Tuesday, February 24, 2015

TELL ME TUESDAY #33


TELL ME TUESDAY is a feature that oozed from the fried brains of myself and my best blogging buddy, after a mind twisting Armchair BEA Twitter party.  It is a weekly, or bi-weekly feature (depending on your reading style), where you tell us what you are reading now, and why, and what you will be reading in the future from your tbr pile, and why. I am oh so curious why people read what they read. So tell us!!

JOINING US THIS WEEK
Pili at In Love With Handmade
With her 27th TMT post!!
& Rex Robot Reviews

Go have a peek at what they are reading too.



This is how I feel right now...

This TMT is going to be a little different. I am going to tell you why I am NOT reading something right now.


If you stopped by last week you know that after I finished reading The Infinite, I was going to start this steampunk book and was excited because I had never read any full-fledged steampunk before.

I was enjoying it...

BUT THEN


The main character who is supposed to be an intelligent, independent, COMPASSIONATE, free-thinker starts repeatedly using the the word "poof" to describe some of the guests attending her ball.

POOF
[poof, poo f] 
nounBritish Slang.







1.
Extremely Disparaging and Offensive. a contemptuous termused to refer to a male homosexual.
2.
Offensive. an effeminate male.
Also, pooff, poufpoovepoofter.
Origin
1840-50; French pouffe



Now... I know not everyone would know the specific definition of this descriptor, but the reader would know from the context that the protagonist was using it as a slur, much as someone today would use "that's gay", or the more serious "f" word.

I emailed Month9 Books and basically told them that although I was enjoying the book, l was a bit rattled about the use of this word and included the above definition. I continued saying that my problem was it was repeatedly said by the MC, and it was not used as a positive teaching point, nor did it add anything to the story.

They forwarded my email to

Georgia McBride Media
Home of Month9 Books, Swoon Romances, and Tantrum Books

In return Ms. McBride sent me an abrupt reply in which she justified it by comparing it to the "N" word being used in Histoical Fiction. Shockingly, to me, she actually spelled the word out.


QUOTE

"As for your concern, I would say that it is no different than using the word "n***er" or "colored" in a book which takes place before 1980. As a historical piece, we must allow for use of words that were popular, slang or not, at the time in which the story takes place. Not to do so would offer an inauthentic presentation of the times."

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An INAUTHENTIC PRESENTATION OF THE TIMES in a Science Fiction Steampunk novel set in the 17th Century, where they have humanoid robots that talk and are emmigrating to a place called New France? Hmmm...

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She concluded with this...

"I stand 100% behind the language used in our books as an authentic representation of the times in which they take place."

Well, let's see.. there are a few cracks in that statement even if you do consider Science Fiction set in the 17th Century "Historical Fiction" for your justification.


1. This is an offensive British term and the story is set in France.

2. Ths term wasn't used until the 1850s and the time period for the story is the 17th Century.

3. The slur was being used to describe men who dressed in fancy lacey clothes and knew how to dance, and this would have been not only acceptable for the upper class of that time, but preferred. Therefore, this word, even if it did fit the time period, would not have been used to describe these men.

4. The French word, if it was applicable for that time period and circumstance (which it would not be), would have been "pouffe".



Was I expecting a return email saying HOLD THE PRESSES we have made a huge mistake in the use of this slur? Of course not. However, I would have liked a much less dismissive reply. One that said they would look into the matter and do a little research as to its appropriateness and level of potential offense to readers. Also, maybe after some Googling that updates to the ebook might reflect some changes to the text. Keep in mind this is an ARC that doesn't come out until May.

Why any author or publisher would want to take the chance of offending a certain group, or give the impression that intelligent, compassionate teens would use slurs against a certain group, and that it's okay, is beyond me. Especially in a YA book.

I am going to finish the book later, if only to include this information in my review.


What do you think?

Sunday, February 22, 2015

THE SUNDAY POST #EIGHT


THE SUNDAY POST is a weekly feature hosted by Kimba at The Caffinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to recap the previous week, share news, showcase books and/or bookish things we have received, and tell about what is coming up on our blog in the next week. You can view the rules, HERE.


I've become depressed with this neverending sub-zero weather, so I have been using my mother's strategy and looking at seed catalogs and daydreaming about flowers.



