The kids don’t trick-or-treat anymore. My oldest just started a part-time job so she’s working today. It’s going to be busy so I hope she handles it well. My youngest is trying to finish all her homework so she could help hand out candy. This year, the family decided to all dress up as pirates. My oldest can’t dress up so it’s just going to be the three of us. However, we took photos a week ago and I’ve started to create a concept piece using a couple of digital scrapbooking kits. Here’s the initial layout, still in the rough stages, trying to figure out background, props, etc.
It was a few years back when I first stumbled upon The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. I can’t remember how I found this trilogy but I loved it so much that I couldn’t find it in me to read his new release, The Lightbringer. I waited about a year before I gave in and I wish I hadn’t waited because it was so much more amazing than Night Angel. Don’t get me wrong. Night Angel was pretty good but it’s just your average fantasy. Lightbringer, however, is in a slightly different sub-genre…an epic fantasy.
The Burning White is the final book in The Lightbringer 5-book series. The series follows multiple characters and has a strong magic system that is thoroughly designed. The first book starts out fairly slow because of all the world-building and character development but I find it necessary. My favorite book of the four that I’ve read is the third book, The Broken Eye. It’s because there’s one main character that really shines in this one.
This was my first book signing ever and I really enjoyed it. Weeks’ talked about his journey through the series and did a Q&A session. Lots of good questions were asked and answered. I was so in awe that when I got up to have him sign my book, I was speechless. I wanted to thank him for writing such a beautiful story. Alas, I didn’t squeak out much of anything, except for “Will you take a photo of us” to his wife, and “Thank you,” and “Bye” to both of them before we left. My husband did more talking than I did. And, most embarrassing was when Weeks’ reached out to shake my daughter’s hand and she said, no. He and his wife understood and we all laughed.
We got a thingy of tissue paper during the signing. I’m so not ready for it, but I am at the same time.
A couple of weeks ago, I picked up the book, The Testaments, by Margaret Atwood at Barnes & Noble. It was B&N’s book club pick and I’ve never gone to a book club before so I figured I’d give this one a go. The book club experience was really enjoyable. I was super nervous but the others made it very welcoming. Our facilitator was also pretty cool. Her questions got us all thinking. I wasn’t able to finish the book before attending but we still had good and debatable conversations about it. A few days later I finished the book and found myself completely immersed and loving it.
The Testaments is the second book to The Handmaid’s Tale. I read The Handmaid’s Tale five years ago and liked it but it wasn’t as powerful as this one. And since it’s been awhile, I really can’t remember the details or the characters. What I do remember is that it was from one character’s point-of-view and the world she lived in was completely controlled.
The Testaments is written in first-person point-of-view through three female characters and tells their story. At first, I wasn’t so sure I liked the idea but as the story moved along, I began to really enjoy it. The Testaments is right up there with 1984 and Brave New World, and even A Clockwork Orange. Atwood mentioned something along the lines of, “2+2 sometimes equals 4.” In 1984, 2+2 always equals 5.
The Testaments is a powerful story about totalitarian in a dystopian society in what was once New England. It’s about control going awry and how three women, but mainly one strong woman with a plan to save the two from losing their lives and bringing down the Republic of Gilead.
When I purchased the book, I saw this notebook with the cover from The Handmaid’s Tale and just had to have it. I don’t have the book though (borrowed it from the library). Not sure what I’ll be using the notebook for.
If you’re into scary books for this month, check out “Shaman.” It’s really scary. I don’t recommend reading it at night or before bed. Right now it’s free on Kindle until October 20th. mybook.to/shaman
From My Corner of the Universe 