From a Bitter Old Blerd (#NaBloPoMo)

 

Nerds have always been cool. Well, to other nerds. But there was a time when it was harder to be a nerd. Start rant:

You know what pisses me off? Today's young nerds don't know the struggle of staying informed about the next author signing, the next comic con, the upcoming previews available at free comic book day. There was no facebook page for each event, each author. There was no app for that. They'll never know how hard it was to connect with people who had the same obsessive commitment to collecting EVERY SINGLE Marvel Skybox card in a particular series. We actually either had to buy infinite packs or KNOW people close enough to trade with. When you wanted to get the Spawn action figures you had to go find them; there was no Amazon to drop these geeky bits of joy at your door. You had to make all the parts of your costumes and then NEVER be seen in them in general company. You actually had to converse with other socially inept and holier- than-thou nerds and geeks in the few approved hang- outs: comic book stores, arcades, and used music stores. Maybe a less- than-ideal section of the food court at the mall or the movie theatre.

Being a nerd/ geek in this day in age is like walking the beautiful sunny scenic flat route to school compared to the uphill walk I had to take both ways, in the snow, with no shoes on! There was no hashtag for how real the struggle was!! Can you even imagine? Can you even even!!? No. You cannot even.

Role- playing games were ON PAPER, for gods sake!! Don't get me wrong. I never played any RPG's. I'm a different kind of nerd. You didn't know there were different kinds? Welp. Here's web page link for you with 19 different answers to the question of the difference! 

NaBloPoMo: Busting down barriers

I cannot believe I've actually made it to DAY 2 for the NaBloPoMo thing! Usually Mondays are a hard day for me to blog because I'm at work from 8 to 8 and I've got a billion things I'm supposed to be doing. But I have 3 things get cancelled today. Yes!

So, consistent with a good goal- setting plan, I figured I'd post about the things I think will get in my way for posting every day this month and some ideas about how to make it happen anyway.

Barriers:
1. Time - This is a doozy for me. I work a full time job and a couple of little jobs on the side. But, I always find time to do things that are important to me. SO, I'm going to make the time each day by scheduling blog time in my calendar. Last month I was able to fit in play rehearsal for 10 -14 hours a week. I think I can make 30 minutes a day for blogging. I am likely to fall off the NaBloPoMo wagon for at least a week, the week of Thanksgiving, because I'm having surgery. I'm going to cut myself some slack that week. So, really, my goal is to be flawless for 23 days. Which is still the longest I've ever stuck to a challenge. This weekend might be hard because I'll be at Book Riot Live. AAAHHH!! I'm so excited about that!! But I'm going to have to be extra on top of things to blog. I might "pre-write" them on Thursday... hmmm... something to consider.

2. Equipment - I hate my laptop. More accurately, I hate my laptop at home. It seems to work perfectly fine when I am elsewhere. Anyway, when I have something electronic to do, I usually do it at work or at the library. I also have an iPad at home. So, I will need to schedule blog time during a time I can use the equipment I prefer or get more comfortable with typing on the tablet. 

3. I forget. Seriously. I'm going to put a reminder on the events in my calendar. 

4. "Writer's Block": This one is a little silly because of all the prompts that are available online to use. I also have a list of potential topics that I add to when the mood strikes me. So... I'm going to either come up with my own brilliance. Or stand on the shoulders of others.

I'm sure other things will come up, but these are my biggest ones, the ones that get in the way of most changes I shoot for. Here's to overcoming barriers! Good luck, bloggers!

Recommendations for Jen (Page Turners)

This post is for a Jennifer. She knows who she is. Jen is looking for a few good books to help reach her Goodreads reading challenge goal for 2015.

Audiobooks are a good way to wrack up some books. Also, many of the old classics are quick. I recently read Frankenstein, Animal House, and The Great Gatsby via audiobook. I think they are all under 200 pages. 

Below are mini-reviews from previous posts of mine for books that I have really liked that were "page- turners" for me. Sorry if the links no longer work. And apparently, sometimes I BOLD the title, sometimes I bold the author, and sometimes I bold both… I think you can figure out what's going on.

"I continue to LOVE LOVE LOVE The Ascendance Trilogy novels by Jennifer Nielson. I think I expressed my disagreement that these are "middle grade" books when I posted about the first one. Again, I have no idea how these things are decided. This one had less torture, so maybe it's for elementary kids!! Adventure, fun, and oh so many feels. Also, it makes me realize that as much as the romance, kissy kissy stuff annoys me in books, I totally miss it when it's missing... of course, I think the kids in this book are 14... so, there really is no rush to the sucking face scene, I guess.

I am Princess X by Cherie Priest. I really liked the book. It's about a pair of best friends, one of whole is presumably killed and the other who is obsessed with the idea that her friend may well be alive. It was just suspenseful enough to keep you guessing. This is an excellent example of incorporating graphic novel elements.

Pretty is by Maggie Mitchell: This book's summary was interesting, as is the idea for the story. Two adult women revisit the two month period when they were kidnapped and held in the woods. I actually really liked the view of the girls and their connection to the time and the man over the course of their lives. It had a few too many layers (a movie, based on a book, based on the story of the girls from one perspective with the view point of the other folks thrown in). The "thriller" stalker part was unnecessary and wrapped up too quickly. And other lines didn't wrap up very satisfactorily at all. The psychology of the unloved/ unlovable post trauma thing was interesting.

Between the Lines by [Jodi Picoult]: She might get a bit of flack on my Twitter TL, but I love Jodi Picoult. I've read several of her novels and think they're each different and interesting. Granted, I have read them all with years in between them, which I think helps with any author. You don't get too keen to their patterns and idiosyncrasies. Anyway, in the now, Delilah is a weird nerd with few friends who is the first to be able to see that the characters in a middle grade adventure book might have minds of their own. It might be all a little predictable and a little convenient and "just how would that work exactly," but that is kind of part of the story. Ms. Picoult wrote this book with her daughter and it is, itself, for younger readers. It's enjoyable and super quick, despite it's 350 pages."

Dewey's 24 Hour #Readathon: Prep and Fret

I’ve decided to participate in the Dewey’s 24 Hour Readathon tomorrow! They’ve just hit the 1600 registered readers mark so it’s kind of a big deal. The name is pretty self- explanatory. The hardcore idea is to read for 24 hours, foregoing naps and long breaks, though I think most people modify that to be a bit more doable in real life. I’m still trying to figure out what my actual goal should be: number of books, number of pages, number of total hours!? These are tough decisions!!

I have a few hours reserved tomorrow to spend with my daughters, shopping for my 18-year-old’s trip out of state next week but I’ll have an audiobook at the ready for free moments when I’m given the gift of waiting (e.g., while they’re in the dressing room, etc).

When I get home today, I fully intend to fret over which books will be included in the #readathon pile. Library books, owned books, long-awaited books!? Seriously, I’m not sure I can handle this pressure!

All over the world, the readathon starts at the same time, it’s 8am Eastern Standard time, so I will be up bright and early to get my #readathon on! I will be updating progress here on the blog after each book and more frequently on Twitter (@BookedUpBoss) .  Come cheer me and thousands of my closest friends on using the hashtag #readathon.

For possible inclusion: The November #blerdBookClub pick and a book that's been on my #TBR list far too long: 

 

Obsession Manifest: My new Little Free Library!!!

Sorry if I geek a little hard on this post!

I am so excited that my Little Free Library is finally finished and installed. I'm going to add the Take a Book, Leave a Book motto on the front of the door, and I just got my official little plaque from the organization in the mail yesterday (how the heck am I going to put it on there!?)

Not know what at LFL is? Here’s part of the description from their website:  "A Little Free Library is a “take a book, return a book” free book exchange. Little Free Library book exchanges have a unique, personal touch and there is an understanding that real people are sharing their favorite books with their community. These aren’t just any old books… The Library itself is a piece of neighborhood art." On the LFL webpage you can see the little libraries that are registered near you. When I first went to the page, I noticed that there weren't many on our side of town (West SY-DE!!). And you gotta be the change, right?

I was able to connect with someone who had built one for their yard, really by coincidence of a recent common acquaintance, who agreed to build one for me! I’ve been collecting books through donations and purchases from a local book shop, The Book Centre, and the Ogden Farmer's library. As an aside about the Book Centre, when you go in there, you need time!

I looked up Little Libraries to get ideas for decorations and got my daughter to help. I think it turned out GREAT!!! Hopefully, the neighbors think so, too! 

Comics I'm All about Right Now (Book Review)

There are some days when I'm just not in a novel mood... like, not in the mood for a novel... But I'm always in the mood for a good story and pretty pictures. Enter: Comic Mode. 

