I Can Read with My Eyes Shut! by Dr. Seuss

There are so many different ways to read. Can you read with your eyes shut? You might be surprised to find that you can and do.

I don't remember this book from my childhood, so reading it now was something of an experience. At first I thought, Reading with your eyes shut? Ridiculous! Impossible! Of course, Dr. Seuss was someone who could reveal what seemed random and wrong as precise and probable.

I am only familiar with the Cat in the Hat from his self-titled book, so another with him was a welcome find. I must ask, who is this cute kitten in the hat? Adorable! Thing 1 and Thing 2 can step aside. Every child should want to identify with the Kitten in the Hat.

'I Can Read with My Eyes Shut!' is a book about reading with your imagination and not shutting yourself out to new material or allowing for a further insight into the text. This book explores the wonder of reading and all the opportunities it can bring to an individual if they are open to them.

It isn't just the books we read. It is how we perceive what we read. Yes indeed!

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer read this book in-store. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Random House and is used solely as an aide to the review.

The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick

Hugo is an orphan who is sent to live with his uncle and learn to keep track of all the clocks in the train station. When his uncle disappears, Hugo has to take on the job alone...but it isn't clocks he wants to fix.

Before Hugo's father died, he was working on repairing an automaton. Now the job lies with Hugo to fix the machine man and see what secrets lie at the tip of his pen.

What secrets that may be could impact Hugo in a more personal way than he could imagine and help him to rebuild not only his own life and future but that of another.

Can Hugo fix the automaton before time runs out and the station clocks break down? Or will he be discovered and hauled off to an orphanage?

This was an impulsive purchase I made on audio. I knew that the book had been adapted into a film and I already owned another of Selznick's books but I didn't know much what 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret' was about. Still, when the audio book was offered to me for a decent price, I snatched it up.

What I discovered was a story of lies, thievery and good intentions. I was swept up by the narrative and my imagination was captivated by what I heard. 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret' had some of the best audio effects I have encountered to date and while this is the first novel I have listened to that was narrated by Jeff Woodman, it is the fourth I have purchased, so I was pretty pleased that he didn't suck. Far from it.

However, 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret' is a book designed to be read. Since I did not have a hardback copy of the book, I popped over to the bookstore to check it out. In its own words: "A novel in words and pictures." Indeed. It has 284 pages of drawings.

Selznick's skill with words was reflected in his artwork. What I imagined when I listened to the story was deepened through the detailed imagery. 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret' is inspired by a real man and there were even a few real photographs. It was easy to understand why the novel inspired a film adaptation. The book is a cinematographer's dream.

I look forward to listening to plenty more of Woodman's narration but I must recommend the physical edition of 'The Invention of Hugo Cabret' above or in accompaniment to it. Myself, I look forward to seeing the film adaption, Hugo, along with reading Selznick's 'Wonderstruck.'

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Scholastic and is used solely as an aide to the review.

Script the Silence

I'm sitting in my apartment right now, looking across the road at a rooftop. There are eight young people atop it, shooting a film. If you look up from below, one of the actors looks like he is about to topple over the edge and plummet to his death. Of course, from my vantage point, I can see that there is an apartment balcony below him.

Watching people is always interesting but sometimes it is just as dull as anything. At this moment, I'm fascinated. An entire scene is laid out before me. Not only the one being acted but the real-life one of a cast and crew. I have no idea what is being shot or said. My own imagination fills in the blanks.

At first I assumed that the character barging onto the rooftop to stop this guy from death must be a cop and this guy a criminal. After all, I saw a pair of handcuffs and an arrest earlier. I changed my mind, however, when I saw that these two individuals were wearing the exact same red shoes. A captivating element.

The dynamic between these two unknown characters was intriguing. It was all played over and over before me and sometimes I couldn't tell what was the scene and what was happening in between takes. Unless I saw one of the blokes breathing on his hands and rubbing down his backside to keep warm.

The actors and the crew are gone now* but I now think of that rooftop as a stage. For a moment, it drew my attention in a way it has never done before. They say a picture is worth a thousand words and I think they are itching at something. A silent scene can draw its own dialogue in your mind. You see the character dynamics in body language alone and make up your own relationship and back story.

I wonder if my rooftop entertainers will come back. Perhaps not. It is just one scene after all. Next time I am out, I may just plug my ears with music and see what my brain formulates from imagery alone. Snippets of conversation is one thing but I find that a twin pair of red shoes is something even more spectacular.

Have you ever observed a silent scene and let your imagination rip on what might be said or done in such a scenario?

*I typed too soon. They just went in for a break. This is really entertaining.

The Fault in Our Stars by John Green

This might be the most difficult review I have ever dared to pen. (Not only because I am not writing it with a pen, but typing it on a keyboard...but also because this book has impacted me more than any one book in my long and most pleasant relationship with the existence of books.) I will be sincere and give it my most trying try at doing it justice.

