Breathers: A Zombie's Lament was such a brilliant read. I got to page 310 this morning and I was so ... sad. Just sad it was over. I really thought I had at least ten more pages to go when I got to the last page.
The ending was pretty awesome, even though a lot of it was left to the reader's imagination. Maybe because my imagination is pretty great - I imagined things to be epic.
I honestly would suggest this book to anyone who asks me about what good book can they read. I told my boyfriend via text message that I wish this book was a movie (even though movies based on books don't always do the book justice (coughEragoncough)).
This is one of my favorites book by far and I'll definitely be reading it again!
Moving On:
Azazel by Isaac Asimov is a collection of short stories written by Asimov. Each short story is connected by a character--a two-centimeter-tall demon, Azazel.
I'm looking forward to the read, but I don't think I will start yet because I have a headache. Sad, I know. There are 171 pages to read, each with small print - which is not good for my headache.
KTTP, Megan
Monday, May 21, 2012
Friday, May 18, 2012
From Goblins to Zombies
I just finished the last book I have in my collection of the Disc World Series, Snuff. I just love the stories with Commander Vimes! Such a very complicated character. Yet another great one from Terry Pratchett; well done!
Moving on to zombies now. Breathers: A Zombie's Lament by S. G. Browne. 310 pages this time around. I've never read anything by this author, but through Google I've learned that his name is Scott and has been described as "an American author of dark comedy and social satire". Breathers is his debut novel and was published in 2009, so it isn't very old to say the least.
I like dark humor and I like zombies, so I do believe I should enjoy this one! If not, I'll survive.
Keep Turning the Page, Megan.
Moving on to zombies now. Breathers: A Zombie's Lament by S. G. Browne. 310 pages this time around. I've never read anything by this author, but through Google I've learned that his name is Scott and has been described as "an American author of dark comedy and social satire". Breathers is his debut novel and was published in 2009, so it isn't very old to say the least.
I like dark humor and I like zombies, so I do believe I should enjoy this one! If not, I'll survive.
Keep Turning the Page, Megan.
Thursday, May 10, 2012
Books Vs. Kindle/Nook
Which would you prefer? A 400 page book in your hands or a Kindle (or Nook) to read the same story/novel from?
Personally, I'd prefer the real deal. Let me tell you why!
I just honestly love the way books can smell. One of the first things I do when I pick up a book is to open the cover and thumb through the pages, making the air and scent of the pages blow into my face. It is a very satisfying sensation for me.
*Random Side Note: The very first thing I do with a hardcover book is take the paper cover off it because I get really annoyed with it sliding up or down the hardcover. I just take it off and slide it into the slot in my bookshelf where the book came from so I can put it back.*
I know that books can sometimes be heftier, bulkier, and just generally harder to carry around with you, but I can't help but to favor them.I realize that a Kindle or a Nook is more sensible nowadays, but I would still rather carry around a book rather than a Nook.
I also know that if I were to choose a Kindle or a Nook, I'd be able to take with me way more than just one or two books. I could take with me as many as I can fit into the memory of the device. This makes traveling easier, and could possibly get rid of the need for bookshelves that take up space in a room.
But, it really is the turning of the page that makes a book more worth my while.
It helps that reading a computer screen (which is what it'd be like using a Kindle or Nook) is more damaging for my eyes and leads to more headaches (literally) for me.
Those are just a few reasons why I much prefer a real book than a Kindle/Nook. Which do you prefer?
Keep Turning The Page, Megan
Personally, I'd prefer the real deal. Let me tell you why!
I just honestly love the way books can smell. One of the first things I do when I pick up a book is to open the cover and thumb through the pages, making the air and scent of the pages blow into my face. It is a very satisfying sensation for me.
*Random Side Note: The very first thing I do with a hardcover book is take the paper cover off it because I get really annoyed with it sliding up or down the hardcover. I just take it off and slide it into the slot in my bookshelf where the book came from so I can put it back.*
I know that books can sometimes be heftier, bulkier, and just generally harder to carry around with you, but I can't help but to favor them.I realize that a Kindle or a Nook is more sensible nowadays, but I would still rather carry around a book rather than a Nook.
