52 books in 52 weeks (2023 edition)

Year 10 of Reading 52 Books in 52 weeks! That's 520 books in the last ten years. WOWZA! #NerdAlert

I love reading and this year I read some great books and some stinkers too. I wanted to read more books by women and BIPOC and I think I accomplished that. Out of the 52 books I read:

29 books were written by female authors. And of those 29, there were 21 different female authors because I read 8 books by Agatha Christie, my most-read author this year.

23 books were written by male authors. And of those 23, there were 20 different male authors. I read 4 books by Tom Perrotta, my most-read male author. 

So, I'm pretty happy with those stats. I made my way through a lot of Dame Christie's books, but still not done. Also, only read one Wheel of Time book this year which is less than I wanted to, but those books are hefty and long and take a bit... but maybe I'll try for two next year! 

As always, thanks to Goodreads and Storygraph for helping me keep track of my reads. Now onto my superlatives because that's the most fun part of these end-of-year blogs:

Favorite Book: Kafka on the Shore by Haruki Murakami. Love his prose and imagery and this one really made me think. 

Least Favorite Book: If On A Winter's Night A Traveler by Italo Calvino. MY GOD, this book pissed me off. What started as a clever conceit, quickly became nonsensical, boring, and wrath-inducing!! Hated this! 

Longest Book: Fires of Heaven by Robert Jordan. The Wheel of Time books do not mess around. They are long and plodding but I'm still invested, even 912 pages later! 

Biggest Letdown: The Book Thief by Markus Zusak. Somehow... this book just completely misses the mark for me and rang hollow. Surprised because of all the love it got... but nah, it didn't work. Special Mention to: All of Us Our Lying for also being really bad. Ugh. 

Least Favorite Character: That girl from Ninth House. Or, anyone and everyone in Stranger in a Strange Land or The Cabin at the End of the World. 

Most Batsh*t Character: Alex from The Guest. She had me sweating and screaming and cursing and frustrated at every turn, and yet, I couldn't put the book down!! 

Shortest Book: Twelve Angry Men by Reginald Rose. Short, but gripping and effective!

Favorite Character: Prince Harry from Spare. Jk, jk. But I am Team Sussex through and through. Hard to pick a favorite character but maybe Hercule Poirot from Agatha Christie's books. He manages to be charming, smart, and hilarious at every murder, which is saying something.

Favorite Author: You probably think I'd say, Agatha Christie, and you wouldn't be wrong, but unfortunately for that great dame, my favorite author I read this year is Haruki Murakami! Something about his novels just really relates to me and I admire his original, deeply emotional prose.

And that's it for 2023. George RR Martin still hasn't finished The Winds of Winter or even part 2 of Fire & Blood, but at least we're getting more House of Dragon in 2024. There's always hope he'll finish it or another great fantasy book series rises to the top. Happy reading to all.

