X is for Xanth

X is for Xanth, which is the name of a book series and the world created by Piers Anthony. The titles for books in this series are delightful, and usually groan worthy, puns. The first book in the series, A Spell for Chameleon, was published in1977. At my last count the series was up to number thirty five to be released in 2011, and more on the way. I read this series, and those by Orson Scott Card and David Eddings in the nineties- and as such have fallen seriously behind in my reading from all three authors.


In Xanth there are supernatural and mythical creatures of all kinds, and humans are generally born with unique and specific magical talents. Xanth is not completely isolated, it has a connection to the 'real' world or Mundania, where normal 'mundane' individuals dwell. Charters from Xanth can travel there, and every now and then a mundane will stumble into Xanth.

The books are funny, surprising and never get old. I am currently planning to add the entire series to my permanent collection. Thankfully the series, and others by Anthony, are being released in collections, two or three per book. I will certainly be taking advantage of this option as soon as budget and space constraints are a little looser.

Y is for yawn

Y is for yawn, though I am far from bored with blog challenges. I am almost always sleep deprived, but I am mother to two small children so that is not surprising. How much sleep, and caffeine, do you need to get through your morning without yawning? I remember my high school and college days, even my early twenties, when I seemed to need much less sleep than I desire these days. Ahhh.. to be energetic again, lol. People say that children keep you young. I think they just keep you tired but alert.
It was not until I physically needed more sleep than I got that I understand the frustration of parents and people who simply wanted more sleep or time in the day. It is only now that I am struck with the fact that the more you want sleep the less you will achieve. In converse, the more time you have to sleep, or the more others want you to sleep, the less you will sleep.
just writing this post has me yawning. Time for another cup of coffee to counteract the 4:30 wake up time of this morning.

Z is for Zombies

Z is for Zombies, a growing subject matter in books over the last few years. I did not get it at first. I love a good zombie movie, and have had to stopped watching them on occasion when the zombies made their way into my dreams. Yes, seriously. There are some fantastic zombie movies, some that are so bad that they are good, and some that are just so bad that they should be forgotten. The same goes for books featuring zombies. I have read a few at this point, and havce some that I recommend. I also know of a few that I want to read, but just have not gotten to.

Zombie books I highly recommend The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan, Zombies for Zombies: Advice and Etiquette for the Living Dead by David P. Murphy, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith (yes really! and on a related note do not skip Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter by Seth Grahame-Smith).


Zombie books I want to read or have had recommended to me: Paul Is Undead by Alan Goldsher, Generation Dead by Daniel Waters,Zombie Queen of Newbury High by Amanda Ashby, You Are So Undead to Me by Stacey Jay and Rot & Ruin by Jonathan Maberry. 

While horror or survival might not be your thing, it is not usually mine, most of these focus on the 'lighter' side of zombies. So load thatshot gun, get your chainsaw ready, and start reading about the undead.