Victorian Soul Critiques Turns Two!

It's hard to believe it's been two years since I started this blog! Although some things have changed, a lot (including the design) has stayed the same. I don't have a theme or wall of gifs this year, but let's get this party started!

Here are a few of my favorite posts from the past year:

"Better World Books" Haul Round 2 because I can't get over how cute George is boxing with Torrie in his video debut.

My Out of Orbit Critique of "Autobiography of a Face" by Lucy Grealy because through the process of reviewing it, I was able to better analyze its impact on me.

My review of "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy (Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy #1)" by Douglas Adams because... I don't know- I just liked it!

And last but not least, the not-remotely-related-to-books announcement of In Other News...

Here are a few of your favorite posts from the past year:

"Better World Books" Haul, which was likely viewed a lot due to it being shared by Better World Books. And also, George was being cute again.

Color Me Happy: An Unofficial Guide to Adult Coloring Book Bliss which I thought was going to flop as a post, but people actually liked it.

My review of "Kesrith (The Faded Sun #1)" by C.J. Cherryh, which was a completely unanticipated hit. The book itself is older than I am, but I guess people love C.J. Cherryh and vintage science fiction.

Now on to the good stuff:

I have a giveaway for a $10 gift certificate for your choice of Better World Books.com or Amazon.com, open to those 13 years and wiser (with parental consent if under 18 years young). This giveaway is open internationally, though I would advise that Better World Books would be the better choice if you aren't from the United States, as it has free shipping worldwide, while Amazon has spendy shipping (particularly because their gift cards are only applicable in the Amazon US site, which makes no sense at all). There will be three lucky winners for this giveaway.

Terms and Conditions: Giveaway ends May 2nd 2016 at 12:00 AM EDT. This giveaway is open internationally- I am not responsible for lost packages. This giveaway is open to those 13 and older, as long as you have parental consent if you are under the age of 18. Winner must respond to the host's email **within 50 hours**, or a new winner will be selected. If you use multiple aliases and/or emails to enter this giveaway, you will be automatically disqualified. You may use any/all your previous comments on this blog as entries (by visiting daily), just make sure they are all from different posts, and weren't used in last year's giveaway. If you already follow me on any site below, it's a free entry, as long as you leave your profile URL. **May the odds be ever in your favor!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good Luck and Happy Reading!

Fortnightly Update #7: Of Computer Meltdowns and Blogiversary Bashes

This week we've had a death in the household- my mom's trusty, but slow (as a tortoise walking backwards) laptop died. Ironically my older mini desktop is still in fine shape, so that means until her laptop arrives in about five days, we'll be sharing a computer. The weird thing about her computer dying was that I was able to help her revive it for a day or two, but then it crashed again. Oh, well... it wasn't like I expected to be able to make it run like new again.

This week will also be my blogiversary bash, which means (due to my excellent procrastination) I have one post planned for tomorrow (April 4th) since it was somehow designated my blogiversary by Blogger. I'm still a bit perplexed by it, but I'm not changing it, even though my first post was published April 10th. I suppose I may have started it, and didn't bother writing anything until then. Anyway, there will be a giveaway (open internationally) so stop by if you like winning free bookish gift certificates.

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

the-pile Additions:

As per usual, I found some irresistible buys for books during my trip to Montana, one of which I've already finished.

George helping point out the book I read with his flame-licked nose

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
I'm not sure if Toni Morrison ever writes about happy things, but this book covers subjects just as dark (sexual abuse, incest, domestic abuse) as Beloved does. This was her first novel, and I have to say I enjoyed it much more than Beloved (which, at times, I felt was baffling).

Pearl of China by Anchee Min
This is a novel based on the life of Pearl S. Buck, the famous writer of historical fiction (set in China). I thought this would be a good pick for my Travel the World in Books challenge.

In Cold Blood by Truman Capote (with a deliciously vintage cover)
I like collecting classics, especially those with vintage cover art. I've also wanted to read this one for a while, but hadn't found an edition I liked until I stumbled across this one.

Fortress of Eagles (Fortress #2) by C.J. Cherryh
I accidentally bought the second in this series, but luckily Better World Books had the first in the series available for me. I've read Cherryh's science fiction epic (The Faded Sun Trilogy), but I also wanted to try her fantasy, because I liked her other work so much.

Winter Rose (Winter Rose #1) by Patricia A. McKillip
Goodreads has always tried to foist this one off on me in my suggestions. To be honest, I was enthused about this author's work, but could never get past the first few pages of her Riddle-Master Trilogy. However, since this one is more fairy tale based, I'm hoping I'll be able to actually read it (in its entirety).

the-invisible-pile Additions:

The Octopus: A Story of California (The Epic of the Wheat #1) by Frank Norris

My brother apparently had to search far and wide to find a physical copy of this, though I found it for free as a Kindle edition. This apparently has to do with railroads and California (mostly I was intrigued that he'd go to that much trouble to find it).

Currently Reading:

Belladonna (Ephemera #2) by Anne Bishop
I haven't gotten very far because... well, I've started a new game of Skyrim while I do my biking instead. I need to find a book holder for while I'm biking (with my indoor bike, of course), because it's hard for me to work up a sweat and read while awkwardly holding a physical book in front of me and turning said book's pages.

Finished These Books:

The Bluest Eye by Toni Morrison
As described above, I liked this one a lot more than Beloved (which is generally more beloved to people- but not me, I guess). Maybe it was the perspective of a child, or maybe the subject matter, but something about The Bluest Eye struck a chord with me that wasn't quite hit with Beloved.

