Lovely Literary Lines

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Lets Miserables, Victor Hugo

Today’s Google Doodle pays tribute to poet, artist and activist, Victor Hugo and his frustrating yet hauntingly beautiful Les Miserables, which was completed on this date in 1862. I read this entire 1,400 page English edition (it’s 1900 pages in the original French), when I was in high school, and to this day its virtuous former thief, Jean Valjean, remains one of my favorite literary characters. So, in honor of the beloved Victor Hugo and his magnums opus, here are my personal top ten quotes.

It is nothing to die. It is frightful not to live.

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He never went out without a book under his arm, and he often came back with two.

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Even the darkest night will end and the sun will rise.

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Not being heard is no reason for silence.

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You ask me what forces me to speak? A strange thing; my conscience.

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No army can withstand the strength of an idea whose time has come.

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There is nothing like a dream to create future.

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Nobody knows like a woman how to say things that are both sweet and profound. Sweetness and depth, this is all of woman; this is Heaven.

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Let us study things that are no more. It is necessary to understand them, if only to avoid them.

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If you wish to understand what Revolution is, call it Progress; and if you wish to understand what Progress is, call it tomorrow.

 

Trump Twitter Tantrums ~ Dear God! Make Him Stop!

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Trump Twitter Tantrums

Before you read any further I want to warn you that this is going to be another one of my rants against Mr. Trump. If you choose to proceed, do so at your own risk!

So, after three days of Twitter tirades against “Fake Media” outlets such as CNN, the New York Times, and the Washington Post, Mr. Trump turned his ire on Joe Scarborough and Mika Brzezinski, hosts of the popular MSNBC talk show, Morning Joe. Now, I’m going to be upfront here and say I’m not a fan of the show or Joe and Mika. They’ve gone back and forth playing footsie with Mr. Trump, a little too much for my taste. Currently they seem to be on the outs with him again, which is apparently what provoked this latest outrageous tweet:

While Scarborough didn’t escape completely unscathed from the juvenile name calling, Mr. Trump saved the most personal, vulgar and coarse attack for Brzezinski. During a week filled with things that actually matter such as the Senate’s  attempt to pass a healthcare bill which will leave at least 22 million people without insurance, the implementation tonight of parts of the equally appalling Muslim Ban, and refusing to discuss possible protections in place against further Russia interference in our elections, Mr. Trump apparently has enough time on his hands to launch a disgusting and sexist attack against yet another woman. Not only is this nauseating, but it’s embarrassing for us as a country that our so-called leader persists in these types of personal attacks. First Lady Melania Trump defended him this morning, saying through her spokeswoman:

As the First Lady has stated publicly in the past, when her husband gets attacked, he will punch back 10 times harder.

Huh. So Mrs. Trump. How is your chosen platform against cyber-bullying coming together?

It seems that Mr. Trump sees Morning Joe’s criticism of him, including questioning his mental health as a personal betrayal. But here’s the rub. When you are a world leader, you need to expect criticism against yourself and your policies if you respond, you do so with maturity and aplomb. Heck, Mr. Trump was, and still is, one of President Obama’s biggest, nastiest hecklers. I’m not defending attacks from Madonna, who commented how she’d like to blow up the White House, or Kathy Griffin who for some demented reason thought it was a good idea to pose with a fake and bloody decapitated head of Mr. Trump, or Johnny Depp who “jokingly” asked fans in Glastonbury how long it’s been since an actor assassinated a president. Obviously all three of these celebrities crossed the line. However, in no way does this excuse Mr. Trump’s misogynistic and vitriolic behavior. 

I suppose it’s clear that for at least the next 3 1/2 years that in between his weekly golf games, we can all look forward to more obscene Twitter tantrums, the gutting of agencies like the Education Department, the Centers for Disease Control, and the Environmental Protection Agency and trampling on people’s rights and his embarrassing us on the world stage.