During my reading of it, which was filled with more laughter than numbers can recall and almost tears (which is saying something tremendous about an author, seeing as I lack tear ducts. True story.) there came a time where I was sitting on the couch completely engrossed in it, when I laughed out loud in front of my little brother. This conversation ensued:

Brother: “Good book?”
Me: “Oh yeah. It’s brilliant. John Green is hilarious.”
Brother: “What’s it about?”
Me: “A girl with cancer.”
Brother: “…”

Upon realizing that my younger brother now thinks I’m a horrible person, I came to the conclusion that The Fault in Our Stars is not, in fact, about a girl with cancer. It’s about living. Not breathing. Not going through daily motions. It is about living. It is existential and metaphorical and symbolic and I haven’t been able to stop thinking about it since I finished it. It’s beautiful and profoundly profound and hideous. It is an intricately threaded tapestry where every single threaded letter has a purpose. I would dare to call it a literary masterpiece.

It is not, however, a book for everyone. It’s very intellectual, but it raises more questions than it answers, which is one of the reasons I love it so much.

What about the characters?

Never have I read characters so witty, sarcastic, and full of life as Augustus, Hazel, and Isaac. The characterization and easy flow of their dialogue and thoughts brings so much insight into them. I knew the characters inside and out before I realized it.

I could go on forever praising and praising The Fault in Our Stars and John Green for writing it, but I will leave it at this. I have learned so much from it about life, writing, and so many other things, whilst being entertained and falling in love with not only wonderful characters, but wonderful people. Read it if you are ready.

Thank you, John Green.

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Dutton Children's and is used solely as an aide to the review.

♥ ~ ♥

Hazel is a teen with cancer, biding her time on a miracle drug, embracing life through a novel...but inevitably smothered by the reality that is her life. Then she meets Augustus Waters, a boy from support group, who is in remission from his own cancer. The two connect in ways Hazel could never have believed for herself and they both set off on a journey of self-discovery, paved with humour, tragedy and romance.

This was an emotional book. Not because of cancer and sickness but rather the attachment I gained to the characters. So many young adult novels force "love" onto the reader and it irks me. In 'The Fault in Our Stars,' I connected with the love between characters, not because I was told to but because I experienced that sensation for myself.

Hazel and Augustus are two teenagers that could have been alienating. Not because they have cancer but because they phrase words and ideas in ways I could never fathom, let alone on whim. Yet, they did not come across as preachy or pretentious. There is such depth to their words and feelings without it feeling like you are being pulled under and drowned by emotion. There are some books I find hard to pick back up mid-read, regardless of whether they are amazing. I think, Is this too much? Yet, it was never a challenge for me to be enveloped by 'The Fault in Our Stars.'

I listened to the book on audio. At first, I wondered if I might have made a mistake, if perhaps this was a book that needed to be read. It wasn't. Kate Rudd brought this book to life in ways I could not have imagined for myself. There are some female narrators who go overboard to get that "guy" voice, particularly in teen fiction but Rudd was perfect in that and every other aspect of the narration.

John Green is 100% my litrary idol for his brilliance in creating the experience which is 'The Fault in Our Stars.' I can't go much further without delving into zombie creepiness, such as expressing a desire to crawl inside his skin or harvest his brain. Oops, too late.

I finished this book just before midnight on the 5th of June 2012. It is by far my favourite of the year so far and I know it is a book I will return to. I would recommend it to anyone who wants to be swept up by a story that is about life and love, rather than a book that parades in the mask of one. A lot of people have expressed reluctance of the audio book. I cannot repeat enough that there should be none.

Warning: There is a near certain chance this book will make you cry. I cried and I do not cry at books without selfish reason. If I am emotionally impacted by something to that extent it is because I am funneling a personal emotion through it. This was purely my attachment to the story.

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher.

Let’s Write Up a Show!

When I studied Drama for IGCSE (International General Certificate of Secondary Education) we didn’t just act but we had to study directing and setting and all sorts. In exams, we were given a script – i.e. Death of a Salesman – and had to write out how we would portray a character in a given scene or what colour the curtains would be on set to reflect the mood of the moment.

What I was never taught in all my years of high school Drama – with a capital, thank you – was how to script a play. Sure, there was some monologue work – and I love a good monologue – but we were there to learn about acting and directing and set design and not so much about the written aspect of it all. Drama was about taking the written word and interpreting it to form a production.

Not to me, it isn’t. If there is one thing I believe in the realm of fiction it's that conflict is key. Regardless of what format you are writing for, something must be at unevens. When you write a short story or a novel, that’s it. You’ve written for the page and the imagination. Unless you keep in mind that even words on the page are destined to be read aloud.

I have just returned from a week in Florida, where I spent my time at four of the Disney World theme parks and both Universal ones, one of which includes the Wizarding World of Harry Potter. It is amazing to think that so many of the things I saw and experienced at these theme parks stemmed from imagination and the written word. Curious George, Shrek, The Lion King, Spiderman, Kim Possible, The Cat in the Hat, The Simpsons, E.T. and of course Harry Potter. There is so much possibility that comes from writing. Words aren’t always the finished result but they can spark something phenomenal.

