Saturday, March 15, 2014

Sunday Post #36/ It's Monday. What Are You Reading?



The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer.
It's Monday! What Are You Reading is hosted by Sheila at Book Journey.

Another week gone by but it's starting to look like spring around here- a little bit. We've had warm days and then cold days, but the sun is out and it feels like spring to me now. I'm ready for grilling out and warm breezes. 

I picked up a few new arrivals this week, mostly old school fantasy stuff. I've found that a lot of the stuff I read growing up doesn't hold up very well, so I'm a little hesitant to go back to go back to some of these. Part of the appeal is nostalgia I suppose, either for the cover art or the story or whatever, and it will be nice to have them on the bookshelf. 

Here is some nice Lord of the Rings art from the legendary Frank Frazetta. Although I never understood why everyone is so scantily clad in his artwork... :)

The Captain America: Winter Soldier movie is getting good early buzz. Here's a new clip.



The Veronica Mars movie is out and Hypable has a nice rundown of some references you may have missed.

Pamela at Reading Is Fun Again on her Favorite Literary Tropes.

Lemon trees and fun updates over at Ciao Amalfi.

Here's a little Irish music to celebrate St. Patrick's day! Enjoy.


62 comments:

  1. I hope you will enjoy Night Owls, it'll be something new to go with your other old school fantasy stuff :)

    Thanks for stopping by the blog btw, I'm so glad I found yours through your comment! Added you to my feeds as I'll be looking forward to your review of Moth and Spark. I read it earlier in the year, it was like the perfect blend of romance and fantasy...and well, I'm just a sucker for stuff like that :)

    ~Mogsy

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  2. I read Night Owls last week and enjoyed it, I plan to continue the series. Have a wonderful week Greg :)

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  3. Thanks for the video on the ice caves, it's impressive and gorgeous. And I hadn't heard Clannad for a long time :)
    I'm waiting for your review on Night owls - have a nice sunday !

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  4. Looking forward to your Old School Reviews. Gosh, I wish I could even remember those books I read as a youngster way back in Germany. I know I read a lot of fantasy and fairy tales, but would never able to remember the names of them to enable me to search for them online now. Who knows if this stuff even still exist, considering that I grew up in East Germany. My, I do love the pictures of the ice caves on Lake Michigan, just simply amazing!Have a great week and Happy Reading!
    My Sunday post is here

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  5. Last year I picked up the first book I recall making me cry. I found it squirreled away in dusty used bookstore in Seattle. I've been hesitant to read it again because I'm worried the book won't be as good as my memory remembers.

    Have a a great week!

    Terri M.

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  6. Nice week, Greg! I also have Moth and Spark on wishlist. As a LOTR nut I am not crazy about that style of drawings but hey, to each his own. I like the more lush, fantasy-like depictions. Thanks for so many newsy articles that I will read in a few :) Good job.

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    1. Thanks Rita! I'm not actually a huge fan of those pics either (liked the first one, though) but mainly it was Frazetta and that caught my eye. He's done so much wild fantasy stuff over the years, but for LoTR I do also prefer a more traditional approach. I also liked the Hildebrandt stuff years ago.

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  7. I know what you mean about books you read when you were younger holding a nostalgia factor but maybe not wanting to reread them - I've made that mistake with a couple books and with my grown up prospective it ruined them for me. Some can handle it - like Harry Potter (I'm assuming this is a reread?) - but some are best sitting on the shelf with my memories.

    Thanks for all the links, I have some exploring to do :) Have a great week!

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  8. I don't know what to think about the GOT books catching up to the show. Martin has always ticked me off as a writer. He is rude to his fans. I thought that way back in 2003 when I started reading GOT.. so trust me. He won't hurry. Also.. I love art from older fantasy novel covers. I mean... YES!!! Have you read the Dark Sword Trilogy? Well I guess a 4th book was added later on. It is such a great series!!

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    1. Yeah I have mixed feelings about Martin. I love the series, but the wait is tough and I know what you mean about his fans. I mean, they put him on the map, the least he can do is be nice. Of course they're anxious for the next book, especially when it's been years!

