5 Fandom Friday (9)

5 Fandom Friday is a geek-blogger community building project started and hosted by The Nerdy Girlie and SuperSpaceChick. Every Friday, post a top 5 list based on a predetermined topic that can be found on this master post - you can also find more info on the project there. Participate as frequently or infrequently as you like, and if a topic doesn't especially appeal to you, feel free to put your own twist on it.

Don't forget to link-up at Superspacechick's post for the week!

This week's theme: Conventions I've Been To Or Wish To Attend

Does a Junior Statesman convention/conference count...? Because I've been to one of those in high school. My sister actually ran into Fabio at one of these - like unrelated to JSA; he was just staying in the hotel or something. ANYWAY...

In all seriousness, I've been to...

5) A Supernatural Convention

Honestly, this was kind of disappointing because there wasn't that much going on. The cast panels were great, of course, but other than that and a teeny tiny merch room, there wasn't anything else. But this was one my friends and I went to years and years ago, and the more recent things I've seen floating around online seem more lively. But I'm glad we did it and like I said, the SPN cast is always entertaining, so hearing them basically chat with fans was a good time.

I'm hoping the conventions now are more like the "fan conventions" they've put on the show (dedicated to Supernatural, the book series). I too would like to go on a Hunt but preferably not one with real ghosts...

4) Anime Expo

Went to this a couple of times in high school when I was obsessed with anime and loved it. We didn't do too much panel stuff, but it was fun seeing the Artist's Alley and Dealer's Room and of course, all the incredible cosplayers. There's a masquerade, a dance, a karaoke room (where my friend and I killed it in a duet one year - all in Japanese, which neither of us actually speak), viewing rooms with all day anime, and a gaming room.

Some friends and I went back once after college because the convention is now in Los Angeles (it used to be in Anaheim), which is a lot closer to us. It was kind of cool to see how much fancier it is now, but since we weren't as into anime anymore, the appeal was less.

But if you are into anime, AX is probably the place to be. It's huge now compared to when I went in high school! Plus, it's right by the Staples Center.

3) San Diego Comic Con

I've been 2 years in a row now, and I've loved it. It is like the biggest comics and pop culture event around after all. I think if you're into geekdom and fandom and are an all around pop culture junkie like me, it's great because it has everything. But it's also a huge marketing event, so you might not get some of the really focused or intimate kinds of experiences you're looking for. I think it's just important to have your expectations adjusted for something of this scale and to go with the flow. Seriously. The less you stress about stuff, the more fun you will have. KEY to my 1st year being above and beyond.

My first year was still the best experience, so last year was a tiny bit disappointing (it's tough to top seeing all the stuff that went down in Hall H that year - um, Loki showing up anyone?, seeing Tom Hiddleston at Nerd HQ, and bumping into Hugh Dancy in some hallway) and the crazy line situations didn't help. But that said, it was still fun and uh, I'm still going this year! So see some of you there?


Here are conventions I'd like to go to...

2) NYCC

Because it seems like the next logical step after SDCC, and I love visiting New York City! Not to mention, the book industry seems to have a bigger presence at NYCC than SDCC (because publishing HQ is basically NYC), so I think I'd enjoy that aspect more.

1) YALLfest

I was going to put BEA/BookCon here because it's huge and it's filled with books, bloggers, and writers, but I keep hearing so many good things about YALLfest. It seems like a book and writer people favorite, and it seems more casual and more personal if what you're looking for is chatting with authors and getting your books signed. I'm seriously considering flying out to attend this year.

It also has a sister fest launching in LA in April of this year: YALLWest! This would be perfect because then I can drive instead of fly to it, but unfortunately, I can't make it this year.


*Bonus Choices*

1) Dragon Con - Because it seems like a fan favorite and is always spoken of highly.

2) BEA - As I mentioned above, books. Lots and lots of books.

3) Star Wars Celebration - Because Star Wars.


What's on your convention wishlist?

P.S. In case you missed it, I'm hosting a giveaway of 6 fantastic YA books! It's easy to enter, your chances are great at the moment, and it ends at the end of the month!

Giveaway: 6 of TIME Magazine's Top 100 YA Books

Recently, TIME Magazine published lists of their Top 100 YA Books and Top 100 Children's Books of All Time, honoring new and old classics in these categories. You can check out the lists through the links above.

