Reading week: a break for sanity's sake and updates

Reading week has finally arrived and it could not have come at a more perfect time.
School work is piling up-I'm way behind on creative writing, falling behind on Science Concepts, Philosophy, Industrial Psychology, and my Senior Research Seminar--I'm so behind on that class I am going to attempt to write a passable Annotated Bibliography tomorrow, in preparation for the 25 page paper I need to write for that class.

Yes, life at school is oh-so-very stressful. And I'll be honest, I feel like I'm drowning. So this break is so welcome.

While I've been struggling with school and stress and disabledness, I have still found time to read. I don't think you understand--that that is more a matter of keeping my sanity. In the last two months I've been reading quite a bit.

A few of the titles being Bitten by Kelley Armstrong, Guide to Adulhood by Grace Heilberg (which was not what I thought it would be), Gameboard of the Gods (still unfinished) by Richelle Mead, and the final installment of (what is perhaps my favorite book series right now and has been since last year) The Ruby Circle.

The very last installment of the Bloodlines series by Richelle Mead.


All I will say about this book series is that it is incredible--sure it has its faults...I can't think of any right now (unless you count ending as a fault), but it is incredible and that last book...well, it is surprising and so good. Like, it is incredible. You guys just don't understand. It is just amazing.

And, my heart is broken...I just don't want it to be over.

Which is how the spur of the moment decision to reread the series came about.

Whether or not I'll follow through with it is to be decided but I just need more-ya know?

Yuletide Greetings

It is December 17 already, Christmas is a week away almost less than a week away. And can I just say, I am still sort of dreading the holidays.

Because of reasons.

My family though is all excited about the holidays which leaves me as the odd one out. As well as emotional turbulence, I'm still not done my Christmas shopping, which eats away at me nightly--that's the thing about getting older, you're more worried about buying presents than Santa. I hate leaving things till last minute though.

I haven't really been looking forward to the holidays that much, to be honest with you, all the rush of gifts and perfect presents. It makes my head spin.  As well the holidays are a time to look back on what you've accomplished this past year. For me, I never seem to accomplish enough to make myself happy.

As some of you may know I had surgery back in June a couple days after my birthday and then because of the surgery I took some time off of school. Because I took time off school I didn't get to accomplish as much as I wanted to in that area of my life. But there was simply no way I could have went to school with the amount of pain I was in. Which I get, but still hate. Being isolated from the surgery and home most of the time has been hard, yet it is harder still, having my family around... constantly now that the holidays are here. I love my family but they are not always the easiest to get along with and sometimes they make my head spin.

My mom, my brother, and my sister are looking forward to the holidays while I have just been hoping to survive it. But as the clock ticks on, I find that I'm slowly able to feel some excitement in regards to this holiday. After reading more about this holiday, as in tracing back it's origins, I've found many stories about this season which have given me a greater understanding of where this holiday came from. And no, I'm not talking about the generally accepted version of saviors being born on Christmas in a barn.

The thing about this time of year is that it makes a lot of people sad, myself included, ever since December 12 2011. Christmas has never been the same since that date for my family and I.
Yet, something I read about this time of year on Tumblr has stayed with me about what this time of year is all about.

Winter, a lingering season, is a time to gather golden moments, embark on a sentimental journey, and enjoy every idle hour. - John Boswell

After reading that I've felt more at peace with this time of year and found myself able to concentrate on this holiday season with more of an open mind. And that is why it is something I wanted to share on this blog.

Did you know the origin of this holiday was to mark the longest nights of winter and to signify that winter is slowly abating. Of course, this is if you trace the roots of the holiday backwards in time. The generally accepted meaning today is much different than what it was a couple hundred years ago. Though the same themes carry through.

This is the time of year when we come together with family and friends to feast and celebrate, we mark the fact that winter is almost over, that the darkness is ending. This holiday, like all of them, connects us to our past and to the people that have lived here before us.

And to me, that is something pretty incredible. So dear followers I wish you all well in this upcoming holiday season.

Nano Woes

It is November 15 today, November 15. 


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Let that sink in. It is November 15 and Nano is currently kicking *pardon the language* my ass.

Yesterday I maybe wrote 150 words. No joke. That's it. And now today, is almost over and I've only written about 400. This is a problem. A big problem.

