Jan. 5
Got an email informing me that I was Hot Topic's Ratings & Review Contest winner for Dec. and that I'd won a $100 HT gift card! 8D! So glad I rated & reviewed the 5 things I bought from HT. Just when I was thinking I should cut back on buying geeky stuff, I get $100 to spend on geeky stuff! XD They have some pretty nice plus-size dresses sometimes, so maybe I'll buy one of those...
Jan. 16
Drove to Panera Bread for breakfast. I had a mocha caffe and a cinnamon roll. Tasty but overall disappointing. The cinnamon roll was not as thick, chewy, and warm as a cinnamon bun, just a generic, flat, flaky breakfast pastry with cinnamon paste instead of fruit jam, but it was rather large (about the size of a small plate). And I don't know if I'm just not used to real coffee and/or full-fat milk, but I got a rumbly tummy for the next few hours. :P
Hung out at the mall and browsed around my favorite stores: Books-A-Million, Macy's, Cupid, Teavana, Francesca's, Charming Charlie, and Hot Topic. I didn't intend to buy anything (still waiting for the HT gift card before serious browsing/shopping), but I couldn't resist more CC, even though we'd just made a huge purchase online. There was a MLK Weekend Sale with Buy One Get One Free already-discounted sale items. Obviously spurred by my obsession with Reign and its fabulous fashion, I bought an ornate "ruby, pearl, gold" headband. Not sure if/when I'll wear it, but I think it looks nice in our black hair. I also found the big, pink/red, floral rhinestone statement necklace I'd been eyeing online (after our purchase). Don't usually go for those kinds of pieces, but I'm trying to diversify and mature my accessories for work and it was my favorite of the chunky fashion jewelry. Maybe Mom might like it? The total was only $10 for both, down from $40, so not bad.
M had plans to meet up with old coworker friends that evening at The Warehouse, so instead of driving home and making her late or miss it, I just tagged along with her. I had developed a headache, and mixed with the rumbly tummy, was feeling a bit queasy. M theorized that it was due to a combination of nerves, dehydration, and not being used to caffeine. I took an hour-long nap in the backseat of her car, then went into the restaurant by myself. M waved to me from the bar, and I waved back, but not wanting to intrude upon a stranger's birthday get-together, I got a table for myself.
M told me the building was once an old car garage until a Chinese retired math professor turned it into his own restaurant. It doesn't look like much from the outside, but the inside is quite nice. The interior looks kinda like a remodeled barn, with one big open room, a bar to one side, cool pieces of art, and pretty lighting (a warm dim yellow glow with multicolored light bulbs from the hanging lamps that reflect from the silvery ceiling and holiday light strings that spiral around the beams), overall resulting in a charming mix of industrial, comfy, and trendy ambiance.
From M's recommendation, I ordered the Chive and Corn Cakes, but the waitress said the kitchen ran out (it was popular that night), so I changed to the Portabella Mushroom appetizer. But while I ate the piece of fresh bread with olive oil herb dipping sauce (and drank lots and lots of water), I was told they made more corn cakes so I switched back to that. I was surprised when the dish came because I'd been expecting a flat, pan-fried savory pancake, but it was actually 3 thick, breaded, fried triangle cakes. Kinda like large hushpuppies, with a consistency of a chunky mashed potato filling (grits?) with corn kernels, chives, and roasted red pepper, served with sauteed spinach, pepper, and mushroom (in balsamic sauce?), plus goat cheese. It was very yummy! I only ate 1 before I was full. (M and I finished the other 2 corn cakes for breakfast the next day.)
As I finished up, M came over saying sorry for leaving me to eat alone, but I didn't mind at all. It occurred to me that in my attempt to not be rude, it may have been rude to not come by and say hello to M's friends. But she said she had already explained that I had been tired, felt not so great, and was shy, so I guess it was okay. I got a box for the leftovers, paid, and went to the restroom while M said bye to the few remaining friends at the bar. Then we went home.
I'd say 3 cakes with veggies and goat cheese for $10 is reasonable for a higher-priced casual restaurant. The food was really good, so I can't wait to go back and try something else, namely the duck tacos!
