Speechless

The choices for today are: (1) subway (2) Se a vida é (That's the way life is), (3) speechless. The chosen word is speechless.

"I am a writer perhaps because I am not a talker." - Gwendolyn Brooks

The above quote might be me making that statement. I am not much of a talker except when I'm writing (like on this blog). I guess I can be a bit speechless or silent which I suppose might bother some people. In conversations with people, my mind would sometimes go blank. The subject matter have to be real interest to me or else I have nothing to say about it. Plus, I'm not good with small talk or even regular talk. As I said, I'm not much of a talker.

Are you a good talker?

For tomorrow, the letter T, the choices are (1) tiny, (2) two, (3) transport. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

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Fiction: Rainbow

The choices for today are: (1) rebel, (2) rainbow, (3) reverse. The chosen word is rainbow.

Fiction: Rainbow
Sally's grandmother used to tell her, "Make a wish upon anything you see because rainbows and billionaires are hard to find. The latter is harder to convince that your wish is not stupid." Naturally Sally made wishes upon anything she saw since rainbows and billionaires were scarce.
    While contemplating why she was penniless on her 29 birthday, Sally saved a billionaire from being crushed by a truckload of watermelons. To repay her, the billionaire offered to fulfill one of Sally's wishes. After she explained about a rainbow bridge where people may come to make wishes, he had it built even if he did think it was a bit dumb.
    Six months after the bridge was opened, it collapsed and killed over a hundred people. It was speculated the cause was the locks people hung on the bridge for their wishes. A month after, Sally was outed as the person who bribed the contractor to use subpar materials on the bridge and took the difference. She was trialed and jailed.
    In her cell, Sally spent many nights wondering why she didn't just ask for money and spend it on frivolous things like ugly artworks and clothes that looked terrible on her instead of a bridge?
    When Sally turned 49 and still in jail, the contractor, on his deathbed, revealed he had framed Sally for the bridge collapse. He left evidence of his dealings.
    Months afterward, Sally stepped out of the prison gates and onto the rain-soaked streets. In that moment, she saw a rainbow in the sky, smiled and dismissed it.
    Later, Sally would found out before the billionaire had died, he had made one other Sally's wishes come true - to have her own home in the country and that's where she went to raise horses.

For tomorrow, the letter S, the choices are (1) subway, (2) Se a vida é (That's the way life is), (3) speechless. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Quirk

The choices for today are: (1) quiet, (2) question, (3) quirk. The chosen word is quirk.

One of the meanings of quirk is a peculiar trait, an idiosyncrasy. One of my quirks is I check things over many times, more than necessary. Check, recheck, and then recheck several more times. I don't know why I'm so uncertain when the evidence is right there telling me I've done it correctly. Maybe this idiosyncrasy is a bad habit? I don't know. I can't stop doing it. I guess quirks can also be habits.

What is a quirk you have that you can't stop doing?

For Monday (as we skip Sundays), the letter R, the choices are (1) rebel, (2) rainbow, (3) reverse. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

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Postcards

The choices for today are: (1) potato, (2) passenger, (3) postcards. The chosen word is postcards.

I guess I have some affinity with postcards. Here's a list.

01 - The name of my blog is Postcards from the Bookstore which named because I used to (and I still do now and then) buy postcards from bookstores and sometimes other places if I happen to see them. I once also had a blog named Postcards from the Rain and another named Postcards from the Clouds.

02 - One of my favorite books is Postcards from a Dead Girl by Kirk Farber. It's kind of a sad (fictional) book about grief, letting go, postcards, travels and neurotic dreams. But it's a funny book. It's the only book I ever laughed out loud while reading. More about the book over here.

03 - There was one time I joined a postcards exchange and got a bunch of cards in the mail which was fun. I sent postcards with some of my maybe-poetry (I'm not sure if some of them would be considered poetry) and it was a good exercise in trying to fit words into a tiny space on the back of a postcard.

Photo taken in New York City, 2014

04 - I collect postcards relating to New York but I haven't found any new ones these days as there are seldom new designs. I really like the idea of New York postcards and probably would have created a blog and named it Postcards from New York.

