tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5406751838773189622024-03-13T17:56:34.515+02:00The World Through A Pony's EyesWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.comBlogger33125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-39957953772357227112011-08-19T22:24:00.006+03:002014-01-02T18:10:18.760+02:00Just A Little Help With PicsThis update functions as a way to set up my pics to be published in <a href="http://www.rantingdragon.com/forum/posting.php?mode=reply&f=18&t=281">the Ranting Dragon</a>.<br />
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The result of my trip to London, my old shelf currently, and my new shelves.<br />
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This is also for RD.<br />
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Wilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-60717076717156267122011-04-25T11:06:00.001+03:002011-04-25T11:07:04.517+03:00Lots of RegencyHello!<br />
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It's been long since I've last updated, so now is high time, seeing as I'm not going to get anything done just yet anyway.<br />
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The transcription project went well, now I just hope to get a decent grade from my Austen essay. I'll be getting that one back in a week... just before linguistics final paper is due. After that, it's only exams. Four of them.<br />
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Yesterday I finally finished <i>Mansfield Park</i>. Took me AGES to read it, at least three weeks! But now it's done, and I can proudly say that yes, I have read all Austens. Afterwards I felt so Regency-oriented that I started re-reading Wrede and Stevermer's <i>the Grand Tour</i>, because I just love references and connections to real history - and during the first 50 pages the heroines of the book had dinner with Beau Brummell! Since I found this awesome website the other day, it's now easier than ever to keep track of who's who: http://www.candicehern.com/regency.htm I most warmly recommend it!<br />
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I've done little book shopping. I know I'm not supposed to, but when there's something cheap or something I'm convinced I need, there's no way to stop me. First of all, I got my own copy of Pollington's <i>First Steps in Old English</i>, a book a teacher lent for me and I liked so well I decided I'd get my own. It's very clear, so if you're interested in learning Anglo-Saxon, it's worth taking a look at!<br />
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Then I was talking to my friend about how I would love to read Hannu Rajaniemi's <i>the Quantum Thief</i>, but the waiting lists at libraries are extremely long and the book is expensive even in paper back. She told me she had seen it in the window of an antiquary close to where she lives, so off I went to see if I could get it. I'm not sure I got the right antiquary, and I didn't get that particular book, but boy, was it worth it! For what I did find was Scott Lynch's <i>Red Seas Under Red Skies</i> for the measly price of 1.5 euros! I've already got it, but not with this cover, and, well, needless to say it's now sitting on the shelf, waiting for its new brothers to come home.<br />
About a week later I happened to stumble upon Melissa Anelli's <i>Harry, A History</i> in a sales bin at a bookstore. It was even cheaper than before, so now I've got that one, too.<br />
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So that's about it. I'm now on Easter Break for three more days, and then it's back to school for a while. Next weekend is the end of April and May Day. In Finland it's a big occasion for students, and it's called vappu. As I'm a university student, I get to wear my graduation hat/cap/whatever that thing should be called, and our wonderful red overalls. There will be drinking and partying late into the night, and a traditional picnic on May 1st. Great occasions to see friends!<br />
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Now I think I should get back to semantics. I was clever enough to take an easy topic to write about: lexical fields. They're interesting enough, and just briefly explaining them takes a lot of space. I've got three more fields and conclusion to write, and three pages to do it.<br />
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Oh! I'm also going to France in a couple of weeks! We'll be visiting a friend in Poitiers and on our way back home spend a day in Paris. I want to pay my respects to Mr Wilde.<br />
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Happy Easter! I'll see you around the end of May, I think! Maybe then I'll say something about <i>Red Riding Hood</i>, if I remember. And Rise Against's new album!<br />
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Love, WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-21534088454796597412011-03-14T11:03:00.000+02:002011-03-14T11:03:42.593+02:00Last Day OffHello!<br />
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So, my Spring Break ended yesterday, but as today's Latin lecture is cancelled, I got another day off. Tomorrow it's school again. Austen and BritLit. My class talk on ballroom etiquette is in a week, and I'm getting a little nervous about it. I know my subject this time though, so I should be fine. The essay I'm slightly concerned about, it should be turned in in about a month and I've barely started... I finished reading and marking Northanger yesterday, so basically I'm set to start writing, but it needs some thinking first...<br />
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Not that I haven't been writing a lot! I've written over 20 pages of fanfiction - finished a 12-page fic and am just getting started with another one, currently 13 pages. Plus some tidbits. It felt so good to be on writing spree, it happens so rarely. Too bad it was in a bit a bad time, seeing as I should have been working hard for school. But then again, it <i>was</i> the contactless week. ^^<br />
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Alongside Northanger I've been reading Horace Walpole's <i>the Castle of Otranto</i>, the first English Gothic Novel, published in 1765. It's a lot of fun to read, though I make very slow progress. I also got Karen Joy Fowler's <i>the Jane Austen Book Club</i> and Georgette Heyer's <i>Lady of Quality</i> from the library - hopefully I will have time to read them. They look like quick reads, but I've been wrong before. In addition I bought (from the library) Terry Pratchett's <i>Lords and Ladies</i> for 20 cents(!) and Elaine Cunningham's <i>Elfshadow</i> from an antiquary. I read the latter in Finnish when I started 7th grade, and actually got a friend through it - she saw me reading it and came to tell it was one of her favourite books. And we're still friends, even though we can't agree on most things. xD But I digress. This list was just to show I don't lack reading, particularly when I should also be reading David Crystal's <i>Stories of English</i> for class. It's not a requirement, but it would help so much... But maybe I'll get into it. Hopefully sometime before the exam.<br />
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Rise Against's new album <i>Endgame</i> will be out this week! I'm looking forward to it so much! I've got a reservation, and happen to have a convenient two hours off on Wednesday to go get it. So exciting! Now I just hope they would come play here again... It's so typical, they go to Sweden but for some reason skip Finland. Just like all bands. So unfair. :/<br />
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But now I think I should get on with school stuff. There's Latin to do, literature to read, transcription (of George VI's first war-time speech 1939) to check, and a million other little things. Two months of school to go, and I really hope I land a job this summer.<br />
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<i>Hero of War</i> is such a beautiful song.<br />
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Love, WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-83684146540901480042011-02-27T20:29:00.001+02:002011-03-14T11:06:08.827+02:00The Night of the AwardsI can't believe how long it has been since I last updated... So here's a little something.<br />
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Let's take books first for a change. I've recently read Eva Ibbotson's <i>Magic Flutes</i>, which I found from Wikipedia as I was going through the list of things inspired by Mozart's fantastic opera. The book tells the story of two people - funny enough, I can't remember their names anymore. However, the male protagonist is a foundling, brought up by a relatively poor woman in London. He falls in love, but the girls family doesn't exactly like his origins nor situation when it comes to money. So, he starts working hard to earn money and reputation to be able to marry the woman he loves. The female protagonist, on the other hand, is the last descendant of an Austrian noble family. She has left her life of rumbling splendour to do what she loves; she works backstage at a little opera company in Vienna. The protagonists naturally meet, and you can probably guess the rest when I tell you it's a romance.<br />
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I liked it, it was a quick read and rather entertaining, seeing as I've been to Vienna once myself and some of the places mentioned were familiar. The main characters weren't that interesting, but then again, they usually aren't. One of the minor characters appealed to me quite a lot, but it might have been because he liked his dogs. (I find myself fond of men who like dogs, like the prince in <i>Deerskin</i>!)<br />
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After that I read Melissa Anelli's interesting book called <i>Harry, A History: the True Story of a Boy Wizard, His Fans, and Life Inside the Harry Potter Phenomenon</i>. I'm a heavy potterist myself, having grown up with the books (I was nine when I read the first one and just about 17 and a month when the last one came out), and Anelli is the webmistress of the fansite <i>the Leaky Cauldron</i>. The book is everything the title promises - there's the history of Harry Potter, both of writing and publishing, different sorts of people and cultural side-effects (such as bands and my old-time love, fanfiction) and the life of a fan. The things that stuck with me? Laura Malory, the woman who spoke for banning the Harry Potter books from schools. Anelli's meetings with JKR herself. The unity the fans felt at conventions and other meetings of that sort. I was frequently in need of handkerchiefs, being easily moved.<br />
As I already said, an extremely interesting book. There's so much I didn't know, for I started to find myself interested in fan culture only about a year or two ago. If you're a potterist, you'll probably cry too. The nostalgia is amazing.<br />
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So there's what I've last read. I think. Now I'm rereading <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>, because I wanted to see whether I'd write my essay about it. Turn out the answer is no. I'll probably end up choosing <i>Northanger Abbey</i> anyway. :P<br />
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Tonight is the night of the <b><span style="color: orange;">Oscars</span></b>! I was supposed to go to a friend's to stay up with her - it airs at a time slightly inconvenient, 3-7am between Sunday and Monday - but as she's very busy tomorrow, one of my other friends is coming over to my place. I've got pizza coming, she'll bring some snacks, we'll watch a movie before the pre-Oscars stuff starts (around 1am) and then stay up. Needless to say, I will be skipping Latin tomorrow afternoon. Luckily the introductory course to areal and cultural studies ended last Friday.<br />
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I've been under a severe Lynch fever for a couple of days, due to the new interview! (It can be found at <a href="http://camorr.com/">Camorr</a>) Let's hope that Republic of Thieves will be out this year! ^^<br />
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Have a fun March, everyone!<br />
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Love, WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-31303842586467429832011-01-22T10:29:00.001+02:002011-01-23T15:12:30.257+02:00Austen OverloadHello!<br />
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Today's topic is Jane Austen. Why? Because I'm taking a course at Uni! That's right, we have the possibility of attending classes on Miss Austen. It was recommended we read at least two of her books beforehand - though it turned out that we only needed to read one after all - but I've read almost all of them. For some reason my brain doesn't like the idea of having to read <i>Mansfield Park</i>, so that one is still unopened.<br />
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My first touch with Austen was when I was 13 years old and we watched Ang Lee's <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> in class. Back then my reasons for liking it were simple: the relationships between people and Alan Rickman. (Not that these reasons have much changed in seven years.) I wanted to see it again and again, and when I told my dad I'd seen it and liked it, he gave me a stack of videos. On those videos my mum had recorded to whole <i>Pride and Prejudice</i> when it was on TV. I remember very little of my first reactions to this classical version of PandP, but it must have been good because I now have it on DVD and watch it once or twice a year.<br />
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For a long while PandP and SandS were the only ones I knew about. Finally in 2008 there was a lot of new Austen on TV. <i>Northanger Abbey</i>, <i>Emma</i> (with Kate Beckinsale and Mark Strong), <i>Persuasion</i>, <i>Mansfield Park</i>... All the lot. I was thrilled, but still hadn't picked up the books as I thought them too hard for me. 2009 there was more new Austen, <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> in four parts. In 2010 I got myself the version of <i>Emma</i> with Gwyneth Paltrow and Jeremy Northam (and Ewan McGregor, even though he really isn't too good in it) and saw the new 4-part version. I also saw the 1980's version of it, as well as <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> and <i>Mansfield Park</i>.<br />
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Also, in the spring of 2010, I read my first Austen. I liked <i>Northanger Abbey</i>, even though the style it's written in felt heavy and I made slow progress. In the summer I read <i>Emma</i>, but after that had a few months' break before a friend at the University demanded I read <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>. Now it's 2011, and I've read <i>Persuasion</i>, <i>Sense and Sensibility</i> and <i>Northanger Abbey</i> (minus the five last chapters) in the matter of couple of weeks.<br />