Theatre is a form of writing I have only dabbled in but am ever enticed by. I’ve written one play, which was amusing to write but I can’t see more coming of it. I find theatre to be inspiring and exhilarating. I remember when I saw 'The Producers' in the West End. I was enthralled by the set design and it made me think of all those dull things to do with mood and setting for school. If only I'd had such a musical to write an essay on!

There are so many different formats of writing. Just as with languages or musical instruments, you might find yourself drawn to one in particular or just dabbling in some and mastering a specific one. Being someone who fancied foreign languages and musical instruments but never succeeded in learning either, writing is my gateway to branching into several media.

It’s a fascinating thought that you can put pen to paper or tap away on your laptop or phone and write a musical or a feature film or a television pilot or a graphic novel or a monologue or a pop song. It isn’t just a thought, however. All you have to do is start writing and keep at it. Eternal dreaming is for the idle.

Theatre doesn’t just stem from the written word. Sometimes writing is inspired by theatre. My imagination is always blown by brilliant acting and the precision of some productions. Whether you like to act yourself or not, writing is a great gateway into the world of theatre and plenty of writers are inspired by the world of the stage. Just take a look at Lisa Mantchev’s ‘Eyes Like Stars’ which takes place in the world of theatre, where reality and fiction are intertwined.

This afternoon, I went to a performance of 'How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying' starring Darren Criss in his three week run. Once again I was caught up by the world of theatre, entertained and inspired. The world of business seems somewhat dull to a person like me but I was captivated by the character of J. Pierrepont Finch and the amusing and clever way that he climbed his way up - in a metaphorical manner - from window cleaner to rung after rung of the corporate ladder. Clever character development, accompanied by excellent acting and music.

You might, like me, originally know of Darren Criss because of his role as Harry Freakin' Potter in 'A Very Potter Musical' and its sequel, a fan-made musical spoof of the beloved book series. Not only did he act the lead but he is also a remarkable singer, songwriter, musician, composer, dancer...well, what can't he do? He is a co-founder of StarKid Productions and I find his achievements with his own theatre company to be even more inspiring than his roles in Glee and on Broadway because it shows ambition in a troupe of talent that has taken charge and achieved a large following through hard word and innovation.

Have you ever written anything theatre related? Monologues/plays/musicals? I love them all and - while I'm no composer - can see myself trying my hand at each. Perhaps I'll begin writing a monologue or two, since I have so many literary projects pushing and shoving to be noticed.

Writing for the theatre may be different from writing novels or short stories or poems but it isn't impossible. There are plenty of How-To books and websites to help you along. Just remember that if you don't try, you won't get anywhere. Except on the corporate ladder.

The Glamour Chase by Gary Russell

When archeologists unearth a dig in the 1930s, what they find isn't from any dead human race. In fact, it isn't human...and it is very much alive. A spaceship and its crew trapped, trying to survive and escape.

The Doctor receives a distress signal and he, Amy and Rory, investigate the strange dig and the even stranger people. No one is quite who they seem to be, even among the travelers of the TARDIS.

Who sent the distress signal? What is the Glamour and who is trying to claim it at any cost?

I had been desperate to get this audio book for a long time. It was the last of the Doctor Who audio books available narrated by Arthur Darvill. The unfortunate - and frustrating - thing was, that it was not available on Audible, which I favour because it allows you to download the book in one file. It was not available on iTunes or anywhere except by purchase on CDs (which I detest) and AudioGo. I gave in and purchased it from there. It wasn't so bad because, while it was still divided into parts, each part was a chapter. I just had to make sure that my iPod was not on shuffle. Otherwise I ended up with Chapter 11 instead of Chapter 1. Oops! There were 19 parts in total.

The book itself was a great listen. I loved being back with Darvill as a narrator. It was also interesting to experience a time with the Doctor and his companions which took place back in the fifth season. In fact, due to the comments made by the characters, I can place the time of this novel to be after 'Amy's Choice' and right before 'The Hungry Earth.'

In the novel, Rory is still very new to the whole companionship and the world of the TARDIS. The Doctor and Amy are often teasing him and it is easy to sympathise with him. He isn't pathetic, of course. Who doesn't love Rory for his faults, humour, determination and passion? He shines in this novel.

What I liked in 'The Glamour Chase' was that it always had me guessing at every moment what might happen next or what was happening at that very moment. I was never quite clued in, which was brilliant. There were always surprises and twists I wasn't expecting. An impressive combination of great characters and an excellent execution of plot.

The only thing that I found difficult in the book was that some of the characters have numbers instead of names. I wonder if this might have been easier to follow if I was reading them in text but possibly not. Either way, Darvill's dramatisation made it more followable than it might have been.