At home, M and I delved into the Charming Charlie package that had been delivered to her office that day (which M's fellow fashionista coworkers oohed and ahhed at, as they do whenever new bling arrives ;). We were quite happy with our purchases. Well, M's cuff's gems are very slightly off-center and she wasn't "in love with it" (unlike the turquoise bracelet she got from chloe+isabel), so she's still deliberating on whether to return it or not, but I think it has enough versatility (and value) to be a keeper. Everything else was as nice in real life as we'd hoped from the online pics, sometimes more so. I liked M's casual scarf much more, and her formal clutch and long, beaded tassel necklaces were fabulous. I still love the crystal hourglass pendant, the leaf bracelet fit nicely (not too tight or too loose), and the violet scarf was even bigger, silkier, and prettier than I imagined (adore the color gradation and subtle swirl patterns throughout). Shopping win!
Jan. 27
Got the HT gift card in the mail! Time to get shopping~ *praying mantis*
Tuesday, January 27, 2015
Sunday, January 25, 2015
"The Night Circus"
I added a new book to my list of favs: The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern. I read it a couple of months ago. Actually, it was published in 2011, and I remember seeing an ad for it in Entertainment Weekly or something back then and thinking it sounded interesting (and the covert art was striking *guilty of judging books by their covers*). I'd forgotten all about it until I picked it up at the library on a whim, and it really lived up to its hype.
The Night Circus is a historical fantasy filled with magic, mystery, romance, and some of the most beautifully vivid imagery I've ever read. It's like Harry Potter crossed over with a historical romance, and it's captivating, intriguing, transporting. I can imagine walking through Le Cirque des Rêves (the Circus of Dreams), and I wish it were real. Or that the author would write a sequel...
So it's become one of the few books I feel I must own and have on my shelf (I rarely buy books, thanks to the library), so today I ordered a hardcover copy from eBay for only $4.50. I can't wait to read it again. ^^
The Night Circus is a historical fantasy filled with magic, mystery, romance, and some of the most beautifully vivid imagery I've ever read. It's like Harry Potter crossed over with a historical romance, and it's captivating, intriguing, transporting. I can imagine walking through Le Cirque des Rêves (the Circus of Dreams), and I wish it were real. Or that the author would write a sequel...
So it's become one of the few books I feel I must own and have on my shelf (I rarely buy books, thanks to the library), so today I ordered a hardcover copy from eBay for only $4.50. I can't wait to read it again. ^^
Tuesday, January 20, 2015
Susan McEachern
I wrote about my favorite dystopia series Sunset Rising in this post here, but there's more to the story. I am especially fond of this series, not just because it's fantastic writing, but because I ended up befriending the author, S.M. McEachern, a year ago.
To be honest, I download a lot of free ebooks for my Kindle but rarely read any of them. I have hundreds of unread books in my elibrary. ^^; I may use a recipe from a cookbook, skim a romance novel, or try out a scifi/fantasy/supernatural/adventure series but usually only for a couple of chapters.
In the current cultural zeitgeist of YA dystopia series written from the 1st-person POV of a "regular but special" teenage girl, Sunset Rising was that rare find that grabbed my interest from the 1st page and kept it until the last. (Plus, no vapid heroine, repetitive words, or lame love triangle.) I got totally engrossed in the story and world, read it twice in a row, and then, because I'm OCD, sent grammar/typo corrections to the author's website comments.
When the 2nd book came out, I actually purchased it. It's the only time I felt compelled to buy a sequel, and I think it was the 1st ebook I actually paid money for. XD Halfway through Worlds Collide, I tweeted McEachern about mistakes I'd found, and she gave me her email to send a list. Turns out that she had sent her manuscript to a professional editing company and 2 proofreaders, but they had all missed like 95% of the errors I caught. She thanked me and decided to wait for me to finish the book and send any other errors before she resubmitted a corrected version to Amazon.
So yeah, I accidentally became an editor on a book. Susan (as she asked me to call her) thanked me and even gifted me with a signed copy of the Sunset Rising paperback! That's how we became internet friends. :D
Later, I was on her list of beta readers who receive Advanced Reader Copies to give feedback to the author before final revision. She sent me the ARC for the 3rd book New World Order, I sent a bunch of corrections/suggestions, and again Susan thanked me for my "eagle eyes" catching things before publication. She even said I should work in editing, and I kind of do some freelance proofreading/editing now. ^^;
Susan is a wonderful writer and person. I'm really looking forward to her next work. =)
To be honest, I download a lot of free ebooks for my Kindle but rarely read any of them. I have hundreds of unread books in my elibrary. ^^; I may use a recipe from a cookbook, skim a romance novel, or try out a scifi/fantasy/supernatural/adventure series but usually only for a couple of chapters.