      I like a lot of older fantasy art too. I have not read Dark sword- is that Hickman and Weis? Sounds really familiar... I love recommendations so I'll definetly check that series out. Thanks!

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    2. Yes it is Hickman and Weis!! I thought it was a really good high fantasy. Sorry getting so late to respond. Had friends in town for Spring Break.

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    3. I thought that sounded familiar- I read some of their stuff years ago and it was fun. I should revisit them and give this series a try. Thanks for recommending it!

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  9. I had not seen the Game of Thrones trailer, so thanks for posting it. This will be the first season I watch as it airs. Can't wait! I don't read the books so I don't care whether the show catches up, but I can see why GRR Martin would be worried. That's the price you pay for not writing faster or selling the rights to your series before it's finished and for revealing the ending to the people making the show, I guess. He should have kept it a secret if he didn't want this to happen. I don't really see why the show couldn't go off in its own direction though. It might not have been the original plan, but you have to work with what you have.

    I'm going to watch the ice caves video and listen to the Irish music after I post this comment. Thanks!

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  10. Thanks for sharing the Irish music clip. I'm going to take my U2, Cranberries and Enya CDs off the shelf now and play them all. Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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    1. You're welcome Catherine, thanks for stopping by! Happy Sunday! I heard somewhere Enya was related to the Clannad people so maybe that's why their music is similar. Happy St. Pat's to you!!

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  11. Even though I haven't read Divergent, I am tempted to see the movie...I like the actors I've seen in the previews: Shailene Woodley and Kate Winslet.

    I must check out Patricia McKillip's books, if for no other reason than her name. A secret of mine: my surname was once McKillip, in one of my incarnations (marriages). LOL

    Enjoy your week! Here's MY WEEKLY SUNDAY/MONDAY UPDATES

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    1. I want to see the movie too, and I like Kate Winslet. Shailene Woodley looks like she'll do a fine job too... but I have not read the books either. That's funny about the (formerly) name similarity! McKillip has a reputation as a good writer, but I hardly remember these so we'll see how they are... :)

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  12. I am so excited about Game of Thrones I have stopped watching Trailers because I get even more excited lol I still haven't recovered from the Red Wedding :(

    The old school stuff looks awesome, I do hope they hold up for you after all this time.

    Looking forward to your review of Moth and Spark when you get to reading it, it's one books I am looking forward to reading, heard great things about it.

    Enjoy the nice weather, I do hope it lasts

    Michelle

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  13. You have a lot of really great books coming up. I'm excited to read those reviews. Also, the Vanity Fair and i09 pieces on Game of Thrones were super interesting. I was just wondering yesterday what would happen if they caught up with the books before Martin is finished with them.

    Also (because I know you love Robin Hobb), I'm reading a middle grade novel called Wonder Light: Unicorns of the Mist and she wrote a blurb:

    “Dares to explore a world where unicorns are creatures of wonder and power, and girls can find both strength and courage to be themselves.” -Robin Hobb

    That sold me. It's a pretty fantastic book. You might like it.

    Jessica @ Tales Between the Pages

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    1. Thank you Jessica! I thought the GoT pieces were interesting too- I've often wondered just how the poor guy will stay ahead of the show. Looks like maybe he won't.

      I do really like Robin Hobb's stuff, and that blurb does sound like a good read. I love recommendations, and a blurb by her definetly gets my attention. she's such a phenomenal writer, whenever I read her stuff I feel like I'm right there, she does so well w/ descriptions. Thanks for letting me know about it.

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  14. Ice caves and The Winter Soldier...yay! Those are some old school fantasy covers. lol I've never heard of Night Owls. I need to check that and Dragonworld out. Have a great week! :)

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  15. Love seeing those old fantasy covers....make me think of my fav Terry Brooks. For some reason a few months ago I decided to try to collect all of his (goodness knows where I'll put them all)...so I scour every second hand shop I see now! I don't read enough fantasy...but then I say that of every genre lately except YA Dystopia...I read a bit too much of that!

