Steampunk is a sub-genre of science fiction, fantasy, alternate history, and speculative fiction that came into prominence during the 1980s and early 1990s.[1] Steampunk involves a setting where steam power is still widely used—usually Victorian era Britain—that incorporates elements of either science fiction or fantasy. Works of steampunk often feature anachronistic technology or futuristic innovations as Victorians may have envisioned them, based on a Victorian perspective on fashion, culture, architectural style, art, etc. This technology may include such fictional machines as those found in the works of H. G. Wells and Jules Verne.
Other examples of steampunk contain alternative history-style presentations of such technology as lighter-than-air airships, analog computers, or such digital mechanical computers as Charles Babbage and Ada Lovelace's Analytical engine.
Various modern utilitarian objects have been modded by individual artisans into a pseudo-Victorian mechanical "steampunk" style, and a number of visual and musical artists have been described as steampunk.
My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Fantasy is sometimes better then reality
Fantasy is a genre of fiction that commonly uses magic and other supernatural phenomena as a primary element of plot, theme, or setting. Many works within the genre take place in imaginary worlds where magic is common. Fantasy is generally distinguished from science fiction and horror by the expectation that it steers clear of (pseudo-)scientific and macabre themes, respectively, though there is a great deal of overlap between the three, all of which are subgenres of speculative fiction.
High Fantasy or epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is set in invented or parallel worlds. High fantasy was brought to fruition through the work of authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, whose major fantasy works were published in the 1950s.[1] High fantasy has become one of the two genres most commonly associated with the general term fantasy, the other being sword and sorcery, which is typified by the works of Robert E. Howard.
Some more sites to help you better understand Fantasy
Find Me An Author (Fantasy Defined)
(Definition from Wikipedia)
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My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
The Deep by Helen Dunmore
Siren by Tricia Rayburn (also could be mystery)
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Sea of Monsters by R.R
The Battle of the Labyrinth by R.R
The Titans Curse by R.R
The Last Olympian by R.R
The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima (Sci-fi also)
High Fantasy or epic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is set in invented or parallel worlds. High fantasy was brought to fruition through the work of authors such as J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, whose major fantasy works were published in the 1950s.[1] High fantasy has become one of the two genres most commonly associated with the general term fantasy, the other being sword and sorcery, which is typified by the works of Robert E. Howard.
Some more sites to help you better understand Fantasy
Find Me An Author (Fantasy Defined)
(Definition from Wikipedia)
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My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
The Deep by Helen Dunmore
Siren by Tricia Rayburn (also could be mystery)
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Sea of Monsters by R.R
The Battle of the Labyrinth by R.R
The Titans Curse by R.R
The Last Olympian by R.R
The Exiled Queen by Cinda Williams Chima (Sci-fi also)
To Infinity and beyond...
Sci-Fi
Wikipedia defines Sci-Fi as
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My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
Across The Universe by Beth Revis (also dystopian)
Wikipedia defines Sci-Fi as
Science fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible (or at least non-supernatural) content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities. Exploring the consequences of scientific innovations is one purpose of science fiction, making it a "literature of ideas".[1]
Science fiction is largely based on writing rationally about alternative possible worlds or futures.[2] It is similar to, but differs from, fantasy in that, within the context of the story, its imaginary elements are largely possible within scientifically established or scientifically postulated laws of nature (though some elements in a story might still be pure imaginative speculation).
The settings for science fiction are often contrary to known reality, but most science fiction relies on a considerable degree of suspension of disbelief, which is facilitated in the reader's mind by potential scientific explanations or solutions to various fictional elements. Science fiction criteria include:
- A time setting in the future, in alternative timelines, or in a historical past that contradicts known facts of history or the archaeological record.
- A spatial setting or scenes in outer space (e.g., spaceflight), on other worlds, or on subterranean earth.[3]
- Characters that include aliens, mutants, androids, or humanoid robots.
- Technology that is futuristic (e.g., ray guns, teleportation machines, humanoid computers).[4]
- Scientific principles that are new or that contradict known laws of nature, for example time travel, wormholes, or faster-than-light travel.
