A Sunday Quote

This is one of my absolute favorite quotes by the Doctor! It's kinda self explanatory. So I'll just leave you with it. :)

Lord of the Rings Quotes

Tolkien week is coming to a close! We've looked at some things Tolkien but not my favorite of all favorite things.

What's my favorite? Quotes of course!

I am constantly quoting LotR and anything else that hapoens to have a good line. I'm quite good at quote games actually!

So what do you say to a quote game?
I'll start and you can comment with a quote and we'll see how far we can take it!

"Let them come! There is one dwarf yet in Moria who still draws breath!"

Your turn!

A Lord of the Rings Prompt

Since today is Thursday and I've been failing at the prompts I post, (That's right. I never finished last week's. I'm a failure.) we're going to do something a little bit different.

This time, I'll just show a picture and you can write whatever you want about it. Story, description, emotion. Whatever you like. Write for 10 minutes and post the piece in the comments. And I WILL do it this time!

Since it's Tolkien week, the picture is from Lord of the Rings.

Feel free to share this post with others! The more the merrier!

When you've posted your piece, take a look at some others! What do you like about them? What don't you like as much? Tell the author about it. Feedback is always appreciated!

Okay! For the picture!

Tolkien's Genius

source: pinterest

Can we talk a little bit about Tolkien's genius?

This man did so many amazing things in his lifetime. As a reader and a writer, I can't begin to appreciate his works enough. I can't imagine doing half his work with even half his skill and mastery.

What all did his genius entail? Let's make a list.

1. He wrote an entire language. Can we just pause to think about that? He wrote. An entire. Language. Uh, that's crazy cool. Just sayin.

2. His mastery of words was beautiful. No one could describe or sound the way he did. He could paint such spendor and elegance into his words.

3. John Ronald Reuhl Tolkien. I mean, he didn't have much to do with naming himself but that's quite the name!

4. He invented hobbits. And hobbits really are amazing creatures. Somehow I can imagine Tolkien as he was writing the books, thinking something along the lines of what Gandalf said. "You can learn all there is to know about them in a month, and yet in a hundred years, they can still surprise you."

5. He could write the most amazing characters. They all had such depth, such emotion. No other characters can jump off the page and seem so concrete to me. Even the ones I don't like, they all have a certain depth that fascinates me. It's beautiful.

6. And lastly, what I really wanted to talk about, Tolkien was a master of poetry. I love poetry. It just makes my heart want to sing.

These three poems are my favorites. (Sorry if there's weird formatting.)

Gandalf is mumbling this song when Frodo first talks to him in the Fellowship of the Ring movie. I think Bilbo wrote it in the book. (I clearly need to read them again.)

"The Road goes ever on and on
  Down from the door where it began.
Now far ahead the Road has gone,
   And I must follow, if I can,
Pursuing it with eager feet,
   Until it joins some larger way
Where many paths and errands meet.
   And whither then? I cannot say."

This poem was a message the lady Galadriel sent through Gandalf to Legolas in the Two Towers(?) book.

"Legolas Greenleaf long under tree
    In joy thou hast lived. Beware of the Sea!
    If thou hearest the cry of the gull on the shore,
    Thy heart shall then rest in the forest no more."

It came true too. Legolas couldn't rest until he could sail away to the undying lands. But he took Gimli too, don't worry.

This one was a walking song Pippin sang before they had even left the Shire in the Fellowship of the Ring book. Sadly, only a portion was put into the movies. Happily, it was well done in the movies. I'm conflicted, it's okay.

"Upon the hearth the fire is red,
Beneath the roof there is a bed;
But not yet weary are our feet,
Still round the corner we may meet
A sudden tree or standing stone
That none have seen but we alone.

  Tree and flower and leaf and grass,
   Let them pass! Let them pass!
   Hill and water under sky,
   Pass them by! Pass them by!

Still round the corner there may wait
A new road or a secret gate,
And though we pass them by today,
Tomorrow we may come this way
And take the hidden paths that run
Towards the Moon or to the Sun.
 
   Apple, thorn, and nut and sloe,
   Let them go! Let them go!
   Sand and stone and pool and dell,
   Fare you well! Fare you well!

