Spooky, scary, supernatural....

(I promise I promise I promise I won't do any more Halloween-themed posts...)

All right, so this post will basically do what it says on the tin. And I know Tora hates when I do those kinds of posts, but c'mon, I couldn't resist. Lately I've seen so many books around that could be classed as Hallowe'en-ish that I just have to do a post about them. I won't bore you for long though (unless you are a book-fan, in which case, WELCOME! and I hope you enjoy the post.) I'm going to do one of my favourite spooky/scary/supernatural books from both children's novels and YA books.

First up, taking the prize for (Funniest) Spooky Kids' book(s):  Debi Gliori's Strega Borgia Chronicles (to give it it's proper title). 

There are two trilogies; the 'Pure Dead' trilogy, and the 'Deep' trilogy. The books take place in the magnificent StregaSchloss (what a name for a house!) and features the Strega-Borgia family; Signor Luciano, Signora Baci, and the children, Titus, Pandora, Damp, and later, Nieve. They are bizarre and hilarious character who come to life very easily - the books are hilarious and action-packed. Think the Addams Family, but kids under 12 will probably get the most enjoyment out of it. 

Oh, and did I mention the cryogenically frozen Strega-Nonna, and the monsters Ffup, Sab, and Tock? (Better mention Multitudina the Illiterat too lest she bite my ear off...)

And now, taking the award for YA Supernatural/Scary/Spooky book for this Hallowe'en....

(OK, so it'a not so much a single book, as an author.)

L.J. Smith, you may take your bow!

Her books, especially the Night World series, feature the classic portrayal of vampires, but crossed with elements of romance, and of course set in our modern-day world. She also wrote the Vampire Diaries (that TV show...you know the one, with the AMAZINGLY HUNKY vampire brothers? Ha. I knew that would get your attention...! But it's true.) which I have read, though I have to say I don't like those ones as much. (No offence, AMAZINGLY HUNKY vampire brothers who feature in the series.)

I'm definitely not a massive vampire fan, but they are my guilty pleasure, now revealed to the world. And, in a perfect twist of fate, there's probably a copy of one of her books in every library in the world, thanks to the recent craze -started-by-the-book-which-shall-not-be-named, so there's no excuse for not trying them.

Anyway, I better go now before twinsister dearest murders me* for mentioning the v-word on the blog.

*runs* 

Allie

*with a knife in the drawing room! We're so playing Cluedo tomorrow. And that will be the end of the Hallowe'en festivities. I swear I'm not into it as much as my recent posts have made out. It's just I've gone on a blogging binge and it happened to occur around this time of year...

Yes, Halloween is completely commercialised and Americanised and whatever other words there are for stuff like that. But....

As much as I try to abstain from it (unlike Tora, there will be no Halloween  parties for me - not even trick-or-treating) somehow, it always sneaks in...sly old fox of a holiday....

Our bathroom is currently a homage to Psycho. Blood-hand-print-stained shower curtain, and everything. There are a lot of Halloween sweets. And coloured hairspray for the others who are actually going to participate in the strange tradition of traipsing around from house to house in the pitch dark and freezing cold, with steadily growing bags of junk and money (OK, that part I'm not so objectionable to) with a large group of people dressed in varying types of black bin bags and white bed sheets.

(And all right, all right, I know there are so fantastic costumes out there. Like - hello! - Amy Winehouse. Picture this: little primary school kid, cute as button, with a huge knotty beehive and layers of mascara. Obviously without the alcohol and drug addictions, but still! Only at Halloween...)

And, even better. Bellatrix Lestrange! Can you imagine?


HOLD ON!

....            
                                           
Seriously, that comparison was not intentional....but I so have to put it live on the blog now.

Right, now if you'll excuse me, I'm off to find my missing black t-shirt....

Allie

Who We Should Aspire To Be Like

This will probably just be a quick post, but I realized the only mention I'd given one of my favourite blogs was just a fleeting link in a post ages ago, that's not even on the main page now (to any new readers: oh yes, there's more! We're nearing our one hundredth post, so there's a couple of pages for you to look at and help spread the insanity if you manage to get through this front page without overdosing on madness/becoming seriously maimed/scarred for life).

