September 2014 Playlist

Here are some songs that affected me in one way or another during the month of September.  Enjoy my eclectic taste!

1. Requiem for a Dream- Jennifer Thomas: This song came on a lot last month and it stood out to be every time.  I know that this is a remake but I think that she does such a spectacular job.

2. Accidentally in Love-Counting Crows: With the news of the new Counting Crows album, and listening to Disney kids Pandora a lot, I just couldn't leave Counting Crows off.  

3. Fearless-Colbie Calliat: You can just feel the heartbreak in this song.  I just love Colbie.

4. Again-Lenny Kravitz:  I have always had a huge crush on Lenny and his re-emergence into my life through the Hunger Games made me so happy to hear this song, which was always great to begin with.

5. Renegade-Styx: How can you not love this song and want to rock out any time that you hear it.  If you fall into that category than I don't know why you are on my page anyway ;)

6. Shatter Me-Lindsey Stirling feat Lizzie Hale: I love everything about this song, the lyrics, the violin, the music video!  Stands out as such a great one!  "Somebody shine a light, I'm frozen by the fear in me. Somebody make me feel alive, And shatter me"

7. Stop Draggin' My Heart Around-Stevie Nicks & Tom Petty: Such a wondrous collaboration!  Just love their voices together.  Great song.

8. Warrior Concerto-Glitch Mob: I seriously love Glitch Mob, although I feel like they could have shortened the intro of the song, the rest of it is so badass that it makes it work listening to.

9. Feeling Good-Michael Buble': I am seriously in love with Michael Buble', he makes everything in life better and reminds you that hope exists.  Plus this is a great confidence boosting song that makes you saunter across your living room floor.

10. All I Have-Jennifer Lope feat LL Cool J: I have always loved this song.  Sometimes when enough is enough, you just have to walk away.  

11. You Can't Hurry Love-The Supremes: So I went through an old music kick last month, but you can't argue that this isn't an awesome song and still applicable.

12. Waking Dream-Natalie Walker: I just love how haunting this song is.

13. Spectrum-Zedd feat Matthew Koma: This was the first song that I ever heard of Zedd and I was hooked.  I can still remember the first time I saw this video and how weird it is and also how fitting it it's old weird way it is with the song.

14. Maria, Maria-Santana ft Wyclef Jean: Santana is just so talented and awesome!  This song will always be a great one.

15. Shake It Out-Florence and the Machine: The lyrics are always synced up with moments in my life.  I love you FATM!  We all need to spring clean our lives from the past and "shake it out", move on.

16. Give Me Everything-Pitbull feat Ne-Yo & Nayer: This song always makes me feel upbeat and dancey!  Pitbull just has that charisma and swagger in his smile, I love it!  Plus there is also something about a guy that calls your "dahling"

17. Turn Me On-David Guetta feat Nicki Minaj: I so love David Guetta, and this video will always be one of my favorites.  I just love the building of the mannequin that is brought to life and all that it could symbolize. 

18. Sarajavo-Blackmill: Blackmill just dominates every song that they put out.  They always stand out to me no matter what I am doing, I instantly stop and look at my Pandora and it's Blackmill being awesome agian.

19. Cups (When I'm Gone)-Anna Kendrick: Liam freaking loves this song, and it is catchy and I like it now too.  We sing it together at loud volume in the car :)

20. Now We Are Free-Lisa Kelly/Gerard: I LOVE this song, and it is from the grand movie Gladiator.  Such a beautiful Celtic melody.

21. Shimmer-Fuel: This was always my favorite Fuel song!  I love everything about it!

22. Beauty is Her Name-Dru Hill: Great R & B by Dru Hill, makes me miss good music.

23. Years of War-Porter Robinson feat Breanne Duran: Such a great song to listen to.

24. I Choose You-Sara Bareilles: Somehow Sara has taken over one of my stations, and I have gotten to hear a lot of her songs that had never crossed my ears before and I am loving it.  This song is a great representation of a lot of her awesome.  Love the lyrics.

25. Happy-Pharell: You just can't listen to this song and NOT be happy.  Liam and I love it as a pick me up, dance around the house kind of song.