Candlewick Press had 10 titles from their publishing list that made it onto the lists-  6 Young Adult books and 4 Children's/Picture books.

To celebrate this honor, Candlewick is giving away a full set of their 6 YA books. These beauties right here:

Yep, one of you lucky ducklings will receive paperback copies of...

• The Tiger Rising and The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane both by Kate DiCamillo
• A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness and illustrated by Jim Kay
• The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
• Feed by M.T. Anderson
• Boy Proof by Cecil Castellucci

Related tangent: A Monster Calls is probably one of our (yes, this includes super critical co-blogger Alz) favorite books ever. It is a powerful story with haunting-gorgeous illustrations. We named it a Favorite Old-Timer Best Read of the Year and Favorite Family Drama in the 2012 edition of the YA Superlative Blogfest. So yeah, you want this book (and the others)!

So cross your fingers, enter the rafflecopter below, and thank the awesome folks at Candlewick Press for these goodies and for publishing such delightful books! Giveaway closes at the end of the month, January 31.

P.S. This giveaway is open only to people in the US & Canada. The books will be shipped out by the publisher.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

5 Fandom Friday (8)

5 Fandom Friday is a geek-blogger community building project started and hosted by The Nerdy Girlie and SuperSpaceChick. Every Friday, post a top 5 list based on a predetermined topic that can be found on this master post - you can also find more info on the project there. Participate as frequently or infrequently as you like, and if a topic doesn't especially appeal to you, feel free to put your own twist on it.

I was not blogging over the holidays, so I missed a couple of these. On Wednesday, I blogged about my One Word Resolution for 2015, which covers the New Year's Resolutions prompt from a few weeks ago. Today, I'm going to do 2 Fandom Friday prompts - last week's and this week's!

The Themes

January 2nd – New Year's Fandom Resolutions (last week's prompt)

1) Meet more geek girls/ online friends IRL. SDCC anyone?

2) Go to more conventions. I'm going to SDCC again this year, but I'm kind of thinking about WonderCon, and I'd like to finally get to a book convention. I'm eye-balling YALLfest.

3) Join up with more groups and/or participate in more challenges. I sort of started this at the end of 2014 by finally joining the Female Geek Blogger group, and I just signed up for Geek Girl Brunch. I'm also going to try this #vlogagram project by YA author Megan Whitmer for beginning/occasional vloggers.

4) Read more graphic novels/comic books/webcomics. I just picked up my first on-going comic book series at the end of 2014 (ODY-C, if you're curious), and I devoured Emily Carroll's horror comic anthology THROUGH THE WOODS and her issue of FRONTIER. The medium is so great, and obviously, I love reading. So this seems like an area I can explore more of, and I'm excited for the upcoming book-version of Noelle Stevenson's NIMONA.

5) Geek trip or activity. Already doing good on this: going to NYC for a musical about my US History crush Hamilton (my trip last year was London for Tom Hiddleston, Shakespeare, and Harry Potter Studio Tour!) and very likely at some point this year will be holding a Star Wars trilogies viewing party with friends before the new one drops in December.


January 9th – My Favorite Things About Winter

Disclaimer: I'm from Southern California, so yes, our winters can hardly be called winters. And yes, I am weak to cold.

1) Hot Chocolate/ hot drinks. Nothing warms you up like a nice, hot drink in your favorite mug on a chilly night.


2) Coats / Sweater Weather. I love coats and sweaters, and while it's not often cold enough for my heaviest coats, I still have plenty of other choices. I love the different styles and looks of both coats and sweaters and how you can pair and layer them with other things. So great. Every year I can't stop myself from buying new sweaters.


3) Scarves. I have no great pics of my scarves, but trust that I own many and love wearing them. My favorites are ones friends have crocheted for me.

4) Sleeping in. I'm already a fan of sleep but when I get to sleep in during the winter, it is divine! There's nothing like being all warm and comfy in bed when it's gray and cold outside- bonus if it's raining too.

5) Brisk winter days. While I don't want to be freezing, I do like a little bite in my winter days because there's something crisp and refreshing about it. Overcast skies can be dreary, but every once in a while, we get such gorgeous, moody weather in the winter. The chill just makes me feel more awake, more alive.