I first heard of Alice through the Post Pals charity. (You can see my previous post about it here - see how nice I am, linking you to it, and everything? - or, better still, visit the Post Pals website) I'd tell you about here, but what better way to do than through her own words? From her Blogger profile:

About Me

Alice x

Hi, I'm 15 years old and live with my parents and sister in Ulverston. I've been fighting cancer for almost 4 years and now I know that the cancer is gaining on me and it doesn't look like I'm going to win this one :( I'm hoping to write in here as much as I can and I'm also going to show my bucket list which I'm trying to get done before I have to go. Hopefully, I'll update as I tick each one off the list :)

Her blog is simply called 'Alice's Bucket List' (that was another link, by the way. In case you didn't notice), and well, it does exactly what it says on the tin. But also, much more.

It is a story full of positivity and strength, made all the more touching because this isn't just something in a novel you can pick up and put down at will; it is someone's life. It is a glimpse into the lives of Alice and her whole family (including her sister Milly who deserves a major shout-out too; she's an amazing fundraiser, as well as suffering from a condition called Crouzon Syndrome herself - and reminds you that the way bad things - whether health-wise, life-wise, or anything-wise - affect you is all down to your attitude. Where there is darkness, there must be light. Falling down, no matter how hard or how far or for how long, must always be followed by getting up again. This is what Alice does, despite the trials she has gone through, and the challenges facing her.

(Now you can see where the post title is coming from, right? So, Tora, if you'll forgive me this once for having it so straight-up and 'obvious', I think it really has some meaning.)

I am not saying Alice is Superwoman. She is an ordinary girl in extraordinary, harrowing circumstances that unfortunately affect too many people, who has decided that this chapter of her journey should be shared with the world.

(Am I preaching? I really hope I'm not. And if I am, well, let's just hope it has some kind of purpose. I think it does.)

So. Go there. Read and take inspiration. And then come back here and finish reading this post and see how different the light you see it in is.

I'll leave a space here to indicate you reading Alice's blog.




Sorta makes you appreciate being alive, doesn't it?

Allie

When I grow up...I am NOT going to be a member of the Pussycat Dolls.

....I am, in fact, going to, one day, get myself a writing-room/study, like this:

And yes, it IS going to be that tidy. Even though this is me we're talking about. I can't write with my room all messy or my feng-shui all messed up. (I knew that much before I even knew about feng-shui.) By the way, it is in a shed. So what? *pointed stare*

Or maybe...it's going to be like this:

Just look at that comfy chair! And the gorgeous desktop computer that probably crashes a lot less than my own dear laptop...I might swap the rug, but I'd defintiely have one. I'd need it there for when I get so frustrated I need to lie on the floor and throw missiles stuff at the ceiling. Couldn't do that without a nice fluffy rug. And it's in an attic! With a skylight! :D I have always written well in attics. With skylights. *nods*

OK, so maybe there's a third choice I have in mind....But LOOK! It's so pretty...! The only thing I woudl change would be to make the chairs softer. And bigger. And- what the hey, why not add a bed in there, as well? Knowing me I'll probably end up doing a lot of late-night writing/watching films while eating junk food pretending I'm writing and not consoling myself over stuff, and life in general...

I'm going to stop talking now.

Allie

This post will most definitely not be all about muffins.

No way.

But. I made muffins today. And they are delicious. Even if I do say so myself...

They are also even more delicious because fo the fact they were almost-but-not-quite stolen. Though thankfully they were not. Sighs of relief all round, people...

I can't cook much - hands up people who live off frozen food, toast and popcorn when left to fend for themselves? MEE! - but I like baking. A lot. Mainly because even when you mess up things still taste great. Usually. And, yes, I know stuff can still go wrong, but boy, all the exploding oven doors are SO worth it, in the end.

Also, LOOK! A cool frog I don't know the name of, but with funkiest frog-skin ever.

I have listened to some very funny songs, some cracking music (currently, Seven Nation Army by the White Stripes), talked to my twinsister about many things in a very short space of time, begun writing again after being too busy to do anything constructive for the past few days, and will be competing in showjumping tomorrow.

These are the reasons why I am happy right now.

Go forth and be happy too, dear readers!

A very cheerful Allie

You Are Not Alone, People Who Harbour Secret LotR Dreams But Are In A Caged Exsistance Of Being Unable To Express Their True Feelings. Ok. Maybe You -

ZOMG! There is actually a limit on the length of titles. That just ruined my whole day. Now I will never be able to write a title for my blog without the impending restriction of limit on length.

My Freak. *buries head in hands*



CAST-

Samwise- Barbara

(Hey, I'm Barbara, although I prefer 'Dippy', or 'Aerrow' as I'm known on some sites. I'm a gaming nerd and proud otaku, pleased to meet you!)

