Little Thoughts About Books and Stuff

Of Dice and Men: The Story of Dungeons & Dragons and The People Who Play It by David M. Ewalt My rating: 4 of 5 stars I received an ebook copy from Netgalley. Description HERE, THERE BE DRAGONS. Ancient red dragons with 527 hit points, +44 to attack, and a 20d10 breath weapon, to be specific. In the world of fantasy role-playing, those numbers describe a winged serpent with immense strength and the ability to spit fire. There are few beasts more powerful—just like there are few games more important than Dungeons & Dragons. Even if you’ve never played Dungeons & Dragons, you probably know someone who has: the game has had a profound influence on our culture. Released in 1974—decades before the Internet and social media—Dungeons & Dragons inspired one of the original nerd subcultures, and is still revered by millions of fans around the world. Now the authoritative history and magic of the game are revealed by an award-winning journalist and lifelong D&D ...

Once Upon A Wallflower by Wendy Lyn Watson My rating: 3 of 5 stars I received an ebook copy for review from Netgalley. Mira Fitzhenry is the poor relation.  She lives with her uncle and his family and is made to feel sub par in every way.  She doesn't fit in with society's standards and has grown to accept how everyone views her.  She has the misfortune of sharing a name with her cousin and therefore becomes a pawn in her uncle's plan to get out of debt and save his own daughter.  Her uncle has promised that Miss Mirabelle Fitzhenry will marry the Viscount Ashfield in exchange for his gambling debts to be cleared by the Viscount's father the Earl of Blackwell.  The Earl is a scoundrel and the Viscount is rumored to be a murderer, to dabble in the black arts and a number of other unsavory things. Nicholas, the Viscount Ashfield, reminded me of a romantic version of Heathcliff from Wuthering Heights .  They are both dark, brooding men who spend their ...

Forgive Me, Leonard Peacock  by  Matthew Quick My rating:   4 of 5 stars I received an ebook copy from Netgalley. This book is so many things and all of them add a different element that makes it hard to put down. This story is a glimpse into the life of a troubled teen who has figured out how to slip through the cracks and play the system.  He is alone in the world, dealing with some major issues and feeling as if no one cares.  He uses the fact that his birthday has arrived and no one seems to know or remember as an excuse for what he feels must be done.  He must end his life and the life of his former best friend. We are on the journey with him as he goes through his day saying goodbye to the four people who he has connected with in the past few years. There's Walt, his elderly next-door neighbor, who has introduced Leonard to Humphrey Bogart movies. The two will spend full days watching the movies and quoting lines back and forth. Walt is th...

Pirates and Prejudice by Kara Louise My rating: 4 of 5 stars When I fist saw this book I got excited.  The first thought that crossed through my head was "OMG please, please, please let it be a cross between Pride and Prejudice and The Princess Bride ."  If that wasn't your first thought take a moment and think about. Okay done thinking? Good! If you have a similar imagination to mine, then this book pretty much lived up to your imagination.  Instead of being captured by pirates, Darcy is mistaken for a pirate. He can prove he's not the dread pirate but the officials need his help to capture his pirate double.  Now you might be asking how distinguished Mr. Darcy was mistaken for  pirate. Darcy really let himself go after Elizabeth turned him down. It is while he is disguised that he is reunited with Elizabeth, who has been on the Isles of Scilly with her father visiting his sick sister.  On their return trip to England a bad storm hits, their b...

Last night I did an adult craft of origami flowers. I had fun and they seems to enjoy playing with glue (they kind of overdid the glue part of the craft). First I cut up an old book that was falling apart: Once I had the book pages cut it was just time to wait for the day of the program. Last night was craft night:  I was all set for my crafters! Here's how to make the Kusudama Flowers: For full written instructions you can visit   WikiHow - How to Make a Kusudama Flower

Austen in August Reading Event hosted by  Roof Beam Reader I have a lot going on in August so I'm not going to push myself. I plan on reading two books, both by author Kara Louise August is also the month of CNJ JASNA 's yearly Box Hill Picnic. The Box Hill Picnic is one of the most famous scenes in Emma.  We enjoy gathering together and having a strawberry dessert.  This year in honor of 200th anniversary of the publication of Pride and Prejudice we are picking our favorite passages from the novel. I'll have my favorite passage posted a few days before our meeting. What's your favorite passage or quote from Pride and Prejudice?