Don't forget to link up! What are your favorite things about winter?

2015: One Word Resolution

Happy 2015, dear readers! We're back to blogging this week, and frankly, I'm already behind on everything. Still, the start of a new year holds its potential and promises.

I took some extra time these past few weeks to decide what my word for 2015 would be, and I've finally landed on it

But first, an explanation about the One Word Resolution to anyone new to the idea or anyone who needs a refresher. Instead of making individual New Year's Resolutions (though you certainly still can make them!), you choose a guiding word for the year. It's to help you achieve your goals, focus your attitude, remind you of what you want out of the year.

I learned about the concept from blog friends, who read about it first at Jessica Cora's blog. I've linked her name to the post where she explains the concept. Another blogger who employs this method is Susannah Conway, who runs a free e-workshop to help you find your word (I used this for the first time this year).

So without further ado, my word for 2015 is...

CHANGE

In the past, my words have been present and focus, both things I still really need going into 2015 (especially focus - I kind of failed on that front in 2014), but I wanted something more active and encompassing of what I want at this juncture in my life.

2014 was not a bad year at all for me (though I know it was tough for some & it was tough in the world at large). After all, I did so much traveling - more than I usually do within a given year - did so many fun geeky things, finally met some of my favorite online friends, and made some new friends to boot! While I maybe didn't focus enough on some of my more task-based goals, I felt like I embraced more and expanded more socially than I'm usually comfortable with. I've long been comfortable with my geekiness, but I felt like this year, I let myself be more loud and proud about it.

Highlights of 2014:

• Sherlock S3 - not like we'd been waiting 2 years for this or anything. Viewed this with besties.

• London-Paris Trip: First international trip with just the Sister! Got to meet up & stay with (in Paris) my college roomie! Triple Bucket List successes:
• seeing Shakespeare performed in London
• Tom Hiddleston in the flesh
• Harry Potter Studio Tour + Platform 9 3/4!

• Collaborated with April Tucholke & Lydia Kang on a Twitter Fiction Fest entry that eventually became my WIP verse novel.
• Rediscovered my love for poetry & started writing it again.
• Read my first books in verse and started reading my first on-going comic book (ODY-C).
• Participated in my first podcast with the super nice Crazy4ComicCon, whose tips really helped me navigate my first SDCC in 2013 successfully.
• The World Cup: yeah, soccer is pretty fun after all. Team USA! (And barring that, Germany)
• SDCC 2014: other than the regular fun- I zip-lined for the first time ever and casual cosplayed. Became new/better friends with Jenn and Diana- girls after my own heart. Bucket List successes: 
• signing with Hannibal cast/crew (showrunner Bryan Fuller is super nice!) 
• met literary hero Peter S. Beagle
• finally met long-time online friend & talented YA author Lydia Kang
• Listened to my first podcats: Sarah Enni's insightful & inspiring First Draft Podcast; totally addictive true crime phenomenon Serial.
• Met up with online writerly cohorts (some for the first time): Sarah Enni, Yahong Chi, wistfullyLinda, Lydia Kang.
• Traveled to Italy! Bucket list successes:
• Gelato- everywhere
• Pompeii 
• Ancient ruins, everywhere
• saw The Last Supper IRL with my OWN EYES
• hot David(s)/ Bernini's and Michelangelo's

• Joined in Fandom 5 Fridays hosted by The Nerdy Girlie & Superspacechick, which led to even more geek girl connections (like the hostesses themselves).
• Re: above, also finally joined up in the Nerdy Girlie's Female Geek Bloggers G+ group!
• Participated in photo challenges & did pretty great in them: Jaime Morrow's YA Photo A Day and Set To Stunning's Nerdvember!
• Upped my geek chic game. All leggings, all the time. Special thanks to the Sis and co-blogger Alz for my epic Alexander Hamilton bling.
• Fun Saturday marathon of I heart Nick Carter with the girls. BSB will never not be funny!
• Music: fell in love with Hozier's music/voice in May at his show; jammed out to Guardian of the Galaxy's Awesome Mix Vol. 1; Jason Mraz still makes me swoon at concerts; rediscovered love for Bastille in Italy and saw them in November; obsessed over Taylor Swift's 1989 - and yeah, okay I think I'm a fan.
• TV: Hannibal somehow upped the stakes and kicked even more ass in their 2nd season; geek TV- the year I started watched way too many shows & got addicted to Arrow.
• 10 Year High School reunion!
• Epic Fellowship-large group movie outing to see the last HOBBIT movie.
• STAR WARS: THE FORCE AWAKENS teaser trailer!!!