I also know that if I were to choose a Kindle or a Nook, I'd be able to take with me way more than just one or two books. I could take with me as many as I can fit into the memory of the device. This makes traveling easier, and could possibly get rid of the need for bookshelves that take up space in a room.
But, it really is the turning of the page that makes a book more worth my while.
It helps that reading a computer screen (which is what it'd be like using a Kindle or Nook) is more damaging for my eyes and leads to more headaches (literally) for me.
Those are just a few reasons why I much prefer a real book than a Kindle/Nook. Which do you prefer?
Keep Turning The Page, Megan
Wednesday, May 9, 2012
Finished Reading and Upcoming
Hello!
Just a few moments ago I finished reading Terry Pratchett's Unseen Academicals. As with any Terry Pratchett novel, I enjoyed it thoroughly! Every little thing I wanted to happen in the end, happened. This, of course, made me a very happy reader indeed. I just love when everything works out! Not to mention, there was the ever present Terry Pratchett humor stuffed into the pages, making me snort or giggle as I read.
I love meeting familiar characters as the protagonists make their way through the story; it just makes me feel comforted in a way that is difficult to explain.
Moving On:
Next, I'll be reading another Terry Pratchett novel. This one happens to be the last one in my collection that I have yet to read. It is entitled Snuff and there are 398 pages (which includes the short Epilogue).
At least in this one, the breaks in thought/scene are not just an extra line between paragraphs. Instead the breaks consist of the extra line PLUS! a really big first letter of the paragraph. This makes it easier for me to find my place when I come back to reading.
For some reason, the first thing I noticed about this book is that the pages are very thin and soft. They feel so nice! This sensation makes me want to write another entry about real books vs Nook/Kindle/etc. That could possibly be interesting, right?
Complaint:
Unseen Academicals and Snuff have generally small text. This makes wearing my reading glasses extremely important. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind wearing my glasses... it is just that if I wear them too long I get headaches, like I've mentioned before. Thus, my reading times aren't as lengthy as I'd prefer.
I'll always keep reading through a headache if the story is worth it, and believe me, Terry Pratchett tends to make the effort worth my while.
Funny, I was just talking about worth and Unseen Academicals had some interesting things about worth in it.
Honestly, if you ever get the chance to read any Terry Pratchett Discworld novel, I'd suggest you do it because they are truly a great read for all.
Keep Turning The Page, Megan
Just a few moments ago I finished reading Terry Pratchett's Unseen Academicals. As with any Terry Pratchett novel, I enjoyed it thoroughly! Every little thing I wanted to happen in the end, happened. This, of course, made me a very happy reader indeed. I just love when everything works out! Not to mention, there was the ever present Terry Pratchett humor stuffed into the pages, making me snort or giggle as I read.
I love meeting familiar characters as the protagonists make their way through the story; it just makes me feel comforted in a way that is difficult to explain.
Moving On:
Next, I'll be reading another Terry Pratchett novel. This one happens to be the last one in my collection that I have yet to read. It is entitled Snuff and there are 398 pages (which includes the short Epilogue).
At least in this one, the breaks in thought/scene are not just an extra line between paragraphs. Instead the breaks consist of the extra line PLUS! a really big first letter of the paragraph. This makes it easier for me to find my place when I come back to reading.
For some reason, the first thing I noticed about this book is that the pages are very thin and soft. They feel so nice! This sensation makes me want to write another entry about real books vs Nook/Kindle/etc. That could possibly be interesting, right?
Complaint:
Unseen Academicals and Snuff have generally small text. This makes wearing my reading glasses extremely important. Don't get me wrong, I don't mind wearing my glasses... it is just that if I wear them too long I get headaches, like I've mentioned before. Thus, my reading times aren't as lengthy as I'd prefer.
I'll always keep reading through a headache if the story is worth it, and believe me, Terry Pratchett tends to make the effort worth my while.
Funny, I was just talking about worth and Unseen Academicals had some interesting things about worth in it.
Honestly, if you ever get the chance to read any Terry Pratchett Discworld novel, I'd suggest you do it because they are truly a great read for all.
Keep Turning The Page, Megan
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
Current Reading: Unseen Academicals
Hey everyone.