    Anyway...Hope you are enjoying HP (Don't tell me this is your first go at it??) and enjoy all of your upcoming reads as well!

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  16. I like the cover of Moth and Spark! Great haul this week, the fantasy (series?) looks pretty cool, love the old school fantasy cover (:
    I'm so excited that there's more Captain America clips, definitely can't wait, I'm hoping it'll be better than the first one haha. Hope you have an awesome week!

    Cyn @ Bookmunchies

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    1. I like that cover too, and yes some of those old time fantasy covers are kinda neat. I am totally ready for the Captain America movie, these clips are making me want to see it more and more all the time! I think it'll be good!

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  17. Love the covers for all the books!

    Our weather has alternated between cold and warm too. Hopefully spring is on its way! Have a great week!

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    1. Thanks Yvonne! I liked the covers this week too, some great art. Hope your week is awesome.

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  18. Found your blog through the Sunday Post meme and now following :) Loved the Harry Potter series, hope you enjoy it too!

    Finley Jayne
    http://finleyjaynesbookshelves.blogspot.com/

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    1. Thanks for following! I think I will like the series, it's very fun discovering it all for the first time.

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  19. I want the SOIAF books to come out before the show catches up; however, I don't think that is going to happen. I don't know why Martin is so surprised this is happening.

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    1. I don't think so either, he just doesn't have time. And I'm not sure either, he may be in denial. :) It will be interesting to see if he decides (with his editors) to release Winds if winter before he otherwise might, just to get it out there and buy himself some more time...

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  20. Looks like a fantastic week. You can never go wrong with a bit of Potter! Thanks for visiting my blog.

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    1. Thanks Kylie, it certainly is interesting! Hope you have a great week.

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  21. I can't watch the trailer for the new GoT season because I just started season 2 today, and I'm starting book two on Tuesday when I get it. I'm super excited!! I'm hoping that Martin manages to stay ahead of the show in some way, they could always do like a year break like BBC's Sherlock did...but that fandom sort of went insane while waiting. I'll have to look into the fantasy books you picked up this week. I hope you have a great week!

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    1. Hope you like Clash of Kings, it's a lot of fun. I also hope that Martin stays ahead, although I'm not sure how he will. :) I really don't want to see the end on TV first. He's really got himself in a pickle, I'm sure he never imagined he would be this under the gun but here he is. I just want to see where Arya and Jon end up.

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  22. Good to hear you are finally thawing out a little, fingers crossed it continues!

    I seriously am beside myself with excitement for GOT, we are getting it streamed from the US within 2 hours, wish more shows were like that. I have the books but never made a start, you know the times when you just can't fit in another chunkster series, so I won't be bothered by the TV end beating the book conclusion. Had I started the series I'd be peeved lol. I'm thankful I'm up to date with Diana Gabaldon's Outlander series before that hits our TV screens... another one to feed my addiction ;)

    Oh happy reading this week, I got sidetracked by GOT lust!

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    1. S'OK, it happens! I get a little sidetracked by that series myself! If I had not already read the series years ago I can see not wanting to tackle them all either, with the show already going... glad you guys are able to get it. Thanks for coming by!

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  23. I'm looking forward to the Captain America movie, saw the trailer after watching Thor: The Dark World on the Weekend and it looks good though hubby was whinging about someone being on the wrong side??

    Anyway have a great week

    Shelleyrae @ Book'd Out

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    1. Thanks Shellyrae, I think it will be good although they do take liberties w/ the characters so yeah that's possibe. Hope you guys like it!

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  24. Those ice caves are pretty impressive! I hope you enjoy all upcoming reads!
    :-)
    Bits & Bobs

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    1. I can't believe how built up they got, just amazing. Thanks for stopping by!

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  25. Is it your first time reading Harry Potter? I wish I could read that series for the first time again!

    I'm reading A Game of Thrones at the moment and have (mainly) been able to avoid spoilers from the TV show- which I don't want to watch until I've read at least the book which relates to that story

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  26. You have a nice assortment of books going. I really liked Moth and Spark and hope you do too. I think I've read the McKillip books but It might be just that I've seen them around so often. Come see what I did last week here. Have a wonderful week!