In the current cultural zeitgeist of YA dystopia series written from the 1st-person POV of a "regular but special" teenage girl, Sunset Rising was that rare find that grabbed my interest from the 1st page and kept it until the last. (Plus, no vapid heroine, repetitive words, or lame love triangle.) I got totally engrossed in the story and world, read it twice in a row, and then, because I'm OCD, sent grammar/typo corrections to the author's website comments.
When the 2nd book came out, I actually purchased it. It's the only time I felt compelled to buy a sequel, and I think it was the 1st ebook I actually paid money for. XD Halfway through Worlds Collide, I tweeted McEachern about mistakes I'd found, and she gave me her email to send a list. Turns out that she had sent her manuscript to a professional editing company and 2 proofreaders, but they had all missed like 95% of the errors I caught. She thanked me and decided to wait for me to finish the book and send any other errors before she resubmitted a corrected version to Amazon.
So yeah, I accidentally became an editor on a book. Susan (as she asked me to call her) thanked me and even gifted me with a signed copy of the Sunset Rising paperback! That's how we became internet friends. :D
Later, I was on her list of beta readers who receive Advanced Reader Copies to give feedback to the author before final revision. She sent me the ARC for the 3rd book New World Order, I sent a bunch of corrections/suggestions, and again Susan thanked me for my "eagle eyes" catching things before publication. She even said I should work in editing, and I kind of do some freelance proofreading/editing now. ^^;
Susan is a wonderful writer and person. I'm really looking forward to her next work. =)
Monday, January 19, 2015
"Sunset Rising" Series
The 3rd book of the Sunset Rising series was released, and it was a great end to a great trilogy (with more to come, hopefully). I highly recommend this series to anyone who likes smart, exciting scifi/dystopia/adventure.
My Review for Book 1: Sunset Rising
Betrayal is just the beginning.
A fantastic debut! This book captured me from the start, and I couldn't stop. I loved everything.
The Characters: the brave, savvy, pragmatic heroine; the smart, noble, caring hero; the natural development of their relationship as they complemented each other's abilities and personalities; whether friend or foe, all the characters are interesting (I recommend reading the accompanying Satellite Stories on the author's blog).
The World: the fascinating dystopian society of the Dome; an eerily all-too-possible nightmare of a future scenario; the importance of history and hope to our society.
The Writing: thrilling action, suspense, intrigue, and romance; smooth, first-person story-telling that really draws you in; nothing contrived, illogical, or out-of-place takes you out of the story (which happens often in most YA fiction, I find).
Book 1 is rich, exciting, and beautiful enough to be made into a movie, which I would love to see! To be honest, when I read the first book of a series, I don't usually feel compelled to buy the sequels. But with "Sunset Rising," I cannot wait for Book 2! I will gladly pay to continue reading this series and following the rise of this talented new writer!
My Review for Book 2: Worlds Collide
Revolution is just the beginning.
"Worlds Collide" is a worthy and satisfying sequel to the fantastic "Sunset Rising," which I highly recommend if you like "The Hunger Games" and/or "The Selection" series (personally, I enjoy the SR series more). In WC, the brave, resourceful heroine Sunny and her equally courageous and clever hero Jack continue their thrilling adventure for survival and freedom. The story is filled with non-stop action, suspense, twists, and romance, and I love that it's set in a world rich with different personalities, societies, and ideals (and kudos for including Asian and LGBT characters). Book 2 answers many of Book 1's questions while also introducing lots of exciting developments to tease Book 3. It's a very well-written series, in both character and plot, that goes beyond the usual YA first-person dystopian narrative, and I can't wait for what comes next! Til Book 3, I'll be reading the Satellite Stories on McEachern's site to tide me over.
My Review for Book 3: New World Order
Freedom is just the beginning.
What makes the Sunset Rising series so captivating (and my favorite) is that it really is more than "just another YA Dystopia." The author McEachern writes: "even though the tale begins as a dystopian, the series as a whole is about society's journey toward finding utopia in a post apocalyptic world. It's more about the restructuring of civilization to right the wrongs of the past and find a new way of life in moving forward."
