Writer of young adult fiction, fantasy, and science fiction.
Author: byjehunter
I'm the author of the Black Depths and Artifacts of Avalum series. I'm also a reader and I love posting young adult book reviews and blogging about everything related to books. In the morning, I can be found drinking coffee and wishing it was still dark outside. In the afternoon, I'm stuck at my day job, and in the evening, I'm probably working on my latest creation.
I’ve decided to branch out a bit. I read a lot, and I read quite a bit of stuff that is not Young Adult. I’ve decided to blog more about books I read that I enjoy, though these won’t be included on my Young Adult Fiction Book review page.
To that end, I’ve spent the past month devouring The Name of the Wind by Patrick Ruthfoss. I LOVED this book. Yes, I love a lot of fantasy, it is probably my favourite genre, but there was just something so immersive about The Name of the Wind. This was the kind of book that I would read past my bed time, only to put it down and then dream about it. It had it’s own kind of plot-style as a story, within a story, and a central mystery which very little is revealed in the first book. Ruthfoss is a beautiful writer and I cannot wait to read the next book. In face, I bought book two as Christmas present for my husband, even though he hadn’t read the first one yet. So yeah, I really bought it for myself.
Lucky # 13! This update, I’m pleased to say that I have made it to the gym twice. There are a few reasons for this:
I ate way to much cheese and chocolate at Christmas
My trip to Mexico is coming fast
I downloaded and audiobook to listen to and I love it!
So on that front, things are going well.
In the writting world. I wrote nothing on Christmas Eve and Christmas, and have been writing between 600 and 1,000 words a day since. The lead I had at the beginning of my year (September 2016) has shrunk, and I’m down to a 14,000 word lead. Which is pretty good, though I’m hoping with a week of sunny vacation that I’ll be able to draft up a storm!
This morning I woke up to light, thick, fresh falling snow. The roads were a disaster but everything looked so pretty again.
Also, as I posted earlier this week, I made it to my 40 books in a year reading goal as posted on Goodreads. I’ve actually finished another book since then and plan on finishing one more. I can’t wait until January 1st, 2017 when I get to set my new reading goal. What’s your goal going to be?
Since I heard about the release of The Princess Diarist by Carrie Fisher, I was excited to read it. I put the book on my Christmas List and was pleased to find it under the tree, though it came with the depressing news that Carrie Fisher had suffered a heart attack on her flight home for the holidays. I consumed this book in three days, eating chocolate and drinking coffee and enjoyed it immensely, especially the bits where Fisher describes her interactions with fans.
It became a bittersweet read when Fisher’s death was announced, and came the realization that I would never again read a wittily written account of some piece of her life that she treated with respect and humor, all in her own unique way. I so wish that things had taken a different direction, that she had survived, or never been subjected to, her heart attack so that I, and the world, would be able to read more of her work, watch more of her movies, and just enjoy her on this Earth. But I’m thinking that she’s in a better place now.
There was a lot of controversy when The Princess Diarist came out, as Fisher spent a lot of time discussing the affair she had with Harrison Ford during the filming of Star Wars in London 1976. The first and last thirds of the books are Fisher’s narration, with the middle third containing excerpts from her journals written in 1976. The way Fisher described that first love, that agonizing nowhereness of an affair, felt both raw and true and I felt like I could relate.
If you’re a Star Wars fan or a Carrie Fisher fan, or like reading other people’s journals, then this book is for you.
As I madly rush about on my last minute preparations for a week of holiday, I’m thinking of everything I have to be grateful for, and it’s a lot! But today I want to thank my blog readers, who make words worth it. Happy Holidays to everyone! May you find hot coffee, good books, and warm socks!
So here’s the thing: every year I ask for books at Christmas. I love books, to me, there is no better present. Only, when I was recently counting the books on my ‘To Be Read’ shelf, I realized I had 67 books stacked up. 67! According to Goodreads, I’m currently on book 39, which I will finish today or tomorrow, along with book 40, which is my Short Story Advent Calendar (one story a day up until Christmas). This means, that to get through my entire ‘To Be Read’ shelf next year, I’m going to have to up my Goodreads Reading Challenge to 70 Books. That’s almost double what I did in 2016. But that’s okay. I can do it. I just need to read more, and I love reading. This also means I get to spend more time wearing my Christmas socks, which I love. I love them so much I wish it was acceptable to wear them out in public.
My favorite Christmas mug was broken last week, so I’m currently on the hunt for a replacement. Meanwhile, I’m drinking all my coffee with whipped cream, as the Christmas season calls for. Today is my last day at the office until next Wednesday, so I’m hoping for more than a few quiet moments where I can knock off a few books from my list of 67. Maybe if I only have 65 on my list by January 1st things will seem less daunting in the new year.
So, here’s to Happy Holidays, whipped cream, and cats in trees.
It’s been a while since I’ve posted a word count chart, so here it is:
I’m feel much better about how I’ve performed this week. There was only one day I wrote nothing, and the rest of the days were very close to one thousand words. Which is good. One thousand words a day is pretty achievable for me, but isn’t so much that it wears me out. I’m making good progress on a short novella, and am happy with how it is going. On the 19th, I wrote 1,900 words on this story without even batting an eye. I was so into the writing that for once I wasn’t watching my word count with loathing and counting the seconds until I would be at 1,000 words. Now that is a good day.
