Nerd Church - Look At All That Pain

Hello my dear darling lovely internetty-type peoples! Welcome back to Nerd Church - that part of the week where I attempt to be deep and meaningful by taking a look at books and other such nerdy stuffs with my moral-eyes firmly plugged in. (Yes, I have had coffee. Yes, I have been listening to MCR. Yes, I'm ready to f**king DO this!!!)

My rambling topic this week is dystopia. Yep, dystopia - you know the kind of thing: Hunger Games, The Running Man, 1984, Divergent, Under the Never Sky. It's particularly popular amongst the YA genre-peoples right now. Well, why? Here are some of my theories (in a handy-dandy 5-point list - yay! Ok, maybe less coffee before I post next week.)

Church image courtesy of debspoons at FreeDigitalPhotos.net

#1 - Things can always get f**king worse.

Ok, so we live in a sh**ty world - pretty much everything is either broken or breaking. But we don't live in any world Suzanne Collins created, so it gives us an opportunity to count our (albeit limited) blessings.


#2 - Young people have a voice when the world goes to hell.

Have you noticed this? Somehow the teenagers and 20-somethings can make an honest-to-goodness difference in these dystopian societies. That means we've got a chance - if Katniss can do it, then we can too. I think we really cling to this because, lets face it, if you're young, you feel pretty powerless with the world as it is - and it's us who'll have to mop up the mess of previous generations.


#3 - Back to basics

We kind of feel like society has its priorities arse-backwards - who cares if you have a f**king new iPod - there's a kid f**king dying over there! This is an attempt to redress the balance. What matters to the poor souls in dystopian novels is their survival, the survival of other people, and fixing the corruption and injustices around them.


#4 - Come the revolution!

These worlds usually have some problem which we see in our own - injustice, inequality, even climate change. This inspires us to do something about it, and consider what these things may lead to if left unchecked. It also allows as to explore deep moral and ethical sh** without having to actually stand there with a knife in our hand.


#5 - Look at all that pain

The characters in these novels have been through utter hell, and, let's face it, at some point in our lives so have we, and so will we again in the future. Dystopian characters offer us hope in a world that seemingly has none (metaphor for modern life anyone?) and inspiration to keep fighting for what we believe in. They also offer us a chance to empathise with people who may be in very extreme situations, and take a look at our own lives and priorities.



See you next week for more Nerd Church. Happy reading!

Friday Fics Fix! - Fic-ception Edition

For this week's Fics Fix I've kind of got a theme going for my recs (recommendations, for non-fandom speakers,) - fics where the characters find fanfiction of themselves on the internet, and pretty much get scarred for life. It's a little bit fourth wall meets Inception, with a huge helping of gay porn. I'm going to blanket rate these fics M - Ok, kids - no reading these! The reason why I'm blanket rating is because the internet is a terrifying place and if there is anything left of your innocence, given the amount of weirdness on the web, please do RUN; RUN FAST. Seriously, if you're still somewhat normal, find something else to read (and stay in school, don't do drugs, stealing is wrong...there, I tried.)

Oh, and these are all MCU (Marvel Cinematic Universe) fics, mainly Avengers-centric - not because I was aiming for that, just because it turned out that way. And thanks to my friend Miss Lottie for the Fic-ception phrase ;)

Midgardian Smut by Lula Madison

OK, this is perhaps a bit, well, crack (which, as I explained before, is a fan-fiction that you would need to be on crack to come up with) but it's actually really funny. Basically, Loki finds the Internet - complete with smutty fanfics - and torments Steve, Tony, and Thor. What I really like is that slowly the Internet warps everyone's brains - because that's what I feel. So, so, often. Particularly when writing posts about fanfiction. (Warning: there is Stony (Steve and Tony) and Thorki (Thor and Loki) relationships.)

