shartyrant

Originally posted by jpsorrow at Interview: Alyx Dellamonica Interivew Me!

This has been the weirdest year and weirdest week. Will post another blog entry regarding that later once I finish processing all of it (and catching up on sleep). 

Haven't posted a lot because I had so many papers I wrote last semester that it killed all interest in typing or writing a blog entry. Burn out? Yep. I am finally starting to get inspired again to write so I should be posting a tad more. Especially as I am coming across more books that interest me. I am also listening to audio books on the drive to campus and any other time I can get away with it. After finishing The Devil's Colony by James Rollins on audio (as I lost the book to a family member before I finished it), I decided to give audio a try again. So far, I am doing pretty well with it. Lately, I have been on a Doctor Who kick. Tenth and Ninth Doctor stories respectively as still not a fan of the new Doctor (still trying to get used to the new actor and not fond of the stories so far that I have heard about from the TV series with him).

In regards to the audio books, I got a tad upset when I found out that I paid a lot more for an audio book than I would for the book and that the audio was (the horror!) abridged! I am not usually a fan of having books "abridged". However, for the stories below, they work well enough so I can't complain...too much. I will later try one of the print books to compare to the audio to see how much was cut out and if it would be considered vital or not on the way the story plays out when I can find said print books (or more likely download it to my iPad in kindle format from amazon as they are cheaper usually). All audios are available on B&N website, amazon and audible website for those who wish to purchase them. 

I do like the David Tennant narrated "books". He is the actor who played the Tenth Doctor on Doctor Who. He also played the stage magician on the new Fright Night movie (which I found him hilarious in). He does an awesome job of narrating the stories including coming up with wonderful voices for each character. I especially loved his "Kevin" from Doctor Who: The Resurrection Casket. We listened to that one on a recent car trip to Indiana (8 hour drive! gah!!) and even the minions enjoyed it while the husband actually laughed at parts that were supposed to be humorous. 

So far, of the stories I have listened to on audio, I would recommend Doctor Who: The Stone Rose by Jacqueline Rayner, Doctor Who: The Feast of the Drowned by Stephen Cole and of course Doctor Who: The Resurrection Casket by Justin Richards which is probably my favorite out of all of them. 

Currently listening to Doctor Who: Only Human by Gareth Roberts. This one features the Ninth Doctor, Rose and Jack (from Torchwood for fans of that show). I am about half way through this one as we listened to this one as I drove BACK from Indiana yesterday ( 8 hours again! wobbly legs afterwards). Only Human is narrated by Anthony Head (better known for his portrayal as Giles the Watcher from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer TV series). He does a good job except for one character, Daz, which I don't know if that is him or the way the character talks in the book, but it annoys the hell out of me. Can't say how the story is as it is too early in the story, but so far, it has kept my husband's attention (which is hard to do with most audio books) and I am definitely planning on finishing it as i want to see what happens next. 

If you are a fan of the Ninth Doctor, you can also try the Doctor Who: The Deviant Strain by Justin Richards. I wasn't as fond of the narrator Stuart Milligan as he does a great job of narrating the Russian and Jack characters, but lacks a bit with the Doctor and Rose for some reason. It is also probably a bit the most graphic on gross factor of descriptions considering the subject. I loved the story though. I am going to try some of Justin Richards other books to see if the stories are just as good. 

If your a fan of Katherine Tate (who portrayed the Donna Noble character in the Doctor Who series), she narrates Doctor Who: The Forever Trap by Dan Abnett. This is also one I have not finished so I cannot say how the story is as I am halfway through it as well. I do know I love the actress/narrator as she has a lovely voice, does great character voices and keeps my attention. Will have to look for more stories narrated by her. I notice the better the plot or story is, the more likely they have David Tennant read them. I wonder if the same is true for her? 

After the cut is the story summaries for all the audio/books of the titles mentioned above with my ratings (of ones I have completed). All story summaries ganked from various online bookstores and publisher sites or the back of the book.
( click for story summaries and ratings )( click to read summaries of each story and my rating of each )

Grimm Fairy Tales by Zenoscope entertainment....good story, decent covers, hit and miss interior artwork. Also, lots of the T&A is not needed as the stories are decent and the boobs and butt gets distracting as some just don't fit with the story arc. Then again, the comic publisher is probably catering to the idea that all comics have to have that in them to get guys to read them (which is dumb). Just read the first 6 graphic novels in the series and really like the horror twist on the fairy tales. Awesome idea. Hope it continues with hopefully better artwork in the interior. 

