Oops on the Giveaway...

My apologies, everyone, for being such a bad blogger recently.

School, work, and most recently, my broken down car have kept me from blogging. Yesterday was the first of November; the day I was going to post the Giveaway for November, and it was also the first day of NaNoWriMo.

I was at work until 1PM, and then I spent the rest of the day at a car dealership signing paperwork for a new car. Very exciting.

With that said, I didn't get home until late, and I promptly passed out, lol.

Next week I'll come back with the Giveaway.

And, hopefully, by December, I'll have more time to be nice to you all.

Hope everyone is well!

Your Dreams Are Not Your Own

...says the tag-line on Lisa McMann's Wake.

I finished this book today, and it was absolutely amazing. I'm a bigger fan of YA fiction because of this book. McMann truly has a wonderful story on her hands, and I'm so glad my friend recommended this for me. I can't wait to read the second book ((I'm pretty sure this is a series))!

Her writing style took some getting used to. I didn't hate it, but it seemed kind of bland at first. The more I read, though, the more I got sucked into the story. The character was just so engaging. The plot -- to me -- refreshing. And the voice was so real. I loved it.

For those of you unfamiliar with this book, it follows Janie Hannagan. From the time she was eight-years-old, she's been helplessly sucked into the dreams of those in close proximity to her. The more nightmarish the dream, the more difficult it is to pull herself out. It reveals the frustrations and tribulations she faces for being so different.

Cabel, a supporting character, is a total win. I love him. I think you will, too.

I still have many questions, which I hope Lisa answers for me in Fade. I'm going to order my hardcover copy off of Amazon right now. Wake, too, though I can't find the hardcover version. *grumbles* Anyway, I just can't wait to have them in my bookshelf.

The Sign for Drowning is a little slower going, as it's harder to read. Wake was a breeze, and just so engaging -- and again -- on my iPod which I can hide easier than a book while at work. But I feel like I'm finally coming along quite nicely.

In random, other news, I found out today I was named Honorable Mention in the 78th Annual Writer's Digest Writing Competition. Genre was Short Story. *smile* Pretty stoked.

Happy reading, everyone!

Winner!

On behalf of Buttercup and myself, we'd like to announce the winner of the October Giveaway.

*ahem*

Congratulations April of Good Books & Good Wine!!!! You'll receive Finger Lickin' Fifteen and Love Overboard by Ms. Evanovich.

And thank you all so much for entering! The book recommendations were fabulous! Be sure to check back on November 1st for the next one!



Life is hectic, so I don't have much to update on. I'm reading The Sign for Drowning by Rachel Stolzman & Wake by Lisa McMann. Both are pretty fabulous right now.

Right. So, I have homework waiting for me. I gotta get that accomplished.

Happy reading everyone!

Congrats again, April!

Awards and Such

First, allow me to plug myself: my second giveaway ends tonight at 11:59PM (EST). Thanks to all of you who have already entered! You're fabulous.

Next, I need to show off/pass along some awards I've been holding. So thanks a ton to Misty for her supreme awesomeness. Check out her blog, will you?

This award is simply to be passed

along to those who have given me awards.

With that said, here ya go!

Jessica @ Desparado Penguin

Amy @ My Overstuffed Bookshelf

Rachy @ Parajunkee's View

The following awards, much to my chagrin, are commenting awards;

since I haven't commented on blogs in a while

I feel like a turd, especially since I'm

only now putting them up on my blog.

Yes, I am a loser.

So, anyway, the following will receive both blogs.

Snatch away!

Jessica @ Desparado Penguin
Rosie @ Books and Bakes
Amy @ My Overstuffed Bookshelf
Erica @ Soon Remembered Tales

Enjoy the awards!

Moving along: midterms are over. I'm almost through with the semester. Yay! I can't wait for winter break; I plan to sit around, drink hot chocolate, and read endlessly. When I'm not at work, that is.

I'm almost finished with The Twisted Window by Lois Duncan, which is really good so far. It was written in the 70s, but aside from a few minor details, I can't really tell the time-frame. Which is really nice, in my opinion.

Next I'm going to read The Sign for Drowning. I'm super excited for that one. Anything pertaining to the deaf or deaf culture, I'm hooked.

After the semester, I'll get around to reading the other books I've started. Jessica gave me a really good idea: focus on the smaller books during the semester. I feel much less like a loser that way. *wink* I'm a bit of a slow reader anyway, so juggling papers, homework, and 200 page (at the most) books is a lot easier.

...and now it's time for me to do homework. Hope everyone is doing well!

Happy reading!

Nothing Much Here

Thanks so much for the support regarding my last post, everyone. The comments and emails were discouraging.

School is still crazy busy; midterm is this week, so I have tons to do, but I'm managing.

Desipte the beaucoups of homework assignments, I've been able to cross The Chocolate War and soon The Twisted Window off my reading list. *smile* So, I have been quasi productive.

...this was just a little nothing post since I haven't been able to post lately.

**Thanks to those who have entered in my 2nd Giveaway.

Happy reading, everyone!

Hello, I am Fail

I'm absurdly positive I'm not going to have 50 novels read by January. My course load is ridiculous. *sigh*

I'm currently trying to read three books: Jane Eyre, Echoes and The Butterfly Tattoo. The first is too difficult to read in public, so I try to read it before bed -- if I manage not to pass out. The second is to kill time in between classes, but said time has mostly been used on homework. The third is on my iPod Kindle Application that I read while at work, 'cause I ain't allowed to have books at work. iPods are probably bad, too, but it's easier to hide. *wink*

Now, I'm getting information on three Lois Duncan stories for my online Young Adult class: The Twisted Window, The Third Eye, and I Know What You Did Last Summer ((yes, which the movie is based on; interesting, no?)). All of which I want to read! But I don't have time!! *defeated sigh*

How long does it take some of you to read a book? Families and work and other duties thrown in. I feel like such an epic fail.

Higher education is overrated.

I need to get back to homework. I promise to return soon with the lovely awards Misty left me; she's so nice. (:

Happy reading everyone, and I hope you have better luck than I!

PS:
Sorry I haven't visited blogs lately. I'm such a bad neighbor, but I promise to make time to do so soon!