- New and different political or social systems (e.g. dystopia, post-scarcity, or a post-apocalyptic situation where organized society has collapsed).[5]
- Paranormal abilities such as mind control, telepathy, telekinesis, and teleportation.
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My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
Across The Universe by Beth Revis (also dystopian)
History is repeating itself
Historical fiction tells a story that is set in the past. That setting is usually real and drawn from history, and often contains actual historical persons, but the principal characters tend to be fictional. Writers of stories in this genre, while penning fiction, attempt to capture the manners and social conditions of the persons or time(s) presented in the story, with due attention paid to period detail and fidelity.[1] Historical fiction is found in books, magazines,[2] art, television programming, film, theater, and other media.
(Info obtained at Wikipedia)
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My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Dark Mirror by M.J Putney ( also could be fantasy)
(Info obtained at Wikipedia)
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My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly
Dark Mirror by M.J Putney ( also could be fantasy)
Dystopians: Are they really bad?
Dystopia is defined as a society characterized by poverty, squalor, or oppression. Most authors of dystopian fiction explore at least one reason why things are that way.
Dystopias usually extrapolate elements of contemporary society and are read by many as political warnings. Many purported utopias reveal a dystopian character by suppressing justice, freedom and happiness.
EXAMPLES: Samuel Butler's Erewhon can be seen as a dystopia because of the way sick people are punished as criminals while thieves are cured in hospitals, which the inhabitants of Erewhon see as natural and right, i.e. utopian (as mocked in Voltaire's Candide.) Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World is a more subtle and more threatening dystopia because he projected into the year 2540 industrial and social changes he perceived in 1931, leading to a fascist hierarchy of society, industrially successful by exploiting a slave class conditioned and drugged to obey and enjoy their servitude. George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four is a dystopian novel about a coercive and impoverished totalitarian society, conditioning its population through propaganda rather than drugs. Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale describes a future North America governed by strict religious rules which only the privileged dare defy.
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My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
The Forest of Hands and Feet by Carrie Ryan
The Dead tossed waves by Carrie Ryan
The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
All these things I've done by Gabrielle Zevin
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Drought by Pam Bachorz
Gone by Michael Grant
Lies by Michael Grant
Hunger by Michael Grant
Away by Teri Hall
The Limit by Kristen Landon
The Unidentified by Rae Mariz
Those that wake by Jesse Karp
Ashfall by Mike Mullin (Publication October 11,2011)
The Fox Inheritance by Mary E Pearson (also could be sci-fi)
Dystopias usually extrapolate elements of contemporary society and are read by many as political warnings. Many purported utopias reveal a dystopian character by suppressing justice, freedom and happiness.
EXAMPLES: Samuel Butler's Erewhon can be seen as a dystopia because of the way sick people are punished as criminals while thieves are cured in hospitals, which the inhabitants of Erewhon see as natural and right, i.e. utopian (as mocked in Voltaire's Candide.) Aldous Huxley's novel Brave New World is a more subtle and more threatening dystopia because he projected into the year 2540 industrial and social changes he perceived in 1931, leading to a fascist hierarchy of society, industrially successful by exploiting a slave class conditioned and drugged to obey and enjoy their servitude. George Orwell's novel Nineteen Eighty-Four is a dystopian novel about a coercive and impoverished totalitarian society, conditioning its population through propaganda rather than drugs. Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale describes a future North America governed by strict religious rules which only the privileged dare defy.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
Delirium by Lauren Oliver
The Forest of Hands and Feet by Carrie Ryan
The Dead tossed waves by Carrie Ryan
The Dark and Hollow Places by Carrie Ryan
All these things I've done by Gabrielle Zevin
Divergent by Veronica Roth
Drought by Pam Bachorz
Gone by Michael Grant
Lies by Michael Grant
Hunger by Michael Grant
Away by Teri Hall
The Limit by Kristen Landon
The Unidentified by Rae Mariz
Those that wake by Jesse Karp
Ashfall by Mike Mullin (Publication October 11,2011)
The Fox Inheritance by Mary E Pearson (also could be sci-fi)
Who dunit?
Mystery fiction is a loosely-defined term.
