tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2132551599219135402024-03-13T23:56:30.630-07:00The Book Gobbler"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend.
Inside of a dog
it's too dark to read."
~Groucho MarxBinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.comBlogger37125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-36399536253843224132011-10-20T14:50:00.000-07:002011-10-20T14:59:18.897-07:00A Super Good Halloween Read...<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ICisuuuFoY/TqCZASj6S8I/AAAAAAAAAOA/7ZH04s_z6KI/s1600/Coraline%2BCover.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 273px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-_ICisuuuFoY/TqCZASj6S8I/AAAAAAAAAOA/7ZH04s_z6KI/s400/Coraline%2BCover.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5665696561493593026" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Was perusing my book shelves this morning, and came across this favorite. Perfect spooky read for a chilly October (or Halloween?) day.</div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-52294644748781340592011-10-18T14:12:00.000-07:002011-10-18T14:13:23.581-07:00New Book Tuesday!<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJcjgVCQM7g/Tp3r3_6gd9I/AAAAAAAAAM8/4BH57XayAo8/s1600/New-releases-October-18-2011.jpg" onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 249px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rJcjgVCQM7g/Tp3r3_6gd9I/AAAAAAAAAM8/4BH57XayAo8/s400/New-releases-October-18-2011.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5664943253584115666" /></a>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-11456411634076024062010-07-06T16:19:00.000-07:002010-07-06T16:25:51.900-07:00So far, it IS as good as its cover.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://sfugue.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/boneshaker.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 600px;" src="http://sfugue.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/boneshaker.jpg" border="0" alt="" /></a>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-62216833000297874532010-07-05T19:49:00.000-07:002010-07-05T19:53:23.052-07:00Time for a facelift! Er, for this blog, I mean....No, seriously. It. Is. Time.<div><div><br /></div><div>Hang in there for some exciting changes!</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, you know what I mean, right?? It's just time to shake it up a bit, move things around maybe? And build a new template, so...here we go!</div><div><br /></div><div>(Was my last posting really all the way back in February? Jeeeeesus.)</div></div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-61492165952863702382010-02-15T21:07:00.000-08:002010-02-15T21:13:06.982-08:00So, I was surfing the internet...<div style="text-align: left;">...and came across this!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/S3ooZk1UjmI/AAAAAAAAALE/RHnj-MTZR88/s1600-h/sealcrasher.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 392px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/S3ooZk1UjmI/AAAAAAAAALE/RHnj-MTZR88/s400/sealcrasher.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5438703919852457570" /></a>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-39829040564823634542010-02-11T18:55:00.000-08:002010-07-06T16:30:26.578-07:00Library Book Attack!<div>Greetings, book lovers! And...er, dog lovers? cat lovers?!</div><div><br /></div><div>...oh, pshaw! Hello ALL!</div><div><br /></div>I recently discovered a gorgeous and ULTRA-close-to-me library, went in and signed up for a brand spankin' new library card! Yay! (Pictures forthcoming, too!) Went in to find myself deliriously wandering the rows and rows of neatly arranged books and, what started as an innocent excursion/exploration, evolved into a full blown...<div><br /></div><div>...LIBRARY BOOK ATTACK!</div><div><br /></div><div>At this juncture, you're probably wondering: What the heck is a library book attack?</div><div><br /></div><div>Well, it's simple really. Someone, such as myself, (i.e. a major book gobbling fiend!) visits their local library thinking they might find ONE book they can happily check out, take home, kick back in an easy chair and read at their leisure, only...</div><div><br /></div><div>...the library shelves begin to lean in, teasingly proffering their most varied and lovely treasures until, before you know what's happening, you have not one! not two! not even three! books in your trembling hands, but a towering stack of FIVE BOOKS!!</div><div><br /></div><div>Hehem. And here's what the libary attacked me with:</div><div><br /></div><div>Fingersmith ~ Sarah Waters</div><div>The History of Love ~ Nicole Krauss</div><div>Neuromancer (20th Anniv. Ed.) ~ William Gibson</div><div>Sunnyside ~ Glen David Gold</div><div>Drown ~ Juñot Diaz</div><div><br /></div><div>THIS on top of a handful of reads I'm already partaking in! Which are...</div><div><br /></div><div>Thief of Time ~ Terry Pratchett</div><div>My Life In France ~ Julia Child</div><div>The Coyote Road ~ Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div>Le sigh. Can't help it; surround me with a few good titles, and I am utterly helpless. </div><div><br /></div><div>Something tells me I best get reading.