I apologize for not being very active recently.
I've finished Dragon Rider and it was a good read.
Once I was finished I started reading Unseen Academicals by Terry Prachett. I am more than halfway through it right now. I'm not sure exactly what page I am on but I'm somewhere between 220-250. There are exactly 400 pages in this book.
I really am enjoying this read. I just love Terry Prachett novels!
I don't have much more to say, so I'll write again when I do have things to say.
Keep Turning The Page, Megan
I apologize for not being very active recently.
I've finished Dragon Rider and it was a good read.
Once I was finished I started reading Unseen Academicals by Terry Prachett. I am more than halfway through it right now. I'm not sure exactly what page I am on but I'm somewhere between 220-250. There are exactly 400 pages in this book.
I really am enjoying this read. I just love Terry Prachett novels!
I don't have much more to say, so I'll write again when I do have things to say.
Keep Turning The Page, Megan
Sunday, April 29, 2012
Migraines
Have you ever suffered from a migraine?
I have. Quite often, actually. They really suck. I've had them often enough that I can function to go about my daily business, but reading and using computers are two of the things I struggle to do with a migraine. Especially because I need to put my glasses on for those activities! It feels like the weight of my reading glasses (which isn't very much) is pulling my nose and pulling my eyeballs. It is an unpleasantly weird sensation.
Without this migraine that I've had for a couple of days, I do believe I would have finished Dragon Rider by now. It is really good and I don't want to stop reading, but the pain of having my glasses on sort of forces me to stop reading.
Currently, I am on page 360 of 523!
I'm going on a short trip! To my boyfriend's house til Thursday. He has to work tomorrow and I'll use that time for reading. I might want to bring another book with me, just in case. Eight hours is a lot of time to read!
What's Next?
Unseen Academics by Terry Pratchett. This is one of the two Disc World novels I have that I have yet to read. The other is called Snuff and I will more than likely start that book next.
I forgot to mention in my entry about Terry Pratchett novels that sometimes the beginning of the novels are a little slow and might be hard to get into. I've had that a couple of times. I've taken a month to read a book just because I didn't really feel enthusiastic about reading the beginning. Once the book picks up, I can finish it quickly enough. I do hope these two aren't like that! I have a huge list to get through! Ha.
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan
I have. Quite often, actually. They really suck. I've had them often enough that I can function to go about my daily business, but reading and using computers are two of the things I struggle to do with a migraine. Especially because I need to put my glasses on for those activities! It feels like the weight of my reading glasses (which isn't very much) is pulling my nose and pulling my eyeballs. It is an unpleasantly weird sensation.
Without this migraine that I've had for a couple of days, I do believe I would have finished Dragon Rider by now. It is really good and I don't want to stop reading, but the pain of having my glasses on sort of forces me to stop reading.
Currently, I am on page 360 of 523!
I'm going on a short trip! To my boyfriend's house til Thursday. He has to work tomorrow and I'll use that time for reading. I might want to bring another book with me, just in case. Eight hours is a lot of time to read!
What's Next?
Unseen Academics by Terry Pratchett. This is one of the two Disc World novels I have that I have yet to read. The other is called Snuff and I will more than likely start that book next.
I forgot to mention in my entry about Terry Pratchett novels that sometimes the beginning of the novels are a little slow and might be hard to get into. I've had that a couple of times. I've taken a month to read a book just because I didn't really feel enthusiastic about reading the beginning. Once the book picks up, I can finish it quickly enough. I do hope these two aren't like that! I have a huge list to get through! Ha.
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan
Friday, April 27, 2012
The Cat Who Smelled A Rat
I finished my "Current Reading". I'm still not sure how I feel about this book!
Positives:
Easy to read. Nothing was too complicated where I needed to reread passages or anything like that.
I quite enjoyed the cat, Koko.
I also enjoyed the protagonist.
Negatives:
I was slightly overwhelmed by the amount of characters I was supposed to keep track of.
There were so many components to the mystery that it took me until 9 pages from the end to realize who the bad guy was... I much prefer being able to figure things out before the protagonist. That way, the excitement is seeing when and how the protagonist figures everything out.