I could go on about things like his further destabilization of the Middle East by sending mixed messages regarding Qatar, who currently hosts the largest contingent of our military in the region, but I believe I’d better stop now. I’m going to just finish by saying once again, to not only my American followers but also to my international ones:

WE ARE BETTER THAN THAN THIS! 

We need to seriously examine who we want to represent us and be the chief lawmakers in this country not only in next year’s elections, but also in 2020. Mr. Trump is already raising money and holding campaign rallies. Do we really want another four years of someone who is a misogynist as well as racist, bigoted, impulsive, unstable, and is only concerned with looking out for himself? There’s really only one answer.

*I know I’ve used the above gif a few times before, but it makes me happy, so I hope you’ll forgive me.*

R.I.P. Michael Bond 1926 – 2017

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A Bear Called Paddington, R.I.P. Michael Bond

Things are always happening to me. I’m that sort of bear.

Michael Bond, A Bear Called Paddington

Whimsical Wednesday

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Mason Cooley, Matilda, Reading, Ronald Dahl, Whimsical Quotes

Reading gives us someplace to go when we have to stay where we are.

~ Mason Cooley ~

Now I Rise (The Conqueror’s Saga #2) by Kiersten White ~ 5.0 Stars

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Family Relationships, Historical Fiction, LGBT Relationships, Ottoman Empire, YA Fiction

Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now

496 Pages

Synopsis: Lada Dracul has no allies. No throne. All she has is what she’s always had: herself. After failing to secure the Wallachian throne, Lads is out to punish anyone who crosses her blood-strewn path. Filled with a white-hot rage, she storms the countryside with her men, accompanied by her childhood friend Bogdan, terrorizing the land. But brute force isn’t getting Lada what she wants. And thinking of Mehmed brings little comfort to her thorny heart. There’s no time to wonder if he still thinks about her, even loves her. She left him before he could leave her.

What Lada needs is her younger brother Radu’s subtlety and skill. But Mehmed has sent him to Constantinople–and it’s no diplomatic mission. Mehmed wants control of the city, and Radu has earned the unwanted place as a double-crossing spy behind enemy lines. Radu longs for his sister’s fierce confidence–but for the first time in his life, he rejects her unexpected plea for help. Torn between loyalties to faith, the Ottomans, and to Mehmed, he knows he owes Lada nothing. If she dies, he could never forgive himself–but if he fails in Constantinople, will Mehmed ever forgive him?

As nations fall around them, the Dracul siblings must decide: what will they sacrifice to fulfill their destinies? Empires will topple, thrones will be won…and souls will be lost.

Now I Rise picks up directly where the previous book, And I Darken, left off. Lada (the female version of Vlad the Impaler), is set on fulfilling her destiny to become Prince of Wallachia, leaving her younger brother, Radu, behind with Mehmed. The two siblings are separated during the entire book and this not only effects their relationship, but it further shapes them into the leaders they will become. In the first book, you saw how Lada’s brutal childhood at the hands of her father, made her a fierce, determined and courageous potential leader. In this book, all those traits are still visible, but her ruthlessness ultimately takes an even darker turn, resulting in her committing some truly horrific atrocities. You can see she’s not completely heartless by some of the relationships she has with those who are loyal to her. But by the end, she cares nothing about sacrificing innocents if she believes it’s in the greater good. Even some of those who have remained steadfast in their support, begin to question her. Lada is so fixated on her goal that she doesn’t realize she’s turning into someone far worse than her father. Seeing her transform is cringe-worthy at times, yet utterly mesmerizing. Meanwhile, Radu, who was always the lightness to Lada’s darkness, is facing a crisis of conscience. Still suffering from his unrequited love for Mehmed, he becomes a spy for him to aid in the conquest of Constantinople. The longer he’s there, the more conflicted he becomes over whether he’s doing the right thing. His anguish is heartbreaking, and the things he does changes him in many ways by the conclusion. I didn’t really care for Mehmed in the first book, and nothing in this one has changed my mind. Actually, I dislike him even more. He’s a manipulative, power-hungry ruler who has no problem using or betraying the people who care for him, as both Lada and Radu learn. He may be charming and charismatIc, but he continues to leave me unimpressed. There are quite a few secondary characters that stand out as much as the three main characters, and add interesting layers to the already complex story. Now I Rise is even better than it’s predecessor in terms of world-building, character development, and action. Kiersten White has my deepest admiration for her ability to bring history to life. She may veer away from total accuracy at times, but that doesn’t take anything away from the story. While this is technically a YA trilogy, due to the complexity and brutality of the story, I would suggest this for older teens and adults. You also definitely need to read these books in order because otherwise you’ll find yourself completely lost. The ending of this sequel leaves no doubt that Lada, Radu, and Mehmed are on a collision course, which has me eagerly anticipating the final book, which frustratingly won’t come out until next year. In the meantime, if you’re an adult who usually doesn’t read YA, but you like historical fiction, I cannot recommend these books highly enough! 

