More Comedy In Our Lives

I have decided that I am going to host a challenge/read-along. Everyone needs to have some humor in there life. As the saying goes, Laughter is the best medicine....well as long as it is not aimed toward you. 

I am thinking of hosting a read-along of the first book of the Douglas Adam series, The Hitch Hiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. I am hoping to do it in either March or April. I will let you know on the specifics. 

As of right now, it is just in the incubation period.

Here is the plot of the book:

Seconds before the Earth is demolished to make way for a galactic freeway, Arthur Dent is plucked off the planet by his friend Ford Prefect, a researcher for the revised edition of The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy who, for the last fifteen years, has been posing as an out-of-work actor.

Together this dynamic pair begin a journey through space aided by quotes from The Hitchhiker's Guide ("A towel is about the most massively useful thing an interstellar hitchhiker can have") and a galaxy-full of fellow travelers: Zaphod Beeblebrox--the two-headed, three-armed ex-hippie and totally out-to-lunch president of the galaxy; Trillian, Zaphod's girlfriend (formally Tricia McMillan), whom Arthur tried to pick up at a cocktail party once upon a time zone; Marvin, a paranoid, brilliant, and chronically depressed robot; Veet Voojagig, a former graduate student who is obsessed with the disappearance of all the ballpoint pens he bought over the years.

If you are interested just coment below. Thank you

 

Neverwhere Read-along Part1

 I decided to join in a read-along that Carl V., over at Stainless Steel Droppings, is host this month. So when Carl decided to host a Group Read with Neil Gaiman's Neverwhere, so I figured i would join considering that this book has been on my TBR pile.It is sure is an interesting book, but it is Gaiman after all.

Each week question will be answered by the people part taking in the read-along and I know I am a bit late on mine.

1.  What do you think of our two villains thus far, Messrs. Croup and Vandemar?


Mister Croup and Mister Vandemar are ruthless, lethal and DO NOT waste their time to take care of business.The conversations between this two is quite interesting and knowinf some of the diaaters that they singly handled caused.

2.  Thus far we've had a small taste of London Below and of the people who inhabit it.  What do you think of this world, this space that lies within or somewhat overlaps the space the "real world" occupies?


So far there is nothing that really stands out or is unique about London Below(LB). The Rat Kingdom is different with the inhabitants in the LB society. I think that it was funny that Richard found the rat that he shoed away earlier in the book.

The Rat speakers are like their rat lords capitalize on opportunity like each Richard's food and such.

3.  What ideas or themes are you seeing in these first 5 chapters of Neverwhere?  Are there any that you are particularly drawn to?

I just wonder what else is going to go wrong for Richard. Since saving and meet Door his life has been turned upside down. After this event, he does not exist in London Above. I wonder if he will become a member of Below society.

4.  We've met a number of secondary characters in the novel, who has grabbed your attention and why?

  Anathsesia was a character that grabbed my attention. The way that Gaiman build a wonderful, yet fascinating character is a few pages.To miss a character after just meeting her is a testament on how great he can make them in limited words. Plus, the name is very memorable as well.

5.  As you consider the Floating Market, what kind of things does your imagination conjure up? What would you hope to find, or what would you be looking for, at the Market?

The Floating Market is like a jack of all trades for markets. Growing up I went to quite a few Flea Markets but the difference is that the Floating Market moves from place to place like a circus.I can imagine finding finding anything magic related at the markets and a lot of the dark arts that Snape from Harry Potter would have loved to get his hands on.


6.  If you haven't already answered it in the questions above, what are your overall impressions of the book to this point?

I am glad that I joined the read-along and I am loving everything about this book. It is a Tim Butron-esqe type of an atmosphere, in which I love. 

Locke Lamora Read-Along Part I

I have been wanting to read this book for a while. I have had heard nothing, but great things about from the book blogosphere. This read-along is being hosted by quite the crew dubbed the Directors of the Lynch Mob:

Dark Cargo

Little Red Reviewer

SFSignal

MyAwfulReviews

Dark Cargo Explorer (Doing a Slower Version)

This book sure is interesting thus far. I am not quite through the last chapter yet. It has been a crazy world this week out side my reading working. Worked a couple 12 hour days and running 6 days this week and . Does not leave a whole lot of time to sit down and read sometimes..:)

I also think that it is pretty cool that Scott Lynch is going to be actively involved in the read-along. This is a first for me being in a read-along with the author being a participate.Then again the other read-alongs that I was in the author is deceased.

 

1. If this is your first time reading The Lies of Locke Lamora, what do you think of it so far?  If this is a re-read for you, how does the book stand up to rereading?

This is my first time reading The Lies of Locke Lamora. It is quite interesting to say the least in the different obstacles that has encountered already in his life. This book is better than I expected and now I can see why Andrea loves this book so much. I like Scott Lynch's humor throughout the book so far. Some of those part suppose to be funny right? If not his cast crack me up at times anyway..:)


2. At last count, I found three time lines:  Locke as as a 20-something adult, Locke meeting Father Chains for the first time, and Locke as a younger child in Shades Hill. How are you doing with the Flashback within a flashback style of introducing characters and the world?