That said, while the past year was a whirlwind, I also had a growing sense of stuck-ness. Despite all the fun I was having and even some of the growth, I wasn't content and I felt stagnant - like I wasn't really achieving the things I wanted to achieve. This isn't to downplay whatever learning experiences I had in 2014 because I'm grateful for them, but I want 2015 to be the year I'm more active about moving forward, about changing the things that are bothering me.

Some of the tougher parts of 2014 showed me that I need to take more control of my life and ambitions. I had some interpersonal drama that was resolved in most senses but left me feeling kind of disappointed and unsatisfied. Other aspects of my personal life were more stressful and hectic as well, and through this, I was made to realize how long I've been doing what I'm doing. Having my 10 year high school reunion only emphasized this (though I had a good time at the event). I've also realized how often I let fear and doubt dictate my decisions or stop me from trying things.

So I think it's time for a change, and my wish for 2015 is for it to be a year of transformation in various aspects of my life. I know I will have to put in more time, dedication, bravery, and yes, focus to make it happen, but I don't want to reach the end of 2015 with the same sense that I ended 2014 with - happy but unsatisfied.

Anyway, I made a Pinterest board to keep me inspired and on-track throughout the year. I was inspired to follow in fellow geek girl Mia's (who I met through the Nerdvember challenge & SDCC badge-pre-sale buying frenzy) footsteps. Her word for the year, by the way, is sparkle.

Follow alice's board CHANGE on Pinterest.

Final note: I'd like to add that in 2015, I'd like more sparkle, more whimsy, more delight, and more courage. So what's your word for the year?

P.S. Other One Word Resolutions to inspire you.
Katy Upperman: Present
Erin Bowman: Rediscovery
Elodie Nowodazkij: Present

Terrible Titles Bloghop

I so wasn't going to post this week since it IS Christmas Eve, but then Tracey tagged me in the Terrible Titles Bloghop, and I just couldn't resist. You should check out Tracey's titles because they're great and I can't wait to read her sure-to-be-gripping "Making War with Acorns."

Now first thing's first...

RULES: Writers scroll through their manuscript and stop in random places. Whatever words/phrase the cursor lands on becomes one of eight terrible titles.

My current WIP is the verse story, so the selection wouldn't be that great if I just used it because 1) it's in verse, so there's not a lot of words already and 2) I haven't written very much of it so there's even less words. So I'm snatching a few "titles" from a couple different files.

Could be an image from "To How She Moved."

(Source: Grace by bunnyjennyy)

Verse Story Titles

1. We Will Not Be Hounded
2. Light Upon My Worn Steps
3. To How She Moved

Equinoxal Titles

4. While His Hand Painted
5. No, That Is An Angel.

Cinders (A Cinderella Retelling) Titles

6. A Great Deal of Effort
7. We Are New to the Area
8. Pretty, Right?


I love how the Cinders titles are the least indicative of what the story is like, but hey, who wouldn't pick up a book called "PRETTY, RIGHT?" because I totally would! I like pretty things...

And now, I TAG Yahong Chi, Miss Cole, and Julie Dao, and anyone else who wants to join! If you're waiting for a tag? THIS IS IT.

Now, get thee to a nunnery WIP!

5 Fandom Friday (7)

5 Fandom Friday is a geek-blogger community building project started and hosted by The Nerdy Girlie and SuperSpaceChick. Every Friday, post a top 5 list based on a predetermined topic that can be found on this master post - you can also find more info on the project there. Participate as frequently or infrequently as you like, and if a topic doesn't especially appeal to you, feel free to put your own twist on it.

Don't forget to link up on SuperSpaceChick's weekly post.


This week's theme: My Must See List of Christmas Movies

It's not so much that I have to see these, but these are movies that are either very XMAS-y or they remind me of this wonderful time of the year. Just glimpsing them on TV or in stores is enough to give me a jolt of holiday cheer.