I recommend 'The Glamour Chase' to any avid Doctor Who fan and have to insist that you hold out for the audio book, in whichever format you can find it. Russell's writing with Darvill's narration is a thrilling execution.

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Random House UK and is used solely as an aide to the review.

What the Bleep?

I’ve never really worried about ‘book censorship’ before. There’s always been a sense of knowing what I should and shouldn't read. Of course as I've gotten older I haven’t had to worry. However, for the first time the other day I had to consider the contents of a book I was halfway through recommending to one of my younger cousins.

Normally, I wouldn't think twice about violence, language or sexual content, but I realised that I should consider these things for her. What triggered this ‘awareness’ was the fact I am reading the sequel to the first book and it has some more ‘grown up’ content in it.

How do we know what is appropriate and what isn’t? Should books be like what they were to me – a magical world reality couldn't touch and if there was something on those pages that made me blush I'd simply skip over them. Or should books come published with a warning like films and games, or even like some music?

I don't think books should become restricted (not including purely adult books here). A child who likes to read will always be curious about books, and as soon as you say, “You can't read that,” what do you think they’ll go and do? Children, just like me, often self-sensor, and when they are young and reading a book beyond their years they'll either stop reading out of boredom, or go and ask questions. Which is the perfect time for parents to say, “Why don't we go to the library and you can choose a book you want to read?”

Here is an example of what I mean by no restricted books:

A thirteen year old walks into a bookshop. They start to browse the YA section and happen to stumble upon a book that they’ve been waiting for. With the book in hand they make their way over to the service counter. The tall, rather skinny sales assistance peers at the teen with big eyes and asks the dreaded question, “How old are you?”

“Thirteen sir.”

“I’m sorry, but this book has an M15+ rating, you cannot buy it. Thank you, come again.”

So, no restricted books. But what about ratings? I know there are some books today that I've started reading and gotten quite a shock. Who knew that underneath the pretty cover and delicate words there would be raunchy scenes and characters with dirty mouths? I must admit, I do like it when books surprise me like that. It’s a thrill, a chance to delve into a world that isn’t yours but you wish it could be. But should there be a warning so that if a ten year old likes the cover and starts to read the same book, the parents know they’re going to have a lot of questions to answer?

So what do you think about censorship? Where should we draw the line, if any?

The Beauty of Escapism

I was eleven or twelve when I first encountered the word 'escapism'. At the time I thought it was just a fancy word for what ninjas do in the dead of night: 'Using his sleek escapism, Kentaro leaped through the open window...'

But apparently it refers to the salvation of any introvert - snuggling under the covers reading a novel or playing video games because real life sucks in comparison. Who knew?

With that in mind, I am and have always been an escapist. As a shy and self-conscious kid with depression, reading and drawing and playing video games were the only things that kept me going from day to day; the only things that made my shitty life seem bearable. I would close my eyes and imagine that I was one of the characters I'd read about; I was the beautiful priestess destined to fall in love with a handsome and powerful prince and save the world. I was the compassionate Summoner, or the misunderstood half-demon, or a werewolf. Escapism filled an empty void inside me; it made me believe that I could be special, too, and made me believe that no matter how bad things got, I could stay strong. Escapism introduced me to happy ever afters and weathered storms... Honestly, if not for my escapism tendencies I don't know where I'd be today sanity-wise. 

Yet when the word is used professionally, such as in the psychology field, escapism is seen as a pathetic tendency that needs to be fixed. Courtesy of Wikipedia:

"In the context of being taken to an extreme, the word "escapism" carries a negative connotation, suggesting that escapists are unhappy, with an inability or unwillingness to connect meaningfully with the world."

I can understand the opposition slightly, but why do people love books? Because they give them a glimpse of something they want, something better, something stronger or prettier or cooler than what they have in their own lives. It's the reason why I love romance novels, and why so many people love Harry Potter... who wouldn't want to be a bad ass witch or wizard? Who wouldn't want a boyfriend with washboard abs and a gun? I don't think escapism makes us 'pathetic'... I think escapism simply makes us human. And sometimes our escapism can be just the stress reliever we need to go back to our lives more determined and empowered than before.

"I love books. I love that moment when you open one and sink into it you can escape from the world, into a story that's way more interesting than yours will ever be." ---Elizabet Scott

What is your favorite way to slip away from the harsh realities of the world?

Going Towards the Small Screen

This was meant to be a post about the differences between writing a television script and writing a novel. You're wondering about "was meant to be" bit? Well, there must be a million differences between the two things, some of which can be put into groups with others, I admit - but it's still such a huge amount that it would be almost meaningless to just start writing a long list of them.

No, before we can explore the differences, we need to understand the similarities between writing a television script and a novel.

There are some very basic similarities between the two things, such as the fact that both are written, should both have a plot and need a lot of hard work. However, once you get past those things, the differences start to create a tangled mess that covers up the similarities.

