Sunday, October 17, 2010

The Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

There have been fewer books that I have awaited so anxiously as I did for Clare's first book in her prequel series - The Clockwork Angel.

(I think the last time this happened it was the last Harry Potter, which I actually pre-ordered. I would have preordered this one too, but alas, I am po'. But next best thing: I convinced my local librarian to buy the book. Devious aren't I?)

Clare has two series going on. The one that is already established is called The Mortal Instruments. There's three books released and there's three more to come (I think..) The three released already are: City of Bones; City of Ashes; City of Glass.

The fourth in that series is pretty much done if not done, and is works to released I think in November? City of Fallen Angels?

The Clockwork Angel is the first book in the Infernal Devices SEries - a Prequel series to the Mortal Instrument series.

On Clare's website she says to read the Infernal Devices series first. But really how is that possible when ther's only one book of them out and three or the other series? If you read the Mortal Instuments Series first it's not going to kill you. It's kind of like Star Wars (Yes I know my geekdom is REALLY showing right now). The first three Star Wars Films that were realeased back int h 70s - back when Lucas was still hungry for it, and still passionate, back before Jar Jar Binks cereal - those three films were number, 4, 5, and 6. This indicated there would be three others that took place before them. Those three disappointments didn't come out until the 90s-2000s (and they never should have.)

So while it may be slightly confusing just for a brief moment, it's not a big deal. I will though, read the entire series from 1-whatever when they're all out in chronological order to follow character arcs.
Did you hear that? I"m going to happily re-read these books, all of them, in order, because I want to see these characters again I want to watch them grow, fall, triumph, all of it. Again and again.

These books are awesome.

They do have the dreaded and often stigmatized "Young Adult Fiction" sticker on the spine. But do not let that dissuade you. These are excellently written. Fantastic characters, well thought out, beautiful, everything.

A great combination of fantasy and realism, there is nothing about these books that is juvenile. These are adult novels, except for the fact that the main characters are upper teenagers to early 20-ish.

I cannot say enoughabout these books. Except that if you like fantasy with some teeth - not the rubbish Twilight stuff - but really well written, well developed, non-angsty characters, excellent storylines, cliffhangers, all of it... go and start reading these books.

NOW.

And on a side note - the little video advertisement of this book - clockwork Angel - that you find on Amazon.com is kind of lame. Don't let it dissuade you.

Realy. Katie. Hailers.. GO READ THESE BOOKS NOW.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

run fatboy run

i havent been publishing book reviews and film reviews here as often as i have been publishing them for the library. so for the msot part allthe one i'm doing end up there. (www.tunkhannock.com/library look for Rebeccas Reviews on the side bar)

but this film wasn't inthe library's colelction, but in the keystone college library collection.

Run Fatboy Run,



I don't think I have laughed this hard in a long time. We had to stop the film, pause it until we were done, or rewind to catch the parts we were laughing too hard through.

what may appear as a simple. war between two guys over a beautiful woman - great guy, avergae guy/slightly loser-ish guy... turns out to be a great story about friendship, heart, finding yourself, and all sorts of things.

and oh my gosh it's funny. not little laughs. but laughing like oh my gosh i might just pee myself.

i cannot recommend it highly enough.




in other news:

we feared the baby had a peanut allergy. turns out she doesn't. but int he process we discovered, through the ever so geenrous advice of Katie, Sunbutter. Sunbutter is a peanut butter alternative made complete from Sunflower seeds. taste delicious.

i have taken to making Mars Bar cake. think Rice Crispy treats, with a chocolate layer on top, and melted snickers, milky ways or mars bar in the rice crispy mix. Heaven. and a real sugar rush to boot. do not give this to children.

I have also taken to making our own home made won tons. we did this as kind of a date night thing, and they turned out incredible. so i'm never buying them again. the price to make them vs. the price to buy them is ridiculous. They are super simple and if you have little ones who you can trust to help, then great. if not, it's still simple to make.
the basic recipe - get some won ton wrappers (our store has them next to the tofu), two things of cream cheese, warmed, chives. and if you want to make them with imitation crab meat, get a thing of that too, and chop it up finely.
put two bowls out, and put a thing of cream cheese in each one, along with spices you want (chives, a little garlic perhaps..) then in one bowl, add the chopped crab meat. stir.
then really, all you do, lay out a won ton wrapper, take about a tsp full of filling (and really a tsp is about it can handle..) put the filling in the middle, and with a pstry brush, brush some egg or water along the edges, then fold it into a triangle. set aside and repet until you have your desired amount of wontons.
then fry them in the skillet - we use olive oil, and a cast iron skillet. about two minutes frying. the won ton wrapper will bubble and start to brown.
then take out and set on a paper towel lined plate.

there you go.
simple.


and while yo're brosing here, check out this other blog that i attend almost religiously - amanda blake soule's blog. http://www.soulemama.com/

very very cool. mama, living simply, homeschooling, just being crafty, writing, photographing, finding joy in simple things.. incredibly cool. and a little transcendental.