05 - Sometimes I get postcards of Maine from one of my pen pals. I've never been to Maine but I think if I ever want to move, I'll probably pick Maine.
    
06 - I have done some artworks relating to postcards. You can see one here on this post.

Have you ever collected postcards? Do you like postcards?

For tomorrow, the letter Q, the choices are (1) quiet, (2) question, (3) quirk. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Fiction: Ocean

The choices for today are:  (1) observer, (2) order, (3) ocean. The chosen word is ocean.

Fiction: Ocean
Under the early morning orange light, a woman pushes a small canoe out into the water. For a long while, she rows in silence.
    Ten months ago, she had heard from a friend of a friend that if you row from one end of the ocean to the other, all your sorrows will be forgotten. At first, she thought it was all nonsense but then her husband died. Through the ocean of sorrow, she hopes to forget.
    The sky darkens and it starts to rain. A strong wind begins to whip the rain about. Soaked through with arms aching and a stiff back, she slacks her pace.
    The wind increases and the canoe flips over and she is thrown into the water. With a tight grip on the paddle, she swims from under the canoe and takes in a few breaths of air. She adjusts her life jacket and wipes at her eyes. Is it tears or just the rain? Not far off, she spots a light. A strange certainty tells her that is where she should go. With renew strength, she flips the canoe, removes bits of water with a pouch and gets back in.
    After a while, the wind dies down and the rain turns into drizzle. When she reaches the light, she is relieved but tired. She gets out of the canoe and sits on the ground. A fog has encircled the small isle but the top of the lighthouse is in view.
    She thinks of her life. All the memories are there but the ones that are painful and one particular where her husband dies, she can't recall. Is this how it will be? Her sorrows are forgotten but she doesn't want all of them to leave her.
    "If you want your sorrows back, just row back to where you come from," says a man sitting in a fold-out chair and smoking a pipe. She swears there haven't been anyone a moment ago.
    She glances at him. The unruly beard. The dark eyes. That ratty blue sweater. Then it strikes her. "You're—" She swallows.
    "Yes, Sweetheart, it's me only I'm not really here." He removes his pipe from his mouth and turns to face her. "You don't have to remember me and you don't have to forget me. You just need to move on."
    "Is that what I should do?" she asks.
    He chuckles softly and waves the pipe about. "Sweetheart, the world is expansive. Do everything! Don't waste time dwelling on the past. And don't stay here. Many had come only to return. You need to go back." He smiles.
    She wipes the tears from her eyes. When she looks back, her husband is not there. Has it been her imagination?
    She looks toward where she has come from but sees only the fog. Hasn't she wanted to forget? For a few moments she sits and watches the fog and rain.
    A little while later, back on the shore where she has started several hours ago, she smiles as she remembers again all her sorrows.

For tomorrow, the letter P, the choices are (1) potato, (2) passenger, (3) postcards. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

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Noodles

The choices for today are:  (1) no, (2) noodles, (3) nostalgic. The chosen word is noodles.

I used to eat those ramen noodles, those in packets where you buy them by the box full. I don't know if they are ramen noodles as there are so many types but I remember the packaging is either red or orange. It's easy to prepare the noodles because all you have to do is heat up a pot of water, throw the noodles square (which I break in half) in along with an egg or two or some leftover meat or vegetables and when it's about done, you put in the packet of sauces though I always throw out the oil packet and then in a few minutes, it's ready to eat. It's what college students liked to eat, at least, I did. I was and still am a pretty bad cook so easy food like prepackaged noodles makes for a quick meal.

What kind of food did you like to eat as a student?

For tomorrow, the letter O, the choices are (1) observer, (2) order, (3) ocean. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

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Mundane

The choices for today are: (1) mute, (2) Monday, (3) mundane. The chosen word is mundane.

The quote above my header is "My life is spent in one long effort to escape from the commonplaces of existence." which is from the story, The Red-Headed League by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and this could be my motto in life. I live a very mundane life and that's not a bad thing. Sometimes I think I should be leading a more exciting life but other times, I think mundane is good. Mundane is safe and I don't panic too often. But I don't oppose to having some exciting thing happening every now and then. Something like getting a free book can be exciting to me so I suppose what I think of as exciting might be mundane to other people. But most of the time, I prefer a peaceful existence with a little touches of excitement to break the mundane.