Like Harry Potter, SR matures and expands with each book, and "New World Order" is a fantastic, fitting end to the trilogy, as Sunny and Jack fight not just to reunite with each other, but reunite their worlds and peoples in harmony. SR grows beyond the genre tropes of overthrowing the corrupt government and teasing a teen romance, and delves into the creation of a new (but not magically perfect) government and a loving, stable (but by no means boring) marriage.
It has two fully-formed, stellar leads who are smart, brave, and madly in love; gripping suspense and thrilling action; a vivid post-apocalyptic world that is detailed and well-researched (McEachern interviewed one of the Wild Kratts and a National Institute for Nanotechnology researcher!); realistic societies full of diverse (yay!) and three-dimensional characters; and thought-provoking ideas about the meaning of community, utopia, liberty, equality, and justice. What more could you ask for in a sci-fi/action/adventure series?
I absolutely loved the whole SR series, and the ending of NWO brings it all full circle in a most satisfying way. It's a must-read. I can't wait for more stories set in this fascinating, immersive world.
My Review for Book 1: Sunset Rising
Betrayal is just the beginning.
A fantastic debut! This book captured me from the start, and I couldn't stop. I loved everything.
The Characters: the brave, savvy, pragmatic heroine; the smart, noble, caring hero; the natural development of their relationship as they complemented each other's abilities and personalities; whether friend or foe, all the characters are interesting (I recommend reading the accompanying Satellite Stories on the author's blog).
The World: the fascinating dystopian society of the Dome; an eerily all-too-possible nightmare of a future scenario; the importance of history and hope to our society.
The Writing: thrilling action, suspense, intrigue, and romance; smooth, first-person story-telling that really draws you in; nothing contrived, illogical, or out-of-place takes you out of the story (which happens often in most YA fiction, I find).
Book 1 is rich, exciting, and beautiful enough to be made into a movie, which I would love to see! To be honest, when I read the first book of a series, I don't usually feel compelled to buy the sequels. But with "Sunset Rising," I cannot wait for Book 2! I will gladly pay to continue reading this series and following the rise of this talented new writer!
My Review for Book 2: Worlds Collide
Revolution is just the beginning.
"Worlds Collide" is a worthy and satisfying sequel to the fantastic "Sunset Rising," which I highly recommend if you like "The Hunger Games" and/or "The Selection" series (personally, I enjoy the SR series more). In WC, the brave, resourceful heroine Sunny and her equally courageous and clever hero Jack continue their thrilling adventure for survival and freedom. The story is filled with non-stop action, suspense, twists, and romance, and I love that it's set in a world rich with different personalities, societies, and ideals (and kudos for including Asian and LGBT characters). Book 2 answers many of Book 1's questions while also introducing lots of exciting developments to tease Book 3. It's a very well-written series, in both character and plot, that goes beyond the usual YA first-person dystopian narrative, and I can't wait for what comes next! Til Book 3, I'll be reading the Satellite Stories on McEachern's site to tide me over.
My Review for Book 3: New World Order
Freedom is just the beginning.
What makes the Sunset Rising series so captivating (and my favorite) is that it really is more than "just another YA Dystopia." The author McEachern writes: "even though the tale begins as a dystopian, the series as a whole is about society's journey toward finding utopia in a post apocalyptic world. It's more about the restructuring of civilization to right the wrongs of the past and find a new way of life in moving forward."
Like Harry Potter, SR matures and expands with each book, and "New World Order" is a fantastic, fitting end to the trilogy, as Sunny and Jack fight not just to reunite with each other, but reunite their worlds and peoples in harmony. SR grows beyond the genre tropes of overthrowing the corrupt government and teasing a teen romance, and delves into the creation of a new (but not magically perfect) government and a loving, stable (but by no means boring) marriage.
It has two fully-formed, stellar leads who are smart, brave, and madly in love; gripping suspense and thrilling action; a vivid post-apocalyptic world that is detailed and well-researched (McEachern interviewed one of the Wild Kratts and a National Institute for Nanotechnology researcher!); realistic societies full of diverse (yay!) and three-dimensional characters; and thought-provoking ideas about the meaning of community, utopia, liberty, equality, and justice. What more could you ask for in a sci-fi/action/adventure series?
I absolutely loved the whole SR series, and the ending of NWO brings it all full circle in a most satisfying way. It's a must-read. I can't wait for more stories set in this fascinating, immersive world.
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