Giveaway:: Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich

Kicking off October's Giveaway, my singing Valentine Gorilla ((affectionately named Buttercup)) would like to present you Finger Lickin' Fifteen by Janet Evanovich:


Now, I came across this book through the Literary Guild. You know, if you don't check your email often they send you these little notices saying "please reply to your main selections!" and if you do not, well, then they send it to you anyway. I've been guilty of this countless times, but this time I thought I'd be clever and give this as a Happy Birthday gift to a friend, as I know she reads this series. This was some weeks ago, and I got a text from her after I've contrived my awesome plan that said::

I'm so excited to read my new Stephanie Plum novel!!!!!!! *smileyfacesallovertheplace*

For a moment I was confused as to how she knew I was intending to give her the novel...and then I realized...Oh.

So my awesome plan failed -- lucky for you.

I hear this is a great author and a great series. I'd keep it, but I can't just dive into a middle of a series like that. I have to start all the way back at number one. So, here's the October Giveaway!!

It's hardcover. And as you can hopefully see by Buttercup channeling his inner Vana White, it's in excellent condition. Never read. I've only recently removed it from the box. I promise to dust it off before I send it out. ;) Oh! *Also! You'll be receiving another novel by Ms. Evanovich ((just for being soo awesome!!)). I do believe this one's older but was reprinted. Love Overboard. The cover says it was originally titled as Ivan Takes a Wife. This additional novel ((in soft cover)) has been gently used, so there are slight creases around the spine but in otherwise awesome condition.

This time around, I will keep this contest open until Thursday, October 15th. It's open to U.S. Residents only, I'm sorry.

Borrowing from other bloggers as they conduct their contests, things will be different this time around. There will be more chances for your name to be entered into the drawing, which is always a good idea!

+1 Please comment here with a book you'd like to recommend me read; I love getting recommendations! ((Be sure to consult my booklist for any repeats)). Don't forget to leave an email address so I can contact the winner.

+2 If you follow me, I'll love you. (:

+3 If you give me a plug, I'll love you even more! ((Mention me in a blog post, or put it on a side bar. Be sure to give me a link!))

That's six chances to win. ;)


Well, with that said...Good luck to everyone! Enjoy!

Bronte & Binchy

I always forget what a busy time of year fall is. It's right in the beginning to the school year, and professors ((mine, anyway)) like to pile on the work. It makes them feel less slacker-ish come the end of the semester when we do nothing. But, man, I don't feel like I'm getting anything accomplished -- recreationally speaking.

I'm still plundering through Jane Eyre. It's such a great book, but it's a hard read, language wise. So I find I can't sit down and really dive into it when I'm at work ((which, I'm not supposed to be reading at work anyway, shhhh.)), or in between classes, or even while at the campus libraries. People are surprisingly noisy: talking on their cell phones, having conversations across the room. It's ridiculous. I usually have to reserve Ms. Bronte for the night, when I'm crawling beneath the covers and getting ready to fall asleep. Even then, I put in my iPod and listen to the audio version as I'm following along in the book. There's something fun about hearing the British accent live while I read. Plus, Jane Eyre has French dialogue in it occasionally, and I love to listen to the accent. The voice-actor ((I guess that's what they're called)) does an tremendous job.

When I can't read Jane Eyre, I pick up Echoes by Maeve Binchy. I thought this was a newer book by an author I've never heard of; I picked it up one day on a whim while at Target. I usually do that: pick up books whenever I go out. I'm like Rebecca Bloomwood, Shopaholic that way. I always have to buy a book when I'm out.

Anyway, Echoes was apparently written in 1985 and was just reprinted again, and Ms. Binchy has been around for a while. It has a pretty cover, that's why I got it. It takes place in Ireland and spans ten years. It's predominantly focused on the main characters, Daniel Power and Clare O'Brien, but Binchy weaves in many integral supporting characters. I'm really enjoying it so far. Kind of a thick book, though. May take me a bit.

That's all in regards to an update.

Happy reading, everyone! (:

Another Random Post

From mid-morning to about an hour-and-a-half ago, I spent mowing my lawn.

I hate mowing grass. It makes me tired and sweaty and disgusting.

For the rest of the day ((hopefully)) I plan to spend my time reading, and perhaps working on a few creative writing assignments in advance. I think I'll put off the online homework until tomorrow. *wink*

Before I go, however, I'd like to pass along a couple of awards.

This first award I mentioned in my last post, but I'm only just now getting around to passing it off. I'm not precisely sure what the criteria for this award is, so I'm just gonna go with it. (:



Dixie at A Few of my Favorite Things
Jamie at Revenge of the Book Nerds
Erica at Soon Remembered Tales
Jennifer at The Forgetful Faerie
Sheila at One Person's Journey Through a World of Books

And for this awards ((which cracks me up: Thanks Misty)), I'd like to give to the following::



Amy at My Overstuffed Bookshelf
April at Good Books & Good Wine
Dixie at A Few of my Favorite Things


Recipients of this award believe in the Tao of the zombie chicken – excellence, grace and persistence in all situations, even in the midst of a zombie apocalypse. These amazing bloggers regularly produce content so remarkable that their readers would brave a raving pack of zombie chickens just to be able to read their inspiring words. As a recipient of this world-renowned award, you now have the task of passing it on to at least 5 other worthy bloggers. Do not risk the wrath of the zombie chickens by choosing unwisely or not choosing at all.

I hope the Zombie Chickens will excuse me for not naming 2 other people, because I've noticed that pretty much everyone else has it.

If y'all don't hear from me, it's because I was pecked to death by angry zombie chickens.




PS:

I'm having a hard time believing that United Dairy's Ultra Skim milk is actually ULTRA SKIM, as it tastes exactly like 2%. That's okay though; I'm still drinking it.

Whoa

So, college has been kicking my ass...and it's only the first month. How ridiculous.

I've been distracted lately with assignments, and then the Support Stacie Auction. We raised over $20,000 dollars over a 3 day period. I think that's pretty fab, and I know it'll go along way for Stacie. So proud.

That means I'm going to be busy for a while, though, as I was one of the authors on the auctioning block. ((People actually paid money for me -- what an ego-booster.))

I completed another young adult novel for my online class. Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen was pretty amazing. It was really short, and I finished it in about 3 hours ((while at work)). But Paulsen did a great job at capturing the voice of a fifteen-year-old boy from the Civil War. Some scenes were surprisingly graphic, but not...startlingly so. I just hadn't expected it; I don't know why, given the subject matter.

This guy wrote Hatchet, which I was supposed to read in 9th grade, but didn't. Because I was awesome like that, back then. I think I'm going to have to check it out.