New Sherlock episode...AWESOME. Not totally crazy of the way Irene Adler was done, but it is a lot better than the first Sherlock movie with Robert Downey Jr. that had Irene not as smart. The whole love romantic hinting gets old. I prefer Sherlock written asexual or even preferring guys or heck even gals just not the "typical" romance as I figure that would bore him. A lot. 
Still, the episode was very cool and kept me interested. The whole scene of John and Watson with the request to hit was my favorite of course. And Lestrade's advice to a police colleague dealing with a mysterious murder and Holmes at the same time. Or the infamous sheet scene. Good times. 

Been watching a few TV series to play catch up before school/work starts again. Vampire Diaries I read as pre-teen. Can't really get into the sequels that came out after the original quartet. The first 2 episodes of The Vampire Diaries is very different from the books. Personally, I prefer the books, but that might be because I find the actors/actresses not that great (except for the aunt and the teacher). I REALLY do not like Damien's actor so far. I am sure he is a fine fellow in real life, but he is just not hitting it for me. Neither is Stefan. Elena...indifferent to as well. I thought it was humorous how my husband commented after watching it with me how everyone playing in it except for Elena's brother all look wayyyy too old to be playing high school teenagers. The way the make up is done is not helping on disguising wrinkles or age. Heck, might be aging some. The narration style between Stefan and Elena also is annoying at times. Too much teen angst I think that is hard to take serious. Plus, Elena is
reminding my husband and I of Lana from the TV series Smallville with the obsession of losing her parents and how all should pity her. I lost my parents around the same age and I do not remember any teachers, friends or strangers treating me differently or allowing me to get away with stuff or pitying me to the level made in this show. You mourn, but you don't dwell on it constantly to where it defines everything you are (least I don't think that would be healthy, but what do I know?) and everything you do and all your interactions. 
Honestly not sure if I will watch anymore of it. 

I did watch Being Human up to episode 8. It took until episode 3-4 that got me really interested. The husband and I are both pleasantly entertained with it. It has angst, but not so contrived as The Vampire Diaries. The characters are already growing and figuring out things before the end of episode one. It is a tad predictable for me, but that is okay. And I like the humor (the family reunion was hilarious). So I will keep watching it. 

Next up is to watch Once UPon A Time and Grimm (which I think is on Hulu or the official channel sites as they are not on netflix). 

Take over the universe and then all other alternate realities. What? It is a legitimate answer! It is the one thing I would love to accomplish. Just think of what I can do with any of those. The mind boggles at the possibilities. 

Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett....introduced me to the discworld author whose work I usually adore.
Taught me that it is okay to eat an apple. ;) 

Buddhist for beginner's as it introduced a new philosophy to my way of thinking of doing things. It also was the best book on making something that sounds unattainable into something that is possible. Laymen terms...works for me.

The book my eldest minion wrote me as it made me laugh to see how she sees her parents and her sister as well as very revealing on the way she thinks. :)

*sigh* I am so ashamed at how I have neglected my livejournal. Been so busy with college (full time student) and my new permanent position (which means full time on 40 hours) that I have not had the time. I am still here (obviously) though I get a tad behind on reading the blogs. Pathetic, no? 


I am attempting to streamline my social networks and blogs to make it a tad easier. I still do reviews, but got swamped with training and other personal matters. I will be posting only on the weekends now (unless I give up sleep on the weekdays). I am posting now because I got out of class early tonight. Yay! Things are going well and I have been accepted in the "honors" program at my new university.


I have also started the PARASOL PROTECTORATE series by Gale Garriger and having a blast with it. One of the guys at work actually stopped me at break and told me he loved the first book and wanted to read the rest. Surprised me as he is not the type to read urban fantasy or paranormal romance books. Good stuff. Go forth and give some of the samples at her site a whirl to see what you think. http://gailcarriger.com/alexias_london.php


I have two books to post reviews for author justine gustainis. I have Hardspell posted and now need to work on the third book in the Quincy Morris and Chaistain series. Go here for a sample:  http://www.justingustainis.com/books.htm

 Submitted a review for Magic Slays to Night Owl Reviews for an upcoming issue. Wasn't assigned to do that one, but I bought the book and read it and loved it enough to want to share the obsession with the series so I submitted it with the 2 books I was assigned. Waiting to see if the editor prints it. Typing up the "longer" version of the review now where I am a bit more unprofessional about my entertainment with this series. I need to send one to Three Crows Press (which would be spell checked and edited better than the "raw" versions I post here). Why? Cause you got to spread the obsession with everyone on the internet. Again, it is a totally selfish thing of if I am obsessed EVERYONE should join me deal. Still need to buy the Hexed anthology which the authors contributed to as well. I got burned out on anthologies for a while after reading a few recently as many have seem to be duds or promo for long ongoing series with no real purpose in the story beyond that. I like short stories that have a point beyond advertising so the previous ones I have read the last two weeks have made me picky recently. But for Hexed, I will make an exception. 