Assassin's Quest (Farseer Trilogy #3) by Robin Hobb

You know when you finish a book you love, and all you feel you can do to give it a proper review is quote your favorite snippet? Yep, that's what happened with this one. I'm still digesting the feelings it evoked.

Sebastian (Ephemera #1) by Anne Bishop

What this had going for it: unique worlds and worldbuilding, sentient demon cycles (think motorcycles), and a gripping storyline. What it didn't: one of the characters was unabashedly similar to Meg Corbyn (of the Others series) without her depth, and a Den of Iniquity that wasn't what I'd pictured. This is still recommendable for Anne Bishop fans and lovers of unique fantasy, but I didn't like it near as much as Written in Red.

Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington ~ Nugi Garimara

I had seen some or most of the film version of this, which did spoil my experience to some extent, but I still greatly enjoyed most of the book, despite some dry spots. This book has more girl power and sheer determination than your average read.

In the Blogosphere:

Kritika @ Snowflakes and Spider Silk discusses Book Talk: Fact vs Fiction. As you may have noticed, I tend to slip in at least one nonfiction or memoir read a month now, which is more than I used to read.

Cari and Haley @ My Addiction: Books are celebrating their second blogiversary, with giveaways!

Jenny @ Reading the End reviews Gemsigns by Stephanie Saulter, which looks to be an interesting science fiction read- I'm not sure that I've read sociopolitical science fiction before.

In My Life:

Other than trying to study for my driver's permit test, tending to my minions, and sprucing up the yard, there isn't much going on in my life. I did, however, make a delicious triple chocolate cheesecake with ganache topping for my brother's birthday two weeks ago.

Happy Reading!

Month in Review for March 2016: That Went Fast!

Perhaps it was because I was busy cultivating/salivating over my minion army, but it seems like I didn't get a full month's worth out of March. I had plans (glorious plans) of a massive amount of reviews I was going to type up, along with studying for (and passing) my driver's permit test (long story- due to the fainting nature of my illness, I haven't been too confident about driving [you know, injury to others and all that], but generally I've never had fainting spells while sitting down, so I now feel I can drive). Anyhow, I feel a bit cheated that I didn't get all those glorious plans completed, and beyond that, my blogiversary snuck up on me like a thief in the night. I'll be celebrating it, but with none of the brilliant, themed fanfare of my first one.

Statistics:
 Total Posts: 11
  Total Critiques: 5
  Genres:
    Fantasy: 1
    Magical Realism: 1
    Out-of-Orbit: 1
    Urban Fantasy: 2
    Part of a Series: 3

Most Popular Posts of March:
Month in Review for February 2016
Fortnightly Update #5: The Seedling Horde Awakens
"Bayou Moon (The Edge #2)" by Ilona Andrews
SFF: The 5 Books That Had You at "Hello"
Fortnightly Update #6: I'll Make This One Quick!
"Better World Books" Haul Round 2
"Royal Assassin (Farseer Trilogy #2)" by Robin Hobb

Pageviews for the Month: 1230+
Comments: 25!

Reading Challenges Updates:

Travel the World in Books Challenge

Applicable Books:
The Incarnations by Susan Barker (Set in Beijing, China)
Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington ~ Nugi Garimara (Set in Australia)

Total for 2016 So Far: 6 of 15 Books, 4 of 5 Countries

Reading Stats:

Books read this Month: 10

Book Stats:
Has a Diverse Main Character: 3
Doesn't Have a Diverse MC: 7
Female Main Character: 2
Male Main Character: 3
Pair and/or Group of Female/Male Main Characters: 5
Genre:
 Biography: 1
 Fantasy: 2
 Historical Fiction: 1
 Magical Realism: 1
 Historical Romance: 3
 Urban Fantasy: 2
Published in 2016: 0
Published in 2000-2015: 6
Published in 1980-1999: 3
Published in 1960-1979: 1
Self-Published, Small Press, or Other: 0
Traditionally Published: 10
Series Books: 7
Standalones: 3
Ebook Version: 4
Paper Version: 6
Favorite of the Month: Both Royal Assassin and Assassin's Quest by Robin Hobb were my favorites this month.
Least Favorite of the Month: One Scandalous Kiss (Accidental Heirs #1) by Christy Carlyle- I have a taste for some Regency romances, but once I start hearing Hot N Cold by Katy Perry, they've lost me. That was what happened in this book's case.
Most Interesting of the Month (or Book I Learned the Most From): Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence by Doris Pilkington ~ Nugi Garimara- even having watched the film version, I didn't glean nearly as much from that as I did this book.
From the-pile: 5
From the-invisible-pile: 2
Recently acquired: 3
Added to the-invisible-pile: 4
Books bought: 9
Pages Read in 2016 Thus Far (according to Goodreads): 9393 pages

Ratings:
5 Stars: 2! (Again!)
4-4.5 Stars: 3
3-3.5 Stars: 4
2-2.5 Stars: 1

Author Stats (1 = 1 book read by x author):
Male: 0
Female: 9
Male/Female Team: 1
Diverse: 3
Not-so-Diverse: 7... leh sigh
Living: 9
Deceased: 1 (That I didn't even realize until I Googled her- rest in peace, Doris Pilkington Garimara)

Planning to Read in April:

Very exciting things, like...

The Driver's Manual for Idaho!

Upcoming Posts:

My Blogiversary Post (April 4th)
I will be having a giveaway, so make sure to stop by and throw in your hat during the month of April. My giveaway will be open internationally, with help from my new favorite online bookstore, Better World Books.

Erm... that's all I have planned right now. I'm just so excited to read the thrilling, technical details of The Driver's Manual for Idaho, and see how it stands up to the impossibly addictive Montana Driver's Manual.

Happy Reading!