And because I'm a loser, I need to finally mention that the awesome Jessica at Despardo Penguin gave me an award...ages ago. I need to show it off, and then come back later and pass it along. Thank you, Jessica!



...This was just a post to say I'm still alive. (:

Giveaway Winner, Book Sale & Things

Allow me to get right down to business. Congratulations, Amy! Buttercup and I would like to send out High Maintence to you, ASAP. Be expecting an email from me this evening ((after I return home from work)), and then I'll get your book enroute.

Thanks, Jessica, for entering! Come back in October for the next one. (:







After class yesterday, I stopped by my local library to pick up Soldier's Heart by Gary Paulsen; it's antoher short young adult novel I'll get completed in no time.

At any rate, I headed back to the children's sections, and what do I see? Giant signs pointing down a hallway that says "Book Sale." At the risk of sounding gross: I almost peed.

I always miss book sales at the library. Never fails. They are either poorly advertised or I just can't make it due to work or school. This one caught me completely unawares, and I was so stoked.

I picked up three books ((two hard cover and one soft)) for $4.75. Heaven. All three books are by authors I'm unfamiliar with, so I'm pretty excited. My goal is to branch out, anyway.

Pink Slip Party by Cara Lockwood
The Light of Day by Graham Swift
A Perfect Day by Richard Paul Evans

The first one is going to be a fun, fluffy read, I believe. The other two, I think, will be more serious. So excited though. Anyone heard of these authors?

That's all for right now.

Amy, I'll email you ASAP. Congrats, again! And thanks! (:

Just Some Stuff

Okay, I'm finally getting around to passing out the awards that I received last week. I'm not familiar with a lot of blogs just yet, so some of you are going to be getting the same award again, but you don't mind, do you? (:

I'd like to give this one to the following::

B: Beautiful Amy at My Overstuffed Bookshelf
I: Informative April at Good Books & Good Wine
N: Neighborly Erica at Soon Remembered Tales
G: Gorgeous Dixie at A Few of My Favorite Things
O: Outstanding Jennifer at the Forgetful Faerie

This next one represents blogs that show a great attitude, and I'd like to pass it on to::

Misty at Book Rat


Moving on real quickly, as I'm supposed to be completing an English assignment *wink*...Has anyone read A Solider's Heart by Gary Paulsen? I have to read this book next for an online class. I just picked his book at random; I was in a hurry. *shrug* I hope it's good! I'll let you know.

My first giveaway ends tonight at midnight (EST). I'll have the winner announced tomorrow, and I'll contact you for your address. The beginning of next month I'll launch a new one, this time by Janet Evanovich.

I need to pretend to be a good student now.

Have a good day, everyone!

The Outsiders, Plugging & Awards

I appreciate the fact that no one warned me that The Outsiders would be a sad read. Not my sister, not my mother -- both of whom raved about what an excellent book it is, and it's true. It was wonderful; I enjoyed every minute of it. But a little forewarning would have been nice. Yeesh.

Inbetween work and babysitting a seven-year-old and a four-year-old I somehow found time to finish it. It was so difficult to put down. The tone was so real. It was easy to imagine that was how a fourteen-year-old would think. The characters were wonderful. Hinton did a really good job developing her characters. I loved how every individual of the Greasers were integral to their group. It's said a lot in novels and in real-life: how important a person is to a clique. But this was real. Everything about it was very, very believeable. I loved it.


To me, the narrator, Ponyboy, seemed so wise beyond his years. He knew he was leading a life he didn't want to live -- though he accepted it as the cards fate dealt him. He knew the things they were doing were wrong, but the sad bit of it is that he felt powerless to stop it. Until later, of course, when their group begins to dwindle.


The relationships between the characters ((not just as a group but as brothers)) was enjoyable. It was fun and sarcastic and playful and so -- as I've mentioned -- real...at times. One thing I found a bit awkward, and maybe it's because I'm not close with my own siblings, was the cuddling between Ponyboy and Soda. And the back rubs. It was odd for me. But not difficult to overlook. Every other aspect of their relationship I loved.


I can't believe I didn't read this book until now! Okay, maybe I can. I probably wouldn't have appreciated it as an 8th grader as I do now. I'm glad I waited ages.


Definitely an awesome read. It was printed in the late sixties, and while most of the time it was obvious what era it represented, I still felt that it could have transcended time a bit. At certain points it felt more modern. I love that. If you haven't read it, you should. That's all I'm saying.

With that said, I'm going to start focusing on Jane Eyre again. I've missed reading it -- sooo good. Wow.

First, though, I'd like you all to go in this direction. There is a pretty sweet, epic giveaway going down at BookMac that you should all get involved in if you're interested. ((Thanks Parajunkee for posting it in your blog this morning!!)) Loads of stuff being given away. Check it out.

And thanks again to Amy for another award. (: I appreciate it, tons! And I promise that I'm going to pass them along, too. Tomorrow, for sure, as it's my day off. Thanks again!!

...And that's all in my neck of the woods.

Good night!

Support Stacie

Dear Readers,

For those of you who are familiar with fanfiction, I'd like to point you in the direction of the Author Auction in benefit of Stacie.

Stacie's story is familiar one; we hear about it everyday. Not only is she battling cancer, but she has a mountain of hospital bills to pay back ((out of pocket, I do believe)) as she has no medical insurance. What separates her from some others is she has a large online community supporting her, but we could always use some more help. (:

I've spoken to her once, and just briefly, as we were both involved in the same fandom. She's very sweet; I'd love to do as much as I can to help her.

With that said, as I mentioned, if you're familiar with fanfiction -- or even if you're curious -- then please head over to this site ((and this one as well)) and bid on an author to your favorite fandom or even offer her a few encouraging words. Every little bit goes a long way. Bidding starts in just over a week, and the hope is to raise bunches of money for her!

Thanks so much!

Randomness, if you please

My creative writing teacher has contributed to my dislike for 1st Person narratives. Figures our first writing assignment would be a story written in -- yes -- 1st Person.

She liked it though, as did my classmates, so that's exciting! Maybe I'll be a novelist one day after all. *wink*

I finally got The Outsiders today. It's such a thin book! I'll have it finished in no time ((I hope)). I've started reading it a little before I got distracted, and I've enjoyed it so far. The tone is very much that for a fourteen-year-old boy. Very convincing; I appreciate that.

