A Strange Craving For Chocolate

Soooooo...

Cannwin is in the middle of selling her house and getting ready to move her little family to another state. She is also participating in a several week long crafting contest.

Yes, I think she's crazy, too.

Something has to give! And that something will be The Literary Soundtrack. She isn't gone forever, but we won't be seeing her for a few weeks, and maybe even a few months, depending on how things go. Sorry, guys, you are going to be stuck with just my point of view for a while. If any of you are interested in doing a guest post, now's the time to jump up and yell, "ME, ME, PICK ME!!!" You can contact me through our very convenient contact form, if you are interested.

I am still getting my feet under me with this change, so bear with me for a while. Post frequency should pick up again pretty soon. Meanwhile, I wanted to share this video that I saw on Ilona Andrews' website. Very  funny, especially to fans of her Kate Daniels' series. There is music, which puts me kind of vaguely on topic with this post. Oh! and subliminal chocolate!

Magic Slays Parody Trailer

Book Blogger Hop / Friday Wishlist

This weeks question for the Book Blogger Hop, from Crazy For Books:
"Why do you read the genre that you do?  What draws you to it?"

Honestly, I don't know. I just like fantasy. I like other genres, too. Mysteries, science fiction, romances, thrillers - you know. Other stuff. But fantasy is the kick I'm on right now, and have been for a while. Especially urban fantasy, and in that area, especially Patricia Briggs and Ilona Andrews. Maybe there's just a part of me that has never given up on the hope of running into a fairy and getting a wish or two.

               


Want to participate in the Friday Wishlist? Link up here, then share a post on what book in on your wishlist this week!

Personally, I've been impatiently waiting for March 1, when Patricia Briggs' next Mercy Thompson book, River Marked, comes out. We finally learn more about Mercy's father! But not until March 1. Big sigh. That's just way too far away.

I have another book on my wishlist, but it's not out yet, either. Although it's hitting the shelves in only 12 more days! Woohoo! Bound in Blood, by P.C. Hodgell. (And I'm really going to have a do a post raving about her, one of these days. Her Chronicles of the Kencyrath series is fantastic. I highly recommend them.

What are you wishing for?

Kaleidoscope Heart

Between Black Friday and Cyber Monday I managed to obtain several great albums that I wouldn't have normally been able to afford. One of those new CDs is Sara Bareilles' Kaleidoscope Heart, and honestly, I haven't made much  progress on listening to any of my other new music. I just keep listening to Kaleidoscope Heart.

I hadn't heard much of the music on this CD until now, and was mostly familiar with King of Anything (which song  is, honestly, the main reason I bought the CD. I am finding, however, that this was a great purchase; her music is a wonderful source of writerly inspiration to me. I've already got a couple of future blog posts in mind based on some of these songs, and what I'm not linking up to books I've read are sparking ideas for new stories of my own creation. Here are a few of my favorites:

Machine Gun really got me wondering about the the song's point of view character. Every time I hear it I can see a woman - dark, curly hair cut short, medium height, a bit of a do-gooder, but with a real attitude. Say, if you were to cross Mercy Thompson, Kate Daniels, and a social worker. I keep listening to Machine Gun trying to get her to come into focus. I want to know who she is and who she's trying to calm down.

I have another project I'm working on besides NaNoWriMo (and no, I won't be reaching my 50,000 word goal this year, although I have gotten a great start on that particular novel.) Bluebird reminds me of my protagonist in this other book, a recent widow with three children. Her husband's illness and death tore her life apart and now she's trying to put everything together again. The words and feel of Bluebird are a perfect fit for what she's going through; it speaks to me of hope and fear, courage and resolution.

This pair of wings worn and rusted,
From too many years by my side,
They can carry me, swear to be,
Sturdy and strong but see,
Turning them on still means good-bye.

And so here we go bluebird,
Gather your strength and rise up.

Uncharted immediately made me think of a couple of books I've read this last year. You'll be seeing a post about that combination shortly. (Hint: think cold.)

Have you had a chance to listen to this entire album yourself? What did you think of it? Was it inspiring to you, too?

Books: Mercy Thompson series, Patricia Briggs
            Kate Daniels series, Ilona Andrews
Music: Kaleidoscope Heart, Sara Bareilles