</div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-24631420653126684162010-01-29T20:06:00.000-08:002010-01-29T20:14:02.905-08:00Elizabeth Bennett, zombie slayer.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/S2Ox83OYmDI/AAAAAAAAAK8/5HYtWxdWYks/s1600-h/PPZ-Deluxe-1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 276px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/S2Ox83OYmDI/AAAAAAAAAK8/5HYtWxdWYks/s400/PPZ-Deluxe-1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5432381234713499698" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-30755718453553413522010-01-29T19:08:00.000-08:002010-01-29T19:17:40.176-08:00Yes, apparently I am still alive!Well, not that anyone is around to read this, but...<div><br /></div><div>...I'm here! I'm alive and all is well! <div><br /></div><div>Woohoo! </div><div><br /></div><div>A GREAT deal has transpired since my last puny posting in the summer (wow, that feels like a million years ago or so, doesn't it??) But...well, in short, I've no idea what is going to happen to this wee bloggity-blog of mine, but I've a feeling:</div><div><br /></div><div>A MAJOR FACELIFT OF SOME SIZE SHAPE IS DUE.</div><div><br /></div><div>On that note, I shall ask...any ideas? Hmm? Anyone? No?</div><div><br /></div><div>Sigh. Thought so. </div><div><br /></div><div>So, I'll get back to ya. Or...</div><div><br /></div><div>...will I??</div></div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-76984573646388331462009-06-06T12:27:00.000-07:002009-06-06T14:06:14.430-07:00Blog Posts via Cell Phone?!Help!!!<div><br /></div><div>Does anyone post via cell phone to their blog?! I've been trying to get my Verizon Wireless cell set up, thought I did it right, created a picture-post, but....I'm still not seeing anything on my blog! </div><div>*yes, I am horrible with technology*</div><div><br /></div><div>Help!!</div><div><br /></div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-81519730371702240052009-06-04T16:08:00.000-07:002009-06-04T16:12:03.093-07:0015 Books In Fifteen Minutes!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; ">This is a fun one that I just got tagged to do on Facebook, so, I thought it would make a great quick post (and no, don't have internet powers yet, darn it!) Anyways, here how ya do it: Don't take too long to think about it: fifteen books you've read that will always stick with you. Make sure it's the first fifteen you can recall in no more than 15 minutes. Re-post on your bloggity blogs if you're so inclined (I hope!) and let's see what everyone comes back with!</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'lucida grande'; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; ">Here are my fifteen in fifteen:<br /><br />1. The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury<br />2. Smoke & Mirrors by Neil Gaiman<br />3. The Once and Future King by T.H. White<br />4. David Copperfield by Charles Dickens<br />5. The Los Angeles Diaries by James Brown <br />6. Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen<br />7. Different Seasons by Stephen King<br />8. Watership Down by Richard Adams<br />9. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien<br />10. Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep by Philip K. Dick<br />11. Neromancer by William Gibson<br />12. Cages by Dave McKean<br />13. The House of Mirth by Edith Wharton<br />14. Clever Maids by Valerie Paradiz<br />15. Beloved by Toni Morrison</span></div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-17898096262050917462009-05-14T16:27:00.000-07:002009-05-14T16:38:43.589-07:00Internet-less & frustrated!So, I had some time today to pop by the library, sign into a computer and log in to re-visit my blog which has been sadly ignored since <gasp!> the end of April!<br /><br />ACK!<br /><br />I am currently without internet access at my wee hobbit hole (i.e. home), and, as it looks as I shall remain so for a while, I shall have to try to get into the library more frequently.<br /><br />Anyone out there who follows my blog still...I am alive and kicking! Please follow me on Twitter (there's a link at the bottom right of this page) as that is the only quick access I have at the moment!<br /><br />Cheers!BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-20507770955610482562009-04-27T16:40:00.000-07:002009-04-27T17:15:26.811-07:00Not a book review, a favorite poem.<pre><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hope is the thing with feathers (254)</span><br /><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Hope is the thing with feathers</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That perches in the soul,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And sings the tune without the words,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And never stops at all,</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And sweetest in the gale is heard;</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And sore must be the storm</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That could abash the little bird</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">That kept so many warm.