Tiny Navajo Listens: The Dispatcher

The Dispatcher by John Scalzi

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*Published October 4, 2016*

*Listening length: 2 hours, 18 minutes*

This is a fantastic novella about a world where when someone is intentionally killed will come back. Murder is no longer a crime you can get away with but with coming back, death has taken a different meaning.

One day, not long from now, it becomes almost impossible to murder anyone – 999 times out of a thousand, anyone who is intentionally killed comes back. How? We don’t know. But it changes everything: war, crime, daily life.
Tony Valdez is a Dispatcher – a licensed, bonded professional whose job is to humanely dispatch those whose circumstances put them in death’s crosshairs, so they can have a second chance to avoid the reaper. But when a fellow Dispatcher and former friend is apparently kidnapped, Tony learns that there are some things that are worse than death and that some people are ready to do almost anything to avenge a supposed wrong.
It’s a race against time for Valdez to find his friend before it’s too late…before not even a Dispatcher can save him.

I fricken’ love listening to this particular book, I love Zachary Quinto’s voice, I love this world where murder (intentional killing) returns a person to their home in perfect health. But when a Dispatcher goes missing, Tony is called upon to help a detective understand the world of Dispatchers and the black marker that has sprung up with being able to send someone back to their homes in perfect health.

I love the morals and ethics that have popped up with this question of “What would happen if murder brought the person back instead of killing them?” I liked that Tony had experience on both sides of moral line and he is able to explain how both sides work, even if he doesn’t much traverse the darker side of the line. It’s an interesting moral question.

How do you think the world is going to change in coming years? How do you think this will change our ethics? Comment below and let me know!

Tiny Navajo Reads: Animosity, Vol. 2

Animosity, Vol. 2: The Dragon by Marguerite Bennett

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*Published October 17, 2017*

This picks up where we left off in the previous volume, Jesse and Sandor and now some new companions seeking to get Jesse across this new version of the United States to where her estranged half-brother is living in working in San Francisco.

One day, for no reason, the Animals woke up. They started thinking. They started talking. They started taking REVENGE. The world is plunged into chaos as the newly-intelligent Animals fight humanity, and simply fight each other, for their own life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. In the midst of the turmoil is Jesse, an 11-year-old girl, and her dog, Sandor, who is devoted to her and her protection. Collecting issues 5-8 issues of the best-selling series, plus the special one-shot issue THE WORLD OF ANIMOSITY.

In this volume, we see Jesse and Sandor continue making their way across the country. As they do so with those they rescued from the previous volume, they start to hear rumours of a fire-breathing dragon. Not only does this lead to members of their group being snatched, but to thoughts of what it means now that animals have sentience.

I will admit that what I truly love about this volume is that it dives deep into questions like, does sentience equal a soul? Does a sentient animal killing a sentient animal equal murder, even if the killing is done for food? What does all of this mean now? There are no easy answers and the discussions that come about within the group are not giving easy answers either. This is what I think is most interesting about this volume, is that it tries to invoke a thought process within its readers about what if this does happen to us? Or, heaven forbid, we figure out that animals are sentient, we just can’t understand them? What will happen next?

This has been a very interesting series thus far, and while I didn’t talk about the dragon, once you read it, I think you’ll understand why. It’s far and away one of my favourite reveals and it’s one that can make you think. Think long and hard about what it means to be human.

What do you think makes you human? Why does it make you human? Comment below and let me know! And just so you know, as this is Thanksgiving week, I will not be posting on Thanksgiving, but you can expect a post on Friday. Enjoy your turkey and mashed potatoes everyone!

Tiny Navajo Reads: Top Ten Thankful Items

Hi guys! It’s time for another Top Ten Tuesday! TTT was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

Today’s topic is a bit of a freebie, so in the spirit of freebies, I’m running with it. I’m centering my Top Ten Tuesday on things that I am thankful for, as this is the week of Thanksgiving in the US and it’s a time of year where I tend to think of things I’m grateful for a bit more.

