Fill In The ______ 2010

Found this fun activity via Consumed by Books, who found it at The Book Rat.

Pretty much you just answer the questions using the name of a book you've read in 2010. You can go for serious answers that most closely match what your real answers would be, or you can go with the funniest ones you can come up with for your available titles.

I went ahead and linked my answers to my reviews (except for 1, which was from before I started reviewing) so you can check them out if you're curious.

Have fun!

Describe yourself:
Moon Called
What can I say? I'm a night-owl.

Describe where you currently live:
Northanger Abbey
Okay, not really. But I am in the north.

What's the weather like?
Heat Wave
Can below freezing be considered a heat wave?

If you could go anywhere, you would go to...
The Restaurant at the End of the Universe
Now that would be fun!

Your favorite form of transportation is...
Personal Demons
They're speedy, eco-friendly, and automatically reduce the number of other idiot drivers.

Your favorite time of day is...
Homecoming
It'd be a lot better if I had a job to be coming home from.

Your best friend is...
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy
What better friend than a book that tells you not to panic?

You and your friends are...
Wizards at War
Don't worry—we made a truce for the holidays.

You feel...
Mostly Harmless
As opposed to Very Nuclear.

Life is...
Paranormalcy
Chocolates are nice, but hawt shapeshifters are nicer.

Your greatest fear is...
The Strangers Outside
Unless it's Ed McMahon and his crew—I want my giant check!

You would prefer to die by...
Fire
Wait, what?! O_O

Your soul's present condition is...
High Wizardry
I swear I'm high on life...

What is the best advice you have to give?
So You Want to Be a Wizard
I hear it's a very lucrative field!

Thought for the Day:
So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish
Now I can open up my own fish store and supplement my writing! As soon as I have my nose removed.

You can find the full list of books I read this year HERE!

Hope You All Have A Safe And Happy New Year!

Welcome to the Family

After much deliberation, I've gone ahead and signed up this blog as an Associate of Amazon, Borders, and Powell's Books.

Pretty much this means is any time someone clicks on an Amazon, Borders (coming soon), or Powell's link, and then makes a purchase, I will be credited with a small percentage (6-8.5%) of their purchase. It doesn't even have to be the item at that specific link - so long as the browser window/tab remains the same, I get credited for 'directing' you to the site.

I want to stress that this doesn't mean I expect you to immediately click these links and buy thousands of dollars worth of stuff. There's no obligation on your part whatsoever. However, if while browsing my site you see something you're interested in buying, or perhaps you're reminded of something you've been meaning to buy, if you wouldn't mind locating one of my links (either in-post or on the sidebar) and using it to get where you want to go...I'd really appreciate your support.

I promise not to overwhelm you with ads, and keep the links discreet. I'm currently going through all my past reviews to edit the format and links. Pretty much what you'll see in each review is this:

~Title of Book Linked to Goodreads~
Series Name
Book #
By Author Name
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Powell's

And that'll be the end of it. Nothing too pushy, I hope. And nothing completely off-target, like random posts about plungers or baby bottles with tons of links throughout. Unless you guys want that type of thing...

Funds received from these Associations will be used primarily for future contests (especially shipping), purchasing books for review, and keeping bills (internet) paid.

Oh, and while I'm thinking about it, I'd like to point you to the left-hand side of the screen where you may have noticed a new Facebook widget where you can "Like" this blog.

That's right, The Wolf's Den has it's own Facebook account! There you will find pictures of books in-progress, reading updates, and discussion boards where you're welcome to talk about what you're reading, what you thought about books reviewed here, and make suggestions for the site. Who knows, maybe I'll even start a book club there. So head on over and check it out!

As always, thank you for your continued support. I couldn't do this without you.

Am I A Bad Person?

The other day, as I was perusing my regular list of blogs, I came across one that made me take a step back.

On Rachelle Gardner's blog, she posted a plea made by guest blogger, Marcus Brotherton. A hardcover a month, that’s all we ask. Essentially, he's asking for writers, readers, anyone interested in books or the publishing industry at all, to help the industry and spend $20 a month on books.

At first glance, I was completely on board. Sure! Anything I can do to help! We writerly people have got to stick together!

But then, I realized that I regularly go months without buying books. The majority of my reading comes from the library, where I can get just about any book if I'm willing to wait a couple weeks/months (depending on popularity and supply).

