I often get asked how I find the time to read between school, work, and life. A lot of my friends have expressed to me their love of reading but inability to find the time to actually read a full book, cover-to-cover. So here are a few tips that I find help me fit in reading during a hectic day.
First: Keep your book with you. We are always a few minutes early to class or work, or we may have a lunch break. These times are great for squeezing in a few extra pages.
Second: Spare ten to fifteen minutes before you go to bed to read a few pages. Not only will you keep a steady pace in your novel but you will also find it easier to sleep after your mind has relaxed.
Third: Cut down the Facebook time! I know many people that spend their extra time on FB, and while this is a decent way to spend your free-time you may find that you can utilize this time to get some of your other work done. This will free-up your day and allow some extra reading to be pushed in.
Lastly: Put the electronics away! I've realized that if I am holding onto my phone or watching TV I spend much less time reading.
But keep in mind that reading should be fun and not a chore, so if it fits into your day then great, but if not there will always be extra time on the weekends to catch up!
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
Saturday, September 17, 2011
Book Two:
I am about a third of the way through with the second book. And I have also gotten to the end of the HBO series of A Game of Thrones. I am pleased to report that the series on HBO was very similar to the book, and followed it quite nicely. The characters, specifically the Stark children, are presented as being slightly older in the TV series than they are in the book. However, the difference is minimal.
Some new characters have been introduced in the second book as the race for the rule of the seven kingdoms plays out. Stannis Baratheon, brother to the late King Robert Baratheon, believes he is the true heir to the throne and has been driven to extreme lengths to garner power. He has no denounced the old gods and has taken up his wife's religion, where Melisandre is the primary god. Melisandre has promised him strength and power against King Joffrey in return for his allegiance. A power-hungry Stannis agrees.
Also, Arya, under the guise of an orphan boy, is being led to Winterfell by Yoren. However, the Queens guard has intercepted them on their route and pronounced their need for another young boy whom Yoren has taken in his watch. Arya cannot comprehend why the Queen should be looking for a commoner boy when she herself is also missing. Martin leaves trace details about the boy, other than the fact that he was a steel-makers apprentice. From past knowledge, the reader can deduce that this boy was one of the many children of the late King Baratheon. And Queen Cersei will do anything to be rid of all of his illegitimate children, despite the minimal threat they pose to the throne.
Lastly, Tyrion has taken up the post as the King's hand. He is secretly trying to right the many follies that his nephew King Joffrey has commited. Tyrion realizes that Joffreys consultants and those that guide him in all of his major decision-making are leading him astray in order to settle their own scores. Tyrion is proving to be a Lannister that many can count on.
Some new characters have been introduced in the second book as the race for the rule of the seven kingdoms plays out. Stannis Baratheon, brother to the late King Robert Baratheon, believes he is the true heir to the throne and has been driven to extreme lengths to garner power. He has no denounced the old gods and has taken up his wife's religion, where Melisandre is the primary god. Melisandre has promised him strength and power against King Joffrey in return for his allegiance. A power-hungry Stannis agrees.
Also, Arya, under the guise of an orphan boy, is being led to Winterfell by Yoren. However, the Queens guard has intercepted them on their route and pronounced their need for another young boy whom Yoren has taken in his watch. Arya cannot comprehend why the Queen should be looking for a commoner boy when she herself is also missing. Martin leaves trace details about the boy, other than the fact that he was a steel-makers apprentice. From past knowledge, the reader can deduce that this boy was one of the many children of the late King Baratheon. And Queen Cersei will do anything to be rid of all of his illegitimate children, despite the minimal threat they pose to the throne.
Lastly, Tyrion has taken up the post as the King's hand. He is secretly trying to right the many follies that his nephew King Joffrey has commited. Tyrion realizes that Joffreys consultants and those that guide him in all of his major decision-making are leading him astray in order to settle their own scores. Tyrion is proving to be a Lannister that many can count on.
Wednesday, September 7, 2011
Finally finished
I have been absent for a few days, and meanwhile have finished the first installment of the A Song of Ice and Fire series. I am happy to report that the ending was nothing short of amazing. So many aspects of the plot and the well being of many characters is left unanswered. I have started A Clash of Kings and am pleased that little time has passed between the two novels. It is the perfect continuation. The prologue gives the reader great insight into the troubles that loom over the realm. There are now three kings within the seven kingdoms and each king is ready to demonstrate their authority. Robb is now the winter king and is brimming with anger and frustration with King Joffrey; he is ready to seek his vengeance. However, his mother Lady Catelyn is conflicted between managing her son and his emotions while allowing him to make decisions for himself as crowned king. To make matters worse, a comet is staining the sky a deep blood red; an omen that does not bode well for the seven kingdoms.
Thursday, September 1, 2011
Rising Action
Hello all,
There are so many things happening within the last hundred or so pages of the Game of Thrones that I could scarcely comment on them all in this post. First and foremost King Robert is no more, he perished at the hands, well tusk, of a wild boar. In his final moments he named Lord Eddard Protector of the Realm and earnestly demanded Eddard to protect his son. Little did he know that Joffrey was not his true son, and that in fact Joffrey is the son of Queen Cersei and Jaime Lannister the Kingslayer. Ned vowed to protect the Realm and secretly protect King Robert's true born children, whom Robert had not been in any sort of contact with. The day after Robert's perilous death, Joffrey seized the thrown with Queen Cersei in tow. Queen Cersei kidnapped Sansa, and attempted to wrangle Arya as well. Ned is taken prisoner. Winterfell and the River Lords are calling their bannerman and arming themselves preparing of a war. The looming winter gives me a cause for alarm; I wonder what will happen to Robb and the Stark's once the Lannister's and the army they are wielding reach them. The tension is reaching a boiling a point between Queen Cersei and her late husbands guards. Time will only tell what will come of the various captured lords and their families.
There are so many things happening within the last hundred or so pages of the Game of Thrones that I could scarcely comment on them all in this post. First and foremost King Robert is no more, he perished at the hands, well tusk, of a wild boar. In his final moments he named Lord Eddard Protector of the Realm and earnestly demanded Eddard to protect his son. Little did he know that Joffrey was not his true son, and that in fact Joffrey is the son of Queen Cersei and Jaime Lannister the Kingslayer. Ned vowed to protect the Realm and secretly protect King Robert's true born children, whom Robert had not been in any sort of contact with. The day after Robert's perilous death, Joffrey seized the thrown with Queen Cersei in tow. Queen Cersei kidnapped Sansa, and attempted to wrangle Arya as well. Ned is taken prisoner. Winterfell and the River Lords are calling their bannerman and arming themselves preparing of a war. The looming winter gives me a cause for alarm; I wonder what will happen to Robb and the Stark's once the Lannister's and the army they are wielding reach them. The tension is reaching a boiling a point between Queen Cersei and her late husbands guards. Time will only tell what will come of the various captured lords and their families.
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