What we need to recognise is that the differences are in the way the story is presented. In most cases, you can take the same story and write it as a novel or a television script or series of scripts and it will work either way. It is just the way we write it that changes.

To highlight this, here is a brief list of the general similarities between writing a television script or series of scripts and writing a novel:

• They both need some sort of complication(s). Without a complication or several for your characters to try to overcome - their success is not required, in fact many great stories have ended with the main characters failing miserably - there would be no point in writing the story at all.
• Both nearly always have some sort of resolution. Not necessarily a good one. To be honest, I'm not a fan of the "and they lived happily ever after" style and most of what I write ends on quite a sour note. It doesn't even have to be particularly resolved - it's just some sort of closure. Not all things are resolved in one episode or one book but most television shows and novels wrap up the lose ends at some point.
• Both novels and television scripts can be stand alone things or part of a series.

As you can see, when it all boils down, most of the differences are cosmetic. The story can remain virtually unchanged when copied from one format to the other. The main differences are the way that it's set out.

For example, if you had this:

Jimmy drove his scooter down the peaceful sub-urban street into the drive, leaving it leaned up against the garage door. He walked in to the house, feeling happy yet tired after a day of exploring.

"You home, Mum?" he called into the empty house. Something didn't feel right. Sensing someone behind him, he just thought that his mother must have got off work a bit later than usual.

"Hey, Mum, how was your d-" His sentence was cut short as he laid eyes on the masked figure in the doorway. That was when everything went dark...

It might become this:

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

EXT. SUBURBAN STREET - DAY

Jimmy, a young boy, rides down the street on a scooter. He turns and drives it into the driveway of one of the houses, leaving it leaned up against the garage door. He walks to the door and enters the house with a tired smile on his face.

INT. HOUSE - DAY

We can see the inside of the house over Jimmy's shoulder. The house has no lights turned on and the only light is from the windows and the open door behind Jimmy. The kitchen door is open, allowing us to see it's emptiness.

JIMMY:
You home, Mum?

Jimmy looks around, obviously confused. A shadow blocks the light from the doorway. Jimmy's expression softens.

JIMMY:
(Turning round)
Hey Mum, How was your d-

As Jimmy stops talking we see the figure who is standing behind him. The figure is a tall masked man.

BLACKOUT.

END OF ACT ONE.

There are just some things that need to be considered when writing a television script that a novelist wouldn't have to worry about:

• Budget: Someone writing a script that will be aired on television needs to consider the fact that budget will be an issue and try not to go too overboard on special effects and other things that will be very costly. Don't worry too much though - it's not the writer's job to sort that out.
  
• Technology: Some things will look very tacky on screen because we just don't have the technology to make them look good. However, this situation improves everyday as new technology arises and old technology is improved.
  
• Showing not telling: You cannot tell the viewer how a character feels in most circumstances. You will need to show your viewers how the character feels for example, someone who was sad might have hunched shoulders and drag their feet on the ground. Again though, don't worry too much as, if you write how they feel in the script, it is the job of the director and actor to portray that feeling.
  

Hope you've enjoyed this post and please feel free to comment. ♥

The Good, the Bad and the Book Reviews

Obviously there's a strong advantage for reading reviews for a book before you read it - if it has been decided unanimously that the book sucks, you probably should wait to get it on loan from the library, or at the very least, you wouldn't want to shell out extra money for the hardcover or maybe just keep your receipt... just in case it's sucktastic-ness overwhelms you from the very first paragraph and you can't stand to leave that huge cow pie on your bookshelf or give it to another unsuspecting victim.

The disadvantage of book reviews and blurbs, however, is that the person who's critiquing it isn't you. No matter how enthusiastic or glowing the author's words are, your own assessment of the writing will be based on many differing determining factors, such as your opinion of the genre, your beliefs and values, your experiences, the books you loved and why you loved them, and even the books you hated. Even though Jane Austen and Pride of Prejudice are almost universally loved by book enthusiasts, every time I hear either in conversation my first response is to frown and twitch. I caution readers of all genres that success of a novel does not automatically equate with your personal enjoyment of it. So while reading reviews are helpful and I still recommend you using them, I also recommend taking them with a grain of salt, as well.

To make matters more complicated, hype is a double edged sword in the world of media. A lot of times, I get caught up in the wave of positivity and enthusiasm surrounding a franchise, only to be disappointed when I finally snuggle under the covers to read it. Does that mean the publishers knowingly misled me? Does that mean the novel is bad? No, but it could mean that the book's immense hype created an expectation that the actual material could never live up to, such as the case with the rash of novels calling themselves the "Next Hunger Games" or the next Twilight. You take a great risk when you try to ride on a more successful person's (or franchise's) coattails. While it may be just the claim you need to get people to read your book, unless your novel is 100% like the Hunger Games (which makes you lazy at best and plagiarizing at worse) then people are going to be disappointed because they didn't get what they felt they were paying for.