I got another award ((displaying proudly on the left-side column))!! That was sweet! So thank you to Parajunkee, and I promise to pass it around soon!

Finally, I'd like to plug another blog and giveaway. Revenge of the Book Nerds! is having a Austen-themed giveaway. I'm pretty stoked about it. Check it out, for sure!

Now, I have reading and writing to accomplish.

Good evening!

Blog Awards (Like, Whoa), New Book & Such

First, I'd like to thank Amy from My Overstuffed Bookcase for giving me my first two awards. Completely unexpected, and I'm a little giddy about it. (: Thanks so much!

Now, I'm supposed to pass along these awards to five other people. So, here goes::

Sheila from One Persons Journey Through Books
Erica from Soon Remembered Tales
April from Good Books & Wine
Dixie from A Few of My Favorite Things
& finally the blogger from Secret Forest. I have no idea his name, but he was my first comment ever, and I thought I'd give him some recognition. (:

Moving along...I'm loving Jane Eyre. It's quickly becoming one of my favorites. I've had little time to read the past week, but I keep trying -- and then I have difficulty putting it down. Reading before falling asleep is probably my favorite time. Snuggled deeply in thick covers with an engaging book for the win.

Reading Bronte's work is going to continue even slower as I've been assigned to read The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton for one of my online classes. My sister, who is now a senior in high school, mocked me because apparently she read the book in 8th grade, while I've never heard of it. Ha, ha, Sister Little, haha.

I went to the library to get it -- all three copies were checked out. Isn't that just my luck? lol. So, hopefully, my sister will remember to pick it up from her school library so that I can start on it. I have to write a paper on it as well. Doing it for a grade isn't quite as fun.

*sigh* Going back to school for a second degree probably wasn't one of my brightest moments...

Helpful Plugging!!

I'm slowly getting the hang of interacting within the blogging community. It's so much fun, and greatly addicting -- which is the last thing I need right now. *eyeroll*

While marching through the many wonderful, wonderful blogs, I discovered another blogger's giveaway for Atonement by Ian McEwan. Now, I mentioned having borrowed that book from the library -- twice -- without being able to read it; I was too embarrassed to check it out a third time. Needless to say, I'd really like to own the book, so I'm gonna try and enter. You should, too!

Check out the Book Rat's blog for details and awesomeness. It ends September 15th so be sure to get your name in before then. (:

Giveaway:: High Maintenance by Jennifer Belle

This book was published in 2001, so it's a bit dated. I don't know if you can tell, though, while reading. The timeline might be ambiguous, but I'm not sure.

Here's the blurb:

Liv Kellerman has just left her cheating husband and -- more tragically -- their
fabulous duplex with its Empire State Building views. Now Liv -- alone for the
first time in her life, with few marketable skills, and crammed into a crumbling
"fixer-upper" in Greenwich Village -- is contemplating her next move....

I'm providing a picture. This book is a little worn -- similar to that of a library book. As the arrows point, there are a few creases in the corners, on the cover. The spine is in good shape, though. Barely any creases there. And the pages seem excellent.

The best part:: it doesn't smell!! ((You can't tell me you haven't received a used book that was a little bit musty, a little bit questionable.))

I can honestly say this book is the one in the worst condition. Every other book is in better shape, if missing a dust cover.

Hope you're interested!


I'll keep this open until Tuesday, September 8th. If you're at all interested in receiving the book, just leave me a comment stating such. If I happen to get several people interested in the book, then I'll draw names from a hat. Or a bag. Or a sock, or something. Then I'll have you email me your address and your new book will be on it's way!

***Sorry, but only U.S. Residents, please.



Since this book is the most dated and not in perfect condition, I understand if no one is interested; I'll try again with a different book the following month.

Thanks!

Giveaways?

Hello readers,

I'm not precisely sure if I have enough traffic to try and do this, but I desperately need to pass along some books. I recently bought a five-shelf book case ((putting that together was ridiculous)) and it's completely full. I still have books in boxes beneath my bed.

Now, I've come across books in a variety of different ways. Most of the books I've received ((specifically the books mournfully hidden beneath my bed)) were given to my from a co-worker. She just needed to get rid of them. Unfortunately, most of them are titles and authors that I've never heard of before -- although there are authors I know are fairly popular -- and the blurbs just don't catch my attention.

Of course, since I'm trying to branch out you'd think I'd keep them and try to read them anyway. I think I have enough on my plate, thanks.

So, at any rate, I have a box of books I'd like to give away. If this first attempt goes well, then I'll continue the next month until they're gone. If not, I'll just keep hold of them until I can pass them along to someone else ((I should mention I've tried the library, but most of the titles they already have too many copies of -- go figure. I never sell anything on Amazon anymore, probably because no one will rate me and everyone thinks I suck!)).

Also, I should let you know that most -- not all -- of these books have been read through. I'm going to be completely honest in their appearance so that you know what you're receiving. I'll probably throw in pictures, too. On the other hands, some of these books have never been read, I know, because I received them from the Literary Guild and never read them.

I'll come back on the first ((9/1)), once I get everything in order, and try my first giveaway. No pressure, anyone.
For now, here's some of the author's I'm dealing with::

Jennifer Belle
Jilliane Hoffman
Lisa Jackson
Sandra Brown

Those are the names I'm unfamiliar with. However, I do also have::

James Patterson
Nora Roberts (J.D. Robb)
Danielle Steele
Janet Evanovich
Stephen King

I'll Scream Later

Truly and honestly I enjoyed this book. And since I'm being honest, I wasn't 100% sure I was going to enjoy it. I didn't want any sort of biography or auto-biography; it's just not my cup of java. But since becoming fascinated with the beautiful and talented Marlee Matlin I knew it was a book I just couldn't pass up. It truly was fabulous.

There are so many things that I respect about her book. The fact that she's so candid and fearless. She delves deeply into her past, plucks out her demons and puts them on display for her readers. She's real. I loved it. And she just seems so down to earth.

For those of you who do not know, Marlee is Deaf. And for those of you who do not know the difference, Deaf has a different connotation than deaf. The capitalized D means that the individual -- or group, for that matter -- is proud of their deafness. And, possibly most importantly, Deaf person is not disabled.

On the other hand, being so profoundly Deaf ((and I mean proud)) can be...well, a turn off. ((For me.))