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">I've heard it in the chillest land,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">And on the strangest sea;</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">Yet, never, in extremity,</span><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">It asked a crumb of me.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family:trebuchet ms;">~ Emily Dickinson</span><br /></pre>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-37569381516428236492009-04-21T10:24:00.000-07:002009-04-21T10:28:34.649-07:00If you like Neil Gaiman....<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/QH4lyJWa_84&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/QH4lyJWa_84&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-80089418742158526952009-04-19T15:33:00.000-07:002009-04-19T17:17:12.596-07:00Puppy Love<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Seum0tt-UmI/AAAAAAAAAJc/71AQ49n8kjo/s1600-h/buddies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 300px; height: 400px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Seum0tt-UmI/AAAAAAAAAJc/71AQ49n8kjo/s400/buddies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5326534408851575394" border="0" /></a>Sam & Pilot<br />xo<br /></div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-14669961526757314992009-04-13T17:16:00.000-07:002009-04-13T17:42:52.267-07:00Christian the Lion (grab a hanky)<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/cvCjyWp3rEk&hl=en&fs=1"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/cvCjyWp3rEk&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object><br /><br />When Anthony “Ace” Bourke and John Rendall, two recent college graduates from Australia, wandered into the Pet Department in Harrod's of London, England, the last thing they expected to find was a lion cub for sale. Christian the lion quickly won their hearts and before they knew it, they had bought him, brought him home to their London flat, and began the job of, yes, raising a lion cub.<br /><br />Ultimately, Ace and John knew that Christian was destined to live wild and be free and so, they embarked on a trip to Kenya, where George Adamson was working hard to rehabilitate lions into the wild.<br /><br />This footage, taken one year after leaving Christian in Adamson's care, shows the remarkable reunion of the best friends: Ace, John, and Christian the lion.<br /><br />What joy there is in true friendship...BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-56108272995739350632009-04-13T11:10:00.000-07:002009-04-13T12:03:45.904-07:00You may say "Glitch", but I say Great Big Boo-Boo.This was a fascinating weekend for the online corporate giant, Amazon.com and for free thinking readers around the nation. At some point over the past couple days, Amazon moved to "de-rank" a smattering of titles due to "adult content", meaning that a cursory search of a title/author would no longer automatically bring a particular "de-ranked" book to the forefront of the search.<br /><br />Read a great article about the glitch, <a href="http://blog.wired.com/business/2009/04/amazon-sales-ra.html">here</a>.<br /><br />Interestingly enough, these "adult content" themed books included a high percentage of gay/lesbian/transgender titles. Even Annie Proulx's recently film adapted short story <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brokeback_Mountain_%28short_story%29"><span style="font-style: italic;">Brokeback Mountain</span></a>, and D. H. Lawrence's classic <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lady_Chatterley%27s_Love"><span style="font-style: italic;">Lady Chatterley's Lover</span></a> got hit by this de-ranking "glitch".<br /><br />I mean, <span style="font-style: italic;">really</span>? Does anyone smell a wee bit of censorship in this so called "glitch"? Or is this only a LGBT specific kind of glitch? Don't know about you, but I don't want anyone deciding for me what "adult content" is and what it isn't (i.e. if I am over 18 - don't worry parents!)<br /><br />It's all a little too Big Brother for my taste.BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-1433270961277873142009-04-09T17:03:00.000-07:002009-04-09T17:08:13.488-07:00Just in case you were wondering...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sd6M06vYaqI/AAAAAAAAAJU/3qAz0bqfGTk/s1600-h/pride-zombies.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 277px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sd6M06vYaqI/AAAAAAAAAJU/3qAz0bqfGTk/s400/pride-zombies.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322846650347580066" border="0" /></a>I <span style="font-style: italic;">wasn't</span> kidding about the new book <a href="http://www.chroniclebooks.com/index/main,book-info/store,books/products_id,7847/title,Pride-and-Prejudice-and-Zombies/">Pride and Prejudice and Zombies</a>. This is an illustration from the brilliant new title by, none other than authors Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith. Those Regency women sure do know how to wield a dagger, do they not?<br /></div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-36341658801954395632009-04-09T13:04:00.000-07:002009-04-09T13:17:28.442-07:00A frozen moment...