Tonight, the final teaser trailer to Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, Part I premiered online. If you thought the first trailer was good, take a look at this one. I can't believe it is all coming to an end--at least the magic will forever live on...
What If Wednesday: What If He Uses You?
Friend: What if you do all this waiting just to fall for a guy who will use you, mark a notch on his bedpost, and leave you high and dry?
Can't say I haven't thought about it. There are plenty of men out there who would look at me as some sort of challenge or conquest--"who's gonna lay the virgin?"
Usually, I can smell a line of B.S. a mile away, but my mom worries I will come across a slick-smooth-talker.
So what do I do? I already struggle with trusting someone with my heart, but having to worry about whether or not this man is going to use me is, admittedly, a little stressful.
If I dwell on the possibility of being used, I will never open up to the possibility of finding love. That's the truth of it. Suppose I could just make him put a ring on it, which would be the ideal happy ending/happy beginning. ;) Ah, but that's a topic for another day...
For the purposes of this post, let's answer the questions: What will I do if a guy uses me? Will I let him break me? Will I fall apart? Will I live with regret?
If a man does chose to use me, and I fall blindly victim to his antics, then shame on him. He will have to live with it and face a higher justice one day. Remember the golden rule? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Will I let him break me or fall apart: Unequivocally, no. He may wound my heart, but he will never break me; all I need to do is look at everything my ancestors had to endure and overcome to survive...a broken heart will not break my soul.
Will I live with regret: Honestly, I can't answer this one. I would hope not...
What do you think? Are most men just in it for the conquest?
Can't say I haven't thought about it. There are plenty of men out there who would look at me as some sort of challenge or conquest--"who's gonna lay the virgin?"
Usually, I can smell a line of B.S. a mile away, but my mom worries I will come across a slick-smooth-talker.
So what do I do? I already struggle with trusting someone with my heart, but having to worry about whether or not this man is going to use me is, admittedly, a little stressful.
If I dwell on the possibility of being used, I will never open up to the possibility of finding love. That's the truth of it. Suppose I could just make him put a ring on it, which would be the ideal happy ending/happy beginning. ;) Ah, but that's a topic for another day...
For the purposes of this post, let's answer the questions: What will I do if a guy uses me? Will I let him break me? Will I fall apart? Will I live with regret?
If a man does chose to use me, and I fall blindly victim to his antics, then shame on him. He will have to live with it and face a higher justice one day. Remember the golden rule? Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.
Will I let him break me or fall apart: Unequivocally, no. He may wound my heart, but he will never break me; all I need to do is look at everything my ancestors had to endure and overcome to survive...a broken heart will not break my soul.
Will I live with regret: Honestly, I can't answer this one. I would hope not...
What do you think? Are most men just in it for the conquest?
Guest Post and Giveaway: Natalie Standiford on Censorship
About Natalie
Natalie Standiford, author of "How to Say Goodbye in Robot," "Confessions of the Sullivan Sisters," and the popular "Space Dog" and "Dating Game" series, has written picture books, nonfiction, chapter books, teen novels, and even horror novels for young adults. Standiford also plays bass in the rock band Tiger Beat, with fellow YA authors Libba Bray, Daniel Ehrenhaft, and Barnabas Miller.
Find out more at her web site, www.nataliestandiford.com.
To me the central issue behind censorship is respect. Dictators who don't want their people to read what they please, who are afraid that exposure to new ideas will undermine their power, don't respect the people they rule. They don't respect their intelligence; they don't want them to develop intelligence. They only want obedience.
I studied Russian in high school and college and spent some time in what was then called the Soviet Union. Books, movies, music, news, and all kinds of art were heavily censored in Soviet Russia. The leaders wanted to control how their people thought—but it didn't work. The Soviet people knew they were being lied to. They were hungry for new ideas and forbidden books and found ways to gain access to them in the face of huge obstacles. The leadership could not stop them from thinking, no matter how hard it tried. And at last the Soviet regime collapsed. No amount of censorship could keep it going. In the end, censorship is futile.
Adults need to respect the intelligence and sensitivity of young people and allow them access to whatever books they want to read. Yes, words can be powerful; they can make people think. But they can't change who a person fundamentally is. Books cannot turn a good person into a bad person. But they can turn an ignorant person into a thoughtful person. The role of young people in our society is not to obey us blindly or to be who we want them to be. It's to explore who they want to be. They should be allowed to do that exploration freely, and part of that process is access to all kinds of ideas, all kinds of books and people, so they can sort out this crazy world for themselves. They are perfectly capable of doing this without adults controlling everything in their environment. Guidance is fine, but dictating will backfire, just as it did in the Soviet Union.