While these are all things I’m thankful for year-round, these are what I’m most thankful for this year:

• My full time job. I finally FINALLY have a full time job and I will be forever grateful for this matter. It gives me the experience that I need and I’m finding out more about myself each and every day that I work.
• My husband. He is a wonder, a support, someone I could not ask more of and he gives me more than I deserve each day. He supported me through school, grad school, pursuing my dreams of becoming a librarian and so much more. He is my rock and I definitely don’t deserve him or all that he does for me.
• My friends. While my husband is my rock, my friends are my supports. I have fallen a lot this year, and with their help, have been able to get back up and carry on with my lot. They have comforted me and pulled me forward when I would have held back and I would not be where I am without them, or my husband. The people you surround yourself with are the ones that shape your life. I’m just extremely lucky to have them.
• My library. Yes, while I work in a library that I consider to me mine, what I mean is my library at my home. I am striving to one day have enough books to fill a room all along the walls and just be surrounded by books. I love them and they are my comfort when actual people are not my jam.
• My iPad. Okay…this is a ridiculous one, but I love my iPad so much. My husband gave it to me for a Christmas present a couple of years ago and I love how easy it is to use, that I can have all of my little vices, like my audio-books, my Kindle account, my mobile games, just about everything that can keep me easily entertained should I ever get stranded without a book somewhere.
• Ability/access to read. This is something that I will always be thankful for, my ability/access to read. Without it, I would be depressed and it would be hard for me to do a lot of things. I’m also thankful that I get to read what I read. I have choices before me and there is very little that is hidden or censored to me.
• Gift cards. I will always be grateful for gift cards, especially ones that let me buy books without remorse. I actually got a gift card from Barnes and Noble a couple of weeks ago and I was able to get The Starless Sea by Erin Morgenstern and The Color of Magic by Terry Pratchett. I’m excited for them.
• Local libraries. Your local library is your best resource, whether you know it or not. It gives me a job, a job that I love, I am able to borrow and read books without having to buy them all the time and then finding out that I didn’t like it as much as I thought I would. I also learn new things at least once a week that I wouldn’t be able to learn otherwise.
• Audio-books. I love audio-books. They make it so that I can read multiple books at once, one listening to, one reading with fiction, and sometimes another with nonfiction. Multiple ways to read, multiple ways to absorb knowledge.
• D&D. Okay, this one may seem out of the blue, but I’m grateful for D&D and the friends that I’ve made through it. And I’m also glad that I’m able to bring it others who would also like to learn how to play and this will hopefully teach others to think things through.

Anyway, these are the top ten things that I’m grateful for this year. There are a lot more things that I am grateful for, but these are what I could think off the top of my head. What are you thankful for this year? And how do you celebrate Thanksgiving? Comment below and let me know!

Tiny Navajo Reads: Faith: Dreamside

Faith: Dreamside (Faith #6) by Jody Houser

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*Published March 12, 2019*

This had been sitting on my TBR list at home for a LONG while now and I just got around to reading it about two months ago, actually on the day that I found out I got my full time job. YAY! Good memories with it!

Even before Faith Herbert, AKA Zephyr, gained the power of flight, joined the Harbinger Renegades, and soared through the skies of the Valiant Universe, deep down she was always a hero at heart. But what’s a hero to do in the face of a foe that exists only in nightmares? Face them head-on, of course! To protect the dreams of her teammate, Animalia, Faith must venture into a fantastical new realm the likes of which we’ve never seen…and she’ll need some help from the world’s premiere parapsychologist, Doctor Mirage, to make it back with her subconscious mind still intact! Uncover the secrets of the Dreamside as writer extraordinaire Jody Houser (FAITH, Stranger Things) and rising star MJ Kim (FAITH’S WINTER WONDERLAND SPECIAL #1) continue the adventures of the high-flying icon that Uproxx calls ‘A joy to read!’ Collecting FAITH: DREAMSIDE #1-4.

I love Faith so much and how much she wants to help others. In this one, we see Faith risk herself to help a girl who is being haunted by her friends who have died. She goes to another hero/parapsychologist, Doctor Mirage, who can help Animalia and Faith figure out what’s going on.

Faith has become one of my favourite superheros, just for how much she loves and connects with those who she protects and saves because she is a loving and compassionate person. It’s the best part of her and what makes her an amazing superhero! You can look at some of my previous interviews to see how much I gush about Faith in general.

Comment below and let me know!

Tiny Navajo Reads: Thursday Three Native American Novels

Hi guys! Today is Thursday and we are so close to the weekend! So excited for the weekend! Anyway, today’s Thursday Threes is all about Native American novels as it is Native American History Month. They are going to be either ones that I’ve read or ones that I want to read. I’ll be sure to let you know which one it is.

Trail of Lightning by Rebecca Roanhorse

Code Talker: The First and Only Memoir by One of the Original Navajo Code Talkers of WWII by Chester Nez and Judith Schiess Avila

#Notyourprincess: Voices of Native American Women by Lisa Charleyboy

These are three books written by Native Americans about Native Americans. I have read two of these, Trail of Lightning and #Notyourprincess, and I want to read Code Talker at some point.