Hah! Success! Been having some issues getting logged in to my journal for the past few weeks. Due to tech issue and later a virus that attacked one of my computers (laptop). Very hard to get on the internet when your computer is sick. Actually, my husband was very happy with me because as soon as I started getting a hint that one was on, i shut down everything and gave it to him immediately. He said it kept it from infecting the harddrive to the degree it would've as it is one of those really bad ones that various people we knew had gotten and asked him to remove from their computers. I got it from a fansite or a newsite as those were the two sites I had opened up. Yep, a very prevalent one.

So, what's up? How is everyone? I feel like I have been gone for months when it is only been for weeks. For me, exciting changes. Scary changes. One is getting prepared for the new university I will be transferring to. I just got my grants and scholarships awards two days ago. Yes!!! Trying very hard not to build up debt. The second which has been in the process for a bit, but I had not mentioned is that I had applied for a permanent position at the job I am working at instead of as a student contractor. More job security, more hours and more money. Plus, I am hoping that I will be able to help people more. I should know this week at the latest on the outcome of that.  I will miss my student job for many reasons including working with the people I do, but they are also the same people who are pushing me to get hired on permanently as they seem to like me and my work that much. To say I was honored by this was an understatement. I plan on giving it my all just like I always do. And corrupt various people into trying various books.

What else? My husband's family came to visit. One family member ended up in the hospital while visiting with other family in Tennesee. She is okay now, but it was touch and go as the Doctor told us that if we had hesitated on bringing her even by a few minutes, she probably would've not made it. Scary. She is doing better now, but we told her that she is BANNED from getting sick or dying on us. She laughed and said she understood. I have no clue why I have to tell people these orders as it should be plain and obvious, but some just have to be told.

Various other things going on, but nothing worth mentioning at the moment. Still in school finishing up 2 classes and working. Managed to overthrow various rebellion attempts by the minions. Eldest minion likes to inform me that she is ready to take over from me any day now. *sigh* OF course, she also likes to tell me she is ready to drive and she gets upset everytime I tell her she has years before she can even take lessons much less drive.

At the moment, I am reading Ilona Andrew's Magic Slays and Hard Spell: An Occult Crimes Unit Investigation ARC by Justin Gustainis. I slowed down on reading due to being burnt out for a bit with certain genres. Now I am back. Yah!!!

Oh my, the husband is suggesting that we combine our facebook account together. I laughed as I asked him if he was REALLY ready to have access to have my friends start commenting on all his postings on facebook? <grin> Much fun. Trying to get the twitter app to work on my phone, but so far, I am losing! of course, killing two of my phones in the space of a week did not help matters. My poor iphone! Of course, I am trying to talk the husband into getting the iphone 4, but so far, not happening.

Okay, the post is getting long (not surprising since it is me, right?). I am off to see what is going on with other people's blogs. Shall return tomorrow as feel the need to spread some news about various happenings in the book, movie and comic industry. Now I must go eat freshly baked bread as I am starving.

Let's see...The Stand by Stephen King by the time I was 12 and then IT by Stephen King...then Lord of the Rings (does that count as one book when it is in one book format?) and then if you include Tad William's work that is always broken into multi-volumes....

Shortest would be a story I read my minions last night. Not sure if kid books count as they are all short.

A book on Confuscious sayings would probably be the shortest adult work.

http://insidetv.ew.com/2011/05/12/nbc-rejects-wonder-woman/


 I do question whoever wrote that article that the problem people had with the costume was the fact it lost some of the patrotism and went more for a "greek mythology" look. Uh...no, the outfit before just looked tacky, cheap and uncomfortable. I was hoping for at least an Alex Ross version of her outfit. The newer version looked more comfortable on the pants, but still didn't like it. Whoever designed ....*sigh*. Just not impressed at all. 

 Can't say I am upset as I didn't like the premise of the story I had read about it so far. Wasn't keen on the actress either. If anything, I think she should feel a bit relieved as that bustier looks SO uncomfortable when she is running in the pic posted on the article in the link. Geez...
I would LOVE to see Wonder Woman as a TV series or a movie. However, everything I heard about this pilot or the photos from the shooting of it just did not impress. At the same time, I am sad that Wonder Woman is yet again left out.
So, I guess we are just stuck with the old Lynda Carter Wonder Woman series till DC gets their butts in gear and actually start doing something with the character to make her as famous in movies/TV shows as Superman and Batman. It could happen. Maybe.