The flashback upon flashback is a bit confuzzling at times. I am getting use to it now. At least Scott does warn us in the book. With a new number, you do not know if it going to be a flashback or continuing on with the current one. For the most part it is not that bad. I am not that sure if wife would like this book with trying to keep 3 stories straight.

For some reason, the flashbacks work just right for this book.

3. Speaking of the world, what do you think of Camorr and Lynch's world building? 

I feel that Carmorr is quite an interesting place to say the VERY least. The city of Camorr, and the world that it inhabits, is pretty obviously based off of a late renaissance era Venice, and regularly makes reference to the Therin Throne, a fantasy-Rome.

I like the way that Lynch make you feel that you are right beside Locke thoughout his journey.  His world-building is something that I have never experienced this way before. Makes me want more and see what the next wrinkle in his world will be. I sure do like that he provided a map..:)

4. Father Chains and the death offering. . .  quite the code of honor for thieves, isn't it? What kind of person do you think Chains is going to mold Locke into?  (have not gotten this far just yet)

5. It's been a while since I read this, and I'd forgotten how much of the beginning of the book is pure set up, for the characters, the plot, and the world. Generally speaking, do you prefer  set up and world building done this way, or do you prefer to be thrown into the deep end with what's happening?

I like the way that Lynch does his character development and world building. When you get thrown in the deep of it all. The author has to back track and sometimes it does not work.I am not a fan of being thrown in the middle of the war and then back tracking and finding out how we got here in the first place.  I like to know how the story progresses in this writing style.

6. If you've already started attempting to pick the pockets of your family members (or even thought about it!) raise your hand.

I could not help myself officer I have been reading this great book..and..and. Can you believe that they would not read my book while waiting to get bailed out..lol That would be a yes I have been trying to pick pock family member co-worker and my boss(ya sure). I would be interested to see how everyoine else answers this question.

That is all my answers for week 1 folks. I am not doubting at all for joining in this read-along..:) Thank you for stopping by my blog.

Scott Lynch Read-a-Long

Cover of The Lies of Locke Lamora

There is a reading a event that you do not want to miss and it being hosted by Little Red Reviewer, Dark Cargo, My Awful Reviews, @OhthatAshley posting at SF Signal, and Dark Cargo Explorer. This is what I love about being a book blogger your fellow bloggers find different ways to expose you to great authors. I have never read him, but have heard GREAT things about his books.

Here are some of the details:
Detail the first: We’ll be getting started with The Lies of Locke Lamora the first week of March and Red Seas Under Red Skies sometime in mid to late April (which should give everyone a chance to get copies), and we’ll read 120 – 160 pages per week, with discussions going up on the weekends. Paperbacks tend to run less than $10, electronic probably a bit less, audio probably a bit more, limited editions from Subterranean Press considerably more so.  Any version is fine. Chapter breaks and other timing info to be posted later this month.
Detail the second: These are some of my favorite books, by one of my most favorite authors. You can expect much fan girlishness from me. What I said before about restraining order behavior? uh, yeah, that was me.  Here’s hoping all the other bloggers will be much more mature and professional.
Detail the third:  These books are rated super R for casual violence, violence towards children, promotion of flexible morals,  massive amounts of glamorized criminal activity, occasional drug and alcohol use, a smidgen of bought and paid for sex, and oh gods, the swear words.

If this sounds like it would be down your alley just stop in any of the hosting blogs that you would like participate in the read-a-long.

Foundation Group Read Part II

Hello Everybody.Welcome to Part II of the Foundation Groupread, hosted by Carl from Stainless Steel Droppings. A big thumbs up for taking on the task of hosting this Group Read. I cannot help the fact while reading this book I did compare it the Star Wars Episode IV: A New Hope. I am sure that there were more of you out that did the same and I did.




The answers to some of the question may include spoilers to the book...here is your warning. 

---

Salvador Hardin was the first character in the book that we got to spend any significant time with. What are your thoughts on the grande finale of his plotting, scheming and maneuvering to get the Foundation through to the next Seldon crisis?

Now talk about a politician through and through. Hardin continued to manipulate events to his favor throughout this section of the reading. With the Foundation that Hardin built with its technologies. You would think that the Four Kingdoms would want to work with Hardin. Instead being in a war with someone that cut vital technologies that you rely one. Just don’t mess with someone that can make you life miserable. We had Seldom in this section as well so it is always great to hard him to bring us back.

What are your thoughts on the way in which control/manipulation to achieve Foundation ends began to shift with The Traders?

I will admit that the The Trader section was a big yawner compared to Hardin chapters. A short tale, set fifty-five years after “The Mayors,” “The Traders” is a tale of how the application of religion to science has effectively become a stagnant policy. After witnessing the fate of the Four Kingdoms, no nearby star systems are will accept Foundation technology. A new force for expansion is revealed, however, through the use of trade.

From the shift from religion to the trading just give one a interesting perspective on how things do change throughout time. Just that is how it used to be done does mean that it way that it use to be. Thus it can change from year to year.


One of the interesting things about Seldon’s psychohistory is how much one man can actually affect it. In Foundation we see characters like Hardin and Mallow as key figures for positioning things just right to work towards Seldon’s later predictions. Do you see this as a contradiction to what Seldon said about psychohistory at the beginning of our story or part of an overall plan? Discuss.

