Kinky Business.

Quote of the Day: "You can find magic in the strangest of places."

You know what, I'm not even going to explain my absence, because I am damn proud of myself and that will become apparent down in my world of literature.

Other than that, I have broken seven of my New Year's Resolutions and it's not even February yet. Yes, that's how talented I happen to be. I'm yet to find a Resolution that I've kept.

Maggie's World of Literature

CLOCKWORK PRINCE is my favourite book. It's my favourite book and that is not a title I dish out freely. Before now, it was either Private Peaceful or one of the Harry Potter's, but I mean, Cassandra Clare just... Ohmigosh, I don't know. It was just a beautiful, beautiful book. Though, I so knew Charlotte was pregnant, she was being way too... erratic. And Will. Oh God, Will. The poor guy. I am actually scared that between now and the release of Clockwork Princess, he's going to somehow manage to top himself. I know that's impossible, but it still preys on my mind, okay? And I love him, because he's Welsh and funny and his letter almost made me cry because it was on his birthday and no one knew about his birthday because I worked it out (quickly, in my head, I didn't spend hours thinking it over or anything) that it was during the events of Clockwork Angel that he turned seventeen and I didn't hear (see) anyone wish him a happy birthday -- did you?

In other literary news, I am very proud of myself. And why? Because I've finished The Hunger Games and a sexy little book by the name of Evermore.

So, The Hunger Games was amazing. Just brilliant. Hooked from start to finish, could barely put it down. And Peeta Mellark is just so damn cute! And the actor who's going to play him in the movie  is perfection for Peeta! Oh, dear... I feel like watching the trailer again, which sucks because it makes me sad because it's not coming out till March 23rd and I can't help but feel that something else's happening on that day as well, but... I don't know...

Yeah, I didn't get along well with Katniss for a lot of the book. I thought what she was doing with Peeta was really mean because it was obvious he actually liked her and she was just playing him along for the cameras. But then the last line kind of... redeemed her for me.

Speaking of redeeming, I need to read The Last Four Things -- it's on my 'To Buy' list. I read The Left Hand of God and loved it because it was so damn different. It was a serious breath of fresh air. I hope they make it into a movie...

And Evermore was actually pretty good. I've had the book bought for so long, but I was always reading something else, you know? So, I finished that tonight and... Yeah, I'm definitely going to get Blue Moon, the sequel, even though there were certain aspects of Evermore that I found... disappointing. It was really good at the start, but then... her relationship development with Damen was all a little bit too quick and jumpy and then... it got very sappy towards the end and that's something I don't like. I mean, we all need some sappiness once in a while, but I've seen it delivered in ways that don't make it seem sappy at all, so... That was the only downside. Other than that, a highly recommendable book.

So, I've started now on Finding Sky, which I've actually read before right up until the last few chapters, but never really finished. Not sure what happened there. But I got the sequel for Christmas -- Stealing Phoenix -- and I intend to read the hell out of it sometime soon. Plus, if memory serves, Zed Benedict is utterly edible, so I shan't get bored with my re-reading duties.

And now we are onto my new love of poetry! I know, right? I've been reading poems and I would highly recommend that everyone else start doing the same:

Dreamland by Edgar Allan Poe -- So obvious he's high as a kite, but it's such a cool poem.

Annabel Lee by the same ol' opium eater -- Really sweet and simple... kinda disturbing as well.

Funeral Blues by W.H. Auden -- Upsetting enough, I guess, but good.

Dulce Et Decorum Est by Wilfred Owen -- Love this poet, love this poem, but it's awful.

Right, well, as far as my own foshizzle (that's Yiddish) is concerned, I'm getting along alright. Projects laid to rest, permanently or otherwise, since last time include:

• Losing Ollie.
• The Celtic on with the faeries.

And projects in progress are:

• Just A Game.
• Imprints.

Just A Game - I'm on the very last chapter, literally rounding up the book and then I'm not allowed touch it. I'm bound by oaths to many a family member to bloody well publish the damn thing and stop nit-picking. So, I will. Very soon.

Imprints is something new I've started with a bunch of characters I was already familiar with. Basically, I was writing this story, then I abandoned it because I didn't like the characters, but I loved the story, so I found a new story for them all to fit into. And it's this one.

Yeah, I tried to make that sound dead intimidating, but I failed, so... Yeah. But it's going good all the same.

Anything else... Anything else...

Yes. I have another story and it's such a cute idea, but I don't have time to go through it right now.

And I entered a competition with a War Horse inspired short-story about sixteen-year-old Nathanael Iorath, a young Welsh private fighting in the trenches of WW1. It made my mother cry. Like, actually. It goes by the name of Up and Over.

And that's all from my world of literature until next time.

In other news, I've obviously seen War Horse and it rocked my frayed giraffe-print socks off. I loved it and I swear to God I tried my damndest not to shed a tear and I just about made it. If I wasn't so loyal to the movie, i would say that it's on par with Saving Private Ryan, but I can't say that because Saving Private Ryan is just... whooo -- you know?

I am yet to see Sherlock Holmes and I am not one bit happy about it.