1.It is often used as a synonym for detective fiction or crime fiction— in other words a novel or short story in which a detective (either professional or amateur) investigates and solves a crime mystery. Sometimes mystery books are nonfiction. The term "mystery fiction" may sometimes be limited to the subset of detective stories in which the emphasis is on the puzzle/suspense element and its logical solution (cf. whodunit), as a contrast to hardboiled detective stories, which focus on action and gritty realism.
2.Although normally associated with the crime genre, the term "mystery fiction" may in certain situations refer to a completely different genre, where the focus is on supernatural or thriller mystery (the solution doesn't have to be logical, and even no crime is involved).
(Defined by Wikipedia.org)
1.It is often used as a synonym for detective fiction or crime fiction— in other words a novel or short story in which a detective (either professional or amateur) investigates and solves a crime mystery. Sometimes mystery books are nonfiction. The term "mystery fiction" may sometimes be limited to the subset of detective stories in which the emphasis is on the puzzle/suspense element and its logical solution (cf. whodunit), as a contrast to hardboiled detective stories, which focus on action and gritty realism.
2.Although normally associated with the crime genre, the term "mystery fiction" may in certain situations refer to a completely different genre, where the focus is on supernatural or thriller mystery (the solution doesn't have to be logical, and even no crime is involved).
(Defined by Wikipedia.org)
I'm on the edge of my seat
According to the International Thriller Writers, the definition of thriller novel is a novel that has "the sudden rush of emotions, the excitement, sense of suspense, apprehension, and exhilaration that drive the narrative, sometimes subtly with peaks and lulls, sometimes at a constant, breakneck pace." In other words, a thriller novel will thrill you.
Definition of Thriller Novel
Thriller novels have villains, suspense, and action in settings such as espionage, medicine, crime, politics, and high tech, to name a few. They often involve life and death situations and have high stakes, like the control of the world or the possibility of widespread death or destruction. Many times innocent people are victimized, stalked, or caught in situations that are beyond their control. They have to overcome obstacles, either alone or with a small group of people, and stop some catastrophe from happening. Usually, thrillers have a happy ending.What makes a novel a thriller is not just the situations and the things that can or may happen to the characters, but the way the plot is written. A skillful author can excite, surprise, worry, and influence your emotions in many ways. He can keep you on your toes and engaged with nonstop action, plot twists, and a fast pace.
Now that you have a definition of thriller novels you may be interested in knowing some of the types of thrillers. Here is a list of some of them with an explanation:
- Psychological thriller novels deal with people who are insane or disturbed. Some times this fact is revealed later in the book. The emphasis is on the character as much or more than the plot. The inherent danger in a psychological thriller is mental rather than physical, and mental resources are needed to overcome obstacles.
- Mystery thriller books focus on the actions of a character as he tries to solve a crime by using clues and deduction. Sometimes the reader knows “who did it” at the beginning and follows the sleuth on his journey to unravel the truth. Other times, the reader does not know the perpetrator until the character does.
- Spy thriller novels deal with the world of espionage and the actions of secret agents. The Spy Who Came In from the Cold by John le Carré is an excellent example of this type of thriller.
- Sci-Fi Thrillers add the world of science fiction to the mix. A good example is Michael Crichton's The Andromeda Strain.
- Military thriller books are sometimes based on real war stories. Some good authors of this kind of thriller are: Paul Brickhill, Lee Child, and Stephen Hunter.
Don't look under the bed..and leave that light on!
Horror fiction is, broadly, fiction intended to scare, unsettle or horrify the reader. Although a good deal of it is about the supernatural, any fiction with a morbid, gruesome, surreal, suspenseful or frightening theme may be termed "horror"; conversely, many stories of the supernatural are not horror. Horror fiction often overlaps with science fiction and fantasy, all of which form the umbrella category.
As may naturally be expected of a form so closely connected with primal emotion, the horror-tale is as old as both human thought and speech themselves. Let's face it: Horror has been around as long as man and his fear of the dark.
The inhabitants of the horror fiction genre are also as old as storytelling itself. Most familiar are ghosts, demons, vampires, zombies, etc, that seemingly inhabit a twilight zone that occasionally seeps into our own reality, especially around times like Halloween. The thin membrane that separates the living from the dead opens fleetingly and something, usually evil, slips through.