There were a lot of things going on this week, so I will be hitting on the highlights I can remember because it was kind of a blur.

EDELWEISS

I had wanted an ARC of Made You Up even though it is YA Contemporary, and I don't usually read those, because it deals with Schizophrenia. I had two acquaintances in college suffering with it. One has done okay and one hasn't. I am truly curious how this book handles the subject. I was happy to see I was approved.


I like to browse the "download" selections for gardening books and cookbooks and I came across this excellent book...


It is mainly about using every possible part of a plant in cooking, but it also has tips on storage and nutrition facts. You can read my Goodreads mini-review, HERE.

※※※

My heart's desire this week on Edelweiss was Peaceful Neighbor and I was over the moon when I saw I was approved.


Mr. Rogers was a huge part of my son's childhood. I had the privilege of meeting Fred Rogers when my ex and I shot the production stills for an episode he filmed in Ithaca, N.Y. The man simply radiated positive energy. I will be doing a special review of this book and will include some of those photographs.


I posted a TMT on Tuesday.



BOOK MAIL

I received my Goodreads First Reads win of The Winter People, and my Amazon order of Serendipity Market arrived.

AND


My Reviewer Appreciation Giveaway prize from author Lori M. Lee arrived! I was expecting a signed hardcover of her first book, Gates of Thread and Stone, and an ARC of the sequel, The Infinite, but she sent me both signed in hardcover!


Again, I will get better photos for my end of the month Stacking the Shelves post.

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PURCHASED

I had been disappointed to find out that the ebook of Seraphina  I received from Netgalley was only a sampler so I was overjoyed to find it as an ebook for $1.99 this week!  I can now binge read because I did get a complete ARC of the sequel Shadow Scale from Netgalley.



FREE

I was alowed to pick a choice of two books from a selection of four Amazon Read It First books because of my Prime 30 day free trial. I chose The Mermaid's Sister and some other book I can't remember because it was a mystery (not my thing)


*Note... I am glad I got the Amazon Prime free 30 day trial because the television /movies selection is weak and most of the shows I want to watch are at extra cost, even the past seasons!  Also, most of the movies I am interested in cost extra to rent even if they are years and years old. The free two day shipping is only on a very small number of select items and the book I ordered that had it included took four business days to get here! It is not a good deal for what my needs are. I will be looking into Hulu and Netflix.



Any sugestions about Hulu and/or Netflix?

Tuesday, February 17, 2015

TELL ME TUESDAY #32


TELL ME TUESDAY is a feature that oozed from the fried brains of myself and my best blogging buddy, after a mind twisting Armchair BEA Twitter party.  It is a weekly, or bi-weekly feature (depending on your reading style), where you tell us what you are reading now, and why, and what you will be reading in the future from your tbr pile, and why. I am oh so curious why people read what they read. So tell us!! 



※ PARTICIPATING THIS WEEK ※


AND

Rex Robot Reviews

Go take a peek at what they are reading and let them know what book you have in hand this week.


I'm on my third review book of the month...



It's an eARC from Month9 Books and I am loving it! Steampunk Science Fiction set in 17th Century France is a new reading experience for me in so many ways.


WHAT ARE YOU READING?


Sunday, February 15, 2015

THE SUNDAY POST #SEVEN



As you can see my blog is all wonky. I couldn't reload my feather background after I removed the Valentine background, so I had to use one of the Blogger default images. When I did that, it reset my color scheme (I also noticed that some of the fonts changed, too). I have been trying to change all the settings back to custom, but my Kindle has decided that it wants to dance with Blogger, so it's jumping all over the place, and it won't let me copy and past, so this is going to be an ulta-short post.


THE SUNDAY POST (also, it says auto-c and the word anticipator are off, but it just changed Sunday to abundant) is hosted by Kimba at The Caffeinated Reviewer.

Someday I am going to do a full blog post about Fhkeindle the Kindle demon.


I did manage a TELL ME TUESDAY and you can read it, HERE.

I received my order from Book Outlet a day early.



I was going to get better pics, but the Kindle needs extra bright lighting for sharp photos and that requires some help from my son, who seems to be gone most of the time this semester. I am going to start posting an end of the month Stacking the Shelves, so I will do a better job for that.

