Wednesday 21 September 2016

The Liebster Award

A little while back the lovely Tina @ As Told By Tina tagged me to do the Liebster award.

This is a tag-type-thingummy that bloggers do to share the bloggerly love :) It's basically all question-y and fun and all that jazz :)












RULES OF THE AWARD
  • Thank the nominator and link back to their blog
  • Answer 11 questions asked by the blogger who nominated you
  • Nominate other bloggers that you think deserve the award
  • Write 11 questions for your nominees
  • Let them know you’ve nominated them





1. What is the last book you purchased? 



I don't know... I get people to buy them for me when possible! I don't have a heck of a lot of cash in all honesty.

Ooh! I know: I bought 4 classics on a cheap multi-buy deal the other day.

So that was two Virginia Woolf books, The Count of Monte Cristo, and a double-volume of Peter Pan & Peter Pan in Kensington Gardens.





2. What was the last movie you saw?



Urm... it was probably Suicide Squad actually. I haven't seen many films in a while, actually. Not even on the TV - I've been watching series while reading and/or blogging, and/or working.

(I'm the queen of multitasking dammit!)





3. What inspired you to start blogging?


I can't remember exactly what made me finally go, 'I'll start a blog!' but I do know that I was looking for a way to promote reading - to everyone, everywhere.

Books were the thing that was getting me through some tough sh**. And I wanted to share that. I wanted some little space to write whatever the hell I felt like, and be me again.











4. Do you prefer hardbacks or paperbacks? 


They both rock; who can pick?





5. What was the last TV show you binge watched?



I don't really binge-watch *ducks for cover.* I like variety, so I tend to flit about quite a bit.

But maybe Friends? Because dude, it's always on Comedy Central. Always.

Ooh, and I tend to watch Judge Judy in batches of like 4-6 episodes at a time. Yes, I know reality TV is trash. But somehow it's good for me *shrugs* - sometimes you just need trash. And I love Judy.












6. What is your favourite outdoor activity? 



Shopping? That counts... right? ;)





7. If you could bring any book to the big screen what would it be and who would be in it?


I don't know, honestly. Pass!





8. What’s the best part of blogging? 


Ehrmagad you're killing me with these questions! There are so many awesome-sauce things about blogging...

I've met some amazing-as-all-hell people through blogging (yes, you lot! You rock!) and also got the chance to read so many books that I might not've considered before.

I've spoken to actual authors who I really love and adore, and I honestly can't believe that they'd even bother giving me the time of day.

And, of course, I have a place to talk about books whenever I want :)





9. Do you like to reread books? Why or why not?


I do! Some books I just don't have the chance to reread, and some books I wouldn't want to, but I like returning to an old favourite, or just a book I can't remember much about.

I love finding those bits and pieces of books that you forgot about - or the bits that didn't speak to you then, but speak to you now - or the stuff that you just point-blank didn't notice at all...

Books keep giving, and that's part of the magic.





10. What advice would you give your 15 year old self? 


Hmmm... this is going to be controversial. But I'd tell my 15-year-old self to:

"Get a part-time job immediately, and maybe even leave school at 16 to go full-time.

Don't bother applying to uni - sure, you get in. But your cr*ppy health will stop you from going and it'll make you feel completely useless.

Oh, and you won't be able to remember much from September to May/June of that year. Little heads-up.

Cling to your books and your TV series. Pretty much the only thing you'll remember from that time is the plot of every Haven episode.








It's important to chillax. Dude, the stuff I worried about then? Not the stuff that matters. No, not even grades. Grades don't actually mean sh** in the real world - get some experience. Do stuff - stuff you actually like doing.

Be yourself - I wasted so much time trying to hide who I was/am that it became second nature.

Start a book blog. Appreciate the little things. Write, draw, read, and write some more! Love everything with all your heart, and hang in there.

You, little lady, are one strong cookie! The next several years are going to be tough so hang in there. Remember that you have value. You are loved. You are worth love.

It's going to hurt - a lot - in a lot of places. But you're strong. Just keep swimming, and keep getting up.

Captain America is going to be your hero and your role model - use him; refuse to accept it when Marvel turn him into a Nazi. That makes no sense."









11. Where’s your favourite place to read?


Anywhere, any time!









I'm tagging:

Ely @ Tea & Titles
Emily @ The Paperback Princess
Imogen @ Wandered Souls


Here's my questions for you:
  1. Who is your blogging inspiration?
  2. What's the weirdest book you've ever read?
  3. What under-hyped book do you want to give a shout-out to?
  4. If you could claim an author's back-catalogue as your own (pushing aside practicalities and ethics,) who would it be?
  5. Did you have a plan when you started blogging, or did just make it up as you went along?
  6. Are you a city-dweller or a country soul?
  7. What's the last book you read that could be considered diverse?
  8. Without using names - who was the weirdest/worst teacher you had in school?
  9. What actor/actress would you marry tomorrow if they proposed?
  10. ...and what fictional character would you marry tomorrow if they proposed?
  11. What is the last dream (as in, the kind you have in your sleep,) you can remember having?



