Monday, June 30, 2014

52 Review - June Edition



In the busy summer months, I never find that there is enough time for reading. June was a super busy month for me, but I still managed to read 4 books. This usually meant staying up way past my bedtime to be able to get any reading in.
I felt like I really mixed up my usual reading routine by reading all different kinds of books. They're all fiction, of course, but different genres within that.


The Bees
by 
Laline Paull

338 Pages
Born into the lowest class of an ancient hierarchical society, Flora 717 is a sanitation worker, an Untouchable, whose labour is at her ancient orchard hive's command. As part of the collective, she is taught to accept, obey and serve. Altruism is the highest virtue, and worship of her beloved Queen, the only religion. Her society is governed by the priestess class, questions are forbidden and all thoughts belong to the Hive Mind.
But Flora is not like other bees. Her curiosity is a dangerous flaw, especially once she is exposed to the mysteries of the Queen's Library. But her courage and strength are assets, and Flora finds herself promoted up the social echelons. From sanitation to feeding the newborns in the royal nursery to becoming an elite forager, Flora revels in service to her hive.
When Flora breaks the most sacred law of all-daring to challenge the Queen's fertility-enemies abound, from the fearsome fertility police who enforce the strict social hierarchy to the high priestesses who are jealously wed to power. Her deepest instinct to serve and sacrifice is now overshadowed by an even deeper desire, a fierce maternal love that will bring her into conflict with her conscience, her heart and her society, and lead her to commit unthinkable deeds

This description, while very accurate, makes this book seem as if it's going to be full of intrigue and politics, but it's not really at all. The story itself isn't all that fulfilling, but the workings of the hive fascinates me. I love bees, so it was really neat to read about them. I found that I enjoyed that much more than anything else. In the beginning, it was hard for me to picture them as actual bees, since she writes about them as if they were human. As the book progressed, I started to picture them as bee/human hybrids. By the end they were bees and I was very happy with that.


Endgame (Sirantha Jax #6)
by Ann Aguirre
337 Pages
Sirantha Jax has the J-gene, which permits her to “jump” faster-than-light ships through grimspace. She loves nothing more than that rush, but the star roads have to wait…
Her final mission takes her to La’heng, a planet subjugated during first contact. Since then, the La’hengrin homeworld has been occupied by foreign conquerors.
All that’s about to change.
Now, as part of a grassroots resistance, Jax means to liberate the La’hengrin. But political intrigue and guerrilla warfare are new to her, and this will be the most dangerous game she’s ever played—spies and conspiracies, a war of weapons and hearts, and not everyone is guaranteed to make it out alive...

I'm finally finished this series.  I was a bit worried at the beginning of the book, when a few of the relationships take a bit of a weird turn, but they work themselves out by the end and I'm happy with them. It's also not how I thought it would end, but I'm happy with that too. I'm so sad that it's over, but I understand why she ended it where she did.
It's kind of hard to say anything without giving it away.
I've already picked up the first book to another series by this author. I hope it's just as good.



by Naomi Novik


397 Pages

When Britain intercepted a French ship and its precious cargo–an unhatched dragon’s egg–Capt. Will Laurence of HMS Reliant unexpectedly became master and commander of the noble dragon he named Temeraire. As new recruits in Britain’s Aerial Corps, man and dragon soon proved their mettle in daring combat against Bonaparte’s invading forces. 
Now China has discovered that its rare gift, intended for Napoleon, has fallen into British hands–and an angry Chinese delegation vows to reclaim the remarkable beast. But Laurence refuses to cooperate. Facing the gallows for his defiance, Laurence has no choice but to accompany Temeraire back to the Far East–a long voyage fraught with peril, intrigue, and the untold terrors of the deep. Yet once the pair reaches the court of the Chinese emperor, even more shocking discoveries and darker dangers await.

 Soooo much traveling....
Now I understand that life is the journey, not the destination, but when a book that doesn't really get to any plot until at least 300 pages when they actually reach their destination, the journey is not very exciting to read about. One of the only interesting plot points during the journey was a section where there was worry about there being a ghost on the ship, which (plot spoiler) there wasn't.
Once they actually got to China, it was really quite interesting and I loved reading about it. It made the traveling worthwhile. I've been told that this was one of the slowest books in the series, so I'm optimistic about reading the rest of them.


by Thomas Harris


367 Pages
A young FBI trainee. An evil genius locked away for unspeakable crimes. A plunge into the darkest chambers of a psychopath's mind --- in the deadly search for a serial killer ...
I'll start this off by saying that I have never seen the movie of this. I've always wanted to, but I've always been leery about it, too. I don't know why, since I've seen Hannibal, Red Dragon and I'm now just starting season 2 of the TV series.
I picked this book up last year and it's been sitting on my shelf, tempting me all this time. Since my last TBR book got upchucked on, I have replaced it on my list with this.
  It was really good, although the story almost seemed like it could be split into 2 different ones. In my head, most of the characters look as they do in the TV series, except for Hannibal, how looks more like Anthoney Hopkins than Mads Mikkelsen.
It was a very good read and had me on the edge of my seat. for most of it. So much so, I might actually pick up the rest of the books and read them.
Books that I am currently reading

The Call of Cthulhu and Other Weird Stories
by H.P. Lovecraft
Page 16 of 360
(I'm sure one of these days I'll pick this back up)

A Storm of Swords (A Song of Ice and Fire #3)
by George R.R. Martin
Page 420 of 1128

Friday, June 27, 2014

World PRIDE!

