That's a Wrap! - Challenge Wrap-Up

Reading Challenge Addict
Hosted by Reading Challenge Addict

Completed: 0/6

Girl Power Reading Challenge 2012
Hosted by The Wolf's Den!

Completed: 11/35

1. Vamplayers ~ Rusty Fischer
2. The Dig ~ Audrey Hart
3. Settling ~ Shelley Workinger
4. Grave Mercy ~ Robin LaFevers
5. Crushed ~ K.C. Blake
6. Shatter Me ~ Tahereh Mafi
7. The Immortal Rules ~ Julie Kagawa
8. Bitterblue ~ Kristin Cashore
9. Original Sin ~ Lisa Desrochers
10. Detention of the Living Dead ~ Rusty Fischer
11. Daughter of Smoke & Bone ~ Laini Taylor

2012 Reading Challenge
Hosted by GoodReads

Completed: 23/50

Amazon's Best Books of 2011 Challenge
Hosted by Wickedly Delicious Tales

Completed: 1/5

1. Daughter of Smoke & Bone ~ Laini Taylor

Audiobook Challenge 2012
Hosted by Teresa's Reading Corner

Completed: 5/12

1. Stardust ~ Neil Gaiman
2. Bitterblue ~ Kristin Cashore
3. Personal Demons ~ Lisa Desrochers
4. Original Sin ~ Lisa Desrochers
5. Daughter of Smoke & Bone ~ Laini Taylor

The Dusty Bookshelf Challenge 2012
Hosted by Books: A True Story

Completed: 7/10

1. Vamplayers ~ Rusty Fischer
2. The Dig ~ Audrey Hart
3. Settling ~ Shelley Workinger
4. Crushed ~ K.C. Blake
5. Borderline ~ Bonnie Rozanski
6. Stardust ~ Neil Gaiman
7. Original Sin ~ Lisa Desrochers

Free Reads Challenge 2012
Hosted by Bookish Ardour

Completed: 13/15

1. Vamplayers ~ Rusty Fischer
2. The Adventures of Johnny Bunko ~ Daniel H. Pink & Rob Ten Pas
3. The Dig ~ Audrey Hart
4. Settling ~ Shelley Workinger
5. Grave Mercy ~ Robin LaFevers
6. Crushed ~ K.C. Blake
7. Borderline ~ Bonnie Rozanski
8. The Immortal Rules ~ Julie Kagawa
9. Bonds of Fenris ~ S.J. Bell
10. Original Sin ~ Lisa Desrochers
11. Guardian ~ Heather Burch
12. Detention of the Living Dead ~ Rusty Fischer
13. The Werewolf Asylum ~ Gareth Barsby

NetGalley Reading Challenge 2012
Hosted by Red House Books

Completed: 4/11

1. Grave Mercy ~ Robin LaFevers
2. The Immortal Rules ~ Julie Kagawa
3. Sneak Peek of The Archived ~ Victoria Schwab
4. Guardian ~ Heather Burch

Off The Shelf Challenge 2012
Hosted by Bookish Ardour

Completed: 7/15

1. Vamplayers ~ Rusty Fischer
2. The Dig ~ Audrey Hart
3. Settling ~ Shelley Workinger
4. Crushed ~ K.C. Blake
5. Borderline ~ Bonnie Rozanski
6. Stardust ~ Neil Gaiman
7. Original Sin ~ Lisa Desrochers

Witches & Witchcraft Reading Challenge 2012
Hosted by Melissa's Eclectic Bookshelf

Completed: 2/16

1. Crushed ~ K.C. Blake
2. Stardust ~ Neil Gaiman

Read-A-Phrase Challenge 2012
Hosted by Books, Crafts, & Life In General

Completed: 9/25

W erewolf Asylum, The by Gareth Barsby
H alflings by Heather Burch
E
N

I mmortal Rules, The by Julie Kagawa
N

D ig, The by Audrey Hart
O riginal Sin by Lisa Desrochers
U
B orderline by Bonnie Rozanski
T raitor's Son by Hilari Bell

S ettling by Shelley Workinger
H
O
O
T

T
H
E

W
I
Z
A
R
D etention of the Living Dead by Rusty Fischer

---

Well, there goes another year that I didn't meet any of my goals. I think next year I'll limit myself to 3, then add only if I'm doing well with them. I still think 50 books isn't unreasonable for the Goodreads challenge... And I think my recently dusted books will finally get read this year. Plus I hope to finally check off those requests I keep meaning to get to.

Another year, another plan. I hope the next year brings better progress and surprises than this year did! Happy New Year everyone!!!

Top Ten Tuesday: Non-Bookish Sites

Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted at The Broke and the Bookish.

