I have been quite silent from my blog and from Facebook, but I am coming out of hiding because I need to jump up on a soapbox today. I know only about 5 people will read this, and *maybe* 1 of those 5 will even give a shit about this. Nevertheless, an issue that apparently started over the weekend is spilling into my world, and I'm pissed.
For those of you who haven't heard the latest bullshit in the book world, Amazon UK started pulling "questionable" books from their site over the weekend and into today. While all indications are that the books that are being pulled involve rape, incest, and bestiality when used in a "favorable" way, a lot more than just those have been pulled. In fact, one of my fave authors had her books pulled today, and the content was just general abuse of a kid by his parents. It's part of the story line and in no way glorifies it.
As today progressed, Amazon US, Barnes & Noble, and the main Kobo distribution site also jumped on board. In fact, Kobo pulled down EVERY SINGLE TITLE that was self-published...regardless of genre or topic. Any self-pub indie author who tried to publish to Kobo today was denied.
Apparently for us Kindle users, if any book was pulled in the past 48 hours THAT WE PAID FOR, it has been wiped from our account. There was no warning, no "we're going to pull this in 24 hours so if you want to back it up to your computer," and no refund (as of yet). The way it sounds, *if* refunds are offered - if that's how Amazon wants to handle this - then that's money taken right out of the author's pockets.
Are you fucking kidding me?
And this whole thing started because some parents in Europe discovered that when their kids searched the internet for "daddy," they downloaded an incestuous book.
Of course, fabulous works of literature - like 50 Shades of Grey - will never leave us alone because they are now published and have the backing of a bazillion lawyers. Random people like you or I who have this amazing story in their head and hope that 10 people in this world might be interested are screwed. The little fish will never have a chance to be a big fish if someone keeps dumping all the water out of the fish bowl.
Censorship? Keeping pornography out of the hands of kids? This is the debate today. Obviously I view this as censorship in the most basic of forms. I read in one of many rants today that I can still buy blowup dolls and dildos off of Amazon, but I can't read a story about them.
To be fair, here is the main article that started surfacing about this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-24491723
And there's an online petition to sign to have all titles returned and the policy clarified: http://www.change.org/petitions/amazon-barnes-and-noble-kobo-drop-the-clause-of-removing-erotica-and-self-published-indie-authors?share_id=jdJEjwyzUi&utm_campaign=signature_receipt&utm_medium=email&utm_source=share_petition
Monday, October 14, 2013
Saturday, July 13, 2013
Music and books...it's seriously what I live for
O.K. So I am just days away from heading to RockFest in Cadott, WI for 4+ days of music and fun. I put a small teaser on Facebook the other day that I was going to add two more concerts to my "40th celebration of my birth" yearlong celebration. I just purchased those tickets. Woohoo! I am now officially headed to JJO Band Camp 2013 and off to see Black Veil Brides...both in Madison. (I also already have tickets to the Carnival of Madness tour in IA.)
I just recently discovered I had 1 more week of vacation at work than originally planned, so it is game on now. I honestly think by the time October is done, I will have seen every band I could have ever wanted to see in one year...and more. Looks like I'm going to have to wait until 2014 to see Five Finger Death Punch supporting the new album. Yay! Something to look forward to next year.
O.K....since very few people I know share my love for this type of music or have any idea how excited I am about all of this...I'll give a quick recap of what I've been reading lately.
I just finished the Existence trilogy by Abbi Glines. Loved it! It's paranormal, but Dank Walker has been added to my Top 5 Book Boyfriend list. Who cares if his real identity is Death? He plays guitar in a rock band. Sheesh. I also read Rock the Band by Michelle Valentine to complete the story of Lane and Noel. There are more books in the series, but they appear to be about some of the subcharacters in the first two books. I own them; I'll read them eventually. Dank was just way too alluring! :-)
Right after I got back from Book Bash, I read Lick by Kylie Scott and Killing Sarai by J.A. Redmerski. Huge love for both of these authors, and these were both very good. Lick is the first in a series (not sure how many), and it's rock star god goodness. David Ferris has moved up my book boyfriend list as well. Highly recommend. Killing Sarai is good, but it's fairly dark. It's also the first in a series. NEITHER END WITH A CLIFFHANGER. As Ms. Redmerski wrote in her blog a few weeks ago, it ends with a continuation. Totally different than a cliffhanger.