As always, no worries if you don't want to do it. Feel free to do it or not do it, or whatever! If you feel like doing and you haven't been tagged then have at it!






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Monday 19 September 2016

Mini-Review! (Classics Edition!) - And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie










Title: And Then There Were None

Author: Agatha Christie

Genre: Classics, Crime


Amazon: UK - USA





Verdict:

I read this for the Mystery-a-thon hosted by the lovely Ely @ Tea & Titles, which was last week. I decided to only read one book for it because it was my birthday on Thursday and BIRTHDAY BOOKS ;)

Firstly, to the big, galumphing, heffalump in the room (yes, I say heffalump not elephant. Blame either Disney or my mother - both are equally valid,) - I had some major moral/ethical dilemmas with this book.

Largely, this was because of the history of the book's title, and some anti-Semitism and disparaging comments about indigenous peoples (within POV of not-very-nice people.)

I've already talked extensively about my befuddled feelings on the subject, so I won't repeat myself here: let's just say I had some issues with this book that can't be easily dealt with.

So, putting said heffalump back in his corner, having been acknowledged: this book is exceptionally well written and sooooooo atmospheric!

I also liked that there were depths beneath the surface of each and every one of our ten main characters.

They aren't nice people. None of them are nice people. But, all the same, Christie tricks you into a certain level of uncomfortable investment in them.

And it's the interplay of characters, the sense of things unsaid, and the atmosphere of the prose, that will keep you reading.

The writing is truly masterful, and I can only thank the BBC adaptation for inspiring me to read it, despite my muddled feelings on some of the distasteful aspects.















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Sunday 18 September 2016

Nerd Church - Mae Hi'n Bwrw Eira

Dear trolls, bigots, and assorted jerks,

Hi! I'm Cee. I'm an SJW special snowflake. And I'm proud.










Yes, I'm an SJW.

To me, that's a badge of honour. I'm a Social Justice Warrior. This means I stand against injustice. And I'm proud of that. I refuse to take it as an insult - it's a sign of courage in the world we find ourselves in my friends.





Yes, I'm a special snowflake.

There's nothing wrong with snowflakes - they're beautiful and unique, hadn't you heard? Plus, they're pretty too. #TrueStory










No, I don't look for things to be offended by. But I don't like jerks.

I will support diversity whenever and wherever possible.

When you attack people for their sexuality, their ethnicity, their religion, and whatever else you feel like pulling out of the woodwork, you are acting like a jerk.





Please refrain from doing this. Apparently no-one ever taught you, but it's actually not a very nice thing to do.

I'm sorry you're so angry at the world, and hurt inside. Making others hurt won't solve that. It will just make things worse.





So damn right! I'm a snowflake cariadau - I'm a warrior too. I get to be many cool things, it's not my fault if you're jealous of my awesome snowflake-warrior shine ;)

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'll be over here making the world a better place ;)





(Killjoys, make some noise!)





Oh, and to my dearest nerdlets: don't be afraid to block, report, etc. those nasty trolls.

Seriously, you have to put yourself first; if there is a literal Nazi threatening sexual violence with a bicycle pump (yes, that happened. To me. Today - which is your yesterday,) then I think you're totally within your rights to block and report the b*****d. #JustSaying

Look after yourselves guys!









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Saturday 17 September 2016

Mini-Review! (Comics Edition!) - The Sun Dragon's Song #1










Title: The Sun Dragon's Song #1

Author: Joyce Chng, Kim Miranda

Genre: Kids, Fantasy

Series: The Sun Dragon's Song

Release Date: 21 September 2016

Amazon: UK - USA





Verdict:

I received a free digital review copy of this book from the publishers, Rosarium Publishing, via NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I know I normally write full reviews instead of mini-reviews when I have an ARC, but this is only a single comic issue, so I figured a mini-review would give me enough time to talk about it. :)

This is the first issue in 'The Sun Dragon's Song' series - and it's a promising start.

First off: the artwork. THE ARTWORK. SERIOUSLY, THE ARTWORK.

It's stunningly beautiful. I would frame any page from this book and put it on my wall. Wow. Just... WOW.

I also liked the slow pace to this first issue, it's very gentle, but not at all boring - which I really like.

Pretty much the only criticism I can make of this book is that some of the dialogue felt a little overly-exposition-based, and perhaps a little forced...?

But overall, that really wasn't a big problem. And I'm being a little nit-picky now, I know; but that was really the only thing that I could criticise.

I just hope the rest of the series is this beautiful! Seriously, it's hard to exaggerate just how stunning this comic was visually.

(And dragons! I mean... dragons!!!!!)

Hopefully our little hero will get closer to his dream of being a Sun Dragon Rider, and prove the a**-holes who make fun of his disability wrong! (Yes, I'm invested in this... very much so!)














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Friday 16 September 2016

Friday Fics Fix - Bookish Fix

Hello dearest nerdlets!

A quick post this week because I've been uber-busy and am currently full of birthday cake (nom!)








So, you'll have to make do with a much shorter version of my usual irritating insanity pithy commentary I'm afraid. Poor you ;)





(Yeah... I don't know either...)




