Take A Chance Challenge 3

Okay, I want to do this one too. These are the fun, random sorts of challenges that I find fun I suppose. And besides, this fits totally in with my "spontaneity" goal I'm thinking.

I did this one last year and managed a handful from the categories, but I could have done better. So here's toTHIRD chances! :)

This one is hosted by Jenners at Life With Books and here are the categories she's come up with for us this year:

The 2011 Challenges

1: Staff  Member’s Choice: Go to a bookstore or library that has a “Staff Picks” section. Read one of the picks from that section.

2: Loved One’s Choice: Ask a loved one to pick a book for you to read. (If you can convince them to buy it for you, that is even better!)

3: Blogger’s Choice: Find a “Best Books Read” post from a favorite blogger. Read a book from their list.

4: Critic’s Choice: Find a “Best of the Year” list from a magazine, newspaper or professional critic. Read a book from their Top 10 list.

5: Blurb Book: Find a book that has a blurb on it from another author. Read a book by the author that wrote the blurb.

6: Book Seer Pick: Go to The Book Seer and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.

7: What Should I Read Next Pick : Go to What Should I Read Next and follow the instructions there. Read a book from the list it generates for you.

8: Which Book Pick: Go to Which Book and use the software to generate a list of books. Read a book from that list.

9: LibraryThing Pick: Go to LibraryThing’s Zeitgeist page. Look at the lists for 25 Most Reviewed Books or Top Books and pick a book you’ve never read. Read the book. (Yes … you can click on MORE if you have to.)

10: Pick A Method: Pick a method for finding a book from the choices listed below (used in previous versions of the challenge).

• Random Book Selection. Go to the library. Position yourself in a section such as Fiction, Non-Fiction, Mystery, Children (whatever section you want). Then write down random directions for yourself (for example, third row, second shelf, fifth book from right). Follow your directions and see what book you find. Check that book out of the library, read it and then write about it. (If you prefer, you can do the same at a bookstore and buy the book!)
• Public Spying. Find someone who is reading a book in public. Find out what book they are reading and then read the same book. Write about it.
• Random Bestseller. Go to Random.org and, using the True Random Number Generator, enter the number 1950 for the min. and 2010 for the max. and then hit generate. Then go to this site and find the year that Random.org generated for you and click on it. Then find the bestseller list for the week that would contain your birthday for that year. Choose one of the bestsellers from the list that comes up, read it and write about it.

As is my plan for the Twenty Eleven Challenge, I will just keep track of books completed on this same page. I think that might make my head spin less. Maybe. We'll see. 

Come join us! Here's a link to the official challenge spot. 

Review: The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan

Book: The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan
Genre: Fantasy, High and Epic
Rating: A
For: my own personal WoT challenge which has turned into a buddy read with Ibeeeg
From: bought the "part 2" (books 4,5,6) set from Amazon

Well. Wow. Once I could actually concentrate on this, it seemed to fly by. I know, to you, my readers, it seems like I've been reading this book forever, but in actuality, it's just been this past week and a half that I've really REALLY been reading it! :) I've decided these Wheel of Time books need much attention. I can't really do my normal reading multiple books at a time thing with them. Interesting.

Anyway, so this continues the story of Rand and his friends. In this brief summary, I'll try not to spoil this book, but there's most likely going to be spoilers from previous books, as is the risk when reviewing a series, especially of this magnitude!

So this book follows basically three different groups, all scattered throughout this fantasy world. (Does this world actually have a name? Anyone know?) There's Rand, with Egwene, Moiriane, Mat, Lan and my new favorite character, Aviendha, along with several other strange assorted characters who are traveling from the Aiel wasteland, through the mountains to track down one of the Aiel tribes and their leader that has refused to join forces with Rand and company. They will reek havoc with the land if left on their own. They must be stopped.

