Rage is an Art

So a few nights ago I made a rant post on my personal DW. This particular rant had been stewing in my mind for awhile. Probably since I've become aware of literary criticism and since I've been actively searching for it. The rant btw can be found here.

Anyone that regularly reads the romance genres knows that the books and sometimes its fans get a lot of grief. I've found that the academic attention to the romance genre is really low. For example on the course list for English classes at my local university there are classes based on the fantasy and science fiction genre but not one for romance. Why is that?

So I've gotten the grand idea to write some criticism for the romance genre. I'm doing this for many reasons but one is to help practice writing college essays as I plan on going back to school and I've been out of high school for years.

I wanted to tell my readers about this. I'm planning on posting the essay when I finish with it. I have two books that I plan on using and I'm looking for references. I don't know when I'll finish but it will get done.

Oh and right now I'm currently reading one of the books I plan on analyzing and I'm taking notes from it. The books is How to Entice an Earl by Manda Collins. I am really enjoying this book.

Until to the next review. Perhaps I'll try to go more in depth with my reviews as well haha!

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Book Post (Plus Pics!)

I've finally discovered that marvelous thing called the used book. I won't lie I do prefer to buy new books but I also like to buy a lot of books at one time and my budget just won't allow me to do that with all new books.

So I bought a ton of used books from Abebooks which by the way is a fabulous site. I got four of them today!



I recently did the big chop. One of my friends on LJ recommended me Better Than Good Hair by Nikki Walton.



If y'all didn't know I'm a feminist and I take that ish seriously. I ordered a number of books on the topic. This one is called Unequal Sisters: A Multicultural Reader in U.S. Women's History



I have a writing project that focuses on Cleopatra so I bought Stacy Schiff's biography. That and I really love Cleo.



And lastly for today is Material Girls by Suzanne Danuta Walters. It's feminist cultural theory!

What about you guys? Any new book purchases?

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The Ivy Lessons by S.K. Quinn Review

The Ivy Lessons by J. Lerman

My rating: 2 of 5 stars


Okay so I started reading this yesterday. I picked it up because I needed something to take my mind off my appointment and how nervous I was. It certainly did.

I immediately noticed that not only does this book seem to be a rip off two books (Twilight and Fifty Shades which of course was a fanfiction of the former.) It also seemed a bit cliche. I mean Sophia is innocent and she seems like Bella in that she gives backhanded compliments especially in the first few chapters of the book. I mean she describes her friend as blonde and chubby and then says she wishes she looked more like her. Sophia describes herself as tall and willowy. I laughed out loud.

The Ryan and Cecile characters are so damn one dimensional. I found myself thinking about Cecile. What made her tick? Why was she after Marc? Why was she so mean other than to give Sophia a rival?

Ryan? Piece of shit. You don't fucking drug someone that you like. Like what the fuck? He should have been fucking arrested. Oh and if I'm not clear, you don't drug anyone. Period people.

The rest of the book followed the structure of Twilight. I mean Marc is even described in Edward terms. Pale skin. Dark circles under his eyes. LMAO. And then early in the book he leaves after encountering Sophia. So Twilight.

The sex was...really kinda vanilla. I've read harder sex in some of my single title romances. I mean despite the BSDM elements, it still seemed very vanilla.

But I will give it to the author that this book entertained me. I made me much calmer before going in to see the doctor. It wasn't badly written though I did catch a mistake. And it is cliche. But it was a light read and like I said I enjoyed it. So I actually think I might buy the next book. I want to find out what happens, I can't help it.

So I rec this if you need something quick and light to read.



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Currently Reading

Hey guys! I'm still reading over on my end and of course buying more books haha. I actually bought a few more books than I usually do at the local Walmart. But it's been a whole year since I've been to Barnes and Noble and I let my membership expire...oops.

But anyway I'm currently alternating between these two books. I started Home Girls yesterday. One essay in particular really spoke to me and how I feel as a black woman in America. The author says that she has no connection to her African roots because her ancestors weren't allowed to keep their old rituals. I've been feeling like this a lot. I would love to know what country my ancestors were from and what were their customs. Maybe one day when I have better finances I can find this out with that DNA testing ha.

The second book I bought yesterday. I've just decided to study more seriously for the GED test and I want to attend college. I want to make a better life for myself, you know? I bought this book because of the summary and plus I'll admit I sort of have a thing for self-help books haha. I can't help it alright!

So anyway that's what I'm currently reading. What about you guys? Anything interesting? Let's talk about it!

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Tart by Lauren Dane Review

Tart by Lauren Dane

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Okay so officially this was my second erotica and it was MILES better than my first. The plot is really good and I really felt like the relationships between not only the three in the relationship but with family and friends were very realistic. Their friends are awesome.

I could relate to Juliet a lot with her thoughts with certain situations. I know I would probably be thinking the same thing if I was in the situation.

Cal and Gideon were perfect, though I was more partial to Cal.

I love that the author got into the...logistics I guess I should say of a relationship like theirs.

Oh and the sex was hot! Mhmmm.

I only rated this four stars because I liked it, but I didn't love it you know? But I like the author's style and I'm definitely checking out more of her stuff.



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It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long Review and Spoilers

It Happened One Midnight by Julie Anne Long

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


This book...this book!

This book managed to keep my attention for more than two days. From the start I absolutely loved Jonathan and Tommy. Their personalities shine through from the page. I loved how their relationship developed throughout the book. And I love how they teased each other! I was cackling so hard while reading this book.

I loved the end where Jonathan makes enough money so he be independent and be free to marry Tommy. I love how he lays things out before his Dad. He challenges him because he loves Tommy and he knows that she is what he wants.

I liked the epilogue where Violet and Miles show up. The end left me with a little hope that the family will come back together and patch up things between them. What more can you ask for?

I think I'm going to add this book to my favorites shelf. I loved it that much!



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I absolutely recommend this book. Go read it!

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Kare First Love, Volume 1 by Miyasaka Kaho Review

Kare First Love, Volume 1 by Kaho Miyasaka

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


This title was recommended to me by GR.

What I thought at first: Oh she seems like me when I was younger. Afraid to speak up, letting people walk all over her.

What I thought next: Wtf? This Kirya dude is a piece of work. His friends are asses, he kinda is too.

What I thought after that: The non friend girl seems nice. She should be friends with her rather than the girl she's actually friends with.

What I'm thinking now: The premise is interesting and I can definitely see myself reading more of this manga. I don't quite like how the hero and heroine's relationship started though. I don't care how good his intentions are/were...that just creeped me out.

So I give the first volume 4 stars. The story and art are good, but the dynamics of how the relationship is starting? Nah I didn't like that at all.



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