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This World We Live In (Last Survivors, #3)This World We Live In by Susan Beth Pfeffer

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This may be my favorite book of the series. I love watching the development of the main character, Miranda. I think the author did a good job giving us a picture of how life could get if anything happened to our neighbor the moon. With tides and volcanic action, the world becomes one that is trying to survive. But with volcanic ash in the sky messing with the weather, and lack of warm sunshine, food, and clean water are a constant struggle to find. Miranda has long since given up on the life of a teen with proms and homework. Now she is just trying to help her family survive.

Though this is my shortest review of the series, you can see what I think of the rest in a bulk review here: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show…

I do wish there were more books to this series!

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The Dead and the Gone (Last Survivors, #2)The Dead and the Gone by Susan Beth Pfeffer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Review to follow when I’ve finished #4

******
Okay. Due to what I learned as I wrote the review for #4, this was my least favorite book of the series, with Alex being my least favorite main character. But through his point of view, we learn more about how the world, at least that part of the country is dealing with the problems brought about through the meteor hitting the moon and the changes in gravitational forces on the earth.

Though this book centers on the faith that Alex and his family are devoted to, it was okay as there are a lot of people in the world and how they choose to believe affects how they see the world. But that and the misogynistic viewpoint of this faith and cultural leanings leads us to see a male who feels he must be in charge and has no compunction of hitting his sisters whose only reason to be on this earth was to cook and clean for the male. I just couldn’t abide by how he treated his sisters. I never got to where I liked him much at all. But, it is through his eyes we see what happens to the world as endures more disasters and recovery.

I had to return the Audible version of this book as the narrator’s acting was horrible. The deep gravelly voice didn’t fit the teen, either. I felt my text-to-speech did a better job. I didn’t even attempt to buy the one for #4 for it is the same voice. A younger sounding voice with more pep would have been better.

Even still, this is a great series and I want it to continue from other points of view.

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The Shade of the Moon (The Last Survivors, #4)

Sorry that the following reviews are a little out of order. But maybe you’ll still get the drift.

The Shade of the Moon by Susan Beth Pfeffer

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have really enjoyed this series. That said, it is a toss up between #2 and #4 that I disliked the most. It may actually be this one. If there were a less redeemable character, it would be Miranda’s youngest, spoiled rotten brother, Jon. Alex of #2 was nearly as bad. Still thinking Maybe Alex wins as I think beating your sister or anyone else is unacceptable, I don’t care what your religion or culture says. He never redeemed himself in my eyes. I don’t even know what Miranda saw in him. Even if he were the last guy on earth, he wasn’t worth it.

Jon, on the other hand, saw the error of the ways taught to him. I would have hoped he wouldn’t have internalized that bigotted manner of his new society since his parents had worked so hard to get him to what they considered a safe place. But in the end, I began to be okay with him.

I would have much preferred the story just be about the females. Or just Miranda. She was a normal teen in the first book, but through it all, she grew to be selfless and caring.

Oh, a word of the narration. I loved the voice on #1 and #3. She could act out all the characters with distinction and humor. ButI didn’t buy for this book because I hated the voice on #2. I love a good deep voice. My dad had a bass voice and was a great speaker and reader (and wonderful singer) so it isn’t the depth of the voice. But it didn’t fit for the teen Alex. I rarely return Audibles but I did that one. I preferred my text-to-speech to the actor who emoted so seldom. I didn’t even attempt to buy the one for this #4 book.

Okay. It looks like all I had to say here were complaints. That’s not true. I LOVED the series even the books I didn’t like. I love seeing characters grow. I love watching people survive through the seemingly impossible circumstances. I am sorry to write this possible last review. There are more stories in this one story that I would love to see. It almost seems there should be an in between book just after #3. I would love to see the trek that took Miranda’s family to what they thought would be a sanctuary. I’d like to see one from Mom and Dad’s point of view. I’d like to see a book about the reparations as the country and world heal. Maybe one that includes letters from others on the other side of the world. Still, this fourth book didn’t leave one on a cliff of any kind, it just ended too soon and maybe too pat. I’m sad to see this story end. If you like sci-fi especially dystopian/post-apocalyptic nature, you will love this series.

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The Christmas Dragon and other Seasonal StoriesThe Christmas Dragon and other Seasonal Stories by Katharina Gerlach

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a quick read. I thought since my tree is still up I could still handle me some Christmas, especially if there are dragons! Check and check!

If you read my reviews often, you know I am not a fan of short stories. I love long series type reads. I like getting to know the characters really well. But I have read other books by Katharina Gerlach that were delightful so I knew I couldn’t go wrong. I just needed to read something light between the heavier reads of post-apocalyptic dramas and the next long read. This hit the spot!

Did I mention it has dragons? And that starts with the first story that was touching and sweet. I think it was my favorite of all the stories.

Please, if you need a Hallmark moment that includes Christmas and Dragons, give this gem a read!

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Your prompt for January 6 is brought to you by Prajakta atย https://anarmchairperfectionist.wordpress.com/ย Your prompt is: โ€œTangible.โ€ Use it any way you like. Make sure you stop by Prajaktaโ€™s website and say hello to her!

