Kirsten Miller's Kiki Strike: Inside the Shadow City
I really love this series and have no idea why it isn't super popular and famous. I wish I'd re-read this one earlier; it has some great tips on how to save knocked-out teeth that I could have used a couple months ago! Seriously, I would have LOVED these books when I was a kid. Educational AND entertaining events ensue as a band of pre-teens with special skills explore an underground city in New York.
Thursday, June 26, 2008
2008 book 88
S. Morgenstern's The Silent Gondoliers
It turns out William Goldman wrote another book as S. Morgenstern, only this one isn't good at all.
It turns out William Goldman wrote another book as S. Morgenstern, only this one isn't good at all.
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
lip gloss reviews
I'm pretty into lip gloss--it's the only makeup I wear--so I don't know why I never talk about it here. I mean, there are classics like the various Lipsmacker flavors (my sister got me the Starburst flavors to cheer me up after I got hit by a car--we share a love of lip gloss), and then there are exciting new summer trends. Here's some of what I've been using lately:
Earlier in the spring I was using Carol's Daughter Candy Paint (and felt very validated when Mindy Kaling raved about it). The color was nice and sheer, but I didn't love the texture and I had to squeeze out a ton of clear goo before the actual lip gloss came out. So I decided not to buy a new tube when mine started to run out.
Instead, I bought the Too Faced Mood Swing lipgloss when I was in NC for my birthday--now, of course I know it's not actually mood activated--I'm pretty sure it's heat activated--but I love it! In this terribly hot Florida weather, it turns bright pink and I get lots of compliments (mainly from my grad assistant, but still). It's perfect for summer--fun, shiny, smooth, etc.
I also recently got Too Faced's Glamour Gloss, which has a hilarious fuzzy tip and you like crank up the gloss bit and it comes out of all these holes and is reminiscent of a play-doh extruder. Anyway, I have it in "Love Bites" which is really more of a metallic neutral color then a plum shimmer, but it's pretty cute anyway. It has a texture somewhere between gloss and lipstick, which generally works for me. It does get all over my water bottle, though, and it's not super long lasting. I'll bring it to ALA and see how it goes.
Aren't you thrilled to hear all about my lip gloss!
Earlier in the spring I was using Carol's Daughter Candy Paint (and felt very validated when Mindy Kaling raved about it). The color was nice and sheer, but I didn't love the texture and I had to squeeze out a ton of clear goo before the actual lip gloss came out. So I decided not to buy a new tube when mine started to run out.
Instead, I bought the Too Faced Mood Swing lipgloss when I was in NC for my birthday--now, of course I know it's not actually mood activated--I'm pretty sure it's heat activated--but I love it! In this terribly hot Florida weather, it turns bright pink and I get lots of compliments (mainly from my grad assistant, but still). It's perfect for summer--fun, shiny, smooth, etc.
I also recently got Too Faced's Glamour Gloss, which has a hilarious fuzzy tip and you like crank up the gloss bit and it comes out of all these holes and is reminiscent of a play-doh extruder. Anyway, I have it in "Love Bites" which is really more of a metallic neutral color then a plum shimmer, but it's pretty cute anyway. It has a texture somewhere between gloss and lipstick, which generally works for me. It does get all over my water bottle, though, and it's not super long lasting. I'll bring it to ALA and see how it goes.
Aren't you thrilled to hear all about my lip gloss!
more tv, etc
Following up on yesterday's post re: summer tv . . . I actually didn't really watch the VH1 shows last night. Simon Doonan is hilarious, and of course I love Wil Wheaton, and I've been a Michael Ian Black fan since high school (when The State was on), but I jsut don't really care what any of them have to say about Clay Aiken or the Paris Hilton sex tape. Instead I ended up watching this ridiculous movie on Lifetime starring Fred Savage as the abusive boyfriend of Candace Cameron. It was clearly an early 90s movie based on the terrible hair and clothes (I believe Michelle Phillips was playing Candace's mom--in one scene, she's wearing a poofy white shirt with a denim vest, a shiny black flowered skirt, and black cowboy boots. And Candace wore mom jeans throughout). Anyway, it got pretty intense since (spoiler alert!) Fred kills her. Sally Jessy Raphael played the judge at his trial and gives an awesome and heavy handed speech about how no one helped poor Candace even though they all knew she was being beaten up, and domestic violence is wrong, and everyone who ignores it sucks. I especially thought the character of Candace's best friend sucked, since the night of the murder she got annoyed at Candace for talking about her breakup with Fred and actually said, "This is a party, [Candace]! If you're going to talk about [Fred], then leave!" Dude, for one thing, it was a bowling alley, and for another, the scene takes place a week after their breakup. If a girl can't whine to her friends about her scary ex a week after their breakup, they are not really very good friends. Anyway, it was a slightly hilarious yet sad period piece of a movie.
Speaking of period pieces, I also watched the 2001 Love in a Cold Climate recently (starring the mean stepsister from Ever After and the dude who played young Voldemort in the second HP movie). It was a very compressed version of the two Nancy Mitford novels--clearly entire plot points were missing, like we see the narrator with a baby and she never even mentioned she was pregnant--so it made me want to reread the book and remember all the stuff that was left out. Plus, two nvoels in one--perfect for the flight to ALA! Unfortunately, it seems that I got rid of the book during the great book culling of '07. I can't think why I did that--I think the Mitford sisters are totally fascinating and that novel is really autobiographical--but it's definitely no longer in my possession. Just goes to show why you should never get rid of books! You never know when you might desperately need to reread some crazy novel about young girls and their politics and their romances in the 1930s and 40s.
Speaking of period pieces, I also watched the 2001 Love in a Cold Climate recently (starring the mean stepsister from Ever After and the dude who played young Voldemort in the second HP movie). It was a very compressed version of the two Nancy Mitford novels--clearly entire plot points were missing, like we see the narrator with a baby and she never even mentioned she was pregnant--so it made me want to reread the book and remember all the stuff that was left out. Plus, two nvoels in one--perfect for the flight to ALA! Unfortunately, it seems that I got rid of the book during the great book culling of '07. I can't think why I did that--I think the Mitford sisters are totally fascinating and that novel is really autobiographical--but it's definitely no longer in my possession. Just goes to show why you should never get rid of books! You never know when you might desperately need to reread some crazy novel about young girls and their politics and their romances in the 1930s and 40s.
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
summer tv
I haven't been relying on my Netflix queue as much this summer--mainly b/c I grew sick of Monarch of the Glen in season 5 and returned a bunch of discs unwatched, but also b/c there have actually been some good shows on. I already mentioned the cartoon Total Drama Island, a Survivor parody, but I am also really into ABC Family's The Middleman (starring Lars from Psycho Beach Party!), a hilarious and retro cross between 60s spy shows and Buffy. USA's In Plain Sight has been consistently watchable (if not super awesome) and I've even been watching the new LO:CIs with Goren and Eames (my dislike of Mr Big spills over into his Law and Order character, unfortunately). And lots more stuff is coming soon-- Avatar, Psych, and The Secret Life of the American Teenager (which is by that awful 7th Heaven person, but stars Molly Ringwald! And might be good?).
And of course, I'm always a sucker for VH1's I Love Something series, and new ones are on all week! (Unfortunately, Perez Hilton is on them, and he is super annoying, but otherwise they're reliably funny.)
And of course, I'm always a sucker for VH1's I Love Something series, and new ones are on all week! (Unfortunately, Perez Hilton is on them, and he is super annoying, but otherwise they're reliably funny.)
Monday, June 23, 2008
2008 book 87
Terry Pratchett's Feet of Clay
Yet another amusing Prachett novel, this one involving a police force that include werewolves, trolls, and dwarves as members, some golems, some vampires, etc, all caught up in a murder attempt. The characters were great but the storyline was a little all over the place. B/B-.
Yet another amusing Prachett novel, this one involving a police force that include werewolves, trolls, and dwarves as members, some golems, some vampires, etc, all caught up in a murder attempt. The characters were great but the storyline was a little all over the place. B/B-.
Saturday, June 21, 2008
2008 book 86
Ceridwen Dovey's Blood Kin
In some unidentified country, a coup occurs and the President and several of his staff--his chef, his barber, and his portrait-painter--are taken hostage. The men alternate in telling their stories--and then their women get the chance--a fairly startling portrait of regime change occurs. I liked the ending--really my only beef was that it was a pretty short novel, and I wish Dovey had gone more in-depth into the characters and what they witnessed. B+.
In some unidentified country, a coup occurs and the President and several of his staff--his chef, his barber, and his portrait-painter--are taken hostage. The men alternate in telling their stories--and then their women get the chance--a fairly startling portrait of regime change occurs. I liked the ending--really my only beef was that it was a pretty short novel, and I wish Dovey had gone more in-depth into the characters and what they witnessed. B+.
hp5 discussion thread
The discussion of HP and the Order of the Phoenix will be on July 11th (slightly delayed since the other discussant and I will be at ALA). Feel free to join in, or to comment on HP4's discussion, which is still going on (just scroll down)!
2008 book 85
Jay Asher's Thirteen Reasons Why
So this is the story of a high schooler who receives a box of cassette tapes in the mail--they're from a classmate (and his crush) who recently killed herself, telling the reasons why. As he spends the night listening to her story, her heartbreaking story unfolds. I mean, I thought it was pretty heartbreaking, though, sadly, not necessarily unusual. Anyway, A.
So this is the story of a high schooler who receives a box of cassette tapes in the mail--they're from a classmate (and his crush) who recently killed herself, telling the reasons why. As he spends the night listening to her story, her heartbreaking story unfolds. I mean, I thought it was pretty heartbreaking, though, sadly, not necessarily unusual. Anyway, A.
