Sunday, May 15, 2016

Fortnightly Update #10: Unfortunate Book Covers and Porch Sitting


Recent Acquisitions (or the Piling of the-Piles):

the-pile Additions:

The heroine of Volume 2 looks like she walked off a bad music video set...

The Quarters Novels: Volume I (Quarters #1-2) by Tanya Huff
The Quarters Novels: Volume II (Quarters #3-4) by Tanya Huff
I would advise you not judge these books by the plague of their older covers. Had I picked these up in a bookstore, I would assume they were dated, corny, and quite possibly sci-fi, NOT fantasy (as they actually are). However, having read Sing the Four Quarters, I can tell you that is not the case. I'm excited to dive into the final three books in this series, even though I'm a bit put out that Annice and Pjerin don't show up in it.

the-invisible-pile Additions:


I've somehow avoided buying this book before, though I've had it recommended to me. I just can't resist a book with dragons in it...

Won:


I won Coloring for All Seasons, some bookish swag, and an Amazon gift card from La La in the Library! Thanks, La La! (I actually ran out of bookmarks last night [the bookmark elf stole them from me] so the bookmarks came in handy).

Currently Reading:


Ship of Destiny (Liveship Traders #3) by Robin Hobb
The more I read this series, the more I love it. Although I was lukewarm about the characters in the first book, they have grown a lot, and I don't have trouble remembering which person they are (which happens to me in a lot of multiple POV fantasy books).


The Romanov Prophecy by Steve Berry
I'm reading this for Travel the World in Books (we are reading any book set in Russia and/or authored by a Russian), and also to help clear out the dregs of my pile. I can't recall how long I've had this, but thrillers are generally not for me.

Finished These Books:


This was so cute and funny. I've had traumatic experiences with some of Tessa Dare's other works (they were WAY too far-fetched and dramatic), but this one is a gem. And usually I loathe historical romances with Scottish heroes in them.


Although I did get stalled about midway through, it was more a wandering brain issue than an actual issue with this book. I liked this one better than the first one, but it did take its sweet time getting to the scene pictured above.


As I mentioned in my review, I didn't think a pregnant heroine would work in a traditional fantasy setting... but Annice did- to the point I bought the rest of the series. The characters were fantastic in this book.

In the Blogosphere:

Wendy @ Musings of a Bookish Kitty shares her Bookish Thoughts on When the Moon is Low by Nadia Hashimi. I love the cover!

Guiltless Reader has an interview and (INT) giveaway with author Jessica George about her YA fantasy, Gifted.

Michelle @ Bookaholic Banter reviews Armada by Ernest Cline. I've wanted to read more books from the author ever since I finished Ready, Player One.

Laura W @ Blue Eye Books shares some Hug Your Cat Day Quotes (warning- one spoiler for The Hunger Games/Mockingjay... if you still haven't read it or watched it yet).

In My Life:

I finally have my driver's permit (no pictured proof because I was frazzled that day), which means if I get in enough practice before the first days of June, I will be my mother's chauffeur during her hip surgery convalescence. Though it is strange, I had a really good experience with the DMV (Department of Motor Vehicles)- I got there during their normal hours on their last day of business (Thursday), but the lady at the counter said they don't do the tests after 5. Against her superior's advice, she let me take the test and I passed! Otherwise, I would've had to wait until Monday, and my mom would've had to take off early from her job. There are nice DMV workers in the world!

Tomato seedlings are about as tall as Torrie, who senses the Force around her.
I've been spending a lot of time outside lately enjoying my porch, and admiring the growth of my plant minions. It's about time to till our garden plot and plant them, but we could still get a frost here, despite the late date. Therefore, they remain on my porch. I'm pretty sure my neighbors think I'm a crazy dog and plant lady. Clearly, they've never seen my book collection...

My first minion flower to bloom is the alyssum in the lower left corner.

Anyone else have friendly DMV experiences? Or books with misleading cover art?

4 comments:

  1. Congratulations on getting your permit! When I got my license I had a super nice test guy so maybe DMV people are on the up and up :) I hope you have a great rest of your May and thanks for the shout-out!

    Laura @BlueEyeBooks

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    Replies
    1. Thanks, Laura! I guess DMV workers are trying to improve their image. Your welcome to the shout-out (I gave my cat extra hugs that day), and I hope your May is splendid as well!
      Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
      ~Litha Nelle

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  2. I have not had a friendly DMV experience ever. Ha ha. The one that ticked me off the most was the woman who was an ass to me and when my son got to her window for his business, she smiled and cooed all over the place. Grrrrr... It has been cold here. I haven't planted anything. I think I am going to buy some tomato and basil seedlings in a couple of weeks and call it a garden. Heh heh. I am still interested in those Hobb books. I have to remember to put the first one on my GR TBR. I think I already put Sing the Four Quarters on my TBR, but I am going to make sure. Yay for the coloring book! I hope you are having a great week. :)

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    Replies
    1. Well, I got a friendly one then! I think she noticed how disappointed I was when she said they didn't do testing at whichever time- and also, there were no other "customers", so there was that in my favor.
      I probably wouldn't grow anything from seed if we didn't have an enclosed porch/makeshift greenhouse. It can get cold here, but it's been pretty mild for May.
      For some reason I've been reading more of the older books lately- but I still have a lot to catch up on. I'm waiting on some of my favorite authors to release their new books, so I may as well catch up on more classic fantasy.
      Thanks again for the coloring book and gift card... and commenting! Hope your week is excellent as well!
      ~Litha Nelle

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