Okay, so I know that I already recommended the Hunger Games, but I just have to recommend the entire series.
The books are as follows: The Hunger Games, Catching Fire, and Mockingjay.
Suzanne Collins does an excellent job at all three. I absolutely can say: Better than the Twilight Saga!
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Book Review: Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
This book was okay. It was a combination of Witches and Vampires without them actually being witches and vampires. They were Casters and Incubus'. The story of the two families histories as well as the incorporation on the Civil War was intriguing and interesting. The book altogether was a little confusing with not much explanation into things, but with the flashes into the past and the incorporation of a realistic American War kept it going.
I believe there will be a follow up to Beautiful Creatures, as it ended that way. I'm not sure whether or not I would be compelled to read it.
I believe there will be a follow up to Beautiful Creatures, as it ended that way. I'm not sure whether or not I would be compelled to read it.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Geek and Gamer Girls Song
Geek and Gamer Girls Song
A California Gurls parody that a friend found on break.com for all those geek and gamer girls in the world.
A California Gurls parody that a friend found on break.com for all those geek and gamer girls in the world.
Friday, January 29, 2010
Book Recommendation: Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
I read the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins about three weeks ago, and all I can say is loved it, loved it, loved it. I cannot wait to read Catching Fire (the second book in the Hunger Games series; I'm number 23 in the hold queue at the local public library. The book takes place in the future and what would be the future of America. Each year a Hunger Games takes place where two children (boy and girl) between 12 & 18 from twelve districts compete against one another. It's one of the best books I have read in along time and would recommended to anyone.
Thanks Megan for recommending the book to me! Excellent pick!
Thanks Megan for recommending the book to me! Excellent pick!
Tuesday, December 29, 2009
Book Review: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman
I am a long time lover of the book series called The Last Apprentice. The Graveyard Book found its way to me when it was recommended by a co-worker, because of my love for the formentioned series.
I liked this book. At the very beginning of the book, we have the young toddler, Nobody (Bod) Owens immediately partaking in adventure. You always can tell that a book will be good when it starts out with adventure.
Possibly the best part about this book is that we have ghosts, goblins, and so much more. We also move through his various relationships/friendships. I often wondered why the ghosts of Mr. and Mrs. Owens (Bod's parents) were not mentioned more often or why Bod's relationship with them didn't seem very strong. Then there is Silas, Bod's Guardian. Silas is good character; he's a little stand-offish but that is to be expected of someone dead and alive. There is also Scarlett, Bod's only human/living friend. (She is my second favorite character in the book.) She doesn't make too many appears, but she shares a "special" connection that only two humans, a boy and a girl can only share. When Bod loses his only living friend towards the end, we almost feel the need to cry for him. Lastly, we cannot forget about Bod's friend, Liza, the graveyard witch burried on "unholy" ground. (She is my most favorite character in the book. She is always there for Bod in all time of need; if he is locked in a closet or having trouble learning to fade. The audience also does not necessarily pity Liza but feels horrible that she cares and wants to be with Bod, but cannot due to her ghostly state.
Like most books we also have our evil villian: the Man Jack of the Jacks of All Trades. He is the perfect villian for the audience. He is not too evil but not evil enough to make one have nightmares about him.
The one thing that I did not like is that the book did not have a enough adventure. At times the book would leg on causing the reader to slow in interest. However, when adventure did arise it was very difficult to put the book down.
This book is perfect for the young adventureous person looking not to get too scare but looking for things not of this world.
I liked this book. At the very beginning of the book, we have the young toddler, Nobody (Bod) Owens immediately partaking in adventure. You always can tell that a book will be good when it starts out with adventure.
Possibly the best part about this book is that we have ghosts, goblins, and so much more. We also move through his various relationships/friendships. I often wondered why the ghosts of Mr. and Mrs. Owens (Bod's parents) were not mentioned more often or why Bod's relationship with them didn't seem very strong. Then there is Silas, Bod's Guardian. Silas is good character; he's a little stand-offish but that is to be expected of someone dead and alive. There is also Scarlett, Bod's only human/living friend. (She is my second favorite character in the book.) She doesn't make too many appears, but she shares a "special" connection that only two humans, a boy and a girl can only share. When Bod loses his only living friend towards the end, we almost feel the need to cry for him. Lastly, we cannot forget about Bod's friend, Liza, the graveyard witch burried on "unholy" ground. (She is my most favorite character in the book. She is always there for Bod in all time of need; if he is locked in a closet or having trouble learning to fade. The audience also does not necessarily pity Liza but feels horrible that she cares and wants to be with Bod, but cannot due to her ghostly state.
Like most books we also have our evil villian: the Man Jack of the Jacks of All Trades. He is the perfect villian for the audience. He is not too evil but not evil enough to make one have nightmares about him.
The one thing that I did not like is that the book did not have a enough adventure. At times the book would leg on causing the reader to slow in interest. However, when adventure did arise it was very difficult to put the book down.
This book is perfect for the young adventureous person looking not to get too scare but looking for things not of this world.
Saturday, December 19, 2009
Book Review (or at least part of): The Host by Stephenie Meyer
I recently read the prologue and first and second chapters of The Host by Stephenie Meyer. Or rather, I listened to the prologue and first and second chapters.
I, of course, like many other females my age have read and own all four copies of the Twilight Saga. I loved Twilight and Breaking Dawn. I find that Meyer's writing tends to vary from book to book, because New Moon was the slowest,most boring of all the Twilight books. Eclipse started out slow and boring but eventually picked up the pace and become likeable. So, like most I decided I needed to read The Host.
I got the book or rather the book on CD from the local library. I hadn't listen to a book on tape/CD for an incredibly long time, so I thought this would be something good. Plus, the only reason that I really got it on CD was because I was a lower number on the hold queue.