Do you think you're living a mundane life? Do you prefer mundane over exciting?

For tomorrow, the letter N, the choices are (1) no, (2) noodles, (3) nostalgic. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

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Lackadaisical

The choices for today are: (1) lackadaisical, (2) literature, (3) loophole. The chosen word is lackadaisical.

Sometimes I can be lackadaisical and it can go on for days or weeks. I don't want to say I don't have the will to do things but some days, it is like that. But strangely, I get things done when it is absolutely necessary. I guess I'm used to finishing tasks and was never lazy doing them. I have always thought when a person gets older, they would be more diligent but it seems I am less so. The older I get, the more lazy I get and I'm better at letting things go as well. I'm sure nobody is working their ass off every minute of the day so I don't feel  too bad about being lazy and I don't think anyone should.

For tomorrow, the letter M, the choices are (1) mute, (2) Monday, (3) mundane. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Fiction: Kerfuffle

The choices for today are: (1) kitchen, (2) knucklehead, (3) kerfuffle. The chosen word is kerfuffle.  Kerfuffle, according to Merriam-Webster means, a disturbance or commotion typically caused by a dispute or conflict.

Fiction: Kerfuffle
It was just a little commotion but it disturbed his afternoon nap. So he let a drizzle fall under the bright spring sunlight. If anyone noticed the raindrops tasted like lemon drops, they didn't let on. The two boys who were fighting and the adults having an impromptu barbecue rushed inside their house.
    Across the street, in the front yard, between two apple trees, and lying on a hammock beneath a blanket, the small figure stretched and then settled down for another nap.
    "Kerfuffle! Where are you?" The voice of eight-year-old Emma rise above the rain. She had a habit of looking for things that didn't want to be found. He yawned and encouraged the rain to fall a little harder. The trees and the blanket just about kept him from getting wet.
    "Emma! Close that door now! Don't let the rain in!"
    He heard the slamming of the door.
    For a moment, the falling rain lulled him toward sleep but a screeching noise interrupted. He took a peek between the blanket. A car was veering from side to side and missing the lawns of several houses.
    Why couldn't he have a peaceful nap? He yawned. The car stopped just before the mailbox a few feet away from him. He let the rain subside and turned his body around to face away from the car.
    Moments later, Emma was cradling Kerfuffle and muttering sweet praises with breaths that smelled like licorice. Inside the house, she placed him on his bed. He didn't mind another nap. What cat would?

For Monday (as we skip Sundays), the letter L, the choices are (1) lackadaisical, (2) literature, (3) loophole. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Java

The choices for today are: (1) just, (2) junk, (3) java. The chosen word is java.

"Blogging without coffee since 2006"

The above is a tagline I had wrote a while back and it's still true today because I'm not a coffee drinker. You'll never hear me say 'I like a cup of java.' Nope. Tea is more my kind of drink. I don't like the taste of coffee and only ever had one taste of it. Some might say I need more than one taste to judge but I think some food, once you taste it, you just know you don't like it. I think if I had tried coffee when I was teen or younger, I might had grew to like it but in a rebellious way because when people tell me to not like something, I go the opposite way.

How about you, are you a coffee drinker?

For tomorrow, the letter K, the choices are (1) kitchen, (2) knucklehead, (3) kerfuffle. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Impulse

The choices for today are: (1) idle, (2) insight, (3) impulse. The chosen word is impulse.

I am mostly impulsive when I'm angry so you might say anger fuels my impulses. It's a bit hard for me not overthink when making a decision so maybe it's why I didn't do as much daring things as I would like. Once in a while, when I'm a mood that isn't fueled by anger, I actually do impulsive things though they are only mildly daring because I'm not adventurous and I'm a scaredy cat and sometimes I feel like I'm not quite equip to do a lot of things that people find easy. If one day if I spontaneously decide I must go sky diving, I might just do it even though I have a fear of heights.

How about you, are you impulsive? Do you need anything to fuel your impulses?

For tomorrow, the letter J, the choices are (1) just, (2) junk, (3) java. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Fiction: Headphones

The choices for today are: (1) headphones, (2) hello, (3) hate. The chosen word is headphones.

