Monthly Archives: August 2014

2014, discussion, he said/she said

[He Said, She Said] – Let’s Get It On: Sex In Fiction

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HE SAID, SHE SAID is a brand-new monthly feature created and hosted by Rachel @ Confessions of a Book Geek and Joey @ Thoughts and Afterthoughts where formality is thrown out the window in no-holds-barred discussions on all things bookish.

Welcome to our first ever He Said/She Said discussion! Following on from last month’s #sexmeup readathon, we’ve cranked up the heat as we get down and dirty with a three-part discussion on Sex in Fiction. So dim the lights, turn up that Marvin Gaye, and join us as we take you into the steamy world of NA/Adult Fiction.

Segments have been colour-coded for easier reading:

[Discussion Prompts] | [Important Info]

In this discussion:

[She Said]  |  [He Said] 

…and I hope you drop a comment in regards to the prompts at the end of this discussion! Sex can be the elephant in the room, but it doesn’t have to be, and so I hope we’re able to open up some channels of dialogue to just have a good chat–positive, negative, in-between–share your thoughts!

Disclaimer: This post may contain explicit content.

Continue reading [He Said, She Said] – Let’s Get It On: Sex In Fiction →

2014, discussion, think aloud

[Think Aloud] – #3 – The Standards of Unique Character Names

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Think Aloud explores book-related discussions encompassing reading, writing, blogging, and perhaps newsworthy content. The focus is to push the boundaries, stretch the mind, and encourage dialogue within this community. Let’s all think out loud.

Table Topic:
The Standards of
Unique Character Names

Abstract:

John Doe B is incomparable to John Doe A.

Continue reading [Think Aloud] – #3 – The Standards of Unique Character Names →

Book Review, contemporary, death, fantasy, horror, realistic fiction, standalone, YA

[Review] A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness

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Book Title:                     A Monster Calls (Standalone)
Author:                            Patrick Ness, Jim Kay (Illustrator)
Number of pages:     215

Synopsis:

TA Monster Calls - Patrick Ness (Cover)he monster showed up after midnight. As they do.

But it isn’t the monster Conor’s been expecting. He’s been expecting the one from his nightmare, the one he’s had nearly every night since his mother started her treatments, the one with the darkness and the wind and the screaming…

This monster is something different, though. Something ancient, something wild. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor.

It wants the truth.

(re: Goodreads @ A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness)

Should this book be picked up? the tl;dr spoiler-less review:

– If you are interested in this book in any capacity, skip all reviews and just delve into it (the copy with the artwork specifically)
– The writing is simple and powerful; don’t be fooled at this being advertised as kid-lit
– Unless you’re a robot, you will likely feel all the emotions tied to the stages of loss and grief

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Initial Thoughts

No, I do not think that I am on a Ness binge (but damn is he rising up the ranks in favesies).

But let’s get onto the more important issue: why is the plain-text version of this book more expensive than the one with art? At least, I’m pretty sure it’s like a buck more for zero art. Now why would anyone want to buy that?

In truth, I don’t want this review to go into thorough detail like I usually do with most books. This is something that I can’t be bothered to ramble about (even if I know I won’t be able to shut up once I start) because I am in the firm belief that the less hype and the less you’re in contact with this book, the better position you are to fully enjoy it. But continuity calls for some analysis, I guess, and maybe I’ll find some clarity on how I feel about this book (because I honestly don’t know).

Disclaimer: Potential spoilers inherent to this review from here onward.

Continue reading [Review] A Monster Calls – Patrick Ness →