I recently began reading a novel that has been lauded as one of the best of the year. It's a starred pick from Kirkus Reviews and was acquired in an auction for a six figure amount. Sounds great, right? Well, after reaching the half way point I could only respond with "eh, it's okay." After feigning for this book for months and entering contests after contests to try and win an advanced reader copy... the book was just okay. Everyone was and is still raving about it, but I just don't get it. Was it the immense expectations that ruined it for me, or was the book simply not good enough? Lesson learned: everything is subjective.


Do you generally find reviews helpful or harmful to your reading experience?

They Make Us Cry, Laugh, Jump Up and Down On Keyboards...

Typos.

Yes, I'm referring to a mistake in a document resulting from mechanical failures of some kind; the mechanical failures usually coming from the writer's fingers.

I do realise that there is not a lot you can say about typos - they're inevitable for someone who's writing anything longer than a couple of pages and pretty likely to crop up within the first page unless you have some sort of auto-correct device. Then again, auto correct devices often cause more problems than they solve. The point is, I do not wish to write a post about what typos are or how to avoid making them as I'm pretty sure you all know what they are and that they're pretty much impossible to avoid. This post is designed to cheer up people who have had enough with typos by letting them laugh at some really pathetic ones.

Some unfortunate ones:

• Emoticon typos: These are only found in chat rooms and not in your actual writing, in the main. Nobody likes a winky face in the wrong place.
• Acronym typos: Again, mostly found in chat rooms. Safe to say, if your LOL turns into a LOK or your ROTFL becomes a ROYFL, people will make up the words to go with them.
• When Does becomes Dies: Your finger only has to slip to the side a tiny bit to wish someones life away. Rather worrying, don't you think?

Some absent minded ones:

• "There's no such thing as goats." When I made this typo, I was writing the chapter in my novel that came before a chapter that was devoted to goats. Obviously, the word should have been ghosts. The moral? If you think ahead while you should be writing whatever bit you're doing, you'll type ahead of whatever part you're doing.
• "They knew they were sing, but it felt like home." The "sing" was meant to be trespassing.
• "What the Hull?" Though it has been compared to Hell (not by me - I see nothing wrong with the place), I don't think Hull is what I meant to type there.
  

Some annoying ones:

• ODG. This is not an acronym for Orchard Digging Grannies. This is what I typed about twenty times while trying to type Dog.
• When you leave caps lock on. No more needs to be said.
• Hellp. Instead of Hello, the intended word, this looks more like help.

Do you have any examples of typos you'd like to share? Please feel free to leave comments.

The Quicksand of Procrastination

I’ve only ever experienced the figurative kind of quicksand before. You know, when you try to do something but no matter how hard you try you cannot escape the grasp of failure and procrastination. I do, however, imagine real quicksand to be quite similar. Only... you end up, well, somewhere unpleasant.

Lately, since November last year to be honest, I’ve been in a bit of a slump. A figurative quicksand that I cannot escape. I want to read, yet I find the pile of books beside my bed growing instead of shrinking. The list of things I was meant to do these holidays has not one tick of accomplishment. The blogs I have promised to take care of and participate in have felt the effects of my cold and rather useless shoulder. This suffocating blob-like-state has my mind turned to mush.

How can I have lost the motivation to do the things I love after I finished university? I'll tell you why, because the dreaded Unicorn sucks the very soul out of you! Yes I enjoy learning, and the stuff I'm studying proves useful, but now that it’s finished, all I want to do is be a blob.

This is not good.

So what do you do when you find yourself in this vegetative state of mind? It is extremely difficult (if your anything like me) to break free and you feel even more of a failure when your friends try to help, but you let them down. So. What do you do?

I don't have all the answers, I wish there were a manual somewhere – I'd be the number one fan for sure. But here are some tips for extreme cases of procrastination like me.

1. Find a really good book. (This is what actually got me out of my slump just a couple of days ago!) Then find an even better book to follow up with when you’ve finished the first.

2. Don't sit. As tempting as the TV and computer is, try to go for a walk, swim or whatever takes your fancy. Doing something active usually helps.

3. Keep yourself in good company, whether that be by yourself (some time alone may be what you need) or with a group of mates, their happy moods can often put you in a better one.

4. If you see a movie, hear a song or read something that gives you an idea, ACT ON IT IMMEDIATELY! Don't mull it over, be proactive – it can lead to your success!

Those are the main things I can think of. Now if you’ll excuse me, I'm going to go for a walk!

Bloody Jack by L.A. Meyer

Mary Faber is an orphan, struggling to survive on the streets of London. When the HMS Dolphin docks, she disguises herself and is taken on as a ship's boy named "Jack."

With no wars to fight, the men do what they must - seek out pirates. Mary "Jacky" Faber has never considered herself to be very brave but she must do what she can in the face of bullies, pirates and worse.

Could Jacky be on her way to riches and respect? Or will she be found out and set off at the nearest port? Worse, the noose may wait for her...