Fables #150 hit stands this month. Interestingly, it's long enough in and of itself to also be the 22nd trade paperback, wrapping up the whole shebang. The cover opens to reveal a beautiful spread across the back for anyone nuts enough to break the binding on a book... who does that!? Fables has been the only one since Strangers in Paradise that I have collected in complete single issue format (with the exception of two trades when I got behind following a relocation). The books tell the story of all of the fables you know and love and their attempt to fight multiple adversaries, not the least of which is being forgotten by the real world. I love(d) this series and am sad to see it go. I was pleased to have most of the side characters get a little stories of their own in the last few issues. (I also love one of the spin off series: Fairest, and will be collecting the TPBs. The Jack of Fables spin off series, less so.) Also, check out the art work. You need this in your life.

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Jason Shawn Alexander, who according to his twitter photo, is not bad to gawk at, writes and lends a talented artistic hand to Empty Zone. Issue 3 hit shelves last week and I haven't been to pick it up, yet. #NoSpoilers. I am decidely slow on the uptake with new series/ books but I really had zero idea what was going on in Book 1. Book 2 added a little context to the dark and gritty story so I don't feel quite so lost among the ghosts, hallucinations, and half cyborg- bad ass chick main character. I'm excited to see where it's going. 

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Jeremy Haun offers a new book about an STD that makes the infected beautiful. The Beauty Issue 1 was out on August 12th and offered 3 different covers. I wrestled myself in the aisle (embarrassing!) and only bought my favorite one. The book asks you to consider if you would get infected to be beautiful? And at what cost. It's not clear what the final cost is for those in the book, yet. One of the most compelling elements of the story is the reaction of those who are not infected. We all know everyone harbors a bit of hatred for the prettiest boy or girl in the room. Mr. Haun has also started a campaign to raise awareness for the book that highlights positive body- image. And obviously, since it's 2015, there's a hashtag. Find out more here. And then look below for my STD free face... #TeamSafeSex!

Book Goals 2015 Part II

Where the hell is 2015 running off to!? I took on a couple of extra things at work which I think is totally damaging my JOY DE VEE.

I've been thinking about my reading goals for the rest of the year. I completed my Goodreads challenge goal of 1 book per week. I haven't changed the initial number like I did last year. Honestly, I think that sometimes I focus too much on the number. So I've decided there are a couple of non-book-number specific goals. For example:

I'm still working on the Book Riot 2015 Read Harder Challenge. I've basically just been hoping that the books I read will magically fit into the categories. It's worked for 16 categories so far. Of course, this is also that strategy that has lead me to be 2 books short for each of the last 14 books in 4 months challenges that I've done. But I'm nothing if not a person who likes to repeat the same mistakes over and over and over and over... 

I also want to:

1. Re-read the Harry Potter series
2. Read at least the first Outlander book
3. Read all the books from the Book Riot YA Quarterly Boxes that I get (I've read 0 of 5, so far.)
4. Considering a "read the whole shelf challenge" with a bedside bookshelf of mine

I think I used to be a cool kid... (Outbox July 3, 2015)

I was at home for the evening when I realized there were still two hours left for the library to be open. You would have thought I was a kid going to the damn fair the way I jumped up and hot tailed it up here. I really am a nerd. Sometimes I surprise even me.

June is over and done with. Does anyone else feel like the months are just flying by!? Maybe it's just me...

Check out this righteous new t-shirt I got for the 4th. I nerd hard, y'all.

I've read 9 books since my last #outbox post.

The surprise hit of June, well, one of them, was The False Prince by Jennifer Nielson. It's always easier to be pleasantly surprised. Maybe my expectations were just low. This book was "recommended" to me by the Overdrive app. I Loved. It. It's about a young orphan who is forced into a sinister political plot. The title sort of gives the plot away. However, the story is interesting enough that all the expected happenings are compelling and interesting. This really is some YA at it's best, though I think it's actually meant to be middle grade... even with the torture, and stuff? I don't know who comes up with these classifications. Anyway, though. Unfortunately, the second installment (yep, trilogy) isn't available through Overdrive. I had to request it through the library the old fashioned way. Which I did. Immediately.

The Enchanted by Rene Denfeld made my Must Reads list. Apparently a recent theme for me has been prison-life as I recently read The Walls Around Us (EXCELLENT) and am currently reading Orange is the New Black. Delicious Foods (REALLY GOOD) might also count within the theme. Anyway, The Enchanted is told primarily from the point of view of a death row investigator and an inmate. It was beautiful and haunting and depressing and wonderful.

You by Charles Benoit would have gotten a bump up in stars if the ending wasn't one of these "but then what!?" sort of things. It's not as bad as Living in Neutral by Terry Trueman which almost sent me over the edge... but, let me not digress. And RAGE AROUND THIS LIBRARY.