Just a really quick post to
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| I think Sweet Dee was attracted by the tea scent! |
Monday, December 24, 2012
The Broke and the Bookish Secret Santa Haul
Just a really quick post to
Friday, December 21, 2012
Christmas Baking: Reindeer Cookies
Recipe time again! This week is a nice and simple recipe that's a bunch of fun. They're Rudolf the Reindeer!! These would be perfect to make if you happen to have kids or are babysitting for young ones, they're easier than anything I've baked recently, taste amazing, and look cute as a button! I wouldn't go so far as to say these are healthy, but with the coconut, wheat germ and wholemeal flour they could be much worse, so they have that going for them as well!
Reindeer Cookies:*
Ingredients:
90g (3 ounces) butter (room temp)
1 egg (room temp)
1/2 cup (110g) brown sugar
1/3 cup (25g) desiccated coconut
1/3 cup (35g) wheat germ
2/3 cup (100g) wholemeal plain (all purpose) flour
1/3 cup (50g) self raising flour
1/2 tsp mixed spice
pretzels
chocolate chips
choc orange balls
Method:
1. Beat butter, egg and sugar until combined.
2. Stir in coconut, wheat germ, and sifted flours and spice.
3. Enclose dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Roll dough between baking paper until 5mm thick. place on a tray and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Preheat over to 180 deg C/350 deg F
6. Use a round cutter to cut the dough.
7. Place rounds on the tray about 5cm apart and decorate with pretzels for antlers and choc chips for eyes and mouth.
8. Bake for approx 10-15 minutes.
9. Once removed press a choc orange ball down firmly as the nose.
Top Tips:
*This could really be done with any biscuit recipe, so if this recipe doesn't jump out at you then make whatever recipe you prefer!
*The cookbook suggested sticking these on popsicle sticks, which would be inserted prior to cooking, but I didn't really see the point. It would be good for kids though.
*You wouldn't have to keep this to reindeer alone, add some white icing as a beard, and raspberry jam as a hat and you could have santa, or decorate them like Christmas baubles, or cut them into christmas tree or star shapes instead.
*This recipe comes from the Women's Weekly Christmas Baking cookbook.
Reindeer Cookies:*
90g (3 ounces) butter (room temp)
1 egg (room temp)
1/2 cup (110g) brown sugar
1/3 cup (25g) desiccated coconut
1/3 cup (35g) wheat germ
2/3 cup (100g) wholemeal plain (all purpose) flour
1/3 cup (50g) self raising flour
1/2 tsp mixed spice
pretzels
chocolate chips
choc orange balls
1. Beat butter, egg and sugar until combined.
2. Stir in coconut, wheat germ, and sifted flours and spice.
3. Enclose dough in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
4. Roll dough between baking paper until 5mm thick. place on a tray and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
5. Preheat over to 180 deg C/350 deg F
6. Use a round cutter to cut the dough.
7. Place rounds on the tray about 5cm apart and decorate with pretzels for antlers and choc chips for eyes and mouth.
8. Bake for approx 10-15 minutes.
9. Once removed press a choc orange ball down firmly as the nose.
*This could really be done with any biscuit recipe, so if this recipe doesn't jump out at you then make whatever recipe you prefer!
*The cookbook suggested sticking these on popsicle sticks, which would be inserted prior to cooking, but I didn't really see the point. It would be good for kids though.
*You wouldn't have to keep this to reindeer alone, add some white icing as a beard, and raspberry jam as a hat and you could have santa, or decorate them like Christmas baubles, or cut them into christmas tree or star shapes instead.
*This recipe comes from the Women's Weekly Christmas Baking cookbook.
Tuesday, December 18, 2012
Book Review: Ad Nomad by Eric Jay Sonnenschein
Written by: Eric Jay Sonnenschein
Published: 2012
Synopsis: In Ad Nomad, the Case Histories of Dane Bacchus, we enter the world of pharmaceutical advertising, where corrupt and ingenious creative minds market powerful medicines and sophisticated devices with more flair and guile than is used in promoting corn flakes, cars, and mouthwash. In these pages, you will find driven account people, maniacal creative directors, art directors and copywriters pushed to the brink of mental mayhem. Ad Nomad is a coming of age novel about a second-career seeker that describes the quest for self-actualization and the struggle for survival with muckraking naturalism and surreal humor.
