January 4

Books read in 2011

Lots of good ones!

January

1. Shotgun Sorceress by Lucy A. Snyder

2. Angel: After the Fall #2: First Night

3. The Dreadful Doctor Faust by K.H. Koehler

4. I Kissed a Zombie and I Liked it by Adam Selzer

5. Raiju by K.H. Koehler

6. Captain Underpants and the Attack of the Talking Toilets by Dav Pilkey

7. Brains a zombie memoir by Robin Becker

8. The Reapers are the Angels by Alden Bell

9. Hallowed Circle by Linda Robertson

 

February

10. Captain Underpants #3 by Dav Pilkey

11. Anatomy of Evil by Michael Stone

12. Zombie Powder #1 by Tite Kubo

13. Zombie Powder #2 by Tite Kubo

14. Zombie Powder #3 by Tite Kubo

15. Zombie Powder #4 by Tite Kubo

16. How to Speak Zombie

17. Embers by Laura Bickle

18. Murky Depths #15

19. In the Basement by Michele Lee

 

March

20. Captain UnderPants #4 by Dav Pilkey

21. Half Past Dead by Zoe Archer & Bianca D’Arc

22. Demon Dance by Sam Stone

23. Demonglass by Rachel Hawkins

24. The Dog Rules by Coco La Rue

25. Captain Underpants #5

 

April

26. Shady Lady by Ann Aguirre

27. Storm of Magick by LA Burton

28. Wintergirls by Laurie Halse Anderson

29. This Totally Bites! By Ruth Aimes

30. The Adventures of Super Diaper Baby by George Bread & Harold Hutchins

31. Enclave by Ann Aguirre

 

May

32. Captain Underpants #6

33. Private Lessons by M. Lush

34. Burning Shadows by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro

35. River Marked by Patricia Briggs

36. An Agreement with Hell by Dru Pagliassotti

37. Night Child by Jes Battis

38. Haunting Blue by RJ Sullivan

39. Bunnicula by James Howe

40. Death Masks by Jim Butcher

41. Dead Reckoning by Charlaine Harris

 

June

42. Wild by Naomi Clark

43. Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

44. How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

45. Howliday Inn by James Howe

46. How to Seduce a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

47. By the Light of the Moon by Larry Kerr

48. The Celery Stalks at Midnight by James Howe

 

July

49. On the Prowl

50. Blood Lite

51. Midnight Howl by Clare Hutton

52. Haunted By Your Touch

53. Dark and Stormy Knights

54. Captain Underpants #7

 

August

55. Zombies don’t Cry by Rusty Fischer

56. Sparks and Shadows by Lucy Snyder

57. As I Embrace my Jagged Edges by Lee Thompson

58. Asylum by Mark Allen Gunnells

59. Peter the Wolf by Zoe Whitten

60. Death Sword by Pamela Turner

61. Fatal Circle by Linda Robertson

 

September

62. Queen of Shadows by Dianne Sylvan

63. Clockwork Vampire by K.H. Koehler (Jan read, published Sept.)

64. From Bad to Cursed by Katie Alender

65. Shadowflame by Dianne Sylvan

66. Murky Depths #16

67. Fifty-Two Stitches

68. Doppelganger by Byron Starr

69. Murky Depths #17

 

October

70. The Snow Queen’s Shadow by Jim C. Hines

71. This is My Blood by David Niall Wilson

72. The Loving Dead by Amelia Beamer

73. Monster Moon: Secret of Haunted Bog by BBH McChiller

74. Jack O’ Spec edited by Karen A. Romanko

75. Labyrinth of the Dead by Sara Harvey

76. Beware the Snallgaster by Patrick Boyton

77. Apexology: Horror

78. Stiff: The Curious Life of Human Cadavers by Mary Roach

 

