Review of HORRIBLE SCIENCE – SHOCKING ELECTRICITY

HORRIBLE SCIENCE – SHOCKING ELECTRICITY

Nick Arnold

Illustrated by Tony de Saulles

Although with my age and experience (and a few science classes) I knew whatever I had to know about the mystery of electricity, I never really realised how interesting a book with vivid descriptions and graphics could make it. I grew up with a lot of books and Horrible Science can be considered one of them. Of course at this mature age I’m able to appreciate the complexities of having delve into the genius inventor’s psyche and write about what was happening in, oh say, 1706~

Yes, I’m talking about Benjamin Franklin. I took a picture of the liable-to-crumble-into-a-thousand-pieces-if-blown-on St. Petersburg Times where it mentions Georg Richman (another man sparked with the interest on experimenting with electricity – a little faster than Franklin, so Franklin could learn from the former) I especially love the bottom left column/quote  

[Picture was to the best of my amateurish capability, please be kind and figure out some words] 

All in all, the facts are straight so, totally recommended for children of any age especially if they're interested in an alternative textbook (although the normal one is the best - drab, dry, *yawn*) 

Be on the lookout for Horrible History and Horrible Geography too. They'll rock your world :P

The Hunger Games Theatrical Trailer #2

25th March 2012

The day is coming closer and closer to when the whole world will watch Katniss Everdeen, the Girl on Fire... and I'm one of them! Can't wait XD

I explicitly made sure to clear my schedule for that day! How about you? :)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!!!!

I don't know what time she's home but I'm hoping she likes my surprise. Most obviously she knows I'm gonna get her a chocolate cake but this isn't that. Haha.

6 baby scones (didn't look too good as a 'heart' alone but the raspberry jam helped the outline)
chocolate mouse
brownie

TADA :D

A twitter post - Colours from Capitol! (Hunger Games nail polish)

I found it amusing before when I saw that "The Muppets" had their own colours for a brand of nail polish, but the colours weren't extensive which was a letdown.
Of course it's even better to see an acclaimed book going into something most girls love! Since the book is a little gory why not bring some femininity to it! (*spoiler* minus the intimate scenes with Katniss and Peeta :P)
Personally I think I'd go for Like and Lush (when you head into the website the colour is at the bottom right). The polish is beautifully mixed!


Which colour would you choose? :)



RT @HungerGamesExam You can now pre-order THE HUNGER GAMES nail polish collection, "Colors from the Capitol" -
http://www.examiner.com/the-hunger-games-in-national/the-hunger-games-nail-polish-colors-now-available-for-pre-order-online

The Hardy Boys Undercover Brothers #35 Lost Brother

I haven't read the first book in a while. It took me about as much to remember the horror of what happened in the last one, The Children of the Lost. To recap, there was someone (not the bears as some of the locals were thinking) abducting innocent children. No one had a clue why and the reason that Frank and Joe were sent to investigate the disappearances that happened years ago was that one kid mysteriously turned up, Justin Greer.
The case was a rollercoaster to read. They seemed to be having dead-ends a lot in the story and the breaks weren't much of a breakthrough. At the end, *spoiler* Frank had been kidnapped himself, although the reasons why are still unknown.
Later in this book, Lost Brother, of course, you would think of the possibility that he was a bribe to get Joe to stop investigating.
Once I really got into this book again I just couldn't put it down. I was in suspense the whole time, reading about the two brothers who had separate stories in the book, but had the common goal to find one another (mostly).
It was hard reading what was happening to Frank. Hard to also imagine what anyone might have been feeling. "Lost" is perfect in this instance. They were trapped but not exactly. There were kids that were okay and comfy but others that were definitely running scared. It didn't make much sense and I wasn't able to draw much from it. All I know is those who "resisted" were punished and I felt a sting of anger realising what could have been done to Frank (think back to Justin) if not for ________.
Needless to say, I'm going to search as hard as Joe for the third book. Hopefully it'd go smoother for me. Who knows, it might pop up somewhere, maybe through a hatch.

James Bond adventure: Double or Die by Charlie Higson - not completed

It wasn't a bad way to go. I was curious about how story can mostly revolve around a crossword puzzle. It was interesting to see how minds were to decipher (since it was already done) these clues, I could see the cog's turning. It's truly amazing to turn your own ideas into a book and to come up with riddles as a base, I was in awe. Unfortunately, I think it might have taxed Mr Higson's brains too much. The story got dull after all those high speed chases, explosions and threats (totally Bond). I know it's nice for a change of pace, but it was too much. I started to develop a headache. Sadly, I didn't complete the book.

The Hardy Boys undercover brothers - Mad House (graphic novel)

the hardy boys have a lot of different series now, from the old traditional blue hardcovers to these undercover brothers books in colour. the one thing they never lost was their cool, their wit and their sense of justice (always done after some cool scenes and stunts). i've been a fan for a long time, so i decided to go with the flow. it's interesting to see the boys in colour and not on black and white but i welcome this change. it's extra fun for anyone because it shows the hardy boys in action, taken from franklin's vivid writing and amazingly brilliant creation, we have modern day james bonds (who also makes his way in the novel :)). the fun story has been spun by scott lobdell (writer) and daniel rendon (artist).  