- ben fleck

1. Bonfire - Krysten Ritter

2. Now Is Not The Time to Panic - Kevin Wilson

3. All the Light We Cannot See - Anthony Doerr

4. Foundation and Empire - Isaac Asimov

5. The Cabin at the End of the World - Paul Tremblay

6. The Fires of Heaven - Robert Jordan

7. Fleishman is in Trouble - Taffy Brodesser-Akner

8. The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue - V.E. Scwab

9. Spare - Prince Harry

10. Commonwealth - Ann Patchett

11. Americanah - Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

12. Fire & Blood - George R.R. Martin

13. Without Remorse - Tom Clancy

14. The Westing Game - Ellen Raskin

15. Twelve Angry Men - Reginald Rose

16. The Two Faces of January - Patricia Highsmith

17. Little Children - Tom Perrotta

18. The Labours of Herclues - Agatha Christie

19. Taken at the Flood - Agatha Christie

20. Burn It Down - Maureen Ryan

21. How to be Perfect - Michael Schur

22. The Interestings - Meg Wolitzer

23. Stranger in a Strange Land - Robert A. Heinlein

24. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings - Maya Angelou

25. Mrs. Fletcher - Tom Perrotta

26. Children of Dune - Frank Herbert

27. Sea of Tranquility - Emily St. John Mandel

28. After All These Years - Susan Isaacs

29. The Abstinence Teacher - Tom Perrotta

30. Three Blind Mice - Agatha Christie

31. The Song of Achilles - Madeline Miller

32. The Under Dog - Agatha Christie

33. The Inheritance Games - Jennifer Lynn Barnes

34. Mrs. McGinty's Dead - Agatha Christie

35. Tracy Flick Can't Win - Tom Perrotta

36. Crazy Rich Asians - Kevin Kwan

37. Circe - Madeline Miller

38. The Light We Carry - Michelle Obama

39. Under the Whispering Door - TJ Klune

40. Kafa on the Shore - Haruki Murakami

41. If On A  Winter's Night A Traveler - Italo Calvino

42. The Book Thief - Markus Zusak

43. Before the Coffee Gets Cold - Toshikazu Kawaguchi

44. Charmed Life - Dianna Wynne Jones

45. Dead Man's Folly - Agatha Christie

46. The Alchemist - Paulo Coelho

47. The Golden Spoon - Jessica Maxwell

48. Ninth House - Leigh Bardugo

49. One of Us Is Lying - Karen McManus

50. The Guest - Emma Cline

51. Hickory Dickory Dock - Agatha Christie

52. After the Funeral - Agatha Christie

52 Books in 52 Weeks (2018 Edition)

Another year has gone by which means it's time for my annual update to this mostly defunct blog to list the 52 books I read in these last 52 weeks. Before I get into any listicle fun, let me just say that another year has gone by without The Winds of Winter by Mr. George R.R. Martin. GEORGE! SRSLY?! I am respecting your process, but come on... the show is ending in 2019 and we still haven't gotten book 6!

Anyways sidestepping that rage, I continued the tradition of reading my way through ol' Dame Agatha Christie's collection of mysteries, but only 3 this year. I'm still not done because she wrote a hell of a lot of mystery novels and I can't just keep Jessica Fletchering myself all day, e'ryday. But I did get to visit London and watch one of her plays LIVE (Unfortunately, The Mousetrap wasn't one of her bests).

Also, re-read a Harry Potter because DUH.

ALAS, I am also taking a trip down the old William Shakespeare train, trying to get through as many of his works as I can. So far, comedies > tragedies. His wit and hijinks far outweigh the death, gore, and drama.

Let me implore you, devoted blog reader: reading fiction for fun is fun! It's nice to escape from the hellscape of reality and dip into another world for a few hours. I mostly read fiction, sci-fi, mystery, and fantasy -- but more power to all those who read whatever book brings them joy. READ PEOPLE, COME ON. Also, check out my Goodreads page for more in-depth reviews: https://www.goodreads.com/user/year_in_books/2018/23079812

Without further ado, it is time to get to listing stuff. Because lists are fun. Almost as fun as reading.

Favorite Book: It's a tie: Kindred - Octavia Butler & The Princess Bride - William Goldman.

Least Favorite Book: Less Than Zero - Bret Easton Ellis. HATED.

Longest Book: A Column of Fire - Ken Follett.

Shortest Book: Oleanna - David Mamet (Also, the most explosive & thought-provoking!)

Biggest Letdown: Mortal Engines Sequels (Infernal Devices, A Darkling Plain). They just weren't as good as the first novel.

Most Depressing Book: A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara.

Favorite Character: Starr Carter (The Hate U Give), Professor Trelawney (Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban), every character in The Princess Bride.

Least Favorite Character: Every single character in Less Than Zero. THEY ALL TRASH! Also, Joe Goldberg from You was not great.

Most Misogynistic/Racist Character: James Bond (from Casino Royale & Live and Let Die). He's pretty terrible.

Most Surprising Character: Mary Poppins was quite the asshole.

Most Read Author: William Shakespeare. Sorry, Dame Agatha!

Favorite Author: Octavia Butler, William Goldman, JK Rowling (duh).

Okay, y'all that's it for 2018. See ya next year. 2018 was hard and at times awful, but here's to hoping 2019 is better. Vive la resistance! Happy reading.