I highly recommend all these books listed. Should be a little something for everyone here! Now the focus goes to packing and prepping for music and camping madness. I'm officially on a reading hiatus until after RockFest.
Peace
I just recently discovered I had 1 more week of vacation at work than originally planned, so it is game on now. I honestly think by the time October is done, I will have seen every band I could have ever wanted to see in one year...and more. Looks like I'm going to have to wait until 2014 to see Five Finger Death Punch supporting the new album. Yay! Something to look forward to next year.
O.K....since very few people I know share my love for this type of music or have any idea how excited I am about all of this...I'll give a quick recap of what I've been reading lately.
I just finished the Existence trilogy by Abbi Glines. Loved it! It's paranormal, but Dank Walker has been added to my Top 5 Book Boyfriend list. Who cares if his real identity is Death? He plays guitar in a rock band. Sheesh. I also read Rock the Band by Michelle Valentine to complete the story of Lane and Noel. There are more books in the series, but they appear to be about some of the subcharacters in the first two books. I own them; I'll read them eventually. Dank was just way too alluring! :-)
Right after I got back from Book Bash, I read Lick by Kylie Scott and Killing Sarai by J.A. Redmerski. Huge love for both of these authors, and these were both very good. Lick is the first in a series (not sure how many), and it's rock star god goodness. David Ferris has moved up my book boyfriend list as well. Highly recommend. Killing Sarai is good, but it's fairly dark. It's also the first in a series. NEITHER END WITH A CLIFFHANGER. As Ms. Redmerski wrote in her blog a few weeks ago, it ends with a continuation. Totally different than a cliffhanger.
I highly recommend all these books listed. Should be a little something for everyone here! Now the focus goes to packing and prepping for music and camping madness. I'm officially on a reading hiatus until after RockFest.
Peace
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
A Bookish Weekend
Last week, this quote showed up on my Facebook Newsfeed, attributed to Rob Pattinson. Being Team Jacob, I was quite sure he never said this. And if he did, it was because a movie script told him to. I did eventually find the source, which was not Rob. Regardless, I really liked it.
"If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours, but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are. Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads."
Most of you know by now that I went to Orlando, FL last weekend for Book Bash. It was quite an interesting event. Basically, a whole lot of really cool people who write books all came to one central place, and fans could meet them, get autographs, and have their picture taken with the cool people. I think maybe the coolest part was meeting other fans...some of which you met through Facebook groups or Goodreads groups or from Amazon reviews.
I'll admit that there were some things about the event I didn't like, but overall, I would attend another of these events. In fact, in 2014, there will be two almost in my backyard: Minneapolis and Chicago. If anyone wants to join me, let me know!
Here are a few more pictures of the room, layout, and crowd.
If anyone wants to learn more about the event, the website is still up. Or, you can follow them on Facebook. There were professional photographers there, and we've been told the photos and videos will appear on the Facebook page when they are ready.
"If you find a girl who reads, keep her close. When you find her up at 2 AM clutching a book to her chest and weeping, make her a cup of tea and hold her. You may lose her for a couple of hours, but she will always come back to you. She’ll talk as if the characters in the book are real, because for a while, they always are. Date a girl who reads because you deserve it. You deserve a girl who can give you the most colorful life imaginable. If you can only give her monotony, and stale hours and half-baked proposals, then you’re better off alone. If you want the world and the worlds beyond it, date a girl who reads."
Most of you know by now that I went to Orlando, FL last weekend for Book Bash. It was quite an interesting event. Basically, a whole lot of really cool people who write books all came to one central place, and fans could meet them, get autographs, and have their picture taken with the cool people. I think maybe the coolest part was meeting other fans...some of which you met through Facebook groups or Goodreads groups or from Amazon reviews.I'll admit that there were some things about the event I didn't like, but overall, I would attend another of these events. In fact, in 2014, there will be two almost in my backyard: Minneapolis and Chicago. If anyone wants to join me, let me know!
