finished reading: Star Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #1 Precipice

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Star Wars Lost Tribe of the Sith #1: PrecipiceStar Wars: Lost Tribe of the Sith #1 Precipice by John Jackson Miller

NOOK book, < 50 pages
Read September 2012
No longer available

All books were compiled into one offering and include an additional work titled Pandemonium

synopsis

This is the story of a Sith tribe that gets marooned on a hostile planet that threatens to destroy them if they don’t band together. They lose one species in their group due to the environment. Who knows what the native inhabitants will present.There is deception and betrayal and murder among the crew members.

Korsin’s brother shows his contempt for him soon as we meet him. Korsin is, I think, supposed to be practical and more even tempered and focused than his brother who just wanted to have his way and couldn’t figure out why he wasn’t further ahead of his brother. We are made to understand that his brother’s wife, Seelah, is his match in treachery.

Once stranded, we are shown glimpses, there are the beginning of what could become a coo — if things had gone a different way.

about the book

These are tiny books that are made smaller with the inclusion of 10 pages, more and less, of excerpts of other people’s books at the end. It pained me to have to see this when I wanted to read more of the story. Then I realized, I wanted to read more of the story.

So, it worked that the vignette had reeled me in. Even though, the ebook is short and bereft of the meat that rounds out characters and fleshes out their stories. And despite the fact that it made me angry to have my story space taken up by some novel teaser.

insights and assessments

I thought this book didn’t develop the characters as much as it could have. And, that there was a lot of telling instead of showing. The story line was edited in such a manner as to make it seem contrived to put any characters together, especially Korsin with Seelah who was fairly certain that Korsin was the person who murdered her husband.

There was more that Miller could have written to flesh out his story, but he took the easy way out I think. Instead of getting you fully to the story point, the story asks you to fill in the blanks with your imagination. So, I was always looking for more meat.

This e-book had the feel of a longer story. The fact that each is separate makes transitioning something of an effort. So, I am wondering now how the book version will flow. Still, I am interested in the story enough to continue through the end of the book.

I may put down the short e-books for the collection, but I’m not sure about that. It might be cool to read the shorts and then the book to see what the author changed for the compilation.

 

i love mondays!

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Monday is a great day! Sometimes it’s difficult to separate from my bed first thing in the morning. But that’s part of the good feeling, that cozy feeling I try to keep with me throughout the day. Mondays start all manner of things.

My job is full time work crammed into part time hours. Today it was really busy and I know I did but I don’t really remember breathing. It was non-stop from the time I got in to the time I left. I always have enough to work late, but today I left on time since everything I worked on I finished in time.

time off

Didn’t really know why it was important to leave until I was driving. It was then I realized that I was really tired. I got home, talked to my mom and was asleep soon as I stopped talking. I was out for 2 hours.

When I thought about why I was so tired, it occurred to me: Today was my first official full day in two weeks. I had a week out of the office for out of town meetings Monday and Tuesday and vacation the rest of the week, then a short schedule of 1/2 days Monday through Wednesday and off Thursday and Friday due to Holy Week. So, I was out of practice. That pleased me very much.

You see, to be out of practice means that I actually let go of work. Something I have a hard time doing. And the nature my work makes it easy for me to keep working when I am off. So I really had a successful vacation.

reading stuff

My reading slowed because my vacation included cramming in time with friends and family I’d not seen for quite some time, including a new baby cousin I’d not met. Every night I pretty much crashed, content with the time I’d spent wondering if I could fit any more in before my time was up. I may have read a few minutes between events and before losing consciousness, but it didn’t add up to much.

Now to add in the writing. I’m keeping up my reading list but only have notes for most of the books I’ve been reading. Time now to carve out some time to turn my notes into posts and share with you. I’m going to apply a little pressure and say that I’m aiming to start posting my reviews again next Monday. So, stay tuned if you have any interest.

Now, I’m off to read a few book blogs. Happy Monday! Happy reading!

outdo yourself 2013 reading challenge

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Since I’m reading anyway, I may as well put it to use. So, this year, I continue pushing myself to read more by participating in the reading challenges I started last year.

This early in the year, I stand a much better chance reaching my goals before the particularly crazy time of year at work. Note that I said I stand a chance, not that it was a sure thing. When life gets crazy, I tend to forgo the fun stuff, reading, playing, hanging, and such.

The idea is to push now while I have a bit more free time.

the challenge2013 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge hosted by The Book Vixen

2013 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge is hosted by The Book Vixen. Use the title link to visit the site and learn the details of the challenge. For this challenge, I need to read more than I read last year no matter when they were purchased.

Last year’s total was 10 books read including some that were not on my planned list, and not including my software books.

I can read my books purchased in the current year or whenever, but books purchased in 2013 will only work for this challenge. Other books, previous year purchases can count for both challenges.

the plan

To start, I will continue with the books from last year, I’ll include them in one place like last year on the challenge page, although I’ve not yet fully planned what that will look like this year. Right now I’m keeping track on a spreadsheet. I’ll have to think about how best I would like to translate that information for my blog.

my take on things

I’m in to for the fun! It’s fun to challenge myself, to learn my limitations and whether or not I can push passed what I allow to limit me.

