Majorly Undecided

Since I'm in the process of re-reading Trickster's Girl before moving on to reading and reviewing its sequel, Traitor's Son, here's a bit of fun I ran into today while visiting one of my favorite comics, xkcd.

First, here's a video that should help provide context for the comic below:


Ah, good olde musicals.
If you're in for another tongue-twisting song, check out It Really Doesn't Matter.

I'm sure most college students have felt pretty confused at one point or another, especially when it comes to declaring their major. I didn't declare my major (Creative Writing) until the last minute (Junior year), even though I knew when I applied that's what I wanted.

And now, with the recession, I'm sure many kids that age are wondering exactly what to do. I can't offer much advice, seeing as every person and situation's different, but here's a comic that may make you smile:

Someday I'll be the first to get a Ph.D in 'Undeclared'.

Hope you enjoyed.

It's Sort of Borderline

~Borderline~
By Bonnie Rozanski
Amazon ~ Powell's

Another novel about adolescent angst? Well, the protagonist is indeed going on thirteen and, with some justification, he is seriously stressed, but there this wonderful story diverges from the stereotype.

Rampant hormones, peer pressure, romance — all take a backseat as Guy Ritter wrestles with the challenge of attracting the attention of parents preoccupied with the demands of his autistic brother. And then there is the wolf, condemned to euthanasia unless Guy can find a way to spring him from a pen.

Adolescents will love this book, but there is much here for adult readers as well, including a short treatise on genetics and a graphic evocation of the consequences of a fast-food diet.


This book was the very first author request I ever received for this blog. I probably knew then and there that it wasn't for me. I'm not much on realistic fiction—not enough escape for me. But it claimed to feature a wolf, and it had one on the cover, so despite my reservations, I said I would give it a try.

Unfortunately I was right, this book wasn't really for me.

Re-Reading on GoodReads

As most of you should know by now, I'm participating in the 2012 Reading Challenge on GoodReads.

Now, GoodReads (GR) has been a great site for cataloging what books I've read, am reading, or want to read. I've created shelves for genres, lists for my challenges, and even gathered books I was forced to read in school. It has a huge listing of editions, summaries, and reviews. And if you hadn't noticed, I link to it all the time in my reviews, sidebars, and even have the app linked to my Facebook page!

But there is one thing that I wish they had...

A Re-Read Option

Has anyone else noticed that missing feature?

I tend to re-read books a lot. When the latest sequel comes out I like to re-read the entire series. Or perhaps it's for a reading challenge or book club. And heaven forbid reminiscing over an old favorite.

As it stands now, I can see a few different options to handle my re-reading.

Option 1: Don't count re-reads at all. Makes things a lot simpler, right? Unfortunately, this counts against my GR-sponsored reading challenge, as the "Date Finished" must contain the current year. I suppose I could say, 'computer be damned,' and make my own counter but...where's the validation in that?

Option 2: Change reading dates to current/last time read. I then add a personal note that tells me the last time I read it. Unfortunately, changing the dates read not only removes the book from my GR timeline, but also my Facebook one. It also gets complicated when I try to remember when I first read a book after I've re-read it a few times.

Option 3: Read/Review multiple editions of a single book. Unfortunately, that option hinders more than it helps. Firstly, it adds a copy to my overall books list, which is silly if anyone else looks through and finds 15 copies of the same book. Secondly, it clutters shelves if I label them with genre/theme/etc.. And lastly, it's confusing when I actually have read multiple editions (print & audiobook versions) of one book.

Obviously, I'm not a coding expert, so I can't say it'd be an easy thing to change. But here's the review form as it stands now. As you can see, under the main review space, there's "Date Finished" and "Date Started" followed by "Number of Times Read".

Now, here's the second part of the review form. As soon as you click the "I Own A Copy" box, a new section opens up, letting you fill in more information.

Why couldn't they add a "I've Read This More Than Once" bump-out?

I know I'm not completely alone in this, as there is a Suggestion Topic on GR specifically addressing the re-reading issue. Feel free to add your own two cents on the topic there, too.

But before you go off and do that, what do you think? How do you handle re-reading books? Is GoodReads the premiere book cataloging site, or do you use something different? Let me hear you howl!

Marching Into The Black

I know, I know - another week without posts. Don't worry, I'm still here, just had a week-long temp job (yay!) interfering with my reading (boo!). But I'm back on track and am excited to reveal some more reviews, an upcoming release, and a little of what else I've been up to lately.

On the e-reader front, I think I'm narrowing down my search. I've been introduced to the possibility of an inexpensive tablet, which I could then personalize with whatever reading apps I wanted. I'm still not sure about backlighted reading, so I'm kinda thinking about getting a Kindle Fire from Best Buy for their trial period. See if I use any of the apps, and am okay with the backlit screen, then downgrade if I have any issues. Then again, I may fall in love with it - who knows?