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sd5U9QqHMiI/AAAAAAAAAJM/TD63DR7rWhM/s1600-h/mysky.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sd5U9QqHMiI/AAAAAAAAAJM/TD63DR7rWhM/s400/mysky.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322785221018858018" border="0" /></a>Yesterday afternoon, I walked out to the parking lot and was met with a phenomenal cloud canopy. Took out my cell phone, kneeled, pointed it up, and <span style="font-style: italic;">just</span> as I snapped - the sun peeked out.<br /></div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-24732059153914109432009-04-07T13:50:00.000-07:002009-04-08T14:39:07.273-07:00PART II - Judging a Book By It's Cover? (Or the film adaptation poster art?) Something like that.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/SdzVcocXUcI/AAAAAAAAAIM/cqcJs-eSMOs/s1600-h/legend-of-the-seeker-poster1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 270px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/SdzVcocXUcI/AAAAAAAAAIM/cqcJs-eSMOs/s400/legend-of-the-seeker-poster1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322363547514524098" border="0" /></a>Yesterday, I had some fun comparing the two covers of <span style="font-weight: bold;">Wizard's First Rule</span>, by Terry <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Goodkind</span> and...<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">WOWZA</span> - what a difference a few years makes, eh? We started with a big red dragon <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">beasty</span> on cover #1, and have since axed the dragon and stuck a great big <span style="font-weight: bold;">AUTHOR NAME</span> at the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">tippy</span> top of cover #2. Good times.<br /><br />Mind you these are just cover art for book jackets. So, what happens when we get a film/TV adaptation? We get...ta-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">da</span>! A promotional poster! And yes, to your immediate left, you will find the official promo art for the adaptation of Mr <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Goodkind's</span> first novel from the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Sword_of_Truth"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Sword of Truth</span></a> series.Back in November, Disney-ABC launched this television series, entitled in TV-land, <a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.legendoftheseeker.com/index.html">T</a><a style="font-weight: bold;" href="http://www.legendoftheseeker.com/index.html">he Legend of the Seeker</a>. Lemme say it out loud. I love me some <span style="font-style: italic;">chop-<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">socki</span>-bow</span><span style="font-style: italic;">-and-arrow-sword-swinging-h</span><span style="font-style: italic;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">orse</span>-riding-wizard-wielding-action</span>, believe you me. And neither the books nor the TV series is lacking in that department <span style="font-style: italic;">at all</span>.<br /><br />In our television adaptation's promo poster, we have a gorgeous New Zealand back drop - that's where they film, those <span style="font-style: italic;">lucky ducks</span>; Richard (Sword of Truth in hand); <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Kahlan</span> (random ball of light in hand? <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Hmm</span> - I think that might be her "power"); and...yep. An archer dude. Don't know who he is, but he looks kinda-sorta ready to fire away. Maybe.<br /><br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Anywho</span>, I was pondering how all of these differing images - which <span>are</span> a story's first introduction to a new reader (or viewer) - change, mutate, reveal, underscore, highlight, or possibly even <span style="font-style: italic;">damage</span> a story etc., etc., etc. And, it's kind of fascinating. Publishers and promoters put loads of thought into this kind of stuff (we sure <span style="font-style: italic;">hope</span> they do, at any rate) and, thereby, loads of money, too. Yikes. So, in looking specifically at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Goodkind's</span><span style="font-style: italic;"> Sword of Truth</span> series, I wondered aloud to myself:<br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">1. Is the newer book cover more appealing to a readership less inclined to try High Fantasy</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">?</span><br /><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">4. Will the TV series drive curiosity and actually introduce </span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">new</span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> readers to the Sword of Truth books?</span> <span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><br /></span><br /><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">5. And now that there is a TV show based on these characters, will readers of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">bo</span></span><span style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">ok</span> (future or otherwise) forever see Richard and company with the actor's faces, or with their own brain's creations?