Tuesday, August 6, 2013

Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children- Review

Good points: I have done my best not to spoil this story in this review. This novel reminds me of a combination of the Lake house with the Griffin and Sabine trilogy (and if you haven't read this story you really should) told by Tim Burton. I loved it. You feel as though you are invading some one's intimate life by seeing the pictures as they see them. To hold them in your hand invites you to join this mysterious world. I loved the creepy factor of this book. I found myself staring at random photographs wondering what secrets they contained. It makes it even better to know that the photographs are real. Good creepy novel

Odd points: the love story is a bit on the "peculiar" side itself. Not sure I can relate to it but if the two of them are happy then there are weirder things in the world (it will make sense if you've read the book). I think it raises the question: Is immortality worth it at the cost of freedom? 

Main plot: Jacob experiences his loss of innocence as he heads into the great unknown of this world, following in the footsteps of his grandfather. His father descends into depression while his mother reclaims her own life. It is sad but relatable for most people growing into adulthood.
In many ways it holds the modernist/post modernists views expressed in the "before" and the "after." The apocalypse looms over their world for one reason or another in every turn. This is possibly the only book I know of that expresses both modernists and post modernists values in one sweep. It is continuous fear to live in this "loop" but once you leave the safety you head out into an equally dangerous world. The fear of the bomb plagues one world, while the other (or the same but in a different time) deals with the destruction of the bomb. 
I know a lot of reviews didn't like how the end turned out, but I found it was really the only course of action that would continue the story. I can't wait to read the sequel!

Friday, July 26, 2013

Ah, the simple things

Why is it no matter how far advanced we become as a society we still all have our guilty pleasures? We are a honey boo boo obsessed nation; watching a 7 year old girl and her crazy family perform stupid antics around their community. *I am no exception, I watch it. Yes, I can feel you judging me from there.* So why?

Maybe it is because no matter what society values about what is the "perfect" or "normal" family in society, they break all the rules. They all seem happy. Not just the happy-high that comes with buying a new outfit for yourself, buying that pair of shoes you've had your eyes on for a while. A true heart warming happiness that shows in their faces.

I think we watch it because we want to know what makes this family tick. Why is it that a 13 year old girl (Pumpkin) spends her birthday trying to tackle Pigzilla-- a 4 pound pulled pork sandwich? We are a skinny obsessed culture who declares that they must be wrong because they live to eat and they are not an eat to live kind of family.

Maybe there is a lesson here. Going back to the simple things of what originally makes us happy is the best method? It's not up for me to decide. I'm taking my own advice. I will be out back with a book in my hand and my puppy on my lap.
Rest in peace #Pigzilla
Pigzilla

Thursday, July 25, 2013

First impressions

To blog or not to blog? 

As a new author to this technology scene of today I had to create some new social media pages for promotion *gasp! The horror, I know*. A question that was on my mind was: To blog or not to a blog? (If Hamlet were alive he wouldn't have had time to focus on revenge in between checking his Facebook,  tweeting to his followers, and snapping snazzy pics for his Instagram).  When does technology become too much and we lose the control over our virtual pages and our pages control us? 

 I have never been much for social media, and as I sit here and write I can't help but wonder what affect all of this technology has on us. I love to write and I think some blogs are amazing, don't get me wrong. I just wasn't sure if I was the type of author who could blog. Novels, sure. Blogs have to capture attention in the blink of an eye. I'm more of a build up a relationship with the characters in the books and go from there kinda gal. 

A more seasoned author recommended that I start blogging for practice, and so here I am! Anyone that knows me would tell you that I am technologically/social networking challenged. *in fact I just texted quite a few saying: Get ready to be terrified! I just started a blog! if that gives you any kind of indication* 

If anyone has any suggestions please feel free to give them! 
I used this link to help launch my quest: Rookie: How to Start a Blog