________________________________________________________________________
In Australia there s a series of shows named Gruen (insert various second title here), which looks at advertising through the eyes of advertisers. It's fascinating to watch a panel of copywriters de-construct election campaigns, publicity spin, and the latest coke ad - and disagree so often! And while I wouldn't be in a rush to join the profession (unless in was Mad Men era minus the misogyny and racism) it's become something of a budding interest of mine. So imagine my delight when Eric Jay Sonnenschein asked if I'd read and review his book Ad Nomad - which is all about advertising and provides a not-so-pretty glimpse into the realities of that world.
Ad Nomad is a BIG book, like, 600 pages big, and while I think this is probably enough to put a few of you off I'm going to talk you down off that cliff and explain why the size isn't really an issue, and why you should perhaps in actual fact give this book a go. This book is split up rather neatly into 7 sections, all of which read almost like individual little books. There is most definitely a larger story that binds them all together, the story of Dane Bacchus entering a late-in-life career change into advertising and trying to keep from leaping off tall buildings as a result, but each section deals with a period in Dane's life post-career change. Section one is his hunt to re-educate and find the elusive advertising job, part 2 is his first job, part 3 is his second job and so on. So even though you have 600 pages of Dane Bacchus to explore, there isn't really that overbearing feeling of "oh my god, this book is monstrous and is going to devour my soul before I devour it". Which is good. But in the end, what is 600 pages if the book is well written and interesting? Exactly.
Dane Bacchus is an interesting character and I think I kind of hate him! Although I commend him for being proactive and deciding on a career change at 44, his ego is so large (and yet his self-esteem is so low) that it seems like the only way he would have been happy from the get-go is if he'd been offered a job as CEO, and even then I'm not so sure he'd really be satisfied. Dane spent his first career teaching at a university and struggling to make it as an author. Needless to say he never had success with either, or at least, not the sort of success that brings in enough money to support your wife and daughter. Once he decides on advertising (known to make people money, but also be creative) he struggles between his low self-esteem (can he keep his family fed?) and his ego (MY idea is the right idea, even if this is only my second day) and becomes almost unbearable. He questions everyone's expertise, argues over content, and locks horns over people's personality traits or quirks. At times Dane is completely in the right and I would be cheering him on when he finally stood up to the big-shot copywriters or the pretentious art director, but more often than not the disagreements came from his own insecurities or issues of ego. Now, I may have hated him a little as a person, but I loved him as a character. His fallibilities are, as always, interesting to read, especially when the novel is as much a character study as this one is.
As for the actual plot of the book, it may leave you feeling rather depressed. There is no glamour, no quick fixes and while Dane does a pretty decent job working his way up the advertising ladder it's filled with hard work, long hours and the animosity of clients and co-workers alike. It gels very well with the impression I've always been given that advertising is a finnicky career, and the reality that Sonnenschein imbues in this book is at times both hilarious and upsetting. Along with Dane's persistent search for the ad that will make him famous, this book touches on the minutia of office life - leaking air-conditioning, pervasive cigarette smoke, strokes in toilets, and the variety of characters which can be found in any work environment- the co-workers who gossip and spread rumours behind your back, the boss who hates you for no discernible reason, the lay-about, the old-timer, and the person with the inappropriate crush. You can change the career and go up a pay-grade or two, but at the end of the day a job is a job, and those tedious details will follow you everywhere. Which is not to say that no job can give you fulfilment, but if you expect your career to change your life you will likely find that reality hits hard.