Meanwhile, we have Nynaeve, Elayne, Thom, and Juilin who are.... hmmmm.... you know I'm not sure what their original purpose was, (I tend to forget why everyone is travelling all over the place and where they really want to go!) but I think they were sent to search after the Black Ajah (lady sorcerers if you'll remember! The bad ones!) and stop them. As if they can! Sheesh, they really know nothing about nothing. Anyway, they get themselves in all sorts of trouble but much of it is quit comical! And much is quite scary too.

The cool thing is that Nynaeve, Elayne and Egwene can keep tabs on each other and what's going on with everyone (and their favorite guys) by meeting up in the dreamworld. Pretty awesome.

The third group includes Min and the former leaders of the Aes Sedai, who were basically running for their lives at the end of book four. Oh, and also they've dragged along with them Logain, one of those bad false dragons! They manage to get into trouble too and have to keep running for their lives. They end up finding a hidden village of sorts, which I won't tell you anymore about at the moment.

So, I think at this point, the purpose of all the action is for everyone to rally around Rand, the true Dragon Reborn, and then... I  think save the world? See, here's where I sort of lose my understand of all the deep underlying political/religious/mythical issues facing all these characters!

But what I DO love and relish in is all the character/relationship interaction. Here's my random thoughts on that, and other general observations, which most likely will contain spoilers for this particular books itself:

* Nynaeve and her whiny man-hating self is about to drive me crazy! BUT, she is still quite an interesting character. I just wish Lan hadn't fallen for her, you know. She's just not worthy. Even given that fiery ending!

* Aviendha! Now there's a worthy woman! :) She cracks me up! All that tension between her and Rand that completely exploded! Whew.... I had to read that bit like two or three times to make sure it was really happening! And to be in Rand's head... it's very fun stuff. Poor Rand.

* And poor Min who knows what's to come for everyone. That's got to be irritating, especially when it concerns herself, Rand and two others. Sheesh. Can't he pick someone? Talk about your love triangle times three!

* I really hope we get more of Lan soon. We need his story, really.

* Those Forsaken. They are a scary lot! You go get 'em Rand!

* And then there's Mat... I can so totally see him in my head, floppy hat, a bit scruffy, leaning on his big spear, eying everyone. His story made me a little sad this go around. It's going to be interesting to see what's up with him, especially given Brandon Sanderson's little hint when I talked to him at that signing. I look forward to more Mat. (And thankfully we have more Mat to look forward to! I was scared there for a minute!)

* I missed Perrin like crazy. I hope his story is not over. It can't be, can it?

* Other stuff I enjoyed: the whole circus thing was a blast, the prophet and riot was an interesting twist, Brigette also known as Marion (a nod to Robin Hood? I think so!), Galad and how I would picture the most beautiful man ever (he's supposed to be dark so I actually picture him a bit like Mohinder from Heroes,) more Aiel traditions,  the reincarnation thing with several of our guys and what's up with that, just to name a few! I could go on and on.

The writing itself? Frankly, I hardly notice it which I think is a good thing. I am so caught up in the story that I forget about the writing. I think that's a sign of good writing, wouldn't you say?

Bottom line: I loved it. (Book four is still my favorite though!)

Other Reviews:

Punkadiddle: for a completely and I mean completely different take on the book!
The Wertzone: who seemed to enjoy it just fine!
Kay's Bookshelf: which actually points out some of the stuff that bugged me (repetition for the most part)
Polishing Mud Balls: who, not surprisingly, feels the same about lots of this stuff.

Top Ten Tuesday: Bookish Resolutions

I haven't officially posted a list for bookish resolutions yet, so I figured why not participate in the Top Ten event over at The Broke and the Bookish for the week and make one.

So here are my reading goals this year:

1. Keep reading The Wheel of Time books, hopefully one every other month. That would be six more books!
2. Read one non-fiction book a month.
3. Read more newly released books. Be more of a buzz maker instead of a buzz follower!
4. At the same time, read more classics!
5. But don't forget, allow for lots and lots of spontaneity (which basically means, enjoy the library.)
6. Recommit to the Printz Project and get a bunch of those books read.
7. Keep up with all the books the local authors are writing.
8. Read the New Testament.
9. Catch up on ARCs that are still waiting for reviews.
10. Read what I WANT to read, not what I HAVE to read.