1) ELF

Comedies are hit or miss for me because humor can be so subjective, but I loved Elf when I saw it in theaters and I love it now. Even in its most ridiculous, most obnoxious moments, it retained its heartfelt exuberance for the holiday season. That kind of good cheer is infectious.


2) LOVE ACTUALLY

There have been many imitations of this format, but none are as good as the original. All star cast, adorable intersecting stories, and ALL THE FEELS.


3) HARRY POTTER

Nothing seems more magical than Christmas at Hogwarts. Plus, the books and movies have always had great winter scenes, and the ABC Family holiday marathons have helped cement these films in my brain as movies for this time of year. Not to mention, ALL THE MAGICAL FRIENDSHIP FEELS.

4) THE LORD OF THE RINGS TRILOGY

These movies were all released in December, and that's when my friends and I saw them. They were such a part of our high school experience, and we loved them (and love them still). Also, like the Harry Potter movies, the holiday marathons of these movies have also helped strengthen my association of them with Christmastime.

The Hobbit trilogy (why is it a trilogy?) isn't as good, but the friends and I have stuck with tradition and seen them in theater each December they're out. We'll be seeing this last installment this weekend - appropriately in a huge group.


5) A VERY SUPERNATURAL CHRISTMAS (Season 3)

I was going to put something more traditional here like Frosty the Snowman or A Charlie Brown Christmas, but those are kind of no-brainers. They're always shown around Christmastime, and of course, they're very seasonally appropriate and I remember them fondly from childhood.

Instead, I picked for my last entry, this episode of the TV show Supernatural. While it's not one of the strongest monster-of-the-week stories (though I liked the holiday monster twist), it's one of the best character episodes in the show and is one of my absolute favorites. It's funny, clever, sweet, and a little heartbreaking. Basically, it hit all the right notes for Christmas - warm and fuzzy with a hint of melancholy. And we get to see a Christmas with the boys as kids.



Happy Holidays, you freaks!

YA Superlative Blogfest 2014: Best in Show

About the blogfest: The Class of 2014: YA Superlative Blogfest will run Monday, December 15th – Thursday, December 18th and will highlight our favorite YA books published in 2014**. The week will conclude with the lovely hosts Jessica Love, Tracey Neithercott, Alison Miller, and Katy Upperman giving away 2014 books to a few blogfest participants. Click the banner for more info!

If you join in, don't forget to link up at one of the host blogs!

**Disclaimer: I tried to choose books published in 2014 (Alz isn't participating this year because she's been in a year-long reading slump), but I will also have older books since I read A LOT LESS this year & many were not books published in 2014. I'll make a note if the book is NOT 2014 pubbed. In some cases, it was the last book in a series that came out in 2014, but I may talk about the series as a whole.


The topic of Day 4, the final day, is BEST IN SHOW!

Favorite Cover: THE WINNER'S CURSE by Marie Rutkoski / OF METAL AND WISHES by Sarah Fine


I think we're all a bit over the Girl-in-Dress covers, but The Winner's Curse works for me and is absolutely eye-catching. I love the sumptuous image (fancy dresses are part of the story) and the vertical, overlaid type. And did you notice, the girl's hand clutching the P?

I love the Of Metal and Wishes cover for its simplicity and neutral color scheme. I love the type and the kind of romantic atmosphere, and of course, how awesome is it to have such a beautiful cover featuring a non-white heroine? Oh and that plastic-looking tarp? I love that it hints at the meat factory setting.


Most Likely to Succeed (Pick a Printz Winner): A TIME TO DANCE by Padma Venkatraman

This book is moving, uplifting, and just beautiful. It's one of the first verse novels I've read, and what a great introduction to the medium. The poetry is simple but vivid, painting evocative scenes and drawing out emotions. A Time to Dance is about rising up, growing up, love, and the power of dance/art. Here's my goodreads review for my immediate impressions.

(We Were Liars is a close second, but that book has been everywhere, and I think I've gushed about it enough.)


Most Likely to Make You Miss Your Bedtime: MORTAL GODS by Kendare Blake

It was the same with Book 1: ANTIGODDESS. I blasted through Mortal Gods over a weekend because I just needed to know what was going to happen! And then that cliffhanger ending?! Killer! When is the next one out?!


