Jack Lewis Baillot's Blog, page 42
July 2, 2014
"You have a last name, Guy." "Do I? DO I?!"
Wherein Jack wants everyone to read a book
Like I said, I was reading a book and now have a review. And everyone should read the book even if they don't read my review, because it was an amazing book and I couldn't put it down.
Never by J. Grace Pennington
I've read Grace's other books, her Science Fiction series with its Star Trek flair which I have fallen in love with. Every time I finished one of the books - all two of them - I wanted another. So when I saw her other book I was ready to snatch it up right off, until I saw it wasn't about Andi and the others and was a Western. I wanted another book with Andi, and Westerns aren't really my thing. So I put off buying it for a while and now I am sad I did.
I keep mentioning, I think, that I have a love for brother stories. And if I haven't mentioned it, there, now you know. I suppose there is some philosophical reason behind this that some person could discover if they could get inside my head and somehow make it back out again. But I am not that person and I have divided so far into my own head I have no chance of making it back out, so you won't be able to find that deep and hidden meaning from me. Simply put, I love brother stories. Especially when the big brother is protective and always does his best to look out for his younger brother.
That said, Never is one of the best in this department.
The story begins with Travis Hamliton, a young rancher studying to be a teacher, is convicted of a murder his older brother Ross knows he didn't commit. Travis is sentenced ten years to the Dead Mines outside of town, mines no one ever comes back from, and if they do they come back changed and broken. Ross knows his little brother doesn't stand a chance making it back alive and is determined to clear his name. Meanwhile, Travis finds himself in the middle of something bigger then convicted convicts mining for coal and is slowly tortured in the hopes his spirit will break and he will give in to the demands being pressured on him. Both brother is about to be pushed to their limits and their only hope is to Never compromise.
Besides the obvious of what I loved about this book, which I will get to, it had more to love than I first thought it would. It isn't one of those typical Westerns but had enough in it to make it feel Western without it trying to be another John Whyne story.
The mystery fit into something from the 20's. It felt like something out of a black and white movie where everyone is trapped in the house and one by one people are picked off. (Think And Then There Were None. Not quite the same, but it had a hint of that feel.) I didn't think a 20's murder mystery, complete with gangster feel, could fit with a Western, but the brilliant Grace pulled it off, which is little surprise anymore. Her writing continues to amaze me though I guess it shouldn't because I should be used to being amazed by now. Maybe.
The characters were as brilliant as I have come to expect from her. I loved them all - or hated them as the case maybe have been. The villain was the kind to make my skin crawl, the kind I have to slam doors over, and some of the characters had those brilliant twists which are always fun to read.
What I loved best though were Ross and Travis. Travis was a sweet kind of character, the adorable little brother sort you wanted to love and protect and worry over. But he had this brave stubborn streak I adored and the bad guy hated, and his persistence to keep going - well, it hurt because he was in so much pain, but it had me cheering. Then there was Ross. The big, strong older brother who did everything he could to clear Travis' name and save his life. I loved Ross, especially during the last few chapters. He is one of those amazing big brothers those of us without big brothers wished we had.
This is another book I will never stop recommending. And I am happy I own it in paperback because I enjoy re-reading paperbacks more than ebooks.
You can find Grace's website HERE! were you can learn all about her other works.
Quote is from Galaxy Quest.
Allons-y!
Like I said, I was reading a book and now have a review. And everyone should read the book even if they don't read my review, because it was an amazing book and I couldn't put it down.
Never by J. Grace Pennington
I've read Grace's other books, her Science Fiction series with its Star Trek flair which I have fallen in love with. Every time I finished one of the books - all two of them - I wanted another. So when I saw her other book I was ready to snatch it up right off, until I saw it wasn't about Andi and the others and was a Western. I wanted another book with Andi, and Westerns aren't really my thing. So I put off buying it for a while and now I am sad I did.
I keep mentioning, I think, that I have a love for brother stories. And if I haven't mentioned it, there, now you know. I suppose there is some philosophical reason behind this that some person could discover if they could get inside my head and somehow make it back out again. But I am not that person and I have divided so far into my own head I have no chance of making it back out, so you won't be able to find that deep and hidden meaning from me. Simply put, I love brother stories. Especially when the big brother is protective and always does his best to look out for his younger brother.
That said, Never is one of the best in this department.
The story begins with Travis Hamliton, a young rancher studying to be a teacher, is convicted of a murder his older brother Ross knows he didn't commit. Travis is sentenced ten years to the Dead Mines outside of town, mines no one ever comes back from, and if they do they come back changed and broken. Ross knows his little brother doesn't stand a chance making it back alive and is determined to clear his name. Meanwhile, Travis finds himself in the middle of something bigger then convicted convicts mining for coal and is slowly tortured in the hopes his spirit will break and he will give in to the demands being pressured on him. Both brother is about to be pushed to their limits and their only hope is to Never compromise.
Besides the obvious of what I loved about this book, which I will get to, it had more to love than I first thought it would. It isn't one of those typical Westerns but had enough in it to make it feel Western without it trying to be another John Whyne story.
The mystery fit into something from the 20's. It felt like something out of a black and white movie where everyone is trapped in the house and one by one people are picked off. (Think And Then There Were None. Not quite the same, but it had a hint of that feel.) I didn't think a 20's murder mystery, complete with gangster feel, could fit with a Western, but the brilliant Grace pulled it off, which is little surprise anymore. Her writing continues to amaze me though I guess it shouldn't because I should be used to being amazed by now. Maybe.
The characters were as brilliant as I have come to expect from her. I loved them all - or hated them as the case maybe have been. The villain was the kind to make my skin crawl, the kind I have to slam doors over, and some of the characters had those brilliant twists which are always fun to read.
What I loved best though were Ross and Travis. Travis was a sweet kind of character, the adorable little brother sort you wanted to love and protect and worry over. But he had this brave stubborn streak I adored and the bad guy hated, and his persistence to keep going - well, it hurt because he was in so much pain, but it had me cheering. Then there was Ross. The big, strong older brother who did everything he could to clear Travis' name and save his life. I loved Ross, especially during the last few chapters. He is one of those amazing big brothers those of us without big brothers wished we had.
This is another book I will never stop recommending. And I am happy I own it in paperback because I enjoy re-reading paperbacks more than ebooks.
You can find Grace's website HERE! were you can learn all about her other works.
Quote is from Galaxy Quest.
Allons-y!
