This isn't good; I think I just may have run out of things to talk about.
I've spent practically this entire summer yammering about books and a bit about video games, and now I'm at a brick wall?
With college starting back up, it just doesn't seem fair. I know you don't want to hear that "Hmmm, what should I talk about today?" any more than I want to say it.
And yet here we are, back at that awkward place where I wished never to be again.
I suppose once college starts back up, perhaps I can tell you some stories about what's happening in my life. But I'm worried that most of those stories will be something along the lines of "Ugh, I have so much work to do, a paper deadline coming up, and a test to study for, and blah blah blah!"
Yeah, that's already gotten old, hasn't it?
Hmmm... Have I ever told you about my high school graduation?
I don't think I have. Maybe that can be an idea to last at least one or two days.
Why didn't I think of that before I typed up this post about running out of stuff to talk about? Now I'm too lazy to erase it all; I spent good brainpower trying to think of how to say that I don't know what to say anymore.
Anyways. Until next time, then.
Monday, August 11, 2014
Friday, August 8, 2014
Moving Back
I'll be moving back to college in a little over two weeks, so I've been shopping around lately for stuff to put in my room this year.
Last year, I was supposed to have a roommate but ended up not getting one. This year, my parents are paying for me to have a room to myself. So I'm going a little farther with the decorating process.
For one thing, the extra bed in my room is going to need some kind of cover at least, so it's not just an ugly ol' mattress in the midst of all the other purple I plan on having. xD Along with a mattress pad and fitted sheet, Mom got me a body pillow, a normal pillow, and a pillow with arms that her coworker called her husband when she was in college.
I'll also be decorating my walls more this year. Last year, I just pinned one hand-made poster (from my "big sister") and one colored drawing (from a girl at my church) onto the only section of my wall that the college lets me put push-pins into. This year, I'll be hanging a picture of Jesus, a picture of the Pillar of Fire, and a picture of the Cloud on my walls.
This other stuff, of course, is in addition to all the stuff I'm reusing from last year, like my crates and my fridge. Along with all the other stuff that's too numerous to mention. :P
Oh, and I got a microwave too. Who knows how often I'll use it, but hopefully often enough to make it worth the buy. It was one of the cheapest microwaves they had, at any rate.
So. Yup. Moving back. Fun. Woo. Cheer.
I'm ecstatic. Can't you tell? *sarcasm*
Last year, I was supposed to have a roommate but ended up not getting one. This year, my parents are paying for me to have a room to myself. So I'm going a little farther with the decorating process.
For one thing, the extra bed in my room is going to need some kind of cover at least, so it's not just an ugly ol' mattress in the midst of all the other purple I plan on having. xD Along with a mattress pad and fitted sheet, Mom got me a body pillow, a normal pillow, and a pillow with arms that her coworker called her husband when she was in college.
I'll also be decorating my walls more this year. Last year, I just pinned one hand-made poster (from my "big sister") and one colored drawing (from a girl at my church) onto the only section of my wall that the college lets me put push-pins into. This year, I'll be hanging a picture of Jesus, a picture of the Pillar of Fire, and a picture of the Cloud on my walls.
This other stuff, of course, is in addition to all the stuff I'm reusing from last year, like my crates and my fridge. Along with all the other stuff that's too numerous to mention. :P
Oh, and I got a microwave too. Who knows how often I'll use it, but hopefully often enough to make it worth the buy. It was one of the cheapest microwaves they had, at any rate.
So. Yup. Moving back. Fun. Woo. Cheer.
I'm ecstatic. Can't you tell? *sarcasm*
Thursday, August 7, 2014
Unknown Dangers in Free Books
I got a Kindle not-sure-how-long-ago, and ever since, I've been getting tons of free books on it, courtesy of Amazon.com.
Some of the free books are pretty awesome, while some are just okay, and others are downright horrible. Sadly, there's really no way to tell ahead of time which will be which.
Oh, sure, Amazon has a place where readers can put their reviews of the books, but it's not always helpful. There's always going to be someone who loved the book and someone who hated the book, and the people who loved it generally outnumber and outrank the people who hated it.