- ben fleck

52 Books in 52 Week (2018 Edition)
1. The Virgin Suicides - Jeffrey Eugenides
2. The Ice Dragon - George R.R. Martin
3. The Book of Dust - Philip Pullman
4. Endless Night - Agatha Christie
5. Alias Grace - Margaret Atwood
6. Oleanna - David Mamet
7. A Streetcar Named Desire - Tennessee Williams
8. The Glass Menagerie - Tennessee Williams
9. Equus - Peter Shaffer
10. Casino Royale - Ian Fleming
11. Nightflyers - George R.R. Martin
12. Red Sparrow - Jason Matthews
13. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda - Becky Albertalli
14. A Column of Fire - Ken Follett
15. Less Than Zero - Bret Easton Ellis
16. The Man in the Brown Suit - Agatha Christie
17. Mary Poppins - P.L. Travers
18. The Marriage Plot - Jeffrey Eugenides
19. Timekeeper - Tara Sim
20. The Maltese Falcon - Dashiell Hammett
21. Infernal Devices - Philip Reeve
22. The Shape of Things to Come - H.G. Wells
23. A Little Life - Hanya Yanagihara
24. Speed the Plow - David Mamet
25. Jamaica Inn - Daphne Du Maurier
26. You - Caroline Kepnes
27. The Merry Wives of Windsor - William Shakespeare
28. Bioshock: Rapture - John Shirley
29. Atonement - Ian McEwan
30. A Simple Favor - Darcey Bell
31. The Invention of Hugo Cabret - Brian Selznick
32. Death in the Clouds - Agatha Christie
33. The Girl who takes an Eye for an Eye - David Lagercrantz
34. Othello - William Shakespeare
35. The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society - Mary Ann Shaffer
36. The Hate U Give - Angie Thomas
37. All's Well that Ends Well - William Shakespeare
38. Lethal White - Robert Galbraith
39. A Darkling Plain - Philip Reeve
40. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban - J.K. Rowling
41. A Midsummer Night's Dream - William Shakespeare
42. Kindred - Octavia Butler
43. Where'd You Go, Bernadette? - Maria Semple
44. The Merchant of Venice - William Shakespeare
45. The Princess Bride - William Goldman
46. Love's Labour's Lost - William Shakespeare
47. Hamlet - William Shakespeare
48. Live and Let Die - Ian Fleming
49. If Beale Street Could Talk - James Baldwin
50. The Time Machine - H.G. Wells
51. The Essex Serpent - Sarah Perry
52. The Nightingale - Kristin Hannah

Oh, Hello There!

I haven't forgotten about you, beloved blog. Well, er, maybe I have! But now I'm back. Cue studio applause.

No, I'm not hearing anything either...

Well, the past 7 months have been insane. I got an amazing new job with shiny new responsibilities, which has led to a major lackage of bloggage. Those are words, trust me. But if anything can get me back to blogging & writing, it's my favorite month of the year: November! Thanksgiving, fall weather, wispy winds, darker days, and, of course, NANOWRIMO (National Novel Writing Month -- duh!).

So, because November is in two days time, I gotta get on that - like, now. And for the last (hopefully, Lord Jesus) time I will FINALLY BE FINISHING MY NOVEL, Buoyancy. The idea for this novel came to me in 2011. Cut to five years later and I'm still working on it. It has been fleshed out and changes constantly, but still I keep chugging along on it. Even though I am way more busy this November than ever before, I shall finish it once and for all! YAR!

So, stick with me as I embark on a month of no TV (I'll miss you Netflix, Hulu, HBOgo, and more...), a month of writing every day, and a month of pure, unadulterated JOY (ha!).

Together we can finish our books...

I'm gonna bring the Alabama Shakes along this year. They're my writing squad rn. Currently listening to Sound & Color. Please give your ears a happy gift and listen too.

HAPPY WRITING.
 (aka pray for me!)

Words Are Wind, or How I Learned to Stop Procrastinating and Write!

Procrastination has always troubled my mind soul. There are so many distractions in this modern day and age. (Fun fact: this first sentence took me about 3 hours to write because I kept get distracted and procrastinating! EGAD!)

Aaaand, blaming procrastination on other components (such as this modern day and age) is just ONE of the classic excuses to excuse not working or writing. In fact, I could list an almost endless list of reasons why procrastination is easier to come by in the year 2015, but making that list would, in fact, be just another sad attempt to procrastinate! It's a never ending spiral down the existential rabbit hole and before I stumble down, I am going to stop myself.

Wow, okay. So, if anyone could follow the above paragraph, I applaud you because I'm not so sure it makes sense and at this point it very much just could be a meaningless ramble of "Ben" thoughts.

It has been a little more than a month since I last updated my blog and, looking back, have I accomplished much? Eh... Once again, that was an "Eh..." I feel like every time I come to this blog it is just me, promising to write, and then failing to do so. There are lots of big events, competitions, and seminars coming up and I need to make sure the material I have (feature scripts, spec scripts, and original pilots) are polished, perfect, and ready to submit. I am the type of person who usually waits until the last possible moment to submit an assignment. One time, in college, I did just that on the end of the year paper. I pulled an all-niter, promising myself I would write this paper. Welp, I stayed up all night, yes, but didn't write anything until about 2 hours before the class. Why put myself through that torture?!? WHY?!