Thursday, June 19, 2008
cartoons
I was all set to write something about this hilarious cartoon I've been watching called Total Drama Island (about a bunch of teens on a Survivor-type show) when I followed Jezebel's link to these comic strips about the earthquake in China. I highly recommend reading them, but several have actually made me cry, so maybe wait till you're at home.
2008 book 84
Will Lavender's Obedience
OK, this book TOTALLY gave me the willies. I was like, if I read this tonight I won't be able to sleep, but if I don't finish it, the not-knowing will really make me unable to sleep. It's about a college professor teaching a logic class where the students have to solve a hypothetical kidnapping before the victim is killed, and the three students who get really caught up in the mystery. I will say that I called both (all three?) twist endings, but not in a way that I minded--the story made sense--and there were a few other twists that kept things lively. Still, I'm a little jumpy. :) A.
OK, this book TOTALLY gave me the willies. I was like, if I read this tonight I won't be able to sleep, but if I don't finish it, the not-knowing will really make me unable to sleep. It's about a college professor teaching a logic class where the students have to solve a hypothetical kidnapping before the victim is killed, and the three students who get really caught up in the mystery. I will say that I called both (all three?) twist endings, but not in a way that I minded--the story made sense--and there were a few other twists that kept things lively. Still, I'm a little jumpy. :) A.
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
2008 book 83
Phillippe Claudel's By a Slow River
A policeman is haunted by three deaths that all occurred within one year of WWI--a young schoolteacher's suicide, the murder of a little girl, and his own wife's death during childbirth. The story was a little slow--though a nice portrait of a small town--and I had very mixed feelings about the ending (the twist I liked, the part I guessed was horrible). B/B-.
A policeman is haunted by three deaths that all occurred within one year of WWI--a young schoolteacher's suicide, the murder of a little girl, and his own wife's death during childbirth. The story was a little slow--though a nice portrait of a small town--and I had very mixed feelings about the ending (the twist I liked, the part I guessed was horrible). B/B-.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
2008 book 82
JK Rowling's Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
Oh my gosh, do I love this book, even after reading it probably more than twenty times. The discussion thread will be posted on Wednesday so start thinking of things to say now!
Oh my gosh, do I love this book, even after reading it probably more than twenty times. The discussion thread will be posted on Wednesday so start thinking of things to say now!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
2008 book 81
Aleksander Hemon's The Lazarus Project
Apparently Hemon wrote this afer receiving one of those MacArthur genius grants. I think some elements must be autobiographical--it's about a Bosnian writer living in Chicago who is researching a book about a young Jewish man (the titular Lazarus Averbuch) who was murdered by Chicago's chief of police in 1908 (this is true). I was more interested in the bits about Lazarus than the bits about the writer, who isn't a very likable character, and I almost totally lost interest after a scene where a dog is casually tortured. Just thinking about that one small paragraph makes me sick and dropped this book a few grades. B-.
Apparently Hemon wrote this afer receiving one of those MacArthur genius grants. I think some elements must be autobiographical--it's about a Bosnian writer living in Chicago who is researching a book about a young Jewish man (the titular Lazarus Averbuch) who was murdered by Chicago's chief of police in 1908 (this is true). I was more interested in the bits about Lazarus than the bits about the writer, who isn't a very likable character, and I almost totally lost interest after a scene where a dog is casually tortured. Just thinking about that one small paragraph makes me sick and dropped this book a few grades. B-.
2008 book 80
Micheline Aharonian Marcom's The Mirror in the Well
This is yet another book I wouldn't have read if I hadn't been assigned to review it. It was just unpleasant to read--no plot to speak of, and way-too-graphic and non-sexy sex scenes on just about every other page. D.
This is yet another book I wouldn't have read if I hadn't been assigned to review it. It was just unpleasant to read--no plot to speak of, and way-too-graphic and non-sexy sex scenes on just about every other page. D.
Sunday, June 08, 2008
2008 book 79
William Goldman's The Princess Bride
This movie was on tv the other night and I realized it'd been a long time since I read the book, so of course I dug it out. And it was just as clever and fun as I remembered--really, it's a slightly brilliant book, and when I was a kid I really believed it was an abridgement and all of Goldman's notes were true--but then I got to the bit with the fire swamp and was like, eh, it's not as awesome from here, and put it down for a couple days. But then it was on again tonight so I picked it up and finished it, and actually it is pretty awesome throughout. I can't believe I almost missed "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father--prepare to die!" (That scene is actually on tv as I type this.) I really vacillate over which is better, the movie or the book--it's hard, b/c of course all the best lines from the book made it into Goldman's script for the movie--but currently I'm enjoying both.
This movie was on tv the other night and I realized it'd been a long time since I read the book, so of course I dug it out. And it was just as clever and fun as I remembered--really, it's a slightly brilliant book, and when I was a kid I really believed it was an abridgement and all of Goldman's notes were true--but then I got to the bit with the fire swamp and was like, eh, it's not as awesome from here, and put it down for a couple days. But then it was on again tonight so I picked it up and finished it, and actually it is pretty awesome throughout. I can't believe I almost missed "Hello, my name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father--prepare to die!" (That scene is actually on tv as I type this.) I really vacillate over which is better, the movie or the book--it's hard, b/c of course all the best lines from the book made it into Goldman's script for the movie--but currently I'm enjoying both.
Wednesday, June 04, 2008
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2008 book 78
Terry Prachett's Wyrd Sisters
I enjoyed Witches Abroad, so I figured I'd read another Discworld book about the witches (I have several of your recommendations on my library hold list--this one came in first). It was an entertaining story, as the witches have to deal with a ghost kind and a royal baby, but not quite as awesome as the other one. B.
I enjoyed Witches Abroad, so I figured I'd read another Discworld book about the witches (I have several of your recommendations on my library hold list--this one came in first). It was an entertaining story, as the witches have to deal with a ghost kind and a royal baby, but not quite as awesome as the other one. B.
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
hp4 discussion
Since HP4 is long-ish and we have lots of stuff going on, the next discussion date will be June 18th--midweek fun!
Also, there's a 10th anniversary edition of the first book coming out. Yes, I did preorder it, to no one's surprise.
Also, there's a 10th anniversary edition of the first book coming out. Yes, I did preorder it, to no one's surprise.
Monday, June 02, 2008
2008 book 77
Nicci French's Losing You
French is apparently the pseudonym of a husband-and-wife writing team, and I liked this mystery/thriller enough to maybe check out their other books. It revolves around a woman whose daughter goes missing just as they're about to leave on vacation--all the action takes place over a day and so the novel is pretty fast-paced, which I enjoyed. The end was pretty abrupt, but I was pleased at the resolution. B+.
French is apparently the pseudonym of a husband-and-wife writing team, and I liked this mystery/thriller enough to maybe check out their other books. It revolves around a woman whose daughter goes missing just as they're about to leave on vacation--all the action takes place over a day and so the novel is pretty fast-paced, which I enjoyed. The end was pretty abrupt, but I was pleased at the resolution. B+.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
2008 book 76
Margot Livesey's The House on Fortune Street
Earlier today I was reading a book I just couldn't get into (Andrew Altschul's Lady Lazarus, clearly inspired by Kurt Cobain and his daughter) and remembered that the joy of library books is that there's no obligation to finish the annoying ones. So I picked up this one instead and read it straight through, b/c it was excellent. It's the story of two best friends, their signficant others, and one's estranged father, told from the points of view of four of them. It's really kind of a heartbreaking story, but in a satisfying way. A.
Earlier today I was reading a book I just couldn't get into (Andrew Altschul's Lady Lazarus, clearly inspired by Kurt Cobain and his daughter) and remembered that the joy of library books is that there's no obligation to finish the annoying ones. So I picked up this one instead and read it straight through, b/c it was excellent. It's the story of two best friends, their signficant others, and one's estranged father, told from the points of view of four of them. It's really kind of a heartbreaking story, but in a satisfying way. A.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
2008 book 75
Kate Atkinson's Human Croquet
While waiting for a slew of library books to come in, I've been rereading books off of my shelves. I figured I had liked this book, since I still owned it, but actually I really don't like it nearly enough to keep. It's about a teenage girl in England whose mother has disappeared, and her family is eccentric, and she keeps slipping back through time. The ending, however, is totally lame. B-.
While waiting for a slew of library books to come in, I've been rereading books off of my shelves. I figured I had liked this book, since I still owned it, but actually I really don't like it nearly enough to keep. It's about a teenage girl in England whose mother has disappeared, and her family is eccentric, and she keeps slipping back through time. The ending, however, is totally lame. B-.
Friday, May 30, 2008
hp3 discussion thread (2008 book 74)
Here's the place to post comments on Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban!
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
2008 books 72 ad 73
I reread two classics today:
Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife
I think it had been like four years since I last read this, and it was jsut as good on reread. I remember that after I recommended it to Christina, she was mad b/c it was kind of a sad book--but I think I like books like that. I think it's rare for bestsellers to be such interesting and well-written stories, and this was a pleasure to reread.
Dianna Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle
Of course, there's nothing wrong with happy endings! Rereading this makes me disappointed again in how the movie came out--and I love Miyazaki. But he did kind of drop the ball with this hilarious and touching twist on fairy tales.
Audrey Niffenegger's The Time Traveler's Wife
I think it had been like four years since I last read this, and it was jsut as good on reread. I remember that after I recommended it to Christina, she was mad b/c it was kind of a sad book--but I think I like books like that. I think it's rare for bestsellers to be such interesting and well-written stories, and this was a pleasure to reread.
Dianna Wynne Jones' Howl's Moving Castle
Of course, there's nothing wrong with happy endings! Rereading this makes me disappointed again in how the movie came out--and I love Miyazaki. But he did kind of drop the ball with this hilarious and touching twist on fairy tales.