I learned about this novel when I was participating in Script Frenzy. A girl in my region (New Zealand) was adapting it into a screenplay and said it was a favourite of hers. I wrote down the name and was determined to read it. It was never available at the library when I wanted it and so I didn't get around to it.

Before I left NZ, I bought my own paperback copy. Despite that, when I discovered 'Bloody Jack' on audio book and sampled it, I was soon to snatch it up. It is narrated by Katherine Kellgren but I didn't get around to listening to it until soon after I had bought and listened to another audio book narrated by her, 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.'

This is my first novel experience you might say - since I didn't really "read" the book - of the year. It was an excellent start.

I think that Jacky is a strong and worthy protagonist. Not because she is super brave or perfect. She isn't. It is because from the moment the story starts - and it is written in first person - she is such a powerful presence. Not in a boisterous sense but in that she struck me as a character I could empathise with and want to carry on through a novel with and perhaps even further.

Jacky has such a grabbing narrative voice. She talks all unrefined like and what have you, I guess you could say. She isn't a pathetic creature but she has this quiver of sensitivity and strength within her. I like how human she is. She's not defined by being a girl or her guise as a boy. She just is what she is and she always surprises in the best of ways. There is a great humour and sadness to her.

I think that if the novel did not have such a main character as Jacky to anchor it, along with the magnificent skills of L.A. Meyer, it would have fallen flat. It just goes to show that in the hands of a good writer and a worthy protagonist, a premise can stir to life and affect a reader where it otherwise might fall flat.

While I think I would have enjoyed the novel even if I had read it from the page, I have to give some credit to my liking for it to Katherine Kellgren. I was most impressed by how she handled the more tense and panicking moments and how she gave melody to songs that would have been tuneless words on a page to me otherwise.

'Bloody Jack' is a wondrous novel and I suggest the audio book to any of those who are inclined to listen to such things. I think I shall soon be listening to the next novel in the series, 'Curse of the Blue Tattoo.'*


*Although I think I may wait a wee while before I do, seeing as 'Bloody Jack' had me so entranced that I was staying up listening it into the maniacal hours of the morn...

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and is used solely as an aide to the review.

The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays by Theresa Cheung

Want to learn about your birthday, yourself and your destiny?

No?

Well, how about an insight into that of a fictional character?

I love astrology, horoscopes and tarot.

Not so much for how they relate to me but for how I can use them to help shape my characters. The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays takes every day of the year (including the 29th of February) and gives an insight into persons born on that day.

Whether or not you believe in this sort of thing, it is a wonderful thing to contemplate when you are creating your characters and possibly choosing their date of birth.

To put the book to the test, I took a few birthdays of fictional characters to see what it had to say.

9th January

Severus Snape detests mediocrity. He is prone to lose his temper. A nap from time to time would do him some good. Sensitivity toward others isn’t scheduled to improve until around the age of 42.

1st July

Indiana Jones is charismatic, adventurous and intelligent. He is impulsive and always ready to help someone out. His own worst enemy, he should try to be in control of the situation instead of letting his impulses run away with him.

18th August

Percy Jackson is sensitive and feels the need to guide and protect others. Once he matures and sets his mind to something, he can achieve it. He is able to gain plenty of friends but needs to take care not to get wrapped up in his emotions.

1st September

Artemis Fowl is obsessed with his work. He likes a challenge but his refusal to give in can hinder him. More laughter in his life would benefit him. Regardless of his age, he will accomplish his goals.

22nd September

Bilbo and Frodo Baggins share the same birthday. The two of them are hardworking, intelligent and a little eccentric. They can be restless and feel the need to make something of themselves. Relationships are important to them but later in life they become more able to rely on themselves.

Those are just a few snippets. Of course, I can't vouch as to whether these are accurate traits of all these characters. What are your opinions?

I find it lots of fun to look through The Element Encyclopedia of Birthdays. In addition to giving information for each birthday, it gives some information on astrology and tarot.

I’m glad to own a copy of this book and I recommend it to anyone interested in choosing the right date of birth for their own fictional characters.

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Harper Element and is used solely as an aide to the review.

Goodnight iPad by Ann Droyd

It's time to go to sleep...but there are so many technological distractions.

I saw this when I was in a book store with my Mum. We read it then and there. The copy we read was a donated book and we were leaving - but I bought this book as soon as I could. I'm glad I did. It's wonderful.

It had been years and years since I'd read 'Goodnight Moon' and all of my (or rather, most likely my brother's) picture books are packed up in storage back in New Zealand. I wish they weren't because I am finding picture books more and more fascinating.

Since I didn't have my own copy of 'Goodnight Moon', I did what was natural and read an in-store copy. It's amazing how this parody has taken the same style of illustrations and details and modernized them. Mice now robots, kittens now expected to do things and everything electronic.

