Marla's Wish List - What I Love & Would Like to See More of

Sometimes you're going along in your reading life, minding your own business, when suddenly you're taken by a yearning for something different.  It could be that you just need to change things up.  Sometimes, however, that isn't quite enough.  Maybe you change direction and find something you really like...

only to realize that you. want. MORE.

Well, folks, I can confidently say that I've been there and I now have a decided opinion on what I want out of my books.  Perhaps these books are out there and I just have yet to discover them.  Perhaps there's a place in the market that has yet to be fulfilled.  Maybe some of you will have recommendations for me.  Either way, I want what I want, so here it is.

Historical Fantasy

This is probably one of those genres that I can find plenty of if I just look for it.  However, I am definitely looking for some recommendations, because apparently I can't do it by myself.

Gothic Fiction

This probably isn't too surprising given my love of all things Jane Eyre.  It's been a while since I read anything recent with a Gothic tone.  Help a girl out?

Horror

Yes, I know!  Horror is out there in force!  However, I need recommendations, people!  Halp!

Epistolary Novels

I loooove books written in letter form.  Ever since Daddy-Long-Legs, I've been completely in love with the genre.  I've read everything from the moving to the silly.  I can't get enough of it.

Dragons

I just took one reading of Dragonswood by Janet Lee Carey to get me hooked.  Seraphina?  Awesome.  The Sweetest Dark?  Fantastic!  Must. have. MORE!

Automatons

This is a recent one, but as I prepare to read The Girl with the Wind Up Heart, I get the feeling I'm going to be wanting a lot more of this.  Plus, you know, it tends to be found in steampunk.  God, I love steampunk.

So, how about it?  Can someone out there help me out with some great book recommendations?  I'd be ever so grateful.  I'll be here waiting.

What's In a Name

Here’s some quick trivia about me. I was born in Michigan. I am shy. I am a name snob. None of those really have anything to do with reading except the last one. I love names. I love strange names. I love names with meaning. I love guy’s names with girls. I love weird spellings. I even like a nice classic name once in a while.

Names I Love: 
When I was younger I read a book called, The Cup of the World by John Dickinson. The main character in there is named Phaedra. I became obsessed with this name after I read it. I named a character in the story I was writing Phaedra. I temporarily used that as an alias on a writing message boards.

My favorite unseelie prince in the Iron Fey Series by Julie Kagawa. Ash. I really love that name for this character. Normally I would associate Ash with a girl, but for some reason it just really works for this guy. It adds to his mystery and makes him even more appealing. In his instance, I feel like Ash reminds me of his past and the people he has dueled and killed. Like those people are reduced to ashes and destruction. (Probably not for everyone, but that’s what it reminds me of).

Then there is Neryn in Shadowfell by Juliet Marillier. There is another book that uses a name very similar to that for a guy and I hate it. Don’t know why, but for some reason every time I see that name I cringe. This one I love because it makes the girl seem strong and a force to be reckoned with. It may go along with my guys names for girls love, but I really love this name for a girl. It also fits perfectly in the fantasy novel. I love it when the names are a little weird and unique, but aren’t crazy and hard to pronounce.

Names from books I haven’t read, but friends have: 
Pierce from Abandon by Meg Cabot. I haven’t read this book, but I love that name. I’ve seen Pierce used as a guys name before, but never for a girl. It makes her sound smart and sharp minded. Ember from Article 5. It’s sort of similar to Amber, but not. It sounds like an awesome mysterious name. It sounds like a girl who is overlooked, but is so kickass. I have no idea whether or not that is an accurate depiction of the character, since I’ve never read the book, but that’s what this name says to me. Also, I would totally name my kid Ember.

Q and A Post - Have any questions?

I've been in the mood to write some non-review, yet bookish posts as of late, and to start things off, I thought I would see if anyone is interested in a question-and-answer session.  All you have to do is leave a question for me in the comment section and I will do my best to answer them all in a post next week.  It's just a little something to help me determine what all you would like to read about, plus maybe answer some fun questions.  I hope you'll stop by with some questions!

The Book Blogger Slump Re-visited: My Epiphany

You may remember a post I wrote on what I have been referring to as the book blogger slump. It was a call for ideas in regard to solutions for getting past a slow period in my blogging. Since then I have still been in the thick of it, but I finally came to an important realization Monday night while Nikki and I were headed home after Ash 2 Nash. With Nikki as my sounding board, it finally hit me: I have been taking myself way too seriously. I have taken on too much too fast and have been holding myself to ridiculously high standards. That's not to say that I want to approach my blog in a less professional manner. That's not it at all. Instead, I have been imposing a ridiculously strict schedule upon myself and it has taken some of the joy out of reading for me. I thought that I HAD to read this library book by this date, that ARC by that date, this Galley Grab book by another, and this Netgalley by the pub date. It finally hit me, though, that I am only one woman. It's great if I can accomplish all of that, but if I stress myself out over it, it's not fun. In other words, I need to relax and let it flow.

It has been difficult, but I have been trying to teach myself to let go a little. First to go were the Galley Grab books. I don't have time to read them and don't have a solid obligation to read them, so I thought it would be a good idea to let them go for now. I will always be able to read them when they hit shelves. Second was the books that I win from things such as Goodreads. I want to read them and I will read them, but I don't necessarily have to read them by the exact publication date. It will be okay. I have also come to the realization that my library stack is ridiculous at the moment. I don't know what I've been thinking in regard to that, but I've decided to return some books unread. I can always check them out again at a later date after things are more under control. It isn't a crime to do so. It might bother me to no end, but I'm pretty sure I can get over it. By doing all of these things, I have my reading list down to a more manageable, fun length and will even have time to read my own books at times! I am much happier having done all this and am feeling refreshed and optimistic once again.

So, you may ask what advice was given in reply to my previous post. To sum it up, some of the hints were as follows:

• You can either push through it to keep the momentum going, or you can mix it up by facilitating a discussion, reading an old favorite, or even reading from a different genre - Shelagh from The Word Fiend
• Try hosting guest posts or preparing several posts ahead when you are able so you won't be in a bind if the slump hits - Alanna Shaw
• Memes may sometimes promote stagnation, as pointed out by Jeni Elyse
• Take a break from memes; the extra time can help you boost your reading and reviewing! - Jessica from Thoughts at One in the Morning
• In a reading slump? Pick up one of your own books from a genre you haven't read in a while. - Molli from Once Upon a Prologue
• Take a break! Shut down your computer, watch TV, go for a walk... just clear your head. - Lan from The Write Obsession
• Try something different: participate in read-alongs, plan a theme week, etc. - Kathy at Read This Instead

Hopefully these tips will prove helpful for others going through the dreaded slump. I found several of them inspiring and have some fresh ideas for my blog. I even have a plan rattling around in my head for Halloween week! To those of you going through something similar, good luck! You can do it. Don't give up and give yourself some time. You'll get back on track with some patience and self-understanding

The Book Blogger Slump

I have been experiencing a slump as of late. I haven't been able to write, read, or come up with fresh ideas. This leads me to wonder if there is anything I can do to get out of it. Does anyone care to have a discussion? What do you do when you encounter a slump? Do you let it ride or do you try to work it out? Let's see those tips and ideas!