Frodo- Tibaba

('Sup, I'm Tibi, as my friends like to call me, and I can be known as very random at times! I'm the boffin of our group, and am constantly being yelled at by them for singing too much! I send you my Salutations! :P)

Gandalf The Grey- Harry

(Silence.)

The Balrog- Sam.

(Silence)

That's men for you. For all their great mathematical knowledge, they cannot sit in what could even be considered any sort of blood relative to a circle. But that's unrelated. Excuse the pun.

Enjoy the delirium, people.

Tora.

Side note: D'you how many ways people pronouce Tora? I've had (Tawwwwwwwwhra (Americans. Check out the Western drawl.) Tohh-rah (Londonians) Tahh-ra (Scots). C'mon. There are harder names to pronouce.

My Name is Allison and Sometimes My Twin Sister Really Does Seem To Be The One Who Was Born With All The Common Sense. (Just occasionally.)

OK, so this post is mainly in reply to Tora's last two blog posts...


Ciao is hello, too. I think. So you're OK.

OH, WOW!

I'D LIKE TO THANK-

On second thoughts, I'm not going to bother with the whole acceptance speech. I mean, yeah, Gwyneth Paltrow eat your heart out, but I seriously do not have the energy to type out ten minutes' worth of thank-yous right now.

I know I'm technically published, in a way, but I mean a book, that people can buy in shops. Or on Amazon. Or wherever. (Personally, I must promote LIBRARIES and BOOKSHOPS. Especially the ones with the comfy chairs and the muffins.)

However, I will settle for being published online. Which - technically - means I have been published may, many times.

WAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!

*does jig*

Onto the next post...

They use upside down exclamation marks in Spanish. They're very cool.

*laughs* Thanks for posting that, Tora. Makes me laugh every time.

(There's a lot of inside jokes there. If you want to know what they are - well, I'm not telling you. But if anyone does know, COMMENT! *highfives non existent people*)

And, just for the record, I share Tora's sentiments about the CV. I could rant about being indivual and everything, but I don't have time. So I shall leave you with this: Tora is...amaxzing. And so much more than a CV could ever describe.

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to rescue a kitten.

Allie.

Oh, and hi, Anon/Annon/Rhiannon.

Music Monday 12

Meme originally by Zakiya at Walking Butterfly Feet.

The Coronas - Addicted to Progress

I have seriously had this song stuck in my head...ever since I heard it on the radio, but didn't manage to catch the tile. And now I've found it again and can't stop listening to it. What can I say/ It's...addictive.

Allie

Look, Insanity Even Comes With Up-Side Down Exclamation Marks!

Except Blogger doesn't allow that kind of non-sense. (If you want to know how to create them, the it's ALT/CNTRL/SHIFT/!. It works in Word, e.c.t!)

Now the time has come to choose my Work Experiance placement, I thought I'd share with you a bit of my CV!


Ok, it's really blurry, but I think you can read it! It's good, right?

Seriously, I've had to write a CV. And listing all of the things that's I've done in my lifetime that may count towards something is really stupid. Because it all counts. Everything I've done made me who I am today, and whether or not I would be suitable for such a job. Not just the things I've passed with recognized boards of exams or organization. *sighs*

Whaddaya think, Allie?

Reader (s)?

Tora, XXX

My Name Is Victoria And I Love My Sister A Lot.

Ciao.

No, wait, that's goodbye, isn't it?

I am sure you're all very grateful that I've not posted in such a while, and I've appeared to say you're very welcome. I've also appeared to knock the Stupid out of Allison.

Because publish means to 'share with'. If my dear reader (more bout that later) would care to reach back in her memory, we did post something earlier on this blog.

CONGRATULATIONS, ALLISON CLAY, YOU'RE A PUBLISHED AUTHOR!

I love you a lot, even if you're an idiot sometimes. There, tell the world, and all your pet brackets.

Why don't you publish something else for us?

In the meantime, I think it's time for us to throw a party, to celebrate our first reader! Ladies, and Gentleghosts, please welcome, Anon!

*applause*

*coughs* The pun is, Anon is not short for anonymous, which little miss really is, but Rhiannon.

And Allie, though I love you, did you know we havn't been getting any comments because someone set the settings to not allow any comments? Hmmmn?

ARG! Now I've stuck the thing on italics again... Ohhhhhh. Darn me.

Tora, XXX

Quotes of the Day

I'll edit this when I hear more, I promise. It's just a nonsense-post-about-nothing-in-particular.

