Monthly Archives: January 2012

Happy National Reading Day: Five Authors I Love.

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Beatrix Potter may be one of the many reasons I own this Rabbit.

Ok. I am a day late, but it is the thought that counts, right? I was too busy reading yesterday!

Let’s talk about another totally awesome thing – reading. Haven’t fond a passion for it yet? You’re reading a blog, so you probably have and just haven’t found the right author. That can be hard. There are some books I have liked and some I have loved, but it doesn’t mean I was jumping-up-and-down excited to read them at first.

My bad. Let me apologize to you right now, that wasn’t too fair. To be honest, some of those original authors maybe the very ones making this list. A lesson I should learn from this: sometimes love must blossom over time.

Here are five authors that really do capture my heart with their writing. I would absolutely recommend picking up a book, but I also know how personal reading is. Find a genre you love, but also find an author who makes you excited. Reading is an awesome passion, we need more reading time in our busy lives.

1.) J.K Rowling: If you grew up around the same time I did, you know who this wonder-women is. You also probably know she wrote some of my favorite books of all time, Harry Potter. I loved these tales growing up, and every time I pick them up again (sign of a great book – you want to re-read it) I pick something new up from the characters and epic tale of wizardry. There is so much to these books. I was a reader before hand, I am a book-nerd afterwards.

To be honest, she inhabited my childhood with her stories, and provided some much needed stability in times where I was moving and not so stable. It was a family activity as well. each summer when the next Harry Potter tale would release, we would all put aside hours each evening to read the book aloud together. My childhood will always have Harry Potter, J.K Rowling, and family reading time intertwined. I think that is awesome.

2.) Tamora Pierce: If Rowling was the first author I loved, she only paved the way for my next fantasy fix. Thanks to a lovely librarian in the town I was living in, the Circle of Magic made it’s way into my living space. A totally different feel from Harry Potter, but one I enjoyed just as much.

The characters were developed over multiple series, the talents they had were cool, and the story kept me up way later then I should have been many nights. It captured my love for Fantasy (started by Harry Potter) and took it to another level, I found a genre I loved at this point, and it was wicked cool. I still pick up her stories and enjoy them, she has a fabulous talent for young adult fantasy books.

3.) Beatrix Potter: These classic treasures are full of tales of furry little creatures, and a garden they like to steal treats from. Adorable. I think this is probably the reason I have a pet rabbit, because I just can’t help to love Peter Rabbit and friends.

You don’t have to be a kid to get full enjoyment out of it, go pick these tales up if you haven’t already. You won’t regret spending some time in the country side.

4.) Robert Munsch: I would love to get inside this man’s head for like, a day. His stories are hilarious, fun, charming, and a delight to read with little kids. Although, don’t let them know this, I think I love them more then all the kids I have ever babysat. ha.

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John Green: One of my new favorite authors.

Seriously. Check him out if you haven’t already. “I have to go!” is a favorite of mine, and you can even hear him read it on his website here.

5.) John Green: I’ve mentioned the fabulous VlogBrothers in a few of my other posts, but I have to admit this is a rather new must-read-author for me. I was privileged to read part of “Waiting For Alaska” at one point, but I never got around to picking up the book again. Bad decision! Because I am totally in love with this man’s writing.

To be honest it has been awhile since I have been truly excited to read a book. I think the last time I had a true nerd moment was with the release of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows” (which was followed by many, many, tears.) – his latest book “The Fault In Our Stars” broke that rut. The more I heard about the book, the more I was sure I had to have it. Let me assure you, that was a brilliant decision.

I don’t want to spoil any of these books, so let me bottle up some of the reasons for my excitement, spoiler free:

  • His books and characters are unbelievably touching, and yet I love the hint of satire in some of the paragraphs written.
  • The thoughts and actions of the characters are described in a unique, and rather humorous way. You can’t help but to love many of them.
  • Each time I pick up another novel by John Green, I am impressed by his command of the English Language. Seriously. His vocabulary is amazing, but it also flows so naturally off the pages, there is no struggle to understand the story he is telling.
  • The Style in which he writes keeps you coming back for more. His books are just paced well in general, and I lose track of time reading. This is also a good sign.