Sonnenschein is a strong writer, and Ad Nomad is extremely well-written. At times the names of characters border on the ridiculous (Buzz Dingblatz for instance) and Dane's ego actually becomes unbearable (an issue with porn for instance) but the humour, insight into the industry and interesting questions raised around creativity and creativity in a business setting are strong enough to let those smaller issues slide. So don't let the size hold you back, take it one section at a time and be sure to report back on how you felt about Dane and his quest for ultimate creative control.
Monday, December 17, 2012
Monday Links
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| 1. Sleepy Sweet Dee 2. Shoulder Sweet Dee |
*The best typos and errors made by media outlets this year (Via The Atlantic Wire)
*Ever wondered what advice you'd be given if you were dating in the 1930s? Here's my personal favourite "remember that women are like flowers, a little squeezing makes them the more fragrant" - be sure to read the rest, they're brilliant in their awfulness (Via Huffington Post)
*Buzzfeed compiled a list of writer-ly and reader-ly people's top 2012 books. I added at least three new books to my Goodreads TBR! (Via Buzzfeed)
*So Lena Dunham's book proposal leaked, and Gawker posted it for all to see. Then Dunham set her lawyer on them, so they got catty and it's fabulous. [You may not enjoy this if you think Lena Dunham is everything she thinks she is] (Via Gawker)
*Here's a novel idea... bad reviews = good for authors? Or at the very least, grassroots criticism is happening people, so deal with it. (Via Huffington Post)
*Because I love Christmas, here are 49 recipes that taste like Christmas....they're basically all peppemint-centric but yummmm (Via Buzzfeed)
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| 3. Tom, Sweet Dee and Me 4. Halting my attempts at work |
Friday, December 14, 2012
Christmas Baking: Santa Hat and Christmas Tree Brownies
I think these my be my favourite ever cake decorating attempts! Look at how cute they are! And sooooo easy! I challenge you to find anyone who would not smile or go "ohhhhh" upon being presented with one of these! While I will be providing you with recipes for triple choc brownies and two types of icing, they are by no means the only option available. Perhaps little carrot cakes with cream cheese frosting for the Christmas trees, and red velvet for the Santa hats? And you can always go a step further and make a little fondant star for the Christmas tree, or little royal icing baubles. Knock yourself out basically!
First, some decorating tips. For both of these you'll need an icing bag, but don't fear if you don't have one! All you need is a zip-lock sandwich bag. Fill the sandwich bag about 3/4 full with the icing, close the zip and then snip one of the corners. And you're done!! Now, I went one step further, I had a bunch of icing bag tips for the different icing shapes, and I used some sticky tape to tape them onto the bags. This is especially important, I think, for the Christmas tree, because you want those nice looking tufts of branches (I used the small star shape). Although you can use a bamboo kebab stick if you don't have any icing tips.
1. Cover the cooled brownies in the white chocolate cream. It's rich, so be careful how thick you apply it.
2. Cut the leafy tip off a strawberry and place it in the middle of the iced brownie.
3. Use your sandwich bag full of icing to top the strawberry with a ball of icing, and add another ring around the base to make it look more like a hat.
4. Voila!!
1. Ice the cooled brownies with a layer of green buttercream.
2. Place a strawberry upright in the middle of the brownie.
3. Grabbing your icing bag, go around the base of the strawberry in small bursts of icing. Continue all the way around, and then go up and start another ring.
4. Once you've done the top, go around and fill any patches you might have left.
5. Using the yellow buttercream, squeeze a small burst at the tip of the tree.
6. Decorate the tree with whatever you like. I used small edible silver balls to look like baubles and twinkly lights, but you could use tic-tacs, small candies, 100s and 1000s, or roll your own baubles out of royal icing.
7. Doneski!
Triple Chocolate Brownies:
Ingredients:
125g butter, melted
200g dark eating chocolate, melted (can be substituted for 1.5 tbsp cocoa powder)
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
2 eggs, lightly beaten
1 1/4 cup (185g)plain flour
150g white chocolate, chopped
100g milk eating chocolate, chopped
Method:
1. Preheat oven to 180 Deg C (160 Deg C fan forced)
2. Combine ingredients in a large bowl.
3. Spread brownie mixture into greased pan/muffin tray/and bake for between 25 - 35 minutes
Tips:
*Because I knew I wanted to make these individual decorated brownies, I grabbed a muffin tray and lined each hole with a cupcake liner. However if you have a deep cookie cutter, or are handy with a knife, you could cook them in a regular brownie pan. The muffin tray option will cook quicker though, so keep an eye on that.
