Recommended for Writers

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers by Renni Browne and Dave King

Recommended to me by several other published writers, I finally bought this book and read through it. There are many great ideas within its pages for writers, from handing dialogue to avoiding needless junk. I've recommended this to other writers since then, and it has plenty of reason to be so popular. Likely another reason why it often ends up on the main tables at work. So the next time you're looking for a good book to help with your fiction writing, read through a few sections of this book and see if there aren't some ideas in there that you couldn't use.


Notes from the playlist: "Life Less Ordinary" by Carbon Leaf

Recommended for Kids

Library Lion by Michelle Knudsen, Illustrated by Kevin Hawkes

You simply can't go wrong with a lion in the library (at least, you can't when it's in a children's book!). When this lion wanders in one day, no one is sure what to do. But this lion loves books and he enjoys sitting with the children. The kids love him as well, but sometimes it's hard for a big lion to behave - and be quiet - in a library.

I love the illustrations that go with this story. The lion is so big! The best part is that he's probably pretty on par with how big a real lion would be compared to a child. He's an adorable lion with cute facial expressions and really, it's just hard not to love a lion that hangs out in a library. It's a whimsical sort of tale that children will love to read or have read to them, and who knows? Maybe this will make them want to visit the library more often!


Notes from the playlist: "This Side" by Nickel Creek

Recommended for Kids

Gallop! A Scanimation Picture Book by Rufus Butler Seder

I got a kick out of this book when I first picked it up back in the kids' section. It's so simple and yet so fun. When you open the book, the animals inside move because of the scanimation-style pictures. Kind of like a flipbook without the need to do any flipping. The cat is actually my favorite as it leaps and runs. This book sold fairly well beforehand, and then oodles of copies after I put it on the recommendation shelf. I like to think that I helped with its sales. Since then it's been a very steady seller. Parents as well as kids love to make the animals move by opening and closing the pages (so they'll run backwards too!). It will hold up better than a pop-up book and keep kids entranced for, well, longer than the typical picture book anyway!

Notes from the playlist: "Swing Life Away" by Rise Against

Currently Reading

Succubi Like It Hot by Jill Myles

I actually admit, I read the first book (check out the previous post) by borrowing it from the library. But that was before:

A.) I won a $50 B&N gift card
B.) I knew how much fun it would be, plus other things.

So a few days after finishing the book, I went out and bought it and then this one to go with it. I'm happy to say that there are several copies in the store (3 of each, in fact. Er, 2 now, actually). Though I don't know how many books Jill intends to write, I know that even if I don't buy all of them, I'll end up reading all of them. The protagonist is nice and perky (snarky on occasion, which is fun), her love interests are dead sexy (in numerous ways, in fact), and the plotlines are unique, which is a breath of fresh air in a world currently full of vampires and shifters and other paranormal beings.

It just doesn't get any better than that.

Notes from the playlist: "Extremoz" by E.S. Posthumus

Recently Finished (and Recommended)

Gentlemen Prefer Succubi by Jill Myles

All right, I admit. I was suckered in by the cover on this one. That doesn't happen often...if ever. But there I was, moseying around a writer's forum when I saw the two covers of Jill Myles's upcoming books (the second being Succubi Like It Hot) and thought, "Ooh. Yum." Haha. How could I not? Still, that didn't mean I was going to read it. Her covers got me to her website where she offers you the first chapter of the book. I read it. And I promptly freaked out when I got to the end because I couldn't keep reading. I was forced to wait patiently until the book came out (yeah, it wasn't even out yet), but after all that, I've finally read it.

And I enjoyed. Thoroughly. It's not even really what you think, I'm sure. While the whole succubus thing might turn some people off, along with the inclusion of vampires (yep, everyone's into those these days), you need to know that Myles takes a completely different road with just about everyone involved. Succubi like sex, but they can't help it. Angels can be assholes, and vampires are fallen angels. Some interesting takes on many different traditional things. Highly enjoyable, very hot and tasty, just what the doctor ordered (and the sort of thing I was looking for, oh, several years ago).

Read the Epinions review here!

Notes from the playlist: "My Name Is Lincoln" by Steve Jablonsky

Recommended for Magic Practioners and Fantasy Writers

The Encyclopedia of Crystals by Judy Hall.

