Saturday, November 7, 2015
Sunday Post
The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba the Caffeinated Book Reviewer
This has been a good week weather wise. Lots of sun and temps in the 70's early in the week, it cooled off a bit towards the end. Not bad. I got a bit of reading in, watched more Netflix and enjoyed the various SciFi Month posts. Speaking of, SciFi Month is off to a great start- lots of nice posts this week.
Last week I had my Top Ten Star Wars Moments for SciFi Month as well as a few other posts. I've also tried a few podcasts, something I've been wanting to do but haven't had time. I liked Super Serials a lot, I saw them mentioned over at I Wish I Lived in a Library- I listened to one and liked it a lot. And I tried a few other as well, with mixed results. I'll try to share more as I figure out which ones I like or don't like.
BOOKISH NEWS:
SciFi Month runs all through November- you can check out the details here. #RRSciFiMonth and @SciFiMonth.
Rinn Reads has a great intro post for SciFi Month.
Manga Maniac Cafe reviews The Black Stallion.
Star Wars Stacks is a Star Wars book club and podcast. This episode talks the new Star Wars movie.
Exploring All Genres reviews Total Recall.
Thursday, November 5, 2015
The Illustrated Star Wars Universe
The big draw for this book is the artwork by Ralph McQuarrie. He was the lead concept artist and influence on the original trilogy, and shaped the look of the movies in so many ways. Paging through this book is a real pleasure, as he brings eight of the Star Wars worlds to life. The text is by Kevin J. Anderson, a noted science fiction author, and while the prose is sometimes interesting, the art is the ticket here. Probably my favorite sections were the ones on Tattoine, Yavin and Alderaan. The last one in particular- we never see Alderaan in the films up close and personal, and the imagination of the setting is wondrous. It was also nice to get a glimpse of Jabba's palace on Tatooine.
This is highly recommended if you are a Star Wars fan. There is a lot of interesting information here, and the artwork is imaginative and top notch. This is a great resource for someone who just wants to get lost in the Star Wars universe for a while, and let their imagination soar with the artwork.
Beyond the Books- Bad Habits
Beyond the Books is a meme hosted by KissinBlueKaren where every week she throws out a topic to discuss. Link up at her blog and get to know your fellow bloggers!
This week's topic: Bad habits. Share yours and why you won't give it up. Ever.
This one's easy. My vice is pop- or soda as it's called elsewhere. I have to have a cold Coke sometimes. Yes I know the sugar isn't good for you- but that's okay. I don't plan on giving it up anytime soon...
It used to be Mountain Dew for me, back in the day. I lived on that stuff...
Sometimes I like Faygo too. Does anyone else drink Faygo?
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
A Dance with Dragons - Davos II
Davos sails into White Harbor aboard the Merry Midwife, a beat up old boat, and thinks how he intended to sail in on Salladhor Saan's ship, in a show of strength. Now he must smuggle himself in, more or less. He was warned at Sisterton that Manderly was allying with the Lannisters, but the northmen at Eastwatch told him would never abandon the Starks. He is here to see for himself.
Davos heads to the Lazy Eel, an old winesink to find out the latest gossip, and learns that Robett Glover is in the city trying to raise troops. Everything else he hears is bad for Stannis' cause, and he gets a little down about it, but decides it is his duty to proceed, so he presents himself to Lord Manderly's place and asks to see him. He also notes twenty three war galleys in the harbor- Manderly has been busy.
COMMENTARY:
Davos is one of my favorite characters, so it's always a pleasure to read from his perspective. This chapter is primarily a tour- we see that it's a clean and well ordered city, unlike some. We also get an update on where things stand in the North. Manderly has been building ships, which he meant to do as far back as the first book when he met with Bran. But whose side will he be on? And we now know where Robett Glover is...
DAENERYS III
Xaro Xoan Dhaxos is in Meereen to visit Dany and has a fleet with him. Dany is hopeful that this will mean renewed trade, since there is none at the moment thanks to her abolishing the slave trade. They have a long conversation and Xaro entreats her to relent, to let the slave trade resume or her enemies will kill her. She has made a lot of enemies... and he posits that the slave trade is essential, that not everyone is meant to be free. When she refuses, he offers her his ships, to carry her to Westeros. All he asks is that she go, as she had disrupted the entire economy of the East.