</span><br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sdz5TKsnVcI/AAAAAAAAAI8/dk6Yw7BCXTg/s1600-h/Cover-SorcerersStone.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 136px; height: 200px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sdz5TKsnVcI/AAAAAAAAAI8/dk6Yw7BCXTg/s200/Cover-SorcerersStone.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322402967329396162" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sdz5b_ErtuI/AAAAAAAAAJE/zMr53WOiDCM/s1600-h/harry_potter_and_the_sorcerers_stone_ver4.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 135px; height: 200px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sdz5b_ErtuI/AAAAAAAAAJE/zMr53WOiDCM/s200/harry_potter_and_the_sorcerers_stone_ver4.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322403118827943650" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: left;">And speaking of the way a film can take over your own mind's idea of what a character looks like, I remember the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">uber</span> concerned whispers that erupted around the announcement of the first <a href="http://harrypotter.warnerbros.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Harry Potter</span></a> movie. Booksellers, kids, friends, colleagues, parents, <span style="font-style: italic;">everyone</span> (myself included) was worried about the infringement on the eye of their own imagination that might occur under the onslaught of a film director's own images. We all had, and have, our very own vision of how Harry, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Hogwart's</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Dumbledore</span> - you name it - should look. No doubt about it.<br /><br />Same could be, can be and <span style="font-style: italic;">is</span> easily said for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Lord_of_the_Rings"><span style="font-weight: bold;">J.R.R. Tolkien</span></a>'s <span style="font-weight: bold;">The Lord of the Rings</span>, or <a href="http://www.stepheniemeyer.com/"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Stephenie Meyers</span></a>' <span style="font-weight: bold;">Twilight</span> books. Each has a darn die-hard fan base of readers, and each has been adapted and turned into enormous box office smash hit. I admit to being one of "those people" who was a major detractor of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">LotR</span> films; that is, I was a detractor until I was actually sitting in a dark movie theater, and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Aragorn</span> took that puff of his pipe in the Prancing Pony which lit his mysterious features - I gasped! It was just as Tolkien described it in the book!<br /><br />At any rate, there are many many examples to draw from. Maybe I will revisit this again in the future, but for now, I shall leave you with this: my favorite character from the Sword of Truth <span style="font-style: italic;">books </span>and from the Legend of the Seeker <span style="font-style: italic;">television series</span>...<br /><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">Zeddicus</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Zu'l</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">Zorander</span>, </span><br /><span style="font-weight: bold;">Wizard of the First Order</span>:<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/SduWKdLAVPI/AAAAAAAAAH8/9f5bG5n6BNQ/s1600-h/legend-of-the-seeker-phot3-Zedd.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 267px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/SduWKdLAVPI/AAAAAAAAAH8/9f5bG5n6BNQ/s400/legend-of-the-seeker-phot3-Zedd.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322012491042018546" border="0" /></a>And I think they got it right - he is exactly what my <span style="font-style: italic;">own</span> imagination conjures as I read.BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-64119570379589073812009-04-07T13:37:00.001-07:002009-04-07T13:41:44.463-07:00VDAY: A Global Movement to End Violence Against Women and Girls<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sdu5xS8tU0I/AAAAAAAAAIE/51664cG-SLw/s1600-h/vday.gif"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 254px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sdu5xS8tU0I/AAAAAAAAAIE/51664cG-SLw/s400/vday.gif" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5322051641219568450" border="0" /></a><br />Check this <a href="http://newsite.vday.org/">OUT</a>. It means the world.BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-44691365481120510162009-04-07T08:35:00.000-07:002009-04-07T13:49:30.062-07:00PART I - Judging a Book By It's Cover?Lately, I've found myself sucked into a seriously High Fantasy novel (and by this I mean fire breathing dragons who can <span style="font-style: italic;">talk</span>. Yes, yes, I know; please don't ask.) And, I have to say, I find it incredibly fascinating in the way book covers periodically get the ol' redo - particularly those of the fantasy/sci-fi genre.