Spring Break Sucks (this year)

What I'm Reading: Into the Forest by Jean Hegland and Graceling by Kristin Cashore

What I'm Working On: Not a damn thing (pardon the language, but seriously, I had big plans for this past week and NONE of them turned out right!)

I had been looking forward to spring break for weeks -- since Christmas break if we're being honest. A week at the beach, some sun, some writing, some reading, some quality time with the DH and kids.

What did I actually get?

Sick.

Very, very, sicker-than-I've-been-in years sick. On my very first day off. I'm still sick. It's true that I no longer have a fever (I had one for 4 days), but my sinuses still hurt so bad that looking intently at anything for more than a few minutes at a time hurts like hell.

Hence, the reason I've working on this blog post for 1.5 hours. (Okay, not quite, but close.) So, now I'm even further behind with the writing. (Here's hoping for a good Sunday.) And I'm still tired. I did alot of nothing over break, but being sick still makes you tired.

Sigh. The best laid plans.......

Waiting on Wednesday

What I’m Reading: White Heat by Cherry Adair and Into the Forest by Jean Hegland

What I’m Working On: Not a darn thing because I have a flu, sore throat, sinus bug that has knocked me off my feet. I’m not even close to 100% today, but I still feel better than I have since Saturday.

Waiting On Wednesday

What: DON’T JUDGE A GIRL BY HER COVER by Ally Carter

When: June 9th, 2009 by Hyperion

Synopsis:
When Cammie "the Chameleon" Morgan visits her roommate Macey in Boston, she thinks she's in for an exciting end to her summer break. After all, she's there to watch Macey's father accept a nomination for vice president of the United States. But when you go to the world's best school (for spies), "exciting" and "deadly" are never far apart. Cammie and Macey soon find themselves trapped in a kidnapper's dangerous plot, with only their espionage skills to save them. As her junior year begins, Cammie can't shake the memory of what happened in Boston, and even the Gallagher Academy for Exceptional Young Women doesn't feel like the safe haven it once did. Shocking secrets and old flames seem to lurk around every one of the mansion's corners as Cammie and her friends struggle to answer the questions, Who is after Macey? And how can they keep her safe? Soon Cammie is joining Bex and Liz as Macey's private security team on the campaign trail. The girls must use their spy training at every turn as the stakes are raised, and Cammie gets closer and closer to the shocking truth...

Why?
I loved the first two books in Ally Carter’s clever series. Both were creative with just enough romance to satisfy my love story fetish. I’ll probably buy this one as soon as it comes out and then pass it on to my niece, who loves them, too.

Sickly

I planned to post some new and interesting stuff this week, but I'm sick. I even missed Manic Monday (which may be changing).

Check back soon. As soon as I feel better, I promise to make this more interesting.

M

Waiting on Wednesday

What I’m Reading: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

What I’m Working On: Day one of my 100 pages in April Challenge. 3.3 pages per day.

Waiting on Wednesday?

What:
A MADNESS OF ANGELS (The Resurrection of Matthew Swift) by Kate Griffin.
Published by Orbit, April 6, 2009


Synopsis:
For Matthew Swift, today is not like any other day. It is the day on which he returns to life. Two years after his untimely death, Matthew Swift finds himself breathing once again, lying in bed in his London home. Except that it's no longer his bed, or his home. And the last time this sorcerer was seen alive, an unknown assailant had gouged a hole so deep in his chest that his death was irrefutable...despite his body never being found. He doesn't have long to mull over his resurrection though, or the changes that have been wrought upon him. His only concern now is vengeance. Vengeance upon his monstrous killer and vengeance upon the one who brought him back.

Why:
First, love the cover. Second, I think this is pretty unique. A dead sorcerer come back to life with vengeance on his mind, changed in ways he’s just discovering, and unknowing who’s behind his resurrection. Wow, look at all the built in twists!

Manic Monday

What I'm Reading: Something Wicked This Way Comes by Ray Bradbury

What I'm Working On: Tonight? Firming up Kevin's backstory.

Here's today's Manic Monday:

Do you enjoy brain teasers or do you find them frustrating?
I like them sometimes. Once I get going on them, I tend to be quite determined; however, I won't seek one out for fun.

Do you have any unusual collections?
Nothing unusual -- books, coffee mugs from places I've been. Yep, that's pretty much it. I'm the exact opposite of a pack rat or collector.

What do people notice about you within the first hour of meeting you (other than appearance)?
That I love books. That I have a short attention span. Technically, I've very reserved, so they might not notice much at all.

Waiting On Wednesday

What I’m Reading: Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

What I’m Working On: Adding layers to backstory. Motivation.

Waiting on Wednesday

What?
GENESIS by Bernard Beckett
Release date: April 20, 2009
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt

Synopsis:
Set on a remote island in a post-apocalyptic, plague-ridden world, this electrifying novel is destined to become a modern classic.

Anax thinks she knows her history. She’d better. She’s now facing three Examiners, and her grueling all-day Examination has just begun. If she passes, she’ll be admitted into the Academy—the elite governing institution of her utopian society.

But Anax is about to discover that for all her learning, the history she’s been taught isn’t the whole story. And that the Academy isn’t what she believes it to be.

In this brilliant novel of dazzling ingenuity, Anax’s examination leads us into a future where we are confronted with unresolved questions raised by science and philosophy. Centuries old, these questions have gained new urgency in the face of rapidly developing technology. What is consciousness? What makes us human? If artificial intelligence were developed to a high enough capability, what special status could humanity still claim?

Outstanding and original, Beckett’s dramatic narrative comes to a stunning close. This perfect combination of thrilling page-turner and provocative novel of ideas demands to be read again and again.

Why:
I’ve been quite interested in the post-apocalyptic, teen-angst story set lately. Maybe it was Hunger Games or perhaps it’s my writer pal’s new story. I’m not sure. Maybe it’s just the times we’re in, but I think new versions of 1984 will soon be the rage. Can’t wait to read this!

Manic Monday

What I’m Reading: Be More Chill by Ned Vizzini

What I’m Working On: Writing. (Really.) I’m writing and exploring my main character’s backstory. I can’t really write the next section unless I truly understand how she will respond based on her history.

And for today's Manic Monday:

Do you screen your phone calls? Yes, both at work and on my cell. Sometimes I can deal so much better if I have a minute to listen to a message and know what the problem is in advance. In my job, I have to solve a lot of problems and deal with frustrated people. I’d rather not be ambushed.

When was the last time you lost your temper? A long time ago if you are talking a ranting temper tantrum. If you’re talking mild anger verbally expressed – yesterday.

When you're lost, do you ask for directions? Yes. I hate be lost.