Humph. I'm a bit upset at the supposed conclusion of the HUGE, long, four volume Dragon Rider series.
Just finished Inheritance (Christopher Paolini). It did not end how I wanted it to. It did not end at all. Let's say that too many questions were unanswered and left hanging for the author to write THE END on the final page.
Sure, he admits to going off to other characters and stories. He even says he may have to come back and write some more to clear up some of the wide open leads and clues that left me frustrated. Duh!
Maybe he's just tired. The four books are after all, large volumes. Excellent reading (except for that phase where the dragons were all using hyphenated thoughts, which I thought was a bit distracting and annoying).
Good versus evil, compelling characters, twisting relationships, treachery, secrets, mysterious happenings, war, devastation, hope, unforeseen relatives, loss, gain, power, leaders,...but conclusion? No way.
So, from this reader, just take a year or so off. Then get back to it, baby. We all know it will take a few years to get the next volume out anyway. We'll wait.
But don't leave us hanging.
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Saturday, December 24, 2011
A Stocking Stuffer
Got my first Christmas stocking stuffer early. Surprise!
I now have a subscription to the Yakima-Herald Republic. Wow, now I will be able to tell what is going on in the area. Not that I always have time to read it, but that's another issue. We have been without a subscription since returning from France a few years ago...
Time to get with it.
This is what I learned today:
the Seahawks are playing today
a local church collected over 60 bears for the fire department
retailers are working hard to gain our money
acts of kindness are occurring throughout the nation
people still believe in Santa
our service men and women are still recovering from the war
there is only 1 day until Christmas
it will be 22 tonight
congress passes a payroll tax cut
a nativity picture is behind a local pastor, but Santa is all over the place
yarn bombing is a big hit
the presidential race wars are on
people die, babies are born
shoppers are out of control over some items
there are many, many things for sale
The list goes on. Kind of hard to find good news! There is much to be read in a newspaper. Take it all with a few grains of salt.
"A Daily Part of Your Life."
(sub-heading for the Yakima-Herald Republic)
Thursday, December 22, 2011
I Broke It
Used my new kindle off and on almost all day yesterday. It's not even a month old yet. Just finishing up my second book and playing some dictionary/crossword game (it was free from Amazon).
My kindle is so convenient, especially as we drove for about 12 hours yesterday. I finished one book just as we made it home. Quickly, while my man unloaded our package, I ordered the next book in the Inheritance series (one more review read to go, then on to the finale). Turned off the kindle as he got back in the van and headed home. Put my kindle away until later. That was it.
Fast forward to bedtime. Grabbed the kindle to start the new book. Crash. Nothing happened. Flashy green light and then nothing. Tried again. Same thing. Dread filled my head. I did not buy the PROTECT YOUR KINDLE extra warranty stuff.
First try. I went ahead and charged my kindle again. At last reading, I had over 3/4 of battery power left. But maybe something weird happened. It was still charging when I went to bed. In the middle of the night, the light was totally off, so I unplugged it until morning.
Immediately checked my kindle when I woke up. Pushed the on button. Nothing. Same flashy light and off. Dread, dread, DREAD! Did not want to think about returning and the run around sure to follow when dealing with an electronic item.
Booted up the computer and thought I would try first off with the web site. As I checked my account, I was slightly frightened by how much tracking of my personal stuff is allowed...shudder.
Finally found the trouble shooting spot for kindles. First choice - frozen kindle. That sounded like it could be it.
"Hold on button for 20 seconds and then the system will reboot."
I did it. Held the button down, even timed it. Let go and watched my kindle reboot and come back to me! Yay!
It might be a silly thing to pray for, but I was praying that my kindle would get back to working order without shipping, long phone calls, long wait times, and possible charges for repair.
What a thank you, Jesus!
Now you know. Hold the start button for 20 seconds. Let go and WAIT. Don't touch anything else. It works.
My kindle is so convenient, especially as we drove for about 12 hours yesterday. I finished one book just as we made it home. Quickly, while my man unloaded our package, I ordered the next book in the Inheritance series (one more review read to go, then on to the finale). Turned off the kindle as he got back in the van and headed home. Put my kindle away until later. That was it.
