Magic Under Glass

Nim is asked by Hollin Parry, a wealthy sorcerer to come live in his house and sing with an automaton. Sick of her life making next to no money as a "trouser girl" performing in a bar, she decides to go. Parry tells her that previous singers have claimed the automaton haunted, but Nimira's life has been extremely difficult and she is unwilling to give up easily. The automaton isn't haunted but it isn't quite normal either, and Hollin Parry's home is not all that it seems either.

The story was interesting and fast paced, and ended on somewhat of a cliffhanger, so there will most likely be a sequel. There are a lot of strong characters that catch the attention of the reader, however I wish there had been more background on some characters, such as Miss Rashton and what the spirits had on her and how she was able to contact Mr. Smollings so quickly. I was also unable to figure out where the title came from. I am sure I just missed it some how, but if anyone knows please let me know cause it's driving me nuts.

Bloggiesta

So it turns out that the day I start my new blog is the day that Bloggiesta starts. Since I just started this blog, I am not really sure what kind of goals I should have. I would just like to get the hang of posting reviews this weekend, so I think I might post some old book reviews from my GoodReads account just to practice. Other goals will be added as I think of them.

I happened to finish two books this weekend so I posted those and added one old review since I am reading the follow up to that book now.

Laini Taylor's Lips Touch: Three Times

This is a book of three short stories that each include at least one important kiss. While the stories are definitely lovely and well written the real treasure in this book is the illustrations. Before each story is a series of illustrations which serve as almost a prologue to the story. Each series of illustrations tells it's own story that is further explained in the writing that follows it. The illustrations are all in shades of gray and pink and they are breathtaking. The people in the illustrations are just incredibly expressive.

The stories are beautiful and heartbreaking in their own right as well. Each tale revolves around a mortal girl's experiences with love and the pain it brings, and all of the tales involve paranormal creatures, however they are each very different. In Goblin Fruit Kizzy risks everything for love and the feeling of being wanted. The women in Spicy Little Curses Such as these go to Hell and back to keep their loves. Hatchling, the longest tale features both new, young love and a love almost older then time. This is definitely well worth reading, even if you aren't a fantasy reader.

Start the New Year Off Right

with some new wall paper. Smashing Magazine is a British publication that focuses on web design and developing with a serious focus on creativity. They also have a great blog.

As a way to inspire creativity in the new year Smashing Magazine will be providing several different wall papers each month. Each wall paper includes a calendar for the month. Artists are invited to submit their own designs for future wall papers. For January there are 35 different wall papers that will appeal to people with all different artistic temperaments you can access by clicking here. The wall papers are easy to download, just pick the size you want, then right click and select set as background.

Smashing Magazine also invites users to submit their own wall papers for future months. You don't need anything but your own creativity. Check out submission guidelines here.

New Years Resolutions

Normally I never do New Years Resolutions, partially cause in the past few years I have been working and going to school and my goal was to survive that without going completely insane. I did set one goal for myself and that was to keep track of how much I read, which I did using GoodReads. I found out that I read over 500 books this year and that more then half of that was graphic novels/manga and that I read barely any nonfiction. I also finally convinced myself that it is okay to stop reading a book if I wasn't enjoying it.

This year I have my degree and I saw that Bookworming in the 21st Century and GreenBeanTeenQueen posted her resolutions and I thought that might be an interesting way to keep track of my resolutions.

1. Blog Goals
a. I want to get more involved in the blogging community.
b. Decide whether to add book reviews or not.
c. Post once a week.
d. Improve my blogging skills so that my blog feels more personalized, no offense intended to blogger I just want to improve.

2. Reading goals
a. Read more nonfiction.
b. Read the stuff I own and try not to have more library books out then I can handle.

3. Life stuff
a. Keep improving my skating (and maybe lose a little weight in the process).
b. Be more assertive.
c. Move into my own place. (I hope, I hope, I hope.)

Well those are my goals for the year, I will keep my fingers crossed. Feel free to post your own in the comments and have a Happy New Year.

Alma

One of the artists from Pixar created his own five minute film entitled Alma. It is absolutely gorgeous and yet incredibly creepy. Check it out below; unless dolls kind of freak you out; in which case I recommend you skip it.

Tis the Season

For all kinds of cutesy holiday tv specials and websites.

Via The Fire Wire I found out that the website TV Tango has been kind enough to figure out when all holiday related television special will be on and what channel they will be on. They have everything you remember from when you were little (Frosty the Snowman, Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Eight Crazy Nights) to the esoteric (Deathklok Christmas Special, Bam Margera's Where's Santa, Powerpuff Girls Twas the Flight Before Christmas). They have also included every holiday cooking show; for help planning your fabulous holiday meals or for absorbing virtual calories.

From the Mental Floss blog, there is Santa's Blog. How cool is that. You can get Santa's thoughts on all the goings on at the North Pole. Readers can even follow Santa on Twitter, great for helping get into the holiday spirit.