We Wish You a Nerdy Christmas

This year was one of the best when measured by gifts received. I love books, so anytime I get a new book it is a very special treat. Santa (and friends and family) were very generous this year and are keeping my library full and exciting. I also received some other fun trinkets as well.




I love most genres of fiction, and many different types of nonfiction and literature as well. Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Horror, Romance, Mystery, Young Adult, Essays, Humor, Poetry, Geography, Travel, Biography... I can find something in most bookstore sections that I would enjoy reading.






Every nerd loves an action figure or two. And when one is SNAPE and one is THOR, well that is excellent.






Board games rank high on the wish list of many nerds. I got a cool Harry Potter chess set. I don't know how to play chess - yet - but I do plan to learn in the coming year. Bananagrams and Literati are also great games to have on hand. I grew up playing Po-Ke-No and hope my friends want to play. We can play for M&Ms!





What nerd doesn't love comics? I was happy to receive more Fables volumes. And I can now get to learn about Hal Jordan in preparation for the Green Lantern movie coming out in June.





Magic d20 of Destiny. It's like a Magic 8 Ball for nerds.






Someone really likes David Sedaris - and thinks that I will, too.







This a really cool Indiana Jones book. It has flaps with fun stuff, papers that come out and other interactive elements. I got a Darth Vader M&Ms dispenser. Awesome! And a really neat Captain America truck, too.






Some gifts for book lovers including a Personal Library Kit, book labels, and books of course!






Abraham Lincoln is one of my favorite presidents, so books about him make a great addition to my library. One is even a 3-D book that includes glasses. Way cool!






I love ghosts and other things paranormal, so books about haunted places, dead celebrities and other things macabre fascinate me.







All children, except one, grow up. Peter Pan is one of my very favorite stories. I collect Peter Pan books, any edition, any condition. Whenever I go to a used books tore the first title I look for is Peter Pan. I am super-thrilled when someone gives me a copy of Peter Pan, it's more exciting than a piece of jewelry. I didn't have any of these four versions in my library.






Yo-ho, yo-ho, some pirate's swag for me. I love pirates, so this is great booty.










Iron Man pajama pants! Gryffindor pajama pants! Chewbacca slippers!











Vampires are a favorite topic. I enjoy the lighthearted stories, the scary, terrifying ones, and even ones about vampires that sparkle.








Harry Potter goodies! Flair! Lego! Playing cards, and a special edition of Tales of Beedle the Bard







The entire set of Harry Potter British edition in hardcover!






All seven Harry Potter audio books! I can't wait to listen!





It was a very Merry Christmas for me. I must have been a good girl!

Craft Fair Goodies

Every Thanksgiving weekend in San Jose is the Harvest Festival. The show features local craftspeople selling handmade items and gourmet foods. I was very inspired to come home and make some of my own creative goods. I didn't, however.

But I did a little shopping, and wouldn't you know it, everything I bought was nerdy.




These are fabric book covers with an attached bookmark. The small one is for mass market paperbacks and the larger one holds trade and small hard covers.






These book quotes pins are made from recycled chalkboards. That is great! I'm always happy to buy upcycled, recycled, used, and repurposed items. Two Harry Potter quotes and a Tom Bombadil one as well.






A very talented lady made a lot of jewelry out of clay. She had very cute animals, food items, toys, and other adorable charms on earrings, bracelets, necklaces and pins. After looking around for a while and hoping she had something book-related, I found this pair of a book and bookworm. Of course I had to buy the pair!






There were more than four ornament booths with ornaments representing every career, hobby, sport, animal, and more. Different materials were used. Some were clay, some wood, glass, and fabric. I couldn't resist this boy wizard.




The Harvest Fair game me a lot of ideas, and I have a good supply of materials, but I would rather read than do.

