Author Archives: caseykins

Fall-ish Reading List 2014

Posted on January 2, 2015 by caseykins

In the holiday shuffle, I missed posting my fall reading list. So this one contains everything I’ve read up until January 1. It’s shorter because I’ve been doing less reading of other people’s novels and more reading of my own. Draft 6 is in full swing.

So, without further ado, here it is:

1. A Wonderlandiful World, by Shannon Hale – Fun like the others, but I missed Apple and Raven. Hale does some brilliant stuff that is Against the Rules and Shouldn’t Work with the character of the narrator. And yet it does, perfectly.

2. Demons, and other magic by Meghan Ciana Doidge – She did not deliver on a (stupid) thing she’s been threatening for three books now, so that made me unhappy. Otherwise it was what it should have been. Nice epic finish that felt big enough.

3. Manon Lescaut by Abbe Provost – I can’t say I liked it, although it got me thinking quite a bit. It’s one of those novels where I disdain the characters and think they’re all idiots. But it broadened my horizons. So I’m not sorry I read it.

4. The Princess Bride by S. Morgenstern – If it was possible that anything could be funnier than the movie, this book is funnier than the movie. The Florin jokes, abridgements, and history are the best thing ever, like I’m part of a massive inside joke.

5. Attachments by Rainbow Rowell – Man hired to read company e-mails secretly falls in love with girl who keeps violating the e-mail policy. The two gals are beyond hilarious, the main character is such a great guy, and I love this book so much.

6. The Lake by Analisa Grant – I just… 1^st person present tense was difficult for me, and the story was cliché. But it had profluence and an interesting main character. I gave up 1/3 of the way through. Maybe I’ll pick it up again, I don’t know.

7. A Garden Folly by Candice Hern – The stupid sort of G rated Regency romance I love a lot. Although it does make me uncomfortable when a girl says no and a guy doesn’t listen, no matter how much she’s really enjoying it.

8. Paper Towns by John Green – Looking For Alaska was a better “finding someone” novel, and An Abundance of Katherines was a better “road trip” novel. But it enjoyed it, and would have enjoyed it more had I not read the others first, I think.

9. The Grand Sophy by Georgette Heyer – Now this is what I look for in a sappy regency romance. Sophy is delightfully uncouth, quippy, and still the toast of the town. It’s such a fun novel! I’m pretty sure Heyer is my new obsession.

10. The Masqueraders by Georgette Heyer – A confusing start but ultimately fun. Minus (miniscule) points because the siblings don’t have a great reason for masquerading. Most of the novel had me in conniptions worried for Prue in White’s club.

11. A Convenient Marriage by Georgette Heyer – I feel like I shouldn’t have liked this one because of the abduction but I did anyway. I could have done without the swath at the end where silly brothers are silly. Otherwise impeccable.

12. The Corinthian by Georgette Heyer – Considered her best by folks on Goodreads. It was cute, but I wasn’t super impressed. The way she treats gender relationships sometimes bothers me, but not enough to hate the book. It was a different time.

13. More Than Somewhat by Damon Runyon – Why is he so wonderful? I forgot how hilarious he makes the Broadway underworld of the 1930s and 40s. I wish more of his stuff was available.

14. The Coldest Girl in Coldtown by Holly Black – Oh CRAZY good, and perfect for the Halloween mood I was in. Vampire novel meets quippy YA novel in the best way. It was violent, but I found I could take it. Seriously, this one is amazing.

15. The Quiet Gentleman by Georgette Heyer – This one was sort of murder mystery-ish, although I knew who did it way too far in advance. Once again, some unwanted advances are blamed on the flirtatious girl (sigh). But I enjoyed it anyway.

16. Dangerous by Shannon Hale – I love this novel, and the problems I saw in it the first time didn’t bother me at all the second time through. The best part is still the funny names Maisy gives her false arm, and the bad puns. They never get old.

17. A Midwife’s Tale by Laurel Thatcher Ulrich – You don’t often get nonfiction books that focus on the daily lives of women. And women in the late 1700’s? Sold! It was a fascinating read and taught me A LOT about colonial domestic life. Love.

