Weekly Short Stories Contest and Company! discussion
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55th Page
Garrison, that was such a heartbreakingly emotional paragraph. I'll definitely have to check this book out.
Garrison wrote: "OOC: I couldn’t stand anymore of Fifty Shades Darker, so I quit about 30 pages into it. My brain feels much better now. Here’s a different book:TITLE: Open Season
AUTHOR: CJ Box
He wondered how ..." LOL@ your review of 50 Shades... :-D
Angie, CJ Box is very reliable when it comes to writing good books. If you're into thrillers, you should definitely check him out sometime.Guy, I'm glad I could make you giggle with that review. Hehe! :)
Title: The Old Man and the SeaAuthor: Ernest Hemmingway
Paragraph: The bird looked at him when he spoke. He was too tired to even examine the line and he teetered on it as his delicate feet gripped it fast.
I'm rereading one of my favorite books in preparation for the release of the sequel next month. I'm so excited!!Author: Pierce Brown
Title: Red Rising
Genre: Science Fiction / Dystopian
The weakling shifts uncomfortably in his bucket seat, but I've stopped paying him any mind. Here, the woman is king. Unlike the weakling's, her mask is like that of an old crone, one of the witches of Earth's fallen cities who made soup from the marrow of children's bones.
Such a sadistic paragraph, Angie. My inner villain loves it! Hehehehe!
TITLE: Stormy WeatherAUTHOR: Carl Hiaasen
YEAR: 1995
GENRE: Fiction
SUBGENRE: Environmental Thriller
Snapper went to find it. Edie Marsh said it was a lousy idea to siphon fuel from the car, since they might be needing speedy transportation. Snapper winked and told her not to worry. Off he went, ambling down the street, the garden hose coiled on his left shoulder.
![fajangled [semi-hiatus] (fajangled) | 54 comments](https://images.gr-assets.com/users/1422976227p1/30084061.jpg)
Title: Madness: A Bipolar LifeAuthor: Marya Hornbacher
Genre: Nonfiction
Paragraph:
"I sometimes feel as if I've raced off a cliff and am spinning my legs in midair, like Wile. E. Coyote. But I'm fine. It's fine. It's all going to be fine. Crazy people don't have dinner parties, do they?"
Title: The Lord of The RingsAuthor: J.R.R. Tolkien
Genre: Fiction
Paragraph:
"'You ought to begin to understand, Frodo, after all you have heard,' said Gandalf. 'He hated it and loved it, as he hated and loved himself. He could not get rid of it. He had no will left in the matter."
Title: The Body Never Lies: The Lingering Effects of Hurtful ParentingAuthor: Alice Miller
Genre: Nonfiction - psychology
[Virginia Woolf biographer Louise] DeSalvo is convinced that this turn in Woolf’s thinking [to acceptance that her having remembered being sexually abused as a child was a fantasy] reinforced her decision to kill herself, that her acceptance of Freud took away the foundation of the cause-and-effect relationship she had attempted to establish, thus forcing her to retract her own explanations for her bouts of depression and her mental state. Previously, Woolf attributed her depressive state to her terrible, humiliating sexual molestation. But if she followed Freud’s [seduction] theories, then there had to be other explanations. Perhaps her memories were distorted, not to say false; perhaps they were a reflection not of actual experience but of the projection of her own desires. Perhaps, in short, the whole business [of having been sexually abused] had been a product of her imagination.
Lol! you can pick the other paragraph on that page. :-D[What did you think of it? Write a review! But only if you want. I'm not quite finished it, so you can beat me to that. :-)]
I know, but you are changing and this is a good one to review, my Mistreas of the Realm. And I selfishly want to see what you think about it. And if I do, I suspect at least one or two others would too. Go for it. Boldly go where no Al has gone before.... :-D
Lol! Not really. Write why two stars. I am tossed between four and five. I liked what she had to say very much, but she was too repetitive and strident. Reminded me of Cassandra.
Title: Life or DeathAuthor: Michael Robotham
Paragraph (Pg 55)
Most guys in here think they're tough, but they get reminded every day that they're not. Audie spent ten years trying to stay alive. Barely a week went by when guards didn't visit his cell and beat him like a redheaded stepchild, asking the same questions that you're asking. And during the day it was the Mexican Mafia, or the Texas Syndicate or the Aryan Brotherhood, or whatever stupid, craven punk wanted a piece of him.
(I just finished this book today and gave it a review).