As much as I love books, that $20 a month is a problem for me. Being unemployed is a matter of making sure you get what you need. I've gotten to the point now that I have to double and triple-check every book I pick up to see if I'm really interested in it, or if I can live with checking the library.

And even the books I do talk myself into buying are usually pre-owned or discounted with coupons. A majority come from Goodwill or Used Bookstores, such that I'm not even sure their sales would make a difference in the publishing industry.

So, I'm asking...does this make me a bad person? What do you think about utilizing the free (or cheaper) resources versus helping the industry?

The Strangers Outside Are Drowning Their Sorrows

~The Strangers Outside~
By Vanessa Morgan
Amazon

Two sisters, Jennifer and Louise, return to their remote holiday cabin after a day at the seaside. But little do they know they’re being surrounded. Shortly after their arrival, the girls will come face to face with THE STRANGERS OUTSIDE. When the assailants make their intentions known, things take a shockingly terrible turn and an intense battle for survival will begin.

As a precursor, I feel the need to say that I don't particularly like horror. I don't watch horror movies, and I usually don't read horror books. When the author contacted me to review her self-published short story and novella, I was a bit leery, but decided perhaps I'd benefit from expanding my interests. After all, I've read Dracula without any negative repercussions. So long as there aren't any needles involved, nor people jumping out at me (I HATE that) from my screen, I figured I would be alright.

Thus, I may not be the best judge of horror, but I shall do my best.

Whisper Stories in My Ear Challenge

I know, I know, I just posted a reading challenge not an hour ago... But in truth, I'd already had that one on my Reading Challenge page for almost two weeks (perhaps I should announce these things sooner?).

Anyway, as soon as I saw this reading challenge, I knew I had to jump in!

Hosted by Bewitched Bookworms

As some of you probably know from reading my reviews, I listen to audiobooks on a regular basis. Not by themselves, mind you. I listen to audiobooks while I read along.

But Vicki, how can you read so slowly? Don't you find it boring?

Well, I might, if I didn't speed up the audiobooks to match my reading speed. Windows Media Player allows for speeding up or slowing down playback (a very handy feature if you ask me) so that I can increase the speed anywhere from 1.01x to 2x the normal speed. I usually find a good pace between 1.7x and 1.95x, depending on the narrator.

But Vicki, how can you understand what they're saying? Don't they sound like chipmunks?

Actually, I usually don't have it fast enough for that. Once you get above 2x speed, the audio usually becomes too clipped and unintelligible for me. So, while the pitch of the reader does increase a bit, I find it still pretty easy to make out.

Also, having the book in front of me helps a lot. If I miss something in the audio, it's right there on the page, so I don't miss anything.

But Vicki, why use the audiobook at all if you're just going to read the book anyway?

You're just full of questions, aren't you? Well, I read along with audiobooks for a few different reasons, actually.

First, I find it helps a lot with internalizing the stories. It's been proven in teaching/learning that we understand lessons a lot better when multiple senses are involved.

Some people are very good with learning through auditory means, such as listening to a lecture; some learn best with visual representations, such as diagrams or videos; and some work best through hands-on (or kinesthetic) techniques, such as performing a lab or skit.

By combining auditory and visual senses, I find it much easier to internalize what I'm reading, and to remember what I've read.

I also find it helps me focus that much more on what I'm doing. Have you ever found yourself reading and realized it's been an hour and you have no idea what you just read? Perhaps you were thinking about what you need to get from the store, or someone just came home and you're wondering what they're doing in the kitchen. Having my eyes and ears both focused on a book helps me stay on point, and thus, finish that book much faster.

Finally, in the case of Fantasy or SciFi books, listening to someone else read them allows me to hear some of those stranger words instead of spending 5 minutes trying to sound it out myself. Names like ed'Rastekeresket t'k Gh'shestaesteh or Aurilelde have thrown me for a loop in the past, but with a narrator taking the guesswork out of it, I'm past the road-bump after a couple seconds and on I go.

But Vicki, aren't there any drawbacks to this?

Alright, but this is your last one. Yes, I will admit, there are a couple problems with my preferred reading method.

