Gretchen C. Hohmeyer's Blog, page 94

Meme Overload, Meme Overload–RESISTANCE IS FUTILE…?

Something has been on my mind a lot since a Top Ten Tuesday category a while back, and it got brought around to the forefront again when I found out about a meme called Throwback Thursday. Don’t ask me who hosts it; I didn’t look into it. I wanted to, though. But there was a problem.

See, in my Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Tips for New Book Bloggers post, I mentioned the danger of participating in too many memes. In the

Seriously, do you blame me? Look at my week, starting on Tuesday and ending on a Wednesday.

perfect example of someone forgetting their own advice, I got irrationally excited about my number of pages views last week. Three weeks in a row, my Top Ten Tuesdays and Waiting on Wednesdays consistently broke records for my busiest day. While staring at my blog stats, I couldn’t help but think, “WELL I SHOULD DO MORE OF THESE!”

My mouse was literally hovering over the link. But then I thought about it. And I thought about the calendar I use to keep track of my blog. And then the sirens went off in my head.

No matter how awesome memes are, I had to hold myself back. Why, you ask, when I don’t usually blog on Thursdays? Because I already participate in Top Ten Tuesday by The Broke and the Bookish, Waiting on Wednesday by Breaking the Spine, and Feature and Follow Friday by Parajunkee’s View. That only leaves Monday and Thursdays free for reviews and my own ramblings (like this post). (I don’t blog on Saturdays and Sundays usually because I have work, don’t judge me. Why do I not blog on Thursdays? Sometimes I do, sometimes I don’t. Depends on how much reading I’ve actually gotten done. Stop asking hard questions.) That means that, already, over half my week of blogging is memes. No matter how much I want to, personally I don’t think it’s a good idea. I’m already worried I participate in too many.

So what do you guys think? Do you like memes? Participating is one thing, but how about READING them? After all, the point of a blog is to have someone READ it, and do readers get tired of memes? When do you know if enough is enough? Tell me in the comments!

Waiting on Wednesday #7

Waiting on Wednesday is a feature hosted by Breaking the Spine for pre-release books we can’t wait to read!

Title: Gilt (Click for Goodreads)

Author: Katherine Longshore

Expected Publication Date: May 15, 2012

Summary from Goodreads: In the court of King Henry VIII, nothing is free– and love comes at the highest price of all.

When Kitty Tylney’s best friend, Catherine Howard, worms her way into King Henry VIII’s heart and brings Kitty to court, she’s thrust into a world filled with fabulous gowns, sparkling jewels, and elegant parties. No longer stuck in Cat’s shadow, Kitty’s now caught between two men–the object of her affection and the object of her desire. But court is also full of secrets, lies, and sordid affairs, and as Kitty witnesses Cat’s meteoric rise and fall as queen, she must figure out how to keep being a good friend when the price of telling the truth could literally be her head.

Why I’m Waiting: BECAUSE I AM A SUCKER FOR TUDOR HISTORICAL FICTION. Finding this book made me SO excited, because it’s just one of a small line of historical fiction books coming forward on the YA shelf and that makes me SO HAPPY. Personally, Catherine Howard has been on the back end of my favorite wives of Henry VIII, but she does really touch my heart depending on how the author writes her character. I’m very excited to see how this one will turn out. Katherine Longshore is also a debut author who made my list of 12 Debut Authors I’m Looking Forward to in 2012!

Top Ten Books I’d Like To See Made Into A Movie

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Let’s face it. Books-to-movies is a really touchy thing. I even blogged about it once, back when I really couldn’t find many things to blog about, it’s THAT important. However, I’ll make up this list with the hopes and dreams that studios could get a hold of these books and NOT demolish them. So is my faith in humanity. Some of these books might even have options on them or whatever, but I don’t keep track. I usually don’t even know until the trailer comes out. So here they are, in no particular order!

1. The Hex Hall series by Rachel Hawkins

Seriously, I want this to be a thing. I’d be very, very vocal about their casting choices because Sophie and Archer and, er, everyone would have to be JUST perfect, but gah. This would be a beautiful thing. Laugh out loud comedy AND magical action? I’d bankroll the project myself if I could.

2. The Vampire Academy series by Richelle Mead

I know this already has on option on it, thank you very much. I’m even a fan of the movie’s page on Facebook. But that DOESN’T mean that it will actually be made into a movie, so just let me lend it some more support. It SHOULD be. For the only reason that I want to see Dimitri come to life.