Best Repeat Performance: HEIR OF FIRE / BLUE LILY, LILY BLUE / WHERE SHE WENT

I couldn't choose between HoF and BL,LB because HoF is my favorite of the Throne of Glass books so far, but I LOVE every subsequent book of the The Raven Cycle, probably because I'm just so grateful to be in Henrietta and Cabeswater again.

So to make it really fair, I'm going to choose a follow-up that wasn't published in 2014- Gayle Forman's WHERE SHE WENT, the sequel to IF I STAY. I liked If I Stay a lot, so I don't know why it took me so long to pick up Where She Went. I think I was too afraid it would somehow fall short of the magic that was the first book. After seeing If I Stay the movie, I finally went out and read the follow-up... AND I LOVED IT. I maybe loved it more than the first book, and I just want to hug everyone, but especially Adam and Mia.


Favorite Finale or End of Series Novel: RUIN & RISING by Leigh Bardugo

You must be sick by now of hearing me talk about how satisfying I found this conclusion. Endings are hard, and Leigh Bardugo killed it.


Best Old-Timer (Favorite Book Published BEFORE 2014): WHERE SHE WENT by Gayle Forman


See "Repeat Performance" category for Where She Went reasons. I also really enjoyed Gayle Forman's 2013 pubbed JUST ONE YEAR, follow-up to JUST ONE DAY. It was nice see the other side of the story.


Most Likely to Make a Grown Man Cry: THE FAULT IN OUR STARS by John Green

I'm cheating with this one because this book has been out, and I'm just slow getting to read this. Did the book make me cry? Almost but no. Books don't really make me cry, but I watched the movie in theaters like 2 hours after I finished the book, and that was a cryfest. So, yeah. (To be fair, movies are more emotionally manipulative than books for me, AND I was already in a compromised emotional state. You don't do TFiOS back-to-back like that on little sleep. At least, I don't recommend it.)


Most Creative Use of a Love Triangle: OF METAL & WISHES by Sarah Fine

All I can say is that it's kind of unusual, and I believed both relationships.


Sleeper Hit (Novel So Awesome I Wish It’d Been Hyped More): A TIME TO DANCE / OF METAL AND WISHES

I talked about why A Time to Dance is great in the "Most Likely to Succeed" category, so I'm going to tell you about Of Metal and Wishes a bit. Other than the fact that it has a love triangle that works and is an intriguing spin on The Phantom of the Opera (who would think to mash it up with Upton Sinclair's The Jungle?), OMaW has a fascinating political set-up. It has explores class and race divisions and manages to be dark and gory while still maintaining (at appropriate times) a sort of dreamy atmosphere as suggested by the book cover. I'm very curious where the story will lead next, and like The Winner's Curse, OMaW is a vivid fantasy...without actual magic (or is there?).


Favorite Outlier (Best Picture Book): SAM & DAVE DIG A HOLE by Mac Barnett, Illustrated by Jon Klassen

I loved the last book Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen collaborated on, the adorable EXTRA YARN, so I was so excited to find another collab between them. While this book isn't quite as cute or sweet, it's amusing, delightful, and has a twist ending. As usual, Klassen's animals have the best expressions and add a little extra something to the tale.

Honorable Mention: Sparky! by Jenny Offill, illustrated by Chris Appelhans. This book is about a girl who gets a sloth as a pet. It is THE CUTEST.


Favorite Graphic Novel: THROUGH THE WOODS by Emily Carroll

Emily Carroll draws some of the most delightfully creepy and disturbing web comics around like her (in)famous HIS FACE ALL RED. I love her web comics and her art, so I was super excited to hear she had a book coming out this year. The anthology does not disappoint with its new stories and first-time-in-print His Face All Red. Give it a read if you like the kind of fairy tales that are meant to scare you and stay with you.

And that's it for this year's YA Superlatives blogfest! I can't believe it's over and that 2014 is coming to a close. I hope to read more next year, and I hope this blogfest has added to your TBR piles!

I will mostly be taking a break for the holidays, but I will sometimes pipe in on Fridays for 5 Fandom Friday. Other than that, see you next year! xoxo


2014 YA Superlatives Blogfest recap:
Day 1: Head of Class
Day 2: Popularity Contest
Day 3: Elements of Fiction