Thanks toย Linda G Hillย for setting this fun project up. And thanks to stand-inย Rosemaryย for keeping it going!

Tangible

Where I grew up the sky was tangible. Most people don’t think of sky or air as tangible. But if your town was trapped between mountain ranges and the air currents trapped the air from Los Angeles. especially in the summers, the sky was yellow to tan. You felt that on hot days, in your lungs, of course, but if you were like me, your skin. I never felt clean during the summer unless I was swimming. We didn’t own a pool but we walked several miles to get to a pool and our two dimes let us stay for four hours, two sessions. Unfortunately, by the time we had walked home we felt dirty again. That was before laws were passed for cars and companies to reduce smog-causing emissions. By the time I had my own children and brought them to see their grandparents those laws had changed the sky quite a bit. It is still a bit yellow, I think, but maybe that is just the film covering my memory. No. Wait! I remember using GeoEarth to “drive” through the town and the sky in the pictures makes the place look hot and sticky, kind of yellow. But still not as bad as when I was a kid.

Now I live somewhere totally different. During the summer the sky is so dry as to make it the opposite of tangible, I suppose intangible. But the lack of H2O that, say, the southern states have in high quantities, is so lacking one needs to constantlyย smear on lotions or squirt themselves with water. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. For all seasons my hair looks like I am touching that huge machine they had in science class that makes static electricity (Had to look it up–electrostatic generator!) Touching metal items or pets or loved ones can cause tangible and visible effects. But the sky here is so clear and dark that you can see a million galaxies! Stars so close you feel they may be tangible.

I wrote all the above with this thought in mind. Last night we reached a low of -20. Today I am not sure we got above 12. The kitchen pipes froze and took some doing to start working again. But after days of snow that hasn’t melted since before Christmas, this morning’s air was tangible. It grew all over everything outside. The frost on the trees were big pieces of ice. I still can’t see out of my windows as the outer pane is covered with frost. It looks like a magical place.

img_20160521_0528297_rewind

Not so to my poor little rat terrier, Kali. She goes out to do her duty and sheย holds up one foot and then the other. The world is TOO tangible for her.


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Thanks so much to Judy at โ€œEdwinaโ€™s Episodesโ€ for our prompt today, โ€œSpangly.โ€ You can visit her daily JusJoJan post by clicking here: http://www.edwinasepisodes.com/jusjojan-january-4th-spangly/

And thank youย Linda G Hillย For letting us all in the fun of this annual event!

Spangly

Okay, I’ll admit it. I had to look up what it meant. THAT is how non-spangly I am! Sure I love looking at shiny. Shiny is what the ADD person follows! Any shiny! In this case, that spangly, shiny thing could be the conversation happening next to you, when you are in your own conversation (and supposed to be listening to the spouse, friend or person of authority at the same moment.) This is the reason I can’t stand going to church or parties or anywhere there are lots of people. It is the reason if my husband is talking to me I turn down or request he turn down the TV. That used to cause arguments until I made him understand that HIS words were the ones I wanted to hear. TV will pause and replay what I missed.

Spangly, shiny things will get in the way of every goal I claim. I’ve watched that play out every November. In that case, even housework I’ve let go for years gets done rather than the writing of 50K words I should be writing forย NaNoWriMo. Heck, November has become the new Spring! BUT for me, that energy I puy out cleaning sometimes lights the creative flames that sitting in front of the blank page would not. This year? Not so much. Shiny won! In my defense, I won for 12 years so… Now the spangly is in the way of editing. Editing is BORING! Spangly wins every time I try.

My friend and I are trying to get more positive about goals to look toward. Another friend and I have not done resolutions but rather ‘possibilities’. So we are setting small goals to help up re-find what holiday spangly lost for us. We are including our creative things like writing or making artwork, to cleaning that ever filling countertops or tabletops. We three friends are Sagittarius’s. Maybe that adds to my own ADD. Adventures need to happen all the time, things have to stay interesting or we tendย to quit.

Another thing I understand about ADD is the hyperfocus. I got that all my life. If you can focus on this why can’t you focus on that? I would get from parents and teachers. Not sure I know why, but here are the areas of hyperfocus of late: Reading My Read List, and Loom Knitting items for charities My Projects, and learning Spanish and German from Duolingo. None of these things is bad unto themselves, but they do often keep me from getting other things done that tend to pile up on me. So setting the small goals may help us find our balance.

Spangly is fun and shiny, but nice cotton t-shirts and sweats don’t hurt my skin or cause fibro-flares (another distraction for me). When you can live without thinking of your clothing and look out on your world and see your space in a quiet order, peace can reign.

Still, I haven’t taken down my Christmas Trees. I am hanging my finished projects on it until I have made some Valentine’s Day spangly. Yes, there’s a place for it even in my life.

img_20170105_2126153_rewind

Sorry for the graininess. Took it with my Fire. (They are good for more than reading!)


From a Distant StarFrom a Distant Star by Karen McQuestion

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was a fun ride! I wish I would have noted where I heard about this book. Since it cost $1.99 I would guess someone recommended it to me. Thank you, whoever you are!