3. The Angelfire series by Courtney Allison Moulton

THIS WOULD BE AMAZING. Nonstop action, sarcasm and supernatural butt kicking. This would be a spectacular movie; it already reads like one! I would shave my head to have this happen. (Just please don’t actually ask me to shave my head. That would be awkward. I have an oddily shaped head.)

4. Incarnate by Jodi Meadows

How in the world would anyone NOT want to see giant dragons flying around spitting acid, a building that moves and talks AND THAT MASQUERADE. I would do ANYTHING to just see that masquerade come to life. Heck, I’d put one on. Any Incarnate fans want to help?

5. Divergent by Veronica Roth

Quite frankly, I’d be floor if something wasn’t already in the works for this, but hey. I haven’t heard anything about it, so HI LIST! I’d pay good money just to see the scene where they jump off the train. And the scene where their fears come to life. And the scene–er. Ahem.

6. The Immortal Rules by Julie Kagawa

This could be the darkest, coolest teen vampire movie ever. At least nothing would sparkle. Plus, those zombie-vamps? That’d be cool to see–especially the fight scenes. Now please?

7. The Infernal Devices series by Cassandra Clare

I know they’re casting a Mortal Instruments movie, but I’m worried that if they screw it up we’ll never get to see the Infernal Devices come to life, which would be upsetting. The Mortal Instruments is awesome, but their supernatural world mashed with clockwork soldiers? Now that gets even cooler.

8. At least ONE of Tamora Pierce’s series

I mean, come on! You could pick anyone and have awesomesauce right there. They’ve been optioned, apparently, but the studio thinks they’d be too expensive to produce. Pardon me? I saw the Hunger Games. I can guess the fx bill for one SCENE. If there is interest, they will make it. HI, HERE’S INTEREST!

9. The City’s Son by Tom Pollock

Though I can’t share my review of this book with you guys until August, I CAN give you guys a teaser here so you know what I’m talking about. While I wasn’t impressed with some of the characterization, I’d pay money just to see this world come to life. Lightbulb people? Steel wolves? Mirror people? Yes please!

10. Grave Mercy by Robin LaFevers

Just finished this one, and it’s one of my new favorites of the year. Historical romance with a girl assassin? How can you go wrong? Plus, I’m a sucker for period pieces like this because I want to marry the costume department EVERY time. Can you blame me? Can you see the dress she’s even wearing on the COVER? This is a definite must for me.

Teaser Book Review: “The City’s Son” by Tom Pollock

You may be asking yourself, what in the world is a teaser review? It’s NOT a full book review, is what that is. I got this book from NetGalley, but it won’t be published until Sept 8, 2012, and I CANNOT wait months to talk to you guys about it. So here we go!

The City’s Son (Skyscraper Throne #1) by Tom Pollock (Click for Goodreads)

A stunningly original urban fantasy debut

Running from her traitorous best friend and her estranged father, graffiti artist Beth Bradley is looking for sanctuary. What she finds is Urchin, the ragged and cocky crown prince of London’s mystical underworld. Urchin opens Beth’s eyes to the city she’s never truly seen-where vast spiders crawl telephone wires seeking voices to steal, railwraiths escape their tethers, and statues conceal an ancient priesthood robed in bronze.

But it all teeters on the brink of destruction. Amid rumors that Urchin’s goddess mother will soon return from her 15-year exile, Reach, a malign god of urban decay, wants the young prince dead. Helping Urchin raise an alleyway army to reclaim his skyscraper throne, Beth soon forgets her old life. But when her best friend is captured, Beth must choose between this wondrous existence and the life she left behind.

MY READING JOURNEY

7% complete: ”Not sure how I feel about the tense changing with the POV. However…this book reads like YA fantasy pre-Twilight. Not sure if I like it or not.”          

18% complete: “I am so utterly confused. Beth. You just signed up in blood to fight a battle with/for a boy you JUST MET. I have absolutely no idea how that moved that fast. *I* did not understand a thing he just “explained” and I’ve been reading from his POV.”

20% complete: “This does NOT read like a first in a series. I feel like I’m missing SO MUCH.”

36% complete: “Oh. So in the computer copy I have, they show splits were the POV/tense changes in a chapter. But guys, really?

Also, did we just blow over a mention of Pen being raped? Because I can’t even tell if that was rape or sex she participated in without enjoying and that makes me ridiculously angry.”

38% complete: “Are sections of this book MISSING? I’m now legitimately curious. It’s either that or I’m missing something BIG. Multiple somethings big.”

61% complete: “And just when I think it’s getting better, that goes and happens. Aren’t they, like, 15? Because that was just awkward and out of place.”

76% complete: “I have all of the feelings about this book.”