Well, this time, I shan't. (P.S. "Shan't" is probably one of my top 3 favorite words/contractions. It just fills me with Steampunkian joy). So aside from my novel, WHICH IS ALMOST DONE dear God yes (And by almost done, I mean the first draft. Cause, whooey, I gots to edit/rewrite/fix a lot of it. FUN.), I am currently prepping these below projects:

Feature Scripts: 11 in development.
That may sound like a lot, but some of them are nothing more than general premises/outlines. For the upcoming Nicholl Fellowship, I am planning on submitting 3 (and that's being optimistic). At least one script is my hope. "Help me, Obi Wan Kenobi, you're my only hope..."

Spec Scripts: 3
Spec Scripts are notoriously hard for me. I feel like I am writing a fan-fic and I don't really like writing for characters that aren't mine. Unfortunately, a lot of competitions require a spec script, so gotta do it, to it. Really just gotta push this one out somehow. I have 3, okay 2.5, options going right now...so we shall see.

TV Pilot: 2
One drama, one comedy. These two are my babies and my loves. I want to make sure they are perfect and I feel very attached. I need to release them from my helicopter parent grip and get them out there because holding them close to my chest isn't making anything happen.

COMPETITIONS: 8+
There's a lot out there to submit too, which is nice, but that doesn't make things easy. The Nicholl, NBC's Writers on the Verge, ABC/Disney, WB, AFF, Script Pipeline, CBS, etc. The most important thing is to write and submit, otherwise there is no chance at success!

So, thank you for coming along on this journey of me procrastinating actually working on said scripts, but instead writing a blog post about it. Oy! And if you want to read any of my TV Recaps/Reviews on shows such as Bates Motel, Once Upon a Time, Gotham, Salem, etc. Check 'em out here at Whedonopolis.com.

K, BAI.

-ben josé

 

(W)Ash Wednesday aka Laundry Time!

Why hello you, my darling blank white void that I call the internet. It is so great to finally be catching up with you in the year 2015. Believe or not, this is my first blog post of the great year two thousand and fifteen AD.

What could I have possibly been doing for those first 49 days?!
a.) working on finishing my novel like I said I was (of course not).
b.) gorging myself on candies, cookies, and pizza (definitely not).
c.) listening to an insubordinate amount of Pogo and related movie-spliced music videos on YouTube (I can't deny it!).
d.) incessantly following every single Star Wars related news item, including the dreaded Tatiana Maslany casting fakeout (i'm not over it!).
s.) binging Netflix, Amazon, Hulu, and basically any other possible streaming device allowed (guilty).
t.) losing my mind, forgetting basic math and common english, sitting on my glasses, losing my keys (ummmm).
u.) secretly hoping JK Rowling will tweet at me. She's been so generous with her tweets lately, that beautiful woman. (I have been doing this. Yes.)
v.) GETTING MY SHIT TOGETHER (whoops, no).

OKAY, I'm sorry. I haven't exactly kept up on my new years resolution or anything. Writing has been a struggle! Videoing life has been a struggle! BUT, I SHALL TURN OVER A NEW LEAF, in honor JEEEESUS, oh praise GOUDA.  

I'm not going to make any promises (publicly), but things are going well and in honor of my return to the blogosphere (is that a thing?), I shall post one of the book related things I've been working on. My world map! Because I am cheap, poor, and not skilled at photoshop, I solely created my world map on PAINT. IT'S TRUE. So, look at it in the bottom. No one knows what any of it means. Do I even know? Probs not. But there it is.

Okay, well, I guess there is nothing left to say. This post has been sort of pointless and rambly (I'm making that a word. I don't even care). So, goodbye. It's weird not to make a promise at the end of my blog (cause I usually do and then fail to follow through). Sooo, I promise to save money, invest in good opportunities, and take extra special care of my extremely needy cat. kthx, sorry, god bless, cheers.

-ben josé

 Thanks, Paint. You did me wonders. Also, NERD ALERT.

Day +5: Finished, But NO STOPPING

Everyone give a "WHOOP" because I "won" my third straight NaNoWriMo. On the last day of November. With 2 hours to spare. TWO! It came down to the wire and I was writing non-stop on the last weirdly rainy in LA day. But I did it. 50,000 more words done. Only problem is... wait for it... waaaait for it.... I'm still not done with my novel. *Price is Right fail music plays*

Still not finished. But now my novel has a staggering 193,853 words. That is an insane amount of words. I wonder if I have yet worked the words "kumquat" or "fart" into any of the 193,853 words. I don't think I have actually. And that is an INJUSTICE.