July 1, 2014
"Ten days isolation, Hilts." "Captain Hilts." "Twenty days."
Wherein Jack has complications
I am not the kind of person who is easily annoyed. I've been told I am rather easy going, which I guess fits me well enough. However, when someone tells me that I always feel like I should warn them that I have a horrible temper. I keep it hidden well and I've learned not to blow up at everything, but it is still there and it gets the best of me sometimes. In fact, the Hulk fits my temper well. I am Bruce Banner most of the time, quiet, unassuming, easy going, but get me riled and watch out. And, like him, the "I am always angry," sums my temper up. That said, I am fairly laid back and am trying to learn to just go with things. Whenever a disaster hits I try and move along with it. (By disaster I mean things like my book files not working for who knows what reason, my cover photographer getting a life and not being at my beck and call, taking on too many ARC reading requests at once. Insane summer plans which are keeping me busier than I thought they would - so much for relaxing for most of July. I did not mean disasters such as a tornado ripping my house out of the good and hurling me into Oz. That one I might have a bit more trouble with.) Normally what really gets me is work, having to try and keep up conversations with strangers for four and a half hours. That just isn't my thing and it is exhausting. By the end of the shift I just need time alone. But writing suits me better. I can handle writing, though there are things which show up in it which throw me and push my temper to its limits sometimes.
I have had one of these happen to me recently.
As I have mentioned, I spent a few months back working on revising and editing A Test of Loyalty so it would be ready for publication. However, everything went against me with this book. There was a whole list of it from getting myself buried under too much reading - which I admit was not my fault for paying attention to how much I as agreeing to - to trying to get my photographer free long enough for the cover, the formatting not working like book one's layout, my computer taking a bath in tea and me having to get a Windows 8 and try and figure it out in the middle of editing, and then the plot changing on me. To list a few things. (This is not to mention the two German boys who kidnapped me during the month of June just to keep things interesting.)
Every book I have published has come with its own list of complications which has made reaching the finish line a battle. I am not sure which book was the worse to get through, but so far this one feels like it - and maybe it is since I had to move the date back a month. But I have never had the trouble with plot changes before, and that is why I think it wins.
This book and A Stretch of Loyalty were written during on of the NaNo dares my friends threw at me because they said it was unfair I could reach the 50,000 in a week. They challenged me to write 75,000 that year, and these books were the result. I had plans on publishing them, but I forgot how much work book two needed and decided it needed a complete re-write. What I hadn't planned on with this was HOW much of a re-write it needed. It wasn't until I neared the end though, that this real sank in. It was then I realized that the ending I had wasn't going to work and it needed a new on and all of my so called easy going nature took a leap off the tallest building in town.
I had book three planned out, all ready to be written once this one was done. It was perfect. I had everything I needed for it, only to realize book three was no longer going to work. At all. Any part of it.
Book three was going to take place two years after A Test of Loyalty, but now it has to take place only a week or so after it. Which meant everything I had planned was gone.
Which meant I HAD no book three, at all.
Which means I NEED to find a plot.
Have I mentioned actual plot planning is not my strong point?
So right now I am in the middle of a...pickle. Because book two went and ended on something of a cliff hanger and I had plans when I first began publishing to never leave a cliff hanger unresolved for more than a year. But with no plot, no clue of what next, and nothing to even work on right now, I am starting to feel like turning green and smashing Harlem.
Just, you know, as a heads up in case you read anything about it in the news.
I do have a backup plan, but I am not sure if it is a good one. Therefore, I am not revealing it yet. For now I am wracking my brain, hoping I can figure it out in the time it needs while working on Haphazard and getting it ready for my editors and artist and everyone else who needs it done as soon as possible.
In other news, I am still reading and reviewing, but only on a smaller scale, and I will be willing to take requests again soon. Right now I have a few more to get caught up on and an editing job I am looking forward too. BUT I say all that to say I am close to finishing a fabulous book and I am going to force you all to read it when I am done because it is amazing. So yeah, sit on the edges of your seat and wonder what it is because I'm an Evil Overlord and I like to keep you in suspense.
Now I need to go. I have some formatting issues to try and figure out. Issues like why half of A Test of Loyalty is missing every time I upload it. (That is one I am working on for all of you. Not sure how you will feel about getting only half a book.)
If you don't know this quote go and watch The Great Escape right now!
Allons-y!
I am not the kind of person who is easily annoyed. I've been told I am rather easy going, which I guess fits me well enough. However, when someone tells me that I always feel like I should warn them that I have a horrible temper. I keep it hidden well and I've learned not to blow up at everything, but it is still there and it gets the best of me sometimes. In fact, the Hulk fits my temper well. I am Bruce Banner most of the time, quiet, unassuming, easy going, but get me riled and watch out. And, like him, the "I am always angry," sums my temper up. That said, I am fairly laid back and am trying to learn to just go with things. Whenever a disaster hits I try and move along with it. (By disaster I mean things like my book files not working for who knows what reason, my cover photographer getting a life and not being at my beck and call, taking on too many ARC reading requests at once. Insane summer plans which are keeping me busier than I thought they would - so much for relaxing for most of July. I did not mean disasters such as a tornado ripping my house out of the good and hurling me into Oz. That one I might have a bit more trouble with.) Normally what really gets me is work, having to try and keep up conversations with strangers for four and a half hours. That just isn't my thing and it is exhausting. By the end of the shift I just need time alone. But writing suits me better. I can handle writing, though there are things which show up in it which throw me and push my temper to its limits sometimes.
I have had one of these happen to me recently.
As I have mentioned, I spent a few months back working on revising and editing A Test of Loyalty so it would be ready for publication. However, everything went against me with this book. There was a whole list of it from getting myself buried under too much reading - which I admit was not my fault for paying attention to how much I as agreeing to - to trying to get my photographer free long enough for the cover, the formatting not working like book one's layout, my computer taking a bath in tea and me having to get a Windows 8 and try and figure it out in the middle of editing, and then the plot changing on me. To list a few things. (This is not to mention the two German boys who kidnapped me during the month of June just to keep things interesting.)
Every book I have published has come with its own list of complications which has made reaching the finish line a battle. I am not sure which book was the worse to get through, but so far this one feels like it - and maybe it is since I had to move the date back a month. But I have never had the trouble with plot changes before, and that is why I think it wins.