Firstly, I have to be by my computer. Because I listen to the books at a higher speed, I can't simply transfer them to my mp3-player and off I go. Likewise, it's hard to read ahead while I'm out and find my place in the audio (unless I stop at a chapter or something). Thus, I have to make time to sit at my computer and listen...which is easier said than done, sometimes. Still, finishing a book in 3-10 hours isn't too bad.

But Vicki—

Nope, that's it from you =P And now here's a short list of what I have planned:

Planned:
1.   The Hunger Games ~ Suzanne Collins
2.   Catching Fire ~ Suzanne Collins
3.   Mockingjay ~ Suzanne Collins
4.   Wicked
5.   Son of a Witch
6.   A Lion Among Men
7.   The Lost Years of Merlin
8.   Eragon
9.   Eldest
10. Brisingr
11. Artemis Fowl
12. Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident
13. Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code
14. Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
15. Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony
16. Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox
17. Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex
18. Ender's Game
19. Ender's Shadow
20. Shadow of the Hegemon
21. Shadow Puppets
22. Shadow of the Giant
23. The Amulet of Samarkand
24. The Golem's Eye
25. Ptolemy's Gate
26. Earth (The Audiobook)


That's way over 200 hours, and I'm positive I'll read others over the year too. So that's the plan...wish me luck!

Keep track of my progress on my Reading Challenges page.

Reading Bucket List Challenge

So, come the new year, I'll be nearing my first full year of blogging! Yay! It's been fun so far, and I've gotten a lot of great advice and experience over the past year. Trying things out, finding out what works and what doesn't, has been a lot of fun. And come January 1st, I'll have a whole new year ahead of me...

Naturally that means that I will actually have a full year to complete some reading challenges! During this first year, my reading and reviews have been somewhat sparse, but I hope this new year will have less kinks ... be less kinky ... be somewhat smoother.

And so, without further adieu, here's the challenge I signed up for!

Hosted by The Mad Scientist

The Mad Scientist is certainly not one to stifle creativity, so her explanation and guidelines are extremely broad. The gist of it is to read a list of books that you've been meaning to get to, but haven't found time (or motivation) yet.

For those who need a little more in the way of guidelines, she does provide a Suggestion Page which has various themed lists such as Read 30 Genres, or Find 14 Settings.

As for myself, I'm using it as an opportunity to read some of the unread series I have sitting on my shelves:

Books I Own Are Bold
Unread Books Are Marked With *

Series I Own But Have Never Started:

~Alexander Cold Trilogy by Isabel Allende

1. City of the Beasts *
2. Kingdom of the Golden Dragon *
3. Forest of the Pygmies *

~The Bartimaeus Trilogy by Jonathan Stroud

1. The Amulet of Samarkand *
2. The Golem's Eye *
3. Ptolemy's Gate *

~The Wicked Years Series by Gregory Maguire

1. Wicked *
2. Son of a Witch *
3. A Lion Among Men *

~The Raine Benares Series by Lisa Shearin

1. Magic Lost, Trouble Found *
2. Armed & Magical *
3. The Trouble With Demons *
4. Bewitched & Betrayed *

~The Secret Texts Trilogy by Holly Lisle

0. Vincalis the Agitator *
1. Diplomacy of Wolves *
2. Vengeance of Dragons *
3. Courage of Falcons *

~The Lost Years Of Merlin Series by T.A. Barron

1. The Lost Years of Merlin *
2. The Seven Songs of Merlin *
3. The Fires of Merlin *
4. The Mirror of Merlin *
5. The Wings of Merlin *

Series I've Started:

~The Inheritance Series by Christopher Paolini

1. Eragon
2. Eldest *
3. Brisingr *

~The Lord of the Rings Series by J.R.R. Tolkien

1. The Hobbit 
2. The Fellowship of the Ring
3. The Two Towers *
4. The Return of the King *

~The Belgariad Series by David Eddings

1. Pawn of Prophecy
2. Queen of Sorcery *
3. Magician's Gambit *
4. Castle of Wizardry *
5. Enchanters' End Game *

~The Shadow Series by Orson Scott Card

1. Ender's Game
2. Ender's Shadow *
3. Shadow of the Hegemon *
4. Shadow Puppets *
5. Shadow of the Giant *

~Magic Kingdom of Landover Series by Terry Brooks

1. Magic Kingdom For Sale Sold!
2. The Black Unicorn *
3. Wizard at Large *
4. The Tangle Box *
5. Witches' Brew *
6. Princess of Landover