Sunday, May 25, 2008
P1010065
I think everyone was knitting this like three years ago, but it seemed like the perfect project for the new Noro Matsuri yarn! One caveat for those using this colorway--three of my six skeins didn't have any blue. It was a really fun project--perfect for Memorial Day weekend!
Saturday, May 24, 2008
2008 book 71
Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett's Good Omens
I started watching that tv show Reaper recently, and it made me want to reread this for the umpteenth time! It never stops being entertaining.
I started watching that tv show Reaper recently, and it made me want to reread this for the umpteenth time! It never stops being entertaining.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
2008 book 70
Michele Martinez's Cover-Up
Federal prosecutor Melanie Vargas and her love interest and colleagues are back in action when a tv tablod reporter is brutally murdered. I'll say this for Martinez--she's pretty good at building suspense. Terrible at writing gang-related dialogue, though. I'm pretty sure this is the last book in the series before Notorious, but it feels like a whole book is missing in between them. Anyway, B+.
Federal prosecutor Melanie Vargas and her love interest and colleagues are back in action when a tv tablod reporter is brutally murdered. I'll say this for Martinez--she's pretty good at building suspense. Terrible at writing gang-related dialogue, though. I'm pretty sure this is the last book in the series before Notorious, but it feels like a whole book is missing in between them. Anyway, B+.
Monday, May 19, 2008
2008 book 69
Michele Martinez's The Finishing School
The local public library doesn't seem to have the first book in Martinez's mystery series, so I started with the second, which involved the OD deaths of two rich private school girls, one of whom is the stepdaughter of a senatorial candidate. Of course, as usually happens in these stories, nothing is as simple as it appears. What's nice is that although there are references to the earlier book, Martinez doesn't give much of that story away, so if I do get a chance to read it, I won't be totally spoiled. B+.
The local public library doesn't seem to have the first book in Martinez's mystery series, so I started with the second, which involved the OD deaths of two rich private school girls, one of whom is the stepdaughter of a senatorial candidate. Of course, as usually happens in these stories, nothing is as simple as it appears. What's nice is that although there are references to the earlier book, Martinez doesn't give much of that story away, so if I do get a chance to read it, I won't be totally spoiled. B+.
hp discussion series: book 3
We'll be discussing HP book 3, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban on May 30th--so start rereading now!
Saturday, May 17, 2008
2008 book 68
Geraldine Brooks' Year of Wonders
I was raving about Brooks' People of the Book recently and a coworker recommended this to me--it's a historical novel about a small town in England and what happens to them when the plague hits in 1665. There were a few nice plot twists, but the ending was a little far-fetched. B+.
I was raving about Brooks' People of the Book recently and a coworker recommended this to me--it's a historical novel about a small town in England and what happens to them when the plague hits in 1665. There were a few nice plot twists, but the ending was a little far-fetched. B+.
Friday, May 16, 2008
hp and the chamber of secrets discussion thread
Post comments in the comments!
Also, for the interested, the HP books have fallen off of the NY Times bestseller list for the first time in ten years. Sad! (Thanks to Arianne for the link.)
Also, for the interested, the HP books have fallen off of the NY Times bestseller list for the first time in ten years. Sad! (Thanks to Arianne for the link.)
Thursday, May 15, 2008
2008 book 67
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
I almost forgot that HP book group is this week! Look for an entry lunchtime-ish tomorrow where we can post our comments.
I almost forgot that HP book group is this week! Look for an entry lunchtime-ish tomorrow where we can post our comments.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
2008 books 64, 65, 66
Sandra Dallas' Buster Midnight's Cafe
I read this after seeing that Susie Cupcakes enjoyed it (and because I remembered liking Dallas' more recent novel Tallgrass). This was a fun read--an aging woman in small-town Montana reminisces about her childhood growing up with a girl who became a famous Hollywood actress/sexpot and a boy who became a champion boxer--and the murder the two were involved in. I really liked the characters, but a few days later I was trying to remember what book I'd just read and couldn't. Still, A-.
Lee Martin's River of Heaven
At first I really enjoyed this--an elderly man builds an awesome house for his dog, befriends his neighbor, reflects on the death of a childhood friend, etc . . . but the ending was just SO outlandish. It was billed as a mystery but really wasn't. B.
Michele Martinez's Notorious
I rediscovered this advance copy from ALA and told my mom about it--it turns out she's a big Martinez fan, so of course I had to read it. It's clearly the second or third book in a series, but I didn't feel like I was missing too much. It's about a woman who's a federal prosecutor (as Martinez once was) whose opposing counsel on a case involving a prominent rapper is assassinated right in front of her. As in most mysteries, lots of adventures ensue. An enjoyable read, on the whole. B+.
I read this after seeing that Susie Cupcakes enjoyed it (and because I remembered liking Dallas' more recent novel Tallgrass). This was a fun read--an aging woman in small-town Montana reminisces about her childhood growing up with a girl who became a famous Hollywood actress/sexpot and a boy who became a champion boxer--and the murder the two were involved in. I really liked the characters, but a few days later I was trying to remember what book I'd just read and couldn't. Still, A-.
Lee Martin's River of Heaven
At first I really enjoyed this--an elderly man builds an awesome house for his dog, befriends his neighbor, reflects on the death of a childhood friend, etc . . . but the ending was just SO outlandish. It was billed as a mystery but really wasn't. B.
Michele Martinez's Notorious
I rediscovered this advance copy from ALA and told my mom about it--it turns out she's a big Martinez fan, so of course I had to read it. It's clearly the second or third book in a series, but I didn't feel like I was missing too much. It's about a woman who's a federal prosecutor (as Martinez once was) whose opposing counsel on a case involving a prominent rapper is assassinated right in front of her. As in most mysteries, lots of adventures ensue. An enjoyable read, on the whole. B+.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Friday, May 09, 2008
why cash cab is awesome
I can't believe I didn't see the episode that mentioned that President Buchanan was probably gay. (He's also the only president from my home state.) I had a prof mention this in one of my college history classes--it's one of the few things I remember about American history and one of my favorite things to babble on about.
Wednesday, May 07, 2008
2008 book 63
Thomas Maltman's The Night Birds
This is a compelling story about a little-known chapter of history--the Dakota uprising in Minnesota during the Civil War. Actually, like the book I just read, events are precipitated by an aunt suddenly arriving from an asylum (only, in this case, she was confined for being epileptic). She tells her family's story, and the story of their Dakota neighbors, to her troubled young nephew. What I presume is supposed to be a twist ending is obvious from very early on, but I liked this book anyway. A-.
This is a compelling story about a little-known chapter of history--the Dakota uprising in Minnesota during the Civil War. Actually, like the book I just read, events are precipitated by an aunt suddenly arriving from an asylum (only, in this case, she was confined for being epileptic). She tells her family's story, and the story of their Dakota neighbors, to her troubled young nephew. What I presume is supposed to be a twist ending is obvious from very early on, but I liked this book anyway. A-.
Sunday, May 04, 2008
2008 book 62
Maggie O'Farrell's The Vanishing Act of Esme Lennox
In this novel, a young woman is told her great-aunt is being released form the asylum where she has spent the majority of her life--a great-aunt the yong woman never knew existed. I enjoyed this, especially the flashbacks to the great-aunt's childhood in India, but thought the end was somewhere between predictable and kind of lame. B+.
In this novel, a young woman is told her great-aunt is being released form the asylum where she has spent the majority of her life--a great-aunt the yong woman never knew existed. I enjoyed this, especially the flashbacks to the great-aunt's childhood in India, but thought the end was somewhere between predictable and kind of lame. B+.
Saturday, May 03, 2008
2008 book 61
Sarah Dessen's Lock and Key
I think of Dessen as oe of those reliable YA authors whose books I'll always enjoy, and this one was no different. Even when I thought it was veering into cheesy predicability, it suddenly changed course and surprised me. I suppose it's the mark of a good writer that I'm sorry when the book ends b/c I want to know what happens next--which is how I'm feeling now. A-.
I think of Dessen as oe of those reliable YA authors whose books I'll always enjoy, and this one was no different. Even when I thought it was veering into cheesy predicability, it suddenly changed course and surprised me. I suppose it's the mark of a good writer that I'm sorry when the book ends b/c I want to know what happens next--which is how I'm feeling now. A-.
2008 book 60
Lauren Groff's The Monsters of Templeton
Brief version: Awesome novel about an archaeologist/PhD student who returns to her childhood home (where she is the descendent of the town's founder and his famous author son, all based loosely on Cooperstown and James Fenimore Cooper), pregnant and brokenhearted, and discovers that her heretoore unknown father is actually a town resident and does all sorts of family history and sleuthing to figure out who he is; meanwhile, the novel is narrated by various historical personages and other members of the town, which is in an uproar since the monster living in the lake surfaced, dead. Yeah, it's hard to explain it briefly, but it's really good. A.
Brief version: Awesome novel about an archaeologist/PhD student who returns to her childhood home (where she is the descendent of the town's founder and his famous author son, all based loosely on Cooperstown and James Fenimore Cooper), pregnant and brokenhearted, and discovers that her heretoore unknown father is actually a town resident and does all sorts of family history and sleuthing to figure out who he is; meanwhile, the novel is narrated by various historical personages and other members of the town, which is in an uproar since the monster living in the lake surfaced, dead. Yeah, it's hard to explain it briefly, but it's really good. A.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
2008 book 59
Terry Prachett's Witches Abroad
I've been meaning to read (I accidentally just typed "reading to mean" btw) Prachett's books for ages, since I loved Good Omens, but I never knew where to start, as he's written like 1200!! This is part of the Discworld series, but it certainly didn't need to be read in sequence or anything--I didn't feel like I was missing anything. Anyway, it's the story of three witches who are trying to stop a servant girl from marrying a prince--and have many hilarious adventures on the way. I cracked a grin at least once a chapter. So which Pratchett books should I read next? Are there any others that turn fairy tales on their heads? A.