Deathly Hallows No Spoilers

The movie I had been desperately waiting for. November 18, 2010 I spent most of my day submerged in all things Harry Potter. Three of my friends joined me for the midnight IMAX viewing. We had our camping chairs, movies on the iPad, board games, and trivia to keep us entertained. And since we were in costume, the weather was good for us in robes and scarves.

When the lights were dimmed, my pulse started racing. Then when the WB logo appeared it was one of the greatest moments of my life.

The acting was great, the music was fantastic. I'm glad that the movie stayed true to the story, with a few minor exceptions. I know they need to cut certain things for time, but an extra here and there would have added a sentimental touch.

Of course I cried, I sobbed, I sniffled, all at different parts of the movie. I would have liked to see more Death Eaters since I am partial to the dark side, but their little presence was very grand. It almost didn't feel like a Harry Potter movie, without Hogwarts, Dumbledore and the students and teachers, but Part 2 will probably feel more like it.

I was the one Slytherin amongst many Gryffindors.





Eight months is a very long time to wait for the finale but I will make it. Until then I can amuse myself with Thor, Pirates of the Caribbean 2 and The Green Lantern.

As we were leaving the theater, I saw a poster for Pirates of the Caribbean 4: On Stranger Tides. And yes, that is an East India Trading Company tattoo on my right arm.

Nerd for Halloween

You may say I am a nerd every day, and I quite agree. On Halloween I let the whole world know.

My Gryffindor robe and scarf, Iron Man mask, Captain America's shield, and Luke Skywalker's light saber. My Lothlorien Leaf tattoo can be seen. If I had a free hand I would have thrown up my "Live Long and Prosper" sign. I just need an Indiana Jones hat and a pirate sword and I think all my favorites will be covered.

Friends of the Library Sale

While I was at the library yesterday I saw their sign announcing a book sale today. Of course I made it part of my Saturday plans. I had never been to a sale day, only to their used book sale shelves. Other libraries have a "store" open every day. This particular library had two sections of books, one in their big community room, and one in a secluded corner in the adult area.

I went in not knowing what to expect. There were many more items than I thought they would have. I wasn't looking for anything in particular, but I have a couple books always on my list when shopping for used books. First, I always buy any copy of any version of Peter Pan I ever find. I love that story. I started "collecting" the Peter Pan books after the 2003 adaptation starring Jason Isaacs. The other books I always look for are any copies of Harry Potter. I lend those books out so many times, I figure I would keep a stash to let friends borrow, in case they are never returned. Right now I have two books out that are from my original library and I am anxious to get them back.

Today I bought:

*Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and Vintage California. All these are miniature books. I like to hang these on a small Christmas tree as book ornaments.

*Beauty and the Beast pop-up book. This is my favorite Disney animated movie.

*Mistletoe and Murder by Carola Dunn

*Holly and Homicide by Leslie Caine

*Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. I already have a copy, but this one has Sauromon from the movie as its cover.

*Star Wars Episode 1 Journal: Queen Amidala

*Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

*The Christmas Conversation Piece by Bret Nicholaus and Paul Lowrie

*Skipping Christmas by John Grisham

*Bathroom Book of Christmas Trivia by Lisa Wojna

*Chicken Soup for the Soul Christmas Treasury

*Off The Beaten Path Northern California by Mark Williams (Not the actor who plays Arthur Weasley :-D)

*Hobbits, Elves, and Wizards by Michael N. Stanton

*Ghosts: The Story of a Reunion by Adrian Plass

*This Book Will Change Your Life by Benrik Limited

*Hollywood Station by Joseph Wambaugh

*The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Joy Fowler

*Stephen King's Everything's Eventual: 14 Dark Tales

This entire haul of books was $16.25. The Stephen King book alone is $28 retail. Fabulous deal! If there are any books I don't like, I will donate them back to the library, and they can make more money from the same books. Good for everyone! Now I must sign off as I have a lot of new reading material.

Geeking Out

What is my capacity for all things books?