I will admit some of the information was hard to grasp in an audiobook. As much and Hardin and Mallow want the Seldons plan to go accordingly.  I have a feeling that it is not going to happen as smmoth as they think it will go. A monkey wrench somewhere is going to thrown into the mx and askew the smooth sailing.

This has happened throughout history. The interesting part is going to be be how will the Foundation be able to regain after being diverted.



Has your concept/thoughts of what Seldon was trying to do changed at all since the book began?

It has not changed much for me at least. I know he is a genius and I like it when he draws us back in if we get side tracked. One thing that I still waiting for is how his  grand plan is going to eventually unfold.  

Any final thoughts on the story as a whole, its structure, what it did or did not accomplish, how it worked for you, etc?

I am liking what Asimov did in the second half of the book with character development. It seems more rushed in the first part of this book. I liked how he had elaborated more on who and what Hardin in to the Foundation. I could not stop listening to this book. I was either listening to it in the car or at home. I sure wish I could listen to it at work..:) I am excited to be able to read the next two books. Speaking of which the second book in the series is at the library right now.



So are you going to join the group in the next book Foundation and the Empire..it start tomorrow.

LOTR Read-A-Long:The Two Towers Part 3

Samwise Gamgee: I wonder if we’ll ever be put into songs or tales.

Frodo Baggins: What?

Samwise Gamgee: I wonder if people will ever say, "Let’s hear about Frodo and the Ring," and they’ll say, "Yes, that’s one of my favorite stories. Frodo was really courageous, wasn’t he, Dad?" "Yes, my boy, the most famousest of hobbits. And that’s saying a lot."

Frodo Baggins: You left out one of the chief characters: Samwise the Brave. I want to hear more about Sam. Frodo wouldn’t have got far without Sam.

Samwise Gamgee: Now Mr. Frodo, you shouldn’t make fun. I was being serious.

Happy Saturday, to everyone that have been traveling on this quest to Mount Doom. Reading the Lord of the Rings during this time of the year just feels perfect book to be devoured into. I hope that everyone enjoyed the second book in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy in The Two Towers. This week’s discussion questions were provided by Andrea of The Little Red Reviewer.
At this point of the story, Sam and Frodo were travel through Shelob’s Lair and was betrayed by Gollum(he gave up hobbit to Shelob). Sam was suppose to he he food and Gollum wanted to get his precious. Shelob was to stun Frodo. There was a change in the plans and many of you found out. Sam fended off Shelob and some Orcs found Frodo and brought up to a chamber while he was still unconscious. There is where the book ended with Sam to go on the quest alone.
on twitter? use #LOTRreadalong
Link your post in the comments, or tweet it to me.  Once again, thank you for joining us on our journey to Middle Earth!
What Other Bloggers Thought:
Little Red Reviewer 
Blue Fairy's Bookshelf
Stainless Steel Droppings
Lynn’s Book Blog
All Booked Up
The Written World


Faramir strikes me as a noble, intelligent fellow, especially concerning powers beyond his control.  Had he gone to Elrond's Council instead of Boromir, how might the story have changed?
I think that Faramir and Aragon would have had a leadership struggle while Aragon was “left” to be in control of the Company. I think this because Faramir is use to giving orders and other not questioning his authority most of the time.
I think that Faramir would have been beneficial throughout the journey with his knowledge of the land. With him not having the horn that Boromir had, I am not that sure how the Orc attack would have concluded. The whole party possibly might have been murdered.

What did you think of Shelob and her lair? Would you willingly go in there?  Yes, I know Gollum says "this is the only way", but Frodo could have demanded they explore and attempt to find another way.
I think that I would have been leery of Gollum considering that he has a split personality disorder. As I stated last section, I am a fan of caves. I am not that sure if I would have went in, because Gollum said that it was the ONLY way. Gollum took advantage of the burden of The ring was putting of Frodo physically and mentally.
There is always another way to get to a place. It may take longer, but I would not have bought Gollum’s choice of this is the only way.

When Sam saves Frodo from Shelob, he finds himself in the vision he saw in Galadriel's mirror.  Knowing the future isn't always as helpful as one would think, is it?
Growing up I wanted to have a time machine like on Back To The Future. Now I am not that sure if I really want to know things that I would mess up on in the future. In this case, I do think that seeing the future is helpful for Sam.
Sam does realize that he can come up big when his master NEEDS his the most. He is Mr. Clutch facing the Shelob. I am sure that Andrea enjoyed another sider chapter in this read-a-long.

Having always been a sidekick/helper of sorts, Sam reluctantly realizes he may have to become the Ringbearer. What do you think Sam will do with the Ring of Power? If you were the sidekick of the hero, and suddenly had the opportunity to become the hero, to finish the quest, what would you do with the Ring of Power?
For me, I have identified with Sam during the entire quest. i think that Sam would finish was he and Mr. Frodo set and started that seemed like eons ago. Like he said at the end of the book when he was debating with himself. He would finish the quest if Frodo is not alive. I think that Sam will take a detour and save Frodo from the Orcs, if he can.To Sam he would be lost if Frodo was gone for good.
As for me I would give it a valiant effort to finish the job to destroy the One Ring at Mount Doom. I am not that sure how successful I would be. I would try to save my friend or master as well.