I've been meaning to read (I accidentally just typed "reading to mean" btw) Prachett's books for ages, since I loved Good Omens, but I never knew where to start, as he's written like 1200!! This is part of the Discworld series, but it certainly didn't need to be read in sequence or anything--I didn't feel like I was missing anything. Anyway, it's the story of three witches who are trying to stop a servant girl from marrying a prince--and have many hilarious adventures on the way. I cracked a grin at least once a chapter. So which Pratchett books should I read next? Are there any others that turn fairy tales on their heads? A.
Monday, April 28, 2008
harry potter book discussion #2
Our discussion of HP and the Chamber of Secrets will take place on this blog on May 16th! Look for a post on that date and post your comments in the comments.
2008 book 58
Marianne Wiggins' The Shadow Catcher
What is wrong with me that I dislike these books that are on like everyone's best of the year list? I checked this out of the library three times before finally reading it, and I only read it this time b/c it was in my car on the way to be returned unread, again, but I had a long wait at the dr's office and nothing better to do. Anyway, it's the story of an author named Marianne Wiggins who likes to talk in random CAPITAL LETTERS for no REASON at all, and her story is interspersed with the story of the photographer Edward Curtis, who the fictional Wiggins has written a book about (titled, of course, Shadow Catcher). Anyway, I didn't find either half of the story that compelling--I was interested in Curtis' wife, but after the first section she receives short shrift. Anyway, I didn't like it at all. C.
What is wrong with me that I dislike these books that are on like everyone's best of the year list? I checked this out of the library three times before finally reading it, and I only read it this time b/c it was in my car on the way to be returned unread, again, but I had a long wait at the dr's office and nothing better to do. Anyway, it's the story of an author named Marianne Wiggins who likes to talk in random CAPITAL LETTERS for no REASON at all, and her story is interspersed with the story of the photographer Edward Curtis, who the fictional Wiggins has written a book about (titled, of course, Shadow Catcher). Anyway, I didn't find either half of the story that compelling--I was interested in Curtis' wife, but after the first section she receives short shrift. Anyway, I didn't like it at all. C.
Sunday, April 27, 2008
2008 book 57
Nina Revoyr's The Age of Dreaming
This excellent novel starts up when a young reporter in LA tracks down a formerly famous silent film star, who then reflects back on his rise to fame and his sudden departure from the spotlight in the wake of a murder. It touches on anti-Japanese sentiments in California in the early 1900s and really captures the era of silent films. A/A-.
This excellent novel starts up when a young reporter in LA tracks down a formerly famous silent film star, who then reflects back on his rise to fame and his sudden departure from the spotlight in the wake of a murder. It touches on anti-Japanese sentiments in California in the early 1900s and really captures the era of silent films. A/A-.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
2008 book 56
Kate Christensen's The Great Man
The only other book I've read of Christensen's was In the Drink, which I vaguely remember liking but not taking very seriously, so I was really mostly impressed with this book, which centers on a deceased womanizing painter who suddenly has two biographers circling around the women in his life--his wife, his sister, his longtime mistress, and his two daughters by his mistress. All the characters in this book are great, even the ones who only appear in one or two scenes, and I really liked it (except for one plot twist that I thought was a little cheesy, but it was relatively minor). A-.
The only other book I've read of Christensen's was In the Drink, which I vaguely remember liking but not taking very seriously, so I was really mostly impressed with this book, which centers on a deceased womanizing painter who suddenly has two biographers circling around the women in his life--his wife, his sister, his longtime mistress, and his two daughters by his mistress. All the characters in this book are great, even the ones who only appear in one or two scenes, and I really liked it (except for one plot twist that I thought was a little cheesy, but it was relatively minor). A-.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Thursday, April 24, 2008
2008 book 55
J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
I finished rereading this just in time for tomorrow's virtual book group meeting!! I'll post an entry lunchtime-ish and discussion will take place in the comments.
I finished rereading this just in time for tomorrow's virtual book group meeting!! I'll post an entry lunchtime-ish and discussion will take place in the comments.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
2008 book 54
Joshua Ferris' And Then We Came to the End
I started rereading this on the plane back to Tally, read another big chunk at the dr's today, and finished it as soon as I was done with dinner. Yup, it's still awesome. Here is my original review.
I started rereading this on the plane back to Tally, read another big chunk at the dr's today, and finished it as soon as I was done with dinner. Yup, it's still awesome. Here is my original review.
Monday, April 21, 2008
2008 book 53
Karen Joy Fowler's The Jane Austen Book Club
Hey, I finally read it! It was pretty entertaining--I liked the characters, though did find most of the end unbelievable. My favorite parts were the book discussions--no surprise there. :) B+.
Hey, I finally read it! It was pretty entertaining--I liked the characters, though did find most of the end unbelievable. My favorite parts were the book discussions--no surprise there. :) B+.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
2008 book 52
Sarah Hall's Daughters of the North
I'll say this for Hall, she is super versatile. None of her books are anything like the others, though her characters are always great (I especially love her book The Electric Michelangelo). Anywya, this book takes place in England in the near future in some sort of dystopian hell where woman are not allowed to reproduce without government permission ad no one can leave their towns. One woman flees to a farm run by a group of women, though their mission has changed slightly over the years. It's pretty dark, but well worth the read. A-/B+.
I'll say this for Hall, she is super versatile. None of her books are anything like the others, though her characters are always great (I especially love her book The Electric Michelangelo). Anywya, this book takes place in England in the near future in some sort of dystopian hell where woman are not allowed to reproduce without government permission ad no one can leave their towns. One woman flees to a farm run by a group of women, though their mission has changed slightly over the years. It's pretty dark, but well worth the read. A-/B+.
Friday, April 18, 2008
Thursday, April 17, 2008
2008 book 50
Stefan Merrill Block's The Story of Forgetting
Convalescing on the couch gave me time tofinally finish reading this novel, which centers on a teen whose mother is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers. He attempts to track down info on her past, while her father narrates other parts of the books. Interludes in a fictional mystical town that the family created didn't really do much for me, and I thought the ending was abrupt, but the information on early-onset Alzheimer's was pretty interesting. B-.
Convalescing on the couch gave me time tofinally finish reading this novel, which centers on a teen whose mother is diagnosed with early-onset Alzheimers. He attempts to track down info on her past, while her father narrates other parts of the books. Interludes in a fictional mystical town that the family created didn't really do much for me, and I thought the ending was abrupt, but the information on early-onset Alzheimer's was pretty interesting. B-.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Sunday, April 13, 2008
2008 book 49
Karen Joy Fowler's Wit's End
I was really looking forward to this--I've read almost all of Fowler's books (except Jane Austen Book Club, b/c of course I only got into Austen recently) and really enjoyed them, and this one had an interesting premise: a young woman whose whole family has died goes to lie with her godmother, a famous mystery author who once wrote a book with the young woman's father as a character. But sigh! It was kind of boring! The protagonist is really passive, and information is just randomly revealed to her, and even the twist ending is really boring. The whole thing is BORING! The characters had a lot of potential but it all jsut felt thrown together. B-/C+.
I was really looking forward to this--I've read almost all of Fowler's books (except Jane Austen Book Club, b/c of course I only got into Austen recently) and really enjoyed them, and this one had an interesting premise: a young woman whose whole family has died goes to lie with her godmother, a famous mystery author who once wrote a book with the young woman's father as a character. But sigh! It was kind of boring! The protagonist is really passive, and information is just randomly revealed to her, and even the twist ending is really boring. The whole thing is BORING! The characters had a lot of potential but it all jsut felt thrown together. B-/C+.
Friday, April 11, 2008
2008 book 48
Stephenie Meyers' Eclipse
Christina warned me that this was her least favorite of the series, but I thought it was pretty good (though nothing much happens in 600+ pages). My problem with these books is that as they go on it becomes more and more apparent that the vampire boyfriend has absolutely no personality. Seriously, he's just this handsome love interest guy always saying passionate things or whatever. I'm way more into the Jacob character, who's kind of funny and sweet. He's a lot more interesting than the vampire boyfriend, for sure.
Christina warned me that this was her least favorite of the series, but I thought it was pretty good (though nothing much happens in 600+ pages). My problem with these books is that as they go on it becomes more and more apparent that the vampire boyfriend has absolutely no personality. Seriously, he's just this handsome love interest guy always saying passionate things or whatever. I'm way more into the Jacob character, who's kind of funny and sweet. He's a lot more interesting than the vampire boyfriend, for sure.
harry potter book group
OK, so at least one of you was interested in my idea of a Harry Potter read-along, and she and I have decided that book group starts today! We're reading all seven books in order and discussing them here. We're going to give everyone two weeks to re-read each one, which means the date of discussion for book 1 is April 25th. Get those reading glasses on and pick up your copy of HP and the Sorcerer's Stone! Then look for a post on April 25th for comments and discussion.
Thursday, April 10, 2008
2008 book 47
Theresa Rebeck's Three Girls and Their Brother
OK, I am having a ridiculous day, but this book was just so vivid and painful and great that everything else is forgotten. It was in my library book stack, but then Jexebel recommended it and I snatched it up and I looooved it. It's about three redheaded sisters, gradndaughters of a famous lit crit guy, who get photogaphed for the New Yorker and their lives totally go haywire as they become little starlets. And they have an absolutely wonderful and kind of tragic brother. I got a little weepy at parts, no lie. A+.
OK, I am having a ridiculous day, but this book was just so vivid and painful and great that everything else is forgotten. It was in my library book stack, but then Jexebel recommended it and I snatched it up and I looooved it. It's about three redheaded sisters, gradndaughters of a famous lit crit guy, who get photogaphed for the New Yorker and their lives totally go haywire as they become little starlets. And they have an absolutely wonderful and kind of tragic brother. I got a little weepy at parts, no lie. A+.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
2008 book 46
Stephenie Meyers' New Moon
I cannot believe how much I'm enjoying a series of books about a girl dating a vampire.