Fast forward to bedtime. Grabbed the kindle to start the new book. Crash. Nothing happened. Flashy green light and then nothing. Tried again. Same thing. Dread filled my head. I did not buy the PROTECT YOUR KINDLE extra warranty stuff.
First try. I went ahead and charged my kindle again. At last reading, I had over 3/4 of battery power left. But maybe something weird happened. It was still charging when I went to bed. In the middle of the night, the light was totally off, so I unplugged it until morning.
Immediately checked my kindle when I woke up. Pushed the on button. Nothing. Same flashy light and off. Dread, dread, DREAD! Did not want to think about returning and the run around sure to follow when dealing with an electronic item.
Booted up the computer and thought I would try first off with the web site. As I checked my account, I was slightly frightened by how much tracking of my personal stuff is allowed...shudder.
Finally found the trouble shooting spot for kindles. First choice - frozen kindle. That sounded like it could be it.
"Hold on button for 20 seconds and then the system will reboot."
I did it. Held the button down, even timed it. Let go and watched my kindle reboot and come back to me! Yay!
It might be a silly thing to pray for, but I was praying that my kindle would get back to working order without shipping, long phone calls, long wait times, and possible charges for repair.
What a thank you, Jesus!
Now you know. Hold the start button for 20 seconds. Let go and WAIT. Don't touch anything else. It works.
Sunday, December 18, 2011
I Did It!
I have a Kindle.
I never thought I would go that route, but boy am I enjoying the light weight carry-around as I read through the Christopher Paolini Inheritance books to catch up (remind myself of the plot line, characters, problems, etc.) before I read the newest release of the ending of the series. I love BIG books, but holding on to them...well, it can be challenging.
Not so with my Kindle. I have the touch screen, which is very difficult to work when I am falling asleep and trying to turn the page the old fashioned way, but usually I don't have any problems. Once I memorized which way to touch or swipe my fingers to go where I wanted -forward, backward, last chapter, next chapter, menu - it's quite simple. And so light weight.
The font is adjustable, the choices are unlimited for now, as far as books, the simplicity of ordering and downloading is amazing. I think it would be a good fit for people who need larger print, like my mother-in-law. I have even discovered a very fun word game that was free from Amazon. Not that I want to become hooked on games on my Kindle. No time for that...well, maybe just 5 minutes...
My favorite feature may be the light weight, compact size, especially for travel.
Now. If only I had a trip planned.
I never thought I would go that route, but boy am I enjoying the light weight carry-around as I read through the Christopher Paolini Inheritance books to catch up (remind myself of the plot line, characters, problems, etc.) before I read the newest release of the ending of the series. I love BIG books, but holding on to them...well, it can be challenging.
Not so with my Kindle. I have the touch screen, which is very difficult to work when I am falling asleep and trying to turn the page the old fashioned way, but usually I don't have any problems. Once I memorized which way to touch or swipe my fingers to go where I wanted -forward, backward, last chapter, next chapter, menu - it's quite simple. And so light weight.
The font is adjustable, the choices are unlimited for now, as far as books, the simplicity of ordering and downloading is amazing. I think it would be a good fit for people who need larger print, like my mother-in-law. I have even discovered a very fun word game that was free from Amazon. Not that I want to become hooked on games on my Kindle. No time for that...well, maybe just 5 minutes...
My favorite feature may be the light weight, compact size, especially for travel.
Now. If only I had a trip planned.
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Taking a Leap
I love books!
I love the paper, the photos, the illustrations, the title pages, the blurbs...the comfort of holding in my hands the delight and excitement of story.
Information. Plot and character. Instruction. Encouragement. Confusion (you've read those types, too). Emotions. Challenge. All of that and more.
I fell for the convenience and asked for a Kindle for my birthday. Now I anxiously wait for the special delivery. One draw was the space saving, purse toting, suitcase emptying aspect of owning an electronic reader. Another enticement was the cutting edge type of technology, which usually doesn't woo me. I succumbed.
Never fear, my books, you are not being replaced. Rather, embraced and cherished. I still desire REAL books to surround me and make my home a place of comfort and coziness.
But for the travel and the sometimes here and now, I will have my Kindle.
Come on, mailman. I waiting.
I love the paper, the photos, the illustrations, the title pages, the blurbs...the comfort of holding in my hands the delight and excitement of story.