In case you've been living under a rock in the last few months, you've no doubt heard about the internet protection, anti-piracy acts being voted on by various and sundry governments. SOPA was struck down or at least deferred for a time, but that hasn't stopped other bills, like ACTA, from reaching other governments and in some cases actually getting approved.

Some artists/activists/internet users have had enough and have proposed a Black March:

So what are your thoughts? Are you for or against the ACTA-type bills; will you go on an entertainment strike; is this whole thing being blown out of proportion? Sound off in the comments below!

E-Reader Suggestions?

Got a question for y'all...

As you may or may not have noticed, here at The Wolf's Den, I don't usually read many e-books. It's not that I have anything against them, I just don't own an e-reader. Now, I have accepted some e-books for review now and again, but I read them at my computer.

I use free programs such as Kindle for PC and Adobe Digital Editions. I tend to prefer the Kindle program, but it doesn't accept all formats (PDF), so I'm stuck with either a converted mess or using Adobe for some books. Unfortunately, sitting and reading at the computer has two major disadvantages:

First, I find that oftentimes sitting at the computer gives me too many distractions to allow me to focus on the material I should be reading. YouTube, GoodReads, DeviantArt... I swear I don't have ADD, but——Ooh shiny! Ahem, second, the eye-strain and required seating arrangements (needing to be able to see the screen) don't allow me much in the way of comfort or variety. Frankly, I love reading in bed or sprawled out on the couch—just so many ways to toss and turn and cozy-up while I read!

An e-reader seems like it would answer both of those problems. Plus the fact that I could take my e-books out of the house! The library might be a nice change of scenery now and again. Or maybe when I'm chilling at Powell's?

And that's where you guys come in! I've stayed out of the e-reader scene mostly due to expenses. Now, I'm still not rolling in dough at the moment, so I'm really trying to balance out spiffy gadgets with my budget. Here are a few brands I've heard of, ranging from $79 to $199:
Kindle (Basic $79, Touch $99, Keyboard $139, Fire $199),
NOOK (Touch $99, Color $169, Tablet $199),
Sony (Reader $130),
Kobo (Basic $100, Touch $130, Vox $200),
and BeBook (One $99, S Club $129, Neo $159).

Honestly, I'm kinda leaning towards a Kindle at the moment. I've used the PC software for about a year now, and other than the PDF issues (which I don't know if there's a better option right now) I don't have any huge problems. Plus I already have a lot of free books downloaded, and I'm sure I'll run across other freebees regularly. Plus my library already offers a large selection of e-books in the Kindle format!

So here's my checklist:
Price - Not able to spend tons right now.
Weight/Size - Not a huge issue for me, actually.
Ease-of-Use - I'm pretty tech-savvy, so unless it's a nightmare to use, I should be fine.
Loyalty/Format - I'm not really loyal to one company over another. Powell's and Jan's are indie, and Borders kinda died. But when it comes to formats, how much of a pain is it going to be getting the right book format?
Memory - I'm not planning on replacing my library, this will be primarily for review requests that aren't available in print.
Touch or Not? - Is touch worth it for ease? Or is it a stress headache waiting to happen if it gets scratched?
Durability - Along the same lines as above, I'm pretty careful with my things and I'm not typically clutzy, but will I need a force-field around this thing?
Gadgets - I don't need tons of bells and whistles, but I won't turn them down either. Not really looking at 3G, video, or net-browsing, though music might be a plus...
Extras - Do I need to budget in for extras to get full use out of this? I don't foresee a need for an adapter, but will I need/want a case, light, etc.?

A tall order? Probably. So, what's your vote?



If you could cast your vote above then leave a comment below, I'd really appreciate it. Thanks a bunch, guys. I can't wait to hear from you!

H is for Huh?!

Have you ever felt completely clueless? Like you know you should be doing something, but have no idea what it might be? Or perhaps you know what to do, but you don't know how to do it, or to start it? It might be that feeling you get when given a problem you have no idea how to solve. Perhaps you don't understand what someone said—you misheard it or what they said doesn't make sense.

That's right, this is a day devoted to that Huh?! feeling.

If you're utterly confused about what someone said, try to politely ask for clarification, or to repeat. Sometimes it's best to ignore what's troubling you for a couple minutes: Think about or work on something else, then come back to it with a fresh look. Other times it's best to start scribbling down ideas and see if anything jumps out at you.

Writers block can start out with a Huh?! feeling, which then progresses to the Grrr and ARG!!! stages. My best advice is to look to other sources for inspiration. Maybe pull up a news article, or an old piece you wrote. Start writing something else for a few minutes, and see where it takes you. You never know, you might come up with something to use in your piece at hand. And if not, consider it more constructive practice!

Today I had that Huh?! feeling when trying to craft this post. Could you tell?