18. The Art of Asking by Amanda Palmer – It’s weird. This book feels utterly familiar and yet new at the same time. I am in love with her, and this book is all the toppings on the sundae of how she’s changed my perspective and my life. So good.

19. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn – Beautifully written. It made me angsty and paranoid, though. The things she has to say about relationships are so heartbreakingly true that it feels like I could get there. And the end? No. Just, no. Ultimately did not like.

20. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens – I have never read any Dickens as an adult, and I’m enjoying it a lot more than I did when I was younger. His character descriptions are delightful, and the story is so much more full. Poor Pip and his fortune.

21. Balls and Synthetic Cheese by Amethyst Hethcoat – A classmate of mine. Such a weird and sometimes funny collection of short stories. I had forgotten her penchant for unlikely metaphors and similes that make me grin. I was glad for the reminder.

22. Rose Daughter by Robin McKinley – SO good, with that mundane quality in which nothing and everything happens which McKinley does so well. It’s a different book than Beauty, the ending far more satisfying. Happily ever after is happy too.

23. Landline by Rainbow Rowell – CRAZY good. It made me think of Brian and the way things used to be 15 years ago when we were first dating. It was sweet, and at this point I’m ready to read everything Rowell has ever written ever.

24. Sunshine by Robin McKinley – It killed me that I didn’t have 12 hours to just sit down and read this thing all the way through. Dirtier than most McKinely novels, but I didn’t mind. This book makes vampire tropes look Hot (capital H).

25. Fangirl by Rainbow Rowell – I love the way Rowell makes me think of my own college days. It makes me want to love Brian in detail like that again. Cath is so wonderful in such a messy way. There isn’t anything I don’t love about this book.

26. Charmed Life by Diana Wynne Jones – A re-read. I forgot how terrible Gwendolyn is, and how funny Chrestomanci’s dressing gowns are. And Millie! And the adorable but bitey dragon! Some of the best of Diana Wynne Jones.

27. The Lives of Christopher Chant by Diana Wynne Jones – A re-read. Because after Cat, you HAVE to have Christopher and his Almost Anywheres. I might love this book more than the first one, although I nearly always read them in this order.

Categories: Book Reviews | Tags: Amanda Palmer, Amethyst Hethcoat, Book Review, Charles Dickens, Damon Runyon, Diana Wynne Jones, Georgette Heyer, Holly Black, John Green, Rainbow Rowell, Reading List, Robin McKinley, S. Morgenstern, Shannon Hale | Leave a comment

The Holidays

Posted on December 23, 2014 by caseykins

I have been SO busy getting ready for the holidays. The tree is up (and smells amazing), and the kitten has not tried to climb the tree or ingest any of the ornaments. It’s a Christmas miracle. There is still so much to be done, of the baking, cooking, and wrapping varieties.

The oranges are ripe in Redlands. They are heavy and bright on the deep green trees in the orchard near our house. We don’t have orange trees in our own yard yet, but our neighbor has a branch that lops over our side of the fence with four orange orbs hanging off it. Most of the oranges that I have had from off trees are sour, but these are so juicy that sticky stuff runs down your arm and they are sweet, sweet. Note to self: plant orange trees in yard ASAP.

I raided my mother’s garage for excess furniture. One of the (many) pieces she gave me was a bunged up, vaguely tortoise-shell mirror. I cleaned it up and painted the frame a bright crimson. It looks so good on that light blue wall in the living room above the fireplace. She also gave me her coffee table. The décor is so classy in the house that I’m not sure Brian and I can live there. We’re not nearly polished enough.

In the shuffle of stuff to finish before it All Happens, it’s easy to forget to wish everyone a happy holidays. Yes, happy holidays. Because what if I also want you to have a happy New Year, Boxing Day, Festivus, and Kwanza (Hanukkah is over at this point, isn’t it?). The more holidays the better, I always say. I hope yours are filled with joy and with people who spoil you rotten.