Home is behind, the world ahead,
And there are many paths to tread
Through shadows to the edge of night,
Until the stars are all alight.
Then world behind and home ahead,
We'll wander back to home and bed.

   Mist and twilight, cloud and shade,
   Away shall fade! Away shall fade!
   Fire and lamp, and meat and bread,
   And then to bed! And then to bed!"

What's your favorite thing about Tolkien? Do you have a favorite poem of his? Fun facts regarding his genius? Do share!

What I've Learned From Tolkien

Tolkien has been a huge part of my life for a long time. When I was little, my dad read me the books, starting with the Hobbit. 

My sister and I fell in love with the books. We talked about them, begged dad to read them when he was tired, and altogether fell in love with them. 

After the books, we watched the movies. And that was my new obsession. I loved the imagery, the music, the characters. Everything about it made the world brighter to me. 

It got so I could quote them to a T. I wanted to learn more about the actors and how the movies were made. We bought the extended editions and I devoured them. 

And all the while, I believe Tolkien was teaching me valuable lessons. 

This is a list of some of the things Tolkien has taught me. I hope he's inspired and taught you as much as he has me.

1. There is beauty in the simple things of life. In good tilled earth, being with friends, second breakfast. Life's too short to speed past these things. 

2. No matter what, there is always hope. No matter how many obstacles you have to face, you can always believe in hope and in God. 

3. There can be humor in even the bleakest situations. Learn to laugh a little. 

4. There is nothing quite so exciting as traveling. Of being in a strange place that can make you feel so insignificant and so important all at the same time. 

5. Music feeds the soul. You can always enjoy good music. Even if you "have no songs for great halls or evil times". 

6. Friendship trumps all barriers. If you have a friend you can count on to have your back, you have almost everything. 

7. Something evil would probably "look fairer and feel fouler." 

8. The world is so much more vast and mysterious and exciting than I could have ever guessed. There's always something new to see and do. 

9. And lastly, when you're hungry, it rains apples. ;) 

What has Tolkien taught you through his stories?  How has he impacted your life? 

Lord of the Rings Meme

I'm participating in a blog party at The Ede of the Precipice to celebrate Tolkien week. This meme is a link up. Check out the original post here:

http://theedgeoftheprecipice.blogspot.com/2013/09/a-tolkien-blog-party-of-special.html?m=1

So sorry this post is so late today. (Midnight! Ack!) My day filled up with so many things I could barely think! But I'm writing it now at least! 

1. Have you read The Lord of the Rings or The Hobbit? If so, how many times?

I've read the books a few times. I don't know exactly how many. I've read the hobbit more often than the others though. 

2. Have you seen any movies based on them?

All of them. More times than I can even count. I could probably hold whole conversations with just quotes from them. 

3. Who first introduced you to Middle Earth?

My dad read me the books when I was maybe...10? It was a while ago at least. 

4. Who are your three favorite characters? (Feel free to elaborate on whys.)

Oh man...ummm...hard to pick just three!  I adore Aragorn. He's so brave and noble. Sam is absolutely amazing. The greatest example of a friend in hard times. He did so much for Frodo! And...Gimli I guess. He's just funny. Legolas would be my fourth. If, you know, I was allowed to list four. 

5. What's your favorite Middle Earth location?

Either the Shire or Lothlorien. 

6. If you could belong to one of the races of Free Folk (Men, Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits, Ents), which would you choose?

Elves because of their grace and beauty or hobbits for their love of simplicity. 

7. Would you rather eat lembas or taters?

Hmmm...lembas. :) 

8. If you lived in Middle Earth, what weapon would you prefer wielding?

A bow and arrows! I've always wanted to be an archerer! 

9. What draws you to Tolkien's stories? (The characters, the quests, the themes, the worlds, etc.)

I love the characters and the fierce struggle between good and evil. It's so deep and thought-provoking

10. List up to five of your favorite lines/quotes from the books or movies.

"I do not believe this darkness will endure."

"Please Mr. Gandalf sir. Don't 'urt me. Don't turn me into anythin'...unnatural." 

"Smeagol will staaaaaaaarve!!" 

"That still only counts as one!" 

"It's the deep breath before the plunge." 

I could go on but it says up to five so I should stop. But there's so many more that deserve the spotlight! 