As always I’m interested in learning about what others are reading to entertain themselves. Recently, a lady I worked with introduced me to some writers she enjoyed, Fern Michaels and Debbie Macomber. I read a short story by Michaels and will read one by Macomber to see if I like her. These count toward the 2013 Outdo Yourself challenge, as I purchased the books this year.

Through these challenges, we are invited to visit other reader’s blogs. So, if nothing else, I see my book list never running short.

Happy reading!!

off the shelf 2013 reading challenge

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Since I’m reading anyway, I may as well put it to use. So, this year, I continue pushing myself to read more by participating in the reading challenges I started last year.

This early in the year, I stand a much better chance reaching my goals before the particularly crazy time of year at work. Note that I said I stand a chance, not that it was a sure thing. When life gets crazy, I tend to forgo the fun stuff, reading, playing, hanging, and such.

My goal is to push now while I have a bit more free time.

off-the-shelf-2013-badgethe challenge

Off The Shelf 2013 challenge comes from Bookish Ardour. Use the title link to visit the site and learn the details of the challenge. As I understand it, I read things that were bought prior to the current year. The challenge is to read a certain number of books in the year, selecting from one of seven levels.

I can read my books purchased in the current year, just can’t count it toward the number for Off The Shelf.

the plan

To start, I will continue with the books from last year, I’ll include them in one place like last year on the challenge page.

This year, I will try to make a dent in my collection and get On A Roll and read 50 books that were purchased prior to 2013. On my shelf and in my NOOK, I have more than enough books to meet this level, so if I manage to have enough time to surpass that number then so much the better.

my take on things

Is this ambitious? For sure, and for several reasons. First I read slow. Second, I also read for work and training, which takes up some of my time. Third, between books, I procrastinate and distract myself with movies and blog surfing/reading. All reasonable activities, but they inform the intensity of the challenge for me.

The third thing I mentioned, blog surfing/reading, will actually serve me, as it is part of the group activity to read and comment to other participants postings.

Good times!!

reading projects 2013

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Not sure why this reading challenge stuff has taken hold of me, but there it is.

So, this year, I’m trying it again. I will push myself to read beyond what I usually read…when I read. One thing that takes up my relaxing reading is my time spent on how-to books. Balance is key. I can’t stop reading for learning, so I am tasked to become more efficient with it all.

where to begin?

I’ll start with The Book Vixen and Bookish Ardour, the same sites as last year. It’ll be easier this year because of my early start. That will hopefully give me some time to focus on some personal reading challenges I’m thinking up. May add my efforts to other sites too, bot I don’t what to get too ambitious.

getting started

It would be kind of cool to come up with my own challenges to push myself. I’m very much looking forward to getting this year’s posts off the ground. So, in my last two days off, I’ll work out my book list for posts, from the books I finished last year.

I want to try to post reviews regularly (whatever that is). If I can manage to keep the demands of my day job at work mostly, down to a quiet roar at home, then I should be able to complete some part of these challenges.

I’ve already grabbed my participation badges for the sidebar. Just gotta draft the initial posts so everything can go live on the same day.

If you have any suggestions, please feel free to pass them along, in comments or via email at sharils@blogaboutwriting.com.

Now, let’s have some fun!!

 

a new poetry collection for my library

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The Collected Works of Lucille Clifton 1965 - 2010The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton 1965-2010

I have to tell you about a book I picked up recently, The Collected Poems of Lucille Clifton 1965-2010. I didn’t finish reading it. Because it’s poetry — I don’t generally read through a book of poetry like other genres. As with most of the collections I have, I don’t get finished with them, instead returning to them to see how my life holds them at different times. With this tome of cherished verses, I am looking forward to seeing how my life and her words will sit together.

already read

Many of the poems included in this collection come from all eleven of her different books. Over the years, I have bought several of those collections, including “Blessing the Boats,” “Mercy,” and “Voices,” which does not lessen my excitement for reading again what I have already mined. Soon as I got the book home, I searched out Study the Masters for a friend to read. It’s one of my favorites that I think epitomizes the majesty she exuded throughout her poetical expression.

new veins to mine

It makes me sad to know that there will be no more new words from Clifton strung together, perfect pearls selected expressly for royalty. This will be my last chance to read new Lucille Clifton poetry. No, it’s not my intent to be maudlin or morose since I’m not that at all. Just appreciative of this truth down to its marrow.

There are more than sixty poems never before published that I fully expect to savor along with the others that I have wrapped my mind in. I will cling to my favorites:

After reading Lucille Clifton

. . . but I always have room to add more.

a shared affinity

Thanks to the Internet, I see that there are very many people who have been profoundly touched by the poetry of Lucille Clifton. I am not alone, not that it would really matter, since I just like what I like. I do think it’s kind of cool to have an appreciation for what is truly great in mainstream poetry. Even her press kit is noteworthy as it is obviously written by one who appreciated the writer and her writings.

If you’ve not yet read her work, check out the poetry of Lucille Clifton with this collection. You will likely be glad you did. If you are, come back and let me know.