Categories: Uncategorized | Leave a comment

The Good, The Bad

Posted on December 18, 2014 by caseykins

To be honest, the end of this year is going out just as it came in. This year was full of either ecstasy or despair and nothing in between… So perhaps it’s fitting that our heater crapped out on us and is unfixable, that we haven’t been able to get the front planter paved over because of all the rain (and mud), the kitten has torn up the guest room carpet, and the Christmas present budget has made things fairly tight.

But in the ecstasy tradition, we are having Christmas day in our new home for the very first time. There will be fourteen of us to sit around the new (and gorgeous) dining room table and eat turkey. In the morning, we’ll enjoy our traditional Harry and David pears and cinnamon rolls in front of the fireplace while we open gifts. I hope the house feels stuffed to the brim. I hope the heat of the oven, and the heat of 14 people, makes it all a bearable temperature in there… (fixing the heater isn’t in the cards until the year turns. Don’t worry, it’s only been in the low 60s.)

I hope you all have the holiday you’re dreaming of as well.

Categories: Life | Tags: Christmas, Cinnamon rolls, company, furnace, heater, Jennyanydots, tradition | Leave a comment

An Old Year

Posted on December 3, 2014 by caseykins

This week I can finally feel the year getting old. I don’t know why that feeling has eluded me for so long. After all, it’s December. I put the Christmas stuff up already, and by next weekend the season is upon us with a vengeance.

Perhaps it is because it’s finally getting to be sweater weather in California. This is the first week in as long as I can remember that we got four straight days of rain. I got a little Fall in Maine, but I mostly felt like I went from summer to fake-Fall-land and then back to summer again. It is so easy to believe that Maine is a place outside of the world, because I fly in and I fly out and neither life touches the other, except when it does.

This morning, I drove to work in the rain, wipers swishing. Last night, it got cold in the house, and somewhere in the depths of night, and the kitten burrowed under the covers and snuggled up to me. I slept badly, afraid that I would forget she was there, turn over, and crush my favorite fluffy pincushion. But it was cold out. And the other cats won’t let her snuggle yet (maybe never). I didn’t have the heart to move her.

It could also be the time change and those dark evenings, or the fact that Trader Joe’s has started stocking eggnog, spiced cookies, candied sweet potatoes, and real evergreen wreaths.

But whatever it is, I’m glad to see 2014 go. It was a weird year, full of high highs and low lows. The year started with me finding out I was losing my job, but somewhere in the middle we bought the house. Now the year is mostly full of hard work; between sprucing up the yard, work itself, and the huge writing push I’m forcing on myself. I’ve taken on Ukulele Christmas Carols and some crocheting of Christmas presents as well. I’ll never get it all done, but it’s fun to see what lands completed in the bits of time that I can steal. Often it’s not what I think it will be.

And then we are on to a year with no mistakes in it yet.

Categories: Life | Tags: Christmas, December, Jennyanydots, Kitten, New Year, Old Year, Rain, Sweater Weather | Leave a comment

Ferguson Thoughts

Posted on November 26, 2014 by caseykins

I do not usually weigh in on political issues, but I have something I want to get off my chest. You have been warned. And you should also probably note that I am very white and very middle class, so take my opinion on race for what it’s worth.

A lot of people in my circle feel like the indictment decision in the Ferguson case was a good and valid one. Darren Wilson had a ton of evidence to support his statement that Michael Brown attacked him first, and eyewitness accounts were inconsistent (and that’s an understatement). I don’t exactly feel like it was a wrong choice myself, if the circumstances were different and if race relations in this country were better. But race relations in this country are not as good as we pretend.

The civil rights movement is not as far away as we like to think it is. Our parents grew up in a world were lynchings and Emmet Tills happened. The Montgomery bus boycott and the Woolworth sit-ins happened less than 20 years before I was born. The civil rights movement happened yesterday; and it happened in part because yesterday, when a black man killed a white man, there were no consequences.

It is counter-intuitive, but whether Darren Wilson is guilty matters not one whit to the question of whether there should be a trial or not. Do we not owe it to Emmet Till and the hundreds of black Americans killed in this country to take this matter to a courtroom? Do we not allow a jury of 12 peers to say ‘innocent,’ instead of only a white prosecutor and a white judge? I think we need to. And the fact that this won’t happen now is a tragedy with real consequences. The verdict may not be Jim Crow, but it sure smells like it. And that is why people are angry.