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So that's my history of Austen. Now about the course I'm taking. Our teacher specialises in Austen, so he really knows what he's talking about. In order to complete the course we need to write an approximately 2000 word essay on the book of our choosing and have a class talk. Of the latter I was a little nervous about, since I'm a terrible public speaker, but when I heard what it'll be about, I got excited. One of the options for this 15-20 minute speech is ballroom etiquette, which I've been searching just for fun lately. I intend to get that topic. It would be good for my performance, to be genuinely interested in what I'm talking about.<br />
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In short, I'm already in love with the course, even though there's been just one class thus far. I even put a little more effort to my homework than was strictly necessary - we are all supposed to find out what certain words meant in Miss Austen's time. My word is 'fortune'. ^^<br />
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Now I need to get on with cleaning.<br />
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Love, WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-30290433722021921932011-01-05T16:20:00.002+02:002011-01-23T15:16:17.219+02:00Revelation!I simply have to share what I realised a short while ago.<br />
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I've been re-reading <i>the Lies of Locke Lamora</i>, as I just got it back after about 3-4 months. Couldn't keep my hands off it, really, I've missed it terribly even though I read <i>RSURS</i> in the meanwhile. I also just finished <i>the Blade Itself</i>, and so have a very fresh feeling of it.<br />
Now, I found out about both Scott Lynch and Joe Abercrombie in an SFX books special. (I've been trying to figure out when I bought it, but can't find any sort of year in the actual magazine. But as there were the first pictures I ever saw of the first Twilight film, I'm guessing it was summer 2007.) There's a list of "the top 100 sf and fantasy authors of all time", and Lynch and Abercrombie are numbers 88 and 81, respectively. In the bit about Lynch his books are recommended for people who like Abercrombie, and vice versa. Abercrmombie's bit even starts with the words: "The UK's answer to Scott Lynch".<br />
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That naturally made me suppose that their stuff was somehow similar to each other. A stupid idea, but it stuck to me. Now that I have read both, however, I find that I enjoy Lynch far better than Abercrombie. The reason for this took a discussion with a friend and a rant to my brother.<br />
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To the actual point, then. Joe Abercrombie writes what I (perhaps wrongly, as I have all the fantasy sub-genres nice and muddled in my head) would categorize as swords-and-sorcery. He writes about people who are not beautiful, not perfect, and not Chosen Ones. They are regular people facing problems that are quite ordinary, such as wars between nations and power-hungry superiors. There's absolutely no fault in this, on the contrary, I quite support this kind of fiction. It's brutal, it's conniving, and often unfair, but so is real life.<br />
But what I miss in Abercrombie is the wit. That's what Scott Lynch has, and that's what I enjoy. As an admirer of Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, Ellen Kushner, Terry Pratchett and, as much as I can be without having read too much of his works, P.G. Wodehouse, I just love word-play and the sort of flowing of language that I think all of the authors mentioned above have mastered. Lynch writes the most amusing dialogue, and I find myself grinning half the time, not because something funny happened but because someone said something in a way that tickled my fancy. But Lynch also has the not-very-pretty characters with flaws - I was very pissed with Locke in <i>RSURS </i>- although he does not display them as prominently as Abercrombie does. In <i>the Gentleman Bastard sequnce</i> there's both sword-and-sorcery (though very little actual sorcery, which pleases me, too) and mannerpunk. And I love the combination.<br />
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Another reason I prefer Lynch might be that when I finished <i>the Lies</i> I felt I could either continue of leave it at that and be satisfied with it. With only two books of seven out it's a tad early to say, but at least these two have plots of their own that get completed when the book ends, but under them lies a larger picture that will slowly unfold as the series progresses. It's something like the plotting in Harry Potter - you can read the books as individual stories, if you really insist, or you can see what the significance of the earlier books is in relation to the on-going plot.<br />
With <i>the Blade Itself</i>, and with <i>A Game of Thrones</i>, I was almost frustrated when I realised the book ended and the story was still wide open. It's a matter of preference, of course, but I'm too impatient to wait for three or more books before something gets settled. (A reason I tend to steer away from long series. I started the first Wheel of Time a long, long time ago, got bored on page 10 and quit it. It was probably a wise decision with my attention span.)<br />
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If somebody finds this, and they have read the authors concerned, I'm sure to get very angry mail. Now that I've tried both Lynch and Abercrombie, I see they are nothing alike, but the comparison has been in my head for so long now it's hard to get rid of it. But I'm positive that in time I'll be separating the authors comfortably from each other. But for now, I'm a total Lynch-fan, unless someone can point out something I really missed in <i>the Blade Itself</i>.<br />
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Now I'm going to go read <i>Lies</i> again. If you're a fan, too, you may want to visit <a href="http://www.camorr.com/">Camorr</a><br />
Great people, interesting discussion, fairly active with the little members there are. Or at least the little active members there are. We always need more! :DWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-14297870473924033362011-01-01T23:04:00.003+02:002011-01-13T11:09:40.250+02:00Books read 2010So here's the list of what I've read this year.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">William Shakespeare: Macbeth</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_YuVVJYFcUml2D8wEF8Bv44XS3bLviXMAU3qqoi1op2kQEDs_E6AMUxg9cAkos72qs3djaYIhBf313cT5itMbTNhzljvIdRFIARnqXcZar_Y-dflucOiCUL_9L4QKYwuOn_DbkFcrNE/s1600/macbeth_frontcover_large_Ocj7VJQIGZ5R0tS.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS_YuVVJYFcUml2D8wEF8Bv44XS3bLviXMAU3qqoi1op2kQEDs_E6AMUxg9cAkos72qs3djaYIhBf313cT5itMbTNhzljvIdRFIARnqXcZar_Y-dflucOiCUL_9L4QKYwuOn_DbkFcrNE/s200/macbeth_frontcover_large_Ocj7VJQIGZ5R0tS.jpg" width="123" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Terry Pratchett: Night Watch</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQ_F4F9A2hcy2-qQ6FBgnMNILv0Hy_EKXGFUyr0jr3nTRXoUzj6s54WeLT_XQQJJ8qE98L32seZHe6f6yRBa-dCALLt3sBR1JegEvE5F2IkkJP3frciAZKQKNgjgyGPAck1owx9vof2w/s1600/nightwatch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcQ_F4F9A2hcy2-qQ6FBgnMNILv0Hy_EKXGFUyr0jr3nTRXoUzj6s54WeLT_XQQJJ8qE98L32seZHe6f6yRBa-dCALLt3sBR1JegEvE5F2IkkJP3frciAZKQKNgjgyGPAck1owx9vof2w/s200/nightwatch.jpg" width="200" /></a> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">P. G. Wodehouse: Jeeves In the Offing</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wlH5d8Lpzr_mH5pp_XvfjwqpbLh-4jSucsGeg6KL_VCm4N8-rpYWn_w86jOs5TgNMPbnrDGiohEqzrbJcWQNEiDnTaWwQYIbGFhwexjLe4fcltjueNC_eJpSoh6Fhm7X1rW9vXyCy5M/s1600/jeeves.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8wlH5d8Lpzr_mH5pp_XvfjwqpbLh-4jSucsGeg6KL_VCm4N8-rpYWn_w86jOs5TgNMPbnrDGiohEqzrbJcWQNEiDnTaWwQYIbGFhwexjLe4fcltjueNC_eJpSoh6Fhm7X1rW9vXyCy5M/s200/jeeves.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Terry Pratchett: Monstrous Regiment</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBpQ730fUob_rOPq7_r0FNDgPwlpaimsWn64zzCVHFxK7DJyow-CPFxuMpS7k9GvuwFPBOdzx6Esh7Jcb4Iys7eFqGMP0foh0uRPqiB5ueha7gUbny2cwP0YDzRoPXc6eecqMrDlqvEQ/s1600/monstrous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBpQ730fUob_rOPq7_r0FNDgPwlpaimsWn64zzCVHFxK7DJyow-CPFxuMpS7k9GvuwFPBOdzx6Esh7Jcb4Iys7eFqGMP0foh0uRPqiB5ueha7gUbny2cwP0YDzRoPXc6eecqMrDlqvEQ/s200/monstrous.jpg" width="135" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Colette: Chéri</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIXylVafUe6Q5UgCgdwOVSLdW7yoPTrlHyhqVo7_9XPldKbGxgmLaZ511lq5Ka_jDiwHN_5H63tn645G3R6QSQv-pSMLhngUGrAha52k_LOo_wFKlYzpFp-Xzw1vT-yFFgkwbv29iHxI/s1600/cheri.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYIXylVafUe6Q5UgCgdwOVSLdW7yoPTrlHyhqVo7_9XPldKbGxgmLaZ511lq5Ka_jDiwHN_5H63tn645G3R6QSQv-pSMLhngUGrAha52k_LOo_wFKlYzpFp-Xzw1vT-yFFgkwbv29iHxI/s200/cheri.jpg" width="115" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Eva Hoffman: Lost In Translation (x3, an entrance exam book)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAvxyoL1XvquCIZIC0D3v5Ky2nZXOrXKrr-tjIZnVNhiCa-eYp-JFT1pEUb-SunHn2NCp7nq1RWJOnHlbHbtyNq9_3ok5xjl47h9fEzbmQB0EniBYT5bTwyBjq6zgu1nhI1-XBvKn3Oo/s1600/hoffman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwAvxyoL1XvquCIZIC0D3v5Ky2nZXOrXKrr-tjIZnVNhiCa-eYp-JFT1pEUb-SunHn2NCp7nq1RWJOnHlbHbtyNq9_3ok5xjl47h9fEzbmQB0EniBYT5bTwyBjq6zgu1nhI1-XBvKn3Oo/s200/hoffman.jpg" width="128" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scott Lynch: the Lies of Locke Lamora</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJZYrW8eqV3a5Sbkfq_E_U9PzracHKAL8dXwi-XpQ2hpRgqkOejB9XRSrpmPHZTE-Werjg4LMbJ3oZ7983qZ2gYdac2rp_XFTYC46o_xXXfjmVNB4A4oZEajPnd4LOof_qB8f8lITNy0/s1600/Lies-of-Locke-Lamora.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghJZYrW8eqV3a5Sbkfq_E_U9PzracHKAL8dXwi-XpQ2hpRgqkOejB9XRSrpmPHZTE-Werjg4LMbJ3oZ7983qZ2gYdac2rp_XFTYC46o_xXXfjmVNB4A4oZEajPnd4LOof_qB8f8lITNy0/s200/Lies-of-Locke-Lamora.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Anne Rice: Angel Time - the Songs of the Seraphim</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ8OadxUsvkGBRzuq3av5QpO2Vz2ppT051i81WGFF24pzCIqQ_AfuMhYxK503nAkRNCzf3lgEVvlXsyyIm9dTwugkB5ZvudQ9FDNOCMW5Os4FdgiisaOMUHM89-z5YTrcqTJAia2jbR0/s1600/angeltime.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNQ8OadxUsvkGBRzuq3av5QpO2Vz2ppT051i81WGFF24pzCIqQ_AfuMhYxK503nAkRNCzf3lgEVvlXsyyIm9dTwugkB5ZvudQ9FDNOCMW5Os4FdgiisaOMUHM89-z5YTrcqTJAia2jbR0/s200/angeltime.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jane Austen: Northanger Abbey</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ipxNY03H0k3gEHShPTsi_b0edCWTGsYyyUL8pwZknRyP86ChAJkPzOGsFvcvf_GIIZcpJ2sx1LuJqMPoM2FWke-auA6tY-wdSEhTt9884_2VkcUh6PLfq2q2YKL5j6JZcgf0qEvCZzg/s1600/northanger-abbey-penenglib.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ipxNY03H0k3gEHShPTsi_b0edCWTGsYyyUL8pwZknRyP86ChAJkPzOGsFvcvf_GIIZcpJ2sx1LuJqMPoM2FWke-auA6tY-wdSEhTt9884_2VkcUh6PLfq2q2YKL5j6JZcgf0qEvCZzg/s200/northanger-abbey-penenglib.jpg" width="128" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaimna: Good Omens</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYV5LC5a9-uPiIxdkL6EkS2T8Z5w-lXqUw9_o8NjUSbQGSq71sxj_qIYbG850kDidEsECeVEziPp2SJgEN0O9SzciJ8CHgAyT7CpBWbU0N0EBbj0Mzr9lOWtqYrb5lHx2cNDMUk6udtkA/s1600/goodomens.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYV5LC5a9-uPiIxdkL6EkS2T8Z5w-lXqUw9_o8NjUSbQGSq71sxj_qIYbG850kDidEsECeVEziPp2SJgEN0O9SzciJ8CHgAyT7CpBWbU0N0EBbj0Mzr9lOWtqYrb5lHx2cNDMUk6udtkA/s200/goodomens.jpg" width="118" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Humphrey Carpenter: J.R.R. Tolkien - a biography</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtECuh_teA5yQkD5FXcZtvRKbKV_Q2XhBcoZSsrjHZ9uyuFOn6O-j8FEqHKMnvT6XqWSNHVTTh6GzxpDRujXlFUwmzA30D8jQnxutuZz7HW4G-z1ZTBOshEEsyO79GjPIjZTp2qgTS8o/s1600/biography2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhtECuh_teA5yQkD5FXcZtvRKbKV_Q2XhBcoZSsrjHZ9uyuFOn6O-j8FEqHKMnvT6XqWSNHVTTh6GzxpDRujXlFUwmzA30D8jQnxutuZz7HW4G-z1ZTBOshEEsyO79GjPIjZTp2qgTS8o/s200/biography2.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jaana Kapari-Jatta: Pollomuhku ja posityyhtynen (a book by the translator of the Potter-series, about her decisions in translating)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUwb2dhtN5wM6rSzP6M1swxz8W10XJvP-YJTfZdjN8vjztKIVyFdWGPEopXnFVOYaFAXm_fux1XEhte4BZv84_Elje57aDkDmlrwue_0c3BBdxWld8knNIg3lGZHlrFkeAJGPGJehJeA/s1600/kapari.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfUwb2dhtN5wM6rSzP6M1swxz8W10XJvP-YJTfZdjN8vjztKIVyFdWGPEopXnFVOYaFAXm_fux1XEhte4BZv84_Elje57aDkDmlrwue_0c3BBdxWld8knNIg3lGZHlrFkeAJGPGJehJeA/s200/kapari.jpg" width="124" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Sir Arthur Conan Doyle: A Study In Scarlet</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVxpbg1yr5zHYzppd-ARuoOVaatUHqVMsb_TVZ332d8C4O1iksNScAK7-ppJheSxKgry0b7fzMMolr6X6X0RW60NiIbGQqrpkPvkdFxpbGCfa5R8S7myT8zOURhyK8SLzpJuSZwr-3Dc/s1600/scarlet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVxpbg1yr5zHYzppd-ARuoOVaatUHqVMsb_TVZ332d8C4O1iksNScAK7-ppJheSxKgry0b7fzMMolr6X6X0RW60NiIbGQqrpkPvkdFxpbGCfa5R8S7myT8zOURhyK8SLzpJuSZwr-3Dc/s200/scarlet.jpg" width="150" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">E.M. Forster: A Room with a View</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Xdath7EpxHWG29xSASDDnassnVWEdqJKx3YOFUTxJmf65M8yDMuu5vLmaBZn365fvcXcaAInD7xzfuSoPeTGFrYnJ0xXdtuwnDpSet8ir483pBaNDU_XLlYjnRYQUI_yWIQ4TsrT2Ng/s1600/roomview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5Xdath7EpxHWG29xSASDDnassnVWEdqJKx3YOFUTxJmf65M8yDMuu5vLmaBZn365fvcXcaAInD7xzfuSoPeTGFrYnJ0xXdtuwnDpSet8ir483pBaNDU_XLlYjnRYQUI_yWIQ4TsrT2Ng/s200/roomview.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Mike Ashley (edit.): the Mammoth Book of Fantasy</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD_4ToGMdcjIrxr6T3_n5TQZ9jYXsF8kXjw0dB2SsD3nNG6MEVIaAfN58AgfUb8XA9nq9CCpnrckFUO4t_Frej1d70ij57_QV-pylNFX4S1GoVdSVS9hJMlz_dhxHEoEQLI-QTEClZJ8/s1600/fantasymammoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcD_4ToGMdcjIrxr6T3_n5TQZ9jYXsF8kXjw0dB2SsD3nNG6MEVIaAfN58AgfUb8XA9nq9CCpnrckFUO4t_Frej1d70ij57_QV-pylNFX4S1GoVdSVS9hJMlz_dhxHEoEQLI-QTEClZJ8/s200/fantasymammoth.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ellen Kushner: the Privilege of the Sword (x2)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTH2ggCiuGbtbv6SFKoduYvDyyMwR6FjYa9GL7uoivYjwxHznyFBH0mGx-RpRwsTYgqh1A3F0MiimmerBNDmoqpkiFQ_D5ezezam5vYyQ68_mpJn5R1iIizOreA_v7-BzHguztw51pgA/s1600/the-privilege-of-the-sword.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzTH2ggCiuGbtbv6SFKoduYvDyyMwR6FjYa9GL7uoivYjwxHznyFBH0mGx-RpRwsTYgqh1A3F0MiimmerBNDmoqpkiFQ_D5ezezam5vYyQ68_mpJn5R1iIizOreA_v7-BzHguztw51pgA/s200/the-privilege-of-the-sword.