The Joys of the Internet by turnthemusicupnow

This time it's Tony who finds the dirty stuff on the internet, and then passes it on. Doesn't fully descend into porn, but the inference is most definitely there. This includes ThunderShield (where Steve and Thor have the hots for each other,) and a bit of Science Bros flitting in at the end (where Tony and Bruce get more snuggly than the studios would allow in the films.)

Don't Ever Call Me Stevie and Food Play by Unoriginality

These are fab. I mean really, fantastic. Essentially, Bucky traumatises Steve with internet (and it doesn't even morph rapidly into gay porn - I know, how weird? They don't end up kissing and doing naughty things, and it's still funny!)

The day Loki discovered Frostiron by Majinie

OK, this is Frostiron - where Tony Stark and Loki have a little something going on romantically. I'm more than a little worried that that sentence is no longer weird to me. I may need a fic detox soon. Anyway, Loki finds Frostiron porn on the internet - and you can pretty much guess where it ends up from there.

Blogger Recognition Award

The lovely Mimi Syabani nominated everyone who read her post for the Blogger Recognition Award (thanks Mimi!) so, I couldn't resist, could I?

My Story

Once a book nerd was bitten by a radioactive librarian... Sorry, I've either had too much or too little coffee this morning, I'll be good now *serious face, trying not to giggle.*

No, my story is simply that I love books. Like really love books. I love books so much that I figured if I inspire even one person to read something in the course of this blog, then I'll have done my job. The other inspiration was that I love writing (I know, I know, clichéd as all hell,) and wanted to have something to egg me on to write, get me back to being a productive member of society and all that jazz.

I'll let you in on a little secret, I have had a really crappy few years. As the result of which, I got whammied by depression on top - because obviously, when the world's going to hell you need your brain to rebel against you. I'm a millennial, working self-employed, who had to pick herself up and dust herself off after gut convulsions (pretty much as fun as they sound) and labyrinthitis (definitely not as fun as it sounds) put pay to going to university.

Then my mother was diagnosed with breast cancer, and I acted as her carer until (fingers crossed) she was all clear. Trying to care for my mother was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do, and I ended up believing I was worthless, that everything was my fault - I started blaming and criticising myself for things that I had no control over.

Eventually, everything came to a head - and I ended up doing what is one of the other hardest things I've ever had to do, and went to the doctor. My life has certainly not run smoothly since then - far from it, I lost both of my grandparents within four days of each other over Christmas - but I learnt to get back up and carry on going. And throughout it all, I've had books - I've had reading. Without it I have no idea what I'd be like right now - so, yeah, books are kind of a big deal to me. And if I can show someone else the way to that magic... yeah, so that's why I ended up starting this blog.
 
My Advice

Don't do anything just to become rich and famous. Most bloggers will never have recognition beyond a small circle of followers - and even that is beyond the reach of some. No, if you want to blog - do it for the love of your subject, you'll be a lot happier in the long run.

Never allow yourself to be shamed for what you enjoy - if you like a book and everyone else hates it, say that you like it. No-one should be made to feel ashamed of what they like or dislike.

So, yeah, have fun... be true to yourself... all that stuff. Just, enjoy your life guys - happiness is more important than whether you drive a sports car or have the latest apple product, honestly.

I'm going to copy Mimi and nominate everyone reading this!

Reviewing the Evidence - Diary of a Wimpy Vampire: Prince of Dorkness

Title: Diary of a Wimpy Vampire: Prince of Dorkness (US Link)
Author: Tim Collins
Genre: humour, paranormal, vampire, ya
Series: Wimpy Vampire (#2)

A few starting notes:

This is the sequel to the funny and entertaining 'Diary of a Wimpy Vampire' - since I enjoyed the last one, I decided to give the second book a go. As it's a sequel I'll go by my general rule of thumb for reviewing sequels - the blurb dictates the level of spoilerage for previous books. This means that the only plot details for previous books that I divulge are of the same nature as those found in the blurb for this book - it just seems fair to me.