Here are a few more pictures of the room, layout, and crowd.
If anyone wants to learn more about the event, the website is still up. Or, you can follow them on Facebook. There were professional photographers there, and we've been told the photos and videos will appear on the Facebook page when they are ready.
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
The gift of music
Music and books...books and music. These are the things keeping me sane right now. Things at work are beyond ridiculous, but I guess that's nothing new. For the most part, I've been plugged in from the minute I punch in until the minute I punch out. I've been trying to keep up to date on all the new albums coming out this summer (Skillet, 5FDP), as well as trying to listen to bands I get to hear at RockFest next month.
However, I bought a new album yesterday that I am in fucking love with! It's the latest from Black Veil Brides. It's not like it came out yesterday new, but new this year, and new to me. Where the hell have they been all my life? Vocally, they don't really sound like anyone I can compare them to. They sound like another typical rock band. Not that that's bad... Musically, I think they sound like Dream Theater, which is an awesome compliment if you ask me. This album I picked up tells a story, and there aren't really breaks between songs...which reminds of Coheed and Cambria. Did I also mention there are some amazing orchestral pieces (piano, violin, cello)? Apocolyptica anyone?
Anyway...awesome. See if YouTube has their song "In The End" and check it out.
Every now and then I get so annoyed that the only thing that will make me feel better is Metallica's "One" live or anything involving David Draimen. I'll just be sitting at work, stewing in my rage about whatever happened that particular hour, and I hear David singing this to me:
Wow. It always makes me smile. Why? Because I plot destruction multiple times a day. Could mean anything.
I haven't done much of a book blog lately, and I apologize. I am marathoning through my TBR list before I hit Orlando in 2 weeks. (Holy shit...2 weeks? I don't think I'm halfway through my list yet!) I will say that after a few weeks of constant book "duds," I think I turned the corner last week. I read the first two books in the Love Me With Lies series (Tarryn Fisher), and last night I finished the first book in the Existence series (Abbi Glines). I believe only the first two books are out now for that first series, but the Existence series has 2-3 more books released. Once Orlando has come and gone, I'm definitely going to pick those up. I miss me some good teenage paranormal angst. This morning I started The Ivy Lessons by J. Lerman. I am only 4% through it, so no review as of yet.
Well, I have powered down all electronics in preparation for the storm, and all items have been checked off the to-do list. So, I'm going to curl up with my puppy and my Kindle and call it a night.
However, I bought a new album yesterday that I am in fucking love with! It's the latest from Black Veil Brides. It's not like it came out yesterday new, but new this year, and new to me. Where the hell have they been all my life? Vocally, they don't really sound like anyone I can compare them to. They sound like another typical rock band. Not that that's bad... Musically, I think they sound like Dream Theater, which is an awesome compliment if you ask me. This album I picked up tells a story, and there aren't really breaks between songs...which reminds of Coheed and Cambria. Did I also mention there are some amazing orchestral pieces (piano, violin, cello)? Apocolyptica anyone?
Anyway...awesome. See if YouTube has their song "In The End" and check it out.
Every now and then I get so annoyed that the only thing that will make me feel better is Metallica's "One" live or anything involving David Draimen. I'll just be sitting at work, stewing in my rage about whatever happened that particular hour, and I hear David singing this to me:
I've spent a lifetime planning out your destruction...
Wow. It always makes me smile. Why? Because I plot destruction multiple times a day. Could mean anything.
I haven't done much of a book blog lately, and I apologize. I am marathoning through my TBR list before I hit Orlando in 2 weeks. (Holy shit...2 weeks? I don't think I'm halfway through my list yet!) I will say that after a few weeks of constant book "duds," I think I turned the corner last week. I read the first two books in the Love Me With Lies series (Tarryn Fisher), and last night I finished the first book in the Existence series (Abbi Glines). I believe only the first two books are out now for that first series, but the Existence series has 2-3 more books released. Once Orlando has come and gone, I'm definitely going to pick those up. I miss me some good teenage paranormal angst. This morning I started The Ivy Lessons by J. Lerman. I am only 4% through it, so no review as of yet.