Anyway, back to the book. I made it through the proloque and first and second chapters. But became very bored quickly and did not want to fall asleep while driving.
I don't know if it was the aliens and trying to keep them all straight or if I didn't get to far in the book. I wanted to know more about the girl on the table, but the book was going so blan that I just couldn't get into. I tried; I mean it became interesting when the Wanderer went into the girl's memories, but I wanted more of that.
In conclusion, you may enjoy the book and you may not, depending on the type of person you are. I may not have enjoyed the book for these reasons two reasons: 1) audiobook and 2) aliens. I wish my best to those of you who decided to read it.
I, of course, like many other females my age have read and own all four copies of the Twilight Saga. I loved Twilight and Breaking Dawn. I find that Meyer's writing tends to vary from book to book, because New Moon was the slowest,most boring of all the Twilight books. Eclipse started out slow and boring but eventually picked up the pace and become likeable. So, like most I decided I needed to read The Host.
I got the book or rather the book on CD from the local library. I hadn't listen to a book on tape/CD for an incredibly long time, so I thought this would be something good. Plus, the only reason that I really got it on CD was because I was a lower number on the hold queue.
Anyway, back to the book. I made it through the proloque and first and second chapters. But became very bored quickly and did not want to fall asleep while driving.
I don't know if it was the aliens and trying to keep them all straight or if I didn't get to far in the book. I wanted to know more about the girl on the table, but the book was going so blan that I just couldn't get into. I tried; I mean it became interesting when the Wanderer went into the girl's memories, but I wanted more of that.
In conclusion, you may enjoy the book and you may not, depending on the type of person you are. I may not have enjoyed the book for these reasons two reasons: 1) audiobook and 2) aliens. I wish my best to those of you who decided to read it.
Sunday, October 18, 2009
Minnesota Library Association (MLA) Conference
The MLA Conference was in St. Cloud, MN from October 14-16th. Excellent conference.
I volunteered for three hours selling t-shirts on wednesday. I sold four, but gave out several pre-paid shirts. I loved the front of the shirt "027.0776;" it means library in Dewey.
Thursday, I attended the entire day except for the opening speaker. The first session I went to was on Online Tutorials. I learned a lot from this session. I learned that video tutorials are the best kind of tutorials to create. People learn more from video tutorials, because there is less interaction/less interruption than in an HTML tutorial. (It's time to put that Instructional Design knowledge to good use.)
Session session was on tools like Twitter and Blogs. Presenter was unable to finish her presentation, because there were way too many questions. The session was way too basic. I knew a lot of what was already said. Learned a few new things: Slideshare.com is a great way to share PowerPoints; there is a RSS Feed Burner that sends people emails when a website has been updated, this is the best way to check how many people are following your updates (I get RSS feeds via email from GRRL; I should have known this); also, found out about a Youtube video that gives a ten minute tour of the Harper College Library.
The third session was the best of the day. I took three pages of notes on customer service. I learned way too much. For starters, there needs to be a "a touch" like a conversation or smile. The "touch" begins at the transaction. Also, standards need to be set not policies. Standards can be followed, policies are read (and sometimes long.) The Red Wing Public Library experimented with bagging books and curb side drop off. I like the idea of bagging books, but am a little iffy on curb side drop off. Although, it would be pretty cool if libraries had drive up windows. I also learned that staff need to own the problem. You can't just direct the patron to a location, you need to make mistakes when your job is too help. I learned much more but way too much to mention.
The fourth session has the best name: "We're Off to See the Widget." It was about using different IMing services that libraries can put on their websites. The main focus was on Libraryh3lp. Other services like Meebo were mentioned. There was a mention of a Library Success Wiki. I need to check this out but sounds pretty cool.
I met lots of people: a prison librarian, a student in the MCTC program in Library Technology, people from MnPals, people from Minitex, and so much more.
I volunteered for three hours selling t-shirts on wednesday. I sold four, but gave out several pre-paid shirts. I loved the front of the shirt "027.0776;" it means library in Dewey.
Thursday, I attended the entire day except for the opening speaker. The first session I went to was on Online Tutorials. I learned a lot from this session. I learned that video tutorials are the best kind of tutorials to create. People learn more from video tutorials, because there is less interaction/less interruption than in an HTML tutorial. (It's time to put that Instructional Design knowledge to good use.)
Session session was on tools like Twitter and Blogs. Presenter was unable to finish her presentation, because there were way too many questions. The session was way too basic. I knew a lot of what was already said. Learned a few new things: Slideshare.com is a great way to share PowerPoints; there is a RSS Feed Burner that sends people emails when a website has been updated, this is the best way to check how many people are following your updates (I get RSS feeds via email from GRRL; I should have known this); also, found out about a Youtube video that gives a ten minute tour of the Harper College Library.
The third session was the best of the day. I took three pages of notes on customer service. I learned way too much. For starters, there needs to be a "a touch" like a conversation or smile. The "touch" begins at the transaction. Also, standards need to be set not policies. Standards can be followed, policies are read (and sometimes long.) The Red Wing Public Library experimented with bagging books and curb side drop off. I like the idea of bagging books, but am a little iffy on curb side drop off. Although, it would be pretty cool if libraries had drive up windows. I also learned that staff need to own the problem. You can't just direct the patron to a location, you need to make mistakes when your job is too help. I learned much more but way too much to mention.
The fourth session has the best name: "We're Off to See the Widget." It was about using different IMing services that libraries can put on their websites. The main focus was on Libraryh3lp. Other services like Meebo were mentioned. There was a mention of a Library Success Wiki. I need to check this out but sounds pretty cool.
I met lots of people: a prison librarian, a student in the MCTC program in Library Technology, people from MnPals, people from Minitex, and so much more.
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