What books about Native Americans have you read? Do you want to read more books that focus on Native Americans? Comment below and let me know!

Tiny Navajo Reads: Mist, Metal, and Ash

Mist, Metal, and Ash by Gwendolyn Clare

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*Published February 19, 2019*

Okay, I did like the expansion of the world of Ink, Iron and Glass a bit, but there’s not a lot else going for it.

Worlds collide in this thrilling sequel to the epic, imaginative, acclaimed fantasy Ink, Iron, and Glass.

In an alternate 19th-century Italy, Elsa has an incredible gift: she can craft new worlds with precise lines of script written in books. But political extremists have stolen the most dangerous book ever scribed―one that can rewrite the Earth itself.

Now Elsa must track down the friend who betrayed her and recover the book before its destructive power is unleashed. Can she handle the secrets she’ll uncover along the way―including the ones hiding in her own heart?

So, this book…very much about the teenage angst and drama. I, personally, am not a fan of the angst and the drama, it just drive me up the wall a little bit. I did like seeing Elsa take action. She was very much about going in and trying to save Leo from his family. That was actually a good move on her part, she was proactive.

Other than that, there wasn’t much that I truly enjoyed about this book. It was a good sequel, but if you don’t care for teenage drama or angst, maybe don’t read this series.

What’s the one thing that drives you up the wall concerning reading? Or do you push through anything no matter what? Comment below and let me know!

Tiny Navajo Reads: Top Ten Changes in My Life Since 2010

Hi guys! It’s time for another Top Ten Tuesday! TTT was created by The Broke and the Bookish in June of 2010 and was moved to That Artsy Reader Girl in January of 2018. It was born of a love of lists, a love of books, and a desire to bring bookish friends together.

This is a very reminiscent top ten today, but it’s been a while since 2010 and there has been a lot of changes since that year. So, here are my top ten changes since 2010!

1. I graduated high school. Yep, my graduation year was 2010 and I actually graduated on my birthday. I joked that it was my high school’s birthday to me that I graduated on my birthday.
2. Moved to Utah. As soon as I graduated, I wanted to move out and get started on my college life. I was weird, I liked going to school. I didn’t leave right away though, I did leave a few days before college started, but I moved out of state to go to college. I was excited to start living as a college student in a college apartment!
3. Got married. Yep, I also got married. I actually got married in college. That was a HUGE change, but it has been one of the best changes in my life. I absolutely love my husband and all the support I have gotten from him.
4. Graduated from college. I graduated from college with a degree in Anthropology. Not the most exciting degree, but it is a college degree. I’m actually the first in my family to go to college and receive my degree. Most definitely a big change.
5. Moved to Oklahoma. This was a huge change as I have never lived in the Midwest. My husband is from the Midwest and it was a fantastic move for us.
6. Started working in a library. Who would have thought that my first job outside of college would be in a library? Not me to be honest, but I am so glad to have gotten a job in a public library  near me.
7. Went to graduate school. I loved working in a library so much that I wanted to work full time as a librarian. Anyone growing up with me would know this, but I apparently didn’t until I started working in a library. So, I went to graduate school where I did distance education.
8. Started this blog. This blog started with a tumblr blog online where I was briefly rating the books I was currently reading. As those started to grab some traction, I decided that I was going to start a full book review blog and now you’re reading it. That is a huge thing, especially for me, because this is just for me. I write because I want others to read the books that I enjoy as well.
9. Graduated graduate school. That’s a weird sentence, but I did graduate with my Master is Library Science! YES! I am now one of the most educated people in both my family and my husband’s family, with both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree.
10. I have a full time job in the career field I love! HALLELUJAH! You probably know what I feel like when I say I am so HAPPY to finally have a full time job in a library. Granted, it’s not quite a librarianship yet, but it is full time and I’m doing almost all the same things as a librarian in my system. So, I will say that this is a HUGE step forward and it’s one that I hope to keep my momentum going!

So, these are the ten biggest changes that have happened in my life since 2010. And it hasn’t even been 10 years…yet. We’ll just have to see what happens as the decade comes to a close and we come close to the ’20s once again. What have been some of the biggest changes of your since 2010? How have these changes affected your life? Comment below and let me know!

 

Tiny Navajo Reads: Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo

Leven Thumps and the Gateway to Foo by Obert Skye

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*Published October 20, 2009*

Did anyone else read this series towards the end of the publication of Harry Potter? I remember reading this series just the one time and I own a copy of this series, so I guess you can say this is a reread to see if the series was as good as I remember it.