I think the majority of my problem with writing today and yesterday is because family stuff has occurred. And that is very distracting, if you have me on Tumblr, you would know more about that situation.

The story is stalling. It was at this great point; Tay was out but life was overwhelming her, now I need introduce her to Rose--this underground organization of sorts, the ones that helped break her out. But I need more information about them, what they do, there day to day life, and not to mention I need more information on Victorian era fashion. And those that know me, know that when it comes to fashion I am not the brightest.

Oh well, in order to inspire some creativity and motivation to just write--no matter how awful the first draft will be, here are some quotes and images via Pinterest.

Quotes 

To Prompt You Into Writing

"Just like our eyes, our hearts have a way of adjusting to the dark" -Adam Stanley

"Write what disturbs you, what you fear, what you have not been willing to speak about. Be willing to be split open." —Natalie Goldberg

Blog Update

I have a tendency to change my blog around quite a bit because I get bored of a current running theme I have had for a while and I like the look of changing a fresh blog with different colors and fresh images. My current blog theme is moving into its winter phase I believe.

Redoing my blog could be compared to cleaning up my room. Except I am cleaning up my blog and changing colors, not picking up stray clothes and books.

I have been looking into how to design my own graphics but let me tell you something: it is complicated. Trying to figure out all that stuff. So for now I am stuck using images and themes from Blogger. But that is okay because, although I would rather have my own, the ones from Blogger are very nice.

I have also been working on *attempting* to figure out how to work this whole adsense thing. Since I stopped blogging for quite some time it has gotten more complicated. Let's just say I have a lot of catching up to do on reading.

First Time Out After Surgery

I was asked to babysit. 

I needed Christmas money, and frankly, I’m bored of being at home, so I said yes. 

I had nothing better to do, anyways I’ve always gotten along with kids but still I was extremely nervous.  

It was so much more nerve racking than it should have been but that does actually make sense all things considered. It’s the first time I’ve been responsible for another child-human being since way before my surgery. 

I was sore. But I went.

Don’t get me wrong, it was hard. But holy TARDISMOTHER I survived! It was also fun and rewarding. It was hilarious at some points. We ended up in a giant fantasy battle, fighting against Milo the cat. Oh my god the imagination of a 9 year old boy. 

The only sucky part was, beside hurting a lot afterwards, was this following sentence. 

"…Well she’s younger than you, I guess *laughs* anyways, she’s off to university so that’s why we need a new babysitter." 

Sigh. I should be off at university not doing this…again….

I know…I know…when a human is given a list of five great things about themselves and one negative thing, they will focus on the negative. I know this. I`m purposely not thinking about it for that reason. But still it sucked. But that’s okay. I think I’ve come a long way in accepting myself as is. Sure, I could be like other people my age, but who wants to fit into the norm anyways. 

Still…those thoughts sneak up on you sometimes…

'If I was just a little different…if my wrists were just normal, if I could have finished high school when I was supposed to…if I was not disabled…if my dad had not done what he had done…ect…' Those thoughts are gone though. 

I’ve banished them and am left with this glow—it’s a sort of emotion similar to happiness actually. 

First big time out after a surgery and nothing horrible happened. 

I’m doing my mental happy dance right now. 

Which looks a lot like this 

NaNoWriMo Week One

I've had a couple rough starts this past week in regards to NaNoWriMo but the last three days of week one actually turned out to be --really-- surprisingly amazing. Though life is really rough lately, my writing, has been better than it has in a long time.

My novel is really moving well, which is a nice surprise considering pacing and plotting have never been my strong suit.

I've reached this point where when I sit down to write I'm desperate to. I'm excited to start and it doesn't take me that long to really get going. My writing has reached a nice synchronicity and I've achieved a perfect flow. The story is working. The characters are working. And I'm learning more about this world and these characters the deeper I get. There is honestly nothing like that feeling you get when your story is coming together *nearly* seamlessly. The only strange thing is that this story is turning out to be something I didn't plan it to be...it's better than I expected.

And I'll be honest, I'm pretty damn proud of the fact that I've not only reached my words/per day goal but that I've actually surpassed it. So hells yeah. I rock.

NaNoWriMo: I already need a break

NaNoWriMo was off to a great-ish start. 

On November 1st at 12:01am I started writing The Complex--stayed up and wrote until I was too tired to go on. 