This book and A Stretch of Loyalty were written during on of the NaNo dares my friends threw at me because they said it was unfair I could reach the 50,000 in a week. They challenged me to write 75,000 that year, and these books were the result. I had plans on publishing them, but I forgot how much work book two needed and decided it needed a complete re-write. What I hadn't planned on with this was HOW much of a re-write it needed. It wasn't until I neared the end though, that this real sank in. It was then I realized that the ending I had wasn't going to work and it needed a new on and all of my so called easy going nature took a leap off the tallest building in town.
I had book three planned out, all ready to be written once this one was done. It was perfect. I had everything I needed for it, only to realize book three was no longer going to work. At all. Any part of it.
Book three was going to take place two years after A Test of Loyalty, but now it has to take place only a week or so after it. Which meant everything I had planned was gone.
Which meant I HAD no book three, at all.
Which means I NEED to find a plot.
Have I mentioned actual plot planning is not my strong point?
So right now I am in the middle of a...pickle. Because book two went and ended on something of a cliff hanger and I had plans when I first began publishing to never leave a cliff hanger unresolved for more than a year. But with no plot, no clue of what next, and nothing to even work on right now, I am starting to feel like turning green and smashing Harlem.
Just, you know, as a heads up in case you read anything about it in the news.
I do have a backup plan, but I am not sure if it is a good one. Therefore, I am not revealing it yet. For now I am wracking my brain, hoping I can figure it out in the time it needs while working on Haphazard and getting it ready for my editors and artist and everyone else who needs it done as soon as possible.
In other news, I am still reading and reviewing, but only on a smaller scale, and I will be willing to take requests again soon. Right now I have a few more to get caught up on and an editing job I am looking forward too. BUT I say all that to say I am close to finishing a fabulous book and I am going to force you all to read it when I am done because it is amazing. So yeah, sit on the edges of your seat and wonder what it is because I'm an Evil Overlord and I like to keep you in suspense.
Now I need to go. I have some formatting issues to try and figure out. Issues like why half of A Test of Loyalty is missing every time I upload it. (That is one I am working on for all of you. Not sure how you will feel about getting only half a book.)
If you don't know this quote go and watch The Great Escape right now!
Allons-y!
June 30, 2014
"It was the colour of someone buying you an ice cream cone for no reason."
Wherein Jack can't believe she went AWOL for a month
There are only 30 days this month, which means I was marking all the food storage things wrong at work because I thought there were 31. Whoever dated the months is not my friend.
I feel like I haven't been here for 31 days. I know I keep up on my posts somewhat - at least I assume I did since I got comments - and it was technically only 29 days I was locked up working on an unexpected project, but it feels longer.
I already attempted to explain what I was doing, but now that it is finished I think I will try and go into a little more detail.
This won't be boring.
Well, I shouldn't promise that. I am still not recovered yet and am typing half asleep.
I already told you all about how two of my friends and I decided we were going to do our own Camp NaNo and write 50,000 words in a month and I was doing my first Historical Fiction. I had it planned out where I would write enough each day to reach the 50,000 by June 30th and still give myself time to edit and work on the books I am trying to get written right now. That was the shortest lived plan I have ever concocted.
I knew something was going to go amiss when I told one of my friends what I had planned to write, and she insisted I finished it. Then there was the bribery which meant I had to finish the book by the end of summer. What I hadn't planned was the book turning into a bigger story than I thought it was going to be and take up all my time I did nothing BUT work on it.
I am not even sure how it happened, but this isn't the first one to do so. It is just the first since I started publishing and KNEW I had to spend most of my time on the books I would be publishing. That meant all of those months where I could just sit down and type out a rough draft had to be used for editing and formatting and cover work and all of the other endless things I found I needed to do to hit the publish button.
Taking off all of June to work on one book alone when I am supposed to be publishing on July 14th was not my brightest idea. But when you've got these two dashing boys following you about and being sweet it is hard to tell them no when they ask you to write their story. Add in the parts that were extremely hard to write and them saying I couldn't leave them for long in those parts because it hurt, I felt like I had to finish to get them to a happy ending.
I was able to accomplish that last night. I wanted to get it finished before the first so I could get back to work with publishing, and I knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate on it until this book was done. And now it is, except - as I said - it turned into a much larger story than I had planned on writing. My biggest concern now is that it has become took long and is going to need some massive editing - which I hate doing.
But there you have it. That has been my life for the last month, spending insane amounts of time with two Germans and ignoring everyone else. And the biggest surprise about the whole thing is how well the Haphazard crew took being ignored. I was sure some of them were going to be very annoyed with me - especially a certain captain who has attention issues. He handled everything so well I am slightly concerned about what he spent the month doing that kept him from threatening to throw me out of his airship if I didn't write.
Has anyone seen a eye patch wearing Air Pirate around? If he has been causing trouble in your home town I send my apologies.
Okay, that is all. I really have to go and do some proper work now - like formatting and editing and reading. And trying to get over the hardest book I've ever had to write.
Quote is from the newest Lemony Snicket book, the title of which I am blanking on because I need sleep. Look it up though, it is a good book.
ALLONS-Y!
There are only 30 days this month, which means I was marking all the food storage things wrong at work because I thought there were 31. Whoever dated the months is not my friend.
I feel like I haven't been here for 31 days. I know I keep up on my posts somewhat - at least I assume I did since I got comments - and it was technically only 29 days I was locked up working on an unexpected project, but it feels longer.
I already attempted to explain what I was doing, but now that it is finished I think I will try and go into a little more detail.
This won't be boring.
Well, I shouldn't promise that. I am still not recovered yet and am typing half asleep.
I already told you all about how two of my friends and I decided we were going to do our own Camp NaNo and write 50,000 words in a month and I was doing my first Historical Fiction. I had it planned out where I would write enough each day to reach the 50,000 by June 30th and still give myself time to edit and work on the books I am trying to get written right now. That was the shortest lived plan I have ever concocted.
I knew something was going to go amiss when I told one of my friends what I had planned to write, and she insisted I finished it. Then there was the bribery which meant I had to finish the book by the end of summer. What I hadn't planned was the book turning into a bigger story than I thought it was going to be and take up all my time I did nothing BUT work on it.
I am not even sure how it happened, but this isn't the first one to do so. It is just the first since I started publishing and KNEW I had to spend most of my time on the books I would be publishing. That meant all of those months where I could just sit down and type out a rough draft had to be used for editing and formatting and cover work and all of the other endless things I found I needed to do to hit the publish button.