To summarize: please just pick these up if you have an interest in the novels, I don’t think you will be disappointed. The stories in general are just a great read. I am fresh off many of these stories, and I am struggling to keep it Spoiler free.

I can not recommend his books enough, they have brought the passion I had for reading right back to the surface. Thank you for bringing that passion back.

Seriously, why are you still reading this? Go! Pick up a book, immerse yourself in the imagination of another and enjoy the freedom of a good novel.

Happy Reading!

My Favorite Iphone Apps This Week

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I edited my photo further using ColorSplash - nifty.

1.) ColorSplash: This photo App is fabulous if you are looking to dabble in Photo Editing. You can remove the entire colour of a photo, and use your finger to swipe/rub the colour back into the image. It allows a ton of freedom in your colour editing, and you can even switch it up and swipe in the Grey to a Colour image. Easy to use, and you can make some gorgeous images this way.

2.) AppAdvice + AppsGoneFree:This is two fold, because it’s one awesome website running two apps. This is my number one go-to resource for everything App related. AppAdvice publishes news related to Apps & the iDevices, along with reviews and handy App lists to expand your library. AppsGoneFree is a resource updated Daily listing Free Apps rated 3 stars or more; no more random free apps, these are some of the true gems of the App store for the day. I highly recommend this set if you are looking to expand your App library.

3.) Thumb: There is something about this app, it’s not the most exciting idea I have ever heard of – once you start though, it’s hard to put it down. Users post an idea, and the population of Thumb will “thump up” or “thumb down” to answer, and even add comments to provide additional help. Weird. But in some strange way it is awesome.

4.) Angry Birds: Probably the most highly recommend app out there, Angry birds is well worth a look. I credit this game often for introducing many in my circle of friends to gaming. The game is fun, the story is basic (but still outlines the reason for flinging birds across the sky), and the different birds do add another element to the puzzles later on. I still play this App weekly, and there are additional versions of Angry birds now available. If you haven’t checked it out by now, download the Lite version and give it a whirl.

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Sims Medieval: Looking for Quests

5.) The Sims Medieval: I’ve been playing “The Sims” for years now. I still love playing the home wrecker, building lavish homes, and marrying for money. That is just part of what makes Sims hilarious to play. The Sims Medieval is more of the same, with some cool twists. While this App isn’t as developed as the Computer version (which I also really enjoy), the Sims Medieval idea of “quests” does translate well to the iPhone. It’s a fun game to pick up and play for an afternoon, I actually think I prefer the Medieval version on the iPhone over the others.

My Latest Advice: Pick Up This Book.

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John Green - writes in the style of awesome.

I want to introduce you all to my newest friend. I actually do not know this person in a traditional way, he is my latest “author friend” and I am totally embarrassed we did not meet earlier in my reading days.

(for those of you who do not know–author friends are the writers you continuously read and fill your time with their gifts of writing. They are like warm compassionate friends who share with you big pieces of their heart, hopes, and dreams. Love.)

I have a few writers & authors which I consider to be awesome, like I will follow these people into the highest points of our world, simply to retrieve their latest book. John Green is the latest to be added to that category. Simply put – he is awesome.

In a matter of days, he has managed to stir the pot in my head. Because I needed to desperately reshuffle my “favorite books” list in house. I have found a new book which rocked my world, and yes, I think it over took “The Goblet of Fire.”

This is earth shattering people. My favorite book hasn’t changed in years, and I was beginning to doubt that it ever would. The Fault In Our Stars was the one book I believe has took it’s place at the very top. 

First of all, let me beg you not to seek out spoilers of this book. Because it will ruin the experience.  I know it is difficult to do at times, but part of the enchantment of this story is to really experience it from beginning to end–spoiler free.

I should also warn you that from this point on, I will be providing a spoiler-free-verbal-diarrhea-blog-post about how much I loved this book. I’m not expert book reviewer-and-lover, I simply love to read.