Al wrote: "You would give it four or five, but I thought it was ok. It was just her opinion with little support."I disagree. Her support was anecdotal, and so rejected by science, perhaps. Her argument comes from her patients' who experienced life changing physical changes as they changed their attitudes. That has been my own experience over the last few years, and so by my mind body and spirit I know the truth her argument in my gut. Or lack thereof, now, LOL!
Al wrote: "I know. I was seeing if I could get you to write a review. Hehe."Oh I will. And a letter to Miller, I think. Okay! Time to go and to stop writing! Have fun Al and all.
Frances wrote: "Title: Life or DeathAuthor: Michael Robotham
Paragraph (Pg 55)
Most guys in here think they're tough, but they get reminded every day that they're not. Audie spent ten years trying to stay alive...."
I just read your review, Frances. It sounds pretty interesting!
You know it's funny. I wanted to put down my page 55 when I was reading it but realized it would be almost impossible. You can't do that with a graphic novel unless you take a picture of it first or something, hehe!
CJ wrote: "Frances wrote: "Title: Life or DeathAuthor: Michael Robotham
Paragraph (Pg 55)
Most guys in here think they're tough, but they get reminded every day that they're not. Audie spent ten years tryin..."
Glad to hear that you thought the review was interesting CJ. This book is a M/T along the lines of David Baldacci, Steve Berry, Daniel Silva. Not sure if it would appeal to you but certainly is a winner for those M/T fans.
Title: Stolen SongbirdAuthor: Danielle Jensen
Genre: Fantasy
On Marc's arm, I walked through the hallways of the palace. The only sound beyond the ever-present roar of falling water was the click of my heels and the rustle of my dress. He said nothing. I said nothing; although I was desperate to know what to expect. I contented myself with examining the artwork lining the hallways. No surface was left unadorned, walls and alcoves filled with sculptures so detailed I half expected them to spring to life, and paintings so vivid it was like looking out a window. Never in my life had I seen such a wealth of beauty, and it seemed such a shame that it was forever consigned to shadow.
Title: Perfume: The Story of a MurdererAuthor: Patrick Suskind
Paragraph:"It was clear to him now why he had clung to life so tenaciously, so savagely. He must become a creator of scents. And not just an average one. But, rather, the greatest perfumer of all time.”
Title: I Am The Chosen KingAuthor: Helen Hollick
Paragraph (Pg. 55)
He released a sigh. It had not been the first attempt on his life, but it would be the last. At age seven, William had learnt that grown men rarely behave with honor. They harbour jealousies and greed for that which is not theirs. With the boy William gone, the door would be open for someone else to inherit Normandy, someone such as Grimoald de Plessis, Rannulf, Vicomte de la Bessin or Guy, Comte de Brionne, successor to Gilbert and that respected title, yet his very opposite in nature. All of them men who wanted the title of duke for their own; men who were prepared to risk much in order to get it. Including the attempted murder of a child.
Jocilene wrote: "Title: Perfume: The Story of a MurdererAuthor: Patrick Suskind
Paragraph:"It was clear to him now why he had clung to life so tenaciously, so savagely. He must become a creator of scents. And not ..."
Hello Jocilene, for some reason this reminded me of Jitterbug Perfume by Tom Robbins. So...
Title: Jitterbug PerfumeAuthor: Tom Robbins
Genre: Magical Realism (maybe)
“True, [Pan is indeed a male god], but he is associated with female values. To diminish the worth of women, men had to diminish the worth of the moon. They had to drive a wedge between human beings and the trees and the beasts and the waters, because trees and waters are as loyal to the moon as to the sun. They had to drive a wedge between thought and feeling, between lamplight by which they count the day’s earnings and the dark to which our Pan is connected. At first they used Apollo as the wedge, and the abstract logic of Apollo made a mighty wedge, indeed, but Apollo the artist maintained a love for women, not the open, unrestrained lust that that Pan has, but a controlled longing that undermined the patriarchal ambition. When Christ came along, Christ, who slept with no female, neither two-legged nor four, Christ, who played no musical instrument, recited no poetry, and never kicked up his heels by moonlight, this Christ was the perfect wedge. Christianity is merely a system for turning priestesses into handmaidens, queens into concubines, and goddesses into muses” (55-6).
Hey again Guy,One of the richness of literature is the power of association, either through a word, a sentence or even through the title itself. It is this power of association that makes our own reading of the work so unique and irreplaceable.
