Author: Maire

Book Review: The Future Falls by Tanya Huff

September 7, 2015 by Maire in Book Reviews / 1 Comment

When Auntie Catherine warns the family of an approaching asteroid, the Gales scramble to keep humans from going the way of the dinosaurs. Fortunately for the world, they’re wielding a guitar and a dragon.

The Gale family can change the world with the charms they cast, which has caused some supernaturally complicated family shenanigans in the past. So when NASA and Doomsday Dan confirm Auntie Catherine’s dire prediction, Charlotte “Charlie” Gale turns to the family for help.

Spooky September Challenge: Why do you love to be scared?

September 6, 2015 by Maire in Writing / 0 Comments

Today is the sixth and last day of the Spooky September Challenge. I’ll attempt to answer the question: “Why do you love to be scared?”

Spooky September Challenge

It’s not really a question of loving to be scared. There’s a kind of thrill that comes from exploring the unknown. We live in a world where most of the Big Things have been discovered. We have satellites in space that can find a person in a crowd on earth, and the Radio Controlled helicopter has been turned into a much more intrusive toy.

Spooky September Challenge: Favourite Spooky Movies

September 5, 2015 by Maire in Writing / 0 Comments

It’s the second-last day of the Spooky September Challenge, and today we’re talking about favourite spooky movies! Here are my picks on a scale that ranges from “spooky” to “scary” and makes pit-stops in “made me jump” and “where’s my movie buddy? I need a hug”.

Spooky September Challenge: Favourite Spooky Creature

September 4, 2015 by Maire in Writing / 2 Comments

Another day, another spooky writing prompt from the Spooky September Challenge!

I have a hard time choosing a favourite spooky creature. I love critters of all kinds. If you really want to creep me out (and thus make me actively avoid a book/movie/whatever) — use insects. I think they hold a very valuable place in our ecosystem and perform a necessary role, but….no. No insects for me.

To get spooky, though….I have three Big Favourites:

Spooky September Challenge: Campfire stories? Nah!

September 3, 2015 by Maire in Hobbies, Writing / 3 Comments

Today’s Spooky September Challenge was supposed to be my favourite campfire story, but anyone who knows me well enough is aware that I don’t camp. I haven’t been camping for about fifteen years now, and that last time was supposed to teach me about all the awesome things I’ve missed out on, not being a camper (it was cold and rained almost the entire trip. Seriously. We had to go back into town to get a tarp because nobody brought one. Not my best weekend, only salvaged by good company).

So, instead, I bring you an update on the things I do when other people are telling stories around a bonfire. I knit.

Spooky September Challenge: My Favourite Horror Writer

September 2, 2015 by Maire in Writing / 2 Comments

Day Two of Parajunkee’s Spooky September Challenge!

It probably says something that first two “adult” books that I actually fully remember reading were Lovers and Gamblers by Jackie Collins and ‘Salem’s Lot by Stephen King. Both provoked almost equally horrified results from the folks who caught me reading them.

Spooky September Challenge: Ten Spookiest Books

September 1, 2015 by Maire in Hobbies, Whimsy / 4 Comments

Parajunkee’s View has issued a six-day Spooky September Challenge. I figured I’d participate, as there’s nothing I like better than the run-up to Hallowe’en. Seriously, folks, you have no idea how much I love Samhain. I love October 31st so much that I book time off from work to coincide with the day (usually a full week). I love Hallowe’en so much that as much as my significant is boggled by my enthusiasm for handing out candy at the door.

Book Review: My Real Children by Jo Walton

August 31, 2015 by Maire in Book Reviews / 1 Comment

It’s 2015, and Patricia Cowan is very old. “Confused today,” read the notes clipped to the end of her bed. She forgets things she should know-what year it is, major events in the lives of her children. But she remembers things that don’t seem possible. She remembers marrying Mark and having four children. And she remembers not marrying Mark and raising three children with Bee instead.

Book Review format for the Auroras

August 28, 2015 by Maire in Hobbies / 0 Comments

It had to happen sooner or later.

I figure that I should start posting my thoughts about the books I’m reading for the Auroras, mainly so that I don’t forget what I’m voting on. I’ve tried to actually create a form for myself, so that I can try to be fairly even-handed in the way I treat the books. I’ve tried to think of the things that I’m taking away from the books, positive and negative.
So far I haven’t read anything truly bad. Not that I expected that I would need to. Some of the content, however, raises questions for me, and the method I’m using to break it down seems to help.

Reading for the Aurora Awards

August 18, 2015 by Maire in Hobbies / 1 Comment

I haven’t disappeared! Particularly after the promises of my last post.

I’ve been on vacation the past 2 weeks. You’d think that would mean I had time to do things like write. Unfortunately, no.

I spent my time putting together IKEA, cleaning house, and hiding from the big, hot sun. When it wasn’t raining. I’ve had a lot of headaches this past couple of weeks. I’ve been trying to Instagram pictures where possible.

I did, however, sneak in a little time to read two of the contenders for this year’s Aurora Award for Best Novel. I’m working my way through the nominees so that I can make an informed choice. I’ll post my full opinions when I can figure out a format that adequately explains my reasoning in a positive manner.

Unless otherwise noted, books, yarn, and other products reviewed on Stringchronicity have been purchased by myself, gifted by family/friends, borrowed from the library, or receieved from the author/publisher, retailer, or manufacturer with no form of compensation.

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You are, as always, under no obligation to do so! Libraries and local storefronts are good! I highly encourage you to use your public library and shop local. Reduce, reuse and recycle where possible :)

Basically, make good choices.