Well, I have powered down all electronics in preparation for the storm, and all items have been checked off the to-do list. So, I'm going to curl up with my puppy and my Kindle and call it a night.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Post Memorial Day update
What's the worst thing about a long vacation? Coming back to work, of course!
Ugh...I did not want to put on real pants and drag my sorry ass to work today. As I said to my neighbor yesterday, "I sorta like this not working thing." Guess I need a sugar daddy, huh? Actually, I had one of those. They're not all they're cracked up to be. Never mind.
Well, the long weekend was productive but probably not as much as I would have liked. I had a migraine on and off (yes, somehow that is possible) Friday and Saturday. Conveniently, those were the two nicest weather days of the long weekend. So, I would spend like an hour or two on a project and need a nap. It pretty much sucked and zapped a lot of my energy, but that's what a vacation is for, right? I just went with it. It's hard to fight your body.
I managed to get some errands run, patio blocks laid so that I stop driving over my grass when pulling into the driveway, and I did manage to get that darn exhaust fan replaced in the bathroom. (Oh, and I fell out of the attic and did huge damage to my body. This is the only time it will be discussed.) However, as expected, the best part of my weekend was Fast and the Furious 6. Holy amazeballs! I know it's not much of a plot or complex story, but I do like fast cars, hot men, and chick fights. Who doesn't, right? And the spoiler to #7 - which apparently was leaked all over the Google machine for months and I missed it - blew my friggin' mind! I'm so excited there is already a release date for it, and it's not when I'm 50. Hell, these two movies will be out, done, and over before even half of the Hunger Games movies are released!
Otherwise, I laid low and just tried to get some stuff off my never-ending to-do list. I didn't get to everything; who actually gets to everything, though, right? The one thing I really need to get done is my author signing cards for Book Bash in Orlando. It's one month from Saturday, so I must stop procrastinating. Good thing it looks to be another slow week at work as a good portion can be done with a computer, internet access, and time.
I read two books over the weekend, and they were books 1 and 2 in a series. Another bunch of book duds! I am, like, 0-10 lately. I'll post those titles in a separate blog later. My book goals have slightly changed for the next 30 days. As I compile my spreadsheet and start doing my signing cards, I am going to try to get through any unread book on my Kindle from an author I'm going to meet in at Book Bash. I can tell you for sure that next up will be Sweet Thing by Renee Carlino. It got amazing reviews, and it was on sale over the weekend for $.99. Renee will be in Orlando, so this makes my choice much easier.
I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend, and have a great rest of your week. If anyone wants to see Fast and the Furious 6, let me know. I might just be willing to go again! ;-)
Ugh...I did not want to put on real pants and drag my sorry ass to work today. As I said to my neighbor yesterday, "I sorta like this not working thing." Guess I need a sugar daddy, huh? Actually, I had one of those. They're not all they're cracked up to be. Never mind.
Well, the long weekend was productive but probably not as much as I would have liked. I had a migraine on and off (yes, somehow that is possible) Friday and Saturday. Conveniently, those were the two nicest weather days of the long weekend. So, I would spend like an hour or two on a project and need a nap. It pretty much sucked and zapped a lot of my energy, but that's what a vacation is for, right? I just went with it. It's hard to fight your body.
I managed to get some errands run, patio blocks laid so that I stop driving over my grass when pulling into the driveway, and I did manage to get that darn exhaust fan replaced in the bathroom. (Oh, and I fell out of the attic and did huge damage to my body. This is the only time it will be discussed.) However, as expected, the best part of my weekend was Fast and the Furious 6. Holy amazeballs! I know it's not much of a plot or complex story, but I do like fast cars, hot men, and chick fights. Who doesn't, right? And the spoiler to #7 - which apparently was leaked all over the Google machine for months and I missed it - blew my friggin' mind! I'm so excited there is already a release date for it, and it's not when I'm 50. Hell, these two movies will be out, done, and over before even half of the Hunger Games movies are released!
