GoodRead - UK Cover Vs US Cover

It’s been a while since I’ve done this. Sorry about that! No real book covers have catch my eye and I didn’t want to do another LORD SUNDAY related blog so, I was a bit stuck. So, thank you Twitter (aka @atombooks) for promoting its new book “Blue Blood”! Cos, that’s what I’m going to do! So, here is the UK and US covers…

Here is the UK cover of Blue Bloods:


And this is the US cover of Blue Bloods:


Ok, am going to be honest. When I first saw the UK cover (via the internet) it didn’t grip me. But I saw it in a book shop and I fell instantly in love with it. It held my attention and I actually picked up the book and read the back.

The US cover, though it looks different, looks quite cold (yes, this is a vampire novel so I get the “dead” look) but the UK cover grabs me more!

But you know what I like about both cover. They both look similar. You have the bare neck, the fangs marks (though they are different. The UK’s seem more how I imagine a vampire bit mark to be) and the pearls (sorry US cover, but the UK pearls PWN!)

But, the US cover reminds me a bit of the covers for the Mortal Instruments series, written by Cassandra Clare.

(Oh, I've just seen the sequel's - Masquerade - and, again, the UK wins it with me!)

So, the UK covers wins for me. But what about you? Do you like the UK cover or do you prefer the US? Leave a comment and let me know!!!

Strange Doodle 2

Hi there!

I have a question to ask you. While I was at work (start was good, end was AWFUL!!!), I started to doodle randomly on a post-it note. When I looked down, I saw the below:



So, answer me this: what the hell did I draw? Because I have NO IDEA!!! Leave your ideas and theories below....

Odeon Cinemas Vs Disney's Alice in Wonderland

So, if you don't live in the UK, Ireland or Italy, you may have no idea what's going on. So, let me give you the info.

A large chain of cinemas have decided that they are not going to be showing Tim Burton's "Alice in Wonderland". The reason for this is that Disney wants a shorter time for the film to be at the cinema so there is a shorter wait for the film to come out on DVD (which is rumoured to come out at the end of May.) This would, also, beat piracy, according to Disney.

The usual amount of time that a film is out in the cinema is around 17 weeks.

Now, Odeon reason for this is that Disney (rumour has it) gave all cinemas a "Take It Or Leave It" stand on it. Plus, Odeon have said that this would "...set a new benchmark, leading to a 12-week window becoming rapidly standard".

Two other main UK cinema chains considered boycotting the film too: VUE and Cineworld. But Cineworld managed to set up an independent agreement with Disney and Vue is said to have also made an agreement also.

So, Odeon is not going to show the film in its cinemas throughout the UK, Ireland and Italy.

Rant time now. WTF?!

Okay, I accept that what Disney did with the rumoured "Take It Or Leave It" stand is wrong. There is always room to make a new agreement.

BUT, Odeon has SERIOUSLY shoot itself in the foot! And is making itself the bad guy in this whole situation!

For one thing, we all know that Alice will be a whole money making machine, and a small amount of money that the cinema gains from these viewings (2D and 3D) and on the food bought, is lost. Odeon is a BUSINESS and a business main goal is to MAKE A PROFIT!

The second thing is, it will drive people away to cinemas that will be showing the movies and risk losing those customers forever! Can the Odeon really risk that?

The third thing - and to me, this is important! - some people don't have the choice to go to other cinema to watch Alice. They might only have the Odean and that means that person won't have the chance to see this film. It's about that person's CHOICE to see the film, and if they can't because their local cinema won't show it, then surely that's not fair on the person.

My friends and I were planning to go to the Odeon near where we work because it's close to where we work. But, because of this, we are rethinking our plans and this is too much effort. The two nearest us is one in one direction (near one friend's house) and the other is in the other direction (near where I live). Both are about a 20 minute drive from where we work. At least we have a chance to change our minds and say "We'll try there."

Most people can't. And that's the point I'm trying to make.

I understand why Odeon are worried over this and I understand why Disney want to change this, but this, to me, isn't about money. It's about someone wanting to enjoy themselves! To me, this is pointless and business will be lost on both sides.

But with the ways things are, neither side will back and it will be the public that will suffer.

And to me, that's not right.

Another Blog About Lord Sunday (aka JUST GIVE ME THE BOOK TO SHUT ME UP!!!)

