Absense of Light - Drabble Dienstag

Here is my drabble (100 word story) for this week. I'm kind of thinking this one is a cheat. It's not really a story, just a character sketch. No ending, just a description. What do you think?

My greatest fear seems to be the only essential thing in my existence. If I am to exist at all the light must play a part. Though I shy from it, and hide behind everything I can find, it is a necessity. Otherwise the contrast would not be there. My ability to attach to people and cling to inanimate objects has nothing to do with the one thing that allows me to thrive. In absence of light I disappear into darkness like the shadow that I am. I don’t want to touch the light, but I cannot survive without it.

Kindle Review and Books I Read in 2010

I've really enjoyed my Kindle, especially because I live in Germany where the supply of English books is limited. I used to go to the library once or even twice a week back in Colorado. So not having access to that many books was hard for me.

The Kindle e-ink screen is superb. I can't stand staring at a computer screen forever. It hurts my eyes. But the e-ink is just like paper.

It's really easy to get books on the Kindle. They've even made it possible to search the web (it's slow because of the e-ink) and buy books right from the Kindle.

One problem I have is that it's not very intuitive to move around and do things. I haven't used the notes feature or highlighting because it's actually a bit intimidating to me.

My sister bought me a first generation in 2008 but I returned it. I didn't think I would use it. Back then I probably wouldn't have, but I really like having it now. (And now even Borders will be gone so it's even more important.)

Books I read in 2010. The last set. I rate on a scale of 1-5.

Persuasion by Jane Austen - 4

Of all her books this is my favorite. There's some depth to the characters that the other books just don't have.

Why Men Don't Have a Clue and Women Always Need More Shoes by Pease

Serpent by Clive Cussler - 3

He's always a great escape into an adventure novel.

Uglies by Scott Westerfield -2

I wrote a review here. Great ideas. Good writing. Horrible ending because it's so open waiting for the next in the series. END your books please, don't leave me hanging. There can be an open-ended hook, but end the story. I don't want to feel like I'm reading a chapter and now have to wait years to read the next chapter.

Life As We Knew It by Susan Beth Pfeffer - 4

I wrote a review about this one here. I felt everything. I thought we didn't have any food in our pantry because the character's food supply was running out. The emotional impact of this book is incredible.

Girl in the Arena by Lise Haines - 3

Ran a little dry for me. Was a quick read but didn't get as deep as I was hoping for.

13 Reasons Why by Jay Asher - 4
If you want to understand what it's like to be bullied as a teenager, read this book. If you did the bullying, read this book. But it's not for the faint of heart. It will make you hurt.

The Elephant Keeper by Christopher Nicholson - 3

Lovely novel.

You Wish by Mandy Hubbard - 3

Really great wit. Such dry humor. The characters were very real.

Clair de Lune by Christine Johnson - 3

Cool concepts.

Prada and Prejudice by Mandy Hubbard - 2

I was hoping for another like You Wish, but this one fell flat for me. It was a little too girly and silly.

Dreamfever by Karen Marie Moning - 4

My secret indulgence...these books are so fun.

Linger by Maggie Stiefvater - 4

She writes love so well. It's so natural. And the revelations in this book, wow! I absolutely can not wait for the last one.

That's the end of my 2010 reading list. I'm a little worried about next year as I've been reading a ton more. I'll figure something out!

Drabble Dienstag - The Skeleton Key

Here's the drabble (100 word story) for today. I love to hear feedback so I can improve.

That old skeleton key. It sat in a drawer, gathering dust and little strings of cobwebs. The metal had rusted a tiny bit so that it was more brown with red spots than black anymore. Its destiny had never been fulfilled, and now no one even knew what it opened. In fact, no one knew it existed. It sat in a drawer that was part of a desk that had been in the back of an antique store for years. Until a curious little girl came and dug around, she took the key in her fist and took it home.

Drabble Dienstag

I found this new thing to brighten up my writing. It's called drabbles. Stories written in exactly 100 words. So I thought I would do them every Tuesday and have 'Drabble Dienstag.' (Dienstag is Tuesday in German.)

If you want to join in leave a comment with a link.

Here's my first attempt. Feedback would be wonderful so I can get better!


There was nothing more important than acceptance. She had dealt with it in highschool. College had been a nightmare. But now she lived in a city she didn’t know, speaking a language at which she was only passable. It was fine in the post office when she could smile and nod.


Twirling her bracelet on her wrist, she couldn’t look up. It wasn’t the strobe lights; it was the cute guy asking her questions. She couldn’t smile and nod at him. What if that meant something she didn’t mean and it turned out horrible? She walked away.

Book Club Fun!

We are reading The Paris Wife by Paula McLain for the book club. We're meeting the first week of September and I want to prepare for the themed party we'll have where we dress up and act like the book. Think Breakfast at Tiffany's and Martinis. Oh ya and The Great Gatsby, jazz music, flappers dresses. That's right, the book is based in the 1920s.

 Ballet Russe by BalletArt on Etsy

 Bridal Cloche Hat by Tissage on Etsy

 Keira Knightley's gorgeous green gown in Atonement. (P.S. Isn't James McAvoy devine?)

I'm so excited! Any ideas to add for costumes?

Photo Slideshow of Johnny Duke Perino

Here is a slideshow of the photos I took of Johnny Duke Perino. The music is Anything Like Me by Brad Paisley.

Johnny Duke Perino Baby Portraits

I had the lovely opportunity to take family and belly photos for Melonie Perino. Then when she had the baby I got to photograph her new son, Johnny Duke. He was so well behaved. When I took the pictures a few weeks ago he was just about a month old so he would hear the shutter and follow it with his eyes. It made for some truly engaging photos.