I noticed that while 'Goodnight Moon' had black and white illustrations when there wasn't two-page spreads, 'Goodnight iPad' had vibrant colour all the way through. I find this parody version quite preferable to the oringal. I suppose because I can relate more to staying up into the night playing Angry Birds and listening to audio books on my tablet than I can to mush. Ew.

'Goodnight iPad' is a great read and a must-own book. I found it strange that I had to go to the Humour section in the store to find it. It should be available in the Children's picture book section. After all, these days five year old kids have Blackberrys and cats have iPads.



Note: I love how they have tons of expensive gadgets but everyone has to either share a bed or sleep on the floor.

In accordance with the FTC, Quill Café would like to disclose that the reviewer purchased this book. The opinions expressed are hers alone and no monetary compensation was offered to her by the author or publisher. Cover art is copyright of Blue Rider Press and is used solely as an aide to the review.

Spoilers!

If you have never had a novel spoiled for you, then you’re one of the lucky few. Within this post I will spoil nothing but I will recount a few unfortunate circumstances when I have had plot points spoiled for me, whether by my own doing, by another or by simple misfortune.

That’s a Little More than I Needed to Know

When I was ten years old, I was enthralled by the Harry Potter books. I still am, in fact. I had finished the second book and was about to start the Prisoner of Azkaban. My younger cousin had already read the book and was very excited about it. She gave me a synopsis of the novel…which included the climactic reveal.

My cousin was only eight and she didn’t mean to spoil the book for me but I still held it against her. Regardless, the Prisoner of Azkaban was my favourite of the Harry Potter books for a long time.

Don’t Skip Ahead, You Fool

I have this awful habit when I’m reading. I don’t do it as much now but when I find a novel where I am enamoured with a particular character and they disappear from the plot for a little while, I flick through the pages ahead to see if their name is going to pop up anytime soon.

While I only meant for this to be a way to keep me reading and get me excited about the return of the favoured character, it does often end up spoiling moments for me that lie ahead. After all, why would you want to spoil a moment concerning a character you like?

I Couldn’t Look Away

If there are good books, there will always be scavengers producers ready to adapt them into films. With so many movies coming out each year, it’s hard to keep track of what is based on a book and what isn’t.

Even when you know that something is adapted from a novel and you have your mind set on not seeing the film until you’ve read the book, it doesn’t always turn out that way. I was determined not to watch Water for Elephants until I’d read the novel and yet I found myself on a flight where it was playing and I was sucked in.

I Wish I Hadn’t Decided to Seek Out Spoilers

I’m sure I’m not the only one who is so impatient to learn something that they take the decision to spoil things for themselves. I don’t do this too often – I learn from my mistakes – but it does happen.

Back in 2008, I had just finished reading the three Twilight novels that had been published. I was eager to read the fourth and final book. On the morning that it was released, I still wasn’t willing to wait. I looked up the book on the internet and learned more than I bargained for. My reaction was something of disbelief or rather, ‘Ugh.’

I decided to give the book the benefit of the doubt and purchased it anyway. My reaction was, ‘Eurgh.’ After spoiling things for myself, I was without the surprise and left with only the disappointment.

Justified Paranoia

We return again to Harry Potter. In 2007, the final book in the series, the Deathly Hallows, was released. I was living in New Zealand at the time. This is significant for two reasons.

1. The book was released at the same time all over the world. So while the poor English blokes had to wait at midnight and either stay up all night reading or wait until the morning to start, it was 11am in New Zealand.

2. We weren’t on summer holidays and there was school on Monday.

First of all, the entire novel had been scanned on the internet by some #^!¢& a couple of weeks before the release date. This meant that spoilers about the book were circulating and I was paranoid that I was going to be the unwilling spoilee.

The day before the book was released – a Friday – I ran home from school with music blasting in my ears, dropped my bag and subsequently lost my keys. I had to break into my house.

On Monday, I had read the book but there were plenty of people who hadn’t. Shutting yourself off from the internet and phones is fine on weekends and holidays but when you have to go to school, it is harder to escape these things. During the day, I’m sure I told one guy to f**k off and had a silent determination to bash anyone in with a chair that dared spoil anything to anyone about my favourite fictional character.

It didn’t come to that but I think that the word fanatic is an apt one. True fandom brings out your inner crazy.

Well, That’s Just Not Fair

This one is recent and it sucks. Apart from the co-written ‘Will Grayson, Will Grayson’ I have not read any of John Green’s novels, which is scandalous. The book that everyone tells me I should read first is ‘Looking for Alaska.’ Except…there was an incident.

It happened in a book store. I picked up a copy of ‘Looking for Alaska’ and it slipped in my hand and I fumbled with it. It opened up at the back of the book where you have those suggested questions for book clubs. Why do you think this had to happen in the story? was the gist of it. I was not happy.

Since then, I have purchased a copy of the book but I still have yet to read it. I suppose I need to suck it up and go all Prisoner of Azkaban on its arse because it could turn out to be a fantastic read, regardless.

Spoilers: they suck.