George Sand And Her Tragic Story

          George Sand is one of the top original female authors of the 19th century. Tragic story of her life and several love affairs cannot but confirm that her biography is worth considering as much as novels by her. Lucile Aurore Dupin, real name of the writer, faced all the life troubles since early years. Regardless noble roots and decent family, Aurore grew in the atmosphere of constant family fights, initiated mainly by her brownstone grandmother and commoner mother. Her father did not live long enough to provide her protection from this contraction of rich and poor. Eventually, her mother left Aurore, in order she could receive family when time comes.

          At the age of 18 Aurore married for the first time. Her husband was Baron Casimir Dudevant, with whom she brought up two children. However, it was unhappy marriage, which took more than ten years before the family collapsed. And that is when George Sand's romantic adventures started. In very deed, she was has been known as George Sand already, after publishing her first novel Indiana in 1832. The success was guaranteed and captured a large audience of her devoted fans.

         It did not take long before she married for the second time. Aurore's choice was Alfred de Musset. Three-years of matrimony failed during trip around Italy, where Aurore got acquainted with true and changeable temper of her husband. A new scandal stroke the public, when she found a lover. De Musset experienced the heart-breaking effect of the love story long after their divorce, which is recorded in 1835.

         However, these two were far from the most of romance in George Sand's life. In 1838 George Sand and Frederic Chopin, a famous composer at the time, announce about their relationship and, essentially, shocked the publicity. A new couple and Sand's children decided to spend the winter on Mallorca, but because of the rainy season Chopin suffered from severe coughing. Sand and Chopin returned to France. Sand quickly realized that Chopin is dangerously ill, and put all her efforts to take care of his health. On the contrary, Chopin did not enjoy comfort of being loved and cared because of self-absorbed character and devastating sickness. Fearing for his condition, Sand narrowed down their relationship only to friendship. Probably, it was one of the last love affairs the writer had, which, by the way, according to literary notes is described in the novel Lucrecia Floriani.

The Hunger Games: More Than Just a Story

          The Hunger Games is a science fiction novel that was written by Suzanne Collins. Suzanne Collins hails from the United States of America. The novel stars the female protagonist named Katniss Everdeen. She is a 16 year old resident of Panem. Panem is formerly known as the North American region. The science fiction novel revolves around the political manipulation of The Capitol for the entire duration of the story. The novel also houses the annual event that showcases a televised event of the chosen residents. In this event, the chosen people are required to kill each other until only one of them is left standing.

Theme

          The theme of the science fiction novel revolves around numerous themes. Some of these are comprised of severe poverty, oppression, starvation, and the long term and the short term effects of war on different types of people. Aside from these themes, the novel tackled certain issues that define the struggle of the people to maintain self preservation. This theme was highly evident for numerous instances in the story. Another prominent theme is the fight of the people for their survival. What makes The Hunger Games more complex is the fact that these themes are interlaced with numerous morality issues. These led to the rise of the debates in the forum threads.

Plot

          As for the plot of the science fiction novel, the events took place in a nation consisting of 12 poor districts and a prominent wealthy capitol. Originally, the nation has a 13th district. However, because of an uprising rebellion in the past, this district was destroyed. As a form of punishment, the capitol recruits one male and one female from each remaining district. They will be considered as tributes to the arena. These tributes should be within 12 to 18 years of age. They are selected using the lottery method. For the recent Hunger Games, Primrose Everdeen was chosen as a female tribute. However, her sister, Katniss Everdeen, volunteered to take her place as a tribute for the arena. Peeta Mellark was chosen as her male counterpart. From there, the series of battles for survival ensues.

Publishing

          The initial release of The Hunger Games yielded a deal worth six figures. This is for the three books. The initial printing stint yielded 50000 copies of the novel. Due to increased demands from the audience, the copies sold spike up to 200000. The publishing year was in 2006. Scholastic has been the publishing company ever since. In 2008, the science fiction novel was able to return an ample amount of funds that has triggered the release of the hardbound version of the series. In November 2008, the series has been regarded as among the best sellers.

Criticism

          The critics of the novel received this particular work positively. According to some who have analyzed this story, the plot is brilliant and convincing. The pacing was just right for the flow of the story as well. These experts commended the author for writing a deep and a complex story and character line up that surely left a mark to those who have read the novels.

House of Shadows by Walter Spence, A Book Review

          Vampires are a bloody sort, literally. I don't like to read about the blood, the killing for it or any of that stuff, at all. I always feel sorry for the one who is changed, or killed, and never understood why anyone would want to be a vampire. Silly, I'm sure, but just one of my aversions. So when a book comes along about vampires, it has to have a story line that is captivating enough for me to skirt over the blood issue. This story was just that. I remember one part was so surprising, I reacted out loud. I love it when the author can create a web so unexpected you have absolutely no choice but to react. That is a good book. From a good author.

          The ending leaves you wanting more. Not more vampire blood stuff for me, but more information on the characters, the story line, what's going on and what will happen next. Don't get me wrong, the story gave you answers for now, but you realize there is more to the big picture. And even though you wonder about it, you just know that the author will surprise you again. This is not a book that you feel you know what the outcome will be. At least it wasn't for me, and that is a good thing. There has been many a book where I knew very early on what was going to happen and how it was going to end.