The conversation between the two Orcs at the end was highly amusing for me.  Yes, it serves to educate Sam on Frodo's condition, and Tolkien could have just left it at that, but he didn't. The Orc's commiserating could have been any soldiers in any war.  To me, it felt like Tolkien was humanizing the enemy, instead of the traditional dehumanizing of the enemy that you usually see in war stories. What do you think?
I am with Andrea here and I thought that this part of the story was funny. It was great Sam found out that Frodo was alive after being stunned instead of Frodo being dead. I think that it helps that Tolkien served in World War I. So he has first hand knowledge of how soldiers socialize with one another.
This is what is so great about Tolkien. You are in a serious situation in the Lair and such. Then he throws this part in the book. It would have been interesting to have met him in real life.
The book ends on a cliffhanger. Are you excited to finish up the trilogy and see how it all turns out?
I am itching to start the Return of the King. I am not that sure if I can make it til November 5th to begin read the book. It is going to be interesting to see how the trilogy finishes up after ROTK.I was on the edge of my seat for most of this book. So far, this is my favorite book in the LOTR story.
My heart is still racing with me just finishing the book on Friday night, while I write this post.

Just wanted to put out a snippet out there as well about the a word that occurs all the time. When Tolkien uses peril throughout the book(s). I just think of the 80's cartoon The Smurfs. With the overuse of the word "smurf" and its derivatives in a variety of meanings. Great now I think I might get my Smurfs DVD out..:)

I would like to thank everyone for joining the LOTR Read-A-Long to Middle Earth with Andrea, Carl V and myself.
Do not forget to leave your link to your blog post so that visitors can see what your thoughts were in this section of the Read-a-Long.

The Two Towers Section 2

"'Not this way, master!' he pleaded. 'There is another way. O yes indeed there is. Another way, darker, more difficult to find, more secret. But Smeagol knows it. Let Smeagol show you!'"
Welcome back everyone to the Lord of the Rings Read-A-Long. We(as a group) now continue the reading of the The Two Towers, the second book of the epic classic of Lord of the Rings. Below are the discussion question that your truly decided to ask for the whole group to answer with their thoughts. You can also add other remaining thoughts after the questions as well.
This week it was Carl from Stainless Steel Dropping turn to ask the questions. I thought that he found and though up some great question for the group to answer. It was nice for him to join the Question Crew for The Two Towers and beyond.

What Other Bloggers Thought:
 Little Red Reviewer
Blue Fairy’s Bookshelf
All Booked Up
Stainless Steel Droppings
Lynn’s Book Blog
Book Den 
Passages of the Pen 
Remember to post your discussions no earlier than this Saturday, and if you're on twitter use #LOTRreadalong.  Here are this week's questions:
1.  The Glittering Caves of Aglarond; Fangorn Forest:  Which of the two would you be most excited to visit once the war was over? 
For me this is a tough one. I am a fan of both forest and caves. When I was in grade school, I was privileged enough to be able to visit Monmoth Cave down in Kentucky. We did not get the chance to really get to know the Glittering Caves. There would be a great chance that I would pick the Glittering Caves as my after the war visit…well as long I make to that point at least.

2.  How did you like the reunion of at least part of the fellowship at Isengard?  Did any part of it stand out to you?
I did think that was great for part of the Company the to tell the other what their side of the quest has gone so far. As well as how the did get to Isegard in the first place. It aslo thought that it was kind of neat that the hobbits were in ill prepared conditions for company. It just shows that hobbits are always wanting to entertain thier guests regardless where they may be at the moment.
The part that really stood out to me was what Ents did to Isegard to wipe out Saurmans Army of Orcs and other villians of evil were flooded out by the Treebeard and Company. I can still see Treebeard doing this in the movie adaptation by Peter Jackson.
3.  What are your thoughts about Galdalf's confrontation with Saruman?
This confrontation reminded me so much of Star Wars. Why would it remind me of a space opera. The fact, that first Saurman offered his hand to Gandalf and together they would finish this war together. Then after that Gandalf offered Saurman a way out of his melicious ways by allowing him a way out, but under certain stipulations.
There was plenty of other people imvoled that were nervous throughout this confrontation. They were wondering what was going to really happen in the end. In the end Saurman’s pride and greed for power was just to much to give up.

4.  We learn a great deal about the Palantir in this section.  How do you feel about Saruman given Gandalf's speech about the use of the Palantir?  Would you, like Pippen, be tempted to look in to see what you could see?
I think that I would have been with Pippen and wonder what you can really see in the Palantir. I am not sure i would go to the lenth that Pippen did and take from Gandalf and tick him off in the process.
It sure interesting with the fact that he can see so much throughout Middle Earth. To the viewer, you see multiple events can create a false impression on the viewer.
5.  What are your thoughts about Smeagol/Gollum in this first part of his journey leading Frodo and Sam?  For those of you who've seen the film, are you hearing Andy Serkis in your head when you read Gollum's lines?
The parts where Gollum talks it is like taking with somebody that has a multiple personality disorder. Sometimes he is Smeagol and other times he is Gollum. Whatever his name is I would trust Gollum at all, but he has Frodo and Sam in a pickle. Due to the fact, that the two have no clue where they are going and what terrain is set before them. 
Yes, i hear Andy Serkis voice whenever Gollum speaks in the book. I can hear the voice and I laugh every so often just thinking back to the movie. There was much blood shed in the battles that were fought in the Marshes. It always seems that battle sites always have a story to be told.