COMMENTARY:
This chapter, as far as I'm concerned, is a tease! Xaro offers her a way to go to Westeros, and she refuses. Of course he's not helping her out of the goodness of his heart, but as this storyline drags on, any thought of heading to Westeros is much appreciated! Alas, it is not to be. Barristan advises her to take the ships and go, after a successful inspection, but there is debate among her team. The seneschal says the masters will be restored when she leaves, and all of them that served her will be enslaved or killed. she decides to stay, and when Xaro is informed he threatens her. She tells him to get lost, and learns that his ships are flying banners of war.
Davos heads to the Lazy Eel, an old winesink to find out the latest gossip, and learns that Robett Glover is in the city trying to raise troops. Everything else he hears is bad for Stannis' cause, and he gets a little down about it, but decides it is his duty to proceed, so he presents himself to Lord Manderly's place and asks to see him. He also notes twenty three war galleys in the harbor- Manderly has been busy.
COMMENTARY:
Davos is one of my favorite characters, so it's always a pleasure to read from his perspective. This chapter is primarily a tour- we see that it's a clean and well ordered city, unlike some. We also get an update on where things stand in the North. Manderly has been building ships, which he meant to do as far back as the first book when he met with Bran. But whose side will he be on? And we now know where Robett Glover is...
DAENERYS III
Xaro Xoan Dhaxos is in Meereen to visit Dany and has a fleet with him. Dany is hopeful that this will mean renewed trade, since there is none at the moment thanks to her abolishing the slave trade. They have a long conversation and Xaro entreats her to relent, to let the slave trade resume or her enemies will kill her. She has made a lot of enemies... and he posits that the slave trade is essential, that not everyone is meant to be free. When she refuses, he offers her his ships, to carry her to Westeros. All he asks is that she go, as she had disrupted the entire economy of the East.
COMMENTARY:
This chapter, as far as I'm concerned, is a tease! Xaro offers her a way to go to Westeros, and she refuses. Of course he's not helping her out of the goodness of his heart, but as this storyline drags on, any thought of heading to Westeros is much appreciated! Alas, it is not to be. Barristan advises her to take the ships and go, after a successful inspection, but there is debate among her team. The seneschal says the masters will be restored when she leaves, and all of them that served her will be enslaved or killed. she decides to stay, and when Xaro is informed he threatens her. She tells him to get lost, and learns that his ships are flying banners of war.
Tuesday, November 3, 2015
Top Ten Star Wars Moments
As part of SciFi Month I thought it would be fun to share my Top Ten Star Wars Moments. So here for your enjoyment, and in no particular order, are some of my favorites.
The Asteroid Scene - I love the view from the cockpit of the Millenium Falcon as they bob and weave their way through the asteroids. And Threepio bitching the whole time.
Luke's duel with Vader in The Empire strikes Back- the whole look of Cloud City, just amazing design. Especially the shaft where they have the final showdown- you can hear the wind howling and the winking lights, just very atmospheric.
The moment when Luke realizes he is a Jedi, like his father. And we see Force lightning for the first time.
Artoo and Threepio arriving at Jabba's palace. We finally get to see Jabba and his home, and what a place. I love the cavernous feel of it, all the lowlifes and scum of the galaxy
Luke with Ben on Tatooine. I like this scene because it shows a quiet moment in the saga, with Luke learning about his father and seeing a lightsaber
Luke faces Darth Vader in Return of the Jedi. The only real character moment we have with these two (until the end)- nicely done I thought.
Teaser Tuesday #53
Teaser Tuesdays is hosted by MizB at A Daily Rhythm. To participate you grab your current read, open to a random page and share (2) teaser sentences from somewhere on that page. BE CAREFUL NOT TO INLUDE SPOILERS (Make sure what you share doesn't give too much away. You don't want to ruin the book for others). Share the title and author.
She didn't look sorry. She looked drunk.
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