Giveaway
Enter to win a finished copy of HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT
and CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS
by Natalie Standiford
Rules:
Find out more at her web site, www.nataliestandiford.com.
To me the central issue behind censorship is respect. Dictators who don't want their people to read what they please, who are afraid that exposure to new ideas will undermine their power, don't respect the people they rule. They don't respect their intelligence; they don't want them to develop intelligence. They only want obedience.
I studied Russian in high school and college and spent some time in what was then called the Soviet Union. Books, movies, music, news, and all kinds of art were heavily censored in Soviet Russia. The leaders wanted to control how their people thought—but it didn't work. The Soviet people knew they were being lied to. They were hungry for new ideas and forbidden books and found ways to gain access to them in the face of huge obstacles. The leadership could not stop them from thinking, no matter how hard it tried. And at last the Soviet regime collapsed. No amount of censorship could keep it going. In the end, censorship is futile.
Adults need to respect the intelligence and sensitivity of young people and allow them access to whatever books they want to read. Yes, words can be powerful; they can make people think. But they can't change who a person fundamentally is. Books cannot turn a good person into a bad person. But they can turn an ignorant person into a thoughtful person. The role of young people in our society is not to obey us blindly or to be who we want them to be. It's to explore who they want to be. They should be allowed to do that exploration freely, and part of that process is access to all kinds of ideas, all kinds of books and people, so they can sort out this crazy world for themselves. They are perfectly capable of doing this without adults controlling everything in their environment. Guidance is fine, but dictating will backfire, just as it did in the Soviet Union.
Giveaway
Enter to win a finished copy of HOW TO SAY GOODBYE IN ROBOT
and CONFESSIONS OF THE SULLIVAN SISTERS by Natalie StandifordRules:
- US Only
- Fill out entry form
- Must leave comment on this post to be eligible to win
- Giveaway ends October 6, 2010 11:59 PM MST
Announcing The Angel UK Blog Tour 2010!
To celebrate the release of Angel by L.A Weatherly (published 1st October), Usborne have organised The Angel UK Blog Tour! Running from 24th September till 8 October, it'll be stopping off here at Empire of Books on Wednesday 6th October! Where there will be an exclusive to die for! Exclusive videos and never before seen photos of L.A. Weatherly's US roadtrip earlier this year!
It'll also be stopping of at Bart's Bookshelf, Girls Without a Bookshelf, Bookblabbers and more, with other fantastic exclusives, before concluding on Friday 8th October at Love Reading x where the cover for the second book in the trilogy, Angel Fire will be revealed!
So as you can see, this is a blog tour you do NOT want to miss!
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Waiting On Wednesday (10): HarperCollins Highlight
This week, seeing as there are a few books I am very excited about, and they're all published by the same publisher, I thought I'd do a Waiting On Wednesday: HaperCollins Highlight!
-
Mercy by Rebecca Lim.
Format: Paperback.
Released: 28th October 2010.
"There's something very wrong with me. I can't remember who I am or how old I am, or even how I got here. All I know is that when I wake up, I could be any one. It is always this way.
There's nothing I can keep with me that will stay. It's made me adaptable.I must always re-establish ties.
I must tread carefully or give myself away.
I must survive.
Mercy doesn't realise it yet, but as she journeys into the darkest places of the human soul, she discovers that she is one of the celestial host exiled with fallen angel, Lucifer. Now she must atone for taking his side. To find her own way back to heaven, Mercy must help a series of humans in crisis and keep the unwary from getting caught up in the games that angels play. Ultimately she must choose between her immortal companion, Lucifer, and a human boy who risks everything for her love."
This sounds brilliant and the cover looks fantastic. Plus I've really gotten into angels lately. Much better than vampires, right?!
-
Department 19 by Will Hill
Format: Hardback.
Released: 31st March 2011.
Amazon UK
"In a secret supernatural battle that's been raging for over a century, the stakes have just been raised – and they're not wooden anymore. When Jamie Carpenter's mother is kidnapped by strange creatures, he finds himself dragged into Department 19, the government's most secret agency. Fortunately for Jamie, Department 19 can provide the tools he needs to find his mother, and to kill the vampires who want him dead. But unfortunately for everyone, something much older is stirring, something even Department 19 can't stand up against…"
There actually isn't a cover for this yet, but I saw it on HarperCollins site and it sounds brilliant! Cannot wait to read this one!