I’m also glad I’m doing so well on the approach to Christmas. I might attempt to write a little bit extra over the next couple of days so that I don’t have to work on the holidays. Everyone deserves a holiday. Even a writer. Even me. I’ve loaded up the fridge with delicious food, and am looking forward to eating cheese for at least three days straight. I’m also beginning to do a bit of re-writing. Writing 1,000 words a days leaves me a lot of time for re-writes, which typically take longer than drafting. At least for me.
Rebel of the Sands by Alwyn Hamilton a Young Adult Book Review
I found this book browsing around my e-library. It sounded different than a lot of Young Adult fantasy I’d recently picked up so I put it on my wait list, and I loved it. Rebel of the Sands is a fantasy/western Arabian Nights full of Sultans and Djinnis and kick-a** heroines. There were so many unique aspects in this book that I’m not going to get into them all (plus, I wouldn’t want to ruin the story for you).
What I enjoyed most about Hamilton’s book is how complete the world felt, from where the story begins in Dustwalk to where it ends (not going to say). And the ending itself. This is the kind of book that keeps a lot of secrets, but reveals them in a well timed manner that makes complete sense and is so fitting for the book. I wasn’t sure if this book was going to be a series, however, so I looked it up, and apparently a second book will be released in 2017. I get the feeling that Rebel was written with the intention that it could be left a standalone book, but it is so delicious that I’m glad it’s not. Though I have to say, I’m not a fan of the cover art for the sequel which can be preview on Goodreads if you’re interested.
If you’re a fan of Aladdin or Sinbad or just want something mystical but a bit different, pick up Rebel of the Sands, you won’t regret it.
If you’re anything like me, there’s no way you can not buy yourself anything at Christmas time. Especially if you’re spending a lot of time in the book store shopping for other people. I always keep a list on my phone, or really, a roll of pictures of the books I want to read ASAP, but sometimes there’s a book or something else that just jumps out at me and I have to get it NOW. Though I do try to resist, especially if I’m still hoping my husband will buy me something on my list, sometimes I give in. Either way, here are some of the things I will be indulging myself with this holiday season (or shortly after when the sales come in January). When it comes to self-indulgence, these are the things I love
Chocolate Chocolate Chocolate (I could say that way more than three times). I’ll admit, it is one of my favorite reading snacks. I keep a bar in the nightstand just for the purpose of having some chocolate to eat during my afternoon reading session. I don’t eat it every day, but when I do, it’s good, high quality chocolate. Godiva is one of my favorites.
2. Pretty, Pretty, Classics. I have a weakness for pretty books. Especially if it is a beautiful copy of a book I already own, for instance. I may own more than one copy of Pride and Prejudice. That may be more than I need (seeing as I only need one). But sometimes the books are just so darn pretty I can resist.
3. Seven Year Pens. I also may own more than one Seven Year Pen. Maybe because the ink is supposed to be able to last for seven years. Maybe because of the cool colours and awesome designs. Or maybe because I’m just the type to indulge. And hey, a writer always needs a pen, because what if your phone dies? or your laptop? and all you are left to work with is – GASP – pen and paper???
4. Notebooks. I’ve said it many, many times, but I just can’t resist notebooks.
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5. Smelly markers. This is a new one for me. Or maybe a really old one, since as a child I loved the markers that smelled like cherries or blueberries or what not. But nowadays the scents are much more diverse, and you can find markers like roasted marshmallow, tropical punch, and coffee, to name a few.
6. Coffee. Sometimes, all that keeps me alive is coffee. Okay. Maybe I need food too, but Coffee is my creative life’s blood. There is rich dark roast, light acidic coffee, and of course, Tassimo. I’m one of those people in a love/hate relationship with Tassimo – I love the ease of use but hate the waste. I also have a French Press (which I use ever so rarely). As, even though I’m loath to admit, I’ve been brewing a T-Disc daily. French Vanilla is my favorite.
7. Vacations. There is nothing I like more than a trip. Not only does it bring fresh inspiration and a break from the everyday, but it usually means I’m not working and therefor have more time to do my chosen work (see #10). This winter I’ll be heading down to Mexico, but earlier this year I made my escape out to Vancouver, where I spent a good chunk of time drafting Twisted Currents, some of which takes place in this fantastic coastal city.
8. Great, Inspiring Movies. Sometimes, reading a great book just isn’t enough, or I need a change of pace. Sometimes a movie is more inspiring than reading a book (though rarely if it has been based on a book), and it is finished a lot more quickly. Because it’s not reading, watching a movie is an indulgence. Often, I don’t let myself watch a thing unless I’ve finished my daily word count. So when it comes to a treat, movies are at the top of my list. A favorite choice of mine is Star Wars. In fact, I’m going to see Rogue One this coming Monday, and I can’t wait.
9. A new laptop. Okay, I’m going to tell you a secret. I own three laptops. Yes, three. And a table with a keyboard. Two of them are old, i will admit. But they still work. I didn’t have to replace them. But I did. Currently, I do the majority of my work on a MacBook Air. It is light and portable and a beautiful shiney silver. Still, it is getting a bit aged, maybe I should see what else is out there….
10. Time. This is the one thing that I really need more off, and it’s probably the cheapest thing to buy. I buy myself time all the time, by refusing the clean the house, by cutting back on sleep, consuming more coffee, and ignoring the television. When there is a writing project I want to get done, the only thing I need is time (well, I suppose I need my laptop, too). So, if you have time to spare this Christmas, be sure to send some my way. It will be greatly appreciated.
J. E. H U N T E R 