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ellen Kushner: Thomas the Rhymer</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-oOjhC5tsdBZlkWDhTnpmELHRnek0MV9RKHQFQTT-UPH8k1o0lnQsTnpfkjcz0JPSnb1h_G80JnxZVNFPP7k7pwIkBcesPyqb-onv9WMr273NzqOtvctrVRrPlw1PqTusEoAv4OUdUw/s1600/rhymer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl-oOjhC5tsdBZlkWDhTnpmELHRnek0MV9RKHQFQTT-UPH8k1o0lnQsTnpfkjcz0JPSnb1h_G80JnxZVNFPP7k7pwIkBcesPyqb-onv9WMr273NzqOtvctrVRrPlw1PqTusEoAv4OUdUw/s200/rhymer.jpg" width="123" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gregory Maguire: Wicked</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKw_d-fxf2ojLLKL7aFDzjCaULCxLffYRrUsr4HcBYt7vjEnlOSXFoUC7S8ptoslu-7HFMy-Z3lBTgDhj7CtdLML7oAQDfx7xmEMBzo7XCE6wTbpXl6xCOD0MqUswHFBXY-DJIDP8z40/s1600/wicked+book+cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilKw_d-fxf2ojLLKL7aFDzjCaULCxLffYRrUsr4HcBYt7vjEnlOSXFoUC7S8ptoslu-7HFMy-Z3lBTgDhj7CtdLML7oAQDfx7xmEMBzo7XCE6wTbpXl6xCOD0MqUswHFBXY-DJIDP8z40/s200/wicked+book+cover.jpg" width="127" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ellen Kushner: Swordspoint</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfE50nYFtbRnb39FCxD8IUOuzM7WUYavAzAgaB2iCze5gtcXQvKXkcGzVldW6srNmrDF0WPpPIKtmXCnynZbbQil6ddjgIiyQb2cSx-ZxRRfRxHNzVl2VYufFl0uwSBZHnAWiL3oZUV8/s1600/swordspoint-thomas-canty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfE50nYFtbRnb39FCxD8IUOuzM7WUYavAzAgaB2iCze5gtcXQvKXkcGzVldW6srNmrDF0WPpPIKtmXCnynZbbQil6ddjgIiyQb2cSx-ZxRRfRxHNzVl2VYufFl0uwSBZHnAWiL3oZUV8/s200/swordspoint-thomas-canty.jpg" width="121" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jane Austen: Emma</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P2TfBbGQNCG5gnTAKgl7TY1rkipxlFjRc5RnnteN7ndeK5_XWTzH76C2h6tDY3TJD7WVvbe4CESPO4slaoaoNLVzWJHF7yWgEmxL_2bIK74S6Z1rFTCn2JEwkphGSJwj57Yf4SRuo3U/s1600/emma.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9P2TfBbGQNCG5gnTAKgl7TY1rkipxlFjRc5RnnteN7ndeK5_XWTzH76C2h6tDY3TJD7WVvbe4CESPO4slaoaoNLVzWJHF7yWgEmxL_2bIK74S6Z1rFTCn2JEwkphGSJwj57Yf4SRuo3U/s200/emma.jpg" width="126" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;">Gregory Maguire: Son of a Witch</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qMoJ6K09rhNZztFCBSPEpDNypbyo8y0KCLq1barVhihI_YtzBsT0_XnvNbAjwjXjoVG3V7Ib84XuX1sRZwWA1Uj5lVSRRDAqQgFFEhCUkJIi2fsrFJ0hNN4qWN5ODh5Y21W0-Jw59hY/s1600/sonofawitch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_qMoJ6K09rhNZztFCBSPEpDNypbyo8y0KCLq1barVhihI_YtzBsT0_XnvNbAjwjXjoVG3V7Ib84XuX1sRZwWA1Uj5lVSRRDAqQgFFEhCUkJIi2fsrFJ0hNN4qWN5ODh5Y21W0-Jw59hY/s200/sonofawitch.jpg" width="130" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Trisha Telep (edit.): the Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu-w5Gu-WmKiyQQe3Eg_FoPJUmp9hbdnN57N0JAAWC2H6Rv6DrNtyolZ-q8-uAkLD4bDh2ASugp7QfZT-TyiyYMOTHrzotAbHVa-E6n6c7JHtxXMn9gXVEL3sGQcpcZW0VOihMpJJQ_E/s1600/paranormalmammoth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpu-w5Gu-WmKiyQQe3Eg_FoPJUmp9hbdnN57N0JAAWC2H6Rv6DrNtyolZ-q8-uAkLD4bDh2ASugp7QfZT-TyiyYMOTHrzotAbHVa-E6n6c7JHtxXMn9gXVEL3sGQcpcZW0VOihMpJJQ_E/s200/paranormalmammoth.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Gregory Maguire: A Lion Among Men</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5hWH8tEDU6bZGmkTpw50lO5x4MY5Hao6XoSmSQcGhE9wZhOZ3Qr_gtqik68ja1H5nhyphenhyphenZRdVMQso5CZrdFa3abncVcPDEMgV0N_o4ikBtkgDRNy4DfB6MyOyW-x9phr0hM-kTzMwPOAQ/s1600/lion_among_men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL5hWH8tEDU6bZGmkTpw50lO5x4MY5Hao6XoSmSQcGhE9wZhOZ3Qr_gtqik68ja1H5nhyphenhyphenZRdVMQso5CZrdFa3abncVcPDEMgV0N_o4ikBtkgDRNy4DfB6MyOyW-x9phr0hM-kTzMwPOAQ/s200/lion_among_men.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Diana Wynne Jones: Tough Guide to Fantasyland</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvJEy1ln67HfbmkGC5ytA8aNBggr5IPvuabcMUAoTeNRyJbUAzQOuRJiG_iTZJGRPH_1ThzhqVKAuIM4wDge6JhaswZESIXyVS0_9IYJUT6TDbmGrZYzFMqCcjKfUY4qKVtcVri_1hAM/s1600/tough-guide-to-fantasyland.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwvJEy1ln67HfbmkGC5ytA8aNBggr5IPvuabcMUAoTeNRyJbUAzQOuRJiG_iTZJGRPH_1ThzhqVKAuIM4wDge6JhaswZESIXyVS0_9IYJUT6TDbmGrZYzFMqCcjKfUY4qKVtcVri_1hAM/s200/tough-guide-to-fantasyland.jpeg" width="132" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Ellen Kushner and Delia Sherman: the Fall of the Kings</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJUl54hE4FEx40i148tntHLjtOgjesas21xfUATqa0lcBqUAXIFtkQCG0cWUH8I2KRtaEVX1HPXbpg4qlN2-l-8ACmWcIrL7NXLf3DBz1wQQTcT6Hjeef-94S1ZP3dKRkdxaLSL9o21k/s1600/fallofkings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJUl54hE4FEx40i148tntHLjtOgjesas21xfUATqa0lcBqUAXIFtkQCG0cWUH8I2KRtaEVX1HPXbpg4qlN2-l-8ACmWcIrL7NXLf3DBz1wQQTcT6Hjeef-94S1ZP3dKRkdxaLSL9o21k/s200/fallofkings.jpg" width="125" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Terry Pratchett: Going Postal</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjMJOUP2T9uNxoT9gohpSlwlgWvcUF_Jf7kDxSEO3mLn1dNW_yAXVoDQ1Hz3AJpWVfejJiQvjXc2Zg_pj2kKXoMzwXYaKNcf4jS6vCDHNr82qhAWBo9eI54MDoCnG_p7K15QcQdKG6-4/s1600/Going-Postal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPjMJOUP2T9uNxoT9gohpSlwlgWvcUF_Jf7kDxSEO3mLn1dNW_yAXVoDQ1Hz3AJpWVfejJiQvjXc2Zg_pj2kKXoMzwXYaKNcf4jS6vCDHNr82qhAWBo9eI54MDoCnG_p7K15QcQdKG6-4/s200/Going-Postal.jpg" width="118" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone</div><div style="text-align: center;">J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets</div><div style="text-align: center;">J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban</div><div style="text-align: center;">J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire</div><div style="text-align: center;">J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Order of Phoenix</div><div style="text-align: center;">Oscar Wilde: the Picture of Dorian Gray</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaeqDdq2smYqL5LPs61rFs386iiS2fK4TRKuaVo_n2IOxqe7NTXvCqG2N0M8D3L6xMqWp0OkTq1oH8W4HG7MvaFguDXaG0WsdFM7zkW5_ZJ78ZPzUr0BUUV8FWceJTI98l7qtaa8E2XY/s1600/dorian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlaeqDdq2smYqL5LPs61rFs386iiS2fK4TRKuaVo_n2IOxqe7NTXvCqG2N0M8D3L6xMqWp0OkTq1oH8W4HG7MvaFguDXaG0WsdFM7zkW5_ZJ78ZPzUr0BUUV8FWceJTI98l7qtaa8E2XY/s200/dorian.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jonathan Strahan and Lou Andrews: Swords and Dark Magic: the New Sword and Sorcery</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ocvLgYe8xI6VPpc8Js2oPdLkB8dEfZT1eUwoblauTFxpP-eRJf0ABW0jvGN6y2VWXNTqwDVbYduDFQQzrn9FXY-IsdM7b-5n8Yn9jU5ed8rWRmyEoA2MflFTtc-QDhVAwEpBOR-lwO8/s1600/Anders-Strahan-Swords-Dark-Magic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ocvLgYe8xI6VPpc8Js2oPdLkB8dEfZT1eUwoblauTFxpP-eRJf0ABW0jvGN6y2VWXNTqwDVbYduDFQQzrn9FXY-IsdM7b-5n8Yn9jU5ed8rWRmyEoA2MflFTtc-QDhVAwEpBOR-lwO8/s200/Anders-Strahan-Swords-Dark-Magic.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Donna Tartt: the Secret History</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3fe6a8HXjd7mr2fES0DaAlKv_Xpkq8ss4AAV9HbKuDSOrtFGHNE6HXerpoxISZAkD2Q8lIbvK2ytHR3V2n1UyNyglCyKTU3Jhp9hAojc-nSK_aQyYpalOO6JHCGQJ_B5N3RpwdUoXM8/s1600/secrethistory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE3fe6a8HXjd7mr2fES0DaAlKv_Xpkq8ss4AAV9HbKuDSOrtFGHNE6HXerpoxISZAkD2Q8lIbvK2ytHR3V2n1UyNyglCyKTU3Jhp9hAojc-nSK_aQyYpalOO6JHCGQJ_B5N3RpwdUoXM8/s200/secrethistory.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince</div><div style="text-align: center;">J.K. Rowling: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows</div><div style="text-align: center;">Choderlos de Laclos: Les Liaisons Dangereuses (in English despite the name)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoh14jdgtLxHijvwbqLiVTUgJbWcKPzxfeBCC_JZUTgTmZaDbRPVbYgHVEg0G7FahHehdvKGkJ7PG_WB4BCHhVQXS12Pl86UtQ1gJNrLjSY8K7jEJWi0DDPb7NSp6P8O7sfMs_86d4vo/s1600/dangerous.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQoh14jdgtLxHijvwbqLiVTUgJbWcKPzxfeBCC_JZUTgTmZaDbRPVbYgHVEg0G7FahHehdvKGkJ7PG_WB4BCHhVQXS12Pl86UtQ1gJNrLjSY8K7jEJWi0DDPb7NSp6P8O7sfMs_86d4vo/s200/dangerous.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jon Sprunk: Shadow's Son</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-YwwR4EIt_OHsJGh5CfZGPaoBE0nMkASi8ig3Q5TnZWd3rPQAluUVgQJ5B6dVDlitnAyXZX8rXZdHtSukiUccorcwUvH5LWaT8zxyE2rN63PIzWvQIGTTbfiiUE8b2pgLmJVm93p5tY/s1600/Shadow%2527s+Son+UK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_-YwwR4EIt_OHsJGh5CfZGPaoBE0nMkASi8ig3Q5TnZWd3rPQAluUVgQJ5B6dVDlitnAyXZX8rXZdHtSukiUccorcwUvH5LWaT8zxyE2rN63PIzWvQIGTTbfiiUE8b2pgLmJVm93p5tY/s200/Shadow%2527s+Son+UK.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Diana Wynne Jones: House of Many Ways</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFB53C_TNhlgO0e4buQcp8jwq6YyoMpB0YtnEPu5qSokaPIqF_yG2W4ZbVgyOBYw6nqPmDvk9_9wJPYuqujnTpLgCMVgV0MLneVjQd602yDGDS9XGYcJiF_qz-M6qmdVHKzGuND2tw-c/s1600/house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheFB53C_TNhlgO0e4buQcp8jwq6YyoMpB0YtnEPu5qSokaPIqF_yG2W4ZbVgyOBYw6nqPmDvk9_9wJPYuqujnTpLgCMVgV0MLneVjQd602yDGDS9XGYcJiF_qz-M6qmdVHKzGuND2tw-c/s200/house.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Scott Lynch: Red Seas Under Red Skies</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTI_tppnCB-SlPKQII2UIHdTfGNS0T6avv7v0bCSvr9dIIvdMe_aCdDC_Guct1Hd2UC3HNNC148nrDadyL_n3LKEbj_78-CQe_B_ojiAR-qPS0DsDcZcKLj_lmJqQGZw022rs1YMj-Uc8/s1600/red-seas-under-red-skies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTI_tppnCB-SlPKQII2UIHdTfGNS0T6avv7v0bCSvr9dIIvdMe_aCdDC_Guct1Hd2UC3HNNC148nrDadyL_n3LKEbj_78-CQe_B_ojiAR-qPS0DsDcZcKLj_lmJqQGZw022rs1YMj-Uc8/s200/red-seas-under-red-skies.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer: Sorcery and Cecelia, or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTynvmhiQJphr3N5OTRV6m1viIlMBETZbz3BT5Ozj-JotxNF_MqNqho_7ho4BARZL2dmCtH75RfYt-B-qUy6CIrdTCMfJKQhFueq2Sf5BYOZXOi6sKaULro8K20OORu9frHrpgUH-WhuA/s1600/sorceryandcecelia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTynvmhiQJphr3N5OTRV6m1viIlMBETZbz3BT5Ozj-JotxNF_MqNqho_7ho4BARZL2dmCtH75RfYt-B-qUy6CIrdTCMfJKQhFueq2Sf5BYOZXOi6sKaULro8K20OORu9frHrpgUH-WhuA/s200/sorceryandcecelia.jpg" width="133" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Robin McKinley: Deerskin</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yo15p0pmtmeFGJ0dStXu9_POiAjii8Hs58ECW0rlRA_1MhaBWPIe30M1cm1kMCYHRBgEVMF063mmi6e5eE7CkYWS-R8sT6sOsGp153JFlUgHfSKBzDlALZVYRFBCDDKXoJKN7l4epu0/s1600/deerskin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6yo15p0pmtmeFGJ0dStXu9_POiAjii8Hs58ECW0rlRA_1MhaBWPIe30M1cm1kMCYHRBgEVMF063mmi6e5eE7CkYWS-R8sT6sOsGp153JFlUgHfSKBzDlALZVYRFBCDDKXoJKN7l4epu0/s200/deerskin.jpg" width="120" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Jane Austen: Pride and Prejudice</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOyBHsixVWVKvYUgGl2vMlsG6FVVTY2wOv3jbFRcNthztNWZS5kwdPS-TJGZ63gBXwwmk-iEIPsu7UiFx80GL0JIPqUtJTODGXBgZiIBC3czeoo4jt-GDd0e6hKvCEmmeeowx8npzwak/s1600/Pride+and+Prejudice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCOyBHsixVWVKvYUgGl2vMlsG6FVVTY2wOv3jbFRcNthztNWZS5kwdPS-TJGZ63gBXwwmk-iEIPsu7UiFx80GL0JIPqUtJTODGXBgZiIBC3czeoo4jt-GDd0e6hKvCEmmeeowx8npzwak/s200/Pride+and+Prejudice.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Toby Barlow: Sharp Teeth</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgodtCh9_iF0wV20URj0c52hFUm2OZD0vmOJj7Zu0rdhbYVBfrhM8LlW9sai1PwtcOVrDeB-ULdmRfAW19OHlRQwN0mQJCeGo61JI3BL9x3pab0zEuwJf-pyNCnfe3mKjS6cRWGKuKCr4/s1600/barlow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgodtCh9_iF0wV20URj0c52hFUm2OZD0vmOJj7Zu0rdhbYVBfrhM8LlW9sai1PwtcOVrDeB-ULdmRfAW19OHlRQwN0mQJCeGo61JI3BL9x3pab0zEuwJf-pyNCnfe3mKjS6cRWGKuKCr4/s200/barlow.jpg" width="129" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">George R.R. Martin: A Game of Thrones</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t4tc98Rx1MuRAGX_JJ7tm_-29pkUx6rh1jejcEjZpdr1HWz7Oc1ZUgu4N5ePZKqlL-TKthcYPGysWIkIlZAsHrnzIf8rntTr_RQ5zut_Q5vBHOsdT0q9_RJEUMUrZz-8QUxsBPXVxPY/s1600/game.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7t4tc98Rx1MuRAGX_JJ7tm_-29pkUx6rh1jejcEjZpdr1HWz7Oc1ZUgu4N5ePZKqlL-TKthcYPGysWIkIlZAsHrnzIf8rntTr_RQ5zut_Q5vBHOsdT0q9_RJEUMUrZz-8QUxsBPXVxPY/s200/game.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Patricia C. Wrede and Caroline Stevermer: the Grand Tour, or the Purloined Coronation Regalia</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhF-L2vDewuPKm-rQzLi7BSKYKZaZ4IRe3DKFwRQvxX-DOKPW1PZeixXK11I5DS-J7Qdpzc6EDOU2RH9glx4mFZyqRVaA2scvpNhP6TOdL0C7TxAg3En7bPcuwNNcLes-kutBFPhu5Xk/s1600/grandtour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhF-L2vDewuPKm-rQzLi7BSKYKZaZ4IRe3DKFwRQvxX-DOKPW1PZeixXK11I5DS-J7Qdpzc6EDOU2RH9glx4mFZyqRVaA2scvpNhP6TOdL0C7TxAg3En7bPcuwNNcLes-kutBFPhu5Xk/s200/grandtour.jpg" width="131" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
Soooo. That's quite a few books more than last year. The list doesn't include stuff I've read for school:<br />
Shakespeare - King Lear<br />
Joseph Conrad - Heart of Darkness<br />
Graddol et al. - Changing English (x4)<br />
Yule - Pragmatics (x4)<br />
Melchers and Shaw - World Englishes <br />
+ miscellaneous items of literature, such as Swift's A Modest Proposal and excerpts from Beowulf<br />
The Graddol book and the Yule book were entrance exam books, hence why I've read them so many times. Have to say, Changing English is actually very interesting, not to mention useful in my line of study.<br />
<br />
I'm not gonna add pictures just now, maybe later. <br />
At the moment I'm contemplating on buying all the three books by Stevermer and Wrede, but maybe I'll just start with buying the third one, since it's not available in the libraries.<br />
<br />
I just watched <i>the Serpent's Kiss</i> for the second time after buying it, and I love love love love it. It's still wonderful, and I've probably seen it about ten times. ^^<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4OR6y6MCygJ0XpQomJny9_e0MMfEGFgXR2Znmi_ND0eAz4P9bSROluQ9CORR9QmvTX7KaeJ_5YQqyum4bSqTheKGQNRvE-DyEKL2cizdmE97ss366VHX7qSU1G1M3eBL6GnBnOC48Bo/s1600/51Or8rhlHFL.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT4OR6y6MCygJ0XpQomJny9_e0MMfEGFgXR2Znmi_ND0eAz4P9bSROluQ9CORR9QmvTX7KaeJ_5YQqyum4bSqTheKGQNRvE-DyEKL2cizdmE97ss366VHX7qSU1G1M3eBL6GnBnOC48Bo/s320/51Or8rhlHFL.jpg" width="226" /></a></div><br />
That's all folks!<br />
<br />
~Wil<br />
<br />
//2nd Jan 2011: Added pictures, but couldn't be bothered with the Potter covers.Wilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-15387318091834063292010-12-31T12:41:00.001+02:002010-12-31T12:42:36.901+02:00The Last DayThis will be an update entirely about books. <br />
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I finished with <i>the Grand Tour</i> yesterday, and am now on the hunt for the third part, <i>the Mislaid Magician, or Ten Years After.</i> Too bad they don't have it in the libraries here, I'll have to find the cheapest bargain...<br />
<br />