I am lucky, because I get to be outraged at the wave of black men being shot in the streets. I do not have to be both outraged and fearful that my children will be gunned down next. I stand in spirit with those on the streets of Ferguson. Your protests are valid; you deserved your day in court.

Categories: Life | Tags: Civil Rights, Emmet Till, Ferguson, Indictment, Michael Brown, Protests, Race, Riots | Leave a comment

NaNoWriMo: The Week 2 Blues

Posted on November 12, 2014 by caseykins

The latest pep talk for Nanowrimo is not what I needed right now. And I need a pep talk. I’m feeling the week 2 blues set in. I was so excited to see that they had one up on the website, and I’m sure it helped someone move forward amidst some writers block. The thing about Nano, though, is that I don’t usually get writers block. I get writers block when I am worried that everything I’m writing is crap and won’t fit the tone of the rest of the novel. I get writers block when I don’t know how to write a scene and I desperately need it to work. In short, I only get blocked when there are stakes.

There are no stakes in Nanowrimo. There aren’t. However much you’d like to believe that you’re the next Hemmingway, I will have you know that your current novel is not up to those standards (that’s what editing is for). You should also know that’s a GREAT thing. It means your next line of prose doesn’t have to be genius. You also never have to show your novel to anyone, ever. All the “her troubles melted into the fondue pot of life”s and “their eyes met across the crowded room and stuff”s, all those horrible clichés, and the twelve adjectives you used to describe each thing; all of those are between you and the blank piece of paper. The blank piece of paper isn’t talking. There are no stakes

For me this time, there is only the realization that I hate these people a little bit. I don’t know why I decided to spend a month with them. He’s too nice. And why does he cry when she leaves? She’s going to help her country. He shouldn’t cry, he should be angry that she won’t listen to reason. Only he isn’t angry. He’s this warm, supportive, wishy-washy guy. And then there’s her, and she is such a reluctant revolutionary. She’s supposed to like excitement. The baby is supposed to be more than a glorified purse that she carries around and has to make sure she doesn’t leave at restaurants. The leader of the resistance is supposed to be the one that’s reluctant, but he seems ever gleeful to send everyone to their death. At least Dad seems to be the asshole he’s supposed to be.

I know. It’s week two and we all feel this way. Every year I’m ready for it and make fun of the week 2 slump. But I’m always surprised by how genuinely I hate my novel. This isn’t “ha, ha. I’m over the thrill of week one.” This is honest loathing. I’ll get over it. I’ll feel proud of myself by the end of week 3. But how to charge forward through week 2?

I don’t know any way to do it except to put my butt in the chair and do some uninspired driveling. So that’s what I’m doing.

But I sure could use a good pep-talk right about now. Perhaps I’ll read Neil Gaiman’s (again) for the 1000th time. Or perhaps I’ll take my inspiration from Shannon Hale, who said that if engineers can land a probe on a comet, surely I can do something so simple as meet my word count goal…

Categories: Life, Writing | Tags: Fiction, Kwedregiol, Nanowrimo, Novel, Pep Talk, Revolution, writing | Leave a comment

Book Reviews: A Georgette Heyer Obsession

Posted on November 6, 2014 by caseykins

I recently found Georgette Heyer. Really it was the Huntington’s fault. I found a book about the “real” history of Regency England ala Georgette Heyer in their museum shop (also known for really good tea and fun, quirky prints). I loved it. And then I read a self-pub that I liked that claimed to be for fans of Georgette Heyer. So there you are. I tried her out. I’ve read five.

Kobo called me obsessed. They gave me a badge for it and everything. It’s official.

Here’s the thing, though. These novels are something I’m sure I shouldn’t like. We can chalk it up to the different time, and different mores (written in the ‘60s, about the early 1800s). We can chalk it up to whatever you’d like. But the reality is that the way women are treated in the books often makes me uncomfortable. I do not care how much a woman secretly likes it. If she says no, a good man should respect that. Protagonist men should not side with other men who molest girls (claiming they were flirty and deserved it), and work to save their livelihoods. This goes for all time periods. There is nothing to defend here. It’s not okay, especially from a female author.