Holding myself from constantly editing my writing has obviously led to this momentous occasion. But I must still hold back. I need to finish the novel first. You may be questioning my sanity or if I'll ever finish, but fear not, I have a fun fact to share that will hopefully instill as much hope in you as Katniss instills hope in the people of Panem (which is a lot, despite herself).

My novel takes place over a short period of ten days in a row.  And we follow eight characters over the course of those ten days. That's not the long of a period of time, so how come it is taking so long, Ben? I shall ignore your question, and just gladly tell you that I am currently on the last day of those ten days. So the end, it is near!

I only have 24 more hours to get through... and even though everything in my novel has been building up to this last day and it is the climax and everything relies on it and, oh god, I can't screw this part up!

Blog reader? Are you there? I'm probably talking to the void of the internet at this point. But just know. THE END IS NIGH.

OH, also, I still am doing the 52 books in 52 weeks challenge. Yea, so I'm a bit behind. I have to read 11 more books in the next 26 days! AHH! So, excuse me while I go lock myself in my room.

Until next time...

- ben josé

Day 17: AHHHHH!

Um, it's Day 17 and we have a crisis! More than halfway through NaNoWriMo and I only have 5,672 words! That is not gooooood. And instead of writing more about it here, I'm gonna go and try and up my word count...

So, kthx bai

Day 0 - Less Than 24hrs til NaNoWriMo

Day: 0
Word Count: 0

It is finally here, folks! NaNoWriMo 2014 (or, National Novel Writing Month, in case you've come down with a case of finely tuned amnesia!).

 

Turn up the music! Bring on the tea! It's time to write a novel again. Errrr, or in my case, it's time to FINALLY finish my novel that I began a mere two...three....years ago. Don't ye worry your fine self, I promise you, this is the year it shall be finished! You hear that, Buoyancy, you're gonna be as finished as Amanda Bynes' illustrious career! We miss you, Ashley!

Tomorrow is going to be a busy day, so I hope that I get to typing. It is the final day in the Hollywood house that I've lived in with my five other roommates (and a dog and a cat) for the past year. AU REVOIR, SELMA HOUSE. It's been a crazy year of ups and downs, but regardless, things were learned and lived.

Pause. I am listening to David Bowie's "I'd Rather Be High (Veneitian Mix)" and it is just maaaaagical. Mr. Bowie, my personal baby-snatching hero, is definitely going to be one of the artists I will be listening to as I take back up on my novel. Music for me sets the mood for writing. I'm a fan of ambient sounds, rain/thunder, movie soundtracks (Add "Gone Girl" soundtrack to all your playlists, please), and video game music. It is surprisingly a beautiful genre full of many various melodic, soothing tunes.

You may or may not know that my novel is set from eight different point-of-views in the third person. Obviously, George R.R. Martin (you know that guy) is partly my inspiration. He wrote some books... Well, music helps me get into each of my different characters perspectives because obviously a poor, young thief doesn't listen to the same music as a rich, older housewife! DUH.

Oh, and my novel is Steampunk-Fantasy, which just so happens to be the theme of NaNoWriMo this year. If that isn't a sign that I need to finish it this year, then I don't know what is.

There are going to be a lot of distractions and excuses, but I shall remain strong. GET AWAY FROM ME, NETFLIX!

Cheers to a happy, fun NaNoWriMo! And remember, "There Is Nothing Wrong With Hating Rock Critics" or in this case, "Book" critics. JUST WRITE AND CREATE! Thanks, Of Montreal!

- ben josé

currently listening to: this smashing hit, gruntilda's lair, from banjo & kazooie. DON'T JUDGE ME.

31 Days til NaNoWriMo 2014: SteamPUNKed

Just announced: NaNoWriMo's 2014 Theme: Steampunk!!! Okay, I am nerding out because my novel (ya know, the one three years in the making now) is steampunk themed! So, this must be a sign that I will finish it this year and everything will be great? Right? Right.

It's about to be the month of October, the month of spirits and fall. That means only 31 days left to prepare for the forthcoming NaNoWriMo (National Novel Writing Month, for the plebeians). As I have been working on my novel all year, I just need to further crack my knuckles and prepare to devote ALL my time to it, not just moments here and there.

Life has been going well so far. Instead of moving in November like I did last year, my girlfriend and I jumped the gun and will be moving in October! Aha! Still in Los Angeles, just to a completely different part of the City of Angels. Excited for the change.