(Information obtained at Find Me an Author)
The Horror fiction genre requires that the reader engages in a conspiracy that agrees to suspend the rules of everyday. Readers must invest strong psychological belief in the literary worlds that are presented.
Horror is an experience of safety and conservatism. Readers are allowed to risk it all from the pleasurable nook of their protected and rule-governed psychological "home" through contrast with the terrifying and the chaotic.
As may naturally be expected of a form so closely connected with primal emotion, the horror-tale is as old as both human thought and speech themselves. Let's face it: Horror has been around as long as man and his fear of the dark.
The inhabitants of the horror fiction genre are also as old as storytelling itself. Most familiar are ghosts, demons, vampires, zombies, etc, that seemingly inhabit a twilight zone that occasionally seeps into our own reality, especially around times like Halloween. The thin membrane that separates the living from the dead opens fleetingly and something, usually evil, slips through.
(Information obtained at Find Me an Author)
Contemporary because it's real
Wikipedia defines Contemporary as literature with its setting generally after World War II.
Ten Miles Past Normal by Francis O'Roark
The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner
The Probability of Miracles by
Forbidden by Suzanne
Ten Miles Past Normal by Francis O'Roark
The Pull of Gravity by Gae Polisner
The Probability of Miracles by
Forbidden by Suzanne
Bringing Supernatural Uptown
UF stands for Urban Fantasy which is defined as a sub-genre of fantasy defined by place; the fantastic narrative has an urban setting. Many urban fantasies are set in contemporary times and contain supernatural elements. However, the stories can take place in historical, modern, or futuristic periods. The prerequisite is that they must be primarily set in a city.
Urban fantasy describes a work that is set primarily in a city and contains aspects of fantasy. These matters may involve the arrivals of alien races, the discovery of earthbound mythological creatures, coexistence between humans and paranormal beings, conflicts between humans and malicious paranormals, and subsequent changes in city management.[2][3]
Several characters of urban fantasy are shown to have self-esteem issues or tragic pasts.[4][5] These matters often tie into the larger story or the development of the protagonist. Though stories may be set in contemporary times, this characteristic is not necessary for the fiction to be considered urban fantasy,[1] as works of the genre may also take place in futuristic and historical settings, real or imagined
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My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey (Fantasy also)
Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler (paranormal also)
Bitten by Kelley armstrong
Urban fantasy describes a work that is set primarily in a city and contains aspects of fantasy. These matters may involve the arrivals of alien races, the discovery of earthbound mythological creatures, coexistence between humans and paranormal beings, conflicts between humans and malicious paranormals, and subsequent changes in city management.[2][3]
Several characters of urban fantasy are shown to have self-esteem issues or tragic pasts.[4][5] These matters often tie into the larger story or the development of the protagonist. Though stories may be set in contemporary times, this characteristic is not necessary for the fiction to be considered urban fantasy,[1] as works of the genre may also take place in futuristic and historical settings, real or imagined
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My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
Guardian of the Dead by Karen Healey (Fantasy also)
Rage by Jackie Morse Kessler (paranormal also)
Bitten by Kelley armstrong
Vampires, Weres, and Faes Oh my!
PNR stands for Paranormal Romance which is defined as a literary subgenre of the romance novel. A type of speculative fiction, paranormal romance focuses on romance and included elements beyond the range of scientific explanation, blending together themes from the genres of traditional fantasy, science fiction, or horror. Paranormal romance may range from traditional category romances, such as those published by Harlequin Mills & Boon, with a paranormal setting to stories where the main emphasis is on a science fiction or fantasy based plot with a romantic subplot included. Common hallmarks are romantic relationships between humans and vampires, shapeshifters, or fantastical beings (the Fae, Elves, etc.). Novels of the genre include the Dark Guardian series by Rachel Hawthorne, and Paranormalcy by Kiersten White.
Beyond the more prevalent themes involving vampires, shapeshifters, ghosts, or time travel, paranormal romances can also include books featuring characters with psychic abilities, like telekinesis or telepathy.