NOW AT 100% COMPLETE: 3 1/2 stars

THIS WORLD. GUYS. IT MAKES ME DROOL. Literally. I slobber like a dog. (Okay, that’s not literally. Wait. None of it is. Never mind.) But I did drool! Sorta! SO REFRESHING. SO NEAT. I LOVE. The updates become less towards the end for a REASON. If you wait out the first half, the second half is spectacular. Yeah, I had my issues, but GUYS. There is so much refreshing, original potential here I could dance. The description of war, it’s consequences and it’s harshness is done to near perfection. I can’t wait to share my full review with you guys in August!

Follow Friday #3

Time for another Feature and Follow Friday, hosted by the lovely Parajunkee’s Review and Alison Can Read! Come follow me and I’ll follow you; it’s as simple as that! I prefer either following by email or RSS feed. Twitter and Facebook likes are also appreciated! I always return every favor.

This week’s question: Have you had a character that disappointed you? One that you fell in love with and then “broke up” with later on in either the series or a stand-alone book? Tell us about him or her.

I have definitely had this experience with characters, multiple ones. The one in most recent history was every single character in The Shapeshifter’s Secret by Heather Ostler. I really, really wanted to like this book. And at times I really did, especially when she was describing the shapeshifting process–it was amazing! But that book REALLY needed some work. The main character did nothing but whine and parrot what other people said, her best friend was a complete stereotype and … agh. I managed to get halfway through the book before I just gave up because I cringed anytime a character opened their mouth. I really, really wanted all of them to live up to the shapeshifting awesomness and that gorgeous, gorgeous cover and they just … didn’t.

Waiting on Wednesday #6

Waiting on Wednesday is a feature hosted by Breaking the Spine to highlight book releases we can’t wait for!

Title: Until I Die (Click for Goodreads)

Author: Amy Plum

Expected Publication Date: May 8th, 2012

Summary from Goodreads: Kate and Vincent have overcome the odds and at last they are together in Paris, the city of lights and love.

As their romance deepens there’s one question they can’t ignore: How are they supposed to be together if Vincent can’t resist sacrificing himself to save others? Although Vincent promises that he’ll do whatever it takes to lead a normal life with Kate, will that mean letting innocent people die? When a new and surprising enemy reveals itself, Kate realizes that even more may be at stake—and that Vincent’s immortality is in jeopardy.

In Die for Me, Amy Plum created a captivating paranormal mythology with immortal revenants and a lush Paris setting. Until I Die is poised to thrill readers with more heart-pounding suspense, spellbinding romance, and a cliff-hanger ending that will leave them desperate for the third and final novel in the series.

Why I’m Waiting: I’m very cautiously excited for this book. I was mildly impressed and surprised by the first book, considering I was expecting it to be another Twilight repeat. It was very different in a lot of ways and very similar in others. I feel like this second book can take it either way. Die for Me was action packed with an awesome mythology and a great cast of overall characters. I’m genuinely curious if Until I Die will succumb to second-book-syndrome or manage to be even more awesome.

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten All Time Favorite Characters In Books

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

Okay, so, THIS WAS HARD. These guys are in no particular order, just numbered so I can keep track of myself. Here we go!

1. Sophie from Rachel Hawkin’s Hex Hall series

I LOVE SNARK. So, obviously, Sophie and I could be BEST friends. She is one of the most hysterical main characters I have ever read and I really DO wish she was real. (See my review of Spell Bound for more squealing!)

2. Anna from Stephanie Perkin’s Anna and the French Kiss

TALK ABOUT SOMEONE I WANT TO BE A BEST FRIEND OF MINE. Anna is just spectacular. She’s a real girl who’s absolutely hilarious and nowhere near perfect but trying. Everything about this book is amazing, but Anna just makes it perfect. (See my review for way more CAPS and squealing then should ever be written!)

3. Rose from Richelle Mead’s Vampire Academy series

Snarky. Sexy. Kickbutt. Rose has it ALL. I made it through the second book of the series (the only one I thought wasn’t very good) just because of her. Thank goodness, too, because the rest of them were epic. I almost couldn’t fathom a new series in the same world without Rose as a main character, even though Bloodlines did win me over.

4. Jace from Cassandra Clare’s Mortal Instruments series

Okay, I’ll admit it. I’m in love with Jace. He’s an absolute idiot sometimes, but he’s too cute about it. And, you know, kickbutt. And pretty sexy. All around, it’s pretty much a win-win. Even if that one scene in the third book does creep me out a little bit. Anyone know what I’m talking about?