Fiction: Headphones
In her world, with her headphones on, she could ignore the world. Through the steady jolting of the train, she sat still on the bench with her head down, eyes to the floor and music in her ears. Through the windows, faint afternoon sunlight landed by her feet. The music lulled her into a sleepy comfort. But the eyes upon her were disconcerting.
    Pink hair teased high and colorful makeup never ceased to attract onlookers. It wasn't her way to appeal to anyone. She just made herself looked like what she was - a wild child who loved music and big hair.
    The three boys were in front of her before she realized it but she remained silent and focused on the music. She heard nothing of what they spat out of their noisy mouths. When she didn't respond, one of them grabbed her leather jacket and pulled her to her feet. The other riders looked on. But she calmly looked up at the boy. He was taller than her by six or seven inches and wide as a house but ugly as a toad with botchy tan skin covered with large, odd-shaped freckles.
    She saw his lips move but his voice was drowned out by the music. The widening of his mouth indicated he was shouting. But she stared up at him with lazy eyes. What made him think he could bother her?
    Around her, the other riders were watching but they averted their eyes when she turned their way. They wouldn't help her. She veered her eyes back to the boy. He snatched her headphones and threw it to the floor and stumped upon it as she pulled at the cable that was plugged into her MP3 player inside her shoulder bag but it broke off. The headband of her headphones was bended and one ear cup had loosened apart from the rest.
    The boy laughed. "No more music. What you're going to do now?" He bobbed his head from side to side. Behind him, the other boys snickered.
    What did he think she would do? She opened her mouth and screamed. Her voice ripped through the air and reverberated throughout the train. The other riders covered their ears. As the boys tried to get away, one of them hit his head on a pole, another stumbled onto the floor and the one who laid his hand on her, popped his eyes wide and fainted.
    Slowly, she stopped screaming, letting her voice faded away. Then she gathered up the pieces of her headphones, stuffed them inside her bag, smoothed down the back of her ballerina skirt and calmly sat down.
    The train, which was an express, flew past several stations before it stopped and the doors hissed open. She walked toward the doors, careful not to step on any of the unconscious riders lying on the floor. If she didn't want to soil her boots, she would have kicked the boy in the face. Thinking of the headaches they will all have later made her smiled.
     On the platform, she glanced up at the sky and noted the bits of sunlight between the clouds. Once out the door of the station, she made her way down the stairs and onto the streets and on her way to a record shop. Her headphones needed to be repaired but first she needed a music fix.
  

For tomorrow, the letter I, the choices are (1) idle, (2) insight, (3) impulse. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Grumpy

The choices for today are: (1) graphic design, (2) grumpy, (3) ginger. The chosen word is grumpy.

I don't want to say I'm naturally grumpy but I am a moody person. And if I'm not moody, I'm sort of indifference or at least I pretend to be. Why do people assume a person have to be happy to be, well, happy? It's good to feel good but we can't be in a good mood all the time. When I'm in a bad mood, it takes me awhile to get out of my grumpiness. Sometimes I don't want to think at all so I watch youtube or do something that didn't require too much brain power. My mind needs relaxation or at least, some distraction from thinking the bad things that make me grumpy.

What do you do when you're grumpy?

For tomorrow, the letter H, the choices are (1) headphones, (2) hello, (3) hate. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Follow

The choices for today are: (1) follow, (2) funny, (3) forgiveness. There is just not enough votes for any particular word so I chose follow.

I thought of choosing the words and not ask readers to choose anymore. There's just not enough time for voting since I write and post in the same day and there is only a few hours in between posts for voting. But I seem to have a need to follow things all the way through even though it is kind of failing. I know it's okay to not do anything I had planned but a part of my brain don't seem to want to. So I'll follow through and let readers choose the word. Maybe it's not good to set criteria during these challenges. I had thought I had a lot to ramble about but it seems my mind keeps blanking out or veering off topic.

If you're failing at something, do you follow through or quit?

For tomorrow, the letter G, the choices are (1) graphic design, (2) grumpy, (3) ginger. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Erase

The choices for today are: (1) education, (2) easy, (3) erase. The chosen word is a tie between education and erase - I chose erase.