Of course, I'll try to get to that fun 100 book mark again. Have you seen the new feature over at Goodreads where you can keep track of this? Yes, it's pretty cool. I'm doing really lousy so far since I haven't yet finished a book this year, but The Fires of Heaven has only 100 or so pages to go... and I can read 100 in a flash! :) But the week is a busy one, so I guess we'll see how that goes. I'm anxious to get to a bunch of new books that are waiting in the wings, so hopefully it will happen.

If you haven't posted your goals yet, what are you waiting for? Make a list and join us!

The Twenty Eleven Challenge!

Okay, so I said I wasn't really going to do challenges this year, but this one is perfect because it's a bunch of different categories, and all ones I want to try. So, yep. I'm signing up! And I've got to read 20 books from 11 of these categories... so all but two categories will have two books each. Clear as mud? I think it will make sense as we go.

It's hosted by Bart's Bookshelf and so if it looks fun to you too, click on over and add your link!

Here's the list, copied and pasted over:

To YA or not YA.
Okay, this one works like this… Tend to read more Young Adult than Adult Fiction books then read one or two adult fiction titles, vice-versa if you don’t tend to read much Young Adult.

    READ: The Sweetness at the Bottom of the Pie by Alan Bradley

With a Twist.
This one focuses on sub-genres, read a lot of chick-lit, then try a paranormal romance! Fantasy? Why not give some Steampunk a go, like a bit of Space-Opera in your Sci-Fi then pick up a military Sci-fi book. Like your Contemporary Literature, give a Young Adult Contemporary a chance. Well hopefully you get the idea!

     READ: A Madness of Angels by Kate Griffin (urban fantasy)

Hot off the Presses.
Read a book published (in your country) in 2011? Then it counts for this category.

   READ: Beyonders by Brandon Mull
   READ: Wither by Lauren DeStefano

It Wasn’t Me! (aka Bad Bloggers*)
Books in this category, should be ones you’ve picked up purely on the recommendation of another blogger count for this category (any reviews you post should also link to the post that convinced you give the book a go).
* Bad Bloggers: Is hosted by Chris of Stuff as Dreams are Made on.

    READ: Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins
    READ: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare


Show it Who is Boss!
Tackle that overflowing T.B.R. pile! Books for this category must be already residents of your bookshelves as of 1/12/10.

    READ: Skellig by David Almond

Bablefish.
Read books that are translated from a language that is not your own.

Will-Power? What Will-Power? (aka: The Henry Ward Beecher Memorial.)
You know that quote I have in my blog-header… “Where is human nature so weak as in a bookstore?”Recognise yourself in it? Then this is the one for you! Bought a book NEW during 2011? Then it counts for this category. Second-hand books do not count for this one, but, for those on book-buying bans, books bought for you as gifts or won in a giveaway also count.

   READ: Open Country by Kaki Warner
   

Mind the Gap.
Need just one more book to compete that duology/trilogy/series then read it for this one! (Obviously as this is for that final book you need to complete it, then you can’t read two books from the same series! And it clearly can’t be your first or penultimate read!)
Because not everyone reads a series in order, this is for the last book you need to read, not necessarily the last book in the series…

     READ: Monsters of Men by Patrick Ness




Back in the Day.
Re-read an old favourite or two for this category.

    READ: 84 Charing Cross Road by Helene Hanff
    READ: I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak

Way Back When.
Read books that were published before you were born for this one, whether that be the day before or 100 years prior!

     READ: The Way We Live Now by Anthony Trollope


Slim-Pickings
Got a novella you want to read? Then this one is the one for you! Any books between 90-150 pages count.

See? Does that not sound fun or what? 

And to make things easier, I think I'll just update this page as I read something for each category. Hopefully that won't get too confusing!