So, how do you beat the Huh?! feeling? Got any tricks you use?

Some H Books I've Read:

A Hilarious H Group:

The H Font:

Remember When Books Were Short?

No, I don't mean short in length, I mean short in size! I know I've made small mentions about this before, but I've decided it's about time I take a stand and get some more opinions on it. I mean, I'd like to be published eventually, and I guess if anyone knows more about it than I, I'd love to be filled in.

Anyway, I'll present my own problems and thoughts, then I'll open it up for replies and other opinions.

So, a couple weeks ago I was walking through my local Powell's when I happened upon an amazing deal. A used copy of Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder. Now, if you've seen this at any used bookstores, or perhaps, if you Google it, you'll notice that it's been reprinted a few different times:

There are a few more covers out there (possibly from different countries), but these three were the ones I saw at the store.

Now, I'm not usually a cover snob (except, of course, in terms of damage), but of these three, I'd probably normally veer toward the third. However, the deal was specifically on the first: it was used (and still in great shape) for only $3.50! And with all the positive reviews I've been reading, I knew I couldn't pass it up.

Yet, I wavered. I put it back and walked away. It gnawed at me. I returned and picked it up again. I bit my lip, chewed my nails, shifted my weight back and forth, and stood there for a good five minutes before finally gripping it and taking it up to the counter.

Why? No, it wasn't low funds (I had a gift card). No, I didn't have doubts that I would enjoy it. No, I was sure I didn't already own it... It was the fact that it was printed a while ago (possibly a first printing) and the second and third books were not in the same format.

Okay, call it anal retentiveness, call it OCD, call it gooberocity (okay, maybe not), but I prefer my series to be all in the same format. If one book is Mass-Market, I'd like the rest of the books to match. If one book is Trade-Paperback I'd like the rest to be, too.

Given my preference, I'd take Mass-Market anytime (which is good, since that's what the first cover is). Firstly, I own more books in this format, so it 'fits' better on my shelves. Secondly, they cost less, so the deal-finder in me is naturally inclined to prefer them. Thirdly, they are more compact, thus are easier to carry around in a purse, or whatnot, without receiving damage.

Alright, I hear what you're probably saying... "So what's your problem? Just buy the Mass-Market edition and leave us alone."

Well, I would...except, have you seen bookstores recently? Have you looked at the YA section? I swear, 95% of the books there are Trade-Paper! And I have no idea why!

Is it the cover? Do these new designs require more space, ie larger covers? Is it simply the old adage that bigger is better? Is this a buying trend? Are the publishing companies money-hungry? Are bookstores requesting the larger printings because they're easier to see on the shelves?

Okay, hang on a second. Before you paint me as conspiratorial, let me give you a better illustration:

I happen to own two copies of Tamora Pierce's Trickster's Choice. Since she's a well-known and Bestselling Author, her books are now being released first in hardcover. This hardcover was in September 2003 and sells for $17.95.

Since I generally abstain from hardcover buying, I held out and got the Trade-Paperback on the left. It was released a year later, in September 2004, and sells for $8.95.

The copy on the right is the Mass-Market Paperback. It was released 4 years later, in 2008 by a subsidiary of the original publishing company and sells for $6.99. I chose to buy this version because I own all her other books in this format, and, as I explained before, I like things to match.

Do you see any difference between the two? Okay, there's a little more text on the smaller version ("The New York Times Bestselling Author"), but really there's absolutely no difference!

Let's take a look at the backs:

I know it's a bit small...but if you can read both descriptions...they're completely identical. The only extra text on the Trade-Paper are the acclaims, which have been included inside the Mass-Market.

Other differences include the barcode size (larger on the Mass-Market), the mirror of the cover image (ghosted background on the Trade-Paper, cut-out and bordered on the Mass-Market), and font colors (green highlights on the Mass-Market).

Inside, the books have the exact same page numbers (422). The maps are the same, and both even have the same preview of the sequel book. The Trade-Paper font is, of course, larger than the Mass-Market, but the smaller size isn't difficult to read. Especially for teenagers who, you would think, still have fairly healthy eyes/don't squint at small fonts.

So, which of these do you think I'm keeping? And which do you think you'd see on the shelves at bookstores?

Here's what I think might be going on... Bookstores/Publishing Companies probably prefer* the Trade-Papers for a few reasons:

1. They are essentially hardcovers re-bound in paperback, so are easier to continue printing.**
2. Larger books fill the shelves and are more eye-catching than smaller (especially for younger audiences).
3. It is perfectly reasonable to charge a higher price for a larger product (since material costs are higher***).
4. Some people may prefer this format.
5. Those who prefer the Mass-Markets might concede during the long wait.
6. Offering 3 separate formats will make more money from book fans/collectors.

