The Caffeinated Bibliophile

I have tried to write this review multiple times now, yet the words just wont come... so let me start by saying I just loved Cinder, even with its downsides.  

Injured in, what she is told was, an accident which killed her parents, Cinder was adopted by a scientist, Garan, who soon after contracts the fatal plague, Letumosis. Cinder grows up in a world fraught with the plague and a prejudice towards cyborgs, humans with cybernetic implants.  Raised by a woman who despises, and even blames her, Cinder is sent to work as a mechanic to fund her Step-Mother's lifestyle.  

Cinder is a natural mechanic, with the added bonus of her implants which allow her to search and bring up the plans and schematics of everything she repairs.  Her skills are so good that her reputation precedes her and the young imperial prince, Kai, seeks her services to repair his robot. Thus beginning a series of events that turn Cinder's world upside down. 

I've seen other reviewers complain about Cinder's actions in regards to visiting her ill sister, or injecting the young boy with the cure... We need to remember that Cinder is a teen, rational thought doesn't always come so easily, especially when emotions are involved.  

Peony was the only person in the world to treat Cinder like a person, even an equal. This loss would have been incredibly hard for Cinder, the urge to visit her would have been far greater than any concern over how the disease can be spread.  Similarly when Cinder went gave the cure to the young boy, she was distraught, too late to save the person who mattered the most to her.  Seeing someone she knew, if only in passing when his mother wasn't looking, Cinder reacted to her emotions and gave a second chance at life to someone who otherwise would soon die.

I'm not sure if any of this was intentional, but I particularly liked the setting of New Beijing, given that the story of Cinderella originated in China around the 9th century.  Cinder's too small foot tying in with the Chinese tradition of foot binding, particularly within wealthy households, and the perceived beauty of small feet.  

I love that Cinder was an outcast, a misfit, who was often mistreated just for having implants she didn't ask to have. She worked in a male dominated occupation, Kai's reaction to her being the mechanic seems to suggest he expected someone older and male. 

My biggest issue is that it was just too predictable... part of which can be attributed to the fact that the story of Cinderella is so well known.  The rest, as someone who isn't an author, I can only imagine how hard it is to hide the significant plot points without leaving them out completely.  Adding it on at the end can seem like an after thought, yet adding it into the story, can lead to predictability, as happened here.  

Aside from that, I think Meyer did an exceptional job of re-imagining an old fairy tale. 

4.5 stars

When I first heard that Nimona was being released I was excited, even though I had not read it in its web-comic form.  I had previously read Stevenson's Lumberjanes series and enjoyed her style and humour.  Given my love of Lumberjanes, I had high expectations for this, I was not disappointed. I loved it!

I'm always for stories with a strong female protagonist, but this was even better! Nimona has no love interest, meaning she's not some love sick puppy. Nimona doesn't conform to the traditional conventions of beauty. She's not tall, nor slim, nor does she have an abundance of luscious locks. She's strong willed, intelligent, and doesn't let anyone tell her what to do. Even when Blackheart tries to get her to stick to the plan, she follows her own path.

I love that Blitzmeyer is so wrapped up in her work she doesn't have time for anything but tea and science. I love that the director of the institute is a woman who shows no mercy.

Goldenlion, the hero who wasn't pure, angelic and perfect. Blackheart, the villian who didn't want to kill anyone, whose intentions were ultimately good. I enjoyed the bromance between the two. Each never wanting to harm the other, never wanting to be rid of their nemesis.

The story line was well written and coherent, clever and clean. One I'm encouraging my girls to read, even if they're sick of me telling them they should read this or that.

I gave Nimona 5 stars.

Oh Humble Bundle, you really know how to sucker me into spending money!  

For the next fortnight they have a Neil Gaiman book pack, including speeches, scripts and other random tidbits I've never seen.  I can hear my bank account groaning already.

Gorgeous futuristic retelling of a classic.  

review to come.

Holiday adventures? Checked. Sunburn? Checked. Sand on a carpet, in your bed, in a bag? Checked. Screams on a roller-coaster? Checked. Crazy photos? Checked. Completed TBR pile? Checked in 50%. Packed school bag? Not yet. 

Farewell holidays, welcome new school year. But worry not my friends - here we come with a helping hand! These 11 accessories will help you stay in the bookish mood in school setting. Stay strong and read on. 