I cannot believe how much I'm enjoying a series of books about a girl dating a vampire.
Monday, April 07, 2008
2008 book 45
Laura Joh Rowland's The Secret Adventures of Charlotte Bronte
This would be a much better book if it didn't involve the Bronte sisters--if it was just a tale of a woman caught up in international intrigue etc. Instead, it required serious suspension of disbelief to buy the Brontes getting into such scrapes; my suspension of disbelief ended completely during a ridiculous scene where Charlotte dry-humps her love interest. No, really. C.
This would be a much better book if it didn't involve the Bronte sisters--if it was just a tale of a woman caught up in international intrigue etc. Instead, it required serious suspension of disbelief to buy the Brontes getting into such scrapes; my suspension of disbelief ended completely during a ridiculous scene where Charlotte dry-humps her love interest. No, really. C.
2008 books 43 and 44
Sorry for the total lack of updates--I was having wireless problems and was too busy having fun in NC over my birthday weekend to bother to use anyone else's computer. A quick trip to the Apple store made things right and now I'm in the Charlotte airport enjoying their free wireless!
Scarlett Thomas' Popco
I'd read this before, but it had been several years and I didn't remember the ending at all. It was thoroughly enjoyable the second time around and I still recommend it highly!
Stephenie Meyers' Twilight
Christina recommended this to me and I finally got around to reading it--OMG, teen vampires and angst! I am in love!!! I already put the rest of the series on hold at the library, though the wait is long and I'm impatient!
Scarlett Thomas' Popco
I'd read this before, but it had been several years and I didn't remember the ending at all. It was thoroughly enjoyable the second time around and I still recommend it highly!
Stephenie Meyers' Twilight
Christina recommended this to me and I finally got around to reading it--OMG, teen vampires and angst! I am in love!!! I already put the rest of the series on hold at the library, though the wait is long and I'm impatient!
Tuesday, April 01, 2008
yay for cupcakes
Here is a handy cupcake-themed gift guide just in case someone you know (ahem!) has a birthday or other cupcake-related event coming up.
Monday, March 31, 2008
aaaaand the winner is!
The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao won the Tournament of Books! (That's the March Madness I really get behind.) I was very pleased to see one of my absolute favorites of the year take top honors. Scroll down to read Junot Diaz's response, and be sure to click the links on the right to see how previous matches in the tourney played out.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
2008 book 42
Diane Ackerman's The Zookeeper's Wife
Under the misapprehension that this was a novel, I was at first annoyed with Ackerman's penchant for cramming historical notes into her narrative. I didn't realize until chapter two that it was non-fiction! Heh. It's the story--compiled from memoirs, diaries, and testimonials--of the Warsaw zookeeper and his wife, who saved hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust and were otherwise active in the underground. At times hard to read--not just b/c of the Holocaust, but because family pets and zoo animals are often injured or killed--it's still, of course, a moving story. Ackerman does a good job of weaving their tale into the larger narrative of Warsaw in wartime. A.
Under the misapprehension that this was a novel, I was at first annoyed with Ackerman's penchant for cramming historical notes into her narrative. I didn't realize until chapter two that it was non-fiction! Heh. It's the story--compiled from memoirs, diaries, and testimonials--of the Warsaw zookeeper and his wife, who saved hundreds of Jews during the Holocaust and were otherwise active in the underground. At times hard to read--not just b/c of the Holocaust, but because family pets and zoo animals are often injured or killed--it's still, of course, a moving story. Ackerman does a good job of weaving their tale into the larger narrative of Warsaw in wartime. A.
Saturday, March 29, 2008
2008 book 41
Curtis Sittenfeld's Prep
This is still a great, though slightly depressing, novel, though maybe two prep school books in a day was a little much. Here is my original review.
This is still a great, though slightly depressing, novel, though maybe two prep school books in a day was a little much. Here is my original review.
exciting weekend links
Jerry Siegel's family got the rights to Superman!!!!!!
And, here's Margaret Atwood on Anne of Green Gables. I LOVE those books!
And, here's Margaret Atwood on Anne of Green Gables. I LOVE those books!
2008 book 40
Nina de Gramont's Gossip of the Starlings
I haven't quite decided what to think about this book. It's about two rich girls at a prep school in the 80s and apparently is inspired by a true story about a drug best at a prep school in the 80s. It starts off with an epigraph from A Separate Peace, which was a bad sign (we had to read it in middle school, and it inspired endless jokes and stories borne of hatred for Eugene). So I opened the book to find the overwrought styling of a Serious Writer and sighed--but by page ten, I was totally immersed in the story! Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to its strong start and I totally disliked both girls, which made sympathizing with their weaknesses hard. It's also very heavy-handed with the foreshadowing and has a totally lame and depressing ending. Oh, I guess I actually didn't like it that much. I'm going to reread Prep now to cleanse my brain. B-.
I haven't quite decided what to think about this book. It's about two rich girls at a prep school in the 80s and apparently is inspired by a true story about a drug best at a prep school in the 80s. It starts off with an epigraph from A Separate Peace, which was a bad sign (we had to read it in middle school, and it inspired endless jokes and stories borne of hatred for Eugene). So I opened the book to find the overwrought styling of a Serious Writer and sighed--but by page ten, I was totally immersed in the story! Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to its strong start and I totally disliked both girls, which made sympathizing with their weaknesses hard. It's also very heavy-handed with the foreshadowing and has a totally lame and depressing ending. Oh, I guess I actually didn't like it that much. I'm going to reread Prep now to cleanse my brain. B-.
Friday, March 28, 2008
more shared items
Here's another round-up of excting things I've shared recently in Google Reader!
The Sweet Valley High series is being updated and will be more gloriously shallow than ever! Man, remember the one where that chick did drugs for the first time and DIED????
Speaking of YA book series from long ago, Goosebumps is being resurrected as well. Those were a little after my time, but one of the kids I babysat for had the entire set and I read quite a few while supervising her homework time after school. They were kind of awesome!
Kitsch Kits! I want the sewing one and the baking one. Those look super handy.
I'm not always an Adrian Tomine fan, but this was pretty funny. Mainly b/c I love Sixteen Candles.
Here's another comic--this one is about Purim! (Speaking of Purim, check out Jewno! It was done as a promo for a Purim party of some sort. I can't believe they got JK Simmons to reprise his role.)
Also a little bit late--these Peep dioramas!
The Sweet Valley High series is being updated and will be more gloriously shallow than ever! Man, remember the one where that chick did drugs for the first time and DIED????
Speaking of YA book series from long ago, Goosebumps is being resurrected as well. Those were a little after my time, but one of the kids I babysat for had the entire set and I read quite a few while supervising her homework time after school. They were kind of awesome!
Kitsch Kits! I want the sewing one and the baking one. Those look super handy.
I'm not always an Adrian Tomine fan, but this was pretty funny. Mainly b/c I love Sixteen Candles.
Here's another comic--this one is about Purim! (Speaking of Purim, check out Jewno! It was done as a promo for a Purim party of some sort. I can't believe they got JK Simmons to reprise his role.)
Also a little bit late--these Peep dioramas!
Monday, March 24, 2008
P1010002
I made some legwarmers this past week--I don't have a good picture of me wearing them (it's surprisingly hard to get a good shot of your own legs) but I made them long enough that I can scrunch them down if I want to. Of course it's not really legwarmer weather here at the moment, but I made them just for the fun of it, really.
Sunday, March 23, 2008
2008 book 39
Eli Gottlieb's Now You See Him
OK, so, a well-known writer kills his girlfriend and himself, and his childhood best friend's life begins to unravel. Gottlieb packs way too many silly plot twists into what could have been a moving book. B-.
OK, so, a well-known writer kills his girlfriend and himself, and his childhood best friend's life begins to unravel. Gottlieb packs way too many silly plot twists into what could have been a moving book. B-.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Sunday, March 16, 2008
2008 book 38
Elisa Albert's The Book of Dahlia
A somewhat angsty Jewish chick in her late 20s trying to figure out what to do with her life is diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor. As she tries to cope with her possibly impending death, she flashes back to her troubled childhood and teen years. Maybe this book resonated with me b/c I could relate to Dahlia's teen years (especially the pop culture references), but I thought it was a really moving novel. A-/B+.
A somewhat angsty Jewish chick in her late 20s trying to figure out what to do with her life is diagnosed with a deadly brain tumor. As she tries to cope with her possibly impending death, she flashes back to her troubled childhood and teen years. Maybe this book resonated with me b/c I could relate to Dahlia's teen years (especially the pop culture references), but I thought it was a really moving novel. A-/B+.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
2008 book 37
James Morrow's The Philosopher's Apprentice
Of course, as many of you know, I've been a big Morrow fan since my freshman year at Penn State (when all my fellow nerds and I were making our way through his works--actually once we finagled an invitation to his house), so I was very much looking forward to his latest novel. His previous book, The Last Witchfinder, merited a NY Times review and blasted him out of relative obscurity, and it was one of my favorites that year. Unfortunately, this one doesn't come anywhere near to any of his previous works. It starts out strong, as a philosophy grad student walks out og his dissertation defense and is immediately hired to be the tutor of a teenage girl who, after suffering an accident, has lost her conscience. Moving to a remote and mysterious island, he quickly discovers things are more sinister than they originally appeared. Then the book takes an unfortunate turn to the political and ridiculous end of sci-fi. I had to force myself to finish reading it and considered myself lucky for having gotten it from the library and not buying it. It was really a disappointment. C.