*If you don't like one of these chocolates, or prefer milk to white, don't worry about swapping around the quantities. Make them the way you like them, I can guarantee they'll taste delicious either way.
Buttercream:
Ingredients:
125g butter, softened
1tsp vanilla extract
1 1/2 cup (240g) icing sugar
2 tbsp milk
Yellow and Green food colouring
Method:
1. Beat butter and extract until as white as possible.
2. Add half the sifted icing sugar and the milk gradually while beating continuously.
3. Add remaining sugar and beat until combined.
4. Remove a small amount, 2-4 tbsp depending on how many cakes you intend to make.
5. Add 2-3 drops of yellow colouring and mix until combined. Put it in the fridge until you need it.
6. Add green food colouring to the remaining buttercream and mix it in. For the green of my tree I used about 1.5 caps.
Tips:
*Mine came out a pretty bright green, which I love, but I think it could look amazing in a really dark green. Simply use more food colouring.
*Powdered food colour creates much more vibrant colours than the liquid style at the supermaket, but they do tend to cost more.
*If you don't want it too sweet, halve the vanilla extract.
White Chocolate Cream:
Ingredients:
120ml thickened cream
150g white chocolate, chopped finely
1 vanilla bean, split
Method:
1. Put chocolate in a small bowl, and place a strainer over the top.
2. Place cream in a small saucepan with the split vanilla bean over a low heat.
3. Bring just to the boil.
4. Pour boiling into the strainer and over the chocolate.
5. Mix constantly until the chocolate has completely melted.
6. Put the bowl into the fridge and leave to cool, preferably over night but for at least 4 hours.
7. When it's time to decorate whip the mixture like you would regular cream.
Tips:
*The smaller the chocolate is diced, the quicker it will melt and the less you'll strain your arm!
*If you haven't cooked with vanilla beans before, when you cut a split in the bean use the edge of the knife to run down the bean and collect all the tasty deliciousness inside. Add that to the cream along with the bean.
Thursday, December 13, 2012
End of Year Book Survey
I gave up my monthly wrap-up posts around June because I didn't feel like I was achieving enough to document it, but now I'm kinda glad because it means I can take part in Jamie's End of Year Book Survey.
So here's a bunch of questions about the books I read this year, the bookish and bloggy things I did, and a couple of things I want to do for next year. Enjoy!
Best in Books 2012
1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)
Dracula by Bram Stoker,
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.
A definite tie. They're completely different books, but both were phenomenal reads and ones that I had put off reading for ages. If you've been umming and ahhhing about either, stop it, just read them!
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn't?
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
While I really liked the series overall, I was really disappointed with the first book in the series. I think it was mostly because of how similar it was to Battle Royale, but it was probably also because of how hyped it was by everyone. Everyone should still read it, but yeah, little disappointed.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?
Gerald's Game by Stephen King
This was one of the King books I picked up at a book sale, but had never really heard anything about. I ended up freaking loving it (except the ending) and was so relieved to see King write a nuanced and realistic female character for once.
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
The Game of Thrones Series by George R. R. Martin
WHY HAVEN'T YOU GUYS READ THIS YET!! COME ON ALREADY! YOU'LL LOVE IT!
5. Best series you discovered in 2012?
Locke and Key by Joe Hill (words) Gabriel Rodriguez (art)
This series, you guys, is so god damn good. It is so well-structured, well-written and well-crafted. I am exploding with excitement for the final installment. So good. Seriously.
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
Joe Hill (Locke and Key), Cormac McCarthy (The Road), Yuvi Zalkow (A Brilliant Novel in the Works) and Hilary Mantel (Wolf Hall).