Taking off all of June to work on one book alone when I am supposed to be publishing on July 14th was not my brightest idea. But when you've got these two dashing boys following you about and being sweet it is hard to tell them no when they ask you to write their story. Add in the parts that were extremely hard to write and them saying I couldn't leave them for long in those parts because it hurt, I felt like I had to finish to get them to a happy ending.
I was able to accomplish that last night. I wanted to get it finished before the first so I could get back to work with publishing, and I knew I wouldn't be able to concentrate on it until this book was done. And now it is, except - as I said - it turned into a much larger story than I had planned on writing. My biggest concern now is that it has become took long and is going to need some massive editing - which I hate doing.
But there you have it. That has been my life for the last month, spending insane amounts of time with two Germans and ignoring everyone else. And the biggest surprise about the whole thing is how well the Haphazard crew took being ignored. I was sure some of them were going to be very annoyed with me - especially a certain captain who has attention issues. He handled everything so well I am slightly concerned about what he spent the month doing that kept him from threatening to throw me out of his airship if I didn't write.
Has anyone seen a eye patch wearing Air Pirate around? If he has been causing trouble in your home town I send my apologies.
Okay, that is all. I really have to go and do some proper work now - like formatting and editing and reading. And trying to get over the hardest book I've ever had to write.
Quote is from the newest Lemony Snicket book, the title of which I am blanking on because I need sleep. Look it up though, it is a good book.
ALLONS-Y!
June 25, 2014
"Yay! I'm a lama again!"
This week has been insane for me, as I knew it would be. It has been the fun kind of insane and I ache all over, but I am kind of glad I am almost done with this week. I love hard work and what I've been doing, but right now I have so much piling up it will be nice to crash and sleep and get back to work on pressing writing projects.
Speaking of which, I emailed Lulu about the problem with A Test of Loyalty but have had no response yet. Hopefully they can help me resolve the issue soon and over email alone, because if not I am concerned I might have to push publication back another month.
I will probably not be posting normally again until next week. I have too much going on until then. And I still need to write. I am almost done with my Historical Fiction book and I'd like to have it done this week so I can get back to work on everything else. (It is a very distracting book)
But, since I am only half here right now, I thought it would be fun to take part in Beautiful People. (There should be a link and a picture for this, but I don't know where they are and I am too sleepy to go and look. You're getting a post, don't push your luck right now.)
I will be doing Japhet for this, he is the Jew in my Brother-in-Arms story
1. What is their full name and is there a story behind why they got it?
His full name is Japhet Michael Buchanan.
His parents probably have a long story behind his name, but I don't know it. So I will give you the story behind why I named him what I did. Japhet is Jewish name, and it looks cool. Micheal, because I have always liked that name, and it is a name used in the Bible and therefore the type of a name Jewish parents might give to their child. (Bear with me, like I said, I am worn out.) Buchanan is a Jewish last name, I looked. And....well, if you get the other meaning behind it you get a cookie.
2. How old are they and when were they born? Japhet is seven in the beginning of the book and 20 in the end. I know his birthday is in January, I just haven't got the date yet. I will have it soon though.
3. Describe their physical appearance. (Extra. What is their nationality? Do you have a picture of them? If so, include it.) He is tall and skinny with dark hair and a narrow face. He is German - of course, the Nazis don't like to think of him as being German and insist he is something else since he is a Jew, but he is German. Trust me. And yes, I do have someone I think he looks like.
4. Describe your character's personality first in one word and then elaborate with a few sentences. Hurt. He loses so much throughout the story and suffers so much. He begins to think nothing is every going to get better and pulls back from everyone around him because he thinks it is the only way to survive. (But at the same time, he almost doesn't want to survive because of how bad everything has gotten. He is reckless and does stupid things which nearly get him killed.) But he is also caring and worries about those who he knows need him. He'd never leave someone if he knows they depend on him.
5. What theme song(s) fit their personality and story arc? Rescue Me by Kerrie Roberts fits him - but it more fits Franz in a way. Pompeii by Bastille really fits him. I sometimes think it might be both their theme song, but it is a little bit more his. I haven't really found his song. I found Franz's right off, but his has been harder. Maybe the Say Something I'm Giving Up On You song.
6. Which one of the seven deadly sins describes your character? Um....this one has me stumped. (And I kind of have, a rant, about the seven deadly sin thing.) So....I don't know really, what would fit this one.
7. If they were an element (fire, water, earth, air) which one would they be? Oh, Avatar stuff! Earth. Solid and mysterious, uncertain and strong but also easy to break.
8 What is their favourite word? Courage
9 Who is one person they really miss? Franz Kappel, his best friend.
10 What sights, sounds, and smells remind them of that person? Snow, spring time, trees, summer breezes, villages. Ice cream. Apartments. Bikes.
Okay, that is it. I have to get back to work. So close!
Allons-y!!
Speaking of which, I emailed Lulu about the problem with A Test of Loyalty but have had no response yet. Hopefully they can help me resolve the issue soon and over email alone, because if not I am concerned I might have to push publication back another month.
I will probably not be posting normally again until next week. I have too much going on until then. And I still need to write. I am almost done with my Historical Fiction book and I'd like to have it done this week so I can get back to work on everything else. (It is a very distracting book)
But, since I am only half here right now, I thought it would be fun to take part in Beautiful People. (There should be a link and a picture for this, but I don't know where they are and I am too sleepy to go and look. You're getting a post, don't push your luck right now.)
I will be doing Japhet for this, he is the Jew in my Brother-in-Arms story
1. What is their full name and is there a story behind why they got it?
His full name is Japhet Michael Buchanan.
His parents probably have a long story behind his name, but I don't know it. So I will give you the story behind why I named him what I did. Japhet is Jewish name, and it looks cool. Micheal, because I have always liked that name, and it is a name used in the Bible and therefore the type of a name Jewish parents might give to their child. (Bear with me, like I said, I am worn out.) Buchanan is a Jewish last name, I looked. And....well, if you get the other meaning behind it you get a cookie.
2. How old are they and when were they born? Japhet is seven in the beginning of the book and 20 in the end. I know his birthday is in January, I just haven't got the date yet. I will have it soon though.
3. Describe their physical appearance. (Extra. What is their nationality? Do you have a picture of them? If so, include it.) He is tall and skinny with dark hair and a narrow face. He is German - of course, the Nazis don't like to think of him as being German and insist he is something else since he is a Jew, but he is German. Trust me. And yes, I do have someone I think he looks like.