Now I'm <u>finally</u> reading Joe Abercrombie's <i>the Blade Itself</i>, the first part of his First Law Trilogy. It seems very good, but I have to read more to be entirely certain I like it.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsi_gkHGqBPov9HxNrjM_YNABiXbLPA45GXuSmx0q5RxqMCAQoeAB3kvv0LagAMp4v1Hs8vqbnHGe18JMagg7BIqwcot092Za8RLgNEv_Vw2S9fKlE96alyr7IhyoY0-gS3uV3je5GHn4/s1600/BladeItself.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsi_gkHGqBPov9HxNrjM_YNABiXbLPA45GXuSmx0q5RxqMCAQoeAB3kvv0LagAMp4v1Hs8vqbnHGe18JMagg7BIqwcot092Za8RLgNEv_Vw2S9fKlE96alyr7IhyoY0-gS3uV3je5GHn4/s320/BladeItself.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>I love these covers! :D But, sadly, just recently the bookstore I frequent switched for the covers with people on them. I don't like them at all, these were so much more stylish. I've borrowed it with these covers, and there's what the Guardian said about it printed there: "Delightfully twisted and evil." Now if that's not a good review, I don't what is!<br />
<br />
Just yesterday I ran into an interesting-looking book.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCiyEF4VIUpHBwF2SCwy3bEEdbAH6tNE_A1sg3rkGtPSt3DAnABk7NtAmFIUOhUXmXHSCdXx7UJRi8EGZeX4rzwaK8-bTz255MLIbFoVnQOJjaJrCULJi-JOlHIgNVaVDUVVivAt1YWc/s1600/the-thief-takers-apprentice-by-stephen-deas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihCiyEF4VIUpHBwF2SCwy3bEEdbAH6tNE_A1sg3rkGtPSt3DAnABk7NtAmFIUOhUXmXHSCdXx7UJRi8EGZeX4rzwaK8-bTz255MLIbFoVnQOJjaJrCULJi-JOlHIgNVaVDUVVivAt1YWc/s320/the-thief-takers-apprentice-by-stephen-deas.jpg" width="214" /></a></div><br />
The names is big cliché, but the first page seemed promising as I scanned it - but then again, so did <i>Shadow's Son</i>'s. This one is a Gollanzc book, too, and I like to think they have a tendency to publish books I'm generally interested in. Another thing on the plus-side is that this is not Deas's first novel, though it would appear that he has only started publishing in 2009. However, I'm going to see what I can do to get my hands on this. They were only selling it as a hardcover, and I don't buy those for two reasons. One, they're impractical. Two, they're more expensive. And I'm really not into buying books when I have no guarantee of the quality of the interior.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Isn't that a nice amount about a book I haven't even read? ^^;<br />
I'll now start with another post, featuring all the books I read in 2010!<br />
See you very soon.<br />
~WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-69457396762787695592010-12-29T18:52:00.001+02:002010-12-31T12:42:14.941+02:00A Seriously Delayed EntryAs is probably apparent, studies have kept me busy and have taken off the edge of keeping a blog. Now I'm trying to remedy the situation.<br />
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First of all I feel I should address the matter of the latest Harry Potter movie. <i>Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, part 1</i> had its premiere November 17th 2010, if my memory serves, and yes, I was there on the premiere night. And I have to say, I thought it great! It had sufficient amount of information, it had all the main things from the first half of the book, the actors have really grown up and gotten better, and there were no dull moments. In my opinion it's the best of the movies out, and I have high hopes for the last one. Part 1 has been cut off at a very reasonable point, and that scene works as a very suspenceful cliff-hanger for those who haven't read the books. Those who have read the books probably think with satisfaction: "Oh yeah, that's where all the FUN begins!"<br />
If you haven't seen it yet, I sincerely recommend it. It's worth it, even for the Seven Potters scene alone! (Hint: My stomach was cramping from laughter. Both times I saw it.)<br />
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Just for the record, I wouldn't mind a keychain or necklace of the Deathly Hallows symbol. It's very nice and simple.<br />
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I've also seen two other new movies after my last update. <i>RED</i> - yeah, the one about retired CIA agents starring Bruce Willis, Helen Mirren, John Malkovitch and Morgan Freeman - didn't get good reviews, but I liked it. It was exciting and not in-your-face funny (like that stupid new Focker movie trailer, with the kid throwing up on Ben Stiller), and I loved it to bits. Though it might be worth noting that I'm slightly biased. The movie happens to feature Karl Urban in a suit, and, well... Yeah. He looks so darned <i>good</i> in that suit! Just look at him:<br />
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The gun helps too.<br />
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Lastly, there was <i>Rare Exports</i>. I was really excited to see it, because it's been talked about a lot here. It's Finnish, but it has gained a lot of international attention, and it's a very different kind of Christmas movie. It was entertaining, yes. It was great when you considered the fact that they had a very small budjet, yes. Did I like it? Yes. Did it impress me? Not so much. Though I have to say the well-placed contrasts of ordinary things and epic music was exceedingly hilarious!<br />
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So now I can progress to books. Let's start with Robin McKinley's <i>Deerskin</i>. It's a remake of the fairytale "Donkeyskin", and my, what a beautiful piece it is! I had read McKinley's <i>Beauty</i> before, but this was something completely different. First of all the style was much heavier than I'd expected, and so it took me quite some time to adjust to it. After that, I made fairly quick progress with it. The story is about a princess who, after being raped by her father, flees the castle she has lived in. The lady of the forest helps her by disguising her, and she loses all memory of what has happened. So she wanders the kingdom with her dog, a fleethound called Ash, looking for her place in life and trying to find out who she is. I fell in love with McKinley's descriptions of the dogs in the story. She must have had fleethounds herself, because she has managed to capture their behaviour splendidly.<br />
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Ah, now then. <i>Sorcery and Cecelia, or the Enchanted Chocolate Pot</i> by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. If I was younger, say 14, it would now be my favourite book. It's an epistolary, a correspondence between two cousins, Kate and Cecy, of whom the former is in London and the latter in the country, both encountering magical situations. It's regency romance married with fantasy, and it makes very delightful reading. I'm at the moment about a 100 pages into the sequel, <i>the Grand Tour</i>.<br />
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I just finished today with George R. R. Martin's <i>A Game of Thrones</i>. I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand I enjoyed it very much, and have actually already ordered the next part of the series, but on the other hand I don't think it will be a book I'll read over and over again. Then again, you never can tell, and I'm already quite fond of several characters and want to know what happens to them. There's also a TV series of it coming next spring, I think, and it'll be nice to see what they've done about it. A few of the actors I'm already familiar with - Sean Bean will be Eddard Stark, and Nikolaj Coster-Waldau is to be Ser Jaime Lannister. Looking though the faces on IMDb, I have to say I'm rather pleased with the casting. After that, it's up to acting-skills, script-writers and the director.<br />
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I guess that's all covered now. I'll mention my studies again, because it has been my first term and it's all still a little exciting - I've been doing rather well in my courses (though I haven't gotten my grades for Global and Regional Variations, English Literature or Translating from Finnish to English) and have gotten so many new friends it's almost overwhelming. But yeah, I'm happy overall.<br />
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Now, on with the reading! As I got money for Christmas, I'll be going to some bookstores tomorrow to see what is for sale, and then to some antiquaries to bookhunt. And maybe have coffee with a friend, if she has time.<br />
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Actually, that reminds me. I went to see the latest Narnia film, <i>the Voyage of the Dawn Treader</i>, on Boxing Day. Now, I have never read the books, or even seen the first movie. I've seen <i>Prince Caspian</i>, and now this third one, and that's about it. But I liked this one better than <i>Caspian</i>, maybe because it wasn't as epically epic. Ben Barnes's beard was less hideous than in the pictures I'd seen, and the distribution of time between events seemed balanced. It was fun, and it didn't feel long. So I'd recommend it, even though it's not a bloweth-your-minde experience. Should probably mention that I saw it in 2D, and there was one single scene during which I slightly regretted not being at the 3D version. I'm opposed to 3D in general, at least until they find a way for us glasses-people to enjoy it without pain. But I digress - here's a pic:<br />
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Yes, it's pretty epic after all.<br />
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Dinner is ready! I'll be seeing you guys more often from now on. Hopefully.<br />
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Love, WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-29714049604697632522010-11-12T11:04:00.001+02:002010-11-12T11:05:25.907+02:00Very Very SorryIt's been ages since I updated last! I'm terribly sorry, and I don't have an excuse!<br />
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My first term at the University started in September, and I'm much in love with the whole business. People are great, courses are great, everything is great! There's lectures, parties, random other events... Christmas Party is coming up in a couple of weeks and then a table party with roleplaying theme. I'm going to be Karthani bondsmage from Locke Lamora, yay! :D<br />
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Mooovies. I'm trying to remember what I've seen... <i>Toy Story 3</i> was superb, I laughed myself silly and squealed at the familiar toys. Seriously, it's the animation of the year! <i>Despicable Me</i> is also great, though I would've enjoyed it more if I had seen it before Toy Story. I'm going to see RED today, so about that later on. Hopefully.<br />
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<i style="color: #38761d;">Wicked</i> came to Finland this fall, and I went to see it with a friend. I've read the book, and I do prefer it to the musical, but either or is fine, I guess. They spoiled Fiyero for me though, he was much better in the book, but the again the song Dancing Through Life is so delicious that I forgive them. And I knew Antti Lang would be the perfect Boq! I was delighted by his performance!<br />
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What else? I've been reading coupious amounts - two last Harry Potters, <i>Dangerous Liaisons</i>, <i>Shadow's Son</i>, <i>Privilege of the Sword</i> again, and last night finished <i>House of Many Ways</i>. I could say a few words about Shadow's Son:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYSgysKvE2eSG2RP-OIRg9NYLbXwx9DlKfo53nLZ6ZvpYanGdHABXpNonN2DADZiQZEPdfxe0b2mjrG4lHdHov8-ZiEuFMT_kTuuCxzBCXuIv2ISAwvU4pg314V9XN7Lsa_jTipjssfSB/s1600/Shadow's+Son+UK.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqYSgysKvE2eSG2RP-OIRg9NYLbXwx9DlKfo53nLZ6ZvpYanGdHABXpNonN2DADZiQZEPdfxe0b2mjrG4lHdHov8-ZiEuFMT_kTuuCxzBCXuIv2ISAwvU4pg314V9XN7Lsa_jTipjssfSB/s320/Shadow's+Son+UK.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><br />
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It's Jon Sprunk's first novel, published this year. Quite frankly, it wasn't very good. It had potential, yes, but it was like Sprunk had just tried to make it look like a great, well-thought-out world without really doing the work. The place, it's history and the characters did little to convince me, and I was very quickly confused with all the names and titles and occupations. I started to enjoy myself around page 135, which happened to be about the middle of the book. That's okay though, I know it takes time to introduce the people and the setting to the reader, and he got me almost liking the main character Caim, but towards the end I was just extremely fed up with the guy and the female lead Josey. I'm not saying you shouldn't read it - by all means do that, particularly if you're younger than me. I think I would've loved it if I was still 15, but now it seemed a little childish. I don't know what Sprunk's target group is, as a YA book that probably works. It can also be that because it's a Gollanzc book, I expected something closer to Locke Lamora in quality and was disappointed because of that.<br />
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That turned out longer than I wanted, and I didn't even summarise the plot. O_O Oh well.<br />
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I'm not waiting to get my orders from the library, <i>Deerskin</i> by Robin McKinley and <i>Sorcery and Cecilia</i> by Patricia Wrede and Caroline Stevermer. The latter is fantasy of manners, and I'm very determined to find more books in that sub-genre. I'm on the hunt for such books as <i>Through A Brazen Mirror</i>, <i>Tooth and Claw</i>, <i>the Serpent's Egg</i> and so on. Also, Ellen Kushner told in her <a href="http://ellen-kushner.livejournal.com/">blog</a> about Kathe Koja's latest book, <i>Under the Poppy</i>, and I'm simply dying to read it.<br />
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That's it for now, I think. I'm gonna head of to the movies to drool Karl Urban and then come home via the library. Hopefully my books arrive today, because I have nothing to read. (Except for school stuff, of course. I've got exams coming in a few weeks, and I haven't even opened <i>A Student's Guide to English Grammar</i>....)<br />
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With much love,<br />
WilWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-19599731606573720032010-08-17T13:03:00.001+03:002010-08-17T13:04:23.507+03:00Dreams And Bunnies And Other StuffI've been meaning to update for a while now, but haven't for some reason. Oh well.<br />
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Because it's quite possibly the biggest thing in the cinematic world at the moment, I fell I should say a few words about <i style="color: #351c75;">Inception</i>.<br />
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I went to see it after two friends had told me they liked it a lot. Well, I did too, sort of. The script was very good, and some of the details were intriguing, but I feel Christopher Nolan could've gotten more out of the idea. <i>Leonardo DiCaprio</i> did alright, I guess, though the character annoyed me to no end. And it was extremely interesting to see <i>Joseph Gordon-Levitt</i> in this kind of role - at least if you're used to the Third Rock From the Sun. The ending of the movie pleased me.<br />
Yes, I am aware this is a bad review. It's been about three weeks since the movie, and the things I mention are the ones that have stuck with me. It wasn't sensational or a Best Motion Picture of the Year nominee, but it's entertaining. Take ear pluggs with you though, the effects are loud. Afterwards you may feel the need to have a big gun, just for the kicks. I know I wanted one.<br />
