is playing Jace. Hopefully he can pull it off.
*sigh*
Those of you that have read the books know what I'm talking about, right?
The humor, the attitude, the Jaceness!
I can NOT wait for this book to be in movie form (City of Bones). Rumors are that it's set to release August 23, 2013...around a week before my birthday.
Happy Birthday to me! (Though we all know that chances of it actually coming out on time is laughable.)
So far I've heard this guy is playing Jace. Hopefully he can pull it off.
April 10, 2012
A to Z: Iron Fey Series
Julie Kagawa's Iron Fey Series took me by total surprise and I just couldn't get enough of them. The characters were like family and once the story was over, were sorely missed.
For fun, I went back to my first review of The Iron King and reread my reaction, which I've posted below the book covers. It totally encompasses how I feel about the entire series.
If you're a fan of Young Adult books and Fantasy in particular, this series is for you.
My Goodreads review of Iron King:
First order of business ~ I.LOVE.THIS.BOOK!
And trust me, that gushing is tamed WAY DOWN. I actually took a few days after reading this before writing my review, just so I wouldn't feel the need to squeal and say incoherent things about how hot I think Prince Ash is and how he stole my heart. See how that worked for me?
Seriously though, this book suprised me in a lot of ways and I needed those few days to ask myself, why this book? Why the mad love? And I think I found the answer.
When I was younger, I read the entire Chronicle of Narnia series. Besides my Nancy Drew books (love them), it was the first taste of fun reading I had and I became an addict. The sense of adventure, the creativity, the MAGIC. This book, for me, brought me back to that feel. It's the first faerie book I've read, so that may have something to do with it as well, but the characters felt real and honest, and the storyline swept me away. It made me forget I was reading and I became submersed (read: obsessed) in this world Kagawa created. I tore through this book at a rapid pace and didn't want to put it down.
So yeah, I pretty much GUSHED about it then too.
For fun, I went back to my first review of The Iron King and reread my reaction, which I've posted below the book covers. It totally encompasses how I feel about the entire series.
If you're a fan of Young Adult books and Fantasy in particular, this series is for you.
My Goodreads review of Iron King:
First order of business ~ I.LOVE.THIS.BOOK!
And trust me, that gushing is tamed WAY DOWN. I actually took a few days after reading this before writing my review, just so I wouldn't feel the need to squeal and say incoherent things about how hot I think Prince Ash is and how he stole my heart. See how that worked for me?
Seriously though, this book suprised me in a lot of ways and I needed those few days to ask myself, why this book? Why the mad love? And I think I found the answer.
When I was younger, I read the entire Chronicle of Narnia series. Besides my Nancy Drew books (love them), it was the first taste of fun reading I had and I became an addict. The sense of adventure, the creativity, the MAGIC. This book, for me, brought me back to that feel. It's the first faerie book I've read, so that may have something to do with it as well, but the characters felt real and honest, and the storyline swept me away. It made me forget I was reading and I became submersed (read: obsessed) in this world Kagawa created. I tore through this book at a rapid pace and didn't want to put it down.
So yeah, I pretty much GUSHED about it then too.
April 9, 2012
A to Z: Help
Okay, I cheated a little. It's really The Help.
I know. A book TOTALLY out of my normal genre (YA).
And it was (is) pretty spectacular.
Ironically, I read this book mostly because I wanted to watch the movie. I'd heard good things about both, but as an avid reader, it's hard for me to go backwards. If I see the movie first, the book isn't as exciting.
But did I ever ACTUALLY watch the movie? Um, no.
I liked the book so much that the desire to watch the movie kind of faded. Plus, by the time I was done, it was out of the theaters.
So my question for you, dear fellow bloggers, is: Should I change my mind? Have you read/seen the movie? Or am I okay just reading the book and missing out on this one?
I know. A book TOTALLY out of my normal genre (YA).
And it was (is) pretty spectacular.
Ironically, I read this book mostly because I wanted to watch the movie. I'd heard good things about both, but as an avid reader, it's hard for me to go backwards. If I see the movie first, the book isn't as exciting.
But did I ever ACTUALLY watch the movie? Um, no.
I liked the book so much that the desire to watch the movie kind of faded. Plus, by the time I was done, it was out of the theaters.
So my question for you, dear fellow bloggers, is: Should I change my mind? Have you read/seen the movie? Or am I okay just reading the book and missing out on this one?
April 7, 2012
A to Z: Gorgeous Gale of the Games
I'm pretty sure three "G's" qualifies as extra credit, right?
No? What if I showed you this?
That's right. Team Gale Girl here. From the beginning. All the way to the end.And even after seeing adorable Peeta in the movie.
That's right. I'm hard core like that.
Am I all alone? The last Team Gale girl standing?It's been lonely lately. Surely there are others out there?
And yes, I've read all the books. Disclaimer: All photos take from http://hungergamesdwtc.net/official-movie-images-trailers/
No? What if I showed you this?
That's right. Team Gale Girl here. From the beginning. All the way to the end.And even after seeing adorable Peeta in the movie.
That's right. I'm hard core like that.
Am I all alone? The last Team Gale girl standing?It's been lonely lately. Surely there are others out there?
And yes, I've read all the books.
Disclaimer: All photos take from http://hungergamesdwtc.net/official-movie-images-trailers/
April 6, 2012
A to Z: Forever by Maggie Stiefvater
If you're new to the blog or happened to miss my review of this book, you can click HERE to read it now.
As evidenced by the above photo, I was lucky enough to get to meet Maggie back in August when she was on tour. Like Lauren Oliver, the meeting just made me love her books more. She was fun and friendly and had this HUGE personality that was just cool to get to watch. I could listen to her talk for days. She was hilarious. She had lots of stories. She was encouraging to writers. She was awesome.
If you've never checked out her books, you can learn more about Maggie Stiefvater in the following places:
Website: http://maggiestiefvater.com/
Twitter: @mstiefvater
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MaggieStiefvaterAuthorPage
And NO, I haven't read Scorpio Races yet, but I hear it's AMAZING. My super-duper-amazing-writerly-friend Kristin is picking me up a signed copy this month, so it won't be long.
Anyone out there read it yet? The Shiver trilogy? Met Maggie? Thoughts?
Click HERE to enter my April Autographed Book Giveaway - simply fill out the form to be entered to win.
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