As you know, I'm writing a novel called The Complex, about a tough girl who has grown up in a prison/mental institution it is going to be a dystopian novel. 

This story is one I've had floating around my head for awhile now so it had been great starting it and fleshing this world out. 

November 1st was great--everything was flowing and moving and everything seemed to turn out just the way I wanted it to...flash forward to now. Everything is a big horrible disaster. 

I'm being over dramatic, sure; it isn't that bad, fine. 

But the story isn't turning out the way I want it to. It isn't flowing smoothly and that bugs me-a lot.

I'm on par with the suggested word count so everything is okay with that--I'm not behind yet, but it took a lot to force myself to write because so far my writing feels stiff and uneven. This world is a complicated one. 

But there will be days like that I'm afraid. 

It's inevitable. 

I already want a break. 

And another coffee. 

For now, I'll settle for going over to a family friend's house for a 'beading' party and a glass of wine.  

So how about you? How is your novel going?? 

Last but not least I bring to you some pictures and quotes from all over the internet to help you stay inspired. 

Halloween Celebrations

Happy Halloween!

Halloween is probably one of the most fascinating holidays in my opinion (as well as one of the best); it's known by many different names, some are All Hallows Eve, All Saints Eve, and/or Samhain.


Beliefs regarding this day range in diversity and have changed drastically over the years. But all traditions carry the basic theme that during this night the veil between the world of the living and the world of the dead are thin, which with some beliefs, enables those that have passed on to the world of the dead, to come back on this night--usually for about three days, the day before Halloween, Halloween, and the day after.


Some countries light candles and place them on a window sill to guide spirits of loved ones home, others leave food on the porch for any hungry spirits, and one story I've heard stated that towns, people will gather with torches (the light attracts the spirits) and they will march with the spirits out of town. The draw back 'the veil thinning' is that evil spirits can cross into our world too. And that is where the carving of pumpkins and turnips, and dressing up comes into play. It is believed that dressing up as something 'supernatural' can hide you from evil spirits or that dressing up or --'gusiing' as it was once called-- scares them away. As said, the beliefs on this differ widely, and some of the more fascinating stories come from older traditions. The most common thing to do is crave!! Whether it is apples (to tell your future), or pumpkins and/or turnips (to scare away evil spirits), carving is one thing that all celebrations tend to include. Including our modern traditions. Even though our modern traditions have changed over time.



Anyways, whatever your traditions and/or religious beliefs, and whether or not you buy into any of these out-there beliefs and traditions I hope you have an awesome, safe Halloween night, eating candy, trick-or-treating, and "using humor and ridicule to confront the power of death."

Goodreads and NaNoWriMo

Today this post comes to you in two parts 

Part One: The Goodreads Reading Challenge 

If you do not know what the Goodreads Book Challenge is here is the basic run-down. It is a challenge/goal that you set for yourself regarding how many book you are going to read in the following year. When you join Goodreads you have the option of setting your a goal as to how many books/novels you are going to read in the coming year. If you are an avid reader and active Goodreads user or a giant dork like me, you will know that this challenge/goal can be both very fun but very stressful. As, I do not like not-meeting my goals.

For the past two years I have become an active user and for the two years I have set a seemingly attainable goal of 101 books. Yet, last year when trying read about 107 books I fell short and failed to reach my goal.
It was very sad. 

I, apparently, way over estimated the amount I read. Also, did not think to include textbooks in my profile. 

And this year, according to stupid goodreads, grrr, I am 45 books behind my goal. 

That, you see, is very frustrating for me. As stated, I do not like not reaching my goals. 

Failure seems to be mounting every day. Why is that? I love reading, I adore it. 

Here are my excuses. 

-I had surgery on my wrist--this excuse is valid in my opinion, I fell behind in reading because I could not exactly pick up a book without some difficulty--so fine, I give myself a 'pass' for that one

-Personal problems are vast and are yet unresolved--life my friends is complicated 

-I've changed what I read--I've been reading more classics and books that are more complicated-- some involve doing work

-Some books, specifically Self Improvement books, I don't add to my Goodreads profile  

-By putting so much emphasis on reaching that goal I often stress about it

-And, admittedly, I probably watch too much TV 

The thing is for awhile there I kind of forgot that really it should only be about the quality of what I read rather than putting so much emphasis on the quantity of novels I read...