Nolan should get a nomination for the script. <br />
I like that poster, oh yes I do! It's so nifty! :D<br />
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A latter movie I saw - <i>Miss Potter</i> (2006).<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRa3CGSGt6s11Kl29ZJfsj1giAkNi-wgqWzLefM6Rxda6cqccBB_Wv7YtFi0ER2cmmkWjeu181T-l2ASplBD4rNkBQU8xI39xTiNIgRuOU3U0m4sVKDk5ruOxEdlPWNyPqAhH42OiCYU/s1600/Miss_Potter_Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRa3CGSGt6s11Kl29ZJfsj1giAkNi-wgqWzLefM6Rxda6cqccBB_Wv7YtFi0ER2cmmkWjeu181T-l2ASplBD4rNkBQU8xI39xTiNIgRuOU3U0m4sVKDk5ruOxEdlPWNyPqAhH42OiCYU/s320/Miss_Potter_Poster.jpg" /></a></div>As a <i>Ewan McGregor</i> fan I've been wanting to see this film, but never actually got to the cinema to see it. Now I'm glad I didn't - I cried my eyes out. <i>Renée Zellweger</i> was like she always is, this time a tone down from Bridget Jones and move like Barbara Novak. But oh, Ewan! He did such great work as Norman Warne! Even with the disturbing mustache. This is a short movie, only about an hour and a half, and it's very fresh and airy. I warmly recommend this. I found it to be of inspiration - Beatrix became an author despite what her family (well, her mother) thought of it, and was extremely successful, as we all know.<br />
Here another sweet picture from the movie. I dare say it might be from my favourite scene:<br />
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You'll have to see it to know why I think it so sweet.<br />
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What else, what else? Books, maybe?<br />
I read <i>A Lion Among Men</i> by Gregory Maguire, and came to the conclusion that yes, Wicked is the best one in the series. But this book gathered some loose ends from the two first ones, so I forgave almost all the politics.<br />
After Maguire, I finally got my hands on <i>the Fall of the Kings</i> by Ellen Kushner and Delia Sherman. With much regret I have to say I didn't enjoy this one as much as the other Riverside books, maybe because there was some magic in this one. Don't take my wrong, it's not a bad book - you can read it to just enjoy the language. But it wasn't as intricate as I had hoped, and I was slightly disappointed with the ending. I think <i>the Privilege of the Sword</i> remains my favourite (though I have to read it again to be sure), and chapter XXI from <i>Swordspoint</i> my favourite chapter. (A thought - Katharine Talbert reminds me of Elizabeth the First.)<br />
Now I'm rereading Pratchett's <i>Going Postal</i>, which is rapidly taking the Hogfather's place as my favourite Discworld novel. The reason for this second reading is the movie, of which I saw trailers and am now a little suspicious about, because good books usually don't translate to film so well. But I'm hopeful - the actors seem decent.<br />
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So after I'm not with Mr von Lipwig, it's finally time to reread all the <i>Harry Potters</i>. I intend to do that in less than two weeks for two reasons:<br />
1) Orientation week starts in two weeks and<br />
2) There's a series of Oscar Wilde lectures, the first one about <i>the Picture of Dorian Gray</i>, and I intend to read that wonderful book again before the lecture so I'm sure to remember everything.<br />
And then I probably have so much school stuff to read I have little time for fiction, but I'll go through <i>the Secret History</i> by Donna Tartt somehow. A friend just read it and was thrilled, so I promised to read it as well, seeing as we have it.<br />
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That about covers it, I think. Now I shall turn to fanfiction and then go to gym - we're dancing latin at last, after a long pause. I'm so looking forward to it, zumba is getting boring.<br />
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With love,<br />
WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-60725438535722883682010-08-01T16:03:00.001+03:002010-08-04T14:39:35.521+03:00One Ring To Rule Them AllI think it's time to show my obsession with the Lord of the Rings. It all started in late 2001 or very early 2002 - I can't be sure because I've lost that ticket - when my friend insisted I come watch the Fellowship of the Ring with her. I went, I watched it and fell in love. I read the Hobbit and then, for my birthday, I got a LotR of my own. I was done with it before the Two Towers was out. It took me about four months to complete, if my memory serves.<br />
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From then on I've been a fan. Sometimes I don't even think about this magnificent book for a long while, but something always brings it back to my attention. At the moment I'm participating a LotR One Shot Contest in Quizilla, so some research is in place.<br />
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Anyway. The amount of money I've put into LotR merchandise is ridiculous, but we have to remember I was only 12-13 at the time, and I regret none of it. So here goes, with pictures.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUshgnKBFvetTdgzk9e1PdE9kTjtzYds56OevMcqfu4gIqlVqkaiO-hP_JFqUpvr2BqLzJwN-cHOqWiMMqvJVQM8VxXunMD_TzY0u6_bnVnS9bARmaJUV6sXVD4_yEXtyH4NlCpgWwF8/s1600/HPIM4110.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjUshgnKBFvetTdgzk9e1PdE9kTjtzYds56OevMcqfu4gIqlVqkaiO-hP_JFqUpvr2BqLzJwN-cHOqWiMMqvJVQM8VxXunMD_TzY0u6_bnVnS9bARmaJUV6sXVD4_yEXtyH4NlCpgWwF8/s400/HPIM4110.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>There are the books I've got in Finnish. Unfortunately I haven't got the illustrated guide to the Fellowship of the Ring, but I saw that in a second-hand bookshop and am contemplating of buying it... It's in English, though. But maybe I could trade my Finnish books for the English versions? Anyway. There's also The Book itself. The back almost came off about a year ago, but I taped it back together. The three books at the bottom of the picture are:<br />
- Brian Sibley: the Lord of the Rings Official Movie Guide<br />
- Chris Smith: the Lord of the Rings: Weapons and Warfare<br />
- Brian Sibley: the Lord of the Rings: Making of the Movie Trilogy<br />
The middle one is quite possibly my favourite, with awesome pics of swords, armour, bows, spears... There's lots I didn't know, about the LotR-verse as well as the weapons themselves. Very enlightening, I can recommend it.<br />
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Oh, what is that the books are lying on? Why, it's my LotR sheets! :D My clever cousin gave me them for Christmas around 2002, and I've loved them ever since. And what's more, they go well with the other colours in my room - green, white, brown.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghutFymlaplccDBPKEmrZ-SHqR3XE-fWWahFdkWAtl5etSRKoar5hGe5vvAlmc4ko2RxPHsqH_P-_J8bleKExIwhbHU15_VVlT_rNiDSyC6iT5a9mB-YSDeyixE2PbjG9qFXQ7PXtDITo/s1600/HPIM4107.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghutFymlaplccDBPKEmrZ-SHqR3XE-fWWahFdkWAtl5etSRKoar5hGe5vvAlmc4ko2RxPHsqH_P-_J8bleKExIwhbHU15_VVlT_rNiDSyC6iT5a9mB-YSDeyixE2PbjG9qFXQ7PXtDITo/s320/HPIM4107.JPG" /></a></div>Sorry about that - stupid computer refuses to let me rotate the picture. But yeah. There's Frodo, Aragorn, Gandalf and Saruman on it, even though you can only see the first one here. And the Ring-pillow case. Pure love.<br />
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We were in New Zealand 2008 with a friend of mine, on a language course. As luck would have it, there was a trip to Hobbiton, and we signed as soon as we got the chance. The weather was merciful and it didn't rain, the guide was great and we had cameras - it was perfect. It was also my 18th birthday, and I got to spend it under the Party Tree!<br />
So that means I have some random LotR merchandise as well. There are postcards, magnets, a T-shirt... I even brought my brother a cap. I didn't take pics of all this, though, because I'm a little lazy. ^^;<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUSb8iP-AckTO3Zcw157rj_00U0Iyn9qJBYCJC-vrYQG2rLywShm1gVF-7a0ivaioQFMZaS74zYyfxSBPYTPta4dvdm6FDiWp01MYO8h2RqIQzv2iOfd73GLm7YSjN4Uj17puPFKO1kE/s1600/HPIM4111.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUSb8iP-AckTO3Zcw157rj_00U0Iyn9qJBYCJC-vrYQG2rLywShm1gVF-7a0ivaioQFMZaS74zYyfxSBPYTPta4dvdm6FDiWp01MYO8h2RqIQzv2iOfd73GLm7YSjN4Uj17puPFKO1kE/s320/HPIM4111.JPG" /></a></div>My mission in NZ was to buy LotR in English. I found these beauties - well, FotR and RotK, at least. The bookstore didn't have TTT with this cover, but I'm determined to find it somewhere, some day. I don't even know what it looks like, but it will be very easy to recognise if I stumble on it.<br />
<br />
Of course I have all the music from the movies. I also have all the films on VHS, but only FotR and TTT on DVD - extended versions but no extras. I really want to buy that special deluxe extended edition (or whatever it is called) box, with all the extra material possible. This is the trilogy that got me into movies, after all.<br />
<br />
Favourite character? Éomer. All my friends know this painfully well. I have posters, cards, quotes, and even a Karl Urban shirt my friends made for me. It's a little faded now, but I still use it from time to time.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3_8znV708yo110HqfJMbWlPBYcgwvgJIvA_RsjRKNqhZD2OlT1hPumqF7XqoNkcG3QOT7p9XqXtRJa5K_A4-iBxX_j5DFgoMszsKVMXpX8bFU8BQ3iVLq9CIZgkQuD7qNq-hHDgF_RY/s1600/HPIM4113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs3_8znV708yo110HqfJMbWlPBYcgwvgJIvA_RsjRKNqhZD2OlT1hPumqF7XqoNkcG3QOT7p9XqXtRJa5K_A4-iBxX_j5DFgoMszsKVMXpX8bFU8BQ3iVLq9CIZgkQuD7qNq-hHDgF_RY/s200/HPIM4113.JPG" width="150" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCN0yxKy74-5ZAkugH7cHA2vO7h0KDB3WyWv2T6YbXj8ol3XWb7ubdhKdBipc0RvujPmeo-f4AWqhiU7G9DIlXEDY90MO_N1K4PZJWjik8KBrbsg8dUGJA_dak4aslsvZTy9eD7hNsVE/s1600/HPIM4114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiCN0yxKy74-5ZAkugH7cHA2vO7h0KDB3WyWv2T6YbXj8ol3XWb7ubdhKdBipc0RvujPmeo-f4AWqhiU7G9DIlXEDY90MO_N1K4PZJWjik8KBrbsg8dUGJA_dak4aslsvZTy9eD7hNsVE/s200/HPIM4114.JPG" width="200" /></a></div><br />
Only slightly obsessed. ^^; I used to be into horses, which is probably part of the reason I first took to liking Éomer, but after reading TTT and RotK for countless times I'm certain that he's the best.<br />
...Though I've lately taken a liking to Faramir as well. The ultimate quote from RotK has to be:<br />
"Do not scorn pity that is the gift of a gentle heart, Éowyn!"<br />
*sighs*<br />
They should've cut Arwen from the films and replaced her with Glorfindel and some proper Faramir/Éowyn. Arwen is very unnecessary.<br />
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I think that's about it. Before I go, a picture of some random stuff:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxiKRqq2rj_4nqepLtDVvucwdHEWM5LalBe3gd2xT5JrMoFnKoaxjKxCx0Y69-_Ro-W5-6zNthPTa8RK-jfrCG3k0yHD5NE_fp2M7pv5HCh9amAtbVjedEK-W4dQbSuJRLBAdIku_pGY/s1600/HPIM4116.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvxiKRqq2rj_4nqepLtDVvucwdHEWM5LalBe3gd2xT5JrMoFnKoaxjKxCx0Y69-_Ro-W5-6zNthPTa8RK-jfrCG3k0yHD5NE_fp2M7pv5HCh9amAtbVjedEK-W4dQbSuJRLBAdIku_pGY/s320/HPIM4116.JPG" /></a></div>There's the Éomer bookmark I got from a German pen pal (though we only ever exchanged two letters), playing cards (well used), the Evenstar necklace I bought from Greece, the bag to keep it in, the box it came in (currently filled with my collection of LotR trading cards) and a badge I bought from the Finnish Tolkien Society's table at Finncon. It says "Not all those who wander are lost". It's not attached to my bag, because I realised after buying that people will think I'm a fan of Lost the tv-series. I've never watched one episode. Oh well.<br />
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<i>Elen síla lúmenn' omentielvo.</i><br />
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Lol, I can still do that. xD<br />
Professor Tolkien was a genious. My prep course teacher saw me reading his biography and told me a friend of his studied under Tolkien. I looked like this: O.O<br />
What can you say when someone tells you something awesome like that? Nothing.<br />
Speechless.<br />
What did Sheldon say about 'being rendered speechless'? There was some scientific ground for it.<br />
I forget what that was.<br />
<br />
I'll stop here.<br />
<br />
<i>Namárië</i>.<br />
<br />
~WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-27654870639511515132010-07-27T12:05:00.003+03:002010-07-27T12:09:04.503+03:00You'll Only End Up Like Rimbaud - Get Shot By VerlaineI took a look at the pictures I took at the con - they're bad, so I won't post them here. The only decent ones were taken back at Helsinki, and are of the signed books. But, because Photoshop decided to hate me today, you won't see them, either. Maybe when my brother comes back I'll post them, PS likes him better.<br />
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But now I'll tell you about the little pile of second-hand books I bought when we went exploring all the little shops and flea markets with my friend. The thing about doing that is that it's very dangerous; there are so many interesting, beautiful, old, cheap books that you can't possibly buy all of them. My mission was to find a copy of <i>Pride and Prejudice</i>, which I did. It's so beautiful! <3 I also found <i>the Professor</i> by Charlotte Brontë, a book I had never heard of. Such beautiful cover, I fell in love instantly!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Spl5k7wt77pnWvu5n1K-KZURHSqTN6MtdiXCj3Z-OFlXHMG5KJesdMTV_WcmuG7HVT2P2gmlmyRpFp1fTdzxRpFz7ohnQIEmm7h2EPKrPOcoM-jRCm2R45NSVai-X9T-W2nr2qCALnU/s1600/HPIM4101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Spl5k7wt77pnWvu5n1K-KZURHSqTN6MtdiXCj3Z-OFlXHMG5KJesdMTV_WcmuG7HVT2P2gmlmyRpFp1fTdzxRpFz7ohnQIEmm7h2EPKrPOcoM-jRCm2R45NSVai-X9T-W2nr2qCALnU/s320/HPIM4101.JPG" /></a></div><br />
I'm looking forward to reading it. I also bought <i>Dangerous Liaisons</i> by de Laclos and <i>the Wizard of Oz</i>, though these two are in Finnish. (For some reason I don't have a pic of them, I think I remember the light being bad...)<br />
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My bookshelf is getting fuller and fuller. ^^; There's a gap at the moment, what with both my Lynches absent and the removal of - and I'm very smug about this, too - one of my entrance exam books. I didn't like that book. Too bad I can't burn it, it's a tad too valuable.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYOkEUgfamQ7gPOVP5nVu-IqZolLo1t4X-QguxFUGPWEf0Nd2gdrZe5V6vQ3a3ZBBXIg17eliDLO6yyhIUDDGaCyndlE5WNMRpX9h2gEJNwQwmCwSwd1mghej_oFYq-jQHA-Lfunw8R8/s1600/HPIM4104.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmYOkEUgfamQ7gPOVP5nVu-IqZolLo1t4X-QguxFUGPWEf0Nd2gdrZe5V6vQ3a3ZBBXIg17eliDLO6yyhIUDDGaCyndlE5WNMRpX9h2gEJNwQwmCwSwd1mghej_oFYq-jQHA-Lfunw8R8/s320/HPIM4104.JPG" /></a></div><br />