The Erase Manifesto
As a blogger, I have the...
01 - Right to erase my past posts
02 - Right to erase any moronic, hurtful, insulting, stupidly put, unlikable comments
03 - Right to erase from my memory anything I post or say on this blog
04 - Right to erase this manifesto and start over
05 - Right to erase this manifesto and forget about it

The above rules is just something I made up just now but I do believe in them, as least, today. I had even erased whole blogs (my previous blogs before this) with just a little regrets. As a blogger, I think we can blog however we like. What rules would you follow as a blogger?

For Monday (as we skip Sundays), the letter F, the choices are (1) follow, (2) funny, (3) forgiveness. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Fiction: Diva

The choices for today are: (1) dayum, (2) delete, (3) diva. None of the words got enough votes to be chosen so I picked diva.

Fiction: Diva
The diva knew it won't be long before she was replaced but she still gave her all on each performance. It was not her way to be lazy or take the easy way. Time wasn't on her side but at least she knew not to waste time trying to please others. No one was ever allowed to dictate her life.
    Her understudy, Valerie, also her assistant, was getting antsy and had been poisoning the diva's tea and much of the food she ate. But she was the diva, nothing could kill her but a bad performance or so she kept saying to her agent.
    To cut off Valerie's support, the diva fired her personal chef, trainer, housekeeper, maid and a few guards. That stupid girl thought she could cheat her way to stardom. What a joke she had became. The diva knew hard work and perseverance was the only way otherwise all you got were hollow fames and a lifetime supplies of unfaithfuls. Yes, the diva knew just how to do it right.
    Last week, on the last day of her greatest performance of her life, the diva gave it everything she got. As Valerie was escorted out of the theater by the police, the diva gave her one long glance. The diva was merciless. If death was what it was needed to stop this arrogant girl from getting her way, death it was.
    A few days afterward when she had to identify the body of her husband, the diva didn't feel any guilt or sadness, only pity. If Valerie had only wanted stardom, the diva would not have got in her way but she became greedy. She tried to take what wasn't hers. And that fool husband gave himself away.
    Today, the diva sat on the roof of her yacht and looked out toward the horizon. She took a sip of her ice tea. The weather was cool and the water was calm. Alone, she almost enjoyed the silence. Being the diva was her life but now it was the time to end her reign. And if no one saw her exit, they will still see her after. No diva ever leave the stage without a final bow.

For tomorrow, the letter E, the choices are (1) education, (2) easy, (3) erase. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Fiction: Criminal

The choices for today are: (1) constant, (2) cups, (3) criminal. The chosen word is criminal.

Fiction: Criminal
From behind the counter, the clerk eyes the girl as she darts around the store. Two long blond braids down her back and a pink baseball cap with rabbit ears on her head. Up and down the aisle, her laceless sneakers squeak on the plastic tiled floor. For a long while, the girl keeps wandering. Sometimes, all the clerk sees are the tips of those pink rabbit ears.
    A fight breaks out in aisle five so he runs there to check it out but it only lasts a few moments. When he looks for the girl, she is gone. Saddened, he returns to stand behind the counter and watches the guy attends customers with such clumsy laziness that he gets bore and thinks about his death.
    All it took to kill him was a box of jujubes. Back then, he was just a boy trying to earn some college money. Why did he bother trying to catch a thief just for a box of candy that cost two dollars? Such a petty crime. Such a high price to pay.
    Then there was the girl with the rabbit ears cap. It was her the man stole the candy for. The clerk saw her after he had crawled near the glass door. Under the brilliant sunshine, she was in the blue convertible with the top down and reading a magazine as if she was some princess. The thief got into her car and they drove off.
    For years, he thought finding the girl would answer why he was killed for a box of candy. Thirty-three years he has chased her but he had always missed - just a hair breath of time off. But it's only time. He has plenty of it - more than most ghosts, he suspects. Death has a way of prolonging time.
    But he has not found her. She must be dead. His memory of her face had faded into nondescript. But he keeps looking for her wherever he goes. It passes the time.