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Zoo City - Lauren Beukes
The dystopian nature of this book is definitely in my comfort zone, but the YA focus and general style of book definitely isn't one I usually choose for myself. It definitely had its problems, but I really enjoyed it for the most part.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?
The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
While I had problems with the series and wasn't enthralled with the first book I read them all in a single weekend while I back home in Cairns. If that doesn't equal thrilling and unputdownable then I don't what would!
9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:
Locke and Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
11. Most memorable character in 2012?
Carrie (in Carrie by Stephen King)
She's such an interesting and tortured character. I love her.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
This book is hauntingly beautiful. It's very dark and extremely grim, but the language is transcendent.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?
A Brilliant Novel in the Works by Yuvi Zaklow
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
ABNitW in regards to emotionally chewing me up and spitting me out and Wolf Hall for reigniting a passion of mine for history.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?
Carrie by Stephen King
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Dracula by Bram Stoker
But seriously, most of them?! Too many books, too little time!
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel -longest at 651 pages
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett -shortest at 120 pages (excluding comics)
17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
I'm pretty sure there were some MAJOR scenes in all three books that made me go WTF, OMG, ALL MY CREYS, and SERIOUSLY?!
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
Locke and Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
The family dynamic between the Lockes, and the friends that they make are warm, real and complex. Love them.
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously
The Running Man by Stephen King
This book probably ties it with Carrie as my favourite Stephen King book of the year. Really solid story, epic adventure and so much darkness and anger.
20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
American Vampire by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque and Stephen King (issue one only)
Tom came home with the first trade and was like "Kayleigh, you need to read this. It's Scott Snyder, Stephen King and has awesome non-Twilight-y vampires" He could have just said Stephen King, but whatever I read it and I loved the whole thing.
Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2012
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2012?
There are a couple. I love that Gabe is finally back and blogging, but I've been a fan of hers for ages. I also really enjoy the blogs of Annabel Smith and Reading Rambo, and a bunch more but it's hard to remember when I started following everyone!
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012?
It's probably a tie between my review of The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Ugly to Start With by John Michael Cummings. They were two of my favourite reads this year, and I loved trying to get under the skin of the text and really bring the story to life in my review.
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
The Hunger Games posts probably elicited the most discussion on the blog, and it was always interesting to see how differently people came at the series. But one of my favourites was probably a little one-sided. It was my "7 Ways to Keep Reading While You're Writing a PhD Thesis" and it was very carthartic to work through it all and sort out my work/reading balance.
4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?
Hmmmm, maybe when I spruiked Hunter S. Thompson to absolutely everyone on Laura's (Devouring Texts) blog? Or some of the more social issue related discussion over at Gabe's two blogs (Gabriel Reads and The Mind of Gabe).
5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
The Brisbane Writer's Festival is always a highlight, and this year was no different. I got to meet a bunch of authors, bookish volunteers, and see some fascinating talks and presentations.
6. Best moment of book blogging in 2012?
Working out how to balance it with my post-grad studies. It seems like such a small thing, but for awhile there I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to read enough to continue my blog, so it's amazing to be able to do both.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
Probably my Hunger Games posts for the three books and the film. I loved writing them, and I loved the mini-discussions in the comments sections.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
Can I say all of them? I really want to get to a point where there is more content in the comments than in the reviews. I want to start conversations and debates and really tease apart the book in question - that's something I'll work on for next year.
I was also quote proud of my "Trying to make sense of the book blogger 'verse" post, since it helped me really work through a few issues I was having with the book blog world. So a few more page views would have been nice :)
9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
All the bookish etsy stores, I have so many pretty prints, cards, jewellery and paraphernalia in my favourites - I might explode if I don't buy something soon! Seriously, just search for your favourite book/author/film on etsy and you will find the most amazing arts and crafts celebrating them!
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
Only my Goodreads Books in 2012 challenge. I actually beat my set amount several times and kept raising it. My other two challenges were pretty sad attempts!
Looking Ahead
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
I will get to this one day!!