But I do like the books, even though I shouldn’t. The characters are rich and the storylines interesting. There is the usual delight of tea, gloves, carriages, dresses, manor houses in the countryside, and balls (some of them masked). There is so much to love that it seems stupid to throw the whole thing out on the basis of a few uncomfortable moments. They’re hardly the crux of the novels. It was a different time, right? Before the Feminine Mystique in a time dominated by men?

I’m torn.

So for now, I’m reading them. I’m letting myself be angry and recognize that the books are spreading the wrong message about love and relationships. I’m also letting myself enjoy the antics, the luxury, and the characters. It’s too bad there aren’t any easy answers here. I want to like Georgette Heyer’s books with all my heart. I’m just not sure that wanting to like them is actually liking. For now, it’s enough.

Okay, now for the actual reviews:

The Grand Sophy: This is the best book of GH’s that I’ve read so far. Sophy is delightful, uncouth, and smart – especially when fighting with her cousin Charles. The book also doesn’t have any of those moments that I felt apprehensive about. In fact, Sophy is so well able to take care of herself that it is fun to watch her scandalize the Ton while still maintaining the love of society in general. The way she overturns everything in her Aunt’s house for the better is amusing to watch, as well. In fact, I loved this book so much that I’ve been looking for the same thing in Heyer’s other novels and almost finding it (but not quite). I’m still hoping I’ll find it again, though. She’s got scores of others.

The Masqueraders: I felt like Prudence and Robin (who were masquerading) didn’t have that great a reason to do so. You know, besides the fact that their father told them to and they follow commands. It’s not even really explained in the end by their father, not to my satisfaction. But I really loved watching Prudence navigate the man’s world of Regency England, from getting into duels to visiting White’s club. Bonus points for masked ball, too. It’s a complicated story, well woven, and mostly a delight. If you don’t count Sir Anthony’s assertion that Prudence will marry him if he has to carry her off to make it happen.

A Convenient Marriage: Another refreshing heroine who is not a beauty and a little stupid, but still the toast of the town. Because Horry and Rule’s marriage is for convenience only, Heyer exploits their lack of trust in each other for a complicated plot that is well done. This one features a full-on abduction, though, and near rape. It’s bad. Also, the last chunk of the novel is full of the Main Character’s silly brothers who are silly. Droll and amusing has its limits. That being said, I enjoyed it enough to read two other Heyer novels. Her character are SO GOOD.

The Corinthian: The folks on Goodreads consider this her best book yet, but I can’t quite agree. The plot does evolve into this nice farce of silliness that I love a lot, and it was fun to see the “lower” echelons of Regency society, and how the main character dandy navigated them. I especially loved the funny and antagonistic relationship between Richard and Pen, Richard’s deep concern with cravats, and Pen’s obsession with apples. A gal after my own heart. Richard is a little rough with Pen at times, but over all this one is more comfortable than some of Heyer’s others.

The Quiet Gentleman: Unwanted advances are blamed on a flirtatious girl. I think someone even says “well, she should learn…” So, yeah. But I liked Frant and his motley collection of relatives, and I liked that it was sort of a mystery novel with shootings and secret passages. I loved Drusilla so much. She is smart, full of excellent advice, much sense, and saves the day more than once. For Drusilla and the mystery, this book is worth the read. Just overlook the fact that Martin’s story eventually makes him out to be a non-villain, okay?

Categories: Book Reviews | Tags: A Convenient Marriage, Feminism, Georgette Heyer, Regency England, The Corinthian, The Grand Sophy, The Masqueraders, The Quiet Gentleman | 3 Comments

Anydots Update

Posted on November 4, 2014 by caseykins

It looks like our visitor will stay. We introduced her to the other two over the span of about a month. It was a grueling process in which Brian held one cat and I held the other, and we let them hiss at each other until they were tired of that. Then we let them wander around the room together and hiss at each other. When the hissing subsided, we let them out into the house. Hissing still takes place, but usually only when Anydots has pounced on someone’s tail or has the audacity to try and share the window sill. No one has been beat up, and I consider that a victory.