 

 

 

Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone 20th Anniversary!

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Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone 20th Anniversary

It’s difficult to believe that twenty years ago today, a small boy crept into the hearts of millions of children (and adults) all over the world. Even if you’ve never understood the Harry Potter craze, there is no denying that he and his creator, J.K. Rowling changed how many view children’s literature, and even more importantly how it engaged young readers, even reluctant ones. While it wasn’t released here in America until September 1st, 1998, once it made it’s debut, it was an instant hit. I was still working as a children’s librarian at the time and hadn’t heard of of the book until kids started coming in to the library imploring me to read it. From the very first chapter I was instantly captivated, as well as convinced that this book would become a classic. So thank you J.K. Rowling for creating such a richly drawn, magical world with characters that children and adults can relate to!

…A breeze ruffled the neat hedges of Privet Drive, which lay silent and tidy under the inky sky, the very last place you would expect astonishing things to happen. Harry Potter rolled over inside his blankets without waking up. One small hand closed on the letter beside him and he slept on, not knowing he was special, not knowing he was famous, not knowing he would be woken in a few hours’ time by Mrs. Dursley’s scream as she opened the front door to put out the milk bottles, nor that he would spend the next few weeks being prodded and pinched by his cousin Dudley…He couldn’t know that at this very moment, people meeting in secret all over the country were holding up their glasses and saying in hushed voices: ‘To Harry Potter–the boy who lived!’

 

Don’t Close Your Eyes, by Holly Seddon ~ 4.0 Stars

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Adult Fiction, Agoraphobia, Alcohol Abuse, Child Abuse, Dysfunctional Families, LGBT, Mystery, Suspense

Thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine Books for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: July 4th, 2017

336 Pages

Synopsis: Twin sisters Robin and Sarah haven’t spoken in years.

Robin can’t leave her house. A complete shut-in, she spends her days spying on her neighbors, subtly meddling in their lives. But she can’t keep her demons out forever. Someone from her past has returned, and is desperate to get inside.

Sarah can’t go home. Her husband has kicked her out, forcibly denying her access to their toddler. Sarah will do anything to get their daughter back, but she’s unraveling under the mounting pressure of concealing the secrets of her past. And her lies are catching up to her.

The novel takes readers back in time to witness the complex family dynamics that formed Robin and Sarah into the emotionally damaged young women they’ve become. As the gripping and intricate layers of their shared past are slowly peeled away, the shocks and twists will keep readers breathless long after the final page.

Don’t Close Your Eyes is a slow burning suspense story, which takes a look at two dysfunctional families who start out as friends, but are torn apart by secrets and lies. It’s told in the alternating POVs of Robin and Sarah, and also flashes back and forth from the 1990s and the present day. Just as she did in her debut novel Try Not To Breathe, Holly Seddon is not afraid to tackle the more sinister aspects of family life. The beginning of the story is seemingly innocuous, but it’s not long before the first cracks appear, which ultimately send each character on their own self-destructive journey. Seddon is brutally honest regarding her flawed characters and they come off as being very realistic, if not completely likable. The pacing of the book stays steady until the last quarter, when everything I thought I understood was turned on its head, literally leaving me gasping in disbelief. The shocking ending tied everything up wonderfully which left me completely satisfied. I highly recommend Don’t Close Your Eyes to readers who enjoy a dark story exploring complex family relationships. 