There are the Finnish books, also. And the CD I bought at Jyväskylä! The latest record by the Loved Ones, <i>Distractions</i>. Good punk, methinks. I'm exceedingly happy about how my Riverside-books look like now.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_Bi-rhiHmjvnBSrs32swKNuLq8jwKm_T4Yk7yhUBLnvzO1BeL_PnS5oeQZ1cW6wqVn_QkDvmdNyb5HBLYAabxkaoppjwuMcFG8wfYQzyilofeM1YCCPpES5hsMmmeBSS1dMNsAxBcMk/s1600/HPIM4096.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO_Bi-rhiHmjvnBSrs32swKNuLq8jwKm_T4Yk7yhUBLnvzO1BeL_PnS5oeQZ1cW6wqVn_QkDvmdNyb5HBLYAabxkaoppjwuMcFG8wfYQzyilofeM1YCCPpES5hsMmmeBSS1dMNsAxBcMk/s320/HPIM4096.JPG" /></a></div><br />
Under Privilege of the Sword there's <i>the Tenant of Wildfell Hall</i>, a copy from 1923 that my dad gave me. It's delightfully pretty, like most old books. Under that, there's <i>the Albatross Book of Living Verse</i>. I've never been big on poetry, but for some reason I find 1500-1800's English poetry interesting. In that book I found a poem of John Suckling's that reminds me of Twilight and thus makes me giggle:<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Why so pale and wan, fond lover?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Prithee, why so pale?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> Will, when looking well can't move her,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Looking ill prevail?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Prithee, why so pale?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Why so dull and mute, young sinner?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Prithee, why so mute?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Will, when speaking well can't win her,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Saying nothing do 't?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Prithee, why so mute?</i><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Quit, quit for shame! This will not move;</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>This cannot take her.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If of herself she will not love,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Nothing can make her.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The devil take her!</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">So there's a few words of wisdom, Jacob Black. Think about that.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;">Oh well. I finished Austen's <i>Emma</i> a couple of days ago, and then devoured Maguire's <i>Son of a Witch</i> practically in a day. I think I started from page 74 yesterday and was finished with the 500 pages by 1:30am. So now I've got only the Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance to go before I can get my claws on the Fall of the Kings. After that I think I'm either going for Joe Abercrombie's <i>the Blade Itself</i> (something I've been meaning to read for almost a year...), Maguire's <i>Lion Among Men</i> or the re-reading of the entire Harry Potter series. We'll see.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbkJPqirR0oeyjcPK1Z0Ln7uqtUNe5IBDUAWnszhXtHx-nb1mTv-TPSzH2WCUdRqnarTfECEr2HyanMI701amgpIn98MsVivFmjQEHe3Vjr7LHxISqorhE-W8qaqSZEVK98kVX2FBkwg/s1600/HPIM4102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJbkJPqirR0oeyjcPK1Z0Ln7uqtUNe5IBDUAWnszhXtHx-nb1mTv-TPSzH2WCUdRqnarTfECEr2HyanMI701amgpIn98MsVivFmjQEHe3Vjr7LHxISqorhE-W8qaqSZEVK98kVX2FBkwg/s320/HPIM4102.JPG" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">But now I gotta go take a shower and then head to the bank to pay my University membership stuff. Ugh, I hate banks.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Anyway, I'll be back with movies, since we're having a movie night tonight and I watched the Omen yesterday. Oh, and I also saw the Disaster Movie and (FINALLY!) Star Wars episode III.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Bye!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">~Wilzo</div>Wilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-78260516318206547812010-07-21T14:44:00.000+03:002010-07-21T14:44:19.709+03:00So Many Happy FeelingsOh, so much to tell. Let's do this in some kind of order. (I'll add pics when I get them loaded up and if they're any good.)<br />
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<span style="color: #e69138;">Finncon<span style="color: black;"> was a definite success. We didn't get lost (much) on the road, I didn't wreck the car and we found free parking space in Jyväskylä. Yay for that! The con was so great, I felt at home. The first panel we participated was <i>Introduction to Mannerpunk</i> - I laughed so much! And I may have squealed just a little at Ellen Kushner's mentioning Scott Lynch as a male mannerpunk author. </span></span>I missed the GoH speech of Ellen's, because I chose <i>Adult Fantasy</i> and later wished I hadn't. <i>The Gate Theory of Young Adult Literature</i> -panel was a disappointment so we left it early on, which gave me the opportunity to go get my Swordspoint signed. I swear, Ms Kushner was so nice and I made a total fool out of myself, speaking bad English due to my nerves and was going all fangirly. But I'm eternally thankful for the opportunity to buy <i>the Fall of the Kings</i> - if the authors ever stumble upon this somehow, you need to know it was equal to the best moment of my summer (of which I will tell about a little later). Thank you so much!<br />
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Sunday started much earlier than Saturday, at 10. I went to the <i>Orwell's 1984 Here And Now</i> -lecture and got slightly paranoid. After Big Brother it was time for the vampire panel, which I liked very much. I wish I was more confident, because I think the panelists would've been amused to hear that Stephenie Meyer is planning on writing about time-travelling mermaids next. (The discussion led to speculation of what might be the next big thing - one of the panelists expressed interest in Näkkis.) Then there was the <i>Bimbo Panel</i>, which made me roar with laughter. The theme was dirtying all the childhood favourites from Disney to My Little Pony to Star Trek. I think that affected both me and my friend quite a lot, for the next couple of days were spent pointing out everything twisted in stuff meant innocent.<br />
<i>Ellen Kushner's reading</i> was just the perfect thing. She read from Swordspoint (having read Thomas the Rhymer at length the day before) and then <i>the Man With the Knives</i>. She had grown men in tears after that one, and I was so close to crying myself.<br />
After the reading I met up with my friend again, and ran into my high school art teacher. We talked for a while, until it was time for me to go hear the vampire book tips. I got interested in a couple of books, so it wasn't all wasted time.<br />
The last panel I participated was <i>Dreaming of Reality</i> with Cheryl Morgan, Ellen Kushner and Pat Cadigan. It was a riot and I swore to find Ms Cadigan's books somehwere, she was so funny! It also came up that Ms Kushner would like to see a film made out of Swordspoint, and that she felt Ben Wishaw (Keats from <i>Bright Star</i>) would be a good Richard. Now, I think Privilege of the Sword would make a better movie, and I'm not all too sure about Wishaw as Richard, but I would definitely go and see the movie.<br />
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Our arrival back our summer house about four hours after we left the con was grand - windows down, Elvis blaring. We had a great time, and discovered that Disney is good music for driving.<br />
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We came back to Helsinki on Monday night. On Tuesday happened what we'd been dreading - the results from the University arrived. But fortunately, this became the thing in my summer rivalled only by the delightful writers of the Fall of the Kings - I got in.<br />
I'll start my studies on English Philology in September in the University of Helsinki. I'm so excited!<br />
<br />
But this is turning into quite a long update. I probably forgot something, but I'll just tell about it in another post if it was important. The bottom line is that it was a great con and that my July has been awesome. I hope it stays that way.<br />
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<3: WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-25817087699426837482010-07-13T15:56:00.001+03:002010-07-14T18:41:12.403+03:00Fairies On SteroidsOkay, so I said I'd say a couple of words about the newest Twilight movie, <i style="color: #073763;">Eclipse</i>.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoBsWGoLFdg-gR_cac-lVMO5KshhHhY_AqZprkRbcNDw_ud7V3Yv78GyWXRqSPREr-q-LeQ0KwckcgslUGIC484JFUQNrVRaRCsuO30BV3Gosmi5Ag15tKXbibKAuaWOrmlhJo4hijYk/s1600/twilight_eclipse_poster_3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCoBsWGoLFdg-gR_cac-lVMO5KshhHhY_AqZprkRbcNDw_ud7V3Yv78GyWXRqSPREr-q-LeQ0KwckcgslUGIC484JFUQNrVRaRCsuO30BV3Gosmi5Ag15tKXbibKAuaWOrmlhJo4hijYk/s320/twilight_eclipse_poster_3.jpg" /></a></div>(I chose this picture 'cause there's no Edward, lol. xD)<br />
Sooooo. Eclipse. It wasn't as bad as <i>New Moon</i>, but not as good as <i>Twilight</i>. The way the vampire backstories were cut pleased me. That was probably partly due to the rating, PG-13, because I think I remember there being more blood in the book. The three stars still can't act to save their lives, though now that I'm watching Robert Pattinson do this with the knowledge that he hates Edward and is playing him through that emotion I enjoy his performance a lot more. (Does that sentence make sense? o_O) About the werewolves I'm a bit torn - I'm not sure whether I like them or not. They are always together and with my poor facial memory it's hard to tell who is who, but I understand and accept that there's no time in two hours and ten minutes to get into each one of their characters too deeply.<br />
My favourites are still Billy Black and Charlie Swan. The only moment Kristen Stewart gets some life in her eyes and acting is when Bella and Charlie have the awkward birds-and-bees conversation.<br />
Oh, and I liked Jasper in this one. Maybe because he took charge and was all cool and stuff. I don't know what Jackson Rathbone did there, but I liked it.<br />
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All in all, a little too long a movie, pretty average. I still think they would've been better off if they had kept Catherine Hardwicke directing the whole saga - her style is so great for adolescent movies!<br />
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<br />
Then a few words about <i>the Ghost Writer.</i> I naturally liked Ewan McGregor, though he wasn't at his best, but Kim Cattrall really amazed me. Not a trace of Samantha to be seen! Polanski did alright work, as well as Brosnan, but not much else to say. It was an okay thriller, and didn't look like it was filmed for TV (like <i>the Girl With the Dragon Tattoo</i>...), and the ending still bugs me so I guess it was a good one. I'd maybe give the movie 3.5/5.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXe5Hrve0eh0Jd4lhRMkkNp6d3IHTrFEBeeBrcV-OmtM8HMzbcv9RMqzvIjMGo-puWBBqa76g922Fm3waAWjvFzmOsM8NQBV98o9vSd6blsq9lsJSeDXFy27dhnU4h-G0b-CkVJGPFG7Y/s1600/ewanghost.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXe5Hrve0eh0Jd4lhRMkkNp6d3IHTrFEBeeBrcV-OmtM8HMzbcv9RMqzvIjMGo-puWBBqa76g922Fm3waAWjvFzmOsM8NQBV98o9vSd6blsq9lsJSeDXFy27dhnU4h-G0b-CkVJGPFG7Y/s400/ewanghost.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I'm off to town in a minute to meet up with a friend. Yay, leaving for Finncon the day after tomorrow. Can't wait, I'm so excited!<br />
<br />
Love,<br />
WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-26656431418400174122010-07-12T19:02:00.001+03:002010-07-12T22:10:07.302+03:00+30 degrees CelsiusIt's so frickin' hot. Our balcony is like a sauna, and flowers were about to die when I arrived with the water. I hope they survive.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">RUISROCK.</span> It was so much fun. We arrived to Turku aroun 3pm, said buh-bye to my dad and brother and went off to find some food and the bus stop. We found both, but then realised we had no idea how often the busses would be going and decided that the weather was nice enough for a walk. Actually it was very warm (though not as warm as today) and the walk was several kilometers and we had too little water with us, but we survived. ^^<br />
<br />
So we hung around the festival area looking at the stands and drinking free, ice cold Coke. We watched half of <b>Negative's</b> show (Jonne Aaron sure isn't as young as he was five years ago...), saw some of <b>Tarot's</b> (they were great) and <b>Arch Enemy</b>, and waded around in the water next to the beach stage. It was so cold and nice.<br />
<br />
And then it was time for what I'd come for: <b>Rise Against</b>. It was a great show, they played a lot of songs I didn't think they would but always hoped, like <i>Survive</i> and <i>Entertainment</i>, and of course one of my ultimate faves, <i>Give It All</i>. The band seemed to be having fun, which made me happy. They seem to have taken a liking for circle pits, because last October in Helsinki Tim said they wanted to see "that Finnish circle thing" and now he announced in a speak that he wanted to see one again. (Damn, how can it be I don't remember which song that was? Something off Siren Song, I think. Or maybe Revolutions Per Minute.)<br />
<br />
After RA we went to see <b>NOFX</b>, and found that we both like them. I got a shirt, and I've been humming <i>Don't Call Me White</i> since then. After that we just hung around, talking and joking around (playing with Finnish language a lot, yes, we were very tired) and then it was time for the last show - <b>Ozzy Osbourne</b>. Irene's a fan, and I was curious as to whether he would stay on his feet for the whole show. It was fun.<br />
<br />
Around 1:30am it was all over and we tried to be cunning and take a shortcut to get ahead of the main crowd getting out. Our endeavour ended with me having my left hand shoe stuck in a ditch in mud. The whole shoe was muddy inside out, and was slightly uncomfortable to walk in. Anyway, we decided to walk back to town, since there was so much crowd trying to get into the busses. We were at the bus station a bit after 3am, about ten minutes after the bus we had intended to take had left. So we had to wait for an hour for the next one. Thank gods we had the sense to buy breakfast when we first arrived to Turku... Our bus left 4am, we were in Helsinki about 7am, and I got to bed at 7:45am.<br />
<br />