Jennyanydots has a penchant for getting into the trash and a taste for earrings, or really anything that’s shiny lying around (little magpie). Pens are also her favorite to munch, especially the silver tip of the fountain pen I write with, preferably while I’m writing with it. She has grown a bit in the past month and is infinitely fluffier. Her hobbies include standing on keyboards of all kinds and running break-neck towards dinner plates.

It is the Anydots show, and if you are not watching she isn’t pleased. She’ll meow until she gets your undivided attention. Her meow is rather large for her size, and so is her purr. If she isn’t meowing she’s purring. There is no in between. I may be losing my “favorite” status because she’s been sleeping in the crook of Brian’s elbow, but I love her just the same.

I’m awfully glad she can stay.

Now if we can just get her to stop clawing at the carpet…

She’s too adorable to reprimand.

But I’m doing it anyway.

Categories: Life | Tags: Cats, Jennyanydots, Kitten, Rescue | Leave a comment

To Nanowrimo or not to Nanowrimo? That is the question.

Posted on October 31, 2014 by caseykins

Nanowrimo starts tomorrow (that’s National Novel Writing Month), and I am still deciding whether or not to participate. I know, right? Nothing like waiting until the last minute.

Except that this isn’t really the last minute. I have a novel, I have an outline, I have a cover. It’s great, just like all novels are great before they’re full of the bad prose and plot holes of a zero draft. I am ready for Nano. There is no one more ready than I am.

So why would I not participate?

I’m at a terrible stopping place in draft five of the novel I’m currently editing. A terrible place. Sure, I’m not in the middle of a chapter or anything, but the queen is about to maybe get killed and I’m about to leave her in suspense for a whole month. It seems cruel. I was supposed to be farther along than this. MUCH farther along. I was supposed to be finished with draft 5 by November 1^st. The queen was supposed to know who was trying to kill her. The main character was supposed to make up with her family. I was supposed to put it in a drawer, and then dabble with changes, and then have a readable manuscript by January 1^st.

Brian and I were to have lovely nights in front of our new fireplace, both bending over a copy of the manuscript while I read aloud, occasionally scribbling things in the margins. (Which is a joke if you know us. We’re more likely to get into horrible fights with me accusing him of being mean to my writing, and he not understanding why his gentle criticism was reinterpreted so horribly wrong. And then he threatens not to read my stuff anymore if I can’t behave myself. Sometimes there are tears. And then I apologize and dupe him into participating in the same cycle again. But maybe slightly better, because I’m trying to behave myself. I really am.).

My eyes were bigger than my fingers, though. I couldn’t complete 20 pages a day and still be a human. It’s my own fault for giving myself more work than I could manage. That doesn’t make it any easier to put the thing in the drawer at this haphazard place.

I must finish this novel. This year.

But, new novel!!! It’s the prequel to the novel I’m currently writing. That means it’s sort of related, right? We could call it research? No? Anyone?

I’ll probably end up participating. Just knowing that there’s a party of writing going on somewhere on the internets is enough that I can’t stay away. No one can resist the traveling shovel of death, or the wombats, or the mass quantities of caffeine and sugar we’re all consuming. It’s an orgy of words and it’s wonderful. It’s a new novel in only a month; something to fall in and out of love with and then toss aside. The newness is what I crave. I haven’t written anything new in months.

And who knows? Maybe I’ll have time for both?

Yeah, I know.

But don’t rain on my parade, okay?

Categories: Life, Writing | Tags: Blue Gentian, First Draft, Kwedregiol, Nanowrimo, National Novel Writing Month, New Novel, Old Novel | 1 Comment

Back, plus Maine Pics

Posted on October 29, 2014 by caseykins

I should have updated, and I’m very sorry I haven’t. Vacation is wonderful, but the coming back from vacation is a swamp full of things that are undone. The living room is a travesty of dishes, and I’m not really sure what happened in the bedroom. Laundry monster, perhaps? Not to mention the pile of things at work.

Anyway, this is mostly to say that Maine was lovely. I was told I missed the best of the color, but it was still pretty spectacular. You should take a gander. Back to real posts soon, I promise.