Toi Thomas's Blog, page 104

WWW Wednesday 8/7/2013

WWW WEDNESDAYS… is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading , where you share:(1)What you’re currently reading, (2)What you recently finished reading, and (3)What you think you’ll read next.
As I am only contributing to this meme on a monthly basis, while comments and shares are welcomed here, be sure to visit Should Be Readingeach week to see who’s reading what.
1. What am I currently reading?For some reason I got to the halfway point of Firelight and just stopped. The book has been pretty good so far, but I guess I just put it down one day and forgot about it. So, I've picked it back up and hope to finish it shortly. Also, I realized that I never mention the comic books I'm reading, but because there are so many, I will only mention one at time. *******************CURRENTLREADING***************************************** Firefight in Darkness
 (Dryad Quartet #2)
 by Katie Jennings 
Batman: Death Mask (4 issues)
by Yoshinori Natsume

2. What did I recently finish reading?

*******************FINISHED READING***************************************** The Mongoliad: Book One(Foreworld #1)
by Neal Stephenson,and more...
Ghost in the Wires: My Adventures 
as the World's Most Wanted Hacker
by Kevin D. Mitnick, 
William L. Simon, Steve Wozniak

3. What do I think I’ll read next? I haven't actually started anything new yet. I've been a little more busy than expected so this stays the same, but I'm thinking of adding some classic fairy tales to the list.
*******************READING NEXT******************************************** Mercury Falls
 (Mercury Series #1)
by Robert Kroese Sacrifice (Gryphon #3)
by Stacey Rourke
Grimm's Fairy Stories
by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
What is your WWW Wednesday?

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Review 16: Ready Player

Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
I totally give this book a 5!
Even if you like can’t stand videogames, this book is entertaining enough to make you laugh, cry, and root for its hero to the very end. Wade is a reject in a futurist world filled with social outcasts, but the up side to this is the OASIS. An entire multiverse of alternate realities to escape to and it’s free. The term videogame doesn’t even really apply to the OASIS. It’s virtual reality that’s better than reality and there’s something for everyone, really. So what’s the problem with Wade? A challenge has just been sent out to every person in the world, including him, for a chance to take ownership of the OASIS and there are quite are few who are more than willing to play dirty. Own the OASIS, own the world (real and virtual). Wade wants to be hero and so does, almost, everyone else.
All geekness aside, do you remember the feeling, the phenomenon that was Star Wars when it first came out, or maybe The Godfather, Titanic, Avatar…whatever floats your boat? That’s how I felt when I read this book. The story is told from Wade’s point of view and he’s a pretty honest character. I adore all the characters in this story even the villains. I couldn’t get of enough of the pop-culture references and mash-ups from: general 80’s trivia, musical facts, movie quotes, and more. Of course there are endless references to famous and infamous videogames and I enjoyed every bit of it.
I know this is a good book because as much of a geek as I am, videogames aren’t my thing. I’m into comic books and cartoons. Even knowing that, the videogame stuff was accessible, intriguing, and entertaining. Above all, this is the story of an underdog and who doesn’t love that. This is the story of one kid fighting against the whole world to be something, somebody, a hero when he’s been nothing for so long. I can’t say enough good things about this story.
I’d recommend this story to anyone, but there a few PG-13 passages parents might be concerned with…I can’t wait for this to become a movie, as long as they’ve read the book first and do it justice.
This review has been posted to GoodReads. If you’d like to obtain a copy of this book, try these links: Amazon| Barnes & Noble.

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Going to Mali by Darlene Jones

