See Jane Write (A girl's guide to writing Chicklit)

This book is about “how to write a chicklit book” written in a chicklit way.  It’s a very fun book to read.  I wouldn’t say it gives a whole lot about the art of writing (only because such info can be easily found on the Internet for free), but it boosts your confidence.  If you like to write that next Briget Jones Diary someday, this book will uplift your mood—because wring such genre is fun,  it’s like a therapy, it’s like dating; that there is huge market for it, and you should go for it.  It’s inspirational book, so to speak; but also a warning that writing such book has many challenge. Mlynowski (the writer of this book) gives you information about how successful authors ended up with this genre: Sophie Kinsella, Meg Cabot, Stacy Ballis, Helen Fielding, etc. 

She also gives advice to different type of writers:  To the overwhelmed, the instant gratification addict, the procrastinator, the perfectionist, the mess (which I think I fall under), the commitment-phobe, the insecure, and the really busy (me again).  There is a chapter about developing your main (and secondary) character, elements of style, structure of  pacing up to revising. 

I was able to finish reading this book in three hours, (while I was waiting in line at the DMV to renew my license.)  It’s thin, less than 200 pages, and didn’t require intense attention.

Someone who is greenhorn to writing might benefit a great deal from this book.  For the not so green, it’s fun and uplifting.

Where in the World is Harriet Vanger?

Harriet Vanger started sending his Uncle, Henrik Vanger, pressed flowers for his birthday since she was eight years.  When Harriet was 16, she mysteriously disappeared. Yet, the pressed flowers kept on coming to Vanger for the next 40 years through the mail without a return address.  Were they coming from Harriet’s abductor?  Who was the abductor? Was he a member of the Vanger empire?  What happened to Harriet remained a mystery and Henrik brooded about it for almost four decades.

On Henrik Vanger’s 82^nd birthday, he decided to hire a financial journalist Carl Mikael Blomkvist who has just been convicted of libeling a financier and is facing a fine and three months in jail. He was a asked to write an autobiography of Henrik Vanger and to do an investigative journalism to the disappearance of Harriet.  About to refuse but when Henrik offered him a large amount of money and help win his case, Blomvist acquiesced.

Blomkvist was partnered with Lisbeth Salander, a 24-yearl-old computer hacker with lots of tattoos (including a dragon on her back) and body piercing.  She was pale and thin and loves to wear black—a combination of gothic and trashy look. But don’t underestimate her ability to investigate by way of computer hacking.  Unfortunately, Lisbeth was also a victim of rape that perhaps contributed to her low self esteem.

These are the two characters brought together to solve a mystery that needed solving even before they were born. 

The story is very complicated that you wouldn’t want to miss even a page. It’s one of those that gets better until the end. 

The Girl with a Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larson

Finally! A Sequel to Cold Eyes! More Cyber Thrill for the Cyber Curious!

There are wars going on that make no noise, draw no blood and make no press. Cyber Crime is growing. It may use your computer, it may sneak into the Department of Defense. Far less expensive than a war plane or and aircraft carrier, cyber crime brings us to a new front of another Cold War. Joanne Gravitz has an answer for such threats -Cold Eyes. This software can see a threat. It can watch and secure systems against the threat of cyber attack.

But it can't protect Joanne.

In Romina Wilcox's first book, "Cold Eyes"- Joanne is threatened by a jealous and insane co-worker. Determined to protect her product -just as a mother protects her offspring- Joanne sets out to find the Cyber God before he takes more lives and does more harm. In the process, she falls in love with the handsome Dr. Jacobson.

In "The Calendar", Joanne is threatened again. Just when she thinks her world has turned for the best with a handsome surgeon as a fiance and the Cybergod behind bars, a bomb goes off. Again, Joanne's world falls apart. The corporate email system and the electronic calendar are hacked. Who is behind this?  All the negative press does Joanne another bad turn as  Cold Eyes begins to look like a bad choice for a big government contract. Can she find the culprit in time to save her product and the success of Omega Soft?. Behind every email, every appointment, every cubicle lies a possible threat.

This time bombs go off and blood is shed. Cyber crime has a price -how high will it be?

How safe is your computer?

Check....


..."The Calendar".

Cold Eyes - A Story of Love, Revenge and Cyber theft in Silicon Valley

In a seemingly quiet, intellectual community of Northern California things start to go wrong. First a body is discovered. Then glitches become problems in what should be smooth software development. Random events-or are they?

Cold Eyes are watching.

Beautiful, smart and talented Joanne Gravitz gets caught up in a story that is unfolding faster than she can think. Little does she realize that people are not who they seem to be and as time goes on she is in greater danger than she can realize. Her talents lead her to develop a cyber sniffer known as Cold Eyes. Will this security program find the flaws or draw danger? At first Joanne does not see the threats but as time goes on, she learns that behind every smile, there is a set of Cold eyes!

In the high speed  cyber world -where secrets are worth fortunes-who can you trust?

Cold Eyes?

This book is an amazing fast read that draws the reader through possibilities and romantic intrigue. Take it to the beach or give it a weekend snuggle.

The Art of Voice Acting by James R. Alburger

This book is great for someone interested in getting into the field of Voice Acting.  It covers the fundamentals from audition, to getting an agent, until employment.  In other words, from becoming an actor to becoming a salesperson until you are “sold.”   It also covers some tips and techniques in developing your talent; the realities of voice acting (do you really achieve fame and fortune without actually knowing you?); financial side (how much voice actors make); your breathing techniques; your audience; style and techniques (articulation, diction, phrasing, pause, attitude); creating your brand and much more.

One interesting fact I learned is the greatest misconceptions that you need a certain type of voice to do voiceover.  You do not need a “good” voice or, “announcer voice, but a voice that could be easily understood and honed.

I particularly like the subject about setting up my home studio and the audio CD that accompanies the book is what made this book an excellent choice.  There are lots of demos that you could listen while driving.  This book is a must have if you are serious about pursuing a career in voice acting.

The "Trip Ticket"

In my hands is a trip ticket. Where to go? What to see? The possibilities are endless. Its as easy as having a Kindle. The little device knows no boundary. With the 3 G option you can, from any location, discover a new world or find a new fact.

I have been pleasantly surprised with the many ways Kindle can serve me. Not only can I download the current bestseller but I can use its simple browser to research simple fact. Kindle has become me and how I live and would do equally well with a variety of people and personalities. While in my son's Pony Club meeting I was able to download and access the USPC manual. Kindle brought something to me, I did not have to go find it. That is the beauty of having the 3G capability. if you have great WiFi where ever you are, save a little money and don't purchase the Kindle with th e3G option. However, I think before long, you will have wished you had it.

It is not just about books, it is about magazines and manuals as well. The world or eReading is in its' infancy and before long the options will be even greater.

The screen is great. While I have struggled with other devices during outside use, the Kindle does not let me down. it presents a very readable screen that allows you to enjoy Kindle while relaxing outdoors. Imagine reading about a mysterious tropical place while enjoying the outside-your favorite beverage chilling by your side! yes, Kindle is you happy companion. it follows you where YOU go! Gone are the days of being tied to a computer screen or next to a lamp indoors when you could be outside enjoying great weather!


Another great thing about Kindle...it reads to you! Yes, you can lie in bed or out in your beach chair and Kindle will read to you your latest book. Sit with your eyes closed an let your mind go to the place described in the story...

...or nap.

What a fine friend Kindle is. Your world in a slim screen. Portable and easy. You will be off to a new adventure  for far less than a plane ticket!