Random Ravings

You're at the movie theatre opening night. You've been waiting all year for this film to come out because the previews just looked so friggin' good and you had to be one of the first to see it. You've got your popcorn in one hand, a coke and milk duds in the other, and you are rarin' to go.

Now imagine that every single action scene in the movie could be compounded into thirty seconds... And you've already seen them all, because they put ALL the good parts in the preview... The rest of the movie is narrated ~ the whole way through, and quite boringly, I might add. So instead of seeing and feeling like you're getting down and dirty with all the juicy stuff, you're only told what's happening.

I'm currently having this issue with one of the books I'm reading at the moment... As a reader, I keep getting told what is happening when what I really want is to feel what the main character is feeling. Right now, I'm convinced that there is going to be a huge twist in which we discover that our "heroine" is truly a heartless robot from another planet (minus any cool superpowers) because the girl just doesn't seem to have a whole lot going on in her heart... or brain for that matter...

There are some epic scenes that last a whole two paragraphs, and I'm like "Wait, what just happened? Are you serious?" but there's no build up or emersion into what is going on, so I have to go back and make sure that I actually read what I thought I read. The author just keeps flinging crap at us like a monkey at the zoo, coming up with one action scene after another and doesn't spend enough time on building up to the scene or the characters' reactions, thoughts, or feelings about everything.

As a result, the characters feel one-dimensional, kinda like cardboard cutouts. I'd take a little less action if it meant the author would slow down, dig deep into her characters, and stretch out the important scenes a little longer so we can absorb and enjoy both the blessings and the curses.

If someone tells me a story, I don't feel any connection if the storyteller is monotone and just lays it out like a college essay. I need to see their drastic facial expressions and hear the rise and fall of their voice. Just hearing the basics of the events they are describing isn't enough ~ it's the tone and emotional current running through those words that draws us into the story. It's the buildup and the explosion that get's us grabbing onto the edge of our seats...

Point: Slow down and let us feel the story through the characters... 

Whew.... I feel better...

Happy Reading Everyone :)

~ Keely ~

WInterHaven Sleigh Tour

Only five more days until Christmas! And the countdown begins... In celebration, Realms of an Open Mind has joined up with the WinterHaven Sleigh Tour hosted by WinterHaven Books. This week is all about childhood memories ~ what are our favorite children's christmas stories?

This was easy for me. A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. Everyone knows the story of Ebenezer Scrooge and his famous "Bah Humbugs." His image was recently capture by the spectacularly hilarious Jim Carrey in Disney's most current rendition of the story.

There are more than enough movies to fill your day with this classic tale, but they all tell the same tale, courtesy of Dickens. It's a bit of a spooky Christmas story, especially when you're a child, with heartless old men, rattling ghosts, and the image of a lonely death looming in the not-too-far distance.


I think I loved the paranormal aspect of this book ~ not only that, but the way it's portrayed. These spirits scare Ebenezer back to humanity, making him remember his past, showing him the truth of the present he has chosen to ignore, and giving him a glimpse of his dark and devastating future. He goes from one of the worst men in town to someone joyously unrecognizable ~ all in the Christmas spirit :). It's a happy ending, but the journey to get to that point was emotional, and Ebenezer had to face more than a few of those demons lurking around in his crippled soul.

I'm sure many of you have read the book, but you should also check out the newest film version. It's amazing and absolutely something fun to share with your family.

ALSO, as part of The Magic of Christmas, WinterHaven Books is hosting a give-away that will include a Children's or YA book bundle to be shipped to an elementary school or library of the winner's choosing. The winner will be offered a few options and they can choose what bundle and location to ship to within the United States. Awesome, right?  Good luck and happy holidays!

(P.S. Swing on over to WinterHaven Sleigh Tour to see who else is along for the ride...)

a Rafflecopter giveaway



Happy Reading Everyone :)


~ Keely ~

Feature & Follow Friday

Feature & Follow  is a weekly meme hosted by the lovely Parajunkee and Alison Can Read in which we bloggers get to know each other a little better and increase our number of connections and followers.

Best cover? What is the best cover of a book you've read and didn't like?

This was an easy one...I'd have to say Fallen by Lauren Kate. This probably goes for the whole series. Gorgeous covers! And the story had such promise and potential...I wanted to love it, I really did, but Luce was beyond aggravating and there were so many unanswered questions and inconsistencies. Great idea, poor execution.

What about you??

Follow me, I'll follow you :)

Happy Reading Everyone :)

(P.S. don't forget to vote for September's giveaway here !!!)

~ Keely ~