Premise:

Nigel Mullett, the wimpy vampire, records a second year of life as the undead. Things are never plain-sailing when it comes to being stuck at the awkward age of 15; no matter how long you've been in school for, it all comes around again. And there's his barmy family, girls, and weird school-mates to deal with - nothing is ever easy.

Best bits:

This has the same tongue-in-cheek humour as the first book, focussing on the melodramas of teenage life, which don't go away simply because you're undead. The tone is great because Nigel is so grimly serious about the most ridiculous of things.

I personally really liked the addition, in this book, of the topic of vampire romances - which Nigel even tries his hand it! It's that sly, satirical humour that Brits do so very well, and made me smile.

The book is quick and readable, with funny cartoon-like illustrations and a diary format that splits the entire thing into short sections. Again, if you have one of those bizarre creatures, a tween or teenage boy, to force books into, it might be worth sticking the wimpy vampire series under their nose nonchalantly - might work, you never know.

Not so great bits:

I did find some parts - relating to new school-mate Jason in particular - quite predictable, but then I live on a constant diet of paranormal novels, so might have warped my brain to the point where nothing really surprises me anymore.

I can't help but feel like there's more potential for hilarity in Nigel's family, and his long past, than Mr Collins has unlocked. An opportunity missed perhaps.

Verdict:

This is fun and funny - a light-hearted take on the vampire craze that made me smile at more than one off-hand comment. Might even tempt the reluctant reader.

It's alive! :)

Hello the lovely peoples of the interwebs! Just thought I should let you know that the 'Victor Frankenstein' trailer, released by 20th Century Fox, has landed - complete with a winning combination of Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy. Looks like it might actually bring something new and fresh to the Frankenstein story (and if you haven't read Mary Shelley's original, then I highly recommend it,) - here's hoping it'll be a good 'un!

Reviewing the Evidence! - Printer's Devil Court

Title: Printer's Devil Court (US Link)
Author: Susan Hill
Genre: Horror, historical fiction, ghost story

A few starting notes:

This is a novella from modern master of the period ghost story, Susan Hill - author of similarly spoopy (I'm sorry purists - I, of course, mean spooky) tale, The Woman in Black.

Premise:

Hugh Meredith is a medical student at the turn of the last century (I think - it's never made all that clear to be honest,) when his fellow students suggest something which usually ends so well - raising the dead. Cue poop hitting fan and ghostly goings-on.

Best bits:

The atmospherics are pretty damned awesome here - this is something that Susan Hill can do. Gothic setting? Check. Shiver down my back? Check. Ghosties? Check.

It's also illustrated - giving it an authentic-style old-timey feel in its mimicry of the old plate illustrations in Victorian/Edwardian books/periodicals.

The entire thing is inherently readable - short, illustrated, and gothic. Awesomeness.

Not so great bits:

There's no excuse for the degree of typos folks, there's just not. You say there are two other doctors and then name three? It will jar you right out of the story. It's just not on, and I hope it's different in other editions.

The time-frame is never made all that clear - and I have some time perception issues that would've benefitted from clarity. Also, what level of technology and setting are we supposed to be imagining? Time period makes a difference when you're writing historical fiction - you can't leave it all fuzzy-wuzzy and up in the damned air!

Also, given the subject matter, I would've expected some mention of Mary Shelley - whose book Frankenstein was definitely in print at the time in which this is set; bit of an ever-loving heffalump in the room.

Verdict:

I enjoyed this - if it wasn't for the practical problems (typos, fuzzy time-periods, etc.,) I would've looked on it far more kindly, but it is inherently a very good book. Any fan of gothic horror and/or ghost stories will love it.

Nerd Church time!

Hello my lovely nerdy peoples! For this week's edition of Nerd Church I will just leave you with this beautiful quote:

“Of course it is happening inside your head, Harry, but why on earth should that mean that it is not real?”

Words to live by, if ever there where some. Keep looking for inspiration in the pages bookworms, and happy reading!

Original image courtesy of debspoons at FreeDigitalPhotos.net