 

Also, I fixed my broken phone, fixed my broken car, finished up other issues. I don't want any distractions when it comes to NaNoWriMo. The cruel apple red face of Netflix stares me down and I can't look away, but I must, I MUST. Be gone, Netflix! I banish you from my sights. After binging three seasons of Scandal, I just can't. But, what is that...more shows, more movies. WHY!?

 Excuse that mental break above, I will find a way to disable my Netflix during NaNo, or else doom will fall. In my spare time, I've also been writing for this great site called Whedonopolis.com. If you can't guess from the title they are lovers of all things Joss Whedon. Ya know the guy. He did Buffy, The Avengers... I could go on, but I shan't.

Anyways, I've been writing reviews for them including, Bates Motel, Salem, Under the Dome, Gotham, and Once Upon A Time. So if any of those shows interest you, take a look: www.whedonopolis.com. Also check out my book reviews on Goodreads! I'm doing the "52 book in 52 weeks challenge." 34 books down, so I'm a little behind schedule. Don't worry though, reader. Reading is fun!

Welp, that's about it. Let the countdown begin. 31 days. I already feel it. This is the year I finish my book. #Steampunk 4 EVAR!

-ben josé

WRAPRTY

Howdy folks! It has been exactly two weeks since LeNoWriHo (Lent Novel Writing Holiday) has started, and things are going well. I've made the "No" of the acronym to actually stand for multiple things, not just a novel. They include: a pilot, some spec television scripts, a feature film, and TV reviews. Yes, there is a lot on my plate right now, but this is what I love to do. Now pray for me to finish everything I start. I want to reach that WRAPRTY.

TME 2 PRTY YLL

Side note: I have never seen so many specialized license plates since moving to Los Angeles. People here are really into customizing their plates with cool slang, broski. I'm not even kidding. It's laughably bad. I've started taking pictures every time I see one and I now have quite a collection of "fun" plates. Stay tuned for those later.

Virtual Camping is the only camping I do!

On April 1st, Camp NaNoWriMo starts. Basically it is the April version of NaNoWriMo - I will be participating this year. Instead of the strict rules of regular NaNo, during Camp NaNoWriMo you are allowed to pick your own word count, you can write things other than a novel, and you get grouped into metaphorical "cabins" to work with other similar writers. All together sounds like a fun experience. This will be my first year doing it. I've set my word count for 50,000! CAMP TIME, y'all.

WAAAAALT, what happened!?

I wonder if Damon Lindelof ever did NaNoWriMo? Oh, Damon Lindelof. I just saw him. That, my friends, is called a seamless segue way. Mel and I went to go see the LOST: 10 year Reunion at Paley Fest here in LA. Not only were creators/writers Damon Lindelof and Carlton Cuse there, but also some of the cast, including gigantic adult human-sized Malcolm David Kelley aka WAAAAALT! So crazy to think that Lost ended 10 years ago. It was a show that changed my life and made me realize that I want to work in TV and that I want to do what they did.  

Angry side note: *If you don't like LOST, just leave. I loved the controversial finale. For me, it was never about all the mysteries (that was just added fun)! It was about the characters and their journeys... which is what I am trying to emulate in my novel. It all comes full circle here, folks.

But, I have to stop myself before I go too deep into a one-sided Lost debate with myself. So, as Desmond says, "See ya in another life, brotha!"

- ben josé

LeNoWriHo! (Or how I am spending the next 40 days. Also, acronyms are fun!)

I've deactivated my Facebook, I've thrown myself into my novel, I'm writing book and TV show reviews, I'm reading more and more, and social life is taking a backseat. Why you ask? Because it is LeNoWriHo!

Why, what could LeNoWriHo possibly mean, Ben?? Let me tell you! It means: Lent Novel Writing Holiday. Yes, I came up with that all by myself. I consider myself somewhat of an acronym connoisseur.

I've got my thinking hard hat on! (No, I'm not a construction worker).

For the next forty days and forty nights, I shall write, read, blog, review, and more! My last blog post was all about seizing the moment and realizing that both good and bad moments are never permanent. So in the spirit of Catholic guilt, I shall give up the addiction to Facebook, the addiction to stress and worry, the addiction to cronuts... (er, actually, I won't be giving up cronuts, who am I kidding with that one!).

Heaven never tasted so good.

So, 

Follow me as I continue to write my novel. Things are heating up in this fake world inside my head. Only the fluorescent screen of my computer shares in the exciting drama of my novel. Soon, world, soon...

"A mind needs books, like a sword needs a whetstone."