November

79. ElfQuest v 1: Fire & Flight (#1-5) by Richard & Wendy Pini

80. Elfquest v 2: Forbidden Grove (#6-10) by Richard & Wendy Pini

81. ElfQuest v 3: Captives at Blue Mountain (#11-15) by Richard & Wendy Pini

82. ElfQuest v 4: Quest’s End (#16-20) by Richard and Wendy Pini

83. ElfQuest v 5 Siege at Blue Mountain by Richard & Wendy Pini

84. ElfQuest v 6: Secret of Two-Edge

85. ElfQuest v 7: The Cry From Beyond

86. ElfQuest v 8: Kings of the Broken Wheel

87. ElfQuest: Hidden Years by Wendy & Richard Pini

88. Wayside School is Falling Down by Louis Sachar

89. ElfQuest v 9: Rogue’s Challenge by Wendy & Richard Pini

90. ElfQuest: Hidden Years (#10-13)

91. ElfQuest: Hidden Years (#14-#17)

92. Allegiance to a Dead Man by Sara M. Harvey

93. Blood Rites by Jim Butcher

94. Breathers by S.G. Browne

95. House of Fallen Trees by Gina Ranalli

96. Wayside School Gets a Little Stranger by Louis Sachar

 

December

97. Zombie Racoons and Killer Bunnies

98. Zombielicious by Timothy McGivney

99. Aftermath by Ann Aguirre

100. Fate’s Edge by Ilona Andrews

101. A Clockwork Vampire by K.H. Koehler

 

Category: Personal | Comments Off on Books read in 2011
December 27

Was 2011 a failure?

This is a question I’ve been asking myself since Yule. I still can’t answer it.

I’ve been troubled a lot this week by looking back and realizing this time last year I had a good job I liked, was hunting for assistance to go back to school, had quite a few stories published, fewer bills, met one of my author idols, interviewed another, hit all my writing goals…

And this year I’ve had (and lost) 4 jobs, my only publications are self publications, my husband is very likely losing his job, we’re behind on bills, I’ve not got crap done as far as writing and I’ve been in an out of a depression for eight months. It’s not all bad. I sold my first novel, none of the job losses were my fault (in fact two have called me back for second positions now, hopefully the most recent one will be a permanent position), I’m healthy when a lot of people haven’t been, my kids are doing excellent in school, and I got a freelance gig as a slush editor, a job I’d been wanting for years now.

It’s no wonder I’m feeling lost in an ocean of…stuff. Emotions, facts, trends, wants, needs, fears.

I admit that I’m one of those people who look way to much at what I haven’t done, the days I went and spent time with the kids and the husband instead of sitting down to write, or the days when I was too emotional to get anything done, fighting my own brain chemistry. I know the depression is certainly not my fault. I know spending time with my family is certainly not time wasted. But I’m a creature of guilt and I feel guilty for not being significantly closer to my goals this year. I feel guilty for not being stronger than stupid depression.

2011 has made me feel, more than anything, weak. So many things have slipped through my fingers, and I probably couldn’t have stopped any of them. But that doesn’t stop me from wondering if I could have. From asking myself how I expect to be able to make deadlines, to do this as a career if I can’t make myself sit down and write everyday. How do I expect to make a living off my words if I can’t overcome biological laziness and stress?

The other part of the problem is that I have a really hard time demanding my needs be met. I have a hard time telling my family no, I HAVE to get this scene done. I have a hard time telling my boss, no, you cannot change my schedule on me three times in two days. I have a hard time telling other authors emailing me for book reviews, no, I just don’t have the time.

I started out this year as a bookseller. I’ve been reviewing since 2007. I’ve been fan-girl reviewer for so long people I’ve submitted to have told me they didn’t know I was an author when I mentioned my book. I consistently read instead of writing. I consistently review instead of writing. The only goals I’ve reached this year are my books read and reviews written ones.

Books make me happy. Reading them, reviewing them, getting to talk about them, getting to edit them and pick them out of slush piles and… I love books, with the whole of my being. I think it’s time I love MY books too.

I’m not quitting reviewing. I do like talking books and unless I get another bookselling job (which is unlikely the way things are right now) reviewing is my forum for that. Plus I really enjoy working with the Monster Librarian crew. But I have been given a new position at ML, which allows more original work and less straight reviewing. And there’s nothing saying I have to review every book I read anymore.

I have to tell myself it’s okay to work on my stories. It’s okay to take time for my projects. I love the book community, but I need to rebuild myself a bit, because it feels like I’ve been flaking away this year while I’ve been tossed around.

