Thursday, July 31, 2014

July Wrap-Up

Books I Read

The Alchemyst by Michael Scott 

DNF


I really didn't like this book, so I'm not exactly sure to whom I would recommend it.


If I Stay by Gayle Forman

4/5

Recommended to anyone who likes books that make you cry, character-driven stories, romance, and stories told through an interesting format (half of the book is told through the eyes of the main character, Mia, as she walks around the hospital in a ghostlike state).

The Girl Who Was On Fire by Leah Wilson

4/5

Recommended to anyone who likes The Hunger Games, anthologies, and companion guides.

Coffee at Luke's: An Unauthorized Gilmore Girls Gabfest by Jennifer Crusie

4/5

Recommended to anyone who likes "Gilmore Girls," anthologies, quick reads, and companion guides.

Darth Vader and Son by Jeffrey Brown

4/5

Recommended to anyone who likes "Star Wars," quick reads, and cute picture books.


5/5

Recommended to all writers. This book was a fantastic help to me, not only with actually writing of my novel, but with editing, querying, and understanding what exactly agents and editors do.

Movies I Watched

"My Big Fat Greek Wedding"

4/5


Recommended to anyone who likes simple stories, has large, extended families, and likes to laugh.

"The Amazing Spider-Man"

3.5/5

Recommended to anyone who likes superheroes and action-filled movies.

"Epic"

4/5

Recommended to anyone who likes animated movies, action-filled stories, and likes to laugh. This movie reminded me a lot of "How to Train Your Dragon."

"What About Bob?" 

4/5

Recommended to anyone who likes simple stories, likes to laugh, and quirky characters.

Quotes I Wrote

“I still can’t believe it,” Celeste said for the hundredth time that day. “All of that money just from your blog!”
          “Mmm,” I grunted noncomittally, trying to focus on my book (Divergent).
          “I mean, you have a ton of followers, and probably thousands of views every day, but still. That’s a lot of money.”
          “Uh huh.”
          “I mean, that’s a lot of money. Like, a lot a lot.”
          I sat up in my makeshift bed. “Do you mind? Tris is getting knives thrown at her by who I suspect is the potential love interest.”
          Celeste ignored me. She rolled over onto her stomach on her bed. “You should totally post about this on your blog.”
          I rolled my eyes. “I’m not posting about how much money I made on my blog.”
          “You don’t have to say how much exactly. You could always just be vague about it and—”
          “No.”
          Celeste shrugged. “All right. Whatever.” She picked her book up from her nightstand (The Fault In Our Stars).
          “Spoiler alert,” she said. “He is.”
          Hiding behind the pages of my book, I grinned. “Thought so.”

--Cosmo


“Math,” she sighed. “Or, as I like to call it, Mental Abuse To Humans.”
          “Homework troubles?”
          Yes. Did I not make myself clear?” Celeste rolled over onto her stomach and swung her legs in the air, like she was riding a bike. “How do you get your homework done so fast?”
          I turned back to the computer and opened up Google to check my e-mail. “I don’t spend the first hour home playing Flappy Birds.”
          “Hmm,” Celeste said, chewing on her lip. “See, that’s something I can’t cut out of my life. Can’t I stop, I don’t know, cleaning my room, instead? That would be a much easier way to save time.”
          “Not while I’m living here.” I moved the mouse around, as if that would make it load faster.
Celeste flopped over onto her back again. “Le sigh.”

--Cosmo

Obsessions I Acquired

"Parenthood." My mom and I are zipping through this show, and I love it! :)

"Torchwood." A fantastic "Doctor Who" spinoff, though I'd definitely recommend it to older kids who have a higher tolerance for violence.

"When We Were Young" by Lucy Schwartz. I actually prefer this theme song to the other one "Parenthood" used. :) I think it fits the overall mood of the show better.

Picture of the Month


I finally updated my profile picture. The one I had before was about three years old. How do you like the glasses? ;)

How was your July?

10 comments:

Dr. Mark said...

So, I'm horribly behind on your blog, but I did read this post. Great recap of your month.

Coffee at Luke's: I need to finish it. I've read about half of it and think it's really fun.

It was a lot of fun to watch "What About Bob?" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" together. Those are fun movies that bring back a lot of great memories for me.

"Parenthood." Great show. So much to think about and talk about in every episode. I'm not sure how I feel about the two theme songs. They're both very good.

I love the new profile picture. You're always beautiful but you're looking so much older. Our baby is growing up!

The Magic Violinist said...

@Dr. Mark Thanks! :)

Yes, you do need to read it. I really liked the essay about Rory's three different fathers. It has some cool graphs and charts to prove her point.

Aww, thank you.

Anonymous said...

I need to read If I Stay and The Girl Who Was On Fire!

Love your glasses! :)

What series of Torchwood are you on now? If it's "Children of Earth," here are some hugs. Because you'll need them. *hugs*

Boquinha said...

Wow, you really like that book Sherri got you - very cool!

Celeste rolls onto her stomach and then her back a lot. :P I love to read your writing. Love the bit about moving the mouse to make it faster. And how DID she make all that money off of her blog?? I want to know now!

Parenthood - I love watching it with you and am so excited for you read my 4-part series on it! (Nerd.)

And now that song is in my head. Lovely.

LOVE your glasses. You are beautiful, inside and out.

Boquinha said...

Wow, you really like that book Sherri got you - very cool!

Celeste rolls onto her stomach and then her back a lot. :P I love to read your writing. Love the bit about moving the mouse to make it faster. And how DID she make all that money off of her blog?? I want to know now!

Parenthood - I love watching it with you and am so excited for you read my 4-part series on it! (Nerd.)

And now that song is in my head. Lovely.

LOVE your glasses. You are beautiful, inside and out.

Boquinha said...

Sorry for the double post. I meant to add, "If I Stay" looks DEPRESSING. Too much for me!

CG @ Paper Fury said...

Very nice glasses and pic. ;) Ohhh, and I giggled at that piece of your writing talking about Divergent. HA! That's awesome. Looks like you had a pretty good reading month too, eh?! I really love The Amazing Spider Man. I want to see the sequel now. eeep.

Eventually I'm going to read If I Stay. I'm SO behind on that one. Sheesh. XD

The Magic Violinist said...

@nevillegirl I think you'd really enjoy them both! :)

Thanks!

I just finished season 2, so "Children of the Earth" is up next. Thanks in advance! I think I'll take some of those hugs and use them for the deaths of Owen and Toshiko. *sniffles*

@Boquinha Ha ha, I hadn't noticed that before. XD And that bit's going to remain a secret until I finish the book. ;) You'll have to wait and read it yourself.

Thank you! :)

He he, probably a little much for you. But it is a great book.

@Cait Thank you! :) Glad you liked it.

I know! But I have to wait for Redbox. Grr. #FirstWorldProblems

It's really good! :) I'm curious to see what you think of it.

Anonymous said...

Oh gosh, I didn't even think about Toshiko. So. Yes. *hugs for because that* :'(

Series three is ALL THE JANTO FEELS. :/ (Janto = the ship name for Jack/Ianto...)

The Magic Violinist said...

@nevillegirl I kept waiting for something to happen where they could bring her back (THE GLOVE, WHY DIDN'T THEY USE THE GLOVE?!?!), but once the episode ended, I figured it was over.

Yay! :) They're super cute together.

I just watched the first episode of "Children of Earth." Oh my gosh, that's really creepy. And Peter Capaldi! :D