※※※※※

The two Septimus Heap Books were Scratch and Dent specials and their dust jackets were in better shape than a couple of the regulars. Go figure. I was a bit miffed that on two of the Gabrielle Zevin Birthright books they put the cutout black marker ticks on the top page edges and not the bottom. I was, however, pleased that all the of the Zevin trilogy books matched. This was my first BO order and I was for the most part pleased. Six of the seven books are hardcover, and Harry a History is a softcover, so it is larger than a paperback and the cover is more durable; with shipping included the books averaged $6.00 apiece. I also recieved a very nice free calendar.

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I won Eileen's New Year giveaway over on BookCatPin, and received a $10.00 Amazon gift card; thanks Eileen! I spent it right away, of course, and bought the ebook omnibus of all three of His Dark Materials books.



And...


It is still frigid and snowy here.


Where do you look for discount physical books online?


Tuesday, February 10, 2015

TELL ME TUESDAY #31


How do you like the special Valentines Day motif?


TELL ME TUESDAY is a feature that oozed from the fried brains of myself and my best blogging buddy, after a mind twisting Armchair BEA Twitter party.  It is a weekly, or bi-weekly feature (depending on your reading style), where you tell us what you are reading now, and why, and what you will be reading in the future from your tbr pile, and why. I am oh so curious why people read what they read. So tell us!! 


Also, go and take a peek at REX ROBOT REVIEW'S TMT.

Our friend, Pili, from IN LOVE WITH HANDMADE is taking a well deserved break this week.



I have a headache this week with books I am hungering to read!

I have been a good girl and have been reading my review ARC of Lucas MacKenzie and the Midnight London Ghost Show from Month9 Books.

BUT

I have been sneaking bits and pieces of The Infinite.

AND

I read the first chapter of Invasion of the Tearling.
(and wanted to keep on reading)

THEN THIS CAME


... in my Book Outlet order ...

This was one of my most anticipated from TWO YEARS AGO!


Psst... guys, it's Valentines week.


AND

I just got Amazon Prime and I could borrow, The Dream Thieves, or The Retribution of Mara Dyer.

AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!






Are you reading anything special for Valentines  Day?

Sunday, February 8, 2015

THE SUNDAY POST #SIX



THE SUNDAY POST is a weekly feature hosted by Kimba at The Caffinated Book Reviewer. It is a chance to recap the previous week, share news, showcase books and/or bookish things we have received, and tell about what is coming up on our blog in the next week. You can view the rules, HERE.



This post is going to be short and sweet because I have finally succumbed to the stomach plague everyone had before. *Note to self: always use hand sanitizer before and after grocery cart usage.


OVERVIEW
On Monday, I finished THE RAVEN BOYS and gave it FIVE STARS. If you like Paranormal YA, this is the cream of the crop.
I was going to dive right into THE INVASION OF THE TEARLING, but THE INFINITE (the sequel to Gates of Thread and Stone, my top YA of last year), became available as a Read Now on Netgalley for 24 hours, so there was a reading change of plan.


I posted a TELL ME TUESDAY and I have a new feature follower REX ROBOT REVIEWS. We are at three now, with a fourth contemplating jumping on board next week. When I get ten feature followers I will add a linky.


On Wednesday Maggie Stiefvater announced that the title of the next Raven Cycle book would be THE RAVEN KING.



The cover of PERSUASION, the sequel to Compulsion by Martina Boone, was revealed on Thursday. It's purple, my favorite color.


Friday, I found out I was approved for THE BEEKEEPER'S DAUGHTER on Edelweiss. It was the only book I requested because I learned my lesson last week.



While drafting this post on Saturday, I noticed I had gone over 20,000 page views. On my one year blogoversary I was commenting that one of my goals was to have 10,000 veiws in one year, but fell short at a little less than 7,000. I am happy I made up for that with about 13,000 look sees in the last five months.


WHAT I GOT
THE INFINITE - Netgalley
NIGHTBIRD - Netgalley
THE WINTER BOY - Ebook Kindle Daily Deal 
UNHOLY GHOSTS - Ebook $2.99


If you are on NETGALLEY, and want to read my YA Top Book of 2014, GATES OF THREAD AND STONE,  is a READ NOW!




Is anyone doing a Valentines Day post? I am.