Redshirts by John Scalzi

Redshirts by John Scalzi
My rating: Save It
How I Acquired It: Library

Summary:
Ensign Andrew Dahl has just been assigned to the Universal Union Capital Ship "Intrepid," flagship of the Universal Union since the year 2456. It's a prestige posting, and Andrew is thrilled all the more to be assigned to the ship's Xenobiology laboratory. Life couldn't be better...until Andrew begins to pick up on the fact that (1) every Away Mission involves some kind of lethal confrontation with alien forces, (2) the ship's captain, its chief science officer, and the handsome Lieutenant Kerensky always survive these confrontations, and (3) at least one low-ranked crew member is, sadly, always killed.

Not surprisingly, a great deal of energy below decks is expended on avoiding, at all costs, being assigned to an Away Mission. Then Andrew stumbles on information that completely transforms his and his colleagues' understanding of what the starship "Intrepid "really is...and offers them a crazy, high-risk chance to save their own live.

My Thoughts:

I grew up watching Star Trek:TOS and watching TNG every night. Back then it was like what Law and Order or CSI is today. I did not know anything about this book until I read some of the reviews of some of the blogging buddies.

After I go into this one there was no putting it down. It did read like a Trek episode.THis book brought me back to where some mind-boggling creaures were lurking around the counter when crew member went on Away Missions. In REDSHIRTS follows Andy Dahl, recently assigned to the starship Intrepid. Dahl quickly begins to realize that there is something peculiar about the ship’s away missions – the captain, the science officer, and other select crew members always live even despite apparently insurmountable odds while the poor ensign (or more) dies. But the truth about this strange "coincidence" is stranger than the "coincidence" itself.

This book is a laugh-out book. It seemed that this book had great humor throughout this adventure as well as some interesting twists.

If you have read this book what were your thoughts?

AudioFiles: Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith

Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter
by Seth Grahame-Smith
My rating: Back It Up
Acquired: Library

I will admit this is my first monster mash-up that I have ever read. I have not seen the movie yet. I will wait to see it when it comes out on DVD.This sure was interesting to see how Grahame-Smith incorporated Lincoln's real-life events/tragedies with his war against the Vampires.He also made it sound plausible with the writing style that he used throughout the book as well.  This is so much better with all the other Twilight copycats that have been coming out in an alarming rate.

The book is built on the premise that Lincoln kept a series of secret journals over his lifetime chronicling his life-long battle against the dark forces of vampires, including their role in the Civil War and the perpetuation of slavery. I wish that there would have been more Vampire hunting in the book. 

While, I found that the premise of this book fun and I enjoyed listening to this book to and from work. If you are look for a book that is both a learning experience and yet a fantasy, then this book would be for you. 

Poetry Project-July

I decided to join the Poety revamp that is being hosted by  Kailana and Leslie.So I decided to give this project a whirl and plus I would lke to get more into it as well.This clip about is perfect from the Dead Poets Society if you ever saw the movie, if not you should.

Here are some questions for the first month.
Why do you want to join for the Poetry Project?
 I wanted to try something new and I sawthe Poetry revamp post. I thought that I really do not know much at all about poetry, so I figured why not learn more about. I think that this project would be a great way to get me started.

Do you have a favourite poet?
 I will say that my favo(u)rite is Edgar Allan Poe.I have been a prince of horror and gothic writings as long as i can remember. Poe's writings I have always been drawn to. My runner up in Walt Whitman,  I know Walt is a cop out. I hope to find more throughout this project.Whitman is what you think of when you hear the word poetry.

Hopefully this will go longer than a year. Do you have any suggestions for themes?
I think that it would be great to read poems from various centuries and/or decades.I also would like to ventures into some sci-fi/fantasy poetry as well. I am hoping that there will be more to come after this year of the project.

What are your experiences with poetry in the past? Have they been positive or negative?
Well, when I actually sat down to read some poetry the experiences are usually positive.  

Tell us about a poem or poet that has had a profound effect on you. If you can't think of a poem, how about a song? Or a line from a story? 
I will have to go with good 'ol Poe on this one. It is one of the first poems I can remember, The Raven. I like the way that Poe has the ability to send chills up your spine.

What frustrates you about poetry or the way we talk about poetry?
After reading a poem and wondering what they heck the poets was talking about.  I read it again and still wonder what they were trying to get across. 

Tell us something about yourself that has nothing to do with poetry!

I am a Viking fan living in Packer country.....I also like the Ravens what a shocker.
I love speding as much time as I can with my little 2 year old minion.

Happy 4th of July

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman

Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
My rating: Save It
Published: 1996

This is my first experience by Gaiman and I sure did like this book. I started this book as a group read lead by Carl over at  Stainless Steel Droppings, but as usual the distraction called life prevailed.I think that it was even better listening to the author reading his own masterpiece. I do recommend that everyone listen to the audiobook and you will not regret it.

This book took a week or so longer than expect, because I could not listen to the book going to work. This was due to the fact that my muffler rusted off from the exhaust. Thus, it sounds like a Harley was in my backseat. I could not get much from listening to the radio. 

I like it that Gaiman put a normal man Richard Mayhew stuck in the middle of his magical world(London Below) and he was thrust ed in this world after a meeting a bloodied girl, Door on the street. I think that there are few people that cannot relate throughout this journey of London Below. Gaiman did a great job putting the reading in the shoes of Richard, because the reader was thinking what Richard is thinking at that moment. I am thinking WOW this was his first novel.

I am glad that I read this book; I have been a fan of the dark arts for quite a while. It was a big thanks to Tim Burton movie and no I cannot choose which one.I love this gothic style of writing it was a painting f charters throughout wanting me to get some more.

After reading this piece if work, I think that I am going to be reading some more Gaiman. After reading this book, I wonder if there is a London Below in other towns and cities or maybe your town. Well..it is a thought.

Rise of the Guardians Trailer

 If it was not for Andrew I would not have heard of this Dream Works movie that is set to come out around November. I will say that it looks like a good one to see in theatres. It has been a WHILE I have been excited about a movie coming out. It has been remakes and/or ideas done visited over and over again.

Here is the idea of the movie:

When an evil spirit known as Pitch lays down the gauntlet to take over the world, the immortal Guardians(Santa Claus, Easter Bunny, The Sandman, Tooth Fairy, Jack Frost) must join forces for the first time to protect the hopes, beliefs and imagination of children all over the world.

This looks like a movie that people of all ages will love.

Going to Be Full

I am not that sure what we are getting ourselves in for.We volunteered to watch my cousins' their 3 boys ages(5,3,1) this weekend.Their mommy was Aquagirl's sitter for the first year. I am glad that for our sanity that they are good kid. Well...the middle one can be a monster sometimes, but Aquagirl and him play together just fine.


So by the calculations we have 2 kids per adult. It is going to be an interesting weekend. We have never experience the amount of minions sleeping over night. My wife of course will be worrying, but I think everything should go just fine. It is going to be quite an adventure this weekend.