This book has captured my heart. It is one of those books you devour. You will not want to put it down, and yet the emotions are so raw (and real) that a part of you is just begging for a break. You realize it would be the sensible thing to do, you have run out of tissues, but it is  unrealistic to release yourself from the story taking place. I think this is because you–by this point–feel invested in what is going on. I seriously love these characters.

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Signed with the Hanklerfish. Me = excited.

Hazel (the “heroine”) is witty, realistic, and someone you can relate to–at least to some degree. I think I fell in love with the narrative this character provides when she mentioned one of her closet friends is an author she has never meant.  I get that.

It’s sarcastic, depressing, uplifting, hopeful, inspiring, and above all full of love.  There is love between two people; love between friends; love between siblings; and love of parents and children.

I can not help to come away from the book full of a feeling of true, uncomplicated, and amazing love.  You wouldn’t think a Cancer book could make you experience such raw love, but you get in some ways a glimpse into what love most families must possess for each other.  Even in the worst of times. Or maybe what we should all aim to have for each other.

There comes a point when you will sacrifice any other activity to finish this book. I made a mad dash through hundreds of pages toward the finish, tears streaming down my face, sobbing all the way to the end.

Honestly, I feel like so much love was put into this story. You can’t help to feel humbled by the opportunity to read it. The care that has gone into this book to craft it is obvious. It feels  like a true work of love.

I wish to share a lot more with you all about the book, discuss with people, show to people. But I also do not want to ruin a beautiful experience and journey through emotions and sacrifice. I’m really struggling with what to share about the book, because it really all connects too well in the end.  I apologize in advance for so few details, but it will be worth it if you do read it.

Please don’t let the idea of tissues and tears stop you from picking it up. I can’t hide the fact that this is a powerful book, and yes, it is heartbreaking. But it is worth it, because it is beautiful.

I would recommend this book to anyone, as I simply can not get it out of my head. I will treasure this book for a long time, and the story that was crafted by the fabulous John Green.

Do yourself a favor, please pick this book up.

My Favorite Iphone Apps This Week

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Another week is coming to an end, let’s focus on some good news today. I have found some more treasures hidden on my phone. These are my favorite Iphone apps of the week, and what makes them awesome. I totally recommend these little gems, or at least to try the “lite” version if it is available.

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Source: Baby Monkey (Riding Backwards On a Pig)

1.) Mindsnacks: French! I fell in love with this app a few weeks ago, but have recently returned to find it just as charming as before. Learning french is something I am working on this year, it just opens up so many possibilities. So, along with the power of RosettaStone, this little app is wonderful. The games are fun, not too challenging, and really helps to improve your spelling and word construction in the language. French! = Awesome.

2.) Baby Monkey (going backwards on a pig): Yes, this really is the name of the app. I was a little skeptical at first – I mean it sounds ridiculous. But this is one of the best “time wasters” I have ever played. Period. It’s flippin’ hard, but I keep coming back for more abuse. The pig has to jump sometimes, and the monkey has to leap. Sometimes to really throw you off, you need to complete both tasks at once. Ugh. Monkey why are you so hilarious, and yet  so frustrating? And just as a side note, the music is full of win.

3.) Crazy Parachute: Is it a racing game? A platformer? Or something different altogether? I have no idea, I do know it is fun. The goal is to simply jump out of the plane, avoid the objects, and play “chicken” with your fellow racers… How close to the ground do you really need to open that chute?

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Source: Crazy Parachute

4.) Pocket Frogs: Ever wondered what it would be like to breed, and raise frogs in the palm of your hand? If you answered yes, this game is for you! If not – you need to check it out, because it will become a dream to breed them all. Breed, capture, and raise frogs (eating Dragonflies has never been so cool). It’s fun to play by yourself, connecting with others really unlocks this games true potential. Your BFF may just get that rare pattern in black and magenta. Yay!

5.) Airport Mania 2: This game is super cute – look how adorable the planes are! Don’t let that fool you. This game is also a challenge. Juggling planes of different colours, multiple gates and runways, and refueling half-a-dozen planes all at once? Just another day at the Airport.