I took Deaf Culture and History two years ago. I received my Associates Degree in American Sign Language Communicatons and Interpretation. I've been in love with ASL since seeing the movie Children of a Lesser God. And through my college courses and getting out and meeting people in in the Deaf Community, I've learned so much. And unfortunately, one thing I've learned is that the Deaf Community can be brutal. If you're not Deaf then you're most likely ousted from the community. If you go mainstream ((public schooling, not a residential school specifically for the Deaf)), then you're almost traitorous. Often times if you speak, as opposed to signing, or are pro-Cochlear Implants you're accused of not being proud of who you are.

To me, it seemed a little too much like prejudice.

Now, allow me to say that not every D/deaf individual that I meant has shared that mentality, and after reading I'll Scream Later, I've realized that Marlee didn't either. At least, she appeared not to be. In fact, over the course of her career she's received a lot of flake from the Deaf Community. If she didn't do something to their liking then she was "unsupportive."

Anyway, the fact that she is so incredibly down to earth in that aspect and has found away to exist in both Deaf and Hearing Culture is something I admire and appreciate so much. She seems like such a sweetheart.

Now that I'm off my little pedestal -- lol -- I just want to say that this book is definitely an excellent one to pick up. It's motivational. It's funny and witty. Definitely it can be dark, what with her mention of her on-going struggle with addiction and her abusive relationship with William Hurt.

That, I think, would have to be the only thing negative to say about the book. It is one-sided and it's difficult to remain unbiased or arbitrary. I try not feel anger towards this Academy Award winning actor I don't know, but it's tough. *shrug* Maybe I'll read his biography, if he ever gets around to writing one.

Next, from my booklist I'm going to read Jane Eyre, and then I think I wanna try this new book I found:: Echoes by Maeve Binchy. I've never heard of the author. Any of you? I hope I like it! *crosses fingers*

Confessions of a Shopaholic

I was certain that I'd enjoy this novel. After discovering Sophie Kinsella's Remember Me? sometime last summer, I knew her writing style would be something that I could fall into easily -- that's including her use of 1st person, which I'm sure is evident by now that I don't really care for. With that said, I was surprised at how much Confessions of a Shopaholic infuriated me.

Trust me, though, that's a good thing. The novel was great. It was written well; it had me laughing -- literally -- out loud. I couldn't have asked for a more enjoyable (and quick) read, considering how much I've failed at life recently. What had me so infuriated wasn't the novel so much as it was Becky Bloomwood.

In the beginning, she was cute and funny, if a little idiotic and immature, but I thought those characteristics were endearing. It wasn't until the story progressed and she lied to a mutual acquaintance-(later)-turn-boyfriend about a dead aunt (which, really wasn't resolved to my liking), chucked every VISA statement and letter from her bank, and utterly refused to acknowledge reality did I get a mite annoyed.

Obviously this book was about a shopaholic who gets herself in a monetary bind (understatement), so I should have known what I was getting myself into. But some things were a little too much for me. Namely the dead aunt thing. Not cool, Miss Bloomwood.

Despite that, I really did enjoy the book! I'd say the amount of times I rolled my eyes in annoyance were outweighed by the times I giggled and "awwww'd". The awww-ing was mostly in regards to her relationship with her friend Suze. Suze was such a sweetheart. I would have liked more awww moments with Luke, but I guess I'll have to read the rest of the series to get those.

At any rate, good novel. Not my favorite by Kinsella, certainly not my favorite in general, but it was a pleasant enough read for me to want to continue with the series.

Next, I'm gonna tackle I'll Scream Later. Pretty stoked about that one.

Good Fail, Me

So, after completing The Last Unicorn, I attempted to read both A Northern Light & Atonement.

I failed.

I just couldn't get into Jennifer's book. I didn't like the way it was written; the switching back and forth was confusing, and the tone -- I just didn't like it. I feel like a failure with that one, because my friend Sarah really recommended it. As for Atonement, I didn't get to finish because it was due back at the library, and I felt incredibly ridiculous asking to check it out for the third time. It's all right, though, because I have it saved on my iPod Touch. I love WattPad. *smile*

Getting slightly off topic -- I really do lust my iPod. I downloaded the Kindle Application, and I just couldn't be anymore excited. It's awesome downloading and reading books from my iPod. Especially considering I'm not allowed to read at work and if I get caught I'll get fired and that's not good. It's a lot easier to hide an iPod.

I downloaded several eReaders like the Kindle and WattPad. More books are going to be added to my list ((I'm also going to coordinate my list a bit more to really highlight my failures, lol)). It's really cool because each eReader application gave me a few free books -- most of the classics, and most of them are doubles, but sometimes I get lucky and receive a free one. I'm stoked to really get into it.

Right, so, after taking by the library books, I went to see The Time Traveler's Wife ((this was my first solo movie adventure, which my BFF has been raving about forever; I love it. Every movie that I just *have* to see, I'm going it alone)). It was pretty amazing. Definitely not better than the book -- not by any means. Actually, a lot of stuff was left out, and a few pivotal scenes were changed but I still think they did a great job with the kind of novel they had to work with. Even now, after I've already seen the movie, I get giddy whenever I see a preview for it. Probably because I loved the book so much.

In the previews they showed a trailer for The Lovely Bones; my friend Alex said to "stop whatever I'm reading and read it now." Since I had recently returned Atonement, I thought it would be a good time to pick up The Lovely Bones, which my mother had and has never read, lol.

So, that's three books -- in one month -- that have defeated me. I got four chapters into Sebold's novel and gave up. I've never come across a book that has given me a headache while reading. I just couldn't stand it any longer. Again, it was the style of the writing, and the tone, and the fact that I had to read a simple sentence several times to understand what was going on. Maybe I'm mildly retarded, but I shelved it. No thanks.

Now, I'm reading Confessions with a Shopaholic. Good ole Ms. Kinsella won't let me down. I need to add the rest of the series to my list....

I think I'll read I'll Scream Later by Marlee Matlin next, and I've added the following to my booklist::

Butterfly Tattoo by Deidre Knight
My Horizontal Life: A Collection of One-Night Stands by Chelsea Handler
Mr. Darcy, Vampyre by Amanda Granger ((if this is anything like P&P&Zombies, then I'll adore it))

The Last Unicorn

I finished this novel two days ago. In all honesty, I wasn't anticipating that I'd enjoy it as much as I did. I've never been into fairies and unicorn, or magicians and evil Kings. Apparently I'm okay with vampires though, haha, which seems a little odd that I don't enjoy the rest.