1. These bookish pencils with your favorite book quotes will help you stay in a good shape outside your reading room.

via Etsy

2. These cool bookmarks will show exactly how you feel about the passage!?!

via Kate Spade

3. These socks are simply too cool not to have them during the semester!

via ModCloth

4. This blouse will end up all rumors about your super powers. Isn't that obvious?

via Human

5. This punk rock authors tote bag is a badass in schoolbags and it's a #MUSTHAVE!

via Out of Print

6. With this lunch box, you'll have a minute or two to finish up a chapter. Perfect!

via Zazzle

7. This personalized travel mug is a perfect wake up cup for commuters. Reading & drinking coffee -- can you imagine a better morning? 

via Picture In A Dream on Etsy

8. This watch will remind you that there's aways good time for a book. 

found on Ebay

9. These lovely notebooks will give you plenty of space for your notes, comments, quotes, and your homework - if you find an empty page (yeah, wishful thinking).

via Book Lover Gifts

And for your deepest literary thoughts, use this marvelous leather journals. 

 found on Book Lover Gifts and AliExpress

10. Even the biggest hard core reader needs to stay in touch with real people (oh man, seriously?). This charging dock will charge not only your phone but also your mindset. "May the Force be with you." 

via Rich Neeley Designs on Etsy

11. These sticky notes will show you way back to the highlighted passages and favorite quotes. 

via Amazon

This sticky notes set allows you to mark a book page with an appropriate emoticon, and you'll feel like on BookLikes again - how cool is that! :D 

 via Amazon

I apologise in advance for keeping this brief, life is getting in the way of full reviews.  

My initial reaction is ehh... That's not to say I didn't enjoy it, because I did.  Just that it was a little overwhelming in parts, especially for the first book in a long and winding series.  Maybe I just wasn't concentrating as much as I should have been, considering I listened to most of it while studying, this is highly likely.

Definitely revisit in the future when I can focus solely on this.  But for now 4 out of 5 stars

Amanda Palmer isn't everyone's cup of tea. She's brash, she's creative and she's not ashamed to let the world know it.

Amanda takes us on her journey, as an artist, from her beginnings as a human statue, through her stripping career, through to her highly successful Kickstarter, and her woes of allowing her own hubby, one Neil Gaiman, to help her with her struggles.

As an artist, asking is something I too struggle with, I await the 'fraud police' to visit any time I think about showing some work.  Why would anyone want to buy my work, or support my art, when there are so many other, far more talented artists out there.

Amanda's approach isn't really about asking, it's about connecting.  Seeing and being seen.  How often do we really see those around us? How often do we connect?

I came across some very fitting videos from a group called The Liberators earlier today, before I finished reading this book.  But sitting, watching their videos, showed the connection Amanda was talking about.  The simple act of eye contact left so many people open and vulnerable, they were being seen by someone, not just looked at.  Tears were shed, hugs were had, and those people had a whole new level of understanding about themselves and the strangers they shared that minute with. 

This same group did another similar act, one member stripping to her underwear in London, blindfolded herself, and asked strangers to draw hearts on her in an effort to encourage self acceptance.  A powerful gesture of trust and understanding.

Amanda's struggles with making ends meet, her own battles with her own inner 'fraud police'.  I now have a completely new perspective on street performers, they're s much more than someone standing, singing, playing, they are art, they're asking you to see them, not just as someone who needs to 'get a job', but as an artist in their own right.  Recognise that they are working, they're offering a service, it's just not flipping burgers or filing papers.

So the next time you're wondering why that busker wont go and get a job, rewind and ask yourself if you're enjoying their performance, if you find that you are, toss them a few bucks, you never know, they may be the next Amanda Palmer.

As a long time fan, who enjoyed Amanda's book writing as much as her quirky song writing, I gave the Art of Asking 5 stars.

Hit up amandapalmer.net/theartofasking for more on the book and her music.

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I just wanted to add some thoughts on the topic of Anthony.  At the time of my reading this book, Anthony had sadly passed along, mere weeks before.  The pictures of Amanda by his bedside during his last days really show the depth of love and care the two shared.  It makes me sad that he wont be around to share the joy of baby Palmer/Gaiman's arrival, and worse that the joy will also be full of sadness for Amanda and Neil.  

Feeling a little sad of late.  Started back at Uni a few weeks back, and it's cutting into my reading time a bit more than I expected... The sacrifices we make!