What I would appreciate from Amazon is ratings like they do for movies: a basic code thing that tells what audience the book should be appropriate for and the content that determines that rating.
Occasionally, but only VERY occasionally, Amazon's description of the book or some very thorough reviewer will mention something like "Warning: This book has such and such content," and I'll know to steer clear and not download that particular book. I am very grateful for those moments.
There are also occasions that I learn from experience. For instance, I no longer download books that say they have angels and demons in them because I've learned that the way any of the characters are portrayed is horrible.
But most of the time, I still innocently download books that I honestly wish I'd never ever ever laid eyes on.
Wow, this post doesn't really go with the theme I'd planned on it fitting in with. I guess I'll alter the title accordingly. Have a great day, dear readers!
Some of the free books are pretty awesome, while some are just okay, and others are downright horrible. Sadly, there's really no way to tell ahead of time which will be which.
Oh, sure, Amazon has a place where readers can put their reviews of the books, but it's not always helpful. There's always going to be someone who loved the book and someone who hated the book, and the people who loved it generally outnumber and outrank the people who hated it.
What I would appreciate from Amazon is ratings like they do for movies: a basic code thing that tells what audience the book should be appropriate for and the content that determines that rating.
Occasionally, but only VERY occasionally, Amazon's description of the book or some very thorough reviewer will mention something like "Warning: This book has such and such content," and I'll know to steer clear and not download that particular book. I am very grateful for those moments.
There are also occasions that I learn from experience. For instance, I no longer download books that say they have angels and demons in them because I've learned that the way any of the characters are portrayed is horrible.
But most of the time, I still innocently download books that I honestly wish I'd never ever ever laid eyes on.
Wow, this post doesn't really go with the theme I'd planned on it fitting in with. I guess I'll alter the title accordingly. Have a great day, dear readers!
Wednesday, August 6, 2014
Reading Beginnings Pt. 5
Although I branched out and found a bunch of authors I liked, I still starting running out of new things to read again.
So how did I solve this problem? Goodreads.com came to my rescue!
A couple summers ago, my mom took my brother and me on a trip to visit family. Dad hates traveling and probably also couldn't really get the time off, so it was just the three of us. To help my brother and me out with killing time at the airport and stuff, Mom offered to buy us new games and/or books as long as the total price didn't go above a certain amount.
Naturally, I chose books. Solely books.
I found a list on Goodreads that had several dozen books recommended for readers my age, and I probably fit at least one dozen titles into Mom's price range.
I can't remember all the books that I got, but I made many new friends out of them before the summer was over. I got the first book in several series and a few stand-alone novels. If I liked the book well enough, I looked for more in the series and/or by the same author.
That summer, I discovered the Mysterious Benedict Society, Cameron Dokey's Once Upon a Time contributions, and Princess Ben, among others.
Two or three years later now, though, I would probably be running out of new books to read again if it wasn't for one thing: free Kindle books.
So how did I solve this problem? Goodreads.com came to my rescue!
A couple summers ago, my mom took my brother and me on a trip to visit family. Dad hates traveling and probably also couldn't really get the time off, so it was just the three of us. To help my brother and me out with killing time at the airport and stuff, Mom offered to buy us new games and/or books as long as the total price didn't go above a certain amount.
Naturally, I chose books. Solely books.
I found a list on Goodreads that had several dozen books recommended for readers my age, and I probably fit at least one dozen titles into Mom's price range.
I can't remember all the books that I got, but I made many new friends out of them before the summer was over. I got the first book in several series and a few stand-alone novels. If I liked the book well enough, I looked for more in the series and/or by the same author.
That summer, I discovered the Mysterious Benedict Society, Cameron Dokey's Once Upon a Time contributions, and Princess Ben, among others.
Two or three years later now, though, I would probably be running out of new books to read again if it wasn't for one thing: free Kindle books.
Tuesday, August 5, 2014
Reading Beginnings Pt. 4
Probably my first branch outside the books like the Boxcar Children and Nancy Drew was Ella Enchanted.
I've somewhat talked about this before, I think. I saw the movie, and then sometime later I ran into the book at a bookstore. So naturally, I picked up the book.