4. Describe your character's personality first in one word and then elaborate with a few sentences. Hurt. He loses so much throughout the story and suffers so much. He begins to think nothing is every going to get better and pulls back from everyone around him because he thinks it is the only way to survive. (But at the same time, he almost doesn't want to survive because of how bad everything has gotten. He is reckless and does stupid things which nearly get him killed.) But he is also caring and worries about those who he knows need him. He'd never leave someone if he knows they depend on him.
5. What theme song(s) fit their personality and story arc? Rescue Me by Kerrie Roberts fits him - but it more fits Franz in a way. Pompeii by Bastille really fits him. I sometimes think it might be both their theme song, but it is a little bit more his. I haven't really found his song. I found Franz's right off, but his has been harder. Maybe the Say Something I'm Giving Up On You song.
6. Which one of the seven deadly sins describes your character? Um....this one has me stumped. (And I kind of have, a rant, about the seven deadly sin thing.) So....I don't know really, what would fit this one.
7. If they were an element (fire, water, earth, air) which one would they be? Oh, Avatar stuff! Earth. Solid and mysterious, uncertain and strong but also easy to break.
8 What is their favourite word? Courage
9 Who is one person they really miss? Franz Kappel, his best friend.
10 What sights, sounds, and smells remind them of that person? Snow, spring time, trees, summer breezes, villages. Ice cream. Apartments. Bikes.
Okay, that is it. I have to get back to work. So close!
Allons-y!!
June 18, 2014
"Lens cap."
Wherein Jack is breathing, don't ask for much more right now
It rained, cold rain. I am hiding in my hoodie, trying to warm up with tea. In June. I'd get my fuzzy blanket but I am trying not to be a wimp. I might just give up and hide under it anyways. I could do with a blanket right now.
My fingers are even cold. In June.
Nearly the end of June.
You see why I have a problem with this?
I had summer plans. Adventures. And now all I am missing is summer.
Whoever stole it, give it back.
I finished my 50,000 words today.
The book isn't done. But I have to finish it by the end of summer because my two NaNo buddies said we could have a book swamp, but only if we all finish our books. And I want to read theirs.
I think this is called bribery, but who cares. We all fell for it, so I don't think it matters
I am shivering still, in case anyone wanted to know.
I might not be posting on Friday. I have things going on the next week and there will be little time for sleep so I plan to sleep as much as I can on Friday.
It won't work, but it is the thought that counts.
The 12th Doctor is going to be amazing, for anyone who doubts him.
I was so clumsy at work today I think my boss was tempted to throw trays at me.
I would have tried to catch them, Bucky style.
I watched The Book Thief yesterday.
Someone should have warned me about the ending. When I am your Evil Overlord, those who didn't warn me are in big trouble.
This is a rabbit trail, but who cares. I think I got my 50,000 words before both of my NaNo buddies. I don't feel like rubbing it in because one of them is writing a hard book and having to work and the other is having all kinds of random things popping up and slowing her down. But if it wasn't for that, I would be feeling like this.
I've been listening to a lot of the Andrews Sisters for my book, in case I didn't mention it before. Listen to them, they are fun.
My tea isn't hot enough to warm me. Someone fix this.
I am whining, but it is freezing in June, so I don't think I am going to apologize
This is one of the reasons I am wary about giving hugs. I never know if they will end awkwardly.
I like sending this picture to my friend. It makes her sad, and I am that kind of friend.
I love saying I have friends.
Even though one of them, all we tend to do is insult each other, but in a good way.
I don't know what to do with myself now that I don't have to read all day. It is strange. I've been sleeping a lot, but outside of that I feel lost and confused.
Still not over The Book Thief
I went hiking yesterday and was sore at work today but didn't let on. I have a friend there who has the same evil sense of humor as I do, and he tends to get this evil glint in his eye when he finds out I am stiff and sore and say things like, "Hey, Jack...you want to go and fill the ice in the drink machine?" *Evil snicker*
He is really sweet though. But that is why we get along, we have this hidden evil side.
I use bribery to read snippets from my friends' books. "I'll send you one if you let me read one of yours." They seem to like my book, so much so that my bribery means works. I don't argue when it comes to snippets.
I got the proof for A Test of Loyalty today and a hundred pages were missing and 50 were blank. I don't know what to do with this.
I am drinking milk as well as tea. MILK!
Everyone needs to watch Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow. Don't argue, just do it.
If this isn't a random post I don't know what is.
I am ending it so I can go and read a snippet.
I might return to some form of sanity now that I am recovering the 15 books.
Don't hold your breath.
Quote is from Sky Captain. You'd get it if you would watch the movie. It is a funny quote. Watch the movie so you can laugh with those of us who had seen it.
Yes, I'm being bossy, but I'm an Evil Overlord. It is part of the contract
Allons-y
It rained, cold rain. I am hiding in my hoodie, trying to warm up with tea. In June. I'd get my fuzzy blanket but I am trying not to be a wimp. I might just give up and hide under it anyways. I could do with a blanket right now.
My fingers are even cold. In June.
Nearly the end of June.
You see why I have a problem with this?
I had summer plans. Adventures. And now all I am missing is summer.
Whoever stole it, give it back.
I finished my 50,000 words today.
The book isn't done. But I have to finish it by the end of summer because my two NaNo buddies said we could have a book swamp, but only if we all finish our books. And I want to read theirs.
I think this is called bribery, but who cares. We all fell for it, so I don't think it matters
I am shivering still, in case anyone wanted to know.
I might not be posting on Friday. I have things going on the next week and there will be little time for sleep so I plan to sleep as much as I can on Friday.
It won't work, but it is the thought that counts.
The 12th Doctor is going to be amazing, for anyone who doubts him.
I was so clumsy at work today I think my boss was tempted to throw trays at me.
I would have tried to catch them, Bucky style.
I watched The Book Thief yesterday.
Someone should have warned me about the ending. When I am your Evil Overlord, those who didn't warn me are in big trouble.
This is a rabbit trail, but who cares. I think I got my 50,000 words before both of my NaNo buddies. I don't feel like rubbing it in because one of them is writing a hard book and having to work and the other is having all kinds of random things popping up and slowing her down. But if it wasn't for that, I would be feeling like this.
I've been listening to a lot of the Andrews Sisters for my book, in case I didn't mention it before. Listen to them, they are fun.
My tea isn't hot enough to warm me. Someone fix this.