What are your favorite things about LotR? (Characters, themes, races, weapons, etc.) Let's talk about them in the comments! 

Concerning Hobbits

Guess what today is?? It's Hobbit Day! It's a day to celebrate Hobbits! Best holiday ever if you ask me! You can go barefoot all day, dress like a hobbit, do LOTR movie marathons, eat seven meals, whatever you like to do to honor Tolkiens creations. (Some people go really extreme!)

I haven't done much for it sad to report. I was with friends all weekend so I got distracted and forgot. But im going to go barefoot the rest of the day and watch at least one of the movies! I get REALLY nerdy when it comes to anything Tolkien so this day is awesome! 

"What is a hobbit though?" A hobbit is a short person with hairy feet.

"They would be small, only children to your eyes." -Aragorn

But there's so much more to them than that.

They're kind. They love good tilled earth and fine ales. Pipeweed is their favorite. Well, actually food might be their REAL favorite.

"They say a hobbits only real passion is for food." -Bilbo Baggins

They enjoy quiet and peace. Adventures seem rather too exciting for them. (Most of them.)

"Before you came along we Baggins' were very well thought of. Never had any adventures or did anything unexpected." -Frodo Baggins

They're sweet and have good, noble hearts. But they can be foolish at times.

"Fool of a Took! Throw yourself in next time and rid us of your stupidity!" -Gandalf

I love the simplicity of a hobbit life. Sometimes I wish I could have that.

I love so much about hobbits it's hard to list it all.

This week is Tolkien week so we'll be talking a lot about Lord of the Rings and hobbits and things. There's so many fun things we could do! I'm pretty excited about it!

If you would like to guest post sometime this week I can still fit you in! Just e-mail me at rainbowsandpenguinsblog(at)gmail(dot)com with any ideas you have. If you would like to guest post but dont have an idea of what to write, that's fine! I'll help you come up with something!

Have a very happy Hobbit Day!

What's your favorite thing about hobbits? Are you doing anything to celebrate hobbit day?

When You Don't Feel Like Writing (Part 2)

Remember in my last post how I talked about sometimes needing a break from your writing?

Well, there's a flip side to that.

That's just the easy way out. There might be something else you need to do. And I know you aren't going to like it. Sorry to disappoint you.

When you don't feel like writing, it could just be procrastination or a lack of interest in your WIP. In which case, you probably just need to sit yourself in that chair and write.

But if you find the words aren't coming to you, try to get excited about your WIP. Plan the next scene in detail, make a pinterest board for your novel or character (as long as this isn't eating up writing time), try to become your MC and live the scene. I find sometimes, just thinking about my WIP can get me more in the mood to write. Especially if I think about why I did it in the first place. And why I want to finish it.

If that still doesn't work, sit down at your computer and just write whatever comes into your head. If it's about your cat, write it. Do you need oreos? Write that too. Just getting your fingers moving might be the spark to get your creativity and excitement going again.

A lot of the time, reading other's work is all I need. It makes me remember why I want to write and why I love it. Even if it's just a blog post, it could be your flash of inspiration. 

But how do you tell the difference between procrastination and a need for relaxation? I don't know. I haven't found a sure-fire way yet.

Usually, if you find yourself just lazing about, wanting to watch tv constantly or wasting hours on pinterest, you probably need to write.

But if you've been writing a LOT and you really cannot look at your manuscript again. A good novel or movie might be in order.

It's hard to tell, and sometimes you guess wrong. But you were actively trying to complete your novel. That's what's important.

Being stuck and not wanting to write can be a terrible thing. But if you treat it right, it can actually help you. It can make you just sit and write. No matter what ridiculous words find themselves on the page, you have written something. And that in itself is something to be proud of.

Many people don't even try. So bravo if you find yourself stuck! Because that means, you're at least trying. And that is the difference. 

Moral of the story?

Have you found yourself in this situation before? What are some ways you have found to get excited about your WIP?

When You Don't Feel Like Writing (Part 1)

"Writers block. No desire to write. Feeling like a time bomb. Need to get away." I sit shaking on my bed. Curled into a ball. I can't think about writing.  I need to get away. But what will my characters do without me? I brush away my exhaustion and pull my notebook toward me once more. I know something's wrong the moment I do. I begin to heat up. I shake uncontrollably and I realize what's happening. "I'm going to explode." I stutter. I widen my eyes in fear, and then, nothing.