 

Me Without Healthcare….

POWERFUL AND MOVING POST THAT EVERYONE SHOULD READ AS MR. TRUMP AND CONGRESS PLAYS GAMES WITH OUR HEALTH CARE!

AS I LIVE & BREATHE

Again, a rare occurance to get political on my blog. Because whether people agree with me or not, this is a matter of life & death. The AHCA/BCRA must not pass!

I do not joke about death. Yet, after asking nicely with no movement & amendments sure to get worse, I know no other way to get through.

The 13 authors don’t want to be called heartless or murderers then don’t pass this cruel bill.

Some may say it’s extreme, but I’m tired of playing nice & being ignored, & getting canned responses about how I must take more personal responsibility when I’ve taken plenty.

I’ll be sending this mock obituary through to my delegation tonight because I think they need to see the consequences of a “Yes” Vote:

Nicole “Nikki” S. died of chronic rejection in a Philadelphia hospital.

Nikki was born on May 25, 1977 in Watertown, SD…

View original post 483 more words

Words To Remember

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Google Doodle, Inspirational quotes, Oskar Fischinger

Everything in the world has a spirit which is released by its sound.

~ Oskar Fischinger ~

German-American artist, musician and filmmaker, who’s being honored by Google with a commemorative Doodle on his 117th birthday. If you haven’t had a chance to play with it, please try. I guarantee it’ll bring a smile to your face.

The Silent Corner (Jane Hawk #1) by, Dean Koontz ~ 4.5 Stars

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Adult Fiction, Mystery, Suspense, Techno-Thriller

Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Release Date: Available Now

464 Pages

Synopsis: “I very much need to be dead.”

These are the chilling words left behind by a man who had everything to live for but took his own life. In the aftermath, his widow, Jane Hawk, does what all her grief, fear, and fury demands: find the truth, no matter what. People of talent and accomplishment, people admired and happy and sound of mind, have been committing suicide in surprising numbers. When Jane seeks to learn why, she becomes the most-wanted fugitive in America. Her powerful enemies are protecting a secret so terrifying that they will exterminate anyone in their way. 

But all their power and viciousness may not me enough to stop a woman as clever as they are cold-blooded, as relentless as they are ruthless and who is driven by a righteous rage they can never understand. Because it is born of love.

I’ve been reading Dean Koontz since I was a teen, and while it’s been a rocky road at times–loved the Odd Thomas series and standalones like Watchers but had a difficult time with ones like The Darkest Evening Of the Year and Funhouse–he has still remained one of my favorite horror writers. The Silent Corner, the first novel in the Jane Hawk trilogy is less like Stephen King, and more like Michael Crichton. It’s a thrilling and pulse-pounding ride from start to finish and despite it being just under 500 pages, I read it over the course of two days because I literally could not put it down! Jane Hawk is a kick-ass heroine who ripped out my heart and stomped all over it. There’s no doubt she’s a tough cookie, but her heartbreak and anger over the loss of her husband resonates off the page. Her anguish is further compounded, when because of threats by this faceless sinister conspiracy, she is forced to send her sweet son into hiding while she embarks on a cross-country odyssey to uncover what’s behind the burgeoning epidemic of suicides by well-adjusted people, with no previous signs of depression. Jane is of course the star of the story, but there are a few quirky allies she meets along the way which make this story even more enjoyable. The villains are a little more two-dimensional, but they weren’t bad enough to spoil the book for me. The pacing is just insane and this, coupled with short chapters, makes it difficult to tear yourself away. The Silent Corner is a fantastic beginning to this new trilogy and thankfully the second book, The Whispering Room is due out in January, because I don’t think I could wait any longer. Longtime Koontz fans won’t be disappointed by this, and if you haven’t read any books by him, this is an excellent book to start with.