6.  Sam and Frodo are not traveling in the most picturesque part of Middle-earth.  Which would you find worse, the seemingly impossible to leave mountains or the Dead Marshes?
I think that the worst part is the Dead Marshes. It just seems that a person or a group can get turned around in the marsh in a hurry. Not to mentions with the faces in the water. It is like going to Gettysburg or even an Indian Burial Ground. 
In this case the Dead Marches are no different, but the Marches seem to be haunted and those who are hypnotised by these lights. Then you can end up as one of the dead as well.
7.  Tolkien introduces us to a lot of places in this section of The Two Towers, many just getting a mention in passing.  What do you think of Tolkien's place names (Minas Morgul, Isengard, the Emyn Muil, and on and on)?  Do any stand out to you?  Are there any that you don't care for?
There are so many places that are mentioned through out the quest in this section of the jounrey. Sure would be interest to actually get know know more about all these wonderful place in Middle Earth. It seems that Tolkien likes to tease the reader in this part of the story.
The one place that stand out to me is Minas Tirith. I am not that sure why of all the places mentioned throughout the quest this is the one that stands out to me as much as it does. I did not get to see Return of the King. There were no places that I did not really care for though. I found out that every place in Middle Earth has a place in its history.
I would like to thank everyone for joining the LOTR Read-A-Long to Middle Earth with Andrea, Carl V and myself.

The Two Towers Section 1

Curse him, root and branch! Many of those trees were my friends creatures I had known from nut and acorn; many had voices of their own that are lost for ever now. And there are wastes of stump and bramble where once there were singing groves. I have been idle. I have let things slip. It must stop!

Welcome back everyone to the Lord of the Rings Read-A-Long. We(as a group) started reading the first section of The Two Towers. I do think that Tolkien did capture  both humor and being serious in the same event. Below are the discussion question that your truly decided to ask for the whole group to answer with their thoughts. You can also add other remaining thoughts after the questions as well.

What Other Bloggers Thought:
Andrea
Carl 
Kailana
The Blue Fairy’s Bookshelf
Lynn’s book blog
Book Den

Remember to post your discussions no earlier than this Saturday, and if you're on twitter use #LOTRreadalong.  Here are this week's questions:

What is your favorite part of The Two Towers, thus far into the book?

I would like to say the entire section was my favorite part of the book, but I know technically that is not a part par say. If I do have to choose a favorite part it would be the Treebeard chapter. I found it great that Merry and Pippin helped thew cause of more nations to face off against the power of Saruman.

In the chapter, Treebeard convinced his fellow Ents to join the forces of Gandalf in the battle against Saruman, whom have been killing his fellow Ents.

What were your thoughts of Boromir trying to defend Merry and Pippin from Orc archers?

I was with Little Red Reviewer not able to trust Boromir fully especially after his confrontation with Frodo after the FOTR. After reading that he gave his life trying to protect Pippin and Merry with the invading Orcs was something to be said. In my opinion, he did rectify what he tried to do at the end of the FOTR.

I thought that he did a great job trying with all his might to fend off the Orcs as long as he could until help did appear.

What thoughts would have been going through your mind if you were approached by Treebeard?

What would be going through my mind...hmmm. Something like a tree is approaching and asking me what I am doing in his forest. With Treebeard being 14 feet tall and looks like a tree would get me to wonder, “Did I eat some kind of strange and hallucinogenic mushroom. A tree is talking to me now...well it is better than smurfs I guess.

After getting that out of my heard, I tell him that I just escaped from some disorganized Orcs. I am on a quest, but were separated from the company. 

What were your thoughts and reactions of the battle at the Hornburg?

I thought that Jackson did a good job with adaptation of this scene in the movie. I thought it was hiarious that Gimli and Legolas were competing on how many Orcs that they killed throughout this battle.

This section of this book was very compelling how the Riders of Rohan and the reamining Company set out to defend Helm's Deep. With how the company(Gandalf) did save the King of Rohan to continue to being poisoned by Wormtail.

Do you like it that Tolkien has split the Company into three mini-quests? Do you wonder if the company will be together throughout the quest again?

I think that it is great on how Tolkien does have the Company split up into three different quests within the Company. It shows that everyone in the Company does in fact have something to offer and have a variety of skills. We(as readers) did learn so much more about Pippin and Merry with how they escaped from the Orcs and how they handled Treebeard and the Ents. I do think that we will be learning more about Sam before this journey to Middle Earth is finished.

As it stands at this moment, I do not think that Frodo and Sam will join the party at the end of the journey. As much as I want to see it, just do not see it happening.


Other Thoughts:
With the amount of surprises we had in the first section of The Two Towers. It will be interesting to se what will be popping next in the next two section,lus we have an entire to read.
The Company found that Gandalf is alive He is now Galdalf the White is here to help finish the quest to Middle earth.
I also thought that it was something about Eowyn being named to be hier to the throne if something does happen to the King and his son Éomer.


I would like to thank everyone for joining the LOTR Read-A-Long to Middle Earth with Andrea, Carl V and myself.

Fellowship of the Ring Group Read Section 2

"It is no small thing to have come so far, and through such dangers, still bearing the Ring."