At any rate, I think The Last Unicorn was a fantastic read; thanks to whoever recommended that for me.

I was a little worried when the back cover said it was "whimsical and sensuous," but it totally worked. The often time rhyme-y and odd speeches only added, in my opinion, to the story. That's probably only because for every whimsy detail there was a more modern flare to balance it out. In the middle of it all someone was called a dude, and I loved it.

I loved Schmendrick, the Magician (who was teased mercilessly; "can't even turn butter into cream"). Molly Grue was probably my favorite. She was completely unrefined and unrepetent, but she had a good heart. Prince Lir broke my heart into a million pieces come the end, and The Unicorn...well, I'm not exactly sure what to say about her. Beautiful. Immortal. Oddly detached. I think she had the most brillant character arch I've come across yet.

The Last Unicorn is a short read -- only 215 pages. Sad story that it took me so long to read it, but I enjoyed every minute of it and would definitely recommend it for your enjoyment as well.


Next I'm reading A Northen Light by Jennifer Donnelly.

*BzzZzzZzz*

Amazing novel. Honestly, I wasn't convinced I was going to enjoy it as much as I did. Hands down, it's my favorite book thus far. Move over Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, while you're hilarious and fun to read, The Secret Life of Bees touched me in ways you failed to. I was sad to turn the last page.

The characters were brilliant and consistent. Nearly all of them were loveable; honestly, I've never thoroughly adored every character in a novel the way I did in this one. Even T. Ray, the asshole father, tugged at my heart strings. That's not an easy feat. I felt sorry for the man, and at the end I saw him a little bit differently.

The main character, Lily Ownes, lied and cheated and she stole, but it was difficult to hold a grudge against her because of it. Desperate times call for desperate measures and all that. Rosaleen was hysterical. August was the kind of wise god mother figure every little girl (or boy, I guess) should have. May broke my heart. And I couldn't help but root for Zach and Neil. I cherished each and every one of them.

It was mildly slow in the beginning, but as soon as Lily and Rosaleen begin their journey it becomes impossible to put down. Had it not been for work and other responsibilities, I would have remained in bed to read it from cover to cover. It was that good. Even the ending was satisfying!

I've heard other reviewers and critics mention books that had a "true Southern voice." I never knew what that meant until I began to read this one. The accent -- that smooth, almost lazy talk was so clear in my head, which I think just added to the story. It didn't even bother me that it was written in first person!

Kidd did an amazing job. I just...it's my favorite. My new favorite novel. I borrowed it from the library. Now I have to look on Amazon to buy it. I just can't not own the thing.

*sigh* Really sad to know it's finished though. Now I have to watch the movie.

The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle is next.

Viola!

I finished reading The Host around 12:30 this morning. I practically devoured the last half of the book. Like I've heard mentioned, I'll agree that it is a bit strange. It's mildly slow in the beginning, but soon becomes fast-paced and hard to put down. For anyone who doesn't know what this book is about, and without giving too much away, it's about an alien (they're called Souls; this one's name is Wanderer) who inhabits a body (the host; Melanie). Melanie, however, doesn't disappear like she's supposed to, and Wanderer is stuck with her memories and emotions. Shennighans ensue.

Strange, yes, but totally an awesome read.

This novel, and the four books from the Twilight Saga, further confirms my theory that Stephenie Meyer was a Roswell fan. No one can convince me otherwise. That's probably another reason why I enjoyed the book so much.

With that said, I still have a few issues with the way she wrote her book(s).

I just don't do 1st Person very well. It's too limited, and more often than not that author tries to break through the limitations. They fail; only succeeding in irritating me.

Also, and I don't know why she does this, but SM likes to tell stories within her dialogue. She did this in the Twilight Series (I think it was Eclipse? Whichever one that Rosalie told her story), and she did it a bit in The Host, too.

She tries to have a character tell the story of his/her past. She goes into detail, which is great...but when she gets to the dialogue portion, she flubs it up. It's not believable; I don't like it. I...can't explain it very well. While a character -- let me use Rosalie...

While Rosalie is telling her story, she gives great detail. Which is wonderful. Good stories require a lot of detail. When she is telling Bella what the guys said to her, though, that's when it becomes unrealistic. She uses tags: "he said maliciously" within her story, as in, within the dialogue.

No one talks like that. No one tells their best friend what their douchebag ex-boyfriend said to them -- not like that. It's weird. I noticed it right away. I don't like it. It irritates me. (This is probably horribly confusing...)

...But I still really enjoyed the books, lol! People think that when I nitpik about stuff like that, then I don't like what I'm reading. Unfortunately, it's quite the opposite. The more I like the book, the more I pick at it. I think it should be perfect.

Unrealistic, I know. *shrug*

So, I went to the library today and picked up four books. I'll probably end up having to recheck some of them out, haha. But I'm starting, today, The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd. Then, I think, I'll read The Last Unicorn by Peter Beagle. The other two books I checked out are A Northen Light by Jennifer Donnelly and Atonement by Ian McEwan. Pretty stoked about it.

I totally forgot how awesome libraries are. They smell nice. And they're quiet. It's pretty much heaven.

Dinner and movie tonight. I wanna read some before then....

Byye!

& It Feels So Good

So, I've been gone for a bit. I've actually just returned a few days ago from the Happiest Place on Earth. I *love* Disney World.

With that said, battling the masses of people and the elderly on scooters, while racing madly through the Magic Kingdom (and the rest of the parks), it left me little time to read.

I have...much to my chagrin...shelved Anna Karenina for now. I do fully intend to pick it up later. Right now, I'm just not into it. I did start reading The Host by Stephenie Meyer before I left for Florida. I'm just about half way finished with it -- it's so wonderful. I do enjoy it immensely, just as I suspected I would. I feel much better, actually being able to sit down and get absorbed in a book again. Yay!

I have no idea what to read next. I bought, recently, East of Eden by Steinbeck; my co-worker was reading it and was just gushing the whole way. She said it was awesome. So, I wanted it to put it on my list.

I also bought a hardback edition of Charlotte's Web, but that's just because it was my favorite childhood book and I lost my old copy. I put it in my bookshelf, and I just like to stare at it. It was such a darling little book!

But this is what I'm thinking about picking up next::

I'll Scream Later by Marlee Matlin -- this is pretty much a biography, which I swore I wouldn't do. But I love her, and made the exception.