WHAT AM I SAYING?

Of course every post on this blog has a purpose. They're not just an excuse to rant and spout whatever is on ours minds. Not at all. No way.

Anyway, the quote(s).

Heard in a musical a few nights ago:

Guy in musical: <name censored> I never married Tiffany, in the end.

Girl in audience: I'LL MARRY YOU, <CENSORED>

*cue entire crowd in tears with laughter*

Allie

Right. I claim to be a writer. Ummm....not so sure of that....

I mean, an aspiring writer. But that makes me sound like one of the many millions of people around the world who say they're going to write a book but never do.

Believe me, I am going to be doing my utmost to write a full-length novel worthy of publishing. I have tried already, but I have time (unless I get caught in a hit and run or something tomorrow. Which would not be good. But let's not tempt fate.) and apparently I should be focusing on getting smaller stuff finished (which, I have to admit is very good advice. HEED IT! The satisfaction of finishing something smaller helps in the long run. Or so I'm told.)

(I may repeat again; neither Tora nor I are published authors, except if you count via the internet or competitions. We are in-progress writers, we are artists, we are supernovas (or at least she is. Me, on the other hand...) and everything in between (that's more like it! I must remember to add that to my 'About Me' section) but we are also learning, and we will get there. Or at least she will. Probably before me.Because Tora is too amazing to not do something utterly brilliant...possibly by this time next week. If she hasn't already.)

(Wow, the twinsisterly love is really flowing here today.)

(As is the use of brackets.)

The poor, understated, underused, humble bracket. Remember when you first learn how to use them, and they are...simply addictive? And then they gradually fall into disuse...but never fear, BRACKETS OF THE WORLD! YOU ARE SAFE HERE!

Just in case they can't hear lowercase letters.

I'd put in a picture of a bracket but that would be going overboard.

(Read: No I am not obsessed, just bored, and trying to sound vaguely interesting. Even if that means sounding slightly hyper and very, very insane. More so than usual.)

*breathes sigh of relief*

I needed that. Rant over, readers.

Back to the world of sandpaper, apple tarts, wrong ingredients, door stoppers, strange songs, sleep deprivation, and doing whatever else we students are supposed to do. Studenting?

I mean, studying!

LOOK! A RAINBOW! *points*

*runs*

Allie

Random blog post, because it's a better use of my time than making homemade bunny ears.

Don't ask. Just. Don't.

So, I should have something to say, shouldn't I?

Ummmm...

Maybe this wasn't such a good idea after all.

Well, I'm sitting here with my laptop in front of me trying to write, and failing, because MY CREATIVITY HAS BEEN SQUASHED OUT OF ME BY THE MONSTER THEY CALL ENDLESS STUDYING, and blogging seemed like the only other reasonable thing to do with the little time online I have right now.

I wish I had something exciting to write about. L;ike the awesome Kiersten White over at her blog Kiersten Writes (see what she did there?! LOVE IT). Where she is not afraid to post pictures of herself  posing with fishes or self-deprecating posts comparing herself to the other writers she has met on her book tour (Bad Kiersten!!) or even having very public conversations with her Laptop. Where the laptop actually answers for itself.

Oh, how I wish I was like that.

Or even like Tahereh Mafi over at Grab A Pen/Stir Your Tea (the latter's the bit that shows up on the URL. Decided I'd just slap it onto the link there in case it's the actual name of the blog instead of Grab a Pen which comes up on my favourites list.) who has just received copies of her book Shatter Me (Which I did a Waiting-On Wednesday post about, if you remember, loyal readers who may not exist) and is feeling a little bit weepy....well, I would be too, wouldn't you?! Weepy in a good way, I mean. Not weepy as in cry your heart out over The Notebook or My Sister's Keeper because you feel like doing nothing else with your life. 9I'm sure they're great movies. But just not my style. (Point of interest about me: I don't cry at books, or movies. Ever. Never have, probably never will. I HAVE A HEART OF STONE. *wails*)

Or maybe even Veronica Roth....(SORRY SORRY SORRY I haven't read Divergent yet, but I will be soon. Promise.) over at her website and blog, where she's just moved to ROMANIA (Not on the blog. Like, seriously, actually MOVED TO ROMANIA.) among many other exciting things.

< - A version of the Divergent cover. Isn't it jaw-droppingly, amazingly, absolutely stunning?! If I sdee this anywhere, I'm buying it. Immediately.

I think that's enough links for now. Slash-things-I'm-pointing-out-because-they-point-out-exactly-what-a terrible-and-boring-blogger-I-am.