Of course, as many of you know, I've been a big Morrow fan since my freshman year at Penn State (when all my fellow nerds and I were making our way through his works--actually once we finagled an invitation to his house), so I was very much looking forward to his latest novel. His previous book, The Last Witchfinder, merited a NY Times review and blasted him out of relative obscurity, and it was one of my favorites that year. Unfortunately, this one doesn't come anywhere near to any of his previous works. It starts out strong, as a philosophy grad student walks out og his dissertation defense and is immediately hired to be the tutor of a teenage girl who, after suffering an accident, has lost her conscience. Moving to a remote and mysterious island, he quickly discovers things are more sinister than they originally appeared. Then the book takes an unfortunate turn to the political and ridiculous end of sci-fi. I had to force myself to finish reading it and considered myself lucky for having gotten it from the library and not buying it. It was really a disappointment. C.
Friday, March 14, 2008
2008 book 36
Lisa Lutz's Curse of the Spellmans
Yay, the new Lisa Lutz book came out this week and the library had it on hold for me! I can't find my review of The Spellman Files for some reason, but it was a very funny mystery involving the black sheep daughter of a family of PIs. Here, she's slightly older but definitely no wiser, as she gets arrested for investigating her suspicious neighbor (whom she briefly dated). The whole hilarious, zany, and sometimes moving cast of characters is back and I couldn't be happier. These books just totally appeal to me--maybe because of all the pop culture references? Like there's a reference to Gaslight, and I totally had that movie on tv in the background while reading! Anywya, A and hopes there will be more books in this series.
ETA: Here's my review of the first book in the series (which was one of my favorites of 2007).
Yay, the new Lisa Lutz book came out this week and the library had it on hold for me! I can't find my review of The Spellman Files for some reason, but it was a very funny mystery involving the black sheep daughter of a family of PIs. Here, she's slightly older but definitely no wiser, as she gets arrested for investigating her suspicious neighbor (whom she briefly dated). The whole hilarious, zany, and sometimes moving cast of characters is back and I couldn't be happier. These books just totally appeal to me--maybe because of all the pop culture references? Like there's a reference to Gaslight, and I totally had that movie on tv in the background while reading! Anywya, A and hopes there will be more books in this series.
ETA: Here's my review of the first book in the series (which was one of my favorites of 2007).
Thursday, March 13, 2008
2008 book 35
Pat Barker's Life Class
This is a pretty good book about British artists who get caught up in WWI. I don't really have much else to say about it, really. B+.
This is a pretty good book about British artists who get caught up in WWI. I don't really have much else to say about it, really. B+.
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
2008 books 32, 33, 34
Marisha Pessl's Special Topics in Calamity Physics
Having some time to kill once in a mall while various parts of my brakes were being replaced, I purchased a copy of this, since it was one of my favorites of 2006. I decided to give it a reread since details were hazy, and enjoyed it very much the second time around. Here's my original review.
Jane Austen's Persuasion
I have several friends who are devoted Austen fans, and one lists this as her favorite Austen work. I did like it a lot, but I don't think it was my favorite.
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Because this one was! Probably liking this one best is cliched, but this one has more of Austen's wit than Persuasion. I recently watched both the 1990s Colin Firth miniseries version as well as the 1980 one with no big name stars (the Colin Firth one is way better--the other is totally low budget), and it was interesting to see which speeches were lifted directly from the text. I seriously cannot believe I'd never actually read this before. What a waste of 25 literate years.
Having some time to kill once in a mall while various parts of my brakes were being replaced, I purchased a copy of this, since it was one of my favorites of 2006. I decided to give it a reread since details were hazy, and enjoyed it very much the second time around. Here's my original review.
Jane Austen's Persuasion
I have several friends who are devoted Austen fans, and one lists this as her favorite Austen work. I did like it a lot, but I don't think it was my favorite.
Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice
Because this one was! Probably liking this one best is cliched, but this one has more of Austen's wit than Persuasion. I recently watched both the 1990s Colin Firth miniseries version as well as the 1980 one with no big name stars (the Colin Firth one is way better--the other is totally low budget), and it was interesting to see which speeches were lifted directly from the text. I seriously cannot believe I'd never actually read this before. What a waste of 25 literate years.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
snl/vampire weekend
Last night I actually stayed up late enough to catch part of Saturday Night Live--which really isn't very funny these days, even when they have a gifted comedian like Amy Adams hosting (seriously, she is hilarious in her first two movies, Drop Dead Gorgeous and Psycho Beach Party, two of my all-time favorites). What really caught my attention, though, was the musical guest, Vampire Weekend. Granted, I've never heard them before--despite reading about them on music blogs for months now--but I wasn't that impressed. Did they sound like a hipster version of Jimmy Buffett, or what? Is that just me? Am I suddenly old and crotchety? (I do turn 29 in just four weeks. Eek.) Do hipsters suddenly like the mellow tropical sounds of Jimmy Buffett? It's ok if they do (I attended several Jimmy Buffett shows back in the day)--I'm mostly just curious.
Friday, March 07, 2008
2008 book 31
N.D. Wilson's 100 Cupboards
A YA fantasyish book set in Kansas involving a boy sent to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousins who subsequently discovers a wall of mysterious cupboards and adventures ensue. It mostly avoided the cliches I was expecting and I pretty much liked it until the epilogue, which was just dumb. B.
A YA fantasyish book set in Kansas involving a boy sent to live with his aunt, uncle, and cousins who subsequently discovers a wall of mysterious cupboards and adventures ensue. It mostly avoided the cliches I was expecting and I pretty much liked it until the epilogue, which was just dumb. B.
more shared links!
Here are some more linked I've shared via Google Reader recently:
Some Canadian humor
More Old Jewish Comedians!
Nostalgia: remember those really hilariously lame celebrity calling commercials?
Don't use Crest pro-health mouthwash.
Fame! I'm gonna live forever! (Because I'm short and Jewish--finally it pays off!)
OMG!! An interview with Michael McDonald where he discusses Yacht Rock (I have all 11 episodes on my ipod).
What kind of cupcake are you?
More rock memoirs--oh, Bret Michaels, will you ever stop being a media whore?
Finally--A bookcase fort! This would have been my ideal bed when I was a kid.
Some Canadian humor
More Old Jewish Comedians!
Nostalgia: remember those really hilariously lame celebrity calling commercials?
Don't use Crest pro-health mouthwash.
Fame! I'm gonna live forever! (Because I'm short and Jewish--finally it pays off!)
OMG!! An interview with Michael McDonald where he discusses Yacht Rock (I have all 11 episodes on my ipod).
What kind of cupcake are you?
More rock memoirs--oh, Bret Michaels, will you ever stop being a media whore?
Finally--A bookcase fort! This would have been my ideal bed when I was a kid.
Thursday, March 06, 2008
2008 book 30
Joshilyn Jackson's The Girl Who Stopped Swimming
It's funny--I've had this book on my hold list at the library forever b/c it's been getting such good reviews--and then I found it at the bottom of a pile of books in my bedroom this afternoon. Yup, I'd gotten an advance copy at ALA and totally misplaced it. I'm actually sad that I could have read this book a month ago--that's an extra month to love and recommend it! Because, hey, I love and recommend it. It's about a young mother, Laurel, living with her family in a suburban community in Florida (though several characters went to college in the Triangle--local interest for those who live there!) who occasionally sees ghosts. One night the ghost of her daughter's best friend wakes her up--the girl has drowned in their swimming pool. In the aftermath, Laurel calls on her somewhat eccentric actress sister to come to their aid, and as they attempt to figure out what happened to the girl, their own pasts are revealed to the reader. Totally an A.
It's funny--I've had this book on my hold list at the library forever b/c it's been getting such good reviews--and then I found it at the bottom of a pile of books in my bedroom this afternoon. Yup, I'd gotten an advance copy at ALA and totally misplaced it. I'm actually sad that I could have read this book a month ago--that's an extra month to love and recommend it! Because, hey, I love and recommend it. It's about a young mother, Laurel, living with her family in a suburban community in Florida (though several characters went to college in the Triangle--local interest for those who live there!) who occasionally sees ghosts. One night the ghost of her daughter's best friend wakes her up--the girl has drowned in their swimming pool. In the aftermath, Laurel calls on her somewhat eccentric actress sister to come to their aid, and as they attempt to figure out what happened to the girl, their own pasts are revealed to the reader. Totally an A.
Tuesday, March 04, 2008
2008 book 29
Jonathan Tropper's The Book of Joe
I was distracted for the first chunk of this book wondering if that crappy tv show October Road is based on it, as it's about a writer in New York who wrote a totally autobiographical novel about his high school experience, and returns to his small hometown in Connecticut when his father has a stroke, and has to contend with all the locals who hate him, not to mention his high school sweetheart. Eventually I got caught up in the story--though the protagonist is an admitted asshole (albeit justifiably troubled), his high school friends and his rebellious nephew are compelling characters. A-.
I was distracted for the first chunk of this book wondering if that crappy tv show October Road is based on it, as it's about a writer in New York who wrote a totally autobiographical novel about his high school experience, and returns to his small hometown in Connecticut when his father has a stroke, and has to contend with all the locals who hate him, not to mention his high school sweetheart. Eventually I got caught up in the story--though the protagonist is an admitted asshole (albeit justifiably troubled), his high school friends and his rebellious nephew are compelling characters. A-.
Sunday, March 02, 2008
harry potter book group?
ABC Family is showing the first three Harry Potter movies again this weekend, which always makes me want to reread the books. So, I'm going to read them all in order in one big lump and get the complete HP experience. But of course it would be fun to have someone to discuss all the little tidbits and foreshadowings with! Anyone want to join me in this endeavor?
2008 book 28
Ruth Ozeki's My Year of Meats
This is another book group book (though it's one I've read before and selected for our group on issues). It deals with a half-Japanese, half-American documentarian, her tv series promoting meat, and the effect her show has on a Japanese housewife. It's one of those books that, if you aren't already a vegetarian, will seriously make you consider becoming one (meat is gross, for real).