I am whining, but it is freezing in June, so I don't think I am going to apologize
This is one of the reasons I am wary about giving hugs. I never know if they will end awkwardly.
I like sending this picture to my friend. It makes her sad, and I am that kind of friend.
I love saying I have friends.
Even though one of them, all we tend to do is insult each other, but in a good way.
I don't know what to do with myself now that I don't have to read all day. It is strange. I've been sleeping a lot, but outside of that I feel lost and confused.
Still not over The Book Thief
I went hiking yesterday and was sore at work today but didn't let on. I have a friend there who has the same evil sense of humor as I do, and he tends to get this evil glint in his eye when he finds out I am stiff and sore and say things like, "Hey, Jack...you want to go and fill the ice in the drink machine?" *Evil snicker*
He is really sweet though. But that is why we get along, we have this hidden evil side.
I use bribery to read snippets from my friends' books. "I'll send you one if you let me read one of yours." They seem to like my book, so much so that my bribery means works. I don't argue when it comes to snippets.
I got the proof for A Test of Loyalty today and a hundred pages were missing and 50 were blank. I don't know what to do with this.
I am drinking milk as well as tea. MILK!
Everyone needs to watch Sky Captain and The World of Tomorrow. Don't argue, just do it.
If this isn't a random post I don't know what is.
I am ending it so I can go and read a snippet.
I might return to some form of sanity now that I am recovering the 15 books.
Don't hold your breath.
Quote is from Sky Captain. You'd get it if you would watch the movie. It is a funny quote. Watch the movie so you can laugh with those of us who had seen it.
Yes, I'm being bossy, but I'm an Evil Overlord. It is part of the contract
Allons-y
June 15, 2014
“Arthur Jelliby was a very nice young man, which was perhaps the reason why he had never made much of a politician.”
Wherein Jack has had a long month.
I am hiding in bed with a cup of tea. It is June, JUNE, and I've been an ice cube all day. I even went so far as to hide in my dad's coat I was so cold. I am blaming the weather because I don't want to think that I might be catching something...flu like. I have plans coming up and I don't want to be sick during them.
I have been kind of, absent minded the last few posts I have done. (Other than the review. But you can't be absent minded while reviewing a good book.) I found out the reason why.
Like I said, I have been doing a lot of reading lately. I was contacted to do some beta reading and some book review reading. I thought it would be fun - and it was - but it wasn't until I was buried under all the books that I realized how many I had signed up for and agreed to. I did a count last night.
I read 15 books in the last month. 15. And not just read, I had to look for mistakes and story flow, and review some of them. So, in other words, I am looking a bit cross eyed right now.
Not complaining though. Really. I loved them and had a lot of fun reading them. (So those who contacted me, please don't think I am complaining.) I have just decided I am going to space things better the next time I agree to anything like this. Maybe sure I don't get 15 all needing to be done in the same month.
Now that I am done I plan to reach by 50,000 words from my Camp NaNo thing - I am trying to finish a week early because the end of June is going to be really busy. I also intend to spend a lot of time working on A Test of Loyalty, and plotting out the third book. But more on that later.
Right now, I am going to take a moment to enjoy a Gollum dance and sing..."FREE, FREE, FREEEEEE!!! JACK IS FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
This also means I am returning to the blogging world. For this week. I will have to see about next week. I don't know HOW busy I will be or if I will have internet access, so we will just have to see what happens.
Quote is from the book, The Peculiar. I just finished the second book, The Whatnot. Reviews to follow. But anyone who hasn't already, read these books. Really. Amazing books.
ALLONS-Y!
I am hiding in bed with a cup of tea. It is June, JUNE, and I've been an ice cube all day. I even went so far as to hide in my dad's coat I was so cold. I am blaming the weather because I don't want to think that I might be catching something...flu like. I have plans coming up and I don't want to be sick during them.
I have been kind of, absent minded the last few posts I have done. (Other than the review. But you can't be absent minded while reviewing a good book.) I found out the reason why.
Like I said, I have been doing a lot of reading lately. I was contacted to do some beta reading and some book review reading. I thought it would be fun - and it was - but it wasn't until I was buried under all the books that I realized how many I had signed up for and agreed to. I did a count last night.
I read 15 books in the last month. 15. And not just read, I had to look for mistakes and story flow, and review some of them. So, in other words, I am looking a bit cross eyed right now.
Not complaining though. Really. I loved them and had a lot of fun reading them. (So those who contacted me, please don't think I am complaining.) I have just decided I am going to space things better the next time I agree to anything like this. Maybe sure I don't get 15 all needing to be done in the same month.
Now that I am done I plan to reach by 50,000 words from my Camp NaNo thing - I am trying to finish a week early because the end of June is going to be really busy. I also intend to spend a lot of time working on A Test of Loyalty, and plotting out the third book. But more on that later.
Right now, I am going to take a moment to enjoy a Gollum dance and sing..."FREE, FREE, FREEEEEE!!! JACK IS FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"
This also means I am returning to the blogging world. For this week. I will have to see about next week. I don't know HOW busy I will be or if I will have internet access, so we will just have to see what happens.
Quote is from the book, The Peculiar. I just finished the second book, The Whatnot. Reviews to follow. But anyone who hasn't already, read these books. Really. Amazing books.
ALLONS-Y!
June 12, 2014
"Gus high-fived him. “Look who’s all grown up and going on dates with aliens. I’m so proud.”"
The Word Changers by Ashlee Willis
Summary:
Posy comes from a broken family. Her parents are always fighting, and Posy fears they are going to divorce. One night, during one of their arguments, Posy leaves the house and escapes to the library, where she is pulled into a book. She is now thrust into a plot that is being changed by the king, and she meets his son - Kyran - who is determined to save the Plot, his world, and find his sister. Posy joins him on his quest, little knowing she is going on her own at the same time.
I really don't know what to say about this book. You know how you read a book so good and unexpected, and you love it more than you thought you would, and you have trouble putting it into words? Well, that is what happened with this book.
I knew I would like it. A girl who gets pulled into a book and gets to hang out with a dashing character. What better idea for a book could there be? There was just so much more to this book then I thought there would be. It blew all of my expectations.
First off there is Posy, the girl who is pulled into the book. As I have mentioned before, I am kind of tired of girls who think they are better than boys and hate them for no reason. There are few things that make me lose interest in a book faster than that. Posy was delightful new and unexpected.