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?
Gun Machine by Warren Ellis
Warren Ellis is a literary god.
3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?
Gain a bigger readership and have larger discussions on my posts. I want a sense of community!
So here's a bunch of questions about the books I read this year, the bookish and bloggy things I did, and a couple of things I want to do for next year. Enjoy!
Best in Books 2012
1. Best Book You Read In 2012? (You can break it down by genre if you want)
Dracula by Bram Stoker,
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel.
A definite tie. They're completely different books, but both were phenomenal reads and ones that I had put off reading for ages. If you've been umming and ahhhing about either, stop it, just read them!
2. Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going To Love More But Didn't?
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.
While I really liked the series overall, I was really disappointed with the first book in the series. I think it was mostly because of how similar it was to Battle Royale, but it was probably also because of how hyped it was by everyone. Everyone should still read it, but yeah, little disappointed.
3. Most surprising (in a good way!) book of 2012?
Gerald's Game by Stephen King
This was one of the King books I picked up at a book sale, but had never really heard anything about. I ended up freaking loving it (except the ending) and was so relieved to see King write a nuanced and realistic female character for once.
4. Book you recommended to people most in 2012?
The Game of Thrones Series by George R. R. Martin
WHY HAVEN'T YOU GUYS READ THIS YET!! COME ON ALREADY! YOU'LL LOVE IT!
5. Best series you discovered in 2012?
Locke and Key by Joe Hill (words) Gabriel Rodriguez (art)
This series, you guys, is so god damn good. It is so well-structured, well-written and well-crafted. I am exploding with excitement for the final installment. So good. Seriously.
6. Favorite new authors you discovered in 2012?
Joe Hill (Locke and Key), Cormac McCarthy (The Road), Yuvi Zalkow (A Brilliant Novel in the Works) and Hilary Mantel (Wolf Hall).
7. Best book that was out of your comfort zone or was a new genre for you?
Zoo City - Lauren Beukes
The dystopian nature of this book is definitely in my comfort zone, but the YA focus and general style of book definitely isn't one I usually choose for myself. It definitely had its problems, but I really enjoyed it for the most part.
8. Most thrilling, unputdownable book in 2012?
The Hunger Games, Catching Fire and Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
While I had problems with the series and wasn't enthralled with the first book I read them all in a single weekend while I back home in Cairns. If that doesn't equal thrilling and unputdownable then I don't what would!
9. Book You Read In 2012 That You Are Most Likely To Re-Read Next Year:
Locke and Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
10. Favorite cover of a book you read in 2012?
11. Most memorable character in 2012?
Carrie (in Carrie by Stephen King)
She's such an interesting and tortured character. I love her.
12. Most beautifully written book read in 2012?
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
This book is hauntingly beautiful. It's very dark and extremely grim, but the language is transcendent.
13. Book that had the greatest impact on you in 2012?
A Brilliant Novel in the Works by Yuvi Zaklow
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
ABNitW in regards to emotionally chewing me up and spitting me out and Wolf Hall for reigniting a passion of mine for history.
14. Book you can’t believe you waited UNTIL 2012 to finally read?
Carrie by Stephen King
The Road by Cormac McCarthy
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel
Dracula by Bram Stoker
But seriously, most of them?! Too many books, too little time!
15. Favorite Passage/Quote From A Book You Read In 2012?
 |
| Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel |
16.Shortest & Longest Book You Read In 2012?
Wolf Hall by Hilary Mantel -longest at 651 pages
The Uncommon Reader by Alan Bennett -shortest at 120 pages (excluding comics)
17. Book That Had A Scene In It That Had You Reeling And Dying To Talk To Somebody About It? (a WTF moment, an epic revelation, a steamy kiss, etc. etc.) Be careful of spoilers!
The Hunger Games Series by Suzanne Collins
I'm pretty sure there were some MAJOR scenes in all three books that made me go WTF, OMG, ALL MY CREYS, and SERIOUSLY?!
