Tag: Reading

Monday Musings: Is Escapism Wrong? Or, Does Everything Need to Have a Message?

~ M.A. Kropp

I've seen some discussion lately on "message fiction." That is, stories that have a defined theme, a point, a message, if you will. And the strong advocates of these will say that all stories must have a message embedded within them. The argument is particularly strong in the speculative fiction arenas, where there seems to … Continue reading Monday Musings: Is Escapism Wrong? Or, Does Everything Need to Have a Message?

Friday Review: The City Stained Red (Bring Down Heaven #1) by Sam Sykes

~ M.A. Kropp

The City Stained Red by Sam Sykes My rating: 4 of 5 stars This was my first book by Sam Sykes, and it was a good introduction to his works. The book opens with a band of adventurers (read: mercenaries) on a mission to collect the payment owed to them by their latest employer. They … Continue reading Friday Review: The City Stained Red (Bring Down Heaven #1) by Sam Sykes

Friday Interview: Ryan Nelson, Author of Gravity+

~ M.A. Kropp

Today, I am doing an interview with Ryan Nelson, a California writer whose YA novel,  Gravity+, is available now for pre-order on Amazon, with versions for Nook, Kobo, and other readers to follow. The pre-order link is below. Ryan T. Nelson lives, primarily, in his own little world. One filled with Goblins, Ghouls, Monsters, and … Continue reading Friday Interview: Ryan Nelson, Author of Gravity+

Monday Musings: Easter Dinner (Early Bird Style), The End of the Syrup Season, Spring?, and A New Bread Book

~ M.A. Kropp ~ 1 Comment

We had our family Easter dinner on Friday this year. It was the only day everyone could get together. We were at Krysta and Kleber's, and Steph, Jill, John, and Carter were all there. It was nice to have everyone in one place. It's been harder and harder to find times for these holiday get-togethers … Continue reading Monday Musings: Easter Dinner (Early Bird Style), The End of the Syrup Season, Spring?, and A New Bread Book

Friday Review: Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi

~ M.A. Kropp

Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi My rating: 4 of 5 stars Fuzzy Nation is a re-working of H. Beam Piper's Little Fuzzy, a wonderful first contact story. Jack Holloway is an independent surveyor for ZaraCorp, exploring the planet looking for resources that can be mined. He causes a large scale cliff collapse, and ZaraCorp is … Continue reading Friday Review: Fuzzy Nation by John Scalzi

Friday Review: Hellhole: Awakening by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

~ M.A. Kropp

Hellhole Awakening by Brian Herbert My rating: 3 of 5 stars I did not read the first book in the series. I got this one in a contest, and decided to give it a try and if I needed to read the first, I could always shelve this until I did. As it turned out, … Continue reading Friday Review: Hellhole: Awakening by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Monday Musings: Football, Reading, and Writing (No ‘Rithmetic!)

~ M.A. Kropp

As I type this, we are watching football. Dallas Cowboys at Green Bay Packers. If there is anyone who doesn't already know this, we are Packer fans here. Heck, we named the dog Lambeau! Green Bay is my sentimental team. My Dad was a Packer fan, and my memories of watching and learning about pro … Continue reading Monday Musings: Football, Reading, and Writing (No ‘Rithmetic!)

Wednesday Wanderings: Yes, Fall In Love with a Reader, Cables Crowding Streets, A Very Cat Friendly House, and Intricate Papercut Art

~ M.A. Kropp

Why you should fall in love with a reader (as if we didn't already know we are the best): http://elitedaily.com/life/culture/date-reader-readers-best-people-fall-love-scientifically-proven/662017/ These photos from the days when thousands of cables crowded the streets are kind of weird and kind of cool at the same time: http://io9.com/photos-from-the-days-when-thousands-of-cables-crowded-t-1629961917 What this man did in his house for his cats … Continue reading Wednesday Wanderings: Yes, Fall In Love with a Reader, Cables Crowding Streets, A Very Cat Friendly House, and Intricate Papercut Art

Friday Review: On Hiatus

~ M.A. Kropp

Just a quick post to say that the Friday Reviews will be on hiatus until after the holidays. With all the hustle and bustle (which seems to be even more hustling and bustling this year for some reason), I have not been reading as much, and so am falling behind. I am hoping to be … Continue reading Friday Review: On Hiatus

Wednesday Wanderings: Photos of Abandoned Toy Factories, 33 You Didn’t Know About Toy Story, and 20 Fantasy Novels Worth Reading

~ M.A. Kropp

More weirdly beautiful photographs, this time of abandoned toy factories: http://io9.com/these-abandoned-toy-factories-and-shops-will-haunt-your-1458651194 And here are thirty-three things you may not have known about the movie, Toy Story (I didn't): http://www.buzzfeed.com/mjs538/33-things-you-probably-didnt-know-about-the-toy And for you fantasy fans out there, here are 20 fantasy novels worth reading. A few of these are on my Want To Read list, and I've added … Continue reading Wednesday Wanderings: Photos of Abandoned Toy Factories, 33 You Didn’t Know About Toy Story, and 20 Fantasy Novels Worth Reading