26. Sorrow-Flyleaf: Flyleaf is great at exploring a range of emotions!  I just love Lacey's voice and I am sad to hear the she decided to leave the band, but becoming a mom can change your life priorities for sure.

27. Never Too Late-Three Days Grace: I seriously need to make an entire station dedicated to Three Days Grace!  Always great music.  Always nice to think that you can make new choices and it's never too late.

28. Shake It Off-Mariah Carey:  You really do just need to shake it off sometimes, and move on.

29. You Make Me Feel-CobraStarShip feat Sabi: I love Cobra Starship and this song is fun! "I'm known for taking what I think I deserve, and you're over due"

30. Love Somebody-Maroon5: This song always makes me want to be in love.  It's been so long since anyone make me feel this way.  The older I get I start to wonder if it's even possible anymore.

Temple of The Winds: Sword of Truth Series

I know I have been slacking in my reading and book reviewing, I started this book quite some time ago, and with work, the holidays, company it took a lot longer than anticipated to finally make it through the rest of this book.  The Temple of the Winds is the 4th book int he Sword of Truth Series and really touches upon quite a few areas in the beliefs of all of the characters within.  Just when you think that maybe everyone can have some peace for a minute more Hell breaks lose with the continued forward press of Jagang.  This was the first book that didn't really feature any epic battle scenes yet.

This book follows Blood of the Fold and we are opened up to a Wizard that is sent by Jagang to kill Richard.  Ever being more than it seems, Richard is presented with a bound fork prophecy that reads:
On the red moon will come a firestorm. The one bonded to the blade will watch as his people die.  If he does nothing, then he, and all those he loves will die in its heat...  To quench the inferno, he must seek the remedy in the wind. Lightning will find him on that path, for the one in white, his true beloved, will betray him in her blood.

With this huge disaster hanging over there heads they must set out to find the meaning and again look to find ways to get around the prophecy.  Overall int he series I would say that this book is more of a fill int he background of the wizards from the old war and let us learn more about prophecy and Nathan.  There is a lot of setting up events and making you feel bleak and hopeless in this book.  I think it sets up for book 5 quite nicely (Soul of the Fire). 

We have a lot of the same characters from Blood of the Fold that return to our story to include of course Richard and Kahlan, Zedd who is with the Prelate Anna, Verna & Warren.  As I said before we get to know Nathan a lot more in this book as well as his traveling companion Clarissa who is new to us.  Cara, Berdine & Raina the mord sith are still around protecting Richard and we get to know two other characters, the healers Nadine from Richard's homeland and Drefan from a brotherhood of healers.  And of course it wouldn't be a book without a little bit of meddling from the witch woman Shota.  Last but not least Jagang plays an ever present background of threat hiding behind his minions and dark sisters. We are missing in Adie humor unfortunately throughout this book.

Once again we have to wonder if Richard & Kahlan are doomed to be separated by events and prophecies beyond their control and wonder if they will ever get married.  Richard must sacrifice all of himself if he is to make the New World come together in an effort to stand against Jagang's Imperial Army.  We get to see the inner working behind the diplomacy of his efforts and wonder at what the future might bring.  We know the war is coming but when will it strike and how? 

One cannot forget that there isn't a Sword of Truth book without a Wizard's Rule.  As with the 3 before we are not introduced to the Wizard's Fourth Rule: There is magic in sincere forgiveness, the magic to heal. In forgiveness you grant, but more so, in forgiveness you receive. —Chapter 41, p. 398, U.S. hardcover edition.  It is explained in the novel as follows: "Forgiving and being forgiven are powerful elements of healing for the soul. Forgiving others grants by the giving of forgiveness but more so one receives self healing by the necessity of letting go of bitterness through forgiveness of others." 
The wizard's third rule: Passion rules reason. "Letting your emotions control your reason may cause trouble for yourself and those around you."
And back to the wizard's second rule: The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. "It sounds a paradox, but kindness and good intentions can be an insidious path to destruction. Sometimes doing what seems right is wrong, and can cause harm. The only counter to it is knowledge, wisdom, forethought, and understanding the First Rule. Even then, that is not always enough. [...] Violation can cause anything from discomfort, to disaster, to death."
And of course the Wizard's First Rule: "People are stupid."  "People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People's heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool.
 If you are interested in reading my book reviews of the three previous novels you can check them out at:

Blood of the Fold: Book 3

Stone of Tears: Book 2

Wizard's First Rule: Book 1

Blood of the Fold Review

I have finally found the time to finish Blood of the Fold.  This is the third book in the Terry Goodkind series.  This is the book that seemed to have gotten the majority of bad reviews in the series.  I think it has to do with the religious undertone of the book.  In case you are unfamiliar this is part of the Sword of Truth series that focuses around the main characters of Richard Cypher and Kahlan Amnell as they fight evil and try to restore faith in humanity and magic.

At the end of Stone of Tears, Richard is finally accepting the fact that he is a war wizard and that his magic is brought upon in times of need and instinct.  When he gets out of his own way he is one of the greatest magicians with the most amount of power we have ever seen.  Kahlan has run with Zedd after her beheading.  The Dark Sisters have escaped on a ship.  Richard had finally found a way to forgive Kahlan for forcing him to put on a collar and we have seen new friends from the Old World. We were introduced to the Imperial Army and have heard mention several times about the Blood of the Fold.

In Blood of the Fold, Goodkind delves us deeper into the psyche behind the current leader of the Blood of the Fold a man named Tobias Brogan.  The Blood of the Fold are called such due to the crimson capes that they wear at all times and the trail of blood that they leave behind in their quest to root out banelings (the keepers minions in this world).  Brogan is a true blue believer in his quest and finds ways to explain everything so that he is always the good guy at the forefront of his mind.  If something doesn't add up he will find a reason for it to be acceptable to him (for example, incest with his sister).  If anyone makes him angry or stands in his way they are immediately considered a baneling and must be killed, he will force a confession out of anyone under extreme measures of torture to get them to admit to doing the keeper's work.  He finds that joining with the Imperial Army is in the best interest of the Blood of the Fold at this time.
I honestly think that Terry Goodkind did an amazing job capturing the zealotry that can be found in religion.  The need to always have one's faith proven correct no matter what the peril even if it becomes a personal vendetta....  enter in religious wars...

We are also introduced to the leader of the Imperial Army:  Emperor Jagang who is a dreamwalker.  Which means that he can enter into the dreams of people and physically torture them or find other ways to force them to do his bidding.  He is all about slavery and forcing people to his will.
With Jagang's dreamwalking ability we learn that the Rahl bond that was created by Richard's ancestor is the only line of defense to the dreamwalker entering someones mind when they are asleep.  Of course we can't forget the ever persistent new bodyguards to include the Mord-Sith.


Many of our friends from the Palace of the Prophets stay with us in this story as we can follow along and get to know even more about Verna and Warren and also more about the dark sisters that fled the palace.  We also become intimately familiar with mriswrith and learn more about the great war from the past that destroyed so many lives and so many wizards.  Richard & Kahlan seem doomed to be separated through events and prophecies beyond their control. 

Overall I have to say that this book was shorter than the others and took on a different book than the previous two.  With that being said I do not in anyway think that it is a worse book.  I think it was a very insightful book into an enemy that plays on the fear of people as a "religious body".  I loved that Terry Goodkind was brave enough to take this on and think that he did an excellent job in showing how when ruled by fear, we can lose freedom and reason in life. 

As with the previous two books we are introduced to the third wizards rule being: 
Passion rules reason. —Chapter 43, pg number varies, U.S. hardcover edition.  It is explained in the novel as follows: "Letting your emotions control your reason may cause trouble for yourself and those around you."
And back to the wizard's second rule: The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. "It sounds a paradox, but kindness and good intentions can be an insidious path to destruction. Sometimes doing what seems right is wrong, and can cause harm. The only counter to it is knowledge, wisdom, forethought, and understanding the First Rule. Even then, that is not always enough. [...] Violation can cause anything from discomfort, to disaster, to death."
And of course the Wizard's First Rule: "People are stupid."  "People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People's heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool.