For tomorrow, the letter D, the choices are (1) dayum, (2) delete, (3) diva. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Brevity

The choices for today are: (1) brevity, (2) bedevil, (3) blabbermouth. The chosen word is brevity.

Twitter (I'll never use the new name) used to be 140 characters which I had always liked and had attempted them but I failed to like the brevity of it and quit. But I liked that people are forced to use shorter means of expression. I think it's hard to pare down what you want to say to 140 characters (which equals to about 28 or more words). I do envy people who can say a lot with a few words.

Do you have any thoughts on brevity?

For tomorrow, the letter C, the choices are (1) constant, (2) cups, (3) criminal. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

IWSG Apr 2025: Are cliches bad?

You hear it all the time in book reviews - the writing is cliche or something similar. Cliche or cliché, according to dictionary.com, refers to something trite, hackneyed, overly familiar, or commonplace phrase, theme, or expression.
        I try to avoid using cliches in my writing but I think I fail sometimes because I don't think anyone can avoid them if they are readers and in most cases, writers. I am all too familiar with words I read often and some sticks to my mind so even when I don't try to use cliches, they just pop in my head without me realizing.
    Generally, I don't think cliches are bad unless they are used excessively though I can't say I know all the cliches but just enough to recognize them. There are cliches that are just right and says exactly what can be easily understood so using them isn't a bad idea. Maybe not everyone can recognize cliches because when you're reading, you don't go looking for them but they certainly populate books even if you don't know them.

As a reader or as a writer, do you think cliches are bad?
  
[More about the group over at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog here]

Awkwardly Awesome April

For this year's Blogging From A-Z Challenge, I've chosen three words for each letter and then will allow readers to pick the word for me to mostly ramble about or maybe write a fictitious short story.
    For this first post, the choices are: (1) awkward, (2) awesome, (3) April. Since this is the beginning of the challenge, I thought I choose all three. So here's some thoughts from looking at those words.
    
Awkward
Being awkward is an occupational disease or so said someone in a tv drama. For me, it's probably true. I'm always awkward around people but especially animals. Once, I was at a friend's place and she handed me her kitten and that was a bit uncomfortable. Certainly, throwing the kitten off my arms would be rude and begging them to please remove the cat is probably rude too as the kitten was docile. So I just sat there and hope it would end soon. Maybe I should have said something but it wasn't a big deal.

Awesome
I cannot take a compliment well. I mean, yes, I'll say thank you but it's just awkward to do so. It is nice to have people say kindly, complimentary things to you but it just seem superficial sometimes. Someone did compliment me with the word awesome once in one of my previous blog and it gave me a good feeling and I'll remember it always.

April
This year's Blogging From A-Z Challenge is my 10th time doing the challenge. I'm not sure I'll do it next year (which I seem to say every year now) but at least, I have rounded it out to the 10th time. I like to complete things in a full circle kind of way. This is why I don't like quitting in the middle of anything. But these days, I don't mind quitting in the middle anymore. I quit reading books when I don't like them. I quit working on artworks that I didn't think are quite working in the right direction. I quit some things to stop myself from worrying to pieces. But I definitely never quit an A-Z challenge in the 9 years I had done it so this April, I hope to complete the challenge without too much fuss.

Any awkward, awesome thoughts this April? Do share them in the comments.

For tomorrow, the letter B, the choices are (1) brevity, (2) bedevil, (3) blabbermouth. Choose which word I might ramble about or tell a story.

Click above or go here to find out more about the Blogging From A-Z Challenge.

Book Rants - March 2025

Even though March is a long month, it seems to be swiftly passing by. I did some stuff but nothing of interest. And it seems I have blogged very little this month. But I read some books so here they are and the ones I couldn't finish. (Note: All the books I read are borrowed from the library.)

~ Books Read ~

01 - The Sherlock Society (#1) by James Ponti
What's it about: long-lost treasure, environment pollution, middle grade detectives
It started with the Al Capone lost treasure mystery which I liked very much but then it detoured to an environmental mystery. I wished it had stayed on the Al Capone one as I really didn't care for the environment one. Why bother with the Al Capone mystery if you're not going to give a real answer? If the ending's suggestion is the answer then that's not much of an answer. If it continues to the next book, then that's double annoying. As the author seems to be writing multiple series, I doubt the next book will be out soon though I don't like this first book enough to continue the series.