Information. Plot and character. Instruction. Encouragement. Confusion (you've read those types, too). Emotions. Challenge. All of that and more.
I fell for the convenience and asked for a Kindle for my birthday. Now I anxiously wait for the special delivery. One draw was the space saving, purse toting, suitcase emptying aspect of owning an electronic reader. Another enticement was the cutting edge type of technology, which usually doesn't woo me. I succumbed.
Never fear, my books, you are not being replaced. Rather, embraced and cherished. I still desire REAL books to surround me and make my home a place of comfort and coziness.
But for the travel and the sometimes here and now, I will have my Kindle.
Come on, mailman. I waiting.
Monday, November 21, 2011
The Mitford Series (Subtitle: How to Find Cheap Books)
What's on my night stand right now? Inheritance (which is waiting until I can refresh the plot line, problems, setting, characters in my mind), Mockingjay (disturbingly violent but riveting for the intended audience), and Book number 6 in the Mitford Series, A Common Life, The Wedding Story.
Reflecting on the last book listed, I can't find my set of the Mitford Series. I've had them all, lost them all, and am in the process of recollecting them all. Easiest way would be to go to the store and buy the entire set, or go online and order the whole set. But where is the fun in that challenge?
My strategy: thrift stores ($1 or less is an appropriate price to my way of thinking); yard sales; online bargains (but usually out of my $1 price range due to shipping); and my most recent way to go - www.paperbackswap.com.
Paperbackswap.com was an accidental find for me. But accidents are not always bad things. I joined, listed books I was willing to part with, and as soon as I gained my first point (one book sent to another subscriber, the mailer paying the postage), I was hooked - searching and hunting, requesting and waiting. It's a great deal!
Slowly, slowly, I have been recovering the entire series. I just began A Common Life, The Wedding Story. I love the character development for Father Tim and Cynthia, who is after all, an author and illustrator, someone near and dear to my heart. All of the characters are beautifully developed. Life happens, the good, the scary, the weird, the terrible. Seems to me that Mitford should and could be a real location.
What a nice way to drift off to sleep, visiting the reality of Mitford.
Monday, October 17, 2011
Reaching the World's Hungry
FYI - There are two new and wonderful resources available in the flick of a fleas' foot (downloadable from the Internet). Check these out if you want to teach a group about world hunger and get some discussion going on what to do to help.
Both are available from www.wmustore.com.
World Hunger 101 - World Hunger Event Promotion Pack by Angie Quantrell (gee, that name sounds familiar, hmmmm), $9.99. This downloadable booklet, posters, and plans give directions and information for a two-hour reality experience about hunger. Ideas and suggestions are given for ages preschool through adult. In our area, the northwest, October and November are months that reflect harvest, thankfulness, and giving to help those in need. This hunger experience and discussion will surely lead your group to reaching out to others.
Teaching Preschoolers About Hunger by Jennifer Cox (I know her, too!) is available for a longer focus on hunger. This resource will help preschoolers understand hunger in our country and world in an interactive 4-week study. This resource is also $9.99.
Ready to make an impact? Now you have the help to get going. Check them out!
Tip: Want to have a collection container that tells exactly what the money is for? www.wmustore.com also has the perfect savings bank - in the shape of a loaf of bread! It's called the World Hunger Bread Bank.
Both are available from www.wmustore.com.
World Hunger 101 - World Hunger Event Promotion Pack by Angie Quantrell (gee, that name sounds familiar, hmmmm), $9.99. This downloadable booklet, posters, and plans give directions and information for a two-hour reality experience about hunger. Ideas and suggestions are given for ages preschool through adult. In our area, the northwest, October and November are months that reflect harvest, thankfulness, and giving to help those in need. This hunger experience and discussion will surely lead your group to reaching out to others.
Teaching Preschoolers About Hunger by Jennifer Cox (I know her, too!) is available for a longer focus on hunger. This resource will help preschoolers understand hunger in our country and world in an interactive 4-week study. This resource is also $9.99.
Ready to make an impact? Now you have the help to get going. Check them out!
Tip: Want to have a collection container that tells exactly what the money is for? www.wmustore.com also has the perfect savings bank - in the shape of a loaf of bread! It's called the World Hunger Bread Bank.
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