5. Ellie from Courtney Allison Moulton’s Angelfire series

She’s a real teenage girl who also happens to be a reincarnated demon fighter. She is also hilarious. And kickbutt. (Does anyone else see a pattern in my favorite characters here? Because I do.) Basically, she’s my kind of girl–i.e., the girl I wish I could be. (See my review of Wings of the Wicked for, you guessed it, EVEN MORE SQUEALING.)

6. Ana from Jodi Meadow’s Incarnate

She’s a new soul in a world of souls who’ve been incarnated over and over again since basically the beginning of time. Talk about not fitting in. She also has a love of butterflies, music and is on a hard mission to find why she’s so different–and the kind of character you can fall in love with. I certainly fell in love with the book!

7. Allison from Julie Kagawa’s The Immortal Rules

Though you haven’t had the chance to meet her yet, I was lucky enough to get an ARC from NetGalley. Though, as I mentioned in my review, Allison isn’t the most likeable character to begin with, she absolutely won me over. In fact, at the end of the book, I was feeling so much sympathy for her that I shocked myself. I rarely ever care about a character THAT MUCH. Allison was worth it.

8. Kel from Tamora Pierce’s Protector of the Small series

Though I adore all of Pierce’s books, my most all around love is for Kel. Don’t ask me why because she certainly isn’t the character I’m most alike or anything, but her series has just been one of my favorites from the beginning. Kel’s unflinching loyalty to her friends and “small-folk” just caused me to want to hug her every single time. (Plus, she was surrounded by one of the most awesome casts of characters ever. I just can’t fit them all in this list.)

9. Will from Cassandra Clare’s Infernal Devices series

What. Tessa is great, Jem is adorable but … what can I say? I’m a sucker for the bad boy, and after Clockwork Prince I just adore him even more. Literally just want to hug him and squeeze him and hold him. Tessa can have Jem; Will is MINE. *commence catfight with rest of Team Will*

10. Cleopatra Selene from Vicky Alvear Shecter’s Cleopatra’s Moon

I’d read a couple of books about Cleopatra’s daughter, but none seemed to enthrall me like this one. This Cleopatra Selene isn’t just acting out history. She’s delivering her story with spunk, pride and guts and made the story seem completely new to me. See my review for more.

5 Similarities Between Reviewing Books and Make “The College Decision”

It’s that time of year. Us high school seniors have to travel around all over the place, trying to figure out which college we want to go to (well, if they actually wanted US). Book reviewing goes to second position in importance (if you’re smart) as you truck all around going AH WHAT DO I DO WITH THE REST OF MY LIFE?! Well, unless you’ve already got it all figured out. In which case, I really don’t like you. You should really be sharing my pain right now.

Lately, reviewing books has started taking over my life. I’ve been TALKING in book reviews. Here are some interesting similarities between book reviewing and making that almighty college decision…

1. You can’t judge a book by its cover or a college by its brochure.

A book with a gorgeous cover isn’t necessarily a gorgeous book. I have reviewed some examples of this pretty loudly. You also can’t get a good look at a college by staring at its brochure. Seriously. All those pictures were purposefully taken under the best circumstances. If you see a college in a stormy and/or winter-y blast and STILL like it, then you’ve got something going for you. But looks can definitely be deceiving.

2. They PAY for those blurbs.

Authors only blurb books they like. Colleges only use quotes from students who enjoyed themselves. Just because your favorite author blurbed a book doesn’t make it The Next Great Novel On Your Bookshelf. Just because a famous person lauded a college doesn’t make it The Next Ivy League College of Greatness. Take everything you hear with a gigantic grain of salt.

3. The publicity department isn’t going to tell you it’s bad.

Ad campaigns only tell you the good stuff. Publicists only tell you the great stuff. The people who do college tours only tell you the best stuff. 99% of people who run those tours are students who’ve had a great experience at the college, and are also trained not to tell you about the bad stuff. If the college offers an overnight option, TAKE IT. You might be surprised what you find out when the students really get candid.

4. Those first pages mean everything.

If a book doesn’t catch you instantly, you’re done, right? Well, if a college doesn’t get you instantly, it usually doesn’t get better. Not always, but I tend to have big faith in my gut instincts. Either way, first impressions can either make or break a college in your mind–just like the first pages of a book.

5. But those first pages mean nothing.

Let’s face it. A book can get off to a rolling start, and then peter off into Nowheresville. A college can get off to a great start–hey, you can even be visiting your top choice!–and then things can go south fast. The reverse can also happen: you can get a bad first impression, and then things shoot upward. Either way, first impressions are important and can color the rest of your thought process, but don’t forget to give things a chance.

Waiting on Wednesday: “The Selection” by Kiera Cass

Waiting on Wednesday is a feature hosted over at Breaking the Spine.