Of course, I am still somewhat determined to reach that goal. But I am thinking that next year I will rethink adding a number to the Goodreads challenge. It is kind of stressful, logging on to see those big old reminders that 'I AM 45 BOOKS BEHIND' 

So what is there to do? Reading marathon or actually step outside of my house...?
Blah.

Part Two

NaNoWriMo: To write or not to write

If you knew me you would know that really the only thing in life I want to do is write stories that touch and inspire and help people. So Nanowrimo is always a great opportunity for us lovers of words to sit down and write a novel. I have participated in it three times--won twice, lost once. Two years ago for example I met my goal of writing a 50, 000 word contemporary story. This year for some reason, now that I have time to participate, I suddenly felt wary and anxious of doing so. But mainly because this idea that has been floating around in my head is kind of a big one. One I think could actually be pretty great.    

I have been wrestling with making a decision about participating in NaNoWriMo for the past three weeks. Should I do it, should I not. Of course a myriad of excuses had come to my mind as to why I should not do it. I would not be able to keep up--I would end up falling behind in the work I have to do, ect, ect. But I managed to banish them. They were all pretty lame excuses anyways with a very flimsy foundation to begin with. All that is left now is that desire to write. But as well as that, lingering under the surface, I still feel that apprehension that is sort of like fear.

What if I fail? 

What if I get half way through this story and have no idea what to do next? 

What if it is a total disaster!

All those thoughts I believe are completely normal. But they are all just reasons why I have to do it--who knows, maybe this novel I am going to write will be a total disaster the thing is I will not know until I try! And National Novel Writing Month is the PERFECT opportunity to try my hand at writing a novel. God knows, I have the time. 

For all those with similar feelings, rejoice!
For you are not alone. 

There are things you can do to silence those nagging questions or worries. Creating a basic outline of the story, get to know your characters a little better, highlight key points, important moments, things that have to happen in order for the story to move forward. In other words, PREPARE! 

I believe though, that no matter what stage of your writing career you are at it will always be scary to write or start a new story, because at least in my case, writing is a personal thing. You create worlds out of your head, after all, it doesn't get much more personal than that. You usually have to understand life in order to bring a character to life. You will always have that fear that you will fail or let people down. It is just apart of being human, though.

Something else that can be done and something I do quite often is search for inspiration. Inspiration can come on a walk, in the shower, at night or in reading. Quotes from other writers or painters or musicians are some of the best ways to stay inspired. 

So this NaNoWriMo I am going to be writing a novel called The Complex. I invite you to share your experiences and your stories in the upcoming month, and I encourage you to WRITE WITH ABANDON. WRITE YOUR STORY, DEAR READERS, AND I WILL WRITE MINE. 

I wish you a safe journey into the uncharted territory that is the beginning of a new story.  

Putting Life In Focus

Putting Life In Focus 

I think in life everyone will go through something that challenges them and changes them. It can be failing health or it can be abuse--the death of a loved one or a figurative loss of someone. 

In my life I've both been lucky and unlucky in what I've had to deal with and in what I've had to endure. The same thing could be said about many people; what matters is how you look at it. The thing is, I believe that you can get through something impossible and move from 'surviving' life to 'thriving' in life. 

I believe that no matter who you are, what mistakes you've made, what you've been through, and where you currently are; you can change your life for the better. You can live the life you always envisioned for yourself and be the person you've always wanted to be, as long as you don't give up on yourself. And you commit to goals, and do the work. I believe you can do anything.

Every once in a while I think people forget about this though. I know I do--I get caught in old habits that won't die, because I don't know how to let them go. Sometimes fear runs rampant and war rages inside me. 

The truth is life hasn't always been easy. It never is, and isn't supposed to be, I guess. 

There were times I wasn't always certain I would live to be 20--never mind go to college. I've had many health problems, many family problems...I've survived though. The thing is, now that that time for only 'survival' has passed I have to learn to live again. 

Figuring out how to move on from a place so dark and isolated is hard, but possible. 

I think the trick is finding your passion and going for it--not holding back, throwing caution to the wind as it were. 

You have to believe in yourself and in life. 

The Steps You Need To Take in order to live the life you want are relatively simple I think:

• Figure out WHO you want to be 
• Figure out HOW you can get there
• SET GOALS
• And WORK for them

This is something I think more people should do. I set goals as much as I can--whenever I remember I do this. Life can get crazy and sometimes which is why goals are important.