So altogether a very good trip. :D My shoe still leaves my heel and ankle dirty, but I'm washing it once more before leaving to Jyväskylä and Finncon next weekend.<br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;">Ruisrock ends.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">We'll be leaving again on Thursday, and at the moment plan on coming back to Helsinki on Tuesday - the day we both get to know whether we got into University or not. I'm a bit scared of that, because I really would like to get in but don't feel I did good enough in the exam. But I have my fingers crossed, and it won't be the end of the world if I don't get in this year, but... Yeah.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">I think that's all there's to say. I have no pictures from Ruis, because I didn't have my camera, but I'll ask my friend if I could post some of her photos here.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">I'm gonna go eat ice cream now and watch Breakfast Club. <3</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Next update's probably coming when I get back from Finncon.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Lotsa love and ice cubes,</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #a64d79;"><span style="color: black;">Wilzo </span> </span>Wilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-68750500940678721632010-07-09T11:50:00.000+03:002010-07-09T11:50:58.353+03:00Am I loud and clear or am I breaking up?Soooo, one of the days I've been waiting for is finally here - the Friday and first day of Ruisrock! :D I'm only going to be there today, because beloved Rise Against is playing. It'll be so very awesome. Irene should be here in about half an hour, and then we'll be off. I've packed, now I only need to change my clothes and put on some make-up.<br />
<br />
I've been listening to RA quite a lot for the past week, just to ensure I know every song by heart. xD I've been trying to decide which one of their albums is my favourite, and I only know it's (probably) not <i>the Sufferer and the Witness</i>. Well, it's good to know I like everything they've made so far.<br />
<br />
At the moment there are two songs in my head - <i style="color: #38761d;">the Strength To Go On</i> and <i style="color: #cc0000;">Historia Calamitatum</i>.<br />
"<span style="color: #38761d;">What we are is the sum of a thousand lies</span><br />
<div style="color: #38761d;"> What we know is almost nothing at all</div><div style="color: #38761d;"> But we are what we are 'til the day we die</div><span style="color: #38761d;"> Or until we don't have the strength to go on</span>"<br />
<br />
"<span style="color: #cc0000;">When it rains it pours like summer storms</span><br />
<div style="color: #cc0000;"> These skies as grey as leaves</div><div style="color: #cc0000;"> The rivers flood the banks and spill into the streets</div><div style="color: #cc0000;"> But the people laughed and swore that they'd restore the city piece by piece</div><div style="color: #cc0000;"> And then the clouds gave way as if to agree</div><span style="color: #cc0000;"> When it rains it pours</span>"<br />
<br />
The latter one would be great to hear live, particularly if it would start raining then. I doubt they will play it, though the rain is highly possible - it's been almost subtropic here and a proper rain would help a lot. (Or thunder, which I've been waiting for.)<br />
<br />
About other stuff - I'm currently reading Austen's <i>Emma</i>, saw <i>the Ghost Writer</i> and <i>Eclipse</i> in the cinema and watched <i>Penelope</i> and <i>the Curse of the Golden Flower</i> yesterday with friends. I'll possibly say something more about the movies, especially 'bout the Twilight.<br />
<br />
Now I better go get ready and make sure I have everything I need with me.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><i>Am I loud and clear, or am I breaking up?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Am I still your charm, or am I just bad luck</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Are we getting closer or are we just getitng more lost?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I'll show you mine, if you show me yours first</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Let's compare scars, I'll tell you whose is worse</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Let's unwrite these pages and replace them with our own words</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We live on front porches and swing life away</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We get by just fine here on minimum wage</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If love is a labout I'll slave til the end</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I won't cross these sreets until you hold my hand</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I've been here so long, think that it's time to move</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The winter's so cold, summer's over too soon</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Let's pack our bags and settle down where palm trees grow</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>I've got some friends, some that I hardly know</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>But we've had some times I wouldn't trade for the world</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We chase these days down with talks of</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>The places that we will go</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>We live on front porches and swing life away...</i></div><div style="text-align: right;"><i>~Rise Against: Swing Life Away</i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><i> </i></div><div style="text-align: left;"><3: Wilzo</div>Wilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-12079040154625593202010-07-01T13:47:00.004+03:002010-11-12T11:10:37.426+02:00Finally!<b style="color: orange;">The Finncon 2010</b> programme is finally here! :D I've been waiting for it for so long... This is going to be my first Finncon, so I'm excited about it. Here's what's going to be going on:<br />
<a href="http://2010.finncon.org/en/programme/">Finncon 2010 programme</a><br />
<br />
Friday's fine, not much that I want to attend to. Saturday, however, poses a problem: adult fantasy, the debate about whether <i>Avatar</i> sucks or not and the Guest of Honour speech of <i>Ellen Kushner</i>'s are all at the same time. Right now I wish I could split in three, because I would love to be there for all of those. But I guess I'll just decide it when the time comes and see which one is most appealing. At least I get to go to the <i>Introduction to Mannerpunk</i>, the one I'm most excited about.<br />
Sunday's more or less fine, though there seems to be the decision between the imaginary creatures of folk mythology and the new coming of vampires, but I can skip either one. Oh, and it seems that the kaffeeklatch with <i>Ellen Kushner</i> is at the same time and the vampire booktips, but I'm not sure if I'm brave enough to go sit in a café with an awesome author and some other fans who are probably smarter than me. ^^;<br />
<br />
Another thing I'm really looking forward to is this: destroying genre favourites of our childhood! :D I expect that includes stuff like laughing at the ambiguous lines in Moomins and Biker Mice From Mars and such.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I'm hyped. I can't wait! Still about two weeks to go! Luckily it's only a week til <i>Ruisrock</i> and <b style="color: #3d85c6;">RISE AGAINST</b>! I'm excited about that, too.<br />
<br />
Reading matter. I borrowed Gregory Maguire's <i>Wicked</i> from a friend of mine (in exchange, he got <i>the Lies of Locke Lamora</i>. I'm just dying to discuss that book with someone else than my brother) and I liked it. It's the sort of book that grows on you; I didn't find it beautifully written like <i>Kushner's</i> books, or witty like <i>Lynch</i> or <i>Wilde</i>, but there was something that drew me. The musical is coming to Helsinki, and I'm definitely going to see it, even though I've understood that it's not quite the same as the book. I also plan on reading the sequels, <i>Son of a Witch</i> and <i>Lion Among Men</i>.<br />
<br />
But right now I'm going through Kushner's <i>Swordspoint</i>, and I have my fingers crossed I'll get <i>Fall of the Kings</i> from Science fiction flea market at the con. And I'm planning on reading all the <i>Harry Potters</i> again, because after reading some fanfiction I fell in love with it again.<br />
<br />
I guess that's all for now. The July has begun, and adventures lay ahead. (Only 20 days until I get to know whether I got into University or not!)<br />
<br />
~Wilzo<br />
<br />
PS: Digged up the list of possible actors for the characters of <i>Privilege of the Sword:</i><br />
<i> </i>Lord Ferris - Alan Rickman/Daniel Day-Lewis<br />
<i> </i>Lucius Perry - David Tennant<br />
Lydia Fitz-Levi - Jennifer Love-Hewitt<br />
Alcuin - Orlando Bloom<br />
So I obviously didn't get all my ideas right in the last post. ^^ I'm still trying to figure out who would be a good Mad Duke or St Vier, though I think Day-Lewis would be a great Alec if he was a bit younger. Or maybe John Malcovitch? (I seem to like St Vier the most, so it's hard to think of anyone who would be good enough.)<br />
<br />
I also forgot to tell that I went to see the Finn-Brit Players production of <i>the Dangerous Liaisons</i>. It was unbelievable, I enjoyed myself immensely. I'll be sure to see them again when they get the next play out!<br />
<br />
UPDATE 11/12/10: What on earth have I written "Lydia Fitz-Levi" in both this and the last update? It's <i>Artemisia</i> Fitz-Levi, Lydia is a Godwin! >.< Wilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-21593295421674436792010-06-05T15:06:00.003+03:002010-06-25T16:41:23.760+03:00Short Booky UpdateI got through <i>Privilege of the Sword</i> in three days. I was slightly surprised I got so into it. At times it felt like a teenage harlequin, and that was a lot of fun. My only problem with the main character, Katherine, was that she was around 15 years of age, so I found her a little naive and silly. Fortunately she matures through the story.<br />
<br />
I suck at summaries, but let's give it a try: Katherine Talbert, a country girl, is invited to the city by her uncle the Mad Duke. The uncle intends her to learn the art of wielding a sword. Katherine meets new people, of whom few are what they seem. Tension, masks, drama and the voes of teenage girls in need of husbands. Like Austen combined with swashbuckling.<br />
<br />
Anyway, I was very happy with the book. It is apparently number two in the Riverside-series (someone correct me if my understanding has failed me), but I don't think reading the books in order is necessary, at least I didn't have any trouble understanding things.<br />
<br />
Something happened with this book I wasn't suspecting. I don't usually start planning a Hollywood casting for books, because no one ever looks like I think the character should, but this time it just came to me like *snaps fingers* THAT. So here goes:<br />
<br />
the Mad Duke - Daniel Day-Lewis<br />
Lord Ferris - Alan Rickman<br />
Lydia Fitz-Levi - Jennifer Love-Hewitt<br />
Alcuin - Orlando Bloom<br />
<br />
...The last one is half a joke. xD I think I had one more suggestion, but it's in my notes somewhere and I don't feel like digging it up as I just tidied my room up. (With this book, a piece of paper and a pen is a good idea. There are so many names that pop up when you least expect them, and it's a bitch trying to remember who the hell they were and why it is so scandalous all of a sudden. I'm usually good with names, but I think the pace in which I read was too quick for them to sink in.)<br />
<br />
Wow, that has to be the longest bit I've written about a book in years! o_O Shows just how much I enjoyed and analyzed it, I suppose. Anywho, I recommend it warmly, though maybe not for people under 13 or something.<br />
<br />
Now I'm going to start getting ready - it's graduation day, and I've got two parties to attend to and later a gig of my friend's band <a href="http://www.myspace.com/eternalstrugglemuzak">Eternal Struggle</a>. Fun music! :D<br />
<br />
I'll be back later. I'm continuing with <i>Red Seas Under Red Skies</i>, which I started during the Lynch-hype about two posts ago. It's such a great book. <3<br />
<br />
~Wilzo<br />
<br />
PS: Ah, so this is the third Riverside book. My apologies.Wilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-13699063667703870842010-05-31T11:52:00.000+03:002010-05-31T11:52:37.015+03:00"We'll take the next bus, destination: setting sun"The entrance exams were a week ago, and I've been enjoying my vacation since. Life seems slightly empty now that I don't have to study anymore, but I'm trying to fill it up with random stuff.<br />
<br />
<br />
Here's what I've gotten to keep me busy:<br />
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<br />
So I finally started watching <i>Star Trek TOS</i>, though I'm doing it in the wrong order - I've watched almost half of the second season and none of the first. I don't think that matters, though. ^^ It's very enjoyable, at the moment my favourite episode is <i>I, Mudd</i>. The crappy special effects are wonderful! :D Can't wait for the next movie, which will be out in June 2012, according to IMDb.<br />
<i><br />
</i><br />
<i>The Privilege of the Sword</i> is something I bought just because you can't get it from any library here. Ellen Kushner is one of the guest authors coming to FinnCon in July, so I decided it would be wise to read some of her works. I've browsed the book and read the first page, and I think I'm going to like it. Maybe not Lynch-like-it, but enjoy anyway.<br />
<br />
<br />
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Those are what I've been reading lately. I've had <i>the Mammoth Book of Fantasy</i> since April and I still haven't finished it. -_- At the moment there are some 100 pages to go. The short stories are not bad, but it's a little hard to concentrate when there's no continuous plot. But I've been introduced to some authors I hadn't heard of or known I might be interested in them, such as <i>Michael Moorcock</i> or <i>Patricia McKillip</i>.<br />
<br />
<i>The Tough Guide</i>, then. I had to order it, but haven't regretted for a second. It is constructed like any travelling guide, and if you're familiar with the fantasy genre, you'll laugh like hell all the way through it. I've earned some curious stares giggling in the bus. <i>Diana Wynne Jones</i> is actually one of my favourite authors, even though I've read very little by her. <br />
<br />
Oh, movies! There isn't much to tell, I'm afraid. The latest one I've seen is <i>Bright Star</i>, and I can recommend it to anyone who likes Austen. It was very interesting, beatiful in colour and full of drama. What impressed me the most, however, was possibly the choice of soundtrack during the credits in the end. But I'm not going to spoil that to anyone who might stumble upon this blog.<br />
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<br />
<br />
<br />
And what became of my <i>Bastards and the Knives</i>? Well, it seems to have finally arraived at the bookstore, but the one I ordered (the cheaper paperback version) won't be in until November. I'm going to go there today to see whether they have it shelved, but most possibly won't purchase it yet. I guess I can wait, I already have a pile of books to read this summer. Just for fun, let's list them:<br />