Fourteen-year-old Leven Thumps is no ordinary boy, but that’s exactly what Sabine and his dark shadows want him to believe. The evil forces know the fate of the world and the dreams of all mankind can be saved by only one boy with a powerful gift – a gift he has yet to understand or control.

Leven, a.k.a. “Lev,” lives a wretched life at the Rolling Greens Deluxe Mobile Home Park in Burnt Culvert, Oklahoma. But his life is about to change and his destiny be fulfilled as he learns about a secret gateway that bridges two worlds – the real world and Foo, a place created at the beginning of time that makes it possible for mankind to dream and hope, aspire and imagine. “Foo is an entire realm hidden in a fold of the mind, a very real place,” says author Obert Skye.

But Foo is in chaos, and three transplants from that dream world have been sent to retrieve Lev – Clover, a mischievous, fuzzy, foot-high sidekick; Winter, an odd girl who can freeze things; and Geth, the rightful heir to the monarchy of Foo. Lev’s mission: to destroy the hidden gateway before Sabine can find his way out of Foo and into the real world where he plans to reign supreme.

Unfortunately, the gateway is on the other side of the world, time is running out, and reaching the gateway is only one of the ominous tasks. Destroying it will require an act of great courage and daring, something Lev is not at all certain he is up to.

Can this unique band of travelers convince Lev to do what only he can do? Can Leven even find the gateway? Will belief overcome doubt? It’s a race against time to save the world . . . if only fate would step in and help.

This was a good book. I truly do remember with rosy glasses, but it’s a great start to a series and it’s a series that I’ll continue reading.

Leven is just a 14 year old kid called to fulfil his grandfather’s legacy of destroying the gateway between this world and the world of dreams named Foo. Yeah, ridiculous name, but what else would you call the world of dreams, but a ridiculous name? In order to fulfil this legacy, Leven is gifted a friend/sidekick named Clover, a girl with the power to control ice named Winter, and Geth, the benevolent leader of the realm of Foo.

Some of my favourite things that I re-learned about myself while reading this first book was that I accepted a lot of weirdness in the books I read. Like, in this one, Winter’s mother, once she loses her job, just sits at home, moves the fridge to the living room and pulled a hose in through the window to have constant access to water, and sits and watches her soap operas for the rest of the time we see her in the book. When I was younger, I just accepted this as that’s what adults do when they lose their jobs. Reading it now though, it’s just a very weird thing to do. What happens when you run out of money to pay for the electricity that runs all of those things? Just sit there some more? Anyway, I accepted weird things when I was younger, but it’s a good thing to do, else you can’t enjoy the book.

I also re-learned that we all need dreams to make life worth living. Without them, we become depressed and cycincal and unable to live life as fully as we want or need to.

Traveling the world and making his way to Foo, Leven learns some things about himself he wouldn’t have learned otherwise, as well as learning that the world needs dreams. What do have learned about following your dreams? How have they lead you in this world? Comment below and let me know!

Tiny Navajo Reads: Thursday Three Books About Food

Hi guys! This week’s Thursday Threes is about three books that are situated around food! It’s November and it’s getting close to Thanksgiving so we are going to be talking about those books that make you drool as you read the dishes described! So, without further ado:

The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett

Kitchen Chinese: A Novel about Food, Family, and Finding Yourself by Ann Mah

Rice, Noodle, Fish: Deep Travels Through Japan’s Food Culture by Matt Goulding

These are three books that are thoroughly centered around food in some way or another. Whether it is just mentioned but so thoroughly described, or it’s a book about all the foods in that area, these ones specifically made me drool and want to try and cook these foods. Or, at least, eat them.

So, what are you guys doing for Thanksgiving? What are you doing food-wise for Thanksgiving? Comment below and let me know!

Tiny Navajo Reads: Food Wars! Vol. 7

Food Wars! Vol. 7 (Shokugeki no Soma) by Yuto Tsukuda

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*Published August 4, 2015*

We move forward into the prelims of the Fall Classic and we get to see how well everyone has prepared!

The preliminary round of the Fall Classic begins! All of the contestants do their utmost to showcase their skills to the acclaimed judges, with the favored students presenting the most exquisite of curry dishes! Only the top eight finalists will qualify to enter the main event. Who will make the cut?!

Honestly, this volume doesn’t really focus all that much on Soma. But it does focus on the secondary characters and we get to see more of their background and how it ties into their cooking. I loved most seeing Megumi and her cooking and how she was able to hold her own, especially when it comes to a food type she is not familiar with, which is curry. I haven’t had curry since India and reading this particular volume made me want to have curry again.

Anyway, do you like reading about secondary characters? Or, would you rather read about the main character more? Comment below and let me know!