So I tend to focus on mainly bookish things here. Even my last post, which was art related, stemmed from Harry Potter. But what kinds of sites do I read that aren't book related? Here's my top ten:

10. Pottermore

Sorta cheating here, but I do enjoy the games/activities on Pottermore. Sure, it's a site based around a book, but it's not just about reading, right?

9. Etsy

Partly business, and partly just browsing. Perusing the site for the latest and greatest handmade goodies is just so much fun! Seeing the prices on said goodies...well, not so much. When I win the lottery...

8. The Daily Show

This one I mostly go in spurts. I see a little on TV and then go watch 5 episodes (or extended interviews) straight. Jon Stewart is awesome.

7. Hellfire Commentaries

That's right - I have a video game addiction. But I'm lousy at playing games, so I settle for watching other people play them instead. It keeps me up-to-date on pop culture, while entertaining me with the commentators' witty rapport. And gotta love NTom's British accent.

6. That Guy With the Glasses

A fairly recent find, but I absolutely love watching CR, The Nostalgia Critic or Nostalgia Chick rip into my childhood favorites. Whether it be Disney, TV shows of olde or not so olde, these guys are masters of hilarity. I find myself cracking up even while they're bashing movies I absolutely loved.

5. XKCD

A comic that may not look pretty, but consistently delivers great punchlines, touching moments, or witty insights.

4. ...With Sprinkles

A web-comic/blog created by one of my college friends. I always look forward to Mondays knowing I'll get a good laugh - even if it does usually come from her misfortune. ...Does that make me a bad person?

3. TV Line

I wouldn't say I'm an American Idol addict...but I love reading/watching Michael Slezak's recaps, insights, interviews and predictions each season. And when he's not reporting, I sometimes look for the latest spoilers for my fave shows. TV spoilers = okay. Book spoilers = I kill you.

2. YouTube

I'm tempted to put this as number one, but since this is purely entertainment/distraction, I guess it gets lowered a peg. Whether it's watching a line of related videos for 3 hours more than anticipated, or checking out my favorite channels (SSoHPKC, ApprenticeA, CardGamesFTW, ItsJustSomeRandomGuy, HISHEdotcom, and TheCreatureHub to name a few), YouTube never ceases to entertain.

1. deviantART

Another site all too easy to spend unaccounted hours at, deviantART is probably where I spend the most non-bookish time. Between reposting my reviews, browsing random art, managing the SmilingMoonCreations account, browsing more art, checking in on my groups, uploading photos, and browsing the latest art my favorite artists have posted, it's a busy busy site.

Honorable Mentions:
Pandora
Library's Site
Ctrl+Alt+Del
Various Manga sites
Facebook


Yeah, a lot of my sites revolve around movies, video games, and art.
Can you tell I like distractions?
Which sites are on your list? Let me hear you howl!

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!

When Posting, How Polite is Too Polite?

Fabulously Young ePubs: When Posting, How Polite is Too Polite?
by Rusty Fischer

I was entering a few book giveaways on Goodreads.com the other day (yes, I’m officially hooked on that “giveaway crack”) and whenever I came across a compelling new (to me) YA book, I would click on the author’s website or blog to check it out.

It was a really nice way to get to know more about some fellow YA authors and I ran across one in particular who was a grade-A, hmmm, how should I put this? A grade-A… personality. And I mean that in the epically most awesome way ever.

Seriously; she had attitude to spare and it was such a… revelation. I think she was ranting about some bad review or another and just really going to town; about readers, writers, publishers, the whole ball of wax. It was great to read because I was like, “Wow, she said what she really wanted in a really honest and unvarnished way… and no one’s running her out of town with pitchforks and torches!”

Personally, I try to come off as very polite, non-feather-ruffling and generally a helpful, nurturing kind of guy. Part of that is the teacher in me; I was trained to be politically correct, helpful, nurturing and generally stay in control of my emotions in front of a class full of kids.

Part of that is just me; if you meet me I pretty much am polite, helpful, calm, even-keeled, etc. But it’s not ALL of me. Drive with me for five minutes and you’ll hear enough cussing to get an NC-17 rating. Stick around while I read a bad review and you’ll hear a whole lot more! And I certainly have VERY strong feelings about writing, reading, reviews, bad reviews, publishing, agents, eBooks, print books and more.

I just always figured I should avoid sharing that hardcore, personal or angry or venting or rant-y stuff with my young, impressionable readers. Then I remembered, most YAs don’t exactly flock to my blog! (Come to think of it, most adults don’t either!) And even if they did, wouldn’t they prefer getting the “real” me versus the watered down version?

It’s not that I’m some big, fat phony when I post. I’m always honest, but I’m generally… polite. I don’t swear or foam at the mouth or rant and rave and, well, would it be so terribly bad if I did once in awhile?