This is me today. And I know you've felt this way too. We've all had those days. Days when we would much rather watch that new episode of Psych or Warehouse 13 (My personal favorites) rather than write. 

Maybe you'd rather play the Legend of Zelda or the Sims. 

Maybe for you it's reading that book you've been meaning to read for months or reading every post in the archive of your new favorite blog. (I've wasted hours doing just that.)

So what do you do when this happens?

You really wanna know? 

I say...just do them. Yeup. You heard me. 

Go watch that episode. Read the book. Play Zelda. Poor Link so desperately needs to be a Hylian again. He's sick of wolf form. 

I'm serious. If you feel you just need a break, chances are you do! 

You're creativity needs to be open to new things. 

It needs to take a walk, eat some ice cream, read new materials, get some fresh ideas, and soak in some more inspiration. 

It's impossible to just sit down and write for days. (Plus sleeping a couple hours.) 

You need adequate sleep, fresh air, new information. You're brain needs to be free. Because if it's not, you're work will gradually become worse and worse. 

You'll wonder, what's happening? Why can't I write as well as I used to? Why don't I want to write anymore?

Simple. You're killing your creativity. It's being suffocated. 

So to avoid that, I suggest doing something you enjoy. It might be just what you need to enjoy writing again. 

Amazing Giveaway!

Hello there Blogglings!

So, I have fabulous news! There's a giveaway going on at Rachel Coker's website! It's quite a fantastic giveaway too. I mean, any giveaway is bound to be exciting but this one just about tops giveaways in general. (If you ask me.) For her eighteenth birthday, she's giving away EIGHTEEN books!

It's quite exciting! When I saw it, my book-loving heart just about stopped. I mean, literally almost stopped.

If you don't know who Rachel Coker is, (I didn't until I heard of the giveaway) she's a teen writer who has already published several books. Two of which are part of the giveaway! Signed and everything! It's quite exciting.

So go and enter! Spread the word!

Kirk out.

My Never-ending "To-Read" Pile

First off, so sorry this post took so long to get here today. I was with a friend all afternoon and didn't have time to do it earlier. 

(My picture is not the greatest but the lighting is terrible today. Sorry!)

As a reader, there's always new books. There's always something I desperately want to read. About a month ago, I was in a reading slump. I didnt want to read, I really didnt want to do much of anything. 

But then, one epic book at a time, I started to get back in a groove. I read Cinder and The Clocks. Ruby Red and Divergent. I've come back. 

And now my "to read" pile is growing at an enormous rate. Here's what books are on it as of now. 

-Sapphire Blue By Kirsten Gier. The sequel to Ruby Red! Ahh! More Gideon! 

-Insurgent by Veronica Roth.  A sequel to Divergent. As these types of books go, there's a lot of death in my future. And I'm not too happy about it. The first page almost killed me. Seriously. 

-The Fault in Our Stars By John Greene. I must be a glutton for punishment. So many people say, be prepared to cry. Im excited for the book, but scared out of my mind as well. 

-Glass Girl. I read the first few chapters of this book in an ebook comprised of YA excerpts. I fell in love and just had to buy it. It made me cry in just that little bit of time. So many sad books! 

-Gone. One of my best friends suggested this book. At first I was weary, but now, I deeply regret not buying the five dollar copy at Barnes and Noble. I really really want to read it now. Why is that always how it works? 

-The Moonstone. I've heard Wilkie Collins was the best mystery writer to have ever lived. So now of course I have to read his book and test that. ;P 

-Julie by Catherine Marshall. I loved Christy so I'm pretty pumped About this one!! 

What's on your "to read" list? Do you know of any books I should add to mine? 

My Letter To The World

Today I'm participating in the Open Letter Challenge writing contest organized by Josh Irby. The letter I wrote is a response to An Open Letter to You from the Rest of the World. Go check out his site and the contest! It's pretty cool! :)

Dear World,

I just read your letter. You know, it really made me think. Maybe I can be different, maybe I can make a difference. Maybe that could be me! My mind raced with all the possibilities!