I suppose I would give the other books in this series ("The Cat Who...") a go. I wouldn't not read one... I'll read just about anything really, now that I think about it.
So What's Next?
I do believe I will read Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke. That is the author of Inkheart, which I have not read but have heard good things about!
This book is kind of awesome. There are illustrations! ALSO! A super awesome fold-out map inside. It's really quite interesting. Usually, an adventure novel has a map printed on one of the first or last pages. This fold-out one happens to be right in the middle of the book! So awesome.
I know this is a children's novel, but so what? We all still enjoy a child's film, why not also a book? An adventure is still an adventure! I quite enjoy adventure.
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan
Positives:
Easy to read. Nothing was too complicated where I needed to reread passages or anything like that.
I quite enjoyed the cat, Koko.
I also enjoyed the protagonist.
Negatives:
I was slightly overwhelmed by the amount of characters I was supposed to keep track of.
There were so many components to the mystery that it took me until 9 pages from the end to realize who the bad guy was... I much prefer being able to figure things out before the protagonist. That way, the excitement is seeing when and how the protagonist figures everything out.
I suppose I would give the other books in this series ("The Cat Who...") a go. I wouldn't not read one... I'll read just about anything really, now that I think about it.
So What's Next?
I do believe I will read Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke. That is the author of Inkheart, which I have not read but have heard good things about!
This book is kind of awesome. There are illustrations! ALSO! A super awesome fold-out map inside. It's really quite interesting. Usually, an adventure novel has a map printed on one of the first or last pages. This fold-out one happens to be right in the middle of the book! So awesome.
I know this is a children's novel, but so what? We all still enjoy a child's film, why not also a book? An adventure is still an adventure! I quite enjoy adventure.
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan
Thursday, April 26, 2012
Graphic Storytelling
Hello friends.
Graphic Storytelling is a literary medium in which illustrations, or graphics, are used to tell the story along with the text. Most likely, comic books will come to mind.
It is debatable whether or not this is a valid form of literature. Think about it, in a book store the graphic novels are in a whole different section (if there even is a section). Mystery books have a whole section to themselves too. Why can't these novels be mixed in with the others? Why isn't Persepolis in the autobiographies?
Personally, I think this is a very valid medium. It is very creative, not to mention useful.
Useful? How so?
Let's use Persepolis as an example. Persepolis is a French-language autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi depicting her childhood in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. These were rather gruesome times, one could imagine. You could also imagine it to be difficult for someone to read about or even watch (it was made into an animated film).
Actually, using the graphic novel medium makes it easier for such hard topics to be expressed and learned about. I, for one, do not want to see someone executed. I also do not want to see bodies blown to bits by bombs. With using graphics and animation though, I can understand that these things are happening without all of the horrific details and without being a minimalist. Persepolis adds to this detachment by being in black and white.
Detachment. Graphic storytelling detaches the reader from the characters a little but because the reader doesn't see the characters as real people. That sounds a little harsh, but it is true. It is the only way that I can watch something so gruesome.
There isn't much more to say I don't think, and I also think this isn't a well organized blog entry... but I am too lazy to fix it up and make it pretty for you.
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan
Graphic Storytelling is a literary medium in which illustrations, or graphics, are used to tell the story along with the text. Most likely, comic books will come to mind.
It is debatable whether or not this is a valid form of literature. Think about it, in a book store the graphic novels are in a whole different section (if there even is a section). Mystery books have a whole section to themselves too. Why can't these novels be mixed in with the others? Why isn't Persepolis in the autobiographies?
Personally, I think this is a very valid medium. It is very creative, not to mention useful.
Useful? How so?
Let's use Persepolis as an example. Persepolis is a French-language autobiographical graphic novel by Marjane Satrapi depicting her childhood in Iran during and after the Islamic Revolution. These were rather gruesome times, one could imagine. You could also imagine it to be difficult for someone to read about or even watch (it was made into an animated film).
Actually, using the graphic novel medium makes it easier for such hard topics to be expressed and learned about. I, for one, do not want to see someone executed. I also do not want to see bodies blown to bits by bombs. With using graphics and animation though, I can understand that these things are happening without all of the horrific details and without being a minimalist. Persepolis adds to this detachment by being in black and white.