02 - Countess of Harleigh Mystery series (books #1-6) by Dianne Freeman
What's it about: family dramas, murder, light romance, London society
I enjoyed the first book enough that I went on to read up to book 6. I probably should have quit reading after book 5 where the main character go married. (For some odd reason, there was a sample of book 6 in the first book that told readers the main character had married the other main character). I think the series should have ended in book 5 when the main character got married. Yes, there are maybe some more stories to tell but really, how many dead bodies fall around the main character before she ran out of people in her circle? Every death so far in each book is related to her but I guess her circle is growing so maybe it wouldn't seem weird to have people keep being killed around her. I got a bit bored with book 6 and since book 7 has a waiting list, I think maybe it's time to quit the series. But I did enjoy the books I read so far.

03 - The penguin pool murder (Hildegarde Withers #1) by Stuart Palmer
What's it about: murder, aquarium, investigations, amateur detective
This was okay, a little dull. I guessed the killer and I was correct. So this was written in the late 1930's so I guess it's why the writing is a bit odd to me. But writing aside, the one thing that annoyed me is the main character, Miss Withers, withheld her thought process and only at the end did we know what she was thinking and how she solved the murder - this always make me wonder what's the point of hiding a character's thought process other than not letting the reader solve the mystery alongside the character? So maybe smarter readers (which I seem not to be) can guess the right killer without help but I can't and I don't really want to. I just want to read how the character solves the mystery which should include their thought process, right? (I found this book from Lark Writes over here).

~ Unfinished Reads ~

04 - The Whispering Dead (Gravekeeper #1) by Darcy Coates
What's it about: amnesiac main character, ghosts, some sort of mystery
Quit at: 17%
Maybe 17% is too short to stop reading but what the heck. I had reasons: (1) The beginning was slightly exciting but it got really boring and rather slow going but probably due to being a first book in a series. (2) I don't like amnesiac main characters though I took a chance. (3) The writing was a bit too simplistic. Don't quite know why this bothered me only that, it seemed like I was being fed information from a really young character who didn't seem to have a clue what she was talking about but being an amnesiac is like the excuse for the simple writing.  (4) I didn't realize this is classified as horror as it was on a list of cozy mystery recommendations. I don't like reading horror. I think maybe I should stop borrowing books without knowing the genre.

05 - Starter Villain by John Scalzi
What's it about: talking spy cats & cursing dolphins (both spoke through machines), some sort of mystery that involves getting very rich, supposed villain-like things
There wasn't much fun, at least, I haven't read anything that I thought was fun. So far of what I read, it's about the main character (also the narrator) finding information after information about his uncle and how he (the uncle) became rich. The main character, well, I wouldn't say he's a loser but he has a sucky job, the career he wants he cannot achieve, and he is mostly homeless if not for his father, his uncle, his cat (Hera). I wish it is narrated by Hera, the sentient, talking cat (she spoke through a machine and has her own house and apprentice) - that's really the best thing about this book so why wasn't it her story?
    There are many pop culture references such as ships named after actresses named Jennifer. I must point out Chapter 8 is all info dump about an island (where the uncle keeps his stuff) that can be summed up in two paragraphs but they choose to write a long report that is as dull as mud.
    Their definition of villain is definitely not about a guy who does evil things but about a guy who makes money off everyone, a neutral party, you might say. Nothing really points to any type of villain-ness unless the idea of supplying weapons (and such) to both good and bad people or being stinky rich as villain-like acts.     
     After the cursing dolphins (they keep using the four letter f word every time they speak), I had enough of this silliness. Even if there is a society of supposed villains, it was still dull. Yes, there are things here that I would find quirky, weird and would make a book to my liking but it felt like I'm reading one wacky idea after another and not much is happening and too slow to reveal what the heck is exactly the point of this book. The title (Starter Villain) is misleading although the cat image is maybe correct but I don't think the cat is the boss. The idea of being trained to be a villain is a great idea but that isn't this book. Sadly, I forgot to check out the ending before returning it to the library so I don't how it ends.

Have you read any books lately?