With some adult humour and swearing, this week we have the clever, bookish, and unusual situation of an AU (Alternate Universe) where the Avengers are librarians, and Tony Stark fancies the pants off of Bruce Banner (quite literally.)

(I'm allowed to revert to the Marvel fandom - it's my birthday... Well, by the time you're reading this, yesterday will have been my birthday, but it counts dammit!)

I also like the way this fic touched on mental illness and PTSD without either romanticising or demonising - nice & refreshing :)








So, this week's fic is:

Judging By The Cover by heyjupiter




Enjoy the bookish rom-com-ness, and I'll see you next week for more fandom randomness!






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Thursday 15 September 2016

Comics Wrap-Up - And She's Dangerous




Short and sweet comics and graphic novel-y news this week my nerdlets, due to the fact that your resident Bookish Rebel (i.e. me,) has been super-duper busy!

Also (and most importantly!) IT'S MY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!











Graphic Novels



This week I read Red Sonja: Falcon Throne (UK - US)...

...and fgiotjgiothbembgk this is the Sonja book I've been wanting guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!






Marguerite Bennett is now one of my favouritest people :)

Review will be coming up nearer to the publication date.







Other Stuff



If you haven't seen it already guys - you can check out my list of graphic novels with Latinx main characters here. :)

(Come on - you want to check it out! ;P )




-0-




Sierra @ The Nerdgirl Review wrote a fab review of Giant Days which totally quelled my misconceptions about that being a series about warring giants (yeah... sometimes my brain invents the story it wants...)



-0-



Annnnnd Naz @ Read Diverse Books wrote a great li'l batch of graphic novel mini-reviews :)









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Wednesday 14 September 2016

Censorship - Are We All Hypocrites...?

...and I mean that in the nicest possible way ;)

This post is going to be more questions than answers I'm afraid, but feel free to give your opinions in the comments - because I'm trying to sort out my own feelings on this!










Cee, what are you blathering on about?





Well, it's like this: I'm currently reading 'And Then There Were None' by Agatha Christie (UK - US) for Ely @ Tea & Titles' Mystery-a-thon.

I didn't realise that And Then There Were None wasn't actually the original title of this book. The original title was something extremely racist.





Would I have read this book with it's original title and racism? No. Will I read it now? Yes.

And therein lies the beginnings of my ethical problems.





I've always been completely against censorship, and for free speech. Yet changing the title is a form of censorship which I support... Help!

Does this make me a hypocrite? Very possibly. But can anybody honestly say they wouldn't feel the same?











If that book was published today with its original title, I would be appalled.

I'm seriously uncomfortable with the fact that it ever had that title. And, as I said, would not read it if the title hadn't been changed.






But would it be right - in this hypothetical scenario where this book was published today, with it's original title - to ban or censor it?

I would certainly complain to the author. I would not buy it, not read it, not support it. But would I ask for it to be banned or censored?




I honestly don't know. If it was in my library, would I ask for it to be removed? Would I ask the publishers to recall the copies? Would I take my pen to copies and eliminate the racist words?

Part of me says yes. Part of me says that I should get rid of those words by any means possible. Because, and let's make no excuses here, that kind of language is wrong.

But part of me also says no. That's the part that says that people have a right to say what they want - even if you don't like what they have to say.

Because it's only when you let people speak that you can defend your own position.

It's only by hearing opposing opinions - no matter how vile they may be - that we can shape our own attitudes... But there's also the danger that those vile ideas will take hold, and that's the last thing we want.













In the first chapter of 'And Then There Were None,' there is anti-Semitism.

If it was straightforward, then I would've stopped reading. As it is, it's hugely uncomfortable, but it's in the POV of a dodgy character (although, literally all of these characters are highly morally suspect,) so I don't know what to make of it.

It's not right. But does that make it wrong, in this context? I don't know.

Would I support that part being removed, given that this book has already been censored by changing the 'n' word throughout? Again, I have no easy answer.






And that's without even touching on the rights-and-wrongs of Huck Finn.

Because I read Huck Finn with the 'n' word intact.

Just like Agatha Christie, Mark Twain was writing in a time where that word was (unfortunately) socially acceptable.

But I think - and I may very well be wrong - that there's a difference between the 'n' word in the original version of And Then There Were None, and the 'n' word in Huck Finn.










Because, whatever your feelings on Huck Finn, slavery, and Jim's role as an escaped slave, is main theme of the story.

There aren't any black people in And Then There Were None - the 'n' word is used purely as a gratuitous metaphor, in the form of a racist nursery rhyme. The story makes perfect sense without it.

You remove the 'n' word from Huck Finn, though, and you change the entire dynamic and meaning of huge sections of the story. I'm not saying it's right - I have mixed feelings about it at best, but I'm saying that it's a different situation to And Then There Were None.





Should censorship depend on context then?

Again, I have absolutely no idea.

Would I be less disgusted with Donald Trump if his language was gentler? Possibly a little, but his vile outlook on life would remain.





So, am I a hypocrite? Possibly. I am human, after all.



What about you? Does anyone have an answer for these questions?











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