But almost as soon as those thoughts, these dreams and hopes arise, they get struck down again. Fear, negativity, doubt. All these things crowd me to the point where I just want to scream and bust out of the prison cell that is my mind.

You say don't listen to the naysayers, but how is that possible, when the naysayers are me? They're inside me. Crawling, biting and tearing me down. Just so they can get out. Sometimes, I can't even decifer the naysayers from myself. I can't even tell what I really think because I'm so confused and blinded by the negative thoughts. 

I want to be someone. I want to be the person who people look at and say, "She was amazing!" But it's not likely. Oh there it is again. Another of those naysayers rearing it's ugly head.

But it's wrong.  I know it is. I can feel that it is. Maybe I do just need to raise my chin a little higher and press on. Keep going. Ignore the naysayers. Ignore the "not good enough" thoughts. The, "you can't do it's" and the "nobody believes in you"'s.

It won't be easy. I know it won't.  They'll get so much stronger when they realize they're being evicted. They'll fight. I know. And I'm okay with that now. I can beat them. I can.

I will keep pressing forward. I will do what I love because I love it. I will tell my story. I will make a difference. And someday you'll see, I was stronger than I thought. All I needed was a push.

So thank you, World. For that much needed push. I owe you one.

-Beth

A Sunday Quote and Fabulous News

Today's quote is from J.R.R. Tolkien. And there is a specific reason for that. I will explain in a moment.

“The world is indeed full of peril and in it there are many dark places.
But still there is much that is fair. And though in all lands, love is now
mingled with grief, it still grows, perhaps, the greater." J.R.R. Tolkien

 Okay, let me explain...no. there is too much. I will sum up.

The reason I picked a quote from this particular man is that a week from today, next sunday, is Hobbit Day! And the week that follows, Tolkien Week! I'm pretty excited! (I have been a LOTR nerd for pretty much my whole life and so this is pretty much the best thing ever!!)

Here at Rainbows and Penguins, we're going to be having a hobbit worthy party!

To start off the week... well, I won't spoil it. ;) But suffice to say, it's going to be fabulous!

There's going to be posts about hobbits, food, movie vs. Books, and some more things I cannot spoil.

So prepare yourselves, it's coming!

Note: If you would like to be a guest poster here next week, just shoot me an e-mail and I'll see if I can fit you in! Anything about LOTR will do. My e-mail address is rainbowsandpenguinsblog(at)gmail (dot)com!

Divergent (A Book Review)

Ah Divergent. I read this book all in one sitting.  I was up until 2 am and ended up doing a lot more crying than I thought. I may not have full on sobbed, but inside I was being torn to shreds.

Toward the middle of the book, it was at a really intense part. I was on edge, it was late, when out of nowhere, a earsplitting clap of thunder sounded. I jumped nearly out of bed and just kind of sat there. Staring at my window. One of my friends says that usually means my house was struck by lightning. Whatever it was, it scared me to death. Reading is a hazardous activity.

Back to the actual book, I loved the characters.  I loved the setting. I related well with Tris. It was fabulous. I was immediately pulled in. The voice is so clear and easy to read and I connected with Tris almost immediately. It's rare that a character's voice sounds so much like myself. I kept seeing myself in her thoughts, which usually just means the author is good at making relatable characters. But for this, it seemed more than that. And it scares me, because some of the things she did later, I don't agree with. But she didn't at the beginning either. It makes me wonder what I would do in a situation like hers.

My favorite part of the book was the fact that it gave you clues of things and it wasn't impossible to figure stuff out. Example: Agatha Christie, while I adore her, it's pretty much impossible to figure stuff in those books out. But in Divergent, I could predict things a little bit before they happened. And I LOVE that. But it wasn't entirely predictable and boring.

The theme was really good as well. At the end, one of the characters said something that to me just SCREAMED biblical worldview. And God had been mentioned a few times but I honestly thought it was just for Tris's character. So on the last page, I just knew Ms. Roth had to be a christian. And sure enough, I flipped the page to the acknowledgements and God is number 1. I was so happy! :)

And let me just say, the five different groups, So. Awesome! I wouldn't have been able to come up with something that logical. I mean, the five factions make sense. It's crazy how much I could see that actually happening. It wouldn't work. But I could see it happening.