I think I've self-indulged for long enough now. Hopefully karma won't kill me because I've just accidently-on=purpose promoted some of my favourite blogs by some people who are truly brilliant (at least, this is what I'm led to believe. I've never met any of them. Either THEIR BLOGS LIE!

or:

If any of the authors I have mentioned want to come over and oh...my...lord... I'mgoingtohyperventilateatthethoughofitsoI'dbetterstopnow.

Allie

Wow. I sure did use capital letters to their full effect in that post.

Hey, the reason I listen to the radio while doing homework is to make sure WW3 doesn't break out while I'm busy concentrating on chemistry calculations.

I hope you all enjoyed Tora's appearance during the week - and yes, I know her posts are more interesting than mine.

(I'm thinking it was a good idea for my twinsister to not talk about manga. Because if she did she would publicly berate me for not reading as many of them as I should be. For anyone who's interested, I'm currently trying to get through the utterly fluffy and my-guilty-pleasure-of-the-manga-world, Mars. But don't ask me to give you detailed information about it. I just like the drawings.)

By the way, while she's been away, Tora married Matthew, as in Matthew of the Gospels in the Bible, and had two sons. Mark, who became one of the other Gospel writers, and James, who I have to say is clearly underachieving compared to the rest of his prolific family.

Anyway, neither of us have been able to blog lately because of school and many, many other commitments, but I'll try to schedule some posts soon just to keep you going. And, by the way, it would be great if anyone who's been reading this could comment, so we could know for sure you're here!

Today, I finally got to the library for the first time in nearly three weeks. It was like a light in the darkness. An exodus to the Promised Land. Autumns leaves swept through the door and swirled in the air around me before being laid carefully on the ground before me to comfort my tired feet. Books and fellow book-readers cried my name in praise and choirs of angels swung down from heaven-

OK. So it wasn't exactly like that.

It was more like me noticing - hallelujah! - that there were new books on the shelves (I can literally tell if there's a single book out of place by now.) and that there were just waiting for me to pick them up and take them home...I could turn it into an In My Mailbox post, but I can't be bothered to take all the (undoubtedly pretty) pictures and upload them. So, in a brief summary; Forever by Maggie Stiefvater (a series which Tora despises for certain unmentionable - no, not that! - reasons, but which I can't seem to help but love), Passion, by Lauren Kate (OK, so I've cheated myself out owning the third book as well as the first two with this one. But I couldn't wait any longer!), TimeRiders Day of the Predator and The Doomsday Code by Alex Scarrow 9isn't that just the best name ever?), Jane Austen Stole My Boyfriend, by Cora Harrison (I own I was Jane Austen's Best Friend. I was given an uncorrected book proof actually, so I got to read it before a lot of other people, but I had to wait forever to get the sequel...) and several others I now do not have time to mention.

Au rev- well, actually, I can't spell that version of goodbye, so you're going to have to puit up with me sticking to plain old English. Until next time, citizens of the blogosphere!

Allie

You know I've been trying to read Skullduggery Pleasant, Tora...

Did I Last Sign In Before or After WW3?

Tricky one. Huh.

Wait a moment.

World War 3 hasn't happened yet, has it?

Hey-ho, people-who-have-ghost-complex-who-read-this-blog-but-who-might-actually-not-exsist, Tora remembered you do exsist! I'm not going to blab about my life. I'm not going to tell you how much work I've had ( a lot), how Iannoyed I have been at Allie for not reading certain books ( A lot), how surprised I've been by the books she has read which I've read but she didn't tell me and I didn't give to her... (wait, what was the question?), or how different Yr 10 is (a lot), and I'm not even going to mention manga.

All of which leaves me with nothing to say.

Sorry about that.

*fidgets*

Alright! Since you don't want to know, I will also just breifly (not) mention how abseloutely amazing the musical Jesus Christ Superstar is. Though, of course, our school's production beats annnnnnnyyy of the films so far... *coughhintcough*

Tir Na Og! Woot. Love that story.

I may talk a little about the Guants House Summer Gathering, the most beautiful event each year. The music is spectacular, the workshops are brilliant, and the setting's just so full of love. I have great, great friends there, from all around the country, drawn together, and now I sound like a real hippie. Before you lose interest, I would just like to say I'm running out of synonyms for amazing, but you get the picture. Guants is my second home.

Tora, XXX.

Still almost mad. Still almost sane. Still that shade of grey region inbetween.