So, I dunno, reading that YA author’s blog the other day was a real revelation. It kind of made it “okay” to be me, or at least a little bit more like the real me.

I don’t think I’ll be swearing and ranting and raving like this one author, but she’s far from alone. I know of several YA author blogs where writers, readers, even reviewers are quite frank, fun, wise, sarcastic, sassy and with plenty of… personality.

So what do you think? How polite is too polite? Or should bloggers abide by a certain “code” and keep themselves to themselves? Comment boxes are open; fire away!"

Yours in YA,

Rusty

~~~

My Reply:
I'm in the same boat as you are. I try to be as polite and tactful in my posts (even my negative ones) while still infusing my personality in what I write. Whenever I read over something of mine and go "Ooh, that's a bit harsh," I delete and re-write it in a less-harsh way.

At the same time, I enjoy reading a couple other blogs that don't hold back anything. They think it - they write it. Sometimes I agree with them, and sometimes I can only wince as books I love get flaming tomatoes thrown at them.

I think that by all means, you shouldn't censor your thoughts or emotions. If something pisses you off, and you think it's worth posting about it, go right ahead.

But most importantly, you still need to tailor your posts to the audience you want to attract. Language, content, and subject matter should focus on them. If you want a blog that can be read by teachers, parents, and teens, you're probably going to be a lot tamer than, say, just writing for high-school/college age.

Most importantly, and I think all writers know this (or will eventually), you can't appeal to everyone. You gotta do what you know how to do, and what you like to do. If you prefer your writing to ruffle feathers, and enjoy reading the responses of such, go for it.

Thanks, Rusty!

Fabulously Young ePubs
Zombies Don't Blog

Obscure Reference? Since When?!

Sunday was my grandfather's 76th birthday (yay!) and in celebration we decided to take him out for lunch. I'd never been to Applebee's, and he was in the mood, so we decided to try it out.

(Note, this is not a rant against Applebee's. It just so happens to be the setting.)

Now, my grandpa is a retired minister, which means (at least) two things: he's extremely outgoing, and he's capable of being very loud. His hearing isn't what it used to be, so he generally enunciates everything very pointedly and projects his voice louder than what it might need to be. Since we were in a noisy restaurant with talking and music going, this trait came in especially handy: we had no trouble hearing or understanding him throughout the meal.

Our server was probably around my age (early twenties), maybe a little younger. I don't know if he was having a bad day or if his personality was generally stiff, but he didn't reciprocate much of the jolliness that my grandpa tried to include him in.

When ordering, my grandpa made a joke that he wanted a candle in his shrimp dish. The server chuckled confusedly and asked what he was talking about. "What do you mean a kindle?" All three of us said simultaneously, "CANDLE," which he still looked awfully confused about. Grandpa finally explained that it was his birthday and he was just joking. "Oh, well, I don't think we have any candles, but save some room for dessert." Oh well, indeed.

Later, after we'd started in on our entrees, he came over to check on us again. And again, Grandpa tried to engage him: "Say, is there any way to get your music in here to play Seventy-Six Trombones?"

Server looks extra confused this time. He glances around the room as he says, "Uh, I'm not sure-"

Grandpa cuts in to explain more of the joke. "It's my 76th birthday, you see, and I thought that song would be fitting," he says with a big grin and a chuckle.

"Actually, I've never heard of it. Is it some sort of classical-"

"IT'S FROM THE MUSIC MAN!" my mom and I practically yell. "You know, the musical?" my mom adds.

"Oh... Nope, I've never heard of that."

If I don't look it on the outside, I definitely feel disgusted on the inside. Grandpa, meanwhile, dismisses the server from our awkward conversation again. "I was just kidding about the music. Thanks for checking in."

Since when is The Music Man
an obscure reference?!?!

And so, to prevent such atrocities from happening in the future, I share with you the following videos. Mind that these are all from the original 1962 movie staring Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett and an adorable young Ron Howard. Of course, if any of these great songs interest you, be sure to check out the full movie!

Okay, not from the movie, but all I could find was the finale version
- and who want's to give away the ending?
Ya Got Trouble
Pick-A-Little / Goodnight Ladies
Madame Librarian

That's right, Shipoopi was originally from The Music Man
Thank you Seth MacFarlane

Shameless Sinning

You may remember me posting a review a few months ago of a certain book by a certain author that looks pretty similar to the book above.

Well, it seems the time of the sequel is nearing, and so the time of the ARCs is upon us. But before the time of the ARCs is the time of the ARC Contests! And so, in an attempt to shamelessly promote what looks to be an amazing book, I give you...LINKS!

Enter To Win An ARC of Original Sin

Pre-Order Your Copy From
Amazon ~ Borders ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Book Depository

Prepare Yourself On GoodReads


Good Luck and Good Reading