My Current Monthly Goals 

• Work on combating anxiety and fear 
• Vegetarianism: Enhance overall health, by finding new V-friendly recipes that are inexpensive, healthy and easy to make
• Continue to rewrite and edit my book
• Continue going to the gym--even though surgery is looming overhead and things seem gloomy and it all scares me--I won't let the fear and sadness of another surgery hold me back
• Step out of my comfort zone and do the things that scare me (within reason of course) 

So, to bring this post to a quiet close I would like to know what your monthly goals are? Or what your dreams are? Who do you want to be? 

Post in the comments below or at the very least start thinking about what you want to do and who you want to be. 

The wonder of a book

Now this is going to be a different post.
No book review or cover reveal, just a little discussion on some of my thoughts regarding reading.

We all read for some reason, some people only read because they have to, (suckers) but those of us who read because we love it know a secret about reading.

Reading is the greatest form of magic, at least one of them, we can open a book and we can find the secrets of life, and love, and hate, and death within them.

We read to know that we are not alone, I think it was Mark Twain that said that.

I'm struck over and over again of how true this is, though at first hearing this, I didn't understand it. But I do now, when we read certain books we can suddenly be validated. Something we have always felt is felt by another, even if it is just a character in a book, but I think we all know that characters can be more real than celebrities sometimes.

The whole idea of this blog is to share what I love about different books, I think I'm pretty good at finding one thing in every book that I like, of course that doesn't always happen, sometimes the books are just not good and I don't like them.

I'm always struck by how books--stories--fictional characters can last forever in our hearts and minds--which is why this blog is named as it is. Supernovawords. Words that seem to last throughout history.

Did you know that when you look up at night sky some of the stars you are looking at have already died. There light took so long to reach us, that while their light was traveling, they died. Books--good books contain messages and lessons, they may take a long time to reach us, but they do eventually reach us.

A supernova can outshine entire galaxies and radiate more energy than our sun will in its entire lifetime, can you grasp the magnitude of that? And yet its possible that light from it, will take a long time to reach us, by the time we see it, the star could be dead.

Some writers embody that idea, of light shining from the past to meet us, sometimes writing lasts a more than a century. A Supernova writer from our day would be J.K. Rowling, no surprises there. Her stories will last as close to forever as they can get.

I think the true beauty of books lies inside them, you know the entire 'It's bigger on the inside' idea from Doctor Who? Well that is kind of the way books are. They can contain so much more than what they seem to be about. People who tell me that reading is a waste time will never be able to understand why they are so wrong. The amazing thing about books is that can teach you so much, despite the fact that they may be about something ludicrous.
I want to hear about the books that come to mind when you think about this idea that books that are 'bigger on the inside', that they are so much more than what they mean at face value. Leave a comment below. I always want to hear about those really good books that mean so much more to you than the others.

My bookshelf, this month

I've decided it is just way too awesome to not do, so I've decided to take part in stacking the shelves, started by Tynga's reviews it is basically where we book bloggers post about what books we are adding to the shelves this month...so without further ado, here is my list. 

My bookshelf, this month...

The Vampire's daughter

When one human stands before an army of impossible obstacles, the likelihood of overcoming them in this coming-of-age modern fairytale may result in war between light and darkness.

Abandoned as an infant in Prague, naive and strong-willed Charlotte Ruzikova was raised by one of the last Vampires left alive. As a human, she knows no other home than the one nestled deep in the woods of Eastern Europe, where Witches drew spells of enchantment, Phasers threw tea parties, and Elves are the closest in kin. Charlotte has lived her life in the dark with her Guardian, content to having him to herself and reveling in his attention, until she's realizes she wants more...

Resident medical doctor and Vampire, Valek Ruzik fears the day his ward would come of age and blossom into a fine woman, and he is forced to confront his own motives as time is of the essence once his past catches up to him, and their lives become endangered...

As genocide and war threatens their secret society, the dictator in power is ready to wipe out Valek's race, but Charlotte will not allow that to happen. Fighting for the only one she's ever loved and truly believed in, she will do whatever it takes to save their love...before the sun comes up and light takes over.

Of Light and darkness, book one 

Shayne Leighton 

I'm really looking forward to reading this, it sounds really good. 