Welcome everyone to the second section of the Fellowship of the Ring read a Long. part one is here, if you would like to take a look at the post.

This week is my turn to decide what to ask the group. I could not believe that I had to narrow it down to 5 question. I could have asked so many more in this action packed part of The Fellowship of the Ring. I know that you have lives outside of books(scary thought), I did not want it to seem like a term paper or anything like that. This past week read chapters At the Sign of the Prancing Pony thru The Ring Goes South. Discussion posts are not to go up any sooner than Saturday. We( Little Red Reviewer, Stainless Steel Droppings or Geeky Daddy) you are added to the link lists so that everyone can see your bloggy thoughts as well.

Who twitters here? I do and if you do as well use the hashtag #LOTRreadalong for discussing this group read.
Other  Discussions:
 Little Red Reviewer
All BookedUp
Stainless Steel Droppings
The Written World
My Rammblings
Blue Fairy's Bookshelf
Mithril Wisdom

 Here are the questions below:
1. What was your initial thoughts of Strider/Aragorn when Hobbits met up with him in The Prancing Pony? Did you think that he was linked with the Riders?
2.What was the biggest surprised to you during this section of the Fellowship of the Ring?
3.Do you like that Tolkien goes in depth and tells the readers of the history events of the war that is upon the Fellowship?
4. How far do you think you would have lasted if you were Frodo and nearly becoming a Rider?
5. As dangerous quest unfold to become, the other hobbits want to stick by Frodo til the end. Would you sacrifice yourself and stick with Frodo til the end?

Here are the answers to my own questions:


1. What was your initial thoughts of Strider/Aragorn when Hobbits met up with him in The Prancing Pony? Did you think that he was linked with the Riders?
I was not that sure about him at first. I did feel the same way that Sam felt toward Strider(whatever his name is) just not that sure if I could trust him.At the Prancing Pony he was made to be an outsider and did not feel all that welcomed there at the inn. So how could the hobbits and readers really trust him from how he was being portrayed.

Well yes I did feel that Strider was connected to the Riders. Well that is until the later that the Butterbur failed to deliver to Frodo and the party. After reading Gandalf's letter then I was assured that Strider was the the travel guide that the hobbits needed.The last thing that the hobbits needed was to get themselves in anymore pickles. He was truly there to help the hobbit out and not lead them into some kind of a trap.

2.What was the biggest surprised to you during this section of the Fellowship of the Ring?

The biggest surprise to me in this section was finding out the true identity if Aragorn. He is the heir of Isildur. Yes the same Isildur that cut the One Ring from Sauron's hand. That right there just through me into a loop. It got me on the edge of my seat and wonder out loud. "Huh..now I did not see that whatsoever."

3.Do you like that Tolkien goes in depth and tells the readers of the history events of the war that is upon the Fellowship?

The  way that I grew up, yes I love this historical part of Tolkien. This is in my element, I grew up in a household(well my dad at least) that try to help you find out why we are dealing with the issues that is currently bestowed upon us.I
 like the stories that whomever it is and finding out when the hobbits and company are really try to get rid of the ring in the first place.

4. How far do you think you would have lasted if you were Frodo and nearly becoming a Rider?

I think that I am strong willed and have a high tolerance for pain. I do have about as good as luck that Frodo and the Hobbits have as well. I feel that I may have last as long as Frodo did with the help of his friends trying to get him the medical attention that he needed.

Well i would like to think that I would have lasted as long as Frodo anyways.

5. As dangerous quest unfold to become, the other hobbits want to stick by Frodo til the end. Would you sacrifice yourself and stick with Frodo til the end?

Who thought of a question like this I would like to know. Oh yeah it was me..:) As close as Frodo and the other hobbits are, I do not think any of them would even think of about leaving the party. They started this together and will end it together.

As for me, I would sacrifice myself to go with Frodo and it would matter what we would come up against. As long as we could get the quest accomplished I would be at  Frodo to the ends of Middle Earth.

Other Thoughts:
I thought that this sections was so much more serious than the first section. It seems that the fellowship is really starting to get down to business. I just could not believe how much more action there was in this part of the Fellowship of the Ring.

I surely hope that you come to join us with the last section of the Fellowship of the Ring. i just wonder what new things will we learn about Frodo, the Ring and anything that relates to the Fellowship. I hope to hear from you then.

Fellowship of the Ring Part 1

 Welcome to the Lord of the Rings Read a Long. During this month we as a group will be discussion The Fellowship of the Ring(FOTR). If you do a post, leave your link in the comments, and Little Red Reviewer and myself will edit our co-hosting pages to include a direct link to your post.Are you one twitter? use hashtag  #LOTRreadalong

This past week, we read the first 8 chapters, of the  FOTR. The kind Little Red Reviewer took care of the questions this time.In the FOTR the first 8 chapters we covered.  Here we go:

1. Hobbits seem to have songs for everything!  I didn't realize this was a musical. . . . how are you liking all the songs? 
2. I love that we learn about Gollum and his past so early on. It gives a dark and foreboding (dare I say, perilous?) feeling to the whole thing. Were you surprised that the story took a dive towards the dark and scary so quickly?
3. Tom Bombadil!  what and who is he???  If you met him in a forest, would you trust him?
4. What did you think when Pippin, Merry and Sam told Frodo about their "conspiracy", and that they pretty much knew what he was planning from the beginning?
5. What's your favorite part of the book so far?