At first, I was shocked by all the differences between the movie and the book, and stopped reading the book in frustration. But later, once I got my perspective and expectations straightened out, I picked up the book again and instantly fell in love.
From there, I believe I read more of Gail Carson Levine's books, particularly the Princess Tales. After I ran out of Levine's books, I found some other fairy tale stories, either in a library or a bookstore, or maybe I even stumbled across them online and followed up in one of the two types of buildings.
I remember finding Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker, and The Seer and the Sword by Victoria Hanley. Those first books were the bait, and I was suddenly caught by the hook. I made sure to read as many of their other books as possible!
One coworker of my mom's let me borrow the first Percy Jackson book. Because it dealt with Greek gods and goddesses, I was bound and determined not to like the series. I took the first book to be polite, but I had already formed my opinion of the series. Too bad Rick Riordan had a different plan, and I fell in love with the entire series as quickly as I could get my hands on the next book, and the next, and the next!
Of course, then, I started hunting for more of his works.
And I believe that will be all for today. See you tomorrow with more fascinating talks about how I started reading! xD ...And I apologize if I'm boring you...
I've somewhat talked about this before, I think. I saw the movie, and then sometime later I ran into the book at a bookstore. So naturally, I picked up the book.
At first, I was shocked by all the differences between the movie and the book, and stopped reading the book in frustration. But later, once I got my perspective and expectations straightened out, I picked up the book again and instantly fell in love.
From there, I believe I read more of Gail Carson Levine's books, particularly the Princess Tales. After I ran out of Levine's books, I found some other fairy tale stories, either in a library or a bookstore, or maybe I even stumbled across them online and followed up in one of the two types of buildings.
I remember finding Princess Academy by Shannon Hale, Once Upon a Curse by E.D. Baker, and The Seer and the Sword by Victoria Hanley. Those first books were the bait, and I was suddenly caught by the hook. I made sure to read as many of their other books as possible!
One coworker of my mom's let me borrow the first Percy Jackson book. Because it dealt with Greek gods and goddesses, I was bound and determined not to like the series. I took the first book to be polite, but I had already formed my opinion of the series. Too bad Rick Riordan had a different plan, and I fell in love with the entire series as quickly as I could get my hands on the next book, and the next, and the next!
Of course, then, I started hunting for more of his works.
And I believe that will be all for today. See you tomorrow with more fascinating talks about how I started reading! xD ...And I apologize if I'm boring you...
Monday, August 4, 2014
Reading Beginnings Pt. 3
I think last time we left off saying that Trixie Belden had more continuity than Nancy Drew and the Boxcar Children, but didn't say much overall about Trixie Belden; so here goes.
Trixie Belden was having a lonely summer in her home way out in the countryside because at least two out of her three brothers were away at camp. Out of the blue, some rich new neighbors move in on the next hill over and Trixie finds a new best friend in Honey Wheeler. The two girls somehow run into Jim Frayne, who ran away from his legal guardian and is hiding in the third and last house out in this neck of the woods.
After two books focusing on Jim, Honey's family adopts him and Trixie's brothers Brian and Mart come back home. In later books, Di Lynch and Dan Mangan are added as main characters.
These seven teens banded together to form the Bob-Whites of the Glen club. Together, they solve mysteries and sometimes travel to different places. They don't travel quite as extensively as Nancy Drew, and these kids have the addition of school to keep up with. Unlike the Boxcar Children, the Bob-Whites don't only run into mysteries during summer vacations.
I think Trixie Belden was a lot more realistic, but I probably appreciate that now a lot better than I did as a kid. I remember being annoyed with the characters when they would get into arguments, and being especially annoyed with Trixie for complaining about her chores. Shows what I hypocrite I was, I guess, considering I had fewer chores than her and probably complained more.
Anyways, for a good long while, those three series constituted the majority of my reading experience. I probably read some Judy Moody books, but I never really liked them. I probably also read several American Girl books, mostly the ones involving Kitt Kittrage. Other than that, I would just reread the books I had already read - and reread them again and again!