But I must say that the paragraph maybe does not correspond in English, as I was reading the book in German. Had to look for it on the internet so I could give the translation.
The paragraph you cited read well in English. And yes, the 'real' power of words is not their ability to convey instructions and perpetuate history, but their ability to create connections and links to what exists outside of or before words. It is from this power that the opportunity to revision the future and create new understanding and life arises. The sub-theme of Jitterbug is a beet perfume that has the power to enrich and extend life.
Title: FirefightAuthor: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Science Fiction
Through the holosights I picked out a few scavengers in ragged clothing squatting behind one of the broken cars in the darkness. They seemed like wild people with long beards and sloppily stitched clothing. I watched them with the safety off, looking for weapons, until another head bobbed up. A little girl, maybe five years old. One of the men hushed her, pushing her down, then continued watching our jeep until we crossed the patch of broken street and sped up, leaving them behind. I lowered the gun.
Angie wrote: "Title: FirefightAuthor: Brandon Sanderson
Genre: Science Fiction
Through the holosights I picked out a few scavengers in ragged clothing squatting behind one of the broken cars in..."
Angie, This sounds like an interesting story. Good Luck
Title: A Dance with DragonsAuthor: George R. R. Martin
Genre: Fantasy
"From the armory came a clatter of shields and swords, as the latest lot of boys and raw recruits armed themselves. He could hear the voice of Iron Emmett telling them to be quick about it. Cotter Pyke had not been pleased to lose him, but the young ranger had a gift for training men. He loves to fight, and he' ll teach his boys to love it too. Or so he hoped.
Jon's cloak hung on a peg by the door, his sword belt on another. He donned them both and made his way to the armory. The rug where Ghost slept was empty, he saw. Two guardsmen stood inside the doors, clad in black cloaks and iron halfhelms, spears in their hands. "Will m'lord be wanting a tail?" asked Garse. "I think I can find the King's Tower by myself." Jon hated having guards trailing after him everywhere he went. It made him feel like a mother duck leading a procession of ducklings."
BOOK TITLE: The Blood GuardAUTHOR: Carter Roy
YEAR: 2014
GENRE: Fiction
SUBGENRE: Fantasy
A half second later, my feet slammed into the gravelly embankment, and I fell forward, hard. What happened next might be called “rolling,” but that sounds like I had some control over it.
Book Title: The Walking Dead Compendium 2Author: Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Cliff Rathburn
Year: 2013
Genre: Fantasy, Graphic Novel
Carl: "I can't believe we haven't seen anything."
Rick: "With all that talking? I'm not. We really need to get out here early--camp in a spot, wait for deer--or whatever to come to us.
"I wasn't sure we'd see anything today anyway, but it was worth a shot. Let's try and get up early tomorrow--come out here before that woman calls back."
Title: Golden SonAuthor: Pierce Brown
Genre: Science fiction
The Jackal watches me through the steam of his bowl. "I have been offered a great deal of apprenticeships. They offer it to my father's name, not to me. They despise me because I ate students. But it's such hypocrisy. What else was I to do? We're told to win, and I did my best. And then they criticize. Act noble, as though they didn't commit murder themselves. Madness."
TITLE: War DancesAUTHOR: Sherman Alexie
YEAR: 2009
GENRE: Short Stories and Poetry
SUBGENRE: Political
This random shopping made me feel better for a few minutes but then I stopped and walked to the toy aisle. My boys needed gifts: Lego cars or something, for a lift, a shot of capitalistic joy. But the selection of proper toys is art and science. I have been wrong as often as right and heard the sad song of a disappointed son.
Garrison wrote: "TITLE: War DancesAUTHOR: Sherman Alexie
YEAR: 2009
GENRE: Short Stories and Poetry
SUBGENRE: Political
This random shopping made me feel better for a few minutes but then I stopped and walked to ..."
Wow! This is really good Garrison. I was going to say which line was my favorite, but then I couldn't decide!
That's the magic of Sherman Alexie books: never a dull moment (even during the sad parts). :)
*Title:
Resurrection Party: Poems
Author:
Michalle Gould
Paragraph:
To be human is to be like a cloud chalked into the sky
that some eraser could sweep off the blue board at any
moment
Kat wrote: "*Title:
Resurrection Party: Poems
Author:
Michalle Gould
Paragraph:
To be human is to be like a cloud chalked into the sky
that some eraser could sweep off th..."