Follow me as I compete in my first ever "52 books in 52 weeks" challenge. I kept seeing my former roommate compete in this challenge year after year and I kept telling myself I was going to do it. 2014 is the year. Check out my goodreads page and be my friend to see the stats! I'm already 10 books in. 42 more to go.

Follow me as I also compete in a "Reading Bingo" with my girlfriend. Basically, you have to read a specific book in order to cross it off the bingo sheet, such as the "second book in a series," "a forgotten classic," etc. It's a fun way to read and learn. Nerd Alert!

I'm the green one. Mel is red. She clearly needs to catch up :)

Follow me as I write book and television reviews for the website Whedonopolis.com. They write about all thing Joss Whedon and all things geek. One of the shows I review is Bates Motel, which is in its second season. If you haven't seen the first season yet, please watch it on Netflix. The show is quirky and creepy and altogether a bit psychotic!

Now... LeNoWriHo shall commence! I promise* I will stop using these obnoxious acronyms.

*by promise, I mean I don't promise. Not at all.

- ben josé

This Too Shall Pass

*Warning: Overly dramatic and sensitive "life-inspiring" blog post to follow!

Currently listening to a song called "Moving On" from the "Lost" Soundtrack by Michael Giacchino and realizing that "this too shall pass." That quote harkens back to a story about a king who thought everything was going well and he wanted his council to give him advice that would help him weather any hardship. They said to him "this too shall pass." At first he didn't understand what it meant, but soon his kingdom was attacked and he had lost everything and had his back against a wall. And then he remembered those words: "This too shall pass." And he was content, for even his hardship would pass. Change is the only permanent thing in this world. Everything changes. Emotions, circumstances, hardships, joys... they are not constant.

It's been a tough few weeks for me, trying to focus on writing while also looking for a new job. Life keeps getting in the way. I'm an ambitious individual with a grand imagination and high expectations for my future. It pains me so much everyday to be stagnant and stuck. I know things will change though. This feeling of hopelessness and entrapment will pass. I just need to keep moving on and not looking back or to far forward.

Be in the present. I hope this for everyone. I stumbled upon a YouTube video entitled "Top 5 Saddest Pixar Moments" and I decided to watch it at work for some reason. [Side Note: Don't ever watch a 'sad Pixar' clip at work. You'll regret it]. Damn you, Pixar, you know how to make a grown man tear up. Perhaps the saddest story for me was that of Carl & Ellie from "Up."

If you've never seen "Up," be prepared to cry within the first ten minutes. Carl and Ellie were adventurous and fun and loved each other dearly. They had dreams of exploring the world. But life got in the way. Over and over again. And they never got to live their dreams and see the world...

One of my worst fears. Life is short... I don't want to waste it. I want to see the world, meet new people, share in experiences with the ones I love.

Sorry if this is a depressing/weird/unrelated post, (aka Dear Diary), but I just needed to get these things off my chest. I've deactivated my Facebook (or what I like to call, WasteBook) for the time being. Time to focus on the more important things in my life: my loved ones, my passions, adventure, travel, cats, nature, writing...

Adventure is out there! Don't wait...

So, everyone go out and do what you want to do. Don't be afraid, or wait, or make excuses. Life is too short to not take that risk or that chance.

This has been benjosé with your cliched inspirational post.

P.S. My book is still coming along, so don't worry, my intrepid readers. You will see it one day. I'll leave you with this: #LeNoWriHo

JaNoWriMo!

I am writing to you on December 31st, 2013. It is the last day of the year. For me, 2013 was a year of immense change. The norm of my world continually kept changing. I transitioned into a new person - an adult! (Look at my facial hair, ma!)

Aside from undertaking NaNoWriMo in November while in the middle of an overwhelming move, 2013 was a year of accomplishment. I fulfilled my lifelong wish of riding in a hot air balloon (and hot air balloons are a huge part of my novel if you didn't already know).

I attended my first Comic Con, where my girlfriend and I waited in a line for over 18 hours(!) to see a Breaking Bad panel (damn you, ambitious Doctor Whovians!) We figured we had nothing else to do, so why not wait for the best of the best, bitch? I traveled a bunch, met Damon Lindelof (and told him we have to go back, Kate!), went to a grilled cheese festival (big deal), attended a hippie/electronica fest, saw the best thing ever in the form of Clue: Live Shadowcast, and had some great times with friends and family.

If I learned one thing from 2013, it was to never stop trying and always keep moving forward. In the wise words of Robin Williams from the undisputed classic, Hook: "To live... to live would be an awfully big adventure." *If you want to throw down with me about why Hook is the best movie ever, give it a go!