provided by D. JonesMany years ago a young girl left the safety of Canada for adventure in Africa. This was in a generation when young girls didn’t go anywhere on their own and certainly not to the “the dark continent.”
I was that young girl and going to Mali demanded that I adapt to:
·         A different climate. I exchanged the snowy cold of Alberta winters for the arid Harmattan winds of the Sahara. I certainly wasn’t prepared for the force of the heat that pressed on me as I stepped off the airplane. Over the days and weeks that followed I learned how the heat saps your energy until you feel that you can barely drag yourself around. A person who shall remain nameless said that the Africans were lazy. This person lived in an air conditioned house, drove an air-conditioned car, and worked in an air-conditioned office.
·         A different culture. I very quickly packed away my mini-skirts and wore a pagne, the rectangle of cloth that women wrapped around themselves to be a skirt. I hired a house-boy – sounds degrading, but the $8 a month I paid him supported a family of seven. (My salary was about $140 a month and that was ample to live on.) I learned the proper greetings that came before any exchange whether it be buying a stamp or fruit at the market. I learned to bargain. The list goes on.
·         A different language. I spoke French, but not fluently so I had to work at perfecting that. I also tried to learn a little Bambara, the most common local language. My students put me to shame. They could speak four or five local languages, had learned French (the official language of the country), and were studying English (I was their teacher) and German in school.
But above all, I had to adapt to time travel, for most Malians lived the way they always had. Modern conveniences consisted of basic items such as kerosene lanterns and little else.I brought home with me a love for Mali, the Sahara, and Malians that burns as brightly now as it did then.
It was the plight of Malians that inspired my novel series. Since I couldn’t wave a magic wand to make life better in Mali, I chose to do that fictitiously. I wrote my books to entertain, but also with the hope that readers would see the world in a broader perspective. I hope that doesn’t make my books sound preachy, because they’re not intended to be, but I don’t think I could have written them in any other way given my experiences in Mali. The wide warm smiles of Malians stay with me always. I hope that warmth and positive outlook is conveyed in my stories.  
For more from Darlene Jones, check out these links: www.emandyves.com and AmazonAuthor Central.

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Do You Know About the Fab 5 Share Fest?

It’s a Facebook share event of readers, authors, books, prizes, and fun.Saturday, August 24, '13 will be the next Fab 5 Share Fest date.The Topic will be the Last Fab 5 Books you’ve read. See Notes for detail.Author Prizes(1) Mini Twitter campaign(1) Mini Facebook campaign(1) Mini Author Spotlight
Reader Prizes(1) Amazon gift card(1) Choice of digital or paperback copy of my book(1) A reader's goodie bag surprise :)Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken

Sample Sunday 06

Sample Sunday is a weekly posting from my pre-published work in progress Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel. Each week I will post approximately 100 – 150 words from this installment of the series. Please visit the ToiBox to read samples of my other works.Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel chapter 3
It had been one of those rare nights, when Giovanni was tired enough to attempt sleeping through the night. The night ended commonly enough with him being tormented with twisted dreams instead. His sleep never quite seemed to offer him the rest he sought after; and apparently, his body didn’t need the rest very much, as he’d grown used to going days without sleeping. Like many nights before, his body had become drenched in sweat as he lay beneath his sheets. While he tossed and turned in his bed, he became entangled in the fabric as it began to cling and stick to his body. As he dreamed of war, Giovanni could feel the warmth of a slow burning fire growing all around him. The intensity of the battle in his mind was so great that heat began to radiate from his body as though he were actually in the line of fire and apart of the battle. Word Count: 158

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About: Trailer For 'The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty'

indiewire.com 7/30/13“When word came down that Ben Stiller was remaking Danny Kaye's 1947 musical fantasy "The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty," we figured the story — in which a man escapes into his daydreams — was a setup for another "Night At The Museum"-esque jaunt. But, we certainly weren't expecting this...” ~KEVIN JAGERNAUTH
Reblogged from IndieWire.com : The Playlist
Watch: Ben Stiller Takes The Red One In Surprising Trailer For 'The Secret Life Of Walter Mitty'
--
I just want to say that I’m a pretty big Danny Kaye fan and really liked the original. I like Ben Stiller as an entertainer, but was worried when I heard about this. I usually make it a policy not to watch movies trailers of films I actually want to see because I don’t like being shown all the good stuff beforehand. I watched this trailer wondering just how silly Stiller was going to make this remake, but now I’m at a loss for words…No more trailers from hence forth-  ;) maybe. I want to see this movie now.

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I'm the next "Author to Watch"

Well, sort of. I'm being interviewed by Tricia Drammeh on Authors to Watch on Wednesday August 7th. 
You may want to check out this interview because I thinkI'm going to be asking  pretty soon and you don't want to miss out on an opportunity to win the prize.
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ToiBox Update Week: # 8/3/2013

In case you’re interested, here are some highlights from my other blog, the ToiBox. This is where I talk more in depth about my whole writing experience and other works.