View other  blog discussions:

Little Red Reviewer
Stainless Steel Droppings  
All Booked Up-Elena

1. Hobbits seem to have songs for everything!  I didn't realize this was a musical. . . . how are you liking all the songs? 
I never thought that you could have a musical in a book, but that is what it seems like right now. Tolkien did make it work. It does show you that during simple times, all you needed to do was strike up a song to lighten to mood a little bit.I sure do wish that was always the case, but not that sure if people would like to hear me sing in the first place.

Singing in a book is different, I for one am not all the use to it singing and being jolly during an adventure.

2. I love that we learn about Gollum and his past so early on. It gives a dark and foreboding (dare I say, perilous?) feeling to the whole thing. Were you surprised that the story took a dive towards the dark and scary so quickly?

I was not that surprised to learn about Gollum and his past so quickly. Frodo needed to know how Bilbo came into the possession of the ring. The past also shows how dark Gollum really is as well.He murdered to get his precious and then was consumed by the ring and that is all he thinks about.. It is interesting to find out that ring chooses who it goes with majority of the time. The ring might be shiny, but it show there is much more than meets the eye and the amount of history behind it is unreal.

3. Tom Bombadil!  what and who is he???  If you met him in a forest, would you trust him?

I do think that this Tom fellow is some kind of a cross between a elf and human. Maybe he was a love child or something.:) I do think that I would have to trust somebody that got my companions free from a Willow tree that was swallowing them whole.I would trust him enough to follow him home.

While reading this I sure do wish that I did live in Middle Earth. The kinds of adventures that these people sure do have. Just makes a season want to get away.


4. What did you think when Pippin, Merry and Sam told Frodo about their "conspiracy", and that they pretty much knew what he was planning from the beginning?


I thought that it was clever that they used Sam the most trusted one in the group as the spy. It was funny that Frodo was dumbfounded that they knew what he was planning on doing as soon as he could.There is so much more to Sam than meets the eye.
I think that this was great planning to really find out what Frodo was up to before he pulled wool over their eyes. This just shows that his friends will be with him until the end of the journey.

5. What's your favorite part of the book so far?

I will say that my favorite part  book is when the group goes  into the Haunted Old Forest. It reminds  when I was kid going into the forest behind my parents house when it was dark. You could swear that the trees were moving toward you and even talking. Also getting turned around was an easy feat as well.
I can relate that Frodo and his party quite easily.

This is all for the week discussion questions. Let me know what your thoughts are about the questions listed about. Next week I will be asking and answering the questions.

Lord of the Rings Read-A-Long Schedule(Updated)

Image via WikipediaI am sure that most of you are wondering when the Lord of the Rings Challenge is going to begin for the month of September. As of right now we are planning on starting the Fellowship of the Ring Book on September 3 or before if you are really getting antsy to read it.

The questions will be send out September 8th and the answers will be be on mine and Little Red Reviewer's blog on September 10 and whomever else  would like to blog with us.

• 1st week (Little Red Reviewer does questions) A long Expected Party thru Fog on the Barrows down (8 chapters)
• 2nd week (I do questions) At the sign of the prancing Pony thru The Ring Goes South (7 chapters)
• 3rd week (Little Red Reviewer does questions) A Journey in the Dark thru The Breaking of the Fellowship (7 chapters).  

We hope that this works out great for everyone participating. So tell all your friends about the event that is going to be taking place for the next couple of months. It is not to late to join in the LOTR Read-a-Long. You can sign up here or through Little Red Reviewer. 

The Hobbit Group Read-a-Long Discussion Part 3

I just cannot believe that The Hobbit part of the Read-a-long has now come to a close. We’ll be picking up The Lord of the Rings trilogy next month, so there’s more excitement to come! It sure was something  how Bilbo and the band of misfits survived as far as they have in the book. just the way that the team did get past some of the blocks in the travel is also something to be said, but mostly because of little helpless Bilbo Baggins.

Here are the Discussion questions below for the final section of the book:

What were your thoughts of how Smaug was killed? If you did not like it what do you think Tolkien could have done differently?
Were you satisfied with the ending of The Hobbit?
What or who was your favorite part of the book?
What were your thoughts when Bilbo gave Bard the Arkenstone of Thrain?
After reading the book will you be going to see The Hobbit in theaters?

Other responses:

Little Red Reviewer
The Blue Fairy's Bookshelf


What were your thoughts of how Smaug was killed? If you did not like it what do you think Tolkien could have done differently?

I did not mind how Bard took the dragon down with a Hail Mary shot. It was a Doug Flutie caliber shot all for nothing. With Bard being to his last arrow and he came through when his people needed him most. I would have liked it a little more if the dysfunctional party would have had more to so with taking down Smaug. I did like the way that Bilbo delivered the message to the Lake people.

Were you satisfied with the ending of The Hobbit? 

I was satisfied how the book ended, but I did not like the lull that was in the middle of the book. I did like the way that action did pick up quite a bit in the end. Tolkien is a good story tell at times and other times he is okay at best. In the third section, I did like some of the twist and turns that he brought us though to the journey. I did like that Thorin did reconciles with Bilbo before he dies.
I just cannot believe that Bilbo during battle hide during the whole affair of the 5 race war with the slip of the ring on his finger.