Fiction: Mansion for sale, pig & butler included

This month's Words for Wednesday prompts are provided by River over here. This week's prompts are: herring, detectives, beer, mask, peaches. Last week's prompts are: gallivanting, curious, forest, bacon and this picture from ArcticFox:

Fiction: Mansion for sale, pig & butler included
"The pig comes with the property," said Mrs. Sweetner, the realtor.
    "What?" said Garrison Herring. He eyed the short woman, uncertain he heard her right.
    "I said the pig comes with the property," said Mrs. Sweetner with a small smile. "It's one of two stipulations that are non-negotiable. It's why this place is selling for such a low number, Mr. Herring."
    "I heard you the first time but why a pig?" Herring never heard of such a thing. If his family didn't need more space and if he had more money, he never would have considered this property at all.
    "I don't believe I have an answer but perhaps you can find out yourself. The house has plenty of histories and mysteries. Years ago, the original owner..."
    Herring stopped listening. Was he already having buyer's remorse without even making an offer?
    Thirty minutes ago, when the family was dropped off at the curb by a taxi that sped away right after Herring paid the driver and faced the curious gate rusted with age and impressions of dried matters, they all paused. Had they gotten the address wrong? No. Number 1314 was plainly stated on a corroded brass plate nailed to the wall next to the gate.

Seven Things

01 - Why are phones so huge? Recently, the battery in my old phone (old model that is quite small) is having a slow death so I had to get a replacement and the choices are large phones. Why? Why do we need such large screens on a phone? I'm a simple person. I don't use a phone for anything but calls and texting. I also don't need a 1,000 options and apps to customize it to the point of extreme personalizing. And it's so damm heavy. I guess I can use it as a weapon when necessary.

Blogging from A-Z Challenge 2025: No Theme

After much over thinking, I decided to do the Blogging from A-Z Challenge this April. This week, we are to reveal our theme (if we have one) for the challenge but I don't have a theme and I don't want a theme. Having a theme means you have to stick to certain criteria and even if you break your own rules of what fits those criteria, it is still sort of a restriction. I am a stickler in that I wouldn't veer off the theme. To write 26 posts in a month is already a challenge so to add a theme is an extra challenge. But also because I have problems choosing. But if I am to pick a theme, it would be ramblings and randomness.
    This year, I thought to make it easier on myself. I will pick three words and let the readers choose which one I will be rambling about or if I have an inkling for a short story, I'll go that direction. I will choose the first word for the A post and then after that, the readers will choose. They will be short posts but I'm not going to restrict to an exact number of words because it would dampen the fun. Good luck to those who are participating. (More about the challenge over here.)
    
Do you plan on participating in the Blogging From A-Z Challenge this April?

IWSG Mar 2025: Paper or digital?

I used to write using a pen and on notebooks and notepads and then typed them into the computer. For some reason, the writing seemed easier and ideas seemed to flow better. But then comes the typing and then I realized how hard it is to actually do the typing. I write in linear form but some ideas come up for farther on in a story so they swim alone and then I have to remember to put them in the proper order. After a while, this process just got tiring so I switched to mostly digital.
    I still write ideas, certain phrases and notes on notepads and then type them into the computer but my handwriting is not so great so sometimes I have to leave behind ideas because I can't decipher them especially when I write them in the middle of the night under some faint light.
    Mostly, I do like writing on a computer and also the spellcheck function is really useful. I'm more likely to delete writing (bad, excessive or unnecessary) on a computer than on paper but on paper, I cross out the text, I can somehow still have those deleted text unlike a computer. Of course there is the whole losing documents or even corrupted documents since all my writings are basically computer files so when my computer doesn't work or when my backup drive doesn't work, I can't access them. I can print them out and keep them as a record but that seems like a waste of paper. I think no matter if you use paper or go digital, it's still pretty much the same but I admit, I'm much more organized when writing digitally.
    
Do you prefer to write on paper or digitally using your computer or some other devices?

(P.S. The app I use to write is iText Express  (Freeware for Mac, no PC/Windows version) > link - a very simplistic text app that I have been using for years.)
  
[More about the group over at the Insecure Writer’s Support Group blog here]