Weekly Kitty Fix

An Eclectic Mix

Sneak Peek - The Edible Raven

Here is a sneak peek of the title page for one of my stories being published in the Edible Raven magazine, which will be out in a few weeks.

The idea came from a journal page my sister did called “Closet of Curious Toys.” I emailed her that not only did I love her sketch but that would be a neat title for a book. She emailed me back that for some reason another title popped into her head she thought would make a cool book title, The Curious Curse.

For some reason that title resonated with me and kept rattling around in the back of my head. Then one day taking a shower, a line came to me about a Curious Curse, a total nonsensical line, that rhymed. Over the next few days when showering or brushing my teeth, a few more, uh, let’s say interesting lines came to me to where I finally felt I would be able to extract them from the head to the paper.

I definitely feel I was influenced by Edward Gorey’s Doubtful Guest in writing this short, nonsense, a bit on the odd side (okay maybe a lot on the odd side) tale of a Curious Curse’s visit to a town. Once I had a rough draft completed I sent it off to my sister and it seemed to amuse her and thus, the first story of the Edible Raven took flight.

This is from the title page of The Curious Curse, for more sneak peeks of the story you can visit the Edible Raven website.

A Colorful Career

I stumbled upon this in the OnceWritten.com Newsletter. It is from Career Path and tells you what professions you may be suited for based on your color preferences. Thought it was an interesting approach and a good Friday diversion. Here you go if you want to check it out.

http://tinyurl.com/5mlka3

Odd and the Frost Giants by Neil Gaiman

I am not that familiar with Norse mythology but got interested after reading American Gods by Neil Gaiman. This book is a far less intense adventure with the gods along with a boy named Odd and Frost Giants. Though I suppose Frost Giants can be somewhat intense. I stumbled upon an article in the School Library Journal where Neil Gaiman talks about writing Odd and the Frost Giants for World Book Day if any one else is interested:

http://tinyurl.com/yac93th

Weekly Kitty Fix

We got this pet bed for them for Christmas. It first started out by my desk, then was taken out to the living room and placed by the couch, on the couch, by the chair, by another chair, then up to the bedroom by the bed, but they had absolutely NOTHING to do with. On a last ditch effort, I threw it on the landing. I think I may be on to something...

I don't know what took you so long.

Hatter M – Mad with Wonder – Volume Two by Frank Beddor with Liz Cavalier illustrated by Sami Makkonen

In Volume Two, Hatter M – Mad with Wonder, we continue to follow Hatter Madigan’s search for the princess of Wonderland, Alyss. This time the glow takes us to America in the Civil War Era. Like Volume One, 5-stars for illustrations and graphic set-up, great eye-candy. Also like Volume One, it starts out a little slow and takes a while to get back to the meat of the story. I think I almost found Hatter M Institute for Paranormal Travel back section more fascinating than the story, but when it hits the selves, I will be picking up Volume 3.

Weekly Kitty Fix

Even though the birthday started out kind of rough hiding behind the washing machine all morning, I think it ended up okay.

Happy Birthday Edward Gorey

Today is Edward Gorey's Birthday, one of my all time favorite writers and illustrators. Because as you know, "A is for Amy who fell down the stairs" and "B is for Basil assaulted by bears."

Illustration courtesy of the fine folks from the Edible Raven.

Happy Birthday Gretel

Happy 1st Birthday to our little girl...

Hatter M – The Looking Glass Wars – Volume One by Frank Beddor with Liz Cavalier illustrated by Ben Templesmith

I had just finished reading Alice and Wonderland when I saw this book, Hatter M The Looking Glass Wars Volume One in the Graphic Novel Reporter newsletter. I was intrigued on what twist they would do on the original story and from the cover; it also looked like great eye-candy.