Even though LORD SUNDAY isn't out till the 4th March (when I am OUT OF THE COUNTRY!), I have start prowling my local Waterstones and WHSmiths, in the vain (and pointless) hope that one of them have released the book early by accident so I can grab a copy and save it for my trip.

But, seeing as that's not going to happen, I have decided (because I think good books should be promoted by fans via blogs or YouTube or whatever!), I decided to do a quote from each book.

A bit like what Stephenie Meyer did with Eclipse and Breaking Dawn.

But, it this goes down well, I'll do it regularly with a mix of book series and/or books that I think you should read!

So, with this, let's just stick with the Keys to the Kingdom by Garth Nix, shall we? (was going to tweet this once a day, but I'll forget so blogging it is!)

Monday's Noon: "The back door, my Fetchers! Ar-tor attempts the back door!" (Mister Monday, page 106 in UK edition)

Arthur: "I'm not Monday!" (Grim Tuesday, page 149 in the UK edition)

Emily: "He just... I don't know... he just doesn't seem himself." (Drowned Wednesday, page 391 in the UK edition)

Arthur: "I'm Arthur Penhaligon!" (Sir Thursday, page 223 in the UK edition)

Lady Friday: "But may I just taste a little more?" (Lady Friday, page 359 in the UK edition)

Leaf: "You... need to come back!" (Superior Saturday, page 324 in the UK edition)

Now, from the preview of Lord Sunday, this is the first line from LORD SUNDAY.

Arthur fell.

The Count's Laugh (& Those Starry Eyes)

I was meant to blog this yesterday, but my rush of excitment on my short story "The Golden Meadow" got the better of me (want to read it, click here).

Anyway, the reason for this blog. I work in a large office and a few of us have heard this loud laugh. Now, I swear it's the same laugh as the Count from Sesame Street! It's not. Which makes me sad.

Oh well. To cheer me up, here's a video the Count ... er... counting and laughing...



Now, while I was trying to find this video, I was playing this video of a song called "Starry Eye" by Ellie Goulding. I've preordered her album (like I did with Owl City). I love her voice! And I must thank a friend at work, Remy, into getting me into her music. THANK YOU!!!

Evil Cat Alert (aka the "The Face You Pulled While Watching This!" Blog)

I had to put this video up cos I forward this onto a friend on mine and she watched it. the face she pulled when she watched this - ON MUTE - was classic. So much so, that I found the video on my mobile phone and played it to her with the sound on...

Her face, as goes the Mastercard advert, Priceless!

Dory & Dug - Fighting Crime Together!

Okay, while I was at work, my friends and I got chatting about Disney films. And Pixar films. Then, out of nowhere, my friend and I suggested that Dug from Up! and Dory from Finding Nemo should join up.

I mean, they are the fave characters in Pixar movies, aren't they? And it would be cool!

And we thought of two titles will high on sugar (well, I was!). There are:

"Dory and Dug Take On Kevin" (That's the kid from Up!)

OR

"Dory and Dug Take On - SQUIRREL!!!" (Up! reference joke...)

(in case you haven't noticed, I think Pixar should have a UK office so I can work there!)

Up! - Upular Remix

I saw on youTube and I love it. (I love Up, even though on Saturday when I watched it, I cried. Twice!)

I Heart Tea (And This Mug)

I want this mug VERY VERY BADLY!!!!



I might order it when I get paid next, But if you want it now, click here!

Lord Sunday & Waterstones

So, I'm going out of the country for a week at the beginning of March. And the last book in the Keys to the Kingdom series - Lord Sunday - written by Garth Nix, will come out in the UK the day AFTER I leave the country (sobs!). And I really want to it to be a holiday read! So, as a joke (kinda), I tweeted the following tweet

Dear @waterstones, am going out of the country on March 3rd. Could you give me LORD SUNDAY by Garth Nix a day or two before release date?

Within minutes, to my shock, they wrote back - Afraid not as it's an embargoed title (aka, it's going to be released on a set date. No way getting round it!)

I tweeted back (not sounding upset. It was a stupid LONG shot!) - @Waterstones Oh well, will have to wait till I get back. I hope it ends well! Did you hear the first 2 chapters via Oz publishers podcast?

Waterstones Twitter (again!) repelied - Not heard the podcast - will go and seek it out...

So, being the good, kind person that I am (though I still wanted the book. I mean, how you seen the UK cover. Lush!), I wrote two tweets. First with "it's really good. Love chapter 2". Then, rediscovering podcast link on this blog, I tweeted the link (all links are below! PROMISE!!!)