-
How The Grinch Stole Christmas by Dr. Seuss.
Format: Mixed media.
Released: 28th October 2010 (Re-print).
"The Grinch hated Christmas! The whole Christmas season!
Now, please don't ask why. No one quite knows the reason.
It could be his head wasn't screwed on just right.It could be, perhaps, that his shoes were too tight.
The ghastly Grinch refuses to be moved by the Christmas spirit in this lovely hardback version of Dr Seuss's classic tale.
When he spies the citizens of Who-ville enjoying their Christmas preparations, the Grinch comes down from his cave and makes a dastardly attempt to take all the joy out of the occasion by actually stealing Christmas.
With zany rhymes and distinctive black and red illustrations, this classic seasonal story has become a favourite for good reason. In the end, the story of the ghastly Grinch has something to teach us all about the true meaning of Christmas."
I have rather shamingly never read this, despite being a massive fan of the film adaptation starring Jim Carey and the cartoon version on every Christmas. I know I tweeted the other day saying that I am tired of hearing people go on about Christmas this early, but every year I intend to get this and never do, so this year I will make it a mission. I've always wanted to read it, and being a big kid, this year it will happen! :D
So there you go. Some highlights coming over the next few months from HarperCollins. What books are you excited about right now?
The minutes snailed by.
JK Rowling has a way with words. She can capture descriptions of setting, mystery, and character in a manner that is both vivid and delightful.
I'll use this post to start a collection of favorite tidbits from her work, chosen for reasons of craft above story, but any type of excerpt that I find special in some way shall be included. These are just short sentences or phrases that don't require a lot of study, but are worth noting all the same. I'll update this post frequently.
The minutes snailed by. (CoS, p. 151) - when Harry had detention with Lockhart. This little snippet almost sailed right by me.
"It's a dragon!" shrieked one of the first years, losing her head completely.
"Don't be stupid...it's a flying house!" said Dennis Creevey. (GoF, p. 242) - because seeing a flying house makes so much more sense than seeing a dragon!
Stupefied, painted gold, stuffed into a miniature tutu and with small wings glued to its back, it glowered down at them all, the ugliest angel Harry had ever seen, with a large bald head like a potato and rather hairy feet. (HBP p. 309 Bloomsbury) -- I love those hairy feet. Because a stupefied Christmas tree gnome is just not funny enough without those hairy feet.
Madam Hooch, the Quidditch teacher, asked Flint and Wood to shake hands... (CoS, p. 213) -- Flint and Wood? I wonder if they strike sparks off each other.
Wands are only as powerful as the wizards who use them. (DH, p. 337 Bloomsbury) -- We are talking about wands, right?
They hurried along the corridor to the place Dobby had described to Harry, a stretch of blank wall opposite an enormous tapestry depicting Barnabas the Barmy's foolish attempt to train trolls for the ballet. (OotP, p. 389) -- I mean really; what kind of warped mind conjures up trolls in pointe shoes doing a plie?!? Obviously, no simple tapestry of a knights and ladies would do!
Snape's sallow skin had gone the color of sour milk. (PoA, p. 285) -- That's kinda nasty. I'd never have thought to compare skin to milk.
A loud ripping noise rent the air; two of the Monster Books had seized a third and were pulling it apart...
"I thought we'd seen the worst when we bought two hundred copies of the Invisible Book of Invisibility--cost a fortune, and we never found them." (PoA, p. 53) -- I want to shop at this bookstore!
If you find any remarkable snippets, please send them my way!
Picture credit.
I'll use this post to start a collection of favorite tidbits from her work, chosen for reasons of craft above story, but any type of excerpt that I find special in some way shall be included. These are just short sentences or phrases that don't require a lot of study, but are worth noting all the same. I'll update this post frequently.
The minutes snailed by. (CoS, p. 151) - when Harry had detention with Lockhart. This little snippet almost sailed right by me.
"It's a dragon!" shrieked one of the first years, losing her head completely.
"Don't be stupid...it's a flying house!" said Dennis Creevey. (GoF, p. 242) - because seeing a flying house makes so much more sense than seeing a dragon!
Stupefied, painted gold, stuffed into a miniature tutu and with small wings glued to its back, it glowered down at them all, the ugliest angel Harry had ever seen, with a large bald head like a potato and rather hairy feet. (HBP p. 309 Bloomsbury) -- I love those hairy feet. Because a stupefied Christmas tree gnome is just not funny enough without those hairy feet.