I volunteer in a community library three days a week. I managed their book fair all week last week. Today I assembled a book display for home and moved a few books around. And I've spent the past couple of hours browsing online photos of personal libraries looking for inspiration. I do have a large collection of books, numbering in the low thousands, so I can't complain about my volumes of volumes. But I couldn't help but feel library envy from looking at the photos. I realized that what I really want is floor-to-ceiling shelving. I have shelves on all four walls in my "library" which is actually a dining room, but the best place in my house to keep the majority of my books. I'm thinking now is the time to make a trip to Ikea, even though going there sucks my will to live.

I'm going to a used book store tomorrow to spend some time browsing through the treasures. So for now I must sign off and get in bed to read, while planning a reading vacation. Really, will I ever get tired of the wonderful world of reading?

Halloween Reads

Witches and wizards… vampires and werewolves… pirates and ghosts. All these races lend themselves well to Halloween. It’s no wonder nerds love this holiday so much. Any of these characters are part of great sci-fi/fantasy stories.

While it would be nice to read a book all weekend, it’s unrealistic to think reading all the Harry Potter books could be done. Most people are too busy to even watch all six movies at once. Believe me, I’ve tried. But it is a good time to start a series, a book, or just read excerpt from a favorite story.

Dead Until Dark is the Sookie Stackhouse series of which the HBO show True Blood is based. Very graphic and explicit, it’s not good for the family, but fun to read alone or share with a friend. And on the subject of vampires, I do want to mention Twilight. Now while I don’t readily admit to liking the series, I really do enjoy it and I consider it to be “junk food” of literature. Not healthy and should be used in small doses, but acceptable to indulged in occasionally. I like Sookie for vampires, and Twilight for werewolves. It’s not scary, still not one suitable for children.

Pirates are fun for Halloween, many people dress in swashbuckling gear and decorate with the Jolly Roger and other haunted nautical items. For kids, the Jack Sparrow and Legends of the Brethren Court series are based on the Pirates of the Caribbean movies and are a quick read. I have read all of them and would share them with kids. Vampirates by Justin Somper is another great series which combines, obviously, pirates and vampires. This is a mild series, easily enjoyed by adults but meant for older elementary school kids.

Who doesn’t love a ghost story on Halloween? I don’t have any fiction that I recommend, but I can suggest dozens of paranormal titles. I love creepy stories and try to convince myself that I live in a haunted house. I am fascinated with parapsychology and love reading “true tales” especially those of Hollywood celebrities from the Golden Age of film. Cryptozoology books can also provide chills, with tales of Bigfoot and el chupacabra.

Every holiday is a good day for reading. I hope you find some time this weekend to read. Happy Halloween!

Nerd Girl Shopping

I started my day at Barnes & Noble. I always enjoy shopping in bookstores. Today my main focus was to buy a gift for a friend's birthday. She loves vampires so she lucked out being born in October. Vampires everywhere! The weather has finally cooled down enough for me to drink a hot beverage. I bought a Pumpkin Spice Latte and browsed books for a bit. I picked up Web of Spider-Man #11. My LCS was out of that title, so I didn't feel guilty buying it from B&N. I found a HUGE vampire encyclopedia. My friend is going to love that! And for myself:
*Werewolf Haiku (I'm the only guy/Who has monthly circled dates/On his calendar)
*Harry Potter Movie Poster Book: Villains
*Harry Potter Collector's Sticker Book
*Malice by Lisa Jackson

I really should not be allowed to shop in bookstores.

Attached to B&N is a Gamestop. I went in and bought a gaming card. After I left I went to Toys R Us. I had a little too much fun. I bought:
*Captain America plush
*Spider-Man ear buds (Spidey is climbing the wire!)
*Princess Leia Kooky pen
*Clone Wars lunch box
*Iron Man 2 Game of War
*Iron Man HeroClix

I didn't forget my main reason for going, which was to buy some Twilight stuff for my friend. She is going to love the various goodies they have.