I don't actually use this book for it's designed purpose. It's a new age book meant to give you detailed information about the spiritual properties of crystals. It's like the new age field guide to crystals. This encyclopedia is color-coded and offers insight into what certain minerals and crystals can be used for (i.e. drawing energy, promoting power, and more). It does give some scientific bits as well, makeup, location, hardness, etc. But it's handy for magical systems and other spots that raw earth materials might be used. And it includes gorgeous pictures as well.

I actually use this for writing. How's that work? I write fantasy and as much as I love titles published by DK, I never found a field guide that I liked. I use this for magic systems I may create, finding the right crystal or mineral to match whatever properties and situations are involved. That makes it handy for both writers and those interested in new age spiritualism and magic.

Notes from the playlist: "Time for Miracles" by Adam Lambert

Recommended for Fiction Readers

Oxygen by Carol Cassella

Step into the world of Dr. Marie Heaton, anesthesiologist. Her world is rather regular, until one day a routine surgery goes horribly wrong, ending in the death of a young girl. Marie can't account for what went wrong and now she finds herself the subject of a malpractice suit. Now her world is falling apart. Her father's health is failing, her collegues are slowly but surely turning their backs on her, and Marie can't seem to keep the strings of her life together. She only has a few people she can lean on and even their ability to hold her up in shaky.

If you like Jodi Picoult and medical tension, then you're in the right ballpark. Cassella has the qualifications as an anesthesiologist herself to create the character of Dr. Marie Heaton. Polished writing with amazing description and a desire to see what went wrong will keep you glued to the pages all the way until the end.

Read the Epinions review here!


Notes from the playlist: "Running from You" by Saving Abel

Purchased for My Shelf

Wicked Plants by Amy Stewart

I'm so happy to finally have this on my bookshelf. The funny thing is that I remember some guy looking for this book many, many months ago, but neither I or whoever was looking it up thought much of it. Yet several months later, it grew in popularity and before I knew it, several of us would stand around at the Info desk reading parts of it aloud to one another and marveling at the weirdness within its pages. Amy Stewart's compiled just about any poisonous or otherwise noxious plant you might want to know about, from the everyday poison ivy to the lesser known (at least to us) suicide tree. It's short, to the point, letting you know how the plant will kill or harm you, where its origins are, and how it spreads. It's a small book, for all it's nifty information, and one of the cooler books I've seen in a while.


Notes from the playlist: "Who Wants To Live Forever" by Queen

Recommended for Teens and Twilight Lovers

The Forbidden Game Trilogy by L.J. Smith

The Hunter, The Chase, The Kill

Mmm, Happy Valentine's Day. Here's some dark, delicious love for you instead of that sweet and snuggly crap. Hah!

The problem with this trilogy is that it is out of print. I know, it's a bit ridiculous for me to suggest titles that you can only get through secondary dealers, and even then you'll probabaly notice the high prices. I recommend this in the hopes that because many other L.J. Smith books are being reprinted, this trilogy will come back out. I cross my fingers and send mental notes to Simon & Schuster (write letters to them!!) because if this book were in fact on the shelves, I would recommend this trilogy to people until the end of time.

If you liked Twilight, you would go bonkers for this trio of books. You think Edward is scrumptious and deadly all at once? Wait until you get a load of Julian. Julian is sexy and dangerous, frost and fire, all the things you want and can't have rolled into one luscious package. Yes, I have read Twilight, and let me tell you right now - Julian wins over any of those guys hands down.

I first read this trilogy when I was 23 and drank up every word. I read each of these books in one sitting, often starting late and then staying up until 2am to get through them. L.J. Smith takes you to different worlds and uses language that brings you straight into the story. It's vivid, engrossing, and just one heck of a good time. I'm serious when I say we ought to write letters. I've tried multiple times to contact Smith herself. I want this on the shelves and would handsell it like nothing I've ever handsold before. **And now it is and I am - YAY!

And yes, I scoured multiple used book sites in order to obtain these books for my own and now proudly have them sitting on my bookshelf. If you can find them at your local library, go for it. I promise you won't be disappointed.

Read the Epinions reviews here!

P.S. Props to the cover artist - that's exactly how I pictured Julian. Delicious. ;D



Notes from the playlist: "Snow White Queen" by Evanescence

Recently Finished

Mr. Hands by Gary Braunbeck

Finally! I get to a book written by the man who helped me write mine. It's funny the way a lot of people think horror writers are messed up wackos when in fact, some of the greatest, funniest people I've met have been horror writers. I can think of at least four off the top of my head. But that's beside the point.