Overall, I loved it. Twists,  stunning characters,  good dialogue. It's a phenomenal dystopian book and I highly recommend it! Five stars!

Free Writing (Prompt)

Have you ever heard of free writing? I hadn't until this year. I must say, it's quite the concept.

The jist of free writing is to just take about ten minutes and write. Don't think or plan, just write whatever comes to your mind.

The idea is that if you're stuck, it can help get your creative juices flowing. Or even if you aren't stuck, it can help you see something from a different point of view. And maybe if you get stuck later on in some of your writing, you can just read some of your free writing and find ideas in it.

When I do it, it's so much more than that. It let's me take all my emotions, negative or not, and put them somewhere they can't bother me anymore. They're gone. They don't tie me down. That's a lot of the reason I do it. If I'm upset or down on myself, I free write and I feel infinitely better.

I love it. It's freeing to just sit down and bleed my thoughts onto paper. So that's what today's prompt is. (I haven't done a Thursday prompt in a while. Im sorry about that.)

Rules:

-Free write for ten minutes. Just bleed onto the page (or screen) and see what happens.

-Read through your writing and see if it sparks any ideas. If it does, awesome! If not, no worries. Just file it away for future use!

-If you feel comfortable sharing, post your writing in the comments! (I sometimes end up writing some personal stuff. That's why I add that.)

-Pass this prompt along to a friend. Tweet it, share it on facebook, e-mail it. The more the merrier!

Some people say it's better to write on paper because it accesses parts of the brain that don't get used when typing.  Whether they're right or not, I like doing it on paper. But you can do it however you want!

I'm off to free write! See you in the comments! 

A Few of My Favorite Things

Oh blogglings, how I love the little things in life! It doesn't take much to please me. So today, (because yesterday was a bit of a...disappointment on the happy level) I want to tell you about a few of my favorite things. *Que Julie Andrews*

1. Number one is the reason I had the idea for this post. My sister went to the library and came home with a book I've been dying to read. DIVERGENT! I know this book has tons of fans so I am so excited to join them! But the thing that makes me most happy is holding a new book in my hands. The thickness, the new worlds yet to be explored, the characters I may fall in love with. It just makes me so happy. :)

2. Music. I've been one a huge "different" music kick. I've been listening to a lot of music that has a totally different sound than my usual. Awolnation, switchfoot, that type. It's kinda awesome.

3. I just love pickles. Their taste is just epic. I suspect the vinegar. Which sounds crazy now that I say it...most people don't like vinegar...I must be quite a bit more different than I thought...anywho. *clears throat*

4. Penguins. They're so cute and awesome. :)

5. Blogs. I adore blogs and blogging. It's so fun to connect with people this way. It's refreshing to me. I don't ever want to stop.

6. French fries. Especially from McDonalds and B-Bops. Yum! (I haven't eaten at all today so really,  any food would probably taste good to me. But especially french fries.)

7. Being alone. I'm an introvert through and through.  I've mentioned that to my friends and they all get really confused. Almost all of them said they don't see me as an introvert at all. But I assure you. I crave solitude more than anything sometimes. I could be a hermit! I wonder if it would pay very well?

8. Rereading books. There's not much better than visiting an old friend. And that's always how it feels to reread a book I love.

9. Smiles. When people smile, really smile, I feel like I'm getting a glimpse into their soul. Especially if there's eye contact as well. It's simply stunning.

10. Rasberry tea. My friend and I are obsessed with tea. If we go out to eat with our friends, they know Joe and Beth will order some kind of tea. Most likely with no ice. It's pretty fun. :)

11. History. Im a sucker for history. History books, documentaries, pictures. I just adore learning about people long past. It's quite beautiful.

12. Sparkles. I can't help it. If it's shiny, lit up, colorful, or sparkly, I can't help but grin. A little bit of my A.D.D. side showing I guess.

13. Words. The way they roll off your tongue.  The way they sound, the way they look, the way they cut you to the core of your being or make you feel like you could sprout wings and fly. Poetry, prose, music. Whatever it is, it's absolutely stunning.