1) The Mammoth Book of Fantasy<br />
2) Ellen Kushner: The Privilege of the Sword<br />
3) Jane Austen: Sense and Sensibility (or Pride and Prejudice, if I can find my copy)<br />
4) Joe Abercrombie: Blade Itself<br />
5) finnish rereading Red Seas Under Red Skies by Scott Lynch<br />
<br />
I have a busy week ahead of me. I'm going dancing today and tomorrow, on Wednesday we'll go see <i>the Prince of Persia</i> with a couple of friends, on Thursday there's the picnic with friends, only Friday remains free. I think I'm going to gym then, but we'll see.<br />
<br />
Maybe that will suffice for a while. I'll be back, hopefully a little sooner this time. :)<br />
<br />
~WilWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-64706783373716625292010-04-30T14:01:00.001+03:002010-05-02T14:42:27.414+03:00May's on it's wayThis is just a short update. Fangirl warning, definitely.<br />
<br />
If the websites of Amazon and Akateeminen kirjakauppa are to be trusted, the two novellas from <i>Scott Lynch</i> will be available tomorrow.<br />
<br />
Frickin' tomorrow. Seriously, I've been waiting for <i>Bastards and the Knives</i> for what seems like ages! (Curious, seeing as it was only about a year ago that I first started reading tLoLL...) Sadly, the bookstores will be closed tomorrow since it'll be May Day, but gods damn it, I'm going to be there first thing on Sunday to bug all the shop assistants! Me wants it, me <i>needs</i> it... and me probably won't allow me to read it before the entrance exams are over. >.<<br />
<br />
But still. I borrowed <i>the Mammoth Book of Fantasy</i> from the library (edited by Mike Ashley) about a week ago, and haven't even been reading it, 'cause guess what? I just had to start rereading <i>Red Seas Under Red Skies</i>. I can't help but giggle at the beginning of chapter one, it's just... There're no words for it. I really feel more people should read the series, I really do.<br />
<br />
And the bookshop page also said that the third book, <i>the Republic of Thieves</i>, would be out February 22nd 2011. I really hope that's true - the date has been postponed a couple of times, and the official fact is that it'll be out 2011. So fingers crossed that there'll be less than a year to go!<br />
<br />
But more about the books when I get it. I'll make sure to post a pic, a little like a proud aunt posting pictures of the nephew or niece. (This is going to be a nephew, I feel. But we'll see.)<br />
<br />
<br />
Clouds should go away so that we may enjoy vappu. The day after tomorrow - an attack to the bookstore. They better have it there, I don't want to order one and wait for another two weeks to get it...<br />
<br />
(What happened to the "No New Books When There's No Room In The Bookshelf" principle? Lynch is an exception.)<br />
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~WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-14440151002170779582010-04-09T13:01:00.001+03:002010-04-27T09:35:27.065+03:00Good Omens of SpringHello!<br />
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You'll never guess what I saw on my way to the library! The first wagtail of the spring! :D So that means there's only a little to go until summer is here! Party!<br />
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Though it's pretty hard to see how the summer is so close. True, snow has mostly melted - the doors to our yard are openable again - and the birds are singing, but it's so gray and cloudy and wet in the wrong way.<br />
*sigh*<br />
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Hum hum. I read my first Austen a few days ago. <i>Northanger Abbey</i>, oh my! I enjoyed Miss Jane's style and the lovely early 1800s grammar. Connexion, indeed. Are not you delighted?<br />
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The reason I went to the library today was, not to study as other, probably smarter, people my age do, but to fetch my next book. Humphrey Carpenter's <i>Tolkien: A Biography</i>. I finally decided to give it another go. My first attempt was when I was way too young, thirteen perhaps, and found the background of professor Tolkien's parents so boring I gave up after a few pages. <br />
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I also re-started Good Omens once again. It still has the powah to make me laugh every other page. I earned some weird and interested glances at the movie theater before the movie as I cracked up at this:<br />
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<i>"Somewhere around Chiswick, Aziraphale scrabbled vaguely among the scree of tapes in the glove compartment.</i><br />
<i>'What's a Velvet Underground?' he said.</i><br />
<i>'You wouldn't like it,' said Crowley.</i><br />
<i>'Oh,' said the angel dismissively. 'Be-bop.'</i><br />
<i>'Do you know, Aziraphale, that probably if a million human beings were asked to describe modern music, they wouldn't use the term "be-bop"? said Crowley.</i><br />
<i>'Ah, this is more like it. Tchaikovsky,' said Aziraphale, opening a case and slotting its cassette into the Blaupunkt.</i><br />
<i>'You won't enjoy it,' sighed Crowley. 'It's been in the car for more than a forthnight.'</i><br />
<i> A heavy bass beat bega to pump through the Bentley as they sped past Heathrow.</i><br />
<i> Aziraphale's brow furrowed.</i><br />
<i>'I don't recognize this,' he said. 'What is it?'</i><br />
<i>'It's Tchaikovsky's "Another One Bites The Dust",' said Crowley, closing his eyes as they went through Slough.</i><br />
<i> To while away the time as they crossed the sleeping Chilterns, they also listened to William Byrd's 'We Are The Champions' and Beethoven's 'I Want To Break Free'. Neither were as good as Vaughan Williams's 'Fat-Bottomed Girls'."</i><br />
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This bit is courtesy of Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman - read the book, it's GOOD!<br />
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What else, what else? My prep course started yesterday. I'm applying to University to major in English Philology (hence Tolkien's biography - I'm hoping it will be of inspiration) and am attending a course to have someone make me do something about the entrance exams. 14 sessions, about 4 hours each. The teacher seems very nice and so do the other students, so I think I'm going to like it.<br />
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And so, I must go study now. (Well what do you know, the preview of Kick-Ass will start in 12 hours from now! Yaaaay!)<br />
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Buh-bye!<br />
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~WilzoWilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-34081184566114329132010-03-07T11:45:00.000+02:002010-03-07T11:45:45.333+02:00And the Oscar Goes To...It has apparently been <i>a while </i>since I've last written... Please excuse me. ^^;<br />
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First of all, I want to tell me opinion about the movies I've seen.<br />
<i>The Wolfman</i> would've been alright if they hadn't felt the need to scare the audience every five minutes. The movie itself isn't scary, and even though there were some intestines dropping out from people and severed arms and such, it wasn't disgusting. So, the director had to resort to sudden movements and semi-unexpected loud noises. It took half the experience away, having to keep your guard up in anticipation of a hairy creature jumping from some direction roaring loudly. The music gave it's cues, of course. Plotwise I liked the thing, though I'm still pissed at the woman involved and what happened with her - it would never work that way! Casting was great, <i>Benicio del Toro</i> and <i>Anthony Hopkins</i> did great. <br />
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<i>Men Who Stare At Goats</i>, then. I thought they would've had more fun with the whacky, psychic soldiers, but sadly they didn't. It was amusing, and I <i>did</i> laugh, but it wasn't exactly the film experince of the year. Even <i>Ewan McGregor</i> didn't save this movie for me, though it made me giggle hearing him ask "What's a jedi?" I'm not sure most of the audience got the irony, but then again, why should I care? I had fun.<br />
But I'm not going to see that movie again. <i>Jeff Bridges</i> was good, <i>George Clooney</i> was good. Not much more to say about it, I'm afraid.<br />
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I also went to Orion to see <i>Pillow Book</i> for the first time. It was strange, and I think it requires several reruns before you really get it, but I fell in love with <i>McGregor's </i>jealous/mad Jerome. If only he didn't attempt to speak other languages... French was alright, but I think he tried Japanese - and if that was Japanese, he shouldn't speak it.<br />
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The release of <i>Scott Lynch</i>'s third book, <i>the Republic of Thieves</i>, has been postponed again. They're talking 'bout spring 2011, which for me seems way too long. I hope at least <i>Bastards and the Knives</i> is on schedule this year.<br />
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The Academy Awards are tonight, and I'm as excited as perusual. This year is a little different - I've never stayed up with so many friends! Usually I've been by myself or one friend at most, but this year we're going to be four or five! :D I'm looking forward to it, it's nice to have company. Here, far far away from Hollywood, the gala starts around 3am, so watching it live is always a little task. I, however, enjoy seeing everything there is, and not the shortened, subtitled version you can see two days later.<br />
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I wish best of luck for Mr. Tarantino and his crew. If Christoph Waltz doesn't get an Oscar, no one deserves it.Wilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-85347066486048011052010-02-19T12:54:00.000+02:002010-02-19T12:54:08.717+02:00Some movies once againI reserved tickets to a couple of movies a few minutes ago. I'm <i>finally</i> going to see this:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzyduPJoBUIxdVx63pkDXE82_PCBWIVO7nsMUREdXBCmuazWpScwFeU_068jNY8ouF8j8Q_wgeXY9QXhqW01TWuTQkgMIZiSa1PLEmmzvIO5mYIr463LszPys_16tFgl1AqJvMrspSC4/s1600-h/wolfmanposter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVzyduPJoBUIxdVx63pkDXE82_PCBWIVO7nsMUREdXBCmuazWpScwFeU_068jNY8ouF8j8Q_wgeXY9QXhqW01TWuTQkgMIZiSa1PLEmmzvIO5mYIr463LszPys_16tFgl1AqJvMrspSC4/s320/wolfmanposter.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I'm a werewolf fan, so I've been waiting for this - and I intend to enjoy it, no matter what the critics say. Though my image of a werewolf doesn't walk on two legs or have any other human-like qualities, it's going to be fun anyway. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The other movie I'm going to go see is <i>Men Who Stare At Goats</i>. I like goats, so I always thought the name was somewhat fun but didn't think I'd go see it. Then I realised that there's going to be Ewan McGregor. ^^; I hope it's not as bad as I've heard...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This promises to be a year of McGregor. First Phillip Morris, then Goats, and in April there's going to be <i>The Ghost Writer</i>. I quite like the poster:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac2ajCQbcRivzYxuiJ7r5sntK1NyJR3eDebAIQCdYRv-0QmsSmcuB99SozozMhAvWB_UwDfELI1cO3ATLfWWnMMY8F14W_zvNd00txyBrMkP12MhiUovTca7Vu1mab08_sDmFDmcaJjM/s1600-h/Ghost_Writer_poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgac2ajCQbcRivzYxuiJ7r5sntK1NyJR3eDebAIQCdYRv-0QmsSmcuB99SozozMhAvWB_UwDfELI1cO3ATLfWWnMMY8F14W_zvNd00txyBrMkP12MhiUovTca7Vu1mab08_sDmFDmcaJjM/s320/Ghost_Writer_poster.jpg" /></a> </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">That's all I have today. Two weeks 'til the Oscars! :D I'm so excited! If Christoph Waltz doesn't get to be the Best Actor In A Supporting Role I don't know who I'm going to hang. But we'll see.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">~Wilzo</div>Wilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-540675183877318962.post-37149311741399933692010-02-12T15:22:00.000+02:002010-02-12T15:22:41.511+02:00I Certainly Love Phillip MorrisI saw <i>I Love You Phillip Morris</i> last night. I'm a Ewan McGregor fan, so that was reason enough to pay for it - I didn't expect to like it as much as I did.<br />
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It isn't exactly a "good movie". It was funny, but then again, you can see it as just a sweet love story. It works both ways, though some moments are so clearly comedy you may feel annoyed when they interrupt a tender lovey-dovey scene. It's not Jim Carrey at his best, and it's not Ewan McGregor at his best, but you'll be entertained. Particularly if you're into conmen, gays and McGregor like I am. ;)<br />
For all you McGregorists out there who are suspicious of this film - it's worth it! Ewan is insanely adorable in this one!<br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Yes, I'd love you too, Phillip Morris! ^^ </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">I've also seen two other new movies during the last couple of weeks.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"> <i>Sherlock Holmes</i> was better than I thought. It wasn't how I like my Conan Doyle, but it was entertaining. Just try to forget the fact that it's <i>the</i> Sherlock Holmes, and imagine it's just someone with the same name. Jude Law was a surprisingly good Watson, but don't get me started on Rachel McAdams, her American accent and those darned there'll-be-a-sequel hints.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
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<i>Princess and the Frog</i> had a preview, too. And my, did I like it! It fits in well with all the old Disney classics and got me all emotional. Some rather good songs, and not one but TWO great minor characters. (I was very fond of Charlotte. She's what every girl gets like inside sometimes, even if they don't want to admit it.) Prince Naveen was rather annoying, though.<br />
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And I finally saw <i>Dorian Gray</i>. It was much better than I thought. I'm not sure whether Ben Barnes was acting or being himself, but either way, I enjoyed him as the naive, innocent Dorian of the beginning. Colin Firth did also very well, only a slight hint of Mr. Darcy from time to time. (He has been doing better lately, I'm happy for him!) The bits that followed the books were good, and those that didn't were simply unnecessary. We didn't need Lord Henry's daughter to mess with Dorian - or Dorian falling in love, for that matter. Props on the time skip though - no annoying "a few years later" text!<br />
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I think this pretty much sums up my latest seen movies.Wilhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00092471077635368773noreply@blogger.com0