It's Like the Full Moon, chapter 1.3         






02: Sunshine






Eternal Curse: Giovanni's Angel, Leo's Bio









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Life Without Junior High Students- Impossible by Darlene Jones

 “You asked for this,” I tell myself as I stand in front of the unruly grade nine students. They’re big. They’re loud. They’re bold. And, I’m not all that much older than them.
provided by D. JonesThey’re my PFL class—Perspectives for Living. I’m supposed to teach them life skills—self-esteem, drug and alcohol education, sex education.… They’re here because the drama teacher and the art teacher are fed up with them and only the academic kids take the other two options offered—French as a Second Language (which is the bulk of my teaching assignment) and music.
I have great plans for this class, field trips to see court in session, guest speakers, etc., but I can’t do any of that until I get some control. The first couple of weeks do not go well so I hatch a plan.
“Here’s the thing,” I say. “You guys put yourselves in groups of four and every Friday I’ll take a group for lunch. You pay for your meal. I’ll pay the tip.”
Group one pile into my car that first Friday and we drive to a small restaurant near the school. We have a great time. Group two and three go equally well. The atmosphere in the class begins to change.“Shut up! Mrs. Jones wants to talk.” This is the biggest, toughest kid in the school talking and they do. Shut up, that is.
Then it’s group four—five boys from Lebanon with very shady reputations. “Where’s A?” I ask.
Waiting for us in the parking lot. And he is. Sitting in the driver’s seat of his own car. I didn’t know he was old enough to drive. He gets out and gallantly opens the passenger door for me. Great! I get to ride shotgun which wouldn’t be bad normally, but the car is festooned with huge fury dice and pompoms, and upholstered in plush red velour.
“It’s okay. I’ll sit in the back,” I offer.
The young man insists I take the front seat. I slide in and sink down as low as I can. I don’t particularly want to be seen in this car. It’s not a matter of snobbery, honest. It’s a matter of professional reputation. As with the other groups, lunch is a huge success. They reveal a side of themselves that I would normally never have known. Underneath the bravado, they’re kids.
Nor do we neglect the academic students. My fellow French teacher and I offer to take the grade nine students to a French restaurant at the end of the year. Seventeen kids take us up on the offer. We have a wonderful time. They even use a bit of their rudimentary language skills with the waiters, who it turns out, don’t speak French at all.
On the way out, patrons waiting for tables stare at the multicultural crew of gangly teens. “Thanks for dinner, Mom,” one says loudly.
“Oh, you’re welcome,” I say, struggling to keep a straight face.
The majority of my career was spent with junior high students as teacher and later principal. I laughed with the kids, cried with them, learned from them, and loved them. Is it any wonder then that junior high aged teens snuck into my novels without my conscious awareness? As with my real students, my fictional teens are near and dear to my heart.
Tia“Come on Dad. She can’t be real. It’s just some kind of gimmick.” She kissed him goodbye with a “see ya tomorrow.” 
Brad“It would depend on what kind of illegal,” Brad said. “Moral illegal would be different than law illegal. I wouldn’t do it just because a friend asked me to, like run drugs or something, but I would drive without a license if I thought it was necessary.”
AbdiAbdi stared at her for what seemed like an eternity and then his face lit in the most beautiful smile she had ever seen. The tension in the room eased and questions came—grudgingly, but they came.
MounaMouna nodded, popped a large bubble, sucked it in and chewed vigorously.
Curtis“It’s not okay, Miss D. It won’t be okay until Coder Guy comes and takes you away from here.” He gripped the hand that Abby held out to him for a moment. “Don’t worry, Miss D. He’ll come.”
Jin“Damn straight,” Jin said.
“Hey, hey,” Emily shook a finger at the language.
“Sorry,” Jin blushed, “but some Earth expressions are just so apropos.”
Max“About love too?” Max asked with a sideways glance at Jin. “Like those stories you’ve told us of your parents and friends and the kids in your world?”
For more from Darlene Jones, check out these links: www.emandyves.com and AmazonAuthor Central.

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Mira's Closet: 8/1/13

Mira’s no fashionista, but she definitely has her own sense of style…And now here’s an update on just that. These are style tips from
my own personal fashion guru, trainer, and my physical inspiration for Mira.
images provided by Tori JonesIf you like this, be sure to stop by Tori’s Fashionplate to see what else she has to share…and don’t be afraid to leave comments and ask questions.
You can also check out:Celebrity Trends at WhoWhatWear: http://www.whowhatwear.com/Fashion Medley: http://thefashionmedley.com/ (content advisory)
My Style Pinboard: http://pinterest.com/toinette_thomas/my-style/

Thank you for taking the time to read this post. Click below to share your Reactions and more. See you next time, Toi Thomas. #cursescanbebroken