One thing I really liked is how scared she was. I know, that probably shouldn't be high on my like list, but she felt more real. She was a modern girl who had never even thought of being in battles or fighting monsters, and all of the sudden she was surrounded by battles.I think anyone in her place would have been scared. (She was also brave, doing what she could to help even though she was scared.)
Kyran, I loved him. He was everything one wants in a book hero. Brave, kind, and reckless. (We all like reckless book heroes. Or at least most readers I have talked to..)
The owls. Really, how many people can make owls the bad guys and have it convincing?
It reminded me of Narnia, the world mostly. I don't know what it is about it, but the whole time I was reading I felt like I was back in Narnia. In a good way. I felt like I had been there before and fit right in, it was fun.
The romance. It was sweet. I like a sweet romance.
The ending. It was a nice ending, a happy one, but there were still things left open. Not in a bad way - I felt like I wanted to laugh and cry all at once though. It was the kind of ending where you knew not everything had been solved but everything was not meant to, because in life, we are not left with a well wrapped up ending.
The whole idea of the story. I don't even know if I can explain it enough to do it justice. I am just going to tell everyone to read it. The way the characters doubted the Author and felt abandoned by him and felt they had to fix everything on their own....that is a sorry summary of it. I really don't know how to put it into words. It was just amazing. It was a whole new look at God and the doubt we face when we go through struggles and wonder if God is with us.
I really cannot recommend this book enough. Also, Ashlee Willis is one of those fun Authors who has a great blog everyone should read - which can be found HERE!!!!
I was sent this book to read and give an honest review.
Quote is from a book of short Cinderella stories.
Allons-y!
Summary:
Posy comes from a broken family. Her parents are always fighting, and Posy fears they are going to divorce. One night, during one of their arguments, Posy leaves the house and escapes to the library, where she is pulled into a book. She is now thrust into a plot that is being changed by the king, and she meets his son - Kyran - who is determined to save the Plot, his world, and find his sister. Posy joins him on his quest, little knowing she is going on her own at the same time.
I really don't know what to say about this book. You know how you read a book so good and unexpected, and you love it more than you thought you would, and you have trouble putting it into words? Well, that is what happened with this book.
I knew I would like it. A girl who gets pulled into a book and gets to hang out with a dashing character. What better idea for a book could there be? There was just so much more to this book then I thought there would be. It blew all of my expectations.
First off there is Posy, the girl who is pulled into the book. As I have mentioned before, I am kind of tired of girls who think they are better than boys and hate them for no reason. There are few things that make me lose interest in a book faster than that. Posy was delightful new and unexpected.
One thing I really liked is how scared she was. I know, that probably shouldn't be high on my like list, but she felt more real. She was a modern girl who had never even thought of being in battles or fighting monsters, and all of the sudden she was surrounded by battles.I think anyone in her place would have been scared. (She was also brave, doing what she could to help even though she was scared.)
Kyran, I loved him. He was everything one wants in a book hero. Brave, kind, and reckless. (We all like reckless book heroes. Or at least most readers I have talked to..)
The owls. Really, how many people can make owls the bad guys and have it convincing?
It reminded me of Narnia, the world mostly. I don't know what it is about it, but the whole time I was reading I felt like I was back in Narnia. In a good way. I felt like I had been there before and fit right in, it was fun.
The romance. It was sweet. I like a sweet romance.
The ending. It was a nice ending, a happy one, but there were still things left open. Not in a bad way - I felt like I wanted to laugh and cry all at once though. It was the kind of ending where you knew not everything had been solved but everything was not meant to, because in life, we are not left with a well wrapped up ending.
The whole idea of the story. I don't even know if I can explain it enough to do it justice. I am just going to tell everyone to read it. The way the characters doubted the Author and felt abandoned by him and felt they had to fix everything on their own....that is a sorry summary of it. I really don't know how to put it into words. It was just amazing. It was a whole new look at God and the doubt we face when we go through struggles and wonder if God is with us.
I really cannot recommend this book enough. Also, Ashlee Willis is one of those fun Authors who has a great blog everyone should read - which can be found HERE!!!!
I was sent this book to read and give an honest review.
Quote is from a book of short Cinderella stories.
Allons-y!
June 10, 2014
"Wait here. Pull up a nice tombstone."
Wherein Jack is making it, sort of
I'm not even sure what kind of update I should be trying to give right now. My mind keeps wandering, more than normal.
Summer is here....in name. It has been raining and grey and cloudy since June first hit, but you know. I take what I can get around here. I've been going on bike rides and hikes and burning my feet on our hot tin roof. (And no, that was not a reference to Tennessee Williams. Not the best play I've ever read.)
Okay...so....I had a reason for trying to post today. You know, other than the fact I missed Monday.
First of all is this. My buddy and I started a blog together because we are cool like that. And two of our characters took over, her's is a cool pirate and Franz is mine who posted. So...you should go and check it out and you can learn a bit about both our books.
The Blog, 'Till The End Of The Line
Also, I made a video for the contest I was holding, just for fun and all. And I lost it, but I found it again. So I thought I would share it.
Remember, I own nothing. I was just playing around for fun.
That is all really. I will be back on Friday with a book review from a wonderful book, so come back for that. Trust me, you will want to add this book to your list.
Quote is from Arsenic and Old Lace
Allons-y!
I'm not even sure what kind of update I should be trying to give right now. My mind keeps wandering, more than normal.
Summer is here....in name. It has been raining and grey and cloudy since June first hit, but you know. I take what I can get around here. I've been going on bike rides and hikes and burning my feet on our hot tin roof. (And no, that was not a reference to Tennessee Williams. Not the best play I've ever read.)
Okay...so....I had a reason for trying to post today. You know, other than the fact I missed Monday.
First of all is this. My buddy and I started a blog together because we are cool like that. And two of our characters took over, her's is a cool pirate and Franz is mine who posted. So...you should go and check it out and you can learn a bit about both our books.
The Blog, 'Till The End Of The Line
Also, I made a video for the contest I was holding, just for fun and all. And I lost it, but I found it again. So I thought I would share it.
Remember, I own nothing. I was just playing around for fun.
That is all really. I will be back on Friday with a book review from a wonderful book, so come back for that. Trust me, you will want to add this book to your list.
Quote is from Arsenic and Old Lace
Allons-y!
June 5, 2014
"Nice job, blowing out the engine block." "I was aiming for his leg." "Give me the gun, Hardison!"