Madam Hooch, the Quidditch teacher, asked Flint and Wood to shake hands... (CoS, p. 213) -- Flint and Wood? I wonder if they strike sparks off each other.
Wands are only as powerful as the wizards who use them. (DH, p. 337 Bloomsbury) -- We are talking about wands, right?
They hurried along the corridor to the place Dobby had described to Harry, a stretch of blank wall opposite an enormous tapestry depicting Barnabas the Barmy's foolish attempt to train trolls for the ballet. (OotP, p. 389) -- I mean really; what kind of warped mind conjures up trolls in pointe shoes doing a plie?!? Obviously, no simple tapestry of a knights and ladies would do!
Snape's sallow skin had gone the color of sour milk. (PoA, p. 285) -- That's kinda nasty. I'd never have thought to compare skin to milk.
A loud ripping noise rent the air; two of the Monster Books had seized a third and were pulling it apart...
"I thought we'd seen the worst when we bought two hundred copies of the Invisible Book of Invisibility--cost a fortune, and we never found them." (PoA, p. 53) -- I want to shop at this bookstore!
If you find any remarkable snippets, please send them my way!
Picture credit.
No True Blood Tuesday....so....
...here is the first sort-of supernatural story to help us ease from True Blood Tuesday to no True Blood Tuesday.
Not too long ago, a man I hardly knew asked me the following question: "What are you?"
Now, if you are a fan of the True Blood series, you might recognize that question. In my case, the man was not a Bill-type, dang it...and it wasn't at night, so I definitely didn't uncover some mythological realm roaming amongst us lowly humans.
Me, a little perplexed by his question: "Um, well, I'm a girl..."
Him: "No, I mean, are you for real?"
Me, utterly perplexed: "Um, yes...I mean, I'm me. I'm just me...who I am...if that's what you're asking. If I may, did I walk into some alternate universe where girls are a rare species or something because you're kinda creeping me out right now?"
Him, smiling: "Sorry, it's just...there's something different about you."
Me, thinking: Dear God, am I unwittingly flashing my virginity? Am I virgin flasher? Should I just throw on a trench coat, rock a pair of Manolos, and let it all out? Gah!
Me, clearing my throat: "I'm sorry, but...huh?"
Him: "Can't quite put my finger on it...whatever it is, it's a good thing."
Me: "Oh, um, thank you...I think." So, there's an it about me and that's a good thing. Hmm. Not sure I'm loving the word choice. Still, I'm sure he meant well.
Okay, not so much supernatural, but it did get me thinking: Can some men sense a virgin? Am I unknowingly wearing it like a designer label (yeah, maybe some wouldn't see it as a designer label, but, you know, I gotta give myself something positive, right? And it's not like it's a common label...it's a little more exclusive, right? Hence, designer label.).
Oooh, can I claim it as a superpower?!?!?! I'm totally in the bright side, positive-thinking mode today...pretty soon I'm going to annoy the crud outta myself.
Not too long ago, a man I hardly knew asked me the following question: "What are you?"
Now, if you are a fan of the True Blood series, you might recognize that question. In my case, the man was not a Bill-type, dang it...and it wasn't at night, so I definitely didn't uncover some mythological realm roaming amongst us lowly humans.
Me, a little perplexed by his question: "Um, well, I'm a girl..."
Him: "No, I mean, are you for real?"
Me, utterly perplexed: "Um, yes...I mean, I'm me. I'm just me...who I am...if that's what you're asking. If I may, did I walk into some alternate universe where girls are a rare species or something because you're kinda creeping me out right now?"
Him, smiling: "Sorry, it's just...there's something different about you."
Me, thinking: Dear God, am I unwittingly flashing my virginity? Am I virgin flasher? Should I just throw on a trench coat, rock a pair of Manolos, and let it all out? Gah!
Me, clearing my throat: "I'm sorry, but...huh?"
Him: "Can't quite put my finger on it...whatever it is, it's a good thing."
Me: "Oh, um, thank you...I think." So, there's an it about me and that's a good thing. Hmm. Not sure I'm loving the word choice. Still, I'm sure he meant well.
Okay, not so much supernatural, but it did get me thinking: Can some men sense a virgin? Am I unknowingly wearing it like a designer label (yeah, maybe some wouldn't see it as a designer label, but, you know, I gotta give myself something positive, right? And it's not like it's a common label...it's a little more exclusive, right? Hence, designer label.).
Oooh, can I claim it as a superpower?!?!?! I'm totally in the bright side, positive-thinking mode today...pretty soon I'm going to annoy the crud outta myself.
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