Weekly Geeks 2011.1: Self Portrait

Weekly Geeks this week is to take a picture of yourself (or get your kids to like I did!) reading your current book in your favorite spot. So here I am. Notice the glasses on top of the head.... that's because I suddenly can't read with my glasses on. Yep. It's come to that.


Now your turn for a reading picture!

The Sunday Salon: Musings

I saw this fun format for musings on Deanna's Polishing Mudballs site last week and thought I'd steal it give it a try now and then for a Sunday post. These thoughts are Saturday night real time, but you won't see them until Sunday. Let me know if you think it's worth doing again for future posts.

Outside my window: It is gray and dreary, and oh so very cold.

I am listening to: The Fugitive, which is on the TV at the moment, even though no one is watching it. One awesome movie though.

I am thinking: that I really should be reading instead of computering. I've got so many piles waiting for me!

I am grateful for: health, even though I have issues with weight, at least I'm healthy!

I am reading: The Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan, the Wheel of Time series, book five! Whew! I am just past page 600 of 960 pages. It takes time, but is also flying by. I have many observations and am anxious to post random thoughts in a review hopefully this week.

I am photographing: myself reading for a Weekly Geek self portrait to be posted soon. Come on over and join us, you know you want to! I am also pondering a new, creative bookish profile post. It's time for a change.

I am listing: things I am looking forward to this year!

I am creating: a science fair project with Toto, sixth grade daughter. All week we've been recruiting people willing to do 50 stomach crunches a day for a month, with waist measurements given every week.... to see if crunches really work! We have about 15 people on board and we're off with the experiment! It's going to be interesting.

On my iPod: I just downloaded and added the Tron soundtrack today. Oh my. I love it. I made a YouTube playlist of this stuff so if you want to have a listen, click here.

To live my faith: I plan on going to church as usual!

I am hoping and praying: that my sister-in-law survives her grief and hangs in there until she can breathe again.

Around the house: I have cleaned up Christmas and organized a few little corners, including a laptop space for myself.

From the kitchen: not much is happening. The kids just made Bagel Bites! I'm trying not to think about food at the moment, you know. I would love to make what's happening in the kitchen more enjoyable. If you have suggestions, let me know.

One of my favorite things: is really loud visually cool movies. Yes, we finally saw Tron last night, and it was impressive, special effect-wise. And loud. And I loved it.

The children this week: will be busy as usual. Next Saturday could be interesting since one kid has conflicting band gigs. I hope we get through it without too many issues.

Plans for the week: to go to work, to finish Fires then start some new books, to go to a birthday party on Friday and band gigs on Saturday, to shuttle kids here and there, do stomach crunches every day (along with regular exercising,) and to have a good attitude through it all!

On this date: in 2008 I posted my TBR shelf, which looks the same today, just different books. In 2009 I posted a rambling post, which it was fun to see what I was rambling about two years ago, and in 2010 I posted about all the fun I was having with Bloggiesta AND other things that day, including seeing Shannon Hale! Ah, that was a fun day. I can't believe it's been a year already.

A Bit of Me(Me): Looking Ahead

I've taken a little break from Danielle's (There's a Book) weekly Saturday meme, so it's time to jump back on board with this fun question:

What's your most looked forward to event coming up this year? (Online or real life, bookwise or not.)

And as is my usual, I can't think of just one so here's a few:

Bookwise:

• Markus Zusak is coming! March 26! (But I think I told you that already, yes?)
• LTUE, even though it's not free this year, I imagine I'll still be there. That's in February. I hope to go to a bunch of other local book related events this next year. That was definitely a highlight of last year, and hopefully this year has more of the same.
• Utah Blogger parties. Hopefully there's one coming up in February again like last year.
• All those unread books waiting for me to read them!

Other:

• My son, after being gone for two years, will be coming home end of May!
• We are taking the whole family to see Les Miserables in June. It was part of their Christmas.
• Maybe a cruise? Maybe a trip back East with the family? I don't know what trips are in store, but I bet we'll go somewhere!
• There's a high possibility of a Josh Groban concert this year too!

It's going to be a great year!

What are you looking forward to?