Ok, I know I am going to a country that will have a copy of the book written in English so I'm acting a bit OTT over this, BUT I am a bit shocked when big companies like Waterstones and Atom Books and others (this includes authors like ) actually take time to write a reply. That shocks me.

Sorry, rambling Lord Sunday/Waterstones blog over. Here are the links (and rough drawing of The House, drawn by Garth Nix when he first started writing the series!) and a very funny review vlog of one woman's mission to review the rest of the Keys to the Kingdom series in the style of the VlogBrothers.

Chapter 1 Extract - http://www.keystothekingdom.com.au/files/LordSundayextract.pdf

Podcast (First 2 Chapters read by Garth Nix himself!) - http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=350710673&subMediaType=Audio

THE GIANT LINGER GIVEAWAY

In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love -- the light and the dark, the warm and the cold -- in a way you will never forget.

Comes out in stores everywhere July 20th. Pre-order here.

Enter to win an advanced review copies of LINGER, Sisters Red, The Dead-Tossed Waves, and The Replacement on Maggie's blog.

Sometimes, Life Needs A Dramatic Look

Frak Attack

I was moving dusks (again) at work and I accidently threw away two printouts I have of some doodles that I love away! This makes me sad and I can't FIND THEM ON THE POTTERCAST WEBSITE! But, because I like them (and realised that I haven't mentioned him before), I want to draw your attention to this guy - Frankie Franco III! (sorry, but how can you not love the man?! His name alone is amazing!)

I LOVE HIS DOODLES!!! If you can, could you follow him on Facebook (under "Frankie Franco III)/Twitter/Blogspot please! Or check out his website at http://www.frakfraco.com.












I fear no evil, but I do invite it into my life.
Forgive me for hiding my demons in the shadow your light casts.

(The Prayer was with the last painting and I couldn't break them up! Both are beauty apart but together...!)

Eating Disorders

Now, I don't know much on the subject of Eating Disorders. I must stress that now, but I saw a photo of a young actor called Boo Boo Stewart yesterday (he's 15 or 16 years of age - and he has a six pack), which cause me to wonder about eating disorders and whether images like this are causing the increase of young men and woman to get eating disorders like Anorexia, Bulimia and Bigorexia.

Now, I was trying to find statistics within the UK about this subject and I got myself a little confused. According to Disordered Eating (links below), at least 1.1 million people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder and, what I found more worrying is what the Liberal Democrats found in 2006. It was reported that 58 children under the age of ten were treated in hospital for an eating disorder. 35 of those were boys.

Now that, to me, is a frightening amount.

So, what is causing teenagers to do this? Is it the media, ramming photos of muscle-bound actors and singers like Taylor Launter and Madonna (who would have the time and the money to afford people who would help them train safety and eat the right food, unlike us normal human) and then, in a blink of an eye, going from "Look How Hot They Are" to "Look How Not They Are". And maybe shows like Hollyoaks and Neighbours, where they do use good-looking actors should be aware that this might cause and set a good example.

But then, some people could (and are) argue that if a child grew up in a home where your Mum or Dad is always on a diet, going to gym or worrying about their weight, then maybe it would affect the child in later life?

Are we to blame with all this?

I'm not saying whose to blame but I do agree that something has to be done. Awareness must be raised. Hollyoaks (always brave in tackling hard hitting stories) wrote and portrayed a young woman - Hannah - suffering from anorexia and bulimia and weren't afraid to show the true horrors of what this disease can do (Hannah's friend, who had anorexia, suffered a heart attack and died because of it) whereas Neighbours showed a young man suffering from it.

But is that enough, one wonders? One wonders what we, ourselves, can do about this?

If you've been affected by the issue raised in this blog, here are some links that might be useful:
http://www.nhsdirect.nhs.uk/
http://www.disordered-eating.co.uk/
http://www.b-eat.co.uk/
http://www.mengetedstoo.co.uk/

Random Mood - Sorry!

Sorry for this but in a random mood and I got this quiz from my friends and... well... I saw this and thought it was brilliant! The quiz says that the image comes from a site called Flip Flop Flyin' (http://www.flipflopflyin.com/) so I wanted to say you the image!

Enjoy!!!

If Only "Eclipse" Ended Like This...

What can I say? Eclipse wasn't my fave out of the Twilight Saga!