Mr. & Mrs. Fitzwilliam Darcy by Sharon Lathan -- this I bought at Target on a whim. It's supposed to be the sequel to Pride and Prejudice. I hope it's good....

My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult -- I own several of her books, and I loved them. So I'm sure this is going to be win, as well.

Those are all books that I currently have waiting in my shelf. I could, instead, breakout my library card and pick something else::

The Story of Edward Sawtelle by David Wroblewski
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd

Or I can look for that odd series by the author who wrote Crank and Identical. Those are supposed to be wicked.

*shrug* We'll see. It feels good to read again.

I Don't Even Know

I really want to finish Anna Karenina, but I'm dragging. I haven't picked up the book in a week. The writing has been going phenomenally -- I'm so excited about that! But it's at the expense of my reading time.

For a while, I was reading a little bit every night before I went to bed. I tried to squeeze an hour out of it, but sometimes it didn't hold my interest, and I struggled to stay awake. Now, my nights have consisted of staying awake until the wee hours writing continuously. The results are stupendous!

I feel very conflicted about the whole thing. I don't want to be loser and not read the book ((it really does have its moments where it's wonderful...)), but at this rate, I feel like I'll never get to read anything else from my booklist. I feel like maybe I ought to pick a different book, something a bit more appealing -- something that'll be easier for me to read and enjoy. Maybe then the reading/writing will be easier to balance.

I kind of hate myself right now.

I, Epic Fail

I pretty much suck. I've been reading Anna Karenina for, what?, over two weeks now? I'm not far along, at all. In fact, it's so embarrassing how much I have not been reading, that I refuse to release what page number I am.

I fail at life.

Sort of. I say that because, while I'm still struggling to get through the novel ((it's taken over 60 pages to meet the main character: WTF?)), I have reached my main goal. It's not to read 50 books this year; yes, it's important, but I decided to participate in this challenge because reading encourages me to write. By reading, I'm assaulted by my muse, my inspiration, my what-have-you. And when I haven't been reading, I've been writing. And it feels amazing.

Granted, it hasn't been for my NaNoWriMo novel, but it's still something. I'm supposed to write everyday, yeah? Well, these past two weeks, I have been. It's been awesome.

So, while I fail, I still win!!

I love it.

...Hopefully I'll stop being a chump and actually finish Anna Karenina. Honestly, though it's a tad on the boring side, there are portions that just draw me in. But, like Love in the Time of Cholera, they don't last very long.

Anyway, update. Sucky as it is.

"Your balls, Mr. Darcy?" "They belong to you, Miss Bennet."

For anyone who may be reading this ... I go a little nuts in this post. Spoilers will be revealed. You have been duly warned.


Just like I knew I would, I have fallen in love with Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It basically removes every thing that I hated about the original ((which, honestly, wasn't much)), and added every thing that it had been sorely missing That is Grahame-Smith took out all the unnecessary long-windedness of Austen and got right to the point. That's not to say I think the zombies were a "missing" piece to the original novel, but I do think it was a nice touch.

Most importantly, having completed the novel, it hasn't made me favor the original work less; it makes me appreciate it more. While Grahame-Smith tries to mimic Austen's style, he doesn't quite nail it. It's kind of like reading a fanfiction. A really, really good, exceedingly funny and violent fanfiction. Still impressive, for sure. I loved and hated ((and loved to hate)) an assortment of characters in the original, and I get to do the same in this edition as well, only I get more satisfaction out of the way certain players got their comeuppance, if you will.


Elizabeth, I felt, was pretty badass in Pride and Prejudice. She wasn't afraid to speak her mind. She was smart, and witty, and impressive yet modest. And most importantly, she was not infallible. When she made a mistake, she admitted it. In and Zombies, she's still all of those things, with the exception that she wields a Katana sword. True story, and I freakin' love it. Turns out, Daddy ((who is awesome)) sent his daughters to China to learn under a Master Liu-something-or-other in the deadly arts. There they learned kickass skills to defeat the icky zombies. They are all quite impressive, and of course Elizabeth is the best. The final show down between her and Her Ladyship was brillant. Whoa.

Mr. Bennet I also enjoyed in the original, though he made me a little frustrated at times. I never understood how he could continually hold his composure in regards to that nutty woman he called a wife. She got on my ever-livin' nerves. It was funny when he'd toss out zingers that would fly over her head, but just once I wanted him to mention one that she was sure to comprehend. In this one, Mr. Bennet is decidedly blunt. I think my favorite Mr. Bennet line is when he pleads for Mrs. Bennet to "spare [him] the expense of having [her] lips sewn shut." On numerous other occassions he complains about her "prattling" while I continue to laugh. Such was the attitude he was missing in the original.

Mrs. Bennet is exactly the same. I hate her, and I love it.

Charlotte Lucas becomes a zombie. ((HA!)) She is beheaded, most honorably.

Mr. Collins is short and fat. He is continually describe as short and fat. He can't defend himself against the unmentionables. He's just as annoying as ever. He hangs himself after beheading his wife.


Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a pretty kickass old bag. She's slain 10 thousand ((maybe?)) unmentionables in her day. She has a dojo in her home, and a plethora of ninjas at her disposal. She's just as uppity as ever.

Mr. Darcy is pretty much the same. Tall, handsome, arrogant and oblivious, plus he has mad musketry skills and was educated in Japan. He, too, is a slayer of zombies. And of course, he falls in love with Elizabeth for all the same reasons as before, with the addition of her rivaling deadly arts skills. I particularly love the sparring match between the two when he proposes for the first time. It's kind of like foreplay. Mr. Darcy is also is a little less censored. He specifically tells Miss Bingley that she'd enjoy balls better if she "knew the first thing about them." Such a remark causes Elizabeth to blush and try not to laugh.

Mr. Wickham is still an epic bag of douche. She still seduces the ridiculous Lydia, and many others, leaving in his wake a trail of debts and bastards (("a bastard-maker?"- quoted from Jane Bennet)). His commeupance is the most satisfying of all, I do believe. Not only is he forced to marry Lydia, but he gets the hell beaten out of him by Darcy. He is left paralyzed and bed-ridden, where he continually soils himself. It's terrific.

As much as I enjoyed this book, I can't express enough that the original Pride and Prejudice is 10 times better. My favorite is still the former, but I do enjoy satire and this was the best. I don't mind at all that this novel is thoroughly poking fun at a classic. It just proves how influential Austen and her works have remained today.