Title: The Selection

Author: Kiera Cass

Expected Publication Date: April 24, 2012

Summary from Goodreads: For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in the palace and compete for the heart of the gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself- and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.

Why I’m Waiting: Because this book has hooked me from day one. The cover, the idea–everything. I know that some people have said bad things about it. I know some people have said good things about it. I’m totally ready to forget EVERYTHING and just READ THIS BOOK. It is literally ridiculous how badly I want my hands on this. Don’t ask me WHY I’m so excited, but I just am. Plus, this is becoming a CW show. The CW has some of my guilty pleasures (VD? Nikita? I shouldn’t, and yet…) This could either go amazingly or horribly and I’m delighted to find out which!

Top Ten Tuesday: Top Ten Tips for New Book Bloggers

Top Ten Tuesday is a feature hosted by The Broke and the Bookish.

See, we have a little bit of a problem here. All things considered, I AM a pretty new book blogger. So, erm, let’s see if we can make it to ten here, shall we? I’ll be cheating and throwing in some “things I learned” while we’re here. Take it all with a grain of salt–I’m still learning too!

1. Don’t be afraid of professional looking blogs/If you need help, ASK FOR IT.

Forgive the CAPS, but some people think that people who run big blogs are scary, untouchable people. While, I’m sure, there are plenty of people who are really crotchety about being bothered, most of the people I’ve met who run big time blogs are pretty nice people. In fact, I’ve really yet to meet one blogger who was a mean, standoffish person. The blogosphere seems to be a pretty nice community full of people whose philosophy is “You help me, I help you.” If you want to ask a big time blogger how to do something, ASK. Or just check out Book Blogging 101 at Parajukee’s View.

2. Use NetGalley.

Seriously. I stayed away from this site for a long time because I thought it was for professionals only, but guess what? I’m not a big fish and I can get books from them! Sure, there ARE some guidelines you have to follow and requirements to meet, but after that it’s really the discretion of the publisher. I’ve been declined by houses I’ve never HEARD of but gotten galleys from HarlequinTeen and Flux. Go ahead a take the chance! The least they can do is say no.

3. Tags are you friends; USE THEM.

It is ridiculous some of the traffic I’ve gotten from the STRANGEST tag terms that I’ve used. If it at all relates to your post, put it in there–but don’t forget it’s the simplest ones that get the most traffic! Mentioning the newest big gossip craze in passing might garner you some extra views, but putting “books” in every tag subject will get you more in the long run.

4. Images are your secret weapon.

I’ve actually been shocked how much traffic I’ve gotten because someone was looking up a random picture I used. They are kinda annoying to upload, but totally worth it.

5. Participating in memes and features is actually pretty easy and a very good idea.

If you’re here, you probably already know this, but screw it. There is this feature, Top Ten Tuesday, and I also participate in Waiting on Wednesday by Breaking the Spine and Feature and Follow Friday by Parajunkee’s View. There are, of course, plenty of others. The first Top Ten Tuesday I did gave me my busiest day in two years!

6. But don’t overdo your participation in memes and features.

I sometimes wonder if the three that I do are too many. Places like NetGalley will look down on you if you depend too much on these things for your viewers. Try to keep your reviews-to-features ratio as even as possible.

7. Giveaways are magical things to get followers, and the easiest way to giveaway is to participate in a giveaway hop!

What is a hop, you ask? It’s basically just like a feature or meme, except for the hosting site has a linky that links to a bunch of blogs doing giveaways. I’m going to start participating in those myself next month, using hops hosted by the lovely I’m a Reader, Not a Writer.

8. Yes, your blog does a need a Twitter AND a Facebook page and yadda yadda–but it’s not as complicated as it sounds!

I just started using HootSuite to connect my Twitter and Facebook page and it’s MAGICAL. One post and it’s out to everybody. PLUS, you can schedule posts, so if you aren’t going to be around you can make sure you still get the word out! There are other platforms for this, like TweetDeck, but I’m not familiar with them.

9. Don’t sweeten up your reviews.

If a book is horrible, TELL people that. Don’t worry about offending the author or whatever. I’ve nearly fallen prey to that because of NetGalley, but it’s really important not to. A review is your opinion, and you have the freedom of speech. Just remember to always mention at least one positive thing and always try to keep a good tone. You don’t have to be mean to be constructive.

10. Be yourself.

Don’t feel like you have to talk like you sound smart or something strange like that. Your blog is your own personal property, not a school paper. Crack a joke if you want to. In fact, I recommend it. Every single thing you write should have your personal stamp on it–it’s how you stand out.