Meanwhile, I prefer Mass-Markets for a few other reasons:

1. They are normally skinnier and so I can fit more on a shelf.
2. They are normally a uniform height**** and so allow for easy double-stacking in my bookcases.
3. They are compact and easily transportable in my purse or bag.
4. They are firmer and tend to resist flopping open and getting bent.
5. They cost less and so I can buy more.

As far as releasing Mass-Markets later than Trade-Papers, I don't mind a little bit of a wait...so long as I'm sure it will be released eventually. There are a few books I'd love to own, but if I buy them in Trade-Paper and then a month later (or even a year...or four) they're released in Mass-Market, I've just wasted money. But there's no way to know when or IF they're planning on Mass-Marketing a book...

So... What do you think? Do you have a preference one way or the other, or do you just buy whatever's available? Do you think this trend is here to stay, or will they eventually make the transition back to the smaller size? Should publishing trends change, or am I the one who should change?



*This is purely my own speculation—I don't have hard facts.
**I know that some 'Trade-Paper' books are merely softbound versions of hardcovers, but not all. I also do not know the specifics of printing costs. It merely seems logical that the less changes that have to be made, the less cost.
***Again, I do not know printing costs, so I don't actually know that it costs more to produce a Trade-Paper than a Mass-Market. Again, it seems logical that more paper and more ink per-book would cost more. Then again, perhaps they simply print less Trade-Papers than Mass-Markets so the ink/paper costs are equal...
****I currently own 20 Trade-Paperbacks and they come in 5 different heights...

Jumping The Gun

I think people are getting a little confused. Well, to be more precise, other people seem to be getting confused, then doing things to make ME confused.

If you haven't seen or heard about it already, I'm talking about Maggie Stiefvater's Linger, sequel to her other werewolf novel, Shiver. If you check Amazon or, really, any online retailer, they list the novel as being 'Available for Pre-Order' with the release date of 'July 20, 2010'. But it seems that someone decided to jump the gun, for if you walk into any Borders store it's sitting on the shelf, ready for purchase.

The 'official' release date has been moved up to the 13th, though I assume this applies mainly to online sellers. Maggie seems to be taking the news in stride, though I read somewhere that she had a release party and other publication-related events scheduled leading up to the 20th. Good for fans, not so good for publicity.

So, are the DO NOT OPEN UNTIL __ labels only for Harry Potter books? Are people simply misreading memos? Are these people being fired? Is this a huge problem for publishers/authors, or are fans simply getting an early treat? I know when movies are released a day (or two) early, there are major lawsuits involved—should book releases be treated any differently?

Should I just shut up and stop looking a gift horse in the mouth? What are your thoughts?

I've Been to New York...?

Firstly, my mom likes to hoard my mail. I don't know why she can't just give it to me, but it somehow ends up in her room and I don't see it for years.

Case in point, I didn't receive my acceptance letter to Eastern Washington University until just before I left for Linfield College.

Well, last week, she found another piece of mail for me. Check out this postmark date:

 Yeah, that's right, April 06, 2009. Nice job, Mom. Course, that means I was still at college, so I don't know why it was coming to my house...but still.

The fun doesn't end there. I'm not quire sure why, but apparently I was sent a card from:

I'm not even sure I received any information from them when I was applying to colleges.

But now it gets really weird...

Dear Victoria,
I'm so happy you decided to join us last weekend for scholar's weekend. I hope you had a good time. It was a pleasure meeting you during our walking tour of the lower East Side. I'm sure you are receiving many offers, but I hope you decide to join us this fall and be an MLK Scholar.
Hope to see you again,
Christina

On the left side of the card was this picture:

As you can probably see, I am not in this picture (though, you can click to see it larger). I was at school all through March and April of last year. In fact, I have never been to New York State, let alone New York City.

Wait a moment...is that me?

No, no I don't think so. The hair might be similar, but I'm still pretty sure I wouldn't go to NYC for an MLK Scholar's weekend. Yet, they sent me a card (with my name and address).

Now, this leaves me one of three options...

1. I have an evil twin.
2. Someone I know decided to go on this trip and give them my information instead of their own.
3. Another 'Victoria S.' attended this MLK Scholarship weekend, and didn't give any of her own information. So, when trying to contact her, the school Googled her, or Facebooked her or whatever, found me, and inserted my address.

I think I can rule out #1 if only because our house isn't big enough for me not to notice another me running around.

#2 could be plausible...except that I can't recognize anyone in the photo. So, either it is that girl above trying to play a prank on me, or she had to take a potty break and wasn't in the picture, or was the one TAKING the picture!

...Or it could just be #3. Which I find pretty funny anyway.

 So, now I'm thinking about contacting the admissions office and having some fun... So, if you were in my situation, what would you do?

Or, if you're the one who posed as me...let me know and I will be happy to sue you for identity theft.

That is all. ^_^