Sorceress of Shadows

The Wall of Loss separating the lands of light and darkness has fallen...

In an attempt to save her mentor, Circle Elite Shirina paid a devastating price. Infected by the darkest of powers, she is bound to a staff and cursed with limited magic.

Now on a quest to safeguard what remains of the Circle and fulfill its mission to protect Graydon, Shirina must find a way to fuse the clashing powers of light and darkness. With dwindling time and as her body succumbs to poisonous magic, the sorceress must first seek redemption and re-forge old alliances.

Cassara Edoline and Avarielle Grayloft are her only hope of success, but the princess distrusts her and the warrior wants her dead. As the final battle for their land erupts and the three struggle with their failing powers, they must again join forces to reunite their broken land or watch their world crumble under the shadows of death.

Heirs of a broken land, book three
Marie Bilodeau

I am so excited to read the conclusion to the Heirs of a Broken Land series, but at the same time I'm putting off reading this...I don't really want it to be over! -.-

The Pineville Heist 

Seventeen year old Aaron stumbles into the aftermath of a five million dollar bank heist gone wrong. Hiding under a canoe, Aaron partially catches the murder of one of the robbers. In the chaos he sneaks away with the money and heads straight for the closest place of safety, his high school. Terrified, Aaron tells his shocking tale to Amanda Becker, his drama teacher, but it doesn't take long for one of the psychotic robbers to show up. In the locked down school the pair are relentlessly pursued in a quest to get the money back and wipe out the evidence.

Lee Chambers

This I'm really excited to read this, it has been getting some great reviews. 

All these things I've done

In 2083, chocolate and coffee are illegal, paper is hard to find, water is carefully rationed, and New York City is rife with crime and poverty. And yet, for Anya Balanchine, the sixteen-year-old daughter of the city's most notorious (and dead) crime boss, life is fairly routine. It consists of going to school, taking care of her siblings and her dying grandmother, trying to avoid falling in love with the new assistant D.A.'s son, and avoiding her loser ex-boyfriend. That is until her ex is accidently poisoned by the chocolate her family manufactures and the police think she's to blame. Suddenly, Anya finds herself thrust unwillingly into the spotlight--at school, in the news, and most importantly, within her mafia family.

Engrossing and suspenseful, All These Things I've Done is an utterly unique, unputdownable read that blends both the familiar and the fantastic.

Gabrielle Zevin 

I'm definitely looking forward to reading this one, as it sounds awesome and it is intriguing  in a world where chocolate is illegal I would be the biggest criminal out there. 

Songs of love and death: original tales of star-crossed love

IN this star-studded cross-genre anthology, seventeen of the greatest modern authors of fantasy, science fiction, and romance explore the borderlands of their genres with brand-new tales of ill-fated love. From zombie-infested woods in a postapocalyptic America to faery-haunted rural fields in eighteenth- century England, from the kingdoms of high fantasy to the alien world of a galaxy-spanning empire, these are stories of lovers who must struggle against the forces of magic and fate. Award-winning, bestselling author Neil Gaiman demonstrates why he's one of the hottest stars in literature today with "The Thing About Cassandra," a subtle but chilling story of a man who meets an old girlfriend he had never expected to see.

Authors: George R.R. Martin, Gardner Dozois, Jacqueline Carey, Lisa Tuttle, Linnea Sinclair, Mary Jo Putney, Tanith Lee, Peter S. Beagle, Yasmine Galenorn, Diana Gabaldon, Jo Beverly, Carrie Vaughn, M.L.N. Hanover, Ceclia Holland, Melinda M. Snodgrass,  Robin Hobb, Neil Gaiman, and Marjorie M. Liu, 

Alright I'm really REALLY looking forward to reading this one. I'm so excited for it.

E-readers....

I have nothing against people who use E-readers, I just dis-like them in general. I'm sure they have pros...but I'm a true dork at heart. I keep it real when it comes to books. I love books, the feel of them and the smell of them. You can't tell you've never opened up and book and loved the smell you associate with a new book.  Also, I actually like owning the book and adding it to my ever growing library. 

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On a cold winter evening, the snow is falling in spades; you've just walked home from the bus stop, how you hate public transit, you turn on the heat, get cozy and sit by a warming fire. You grab blankets, make hot chocolate, and settle down into you favorite spot and read an E-reader. 
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I'm sure you see how that amazing set up ended lamely. 