Wherein Jack is going to do one of those random posts she warned you were liking to show up this month
Historical Fiction hurts to write. I have a new admiration for Historical Fiction writers. In fact, if it wasn't for my two NaNo buddies I would have given up and locked myself in my bedroom with ice cream. The only way I am going to finish this book is with their help. (There's a tip for all you writers out there. Get yourself a couple writing buddies and hold onto them. You will come to a point in your writing when you need them.)
That said, I need to keep this short and do some more reading before bed.
I asked my Bucky what I should post about today, a song or a snippet, and she said both. So you get both, thanks to her. And since I have been working on Brothers-in-Arms all day, you get some of that.
But first, I named the two friends. I don't know if I had them named last post. But their names are Franz and Japhet. Japhet is the Jew.
And that is all I have. Here. My favourite, not as painful scene as all the others I wrote today.
1944There were many times in the next few years when Japhet wished he could escape his world and flee to another one like Dorothy had done. He wanted to slip away and find himself in a place where the biggest concern was witches and shoes. He would even face the flying monkeys with courage.He sometimes like to pretend he was able to escape into Oz. He would close his eyes when Nazis were standing in front of him, yelling at him, demanding he give up the others in the resistance. He would cast himself and others as the characters and imagine how different life would be.He would be the cowardly loin looking for his courage. Courage to stand up to his friend, to stand up to the world even after the world took everything from him.Jimmy was Dorothy, pulled out of the world he had always known and thrown into one that was insane and mixed up. And yet, that always made Japhet smile because Jimmy would – as he put it – have a cow if he knew Japhet cast him as Judy Garland. Not that Jimmy looked anything like Judy. He was too stringy and his nose was the wrong shape.The Nazis were the Wicked Witch from the North. Out to take what they wanted and kill whoever got in their way. Sadly, they didn't die when they got wet.The role of the Scarecrow was always filled by those who had insanity forced on them by the Nazis.And Franz – Franz was the Tin Man. The man with no heart. The man who could coldly turn his best friend over the Nazis without batting an eye.
And now, one of the songs I listen to for inspiration. It reminds me of Franz. (Sorry, I think there is a word in it, I keep forgetting if it is this one or not. And it is more of a....rocky-ish song. Not the type I typically listen to, but it just fits him)
Quote is from Leverage when Haridson and Eliot have to work together and Eliot finds out Haridson can't aim.
ALLONS-Y!!!
Historical Fiction hurts to write. I have a new admiration for Historical Fiction writers. In fact, if it wasn't for my two NaNo buddies I would have given up and locked myself in my bedroom with ice cream. The only way I am going to finish this book is with their help. (There's a tip for all you writers out there. Get yourself a couple writing buddies and hold onto them. You will come to a point in your writing when you need them.)
That said, I need to keep this short and do some more reading before bed.
I asked my Bucky what I should post about today, a song or a snippet, and she said both. So you get both, thanks to her. And since I have been working on Brothers-in-Arms all day, you get some of that.
But first, I named the two friends. I don't know if I had them named last post. But their names are Franz and Japhet. Japhet is the Jew.
And that is all I have. Here. My favourite, not as painful scene as all the others I wrote today.
1944There were many times in the next few years when Japhet wished he could escape his world and flee to another one like Dorothy had done. He wanted to slip away and find himself in a place where the biggest concern was witches and shoes. He would even face the flying monkeys with courage.He sometimes like to pretend he was able to escape into Oz. He would close his eyes when Nazis were standing in front of him, yelling at him, demanding he give up the others in the resistance. He would cast himself and others as the characters and imagine how different life would be.He would be the cowardly loin looking for his courage. Courage to stand up to his friend, to stand up to the world even after the world took everything from him.Jimmy was Dorothy, pulled out of the world he had always known and thrown into one that was insane and mixed up. And yet, that always made Japhet smile because Jimmy would – as he put it – have a cow if he knew Japhet cast him as Judy Garland. Not that Jimmy looked anything like Judy. He was too stringy and his nose was the wrong shape.The Nazis were the Wicked Witch from the North. Out to take what they wanted and kill whoever got in their way. Sadly, they didn't die when they got wet.The role of the Scarecrow was always filled by those who had insanity forced on them by the Nazis.And Franz – Franz was the Tin Man. The man with no heart. The man who could coldly turn his best friend over the Nazis without batting an eye.
And now, one of the songs I listen to for inspiration. It reminds me of Franz. (Sorry, I think there is a word in it, I keep forgetting if it is this one or not. And it is more of a....rocky-ish song. Not the type I typically listen to, but it just fits him)
Quote is from Leverage when Haridson and Eliot have to work together and Eliot finds out Haridson can't aim.
ALLONS-Y!!!
June 4, 2014
"What does it look like?" "Like Christmas but with more me."
Books need a rating system, so you know what you are getting into when you pick one up.
"Rated T because you are liking to throw it across the room."
"Rated AGGGGGG!!!! because it is going to make you scream."
"Rated S for intense sobbing."
"Rated O because it makes you make this expression
I've been reading a lot of O books over the past few weeks. Just, happily enjoying a good story and all of the sudden something happens I wasn't expecting and I am left going....
Sorry, it is just such a fitting expression and it cracks me up, and I kind of need something to giggle about because my new book makes me cry.
Today I was so agitated over a book and its unexpected twists I had to go and lay out on the picnic table for a while to try and recover.
Maybe that should be another rating. "D, because it will make you go around and slam doors."
So, what about you? Have you read any books lately that fit into any of these ratings? Can you think of any ratings that need to be added?
Oh, and before I go, check this out! LOOKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Allons-y!!!!!!!!
"Rated T because you are liking to throw it across the room."
"Rated AGGGGGG!!!! because it is going to make you scream."
"Rated S for intense sobbing."
"Rated O because it makes you make this expression
I've been reading a lot of O books over the past few weeks. Just, happily enjoying a good story and all of the sudden something happens I wasn't expecting and I am left going....
Sorry, it is just such a fitting expression and it cracks me up, and I kind of need something to giggle about because my new book makes me cry.Today I was so agitated over a book and its unexpected twists I had to go and lay out on the picnic table for a while to try and recover.
Maybe that should be another rating. "D, because it will make you go around and slam doors."
So, what about you? Have you read any books lately that fit into any of these ratings? Can you think of any ratings that need to be added?
Oh, and before I go, check this out! LOOKY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Allons-y!!!!!!!!