Was 2011 a failure? I can’t say that because that would mean Wolf Heart is unimportant and Violet Ivy is unimportant and the books I have gotten done and the goals I have reached are unimportant. But 2012 calls for a refocusing, beyond making goals and trying to stay motivated to reach them. 2012 calls for changes from a deeper place, a place which means the blog might be quieter and less interaction online and less reviews and cons and such. Because I really do feel I have more to give than just my reviews and my support as a fan and as a reader.

I have stories to tell, and emotions to make you feel, and it’s about time I brought that side out again.

Category: Business, Personal | 4 Comments on Was 2011 a failure?
December 25

Recommended Reads

(Just in case you got an ereader for a gift and don’t know what to get.)

Aftermath by Ann Aguirre

Aftermath is the fifth book in a six book series, which means if you love science fiction with rich detail and characters, grand world-changing adventure and a dose of romance this isn’t the book to start with. (You should start at the beginning Grimspace.) And if you’re already a fan of the series, well you don’t need me to tell you to check out this book.

 

But I enjoyed Aftermath quite a bit, though within it Aguirre is attempting to wrap up several strands in Jax’s universe. In the last book Jax, March and crew took on military orders and faced down an invasion of the flesh-eating nasties of the universe, the Morgut. In the process she reprogrammed the entire system of markers inside grimspace which makes interstellar travel possible. Now her actions see her facing treason charges, arrested and waiting in prison for trial, trying to deal with the public and personal cost.

A lot happens in this book, and the pace is larger scale than the previous books. This is the first book in the series that doesn’t feel like a complete story of its own, but it does a necessary job of both wrapping up some plot threads and pushing Jax and company into new paths in life.

Aguirre proves that her Jax-universe has plenty more secrets, and that the character arc of Jax herself doesn’t include giving up all the wanderlust and charm that readers came to love for a happy ending. Aftermath is an enjoyable, vivid read. I recommend the whole series, especially for character-based science fiction fans (like those who enjoy Star Wars and Serenity).

Fate’s Edge by Ilona Andrews

The third book in Andrews’ rural-modern fantasy series is also the first to be a less satisfactory starting place for new readers. And again fans of the series already will find all the things they love about it here for their eager eyes.

In the Edge series there are three world settings, the Broken, where magic doesn’t work, the Weird, where magic developed instead of science and fantasy-style nobles and bluebloods rule, and finally the Edge, a space between the Broken and Weird that collects exiles, runaways and all manner of odd folk. Fate’s Edge focuses on Kaldar (also in the second book) a swamp rat swindler turned Special Agent for the Weird. His female lead is Audrey, a woman whose family used her magical talent for thievery only to betray her in favor of her addict, abusive brother.

There’s a lot more world-building and setting related material here than in the previous books. The past books and the Weird politics are far more essential to the story. Likewise, there’s a difficulty in a book where both leads are, by legal if not moral standards, bad guys (just not as bad as the evil, magical skewed, murdering Hand). There’s quite a few times where the romance element between Kaldar and Audrey is shoved to the background. The main plot, too, takes an unconventional path as the leads seem to get distracted with side plots rather than attacking the problem at hand directly (like the leads in the first 2 books did).

That said, I really enjoyed it. Andrews’ writing style is richly detailed, wonderfully expansive and unconventional. It’s action-y and engaging, an enjoyable read from page one. But this isn’t where new readers should start (you should start with On the Edge).

A Clockwork Vampire by K.H. Koehler

Koehler’s A Clockwork Vampire is part steampunk, part modern urban fantasy and part classic Agatha Christie-style mystery. This delicious blend of different is pure fun.

Eliza McGillicuddy is an inventor by trade and a wife by choice. Her husband is a vampire with a clockwork heart and a dark secret that’s about to knock on their door. He’s the Heir and Enforcer to one of the most reclusive and dangerous vampires in the world, a master who wants him to come back and solve a series of vampire murders. Eliza has a few secrets herself, none of which makes facing a centuries old vampire lord any easier.