          There obviously will be one or more sequels to this book and fortunately there is no way you can imagine what will happen in book two before it gets here. Interestingly, the details Walter weaves into the story made me wonder if it was all created, or researched somewhat on what was written about certain things or a mixture of both. Wondering about things like that mean you are caught up in the story. When that happens, you know the story was well done.

          Walter Spence will not bore you, irritate you, or even placate you, but he will captivate you with a spin and tale you won't see coming, taking you down a path you can't wait to tread, with a book you're glad you picked up. Here's an author that can grab your attention and keep it well past the end of the book as you wait for the next one to be released. He says he has a thousand stories running through his head. I'm glad to hear it.

The Strange Case of The Book of the Arab

          "The Book of the Arab" is a mysterious publication which allegedly traces the history of the legendary Necronomicon. The Necronomicon is a central element in the horror stories of H.P Lovecraft. This much sought after grimoire is said to summon the Old Ones, alien god-like beings who are the focus of the Cthulhu Mythos. The notorious Necronomicon is reported to have been given the name Al Azif by its author Abdul Alhazred, "the Mad Arab," in 720 A.D. The Necronomicon first appeared in Lovecraft's short story "The Hound" in 1922. It is also mentioned in Lovecraft's stories "At the Mountains of Madness" and "The Case of Charles Dexter Ward."

          "The Book of the Arab" was first mentioned in Colin Low's website titled The Necronomicon Anti-FAQ. He cites "The Book of the Arab" as his source for his condensed version of the history of the Necronomicon. The Book of the Arab was said by Low, to have been written by Justin Geoffry and published by Starry Wisdom Press in 1979.

          In 2003, Daniel Harms, John Wisdom Gonce, 3rd, John Wisdom Gonce, III released the "Necronomicon Files: The Truth Behind Lovecraft's Legend," which attempts to shed light on the sensational rumors surrounding the Necronomicon. The authors attempt to explain Colin Low's reference to "The Book of the Arab" in The Necronomicon Anti-FAQ. In the Necronomicon Files, the authors determined after a thorough investigation, including a search of the Library of Congress's online catalog that The Book of the Arab is a fictional invention of Colin Low. The authors also state that a person presumed to be Colin Low admitted on a news group to having manufactured The Necronomicon Anti-FAQ to spread disinformation. The authors went on to say that Justin Geoffry is an imaginary poet appearing in one of Robert E. Howard stories. The Necronomicon Files also notes that Starry Wisdom Cult appears in Lovecraft's The Haunter of the Dark.

          In 2012, a publication titled "The Book of the Arab: The Veritable History of Al Azif" authored by one, Justin Geoffry, was released by Starry Wisdom Press. The Library of Congress online catalog shows an entry for this book with Justin Geoffry as the author and Starry Wisdom Press as the publisher. A press release by Starry Wisdom Press contends that the book was suppressed by underground cults bent on maintaining the secrecy of the Necronomicon. Some of the events and historical figures referenced in this book are fact while others are uncertain.

          Jim Goodspeed is an avid reader of Cthulhu Mythos. He is employed as a government consultant for various scientific studies. Jim lives in Maryland with his wife, two children, and a Beagle.

Letting Grow: A Fairy Tale

          Rhythmically floating to the flutter of fairies' wings, this poetic book dances on the minds of young recipients of bedtime storytelling, creating both a visual and loving embrace. Letting Grow, also implying "Letting Go" tells of the imagination of a girl, Julia, just a baby in the arms of her mother, drifting off into the semi-conscious part of sleep; dreaming of fairies flying through nature.

          In this secure imaginary world, Joan Ortiz takes the reader vicariously on a journey upon the wings of tiny fairies, first effortlessly flying through the sky and over the ocean, over meadows and flowers, then circling down to begin playing with grasshoppers and examining flowers. Held in the loving arms of her royal King Dad and Maternal Queen, Julia, the princess she was born to be, beholds the splendor of the newly discovered sights of our world in awe and amazement. She loves her dream-state, and would return to it at will, hence the excerpt, "It's plain that the fairies have lured her away with their singing, their dancing, their magical way of looking at life full of wonder and awe, it isn't a mystery what in them she saw."

          Clearly written as a keepsake tribute to her first granddaughter, author and illustrator Joan Ortiz put her own gallant efforts of tireless imagination envisioning what wonders floated in her then youngest member of her family. Having artistic talent creating fascinating hybrid imagery, she used actual photographs morphed into a fairytale setting, with the omnipresent little winged fairies sparkling up the page with their magical fairy dust and wands. When read to the beat of her innate pentameters, a child can be cast off from the reality of the day and gently floated into a path through dreams and security so important in nurturing.

          I feel Joan Ortiz's carefully chosen words; tersely applied to each page of subliminally stimulating images, creates a comforting, peaceful and repeatable method for healthy child development. This book, published by Author House in a colorful and bedtime friendly size, will surely find many little ones, drifting to sleep, to bestow is loving grace upon. When chosen from a bookshelf at bedtime, years from now, maybe even by Julia's child someday, will enjoy her then great-grandmother Joan's loving thoughts she gave her grandchild to be immortalized, just as the fairies in the meadow live forever.