14. Pinterest. Yeup. I addicted. But usually, it doesn't feel like a bad thing. I just love it.

What are your favorite things? I would love to hear them! But instead of just commenting them, you could make your own blog post listing them, then comment here with the link!  (You could just comment them, but where's the fun in that? ;) I can't wait to see what you all say!

Oh Sequels, I Love Thee!

I love sequels. They are so much much, don't you think? You get to revisit the setting and charries you love. This week's link up by the Book Chewers is all about sequels! Be sure to go check it out and add your own post!

(We'll see if the button works right this time.)

<div class="The-Book-Chewers-button" style="width: 200px; margin: 0 auto;"> <a href="http://www.thebookchewers.com/search/label/Linkup" rel="nofollow"> <img src="http://i1367.photobucket.com/albums/r781/TheBookChewers/IMG_0052_zpsc86d3992.jpg" alt="The Book Chewers" width="200" height="200kg" /> </a> </div>

1. Best sequel you've ever read?

Oh man...I don't know if this is really the best or the first one that popped into my head (thank you Claudia Donovan...) but The Throne of Fire by Rick Riordan was really good!

2. Worst sequel you've ever read?

Inkdeath. Ick. It disgusted me the whole time. I loved Inkheart and so when the sequels didn't shine...I was sad.

3. Sequel that outshone the first book?

Hmmm...Catching Fire. I love that book so much!

4. Do you often read sequels or do you read the first book and move on?

I try to read sequels a lot but my library does this annoying thing where they get the first book in a series and forget the rest. Annoying I must say.

5. What's a sequel that really surprised you (in a good or bad way)? Why?

Catching Fire. "What?? She has to go back?? Epical!"

6. What's the last sequel you read? (Briefly, what did you think of it?)

I honestly don't remember...I'm pretty much Dory just so you all know. ;)

7. What are 3 sequels you're planning to read (eventually...)?

Scarlet by Marissa Meyer, Sapphire Blue by Kirsten Gier, and...the sequel to Princess Academy that I can't remember the name of.

8. What's the first sequel you see when you look at your bookshelf?

Anne of Avonlea by L.M. Montgomery.

9. Best sequel cover!?

Enna Burning by Shannon Hale. I love the covers on her books.

10. What book(s) do you think desperately need a sequel...but don't have one?

The Book of a Thousand Days. Oh I love that book. :)

A Sunday Quote

Today's quote isn't exactly famous. But I've been thinking a lot about it recently.

"In the grand scheme of things, it doesn't really matter all that much."

My uncle Dave (who I never met) used to say this all the time. My dad reminds me of this if I get upset about something silly.

So I thought I'd share it with you! :)

A Saturday In Prose

As I was reading my email, the The Write Practice had a post about writing what you've lived. Experiencing things and not just writing "he replied angrily", but rather explain how he looked and acted that made him angry.

After reading that, I thought, well I think I'll try it. So here is half my Saturday in prose.

"The day began in not the way you would think. Early this morning around two o'clock, I was still reading my latest Agatha Christie. Finally, I finished and dozed off, only to find myself wakened by a blaring noise in my ear. Of course my alarm would go off the day I don't want it to. The thing was faulty and seemed to know exactly when I didn't want it. I turned it off and promptly rolled over. Half an hour later, my mom popped her head into my room to give me the details of the day, most of which I didn't process anyway. I knew what time we had to leave and that was all that mattered.

By rights I should have gotten up then. But the late night had left me tired and unwilling to proceed with normal life. I lay in bed for as long as I felt was safe and finally, with only twenty minutes left before my deadline, I rolled out of bed.

It took me only 15 minutes to get completely ready. I was quite proud of that time. I can't help but laugh at the barbie doll girls that find it necessary to spend hours in front of a mirror. It's possible to get so much more sleep my way.

We leave for the softball fields only a few minutes after. My dad, mom, and younger sister all accompany me. Or rather, I'm the one tagging along.

The ride is long and uneventful until my dad suddenly slows down on the highway. I look up from my daydreaming to find out why.
"Looks like Jeremy blew out a tire. Should we go get Carigan?" My dad asks. A man from our town was taking his daughter to the same place. We turn around.

We gave the girl a ride and soon we were at the Softball complex. Now that I was there, I began to question my decision to come.