Mr. Hands is a definite creep-you-out session with more real world horror than supernatural horror. Though I admit that disappointed me (I really wanted to see more of Mr. Hands tearing people apart), that doesn't make this any less disturbing. that's because real world horror is, in my mind, a lot more terrifying than supernatural horror. Why? Because the real world stuff is what can actually happen to people. And that's scary as hell. Gary's good at description too. You get everything with him, so watch out.

I really love this cover, though. Always did.


Notes from the playlist: "Flowers for a Ghost" by Thriving Ivory

Purchased for My Shelf

Weapon by DK Publishing

I have secretly been drooling over this book ever since I discovered it on the top shelf of the history section. DK books are always amazing. Any time a parent asks me for a book that is full of real facts and information on particular subjects for their child, if there is a DK book about it, I'll go there first. I looked at and loved DK books for years when I was a kid (Dog was always my favorite). This book isn't for kids though. This is a serious adult book all about weaponry that ranges from African tribes to Native American clubs to Japanese katana to the modern day AK47. Full of facts, interesting tidbits, gorgeous color photographs, and a chronological layout, this is my dreambook for weaponry. Why? Because I write, and even fiction writers do research. I can't have errors in my work or I look like an idiot. Or more accurately, a lazy idiot.

But no matter what your motivation, this is an excellent book, and I'm starting to seriously look at Battle next.


Notes from the playlist: "Map of the Problematique" by Muse

Recently Finished

The Lake of Souls, Lord of the Shadows, and Sons of Destiny by Darren Shan

I actually finished all three of these in two days right after finishing the previous two books. But in finishing these, I have finally completed Darren Shan's Cirque Du Freak series.

And what a ride.

I have to say, though it's easy to see a few things before they happen, there are others that you won't expect. Ever. At all. They're too wacky and strange. But overall, this is definitly an interesting series that steps into the realm of teen horror and never leaves it. Shan wraps up every loose end and finishes this series with several twists. You may like it or you may think, "That's kind of sad, actually..." but either way, it's a good time.

Read the Epinions review here!

Notes from the playlist: "Asleep From Day" by The Chemical Brothers

Recommended for Teens and High School Teachers

Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher

A haunting and yet completely captivating story about a girl named Hannah. Hannah killed herself, and one morning Clay finds a box with cassette tapes sitting on his doorstep. Before Hannah ended her life, she left these tapes to 13 people. These, Hannah claims, are the reasons why she committed suicide. Clay must listen to all of them in order to find out what he may have done that contributed to Hannah's despair and ultimately, her death.

There are a lot of heavy issues dealt with in this book, from suicide to rape to the damange one person can do to another without ever realizing the consequences. Readers will alternately dislike Hannah for her selfishness, and yet be able to identify with her predicament. Mostly though, this book will promote discussion between teens, friends, and parents about suicide, treating people with respect, and the impact one life has on another. No matter what your thoughts on the subject matter may be, you'll get sucked into this book just as I did. In terms of time - I read this book in a single day.


Notes from the playlist: "For May" by Kavin Hoo

Recommended for Writers (of everything)

Elements of Style by William Strunk and E.B. White

A great little book for writers of term papers, fiction, and nonfiction alike, the Elements of Style has been recommended to students by professors and professionals ever since it's mass publication by E.B. White (yes, the E.B. White). Focusing on grammar hiccups and ways to improve your writing by making it concise and pop-off-the-page effective, it should be on every writer's shelf. Just remember one thing; this is a bit like the Pirates' Code. While everything in this book is a great idea, there are times during one's writing life when "them's more like guidelines than actual rules."

[What can I say? I love a good fragment.]

Read the Epinions review here!


Notes from the playlist: "Long Distance Runaround" by Yes

Recommended for UFC Fans, MMA Practicioners, and Humor

Got Fight? by Forrest Griffin

Want to learn about MMA (among other things) from Forrest Griffin? Then read this and laugh your ass off in the process.

No joke. Forrest Griffin's book is full of fighting advice, moves, tips, and freaking hilarious anecdotes and smart ass writing that is guarenteed to have you laughing, learning something, or possibly even both. The second I finished this book, I stuck it up on the recommendation shelf. If anyone is looking at it or asking about it, I handsell it like there is no tomorrow. Yes Forrest, I'm one of those 3 (or 2 I believe you knocked it down to) girls that actually read your book. We had to order them in batches to make sure we had 10 in the store at any given time. When the book came out, we only had 4 to start with.