Trixie Belden was having a lonely summer in her home way out in the countryside because at least two out of her three brothers were away at camp. Out of the blue, some rich new neighbors move in on the next hill over and Trixie finds a new best friend in Honey Wheeler. The two girls somehow run into Jim Frayne, who ran away from his legal guardian and is hiding in the third and last house out in this neck of the woods.
After two books focusing on Jim, Honey's family adopts him and Trixie's brothers Brian and Mart come back home. In later books, Di Lynch and Dan Mangan are added as main characters.
These seven teens banded together to form the Bob-Whites of the Glen club. Together, they solve mysteries and sometimes travel to different places. They don't travel quite as extensively as Nancy Drew, and these kids have the addition of school to keep up with. Unlike the Boxcar Children, the Bob-Whites don't only run into mysteries during summer vacations.
I think Trixie Belden was a lot more realistic, but I probably appreciate that now a lot better than I did as a kid. I remember being annoyed with the characters when they would get into arguments, and being especially annoyed with Trixie for complaining about her chores. Shows what I hypocrite I was, I guess, considering I had fewer chores than her and probably complained more.
Anyways, for a good long while, those three series constituted the majority of my reading experience. I probably read some Judy Moody books, but I never really liked them. I probably also read several American Girl books, mostly the ones involving Kitt Kittrage. Other than that, I would just reread the books I had already read - and reread them again and again!
Friday, August 1, 2014
Reading Beginnings Pt. 2
For a good long while, I probably didn't read much of anything for pleasure except for the Boxcar Children series; and then my mom introduced me to her childhood best friends: Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden.
We went over to my grandma's house for some reason, maybe even for the books themselves. Mom pulled out a box Grandma had stored away, and in it were several, several books! Probably about twenty Nancy Drew books (not necessarily the first twenty in the series) and about thirty Trixie Belden books (all the books in the series up to that point).
I dove into Nancy Drew immediately, and I started hoarding copies of those books much the same way as I had the Boxcar Children books. I now have about fifty Nancy Drew books!
Trixie Belden was a little harder for me to get into at the time just because it was so different from what I was used to reading. It was still a mystery series, true; but it had continuity! Shocker!
In the Boxcar Children, the continuity sort of stopped after the first five or so books. The only kind of continuity that continued after that was just the close family: the four kids and their dog of course, and their grandfather, and (very) occasionally their cousin and their great-aunt and (maybe) their housekeeper. And even at that, their great-aunt somehow melted off the years through the books to become just their aunt.
Nancy Drew was sort of the same way. She had a friend Helen Corning in the beginning, which somehow switched to Bess Marvin and George Fayne in later books. After Ned Nickerson was introduced in one of the books, I think Dave and Butch were also added for Bess and George's sake. And then those five became a (near) constant throughout most of the series - the only (near) constant in the series. Well, aside from Carson Drew and Hannah McGruen.
We went over to my grandma's house for some reason, maybe even for the books themselves. Mom pulled out a box Grandma had stored away, and in it were several, several books! Probably about twenty Nancy Drew books (not necessarily the first twenty in the series) and about thirty Trixie Belden books (all the books in the series up to that point).
I dove into Nancy Drew immediately, and I started hoarding copies of those books much the same way as I had the Boxcar Children books. I now have about fifty Nancy Drew books!
Trixie Belden was a little harder for me to get into at the time just because it was so different from what I was used to reading. It was still a mystery series, true; but it had continuity! Shocker!
In the Boxcar Children, the continuity sort of stopped after the first five or so books. The only kind of continuity that continued after that was just the close family: the four kids and their dog of course, and their grandfather, and (very) occasionally their cousin and their great-aunt and (maybe) their housekeeper. And even at that, their great-aunt somehow melted off the years through the books to become just their aunt.
Nancy Drew was sort of the same way. She had a friend Helen Corning in the beginning, which somehow switched to Bess Marvin and George Fayne in later books. After Ned Nickerson was introduced in one of the books, I think Dave and Butch were also added for Bess and George's sake. And then those five became a (near) constant throughout most of the series - the only (near) constant in the series. Well, aside from Carson Drew and Hannah McGruen.
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