I really should not be allowed in toy stores.

Banned Books 2009

The list of the top 10 most banned and challenged books has been published. I read eight of the ten. With so many fiction titles out there, I would need to live several lifetimes to read them all. How do I choose which to spend precious moments on? When I hear a book is banned, that title moves up higher on my list of books to read.



ttyl, ttfn, l8r, g8r (series), by Lauren Myracle Reasons: Drugs, Nudity, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

I tried giving this series a go, I really did. I do not like text messaging or text and online language. Abbreviations and slang really annoy me, so I couldn't make it through TTYL. A dialogue between the characters would have been better in my opinion.


“And Tango Makes Three,” by Peter Parnell and Justin Richardson Reasons: Homosexuality

One of my favorite books! A very sweet, heartwarming story about a real life penguin family. In my personal library, I want to share this book with everyone.



“The Perks of Being A Wallflower,” by Stephen Chbosky Reasons: Anti-Family, Drugs, Homosexuality, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Sexually Explicit, Suicide, Unsuited to Age Group,

I just read this book last week. It is a good story, but again the language is too casual. I know that it's how the story is supposed to read, but the entries are distracting. The themes are good, I just never got why being a wallflower is a perk. A movie adaptation is in the works, I will probably check it out.



“To Kill A Mockingbird,” by Harper Lee Reasons: Offensive Language, Racism, Unsuited to Age Group

I liked this book, it's a heartbreaking story with a heroic male lead.



Twilight (series) by Stephenie Meyer Reasons: Religious Viewpoint, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

Ah, The Twilight Saga. I sometimes have difficulty admitting out loud that I love this series. It is in no way the Greatest American Novel, but still a fun, mind-numbing read. I like vampires, but the Cullens don't do it for me. I am Team Jacob.



“Catcher in the Rye,” by J.D. Salinger Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

This book could have used a bit more story. This wasn't a required reading book in high school. I read it a couple of years ago solely because it is a constantly banned and challenged book.


“My Sister’s Keeper,” by Jodi Picoult Reasons: Drugs, Homosexuality, Offensive Language, Religious Viewpoint, Sexism, Sexually Explicit, Suicide, Unsuited to Age Group, Violence

I didn't read this one.

“The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big, Round Things,” by Carolyn Mackler Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

I didn't read this one.

“The Color Purple,” Alice Walker Reasons: Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

This is a pretty intense story. I picked up a copy at the library and checked it out because of its notoriety. A lot of sad happenings, but nothing ban-worthy.

“The Chocolate War,” by Robert Cormier Reasons: Nudity, Offensive Language, Sexually Explicit, Unsuited to Age Group

This book was pretty tame. Cormier has other stories that have ban potential, such as We All Fall Down. The Chocolate War is a very quick read, it took me two sessions to read it.

Happy Birthday, Bilbo and Frodo!

"I don't know half of you half as well as I should like; and I like less than half of you half as well as you deserve." ~Great speech, Bilbo.

September 22nd is the birthday of these two fine Hobbits. I shall celebrate with a bowl of po-ta-toes and some ale.

Deathly Hallows Trailer

Wow. Tears, heartache, screams. This is what it feels like to have your soul ripped apart. I am glad that Harry will be in Godric's Howllow. Dobby. Oh, what a sweet House-elf. Lupin, Xenophilius. So much going on!!! I'm gonna feel like a jerk sitting in that theater wearing a full Slytherin costume. It's time to start stocking up on tissues.