BBC are my homies this weather. Normally, I hate TV, but these guys have gone ape since Christmas. It started with the Doctor Who Christmas special, then Great Expectations, then the Edwin Drood thing, Sherlock and now this Birdsong show I'm watching about (my new obsession) World War One. Only, don't watch it with your parents... kinky business...

And that is all from me for tha noo.

Over an' out.

Welsh Freaking Rocks

Quote of the Day: "Bravery is being the only one who knows you're afraid."

Well... this is a little awkward. Yes, I did another disappearing act. I hibernate randomly - it's something I can't control. And the internet reliability is dire in this fair kingdom of wonder and magic in which I reside.

But enough of that. HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Only it won't be that happy, will it? Because apparently we're all dying at the end. I've come to terms with that, though. I've decided that as long as I get to read and finish Clockwork Princess first, I can die happy.

Maggie's Little World of Literature

An update on my current reading habits: I have this thing going. I'm reading a modern novel, along with something classic, whether it's another novel or a play. For example, it was Silence (Becca Fitzpatrick) and the Importance of Being Earnest (my homie Oscar Wilde). Now, it's Clockwork Prince (Cassandra Clare) and A Tale of Two Cities (Charles Dickens). A simple system, but it's getting me through my reading list a lot quicker.

So, Silence. I've finished it and it was brilliant. I have to say, Becca Fitzpatrick outdid herself with this one and I was proud. Anyone who's interested in reading the Hush, Hush Saga, I would advise you to do so as soon as possible. Sexy angels, a lot of chemistry and a brilliant plot without overdoing the action (for anyone who's not all that interested in that sort of thing). It will be worth your while.

The Importance of Being Earnest was very good. I mean, I love Oscar Wilde to absolute bits, but I never expected his writing ti make me laugh like this. It was a little too slapstick for my liking, but not enough to actually bug me. It's dead short, unbeatable dialogue and a few interesting twists at the end. Loved it.

And that brings me onto CLOCKWORK freaking PRINCE.

As you can imagine, from that sentence up there, it is probably the most amazing book I've ever read and I've read some mind-blowing books. This is just... ugh! I can't eve describe it!

Right, I'm going to confess here. Normally, I wouldn't doubt Cassandra Clare in the slightest, but City of Fallen Angels was a little disappointing compared to City of Broken Glass, so I was worried about Clockwork Prince, because I loved Clockwork Angel so much. But I have no idea now why I was worried, because it's beautiful. It's a miracle in... a couple of hundred pages. It's a work of art. And I'm not even finished yet.

It's weird though, because I used to hate Will, but now I'm warming to him. I feel dead sorry for him because he's happy right now, but I know he won't be for much longer and it's almost making me sad. But it can't make me sad because Jem is doing me proud. I love that guy and I was afraid he was never going to get a chance at wooing the girl, but after what I've just read, I'm doubting Will's ever getting another look-in.

Seriously, though, the book is an emotional roller coaster. On every page I'm either in fits laughing at Will or I'm inches from tears thanks to Jem. And I freaking love it!

So, I'm just about to start on chapter... nineteen, which is called If Treason Doth Prosper. A very high and mighty title... I'm feeling kid of worried now. And I'm nearly finished, which makes it worse. But I do have plenty to keep me occupied for the net year.

I'm reading The Hunger Games next. I've heard great reviews and they're making the movie this year, so... seems worth my while.

Now, you would have to wonder what the hell I'm doing reading A Tale of Two Cities and it's simple. Will and Tessa have this connection in The Infernal Devices series and it seems to be half based on their love of this one book, so I want in on the secret, I want to know what they're talking about when they quote it (which they do a lot. They had great memories in the Victorian era, though Will's cheated in that department, as it turns out) and I'm willing to endure Dickens' over-dramatic writing style to achieve that.

Dooby dooby doo...

So, on the subject of my own scribblings, I didn't achieve my goal thing. I still haven't finished Just A Game, but I am on the second last chapter. I've just killed off a character. It was hard, but I did it. For the umpteenth time.

My futuristic, sick, weird, new idea has flopped for the moment. I still love the concept, but it's just too complicated to develop while I'm working with JAG.

But I do have another couple of new bits in the works. I love one in particular. It's all Celtic and faeries and the Tuatha Dé Dannan and stuff, but modern, kind of. It's quite interesting...

And that's it as far as my world of literature goes.

In other news, I really want to see War Horse, the film adaptation of Michael Morpurgo's novel by none other than Steven Spielberg himself - mmph. I haven't read the book, but I've read some of Morpurgo's other novels and they're pretty damn wonderful.

Now, I have to see the new Sherlock Holmes movie. I do not have a choice in the matter. I've got to see this movie. It looks so damn beautiful.

Speaking of which, Sherlock on BBC1 is the most mind-blowing show on TV right now. I swear by it. Benedict Cumberbatch (what a name!) certainly gives Robert Downey Jnr. a run for his money as Holmes.

Oh, and I'm learning Welsh. Yes, Welsh. Because Welsh freaking rocks.

So... I think that's me for tonight.

Over an' out.