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By Ellie, September 1, 2010 11:20 pm

No real post today, folks. Sorry. Not only have I been more involved with hurricane tracking, an incident came up at work that’s left me rather depressed and, frankly, seriously angry. I don’t even feel like writing a short review of The Infernal Devices: Clockwork Angel. I got to read it before it was even released and I don’t feel like bragging about it. Not that there’s much to brag about, but it’s one of the very few perks my current job offers.

The only light in this situation is that I’m more motivated than ever to find another job. But at the same time, I just want to mope before I even think about sending my resumé out again.

Obviously, with the storm coming this way, I probably won’t be able to post Friday. So I’ll come up with something short and sweet on Monday.

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By Ellie, April 13, 2010 10:05 pm

Ever had someone discuss a book with you? Of course you have. We’ve all had that one person who can’t stop waxing philosophical about the story’s symbolism, the pure genius of carefully crafted prose, or the stark realistic personalities. Personally, I suspect some minor brain damage in these people, especially if they’re discussing the latest addition to pop culture that’s really nothing more than brain candy. (Give yourself a digital cookie if you guessed that I was talking about Twilight.)

But I seem to be a magnet for people who tell me–no, demand that I read a book, and then give their reasons why:

“It’s changed my life. I’ll never look at crawfish mucus the same way again.”

“You have to read this, you just have to! Their love is so true and complete, even if they’ve only known each other for a split second!”

“Omigod, this book is so worth your time! I, like, skipped school and work just so I could finish it. Likeomigod! I totally flunked Psych 101, butIduncare!” *giggle-smack-gum-twirl-hair*

Aside from the fervent raving, these people’s demands irk me in ways you can’t even imagine. First of all, if you tell me that a book is worth my time, you’re making some pretty big assumptions about me. Aggravatingly enough, it’s always a stranger who pulls this crap.

No one in my family or circle of friends has ever told me that a book is “worth [my] time.” Not because they’re afraid of me or because I’ve blown up at them. They know me too well to try to force a title in my already swollen to-read list. But they understand my humor and tastes; they’ll tell me about the books they’ve read. They might even suggest that I pick up one of these titles.

Suggesting and telling are two totally different things, after all.

“I really enjoyed this guy’s writing. He’s hilarious! You might enjoy this one, El…” is infinitely better than “Oh, you’ve gotta read this one! Your life will never be the same again!”

Why are you telling me to spend my precious time reading a book that I might not even enjoy? You don’t even know what I enjoy doing in my spare time. I don’t follow mainstream pop culture all that much. I’ve never watched American Idol and I make no plans to do so in the future. I’m a gal who enjoys going on TV Tropes to learn obscure trivia about Disney characters. I like to watch Super Mario Bros. cartoons. I grew up on MST3K and have done my own riffing on godawful novels. I go through phases where I read mysteries, then go on to romance, and then on to historical biographies. What the hell do you know about me?

If you must rave about how Wally Lamb wrote from the point of view of an overweight teenage girl with a peculiar obsession over a whale and ends up identifying with it (this is an actual book), and how you cried like a bitch afterwards, then do so. But don’t tell me that I HAVE to read it.

Besides, Dave Barry’s spoiled me for other male writers.

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By Ellie, March 9, 2010 11:01 pm

Edit: It’s 18th century Scotland. Not 17th century. Funny how one number can make a screaming difference…

The wonders and frustrations of technology. Just as I’m 1/4 of the way through the next installment of the Disney Afternoon comic recap, I learn that the scanner is having issues. Nothing that a recent driver can’t fix, but the problem is finding the right one and making sure that Vista accepts it. And, no, I’m not calling Dell tech support for assistance. I can’t speak Hindi.

So instead of the usual “Sorry guys, update next week, I swear, tee-hee!” spiel, I’m doing something different: mini-reviews of five books I’ve read or am still reading. So quit yer bellyachin’!

Stray (Shifters #1) by Rachel Vincent: I shouldn’t like TSTL (too stupid to live) poor little rich girls, but no one’s done a werecat story before. I hate to admit it, but I actually enjoyed this Harlequin 600+-page doorstop novel, despite the brutal attacks against tabbies/women. Hopefully the sequel, Rogue is more tame. (Absolutely no pun intended.)

Outlander by Diana Gabaldon: Time-traveling, attempted rape, forced marriage, attempted rape, sex all over the place, attempted rape, wife beating, actual male rape. Despite all this and the neverendingness of it all, I enjoyed the atmosphere of 18th century Scotland. I began the sequel, Dragonfly in Amber, but I’m still stuck around page 120. This is one of those books that I’ll have to read in bits and pieces throughout the year, I guess.

The Last Rainbow by Parke Godwin: A truly rare book that’s hard to find, even through Amazon and eBay. This is actually the third book in a King Arthur/Camelot trilogy the author began, and the subject matter is a strange departure. For one, the hero is a young priest who will eventually be known as St. Patrick. For another, it deals with his life among the Prydn, or Faerie folk. These aren’t the delicate, gossamer-winged fairies, though; these are a primitive people who strongly resemble the ancient Celts in every imaginable way, though they’re very unique. (How’s that for vague?) Almost done with this one; the entire section concerning warfare nearly bested me, and it’s hard to muster the desire to continue.

Ethan of Athos by Mary McMaster Bujold: Men reproducing IN SPACE. An all-male colony faces extinction when it’s discovered that a shipment of ovarian tissue cultures has spoiled. In order to save his people, Dr. Ethan Urquhart must venture to another world and get to the bottom of the mystery. Along the way, he meets the very attractive, and very female, Commander Elli Quinn. Only 1/4 of the way through this one, but I hope to see fireworks between these two… and more gay undertones from the other Athosians. From what I’ve gathered, this is part of a series, but it stands alone very well.

Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency by Douglas Adams: I enjoyed all the the Hitchhiker novels, save the last one, which was dragged down by romance. I actually howled with laughter while reading The Long Dark Tea-Time of the Soul, which was the second and final Dirk Gently novel. But I can’t get through this one. I’m reminded of a review I read on GoodReads where the (English) fellow remarked that Douglas Adams couldn’t write real plot, and that his novels just serve to remind British people of “how depressingly British they are.” I can’t claim the latter, but I do kind of agree with the “no plot” accusation. Another book I’ll have to read in bits and pieces, if I don’t end up taking it back to the used books place.

Looking back on this list, it’s almost saddening to realize that I’ve only finished two out of the five. What’s even sadder is that I’ve got several more books I need to start reading… or finish reading. I’ve given myself a year to finish my To Read Shelf; I can get it done in three.

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By Ellie, February 23, 2010 12:11 pm

I didn’t think a nose could get so flaky and red from all those tissues. Screw you, Kleenex.

What was first believed to be allergies turned out to be a fantastically mind-banging combination of nasal congestion and fatigue. That’s right, folks. I’m sick. While I’m able to move around, hold mundane conversations, and go to my job, my brain just doesn’t want to put any effort into being snarky. Just reading light literature makes my cerebral cortex want to curl up into the fetal position… which would be pretty awesome to see, actually.

So no update today (or midnight on Wednesday mornings, as it really has been). I’ll probably have this thing beat by tomorrow, but if not, you can expect a post no later than Friday night.

Now I gotta get my aching bones out of bed.