The Alchemyst
Posted: June 9, 2012 Filed under: Book of Sand Leave a commentby Michael Scott | 375 pgs, published 2007
I’d heard of this book quite a bit before I finally got in on my Kindle on the drive to a family reunion last summer. I made it about 10 pages in before I decided I hated it, a lot, and didn’t feel like finishing.
Then I decided I might as well try again, since I paid for it.
The Alchemyst: The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel centers around not only Nicholas Flamel but 15-year-old twins Sophie and Josh. The twins live in a seemingly ordinary world until they happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time – or, if it’s destiny, the right place and time. So they are thrust into a magical world that includes
every
single
myth or legend
in the history of the western world. And a few from the rest of the world as well.
I was not a fan. The plot felt forced, and it obviously wasn’t engrossing. The writing was mediocre. Someone please explain why the author has written 6 of these books and gotten a movie deal? And make sure your explanation includes “most people have terrible taste in books.”
I can’t think of a reason to recommend this, especially when there are so many other great books out there waiting for you to read them.
Cookie jar
Posted: June 8, 2012 Filed under: Treasure Island Leave a comment
Row 1: print / brooch / photograph
Row 2: tree slice / hexactly / clock
Row 3: painting / bison / postcard
Row 4: ring / plate / print
Row 5: shirt / mug / propaganda
Note to siblings: I already gave Mom the mug for Mother’s Day. So it will just be awkward if you try getting it too.
Relief
Posted: June 7, 2012 Filed under: Importance of Being Earnest 2 CommentsPresident Obama announced yesterday that “For the first time in modern history, Americans need not worry any longer about foreign debt.” Further clarifying that he had “entered into a deal which would eliminate America’s foreign debt” and “strengthen our relationships in the international community.”
When President Obama signed the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”) on March 23, 2010, many critics worried that such extensive revision of current healthcare law would be costly. Pundits argued that despite claims that PPACA would pay for itself, it would in fact increase the government’s reliance on international debt, and hinder the flagging economic recovery.
According to Obama’s remarks in a White House news conference held yesterday, however, there is nothing to worry about.
The President was initially reluctant to release details regarding the nature of the deal, and avoided giving specifics on how it would provide relief to the millions suffering in the American debt crisis.
When pressed for clarification on the issue, he further elaborated, “I have received a confidential electronic communication from a certain member of the former royal family of Nigeria. He has assured me in the strictest of confidences that he has more than enough funds to help with our current economic recovery. The only problem,” the President continued, “is that the money is held in the central bank of Nigeria.”
Obama further elaborated that by “simply providing access to U.S. Treasury accounts, American will be able to not only assist and uplift a influential international figure, but receive a portion of the funds as we provide a safe harbor for the money away out of Nigeria.”
When questioned about the dangers of giving account information to foreign nationals, Obama responded with claims that he has been assured by the Prince that the transaction is “100% safe” but that he could not go into more detail because the project was “utterly confidential” and “top secret.”
Speaking on the condition of anonymity, White House insiders who have viewed the email claim that it “appears legit” and that the President was happy to have received the communication. One insider noted that “this could be a boon to the President in the coming election.”
Jarom
Mika
hilleries 