Koehler’s world building is stellar, her characters charming and complicated and her story outrageous fun. A Clockwork Vampire has a lot to offer readers who both love, but are tired of genre tropes, or those looking to expand their interests. I highly recommend it to paranormal fans and can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Category: Personal | 1 Comment on Recommended Reads
October 13

I never considered myself a feminist

I’ve blogged before about how I never really realized the depth of neglect in my childhood until I was raising a child of my own. The same is true of me and feminism. I never considered myself a feminist, but how could I not be while I’m trying to raise my daughter.

I know she’s only seven, but we’ve already talked about how the way women in tv/movies/comics dress and how it affects them/her (“It’s okay for adults to wear what they want, but I think I should wear clothes that cover all the parts of me that other people shouldn’t touch.”), how she feels that girls aren’t supposed to like science fiction, and recently we’ve talked about women’s inequality.

I never meant to have these talks with her. But I refuse to skip a chance to talk about a deeper issue just because she’s seven. Or just because I’m uncomfortable with the topic, or I don’t really have answers to give her. It didn’t escape our notice that most of the people who criticized our Dear DC blog were male, and all the people who got outright nasty were male. What surprised me was that after the Ms. Magazine blog picked up the article she asked me what a feminist was.

I explained that feminist has come to mean a lot of things, but basically it’s a person, male or female, who fights for the right of women to be equal. This confused her. When I explained that there was a time when women weren’t allowed to vote, when they couldn’t own property, they couldn’t hold most jobs and often weren’t allowed to go to school after a certain age she was stunned. She’d never considered such a thing. I have a hard time trying to explain why this is, too.

Worse, we had the misfortune of experiencing that kind of sexism this year. I’m an avid role player, hard core table top and I met my partner at a LARP. Earlier this year I was part of a D&D game that I loved. Unfortunately one of the late-addition players has a problem with women. We came to an outright confrontation when I wouldn’t spend my experience the way he demanded that I do it, and furthermore when I played my character in a way he didn’t like.  (For those in the know, my elven fighter was made commander of a moderate amount of troops and he, as the player, demanded that I turn over the troop to his character’s control and became extremely agitated and augmentative when I chose to command my own troops. Pretty much everything I did that last game was met by arguing, yelling and physical agitation by him.)

The DM decided, rather than supporting my right to play my character my way to break up the problem by kicking me out of the game. That’s right, not the person causing the fights. Me, for not giving into him, I guess. I don’t know.  They didn’t even have the balls to tell me they were kicking me out, they said the game was over and then snuck off to play somewhere else.

Then a few months later the problem player expressly invited my partner to come play in a game he was running and made sure it was clear that I was not invited. Here’s the kicker, there are two other women in the circle of friends who are tolerated to “hang out” (but aren’t allowed to role play) but they don’t talk much and they certainly never disagree with said jerk.

I admit my feelings were hurt. This was not a new set of friends. They were people who had lived with us at time after losing their homes. People I bought food for. People I supported at times with money, but mostly emotionally and with help like rides places, research, lend resources, etc. For years we got along fine.

This hasn’t escaped my daughter’s notice, especially since on these game days even she and her brother are welcome to go play with the other kids, but somehow I’m not welcome.

So she asked, and now she knows that yes, there are still people out there who think women don’t deserve to be equal. I’m not talking about the unconscious skewing of society to oh, de-criminalize domestic violence because the perception is that it’s a female crime. Or the habit of people to blame the victim when it comes to rape but not for male-on-male assault, or even, say gang violence or murder. Or the sexualization of women in media, but not men. (Or at least, certainly not to the same degree. There certainly is a fictional image of perfection present in males in media, but it’s skewed more toward strength and confidence and perfection of moral character–either toward good or evil–not sexualized.)

So now it’s hard not to see it, even for her. and once you see it it’s ridiculous for me not to tell her that just because some people fall for the B.S., just because some people outright buy into it, doesn’t mean she has to be let them make her less of a person. It doesn’t make her opinion, her voice, invalid. It’s jsut so important to me that she know that, and if that makes me a feminist, so be it.

Category: Business, Family, Girly Stuff, Personal | 6 Comments on I never considered myself a feminist