It was kind of a 'oh..'  moment. 

I do not like E-readers, sure the most in some cases most books you can buy from the 'online store' are less expensive, sure they may be less heavy then a book, sure they may have their own light--and some people think it saves trees. 

But in absolutely any case I would rather carry around a real book. 
If I met J.K. Rowling walking down the street I would want my BOOK signed, not my E-reader signed, actually you can't even sign an E-reader.

The Invasion of E-readers is slowly reaching epidemic proportions. 

E-readers save trees. 
Some people say that. 
If you are so worried about trees there are hundreds of other ways to save them--but I happen to know that there are a million other products that are unneeded, that could be eliminated and wouldn't really be missed. And besides, books are like trees. They last forever, at least the ones that are worth it. 


The cons of E-readers.

• E-readers don’t smell like books. 
• If you leave your E-reader on the bus, you've lost about a hundred bucks. You also loose all your books. If you leave a book on the bus, it is disappointing, granted. Especially if you haven't finished it yet, but at the same time someone will pick it up and maybe read it, or pass it on. And *depending on the book* be changed by it. 
• E-readers make the entire process of reading that much lamer, and you loose that connection with the book, and with the characters. 
• You can read people when you see their books collection, you can't do that if they own an E-reader. 
• E-Readers give nothing away about the journey you’ve taken with a book. No dents, smells, smudges, notes *if you write in your books*. They don’t express the adventure and connection with the story and the characters. I want to have people pass on their battered books to me, not their digital copy, besides people will just get new E-readers. *Sad face* 
• E-Readers are expensive and are being dallied as a catalyst to speed up cuts to library services. 
• An E-Reader will break easily. If I drop it, it will break. 
• If I drop an E-Reader in the bath it won’t be fixed, a book will. 
• All getting books for an E-Reader involves is working internet. I prefer to get up, get out of the house, off my but and browse through the books. I love the random conversations that arise when I meet someone who loves the same book as I do. 
• They are bad for the environment, and impractical. 
• They will make you lazier. 
• It closes the markets for writers, and the publishing companies take advantage of you. I mean, do you realize you are not buying an actual book? Come on people, you are buying electronic copies! Plus, when the power goes out, I will be sitting happily, content reading a real TANGIBLE book and you will be stuck mourning over your uncharged E-reader. 
• It takes away the intimacy of reading a book. Though I think I've touched on this before. 

There. 

I think think you understand my stand on them.

"But at least people are reading..." whispers the soft annoying grown-up voice of logic whispers. 

!!! FAN EXPO 2012 !!!!

The third largest fan gathering in North America. 

Fan expo was this last weekend, August 24-26. Fan expo is *for those few who don't know* is a gathering of fans from horror, comic, Sci-fi, Anime and Gaming. Basically a gathering of nerds and costumers, alike. They had authors, actors, amazing vendors, Xbox, the space channel was there. 

Fan expo is in its 18th year, and has grown in numbers. It features of 700 exhibitors and well known, and up-and-coming actors, authors and TV/internet personalities.

This was my first year at fan expo, I stayed for Saturday, which needless to say wasn't enough. There was so much to do, and so much to buy. My mom, brother and sister, and I went. We each got to meet Chris Sarandon, who is most known for his voice acting of Jack Skellington. My sister got his autograph which was really cool. As you all know, I love to read. LOVE to read. So going to fan expo was awesome in the way of that, they had publishing booths and seminars. Kelly Armstrong was there, Lesley Livingston, also I met a brand new author Marie Bilodeau who I love. I hadn't heard of her before fan expo. 

I loved being there, the convention center is huge, the food is WAY overpriced, it would be completely impossible to have enough money there. By that I mean there is are many vendors and books, and movies, and actors that I wanted to meet, get my photograph with, and get their autograph, I don't think there is any amount of money that you would be %100 satisfied with. 

Saying that, even though my family and I did not have a lot of money we still had a blast. Fan expo isn't just limited to one genre, it has four. It is huge. It was awesome. 

This is defintely something you must do before you die. Have you heard of Revolution? It is the new CityTV program that airs September 17th. CityTV was there handing out posters for the cast to sign, the wait was long but worth. I have to say that it looks really good and I'll be trying to catch it.