Thursday, December 27, 2012

NDT...

I have come to understand how one could be easily swayed by a charismatic speaker. I've seen lots of short interviews and I've read a lot of his writing but I am now officially worshipping at the church of Neil Degrasse Tyson.  If you have the time, click through and watch this phenomenal interview by Stephen Colbert (bonus).  I could listen to Neil (we're like that now) all.day.long.



If you're looking for me, I'm searching youtube for more speaking engagements, like this one.
 

Wednesday, December 26, 2012

2012 A Review of Books...


Jamie over at The Perpetual Page-Turner is hosting an End of Year Book Survey link-up. Check out her post for more links to other bloggers' favorite books.


1. Best Book You Read in 2012?
I have three:
 Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore: A Novel - it spoke to my nerdiness and love of all things booky and Google.
The Fault in Our Stars - this was just a really beautiful novel.
Fall of Giants: Book One of the Century Trilogy - I learned so much about history; specifically World War I, via some wonderful, vibrant characters from all over Europe and the US whose lives were all interwoven.

2.  The Book You Were Excited About & Thought You Were Going to Love More But Didn't?
The Casual Vacancy - I wanted to love this book, I did.  I defended it before I read it; there were many people complaining that it wasn't Harry Potter.  In the end I trudged through it in honor to JK Rowling because she gave us Harry Potter.  I think she has amazing characters; it just so happens that I didn't care about any of the ones in this novel.

3.  The Most Surprising (in a good way) Book You Read in 2012?
The Night Circus - I adored this book.  I had very low expectations as circuses are one of my least favorite topics/forms of entertainment, but this was just something else.  This is a book that you're desperate to have made into a movie not for the story but so that you can see it come to life.

4.  Which Book Did You Recommend to the Most People in 2012?
Once a Duchess - because the wonderful author Elizabeth Boyce is a friend and I couldn't wait to shout her accomplishment of being published from the rooftops.
Let's Pretend This Never Happened: (A Mostly True Memoir) - because I laughed so hard I hurt.

5.  What Was the Best Series You Discovered in 2012?
The Century Trilogy - I read book one Fall of Giants and book two Winter of the World; both were excellent.  I'm looking forward to whatever book three might bring.

6.  Who was a Favorite New Author You Discovered in 2012?
John Green and Erin Morgenstern

7.  Best Book in 2012 that was Out of your Comfort Zone or was a New Genre?
The Art of Fielding: A Novel - I'm not a lover of books about sports so I don't think I would have chosen to read this one that centers around baseball but it was a great read with great characters.

8.  What was the Most Thrilling UnPutDownable Book of 2012?
Gone Girl: A Novel - definitely a page-turner and high on the Bat Shit Crazy Scale of Enjoyment!

9. Book that you Read in 2012 that you are Most Likely to Re-Read Next Year?
Let's Pretend This Never Happened: (A Mostly True Memoir) - because it is hysterical and I read it very quickly so that I could pass it off to friends to enjoy.  If I ever get it back, I'll read it again right away.

10.  Favorite Cover?


11.  Most Memorable Character?
Gus, from The Fault in Our Stars
Andre, from Townie: A Memoir
Alice, from Still Alice

12.  Most Beautifully Written?
The Fault in Our Stars

13.  Book that Had the Greatest Impact on You?
Fall of Giants - I was awed at the things I didn't know and now want to learn.  Why didn't I pay better attention in all my history classes?

14.  Book You Can't Believe You Waited Until 2012 to Finally Read?
Once a Duchess - I can't believe it because I'm so thrilled that after all her hard work Elizabeth was published and it's perfect and beautiful.

15.  Favorite Passage/Quote from a Book you Read in 2012?
“You don't get to choose if you get hurt in this world...but you do have some say in who hurts you. I like my choices.”
― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars  

“Without pain, how could we know joy?' This is an old argument in the field of thinking about suffering and its stupidity and lack of sophistication could be plumbed for centuries but suffice it to say that the existence of broccoli does not, in any way, affect the taste of chocolate.” ― John Green, The Fault in Our Stars

 “So I guess you could say Neel owes me a few favors, except that so many favors have passed between us now that they are no longer distinguishable as individual acts, just a bright haze of loyalty. Our friendship is a nebula. (34)” ― Robin Sloan, Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore  

“I can finally see that all the terrible parts of my life, the embarrassing parts, the incidents I wanted to pretend never happened, and the things that make me "weird" and "different," were actually the most important parts of my life. They were the parts that made me ME.” ― Jenny Lawson, Let's Pretend This Never Happened: A Mostly True Memoir

“My gosh, Nick, why are you so wonderful to me?' He was supposed to say: You deserve it. I love you.
But he said,'Because I feel sorry for you.' 'Why?' 'Because every morning you have to wake up and be you.”
― Gillian Flynn, Gone Girl

...and so many more.

16.  Shortest and Longest Books you Read in 2012?
Shortest - Lying (Kindle Single) - 58 pages
Longest - Fall of Giants - 985 pages

17.  Book that had a Scene in it that had you Reeling and Dying to Talk to Somebody About it?
Gone Girl

18.  Favorite Relationship?
Hazel and Augustus in The Fault in Our Stars

19.  Favorite Book from 2012 from an Author you Read Previously?
Fall of Giants - I love Ken Follett's epic sagas that go on for generations.

20.  Best Book from 2012 that you Read Solely on a Recommendation From Someone Else?
Townie - I didn't even know this book existed before a friend chose it for book club and it turned out to be about the town I grew up in. 


I have no idea what's coming up in 2013 but I can't wait to add to my never-ending library list.
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