I love you, Thudbutt!

So, with that in mind, I officially introduce you to JaNoWriMo. No, that is not a typo. No, your computer screen is not displaying the wrong sequence of letters. JaNoWriMo, yes. It is a word I made up. January Novel Writing Month! Isn't that clever? No? Alright, I must carry on then... as does Lady Edith after every sad moment in her life.

The admirable Lady Hedith! She's no Edith!

After finishing NaNoWriMo at the end of November, I still wanted to work on my novel. December was full of travel and moving, so I wasn't able to work on my novel as much as I wanted. I was craving the kind of demanding, time-pressing schedule that NaNoWriMo requires of you. I knew I needed something to keep me to my word when it came to finishing my novel and thus JaNoWriMo was birthed into this beautiful world.

To sum up: January 2014 - I will be continuing my journey as a novelist by dedicating the month to writing each day. My goal word count: 75,000 words. It is possible. Let's finish this bitch.

I will now bid you, adieu. Have a great end of 2013 and best of luck in the New Year. Stay tuned...

- ben josé

50,000 Words Down... and the journey continues!

Day 27
Word Count: 50,522
Mood: Ohhh yeeeeaaaaa, baby! Hear Me Roar!! [In the Lannister slogan way, not the Katy Perry way, just to be clear!]

 "A mind needs books like a sword needs a whetstone." Wise Words, Tyrion.

I did it! 50,000 big ones written down (50,522 to be exact!). It feels great. My novel has really taken shape and developed into something that I am proud of. That being said, I still have a lot more to write to complete it. I have it planned to be around 80 chapters and I'm only around chapter 40 (crazy, I know), which means I'm only halfway there.

Just in case you are worried, my chapters are not that long, so it won't be some huge tome of a book that is never-ending. It has an ending... at least... for now... until the sequel! ;)

After validating my novel, I was greeted by this!

I am steadfast in my dedication to this book, so I plan on continuing my writing through December and until I finish this book. One of the NaNoWriMo Pep-talkers gave advice that was beautifully simple: "Write. And Just Write."

It's that simple.

So, I shall. I shall write, ye naysayers! Wait, don't exit my blog. Keep reading!

I plan on sharing more information about my novel and spotlighting my POV characters in the future. I want my many* blog readers to get to know them!

Until next time, thanks for following my NaNoWriMo dreams! Success, chyaa!

Check out this video for NaNo winners!

- ben josé

*by many, I mean maybe 2 or 3. 

Catching Wriiiiter!

Day 25
Word Count: 47,627 (which means only 2,373 words left)
Mood: Tired, but excited! I'm Tirecited!

Only 2,373 words left! A-yo, a-yo! This is the word count I reached on Friday afternoon. And that is where I am now, on Monday afternoon. I didn't write any words over the weekend and once again my reasons are: a) still in the process of moving and it rocks. November should be called Movember and not for the no-shaving thing, but for my unending process of moving all month, b) Catching Fiyyyyah!, and c) turkey on ma mind.

Johanna. Best part of C.Fiyaaah!

This weekend I spent two nights out at cool bars near my new house. Tis very difficult to have fun in a bar while sober, but I surprisingly managed to sober-dance my way to a great time. When in doubt, just start sober-dancing, it'll fix everything. I've mastered some great moves, such as the "Arm-Crutch" dance and the "White-Man Jumping" dance. Maybe I'll post a video of my moves soon.

I can't believe it is already November 25th! I feel like I barely got to explain more of my book! But, maybe I'll continue this blog after November and include some excerpts from my book or go into more detail about the world and characters. If you don't know what Steampunk is, get on it because the world of my book is all about that Steam & those punks!

Oh, here's a short synopsis of my book that is on my NaNoWriMo page:

In the once grand city of Annonay, a divide has grown between the rich and the poor. The rich prosper and party with reckless abandon up on the hills. The poor struggle to survive the harsh rule of the military police in the dilapidated streets below.

When the sinister Dr. Yann Bel Geddes brings in a naive young scientist to complete the final steps of his powerful new gravitational technology, the city will be forever changed. The sky will be ripped apart and all will float and all will fall. Only those in specialized thermal air balloons will be able to survive the horror that follows...

Adventure, Romance, Mystery, Horror, Tragedy, Hot Air Balloons.

Yeaaaah?? Thoughts?? Side note: I really like hot air balloons.

Oh, look! Ballooooons!

Five days to go!

- ben josé