In other words, we should all cherish our time on earth while we can. I like that message. :)
TITLE: What Alice ForgotAUTHOR: Liane Moriarty
No. She didn't want any more strange voices telling her things she didn't know about the people she loved.
Strange voices are always scary to listen to. Good find, Connie!
title - For Whom the Bell TollsAuthor - Ernest Hemingway
"'Not in joke,' the women said, 'Here I command! Haven't you heard la gente? Here no one commands but me. You can stay if you wish and eat of the food and drink of the wine, but not too bloody much, and share in the work, if thee wishes. But here, I command.'"
She couldn't make herself any clearer than that. She's definitely in charge!
TITLE: Of Dice and Men: The Story of Dungeons & Dragons and the People Who Play ItAUTHOR: David M. Ewalt
YEAR: 2013
GENRE: Nonfiction
SUBGENRE: Role-Playing Game Biography
Ridiculously complicated rules and hand-painted miniatures are not a recipe for success. Despite H.G. Wells’ efforts to take war games mainstream, the hobby remained obscure into the mid-twentieth century. The general public proved more interested in simple, self-contained board games like Monopoly, which debuted in the 1930s, and Scrabble, first published in 1948. Kriegsspiel and its brethren continued to have their fans, but they were few in number, almost exclusively older men, and usually veterans who wanted to relive a bit of the thrill of the world wars.
Title: The OutsidersAuthor: S. E. Hinton
"You know what a greaser is?" Bob asked. "White trash with long hair."
I felt the blood draining from my face. I've been cussed out and sworn at, but nothing ever hit me like that did. Johnnycake made a kind of gasp and his eyes were smoldering.
"You know what a Soc is?" I said, my voice shaking with rage. "White trash with Mustangs and madras." And then, because I couldn't think of anything bad enough to call them, I spit at them.
I read "The Outsiders" when I was in high school during my freshman year. In a desolate place like Chehalis, Washington, any anti-bigotry message is a good one.
Garrison wrote: "TITLE: Of Dice and Men: The Story of Dungeons & Dragons and the People Who Play ItAUTHOR: David M. Ewalt
YEAR: 2013
GENRE: Nonfiction
SUBGENRE: Role-Playing Game Biography
Ridiculously complicate..."
Super interesting info. re: the origins of D & D. Thanks for sharing.
The Girl on the Trainby: Paula Hawkins
Sometimes, I don't want to go anywhere, I think I'll be happy if I never have to set foot outside the house again. I don't even miss working. I just want to remain safe and warm in my haven, with Scott, undisturbed.
Author: ShakespeareTitle: Hamlet
Publication: Signet Edition
Hamlet: The rugged Pyrrhus, he whose sable arms,
Black as his purpose, did the night resemble
When he lay couched in th' ominous horse,
Hath now thus dread and black complexion smeared
With heraldry more dismal. Head to foot
Now is he total gules, horrify tricked
With blood of fathers, mothers, daughter, sons,
Baked and impasted with patching street...
NOTE: Since this is a graphic novel and not a traditional one, I’ll post the 55th page’s dialogue.TITLE: The Sandman: Endless Nights
AUTHOR: Neil Gaiman
QUEEN: And then it was dawn and our men came back and slaughtered them like wolves.
KNIGHT: Were you not afraid?
QUEEN: No.
KNIGHT: But they had killed your husband.
QUEEN: Yes. I am his wife and the lady of this village. It would be a poor thing if I could not bend a man to my desire. Bury him.
Weekly Short Stories Contest and Company!
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TITLE: Open Season
AUTHOR: CJ Box
He wondered how the incident would effect his girls, especially Sheridan. It was one thing to look for monsters and another thing to actually see them. Ote’s sudden appearance had somehow thrown a new curve on things, and Joe knew Marybeth would be thinking about that. The sanctity of their little family had been violated. Ote’s blood would remain on the walk for months - and in their memories forever. Joe wondered what kind of cleaning substance he could buy that would remove bloodstains from concrete. How would Lucy remember this day? Would it make her more cautious, more suspicious? Would Sheridan wonder if her parents - especially her dad - would actually protect her from harm after all? The relationship between a father and his daughters, Joe had discovered, was a remarkably powerful thing. They looked to him to accomplish greatness; they expected it as a matter of course because he was their dad and therefore a great man. Someday, he knew, he would do something less than great and they would see it. It was inevitable. He wondered at what wage his luster would dim in Sheridan’s eyes and then in Lucy’s. He wondered how painful it would be for them all when they recognized it.