Scream street #10 Rampage of the goblins

Although i'm not sure these are the kinds of boobytraps and curses laid for usual pyramids, they are creative and intriguing :)
Only Donbavand could have thought up "chloroworms"  or farting goblins using their gas for propulsion. Haha. Childish as it may seem, it likely brings laughter to kids and amazement from me. His series is still going strong, what can I say?

Starline by Kiyama Hiroto

I couldn't resist. This is one of my favourite and sweetest Japanese songs :)

Kiyama Hiroto
基山 ヒロト

Japanese

夜空に瞬く星たち強くはかなく輝き
大切な笑顔のために
希望を画く流星になれ

まだひとりぼっち頼りない光でも
まだ暗闇に消えそうな孤独でも

ああ見つけたんだ無絵にあるお日様
果たしたいと心から願う夢

夜空に瞬く星たち強くはかなく香川気
大切な笑顔のために
希望を画く流星になれ

操作一人ずつが集まってつながって
もっとこの空輪理想絵とキラめくよ

ああそれぞれが星座のひと巣部
ここにいて委員だねと思えるね

たとえ遥か離れてても悲しい絆だとしても
まぶしい光にもなれる
その存在でずっと輝け
キラキラ瞳に移してあげたい
答えて行くんだ三手て欲しいよずっと届け
夜空に瞬く星たち強くはかなく輝き
大切な笑顔のために
希望を画く流星になれ
たとえ遥か離れてても悲しい絆だとしても
まぶしい光二もなれる
その存在でずっと輝け

希望を画く流星になれ。。。

Romaji


yozora ni matataku hoshi-tachi tsuyoku hakanaku kagayaki
taisetsu na egao tame ni
kibou wo egaku ryuusei ni nare

mada hitoribocchi tayorinai hikari demo
mada kurayami ni kiesou na kodoku demo

aa mitsuketan da mune ni aru ohisama
hatashitai to kokoro kara negau yume

yozora ni matataku hoshi-tachi tsuyoku hakanaku kagayaki
taisetsu na egao no tame ni
kibou wo egaku ryuusei ni nare

sousa hitorizutsu ga atsumatte tsunagatte
motto kono sora wa risou e to KIRAmeku yo

aa sorezore ga seiza no hitosubu
koko ni ite iin da ne to omoeru ne

tatoe haruka hanaretetemo kanashii kizuna da to shitemo
mabushii hikari ni mo nareru
sono sonzai de zutto kageyake

KIRAKIRA hitomi ni utsushite agetai
kotaete ikun da mitete hoshii yo zutto todoke

yozora ni matataku hoshi-tachi tsuyoku hakanaku kagayaki
taisetsu na egao no tame ni
kibou wo egaku ryuusei ni nare

tatoe haruka hanaretetemo kanashii kizuna da to shitemo
mabushii hikari ni mo nareru
sono sonzai de zutto kagayake
kibou wo egaku ryuusei ni nare...


English Translation


The stars that twinkle in the night, with a strong flickering shine
For that precious smile
I'll draw out my hopes and become a falling star

Even if it's an unreliable lonely light
Even if it's loneliness that might disappear in the pure darkness

Ah, I found the sun in my chest
A dream from my heart I wish to be fulfilled

The stars that twinkle in the night, with a strong and flickering shine
For that precious smile
I’ll draw out my hopes and become a falling star

Yes, one by one they come together and connect
This sky will shine more and more towards an ideal

Ah, each one is part of a constellation
It lets us think that it’s fine for them to be here

Even if we’re separated far apart or if we’re bonded by woeful ties
they can become bright lights
And with that existence, shine forever

I want them to reflect in those bright, bright eyes
I’ll be responding, so I hope you’ll always watch and it reaches you

The stars that twinkle in the night, with a strong and flickering shine
For that precious smile
I’ll draw out my hopes and become a falling star

Even if we’re separated far apart or if we’re bonded by woeful ties
they can become bright lights
And with that existence, shine forever

I’ll draw out my hopes and become a falling star

Labyrinthus by FJ Collins - not completed

The Oracles of Léoht: Book One - Labyrinthus by FJ Collins

To not judge a book by its cover is a basic thing. Unfortunately for me, looking at Labyrinthus, it left much to be desired. I borrowed this book, so when I opened it to its first page and I see someone stuck a sticker there and that the face is "laughing", I couldn't help think: this is a sign. 

I do admit I probably didn't give it a fair chance but flipping through the book, and reading the dialogue no less, I didn't really want to. Usually I can find one thing captivating about the book, even if the description isn't great, the dialogue could be witty, or vice versa. Well this didn't happen.