What or who was your favorite part of the book?

After meeting Smaug the "badass" I was wondering how the party was going to take down the dragon.The suspense was keeping my reading and did not let me put the book down.  In the end, it was not them at all. It was bard that did their dirty work and killed Smaug. I would have rather had the party do something more than nothing.

It sure is hard to choose what party is my favorite, but I choose this one. It was either this or how Bilbo escaped from the riddle game of Gollum.

What were your thoughts when Bilbo gave Bard the Arkenstone of Thrain?

At first I was wondering what in the world was Bilbo trying to do giving away the Arkenstone, something that means so much to Thorin. Then you read on and see that Bilbo knows that a war between the dwarves vs the lake people and elves is about to commence. The tension was so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Bilbo gace to them in hopes a bargaining piece so that the dwarves would not attack the other two race. i think that this shows that little Bilbo does have in his small frame.

Bilbo is trying so hard to keep peace between the two side. That thoughts was lost when the goblins showed by all 3 races joined together and defeated the goblins in the end.



After reading the book will you be going to see The Hobbit in theaters?

Who came up with this question anyways...oh yeah it was me. Yes of course I will be seeing the movies in theaters. I saw all Lord of the Rings at the BIG SCREEN. So I will be their with chain mail(not quite) and all. Here are the details of the movies, if anyone is wondering.  What kind of a geek would I be if i did not see this feature at the movie theatre...hmmm:)

I would like to thank everyone for joining  Little Red Review and I  in the journey throughout the book. Do not forget to join us in the reading of the Fellowship of the Ring(first book of Lord of the Rings). We will starting reading it Labor Day weekend.We will have a schedule posted up soon.

The Hobbit Group Read-a-Long Discussion Part 2

Sorry everyone my post scheduler did not work for the day that I wanted this post to go up....ugggh. 

The march with Bilbo has continued this past week in The Hobbit Read-a-Long Round 2. It seems that the dwarves are starting to respect Gandalf's decision in choosing Bilbo to come along on the trip to regain their treasure from the dragon.

This week, Andrea (Little Red Reviewer) took on the challenge of coming up with this week’s discussion questions. Thank you Andrea! She sent out a list of questions giving responders the option of answering all or just some of the questions.  

Remember these are my answers of the read-a-long. Go ahead and visit Little Red Reviewer and see her answers and thoughts about the second part of the The Hobbit.

Here you go ans see what my thoughts are thus far:

There's some thought that Gandalf purposely didn't prepare the dwarves and Bilbo very well, that much of their trials is him testing them. What do you think of that theory, and what do you think he's testing/preparing them for?

I think that Gandalf did do this on purpose to the party in fact. It is like a life lesson, if you are thrown lemons you do what you can what life throws at you. After that you hope for the best. The party sure is gelling together as a good cohesive unit on the venture to regain the treasure from the dragon.

What did you think of Bilbo's escape plan from the Wood-Elves?

Well the party was stuck in a fortress that there were two way to get in and out. I think that it was great thinking for Bilbo. The downside of the plan from the dwarf’s point of view was being stuck in a used barrel floating down the river. Some of the barrel smelled better than others, but now some of the party is scared for life. With them smelling whine or fruit the whole way.  

For what Bilbo had to work with it did an adequate job, but the problem was he forgot to think of himself getting in a barrel as the elves were tossing the barrels. To me Bilbo sure does not think a plan ALL the way through at times. At the moment, it may sound great, but later he gets the oh crap factor. He gets bite in the hind end. I give the plan a B-

Do you like Tolkien's writing style?

I like the way that Tolkien tells the story. It is like my father or grandfather is telling me a story before going to bed as a child. He also allows the reader to have an imagination.  Two people can picture a character in his book(s) differently. I like the freedom that he shows.

Some authors get to descript and does not allow the reader to have much of an imagination, thus losing the readers interest.

What did you think of Smaug? How does he compare to other fantasy novel dragons you've come across?

Smaug is the classic dragon; deeply magical, he hoards treasure and burns innocent towns. He is something the people around the mountain fears. Something different about Smaug is his smart and tries trickery to get at HIS enemies. He is much like Ursula K. Le Guin, world of Earthsea, but the dragons do in fact change from the beginning of LeGuin’s series.

In the beginning with unbounded greed for hoards of precious jewelry; later, they grow in stature and nobility, to become virtual demi-gods who speak the "Language of Creation" as their mother tongue. Later still, it is revealed that they share an ancestry with humanity, and that some rare humans (always women) can change into dragons at will.

How in the world is a hobbit and a bunch of unorganized dwarves who have hardly any weapons going to defeat an angry and greedy dragon?

This is going to be an interesting feat to see if the party can defeat the dragon that is both fierce and good at trickery, as well as intelligent. With the limited weapons it is going to be something on how they are going to take down this beast. The dwarves do know that there is a kink in the amour for the dragon. Bilbo did see that Smaug’s left breast is exposed at told the rest of the party.

Will the thrush (it looks like a robin) get some reinforcements for the party that is not really sure which way is up. 

We will see at the last this of this thrilling adventure.  Then we will be seeing whar happens in the end with the dysfunctional party.