~Artemis Fowl Series by Eoin Colfer

1. Artemis Fowl
2. Artemis Fowl: The Arctic Incident
3. Artemis Fowl: The Eternity Code
4. Artemis Fowl: The Opal Deception
5. Artemis Fowl: The Lost Colony *
6. Artemis Fowl: The Time Paradox *
7. Artemis Fowl: The Atlantis Complex *

~Dragonriders of Pern Series by Anne McCaffrey (and Todd McCaffrey)

1. Dragonflight
2. Dragonquest
3. Dragonsong
4. Dragonsinger
5. Dragondrums
6. The White Dragon
7. Moreta: Dragonlady of Pern *
8. Nerilka's Story *
9. Dragonsdawn *
10. The Renegades of Pern *
11. All the Weyrs of Pern *
12. The Chronicles of Pern: First Fall *
13. The Dolphins of Pern *
14. Dragonseye *
15. The Masterharper of Pern *
16. The Skies of Pern *
17. A Gift of Dragons *
18. Dragon's Kin *
19. Dragon's Fire *
20. Dragon Harper *
21. Dragonsblood *
22. Dragonheart *
23. Dragongirl *

~Xanth Series by Piers Anthony

1. A Spell for Chameleon
2. The Source of Magic
3. Castle Roogna
4. Centaur Aisle
5. Ogre, Ogre
6. Night Mare
7. Dragon on a Pedestal *
8. Crewel Lye *
9. Golem in the Gears *
10. Vale of the Vole *
11. Heaven Cent *
12. Man from Mundania *
13. Isle of View *
14. Question Quest *
15. The Color of Her Panties *
16. Demons Don't Dream *
17. Harpy Thyme *
18. Geis of the Gargoyle *
19. Roc and a Hard Place *
20. Yon Ill Wind *
21. Faun & Games *
22. Zombie Lover *
23. Xone of Contention *
24. The Dastard *
25. Swell Foop *
26. Up In A Heaval *
27. Cube Route *
28. Currant Events *
29. Pet Peeve *
30. Stork Naked *
31. Air Apparent *
32. Two to the Fifth *
33. Jumper Cable *
34. Knot Gneiss *

Giving us a total of 109 books! Yeah, I don't know if I'll be reading all of these next year... But my goal is to know if I like the books on my shelves, and if I don't, to clear room for other titles I know I like.

So, FYI, I might not be getting to some of the new releases next year...but I hope to be cranking out a lot of reviews! Wish me luck!

Keep track of my progress on my Reading Challenges page.

When You're On A Hunt, You Do Whatever It Takes

Being the second book in a series, this review may contain slight spoilers for the first book, Terrier. I'd suggest you read the book, or at the very least my previous review before reading this.

~Bloodhound~
Provost's Dog
Book 2
By Tamora Pierce
Amazon ~ Powell's

No one said growing up would be easy.

Beka's back, now graduated from Puppy-hood and patrolling the streets as a full-fledged Dog. Unfortunately, the Lower City hasn't gotten any easier to handle, especially with rumors of a grain shortage making prices and tempers rise. And if riots weren't enough to keep the Dogs busy, Beka's also on the hunt for a coin counterfeiter who seems set on collapsing the economy entirely.

Good thing Beka's not short of friends she can count on. Between her partners Goodwin and Tunstall, her magical cat companion Pounce, and her friends in the Court of the Rogue, she expects there's nothing that can keep her from catching the mastermind behind the counterfeits. But when the trail leads away to Port Caynn, Beka finds herself losing her familiar company in exchange for new faces. Sure, Achoo the scent-hound should come in handy, but what about this overly charming Dale Rowan and his lot?

It won't be enough for Beka to be her usual "terrier" self. She'll have to learn from Achoo to sniff out the criminals—to be a bloodhound.


Once again, I've got to hand it to whoever writes the jacket description for these books, whether it be Tammy herself, or one of the people at Random House. It's descriptive yet concise, intriguing yet mysterious, and perhaps most importantly, it doesn't spoil anything. Well, perhaps one thing...but it's not that big. I just couldn't help but quote it again, if only for the last lines.