The premise for the story is great. In this version we have Hatter Madigan, who is a loyal bodyguard to Queen Genevieve (the White Queen) and one of the fierce blades men of the Royal Wonderland Millinery. He wears a magical hat that is just as deadly as his blades. Queen Genevieve’s palace is under attack by Queen Redd and her forces. Queen Redd is Genevieve’s sister, who of course wants to off everyone’s head. To save her child, Princess Alyss, Queen Genevieve orders Hatter Madigan to take the little girl to the world on the other side of the looking glass keeping her hidden from the evil Queen Redd. However in transporting through the portal, Hatter M becomes separated from Alyss. Now in a strange world he must find the little girl before darker forces do and then find their way back to Wonderland before Queen Redd destroys it. The only thing he has to go by is his sixth sense of being able to see imagination’s glow and hoping that light will lead him to Alyss. However, he soon finds that imagination in this world is a precious sought out commodity with a high price tag and that dark imagination also exists.

Again, loving the premise, especially that we have a glowing imagination ora, but I will admit I thought the story started out a bit disjointed and hard to follow. I also found myself wanting more story and less sword fighting. I haven’t read Frank Beddor’s books, The Looking Glass Wars and Seeing Redd, and reading them might provide a better reference point for the graphic novels. But with that said, I am hooked and will be moving on to Volume Two.

I also found interesting the introduction and back section of the book from the Hatter M Institute for Paranormal Travel, a mixture of fact and fiction, or is it? Ben Templesmith’s illustrations were luscious as well as the book’s set up. A 5-star for eye-candy.

Weekly Kitty Fix

Even though Valentine's is over, here are a few more shots of sweethearts.

Happy Valentine's Day

Alice in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll

I will confess, I read this because of the upcoming Tim Burton’s presentation of Alice in Wonderland that should be hitting theaters next month (can’t wait!!). I am very curious to see his interpretation because where the Mad Hatter is only in one chapter plus a few pages in the book, considering who is playing him in the movie, I can’t help but think the Mad Hat will be playing a much bigger role.

Freebies

Free Printable Valentine Gift Tags from All Us All the Time.

Weekly Kitty Fix

Kitties and Ottomans

Heat Wave by Richard Castle

I got this book, Heat Wave, for my mom and sister for Christmas. We are all big fans of the show it is based on, Castle. They did not know there was a true book out so the gift got quite the squeal. I think this is a great promotion for the show and hope there are many future Richard Castle mysteries each written by a different mystery ghostwriter.

Unfortunately I could not separate myself from the characters in the TV show while reading the book. I don’t know if you have never watched Castle, if you would enjoy the book as much or not because a lot of the irony would be lost on you, but if you are a fan of the show I think you will enjoy the romp through the pages of Heat Wave. Oh, and if you do watch the show and haven’t read the book yet, oh yes, there is that sizzling sex scene...

Freekibblekat Hi-5

Today is Freekibblekat Hi-5 where by answering a fun meow trivia question, whether right or wrong, will result in the donation of not 1 but 5 free kibbles to animal shelters to help feed hunger homeless kitties. Help spread the word and provide nutrition meals to our four-legged friends while they wait for their forever homes.

Weekly Kitty Fix

Death: The High Cost of Living by Neil Gaiman

2009 had some of the best of times but it also had a ton of the worst of times for my family. That is why I thought it appropriate for the last book of my 2009 reading to be the graphic novel, Death: The High Cost of Living by Neil Gaiman with illustrations from Dave McKean, Chris Bachalo and Mark Buckingham. Finished it at 11:45pm on New Years Eve. Yes that is right, I am such a party animal.

As usual, Mr. Gaiman does not disappoint. Death: The High Cost of Living centers around Sandman’s sister, Death. One day in every century Death becomes human to better understand what it feels like for the lives she takes, or in other words, to have mortality.

On this day mortal death and a troubled sixteen year-old embark on an adventure to search for the heart of a two-hundred-and fifty-year-old homeless woman. Like my 2009 this quest has some best of times and then some not so pleasant times.

If you are not familiar with the Sandman series, the question is, why not? Okay, just kidding. I think you would still be able to follow along the story line without having read any of the Sandman Graphic Novels, but I highly recommend his whole series.