Detachment. Graphic storytelling detaches the reader from the characters a little but because the reader doesn't see the characters as real people. That sounds a little harsh, but it is true. It is the only way that I can watch something so gruesome.
There isn't much more to say I don't think, and I also think this isn't a well organized blog entry... but I am too lazy to fix it up and make it pretty for you.
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan
Reading List For the Summer
Hey there.
I just finished a semester at my university and now I am free for the summer! Unless I actually get a job (which would be nice). But anyway, I have plenty of free time and I plan to use most of it to read and blog!
So what do I plan, or hope, to read? (This list is in no specific order)
- Catching Fire
- Mockingjay
- Inheritance
- Unseen Academics
- Snuff
- Fantasy in Death
- Promises in Death
- Creation in Death
- Celebrity in Death
- New York to Dallas
- Dragon Rider
- Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters
- Think of a Numb3r
- Shadow Raiders
- Azazel
- The Floating Islands
- Crescent Dawn
- I Am Number Four
- Reindeer Moon
- People of the Silence
- Cat Under Fire
- Cat on the Edge
On a good day, with a good book, I can read one book or sometimes two in a day. I guess we could say this list is a goal that I wish to accomplish this summer!
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan
Current Reading
Hello friends!
Currently, I am reading The Cat Who Smelled a Rat by Lillian Jackson Braun.
I am on page 94 of 227 pages.
As I started to read the book, I seriously had no idea what it was going to be about, until maybe 34-35 pages into.
It's a mystery! I'm pretty sure the beginning was, like in many mystery novels, setting up the framework for the story. I don't know it yet, but I needed all that dull information in order to understand the ending.
I'll find out!
This book is one of the very many in my bookcase that my grandmother has given to me. It is part of a series and I do believe I have a couple more to read after this one.
The best thing about having a grandma who also loves to read is: She has a library of her own in her house that I can choose from! Seriously, there is a room that is full of books! Don't forget the two large bookshelves in the living room, and the ever present stack of books next to her chair.
I love my grandma! She always has such great books to share with me!
Once I finish this book off I'll let you know how I liked it or disliked it. Right now I am indifferent, seeing as it still hasn't really picked up much. I need more excitement Lillian!!!
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan
One of My Poems...
Hello.
I wrote this particular poem in my Creative Writing class in High School about two years ago. I had a wonderful teacher, Mrs. Pamela Ill. She was and is, by far, my favorite teacher ever.
This poem was in a collection of poems about relationships. Just relationships in general, so any relationship at all (good or bad).This happens to be a sort of dark poem, but I view it as my best.
Leaving
Here I lay on the ground
My head is spinning round and round
I'd like to say this wasn't your fault
And that I've taken this like an adult
You've beaten me once, twice, and more
Now I'm bruised and bleeding on the floor
You've been like a vicious dog--I do not understand
Why as I lay here I still reach for your hand
I'm so confused as to what to do
I can't take anymore of this from you
What will happen if I say
That I want to go far far away?
Would you lose all control?
Would you make me pay your toll?
Would I have to pay in my own blood?
Would you take too much and cause a flood?
But now I realize
I won't have to look into those frightening eyes
I could easily leave without you knowing
Away and safe tears of joy will be flowing
Here I lay on the ground
My head is spinning round and round
I'd like to say this wasn't your fault
And that I've taken this like an adult
You've beaten me once, twice, and more
Now I'm bruised and bleeding on the floor
You've been like a vicious dog--I do not understand
Why as I lay here I still reach for your hand
I'm so confused as to what to do
I can't take anymore of this from you
What will happen if I say
That I want to go far far away?
Would you lose all control?
Would you make me pay your toll?
Would I have to pay in my own blood?
Would you take too much and cause a flood?
But now I realize
I won't have to look into those frightening eyes
I could easily leave without you knowing
Away and safe tears of joy will be flowing
Thanks for reading.
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Terry Pratchett Novels: The Disc World
Hey! Have you ever read anything written by Terry Pratchett? He is a really old and awesome writer! My opinion, of course.