This was sci-fi. Not my favorite type which is on other planets or roaming outer space. But it is the next best thing, an alien on this world.

Those who have lost others or have had cancer may find the first part of the book a little triggery as the love interest is dying of cancer. But this holds hope, so stay with it. It gets better.

I was lucky to have a free credit at Audible and could listen to Kate Rudd narrate the story. She is very good at the different character voices. I kind of wish Lucas’s voice was a little more distinct from Scout’s but there wasn’t enough of that voice to worry about. Kate kept the story interesting, I think more interesting than had I read it without Whispersynch.

Get ready because around the middle of the book you won’t want to put it down, it gets more and more exciting. And all threads are neatly tied up at the end. Even so, I miss the characters and wish there were more. Maybe more from the alien planet and what happens next there? And maybe a connection happens between the new friends. Maybe Lucas could develop some sort of ability?

But even as a solo book, it was a lot of fun! I gave up binging on another series (TV) because the book was far more interesting. If you get the chance to read this, you should. I think you’ll like it.

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jjj-2017

1linerwedsbadgewes

Just as I learn a little about Just Jot It January, it becomes One-Liner Wednesday.

(Did I do it?)

I hope the below creates a pingback!

One-Liner Wednesday & #JusJoJan 4/17 Prompt – Pro Tip


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The Just Jot It January 3rd prompt, brought to you by Dan Antion, of the blog โ€œNo Facilities,โ€ is: โ€œWarning.โ€ Use it any way youโ€™re inspired to. And make sure you stop by and say hi to Dan as well! Hereโ€™s his blog: https://nofacilities.com/ย  ย And Thanks to Linda G. Hill for the Just Jot It idea:ย https://lindaghill.com/2017/01/03/jusjojan-daily-prompt-jan-3rd17/

Warning

I may add more to this later as I have been thinking about it all day. But this warning: if a dog and cat are asleep on your bed, you may find it impossible to stay awake.

We’ll see if I can come up with more after the nap. ๐Ÿ˜‰


jjj-2017

The Just Jot It January 2nd prompt, brought to you by JoAnna, from her blog โ€œAnything is Possible,โ€ is: โ€œTime.โ€ Use it any way youโ€™re inspired to. And make sure you stop by and say hi to JoAnna as well! Hereโ€™s her blog: https://joannesilvia.com/

Time

Get ready for some meandering. This is a great prompt for maybe a month of writing!

Is it really January 2017? You have got to be kidding me! November was supposed to be my excuse for catching up with everything but writing. Instead, I fell behind everything, even my usual reviews of books or looming projects fell by the wayside. The “possibility” that I have hopes for in this year, is to get back on track and even start blogging for reals here more.

So remember how they say time flies when you’re having fun? And remember how slow it creeps when the bell was to ring at the end of the school day or that 00 to show up on the digital clock at work that indicated the drive home, the future of no shoes or bra within your grasp but those last seconds took hours?

Then consider this: The last few years, even with fibro pain, etc. have FLOWN by. HOW? We’re not traveling or having parties. Just living. No work-a-day/school days, yet each day seems not to have enough hours to do all I want/need to do. Add to the shortening of time the energies are never where I want them. I want to challenge all baby-boomers to look into their own lives: Is time actually moving faster now than it ever had in our lives or is it just me?

Does the prompt include TIMES? In that case, wow, have times changed! Much of the world seems to think that the 1950s were the good ole days. I call Bull! I had to wear those darn rounded toed black and white shoes. I had to wear scratchy clothes. I could only see being a housewife no matter how much I would get through ‘education.’ And then my parents and grandparents complaining about my short skirts in the 60s. Worry about the possibility of getting pregnant from being too close to boys or door knobs or moths or bees or birds–no one gave the same story.

Ya know, I keep seeing these memes of “If you remember this…like and share.” Really? I remember getting sick because one of my grandmothers threw everything in the meat grinder. I hated ironing–my chore. Really what is so special about a P38 can opener (I still have one as I’m sure everyone who wants to be prepared for the next apocalypse has).

I counter those fond one-up on the newer generations with things our grandparents had that we didn’t have. Like newspaper in the wall to keep out the chill. Like wearing out your shoes while walking behind the covered wagon. ย They had things we didn’t good and bad. Andย what WONDERS the newer generations have given us. Right at the time we are losing our words we can Google on our technology quickly and hopefully save ourselves from the embarrassment of old age.

And how many of you who think we had it best have forgotten how we enjoy crushing candy or putting blocks in order or blowing up things without destroying anything?

But I was the seventh-grader in the library during that time between arriving on the bus and first bell reading the inventions section of Popular Science. I dreamed of the day of solar power, long before the words “Global Warming” became the hit or complaint of whichever side of the fence you live on.

Here’s what I believe: ย We are all unlucky and lucky to be born when we were. Our challenges seems to bring about ‘character’ or so we were told by our elders. But who set you up on the internet and who do you call when your technology goes haywire? Yeah, that useless, or so you are calling them, generation. We should all be here for each other no matter our age or any other difference you may call out. We are all part of the experiment of life. Let’s give each other a break! It’s about time!

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