Read the Epinions review here!


Notes from the playlist: "Scream" by Avenged Sevenfold

Recommended for Teens and Fantasy Fans

Libyrinth by Pearl North

Brought to you by the woman who helped me work through my novel, this is a tale that happens so far in the future, you'll barely recognize the world. What you will recognize are the passages from old books like Charlotte's Web and The Diary of Anne Frank. A young girl named Haly lives in a massive library known as the Libyrinth must take on a journey to save those she loves. Of course, it doesn't start out that way. It begins with a quest to hide The Book of the Night from the book-burning Eradicants and turns into a journey of song, technology, understanding, friendship, imps, war, miracles, and the wonder of the written word.

Once the action starts, it hardly ever stops (and it doesn't take long to start either!).

Read the Epinions review here!


Notes from the playlist: "Menouthis" by E.S. Posthumus

Recently Finished

Allies of the Night and Killers of the Dawn by Darren Shan

Finally! It took months to get the 8th book, and when I got it, I breezed through it and the next one. Now I just have to wait a little longer before I can get through the last three in the Cirque Du Freak Series.

Not much happening in the Cirque, actually. Darren and his vampire mentor Crepsley have long since left the cirque, and after several years of hardship, losing friends, battling foes, and absorbing prophecies, they face their greatest enemy, and if they fail to kill him, vampires around the globe will be wiped from the face of the Earth.

Darren's gotten better, Shan's writing has improved (whether that is on purpose or happend naturally I'm still not certain), and the story has gone to quite interesting. Still not quite my cup of tea in certain respects, but I can see why it's a popular series nonetheless.

Read the Epinions reviews here and here!

Notes from the playlist: "Woad to Ruin" (yes, spelled like that) by Hans Zimmer

Recently Finished

To Tame a Highland Warrior and The Highlander's Touch by Karen Marie Moning

Continuing on my journey to discover all I can about the mysterious Adam Black everyone claims is Jericho Barrons in Karen Marie Moning's Fever Series, I've recently finished the next two Highlander books. Adam is only present in one of them, and I'm not much closer to believing he's Barrons, but to each his own.

Berserkers and women snatched from time feature in these two books, full of denied love, passion, and of course a bit of fighting here and there. While Moning still head-hops in these books, I don't much care (though I know if I were to submit anything like that, I'd be rejected in two shakes). They're good fun and high on the romance scale. They're aptly placed in the bookstore, I'll tell you. If you like Scottish men with rock hard bodies and some serious lovemaking skills, then these are the books you'll want to indulge in. And Moning makes sure to keep her history as accurate as possible, all while interweaving names and ideas that you'll recognize from past books (if you're reading in order, that is - which I recommend doing).


Notes from the playlist: "Sleepwalker" by Adam Lambert

Recommended for Kids (and people who love fun pictures!)

I Spy: Fun House by Jean Marzollo and Walter Wick

Yes, another I Spy book. But what can I say? I love them and want everyone to take a peek inside one and see if they can tear themselves away. The fun house is indeed a fun house, with crazy mirrors, clowns, balloons, fanfare, and magic, and all kinds of other carnival treats. All the while you search for little things like keys and animals and secret images and words. Expertly set up with all sorts of unique objects from new to nostalgic to make some fantastic photos for the book, it can keep a person engrossed for quite some time. More riddles in the back if you run out of them in the book! Or just take your time on each picture and notice all the tiny intricate things that hide in the pages.

Read the Epinions review here!


Notes from the playlist: "Heart of Gold" by Neil Young

Just Cracked Open

The Intellectual Devotional: Modern Culture by David S. Kidder and Noah D. Oppenheim

Well, another year, another Intellectual Devotional. Yesterday saw the end of the original Intellectual Devotional, so now it's time to learn some new things. While the first one I ever read was based on American History, the second based on world information, now this one is all modern culture, from Alfred Hitchcock to Hiroshima. Luckily for me, David and Noah came out with yet another one last October, The Intellectual Devotional: Health, which means by the end of this new year, I'll have another one to read and they'll have plenty of time to create another.


Notes from the playlist: "Maybe I'm Amazed" by Paul McCartney