He is the author of The Disc World Series. This series has so many books it is borderline ridiculous. It is honestly mind-boggling to me how this man has been able to make a complex world so easy to understand. Each book is a new adventure with new or familiar characters and I just love them all.
The continuation of the characters' stories really makes me a happy person. I get to meet so many characters and keep up with what happens to them next. I also enjoy when characters overlap from book to book. I just love how it is all put together. It truly is a book about the world (the Disc World, that is).
I do not own/have not read every book in the series, but I've read/own quite a few of them (they are listed in my "Favorite Books" section). I know enough about the series to know how amazing it is.
This series is so creative and although there are many round characters involved, the story remains easy to follow and you aren't bombarded with characters whose names you're bound to forget or get confused by later on.
I really hate when that happens, I think sometimes authors try too hard and end up messing everything up by having 20 characters introduced in the first chapter; HOW DO I FOLLOW ALL THOSE PEOPLE?! I don't. I generally stop reading. Especially when I notice when the author mixed up the characters (John was introduced as Stephen's brother, but suddenly he is a single child?).
But anyway, The Disc World is a wonderful series that anyone and everyone can read. You do not necessarily need to read the books in any specific order, but it is helpful. Chronology, although not completely necessary, is what I recommend. You can easily look up the order online. Or, if you're like me... just look inside the sleeve of the book. (The list on my profile is in order)
I have so much more to say about these books, but I feel like I should cut this off soon, plus I do not want to give away any spoilers! Here is a list of some of my favorite Disc World Novels, in no particular order:
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan!
He is the author of The Disc World Series. This series has so many books it is borderline ridiculous. It is honestly mind-boggling to me how this man has been able to make a complex world so easy to understand. Each book is a new adventure with new or familiar characters and I just love them all.
The continuation of the characters' stories really makes me a happy person. I get to meet so many characters and keep up with what happens to them next. I also enjoy when characters overlap from book to book. I just love how it is all put together. It truly is a book about the world (the Disc World, that is).
I do not own/have not read every book in the series, but I've read/own quite a few of them (they are listed in my "Favorite Books" section). I know enough about the series to know how amazing it is.
This series is so creative and although there are many round characters involved, the story remains easy to follow and you aren't bombarded with characters whose names you're bound to forget or get confused by later on.
I really hate when that happens, I think sometimes authors try too hard and end up messing everything up by having 20 characters introduced in the first chapter; HOW DO I FOLLOW ALL THOSE PEOPLE?! I don't. I generally stop reading. Especially when I notice when the author mixed up the characters (John was introduced as Stephen's brother, but suddenly he is a single child?).
But anyway, The Disc World is a wonderful series that anyone and everyone can read. You do not necessarily need to read the books in any specific order, but it is helpful. Chronology, although not completely necessary, is what I recommend. You can easily look up the order online. Or, if you're like me... just look inside the sleeve of the book. (The list on my profile is in order)
I have so much more to say about these books, but I feel like I should cut this off soon, plus I do not want to give away any spoilers! Here is a list of some of my favorite Disc World Novels, in no particular order:
- Small Gods
- Rincewind the Wizard
- Soul Music
- Feet of Clay
- The Fifth Elephant
- Truth
- The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents
- The Wee Free Men
- Monstrous Regiment
- A Hat Full of Sky
- Going Postal
- Wintersmith
- I Shall Wear Midnight
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan!
Welcome!
Hello everyone! Welcome to my blog!
My name is Megan! I'm a book junkie. Obviously, I quite enjoy reading. Although I'm a self-proclaimed book junkie, that doesn't mean I only read books! Short stories, poems, lyrics, and really anything is alright in my book! Minimalist, modernist, postmodernist--ANYTHING! I like to read all sorts of literature.
This wonderful blog, as you may have noticed I mentioned in the description, will consist of my views, thoughts, opinions on certain literary works!
I encourage you to post a comment with your thoughts and opinions; I'm alright with disagreement as well as agreement. Also feel free to suggest some readings to me (even though I am already behind on my reading!)!!!
Hey, who knows! Maybe I'll post some of my own writings (poems - I hate my short stories).
Keep Turning The Page, Love Megan!
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