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Reading to My Owl

Book Owl

The title is not a metaphor. That is really what I’ve been doing lately.

…No, I’m not THAT lonely. There’s a perfectly sensible explanation.

You see, even though I’m fluent in English and can write entire books, my English pronounciation is horrible. I might read, write and watch TV almost entirely in English, but, being born and raised in Denmark where I still live, I almost never speak English. Meaning that even though I can write a book, I sometimes struggle to get through a simple conversation.

And it’s stupid words I can’t pronounce. I have absolutely no problem saying words like ‘mischievous’ or ‘auspicious’ (words I can’t spell right on the first try), but ‘brother’ and ‘area’ makes my tongue tie itself in knots. Seriously, who struggles with area?!

It’s getting a little embarrassing (also a weird word I can say just fine!), so I figured the only way to fix the problem was to practice. And reading out loud to my owl seemed more convenient than calling up friends and forcing them to talk to me in a foreign language.

Also, it freaks out Artemis much less than when I sing to him.

 

So, um… does anyone have any book recommendations suitable for owls?

Book Owl

 

 

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The Bookish Owl – Mogworld by Yahtzee Croshaw

Mogworld Yahtzee Croshaw Owl

I’m burning through books much faster than usual, so I’m kind of running low on fantasy books that aren’t the size of bricks (and aren’t written by Terry Pratchett).

Luckily, I have books worthy of a second reading! I’m currently rereading Mogworld by Yahtzee Croshaw.

(I looked up the author to see if that was his real name, and I love how, apparently, he just went “Benjamin? Hell no, I want it to say Yahtzee on the front of my books!)

The first time around, I borrowed this book from a friend, and then immediately ordered by own copy once I was done. It’s a parody based on the concept of online RPG games, but it manages to have a quite decent plot in spite of being a parody story. It follows the student mage, Jim, who is killed during a raid on his school, and then brought back to life by the crazy evil overlord Dreadgrave (who turns out to be a surprisingly considerate employer!). Jim then sets out on his own noble quest – to figure out how to kill himself again.

Sounds truly heartwarming, right?

Mogworld Yahtzee Croshaw Owl

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The Bookish Owl – The Truth by Terry Pratchett

The Truth Terry Pratchett Owl

“You can’t handle the truth!” 

I had to do it, didn’t I? Hopefully I can handle The Truth by Terry Pratchett, seeing as that’s what I’m currently reading.

As always with Discworld, the book is funny and enjoyable… and Artemis is not getting the feel at all. I think he went with “angry” and “murderous” instead.

Anyone else reading some great fantasy books out there?

The Truth Terry Pratchett Owl

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The Bookish Owl – Before the Storm by Christie Golden

Warcraft Before the Storm Christie Golden Owl

I’m getting a lot more reading done ever since I started doing these posts. If only owl photos could improve my writing speed as well!

Next up on my reading list is Before the Storm by Christie Golden. It’s a media tie-in for World of Warcraft and I’m waaay behind on my WoW lore these days. I need to up my game if I want to stay the undisputed champion of World of Warcraft Trivial Pursuit (yes, that’s a thing and I’m embarassingly good at it).

This book deals with the conflict that sparks the story in the latest expansion to the game, Battle for Azeroth, and seeing as the expansion has been out since last summer, it’s probably about time I figure out what’s going on.

Artemis clearly doesn’t understand what’s going on, but he’s looking suitably fierce in the photo (mostly because he doesn’t understand why I kept putting back the book he kept knocking over…)

Warcraft Before the Storm Christie Golden Owl

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The Bookish Owl – The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett

The Fifth Elephant Terry Pratchett owl

Aaaaaaaaand, I’m back on the Discworld!

Just started on The Fifth Elephant by Terry Pratchett, featuring Sam Vimes and his Watch. And since Sam Vimes is basically me (if I had been male and a guard captain in a fantasy book), I’m feeling right at home. The eternal battle between knowing something is the right thing to do and wondering why the hell it’s his problem, is something I can relate to.

Don’t ask me while Artemis is hugging the book in this picture. He just sort of dropped onto his stomach and refused to fold in his wing.
My owl is weird.

The Fifth Elephant Terry Pratchett owl