 
To see my two previous book reviews of the series you can go check them out at:

Stone of Tears Review Book 2

Wizard's First Rule Book 1

Stone of Tears: Sword of Truth Series Review

Stone of Tears: Sword of Truth Series Review

Now that I am on to the 2nd book in Terry Goodkind's Sword Of Truth Series, it is hard not to be completely sucked into his world.  This was released in 1995 a mere year after the original book was released.  It has been revered as having one of the greatest heroine war scenes of it's genre. 









This book: Stone of Tears continues to follow along the journeys of Richard And Kahlan, not forgetting about Zedd and Rachel who were some of our story tellers from the first book.  We are also introduced to many other returning characters as well as a plethora of brand new characters and brand
new beliefs.  We also see things from a "Sister's perspective" We learn some new war tactics, and we travel to new places and are introduced to "The Old World."  We get to know Adie a bit more and learn to have love and compassion for a creature previously thought to be a horror.  There are so many new cultures and beliefs in this book.

My overall review of the book is that it was a great follow on to the Wizard's First Rule.  We pick right back up from where we left off.  Our main characters are understandably shaken up after the events from the first book but are positive and in good spirits at the opening of this book.  I was again sucking into Terry Goodkind's world and had a hard time leaving it.  I once again found myself on a couple of occasions speed reading to get to pique moments in the story.  I felt sorrow and happiness along with the characters who are brought back to life.  I spent a lot of time in philosophical thought of events and beliefs within this book and in real life.  My only negative thing that I can really say about the Stone of Tears in and of itself is that towards the end when the titled object comes majorly into play it felt a little rushed and quickly over after so much lead up.  I felt like perhaps it could have gone more in depth, but the story was wrapping up rather quickly.  At least Goodkind had the good sense to slow down a bit when it came time to the actual closing of this novel and the opening for the next novel.  

Richard and Kahlan must put their feelings for one another to a test that could break them forever.  Richard must learn to really be who he is and accept himself for who he must be to fulfill prophecy or else the world as they know it will come to a dark end.  Can Kahlan and Richard both grow up in ways that could tear them apart?  Can Richard save the world from the darkness of the Keeper and the underworld?  Check out the book to read and see what happens next in their journey.






In the event that you forgot the Wizard's First Rule as we enter into this book it was: "People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People's heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool"

The wizard's Second rule is introduced to us in this novel which is: The greatest harm can result from the best intentions. —Chapter 63, p. 634, U.S. hardcover edition "It sounds a paradox, but kindness and good intentions can be an insidious path to destruction. Sometimes doing what seems right is wrong, and can cause harm. The only counter to it is knowledge, wisdom, forethought, and understanding the First Rule. Even then, that is not always enough. [...] Violation can cause anything from discomfort, to disaster, to death."









Enjoy this amazing story and be on the lookout for my review on the 3rd book of the series, coming soon!

In case you missed my book review on the first book in the series, Wizard's First Rule, be sure to check out: Wizard's First Rule Review.

Wizard's First Rule: Sword Of Truth Series Book Review

When Terry Goodkind decided to finally add to the amazing world and story of Richard and Kahlan from his Sword of Truth series I was so overcome with glee.  His last book was recently released and I had not read the Sword of Truth series in about 7 years.  Although the basis of the story will never leave my mind, I wanted to have all of the little details brought to the forefront, I wanted to be sucked back into the epic world that Goodkind created with the life adventure he takes you on in this series and then add to it the 2 recent books.

With that being said I have started over with book 1: Wizard's First Rule...  Now before I get too far ahead of myself I want to give you some background knowledge on what a truly gifted writer Terry Goodkind is.
Terry Goodkind wrote Wizard's First Rule in 1994.  He was previously a painter and had no interest in writing due to being dyslexic.  He has been influenced greatly by the objectivism in the books written by Ayn Rand (Atlas Shrugged).  This is apparent in many of his novels.  Wizard's First Rule was the first novel that Terry Goodkind has ever written and it was auctioned off to the record price of $275,000.  The most money ever paid at that time for a first time author fantasy novel.  