Otherwise, I laid low and just tried to get some stuff off my never-ending to-do list. I didn't get to everything; who actually gets to everything, though, right? The one thing I really need to get done is my author signing cards for Book Bash in Orlando. It's one month from Saturday, so I must stop procrastinating. Good thing it looks to be another slow week at work as a good portion can be done with a computer, internet access, and time.
I read two books over the weekend, and they were books 1 and 2 in a series. Another bunch of book duds! I am, like, 0-10 lately. I'll post those titles in a separate blog later. My book goals have slightly changed for the next 30 days. As I compile my spreadsheet and start doing my signing cards, I am going to try to get through any unread book on my Kindle from an author I'm going to meet in at Book Bash. I can tell you for sure that next up will be Sweet Thing by Renee Carlino. It got amazing reviews, and it was on sale over the weekend for $.99. Renee will be in Orlando, so this makes my choice much easier.
I hope everyone had a great holiday weekend, and have a great rest of your week. If anyone wants to see Fast and the Furious 6, let me know. I might just be willing to go again! ;-)
Wednesday, May 22, 2013
Thanks for the memories
We all knew months ago that Brian Urlacher would not be returning to the Chicago Bears this year. Today, however, he announced his retirement from football.
Sigh
It was a fun ride, Brian, and we are glad you could be a part of it.
I believe you when you say there is no amount of money that could lure you back.
You are not Brett Favre.
Thank heavens for small favors.
Sigh
It was a fun ride, Brian, and we are glad you could be a part of it.
I believe you when you say there is no amount of money that could lure you back.
You are not Brett Favre.
Thank heavens for small favors.
Monday, May 20, 2013
Pre-Memorial Day week
So, it's the week before Memorial Day, and I'm pretty excited. See, since I bought my house, I've been taking the Friday before and Tuesday after Memorial Day and Labor Day off work. Usually I have some intense, multi-day project lined up ready to start and finish over those five days. Luckily (or unluckily?), most of my big house/yard projects have been completed over the years. So the idea of actually having five days with very little to work on is very exciting.
The only real project scheduled that I want to complete is to replace my bathroom exhaust fan and revent it out the soffit. Right now, when it's not making a horrible noise, it blows air down into the bathroom (WRONG), and it's vented into the attic (WRONG). I've tried to rig up plastic ducting to lead it out the roof vents, but that's also WRONG. I have downloaded how-to instructions and purchased my parts and pieces, so we'll see how that goes.
My big fun for the weekend will be Fast and the Furious 6! VERY EXCITED. No idea how or where this came from, but I'm obsessed with Vin Diesel and The Rock. Nummy. Now the question is if I can take a nap after work on Thursday and go to the opening 10pm show. Only time will tell...
As a side note, I finished two books since I last updated my blog, and they were both duds:
The only real project scheduled that I want to complete is to replace my bathroom exhaust fan and revent it out the soffit. Right now, when it's not making a horrible noise, it blows air down into the bathroom (WRONG), and it's vented into the attic (WRONG). I've tried to rig up plastic ducting to lead it out the roof vents, but that's also WRONG. I have downloaded how-to instructions and purchased my parts and pieces, so we'll see how that goes.
My big fun for the weekend will be Fast and the Furious 6! VERY EXCITED. No idea how or where this came from, but I'm obsessed with Vin Diesel and The Rock. Nummy. Now the question is if I can take a nap after work on Thursday and go to the opening 10pm show. Only time will tell...
As a side note, I finished two books since I last updated my blog, and they were both duds:
- Jaden Baker by Courtney Kirchoff - This one wasn't bad, but it was super long and not near as dark as it was made out to be. The ending was just a huge let-down.
- Dead But Not For Long by Matthew Kinney and Lesa Anders - Here's my summary of this book...a 12-year old watches the first season of The Walking Dead and then writes a book. Some ideas are completely stolen from the show, and some are the original thoughts of a 12-year old. The End.
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