If you love or hate Austen, I would definitely recommend this book.



**Next, I'm reading Anna Karenina. It'll be a while 'til my next post....

Florentino - Not Your Average Hero

So, I forgot to mention another element of the novel that I loved ((right? I'm finding more good things to say about it!)), and that is this: Florentino Ariza is not your average hero; he's the antihero.

Predominantly, the male hero is absurdly attractive and absurdly confident. If he is not absurdly rich by birth, then he became absurdly rich due to his absurd talent. He never loses composure. All the ladies want him. In short, he's quite a catch.

Floretino definitely falls short in most - if not all - of the above characteristics.

He's not attractive ((hence the reason not even his awesome love letter writing skills could keep his obsession)). He wears thick glasses for his myopia. He dresses like an old man; he dresses like an older man when he is an old man. He loses his hair at a youngish age and resorts to the high school prinicpal-meets-Don Trump combover. But the best of all is the fact that he suffers from severe IBS. I freakin' love it. Twice Fermina had his guts twisted up with nerves that he almost soiled himself in front of her. That's spectacular.

Yet, despite all of that - all the ladies still wanted him.

I don't get it. The explanation was that he was a man in need of love. So, I guess all those poor, misguided women wanted to be the ones to love him, to fix him.

Good fail, ladies.

Love in the Time of *Snore*

Right, so reading this book took longer than I had originally anticipated. The last fifty pages were especially difficult to get through, simply because it was boring and I knew I was almost done. Knowing that I was fifty pages away from Pride and Prejudice and Zombies just made it harder to muddle through it.

But I did it. Thank you, God.

People try to categorize this book as a love story. Maybe I'm as deep as a mud puddle because I would have to whole heartedly disagree. I had some serious problems with the characters. For one, I found Fermina a snobbish, annoying bitch. She "fell in love" with Florentino because he knows how to write a love letter. When she catches her first look at him -- up close, not just a glimpse -- he's suddenly not good enough for her. Although, I would be a little turned off too if his eyes were alight with petrified love - or something like that. I don't think the word petrified should not be a modifier for love, thanks.

As for Florentino, he's just nuts. Seriously. Coo-COO for Co-Co Puffs. He wasn't so much in love with her as he was obsessed with her. And don't give me that crap about having 622 affairs in order to slake his lust - but his heart remained Fermina's. Bull. Shit. In truth, he fell in love with several women after Fermina -- and two of them died because of him.

In my opinion, the only victim in this novel (and that's a loosely used term) is Juvenal. One, because he has a name like Juvenal. Two, he married Fermina in hopes of falling in love with her. He obviously invested more into the relationship than she did. He did have asshole tendancies, though (ie: his single affair in fifty years of marriage), but some things can be excused since he married a twit like Fermina (not the affair, though, that's inexcusable).

Ok, ok, so maybe Leona is victim-esque in the novel, as well. She was one of the many women in love with Florentino, but the only one who he didn't get to sleep with - and not because he didn't try. She refused his ass for reasons that I'm not certain about, but whatever, because I'm proud of her.

By the way, I'm pretty sure Florentino was a pedophile. If you use the phrase "dickey-bird" whilst trying to seduce a 14-year-old (and you're 80), then I'd say you need some serious counselling. I guess that didn't really have that back then.

The ending was really good, though. I did appreciate it because it was an allusion to something Fermina had said a little earlier in the novel. Disregarding my dislike for the characters, the style it was written in, and the epic run-ons, this novel had some really amazing pieces of awesome that I bracketed in pen throughout. Mostly it's just the way Marquez described something, an analogy he used, or just something I read that made me think: I wish I could write like that.

At any rate, I really am glad I read it despite all the bad things I said about it. I don't think, however, I'll be reading anything else by Mr. Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

Love in the Time of Pride, Prejudice, and Zombies

So, Love in the Time of Cholera ... definitely not my favorite. It's not horrible, but it doesn't make me want to curl up in bed and just read for hours either. Again, it has a lot to do with the fact that I just can't get into the style of it. Marquez doesn't number his chapters, and that just annoys the hell out of me, lol. I know that's totally weird, but I like to know my progress, thanks. And every "chapter" is a-little-more-a-little-less 50 pages. I don't know why but that annoys me, too.

Oh, and he's forever using the characters first and last names: Floretino Ariza, Fermina Daza, Dr. Juvenal Urbino, over and over and over again. Why can't you just say: So, then Florentino said, "I eat orchid petals because I want to know what your scent tastes like." Fermina replies, aghast, "you're crazy!" Dr. Urbino nods gravely: "As a doctor, I am qualified in such matters. You're a loon, son."

Whatever, though. It's gonna take me a little longer to read this book ((it's only 350 pages)), I'm thinking probably another week, but I'm determined. It's really not all that bad. Sometimes I do get really into it; he is a captivating writer, but sometimes it's the little things that bother me.

Character wise, Florentino is totally a nut job. I mean, if you eat flower petals and chug perfume just to know what a chick tastes like...that's weird, dude. And Fermina is a snob ((her rejection of Florentino does make me feel sorry for the chump, but he's still nuts)). The only character I enjoying - thus far - is Urbino. He has captured most of my sympathy, and he seems...the most sane.

Anyway, so, today is Mother's Day. While I was out picking up gifts, and flowers, and cake for Mama Bear, I picked up I'll Sceam Later by Marlee Matlin ((totally stoked)) while at Target. Then my sister and I meandered over to Borders, and I found the book I have to read next. No doubt about it, once I've finished Love in the Time of Cholera, then I must read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. It's exactly as the title states: it is Pride and Prejudice with a few zombies thrown in.

I'm pretty sure it's going to kick ass. I read the author bios on the back, and I about snorted ((okay, I did snort, a lot)):

JANE AUSTEN is the author of Sense and Sensibility, Persuasion, Mansfield Park, and other masterpieces of English literature. SETH GRAHAME-SMITH once took a class in English literature.

So stoked. I'm not crazy obsessed with zombies or ninjas ((yeah, ninjas are in this book, too)) or anything, but c'mon. You have to admit that this is going to rock. I do love the Resident Evil Trilogy, but I don't own the Zombies Survival Guide or whatever ((my brother does)).

I'm sure I'll write extensively on this book's sheer awesomenss.

Good Day.