Hi there.

I am very interested in reading Michael Moorcock's 'Elric of Melnibone' series. However there seem to be so many books in the series I am confused by which one to start with! If there are any Elric fans on this community I would be so greatful if you could tell me which book i should begin with. Thank you very much ^^

-Torment2romance

In September 2009, Seanan McGuire published her first novel Rosemary and Rue. This urban fantasy debut quickly received attention as one of the best debuts of 2009. Now the multi-talented author has three new books scheduled for publication in 2010. Two are continuations of her Toby Daye series: A Local Habitation and An Artificial Night. The third will be published under the pseudonym 'Mira Grant' and will be titled Feed. As McGuire says: "Who needs sleep?"

Today author Seanan McGuire is answering questions at Book Love Affair. Go leave a comment to ask this wonderful author what you'd like to know! (Also, participating in the interview earns extra entries in the BLA Leviathan giveaway!)

( Check out the interview at Book Love Affair? )

I always liked the video game "Lemmings" since I first found it. The little lemming characters are pretty cute. However, a real lemming is extremely cute!

The new Made of Fail podcast is up, and it's something like my fifth appearance on the show--and this time we also have Rinna from Poufwa, the first podcast I ever did! Also, my sexy, sexy phlegm ("Yeah... I'm reporting live from my death bed..."), brought in loud and clear courtesy of my new headset. Topic: half New Moon and half Crazy Fans, with a substantial segment on the Dollhouse cancellation up front (aw, hell, I just heard myself cough in the background).

("I am in bed with another woman right now...")

And now, I'm going back to bed.


ETA: OH BY THE WAY we totally discuss the Twilight porno that Dayna watched for us.

ETA: Who has the "fever of a hundred and werewolf" thermometer icon, and who made it? Because I totally need to start using that.



(Zomg e-book! The Annotated Movies in Fifteen Minutes: Wizards!)

So I picked this up last weekend, before Black Friday, and thought it would be a great read. I personally am infatuated with Russell Brand, so I jumped at the chance to get it.

Review: It's definitly 'mature'. There is a-plenty of swears and obscene phrases. It's written in 'proper' British language, using were in place of was, and things like that. It uses traditional British spellings, such as colour or favourite. Although you might think that it would be a jovial, comedic read, it contained some pretty heavy material. It starts off with his entrance into a Pennsylvania sex addiction treatment center. Split into four parts, the book is written in the chronological order of his childhood and adolescence which describes the hard times his family went though. It delves into a pretty dark realm as he shares his battles with drug experimentation which leads to addiction, especially of the substance heroin. He tells about his traditional schooling, and when he first realized that his place was in front of the spotlight.

In it he explains his views on religion, not trying to convince anyone but himself of his choices. He identifies greatly with the Hare Krishnas, and shares an unsuccessful attempt to write a play based on the Tibetan Book of the Dead. Russell Brand talks about his early friendships and how he has always felt more secure in the company of women, especially his mother. He tells of his many animal ownings, especially his beloved cat, Morrissey.

The book isn't for the type of reader who prefers to lose themselves in a fantasy world. It jumps right in to many problems that face all of us today, including common topics of self-acceptance, career choices, and love. However, it deals with a darker side of alcoholism, drug and sex addiction, and finding one's meaning and purpose in an otherwise meaningless world. It does have many funny parts, but it isn't all stand up. I give this book five stars, but the cost may prevent many from outright buying it, and waiting to check it out at the local library.

Title: Bitter is the New Black : Confessions of a Condescending, Egomaniacal, Self-Centered Smartass, Or, Why You Should Never Carry A Prada Bag to the Unemployment Office
Author: Jen Lancaster
Page Count: 416
Genre: Non-fiction, Memoir
Rating:

My Review:
I desperately want to give this book 5 stars. I'll explain why I didn't.

This book is a memoir about a stuck-up bitch who went from being on top of the world one day to not being able to afford an apartment in the ghetto the next. The adventure is superb to read about - a woman who once looked down on everyone and went everywhere in expensive everything, obsessed to the point of insanity over her hair and nails. She lives in a fantastic Chicago apartment that she pays way too much a month for. Then 9/11 happens and ... lay-offs.

As much as I want to give this book a 5 because it is hilarious, its writing style is a bit busted up and I'm holding a grudge because she slams vegans [ouch] in it on several occasions. The writing style is somewhat amusing, though at first I wasn't sure how I felt about the footnotes. Since it is a memoir, I wasn't expecting perfectly formed anything, neither any stroke of literary genius. I was told this book is very funny and I have to say that for what I hoped of it - it delivered.

I found this book to be an incredibly easy read, something that I just bullied right through without even noticing until I burned into the Epilogue. It's easy to relate to and it's a great, uplifting and amusing read. This book is perfect for someone who is looking for something that they don't have to take seriously, but just laugh at uncontrollably.

Spoilers for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows as well as previous books in the series. Hence the cut.

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Rating: four stars
Length: 757 pages
Source: shelf
Other books I've read by this author: Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone (my review), Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (my review), Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (my review), Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (my review), Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (my review), Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (my review) , Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them, Quidditch through the Ages, The Tales of Beedle the Bard (my review)

xposted to bookish and temporaryworlds

I haven't seen this one posted yet, so I'm sorry if someone has already posted it to the group. It's too cute to pass up.

With Christmas and New Years' Break approaching, I am looking for recommendations for reading. I am usually a non-fiction reader, but I've lately wanted to balance my load with fiction. I prefer stories taking place in the eighteenth century - America, Great Britain, or France - but I also enjoy late seventeenth and early nineteenth century backgrounds. I've reread Dickens' A Tale of Two Cities, am currently reading Stendhal's The Red and the Black, and have Orczy's The Scarlet Pimpernel and de Laclos' Les Liaisons Dangereuses for later. Are there any other pieces of great literature centering around these eras that you can recommend? Thank you.

What would you recommend for a 12 year old boy (who reads at a mature level, maybe grade 10 or so) in the way of fantasy and scifi? He's already read Lord of the Rings, Eragon, ect. What were your favorites at that age?
Oh, and since he's only 12, age appropriate books would be appreciated. Thanks.

...is this cute?
http://community.livejournal.com/splodefromugly/224053.html

⌈ Secret Post #1057 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

101.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 00 pages, 000 secrets from Secret Submission Post #151.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 1 2 3 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 1 2 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ], [ 1 - personal attack ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

Welcome, readers, to the post that will be solely dedicated to all things about my work-in-progress, SEEK NOT MY HEART.

This fic, which is an AU challenge that features genderswitch in the form of having been born the gender opposite of what they were born in canon, stars Severus Snape and Lily Evans as Severina Snape and Evan Lillian.

So, come on in and take a look around!

- The Iman Lestrange


( COME ON IN! )

I just thought I would pass along that Threadless.com is having a 24 hour sale where all tees are $9! They have a whole section of literature-based designs. I just bought the following and I thought I would share it with you lovely people: