Rune Study: Berkana

Berkana #18 - The Goddess Urd

As happens so many times with me, I selected this rune out of the blue to name my new DeathKnight gnome in World of Warcraft. I didn't have my study guide handy and didn't really read about this rune until later. I made the character a gnome with long white-gray hair and a couple of days after I made it, Blizzard gave everyone a cute little polar bear companion to commemorate their fourth anniversary. Also, DeathKnight are warriors that the Lich King has brought back to life (rebirth). One of the first areas she will play in is called "Tyr's Hand."

Berkana is the 18th rune and symbolizes the goddess Urd and belongs to the God Tyr. Urd is the oldest of the three Norn sisters and has long, white hair. Her totems are the polar bear and the swan. The meaning of the rune is growth or rebirth, and enterprise. Her tree is the birch and her color is yellow.

Spooky huh?

Upright meaning: Family or a member of the family. Motherhood, news of a birth or rebirth.

Reversed: Upset or quarrel with a family member. Anxiety.

Storm Front

Dresden Files #1: Storm Front by Jim Butcher
Unabridged audio - 8CDs

Everyone told me that I would like this series and they were right! Harry Dresden is a wizard would helps the Chicago police with paranormal crimes. I especially liked listening to it on audio. I just hope I can find more of the audio series.

Kelley Armstrong Contest!

My friend Amberkatze got to interview Kelley Armstrong this week! As always, she has a contest offering an autographed copy of one of Kelley's books.

You can enter at :
http://amberkatze-amberkatze.blogspot.com/2008/11/author-interview-contest-with-kelley.html

Last Days

Last Days by Scott Westerfeld

This is the sequel to Peeps. The book starts off with a whole new set of characters with a whole new sequence of events. The characters from Peeps do not appear until farther into the story. The story revolves around the members of a rock band, the lead singer is infected with the vampire disease and other members of the group are immune or have the disease take a different course. Over all, a good read.

Just Like Heaven

Just Like Heaven by Marc Levy
Unabridged CDs read by Michael McGlone

I had seen the movie and thought it was cute. I really enjoyed listening to it as well. Arthur moves into a new apartment to find it haunted by Lauren who's body lies comatose in a hospital while her spirit returns to her home.

Peeps

Peeps by Scott Westerfeld

I don't care what anyone says. In my opinion this is NOT a book for teens. Vampires carry a parasite. The parasite is transmitted through sex. I repeat, this is NOT a book for teens. geezzz I'm getting old, lol.

That aside, I did like the book and am about to start reading "The Last Days" which is the sequel.

City of the Beasts

City of the Beasts by Isabel Allende
Unabridged Cassettes read by Blair Brown

One of the best I've listened to recently. The story revolved around Alexander, a fifteen year old who has to go live with his grandmother while his mother is undergoing cancer treatments. His grandmother takes him on an expedition down the Amazon in search of the beast, a giant that had been seen in the area. Along the way, Alexander gets kidnapped by the People of the Mist, a local Indian tribe, and with their help, visits the city of the beasts.

A very, very good story that is well written and able to hold my attention all the way through.

Garden Spells

Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen
Unabridged CDs read by Susan Ericksen

I thought at first this one was going to be way too romancy for me. It was pretty romancy, but it also had an element of magic that kept it interesting. The Waverlys and the Waverly's garden had always been considered a bit strange. The fact that Claire knew what herb or flower to include in different recipes to elicit emotions only added to the magic. Younger sister, Sidney, returned home for the first time in many years, running from an abusive boyfriend with small child in tow. When the abusive boyfriend turned up in town, the garden worked it's magic.

Anansi Boys

Anansi Boys by Neil Gaiman
Unabridged CDs read by Lenny Henry

I was a bit disappointed in this one. I recently listened to American Gods and loved it so I was really looking forward to this one. It was funny at times, serious at times, but just not as good as the other Gaiman's I've listened to.

Contest Time at Amberkatze's Bog

New contest started this morning! This week's interview and prize are from author Maria Lima. She will be autographing a copy of her book "Matters of the Blood". To enter go to : http://amberkatze-amberkatze.blogspot.com/2008/11/author-interview-and-contest-with-maria.html

Contest at Amber's

I know this is short notice, but there is still time to enter Amberkatze's contest of the week at : http://amberkatze-amberkatze.blogspot.com/2008/11/author-interview-contest-with-t-pratt.html This time it is for a copy of Blood Engines by TA Pratt. It's a book I've been wanting to read, but haven't gotten a copy of yet!

Oh My Goth

Oh My Goth by Gena Showalter

I started reading this one mainly because it was lying on my computer desk when I needed something to fill in a little time (flying between cities on WOW). It was suprising good. Jade learned some very important and hard lessons in the book. However, it didn't seem preachy. The lead character learned the lessons on her own without a lot of adult intervention - well that is if you don't count forcibly being placed in an interactive video game.

Sisters of Isis #1: The Summoning

Sisters of Isis #1: The Summoning by Lynne Ewing

Short and quick, I enjoyed this one, although the writing left a little to be desired. It was written for a teenage audience and you could tell. The main character, Sudi, had parents that were way too trusting and didn't notice anything about their daughter. They were almost non-existant in the book. This book begins a series using Egyptian mythology as it's basis. I hope she stays true to history and doesn't take too much creative license with the legends and myths. I probably will not continue on with the new series because I have so many other things waiting on my Mt.TBR, but it is one that I would recommend to teens.

The Third Witch

The Third Witch by Rebecca Reisert

Very good fantasy about a girl who helped bring down Macbeth. The book started a little slow, but moved quickly after about the first 50 or so pages. By the last 100, I could not put it down. Very big surprise twist at the end. Something I probably should have seen coming, but didn't. Overall, I really enjoyed this one!

My Animal Spirit

I just discovered what my animal spirit was over at Jeri Smith-Ready's website:
http://www.jerismithready.com/quiz/

You are a Swan! (your score: 24)
Characters: Tereus, Kalia in Eyes of Crow
Powers: Foretelling future through dreams, dream-walking
Swans are idealistic, open-minded, and passionate. Your good nature often leads people to think they can take advantage of you, but they should be careful—beneath that serenity lies a fighting spirit. Your love is fierce and unconditional, fueled by the certainty that it should last forever.
Best matches: Wolves, Horses, Otters
Watch out for: Cougars, Foxes, Hawks

Contests!

Amber has a couple of new contests beginning on her blog. One for an autographed copy of Any Given Doomsday by Lori Handeland at: http://amberkatze-amberkatze.blogspot.com/2008/11/author-interview-contest-with-lori.html

The second is for a a signed set of the Aspect of the Crow trilogy by Jeri Smith-Ready. http://amberkatze-amberkatze.blogspot.com/2008/11/author-interview-contest-with-author.html For this one, you have to take a test to see what kind of animal my spirit guide is -- mine is a Swan!

Go visits Amberkate's blog and sign up for the contests. I just did!!