Thankfully I haven't had to stop reading non syllabus stuff all together, it's just taking longer to get through things.  Just over a month until term break, then I'll have to get stuck in and do nothing but read for the entire time.

In the mean time, I've picked up some audio books to fill the void...  Right now it's Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone with my children during dinner (I'm one of those weird parents who doesn't do tv), Hamlet when I'm running through my mathematics homework and the books on my currently reading shelf in the 20 minutes, or more, between going to bed and falling asleep.

Hopefully with this routine, I can get my reading challenges completed!

When I initially picked this up, I found it hard to get used to the lingo used. Not one for audiobooks usually, I felt that I needed to hear Alice Walker retelling her story. This made it easier to read when I did pick up the ebook while I was out and about without access to the audio files.

There is something about this book that resonates deep within me. Something that I can't yet put into words. I'll try to articulate my review soon.

Not my favourite John Green book (Currently that honour goes to Paper Towns)... but it still hit me right in the feels.

I didn't feel it was as polished as his other books, being the first, and his characters lacked the depth that his later books have, but as it was still well written.

SPOILERy bits and my own thoughts/experiences to follow.

Firstly, the bit I didn't like... the counting the layers thing. JUST PLAIN CREEPY. Do teenage boys really think like that? Sadly I already know the answer; it's not just teenage boys, I spent 12 years with a man who was just as creepy (but that's a story for a different time).

Secondly, the drinking, smoking and sex was really going to be a 'don't like' bit. I was going to complain and say this feels a bit unrealistic, then in reflection I realised, I drank and smoked more at 16 than I have at 34 (having quit smoking at 23 and lived with the alcoholism of the above mention creepy ex), as for the sex, well the same is, sadly, also true. So now it's floating somewhere between don't and do like...

The need to fit in is so strong when you're a teen, you're trying to make your mark on the world in whatever way you can, that there doesn't even need to be peer pressure for someone to join in with an activity they wouldn't have previously considered. The consequences be damned.

Things I liked... The chapter count down gave a sense of anticipation, what could we be counting down to, is it going to be the prank of the century? Are Miles and Alaska going to hook up? Then BAM! he hits you with that, right there in them feels.

I have been lucky, I have never lost anyone close to me through a car accident, but I know plenty of people who have, some numerous times. I have lost many people that I loved though, some after long suffering battles with cancer or other fatal disease, others through sudden causes; like heart attack, some through suicide. I had dealt with all 3 by the time I was 13.

I don't think it matters whether you have had time to prepare yourself for loss or if it's suddenly thrust upon you, you still question yourself. Is there anything you should have/shouldn't have done? was it something you did/didn't do? It makes you question your own mortality, maybe more so as a teen, when you do feel invincible, but definitely as an adult as well, when you realise that this person (in the case of this book for example) is the same age as you.

Overall, I think the book was fairly true to how I remember my teenage years, and how I've dealt with loss (looking for answers, wondering if it was my fault etc).

I was going to give this 3 stars, but upon writing this and looking at my written thoughts, I've moved it up to 4 stars.

I seem to be having a very Ned Kelly year, starting off with my daughters First Fleet assignment, in which Red Kelly, Ned's father, was the first Irish convict to be transported to the new colony. That was followed up with the musical Ned, in the fitting setting of the old Bendigo Gaol, which has been converted into the new Ulumbarra Theatre.

~130 years since the man was hanged for his crimes, his legend still lives on. The original Aussie Battler, trying hard to survive the harsh Victorian countryside, when everything was against him, his heritage, his upbringing, even his name. I don't know what it is with us Aussies, but we love a good underdog story, someone sticking it to the man, when most would have long given up. Ned Kelly seems to be the epitome of this.

Carey created a wonderful, well researched, flowing narrative. It was easy to imagine Kelly sitting down, writing out these letters, reliving his life in paper, in an open letter to his daughter. It was not hard to picture the beautiful yet dangerous countryside that the Kelly's and their various cronies roamed around, this is my home after all.

I am in awe of the distances they traveled on horseback. These trips take hours in a car on a freeway, though we don't have the joy of following ridges and dry creek beds. As much as I romanticise about travelling on horseback around this beautiful state, I can't imagine the conditions they must have deal with spending days travelling from one hideout to another, let alone in the heat of our Summer, the chill of our winter, during a bushfire, or when there's torrential rain and flash flooding.

I would recommend this to anyone who loves history, to every Victorian and to anyone who loves a good underdog story.

5 stars.