 Toronto is the first ever to host WorldPride and it's happening this week!



Hey world! We’re waiting for you.
Join us in Toronto in 2014 for WorldPride!


WorldPride 2014 Toronto (WP14TO), presented by Pride Toronto, is shaping up to be one of the biggest international events of our times. These ten days of queer celebration will turn streets into parades, parks into parties and strangers into friends. Come out and meet the people from around the world expected to gather downtown and in neighbourhoods right across the city.

 This will be an international celebration incorporating activism, education, and the history and culture of global LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities. Highlighting Canada’s continued progress in human rights, WP14TO also celebrates the diversity and dynamism of Toronto, one of the world’s most progressive and liveable cities.

Toronto will be the first WorldPride celebration ever held in North America, and the 4th such festival in the world. WorldPride brings people together from around the world to honour our past, celebrate the present, and inspire a better future for LGBTTIQQ2SA* communities everywhere.

Deborah Cox, Martha Wash and DJ’s David Morales and Quentin Harris are the first in a list of premiere international artists to perform at the world’s largest global LGBTQ celebration taking place in Toronto this summer.

A wide variety of musical genres will be presented live on the 10 open-air stages of the festival from rock, pop, dance, hip hop, R&B, country, traditional, folk, retro, disco. We're looking forward to presenting a number of international performers for WorldPride as well. The application process is underway, the deadline for applications is January 31, 2014.
 
There are also a variety of artistic genres represented in programs like Alterna-Queer (Punk, homo-core, experimental, rock), and Blockorama (house, roots reggae, R&B, Hip Hop, Dancehall).

Official Events
Opening Ceremony – June 20
WorldPride Gala and Awards – June 25
WorldPride Human Rights Conference – June 25-27
IGM Human Rights Reception – June 26
Trans March – June 27
Dyke March – June 28
WorldPride Parade – June 29
Streetfair and Arts & Culture Festival – June 27-29
Closing Ceremony – June 29

Other WorldPride 2014 Programming highlights include:
Major events in partnership with world-class cultural institutions , including art galleries and museums. Films, photography, video art, ceramics, paintings
Drag artists, burlesque, and dance are featured at Village Stage in the heart of the Church-Wellesley Village.

Our youth programs Fruit Loopz and Black Queer Youth (in partnership with Sherbourne Health Centre's Supporting Our youth, SOY, program) are once again returning to the festival with fresh ideas for WorldPride.

You will find singer-songwriters, spoken word, youth showcases, traditional, folk, dance and plenty of activities programmed in Clean Sober & Proud place in Paul Kane Parkette. This substance-free (drug and alcohol free) zone also offers regular 12-Step meetings throughout the festival weekend.
Family Pride features children's performers, activities and more in a family-friendly zone at The Church Street Public School at Church and Alexander Streets.

 


Taking place June 25—27, 2014 in the heart of downtown Toronto, Canada (University College, University of Toronto (15 King College Circle) the WorldPride Human Rights Conference 2014 (WPHRC14) is an exciting gathering of activists, artists, educators, journalists, policymakers, students, and others engaged in LGBTI human rights around the world. The conference provides a unique opportunity for a global dialogue about LGBTI human rights, ranging from performances to presentations, politics to policies, and activists to academics.
 
 
No matter where you are, enjoy PRIDE
Be who you want to be
Love who and how you want to love
Stay strong and be Proud!

Friday, June 20, 2014

Kick Ass Geek Girl Clothes

It's finally summer! YAY! I finally put away all my winter gear and I feel like a change in wardrobe is needed.
 
Luckily there are all sorts of new, fantastic geek outfits for the season.
 
 
My favorite geek girl company, Her Universe, has just released a new Marvel line and it is super!

 
Must own Cap hoodie and cardigan....
 
and maybe this cutie Tardis skirt...
 
 
 
 
Gold Bubble is relatively new on the scene, but have been taking geeks by storm with some of there kick-ass collections. I am thrilled to bits that they decided to use one of my favorite movies/books/graphic novels as inspiration and make a The Last Unicorn line!









 
There are so many wonderful pieces, that it'll be hard to choose which ones I want. The last one, for sure.
Also, their Corellian Blood Stripe leggings are back in stock for a limited times, so if you want these bad boys favoured by notorious scoundrels, you better act fast.

 
 

I don't know much about The Novo Geek, but I do know that I love these Battelstar Galactica leggings!
 
 
 
With Sailor Moon getting redone, everyone is renewing their love for the series. Luckily for us, there is a lot of new merchandise coming out, both officially and unofficially, like these awesome leggings by Sweet N' Sour


And these fantastic skater dresses from Living Dead







I can't decide. I want them all!
 
and just in case you haven't seen the new Sailor Moon trailer, check it out here in all it's glory!


So what are you wearing this summer?

A big thanks to Set to Stunning for being fabulous and always keeping me in the know.

Sunday, June 15, 2014