18. Favorite Relationship From A Book You Read In 2012 (be it romantic, friendship, etc).
Locke and Key by Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez
The family dynamic between the Lockes, and the friends that they make are warm, real and complex. Love them.
19. Favorite Book You Read in 2012 From An Author You Read Previously
The Running Man by Stephen King
This book probably ties it with Carrie as my favourite Stephen King book of the year. Really solid story, epic adventure and so much darkness and anger.
20. Best Book You Read That You Read Based SOLELY On A Recommendation From Somebody Else:
American Vampire by Scott Snyder, Rafael Albuquerque and Stephen King (issue one only)
Tom came home with the first trade and was like "Kayleigh, you need to read this. It's Scott Snyder, Stephen King and has awesome non-Twilight-y vampires" He could have just said Stephen King, but whatever I read it and I loved the whole thing.
Book Blogging/Reading Life in 2012
1. New favorite book blog you discovered in 2012?
There are a couple. I love that Gabe is finally back and blogging, but I've been a fan of hers for ages. I also really enjoy the blogs of Annabel Smith and Reading Rambo, and a bunch more but it's hard to remember when I started following everyone!
2. Favorite review that you wrote in 2012?
It's probably a tie between my review of The Road by Cormac McCarthy and Ugly to Start With by John Michael Cummings. They were two of my favourite reads this year, and I loved trying to get under the skin of the text and really bring the story to life in my review.
3. Best discussion you had on your blog?
The Hunger Games posts probably elicited the most discussion on the blog, and it was always interesting to see how differently people came at the series. But one of my favourites was probably a little one-sided. It was my "7 Ways to Keep Reading While You're Writing a PhD Thesis" and it was very carthartic to work through it all and sort out my work/reading balance.
4. Most thought-provoking review or discussion you read on somebody else’s blog?
Hmmmm, maybe when I spruiked Hunter S. Thompson to absolutely everyone on Laura's (Devouring Texts) blog? Or some of the more social issue related discussion over at Gabe's two blogs (Gabriel Reads and The Mind of Gabe).
5. Best event that you participated in (author signings, festivals, virtual events, memes, etc.)?
The Brisbane Writer's Festival is always a highlight, and this year was no different. I got to meet a bunch of authors, bookish volunteers, and see some fascinating talks and presentations.
6. Best moment of book blogging in 2012?
Working out how to balance it with my post-grad studies. It seems like such a small thing, but for awhile there I wasn't sure if I was going to be able to read enough to continue my blog, so it's amazing to be able to do both.
7. Most Popular Post This Year On Your Blog (whether it be by comments or views)?
Probably my Hunger Games posts for the three books and the film. I loved writing them, and I loved the mini-discussions in the comments sections.
8. Post You Wished Got A Little More Love?
Can I say all of them? I really want to get to a point where there is more content in the comments than in the reviews. I want to start conversations and debates and really tease apart the book in question - that's something I'll work on for next year.
I was also quote proud of my "Trying to make sense of the book blogger 'verse" post, since it helped me really work through a few issues I was having with the book blog world. So a few more page views would have been nice :)
9. Best bookish discovery (book related sites, book stores, etc.)?
All the bookish etsy stores, I have so many pretty prints, cards, jewellery and paraphernalia in my favourites - I might explode if I don't buy something soon! Seriously, just search for your favourite book/author/film on etsy and you will find the most amazing arts and crafts celebrating them!
10. Did you complete any reading challenges or goals that you had set for yourself at the beginning of this year?
Only my Goodreads Books in 2012 challenge. I actually beat my set amount several times and kept raising it. My other two challenges were pretty sad attempts!
Looking Ahead
1. One Book You Didn’t Get To In 2012 But Will Be Your Number 1 Priority in 2013?
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
I will get to this one day!!
2. Book You Are Most Anticipating For 2013?
Gun Machine by Warren Ellis
Warren Ellis is a literary god.
3. One Thing You Hope To Accomplish Or Do In Your Reading/Blogging In 2013?
Gain a bigger readership and have larger discussions on my posts. I want a sense of community!
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