This is another book group book (though it's one I've read before and selected for our group on issues). It deals with a half-Japanese, half-American documentarian, her tv series promoting meat, and the effect her show has on a Japanese housewife. It's one of those books that, if you aren't already a vegetarian, will seriously make you consider becoming one (meat is gross, for real).
P1010009
Yay, I finished knitting my Argosy scarf! I still need to block it, but I really hate blocking (I only have a mini ironing board at my disposal, and the cat will mess with it anyway). I always love knitting with Noro yarn though, b/c you never know what color will come up next.
Saturday, March 01, 2008
2008 book 27
Gish Jen's Mona in the Promised Land
The final book in the Jewish book discussion series, was, I think, a really poor choice for a conclusion. I should say that I've read it before and enjoyed reading it again--it's the story of a Chinese-American girl growing up in the late 60s and early 70s who decides to convert to Judaism--but it's a really bad mismatch to the other books (none of which really match each other either--the series wasn't cohesive at all and I think whoever chose the books was kind of a numbnuts). It was a nice change to read something more contemporary and that actually had a girl as the main character, but I'm really not sure how discussion will go. Of course I've worried about every discussion and it's always turned out well, but this novel is really a major departure.
The final book in the Jewish book discussion series, was, I think, a really poor choice for a conclusion. I should say that I've read it before and enjoyed reading it again--it's the story of a Chinese-American girl growing up in the late 60s and early 70s who decides to convert to Judaism--but it's a really bad mismatch to the other books (none of which really match each other either--the series wasn't cohesive at all and I think whoever chose the books was kind of a numbnuts). It was a nice change to read something more contemporary and that actually had a girl as the main character, but I'm really not sure how discussion will go. Of course I've worried about every discussion and it's always turned out well, but this novel is really a major departure.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
2008 book 26
Maria Amparo Escandon's Gonzalez & Daughter Trucking Co.
This novel centers on a young woman in prison in Mexico. She starts reading to her fellow inmates from great works of literature, but the stories she tells are of her own childhood, growing up on the road with her trucker father. OK, I really liked this book! There was a great interplay between her stories and her prison life. A.
This novel centers on a young woman in prison in Mexico. She starts reading to her fellow inmates from great works of literature, but the stories she tells are of her own childhood, growing up on the road with her trucker father. OK, I really liked this book! There was a great interplay between her stories and her prison life. A.
Monday, February 25, 2008
more stuff i've shared
Here are some more links I shared via Google Reader this past week:
Videos of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova at the Oscars (this was the only win I was actually excited about)
The US Holocaust Museum restored a burnt diary from the Warsaw ghetto.
Fun with Mario Paint! I totally had this game, but was not nearly this talented.
Borders is starting a bunch of new concept bookstores, including one for graphic novels. It's nice that comics will be more widely available (I guess?), but I'm still going to shop at Chapel Hill Comics.
Speaking of comics, the Wolverine movie is going to be full of man-candy (a few other actors have since joined the cast, including Dominic Monaghan or whatever his name is from Lost and LOTR).
Finally, here's a nice piece about one of my favorite books of the year, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.
Videos of Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova at the Oscars (this was the only win I was actually excited about)
The US Holocaust Museum restored a burnt diary from the Warsaw ghetto.
Fun with Mario Paint! I totally had this game, but was not nearly this talented.
Borders is starting a bunch of new concept bookstores, including one for graphic novels. It's nice that comics will be more widely available (I guess?), but I'm still going to shop at Chapel Hill Comics.
Speaking of comics, the Wolverine movie is going to be full of man-candy (a few other actors have since joined the cast, including Dominic Monaghan or whatever his name is from Lost and LOTR).
Finally, here's a nice piece about one of my favorite books of the year, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao.
Sunday, February 24, 2008
no-knead bread
I decided to try the no-knead bread recipe (from the NY Times) this weekend, since people have been raving about it for eons and it's been ages since I baked bread. I was feeling a little anxious about this endeavor when, after letting the bread rise for 20 hours, it didn't look very risen (though the smell assured me that the yeast had fermented) and was sticky as all get-out. It was a bitch to work with and I told my dad I was sure I had a disaster on my hands; things didn't improve when, as per instructions, I preheated my oven to 450 and stuck a big covered pot in there. Shortly thereafter, a crackling noise erupted from the oven and my smoke alarm went off. Yes, the plastic on the pot lid had started to melt. I put the still-horrible-after-two-hours-of-rising dough into an uncovered cake pan (deciding to cook for 30 minutes instead of 45, and at 400 instad of 450) and hoped for the best.
Lo and behold . . . it looks ugly as hell but is DELICIOUS. It's light and fluffy on the inside and nice and crackly on the outside. I totally will make this recipe again now that I know its weirdnesses--five minutes of prep time beats having to mess with bread dough every two hours (though I do like making challah and probably will do it again, and I am still obsessed with my dough hook and recommend it to everyone).
Anyway, yay for yummy homemade bread!
PS. This is the first photo I've uploaded using my Macbook! And my wireless is even working at the moment!
Lo and behold . . . it looks ugly as hell but is DELICIOUS. It's light and fluffy on the inside and nice and crackly on the outside. I totally will make this recipe again now that I know its weirdnesses--five minutes of prep time beats having to mess with bread dough every two hours (though I do like making challah and probably will do it again, and I am still obsessed with my dough hook and recommend it to everyone).
Anyway, yay for yummy homemade bread!
PS. This is the first photo I've uploaded using my Macbook! And my wireless is even working at the moment!
2008 book 25
Tony D'Souza's The Konkans
My cat just stepped on the keyboard and deleted everything I'd written, so here's the short story: American woman doing a Peace Corps stint in India marries a Konkan man (Konkans are Catholic Indians) and they move to America and start a family. Some details are autobiographical and are the richer for it. A few too many historical interludes about Konkans but an engaging story overall. A-.
I also saw Persepolis this weekend, which was awesome! They really did a good job translating the graphic novel to screen and the visuals were amazing.
My cat just stepped on the keyboard and deleted everything I'd written, so here's the short story: American woman doing a Peace Corps stint in India marries a Konkan man (Konkans are Catholic Indians) and they move to America and start a family. Some details are autobiographical and are the richer for it. A few too many historical interludes about Konkans but an engaging story overall. A-.
I also saw Persepolis this weekend, which was awesome! They really did a good job translating the graphic novel to screen and the visuals were amazing.
Friday, February 22, 2008
2008 book 24
Jacqueline Winspear's Maisie Dobbs
Elizabeth recommended this to me--it's the first book in a series about a young woman detective in the late 1920s. In this volume, the mystery takes a back seat to her backstory, as we learn about her humble roots, her generous benefactor, and her stint as a nurse in France during WWI. On the whole it was enjoyable (though not as good as the Laurie King Mary Russell books), aside from a really silly interlude where Maisie explains how she solved the mystery. Also, she says "golly!" more than once. Heh. B.
Meanwhile, I am super annoyed b/c my macbook suddenly isn't working with my wireless! And my other computer barely works at all, which makes book blogging a very frustrating endeavor. Good thing I started knitting two new scarves today! (While watching the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice movie, no less.)
Elizabeth recommended this to me--it's the first book in a series about a young woman detective in the late 1920s. In this volume, the mystery takes a back seat to her backstory, as we learn about her humble roots, her generous benefactor, and her stint as a nurse in France during WWI. On the whole it was enjoyable (though not as good as the Laurie King Mary Russell books), aside from a really silly interlude where Maisie explains how she solved the mystery. Also, she says "golly!" more than once. Heh. B.
Meanwhile, I am super annoyed b/c my macbook suddenly isn't working with my wireless! And my other computer barely works at all, which makes book blogging a very frustrating endeavor. Good thing I started knitting two new scarves today! (While watching the Colin Firth Pride and Prejudice movie, no less.)
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
2008 book 23
Denise Mina's Slip of the Knife
Here's a thriller/mystery set in Scotland but mired in Irish politics. When her colleague and former lover is killed, a journalist falls deep into a world of intrigue. Or whatever. There also a subplot about a baby killer going free. I was a little eh on this. Not enough narrative tension or something. B.
Here's a thriller/mystery set in Scotland but mired in Irish politics. When her colleague and former lover is killed, a journalist falls deep into a world of intrigue. Or whatever. There also a subplot about a baby killer going free. I was a little eh on this. Not enough narrative tension or something. B.
Monday, February 18, 2008
2008 book 22
Jeannettee Walls' The Glass Castle
People have been urging me to read this memoir for years, but since two people recommended it to me last week, I decided it was time to give it a go. It's the story of four children and their absolutely insane parents--alcoholic father, mother with some other issues. I HATED it. On every page, I hoped social services would come to give these children a real home. Their lives are astonishingly heartbreaking and awful, and I don't care that 3/4 of them turned out ok, no children should have to grow up like that. It's like when I read Running with Scissors and was aghast that people lived like that. Guess what, this is worse!! Children should always have food and a roof over their heads! I guess Walls is a good writer--she tells her family history with wry humor--but that doesn't make the facts more palatable. Also, I wondered what her siblings thought about her version of events. I'd be mad if one of my sibs wrote a book and mentioned multiple times that s/he was the favorite child. None of her sibs are fully realized people here, though her parents are (horrifyingly so). Seriously, this is why I rarely read non-fiction. It really depressed me.
People have been urging me to read this memoir for years, but since two people recommended it to me last week, I decided it was time to give it a go. It's the story of four children and their absolutely insane parents--alcoholic father, mother with some other issues. I HATED it. On every page, I hoped social services would come to give these children a real home. Their lives are astonishingly heartbreaking and awful, and I don't care that 3/4 of them turned out ok, no children should have to grow up like that. It's like when I read Running with Scissors and was aghast that people lived like that. Guess what, this is worse!! Children should always have food and a roof over their heads! I guess Walls is a good writer--she tells her family history with wry humor--but that doesn't make the facts more palatable. Also, I wondered what her siblings thought about her version of events. I'd be mad if one of my sibs wrote a book and mentioned multiple times that s/he was the favorite child. None of her sibs are fully realized people here, though her parents are (horrifyingly so). Seriously, this is why I rarely read non-fiction. It really depressed me.