Busy Days

I am a part-time volunteer librarian assistant. Today I was given a new schedule and I will now be in the library on Wednesdays. While I am super stoked to be back at work, I don't want to give up Comic Book Wednesdays. I won't miss out on any books because I have a massive pull list, and if for some reason the guys forget to pull a book and they sell out, the super guys at the store would order the item for me. But the whole routine of my day is blown. I loved waking up late, getting myself ready and strolling into the store when it opened, then cruise down the avenue to get a drink from Peet's. Now I have to try to make a new routine. Should I leave at my break, zip to the store where I will have just a few minutes to pick up my new books then get back to the library, or should I just go in on Thursdays? If the store would open at 10:00 that would be great. Then I could get the comics and zip on out. I think it's time to make a list, write pros and cons, time tables, and use some graph paper and sticky notes. And maybe some index cards for good measure. I will probably be awake all night planning my strategy so a pot of coffee is in order.

"With a dreamy, far-off look. And her nose stuck in a book."

Everyone that knows me, knows I am a bibliomaniac. Bibliophiles love books. I am beyond ordinary love. There are piles of books in every room in my house. Books of many kinds: fiction, nonfiction, mystery, cookbooks, comic books, biography, romance, instruction books, philosophy, parapsychology, reference... I have loved books all my life. Even in high school when I struggled with the reading assignments, it wasn't because I didn't like to read. I just didn't like the books the teachers chose. I have an open mind and will give any genre a try. But reading Shakespeare sucks my will to live. I was hesitant at first to read Harry Potter, believing the language would confuse and bore me.

I give books to everyone for any occasion. Friends, relatives, kids, neighbors... for birthdays, holidays, weddings, hospital stays... I'm a part-time volunteer librarian and have worked at book fairs.

No one is surprised to learn that my favorite animated character is Belle. She walks around town, not paying attention to anything except the book in her hands. She's also stubborn yet compassionate. And she, too, is attracted to beasts.

It's Friday night. My plans consist of browsing online bookstores to add to my library, and then to read for a few hours. I am a quadri-booker. I always have a minimum of four books going at once. Tonight I will be reading Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane Volume 1, It's Kind of a Funny Story by Ned Vizzini, and probably some ghost stories.

Belle sings about her favorite book, "Far-off places, daring sword fights, magic spells, a prince in disguise." I think her favorite book is Lord of the Rings. Or maybe it's...

My Nerdy Tattoos

East India Trading Company inside right forearm



Lothlorien Leaf on my right arm



The Dark Mark on my left forearm


Iron Man on my right shin

Comic Book Day

Wednesday is Comic Book Day, when all the latest titles appear in comic shops. Part of my Wednesday routine is to visit Hijinx Comics in San Jose. It's a great shop just outside of Willow Glen. Dan, the owner, is a very friendly guy and always makes me feel welcome. You can read my Yelp review here.

I picked up a good variety today:
True Blood Issue #3. I picked up 2 copies, one to read and one to save. I normally don't pick up two copies, but I did get one with Eric on the cover and want to save it, preserved in a special album.

Michael McMillian's LUCID. It's a new series put out by Archaia and Before the Door. The story is certainly different than what Rev Steve Newlin would approve of. (McMillian, being the actor who plays Newlin on True Blood.) It's a dark fantasy/sci-fi story, adited by Zachary Quinto.

X-Men Forver 2
Sense & Sensibility
Iron Man: The End
Thor: First Thunder
Avengers: The Infinity Gauntlet issue 2. I had 1, 3, and 4 so was happy to catch up
Captain America Patriot
American Vampire Issue 1 - I like vampires, and was told it's gory, but that's okay.
Black Widown and the Marvel Girls
The Heroic Age: The New Avengers #3
1 Month 2 Live #3. This is a good story, has some nasty (gross) parts but is entertaining.

Tonight during Comic Hour, my special time to read sequential art, I will enjoy these new reads, and countdown until next Wednesday.

My Nerdy World

I have blogged about various things at different times in my life. Looking at the past blogs I can't but help but think, "Wow, I was such a dork." But I don't want to be dorky. I want to be what I truly am: a nerd. Some argue that I am only a geek. According to this article I can be either, as many traits cross over. I just think nerd is more hardcore.