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  27. I also find it hit and miss to re-read books from when I was young. Apparently, I tolerated a lot more preachiness then than I do now.

    Joy's Book Blog

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    1. Yeah times were sure different in terms of what got published, and the tastes of the times. Some of the old school fantasy and sci fi, at least for me, is hard to read now, but back then I ate it up. :)

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  28. Harry Potter <3

    Check out what we are reading this week.

    Also check out our Kindle Giveaway along with OUAT 4 year Giveaway.

    Leydy @OUaT & RCE

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  29. Wow. Game of Throne is already catching up to the books, that is bad considering how long it takes for him to write one. Is this your first go with Harry Potter? I hope you enjoy it. So fun. Night Owls was a good read for me even though I had some issues, I would still recommend it.

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  30. Yay for Harry Potter! I've loved that series since it was first published. I hope you're enjoying it Greg. Thanks so much for stopping by my Sunday Post.
    -Kimberly @ Turning the Pages

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    1. I am enjoying it so far, it's nice to see what all the hype is about! :)

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  31. Love those Game of Thrones clips. I don't want to watch the ending before reading it. I enjoy reading the books and then watching to see how they translate into a show. My son just told me that he bought tickets for Friday's premiere of Divergent and I am going with him and his girlfriend. Normally, I do not go to the crazy openings. Have a great week.

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    1. That's awesome that you're going w/ your son and his girlfriend, sounds like fun. Enjoy!

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  32. Enjoyed your videos! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

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  33. Happy St. Patrick's Day, Greg! During our trip to Spain we are stopping off in Dublin for a day and a half. Relatives there are meeting us and we're going to do some quick touring (including the Guinness brewery!)

    I love all your pictures from Lake Michigan. It must be amazing to see all that ice and snow. I buy childhood and young adult favorites, too, and you're right--they're not always as awesome as I remember, but it's still fun to have them!

    I hope you have a great week!

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    1. I hope you enjoy St. Pat's Day! Dublin sound sgreat, good for you. I bet that will be a blast. And I agree- sometimes just collecting old books we fondly remember is worth it just by itself.

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  34. Mmmm...So You've Created a Wormhole, eh? I like that. I must find out more.

    And I definitely need to pass on the photo of the Lake Michigan ice cave to my poor son living in Chicago!

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    1. I want to read that book but have a few in front of it. Must.read.faster!

      He'll probably appreciate it, they have probably heard about all this crazy ice there too. They're just across the lake and a little south of us. :)

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  35. That's always the tough part about re-reading a book. Sometimes they hold up well, but sometimes they just don't work a second time.

    The Veronica Mars article was fun. I think I picked up on just about everything. :)

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  36. Hi Greg! The Patricia McKillip books look BEAUTIFUL. There's something nostalgic about older fantasy novels' book covers. Maybe I miss perusing the older fantasy titles from my library in the early 2000s. Good memories.

    And I sure am looking forward to the season 4 of Game of Thrones! WOOHOO!

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    1. I agree, there are some really nice covers on some of those older books. A different illustration style, or something.

      Go Game of Thrones!! :)

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  37. Even though I still have not read the Song of Ice and Fire books, I think it would be terrible if they tried to continue the show before the next book(s) come out. I don't want to read the article you linked, because just the thought scares me. But if he doesn't hurry, I don't imagine the show will have a choice. It would probably be too expensive or just downright impractical to put the show on hiatus for years to wait for Martin to catch up. He needs to just buckle down.

    Stephanie @ Inspiring Insomnia

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    1. I totally agree, it will be awful (I think) if we get the conclusion on the show first- and it looks like we might. If he could just get down to it that would be nice! The biggest thing is there are nuances in the books that the show hasn't touched on yet, little hints that if true are big, and with the show not even touching on them yet it makes you wonder how they will handle it.

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  38. Oh wow. What a week. I just added Captain America's new movie to my movie queue. We are looking forward to it. :)

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