Now back to the book Wizard's First Rule.   The first time that I read this book in 2006, or 2007 I remember speeding through the first three books in the series, I was SO into them in fact that for Christmas I got the remaining 8 books and was thrilled and didn't need anything else.  I can't even tell you what else I got for Christmas, because this ruled my mind at the time.  I have since shared this book with so many people.  To date, not a one who has taken the chance to pick this series up has been disappointed and everyone I know has always felt like they have been connected with this world. 

The Sword of Truth starts out introducing you to Richard Cypher, the woodsman and guide.  He is in a distraught state of mind as his father was killed violently with no real clue as to who the killer may have been.  While out in the woods clearing his mind and on a constant search to clues for the killer he spots Kahlan Amnell on a mountain pass being followed by 4 men.  He decides that she appears to be in danger and due to his huge heart he goes after her to try to help.  From the very first chapter Goodkind sucks you in with his incredible attention to detail and with giving you the feeling that you are actually there watching and taking part in the adventure.  He does an amazing job of telling the story from the point of view of almost every character that has any sort of significant role at all.  He makes you feel like you are in that person's mind.  From man to woman from child to elder, wizard to Seeker to Confessor, from "good" guy to "bad" guy.  He makes you really CARE about his characters throughout the story.  He humanizes them all.  He does not present a formidable foe without showing you glimpses into what made them who they are.  Richard as a man is able to objectively look at situations and people from more than one side by the end of the story to really show the entirety of things. 

The title Wizard's First Rule actually comes from the first rule of being a wizard as taught by Richard's mentor and friend the wizard Zedd:
"Wizard's First Rule: people are stupid." Richard and Kahlan frowned even more. "People are stupid; given proper motivation, almost anyone will believe almost anything. Because people are stupid, they will believe a lie because they want to believe it's true, or because they are afraid it might be true. People's heads are full of knowledge, facts, and beliefs, and most of it is false, yet they think it all true. People are stupid; they can only rarely tell the difference between a lie and the truth, and yet they are confident they can, and so are all the easier to fool.
"Because of Wizards First Rule, the old wizards created Confessors, and Seekers, as a means of helping find the truth, when the truth is important enough. Darken Rahl knows the Wizard's Rules. He is using the first one. People need an enemy to feel a sense of purpose. It's easy to lead people when they have a sense of purpose. Sense of purpose is more important by far than the truth. In fact, truth has no bearing in this. Darken Rahl is providing them with an enemy, other than himself, a sense of purpose. People are stupid; they want to believe, so they do."
—Chapter 36, p.560, U.S. paperback edition
*The truth in this philosophy can be applied in every day in watching the news and what is reported and the way that people react to it.  

This and all of Terry Goodkind's books go beyond just the simple art of story telling.  They are also philosophical and make you think.  You find yourself looking forward to the next time that you can be in the world of the series no matter how bleak things may be.  I at times would get to anxious for what was to come that I would find myself momentarily skipping through some of the descriptions to see what was about to happen to one of the many beloved characters.   This book does a wonderful job showing that everyone is good or bad in their own way.  And that we are all humans working towards the purpose that seems to be right in our own eyes based on our own world views and our culture and values.  We all have different backstories and no two purposes are exactly the same.  Although some may lead us on a path together or may make us seem more "right" or "wrong" to someone else. 

I realized that no, I have not given a very detailed explanation of this book and I do that on purpose.  Wizard's First Rule is your initial glimpse into this atmosphere and this world and this way of thinking and living and the fantasy.  So many small parts within the story constantly play upon one another and adapt and grow into a much larger picture in this and in the following books.  It is for that reason that I merely invite you in to explore for yourself.  I do not want to ruin the start of your journey for you.  Within you will see through the eyes of  Richard Cypher, a TRUE seeker, Kahlan Amnell the Mother Confessor, Zeddicus Z'ul Zorander a wizard of the first order, Darken Rahl, a powerful wizard with a powerful agenda and much vengeance in his heart, Rachel, a Princess's plaything.  These are merely the characters whose eyes we see through and dosn't even come close to covering the many unforgettable characters that you will meet along the way.  Take a chance and dive into this amazing world, or revisit it if you have been away for too long like I have.  I can guarantee that you won't regret the time spent there. 

 Terry Goodkind's Official Site