Saturday, February 16, 2008
2008 book 21
Joshua Henkin's Matrimony
This was a pretty good novel about some college students and their lives for the like 15 years after college--Julian, a wannabe writer from a wealthy New York family, his Jewish-Canadian girlfriend Mia, and his friend Carter, who's from a poor family in California and has a chip on his shoulder. The book jacket description makes things seem very dramatic, but really it's just a nice novel about life and writing. B+.
This was a pretty good novel about some college students and their lives for the like 15 years after college--Julian, a wannabe writer from a wealthy New York family, his Jewish-Canadian girlfriend Mia, and his friend Carter, who's from a poor family in California and has a chip on his shoulder. The book jacket description makes things seem very dramatic, but really it's just a nice novel about life and writing. B+.
fun links
I just realized that only two of you read all the random things I share through Google reader, and maybe some of the rest of you would like them as well. So here are some recent things I've shared:
Kitchen Gadgets of the Future
Mind-blowing New Pornographers video (featuring Dan Bejar's hair)
Michael Chabon and Daniel Mendelsohn have a conversation, which reminds me I still need to read Mendelsohn's book.
Interview with George Romero about his new zombie movie (linked even though his previous movies, filmed in my hometown, gave me nightmares as a child)
Kitchen Gadgets of the Future
Mind-blowing New Pornographers video (featuring Dan Bejar's hair)
Michael Chabon and Daniel Mendelsohn have a conversation, which reminds me I still need to read Mendelsohn's book.
Interview with George Romero about his new zombie movie (linked even though his previous movies, filmed in my hometown, gave me nightmares as a child)
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
2008 book 20
Hari Kunzu's My Revolutions
God, what is the obsession with former 60s radicals? I swear, this is the third book I've read about a former radical living a new life under an assumed name whose past comes back to haunt him. Fleeing his family and the man who has confronted him, he flashes back to his past activities. The guy in this book is British, which I guess makes for a change. Of course, it's even more annoying to read about radicals in Britain, b/c they were just sort of vaguely protesting the world, and not trying to get their army to withdraw from Vietnam. B.
God, what is the obsession with former 60s radicals? I swear, this is the third book I've read about a former radical living a new life under an assumed name whose past comes back to haunt him. Fleeing his family and the man who has confronted him, he flashes back to his past activities. The guy in this book is British, which I guess makes for a change. Of course, it's even more annoying to read about radicals in Britain, b/c they were just sort of vaguely protesting the world, and not trying to get their army to withdraw from Vietnam. B.
Saturday, February 09, 2008
2008 book 19
I'm on my couch on my new computer--yay wireless and yay working laptop!
Sara Young's My Enemy's Cradle
OK, this one requires some serious suspension of disbelief, and that's not even for the major plot points, which are as follows: a half-Jewish girl living in Holland at the start of WWII with her non-Jewish relatives ends up taking her cousin's place at a Lebensborn (one of those Nazi homes for unwed mothers impregnated by German soldiers, though the protagonist's baby's father is Jewish). Actually it's a totally riveting novel if you're willing to get into it and not be all nitpicky (I am the nitpicky type, but I was engaged anyway). The author clearly did some research on the Lebensborn movement and the offhand descriptions of the home are pretty fascinating. B+.
Sara Young's My Enemy's Cradle
OK, this one requires some serious suspension of disbelief, and that's not even for the major plot points, which are as follows: a half-Jewish girl living in Holland at the start of WWII with her non-Jewish relatives ends up taking her cousin's place at a Lebensborn (one of those Nazi homes for unwed mothers impregnated by German soldiers, though the protagonist's baby's father is Jewish). Actually it's a totally riveting novel if you're willing to get into it and not be all nitpicky (I am the nitpicky type, but I was engaged anyway). The author clearly did some research on the Lebensborn movement and the offhand descriptions of the home are pretty fascinating. B+.
v-day gift guide
For those of you who might be scrambling for gifts, let me point you to the Chapel Hill Comics' Valentine's Gift Guide! I especially recommend Vanessa's picks for future lovers . . . and those white ugly dolls. Adorable!
Speaking of adorable, my new Macbook just arrived! Too bad I can't get it to connect to my wireless network. I am sure it will work out eventually.
Speaking of adorable, my new Macbook just arrived! Too bad I can't get it to connect to my wireless network. I am sure it will work out eventually.
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
apollo's song
Apollo's Song came in my latest package of comic books, and I started reading it last night. I have to say, it's really disturbing so far. In several early scenes, the adorably-drawn protagonist tortures and kills cute animals because they're in love. Then he drifts into a dream sequence where he's a Nazi, and some other Nazis are raping a Jewish girl. That's where I stopped reading. Brutality toward animals AND rape? I cannot handle reading about either of these things, especially when they're illustrated so cutely (Tezuka created Astro Boy, and that's how all these characters look). Has anyone read it? Is it worth sticking with?
In happier comics news, Yakitate Japan brought a smile to my face. It's about a small-town boy on a quest to create the perfect bread! Um, awesome. I also received (among other things) the final issue of Y the Last Man and am prepared to discuss it!
For more good titles, check out Chapel Hill Comics' best of 2007 lists. Erin is represented by an adorable kitten!
In happier comics news, Yakitate Japan brought a smile to my face. It's about a small-town boy on a quest to create the perfect bread! Um, awesome. I also received (among other things) the final issue of Y the Last Man and am prepared to discuss it!
For more good titles, check out Chapel Hill Comics' best of 2007 lists. Erin is represented by an adorable kitten!
Sunday, February 03, 2008
partially read
I was 186 pages into Brock Clarke's An Arsonist's Guide to Writers' Homes in New England when I realized that I wasn't going to start liking the frustratingly idiotic and annoying narrator, a moron of a man who had accidentally burned down Emily Dickinson's house as a teenager and then done every possible thing wrong since then. I was mildly interested in finding out his parents' secrets but not enough to keep reading. My instincts were right; I skipped ahead and read the last chapter and knew I would have absolutely hated this book.
Saturday, February 02, 2008
2008 book 18
James Collins' Beginner's Greek
Getting raves all over the place, this is the story of a man who meets the woman of his dreams on a plane ride. When he loses her number, it seems likely to devolve into something totally predictable--his madcap antics trying to track her down, or something. But the second chapter throws a wrench into things, and another twist in chapter three made me wonder what on earth would happen next. Of course the end is totally inevitable and everything wraps up way too neatly, but it was a very sweet and very readable book. A-.
Getting raves all over the place, this is the story of a man who meets the woman of his dreams on a plane ride. When he loses her number, it seems likely to devolve into something totally predictable--his madcap antics trying to track her down, or something. But the second chapter throws a wrench into things, and another twist in chapter three made me wonder what on earth would happen next. Of course the end is totally inevitable and everything wraps up way too neatly, but it was a very sweet and very readable book. A-.
2008 book 17
I know, I know--you're all wondering if I really haven't read a book all week. Well it's true, I haven't! The reason is twofold--first, I didn't have anything particularly compelling from the library (which has been rectified), and second, I have been watching Oz on DVD. Multiple episodes every night! At least, until Netflix decided my addiction to this ultra-violent soap opera needed to be treated, and started sending me random selections from way down my queue, EVEN THOUGH all nine remaining discs of Oz are available. Damn you, Netflix!!
Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey
As several of you know, I never really got into Jane Austen (though I did read and enjoy Sense and Sensibility a year or so ago), but I've been watching the Sunday night Jane Austen movies on PBS for lack of anything better to do. I caught the last ten or so minutes of Northanger Abbey and was intrigued--a girl is unceremoniously kicked out of her friend's house in the middle of the night, some other girl is totally seduced by a dude who is clearly a cad, the first girl is visited by her man who seems to imply that she thinks his dad is a vampire and then he proposes, and a voiceover announces that the two got married as did some other couple, the end. Well, of course after all that I had to read the book! It started off strong, with Austen's very tongue-in-cheek descriptions of the heroine in contrast to more romantic heroines of the time (a friend and Austen fan assures me that this novel is a parody of gothic novels). But then it really got kind of annoying, with those jackasses the Thorpes (what would jackasses have been called in Austen's time, I wonder) and endless descriptions of the Abbey. Whatever. There weren't even any vampires so it was pretty much a letdown. No, just kidding, it's a classic etc. But I am way ready to read something more modern.
Jane Austen's Northanger Abbey
As several of you know, I never really got into Jane Austen (though I did read and enjoy Sense and Sensibility a year or so ago), but I've been watching the Sunday night Jane Austen movies on PBS for lack of anything better to do. I caught the last ten or so minutes of Northanger Abbey and was intrigued--a girl is unceremoniously kicked out of her friend's house in the middle of the night, some other girl is totally seduced by a dude who is clearly a cad, the first girl is visited by her man who seems to imply that she thinks his dad is a vampire and then he proposes, and a voiceover announces that the two got married as did some other couple, the end. Well, of course after all that I had to read the book! It started off strong, with Austen's very tongue-in-cheek descriptions of the heroine in contrast to more romantic heroines of the time (a friend and Austen fan assures me that this novel is a parody of gothic novels). But then it really got kind of annoying, with those jackasses the Thorpes (what would jackasses have been called in Austen's time, I wonder) and endless descriptions of the Abbey. Whatever. There weren't even any vampires so it was pretty much a letdown. No, just kidding, it's a classic etc. But I am way ready to read something more modern.
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