Paranormal romance has its roots in Gothic fiction. Its most recent revival has been spurred by turn of the century technology, e.g. the internet and electronic publishing. Paranormal romances are one of the fastest growing trends in the romance genre.
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My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
Beautiful Dead: Jonas by Eden Maguire
Beautiful Dead: Summer by Eden Maguire (Arc received from Khadija)
Beautiful Dead: Arizona by Eden Maguire
Vesper by Jeff Sampson (also stated as a mystery)
Desires of the dead (2nd book) by Kimberly Derting (mystery-ish)
Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber
The Witches Of East End by Melissa De La Cruz (UF also)
Juliet Immortal by Stacey jay
Beyond the more prevalent themes involving vampires, shapeshifters, ghosts, or time travel, paranormal romances can also include books featuring characters with psychic abilities, like telekinesis or telepathy.
Paranormal romance has its roots in Gothic fiction. Its most recent revival has been spurred by turn of the century technology, e.g. the internet and electronic publishing. Paranormal romances are one of the fastest growing trends in the romance genre.
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My To Be Read List (All books I have on my shelves)
(remember these are in the category I best see fit for them)
All links go to the books Goodreads page to learn more. :)
Once a book is read I will try to take it off the list.
Dead Beautiful by Yvonne Woon
Beautiful Dead: Jonas by Eden Maguire
Beautiful Dead: Summer by Eden Maguire (Arc received from Khadija)
Beautiful Dead: Arizona by Eden Maguire
Vesper by Jeff Sampson (also stated as a mystery)
Desires of the dead (2nd book) by Kimberly Derting (mystery-ish)
Vampire Kisses by Ellen Schreiber
The Witches Of East End by Melissa De La Cruz (UF also)
Juliet Immortal by Stacey jay
Sunday, September 25, 2011
...but I am a real book
Non-fiction (or nonfiction) is the form of any account, narrative, or other communicative work whose assertions and descriptions are understood to be fact. This presentation may be accurate or not—that is, it can give either a true or a false account of the subject in question—however, it is generally assumed that authors of such accounts believe them to be truthful at the time of their composition or, at least, pose them to their audience as historically or empirically true. Note that reporting the beliefs of others in a non-fiction format is not necessarily an endorsement of the ultimate veracity of those beliefs, it is simply saying it is true that people believe them (for such topics as mythology, religion). Non-fiction can also be written about fiction, giving information about these other works.
Non-fiction is one of the two main divisions in writing, particularly used in libraries, the other form being fiction. However, non-fiction need not be written text necessarily, since pictures and film can also purport to present a factual account of a subject.
Specific types of Non-fiction
(Information obtained from Wikipedia)
Non-fiction is one of the two main divisions in writing, particularly used in libraries, the other form being fiction. However, non-fiction need not be written text necessarily, since pictures and film can also purport to present a factual account of a subject.
Specific types of Non-fiction
Saturday, September 24, 2011
That's Girly Stuff
Definition taken from Wikipedia.
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Chick lit is genre fiction which addresses issues of modern womanhood, often humorously and lightheartedly.[1] The genre sells well, with chick lit titles topping bestseller lists and the creation of imprints devoted entirely to chick lit.[citation needed] Although it sometimes includes romantic elements, chick lit is generally not considered a direct subcategory of the romance novel genre, because the heroine's relationship with her family or friends is often just as important as her romantic relationships.[2]
Who is this reader?
Ashley aka AngelicNytmare is a 25 year old Pharmacy Tech from Texas who enjoys reading, writing, designing, and other stuff. She buys way to many books a week. She'd rather live in one of her book worlds then the real one, but seeing as how that's impossible she'll have to settle. Writing has become something she likes to do whenever the mood hits, and in the future (very far future) hopes to be able to finish a MS and get published. She's knows how likely that is though. She's not holding her breath. She recently just found her love again for design which you can see at RWDesign. If you haven't noticed she likes to talk in third person sometimes. Deal! That is all for now. Visit her other sites to learn more about her, books, writing, or just the general-ness of life.If you would like to know more visit one of her sites listed above. :)
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