The air was hot and muggy. Time seemed to stand still, hours past. Finally, the first game was over. Lunch came and went. Getting tired of the heat, my dad decided to run the AC in the car. It was heavenly. The air was cool and brisk and I wanted to stay there forever. Alas, there was yet another softball game. I reluctanly left the cool of the van.

I made my way to the concession stand with the thought of a giant pickle occupying my mind. Paying the fifty cents eagerly, I walked away. Forgetting for a while the misery of heat. The sour taste filled me with memories of summer and fun days. I couldn't help but smile.

I can still taste the pickle in my mouth. I sit watching the game from the outfield. The air has turned grey and forlorn. The sun is hiding and I find that once again, I have nothing to do but browse the internet on my phone and actually watch my little sister."

I would write more but it's beginning to rain. You just got an unedited version of my day! Hope I didn't bore you! ;)

Over and out!

A Much Needed Push to The Desk

Lately I have found myself needing more inspiration to write. And yes, I am well aware that inspiration is a myth and that really, I just need to sit down and do it. But sometimes I need an extra push. You too? So I guess we both need a push. I've been looking at some writing quotes and I've found some that are soon becoming my favorites. So here it is, a push out the door! (Er...to the desk.)

Too many of us are not living our dreams because we are living our fears.
~Les Brown

You don’t have to say everything to say something. ~Beth Moore

No man who bothers about originality will ever be original: whereas if you simply try to tell the truth (without caring twopence how often it has been told before) you will, nine times out of ten, become original without ever having noticed it. ~CS Lewis.

Everybody walks past a thousand story ideas every day. The good writers are the ones who see five or six of them. Most people don’t see any. ~Orson Scott

If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time (or the tools) to write. Simple as that. ~Stephen King

We are all apprentices in a craft where no one ever becomes a master. ~Ernest Hemingway

I am like a little pencil in God’s hand. He does the writing. The pencil has nothing to do with it. ~Mother Teresa

Write something that’s worth fighting over. Because that’s how you change things. That’s how you create art. ~Jeff Goins

Oh that my words were now written! oh that they were printed in a book! That they were graven with an iron pen and lead in the rock for ever! ~Job 19

The writer is an explorer. Every step is an advance into a new land. ~Ralph Waldo Emerson

Know that the Creator lives and moves and breathes within you. So those dreams? Risk them. Those words? Write them. Those hopes? Believe them. ~Elora Nicole Ramirez

So maybe now we all feel a little more "inspired" to write. I'd love to hear some of your favorite quotes on writing! Share them in the comments! Feel free to share what you're stuck with in your WIP or whatever's holding you back, I'd love to hear about that too! Maybe forming the problem into words will give you some ideas! :)

I Like My Books With Chocolate

Another link up hosted by the lovely Book Chewers! This one is going to be fun!

(Note: the link up button would usually be here but it's not working. Unfortunately, I don't have the time to fix it. :/ Sorry!)

Prompt: How do you like your eggs . . . er, books? Make a list of your usual reading locations, a list of favorite genres (substitute authors if you wish), and a list of reading snacks. When you're done, try combining items from each list. Which combo sounds best to you, right at this moment? You can take this as far as you like and make multiple combinations for all occasions

Locations:

-In bed. (Wrapped up like a burrito in a blanket.)
-In my chair.
-On the couch in the living room.

Authors:

-Agatha Christie
-Rick Riordan
-Shannon Hale
-T.A. Barron
-Jane Austen
-Cornelia Funke
-Christopher Paulini
-C.S. Lewis
-J.R.R. Tolkien

Snacks:

-Chocolate
-Ice Cream
-Carrots
-Grapes
-Popcorn
-Hot chocolate
-Tea
-Any candy
-Whatever drink sounds good. (I.e. Pop, milk, water, iced tea, koolaid, lemonade.)

What sounds good right now?

T.A. Barron in my chair with grapes. Unfortunately, we have no grapes. :(

When I've just got back from camp or some event that was much awaited, I usually opt for Rick Riordan in bed wrapped up with a drink of some kind.

Or if I'm in a very nostalgic mood, most of the authors would do, with chocolate and usually in a chair or bed.

And that's it! How I like my books. :) Head on over and check out the link up for yourself! The more the merrier!