<br /><br />Case in point: <a href="http://www.terrygoodkind.com/">Terry Goodkind's</a> Sword of Truth series. First off, I must say that I have quite surprisingly and entirely unexpectedly found this to be a very addictive storyline. Finished Book 1 awhile back, thought I was through and then, just the other day, found myself picking up Book 2 because...<br /><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">I have got. To see. What happens. Next.<br /></span><br />Who knew?<span style="font-style: italic;"> </span>It has all the basic goods you'd expect to find a good fantasy novel: a brave unassuming hero, a powerful Wizard father-like figure; a dark force of evil that must be defeated; a love interest which can never be...the usual stuff. And alas, I have fallen under its' spell.<br /><br />So, I was looking at the original edition's cover art and the more recent edition's cover art (don't ask how/why I have both editions - it's one of those bibliophile problems that occurs when you forget you already own a book) and thought....WOW. What a difference.<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-weight: bold;">Here is the first cover for Book 1, Wizard's First Rule:</span><br /><span style="font-style: italic;">(Richard our hero, astride the dragon; Kahlan, the Confessor in white gown, and Zed, resident Wizard of the First Order in dark robe with flowing white mane.)</span><br /></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sdt4dP9xIxI/AAAAAAAAAHk/vY7R7ibWhKA/s1600-h/first+rule.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 269px; height: 400px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sdt4dP9xIxI/AAAAAAAAAHk/vY7R7ibWhKA/s400/first+rule.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321979828565517074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">And more recently, the NEW cover for this same exact title:</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sdt6H2ugM4I/AAAAAAAAAHs/X_BHgwEBfak/s1600-h/first+rule+2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 264px; height: 400px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/Sdt6H2ugM4I/AAAAAAAAAHs/X_BHgwEBfak/s400/first+rule+2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5321981660036608898" border="0" /></a>Ack! Where did everybody go?! Looks like my fire breathing, talking, red dragon got the axe for the new cover (poor thing. I really like her); and Richard and Kahlan seem to be wandering the woods alone. Our author name certainly got a more attention grabbing font size, along with a "<span style="font-style: italic;">New York Times Bestselling Author</span>" mention!<br /><br />It's just like the David Bowie tune goes: "Ch-ch-ch-changes...!"<br /><br />(To come in PART II - what happens when you throw in a film/TV adaptation?)BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-55636957675316249472009-03-31T17:33:00.000-07:002009-03-31T17:38:29.212-07:00I'll take a "Jacob", please.Yes folks, there is a really neat-o thing to check out <a href="http://cupcakestakethecake.blogspot.com/2009/03/twilight-cupcakes-return.html">here</a>. Have I ever mentioned my sweet tooth/fang? <br /><br />Yuuuuuuummmmy.BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-9756823579479726902009-03-30T15:21:00.000-07:002009-03-30T16:10:27.014-07:00The Best Book Cover....EVER!!!<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/SdFQ5_lN1CI/AAAAAAAAAHM/OJom_lib_gE/s1600-h/3231304165_83cc602e80_o.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 284px; height: 400px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/SdFQ5_lN1CI/AAAAAAAAAHM/OJom_lib_gE/s400/3231304165_83cc602e80_o.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319121592151561250" border="0" /></a>I mean, <span style="font-style: italic;">seriously</span>. Do I even need to explain WHY?!!<br /></div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-14629533219308762522009-03-30T14:58:00.000-07:002009-03-30T15:02:27.848-07:00Another frozen moment...<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/SdFAu_33a7I/AAAAAAAAAGc/C1hGcUXt4-g/s1600-h/hellman2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_2ELj93Kbwmk/SdFAu_33a7I/AAAAAAAAAGc/C1hGcUXt4-g/s400/hellman2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5319103811065179058" border="0" /></a>Once again, I was rounding the corner on my way home from work, when I came across yet another gorgeous sunset. Hellman Ave at dusk is truly a 'magic hour'.<br /></div>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-213255159921913540.post-73276787625101214942009-03-03T14:54:00.000-08:002009-03-03T14:54:23.341-08:00Dog Fact #9: Short Stories & The A.S. King Omnibus ProjectHey!<br />Having just posted my own review of her new book, The Dust of 100 Dogs, I was mightily excited when this popped up in the blogging pipeline. I love hunting for an author's other writings ( if it's someone I truly enjoyed reading); here you will find links to some of A.S. King's short stories, published in magazines and the like. Check. It. Out.<br /><br /><a href="http://dogfact9.blogspot.com/2009/03/short-stories-as-king-omnibus-project.html">Dog Fact #9: Short Stories & The A.S. King Omnibus Project</a>BinkiesandFlopshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01699744251327392361noreply@blogger.com3